Jun 15, 20:00

PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:29 PM
     League of Legends player creates GeoGuessr for LoL and it's amazing

League of Legends is not just one of the most popular games on Earth; it's also one of the longest-running. The game was originally launched in October 2009. Since then, it has only grown in popularity and roster size, turning Riot Games into a billion-dollar company and birthing the modern MOBA genre. Now, one fan of the game has invented a new way to test players' knowledge of the game's map, Summoner's Rift.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, League of Legends tier list
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 2:32 PM
     Street Fighter 6 is half off, if you act fast

Street Fighter 6 took the fighting game world by storm when it originally launched just one year ago in the Summer of 2023. Since then, the beloved Capcom title has been the premier fighting game, bringing in a mixture of retro fans as well as an entirely new generation of new players looking to dive in. Now, developer and publisher Capcom has reduced SF6 to its lowest price on Steam yet.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Street Fighter 6 review, Street Fighter 6 tier list, Street Fighter 6 roster
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 1:01 PM
     9/10 horror game the cheapest it's ever been on Steam, but act fast

Dead Space Remake is undoubtedly not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for those who don't like piecing up alien amalgams limb by limb. However, if that is your jam, then this deep space odyssey should be right up your alley. When the remake for the original Dead Space dropped in January 2023, fans of the series who'd desperately been waiting for another entry in the long-dormant series were treated to an absolute gem of a game, and for those who still haven't given it a try, it's on a huge sale for a short period of time.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best horror games on PC, Dead Space Remake review, Dead Space system requirements
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 12:30 PM
     2024's standout metroidvania is coming to Steam soon

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown is the best metroidvania of 2024 so far. With responsive and challenging movement, delightful combat, and a handful of genre-defining ideas that other games will be looking to going forward, the adventure across the time-displaced Mount Qaf is one I'll be coming back to for years to come. If you're yet to play it on PC then you'll be glad to hear it's finally coming to Steam, achievements and all.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Prince of Persia The Lost Crown system requirements, Prince of Persia The Lost Crown review, Best single-player games
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 12:12 PM
     Free Monopoly Go dice links June 2024

June 15, 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 app on smartphones, allowing everyone to experience the thrills of Monopoly on practically any device. Everything that makes the board game special is here in Monopoly Go, so you'll be collecting properties and building hotels as you go around the board, and there are a variety of multiplayer minigames to get through along the way.

You're going to need to get your hands on Monopoly dice rolls, but they are difficult to come by no matter how far you are into the board game. There are ways to earn additional dice rolls, including logging into the game every day to collect daily bonuses, progressing further in the game, and inviting friends to try Monopoly Go. While you can also spend real money to unlock more dice rolls, you may want to give our list of Monopoly Go dice links a try instead, especially if you're waiting for the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event. Take a look at all the currently active Monopoly Go free dice links for today.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, June 15, 2024 5:43 PM
    

Lollipop Chainsaw RePop, a refresh of the 2012 hack-and-slasher about a cheerleader fighting hordes of zombies, finally has a release date: September 25th. It also has a first trailer, showing it in action with the new, less violent "RePop mode".

Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, June 15, 2024 5:06 PM
    

League Of Geeks are going "into hibernation". The Australian developers behind fantasy strategy games such as the animal-themed Armello and hellish remake Solium Infernum said that their remaining staff are going to take an extended break, and they're not sure "when (or if)" they will revive the studio.

Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, June 15, 2024 4:44 PM
    

The developers of Wizard With A Gun are closing down. Galvanic Games, who released the sandbox survival game last year, said that ongoing sales of the game were not enough to keep the studio going, and they'd run out of time to find funding for a new project.

Read more

Siliconera Saturday, June 15, 2024 1:30 PM
    

nier automata shoes

Mayla has teased an upcoming selection of shoes based on NieR Automata. There's not much more information on when they'll appear, what characters will have collaboration shoes, and if there will be any other goods in the collection.

The promotional art shows a pair of black high heels on a concrete building. Behind it are a lot of other dilapidated buildings with trees growing from them, which is a scene that those who played NieR Automata should be familiar with. On the high heels, there is a white design on the front and the back of the shoes have Mayla's signature bow. Because of the white design on the front, which almost looks like 2B's visor (with even a slant to it to account for how part of her bangs fall in front of the blindfold), this pair of high heels likely draws inspiration from her.

Mayla is a brand that tends to release accessories, shoes, perfumes, and clothing based off anime or video games. Their shoes usually feature a big bow at the back of them. In the past, Mayla received heeled sneakers that look like the pilots and plugsuits in Evangelion. Even earlier than those shoes, it released pumps that look like Hatsune Miku.

NieR Automata is readily available on the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC. More information on the Mayla NieR Automata shoes will come out later.

The post Mayla Teases NieR Automata Shoes appeared first on Siliconera.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, June 15, 2024 7:15 PM
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, June 15, 2024 6:28 PM
    

According to The Verge's Tom Warren.

The post Gears of War: E-Day May Launch in 2025 appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, June 15, 2024 5:42 PM
    

Allegedly belongs to an early Proto build

The post Spider-Man 3 Early Build Gameplay Seemingly Leaked appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

Jun 15, 14:00

Kotaku Saturday, June 15, 2024 10:00 AM
    

With Kotaku in attendance at last week's Summer Game Fest, we got to go hands-on with some of the biggest games on the horizon. Read on for our impressions of Star Wars Outlaws, Horizon Lego Adventures, and the delightful-looking Astro Bot, among other games. We've also got an early look at one of next year's most…

Read more...

Kotaku Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:00 AM
    

Summer Game Fest took up a lot of the oxygen in the room last week, and from there, we got new details on Star Wars Outlaws, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and more. But there was no shortage of stories from beyond the showcases and show floor, too. An Epic Games Store leak hinted at some big things on the horizon, for…

Read more...

PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 1:01 PM
     9/10 horror game the cheapest it's ever been on Steam, but act fast

Dead Space Remake is undoubtedly not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for those who don't like piecing up alien amalgams limb by limb. However, if that is your jam, then this deep space odyssey should be right up your alley. When the remake for the original Dead Space dropped in January 2023, fans of the series who'd desperately been waiting for another entry in the long-dormant series were treated to an absolute gem of a game, and for those who still haven't given it a try, it's on a huge sale for a short period of time.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best horror games on PC, Dead Space Remake review, Dead Space system requirements
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 12:30 PM
     2024's standout metroidvania is coming to Steam soon

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown is the best metroidvania of 2024 so far. With responsive and challenging movement, delightful combat, and a handful of genre-defining ideas that other games will be looking to going forward, the adventure across the time-displaced Mount Qaf is one I'll be coming back to for years to come. If you're yet to play it on PC then you'll be glad to hear it's finally coming to Steam, achievements and all.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Prince of Persia The Lost Crown system requirements, Prince of Persia The Lost Crown review, Best single-player games
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 12:12 PM
     Free Monopoly Go dice links June 2024

June 15, 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 app on smartphones, allowing everyone to experience the thrills of Monopoly on practically any device. Everything that makes the board game special is here in Monopoly Go, so you'll be collecting properties and building hotels as you go around the board, and there are a variety of multiplayer minigames to get through along the way.

You're going to need to get your hands on Monopoly dice rolls, but they are difficult to come by no matter how far you are into the board game. There are ways to earn additional dice rolls, including logging into the game every day to collect daily bonuses, progressing further in the game, and inviting friends to try Monopoly Go. While you can also spend real money to unlock more dice rolls, you may want to give our list of Monopoly Go dice links a try instead, especially if you're waiting for the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event. Take a look at all the currently active Monopoly Go free dice links for today.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 11:39 AM
     Diablo inspired roguelike dungeon crawler gets stellar Steam demo

I'm always on the lookout for the next great roguelike, and Steam Next Fest has me spoilt for choice. With the demo festival nearly over, vibrant dungeon crawler Wizard of Legend has caught my eye, and the free demo is one you should absolutely try if you're looking for an arcade and Diablo-inspired adventure with some great magical combinations.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Upcoming PC games, Best roguelike games, Free Steam games
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 11:17 AM
     Complete Kingdom Hearts bundle already saves you $100, for now

Kingdom Hearts has finally made its way onto Steam. After years of waiting, the beloved Square Enix franchise has hit the biggest marketplace on PC. To add to the excitement of adventuring once again with Sora, Donald, and Goofy, Square Enix has released a collection that puts all the titles into one big package in an enormous sale no diehard Kingdom Hearts fan would want to miss out on. Let's break down exactly what's been released, and how the sale works.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best RPGs on PC, The best anime games on PC, The best PC games
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 10:13 AM
     League of Legends' Skarner is broken and Riot can't stop him

Over the last few years, League of Legends developer Riot Games has periodically updated some of the older champions in the game. When champions are updated, they are given new spells that don't deviate too far from their original design, and help them keep up with some of the newer and flashier characters that now sprawl Summoner's Rift. When Skarner's update hit live servers back in March, players didn't realize the terror that he would eventually become, and Riot can't even stop him now.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, League of Legends tier list
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:30 AM
     Baldur's Gate 3 mod turns the RPG into a 100-hour co-op roguelike

You and some friends can dive into a Baldur's Gate 3 mod that turns it into a roguelike right now. With a unique progression system, over 100 hours of potential content, and a scaling difficulty depending on how you're doing, you'll be putting your BG3 combat skills to the test. As one of PCGamesN's most ardent roguelike and mod enjoyers, this is like a dream come true.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 builds, BG3 mods, Baldur's Gate 3 classes
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 7:10 AM
     The best modern platformer is getting a Steam revamp and sequel

A decade later, Shovel Knight is one of the best modern interpretations of old-school game design I've ever seen. The 2D platformer is vibrant, a joy to control, and stuffed with so many free updates that your eyes start to pop out of your smooth blue helmet. I own it on almost every platform I have access to, and developer Yacht Club Games has just taken my wallet for another ride, as a complete Steam revamp of the modern classic is on the way with Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Upcoming PC games, Best platform games, free Steam games
Siliconera Saturday, June 15, 2024 1:30 PM
    

nier automata shoes

Mayla has teased an upcoming selection of shoes based on NieR Automata. There's not much more information on when they'll appear, what characters will have collaboration shoes, and if there will be any other goods in the collection.

The promotional art shows a pair of black high heels on a concrete building. Behind it are a lot of other dilapidated buildings with trees growing from them, which is a scene that those who played NieR Automata should be familiar with. On the high heels, there is a white design on the front and the back of the shoes have Mayla's signature bow. Because of the white design on the front, which almost looks like 2B's visor (with even a slant to it to account for how part of her bangs fall in front of the blindfold), this pair of high heels likely draws inspiration from her.

Mayla is a brand that tends to release accessories, shoes, perfumes, and clothing based off anime or video games. Their shoes usually feature a big bow at the back of them. In the past, Mayla received heeled sneakers that look like the pilots and plugsuits in Evangelion. Even earlier than those shoes, it released pumps that look like Hatsune Miku.

NieR Automata is readily available on the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC. More information on the Mayla NieR Automata shoes will come out later.

The post Mayla Teases NieR Automata Shoes appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Saturday, June 15, 2024 12:00 PM
    

witch & lilies

On paper, Witch & Lilies sounds amazing! A dungeon-crawling RPG with awesome monster designs and yuri? Sign me up! But despite its powerful core concept, the early access build's execution feels like sitting through a really boring date.

The premise of Witch & Lilies, as well as the basic gameplay loop, is simple. You create your own unique party out of a preset list of jobs, appearances, and personalities. Then, with your party of five, you traverse through a dungeon teeming with monsters in order to uncover the secrets left behind by the witches. Its main story is pretty standard fare for a DRPG, but the true selling point lies in its relationship system. Witch & Lilies markets itself as a yuri DRPG, in which nurturing the relationships between the girls is a major part of the game. Relationships develop mostly in the post-dungeon events and tasks, though there can be break-ups and jealousy as well.

witch & lilies monster and character design
Screenshot by Siliconera

Before we get into the negatives, let's talk about the positives. Art style in a game is very subjective, but I quite liked Witch & Lilies'. The cutesy aesthetic of the human characters compared to the more grotesque looks of the monsters reminded me of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. The music is also much better than I expected, especially the battle and main menu themes.

Avoiding the witches on a map where you sometimes can't see what's around the corner or ahead of you can be tricky. I often trapped myself in a corner, then had no choice but to perish. However, it did force me to resort to the old school method of mapping out the dungeons myself. As a DRPG, it plays very well. But it's really run-of-the-mill without the romance system. Yet, as I'll explain later, the romance system has quite a few flaws if you're interested in yuri as something more than eye candy.

witch & lilies menu screen
Screenshot by Siliconera

Even a second in Witch & Lilies demonstrated that it has a lot of QOL quirks and annoyances. I play using the keyboard, and felt like the game might be better with a controller. It took me a while to figure out things like basic controls and menu navigation. Somehow, I didn't expect everything to operate using the WASD control scheme. Organizing the party in particular was really not intuitive. If the game expects or developer prefers the player to use a controller, then I wish they would indicate that. The controls for the game only seldom appear on the screen. For example, it told me to open my menu to equip skills, yet it never actually told me which button to press. It took me forever just to figure out my map and menu.

The translation for the game is also rough. It reads a little awkwardly, and there are some random words in sentences. Some words are too long for the window they're in, causing them to jump to the next line. Though I played in English for this preview, I saw some leftover Japanese in certain menus. I'm inclined to believe that the developers will fix this for the final build though. Finally, the lack of an auto-battle can be frustrating, especially when weaklings jump you on your way to the lower depths.

witch & lilies translation
Screenshot by Siliconera

With those minor issues out of the way, there's still the core issue I have with the game: the yuri. Witch & Lilies is one of those titles where the concept and premise sound amazing. Yet the execution is so clumsy that not even the main idea can really save it. A DRPG that revolves around maintaining your party's relationships with each other, and they're all women you can have romance each other, sounds fantastic.

But remember that you're making your own party out of preset personalities and appearances. Because there's such a wide range of potential characters in the game, it makes sense that there's a limit to the dialogue variation in the game. Whether the girls are turning each other down, breaking up, or dating, they only have about one or two lines in each event. The "conversation" that they have usually doesn't make any sense at all, either. Two of my girls went on a date that went well, yet their conversation made it seem like one of them got turned down. It reminds me a lot of the "support conversations" in Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn. So outside of strategic benefit, the yuri in the game is not very strong.

witch & lilies date
Screenshot by Siliconera

To be honest, I prefer yaoi more than yuri. So I can't say I know what the average yuri fan looks for in a ship. In my game, I tended to pair up my cheery Warrior with my proud Bestia, because they're both front line attackers who need to get post-battle bonuses together. The "genki girl" archetype with the "proud warrior race girl" trope together is really cute. But even when they go on dates and have a good time, the text is so simple that I can't really enjoy it. It's only nice to see because the sooner they get together, the sooner they can unlock benefits in battle. While the mechanic is still really interesting, I'm not sure it's strong enough at present to be what makes this DRPG stand out.

Despite its cutesy aesthetic, Witch & Lilies is an unforgiving DRPG that needs some time fleshing out its core mechanic of romance. It also has a lot of little annoyances and issues that they need to iron out. As of the time of writing, the game has a Mixed reception from Steam, with most of the other players echoing this sentiment. I hope the developers can find a way to utilize player feedback, and incorporate some changes and optimizations into the final product.

Witch & Lilies is in early access and is available on Windows PCs.

The post Preview: Witch & Lilies Delivers, But Not on Romance appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Saturday, June 15, 2024 10:30 AM
    

metaphor refantazio art book

The Metaphor: ReFantazio Twitter account has Tweeted a few samples from the art book, which will come with the premium edition of the game. The art book will include illustrations and concept art from the game, as well as pictures from guest artists.

In the sample for the Metaphor: ReFantazio art book, we can see concept art of the protagonist, as well as art of the Humans. Humans are the monster-like creations that the main characters have to fight against in the story. From what we know about them, they only know to rampage around and cause destruction. The names for the Humans derive from the scientific name for the Homo genus. The artwork depicts Homo Avades, Homo Gorleo, and Homo Ptera.

metaphor refantazio art book protagonist
Image via Atlus

metaphor refantazio art book humans
Image via Atlus

Metaphor: ReFantazio is an upcoming game from Atlus and Studio Zero. The creative minds behind Persona 3 through 5 are the ones working on this game. Katsura Hashino is both the director and producer, Shigenori Soejima is the artist, and Shoji Meguro is the composer. It takes place in a medieval fantasy world who protects his kingdom with the help of his companions. While there will be some aspects of Persona in this work, such as in the calendar system and social simulation aspects, there won't be anything like romance.

Metaphor: ReFantazio will come out on October 11, 2024 for the PS4, PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.

The post Metaphor: ReFantazio Art Book Samples Show Humans appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:00 AM
    

When Kingdom Hearts first debuted, its unique concept of blending Disney worlds with Final Fantasy characters felt fresh and intriguing. The initial elevator pitch of "Disney meets Final Fantasy" was a dream come true for many. However, as the series progressed, the presence of Final Fantasy characters significantly diminished, to the point where they don't even appear in the Kingdom Hearts III base game, and it's a shame for the series as a whole.

Elements like Moogles and other staples from the Final Fantasy series persist throughout the Kingdom Hearts games. However, their influence on the storyline has been minimal since the first few entries. One of the first allies Sora meets in the original game is Squall from Final Fantasy VIII, who goes by the name Leon. This encounter, with Leon's older, more battle-worn design, set an exciting precedent for integrating fan-favorite Final Fantasy characters into this new Kingdom Hearts universe.

Screenshot by Siliconera

Sadly, the cool design and a few lines of dialogue about his new name are all we ever get regarding him. Shortly after meeting Leon, Sora teams up with Donald and Goofy. From here he heads to various Disney worlds, and Final Fantasy characters are nowhere to be seen. This absence is explained in-universe by the rules that characters typically cannot travel between worlds. Nevertheless, this feels like a missed opportunity to blend the two franchises more deeply.

One notable exception to this trend is the Olympus Coliseum storyline. Here, Cloud from Final Fantasy VII is hired as a mercenary by Hades from Disney's Hercules. This crossover was an organic and exciting melding of the two universes, showcasing the potential for similar interactions. Imagine every Disney world featuring a Final Fantasy character in a similar capacity. It would have allowed for plenty of narrative possibilities that, sadly, Square Enix chose not to explore.

Screenshot by Siliconera

While Square Enix gave us a little more interaction with Final Fantasy characters in Kingdom Hearts II, it really doesn't develop things much further. While it's cool to see Cloud and Squall talk to each other, Square Enix barely follow up on this premise. Even when the storyline comes to Hollow Bastion, the plot is more happening around them, and not with them.

It is understandable that Disney, being the larger and more protective brand, most likely imposed limitations on the crossovers. However, the imbalance has become a huge talking point. It's akin to Marvel vs. Capcom featuring tons of Marvel characters, then only a few from Capcom before gradually omitting Capcom characters entirely.

Fans love Kingdom Hearts for its complex, often convoluted and ultimately compelling storyline. However, leaning more heavily into the Final Fantasy aspect could have potentially elevated the series further. Sadly, the potential for exploring interactions with Disney characters remains largely untapped.

Screenshot by Siliconera

As for antagonists, while Sephiroth is a classic bonus boss in earlier games, he's also missing from Kingdom Hearts III. Other iconic Final Fantasy villains are also notably absent from the series. This deprives the series of potentially thrilling encounters and team-ups with Disney villains.

Kingdom Hearts could have really benefited from a stronger inclusion of Final Fantasy characters throughout the series. Their rich backstories and dynamic personalities could have added even more depth and diversity to the game's narrative. Despite these missed opportunities, Kingdom Hearts remains a unique and beloved franchise. Guess we'll just have to wonder about what could have been if it had fully embraced its Final Fantasy roots.

The Kingdom Hearts series released on Steam on June 15, 2024.

The post Kingdom Hearts Should Have Leaned Heavier Into Final Fantasy appeared first on Siliconera.

WGB Saturday, June 15, 2024 8:59 AM
     The first review for new horror game Still Wakes the Deep has dropped, courtesy of Edge magazine.

Jun 15, 06:00

PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 5:56 AM
     FF14 Dawntrail's fashion overhaul will completely change the endgame

The last Final Fantasy 14 Live Letter before Dawntrail gave us a lot to get excited about. Between a look at the new raid series, an even deeper dive into the regions of Tural, and a breakdown of 7.0's new quality-of-life features, the MMORPG's upcoming expansion is going to be a big one. After getting the loudest reaction of all the reveals at last year's Las Vegas Fan Fest though, the new two-dye system is what we've all really been waiting for, and director Naoki Yoshida just gave us our best look at the system yet.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best MMOs, FF14 Dawntrail release date, FF14 Island Sanctuary guide
PCGamesN Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:30 AM
     Grab 11 top indies, including a twisted Stardew Valley, for 95% off

Tinykin, Graveyard Keeper, and the Hello Neighbor games are just some of the 11 top indies in the tinyBuild IGN Live Humble Bundle. Altogether, everything here is worth $305, but you can get the lot for just $15, which works out as $1.36 per game. Oh, and that's without even factoring in the included DLC packs.

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:00 AM
    

You may notice there's a stowaway this week. He crept in during all the recent kerfuffle, and secreted himself in a cosy little nook of the treehouse. He was quickly discovered, but despite patient attempts to explain that it's been several years since he was last here, and as per tradition he's now dead to us, we've so far been unable to dislodge him. Like the smiley face hidden in the above image, he's just... there. So I decided, hell, let's hear what he's playing this weekend as well.

Here's what we're all clicking on this weekend!

Read more

Twinfinite Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:47 AM
    
BangBang Survivor or Survivor.io - which is better?
Siliconera Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:00 AM
    

Review: Fading Afternoon Controls and Execution Get in Its Way

Fading Afternoon is a perfect example of a game I'd normally love and devour, but the execution of certain elements meant I didn't want to return after a single run. The spritework is exceptional, the concept is fantastic, and the story is meaningful, but the way it is handled can get in the way of someone's experience.

Yeo's Fading Afternoon begins with a yakuza named Seiji Maruyama being released from prison. As he heads to the outside, he finds his former organization is in shambles. The Azuma clan fell from grace following Seiji choosing to take the fall and head to prison for the sake of the group, with others cementing their hold on the city. You're given some money and a few days in a hotel room, but it's not enough to keep going. Plus Seiji's health is at half and falling, a gameplay fixture that also alludes to his physical condition. Your goal is to go through the brief days in his life, choosing what he does with his time and his future.  

Review: Fading Afternoon Controls and Execution Get in Its Way
Image via Yeo

Now, before I get into this, one of Fading Afternoon's failings is its control scheme. It feels awkward. There are awkward button combinations for some actions that feel unintuitive. Others don't offer an explanation of what they initially mean, which means experimenting and probably forgetting until it clicks. But the worst offender comes to combat. On the Switch, there are many actions that involve pressing Y and B. It's incredibly uncomfortable, especially for certain holds and counters. 

This also means that the UI is limiting and doesn't offer enough. Some elements aren't labeled. Ones that are might not involve the information you'd need to proceed. After I went through the combat tutorial for the first time, my thumb was aching. I pulled up the menu, and chose the option that would send to the main menu. Silly me, I assumed this would mean that the game would auto-save. Nope! When I loaded it in again, I needed to go through that extended tutorial (which was also longer than it needed to be) again. The UI also doesn't let you know what time it is, which is critical in a game where each day flies by, and I wish it was easier to check the map to plot out my day without getting on the train and potentially squandering some hours. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrhivCSKZxk&ab_channel=yeonoblues

All this is a shame, because so many other elements of Fading Afternoon are so good. Each day, you basically can have Seiji explore three places before night falls and you wait to do it all over again. Initially, there will be hints about what to do. Visit Azuma. Learn about the value of heading to the pawn shop for a gun. Finding out about the locations of different individuals. Reminders from the hotel that you only have a few days left before your time in your room is done, which means finding a means of revenue to either keep staying or procure an apartment. 

Fading Afternoon is also a game with many paths and a message. The ambiance is thick, and you can feel how heavily Seiji's past and present weighs on him. You can't run, though bikes can be "borrowed" to more speedily get through some locations, which further emphasizes we are following someone who's fallen far and might not be able to get back up. The choices you make might even offer a chance to get out of the city and into the countryside, for a more leisurely escape. While Yeo very rarely enforces what to do and instead offers contextual clues or options, you might even find potential paths. I ended up bringing Kato with me for fun, and found that doing so would sometimes influence interactions. You can befriend people! I kept doing so with Azuma, and it led to a specific storyline. Everything you do can lead to different options, unlocks, and endings, and that's satisfying.

Screenshot by Yeo
Screenshot by Yeo

It also looks and feels great when controls and UI aren't getting in the way. Think of it as being akin to a slower-paced Yakuza or Like a Dragon game. There are the same sorts of options and opportunities to go off the beaten path and play how you want, if you'd like. But at the same time, you can become enmeshed in the conflict and fully involved in the lifestyle. All the while, you're seeing these intricate cityscapes and even rural areas that have such personality and depth. 

Yeo created a beautiful and meaningful game in Fading Afternoon. It's an interesting experience, and it can feel different from one run to another depending on your decisions. The problem is that some decision directions get in the way of it all, making it occasionally uncomfortable or inconvenient. Still, I'd say it is worth the trouble.

Fading Afternoon is available for the Nintendo Switch and PC. 

The post Review: Fading Afternoon Controls and Execution Get in Its Way appeared first on Siliconera.

Jun 15, 00:00

GamersHeroes Friday, June 14, 2024 4:40 PM
    

Broadcast during Apple WWDC 2024 earlier this week, the latest trailer for Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows provides a sneak peek at Feudal Japan.

The post Assassin's Creed Shadows Feudal Japan Sneak Peek Released appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Kotaku Friday, June 14, 2024 5:15 PM
    

I imagine the cross-section of people who still play Elden Ring but aren't buying its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is pretty small. Even so, those people are in luck since they'll still get to take advantage of a free update going live alongside the DLC. In addition to various gameplay changes, it'll greatly…

Read more...

Kotaku Friday, June 14, 2024 5:05 PM
    

Dragon Age: The Veilguard's promotional campaign is in full swing after BioWare reintroduced the re-titled RPG at Summer Game Fest earlier this month. While we learned a lot from the gameplay reveal and the behind-closed-doors presentation at the show, BioWare is still drip-feeding information to fans, most recently…

Read more...

Kotaku Friday, June 14, 2024 4:10 PM
    

A nervous woman with a large bust size was stopped at an airport in China after officials grew suspicious. They inspected her and discovered she was allegedly trying to smuggle 350 Nintendo Switch carts out of the country by stuffing them into her bra.

Read more...

PCGamesN Friday, June 14, 2024 6:42 PM
     Earn your revenge in this retro noir immersive sim out now on Steam

Noir is an underserved genre in gaming. We've had games like L.A. Noire, Discworld Noir, and the first two Max Payne games giving us some hard boiled goodness but overall noir is thin on the ground. You'd think the types of tales about detectives and criminals circling each other as they fall into darkness would be more popular, but alas they're relatively rare. Thankfully some developers are working on adding a little darkness and cynicism into the world and Fallen Aces is counted among that number.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best classic games , Best indie games
PCGamesN Friday, June 14, 2024 5:07 PM
     New Diablo 4 midseason patch notes bring big barbarian buffs

Season four of Diablo 4 has largely been a success. Steam reviews are climbing, community sentiment seems better, and player numbers have risen and have yet to drop down. For arguably the first time since the game launched, it's in a good position. That's something developer Blizzard recognizes and is reflected in the scope of the next patch for the game. Think of it more like a nudge, rather than a revolution.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4 review, Diablo 4 classes
PCGamesN Friday, June 14, 2024 6:24 PM
     30 years later, the seriously dark, bizarre Drowned God resurfaces

What's the scariest game you've ever played? Resident Evil, when the dogs first jump through the window. Silent Hill, and the opening section with the chain-link fence and the wheelchair. There's Amnesia, Alien Isolation, the Ravenholm section from Half-Life 2. But there's one forgotten PC game, from the same golden era as Myst, Riven, and Monkey Island, that is perhaps creepier - or at least stranger - than any other. Filled with esoteric and fastidiously detailed artwork, outlandish theories about the nature of reality, and one of the bleakest narratives in game history, after 30 years of silence, Drowned God has suddenly resurfaced.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best old games, Best story games, Best upcoming PC games
Twinfinite Friday, June 14, 2024 5:33 PM
    
Thinking about picking up Monster Hunter Stories 2 now that it is on PS4? Here's why you should.
Siliconera Friday, June 14, 2024 9:00 PM
    

niconico

In a follow-up response to how NicoNico Douga is down as a result of a major cyber attack, Dwango and Kadokawa have announced that it might take a month before the video sharing platform returns. For now, you can access NicoNico through a new version of the website, though it's very limited.

The new version is NicoNico Douga (Re: Temporary). You'll only be able to view popular videos from 2007, but Dwango plans to add more later. Though you won't need to make an account to watch anything on it, there will only be the bare minimum of functions available. It'll feel like using NicoNico from when the website first launched.

NicoNico released a video apologizing for and explaining the incident. The official blog and Dwango's website have also gone into more detail. To summarize, the cyber attack was a large scale one that involved the usage of ransomware. Dwango delayed in informing the public about the ransomware because the programmers wanted to make sure the servers were relatively safe. This was so as not to incite the attacker to move on to the next step. Dwango has already taken steps to ensure that accounts are safe and network security is stronger. But it will continue to monitor the situation and adjust these security measures as necessary. Though data on the videos are fine, Dwango hasn't confirmed yet if anyone took personal information. This includes information on credit card numbers and passwords.

As for when NicoNico will return, it may take over a month. In the meantime, people can use the new NicoNico Douga site above. Dwango will compensate people paying for membership fees or premium for two months' worth of time. The NicoNico Manga app should return some time in June 2024.

You can read the full Q&A about the attack on Dwango's website, though it's in Japanese.

The post NicoNico Will Take a Month to Return appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Friday, June 14, 2024 7:00 PM
    

Image of Firefly from the Deep Dive with the sillhouette of her SAM armor behind her

Until June 18, 2024, people can turn to social media to get "messages" from Firefly, a brand new Honkai: Star Rail character coming in patch 2.3. Like the texting feature in the game proper, X (formerly known as Twitter) users can now get a preview of conversations with her by interacting with an official HoYoVerse tweet.

By interacting with the Message From Firefly post on the official Honkai: Star Rail account, we can "reply" to her invitation. You can see the message below:

https://twitter.com/honkaistarrail/status/1801449486860042497

By replying to the post with either of the hashtags below by June 18, 2024, there will be a chance to receive a response. Like the texts in game, your choice will affect how the character responds. Note that you must have an X account to participate.

This follows a slate of drip marketing surrounding Firefly. From a deep dive into her kit in combat and on the field, to a series of short animated videos, she has been the center of a lot of content. One of the latest is a video from HoYoVerse's anime studio featuring the character:

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

Patch 2.3 of Honkai Star Rail: Goodbye Penacony will launch on June 19, 2024. It will feature numerous new events, including the release of Firefly as a playable character. She will be part of the first wave of gacha banners alongside her signature light cone. In addition to the new story and characters, higher difficulty content will be present to challenge players.

Honkai Star Rail is available on the PC, Playstation 5, and iOS and Android devices.

The post Texting With Firefly Honkai: Star Rail Event Begins appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Friday, June 14, 2024 6:00 PM
    

Sanrio Fes 2024

FuRyu Corporation will exhibit at Sanrio FES 2024, which takes place at Tokyo Big Sight, on June 16, 2024. It announced that it will bring crane games with themed merchandise and print sticker photo machines with special banners for free.

Visitors at the event will be able to play on the machines to attempt to plushies from the Myushi-Wedding BIG Plushie series. This line features variations of Sanrio characters such as Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, and My Melody. The FuRyu booth will also preview the upcoming Tiny Chum prizes, set to release in October 2024, and include a photo spot for guests to take pictures with the plush toys.

The collaboration between the Haruiro Sekai 2 print sticker machine and the 2024 Sanrio Character Grand Prix will also make a limited return for the event. Participants can take photos with sticker designs of top Sanrio characters, with seven different designs total available. The results of the 2024 poll won't be revealed until June 16, 2024, which could lead to more information about the sticker designs that will appear in the machine at the event.

Sanrio FES 2024 will be an invitation-only event, and people in Japan must get admission tickets for entry to the June 16, 2024 show.

The post Sanrio Fes 2024 Will Feature Crane Games and Sticker Machines  appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Friday, June 14, 2024 5:00 PM
    

Trigun Stampede Blu-ray and DVD Arrives in September

Crunchyroll announced that its September 2024 anime Blu-ray and DVD releases includes Trigun Stampede. Both standard and limited editions of the show will be available on September 10, 2024. 

The standard version of Trigun Stampede, which only gives you the Blu-ray, is $52.49 at Crunchyroll. That nets you the 12 episodes of the show and some special features like commercials, textless openings and closings, a making-of video, promos, and interviews with Akihiko Orisaka, Kenji Muto, Kiyotaka Waki, and Yoshihiro Watanabe. 

Trigun Stampede Blu-ray and DVD Arrives in September

Images via Crunchyroll

If someone goes for the $67.49 limited edition, you get some physical bonus items. There are three art cards with images of Vash the Stampede, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, and Millions Knives. There's a Project Seeds patch. You can get a set of two Jeneora Rock coasters. Plus, there's a Bernardelli Times replica.

Trigun Stampede Blu-ray and DVD Arrives in September

Trigun Stampede Blu-ray and DVD Arrives in September

Trigun Stampede Blu-ray and DVD Arrives in September

Images via Crunchyroll

We may be hearing more about a second cour or season of the Trigun Stampede anime soon. Orange discussed it first back in March 2023. As part of its Anime Expo 2024 lineup, Crunchyroll announced a July 4, 2024 panel with the developer that will involve some announcements as well.

Season 1 of the Trigun Stampede anime will be on Blu-ray and DVD on September 10, 2024, and it is streaming on Crunchyroll now. The original anime based on the series is also streaming on the service. Dark Horse Comics handles the manga outside Japan.

The post Trigun Stampede Blu-ray and DVD Arrives in September appeared first on Siliconera.

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, June 14, 2024 7:26 PM
     Pathfinder Wrath Of The Righteous Music Featured ImageYeah, there is something weird about this Pathfinder festival, but who cares? Time for some drinks! Here is where to find all festive entertainment locations in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous A Dance of Masks. Pathfinder WOTR Dance of Masks: All festive entertainment locations Screenshot: PC Invasion The festive entertainment tasks for the "Have fun at the festival" objective will trigger once you arrive at Kenabres and step out of the Echo of Fury arena. The particular thing about this objective is that each of the activities will not appear in your journal unless you walk beside them. This is a great way to see how Kenabres has rebuilt itself and what entertainment it offers you, the Commander. Let's take a look at each of the Screenshot: PC Invasion Entertainment 1: Sample the drinks Let's start things off with a drink, shall we? Visit the bar on the north side of the square and you will be able to sample the drinks that the festival is...
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, June 14, 2024 5:28 PM
     All Nuka Cola Locations In Fallout 76 Skyline Valley And How To Collect Them Featured Image(1)In the Fallout games, Nuka Cola has been a staple, and Fallout 76 is no different. To help survive the harsh landscape of Appalachia, this guide will go through all the Nuka-Cola locations and how to collect them in Fallout 76 Skyline Valley. Fallout 76 Skyline Valley: All Nuka-Cola locations and how to collect You can earn these Nuka-Colas in various ways. One of the consistent ways to get Nuka-Cola is to just buy it. However, there are a few other ways to come across these drinks if you don't have the capital.  To start, there are around 11 different flavors of Nuka-Cola. Each offers something different such as health boots, or gives you AP regeneration. Additionally, some may have side effects like giving you more Rad. This is something you should be avoiding. But the compromise is that you get needed boosts. On top of that, there are ways to negate the Rad side effect with things like RadAway! Image: Bethesda All Nuka-Colas and how to get them Each location s...
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, June 14, 2024 7:09 PM
    

From a seemingly reliable German leaker

The post More Resident Evil 9 Details Seemingly Leaked appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, June 14, 2024 5:17 PM
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, June 14, 2024 4:55 PM
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, June 14, 2024 4:39 PM
    

Microsoft recently confirmed the title would launch in 2025.

The post Fable Will Reportedly Launch in Q4 2025 appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

MonsterVine Friday, June 14, 2024 8:15 PM
     I had the opportunity to try out the new action fantasy RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, at Summer Games Fest. Developed by the creators of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, this game incorporates elements from both renowned titles and is suitable for both newcomers and RPG enthusiasts.  Metaphor: ReFantazio is set in the Kingdom of Euchronia, where […]
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)