Jul 21, 22:00


GamersHeroes Sunday, July 21, 2024 7:49 PM
    

Announced at EVO 2024 earlier today, the storied fighter Heihachi Mishima will make his way to Arika and Bandai Namco's TEKKEN 8.

The post Heihachi Mishima Joining TEKKEN 8 Roster appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Sunday, July 21, 2024 6:02 PM
    

As part of Season Pass 4, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' netrunner Lucyna Kushinada (or Lucy) will make her way to Arc System Works' Guilty Gear -Strive-.

The post Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' Lucy Coming to Guilty Gear -Strive- Season 4 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Sunday, July 21, 2024 2:57 PM
    

Players will be able to take control of Samurai Jack in Player First Games' MultiVersus when he launches on July 23 as part of Season 2.

The post Samurai Jack Coming to MultiVersus July 23 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:31 PM
     Anime Fighters Simulator codes July 2024

July 21, 2024: Four new Anime Fighters Simulator codes have been added.

What are the new Anime Fighters Simulator codes? With the classic Roblox anime adventure getting a new lease of life in 2023, we've been hard at work testing codes to get you streaming through the latest update as soon as it drops. Even if you haven't played Anime Fighters in a while, the freebies on offer can quickly get you back to full strength or, if you're a veteran, send you hurtling further up the leaderboards.

While we wait for the next Anime Fighters update, consider checking out some of the best Roblox games for 2024. For a few noteworthy specifics and recommendations, you can't go wrong with Blox Fruits codes, Anime Adventures codes, and Shinobi Life 2 codes. They're hallmarks of the Roblox anime category. For another mishmash of your favourite characters, All Star Tower Defense codes are popular, too.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:27 PM
     Anime Last Stand codes July 2024

July 21, 2024: Three new Anime Last Stand codes has been added to this list.

What are the newest Anime Last Stand codes? Plenty of anime-inspired tower defense games are available on the Roblox platform, and Anime Last Stand is the latest to emerge from its testing phase. You can now collect your favorite anime heroes and villains to guard your base, but you'll need a stash of emeralds to afford them.

Luckily, even if you're starting this Roblox experience, there are plenty of Anime Last Stand codes to grab tons of free emeralds and rerolls. While you're here, other tower defense games are available, and you can get free stuff for them with Tower Defense X codes and All Star Tower Defense codes, or perhaps Blox Fruits codes or Project Slayers codes for something different.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:20 PM
     Gym League codes June 2024

July 21. 2024: We've added one new Gym League code.

What are the new Gym League codes? If you want to get buff to unlock new bodies and gyms where you can show off your impeccable physique, chances are you're looking for a shortcut or two to get ahead of the competition. If so, then you've come to the right place. What, steroids? Of course not! That's scandalous. No, no, we're talking about free codes here.

If you're just starting this Roblox experience, we have plenty of Gym League codes to supplement your training regime, providing you with access to potions, cash, and other power-ups. If you want to shape up in other similar games, we have Arm Wrestle Simulator codes and Strongman Simulator codes, while Roller Skate Simulator codes can help if you prefer racing on wheeled shoes.

Continue reading Gym League codes June 2024
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:17 PM
     Demonfall codes July 2024

July 21, 2024: Two new Demonfall codes have been added to our list.

What are the new Demonfall codes? There is no shortage of anime games on Roblox, but Demonfall looks to fully embrace its Demon Slayer inspirations by letting you fight for survival in the name of humanity or to become a demon with unholy powers. No matter which way, keeping up to date on the availability of codes that may offer important boosts in the game is essential.

Like those for other anime titles on Roblox, such as  Attack on Titan Revolution codes or Haze Piece codes, Demonfall can have codes redeemed in this game for bonuses. Those in the past for example have been used like extra items which gave players an edge in battle. So, let's get into whether there are currently any Demonfall codes available.

Continue reading Demonfall codes July 2024
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:14 PM
     Attack on Titan Revolution codes July 2024

July 21, 2024 Two new Attack on Titan Revolution codes have been added and five previously working codes have been marked as expired.

What are the new Attack on Titan Revolution codes? There are many anime games on Roblox based on One Piece and Dragon Ball, but we rarely get anything focused on the mega-popular Attack on Titan universe. AoT Revolution aims to be a faithful action-packed adventure that takes inspiration from the aerial combat shown on the show.

This Roblox experience is unlike many anime games on the platform in how it plays, but there are certainly some similarities regarding the gacha system. Look at our Anime Last Stand codes, Fruit Seas codes, Blox Fruits codes, and Anime Defenders codes guides to find plenty of free currency and boosts to see if you can get the best characters in those games.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:09 PM
     Anime Defenders codes July 2024

July 21, 2024: We've added a two new Anime Defenders codes to our list.

What are the new Anime Defenders codes? Defending against hordes of enemies encroaching on your base is a heck of a lot easier if you have powerful allies by your side. Luckily, Anime Defenders has plenty of anime-inspired fighters to drive them back and save the day, and you can get more of them by using gems at the summoning shop.

Anime Defenders is one of many Roblox experiences with tower defense game mechanics. You can call in help from your favorite anime heroes within those experiences as well, with the help of our Anime Last Stand codes, Tower Defense X codes, and All Star Tower Defense codes, of course. As for Anime Defenders, we've got a bunch of codes to share with you, so be sure to snag the free gems while you can.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:07 PM
     Driving Empire codes July 2024

July 21, 2024: There's a new Driving Empire code to redeem.

What are the new Driving Empire codes? You can find the complete list of active Driving Empire codes right here, ready for you to redeem and get a special free license plate. For racers who love customizing their vehicles with special cosmetics, you won't want to miss out.

One of the most popular driving experiences on Roblox, Driving Empire is a must for car fans who love freebies like Car Dealership Tycoon codes and Disney Speedstorm codes. So you can spend more time racing, we've put together every tested and working code for Driving Empire together into this list, eliminating the need for you to go hunting them yourself.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:05 PM
     Basketball Legends codes July 2024

July 21, 2024: We've found one new Basketball Legends code and marked another as expired.

What are the newest Basketball Legends codes? We've assembled a full list of working Basketball Legends codes you can redeem for essential in-game rewards like coins, boosts, and even a Cyber Case. If you want to earn more coins as quickly as possible, this is the guide for you.

Basketball Legends is a massively popular sports game on Roblox with thousands of active players, courtesy of its simple yet fun premise of 5v5 or pickup game matches. For other sports games on Roblox, check out Untitled Boxing Game codes and Arm Wrestle Simulator codes. Since it can be tough to know when new Basketball Legends codes are out or if they even work, we've personally tested each code available this month and listed them out below.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:00 PM
     Anime Champions Simulator codes July 2024

July 21, 2024: Five new Anime Champions Simulator codes have been added.

What are the latest Anime Champions Simulator codes? If you're new to this Roblox experience, you will want some bonus resources to give you a head start. This includes diamonds, tokens, medals, and boosts to bolster your team and get them fighting more formidable opponents sooner.

So, if you want some up-to-date Anime Champions codes, we have a list of all the free stuff you can get right now. Alternatively, there are plenty of other anime Roblox games worthy of your attention that have their own set of codes, such as Blox Fruits codesFruit Battlegrounds codes, and Blade Ball codes which is currently the hottest game on the platform.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

Siliconera Sunday, July 21, 2024 9:52 PM
    

We Get to Be Vice and Mature in KOF XV in December

Ahead of Evo 2024, SNK seemed to be teasing that King of Fighters mainstays Vice and Mature would return for KOF XV. Now it is confirmed, with the duo debuting in December 2024 on all platforms. 

When SNK first suggested the reveal, it put together overlapping silhouettes. This made it seem as though there was potentially only one character, instead of two. However, the two women's signature hairstyles and outfits were still visible. 

Here is the official reveal trailer. As the two aren't appearing until the end of the year, there's no gameplay for either of them yet. However, the video does show how both of the women will look in the new game. Their costumes, which match each other only with different color schemes, were both on display. The announcement trailer also confirmed that they will both be released on the same day alongside each other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6aExKgRs9c&ab_channel=SNKOFFICIAL

Vice and Mature are the only KOF XV DLC characters confirmed for 2024 so far. The last two fighters to join the cast both showed up in the second half of 2023. These were Duo Lon in September 2023, followed by Hinako Shijo in November 2023.

The King of Fighters XV is immediately available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

The post We Get to Be Vice and Mature in KOF XV in December appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Sunday, July 21, 2024 9:38 PM
    

Guilty Gear Strive Season Pass 4 adds returning characters Dizzy and Venom, as well as Cyberpunk Edgerunners DLC.

Arc System Works announced the full lineup and upcoming content for Guilty Gear Strive Season Pass 4, adding Dizzy, Venom, the anime adaptation character Unika, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners heroine Lucy as DLC. There will also be new stages, new colors for every character, a new character, and, for the first time in Guilty Gear history, a guest character. Team of 3 mode is also available.

The trailer, showcasing the new additions, was posted to the Arc System Works official YouTube channel on July 21, 2024. You can watch that trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKWSBwkCUe0

The trailer dropped during the Evo 2024 Grand Finals of Guilty Gear Strive and listed out everything that would be coming in the fourth Season Pass. There will be brand new stages for players to fight on, an exclusive new color for every character, redesigns for the returning characters of Venom and Queen Dizzy, and Guilty Gear -Strive- Dual Rulers' Unika, and Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners as the first guest character to ever enter a Guilty Gear game. Beyond the characters, a new fighting format will also be added to the game: three-on-three battles, much like Marvel Vs Capcom.

Here's how Lucy looks in the game. However, she won't arrive until 2025.

Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners coming to Guilty Gear Strive in the fourth Season PAss
Image via Arc System Works

While the Season 4 Pass for Guilty Gear Strive will be available on July 22, 2024, new DLC will start appearing in a few months. Here are the tentative release windows for each one:

  • October 2024: Dizzy
  • Early 2025: Venom
  • Spring 2025: Unika
  • Summer 2025: Lucy

Guilty Gear -Strive- and its previous three seasons of characters and stages are available now on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC

The post Guilty Gear Strive Season Pass 4 Includes Cyberpunk: Edgerunners DLC appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Sunday, July 21, 2024 6:00 PM
    

Crunchyroll Gets My Hero Academia Anime Season 7 in May

All great things must come to an end. After 10 long years of consistent publication, the manga My Hero Academia finally finished. In fact, by the time you are reading this, the final chapter of the manga might be out in your region! Looking at the current state of the anime, it won't be long until its conclusion too. But when all is said and done, My Hero Academia does not need a sequel after it ends.

One of the first thoughts fans and perhaps even creators alike think when a popular property like My Hero Academia ends is, "What's next?" Oftentimes, this leads to speculation and the eventual announcement of a spin-off or sequel. But this series doesn't need any of that. I believe it is fine to leave it as it is.

Image via Bones and Crunchyroll
Image via Bones and Crunchyroll

While the temptation may be there for Shueisha and even series creator Kohei Horikoshi, My Hero Academia would be better off not going down the Naruto and Boruto route. This is largely due to the fact that this series ends on a pretty conclusive note. I won't delve into spoilers here, but we get the satisfying finish and end to the battles that have been brewing since the series' inception.

In addition, I adore the full-circle nature of Deku's particular character arc. The series remembers how it started, and Horikoshi honors that with how it ends. For me, at least, it is a fully satisfying conclusion unlike some other manga and anime series in recent memory. Continuing it with a sequel or "new generation" of heroes almost feels like a disgrace to that.

My Hero Academia doesn't need a sequel
Image via Bones and Crunchyroll

Even beyond that, My Hero Academia already feels like a sequel in a way. Deku's journey to fulfill his promise of becoming the world's number one hero is actually vastly different from other shonen characters like Naruto Uzumaki. In Naruto's case, there are legacies and histories from before him, but he is pretty much a standalone hero from zero. We see Naruto rise alongside the other members of Team 7, go through trials and tribulations, and cement themselves in history as world changers. It is then after that that we see his son Boruto take the reins and follow in his footsteps, "finishing the fight" against the Otsutsuki, so to speak.

In a way, My Hero Academia feels more like the story told in Boruto than the one in Naruto. In this manga and anime world, All Might is Naruto. The entire series is reminding Deku and everyone of All Might's greatness. How he changed everything about superheroes and even defeated the mighty All for One. In this way, Deku — and pretty much everyone else — goes throughout the series in the shadow of All Might. This is quite similar to how Boruto relates to his father.

My Hero Academia chapter 403 release date and time
Image via Shueisha

This goes pretty deep, too. After all, there is Shigaraki, too. While Shigaraki as the "big bad" of the series, he shares this role with All for One, who isn't new. This is the same villain All Might previously took down. So, you have the themes of a returning threat from the past alongside the "next generation" trying to finish the fight. My Hero Academia is already like a sequel in everything but name alone. So, having a sequel or "next generation" of superheroes after Deku and the others almost feels redundant and unnecessary.

Any potential sequel to My Hero Academia would also have to create a new threat that arises after the original series ends. More likely than not, this new threat or conflict would almost assuredly feel less impactful, derivative, or forced. If anything, perhaps the best route to continue this franchise would be to finally tell All Might's entire story as a prequel. But a direct My Hero Academia sequel with returning characters or their descendants would only be a disservice to what Horikoshi accomplished with this series.

The My Hero Academia manga is available to read on Viz Media and Manga Plus. The anime adaptation is available on Crunchyroll.

The post My Hero Academia Doesn't Need a Sequel After It Ends appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Sunday, July 21, 2024 3:00 PM
    

Monster Hunter Stories 2 best monsties

Listen, there's no excuse for not having played Monster Hunter Stories or Monster Hunter Stories 2 and caught Monsties now, as Capcom basically released the best version of one game everywhere and the sequel went multiplatform. These are refreshing takes on the Monster Hunter and Pokemon formula. They're worth playing. (Especially if you have Apple Arcade and free access to the original via the subscription.) So in case you are just getting started, here are our recommendations for Monsties to check out. 

There is a correct answer to this question and it IS the Great Poogie. Runners up include my chubby shark friend Zamtrios and the Good Old Rathian.  I hope they add a Seltas Queen you can tame one day too, I love that design. — Elliot

I really love Nargacuga, because it's just one of the cutest, strongest, and most intimidating Monsties in the Monster Hunter Stories games. However, I also kept Paolumu along as a friend for the longest time. It's so fluffy, puffy, and cute! But really, the execution is such that any monster you invest in can end up being viable for so long, which helps keep both entries in this new series engaging. I just hope that, if a third game appears, even more monsters get a chance to become our buddies. (They are friend-shaped sometimes, after all!) — Jenni

The post Which Monstie Did You Like Best in Monster Hunter Stories? appeared first on Siliconera.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, July 21, 2024 6:24 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:08 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, July 21, 2024 3:50 PM

Jul 21, 16:00


GamersHeroes Sunday, July 21, 2024 2:57 PM
    

Players will be able to take control of Samurai Jack in Player First Games' MultiVersus when he launches on July 23 as part of Season 2.

The post Samurai Jack Coming to MultiVersus July 23 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Sunday, July 21, 2024 10:00 AM
    

Looking to take your first steps into Square Enix's acclaimed and newly expanded MMO, Final Fantasy 14? We've got you covered with some great beginner guides. We've also got tips for Palworld, Once Human, and The First Descendant, as well as recommendations for games to pick up before the Xbox 360 online store shuts…

Read more...


PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 12:33 PM
     Europa Universalis 4 empire building gets much tougher with hefty mod

Given their name, it's no shock that the defining memories from the best grand strategy games tend to be ones where you build out vast, sprawling empires - often stretching far beyond the boundaries of historical realism. Certainly, Paradox's masterful Europa Universalis 4 is no different in that regard. Yet, as we all know, even the greatest empires are destined to fall under the weight of their own success, and that's exactly what this comprehensive EU4 mod aims to capture.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Europa Universalis IV DLC guide, The best Europa Universalis 4 mods, Play Europa Universalis 4

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 10:58 AM
     Stellar RTS game 9-Bit Armies adds multiplayer survival mode

With the prospect of a proper new Command and Conquer game in the style of the classics feeling like a pipe dream, 9-Bit Armies is one of my favorite contenders to its vacant throne. That should come as little surprise given the pedigree of developer Petroglyph Games, which was founded by former Westwood programmers and brought us the fantastic RTS game Star Wars: Empire at War and the Command and Conquer Remastered collection. Now, its new survival mode offers yet another way to play, and you can even snag it cheap in an ongoing Steam sale.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RTS games, Best strategy games, Best 4X games

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 10:26 AM
     GTA 6 publisher admits review bombing can significantly harm success

Players review bombing games due to decisions they don't like has only become more prevalent in recent years, and GTA 6 publisher Take-Two is acknowledging the negative impact the trend can have. Between a costly shift in sales, reputation, and new marketing initiatives to put out fires, review bombings cost a lot of time and money, even if players succeed in the end. With Rockstar's next crime epic due out in 2025, Grand Theft Auto 6 isn't going to be safe from players mobilizing to criticize decisions they don't like, and Take-Two knows it.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: GTA 6 release date, Best open-world games, GTA 5 cheats

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 10:23 AM
     Kunitsu-Gami has fantastic reviews but fewer players than it deserves

Launched on Friday, Capcom's brand-new strategy action RPG Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess has been making waves as something totally fresh thanks to its unique genre splicing and beautiful art direction. Yet, upsettingly, it seems to be flying under the radar for Steam players.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best action games, Best strategy games, Best single-player games

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 9:13 AM
     Free Monopoly Go dice links July 2024

July 21, 2024: We've added three more new Monopoly Go dice links for free dice rolls.

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 Sunday, July 21, 2024 10:57 AM
     Once Human dev finally knows the

Once Human is an incredibly popular game launch marred by ongoing problems. Starry Studio's Steam survival hit isn't the first game to need constant maintenance at release and it definitely won't be the last, but between a cosmetic mishap, long queue times, and ongoing gameplay bugs, there's a lot of work to be done. To top it off, it's now been a week since the developer promised to improve Once Human's lag problem, and the team says it has finally identified the "root cause."

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sandbox games, Best open-world games, Best survival games

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Sunday, July 21, 2024 11:00 AM
    

Hello reader who is also a reader, and welcome back to Booked For The Week - our regular Sunday chat with a selection of cool industry folks about books! Something extra magical has happened! And by magical, I mean that I've bollocksed it up, yet again! I foresaw this coming, honestly, and should have addressed it last week. Alas, I dared to dream that I'd have sorted things out by now. Well, this is what I get for mild optimism!

Read more


Siliconera Sunday, July 21, 2024 3:00 PM
    

Monster Hunter Stories 2 best monsties

Listen, there's no excuse for not having played Monster Hunter Stories or Monster Hunter Stories 2 and caught Monsties now, as Capcom basically released the best version of one game everywhere and the sequel went multiplatform. These are refreshing takes on the Monster Hunter and Pokemon formula. They're worth playing. (Especially if you have Apple Arcade and free access to the original via the subscription.) So in case you are just getting started, here are our recommendations for Monsties to check out. 

There is a correct answer to this question and it IS the Great Poogie. Runners up include my chubby shark friend Zamtrios and the Good Old Rathian.  I hope they add a Seltas Queen you can tame one day too, I love that design. — Elliot

I really love Nargacuga, because it's just one of the cutest, strongest, and most intimidating Monsties in the Monster Hunter Stories games. However, I also kept Paolumu along as a friend for the longest time. It's so fluffy, puffy, and cute! But really, the execution is such that any monster you invest in can end up being viable for so long, which helps keep both entries in this new series engaging. I just hope that, if a third game appears, even more monsters get a chance to become our buddies. (They are friend-shaped sometimes, after all!) — Jenni

The post Which Monstie Did You Like Best in Monster Hunter Stories? appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Sunday, July 21, 2024 12:00 PM
    

Review: The Battle Cats Unite Entertains (When You Have Energy)

It's always sort of weird when a game take a long time to be localized, but a welcome addition when it finally shows up worldwide. This is the situation The Battle Cats Unite faced, as the Switch game launched in Japan in 2018 and Asia in 2021 before a 2024 worldwide debut. It's a shame it took so long too, because the RTS remains as entertaining as always. The only downside is, it keeps some of the free-to-play elements such as a stamina system.

The goal in each case is that you command the heroic Battle Cats as they attempt to go around the world, through time, or across the stars to fight enemies. There's a staggering number of stages, as you get the Empire of Cats, Into the Future, and Cats of the Cosmos campaigns, as well as some special stages. Minigame access can also be unlocked.

Screenshot by Siliconera

Regardless of which campaign you're going through, The Battle Cats Unite plays the same on the Switch. Your goal in each stage is to eliminate the enemy base while protecting your own. You can equip up to 10 different kinds of cats to deploy. Each one has its own monetary cost, with a cooldown tied to them after purchasing one. You can spend money to increase your production level and rate of earning more money. Also, an energy cannon gradually builds in power, allowing you to unleash it when full. Units, rate of work production, how much money you can have, and associated stats for the base and cannon are all available to be upgraded with XP, as are the cats. Said cats can also evolve, sometimes more than once, depending on if you max out levels or have certain items. Each stage also only lasts a few minutes, making it a prompt RTS affair.

There are some elements in theSwitch version of The Battle Cats Unite that feel designed to mitigate the obvious leftovers from the free-to-play mobile version of the game. The Cat Food currency is doled out sparingly, and you'll need that for extra unit gacha pulls or if you want to have the option of buying XP or other bonuses. The energy system remains in-place, so you can only go through so many battles before you need to stop playing or pay in Cat Food to keep going. As you imagine, the further along you get in the campaign, the more energy each stage costs to complete. It's frustrating!

Image via Ponos

Especially since most of the most fun and flashy characters are locked behind the golden gacha machines. These require you to earn Gold Tickets or Cat Food for a spin. (Completing in-game missions is typically the best way to earn both.) That means you also have to hope luck is on your side for some of the most ludicrous units in the game. However, the cost to deploy them is also often incredibly high, so odds are you wouldn't get to send them out until the end of a stage anyway. 

I will say that there are some elements that can feel designed to mitigate the need for stamina to keep going through fights and other issues. You'll randomly get a chance to play through minigames. These can give you a burst of stamina, power-ups for stages, or gacha tickets, so they're always appreciated. The co-op and VS elements also make me feel like they're ways to deal with energy demands, since a multiplayer session would likely be shorter than a solo one. 

Screenshot by Siliconera

Speaking of which, multiplayer is totally fine and serviceable here. I enjoyed the co-op option more than the VS. Specifically because it does help further campaign progress and work toward those goals as well. However, I did note that playing with another person almost makes the stages too easy, so it's not something I'd probably do outside of rare situations. Even though each person is limited to five types of units, it doesn't feel like it is too restrictive as well. Multiplayer is fine and fun, and I appreciated that the minigames also took into account if a second person was around to allow someone else to assist in co-op.

The Battle Cats Unite is absolutely entertaining and the formula for the tower defense RTS remains strong, but the remaining mobile roots get annoying. The absurdity of the various cats (or in some cases "cats") you deploy are as entertaining as ever. Even the cooperative and versus stages are fun. I just wish more had been done to remove the obnoxious free-to-play elements such as the energy restrictions or limited Cat Food currency. If you don't mind the grind and taking your time, it's a fun diversion to keep on your system.

The Battle Cats Unite is available on the Nintendo Switch worldwide.

The post Review: The Battle Cats Unite Entertains (When You Have Energy) appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Sunday, July 21, 2024 9:00 AM
    

I often skip strategic-RPGs, as I find they rarely grasp my attention for longer than a couple of hours. This usually includes even NIS America's renowned Disgaea series. My issue with these games largely comes from how often grid-based combat bores me, but such wasn't the case during my recent opportunity to test Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero at Anime Expo 2024.

The reason for my early appreciation for the Phantom Brave sequel stems from the fact it eschews the usual tactical RPG grids for a more free-form battle system. This allows for plenty of freedom in how to approach each fight. I felt like I could tackle combat during my demo in whatever way I wanted, with whatever units I'd like.

Image via NIS America

The star of Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is Marona, a girl with a collection of Phantom friends. She summons these allies to help her out in combat, as they otherwise might not be so visible. Players can pick where to summon Phantoms, and I was able to bring out as many as possible on the field during my session. There is just one caveat. This can only be done so long as they have an item, such as a tree or bush, to inhabit.

Even in the singular battle I completed during my short demo of this upcoming RPG, there were so many gimmicks to appreciate. For instance, Marona herself can fuse together with her Phantoms. This gives her a unique transformation, depending on the pal, and makes her even more powerful. While transformed, each kill she gets on an enemy grants her an extra attack phase during the same turn. This allowed me to chain up kills one after another for four kills on the same turn, which wiped out a significant number of the enemy forces.

After that, I was able to take control of a different Phantom. This character had the power to control gadgets. This included a barrel mech she could pilot. It added so much depth to how to tackle each fight. How I approached the battle might be completely different than how someone else dealt with it.

Phantom Brave The Lost Hero Preview Anime Expo 2024
Image via NIS America

This idea also shows up in its heavy emphasis on a risk and reward system. Going back to Marona's transformation ability, there is a catch that keeps it in check. The Phantom you fuse with leaves the field after the transformation concludes. From what I gather, this transformation only lasts for a few turns. After that, the Phantom retires from that particular fight. So, it left me with the challenging decision to know when to fuse at the right moment so as to not make the battle tougher in the long run. I appreciated the sheer amount of depth I saw in this rather early fight.

While I never played the original Phantom Brave, The Lost Lord grabbed my attention more than most NIS America strategy RPGs from my initial preview. I like the lack of grids on the battlefield, which provides a more open movement system. Everything feels much smoother and swifter than similar games. Unfortunately, this preview didn't show off the story. That said, these cutesy and colorful characters might be worth a look when this comes out in 2025. Especially with how fun the lengthy battles seem to be.

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero will release for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC in 2025.

The post Preview: Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Provides Immense Freedom appeared first on Siliconera.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, July 21, 2024 3:50 PM

Jul 21, 08:00


PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 7:57 AM
     Once Human dev finally knows the

Once Human is an incredibly popular game launch marred by ongoing problems. Starry Studio's Steam survival hit isn't the first game to need constant maintenance at release and it definitely won't be the last, but between a cosmetic mishap, long queue times, and ongoing gameplay bugs, there's a lot of work to be done. To top it off, it's now been a week since the developer promised to improve Once Human's lag problem, and the team says it has finally identified the "root cause."

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sandbox games, Best open-world games, Best survival games

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 7:56 AM
     New RTS roguelike Becoming Saint is like a real-world Cult of the Lamb

From the sprawling settlements of Civilization 6 to the small-scale fanaticism of Cult of the Lamb, converting the virtual masses to your beliefs is one of those delightfully devilish pleasures that's best exercised in the realm of videogames. Becoming Saint, a new roguelike strategy game from Open Lab Games and Firesquid announced as part of the ongoing Tacticon 2024 event, is all about that particular practice, as you preach your doctrine across medieval Italy to do exactly what the title says and attain sainthood for yourself - or die trying.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best strategy games, Best roguelike games, Best RTS Games

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 7:35 AM
     Free Monopoly Go dice links July 2024

July 21, 2024: We've added two more new Monopoly Go dice links for free dice rolls.

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 Sunday, July 21, 2024 6:27 AM
     Solium Infernum is 2024's best strategy game, and now it's 40% off

I don't blame you for never hearing of Solium Infernum. Despite being an excellent 4X blend of Civilization and Cities Skylines 2, 2024 has been such a stacked year for videogames that it completely went under the radar. Palworld, Once Human, The First Descendant, Helldivers 2, and Shadow of the Erdtree are just some of the games dominating discussion this year, but that's why I'm here to tell you about a truly excellent strategy game you missed. Swapping large-scale battles for demonic politics and paranoia, Solium Infernum is currently 40% off on Steam, and absolutely no one is playing it.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Solium Infernum review, Solium Infernum guide, Solium Infernum Relics

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 6:25 AM
     Controversial shooter Postal 3 gets FPS remake, approved by devs

Even by the fantastically controversial standards of its predecessors, Postal 3 is the unwanted child of the family. The third installment in the notoriously vulgar, graphic shooter series dedicated to gross-out humor, Postal 3 was developed by Trashmasters and Akella under contract from Postal creator Running With Scissors, then effectively disowned, and is now considered to be non-canonical by RWS and fans. Yet a complete conversion mod is bringing it back as an FPS game, and it's already drawing attention.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best PC FPS games, Best old games, Best Steam Deck games

PCGamesN Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:42 AM
     The best multiplayer games, to play with friends online 2024

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

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

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Left 4 Dead 2 Requirements

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Sunday, July 21, 2024 6:00 AM
    

Sundays are for getting dangerously into No Man's Sky again. Before I go floating in a tin can, let's read this week's best writing about games (and game related things!)

Read more

Jul 21, 02:00


GamersHeroes Saturday, July 20, 2024 8:02 PM
    

Announced at EVO 2024 earlier today, worlds will collide once more with today's release of Code Mystics' SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos for the PC.

The post SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos Now Available on PC appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Saturday, July 20, 2024 7:47 PM
    

The latest trailer for SEGA's Sonic X Shadow Generations takes a closer look at the new visuals and surprises from iconic stages in Sonic - and Shadow's - rich history of games.

The post Sonic X Shadow Generations "Generations of Stages" Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Saturday, July 20, 2024 6:08 PM
    

The Radiant Integrity Knight Alice Zuberg will make her way to Bandai Namco's Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream - see her in action with the latest trailer for the title.

The post Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream Alice Zuberg Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes.


PCGamesN Saturday, July 20, 2024 11:30 PM
     Time-hopping Warframe 1999 now has a release window

The '90s were a breathtaking time to be alive. Full of change, the promise of a new millennium, and loads of fear about the computerized end of all things which was only narrowly avoided by a ton of hard work by programmers. If you want to go back there, or never experienced that decade at all, upcoming Warframe: 1999 quest will give you a taste of the last century, and Digital Extremes has just announced its release window.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Warframe on Steam Deck, Warframe builds, Warframe system requirements

WGB Saturday, July 20, 2024 7:52 PM
     Concord's open beta isn't doing much better than the closed beta that took place recently.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, July 20, 2024 6:20 PM

iDev Games Feed Saturday, July 20, 2024 9:21 PM
     Test V1.1...

iDev Games Feed Saturday, July 20, 2024 9:20 PM
     In the 13th century, a terrifying warrior from Mongolia went on a quest to rescue his wife... After slashing through hordes of enemies, became the most fea...