GamersHeroes Friday, July 26, 2024 12:59 PM Konno Yuuki is the latest character to take the spotlight around 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 Konno Yuuki Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 3:51 PM  Following allegations that MrBeast's one-time co-host Ava Kris Tyson groomed a minor years ago, the popular YouTube personality has cut ties with her and reprimanded her for her "unacceptable acts." MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has since hired a third-party investigator in the hopes that they'll… |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 3:10 PM  Amongst an impressive library of games like Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Metroid Dread, 2019's Fire Emblem: Three Houses will still go down in my books as the best Nintendo Switch game ever made. It's a grand fantasy story and an excellent tactical RPG that feels unmatched, even within the franchise to… |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 1:45 PM  Good news! There's a new Earth Defense Force game and it's out now! Bad news, if you want to play the game online on Steam you'll have to create an Epic Games account. This fact was revealed on launch day and went over so poorly with players that the devs behind the new giant bug-killin' game are already announcing… |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 1:25 PM  Castle Crashers was one of the first breakout indie darlings on Xbox 360 to show players the console's Live Arcade wasn't just a backwater for low-effort shovelware. The Behemoth's Flash-animation-inspired arcade brawler became an instant classic, and over a decade later its getting its biggest DLC yet on PC. |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 1:20 PM  After the main story wraps up and you you reach Fallout 76's end-game, , you'll have to find new ways to spend your time in Appalachia. Farming gold bullion is one such activity and it's easily of the most common methods to eke out a few more hours in the post-apocalypse. It's a valuable end-game currency that unlocks… |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 1:15 PM  Season two's sixth episode in HBO's chronicle of House Targaryen opens with the Lannister Army arriving at Golden Tooth and meeting with the surrendering Lord Lefford. But Jason Lannister isn't progressing towards Harrenhal without Aemond joining the battle on Vhagar. |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 1:07 PM  July 2024 may be coming to a close, but it's still summer weather out there for many of us. Which means you still have a great excuse to stay indoors where it's cool and dark, and where electricity abundantly flows for us to power our gaming machines. |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 12:15 PM  At first glance, it feels like Once Human gift wraps every resource for you. They're abundantly available across most zones, allowing you to craft to your heart's content and construct the base of your dreams. But that's not the case the deeper you move into the game. As you reach mid-game and end-game content, you'll… |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 12:05 PM  Gran Turismo 7's most recent update was meant to improve and tweak the racing sim's car physics. But something went wrong (or right, depending on how wacky you like your racing games), leading to flying cars and an apology from the devs. |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 11:55 AM  I literally just cataloged a bunch of cool ways that Elden Ring players have managed to beat several of the game's tough boss fights, and now we've got a new one to add to the pile. MissMikkaa, a streamer who's made a name for herself completing Elden Ring challenge runs—especially on a dance pad—has repeated a… |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 11:45 AM  We love Pokémon. We think they're gorgeous. But not all Pokémon are equal. Some are absolutely, unequivocally, awful. Here are the top ten Pokémon that make me want to shiver off my own skin. |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 11:00 AM  As you become more powerful with every passing level in Fallout 76, you'll find that more than the average weaponry is needed. You'll come to want more. You'll want more potent shotguns and rifles capable of delivering one-hit critical shots to take down the game's most formidable enemies. Well, few guns compare to… |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 10:50 AM  It's been a while since we got news of Netflix's BioShock adaptation, but we finally have an update thanks to San Diego Comic-Con. During a panel at the convection, producer Roy Lee revealed that, yes the movie is still happening, but it won't be exactly as it was originally intended due to recent budget cuts at… |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 9:56 AM  SAG-AFTRA game actors are currently on strike against some of the biggest companies in the industry over AI, but that won't impact the most anticipated game of 2025: Grand Theft Auto VI. It's one of several in-development projects that is exempt from the labor action. |
Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 9:10 AM  Video game actors are going on strike for the first time since 2017 after months of negotiations with Activision, Epic Games, and other big publishers and studios over higher pay, better safety measures, and protections from new generative AI technologies. They'll be hitting the picket line a year after Hollywood… |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 3:57 PM  Sylvio, a first person horror game series that debuted back in 2015, is among the best indie entries to the genre. Endearingly strange and genuinely creepy, the first two Sylvio games focused on solving puzzles, occasionally shooting monsters with a glorified potato gun, and deciphering messages from the dead by scanning through static drenched recordings of the kind ghost hunters love to collect from crumbling old buildings. It's been nearly seven years since Sylvio 2 came out, though, which suggested that creator Stroboskop had moved on from the series. Fortunately, that isn't the case, as Sylvio: Black Waters has just launched through The Mortuary Assistant and Dread Delusion publisher DreadXP. Continue reading Mortuary Assistant publisher's terrifying new horror game hits Steam |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 3:03 PM  One of the best building games of recent years is Urbek: City Builder. Urbek debuted in 2022 and has gone on to achieve a 91% or Very Positive user rating on Steam, but it's also never really received the level of widespread attention it deserves. With the disappointing launch of Cities: Skylines 2 this year and Frostpunk 2 coming out later than originally anticipated, now's as good a time as any to look into building games that were looked over in the past. And, with Urbek: City Builder currently discounted to a very low price on Steam, that's truer than ever. Continue reading Urbek, the most overlooked strategy game on Steam, is now very cheap MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best city building games, Best strategy games, Best management games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 2:43 PM  When it comes to delivering a competitive experience in an FPS game, skill-based matchmaking is one of the most important components and one that has to be well-implemented. However, SBMM's spread into the unranked lobbies of Call of Duty games has been one of the series most controversial talking points for a few years now. Well, if you're one of those hoping to see it removed from the casual CoD experience in Black Ops 6 and beyond, keep dreaming, because Activision is back once again with a new post justifying its decision making. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Call of Duty 2023, Modern Warfare 2 system requirements, Best FPS games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 2:24 PM  Back in 2021, The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante came out, providing audiences with an unique game that blends strategy and RPG game style decision making with the story focused design of a visual novel, all presented through an eye catching hand illustrated aesthetic. This approach was a success, garnering a 91% or Very Positive user rating on Steam. And now, years later, a sequel has been announced with The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian, which appears to expand further on what made its predecessor stand out and should appeal to fans of Crusader Kings 3's dynastic squabbling or Pentiment's rich narrative. Continue reading Crusader Kings 3 and Pentiment combine in sequel to hugely rated RPG |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 1:32 PM  For anyone looking for a new, Stardew Valley-like game to get stuck into, listen up, because in September your hunt may well come to an end. Upcoming life sim Mirthwood has just locked in its Steam release date and dropped a new trailer that shows you what would happen if you picked up Stardew and sent it back in time a few hundred years. Continue reading Stardew Valley and Fable mashup Mirthwood locks in release date MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, Best RPG games, Best life games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 1:17 PM  No Rest for the Wicked is one of the most striking RPG games to come out this year. Created by Moon Studios, previously responsible for Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, it offers up Diablo 4, Elden Ring, and Last Epoch style design presented through a well defined, cartoon inspired dark fantasy aesthetic. Now, several months after it first hit Early Access, No Rest for the Wicked has just expanded further with the launch of its roguelike mode. Continue reading Brutal soulslike No Rest For The Wicked revamped by roguelike update |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 1:06 PM  New Last Epoch patch notes are here for the second cycle of the excellent ARPG. Since its launch at the start of the year, developer Eleventh Hour Games has continued to polish its Diablo 4 rival with even more new ideas, and its new season has already seen many players return to action. Now, a new Last Epoch update addresses some of the biggest issues as EHG responds to player feedback. Continue reading New Last Epoch patch drops surprise improvements to the endgame MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Last Epoch review, Last Epoch builds, Last Epoch tier list |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 12:27 PM  A PSVR2 app has appeared on Steam, with a release date set for August 6, 2024, hinting at imminent PC support. While little is known about how the app will work, and all we have is some screenshots of the setup process, it's an exciting time for virtual reality enthusiasts after a relatively quiet period. While PSVR2 is one of the best VR headsets on paper, its restricted compatibility held it back enormously. Like its predecessor, the PSVR2 headset is soon to be PC compatible alongside the Meta Quest 3 and Valve Index, but very little is known about how this will work. Continue reading PSVR2 app appears on Steam, hints at PC compatibility date MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Steam FAQ, Steam family sharing, Steam in-home streaming |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 12:41 PM  What are the best Elden Ring armor sets? If we're being completely honest, there's no point in being good at something unless you look good while you're doing it. The best Elden Ring armor sets can separate you from the rest of the Tarnished out there, providing you with an outfit that can strike fear into the hearts of your enemies. In this RPG game, upgrading your armaments using Elden Ring smithing stones and Ashes of War is just as important as leveling up your character. There are some armor sets imbued with powerful abilities, though their use largely depends on what type of character you're building. If you've got a fashion-conscious Tarnished, Elden Ring makes it difficult to find armor that is both protective and stylish, but it certainly can be done if you know where to look. Continue reading The best Elden Ring armor sets MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, Elden Ring weapons |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 12:14 PM  Though 2024 is already stuffed with solid strategy games like Manor Lords, Homeworld 3, and Songs of Silence, the year continues to be a surprisingly excellent one for the genre. The most recent strategy game to come out with positive reviews and plenty of buzz is Cataclismo, an RTS with a heavy emphasis not just on castle building and defense, but also physics interactions of the kind that make games like Besiege stand out. Now, the addition of an unexpected new sandbox mode has just been announced, making the game even better. Continue reading Beloved Steam RTS Cataclismo suddenly gets a big new sandbox mode MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RTS games, Best strategy games, Best city-building games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 12:10 PM  When is the Skate 4 release date? While we've seen plenty of early footage of Skate 4 already, EA's upcoming Skate revival is a rare case of a triple-A studio showing off very early in-development footage of a game. Though we've seen plenty of Skate 4, we can also clearly see it's not ready yet. It's already been over a decade since the last Skate game, so we can hold on a little longer. The first Skate was among the most innovative skateboard games around, from its analog control scheme and semi open-world game structure to its more realistic, less edgy representation of the skating scene. The development team behind Skate 3 was disbanded after its28 bombarding EA message boards with questions about the series and its potential return ever since. Now, the team is very open about the development process for Skate 4, so here's what we know so far. Continue reading Skate 4 release date estimate, gameplay, and all the latest news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Skateboard games, Skate 4 release date speculation, Best sports games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 12:02 PM  We're in a real renaissance for fighting games right now, with Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Mortal Kombat 1 all absolutely thriving. The recent EVO finals were a thing to behold - but also a welcome reminder that the coolest fighting game out there is actually Guilty Gear Strive, and it's not even that close. The good news if you haven't dipped into the Arc System Works masterpiece, then, is that you can try the new Guilty Gear Strive mode for free right now, even if you don't own the game, and it's going cheap if you enjoy yourself. Continue reading You can try the new Guilty Gear Strive mode without owning the game |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 12:00 PM  The Elder Scrolls Morrowind and classic Diablo are both obvious inspirations behind Dread Delusion, but the RPG from Lovely Hellplace is much more than a mere homage. Visually, this is the most striking open-world adventure of 2024, and maybe longer. Frightening, colorful, imaginative, and fueled by a great narrative, despite incredibly good Steam reviews, Dread Delusion still deserves a lot more love. Imagine a '00s RPG played on a haunted computer, a glitched-out, stuttering world of bizarro magic and New Weird phantasms. Thanks to a huge new update, if you haven't played it already, this is the perfect time to try Dread Delusion. Continue reading Now is the time to play Dread Delusion, 2024's most underrated RPG MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best PC RPGs, Best fantasy games on PC, Best open-world games on PC |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 11:57 AM  I, like many people, have plowed hours and hours into Baldur's Gate 3, yet haven't even stepped foot in the titular citadel. Faerun is a living, breathing world, where the tiniest of decisions have Butterfly Effect-style ripples, completely changing storylines and locking off others we never even knew about. Blending that limitlessness with the vibrant, magical feel of Fable, new RPG Peasant is looking to reinvent the fantasy genre all over again - and it just earned over $100,000 on Kickstarter to help it do so. Continue reading New RPG Peasant smashes Kickstarter goal with $100k in just 21 hours MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPGs, Best fantasy games, Upcoming PC games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 11:48 AM  Want to know about the Genshin Impact maintenance schedule? Before every major Genshin Impact update, Hoyoverse takes the popular anime game down for maintenance, which tends to last a few hours while the team applies all the new content. These major patches bring everything, from all-new Genshin Impact banners and Genshin Impact events to completely new regions, like Sumeru and Natlan. Just like some of the best new MMOs, the Genshin Impact maintenance period happens at the same time for everyone across the globe. We'll keep this guide updated with the latest information on any planned maintenance, as well as when we expect the game servers to come back online in one of the best PC games for lovers of evolving single-player experience. Continue reading Genshin Impact maintenance time and rewards MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 11:45 AM  When is the Black Myth Wukong release date? Journey to the West is a classic 16th-century Chinese novel that has been adapted into many video games over the years. This soulslike is the latest one, and while the monkey, known only as the "Destined One", certainly resembles Sun Wukong from the book, this trickster warrior has some transformation abilities up his sleeve. While many other soulslike games are now available, Black Myth Wukong has been in active development for quite some time, but we only saw a significant update appear annually. This RPG game has a few hidden details in the gameplay footage, so we'll go over the story and characters, techniques that the Destined One can use, and more. Continue reading Black Myth Wukong release date, trailers, gameplay, and latest news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Upcoming PC games, Best RPG games on PC, Best new PC games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 11:28 AM  When is the Doom The Dark Ages release date? After its bombastic reveal during Summer Games Fest 2024, this prequel to the Doom reboot takes things to medieval times. Within seconds of seeing the Doom Slayer in action, we see him revving his new chainsaw shield to decapitate Hell's demonic forces. Doom The Dark Ages is just the latest in id Software's iconic FPS game series, featuring a whole arsenal of bizarre weapons to deal with hellish threats efficiently. The veteran devs know exactly what they need to do to keep things in action game from getting stale, which is why we're going to fight demons in a fresh location. Continue reading Doom The Dark Ages release date estimate, trailer, and gameplay |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 11:04 AM  The Earth Defense Force 6 Steam launch has been a mixed success. Finally arriving on PC, the bold, bright, and bananas co-op game has been met, quite rightly, with high player numbers and some serious raw enthusiasm - to this day, there is nothing like the EDF series, and we're glad the latest edition has finally gotten a port. There is, however, a problem. In order to play Earth Defense Force 6 multiplayer, you need to make and link an Epic Online Services account, even if you and all your compadres are using Steam. Just like Helldivers 2 and the PSN debacle, it's resulted in a pretty hellish review bombing campaign. Now, however, everything might be about to change. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best co-op games, Best multiplayer games, Upcoming PC games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 11:02 AM  July 26, 2024: We've added 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. Continue reading Free Monopoly Go dice links July 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 10:56 AM  What are the current and upcoming Marvel Rivals events? There is an entire multiverse worth of story going on in Marvel Rivals, with everything happening everywhere all at once; stopping Spider Zero from pushing the cart is only good enough until the next round starts, and we know that those screaming goats will be back, win or lose. Luckily, there are story events that have a fixed start and end point, and even better, they come with a ton of rewards. Players are sinking their teeth into the Marvel Rivals closed beta, getting to grips with each of the Marvel Rivals characters before the official Marvel Rivals release date rolls by. We have the current and upcoming Marvel Rivals events here so you can be prepared when the time comes, ready to grind for those exclusive rewards. Continue reading Marvel Rivals events - all current and upcoming events MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Marvel Rivals release date, Marvel Rivals characters, Marvel Rivals System Requirements |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 10:47 AM  Fresh news on the Terraria 1.4.5 update is something I'll always take a moment for, and as the end of the month rolls around once more, the Terraria State of the Game for July 2024 has arrived to deliver just that. Developer Re-Logic has a couple of new treats for us, as one of the best PC games ever looks towards the launch of what might, finally, actually, become its ultimate update. Continue reading Terraria 1.4.5 adds a powerful new weapon and a delightful novelty MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best Terraria mods, Terraria happiness guide, Terraria bosses guide |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 10:43 AM  It's time for another incredible Steam Deck game bundle from Fanatical. This time, you can add up to 22 games to a deal at $7 each. The bundle would cost $632.29, but instead, it can be yours for $153.96. But fear not, if you don't want or need 22 games to add to your backlog, there is still a way to buy fewer games and still save big. We even have an exclusive discount code that will save you more money, which we will detail below. More developers are targeting Steam Deck verification as the best handheld gaming PC continues to dominate the market despite its aging power. Many of these games will also run great on devices like the Asus ROG Ally X too. Continue reading Save up to $469 in this Steam Deck game bundle builder MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 10:30 AM  Team FOLON has done something incredible. After five years of arduous work, the development team behind unofficial spin-off Fallout London has actually managed to finish and release its ambitious RPG. With Fallout 5 a long way off and everyone eager for something fresh after New Vegas and FO4, this new fan game (that almost feels like too small a descriptor) is very, very welcome. By all accounts, fans of the apocalyptic Bethesda series are loving its new UK-based half cousin. At the same time, a lot of Fallout London crashing problems are getting in the way. Continue reading Fallout London crashing problems are hurting an otherwise great game MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fallout 5 release date, Best games like Fallout, Best Fallout 4 mods |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 10:22 AM  While we're usually made to wait until a game has been released to find out whether it works on Steam Deck, Bioware has jumped the gun and announced that Dragon Age: The Veilguard will be Verified at launch. It's no surprise that Bioware is targeting great performance on the best handheld gaming PC as it's the style of game that totally lends itself to portable play. However, it's very surprising to see it announced before the Dragon Age: The Veilguard release date. Continue reading Dragon Age Veilguard is already Steam Deck verified MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPGs, Dragon Age 4 characters, Dragon Age 4 release date |
PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 10:38 AM  Who are the Marvel Rivals characters? With any new Marvel game comes playable Marvel characters, and in Netease and Marvel Games' new 6-vs-6 shooter, there are plenty to choose from. There have been rumors and leaks flying around in the lead-up to the game's announcement, but we have the confirmed Marvel Rivals roster right here. When the Marvel Rivals release date rolls around, you could end up being spoiled for choice, as the starting roster will be expanded upon with the game's seasonal model. Who will you be deciding to play as in Marvel Rivals when the multiplayer game lands? Continue reading All Marvel Rivals characters, tier list, leaks, and full roster MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Marvel Rivals release date, Marvel Rivals characters, Marvel Rivals System Requirements |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, July 26, 2024 3:03 PM  Demos were once a cornerstone of PC gaming and they arguably will be again thanks to events like Steam Next Fest. The latest update to Steam seeks to make those free slices of potential delight easier to find for players, and easier to promote for developers. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, July 26, 2024 2:30 PM  Double Fine's PsychOdyssey is a 32-part documentary series which charts the creation of 2021 platformer Psychonauts 2, from initial brainstorming sessions to its final release. Or it was - now it's 33 parts, as a new 94-minute episode was just released which looks back at the game, its reception, and the release of the documentary itself. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, July 26, 2024 12:00 PM  In a recent interview, the director of The Elder Scrolls Online said that if you made Morrowind today, it would struggle to find an audience. "If you play that right now," he said, "there is no compass, no map, literally the quests are like 'go to the third tree on the right and walk 50 paces west'... And if you did that now, no one would play it. Very few people would play it." Well sir, have you heard of a little open world RPG called Dread Delusion? It's pretty good. And what's more, it has just added a whole new area with - let me see - a giant floating squid creature with an entire town of citizens living inside its shell. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 3:30 PM
Dwango and Kadokawa announced that video hosting site NicoNico will return on August 5, 2024 with a new version. The website and most of its services have been inactive, with only a few active in a limited capacity ever since the cyberattack perpetrated on June 8, 2024.
Some of the services being restored include NicoNico Douga, NicoNico Live, NicoNico Pedia, Niconi Commons, and Niconi Solid, among a few others. Other additional services will sequentially roll out throughout the rest of August 2024. However, due to the loss of data caused by the cyberattack, the NicoNi Community service will not return.
In a new statement provided by both Dwango and Kadokawa both companies apologized for the inconveniences caused. The message also confirmed that by the time the NicoNico video service returns it will feature a "new version." However, the specifics of this new version have not been detailed yet. The name of this new version of NicoNico will be announced on August 1, 2024.
Users of various membership and premium NicoNico services will receive compensation measures as well. Dwango previously stated that the compensation will include the months of June and July 2024, and the new announcement confirmed that the compensation measures will extend to include the month of August as well.
NicoNico will return with a new version on August 5, 2024 and various other services will sequentially appear throughout the month of August.
The post NicoNico Video Returns With a New Version in August 2024 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 3:00 PM
World of Warcraft is perhaps one of the longest enduring MMORPGs, having launched November 2004, it will have been in service for nearly two decades this year. It was a game that I initially shunned, but warmed up to over time as my interest in other MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV waned. But as I sat with friends, discussing all of the games, specifically MMORPGs, that we played, I realized something: World of Warcraft could benefit from more linear expansion and story progression.
I meet up with a friends at a local restaurant to get out of my apartment, and we sit and talk about games that were formative to us during our youth between picking at cheese covered short ribs slathered in a spicy marinade and Korean corn cheese. We talk about Starcraft, and how despite effectively starting the Esports scene in Korea it has fallen into decline, and how incredible Warcraft III and its subsequent expansion, The Frozen Throne, was. Since I am still new to World of Warcraft, with the decades old MMORPG still retaining it's glossy shine to me (probably because I haven't had to trudge through Shadowlands or Cataclysm in full, yet) I bring it up. We are both lovers of Sylvanas Windrunner and Arthas Menethil and I talk excited with them about the attention to detail put into The Undercity, the capital city for The Forsaken — undead who have broken free from the Lich King's influence to live as a mostly independent people. I tell them about the bruised and rotten flower petals that the now undead citizens of Lordaeron threw in joyous celebration at the return of their crown prince, how the bells still sing for Arthas, and how his voice still echoes in the throne room where he slew his father in an act of patricide to overtake the city and condemn his people to undeath.
I share all of the stories told to me about Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King, two of World of Warcraft's first major expansions, realizing that neither them or myself will be able to run through them as they were. And that in some cases, you will not be able to experience them at all if you progress a character in retail too far to make use of Chromie's time distortion, which does let you play through old World of Warcraft expansions to an extent. You see, there is a cut-off for this around Level 50, which prevents you from accessing other expansions as they mostly were. I say mostly, because the divisive Cataclysm expansion changed the world map in such a significant way that even major landmarks were destroyed and various locations altered with the arrival of Deathwing. Which I'm sure was exciting when that expansion launched! And further down the line, certain starting zones were changed to show the flow of time in Azeroth, which is something I actually like in World of Warcraft over Final Fantasy XIV. Final Fantasy XIV does have some time lapse between expansions, but everything is more or less static. There isn't a greater change in the world, characters don't grow up or age or die, which I think works to the detriment of the MMORPG, but it does do one thing right in terms of progression: it's completely linear.
Final Fantasy XIV requires you to go through A Realm Reborn to get to Heavensward, and Heavensward to get to Stormblood, and so on. You can, of course, purchase a story skip to bypass all of this content which I've done for alts, but for the most part you need to engage in the Main Scenario Content in a specific order to see storylines unfold in a way that ushers you through what feels like a chronicling of major, significant story events. World of Warcraft has these things — the resurgence of the Scourge and the awakening of the Lich King, the Burning Legion pouring forth out of emerald green demon gates, to name a few. Not all World of Warcraft expansions hit their mark. With the community at large disliking Shadowlands to such an extent that it's become shorthand for middling expansions that it's even permeated the Final Fantasy XIV community in terms of how that own portion of MMORPG players have come to regard Dawntrail. But I think going through the story in some linear fashion would be great for World of Warcraft.
Yes, you would have to endure old content which means a lot of fetch quests and running around old maps. But having played Classic Season of Discovery, I think that would be a great boon. That content forces you to engage with the world and learn about it in a way that has you exploring these old zones, and it would breathe life into regions that have otherwise gone neglected. You would get to learn about the relationship each of the small villages you discover have with the world at large, you'd get too experience characters grow old and change and even die, instead of just popping into the world as is. Yes, instanced zones still exist so people can experience some starting areas as they were, but it'd be cool (if not maybe impossible) to see Blizzard Entertainment impliment this on a larger scale.
Maybe this is just me wanting to see more players in old zones, or wanting people to experience some of the best story content World of Warcraft has had, or maybe it's just me being nostalgic for characters that Blizzard Entertainment just still haven't been able to top. (I won't deny, I have a huge bias for Arthas, but he's iconic for a reason!) I know I definitely feel this way because I've played Season of Discovery; because I've experienced those old starting zones and spoken to those old NPCs that I know become significant. It's nice to see where things begin and where they will potentially end, and I think World of Warcraft does have some solid character writing even if it isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But I think it's a shame people can't experience some of the best bits of what World of Warcraft does have to offer, and having that linear progression would maybe enhance their experience. I know it would for me.
World of Warcraft is available on PC.
The post World of Warcraft Could Benefit from Linear Expansion Progression appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 2:30 PM
At SDCC 2024, Gecco offered an update on its Bloodborne Amygdala figure designed to be hung on a wall. The new version has extra eyes and hair on its head, compared to the one shown in February 2024.
The design of the wall hanging is supposed to resemble the Amygdala's Chamber area in Nightmare Frontier where the Great One could be fought. We can see the boss emerging from a frame and on a tower. This latest prototype seems to have the same number of hands and tentacles as the original. However, it also has bulging eyes and spikes that weren't present in the past sample. There are also more details on the back of the beast and on the tower.
Here are all the photos Gecco shared from SDCC 2024.
To compare, here's the February 2024 prototype of Amygdala. At the time, Gecco noted that was only a "temporary 3D print-out." It wasn't a full prototype.
Bloodborne is available worldwide for the PS4, and Gecco hasn't shared a possible release window for the Amygdala Wall-Hanger Statue figure just yet. While there's no new game in that line, the PC fanmade title Nightmare Kart is inspired by it.
The post SDCC Bloodborne Amygdala Figure Gets More Eyes and Hair appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 2:00 PM
Bandai Namco revealed a new Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream character, and the latest trailer confirms Yuuki will be playable in this SAO game. This version of her will be based on her ALfheim Online appearance.
Editor's Note: The Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream Yuuki trailer features spoilers in the first three seconds.
In this Sword Art Online game, we'll see Yuuki appear as a Rogue. She'll also be voiced by Aoi Yuki, who previously played her in the anime and other games. Aside from an introductory segment offering a bit of background about what happened with the heroine in the story, the trailer is dedicated to showing off gameplay. We get to see her attacks against hordes of enemies, including her signature Mother's Rosario skill.
Here's the latest Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream character trailer:
Ahead of the release of the new Sword Art Online game this fall, Bandai Namco's regularly shares character trailers highlighting members of the cast as they are confirmed. At Anime Expo 2024, it noted that Eiji Nochizawa and Yuna from SAO Ordinal Scale will both show up. After that, we got a look at Alice from SAO Alicization in the game.
Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream debuts on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam on October 4, 2024.
The post See Yuuki in Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 1:30 PM
At SDCC 2024, Gecco brought a number of Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill 3, and Silent Hill: The Short Message figures of characters like the Shiba Inu dog, Robbie the Rabbit, and Sakura Head. While the Dog End bank and Sakura Head will be out in 2024, the various Robbie the Rabbit ones won't show up until 2025.
This is the latest appearance of some items Konami first announced back in May 2024. First, here's the latest look at the Inu-End Scale Coin Bank Statue. Gecco's photos show it from multiple angles and highlight where James and Maria are on the dog's map. As a reminder, it will cost 32,000 yen (~$208) and launch in December 2024.
Next, two photos of the Silent Hill: The Short Messages Sakura Head figure appeared. This is the 1/6 figure coming out in November 2024. Gecco noted this prototype of the upcoming 54,780 yen (~$357) figure came straight from the factory. One of the photos is taken from the side, to offer a better look at the fence and base.
Of all the Silent Hill items on display at Gecco's booth, the company shared the most photos of the upcoming Robbie the Rabbit prototypes. There will be six of them launching in 2025. The Mini Pink and Blue Set, which features both mascots wielding Stick of Princess Heart wands, will only be at the Sweet Factory Souvenir Shop. All of the new rabbits will come with at least one weapon pulled from Silent Hill 3. The black one has a Beam Saber, the blue NEO figure gets a Yellow Chainsaw, the pink NEO one could hold either a Memory of Alessa Knife or Silver Pipe, and the red one wields a Great Knife.
In 2020, other Robbie the Rabbit styles originally appeared.
Silent Hill 2 Remake will come out on October 8, 2024 for the PS5 and Windows PC. Silent Hill: The Short Message is out now on the PS5. The Silent Hill 2 Inu-End Coin Bank Statue launches in December 2024, the Silent Hill: The Short Message Sakura Head figure will appear in November 2024, and the Silent Hill 3 new Robbie the Rabbit figures launch in 2025.
The post SDCC Silent Hill Figures Include Sakura Head, Robbie the Rabbit appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 1:00 PM
Good Smile Company announced a new Fire Emblem: Three Houses figure of Dimitri based on his post-timeskip look. The figure costs $202.99/¥32,780, and pre-orders are open at the Good Smile Company online store until October 30, 2024.
The figure is based on an artwork of Dimitri and inspired by the Battle at Gronder Field, where the armies of Edelgard, Claude, and Dimitri face in battle after the 5 year timeskip. The 1/7 scale figure depicts Dimitri hunched over ready for battle while holding his signature Hero Relic, the lance Areadbhar. The figure is expected to release in Japan before August 2025, and the North American release window is set for Q1 2026.
You can take a look at the new figure of Dimitri here:
Aside from the new Dimitri figure, Good Smile Company also announced figures of Male and Female Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Both figures will belong to the Pop Up Parade line of figures, and the figures are currently in development with no release window.
The new post-timeskip figure of Dimitri is now available for pre-order until October 30, 2024, and it costs $202.99/¥32,780. Fire Emblem: Three Houses is available for the Nintendo Switch.
The post Fire Emblem: Three Houses Dimitri Timeskip Figure Costs Over $200 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 12:30 PM
Voice actors Amanda Hufford, Max Mittelman, Ray Chase, and Robbie Daymond announced Date Everything, an upcoming dating sim that makes inanimate objects into love interests. The Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC title will have 100 romance candidates total, and each of them has multiple endings depending on your choices.
A first Date Everything trailer appeared to help explain how this dating sim will work. The player will be inside of their home and, after getting Dateviator glasses, will find objects there can also be individuals with personalities who are looking for love. 100 characters will appear, and your potential partners can end up loving, hating, or becoming friends with you. A handful of love interests appeared in the first video, such as Cabrizzio the kitchen cabinets, Keyes the piano, Hoove the vacuum, Harper the laundry basket, Dirk the dirty laundry, and Betty the bed. The video also highlighted how these romance options also know each other, with Keyes referencing Hoove and Harper and Dirk apparently in an established relationship.
Here's the full trailer:
Date Everything is in development for the Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Sassy Chap Games, Date Everything, Team 17, North America, Europe,
The post Date Everything Dating Sim Has 100 Love Interests appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 12:15 PM
Stairway Games, developers of Coral Island, noted that it is uncertain about the future of the Switch version of the game following the Humble Games restructuring. As such, it announced people who backed that console version on Kickstarter can now switch to a Steam key for a PC version and immediately start playing the game.
There are two ways to swap to a Steam code for the PC copy of Coral Island if you were a Switch backer. One is to email the developer directly at contact@stairwaygames.com, and the other is to join the game's Discord and get in touch with a member of the team there. It noted that once someone gets in touch and supplies their information, the change can happen.
Stairway Games also addressed the situation regarding the Switch version of Coral Island to the best of their ability. The statement noted the frustration tied to the port, saying, "Over the years, there's a lot we've wanted to say in the spirit of transparency, about many different things, but continue to be unable to do so because of the publishing agreement and NDA we have in place."
The developer also noted that the Humble Games restructuring is behind a delay for the Coral Island PS5 and Xbox Series X hotfix 1.1. The company said it can send out the patch on Steam, but can't do so for either console version. That 1.1 update went live on July 22, 2024.
Here is the full statement:
Coral Island is immediately available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam. The future of the Switch version of the game is uncertain.
The post Coral Island Devs Allowing Switch Backers to Get Steam Keys appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 12:00 PM
Taito will release a new set of Final Fantasy XIV glass and LED coaster as crane game prizes. The sets will appear at various amusement centers throughout Japan starting on July 27, 2024.
There are two versions available of the LED coaster and glass set, a regular and a limited edition. The regular edition includes a single LED coaster and glass. The coaster has blue LED lights and the Final Fantasy XIV name engraved around it, while the glass features a foil-printed silver rendition of the Mothercrystal.
Meanwhile, the limited edition includes the same contents as the regular one, with the addition of a red LED coaster and an additional glass. The new glass features a gold foil-printed logo of The Twelve, the Eorzean pantheon of gods.
Check out the new Final Fantasy XIV LED coaster and glass sets in more detail here:
As a reminder, Square Enix announced a tabletop RPG version of Final Fantasy XIV and the game has a standard and deluxe edition now available for pre-order.
The new FFXIV glass and glowing LED coaster sets will appear as crane game prizes at a variety of amusement centers around Japan on July 27, 2024. Final Fantasy XIV is readily available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
The post Final Fantasy XIV Glass and Glowing LED Coaster Sets Appear appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 11:30 AM
In response to fan requests, Yoshimi Yasuda of Dragami Games has hinted at a PS4 release of Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP. The company will release more information on it when it finalizes its schedule.
Some other replies have pointed out that not all players have upgraded to the latest generation of consoles. So they're requesting that the game has an Xbox One release alongside a PS4 one. For context, when Lollipop Chainsaw originally came out in 2012, it came out for the PS3 and the Xbox 360. The Japanese version even featured different voice actresses for Juliet between the two versions. Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP will continue this tradition, letting players choose between the original voice actresses and also offering the choice of Yukari Tamura.
Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP is a remaster of the game. It was a remake but became a remaster at fan request. It follows zombie hunter and cheerleader Juliet Starling who goes to school and finds that her classmates and teachers had turned into zombies. After decapitating her boyfriend in order to prevent his transformation, she hacks and slashes her way through the school in order to find the masterminds.
Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP will come out on the PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and WIndows PC on September 25, 2024. There is no information as of yet as to when and if a PS4 (or Xbox One) version of Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP will be available as well.
The post Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP Might Appear on the PS4 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 11:00 AM
The Pokemon summer campaign will start at Baskin Robbins in Japan from August 1 and end on September 4, 2024. You'll be able to get exclusive limited-time flavors and containers that are based on a variety of new and old Pokemon. [Thanks, PR Times!]
The limited-time flavor is Pikachu and Hogeta's Fruit Ice, which combines seven different fruits—golden kiwi, pineapple, passion fruit, strawberry, blood orange, pink grapefruit, and mango. You can get this as a single scoop or a double. If you get a double scoop, you have the option of getting it in a cup. There are three variations, each featuring Pikachu hanging out with one of the starter Pokemon from the Paldea region.
For each double scoop cup you get, you can get a random Pokemon sticker. Other items available during the Pokemon collaboration at Baskin Robbins are a fruity ice cream float with Pikachu designs on it (the drink is apple and pineapple, and you can choose whatever ice cream flavor you want), and two types of ice cream cakes. One contains four different flavors (again, Pikachu and the Paldean starters) and the other one is just Pikachu. There will also be multiple variety pack containers and take-out bags that have Pokemon on them.
Here are some more pictures of the Pokemon collaboration at Baskin Robbins:
The campaign will start from August 1 and last until September 4, 2024. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the newest mainline games, are readily available on the Nintendo Switch.
The post Baskin Robbins Japan Will Have a Fruity Pokemon Summer appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 10:30 AM
As of the time of writing, Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is the highest-rated game on OpenCritic for 2024. It has a score of 94, and its tied for first place with Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.
In second (third) place is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which came out on February 29, 2024. There's only a difference of one point, as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has a score of 93. Here are the top ten 2024 games as of July 25, 2024:
This list does not take into account Shadow of the Erdtree, which is an expansion for the existing Elden Ring game and is not a "game" on its own.
Tsukihime making it so high onto OpenCritic's best games list, even if the year isn't over yet, is quite a big deal for fans of visual novels and Type-Moon. Not only are visual novels still a rather niche genre, but Tsukihime is a title that the Type-Moon has anticipated for many years due to it never becoming available in an official capacity or on newer consoles. You can read our review of it here.
Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is readily available on the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
The post Tsukihime Becomes Highest-Rated 2024 OpenCritic Game appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 10:00 AM
Square Enix has re-run three soba bowls for the 20th anniversary of the Kingdom Hearts series. All of the bowls are blue-and-white, which make them very refreshing bowls to look at and use for the summer weather.
The Kingdom Hearts soba bowls cost 4950 JPY for three, which would convert to around $32.20. These bowls originally came out in 2022. Some of the pictures show them on display in a wooden shelf, so they're good for decoration as well. Because of the shape of the soba bowl, you can actually use it as a larger cup as well if you're not in a noodles mood or just plain don't eat noodles that often.
The various designs have different motifs from the Kingdom Hearts series. One of them has the symbols that you often see in the game (the key, the Heartless symbol, Organization XIII's symbol, Mickey Mouse's head, and such) on the rim. Another has them in a criss-cross pattern. Yet another one is more plain, with the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary logo on a blue background.
The Kingdom Hearts soba bowls are open for purchase via the Japanese Square Enix website. They're not available via the North American store. However, some proxy sites like Aitaikuji may stock them in the future.
The post Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Soba Bowls Return appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 9:30 AM
Koei Tecmo has published the first direct gameplay footage of Dynasty Warriors Origins at ChinaJoy 2024. It showed how the new entry in the strategic hack-and-slash action game series will look like.
The game's producer Tomohiko Sho was present on the stage, and he mentioned that Dynasty Warriors Origins will have a deeper storytelling of the Chinese Three Kingdoms era. While most of the series entries started with the Han forces subjugating the Yellow Turbans in 184 AD, the story in Origins will start earlier in 183 AD. The player-controlled original protagonist will witness the Han officials oppressing the villagers and Zhang Jiao establishing the Yellow Turbans.
Dynasty Warriors Origins will also have a 3D world map. But unlike Dynasty Warriors 9's open-world setting, the world map in this game will only let players access battles, shops, and character interactions. Battles in Origins will take place on limited-area maps like Dynasty Warriors 8 and earlier titles. While the player will mostly control the original protagonist, they will also be able to temporarily access other existing characters like Guan Yu at certain points in the stage.
In addition, the footage also confirmed that Koei Tecmo will bring back several tracks from prior series entries. The company used "Eve" for the prologue stage and "The Wall of Fate" for the Battle of Sishui Gate, both of which appeared first in Dynasty Warriors 4.
The Dynasty Warriors Origins ChinaJoy 2024 stream originally appeared on BiliBili. However, the direct feed gameplay footage from the stream has also been made available on YouTube:
Dynasty Warriors Origins will be available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2025.
The post Dynasty Warriors Origins ChinaJoy Footage Shows the New Game appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 9:00 AM
SNK has confirmed that Billy Kane will make his return in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. The series' recurring character will sport a new look while still retaining the tri-sectioned staff as his weapon of choice.
Billy has been known for wearing a bandana throughout most of his appearances in the Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters series up until KOF XV. SNK is making drastic changes to his looks, as he will remove the bandana and switch to sunglasses while growing a beard.
SNK also published two trailers that showcase Billy Kane's voices in Japanese and English. Masaki Masaki has been voicing the character since The King of Fighters XIV, and he will also return to reprise the Japanese voiceover role in this game.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will also have an English voiceover option for every playable character. SNK has confirmed Chris Sharpes as the English voice actor for Billy Kane.
There are ten playable characters formally known in City of the Wolves as of Billy Kane's reveal. Rock Howard, Terry Bogard, Hotaru Futaba, Preecha, and Tizoc a.k.a. Griffon Mask were the first five characters revealed for the game. SNK has since gradually revealed Marco Rodrigues, B. Jenet, and Vox Reaper. It also unveiled Kevin Rian during EVO 2024.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will be available worldwide on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, and PC in early 2025.
The post Billy Kane Returns in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves appeared first on Siliconera. |
WGB Friday, July 26, 2024 8:03 AM A new strike by members of SAG-AFTRA over numerous issues, including AI, could result in delays for upcoming games. |
MonsterVine Friday, July 26, 2024 9:00 AM Makoto Wakaido's Case Files Trilogy Deluxe presents four bite-sized pixel art mysteries to solve with simple detective mechanics and a steady progression in quality. Makoto Wakaido's Case Files Trilogy Deluxe Developer: Hakababunko Price: $13 Platforms: PC (reviewed), Switch MonsterVine was provided with a PC code for review. Makoto Wakaido's Case Files Trilogy Deluxe is a […] |