Jul 27, 20:00


GamersHeroes Saturday, July 27, 2024 1:37 PM
    

The world of Grampus and Com2uS' BTS Cooking On: TinyTAN Restaurant is set to make its debut on August 7 across 170 regions.

The post BTS Cooking On: TinyTAN Restaurant Launching August 7 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:45 PM
     Blizzard awards free World of Warcraft game time amid pre-patch woes

The launch of the World of Warcraft The War Within pre-patch hasn't gone quite as smoothly as Blizzard might have hoped. Despite running a beta that began in early June, the launch of the WoW The War Within pre-patch on Tuesday July 23 has run into several issues. Chief among those was a period of extended downtime at launch, which primarily affected players in North American realms. As such, Blizzard is handing out some free game time to compensate for the trouble.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: WoW The War Within beta sign up, WoW The War Within release date, The best WoW addons

PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:26 PM
     League of Legends ranked requirements to change as Riot tackles smurfs

New League of Legends ranked requirements are coming in LoL patch 14.15 as Riot Games targets alt accounts and smurfs. The update will see players forced to play unranked matches on Summoner's Rift before they can start queuing for ranked mode, in a change that lead gameplay designer Matt 'Riot Phroxzon' Leung-Harrison says "is a long time coming."

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, League of Legends tier list

PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:26 PM
     Zenless Zone Zero gets a new way to snag more free Polychrome

If you're on the hunt for free Zenless Zone Zero Polychrome, a very easy method to claim some has just been announced. Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail dev HoYoverse has another limited-time event coming to ZZZ very soon, and it'll give you more of the valuable currency along with some extra Boopons and a selection of upgrade materials. If you've been as entranced by the style of the new anime game as I have, you'll doubtless want to save up for the likes of Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Jane Doe, so don't miss out.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners

Siliconera Saturday, July 27, 2024 3:00 PM
    

Billy Kid Can Be the Best Part of Zenless Zone Zero

I love Billy Kid from Zenless Zone Zero. Even though I'm not exactly sold on it in other ways, due to things like pacing and the freebies taking forever to earn, I can't fault this one element of his design. Almost every part of him is perfectly executed, and the fact that we got such a wonderful character from the very start leaves me inclined to give Zenless Zone Zero a little leeway.

Part of this comes down to the general design for Billy Kid. He's an android, which means you'd worry about him perhaps looking a bit generic. However, his robotic face manages to be as expressive, if not more so, than other characters. This is because of the exaggerated approach HoYoVerse artists use. So even though he can look stoic and severe at a glance, in motion we see a range of emotions as varied as anyone else's. There are also other touches, such as a red leather jacket filled with fandom patches and an exaggerated hairstyle that rivals any shonen hero's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaPLKuWWahg&ab_channel=ZenlessZoneZero

Billy Kid also has the absolute best personality type in Zenless Zone Zero. Those who kept up with Trigun will know what I mean. He's absolutely a Vash the Stampede type. This is a character who genuinely means well and is a good person (robot)! He can be delightfully goofy about things! He adores the show Starlight Knight. He has a crush on a celebrity. He refers to his guns as the Girls. However, we also know that there's more to him. He's a more than competent Agent. He's an established Intelligent Tactical Unit. His character teaser from 2023, which featured his beta phase voice actor Michael Schwalbe, noted he used to even be an infamous Outer Ring "combat weapon" and feared warrior. He's skilled, competent, and cares!

The Billy Kid English and Japanese voice actors in Zenless Zone Zero even enhance that. Both Clifford Chapin and Yu Hayashi give these enthusiastic, earnest, over-the-top types of performances. You can tell there's an opportunity for seriousness in their portrayals. At the same time, they both do a perfect job of geeking out and bringing him to life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9o4b8FrG0&ab_channel=ZenlessZoneZero

Honestly, I think that combination of the right personality and voice actors make it feel like Billy Kid is the best part of the early Zenless Zone Zero story. He absolutely steals the show in the tutorial, when we're helping Phaethon get him and Anby out of the Hollow during the introduction. He's a constant source of humor, being genuinely and completely funny due to both his responses to Anby and reactions. At the same time, he's an absolute badass. He handles situations efficiently and is smart about dealing with enemies. He's practical when it comes to successfully navigating and escaping the situation. He's also just a generally good buddy to the Phaethon siblings, being genuinely appreciative of his "manager." No matter what the situation or who the person in the scene with him is, the writing means he plays off of them perfectly.

The only bad thing about Billy Kid in Zenless Zone Zero is… well, actually using him. Which is a shame since there's so much potential when it comes to the concept behind the character! He's a DPS, but a completely ranged unit in a title where you're most likely going to get up close and personal when beating baddies up. His attacks honestly look amazing too. I absolutely love how he looks when he uses his Fatal Shot Assist. His Stand Still and Clearance Time Specials? Also fantastic to watch. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaPLKuWWahg&ab_channel=ZenlessZoneZero

However, Billy Kid is clearly a case of form over function in Zenless Zone Zero, and it keeps him from being one of the best possible party members at the very least for the moment. His playstyle is very forgiving, which is a plus! While his Basic Attack only hits one, it's easy to use his other moves or build off of it to deal AOE damage. The problem comes when you look closer. He's a Physical Attack Agent with the Cunning Hares. Know who also is and happens to be a better DPS due to her nature as an S-rank character? Nekomata. It also doesn't help that Anby and Nicole are more versatile members of the group who can slot into other teams more easily than Billy. There's no Physical type Stun or Support unit in-game yet who could support a Billy team, and someone going for an A-rank Physical DPS could also perhaps pick Piper instead. 

I know it is early days with Zenless Zone Zero. At the rate at which HoYoVerse tends to add new characters to games, which can be between two and three per patch, we'll likely see lots of Agents to fall in love with as time goes by. However, there is just something special about Billy Kid in Zenless Zone Zero. His combat prowess aside, everything about him feels perfectly in tune with the game, not to mention appealing to a general audience.

Zenless Zone Zero is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices.

The post Billy Kid Can Be the Best Part of Zenless Zone Zero  appeared first on Siliconera.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, July 27, 2024 4:00 PM
    

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is available now.

The post Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising 1.50 Update Detailed appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, July 27, 2024 3:02 PM
    

The update features several notable additions.

The post No Rest for the Wicked The Crucible Update Available Now appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, July 27, 2024 2:35 PM

Jul 27, 14:00


GamersHeroes Saturday, July 27, 2024 1:37 PM
    

The world of Grampus and Com2uS' BTS Cooking On: TinyTAN Restaurant is set to make its debut on August 7 across 170 regions.

The post BTS Cooking On: TinyTAN Restaurant Launching August 7 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Saturday, July 27, 2024 10:00 AM
    

A lot of people are getting back into Fallout 76, or enjoying the new Final Fantasy 14 expansion, or trying out The First Descendent. There's a lot of games to play this summer, and it's normal if you get stuck on them. That's what we're here for. Click through for all the best tips of the week.

Read more...


Kotaku Saturday, July 27, 2024 9:00 AM
    

This week, the long-anticipated Fallout: London mod finally arrived. That's cool! Less cool is the Cybertruck showing up in Fortnite. Also, a Call of Duty game has finally arrived on Game Pass, some time after Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, but the specific series entry that's kicking…

Read more...


PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:45 PM
     Blizzard awards free World of Warcraft game time amid pre-patch woes

The launch of the World of Warcraft The War Within pre-patch hasn't gone quite as smoothly as Blizzard might have hoped. Despite running a beta that began in early June, the launch of the WoW The War Within pre-patch on Tuesday July 23 has run into several issues. Chief among those was a period of extended downtime at launch, which primarily affected players in North American realms. As such, Blizzard is handing out some free game time to compensate for the trouble.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: WoW The War Within beta sign up, WoW The War Within release date, The best WoW addons

PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 11:57 AM
     Beloved Battleblock Theater getting a new Steam update after a decade

Hearing about Battleblock Theater is my Ratatouille food critic moment. I haven't thought about it in nigh on a decade, but seeing Hatty Hattington's square head and crying eyes takes me back to a much simpler time. Games dared to be weird, colorful, and embraced couch co-op in a way modern PC games typically don't. Sure, you can find each of those elements across countless releases these days, but how often do all three come together as one? Just thinking about Battleblock Theater has me wanting to jump back in, so it's lucky then that there's a massive Steam discount and impending free update, isn't it?


PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 11:35 AM
     Diablo 4 dev

New Diablo 4 Season 5 details are about to drop ahead of the imminent launch of the next update for the Blizzard RPG, and we're eagerly anticipating all the changes coming following the game's recent PTR test. While the Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred DLC is still a little way out, Season 5 is already shaping up to be well worth your time with an absolute bounty of new legendary and unique items. Ahead of the upcoming developer update, lead class designer Adam Jackson teases the community about the level of changes we can look forward to.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4 review, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 10:37 AM
     This overlooked and atmospheric Metroidvania is a free game right now

As PCGamesN's resident Metroidvania lover, there are a few entries that I find myself always coming back to. The roguelike leanings of Dead Cells make it easy to pick up and play after months away, the neon-soaked atmosphere of Animal Well is one I could live in forever, and Hollow Knight's superb design just makes it a joy no matter how familiar I am with the underground halls. There's always another Metroidvania to play though, so if you've been keeping an eye out for your next adventure look no further. Fist: Forged in Shadow Torch is currently free to keep forever, and it's an incredible genre entry that you probably missed.


PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:26 PM
     League of Legends ranked requirements to change as Riot tackles smurfs

New League of Legends ranked requirements are coming in LoL patch 14.15 as Riot Games targets alt accounts and smurfs. The update will see players forced to play unranked matches on Summoner's Rift before they can start queuing for ranked mode, in a change that lead gameplay designer Matt 'Riot Phroxzon' Leung-Harrison says "is a long time coming."

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, League of Legends tier list

PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 9:19 AM
     Free Monopoly Go dice links July 2024

July 27, 2024: We've updated our list with the latest 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 Saturday, July 27, 2024 7:58 AM
     Garry's Mod spiritual sequel Sandbox is now open to all

The internet is indebted to Garry's Mod. Without it, we wouldn't have Prop Hunt, Trouble in Terrorist Town, and the countless machinima that flooded YouTube in the late '00s. Garry's Mod is the user-generated tool, standing tall amongst Minecraft, Roblox, and Dreams, as the best way to make and share whatever you can think of. That could be about to change, though, as Garry's Mod successor Sandbox just opened up the floodgates to even more players and creatives. So if you've ever wanted to make a game, now's your chance.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Free Steam games, Best sandbox games, Best old games

PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:26 PM
     Zenless Zone Zero gets a new way to snag more free Polychrome

If you're on the hunt for free Zenless Zone Zero Polychrome, a very easy method to claim some has just been announced. Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail dev HoYoverse has another limited-time event coming to ZZZ very soon, and it'll give you more of the valuable currency along with some extra Boopons and a selection of upgrade materials. If you've been as entranced by the style of the new anime game as I have, you'll doubtless want to save up for the likes of Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Jane Doe, so don't miss out.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners

PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 6:24 AM
     Path of Exile blows up on Steam with the launch of its best update yet

Iconic ARPG Path of Exile has reclaimed its throne with the launch of PoE patch 3.25 and its new city-building league. Landing cleanly between the launch of the second Last Epoch cycle and the upcoming Diablo 4 Season 5, Path of Exile Settlers of Kalguur is one of the most dramatic overhauls developer Grinding Gear Games has ever delivered to a game already notorious for big seasonal updates. The changes have clearly proven popular, as its seen a new Steam high for the decade-old RPG.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: PoE 3.25 details, Best free PC games, Best ARPG games

PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 6:23 AM
     Once Human has no plans for an FPS mode, but elements may sneak in

Starry Studio says it has no current plans to add a first-person mode to Once Human, but does suggest that FPS "elements" could be added to the colossal Steam survival game further down the line. This comes as part of the developer's feedback on three concerns from the community: character, controls, and camera. While the first-person dream is still out of reach, Starry is planning some changes to movement, as many players have been calling out how sluggish Once Human is right now. I've said it before and I'll say it again, with open communication and action based on community feedback, Once Human has what it takes to stick around for quite some time yet.

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

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, July 27, 2024 9:02 AM
    

I like a good factory game, but there's a fine line between "I enjoy this" and "I am uninstalling this before it ruins my year." I can't tell on which side of the divide Shapez 2 will fall, but I'm planning on finding out when it launches in Early Access next month on August 15th.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, July 27, 2024 8:23 AM
    

It's not often that a trailer release alone is enough to justify a post around here, but World Of Goo 2 ought to be bigger on everyone's radar. A sequel to one of the best games ever made ought to be cause for an international holiday. It's being released next Friday, on August 2nd, and the new trailer below will gloop your tower with glimpses fo the puzzling tower-building to be found therein.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, July 27, 2024 7:45 AM
    

Grimdark hack-and-slasher No Rest For The Wicked has received its first major update - or the first that isn't focused on bug fixes and performance improvements, anyway. It focuses on revamping the Crucible, the endgame's repeatable roguelite, adding more randomisation to arenas and a new system of player buffs.

Read more


Siliconera Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:00 PM
    

Tamagotchi Uni Sanrio Characters Model Results in a Perfect Crossover

When there are collaborations between properties or crossover merchandise appears, there can be varying degrees of success. Sometimes one brand or character isn't well-represented. It could be superficial. The Tamagotchi Uni Sanrio Characters model is an example of a perfectly executed crossover, with fantastic representation and integration of Sanrio characters alongside Tamagotchi staples.

As with the Hello Kitty Nano variant, we aren't actually raising Hello Kitty or a Sanrio character in this Tamagotchi Uni. We are raising a normal Tamagotchi character. However, the Sanrio elements are actively involved. This is due to the implementation of the Tamaverse that grants access to Sanrio Puroland. So if someone already owns an Uni unit, it is $7.20 for the ticket to unlock that area, the elements, and the possible evolutions. If you don't have the unit, it's $69.99 for one that includes the ticket and the model features Hello Kitty ribbons all over its face.

Photo by Siliconera

Once you get the ticket applied, which can be done immediately once your first Tamagotchi is in the baby stage, it's so easy to start kitting out the unit with the Sanrio elements. After your first character becomes a child, you can select Tamaverse and head to Sanrio Puroland by choosing to go to a DL Area. You'll be greeted by other characters who also are from those variants, which is fun. It gives you a chance to see what to possible shoot for.

From there, you can start seeing actual Sanrio characters in the Tamagotchi Uni or purchasing virtual items. Going to the Entrance of Sanrio Puroland triggers a parade of mascots. These can vary. One time, I saw an array of characters that included Pompompurin, Little Twin Stars, and more obscure characters like Usahana and Cogimyun. Fluffy Ribbon House is the designated minigame for this area, granting access to a Hello Kitty Ribbon Jump. It's fairly simple, given you're pressing left or right when directed, but pays better than normal minigames for a three-star performance. (600 Gotchi Points!) That features Mimmy White and Tiny Chum appearances as well.

However, it's the Kawaii Shop in Sanrio Puroland that really makes this Tamagotchi Uni crossover work. Yes, you can redecorate with accessories, furniture, and one of two 500 G room styles. However, the food, snacks, and items help make the real difference. I bought a 200 G Kuromi Diary and, after making that my character's exclusive toy, I got a Melodytchi dressed like Kuromi. For my second character, I only fed them the 100 G Star Pancakes to boost their happiness. The result? A Little Unimarutchi character appeared.

I just love how it all opens up once you access Sanrio Puroland for the first time. Especially since the crossover items in a Tamagotchi Uni Sanrio Characters model are all affordable. Getting 600 G from a perfect performance in Ribbon Jump is enough for a room redesign and a snack. I went through two runs, and I had the Kuromi Diary and some other toys purchased in case I decided to wanted to play around with Cinnamoroll instead. I didn't need to spend a lot of time saving up for items I wanted, and thus possible evolutions. 

Tamagotchi Uni Sanrio Characters Model Results in a Perfect Crossover
Photo by Siliconera

What's also fun is that the Tamagotchi Uni toys tied to Sanrio characters also summon the mascots to play with your character. The Kuromi Diary means you get to see Kuromi, My Melody, and Baku. The Purin Bag brings in Pompompurin. When the Cinnamon Cup is played with, you see Cinnamoroll and an array of other puppies he's friends with. I love the attention to detail.

I love how the Tamagotchi Uni Sanrio Characters model and Sanrio Puroland Tamaverse are handled. It really makes it easy to quickly start integrating the mascots into your virtual pet's life. Not to mention that also means there's a low barrier of entry when getting certain characters unlocked. It's a perfect example of how to make one of these crossovers a success.

The Tamagotchi Uni Sanrio Characters model and Tamaverse ticket are available now.

The post Tamagotchi Uni Sanrio Characters Model Results in a Perfect Crossover appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Saturday, July 27, 2024 9:00 AM
    

The Star Named EOS featured

The Star Named EOS is the latest game from Silver Lining Studio, and like Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery before it, the game tells a very personal story of art and connection in between puzzles set in panoramic scenes. Said puzzles aren't intended to be taxing, and I had a few issues with the slightly saccharine story, but if you can tune to the game's wavelength you'll find a very pleasant story with some lovely visuals here.

The game plays from the perspective of Dei, a young photographer following in the footsteps of his mother by recreating (very literal) snapshots of her life. Most levels in The Star Named EOS start with a letter from Mom as well as a photo, which you will need recreate with what you have available in the scene. There's some decent variety in the puzzles, though perhaps a few too many leaned on finding a code in the level and inputting it elsewhere. Sometimes you'll find what you need after a few puzzles and simply have to arrange it, but sometimes you'll need to get a little inventive. My favorite was one that involved holding cutouts against a poster to recreate a camping scene in the middle of a city. Complete the photo and you'll move to the area depicted as you piece together what happened to Dei's mom.

The Star Named EOS campsite
Screenshot by Siliconera

My copy of The Star Named EOS came on Switch, and while it ran perfectly and looked good I did find the point-and-click gameplay a bit clunky with the analog sticks. It was nothing huge, but searching out specific clickables without adjustable sensitivity was definitely more irritating than it could have been with a mouse and keyboard. This only got worse when I had to go back and forth between several screens to check the sequence I was inputting, so if you plan to play the game you should make things easier for yourself by bringing a notepad and, if possible, playing on PC.

The environments and art in general have a lovely, slightly painterly style and the game makes use once again of Silver Lining Studio's panorama tech. There are also a few cutscenes interspersed, usually where another character appears, and the designs there have this slightly Ghibli-ish quality to them that was pleasant. I especially liked the areas set in a train or a city cafe, which seemed like they might have had a mid-1900's aesthetic going on, though I don't know if the game is expressly set then.

The Star Named EOS telescope camera
Screenshot by Siliconera

There's a smidgen of replayability, should you want to go back and collect a few more bits of writing by photos of specific objects in levels, but otherwise you'll be done within a couple of hours. This will depend on how easily you take to the puzzles of course, but generally the game has a breezy pace that doesn't get bogged down despite the sentimentality of it all. I would say, however, that the pace left the story feeling a little too "broad strokes" at times.

Our protagonist Dei, for example, can come across as a little flat because we don't really know all that much about him. We're told several times that he's very talented at photography and is clearly very close to his mom, but I didn't get a sense of a real character beyond that. There's a part where a character says she envies how insightful he is, and it just felt very weird and unearned. Dei feels like a blank slate everyman meant to be projected onto, but the story feels like its meant to be personal in a way that didn't quite click together, at least for me.

The Star Named EOS ruined bedroom
Screenshot by Siliconera

[Note: The next section will contain spoilers for The Star Named Eos]

The Mom is similar, we get that she is clearly very idealistic and committed to her job but with such little information about what she's doing and why she's doing it the game kind of fails to convey the gravity of it. We don't really see what she believed was worth risking her life for, and I think that would have been a more concrete story beat for Dei learn that too. As it stands, it's not hard to come away from The Star Named EOS with the rather unflattering read that Dei simply replaces his lost mother figure with Nat, a character who appears towards the end, rather than coming to any realization or expressing any growth.

The Star Named EOS has a fairytale vibe to it like the start of a Pixar movie, but the same breezy pace and lightness of detail can also make the story feel flat or overly sentimental. Still, there's a pleasant and affecting time for those who can slow down and enjoy it.

The Star Named EOS is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The post Review: The Star Named EOS Is Short and a Little too Sweet appeared first on Siliconera.

Jul 27, 06:00


PCGamesN Saturday, July 27, 2024 4:36 AM
     Free Monopoly Go dice links July 2024

July 27, 2024: We've checked for the latest 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 Saturday, July 27, 2024 4:00 AM
     Warframe 1999 has helped me find my new favorite game

I have a perplexing relationship with online videogames - if we were in a Facebook romance, it'd be 'complicated.' I've played League of Legends for [redacted] years because I know it's there and easy to drop into. I've sunk hours into MMOs like Final Fantasy 14 and World of Warcraft, only to fall off because I can't keep up with the grind and, as a result, can't really play the game any more. When it comes to online multiplayers, I stick to what I know because I don't have the time to try anything new, so a world in which I actively tried to play Warframe - one of the most complex games out there - felt like nothing but a far-off reverie.

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

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, July 27, 2024 3:00 AM
    

Wrong answers only please: how did I slice open my finger earlier this week? Bystander in a climactic shinobi duel? Fell afoul of the local mantis shrimp? Got out of bed too quickly? Whatever the case, typing is painful for me at the moment, so let's get straight to it. Here's what we're all clicking on this lovely weekend!

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Twinfinite Saturday, July 27, 2024 5:25 AM
    
Freebies? Don't mind if I do.

Twinfinite Saturday, July 27, 2024 5:23 AM
    
BangBang Survivor or Survivor.io - which is better?

Jul 27, 00:00


Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 5:40 PM
    

I didn't know the 2024 Olympic Games were starting today. Or that they were in France. So I was extra surprised when the opening ceremony looked like a scene out of a classic Assassin's Creed game.

Read more...


Kotaku Friday, July 26, 2024 4:43 PM
    

The world of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is meant to feel fantastical and from another time, but the game itself also feels like an anachronism. Something that shouldn't exist in 2024. It's not a sequel in a hit franchise. It's not working in a popular genre. And it's not pandering to an international audience. I…

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PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 7:21 PM
     Manor Lords dev shuts down concern that new portraits are made by AI

While it may not be achieving the dizzying player counts it was when it first hit Steam, Manor Lords continues to tick over very nicely indeed. The medieval strategy game does have a big update on the horizon though that could see a few more players return. However, after teasing what was to come in the update earlier this week, Manor Lords' lead dev has had to do something I'm sure he didn't expect: deny that some of its new content is made by AI.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Manor Lords early access review, Best strategy games, Manor Lords system requirements

PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 6:25 PM
     MK1 Khaos Reign expansion brings T-1000 and Ghostface to the roster

Mortal Kombat 1 has already treated fighting game fans to a stellar lineup of post-launch characters with its first Kombat Pack - Homelander, Omni-Man, and the crew really delivered. Well, NetherRealm is showing no signs of slowing as it heads into year two, because six more incredible fighters are arriving with MK1 Kombat Pack 2, including series favorite Noob Saibot and epic crossover characters like T-1000 from Terminator.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Mortal Kombat 1 review, Mortal Kombat 1 fatalities, Mortal Kombat 1 tier list

PCGamesN Friday, July 26, 2024 5:07 PM
     Tarkov rival delays early access launch to dodge

There is a deluge of tactical extraction shooters flooding Steam right now, but at least Level Zero Extraction is moving away from the typical milsim aesthetic and throwing a bunch of freaky aliens at you instead. However, if you were planning to jump into the game on day one when it launches in Steam Early Access in August, you'll have to ever so slightly change your plans, as the developers have pushed the launch back in order to avoid some rival "heavy hitters."

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best multiplayer games, Best horror games

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, July 26, 2024 4:00 PM
    

Paradox Interactive appear from the outside to be a company run by dice roll. That was the case earlier this year when they cancelled Sims competitor Life By You and closed its developers, weeks after it had missed a project release date.

"It is clear that we have made the wrong calls in several projects, especially outside of our core, and this must change," writes CEO Fredrik Wester in an interim financial report, released today.

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Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 9:00 PM
    

like a dragon yakuza amazon

Prime Video has released a new teaser trailer for Like A Dragon: Yakuza, its live-action adaptation of the first Yakuza (Like A Dragon) game. The trailer is available on the official YouTube channel for the video streaming service.

You can watch the teaser trailer for Like A Dragon: Yakuza here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZkC1sYxzZo

It starts with a sequence of Kiryu receiving his iconic back tattoo. The imagery and animation feel like this will be something people will see every episode as part of the opening. This scene is interspersed with flashes of gang violence in the setting of Kamurocho, the booming night life scenes, fights, and the yakuza walking around.

Here is a short interview with Masayoshi Yokoyama, the director and executive producer at RGG Studio:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NS-3_Gqr-s

Yokoyama stated that he worried the live-action adaptation would be nothing more than an imitation of the original game. He said that he wanted viewers to watch it as if this was their first time experiencing the Yakuza story. However, his conversation with director Masaharu Take quelled these fears and he trusted Take to produce something fun. In fact, after watching it, he felt jealous because of how the cast and crew created something new from the setting that the RGG Studio came up with 20 years ago. His hand was even shaking when he took a smoke afterwards. But there was still a lot of respect for the original story in a lot of aspects of the show. Yokoyama stated that both newcomers and veterans of the game series can enjoy the story.

Amazon Prime first announced Like a Dragon: Yakuza in June 2024. It will start Ryoma Takeuchi as Kiryu Kazuma, the main protagonist of the Yakuza series. There will be six parts in total, and the first half will appear on October 25, 2024. The second half of the show will start streaming on November 1, 2024. It'll take place over the 1995 and 2005, showing the various eras of Kiryu's life, and the new key visual reflects that.

Like A Dragon: Yakuza will appear exclusively on Prime Video from October 25, 2024.

The post Like A Dragon: Yakuza on Prime Teaser Trailer Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 8:15 PM
    

mortal kombat khaos reigns animalities

A new trailer for Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns is out, showing some of the new characters and stages, as well as the return of Animalities. It'll come out on September 24, 2024.

The DLC will feature new story chapters, as well as Kombat Pack 2. The first trio of characters will be available at launch and the second batch will come out some time later. Cyrax, Sektor, and Noob Saibot are in the first release. Meanwhile, Ghostface (Scream), Conan (Conan the Barbarian), and T-1000 (Terminator) are in the second half. As a note, unlike in the previous Mortal Kombat games, Sektor and Cyrax are both female. They're also people inside of robotic suits rather than actual robots like in the past. All players will also receive a free MK 95 skin for Scorpion.

You can watch the trailer for Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF7nFD80g3M

Animalities will also return in Mortal Kombat. These first appeared in Mortal Kombat 3 in which the winning character turns into an animal to brutally murder the opponent. Some of the animals that appeared in this trailer are a giant praying mantis, a hippopotamus, a skeletal T-rex, and a gorilla.

Mortal Kombat 1 is readily available on the PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC. The DLC Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns will come out on September 24, 2024—a little over a year since the game came out on September 19, 2023

The post Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Will Bring Back Animalities appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 7:15 PM
    

Ryukishi07 Announcement

A new announcement from Ryukishi07 will appear on August 2, 2024 according to a Tweet made on the official 07th Expansion X (Twitter) account. Additionally, the Tweet shares that whatever Ryukishi07 plans to announce will be his first experience with this kind of work. No further information was shared.

https://twitter.com/07th_official/status/1816782939675648157

Ryukishi07 is the creator of both the Umineko: When They Cry and Higurashi: When They Cry; paranormal visual novels set in a distinct location, with some interconnecting narrative threads that do loosely tie the series together. Higurashi: When They Cry has received several anime adaptations, with the most recent having released in 2017. The last Umineko: When They Cry anime adaptation appeared in 2009. Both series have received manga adaptations.

However, most notably, Ryukishi07 is currently tied to Silent Hill f. Silent Hill f is a new installment in the Silent Hill series, which will take place in a Japanese village outside of the titular town. Little information has been shared concerning Silent Hill f. This includes a general scenario synopsis or list of potential characters that will appear. Silent Hill f was announced in 2019.

Silent Hill f is in development. A new announcement involving Ryukishi07 will appear on August 2, 2024.

The post New Ryukishi07 Announcement to Appear in August appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 6:00 PM
    

aooni

The legendary RPG Maker horror game Aooni is now available on the Windows PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch. It'll include high-speed mode and a new Ai's Story option, which will follow a new playable character. [Thanks, KaroshiMyriad!]

Aooni is a Japanese horror game that contains RPG and puzzle elements. You have to explore a locked mansion while solving puzzles and collecting items. The entire time, the titular Ao Oni may stalk you through the halls. Since it came out, there has been several spin-offs (both official and fanmade), an anime adaptation, and an official novel. Judging by the sprites and portraits in the trailer, this game is based Version 6.23, which is the most recent and final version of the game. It originally came out in November 2011.

In high-speed mode, the you can choose between 2x and 15x speeds. In other words, the monster will either chase you at either twice or fifteen times his normal speed. As for Ai's Story, this is a new mode that follows Ai, who's the friend of Mika, one of the protagonists. Ai's Story might be a bit more difficult depending on how the RNG is. While the gameplay is the same—finding items and solving puzzles to escape—all of the rooms will change every playthrough. There will also be multiple endings.

Aooni is readily available on the Nintendo Switch and Windows PC.

The post Aooni Switch and PC Release Includes New Modes appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 5:30 PM
    

Fire Emblem: Three Houses 5th Anniversary Merchandise Launches

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of the release of Fire Emblem: Three Houses new goods will appear. The new pieces of Fire Emblem: Three Houses merchandise include various figures, SuperGroupies bags, stationery goods, and an assortment of acrylic stands.

The new Fire Emblem: Three Houses 5th anniversary merchandise items and more are now available for pre-order from the ValueMall online store. The new SuperGroupies bags and wallets are inspired by the main protagonist trio, Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude. Each one has a bag and wallet modeled after their 5 year timeskip design, with Edelgard's bag costing 19,800 yen (~$128.79), while Dimitri's bag costs 20,900 yen (~$135.94), and Claude's bag costs 22,000 yen (~$143.10.) As for the wallets, each one costs 15,400 yen (~$100.17.) The items will go on pre-order on September 2024.

The new Fire Emblem: Three Houses SuperGroupies items will go on pre-order on September 2024, and you can take a better look at them here:

The Croquis sketchpads each cost 990 yen (~$6.44). There are three models available with each featuring art of Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude in their timeskip designs. Meanwhile, the Jetstream pens each cost 2,200 yen (~$14.31) and there are again three models available. Both items are now available for pre-order.

We previously covered the announcement of two new Pop Up Parade figures of male and female Byleth, and Good Smile Company also announced the 2025 release of figures for Dorothea, Sylvain, Hilda in the same line of figures. They each will cost 4,800 yen (~$31.22.)

Additionally, Good Smile Company also announced a new figure of Dimitri based on his appearance in the Battle at Gronder Field. Various acrylic character goods featuring the whole cast of Fire Emblem: Three Houses were also previously announced and will be available at the Empty Co., Ltd. online store.

The post Fire Emblem: Three Houses 5th Anniversary Merchandise Launches appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 5:00 PM
    

The latest look at the SNK Bishoujo Leona Heidern figure offered a first opportunity to see the painted prototype.

Among all the SDCC 2024 announcements and news was an update from Kotobukiya on the SNK Bishoujo Leona Heidern figure based on her KOF '97 appearance. This time a full painted prototype appeared, showing off the near final design of the warrior ahead of her eventual worldwide debut.

Here's the latest announcement. This is a painted prototype. However, as this is a paint master reveal, it could still vary from the final release.

https://twitter.com/Kotobukiya_EN/status/1816277190708978024

To compare and show the progress on the Leona Heidern SNK Bishoujo figure, Kotobukiya last showed it off during Anime Expo 2024. At that time, only the full color Shunya Yamashita concept art appeared.

https://twitter.com/Kotobukiya_EN/status/1808879691199140164/

One thing that remained the same since the Anime Expo 2024 and SDCC 2024 peeks at the character is the pre-order launch date. Kotobukiya said orders will open in Summer 2024. There's no launch window for the final figure yet.

Another SNK Bishoujo entry is also on the way in 2024. Back in February 2024, Kotobukiya announced Angel would be a part of the lineup. She's expected to launch between November 2024 and January 2025.

The SNK Bishoujo Leona Heidern figure is in development, with pre-orders opening in Summer 2024 ahead of its eventual release. 

The post Leona Heidern SNK Bishoujo Figure Prototype Appears appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 4:45 PM
    

Uzumaki Anime Release Date

Adult Swim announced a release date for the upcoming Uzumaki anime adaptation. The announcement came alongside the release of a short teaser trailer, providing a glimpse at some of the horrors viewers will witness when the anime arrives on September 28, 2024. Consumers will be able to watch the anime adaptation the same day of release on Adult Swim, and it will be available the following day, September 29, 2024 on the Max streaming service.

As mentioned previously, Adult Swim released a short teaser through YouTube. It contains roughly one minute of footage, and includes various scenes from the anime. As a warning to viewers, the teaser contains body horror, blood, gore, and disturbing imagery.

You can watch the teaser below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RapL7_C4MzY

Originally slated to air in 2021, the Uzumaki anime has received several delays. Subsequent updates did appear in 2023 and 2024, which included more information about the series, such as voice actor announcements. Uzumaki will be a total of four episodes long, and will feature Japanese and English voice acting.

The release date for the Uzumaki anime adaptation will release on September 28, 2024 on Adult Swim. It will appear on Max the following day on September 29, 2024.

The post Uzumaki Anime Adaptation Release Date Announced appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, July 26, 2024 4:30 PM
    

Dragon Quest Liquid Metal Slime as electric floor cleaner

Taito revealed that it will turn the Dragon Quest series creature Liquid Metal Slime into an electric floor cleaner. People in Japan will be able to get the product as a crane game prize in arcade centers across the country in late July 2024. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

The Slime-shaped cleaner will have a small size of around 6-10 cm (~2.36-3.94 inches). Once the owner has placed it on the floor, it will start moving on its own while cleaning the floor from dirt. The electric cleaner will also be programmed to turn around if it hits an obstacle.

The Slime family of creatures from the Dragon Quest series, which were designed by the late Akira Toriyama, have served as inspirations for more eccentric merchandise in Japan. Earlier in Spring 2024, Taito revealed holder items modeled after the Healslime. The Square Enix subsidiary has since released the Healslime headphone stand in April 2024 and the cloth hanger in May 2024. Square Enix has also released more merchandise featuring the Slime in Japan, which range from gummi candies to apparel for babies and children.

The Dragon Quest Liquid Metal Slime electric cleaner will be available as crane game prizes in arcade centers across Japan from July 27, 2024.

The post Dragon Quest Liquid Metal Slime Will Appear as Floor Cleaner appeared first on Siliconera.


WGB Friday, July 26, 2024 8:05 PM
     A new story expansion for Mortal Kombat 1 called Khaos Reigns has been announced for September.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, July 26, 2024 6:26 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, July 26, 2024 6:00 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, July 26, 2024 5:28 PM
    

Over 500 staff members have joined the union.

The post The World of Warcraft Development Team has Unionized appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.