GamersHeroes Friday, August 9, 2024 6:23 PM Set to release next week, get ready for EA Orlando's Madden NFL 25 with the launch trailer for the title. The post Madden 25 Official Launch Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, August 9, 2024 3:11 PM An SNK mascot that needs no introduction, see Terry Bogard in action with the latest trailer for SNK's Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. The post Terry Bogard Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Character Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, August 9, 2024 2:47 PM See the new features coming to EA Sports FC 25 Manager and Player Career modes, including Live Start Points, Women's Career Experience, and Player Career ICONs, with the latest deep dive for the title. The post EA Sports FC 25 Career Deep Dive Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, August 9, 2024 1:03 PM Rooted in Chinese mythology, the final trailer for Game Science's action RPG Black Myth: Wukong provides a sneak peek at what's to come. The post Black Myth: Wukong Final Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, August 9, 2024 12:28 PM The world of Ubisoft Montpellier's Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is now available for the PC via Steam - learn more with the launch trailer for the title. The post Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Now Available on Steam appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 4:55 PM  Fallout: London may not be an official Fallout game developed and published by Bethesda, but it's still proved to be a huge hit. And the massive free mod, released last month, just received its first major update, which fixes some things and nerfs the deadly fox packs running around post-apocalyptic London. |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 3:50 PM  The biggest name in online content creation, Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson, is in damage control mode after a series of alleged scandals have threatened to derail his algorithmically optimized YouTube brand. He recently promised employees a full investigation into his company's culture and recent complaints of injuries… |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 3:40 PM  Deadpool & Wolverine's opening fight scene has quickly become a fan favorite. And now someone has used Fortnite to recreate part of that gory action scene, and they've done such a good job that a lot of people online are now asking for a full recreation. |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 3:15 PM  I keep a list of indie games that I will advocate for to my friends, coworkers, and random passersby on the street. Slay the Princess, Black Tabby Games' time loop horror game, is pretty high on that list. It was one of my favorite games of 2023, and while it didn't edge out Baldur's Gate 3 or Street Fighter 6 for the… |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 2:50 PM  The new Borderlands movie opened to abysmal reviews from fans and critics alike. One big complaint is that the PG-13 film lacks the gore and violence found in the M-rated games. However, according to one person involved in the creation of the live-action adaptation, they filmed plenty of gory moments that didn't make… |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 2:10 PM  The 2024 Summer Olympics are the first ones to feature an official breakdancing competition alongside the traditional events like gymnastics, track and field, and volleyball. A star was not born, but a household name was. The 36-year old cultural studies professor Rachael "Raygun" Gunn shocked and delighted viewers… |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 1:55 PM  Helldivers 2's new Escalation of Freedom update dropped on August 6, and it's packing a ton of changes and additions, including a bunch of new enemy types. On the Terminid front, we've now got the Impalers, which are returning from the first game, and love to stab you with their wildly long tentacles that they burrow… |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 1:10 PM  It's already the second weekend of August, and no one else has realized that time is actually speeding up. We all put it down to aging, but what if kids are experiencing it faster too? We'd never know. I'm telling you, time is out of control, and the Earth will spin off its axis any day now. So we should probably play… |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 12:50 PM  This weekend, Bethesda is hosting QuakeCon, the annual celebration of developer id Software and the Doom series. There have already been some amazing announcements out of the convention, including official modding support coming to Doom Eternal and the reveal of gameplay for 2025's Doom: The Dark Ages. But if you… |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 12:30 PM  In any other game, Shadow Of The Erdtree's the Jagged Peak is endgame shit. It's a gauntlet of vicious dragons, with escalating difficulty, in an environment that's about as close to Hell itself without you yourself being on fire—though the dragons themselves will gladly take care of that for you. At the top, though,… |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 12:30 PM  Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy made over $1 billion at the box office, but apparently none of that really trickled down to the actors. At least not ones like Cate Blanchett, recent star of the less-esteemed Borderlands adaptation, who said in a new interview she basically got paid for being in the movie… |
Kotaku Friday, August 9, 2024 12:20 PM  The newest official port of Doom and Doom 2—classic '90s shooters from id Software—fully supports player-created mods and maps. And in less than 48 hours, you can now shoot Mario characters in Doom on your Xbox thanks to modders. |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 7:02 PM  Boy has it been a really rough time for Bungie these last few days. The layoffs, the handing over of staff and projects to parent company Sony, and the question marks over Destiny 2's future have all made for pretty miserable reading. Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, isn't immune either, and new comments from journalist Jason Schreier suggest that it's in a "not great" spot and that it's situation "reminds me of Suicide Squad." Continue reading Bungie's extraction FPS Marathon is reportedly in a "not great" spot MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games , Marathon release date speculation, All Destiny 2 news |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 6:59 PM  The problem with talking about a game like Titanfall 2 is knowing where to start. A scan of my memories of playing it brings up so many moments I can point to that show why it's worth your time - it's a little overwhelming, there's that many. It's one of those games that turns everyone who goes near it into an evangelist, and there are many good reasons for that. Thankfully you too can find out why everyone yells about it for yourself, as it's got a huge discount right now. Continue reading Get Titanfall 2, one of the best FPS games ever, for less than $3 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Titanfall 2 class guide, Titanfall 2 PC port review, Titanfall 2 campaign review |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 5:45 PM  Fallout has always been a series intrinsically entwined with America, with the later Bethesda-developed versions being even more so. Though it's incredibly unlikely the series will ever officially leave the USA, it turns out there's more than enough hunger for adventures outside of those lands. Fallout London, the huge Fallout 4 mod, has taken the world by storm - and it's hit some huge milestones and broke records after only 24 hours. Continue reading Fallout London drops big update after breaking impressive GOG record MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fallout 5 release date, Best games like Fallout, Best Fallout 4 mods |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 5:26 PM  Any new Apex Legends update that adds a brand new map into the mix is usually a pretty major one - while the battle royale's players are regularly receiving new legends, different modes, and balancing updates, a fresh map is a different beast entirely. With Season 22, that's exactly what we got - the cyberpunk style E-District is arguably the most distinctive Apex map ever. The new injection of content appears to be doing the trick as well, as Apex has seen a welcome boost to its player numbers on Steam. Continue reading Apex Legends Season 22 earns the battle royale a player count boost MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Apex Legends characters guide, Apex Legends skins, Apex Legends tier list |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 4:53 PM  Entire countries have risen and fallen in the years fans have been waiting for Half-Life 3. We've seen the world change beyond recognition, and still the third main game in the FPS series is yet to arrive. Recently, however, some rumors and hints of life have been sighted giving hope that we might, one day, see Half-Life 3 arrive. Another twist in the tale was recently spotted that seemed to suggest something Half-Life related was on the way - but a new statement from the people behind it has put the speculation to rest. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Half-Life 3: the entire story, Who should make Half-Life 3?, Half-Life 3 is now Project Borealis |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 2:36 PM  Ah, Payday 3 - there was such excitement for the third installment in the co-op heist game series, but its rocky launch meant that it never really got off the ground. We're coming up on a year now since it released, and Starbreeze has been working its ass off to revitalize the game with dozens of patches, free legacy heists, and some original new heists as paid DLC. However, in an attempt to really get people invested again, it's giving players its next new heist, titled Diamond District, for nothing. Ahead of this free update, Payday 3 has also been slashed by 50%, bringing it back down to its lowest ever price on Steam. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best co-op games on PC, The best crime games on PC, The best FPS games |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 1:28 PM  Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most criminally-underrated games of 2024 so far is Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. While there hasn't been much mainstream chatter about it, and Steam player count numbers have looked fairly underwhelming, I'm happy to see that Capcom's strategic action game has hit a very impressive milestone of 500,000 players. In celebration of that achievement, a free update has just dropped for all players that bestows them with three brand new Talismans, including one that's inspired by Okami. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best action games, Best strategy games, Best single-player games |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 1:01 PM  Who would dare to take on The Sims 4? I wouldn't, knowing that it's become a colossal, enduring cultural phenomenon, but thankfully some developers are far more bold than I am. There's been a raft of life games announced recently and while some have failed to take off, inZOI is inching ever closer to launch. That march to launch just crept forward a little bit, with the game unveiling its new Steam page. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best simulation games, Games like The Sims, Best upcoming games |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 12:44 PM  Want to know the Harry Potter Quidditch Champions release date? There's been quite a bit of confusion about this game as Quidditch was rumored to be part of Hogwarts Legacy, but it appears the sport was cut from the RPG. Quidditch is referenced in Hogwarts Legacy in a teacher's note with redactions, stating Professor Phineas Black was to blame for the sport being put on hold at Hogwarts. Instead, Unbroken Studios has been working on a standalone Quidditch sports game that features the bells and whistles you might expect from an annualized series. As the name implies, Harry Potter Quidditch Champions takes place during The Boy Who Lived's school years, meaning we might get a chance to take on Harry's Inter-House Cup winning Gryffindor team. Continue reading Harry Potter Quidditch Champions release date, game modes, and more |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 12:45 PM  Standing out among the best roguelike deckbuilders on Steam is becoming an increasingly tough proposition, but newcomer Knock on the Coffin Lid is a striking grimdark fantasy tale that quickly grabs attention. Infusing the now-familiar gameplay of hits like Slay the Spire into a sinister story of death and resurrection, Knock on the Coffin Lid marries tactical card-based gameplay with an intriguing narrative and plenty of gorgeous artwork. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, Best roguelike games, Best story games |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 12:31 PM  When I think of the best city-building games - Cities Skylines, SimCity 2000, Against the Storm, Frostpunk, Manor Lords - the trend is always the same. You start out among open fields and nature (whether inviting or oppressive), and end with a thriving, whirring hub of industry and activity. It's supremely satisfying. Yet the magnificent Terra Nil excels in essentially the reverse direction, where a successful operation results in nothing at all. It's inventive, compelling, and yours at a deep discount right now thanks to a Steam sale. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best city-building games, Best sandbox games, Best simulation games |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 12:15 PM  Intel is facing a class action lawsuit brought by some of its own shareholders, in a case that specifically names Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger and CFO David Zinsner among the defendants. The case alleges that Intel engaged in a "fraudulent scheme," by failing to inform investors about the scale of losses endured by its chip-making foundry business. Intel's share price has had a rough ride lately, plummeting from $47.80 at the start of 2024 to just $19.64 right now, with a particularly sharp drop after its Q2 2024 financial results were announced, along with a plan to lay off over 15,000 workers. Meanwhile, the best gaming CPUs made by Intel are having to be fixed by microcode updates to stop them crashing. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Core i5 14600K review, Best gaming CPU, Core i9 14900K review |
PCGamesN Friday, August 9, 2024 12:12 PM  What are the Black Ops 6 Zombies maps? Treyarch has already confirmed that we're getting two Zombies maps at launch. There's also the suggestion that there are more to come, so it looks like round-based Zombies is back with a bang - and we can't wait. The two BO6 Zombies maps arriving with the Black Ops 6 release date are Terminus and Liberty Falls, and the zombie game stars operators from Black Ops Cold War as their story continues six years later. While we wait for Black Ops 6 and more details on all three modes, here's everything we know about the Zombies maps so far. Continue reading Black Ops 6 Zombies maps list MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 release date, Best FPS games, New Warzone season |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 9, 2024 2:16 PM  Sometimes I want to play a video game, and sometimes I just want to assemble a quiet little Dutch town with iron bridges, fountains and dinky trams bustling about like bumble bees. The project in question is Tramstertram. Aside from being a terrifying feat of punmanship, it's a browser-based building toy from Matt Stark, creator of the really rather lovely Viewfinder. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 9, 2024 1:08 PM  The weekend bears down on us like a host of hissing, barrel-throwing psychics, but there is yet time for some brief updates on Remedy's Control 2, which Remedy say is coming along nicely. The same is apparently true of the multiplayer Control spin-off Project Condor and the Max Payne 1 & 2 remakes, on which Remedy are collaborating with GTA and Max Payne 3 developers Rockstar. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 7:45 PM
Pre-orders of figures depicting Jeanne d'Arc (Ruler) and Mordred (Saber) of Fate/Apocrypha wearing glasses are now open via AmiAmi. These figures will come out in Summer 2025.
Both figures cost 24,000 JPY ($162.75). However, the Jeanne d'Arc figure will come out in June 2025 whereas the Mordred figure will come out later in July 2025. The figures depict them in casual outfits; Jeanne is wearing a shirt and dress similar to what she wears in the show, whereas Mordred is wearing a more revealing leather outfit. Ototsugu Konoe, who illustrated and designed for Fate/Apocrypha, created these outfits for a collaboration with the Butler Glasses Eyemitror store in Japan.
You can check out more pictures of the Fate/Apocrypha Jeanne d'Arc and Mordred figures here:
Other figures from the Fate franchise you can expect to see in 2025 include a re-run of Saber on her motorcycle from Fate/Zero, as well as one of Artoria Caster. A 1/8 scale figure of Oberon Vortigern is also open for pre-order via AmiAmi, and he'll come out in July 2025.
Fate/Apocrypha is readily available on Netflix. Both of these characters also appear as limited Servants in Fate/Grand Order, which is on mobile devices.
The post Fate/Apocrypha Figures Show Jeanne And Mordred With Glasses appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 7:15 PM
A set of Arcueid date items from Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- will be available for advance sales at Comiket. These are limited editions to celebrate the first production of the products. [Thanks, Nordot!]
Pre-orders are open until September 8, 2024. Cospa encourages people to pre-order them so that you are guaranteed to get your hands on some of the limited edition items. Everything in the set has Arcueid's face on it, which can help you pretend like you're on a date with her even if you're just walking around outside alone.
Items in the set are:
The set costs 5000 JPY ($34.10). All of the items will come out officially in mid-November 2024. But you can get the Tsukihime Arcueid ahead of others at Comiket while supplies last.
Other items that let you show your love for Arcueid are t-shirts that cost 3300 JPY ($22.50), a large tote bag that costs 1980 JPY ($13.50), and a shoulder tote bag that costs 2200 JPY ($15). One of the t-shirts and both tote bags feature Neco-Arc instead of normal Arcueid.
Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is readily available on the PS4 and the Nintendo Switch. You can check out all of the items and individual prices via Cospa.
The post Limited Tsukihime Items Featuring Arcueid Appear at Comiket appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 6:30 PM
Neon Genesis Evangelion will return to White Cat Project with swimsuit outfits for everyone. The collaboration started on August 9, 2024 and will run until August 22, 2024. [Thanks, Nordot!]
During this event, you'll be able to get Ikari Shinji, Ayanami Rei, Shikinami Asuka Langley, Makinami Mari Illustrious, and Nagisa Kaworu in the gacha. All of these characters are from the Rebuild of Evangelion film series timeline rather than the original show, much like most collaborations with Neon Genesis Evangelion today. You'll also be able to get a Jewel Pack that lets you change the characters into their Summer Festival Version outfits.
Here are the Summer Festival Versions of the Evangelion characters as they appear in White Cat Project:
The last time Evangelion appeared in White Cat Project was in 2021. Back then, you could get the Spear of Longinus for free if you completed a specific quest. You could also get the original version of Rei Ayanami after completing the story, and you would have needed the Rebuild version to unlock her. All of the character art for this year's Evangelion collaboration are, by default, the same as 2021's.
White Cat Project is available on mobile devices. It is only available in Japanese and within Japan.
The post Evangelion Returns to White Cat Project appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 5:45 PM
The Persona series contains some of the best JRPGs of all time. However, even the Persona games can still be ranked accordingly.
When ranking the Persona games, it's important to clarify that we're considering only the best version of each title. Therefore, remakes or enhanced editions are what we'll be focusing on. We're also sticking to only main entry titles, so no spinoffs here.
Also, fair warning—there's a notable shift in the series starting with Persona 3. While some fans are nostalgic for the earlier games, I believe the series reached new heights with the later entries. So, if you're a fan of the older style, this list might not entirely align with your preferences.
Persona Ranked from Worst to Best
6. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona
The PSP remake of the original Persona offers a better English localization and restored content that was missing from the original Western release. While the game introduces some interesting ideas, its age is evident in the gameplay and storytelling. The pacing can be sluggish, and it lacks the polish and depth of later entries. Still, it's worth playing to see where the series began, but it's clear that everything that follows improves upon it.
5. Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Innocent Sin improves on almost every aspect of the original Persona. The cast is more developed, and the story is richer and more engaging. However, like its predecessor, it shows its age, especially in terms of gameplay mechanics. This is also the game that famously features Hitler, which is a major talking point for many. Despite its flaws, it's a significant step up from the original but still falls short of the series' later masterpieces.
4. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Unlike Innocent Sin, the PSP remake of Eternal Punishment never made it to the West. Among the early Persona titles, this is undoubtedly the best. The story is exceptional, potentially even surpassing some of the later games in the series. The cast is phenomenal, and the narrative is gripping from start to finish. However, the game's age and outdated mechanics hold it back. It's a gem from the past, but it feels very much like a product of its time.
3. Persona 3 Reload The remake of Persona 3 adds modern polish to a game that was already a turning point for the series. The cast and story are top-notch, with themes that delve into darkness and mortality. The blend of social simulation and dungeon crawling was unique at the time and set the stage for future entries. While it sits right in the middle of this list, it's a game that deserves every bit of praise it receives for being the bridge between the older and newer Persona games.
2. Persona 5 Royal Here's where things might get controversial—Persona 5 Royal lands in the number two spot. It undeniably has the best dungeons in the series, the most refined gameplay, and a stylish presentation that's unmatched. The music, visual design, and the heist-themed story arc are all top-tier. However, while the Phantom Thieves are a great cast, they don't quite reach the depth of the characters in the top spot on this list. It's an almost perfect JRPG with endless content to explore, but it just misses out on the top spot.
1. Persona 4 Golden Persona 4 Golden takes the crown as the best Persona game. The cast is unforgettable, with deep character development and relationships that feel incredibly real. The story balances light and dark themes masterfully, and the rural setting gives the game a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from the others. The murder mystery plot keeps you hooked from beginning to end, and the emotional beats hit hard. Persona 4 Golden is where the series truly perfected its formula, making it the best entry in the franchise.
In the end, the Persona series is one of those rare franchises where even the "worst" game is still a good experience. Each entry has its unique strengths, and while they may differ in gameplay style and storytelling approach, they all share a common thread of deep character development, compelling narratives, and unforgettable experiences.
The post What Is The Best Persona Game? appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 4:30 PM
Persona 5 Tactica, the tactical strategy spin-off of Persona 5, is currently at its lowest price yet at the Best Buy US webstore. The Canadian webstore also has a discount active, but only for the Nintendo Switch version.
Currently, the US Best Buy webstore lists the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5 versions at $19.99, while the Xbox One and Series X/S version is out of stock. For reference, the original price is listed as $59.99 on the page, marking a saving of $40. The Canadian webstore's offer isn't quite as good at $34.99 CAD down from $73.99, and is only available for the Switch version of the game. It is also sold outline on that store, but you may be able to reserve yourself a copy for pickup if you have a Best Buy locally. The US store does not list when the sale will end, but the Canadian one lists the end date as August 15, 2024.
Early last month, Bushiroad announced the development of several Persona-themed PalVerse figures, including the Tactica versions of Joker and Erina (Elle). Meanwhile, back in March the game had a collaboration with Marion Crepes, which included merchandise and dishes themed around the characters.
Persona 5 Tactica is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The post Persona 5 Tactica Hits All-Time Lowest Price at Best Buy appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 4:15 PM
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Monster Hunter series, UNIQLO has launched a collaboration with its "UTme!" service, allowing fans to design custom T-shirts and tote bags featuring characters and monsters from the series. The service began on July 9 and will be available until August 8, 2024. In order to create custom items and find the list of participating stores, the official Uniqlo UTme website has provided additional resources.
You can view the official Monster Hunter 20th Anniversary UNIQLO post below:
Customers can create and print their custom items at select Uniqlo stores in Japan, with locations including Tokyo, Sapporo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. The collaboration offers 46 different stamps, including designs of 20 main monsters, 22 versions of Felynes and Palamutes, as well as 4 separate special Monster Hunter 20th anniversary logos.
In related news, Capcom revealed Monster Hunter Wilds during The Game Awards 2023, and it is set for release in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, further expanding the franchise's reach. Additionally, an interview with Monster Hunter series Producer Yoshihiro Akira and Art Director Takahiro Kawano highlighted the challenges of bringing Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2 to new platforms, and focuses on the efforts to update and preserve original design elements for modern audiences.
The Monster Hunter 20th anniversary and UNIQLO collaboration will last until July 9 and will be available until August 8, 2024.
The post Monster Hunter 20th Anniversary UNIQLO Collaboration Announced appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 3:30 PM
Kuro Games has released a Wuthering Waves lore primer for the Moon-Chasing Festival, which takes place in Jinzhou. The event will feature as the backdrop for the upcoming By Moon's Grace event set to arrive sometime after Update 1.2.
It started by going over the origins of the festival, which involved one Sentinel challenging another to a moonlit chase. It went on to explain some of the stalls of the Moonlit Fair, the like of which the Rover will have to manage in the By Moon's Grace event. These stalls include the Moontree Lodge, where wishes are written down and hung on a large tree, and another where paper fans are decorated by poets and artists. There is also Yumyum Haven, which sells local sweets like Plumpcake, and a Puppet Theatre for children. The explanations of these stalls are accompanied by comments from various Wuthering Waves characters, along with a little chibi representations of them.
You can read the full overview in the announcement tweet embedded below:
Earlier this week, Kuro Games announced that Update 1.2 for Wuthering Waves would launch on August 15, 2024. The company went on to confirm Xingli Yao, a new five-star Resonator, will be available for all players to earn for free by participating in the By Moon's Grace event when it starts in September 2024.
Wuthering Waves is immediately available for PC and mobile devices, while the Moon-Chasing Festival and By Moon's Grace event will appear sometime after Update 1.2 on August 15, 2024.
The post Wuthering Waves Moon-Chasing Festival Explained appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 3:00 PM
At first glance, Creatures of Ava may seem like a simple exploration adventure involving taming wild creatures, but the overarching story delves into many philosophical themes and explores how to respond to extinction and whether interfering is right. Although it features an exciting landscape to travel through and an intriguing premise, the game fails to realize its full potential, as it's hard to feel connected to the story and characters due to pacing, which dull gameplay mechanics further bring down. I should have really enjoyed it, but it ultimately felt like a mediocre experience.
Your journey will take you across the planet Ava, where you will tame creatures and relocate various species to preserve the living there wildlife. Think of an intergalactic Noah's Ark, only you are sent on the ultimate rescue mission. The story follows Vic, a passionate researcher, and her mission to rescue the wildlife from the destructive withering infection. This deadly disease transforms gentle creatures into ferocious beasts, threatening the planet's entire ecosystem.
Initially, the connection between Vic and this cause lacks an explicit explanation beyond her concern for the creatures' well-being. It's hard to understand and get behind her actions! As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Vic's dedication to this conservation effort is deeply rooted in personal motivation, but because it failed to hook me in the first few hours, I never felt too attached to the story or the characters. It's a shame, as I appreciate the topics and themes explored.
The option for a pacifist run is a relatively common phenomenon, where no harm is inflicted throughout the playthrough to earn a particular achievement or unlock a special ending. From the very start in Creatures of Ava, Vic only uses non-lethal force, refraining from using any weapons to attack. She can only defend themselves by dodging attacks and running around the environment. Using the mystical staff she finds on the planet, she can also heal creatures affected by the withering infection. The combat system (if you can call it that) centers around avoiding incoming aggression from creatures while using the staff to heal their disease. As you can probably tell by this point, if you're looking for a monster-capturing experience similar to Palworld, you will not find this here.
To save the creatures inhabiting the planet, you must first clear the disease they are infected with and then tame them using a flute. Essentially, you are the space exploration version of the Pipe Piper. You come to the planet, promise salvation, and gain the trust of the local creatures by using your flute. Not ominous at all. To play the flute itself is not too elaborate. When you go to play a song, a music wheel will appear with symbols of keynotes. Each one represents a note you would find on a real flute. The creature you want to tame will visually show the notes it responds to above its head. It's easy to play the musical instrument, but some faster tempos and longer songs will take a few tries. I guess I won't be the next Beethoven anytime soon.
The importance of taming creatures is that they will follow you after you have gained their trust, so you can take them to rescue bot facilities scattered across the map. But you can also connect with the creature, allowing you to momentarily take control of the animal and use its distinct abilities to open up new routes, like breaking ropes on a bridge or charging into a fungi barrier. Again, this could have been an interesting concept, but the execution here is somewhat boring. When you're in control of the creature, all you do is walk up to a blocked pathway, use the ability, and that's it. There is no other reason to use the creatures that occupy the land, and I wanted them to play a more significant role in the gameplay.
To advance in the storyline, you will need to complete quests for characters you meet on the planet. These quests require you to travel back and forth to gather various items or talk to certain characters to get information. The whole game comes across like one big fetch quest, and I didn't feel much of an accomplishment when I finished one. A greater variety of tasks, which were more distinctively different to one another, would have massively benefited the overall narrative.
There are four ecosystems to pass through, each with unique environmental features. One of the ecosystems is a beautiful prairie grassland, whereas another is an overgrown vine jungle with dark and grim-looking marshlands. You cannot enter a new area ecosystem until you reach a specific part of the storyline. Some of the creature's designs are fantastic and reflect the environment you find them in, making exploring new areas one of the more enduring aspects of Creatures of Ava.
The landscape you traverse is akin to the Metroidvania genre. You will need to explore the wilderness and navigate platforms at different levels to reach certain areas. The path may often be blocked, and you must use your staff to clear the environment. This might include using a spell that will lift a rock from the ground so you can use it as a makeshift platform or a spell to clear a witherbloom, a giant overgrown flower. The terrain is relatively easy to figure out, and I always enjoyed travelling to the next destination on the map.
It may seem like I've been unduly harsh to Creatures of Ava, but that is because there are some excellent ideas here, but the execution has missed the mark. Nothing is wrong with a creature-taming title stepping back from a traditional combat system and embracing a pacifist approach. If anything, exploring this avenue can provide an opportunity to craft a distinctive identity in the genre, but you need to make sure other aspects of the gameplay are compelling. I often found myself going through the motions rather than wanting to see what was next. Strangely, I think the game tried to be too smart for its own good and backfired. It packed too many ideas, and there was little thought on how these mechanics would benefit one another. If you like some of the concepts that Creatures of Ava dabbles in, you will find some redeeming characteristics which might be worth your time. However, I don't think I'll return to Creatures of Ava anytime soon.
Creatures of Ava is available for the Xbox Series X and PC.
The post Review: Creatures of Ava Is a Tedious Rescue Mission appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 2:30 PM
VShojo Vtuber Ironmouse announced on social media that she will be running a VTuber Academy show for streamers. Applications are open until August 14, 2024, and the people picked will get the chance to compete for a free Vtuber model.
Ironmouse specified that this competition will only be open to Twitch Partner streamers who are "fleshstreamers," as people who are already Vtubers or pngtubers aren't allowed to compete. The application also asked people to share a video clip up to two minutes long introducing themselves. People were also asked to list some games they enjoy and content they make as a streamer.
There's no date for when the Ironmouse Vtuber Academy will air. The announcement noted it will be held in the second half of September 2024. It also said that the people picked will take part in challenges for about a six day show.
Ironmouse isn't the only member of VShojo attempting to help new Vtubers get started, as Zentreya also announced her intentions to assist newcomers in getting started. After the English and Japanese branches of the company announced auditions opened in July 2024, she said she'd like to help fund someone's debut.
Ironmouse Vtuber Academy applications are now open. People have until 12pm PT/3pm ET/9pm CET on August 14, 2024 to apply.
The post Ironmouse Announces Vtuber Academy Opportunity for Streamers appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 2:00 PM
Netmarble has confirmed the Japanese release date for The Seven Deadly Sins: Idle Adventure. The company will launch the new mobile game in Japan—where it is known by a different subtitle Little Chronicle—on August 13, 2024. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]
This mobile game will be available worldwide in multiple languages, including English. As the English subtitle implies, this game will also have an idle mode. Players will be able to invest earnings into a tavern that will generate more in-game income the better its enhancements are. Meanwhile, the Japanese subtitle Little Chronicle alludes to the fact that this game will depict the series' characters with chibi proportions.
The same company already has another The Seven Deadly Sins mobile game in Grand Cross, which has been running in East Asia since June 2019 and worldwide since 2020. The new release of Idle Adventure will not have any immediate effects on the former. In fact, Netmarble even promoted both games by holding a cross-promotion campaign in Grand Cross when it opened pre-registrations for Idle Adventure in May 2024.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Idle Adventure will be available worldwide for Android and iOS mobile devices. The mobile game will appear in Japan on August 13, 2024.
The post The Seven Deadly Sins: Idle Adventure Release Date Set in Japan appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 1:30 PM
Following an August 2024 reveal of the Bunny Garden Rin painted prototype figure at Smile Fest 2024, Good Smile Company opened pre-orders for the heroine from the game. The Pop Up Parade L one will cost ￥8,800 in Japan and release in April 2025, and the global storefront is selling it for $57.99 ahead of its Q3 2025 debut.
The Rin figure hasn't changed too much from her Smile Fest 2024 appearance. She's wearing her black and yellow bunny girl hostess uniform from the club where she works in the Bunny Garden game. There are no additional parts or promotions associated with the item. People who pick one up get the 240mm figure that's almost 10 inches tall. However, Good Smile Company did share more pictures of it with us, so we have a better idea of how she looks from every angle.
Here's how the Bunny Garden Rin figure will look when it launches in 2025.
This is the fairly standard price for a Pop Up Parade L figure. In general, Good Smile Company's Pop Up Parade line is considered a standardized and budget collection. All of the figures are about the same size and cost around the same amount. There are occasional pricing fluctuations due to things like licensing, but an L figure will usually be around $60.
While we do have a definitive launch window and final look at this Rin figure, another one remains a mystery. In June 2024, Good Smile Company announced it would make a Bunny Garden Nendoroid, with Rin once again being the character chosen to act as a representative of the game. She'll wear the same outfit for that figure as well.
Bunny Garden is available on the Nintendo Switch and PC. The Rin Pop Up Parade L figure will launch in April 2025 in Japan and Q3 2025 worldwide. Pre-orders for it are open until October 2, 2024.
The post First Bunny Garden Pop Up Parade Figure Arrives Next Year appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 1:00 PM
Sega announced that before Sonic x Shadow Generations is released on October 25, 2024, the standalone version of Sonic Generations will be delisted. It will no longer be available alone on digital storefronts as of September 9, 2024.
Here is Sega's official announcement. It noted that everyone who buys Sonic Generations prior to being delisted will be able to continue to play it and, if they own the PC version, use mods. The company also confirmed that the Microsoft Store and Steam bundles with it will continue to sell the game.
So, for example, Sonic the Hedgehog: Ultimate Bundle on Steam includes Sonic Generations Collection and 14 other games for $205.06. After the delisting date, people would still be able to get the game via this bundle for the PC.
For those wondering what one game has to do with the other, Sonic x Shadow Generations is a remaster with an additional game tied to Shadow the Hedgehog included with it.
Sonic x Shadow Generations will appear on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on October 25, 2024. Sonic Generations appeared on the 3DS, PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, and it will be delisted on September 9, 2024.
The post Sonic Generations Standalone Game Being Delisted appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, August 9, 2024 12:30 PM
The Pop Up Parade figure of Inuyasha will be available again. Good Smile Company has opened a new global pre-order batch for the figure that originally appeared in 2021. The non-scale figure has an approximate total height of around 17cm (6.69in).
People can place pre-orders for the figure on Good Smile Online Shop U.S. for those living in the U.S. and Canada or Good Smile Company's Japanese international website for those who reside elsewhere worldwide. The newly restocked figure will be available again at $31.99 / ￥4,800.
Here's a closer look at how it will look when it returns:
This Pop Up Parade will not be the only Inuyasha figure to be restocked. In May 2024, Good Smile Company revealed that it will restock the chibi Nendoroid action figure based on the same character in Japan in October 2024 and North America in 2025.
There has also been a new influx of Inuyasha merchandise in 2024. Merchandise featuring characters from the manga and anime series appeared at 100-yen stores like Daiso and Flet's in April 2024.
Good Smile Company will close the pre-order period for the new batch of Inuyasha Pop Up Parade figures on September 4, 2024. It will re-release the figures in Japan in December 2024 and in North America in Q2 2025.
The post Inuyasha Pop Up Parade Figure Will Be Restocked appeared first on Siliconera. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, August 9, 2024 6:41 PM A trailer was also released. The post Terry Bogard Announced For Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, August 9, 2024 5:44 PM A trailer was also released. The post Vampire Survivors PlayStation Version Gets a Release Date appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, August 9, 2024 5:08 PM Stray first launched on July 19, 2022. The post Stray Gets New Switch Trailer and Release Date appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, August 9, 2024 4:43 PM Revealed in a recent fiscal financial report, The post Max Payne 1 and 2 Remakes In Full Production, Control 2 Now Fully Playable appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |