PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 1:35 PM  It can be easy to fall into the trap of only playing games your friends have recommended or the major triple-A heavy hitters. We're here to convince you to give indies a chance - and indie.io is a fantastic publishing platform that offers some of the very best. |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:37 PM  It looks like the extremely positive response to new Intel Arc B580 Battlemage GPUs is already leading to stock issues. According to Intel, "demand is high" for the chip maker's brand new, budget-friendly graphics card, with stock levels already low at most retailers, just a week after its official launch date. At last, it looks like Intel has a genuine graphics card success on its hands. Early B580 testing shows performance that easily challenges some of the best graphics cards out there for budget gamers, including the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060. Considering the B580's $250 price tag, this means there's finally a genuinely strong budget GPU for gamers. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Core i5 14600K review, Best gaming CPU, Core i9 14900K review |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:28 PM  When is the next Steam sale? It feels like one Steam sale has just ended when the next one begins, but with some events offering better discounts than others and genre-specific sales to look out for, it's a good idea to keep these dates to hand. Fortunately, we've got a complete list of all the official Steam sale dates for 2024 and beyond, so you can make a dent in your Steam wishlist without breaking the bank. Whether you're looking for new PC games to sink your teeth into or simply the best PC games of all time, there's something for everyone on Steam. Genre sales can introduce you to hidden gems if you can snap up the bargains in time, while seasonal Steam sales can last for weeks, with more games, DLC, and bundles available at chunkier discounts. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Steam FAQ, Steam family sharing, Steam in-home streaming |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:23 PM  What are the best Minecraft maps right now? Minecraft is the inventor's paradise, but, of course, it is also the connoisseur's nightmare. There are thousands of maps out there, from massive city maps to confined horror maps and everything in between, so it can be tough trying to find the very best of the best. Luckily for you, we've taken the time to trial loads of the top picks, and we've trawled through even more YouTube videos, so we feel knowledgeable enough to bring you this list of the best Minecraft maps. We've whittled down the finest user-created environments and placed them into their very own category below, so whether you fancy plunging to the depths of a Minecraft dropper, living out your Minecraft life game fantasies, or risking it all in a some of the finest parkour the building game has to offer, we have everything you need to get the most out of these top Minecraft maps. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:16 PM  When discussing the best indie games of the last few years, Vampire Survivors is a name that will almost always crop up. The roguelike bullet hell may look simplistic and outdated at a first glance, but its pixelated mayhem is remarkably deep and incredibly addictive. Thanks to its small price tag, it's not one to burn a big hole in your pocket either - however, if you're yet to try it, now is the perfect opportunity as it's free to keep on the Epic Games Store. The catch? You've got a very short window to grab it. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best Vampire Survivors power ups, Vampire Survivors weapon evolution guide, The best Vampire Survivors build |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:14 PM  When is the Soulframe release date? The upcoming fantasy MMORPG from the creators behind Warframe has been on our minds since it was first announced in 2022. More recently, developer Digital Extremes has revealed story details and gameplay trailers that give us an idea of what to expect from Soulframe's beautiful open world that establishes its themes of climate change and environmental destruction. Soulframe certainly looks and feels very different from its sci-fi sister, Warframe, instead, it takes cues from our favorite fantasy games. However, there are plenty of parallels to delight long-time Warframe fans and new players alike once the MMORPG arrives. Until then, here's everything we know so far, including all the latest news surrounding the Soulframe release date and the upcoming Preludes playtests. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMOs, Best RPG games , Best fantasy games |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 11:56 AM  The history of FPS games is also a history of collaborations and influences. Without Wolfenstein, you have no Doom. No Doom, no Half-Life. No Half-Life, no Counter-Strike, and so on. Whether it's FEAR or Far Cry, Deus Ex or Delta Force, the big-hit shooters all owe a debt of inspiration to one another. In that spirit, two of the best-reviewed FPS games on all of Steam have finally forged an official crossover. Available via a free update, this is, quite literally, Mullet Mad Jack meets Ultrakill. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games, Best FPS games, Best anime games |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 11:38 AM  What's the latest Blox Fruit stock? If you're hoping to buy a new fruit to try out a fresh fighting style, you're bound to be at the mercy of a Blox Fruit Dealer. There are two different types of merchants across the island, but the same stock rotation across each, so you can find out what's available easily. To get what you're after though, you have to be quick, so we tell you everything you need to know right here. Below, we explain essential Blox Fruits stock details: from a stock list with costs, how best to keep on top of stock rotations while you're away from the Roblox experience, and exactly how stock rotations work across servers and timezones. Our tips on how to grind levels in Blox Fruits go over the best fruits for the job, and our ultimate Blox Fruits guide is handy for anyone starting this otherwise daunting game. Finally, don't forget to redeem the latest Blox Fruits codes can get you the cash you need to buy your next fruit. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 11:27 AM  The Monster Hunter Wilds beta was a fantastic success, with hordes of players descending upon the sequel to Capcom's best-selling game of all time. The new RPG is an impressive beast, but it certainly wasn't without issues. Game director Yuya Tokuda has been listening to all the feedback on performance drops, polygonal monsters, and concerns around weapon balance and unsatisfying impacts, however. In a new community update, he's joined by community managers Joe and Jonno, and translator Patrick, to show off all the major changes that are being implemented. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Monster Hunter Wilds monsters, Monster Hunter Wilds weapons, Monster Hunter Wilds release date |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:54 AM  When is the next Minecraft update? The next Minecraft update will be on the way soon, following the Pale Garden and Bundles of Bravery updates of 2024. We've been looking into when we can expect it, and what it might contain. Annual Minecraft updates have been announced during a yearly Minecraft Live broadcast for years, but Mojang revealed in late 2024 that there will now be more regular, smaller updates spread throughout the year. The Minecraft Bundles of Bravery update arrived in October 2024, with the larger Winter Drop adding the Pale Garden biome in December. Here's what's coming to the sandbox game in the next Minecraft update and beyond. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:29 AM  Between Cuphead, Enter the Gungeon, and Vampire Survivors, in recent years the bullet hell genre has heralded some of the most-loved games on PC. Frenetic, fast, and punishing, bullet hells (and heavens) share a lot of common ground with the traditional roguelike - if you like solving puzzles while trying to avoid getting shot to bits, you're probably also a fan of Dead Cells, Cult of the Lamb, and the other roguelike staples. You take all these influences, add the development pedigree of beloved Steam cult hit Helltaker, and drop the price to an irresistible zero dollars, and you get Awaria, which has already earned near-perfect reviews and is available right now. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best free PC games, Best free Steam games, Best roguelikes |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:26 AM  What are the new Blue Lock Rivals codes? While your metavision may let you play the perfect pinpoint pass, you'll need a little extra assistance perceiving all of the freebies the Roblox game has to offer. Blue Lock Rivals throws you into world soccer's biggest pressure cooker, putting your skills to the test as you channel the playstyles of the hit series' biggest hitters on the field. Whether you're consuming your opponents Rin-style, or sending them to the store with your Nagi-esque tekkerz, you'll need to be on your A-game to succeed in the Roblox experience. Read on to find out the anime game's latest codes and how to redeem them. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:11 AM  December 19, 2024: We've added the latest Monopoly Go dice links for free dice rolls and tokens. 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 Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:00 AM  Fallout 76 is about to change forever, as Bethesda prepares to unleash a long-requested feature its beloved survival RPGs have never offered before. The introduction of playable Fallout 76 ghouls will mark the first time you can become one of the radiation-afflicted, and it entirely transforms how you approach everything from NPC interactions to your build and teamwork. I had the chance to try the update early, and spoke with lead producer Bill LaCoste about how he sees the multiplayer game's ghoul-filled future. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best games like Fallout, Fallout 5 release date, Best Fallout 4 mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:54 AM  It looks as though Intel has finally identified why its latest CPUs aren't working out for gamers. According to the chip maker, there are five different causes behind the Intel Arrow Lake issues that resulted in lackluster gaming performance, and it claims that four of them have already been solved, with one final fix planned for the new year. This is good news for Intel on the back of a terrible launch for its new Core Ultra 200 lineup. As our own early Intel Core Ultra 7 265K review showed, this mid-tier Arrow Lake CPU massively underperformed in gaming tests, offering poor competition against the best gaming CPU designs out there, leaving AMD as the undisputed leader once more. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Core i5 14600K review, Best gaming CPU, Core i9 14900K review |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:56 AM  What are the current and upcoming Genshin Impact events? A new version of Genshin Impact arrives every six weeks, complete with new characters, quests, and events. It's difficult to keep track of which events are currently running and if there are any new ones coming soon, so here's a schedule for all current and upcoming Genshin Impact events. There are usually a number of Genshin Impact events running simultaneously, and they aren't just in-game events. HoYoverse often launches a web event every update, which gives players a chance to learn about the latest Genshin Impact characters through an interactive story told through a web browser. Like all gacha games, the rewards for completing events in Genshin Impact range from in-game items like primogems and mora, to real life prizes like mouse mats and plushies. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:46 AM  What are the new Strinova codes? While you've got plenty of amazing agents and their awesome weapons to test out in the third-person tactical shooter Strinova, sometimes you just need a few freebies to get an edge on the competition. Thankfully, from time to time iDreamSky releases Strinova codes for free rewards. That could be anything from free EXP boosters, dream tokens, and emotes to skins or crystal boxes. So if you're looking for Strinova codes in the anime game, we've got you covered. We regularly test all of the codes in our list to ensure they're still working. Once they've expired, we'll then add them to a separate list down below. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best anime games, Best multiplayer games |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:53 AM  What are the best Cities Skylines 2 mods? With bigger maps, signature buildings, and even new weather cycles, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Cities Skylines 2 has everything you could possibly need. However, with the immense mod support that the first city builder received, it would be a shame if this entry missed out on the community creativity that made Cities Skylines so engaging for so long. While we've explored every aspect of the game in our Cities Skylines 2 review, fans of the series are dreaming up their ideal mods - it could be recreating real-life locations, adding fantastical elements to their settlements, and everything in between. Now that official mod support has reached Cities Skylines 2, the quantity and quality of these mods is ramping up, so we've scoured through them for very best of the best. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cities Skylines 2 review, Cities Skylines 2 roads, Cities Skylines 2 maps |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:32 AM  What are the best PC games? From triple-A household names like GTA 5 to enchanting indie releases such as Rocket League, these classics are the biggest games across Steam, Epic Games Store, and more. Finding the top PC games is no easy task. There are, you may have noticed, quite a lot of them. From the 50,000-plus Steam games to… all those other platforms you love so much, there has never been more choice available to the discerning PC gamer. From the best RPG games to the most mind-blowing FPS games, here are the best PC games of all time, according to us. There are even some free PC games thrown in there, too. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, Elden Ring weapons |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:12 AM  What is the next Monopoly Go event? With so many limited-time events in Monopoly Go, it can be hard to keep track of the rewards you can get your hands on. Monopoly Go events can last anywhere from a few hours to a week, so bookmark this page as we'll keep it regularly updated with the next events and their start and end dates. Monopoly Go is the latest online board game sweeping the globe, but completing all of these events won't be easy without some free Monopoly Go dice links, so check out our daily updated guide for some freebies and rewards before you get started on the next Monopoly Go tournament. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:02 AM  2023's Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is a game I will always advocate for. One of the best strategy games in recent years, you can think of it as a stealth-driven blend of Commandos and XCOM with a crew of magical pirates. It's the final release from indie developer Mimimi Games, who previously brought us Shadow Tactics and Desperados 3, but stepped away from development at the end of that year. Now, the team has partnered with indie strategy publisher Hooded Horse, known for the likes of Manor Lords and Against the Storm, to ensure its ultimate game will be preserved for the long haul. |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:00 AM  To wile away the dark and dreariness of Scottish wintertime, I've found myself diving back into Baldur's Gate 3. As someone who initially hated its turn-based combat, I've fallen in love with the tactical strategizing and coinflip decision-making; something that I genuinely didn't expect would happen. While I've still not made it to the titular city yet, it's a genre that I'm eager to explore, and Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch looks like it could be the perfect companion to BG3. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best strategy games, Best anime games, Best fantasy games |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:16 AM  The best RGB keyboards have lighting customized entirely to the beat of your music or events in-game to enhance your immersion. Many of the best gaming keyboards already allow you to perform slick lighting tricks on a per-game basis, but the choices on this list are PC peripherals absolutely tailored for RGB light shows. Some of them even offer RGB lighting options that work in tandem with the best gaming mouse options. To determine the best RGB keyboards, we've taken into consideration build quality, features, region-specific layout availability, and software. If you want the absolute best, Corsair's K100 RGB offers unprecedented levels of control but at quite a steep price while G.Skill's KM250 has many of the same features, but carries a much more wallet-friendly price. There's something for everyone at every price point so read on to find your type. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 8:00 AM  It seems like cozy games and the holidays just go hand-in-hand. As the fire flickers in the background and that big mug of eggnog steams away next to you, booting up something like Disney Dreamlight Valley or Stardew just feels like the logical next step. If you've already completed all of their content, however, Mirthwood is a chill new adventure from Bad Ridge Games that transports traditional farming and management mechanics into a Fable-style world. Ahead of the holidays, it's getting a huge new update that overhauls combat and, of course, adds some festive goodies. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best management games, Best RPG games, Best life games |
PCGamesN Thursday, December 19, 2024 7:54 AM  The popular Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming PC is back at its lowest ever price, just before the holidays. This Asus ROG Ally deal is as good as it gets, knocking a huge $150 off Best Buy's retail price for both the AMD Ryzen Z1 and Z1 Extreme versions of this popular Steam Deck rival, with the Z1 version's discounted $349.99 price making it one of the cheapest entry-level gaming handheld devices you can buy now. Both these Asus handhelds may have now been surpassed by newer models, such as the Asus ROG Ally X, but they're still among the best handheld gaming PC devices you can buy. You'll also be hard-pressed to find a Windows gaming handheld with this level of power for a cheaper price. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ review, Asus ROG Raikiri review, Best gaming motherboard |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:16 PM  Open that bottle of space champagne, the aliens have been wiped out. At least that's what the interstellar pilots of Elite Dangerous are celebrating in the galaxy-sized multiplayer space sim. Earlier this month, the Thargoid menace finally landed in the Sol system, putting earth itself under threat for the first time, not to mention other human homeworlds and colonies. This meant players were invited to drop everything and head for home - to embark on one last great stand against the final, desperate, and dangerous alien attacker: a Thargoid Titan called "Cocijo". Don't worry, they got him. Read more |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 19, 2024 11:43 AM  Frostpunk developers 11 bit studios have cancelled a new, console-oriented game in response to both "shifting market trends" - in particular, declining player enthusiasm for "narrative-driven, story-rich games" - and specific problems during development. As a consequence, a number of 11 bit staff are going to lose their jobs, though at least half of the affected development team are being offered the chance to move to other projects, including a few unannounced ones. Read more |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 19, 2024 11:00 AM  At any given moment I am in the center of a wonderful vortex of skeletons. Bones splash and rattle and burst out of the ground in sharp, horrible spurs. My weakest skeletons, sensing their death coming, explode into fire and shards. My strongest skeletons fight so hard and with such alacrity that upon dying, they drag their spirits together and keep fighting as ghosts for a while. Foul little bone scorpions skitter around on fans of legs made from human hands. Somewhere in the middle, almost invisible among the noise, is the character I am actually playing: Path of Exile 2's mean-spirited, callous, and gleefully enjoyable Witch. This is a review in progress. It has to be. Even in its incomplete early access period, Path of Exile 2 is a great sprawling mass of a game. Three meaty acts of a planned six act campaign are followed by a trickier return tour through them, before the absurd endgame kicks into gear and the real work begins. If I came to you having played everything on offer I would be wild-haired, bloodshot-eyed and possessing perfect, incomprehensible knowledge. Let's compromise: I have toured the dark caverns and the antediluvian crypts. I have been killed by various accumulated nasties. I've had a great time. Read more |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:43 AM  The announcement of The Witcher 4 with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Ciri as protagonist has attracted a bit of discussion. Some of the reaction is online toddlers waxing wroth about a video game having a (somewhat older!!!) woman as lead character, and especially, shock, a video game in a series that has hitherto starred a man. And some of it is people commenting more thoughtfully on whether Ciri genuinely makes for a suitable Witcher protagonist, given that she isn't the product of the typical Witcher genetic modification regime (which is heavily tailored towards men), and given that, without spoiling too much, she has gifts that make crumbly old Geralt's sword-and-sorcery skillset look rather paltry. Speaking to Eurogamer this week, game director Sebastian Kalemba and narrative director Philipp Weber responded to a few of these comments, and also shared a little about Ciri's situation at the start of the game. Read more |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:45 AM  "We are a people who honour democracy," said the dog, scratching himself. "Per our custom, you may drink of our fresh water." The dog was called Senator Umeshefaat, and he was very civil, even if he was shedding his black and white fur everywhere. We spoke in his home village at dawn. Later, I examined the senator's personal history more thoroughly and discovered he was "hated by bears for cooking them a rancid meal." I suppose every politician has their enemies. That Caves Of Qud creates fun anecdotes out of simple encounters shouldn't be a surprise. It has had 15 years of early access to establish itself as a small-but-mighty story generating roguelike of repute (there's a reason it sits deservedly side-by-side with Dwarf Fortress in the same publishing house). After creating many characters, and dying and dying and dying again, I understand why it grips the brain with such fierce glee. It is a machine of grand imagination and adventuresome comedy. A deceptively powerful RPG that isn't half as obtuse to newcomers as the screenshots make it out to be. Qud's low-res bark is just a complement to its bite. Read more |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:27 AM  Insults are so serious, these days. They're all so insulting, whereas the kinds of insult I cherish are the ones that coax a belly laugh from both the roaster and the roastee. Here are a few stupid putdowns I've found or made up specially for Xmas, organised into tiers of savagery. Read more |
