Feb 08, 18:01


PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 4:07 PM
     Fisch codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: We've had a look around for new Fisch codes for the Valentines update.

What are the new Fisch codes? Promising the pinnacle of exploration and progression of what Roblox fishing experiences have to offer, Fisch gets even better when you use the latest working codes to get free rewards. After launching in early 2024, the Stardew-inspired fishing game by WoozyNate has seen millions of visits, meaning even more players just like you can benefit from the bonuses on offer.

Just like when using Fishing Simulator codes, getting extra items or currency will make the Roblox angling experience far easier since you'll be able to access or buy upgrades much faster. That's even the case when trying out Meme Sea codes too. This quick and easy Fisch guide will tell you about all the free rewards you can get so far.

Continue reading Fisch codes February 2025
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:55 PM
     Meme Sea codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: We've reconfirmed the list of working Meme Sea codes.

What are the new Meme Sea codes? When taking on an ocean of the internet's most popular memes with a One Piece-inspired anime twist, getting a bunch of free rewards will make your custom character all the tougher to beat. With a bunch of epic powers at your disposal in the game, any Roblox codes you find in this guide will give you an extra edge.

Although it's not on the list of best Roblox games, Meme Sea stands alongside plenty of other anime games offering free bonuses. For example, you can also find some in the newest Anime Champions Simulator codes or All Star Tower Defense codes. To make you ready to take on treacherous viral foes, let's dive into all Meme Sea codes available right now.

Continue reading Meme Sea codes February 2025

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:49 PM
     PLS Donate codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: We're still on the lookout for new PLS Donate codes.

What are the new PLS Donate codes? This donation simulator is a big hit on the Roblox platform, chiefly because it's one of the few games where you're in with a real chance to earn free Robux. Setting up a donation stand is simple enough, but standing out from the crowd is essential if you want to entice big donors. That's where PLS Donate codes come in handy.

Our up-to-date list of PLS Donate codes includes the Giftbux you need to customize your donation stand and a few items to trade in return for a donation. PLS Donate is one of the best Roblox games, so be sure to get ahead of the economic curve and redeem these PLS Donate codes. We also have a collection of Roblox promo codes and Roblox music codes if you fancy firing up some tunes while working your stand.

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

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:30 PM
     Slap Battles codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: We looked high and low for new Slap Battles codes.

What are the new Slap Battles codes? In this Roblox experience, the only thing that matters is getting the most slaps. For each one you get, you can work your way closer to having the most destructive palm in the galaxy.

So, if you want to have the most powerful slapping hand, you'll need to work for it. There are plenty of other Roblox experiences out there if this one loses its appeal, and we have the latest freebies for the likes of Blade Ball codes, Anime Last Stand codes, and Toilet Tower Defense codes. Without further ado, these Slap Battles codes will give you a bit of a boost to get started.


PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:27 PM
     Dress to Impress codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: There's a new time-limited Dress to Impress code to use before March.

What are the new Dress to Impress codes? Look no further if you want to strut your stuff on the catwalk with all the latest fashion accessories. The latest DTI codes grant you the hottest cosmetics to add to your ensemble and create a stunning new look, and it's as simple as entering a code or two.

As the name suggests, Dress to Impress is all about fashion, collecting new clothes, and trying out different styles. Unlike most Roblox games, these DTI codes permanently unlock a set of items to add to your wardrobe. If you're looking for extra freebies, we also have codes for some of the other best Roblox games such as Blox Fruits codes to help you get an edge on the competition. Alternatively, you can check out our list of Dress to Impress outfit ideas.

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

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:07 PM
     Haikyuu Legends codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: We added a bunch of new Haikyuu Legends codes.

What are the new Haikyuu Legends codes? Taking to the volleyball court in this Roblox adventure will have you itching to get ahead of the competition. Inspired by the Haikyuu anime, you'll participate in volleyball matches in teams of six and compete to be the best.

This unofficial, fan-made Roblox game isn't strictly affiliated with Haikyuu, but the imagery and references to the manga series are plain to see. Unlike the latest Blox Fruits codes or Dress to Impress codes, Haikyuu Legends codes won't get you currency, but they can have a direct effect on your skill level in the game, so take note.

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

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:16 PM
     Anime Last Stand codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: We added a bunch of new Anime Last Stand codes with plenty of rerolls.

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

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

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

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:24 PM
     Ro Ghoul codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: We've refreshed our list of Ro Ghoul codes.

What are the Roblox Ro Ghoul codes? Despite still being in beta, Ro Ghoul, inspired by Tokyo Ghoul, is one of the most popular Roblox games at the moment. The developer, Sushi Walrus, celebrates this regularly with some great in-game redemption codes, and we've tested all the latest ones.

In Ro Ghoul, you take on the role of either an investigator or a ghoul as you try and defeat the other group and stay alive. If you're after some bonus in-game currency, we've got all the latest Ro Ghoul codes you need, but if you're here, then you're a Roblox fan, so you should also take a look at the latest Roblox music codes and all the most up-to-date Roblox promo codes.

Continue reading Ro Ghoul codes February 2025
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:10 PM
     Blue Lock Rivals codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: Two more new Blue Lock Rivals codes have arrived.

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 Saturday, February 8, 2025 1:10 PM
     Blox Fruits codes February 2025 - 2x exp, reset stats and more

February 8, 2025: We've had a good look around for new Blox Fruits codes for the weekend, added a new one, and confirmed the availability of the current list.

What are the new Blox Fruits codes? We've compiled a regularly updated list of all Roblox Blox Fruits codes to redeem in-game freebies like XP boosts, free Beli, and stat resets for your pirate adventures. Need a boost to take on the increasingly tricky competition? We've got you covered.

Blox Fruits is one of the biggest Roblox games ever, thanks to its fun, anime-inspired pirate action. That said, it can be challenging to find new free codes, so we've done the hard work and listed all the active Blox Fruits codes in 2025, including for Update 23, in one handy place below. Once you're up to date on the new Blox Fruits codes, consider checking out our ultimate Blox Fruits guide or our in-depth Blox Fruits tier list for the current meta.

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

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 12:28 PM
     Border Pioneer elegantly mixes city builders and tower defense, and it's out now

If you love strategy and are a fan of games that mix several genres, you need to check out Border Pioneer. It's a city builder, tower defense, RTS, and deckbuilder all rolled into one, giving you plenty to consider at any given moment. If you want more after exhausting everything you can from games like Bloons TD 6, give this one a try. Best of all, Border Pioneer is available at a slight discount now that it's out on Steam.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best strategy games, Best tower defense games , Best city building games

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 12:19 PM
     The best fantasy games 2025

What are the best fantasy games? There's nothing quite like escaping into another world, immersing yourself in its history and people, and getting to grips with your new virtual life. Fantasy games are especially good at offering these sorts of experiences, but the genre is so packed with great adventures that it can be hard to pinpoint where exactly to place your attention.

We've put together this list of the best fantasy games on PC so you'll know where to hitch your horse, so to speak. As always, we want to highlight a varied selection of the best PC games, from mammoth RPGs to 2D action platformers. Whether you're looking to slay some dragons in a sprawling open world or try something a little off the beaten path, we've got you covered with our list of the best fantasy games on PC. Here are the best fantasy games to play now.

Continue reading The best fantasy games 2025
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, Elden Ring weapons

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:55 AM
     Balatro style mahjong roguelike Aotenjo smoothes difficulty curve in new update

After the huge success of Balatro in 2024, we've seen several other adaptations of popular games into a similar roguelike format. One that speaks to my particular sensibilities is Aotenjo: Infinite Hands, a mahjong take on score-multiplying mayhem. Along with being a fun twist on the familiar game, its single-player spin makes it a good way to learn the basics of mahjong if you've always been perplexed by its ruleset. Now, a new Aotenjo update makes it an even more appealing proposition, reducing the risk of bad luck ruining your run and helping you climb the difficulty curve more gradually.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best card games, Best roguelike games, Best strategy games

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:21 AM
     Dandy's World codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: We've confirmed the expiration date for the latest new Dandy's World code.

What are the new Dandy's World codes? Horror games on Roblox always make for a unique and eerie experience, but make for an even better time when there are some rewards to redeem. Thankfully, Dandy's World players can rejoice at the latest codes to use for a better chance at surviving the killer mascots that come after you.

Like bonuses that can be earned in other Roblox horror games, such as when using Pressure codes or Ro Ghoul codes, having a guide like this is handy to increase your odds. As you team up with other Toons and complete machines to research what shadows lurk below, having helpful extra bonuses like these is a must.

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

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:27 AM
     Devas of Creation codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: We've had a good look around for new Devas of Creation codes.

What are the new Devas of Creation codes? An MMORPG promising dungeons, treasures, and adventures, Devas of Creation is one of the most ambitious Roblox games we've seen and there's nothing better to help you on your journey than free codes. For bounties of free rewards, each offering a head start with extra resources and items, this guide provides all the help you need.

Similar to Anime Defenders codes or Blox Fruits codes, taking advantage of free bonuses like these is the ideal way to get one step ahead of other Roblox players. To make the most of this, be sure to follow the full set of instructions on how to redeem codes listed below.

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

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:25 AM
     Anime Royale codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: Four new Anime Royale codes are in.

What are the new Anime Royale codes? Throwing you into an anime world where you can summon your favorite heroes from multiple anime series into battle, Anime Royale adds a level of thrill to the Roblox tower defense experience. By having extra rewards at your disposal, you can get a head start by having access to more resources quicker as you prepare to conquer waves of enemies.

Among the many anime titles on Roblox, you can also try the latest Special Anime Defense codes or YBA codes to get an additional edge. In the meantime, we've tested and confirmed all of the below active Anime Royale codes.

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

PCGamesN Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:32 AM
     Anime Vanguards codes February 2025

February 8, 2025: A duo of new Anime Vanguards codes are here for the Corrupting Darkness update.

What are the new Anime Vanguards codes? In a Roblox game where the universes of multiple anime have started colliding, you can pick from many units in a tower defense title featuring tons of your favorite characters. To have the most powerful warrior around, the rewards from using the latest codes can give you just what you need.

Like when using Special Anime Defense codes or Anime Royale codes, redeeming these extra rewards can give you an edge over other players.  These can include currencies used for special banner units or crafting important items. To help you be the best in this Roblox adventure, the free codes in this guide will have you covered.

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

Siliconera Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:00 PM
    

I Wish the Genshin Impact Ayaka Logitech G309 Mouse Offered More Original Art

I use Ayaka Kamisato in Genshin Impact. My team with her tends to involve her brother Ayato as a secondary DPS and for the Frozen elemental reaction, and I'll typically include Kokomi as a healer and Ganyu to ensure every enemy stays frozen. I think she has one of the better designs in-game, for both outfits, so the Genshin Impact Logitech G309 Lightspeed with the Ayaka artwork is the one I've been using lately. It's a great mouse, to be sure! It also looks quite striking. I just wish there was a smidge more to it, especially in terms of the design.

We'll quickly go over performance first, because in this case that might not be the main reason you're even looking at the mouse. The Genshin Impact Ayaka Logitech G309 Lightspeed gaming mouse performs exactly like the original model. It's a lightweight accessory that won't be as heavy as other mice, in case you want to include it in a bag with a laptop or other handheld. Likewise, the compatibility a AA battery is handy. I tend to forget about charging mice, but always have those handy for my Meta Quest and other devices. So even though this is a very adept and professional mouse, I really appreciated how casual it was in terms of its needs and design. Toss it in a bag? Leave a battery in for a few weeks? Connect it via Bluetooth and go? It's great.

I've been using it primarily with a MacBook Air and occasionally with some Lenovo Legion Go games. In both situations, I didn't notice any lag between movements and inputs as I played. Each of the six buttons is quite responsive, and G Hub is easy to use to customize them. Granted, I haven't been playing the most intensive or hair-trigger games. (Mainly, I've been working on adventure titles as of late.) But it's been quite capable, works well on any surface, and is responsive.

But really, this Logitech G309 Lightspeed gaming mouse is about the Genshin Impact design, and it is effective at representing Ayaka. The left and right click buttons both feature art of the character. Unfortunately, it isn't an original piece created specifically for the mouse. Rather, Logitech and HoYoVerse just took official promotional art, specifically the promotional piece in which she's holding a fan over her head, and used that. It's centered quite well, so there are no awkward divisions or a layout that puts her face across the two buttons, so at least there's that.

The basic color scheme for the mouse, outside of that art across the two buttons, is pink, white, and grey. The pink button forward and back buttons, as well as the one just behind the scroll wheel, are designed to match the ribbons in her hair and the tie at her waist. Her signature also appears on the back of the mouse in that color. I honestly associate Ayaka with more shades of blue, black, gold, and white than pink though, but I get the aesthetic appeal and understand why Logitech went with that choice. Plus, it does pop more than another shade of blue or black against the full-color art buttons. 

I do feel like there are two missed opportunities with the design. The first is with the scroll wheel itself. It's just plain grey. There's no grey in her outfit. I feel like a standard black or even gold might have gone better and called to mind her armor.  (Then that button beneath it could have matched it.) There are also a few snowflakes near her signature in grey and blue. However, two of them are so small that I honestly initially thought they were dirt or manufacturing errors. 

The Cryo Vision design is also entirely absent on the Genshin Impact Ayaka Logitech mouse. Sure, Logitech is going to want its own branding on there, so it wouldn't replace the G with it. It feels like it should have appeared somewhere on the device, given how notable it is in the game. Maybe it could have been integrated into part of the circular Powerplay design on the base of the mouse? I don't know. I just wish it was present.

The Logitech Genshin Impact Ayaka G309 mouse does work quite well! The function is absolutely present. The form is also genuinely nice and looks pretty, but I feel like Logitech and HoYoVerse could have done a little more with it. Include some original Ayaka artwork for the design. Maybe match up the button colors a bit more to her outfit. Have her Cryo Vision referenced somewhere on it. Some extra little touches would have made it go from great to perfect. 

The Logitech Genshin Impact Ayaka G309 Lightspeed gaming mouse is available now, and Heizou, Sayu, and Thoma ones are up next.

The post I Wish the Genshin Impact Ayaka Logitech G309 Mouse Looked More Unique appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Saturday, February 8, 2025 1:00 PM
    

See the Yakuza Kiryu, Kasuga, and Majima Nendoroids

There's a new update on the Yakuza Nendoroids from WonFes 2025 Winter, and Good Smile Company shared prototypes of the Goro Majima, Ichiban Kasuga, and Kazuma Kiryu Like a Dragon figures. Two are further along in development than the other. As they appeared as painted prototypes, this could mean that we'll see pre-orders open for one or both in the next few weeks.

Good Smile Company announced all three of the Like a Dragon figures at WonFes 2023 Shanghai, before revealing the Yakuza Nendoroids concept art for Kasuga, Kiryu, and Majima at WonHobby 38. At that point, it seemed like all three were at about the same stage of development, as we saw chibi renderings of the three leads. However, at this point both Kasuga and Kiryu photos showed them as painted prototypes, while Majima is only an unpainted one.

All three characters are wearing their most memorable outfits. Kiryu is in his grey suit with crimson shirt. No accessories are shown with him, and the face plate features his stoic expression.  Kasuga is wearing his red suit with grey shirt. His hair isn't tied back, and his expression shows him with a smile and raised eyebrow. He's carrying a baseball bat over his shoulder, hinting at one of his included weapons. In the case of Majima, his suit jacket is open and he has no shirt on. He isn't holding any accessories. His face place shows him with a wild-eyed, possibly laughing, expression. While he isn't painted, we can see the design on his eye patch will be recreated.

Here's how all three look so far:

There's no release window for any of these three Yakuza Nendoroids will be released, though it seems the Kasuga and Kiryu figures will appear before the Majima one. The most recent Yakuza game is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii comes to the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC on February 21, 2025. 

The post See the Yakuza Kiryu, Kasuga, and Majima Nendoroids appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Saturday, February 8, 2025 12:00 PM
    

Kill the Villainess Stars an Isekai Heroine Who Will Do Anything to Escape manga manhwa

There are so many isekai manga and manhwa that involve an ordinary woman being reincarnated as a villainess of a series she is aware of, and Yen Press' Kill the Villainess is the latest one. However, there's a stark difference here, at least at the outset. Here, the heroine Eris doesn't want this new life and doesn't want to reform. Rather, she wants to do anything necessary to potentially end her time in this other world, which involves an interesting approach to embracing her role.

Editor's Note: There will be spoilers for the first volume of Kill the Villainess

Eris Miserian's new life starts with her living a life in a palace as a fiance to a prince. It's one pulling from a romance novel she read, naturally. But she despises it. She considers this idealized world filled with royalty and magic to be too foreign and terrifying to her, and she wants out. She's about to be betrothed, but she wants to speedrun being eliminated. This means she's willing to do whatever is necessary to get herself killed so she can return to the type of life she preferred. 

Now, Eris is aware of the plot since Kill the Villainess is similar to other isekai manga and manhwa. She knows she will eventually die. Her beloved Prince Alecto falls for the real heroine of the novel named Helena. The villainess originally went mad as a result and poisoned her rival. This led to her own execution and Helena's revival so she could have her happily ever after. But Eris wants that to happen sooner. And because of that, she's forgoing the jealous and bullying behavior the original character displayed toward Helena. Because she's exhausted! She doesn't want to be there! She wants to get out of everything as efficiently as possible.

One thing that's fascinating about this is that this Eris, that we follow, has sympathy for the original villainess from the story. That Eris was a childhood friend of both the crown prince and people like the noble Jason Kazaar and Helena. However, they don't extend any friendliness or care to her. As our heroine thinks when dealing with an awkward situation that also includes Helena, people consider her a "nuisance" and the real Eris would have been probably hurt by that behavior. 

Also, throughout the first volume we learn about Eris' endeavors to get out of the story sooner. She actually goes through some of her suicide attempts, which seemed magically thwarted to keep the story on track. The story won't be sidetracked. This means she actually turns to something she is uncomfortable with — magic — to try and finally be free. Another method might mean actually turning to someone who'd be one of Eris' enemies in the story to possibly be set free. 

Fascinatingly enough, it also means we get insights into Eris' past and that of other characters because of our "Eris" being an outsider. We learn more about Jason's quest to become a dragon slayer. A character who wasn't in the original novel appears. We see some insights from Eris' maid and father that flesh out who the original villainess was. It shows a little more depth than other villainess isekai manga and manhwa series.

There are so many villainess isekai series out there, but Kill the Villainess does feel a bit different than others due to the heroine's demeanor. She isn't happy to be there. She wants out. She sympathizes with the original villainess. Plus, there are hints that maybe she could go back and others could see something is going on. The first volume shows promise of a series that could be a unique take on the genre in some ways.

Volume 1 of Kill the Villainess will debut on February 18, 2025, and volume 2 of the manhwa will launch on May 20, 2025. 

The post Kill the Villainess Stars an Isekai Heroine Who Will Do Anything to Escape appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Saturday, February 8, 2025 3:30 PM
    

BitLife Herc the Merc challenge

It's time to become the strongest person alive during BitLife's Herc the Merc challenge. Inspired by Hercules, you'll start in Greece, have perfect health, and make a few trips to the gym. Oh, and there's murder, but that's normal for a BitLife challenge.

BitLife Herc the Merc challenge guide

BitLife's Herc the Merc challenge has five tasks to complete:

  • Be born in Greece
  • Have 100 percent Health
  • Go to the gym 10+ times after Age 18
  • Strangle 5+ different enemies to death
  • Marry someone you met at the gym

The most difficult part of this challenge is strangling five enemies to death. This doesn't just mean finding random people; you need to make them your enemy before eliminating them. Having the Assassin's Blade will make it easier, but you can still do this in a regular vanilla playthrough with some luck.

Be born in Greece

BitLife born in Greece
Screenshot by Destructoid

Starting the Herc the Merc challenge is creating a character born in Greece. As long as your pick Greeve as your country, your character's starting gender, place, and talent are entirely up to you. However, having the criminal special talent will help. Having high starting health will also help you but you can raise this stat easily later on.

Have 100 percent Health

Next on the list is ending the challenge with 100 percent health. Here are some tips for raising your BitLife character's health:

  • Visit the gym every year
  • Cure any medical issues your character develops
  • Go for walks
  • Don't take part in dangerous activities

As long as you don't spend most of your time exorcising ghosts or catching incurable illnesses, you should be able to maintain 100 percent health just fine. However, during your strangle attempt, your enemies may retaliate, so watch out for any drops in health or deaths later.

Going to the gym

Speaking of the gym, this one is the easiest of the five tasks. Once you character turns 18, head into Activities, Mind & Body, and Gym. Each visit costs €15, so make sure to work a couple of freelance jobs or part-time until you have enough money for ten visits.

Along the way, you might find random encounters like catching some illnesses or meeting someone to date. If you get something, treat it quickly so it doesn't drain your health. If it's a new friend or lover, you can knock out two (or more) birds with one stone.

Strangle different enemies to death

Here's the tricky part of this challenge. During the Herc the Merc challenge, you have to complete five eliminations on enemies by strangling them. Doing this to random strangers is already challenging, but making enemies and getting the hit off is even harder.

BitLife strangle interaction
Screenshot by Destructoid

Your first goal is to make an enemy. You can either do this by waiting for someone to get angry enough at you to make you their enemy automatically or manually by selecting them in your relationships list, changing your status to Enemy, and strangling them later.

There's a high chance you'll get caught for your crime. If this happens, you can either close and reopen your BitLife app before retrying or accept your fate and escape prison before completing the task. Similarly, they might retaliate to your attempt, which can lead to your death. Unfortunately, unless you have a Time Machine, there's no way around this, so be prepared for the possibility of restarting the challenge a couple of times. Thankfully, once you finish this, it'll only be uphill from here.

Marry someone you met at the gym

BitLife lover at the gym
Screenshot by Destructoid

The final part of BitLife's Herc the Merc challenge is marrying someone you met at the gym. As you visit the gym, you'll occasionally get pop-up messages asking if you want to ask someone on a date. Accept the request if they're your type, and keep your relationship stats high until you're ready to marry them.

From here, it's just a matter of making enough money to buy a ring, pop the big question, and host a wedding. You'll then be married to someone you met at the gym, knocking out the final objective of the challenge and rewarding you with a mystery cosmetic gift.

The post How to complete the Herc the Merc challenge in BitLife appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Saturday, February 8, 2025 2:54 PM
    

Roblox character fishing on a pier

The Valentine's Event has officially started in Fisch, and there's plenty of exclusive content on offer, including the Lovestorm Eel to catch and the Swan Boat to flaunt.

New content continues to be released by the developers following the Atlantis update, and the Valentine's Event is all about the latest offerings. If you're looking for a new boat to add to your collection, the Swan Boat could be the perfect choice for you. Similarly, there are two different variants of the Lovestorm Eel for you to catch.

How to get the Valentine's Event exclusive Swan Boat in Fisch

The Valentine's Event has added an exclusive event NPC, who can be found at Moosewood (350, 135, 330). The aim is to catch as many fish as possible, and the rewards will be unlocked as you complete certain milestones.

The Swan Boat is the final reward available from the milestone, and you'll need to catch 5,000 in order to get it. Here are the other rewards available from the milestones.

  • 50: Love Fisch Bobber
  • 100: x5 Exclusive Chocolate Fish Bait
  • 500: Rose Bobber
  • 2,000: x15 Exclusive Chocolate Fish Bait

While it's undoubtedly a challenging task, you can invite a friend to join the hunt. This will practically reduce your work by almost half, as any fish caught by your friend will be counted towards the final goal. You can request to invite your friend by talking with a Valentine's Day NPC.

Fisch Valentine's Event guide
Image via Destructoid

How to catch Lovestorm Eel in Fisch

The Lovestorm Eel can be caught exclusively as part of the Valentine's Event. There will be a dedicated event spawning every hour across servers. There are two different variants, and you can usually find the event pool around Roslit Bay.

There's a catch: only one fish can be caught from the pool. This makes it a rush to be the first when you gain access to the pool. Alternatively, using a private server will allow you to catch the fish in peace (it's practically impossible to find an empty server during the event).

Fish Rarity Location Weather Bait Season
Lovestorm Eel Limited Lovestorm Clear Chocolate Fish Winter
Supercharged Lovestorm Eel Limited Lovestorm Clear Chocolate Fish Winter

If you don't mind spending a bit on microtransaction, there are a few bundles to choose from.

Valentine's Bundle (1299 Robux)

  • Gondola Boat
  • Love Lantern
  • 2x Luck (30 Minutes)

Love Crasher Boat (1599 Robux)

  • Speed 190s/ps
  • Steering 35
  • Acceleratio 0.6 s/ps

Heaven's Love (499 Robux)

  • Heaven's Rod Skin

Heartless (799 Robux)

  • No-Life Rod Skin

Love Specter (1499 Robux)

  • Abyssal Specter Rod Skin

Fischers Bobbler Bundle (199 Robux)

  • Love Heart Bobber (79 Robux)
  • Cupid's Arrow Bobber (79 Robux)
  • Box O'Chocolate Bobber (79 Robux)

It's not necessary to spend on the in-game purchase, as the event offers you plenty of great rewards as part of the grind.

The post Complete Fisch Valentine's Event guide: Lovestorm Eel and Swan Boat appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Saturday, February 8, 2025 2:00 PM
    

EA FC Alexis Sanchez Flashback SBC solutions

The Alexis Sanchez Flashback SBC is now live in EA FC 25, and you can complete the challenge to obtain a special card for your Ultimate Team squad.

The latest item goes back to one of Alexis' several stellar seasons for club and country, and you can unlock the card to celebrate his achievements. Let's take a look how you can complete the challenge to unlock the special item in Ultimate Team.

EA FC 25 Alexis Sanchez Flashback SBC tasks

The Alexis Sanchez Flashback SBC has three tasks, and here are the equir

Task 1 - Serie A

  • Min. 1 Players from: Serie A TIM
  • Min. Team Rating: 84

Task 2 - 86-Rated Squad

  • Min. Team Rating: 86

Task 3 - Top Form

  • Min. 1 Players: Team of the Week
  • Min. Team Rating: 87

EA FC 25 Alexis Sanchez Flashback SBC solutions

Here's a set of solutions you can use to obtain the latest Sanchez Flashback item.

Task 1 - Serie A

  • Any 10 84-rated items
  • Thuram 83

Task 2 - 86-Rated Squad

  • Popp 87
  • Olmo 84
  • Chawinga 84
  • Vlahovic 84
  • Dovbyk 84
  • Karchaoui 87
  • Aleix Garcia 84
  • de Jong 87
  • Bruno Fernandes 87
  • Koulibaly 84
  • Modric 86

Task 3 - Top Form

  • Osimhen 87
  • Palmer 85
  • Musiala 87
  • Pedri 86
  • Pajor 87
  • Mateo 85
  • Gabriel 86
  • Hansen 90
  • Girellli 85
  • Bruno Fernandes 87
  • Any 86-rated TOTW item

The new Sanchez item is pretty decent but the base Pace (88) could have been higher. With 5* Skills and 90 Dribbling, he will feel absolutely amazing on the ball. That said, he could have had better finishing, but the SBC has decent value. If you're using a Premier League-based squad, the Morgan Rogers Future Stars SBC is a far better choice.

The post EA FC 25 Alexis Sanchez Flashback SBC solutions appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Saturday, February 8, 2025 1:55 PM
    

EA FC 25 Star Power 1 Evolution guide: Best players to use

The Star Power 1 Evolution is now live in EA FC 25, and you can complete the upgrades to improve a promo item of your choice.

The evolution can be unlocked for 40,000 coins, and allows you to upgrade a Future Stars item of your choice. Let's take a look at all the requirements, followed by the upgrades and the best options for this evolution.

EA FC 25 Star Power 1 Evolution requirements

Here are the requirements of Star Power 1 Evolution in EA FC 25.

  • Rarity Future Stars
  • Overall Max. 88
  • Max PS 10
  • Max PS +2
  • Defending Max. 77

EA FC 25 Star Power 1 Evolution upgrades

The Star Power 1 Evolution has two levels of upgrades involving certain conditions.

Level 1 Upgrades

  • Rarity In-Progress Evolution
  • Overall +2
  • Pace +2 (^92)
  • Shooting +4 (^91)
  • Balance +4 (^90)

Level 2 Upgrades

  • Rarity Future Stars
  • PlayStyle+ Quick Step (^2)
  • PlayStyle Trivela (^10)
  • Pace +2 (^92)
  • Physicality +2 (^87)
  • Agility +4 (^92)
  • Composure +4 (^88)

Level 1 Upgrades Challenges

  • Play 2 matches in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro using your active EVO player in game.

Level 2 Upgrades Challenges

  • Play 3 matches in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro using your active EVO player in game.
  • Win 1 match in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro using your active EVO player in game.

Best players for EA FC 25 Star Power 1 Evolution

There are exactly 7 options to include in this evolution, and here are my top four picks.

  • Jonathan Bakayoko: As a wide midfielder, he offers the best use of the upgrades and the additional playstyle+.
  • Bilal El Khannous: Profits a lot from the upgrades and the new playsytle+.
  • Bussy: Similar to Bakayoko, the new playstyles are going to perfectly complement her position.
  • Elisabeth Terland: The addition of Quick Step+, certainly makes are quite worthwhile in the current meta.

The choices have been made to keep the upgrades; they don't have to be combined with any other ones.

The post EA FC 25 Star Power 1 Evolution: Best players to use appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Saturday, February 8, 2025 1:50 PM
    

Character from Verse Piece charging an attack

Abilities are one of the most important aspects in Verse Piece, both in PvE and PvP, as their destructive ability and damage are through the roof. However, not all of them are created equal, so think carefully before settling for any one Ability. To make your choice easier, we have created a simple and detailed Verse Piece Abilities guide and tier list below.

Verse Piece Abilities Tier List

Tier List of all abilities in Verse Piece
Image via Tier Maker

The tier list above ranks all Abilities in Verse Piece based on their overall damage and the utility they provide in and outside of battle. The S-Tier Abilities, such as Cid's Atomic(All range), Kurohitsugi(Maximum Output) and TNT are especially powerful and should be aimed for when rerolling. Good starting Abilities like Conqueror Haki and Malevolent Shrine are also good, and can be useful early on.

Verse Piece Abilities List

Below are all Verse Piece Abilities, listed by rarity and explained in detail:

Ability Details Roll chance
Cids Atomic All Range Ability from Verse Piece • Deal 13,720 damage in a massive circle around you. Exotic (0.025%)
Kurohitsugi Maximum Output Ability from Verse Piece • Place a giant black vertical box that deals very high damage on you. Exotic (0.025%)
TNT Ability from Verse Piece • A massive explosion that deals 54,100 AoE damage. Exotic (0.025%)
Snow • Full AoE blast around you that deals 11,100 damage and freezes all enemies caught inside of it. Exotic (0.025%)
Cids Atomic Ability from Verse Piece • Deal 13,720 damage in a huge area around you. Exotic (0.025%)
Gatekeeper Ability from Verse Piece • Opens a portal to any island in Verse Piece except the Strongest Arena. Exotic (0.025%)
Infinite Void Ability from Verse Piece • Stuns nearby enemies for 10 seconds. Mythic (0.25%)
Future Sense Ability from Verse Piece • Makes you invulnerable for 20 seconds. Has no visual effect. Mythic (0.25%)
Kurohitsugi Ability from Verse Piece • You place a huge black box and deal 10,290 damage around you. Legendary (1.25%)
Malevolent Shrine Ability from Verse Piece • You channel an expanding domain and then release it to deal 15,434 damage. Legendary (1.25%)
Black Flash Ability from Verse Piece • A medium-sized AoE attack in front of you that deals 8,003 damage Legendary (1.25%)
Raikoho Ability from Verse Piece • Huge AoE light attack that deals 7471 damage. Legendary (1.25%)
Conqueror Haki Ability from Verse Piece • AoE attack that deals 8,003 damage and stuns nearby enemies. Epic (3.5%)
Wizard Mask Ability from Verse Piece • You temporarily get a 1.5x damage multiplier.
• At the end of its effect, you lose 15% of your maximum HP.
Epic (3.5%)
Reverse Cursed Technique Ability from Verse Piece • Heals you for 30% of your maximum HP. Rare (5%)
Void Step Ability from Verse Piece • You become invulnerable for 5 seconds. Rare (5%)

What Are Abilities in Verse Piece?

Abilities in Verse Piece are similar to some Sword and Spec moves. However, they usually have a much longer cooldown. There are some unique abilities as well, like the Gatekeeper, which lets you quickly teleport to various Verse Piece islands. You can use an Ability by clicking (R) on your keyboard. To view your currently equipped Ability, navigate to the Stats menu.

  • Gatekeeper Abilty in Verse Piece roblox experience
  • Abilty shown in the stats section in Verse Piece

How to Reroll and Store Abilities in Verse Piece?

Rerolling abilities in Verse Piece is quite easy, and the only thing you need is an Ability Reroll. Click on it to equip it from your inventory, and then use it to reroll your current Ability. Ability Rerolls can be hard to come by, as they mostly drop from Mythical and Exotic Chests, so use them carefully.

Storing abilities in Verse Piece is also simple but can be tricky, as your Ability Storage space is limited, and you need to manage it well. But don't worry; there are many ways to expand your Ability Storage and save certain abilities for future use.

How to Get Ability Rerolls

The easiest way to get Ability Rerolls in Verse Piece is to open Mythical and Exotic Chests that drop from Bosses found in dungeons and on some islands. Every time you open a chest, you will get five rewards and possibly some Ability Rerolls. Bosses can be challenging, so don't be afraid to ask other players for help. An easier way is to trade with other players, which can be done at any point and on any level.

How to Get Ability Storage

  • Ability Storage from Verse Piece
  • location of the adventure shop in the Verse Piece roblox experience

Ability Storage is important because it might take you a while to get the Ability you are rolling for. The best way to get Ability Storage is by using codes. However, you can also purchase it from the Adventure Shop if you are lucky enough to stop by when they are in stock.

And that concludes our Verse Piece abilities guide. Make sure to check out our Verse Piece Codes for free race and ability rerolls, as well as many other goodies.

The post Complete Verse Piece Abilities Guide & Tier List [Vergil Rerun] appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Saturday, February 8, 2025 1:48 PM
    

EA FC 25 Star Power 2 Evolution: Best players to use

The Star Power 2 Evolution is now live in EA FC 25, and you can complete the upgrades to evolve a promo item.

This upgrade specifically targets the lower-rated items of the Future Stars promo, and allows you to provide them with some substantial upgrades. This includes stat upgrades, along with a second playstyle+. Let's take a look at the best cards to upgrades, along with the requirements and upgrades.

A FC 25 Star Power 2 Evolution requirements

Here are the requirements of Star Power 2 Evolution in EA FC 25.

  • Rarity Future Stars
  • Overall Max. 88
  • Max PS 10
  • Max PS+ 2

EA FC 25 Star Power 2 Evolution upgrades

The Star Power 2 Evolution has two levels of upgrades involving certain conditions.

Level 1 Upgrades

  • Rarity In-Progress Evolution
  • WF +1 ★ (^4)
  • Overall +2
  • Pace +1 (^89)
  • Shooting +1 (^88)
  • Passing +2 (^91)
  • Dribbling +2 (^90)
  • Defending +3 (^87)

Level 2 Upgrades

  • Rarity Future Stars
  • PlayStyle+ Long Ball Pass (^2)
  • PlayStyle Relentless (^10)
  • Passing +2 (^91)
  • Strength +3 (^89)
  • Stamina +4 (^89)
  • Aggression +4 (^90)

Level 1 Upgrades Challenges

  • Play 2 matches in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro using your active EVO player in game.

Level 2 Upgrades Challenges

  • Play 3 matches in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro using your active EVO player in game.
  • Win 1 match in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro using your active EVO player in game.

Best players for EA FC 25 Star Power 2 Evolution

There are exactly 19 options to include in this evolution, and here are my top picks.

  • Joao Neves Future Stars
  • Conor Bradley Future Stars
  • Ivan Ilic Future Stars
  • Lucas Bergvall Future Stars
  • Andrey Santos Future Stars
  • Paula Tomas Future Stars

The choices have been made to keep the upgrades; they don't have to be combined with any other ones.

The post EA FC 25 Star Power 2 Evolution: Best players to use appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Saturday, February 8, 2025 12:25 PM
    

A playerin Verse Piece Roblox experience posing next to the Igris summon move of Sung Jin Woo sword

Unlike traits and races, titles in Verse Piece don't increase your damage or your stats in any way. However, good titles make grinding levels and Gems a lot easier, especially early on. So, to help you out with unlocking all of them, we prepared the following Verse Piece title guide below.

What are Titles in Verse Piece?

Titles in Verse Piece multiply all Money, Gems, and XP that you get by killing mobs and Bosses or by rolling on the gacha machines in the Verse Arcade. Titles are unlocked in various ways. For example, you can get titles by leveling up, completing quests, and killing Bosses. Some titles are also needed to unlock certain Specs and Swords.

Verse Piece Title List

Title Details
Top Endless title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Be in the top 10 of the Endless Dungeon rankings
Espada #4 title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Unobtainable - Admin title
Espada #1 title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Unobtainable - Admin title
Los Lobos title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Eliminate Stark (LL) Boss in Karakura Town 25 times
• Needed for Starkk (LL) Sword
2nd awakening title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Complete Jinwoo Quest (Karakura Town)
• Quest - Get killed 100 times by a player with the Betrayer trait.
• Needed for Sung Jin Woo Sword
Soul King title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Very rare drop from Aizen (TYBW) Boss on Boss Island
• Needed for Aizen (TYBW) Spec
Special Grade title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Reach Special Grade reputation status
E.G.O title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Very rare drop from Limbus Company (Easy) dungeon
• Needed for Butterfiles Sword
Christmas Demon title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Rare drop from Snowman on Christmas Islands
Demon Lord title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Very rare drop from Tempest Dungeon
• Needed for Rimuru Spec
Jackpot 777 title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Rare drop from Hakari (Gambler) Boss on Boss Island
• 0.05% drop chance from Hakari Gacha in the Arcade
• Needed for Hakari (Gambler) Spec
Hero Rising title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Have over 500,000 Reputation
Son of Sparda title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Rare drop from Vergil Boss on Boss Island
Shadow Garden title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Complete Shadow Castle Dungeon (Hard) 10 times
• Needed for Cid V2 Sword
Haki Master title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Reach Haki Grade 5
Bounty Hunters title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Unobtainable
Vampire Slayers title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Rare drop from Allucard Halloween Boss
The Judge title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • 0.5% drop chance from the Higuruma Gacha in the Arcade
The True King title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Unobtainable
Honored One title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Get the Honored One trait at least once
The Strongest Ninja title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Unobtainable
Master title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Reach level 2000
Adventure title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Reach level 1000 and defeat Dark Adventure mobs in Shells Town
Beginner title in Verse Piece Roblox experience • Unobtainable

How to Equip Titles in Verse Piece

To equip a title in Verse Piece, talk to the Title Equipment NPC on the Starter Island and click the "Equip" button in its box. You can switch between titles whenever you want. However, it's best just to equip the one that boosts your XP, Money, and Gem gain the most. Also, you don't have to equip a title if you need to get a Sword or a Spec in Verse Piece. Just having a title unlocked is enough.

Verse Piece Title Progression

Early on, try to get the Honored One by rerolling your traits whenever you can. After that, your best bet is to try and get a title by completing dungeons or killing bosses. You can find someone to help you with this on the public servers or by asking on the Verse Piece Discord server. Lastly, grind and unlock the Los Lobos title, as it is the best title in Verse Piece. Second Awakening is also a great one to have because it's needed to unlock the best sword in the game, Sung Jin Woo.

And that sums up everything you need to know about titles in Verse Piece. If you want to check out more of our VP content, visit the Verse Piece hub here on Destructoid.

The post Complete Verse Piece Title Guide & List [Vergil Rerun] – How to Get All Titles appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:23 AM
    

Even after all these decades, J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth remains one of the most expansive fictional worlds ever created, and the story of The Lord of the Rings holds up as a cornerstone of literary expression in the speculative genre.

From the lush landscape of Eriador in The Fellowship of the Ring, where the Ring-bearer originally sets out towards the Mountain of Fire, to the rolling hills of Beleriand where the Elves of the First Age contended with Morgoth the Black Foe and spun many tales of tragedy and triumph into existence, here are J.R.R. Tolkien's best Lord of the Rings and Middle-earth books, ranked.

The Fall of Numenor book cover
via William Morrow

10. The Fall of Númenor

One of the latest books to be posthumously published by the Tolkien Estate, The Fall of Númenor expands on the story already outlined in The Silmarillion of how the greatest kingdom of men succumbed to Sauron's evil machinations and destroyed itself from the inside.

At the beginning of the Second Age, the Valar granted the men of Middle Earth a heavenly island kingdom to live and flourish in as a reward for their assistance in the war against Morgoth, the Black Foe of the World. These were the Númenóreans, blessed with long life and great strength, from whom the line of Elendil survived into the Third Age and established the twin kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. During the first centuries of their reign, the Numenoreans flourished under the wisdom of the Valar, protecting Middle-earth from the horrors that remained of the dark days of Morgoth's reign. And when they weren't doing that, the Númenóreans looked toward the West, beyond the sea, and wondered deep in their hearts if the gift of immortality and the light of Valinor would ever be theirs to cherish.

This was the weakness that Sauron the Deceiver exploited to bring about the fall of Numenor. Sauron was taken captive during the Second Age and brought into the Island Kingdom, where he dribbled poison into the ears of its kings, slowly twisting their minds towards the worship of Morgoth, his evil master. At first glance, The Fall of Númenor might come off as just another story that Tolkien wrote to expand on his mythology, but the most haunting thing about reading this book is the realization that we humans have a lot more in common with Númenóreans these days than we realize. 

Unfinished Tales book cover
via HarperCollins

9. Unfinished Tales

Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, or simply Unfinished Tales as it is more commonly known, comprises a collection of short stories and essays that Tolkien never got to polish during his lifetime. The stories center around Middle-earth and expand on the mythology already outlined in The Silmarillion, but unlike that book, Unfinished Tales can sometimes be inconsistent and incomplete, as Tolkien's son Christopher opted to publish the notes and essays as they were, with little to no modification except for character names.

The first part contains the story of Tuor and his arrival at the hidden city of Gondolin, as well as The Tale of the Children of Húrin, explaining how the curse of Morgoth dogged Túrin Turambar's footsteps through his tragic life. The book then launches into an account of Númenor and an extensive chronicle of all its kings. Lastly, we review certain tales from the Third Age, like how Isildur was killed in the River Anduin and the Ring of Power was lost, or what Gandalf did during the Quest for Erebor from his point of view. There's also another detailed account of how the Black Riders searched for the Ring in Eriador after Sauron released Gollum.

Unfinished Tales is a book for diehard Tolkien enthusiasts who would consume any bit of trivia that came their way. Together, Unfinished Tales and the 12-part History of Middle-earth give fans exactly what they need to fill in the gaps and become one of the Lambengolmor, who were the ancient loremasters of elves.

The Fall of Gondolin book cover
via William Morrow

8. The Fall of Gondolin

One of the first stories that Tolkien ever wrote while fighting in the trenches of the Somme was the story of the fall of Gondobin, the hidden city of Elves that Morgoth burned to the ground through treachery and deceit, cementing his total victory over the Noldor in Middle-earth and perhaps even setting certain characters on a path that would spell his own ultimate doom.

The Silmarillion is undoubtedly one of the best books that Tolkien ever wrote, but the sheer scale of some of the stories that defined those early years makes it difficult for people to wrap their heads around how certain events came to pass. That is not to say The Silmarillion is inadequate in conveying those narratives, but the release of books like The Fall of Gondolin has given us fans a much more comprehensive look into the tales that mattered the most to Tolkien himself in his legendarium. This 2018 publication was the last book from Tolkien's three Great Tales to be published separately, the other two being 2007's The Children of Húrin and 2017's Beren and Lúthien.

Beren and Luthien book cover
via William Morrow

7. Beren and Lúthien

The second independent retelling of the Great Tales takes us to the first age again, to a time when the Men and Elves of Middle-earth contended with the Black Foe and survived, quite literally, through unnumbered tears of sorrow and unimaginable death and destruction.

Amidst this chaos and bloodshed, there lived a mortal man named Beren, son of Barahir, who fought against the shadow of Angband to the north. After the deaths of his father and fellow guerilla fighters, Beren makes his way to the hidden, impregnable kingdom of Doriath under the rule of King Thingol. There, he meets Lúthien, the most beautiful of all of the children of the god Eru Ilúvatar, and immediately falls in love with her. Beren is doomed to live the waning life of the Atani, while Lúthien is immortal.

Their tales of woe as they travel together to the very court of Morgoth and wrest from him one of the Silmarils as Lúthien's bride price and the subsequent tragedies that befall them in their wanderings comprises most of Beren and Lúthien, though the chief difference between the tale told in The Silmarillion and the one you find in this book is that there are several versions and retellings of the same tale in the latter for those keen to know how the story evolved in Tolkien's mind.

The Hobbit book cover
via Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

6. The Hobbit

Fun, whimsical, and perhaps a little absurd. After living with this story for the better part of two decades, these are the only words with which I could describe The Hobbit and its mountainous legacy in shaping speculative fiction.

In a lot of ways, it was The Hobbit's success in 1937 that spurred Tolkien and his publishers to attempt a sequel, which would eventually be released as The Lord of the Rings in 1954. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit as a bedtime story for his children, and even the simple and humorous prose, so at odds with the stark, lyrical poetry of The Lord of the Rings, reflects the headspace of those humble beginnings.

The Hobbit remains one of the best-selling books of all time, and even after all these years, I still recommend it to people who want to get their kids into reading or are even looking for a light read themselves. If The Lord of the Rings was the birthplace of high fantasy as a genre in the speculative domain, then The Hobbit was, as Gandalf would say, "the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains."

The Two Towers book cover
via William Morrow

5. The Two Towers

The second book in The Lord of the Rings takes the foundations already established in The Fellowship and weaves together a perfect middle act for our characters to get their bearings and embark on that last leg of the journey. From the three hunters roaming the ridden vales of Rohan to Frodo and Sam slowly making their meandering way to the land of Shadow, The Two Towers is full of memorable moments like the meeting with Faramir or the Battle of Hornburg.

While The Two Towers is my least favorite Lord of the Rings volume (unlike the movie, which is my favorite in Jackson's trilogy), it nonetheless contains my favorite chapters in the entire work, namely when Frodo and Sam climb the stairs and enter Shelob's lair, with the former being taken away by Orcs and Samwise Gamgee — brave, brilliant, amazing Sam — deciding to rescue his master and the book ending with this somber yet electrifying sentence: "Frodo was alive but taken by the Enemy."

The Children of Hurin book cover
via William Morrow / HarperCollins

4. The Children of Húrin

The Children of Húrin is the first of the three Great Tales to receive its own outing. Not only that, but this 2007 novel is actually a continuous narrative, unlike the other two books. Out of all of Tolkien's writings, Narn i Chîn Húrin remained the most complete, and so it almost feels like a natural addition to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The story revolves around the most tragic hero in Tolkien's legendarium, Túrin Turambar.

Húrin Thalion, a great chieftain of men, had visited the city of Gondolin and befriended its king, Turgon. Years later, during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, Húrin came to Turgon's aid and covered his escape, getting captured in the process. Morgoth tortured Húrin to gain knowledge of Gondolin's location, but Húrin would not yield to the dark lord, causing him to curse Húrin and all his offspring. Morgoth then bound Húrin atop his mountain fortress and used sorcery to grant Húrin sight of all that would befall his kin. And so began the tragedy of the Children of Húrin, named Túrin and Nienor.

The former became a warrior of great renown, but his deeds often resulted in disaster for himself and those near him. Túrin is ultimately reunited with his sister Nienor, but ignorant of her real identity, he falls in love and marries her. The two kill themselves after learning the truth, Nienor by jumping into the river Taeglin and Túrin by falling on his black sword, Gurthang. Reading The Children of Húrin makes you grateful for the fact that Tolkien decided to go down a much more gentle and nuanced path with The Lord of the Rings because the tragedy of some of the stories that precede it is almost unpalatable.

The Return of the King book cover
via William Morrow

3. The Return of the King

The Captains of the West are preparing for their final confrontation with Sauron's armies: To fight a battle before the walls of the White City that will decide the fate of Middle-earth for ages to come. Frodo and Sam are pushing on toward Mount Doom despite the increasingly heavy burden they carry, and the gloom of the land of Shadow has almost wholly sapped their strength of body and will.

The Return of the King is the culmination of one of the greatest stories ever told. We get to experience Tolkien's "Eucatastrophe" in earnest, learning that though "in all lands, love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater." Even the best-written, most carefully constructed tale will unravel if its author cannot pull off a satisfying ending, but Professor Tolkien, a true maestro of language and mythology, showed every author that would succeed him how it's done by giving us the perfect ending to his trilogy, and his legendarium.

Fellowship of the Ring book cover
via William Morrow

2. The Fellowship of the Ring

Among newer generations, I've often found that there rarely is a middle ground when it comes to The Fellowship of the Ring, it being the first volume in The Lord of the Rings. Younger readers will either love this story and understand the kind of angle Tolkien was aiming for, or they will find that the plot moves too slowly for their liking. Maybe it's the over-descriptive language, not even bothering to hide Tolkien's love for nature and every tree, bough, and shade in it. Perhaps they don't know anything about the story and are put off by the ambiguous atmosphere of those first few chapters. Maybe it's all of it; the sheer scale of a fictional world thrust into your lap.

If you find yourself among the latter, then there's probably nothing I could write to sway your opinion, but if you are in the ranks of the former, then you understand why this book is one of the most magical books you could come across in your life. Sure, The Two Towers is contemplative. Granted, The Return of the King is epic and full of action. But The Fellowship of the Ring is, in one word, magical, even if that couldn't even begin to capture its essence. Mistifying, fantastical, and unabashed. Poetic, unruly, and insightful. I could go on and on.

I still remember the feeling of being utterly entranced by the depiction of Lothlórien, the fairest of the Elven havens remaining in Middle-earth when the Fellowship set foot in it. Even more so than Peter Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring. And isn't it a testament to the power of an author's voice and prose that even one of the most acclaimed masterpieces in cinema history can't quite capture the magic found in his intricate words?

The Silmarillion book cover
via HarperCollins

1. The Silmarillion

Narrative-wise, I might have given this first spot to The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, but that would be to undersell J.R.R. Tolkien's crowning achievement, the magnum opus that defines him as one of the greats. The Silmarillion is a work that not many people will understand at first, but the captivating story of creation found therein is unlike anything we've seen before. Many authors pride themselves in the ability to create an immersive world and give it intricate details, but at the end of the day, those details, that history, are there to serve the plot. For Tolkien, the fictional world was an end in itself, and that's why, when it comes to worldbuilding, few other fantasy worlds, if any, have managed to rival Middle-earth and the larger Arda even after all these decades.

The Silmarillion details how the world was spun into being by the supreme Eru Ilúvatar, how the discordant angel Melkor and his jarring countermelody pushed back against the work of his brethren, and how these beatific creatures fought in Arda many thousands of years before the Elves and Men and Dwarves ever set foot on it. It then tells the story of Elves in full, how they woke up under the light of the stars, how they made the long journey to Valinor, and how the treachery of Melkor pushed them towards ruin. It tells the story of the Silmarils, prized jewels that left only suffering in their wake. And it tells of the fall of the hidden city, and Beren and Luthien, and the children of Hurin.

The Silmarillion contains in itself the greatest fictional world ever created, and I doubt that any writer or their creation could hope to come close to matching its sheer scale any time soon.

The post All Lord of the Rings books, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:05 AM
    

Sims gathering in a living room

The Legacy Collection of The Sims is finally here, and with it, you're free to enjoy the game that started it all. The very first Sims is filled with hijinks, love, and life, and it's all ready for you to explore.

However, enough time has gone by that you may have forgotten just how difficult the first entry in the franchise is. Just keeping your Sims alive and happy is a challenge, let alone having them accomplish anything. That's what mods are for, along with the best cheats, and we're here to show you the best ones that you can use in 2025.

The best mods for The Sims 1 in 2025

Leisure Plant

Keeping your Sims motives up in the first game is hard. Much harder than in any other game in the series. That's not even factoring in leaving your home lot, which has no guarantee of the objects you need to keep your Sims happy.

That's why the Leisure Plant is so necessary. Place it on any lot, including community lots, and all motives except for Fun, Social, and Hunger will be maximized for you. You can instead focus on having fun and making friends.

Buyable Baby

A Sim takes care of a baby
Screenshot by Destructoid

Having a baby in the first Sims is complicated. Instead of being able to try for one, you must wait for the prompt to show up, which can take forever. There's not even a specific interaction to trigger it. That's why the Buyable Baby mod is here.

Now, instead of waiting, your Sims can have a baby whenever they want. You even get to choose the skin tone and sex of the baby. No more waiting for that elusive prompt to get your story going.

Obsessed Fan Alarm

I don't care what anyone says. I still think fame was most fun when you were famous in the first Sims. There was something so glamorous about it, and you even got to choose from being an actor, model, or singer. The only not-great part was the obsessed fan.

This stalker will show up everywhere your Sim does, fawning over them, stealing their trophies, and leaving odd gifts. So, the Obsessed Fan Alarm object is a must-have if you want to keep him at bay. Simply place it on your home lot, and he won't bug you anymore.

Work From Home Computer

Perhaps the only good thing to come out of 2020 was the increased work-from-home options. Now, with the Work From Home Computer mod, your Sims can enjoy this leisure in-game, just like you.

Place the computer on your lot, and instead of leaving in that ugly carpool, your Sim can complete all of their work for their home lot instead. Now, your Sim won't disappear into a rabbit hole for all hours of the day.

Improved Genie Lamp

A Sim summons the genie from the lamp
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Genie Lamp is one of the most frustrating objects in the game. Sure, it can reward you with riches, love, or expensive gifts, but more often than not, it just ends up burning your house down. And you're limited to how many times you can ask him to grant your wish.

With the Improved Genie Lamp, not only do your odds of success with the NPC increase from 40% to 50%, but you're able to attempt whenever you want. You can spend all day testing your luck with the genie and maybe be rewarded big time.

Bunk Beds

When you have limited space in your home, bunk beds are a lifesaver. It's too bad they weren't introduced to The Sims until later games. But, with the Bunk Beds mod, you can enjoy them in the Legacy Collection.

Simply place a bunk bed or loft bed, and your Sims will be able to claim the top bunk. With loft beds, you can even place objects underneath them to save on more space.

Vampires

The supernatural in The Sims is pretty limited, as the life states featured in later games hadn't been added in. Sure, you can cast spells and become a witch, but other than that, you're pretty limited.

The Vampires mod, or the Elixir of Eternity, lets you Sim join the army of the undead and become a vampire. You're able to sleep in coffins, bite other Sims, and more. How spooky.

Personality Bookcase

The Personality Bookcase object in The Sims
Screenshot by Destructoid

Personality is pretty rigid when you're playing the first game, but luckily, the Personality Bookcase mod gives you the freedom to change your Sim to suit your needs. With this bookcase, your Sim can study certain interests and personality traits to gain points in them.

Not only that, but the bookcase can also remove points from certain traits you don't want anymore. Is your Sim getting less neat over time? Simply remove the neatness points for them. It's as easy as that.

Working Calendar

When left to the base game, The Sims doesn't actually feature any sort of calendar. Instead, your Sims will simply go to work every single day without fail. Not only does this make the game substantially harder, but it's also not very realistic. 

That's where the Working Calendar mod comes in. Days are now counted, and every few days, your Sims can enjoy the weekend and, eventually, a holiday. You can finally take a break from the grind.

Super Sculpture 

The Super Sculpture mod options
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Super Sculpture object is the magnum opus of Sims 1 mods. Sadly, the first game doesn't include any testing cheats like later games that allow you to instantly max relationships, skills, and motives. That's why you need the Super Sculpture.

By placing this object anywhere on your lot, simply click on it, and you'll have a plethora of options to choose from to modify your game. Make Sims fall in love, reset their motives so they're happy, and improve their skills. If you only pick up one mod from this list, it should be this one.

The post 10 mods you need for The Sims 1 in 2025 appeared first on Destructoid.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, February 8, 2025 12:08 PM
     Dress to Impress Official ImageUpdated February 8, 2025: Added new codes! Roblox, but make it fashion—Tyra is probably feeling super proud somewhere. However, if you want to channel your inner Naomi and win in every style-off, you may need some extra help. To gain an edge over the other wannabe fashionistas, you will need Dress To Impress codes. All Dress To Impress codes list Active Dress To Impress codes ELLA — Skirt (New) CUPIDSCLOUD — Cloud Item (New) HAPPYNEWYEAR — Dress (New) YEAROFTHESNAKE — Dress and Accessories LNY2025 — Dress and a Suit NY2025 — New Year's Hat and Balloons 1CON1CF4TMA — Dress WINTERUPDATE — Clothing items MEGANPLAYSBOOTS — Boots B3APL4YS_D0L1E — Dollie 4BILLION — Clothing items CH00P1E_1S_B4CK — Jacket, Skirt and Shoes D1ORST4R — Bag S3M_0W3N_Y4Y — Axe UMOYAE — Dress BELALASLAY — Jacket KITTYUUHH — Kitten M0T0PRINCESSWAV — Tiara FASHION — Dress KREEK — Specia...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:49 AM
     Cat Piece Promo ImageUpdated February 8, 2025: Added new code! In this thrilling One-Piece-based adventure, everyone is chasing freebies like Diamonds, Geli, and Stat Resets. But you don't have to look everywhere to find them anymore. Just check this guide and grab Cat Piece codes to become the strongest fighter of all time! All Cat Piece codes list Cat Piece codes (Working) glorytoJESUS — Free rewards (New) gasUpdate — Stat Reset (New) foreverJESUS — Free rewards MerryChristmas — Free rewards okarun — Free rewards JESUSisKING — Free rewards ty — 7 Diamonds and a Stat Reset GODISGOOD — Stat Reset LOVELOVE — Stat Reset LOVEYOUALL — Stat Reset SEA2NEWISLANDSSTATRESET — Stat Reset NEWISLANDSSEA2STATRESET — Stat Reset 1V1UPDATESTATRESET — Stat Reset SUB2DEADLYKRZ — 10 million Geli UPDATE1.1STATRESET — Stat Reset SpiderVerse — Stat Reset HI2024 — 777 Diamonds and a Stat Reset STATRESET7Q — ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:45 AM
     Promo image for Car Crushers 2.Updated February 8, 2025: We added new codes. When you're upset and feel like crushing something, that's the perfect moment to play Car Crushers 2. Destroy priceless cars in 59 different ways and race friends while trying to survive a nuclear catastrophe. This experience is truly explosive, and Car Crushers 2 codes add more fuel to the flame. All Car Crushers 2 codes list Active Car Crushers 2 codes BLASTOFF — 70 MP (New) VINTAGECRUISE — 70 MP (New) RETRODRIVE — 70 MP (New) SUPERGT — 70 MP (New) 1.5MLikes — 20 MP (New) Expired Car Crushers 2 codes 1XMONEY V16SUPER SUPERSPORT CLASSICV8 SUPERLIGHT HALLOWEEN XMAS V10POWER ROCKETSPEED TRACKSTAR RALLYMASTER SANDATTACK AIRSTUNT Related: Car Driving Indonesia codes and Midnight Chasers codes How to redeem codes in Car Crushers 2 Thanks to our guide below, redeeming Car Crushers 2 codes is a piece of cake: Image by PC Invasion Launch ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:23 AM
     Wwe 2k24 Locker Codes promo imageUpdated February 8, 2024: We looked for more codes. WWE 2K24 locker codes provide awesome freebies such as VC Points as well as cards and packs, giving you the opportunity to get your favorite stars. Redeem these codes while they're still active, choose your wrestler, and wipe off your opponents hassle-free! All WWE 2K24 locker codes list Working WWE 2K24 locker codes CASHINGITIN — 15k VC (New) Expired WWE 2K24 locker codes GAMEAWARDS24 WARGAMES CROWNJEWEL HALLOWEEN2K24 SINGLTSTYL2K24 LAMASCARA2K24 INYOURHOUSE BEASTLY2K24 BASHINBERLIN WWEDRAFT2K24 YOURSTORY2K24 ODDSANDENDS WWE2KATSMMRSLM HEADOFTHETABLE MONFACTION SUMMERWWE2K24 CANYOUSMELL SECURETHEBAG MITBBRIEFCASE GOINGGLOBAL WRESTLEMANIAXL HESEESYOU2K24 PATSMMERGIFT24 WWE2KATIGNLIVE SUPERCARD2K24 ECWCHAMPS KINGANDQUEEN Related: NBA 2K Mobile codes and Mech Arena codes How to redeem locker codes in WWE 2K24 Read ...

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, February 8, 2025 5:10 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, February 8, 2025 4:38 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, February 8, 2025 4:03 PM