Kotaku Friday, February 28, 2025 11:30 AM  The world is built on sharing. Sure, it might seem like the most counter-cultural act imaginable amidst these late-stage capitalism end-of-days horrors, but the very internet on which you're reading these words wouldn't exist without it. The games you play depend on it. It's the very core of art itself. So, it's… |
Kotaku Friday, February 28, 2025 11:05 AM  During yesterday's annual Pokémon Day Presents showcase, Game Freak finally unveiled gameplay footage of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, revealing real-time combat, the return of some old friends, and teases about new mysteries in Lumiose City. It also revealed the three starters for the game will be Chikorita, Tepig, and… |
Kotaku Friday, February 28, 2025 10:15 AM  Avowed's selection of unique bows is well-rounded, but one known as The Long Touch is perhaps the best choice for most Rangers. While you could argue that the Ancient Alacrity is truly the best, it can't be obtained until the final stretch of the game's main story, making it a difficult recommendation. Meanwhile, The… |
Kotaku Friday, February 28, 2025 10:05 AM  Monster Hunter Wilds is out and off to a roaring start on Steam, already shattering previous records to become the series' most-played PC launch to date. And that's all despite one of the lowest Steam review scores of any recent blockbuster, due to optimization, performance issues, and other complaints. |
Kotaku Friday, February 28, 2025 9:00 AM  Martin Scorsese's next crime film is being compared to his past crime classics The Departed and Goodfellas. Given his storied track record, the film featuring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Leonardo DiCaprio will undoubtedly make at least one of the characters those stars are playing, if not all of them,… |
Kotaku Friday, February 28, 2025 8:30 AM  Avowed has a pretty wide variety of weapons to choose from, so you're free to decide if you want to bonk baddies with melee armaments or pop their noggins with ranged options. If you've chosen the Arquebus (long gun) as your weapon of choice, you may want to snag Izmalt's Meteoric Apparatus, which is accessible a… |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 11:53 AM  What are the best Monster Hunter Wilds design codes? We're so grateful to the talented artists working with the Monster Hunter Wilds character creator tool, providing the community with handcrafted iconic warriors. Thanks to their hard work, we're able to hunt monsters as Wednesday's Jenna Ortega, something we couldn't possibly do on our own. If you'd rather spend your time hunting monsters in the action game than creating your character, Monster Hunter Wilds character codes give you instant access to highly detailed characters and Palicos. Once your Monster Hunter Wilds character is up and running, check out one of the best MH Wilds builds, and get hunting. Continue reading Monster Hunter Wilds character design codes MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Monster Hunter Wilds armor, Monster Hunter Wilds weapons, Monster Hunter Wilds review |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 11:52 AM  What are the best Balatro mods? The indie smash hit made by one person in his spare time, topped the best games lists across the board last year and was a Game of the Year nominee at The Game Awards. Can a game like this be made any better? Well, whether or not you think there's room for improvement, there are a bunch of cool Balatro mods that make mechanical and aesthetic changes to the card game. Previous official updates have added card variants inspired by the likes of Stardew Valley and Cult of the Lamb, but what if you want Sailor Moon or Pokemon in Balatro? Luckily, you're not alone, and hard-working modders have you covered. Continue reading The 11 best Balatro mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games, Best card games, Best new PC games |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 11:46 AM  With Gray Zone Warfare, Hunt Showdown, The Forever Winter, and Zero Sievert, the extraction FPS world is getting pretty full. But Escape From Tarkov remains the biggest and best known, the game that kickstarted the entire genre. Eight years since its initial launch, EFT is still going strong and still getting better. But if you've been having problems with Raiders, Scavs, and Rogues lately, Battlestate has just made the AI enemies easier to take on with a new Escape From Tarkov patch. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Escape from Tarkov system requirements, Escape From Tarkov Steam, Best FPS games |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 11:33 AM  What is the best Monster Hunter Wilds Insect Glaive build? It might be easy to look at the Insect Glaive with its unique extract system and think it's too complicated. The Insect Glaive plays differently compared to most of the other MH Wilds weapons, but once you get the hang of it, you'll control the battlefield like no other. The Insect Glaive is perfect for those who like a bit of showmanship in Monster Hunter Wilds. If twirling your glaive around like a demented blender before landing on the back of a MH Wilds monster doesn't seem like your bag, then we don't know what to tell you. There are a ton of Monster Hunter Wilds builds you could try in the RPG game, but for us, the Insect Glaive is up there with the best. Continue reading Best Monster Hunter Wilds Insect Glaive build MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Monster Hunter Wilds armor, Monster Hunter Wilds weapons, Monster Hunter Wilds review |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 10:54 AM  February 28, 2025: 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. Continue reading Free Monopoly Go dice links February 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 10:50 AM  There is bad news for anyone hoping to play Assassin's Creed Shadows on the Steam Deck as the technology director for the game confirms that it won't be compatible, at least not on release day. While the Steam Deck is still the best handheld gaming PC for most, it's aging hardware and limited power is starting to become an issue for anyone hoping to play the latest triple-A games. The Assassin's Creed Shadows system requirements cover everything up to ultra ray tracing, and Ubisoft believes there is no room for Steam Deck compatibility within them. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 10:42 AM  Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 transports you to the heart of 15th century medieval Europe for a deeply immersive, story-led action RPG. While it drops you into the lifestyle of the time, ultimately you're still playing a videogame, meaning that there are myriad convenient features that help make your life easier. But that's all about to change. Developer Warhorse Studios had previously teased the potential for a KCD2 hardcore mode, and now it's revealed exactly what that looks like and roughly when we can expect it. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 review, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 mods, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 map |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 10:03 AM  I'm almost intimidated by GTA 6 - I've been covering games for the best part of 15 years now, but it's hard to remember a launch where there's this much anticipation and expectation. Before Rockstar goes back to Vice City, however, there's one last big change coming to the Grand Theft Auto 5 PC version. Better visuals, improved menus, new vehicles, and updated controls are all part of the impending next-gen update. With the GTA 5 Enhanced Steam page already live, you can get even better prepared for launch by preloading right now. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: GTA 5 RP servers, GTA 6 release date estimate, GTA 5 cheats |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 10:56 AM  What is the best Monster Hunter Wilds Hunting Horn build? This unconventional blunt weapon is what happens when you put a Hammer in the hands of a Rock Band enthusiast. The result is a comically large melee weapon you can swing at your enemies while chaining musical notes to boost your stats. The Hunting Horn is the closest that Monster Hunter Wilds comes to a bard, which makes it perfect for players who prefer to take a support role in multiplayer. However, if you're looking for brute strength, don't let that dissuade you. The Hunting Horn remains a solid MH Wilds weapon when playing solo in the RPG game thanks to its suite of buffs and stun attacks. Here's how to master the best Hunting Horn build and slay monsters with your stellar performance. Continue reading Best Monster Hunter Wilds Hunting Horn build MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Monster Hunter Wilds armor, Monster Hunter Wilds weapons, Monster Hunter Wilds review |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 9:58 AM  Looking for a complete list of Monster Hunter Wilds monsters? The best way for any hunter to prepare for a trip to the Forbidden Lands is to get familiar with all the monsters that call it home. Capcom has already confirmed plenty of fan favorites returning from earlier entries in the series, plus new monsters exclusive to Wilds. Our complete list of monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds includes every monster in the game, including the smaller creatures. We've even thrown in every monster's species and element, plus a brief rundown of their moveset to help you prepare for the fight. Remember to stock up on supplies and sharpen the best Monster Hunter Wilds weapons before heading into battle. Here are all the monsters that await you in the Forbidden Lands. Continue reading Complete Monster Hunter Wilds monster list MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Monster Hunter Wilds armor, Monster Hunter Wilds weapons, Monster Hunter Wilds review |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 9:43 AM  January 28, 2025: We added the latest new ZZZ codes from the 1.6 livestream. What are the new Zenless Zone Zero codes? We love a freebie. Whether it's free Polychrome, Investigator Logs, or Bangboo Algorithm Modules, the latest in-game redemption codes are the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to get free items while also skipping the gacha grind. With that in mind, we've collected all the latest codes available to redeem right now. HoYoverse periodically release ZZZ codes for their gacha games that coincide with major updates and livestreams, but the developer also loves to stealth drop codes, too. Now that Zenless Zone Zero is finally here, there are a ton of redeem codes waiting for you to scoop up. As our Zenless Zone Zero review attests, there's a lot of currency and materials to gather in the free PC game, so here are all the Zenless Zone Zero codes to get ahead in the latest update. Continue reading ZZZ codes February 2025 and how to redeem MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 9:19 AM  The first full details of the new AMD Radeon RX 9070 gaming GPU have just been officially revealed, and if AMD's claims hold up to scrutiny, it could seriously threaten the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, which has the same MSRP. According to AMD's own figures, the new graphics card makes big strides when it comes to ray tracing performance, and it supports AMD's new fine-looking FSR 4 upscaling tech to improve frame rates without making your games look like a blurry mess. AMD's own figures cite the Radeon RX 7900 GRE and RTX 3080 as a point of comparison, which on isn't particularly helpful on the face of it. However, in our Radeon RX 7900 GRE review, we found this last-gen AMD GPU offered formidable performance for the price, even if it couldn't compete with Nvidia on ray tracing and AI performance, landing it a place on our best graphics card guide. That all looks set to change with the new Radeon RX 9070, which we're hoping will be significantly cheaper than the 7900 GRE, with AMD saying the new GPU is 33% quicker in Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing enabled. Continue reading AMD Radeon RX 9070 price, release date, and specs now official MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 7800 XT review |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 9:21 AM  AMD has finally lifted the lid on the fastest new gaming GPU in its RDNA 4 lineup, with a surprisingly competitive price, and the company is making some big claims about its performance too. According to the GPU maker, the new AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is, on average, 42% faster than the Radeon RX 7900 GRE, with particularly big gains seen in ray tracing performance, and it also brings support for AMD's new FSR 4 AI upscaling tech. That GPU might seem like a bit of a weird card for comparison but, as we found in our Radeon RX 7900 GRE review, this mid-range AMD chip was surprisingly potent for its price, landing it a place on our guide to the best graphics card. AMD has historically always lagged behind Nvidia when it comes to ray tracing, but the company claims the new 9070 XT's ray tracing performance improves by 66% compared to the 7900 GRE in Cyberpunk 2077 and F1 24. That's a big deal for AMD, as the company's GPUs have really struggled with ray tracing in Cyberpunk 2077 since the start. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 7800 XT review |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 11:46 AM  What is the best Monster Hunter Wilds armor? It might be a little grotesque, it wouldn't be Monster Hunter if you didn't craft armor from the parts of monsters you defeat. This colorful wardrobe of scales, leather, and fur is as important to your build as your chosen weapon, and equipping any old bit of kit only gets you so far. Most armor sets in Monster Hunter Wilds are only unlocked after you defeat the MH Wilds monster that drops the materials required to craft them. A full set comprises five pieces, each with individual stat bonuses and MH Wilds skills, and the sheer number on offer can make finding the best armor a rather tall task. Our complete list of all armor in the RPG game can help you decide what to craft or upgrade for your build. Continue reading Best Monster Hunter Wilds armor and all armor sets MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Monster Hunter Wilds armor, Monster Hunter Wilds weapons, Monster Hunter Wilds review |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 8:02 AM  If you want to find out where to buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, then you've come to the right place. We're updating this guide daily with links to retailers worldwide so we can let you know as soon as they get stock on their shelves. The RTX 5080 launch was in January 2025, so many retailers have not yet had time to replenish their stock after the initial influx of orders, but there are some ways to get hold of the card. The Nvidia RTX 5080 is a very popular option for those wanting to upgrade to an RTX 5000 series GPU. That's because, while our RTX 5090 review showed it to be the undisputed new best graphics card, it also offers relatively poor value for $1,999. The RTX 5080, though, is a more reasonable choice that offers reasonable value, as we found in our RTX 5080 review. Because of this expected popularity, and because the entire RTX 5000 series is currently in short supply with high demand, you're going to need to be organized if you want to secure a card for a sensible price. With an official price of $999 / $1,449.99 CAD / £979 / AU$2,019, Nvidia's own Founders Edition card is one of the most affordable options. Other cards from the likes of Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, Palit, PNY, and Zotac might demand more, but sometimes offer lower running temperatures, quieter fans, and more overclocking headroom. The RTX 5080 release date was Thursday, January 30, with the launch time being 9am ET / 6am PT / 2pm GMT. With most stores already sold out, some are operating a "notify me" service, so you can sign up to know when stock becomes available again. Continue reading Where to buy 5080 - Nvidia RTX 5080 stock for February 28 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Nvidia RTX 5090 review, Nvidia RTX 5080 review, Best graphics cards |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 7:53 AM  Trying to find out where to buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU? Well, we're here to help you with that. We've checked the virtual store shelves of retailers around the world to find where Nvidia's latest mid-range gaming GPU contender can be pre-ordered, or where you can set up stock notifications for when the card launches later this year. With the RTX 5070 potentially set to be the best graphics card in its price range, including the supposed ability of the RTX 5070 to offer RTX 4090 performance, it's going to be in high demand. What's more, it may only be available in very limited numbers when the RTX 5070 release date window opens. As such, you'll have to be quick to grab one of these new Nvidia cards, especially if you don't want to pay inflated prices from scalpers buying the cards from trusted retailers, only to then resell them on the likes of eBay. The official RTX 5070 price is $549 / $549 CAD / £549 / AU$1,109 for the Founders Edition card, so that's the price you should be hoping to pay for Nvidia's own stylish card. Other cards from the likes of Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, Palit, PNY, and Zotac might demand more, but that's the ballpark figure you should expect to pay. While RTX 5090 stock and RTX 5080 stock are now available, no RTX 5070 stock is available yet and won't be for a little longer. However, some sites are now starting to show "notify me" services, so you can sign up to know when stock becomes available, and these may eventually switch to pre-order options too. Continue reading Where to buy 5070 - retailers to check for stock first MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Nvidia RTX 5090 review, Nvidia RTX 5080 review, Best graphics cards |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 7:46 AM  Two new Gibson Les Paul guitar controllers have just been revealed, and they're absolutely stunning. Better still, these guitars have been given the full 2025 treatment, with mechanical switches and even a Hall Effect whammy bar and thumbstick. They're ideal for Fortnite Festival, but are also compatible with a huge range of older Guitar Hero and Rock Band games too. Whether or not either of these new controllers can dethrone the PDP Riffmaster in our best PC controller guide remains to be seen, but on paper, it's looking promising. CRKD is releasing two designs initially, Black Tribal is available on the Encore model and Blueberry Burst for the Pro, with the potential for more designs should these prove popular. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fortnite map, Fortnite skins, Fortnite weapons |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 7:45 AM  Do you want to know where to buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti? Well, we have some good news as we're updating this guide daily with links to retailers around the world, so you can find out where the new mid-range gaming GPU is in stock, or at least find where there are pre-order or notification options in place. The Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti is the mid-tier card in the company's new RTX 5000 series GPU lineup. While the RTX 5070 is your entry into the series, and the RTX 5090 is the range-topper, the RTX 5070 Ti could well be the best graphics card choice for those looking to maximize their bang for buck. A notable aspect of the RTX 5070 Ti is that Nvidia isn't producing its own Founders Edition card. As such there isn't an MSRP for that exact card. However, the guide price for stock-speed cards is $749 / $749 CAD / £729 / AU$1,109. These cards are manufactured by the likes of Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, Palit, PNY, and Zotac. The RTX 5070 Ti release date was February 20, 2025, although stock sold out quickly after the launch. Continue reading Where to buy 5070 Ti - Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti stock for February 28 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Nvidia RTX 5090 review, Nvidia RTX 5080 review, Best graphics cards |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 7:38 AM  If you still need to know where to buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, we have you covered. In this guide, you'll find links to stores around the globe that have either stock notifications, pre-orders, or actual stock available and we update it every day, to see if new stock has arrived anywhere. If you want to grab the most hotly demanded graphics card of the moment, you're in exactly the right place. With the new Nvidia RTX 5090 proving to be the undisputed new best graphics card in terms of raw power, demand for this GPU is currently huge. What's more, it's currently only dropping in very limited numbers, so you'll have to be quick on the draw to grab one in the coming months, especially if you don't want to pay inflated prices from scalpers on the likes of Ebay. With an official price of $1,999 / $4,449 CAD / £1,939 / AU$4,039 for the Founders Edition card, that's the price you should be hoping to pay for Nvidia's own impressively slim card design. Other cards from the likes of Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, and Zotac demand more, especially if they're overclocked, but that's the ballpark figure you should expect to pay. The RTX 5090 release date was Thursday, January 30, at 9am ET / 6am PT / 2pm GMT, with stock becoming available then, although most retailers are out of stock right now. Some stores are operating a "notify me" service, so you can sign up to know when more stock becomes available, so if you can't find the card you want you might be able to get a notification for when more arrives. Continue reading Where to buy 5090 - Nvidia RTX 5090 stock for February 28 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Nvidia RTX 5090 review, Nvidia RTX 5080 review, Best graphics cards |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 7:35 AM  One Steam Deck owner has taken the portability of this gaming handheld to a whole new level by hooking up their handheld to their car and turning the in-built media display into an external monitor. While the results aren't perfect, it now means that this gamer can play their favorite games whenever they're safely parked up. The Steam Deck continues to be the best handheld gaming PC that you can buy, striking the right balance between price and performance for a gaming device that fits in your hands. The portability of the device makes wild setups like this one possible, as long as you've got the best Steam Deck dock for the job to make it possible. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 7:09 AM  At this point, I'm comfortable calling Balatro one of the best roguelikes ever. LocalThunk's deckbuilder earned a well-deserved spot among the best game nominations at The Game Awards. It's become such a household name that it joins elites such as Slay the Spire and Hearthstone as some of the best known in its genre. But if you've been playing as much as I have, you might be wondering how you'd stack up against your friends. Now a Balatro mod allows you to do just that, because the best card games get even better in multiplayer. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games, Best card games, Best new PC games |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 7:09 AM  Two upcoming Civilization 7 updates could provide the biggest fixes for the 4X game's worst problems. The user interface in Civ 7 has been a consistent source of criticism so far. You've probably also been frustrated with the map generation, the behavior of CPU-controlled rival leaders, and the fact that the game ends at the conclusion of the Modern Age. But Firaxis has a sweeping improvement plan - with the Crossroads of the World DLC also on its way, there's reason to believe that Civilization 7 could already be on its way to recovery. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Civilization 7 review, Civilization 7 leaders, Civilization 7 Ages |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 6:41 AM  We have a brilliant gaming monitor deal from Corsair that will get you a 4K, 144Hz, 32-inch gaming monitor for free, if you buy a Vengeance i8300 gaming PC. If you're already in the market for a new PC, this one comes stacked with power courtesy of an RTX 5080 GPU, Core Ultra 9 285K CPU, 64GB of RAM, and two 2TB SSDs. Following our RTX 5080 review, we deem this new Nvidia card to be the best graphics card for under $1,000. It has decent 4K gaming performance, which is key to this offer, and if you were to try and find one outside of a pre-built PC, you would be paying well over MSRP. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Corsair HS80 Max headset review, Corsair M75 Air mouse review, Best gaming keyboard |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 6:38 AM  What are the Black Ops 6 events? If you're on the hunt for even more cosmetic goodies and unlockable weapons in BO6, you're in luck. Black Ops 6 has brought back limited-time, seasonal events that reward you handsomely for completing various challenges. The Black Ops 6 events that we've experienced so far include the Hit List and Gobblegum Mania, each with individual and community rewards up for grabs, and we're sure there'll be plenty more events to come in future Black Ops 6 seasons. So, polish off your best BO6 loadouts, get out onto the latest BO6 maps, and start racking up all the rewards the FPS game has to offer. Continue reading Current Black Ops 6 events and rewards MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 guns, Black Ops 6 review, Black Ops 6 loadouts |
PCGamesN Friday, February 28, 2025 5:53 AM  What are the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Twitch drops? Any budding knight knows that their proficiency in battle is tied directly to the quantity of drip they're decorated with. Fortunately, Warhorse Studios appreciates the finery and is decadently decking us out with Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Twitch drops. Once you've gotten your mitts on what the medieval RPG has to offer, the only scandal in Bohemia you'll be detecting is how scandalously good you look as you cleave through your foes. You can, of course, use the KCD2 console commands to grant yourself opulence, but the KCD2 Twitch drops require a little bit of legwork. Continue reading Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Twitch drops and how to claim MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 review, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 mods, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 map |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 28, 2025 11:35 AM  Last weekend, as Monster Hunter Wilds bore down on us like a stampeding wildebeest, my eye was caught by furtive movements in the leaves underfoot. Behold the creepy extravagance of Microtopia, a strange and engrossing factory builder in which your factories are run by cyborg ants. Created by Netherlands-based Cordyceps Collective, it gives you landscapes of buglike diodes scuttling about on pin connectors, harvesting bolts and other scrap for a queen who resembles a pregnant clump of capacitors. Insect strategy games are startlingly abundant right now, but Microtopia goes a little further than many both in its eerie Darwinian presentation, and in trying to portray how ant colonies "think" while meeting expectations for management sims. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 28, 2025 11:21 AM  Playing Total War: Warhammer 3's Kislev campaign on release was one of the best storified strategy game times I've had in years, launch issues be thrice-damned, triple cooked, and three times a lady. But the Slavic bulwark against stinky, angry, tricksy and horny invaders has lost some lustre since. The details in Creative Assembly's latest blog are still a work in progress, but give a solid idea of how Kislev as a faction are changing in a patch due mid-March. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 28, 2025 11:18 AM  AMD have finally confirmed pricing, dating, and specs-ing for their first RDNA 4 graphics cards. The Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT will be out on March 6th, and start from $549 and $599 respectively. While these are still relatively fat stacks o' cash, AMD say they'll compete with Nvidia's RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti – and considering the latter is supposed to start at $749, with most models currently going for above $800, that could make for a tasty undercutting. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 28, 2025 9:26 AM  In hindsight, we probably should have taken Monster Hunter Wilds' earlier benchmark tool release as more of a warning. The actual game is every bit the graphics card torture device that standalone tool suggested it might be, and while it doesn't make DLSS 3/FSR 3 frame generation mandatory per se, it clearly intends to misappropriate these features, forcing them to act as performance crutches they were never designed as. What makes this particularly headshakey is that Wilds' PC version is, initially, quite sympathetic to the format: besides a full set of DLSS/FSR/XeSS upscalers, an unlocked framerate option, Nvidia Reflex support and the like, its thirty-odd individual quality options hint at the finest of fine-tuning possibilities. Yet these, too, aren't really fit for purpose, with only minor differences in how the highest and lowest settings perform. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 28, 2025 6:48 AM  The dust on the yesterday's horizon has become today's stampede. Monster Hunter Wilds has launched and we are all choking on up-kicked sand. So far the action game has hit a peak of 987,000 players on Steam and all my news feeds are nothing but Rathalos screams. This is what we call a "big 'un". But what trembling critters are eking out an existence in the disturbed ground beneath Capcom's feet? Other games still exist, and some are just unlucky enough to step out of their bolthole the same moment a much scarier freak is on the prowl. Here are 4 games that just released which may be worth a look if you have no time for big beasties. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 28, 2025 6:18 AM  Years ago I wrote a piece about what I presumptuously defined as the "emerging" subgenre of city games that respond to the climate crisis, with its attendant catastrophes of unchecked capitalism and resurgent fascism. Today, it feels dangerously like that subgenre is "sub" no longer. We are engulfed in strategy sims where society is the rind between the formless terrors without and the only-human abusers within. The geography is clogged by Last Cities and Final Bastions Of Humanity, all of them awkwardly avoiding eye contact, like the prophets that line the alleyways of Life Of Brian. I guess it's in keeping with the "unchecked capitalism" bit that apocalypse fantasies have become a thriving business. I hope that's not my fault. On the brighter side, roguelike deckbuilder As We Descend is quite fun, combining moderately baroque turn-based combat with tales of Vernian dystopia. Here's Wot I Think of the demo. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 28, 2025 6:00 AM  I found Phoenix Point difficult to love, despite wanting to. I didn't cover its original 2019 release at all, partly preferring to give something else positive coverage instead, and partly suspecting I'd attached hope to it in a way I seldom do, and was overreacting. Perhaps that was a disservice to you, The Reader. We ponder. Its final form left me ambivalent, and hoping its new modding support might provide the leg up it still needed. Well. It did. Terror From The Void is a major overhaul that touches on just about all the problems I had, while preserving what worked. And after it consumed me for several months, I'm ready to call it the game that Phoenix Point was trying to be. |
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Siliconera Friday, February 28, 2025 12:00 PM
Square Enix confirmed the date and time when we can tune in to the March 2025 FFXIV Letter from the Producer Live, with LXXXVI (86) happening at 3am PT/6am ET on March 14, 2025. Director and Producer Naoki Yoshida and Global Community Producer Toshio "Foxclon" Murouchi will be hosting it again. Also,
We will be able to watch the March 2025 FFXIV Letter from the Producer Live on on Niconico, Twitch, and YouTube. This is how it always goes. The archive digest will be viewable on YouTube after the fact.
The focus of this presentation will be on the 7.2 patch. Specifically, it will focus on the Part 2 elements of it. That is expected to arrive at the end of March 2025. There will be gameplay shown. However, no translator will be present, so it will only be in Japanese. The slides that come up with additional information will feature details about the update in both Japanese and English, however.
Here's the placeholder:
The last FFXIV Letter from the Producer Live LXXXV (86) appeared at the beginning of February 2025. Its focus was on 7.18 and 7.2. Some of the things that came up during it were the schedule for the next patches and the Instax Photograph emote.
Final Fantasy XIV and its Dawntrail expansion are available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. The FFXIV Letter from the Producer Live 86 will air at 3am PT/6am ET on March 14, 2025
The post March 2025 FFXIV Letter from the Producer Live Date and Time Set appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, February 28, 2025 11:30 AM
Kotobukiya has formally revealed its upcoming figure of Scarlett from Atlus and Vanillaware's Unicorn Overlord. The company has also opened pre-orders for the figure, which it will release in October 2025, with a tax-inclusive MSRP of 23,100 yen (~$153.30).
The figure will have a scale of 1/7 and an overall height of around 242 mm (~9.53 inches). Kotobukiya will base the Scarlett figure's pose on her official regular in-game art. It will also include the bronze staff that the priestess wields in the art.
Here are some of the sample images of the upcoming figure, taken from multiple angles:
Kotobukiya will also offer an alternate head part showing Scarlet with an open smiling mouth as an exclusive bonus for orders made on the Kotobukiya Online Shop. However, it can only legally ship domestically inside Japan.
People living outside the country can alternatively place orders for the same figure on AmiAmi with a discounted price of 21,940 yen (~$146.85), but the latter does not seem to include the exclusive part.
Scarlett will not be the only Unicorn Overlord character to have a figure made by Kotobukiya. In early February 2025, the company revealed gradual progress for figures based on Melisandre, Eltolinde, Rosalinde, and Yahna. Kotobukiya is not even the only company to produce Unicorn Overlord character figures, as Apex-Toys is also separately working on a figure of Berengaria.
Kotobukiya will release the 1/7 scale figure of Scarlett from Unicorn Overlord in October 2025. The character's appearance will be based on the strategy RPG that has been available worldwide on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
The post Unicorn Overlord Scarlett Figure Will Arrive in October 2025 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, February 28, 2025 11:00 AM
Both Capcom and Cover announced that there will be a series of special streams involving certain Hololive Vtubers playing Monster Hunter Wilds. The four taking part are Ninomae Ina'nis, Koseki Bijou, Gigi Murin, and Raora Panthera. Things start at 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET on February 28, 2025. A "special announcement" is also being teased for it.
The announcement confirmed that the four of them will be playing the game together. Both the Capcom and Cover reveals referred to the quarter as a "group of hunters." This means you can watch the adventure from any of their perspectives. It is unknown if the performers will be "in character" as they play the game. On each person's stream description, there's a message that states, "Palico accessories were designed and created with permission from Capcom USA." This suggests the Vtubers could be dressed as Felynes. While nobody has revealed their weapons, Bijou's placeholder image for the stream shows her with a Long Sword, Raora with a Switch Axe, Ina with a Hunting Horn, and Gigi with Dual Blades.
The placeholders for all four streams are already live, for those of us who may want to set up notifications. Here's where you can see each Vtuber's perspective:
There's also a special hashtag for the promotion on social media, which is #WildsxholoEN.
While not part of the official promotion, other Cover Hololive and Holostars Vtubers seem to also be streaming Monster Hunter Wilds. For example, Tempus member Regis Altare started his journey into the Forbidden Lands immediately after the game went live on February 28, 2025. You can see that stream below:
Monster Hunter Wilds is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Hololive EN streams will begin at 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET on February 28, 2025.
The post Hololive Vtubers Streaming Monster Hunter Wilds appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, February 28, 2025 10:30 AM
Vtuber Daiya Fortuna is the latest member of PixelLink to become an independent performer. She announced on social media that, with the help of Vshojo Vtuber Zentreya, she was able to purchase the IP rights from the company in order to continue to work under the name.
PixelLink, a Vtuber talent agency that started operating in November 2022, announced that the company would cease operation on March 31, 2025. This is due to the health issues of its CEO. As a result, every Vtuber the company represented would graduate. PixelLink stated that certain Vtubers, like Kanna Yanagi, Raki Kazuki and Chiaki Katsumi, would be able to continue using their IPs after the closure of PixelLink. Kanna Yanagi had her IP released from PixelLink on February 22, 2025, and the others are still finalizing the details of their release.
Daiya Fortuna was originally slated to graduate and begin streaming under a different identity, but thanks to Zentreya, she was able to gain the rights to her Vtuber IP. She announced her circumstances and went into further detail about everything in a YouTube stream on February 27, 2025. As a result of Daiya now being the sole owner of her IP, every piece of income and merchandise sales resulting from it will be going directly to Daiya Fortuna and her merchandise partners.
Here's Daiya's announcement. She also noted another Q&A session will appear in about a week that further explains her next steps.
As for Zentreya, she is known for her outreach and assistance to other Vyubers. She expressed interest in helping fund a new Vtuber's debut back in July of 2024
As of now, PixelLink has not made any further comments about the negotiations with their other talent who are still negotiating the final release of their IPs. Graduation events will be held for all of the graduating talent until March 16th.
The post Zentreya Helped PixelLink Vtuber Daiya Fortune Buy Her IP appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, February 28, 2025 10:00 AM
Capcom added new apparel designs like shirts and hoodies based on Monster Hunter Wilds on Amazon Merchandise on Demand. The company updated its overall lineup on February 28, 2025, which is the exact same day it released the video game worldwide.
There are three new Monster Hunter Wilds designs added to the lineup. The first one features a rectangular key visual that shows hunters fighting against Arkveld, the game's flagship monster. The second design features the emblem of the Forbidden Lands Research Committee. The third and last one shows the new game's Quest Cleared mark.
People can apply one of the three aforementioned designs to an apparel type of their liking. There are four types of apparel available: Regular T-shirts, long-sleeved T-shirts, sweatshirts, and pullover hoodies. Each item will also be available in selectable multiple sizes and colors.
The new apparel designs are just some of the numerous merchandise that Capcom released simultaneously on the Monster Hunter Wilds global launch day. Other items that appear on the same day include Capcorom plushies in Capcom's physical stores, crane game prizes that include a Palico plush and a same-scale potion drink bottle, and pet merchandise made in collaboration with the Besties brand.
The new Monster Hunter Wilds-themed apparel designs are now available to order via Amazon Merch on Demand. The actual video game has also appeared worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on the same day.
The post Monster Hunter Wilds Shirts Appear on Amazon appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, February 28, 2025 9:30 AM
Square Enix has established Dragon Quest Golf as a new brand of golf merchandise with designs from its Dragon Quest game series. The company will showcase some of the brand's sample items, which include a Slime-colored golf ball, at the 59th Japan Golf Fair on March 7-9, 2025.
On the official webpage, Square Enix noted that the Dragon Quest series has been immensely popular in Japan ever since the first entry appeared in 1986. People who were children in the 1980s have become parents in the 2020s, and adults of the time have become grandparents. Such generations also usually socialize by playing golf, and that led to Square Enix's decision to establish the brand for such target audience.
As a side note, the first Dragon Quest game appeared in Japan in 1986 on the Famicom (NES), MSX, and MSX2. Square Enix is planning to release an HD-2D remake compilation that pairs the first game with Dragon Quest II, following the successful release of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake on the Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC in late 2024.
Square Enix will reveal the Dragon Quest Golf sample items at Hokushin Trading's booth (#2-48) in the 59th Japan Golf Fair 2025, which will take place at the Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall on March 7-9, 2025.
The post Square Enix Making Dragon Quest Golf Items appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, February 28, 2025 9:00 AM
Like many others, I was completely caught off-guard by the announcement of Elden Ring Nightreign, and even more surprised by the game being an action RPG that adds roguelike and extraction elements in a new faster paced multiplayer-focused excursion into the Lands Between. I didn't think FromSoft would revisit the setting so close after the release of the recent and massive Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, much less with a concept that feels so foreign to the studio. But after the recent Network Test, it is fair to say that the blend of ideas fits FromSoft's typical action RPG formula better than I anticipated, albeit with some serious concerns ahead of the game's May 30, 2025 release.
At its core, Elden Ring Nightreign plays like the original game. It's a third person action game where you fight enemies in open areas, settlements, castles, and caves to gain Runes, find new equipment, and upgrade materials. So far nothing new. Where the formula gets twisted is in the encroaching circle that diminishes around the players as each of the 3 days in a given session advance. The circle is tense and interesting, it encourages fast decision making and requires planning ahead of each day's final boss, with a healthy dose of luck from weapon and upgrade drops. There's a reason why it is a true and tried staple of plenty of competitive multiplayer games, and this still works in a cooperative game.
As part of the Network Test, I was able to try four out of the eight total playable classes that Elden Ring Nightreign will feature. These were Wylder, a strength focused character with good mobility tools and great damage output; Guardian, an imposing bird-like humanoid with powerful defensive capabilities and crowd control; the nimble Duchess, a fragile glass canon capable of dishing an incredible amount of damage and supporting her foes; and the Recluse, a witch that can absorb elements from the spells casted around her to concoct powerful improvised spells. The idea of selecting preset classes with unique abilities, both active and passive, that favor different playstyles greatly appealed to me, and it was easily the highlight of Elden Ring Nightreign.
While you can use magic or heavy weapons with any characters, some are better suited to each archetype, with damage scaling being massively influenced by their apparent roles. Wylder might be able to equip magic catalyst, but only Recluse will get the most out of them once her level is high enough and her upgrade paths are high. This level of flexibility is nice, while retaining the build crafting elements that I and so many find appealing in FromSoft's RPGs. Meanwhile, abilities like Wylder's powerful ultimate can decimate bosses' health bars, and with Duchess' normal ability that rewinds damage done you can synchronize yourself to do some ridiculous stuff.
However, magic builds in the Network Test felt absolutely pitiful. As my favored playstyle, I made them work several times, and while the Recluse's magic cocktail is very fun, it feels like you need a powerful frontliner to take aggro away from you in order to be able to make it work. Couple that with the fact that there aren't enough weapons that properly scale with magic, compared to regular non-magic equipment, and your damage is going to be severely capped compared to other characters. Another thing I really disliked is the way catalysts work. Each magic catalyst gives you two spells, the item's signature one and a randomized spell that can be useful or absolutely laughable. I get that it's not easy to balance things out, but the same way you can carry up to 6 weapons, you should be able to carry any 4-6 spells at any time and alternate between them. As it stands, magic builds feel really strange and not as viable as hitting things with a big metal slab or big stick, and it feels like a shame. Granted, I spent a limited time with the game and maybe this will feel different in the final version of the game, or it gets changed. I just hope magic and incantations have a place in Elden Ring Nightreign.
Another element of the game I'm not so thrilled about is the way the game overdoes its various upgrade systems. Fitting a faster paced rhythm, leveling up has been simplified and players simply chose to spend runes to upgrade their level, starting with 1 and capping at max level 15. However, a single level up marks a massive difference in stats, with each single unit increased being the equivalent of raising about 10 levels in the original Elden Ring. The way this works is fine and makes sense, and you absolutely need to level up, not just to raise your stats and survivability, but to be able to acquire higher rarity weapons. Gray weapons are common and anyone can use them, with blue, purple, and orange rarity being more powerful and rare and requiring at least level 3, 9, and 13 to be able to use. This restriction would be fine, if not for the fact that dying reduces your total level by 1 and makes you drop all your runes (like in the original game) until you require them.
The waste of time is big enough with the clock ticking down, and having to decide to bail or recover your runes makes for a tense moment. Having the player lose a level feels like kicking you while you're down, and can lead to moments where your weapons are not usable if you only have certain rarities and you are below the usable threshold. While dying normally will give your allies a chance to be revived if they hit you enough times, during the Network Test there was no targeting system, and with the Elden Ring funky control scheme made things quite frustrating when having to help allies or be rescued. Meanwhile, dying against a final boss at the end of each day will result in defeat and end the run in defeat.
This wouldn't be so frustrating if you could just leave a game that you know is doomed after enough failures and start again. However, for some reason, FromSoft decided that leaving an ongoing game would penalize players. This would make sense if the game was a PvP competitive experience, but in a PvE co-op game it baffles me to see this implemented. During my time with the Network Test, I had a run playing as the Recluse where my allies left on their own after taking any melee weapons with them, leaving me with no magic to cast and no way to defend myself (as there is no FP flask in Nightreign.) I was stuck in a loop in which I had no frontliners to defend me and kept dying, unable to progress, which ended in our team eventually getting wiped at the end of the first game. I can blame this to a lack of communication and it being a test run after all, but I still don't understand the need for putting a penalty for leaving when the original Elden Ring doesn't do this at all.
On a more positive note, the open world design of Elden Ring lends itself nicely to Nightreign. The area available in the Network Test was a Limgrave-inspired zone mixing vaguely familiar locations not quite where you remember them, giving the game a dream-like quality. Fighting enemies like the Centipede Demon from the first Dark Souls was very interesting, especially seeing them in a much faster paced game. The map is very useful and being able to tell your allies where you're going and planning with them with simple commands was very rewarding, as I started to get matched with people that were more coordinated and in sync with me. After a few tries, me and my allies started to realize patterns, like how Churches of Marika always give you an extra healing charge, or where you could find certain bosses to get permanent passive or active bonuses before the end-of-day main boss. I'm very excited to see more parts of the Lands Between rendered in this strange liminal world, and seeing what other biomes can offer.
Gladius, Beast of Night, was the final boss available at the end of each run during the Network Test, and the very first completely original element in Elden Ring Nightreign. Unsurprisingly, Gladius is an excellent enemy. While I didn't manage to beat him during my time with the test, I really enjoyed the concept behind a boss designed to be fought in multiplayer, transitioning from a three-headed wolf to three single-headed wolves in its second phase and splitting each player's attention. While the test was limited to multiplayer, it makes me wonder how this boss and the overall balance of a run will feel while playing solo. I'm also perplexed by the lack of an option to play in duos, with only solo or trios seemingly available. Hopefully we see the option appear by the time the game comes out.
The practice range available in the Roundtable Hold version of Nigthreign is a great. You can choose any character class as well as any piece of equipment and alter your level to your heart's content to try different builds and combinations, as well as test the moves on each weapon. Something I noticed as well in this Roundtable Hold and that feels promising is character dialogue. Every class in the game is not a voiceless character, and you can interact with those you aren't playing as, which have their own lines and things to say. I would love to see this expanded upon in the final release, maybe with characters having certain requirements or requests to make, such as exploring particular areas of the map and then returning to talk to them.
There are some really cool things going on in Elden Ring Nightreign so far. The character classes, fast pace, and new boss being the obvious winners. However, I am unconvinced by the shift towards a punishing roguelike and multiplayer extraction blend. I want to like the idea so badly. I have put over 300 hours into Elden Ring and I've seen everything I could out of the game. Which is what makes getting a more arcadey version of the full experience so appealing, getting to make random endgame builds on the fly with what you're given. I can almost see on the horizon the version of the game that feels like a fun multiplayer power-fantasy romp. Unfortunately, the Network Test left me feeling worried that Elden Ring Nightreign is a niche experience for a very specific type of player, with the game design opting to pursue more blasé and trendy elements in favor of reducing the complexity to allow for an immediate fun. We'll have to wait for May to see how things end up shaking out.
Elden Ring Nightreign will come to the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam on May 30, 2025.
The post Preview: Elden Ring Nightreign Juggles too Many Systems appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 11:22 AM
It doesn't matter where you sit on the scale of book collectors, if you have a single shelf of beloved favorites or far too many books and not enough shelves (guilty), there's something utterly appealing about books with pretty covers.
As they have always been, the ultimate collectors' editions are leather-bound beauties with engraved details and foil decorations. The feel of an actual tome of literature in your hands is second to none, but leather-bound classics are expensive, and collecting them is not always feasible.
However, if you're looking for a relatively finance-friendly way to get into book collecting, clothbound books are your entry point. There are many collections of clothbound classics, but none is better-known than the Penguin Clothbound Classics editions. With everything from Dante's Inferno to The Little Prince, there's something for everyone in this set.
If you want to get into the world of clothbound books, here are 10 of the best and prettiest Penguin Clothbound Classics to get you started.
Animal Farm
George Orwell
Animal Farm is one of Orwell's most well-known novellas alongside 1984 (which also has a Penguin Clothbound Classic edition), and it's a story that everyone should read at least once. Styled as a 'beast fable', Animal Farm tells the tale of farm animals who rebel against their alcoholic farmer, only to find themselves in a new dictatorship under a power-hungry pig called Napoleon.
The Clothbound Classic cover is decorated with the type of pens you'd see at any farm, but also somehow manages to make you feel almost watched thanks to the design.
The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Little Prince is one of the best-selling single books of all time, with over 140 million copies sold worldwide in 505 languages. It centers around a young child and a pilot who venture among the stars to explore themes like love, loneliness, friendship, and loss. It's a beautiful story, even if it is hard to follow if you're not in the right mindset for the nonsensical, almost childlike encounters.
The cover of the Clothbound Classic edition features stars and planets, all small and far apart, indicating the size of the journey the duo takes during the tale.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Jules Verne
There's something unerringly unsettling about early science fiction novels because you're forced to remember that none of it had ever been done before, and all of it is purely from the authors' imagination. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was decades ahead of its time, with most events taking place on a submarine called the Nautilus, which featured designs and features that wouldn't be implemented on actual submarines for many years.
The jellyfish design of this Clothbound Classic edition immediately tells you everything you need to know, even at a single glance that doesn't allow enough time for the title to be read.
Crime and Punishment
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Crime and Punishment is the ultimate depiction of morality in the face of immoral acts after the central character has to live with the guilt of his decision to murder. It's a difficult read and seems to have been inspired at least in part by Dostoyevsky's suffering during his Siberian exile.
Although the cover of the Penguin Clothbound Classics edition of Crime and Punishment may not seem to relate to the story at first glance, my interpretation of it is that it depicts the various boxes that we place ourselves into or those we are put into by society, all overlapping and with blurred edges where they intersect.
Dante's Inferno
Dante Alighieri
A narrative poem written by Alighieri in the 14th century, Dante's Inferno consists of three Cantos, each of which depicts either Purgatory, Heaven, or Hell. It's a journey through the three settings, guided by various characters who join Dante on his descent through the nine circles of Hell.
Even looking at the cover of the Clothbound Classics edition gives you a sense of falling through the various levels of Hell, in a way that reflects the prose contained within.
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
If you're a fan of horror literature, then there's no way you haven't read Mary Shelley's classic Frankenstein. It's now a tale known worldwide, even by those who have never read the original novel, and has gone on to inspire both horror and science fiction writers for generations since its initial publication in 1818.
At the heart of the haunting tale is the desire for Frankenstein's Monster to be accepted or even loved, but the humans of the village judge him by appearance and not the heart beating within him. This heart is featured on the cover of the Clothbound Classics edition.
Haunting of Hill House
Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House is a classic ghost story and psychological horror. Nothing is ever explicitly described or explained, but you somehow know what is happening even without the full explanation. Even the ending is vague and left up to interpretation, to some degree, but all of this vagueness is what makes The Haunting of Hill House so, well, haunting.
The cover of this Clothbound edition features the house, or at least a section of it, repeated in a staggered pattern that's easy to get lost in. After reading it, you might even imagine seeing faces in any of the many windows.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Arthur Conan Doyle
Although not the first fictional detective, with that title going to Edgar Allan Poe's August Dupin, Sherlock Holmes is still one of the most famous characters in literary history. His adventures and investigations are well-known around the world, and his exploits have served as inspiration for countless authors over the years.
What I love about the cover of this Clothbound edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is that it looks like a particularly bloody crime scene. The bodies, all oriented differently, are surrounded by dots that, upon closer inspection, resemble blood spatter.
The War of the Worlds
H.G. Wells
The War of the Worlds has a solid place in literary history, and a radio reading of it in 1938 is even known to have caused panic in those who tuned in late, thinking that Martians had invaded the world. Published in 1898, The War of the Worlds is a formative piece of science fiction literature, and it has inspired countless writers since.
This was the first Clothbound Classic I ever purchased, which means it has a special place in my heart. However, the design is undeniably both eye-catching and beautiful. It's hard to tell whether the circles are planets or explosions, and the colors perfectly contrast against each other to create something that figuratively jumps off the shelf.
The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Writings
Edgar Allan Poe
While The Fall of the House of Usher would be worth purchasing alone, that's not all you'll get when you purchase this Penguin Clothbound Classic. Also included in the book are The Tell-Tale Heart, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Raven, and The Cask of Amontillado. Poe is the father of gothic literature, and each of his tales or poems is worth reading at least once.
If you're like me and hold a certain soft spot for Poe, sadly, you'll need to wait a little while before you can get your hands on the Clothbound edition. It's set to be published on August 7, 2025, but with a cover like that, I couldn't exclude it from this list.
The post The 10 prettiest Penguin Clothbound Classic editions appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 11:17 AM
While you can easily lose yourself in the vast world of Monster Hunter Wilds online, there's a way to experience the adventure solo in Offline Mode. It requires a specific technique, and we're here to show you what you need to do.
How do you play Monster Hunter Wilds in Offline Mode?
When you first browse the Monster Hunter Wilds' main menu, you'll notice that an Offline Mode isn't present. However, you can enter this mode by playing Online Single Player and turning off the internet on your device. If you're currently playing the game, you'll receive a notification indicating that you are now in Offline Mode.
You can also turn off your internet and start playing Online Single Player to produce the same effect. When you do it this way, you will receive a message: 'Unable to connect to server.' Just hit the Close button on this notification twice, and it should take you over to Monster Hunter Wilds' Offline Mode.
Offline Mode operates similarly to online lobbies, with the exception of co-op features. However, you can still rely on the convenience of the SOS Flares when you need help, as NPC Support will arrive to join your team temporarily. There's even a way to pause the game if you need to step away. Fortunately, your progress will transfer to the online version once you've made the switch.
Anytime you're ready to jump back online, speak to Alma and go to 'Change Lobby Menu.' You can select lobbies, private sessions, and Online Single Player from here. Alternatively, you can simply exit the game and just log back into a designated lobby. It's crucial for those who want to claim items from Monster Hunter World or beta tests, which mandate an online connection. You'll also need it to 100 percent Monster Hunter Wilds' trophy collection, including the Hunter United Forever achievement that requires 100 multiplayer quests.
The post How to play Offline Mode in Monster Hunter Wilds appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 10:55 AM
With the thrilling new Born Again trailer making waves, the excitement surrounding this gritty series has reached new heights as we anticipate the return of the iconic Devil of Hell's Kitchen.
Set to debut on March 4th, this MCU series will bring back Charlie Cox in his role as attorney Matt Murdock, also known as the superhero vigilante Daredevil. Created by the legendary Stan Lee and Bill Everett, Daredevil has been defending Hell's Kitchen and its inhabitants from crime for over 60 years.
With such a rich and significant history, Daredevil has been involved in some of Marvel's most compelling storylines and major events. The character's rich lore has been expounded on by some of the industry's finest comic creators, including Waid, Bendis, and Brubaker, showcasing an assortment of engaging narratives.
To help prepare you for the arrival of Born Again, I've leveraged my decades of comic expertise to curate a comprehensive list of finely selected Daredevil reads, setting the tone for Ol' Hornhead's return.
Daredevil: Born Again (1986)
Born Again, a compelling storyline presented in Daredevil #226-233, is crafted by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. It follows the devastating impact of the Kingpin's actions on Daredevil's life after he learns Daredevil's secret identity through his former lover, Karen Page. Armed with this knowledge, Kingpin systematically dismantles both Daredevil and Matt Murdock's lives, culminating in the destruction of his apartment complex and his defeat at Kingpin's hands.
However, Daredevil finds redemption through divine intervention and the help of Sister Maggie, his estranged mother, which reignites his inner strength and leads to his remarkable comeback. In closing, Born Again is rich with influential plot elements that resonate in the Daredevil TV series, including characters like the Gladiator Melvin Potter, journalist Ben Urich, and the Kingpin, making it an essential read for fans.
Daredevil: The Man Without Fear (1993)
Widely regarded as a must-read for Daredevil fans, The Man Without Fear reimagines Daredevil's origin, focusing on his early life and superhero career. Crafted by Frank Miller and John Romita Jr., this engaging narrative highlights the significant impact of his mentor, Stick, in shaping his upbringing and his formative interactions with Foggy Nelson, Elektra, and the Kingpin. Moreover, this read articulates the consequences Daredevil encounters while seeking justice for his father, like the accidental death of a call girl.
Ultimately, this best depicts the moment Daredevil channels his inner wildness—once feared—into saving the teenager Mickey and how such moments fuel his drive to protect the innocent. Much like The Dark Knight graphic novel and its profound effect on ushering in a new era for Batman, Man Without Fear heralded Daredevil's coming of age, leading him to embrace God's plan for him as The Man Without Fear.
Daredevil (1998)
Kicking off the most lauded Daredevil series run to date, Daredevil (1998) #1 begins with the emotionally charged 'Guardian Devil' arc. When a young mother leaves her newborn with Matt, claiming divine instruction, Daredevil will have his faith, a hallmark of the character, tested like never before. The situation only worsens when the shady Mister Gabriel enlists Bullseye to deal with Daredevil and the "savior child".
Featuring staple characters like Black Widow, Karen Page, and Foggy, this best represents profound pain and loss for Daredevil, testing his faith in humanity and the divine. With its mysterious, religious twist, 'Guardian Devil' delves into the devoutness of Marvel's most religious hero, culminating in shocking fashion.
Daredevil: Yellow (2001)
Following the award-winning formula from Spider-Man: Blue, a best-read on Spidey, the acclaimed duo of Loeb and Sale present a pastel-colored homage to Daredevil's early trials and tribulations and his first love, Karen Page. Here, Daredevil, still haunted by Karen's sudden and horrific death, takes Foggy's advice, writing a letter to Karen, and putting words to his feelings with flowing prose.
Daredevil: Yellow elicits smiles throughout, from Daredevil donning the iconic canary costume to his first showdown with a supervillain, Electro, to his rescue of Karen. Easily one of Daredevil's most heartfelt tales, Yellow is a melodic account of all the choices, the guilt, and the joy, that lead him to this point, leaving a lasting impression leading into Born Again.
Daredevil: Father (2004)
An artistic gem honoring a son's love for his late father, this Daredevil best unfolds in a sweltering Hell's Kitchen, where a serial killer known as Johnny Sockets preys on former clients, taking their eyes. As Daredevil navigates this chilling threat, he finds himself haunted by childhood memories. Complicating matters are his mysterious client, Maggie Farrell, and the introduction of the Santerians, a new superhero outfit. The plot thickens with a frame job targeting Matt Murdock, adding more tension and culminating in a shocking conclusion.
This series marks a triumphant return for acclaimed creator Joe Quesada, who expertly revisits his Daredevil roots. In particular, his exploration of the profound ways added perspective can shift our understanding of others and the crucial role fathers play as role models for their sons makes this a priority read for fans of the Devil of Hell's Kitchen.
Daredevil Vs. Punisher (2005)
Daredevil Vs. Punisher: Means and Ends is a gritty six-issue series that follows the Punisher, a notable Deadpool antagonist, as he declares war on the mob and leaves a devastating trail of bodies in his wake. In response to his brutal approach to justice, Daredevil tasks himself with confronting the Punisher and halting his lethal methods. For fans of the Daredevil TV series, the Punisher's notorious willingness to take lives is well-known, making their inevitable confrontation all the more compelling, especially at this stage in their respective careers.
In particular, this Daredevil best masterfully explores the stark contrasts between these two iconic vigilantes, with Daredevil's disdain for the Punisher's cold-blooded executions clashing sharply with the Punisher's perception of Daredevil as cowardly for his restraint. Most notably, after an innocent is caught in the crossfire and they battle through an apartment complex, both heroes are forced to confront the consequences of their actions on innocent lives.
Shadowland (2010)
After years of fighting the criminal elements in Hell's Kitchen and coping with significant losses, Daredevil's faith begins to wane. Feeling cornered, he makes the drastic decision to take over the leadership of the Hand, declares Hell's Kitchen under his protection, and institutes martial law. At a critical turning point, Daredevil crosses a line he never thought he would and slays his archenemy, Bullseye, spurning his descent into darkness.
In response, Daredevil's closest allies, including the Heroes for Hire and Spider-Man, unite to save or stop their longtime ally. However, they may be too late as an ancient, malevolent entity may have already engulfed his eternal soul. This Daredevil best marks the darkest chapter of his life, and begs the question: does even he possess enough fortitude to resist the sinister Beast and reclaim control of his soul?
Daredevil (2015)
Marking the first time where Daredevil and Matt's goals align, Daredevil #1 portrays Daredevil, back in black and working as a prosecutor after his temporary sojourn on the West Coast. Here, fans are introduced to Sam Chung, aka Blindspot. Appropriately dubbed 'the Devil's Advocate', Blindspot will become Daredevil's first, true understudy. Thus, when the nefarious Tenfingers threatens the Kitchen with his Church of the Sheltering Hands, Daredevil and Blindspot intervene. However, they face multiple setbacks, especially when Daredevil discovers that Tenfingers' mystical powers were stolen from the Hand, who will stop at nothing to reclaim them.
This series, penned by acclaimed Star Wars scribe Charles Soule, effectively captures Daredevil's complex character growth as he takes on his first sidekick and grapples with the guilt of keeping everyone in the dark about his identity. Perhaps most relevant is the debut of the villainous "artist" Muse in the chilling 'Dark Art' arc. This deranged serial killer, who delights in turning his murders into grandiose works of art, is an antagonist in the highly anticipated series Born Again, and I cannot wait to see how the macabre Muse is adapted to live-action.
Daredevil (2019)
Chip Zdarsky's Eisner award-nominated run begins with Daredevil (2019) #1, featuring a reborn Daredevil after a traumatic injury left him fighting for his life. As Daredevil strives to rebuild his life and heroic status, he faces numerous challenges, after he seemingly kills a robber while thwarting their heist, leading to a murder charge. This draws the ire of Detective Cole North, a good but conflicted transplant from Chicago, who's set to appear in the upcoming Born Again.
Witnessing Daredevil fighting to reclaim his place and overcome his past while confronting formidable foes like the Owl and the ever-present Mayor Fisk strikes all the right chords. Sprinkle in the accompaniment of his longtime allies, the Defenders and Spider-Man, and readers are left with all the makings of one helluva read and a Daredevil best.
Devil's Reign (2021)
The Devil's Reign series is undeniably a standout Daredevil storyline. It explores Daredevil's worst fears as his nemesis, the Kingpin, leverages his recent notoriety under the Darkforce Dome to win the New York City mayoralty. Once in power, Kingpin enacted the Powers Act, which criminalizes the existence of superheroes in the city. To ensure compliance, he mobilizes the Thunderbolt Corps and assembles a covert team of Thunderbolts tailored to his agenda.
Daredevil naturally rallies in support of the superhero community against his greatest adversary. However, he grapples with intense guilt when he realizes that his actions, particularly those involving the Purple Children who altered people's memories to protect his secret identity, have contributed to Kingpin's aggression toward heroes. This arc also hints at themes likely to unfold in the upcoming Born Again series, setting New York City as the epicenter of rising tensions between the government and superheroes.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 10:49 AM
The legendary Stone Leo fighting style is tough to get in Ninja Time as it requires you to go through an iconic Rock Lee training regiment. But first, you need to learn how to train on your own. So, we prepared the following guide to teach you how to do push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and finally get the Stone Leo fighting style in Ninja Time.
Table of contents
How to Get the Stone Leo Fighting Style Quest in Ninja Time
You can get the "Learn Stone Fighting Style" quest from the Stone Leo NPC, which awaits you in the courtyard of the Ninja Academy in Ninja Time. When you find him, click on the "Teach me" button to get the quest. To complete it, you have to subjugate 300 Logs and do 350 push-ups, 475 squats, and 500 abdominal sit-ups. Preferably, get all the other quests Stone Leo is offering as well, as you can complete them while grinding the main fighting style quest.
Best Way to Complete the Learn Stone Fighting Style Quest in Ninja Time
Completing the Stone Leo fighting style quest in Ninja Time can take you quite a while. However, as the required training is quite repetitive, you can use a macro or an auto-clicker to do the training while you are AFK. This way, you won't speed up the training grind, but at least you won't have to do it on your own.
How to Do Push-ups, Sit-ups, and Squats in Ninja Time
Before you start training, equip the training weights from your inventory. You can equip only one training weight at a time, and you can't use any skills while wearing them. With weights on, enter the training mode by pressing F on your keyboard. Then, hold the F button until you complete one push-up, sit-up, or squat session in Ninja Time. Keep in mind that each training session lasts around 5-7 seconds, and you have to let go of the F key between each session.
Where to Buy More Training Weights in Ninja Time?
When you use up the initial training weights, you can buy more of them at the High Muty NPC. You can find High Muty under a tree close to the Stone Leo. Different weights let you do other types of training. Also, some weights help you get XP in various attributes like Agility and Taijutsu.
Farming Copper, Silver, and Gold in Ninja Time
If you don't have any copper, silver, or gold to buy weights, then you have to complete some missions to get them. Most quests given by NPCs reward you with some amount of money. However, only the Ishikage, as well as the Akatsuki and Anbu mission NPCs, offer repeatable quests.
That sums up everything you need to know about how to do push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and the Stone Leo fighting style quest in Ninja Time. If you are looking to enhance your skill arsenal, then check out our Ninja Time Clan, Family, and Element tier lists.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 10:47 AM
Imagine, if you will, a trip through the stars. Imagine a mission to find a new planet Earth. Imagine having to battle hordes of angry aliens with nothing but your Rock Paper Scissors skills. Right, enough imagining. Time for the real thing.
In this unique retro RPG, designed by Takaya Imamura (who, among Majora's Mask and having designed Captain Falcon, also gave us Tingle), we will explore strange planets in search of clues and answers to finding a new habitable planet for the human race. Along the way, we'll meet strange creatures that make you feel like a Starbucks barista at a spaceport in a Star Trek episode. But is this RPG for everyone?
Omega 6 Triangle Stars (Nintendo Switch, PC, [reviewed])
Somewhere in the distant future, a wormhole has appeared near Mars. An influx of aliens has appeared through it and they all would like to live on Earth. Before people could wake up and vote for their favorite alt-right politician in power, all the major cities on Earth were occupied by those illegal... uh, aliens.
Now it is up to two androids, Thunder and Kyla, created by Dr Victor Franklin, to step aboard the Omega 6 spacecraft and find a new habitable planet so that human beings can escape the alien tourist menace.
Omega 6 feels like a retro RPG through and through, almost like a re-release of a long-lost Turbografx-16 RPG from the early 90s. And I don't mean it simply in the "pixelated graphics" sense, but all the systems, the presentation, and the mechanics feel downright old. That feeling would be hard to place for most Western gamers who perhaps grew up with Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
Takaya Imamura's first game since 2016, when he worked as a supervisor on Star Fox Zero, feels rather indebted towards lesser-known classics such as Shining Force. In each town or planet you visit, the menu-based interface will allow you to perform various actions, such as "Move" or "Talk", even though often you will have to "Call Over" the character you want to speak with.
In other places, you can "Buy" or "Sell". On the other hand, "Inspect" will allow you to interact with the locations by using a pointer-based interface, just like an Examine button in an Ace Attorney title, but for the most part, you're restricted to shuffling through choices.
And the game never really abandons this vintage framework, not even in the combat which is quite peculiar in its design. I'm not sure if this is a nod to the Rock Paper Scissors boss fights in Alex Kidd in Miracle World, but Thunder and Kyla will fight enemies by using cards with Rock, Paper, and Scissors signs. Each turn, you and your enemy pick a card and whoever wins gets to perform a successful hit.
But things are not as easy as they seem, since most of the enemies' cards are usually hidden, depending on the character you're fighting, so you will have to employ a strategy between random guesses and trying to use your cards at the best possible time. While this works at first, it tends to get repetitive quite fast, since there's no real variety to the combat and there's quite a bit of it which can't be skipped.
Pretty soon in the game, Thunder and Kyla, along with their robot friends such as Headless, will be required to earn as much money as possible and the main way you will get to do it is by hunting down wanted criminals. And yes, you guessed it, when you capture one you will have to fight them.
The writing, overall, keeps things light and quite amusing, even though there is not much that sticks out as particularly funny or memorable. It's a light chuckle situation, not really a barrel of laughs. The banter between the androids and the robots in the player team form the best part of the dialogue, at times almost reaching Cowboy Bebop-quality levels.
Indeed, the best part of Omega 6 is the character designs which are always unique and amusing. In this, the experience of Tamamura shines. The game is an adaptation of the original Omega 6 manga. Not to mention, also, the great Super Nintendo-like soundtrack that will keep us company on our journey through the stars
I like how there aren't just random NPCs around, but each character feels like they bring something of interest, despite our interactions often being short and limited. Still, Omega 6 is a tough recommendation for anyone who hasn't dreamed of playing a retro first-person RPG, as there is not much that would convince someone to drop their second playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3 or that run of Avowed to join the crew.
Still, I am pretty sure Omega 6 deserves its own dedicated audience and, why not, a little cult following. I just wished it had something more, in terms of gameplay, narrative, or combat, that could transform it into a wholehearted recommendation outside of that small niche. See you, space cowboys.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 10:32 AM
What is a cozy game if not something that embodies what you find cozy in real life? Your relaxing rituals, real or imagined. The things you would do on a lazy summer afternoon if it wasn't for your pesky life rearing its head.
On the other hand, demos are far more black and white. Which Steam Next Fest demos should you play? Those ones.
Why those demos in particular? To be frank, the reason is that I like them, but you're free to infer a logic to this selection. They're all great cozy games and most are close to release. More importantly, they'll all leave you wanting more. Except the ones you don't like, but that's life.
The Bench
What's more cozy than an exploration game featuring a senior protagonist who moves by throwing slices of bread to a swarm of loyal pigeons? I'll tell you what's not very cozy: throwing a brick at a security guard. And yet, The Bench is no worse for it.
The Bench is a surprising game, first of all, because it takes a wild premise and manages to stick the landing. And then there's the exploration, which is core to the game, paired with a protagonist that can only move by teleporting from bench to bench, kind of like in a VR game. Somehow, that works great.
Wheel World
Wheel World is a cozy game, sure, but it's also a somewhat realistic bike racing simulator with drafting and a vague approximation of stamina. And then there's the exploration of a fully realized open world, even if it's not entirely accessible yet, full of curious characters and bike parts.
Wheel World is also about saving the world, but no pressure. Your floating skull companion has no intention of un-cozying your vacation.
Promise Mascot Agency
We're really stretching the definition of cozy here, but the eternal lazy afternoon spent on a small pickup truck just about qualifies. Promise Mascot Agency is the story of a Yakuza member exiled to a cursed island. If you've played the developer's previous game, Paradise Killer, you know that things are about to get even weirder.
While you're in exile, would you mind taking over a mascot agency where the mascots are horribly mutated living beings? Maybe take care of this disembodied finger's emotional issues? I'm asking, but this is one of those games where you don't have a choice. By the way, the mascots know where you live.
Solarpunk
To some, the world of cozy games is as wide as video games themselves. To others, it's when you craft and farm without having to fight zombies. Solarpunk definitely errs closer to this strict definition, with its idyllic scenery and cottage building.
In a world where floating islands rule the landscape, it's up to you to chill, build a cozy little house, and then take a little break (you wouldn't want to overdo it). Will you grow enough plants to secure a food supply? Probably, it's not a hard game. If not, you can hop on your airship and see if the neighbors can share. They seem nice.
Sugardew Island
Stop me if you've heard this before. In this cozy farming game, you play as the go-getter new farmer in town. Once your inherited/gifted farm is looking a little better, you open a shop for the nearby people and learn of the magical creatures that used to inhabit the land. It's up to you to tear the Thorns of Inharmony and make peace with nature.
Sure, Sugardew Island's demo won't win any awards for originality, but it's a solid farming sim. It doesn't need to break new ground, even if it might do it later in the game. If we can have 23 Call of Duty titles, we can probably afford one Rune Factory clone.
Tall Trails
"Find your purpose". With those words (and some art that looks rather like a placeholder) your Tall Trails adventure begins. On this island, every little clay creature has a goal, except you. You just exist. Do you want a purpose? Guess you'll have to find your way to the sorcerer who created you. Now, if that isn't a purpose, I don't know what it is.
But how does Tall Trails play? In practice, this is a 3D platformer with a focus on exploration over challenge and some inspiration taken from Breath of the Wild. Oh, and you have a trash-powered jetpack that makes the whole affair a lot more fun.
Locomoto
You can't get more cozy than a coal train conductor life sim where no one has places to be and the black smoke is just a flourish of the pastel art style. In Locomoto you get to make your own train and your own train conductor. The rest is kind of secondary if I can be honest.
The full game promises a large explorable world full of different travelers and unique furniture. For now, I'm happy to watch my cute chimera of unclear descent run along their ugly pink and purple train.
Is This Seat Taken?
Would you like to sit in a dirty chair? I ask so I can get this kid next to their parent and the parent next to this other kid who needs to steal some popcorn. I'm sure you understand. If you don't, you should play the demo for Is This Seat Taken?
Is This Seat Taken? seems like a great game for short sessions that inevitably spiral into hours of play. It has a unique premise based on fitting odd groups of sentient geometric shapes in mundane places, making sure to follow their requests. It also seems to want to tell a story, but I wouldn't expect anything fancy.
Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game
Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game is exactly what it promises to be: a detective game just like The Curse of the Golden Idol but instead of solving a grand conspiracy one murder at a time, you solve little problems. Things like "Who broke the cup?" and "Why is this girl crying?".
Not exactly breaking new ground, but thankfully the way those mysteries are solved is quite interesting, even if it is an exact copy of the Golden Idol series. That said, the demo shows some potential. Here's hoping the story gets a bit more intense than "Who called dibs on the last cupcake?".
Wanderstop
The Wanderstop demo stands out for many reasons, one of which is the polish on display. The game seems to be pretty much done, and it better be, since it's supposed to come out on March 11. That's just two weeks before the new game from the creator of The Stanley Parable!
I should have led with that. This is an all-star indie dev team, including Minecraft composer C418, and Tacoma and Gone Home writer Karla Zimonja. What else… you grow tea and brew it for the various characters that come to visit you. It looks to be more tongue-in-cheek than your average farm sim, but what else did you expect?
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 10:24 AM
It's easy to get swept up in Monster Hunter Wilds' character creator, especially if you spend extra time fine-tuning your appearance and Palico's design. You'll unlock appearance changing early in your playthrough, letting you fix any mistakes you might've made in character designing or make a few quick edits.
Table of contents
How to change character and Palico appearance in MHW
Monster Hunter Wilds offers two ways to change your character and Palico's appearance:
Within the first hour of your MHW playthrough, you'll find a tent you can rest in, sell items, and change your appearance. You can also change your equipment's appearance, Palico's deployment status, and customize your loadout, among other options. Alternatively, you can change your character through the main menu if you have an appearance change voucher available.
Changing your character's appearance through your tent
After arriving in the desert base camp, your first option is to enter your tent and cycle through the options until you reach the Appearance Menu. Here, you'll find the following options:
The tent's version of the appearance-changing menu lets you change aspects like hairstyle and color, eye color, and makeup, alongside some shape-changing options for your character's face. You can also change your clothes, including their color and whether you wear underclothes. However, you can't change your body composition, gender, or name, so this option has limitations.
The options for changing your Palico are mostly the same. You can modify its color, markings, and hair length, making just about every aspect of its appearance open to change. You can also change your and your Palico's voice pitch if you wish, with the Palico also having access to its Felyne language.
Lastly, the Equipment Appearance menu allows you to hide certain gear parts, such as your helmet or gloves. You'll also find the underclothes section again, which lets you quickly show or hide them and change their color if you'd like. The tent also lets you change your primary and secondary weapons if you want to try something new.
Redeeming Monster Hunter Wilds character editing vouchers
If you want to make more detailed changes to your Monster Hunter Wilds character or Palico, you can redeem character edit vouchers through the game's main menu. Below are the steps to doing so:
Once you choose to edit your hunter or Palico, you'll consume your Character Edit Voucher, letting you change your appearance in more detail than you would in the in-game tent.
How to get Character Edit Vouchers in MHW
During your Monster Hunter Wilds playthrough, you can receive one character and Palico edit voucher by visiting the game's storefronts and redeeming Capcom's free vouchers. Below are the links for each:
Beyond these initial free trial versions, you can purchase three-voucher packs for $6.99 or $9.99 if you buy the Character and Palico bundle. If you want to make detailed changes to your character or Palico's appearance over time and don't mind spending a bit of money, you've got these as alternative options.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 10:17 AM
The Going Goblin mode in World of Warcraft's Undermine update contains a list of six quests, and the You're My Friend achievement can be tricky to solve. It will probably be the final achievement to complete (based on how you have completed the tasks).
You'll need to complete this and all previous achievements to win a Warband Campfire. This guide will help you complete the You're My Friend achievement and locate all the required items.
How to complete You're My Friend achievement in World of Warcraft
The You're My Friend achievement requires you to collect five rats, and they're spread all over the Undermine location. I am unsure if Blizzard has paid tribute to a viral TikTok where a guy just picks up a rat from his pile of garbage, but it is what it is. In the game, you'll have to go on a rat hunt all over Undermine.
Here's a table with all the information you'll need to find all five rats.
Once you find a rat, it will apply a ten-minute buff. There's reportedly an issue that prevents you from grabbing a second rat while the buff from the first one is still available. If that happens, just wait until the buff from the first rat has expired. This image has a list of all five locations (same as the coordinates mentioned in the table above).
When exploring Undermine, you can also choose to join one of our goblin cartels. If you're unsure about which one is the best choice, make sure to check out our guide.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 10:08 AM
Even though I use Nvidia, I do not like Nvidia, and It's been a good long while since I last bought an AMD GPU. I was hoping to splurge on RDNA4 even before Nvidia RTX 5000 GPUs started burning down, and the newly announced pricing scheme gives me hope.
Indeed, after a prolonged and deeply annoying game of cat and mouse with Nvidia's ray-traced jacket-man, AMD has finally decided enough was enough. We now have an official MSRP for the new RX 9000 series graphics cards, and it's substantially more promising than I thought it would be. The baseline RX 9070 will set you back a relatively humble $549, while its chunkier brother, the RX 9070XT, should clock in at $599. Compared to Nvidia's RTX XX70 GPUs, which these AMD offerings compete with, this is a lovely change of pace. If they end up being available at MSRP, that is.
AMD RDNA4 RX 9070 and RX 9070XT available at $549 and $599, respectively
Even though we've known for a while now that AMD wasn't going to compete with Nvidia as far as halo products go, aiming instead for the mid-to-high range RTX XX70 graphics cards, hard performance figures have been out of reach. That's all changing, because AMD has some very promising performance claims for us:
These are averages taken from a grand total of 30+ games tested at maximum settings, rendered at a native 4K resolution. Impressive stuff, honestly, though you do need to keep your expectations in check. An RTX 5090 competitor this very well ain't.
Though AMD hasn't provided any concrete comparisons with the newer RTX 4000 and 5000 GPUs, testing done by Digital Foundry suggests that the RTX 3080 delivers about 65-70% of the performance of an RTX 5070Ti. In other words, RX 9070XT may well come close to the 5070Ti, which would be a lovely thing to see.
As is usually the case with AMD, there are some caveats to keep in mind about RNDA4. For starters, AMD is offering less interesting features and ray-tracing performance across the board. They also may well cannibalize each other's sales, considering the low performance delta between the two. Then again, if AMD's new RDNA4 graphics cards don't end up burning, I'll be quite happy with what's on offer. Remember: Nvidia's top-tier GPUs are extremely hard to get nowadays. AMD's offerings may well suffer the same fate, naturally, but one can hope. Besides, if AMD manages to claw back some market share from Nvidia and position itself for an even better next generation of hardware, we should all be thrilled.
On a related note, I recommend looking into AMD's fancy new Ryzen AI Max APUs as well. They'll be prominently featured in the delightful new Framework Desktop PCs, and I've got really high hopes for that product line. Lots to look forward to from AMD, then. Fingers crossed that the company finally delivers on all its promises. RDNA4 graphics cards should be available from March 6 onwards!
The post For the first time in years, AMD's new GPU pricing might actually get people to buy it appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 10:04 AM
Monster Hunter Wilds' has turned out to be a phenomenal success for Capcom already, with well over a million concurrent players enjoying the game on day one on Steam alone. Setting its many, many technical problems aside, it's also loaded up with microtransactions both egregious and not.
This is par for the course for Capcom and Monster Hunter at large, of course. The franchise has historically proven its worth as a long-tail MTX vehicle for Capcom, and it was pretty darn unlikely that this wouldn't happen with Monster Hunter Wilds. Doubly so, in fact, considering the state Dragon's Dogma 2 launched in. That's right, folks: character editing vouchers are back with a vengeance, and if you were hoping to be able to go back and recreate your hunter and/or Palico every so often, forget about it. Unless you pay with real-world money, that is.
You'll need to pay if you want to fully edit your Monster Hunter Wilds character from the ground up
I know, I know: this is all par for the course for Monster Hunter. It's optional stuff. Not like cosmetics, edit vouchers, and emotes make for a superior gameplay experience in a game as massive and deep as this. All the same, I'm deeply disappointed in the fact that Capcom saw fit to cram this many awful DLCs into a $70 AAA release.
Really though, for all its many, many good qualities, I cannot help but wonder if this game would be getting the rave reviews it's been getting if it wasn't an actual first-party Monster Hunter game.
Setting aside the frankly disgusting assortment of day one DLC for this game, I'd also like to point out that it's a technical mess in general. Whereas Dragon's Dogma 2's performance could at least be excused with its excellent graphics, Wilds doesn't have that excuse. Players are already complaining about this issue, however, so there's some hope that Capcom eventually improves on this front. I'm not putting much stock in that, however. The fact of the matter is that Wilds is a poor technical showing no matter how you flip it, all the while billing itself as a $70 AAA title that's loaded with microtransactions, to boot.
In fact, now that I think of it, I'm all but certain that a bunch of people actually are buying character edit vouchers in Capcom titles. If they weren't, the option wouldn't be so pervasive in almost every one of the company's RPG titles. And for sure, you definitely can edit a substantial number of options on your character even without a voucher, but the fact remains that Capcom is painfully eager to monetize such an easy and obvious quality-of-life feature across its catalog.
Monster Hunter Wilds is a good game, no two ways about it. It's not beyond critique, however, and after reading so many glowing reviews about the title I simply expected more from it in almost every way. It's not a good experience in my book. We're free to ignore Capcom's handling of microtransactions, and I believe it won't be too hard to side-step a large chunk of it, but it all still rubs me the wrong way. And I don't think I'm the only one, either.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 8:55 AM
Specialists are a mechanic in Civilization 7 that are unlocked after you start to build up your capital and other settlements. Specialists are only available in cities and they provide an extra layer of depth to every one of your tiles.
However, Specialists can be a little tricky to implement in Civilization 7, so allow me to explain how they work and when you should use them.
How to unlock Specialists in Civ 7
Specialists are unlocked in the Antiquity Age after you've reached anywhere from 50-100 turns. For me, it was at 30% of the progress bar in the Antiquity Age, but your mileage may vary depending on the game speed you're playing at and the size of your map.
You'll know you've unlocked the ability to place Specialists after a new pop-up tutorial appears that explains the mechanic. From there, you can close the tutorial or read more about how Specialists work in the encyclopedia.
While you might unlock Specialists at a given time, you don't get to use them right away in Civ 7. Instead, you have to wait for one of your cities to grow by a certain number of citizens. At that point, you're able to take a turn and place a Specialist in one of your tiles. However, this doesn't happen too often, so you want to make sure you're taking advantage of the Specialist turns when they happen.
You can start to implement Specialists as your city reaches its population capacity. So, instead of adding new tiles to your city, you add Specialists to the individual tiles.
How Specialists work in Civ 7
It's important to note that Specialists are not the same thing as a town's Specialization. A Specialization is only for towns and allows them to focus on one specific yield to increase the amount of gold they receive. Specialists are only available in cities and give you a chance to specialize each individual tile in a given city.
Putting a Specialist in a tile will improve specific yields, such as Science, Culture, Production, Gold, etc., but it will negatively affect your city's Happiness and Food needs. When you get the chance to place a Specialist in a tile, you'll see most or all of your resource icons appear in a tile along with a +/- number next to each of them. If a resource icon has a + next to it, then the Specialist will increase that yield by the number it says. However, if a resource icon has a - next to it, that resource will be decreased.
Most of the time, you'll see a +1/2 next to Science, Culture, and Gold along with a -1/2 next to Happiness and Food. Sometimes, you'll see a repeat of resource icons on a tile, meaning that the resource's yield is increased and decreased at the same time. Its net yield will be the sum of its two values on the tiles (i.e. +0.5 and -2 equals a net yield of -1.5).
Tiles that don't have a resource icon associated with them can have a Specialist added, but any tile with a resource icon will stay as is. When you add a Specialist to a tile, it's a permanent decision, so you want to make your choices carefully. As you progress in Civ 7, you'll be able to add multiple Specialists to every tile, further specializing their yield outputs and your city's yield output as a whole.
Overall, you don't want to add Specialists all over the place in every city you have in Civ 7. Tiles that increase more resource yields than ones that decrease are generally what you want to target, as those have more value in the long run. Of course, if your city is low on Science and Culture, then you might want to target tiles that boost those resources when adding a Specialist.
In the grand scheme of things, you can always offset whatever you receive/don't receive from a Specialist tile. Specialists are simply a way for you to make a little extra gold or add some more Science or Culture to a few of your tiles. If you go overboard with them, though, you'll find your cities will be low on Happiness, as Specialists always reduce that resource no matter what. So, in order to keep your cities as happy as possible, try to find a happy medium with increasing necessary resources and lowering Happiness.
The best way to go about that is by specializing a few tiles and leaving the rest of your tiles unspecialized. Not every tile in a city needs to have a Specialist, so pick a few tiles that increase the maximum amount of resources and keep adding Specialists to those as much as possible in Civ 7.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 8:55 AM
Dealing with the monsters, especially the bigger ones, in Monster Hunter Wilds can be lengthy, but you can shorten it by capturing them.
The process of capturing is essential, and there's an advanced quest that works as a tutorial. However, you won't need to wait long and can start capturing monsters with the right items. This guide will help you to master the art of trapping the creatures you come across in the game.
Monster Hunter Wilds Capture method explained
Capturing monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds is tied with using traps. Traps have different kinds and natures, so check out our guide to learn more about them. In short, you'll need to have traps and have them available on the Item bar.
You'll start a battle like any other and reduce a creature's health by a large portion. Wait for a clue from your Palico, who will claim that the creature has become weak; this will be your cue. The next task is to plant the trap and lure the creature to it. Once ensnared, chances are that the creature will pass out. If it doesn't, make sure to use a few tranq bombs on it to help it calm down and doze off.
Once the creature has been trapped, you'll get all the rewards from your quest. Of course, you can eliminate it, but that requires at least a few extra steps and minutes, if not more. You also can have a more generous conscience with the thought that you didn't kill it (if that kind of thing matters to you).
How to craft traps in Monster Hunter Wilds
Since traps and tranq bombs are so important, you'll need to craft them whenever you're at a camp. Trap tools can be purchased from the Provisioner in any camp.
That's all you'll need to create traps that can then be used to capture monsters. Do note that you can also trap and capture Endemic Life, which are the smaller critters found in different habitats.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 8:54 AM
Though Henry may excel as a blacksmith and swordfighter, he sometimes works outside the box as a medieval sleuth. Such a situation occurs in the Kingdom Come 2 story mission Into the Underworld, where you must find a man named Goatskin.
Goatskin can be found prowling the streets of Kuttenberg at night, hunting down drunk merchants for pocket change in the southwestern quarter of the city. But how do you find the thief's exact location to corner him? Well, that's quite the journey.
How to get information on Goatskin
You first learn about Goatskin by speaking with Katherine during the mission. She can be found at the Hangman's Halter Tavern in the southeast section of the city, working undercover as a barmaid.
Henry is searching for a noble named Liechtenstein, who may be able to help him liberate the captured Hans Capon. Talk to Katherine about Liechtenstein and she'll mention Goatskin, who's been working as a spy for an unknown noble. His employer could be related to our friendly nobleman. It's Henry's only lead, and he decides to follow it. Katherine suggests asking around The Hole in the Wall tavern, where Goatskin was seen flashing some cash he got for his spying gig.
The Hole in the Wall is a seedy dive bar in the Hoprink quarter to the southeast of the Hangman's tavern in Kuttenberg.
You'll know when you found the place; it bears an unmistakable sign out front featuring a walking butt-trumpet. Kingdom Come 2 is a good video game.
Head inside and hit up Innkeeper Mole, who directs you to a patron named Chenyek. You can typically find him in the tavern sitting at the corner of a table nearest the skeleton by the wall.
Get information on Goatskin from Chenyek
Your next job is to impress Chenyek, who clearly deals in some seedy business and may know where Goatskin is hiding. You have multiple approaches to earning Chenyek's respect:
If those options aren't ideal, there is a final option: go toe-to-toe with Chenyek's brute squad member. To do so, pick the option "Maybe I can help you with something?" Let him know you're up for anything, and he'll direct you to the barn outside to meet with Goliath.
You'll find Goliath outside the tavern leaning against the large, wooden door of the nearby barn. Tell him Chenyek sent you, and he'll ask you to strip to your skivvies. Don't worry, it's all a part of the plan.
Strip down to your pants and boots. Talk to Goliath again, who asks if you're ready for a quick brawl. Agree and step into the barn's arena.
Unless you're confident in your fisticuff skills, the brawl should end quickly. Goliath lives up to his name and can deliver a mean punch.
It doesn't matter if you win or lose the fight. Regardless of who ends up on the ground, Chenyek will appear and say you passed. Anyone brave enough to fight Goliath is good enough for him.
After earning Chenyek's respect, ask him again about Goatskin. According to him, the thief recently got into some trouble and was last seen "between Hradek and the Horse Market" robbing drunk people at night. You can press Chenyek for more information. He'll tell you to ask around the taverns in the area — the Black Horse, in particular — and the bathhouse.
Note: Now that you've impressed Chenyek, you can return to him later for jobs.
Head toward that area Chenyak mentioned, near the city's southwestern wall.
Where to find Goatskin
Chenyek suggested two places to ask around for Goatskin: the bathhouse and the Black Horse tavern. You can find the tavern along the western border of the search area on your map.
Ask Innkeeper Weighman about Goatskin. He'll tell you the thief has been robbing drunk German merchants in the area at night. That suggests you may be able to find a drunk German merchant somewhere, but it's best to get more information. Weighman hints that Goatskin is seeing a girl who works at the bathhouse. Finding her could present another option.
Head to the bathhouse, just a short walk south from the tavern.
Several employees of the bathhouse can help you. Bathhouse Madam Beata confirms that Goatskin has been targeting their customers, particularly German merchants. In fact, there is a German merchant is currently at the bathhouse: Udo, who enjoys getting drunk and playing dice.
Beata doesn't know about Goatskin's girlfriend, but recommends you speak with Adam, the bathhouse owner, for more.
Adam doesn't provide much help finding Goatskin, but he's still worth tracking down. Talk to Adam and pick the dialogue option "What do you need to 'sort out'?" He'll mention the scholar Jan Schindel, who was recently robbed of his belongings by Goatskin. Schindel has been raising hell about it, so Adam asks you to find the items and return them to their proper owner.
Getting the information unlocks the task, Master Shindel's Toys. You can complete the optional quest after finding Goatskin and getting the right information from him, which I'll cover soon.
The two ways to locate Goatskin: Setting a trap or finding his girlfriend
At this point in the quest, you have two clear options for tracking down the thief. You can either set a trap using the previously mentioned Udo or squeeze the info from Goatskin's girlfriend. The rest of the guide covers both options and their results.
How to find Goatskin's girlfriend
Both Adam and Beata deny that any of the bathhouse girls are having an affair with Goatskin, but that doesn't mean the rumor isn't true.
Look for Hanka from Prague at the bathhouse and ask her about the thief. She'll mention he's been seen with one of the employees, Mary. The only problem? There are two women named Mary at the bathhouse. So, which one should you talk to?
Goatskin's ladyfriend is Lousy Mary, who can sometimes be found in the bathhouse room with the tables. Talk with her and ask about Goatskin's location. You can convince her to give him up if your speech skills are high enough.
She'll tell you Goatskin is holed up in an old barn near the Black Horse tavern.
To find the barn, return to the Black Horse tavern and head to its outside seating area. Look for a small staircase leading to a door in the eastern wall.
Enter the door and go left. Walk down the alley until you reach the main road. Henry will be alerted to the barn right across from the tavern.
To get inside the barn, take the main road going east until you reach the point where it banks left.
Take a left and enter the property to the left via the doorway surrounded by vines.
Ascend the staircase that goes toward the western wall of the property and enter the attic. Hop onto the wooden table with the ladder on top and climb through the small window to enter the next building's attic.
Walk to the other end of the attic and climb down through the hole in the wall.
Climb the ladder and exit the attic via the doorway on the other side.
You've now reached Goatskin's barn. To get inside, climb up to the top of the wagon parked against the wall and clamber into the attic via the open door.
Goatskin may not be inside the attic. If that's the case, wait for about an hour by opening the Wait menu via the T key on the keyboard or the Back button on an Xbox pad.
Wait an hour at a time until Goatskin returns.
How to set a trap for Goatskin
To set up a trap for Goatskin, you need to use the German merchant Udo as bait. Look for him sitting at the dice table in the bathhouse.
Talk to him and choose the dialogue options "That's enough..." followed by "I think you should go home." If your speech skills are high enough, you should be able to convince him to leave.
Follow Udo out of the bathhouse. He eventually makes his way to the Black Horse tavern and through a doorway in the wall leading to a dark alley.
Keep following Udo as he walks down the alleyway. Goatskin will eventually pop out from behind a wagon and demand coin.
Step in, and Henry will tell Udo to take off while he has a word with his thief friend.
Get the information from Goatskin
Whether you trap or track down Goatskin, the results are the same: you have him where you need him, and he won't put up a fight.
Goatskin, as it turns out, isn't too great at keeping secrets. He spills the name of his handler, Samuel, almost immediately. The thief also mentions that he's robbing people to earn enough cash to leave town.
You can squeeze him for more information, but he won't be much help unless he gets money. Depending on your speech skills, you can end up paying more.
Exhausting Goatskin's dialogue options will give you what you need to continue the mission.
How to get information on Master Schindel's Toys
If you spoke with Adam the bathhouse owner, you get the chance to ask him about Schindel's items. He'll tell you about Kuttenberg's secret network of tunnels, where he hides his stolen loot.
You can use your Intimidate skill or pay him 50 groschen to learn about the location of a map to the tunnels. This continues the Master Schindel's Toys task, which you can complete once you're finished with Goatskin.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 8:52 AM
In the beginning areas of the dangerous Galawain's Tusks region in Avowed, you can come across a side quest called "A Cure for Rage," which requires you to track down some missing traders and a caravan. One of the traders is named Gilyn, and after some searching, you'll find Gilyn is actually kidnapped by an ogre.
If you want to stop the ogre from holding Gilyn hostage in Avowed, read the quest guide below.
A Cure for Rage quest guide in Avowed
For starters, you can begin A Cure for Rage by following the main road as soon as you enter the Galawain's Tusks region in Avowed. Along the road, you'll eventually find a woman named Warden Lerae, who asks that you find a caravan along with its traders that went missing a while ago. The caravan was supposed to arrive at Solace Keep and never showed up.
Warden Lerae is particularly interested in a trader named Gilyn, who she is in love with and wants to see returned as painlessly as possible. After speaking with the Warden, you can follow some quest markers to find the crashed caravan off the side of the road along with a few bodies. None of the bodies are Gilyn's, but you can follow a new quest marker that leads to a small cave in the middle of some rocky cliffs.
As soon as you approach the cave, you'll see a massive ogre guarding Gilyn, who has seemingly been kidnapped. When you get close enough to the ogre, you'll see their name is Grakohr and you have a couple of ways to continue the conversation.
The first way is to attack Grakohr using the [Attack] option in dialogue. This immediately starts a fight with the ogre, who is a boss-level enemy and can be quite strong if your level and gear aren't up to snuff. If you manage to defeat Grakohr, you can then speak with Gilyn to tell her she is free and earn 8,550 XP as a reward for completing the A Cure for Rage quest. Gilyn isn't happy with this outcome, however, so you might want to try and resolve the situation peacefully rather than with hostility.
This leads us to our next method of completing the quest, which is through helping Grakohr. If you select the "Why should I help you?" dialogue option, you'll learn that Grakohr is actually dying and the Aedyran caravan attacked them in the first place. They were simply trying to find medicine to cure their sickness, was attacked, and had to defend against harm. In the end, Grakohr took Gilyn as a bartering chip.
So, to free Gilyn, you need to find the ingredients to help cure Grakohr's illness. You can pick up a book nearby in the cave, called "Common Ailments Among the Denizens of Galawain's Tusks," and see what ingredients the recipe calls for. You can show the ingredients to Grakohr and this will start a new objective in the quest that requires you to hunt down all of them. Before leaving to find them, speak with Gilyn, who tells you exactly where to find all three ingredients.
How to find all three ingredients for Grakohr
If you speak with Gilyn, finding all three ingredients is no more difficult than simply following quest markers on your map. The three ingredients you're looking for are: Jar of Gunpowder Stuff, Calcified Beetle Nest Nodule, and Anti-Mycotic Moss.
You can start by searching for the Calcified Beetle Nest Nodule, which is located right near the cave where Grakohr and Gilyn are holed up. The ingredient is found northeast of the cave sitting in the middle of some lime green sludge on the ground. There are some enemies around, so defeat them or simply run to the ingredient, pick it up, and then leave.
Next up, you want to search for the Jar of Gunpowder Stuff. You can find it directly inside the Southern Warden Tower on the map, which you can the location of in the map screenshot below. It's due west of Grakohr and Gilyn's cave and north of the starting point in Galawain's Tusks. The Jar of Gunpowder Stuff is located on a shelf inside the tower on the first floor.
Finally, the Anti-Mycotic Moss is located back near the cave where Grakohr and Gilyn are. Near their cave is a Xaurip Encampment, which is on the southeastern side of the cave. You'll want to defeat all of the enemies here and then climb the rocks inside the camp. At the top of the rocks, you can pick up the Anti-Mycotic Moss sitting on a boulder.
With all three ingredients in your inventory, you can head back to Grakohr's Cave, give them the cure, and then they will release Gilyn. You could also still attack Grakohr, but that doesn't make much sense at this juncture. Still, you have the option if you are so inclined to do a maximum chaos playthrough.
If you give Grakohr the cure, you can speak to Gilyn, who says thank you and to come and find her at the Southern Warden Tower in the coming days. If you take Gilyn up on that offer, you can find she has set up a merchant's shop and you're able to buy some items from her, including valuable crafting materials in Avowed. After speaking with her, the quest is complete and you earn 9,975 XP for your efforts.
And there you go, that's how to complete the A Cure for Rage side quest in Avowed. To attack the ogre or not is certainly the biggest dilemma, but if you believe in fairness, then Grakohr deserves a chance to live.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 8:47 AM
The Totem of Perseverance is the final God Totem you can put together in Avowed. Seven pieces of the totem are scattered across the Galawain's Tusks region and it's your job to find them. Of course, that's far easier said than done.
To see where every piece of the Totem of Perseverance is located and all the buffs that come with it in Avowed, check out the guide below.
All Totem of Perseverance locations in Avowed
As with all the other totems in Avowed, there are seven total pieces you need to find in different parts of Galawain's Tusks. You can start looking for all but one of the totem pieces as soon as you enter the region, but you'll have to travel far and wide to find them all.
To see the location of all seven Totem of Perseverance pieces, read below:
The Huntmaster's Spoils Totem Base
First up is the Totem Base, which is called The Huntmaster's Spoils. This is what you need to start the totem back at your party camp, and fortunately, it's in an easy spot in Galawain's Tusks. You need to reach the Shrine to Galawain location, which is in the center of the map. Find Twinedwoof and go slightly northeast from there. You'll be able to cut into a mountain and enter the Shrine to Galawain, which has The Huntmaster's Spoils Totem Base sitting on a mantle.
Antler of the Persevering Stag
Next up is the Antlet of the Persevering Stag, which you can find extremely easily if you're following along with the main story in Avowed. This totem piece is located just beneath the Bridge to the Garden, which is described as the "Godless Tower" in your quest journal. You can reach this location on the far eastern side of Galawain's Tusks. At the spot, you want to head underneath the right side of the bridge and jump down a few rocks to reach the Antler of the Persevering Stag.
Hunter's Arrows of Slaying
The third Totem of Perseverance piece is located at the Slumbering Fields spot on the western side of Galawain's Tusks. You can access this separate piece of land via a bridge that crosses over a lava river. In Slumbering Fields, you can find the Hunter's Arrows of Slaying inside of an open chest. The chest is up against a wall of leaves surrounded by broken vases. The chest is just north of the Slumbering Fields fast travel beacon.
Wolf's Pelt Trophy
The next totem piece is the Wolf's Pelt Trophy, which is quite secluded in Galawain's Tusks. You have to travel to one of the northernmost locations on the map, which is the Ash Forest Outpost. This is located all the way to the northwest of Solace Keep. At the outpost, you can find the Wolf's Pelt Trophy at the top of the tower. Ascend the tower by climbing up its steps and then you'll find the totem piece lying on the ground next to a great hammer and some boxes.
Hunter's Arrows of Seeking
The only Totem of Perseverance piece that you can't find until you complete part of the story in Avowed is the Hunter's Arrows of Seeking. This piece is located at the top of the Mt. Forja Summit, which you can only reach as a part of the main story questline. When you reach the summit, you'll talk with Inquisitor Lodwyn and the Steel Garrote. However, after that encounter is over, you can find the Hunter's Arrows of Seeking in the southeast part of the summit. The arrows are sitting on top of a bag tucked away in a corner of the mountain.
Hunter's Arrows of Surviving
The penultimate piece to the Totem of Perseverance is the Hunter's Arrows of Surviving. This set of arrows is located in a difficult-to-reach part of the Lost Village, which is found in the very northeast part of the map. You have to go directly from Solace Keep to reach the small village, which you might want to do with Marius in your party (hint hint). While the totem piece is in the Lost Village, you have to go to the north and visit the Pargrun Cache to actually reach it.
To get to the Pargrun Cache, go south from the Lost Village until you find a spider cave. There's a wall you can blow open inside and as you progress, you'll eventually get to the Pargrun Cache. From there, head south until you can go inside a tower that's directly to the right of the fast travel beacon on your map. There, you'll find the Hunter's Arrows of Surviving sitting on a desk inside the tower.
Antler of the Pursued Stag
The final Totem of Perseverance piece is the Antler of the Pursued Stag, which is very close to the Hunter's Arrows of Surviving. All you have to do to reach these is go back towards the Pargrun Cache near the Lost Village and go north of the cache instead of south. All the way above the Pargrun Cache is a small area that you can reach that has another tower. Head inside that tower to find the Antler of the Pursued Stag sitting on a table.
That fully completes the Totem of Perseverance, and all's that left to do is head to a party camp and put it together.
All Totem of Perseverance Buffs in Avowed
Once you're back at a party camp, place down the Totem Base in the top right spot of the totem rock and then insert the six other fragments. This sparks the final totem cutscene of Avowed, where Galawain talks about Sapadal.
After the cutscene has concluded, the Totem of Perseverance quest is over and you can see all of the buffs that come as a result of completing the totem. Here's a list of all six buffs:
As long as the Totem of Perseverance is active, you get continued access to the six buffs in Avowed. You now have one less thing to worry about in Galawain's Tusks and you're one step closer to the end of the game.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 8:45 AM
One Last Drink is a side quest in Avowed that can be accepted by a lonely captain in Shatterscarp's hub city of Thirdborn. However, the quest evolves into something else as you're trying to complete it, and there's one part that can give you some serious trouble.
To see how to complete One Last Drink in Avowed, keep reading the guide below.
One Last Drink quest guide in Avowed
You can start One Last Drink by speaking to Captain Ngunu, who is standing in the back corner of the Swordfish bar in Thirdborn. The bar is on the back right side of the city and you can easily find Captain Ngunu by looking for the exclamation point icon on your map.
When you speak to Captain Ngunu, you'll learn that he's an old ship captain who is just looking to have one more drink with his estranged crew. The crew and the captain went their separate ways years ago for various reasons, and he's tasked you with getting them back to Thirdborn for one final drink. When Captain Ngunu is done explaining, make sure you ask about each individual crew member for some additional backstory on their location and why they're not speaking to the captain.
After you're done with the captain, you can track the One Last Drink quest from your journal in Avowed. The quest gives you three markers on your map that show the general location of all three crew members. They are scattered all around Shatterscarp, so let's go over where to find each member and how to convince them to come have a drink with Captain Ngunu.
Tauwe
First up is the easiest of the three crew members to find and recruit, Tauwe. Tauwe is located right in the center of the Sand Sea Oasis, which is found to the northeast of Thirdborn and south of the Shark's Teeth region. In the Sand Sea Oasis, you'll find Tauwe tending to a campfire near the front of a crystal clear blue pond. This pond is also where you can find a piece of the Totem of Revelations.
Fortunately, Tauwe doesn't need any convincing to come back and have a drink with the captain. All you need to do is mention the captain wants to have a drink, and the old crew member will agree to return to Thirdborn. However, he doesn't think you'll be able to get the other two crew members to follow suit. Once Tauwe agrees, you can leave the Sand Sea Oasis to find those remaining crew members.
Kowha
Next up is Kowha, who is conveniently located just north of Tauwe in the Shark's Teeth part of Shatterscarp. You'll have to travel to the northern tip of Shark's Teeth to find Kowha, who is distraught over dreamthralls taking over his friends. To talk more to Kowha, you need to eliminate all of the dreamthralls in the area just beyond where he's standing.
You have to eliminate the dreamthralls in the bottom area of his location as well as the ones that are located on the top part. To get to the top part, climb the wooden planks that are found on the northern wall of the bottom area. Once all the dreamthralls are eliminated, you can return to Kowha and ask him to reunite with Captain Ngunu. Kowha believes Ngunu is trying to murder him, but he reluctantly agrees to return to Thirdborn to confront the captain.
Ruanga
Finally, we have the toughest member to both find and recruit for One Last Drink. Ruana is located in the Abandoned Mine part of Shatterscarp, which is located just to the north of Thirdborn. However, the Abandoned Mine is found in the heart of a mountain and there's seemingly no way to get through and reach the mine.
Fortunately, all you need to do is go to the party camp waystone that's located directly south of the mine. From there, walk west and hug the mountain on your right side. Eventually, you'll see the bones of a lizard on the mountain wall. Right beneath the bones is a small crevice that you can go through to reach the Abandoned Mine.
Inside the mine, head up the wooden scaffolding that's located on the opposite side from where you came in and go in the small cave on your left. Here, you'll find Ruanga, who also thinks that Captain Ngunu has been trying to murder her. Unfortunately, you won't be able to convince Ruana to return to Thirdborn and share a final drink with the captain. She warns you against trusting him before you leave as well.
Finishing One Last Drink in Avowed
The second-to-last step of the One Last Drink quest is optional, and it will alter the outcome of the quest. After speaking to all three crew members, you can head back to Thirdborn and investigate the lighthouse located above the Fleetmaster's Perch. At the top of the lighthouse, use some lockpicks to open up a lockbox and find a vial of Ngunu's Poison inside. You can also find a book called "Perilous Plants and Where to Pick Them" on a desk nearby. Grab both of these items before leaving the lighthouse.
This essentially confirms that Ngunu is planning to kill all of the crew members who go to Thirdborn to have a drink with the captain. With this new information, you can return to Ruanga and hatch a plan to turn the tables on the captain. Ruanga agrees and she will now go to Thirdborn. The plan is to poison Ngunu and Tauwe and save Kowha since Tauwe and the captain seem to be on the plan together.
Once you have spoken to all three crew members and/or completed the optional step, you can return to Thirdborn. Inside the bar, you'll be asked by the bartender to bring some drinks to Captain Ngunu, who is already meeting with his crew in the upstairs part of the building.
You can deliver the drinks, which prompts you to make a choice. You can either give Ruanga and Kowha the poisoned rum or give Ngunu and Tauwe the poisoned rum. You can make a choice between what side you want to pick, but you're essentially killing half of the crew. After you make your choice, the crew will toast, and two of them will die.
If you skip the optional step of finding the poison, Runaga will never show up and Kowha will die after drinking the rum. Ngunu barely even comments on this, and the One Last Drink quest ends in Avowed. Any way it plays out and regardless of who you kill, you earn roughly 200 XP for completing the side quest. Ngunu will also give you the Ring of Prosperity's Fortune for your efforts before he dies, if you take that route.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 8:39 AM
It's all too easy to forget that Bioware used to be the cream of the crop. Its flagship franchises aren't all that hot nowadays, but that's a different can of worms. According to a Bioware co-founder, however, the studio might've had more flagship IPs had it not been for Microsoft.
More specifically, this information comes from Dr. Greg Zeschuk, who spoke about his experience of working under Microsoft's publishing umbrella as part of a recent My Perfect Console podcast. As first spotted by Gamesradar, Zeschuk stated that Microsoft gave him the single worst piece of advice he's ever received in his video game production career: to release Jade Empire on the absolute tail-end of the original Xbox/PS2 console generation.
"Absolute moronic advice from [Microsoft]," says Bioware co-founder Greg Zeschuk
"Microsoft was like 'no no, you should release [Jade Empire] now, right at the end of the cycle, because it's a great time," Zeschuk stated. "It was the worst advice, absolute moronic advice from them, the stupidest thing ever," he continued. "We could have rezzed it up, we could have amped it up. We could have said no. I just think it would have been a way more successful product at the beginning of a cycle than the end."
It's a sensible enough take, of course, especially considering the fact that Jade Empire definitely found its audience as a rather unique martial arts role-playing game. Its take on Chinese mythology positions Jade Empire as a kind of a super-early predecessor to Black Myth: Wukong if anything, and it would've been fascinating to see the two collide... if we had a new Jade Empire game to begin with, that is.
You can still play Jade Empire on PC, of course: it's readily available in its Special Edition via GOG, and it's about as worthy of your attention in 2025 as any other classic Bioware game. Which is to say, the odds are good you'll prefer it over Bioware's more recent output.
I do think Zeschuk was onto something with this, because the follow-up to the original Xbox was the legendary Xbox 360 console. It's hardly worth arguing that X360 was the absolute pinnacle of Xbox popularity at the time, and having a top-notch RPG such as Jade Empire on it would've surely gotten more eyes on it.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 8:25 AM
You may hear about the secret tunnels underneath the city of Kuttenberg during the main mission Into the Underworld. The winding passages are tough to navigate, but luckily there's a solution. Here's how to find the Map of the Kuttenberg underground tunnels in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2.
To get the map, you must unlock the task, Master Schindel's Toys, while hunting for Goatskin in Into the Underworld. Speak with Adam, the owner of the city bathhouse you visit during the mission, and choose the dialogue option "What do you need to 'sort out'?"
Adam tells you about Jan Schindel, a scholar whose items were stolen by Goatskin. He requests that you track down the items and return them to Master Schindel, who's been rather cross about the whole thing. Later, when you find Goatskin, you can ask him about the items. He'll mention the Kuttenberg tunnels and where you can find the map that points to where he stashed the goods.
Where to find the Map of Kuttenberg underground tunnels in Kingdom Come 2
Goatskin no longer has the map; he gave it to a thief named Angel, who's ironically no longer alive. You see, Angel was sentenced to death by the city. Luckily for you (but not for Angel), you can still get the map.
Angel was hanged at the gallows outside the walls of Kuttenberg. You can find the gallows southeast past the wall and near the river.
You should be able to spot Angel hanging from the gallows as you approach.
Goatskin mentions that the place is guarded, but that might not be the case (it wasn't for me). To reach Angel, enter the gallows building via the doorway on the northern side.
Head up the stairs and loot the 'Map of Kuttenberg underground' off the corpse.
When you have it, open your inventory and pick the "read" option to give it a look.
How to find Goatskin's stash
You must use the map to find Goatskin's stash to complete Master Schindel's Toys. Look at the map and search for the goat icon next to an arrow pointing to a circle on the upper-right portion of the map.
This is where you can find Goatskin's stash. But where exactly is that?
Unlike some treasure maps, the Kuttenberg tunnels map is far more detailed. The ladders indicate tunnel entrances, and the other icons represent businesses. For example, the beer mugs refer to taverns, the scissors are tailors, and the quill and ink bottle icon is for scribes.
Looking at the map, we can see that the stash is south of a smokehouse and to the east of a scribe. There's a tunnel entrance near it as well, meaning the stash shouldn't be too taxing to find.
But there is a fast way to find the goods. Head to Janek the Scribbler's building north of the Hangman's Halter Tavern on the eastern side of the city.
The scribe's building has a large, ornate painting of a hand holding a quill on the front.
Go inside the front door and enter the scribe's room via the door to the right.
Head to the back room past the scribe and look for a staircase leading down. Follow it to enter the building's storage area.
Note: The storage area is marked private, meaning you'll be asked to leave if discovered. The guards will be called if you don't go.
Go deeper into the storage area until you find a door leading to the rocky tunnels under the city.
Follow the path until it splits and take a right.
Descend the ladder you come across and take the next left. You'll soon enter a shaft walled with planks.
Progress until you reach a fork and go left.
Search the barrel on the ground at the end of the path for the items:
Give the items to Master Schindel
Return to Janek the Scribbler and look for Master Schindel. He should be outside via the back of the building.
Return the items to complete Master Schindel's Toys. He lets you keep Strange Little Verse I, which leads you to a scavenger hunt around Kuttenberg.
Reward: 225 Groschen.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 8:22 AM
After completing the side task, Master Schindel's Toys, you're left with a rather particular letter called Strange Little Verse I. The note includes a riddle, and following it leads you on a scavenger hunt around Kuttenberg. Here's how to solve the Strange Little Verse riddles in Kingdom Come 2.
There are five Strange Little Verse riddles to solve in Kingdom Come 2. The first one is rewarded to you by completing Master Schindel's Toys, a side quest you can unlock during the story mission Into the Underworld. Each riddle contains clues to follow, eventually leading you to a spot where you can find the subsequent riddle, ultimately resulting in a reward.
How to solve the Strange Little Verse riddles in Kingdom Come 2
The Strange Little Verses take you on a tour of Kuttenberg, allowing you to use your knowledge of the city to your advantage. If you don't know Kuttenberg enough, well, thankfully you have this guide.
How to solve the Strange Little Verse I riddle
The first riddle goes:
Unfortunately, the in-game map for Kuttenberg doesn't reveal the names of the streets. But if you have explored the city thoroughly, you may be able to find out where to go.
Some of the riddles point to places of interest. In this case, you should look on the southwestern side of the city for the Fountain on Vintner's Street.
Head to the fountain and look around the area to solve the riddle's clues: it mentions two tall Marys, one facing east and the other south. High on the corner of a building are two niches with the Virgin Mary, each pointing in the respective directions. This is the right spot!
Go to the fountain in the center of the area. Look for the pipe furthest away from the Mary statues. You'll know you found the correct one when the Loot option appears. Loot the pipe for Strange Little Verse II.
How to solve the Strange Little Verse II riddle
The second riddle goes:
It doesn't exactly rhyme all the way through, does it? Anyway, the riddle points to the northern wall of the city where we can find this Sir Knight Pail von Bucket. Head up that way now.
Instead of leaving the city via the bridge to the northern farmland, take a right just before it and enter the door leading to the section between the walls.
Standing against the wall, across the way from the farm growing hops, is the Protector of Kuttenberg: a straw knight with a bucket on its head and an arrow in one of its eyes (the shaft, I presume).
Approach the knight and choose "Search the figure" to find Strange Little Verse III.
How to solve the Strange Little Verse III riddle
The third riddle reads:
The clues of the third riddle point to time, Eden, and a knowledge tree. We can conclude that Time refers to a clock, and there is one near the market stalls in the eastern part of the city.
The large clock's spire may refer to the golden needle.
When the clock strikes 6 p.m., the shadow casts the point of the spire on the side of a building across the way where you can find a mural of Adam and Eve standing next to the Tree of Knowledge in Eden.
Look around to the other side for a metal hatch. Open it to find Strange Little Verse IV.
How to solve the Strange Little Verse IV riddle
The fourth riddle reads:
The clues of the riddle point to majesty (or kings/emperors) and a bird nest on high. This can be a tough riddle, mostly because I know of only one bird nest in Kuttenberg and it's hard to spot on the map.
On the western side of the city is The Emperor Charles Tavern. Looking at it on the map, you may not be able to easily see the icon for a bird nest, but it's there.
Head to the tavern and go inside. Follow the stairs all the way up until you reach the attic.
Look for the bird nest in the window that points to the street in front of the tavern. Crouch down, aim, and dislodge it with a rock by pressing the G key on the keyboard, the LB button on an Xbox controller, or L1 on a PlayStation pad. You should also be able to knock it down with an arrow or bolt.
The nest falls to the street. Go back to the front of the building and search the nest for Strange Little Verse V.
How to solve the Strange Little Verse V riddle
The fifth and final Strange Little Verse goes:
Your clues include St. George, who attacks a dragon with his spear, a stone dragon to the east, and a window where you will find your reward.
Like with Strange Little Verse III and the clock tower, it pays to keep your eyes open for the particular marker to help you solve the riddle. In this case, you must look for a painting of St. George attacking a dragon.
There are multiple buildings with large paintings or murals, but only one bearing a St. George hunting a dragon. To find it, head to the northern section of town on the street with multiple armorer shops.
The painting of St. George can be found high on the pale, yellow building belonging to one of the armorers.
To the right is a stone building with green paint. If you squint, the two windows above an arch sorta resemble a dragon.
Go under the mouth arch and search the small window near the doorway.
Inside, you'll find your reward for solving the riddles:
The books increase your Scholarship and Alchemy skills, respectively, after you get both to the minimum level of 15.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 6:37 AM
In Monster Hunter Wilds, status effect boosts work in both positive and negative fashion, and you'll need to master them to make the most of the benefits (and negate the ill effects).
Status effects are available in two forms: Boosts and Ailments. While the former benefits your character, the latter can be both positive and negative. On the other hand, Ailments have adverse effects, but you can also use them on your enemy.
All Status Effect Boosts in Monster Hunter Wilds
There are different boosts you can utilize on your adventures, so it's essential to know how to get them in the first place.
All Status Effect Ailments in Monster Hunter Wilds
While the effects of Ailments are negative in nature, you can also inflict them on enemies.
If you're getting hit regularly with Bleeding, make sure to check out our guide to help ease your pain and problems.
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Destructoid Friday, February 28, 2025 6:23 AM
One of the rarest clans in Ninja Time is as powerful as the Rinnegan eyes, which it was inspired by. Even though all of the skills given by the Purple Eyes Clan are powerful, you can't use all of them at the same time. So, let's dive into a complete showcase of all the Purple Eyes Clan skills in Ninja Time and see which ones are the best.
Table of Contents
Purple Eyes Clan Skill Tree in Ninja Time
The Purple Eyes Clan in Ninja Time has 13 skills in total that you can master. Each skill has a level requirement you have to meet, and to unlock one of them, you have to spend one stat point. When you unlock Purple Eyes skills, you can equip them to your hotbar and use them by spending chackra. However, keep in mind that you have to enter the Purple Eyes Mode to use most of them.
Ninja Time Purple Eyes Clan Skills Showcase
The skills of the Purple Eyes Clan, inspired by Rinnegan, are generally very offensive. There are no defensive moves you can take on the skill tree. So, we separated the skills into three groups: utility skills, low-damage skills, and high-damage skills.
Purple Eyes Clan High Damage Skills
The high-damage skills of the Purple Eyes Clan generally have large AoEs and longer cooldowns, and they cost more chackra to use. However, if you can combo up a few of them, you can defeat most early-game Ninja Time bosses very quickly. Once you've reached level 25 in Purple Eyes Clan mastery, you want to equip as many of these skills as you can.
Purple Eyes Clan Low Damage Skills
Most low-damage skills of the Rinnegan-inspired Purple Eyes Clan are useful only in the early game for multiple reasons. Firstly and foremost, they have low damage potential, and secondly, their AoE is usually very small. However, some of these skills are still very useful in the late game because of their damage scaling and lower cooldowns.
Purple Eyes Clan Utility Skills
The Purple Eyes Clan has a few utility skills that can be super handy. Firstly, the Purple Eyes Mode temporarily increases your Purple Eyes mastery level by 12. And it allows you to use most other Clan skills, so it is a must-have in your loadout. The other useful skill to have is the Bird Invocation. Why? Well, because it is just a way better mount compared to the regular Bird mount.
List of All Purple Eyes Clan Skills in Ninja Time
Below is a list of all the skills that can be unlocked by leveling up your mastery of the Purple Eyes Clan in Ninja Time. Most skills cost between 75 and 150 chackra to use, and generally, they have a cooldown of around 15 seconds. However, two skills stand out from the rest: Celestial Subjugation and Demonic Statue, which have very high cooldowns and chackra costs.
The Best Purple Eyes Clan Skill Loadout in Ninja Time
Since you can equip only eight Rinnegan skills to your hotbar, you will want to carry an optimal loadout with you at all times. Utility must-haves are definitely the Purple Eyes Mode and the Bird Invocation. Universal Absorption can also be handy if you have a family that boosts your maximum chackra. As for the damage skills, the best ones are in this order: Demonic Statue, Celestial Subjugation, Divine Push, Rhino Rush, Hellgate, Gamma Beam, and Soul Grasp.
How to Get the Purple Eyes Clan in Ninja Time
If you don't have the Purple Eyes Clan already, then you can spin for it in the Spins section of the main menu. However, keep in mind that you have only 0.5% to roll the Purple Eyes Clan. So, if you spend all of your spins, check out our Ninja Time codes and get more for free.
How to Level Up the Purple Eyes Clan Mastery in Ninja Time
To unlock all of the skills on the Purple Eyes Clan skill tree in Ninja Time, you will need to increase your mastery level. To do that, you can either use the Rinnegan skills you already unlocked or max out your mastery and then level up your Purple Eyes Clan manually. Filling out your mastery is actually very easy because completing any quest maxes it out immediately. However, remember to spend your mastery right away, as all XP you get after reaching the mastery cap goes to waste.
That sums up everything you need to know about the Purple Eyes Clan's skills in Ninja Time. If you want to get yourself a very powerful taijutsu style as well, then check out our guide on how to train and get the Stone Leo fighting style in Ninja Time.
The post Ninja Time: Complete Purple Eyes Clan Skills Showcase [RELEASED] appeared first on Destructoid. |
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WGB Friday, February 28, 2025 6:59 AM Monster Hunter: Wilds has achieved over 1 million concurrent players on Steam, ranking 7th in popularity, despite mixed reviews primarily focused on optimization issues, while gameplay remains praised. |
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