Games Games Games : Mar 23, 14:00

Mar 23, 14:00

GamersHeroes Sunday, March 23, 2025 1:51 PM

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers GDC 2025 Preview – Fighting the Inner Demons

Gamers Heroes recently sat down for a hands-on experience of WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers at GDC 2025 - see what awaits in this dark and fantastical world with our preview.

The post WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers GDC 2025 Preview – Fighting the Inner Demons appeared first on GamersHeroes.

GamersHeroes Sunday, March 23, 2025 1:36 PM

Blades of Fire GDC 2025 Preview – Forge Your Legend

Gamers Heroes recently got a chance to check out Blades of Fire's forging, unique combat system, and nasty trolls at GDC 2025 - learn more with our hands-on preview.

The post Blades of Fire GDC 2025 Preview – Forge Your Legend appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Kotaku Sunday, March 23, 2025 9:00 AM

How To Start Off Strong In Assassin's Creed Shadows And More Of The Week's Top Tips

This week saw the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows (read our review here) and if you're one of the many people flocking to feudal Japan this weekend, we've got an assortment of tips to help you get started. We've also got recommendations for honing your ground game in Civilization VII and some pointers for making…

Editor's Note: There will be minor spoilers for the first volume of the Assassin & Cinderella manga below.

Assassin & Cinderella doesn't begin with build up or any stage setting. Rather, we're immediately dropped into a scene in which a couple named "Mi" and "Ri" are reuniting. Mi is actually Neneko, a spy who is investigating an assassin and pretending to be an innocent, ordinary girl who becomes his girlfriend to do so. Except "Ri," whose real name is Omi, already worked that out. Her cover blown, she fears he'll kill her, because of course an assassin would do that to an enemy, right? Wrong. He actually fell in love with her, the real her he saw shining through during her "mission."

Assassin & Cinderella Manga Follows a Cute High-risk Romance — Image via Square Enix

Of course, her life would still be in danger, because she failed. But Omi has a solution for that too. He suggests a marriage of convenience. He gets to spend time with a woman he adores. She gets the safety of staying alive and not being held accountable to her organization via strategic information "leaks." And even if something went wrong otherwise, Omi points out he's strong enough to help her stay alive if the truth is ever exposed.

Which means the rest of the first volume of the Assassin & Cinderella manga gets to be mostly dedicated to actually watching them fall in love. Omi, due to his awareness of the situation, is already in that place, romantically. He caught on to what Neneko was up to. So we get to enjoy seeing her adjust to something of a normal life and as regular a relationship some people in such dangerous jobs can enjoy. He makes her breakfast. They go shopping together. They get married. He surprises her with a dessert gift for the first time. She meets his coworkers.

Yes, this also means that the elephant in the room is addressed. After all, Omi is still an assassin and Neneko is a spy. However, the latter half of the volume starts to bring up how such situations could begin to be handled by first introducing more people from Omi's organization. By gradually bringing in the faction, we're getting this reminder of what the series is about while maintaining the romantic (and yes, sometimes sexy) elements of the story.

The only issue I came across in the first volume of the Assassin & Cinderella manga is that Omi is nowhere near as well developed as Neneko. As such, his responses do really feel like they come out of nowhere. Since we're coming into the story in medias res, we don't see how she inspired such adoration and affection. I suppose in a way, it is to our benefit. We're caught off guard just as much and often as Neneko is. But I would have liked a bit more development on his part since he is the male lead.

In general though, the premise of Assassin & Cinderella is a fun one, and it does stand out among the many other shojo and josei romance manga out there. It's heavy on the wish fulfillment fantasy of a dangerous, yet also shockingly attentive and kind man suddenly adores a potential partner.

The first volume of Assassin & Cinderella is available now, and Square Enix will release the second volume of the manga on September 2, 2025.

The post Assassin & Cinderella Manga Follows a Cute High-risk Romance appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Sunday, March 23, 2025 9:00 AM

Review: Knights in Tight Spaces Is Off to a Good Start

Ground Shatter's Fights in Tight Spaces is one of those games you cite as a a roguelike that feels like it does something new and unique while building upon the deckbuilder concept so popular in recent releases. It's a tight, fast, fun game that's easy to enjoy over repeated runs. Knights in Tight Spaces attempts to follow up on that, with the developer's sequel adding a new theme and extra gameplay elements. There's promise and potential here, but I feel like those new additions also gum up the works.

While Fights in Tight Spaces featured a James Bond style theme with a single agent against multiple foes, the sequel Knights in Tight Spaces goes medieval with fantasy elements and a whole party of characters with different ranges and specialties. I almost like to think of runs as being more similar to Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, with a party of random folk being drawn together toward a common cause. You pick where you'll go as you travel the world, picking certain spots on the map to determine if you head into fights on small maps, each with their own objectives and foes of varying difficulty, or head to other stopgap spots where you can recover or build your deck up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kGiZQrj8aE&ab_channel=RawFury

Of course, that whole party element ends up feeling like Knights in Tight Spaces' greatest selling point and weakness. When thinking tactically, it's a super cool idea! New types of attacks for handling foes. Different methods for clearing out stages. New approaches to keep runs fresh! I especially liked the magic users like the Sorcerer and Warlock, since you need to keep their unique traits and spells in mind when attacking and parties with them feel so different from Fights in Tight Spaces. However, the general melee and ranged units can also be quite fun. I regularly happened upon situations when I needed to think about how to best use what I had ahead of me.

And in general, these units can work really well and look good doing so. While Fights in Tight Spaces featured a stark, futuristic, minimalist approach, Knights in Tight Spaces features characters and locations that look hand-drawn. The cards in your deck look dated and aged, lending more authenticity. Yet everything is still quite detailed and well telegraphed. You can see the grid, know how your card-based movement will work, and can even immediately pick out opportunities to perhaps "push" opponents off the stage.

Review: Knights in Tight Spaces Is Off to a Good Start — Images via Ground Shatter

Said deck is critical to success. Cards you acquire allow you to move about the aforementioned tight spaces. They let you attack. Some possess additional attributes that allow you to reposition enemies or yourself while performing skills or assaults. Many of these cards are tied to specific classes, though some movement or attack ones can be used by multiple kinds of characters.

It's there that the issue with Knights in Tight Spaces arises. This isn't a game in which potentially any party combination, deck, or equipment setup could result in success if you're smart. From my experiences, it is 100% advantageous to try and stick to parties that don't diversify, so you can guarantee the most efficient deck with enough movement, attack, and skill-based cards to get you through every stage and its goals. Too many classes, and by extension the cards you'd need to make them really great, and your deck is too bloated to be useful when plopped into certain spots. Which can lead to you losing even if you picked up the best equipment for your needs along the way, as you won't draw the cards that would let your party shine.

However, I do think there's hope. Knights in Tight Spaces is still very early on in its lifespan. A patch already appeared that fixed a softlock situation that kept me from writing my review earlier. (I encountered "The Past Catches Up" problem before.) The things getting in my way from really getting the most out of it, such as balancing issues, could be addressed.

I enjoy Knights in Tight Spaces, but also feel like the game could use a few balancing patches and updates before it hits that roguelike sweet spot. With a few adjustments, this could be a sequel that is the equal of the original Fights in Tight Spaces. For now, it's just an entertaining game that might put you in a situation where you can't excel or, in some situations, really win.

Knights in Tight Spaces is available for PCs.

The post Review: Knights in Tight Spaces Is Off to a Good Start appeared first on Siliconera.

Destructoid Sunday, March 23, 2025 12:30 PM

Best Serena build in The First Descendant

If you want your Serena build to shine in The First Descendant, follow what we have below. We'll break down the playstyle, components, and recommended weapons for her to take on most of the content in the game.

Best Serena build in The First Descendant

This build will utilize her fourth ability, Redemption. Let's start with the module setup:

Skill Module: Divine Surge

Sub Module: Mid-Air Maneuvering

Decimator

Nimble Fingers

MP Conversion

Focus on Fire

Skill Expansion

Increased HP

Fire Amplification

Focus on Singular

Strong Mentality

Maximize Range

The First Descendant Serena build stats — Screenshot by Destructoid

Using Divine Surge modifies Redemption into a divebomb ability similar to Valby's Hydro Pressure Bomb. It's great at mobbing and will deal tons of damage to mobs and bosses.

Cooldown and range are necessary to maximize the effectiveness of her fourth ability. Without these, you're going to have to wait or resort to shooting your weapons to deal with mobs.

With the mobbing setup, you're just going to spam the ability and clear waves. The trajectory and speed at which you dive will take time to get used to. Also, with eventual nerfs coming to popular wave clearers like Freyna and Ines, there's a good alternative here.

Next, here are the Reactors and Components you should use on this build:

Reactor: Burning Singularity Reactor
- Stats: Skill Cost and Skill Cooldown
- Other good stats: Fire or Singular Skill Power Boost Ratio

The First Descendant Serena build gameplay — Screenshot by Destructoid

External Components

Hunter Set

The Hunter Set is good for maintaining your MP, as well as getting just a little more cool down for you to spam Divine Surge.

Slayer Set

The Slayer Set is one of the more versatile sets in the game simply for the Skill Power increase.

Rolls for External Components

The following are rolls you should get for your components beneath your Reactor.

Auxiliary Power: Max HP and MP Recovery Out of Combat

Sensor: Max MP and MP Recovery in Combat

Memory: DEF and MP Recovery Modifier

Processor: Shield Recovery Modifier and Max Shield

These are considered "god rolls" because you're maximizing your survivability and MP recovery. While not fully necessary, at least just go for the MP rolls on the Auxiliary, Sensor, and Memory.

The First Descendant Serena build Inversion — Screenshot by Destructoid

Arche Tuning

You should either spec your Arche Tuning Factor levels either downward or to the right. Going down will give you more survivability if you take the HP route. The right side will give you stronger Skill Power and a reduction in Skill Cost. Either one is good here.

Recommended weapons

For Serena, you should use any of these weapons:

Enduring Legacy

Greg's Reversed Fate

Divine Punishment

Afterglow Sword

Ancient Knight

Most of these guns would be used for bossing since her Divine Surge will take care of mobs easily.

This build won't succeed too well when it comes to the Abyss boss or higher-level Void Erosion Purge, where enemy scaling is drastically higher than all other forms of content in the game.

Lastly, the Inversion Reinforcements will change every few months since we're on a seasonal cycle with The First Descendant. It's based on your playstyle and what you want here.

The post Best Serena build in The First Descendant appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Sunday, March 23, 2025 12:00 PM

All The Sims 4 Aspiration, traits, and cheats for all packs

Just like every person in real life, your Sims in The Sims 4 need a goal to aim towards. It gives them a reason to live, something to get out of bed for, and they earn Satisfaction Points by completing milestones along the way to meeting their Aspiration.

Those Satisfaction Points are important because they allow you to buy perks and potions to help you during a Sim's lifetime. Here's everything you need to know about Aspirations and how they can help your Sims work towards these pre-defined goals.

How to select an Aspiration in The Sims 4
Which The Sims 4 packs add new Aspirations?
How to complete Milestones in The Sims 4
Aspiration cheats for The Sims 4
Adding Aspiration Traits using cheats

How to select an Aspiration in The Sims 4

Bonus Trait of "Domestic" when choosing a Family Aspiration in The Sims 4 — Screenshot by Destructoid

There are currently a total of 77 Aspirations to choose from in The Sims 4. You can pick your Aspiration when creating a new character in Create a Sim, and the Aspirations are grouped into 15 different categories. Aspirations within a category will reward a bonus trait. This bonus trait will apply to your Sim for their lifetime, even if they later go on to change their Aspiration.

The 15 categories into which all Aspirations are sorted, and the bonus trait for each, are:

Category	Bonus Trait	Trait effect
Animal	Animal Affection	Relationships with animals begin at higher values
Athletic	High Metabolism	Sims gain weight more slowly but build muscle faster
Creativity	Muser	Gain boosts to experience gained when feeling Inspired
Deviance	Dastardly	Perform stronger and more successful mean interactions
Family	Domestic	Relationships with familiar Sims grow faster and stronger
Food	Essence of Flavor	Sims with this trait make higher-quality food and drink
Fortune	Business Savvy	Sims with this trait earn more money from all careers
Knowledge	Quick Learner	Increases the rate at which your Sim will build skills
Location	Home Turf	When in their home neighborhood, these Sims become happier
Love	Alluring	These Sims are more successful in love and romance
Nature	Collector	These Sims find rare collectibles more often
Popularity	Gregarious	Sims will build friendly relationships faster
Star Wars	Prepared Voyager	Sims will fill up their needs slightly while traveling
Wellness	Spa Membership	These Sims can get Spa treatments free of charge
Werewolf	Luna Confident	Gain a positive or negative relationship boost when introducing themselves to Werewolves, depending on behavior

Which The Sims 4 packs add new Aspirations?

For Rent, Life and Death, and Crystal Creations artwork for The Sims 4 — Image by Destructoid

The base game of The Sims 4 features 25 different Aspirations to choose from, split between nine of the 15 different categories. The following packs will add new Aspirations (or whole categories):

Expansion Packs	Game Packs	Stuff Packs
City Living Cats & Dogs Get Famous Island Living Discover University Eco Lifestyle Snowy Escape Cottage Living Horse Ranch For Rent Lovestruck Life & Death Businesses and Hobbies	Outdoor Retreat Spa Day Vampires Parenthood Jungle Adventure StrangerVille Realm of Magic Journey To Batuu Werewolves	Nifty Knitting Home Chef Hustle Bust the Dust Crystal Creations

The Blast from the Past event, running during February 2025, also added one new Aspiration, "Sticky Fingers." Combined, owning all of the above packs and completing this event will leave you with a total of 77 Aspirations to choose between when making a new Sim.

How to complete Milestones in The Sims 4

Werewolf Aspiration and Milestones in The Sims 4 — Screenshot by Destructoid

Each Aspiration comes with a list of different tasks to complete to reach the next stage of the Aspiration, also known as a Milestone. An Aspiration will usually have four different Milestones to complete, but that varies. These Milestones and the tasks you need to complete to achieve them won't become clear until you've selected an Aspiration and entered Live Mode with that Sim.

To see the Milestones for your Aspiration, open up the "Aspirations" tab in Live Mode, and you'll see the current Milestone for your chosen Aspiration. You can also press the button with a star on it to open up the full Aspirations menu, where you can change your Aspiration at any time. Remember, you'll always keep your initial bonus trait, regardless of what you change your Aspiration to.

The Aspirations menu in The Sims 4, showing Milestones for the Friend of the Animals Aspiration — Image by Destructoid

For any of the Aspirations, you'll be able to see all Milestones and what you need to do to complete them here. As you complete these objectives, you'll progress through the Milestones and eventually be well on your way to fulfilling your Aspiration.

Aspiration cheats for The Sims 4

While putting in the hard work and reaching your goals through hard work is always the most rewarding way to do it, there are times when you just want to skip the stress and unlock the benefits without any additional effort. There are a few cheats you can use to skip through the Aspiration mechanics.

All of the following cheats need the "testingcheats true" command to be entered before they will work:

Cheat	What it does
"aspirations.complete_current_milestone"	Completes the current milestone for any Aspiration
"sims.add_buff points"	Adds 100 Satisfaction Points
"sims.give_satisfaction_points [#]"	Use to add a specific number of Satisfaction Points by changing the '[#]' to any number

Adding Aspiration Traits using cheats

Aspiration reward traits unlocked in the Sims 4, Piper (from Musical Genius) and Angler's Tranquility (from Angling Ace) — Screenshot by Destructoid

Each Aspiration comes with a trait that is rewarded once you complete the Aspiration and all of its Milestones. You can add any of these traits to your character by entering the following cheat into the console:

"traits.equip_trait [trait name]"

To unlock a trait for your Sim without having to complete the connected Aspiration, you'll need to replace '[trait name]' with the name of the trait (bolded below) minus any spaces or punctuation. For instance, getting the Angler's Tranquility trait would require the full cheat of "traits.equip_trait anglerstranquility" to be entered into the console.

Here are all of the traits, which Aspiration they're connected to, and what they offer.

Base game Aspiration traits

Trait	Aspiration	What it does
Long Lived	Bodybuilder	Sim will live a longer natural life, accidents notwithstanding
Expressionistic	Painter Extraordinaire	Can create paintings with any emotional aura, regardless of actual mood while painting
Piper	Musical Genius	Sim learns four songs that can make other Sims act in certain ways
Poetic	Bestselling Author	Allows a Sim to create the Book of Life, which can resurrect a dead Sim
Mastermind	Public Enemy	Provides new interactions to cause negative moodlets in other Sims
Tormentor	Chief of Mischief	Gives a Sim the power to sabotage almost anything
Twisted Heart	Villainous Valentine	Sim gains bonus Social from Mean and Mischief interactions, while Sad and Embarrassed moods go away more quickly
Vicarious	Successful Lineage	This Sim will earn skill points while their child practices any skill
Matriarch/Patriarch	Big Happy Family	This Sim provides skill boosts to their children when they are closeby
Fresh Chef	Master Chef	Makes all prepared food of the highest quality, and prepared food never spoils
Potion Master	Master Mixologist	Allows this Sim to create drinks that can change the emotion of the drinker
Shrewd	Fabulously Wealthy	Receives a payment each week depending on Household Funds
Thrifty	Mansion Baron	Receive a 10% rebate on all Build Mode purchases each week
Professional	Renaissance Sim	Allows a Sim to write manuals about skills they have a high level in
Handy	Nerd Brain	Instantly fix or upgrade any object
Webmaster	Computer Whiz	Unlock new useful ways to use the computer, such as making money through playing games
Player	Serial Romantic	Never cause another Sim to get jealous, regardless of what they do
Companion	Soulmate	Unlock special interactions with a Sims spouse
Naturalist	Freelance Botanist	This Sim can never be harmed by fire and can extinguish any fire easily
Appraiser	The Curator	Allows a Sim to sell collectibles to the Simsonian Museum for extra cash
Angler's Tranquility	Angling Ace	Removes all negative moodlets while fishing
Hilarious	Joke Star	This Sim's jokes always land, and unlocks additional jokes for their repertoire
Perfect Host	Party Animal	Receive a boost to the score of any social event this Sim throws
Beloved	Friend of the World	Relationships with other Sims will never fade
Confidante	Neighborhood Confidante	Allows a Sim to avoid boring conversation and makes them more successful when meeting new people

Traits from Expansion Packs

Trait	Aspiration	What it does	Pack
Animal Whisperer	Friend of the Animals	Sims with this trait find it easier to train animals, and gain relationships with them faster	Cats & Dogs
Survival Insting	Extreme Sports Enthusiast	Always escape wildlife attacks, sports-related accidents, and more resistant to severe weather conditions	Snowy Escape
Worldly Knowledge	Mr. Komorebi Sightseer	Sim is better at socializing and gaining discounts at market stalls	Snowy Escape
Grand Champ Trainer	Championship Rider	Boosts horse training ability and skill-building, selling horses for higher prices	Horse Ranch
Nectar Know-It-All	Expert Nectar Maker	Allows a sim to craft pre-aged Nectar, and gains an iron bladder when drinking Nectar	Horse Ranch
World Renowned Actor/Actress	Master Actor/Actress	Never fail an acting action	Get Famous
Unstoppable Fame	World-Famous Celebrity	This Sim will not experience fame decay over time, and never react poorly towards the paparazzi	Get Famous
Muse of the Maker	Master Maker	Allows a Sim to fabricate items at a reduced cost	Eco Lifestyle
Pry of the Tiger	Seeker of Secrets	Become more successful when rummaging through junk mail, and unlocks the Tiger Inspector Badge to get out of trouble when breaking and entering	For Rent
Home Manager Maven	Five-Star Property Owner	Sim is more successful when dealing with tenants' emergencies and build stronger relationships with tenants	For Rent
Tomarang Expert	Fount of Tomorani Knowledge	Sims become more successful at actions performed in Tomarang and with its residents	For Rent
Neighborly	Discerning Dweller	Sim is better at negotiating rent and getting along with neighbors	For Rent
Higher Education	Academic	Gain more skill using the Electromagnetic Research Archive Machine, and earn more money selling Research Papers	Discover University
Ghost Whisperer	Ghost Historian	Have an easier time building relationships with ghosts, unlocks special interactions to discuss eerie findings	Life & Death
Motivational Speaker	Master Mentor	Allows Sim to give a Motivating Speech, which boosts skill gain for them and others	Businesses & Hobbies
Influential Individual	Eco Innovator	Everyone listens to this Sim when they speak, following their lead	Businesses & Hobbies
Beloved Brand	Esteemed Entrepreneur	Small Businesses run by this Sim will get more positive reviews	Businesses & Hobbies
In the Know	City Native	Get a massive discount at market stalls if this Sim haggles with vendors	City Living
Laid-Back	Beach Life	This Sim will never become tense	Island Living
Seasoned Romantic	Romantic Explorer	Romantic relationships between this Sim and others grow faster, and they get over embarrassment more quickly	Lovestruck
Affection Aficionado	Paragon Partner	This Sim will lose romantic satisfaction more slowly, less than 1% of the normal speed	Lovestruck
Nature Conversationalist	Country Caretaker	This Sim has improved relationships with animals, allowing the animals to live longer, and yield more from harvesting crops and get free grocery deliveries and a discount on their bills if they live in Henford-on-Bagley	Cottage Living
Natural Leader	Leader of the Pack	Earn club points much faster and overthrow leaders more easily	Get Together

Traits from Game Packs

Trait	Aspiration	What it does	Pack
I am the Master	Vampire Family	Command Powers used on this Sims children will always succeed	Vampires
A True Master	Master Vampire	Excel at Mind Control powers and have more Vampire Energy stores	Vampires
Regained Humanity	Good Vampire	Sims are more likely to give this Vampire Sim permission to drink	Vampires
Role Model	Super Parent	Give bonus character value scoring when near toddlers, children, or teens	Parenthood
Museum Patron	Archaeology Scholar	Become confident in museums and flirty when on a date there	Jungle Adventure
Treasure Hunter	Jungle Explorer	Occasionally find relics and treasure that other Sims would miss	Jungle Adventure
Slinger of Spells	Spellcraft & Sorcery	This Sim will create less charge when casting spells	Realm of Magic
Master Mixer	Purveyor of Potions	Rarely fail when using potions on this Sim	Realm of Magic
Hero of StrangerVille	StrangerVille Mystery	Receive fan mail and retell the story of your adventure	StrangerVille
Survivalist	Outdoor Enthusiast	This Sim doesn't mind living off the land and sleeping under the stars	Outdoor Retreat
A Gift of Credits	Hope vs Order	Receive a payment of Credits from your chosen Faction	Journey to Batuu
Heroic Presence	Paragon of Hope	Gain charisma more easily and inspire other sims easily	Journey to Batuu
Supreme Authority	Enforcer of Order	Have an edge during fights and are less likely to die from anger	Journey to Batuu
Sleight of Hand	Galactic Privateer	Pickpocket from other sims and never get caught cheating at Sabacc	Journey to Batuu
Clear Perspective	Inner Peace	Gain access to an action that grants a moodlet that prevents negative emotions for three hours	Spa Day
Self-Care Expertise	Self-Care Specialist	Increased skill gain in wellness activities, and clients pay more for services	Spa Day
Calming Aura	Zen Guru	Allows a Sim to generate a calming aura, affecting nearby Sims	Spa Day
Fanged Friend	Werewolf Initiate	Receive a boost to relationships with all Sims	Werewolves
Threatening Presence	Lone Wolf	Inspire fear in nearby Sims, aside from Greg	Werewolves
Refined Lupin	Emissary of the Collective	Generate less Fury over time	Werewolves
Chomp Champion	Wildfang Renegade	Sims turned by a Chomp Champion won't react negatively, and will instead join the Sims pack	Werewolves
Lunar Link	Cure Seeker	Once cured, this Sim will retain a link to benefits of the Lunar Cycle	Werewolves

Traits from Stuff Packs and other sources

Trait	Aspiration	What it does	Pack
Sacred Knitting Knowledge	Lord/Lady of the Knits	Craft unique knitted items, gain enhanced benefits when teaching others to knit, and free others from the Sweater Curse	Nifty Knitting
Enhanced Kleptomaniac	Sticky Fingers	Less likely to be caught stealing, even right in front of another Sim	Blast from the Past event
Batch Cook	Appliance Wiz	Always receive a duplicate of any recipe made using prepped ingredients	Home Chef Hustle
Booth Boss	Market Magnate	Set higher markups and be more successful convincing other Sims to buy items at Food Stands and Sales Tables	Home Chef Hustle
Fast and Fastidious	Perfectly Pristine	This Sim does not get negative moodlets or lose fun while cleaning, and they clean quicker using unlocked actions	Bust the Dust
Filth Dweller	Fabulously Filthy	Sim receives happy moodlets in dirty locations, gain he ability to befriend Filth Friends	Bust the Dust
Attuned	Crystal Crafter	Jewelery worn by this Sim will remain charged for longer and Sim can absorb energy from charged crystals	Crystal Creations

The post All The Sims 4 Aspiration, traits, and cheats for all packs appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Sunday, March 23, 2025 11:30 AM

Genshin Impact Iansan ascension and talent materials

Iansan in Genshin Impact is a 4-star Electro unit and good support who can buff her party members' ATK and heal them, making her fairly valuable.

Here's a simple guide covering all the materials you'll need for Iansan's ascension and her talents, as well as how to farm them.

Iansan ascension and talent materials

Here are all the materials required for Iansan's ascension in Genshin Impact:

Vajrada Amethyst Silver x1

Vajrada Amethyst Fragment x9

Vajrada Amethyst Chunk x9

Vajrada Amethyst Gemstone x6

New local specialty item x168

Ensnaring Gaze x46

Sentry's Wooden Whistle x18

Warrior's Metal Whistle x30

Saurian-Crowned Warrior's Golden Whistle x36

Once you're done with Iansan's ascension, you can farm the following materials to level up her talents:

Sentry's Wooden Whistle x18

Warrior's Metal Whistle x66

Saurian-Crowned Warrior's Golden Whistle x93

Denial and Judgement x18

Teachings of Contention x9

Guide to Contention x63

Philosophies of Contention x114

Crown of Insight x3

Where to farm Iansan's ascension and talent materials

Vajrada Amethyst Silver, Fragment, Chunk, and Gemstone

Vajrada Amethyst Silver is one of Iansan's ascension material — Image via HoYoverse

You can obtain Vajrada Amethyst Silver, Fragment, Chunk, and Gemstone by defeating the following enemies in Genshin Impact:

Tenebrous Papilla

Electro Hypostasis

Electro Regisvine

Thunder Manifestation

Millennial Pearl Seahorse

Magatsu Mitake Narukami no Mikoto

Everlasting Lord of Arcane Wisdom

Iniquitous Baptist

Luckily, Tenebrous Papilla also drops the boss material for Iansan; you may obtain random drops of the Vajrada Amethyst Sliver and its upper rarities.

Ensnaring Gaze

Ensnaring Gaze is a boss material that can be obtained by defeating the Tenebrous Papilla in Natlan.

New local specialty item

There's a new local specialty item in Natlan that you must farm for Iansan's ascension.

Sentry's Wooden Whistle, Warrior's Metal Whistle, and Saurian-Crowned Warrior's Golden Whistle

Sentry's Wooden Whistle is one of Iansan's ascension and talent materials. — Image via HoYoverse

Sentry's Wooden Whistle, Warrior's Metal Whistle, and Saurian-Crowned Warrior's Golden Whistle are commonly dropped by the Saurian Warrior enemies found all over Natlan. You can also buy some of the drops from the in-game shop.

Denial and Judgement

You can obtain Denial and Judgement by defeating The Knave weekly boss in Fontaine.

Teachings of Contention, Guide to Contention, and Philosophies of Contention

Philosophies of Contention is Iansan's talent material. — Image via HoYoverse

You can farm Philosophies of Contention and its lower rarities in the Blazing Ruins domain only on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday.

As for Crown of Insight, you can obtain them as a reward from the flagship events.

The post Genshin Impact Iansan ascension and talent materials appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Sunday, March 23, 2025 11:09 AM

How to create a stadium in MLB The Show 25

MLB The Show 25 offers many customization options to players when it comes to squads, but you can also generate your ballpark and use it in different game modes.

The Stadium Creator option allows players to express their creativity and create a stadium of their dreams. The process is pretty simple, and this guide will help you create the ballpark of your dreams.

MLB The Show 25 Stadium Creator explained

To create your stadium, load the game and select the Create option from the top of your home screen. It's indicated by the paintbrush icon.

Stadium Creation in MLB The Show 25 — Image via Destructoid

Select Stadium Creator.

You'll find different options (as shown in the following screenshot). Choose Create a New Stadium.

You'll find the base of a ballpark with no additional constructions.

Start by putting in the stands. A small icon on the top will showcase your ground's attendance. The capacity will increase as you put in more stands, but make sure to place them systematically.

You can put plenty of decorative items like buildings to decorate your stadium.

Once you're happy with the stadium, make sure to save it.

Template Stadiums are also available for you to use. Since making the stadium can be a slightly tricky process, using a template will save you time and energy. Moreover, you can work on these templates and design them as you wish.

Park creator in MLB The Show 25 — Image via Destructoid

The Vault is another excellent option to explore, as it helps you explore the creations of other players. There are two sections: one that includes the most popular uploads and another that shows you the most recent uploads. Press the Square button to get the options to save a stadium you like.

Once you have saved the stadium, you can use it in different MLB The Show 25 game modes, like Exhibition. It's a cool feature that allows you to add venues that might not be officially available from the developers. Just like custom stadiums, you can also create custom squads and make as many roster changes as you want. From creating ultimate fantasy lineups to mixing former legends with current-era superstars, the scope is endless.

The post How to create a stadium in MLB The Show 25 appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Sunday, March 23, 2025 11:00 AM

All notable upcoming Japanese RPGs (JRPGs) in 2025

From blowing up mako reactors to saving Disney princesses from the heartless, the Japanese RPG genre has a lot in store for anyone who decides to dive into it. 2025 Japanese RPGs include creating your very own weaponry with alchemy in the Atelier series and marrying your favorite villager in Rune Factory.

Here is a look at the diverse lineup in store for fans of the genre in 2025 and perhaps beyond, including remasters of long-beloved treasures. As more games get announced this year, we will update the list.

Yumia, an alchemist, exploring an open world — Image via Koei Tecmo

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & The Envisioned Land

Publisher: Koei Tecmo

Release Date: March 21

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC (via Steam)

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & The Envisioned Land, from developer Gust and publisher Koei Tecmo, explores a stunning anime-inspired world that sees alchemy as an omen rather than a blessing. As Yumia, you'll likely change the minds of many of this land as she tries to figure out what happened to a fallen society that saw its downfall due to alchemy. This RPG revolves around the alchemy mechanic, letting you create bases, battle items, and exploration equipment. For those who don't like the turn-based mechanics in past entries, this takes more of a real-time element to its combat. Atelier Yumia is one of the most anticipated March 2025 releases.

Lunar Remastered Collection

Publisher: GungHo Online Entertainment America

Release Date: April 18

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC (via Steam)

Two beloved JRPG classics are finally coming back to modern consoles and PC on April 18 with the Lunar Remastered Collection. It includes the first game, Silver Star Story, and the sequel, Eternal Blue. Similar to Square Enix's Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, the Lunar Remastered Collection improves the visuals and audio, in addition to quality-of-life improvements.

According to a PlayStation Blog interview with the game's producer, Matthias Pergams, the new collection includes an adjustable Battle Speed-Up option and a toggleable option for a unified inventory system in the first Lunar game. You can also customize each character's AI during battle. These improvements should help modernize the classic JRPG. The game also supports both English and Japanese voice acting to suit your preference.

You can find a Napdragon in Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time — Image via Level-5

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - May 21

Publisher: Level-5

Release Date: May 21

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC (via Steam)

Famed developer Level-5 is back with a new entry in the Fantasy Life series, The Girl Who Steals Time. This game takes a more relaxing approach to the JRPG genre, as you fish, cook, and shape your island to how you see fit. It's like Animal Crossing and an RPG had a baby. You'll be able to switch between 14 different jobs as you play through this game. If you want to experience this action RPG with friends, you can certainly do that through online multiplayer with up to four people. Get ready, as you'll be exploring an open world teeming with monsters.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3

Publisher: CyberConnect2

Release Date: May 29

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam)

CyberConnect2 is delivering the final chapter in the Fuga: Melodies of Steel trilogy on May 29. The children are on a journey to save their friend Malt as they board a tank called the Taranis that was once thought to be lost. The developer says on the game's Steam page that the battle system has "undergone substantial changes." You can now exploit enemy weaknesses and "deal escalating damage with every hit" when you utilize a weakness combo. You can also utilize assist attacks on your quest for victory.

Those new to the series might be able to try the third entry without playing the last two. The Steam page says, "It's not necessary to play Fuga: Melodies of Steel or Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 to enjoy Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3." Hopefully, that is true.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

Publisher: XSEED Games, Marvelous, and Marvelous Europe

Release Date: May 30

Platforms: Nintendo Switch and PC (via Steam).

On the very next day, you'll be able to play the 2025 Japanese RPG Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on Nintendo Switch and PC. In this entry, you'll be exploring a new Japanese-inspired country called Azuma. You'll be practicing Earth Dancer powers and taking down evil throughout the land to hopefully bring back hope to its residents. In what the publishers XSEED Games and Marvelous call a reimagined experience on the game's Steam page, we'll be rebuilding an entire village and farm to our hearts' content in between action-RPG battles outside.

As you fight monsters and start up a new society, you'll be able to romance the various characters that reside in your village. You may even marry one of them. The Steam page says the scenes between these characters and your protagonist will be voiced. They can also go to battle with you.

Digimon Story Time Stranger

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Release Date: 2025

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam)

After almost a decade, a new entry of the Digimon Story is nearly upon us, as it currently has a vague 2025 release date. Like past entries of the series, you'll be battling other Digimon in the turn-based affair as you try to collect all of the digital monsters. The game takes place between the Digital World and the real world as you try to figure out the reason behind the planet's collapse.

An even wackier twist is that we'll be venturing through time and parallel worlds in an effort to change fate itself. The Steam page says there will be "an incredible variety of Digimon" and "deep customization options" that "provide limitless ways to approach the challenges of battle."

https://youtu.be/HzK94XSITVw

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian

Publisher: Koei Tecmo

Release Date: 2025

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC (via Steam)

Not much is known about the secondary Atelier adventure coming out in 2025. The trailer showcases an open world with multiple biomes, like a cave of diamonds and an open field. It has all new protagonists and features a narrative set in the canon of Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator. Damn, what is with these long names, Koei Tecmo!? Regardless, unlike Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator, this entry will be an offline title.

Two protagonists fighting wood-inspired monsters in Edge of Memories — Image via Nacon

Edge of Memories could be considered a 2025 Japanese RPG

Publisher: Nacon

Release Date: Q4 2025

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam)

While this game is technically from a French developer called Midgar Studio, we're still counting Edge of Memories as a JRPG as it has hired some significant talent from Japan. It includes the likes of character designer Raita Kazama (Xenoblade Chronicles X), writer Swako Natori (NieR), and Mitsuru Yokoyama, the combat designer of Final Fantasy XV. The majority of the soundtrack is from Cédric Menendez. However, the final theme is by Yasunori Mitsuda, who has been a composer on JRPG classics like Chrono Trigger and Xenoblade Chronicles.

Edge of Memories is an action RPG that has you stringing fast-paced combos and customizing your companions to "inflict more damage at crucial moments" by "[using] their skills wisely." There is also a rage system involved in the combat. Additionally, Edge of Memories supports Unreal Engine 5 anime-inspired visuals.

The post All notable upcoming Japanese RPGs (JRPGs) in 2025 appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Sunday, March 23, 2025 10:30 AM

Zenless Zone Zero vs Wuthering Waves: Which one really has the better combat system?

The action RPG showdown is on! Zenless Zone Zero and Wuthering Waves bring fluid combat, rotational mechanics, and high-speed action, which are best-in-class in the market, but each executes them uniquely. But which reigns supreme? The answer isn't so simple, but it may surprise you.

My Expertise in Both Games

Before we start throwing punches, let's get one thing straight: I know both of these games like the back of my hand. I have completed all available endgame content in Wuthering Waves and Zenless Zone Zero with max scores. That means total clearing of Wuthering Waves' Overdrive content, Holograms, Tower of Adversity, and Whimpering Waste (triple-S this season). For Zenless Zone Zero, this means surpassing floor 100 in Battle Tower (both versions) and flexing over 30,000 points on all Deadly Assault stages this season.

Needless to say, if there's a challenge, I've conquered it. If there's a mechanic, I've mastered it. So rest assured, this isn't just speculation. This is a take from someone who has tested the limits of both combat systems.

Complexity vs. Control: A Matter of Approach

Wuthering Waves – The Freeform Fighter

Carlotta using her Skill in Wuthering Waves — Image by Destructoid

Wuthering Waves thrives on flexibility. It lets you string together attacks, abilities, and swaps in a way that feels organic and open-ended. Want to animation cancel into a parry? Go for it. Chain ability after ability into a rapid-fire onslaught? Absolutely. The game encourages experimentation, rewarding those who push its combat to the limit.

However, this freedom comes with its own set of problems. The fluidity of combat can sometimes feel a little too loose, making certain high-intensity fights harder to control. Worse, most event activities strip away the need for skill expression due to just how ridiculously easy they are. You have so much power under your control with the intricate combat system, yet there's hardly anything to use it on when it comes to Wuthering Waves events.

Endgame-wise, let's talk about Whimpering Waste, for example. It is one of Wuthering Wave's latest endgame modes, but it's all about mass AoE fights, which means you can clear it by spamming attacks with enough DPS rather than outplaying your enemies. There is a strategy to it, as many of the enemies in the game mode have large health bars, but it still boils down to "Do I have the AoE DPS needed to clear waves quickly?". There's not much else beyond that, which is why the mode is so disappointing to not just me but also the community in-large.

Zenless Zone Zero – The Precision Brawler

Silver Solder Anby's Mark in Zenless Zone Zero — Image by Destructoid

On the flip side, Zenless Zone Zero is all about tight, controlled, momentum-based combat. Instead of overwhelming players with endless attack variations, Zenless Zone Zero refines its approach with timing-based dodges, tag-in combos, and a strong emphasis on synergy. Each character has a clear role, and executing a perfect counter or assist attack is as satisfying as landing a critical hit in a fighting game.

Rather than an open sandbox of mechanics, Zenless Zone Zero gives you structured tools and asks you to master them. And because the game's enemies are balanced around this structured system, fights feel consistently challenging, which is a big advantage over Wuthering Waves, where absurdly powerful buffs can often undermine combat depth.

Early Game Combat: Wuthering Waves Starts Strong

Camellya vs Wix in Wuthering Waves — Image by Destructoid

If we're talking about which game throws you into the action faster, then Wuthering Waves takes the lead. From the very start, it forces players to engage with mechanics like parries, dodges, and cancel animations, rewarding those who learn its intricacies early. You're not just mashing buttons; you're actively learning how to master the game.

By contrast, Zenless Zone Zero's early game is a bit of a snoozefest. You can get by with basic attacks, and meaningful combat depth doesn't kick in until much later. When you start encountering enemies that demand counterplay and synergy (the later half of the game), only then does Zenless Zone Zero start taking itself seriously. While this isn't a deal-breaker, it does mean that Wuthering Waves provides a more engaging combat experience out of the gate.

The Great Parry Debate

Silver Anby launching a Defensive Assist in Zenless Zone Zero — Image by Destructoid

Parries are a huge part of both combat systems, but they're implemented very differently:

Zenless Zone Zero uses Defensive Assists, which act as powerful parries that deflect attacks and play a big role in staggering enemies. However, they are finite, so you must rebuild them over time. They are also rather forgiving, hence the limitation.

Wuthering Waves has a more skill-intensive parry system that requires precise timing but isn't as strong as Zenless Zone Zero's version. However, they can be done at any time, provided the enemy's attack can be parried in the first place.

Which one is better? Really, it depends on what you want. If you love a high-risk, high-reward system, Wuthering Waves has the edge. If you prefer a forgiving yet powerful parry that plays into structured team mechanics, Zenless Zone Zero wins.

High-Level Combat: Who Wins?

Phoebe in combat (Wuthering Waves) — Image by Destructoid

Now, let's talk about real difficulty -- the kind that separates the casual players from the combat gurus.

While it is undeniable that Wuthering Waves has a higher skill ceiling and a more complex combat system, Zenless Zone Zero offers a more consistently rewarding challenge. The reason? Wuthering Waves rarely forces you to master its own mechanics.

Whimpering Waste is just a mass AoE fest. If you don't have the DPS, you won't be clearing it.

Tower of Adversity focuses more on rotational gameplay. Yes, some team comps get away from this, but the Intro Outro system in Wuthering Waves heavily encourages rotational play.

Many combat events grant buffs that let players easily brute-force fights.

Meanwhile, Zenless Zone Zero consistently demands precision, proper team synergy, and mastery of its mechanics. Battle Tower floors get excruciatingly difficult the further up you go, forcing players to actively use all available tools to win. Because the game is built around controlled, skill-based execution, it ensures that every hard fight is actually challenging.

So Which Game Has the Best Combat?

Yanagi in action - Zenless Zone Zero — Image by Destructoid

While both games have incredible combat, Zenless Zone Zero currently holds the edge for one simple reason: its combat is consistently rewarding across endgame content. Wuthering Waves, for all its depth and creativity, often undermines itself with encounter design that doesn't always demand high-level play and buffs that trivial any sense of combat accomplishment the moment you enter a fight. Until Kuro Games provides more skill-intensive endgame challenges, Wuthering Waves will remain a game with amazing combat mechanics but without enough opportunities to truly utilize them.

So, if you want a combat system that is satisfying where it matters most (the endgame), Zenless Zone Zero takes the crown. But if Wuthering Waves ever gets the skill-expression-focused high-level content it deserves, it will undoubtedly be the ultimate action RPG. For now, we'll just have to see where the future takes it.

The post Zenless Zone Zero vs Wuthering Waves: Which one really has the better combat system? appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Sunday, March 23, 2025 10:00 AM

Top 12 best games like Destiny 2 that respect your time

Destiny 2 is a solid game most of the time, but I do not blame you in the slightest if you're interested in jumping off that particular hamster wheel every so often. Heck, I did precisely that, and Destiny used to be a massive obsession of mine for five years.

The thing about Destiny 2, though, is that its astonishingly good combat gameplay and loot grind coddles you. There's much to complain about when it comes to Destiny, for sure, but it's a unique live-service experience with the kind of quality level you don't take for granted in other games. What if you're not keen on the live service bits, though? Or do you dread missing out on something great? Well, I might have just the thing for you.

I've assembled a list of a dozen games that are surprisingly similar to Destiny 2's gameplay loop in various ways. Crucially, these titles are mostly not live-service at all, or at least don't over-rely on teasing you with events you may miss to keep you coming back for more, so you can play them at your own pace no matter what.

The best games like Destiny 2 that actually respect your time

A cutscene closeup of a combat scene in Godfall. — Image via Counterplay

#12: Godfall

Godfall isn't a great game, but it sure as heck is a decent game, and that's a hill I'm willing to die on. It's the kind of low-brow loot-grabbing, goblin-slaying gameplay you get out of Destiny 2's grindier sections, and I'm all for it. The obvious caveat here is that there's not much else to Godfall other than grind, but I find that the game lends itself phenomenally well to playing on the go if you have a Steam Deck of ROG Ally. There's not much in the way of guns here, either, but the combat is fast, chunky, and satisfying, and that's plenty good enough.

Avowed screenshot showing a wizard using the Meteor Shower spell. — Image via Obsidian Entertainment

#11: Avowed

Surprised? I was, too, but Avowed leans heavily into a kind of combat and exploration fantasy that you usually get from exploring Destiny 2's new patrol zones for the first time. Crucially, the loot is usually bespoke and genuinely interesting, which cannot be said about Destiny 2's random-gen chests and whatnot. Just spec for Avowed's ranged weapons and spellcasting, and you'll be a non-Guardian Guardian in basically no time at all.

Starfield: a close-up screenshot of a modded, customized anti-materiel rifle. — Screenshot by Destructoid

#10: Starfield

Say what you will, but Starfield's combat gameplay is rather excellent in its own right. On that front, it could provide the kind of FPS kick you might be looking for after ditching Destiny 2. However, the arguably more important element of similarity between the two games is the sense of exploration and discovery. Destiny and Starfield handle the idea of space magic with guns and grenades very similarly, and if this fantasy is what you're most keen on, here's your ticket. Throw some mods in, and you've got a real winner at hand.

Oh, and don't forget about Starfield's satisfying movement mechanics, either: with sliding, mantling, dashing, and a general penchant for verticality, the game rhymes with Destiny in more ways than not.

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.1 — Screenshot via Destructoid

#9: Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077's baseline combat and RPG systems are those of a veritable looter-shooter. Though I'm not sure who decided this was a good approach to what is essentially a story-heavy FPS/RPG, the fact of the matter is that the result is an experience that's rather similar to that of Destiny 2.

Crucially, a lot of time and attention was spent on Cyberpunk 2077's weapon design. The guns are hefty, chunky, and satisfying, and the melee is about as snappy as it gets. Invest in the right perks and get the right loot drops, and things quickly start to feel properly Destiny-alike, even though these two games couldn't be further apart in practically every other sense.

A gameplay screenshot from Roboquest via Steam. — Image via RyseUp

#8: Roboquest

If it's the actual Destiny combat loop you're yearning for, I cannot recommend Roboquest enough. This incredibly satisfying roguelite FPS takes some obvious cues from Bungie's seminal live-service hit and applies them to a fully offline experience. And what do you know: it works.

Seriously though, Roboquest is easily one of the best finished FPS roguelites on the market right now. There's a ridiculous number of wildly different guns and perks to choose from, and they all feel appropriately snappy to use. Since the runs are finished in about 20 minutes or so, too, you'll always be rotating your loadouts, keeping things interesting no matter how much you play.

A screenshot from Wayfinder with the player roaming about on a mount. — Image via Airship Games

#7: Wayfinder

Wayfinder wasn't a good game on day one, but its revised and reformed non-live-service version actually fixes most of the problems players had with it. This is obviously a more fantasy-focused kind of experience, but the vibes are absolutely on point, and it'll keep you busy for dozens of hours. A great fit for Destiny fans looking for dungeon-crawling, puzzle-solving, and generally satisfying exploration.

Destructoid Best Ongoing Game 2024 Winner Warframe — Image via Digital Extremes

#6: Warframe

Everyone recommends Warframe to reformed Destiny 2 players for a reason, though there are some big caveats to keep in mind about it. Warframe is a live-service experience as well, though one that's far less keen on players missing out on content than Destiny's ever been. The biggest downside, however, lies in the fact that Warframe's simply not as polished, neat, or contained as Destiny 2, and this is going to be a no-go for some players.

These issues aside, Warframe is extremely content-rich and loaded with stuff to do. It will keep you busy for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours on end if that's what you're looking for, and most things are indeed earnable without resorting to real-world money purchases.

A picture of an Exotic sidearm from The Division 2. — Image via Massive Entertainment

#5: The Division 2: Warlords of New York

Though it's been overlooked recently, The Division 2, with its excellent Warlords of New York DLC, is a phenomenal substitute for Destiny 2. Unlike most other games on this list, The Division 2 specifically apes some of Destiny 2's design choices and features, which makes the two experiences extremely comparable in all the ways that matter. If this scratches your itch, The Division 2 is also about to receive a new Battle for Brooklyn DLC at some point, so there's lots of support and content coming yet. This is a live-service title, of course, but it never made me feel l like I was missing out on anything if I didn't play, which means it qualified for this list.

A screenshot from Remnant 2: The Dark Horizon with the player firing at a heavy enemy bot. — Image via Gunfire Games

#4: Remnant 2

For those who enjoy Destiny's puzzle and mystery elements the most, there's nothing quite like Remnant 2 on the market right now. In a broader sense, Remnant 2 is an astonishingly good game that stands on its own two feet. For Destiny expatriates, though, it offers excellent gameplay and progression substitutes and a constant sense of discovery wherever you look.

Seriously, the sheer number of puzzles and secrets found in Remnant 2 is astonishing. Crucially, many of them have bespoke loot as the final reward, which makes exploration the kind of thing you'll keep coming back to over and over again.

A gameplay screenshot from Borderlands 3. — Image via Gearbox

#3: Borderlands 3

Let's be honest here: Borderlands 3's story and dialogue are unpalatable, but there's a hell of a game to be played here in regards to how it actually handles. If you can stomach skipping through Borderlands 3's cutscenes whenever they crop up, and if you don't mind occasionally truly crummy dialogue, this is a phenomenal FPS that does not let up.

Borderlands 3's guns and abilities feel extremely similar to what you get out of Destiny 2, and the upgraded movement tech (i.e., sliding, mantling, and so on) helps elevate this particular FPS beyond most anything else in the niche.

A gameplay screenshot from Outriders: Worldslayer. — Image via People Can Fly

#2: Outriders: Worldslayer

Outriders and its Worldslayer DLC tried and failed to deliver a sensible alternative to Destiny 2, but not without giving us a reasonable substitute in the end. Outriders has no live-service experience, and it doesn't have the kind of longevity you might be looking for, but it's a satisfying magi-tek shooter regardless.

A Witchfire gameplay screenshot featuring a close-up of a skinned skeleton thing. — Image via The Astronauts

#1: Witchfire

Upon playing Witchfire for the first time, I was awestruck by how similar it felt to Destiny 2 in movement, combat, and exploration. This is no mistake: the CEO himself outlined just how much Bungie's work has affected Witchfire in a practical sense, and you genuinely feel the similarities as you run and gun.

As a roguelite extraction shooter kind of experience, Witchfire's core gameplay loop is basically what you get out of Destiny 2's patrol zones, with a bit of Dungeon exploration and puzzling thrown in for good measure. Honestly, though, if you need a game that feels most similar to Destiny and even outpaces in some key ways, like progression and weapon balancing, Witchfire needs to be at the top of your list. No two ways about it.

The post Top 12 best games like Destiny 2 that respect your time appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Sunday, March 23, 2025 9:08 AM

How to master Ambush Hitting in MLB The Show 25

Ambush Hitting is one of the new concepts in MLB The Show 25, and mastering it can be extremely rewarding when you're at bat in any game mode.

The new technique works on the skill of anticipating what the pitcher is going to do and increasing your chances of landing a successful hit. If you can land a correct prediction, your chances of hitting the ball will go up, which in turn will raise the chances of Home Run. This guide will help you to understand the basics and how the concept works in MLB The Show 25.

How does Ambush Hitting work in MLB The Show 25

Ambush Hitting is available at every at bat in the game, and it applies to all game modes. The job is simple: you try to guess the side of the incoming pitch before it's delivered. For every at bat, you'll choose whether the pitch is going to come towards the left side or the right.

If you manage to guess correctly, the Plate Coverage Indicator, or the PCI, will be bigger, and the timing window will also improve. If you guess it wrong, the reverse will happen, and your PCI and timing window will worsen, making it harder for you to hit the ball. Do note that you can still hit a ball after picking the wrong side before the pitch gets delivered.

How to use Ambush Hitting in MLB The Show 25

It's not mandatory to use Ambush Hitting. If you want to use it, point the RS to your left or right. The selected side will be highlighted in grey, making it easier for you to remember your choice. If you want to reset your choice, press RS.

Mastering Ambush Hitting is all about when you're using it, as the controls are straightforward. If you're one strike away from being out, it's best not to be brave. Trying to guess when you're already struggling to hit the ball isn't going to make your life any easier. If anything, you will end up with your chance of getting struck out.

I also avoid using it when my hitter is significantly better in terms of stats. Such a hitter will already have a decent chance of hitting the ball, so Ambush Hitting becomes too risky for my liking. The best time to use the technique is when the pitcher has already delivered two Balls, and you're yet to get a single Strike.

I personally avoid using it when playing against a human opponent because AI is easier to predict. They will usually try to follow a set pattern when it comes to pitch direction, so guesswork works better. Ultimately, Ambush Hitting is all about predicting what the pitcher is going to do.

If you're learning the game, it's better to focus more on the basics and make sure that you get the hitting settings correct, as that will increase your chances of success in the long run.

The post How to master Ambush Hitting in MLB The Show 25 appeared first on Destructoid.

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Sunday, March 23, 2025 11:24 AM

WWE 2K24 locker codes (March 2025)

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

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Sunday, March 23, 2025 10:27 AM

Second Piece codes (March 2025) [X2+Anniversary Update]

Updated March 23, 2025: We added new codes! We all want unlimited resources and Race Rerolls when we start a new adventure in One-Piece-based titles on Roblox. So, if you want to progress fast right away and improve your hero's stats effortlessly, use the latest Second Piece codes before they expire! All Second Piece codes list Second Piece codes (Working) !code BambiettaPortalFix — 100 Enchant Stones (New) !code OmgFreeMiracleStone — Free Miracle Stone (New) !code KenpachiFix — 100 Enchant Stones (New) !code PortalShard — 50 Race Rerolls (New) !code HotFixCidQuest — 25 Race Rerolls (New) !code CandyCaneFix — 250 Enchant Stones and 50 Blessing Stones !code KamishGamepassFix — 100 Enchant Stones and 50 Blessing Stones !code DevaPath — 25 Race Rerolls !code BigCodeIsReal — 75 Enchant Stones and 25 Blessing Stones !code 30KLikes — Free rewards !code PortalChanceIncrease — Free rewards !code TitleFixedAAA ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Sunday, March 23, 2025 10:12 AM

Five Nights TD codes (March 2025) [AUCTIONS]

Updated March 23, 2025: We added new codes. Surviving a single night in a cursed pizzeria is difficult, let alone five. At least Five Nights TD allows you to fight back, unlike the original game that inspired it. To do so, you'll need rare units, great strategy skills, and, of course, Five Nights TD codes. All Five Nights TD codes list Active Five Nights TD codes UPDATE41 — 2000 Space Tokens (New) NEBULA — 2000 Tokens (New) FREDDYINSPACE — 15 Souls (New) ALIENHELPY — 15 Souls (New) UPDATE40 — 2000 Greek Tokens AUCTIONS — 2000 Tokens PLAZAREVAMP — 15 Souls UPDATE39 — 2000 Greek Tokens 1MMEMBERS — 1 Exclusive Pack PIRATEFOXY — 15 Souls UPDATE37 — 2000 Greek tokens ENDLESS8 — 1 Exclusive Pack FLAMINGSPRINGTRAP — 30 Souls 600MVISITS — 5000 tokens UPDATE36 — 2000 Greek Tokens SEASON7 — 30 Souls RUIN — 1 Exclusive Pack THANKSFORPLAYING — 5000 Tokens UPDATE...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Sunday, March 23, 2025 6:13 AM

Ultimate Tower Defense codes (March 2025) [GUIDEBOOK!]

Updated March 23, 2025: Added a new code. It's time to summon all anime heroes in this multiverse and defend your base against challenging enemies. Your starter units are helpful at first, but you'll want to get stronger ones fast, and thankfully, Ultimate Tower Defense codes can help you with that! All Ultimate Tower Defense codes list Active Ultimate Tower Defense codes FeedbackHero — 100 Gems (Only in new and private servers) (New) Cookie — 49 Trait Rerolls (New) 4kPlayers! — 2x Gold Boost for 24h (Only in new and private servers) GUIDEBOOK — 100 Gems Waterbottle — 100 Gems GameSpeedWoah! — 10 Perk Rerolls and 5 Trait Rerolls TowerReworks — 30 Inactive Droplets, 15 Active Droplets, and 5 Brand of Sacrifices QoLUpdate! — 500 Rubies, 200 Gems, 15 Perk Rerolls, and 10 Trait Rerolls codeFumble —Free rewards (Only in new and private servers) dumbgamebugagain — 2x Gold Boost for 24h K1L4 — 2x Gold Boost f...

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