GamersHeroes Wednesday, April 23, 2025 3:47 PM Celebrating 11 years of Summoners War, see why you can't pause the hype with a new series of skit videos that will take players from the office to wedding day. The post Summoners War 11th Anniversary Trailer Collection Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:48 PM After hitting the skies on other platforms, the colorful world of Z-Software's party game Pilot Sports is now available for the PlayStation 5. The post Colorful Flying Party Game Pilot Sports Now Available for PlayStation 5 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:32 PM Players will be able to rediscover Capcom's Onimusha: Warlords and Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny's available as part of a bundle next month, on May 23. The post Onimusha 1+2 Pack Launching May 23 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:05 PM Celebrating its one-year anniversary in Steam Early Access, Donkey Crew's medieval open-world survival RPG Bellwright has launched its new Anniversary Update. The post Bellwright Anniversary Update Now Available appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:52 AM A popular PC survival life simulation game created by Australian solo developer James Bendon, KRAFTON, Inc. has officially launched Dinkum on Steam. The post Cozy Survival Life Sim Dinkum Officially Launched on Steam appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:32 AM FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have revealed Elden Ring Nightreign's Recluse with the latest character trailer for the standalone title. The post Elden Ring Nightreign Recluse Character Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:14 AM Set 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, the world of Sucker Punch Games and PlayStation Studios' Ghost of Yōtei is set to launch October 2. The post Ghost of Yōtei Launching October 2 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Wednesday, April 23, 2025 9:00 AM Based on the beloved comic book and animated feature film (check it out on Netflix!), N-Zone's Chickenhare & the Treasure of Spiking-Beard is slated to launch on both consoles and the PC later this year. The post Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking-Beard Launching This Year appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 3:30 PM  The worst-kept secret of the year, Bethesda's current-gen remaster of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, finally shadow-dropped yesterday and the Xbox-360-era open-world RPG has wasted no time in reminding fans why it was such a hit nearly two decades ago. Complete with refreshed graphics, updated gameplay, and cherished… |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:40 PM  After a year of rumors and reports, we finally got the first official teaser for the upcoming movie Predator: Badlands. And the teaser promises a Predator sequel unlike anything we've seen before. |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:50 PM  The world of Oblivion Remastered allows for a lot of leeway in how you approach situations, whether you're sneaking by guards, sword fighting like a swashbuckler, slinging magic spells, or, perhaps, talking your way out of situations. The latter often proves the most challenging for one reason: the persuasion… |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:40 PM  Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a deep and lengthy role-playing adventure with multiple characters, each with skill trees to flesh out. So, of course, as you advance through the game and unlock new skills, you'll find that you can optimize your characters' synergy with one another. |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:30 PM  Star Wars Andor is back just over two years after its first season ended on Disney+. The first three episodes of season two premiered on Disney+ on April 22 and the show is just as good as before, with lots of great dialogue, intense action, and a whole bunch of tension. And sprinkled throughout all of this are some… |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:18 PM |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:35 PM  If you've been itching for an RPG that mixes old-school turn-based combat with a penchant for modern flair, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is probably on your radar. Considering its stunning art style, immersive and rewarding combat system, and genuinely compelling narrative, it's hard to blame you for being interested. |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:27 PM  Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has a lot of moving parts in its turn-based battle system. Though the RPG does a decent job of introducing things to you slowly, by the time you have a full party, you're juggling pretty distinct characters with bespoke playstyles and trying to find some way to make them fit together. Part… |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 11:20 AM  A lot of current-gen ports seem like a slam dunk for the Switch 2, and you might assume Diablo IV was one of them. But franchise boss Rod Fergusson recently appeared to pour cold water on the idea that the Blizzard game would be coming to Nintendo's new console anytime soon. While it could run on the hardware, he… |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:15 AM  Seven years ago, Wadjet Eye Games released Unavowed, a point-and-click adventure that took the industry by surprise. Incorporating ideas from BioWare RPGs, this was a game in which the companions you took with you for any mission changed not only how the puzzles were solved, but how the story was told. It was… |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:05 AM  Switch 2 preorders don't begin in the U.S. until late tonight (12:01 a.m. ET on April 24), but they've already been underway in other parts of the world and even Nintendo has been shocked by the level of demand so far. The company said that, with over 2.2 million fans seeking to preorder a Switch 2 directly from My… |
Kotaku Wednesday, April 23, 2025 9:40 AM  Open-world samurai adventure Ghost of Yotei is the latest blockbuster to stake out a release date in a fall calendar overshadowed by the impending arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI. The sequel to Ghost of Tsushima will come to PlayStation 5 in October as we get more release dates for the second half of 2025. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 3:38 PM  From the moment it was revealed, Chernobylite 2 has stood out due to its ambition. Compared to the original, it's a massively expanded experience and strings together elements of post-apocalyptic RPGs like Fallout, realistic survival FPS games like Stalker, and even MMOs. Launched in early access just under two months ago, it's been steadily refining the experience. But today sees its first "Megapatch" arrive, and it brings some major overhauls, technical improvements, and much more. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best action-adventure games, Best soulslike games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:24 PM  The Division 2 fans have been waiting for the new Battle for Brooklyn DLC for quite some time. While there've been plenty of live service seasons and updates to keep players entertained, it's been just over five years since the first story expansion landed. That's made the setbacks and delays it experienced particularly painful, but soon, the wait comes to an end. The Division 2 Battle for Brooklyn release date has been locked in. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best co-op games, The best multiplayer games, The best MMOs in 2023 |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:50 PM  When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz? This special, limited-time event allows players to trade the usually locked golden stickers up to five times a day. This is an ideal solution for grabbing elusive missing stickers and completing albums quickly. While you can trade these up to five times a day, each event is limited to two specific stickers, set by Scopely. There's no official schedule for Monopoly Go's Golden Blitz event, so we can only estimate the date of the next Movie Night Golden Blitz based on previous events and official sticker polls. However, we check daily for official word on the next trade. While you wait, be sure to participate in other Monopoly Go events for a chance to earn rare sticker pack, and keep on top of freebies with our free Monopoly Go dice rolls guide, which is updated regularly with the newest links. Continue reading When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:49 PM  What is the next Monopoly Go event? With so many limited-time events in Monopoly Go, it can be hard to keep track of the rewards you can get your hands on. Monopoly Go events can last anywhere from a few hours to a week, so bookmark this page as we'll keep it regularly updated with the next events and their start and end dates. Monopoly Go is the latest online board game sweeping the globe, but completing all of these events won't be easy without some free Monopoly Go dice links, so check out our daily updated guide for some freebies and rewards before you get started on the next Monopoly Go tournament. Continue reading All Monopoly Go events, tournaments, dates, and rewards - April 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:45 PM  April 23, 2025: We added the latest Monopoly Go dice links for free dice rolls. How can I get free Monopoly Go 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 April 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:43 PM  Looking for a challenge to tide you over until the release of Elden Ring Nightreign? Well, Humble may have the answer, with its latest bundle, Return to Metroidvania, offering eight Metroidvania games, including the criminally underrated soulslike Grime, for as little as $14 / £10.62. That means you get each game for as little as $1.75 / £1.33. So, if you're in the mood for pain, look no further. Continue reading Be quick and grab twisted soulslike RPG Grime for under $2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Best action-adventure games, Best indie games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:36 PM  CKRD is teaming up with Limited Run Games to release an eye-catching red key card Doom controller, but only 1,000 are being made, so if you want one, you'll need to act fast. If you're looking forward to the Doom The Dark Ages release date, this controller might tighten the hype, although it won't actually be shipped until October 2025. Nevertheless, this is set to be one of the best PC controllers to play Doom with, thanks to its Hall Effect thumbsticks, adjustable trigger sensitivity, and iconic red key card design. Continue reading This Doom PC controller is stunning, but only 1,000 are being made MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best old games, Best FPS games, Best zombie games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:31 PM  What are the Tempest Rising system requirements? This old-school RTS is anything but old school when it comes to what it demands from your gaming PC. If you're a fan of the Command and Conquer games, Tempest Rising should help scratch the strategy itch, if you can run the game. While you won't need the best graphics card to get the best out of Tempest Rising, its recommended system requirements push for some unusually high GPU and CPU specs that would be more at home in a triple-A RPG or FPS. Continue reading Tempest Rising system requirements are unusually high for an RTS MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:28 PM  Factorio: Space Age transports the beloved base-building and automation sandbox game onto other planets, but what if you placed your focus more centrally among the stars? That's the pitch for Outworld Station, a new space game that's just landed in early access on Steam. Feeling a little like the halfway house between the row-on-row efficiency of Satisfactory and the galaxy-sprawling ambition of Dyson Sphere Program, it supports up to four-player co-op as you build your intergalactic empire. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:21 PM  Want the most useful Oblivion Remastered console commands? Become the most powerful being Cyrodiil has ever seen by using Oblivion Remastered console commands to cheat your way to the top. Once you open up the console, you can free yourself from the game's limitations to become the person you were always meant to be. You could easily spend hundreds of hours going through the entire Oblivion Remastered quest list, upgrading your skills, and reaching the level cap. However, if you want to save some time, console commands can make your RPG journey much easier. Pair these console commands with our list of the best Oblivion Remastered mods to take your game to new heights. Continue reading Oblivion Remastered console commands and cheats MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Oblivion Remastered quest list, Oblivion Remastered mods, How long is Oblivion Remastered? |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:01 PM  Bellwright has a fantastic central premise. Your medieval home country is being pillaged and ruined by a despotic king. By traveling between boroughs and settlements, you gradually raise a small militia, using them to capture patches of territory. Gather resources. Build houses. Forge an upstart economy. Over time, you unite your fledgling townships under a single banner and march on the evil empire - it's an RPG, survival game, and medieval strategy saga all in one. Manor Lords might have stolen the spotlight. Age of Empires has the historic RTS crown. But Bellwright remains one of Steam's best hidden gems, and now it's bigger and better thanks to a whirlwind anniversary update. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Best survival games, Best open-world games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 11:37 AM  How do you get a free horse in Oblivion Remastered? Getting a horse in Oblivion is essential for traversing Cyrodiil, and though you can get a horse by progressing the main campaign, there's a much easier way to get a free horse early on in your playthrough. You can get a free horse by delivering the Amulet of Kings to Brother Jauffre in Weynon Priory by progressing through the main Oblivion Remastered questline, but if you're just starting out in the RPG game, here's where to find a horse for free much earlier. Oblivion Remastered is much easier to navigate with a horse. Continue reading How to get a horse in Oblivion Remastered MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Oblivion Remastered quest list, Oblivion Remastered mods, How long is Oblivion Remastered? |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:01 PM  What are the best BO6 weapons? Not all guns are made equal, especially in the frantic environment of a Black Ops 6 lobby, and it can be tough to choose exactly what you're going to run with. We've put together a BO6 weapon tier list so you can see what's especially effective at the moment and plan your attack accordingly. Before you step foot in the gunsmith to throw one of our best Black Ops 6 loadouts together, you'll need to know which weapons are strong right now and which to avoid. There is a little bit of personal preference involved here, of course, and certain Black Ops 6 weapons are more suited to specific BO6 maps than others, but if you find something is S-class, it's worth a try regardless of the situation. Continue reading Black Ops 6 meta - best weapons tier list MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 guns, Black Ops 6 review, Black Ops 6 loadouts |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:12 PM  How do you start Oblivion Remastered Shivering Isles DLC? The not-so-surprise drop of Oblivion's Unreal Engine 5 remake has coated the classic Bethesda RPG in a fresh lick of paint. It also bundles its Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine DLC alongside the core game. Here's what you need to know to start each DLC's respective quests. While Oblivion Remastered has plenty of content, as evidenced by the Oblivion Remastered quest list, Shivering Isles offers one of the better and more substantial chunks of DLC that Bethesda released for their RPG hit. Continue reading Oblivion Remastered DLC - how to start Shivering Isles MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Oblivion Remastered quest list, Oblivion Remastered mods, How long is Oblivion Remastered? |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 11:48 AM  After the success of the mighty Balatro, roguelike deckbuilders aren't slowing down in 2025, courtesy of Slay the Spire 2 and Monster Train 2, both of which are on their way. But there's more. Mixing the visual flair of Metaphor Refantazio, with writing and worldbuilding from original Dragon Age creator David Gaider, Malys is a stunning challenger that puts you in the shoes of Noah, a priest turned exorcist and demon hunter. Built by Summerfall Studios, it's just landed on Kickstarter, and it's already making a splash. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 11:13 AM  What are the best League of Legends champions right now? Metas change, the LoL tier list will fluctuate, and it could be that your favorite champion might not be in a great place right now. While you can win games and climb the ranked ladder with nearly anyone in the lower ranks, the changes that come via champion and item balancing can tip the scales enough that some picks are almost mandatory, regardless of which rank you play. We've studied the latest patch notes and found the best champions in League of Legends right now. These picks will give you the best chance to climb the solo queue ranks in the free PC game, whether it's due to a buff, a kit adjustment, or an item change. If you want to play something other than what's on this list, keep these champions in mind for your ban, as they all have the potential to go on and dominate Summoner's Rift. Continue reading LoL tier list patch 25.08 - best League of Legends champions MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, LoL tier list |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:59 AM  The launch date for the new AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT gaming GPU has reportedly been brought forward. A new leak suggests that the original plan was for a June release, but it now looks as though both the 16GB and 8GB cards could be available as soon as May 18, 2025. These new GPUs from AMD will be vying to become the best graphics card options for gamers on a budget. It faces stiff competition from the likes of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB model, but until we know more about the RX 9060 XT price and specs, it's hard to know exactly how it will fare. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 9070 XT review |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:59 AM  There are a lot of things that League of Legends fans think of when they hear the name 'Gragas.' There's that K/DA skin, sporadic pregnancies, and, of course, 'bomba!' But the most iconic part of his kit is, of course, his gigantic cask and his love of beer - something that Riot claims was causing issues with Europe's age rating laws. As a result, the 'Drunken' part of 'Drunken Rage' (Gragas' W) was set to be removed, sparking mass backlash from the fanbase. Thankfully, Riot has heard the complaints, and upon further inspection has determined that Gragas can continue drunkenly raging for the forseeable future. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, LoL tier list |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:58 AM  April 23, 2025: We've checked for new Valorant codes. What are the new Valorant codes? Everyone likes it when they get free stuff, and it's even better when it's for hugely popular multiplayer games like Valorant. However, in the case of high-profile titles such as this, there can be long gaps between giveaways, and even then, they may not be available to redeem for long. When Riot Games does give us a few free Valorant items to redeem, they could include Gun Buddies, which you can clip onto your weapons after tinkering with Valorant crosshair codes. If you want a stylish new look to show off as you climb through the Valorant ranks, here's the latest list of codes for this highly competitive FPS game so you can get the newest freebies. Continue reading Valorant codes April 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Valorant Night Market dates, Valorant ranks, Valorant crosshair codes |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 11:16 AM  What is the best Oblivion Remastered birthsign? After saving the emperor once again down in the Imperial Sewers, Cyrodiil's divine ruler will become more curious about your true identity. It's here that you'll be presented with a selection of 13 birthsigns that each provide boons (and sometimes debuffs) to your character. However, you can only pick one. Choose wisely, and your character will flourish in the open-world RPG. Choose poorly, and your Oblivion Remastered journey could become more labored - you won't be able to change your birthsign after leaving the sewers. While the best birthsigns in Oblivion Remastered will largely depend on your intended build, below we detail the top go-tos, alongside a full list of constellations so you can see what else is on offer. Continue reading Best Oblivion Remastered birthsign MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Oblivion Remastered quest list, Oblivion Remastered mods, How long is Oblivion Remastered? |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:26 AM  Games that looked absolutely breathtaking in the '90s will always remain that way in the hearts of fans, but a remaster or reimagining brings these oft-forgotten classics to a whole-new generation of curious players. We've had a few point-and-click games follow this trajectory recently, from Monkey Island and Broken Sword to 2024's Riven. The latest game to be upgraded for modern audiences is the 1999 cult classic Amerzone The Explorer's Legacy, and it looks gorgeous. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Amerzone - The Explorer's Legacy review, Best detective games, Best adventure games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:36 PM  What is the best gaming desk? That will depend on the space you have, the features you want, and the budget at your disposal. But, if you're looking for some recommendations of the best desks for gaming, this is the place to be. After testing dozens of options, these are the desks we've picked out as the best models to suit different budgets and needs, from basic to bombastic. The best overall is the Secretlab Magnus Pro, as it packs so many useful features into its metal frame and desk top. Meanwhile, the Flexispot E8 is a great value option and the Corsair Platform:6 offers loads of extra storage options. If you're not sure what to look for in a gaming desk, check out the how to choose section at the bottom of this guide, and also have a read of the FAQ to find answers to common gaming desk questions. Continue reading Best gaming desk 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 9:41 AM  How does Oblivion Remastered lockpicking work? The lockpicking minigame from Oblivion was always a polarizing subject, with some players saying it was too finicky and others insisting that it was just right. Lockpicking is an important skill to master in Oblivion Remastered, as many of the RPG's secrets are behind closed (and locked, obviously) doors. With Oblivion Remastered stealthily dropping in our laps, players have had to quickly re-learn skills they may not have used for quite some time, one of which being that a particular flick of the wrist and distinctive clunk sound that accompanies the cracking of a lock, or in some cases, the maddening snap of a broken lockpick. Here are some tips for lockpicking in the RPG, and where you can find yourself some new picks if the need arises. Continue reading Oblivion Remastered lockpicking explained MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Oblivion Remastered quest list, Oblivion Remastered mods, How long is Oblivion Remastered? |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 9:37 AM  Especially in the wake of Call of Duty 4, we had a surfeit of gray-brown military shooters - Battlefield 3, the rebooted Medal of Honor, and of course Black Ops and the direct Modern Warfare sequels defined the mid-'00s FPS aesthetic. It got samey. But the backlash was too severe. Today's shooters practice a banal visual maximalism, with loud colors, big shapes, and cartoon characters. Even the ostensibly more-grounded FPS games, like Counter-Strike 2, Far Cry, and present-day CoD, have strayed into neo-psychadelia. And that's just part of the problem. Loot boxes. Microtransactions. Empty customization. Wraith Ops, a new shooter published by Hell Let Loose's Team17, is coming to challenge it all. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best multiplayer games, Best war games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, April 23, 2025 9:36 AM  If you're still waiting for more Path of Exile 2 changes to roll out before returning to Grinding Gear Games' ARPG sequel, there's plenty of choice. Last Epoch Season 2 is a real winner, and a perfect excuse to discover the fighty newcomer's excellent additions to the genre. Torchlight Infinite Sandlord splashes a little city builder into the fast-paced free Steam game. Diablo 4 Season 8 is also around the corner. But if all you want is Path of Exile 3.26, GGG has a delightful little stopgap for you to make the wait more bearable once the current Legacy of Phrecia event ends. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: PoE 3.25 details, Best free PC games, Best ARPG games |
Siliconera Wednesday, April 23, 2025 4:00 PM
Bandai Namco said we could expect the first Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream Character Pass 2 DLC to show up between April and June 2025, and now Sachi and Philia are about to join with Worlds Beyond 3. Both will debut on April 24, 2025. You can get them in the $29.99 pass alongside the eventual Worlds Beyond 4 addition, or you can buy their bundle on its own.
Both Sachi and Philia first showed up in the original story's arc. As such, their appearances here match that. Sachi is a Supporter this time, though she fights with a spear as usual. She was a member of the Moonlit Black Cats guild in Aincrad that Kirito joined for a time. Note that if you're not familiar with the series, her trailer hints at some spoilers regarding her. Saori Hayami returns to voice her.
Meanwhile, Philia is probably more familiar due to the fact she's been a recurring character throughout the games starting with Hollow Fragment. While she first showed up during the original Sword Art Online, she also appeared in every ensuing game all the way up through Project Alicization. She's a Rogue here, as expected. Yui Ishikawa returned to play her.
While Sachi and Philia are two of the main additions in the Worlds Beyond 3 Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream DLC, they aren't the only things here. There's a new scenario to play through that is connected to the two of them. You also get some additional equipment options, like new weapons. Customization options appear too, as there are some costumes, a stamp, and a player card background. However, Bandai Namco didn't share the other specifics yet.
These aren't the only Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream characters to show up in 2025. The latest major patch appeared in January 2025. The first person to show up as part of it was Fuuka. She's a Mage, which is handy for folks who like magic and ranged assaults. She was entirely free, however, so you didn't need an add-on or the second Character Pass.
Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream is available for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC worldwide, and the Character Pass 2 Worlds Beyond 3 DLC with Sachi and Philia debuts on August 24, 2025.
The post Sachi and Philia Join Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream as DLC appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, April 23, 2025 3:00 PM
Cover announced the 1.0 launch of Holoearth, the Hololive and Holostars metaverse project that includes social and a sandbox element, and confirmed the Marketplace with user-created items will debut alongside it. That happens on April 24, 2025. Following that, the company will begin work on other additions such as a hololive production official shop, support for the company's Vtubers' models in-game, concerts and special events, and mobile support.
In the case of the Holoearth Marketplace, it will let people use the Creator Tools to apply original art and designs created by people to apply them to in-game avatar t-shirts and hoodies. These items can also become chat stickers. After creating the art and adding them to an item, these will be submitted to Cover. Once approved, someone can go to their My Shop to decorate a storefront and begin selling any valid items they created at an AL-Tech Terminal. All purchases will use the premium HoloCoin currency. Once items sell, the people who made them can then get paid for them.
Here's the official trailer for the Holoearth Marketplace. If you turn on closed captions, English subtitles are available. At the one minute mark, the new official Pastel Spring avatar items made by Cover appear.
There's a Holoearth anime-style trailer to celebrate the 1.0 launch as well.
As for the future, that involves more customization options and things to do in Holoearth. The only one with a set date is the hololive production official shop. That "opens" in-game on May 14, 2025. When it does, Hololive Expo 2024 and general Vtuber t-shirts will appear in it. Another goal will be for the project to support the Hololive and Holostars' Vtuber avatars. So performers can use that in-app, with the custom clothing there, when taking part in meet-and-greet moments, special activities, and concerts. More concerts are also planned, with Cover suggesting they'll be like Protolive and Yamato Phantasia. Finally, some elements of the metaverse will show up on mobile devices.
Holoearth is available for PCs, and the 1.0 version debuts on April 24, 2025.
The post 1.0 Launch of Hololive Holoearth Adds Marketplace appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:00 PM
Bandai Namco will add a new Katamari Damacy toy to its crane games in Japan starting on April 24, 2025. You can get a giant doll of the titular Katamari, along with a little Prince pushing it attached to the side.
The total size of the Katamari crane game toy is around 27 centimeters. Nothing is sticking to it, as if the Prince just started a level, and there's a rainbow pattern on it that makes it look like the package of the game. This toy is part of the Mechamofugutto line of plushes from Banpresto. Dolls from it include the Haro from Gundam GQuuuuuuX and a Pikachu from PokePeace. They're large, soft plushes that just entice you to hug them.
Here's a closer look at the item:
Katamari first came out in 2004 with Katamari Damacy. They're puzzle-action games in which you control The Prince, who helps his father, the King of All Cosmos, re-create the stars and planets by rolling up objects using the Katamari ball. You must get the ball to a certain size within a timeframe, and other puzzles might introduce limits or rules, such as avoiding specific objects.
The Katamari toy will appear in Bandai Namco's Bandai Spirits crane game machines around Japan from April 24, 2025. Katamari Damacy Rolling Live, the latest entry in the long-running series, is an Apple Arcade exclusive, and it came out on April 3, 2025.
The post Katamari Damacy Toy Will Roll Into Crane Games appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:00 PM
HoYoVerse confirmed the 5.6 Genshin Impact Special Program will return at 5am PT/8am ET on April 25, 2025, and it suggests a return to the Mondstadt region. The teaser image featured folks like Albedo, Jean, Kaeya, and Venti. However, there are no exact details as to why just yet. It could even be a Genshin Impact Windblume Festival hint. The showcase will air on Twitch and YouTube, as usual.
The announcement suggests that this is one of the interlude updates for Genshin Impact. The Natlan Chapter V Archon Quests wrapped up earlier in the 5.0 update series. Since these types tend to deal with the overall mystery of the world and tend bring up Khaenri'ah and people tied to it, it makes sense that Albedo, Kaeya, and Venti would appear.
This also could be a hint that the Mondstadt Windblume Festival might return to Genshin Impact. While this is an event that repeats in the game, it isn't a guaranteed annual one like the Lantern Rite, which first launched in 1.3 in 2021 and appeared every year since in either January or February. The first Windblume Festival appeared in 1.4 in 2021, but we haven't seen it again since the second in 3.5 in 2023.
The highlighted characters also suggest the featured banners we might see. Jean is always available on every banner as a possible five-star, as is Kaeya as a four-star unit. However, Albedo and Venti are both limited five-star units.
Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, and the Special Program for the 5.6 update will air at 5am PT/8am ET on April 25, 2025.
The post 5.6 Genshin Impact Special Program Suggests a Return to Mondstadt appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:00 PM
Koei Tecmo and Omega Force have released a new major update for Dynasty Warriors Origins that adds Photo Mode. Players can now produce their own screenshots by adjusting the camera's angle, zoom, and other features like aperture.
Photo Mode has been widely used in the Dynasty Warriors series, as fans regularly use it to showcase their favorite characters. The feature appeared first in Dynasty Warriors 9 via a major update patch, and it also later appeared in Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires at launch. In Dynasty Warriors Origins, the player can access Photo Mode by pressing the touchpad for the PS5 DualSense controller while the pause menu is being displayed on the screen.
The same update also comes with a new outfit for the game's protagonist, Ziluan, which is named the Lion Dragon Armor. Koei Tecmo added that Omega Force made this outfit to celebrate the 1 million sales milestone for the game.
In addition, the update includes several bug fixes. One of them specifically addresses a bug on Steam Deck, where turning on AMD FSR3 on the handheld device would cause some graphical distortions.
Dynasty Warriors Origins is readily available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam.
The post Dynasty Warriors Origins New Update Adds Photo Mode appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, April 23, 2025 11:00 AM
Not only did FuRyu and Monarkdeveloper Team Noir fully reveal the new, high school-set JRPG Varlet, but it already has a release date. It will come to the Switch, PS5, and PC on August 28, 2025. We've known the team was working on this since October 2024, and the companies promised a reveal earlier in April 2025.
Varlet explores what happens when reality and virtual reality get entangled. In Kousei Academy, students can constantly access the Johari network. The problem is, students are disappearing into glitches and being replaced in the real world by monsters. It is up to members of the Student Support Services group, which of course our avatar joins, to fight back, get to know classmates, and figure out what's going on.
Some of the gameplay elements ended up being teased as part of this full reveal. It seems like there will be relationship-building elements like in Persona and The Caligula Effect, since Furyu specifically referred to building bonds and relationships. Another element is Triad Stats that lets you choose Light and Dark traits that get into their personality and influence battle skills. As suggested, Light tends to be more moral and kind, while dark would be a more dangerous and perhaps even villainous option. The official site even has a personality test tied to it.
Here's the first trailer for the new FuRyu JRPG Varlet.
We also know who the main characters are. First, here's a look at our avatar and both the dark and light versions of their transformed self:
And here are their allies:
And here are the initial screenshots for the game:
Varlet will come to the Switch, PS5, and PC on August 28, 2025.
The post New FuRyu JRPG Varlet Launches in August appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:00 AM
Sony kicked off today with a release date for Ghost of Yotei. The follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima will launch worldwide on October 2, 2025. Pre-orders will also open at stores like Amazon and the PlayStation Store on May 2, 2025. The company also shared a new trailer and details about the standard, Digital Deluxe, and Collector's Editions of Ghost of Yotei.
First, here's the latest Ghosts of Yotei trailer that appeared alongside the worldwide release date. It featured a better look at Atsu's journey. After the Yotei Six murdered her family, she dedicated her life to getting revenge. As this is an open-ended adventure through Ezo, we'll get to choose the order in which she hunts down her enemies.
The last trailer featuring it showed up during December 2024.
As for the editions, anyone who pre-orders Ghost of Yotei will get an avatar set to use with their PlayStation Network profile and make them look like Atsu or the Yotei six members. They also get an additional mask option for Atsu. Here's how that looks.
Finally, here's an overview of all three editions of Ghost of Yotei that discuss the contents of the standard, Digital Deluxe, and Collector's Edition. Sony didn't share the limited edition's price yet.
Sony shared images of all of those editions as well, so even if there's a situation where the DLC doesn't have a listed name yet, we know how they'll look.
Ghost of Yotei will come to the PlayStation 5, the official worldwide release date is now October 2, 2025.
The post Ghost of Yotei Release Date Falls in October appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, April 23, 2025 9:00 AM
If I decided to judge Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 based on aesthetics, artistry, and the narrative alone, this would be a 10 out of 10 game. It's hauntingly beautiful and left me feeling for all of the individuals I followed on the journey. While the general execution is fine and the gameplay can be quite fun, I found a few things got in the way of truly being captivated and immersed in the experience.
The Paintress is a haunting and ever-present figure for the people living in Lumiere. Each year, she wakes up and paints a number on a wall beside her. When she does, everyone who is at or over that age ceases to exist. They disappear. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 begins right as this is about to happen again. The menace is about to awake and doom everyone who is 33 or older. We watch as Gustav, a scholar and warrior destined to be part of the 33rd expedition that will leave after this event in an attempt to stop her, witnesses this brutal dismissal. Then he, alongside his much younger adopted sister Maelle and fellow squadmates like Lune, undergo the voyage to the Paintress' island to face her forces and (hopefully) her in the latest attempt to end this cycle.
It's a fascinating and touching story, to be certain. I found that I genuinely came to feel for these people and understand their desperation. All of the people we leave Lumiere with are living on borrowed time. They're next, eventually. They know that for the last 67 years, nobody's been successful in defeating the Paintress. So many people left and never returned. Hell, we come across the journals of those who went before us and see the often ominous or heartbreaking accounts of their journeys. Sandfall Interactive isn't afraid to show actions have consequences and this is a life or death situation, and I admire that.
I adore Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's character and environmental design. This is such a beautiful game. Sandfall Interactive worked some real magic. So many cutscenes feel monumental. Whether it's because something actually important happened, or just the cinematic direction and design of the people and places are so well-executed. Truly, it's a masterpieces of its own in many ways.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 also sounds phenomenal. The casting is impeccable. Everyone is perfectly suited for their role and completely commits to their character. It's wonderful to watch. However, the artistry behind the soundtrack is also so impressive and expressive. The themes are so apt and accentuate the situations. This is truly a cinematic experience.
I just wish the gameplay always felt as pitch perfect and flawless as its aesthetics and story. In many ways it is fine and a totally enjoyable turn-based RPG! But there are also some annoyances that keep coming up and getting in the way of my appreciating the actions as much as I did the overall experience.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feels like a standard, turn-based RPG until you actually get into a fight. Characters can roam an overworld map to find specific locations to explore as they head toward the Paintress and learn more about her, her forces, the Gestrals living on the island, and various truths. When in a location, you might find items or the journals from past teams. When you level up at past expedition's flags, you can rest, apply skill points earned by leveling up, learn new skills, respec if you have the right item, and fast travel. Enemies will roam on both the world map and in locations, with bosses being scripted encounters when you reach certain spots. All this is handled well, and every spot we visit feels unique.
While the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 battles are turn-based, a number of elements keep them from feeling traditional. For instance, some opponents may have visible weak spots or be flying. You need to swap to the character's ranged weapon to exploit that or even damage them. There's a standard attack, of course, as well as learned skills. Quick-time events are tied to assaults with skills and come up each time, though these can be automated in the options menu. Enemy attacks can be dodged or parried, in some cases even with a jump when the whole party is targeted. If you parry or jump, there can even be an option for a powerful counter either by the single individual or whole party. I appreciate how strategic it all feels, especially since hitting weaknesses feels meaningful, characters all have a unique fighting style, like how Lune can inflict "stains" to increase damage or add effects, and it felt like I had a little more influence on encounters.
However, I will admit that after about five hours, I grew a bit tired of the constant QTEs and turned them off in the accessibility options. You can do this for the attack-based ones, but can't for dodging and blocking. The issue is that the tells for attacks in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 occasionally aren't clear, and a few notable fights could use a bit of balancing. Sometimes, the moment will last too long, which makes it difficult to tell when to parry. Others times, that window might be too short or you might not realize how many hits there will be. With general enemies you'll face often, it isn't an issue. By the second or third encounter, you'll figure it out. But it may prove an issue with some bosses you only face once, especially since there can be an occasional difficulty spike at some later points. The thing with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the most effective method of dealing damage to any opponent tends to be parrying and countering an attack, so you need to catch on quick.
Another issue I have with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 involves the fact that it doesn't involve any maps. You can't check and see where you are. Which struck me as a bit weird, as this is a group on an expedition. Gustav and other characters reference leaving things for those who come after them and make a point of looking for signs from past expeditions. So why couldn't any of these people leave a map of what they'd seen so far? In most locations, it's a rather straightforward run and easy to get from point A to point B. But a handful of spots did get me a bit turned around. I'm not asking for strict handholding, but even a vague map of the space that didn't track our actual locations would do for the few more involved dungeons. Fortunately, spots in areas where we can camp are fast travel points and tend to be near important locations, so that helps. But again, since many locations are straightforward, it isn't the biggest deal.
Speaking of which, I noticed that while some of these places look really great and feature fun points of interest to, there's not a lot to actually interact with along the way. We find past expedition flags where we can build our characters after gaining experience from fights. Maybe we'll occasionally see some currency or an item to grab. We'll happen upon a journal from a past expedition. I would have loved more reasons to poke around the places I'd go or more excuses to take things in. This isn't to say there isn't a lot to do, and I plan to poke around to take on some additional challenges now that I beat it. But it is quite straightforward and there aren't many things to do besides fight.
I absolutely recommend Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and think it's a gorgeous game. I loved the story it told and the characters I encountered. I just feel like some design choices keep it from being absolutely perfect. I'd have loved more incentives to really explore levels and maps that would make it easier to get around and find secrets. The game is absolutely worth your time, especially if you love detailed characters and a fun story.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will come to the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on April 24, 2025.
The post Review: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Embraces Its Premise appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:51 PM
Fans of RPG games are feasting this week with the surprise launch of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and new IP Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. But if you need to choose one to play immediately, there's a clear winner.
Let me begin by saying that I think you can and should play both of these RPGs if and when you can. But if your options are limited, whether it be for time or money, then Expedition 33 is the one that deserves and needs your attention most.
Oblivion Remastered is a wonderful feat by Virtuos Games and Bethesda, reinvigorating and reviving an all-time classic for a new audience, as a surprise shadow-drop priced at $50, no less. I enjoy a good Bethesda game as much as anyone, with Fallout 3 being my favorite example of what the studio can accomplish.
Bethesda is a tried-and-true, successful company, and The Elder Scrolls is the most popular RPG series of all time, so it's a huge draw and a story in gaming right now. But I cannot and will not deny the magical feeling that Expedition 33 has brought when it comes to producing something entirely new-feeling and exciting for RPGs, especially considering it's the first project from a talented new studio and is a critical success.
And that's why I think if you only have time or money for one game here and now in April 2025, then Expedition 33 needs to be the one you choose.
I think that gamers need to vote with their wallets and play time for a game like Expedition 33 because it is ambitious, it's a new IP, and it's made by a small developer team of about 30 people at Sandfall Interactive, whose passion for turn-based RPGs truly shines through in its spectacular debut. It's an accomplishment that must be celebrated, and a game that must be played by anyone who considers themselves an RPG fan.
The only real comparison between the games is their genre, so the choice may already be made for many. Oblivion is an open-world game largely played in first-person, as is Bethesda's forte, and Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG adventure similar to games like Final Fantasy or other Square Enix classics.
But Expedition 33 flips the turn-based formula on its head with dodging, parrying, and QTE-based attacks, making combat more reactive and thrilling than you'd normally find in a similar title. Its storyline is interesting and bleak and whimsical all at the same time, featuring jaw-dropping boss fights and cinematic cutscenes that left me with a feeling of true wonder that games rarely bring out of me anymore.
Both games deserve your time and attention, but inevitably, a choice must be made. If you have Game Pass, which offers both games as part of the subscription service, you still need to decide which one to play first.
By all means, go wild in both games if you have the means to do so, but supporting an ambitious developer building a new franchise and advancing the medium forward feels more important than a remade classic that's already had its time to shine.
In the immediate future, I highly recommend everyone play Expedition 33 and support new ambition over retreading (deserved and notable) nostalgia. But even if you choose Oblivion today, Expedition 33 needs to be next on your list.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:37 PM
Everything in Disney Dreamlight Valley's Alice Realm was starting to look good. We made a mysterious cooked dish that unlocked access to a maze garden, allowing us to search for Alice and befriend her. What's the catch? She's as small as a doll, and it's up to us to help her.
Discovering this predicament begins the Teeny, Tiny Problems quest, where you'll have to work with the Cheshire Cat again to figure out how to revert Alice to her usual self. It's a multi-step process, but at least he has a solution.
Table of contents
Crafting Contrary Perfume
After learning about Alice's situation, our character quickly realizes they must ask the Cheshire Cat for help. Although he often speaks in riddles, he reveals the existence of Contrary Perfume, a substance that'll convert Alice back to her usual self.
What's the caveat, then? We have to go through a detailed step-by-step process to find each component of this perfume. Let's go find each item.
Finding a Jar of Hearts
First on the list is a jar of hearts, which you can locate by fishing at the Alice in Wonderland Realm's entrance. You can either access this by leaving and rejoining Disney Dreamlight Valley before fast-traveling to the beginning or quickly running over from the Cheshire Cat's tree. Either way, you'll spot the jar inside a pond next to the entrance portal.
Talk to the matriarch of the Singing Flowers
Our next stop is the group of singing flowers in the middle of the Alice in Wonderland Realm's forest. If you're still at the realm's entrance, you can quickly find this spot by running straight forward past the pond.
As you speak with the matriarch, she'll initially refuse to help you because she and her children are wilted. By watering these flowers, they'll give you Bags of Discontented Seeds, which you can use as an ingredient for the Contrary Potion.
Find a mushroom who's feeling blue
Our next objective is to find a mushroom that's feeling blue. While you may expect a crying mushroom, we're instead taking this at face value and finding a blue fungus in the forest. Fortunately, you won't have to go far; this mushroom is right by the realm's entrance. Head back to the entrance to find this large 'shroom near some boulders.
Finding the mushroom is only half the task, though. To get what we need, you'll need to put on some blue clothes. One clothing piece is fine, but you can go all out if you'd like. I just went with a pair of blue jeans.
Putting on some blue clothes will cause this blue fungus to drop some smaller mushrooms for you to pick up. That's three ingredients down and one more to go.
Finding the curious Pencil Bird
Have you ever noticed there's a bird with a pencil head near the Alice Realm's entrance? As you run from the entrance toward the first main intersection, you'll spot this bird atop a pile of books to your right. Talking to it will initiate a quiz for you to solve.
Here are all of the Pencil Bird's questions and answers:
Solving every question correctly will reward you with a Wonderland Plaque to use in the potion. With everything on hand, return to the realm's entrance and craft the Contrary Potion before returning to Alice.
Using the Contrary Perfume near the tea table
Now that you have the Contrary Potion, it's time to return to Alice in the Queen's Maze garden. As she uses the potion, she'll return to her normal size. She then reveals she had a separate plan for being here: saving some caged critters that the Queen of Hearts captured.
Inspired to help, your character will decide to use the Contrary Potion themselves, prompting you to use the bottle on the table. Doing this lets you teleport onto the table, shrinking yourself down until you're smaller than an average teacup.
Since you're too small to interact with the perfume, you'll need to climb onto high ground using some plates before taking a picture of the table's setup and squeezing the perfume bottle's bulb. Doing this advances the Teeny, Tiny Problems quest, bringing you to one of the most challenging sections. First, though, let's talk about board games.
Searching for the Queen of Hearts' games
As you talk to Alice about the pictures you took on the table, you'll both realize that navigating in your small form is difficult. Rather than trying to do everything with your regular size, you'll both decide to find some of the Queen of Hearts' games to arrange on the table, making it easier to traverse.
Below is every game in the garden and their locations:
With all four games on hand, return them to the tea table alongside the tea spoon Alice gave you before shrinking yourself down again. It's time for one of the trickiest parts of this quest: Cage Keys.
Finding four Cage Keys hidden on the table
The Alice in Wonderland Realm features four cage keys to find during the Teeny, Tiny Problems quest. Below is a complete list of each key's location:
Once you have all four cage keys, return to Alice once more to unlock the animals' cages. The mess they make will shock both of you, concluding the Teeny, Tiny Problems quest and immediately beginning the Leaving Wonderland mission.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:33 PM
Unlike most armor sets in Monster Hunter Wilds that radiate brute strength, the Sakuratide gear offers a gentler charm with its graceful design and vivid colors. We're here to show you how to unlock and utilize its perks in Monster Hunter Wilds' Festival of Accord: Blossomdance event.
Table of contents
How to unlock Sakuratide armor in MH Wilds
You must get a Blossomdance Ticket to unlock the complete Sakuratide armor set in MH Wilds. There are a few ways to obtain these tickets, often requiring you to defeat a giant fiend while the spring event is active. You'll then need to acquire the following ingredients:
Collecting all five Blossomdance Tickets can be a bit of a grind, but there's a clever way to speed things up. Equip at least two pieces of the Sakuratide set to activate its unique skill, which increases your odds of earning extra tickets. As for the required Carbalite Ore, it may take some effort to gather. You can obtain it as a reward from Optional Quests or mine it directly from deposits.
Missions such as Doshaguma Hunt, Annihilating Anguise, and Blangonga Excursion often include these as their rewards. If you've chosen the mining route, only do this while at High Rank, or you'll end up with lower-tier materials. Furthermore, some NPCs will reward you with Carbalite Ore for lending a hand—Zatoh, for example, offers three of them in the Beware of the Gypceros quest.
How to use Sakuratide armor in MH Wilds
Once you've earned your Blossomdance Ticket, head over to the Smithy and switch to the High Rank tab to discover the new Sakuratide armor recipe. In addition, you'll unlock the Felyne Papier-Mâché α gear for your Palico. This whimsical outfit will make your feline companion even more adorable, decked out in a playful, cat-themed mascot-like armor.
The Sakuratide armor set provides several advantages, but its standout features are the Blossomdance Prayer and Festival Spirit skills. These abilities are beneficial when hunting for rare gear tied to the event. As mentioned earlier, Blossomdance Prayer boosts the likelihood of special items appearing in your quest rewards. To unlock its full potential, however, you'll need to equip at least four of the five Sakuratide pieces. Festival Spirit is equally valuable, granting an extra carving opportunity and increasing your material haul from monsters.
If you have the Blossomdance Prayer ability active and haven't received many special items, consider jumping into multiplayer matches like SOS or Lobby. Several players have found that the skill seems to trigger more effectively in these settings, as solo missions often fail to activate its abilities.
Sakuratide armor stats and buffs
For a full breakdown of the Sakuratide set's buffs, here's what you can look forward to:
Compared to other High Rank gear, the Sakuratide set isn't all that great defensively. Still, I highly suggest using it during the Festival of Accord: Blossomdance to farm the tickets as quickly as possible. You can also transmog the outfit via your Base Camp if you want an elegant look for your Hunter's build.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:01 PM
Alice has gotten herself shrunk in Disney Dreamlight Valley, and it's up to you to help her return to a regular human-sized person. To do so, you need to locate and gather the Contrary Perfume ingredients.
All of the ingredients you need to get are stashed away in strange locations around the Alice in Wonderland Realm. There's a lot to tackle before you can get them, so here are all of the Contrary Perfume ingredient locations in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Table of contents
How to get all Contrary Perfume ingredients in Disney Dreamlight Valley
There are four ingredients you need to find around the Alice in Wonderland Realm to make the Contrary Perfume. All of these items require you to find the right spot and complete an additional task to earn them.
Fish for a Jar of Hearts in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The first ingredient you need to find is a Jar of Hearts, which is in the pond right by the entrance to the Alice in Wonderland Realm. Head to the entrance and look for a gold bubble spot in front of the rocks by the waterfall. Equip your Royal Fishing Rod to get it.
Talk to the Cheshire Cat at his tree after you obtain the Jar of Heart Candies. He tells you to talk with the singing flowers to find the next item you need, which is Bags of Discontented Seeds.
Talk to the Matriarch of the singing flowers for Bags of Discontented Seeds in Disney Dreamlight Valley
Find the Matriarch of the singing flowers in the middle region of the Wonderland Realm to grab the Bags of Discontented Seeds. To reach this area, start at the entrance to the Realm and head straight through two forest sections. The flowers you're looking for are on the left side of the second forest section.
There are four singing flowers at this location, and the one you need to talk to to get the Bags of Discontented Seeds is the tall orange one. She's only willing to give them to you if you help them sing again, so equip your trusty Royal Watering Can and use it to water the three smaller flowers around her.
Once you're done watering them, the Bags of Discontented Seeds will appear on the ground right by you.
Find a mushroom who's feeling blue for a Blue Mushroom in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The next ingredient is a Blue Mushroom, and you have to find a larger mushroom who's feeling blue to get it. The mushroom who's feeling blue is located near the entrance to the Alice in Wonderland Realm.
This special mushroom is on your left as soon as you approach the first path leading into the woods. It's also fairly close to the crafting station and the cooking station you previously used to combine all ingredients for More Time.
Once you find the Blue Mushroom, you need to dress in something blue to cheer it up. Open the Wardrobe and filter by blue items to find something you can put on. Exit this menu, and the sad mushroom will cheer up and drop a Blue Mushroom for you to use.
Find the curious Pencil Bird for the Wonderland Plaque in Disney Dreamlight Valley
To get the next item, you need to track down the curious Pencil Bird so you can obtain the Wonderland Plaque from it. The Pencil Bird is perched on top of a tall stack of books on the pathway right by the entrance to the Wonderland Realm. From where you found the Blue Mushroom, head down the path slightly and look right to find it.
Interact with this strange creature once you locate it. The Pencil Bird has a series of questions for you to answer before it will give you the item you need. There are six questions in total, and getting any of them wrong forces you to restart the entire test.
How to make the Contrary Perfume in Disney Dreamlight Valley
Head back to the entrance to the Alice in Wonderland Realm so you can make the Contrary Perfume. There's a crafting table near it by a cooking station and the sad blue mushroom from earlier on.
Interact with this station and switch to the Potion & Enchantment tab. Select the Contrary Perfume recipe followed by the craft option to make it. Once it's done, you can get to work tackling the rest of the tricky Teeny, Tiny Problems quest.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:53 PM
The Ball Winning Midfielder Evolution is now live in EA FC 25, and you can complete it to upgrade a card of your choice.
Available for 25,000 coins, you can add new roles, stats, and more. This guide will help you to make the best possible choice, along with the requirements and the upgrades.
EA FC 25 Ball Winning Midfielder Evolution requirements
Here are the requirements for Ball Winning Midfielder Evolution in EA FC 25.
EA FC 25 Ball Winning Midfielder Evolution upgrades
There are five levels of upgrades, and here are the required conditions.
Upgrade level 1
Upgrade level 2
Upgrade level 3
Upgrade level 4
Upgrade level 5
Upgrade level 1 requirements
Upgrade level 2 requirements
Upgrade level 3 requirements
Upgrade level 4 requirements
Upgrade level 5 requirements
Best players to use in EA FC 25 Ball Winning Midfielder Evolution
Here are some of the best cards to consider for this evolution.
These items make the best choices and utilize this evolution well, and you won't even need to combine the cards with other upgrades.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:27 PM
Things are getting wacky in Disney Dreamlight Valley's Alice in Wonderland Realm. Your first order of business was navigating a maze to find Alice. Fast-forward to the present, and we're now shrinking to the size of a walnut to locate cage keys and save some animals.
These keys are tricky to spot. While some are out in the open, others are tucked away inside items and require careful traversal to reach. Let's dive into every cage key location in Disney Dreamlight Valley's Alice in Wonderland Realm.
First Cage Key location
The first cage key is close to the table's entrance. Starting from the entry portal, take the following steps to find the first key:
That's already one key down. Let's go find the other three.
Second Cage Key location
To find the second key, head back the way you came from until you reach the table entry portal again. This time, run to the marbles, make an immediate left turn and run past the pink teacup until you spot a key on top of some dice. Use the card ramp to access this key.
Third Cage Key location
Fortunately, the third key is very close to the second one. Starting from the second key's location, make a 180-degree turn and run forward until you see a pile of sugar cubes on a plate. Inside the cube pile is a key, which you can uncover using your watering can on the cubes. Do this to claim your third key, bringing you one step closer to finishing this mini scavenger hunt.
Fourth Cage Key location
Our final key is on top of a cupcake, hidden inside some pink frosting. It's tough to see from the table, so we'll have to climb up a few more card ramps to access it.
Your best bet is to start from the sugar cube pile, run toward the nearby pink cupcake, and turn right until you reach a card ramp. You'll know you're in the right place if you see the eight of hearts. Follow this path until you reach the cupcake, letting you use your Royal Shovel to dig out the key.
Now that you have all four Cage Keys, run back to the table portal, picking up the pink icing that dropped along the way before returning to the Queen's Maze. Giving Alice the keys will let you two free the animals, concluding Disney Dreamlight Valley's Teeny, Tiny Problem quest.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:04 PM
With the surprise releases of RuneScape: Dragonwilds and Oblivion Remastered in the same month, it seems shadow drops are all the rage right now. And while I've always been one to ride the hype train, I'm finding myself increasingly drawn to this spontaneous approach over the long, drawn-out waits for highly anticipated releases.
Until recently, I was firmly on the side of shadow-drop skepticism. I've always preferred the comfort of knowing what to expect. But after diving into RuneScape: Dragonwilds, I discovered the magic of entering a game with no expectations. It deepened the experience in a way I hadn't anticipated. Almost as if I were stepping into the shoes of my younger self, picking up a game from Blockbuster with no prior knowledge, just eager to see what new adventure awaited.
All this happened because of the shadow drop. Although there was some marketing, there was no countdown or big release date to obsess over. The details were kept tight, leaving everyone curious. The same can be said for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which Bethesda dropped with almost no warning. A few rumors, and then—boom—it's here. No hype, no fanfare, just a remastered classic suddenly available to play. As someone who's never played an Elder Scrolls game, this made me more intrigued than any pre-release buildup ever could. Maybe I'm late to the party, but everyone else seems just as surprised as I am, and now I can't help but want to dive in and see what all the buzz is about.
The contrast between shadow drops and long-awaited releases becomes crystal clear when you look at these launches of RuneScape: Dragonwilds and Oblivion Remastered. With shadow drops, you simply receive the game as it is—no early reviews or detailed roadmaps to shape your expectations or opinions. Long-awaited releases, however, often carry the heavy weight of anticipation. The excitement can be electrifying, but it also brings the pressure of a flawless launch. With trailers, leaks, and endless fan theories, the element of discovery is often lost. The beauty of a shadow drop is that it's untouched by this burden. It's pure and immediate, making the entire experience feel more personal. Just a game dropped into your hands, asking nothing more than to be played.
Shadow drops have proven to be more than just bold marketing; they can be wildly successful. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a prime example, quickly climbing past 160,000 player sessions on Steam without the usual months of buildup. Of course, some of that success comes from the weight of the Elder Scrolls name. To really understand the strength of the shadow drop model, it helps to look at a title without that kind of legacy. Hi-Fi Rush, another shadow drop from Bethesda, had no long-running series behind it—just a fresh idea and a daring release. Despite flying under the radar, it earned strong critical praise and built momentum fast. Even after the unfortunate layoffs at Tango Gameworks, the game's quality stood out, eventually drawing the attention of PUBG publisher Krafton, who stepped in to give it a second life.
When looking at these examples, surprise game releases tend to perform better when they come from established studios or those with a dedicated fan base. As much as I'd love to see every game receive the attention it deserves, success often hinges on visibility and reputation. Unfortunately, smaller studios may not always have that, no matter how exceptional their games are.
Now, I'm not saying I only want shadow drops, especially as someone who has to be in the know within the gaming industry. Long-awaited releases still pack a punch. Just look at the hype around Grand Theft Auto 6. Sure, the hype can be a double-edged sword, but I enjoy watching the community come together to break down every little detail from a short teaser. Plus, it's not like Rockstar Games has ever let me down, constantly delivering one hit after another.
But since GTA 6 isn't out yet, you can look at the hype that surrounded Red Dead Redemption 2 and how it still delivered when it was finally released. I followed it closely ever since its announcement in 2016, and when it hit stores, I loved it so much that I honestly think it should've won Game of the Year in 2018—no disrespect to God of War.
Shadow drops being as prevalent as long-running publicity campaigns would strike the perfect balance. For too long, game releases have followed the same predictable pattern. While I don't mind that tradition, there's something thrilling about the potential of surprise launches, the same way it worked for titles like Apex Legends, Metroid Prime Remastered, and The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog.
Even if The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered ends up being the last shadow drop of 2025, it still proves that the gaming industry still has a few new tricks up its sleeves after all these years. It might even encourage other developers to take the plunge. Who knows, maybe we'll get a Hollow Knight: Silksong launch when we least expect it or, in my wildest dreams, a Kingdom Hearts 4 release out of nowhere. Either way, the thrill of the unexpected is what keeps us all coming back for more.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 1:03 PM
Sometimes we have to wait all day to play our favorite games, and other times, the games themselves make us wait to play them.
As anyone who's played other Bungie games like Destiny 2 will know, sometimes the game will force you into a queue, leaving you waiting with nothing but time on your hands to play the game. Given that it's made by the same studio, Marathon has a similar process.
Here's everything we know about server queues to play Bungie's exciting extraction shooter, Marathon.
Why is there a queue to play Marathon?
Queues often appear in Marathon (and Bungie's other game, Destiny 2) whenever there's a new update deployed and the developer throttles players connecting so as to not overload the servers.
In the case of the launch for Marathon's closed alpha test on April 23, 2025, Bungie said it would be "implementing a population cap" when the test went live at 12pm CT, but "will slowly raise the cap and allow more players to join" while it runs technical tests.
"We expect to have room for everyone who has access, but if you plan on playing right when the gates open, you may have to wait a bit as we get everyone in," the developer said on the game's Discord server.
The message many players were met with at launch said, "due to increased traffic, login services to Marathon are currently being throttled." It asks players to "please stay on this screen until login services stabilize and you are logged into Marathon."
If you get stuck in a queue to access Marathon, you can either wait to see if you move ahead in line, or log off and try to connect again, although the latter will have you run the risk of falling further behind in the queue and having to wait longer to connect.
If there are any further issues with Marathon, be sure to follow official social media accounts like @MarathonDevTeam or @BNGServerStatus to keep up with whatever is happening behind the scenes.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:01 PM
During Monster Hunter Wilds' Festival of Accord: Blossomdance event, Blossomdance Tickets are your key to a wealth of exquisite rewards, most notably the stunning floral-themed armor sets. Discover the best methods to earn these prized tickets and make the most of this vibrant seasonal celebration.
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How to earn Blossomdance tickets in MH Wilds
You can collect Blossomdance Tickets through the following methods in MH Wilds:
Though it may take some time to collect, the daily log-in method remains the most accessible route. Simply jump into Monster Hunter Wilds, and voilà—you'll receive a Blossomdance Ticket just for checking in. You'll also snag bonus goodies like explosive Blossom Barrel Bombs and delightful meals via Blossomdance Vouchers.
But if you're ready for a challenge, check in with Alma or Lotta at the Grand Hub's Quest Counter for mission details. Currently, the two quests mentioned above are some of the few that reward you with Blossomdance Tickets. For the Daughters of Carabosse, you'll have to be at Hunter Rank 16 or higher as you face off against two Lala Barina. It'll get more challenging with the That Won't Work on Me! quest, where you must battle the Tempered Xu Wu at HR 31.
However, you may have noticed that the That Won't Work on Me! mission rewards you with a Blossomdance Catalog instead of a Ticket. Don't worry; the two items essentially work the same way, allowing you to exchange them for seasonal rewards.
For the Daily Limited Bounties, visit the Support Desk and speak with Mondy at the Grand Hub. There, you can browse the rotating list of Limited Bounties, which refreshes each day. While objectives may vary, you'll often encounter tasks such as completing Event Quests or slaying specific monsters. The Blossomdance Tickets typically appear on this hub's Research Help: Monsters section, so stick with these objectives.
How to exchange Blossomdance tickets in MH Wilds
Similar to the hidden armor sets, you'll need to bring the Blossomdance Tickets to Gemma or Legend at the Smithy. You'll gradually unlock Festival of Accord: Blossomdance gear as you give them more tickets or catalog items.
In addition to the Blossomdance Tickets, you must also have the remaining ingredients for the recipe. For example, the Blossom armor requires items like the Lala Barina Floret+, Comaqchi Carapace, and Monster Broth. Fortunately, the Event Quests tied to the tickets should give you enough materials to fit the bill.
It's essential to collect and exchange Blossomdance Tickets while you can, as they'll vanish from the game after May 6. Once the seasonal event wraps up, we'll likely move on to the next chapter with Title Update 2. From there, it's time to gear up for the upcoming challenge, Lagiacrus, where we might finally dive into underwater battles in Monster Hunter Wilds.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:00 PM
The Garden of Whimsy Star Path event is packed with plenty of Disney fairy and Alice in Wonderland-themed items to help you decorate and dress for the spring season in Disney Dreamlight Valley. You have to navigate through lots of tough tasks to earn them all.
This event is live from April 23 to June 10, which gives you a decent amount of time to work through it and claim all available rewards. To ensure you know what to do for each quest, here are all of the duties and rewards for the Garden of Whimsy Star Path in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
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All Garden of Whimsy Star Path duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The Garden of Whimsy Star Path has an array of unique duties you can finish to earn Tokens. These Tokens can be redeemed for exclusive event rewards, which means completing as many quests as possible is crucial.
Here are all of the duties featured in the Garden of Whimsy Star Path and how to complete each one. We'll update this guide over time as we progress through the event and unlock more duties.
All Garden of Whimsy Star Path rewards in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The Garden of Whimsy Star Path has six pages of rewards you can unlock. The items featured in this event may be added to the Premium Shop at a later date, but they'll be a lot more costly if you wait to grab them then, and there's no guarantee they'll return.
Here are all of the rewards in the Garden of Whimsy Star Path and how much each one costs.
The Wonderland Whimsy update has plenty of other content for you to explore, like fresh Star Wars items. You also might consider working on unlocking the Alice in Wonderland Realm and completing Wonders of Wonderland so you can get closer to recruiting both Alice and the Cheshire Cat.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 11:49 AM
No matter what kind of character build you run with, the Lockpicking skill will serve you well in The Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered. You'll need a bit of practice before you're ready to tickle tumblers with the best, so it'd be wise to fill your pockets with lockpicks.
Before long, you'll learn that Oblivion Remastered's lockpicks are fragile, and the game doesn't make it easy to get new ones. Luckily, as you explore Cyrodiil, you'll find a few reliable ways to replenish your stock without getting yourself in trouble with the law.
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Where to find Shady Sam in Oblivion Remastered
As you explore the Imperial City and the surrounding towns, it'll become clear quickly that most merchants don't sell lockpicks. This can put you in a bind if the lockpicking mini game doesn't click with you immediately (it sure didn't for me). Luckily for us, there is one merchant who's more than happy to sell lockpicks, and you can find him right after you escape the Imperial Prison if you know where to look for him.
The man you're looking for is Shady Sam, one of the most obscure characters in all of Oblivion. To find him, head to the area of the Imperial City's outer wall that falls between the Elven Garden District and Chestnut Handy Stables. Once you're there, hug the wall and search it until you find Sam. If fate smiles your way, he'll spot you first and call out to you.
Shady Sam sells lockpicks for six gold pieces a pop, and he carries up to thirty on him at a time. This is a fairly high price for an item in the game's opening hours, but once you rack up coin by completing quests and exploring dungeons, Sam will become a cheap, reliable source of lockpicks that will serve you well into Oblivion Remastered's end-game.
Other ways to get lockpicks in Oblivion Remastered
Shady Sam is the only reliable way to restock on lockpicks in Oblivion Remastered out of the gate, but other options will open up to you as you explore. Two of the game's joinable factions, the Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves' Guild, employ merchants who will sell lockpicks. You can buy lockpicks from them once you join them and gain access to their bases.
Another way to get more lockpicks is by looting them from enemies. Goblins drop them regularly, and the little gremlins have set up shops in a healthy handful of caves and dungeons around the Imperial City. If you aren't in the mood to spend some coin on lockpicks, head to any of these dungeons and pray to the Nine Divines that the resident Goblins drop a few.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 11:46 AM
Let's paint a picture a moment: you hop into Disney Dreamlight Valley to check out the Alice in Wonderland realm, only to realize it's a massive forest maze. After some time, you complete its storyline and even discover a cooking recipe, only to find yourself in an even harder maze.
That's right. Exploring the Queen's Maze is key to progressing through Alice's realm, and it's up to you to navigate this area and find her. Let's dive right into Disney Dreamlight Valley's Queen's Maze quest.
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Find the Queen's Maze's first gate lever
The first lever is visible right after entering the Queen's Maze. As you run forward, you'll spot the lever near an iron gate and card guard. Here's a complete step-by-step to reaching this spot:
Flipping this lever opens the first gate, letting you pass into the second region of the Queen's Maze.
Find the Queen's Maze's second gate lever
The second lever is easy to find once you know what to look for. After passing through the first gate, walk through and turn left to find a large hedge blocking the way to the second lever. Walking up to this hedge will cause it to shrink in size, allowing you to walk right on in and flip the second switch.
The tricky part of this is getting past the guards. Fortunately, nearby side paths will loop you around the card guards, letting you bypass them and run through the garden to the third area. Don't worry if a guard catches you—you'll respawn nearby, letting you try again until you make it to the end.
Find the Queen's Maze's final gate levers
Unlike the previous two areas, this one requires two levers to unlock its gate. The first one is easily accessible by running forward through the hedge and turning right. The lever will be right beside your character to interact with.
The next is a little tougher to find. Starting from the first lever's spot, head left to uncover another hedge before looking left. You'll spot the lever behind a guard, whom you'll have to avoid before looping around and activating the switch. With this second lever activated, you'll now have access to the Queen's Maze's exit. You'll find the exit by turning toward the card guard, running past it, and looking for an open exit to your left.
After reaching the final area, you'll have a few more card guards to pass before approaching the exit, allowing you to talk to Alice, wrap up the Queen's Maze quest, and immediately begin the Teeny, Tiny Problems mission.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:50 AM
The Luck stat is one of the eight different stats in Oblivion Remastered, but it appears much more confusing that the other ones.
Focusing on all the eight stats is essential if you want to enjoy a proper build, but unlike stats like Strength and Intelligence, the game doesn't make it clear what Luck exactly does. The luck stat requires the most amount of understanding, and this guide will provide you with all the necessary information.
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What is Luck in Oblivion Remastered?
Luck is a universal stat that's related to all your skills. Your Luck stat will determine the effects of a skill, and either increase or decrease it. If your Luck stat is above 50, events are likely going to go in your favor. Similarly, events are likely going to go against your favor if your stat is below 50.
Concentrating on the Luck stat is going to make all your skills much more efficient. Typically, it adds a 0.4 modifier, and this is the formula: 0.4*(Luck - 50).
If your Luck is 50, there's no difference. If your Luck stat is 60, all your skills will rise by four points. However, this rise in points and change in values is not shown in the open and works in the background.
While it might not seem quite useful at first, the boost is very useful in the early game. Theoretically, you'll get a four-point boost to your skills by taking your Luck stat to 60. If your Lack stat raises further, the bonus will be higher.
However, the importance reduces in the long run, as other attributes are far more important.
Should you focus on Luck in Oblivion Remastered?
The Luck stat is required for very specific builds. It's useful in case of skills that are not used frequently, and the time taken for you to perform them is simply too long.
Additionally, Luck stat has very few other uses apart from their effects on skills. These effects can either be ignored, or there are other ways to manage them. Whether Luck will work in a different way in the Remastered version will depend on future patches. So far, there's no indication of this stat working in a different way than it did back in the game's 2006-released version.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:50 AM
The Wonderland Realm is a tricky place to navigate in Disney Dreamlight Valley, and you quickly end up lost after first landing there. You run out of time trying to track down Alice, but luckily, you can make more of it by cooking up More Time.
This is one of the trickiest recipes in the entire game since all of the ingredients are hidden around a mazelike Realm and don't appear as what they actually are. It's a tough undertaking, so here are all of the More Time ingredient locations in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
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Where to find ingredients to cook More Time in Disney Dreamlight Valley
There are seven ingredients required to make More Time during the Wonders of Wonderland quest, all of which can be found throughout the Alice in Wonderland Realm. Since nothing in Wonderland is ever as it seems, they're all disguised as other objects, which makes finding them tricky.
To get each one, you need to interact with the fake item to reveal the real one. The fake items you're searching for are purple and have a slight glow to them, but they blend in with the vibrant colors of the Realm quite well, which makes locating them rather tough.
Wonderland Salt location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
You can find Wonderland Salt disguised as a stack of two purple logs in the very top left corner of the Wonderland Forest. From the Cheshire Cat's tree, head straight through two sections of the woods to find it.
Wonderland Sugar location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The Wonderland Sugar is camouflaged as a tree stump. You can find this item near the very northern edge of the forest, in front of a few rocks and a light blue tree with two signs hanging from it.
More Wonderland Sugar location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
More Wonderland Sugar is also disguised as a tree stump. This object is slightly right from where you found the Wonderland Salt and just one forest section west of where the Wonderland Sugar is. It's the farthest northwest corner of the Realm.
Tea Leaves location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The Tea Leaves are masquerading as a purple flower bush right near the center of the Realm. This bush is right by some vibrant singing flowers. If you're having trouble finding it, head to the Wonderland Realm entrance and go straight through two sections of the forest.
Butter location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
You can find the Butter disguised as a vibrant purple bush. This is one of the easiest items to find since it's right by the Cheshire Cat's tree in the southwest corner of the Wonderland Realm.
Jam location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
Jam is hidden as purple rocks in the very southeast corner of the Wonderland Realm, right by a light blue tree. This is the same area you previously visited to find one of the Cheshire Cat's smiles.
Lemon location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The Lemon is hidden in two purple tree stumps. It's located in the middle left region of the forest. The easiest way to find it is by heading to the Cheshire Cat's tree and going directly north. You'll find it right on the other side of a pond in the forest section, just above the Cheshire Cat's home.
With all of the ingredients gathered, you can get to work cooking More Time. Talk to the Cheshire Cat, then head to the cooking station by the Realm entrance to get to work on this recipe.
There's still more to explore in this update after finishing this task. Next, you might take a look at the Star Wars items or review the Wonderland Whimsy patch notes to learn more about what it includes.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:33 AM
Get in, get kills, get loot, get out. That's what Marathon is all about.
But before you can explore Bungie's new extraction shooter set in its decades-old franchise that began in the early 90s, you need alpha test access and a lot of patience. Thankfully, the wait to get online in the limited-access test is not much longer now.
The stylish-looking shooter set on fictional world Tau Ceti IV will be a new home for FPS players soon enough. But first, the game needs some work under the hood, and that's where the closed alpha test comes in. Get ready to supply some feedback and help shape the title to be the best it can be.
Here's everything there is to know about when to expect the Marathon closed alpha test to begin.
When does the Marathon alpha test begin?
The servers for the Marathon alpha test go live on April 23 at 12pm CT. The countdown below shows exactly how much time is left until then:
Marathon's closed alpha test will be a small sampling of the full game that's set to launch later this year, and access to the test is also quite limited. Bungie will use feedback and info from the alpha to iterate on the game to improve it before launch, but it's also possible that a beta test could take place this summer, too.
Bear in mind, however, that since this is an alpha, it's possible Bungie's servers will have issues with players attempting to log on and play all at the same time, and there may even be a queue.
On the Marathon Discord server, Bungie said that it "will be implementing a population cap" when the alpha goes live, so "you may have to wait a bit as we get everyone in" right at 12pm CT when the test begins.
Patience, as always, is important when it comes to pre-release tests like this, so be prepared for some bumps along the way. "Pardon our dust," as Bungie likes to say.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:02 AM
If there's something Alice in Wonderland's Cheshire Cat is known for, it's his smile. Disney Dreamlight Valley's version is no exception, with an entire quest portion dedicated to finding his smiles around a mysterious magical forest. The challenging part is navigating this forest maze in search of them.
Before starting, there's a chance your character will freeze in place upon interacting with a Cheshire Cat smile. If this happens, force-close your game and restart it to safely respawn in front of your house, letting you fast-travel into the realm and resume the Wonders of Wonderland quest.
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First Cheshire Cat smile location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The easiest place to start is in front of the Cheshire Cat's red tree. As you look at the tree, turn right and head down the forest's path until you enter a location with a small pond, a rock with a purple padlock, and a bush with the Cheshire Cat's smile. The bush will be directly on your left, letting you take a picture and interact with it. Doing this removes the smile and advances the quest.
Second Cheshire Cat smile location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
With the first smile out of the way, head directly forward in the same direction until you find a purple tree with an "Up" sign on it and a red tree next to it. Both will be to your right as you enter the next region. The red tree has the second Cheshire Cat smile underneath a "This Way" sign.
Third Cheshire Cat smile location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
This third one is trickier to find, as the Cheshire Cat's final smile is in the opposite corner of the second smile's location. The easiest way to reach this spot is to head back to the realm's entrance and turn right at the first four-way intersection. Alternatively, you can start from the second smile's location, backtrack to the Cheshire Cat's tree, and travel down the left path until you find this maze section.
Here, you'll find a pond, a pale blue tree, and the last Cheshire Cat smile in front of a boulder. Interact with it to conclude this part of the quest, letting you return to the Cheshire Cat and get one step closer to unlocking him and Alice as Dreamlight Valley villagers.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 9:43 AM
Alice and the Cheshire Cat have officially arrived with Disney Dreamlight Valley's Wonderland Whimsy update. The first quest you need to work on to get started with unlocking them is Wonders of Wonderland.
There's a lot to get done in this quest, and the process for unlocking the Alice in Wonderland Realm is unlike all of the rest. It's a decently confusing task to navigate, so here's a complete guide to completing the Wonders of Wonderland quest in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
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How to complete Wonders of Wonderland in Disney Dreamlight Valley
To complete the Wonders of Wonderland quest, you need to enter Wonderland, meet Alice and the Cheshire Cat, and escape the mazelike forest. There are a lot of other steps along the way, so here's a complete quest breakdown to help you through it.
Interact with the Alice in Wonderland Realm Door
To start this quest and initiate the process of unlocking the Alice in Wonderland Realm, head up to the very top floor in the Dream Castle. Interact with the door in the middle and spend 15,000 Dreamlight to open it.
The door to the Alice in Wonderland Realm will then shrink, and a White Rabbit will run out. You can't head inside since you don't fit, so exit the Dream Castle to chase down the rabbit instead.
Follow the White Rabbit
Head to the Wishing Well in the Plaza biome to start following the White Rabbit. It leaves behind a red and black trail, so if you're having trouble finding it, look down and keep an eye out for this special effect.
Follow the White Rabbit through the Plaza biome, around the Peaceful Meadow, and back up to the Plaza biome again. It stops and vanishes right by the ramp leading up to the Forest of Valor.
Pick up the Pocket Watch the White Rabbit left behind
By the ramp that leads from the Plaza to the Forest of Valor, the White Rabbit left a Pocket Watch behind. Interact with it to add this strange object to your inventory. It's also right in front of a hole the rabbit made.
Once you have the Pocket Watch in your inventory, interact with the rabbit hole that was right behind it to head inside. A short cutscene will play as you're then transported to Wonderland.
Explore the forest in the Alice in Wonderland Realm
Head straight down the path into Wonderland to start exploring this Realm. Keep going straight until you spot Alice, then stop to chat with her. Follow her into the dark fog once you're done talking with her.
Once you're through the smoke, interact with the sparkles on the ground to inspect Alice's footprints. You lost her in the fog, so you now need some help to find her again.
Examine the strange red tree
Walk around the pond and approach the curious red tree covered in signs. The Cheshire Cat is perched up on it, so interact with him to see if he can help you track down Alice. Always one to enjoy a good riddle, the Cheshire Cat tasks you with tracking down three of his smiles to help find Alice.
Search for the Cheshire Cat's smile
Your next quest is to find the Cheshire Cat's smile around the forest. There are three smiles you need to find and interact with around the vast Wonderland forest.
Once you have all three smiles, head back to the Cheshire Cat's tree. Interact with his tree to chat with him about your progress. He says you're out of time, so you need to make More Time to find Alice.
Find ingredients in the Wonderland Realm to make More Time
Your next task is to find seven ingredients to make More Time. These items are all disguised as different objects that what they actually are, so finding them is a pretty tough scavenger hunt.
Once you have all seven ingredients, head back to the Cheshire Cat to let him know. He'll then tell you that you must cook both A Spicy Moment and a Sweet Moment before you can make More Time. Head back to the Wonderland Realm entrance to find a cooking pot you can use.
Make A Spicy Moment
You can make A Spicy Moment by combining four of the ingredients you found:
Make a Sweet Moment
A Sweet Moment can be cooked using the other three ingredients you have leftover:
Cook More Time
With both A Spicy Moment and A Sweet Moment made, interact with the cooking station again to start making More Time. You also need to add the Wondrous Pocket Watch you grabbed right before entering the Wonderland Realm. It only needs these three ingredients, so toss them all in to complete the recipe.
Once it's cooked, open your inventory and consume More Time. Return to the Cheshire Cat's tree to talk with him about finally finding Alice. He still won't give you a straight answer and instead instructs you to follow the Mome Raths to find your way out.
Follow the Mome Rath arrows to exit the forest
The Mome Raths are colorful, small, mushroom-shaped creatures with fluffy heads that form arrows as you walk by them. Head north from the Cheshire Cat's tree and look down to your left to spot some of them.
Continue north and keep following the small groups of Mome Raths. When you get to the northwestern edge of the forest, they'll start pointing east, so turn that way and keep following them. Keep heading east until the quest is complete. There are a few Mome Raths that will point you the wrong way, so once you're on the right path, ignore them and focus on heading east to reach the northeastern corner of the forest.
Use the portal in the tree to continue your search for Alice
Once you reach the northeast corner, head down the new path that leads further north. Continue down the path until you reach a mysterious blue portal inside a tree. As soon as you go through the portal, the Wonderland Whimsy quest will be complete.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 9:25 AM
What's a better way to enjoy Disney Dreamlight Valley's land of magic and mystery than to explore Wonderland and meet Alice herself? These two pair perfectly, and it was only a matter of time before we got the chance to unlock this realm.
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Alice in Wonderland realm location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
Disney Dreamlight Valley's Alice in Wonderland realm is located inside Dream Castle on the fourth floor. After going up the stairs to this floor, you'll spot it as a door with a hat symbol next to the Aladdin Realm. It costs 15,000 Dreamlight to clear away the entrance's night thorns.
The easiest way to reach this location is to walk inside Dream Castle, climb the staircase to the very top floor, and approach the middle of the platform. Interacting with the door will cause Merlin to appear and tell you who's residing in the realm. Paying its unlock cost will open the entrance to the Alice in Wonderland realm, initiating an adorable cutscene that sets off this story's events and the Wonders of Wonderland quest.
Since you don't start this story inside the realm, you won't be able to enter it right away. Instead, you'll need to advance through the Wonders of Wonderland quest before venturing further into the realm itself.
If you leave the Alice in Wonderland realm and need to return later, you'll have it unlocked through your in-game map as a fast travel point.
How to get more Dreamlight in Disney Dreamlight Valley
Unlocking Disney Dreamlight Valley's realms and biomes requires acquiring Dreamlight and asking Merlin to clear away their magic. You'll gain this currency as you complete day-to-day tasks around your village like feeding animals, preparing meals, and catching fish.
The best way to accumulate enough to unlock this realm is to focus on the Dreamlight Duties section of the list and complete any task that appears here. That way, you'll have an infinite supply of relatively simple duties that only take a few minutes to complete, letting you quickly stockpile Dreamlight to use later.
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Destructoid Wednesday, April 23, 2025 8:06 AM
I don't know about you, but I love the persuasion system in The Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion. Although it took me a while to figure it out when I first played the original, I enjoyed watching my Speechcraft increase with every character I talked to.
Fortunately, despite Oblivion Remastered changing the persuasion wheel's appearance, its core mechanics remain the same. Let's dive into how persuasion works and its main purpose.
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How does persuasion work in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered?
Oblivion Remastered's persuasion wheel minigame lets you raise an NPC's disposition by choosing pie slices depending on their size and the character's feelings toward the action. There are four actions to choose from in each minigame:
With each action comes a corresponding reaction, as detailed below:
You can tell how an NPC feels by watching their facial expressions as you hover over options. A small smile or large grin indicates they like and love it, respectively, while slight and noticeable frowns reveal their distaste for the interaction. These changes are subtle, so it may take a few persuasion attempts to fully learn them, especially as you talk to characters with different facial structures.
Persuasion minigame
As you select each pie slice, your disposition will increase or decrease. Each pie slice will also rotate clockwise, requiring you to carefully plan out each move so you don't accidentally upset someone. Your ultimate goal is to end the minigame with a higher disposition than when you started by matching the large pie slices with persuasion actions that make the NPC happy and selecting small ones for disliked and hated options.
Throughout the minigame, the NPC's disposition toward you will slowly drain. You'll need to act quickly, selecting options resulting in the lowest reductions possible and the highest wins. Sometimes, that requires sacrificing a liked option or getting a slightly higher score in a disliked category to earn the maximum score on a loved persuasion action.
Every NPC has different preferences, so your strategy will shift slightly in accordance. Overall, your core strategy of matching pie slices to each outcome will remain the same, but you'll have to plan your rotations slightly differently each time.
Bribery
Alternatively, if you're not a fan of the persuasion minigame or reached your maximum disposition with someone, you can bribe an NPC to increase it further. Doing this lets you pay a small fee to raise their disposition by a set amount, bypassing the minigame as long as you have the money to pay for it. Doing this is optional but can help you raise their score slightly if you reach their limit or just want to finish the job quickly.
How to make persuasion easier in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered
The key to making your persuasion attempts easier in Oblivion Remastered is to raise your Speechcraft. While novices have no noticeable perks when persuading others, raising this skill will give the following benefits:
Right away, Apprentices in Speechcraft gain a solid advantage by having NPC disposition decrease slower, giving you more time to think about what you'll say next. Over time, the perks improve further, including a free pie rotation at level 50 to make it easier to align your options. If all else fails, you can use Oblivion's console commands to make Speechcraft level farming easier.
How to raise your Speechcraft in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered
As the name suggests, raising your Speechcraft in Oblivion Remastered is all about talking to NPCs. While trading with NPCs raises your Mercantile skills, persuading them influences your Speechcraft. You'll gain experience in this skill regardless of whether your disposition increases or decreases.
Fastest ways to raise Speechcraft
Remember that disposition limit from earlier? Normally, this prevents you from persuading an NPC, making it harder to train your Speechcraft. Below are some tips for circumventing this:
Although getting the same disposition score as you started won't increase your EXP in Speechcraft, lowering or raising it will. If you keep maxing out your disposition and run out of NPCs to talk to, draw your weapon before lowering their disposition slightly. That way, you'll be below the cap, letting you infinitely repeat the minigame until you reach your desired level.
The post Oblivion Remastered persuasion wheel guide appeared first on Destructoid. |
WGB Wednesday, April 23, 2025 11:00 AM Sony has announced the release date for Ghost of Yotei, launching on October 2nd. The sequel features protagonist Atsu seeking revenge and includes various editions with exclusive content. |
WGB Wednesday, April 23, 2025 10:17 AM Bethesda announced the remaster of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, achieving a peak of 182,298 concurrent players shortly after its surprise release, showcasing impressive graphics and nostalgic features. |
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Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:03 PM Reveals more information. The post Ghost of Yotei Gets Release Date and New Trailer appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
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