Jun 24, 16:00


GamersHeroes Tuesday, June 24, 2025 2:46 PM
    

Set to release tomorrow (June 25), Amazon Games is launching Lost Ark's June update that features the Kazeros Act 3 After Story – Beyond the Dark Fog.

The post Lost Ark's June Update Bringing Kazeros Raid Act 3 After Story appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:34 PM
    

Now available for free, the Warlock class has made its way to NC America's Blade & Soul NEO.

The post Blade & Soul NEO Warlock Now Available appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:04 PM
    

Learn more about the Banner Spear character in Arc Games, Asmodee, and Cephalofair Games' dark fantasy tactical RPG Frosthaven with the latest character trailer for the title.

The post Frosthaven Banner Spear Character Spotlight Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:53 AM
    

Hitoshi Sakimoto, together with Basiscape Records, are kicking off this legendary composer's 40th year anniversary writing music for videogames with a number of soundtracks available across multiple streaming platforms.

The post Legendary Composer Hitoshi Sakimoto Celebrating 40 Years in Games With 40+ Soundtracks on Streaming Platforms appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:22 AM
    

Set in a surreal, looping version of Istanbul, the narrative-focused studio under the Elyzio umbrella called Falan has announced their new isometric mystery adventure Pera Coda.

The post Isometric Narrative Mystery Adventure Pera Coda Announced appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:18 AM
    

The Heroes in a Half Shell are feeling green with today's Xbox launch of Super Evil Megacorp's radical co-op adventure Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate.

The post Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Now Available on Xbox appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 2:50 PM
    

Dbrand's Killswitch case for the Switch 2 is lightweight, blends in well with the console, and feels good in your hands. There's just one problem: it interferes with the Joy-Con magnets and can make the portable hardware easy to drop if you're not holding on correctly, which, to be quite honest, many of us often…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 2:23 PM
    

Who doesn't love free player housing? If you're a thief, any of the city's homes will suffice as a temporary base of operations. But none of them come with a Fence (albeit for a small sum of 1,000 Gold). You know what does? The Thieves Den in Oblivion Remastered! It's a DLC player home packaged with the remaster that…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 2:04 PM
    

Few video game moments are as impactful as the second half of Final Fantasy VI. The heroes have lost, and the only one who remains is Celes, who spends the rest of the game on a quest through a destroyed world to bring her allies back together.

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 1:25 PM
    

When Jurassic World Evolution 3 was announced earlier this month, many fans were disappointed to learn that Frontier Developments was planning to include AI-generated artwork in the park sim. Now, after some "feedback" from fans, the studio is backing down and removing the AI slop.

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:30 AM
    

MSI, Disney, and Pixar have partnered together to produce one of the weirder crossover products I've seen in some time: A high-end gaming PC themed entirely around Toy Story.

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:20 AM
    

Yesterday, June 23, marked the 25th anniversary of what can convincingly be described as one of the best games of all time. Deus Ex, created by the distinct Austin branch of John Romero's controversial studio Ion Storm, was a first-person RPG that would change how an entire generation of players and developers thought…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:55 AM
    

Microsoft's gaming business is seemingly in for another round of mass layoffs. The fresh cuts would be coming just as Xbox seems to be in full retreat from its long-standing console hardware business as it invests more in Windows gaming and bringing first-party exclusives to PlayStation 5.

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:35 AM
    

Following the game's relatively short introduction, in which you create your character and their background, you're dumped into the desert unceremoniously; the world of Arrakis sprawls as far as the eye can see. It's daunting. And it feels like everything and everyone you encounter wants to kill or consume you. (They…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:25 AM
    

The limited edition Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition (yes, that's what it's called) looks neat. I'll give it that. The all-black model with the green inlays cuts a nice contrast with the normally white-only VR headsets. Everything else about it confuses me, including why it exists.

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:15 AM
    

Releasing July 10, 2025, EA Sports College Football 26 is only a few weeks away and is primed to build on last year's success. When college sports returned to video games last summer, no one could have predicted just how much of a sensation EA's dormant franchise would be. It not only took home the crown as the…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:00 AM
    

The Ultimate Warrior difficulty is the very core of Dynasty Warriors: Origins's post game, and conquering it requires revamping the way you approach virtually every battle. No longer can you systematically take down every enemy base before you totally overwhelm the map's boss with your massive army. Instead, you'll…

Read more...


PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 3:53 PM
    

Crime Boss Rockay City may have launched to a mixed reception back in 2023, to put it kindly, but it's since received a number of substantial updates to address issues like poor stealth, awful enemy AI, and a boring progression system. It's really turned its Rockay reputation around (sorry). And now, the Payday-like shooter's most recent update removes the annoying quick join feature and adds a brand new heist, more AI bot improvements, a handy in-game heisting guide, and lots of bug fixes and improvements.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best co-op games, Best crime games, Best FPS games

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 1:21 PM
    

In the ten years since Techland released the original Dying Light, it's cemented itself as one of the pillars of the zombie genre, rivaling icons like Dead Rising and Left 4 Dead. As of the time of writing, it sits at a 95% Steam rating from a frankly absurd 340,000 user reviews, with at least 10,000 people playing it on the storefront every day. I'd wager that these numbers are about to grow, too, because Techland has just revealed a major upgrade, which is entirely free if you already own the game. With Dying Light The Beast around the corner, now's the time for zombie-slaying action.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best zombie games, Best open-world games

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 1:06 PM
    

Gorgeous cyberpunk city-builder Dystopika just got a huge new update to celebrate its one year anniversary. Wanting to do "something special," developer Voids Within promises that it "really went to town on this one" - and go to town it did. The update (titled 'Meditations') adds two new districts, a megastructure, weather effects, volumetric lighting, lighting props, and an improved photo mode, to name just a few of the additions.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best city building games, Best cyberpunk games, Best sandbox games

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:50 PM
    

June 24, 2025: We added new Bingo Blitz credits to our list.

What are today's free Bingo Blitz credits? You won't be playing much bingo without them, that's for sure. Even if you've exhausted your usual free credits in Bingo Blitz through login rewards, premium subscriptions, and everything else, the secret to playing another round is through these Bingo Blitz credits links.

New Bingo Blitz free credits links work in much the same way as Monopoly Go dice links. One click and your account is automatically topped up with credits ready to be used on multiple rounds or one big blow-out session with multiple cards. The choice is yours.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Bingo Blitz credits, Best card games, Best PC board games

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:35 PM
    

What are the Rematch ranks? While jumping into a match of Quick Play is fun, there's nothing like truly testing your skills in ranked mode. With Rematch ranks on the line, most of your teammates should take this game mode seriously... hopefully.

As with most multiplayer game ranked modes, you gain RP (reputation points) when you win matches in Rematch. When you earn enough, you'll progress through the ranks and tiers, encountering stronger opponents along the way. However, Rematch doesn't show what all the ranks in the game are, leaving you to figure it out for yourself. With no Rematch crossplay features just yet, the competition is fierce on all platforms.

Continue reading All Rematch ranks
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sports games, Best soccer games, Best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:33 PM
    

AMD is apparently not only looking to pack loads more cores into its next-gen CPUs, but it's also reportedly looking to crank up the clock speeds to an "insane" level. According to the latest word from the rumor mill, we're looking at speeds that don't just break the 6GHz barrier on next-gen AMD Ryzen CPUs, but smash it into oblivion, and that's good news for gamers, where clock speed is arguably much more important than having more than eight cores.

With a 52-core Intel CPU reportedly in the works, AMD is going to need a trick up its sleeve to compete, and while there are rumors that AMD Zen 7 will bring chips with up to 32 cores, it is expected to top out at 24 cores with Zen 6, with 12 cores on each chiplet. That means AMD's CPUs will need more oomph if they're expected to compete with a 52-core Intel chip, and that's where this rumored extra clock speed could help out, maximizing the performance per core.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 9070 XT review

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:24 PM
    

I love a good theme park sim, but there are only so many rollercoasters and hot dog stands you can build before you want something a bit more… dangerous. That's always been the beauty of the Jurassic World Evolution series, which has had me screaming in terror on several occasions as I watch my loyal customers get mauled to death by some Houdini-esque velociraptors. The recently revealed threequal, Jurassic World Evolution 3, drops later this year, promising loads of improvements and new features. But it's already received some heat from fans after Frontier Developments confirmed it was using generative AI for character portraits.


PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:19 PM
    

Portability and power rarely go hand-in-hand when it comes to your average gaming PC, but the Asus ROG NUC 2025 mini PC manages just that. This PC may be the size of a hardback book but it still manages to house an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU. Pre-orders for the new ROG NUC are now available with units set to arrive around July 2, but its price is startingly high.

We previously saw the Asus ROG NUC 2025 at CES 2025 ahead of Asus' official unveiling of their latest mini gaming PC, and it listed some pretty impressive specs for such a small computer. Along with its RTX 5080 GPU, the ROG NUC 2025 contains an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and supports up to 96GB of RAM, which should be enough hardware to run just about any of the best PC games on the market.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 review, Asus ROG Ally X review, Best gaming motherboard

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:39 PM
    

What is the best VR headset? That depends on what you're hoping to do with your headset, whether it's mostly watch video, play tethered to your PC or play free-roaming games while stood up. Whatever your preference, we've got a recommendation for you. Sure, virtual reality is still a growing technology, but it's at a point where there are some really fantastic games just waiting to be experienced through the right headset.

After hours of gaming, our top choice overall is the Meta Quest 3, as it combines decent visuals and a great standalone experience with a reasonable price. If you're not keen on a Facebook-affiliated headset, though, the Pico 4 is also a great choice. Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3S is the best budget choice. For more options, check out the full list below. Also, if you're not sure where to start with your VR headset search, check out the How to choose and FAQ sections of this guide that explain what to look for and answer your VR headset questions.

Continue reading Best VR headset 2025
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:58 AM
    

Move aside EA Sports FC, because Rematch is in town, and this game is goal-ing places. Made by Sifu developer, Sloclap, Rematch has gained over 90,000 players in just a few days. On the surface, Rematch might look like just another multiplayer online soccer game, but don't let that deceive you, oh no! Rematch has managed to carve out its own identity in a sea of similar soccer games, and it's currently 15% off over at Green Man Gaming.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sports games, Best soccer games, Best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:52 AM
    

The latest Assassin's Creed Shadows update is almost here, and it's got more than enough to keep you busy. Ubisoft is dropping yet another collaboration quest, a new difficulty mode, multiple improvements based on player feedback, and more general fixes.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Assassin's Creed Shadows review, Assassin's Creed Shadow weapons, Assassin's Creed Shadows skills

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:25 AM
    

Upcoming life and farming game, Starsand Island, has clearly taken a lot of inspiration from the mega-popular Stardew Valley, so of course it has a romance system that allows you to snuggle up with your fellow islanders. Up until now, developer Seed Lab has remained coy about how exactly the system would work, but the newest trailer gives us our best look yet at how romance options - and friendships - are being handled in the cosy anime game.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:22 AM
    

This 'business-management' sim has come out of nowhere to become one of the biggest viral indie hits, up there with Balatro and Dredge. Now, we can help you find the best Schedule 1 settings for PC and Steam Deck. A big factor behind this is just how easy it is to get running on a gaming PC or handheld, but there are still a few tweaks you might want to make to maximize performance.

You won't need the best graphics card to start playing Schedule 1, this much was confirmed in the Schedule 1 system requirements.  Playing on a handheld, however, might be tricky until proper controller support is added.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:45 AM
    

June 24, 2025 We added one new Borderlands 3 Shift code and removed one expired code.

Looking for new Borderlands 3 Shift codes? Gearbox's chaotic shooter has plenty to offer, but we can never say no to even more free loot. Redeem codes are released regularly and include keys to open loot chests and other trinkets to expand your arsenal further.

Some Borderlands 3 redeem codes are permanent fixtures, while others are only available for a limited time. We've collected all the latest codes so you never miss out on free golden keys. You can even redeem these codes in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands if you just can't get enough of the FPS game series. Now you're all set, gear up for new Borderlands 3 updates with the latest promo codes below.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Borderlands 3 Shift codes, Borderlands 3 legendary weapons, Play Borderlands 3

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:42 AM
    

June 24, 2025: We checked for new Wuthering Waves codes.

What are the new Wuthering Waves codes? Everyone loves a freebie, especially when it comes to gacha games. It's no secret that they can be a bit of a grind if you're not prepared to open your wallet. We're here to help you offset that cost with Wuthering Waves redeem codes that contain free items and premium currency.

The latest WuWa codes are released periodically and often include premium currency to spend on the latest Wuthering Waves banners or level up your favorite Wuthering Waves characters. These redeem codes are only active for a limited time, so you have to be swift to redeem them before they expire. Our list of all the latest codes in Wuthering Waves is updated regularly, so you can claim gacha game rewards without upsetting your bank balance.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Wuthering Waves codes, Free PC games, Best anime games

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:54 AM
    

What are the best Minecraft mods in 2025? Every game of vanilla Minecraft can vary quite dramatically, and the best Minecraft mods go one step further to provide an entirely new experience. Whether you love creative building, terrifying survival, or speed running the story, we've got the mods for you. We've even thrown in interface mods and tools to make things easier, too.

We've trawled through them and all the best Minecraft mods are listed below, including the best horror Minecraft mods, performance mods, and more, depending on what you want to do with the sandbox game. There are new mobs, new biomes, performance-boosting mods, and more, and you can jump to the bottom if you don't know how to install Minecraft mods and want to learn.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:32 AM
    

Is Dune Awakening down? While we still love single-player games, but there's also something to be said for the chaotic joy to be had in multiplayer experiences - especially massively multiplayer ones.

One of the few downsides that comes with playing with friends and strangers around the world is the instability of online servers. As a survival MMO, Dune Awakening could be victim to severe server downtime, so if you're struggling to get into Arrakis, that could be why. Here, we've got the latest on maintenance in the crafting game, and the current Dune Awakening server status.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best MMOs, Dune Awakening release date

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:23 AM
    

Valve is planning a new Team Fortress 2 Mann vs. Machine update, more than a decade after the co-op game mode came to the team-based shooter. The Half-Life and Counter-Strike maker is also asking TF2's community to make and submit maps and missions, which suggests that plenty of player creations will expand MvM, all these years later.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best old games, Best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:07 AM
    

When are DBD Twitch drops available? The first-ever Dead by Daylight Twitch drops went live in October 2023, and Behaviour has ramped up the freebies ever since with regular Twitch Drops and redemption codes, giving players free character cosmetics, Bloodpoints, badges, banners, and more.

Whenever there are new DBD Twitch drops available for the multiplayer game, we'll update this guide, and you can jump into watching your favorite Twitch streamers in order to receive the rewards. If you're anything like us and you're addicted to watching Dead by Daylight streams anyway, you should get them automatically, but you still need to know the details to claim. If not, just like DBD codes, they're super easy to use, and we've got information on how to get started if you've not already linked your accounts.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:08 AM
    

What are the best Minecraft shaders? With shaders, you can instantly level up the look of your Minecraft world - even without an RTX graphics card. But with so many downloadable mods for the sandbox game, if you're unsure, let's start with what Minecraft shaders are.

One of the best PC games of all time and the ongoing king of sandbox games, Minecraft has incredible replayability, keeping fans and newbies coming to the game time after time. While the vanilla game still gets regular updates, Minecraft mods, texture packs, resource packs, and shaders can completely reinvent the game, affecting its overall look. For example, mods can completely alter gameplay, and Minecraft texture packs and resource packs change the appearance of existing blocks and add new blocks, respectively. Meanwhile, shader packs give you the same game with fancier graphics and effects.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:41 AM
    

What are the new Gather Speed codes? Get up to speed (literally) and breeze your way to the next zone with ease. With new Gather Speed game codes dropping for launch and beyond, you'll be flying through this Roblox experience like lightning in no time.

Gather Speed looks to have been inspired by a number of 'go fast' simulators released over the last couple of years, tasking you with simply going faster than ever before. Want to try out the best Roblox game competition? Sonic Speed Simulator codes and Flashpoint Worlds Collide codes are available to get you up to speed.

Continue reading Gather Speed codes June 2025
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:31 AM
    

What are the new Jump Stars codes? With rewards like gems needed to pull top-tier characters, missing out on new redeemables is akin to flushing money down the drain. Get ahead in this anime take on a mobile gaming classic and gain a competitive edge while you're at it with this list of new Roblox Jump Stars codes.

Unless you know of Japanese publications, you might think Jump Stars codes are like Climb and Jump Tower codes. This isn't a Roblox game about reaching lofty heights and crashing down like a meteor, though. Instead, it's another anime game that pulls characters from the Shonen Jump publication together for multi-team battles. It's closer to Brawl Stars than Anime Vanguard, that's for sure.

Continue reading Jump Stars codes June 2025
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:32 AM
    

In another frustrating blow to videogame preservation, Crytek's classic first-person shooter, Crysis, is no longer available to purchase on Steam. While the original was delisted in 2021, you could still purchase it via the Crysis Maximum Edition bundle, which included the game's standalone expansion, Crysis Warhead. However, that bundle has now been removed as well.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Crysis System Requirements

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 3:49 PM
    

Without any fanfare at all, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 has just quietly been added to the gaming GPU maker's website, and the new budget GPU is coming very soon. We're not just talking about the laptop version either – the desktop graphics card now also officially exists, and Nvidia has provided a release window too.

This marks the first time in a number of years that Nvidia has made a new RTX gaming GPU for desktop users who can't afford an RTX 5060. Comparatively, the only RTX 4050 GPU in the last generation was a severely cut-down laptop model, with the desktop RTX 4000 range stopping at the RTX 4060. Now, however, it's possible that an even cheaper GPU could end up as the top budget buy on our best graphics card guide.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 review, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 review, Best graphics cards

PCGamesN Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:26 AM
    

What are all the Infinite Craft recipes and combos? We've been addictively playing this since we learned about it, and as a result, there are hundreds of combinations and recipes now known. Here's our guide on all of them, including some of the most obscure suggestions.

Infinite Craft is a browser game that has taken the internet by storm, with endless possibilities and some that'll give you quite a giggle. Think of it as a puzzle game by ways of god; it's a great game to open if you want to while away an hour or two figuring out every combination.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Browser games, Puzzle games, Upcoming games

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 3:06 PM
    

I'm not entirely sure of the cultural relevancy of Chicken Run, even if it did get one of those trendy legacy sequels back in 2023, and yet here we are with the reveal of an entire video game. The name of said game is Chicken Run: Eggstraction, and quite fittingly it is an action stealth game, one that might even look quite good?

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 2:30 PM
    

If there's one thing we're thankful for in 2025, it's the emergence of handheld gaming PCs. For those of us with less time to kill than we used to have, or just stuck on ungodly commutes, being able to fire up a huge chunk of a Steam library while on the go almost feels like it shouldn't be possible without some sort of 'monkey paw' recompense but here we are.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:57 PM
    

How does one come up with, and subsequently make, Peak? Well, it sounds like you just kind of have to do it in weird ways. If you've missed it, Peak isn't just slang you've heard your teen use to denote something being really good, it's a co-op video game about climbing mountains with your friends and having a very good/ bad time while doing so. The bulk of work was also done in a single month as part of a collaborative game jam between Another Crab's Treasure developer Aggro Crab and Content Warning developer Landfall. And in an interview with PC Gamer, a couple of the devs that worked on Peak have shared a little insight into how it got made.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:31 PM
    

There's no way I'm learning this for the first time after ten or so years of people exploring every nook and cranny of this game. That's the thought that went through my head when I spotted a tweet from Witcher 3 quest designer Philipp Weber earlier this month, revealing that one of the Blood and Wine DLC's quests had a secret cut epilogue.

I've played quite frankly far too much of the RPG over the years, and I'd never heard of it. Of course, I'm just one bloke, and hardly an endless encyclopedia containing every single bit of trivia about a decade old game. That's when I raked through the internet, and couldn't find any mentions of the cut epilogue. Surely Weber hadn't kept this under his hat for about a decade, not even mentioning it when folks found what he'd called a "last secret" by investigating the exact same quest. Er, yes, he had.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:18 PM
    

Upcoming park management/unethical science sim Jurassic World Evolution 3 will no longer feature generative AI. Publisher-developers Frontier Developments had previously disclosed that the oft-rubbish technology would be used to create scientist portraits for your uneaten staff. That disclosure has now vanished from the game's Steam page, with the removal of the genAI material confirmed outright in a statement to Game Watcher.

"We have removed the use of generative AI for scientists' portraits in Jurassic World Evolution 3 following some initial feedback," reads the statement. "The team are continuing their diligent work on the game and are very much looking forward to launching on 21 October."

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:07 PM
    

I know War Thunder only as 1) the vehicular combat sim Emily Gera somehow penned erotic poetry about - "O succulent tank porn and its lusty armour"... Emily! What r u doing. STAHP - and 2) an unofficial information arm for the world's militaries, fuelled by the power of pedantry.

Back in July 2021, an actual tank commander posted classified documents for the Challenger 2 tank on the game's forums in order to prove that the game's representation of said tank is inaccurate. Now, somebody's done likewise for the pride of the United States Air Force: the British-made Harrier Jump Jet.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:01 PM
    

Chances are if you like the SteamWorld series that this won't matter very much to you, but for those of you (like me) who've never touched a single game, here's something neat: SteamWorld Dig is completely free on Steam right now. That's free to keep forever, to be clear, not one of those free weekend types of deals. It's not free for that long, mind, only from now until June 26th, and I can't give you a specific time on that day, so if you're remotely interested you might as well just add it to your library.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:25 AM
    

Microsoft are reportedly gearing up to lay off more staff next week, in what would be the fourth round of major job cuts at Xbox in 18 months.

This is according to a report from Bloomberg, which says that Xbox managerial staff are "expecting substantial cuts" across Microsoft's gaming arm.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:00 AM
    

If ever there was a game I didn't expect to spawn a horde of spiritual successors from startup companies of varying dubiety, that game was celebrated commie hangover simulator Disco Elysium. And yet here we are with yet another claimant to the dance floor, Pera Coda. In fairness, it takes inspiration from a lot more than just ZA/UM's RPG, but Disco Elysium is mentioned rather prominently in the marketing.

Created by Falan, a Turkish team founded by three architecture students, Pera Coda is a timeloop story set in a "surreal", "neon-noir" Istanbul, in which you play an attorney, Deniz, who is navigating a purgatory inspired by Bardo in Buddhism. The city is described as "both a stage and a mirror, where East meets West, chaos meets calm, and each district reflects a piece of your fragmented self." Certainly sounds quite Revacholian. Here's a teaser trailer.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:17 AM
    

It's Tuesday, so Helldivers 2 has gotten a fresh patch. This one makes the Illuminate's flying death slugs easier to battle and looks like it might have laid the groundwork for the game's long-awaited review bomb cape.

Those Leviathan balancing tweaks have come after players continued to struggle to beat the airborne enemy, despite Arrowhead having previously added a spotlight effect to the attack it can use to one-shot your bottom into oblivion.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:26 AM
    

Now $349.99 (Was $389.95)

Read more


Twinfinite Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:36 AM
    
Let the rot seep in at random with Brainrot RNG codes!

Twinfinite Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:06 AM
    
Madone, the roads are crawling with gangsters and made guys! You'll need plenty of Mafia Roads codes if you want to survive.

Twinfinite Tuesday, June 24, 2025 8:42 AM
    
I wonder if She-Hulk has any Marvel Mystic Mayhem codes.

Twinfinite Tuesday, June 24, 2025 8:27 AM
    
Use Go Thrift Shopping codes to get a nice wad of cash. Buy the most exclusive clothing items and sell them for tons of profit!

Siliconera Tuesday, June 24, 2025 4:00 PM
    

PSO2 New Genesis Touhou Project Event Confirmed

The next PSO2 New Genesis crossover came up during the NGS Headline Wave showcase on June 24, 2025, and it confirmed Touhou Project character costumes and music will appear in the MMORPG. There's no exact release date, but it all will show up starting in August 2025. 

Rather than being based on one of the more recent entries in the Touhou Project series, the PSO2 New Genesis crossover will tap into Touhou Koumakyou: The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil. This installment involved the notable Scarlet Mist Incident, which involved Reimu and Marisa investigating a strange mist leaking out of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. The two antagonists in that installment are Remilia and Flandre Scarlet. 

The announcement during the showcase didn't bring up what we'll see during this crossover event. Art of Reimu and Marisa did appear on the slide. Since they're the leads of that entry and two of the most notable Touhou Project characters, odds are the cosmetic items will involve both of them. Due to the prominence of Remilia and Scarlet in the installment, we could see them too. Music Discs based on the game, which will include the versions of songs from Touhou Project that appeared in other Sega games, will appear. 

Here's the announcement slide from the presentation:

PSO2 New Genesis Touhou Project Event Confirmed
Image via Sega

Here's the official NGS Headline Wave for June 2025. The Touhou Project reveal comes up at the 35:52 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TygwV0b_O8Y

Most recently, the Sonic the Hedgehog crossover appeared in the MMORPG again. Before that, cosmetic items based on Nijisanji Vtubers and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slimeshowed up.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is available to play on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.

The post PSO2 New Genesis Touhou Project Event Confirmed appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, June 24, 2025 3:00 PM
    

Switch 2 Wheelchair Basketball Game Drag x Drive Release Date Set

Nintendo used the Nintendo Today app to set a release date for Drag x Drive, the Switch 2 sports game that involves using Joy-Con 2 mouse controls to use a wheelchair inspired vehicle to roll around and play basketball. It will cost $19.99 and be available to download worldwide on August 14, 2025. This falls within the tentative Summer 2025 the company originally assigned to the 3v3 game when it first revealed it.

In Drag x Drive, someone holds the left and right Joy-Con 2 controllers in mouse mode. You then run them along your legs or a flat surface to propel the wheels of the wheelchair your robot is sitting in as you race around a court with skate park elements for a basketball game. Each team has three members on it. As you near a hoop or ride up on the rim of the court, you can then change the position of your hands to use motion controls to shoot the ball. I found the experience most reminded me of Metroid Prime: Blast Ballafter playing it at a preview event.

Here's a trailer from the April 2025 Nintendo Direct that showed exactly how moving the Joy-Con 2 controllers lets you move in the Switch 2 game. It also showed how motion controls let you throw the ball and signal to other players.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hku89o38-hQ

When not taking part in a game or waiting for enough players to play, it is possible to play around with the controls in the arena. Someone could test out shots on the court. There is also a track around the outside of the courts where you can race around and get used to the speed of play. 

Drag x Drive will come to the Nintendo Switch 2, and the official release date is August 14, 2025.

The post Switch 2 Wheelchair Basketball Game Drag x Drive Release Date Set appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, June 24, 2025 2:00 PM
    

New Fate/stay Night Saber Figure Based on Garden of Avalon

In Japan, Kinoko Nasu wrote Garden of Avalon as a backstory and prequel to Fate/stay Night and explain the origins of the Servant Saber, and now a figure will recreate the imagery from the book and promotional poster for it and its drama CD. The item will cost  ¥23,000/$151.99. This is one of the rare situations where the US release is set to arrive first, as it has a Q1 2026 window, while it will debut in Japan in August 2026. 

This is a static, 1/7 scale figure. However, due to Saber's sitting position for it, it only stands at about five inches tall (135mm). She can be displayed with or without a veil over her head that cascades down the back of her dress. The position features her holding the sword Caliburn in front of her. It's designed to exactly replicate her pose from the book, with some of the official images also including a similar background.

Here's the figure from different angles and positions. Good Smile Company also shared a few photos that featured the veil removed so someone could see the dress and hair underneath. 

To compare, here's how the original art looked:

We finally got to see the original Fate/stay Night game outside Japan in 2024. The remaster appeared worldwide. It's immediately available in English on both the Switch and PC.

The Fate/stay Night Saber Garden of Avalon figure will launch in Q1 2026 in the US and August 2026 in Japan. Pre-orders are open until September 3, 2025. The novel is only available in Japan, but the Fate/stay Night Original Soundtrack with the drama CD based on it can be found worldwide. The game is available worldwide on the Switch and PC. 

The post New Fate/stay Night Saber Figure Based on Garden of Avalon  appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, June 24, 2025 1:00 PM
    

New Honkai: Star Rail Trailer Focuses on Lord Ravagers

HoYoVerse shared a new lore-heavy video for Honkai: Star Rail that gets into the threat the universe is facing via the Theory of Four Apocalypses and introduces more Lord Ravagers. In addition to showing the Emanator Phantylia, one we defeated over the course of Trailblaze Missions set in the Xianzhou Luofu, ones like Asat Pramad, Celenova, and Zephyro are prominently featured in this footage.

While the Flame Chase is ongoing on Amphoreus during recent Trailblaze Missions into update 3.4, this video suggests that Aeon of Destruction Nanook's mission could overlap with what we'll experience there. This is because it suggests one of the Lord Ravagers is on the planet. It seems possible that Irontomb, one apparently needed to destroy the Aeon Nous and Erudition path, lies there. Jingliu, imprisoned on the Xianzhou Luofu, explains to Jing Yuan what she knows of the fights to come, with her insights interspersed with moments showing Acheron's experience with Lord Ravagers and a reference to Phainon.

Here is the full "Myriad Celestia Trailer — Fables About the Stars Part 2" video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io9W-dvBTog

This means we are aware of five named Lord Ravagers in Honkai: Star Rail, and there are two others without definite names that we know of. Asat Pramad is suggested to be designed to take on The Elation. Celenova seems to be one heading against Harmony. Irontomb would go against Erudition. We already faced Phantylia as she attempted to take down The Hunt. Zephyro appears to be the one targeting Nihility.

Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices.

The post New Honkai: Star Rail Trailer Focuses on Lord Ravagers  appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:00 PM
    

Final Hololive Dodgers 2025 Merchandise Revealed

Cover announced the last few items people will be able to get at Dodger Stadium during the 2025 Hololive Dodgers Night on social media, and only two types of merchandise feature IRyS, Koseki Bijou, and Ninomae Ina'nis. A bag, a can cooler, and three types of t-shirts are confirmed. Prices aren't noted for any of them.

The t-shirts will be sold in Bijou, Ina'nis, and IRyS designs. All three will feature the Vtuber on the front in front of the LA Dodgers logo, then the character's name and number on the back. These will all be in Dodger blue. The tote bag will be a translucent one with the Dodgers Hololive Night logo on the front and blue accents on the straps and sides. Finally, the can cooler cozy features the three Hololive members, the team logo, and the event logo.

Here's a gallery showing the latest three reveals.

These types of Hololive collaboration goods will be sold at the gift shops at the event. Supposedly, availability may be better than the 2024 game, which involved long lines for the Gawr Gura, Hoshimachi Suisei, and Usada Pekora items. Prior to this reveal, we knew acrylic stands, lanyards, pins, stickers, and a towel would appear.

There are still three types of items that didn't show up anywhere yet. When Cover first announced things that will be sold at Dodger Stadium, it noted concessions stands and members will put drinks in themed beer and soda cups and there will be special popcorn buckets. The designs for those remain a mystery. 

Hololive Dodgers Night will happen during the Dodgers vs Astros game on July 5, 2025. The three Hololive English branch Vtubers taking part are Koseki Bijou, IRyS, and Ninomae Ina'nis. Merchandise for the event will only be sold at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California for the game.

The post Final Hololive Dodgers 2025 Merchandise Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:00 AM
    

Sanrio's My Sweet Piano Is Build-a-Bear Online Exclusive

A new Sanrio character joined the collection of Build-a-Bear plush, and it is the slightly more obscure mascot My Sweet Piano. She's associated with My Melody and recently rose to prominence outside Japan due to being one of the major additions to Hello Kitty Island Adventure. As she is an online-only stuffed toy, she's only available in a $52.50 bundle through the website.

This isn't a special take or version of My Sweet Piano, so if you pick it up you get a pastel pink sheep plush with a white face, white paws, and white feet. The base plush does have her pastel blue bow affixed to her head above her right ear. The included tank-top style dress is pink with a blue bow attached to a white belt at the waist and white lace on the hem of the dress. It has a satin finish and a pink pattern with little pink sheep all over it. Since both are only available via this means, there are no prices listed showing how much they'd be outside a bundle. 

Here's how all of the items in the bundle look:

Due to the nature of My Sweet Piano, you can't get this Sanrio plush outside of the Build-a-Bear bundle. Coupons can't be used on it. You can't arrange for it to be at a location near you to be picked up. Also, you can only get up to two of her due to her limited nature.

While My Sweet Piano is new, My Melody is a pretty frequent star at the store. She's often part of the Sanrio line at Build-a-Bear. She was part of the Valentine's Day 2025 collection and the Christmas 2024 one.

The My Sweet Piano Build-a-Bear bundle is available now, but she can only be bought online. She's also a major character in Hello Kitty Island Adventure, which is on the Switch, PC, and Apple Arcade and coming to the PS4 and PS5.

The post Sanrio's My Sweet Piano Is Build-a-Bear Online Exclusive appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:00 AM
    

nier automata ichiban kuji

Bandai Spirits announced an upcoming Ichiban Kuji for NieR Automata Ver1.1a. It will come out in stores from October 17, 2025.

Each attempt will cost 900 JPY, which converts to approximately $6.20. The NieR Automata Ver1.1a Ichiban Kuji lottery will be available via the official physical and online Ichiban Kuji store. In total, there will be eleven different prizes, including a Last One Prize and a Double Chance Campaign. So far, Bandai Spirits only posted the images of the Last One Prize and the first three rewards. They are:

  • A Prize: A2 figure
  • B Prize: 2B figure
  • C Prize: 9S figure
  • Last One Prize: A2 art scale figure

The Last One version of the A2 figure is a bust. Meanwhile, the A Prize figure depicts her after she cuts her hair short. As for the B and C Prizes of 2B and 9S, they're both sitting down while holding out their black box. If you have both of them and place them next to each other, you can recreate a memorable and emotional scene from the game. The A, B, and C prizes all depict key moments from the game and anime series, so there's the possibility that the other prizes will follow that same pattern.

NieR Automata is readily available on the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC. The anime adaptation, NieR Automata Ver1.1a, is available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll. Finally, the NieR Automata Ver1.1a Ichiban Kuji lottery will become available in Japan from October 17, 2025.

The post NieR Automata Ichiban Kuji Recreates 2B and 9S Scene appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:00 AM
    

2025 Evercade Windjammers

Evercade, the physical cartridge-based retro platform that began in 2020, is continuing its regular pace of releases to support the platform five years later. Longevity like this comes with benefits and drawbacks! After all, being this established likely opens a few new doors for licensing, but it also means a lot of its easiest acquisitions have seen release. So where is the platform headed? The four latest 2025 Evercade collections offer significant insight.

The exceedingly clunky name of the Windjammers, Karnov & Friends cartridge likely stems from a rights split: while most of the Data East library (and the name) are now owned by G-Mode, this collection focuses on a handful of games owned by Paon DP. Seemingly Blaze worked out enough to keep the logo in the games themselves, but stopped short of whatever arrangements would be required to call it what it is: Data East Arcade 3.

Still, we'll credit the name with one thing, and that's accurately cataloging the contents. You've got Windjammers, an all-time versus mode classic that has seen enough commercial support in recent years to pull it out of the "cult" category. You also have Karnov, a game with some name recognition in the retro community if nothing else. And then three games most people don't know about! But we suppose they're Karnov's friends, and we're glad he found some friends.

Gremlin Collection 2 is an interesting handful of titles. Action-racer Buggy and party strategy game Hogs of War offer some gameplay types that could use more representation in the Evercade library. Hogs is a 3D take on the Worms formula, with a focus on positioning and a different weapon set that keeps it distinct from that franchise's own polygonal efforts. Buggy is probably as close as the Evercade will get to Crash Team Racing, an action-racer with a single-player story mode.

The cart also includes Loaded and Re-Loaded, gore-heavy top-down shooters in the vein of Smash T.V. and Gauntlet. They're… fine.

Tomb Raider Collection 2 includes Lara Croft's fourth and fifth PS1 outings, The Last Revelation and Chronicles. They're not exactly the best-regarded entries, and they don't have the benefit of nostalgia of the early entries, but it's nice from a completionist standpoint to have these join the first three on Evercade.

The Gremlin and Tomb Raider carts are examples of the Evercade testing its limits, with late PS1-era games really benefiting from analog sticks that the handhelds and stock controllers don't have. That said, a system update last year added support for analog control on third-party controllers, so you may find that worth exploring if you really want to get the most out of 3D games.

Rounding out the system's recent releases is Atari Arcade 2, a pack of ten early games. The headliners are Berzerk and its sequel Frenzy, but even outside of that there are games that feed into that era's "one more quarter" arcade appeal.

It's an interesting collection of games, because a lot of them relied upon innovative hardware that can't be replicated. Dark Planet used a two-layer screen setup to offer a 3D effect and let you play either near the ground or high above and fight different sets of enemies. Fire Truck was a co-op steering wheel game. Still, there are a few games in this collection that show off a hardware innovation of Evercade's own: the EXP's dedicated Tate Mode button.


These latest mid-2025 Evercade cartridges are out now. For more on the system's cartridge library, as well as breakdowns of compatible hardware, check out our Evercade archive.

The post Windjammers Headlines Mid-2025 Evercade Releases appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 2:01 PM
    

OW2 Season 17 Powered Up

Overwatch 2 is powering up once again with a new season for summer 2025.

Season 17 of OW2 is called "Powered Up!" and although there isn't a new hero this time around (the next hero will be playable in a test later this summer, though), there's plenty of other quality of life changes and updates coming to the game when the new season begins on June 24.

Here's everything new and different coming to OW2 season 17.

Overwatch 2 patch notes - Season 17

8-Bit Sombra skin in Overwatch 2 season 17
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Season 17, Powered Up!, is all about the maps. There are new ones coming along, map voting, and some being added to the Stadium pool.

Alongside new maps, skins, and hero balance changes, we're also getting limited-time events, changes to Stadium, and more. Let's look at what's new and different in OW2's latest season.

Map voting

A long-requested addition, Map Voting, arrives in season 17 in both Quick Play and Competitive Play.

"After role queue locks, you'll get three randomized map options to choose from," Blizzard said. "Every vote adds a 1-in-10 chance to that map's odds, and the winner is selected using a roulette style roll. To keep things chill, team chat, battle tags, and individual votes are hidden, so there's no pressure—just a better chance at playing on maps you love. And leaver penalties kick in as soon as voting starts, so stick around and make it count."

The more votes a map has, the higher its odds of being chosen. After voting for each map, OW2 will "roll" to see which one is selected. If everyone votes for the same map, the game will automatically select it.

New maps

Aatlis new map in OW2 Season 17
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

A new Flashpoint map joins the Core experience in Season 17. Aatlis is based in Morocco and features lush gardens to luxury resort spaces. It's a map that's "built for tighter fights, cleaner rotations, and fast-paced momentum," according to the developer.

In Stadium, Esperança and Samoa join the map pool.

New Stadium heroes

Junkrat, Sigma, Zenyatta in OW2
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Sigma, Junkrat, and Zenyatta are the new playable heroes in Stadium for season 17, all with their own unique Powers to build ridiculous and powerful variants in the competitive game type.

Hero buffs and nerfs

Multiple heroes are getting updates this time around. Here's a breakdown of each change:

General

  • Damage role passive healing reduction increased from 25% to 30%
  • Base health regeneration timer increased from 5 to 6 seconds

Tank

Junker Queen

  • Commanding Shout

    • Junker Queen overhealth increased from 175 to 200.
    • Allied overhealth increased from 50 to 75.
    • Duration for self-reduced from 5 to 4 seconds.
    • Allied duration increased from 3 to 4 seconds.

  • Developer Comments: Commanding Shout has been updated to provide stronger team utility and improve its overall impact. The adjustments reward well-timed use by increasing survivability for both Junker Queen and her allies. The reduced duration for Junker Queen is a double-edged
    sword—she doesn't have the speed boost for as long, but the cooldown rotation is quicker since the cooldown begins once the effect ends.

Mauga

  • Berserker Passive

    • Overhealth conversion rate increased from 40% to 50%

  • Developer Comments: Berserker's overhealth conversion has been reverted to restore some of Mauga's durability to a more balanced state following previous changes.

Ramattra

  • Nanite Repair perk

    • Healing per second increased from 50 to 75.

  • Developer Comments: Nanite Repair's healing per second has been
    increased to enhance its consistency and overall effectiveness during the
    short duration of Ravenous Vortex.

Zarya

  • Spotter perk

    • Movement speed increased from 15% to 25%.

  • Graviton Crush perk

    • Damage dealt over time increased from 30% to 40% of maximum health.

  • Developer Comments: Spotter and Graviton Crush receive targeted buffs to improve their effectiveness and ensure they remain viable choices alongside their counterpart perks.

Damage

Bastion

  • Model and hit volume size reduced by 10%.
  • Developer Comments: Bastion's survivability is impacted by the large size
    of his model despite his high health and armor pool. Reducing his model
    and hit volume size by 10% improves his ability to avoid damage and overall
    balance.

Echo

  • Tri-Shot

    • Spread decreased from 1.4 to 1.1 degrees

  • Developer Comments: Reducing the spread of Echo's Tri-Shot improves its effectiveness at range, making it a more consistent option for a highly mobile hero.

Pharah

  • Helix Shields perk

    • Shield health regeneration triggers when landing direct hits with
      rockets

  • Developer Comments: Helix Shields now offer a survivability boost by triggering health regeneration upon landing direct hits with rockets, rewarding player accuracy.

Reaper

  • Hellfire Shotguns

    • Damage per pellet increased from 5.4 to 5.75 (108 to 115 per volley)

  • Developer Comments: Part of the reason heroes like Reaper and Tracer had their damage reduced in the past was due to the shift to the 5v5 format—solo tanking and less frequent peeling made flanking heroes more effective, along with their strong performance on certain maps and game modes like Push and Flashpoint. This is now less of a concern with the introduction of map voting and hero bans, which help limit overperformance, so we're restoring some of their damage potency.

Soldier: 76

  • Pulse Pistol

    • Damage increased from 5.5 to 6

  • Developer Comments: Similar to Reaper, Tracer is getting back some of the damage she lost due to past format and map concerns. Looks like she's recalled back to stronger bullets—again.

Venture

  • Smart Excavator

    • Recovery time reduced from 0.7 to 0.6 seconds

  • Developer Comments: This change improves Venture's damage output by increasing fire rate, enhancing weapon consistency without increasing the lethality of their combo.

Support

Lifeweaver

  • Cleansing Grasp perk

    • Life Grip cooldown reduced by 4 seconds if a debuff is cleansed

  • Developer Comments: Successfully cleansing a debuff now reduces Life Grip's cooldown, improving the usefulness of Cleansing Grasp when timed well.

Lúcio

  • Crossfade

    • Base healing increased from 16 to 20 health per second

  • Developer Comments: Lúcio plays a unique role within the support lineup, offering strong mobility and team utility. However, his healing output has been lagging behind other supports, especially with the increase in hero health pools. This change makes his passive healing more impactful and
    better aligned with other support heroes.

Moira

  • Biotic Grasp

    • Healing per second increased from 70 to 80.

  • Developer Comments: We wanted to boost Moira's overall healing output, as she doesn't offer as much direct utility compared to other Support heroes, and we're reducing some healing impact in this patch through the Damage role passive. We're happy with the cadence of managing her healing
    resource and swapping to damage to restore it, so we opted to adjust the direct healing rather than the resource availability or a similar mechanic.

Zenyatta

  • Duality perk

    • Increased converted damage from 30% to 40%.

  • Developer Comments: Duality has struggled due to the number of conditions required for activation. Increasing the converted damage improves its effectiveness when those conditions are met.

Two Mythics at launch

For the first time in OW2, two Mythics are available at the launch of a season, for D.Va and Reaper.

D.Va Mythic: Horang

D.Va Horang season 17 Mythic skin
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

  • Level 1: Tiger armor and a hat with sleek, fierce white styling.
  • Level 2: Bun hairstyle with upgraded visuals in a cinnabar red colorway.
  • Level 3: Flex braids and a wild tiger mask in a pink-tinted colorway.
  • Level 4: Hit full tiger mode with ambient spirit energy, glowing effects, and flourishes that radiate power.

Reaper Mythic weapon: Steel Death

Reaper OW2 Mythic weapons
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

  • Level 1 Base: Brutal, sharp, soulfire-infused shotguns built for lethal precision.
  • Level 2 Reactivity: Weapons flare with dark energy as you deal damage.
  • Level 3 Flourish: Intricate glowing details surround your shotguns.
  • Level 4 Kill FX: Finish foes with haunting swirled shadows and sound effects that embody Reaper's fury.

Limited-time events

Season 17 has two limited-time events announced over its first month, including Powered Up (June 24 to 30) and Hacks & Hijinx (July 15 to 28), both of which include challenges and free items to earn.

Hacks & Hijinx features rotating match modifiers, from low-gravity jumps to Ultimate charge-granting health packs. Here's a complete list of every modifier you'll find:

  • Mini Maxing: All heroes are 50 percent smaller and have a 30 percent health reduction.
  • Lie Low: Heroes can become invisible while crouching.
  • Fired Up: On Fire heroes have decreased cooldowns and deal more damage or healing at the cost of being visible to everyone.
  • Charge Pack: Health packs also give Ultimate charge.
  • Power Punch: Quick melee attacks knock back enemies.
  • Vampiric Healing: Heroes don't passively regenerate HP. Instead, you get the Vampiric passive.
  • Aerial Combat: Heroes deal and receive 50 percent more damage while airborne. There's also less gravity.
  • Back in action: Respawn timers decrease.
  • Berserkers: Heroes don't passively regenerate HP. Instead, for each 10 percent of total HP lost, your attack speed will increase by six percent, and cooldowns are reduced by six percent.
  • Super Jump: Everyone jumps 200 percent higher.
  • Motion Detection: Moving enemies within 25 meters are visible through walls. Crouching enemies stay invisible.
  • Explosive: Everyone explodes on death.
  • Hyper Speed: Movement speed increases by 20 percent for everyone.
  • Buff Hunt: Every minute, a random hero has increased HP, deals more damage, and generates Ultimate charge faster. Defeating this hero grants you the buff.
  • Damage Pack: Health packs increase damage dealt by 20 percent for 10 to 20 seconds or until death.
  • Fallen Comrade: Heroes drop a globe on death that increases damage, armor, and movement speed when picked up by a teammate.

New battle pass

Image via Blizzard Entertainment

There are five new skins in the battle pass, along with two more in the Ultimate bundle:

  • 8-Bit Sombra
  • 8-Bit Genji
  • 8-Bit Reinhardt
  • Professor Fawkes Junkrat
  • Professor de Kuiper Sigma (Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle)
  • Principal Lacroix Widowmaker (Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle)
  • Delinquent Cole Cassidy

G.I. Joe collab

In the road map for season 17, OW2 confirmed that G.I. Joe would be the next collab for the game. In the reveal trailer for the season, players spotted Genji in a Snake Eyes skin, and that's just the beginning. More will be revealed in the coming weeks.

New shop skins

OW2 season 17 shop skins
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Season 17's new shop skins include (from left to right) Lifeweaver, Mercy, Kiriko, Soldier: 76, Juno, Venture, and Reaper. More info about these skins, like pricing and release date, will arrive soon.

New hero trial

Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Season 17 will close out with a new trial for the latest hero, the support hero Wuyang, towards the end of the season later this summer. To view the full patch notes, visit Overwatch 2's official website.


The post Overwatch 2 season 17 patch notes – Map voting, new Stadium changes, and more appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 1:41 PM
    

One of the best cards to use in the Sideline Superstar Evolution

The Sideline Superstar Evolution is now available in EA FC 25, and you can complete the upgrades to improve a lower-rated item of your choice.

To unlock the evolution, you'll have to spend 50,000 coins, which isn't very high in the current stage of the game. The upgrades are perfect for CM cards, so let's take a look at the best possible candidates to upgrade.

EA FC 25 Sideline Superstar Evolution requirements

Here are the requirements of the Sideline Superstar Evolution in EA FC 25.

  • Max Pos. 2
  • Overall Max. 92
  • Position CM
  • Max PS 10
  • Max PS+ 3
  • Passing Max. 98
  • Dribbling Max. 98

EA FC 25 Sideline Superstar Evolution upgrades

There are five levels of upgrades, and here are the requirements.

Level 1 upgrades

  • Rarity In-Progress Evolution
  • New Pos. LW
  • Role++ LW Inside Forward++
  • Overall +15 (^96)
  • Shooting +15 (^91)
  • Agility +20 (^93)
  • Balance +20 (^93)

Level 2 upgrades

  • New Pos. RW
  • Role++ RW Inside Forward++
  • PlayStyle+ Quick Step (^3)
  • PlayStyle Incisive Pass (^9)
  • Pace +20 (^95)
  • Reactions +20 (^95)

Level 3 upgrades

  • WF +2 ★
  • PlayStyle+ Pinged Pass (^3)
  • PlayStyle Trivela (^9)
  • Jumping +20 (^90)
  • Stamina +20 (^92)
  • Strength +20 (^90)

Level 4 upgrades

  • Role++ RW Winger++
  • Role++ LW Winger++
  • PlayStyle Tiki Taka (^9)
  • Passing +15 (^93)
  • Ball Control +20
  • Dribbling (attr.) +20 (^96)

Level 5 upgrades

  • Rarity Shapeshifters Evolution
  • SM +2 ★ (^4)
  • Role++ RW Wide Playmaker++
  • Role++ LW Wide Playmaker++
  • PlayStyle+ Technical (^3)
  • Composure +20 (^93)

Level 1 upgrade conditions

  • Play 1 match in any mode using your active EVO player.

Level 2 upgrade conditions

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

Level 3 upgrade conditions

  • Win one match in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro using your active EVO player.

Level 4 upgrade conditions

  • Win one match in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro using your active EVO player.

Level 5 upgrade conditions

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

Best players to use in EA FC 25 Sideline Superstar Evolution

Here are some of the best players to use in this evolution.

  • Patrick Vieira Thunderstruck Icon
  • N'Golo Kante Grassroot Greats
  • Johnny Cardoso RTTF
  • Martin Zubimendi FUT Birthday
  • Rodri Centurions
  • Kobie Mainoo RTTF
  • Jude Bellingham TOTW
  • Zico Immortals Icon
  • Bruno Fernandes Grassroot Greats

Your club's evo chain candidates can provide unique solutions exclusive to your Ultimate Team squad.

The post Best players to use in EA FC 25 Sideline Superstar Evolution appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 1:18 PM
    

Hat ceremony in College Football 26

The Dynasty and Team-Builder Deep Dive for College Football 26 had some interesting moments for the series' fans to observe.

Most of the features revealed today are also present in College Football 25. However, EA Sports has considered community feedback to fine-tune the changes. Some of them are much more subtle, while others are dramatic, to say the least. At its core is your greater freedom over coaching and building your program.

All College Football 26 Dynasty Deep Dive highlights

The core of the Dynasty mode will revolve around three key factors.

  • Building your coach
  • Building your program
  • Enjoy the authentic college football experience.

Let's take deeper dives into what you can expect from each area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e7P_nY2CKw

All College Football 26 Coach features in Dynasty mode

Here's what you can do with your coach in the upcoming game.

  • Create your coach, and customize him as much as you want.
  • Coach progression has been strengthened, and you can grow your level to 100. Progress will be based on your selected archetypes.
  • Updates on how Archetypes work include making detailed tweaks to make leveling up more challenging.
  • Better Coach Carousel and coordinators will have traits that determine their loyalty to your program.
  • New Trophy Showcase Room.

Most of these features are also available in College Football 25 but have been refined. We will cover the Archetypes in detail in a future article.

All College Football 26 Program features in Dynasty mode

Like last year, you'll have plenty of control over what you want to do with your college program. At its core, you'll need to master the transfer portal.

  • The transfer portal will be far more consistent.
  • A prospective recruit's star rating will be based on factors such as their overall ratings, position, batch year, and more.
  • All players have a dealbreaker, which determines your chances of signing them into your program.
  • Playing time will be a major decision-making factor when recruiting an athlete, and it can even bypass a dealbreaker.
  • Dealbreakers will have a dynamic system with athletes evolving and changing their expectations. This will make adjusting to their demands harder for you and other teams.
  • Get additional chances of retaining players based on your Program Builder archetype.
  • Full control over how the Transfer portal will work.

Recruiting will also involve plenty of other factors. For starters, the prestige of your program will determine how likely you are to recruit an athlete. Your school's region will also influence recruiting, as some pipelines are strong in one area and weak in the rest.

The full set of changes includes many more details about all the tweaks, so make sure to check it out before diving deep into Dynasty a month from now.

The post College Football 26 Dynasty features – Dynamic Dealbreakers, better coach control, and more appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 1:12 PM
    

A Sim dressed as a fairy in a green dress with green wings and long orange hair jumping up in excitement while standing by a tree in The Sims 4

A fresh event for The Sims 4 is here, and it's brought with it plenty of quests you need to tackle to earn event prizes. All of the items featured in the Nature's Calling event are exclusive, so working through it is essential if you want to unlock them.

Like all events, this one challenges you to interact with some gameplay features you might not be familiar with. It can be a bit tricky to navigate through, but the prizes are worth the effort, so here are all week one Nature's Calling quests and rewards in The Sims 4.

How to complete all week one Nature's Calling quests in The Sims 4

All week one Nature's Calling quests in The Sims 4
Screenshot by Destructoid

To complete all week one quests in the Nature's Calling event, you need to tackle quests in the Whispers in the Wind and Attuned to the Echoes series. Both parts must be completed before you can move on to additional tasks and rewards.

Whispers in the Wind quests in The Sims 4

There are four tasks you need to get done in the Whispers in the Wind quest series. All of them are easier to complete at a park lot, so consider heading straight to one before you start trying to work through them.

Quest How to complete
Have a Sim spend time outdoors. Have your Sim spend 60 minutes outside. You can check their "Spend time outdoors" Moodlet to see how much longer is left before this task is complete.
Visit any park. Visit any park lot in The Sims 4. This can be a park lot that's already present, like Magnolia Blossom in Willow Creek, or one you place down around the world.
Go fishing in a pond. Find a pond out in the world and click on the water or a nearby fishing sign to start fishing. If you're still at the park from the previous quest, there should be one nearby.
Listen to the wind on a park bench. Find a bench or picnic table situated around any park lot. Click on it and select the "Listen to the wind" option.

Attuned to the Echoes quests in The Sims 4

A Sim dressed as a fairy in a green dress with green wings and long orange hair crafting a wooden sculpture in the sims 4
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Attuned to the Echoes quest series has five tasks for you to get done. Some of these are also easiest to tackle at the park, although a couple of them do require you to return to your home lot.

Quest How to complete
Ask one Sim if they hear the whispers, too. Find any Sim to chat with and select the "Ask about the whispers" option. You need to introduce yourself and get to know them a bit before it shows up.
Buy the Reclaimed Woodworking Table on a home lot. Head to your Sims' home lot, open Build Mode, and search for the Reclaimed Woodworking Table item. If you don't see it appearing, you may need to claim it from the event first. It's the very first reward you can claim, so you certainly have enough points to grab it at this point.
Cloudgaze or Stargaze. During the day, you can click on your Sim anywhere in the world while outside to Cloudgaze. At night, you can do the same to Stargaze. Choose either option to get this task done.
Go for a jog. Click on your Sim and select the "Go jogging" option.
Craft two woodworking sculptures. Click on any woodworking table, like the one you just placed for a previous quest, and select the "Craft Sculpture" option. Choose any of the available sculptures to make, then repeat this process to make a second one.

All week one Nature's Calling event rewards in The Sims 4

All week one nature's calling event rewards the sims 4
Screenshot by Destructoid

There are four main rewards you can claim after completing all week one quests in Nature's Calling, plus a few smaller assets that aren't exclusive to the event. All of the rewards you can obtain are as follows.

  • Reclaimed Woodworking Table
  • Odonata Glasses
  • Reclaimed Wood Wall
  • Touch Grass Weekly, Issue #1 (Collectible)
  • 5,000 Simoleons
  • Handiness Vol 1: Try Not To Die! (Book)
  • Instant Hygiene (Potion)

After working through week one of the event, you may want to learn when The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature expansion pack will be released so you can fully prepare for Fairies to arrive. You also may want to know how to turn on cheats and the best cheats to use.

The post All week one Nature's Calling event quests and rewards in The Sims 4 appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:28 PM
    

Six superhero characters gathered around Superman taking a picture while posing with him in Fortnite

All around the island, there are lots of characters you can team up with or speak with to unlock special items in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three. If you know where to find them, these NPCs can offer you powerful advantages or join your team to help you seize victory.

The island is quite large, so tracking down the many characters wandering around it can be a tricky task. It's much easier if you know where to look, so here's where to find all NPCs in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three.

All NPCs and where to find them in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3

All 14 NPCs in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3
Screenshot by Destructoid

There are 19 NPCs you can find all around the vast island in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three. More may be added as the season progresses, so if any additional characters pop up, we'll add them here.

NPC Image Location Where to find Services
Morgan Myst Morgan Myst in Fortnite Supernova Academy Wandering around the very north end of Supernova Academy. Offers Myst Gauntlets for 300 gold bars.
Shadow Blade Hope Hope in Fortnite Supernova Academy In a room near the west end of Supernova Academy. Offers a Patch Up for 200 gold bars and a Deadeye DMR for 300 gold bars.
Vengence Jones Jones in Fortnite Supernova Academy In the room next door to Hope, near the west end of Supernova Academy. Offers a Hyperburst Pistol for 300 gold bars and Shield Bubble Jr. for 300 gold bars.
Outlaw Midas Outlaw Midas in Fortnite Utopia CIty Near the east end of Utopia City. Offers an Outlaw Shotgun for 300 gold bars or a Chug Jug for 400 gold bars.
Killswitch Killswitch in Fortnite Foxy Floodgate Wandering around the bridge overlooking Foxy Floodgate. Can be hired as a Scout Specialist for 800 gold bars. He also offers a Tracking Visor for 200 gold bars.
Haylee Skye Haylee Skye in Fortnite Pumped Power Near the north end of Pumped Power, close to the pool of water. Can be hired as a Heavy Specialist for 800 gold bars. She also offers a Sentinel Pump Shotgun for 300 gold bars and Shockwave Grenades for 300 gold bars.
Ziggy Ziggy in Fortnite Shining Span At the gas station near the north end of the massive Shining Span bridge. Can be hired as a Medic Specialist for 800 gold bars. He also offers a Med Kit for 75 gold bars.
Synthwave Synthwave in Fortnite Resistance Base West of the Resistance Base, standing at the edge of the bay. Can be hired as a Supply Specialist for 800 gold bars. She also offers Bass Boost for 300 gold bars.
Lightrider Lightrider in Fortnite Shiny Shafts Near the south edge of Shining Span. Can be hired as a Supply Specialist for 800 gold bars. She also offers a Med-Mist Smoke Grenade for 125 gold bars.
Robin Robin in Fortnite Demon's Domain Inside the gas station northeast of Demon's Domain, close to the colorful flower fields nearby. Can be hired for 500 gold bars. He also offers the Mythic Wingshot Grappler for 600 gold bars.
Kendo Kendo in Fortnite Shogun's Solitude Near the northeast end of the Shogun's Solitude mountain. Offers a Rift To Go for 450 gold bars and a Spire Rifle for 300 gold bars.
Jade Jade in Fortnite Shogun's Solitude Standing on the small hill north of Shogun's Solitude. Offers a Rift To Go for 450 gold bars and a Large Shield Potion for 150 gold bars.
Superman Superman in Fortnite Supernova Academy Inside a building near the southeast end of Supernova Academy. Offers a Patch Up for 200 gold bars and a Rift To Go for 450 gold bars.
Night Rose Night Rose in Fortnite Supernova Academy South of Supernova Academy, close to the road. Offers a Patch Up for 200 gold bars and a Fury Assault Rifle for 300 gold bars.
Skillet Skillet in Fortnite Lonewolf Lair Near the north end of Lonewolf Lair, close to the pool. Offers Shockwave Grenade for 300 gold bars and Twinfire Auto Shotgun for 300 gold bars.
The Brat The Brat in Fortnite Crime City On a rooftop near the west end of Crime City, close to Big Dill. Offers Fury Assault Rifle for 600 gold bars.
Big Dill Big Dill in Fortnite Crime City On a rooftop near the west end of Crime City, close to The Brat. Offers Veiled Precision SMG for 300 gold bars.
DJ Yonder DJ Yonder in Fortnite Utopia City On a rooftop near the east end of Utopia City, close to DJ Bop. Offers Hyperburst Pistol for 300 gold bars.
DJ Bop DJ Bop in Fortnite Utopia City On a rooftop near the east end of Utopia City, close to DJ Yonder. Offers Veiled Precision SMG for 600 gold bars.

While you're exploring the island to meet these characters, be sure to pick up the quests they offer. Some quests you need to tackle are the Trials of Morgan Myst, Shadows of the Shard, Heart of the Sprites, and Brothers of Mask and Blade.

The post All Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3 NPC locations appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:48 AM
    

Psylocke riding bright blue surf cube made up of blocks in Forntite

There are lots of epic superhero items you can find around the island in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three. One of the most useful ones for getting around quickly is the Surf Cube, so it's a strong item to have in your inventory once you know where to find it.

With so many items available to find around the island, tracking down the Surf Cube can be tough. It's also a tricky item to get used to since there's nothing else like it, so here's how to find and use the Surf Cube in Fortnite.

Where to find Surf Cube in Fortnite

Surf Cube on ground in Fortnite
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Surf Cube can randomly be found anywhere around the island, like most other loot. If you want a guaranteed chance of finding one, though, you can meet up with Lightrider to buy one.

Lightrider can be found hanging out slightly south of Shiny Shafts. She's one of the many NPCs you can find around the island and has one Surf Cube for sale in each round, which costs 300 gold bars. It's not too pricey, but it's a bit tough to earn gold this season, so you may need to work on saving up for it. Since she's only got one for sale, you also need to be the first character to grab it, otherwise you're out of luck.

If you don't have the gold bars required or don't get to Lightrider first but still want to add this item to your inventory, get to work looting around the island to find it. You have a better shot at acquiring it if you take on certain challenges, like damaging Overlord Spires and Scout Spires. Opening hero caches as you increase your hero rank is another great way to find this item. Otherwise, you just have to loot around the island until you're lucky enough to find one.

How to use Surf Cube in Fortnite

The Surf Cube is solely a traversal item and has no battle capabilities. If you're looking for a strong item to use in battle, you'll need to find one of the many weapons in Chapter Six, season three instead.

This item has two fairly simple functions, both of which are displayed near the bottom left edge of the screen while hovering over or using this item. The two abilities you can use are:

  • Start/stop surfing: Allows you to jump on or off the Surf Cube board as desired. While you're on it, you'll hover slightly off the ground and move around much more quickly.
  • Flight mode: Temporarily allows you to soar up high into the air. This ability essentially gives you a big boost upward and forward, lasting for a bit before bringing you back down to hover just off the ground.

Psylocke soaring through the sky on a Surf Cube in Fortnite
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Surf Cube has a total durability score of 150, which decays over time as you use it. You can keep an eye on this number while using it to strategically save for when you might really need it. It doesn't decay super fast, but if you use it a lot without watching the durability, it's easy to end up breaking and losing this item.

With a powerful new way to get around the island, you can now get to work tackling quests all around it. Some good ones to work on are hitting hero practice targets at different hero training outposts, assembling surveillance gear at Demon's Domain, and copying the actions of Morgan Myst's shadow proxies.

The post How to find and use Surf Cube in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3 appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:34 AM
    

Gunsmith store from the Dead Rails Roblox Expertience

If you want to reach the safety of the 80km city, you will need to be well-prepared. Weapons are an essential tool for survival in Dead Rails, and in this article, we will take a look at all of them and see which ones give you the highest chance of survival in this harsh wasteland. Follow along with our Dead Rails weapons tier list and guide.

Dead Rails Weapons Tier List

Official Dead Rails Weapon Tier List
Image by Tiermaker

Sadly, you will not be able to find all of these weapons in every round of Dead Rails you start, so making good use of the starting weapons is crucial if you want to make it far. The Revolver + Ammo combo at the beginning is a tried and proven method, but saving money for better weapons is also a viable strategy. Sadly, you cannot buy all weapons, like the Vampire Knife, and you have to find them in the wasteland.

Dead Rails Weapons List

Below is a detailed list of all available weapons in Dead Rails:

Weapon Damage
(Body/Head)
Description
Vampire Knife from Dead Rails
Vampire Knife
20/40 • Cooldown - 0.5 Seconds
• Cost - Cannot be bought in the game store.
• Extremely high attack speed and life-steal when damaging and killing enemies.
Mauser from Dead Rails
Mauser C96
25/50 • Cooldown - Instant
• Cost - Cannot be bought in the game store.
• Ammo - Six Bullet Magazine, 24 bullet ammo boxes, $15 in the store.
• A much better version of the revolver, good at all stages and cost-effective.
Turret from Dead Rails
Maxim Machine Gun
25/50 • Cooldown - Instant
• Cost - $125
• Ammo - 100 Turret Ammo Magazine, 100 ammo boxes, $12 in the store.
• Perfect for groups of enemies, but has to be set down on the ground.
Cavalry Sword from Dead Rails
Cavalry Sword
50 • Cooldown - 1 Second
• Cost - Cannot be bought in the game store.
• Excellent for fast, in-and-out combat.
Sawed Off Shotgun from Dead Rails
Sawed-Off Shotgun
75/100 • Cooldown - Instant (reload after 2 shots)
• Cost - Cannot be bought in the game store.
• Ammo - Two Slug Magazine, 24 Slug ammo boxes, $15 in the store.
• One-shot kill to the head. Perfect for enemy hordes.
Rifle from Dead Rails
Rifle
75/95 • Cooldown - 2.5 Seconds
• Cost - $75
• Ammo - Six Bullet Magazine, 24 bullet ammo boxes, $20 in the store
• 100% Accuracy, no bullet drop, perfect for long-range combat and sniping.
Shotgun from Dead Rails
Shotgun
25/50 • Cooldown - 2 Seconds
• Cost - $50
• Ammo - Six Slug Magazine, 24 slug ammo boxes, $15 in the store.
• Great for enemies close to you.
Revolver from Dead Rails
Revolver
25/50 • Cooldown - 1 Second
• Cost - $35
• Ammo - Six Bullet Magazine, 24 bullet ammo boxes, $15 in the store.
Meele Weapon from Dead Rails
Melee Weapons (Starting)
20 • Cooldown - 2 Seconds
• Cost - Free (starting weapon)
• Chance to stun enemies. Stunned enemies can still attack if you are in range.

Where To Find Weapons in Dead Rails?

Most weapons in Dead Rails can be found in the starting town, where they can be bought for money, but some weapons have to be found in the wasteland and have a small chance of spawning. Here is a list of weapon locations:

  • Vampire Knife: Low chance of spawning in a big city in the wasteland.
  • Mauser C96: Spawns in buildings in the wasteland.
  • Maxim Machine Gun: You can find and buy this weapon in the Gunsmith store for $125. Also spawns in buildings.
  • Sawed-Off Shotgun: Chance to spawn in buildings in the wasteland. You can also buy it with Robux.
  • Rifle: You can find and buy this weapon in the Gunsmith store for $75. Also spawns in buildings.
  • Shotgun: You can find and buy this weapon in the Gunsmith store for $50. Also spawns in buildings.
  • Revolver: You can find and buy this weapon in the Gunsmith store for $35. Also spawns in buildings.
  • Axe, Shovel, Hammer, Pickaxe: You receive one of these at random as a starting weapon.

As some weapons are harder to get than others, you should tailor your strategy and playstyle around commonly available weapons that you have access to. Buying higher-cost weapons is easier with friends, so adjust your strategy accordingly when you're not alone.

That sums up our Dead Rails Weapons tier list and guide. Check out our Dead Rails Class Guide for more information on how to dominate the wastelands.

The post Dead Rails Weapon Tier List – Weapons Guide and Locations [Alpha] appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:31 AM
    

yoshis! mario kart world

Destructoid, I have gone down a rabbit hole I can't bring myself out of, and I'm writing this article in hopes others can join me. As I can't stop watching how insane some Mario Kart World tricks are, mere weeks after release.

Most videos of people competing for world record speed times on tracks appear innocent enough at first. A few tricks here and there, some good Mushroom usage, and then suddenly a player is launching themselves off a map to get speed boosts of a single pixel of a tree or go to areas of the stage that feel out of bounds but actually aren't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ9jBc7-DuU&ab_channel=MKWorldRecords

Take, for example, Great ? Block Ruins where, near the end of the map, the player does a leap of faith into a pit, tricks off a lone tree onto a wall, and then hits a cloud to jump back onto the stage, essentially riding beneath the track but coming out of it fine. It's one of many examples where players have been able to create impossible jumps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pon_bB8SqpY&ab_channel=MKWorldRecords

There are also tracks like Faraway Oasis that take advantage of weird water mechanics to launch racers into the air to get on platforms and places they wouldn't usually be able to, while still finding time to do a trick off a beam or something you wouldn't even consider accessible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ub0xu207SM&ab_channel=MKWorldRecords

There's even a bigger shock when, in stages like DK Spaceport, you find out it's actually faster to not do any tricks at all and go in a straight line rather than wall riding off platforms or doing small jump dashes. Every second adds up, so after seeing some of the wilder tricks on other stages before, realizing sometimes it's quicker to do 0 tricks becomes equally baffling.

These are just some of the many tricks and tracks I have been scrolling on YouTube shorts or in my spare time, and it makes me wonder what else players will discover as the game gets optimized over time. Also, what is your favorite track or trick you've seen so far!? Let me know in the comments below!

The post Have you seen the wild tricks Mario Kart World players are pulling off!? appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:31 AM
    

Forsaken Survivors and Killers Tier List

Forsaken in Roblox is a game that feels a lot like Dead by Daylight and other survival games. It takes the classic killer versus survivor setup and adds its own unique touch, making it fun to play again and again. If you're figuring out which killer or survivor might be the best fit for you, our Forsaken Characters tier list below can help you decide.

Forsaken Characters Tier List

Forsaken Characters Tier List
Image by Tiermaker

As we can see in this Forsaken Characters tier list, not all Characters in Forsaken were created equal. Some are good, some are great, and some are downright unplayable. For example, Shedletsky is the easiest Survivor to play and easily outplays any Killer, while Two Time doesn't even have any active abilities.

Forsaken Survivors Tier List

Below is a complete and detailed list of all Survivors. Here, we will take a look at all of them, listed from best to worst:

Survivors Cost Description
Shedletsky Survivor from Forsaken
Shedletsky
500 Shedletsky is a legendary swordfighter and chicken enthusiast, famous for dominating in high places.
• As a Sentinel unit, he uses his sword to create escape opportunities for teammates during tense moments.
• He excels at staying alive under pressure, with tools that help him recover health when things get tough.
• Abilities include Slash and Fried Chicken, blending offense with self-sustain.
Elliot Survivor from Forsaken
Elliot
350 Elliot is the iconic face of Work at a Pizza Place and a top employee of Builder Brothers' Pizza.
• He plays a Support role, helping teammates by tossing food, giving them a short speed boost to escape danger.
• His effectiveness relies on strong teamwork and good timing to make the most of his abilities.
• Abilities include Pizza Throw and Rush Hour, and he is currently the only survivor with two passives.
Guest 1337 Survivor from Forsaken
Guest 1337
500 Guest 1337 is the main character of his own series and the final survivor of the Guest race.
• He takes on the role of a Sentinel, specializing in frontline defense and distraction.
• His gameplay focuses on countering close-range attacks with well-timed blocks and interrupting the killer's moves.
• Abilities include Block, Charge, and Punch, giving him tools to protect himself and create space during intense moments.
Chance Survivor from Forsaken
Chance
777 Chance is a risk-loving gambler whose playstyle revolves around taking chances and dealing with the consequences.
• As a defensive unit, they build up power by flipping coins, but doing so makes them more vulnerable to attacks.
• Gameplay is high-risk, high-reward, with a focus on unpredictability and strategic timing.
• Abilities include Chance's Favor, One Shot, Reroll, and Hat Fix, making them the only survivor with four unique abilities.
Builderman Survivor from Forsaken
Builderman
500 • Builderman is the CEO of Roblox and takes on the role of a Support unit in the game.
• His playstyle focuses on constructing turrets and dispensers to assist teammates and disrupt killers.
• He's best used strategically to create safe zones or stall the killer's progress.
• Abilities include Sentry Construction and Dispenser Construction, both offering strong utility for the team.
007n7 Survivor from Forsaken
007n7
500 007n7 is a former hacker turned Survivalist, known for attacks in games like Work at a Pizza Place.
• After adopting his son, c00lkidd, he left his hacking ways behind, though both eventually vanished.
• His gameplay centers around stealth and evasion, using tools he once made for hacking to survive.
• Abilities include Clone, c00lgui, and Inject, offering limited but creative ways to stay hidden and avoid danger.
Noob Survivor from Forsaken
Noob
Free Noob is the first survivor players unlock, serving as the game's starting Survivalist.
• Their playstyle focuses on using the right food items at the right time to survive and support gameplay.
• Abilities include Bloxy Cola, Slateskin Potion, and Ghostburger, each serving a unique purpose.
• Noob is the only survivor with an ability (Bloxy Cola) that can also be found on the map
Taph Survivor from Forsaken
Taph
500 Taph is a demolitionist who once worked for Builderman, demolishing homes of terminated players before joining Forsaken.
• As a Support unit, he excels at setting traps to slow down killers during chases, giving his team a tactical advantage.
• His playstyle focuses on controlling the killer's movement and creating opportunities for escape.
• Abilities include Tripwire and Subspace Tripmine, both designed to hinder the killer's progress and provide strategic support.
Two Time Survivor from Forsaken
Two Time
400 Two Time is a fragile, unstable cultist who refers to themselves as a "shadow" and believes in respawning.
• They stand out as a Survivalist who can cheat death once per round, making them harder to eliminate.
• Their gameplay focuses on longevity and second chances rather than direct abilities.
• They currently have no active abilities, relying solely on their passive, Undying Devotion.
Taph Survivor from Forsaken
Dusekkar
600 Dusekkar is a powerful wizard who was weakened to keep things balanced with other characters.
• As a Support unit, he focuses on protecting teammates and disrupting the killer's movements.
• His gameplay involves shielding allies and casting spells that temporarily slow down threats.
• Abilities include Spawn Protection and Plasma Beam, though using them comes at the cost of lowering his own strength.

Technically, none of the Survivors are bad. Some just require more knowledge and experience to play properly. Except Dusekkar. Dusekkar is horrible.

Forsaken Killers Tier List

Below is a complete and detailed list of all Killers. Here, we will take a look at all of them, listed from best to worst:

Killers Cost Description
c00lkidd Killer from Forsaken
c00lkidd
900 c00lkidd is the adopted son of 007n7, who was mysteriously "lost" and transformed into a monster.
• As the fastest and most affordable killer in the game, his gameplay revolves around speed and surprise attacks.
• He can summon minions to aid in the hunt and strike survivors when they least expect it.
• Abilities include Corrupt Nature, Walkspeed Override, and Pizza Delivery, each contributing to his unpredictable and fast-paced attack style.
1x1x1x1 Killer from Forsaken
1x1x1x1
1250 1x1x1x1 is a test account turned into a manifestation of Shedletsky's hatred, bent on destroying him and anyone connected to him.
• As a killer, 1x1x1x1 uses ranged attacks that can poison survivors or temporarily stop them with pop-ups.
• He can also revive killed survivors as zombies, turning the tide of the game in his favor.
• Abilities include Mass Infection, Entanglement, Unstable Eye, and Rejuvenate The Rotten, each contributing to his ability to infect survivors.
John Doe Killer from Forsaken
John Doe
1000 John Doe was once a hacker meant to take over Roblox on March 18th, 2017, but is now fused with old Roblox code, seeking revenge.
• As a killer, his gameplay centers around setting traps, including spikes that block survivors and puddles that mark survivors when stepped on.
• His strategy involves controlling movement and forcing survivors into difficult positions.
• Abilities include Corrupt Energy, Digital Footprint, and 404 ERROR, each designed to manipulate the environment and track survivors.
Jason Killer from Forsaken
Jason
Free Jason is a relentless killer who haunts Area 51 alongside other horror icons, refusing to die.
• As the first killer unlocked in the game, his gameplay focuses on brutal close combat with melee attacks that are challenging to land.
• He compensates for this by dealing the highest damage in the game, inflicting bleed, and temporarily locking survivor skills on hit.
• Abilities include Behead, Gashing Wound, and Raging Pace, all designed to enhance his power in close-quarters encounters.

All Killers are good. Jason is at the bottom simply because he is simpler than the others and doesn't have the same outplay potential. On the other hand, c00lkidd is the best because of his offensive abilities and versatility when chasing players.

And that is all for our Forsaken Characters tier list. Check out our Forsaken Codes for some freebies that can help you unlock the Killer or Survivor you want.

The post Best Forsaken Survivors and Killers Tier List [UPDATED] appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:07 AM
    

Ghost crawling on ground in red circle in Phasmophobia

Gathering evidence is a crucial gameplay aspect for correctly identifying the ghost in Phasmophobia. Some tasks specifically call for unique evidence, though, which is a special version of this feature.

Unique media is also a lot more rewarding than regular evidence, so if you're seeking lots of XP and cash, gathering it is a good way to gather both. It can be decently tricky to obtain, so here's how to capture unique evidence in Phasmophobia.

What is unique media in Phasmophobia?

Unique sound evidence in Phasmophobia
Screenshot by Destructoid

Unique media is the first instance of any capturable moment, event, object, evidence, or other such assets in Phasmophobia. It's tough to define, since it includes just about everything, but also has some specific requirements depending on the type of media you're trying to capture.

The best way to understand this feature is to look for moments that highlight ghost activity or unusual features. Anything involving the ghost can be captured as unique media, so focusing on finding and interacting with them is by far the easiest way to capture unique evidence. Certain special items not directly related to the ghost, like Cursed Possessions and Bones, also count, so your goal is to look for anything that feels noteworthy and out of the ordinary.

How to get unique evidence in Phasmophobia

You can capture unique media evidence using the Sound Recorder, Video Camera, or Photo Camera to catch various types of evidence for the first time. The crucial part of this system is that only the first instance of evidence captured counts as unique. All copies of the same evidence are labeled as duplicates instead of unique and are less rewarding.

You have to use the right type of equipment to capture various types of unique evidence. The Sound Recorder can be used to catch all ghostly audio sounds you hear, the Video Camera is for any live, moving evidence you spot, and the Photo Camera is for static items or quick appearances. Certain types of evidence, like manifestations of the ghost, can be captured using more than one method, so play around with all three to see what you manage to find.

Unique media in Phasmophobia

Capturing translucent ghost video evidence in Phasmophobia
Screenshot by Destructoid

Here are examples of instances where you can capture unique media in Phasmophobia. We've listed as many as we could think of, but there are likely many more beyond this list since there are plenty of special situations you may run into while playing. For all of these events, you must be capturing them for the first time in the contract for them to count as unique.

  • Disturbed Salt
  • Ghost Orbs
  • Thrown object
  • Singing ghost event
  • Hunting ghost
  • Physical ghost
  • DOTS ghost
  • Shadow ghost
  • Door movement
  • UV prints
  • EMF reading
  • Cursed Possessions
  • Bone
  • Ghost triggering Crucifix
  • Ghost interacting with the environment
  • A light source shattering
  • Ghost blowing out a Firelight
  • Spirit Box responses
  • Parabolic Microphone noises
  • Ghost writing
  • Ghost whispers
  • Paranormal sounds
  • Motion sensor going off
  • Ghost events

To gather most types of unique evidence, you need to know how to record audio and video evidence. You also may want to learn how to complete the On Record challenge and what Horror 2.0 is in Phasmophobia.

The post How to capture unique evidence in Phasmophobia appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:05 AM
    

Peak Blowgun

Did you know that you can find weapons in PEAK? Although it isn't exactly a PVP game, you can troll friends or tackle a particular enemy using the Blowgun, leaving them feeling lethargic. However, finding this item isn't easy, and figuring out how to use it effectively is even harder.

What does the Blowgun do in PEAK?

The Blowgun is a one-time use item you can find during your PEAK runs that you can use on other players or the Scoutmaster. If you shoot another player with it, you'll inflict a hefty lethargic status effect on them, potentially eliminating them if they're already low on stamina.

Peak Scoutmaster
Screenshot by Destructoid

Using the Blowgun on other people is almost always just to troll. There's no upside to being hit by it, so I'd only suggest doing it if you want some laughs with friends and don't mind the risk of them falling asleep and tumbling off a ledge. Using it effectively requires finding a particular enemy instead.

Does the Blowgun work on the Scoutmaster?

Yes, the Blowgun works on the Scoutmaster. Although it won't kill them, you can temporarily stun them, letting you escape and run back down to your friends, or give them some extra time to catch up. Either way, it's a great way to eliminate one obstacle stopping you from finishing the game, even if it isn't a permanent measure.

There are a few reasons why you or a friend may be facing off against the Scoutmaster. If you ditch your friends and approach the level's peak by yourself, the Scoutmaster will spawn as a way to scold you for doing so. If you're not careful, they can easily launch you off a ledge to your death. If you're a solo player, you can make them spawn using the Scoutmaster's Bugle, which has a very low chance of spawning.

You can also have a 1-on-1 with the Scoutmaster to earn a Steam achievement, the Mentorship Badge. Obtaining this badge doesn't require using the Blowgun, but having it will make it easier to escape once you trigger it.

The post What does the Blowgun do in PEAK? appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:03 AM
    

A ghost trapped in a summoning circle in front of a flaming cross in Phasmophobia

If you think you've mastered the art of ghost hunting in Phasmophobia, you may be ready to put your skills to the test. Weekly challenge modes are a great way to see how good you are.

These special trials modify how the game works, usually with rules that make the experience a lot harder. Successfully finishing the challenge gets you plenty of XP and cash, so it's well worth the effort. Here's the weekly challenge in Phasmophobia and everything you need to know to beat it.

Phasmophobia weekly challenge mode (June 24 to July 1)

On record challenge in phasmophobia which reads Try out the media overhaul in this new challenge, can you get a perfect game?
Screenshot by Destructoid

From June 24 to July 1, the weekly challenge is On Record in Phasmophobia. In this challenge, your goal is to experiment with everything fresh the Chronicle update has to offer, which primarily includes the Sound Recorder and reworked evidence collection systems.

How to complete the weekly challenge in Phasmophobia

To finish the weekly challenge mode in Phasmophobia, you need to correctly identify the ghost present on the featured map three times. The specific changes present in each trial mode vary, but your goal is always the same.

All On Record weekly challenge modifiers in Phasmophobia

The On Record challenge mode has several specific rules that modify the way the contract functions. Here are all the key details you need to know about this trial.

  • Map: Bleasdale Farmhouse
  • Starting sanity: 100 percent
  • Setup time: 60 seconds
  • Player speed: 100 percent
  • Cursed Possession: Random
  • Equipment: Mix of Tier I and Tier II items.

    • Tier I: Firelight and Head Gear.
    • Tier II: Motion Sensor, Salt, Incense, Sound Recorder, Crucifix, Sanity Medication, Igniter, EMF Reader, Spirit Box, Ghost Writing Book, DOTS Projector, Photo Camera, UV Light, Flashlight, Video Camera, Thermometer, and Tripod.

  • Missing Equipment: Sound Sensor and Parabolic Microphone.

On record challenge equipment hung up on a wall in Phasmophobia
Screenshot by Destructoid

Phasmophobia On Record weekly challenge mode tips

The On Record challenge is one of the trickier ones you can attempt in Phasmophobia, so here are some of the best tips to help you get it done.

  • Bring all your equipment to the front door. Before you start investigating, bring all of the items you need to the front door. Your setup time is limited, so if you prepare a bit by gathering the items you need near the front door, you'll save time and be much more likely to succeed.
  • Place Crucifixes in the ghost room. Once you know where the ghost is, place your Crucifixes around the room for protection. This powerful tool can block a few ghost hunts, so make sure you use it to your advantage.
  • Play with friends. Your odds of success are a lot better with allies helping you through this tricky trial. With additional ghost hunters at your side, you can explore the map more quickly, work together to gather evidence, and continue the investigation even if you perish.
  • Don't give up. Since all equipment is provided to you for free, there's nothing to lose in this challenge. Because of this, you can keep trying without worrying about losing money or equipment. Give each contract your all and keep at it until you get it done.

When does the challenge mode change in Phasmophobia?

The challenge mode changes every Monday at 12am UTC, which translates to 7pm CT every Sunday. You have a full week to tackle each challenge mode when it's available. All challenge modes return regularly since they're on a rotating schedule, so if you don't get to finish one, you can always try it again in the future.

With the launch of the Chronicle update, this schedule may change, as On Record started Tuesday at 6am CT instead of the usual time and day. We'll update all relevant details here when the next challenge starts.

Next weekly challenge mode in Phasmophobia

The next weekly challenge mode, which will run from July 1 to 8, is Speed Demons. This trial begins as soon as the featured one for this week, which is On Record, ends.

All weekly challenge modes in Phasmophobia

Map board in Phasmophobia
Screenshot by Destructoid

There are 26 challenge modes in Phasmophobia. A different one is available to complete each week, and the challenge order stays exactly the same, so it's easy to know which one is coming next. Here are all of the challenges you may face in Phasmophobia.

Name Description Map
Lights Out! Get your candles at the ready, all the lights are out! 6 Tanglewood Drive
Speed Demons There must be something in the air, everyone's going crazy! Maple Lodge Campsite
Detectives Only Put your detective skills to the test, this ghost is giving nothing away! 42 Edgefield Road
Hide and Seek: Seeker There's a very quiet ghost hiding somewhere, can you find it? Brownstone High School
Hide and Seek: Hide! This ghost wants to play a game, you better hide quick! Point Hope
Frostbitten It's so cold that it's slowing everyone down, including the ghost! Camp Woodwind
Do as I Command You'll have to force this ghost to give you evidence, luckily, we've found some extra items to help you out. Sunny Meadows Mental Institution
Tortoise and the Hare: Hare Give it your all, this ghost is feeling especially frail. Bleasdale Farmhouse
Tortoise and the Hare: Tortoise After last week you're feeling a bit worn out, and to make matters worse, the ghost has recovered! Grafton Farmhouse
Gotta Go Fast! No hiding, no sanity, get going! Prison
Sanity Survival Sanity is a scarce resource with no pills or lights. Be careful finding this Nightmare ghost. 10 Ridgeview Court
Speedrun! Maybe you could start a timer, how quickly can you find this ghost's identity? 6 Tanglewood Drive
Survival of the Fittest You've got no pills, no sanity and no evidence to work with. It's gonna be a tough one! 42 Edgefield Road
Primitive I'm afraid all of the electronic equipment has short-circuited, you'll have to make do without 10 Ridgeview Court
Vulnerable You'll be going into this one with no defenses, be careful out there. 13 Willow Street
Missed Delivery We didn't receive our full equipment delivery this week, so you won't have everything you might need! Brownstone High School
Audio Only We've managed to get hold of some extra audio equipment. You'll have to use your ears on this one. Sunny Meadows Mental Institution
Technophilia We've thrown out all of those prehistoric items, this contract is all about technology! Bleasdale Farmhouse
No Evidence These ghosts really don't wanna help you out, but we're sure you're up to the task. Grafton Farmhouse
The Apocalypse Draws Near The hardest possible challenge, but with normal investigator speed. Good luck. Sunny Meadows Mental Institution (Restricted)
Slow and Steady This ghost may be slow, but it's angry. Keep on your toes! Camp Woodwind
Paranormal Paparazzi You've got cameras, lights and sound. Find that ghost type! Point Hope
Hide and Seek: Extreme This ghost wants to play a game, you better hide. Camp Woodwind
Glow in the Dark Some of our equipment has stopped working, hopefully this'll be enough for you to see. 42 Edgefield Road
Deja Vu This one feels pretty nostalgic, don't you think? 6 Tanglewood Drive
Tag! You're It! This ghost will chase you immediately, better get running! Brownstone High School
On Record Try out the media overhaul in this new challenge, can you get a perfect game? Bleasdale Farmhouse

The post What is the weekly challenge in Phasmophobia? appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 8:28 AM
    

Chronicle update key art featuring a collection of recording equipment in Phasmophobia

Phasmophobia has a massive summer update with lots of fresh features to delve into. The Chronicle update is fundamentally changing how the game works, so reviewing the patch notes to learn about it is a great way to ensure you know everything it entails.

The ghost hunting game doesn't see new updates super often, but when they do arrive, they're always packed with lots of exciting additions to delve into. If you're eager to start exploring this one as soon as possible, here are the patch notes for all features in Phasmophobia's Chronicle update.

Phasmophobia Chronicle update patch notes

A ghost in front of a flaming cross in Phasmophobia
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Chronicle update for Phasmophobia includes one new piece of equipment and quite a few gameplay system reworks. There's a lot packed into this one, so here are the patch notes for everything included in the Chronicle update.

Sound Recorder

The biggest addition in the Chronicle update is the arrival of the Sound Recorder, a fresh new piece of equipment. Like all equipment, this item comes in three tiers, with each one progressively becoming easier to use and better for capturing evidence.

Using this item, you can capture and record audio evidence for the journal. This includes Spirit Box responses, ghost event sounds, noises emitted through the Parabolic Microphone, and just about any other types of audio you may hear during an investigation.

Sound Recorder in Phasmophobia
Image via Kinetic Games

Journal overhaul

To complement the evidence gathered using the Sound Recorder, the journal is being reworked. Instead of a photos tab, it features a more general media section that can be used to collect audio, video, and photographic evidence.

Reworked evidence collection system

The evidence collection system has finally received a much-needed overhaul to properly reward all ghost hunters for their hard-earned documentation of the supernatural. The first evidence captured of any type of media will be labeled as unique.

Unique evidence grants bonus cash and XP at the end of each match. Evidence deemed to be duplicates, which means you already captured it, grants smaller but still decent prizes. Every snap, sound, and sight is designed to be as rewarding as possible.

Evidence tagging is improved in this update, too, which means our ghost photos should finally be recognized as what they actually are instead of some random item in front of the ghost, like salt.

Chronicle update journal in Phasmophobia
Image via Kinetic Games

Updated leveling and progression

The leveling and progression systems have been reworked in Chronicle. All equipment and the various tier versions for each item are now unlocked earlier, granting access to better gear sooner. Higher tier versions of the Photo Camera, Video Camera, and Sound Recorder items now reward more cash for evidence captured.

New main menu

A refreshed main menu UI is another key feature in this update. There's now a picture accompanying all key gameplay options on the main menu, plus a new button exclusively for earning Twitch Drops.

CCTV overhaul

The CCTV system in the truck has been completely overhauled. We can now watch multiple feeds at once and toggle between CCTV map cameras, Video Cameras, and Head Cameras, making it much easier to know exactly what you're watching.

Mystery Chronicle update features in Phasmphobia
Image via Kinetic Games

New challenge modes and optional objectives

The On Record challenge was added in this update as a new weekly trial you can tackle, and additional fresh challenge modes may also be introduced in the future. There are also reworked and new optional objectives, like capturing three unique photos with a Photo Camera.

When is the Chronicle update for Phasmophobia?

The Chronicle update for Phasmophobia launched on June 24. All of the features listed here are now available to explore, so you can start playing to experience them. Although the official blog for the Chronicle update also mentions a rework for the Grafton Farmhouse map, it's not part of this update. Instead, it's planned for later in the year.

There are no new maps or map updates included in the Chronicle update, although most maps are set to eventually receive a rework according to the official Phasmophobia Trello. We've also got Horror 2.0, the biggest Phasmophobia update yet, to look forward to, so this update is just the beginning.

The post Phasmophobia Chronicle update patch notes – Sound Recorder, evidence collection overhaul, and more appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 8:21 AM
    

An image of NBA 2K25 Season 3 release date

NBA 2K25 Season 8 is almost here, and it will include some amazing rewards for the players to grind out in the MyPlayer and MyTeam modes.

Being the penultimate season of the game's annual cycle, you can expect to see a few 99 and 100-rated cards and exciting cosmetic items. The actual rewards are yet to be revealed, but we know the release date and time of the upcoming season.

NBA 2K25 Season 8 release countdown

The release date and time have been known for some time as part of Season 7's Pass end date. However, 2K has officially confirmed the exact details in the recent patch notes. The new season goes live on Friday, June 27, based on the available information. This is also the same time when the ongoing Season 7 Pass will be replaced by a new one containing a fresh track of rewards to unlock.

An image of NBA 2K25 Update 1.5 patch notes
Image by Destructoid

The following countdown will end as the season goes live. Here are the applicable times for different time zones.


[hurrytimer id="1082310"]

  • 8:00am PT
  • 10:00am CT
  • 11:00am ET
  • 3:00pm GMT

Once again, NBA 2K is following the standard schedule for kicking off new seasons.

NBA 2K25 Season 8 Pass rewards

As of this writing, the exact rewards of the new pass haven't been revealed. We expect to have the information on Wednesday, June 25, followed by the full reveal when the season goes live on Friday. However, it's almost certain that the pass will have forty reward levels.

All players are guaranteed up to 80 different rewards if they can max out the season. Those opting for the paid upgrade will be rewarded with 40 extra levels, including VC and much more. Once NBA 2K reveals more, we will update it on our guide.

To unlock the rewards, you'll have to gain seasonal XP by playing in the MyPlayer and MyTeam modes. Playing in any one mode also works, as you unlock the rewards level-wise. If you unlock the level 1 reward for MyTeam, it will also grant you the corresponding item(s) for MyPlayer.

The post NBA 2K25 Season 8 release countdown, Season Pass rewards, and more appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Tuesday, June 24, 2025 8:08 AM
    

Peak Caldera level

Rock-climbing co-op title PEAK has been one of the biggest sleeper hits of 2025, and many have been searching their console stores to find the game.

However, PEAK is only available on a PC. It's exclusively available on Steam and at a very modest price, to say the least. However, what about the future? Could this entertaining game arrive on consoles in the future? Let's find out.

Will PEAK be released on the Xbox Series X|S and the PS5?

As of this writing, it's highly unlikely that PEAK will ever become available on Xbox and PlayStation consoles. But if we check out the official FAQ from the developers, there is a slight ray of hope.

At the moment we're only supporting Windows PC's for the game, in the future we might decide to support more platforms.

However, there's also this piece of info from the same FAQ.

At the moment we don't have any plans for PEAK updates past this point. The Landcrab team were super happy to make this lil scout game together but both Aggro Crab and Landfall have other projects ahead of them that they want to focus on for the future."

https://twitter.com/LandfallGames/status/1936734056089100646

Things certainly could change for the developers and their plans after the resounding success on PC. More than a million copies have been sold on the platform alone, so there's definitely good incentive for Landcrab to invest in a console port. The controls and mechanics of the game also make it pretty feasible for you to play with a controller if required.

That said, I will still consider a console port to be unlikely, since they involve plenty of costs.

Is PEAK available on mobile devices?

If the chances of PEAK coming to console are low, it's next to nothing on mobile. If you find anything similar on either your Google Play Store or the iOS App Store, chances are that they're fake. Those games aren't associated with Landcrab at all, and hence, you should refrain from using them.

The post Is PEAK available on consoles appeared first on Destructoid.


WGB Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:31 PM
     Xbox and Meta have partnered to release an Xbox-themed Meta Quest 3S headset, allowing Xbox game streaming via xCloud, but misleadingly advertised as a VR headset for Xbox exclusives.

WGB Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:38 AM
     Reports indicate that substantial layoffs are imminent at Xbox, primarily affecting the sales sector, amidst a period of industry instability, despite recent game launch successes and future prospects.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, June 24, 2025 3:10 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, June 24, 2025 1:45 PM
    

An announcement trailer was also released.

The post Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition Announced appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, June 24, 2025 1:26 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:37 PM

MonsterVine Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:00 PM
     Following a strong showing during Steam Next Fest, Frosthaven is keeping the momentum going with the debut of its new Character Spotlight trailer series, starting with one of the game's starting heroes: the Banner Spear. Developed by Snapshot Games and published by Arc Games, Frosthaven is the upcoming digital adaptation of the acclaimed tactical board […]

MonsterVine Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:00 AM
     Quantum Witch, the whimsical yet haunting debut from solo UK-based developer NikkiJay, officially launches today on PC via Steam. Blending queer-led storytelling, hand-crafted pixel art, and branching narratives full of wit and weirdness, Quantum Witch invites players on a multiversal adventure that's as unpredictable as it is heartfelt. Queer Magic Meets Multiversal Mayhem At the […]

MonsterVine Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:01 AM
     Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an interesting game for a lot of reasons, because in most games, you're just another soldier in the endless wars that the Imperium finds itself in. But that's not the case when it comes to Rogue Trader. One of the main lures is that players control a Rogue Trader who's […]

MonsterVine Tuesday, June 24, 2025 9:00 AM
     Shuffle Tactics is first and foremost a roguelike. While there are many aspects and implications from Rogue, the game that spawned that genre, above all, is an unrelenting difficulty. No matter how much you know, how many times you've played, or how close you've gotten to the end before, you can just as easily be […]

Level Up Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:00 PM
     <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/17/b9fade83/bl4_gi_2p.jpg" width="800″ height="450″ alt="Borderlands 4″ typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> &lt;p&gt;Last week, we announced that…

Level Up Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:08 AM
     <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2024/01/25/22c03d32/xbox_microsoft_activision_zenimax_layoffs.jpg" width="800″ height="450″ alt="Microsoft Xbox Layoffs June 2025″ typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> &lt;p&gt;Major layoffs…

Level Up Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:08 AM
     <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/24/7fe7b404/painkiller_screen1.jpg" width="800″ height="450″ alt="Painkiller combat screenshot" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> &lt;p&gt;At the final, all-virtual…

Level Up Tuesday, June 24, 2025 10:01 AM
     <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/24/209a68ff/Drag%20X%20Drive%20Header.jpg" width="800″ height="450″ alt="Drag x Drive Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date August 3v3…