Kotaku Monday, June 30, 2025 9:40 AM  Entertainment convention Dream Con was founded by YouTube collective RDCWorld back in 2017. Originally in Waco, Texas, before it outgrew the available venues, the annual event now takes place in Houston, where it "unites enthusiasts globally to celebrate gaming, anime, sports, film, music & pop culture while fostering… |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 9:59 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. Continue reading Is Dune Awakening down? Server status right now MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best MMOs, Dune Awakening release date |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 9:32 AM When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz? This special, limited-time event allows players to trade the usually locked golden stickers up to five times a day. This is an ideal solution for grabbing elusive missing stickers and completing albums quickly. While you can trade these up to five times a day, each event is limited to two specific stickers, set by Scopely. There's no official schedule for Monopoly Go's Golden Blitz event, so we can only estimate the date of the next Star Wars GO Golden Blitz based on previous events and official sticker polls. However, we check daily for official word on the next trade. While you wait, be sure to participate in other Monopoly Go events for a chance to earn rare sticker pack, and keep on top of freebies with our free Monopoly Go dice rolls guide, which is updated regularly with the newest links. Continue reading When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 9:25 AM What are all the Black Ops 6 Zombies maps? Round-based Zombies is back with a bang, and we're loving it. Following the two fantastic maps available at launch, Citadelle Des Morts was added to the roster with the launch of Season 1 Reloaded, and The Tomb arrived with Season 2. Most recently, Shattered Veil materialized with Season 3. The five BO6 Zombies maps available in the zombie game feature operators from Black Ops Cold War as their story continues six years later with some new faces along for the ride. You can play as any of the BO6 operators, but we recommend picking one specially made for the Black Ops 6 Zombie mode, as they feature special voice lines. Whoever you choose, here's everything you need to know about where they'll be taking you. Continue reading Black Ops 6 Zombies maps list MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 guns, Black Ops 6 review, Black Ops 6 loadouts |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 9:22 AM What are the Elden Ring Nightreign Everdark Sovereign events? As if Nightreign wasn't difficult enough, the developers have added a new mechanic to the game that strengthens specific Night Lords at the end of each expedition. The rewards for taking down these enemies can drastically change your builds, so it's definitely worth pursuing to become significantly stronger. These super-charged Elden Ring Nightreign bosses appear on a weekly schedule; if you want to take them all down, you're going to need to do it sooner rather than later. The Elden Ring Nightreign events in the co-op game are currently available for a limited time, but FromSoftware has said they will be made permanent at a later date. Continue reading Elden Ring Nightreign Everdark Sovereign explained MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Elden Ring Nightreign review, Elden Ring Nightreign class, Elden Ring Nightreign bosses |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 9:37 AM What are the best ATS mods in 2025? The cult-favorite trucking game is still going strong since its release in 2016. While American Truck Simulator is a fantastic game in its own right, its longevity can also be attributed to its modding community. Given how long the game has been out at this point, finding the very best ATS mods can be a little bit tricky in 2025. That's where we come in. We've curated our picks for the best mods in American Truck Simulator to download in 2025. We've included a variety of mod types in our list, from striking visual improvements to enhanced navigation and a realistic fuel economy. No matter your experience with the simulation game, our collection of the top American Truck Simulator mods has something for everyone. Continue reading The 18 best ATS mods 2025 - top American Truck Simulator mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best racing games, Best open-world games, Best relaxing games |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 9:15 AM Whether you're into huge open-world RPGs, tough-as-nails platformers, sports management sims, or even just cozy games, there's something for everyone in the Steam Summer Sale. Better still, if you own one of Valve's handhelds, there are over 9,500 Steam Deck Verified or Playable games currently on sale for under $10, and they feature heavily in our top picks. The Steam Deck is still the best gaming handheld for most gamers, in large part due to the simplicity of its Linux-based operating system, SteamOS. Throw in a storefront with huge discount events where some of the best PC games can be purchased for a fraction of their MSRP, and you have a recipe for success. With the Steam Summer Sale now underway, and lasting until July 10 at 10am PT, you've got plenty of time to browse the amazing deals on games new and old. To help save you some time, we've assembled our top 10 picks for discounted games you should buy if you own a Steam Deck. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 9:20 AM What are the best Fallout 4 console commands? Fallout 4 is a game with a thousand systems all clicking and whirring, driving its Boston wasteland. Since you're playing the game on a PC, you can easily exploit those systems by typing a few things into the game's developer console. If you're looking for specific add-ons for one of the best PC games rather than these Fallout 4 tweaks, you will almost certainly find joy in our list of Fallout 4 mods. But if it's Fallout 4 cheats and console commands you're looking for, this guide covers how to enter them and the commands you have at your disposal. If you're new to Fallout and have watched the TV show, our ultimate Fallout guide tells you the best game to play first. Continue reading All Fallout 4 console commands and cheats MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Fallout 4 mods, Fallout 5 release date, Best games like Fallout |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 9:10 AM What's the latest Blox Fruit stock? If you're hoping to buy a new fruit to try out a fresh fighting style, you're bound to be at the mercy of a Blox Fruit Dealer. There are two different types of merchants across the island, but the same stock rotation across each, so you can find out what's available easily. To get what you're after, though, you have to be quick, so we'll tell you everything you need to know right here. Below, we explain essential Blox Fruits stock details: from a stock list with costs, how best to keep on top of stock rotations while you're away from the Roblox experience, and exactly how stock rotations work across servers and time zones. Our tips on how to grind levels in Blox Fruits go over the best fruits for the job, and our ultimate Blox Fruits guide is handy for anyone starting this otherwise daunting game. Finally, don't forget to redeem the latest Blox Fruits codes can get you the cash you need to buy your next fruit. Continue reading Blox Fruits stock history, restock times, Mirage stock, and more MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 8:40 AM What are the best racing games on PC? Whether mastering muddy tracks in Dirt Rally 2 or embracing Forza Horizon 5's magnificent Mexico, these are the best racers around. Before you hop into the driver's seat, we recommend plugging in a controller instead of using a mouse and keyboard - or, even better, getting yourself a wheel. While a couple of these could be contenders for our list of the best PC games overall, there are plenty of options here if you consider yourself a speed demon. While the likes of Gran Turismo 7 may not be available on PC just yet - fingers crossed it arrives eventually - there are plenty of excellent racing games here, no matter your taste. Continue reading Best racing games for PC 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Forza Horizon 5 review, The best racing games, The best open-world games |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 8:26 AM When is the Fable 4 release date? The next installment in the Fable series was finally revealed at the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase back in 2020. Details about the long-awaited sequel have been thin on the ground following that announcement, but don't despair, young chicken chaser - we've got plenty to share ahead of the Fable 4 release date estimate. For one thing, we know Playground Games, the studio behind the Forza Horizon series, is currently developing Fable 4. We also know that it won't be called Fable 4 at all. Join us while we dig through all the latest news and juicy trailer details to discover exactly what we can expect from the whimsical action-adventure game once it finally arrives. Continue reading Fable 4 release date estimate, trailers, and latest news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fable 4 release date, Best RPG games, Best story games |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 8:19 AM June 30, 2025: We added new Strinova codes What are the new Strinova codes? While there are plenty of amazing agents and their weapons to test out, sometimes you just need a few freebies to get an edge on the competition. iDreamSky gives you the chance to redeem limited-time Strinova codes for free rewards. These goodies could be anything from EXP boosters, dream tokens, and emotes to skins or crystal boxes. If you're looking for Strinova redeem codes in the anime game, we have you covered. We've included all the latest promo codes below, along with some helpful instructions on how to redeem them. These freebies can help you build the best characters on our Strinova tier list, so don't forget to check back regularly. Continue reading Strinova codes June 2025 and how to redeem MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best anime games, Best multiplayer games |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 8:05 AM How do you get Marvel Rivals Twitch drops? Twitch drops make it easy to earn freebies by simply watching people stream games, and Marvel Rivals is dishing out items like sprays, emotes, and costumes for Season 2.5. Marvel Rivals developer NetEase has been offering up the chance to earn Marvel Rivals Twitch drops, bequeathing some extra cosmetic treats for the multiplayer game by simply watching your favorite streamers. You will, however, need to learn how to actually claim your shiny new drops, so read on as we explain how everything works. Continue reading Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 Twitch drops and how to claim MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Marvel Rivals codes, Marvel Rivals characters, Marvel Rivals tier list |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 9:12 AM What are the best Elden Ring Nightreign mods? From the lack of duos support, barely any scaling for solo mode, to general PC tweaks that should've been in the base game, there are many things the devs could've done to improve Elden Ring Nightreign. In only a few minutes, you can load up the best Elden Ring Nightreign mods to rectify all these issues and so much more. As we highlighted in our Elden Ring Nightreign review, there are elements of the roguelike game that could be drastically improved with some QoL tweaks. Fortunately, we don't have to wait for FromSoftware to get into gear as the modding community is already hard at work addressing all the glaring issues in Elden Ring Nightreign. We're here to help you improve the game with the best Elden Ring Nightreign mods, including instructions on how to install them. Continue reading Best Elden Ring Nightreign mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Elden Ring Nightreign review, Elden Ring Nightreign class, Elden Ring Nightreign bosses |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 8:03 AM Who are the best Marvel Rivals characters? Marvel and NetEase's star-studded hero (and villain) shooter is filled with fan-favorite characters from across the multiverse. While each character brings their unique gameplay flair to the game, some are far mightier than others. Our Marvel Rivals tier list for Season 2.5 divides the multiplayer game's 39-strong cast into multiple bands of viability, taking into account their innate power and presence in the meta. Once you've found a top-tier Marvel Rivals hero to climb the ranked ladder with, learn all about them in our Marvel Rivals characters guide. Continue reading Marvel Rivals tier list for Season 2.5 - June 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Marvel Rivals codes, Marvel Rivals characters, Marvel Rivals tier list |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 8:00 AM The first Half-Life was a nexus point for what we consider the modern FPS. Valve's shooter presented a fully realized world, and a compelling narrative to go with it. Gordon Freeman's tram ride to Black Mesa sets the tone, while the walls of the secretive research facility tell their own stories. Then Halo comes along, which ups the ante with gigantic sandbox levels and an entire universe to decipher. We wouldn't have the shooters we do today without Half-Life and Halo. But what would happen if we smashed both games together? Now you can find out. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Whatever happened to Half-Life 3?, Best old games, Best FPS games |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 7:58 AM Death Road to Canada fans are feasting today. In addition to the release of the new Pancreas update, developer Rocketcat has announced a spiritual successor to the hit Steam zombie game is officially in the works, and you'll be able to play it with your squad online. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best zombie games, Best RPGs, Best survival games |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 7:52 AM New AMD Ryzen CPUs could match or exceed clock speeds of 7GHz, according to the latest rumor, representing a monumental leap over Zen 4 and Zen 5 architecture. Previous rumors suggested that the next-generation of AMD processor would only run with clock speeds greater than 6GHz at a "very" conservative estimate. A new 52-core Intel CPU is reportedly in the works, putting pressure on AMD to respond with something big. Rumors already suggest that AMD won't be able to meet Intel's high core count, and will max out at 24 cores with Zen 6, and potentially 32 cores with AMD Zen 7. However, where AMD's next-generation CPUs appear to lack in core count compared to Intel's, AMD appears to be making up for it with faster cores. Continue reading A new 7GHz AMD Ryzen gaming CPU is reportedly in the works MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 9070 XT review |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 7:46 AM When is the Paralives release date? This upcoming life sim has been likened to The Sims, and it's easy to see why. With cute outfits, tons of items, an extensive character creator, build mode, and extra features we wish were in The Sims, there's a lot to look forward to. Paralives is an ambitious project, but we already know a fair bit about what's heading to this simulation game. What started as a Patreon project by lone developer Alex Massé in 2019 has developed into a full-blown life sim game. Though the studio relies on community pledges to keep the indie game in development, the official website is great at keeping the community updated with progress and what to expect next. Continue reading Paralives release date, early access, gameplay, and latest news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best simulation games, Best sandbox games, Best indie games |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 7:26 AM What are the upcoming Game Pass games? New titles constantly appear on the platform, and as more developers jump on board with Microsoft's subscription service, it can be easy to lose track of the best of the bunch. Our complete list of games coming to Game Pass charts new releases in 2025, so you can play your most anticipated games on day one without spending a cent more than your subscription fee. Game Pass presents an excellent opportunity to take the best PC games for a spin without worrying about triple-A price tags. Equally, you can take a chance on the most experimental and unorthodox indie games that might otherwise go overlooked on other platforms. Whether you're a fan of fast-paced FPS games, spine-chilling horror games, or immersive RPGs, the best way to keep up to date with all the games coming to Game Pass in 2025 and beyond is right here on PCGamesN. Continue reading Upcoming Game Pass games MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hellblade 2 review, Hellblade 2 lore stone locations, Hellblade 2 face locations |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 7:19 AM Who are the Marvel Rivals characters? With any new Marvel game comes playable Marvel characters, and in Netease and Marvel Games' new 6-vs-6 shooter, there are plenty to choose from. Spanning across some of the biggest and best comic book series, you can pick from a growing list of legendary heroes and villains. There are 37 Marvel Rivals characters as of mid-Season 1, each bringing their unique flair to the multiplayer game. Check out all the upcoming characters at the bottom of this list to see who's joining the cast in Season 2 and beyond, as well as the latest leaks. Who will you decide to play as in Marvel Rivals in your bid to be the best around? This primer aside, our Marvel Rivals tier list can also help you make that decision. Continue reading All Marvel Rivals characters and full roster MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Marvel Rivals codes, Marvel Rivals characters, Marvel Rivals tier list |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 7:11 AM What are the best Starfield mods? Mod support is an important part of many PC games, especially RPG games. Skyrim has endured all these years partly because it's a great game, partly because Bethesda keeps releasing it on hitherto unknown gaming platforms, but also because it's powered by a vibrant and creative modding community. In June 2024, Bethesda revealed the Starfield Creation Kit, giving creators the tools needed to expand Starfield to new heights. If you're playing Starfield Game Pass, you may experience some difficulty installing all the mods we've listed below. For maximum compatibility, you're going to want the Steam version of the game. Continue reading Best Starfield mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield mods, Best RPGs, Best space games |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 7:05 AM Ready or Not developer Void Interactive has outlined several changes that are being made to the FPS game ahead of its launch on consoles. The team explains that in order to meet the certification requirements set by first-party console partners, a selection of in-game textures and other visual assets must be altered, and that these alterations will also be present in the PC version of Ready or Not. Some instances of gore have been "tuned down," and material connected to in-game child characters has also been revised. In response to the announcement of these changes on Friday June 27, Ready or Not's Steam rating has taken a sharp downturn, as some players post negative reviews criticizing Void's decision to "censor" the shooter. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ready Or Not system requirements, Best FPS games on PC, Best Co-Op games on PC |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 7:30 AM June 30, 2025: We checked for new Infinity Nikki codes and any expired codes. What are the new Infinity Nikki codes? The fifth installment of Infold Games' dress-up series marks its debut on PC and consoles, and there are a ton of freebies available to claim. These limited-time redeem codes are a staple of gacha games, offering you the chance to collect premium rewards at no cost to your bank balance. Infinity Nikki lets you redeem codes for free items like Revelation Crystals, Threads of Purity, and Bling, all to unlock and upgrade outfits to traverse the open-world game. Here are all the new codes following the Infinity Nikki release date, including livestream codes and how to redeem them. Continue reading Infinity Nikki codes June 2025 and how to redeem MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Infinity Nikki codes, Infinity Nikki banners, Infinity Nikki review |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 6:52 AM What are the best Skyrim mods? They can be tough to find because there's a lot of them. They're the work of a thriving and diverse scene; an army of fans and bedroom coders determined to make the game a photorealistic fantasy. Or they're just out to transform farmyard animals into deadly explosives. Whatever floats. But when you're looking for the best Skyrim mods, where do you start? Installing mods is quite simple for one of the best PC games and arguably the most popular RPG game there. This is mainly because Steam Workshop makes it easy to install and activate them and because you can add the more advanced ones to a special folder within your Skyrim files. You can also check out our guide to Skyrim console commands for more tips on changing up the open-world game or just making it utterly chaotic. The choice is yours. Continue reading Best Skyrim mods 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Skyrim mods, Elder Scrolls 6 release date, Games like Skyrim |
PCGamesN Monday, June 30, 2025 6:37 AM Where is Tophat Gudetama in Hello Kitty Island Adventure? Once you've befriended Pochacco in Hello Kitty Island Adventure, he lets you know that fan-favorite Sanrio character Gudetama can be found dotted around the island as small figurines. While many of these can be found posed in different situations, some very special Gudetamas are key to the Laziest Egg weekly quest. Once you have triggered the Laziest Egg quest with Pochacco in Hello Kitty Island Adventure, the weekly quest appears in your log automatically to find Gudetama wearing a top hat. Only one of these Gudetamas spawns each week, and, luckily, its location is on a simple rotation, and we've got them all right here. Take a look below to find the Tophat Gudetama location this week, or browse where it might appear in the relaxing game in the future. Continue reading Hello Kitty Island Adventure Tophat Gudetama location MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best relaxing games, Games like Animal Crossing, Best life games |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, June 30, 2025 9:55 AM  The Alters is a sci-fi management game in which you remix your character's life history in a "Quantum Computer" to generate a workforce of deeply disturbed, borderline non-functional clones. In a twist so on-the-nose I can feel its fingers plucking at my olfactory bulb, developers 11 Bit Studios may have used generative AI to spawn or auto-translate parts of the in-game lore - despite the absence of a generative AI disclosure on Steam. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, June 30, 2025 7:26 AM  Yaaar, me hearties. Pull up a barstool and take another swig of grog. I be hearin' fresh tales of a treasure that's reportedly still in development at Ubisoft. These whispers be comin' from Matt Ryan, the voice actor behind Assassin's Creed Black Flag's swashbucking stabber Edward Kenway. He's cheekily told some landlubbers that they may have to beat the game again, prompting the parrots to start squawking about a return to the Carribean yet again. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, June 30, 2025 7:14 AM  Balls have never been footed so fast. Rematch, the moreish multiplayer soccer game from the developers of Sifu, has seen its first cases of speedhackers infesting the game over the last week. It's not unusual for multiplayer games to suffer a few cheaters, and it's not clear how widespread the hacking tools are being used among the growing number of players (now at 3 million players, according to Sloclap). But it is a mild concern to anyone who prefers their team mates and opponents to move at regular human pace, and not say, the speed of an angry motorcycle, as shown in footage captured by several players. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, June 30, 2025 6:31 AM  Following Minecrafty sandbox game Hytale's recent cancellation, the original founder of Hypixel Studios has said that he plans to reach out to Riot Games in an effort to buy back the game and release a version of it. Meanwhile, Stardew Valley creator Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone has seemingly responded to a fan asking him if he'd be open to getting involved in efforts to ressurect the game. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, June 30, 2025 6:11 AM  Welcome, friend, to the good year of 2025. Scavengers Reign has just been renewed for its third season, Greggs have starting doing their festive bake all year round, and the Dead Space remake sold gangbusters. Wait, no, sorry. This is the bad timeline. Scavengers Reign was acquired by a company who actively balk at anything people might want to watch with their entire faces, and Dead Space apparently didn't sell well enough for EA to greenlight more. It's with a certain melancholy then, that I recommend the Steam Summer sale's offering of Dead Space remake at 80% off (£10/€12/$12/perhaps a sillier price if you live somewhere Valve doesn't consider important). Deep discounts aren't always a sure indicator of success in either direction, of course. The brilliant Resident Evil 4 remake is 50% off its already very generous usual price and apparently did very well. But I can't help get abandoned bargain bin vibes from this one. It deserved so much better. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, June 30, 2025 5:58 AM  This week in PC gaming news my flat continues to feel like a fondue served in a grizzly bear's armpit. Readers in equatorial latitudes may sneer at what we in the UK are pleased to call a "heatwave", but you have to remember that British people are all descended from ice trolls, and that we live in small volcanoes dug out by steampunk druids who thought the glaciers would return sometime in the year 1963. There is only one way to escape the sun's hatred round these parts, and that is by immersing yourself in some kind of interactive entertainment product, while strenuously pretending that you no longer have skin. Here are some new releases. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, June 30, 2025 5:01 AM  I have thus far in my life avoided playing any factory automation games because I only ever see them recommended in the same breath as dire warnings and laments. "Play Infinifactory! It ruined my life! ", "I now exclusively play Opus Magnum inside the skip that is now my home after my family kicked me out. 10/10!", etc etc. But the way Number Machine's extendo-arm hex pushes sets of tiles has awakened something in me. Taking a sprawling genre and making it tiny and a bit pastel is basically a genre unto itself now but one I'm a supporter of. Here's a trailer. |
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Siliconera Monday, June 30, 2025 9:00 AM
Puyo Puyo Tetris is an extraordinary game. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2? Also exemplary! Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S being a Switch 2 launch title is a great idea! But what would have been better is it being an upgrade pack, rather than a full $39.99 additional game. What's here still remains one of the best puzzle games I've ever played, but the additions and multiplayer opportunities don't feel worth that kind of investment.
As a quick summary for those who missed past versions of the game on the 3DS, Switch, Wii U, PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox One, or PC, Puyo Puyo Tetris mashes up the two classic falling-block puzzle games together. This can mean just playing Puyo Puyo or Tetris, though there are opportunities when you can be constantly swapping between boards with the two or they're fused together. The storyline puts characters from Sega's Puyo Puyo universe in with original Tetris ones. It's incredibly entertaining and quite challenging. The Switch 2 version of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is nearly identical to the previous release, save for mouse controls and Doubles mode appearing.
With the mouse controls, you use the Joy-Con 2 as a mouse to choose where to place items. If you're playing, it's supposed to be a means to offer an additional option and perhaps more accuracy. If you're watching someone else play, it's a way to use your cursor to suggest what they should do with their Puyos or Tetrominos. It's… fine? I didn't have any trouble using that option. However, I've been playing Tetris with standard controls since the Game Boy release. Ditto for Puyo Puyo since Sega sold it here as Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. It seems serviceable and could be fun for some, but I'm too ingrained in my ways. My muscle memory can't adapt to it at this point in my life.
The other addition is Puyo Tetris Doubles. This involves four people playing against each other, with two on one team and two on the other. Each pair handles one board, with both folks placing pieces at the same time. It's fine, but the nature of Puyo Puyo meant that I only felt like it worked when Tetris ended up being involved. The nature of the chains in the other game can get a bit personal, and it's too easy to mess up a possible combo there. It's a fun idea and okay for silly, casual competitions. It's not my favorite competitive option in the collection.
But the biggest reason I think Sega needed to take the Switch upgrade pack route with Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is that nobody is playing. Literally. I have been trying since basically launch to get people into matches to test out this version. Make sure online multiplayer is working well. Maybe see how the Joy-Con 2 mouse control option handles when spectators are around and such. I've only found a handful of matches even when trying to play around the same times folks in Japan would be online. There isn't the audience out there like there was for the original game and sequel's debut, and I can't help but think a $5-10 upgrade pack could help remedy that.
I love Puyo Puyo Tetris and feel it's a fantastic puzzle game. Any installment is great! But when it comes to the Switch 2 and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, it feels like Sega misstepped. Given the nature of the additions, it should have been an upgrade pack add-on for the original game. Or, failing that, maybe held back in favor of a whole new entry? Like I'd love a Puyo Puyo Tetris 3. But what's here doesn't seem like enough to really set this update apart.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is available on the Switch 2.
The post Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S Should Have Been a Switch 2 Upgrade Pack appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Monday, June 30, 2025 8:13 AM
Ann Takamaki, aka Panther, is undoubtedly one of the easiest 5-star characters to obtain in Persona 5 The Phantom X, and investing your in-game resources in her is well worth it.
Obtaining a 5-star character is only the first step of building a strong team. Every character can be levelled up, awakened, and made stronger by using their signature weapon. Let's check out how to build Panther up from scratch and why she's worth the investment.
All Panther abilities in Persona 5 The Phantom X
Panther specializes in dealing damage with her abilities, and some of them also provide self-buffs.
Let's take a look at the best possible cards and potential teammates who do well with Panther.
Best cards and weapons to use with Panther in Persona 5 The Phantom X
My favorite card to use with Panther is Strife. It's best to go for an aggro build with Ann to maximize her damage potential.
The best weapon for her is the 5-star Rosethorn, which boosts her base Fire damage. Additionally, you'll also gain more buffs when she's in her La Vie En Rose state. As an alternative, choose Masquerade Ribbon as a 4 star weapon as it's easier to get.
Best partners for Panther in Persona 5 The Phantom X
Panther's La Vie en Rose is an extremely strong state, but you can't control when to trigger it. The best thing is to build her with other fire-based characters, since it will trigger her La Vie En Rose state frequently.
When you're just starting out, you won't have too many options. 4-star characters like Leon are great choices as they're decent on their own, and gel well with Panther. Ultimately, try building an all-fire team when you focus on Panther as your main DPS.
She's one of the three available 5-star choices you get after multi-opening the Beginner banner five times. She's the best Fire-type DPS available right now in Persona 5 The Phantom X. Just keep pairing more Fire characters with her to trigger her La Vie en Rose to get better returns. That's how easy it is to master Panther against both mobs and bosses.
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Destructoid Monday, June 30, 2025 7:59 AM
Most Dateables are fairly obvious and easy to find at any point in Date Everything!, but some secret ones require more work to unlock. Rongomaiwhenua is one of the trickiest characters to locate and meet.
If you want to complete your entire Date-A-Dex, meeting this unique character is essential. There's quite a bit to get done before you can chat with her, though, so here's how to find Rongomaiwhenua in Date Everything!.
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Where to find Rongomaiwhenua (#59) in Date Everything!
Rongomaiwhenua can be found on a white shelf in the office on the first floor. She's not at this spot initially and is tied to first progressing your relationship with a different character, so to get her to spawn, you need to focus elsewhere.
How to unlock Rongomaiwhenua in Date Everything!
You can unlock Rongomaiwhenua by progressing your relationship with Beau. This doesn't necessarily mean falling in love with her, but you do need to work through her story until you unlock Rongomaiwhenua as a reward.
Rongomaiwhenua is a reward for completing Beau's quest with Captain Jacques Pierrot and Gaia, focused on the secret crawlspace, which is the same hidden area you need to visit to unlock the attic. She's initially found in the crawlspace through this quest, but then moves up to the office to make finding her a bit easier. Just keep chatting with Beau each day and working through any tasks she gives you until you eventually get this one.
Beau can be found in numerous locations throughout the house since she manifests as all boxes. If you're having trouble finding her, some good spots to check are the gym closet and the bedroom closet on the second floor. Any regular cardboard box you come across and awaken using the Dateviators will spawn her, though. Make sure you only choose empty boxes to find Beau, as the special boxes in the attic with old items spawn Lady Memoria, and the various boxes filled with holiday clutter summon Holly.
Rongomaiwhenua's initial spawn location is technically the secret crawlspace, but she doesn't appear there as a normal object you can awaken with your glasses. Instead, she's only uncovered and found with Beau's help during her treasure hunt quest.
What is Rongomaiwhenua in Date Everything?
Rongomaiwhenua is a sparkling geode. She appears as a dazzling rock with a collection of heart-shaped crystals on the white shelf in the office on the first floor once you've initially unlocked her. The shelf she sits on hangs on the back wall of the office, right behind your computer. She's right by two stacked books and is fairly easy to spot once you know what you're looking for.
There are plenty of other tricky Dateables waiting to be found around your house. Next, you might work on finding Hero-Hime, Doug, or Reggie. You also may need to tackle some tricky gameplay tasks like completing Doug's Sudoku puzzle or unlocking all Realization Recipes.
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Destructoid Monday, June 30, 2025 7:53 AM
Much of the early and mid-game activities in Persona 5 The Phantom X can be enjoyed all on your own, but you can join a guild, aka Companio, to get more rewards and enjoy fresh activities.
Unlike most gachas, Persona 5 The Phantom X doesn't even mention a guild system at first. You'll have to clear a significant amount of in-game content and level up before getting a quest that introduces the guild system to you. Let's check out how the system works and see if you should join a Companio at all.
How to create a Companio (guild) in Persona 5 The Phantom X?
There are a few tasks to complete before you can either join an existing Companio or create a fresh one.
Open your phone, and the quest will force you to either join a Companio or create one on your own. The latter requires you to spend 20,000 Konpaku Gems.
Should you join a Companio in Persona 5 The Phantom X?
There are several benefits of joining a Companio in the game. For starters, you can be in touch (albeit virtual) with other members of your guild. You can chat and participate in raids together. Raids are unlocked once you reach Wonder Level 40. The Nightmare's Gateway will be unlocked, and it's highly recommended that you participate in it with a full party. You'll be rewarded based on how much damage you manage to dish out compared to other members of your party. The scores will be tallied, and you'll be rewarded accordingly.
Additionally, the Companio Shop is also unlocked when you're part of a guild. You can exchange Companio Cons to get different resources, including Golden Tickets. You'll also unlock more options in this shop as you level up. Golden Tickets can be directly used to pull on banners that can also land you with a 5-star character (if you either hit the pity or get lucky).
Hence, joining a Companio should be a top priority if you decide to stick around with Persona 5 The Phantom X and play it daily.
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Destructoid Monday, June 30, 2025 6:27 AM
Happy Monday, trainers, with Go Fest 2025: Global behind us, I wanted to use this time to ask how everyone did during the event, and how many Shiny Pokémon did you catch over the weekend in Pokémon Go?
In truth, I didn't catch that many as I wasn't really that focused on Go Fest Global as much as I'd like. I was only after certain Pokémon like Skiddo, Torkoal, and a few others I needed for my Shiny living 'dex, and apart from a singular Snover and Vullaby, I was able to get a lot of my targets.
Granted, one look at social media, and it seems like a lot of trainers are bemoaning the sheer lack of Shiny Pokémon at this year's event. A problem that appears to be a yearly focus at this point. I didn't have that problem myself and was able to catch around 40 Shiny Pokémon throughout the weekend, even though I wasn't checking every encounter. I think I lost around 30 Shiny Pokémon to Go Plus + as well.
In the end, I played most of Saturday and then did a half day on Sunday after getting most of the things I needed. Shoutout to the one guy I randomly approached in a park in the middle of England who traded a Shiny Skiddo for a spare Shiny Frigibax I had. You are the real trainer MVP of the weekend.
For those of you who went into the weekend trying to find specific Shiny Pokémon like me, or trying to find Shiny versions of Zacian and Zamazenta with the borders. How did you fare? Did you manage to get everything you were after? Were you left disappointed like some of the other trainers on social media and Reddit?
Let me know in the comments below what you were able to get and how your weekend went.
The post How many Shiny Pokémon did you catch at Go Fest 2025 Global? appeared first on Destructoid. |
MonsterVine Monday, June 30, 2025 9:00 AM There were so many demos available during Steam Next Fest, but none quite grabbed me the way Tiny Bookshop's demo did. As someone who lives and breathes books in every form, I knew that I had to try this game out for myself. I can easily say that I am so glad I did, as […] |