PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 5:41 AM Want to know about new Genshin Impact characters? During each new update, there's usually at least one brand-new playable character introduced to the roster. They typically appear on event banners with increased drop rates, including one five-star character and three four-star characters. While we know which characters are likely to appear on the next Genshin Impact banners, some characters featured in this guide might not be playable right now, but they can still be found in Genshin Impact. We've also included some characters who are rumored to join the free PC game down the line, but may not have an in-game model just yet. While none of this information is official until Hoyoverse says otherwise, here's a round-up of all the current rumors and speculation. Continue reading Genshin Impact new characters in the 5.7 update and beyond MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 5:21 AM What are the free games on the Epic Games Store this week? Each week in 2025, Epic is giving away free games for you to own forever. These games are separate to the free-to-play games available on the store, and you only have one week to claim them. Epic has given away over $10,000 worth of games since 2018, and it doesn't look like they're going to stop any time soon. It's worth checking in each week to see which games are on offer. Occasionally, you can even redeem in-game goodies and exclusive items for your favorite free PC games. Let's take a look at the free Epic games right now, and what to expect from upcoming games on the Epic Games Store. Continue reading Free Epic games this week July 2025 |
PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 5:21 AM What are the best CS2 crosshairs? Choosing the perfect crosshair to suit your playstyle is no easy task. If you pick a large crosshair, you could end up blocking potential targets from your sight line. Too small and you might not be able to hit your targets from a distance. You'll want to test each crosshair type to see what works best for you. Fortunately, Deathmatch has been revamped in Counter-Strike 2, so there will be no shortage of targets for you to gun down. Picking the best crosshair and using the best CS2 binds should help you on your quest to earn the highest CS2 ranks and rating. Here are all the best CS2 crosshair codes in 2024. Continue reading Best CS2 crosshair codes list used by pros MORE FROM PCGAMESN: CS2 crosshair, CS2 review, CS2 skins |
PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 5:20 AM What is the Umamusume Pretty Derby tier list? With a stack of support cards and dutiful training easily able to change the outcome of any race, crowning the single best Umamusume Trainee is a battle in and of itself. However, starting rarities across the board can have one good pull catapult your success story. Here's how that could look. Just starting life as a trainer? Check out the latest Umamusume codes for some freebies. Most free rewards are delivered straight to your account, but throwing the saddle on some exclusive prizes can get you a fair advantage. Doubling up with other gacha games? Start something new with our Persona 5 The Phantom X tier list and Persona 5 X codes. Silver and Blood codes might be worth a browse, too. Continue reading Umamusume Pretty Derby tier list - best cards and characters MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best gacha games, Best PC games you can play on mobile, Best new games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 5:29 AM July 4, 2025 We checked for new AFK Journey codes and removed one expired code. Looking for new AFK Journey codes? Redeeming free items is the best way to stay ahead of the curve without upsetting your wallet, especially in gacha-driven fantasy RPGs like AFK Journey. These redeem codes can help you stay competitive with the best team compositions, clear the story without issue, and reap the rewards of the PvP leaderboards. We've found and tested every code released by developer Farlight to find out which ones are active or expired. The AFK Journey redeem codes often reward you with valuable in-game currency like AFK Journey Diamonds and Gold, which are required to pull on gacha banners and build the best characters in the AFK Journey roster. We also recommend checking out our in-depth AFK Journey tier list to ensure you're spending your freebies wisely in the anime game. Now that you're all set, here are the AFK Journey codes waiting to be redeemed. Continue reading All active AFK Journey codes and how to redeem MORE FROM PCGAMESN: AFK Journey tier list, AFK Journey codes, AFK Journey reroll |
PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 5:25 AM July 4, 2025: We added two new Reverse 1999 codes and checked for any expired codes. What are the new Reverse 1999 codes? If you're making a start in Bluepoch's strategic RPG, you're probably burning through essential resources at a worrying rate. It's tough going in the early game while you're still finding your feet, so we've compiled all the active Reverse 1999 codes you could need for free clear drops, dust, and much more. Reverse 1999 is another anime gacha game available on mobile and PC, joining the likes of Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail in the competitive genre. If you're torn between playing them all, we've got Genshin Impact codes and Zenless Zone Zero codes, too, but this guide has all the latest Reverse 1999 codes for your alt-history 20th-century Timekeeper needs. Codes aren't enough to get you through those tricky battles, so be sure to check out our Reverse 1999 tier list featuring the best characters. Continue reading Reverse 1999 codes July 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Reverse 1999 codes, Reverse 1999 tier list, Best anime games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 5:42 AM Who are the best characters on the ZZZ tier list? HoYoverse's latest gacha comes with a full roster of playable agents that sport unique abilities, attributes, and combat specialties. With so many characters to choose from, it can be difficult to decide who to add to your team. We've tested each one to bring you a complete and reliable tier list that ensures you're investing your time and level-up materials into the right units. Our expert Zenless Zone Zero tier list is based on the current stats and performance in the latest Zenless Zone Zero update, so be aware these rankings may be subject to change. We regularly update this tier list as new characters are introduced in Zenless Zone Zero banners, so check back for the latest developments in the gacha game. Let's get into the best (and worst) characters in Zenless Zone Zero 2.0. Continue reading ZZZ tier list - best characters in Zenless Zone Zero 2.0 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners |
PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 4:40 AM The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB might have a rather overblown and incomprehensible name, but don't let that put you off. This sub-$40 CPU cooler is powerful enough to cool high-end CPUs while remaining reasonably quiet, and giving you an RGB lightshow to boot. It's a combination that drives this Thermalright design straight onto our best CPU cooler guide, as the top option for most people. It's not going to be for everyone, though, so read on to find out what it can and can't do. [site_jumplinks] MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 4:29 AM What is the current and next Wuthering Waves banner? Otherwise known as Convenes, WuWa banners run on a three-week rotation, which doesn't give you much time to decide which characters to pull and which to skip. Our banner schedule includes both phases of the current Wuthering Waves update, along with all the upcoming banners to help you decide. The Wuthering Waves banner system is typical for gacha games, allowing you to spend your hard-earned Wuthering Waves Tides for a chance to acquire some of the best characters and weapons in WuWa 2.4 banners. The latest Wuthering Waves codes and events can help you redeem free currency to get started. Once you're flush with Tides, it's time to spend them all on the current and next Wuthering Waves banners. Continue reading Wuthering Waves banners - next, current, and 2.5 banners MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Wuthering Waves codes, Free PC games, Best anime games |
PCGamesN Friday, July 4, 2025 3:44 AM July 4, 2025: The GTA 6 release date is still on track according to the latest news. When is GTA 6 coming out? Given how many years it takes to create open worlds of the same caliber as GTA 5, it's no surprise that Rockstar Games has already spent years developing GTA 6. Rockstar prefers to keep its secrets close to its chest until close to the end of development, but Take-Two has now confirmed when exactly we can expect it to arrive. The Grand Theft Auto 6 release date has certainly been a long time coming. Early gameplay leaks of GTA 6 surfaced online last year, along with lines of source code and development footage for the open-world game. There have been plenty of rumors and speculation surrounding the release date since then, but we finally have confirmation of the GTA 6 release date, story, and setting. Here's all the latest on GTA 6, including trailers and news, right here on PCGamesN. Continue reading GTA 6 release date and time, trailers, and latest news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: GTA 6 release date, GTA 6 map, GTA 6 soundtrack |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, July 4, 2025 5:47 AM  January 12th, 2026. It's my next birthday, and also now the date that BioWare exosuit shooter Anthem will finally be taken offline. I very much assume the two things are unrelated. The live-service thing that EA abandoned doing live-service stuff for not that long after its well-documentedly difficult development was followed by a lukewarm release is finally going the way of the dodo. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, July 4, 2025 4:41 AM  Sorry, historical farming village folk. You live in the sea now. Ok, fine. By the sea. But that's the best we can do. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord's War Sails expansion is due this Autumn, and TaleWorlds have put out a new deep dive blog covering what to expect from the big battle strategy RPG's first foray into wavely warfare. Shiver me tambourines and other such phrases that would have confused a viking, here's the first trailer in case you missed it. |
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Siliconera Friday, July 4, 2025 1:04 AM
During Anime Expo 2025, a new trailer for Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc appeared and confirmed Kenshi Yonezu will return as the singer for the theme song for the film. The track is called "Iris Out," and a portion of it played during the video.
The latest Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc trailer highlights the current dilemma Denji faces as the story begins. Not only is he still in love with Makima, his Special Division 4 boss, but another young woman named Reze is interested in him. However, it isn't going to be a love story, as there's also a new devil threatening the city and the Devil Hunters and Chainsaw Man are after it. The events pick up right after the first season of the anime, which is on Crunchyroll.
Sony shared a version of the Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc video with English subtitles on YouTube, though those are only for the in-game scenes and don't offer a song lyric translation. It also featured a peek at some supporting cast members who will be in this installment, such as the Angel Devil who works alongside the Devil Hunters.
This will be the second Kenshi Yonezu song to appear in Chainsaw Man, as the first was the opening theme for the show. As a reminder, here's how "Kick Back" sounds.
Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc will debut in Japan on September 19, 2025, and it will appear in US theaters in English on October 29, 2025. The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll, and Viz Media handles the manga outside Japan.
The post Kenshi Yonezu Sings Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc Theme Song appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Friday, July 4, 2025 4:53 AM
Hey Destructoid, and happy first weekend of July. It's that time of the week where we sit down and discuss our plans for the next few days and what we intend to play, whether it's something recently released, or something we are looking to dig deep into to pass the time.
First of all, happy July 4th weekend for everyone who celebrates it! Hope everyone has a good three-day weekend full of games and BBQ this time of year. But now, let's get on to the good part.
The start of July has been a bit slow for releases, but with the Steam Summer Sale ongoing, its the perfect time to buy a bunch of games we have been holding out for and work on any backlogs we have, ahead of the bigger releases coming out the next few weeks like Donkey Kong Bananza and Tony Hawk 3+4 Remake.
But enough about the future, let's discuss today.
I plan to play a bit more PEAK this weekend to try and clear some more of the harder Ascent levels by myself or with friends, while trying to secure the last of the achievements I need to get a filled-out sash. It's taking quite a while, and I like the challenge, so I'm hoping to tick off some more self-made challenges before the end of the weekend.
Outside of PEAK, there aren't really any other games I'm personally looking to play, even when I look at my backlog. I might try to have a few games of REMATCH with my little brother if we can both find the time, but nothing else really sticks out. So i'll waffle about what some of my colleagues have been up to, and then you all can let me know in the comments what your plans are so I can get some unique suggestions.
A few friends and colleagues are still trying to get through the recent PALWORLD update and get all the new Terraria items and Pals that were released in it. Some are also playing through some old retro games to pass the time, or trying out various Switch games that got patches on Switch 2 to improve their performance.
I used to speedrun Super Mario Odyssey, and with Donkey Kong Bananza being made by the same team, I might go back to that to find any moons I couldn't get previously when trying to 100 percent complete the game to get in the mood for later this month. Otherwise, I'm all out of ideas.
The post Happy July 4! What are you playing this July 4 weekend, Destructoid? (July 4-6) appeared first on Destructoid. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Friday, July 4, 2025 4:39 AM
Another Steam sale has arrived, and with it, big discounts on countless big-name games and indie hits alike.
Red Dead Redemption II is 75 percent off, Ghost of Tsushima is 33 percent off, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion - Remastered is 20 percent off, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is 45 percent off, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II is 40 percent off, to name a few. The sales are all over the place.
As I usually do in Steam sales, I picked up several very cheap games instead of one or two moderately priced ones, which is why my backlog is so massive. I picked up Furi, Gris, Little Nightmares II, Voidigo, Akimbot, Forgive Me Father 2, Lightning Katana, and 16BitSurvivors all for about $40.
My Steam library numbers in the 600s because of sales like this, so I'm curious as to what your number looks like. How many Steam games have you got in total, and what's the damage been like in this Steam sale in particular?
Sometimes, I just can't help myself. If I see a bunch of games for two or three bucks, I'll add them all into my cart and then watch them sit in my library as I tell myself, "I'll play you one day, I swear." Damn you, Gabe Newell.
So, what about you, dear reader? Got any good deals from this sale? What have you picked up, plan to pick up, or are trying to control yourself from buying? (You are stronger than me.) Let us know in the comments below what's piqued your interest in this year's sale before it ends on July 10.
The post Have you picked up anything good from the 2025 Steam Summer Sale, Destructoid? appeared first on Destructoid. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Friday, July 4, 2025 4:28 AM
Mecha Break has been attracting plenty of players since its global release on July 1 (July 2 in some regions), and it offers plenty of value for free-to-play players.
However, it's one thing for a game to be available for free to all, and another for it to be fair for its player base. It's quite obvious that those willing to spend real-life money will have certain advantages. In case of Mecha Break, the push you get from unlocking your wallet is very minimal in the current build, and here's why I believe it's pretty fair to those who don't want to be involved in microtransactions.
What makes Mecha Break free-to-play friendly?
Every free-to-play game needs to tick certain boxes if we don't want to deem them as pay-to-win.
In the case of Mecha Break, Strikers play the most significant roles when it comes to gameplay. At launch, there are 15 Strikers, and 12 are available for free. You can switch between these 12 mechs at ease. Out of the three locked strikers, only Inferno is top-tier, and you can use Stego instead if you want to play an Ultra-Heavy Attacker.
All three locked Strikers can be unlocked for 15,000 Mission Tokens each. Mission Tokens are the standard currency inside Mecha Break that you earn after every match. You also get this resource by completing different in-game objectives. On average, you get to earn around 100 Mission Tokens per match (this doesn't take into account daily/seasonal objectives, so your net income will be more).
Yes, you can spend a one-time amount and get a special contract that offers certain privileges. It unlocks Inferno immediately, and you'll always earn double Mission Tokens, along with a host of other rewards. However, do I feel that the difference is ground-breaking? The answer, right now, is no. Yes, Inferno is an excellent Striker out of the three locked ones, but there are enough good, and perhaps better, alternatives available to all for free. If you want, you can always unlock Inferno with your Mission Tokens.
There is are premium currency in Mecha Break called Corite. You can buy them with real-life money, and they can be used in the user market to get various items. Out of everything you can get with Corite, there are Mods. Yes, these mods do have in-game effects when fitted with your mechs. However, there's also something worth noting about these mods: they can only be used in the Mashmak mode. This mode is close to what Extraction in other games feels like.
The Mashmak mode is a PvPvE mode, and yes, there are faults with its design. I feel that Mashmak being fully Co-op and PvE will have provided more fun, as we have the PvP modes for competitive gameplay. But you can't pay your way to better results in the PvP modes because your mods aren't allowed over there.
To wrap up, you have great Strikers available for free from the very start. My favorite is Tricera, and it's arguably one of the three best mechs in the current meta (the best Defender as well). Mods are the only item you can purchase with real money, but they're only available in Operation Storm (the Mashmak mode). You can also farm mods from this section, but that's a grindier process.
I fail to understand how exactly the game is pay-to-win in its current iteration. Yes, the in-game economy has loads of issues if you're a fan of cosmetic customizations. Skins cost way too much, and players should have an easier way to customize the looks of their Strikers. But these customizations and skins have no direct correlation with how many wins you can get or how easily you can rank up in the PvP modes.
That could change in the near future if the developers follow a different path. For now, you can easily enjoy Mecha Break without spending any money. The frequency of your ranking up will depend entirely on how well you can drive and manage your Strikers and master the roles.
The post Why Mecha Break isn't pay-to-win, for now appeared first on Destructoid. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Friday, July 4, 2025 3:14 AM
After losing the 2021 Minecraft Live vote to the Allay, the Copper Golem has somehow found its way back to Minecraft as an official mob. This is the first losing mob vote contender to make a return, and it has me wondering which other creatures could be added next.
With the Copper Golem officially joining Minecraft now in preview versions and debuting in the Fall 2025 update, all of the mobs we thought we'd never see again are back on the table. A new precedent is set, so which mobs are you hoping to see added to Minecraft next?
My top choices vary whether I'm looking at it from a gameplay or aesthetic perspective. Based on aesthetics alone, I'd love to see Penguins and Mooblooms. They're both quite cool-looking and would add a lot to their respective biomes.
From a gameplay perspective, Crabs are easily my top pick. They were proposed to drop a crab claw that could be used to place blocks from farther away. This item would be incredibly useful for building and exploration, plus Crabs look pretty cool and would help bring some more life to mangrove swamps.
The Barnacle would also be interesting, as the ocean could always use more mobs and life in it, although it would likely be terrifying since it can yank you down through the water. Ostriches, which would likely be rideable creatures found in the Savanna biome, are another one I'd love to see make a comeback.
Penguins may actually be my top pick overall since they feel like a perfect balance between gameplay and aesthetic. None of the other available options boasts a speed boost for boats and an adorable creature that waddles around, so if I had to pick just one, it'd be Penguins. Honestly, though, I'd be thrilled to see just about any of the mob vote losers make a return because more mobs are always welcome.
According to the official Copper Golem and copper tools, weapons, and armor announcement blog, the devs don't have any active plans to bring back other old mobs, but there is "always a possibility" they might revisit older ideas if they end up aligning with their "vision for game drops, and the ever-evolving world of Minecraft."
This is a pretty exciting confirmation that anything is possible for all of these old creatures if they end up matching the theme of a future update, so I'm feeling pretty optimistic that the Copper Golem may just be the first of many mob vote losers to join the game.
Although mob votes aren't a thing anymore as of 2024, there have still been plenty of them over the years, and I'm really hopeful that the devs might draw from more of the past contenders in the future. Here's a list of all the mobs that have been thrown around in the past, both in official mob votes and biome-focused votes, to help you recall all of our fallen friends.
So, Destructoid, which mob is the one that got away for you? If you could choose any of them to be added to Minecraft in a future update, which would it be, and why? If you're not into any of them, are there any other creatures you'd love to see instead? Let us know in the comments below so we can discuss.
The post Despite losing the vote, Copper Golem is now in Minecraft. Which mob do you want brought back next? appeared first on Destructoid. |
WGB Friday, July 4, 2025 5:44 AM Microsoft has laid off half of Turn 10 Studios staff, leading to claims that Forza Motorsport is shut down. Former employees express skepticism about the future of the racing game franchise. |