GamersHeroes Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:31 PM Want to know who's on James Gunn's DC Dream Team? The latest trailer for WB Games' new squad-based RPG DC Worlds Collide tells all! The post DC Worlds Collide James Gunn Feature Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Thursday, July 10, 2025 2:46 PM Serving as the largest pop culture event in Northern California, FAN EXPO San Francisco is set to feature an all-star suite of celebrity talent when it returns to Moscone Center West from November 28-30, including Supernatural star Jared Padalecki! The post FAN EXPO SF 2025 Guests of Honor to Include Jared Padalecki appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Thursday, July 10, 2025 2:29 PM Players will be able to join the New Atlas Hazard Crew with today's Early Access release of Pigeons at Play and Devolver Digital's Mycopunk on Steam. The post Mycopunk Now Available in Early Access appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:32 PM Steam players will be able to rewrite destiny and spin it into a happily ever after with the launch of Drecom's whimsical colony-sim Hungry Meem for the platform July 31. The post Whimsical Colony-Sim Hungry Meem Launching on Steam July 31 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:21 PM The team at iam8bit, together with Ustwo Games, are bringing fans the complete, award-winning Monument Valley series in one physical package. The post Monument Valley: The Trilogy by iam8bit Announced appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:20 PM |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:00 PM  Sometimes, all you need to hear is a game's title to know you want to play it the moment it launches. That was the case for me with Shark Dentist, a new horror game that was just announced for PC. |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:26 PM  Subnautica 2 maker Unknown Worlds was set for a massive $250 million payout this year if it hit certain revenue targets, Bloomberg reported yesterday. But a fresh delay of one of the most wish-listed games on Steam makes that almost impossible. Publisher Krafton, which changed the release schedule against the… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:15 PM  The return of the king is almost here. The 14th season of the animated hit show King of the Hill returns next month. And ahead of that, Hulu has released an official trailer, finally giving us an in-depth look at the returning show. |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 2:10 PM  Whether it's from familiarity with the franchise or through cultural osmosis, launching a Green Shell forward to hit another driver is something everyone knows to do in Mario Kart World. Those with more experience also know that many power-ups can be thrown forward or backward. And now in Mario Kart World, you can… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 2:00 PM  Last month, Elden Ring Nightreign introduced Everdark Sovereigns, which are beefed up versions of the game's Day-Three bosses. They are much harder and often have new mechanics, behaviors, and attacks that make them more formidable than their original counterparts. So far, we've received three of them, which include… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:50 PM  Twisted Metal fans, our wait is (somewhat) over. After showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith confirmed in April that fan-favorite Axel would make his live-action debut in Season 2, we've all been wondering how they'd bring a half-man, half-vehicle to life. The first trailer of the season gives us our best look yet—and he… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:45 PM  On a recent episode of the popular web series Hot Ones, famous streamer Kai Cenat claimed he went through "PTSD" in the aftermath of being in front of a massive audience for 30 days straight on Twitch. He also ate some hot wings covered in very hot sauce and screamed about it, because that's what you do on that show. |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:37 PM  The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remastered has been a huge hit since its release back in April, and fans are still having fun with it. But it's not just the game's large world or buffet of endless side quests. No, sometimes screwing with the game and exploiting glitches is all you need to keep coming back. This is the… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:26 PM  James Carter Cathcart, a prolific voice actor known for his work on the Pokémon anime English dub, has passed away at the age of 71. Voice actor Erica Schroeder confirmed Cathcart's passing on Instagram. |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:30 PM  One of the biggest Nintendo Switch piracy sites around has been taken down by the FBI as "part of a law enforcement operation" on Thursday. Nsw2u was one of the better-known repositories for Switch ROMs online, allowing people to play games on hacked Switches or emulators on PC without legally purchasing the games… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:20 PM  2018's online MMO Fallout 76 wasn't a smash hit right out of the gate. In fact, it was a complete mess. But over the years, after updates added NPCs and new areas to explore, the game turned into something pretty cool. And now, the director behind Fallout 76 is teasing future plans involving the next season of… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:15 PM  Astro Bot, Team Asobi's delightful PlayStation tribute platformer and Kotaku 2024 Game of the Year, is still getting free updates. Today, the team put out a handful of new levels and Special Bots, or little robot guys dressed up as different characters from PlayStation's history. These updates have given Astro Bot more… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:55 AM  Pauline is gaming's original damsel in distress, captured by Donkey Kong as a guy with a hammer dodges barrels and climbs scaffolding to save her. Now she's returning to the DK universe with the Switch 2's Donkey Kong Bananaza, but this time as a kid. Some fans have wondered what the hell is going on with the timeline.… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:25 AM  Astro Bot, one of the best PlayStation 5 games around, is growing a bit bigger. Today, the wonderful platformer is getting five new and totally free levels via an update. And developers Team Asobi are teasing something special if you beat them all. |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:05 AM  For nearly two decades, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been so prevalent in pop culture that their entire vibe has infected almost every facet of the creative output of Marvel as a larger comic-book and multimedia company. Projects like Crystal Dynamics' ill-fated Avengers game forgo the source material's comic… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:40 AM  While I occasionally work as a games critic and editor, my full-time job is telling people to watch Poker Face. Absolutely no one has heard of it, despite its being one of the best things on TV right now. So here I combine my roles into one. Season two of the Peacock show wraps this week, meaning right now is exactly… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:10 AM  394 P-Switch challenge missions might just be the biggest time sink in Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode. These missions can involve anything from collecting a certain number of blue coins to navigating around an obstacle course using a particular item. Seven of these tasks that particularly stand out are the short… |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:58 PM Just when you thought the Subnautica 2 and Unknown Worlds saga couldn't get any wilder, it does. Krafton, the parent company of Unknown Worlds that ousted three key leaders last week, has issued a lengthy statement explaining its decision. In this message, Krafton claims that the trio "abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them." It also says that the studio's two co-founders refused to return to the development roles they held while creating the first Subnautica to help push the upcoming sequel along. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Subnautica 2 release date, Best co-op games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:34 PM It's hard to match the satisfaction of a plan coming together in a good strategy game, whether that's an army emerging victorious, conquering a new part of a map, or successful resource management. New historical strategy game Battleplan offers all of the above and more, with one intriguing twist - you literally draw your plans into existence. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:39 PM The Marvel Rivals Season 3 roadmap is here, and we finally have official confirmation of the much-anticipated summer swimsuit event. Yes, Netease has heard your cries, and you'll be able to kit your favorite superheroes out in all manner of fancy beachwear in just over a week's time. Of course, there's much more on the cards for the multiplayer hero shooter, with the introduction of next playable hero Phoenix, another map, and an event featuring a free Storm costume. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Marvel Rivals codes, Marvel Rivals characters, Marvel Rivals tier list |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:26 PM What are the best building games on PC? Building games are a great way to indulge architectural creativity, but there are many great building games on PC to choose from. Thankfully, we have the brick-and-mortar necessary to assemble a list of the best building games on PC with the strongest foundations. From compulsive free PC games to fully fledged triple-A titles, the best PC games incorporating free-range building allow us to stake our claim on another world and bend it to our will. Whether you need a base to defend against oncoming dinosaurs in Ark: Survival Evolved or are scrabbling together rusted scrap in apocalypse games like Fallout 4, there are nearly as many reasons to build as there are building games. Whatever kind of building game you're after, we've got the right blueprints for you here on PCGamesN. Continue reading The best building games on PC 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:11 PM What are the best free MMOs on PC? The best MMORPGs demand a massive amount of your time, so if you want to try one out first and ensure it's for you, you want to avoid a massive payout. With an incredible offering of free-to-play games out there, especially in the massively multiplayer online space, we're here to help you find genuinely enjoyable free MMO experiences and avoid the cheap cash-ins. Even if your bank account is best friends with the number zero, our list of the best free MMORPGs currently available on PC promises endless hours of gameplay at absolutely no cost. From space games to anime games, let's take a look at some of the best free PC games that are available to play without breaking the bank. Continue reading Free MMORPGs and MMOs to play right now MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:23 PM I've never been a fan of going to the dentist, but I'm pretty sure the creepy horror sim, Shark Dentist, is about to put me off going for life. Inspired by Buckshot Roulette but with sharks, because of course, this pulse-pounding horror game puts you in the gloves of a dentist in charge of patients with chompers that rival Jaws himself. Shudder. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:04 PM With Amazon Prime Day in full swing, we've found a great deal on a brand new headset for your gaming PC. This Razer gaming headset deal delivers the goods, with the Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed now reduced from its $129.99 list price down to $89.99, a huge $40 saving that brings it down to its lowest ever price on Amazon to date. In our Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed review, we were impressed by how this mid-tier wireless gaming headset performed, with a crystal-clear mic and a light design that stays comfortable during long-term use. While its bigger Blackshark V2 Pro sibling still tops our best gaming headset guide as the top choice for gamers, this Razer headset is still a solid cheaper option with very similar specs, as long as you're happy to skip the RGB lighting. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Razer Blade 16 2025 review, Razer DeathAdder V3 review , Best gaming mouse |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:11 PM What are the best relaxing games? Sometimes, you don't always want to end a long, busy day being taken out by sweaty teenagers in Warzone or running for your life in Dead by Daylight. Instead, there are times when all you want to do is nestle into your cozy gaming throne with a cup of tea and the best chill games to help you forget your stress. If the best PC games are a bit too stressful for you right now, our list of the best relaxing games offers a welcome break. With a selection of puzzle games, adventure games, and more, you can dive into the deep blue ocean of Abzu, experience the therapeutic satisfaction of really cleaning something in Powerwash Simulator, or even relax with friends in Tetris Effect. We've got all bases covered when it comes to the kind of chill games to soothe your soul. Breathe in... Continue reading The best relaxing games 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Stardew Valley multiplayer, Stardew Valley realism, The best Stardew Valley mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:56 AM The introduction of Eve Online freelance jobs with the Legion update was one of those small but significant changes that makes you wonder why it didn't exist before. Allowing corporations to outsource jobs to all players across New Eden, it lets people who might not be part of a big group get a bit more of a sense of the space MMO's community, while also earning some ISK along the way. Now, developer CCP is expanding the system with the introduction of a new, highly requested delivery job type that can enable quick, streamlined movement of goods across the galaxy. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMORPGs, Best single-player MMOs, Space games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:49 AM The survival of online games has been a hot topic of conversation over the last week, following the shutdown of online servers and discontinuation of support for several different titles. And it looks like Minecraft creator Markus 'Notch' Persson is the latest to weigh in. Critiquing the trend of developers and publishers selling game licenses rather than full ownership, he says that if buying a game isn't considered to be a proper purchase, "then pirating them is not theft." Continue reading Minecraft creator weighs in on Stop Killing Games debate MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:48 AM July 10, 2025: We checked for new Throne and Liberty coupon codes. What are the new Throne and Liberty coupon codes? Getting a coupon code can help you along in your MMO journey, and fortunately, NCSoft drops coupon codes for the game from time to time, awarding all sorts of in-game goodies that you can use to improve your character. The Throne and Liberty coupon codes we've seen so far have offered all sorts of rewards, including growth stones, skill books, crafting materials, and more. NCSoft has given these out during livestreams and live meets, so expect to see more codes for the MMO game when major events and update streams occur. We've collated all the codes we've found so far below. Continue reading Throne and Liberty coupons and all active codes MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMORPGs, Throne and Liberty codes, Throne and Liberty weapons |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:46 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 Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:38 AM Demand for Intel CPUs has taken a big hit when it comes to PC gamers, with Steam users increasingly buying AMD Ryzen processors instead. While Intel CPUs still account for the majority of processors used in gaming PCs monitored by the Steam Hardware Survey, Intel has seen its share of Windows gamers tumble from 76.84% to 60.27% over the last five years, and if you take other platforms into account, Intel's share is now less than 60%. The shift correlates with a tumultuous time for Intel, which has not only had to contend with the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D obliterating the performance of its latest Arrow Lake CPUs in games, but has also had to troubleshoot problems with its older CPUs. Numerous Intel CPU fixes have had to be issued over the last few months, as the company scrambled to stop its CPUs from crashing in games, and in some cases being irreparably damaged, by a voltage shift error. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 9070 XT review |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:34 AM How do you help raise the ferry in THPS 3+4? The final level in the THPS 3 campaign is the Cruise Ship, featuring some of the most confusing challenges the game has to offer. Once you raise the ferry, you'll not only complete the goal, but it also contains the secret Iron Galaxy logo. Just like the invert the high wires challenge, it's unclear what you need to do on Cruise Ship to complete this tricky goal in the skateboarding game. Though the raise the ferry goal in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 may seem straightforward, you won't be able to repair it without picking up the hidden toolbox located somewhere on the boat. Continue reading How to help raise the ferry in THPS 3+4 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best skateboarding games, Best sports games, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:30 AM July 10, 2025: We now know when the next All Star Tower Defense X code will drop. What are the new All Star Tower Defense X codes? You won't be pulling new units without them unless you're speedrunning death on a low-level stage. This long-in-development sequel to Roblox tower defense legend All Star Tower Defense (or simply ASTD) brings new and old units together. Get the lot with our complete list of ASTDX codes. Returning to Roblox after the ASTD hiatus? Between updates to this one, consider checking out the competition with Anime Last Stand codes, Anime Vanguards codes, and SpongeBob Tower Defense codes. Or give Five Nights TD codes a go if you're ready to welcome Halloween a little early. Continue reading All Star Tower Defense X codes July 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:25 AM July 10, 2025: Another new Basketball Zero code has arrived. One has expired. What are the new Basketball Zero codes? Stemming from a collaboration with the original owner of smash-hit Roblox sports game Blue Lock Rivals, the legendary developer is now letting you shoot hoops with anime icons big and small. If Roblox is your main source of play, do consider checking out our Blue Lock Rivals codes, Volleyball Legends codes, or Anime Rangers X codes guides. We check more than 100 of the most popular Roblox games for new codes constantly, helping to ensure there's always a steady stream of freebies to grab while you wait for your favorite titles to update. Continue reading Basketball Zero codes July 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:28 AM July 10, 2025: A huge new Bingo Blitz credits link just dropped to celebrate the game's 3rd anniversary. What are the new 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 and premium subscriptions, the secret to playing another round is through our 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. Continue reading Free Bingo Blitz credits July 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Bingo Blitz credits, Best card games, Best PC board games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:17 AM How do you wallplant in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4? An underrated move, the wallplant can save you from messy mishaps, lost combos, and painful falls in the iconic THPS games. As long as you know how to use this simple move, you can get yourself out of almost any situation. Sure, it might not be a super stylish lip trick or the legendary 900, but the wallplant is a vital move in the skateboarding game. Whether you're getting to the end of a long rail, like the THPS 3 horn, or simply speeding towards a wall, you can style it out with a quick button tap and land the THPS 3+4 wallplant, turning a fumble into a fresh finish. Continue reading How to wallplant in THPS 3+4 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best skateboarding games, Best sports games, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:36 AM July 10, 2025: We've bumped a relatively common unit up the ASTDX tier list. Who ranks well on the All Star Tower Defense X tier list? If you're waiting on banner rotation cooldowns, let us help you pick between the X and Y summons. With around two dozen units at launch, the strongest ASTDX units are largely the rarest. But with teamups, traits, and trees, how you build the best ASTDX characters can make all the difference. Before you pull, make sure to use the latest ASTDX codes to score some bonus gems for pulls. You'll also snag upgrade materials, orbs, and trait rerolls to build up your best units. Deep in other Roblox tower defense titles? Grab more freebies with SpongeBob Tower Defense codes, Anime Last Stand codes, and Five Nights TD codes while they're active. Continue reading All Star Tower Defense X tier list - best units and traits MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:15 AM Intravenous 2 falls somewhere between a tactical shooter, a stealth game, and an RTS. Whereas a lot of sneak-'em-ups fall apart the moment you get spotted, and flood you with so many guards, alerts, and recriminations that all you can really do is load from your last save, Intravenous 2 finds an even rhythm between the covert and the overt. It's hard, it's punishing, and the learning curve on some levels is practically vertical, but unlike a lot of its contemporaries, Intravenous 2 actually makes a mixed, abusive-but-elusive style of play feel possible. Inspired by Deus Ex and Splinter Cell, as well as glowing player reviews, it now has a sizable free expansion. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best stealth games, Best indie games, Best action games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:19 AM HoYoverse games are notoriously simple to run on PC thanks to the undemanding graphical nature of MiHoYo's gacha games. This means the Honkai Star Rail system requirements won't strike fear into anyone, even if you have an older gaming PC or laptop. Honkai Star Rail once only required around 20GB of storage; this figure is now closer to 60GB, meaning you would be wise to use one of the best gaming SSD picks from our buying guide to play the game. Continue reading Honkai Star Rail system requirements MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:53 AM If the price of high-end graphics cards going up, up and away is hard to bear, you might be interested in this superhero Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 giveaway. To celebrate the release of the new Superman movie, Nvidia has teamed up with DC Studios to give away a custom, hand-painted RTX 5090 Founders Edition card. If you're a gamer and comics fan, you're going to want this Nvidia graphics card. As you'll see in our best graphics card guide, the RTX 5090 is the fastest gaming GPU you can get right now, while adding a custom paint job to the Founders Edition model uplifts a fairly basic-looking card into something out of this world. Plus, if you win, you're saving $2,000, if not more. What's not to love? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 review, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 review, Best graphics cards |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:50 AM How do you wallplant the multiball targets in THPS 3+4? The pinball course in Tony Hawks Pro Skater 4 is a feast for the eyes, with psychedelic colors assaulting your senses as you try to orient yourself in what is a neon nightmare. One of the goals you're tasked with completing looks simple on the surface, but to complete it, you'll have to put in some legwork first. Reaching the end of your Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3+4 career will see you land on a giant pinball machine - a far cry from nosegrinding around the horn in Canada, that's for sure. It can be difficult to figure out where everything is on the pinball level, and being asked to wallplant a couple of objects isn't quite what it seems. Continue reading How to wallplant the multiball targets in THPS 3+4 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best skateboarding games, Best sports games, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:28 AM MSI is back with another of its free game promotions, this time offering up free copies of Wuchang Fallen Feathers, the upcoming soulslike RPG from developer Leenzee. You can check out the Wuchang Fallen Feathers system requirements to see whether you need to upgrade to one of the best graphics card picks from our buying guide in order to play, although this promotion focuses solely on MSI PC cases and power supplies. Continue reading Grab a free copy of Wuchang Fallen Feathers, thanks to MSI MORE FROM PCGAMESN: MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi review, MSI Titan 18 HX review, Best gaming motherboard |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:20 AM There's only one answer when someone asks you: 'Would you like to obliterate some aliens with a seven-barreled volley gun?' And that's 'hell yes.' Helldivers 2 just unveiled its next Warbond, Control Group, that contains some experimental and ludicrous weaponry forged from alien tech. The Warbond, which arrives in Helldivers 2 on Thursday July 17, also contains a new Stratagem that lets 'Divers teleport around the battlefield. Continue reading One of Helldivers 2's most ludicrous guns yet arrives in new Warbond MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Helldivers 2 weapons, Helldivers 2 stratagems, Helldivers 2 system requirements |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:00 PM .jpg?width=1920&height=1920&fit=bounds&quality=70&format=jpg&auto=webp){kind=tracking} There's a strong mix of Prime Day deals and direct offers from HP, Dell, MSI, and others, covering everything from compact gaming laptops to top-tier RTX 5090 desktops. Some builds are priced well below what it would cost to build yourself, and a few include extra savings with codes like LEVELUP20. If you're gaming on the go or setting up a full desktop battlestation, there's a deal in this guide for just about everyone. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:00 PM |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:18 AM  Sometimes, when you're fighting aliens, you've got to whip out a gun that might explode in your own face. Them's the rules. You've got to risk it for a chocolate biscuit. Or, at least that's premise of Helldivers 2's latest warbond. Dubbed Control Group, it'll give you access to a bunch of experimental gear Super Earth's scientists have cobbled together from captured Illuminate tech if you opt to pick it up when it drops on June 17th. |
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Siliconera Thursday, July 10, 2025 5:00 PM
Good Smile Company announced three new Zenless Zone Zero figures, with one being a Harumasa Asaba Nendoroid and the other being Pop Up Parade SP ones of Koleda Belobog and Grace Howard. All three are expected to ship in May 2026 in Japan and Q4 2026 in the US. Asaba costs ￥7,700/$60.99, while Koleda and Grace are ￥8,800/$57.99.
Both the Koleda and Grace Zenless Zone Zero figures are part of the more expensive Pop Up Parade SP line, which means they are a little more detailed than typical ones. It also means their heights are accurately rendered. So Koleda will be just about six and a half inches tall (165mm), while Grace is almost eight inches (200mm). There are no additional parts or posing options.
Here's how they look:
Since Asaba is a Nendoroid, there will be a number of additional accessories and options. He comes with one face that shows him smiling, one in which he looks exhausted, and a third in which he's desperately in need of his medicine after over-exerting himself and Hollow exposure. He comes with his bow, an arrow, and a quiver as accessories. You can also pose him holding a cup of coffee or a vial of medicine. As a bonus, orders from Good Smile Company come with a bottle of medicine and another hand part to hold it.
This is how he looks:
Some of the past Nendoroid figures of Zenless Zone Zero characters included Belle, Wise, and Von Lycaon.
The Zenless Zone Zero Harumasa Asaba Nendoroid and Koleda Belobog and Grace Howard Pop Up Parade SP figures will launch in Japan in May 2026 and the US in Q4 2026. The game is available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices.
The post More Zenless Zone Zero Nendoroid and Figures Appear appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:00 PM
Akatsuki Games announced it opened the Tribe Nine applications for players to apply for a paid item refund and shared unimplemented story segments in Japanese for some chapters. The refund process takes place within the game app itself. The story chapters appear on a page on the official site that also included art of characters and locations that didn't get to appear.
Getting a refund for making Tribe Nine paid item purchases is an involved process, and it applies to anything bought after April 10, 2025. You need to launch the game and select "Refunds Regarding End of Service" when you're on the title screen. When you go to that screen, you can opt to apply on a Refund Application for Paid Item Purchases Made After the Publication of the Roadmap. You need to supply your email first, then the verification code for it to choose your refund method. As part of this process, you'll get a Refund ID. Akatsuki didn't state when to expect money back, but did say to directly contact the company about any issues.
As for the unimplemented story scripts, descriptions, character art, and location art in Tribe Nine, the official directory page offered links to story chapters for three, four, and five. These are largely presented as scripts. However, there are Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 pages that show the official art and images for characters we would have met and places we'd have gone.
Here's a gallery of the Chapter 4 character Akatsuki shared.
And here are the folks from Chapter 5.
Tribe Nine is available on the PC and mobile devices, and it will shut down on November 27, 2025. The anime is available on Crunchyroll.
The post Tribe Nine Paid Item Refund App and Unimplemented Story Shared appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:00 PM
Cygames updated the banners in the global version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby on July 10, 2025, in keeping with the accelerated schedule, and added Biwa Hayahide as a playable character on the new Trainee one and released SSR Mejiro Palmer on the Support Card Scout. These will both be available until July 22, 2025, after which point both will be added to the general pools of cards and characters.
In terms of her stats, Biwa Hayahide doesn't fill any unique roles in Umamusume: Pretty Derby. She's best at running on Turf, she is designed to take part in Medium and Long distance races, and she excels at the Pace Chaser strategy, though you could bump her up to a Late one easily through inheritances from Veteran units. She does come with the Cooldown and Calm and Collected skills, which are handy for long distance runners and Pace Chasers. Her unique skill also helps increase the velocity of a runner when they are passing and at the front on the final corner.
As fo Mejiro Palmer, she's a Guts type card. In addition to helping it in general, she assists further at level 30. The skill tied to the card is Vanguard Spirit, which helps someone stay in the lead on a Long type race. She also offers friendship, mood effect, power, race, fan, and hint bonuses when present in a deck.
Here's how both the Trainee and Support Card look:
As a note, someone who is very invested in Umamusume: Pretty Derby may want to save and wait for the next new Trainee and Support Card banners coming up on July 16, 2025. In addition to the first alts for Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio, that is when the Kitasan Black SSR Support Card will debut in the game. That Speed type card is considered one of the best in the game, to the point that even in the Japanese version it is still prized for its skills and abilities.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is available for the PC and mobile devices, and the Biwa Hayahide Trainee and SSR Mejiro Palmer Support Card joined the game in new banners on July 10, 2025. The original anime series is streaming on Crunchyroll, and the Cinderella Gray anime is on Amazon.
The post New Umamusume Banners Are Biwa Hayahide and Mejiro Palmer appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 10, 2025 2:00 PM
Shift-Up announced the next part of the Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Summer 2025 events, which involves new alts of units in swimsuits like Dorothy: Serendipity and Elegg: Boom and Shock, new bikini costumes for characters like Rapi: Red Hood and Tove, and returning swimwear and beach alts. Everything kicks off after maintenance on July 17, 2025, which is also when the Paradise Stilled, Summer Sealed event begins.
Both Dorothy: Serendipity and Elegg: Boom and Shock are new versions of existing heroines from Goddess of Victory: NIKKE, though each wears swimsuits this time around. Dorothy will be available immediately after maintenance. Her banner starts on July 17, 2025. Elegg follows on July 24, 2025. Since these are special alts, that means they'll likely be limited to when these banners run.
Here's the teaser art Shift-Up shared that shows us how both of them will look:
The two new swimsuits available as costumes in Goddess of Victory: NIKKE will be Red Flavor for Rapi: Red Hood and Sunblaze for Tove. Both will be immediately available to try and get on July 17, 2025. Rapi: Red Hood's will be the more difficult to get, as it will only be available via a Costume Gacha banner. Tove's costume is one you'll be able to earn, though that does mean purchasing the Survivor Pass after the update and completing tasks.
Here is the official art released for both of those.
As for the rerun characters and costumes, there will be two units coming back and four swimsuits. If you go to the Cash Shop, you can buy Frima's Sea of Sloth, Liter's Guardfish, Pepper's Ocean Vitamin, and Yan's Sunrise Market after maintenance. The first rerun banner is Sakura: Bloom in Summer, as the Attacker will be back between July 24, 2025 and August 14, 2025. Rosanna: Chic Ocean, which is a Supporter version of a unit who is normally an Attacker, will appear between July 31, 2025 and August 21, 2025.
You can see the teasers for those reruns below:
Here's the full Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Special Livestream going over the Summer 2025 events that aired on July 10, 2025.
The last Goddess of Victory: NIKKE update brought back the NieR: Automata event with swimsuits for 2B and A2.
Goddess of Victory: NIKKE is available on PCs and mobile devices, and the Dorothy: Serendipity and Elegg: Boom and Shock alts and new Rapi: Red Hood and Tove swimsuits will appear after maintenance on July 17, 2025.
The post NIKKE Gets Dorothy and Rapi: Red Hood in Swimsuits appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:00 PM
HoYoVerse shared a trailer for Genshin Impact that revealed Ruler of Time Istaroth, one of the Four Shades of the Heavenly Principles, shares the same voice actors as existing character Venti in every language. While the company didn't officially announce that, it did share the character's performer in the Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean trailers, which confirmed it.
Editor's Note: If you haven't been keeping up with Genshin Impact, the Teyvat Chapter Interlude Teaser trailer will include spoilers for the story.
Here's the English version of the "Teyvat Chapter Interlude Teaser: The Gods' Limits" Genshin Impact video, which features Venti voice actress Erika Harlacher also acting as the actor for Ruler of Time Istaroth.
To compare, here's the English "Venti: A Bard's Business" trailer that also shows Harlacher as his voice actor in Genshin Impact.
Here's the full list of voice actors who act as the performer for Venti and the voice actress for Istaroth in Genshin Impact.
Venti is the Anemo Archon in Genshin Impact and the first Archon we meet in the game. However, when we do, he's actually disguised himself as a bard, so nobody in the country knows he's really their Archon Barbatos. He makes his home in Mondstadt, and the first Archon Quests deal with helping him save the dragon Dvalin. However, we also know that even before he became the Barbatos or Venti, he was an elemental spirit.
As for Istaroth, we don't know much about her in Genshin Impact yet. She's a Heavenly Principles Four Shades who also goes by lots of names. The video referred to her as Ruler of Time, but in-game she's also been referred to as Undying Wind.
Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, and the next update will arrive on July 30, 2025.
The post New Genshin Impact Character Shares Voice Actor With Venti appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:00 PM
Columbus Circle has revealed 16-bit Compact HD, a game console that lets people play Super Famicom and SNES games in a 720p resolution. The company has also opened pre-orders for the console, which will be available in late August 2025, on Amazon Japan.
This console will support cartridges from not only the Japanese Super Famicom but also the Western SNES. Players will also be able to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, as well as NTSC and PAL modes.
The package will contain the console along with two controllers, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and an AV cable set. While the player can opt to use either cable, there will be a notable difference in the pixel output.
Columbus Circle has also shared a comparison image between the AV and HDMI outputs from the 16-bit Compact HD console:
Columbus Circle has been known for making new consoles compatible with classic console games. The company has also previously released an SNES-compatible DIY kit in 2022. But while the latter was made in Japan, the company disclosed that this console is being manufactured in China. It also noted that this console is not officially licensed by Nintendo and cautioned that some games may not have optimal video and/or audio outputs.
16-bit Compact HD will be available on August 28, 2025. The console will cost ¥12,980 (~$88.75), and Amazon Japan also supports international shipping for this product.
The post 16-bit Compact HD Can Play SNES Games in 720p appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:00 AM
Nintendo started to announce in regions like Europe and Japan that it will end its Nintendo Switch Game Voucher program for Nintendo Switch Online members. The last day to buy tickets is January 30, 2026, and the last day to use them will be January 29, 2027. The North American site hasn't updated to state if it also will be shutting down at that time.
How it worked is someone who subscribes to the Nintendo Switch Online service could spend $99.98/£84.00/9,980円 to get a pair of voucher tickets. This would allow you to get two first-party original Switch games from the official list of applicable titles. Due to the cost of these normally, it typically could mean you'd get them at a discount.
The company did clarify some details about the end of this promotion. The list of games that are eligible to be used with Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers won't be changed, and new titles will be added even after the end of the program. You can stock up in advance, but you can only hold up to eight of these voucher tickets at a time. Note that these tickets are only good for a year after purchase, so it would be wisest to wait until the day before the cut-off to ensure they last as long as possible.
This marks the second promotion Nintendo will end that rewards people who make purchases on Switch games. The My Nintendo Gold Points program got shut down in March 2025. That allowed any player, not just a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber, get Gold Points that could be used toward bonuses like currency on game purchases.
And of course, the company famously ended Club Nintendo back in April 2015. That was replaced with My Nintendo, which isn't as comprehensive or in some ways impressive.
Sales of the Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers program for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will end in regions like Europe and Japan on January 30, 2026, and any purchased ones can be used until January 30, 2027.
The post Nintendo Switch Game Voucher Program Ends in 2026 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:45 PM
Disney Dreamlight Valley's Unwritten Realms update is here to expand The Storybook Vale's story, introducing a second chapter to this three-part adventure. While it's had its ups and downs, I've overall had a blast with this expansion, especially with this particular chapter.
I was already a fan of The Storybook Vale from the get-go. Although I had mixed feelings about farming Snippets for hours, and I do wish there was more variety in companion types, I was able to look past this once I finished the first chapter. Now that I've finished Unwritten Realms, I have a lot of opinions about it. There are some light spoilers in here, so watch out.
The overall flow of Unwritten Realms was solid. It follows a trend of introducing a problem, having us, the protagonist, fix it, and repeating that until the story concludes. We're familiar with it by now, and yet I enjoyed some of the twists and turns we faced during this particular update. If you've already completed it, you'll know what I'm talking about.
I also especially enjoyed the way they introduced Maleficent and Aurora into the story. If you played Chapter One, you'll already know how Maleficent played into it, with Aurora being somewhat mysterious until her inevitable appearance in this chapter. It may take a while to get there, but oh boy, the payoff for everything we've been through is satisfying.
We also have new Snippet types. Now, I'm not exactly a massive fan of farming for these little guys, especially when these are rarer than their usual versions, but I can forgive it this time since the accompanying story was fun. I did gradually obtain some while running around the map anyway, so I'm not too upset.
Speaking of maps, the new maps introduced during the Unwritten Realms storyline were great. The bureaucratic features of the Unwritten Realm were hilarious, and the mini areas you visit throughout it were also interesting. Plus, well, the final hour or so of the second chapter was a joy to experience. I won't divulge too much about it for the sake of spoilers, but let's just say the mix of puzzles, decor, and character interactions was quite fun.
Overall, I liked the Unwritten Realms, even though the lead-up to it, with Chapter One's various bugs, initially left me feeling apprehensive. Having those issues resolved and not experiencing many problems thereafter made it much easier to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, all the while appreciating the mix of challenging puzzles, peculiar humour, and interesting additions to the expansion's story that were both predictable and unexpected.
How do you feel about Disney Dreamlight Valley's Unwritten Realms update? Did you enjoy it, or were there parts that irked you? Drop a comment down below, and let us know what you think!
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:39 PM
The first couple of weeks for Umamusume Pretty Derby's global launch have flown by, and more banners are on their way soon.
If you have already dipped your fingers in the training simulator where anime girls have taken up the roles of race horses, you must be well aware of the gacha element. There are two types of banners you can open: character and supporters. Both of them require Carats, which is the premium currency (farmable and purchasable). Since our resources are going to be finite, let's take a look at all the current banners and upcoming banners.
Umamusume Pretty Derby current banner
The current banner section will change based on when you're reading this article. As of writing on July 9, we have the following ones as live.
The first banner is what you open if you're looking to get new trainees to add to your roster. In the current banner, Mihono is the featured character, but there's no guarantee of obtaining her unless you open the banner at least 200 times.
Once the current banners rotate, so will the featured trainees and supporters.
Umamusume Pretty Derby upcoming banners
While the global version of Umamusume Pretty Derby has been out since June, it has a rich history on the Japanese servers. Moreover, Cygames has already highlighted some of the upcoming banners and events.
Here's what we can expect in the near future as far as banners are concerned.
The sequence is pretty much in line with how they were released on the Japanese servers. More trainees and supporters will be released, and make sure to save your resources for special events closer to anniversaries.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:25 PM
We really had a great thing with Modern Warfare III's weekly and limited-time events.
Maybe we didn't know it at the time. But Black Ops 6's events, by comparison, have been a lackluster mess, and the King of the Dead event in BO6 Zombies unfortunately continues the trend this summer.
The rewards were data-mined ahead of time by leaker Reality, and they seem rather underwhelming. Here's what to expect from the July 2025 BO6 Zombies event.
BO6 Zombies King of the Dead rewards
All of the rewards in King of the Dead are just GobbleGums, and they are awarded by placing in leaderboards between you and 29 random other players.
To rank up the leaderboards in King of the Dead, simply eliminate zombies to earn points. Special, Elite, and Boss zombies award more points, so just slay the undead and climb the rankings. There's nothing extra that you need to do.
Here are all of the rewards you can get in King of the Dead based on your leaderboard position. Reaching the top spots will unlock all of the rewards before it:
And here's how many points each zombie kill nets you:
BO6 King of the Dead challenges
There are also four simple challenges to unlock more GobbleGums, but they are tied to point gains like the others, such as earning 1,000 points and other increments. Basically, just play BO6 Zombies and you'll get GobbleGums...which is exactly what you've been doing this whole time.
This article will be updated with relevant information if necessary.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:19 PM
Subnautica 2's delay out of 2025 was due to three Unknown Worlds executives who "abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them," publisher Krafton claimed in a scathing statement today.
In response to a July 9 Bloomberg report that the undersea exploration game was delayed to avoid paying a bonus to devs, the publisher said that it "deeply values Subnautica's unique creativity and immersive world-building" and so it acquired developer Unknown Worlds "to provide fans with even better gaming experiences...fully committed to supporting Subnautica's future success."
But after the original game's 2018 launch, some facets of its sequel's development have sunk, and blame is being thrown. In addition to the studio's $500 million purchase price, Krafton said that it "allocated approximately 90 percent of the up to $250 million earn-out compensation to the three former executives, with the expectation that they would demonstrate leadership and active involvement in the development of Subnautica 2." That's $225 million.
The hotly anticipated sequel, currently the third most-wishlisted game on Steam, was originally supposed to launch into early access last year, but Krafton is blaming the studio's higher-ups. The publisher said that it "made multiple requests to Charlie and Max to resume their roles as Game Director and Technical Director, respectively, but both declined to do so."
Krafton said that it "believes that the absence of core leadership has resulted in repeated confusion in direction and significant delays in the overall project schedule," and the current early access version of the game "falls short in terms of content volume" because of it.
"We are deeply disappointed by the former leadership's conduct, and above all, we feel a profound sense of betrayal by their failure to honor the trust placed in them by our fans," Krafton said.
Subnautica 2 is now scheduled to release in early access sometime in 2026, but now even that is looking tenuous. Krafton, though, said that it's "committed to fair and equitable compensation for all remaining Unknown Worlds employees who have continuously and tirelessly contributed to Subnautica 2's development."
Basically, Krafton is saying the game is not ready for early access, but the former devs are saying it is. Whoever or whatever is truly at fault for the game's delay, whether it be the publisher or the studio's former heads or something else entirely, potential players will have to wait quite a bit longer to play the game they've been looking forward to.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:11 PM
Video game voice actors, represented by the SAG-AFTRA labor union, scored a major victory after an 11-month-long strike by which they sought better working conditions and protections against AI. Now that that's done, we should look forward—i.e., to the complete removal of AI from game development.
After being on strike for nearly an entire year, the SAG-AFTRA labor union representing U.S.-based video game voice actors managed to secure a deal with media companies that both increases wages and provides better guardrails against artificial intelligence. Game studios will now require actual consent from voice actors, who will also be able to suspend the use of AI replicas of their voices during a strike.
This lays the groundwork for potential further protections from AI as the technology evolves and becomes ever more present in industries, which I hope excludes video games.
We shouldn't settle for small mercies
While this victory by SAG-AFTRA is a significant one, it applies only to those studios and workers based in the United States or working for a studio or company from the US, meaning that the rest of the world gets almost nothing out of this deal.
The US does have the biggest and most successful tech and gaming studios in the world, that much is true. However, with the rise of eastern and non-American video game studios, particularly from those parts of the globe that aren't all too caring about certain rights, we'll probably continue seeing an uptick in AI use in games as a whole.
Whether this comes in the form of AI replicas of voice actors or as full-on generative content matters little. It is still artificiality paraded as art and used in place of actual human artistry and labor, meaning it is deprived of what makes artistic endeavors like video games special. Humanity exists in each and every part of art, and removing that from the equation renders art soulless and worthless, a utilitarian byproduct of a highly marketized world.
Therefore, it's high time we bade farewell to this technology as a whole. After all, the industry certainly was doing mighty fine before the onset of artificial intelligence, and it's genuinely impossible for gaming to fail so long as passion and skills exist—and they do, now perhaps more than ever.
Games used to come out every week, and there was no AI involved
Recently, one former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, said that GTA 7 will come out in fewer years than GTA 6 did with the help of AI (and cheaper, because this is corporate gaming we're talking about). This implies that video games take too long to develop these days and that we need computerized artificial intelligence to solve our issues faster, i.e., to help us produce more products, now even more utilitarian than they were before.
This would be true in some universe where we didn't live through the early 2000s and 2010s, where top-of-the-line video games utilizing state-of-the-art technology didn't come out every second. Even Rockstar itself used to print out games of exceptional technological advancement and innovation every year, all of which were of the highest possible quality. Valve, with one of the most advanced engines at the time, managed to put out half a dozen games between 2004 and 2013, and it was significantly smaller a team than 90 percent of the AAA industry today.
To think that we need AI in today's day and age when there are more skilled game developers than there ever were in history is completely absurd. Just check the credits of any given modern AAA title. They run for thirty minutes, sometimes even longer, listing the thousands of folks who worked on the game. And if you tell me that with so many people we cannot put out games, good, high-quality artistic games in a timely manner, you're outright lying.
Because let's face it—we don't need AI. In some instances, perhaps it could be useful, but video game development certainly does not require such a tool. Nor does any form of art, because art is an expression of humanity, which an AI, no matter its advancement, doesn't have.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:05 PM
College Football 26's Dynasty mode can be a stiff challenge if you try to manage a 2-star-rated school.
The 2-star category is a mixed bag as far as the teams are concerned. These schools certainly aren't among the worst-rated programs, but they're some miles away from being a top dog. You'll have to be shrewd if you do decide to pick one of the teams from the table mentioned below.
Let's take a look at what I consider the ten best Dynasty mode challenges you can pick in College Football 26.
10 best 2-star schools in College Football 26
I have considered multiple factors in making my selection.
Here are some interesting saves to consider.
Incidentally, there are lower-rated schools in the 0- and 1-star categories, and here's our list of worst teams in College Football 26.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 4:04 PM
3-star schools in College Football 26 offer some inspiring save ideas for the Dynasty Mode, and you can pick from some really underrated teams.
The schools rated between 2.5-star and 3-star aren't really the strongest contenders when it comes to a trophy. You'll have to put in a fair amount of work to take these schools to the next level in terms of roster depth. Recruitment is going to be vital since you're bound to miss out on some promising stars, and it all adds to the entertainment value.
Let's take a look at what I consider the ten best schools with a 3-star rating in College Football 26.
10 best 3-star schools in College Football 26 Dynasty Mode
There are plenty of options in the range of 2.5-star and 3-star schools in College Football 26. However, some of them can be pretty boring to pick in Dynasty mode (unless you have a personal connection with them). The table below includes what I consider to be ten fun save ideas that you can pick from schools with either a 2.5-star or 3-star rated program.
There are some interesting considerations to be made from this group of schools.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:58 PM
Umamusume Pretty Derby has plenty of in-game items that you will need to use as a trainer, and understanding their utilities will be beneficial.
The global version uses almost the same item list as the one on the Japanese servers. Apart from the in-game currencies, you'll also have to manage essential items that are used for training your Trainees and Supporters. This guide will highlight to you the uses of all in-game items and how you can also farm them (if they're farmable at all).
Complete list of Umamusume Pretty Derby items
The table below has information about every item (including currencies) available in Umamusume Pretty Derby.
You should always be careful while managing all resources. Umamusume Pretty Derby is a generous game, but it's still a gacha after all. If you're playing free-to-play, you should always save some of your Carats, especially if a good set of banners is about to become available in the near future.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:45 PM
I have 6:30 PM tickets to see Superman tonight, and it's all I'm thinking about as I trudge through this work day.
It seems as though many movie-goers are experiencing "superhero fatigue," as comic book movies have been dominating pop culture for the better part of two decades, especially since the inception of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and massive successes like the Avengers films.
Me? Not one bit. I can't wait to watch superpowered individuals clad in tights, flying around and fighting each other on a big screen while sitting in the dark and chomping on salty, buttery, fatty popcorn for a few hours. And I don't think that will change any time soon, regardless of my age or status.
I'm especially thrilled this time around for some more variety. I was not the biggest fan of DC Comics' recent slate of films with Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, and Gal Gadot. I still found joy in them, as I do with most comic book movies, but James Gunn's history with this genre and early reviews say that this is a movie to be pumped about, and it's truly looking like a comic come to life.
After Superman, Marvel looks to capture the box office again with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is a movie I'm equally excited about, if not even more hyped for. And one thing I can say that these movies have in common is that they both sport a very colorful palette and comic book-y aesthetic, which is a fresh change of pace from the MCU's attempts at "realism" and the DCEU's overly dark vibe.
First Steps takes place in an alternate reality, a retro-future version of New York City's 1960s where the Fantastic Four are already an established team of heroes, a comic-accurate Galactus is on the way with the Silver Surfer heralding his arrival, and Sue Storm is pregnant with Franklin Richards, so this is a different take that we've seen before.
We know that Marvel's First Family will somehow be making their way to the greater MCU and its existing heroes, thanks to that Thunderbolts post-credit sequence, so this movie will explain that and also set up this very promising cast as the latest list of talented actors to join Marvel Studios' stable. I'm so excited to see it all come to life again, even if it's totally unable to recapture those Infinity War or Endgame feelings that so many movie-goers seem to be chasing.
Look, I guess I just enjoy the movie theater escape experience, and that's been tied to superheroes for 20-plus years for me. Even a bad superhero movie is still enjoyable to me. The worst of the MCU and DCEU still have some value in entertainment, because let's be honest, most of the stuff happening outside of the silver screen at any given time in this current day and age sucks and is overwhelmingly depressing.
But in the dark, with popcorn and soda in hand and overpaid actors in ridiculous outfits on the big screen in front of me, I can feel like a kid with no worries for a few hours. And that's irreplaceable to me, regardless of the cinematic quality or critical reception they garner.
If you're like me and still find joy in these films, I'll see you at the theater. If you're burnt out on them or have outgrown them, that's fine too, but so far, I don't think that could ever be me. And I'm not sorry about that.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 2:35 PM
Disney Dreamlight Valley's The Storybook Vale expansion lets you unlock multiple characters, from Merida and Flynn early in your playthrough to late-game characters like Maleficent and Aurora. Aurora, in particular, is one of the last you'll meet due to her lengthy unlock requirements.
If you haven't progressed through The Storybook Vale's, be cautious, as there are spoilers for its story up ahead, including its quests.
Table of contents
How to unlock Aurora in Disney Dreamlight Valley
Meeting and unlocking Aurora as a permanent village resident requires meeting the following pre-requisites:
You don't need every The Storybook Vale character at max level before starting this storyline. As long as you complete the expansion's first two chapters, you'll unlock Maleficent partway through it, with Aurora following after a few additional quests.
All required Storybook Vale quests
Disney Dreamlight Valley's The Storybook Vale has a large quest list spanning across its chapters. Here's a complete list of missions you'll need to complete before unlocking Aurora:
Chapter one
Chapter two
If you haven't completed all of The Storybook Vale's Chapter One quests, you'll need to progress until you've unlocked every biome, finished every Fairy Tale Trial, and met Maleficent for the first time. Along the way, you'll meet Merida, Flynn, and Hades, who'll all help you advance through the storyline while resolving the world's issues.
Once you complete Chapter One's final quest, A Long-Awaited Invitation, you'll receive an invitation in your mailbox to start the second mission, A Storm of Stories.
After completing every Chapter One and Two quest, you'll wrap up The Tales that Bind by placing Aurora's house, paying a 5,000 Star Coin fee to Scrooge McDuck, and officially welcoming her to The Storybook Vale.
How to complete A Storm of Stories
The introduction of The Storybook Vale's second chapter, A Storm of Stories, starts by opening your mailbox after completing the expansion's first chapter. You'll receive a letter from the Lorekeeper, prompting you to talk to them about a problem: Merida, Hades, Flynn, and Maleficent are disappearing.
After talking to the Lorekeeper and Merida about this, you'll learn how to catch Shadow Snippets, leading to you unlocking "moments" that restore Merida's form. You'll repeat this for Flynn and Hades before reordering a story using three Shadow Snippet types.
Your final challenge before entering the Unwritten Realms is to solve a tile puzzle within the Library of Lore. Use the lampposts in the area to rotate each dial until they align with each other to unlock the realm and discover what happened to Maleficent.
How to complete The Unwritten Realms
The Unwritten Realms has a series of three quests you'll need to complete to restore Maleficent's form and return to The Storybook Vale. All of these involve exploring the Unwritten Realm, convincing Magic Quills to let you pass through each level, and collecting Maleficent's Anchor Moments.
Collecting Maleficent's Anchor Moments throughout all three mini-quests involves solving puzzles within dungeons. The first is a puzzle you encountered during previous Fairy Tale Trials with some increased difficulty. As long as you search around for each hint, noting the locations of its dragons and regular skulls while ignoring "pirate" skulls, you'll pass this without too many problems.
The second Anchor Moment involves searching for a water wheel to restore two statues. Fortunately, this one isn't too complicated as long as you find the room, use your watering can on any water wheel mechanism you encounter, and navigate back to the start without getting lost.
Maleficent's final Anchor Moment focuses on navigating a knight through several rooms. Their path is blocked by weapon racks, which you'll need to slide across a grid so you can clear a way for the suit of armor.
Once you find all three Anchor Moments and wrap up the mission, you'll unlock Maleficent as a villager, preparing you for Aurora's eventual reveal.
How to complete The Missing Princess
The Missing Princess is an introductory quest to the existence of Aurora. Although we knew she was present in this world, this is the first time we're directly working toward finding her. You'll enlist help from Flynn, who tells you to find her diary pages. You'll find them in the following locations:
Once you find all three pages and speak to Flynn once more, you'll complete The Missing Princess, leading directly into A Hero of Ink and Paper.
How to complete A Hero of Ink and Paper
A Hero of Ink and Paper has a similar premise to the previous quest. While we searched for diary pages in the last mission, we're now looking for a note from Aurora herself. You'll find the note inside the secret chamber under The Bind's bridge that you first discovered in Chapter One.
Shortly after finding this note, you'll search for two Fairy Tale books. The first is within The Fallen Fortress' ruins, while the other is next to Mount Olympus' windmills. Reading these book reveals that you need to look like a hero, requiring you to talk to The Storybook Vale's villagers and collect the following resources:
Once you obtain everything and make the Hero Costume, return to the Lorekeeper before wearing it. You'll enter the tapestry, concluding the A Hero of Ink and Paper quest and beginning The Ink-Stained World.
How to complete The Ink-Stained World
The Ink-Stained World is another multi-part series in The Storybook Vale's second chapter. Throughout this part, you'll enter a new world full of trials hosted by the three Good Fairies featured in Aurora's original story. While each trial differs slightly, they all follow a similar premise.
The goal of all three trials is to solve shadow puzzles alongside other smaller objectives. In your first trial, you'll put back together a knight and dragon before using the Furniture menu to rearrange them. By doing this, you'll mimic them engaging in a battle, letting you claim the Shield of Virtue.
The two trials you encounter after follow this same theme. The second involves enclosing a bird in a cage before cooking two meals—carrot salad and barley salad—for two critters based on the hints in the trial's kitchen. The last trial requires you to move various instruments around based on the hints provided in the trial's main hall.
Once you finish all three trials and claim their prize, you'll wrap up The Ink-Stained World, introducing you to Aurora for the first time.
How to complete The Tales That Bind
The Tales That Bind is the final quest in The Storybook Vale's second chapter. During it, you'll tackle the major plot twist you learned about in the previous mission, with you and Aurora talking to the Lorekeeper about everything that's transpired.
Once the three of you talk it all out, Aurora will officially join your village, giving you her home to place and build within The Storybook Vale. Build it anywhere you'd like and pay Scrooge McDuck's 5,000 Star Coin fee to invite her to Dreamlight Valley and unlock her as a permanent character.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 2:20 PM
College Football 26 takes sports sims to the next level, bringing back another year of scholastic football excellence on the gridiron.
Before taking and doling out hits on the field, you have to make some hits in the study room when it comes to your playbook for both offense and defense. You can use any existing playbook from real world coaches in the game, or you can put in the work and make your own, piece by piece.
Custom Playbooks are back in CFB 26, and here's how to use yours in Dynasty mode.
College Football 26 Dynasty mode - Custom Playbooks
First, make a custom playbook. To do this, navigate to the Create & Share tab at the main menu (L1/R1, LB/RB on the controller), then select Custom Playbooks. Here you can select plays from preset playbooks and real-life coach playbooks to make your own.
You can tweak and edit existing playbooks to remove plays you don't want, or you can start from scratch and make your own full of genius tricks, options, blitzes, and wild coverages to keep your opponents guessing in every mode.
Now, once in Dynasty mode, you can select your custom playbooks for each individual game. When you're ready to take the field for gameday, at the team select menu, select your squad and then Team Settings. On the next screen, you can swap your Offense and Defense playbooks and find any custom ones you've made, like my "CUSTOM335" defense playbook in the image below.
Like CFB 25, you won't be able to add custom playbooks to your Coach page under the Schemes & Playbook section. You will have to select your custom playbooks at the start of each game in Dynastry for them to take effect once the game kicks off.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:49 PM
To the surprise of absolutely no one, EA Games is planning to kill off another of its mainline games, this time targeting the 2013 Need for Speed: Rivals. The game is shutting down on Oct. 7, while the move itself shows EA's seeming disregard for the Stop Killing Games initiative.
Without so much as a proper article on its site, EA Games has placed Need for Speed: Rivals, a mainline entry in the series, on its "Online Services Shutdown" list. The title's online servers will be "sunsetted," as the term goes, on Oct. 7, with the game seemingly being rendered unplayable as of that date.
This is the second major EA title that is going offline this year, with Anthem recently suffering the same fate. The Online Services Shutdown list also shows that several other titles are going to be killed off this year, at least on some platforms, such as NHL 21 on PS4 and Xbox One.
It's honestly a wonder that the game has survived over a decade on last-gen consoles and PC, given how keen on shutting stuff down EA is (as are other major publishers). We currently do not have information on whether this title will have a proper end-of-life implementation or if it'll continue to be playable in an offline format. Given that Need for Speed titles are as much single-player games as they are online services, it'll probably retain some level of playability post-mortem.
However, recent practice in gaming implies it'll be taken offline for good, meaning that once it's gone, no one will be able to access it in any capacity.
EA's move comes amid the growing Stop Killing Games movement, which has recently crossed its mandatory one-million-signature threshold on its European Citizens' Initiative, the benchmark where it will mandate a response by the European Union.
The petition has over 1.3 million signatures as of this article and keeps growing with each passing day. Its cut-off deadline is July 31, and it seems likely to gather between 1.4 and 1.5 million by then, which should ensure it has enough left once vetting is performed.
If it succeeds in its demands to make video games products and not services that can be shut down on a whim, perhaps we'll see EA, Ubisoft, and similar publishers change how they develop and maintain their online-oriented titles.
What do you think, Destructoid? Should EA just let us keep playing games even if they turn off support? Will the SKG initiative manage to reshape how games are developed and maintained? Let me know below.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:29 PM
Now that we've dealt with Disney Dreamlight Valley's Storybook Vale characters disappearing, it's time to take a more lighthearted approach by baking cakes. During Aurora's The Family Recipe quest, you'll help her recreate a cake, only to run into some mishaps and enlist help to resolve them.
Table of contents
Starting the "The Family Recipe" quest
Starting the "The Family Recipe" quest requires completing the second chapter of Disney Dreamlight Valley's Storybook Vale storyline, unlocking Aurora as a villager, and reaching level two friendship with her. After reaching level two friendship, you'll be able to talk to her to learn more about her current predicament.
She plans to host a celebration within the Valley and needs your help with organizing it. Since she's already planned a good chunk of it, your first goal is to check up on Merida and Flynn. Unfortunately, the two of them are arguing over how to design the banners. Frustrated over their questionable ideas, you decide to create them yourself.
Crafting Aurora's Celebration banners
Creating the banners for Aurora's quest requires collecting the following resources:
By now, you likely have some of these resources stockpiled, as they're all early-game materials you learn about shortly after beginning your The Storybook Vale playthrough. Nonetheless, if you're running low, you can obtain Petrified Wood by mining The Bind and Everafter, with Marble available through mining in Mythopia and Posidonia by fishing in the same region. Posidonia can be tricky, as you need to avoid hitting fishing circles.
Once you have all three items, return to Merida and Flynn to hear another argument. This time, they're trying to pick a color for the banners. You decide to make the banners yourself, prompting Flynn to give you two dye colors.
With all that said and done, you're ready to make the banners. Head to any crafting station, navigate to Furniture, and select Aurora's Fairy Cake Celebration Banner. After placing them around your village, return to Aurora to receive your next task: baking a cake.
Baking Aurora's cake
After placing Aurora's banners and returning to her, she'll tell you she needs some items to bake a cake. You'll need the following materials for this:
Shovelbird Eggs are the easiest item to come by, as they're readily available through Goofy's Stall in The Bind. Porcini mushrooms grow as wild fungi in Everafter, while Lightning appears as an herb in Mythopia. Gather each item before returning to Aurora.
Gather Spiral Strawberries with Aurora
Once you return everything to Aurora, she'll show you the finished cake, leading you to question it. Several conversations between you, Aurora, and Flynn follow, with the overall consensus revealing that it isn't a tasty cake.
With this revelation in mind, Flynn decides that the only logical solution is to steal the cake back. Even if you question it, you'll still go through with it, with your job being to distract Aurora while he takes the cake. After talking to Aurora, travel around Everafter with her and collect some Spiral Strawberries before moving on to the final part of this quest.
Making a new cake for Aurora
Once you and Flynn conclude your cake heist, you'll both return to his house, only to find Aurora waiting for you. She reveals that she knew about the heist all along and wishes the two of you had been honest about the situation. Looking to resolve this situation peacefully, you all decide to ask Remy for help with baking another cake.
You'll need to gather the following items for this cake:
By now, you should already have some Spiral Strawberries from the previous quest objective. Remy will also give you cake yeast, knocking out two of the five ingredients. You can purchase regular milk at Remy's restaurant shop, while Elysian Grain and Faerie Rye are available from Mythopia and Everafter's Goofy Stall, respectively.
With all five items on hand, toss them into a cooking pot to make an improved cake for Aurora. Return to Aurora and arrange the display to wrap up her "The Family Recipe" quest.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:00 PM
The Sims 4: Enchanted by Nature is all about embracing your inner nature lover by living in a forest, learning more about the fairy world, and even becoming one yourself if you choose to. This'll all take place in the world of Innisgreen.
Let's check out Innisgreen's world map, including every available lot, as part of The Sims 4's Enchanted by Nature expansion pack.
Table of contents
All Innisgreen neighborhoods and lots
The Sims 4's Enchanted by Nature's map, Innisgreen, is all about blending the world of humans with magical fairy forests. Its three neighborhoods, Coast of Adhmor, Sprucederry Grove, and Everdew, all serve as three distinct regions, each with its own features and special traits.
Everdew
Everdew is the land of the fairies. If your goal is to befriend, romance, or become a fairy yourself, all the while having easy access to each other, living in this neighborhood is the way to go. Here's a complete list of its five lots:
Sprucederry Grove
Next is Sprucederry Grove, a mysterious region for nature enthusiasts. While you won't find many people here, you'll spot a fun bar to visit. Below is a list of every Sprucederry Grove lot:
Coast of Adhmor
Last but not least, we have the tourist town of the Coast of Adhmor. This region primarily features humans and a museum centered on gnomes. It has the least number of lots but remains jam-packed with spots to explore. Here's a list of its four lots:
Alongside these lots, you'll also find unmarked locations such as Gardening and Live Houseplant Supply shops, a Glaswood Tree with special summoning powers, and random gnomes that are eager to become your friend.
The post The Sims 4 Innisgreen world overview: All lots and houses, explained appeared first on Destructoid. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:00 PM
I still remember my reaction to hearing how fairies were coming to The Sims 4. At first, I was excited that we were getting an Occult type that looks fun, only to feel slightly apprehensive that it was through an Expansion rather than a Game Pack like Werewolves or Vampires.
Thankfully, despite these woes, I had a blast playing through Enchanted by Nature. Although fairies are a key part of it, it also introduces new careers, skills, and a surprisingly large world full of little interactable spots to make everything more interesting. It may seem like a fairy pack at first, but I was equally fascinated by everything else that came with it.
As someone who's done lengthy Werewolf playthroughs in the past, I couldn't help but compare the two Occult types, especially knowing Enchanted by Nature is an expansion pack. Looking strictly at gameplay, the two bear similarities in their leveling, ability perk system, and form-shifting, but almost everything else is different.
Enchanted by Nature expands on this by introducing far more customization options, more variety in its abilities beyond strictly Fairy-related perks, and even "Good" versus "Evil" routes you can go. I would've liked to see more contrast between these two routes, but I still enjoyed trying both and seeing how they affected the world around me. The only downside for me was the Fairy and Natural Living aspirations felt more like a tutorial than an interesting and challenging part of the pack. Nonetheless, I was otherwise intrigued by what this Occult type had in store.
The Sims 4: Enchanted by Nature's world, Innisgreen, is also perfect for this pack's vibe. It blends the themes of a mystical fairy adventure with the more modest, survivalist living of your average nature-lover with a degree of effectiveness you rarely see in other Sims packs. While much of its contents are purely decoration with no gameplay involved, other spots are interactable, including a giant gnome, small shops, and various shrines within the world's forests.
The lots are where the world truly shines, though. They're some of the most beautiful spots The Sims 4 has ever seen. Even empty lots have nice lakes and trees to differentiate them from past iterations, making it clear how Innisgreen is a step up from most worlds within the game.
Since Enchanted by Nature is all about nature and magic, its new skills, Natural Living and Apothecary, make sense. One lets you survive in the wild much easier, while the other enables you to create potions with various effects. The skills also pair well with a Naturopath career, which, although it offers some fun options such as bringing clients to your home or going down the job's rabbit hole, gives off a similarly repetitive feel to Get to Work's doctor job.
The Sims 4 has hit-or-miss packs, with Enchanted by Nature standing near the top of my personal rankings as one of the best the team has produced. It's not perfect, but it has nearly everything I could ask for in a nature pack. Natural Living is fantastic for Rags to Riches challenges, which are among my favorite, and Fairies have enough unique aspects to separate them from other Occult types like Mermaids and Aliens.
The post The Sims 4: Enchanted by Nature review – A mystical, fairy world that stands apart from the rest appeared first on Destructoid. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:55 PM
Repairing the Generators is the primary goal of the Survivors in Dead by Daylight, and the speed at which they do it is of crucial importance. If they're too slow, they allow the Killer enough time to hunt them down, rendering their whole effort moot.
Thus, there came to be the Gen Rush strategy, whereby the Survivors rush Generators and complete them as fast as possible, leaving not a single second for the Killer to get to them in time. While seemingly difficult to create, Gen Rush builds are rather simple, so here's our recommendation for the Best Gen Rush build in DBD.
Table of contents
Gen Rush build guide - Dead by Daylight
Gen Rush, as the name implies, relies solely on your ability to repair Generators quickly and effectively. The first part of the equation is solved via proper Perk selection, whereas your efficacy is determined by your skill level and depends heavily on whether you're solo or with a premade Survivor team.
Free (No Prestige) Gen Rush build
As for the Perks, you will need to Prestige a couple of Survivors to acquire them. But before we get into the Ultimate Gen Rush build, here's one you can use for free without having to purchase any Survivors or get them to a Prestige level (it requires you to pick Dwight Fairfield):
With this free build, you'll have up to a 45-percent total buff to repair speed, allowing you to storm Generators like there's no tomorrow. But Dwight's Prove Thyself Perk significantly depends on your teammates, so it's best used while in a party that knows what it's doing and sticks together no matter what. Otherwise, your best course of action would be to follow other Survivors and always ensure there are at least some of them around you.
Prestige Perk Gen Rush build
If you do happen to have Prestiged Haddie Kaur, David Tapp, and Jonah Vasquez, you can also create the following Gen Rush Build:
If you have a full team of strong Survivor mates, switching Stake Out for Prove Thyself, Déjà Vu, or Resilience is a great idea. In fact, I think you should put Prove Thyself in there at any rate, if you are confident that you can maneuver your teammates into following you or stick close to them enough to nudge them toward Generators.
In total, without any of the free build Perks, you'll have a near-constant 20 percent buff and almost always land great skill checks. With Prove Thyself, you'll have up to 50 percent, which should enable your Generator rushing and certainly make the Killer really, really angry.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:22 PM
Getting just about anything done in Disney Dreamlight Valley requires you to solve some kind of tricky puzzle. During The Corvid Companion quest, there's a rather tricky floor tile puzzle you need to complete to return to The Unwritten Realms.
You're not given any guidance to help you solve these types of puzzles, so it can be pretty tough to figure them out. If this one has you stumped, here's how to solve The Corvid Companion floor puzzle in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Table of contents
Solve the new floor puzzle to unlock the portal to the Unwritten Realms in Disney Dreamlight Valley
To solve the new floor puzzle to unlock the portal to the Unwritten Realms during Maleficent's The Corvid Companion quest, you need to interact with the four posts around the puzzle to rotate the tiles and form an image.
This tile puzzle is very similar to the floor tile puzzle you initially solved to reach The Unwritten Realms the first time, but the image you're trying to make is different. There's also an additional post to work with, so it's a bit more complex to solve.
The Corvid Companion tile puzzle solution in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The solution to the puzzle that grants access to The Unwritten Realms during The Corvid Companion quest is a silhouette of Maleficent with her Raven perched on her shoulder. Here's how to line up the tiles to achieve this image.
Precision is key in this puzzle since you need to spin the pieces strategically, or you may end up jumbling them and struggling to form the right image. If you accidentally spin any of the pieces too many times, focus on trying to get the outermost ring in the right place first.
Look for Maleficent's horns on this tile section and spin the first post until they're pointing north right at the Lorekeeper. Work your way inwards with each ring until they all match up with the first piece.
Once all the tiles are rotated to form a picture of Maleficent, the entrance to The Unwritten Realms will reappear so you can venture inside once more. There's plenty of work to get done inside, so continue progressing through the rest of The Corvid Companion quest and begin your hunt for The Unwritten Realms keys next.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 11:10 AM
Marvel Rivals' season three kicks off in the early morning hours tomorrow, and NetEase Games today has revealed what else players can expect from the hero shooter over the next month.
The party begins tomorrow on July 11 when new Duelist hero Phoenix and a new Klyntar map are released, alongside the new season three battle pass, and the Milano Repair Logs event that comes with a free Symbiote-themed skin for Storm.
And then, get your suntan lotion ready, because on July 18, Marvel Rivals Swimsuit and Summer Special event kick off with sultry beach attire for heroes like Thor, Loki, Luna Snow, Psylocke, and more to accompany Marvel's first swimsuit special comic in years.
On July 25, to coincide with the release of the new movie, all of Marvel's First Family will be getting new MCU skins based on The Fantastic Four: First Steps, including a very Pedro Pascal-looking Mister Fantastic that is sure to sell fantastically. And let's be honest, they do look fantastic in their movie get-ups. There's also a "special team-up" coming for The Thing and Human Torch on the same day, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
The new skins continue on Aug. 1 with the Phoenix Demon skin for Magik and the Phoenix Panther skin for Black Panther, closing out the currently-revealed schedule for this season. But it continues again on Aug. 8, when the season 3.5 update will release, but NetEase is mum on what that will entail.
Judging by previous seasons, 3.5 will include another new Duelist hero in Blade, who has been teased for several months and confirmed for the new season in its recent debut teaser. There will also likely be another free limited-time event for players to earn rewards and complete challenges, alongside balance changes like nerfs and buffs for heroes and team-ups.
The summer of Marvel truly begins in earnest tomorrow, so grab your battle pass, swimsuits, and First Steps IMAX tickets, and get ready to have a fantastic season.
The post It's about to be a hot girl (and boy) summer in a sultry swimsuit-ed season 3 of Marvel Rivals appeared first on Destructoid. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:59 AM
Dead by Daylight is collaborating with yet another iconic horror franchise, this time dipping its toes into the necrotic world of The Walking Dead. Featuring a couple of new Survivors and their respective perks, this upcoming Chapter brings a lot to the table.
Here are all the Survivors and Perks coming with Dead by Daylight's The Walking Dead Chapter.
Dead by Daylight - The Walking Dead Chapter Survivors and Perks
The Walking Dead Chapter brings two Survivors into Dead by Daylight, both of whom are recognizable and iconic figures of AMC's stellar TV series. These are Rick Grimes and his wife Michonne, the fantastic pair battle-hardened by the post-apocalypse where danger looms around every corner.
Rick Grimes will also gain a skin, turning him into Daryl Dickson, another of The Walking Dead's most iconic characters played by Norman Reedus.
Their survival skills are brought over into Dead by Daylight, with Behaviour Interactive constructing the following Perks to reflect them:
As you can see from these Perks, Rick and Michonne are meant to be played together, their perks synergizing well with each other. Of course, if you Prestige them, you'll gain these perks on other Survivors, meaning that you get to synergize with other Survivors as well.
The Walking Dead Chapter does not add a new Killer, but this pair of Survivors is more than enough trouble for the existing roster of homicidal maniacs in the game.
The Chapter comes out on July 29.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:42 AM
During all of the chaos that plagued the Vale, Maleficent lost her raven companion, and it's up to you to help her find her critter companion again in Disney Dreamlight Valley. To do so, you need to find all The Unwritten Realms keys.
This special Realm is pretty vast, and you're not told specifically where these items can be found. Aquiring them is crucial for finding the raven, though, so here's where to find all The Unwritten Realms keys in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Table of contents
Explore The Unwritten Realms to find the three keys in Disney Dreamlight Valley
There are three keys you need to find for Maleficent's The Corvid Companion quest, all of which are hidden around the special The Unwritten Realms area. They're spread across the many floors of this region and each one is acquired using a different gameplay method.
All The Unwritten Realms key locations in Disney Dreamlight Valley
Although you're not specifically told where each one is, you are given three hints for what to look out for. The hints you're given for finding the keys instruct you to look:
Behind some Inkies
The first key can be found behind some Inkies near a desk and some filing cabinets. Although this clue is listed third, this key is the easiest one to grab first. From where you spawn into the Realm, walk straight and proceed across the drawbridge located there.
As soon as you reach the other side, look right to spot a bunch of Inkies around a desk and file cabinet area. Clear some of them away to access the area behind and look down near the black desk to find the first golden key.
Near some filing cabinets
The second key is located underneath a filing cabinet way up on the top floor of this Realm. To find this one, head up the ramp near the area where you found the last key. Make a left at the top, go through the gate, walk forward, and turn around the corner.
Here, you'll find a Magic Quill floating by a bunch of filing cabinets. Approach the one near the very left end and interact with it to push it out of the way. Look down to spot the second golden key on the ground and pick it up to add it to your inventory.
Buried in the ground
The third key can be acquired from a digging spot in a small exposed patch of dirt. To find this one, walk back around the corner where you found the last one, head back through the gate, and continue heading straight until you can't go any further.
Near the end of the pathway, look for a staircase on your right and head down it. Here you'll find the coffee and smoothie bar area, plus a bunch of desks cluttered with papers. In between the messy desks, look for a small patch of orange dirt. Equip your Royal Shovel and dig up this patch to acquire the third golden key.
Once you have all three keys, you can progress to the next stage of The Corvid Companion quest. This also means you are one step closer to obtaining all of Maleficent's friendship rewards. Be sure to work on building your friendship with Aurora, too, as the two characters' quests are closely intertwined and sometimes require you to progress further with the other.
The post Where to find all The Unwritten Realms keys in Disney Dreamlight Valley appeared first on Destructoid. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:41 AM
The biggest video game release of summer 2025 is nearly here, and gamers everywhere are ready to go apesh*t for it. The highly anticipated launch of Donkey Kong Bananza is just seven days away.
There are several reasons to get hyped for the new Donkey Kong game, and not just because it's the first massive game for the Nintendo Switch 2 post-launch, and first-party Nintendo titles are always a big deal and system-seller for the company.
First, it's been made by the Super Mario Odyssey dev team, so there's good reason to have faith that this will be a really solid open-world 3D platformer. Odyssey is beloved the world over, so it's reasonable to expect that same kind of quality with Bananza.
Secondly, I've played the game myself, so I know it's good. Last month, Nintendo invited me to a preview event to go hands-on with Bananza, and in just a few hours of playing, I feel like we will be having yet another title entering the game of the year discussion in just seven days' time.
I also think that some players are sleeping on the local co-op aspect of the game. A second player can use the JoyCon mouse to play along as a 13-year-old version of Odyssey's Pauline, picking up materials and then sing-screaming them in the environment to take down obstacles and enemies. I played that, too, and it's so very fun. I believe many gamers may find joy with friends and loved ones with the feature.
This is the first new title starring Donkey Kong in the lead role since the Wii U's Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze way back in 2014, later re-released for the Switch in 2018. It's been a long time coming for the big galoot, so the excitement is palpable.
And so now, I ask you, dear reader, how excited are you for Donkey Kong Bananza? Is it going to push you over the edge into purchasing a Switch 2? Have you been trying to get a Switch 2 but have been unsuccessful thus far? Answer our poll and let us know in the comments below before we go bananas.
The post Donkey Kong Bananza is one week away. What's your hype level at? appeared first on Destructoid. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, July 10, 2025 10:15 AM
If you want to awaken the true might of your trainees in Umamusume Pretty Derby, picking the right support cards will be just as vital as picking the right training regimen. After all, a few great skills can be the key difference between winning the URA Finale and failing to even reach that stage.
But which among the game's massive selection can be considered the best? And more importantly, can any of the starter cards take you all the way? To help you guide your Oshi to the top, here are all the support cards in Umamusume Pretty Derby, ranked.
Table of contents
Umamusume Pretty Derby support card tier list
In the usual fashion, we divided our list into five sections, going from S+ to C. Keep in mind, though, that since all cards offer a long list of effects, we won't be going over each of them in detail here. It's also important to point out that, since not everyone has the means to max out cards, all of the below are ranked based on their performances while uncapped. You can check out our Umamusume Pretty Derby support card tier list below, starting with the show stoppers.
S+ Tier, Explained
![The [Wild Rider] Vodka card art in Umamusume Pretty Derby.](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Umamusume-support-card-tier-list-S.jpg?quality=75&w=1024)
In the S+Tier, you can find the game's meta-defining cards, known for pairing massive stat, training, and Friendship boosts with some of the game's best overall or build-specific skills, many of which are unique or likely to unlock. True to that and as you can see below, all of the cards here are SSRs, with [Piece of Mind] Super Creek, [Wild Rider] Vodka, [Eat Fast! Yum Fast] Sakura Bakushin O, and [Double Carrot Punch] Biko Pegasus being absolute highlights.
S-Tier, Explained
![The art for the [Reach The Top] Hishi Amazon card in Umamusume.](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Umamusume-support-card-tier-list-S-1.jpg?quality=75&w=1024)
The S-Tier features all of the support cards that, although able to offer just as much as the above stat-wise, cannot be used as foundations due to either a lack of impactful event skills or a less focused selection altogether. In other words, when using some of them in your run, RNG will play an even bigger part in your success.
A-Tier, Explained
![The art for the [The Setting Sun and Rising Stars] Special Week card.](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Umamusume-support-card-tier-list-A.jpg?quality=75&w=1024)
In the A-tier, we have cards that have a harder time shining via their broader selection of skills, which usually pair some great picks with a few not-as-welcome finds. Examples of that can be seen in three of the game's free SSR cards, aka [Showered in Joy] Rice Shower, [The Setting Sun and Rising Stars] Special Week, and [Your Team Ace] Mejiro Macqueen.
B-Tier, Explained
![The art for the [On and Off the Court] Mejiro Ryan SR card in Umamusume Pretty Derby.](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Umamusume-support-card-tier-list-B.jpg?quality=75&w=1024)
In the B-Tier, we gave cards that, even if capable of rivaling the above on flat stat boosts, fail to offer skills at the same level. Many of them are also known to provide a good number of debuffs or event/climate-specific picks, such as Cloudy Days.
C-Tier, Explained
![The art for the [Tracen Academy] Mejiro Macqueen card.](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Umamusume-support-card-tier-list-C.jpg?quality=75&w=1024)
In the C-tier, we have all of the game's Rare [Tracen Academy] cards, most of which offer the same stat packages as their rarer variants when maxed out, all while lacking any kind of unique effects or vital event-related skills. But don't let that scare you; even if not first choices, they can still work well if used as fill-ins for 2-2-2 or 3-3 decks when looking for specific skills. If maxed out, they can also work as excellent SR replacements when using A-rank or above Veteran Umamusume.
Now that you know which are the best support cards in the game, we also highly recommend you check out how the Umamusume Pretty Derby Pity System works.
The post Umamusume Pretty Derby support card tier list appeared first on Destructoid. |
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