Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 1:39 PM  Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is effectively Budokai Tenkaichi 4, bringing the hit manga and anime to modern consoles with better graphics and fresh levels of fan service. It seemed like only a matter of time before it arrived on Switch 2, but I didn't expect to see it on Nintendo's older hardware as well. |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:50 PM  If you've been hoping for Monster Hunter Wilds to add a challenge that's on par with Gore Magala, even in their Tempered forms, then you're going to love fighting with Lagiacrus and Seregios. We'll be going over the latter in this guide, which has certainly become one of the more difficult opponents in my opinion.… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:40 PM  Although Mizutsune is one of Monster Hunter Wild's more difficult fights, it doesn't hold a candle to the recently added Lagiacrus. The "Lord of the Seas" boasts some powerful attacks with considerable range, not to mention a one-of-a-kind underwater combat phase. Here are some tips to conquer the regular and… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:10 PM  The upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is certainly ambitious. Taking one of the most elaborate gaming projects of the early 2000s and sprucing it up with modern third-person stealth and shooter mechanics along with a fresh coat of graphical paint is no easy task, and the challenges involved go well… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:01 PM  Dead Take, a horror FMV game from Tales of Kenzera developer Surgent Studios, starts with a disclaimer that its story of unbridled Hollywood ego taken to its most terrifying extreme is a "work of fiction not intended to reference or depict any actual people, places, events, or other entities in the real world." This… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:40 AM  These days, many video games either tell you an extravagant story that you'll play through once and then ditch, or they urge you to open your wallet and delve deep for cosmetics and battle passes on the free-to-play front, presumably forever. But if you venture over to the indie side of gaming, you'll find genuine… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:30 AM  Square Enix lived up to its reputation for terrible game names during the July Nintendo Direct, but somehow an action-RPG titled The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales wasn't the most absurd part of the showcase. That came when the publisher revealed the name of the world in which the HD-2D adventure takes… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:35 AM  Microsoft has announced that Game Pass has hit almost $5 billion in revenue over the last fiscal year, with 500 million active users. In fact, the whole of Microsoft has just reported annual revenue of $76.4 billion, up 18 percent on the previous year. These figures are being announced less than a month after the… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:04 AM  A third Octopath Traveler game is on the way and the Square Enix JRPG series looks as stunningly retro as ever. This one is called Octopath Traveler 0 and includes a bunch of new features. It also looks perfectly positioned to once again trick me into thinking I will fall in love with these games. |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:50 AM  Hey! Today we were treated to another lovely look at some games coming to both the original Switch and the fancy new Switch 2. Nintendo's latest Direct went all in on third-party titles, so alas, no Metroid Prime 4. But there were still a ton of cool-looking titles, many of which feature co-op, so you'll be well… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:31 AM  Persona 3 Reload, the from-the-ground-up remake of the original PS2 RPG, is coming to Switch 2. Atlus announced the port on today's Nintendo Direct partner showcase, and it's coming to the system pretty soon. The port will launch on Nintendo's system on October 23, with both physical and digital versions. |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:00 AM  This hasn't been the wet hot summer extravaganza Monster Hunter Wilds was hoping for. Despite Capcom breaking glass on an event-themed bikini for its fan-favorite blacksmith Gemma, community vibes remain off and the publisher is getting grilled on why more players aren't flocking to the franchise's first installment… |
Kotaku Thursday, July 31, 2025 8:12 AM  If you've been on social media over the past week, then you're probably familiar with the backlash against MasterCard, Visa, PayPal, and Stripe. A ragtag movement of gamers, artists, adult content creators, sex workers and queer activists are uniting to resist payment processor-based censorship targeting Steam and itch… |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:55 PM Whether it's Satisfactory, Astroneer, Factorio, or No Man's Sky, managing power is one of the most important parts of sandbox games, and Space Engineers 2 is no exception. The sequel to the iconic, intergalactic Steam hit is currently in early access, and developer Keen Software reveals how its new-look batteries will allow you to much more quickly move power between your builds to ensure you've got the juice wherever you need it. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best space games, Best sandbox games, Best building games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:37 PM A YouTuber has successfully repurposed an Intel-powered iMac from 2019 into a gaming PC using the operating system found on the Steam Deck. The result is a surprisingly powerful gaming rig, given its outdated specs, that cost just $100 to put together. Installing Linux on an older PC isn't a new concept, but we've got Valve to thank for making it an option for an upcycled gaming PC that's easy to use. Valve's development of SteamOS for the Steam Deck is why that device is on our best handheld list, and why so many manufacturers are looking to install SteamOS on new and more powerful devices. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:27 PM What are the best Wuchang Fallen Feathers mods? If you're looking to enhance your Madness-stricken experience, you've come to the right place. Setting aside the glaring performance issues, there are some gameplay mods that Wuchang Fallen Feathers could heavily benefit from. That's where the thriving modding community comes into play, giving players exactly what they're after. As with most soulslike games, Wuchang Fallen Feathers can be incredibly punishing if you make the slightest mistake. Fortunately, there are plenty of Wuchang mods out there that give you complete control over the game's mechanics. This makes it easier to defeat all the Wuchang Fallen Feathers bosses without toning down the difficulty to the point where it isn't a challenge. We've also picked out some handy quality of life tweaks to reduce some of the monotony in the game. Continue reading Best Wuchang Fallen Feathers mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Wuchang Fallen Feathers madness explained, Wuchang Fallen Feathers bosses, Best Wuchang Fallen Feathers builds |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:42 PM People keep asking me if I'm okay. Bloodlines 2 delay - Lauren, are you okay? The Saja Boys are the bad guys in K-Pop Demon Hunters - Lauren, are you okay? You caught COVID and played over 40 hours of Warframe in one week? Alright, maybe I understand why you're asking if I'm not, in fact, okay. Having attended three Tennocons on behalf of PCGamesN and been reminded on a yearly basis that Digital Extremes' space game has one of the most vibrant, unique communities in the videogame sphere, post-event I've always spent a few hours trying to get into the MMO before putting it aside. This time, however, with COVID confining me to my apartment for a week, I plowed over 40 hours into Warframe, and after an awful lot of grinding, it finally clicked. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Warframe on Steam Deck, Warframe builds, Warframe codes |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:14 PM Real-time strategy game Broken Arrow launched to pretty good reviews. Scoring 79 on Metacritic is nothing to be sniffed at. However, the problems started soon after. The balance was way off, some called multiplayer "unplayable," and the game was infested with cheaters. Developer Steel Balalaika wanted to give players a more challenging version of Command and Conquer, but instead launched a messy game with unbearable PvP. Thankfully, it has listened to the feedback and is making changes in its next update. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best war games, Best tank games, Best strategy games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:12 PM Where are all the Milk Molar locations in Grounded 2? We've been miniaturized once again, and this time, the stakes are bigger than ever. With a mysterious threat looming, and a park full of pesky bugs, you need all the strength you can muster to survive in Grounded 2. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to boost your stats and skills in the survival game, and one of the best is to collect Grounded 2 Milk Molars. These tooth-shaped vitamins (no, they're not real teeth, don't worry) can be gathered up and spent on health, regen, stamina, and more, providing essential upgrades to your character. Meanwhile, Mega Milk Molars can boost the stats of everyone in your party. Here's where to find them all. Continue reading All Grounded 2 Milk Molar locations MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:05 PM I do love a good board game night, and I've often found that great board games make for great videogames - especially the fantasy ones. Dungeons and Dragons is usually the first to jump to mind, but you shouldn't discount Ticket to Ride, Warhammer Quest, and of course Gloomhaven. Now, hoping to be counted amongst the greats is dark fantasy RPG Frosthaven, packed with slick turn-based combat and a diverse world calling out to be explored. Even better, the game is available to play right now. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best turn-based RPGs, Best RPGs, Best strategy games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:36 AM Where are the best Grounded 2 base locations? When it comes to survival games, kitting yourself out with the best armor, tools, and weapons is naturally a top priority. You should never underestimate the importance of a good base location, though, especially in Grounded 2. Place your lean-to too far away from important resources or too close to a spider's nest and you could be in big trouble. Grounded 2 is a lot more intuitive than the first game, with less tool swapping, easier upgrades, and more handholding. It's also much, much bigger, which makes finding a safe place to lay your head for the night harder than ever. We've been busy exploring Brookhollow Park, looking for the best Grounded 2 base locations to give you a head start in the survival game sequel. Continue reading Best Grounded 2 base locations MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 1:26 PM 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 31, 2025 11:23 AM The best-selling mouse of all time, the Logitech G502 Hero, is back on sale with a mega 30% discount. The G502 has been the clicker of choice for plenty of gamers since 2014, with an iconic design that most gaming manufacturers have sought to emulate. If you've never owned one, now's your chance. We've seen a few Logitech G502 models pop up over the years, with the most recent, the G502 X Plus, releasing as late as 2023. It's a lineup that we've seen in our best gaming mouse shortlist, too, with only newer favorites like the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K pushing it off its pedestal. The G502 Hero continues to be a responsive and accurate mouse for work and play alike, but now at an even better price. |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:19 AM Some of our favorite Nvidia GeForce graphics cards of yesteryear are about to become obsolete, with Nvidia confirming that GTX GPUs, including the GTX 750, GTX 980, and GTX 1080 Ti, will stop receiving Game Ready Driver updates from October 2025. The company also confirmed that Windows 10 driver support for RTX GPUs will continue for just one more year, ending in October 2026. It may not feel like that long ago that the GTX 1080 Ti was still the best graphics card around but that card is now eight years old. Meanwhile, Nvidia cards such as the GTX 750 were released over a decade ago. With these cards lacking the firepower needed for modern gaming, it isn't surprising Nvidia is making this move, but it will no doubt bring some sadness to plenty of gamers out there. If you're playing modern games on an old Nvidia GTX card, you're going to need to think about upgrading pretty soon. Continue reading Nvidia just called time on your old GeForce gaming GPU MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 review, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 review, Best graphics cards |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:33 AM July 31, 2025 We checked the status of the Dune Awakening servers. Is Dune Awakening down? While we still love single-player games, there's also something to be said for the chaotic joy to be had in multiplayer experiences, especially massively multiplayer ones. One of the few downsides to playing with friends and strangers around the world is the instability of online servers. As a survival MMO, Dune Awakening could fall victim to severe server downtime, so if you're struggling to get into Arrakis, that could be why. Here, we've got the latest on maintenance in the crafting game, and the current Dune Awakening server status. Continue reading Is Dune Awakening down? Server status right now MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best MMOs, Dune Awakening release date |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:10 AM Music being outlawed is one of the few things that might drive me to a life of crime, so I can empathize with the protagonists of cyberpunk JRPG Keylocker. Blending Guitar Hero rhythm action with Chrono Trigger inspired turn-based battles, this slick, moody tale of an underground rebel could be just what you're looking for after the stylish attacks and parries of Clair Obscur Expedition 33. In even better news, it's one of two Epic Games Store free games this week, so you can get it without spending a single thing. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best cyberpunk games, Best rhythm games, Best RPG games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:04 AM What is the Monopoly Go game? If you're wondering how on earth Monopoly has been turned into a mobile idler, you're not alone. Somehow, though, it works. Well. Roll your dice, travel along the board, pass Go, land on Chance, earn some rent. It translates. But, naturally, there are a lot of differences. You have hundreds of themed Monopoly Go boards to collect, and you spend the money you earn from rent and events to erect landmarks on each. This is the game's equivalent of houses and hotels, as the more you build, the more little green and red buildings appear on your current board. There's even PvP, which will come as no surprise to anyone who's played Monopoly with the family at Christmas. There are microtransactions in the free-to-play game, but you can get by without spending a dime, especially by checking our free Monopoly Go dice links daily. Continue reading Monopoly Go wiki guide MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:40 AM Dune Awakening has had a pretty good run so far since launching in June. Despite a slightly more bumpy road in recent weeks, the reviews for the MMO are still sitting at 'mostly positive,' with a 75% rating from Steam users. But the upcoming patch is set to shake some things up, adding new content, balancing, and tweaks, including a bug fix that might collapse your Pentashield. That's not all; you can test out the new patch for yourself right now. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best MMOs, Dune Awakening release date |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:34 AM Everybody has their own favourite Monster Hunter game. A lot of people would say World. A few might say Rise. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is a classic. There's even someone out there who's favourite is Wilds. Anyone? No? Alas. However, there's one spinoff series that's rarely included in these conversations. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection was announced today, and promises Pokemon-esque gameplay like its predecessors. With turn-based combat, story-led RPG mechanics, and - of course - monsters to hunt, it's high time you gave the Monster Hunter Stories series a chance. Continue reading Monster Hunter's most underrated spinoff series is back MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Best fantasy games, Best games like Monster Hunter |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:31 AM Not content with putting out one of the most impressive modern RPGs in recent years in Sea of Stars, Sabotage Studio recently followed it up with the launch of substantial, free story DLC Throes of the Watchmaker, which is easily one of the best things I've played this year. Now, in a new interview, creative director and Sabotage CEO Thierry Boulanger explains why it came out at no cost, and teases the potential for one more Sea of Stars update as the team continues work on its new game, Project Sparrow. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Sea of Stars review, Best RPG games, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:29 AM 'Silksong?' A question posed in every livestream chat since what feels like the dawn of time, for years met with deafening silence and an intense wave of disappointment. Summer Game Fests and Gamescoms have come and gone for years, none of them providing even a sliver of information on perhaps the most highly anticipated videogame sequel out there. And then, right at the end of Nintendo's Switch 2 reveal, it appeared from nowhere: the Hollow Knight Silksong release window, simply set for 2025. Since then the hype has continued to skyrocket, and today's Nintendo Direct felt like the perfect time for yet more info to drop. That, however, simply wasn't to be. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Indie Games, Hollow Knight Silksong release date, Upcoming PC Games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:13 AM Who are the latest Fortnite NPCs? Fortnite NPC locations change with every new season, much like everything else, with more added throughout the season as well. This makes it difficult to keep track of the latest NPC locations. That's where we come in. There are a few reasons you might want to find a Fortnite NPC location in the battle royale game. You can hire Fortnite NPCs for a helping hand, get a rift out of the storm, or buy some of the best Fortnite weapons and items. There are often new hostile Fortnite NPCs to defeat as well, but if you're looking for someone a little more friendly, we have every Fortnite NPC location right now marked on the Fortnite map, as well as a list of all of the special items or services you can buy in Chapter 6, Season 4. Continue reading All 19 Fortnite NPC locations this week - hireable characters C6S4 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fortnite map, Fortnite skins, Fortnite weapons |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:03 AM I was a little late to the roguelike genre, only fully understanding the impetus to play the same levels over and over again when Hades span a narrative thread through my runs in 2020. Since then, I've immersed myself in the classics of the genre, as well as the roguelite subgenre. I've put numerous hours into FTL, Into the Breach, and Slay the Spire, and found many more gems besides. And it's in the wake of these lesser known indies like Blue Prince and Ravenswatch (the latter the best Hades clone to date) that Panta Rhei emerges. Full of charm and with a time-bending twist, it looks right up my street. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best PC games, Best indie games, Best roguelike games |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:55 AM How do you get on the picnic table in Grounded 2? With Brookhollow Park being so much bigger than the original Grounded backyard, there's more to discover than ever - and higher places to reach. The Grounded 2 picnic table is one such location, and, with so many valuable resources located atop it in the survival game, you're going to want to make your way to the top of this grand climb. Unfortunately, there are some obstacles in the way. Here's how to overcome them and make your way to Grounded 2 blueberries, Raw Science, Milk Molars, and more. Continue reading How to get on the Grounded 2 picnic table MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:18 AM When are DBD Twitch drops available? The first-ever Dead by Daylight Twitch drops went live in October 2023, and Behaviour has ramped up the freebies ever since with regular Twitch Drops and redemption codes, giving players free character cosmetics, Bloodpoints, badges, banners, and more. Whenever there are new DBD Twitch drops available for the multiplayer game, we'll update this guide, and you can jump into watching your favorite Twitch streamers in order to receive the rewards. If you're anything like us and you're addicted to watching Dead by Daylight streams anyway, you should get them automatically, but you still need to know the details to claim. If not, just like DBD codes, they're super easy to use, and we've got information on how to get started if you've not already linked your accounts. Continue reading DBD Twitch drops and how to claim MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 8:51 AM Marvel Rivals season 3.5, The Abyss Awakens, is here, alongside the new hero Blade. Despite the new update dropping, nothing has changed graphically, and Marvel Rivals is still quite simple to run, much like other hero shooters on the market. Better yet, even older laptops and desktop gaming PCs should have no issues meeting the Marvel Rivals system requirements and getting great performance out of the game. You won't need to buy the very best graphics card from our comprehensive buying guide to meet the Marvel Rivals system requirements on PC, and good performance isn't difficult to attain so long as you're not also looking for the highest quality visuals. In fact, you can see how simple it is by following our best Marvel Rivals settings guide for PC and Steam Deck. Continue reading Marvel Rivals system requirements MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:36 PM What is the best Bluetooth speaker? That will depend on your needs but they're universally a great way to untether your music collection and play it loud wherever you are. Maybe you want to find a way to boost your laptop's audio for gaming and movie watching on the go. Or, maybe you just want a convenient portable powerhouse for parties and travel. Whatever your requirements, we've tried and tested the top options to pick the right Bluetooth speakers for your needs. Our top pick overall right now is the JBL Flip 7, thanks to its portable, waterproof design and solid sound quality for a decent price. Meanwhile, if you're looking for some computer speakers with Bluetooth, the SteelSeries Arena 7 are a great option and for a bigger sound with stereo, check out the Anker Soundcore Motion X500. See below for loads more options - including options we've tested but don't recommend in the Also tested section - and be sure to check the how to choose and FAQ sections at the bottom of this guide to help you find the right Bluetooth speaker for your needs. Continue reading Best Bluetooth speaker 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Thursday, July 31, 2025 7:47 AM What are the best Grounded 2 weapons? In any RPG or action-adventure game in which combat is king, your choice of weapons can sometimes be overwhelming. Grounded 2 is no different and features a vast array of weapons, all of which deal different damage and have different effects. Going into battle with the most terrifying Grounded 2 scorpions, wolf spiders, and, um, ladybugs requires the most powerful gear, so if you're unsure what to pick, here are the best Grounded 2 weapons, based on both their strength and the requirements to repair them once they break down. Continue reading Best Grounded 2 weapons MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 2:00 PM |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:37 PM  If you've ever fired up Baldur's Gate 3 and wondering why the likes of Shadowheart or Lae'zel's portrait shows them glaring at you like they've been summoned into some kind of video call, I bring good news. Larian's rectified this and one other infamous issue as part of the game's latest hotfix. Don't get too excited, though. The devs are so keen to make sure no one gets their hopes up for any more major additions to the RPG now that its final patch is out of the way that they've dubbed this a "room temperature fix". |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:17 PM  Punishing my tendency to never bother watching Nintendo Directs, Bandai Namco used today's Switch 2-focused showcase to announce Once Upon a Katamari: the first mainline, non-remake Katamari game since 2011. It'll be out on PC as well, come October 24th 2025, and while you'll once again be rolling up entire societies around a swelling sticky ball, this one will span a range of time periods - so you'll be able to knead whole new planets out of feudal Japan or ancient Greece. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:00 PM  Yesterday, we shared how you could save on additional storage for your Steam Deck with some microSD deals, but if you're looking for more of a project, today's deal is for you. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:46 AM  Square Enix have announced Octopath Traveler 0, a prequel to the genteel 2019 RPG Katharine Castle hailed as... "a bit of a slog"?? "A big old anticlimax"??? I thought it was quite good! This is an outrage! I'm going to tell Katharine she sucks at writing and is terrible at video games. What do you mean, she doesn't work here any more? Well in that case, I'm going to tell Graham he should never have hired her. What do you mean, he doesn't work here any more? Who does work here any more? Oh screw it, just roll the trailer. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:40 AM  Some people don't like cockroaches. I've always found them to be reliable mounts for the tiny gnome army via which I'll one day conquer the world. Anyway, forget I wrote that. Grounded 2's come out this week, and as such folks have fired up their modding machines and got to work tweaking the garden survival extravaganza to their liking. Let's see here, we've got some of the usual useful changes, texture swaps, and...ah. A mod designed to help folks who're afraid of cockroaches. It'll do just that, provided you're not also terrified of clowns, or bugs vaguely dressed like them. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:06 AM  The next big patch for Dune: Awakening's now out there via Steam testing client, as devs Funcom look to test out its various tweaks before pressing go on full deployment next month. If you've been desperately screaming for the ability to slop out a bunch of blood and/or water at once, or have recently be chased by a swarm of griefy ornithopters, this is the patch for you. In fact, the devs make clear that they'd really prefer it if you were to dedicate the bulk of your two-week-long patch testing time to those two things in particular. They're also turning off taxes and sandstorms, the latter very much being the tax equivalent of the natural world, for the first week so bases won't be at risk. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:50 AM  Yesterday, we highlighted a steep deal on one of the best gaming monitors from Alienware, but if you've been looking for more screen real estate, you'll be glad you held off. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 8:59 AM  The office seems to be empty save for a grinning little girl who yells "hey mister, wake up!" in what sounds like amateur Simmish, then immediately vanishes around the corner. The building consists of grainy, glass-walled compartments lined with illuminated facades displaying kanji letters, arranged along a central corridor. I think I'm on the ninth floor. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, July 31, 2025 7:18 AM  Very long-in-the-works Elder Scrolls modding project Skywind has hit another milestone in its winding road towards an eventual release. The folks behind the mod, which aims to deliver a version of the series' beloved third entry Morrowind remade in Skyrim's engine, have recruited the final three voice actors they were looking for to fill out the base game's entire roster of characters. Skywind's still without any kind of release date, meaning it's almost certainly further off than its Oblivion-centric sort of cousin Skyblivion, which is aiming to arrive this year. However, the regular updates we've been getting about it of late are encouraging signs that it will eventually let us into its heart chamber. |
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Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 2:00 PM
Square Enix announced on social media it will sell more Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster capsule toy personal marker charms, with the third and fourth volumes consisting of characters from FFV and FFVI. They are on sale in Japan starting on August 1, 2025. It is ¥400 (~$3) per try. Each one has a lobster-style clasp attached to a stretchy clear band, so you get multiple ways to attach it as an accessory. Since these are direct Square Enix items, it's unknown if we'll see them worldwide.
In the case of the FFV characters, which are part of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster volume 3, the options include both standard versions of characters and them dressed for certain jobs. In the case of Bartz, he's available in his normal outfit, his Knight attire, and as a Mime. Lenna's additional two options show her as Dancer and Ninja. Galuf's only other option is him as a Berserker. Faris' second look puts her in the Summoner role. Krile's additional Job design is a Geomancer look. There are also two Chocobos in this collection, with one being a black one and the other Boko.
Since there are so many more characters in FFVI, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster vol 4 personal marker collection, only Celes and Terra appear twice. They show up in their standard forms, then we could also get Esper Terra or Celes in her dress from the opera scene. Here's the list of all the characters in that lineup:
Here are the example images Square Enix shared showing all of the charms.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster capsule toy personal marker charms of FFV and FFVI characters will appear in Japan on August 1, 2025. The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster games appeared on the Switch, PS4, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices.
The post Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Charms Cover FFV, FFVI Characters appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 1:00 PM
Back in October 2024, Kotobukiya revealed a Unicorn Overlord Yahna figure, and now pre-orders are open. It costs 23,100円/$189.99. It will show up in Japan first, with a February 2026 launch window there. The North American debut is set for March 2026.
This version of Yahna is a 1/7 scale figure. She'll stand at almost 10 inches tall (253mm). She's wearing her basic costume in the series, and she carries a staff behind her back with a bat shape. If someone buys directly through Kotobukiya, then a second face plate that features her with a different type of smile is included.
Here are some of the first photos of the Unicorn Overlord Yahna figure Kotobukiya shared. Two of the photos compare her base face plate with the bonus one offered through Kotobukiya.
This is the fourth of the Kotobukiya Unicorn Overlord figures. First, the company announced Scarlet. That was followed by the sisters Eltolinde and Rosalinde. We also know the fifth one will be Melisandre.
Kotobukiya isn't the only company making figures of characters from the game. Apex-Toys has two on the way. They are of Berengaria and Virginia.
Unicorn Overlord is on the Switch, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X, and we will see the Yahna figure come to Japan in February 2026 and the US in March 2026.
The post Unicorn Overlord Yahna Figure Debuts in 2026 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:00 PM
Back in January 2025, Taito announced a new Switch Groove Coaster game. While it didn't show up during the Nintendo Direct, immediately after the company confirmed that Groove Coaster Future Performers is available on the console in every region. Prior to this reveal, we only knew it would debut on the system in Japan on July 31, 2025.
Groove Coaster Future Performers plays a lot like the previous Switch entryWai Wai Party. Your Navigator character travels along a line while imagery appears behind it, and as notes come up on it you press buttons in time with the music.
To help get an idea of what to expect, there are two trailers. First, here's one just showing off the game's opening movie:
We can see actual gameplay in the other trailer that debuted back in January 2025, which was when it was officially revealed. That also highlighted some of the Navigator characters.
There's also a partial song list in the official press release. Here are some tracks in the title:
Anime/J-pop］
［VTuber］
［Vocaloid ™］
［Touhou arrangements］
［original song］
"THUNDERBOLT" - Sendou Kakeru (CV: Reiji Kawashima) feat. Somari
"Hyousou no Aria" - Himekawa Aria (CV: Ayane Sakura) feat. 40mP
"Groove High" - Linka (CV: Moe Toyota) &Seine (CV: Eriko Kawakami) &Yume (CV: Karin Oda) &Yu (CV: Miyuu Takatsuki) feat. MASAKI (ZUNTATA)
"Wire&Ring" - Sendou Kakeru (CV: Reiji Kawashima) & Himekawa Aria (CV: Ayane Sakura) feat. HarumakiGohan
Groove Coaster Future Performers is available on the Switch worldwide.
The post Groove Coaster Future Performers Drops on Switch Worldwide appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:05 AM
Furyu announced it is possible to pre-order the Varlet standard edition, and it also confirmed the Digital Deluxe Edition DLC contents ahead of its August 28, 2025 release date. Those who go with the $79.99 version instead of the $59.99 one will get costumes based on past games like The Caligula Effect 2 and Monark.
There are no pre-order DLC bonuses or discounts mentioned for the standard copy. However, the Digital Deluxe Edition of Varlet comes with three bonuses. Two are the types of items you expect. There's an 80-page digital art book. We also get the full 53-song digital soundtrack. 13 of those will feature vocals. As for the DLC, there are two extra costumes for the hero. Our avatar won't get to look like any specific characters from The Caligula Effect or Monark though. Instead, it will just be the school uniforms from each of those games.
In case you missed what to expect from Varlet, here's a peek at the previous trailer highlighting elements of the JRPG:
Varlet will come to the Switch, PS5, and PC on August 28, 2025, and pre-orders for the standard version of the JRPG are live as of July 31, 2025.
The post JRPG Varlet Pre-orders Open, Digital Deluxe Edition Confirmed appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:00 AM
During the July 2025 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, we got to see a trailer going over the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake new scenarios and Princess Cannock heroine. There was also an additional batch of screenshots highlighting all of these extra gameplay elements being newly added to this rerelease.
A big change this time is that Princess of Cannock will be an ally in Dragon Quest II. The screenshots and trailer her as we approach her in the castle, as well as when she's joined our party.
As for the new scenarios in both games in the remake, those involve additional side stories and different types of characters we might not have gotten to see as much in the past. One involved some fairies talking to the party about dwarves. Another involves a search for a faerie flute. A conversation with Lunagriff comes up too.
Here are all the screenshots:
And here's the trailer that shows off footage of the new Dragon Quest scenarios and playable Princess of Cannock:
One of the last new trailers that highlighted changes came up in March 2025.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake will come to the Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on October 30, 2025.
The post Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Adds Princess of Cannock, New Scenarios appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:30 AM
A new Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase was held simultaneously worldwide at the end of July 2025. The Japanese stream, alternatively known as Nintendo Direct Soft[ware] Maker Lineup, included several exclusive game reveals not seen in other regions.
Some of the titles exclusively revealed in the Japanese Direct were Hono-gurashi no Niwa and Momotaro Dentetsu 2. The former is a village life simulation game that Nippon Ichi Software will release in late July 2026. The latter will be a new entry in the popular Japanese board game series that will be made available by Konami in mid-November 2025.
Here is the full list of games revealed at the Japanese July 2025 Nintendo Direct, along with their Japanese release dates:
The Japanese July 2025 Nintendo Direct is also available to view right below.
The post Here Are the Japanese July 2025 Nintendo Direct Games appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:57 AM
Now that the July 2025 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase is done, we know all of the Switch and Switch 2 games from various partners that we can see both this year and the next. There were only two shadowdrops this time. Each one is for the Switch 2. Those are Chillin by the Fire and Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Switch 2 Edition. However, there are also new demos for Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales on the Switch 2 and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance on the Switch available now too. Basically, we got to see a lot of both new titles and ports.
Here's the full list of all the new Switch and Switch 2 games that came up in the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase on July 31, 2025.
You can watch the whole Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase from July 31, 2025, and see all of the trailers for the new Switch and Switch 2 games, below.
Chillin by the Fire and Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Switch 2 Edition are both available for the Switch 2 on July 31, 2025.
The post All Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase July 2025 Games appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:39 AM
Square Enix revealed a new HD-2D game called The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase on July 31, 2025. It seems to involve a time-traveling adventure, as it mentions going through a door and an adventure spanning centuries. It will debut in 2026, and a debut demo is out today. Square Enix will also release a survey for us to take after the demo's launch to provide feedback.
In the game, we follow a hero named Elliot who is accompanied by a fairy named Faie. It will be an action-RPG with real-time combat and different weapons with varying playstyles. It will also be possible to strengthen attacks with Magicite. Faie can attack as well, and we can swap to control her as we play. Their goal is to explore Philabieldia and deal with the monstrous beast tribes ruthlessly attacking people. All humans are left to try and survive in one city, the Kingdom of Huther, with a Spell of Safeguarding protecting it.
You can see the first teaser trailer for the new Square Enixgame in the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase below.
This is one of two new games in this style from Square Enix that appeared during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase. The other is Octopath Traveler 0.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales will come to the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026 and is in development, and its demo will appear on the eShop today.
The post The Adventures of Elliot Heads to Switch 2 in 2026 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:31 AM
Square Enix revealed a new game in the Octopath Traveler series during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase on July 31, 2025, and it is called Octopath Traveler 0. It's described as a journey of restoration. This means one mechanic will actually involve rebuilding areas. It will be out on December 4, 2025. It also looks like this will be the first entry in the series that will involve us creating and customizing our own character as we head out on a journey.
You can see the first teaser trailer for the new Octopath Traveler game in the series in the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase below. It comes up at the very end. Details about the story come up, including the idea that the adventure begins after a town is set on fire by enemies.
This will mark the fourth game in the series, and the third that appears to be a mainline installment. The first was the original title. That first launched on the Switch in 2018 before going multiplatform. In 2023, a sequel showed up on multiple platforms, including the Switch, all at once. There's also Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent for mobile devices.
Octopath Traveler 0 will come to the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and it will launch on December 4, 2025.
The post Octopath Traveler 0 Is a New Game in the Series appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:15 AM
The Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase on July 31, 2025 started out with Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection for the Switch 2. That won't arrive until 2026. The first trailer showed a Rider who once again is paired up with a Rathalos. However, there's also a hint at the end that suggests there are "twins" about to hatch from one egg. This will also make it the first Monster Hunter game in general to appear on the new Nintendo console.
You can see the game in the Nintendo Switch Partner Direct below. It's the very first announcement. It seems once again this Rider, a character who works alongside partner Monsties instead of slaying them like a Hunter does in the mainline series, will need to head out to face off against corruption in the world.
This means there will be three entries in this spin-off playable on this new Nintendo console. A port of the original 3DS game showed up on platforms including the Switch in 2024. And the sequel first debuted on the Switch in 2021.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection will come to the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. It's currently in development, and we'll learn more soon.
The post Monster Hunter Stories 3 Arrives in 2026 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:12 AM
Ahead of the June 2023 Xbox Showcase, Atlus let a Persona 3 Reload trailer slip out. Both that one and the one that appeared at the event only mentioned Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC versions of the game. However, it wasn't until the July 2025 Nintendo Direct that a Switch 2 version of the Persona 3 Reload remake ended up confirmed. It launches October 23, 2025. It will be available digitally and physically.
As a reminder, Persona 3 Reload is a remake of the base game. Some FES elements are in the base game, and the Episode Aigis DLC adds the epilogue. It also does away with the fatigue system, which could keep a player from heading into Tartarus. We'll also have less trouble maxing out social links in this version.
You can see it in the showcase below:
This announcement means the game is now on pretty much every modern platform. Following the Xbox Showcase, Atlus shared an additional trailer for the Persona 3 remake, and that one ended up also confirming the PS4 and PS5 versions of the RPG.
The Persona 3 Reload remake will show up on the Nintendo Switch 2, and it is already on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. The original game and its FES version appeared on the PS2. People can find Persona 3 Portable on the PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.
The post Persona 3 Reload Remake Confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:00 AM
When CyberConnect 2's Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles launched, I said that it seemed fun, but also like it was a first step and start of something more. It felt like the company's work on early entries in the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja series, and though it might eventually build up into something that incorporates more ideas, concepts, and story elements to make a 3D fighting game that also combined action adventure gameplay to better tell the story in the campaign. With Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2, you can see how ideas came together and the sense of progression that makes this installment feel more well-rounded and fun. The story CyberConnect 2 is telling and characters its following are the main focus in this new game, but the anime fans picking it up probably want exactly that.
While Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is a fighting game, the campaign is a major attraction and selling point that grants access to customization options, minigames, and additional experiences based on the story. It's well-handled too, executed in a way that sends us along the journey Tanjiro Kamado and his allies take as they pursue Muzan Kibutsuji and his Twelve Kizuki. This installment picks up almost immediately after the previous one, continuing the story from the Entertainment District Arc. Each section sees Tanjiro and his allies going through certain points and fights based on those segments, complete with the anime being referenced as in the original game. So you'll go through moments in the story. You'll typically get opportunities to explore an area at these points, perhaps taking on an optional sidequest or additional fights that aren't part of the major happenings. Then you go through the serious altercations and advance through the arcs.
I mentioned earlier that the Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles felt like a first step, and this seems especially evident in the sequel's campaign. CyberConnect 2 really did a lot to accurately convey important moments. There are a number of upgrades and adjustments to make it feel more involved and like we're doing more when playing through sections. Yes, there are still abilities we'll use, such as Tanjiro using his senses for tracking purposes. But the execution of optional sidequests, cosmetic bonuses for cards, minigames like one involving Zenitsu playing the shamisen, and insights into the story via additional segments really come together to help tell the tale well and feel more interactive than before. It isn't just about walking down rather narrow paths with no deviation and branching to get to story-advancing fights. There are cosmetic and currency incentives for exploring and it feels like there's more to do.
This is also a situation in which you probably won't feel too left out if you just go for the sequel. Demon Slayer: the Hinokami Chronicles 2 features a The Path of the Demon Slayer mode for catching up with events that took place in the original game. Now, this isn't as extensive as the actual campaign. But it does go from the start of the series to the Mugen Train Arc that were covered. It's an adequate means of quickly catching up.
I'm also a fan of the Gear System introduced in the Demon Slayer: the Hinokami Chronicles 2. It doesn't feel totally necessary if you are more familiar with fighting games and played the first installment. However, I feel like it's more of an accessibility option for people who enjoyed the manga or anime, but maybe aren't as adept at fighting games. Especially since it isn't just an option in a campaign, but that you can use it to tailor your VS Mode experience.
As for combat, Demon Slayer: the Hinokami Chronicles 2 generally feels fine. CyberConnect 2 knows how to make an arena fighter, and it's made satisfying ones like Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. We get spaces that offer a lot of freedom to move around as we plot attacks, the control scheme is simplistic in a Smash Bros sort of way that ensures you know how to perform special attacks even if you're new to a character, and there's a satisfaction that comes from filling gauges and using Ultimate attacks. It does feel like the characterizations and movesets we've seen in the manga anime are accurately represented. The new combat element here involves Dual Ultimates, which stem from pairing up certain fighters with supporter individuals known to have a strong connection to them. Giyu Yomioka and Shinobu Kocho share one, as shown ahead of launch. That acknowledgement feels fitting, and it makes a player feel like CyberConnect 2 gets the audience for the game. I also really appreciated the wide array of characters, as we get over 40 at launch.
Demon Slayer: the Hinokami Chronicles 2 is the video game equivalent of a popcorn flick. We won't see this fighter on the competitive scene, but for an anime-based game it can be pretty great. It's clearly designed to be welcoming to newcomers who love the series and want to play through major moments, but people looking for a bit of a challenge might find it in isolated bouts, Hashira Training Paths, or fights with other players. It honestly makes me hope we might eventually see a third installment too.
Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 will come to the Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC in Japan on August 1, 2025 and worldwide on August 5, 2025.
The post Review: Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 Feels Story-Focused appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:43 PM
The Hand Cannon Arms Week brought Ribbontail, an unexpected Strand trace rifle that, as you can imagine, isn't the featured archetype. But this weapon can still fill a good role, especially with a god roll.
Ribbontail isn't better than Sundered Doctrine's Unsworn, which has better rolls and stats. But if you don't have access to The Final Shape's last dungeon, you can snag this one during the event. Here are the Ribbontail god rolls we're chasing during Arms Week. Since this weapon is better for PvE, though, we won't cover the Crucible side of it.
Ribbontail PvE god rolls in Destiny 2
Ribbontail (and most other trace rifles) are more suited for add-clear than for high damage numbers, so you're bound to use them for taking down weaker enemies. That's why we went with damage-boosting perks like Killing Tally, Detonator Beam, and Redirection, with an honorable mention to Binary Orbit. These will also give you an extra chunk of damage if you're using them against something sturdier, and Detonator Beam doesn't have any trigger other than dealing sustained damage. Redirection in particular helps you deal more damage to yellow-bar enemies, which can come in handy. You gather stacks of it extremely quickly because of how trace rifles work, so it may be worth keeping a roll of it in your pocket.
Our choices pair perfectly with Subsistence on column three, which is our top pick in our god roll. Killing Tally's buff goes away when reloading, so Subsistence gives you a little more breathing room there. Reloading can eat up Binary Orbit's damage buff, and since Redirection and Detonator Beam activate on damage, having more ammo in your magazine lets them activate more often.
You can also go for Wellspring for general ability regen (if it works) or Envious Arsenal if you want to use it on damage rotations, but Subsistence is probably the better option for general use.
If you're fighting more at melee range—say you're a Consecration Titan or using Phoneutria Fera—you'll also benefit from Surrounded in the fourth column, which works well with Threat Detector or Proximity Power.
How to get Ribbontail in Destiny 2
At first, this new trace rifle is available from the Hand Cannon Arms Week event, dropping alongside Phoneutria Fera, the new Spread Shot archetype. You can buy Engrams from Ada-1 in the Shooting Range for Combat Telemetry, awarded when completing activities with a hand cannon equipped. Decode them through Ada for higher-tier drops if you have more currency, or open them with Rahool at the Tower for free tier ones. The process of obtaining this trace rifle after the event ends is still unclear, though Bungie might bring it through vendors like Banshee-44 and Xûr.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:17 PM
Daisy was given a few tricky riddles to solve by Nora, but they're too much for her to tackle alone, so it's up to you to help in Tales of the Shire. One of the puzzles she asks for assistance with is Nora's Riddles: The Water that Roars.
This quest tasks you with finding one small, specific area around the vast Shire. The riddle gives you a slight hint for where to look, but it's not really enough to go on when there's such a large region to explore. If you're unsure how to get this one done, here's how to solve Nora's Riddles: The Water that Roars in Tales of the Shire.
Table of contents
Nora's The Water that Roars riddle solution in Tales of the Shire
To solve the second riddle Daisy presents you with from Nora, you need to venture to a roaring waterfall located deep in the heart of the forest. There's water all around Bywater, so finding the right spot for this task is quite tricky.
You're given this riddle right after finishing Nora's Riddles: Eye of the Lake for Daisy, so you should have a bit of an idea how this process works. All you have to go off is the clue Daisy gives you, which is "In the heart of the forest, it calls. Where the river doesn't run, it falls. Where the water doesn't babble, it roars."
The solution to this riddle is a forest waterfall. The forest encompasses a lot of Bywater, though, so locating the waterfall you need to interact with for this tale is quite a daunting task.
In the heart of the forest, it calls location in Tales of the Shire
The waterfall you need to find for the "In the heart of the forest, it calls. Where the river doesn't run, it falls. Where the water doesn't babble, it roars" riddle is located near the very southeast corner of Bywater, deep in the forest. It's the very corner of the map in this area, so when you're at this spot, you can't venture any further.
This waterfall is decently close to The Forest marker and Deplhinium's tree, so if you know how to reach either of these spots, you should be able to reach the right area for this quest pretty easily. The forest is a pretty tricky region to navigate, though, so if you're having trouble finding the right spot for this task, here's a full breakdown of how to reach the right area.
There's still plenty more work to get done around the Shire. If you're not sure what to do next, you might work on meeting all townsfolk, retrieving Nefi's tongs from the tunnel, and increasing your Fellowship.
The post How to solve Nora's Riddles: The Water that Roars in Tales of the Shire appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:07 PM
Exactly two years ago, I faced every gamer's final boss: my backlog. I'm guilty of the sin of buying games because they're on sale and never installing them. But after spending 25 hours playing Diablo meets Vampire Survivors in Halls of Torment, I wanted to give some of my forgotten games a chance to see the light of my Steam Deck.
This wasn't about backlog guilt. I just thought past-me was smart enough to know what I'd like to play, so surely there was something fun in there. So I went to the darkest corners of my Steam library and installed games I didn't even know existed. Bundle fillers, freebies, or simply titles I had no idea why or how they ended up there. They got bonus points if I looked at them and said, "Meh, I don't think I'll like this."
But I was lucky, and past-me was smart and had good taste in games. As I tell you about these titles, I'll also check my Steam library history to remember how they got there.
Jet Set Radio
How I got it: SEGA's 2016 "Make War Not Love" campaign giveaway. Engadget helped me remember that.
When I got it: Feb. 17, 2016.
I feel like owning Jet Set Radio on Steam is like having a collector's item. It was part of SEGA's great Steam purge of December 2024, when the company delisted 62 games from the store.
I never had a Dreamcast, the console where Jet Set Radio was first released, so playing it wasn't due to nostalgia. What drew me into it was that I loved the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series growing up, so I figured there'd be something similar for me in this game with roller skaters.
It's not exactly "GTA meets Tony Hawk," but it has a twist of vandalism, street gangs, and cartoon violence.
Your only mission is to graffiti various spots in each stage while dodging authority, which can be anything from officers with batons to military tanks. You've got a surprisingly sturdy body that somehow can take machine gun fire and explosives.
If you're easily frustrated by old games with clunky controls, skip this. It gets annoying. Otherwise, the gameplay, art, and soundtrack (most of it by Hideki Naganuma) are so iconic you probably won't find anything like it. All of that came back to life with Bomb Rush Cyberfunk in 2023, which is sitting in my backlog.
My favorite part is actually the three-paragraph disclaimer that shows up whenever you boot up the game. It basically says, "Kids, please don't wander around tagging your local bakery."
The Walking Dead Season 1 (Telltale Series)
How I got it : Humble Bundle giveaway.
When I got it: Sept. 7, 2017.
Steam says I got a key for this game from "Retail" in 2017. Turns out it was from a Humble Bundle giveaway in 2017, a year when all I did on the site was hoard free games (some I still haven't played).
I've never watched The Walking Dead. I don't find the zombie theme interesting, and I'm also not a fan of narrative games or care much about Telltale titles. So, in my mind, that made this game the perfect one to try.
I liked it. The tough choices, the character development, and the story all blend together well. Being the one making the calls on life-or-death situations in a post-apocalyptic world was rough, and wondering "what would've happened if I chose something else?" made it engaging. I also like how the game compares your choices to other players' at the end of each chapter.
Still, The Walking Dead wasn't fun enough to make me want to play the full story. After 17 hours of gameplay, I was skeptical that another three seasons of "surviving a zombie apocalypse" would stay interesting, so I never finished the series and don't plan to.
What Remains of Edith Finch
How I got it: I bought it on sale with Euro Truck Simulator 2.
When I got it: Dec. 28, 2017.
Poor Edith Finch. She never stood a chance against Euro Truck Simulator 2, which I ended up playing for a solid 60 hours. Driving trucks was a great distraction years later during the COVID lockdown. But this isn't about you, ETS2.
What Remains of Edith Finch is a sensitive narrative game about the history of a cursed family and their losses. That didn't look too exciting to slightly-younger me, an emotional guy afraid of death. Maybe that's why I avoided it in the first place. But this indie game was released the same year I bought it, 2017, to a lot of praise. I had been obsessed with other indies since 2015, so I had to have it in my Steam library.
Turns out, in early 2025, when I finally played it, it was still outstanding. Its gameplay is easy and simple, but it's not a boring walking simulator. You relive memories of Edith's family from each of their points of view, which adds a powerful layer of empathy and connection. I recommend trying it even if you don't enjoy narrative games.
These three surprising titles made me look at my backlog with confidence instead of guilt. Maybe I knew what I was doing in the past, and I was just saving the fun for the future.
I recommend going through your backlog this year and playing one of your most abandoned games. You might have a lot more fun than you expect.
The post I couldn't remember how these 3 games got into my Steam library, but they're worth adding to yours appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:59 AM
Am I alone in feeling like this past month just disappeared? I blinked and it's about to be August already.
July had some big game releases like Donkey Kong Bananza, Tony Hawk 3+4, Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate, Killing Floor 3, and WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers, but it truly felt like the month lasted about a week long in my mind even with everything going on.
And just like that, the calendar is turning to August with a slew of new titles to look forward to. Mafia: The Old Country drops on Aug. 8, offering a linear singleplayer experience, similarly to Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater on Aug 28 or Lost Soul Aside on Aug. 29.
For sports fans, football is back again with Madden NFL 26 on Aug. 14, and Switch 2 gamers will be looking to see what's up with Drag x Drive on the same day. If it's nostalgia you're after, then Gears of War: Reloaded on Aug. 26 will take it back to the beginning of the iconic third-person shooter franchise.
Personally, I really can't wait to see how Snake Eater's remake looks and plays. It's one of my favorite games of all time, and without Kojima on board, it will be a big test to see how Konami is handling the IP moving forward.
Lost Soul Aside is another I'm keeping an eye on. It's been hyped up for quite some time but suffered a delay earlier in the year, so my curiosity is piqued to see just what the action RPG is all about.
But now I ask you, dear reader, which August 2025 game are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below and answer our poll so we have an idea of what's going to be hottest when the summer heat ratchets up again.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:56 AM
The map in Mage Arena can be slightly confusing for players, since there are different zones.
The map has an essence of randomness for each round because of the different zones between the two bases. Every map will have two types of areas: claimable and unclaimable. Each type has more options based on its roles and functions.
First, let's take a look at all the claimable areas, which should be the priority of your team to capture.
Table of contents
All claimable map areas in Mage Arena
The claimable areas on the map will provide your team with EXP and useful materials if they're under your control.
Capturing any area is pretty much the same: stand in it for the requisite time to complete the capture.
All unclaimable map areas in Mage Arena
You might not be able to claim the unclaimable areas on the map, but they're definitely worth a visit in Mage Arena.
For your ease of understanding, I have numbered all the tiles.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:52 AM
Dead by Daylight is no stranger to weird patches and updates, which often break something or everything. This last one, coming alongside the Walking Dead Chapter, broke a lot of stuff, including The Clown, one of the game's oldest Killers.
And how exactly did BHVR do it? Simple. It made The Clown be the most boring, uninventive, left-click Killer imaginable by making his power grant him massive movement speed while simultaneously slowing Survivors down. He has nothing special going about him, unless you consider Sonic the Hedgehog-level speed and left-clicking to be the most impressive things you've ever seen.
It's so bad that Clown skyrocketed in popularity, with people already inventing all sorts of builds that enhance his boring gameplay, making him even more of a nightmare for Survivors.
And don't just take it from me, the entire community has been in an uproar. Just look at this meme posted on the game's 1.5-million strong subreddit:
One player even dubbed him as the "new tunneling king," and that couldn't be more accurate.
For those unaware, tunneling is a Killer practice in DBD to explicitly focus on one Survivor, ignoring everyone else until they are dead and sacrificed. With these new buffs, The Clown can simply run after one Survivor ad nauseam, ensure they're dead, and then move onto another. There are simply very few ways you can loop him and run away due to how fast he runs and how strong his slows on you are.
The above, plus just how broken this last patch has been, has turned DBD into an outright circus where Survivors and Killers alike are being hindered (pun intended) by bugs, OP buffs, server issues, and technical instability.
Keep on being yourself, Behaviour, and never change. But, if you may, please revert these Clown tweaks.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:39 AM
As much as it pains me to admit it, I'm a bit of a workaholic. And for me, work means video games. But video games also mean fun and recreation to me, so it creates a conundrum.
Whether I am working hard, hardly working, or just trying to chill, my life often revolves around games. And if you're a reader on this site, there's a good chance that gaming is a massive part of your routine, too.
But for the past week, I actually took some time off to experience life away from screens for a bit, and I can't recommend it enough. Not only was it good to take a break from games for a while, but stepping away from something you enjoy is totally healthy.
Instead of grinding away in Destiny 2 or Marvel Snap, I forced myself to take some time off. I took a trip to Manhattan with my girlfriend, walked around, ate good food, and simply enjoyed each other's company. We followed it up with the BLACKPINK concert on Sunday (they are incredible) and the Linkin Park concert on Tuesday (they still got it for sure), and there was not a game in sight to be found. I'm now just really sore from all of the fun, but I regret nothing.
Even without all of the excitement of my scheduled activities, I think everything would have been worth it if only for the fact that I found joy outside of gaming for a bit, which is always welcome, and stepping away for a while has reinvigorated my excitement for video games again.
I logged back on today, refreshed and excited to see what games had for me, ready to take on the world once more and enjoy my dream job. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for one salty opponent in Marvel Snap to sour my mood, but hey, maybe they just need a break right now, too.
My break also gave me a bit of clarity about games, and it's something I've slowly learned over the course of the past several years. If a game isn't bringing me joy anymore, I close it. I do something else. It's not worth sticking with something out of habit, sunk cost fallacy, or just because. Step away, go for a swim, hit the beach, go for a walk, do anything else for a time, and come back to find that maybe the game itself wasn't the issue.
Breaks are good. We all need them sometimes, and not just from stuff like work or chores. Even walking away from something you love and have fun with, like gaming, can help you appreciate it a bit more, because I know I'm not alone in feeling bogged down by the hobby at times.
Step away, and maybe you'll find you don't need those games after all. Or maybe you do, and your time away has brought you some peace to find the happiness in your favorite hobby again. Either way, touch grass, because it feels amazing.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:07 AM
Mage Arena, the PVP indie hit where you literally speak spells to cast them, is slowly taking over Steam. Its vintage graphics, hilarious gameplay, and unique approach to game design set it apart from the rest of Valve's indie category.
But what if I told you it could be even better? With mods, any game can have its full potential unlocked, and Mage Arena is no exception. So, though the game is still young and modders are still learning, we've compiled a list of the best Mage Arena mods available right now.
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The best Mage Arena mods so far
Mage Arena mods are still in their inception, meaning there aren't all too many available just yet. However, there are a few that you can download and use to expand your gameplay, so here they are.
Required - BepInEx
This framework for Unity games is crucial for mods to work, so you'll want to download and install it ASAP. Just go to the mod's Thunderstore page, download it, and extract the contents into your game's directory. Then, launch the game once so BepInEx is loaded, and you're good to go. Most mods are installed by their .dll files or folders being placed into BepInEx' Plugins subdirectory, including those on this list.
Unlimited Mages
Why stop at eight mages when you could have more? The game's large maps are definitely suited for at least 5v5 matches or even bigger lobbies, and this mod will enable you to host precisely that. It can go up to an impossibly big 128v128 lobby, which is certainly unrealistic, but hey, at least it's possible.
Lobby Friends
If you've played Mage Arena, you've probably found some pretty fun people. To make sure you can continue playing with them and add them to your friends list more easily, you should download Lobby Friends. This mod enables you to open up any given player's Steam account while in the lobby, easily allowing you to add or message them.
Simple UI Additions
The UI in Mage Arena isn't all that intuitive. While you do have an HP and Stamina bar, you have no way of really knowing how much of either you have left after any altercation. This mod will ensure you can see the exact number of HP and Stamina you have, as well as the cooldowns of your spells. Why these weren't included in the first place is anyone's guess, but that's why mods are here for us.
Mage Flag Importer
While Mage Arena allows you to import custom flags, this mod will enable you to import images as flags and fly them over your castle in-game. It's practically made for trolling and toxicity, but can pave the way for a lot of funny moments, as if Mage Arena wasn't packed to the brim with them already.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:01 AM
Mage Arena might seem like a casual PvP shooter where you shout with your voice and cast spells, but there's a progression system related to leveling up inside the game.
The core leveling system is relatively simple, but there are some tips and tricks to quicken the process. Beginners could be confused by the title system, which is completely separate from the levels. This guide will help you understand how the two systems work and how they're different from one another.
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How does Mage Arena's leveling system work?
Your player level in Mage Arena is a reflection of how many hours you have sunk into the game. It's a measurement of how much you have played the game, and nothing more than that. There are no specialized tips, aside from just playing as many matches as possible. Results don't matter much if you're simply trying to raise your levels.
What's important is the number of matches that you play. The more you play, the higher your level will be, which is distinctly different from how titles work.
How to get titles and rank up in Mage Arena?
Titles are Mage Arena's ranking system, which relies entirely on your skill. Unlike levels, you get titles as you rank up, and to do so, you'll have to win. This metric depends on how many wins you get. This dual system helps players differentiate themselves based on their skills.
You might play a lot, but don't win too many matches. In your case, your player level will be high, but your rank will be lower. On the other hand, I might not play too many matches, but win most of them. My rank will be higher relative to my player level. Unlike levels, there are a few tips and tricks to follow if you want to improve your title.
This will increase the chances of wins and help you get new titles, reflecting your rank.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:50 AM
Of all of the advances in modern technology for gaming, one of the most interesting to me is a platform's ability to track the amount of hours you've played.
This is both a blessing and a horror story, because it's cool to look at sometimes and boast "look how much I played this game I love," but the other side of the coin is the realization of "wow, look how much time I actually spent on this video game.'
For me, my most recent time sink is Destiny 2. I have over 1,774 hours logged on the game on Steam, but that's just part of it because I used to play on Battle.net before it migrated. But that's just a part of the story.
When powering on my PS5, I found that Destiny 1 is actually my biggest and most shocking game. I last played it seven years ago, I have the Platinum trophy, and a whopping 5,417 hours played in the few years it was my main game before Destiny 2 came out in 2017. How is that even possible?
I shudder to think about games from my childhood and young adulthood that I played a horrifying amount of, like SOCOM II: US Navy SEALs, or Left 4 Dead, but I also have no real shame in any of this because the time I spent was mostly with friends, forming bonds and just having a good time.
To find your time played on Steam, navigate to Profile, All Recently Played, All Games, and then sort by Playtime. It can also be done in other ways on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, so I'm very curious to see what everyone's top game is and how many hours you've spent on it.
Hop into the comments below, post your screenshots, or just let us know what your top title is.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:34 AM
The many villagers who call Bywater home regularly send you on quests to find missing items for them in Tales of the Shire. One of the trickier items to find is Nefi's tongs, which she tells you are in a tunnel.
Since she only gives you this vague hint to work with, it can be quite tough to figure out where the tongs actually are. The right area is pretty well hidden, so if this clue has you stuck, here's how to retrieve Nefi's tongs from the tunnel in Tales of the Shire.
Nefi's tongs location in Tales of the Shire
During the Restore the Cooking Club tale, you can find Nefi's tongs in a small tunnel located just below her forge near the northern end of The Village Square. Although the tunnel is right underneath where she works, getting there is a bit tricky since there's no staircase or path nearby.
To find this missing item, your first step should be to venture to Nefi's forge if you're not already there. This is the best spot to start the hunt since she dropped her tongs fairly close to her home, which means the tunnel isn't too far off.
You can find her small work area near the northern end of The Village Square and the northern end of Bywater. It's a small building on the edge of the area, overlooking the river and the nearby pier.
Tunnel location in Tales of the Shire
The tunnel is right below Nefi's forge, close to the river running near the edge of The Village Square. Here are the steps you need to follow to access this area and return Nefi's lost item.
With this tricky task out of the way, you can get to work tackling other tough quests around the Shire. Next, you might get to know all townsfolk who call Bywater home so you can help them out, solve Nora's Riddles: Eye of the Lake, and increase your Fellowship so your home can officially become a real village.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 8:11 AM
Anime Stars TD has an elemental unit system like many Roblox TD games so the best units depend on what mode you're going into and what element of units you need. Below I'll outline the overall best units in terms of DPS, burst damage and support and explain which one is the best for each element and mode. Here's my Anime Stars Tower Defense tier list and guide.
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Anime Stars TD Tier List
This Anime Stars Tower Defense tier list will discuss the best damage characters for each element and the best supports. While I've tested them mainly through Infinite, these rankings are more or less true for all modes. I'll also recommend some beginner units and highlight the late game ones as we go through the more detailed list below. Also, if a unit has a particular way to unlock it I'll highlight it but note that most are just evolutions that you have to grind specific items for.
Meta Anime TD Units
S-Tier Anime TD Units
A-Tier Anime TD Units
B-Tier Anime TD Units
That's it for our Anime Stars Tower Defense tier list and guide. Check out our Anime Stars TD codes to claim free goodies like pulls for the meta units.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 8:06 AM
Disney Dreamlight Valley loves a good scavenger hunt, and the Treasure Hunt event has many of them for you to tackle. One of the clues you need to follow and solve in this event says don't forget to put out the fires.
This is one of the tougher riddles to solve, but it's an essential one to get done if you're hoping to claim all event prizes. If you can't figure out where to go searching for this one, here's the solution for the don't forget to put out the fires riddle in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Don't forget to put out the fires location in Disney Dreamlight Valley
The solution for the don't forget to put out the fires clue is some bright green flames in the Forgotten Lands biome. This region is situated near the very northwest corner of the vast DDV island. The flames appear as small dirt mounds with tall, moving green fire sticking up out of them.
Green flames plague the entire area, so there are plenty of them to remove. Your treasure can drop from any flame in the area, so get to work clearing away as many as it takes to find what you're seeking. It's possible you'll find it right away, but it's also possible that it might take you several tries.
The word "forget" in this clue is a subtle reference to the Forgotten Lands, but it's a pretty subtle one, so it's one of the trickier ones to solve. Once you're in the right area, equip your Royal Watering Can and use it to wash away all flames you come across until a golden treasure chest you can open drops from one.
In this area, you'll find both massive, roaring green flames and some smaller ones. They're all fairly easy to spot since this biome is quite dark otherwise, but be sure to check all corners and any areas blocked off by buildings, houses, or other furniture you have placed around. These flames can spawn anywhere, even corners you don't usually explore, so check everywhere to ensure you don't miss out on finding your treasure.
The Treasure Hunt event has plenty more for you to get done after solving this clue, so set out to find more gold treasure cracks so you can acquire all of the other riddles. Some other clues you might find ask you to look beneath coral growth with a dazzling view and somewhere peaceful pickaxe meets rock.
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Destructoid Thursday, July 31, 2025 7:37 AM
Disney Dreamlight Valley's Treasure Hunt event is one of the trickiest events we've had so far. It presents you with all kinds of vague riddles to solve, like the one that asks you to look beneath coral growth with a dazzling view.
All you have to go off is this short and fairly nonspecific phrase, so it's pretty difficult to figure out what needs to be done. If this clue has you stumped, here's the solution for the beneath coral growth with a dazzling view riddle in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Where is beneath coral growth with a dazzling view in Disney Dreamlight Valley?
The solution to the beneath coral growth with a dazzling view riddle is some coral found in the Dazzle Beach biome. Coral spawns as vibrant turquoise chunks with swirly patterns and some pink, grey, and red bits around the edges.
This resource can pop up anywhere in Dazzle Beach, so you need to explore all along the edge close to the Glade of Trust, near the stairs leading up to the Peaceful Meadow, Skull Rock Island, and the corner area close to the Forest of Valor. This is one of the larger biomes in the village, and the coral you're looking for doesn't have a specific fixed location, so searching everywhere is essential.
Whenever you find some coral in the valley, equip your Royal Pickaxe and take a swing at it to break it down. You might find the golden treasure chest hidden right away, or it might take you breaking several pieces of coral before you find it. It's completely random, so just keep cleaning away all coral you find, both big and small, until you find what you're looking for.
Coral can spawn anywhere within the confines of the vast Dazzle Beach biome, so if you're having trouble finding the piece with the golden chest, be sure to check behind all buildings and furniture you have placed down around this region. It might spawn in super inconvenient corners, so checking behind everything that's placed in this area is crucial.
With this riddle now solved, you can move on to tackling other tricky parts of the Treasure Hunt event, like the Expert Treasure Hunter duty. There are also plenty of other riddles to solve, including finding somewhere peaceful pickaxe meets rock. To collect more clues, you need to get to work finding gold treasure cracks all around the valley.
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WGB Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:05 AM EA has announced Plants vs Zombies: Replanted, remastering the original game for $19.99 on various platforms, launching October 23, 2025. It features local co-op, new game modes, and enhanced graphics, as the franchise reaffirms its roots. |
MonsterVine Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:00 PM I've played a few Story of Seasons games, but it's been quite a while since I last ventured into that serotonin-pumping gameplay loop. Then comes the opportunity to preview Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, and I'm raring to dive back into the life of farming, buying, and selling. This time around, the "Selling" side of […] |
MonsterVine Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:00 AM Marvelous USA has dropped two brand-new gameplay videos for Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, the dark sci-fi action sequel launching on September 5, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. These new videos highlight two of the game's boldest mechanics yet, the Fusion system and Heavy Armor deployment, giving players […] |
Level Up Thursday, July 31, 2025 11:36 AM  Today's Nintendo Partner Direct showcased a rather dense line-up of upcoming third-party games for Switch… |
Level Up Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:53 AM  The final announcement of today's Nintendo Partner Direct was the reveal of Octopath Traveler 0.… |
Level Up Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:43 AM  Cronos: The New Dawn, the upcoming original sci-fi horror game from Bloober Team (the developer… |