Aug 25, 16:00

GamersHeroes Monday, August 25, 2025 3:06 PM Galactic Survival Game ASTRONEER: Megatech DLC Launching in November       A galactic survival hit that has seen millions of explorers, System Era Softworks and Devolver Digital will release the ASTRONEER: Megatech DLC for both PC and consoles later this year. The post Galactic Survival Game ASTRONEER: Megatech DLC Launching in November appeared first on GamersHeroes.

GamersHeroes Monday, August 25, 2025 2:44 PM HYTE tokidoki x hololive Collaboration Announced       HYTE's newest line of products will pay host to a collaboration between internationally recognized and iconic lifestyle brand tokidoki and the hololive English -Advent- talent branch. The post HYTE tokidoki x hololive Collaboration Announced appeared first on GamersHeroes.

GamersHeroes Monday, August 25, 2025 12:53 PM Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainioids Gameplay Deep Dive Released       Set to release tomorrow for PC and consoles, Arc Games and Snapshot Games have released a gameplay deep dive for their dynamic action-strategy title Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainioids. The post Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainioids Gameplay Deep Dive Released appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 3:44 PM New Minecraft Mod Turns It Into Portal 2, Complete With A Level Editor       Playing Valve's popular puzzle game from 2011 inside of Minecraft in 2025 is a wild experience The post New <i>Minecraft</i> Mod Turns It Into <i>Portal 2</i>, Complete With A Level Editor appeared first on Kotaku.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 3:31 PM Eye-Catching Cybernoir Action Thriller Looks Worth The Wait After Years Of Delays       Replaced finally has a new release window in its latest developer update The post Eye-Catching Cybernoir Action Thriller Looks Worth The Wait After Years Of Delays appeared first on Kotaku.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 2:50 PM Nintendo Reportedly Pushing Devs To Release On Switch 1 Instead Of Sharing Switch 2 Dev Kits       Reports indicate that Nintendo is reluctant to give devs the tools need to make the hardware sing The post Nintendo Reportedly Pushing Devs To Release On Switch 1 Instead Of Sharing Switch 2 Dev Kits appeared first on Kotaku.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 1:50 PM US Open Delayed After Player Encourages Crowd To Yell At His Opponent For Six Minutes       Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi's match on Sunday turned into chaos after a cameraman walked onto the court near the end The post US Open Delayed After Player Encourages Crowd To Yell At His Opponent For Six Minutes appeared first on Kotaku.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 1:13 PM Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Has Some Weird Shortcomings On Console       The stealth action game performs fine on PC but makes some disappointing compromises on PS5 The post <i>Metal Gear Solid 3</i> Remake Has Some Weird Shortcomings On Console appeared first on Kotaku.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 12:16 PM My KPop Demon Hunters Singalong Crowd Did Not Pass The Vibe Check       The Honmoon is absolutely shredded, torn asunder by demons The post My <em>KPop Demon Hunters</em> Singalong Crowd Did Not Pass The Vibe Check appeared first on Kotaku.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 11:18 AM Pokémon Go Gets First Big Level Cap Increase Since 2020       The AR RPG collect-a-thon mobile game originally launched with a level cap of just 40 The post <i>Pokémon Go</i> Gets First Big Level Cap Increase Since 2020 appeared first on Kotaku.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 11:09 AM One Year After Concord, PlayStation Studios Boss Says Sony's Learned A Lot       Meanwhile, Silksong's impending launch is rocketing Hollow Knight back up the charts The post One Year After <i>Concord</i>, PlayStation Studios Boss Says Sony's Learned A Lot appeared first on Kotaku.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 9:25 AM The Next Switch 2 Nintendo Direct Is Reportedly Coming Soon And Will Probably Be A Big One       The next Nintendo showcase is rumored to arrive near Mario's 40th anniversary The post The Next Switch 2 Nintendo Direct Is Reportedly Coming Soon And Will Probably Be A Big One appeared first on Kotaku.

Kotaku Monday, August 25, 2025 8:00 AM Shinobi: Art of Vengeance: The Kotaku Review       Shinobi's revival delivers engaging hack-and-slash action, when the level design lets it shine The post <i>Shinobi: Art of Vengeance</i>: The <i>Kotaku</i> Review appeared first on Kotaku.

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 2:12 PM How to escape the prison in Metal Gear Solid Delta       How do you escape the prison in Metal Gear Solid Delta? After all the hassle regarding Raikov and the disguise, Snake has ended up in a difficult bind after being captured and tortured by Colonel Volgin. When he finally regains consciousness, he finds himself trapped inside a prison cell with nothing in his arsenal apart from a fork. Before leaving you to rot in your cell, The Boss, one of the Metal Gear Solid Delta bosses you will need to take down, places something inside one of your gunshot wounds. If you're struggling to get out of your confines in the stealth game, here's what you need to do in Metal Gear Solid Delta to leave the prison cell and escape into the sewers. Continue reading How to escape the prison in Metal Gear Solid Delta MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater review, Best stealth games, Best old games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 2:08 PM How to obtain the Raikov disguise in Metal Gear Solid Delta       Where do you find the Raikov disguise in Metal Gear Solid Delta? Equipped with a long headband and high-end sneaking equipment, Snake's usual outfit doesn't quite cut it when you need to blend undercover. While you can rely on blasting your way out of most situations, this mission forces you to take Major Raikov's clothes, a high ranking general in Colonel Volgin's army. All it takes is one look from stealth game fans to see that Raikov bears a striking resemblance to a certain platinum blond-haired protagonist. We dive into everything you need to know about Metal Gear Solid Delta Raikov, including how to acquire his clothes, which of the Metal Gear Solid Delta bosses you'll fight next, and his relationship to our beloved Raiden. Continue reading How to obtain the Raikov disguise in Metal Gear Solid Delta MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater review, Best stealth games, Best old games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 2:05 PM How to beat The End in Metal Gear Solid Delta       How do you beat The End in Metal Gear Solid Delta? Said to be the father of sniping, The End has lived for over 100 years and has been hardened after decades of fighting, culminating in his showdown against Naked Snake. Spanning across several battlefields, this conflict will test both your survival and combat skills as you take on a legend of the battlefield. The End boss fight is up there among the best in Metal Gear Solid Delta and quite possibly in the entire series. Compared to the other Metal Gear Solid Delta bosses in the stealth game, The End knows how to perfectly blend into his environment, making it a difficult task to track him down. We're here to break down all the methods you can use to take down The Boss to earn his unique reward, granting you a sniper rifle equipped with tranquilizer darts. Continue reading How to beat The End in Metal Gear Solid Delta MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater review, Best stealth games, Best old games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 2:02 PM All Metal Gear Solid Delta bosses in order and rewards       What are all the Metal Gear Solid Delta bosses? Every game in the Metal Gear Solid series has at least one iconic boss, but MGS3 arguably has the best ones of the bunch. We should point out early on that this guide obviously contains spoilers, so if you want to avoid ruining any surprises in this 20-year-old game, you may want to turn away now. Knowing the order of all the Metal Gear Solid Delta bosses can make your adventure in the stealth game significantly easier as we can help you prepare for each fight. You can also get a glimpse of the boss rewards to see whether it's worth jumping through the hoops to earn their unique unlocks. Continue reading All Metal Gear Solid Delta bosses in order and rewards MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater review, Best stealth games, Best old games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 1:58 PM How to beat The Boss in Metal Gear Solid Delta       How do you beat The Boss in Metal Gear Solid Delta? Getting thrown to the ground never feels good, and it hurts even more when the person doing it used to be one of your closest allies. The Boss has repeatedly pummeled Snake throughout Operation Snake Eater, but now it's finally time to get revenge by showing her who really is the boss. The Boss will likely give you the most hassle out of all the Metal Gear Solid Delta bosses, combining raw speed, power, and heaps of combat experience to make you look like a fool. We're here to help make this stealth game fight much easier, giving you the knowledge you need to stop The Boss in her tracks in Metal Gear Solid Delta. Continue reading How to beat The Boss in Metal Gear Solid Delta MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater review, Best stealth games, Best old games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 1:55 PM Where to plant the C3 in Metal Gear Solid Delta       Where should you plant the C3 in Metal Gear Solid Delta? When you finally rendezvous with Eva in the cave behind the waterfall, not only do you have your equipment back, but she also hands you some C3. With the plastic explosives in hand, you have everything you need to blow up the Shagohod once and for all. There shouldn't be any issues planting the C3 in the stealth game, but we had some trouble when switching between the two Metal Gear Solid Delta play styles on offer, specifically the New Style which seemed to be finicky. The mission brief from Eva also isn't very helpful, so you can avoid a headache by seeing exactly where you need to plant the C3 explosives. Continue reading Where to plant the C3 in Metal Gear Solid Delta MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater review, Best stealth games, Best old games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 1:15 PM Gaming handheld prices are out of control, except for the Steam Deck       The gaming handheld market is booming, with more devices than ever currently available, and an enthusiastic community eagerly awaiting the next big advancements in portable gaming. In fact, PC handhelds are so popular that a large portion of the narrative I saw in the lead-up to the release of the Switch 2 was whether people should buy it or a Steam Deck. While I stand firmly on team Steam Deck, I found it curious that so many people even made this comparison. I even wrote about my feelings at the time, as the constant comparison between the Steam Deck and Switch 2, and which one was ultimately the best gaming handheld, felt like a moot point when both served different audiences. One of the reasons why it was such an easy comparison for everyone to make, however, is that they are fairly similarly priced, which got me thinking about the state of PC handheld pricing in general. Continue reading Gaming handheld prices are out of control, except for the Steam Deck MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 review, Asus ROG Ally X review, Best gaming motherboard

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 12:58 PM Borderlands 4 will ditch predecessor's toilet humor, say devs       What was your favorite part of Borderlands 3? Was it the toilet humor? I'm guessing not, and Gearbox Software has admitted that leaning heavily on fart gags, as a substitute for some of the series' regular comedy and dark humor, was a mistake. Fortunately, the developer has confirmed that Borderlands 4 won't be making that same blunder. Instead, this sequel aims to nail the balance between comedy and pathos, without splattering poop jokes everywhere. And while there are lavatories in the game, Skibidi Toilet absolutely won't get a look in. Continue reading Borderlands 4 will ditch predecessor's toilet humor, say devs MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Borderlands 4 legendary weapons, Borderlands 4 characters, Borderlands 4 system requirements

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 12:33 PM Hunty Zombie codes August 2025       August 25, 2025: Get another free and easy 50k coins with a new Hunty Zombie code. What are the latest Hunty Zombie codes? If you're as obsessed with the new Roblox shooter title as we are, you'll want to keep sneaking around the lobby for Hunty Zombie codes between rounds. The best hunter is a prepared hunter, and these promo codes are the ticket to your survival. Given you're clearly looking to mow down undead hordes on Roblox, we can only assume you might be interested in any number of FPS games on the platform. Arm yourself with the latest Rivals codes or Arsenal codes to get a taste of what else is around. If you're diving into the game yourself, you can also check out the Hunty Zombie tier list for details on the best weapons and traits. Continue reading Hunty Zombie codes August 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 12:28 PM Shinobi Art of Vengeance receives best review scores in series history       Many thought the Shinobi series was dead and buried after the last attempt to revive it was met with displeasure and disdain. Indeed, Shinobi 3D for the Nintendo 3DS garnered a subpar 69 on Metacritic, not moving the needle for the series, which has suffered from critical mediocrity since the first game in 1987. While the Metacritic score of a game may be a reductive measurement in isolation, the reviews match the average numbers assigned to them. That hasn't stopped Shinobi from becoming a beloved series in its own right, however. The latest addition, Shinobi Art of Vengeance, might be the best game fans of the franchise have played in decades. Continue reading Shinobi Art of Vengeance receives best review scores in series history MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best action games, Best platform games, Best hack-and-slash games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 12:31 PM Free Bingo Blitz credits August 2025       August 25, 2025: Kick off the new week with new Bingo Blitz credits codes. 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 August 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Bingo Blitz credits, Best card games, Best PC board games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 11:57 AM Gritty Cyberpunk 2077-style platformer Replaced delayed until next year       I've had my eye on Replaced ever since it was announced back in 2021, set for a 2022 release. Naturally, that didn't happen, but I'm still gripped by its premise. It's Agent Smith's predicament in The Matrix Reloaded, taken to extremes. You're cast as R.E.A.C.H., an artificial intelligence that has been crammed into a human body, waking up in a distinctly unfriendly cyberpunk world. What do you do? You run, and hope that there's some way out of this meat prison. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to wait even longer to find out how R.E.A.C.H.'s story ends, because Replaced has been delayed again, this time to spring 2026. Continue reading Gritty Cyberpunk 2077-style platformer Replaced delayed until next year MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best cyberpunk games, Best platform games, Best indie games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 11:38 AM Delta Force developer dishes out decade-long bans in mass cheating crackdown       I don't see the point in cheating in a PvP game. Sure, you might unlock some rewards quicker or see yourself on the leaderboard more often, but don't you know it's not really you? That medal next to your name is not yours. You didn't earn it. What's more, you've stripped any joy out of actually playing the game. And it must be so embarrassing when you lose a match, despite having an unfair advantage over your opponents. Thankfully, the developer of hit free-to-play FPS Delta Force is taking a no-nonsense approach to cheaters, and has today banned over 2,000 accounts. Continue reading Delta Force developer dishes out decade-long bans in mass cheating crackdown MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Delta Force guns, Delta Force operators, Delta Force loadouts

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 12:28 PM Viral horror game Livber: Smoke and Mirrors is basically spooky Disco Elysium       Text-based games were a thing long before Disco Elysium, and they'll exist long after it has exited the public consciousness. Right now, however, it is a core part of the social zeitgeist and has led to a resurgence of text-heavy RPGs and narrative games. Citizen Sleeper and Norco are two of my favorites to achieve relative success in ZA/UM's wake, and more are on the horizon. Rue Valley and Esoteric Ebb, in particular, but also a game called Livber: Smoke and Mirrors. This transplants Disco Elysium's text-heavy narrative into a horror setting, and I'm ready to be freaked the heck out. Continue reading Viral horror game Livber: Smoke and Mirrors is basically spooky Disco Elysium MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 10:22 AM Diablo 4 meets Valheim in ARPG Beyond the Map, out now in Steam Early Access       Washing up from a shipwreck is not the worst thing in the world. You're on an unfamiliar beach but at least you're alive. But in the case of Beyond the Map, which mashes up the survival mechanics of Valheim with the action-RPG combat of Diablo 4, most of the island's inhabitants want to murder you. Out now in Steam Early Access, it challenges you to juggle base-building and crafting with leveling up your character to the point where you're not lunch for the nearest werewolf analog. What could possibly go wrong? Continue reading Diablo 4 meets Valheim in ARPG Beyond the Map, out now in Steam Early Access MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best hack and slash games, Best crafting games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 12:28 PM Failed FPS Spectre Divide could have succeeded "in a parallel universe" say devs       Players were excited for Spectre Divide. The tactical FPS game was trying to break into the same space as Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant, and things looked good initially. An open beta was received pretty well, and the developers promised to act on the feedback received. Critics covered the beta extensively, and the praise from them was even more positive. Developer Mountaintop Studios even had gargantuan FPS streamer Michael 'Shroud' Grzesiek on board. Ultimately, none of it was enough to sustain the live-service game, and both Spectre Divide and Mountaintop shut down within months of launching. Continue reading Failed FPS Spectre Divide could have succeeded "in a parallel universe" say devs MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best free PC games, Best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Monday, August 25, 2025 12:29 PM Discounty is a story-driven shopkeeping Stardew Valley you can play now       Ever wonder what Stardew Valley would be like if, instead of pottering around on a farm, you were running your own retail store? The answer is Discounty, a new story-driven business simulator that blends Stardew Valley's cutesy pixel-art aesthetic with the ins and outs of supermarket management. You get to customize the store's layout, negotiate with suppliers, man the checkouts, become embroiled in local drama and much, much more. If you've actually worked in customer service, don't worry. Discounty offers a more chilled-out experience than the realities of retail work and it's out now. Continue reading Discounty is a story-driven shopkeeping Stardew Valley you can play now MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 25, 2025 12:46 PM This Acer Nitro gaming monitor is still just over $100 at Amazon and we wonder if they've forgotten to update it       The school year is a-coming, and as a result, there are some great offers to be had on PCs and other gaming hardware that's ideal for newcomers looking for some graphical grunt for creative projects during the day and something that'll let them 'click heads' at night. Read more

Twinfinite Monday, August 25, 2025 8:23 AM Garden Tower Defense Codes (August 2025)       Assemble an army of fruits and veggies and prepare for an all-out assault! Use Garden Tower Defense codes to get the best plants in the game.

Siliconera Monday, August 25, 2025 4:00 PM Bandai Namco Will Bring 6 Games to TGS 2025        Bandai Namco opened its Tokyo Game Show 2025 official site, and its TGS booth lineup this year includes six games. However, it will technically show off seven. Jump+ Jumble Rush will also appear at a stream during the event.  Of the six Bandai Namco games on display at TGS 2025, four will be totally new and two will be ones that are already available. At the Family Game Park section, it will feature Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots, which comes to the PS5, Switch, and PC worldwide on September 5, 2025, and the already available Tamagotchi Plaza Switch 2 Edition. The four games that aren't available yet will all appear at the company's booth. Here's the full list of new games the company will show off, as well as their platforms and release windows: Code Vein 2 - PS5, Xbox Series X, PC - 2026  Digimon Story: Time Stranger - PS5, Xbox Series X, PC - October 3, 2025 Little Nightmares 3 - PS4, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC - October 10, 2025 Once Upon a Katamari - PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, PC - October 24, 2025 Capcom also brought up its TGS 2025 lineup this week. It will feature eight games at the event this year. Of those, six are entirely new. The others, Street Fighter 6 and Monster Hunter Wilds, will feature updates for existing entries. Tokyo Game Show runs September 25-28, 2025, and we don't know when Bandai Namco will hold its TGS 2025 Jump+ Jumble Rush game stream. The post Bandai Namco Will Bring 6 Games to TGS 2025  appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Monday, August 25, 2025 3:00 PM Capcom TGS 2025 Booth Features 8 Games       Capcom announced details about its Tokyo Game Show 2025 on its official site, and it confirmed eight games will be present at its booth. Among them will be the new Resident Evil entry, Resident Evil Requiem, and updates to existing games like Street Fighter 6 and Monster Hunter Wilds. It will also hold a TGS 2025 Capcom Online Special Program at 7am PT/10am ET on September 24, 2025.  Here's the full list of all eight games Capcom will feature in its TGS 2025 games lineup.  Monster Hunter Outlanders - Android, iOS - TBD Monster Hunter Stories 3 - PS5, Switch 2, Xbox Series X, PC) - 2026 Monster Hunter Wilds - PS5, Xbox Series X, PC - available now Onimusha: Way of the Sword - PS5, Xbox Series X, PC - 2026 PRAGMATA - PS5, Xbox Series X, PC - 2026 Resident Evil Requiem - PS5, Xbox Series X, PC - February 27, 2026 Resident Evil: Survival Unit - Android, iOS - 2025 Street Fighter 6 - PS4, PS5, Switch 2, Xbox Series X, PC - available now Capcom also announced it will open an E-Capcom Tokyo Game Show 2025 Special Store. That will ship outside Japan with WorldShopping. It will feature a number of exclusive pieces of merchandise based on existing games and series. That preliminary site is now open. Tokyo Game Show runs September 25-28, 2025, and the TGS 2025 Capcom Online Special Program will appear online at 7am PT/10am ET on September 24, 2025. The post Capcom TGS 2025 Booth Features 8 Games appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Monday, August 25, 2025 2:00 PM FFVII Ever Crisis 4th Stream Appears Ahead of 2nd Anniversary       Square Enix announced it will hold a Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis live stream, its fourth major one, which will go over the FFVII mobile game's second anniversary. It will appear on YouTube in Japanese at 3am PT/7am ET on September 5, 2025. The English social media account didn't offer an update on when we might see a translated version of it or its announcements yet. Both the YouTube description and Japanese social media announcement offered some idea of what to expect. Kasumi Ashizawa will appear as the MC. She doesn't play any characters in the game. (At least, not yet.) Tetsuya Nomura will appear in some form. Producer Shoichi Ichikawa will be present too.  Here's the placeholder for that stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=UeOWfNAuVUk While we don't have any hint about what could be in the Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis second anniversary, it is possible this could be when we get a Before Crisis FFVII adaptation announcement. That was a mobile game that only appeared in Japan and followed the Turks like Tseng, Reno, Rude, Cissnei, and Elena's older sister before the events of Crisis Core. When this compilation game was first announced, Square Enix noted it would eventually include that storyline in addition to ones about FFVII, Crisis Core, and The First Soldier.  FFVII Ever Crisis is available for PCs and mobile devices, and the second anniversary live stream will air on YouTube at 3am PT/7am ET on September 5, 2025. The post FFVII Ever Crisis 4th Stream Appears Ahead of 2nd Anniversary appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Monday, August 25, 2025 1:00 PM Corpse Party Tetralogy Games Pack Heads to Switch, Corpse Party II Delayed       XSEED announced that while it will be even longer before we see Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion, there will be games in the series coming to the Switch in 2025 still. The Corpse Party Tetralogy Pack will be on the system this year, though an exact release date isn't available yet. Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion will now come out in 2026.  While Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion has appeared at events and been playable, the reasons for the delay are twofold. One is to ensure the quality is as expected. The other is to ensure it will appear on the PS5 too. Previously, only PS4, Switch, and PC versions were confirmed. As for the Corpse Party Tetralogy Pack, it consists of two games already on the Switch and two that aren't. The pack will be $49.99 and be available physically. The two titles that will be new to the system are the spin-offs Corpse Party: Book of Shadows and Corpse Party: Sweet Sachiko's Hysteric Birthday Bash. The former includes additional epilogues and stories tied to characters. The latter is sort of a dark comedy spin-off and omake entry. Both of those will appear digitally outside the pack, for people who already own the other games. Corpse Party Tetralogy Pack will bring four games to the Switch in 2025, and Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion will come to the PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC in 2026. The post Corpse Party Tetralogy Games Pack Heads to Switch, Corpse Party II Delayed appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Monday, August 25, 2025 12:00 PM Japan Post Suspends Some US Mail Due to Trump Executive Order       Japan Post, the Japanese mail division, announced via its official site that it is temporarily suspending acceptance of most packages to the US as a result of the President Donald Trump "Termination of De Minimis Treatment for All Countries" executive order tied to tariffs. If an item isn't an ordinary letter or small package that is a gift that costs under $100, it won't accept and send out the mail. It didn't note when this suspension will end and recommended U-Global Express (UGX) instead. This would apply to import game and merchandise purchases. As a reminder, the Trump "Termination of De Minimis Treatment for All Countries" removed a long-standing duty-free initiative that prevented items that cost "at or under $800" from incurring additional fees as part of his on-going tariffs. Japan Post noted that the guidelines for enforcing this "are not clear," so it suspended most mail to the US in certain situations.  Here's a list of all the items that will still be able to be sent from Japan to the US via mail, with the items predominantly being items that don't include goods or gifts: Documents sent via EMS Letters Postcards Small packages  that are gifts with contents that cost under $100 Small packets that are gifts with contents that cost under $100 If a package is intended for a commercial purpose or has items inside that cost over $100, Japan Post won't send them via mail to the US during this pause.  One of the last times there was such a major pause in service started in April 2020. During that time, Japan Post paused service to 153 countries. However, at that time the suspensions and delayed ended up being due to the pandemic and not a change in US government policy. It is unknown when Japan Post will resume service as usual to the US.  The post Japan Post Suspends Some US Mail Due to Trump Executive Order appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Monday, August 25, 2025 11:00 AM Kraken Thiren Yidhari Is One of 3 New Zenless Zone Zero Characters       The Zenless Zone Zero Spook Shack faction will get three new, playable Thiren characters, and one of them is a kraken named Yidhari. She'll join the game as an Agent alongside Komano Manato and Lucia. We don't know the official rank for each of them, so it is uncertain which two are S-rank Agents and who will be an A-rank one.  Both Yidhari and Manato are welcome additions, as they mark the debut of the next two Rupture style Agents. Previously, the only one to appear in the game is Yunkui Summit leader Yixuan. She debuted in 2.0 as an Auric Ink unit. Yidhari will be an Ice type character, while Komano inflicts Fire damage. Meanwhile, Lucia is a Support character who deals Ether damage. As for their races, Yidhari is very obviously a Kraken Thiren in Zenless Zone Zero, while Manato appears to be a dog type of character in Spook Shack. Lucia's background isn't well specified. However, she does have goats sort of like a goat and pointed ears.  Here's the official art for the 2.3 new Zenless Zone Zero characters. Images via Zenless Zone Zero And here are the Spook Shack YouTube Shorts that highlight the Zenless Zone Zero Agents, starting with the kraken Thiren Yidhari. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Cl99cHNA8V0 Here's Komano Manato: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NNx2Fy7S5y4 And finally, this is Lucia: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ps_MIPGzOc4 Zenless Zone Zero is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, and the 2.2 update arrives on September 4, 2025. The post Kraken Thiren Yidhari Is One of 3 New Zenless Zone Zero Characters appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Monday, August 25, 2025 10:00 AM Hololive Vtuber Hoshimachi Suisei Makes Forbes Japan 30 Under 30       Hololive Production revealed that one of its Vtubers, Hoshimachi Suisei, made her way into Forbes Japan 30 Under 30 2025. She also becomes the cover of the October 2025 issue of the Forbes Japan magazine, which was just published on August 25, 2025—the same day this announcement appeared. The magazine is also available for purchase on Amazon Japan. But while the digital e-book is available via the Kindle app at ¥1,200 (~$8.15), the physical releases do not seem to be available for international shipping outside Japan. Amazon's webpage also includes a sample that reveals a few of the magazine's pages. Pages 18-21 contain coverage of Suisei as one of the thirty people aged under 30 as of 2025 who have made major changes in this world. Hoshimachi Suisei has also been making a lot of breakthroughs in 2025—most of them related to music. Her songs were part of the soundtrack for the mecha anime show Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. She also took part in McDonald's Tirori Mix 2025 with Ado and Yoasobi. In addition, Suisei hosted a Hololive song showcase on the major Japanese television channel NHK. The October 2025 issue of the Forbes Japan magazine, which includes Hoshimachi Suisei in its 30 Under 30 list, is now available for purchase in Japan. The post Hololive Vtuber Hoshimachi Suisei Makes Forbes Japan 30 Under 30 appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Monday, August 25, 2025 9:00 AM Review: Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Remake Is Stronger Than the DS Game       I think the Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar remake is a stronger and more compelling game than the original Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar release. Sure, part of it is that this new version is prettier now. It also feels like there's more to the whole mission of restoring the town via building up its weekly bazaar. But in general, there's a lot more to do here, and I loved going through a daily routine to ensure I was constantly growing, manufacturing, exploring, and connecting with characters. It imparts such a strong sense of purpose, which is paired with a gorgeous Nordic aesthetic.  Like many Bokujou Monogatari games, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar begins with a young adult leaving a life in the city for one in a more pastoral, rural village. Zephyr Town used to be known for its bazaar, but it fell from favor. As the new farmer, your job is to help Mayor Felix and the residents build it back up again by selling crops you grow, animal products you collect from livestock, things you foraged/mined, and items you crafted. Each Saturday, the market opens for two shifts, and your sales performance and efforts to help attract new booths will help it rise through the ranks to become a notable tourist attraction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiCn1MyPGnk Because of the nature of Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, the daily routine proceeds a bit differently than other Bokujou Monogatari games. While you do tend animals, odds are your cat(s) and dog(s) get them to the pasture and back on days when the weather isn't bad. All you need to do is gather the eggs/milk/wool. You'll visit the plots of farmland in your fields to water, tend, and fertilize. Since many quests and higher bazaar prices are tied to quality, investing in field soil upgrades, sowing fertilizer, and watering twice a day are typically more important than before.  From there, the manufacturing process then takes priority. There are windmills around town, including one on your farm. Each one is capable of manufacturing different types of items if you bring the crafting ingredients necessary. So if you want to make a recipe with butter or have a fancy, more expensive herb butter to sell at the market, a task on your to-do list should be taking any milk you got to the blue windmill in town with some mint or chamomile to churn it. This takes a number of hours or even days, so preparing for a day when you need a high level of income can mean setting up things like time-intensive jewelry on at least a Wednesday to be sure it is ready in time. Likewise, these are tied to tool upgrades, so you need to constantly visit them. Unlike in the original Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar game, there's a greater sense of the verticality in Story of Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. Your farm is at the top of the village, and the new glider function means you can float down quickly to spots in town. This might even allow you to reach inaccessible or precarious spots on especially windy days to access more mining spots. The mountain area is also expanded, which both further establishes the idea of being in the countryside and offering more gathering and growing opportunities. After all, your beehives and mushroom logs are there. Even the equestrian race track is home to some very handy mining, fishing, and bug catching spots on days without events. I absolutely adored the use of the glider and the additional layouts present in the remake. It really makes me feel like my character is more active, I'm taking advantage of "secrets," and even saving time. Images via Marvelous Socialization is also a big deal in Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, as interactions always feel valuable. There are romance options, of course, with newcomers Arata and Diana both debuting in the remake. They're both great, with the former enhancing the Samir storyline and Diana adding to the bazaar one. Connecting with others can help feel like you're getting folks invested in the weekly market, since they might agree to open their own stalls as it starts to prosper and you connect. In addition to the heart events with love interests, there are more platonic scenes with other characters to see too. Not to mention, giving the sprites living in the land gifts tied to their specialties will boost the starting quality of those items, which helps with quests and earning greater profits. These moments with characters feel especially satisfying in this remake of the game, and I also loved the inclusion of characters from other entries as bazaar vendors or making other cameos.  Screenshots by Siliconera All of our actions in Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar serve to push us toward a greater goal. That is, to be a big shot at the weekly market. We're constantly striving for higher sales, more income, and more booths. It essentially consumes every Saturday. To the point where trying to accomplish other elements of your routine, aside from animal husbandry and farming, fall to the wayside to ensure you are there when it opens at 10am, use the break between shifts to do things like purchase bag upgrades, homestead improvements, seeds, animals, and other things you can't get anywhere else, then have a successful second shift until it all shuts down at 7pm. While getting used to that break in the pattern takes time, I really appreciate feeling like I'm working toward something. It's also especially satisfying to get these upgrades early, provided you're hustling during the week. At the same time, once you do unlock everything, it's possible to play more leisurely and enjoy those days. In a way, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar also reminds me of some older Bokujou Monogatari games, but in a not-as-pleasant way. Back when they'd go under the Harvest Moon name, and even with some recent releases, you'd always sort of expect some sorts of bugs. In the case of this entry, it involved crashes. They weren't too frequent. I'd say it ended up being about three crashes after about 40 hours of gameplay. But they weren't easy to pin down so I could avoid them. One time, it crashed after I left the barn attached to my house when I realized one of my pet dogs didn't let every animal outside. Another, it happened when I was  refilling my shop stock for the second half of a bazaar in late summer. Another time, it crashed after I fainted. (I was honestly glad about that one, since it was a festival day and I'd forgotten to eat to keep that from happening!) I'm confident these types of issues will be patched, but these happened and that's annoying! Other than that and some less-than-smooth gliding when coming from a high altitude area to a lower one, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar runs smoothly on the Switch 2, and it's a relief. Screenshot by Siliconera That doesn't mean I'm completely and 100% enamored with every design choice, even though I am completely captivated with the game. However, the other things are more of my own nitpicking of elements I didn't enjoy as much, as I acknowledge other people might be okay with those things. I'm still upset about the lack of a shipping bin, even though the focus is on building up the bazaar. Once you hit certain milestones, it doesn't feel like there is as much stress to only sell there. I'd like the option! Especially since food will go stale, and I don't want to trek to the shop in town and hope it is open to offload them there. While I also appreciate that the affection system, relationship building, and heart events are locked behind completing some quests for characters, I hate when that totally blocks any affection from growing. Sometimes it involves seasonal items! Or you building up bonds with the sprites to improve quality of things you catch or forage. Okay, lock away the special scenes, but at least let me keep building up the relationship! Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is a far stronger game on the Switch 2 than Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar. The setting feels a little less claustrophobic with the move to 3D and redesign for some areas. The characters feel stronger and more interesting thanks to romantic and platonic events. There's a wide range of crops to grow and items to produce, and it's always satisfying to get big numbers on a bazaar day after successful restocks. I do wish relationships didn't end up stuck in limbo because I couldn't complete certain requests and I had a shipping bin option, and of course the handful of crashes I experienced got me down. Still, I absolutely love this remake and its aesthetic.  Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar will come to the Switch, Switch 2, and PC on August 27, 2025.  The post Review: Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Remake Is Stronger Than the DS Game appeared first on Siliconera.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 2:21 PM Tokyo Game Show 2025 countdown: Exact date and time, complete game lineup, and more       We might be done with gamescom 2025, but the summer of video games is heating up with Tokyo Game Show 2025 up next. From the western lands of Germany, we switch over to the land of the rising sun in September, when Tokyo will become host to one of the biggest global video game conventions. We are still a few weeks away (at the time of writing on Aug. 25), and the first major announcements have started to appear from different developers. Let's first take a look at when the event takes place. Table of contents Tokyo Game Show 2025 countdown Major Tokyo Game Show 2025 games Capcom Tokyo Game Show 2025 countdown Tokyo Game Show 2025 is a physical event that will take place at the end of September. Still, you can expect plenty of livestreams and virtual events happening simultaneously. The upcoming event will be broken into two parts: Business and Public. The Business events will take place on Sept. 25 and 26, while the Public events will happen on Sept. 27 and 28. The following countdown marks the start of the Public days, as that's when most of the streams typically take place. [hurrytimer id="1108966"] Here are the times to remember in a few different time zones. 6pm PST (Sept. 26) 8pm CST (Sept. 26) 9pm EST (Sept. 26) 1am UTC 2am BST Major Tokyo Game Show 2025 games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEOyxyA7Ic8 So far, the list of games to be showcased is still being updated. We can expect a steady stream of new teasers and announcements, which will be added to this guide. As of writing, we have confirmation about what Capcom will show at this year's event. More lineups are expected to be confirmed as we get closer to the last week of September. Capcom Resident Evil 3 Pragmata Ominusha: Way of the Sword Street Fighter 6 Monster Hunter Stories 3 Monster Hunter Wilds Resident Evil Survival Unit Monster Hunter Outlanders The post Tokyo Game Show 2025 countdown: Exact date and time, complete game lineup, and more appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 2:07 PM All EA FC 25 Pre-Season Transfer Objective rewards and tasks       The Pre-Season Transfer Objective brings a fresh set of freebies for EA FC 25 players to obtain, and there are several packs along with a couple of guaranteed FUTTIES waiting for you. The latest objective is themed around something similar to what we received during the first week of the Pre-Season promo. However, the rewards offered for this iteration are better. Let's go through all the rewards along with the tasks to complete. EA FC 25 Pre-Season Transfer Objective guide The Pre-Season Transfer Objective has five different tasks to complete. The tasks are relatively simple, but some of them might require extra time. Task How to Complete Rewards Low Driven Master Score 10 goals with a Low Driven Shot in one Squad Battles match on any difficulty. 84+ 7 Rare Gold Players Pack Win 3 Win 3 Rush matches. 88+ 3 Rare Gold Players Pack The Architect Assist 5 goals with through balls in Squad Battles matches on Min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rivals). Lily Yohannes FUTTIES Score and Assist Score and assist with a player from Spain in 3 separate matches in Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rivals). 86+ 7 Rare Gold Players Pack Secure the Victory Win 2 Rivals matches by 2 or more goals. 87+ 5 Rare Gold Players Pack The objective itself guarantees you a Lily Yohannes 97-rated FUTTIES item if you can complete The Architect task. While the card is decent for beginners, it's the Ansu Fati item that truly looks amazing. However, you'll have to complete all the tasks if you want to get your joystick on this card. This is a great free objective for all, and especially for those who have yet to get lucky from the Pre-Season Re-Release Batch 2 cards. There are over 300 special items, including every card from FUTTIES Team 1-4 in packs. This also includes the 99-rated items, which should be high on your priority list. The post All EA FC 25 Pre-Season Transfer Objective rewards and tasks appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 1:26 PM Metal Gear Solid Delta's performance issues are legitimate, but likely overblown for most gamers       Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is now out in the wild in New Zealand, and players are getting a taste of what the remake of the 21-year-old classic has to offer. Unfortunately, the bulk of the online discussion around the game since the review embargo lifted last week has been about its performance on PS5. As an Unreal Engine 5 game, some had expected issues, but a recent deep dive has shown that it's got some more pronounced issues under the hood. Image via Konami The technical geniuses at Digital Foundry did a deep dive on the game's performance specifications, and the results were less than stellar. I've been playing the game for a couple of weeks now, and I can confirm the base PS5 version suffers from some serious framerate choppiness and muddy textures. The PS5 Pro version runs and looks better to me, but the difference between the base version is noticeable, especially when jumping back and forth. But if you're only playing one version, as I suspect most players will, the differences and shoddy game performance itself are not all that problematic. Digital Foundry is the best at what it does, and they offer another masterclass in describing the game's framerates and resolution varying between modes. But the reaction I've seen to the DF video is in stark contrast to what I experienced when I played myself. Playing in Performance Mode on base PS5 will offer a resolution between 720p and 1080p, which feels and sounds unacceptable in 2025. But when it comes down to it, I'm willing to bet the majority of gamers won't be able to tell the difference or have much of an issue with what they're looking at. Image via Konami As an MGS3 fan, the fun in this experience was all about re-living the classic with some new visuals and controls, and I've had a blast while playing it. Do I wish the game ran more smoothly? Absolutely. And I hate that optimization in many games these days comes by way of post-launch support as opposed to being available on day one. But as the game stands now, it's more than playable and a gorgeous recreation of one of Kojima's masterpieces. I will be very curious to see how the Xbox and PC versions of MGS Delta perform in comparison to PS5 and PS5 Pro. Which one will look superior? In the end, I feel as though the performance issues are annoying at times but do not do much to detract from the overall experience. If you're considering picking up MGS Delta, I personally don't think you should let the framerate issue sway you. This is a well-made remake and one that impressed me through and through in my hours with it, even after playing and watching the original dozens of times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am0ER7iW2lo But if you're a gamer who shudders at the thought of 45 FPS, then perhaps wait for a potential optimization patch or two to help the game run a bit better than it does on launch. Either way, I think it's a title that is enjoyable for newcomers and veterans both. The post Metal Gear Solid Delta's performance issues are legitimate, but likely overblown for most gamers appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 12:29 PM What is the weekly challenge in Phasmophobia?       If you think you've mastered the art of ghost hunting in Phasmophobia, you may be ready to put your skills to the test. Weekly challenge modes are a great way to see just how good you are. These special trials modify how the game works, usually with rules that make the experience a lot harder. Successfully finishing the challenge gets you plenty of XP and cash, so it's well worth the effort. Here's the weekly challenge in Phasmophobia and everything you need to know to beat it. Table of contents Phasmophobia weekly challenge mode (Aug. 24 to 31) How to complete the weekly challenge in Phasmophobia All Tortoise and the Hare: Tortoise weekly challenge modifiers in Phasmophobia Phasmophobia Tortoise and the Hare: Tortoise weekly challenge mode tips When does the challenge mode change in Phasmophobia? Next weekly challenge mode in Phasmophobia All weekly challenge modes in Phasmophobia Phasmophobia weekly challenge mode (Aug. 24 to 31) Screenshot by Destructoid From Aug. 24 to 31, the weekly challenge is Tortoise and the Hare: Tortoise in Phasmophobia. In this challenge, you're the Tortoise, and the ghost is the Hare, so you move super slow while the ghost gets a hefty speed boost. How to complete the weekly challenge in Phasmophobia To finish the weekly challenge mode in Phasmophobia, you need to correctly identify the ghost present on the featured map three times. The specific changes present in each trial mode vary, but your goal is always the same. All Tortoise and the Hare: Tortoise weekly challenge modifiers in Phasmophobia This challenge mode has several specific rules that modify the way the contract functions. Here are all the key details you need to know about this trial. Map: Grafton Farmhouse Starting sanity: 100 percent Setup time: None Player speed: 75 percent Ghost speed: 150 percent Change favorite room frequency: High Fuse box state: Starts off, but is marked on the map Cursed Possession: Random Equipment: All Tier II items. Tier III: Sound Recorder, Head Gear, Salt, Tripod, Sound Sensor, Ultraviolet, Motion Sensor, Parabolic Microphone, Photo Camera, Crucifix, Spirit Box, DOTS Projector, EMF Reader, Ghost Writing Book, Video Camera, Flashlight, Firelight, Incense, and Igniters. Missing Equipment: Two Firelights Screenshot by Destructoid Phasmophobia Tortoise and the Hare: Tortoise weekly challenge mode tips The Tortoise and the Hare: Tortoise challenge is one of the trickier ones you can attempt in Phasmophobia, so here are some of the best tips to help you get it done. Learn the layout of the reworked Grafton Farmhouse map. It looks and feels a lot different than it did before, so it's best to first explore it in a custom match with the friendly ghost option turned on so you can strategize before you jump in. Start by turning on the fuse box. It always starts off in this trial, so begin each attempt by locating where it is on the map and tracking it down to get the power going. Be wary of early hunters. There's no setup time in this one, so it's possible, although unlikely, that you may be hunted as soon as you step on the map. Try to get Crucifixes down around the ghost room as soon as possible to deter this and also ensure you're always ready to run or hide as needed. Avoid Cursed Possessions. Using them is likely to trigger a hunt, and since you're slower than usual but the ghost is faster, you want to avoid hunts at all costs. It's very difficult to escape them during one, so play it safe and don't use these objects. Hide, don't run. Running from the ghost during hunts doesn't work well in this trial since your speed is decreased while the ghost's speed is enhanced. Rely on hiding rather than running to survive in the event of any untimely ghost hunts you face. Consider scouting out some solid hiding spots early on so you can be prepared if needed. Play with friends. Your odds of success are a lot better with allies helping you through this tricky trial. With additional ghost hunters at your side, you can explore the map more quickly, work together to gather evidence, and continue the investigation even if you perish. Don't give up. Since all equipment is provided for free, there's nothing to lose in this challenge. Because of this, you can keep trying without worrying about losing money or equipment. Give each contract your all and keep at it until you get it done. When does the challenge mode change in Phasmophobia? The challenge mode changes every Monday at 12am UTC, which translates to 7pm CT every Sunday. You have a full week to tackle each challenge mode when it's available. All challenge modes return regularly since they're on a rotating schedule, so if you don't get to finish one, you can always try it again in the future. Next weekly challenge mode in Phasmophobia The next weekly challenge mode, which will run for a full week from Sep. 01 to 07, is Gotta Go Fast!. This trial begins as soon as this week's challenge, Tortoise and the Hare: Tortoise, ends. All weekly challenge modes in Phasmophobia Screenshot by Destructoid There are 27 challenge modes in Phasmophobia. A different one is available to complete each week, and the challenge order stays exactly the same, so it's easy to know which one is coming next. Here are all of the challenges you may face in Phasmophobia. Name Description Map Lights Out! Get your candles at the ready, all the lights are out! 6 Tanglewood Drive Speed Demons There must be something in the air, everyone's going crazy! Maple Lodge Campsite Detectives Only Put your detective skills to the test, this ghost is giving nothing away! 42 Edgefield Road Hide and Seek: Seeker There's a very quiet ghost hiding somewhere, can you find it? Brownstone High School Hide and Seek: Hide! This ghost wants to play a game, you better hide quick! Point Hope Frostbitten It's so cold that it's slowing everyone down, including the ghost! Camp Woodwind Do as I Command You'll have to force this ghost to give you evidence, luckily, we've found some extra items to help you out. Grafton Farmhouse Tortoise and the Hare: Hare Give it your all, this ghost is feeling especially frail. Bleasdale Farmhouse Tortoise and the Hare: Tortoise After last week you're feeling a bit worn out, and to make matters worse, the ghost has recovered! Grafton Farmhouse Gotta Go Fast! No hiding, no sanity, get going! Prison Sanity Survival Sanity is a scarce resource with no pills or lights. Be careful finding this Nightmare ghost. 10 Ridgeview Court Speedrun! Maybe you could start a timer, how quickly can you find this ghost's identity? 6 Tanglewood Drive Survival of the Fittest You've got no pills, no sanity and no evidence to work with. It's gonna be a tough one! 42 Edgefield Road Primitive I'm afraid all of the electronic equipment has short-circuited, you'll have to make do without 10 Ridgeview Court Vulnerable You'll be going into this one with no defenses, be careful out there. 13 Willow Street Missed Delivery We didn't receive our full equipment delivery this week, so you won't have everything you might need! Brownstone High School Audio Only We've managed to get hold of some extra audio equipment. You'll have to use your ears on this one. Sunny Meadows Mental Institution Technophilia We've thrown out all of those prehistoric items, this contract is all about technology! Bleasdale Farmhouse No Evidence These ghosts really don't wanna help you out, but we're sure you're up to the task. Grafton Farmhouse The Apocalypse Draws Near The hardest possible challenge, but with normal investigator speed. Good luck. Sunny Meadows Mental Institution (Restricted) Slow and Steady This ghost may be slow, but it's angry. Keep on your toes! Camp Woodwind Paranormal Paparazzi You've got cameras, lights and sound. Find that ghost type! Point Hope Hide and Seek: Extreme This ghost wants to play a game, you better hide. Camp Woodwind Glow in the Dark Some of our equipment has stopped working, hopefully this'll be enough for you to see. 42 Edgefield Road Deja Vu This one feels pretty nostalgic, don't you think? 6 Tanglewood Drive Tag! You're It! This ghost will chase you immediately, better get running! Brownstone High School On Record Try out the media overhaul in this new challenge, can you get a perfect game? Bleasdale Farmhouse The post What is the weekly challenge in Phasmophobia? appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 11:23 AM How to locate three Memory Fragments in Disney Dreamlight Valley       Joy and Sadness have quite a few tricky scavenger hunts for you to tackle throughout their story quests in Disney Dreamlight Valley. The final one they send you on is in the Create a Bear quest, where you need to locate three Memory Fragments. You're only given three fairly vague hints to find these special items, so it can be quite tricky to figure out where to look. If you're struggling to progress past this step, here's how to locate three Memory Fragments in Disney Dreamlight Valley. Table of contents Locate three Memory Fragments in Disney Dreamlight Valley Outside somewhere you feel at home in Disney Dreamlight Valley A place that connects many worlds in Disney Dreamlight Valley Where Joy and Sadness control emotions in Disney Dreamlight Valley Locate three Memory Fragments in Disney Dreamlight Valley Screenshot by Destructoid To locate all three Memory Fragments for the Create a Bear quest, you need to travel to three locations around both the main valley and other worlds. The clues you're given for this task are: Outside somewhere you feel at home. A place that connects many worlds. Where Joy and Sadness control emotions. The exact locations for all Memory Fragments vary for each player, but the general area remains the same. Here's where to find all three items you need for this quest around the valley. Outside somewhere you feel at home in Disney Dreamlight Valley The first Memory Fragment is outside somewhere you feel at home, which is out in the valley close to your main home. Travel to your primary house in the main area, Dreamlight Valley, to find this one. Since you can freely place and move your home wherever you like, the exact spot you need to search for this one varies. My main house is in the Forest of Valor, so that's where I went to find it, but yours might be at Dazzle Beach, Peaceful Meadow, or somewhere else, so make sure you venture to the right region to find it. Once you're there, look all around the outside of your house to find a tiny sparkle you can pick up. A place that connects many worlds in Disney Dreamlight Valley Screenshot by Destructoid The second Memory Fragment can be found in a place that connects many worlds, which is the Dream Castle. There are other locations you might think match this description, like the Stardust Port you can use to travel to DLC worlds, but only the Dream Castle works for this quest. Once you're inside, start hunting around for the tiny sparkling fragment. The precise location varies for all players, so there's no way to know where yours will appear. Mine was on the very top floor near the fountain by the Inside Out Realm door, but I've seen others pop up along the stairs, on the first floor, and close to Mickey's secret door, so you really have to look everywhere to make sure you don't miss it. Where Joy and Sadness control emotions in Disney Dreamlight Valley The third and final Memory Fragment you need to collect is located where Joy and Sadness control emotions, which is the Headquarters in the Inside Out Realm. You can access this area by traveling through the door near the right end of the top floor in the Dream Castle or by teleporting there instantly using the map. Screenshot by Destructoid Once you're inside, look around the main room to find the Memory Fragment. It won't appear in any of the other areas you can travel to, so stick to only the central Headquarters area, which is the room surrounding the main console, to find it. Mine was fairly close to the console near the orange couch. With all three Memory Fragments now collected, you can get to work finishing the rest of the Create a Bear quest. And once you're done, there are plenty of other tricky Inside Out tasks to get done, like Spark Joy, Get Nostalgic!, and Embrace the Blues. The post How to locate three Memory Fragments in Disney Dreamlight Valley appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 11:17 AM Basketball Zero Style and Zone Tier List [SPIDER/SYMBIOTE]       When it comes to the best Basketball Zero style and zone you have to consider how oppressive and versatile a style is and what are good zone combos. I'll be ranking styles based on both how good individual moves are and also how well they combine together. For zones I'll rank them based on how good they are for most styles. Here's my Basketball Zero style and zone tier list and guide. Updated on August 25, 2025: Basically I decided to update and transfer my BBZ tier lists from Escapist to DToid since I'm no longer writing for Escapist. This is the new and revised version updated for the Spider VS Symbiote patch and I put both Styles and Zones into one article. Table of contents Basketball Zero Style Tier List SSS-Tier Styles S-Tier Styles A-Tier Styles B-Tier Styles C-Tier Styles Basketball Zero Zone Tier List Basketball Zero Style Tier List Image by Destructoid There's no D-Tier because every style can be good based on your skill and your playstyle. That said, this Basketball Zero style tier list takes into account the power of moves individually and how they combo together to create an oppressive playstyle both offensive and defensively. I have accounted for the buffs and nerfs and even though styles like Chrollo and Tatlis got nerfed to be more predictable, they are still quite powerful. Note that A and B tier aren't weak styles, they just require more practice and skill than the rest though the B-Tiers are underpowered and could use a buff. Let's dive into each individual style and their moves below. SSS-Tier Styles SSS-Tier Styles Why SSS-Tier? Pros & Cons Psychic Limited • An incredibly versatile set of moves that's good at everything • You have offensive options with the long range Ordinary Shot that you can move into with the Teleport move • Then you have an unblockable teleport pass and can even invert controls of enemy players which even against skilled players is extremely annoying and can cause them to fumble • In Awakening the Self Pass teleport covers such a long distance that you can set up the perfect shot where there are no blockers and the others are just raw offense and free points + SSS-Tier offense that disrupts how the enemy team plays + Tons of combos with your team + Hard to block – Being picky here but it could use a better shot Chrollo Limited • Chrollo is a mix of powerful moves and knowing when to activate Awakening • First off the Dribble is broken where you can cover such a long distance with iFrames, especially if you have a Dribble-oriented zone • Then the full and half court shot is crazy good and better than Sniper because it's faster • You can activate Awakening when someone is about to steal from you and then your Awakening moves are also really strong offensively for almost free points • To top it all off, if you see a teammate is about to get their ball stolen you can auto pass to you with Pass! + Incredible mobility and range + Tons of tricks you can do with Pass! and Dribble – Weak to players waiting to steal from you after Dribble So learn to save your Awakening for iFrames Copycat Mythic • Copycat is always going to be at least S-Tier because the more OP styles get released the more Copycat can mix and match OP moves to create the most flexible style in the game. • You can have the most powerful moves in BBZ like Snatch Block from Giant for defense or Creator's Dribble from Chrollo for offense and theoretically get all their strengths and none of their weaknesses. • Overall, it can be A-Tier or less if you don't have good styles to copy in your match but most often people are playing Chrollo, Tatlis, etc., so you'll always have something powerful to copy. + Most Flexible Style + SSS-Tier Potential Depending on Enemy Styles – Highly Dependent on Enemy Team's Styles Tatlis Limited • Tatlis and Chrollo used to be in a league of their own and especially Tatlis since it was the most powerful style in Basketball Zero before the nerf • That said it's still good and the main reason is that your Snap is just an AOE stun around you that disables players • After stunning you can shoot, pass or steal and then dash away • This is boosted by Colored Strike that just allow you to steal the ball with an added mobility move • The awakenings are just aggro offense and defense in one with the ragdoll, OP • I would say even with the nerf where it's more predictable, it can still be S-Tier due to just how powerful the stun and steal are + Literally disables players around you + Incredibly mobile + Great in any team and with any zone – No weaknesses Jackpot Mythic • Jackpot requires a lot of practice to learn its Jackpot move rotations but once you do, this is a really powerful style • You can literally claim the ball automatically if your teammates have it, you can auto-block shots, transfer the ball from the enemy to your team, mid-air dash steal, etc. • Plus, there's a cool combo where you can use the Lucky Bounce twice because the Jackpot steal resets the cooldown • Overall, Jackpot requires practice but can dominate if you know how to + One Of The Best Move Combinations + Highly Flexible in All Roles + Excellent Offensive Power – Hard to Learn and Can be Unpredictable Basketball God Limited • Shamgod is one of the best dribble moves in the game because if you do it sideways it can get you right into the 3-point area for a dunk and a free point • Reverse Dunk is a great dunk move and Awakenings are really good for free points • Overall it's more versatility than other limiteds, strong awakening and overall can be OP both if you spam dunk and go for 3-pointers + One of the fastest offensive styles in the game + Amazing mix of mobility, dribble, and shoot moves – Lacks defense and team support Symbiote Limited • Symbiote is really good and much more oppressive than Spider since it has better offensive and defensive options • It's also strong defensively with essentially a better version of Rubberman's defense • The Pull and Evade are a great combo and the Dribble is quite strong to get close • The Awakening is amazing too so overall this is a strong competitor for the SSS-Tier + Amazing defense + Great offense and mobility potential as well – Need to play a bit more to find a counter S-Tier Styles S-Tier Styles Why S-Tier? Pros & Cons Cyber Limited • Cyber is a great style don't get me wrong, the only reason it's not SSS is because the moves can be predictable • It's best combined with the Shock Zone • The Mine steal move and the Dash are amazing even though you can see them coming • The shot has slow start-up so you can block it but the Awakening moves are really good and have a fire soundtrack + Great steal and mobility move + Has some utility with the implant buffs – Moves can be predictable against experienced players Rubberman Miracle • Gum Slap and Gum Block are incredible moves and the main reason you want to play Rubberman • The shot is decent and the Observe auto dribble is really good • All moves give you that offensive/defensive flexibility similar to Giant • And if you can do the dribble move from Awakening easily, Rubberman becomes one of the best Miracles + Great defense and steals + Flexible both in offense and defense – Needs a slightly more powerful shot Lazy Worker Mythic • Lazy Worker destroys enemy teams when you're aggressive on the offense forcing passes and failed shots so that you can catch them with Trap, such a powerful move • The Catch Me is great for both defense and slight mobility into an offensive shot that scores 3 • Overall an incredibly flexibile style that can duke it out with the best of them + Turns loose balls into instant points + One of the better Dribble moves in the game – Could use more mobility Switcher Miracle • With Switcher you're basically always forcing the enemy team to guard all your teammates because you can just switch places with them and shoot if they're not blocked • The Cursed Dash is also pretty good for repositioning but I recommend doing it after switching places to reach the scoring zone • The zone is a free defensive tool and is usually free points with the Imagination shot • It's not SSS for me because it needs a better shoot move + Incredible mobility and utility + Forces enemies to block all teammates since you can teleport – Needs better shot moves Emperor Miracle • The Emperor Reach auto-steal was the main element of Emperor that made it so powerful and with the massive nerf to Reach Emperor took a big hit • That said it's still one of the most flexible styles in the game with offense, utility, defense and passing all in one with an amazing Awakening • Pair with the Gold Vision Zone to slide around the court • Overall Emperor is the well Emperor of 2v2s but for 3v3s it did fall a bit behind + Amazing set of base moves for mobility and support + Great defense and offense between base and Awakening + Highly Flexible against all styles including Chrollo and Tatlis – Lacks strong shooting moves Gold Miracle • Gold has some of the best passes in the game because they're fast and unblockable • In addition to that the Street Dribble move goes so far with iFrames that it can take you into the 3-point shooting range easy for a free 3 • It was nerfed to remove pressure, otherwise Gold would probably be SSS-Tier + Some of the best passes in the game + Really strong dribble move – Can't carry alone and requires a good team Ace Mythic • With the rework, Ace is an incredible aggressive offense option with the Athletic Drive being much more difficult to predict and block • It even has an off-ball version to catch up to players that Dribble away from you • Athletic Fade is also better but the main thing is the new 100% Drive Awakening that drastically boosts your speed if you mash Space and makes you Dribble constantly as you reach the hoop to score • Tons of options to score even after the nerf and this is basically one of the best 1v1 and 2v2 styles but for 3v3 there are slightly better options + Best Dribbling Moves + Best Carry in Public Games + Some of the most powerful Awakening Moves – Aomine Daiki has no weaknesses Giant Mythic • Giant just brings in so much offensive and defensive flexibility and is one of the best defensive styles in the game with Lock • With for example Posterizer or Streetdribbler to reach the enemy three-point area you can have great offensive potential with Charge and the Dunk • With Snatch Block you are a defensive menace to block shots and then go into a counter attack • Overall an incredibly competitive style for any mode, your team will love you + Powerful Dunking Moves + Best Defense/Offense Mix – High Cooldowns – Needs mobility/defensive Zones Flash Legendary • If you know you know, Flash can be on par with Ace (Especially post nerf) to create space between you and your opponents if you use the Dash and Dribble moves correctly • You have low cooldowns and great 1v1 potential with two aggressive moves • The Awakening steals balls which can be turned into a free point if you're close enough or you can just pass to reposition • Overall, you need to practice with Flash and not spam the two moves but once you master matchups you can legit be a budget version of Ace + Extremely Flexible + Excellent Dribble and Mobility – A Trash Version of Ace If Played Incorrectly Lock Legendary • Lock is a bit slept on since it's a great interception style if you pressure passes but it definitly needs a slight buff • Still, the reason it's still such a great style is that on a high level of Basketball Zero players pass A LOT, as they should • Lock abilities are super clutch in those games since you can intercept passes and then either score of pass immediately so as not to lose the ball • You always need to be careful around Lock with passes and this kind of pressure is what puts high and probably even higher with a buff + One of the best defense-Focused Style + Shuts Down Enemy Passes – Not Flexible For Offense A-Tier Styles A-Tier Styles Why A-Tier? Pros & Cons Spider Limited • Spider is fun to play because it has great mobility and freedom with the Roll variants but these aren't super oppressive and OP • That said, the Steals can be quite powerful if you know when to use them with both Shot Sense and Teamwork giving you a lot of steal options • That said you don't have a lot of powerful offensive options to use the ball after stealing and should usually pass to teammates • The Awakenings are great utility too and overall this is a fun style to play by Tatlis that's not that oppressive so I ranked it lower + Great mobility + Amazing stealing options with two moves – Needs more offensive power with better shots Phantom Epic • Phantom maybe deserves S-Tier but I'll keep it in A for now since it's highly dependent on how skilled your team is and whether they pass or not • With players who know how to play teamwork-wise Phantom can pull of clutch support/pass plays and change how the game flows since the enemy team must always be aware of you • One of the most OP chemical reactions with Star and it's easy to pull off • If you're playing with a pre-made group of friends via voice-comms who know what they're doing Phantom is at least A-Tier. + One of the best support styles in the game + If you're in voice chat and playing with skilled players it's SSS-Tier – Lacks the shooting and carry potential in public games with randoms Perfection Limited • I might catch some serious heat for this but I think Perfection has fallen off drastically both with the nerfs and the current meta • It usually doesn't compete that well with the Mythics anymore but the Dribble is still really good • The three point shot is easily blockable and Blink while weaker can still be good to steal the ball • Overall it's still a good style with the Awakening and might have low A-Tier potential in aggresive offense but Perfection is not what it used to be + Great Mobility + Decent Offense, Defense, and Dribble + Powerful Awakening Buff – Requires Skill and Aggression for Full Potential Star Legendary • The rework definitely made Star much better than it used to be for 3v3s • The Drive is a great mobility move to get you in range for the dunk • Overall you depend on ball defense a lot so dribble Zones are a must • Also, a lot of the strength of Star comes from the great chemical reactions like the OP one with Phantom + A Great Mobility Move + Best when played aggressively with defensive Zones – Needs to Get In Close - No team utility Uncle Sam Limited • Uncle Sam's strength is the Eagle Drive for dribble and the full-court Declaration • The Cannon Pass is decent but it's not an unblockable pass like Gold or Psychic since Giant, Emperor and others can steal it so it's a A-Tier move • The Cannon Shot or Star Shot can also be easily blocked + The full-court Declaration is powerful + The Eagle Drive dribble is great mobility, offense and defense in one – Cannon shot is easily blockable – Passes are harder to block but also blockable Sniper Legendary • I'm solely ranking Sniper with the Animalistic Zone to boost jump range and make the shot moves more difficult to block • This combo can be quite good but still, Sniper is very predictable and without Animalistic you'll be getting blocked 90% of the time • Plus, your lack of mobility makes you easy pray so B-Tier is perfect with Animalistic in mind + Longest Range Shooting Moves + Auto-aim and Guaranteed-score moves – Highly Dependent on Cooldowns, Positioning and the Animalistic Zone – No Mobility Moves B-Tier Styles B-Tier Styles Why B-Tier? Pros & Cons Clutch Rare • Clutch can be quite decent if you learn how to play it especially with the buffs but it just got power creeped by other OP styles • The shooting moves here are good due to the Awakening which can be free points if you know when to shoot it • That said, it's drastically underpowered compared to the rest • I've been playing it to great effect against higher rarity styles, you just need practice and to understand the game mechanics well to make full use of the moves + Easy to Get + Powerful Steal and Shoot Move – Only One Ultimate/Awakening – No Mobility Moves Fetch Epic • A great offensive style because the Dive is pretty good and the Float can be free points if you're in the right position • That said Fetch struggles to reach the hoop which is why it's low + Great mix of offense and defense + Very skill-based with high potential – Lacks good mobility and dribbling moves Playmaker Epic • One of the best 2v2 styles in the game due to the Alley Oop being free points • That said for 1v1 and 3v3 it's not the best • The Awakening Push Off move for solo scoring is pretty good so Playmaker allows for a few free points but it's still underpowered in a practical 3v3 + Alley Oop is one of the best support moves + Incredibly flexible support and scoring – Only One Awakening Move – Relies highly on team coordination C-Tier Styles C-Tier Styles Why C-Tier? Pros & Cons Quick Rare • Ironically not the quickest style in the game since other higher tiers cover more distance and have more utility and shooting power • Still can be decent to reposition and has some flexibility for offense and defense with the speed boost and dash but still not that good in terms of raw offense + Decently mobile style – No shooting moves Chuck Rare • While Chuck can be extremely fun to play with its high-risk high-reward playstyle, I don't find it reliable for higher-level games • It's a subjective thing but I prefer Jackpot if I'm going for a luck-based mechanic since the rewards are greater • You can still win games with Chuck but in those clutch moments where you really need to score, Chuck can fail you. + Easy to get & fun to play + High-Risk High-Reward – Not Reliable – Luck Based Basketball Zero Zone Tier List Zones are coming first thing tomorrow morning on August 26, 2025 (Currently it's August 25). I just need to add the new ones from the event and rerank some from my old Escapist article since the rankings were outdated. I'll upload them first thing in the morning. That's it for my Basketball Zero Style and Zone tier list and guide. Check out our Basketball Zero codes for free spins and more free goodies. The post Basketball Zero Style and Zone Tier List [SPIDER/SYMBIOTE] appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 10:54 AM All EA FC 25 97+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC rewards       The 97+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC makes EA FC 25's Pre-Season Ultimate Team grind even better, with the rewards featuring the best possible rewards. Not only are you guaranteed an Icon, but you'll only find cards rated 97 or higher. The SBC can be completed as many times as you want, but first, let's take a look at the complete pool of available rewards. Table of contents Complete EA FC 25 97+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC rewards Shapeshifters FUTTIES Complete EA FC 25 97+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC rewards The complete pool of rewards has never been more streamlined than what's available in this challenge. There are just two promos: Shapeshifters and FUTTIES, and all five teams for the latter have been included. Shapeshifters Iker Casillas CM 97 Ronaldinho ST 97 Michael Owen LW 97 Hristo Stoichkov CAM 97 Mia Hamm CM 97 Patrick Vieira ST 97 Rio Ferdinand ST 98 Erick Cantona CM 98 Eusebio LW 98 Johann Cruyff LM 98 Diego Maradona RW 98 Kelly Smith LB 98 FUTTIES Michael Essien CDM 97 Ronald Koeman CB 97 Lilian Thuram RB 97 Patrick Kluivert ST 97 Jill Foudy CM 97 Javier Zanetti RB 97 Fernando Torrest ST 97 Peter Schmeichel GK 97 Carles Puyol CB 97 Sol Campbell CB 97 Juan Veron CM 97 Xabi Alonso CM 97 Gerd Muller ST 97 Paul Scholes CM 97 Ashley Cole LB 97 Marcel Desailly CB 97 Frank Lampard CM 97 Zico CAM 97 Frank Rijkaard CDM 97 Carlos Alberto RB 98 Roberto Carlos LB 98 Paolo Maldini CB 98 Gianluigi Buffon GK 98 Edwin van der Sar GK 98 Samuel Eto'o ST 98 Garrinchha RW 98 Thierry Henry ST 98 Gareth Bale RW 99 Franz Beckenbaeur CB 99 Andrea Pirlo CM 99 Ronaldo ST 99 Pele CAM 99 Johann Cruyff CAM 99 The SBC is really cheap, requiring about 150,000 coins worth of fodder. However, you can get as much fodder as required for free and select between four special cards. If you're really lucky, you can even land a 99-rated FUTTIES icon. The post All EA FC 25 97+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC rewards appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 10:04 AM How to fix the Access: Request Timed Out error in The Bazaar       The Bazaar's full launch has been mostly stable in the first couple of weeks, but players have encountered the Access: Request Timed Out error when trying to start a session. The Bazaar always requires a persistent network connection for the modes to work. Naturally, problems related to network connectivity could, and will, arise from your end, creating different problems. The Access: Request Timed Out error is quite common if you played the game in the beta. However, there are a few easy tricks and tips to solve the problem if you run into it. The Bazaar Access: Request Timed Out fixes The Access: Request Timed Out error happens when you can't establish a smooth server connection. This can sometimes occur from your end, so you must ensure your internet connection works smoothly. https://twitter.com/PlayTheBazaar/status/1955040472344432659 If that's taken care of, here are a few more things to try. Restarting the game might not solve many problems with The Bazaar, but it can usually take care of the Access: Request Timed Out error. This is my go-to solution whenever I can't connect with the servers despite having a functioning internet connection. Disable VPN if you're having problems with server connections. The game servers won't work if you're connected to a working VPN connection. So turning off any VPN/proxy hiders is mandatory if you want to enjoy the game. Seems obvious, but the servers can be down occasionally due to updates. The game's official X account is the best place to track such events. You can also use other social media sources, like the game's subreddit, to stay on top of any routine maintenance. A missing file or two can also cause problems when trying to connect to the servers. If you bought the game and downloaded the files on Steam, you can perform an Integrity Check. This will automatically locate and re-download any missing files vital to the game client's normal functioning. The post How to fix the Access: Request Timed Out error in The Bazaar appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 9:33 AM How to complete Spark Joy in Disney Dreamlight Valley       Tackling Dreamlight duties is a great way to stock up on important currencies and unlock hidden prizes in Disney Dreamlight Valley. These missions are sometimes tricky to work on, though, as many of them only have vague titles like Spark Joy. While real quests give you most of the essential details you need, Dreamlight duties are designed to be a bit trickier and challenge your knowledge of the valley. You might need some help tackling them because of this, so here's how to complete Spark Joy in Disney Dreamlight Valley. Table of contents Spark Joy duty in Disney Dreamlight Valley Spark Joy duty reward in Disney Dreamlight Valley Spark Joy duty in Disney Dreamlight Valley Screenshot by Destructoid To finish the special Spark Joy duty, you need to hang out with Joy for 120 minutes. A full two hours must be spent in a hangout session with this character, although you can break it up over several smaller ones if desired. The only requirement is that you eventually reach the required time so you can claim your prize. The toughest part of this quest is that you need to unlock Joy if you haven't already. She's one of the tougher villagers to recruit, since there's quite a lot to get done before she'll be willing to move in. To get her in the valley, you need to: Unlock the Inside Out Realm. Complete the Emotional Rescue quest. Complete the Out of the Blue quest. Complete the Dream On! quest. Hanging out with Joy is crucial for progressing this task, but how you choose to spend the two hours with her is entirely up to you. You can have her at your side while you work on quests, tackle Retro Roadtrip Star Path duties, or work on gathering materials around the valley. Screenshot by Destructoid Another good use of your time is whatever role you assigned to Joy. She's a mining specialist for me, so I spent part of the required time working on finding Gems, then used the rest of the time to tackle quests and Star Path missions. Hangout quests can sometimes be a bit buggy, so if you're hanging out with Joy but it doesn't look like the time is going up, you may need to quit hanging out with her and start a new session. This usually fixes all issues with hangouts I've run into, although you may have to repeat this process a few times throughout the required timeframe to fully complete it. Spark Joy duty reward in Disney Dreamlight Valley Completing the Spark Joy duty gets you the Hockey Stick as a reward. It's an exclusive item you can't unlock through any other means, so it's a pretty solid prize for your efforts. It can be equipped in the Wardrobe menu under the Accessories page. Screenshot by Destructoid This item is meant to pair with the Fog Horns Hockey Uniform full-body outfit you can earn by completing the Embrace the Blues duty, so you'll need to get this one done, too, if you want the full look. For even more Inside Out-themed prizes, you also might want to work on the Get Nostalgic! task. The post How to complete Spark Joy in Disney Dreamlight Valley appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 9:00 AM Forget Level 60, Pokémon Go is introducing Level 80 this October!       Pokémon Go fans, it's finally happening, as Scopely has confirmed a much-needed change to the level system that'll allow you to go beyond Level 50 in Pokémon Go—finally. The news was broken to Destructoid and other media during a pre-release event, which went into details on what trainers can expect to see from the new system, as well as how trainers who already have reached level 50 will be rewarded. From Oct. 15, trainers will see the Level Cap increase from Level 50 all the way to Level 80, with the overall leveling curve being rebalanced to factor in the new amount of levels, with Scopely wanting to make sure trainers can earn levels more frequently instead of having to get millions upon millions of EXP to reach a single late level. https://twitter.com/PokemonGoApp/status/1959964134721667355 Scopely also plans to introduce new rewards for level-up progression, like increased storage capacity for Pokémon, items, and Gifts. This includes new avatar items starting at level 25. Based on previously earned experience, some trainers may automatically jump in level on October 15 and earn a bunch of awards from the get-go. Scopely has promised that no trainers will go down in level, either. Tasks for Level-Up Research from levels 41 to 50 will also be removed following this update on Oct. 15, with new Level-Up Research rewards being implemented from Level 71 to 80 instead. Trainers who reach level 70 in this new system will also have a higher chance of becoming Lucky Friends with other Trainers on their friends list, as a reward for making it that far. By Oct. 14, 11:59pm local time, players will earn special medals commemorating their highest achieved level before the update and a new level 50 avatar pose. Existing rewards, such as Avatar items earned by reaching levels 40 to 50, alongside the Level 50 Jacket, will no longer be earnable come Oct. 15, with these items being exclusively for legacy players that hit the highest heights. Trainers will keep any items they earned, but players who haven't reached level 50 yet will not get these items, so you have a few short weeks to try and finish all your Level-Up Research to get all the rewards before it is too late. To help trainers level up faster, Scopely is hosting an XP celebration event, which will increase the amount of XP you can get from things like Excellent Throws, Winning Raids, and Max Battles, and more. These bonuses will stack on top of other events happening during this timeframe. So get ready, trainers, for Level 80 will soon be upon us! The post Forget Level 60, Pokémon Go is introducing Level 80 this October! appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 8:34 AM Weekly Watchlist Vol. 8 – Mother-daughter mayhem and a misunderstood masterpiece (Aug. 25-Sept. 1)       Hey there, Destructoid, and welcome to a new week where we get to discuss what we've been enjoying recently. I recently caught Freakier Friday in theaters, and spotting a certain actor in this project got me reminiscing and missing The Acolyte. Freakier Friday was a really unexpected pleasant surprise, and back when I watched The Acolyte, I had a similar feeling about it. We're talking about two vastly different worlds here, but they've got quite a lot in common, including body-swapping hijinks, a stellar cast, and being unexpected delights. Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures First up, let's get into Freakier Friday, the successor to the 2003 film Freaky Friday. The original was a staple in my household growing up, and a movie I really cherish from my childhood. Going into watching the sequel, I wasn't expecting much, but I actually might like the new one even more than the original. The humor is off the charts in this sequel. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are funnier than ever, and although the chemistry between them is the driving force for the entire film, all of the new faces really add to it as well. There's plenty to love if you're a fan of the original, but it also stands on its own if you haven't seen it. Anna and Tess, played by Lohan and Curtis, find themselves in another body swap situation, but this time, it's with Anna's daughter and future stepdaughter. Anna becomes Harper, her own daughter, while Tess becomes Lily, her future granddaughter. This means both Lohan and Curtis are teens trapped in adult bodies, while the kids are adults trapped in teen bodies, making for even more chaos and comedy than the original. Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Like its predecessor, this film is a beautiful balance of humor and heart that had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes one minute, then got genuinely teary-eyed at an emotional moment the next. It's beautifully nostalgic and such a fun watch from start to finish, and if you're looking for a good laugh mixed with some powerful messages about family, it's a film worth watching. Manny Jacinto plays Eric, the love interest for Lindsay Lohan's Anna in Freakier Friday. He's also Qimir/The Stranger in The Acolyte, and this is the first project I've seen him in since. He plays polar opposite characters in these two, and is quite a scene stealer in both, so I hope to see more of him soon. If it were up to me, we'd be getting more of him in The Acolyte, the cancellation of which I'm still mourning. I grew up on Star Wars and kept up with just every project to date, with a few small exceptions. I wasn't really captured by the trailers for The Acolyte, but when it started airing weekly back on June 4, 2024, I tuned in every week, completely captivated and eager to learn what would happen next. Image via Disney+ The Acolyte felt like a breath of fresh air for the Star Wars universe. I'm someone who has enjoyed just about every project, even the ones that are considered bad, but there are certainly some I'm not as eager to revisit, like the main Star Wars film sequel series. My favorites are projects like Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and The Mandalorian. Star Wars works best for me when it dares to be different and leans into the weirdness of what it is, and The Acolyte is exactly that, so I really don't get the hate for it or how it ended up getting cancelled. Each week, The Acolyte had me on the edge of my seat, trying to unravel the mystery and put the pieces together. It had some of the coolest visuals of any Star Wars project, including some of the most stunning lightsaber battles we've ever seen and easily one of the coolest-looking Sith costumes. All of the characters in this series were incredibly complex, redefining what heroes and villains look like in a franchise that generally spotlights simple, straightforward, easy-to-root-for good guys. It expanded on what's canon in a beautiful, engaging way, with the ending promising more had the show been greenlit to move forward. It's been over a year since it ended, and it was confirmed canceled back in August 2024, yet I'm still thinking about it anytime I think of my favorite parts of Star Wars. Image via Disney+ The Acolyte was bold, brave, and beautiful in a way no other project in this universe has been, and it's cemented itself as one of my favorites because of this. I will forever wonder what happened next to Qimir, Osha, and Mae, and mourn the lost opportunity to finally learn more about Darth Plagueis. So, Destructoid, what about you? Have you watched Freakier Friday yet, or do you plan to? And did you ever check out The Acolyte, and if so, what's your take on it? Is there anything else you've been enjoying watching recently? Let us know down in the comments so we can discuss. The post Weekly Watchlist Vol. 8 – Mother-daughter mayhem and a misunderstood masterpiece (Aug. 25-Sept. 1) appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, August 25, 2025 8:10 AM All Primordial Uniques in Last Epoch       Last Epoch Season 3 has taken things to a new level with the addition of Primordial items, and the Primordial Uniques can be amazing when used correctly. These items are better versions of the normal Uniques and offer new effects. These effects range from skill boosts to stat upgrades, depending on the item you're using (along with your Season 3 build). Let's take a look at all available options along with their in-game effects. All Primordial Unique item effects in Last Epoch Season 3 has 25 Primordial Uniques, and you can craft 22 of them from Skarven Bloodhorn with Rift Beast items. The remaining three are dropped randomly when you defeat Rift Beasts (depends on luck). Name Type Effects Implicits Architects of Astral Blood Body Armor 20% of Current Health Lost per second (36% to 42%) of Missing Health gained as Ward per second (36% to 42%) of Maximum Health gained as Ward Decay Threshold (200% to 240%) of Maximum Health applied as a Ward Limit +(72 to 168) Health +(72 to 168) Stun Avoidance +(4 to 6) to All Attributes +85 Armor Blossom of Immortal Stones Amulet 100% of Void Damage Taken as Physical 100% of Necrotic Damage Taken as Physical 100% of Poison Damage Taken as Physical (21% to 60%) increased Armor (12% to 21%) of Armor Mitigation also applies to Damage over Time +(3 to 12) Attunement +(11% to 15%) Endurance +(50 to 110) Endurance Threshold Bluefeather Band Ring (54% to 48%) less Mana Cost for Spell Skills (54% to 48%) less Mana (54% to 48%) less Mana Regen (6% to 9%) of Damage Dealt to Mana Before Health When you use 3 zero mana cost skills in a row, you gain (15 to 21) Mana and (180 to 330) Ward (3-second cooldown) +(180 to 330) Ward Decay Threshold +(42 to 110) Ward Decay Threshold Bones of Ancestral Pack Off-Hand Catalyst +(1 to 2) to Level of Minion Skills When a minion hits an enemy, you have a (7 to 12)% chance to gain a stack of Ancestral Pack (1 second cooldown) Each stack of Ancestral Pack grants 4% more damage, 3% increased attack and cast speed, and 2% increased cooldown recovery speed. When you gain a stack of Ancestral Pack, so does your highest-level minion When you gain a stack of Ancestral Pack, you gain Ward equal to (77 to 123)% of your Endurance Threshold +(8 to 14) Intelligence +(2% to 6%) Spell Critical Strike Chance Carrion of Creation Gloves +(100% to 157%) Chance to apply Bleed on Hit 100% of Ignite, Frostbite, Shock, Time Rot, Damned, and Poison Chance converted to Bleed Chance. When you kill an enemy, it has a (25 to 47)% chance to explode with Primordial Blood, dealing physical damage to others around it Primordial Blood gains (37 to 100)% Chance to inflict Bleed on Hit per stack of Bleed on the enemy killed (up to 20) +211 Armor (11% to 24%) of Armor Mitigation also applies to Damage over Time Chorus of the Anurok Helmet +2 Maximum Companions If you have fewer than your maximum number of active companions, you summon Primal Anuroks up to your maximum number of companions +(50 to 75)% Cold Resistance for you and your Minions (25% to 45%) Increased Area for Minion Area Skills (15 to 25)% increased Attack and Cast Speed for Minions +(90 to 175) Health +116 Armor +(11% to 16%) Endurance (6% to 10%) of Maximum Health gained as Endurance Threshold Fangs of the Berserker Belt You gain Frenzy for (6 to 10) Seconds when you use a Potion (9% to 15%) more Melee damage while you have Frenzy +(9% to 15%) increased damage Taken while you have Frenzy (3% to 5%) of Melee damage leeched as Health while you have Frenzy (9% to 15%) of Health Leech also drains the health of the nearest enemy within 6 meters (21% to 35%) of Health Leech also drains the health of the nearest enemy within 6 meters while you have Frenzy (12% to 20%) increased Effect of Frenzy while Dual Wielding 1% increased Effect of Frenzy per Strength +5 Potion Slots Harmony of the First Two-Handed Spear (6% to 10%) increased Melee Attack Speed (4% to 6%) increased Movement Speed +(48 to 64) Melee damage All stats on this item are increased by (20 to 25)% per equipped non-idol magic item. +33 Melee Damage +(30% to 39%) Melee Critical Strike Multiplier Horn of the Bone Wisp Wand +(3 to 4) to Level of Intelligence Skills +(10 to 16) Intelligence (25% to 49%) chance to cast Flame Ward after using a movement skill within 16 meters of a boss or rare enemy (max 2 per 16 seconds) +(20 to 25) Spell damage for you and your Minions (100% to 160%) increased Spell Damage (100% to 160%) increased Minion Damage +(20 to 26) Spell Damage +(20% to 30%) Ward Retention -3 Mana Cost for Spell Skills Hydra Arc Bow +(3 to 4) to Level of Dexterity Skills +(10 to 16) Dexterity +(3 to 33) Fire Bow Damage +(3 to 33) Cold Bow Damage +(3 to 33) Lightning Bow Damage After evading, you repeat your most recently used bow attack at a nearby enemy (excludes channeled attacks and attacks with cooldowns), consuming 50% of its mana cost If you have at least 75 Dexterity, you repeat it at up to 2 nearby enemies instead If you have at least 135 Dexterity, you repeat it at up to 3 nearby enemies instead +42 Bow Damage +(35% to 70%) Chance to apply Poison on Bow Hit (10% to 20%) Increased Poison Duration Legends Entwined Ring Counts as a part of every equipped item set +(2 to 5) to All Attributes per Complete Set +(2% to 5%) to All Resistances per Complete Set +1 to All Skills per Complete Set (5 to 12)% increased Attack and Cast Speed (6% to 10%) Increased Cooldown Recovery Speed +(1 to 2) to All Attributes Mask of Indifference Helmet You are immune to Blind, Bleed, Slow, Chill, Shock, and Stun. (10% to 100%) reduced Bonus damage taken from Critical Strikes (10% to 100%) of damage Reflected +(20 to 200) Armor +(20 to 200) Endurance Threshold +50 Armor Onslaught of Cerata Shield +(3 to 4) to Level of Strength Skills +(10 to 16) Strength After you use a movement skill, you attack up to 3 nearby enemies with Vengeance (max 2 times every 12 seconds) +(30% to 60%) Block Chance while preparing to Riposte (30 to 60) Health Gain on Block You and your minions have (20 to 42)% increased area for Melee Area Skills +26% Block Chance +(440 to 520) Block Effectiveness +(11% to 15%) Endurance Permanence of Primal Knowledge Gloves Skill Level stats from Legendary Affixes have a 50% increased effect (6 to 12)% increased Attack and Cast Speed +(48 to 96) Mana (12% to 24%) Increased Area for Area Skills (12% to 36%) increased Mana Regen +58 Armor (6% to 12%) Increased Cooldown Recovery Speed Primal cadence Two-Handed Axe When you or one of your minions kills an enemy with a hit (40 to 85)% of the Overkill damage is dealt as direct damage to surrounding enemies (4% to 9%) of Overkill Damage Leeched as Health (20 to 80) Health Gain on Kill (190% to 275%) increased Hit Damage +(4 to 9) to All Attributes +1% Critical Strike Multiplier per 2 Strength +(4 to 9)% Critical Strike Chance for you and your minions +101 Melee Damage (75% to 110%) increased Physical Damage (75% to 110%) increased Minion Physical Damage Reliquary Nest Relic Stats on your Non-Unique Idols have (40 to 60)% increased Effect +(5% to 10%) to All Resistances (10% to 20%) increased Endurance Threshold +(20 to 40) Health +(60 to 100) Stun Avoidance +(2 to 4) to All Attributes +(11% to 15%) Endurance Spirit Xylem Two-Handed Staff +(3 to 4) to Level of Attunement Skills +(10 to 16) Attunement +(2 to 4) Health and Mana per Attunement (20% to 10%) reduced Mana Cost for Spell Skills (10% to 20%) Reduced Health Cost of Spells (10% to 20%) more damage to Bosses and Rare Enemies while above half mana (20% to 10%) Less damage taken from Bosses and Rare Enemies while below half mana +72 Melee Damage +(72 to 80) Spell Damage +(60 to 80) Mana The Butcher's Crown Helmet You have Frenzy. Frenzy is a buff that grants 20% Increased attack and cast speed. It cannot stack. You do not regenerate Mana (6% to 12%) of Current Health Lost per second. This is not affected by increases and reductions to health drain effects 12 Health and 1 Mana gained on Hit per 12% increased mana regen (up to 4 times per 2 seconds) (60% to 112%) increased Effect of Frenzy on You (112% to 144%) increased Damage +130 Armor Thicket of Blinding Light Body Armor (121 to 209) damage Reflected to Attackers Every 0.5 seconds, you Blind all enemies facing you and deal Damage to them equal to your Damage Reflected to Attackers stat (329% to 401%) more damage Reflected to Bosses and Rare Enemies (37% to 83%) increased Armor (13% to 29%) more Armor against Blinded Enemies +(17% to 41%) Physical Resistance (11 to 17) damage Reflected to Attackers per 10% uncapped Physical Resistance +74 Armor (5% to 60%) Increased Healing Effectiveness Truesight Glass Amulet Critical Strike Chance above 100% gives you a chance to deal Deadly Strikes (up to 40% chance) Deadly Strikes count as Critical Strikes but have an additional 300% Critical Strike Multiplier +(20% to 50%) Critical Strike Multiplier (6% to 10%) Increased Cooldown Recovery Speed +(60% to 100%) Critical Strike Avoidance (6% to 20%) less Damage Over Time Taken Tyrant's Skull Relic +(2 to 3) to Level of Minion Skills Summons a Tyrannosaur minion +3 Tyrannosaur Melee damage per Strength 1% increased Tyrannosaur Attack and Cast Speed per Dexterity +1% Tyrannosaur Physical Penetration per Intelligence +1% Tyrannosaur Critical Strike Multiplier per Attunement 1% more Tyrannosaur Health and Damage per 1% Uncapped Endurance When your Tyrannosaur roars, it grants your other minions +25 Physical Damage with Spells and Attacks, and the bonuses it gains from this item are applied to them at 20% effectiveness +(2 to 4) to All Attributes +(11% to 15%) Endurance Velocyn's Jaw Dagger +(3 to 4) to Level of Dexterity Skills +(10 to 16) Dexterity 1% increased Movement Speed per 10 Dexterity (4% to 10%) increased Movement Speed (10% to 20%) Chance to gain Haste for 1 second on Hit +(20 to 40)% Penetration against all Resistances +41 Melee Damage +4% Critical Strike Chance +(40% to 80%) Chance to apply Poison on Hit Whetstone Gavel One-Handed Mace +1 to Level of Fire Skills +1 to Level of Physical Skills If you have an Exalted Weapon in your offhand, its stats have (90 to 100)% increased effectiveness (15% to 35%) increased Armor (15% to 35%) of Armor Mitigation also applies to Damage over Time +(5 to 13) to All Attributes +64 Melee Damage (80% to 128%) Increased Stun Chance +1 to Level of Lightning Skills Wildfire Embers Amulet Every second while in combat, your ignites are spread among nearby enemies, and you have a (32 to 36)% chance to create a Wildfire Wisp next to an ignited enemy When you directly use a non-channeled Fire Skill, each Wildfire Wisp within 12 meters has a (10 to 12)% chance to repeat the skill with an additional (240 to 300)% ignite chance Skills cast from Wildfire Wisps have +(60 to 100)% Fire Penetration with Ignite +(4% to 7%) Chance to Ignite on Hit per 10% uncapped Fire Resistance +(50% to 75%) Fire Resistance (17% to 25%) increased Health +(16 to 48) Mana Wings of Discord Body Armor (32% to 16%) Less damage taken from the First Hit Received from each enemy 100% increased effect of stats on your Non-Unique Idols that are a different shape to all other equipped Non-Unique Idol +(2% to 4%) Critical Strike Chance +(126 to 256) Dodge Rating +(256 to 512) Dodge Rating if you have been hit recently Recently refers to the past 4 seconds +(32 to 64) Ward gained when you Dodge +85 Armor The post All Primordial Uniques in Last Epoch appeared first on Destructoid.

WGB Monday, August 25, 2025 8:32 AM Forza Horizon 6 Set To Be Announced At Tokyo Game Show       Recent leaks suggest Playground Games will soon announce Forza Horizon 6, possibly at the Tokyo Game Show. Expected in early 2026, the game's setting may be Tokyo, aligning with Xbox's planned releases.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Monday, August 25, 2025 3:59 PM Capcom Announces Tokyo Game Show 2025 Lineup       The event will run from September 25. The post Capcom Announces Tokyo Game Show 2025 Lineup appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Monday, August 25, 2025 3:44 PM REPLACED Has Been Delayed Yet Again To Next Year       New trailers were also released. The post REPLACED Has Been Delayed Yet Again To Next Year appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Monday, August 25, 2025 3:14 PM Kojima Has No Plans For Death Stranding 3 But a Concept Has Been Written       As spotted on Twitter. The post Kojima Has No Plans For Death Stranding 3 But a Concept Has Been Written appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

MonsterVine Monday, August 25, 2025 3:00 PM Fate Trigger Early Access Launches Q1 2026 After Huge Closed Beta       Saroasis Studios has officially announced that Fate Trigger will enter Early Access in Q1 2026 following the success of its recent Closed Beta Test, which attracted hundreds of thousands of players. With its anime-inspired style, cross-platform ambitions, and mix of accessible and competitive modes, Fate Trigger aims to carve its own place in the crowded […]

MonsterVine Monday, August 25, 2025 12:00 PM Titan Quest II Preview: Old School ARPG Fun Without Live Service Gimmicks       Sing to me, Muse, of a time when action RPGs were just games you could play instead of Live Service Experiences with Battlepasses and Seasons and pre-planned DLC and forced always-on online that required waiting forever to connect to the server. It sounds insane, but I was there, all those years ago, when you could […]

MonsterVine Monday, August 25, 2025 11:00 AM Abyssus Steam Key Giveaway – Enter to Win One of Five Copies       Abyssus is a fast-paced 1-to-4 players FPS and roguelite brinepunk adventure where you'll choose your loadout, blast through the corrupted denizens of a sunken civilization, and wield godly powers! And we have five Steam keys to give out! Five lucky winners will receive a Steam code for the Abyssus. The giveaway begins today (8/25) and […]

MonsterVine Monday, August 25, 2025 9:00 AM Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Review – Charming Farming with Pacing Hiccups       Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar struggles a bit with its pacing, but the familiar gameplay loop of farming and harvesting crops and such to sell is as fun as ever. It's perhaps not the strongest entry in the series, but there's plenty of enjoyment here for series fans or people looking for a more laid-back […]

Level Up Monday, August 25, 2025 10:22 AM Gamescom 2025 Was The Biggest And Most Diverse In Show History       Gamescom 2025 was officially the biggest and most diverse in show history, according to the…