Oct 16, 20:00


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 7:45 PM
    

Kyy Portable Monitor 15 6

It's a steal for gamers on the go.

The post This 15″ Gaming Display for Switch, Xbox, and PC Is Nearly Free in Amazon's Final Clearance Sale appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 6:45 PM
    

Ecoflow delta 2

EcoFlow's best‑selling Delta 2 hits a record‑low $429 on Amazon as the brand clears stock after launching the Delta 3.

The post EcoFlow Offloads the Delta 2 for Pennies, Clearing Out Leftover Stock Following the Delta 3 Release appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 5:26 PM
    

A screenshot shows a battle from Final Fantasy Tactics.

The classic strategy RPG has some notorious difficulty spikes players are still getting snagged on

The post The Top-10 Toughest <i>Final Fantasy Tactics</i> Battles, Ranked appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 4:48 PM
    

From recent games including Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii to older titles like Yakuza 0, it's all part of the sales event

The post The Entire <i>Yakuza</i> Franchise Is On Sale On Steam Right Now appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 4:33 PM
    

Shep poses with Houndour in Lumiose City

A major revelation for Pokémon fans is tucked in a corner of Lumiose City

The post Stop What You're Doing In <em>Pokémon Legends: Z-A</em> And Go To This Museum appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 2:57 PM
    

The latest entry in the Nintendo series isn't impressing fans with its dull urban open world

The post <i>Pokémon Legends Z-A'</i>s Small, Boring Map Is Leaving Fans Disappointed appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 1:59 PM
    

A Z-A trainer holds a Poke Ball next to Pikachu

A major quality-of-life improvement is making it easier than ever to find these alternate-colored guys

The post <em>Pokémon Legends: Z-A</em> Has Changed Shiny Hunting Forever, And Not Everyone's Happy About It appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 1:08 PM
    

The creator behind The Callisto Protocol isn't giving up on his desire to make another Dead Space game one day

The post <i>Dead Space</i> Creator Sees Chance To Make <i>Dead Space 4</i> Now That EA Is Being Sold: 'I'm Already Making Calls' appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:50 PM
    

Beats Studio Pro

Treating yourself to a brand new pair of Beats earbuds costs less than $100 now.

The post Beats Studio Buds Are Now Almost 3× Cheaper Than the AirPods Pro Series, the Most Affordable Apple Earbuds appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:47 PM
    

A Guardian turns around.

The massively discounted bundle goes toward supporting charity

The post Every <i>Destiny 2</i> Expansion Is Cheaper Than Ever At The Worst Possible Time appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:21 PM
    

A Space Marine looks out at space.

Space Marine 2 will let you play multiplayer as much as you want for a limited time

The post One Of Last Year's Best Shooters Now Has A Free Demo appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:20 PM
    

Goveegamelightbars

Save 37% on two of the Govee pro gaming light bars over at Amazon for a limited time.

The post Govee LED Light Bars (2-Pack) Now Feel Like a BOGO Deal at This Price, the Cheapest Way to Upgrade Your Gaming Desk appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:16 PM
    

Spellcasters

The story-focused single-player studio is pivoting to multiplayer, despite no news on its Star Wars game

The post Huh, Quantic Dream Announces A Hero Shooter Called <i>Spellcasters</i> appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:05 PM
    

Sandisk Ssd 1to

SanDisk's SSD hits a record‑low price for ultra‑fast, durable storage on the go.

The post SanDisk Offloads Its SSDs, Now Selling the 2TB Model for Pennies on Amazon appeared first on Kotaku.


PCGamesN Thursday, October 16, 2025 5:00 PM
    

PureVPN is bringing an end to five-year VPN plans, but weirdly this only seems to be the case for its existing customers and not newcomers.


PCGamesN Thursday, October 16, 2025 1:12 PM
    

Escape From Duckov may lean on Tarkov's popularity, but this action-packed shooter from Team Soda is far more than a generic parody game.


PCGamesN Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:26 PM
    

Total War Warhammer 3 Tides of Torment has been pushed into December, alongside TWW3 update 7.0 and Creative Assembly's new mod manager.


PCGamesN Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:03 PM
    

Bringing together World of Warcraft dungeons and combat inspired by Diablo and League of Legends, Fellowship is out now in early access.


PCGamesN Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:13 PM
    

Dead Cells developer Motion Twin admits that it may have made its follow up game, Windblown, a bit too difficult when it first launched.


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:21 PM
    

Too many Battlefield 6 rounds of Conquest have been ending in a dissatisfying time-out, Uncle EA have found, with rival teams failing to completely devour each other's supply of spawning tickets. We've all known engagements like that - tit-for-tat exchanges between mostly AFK recon players. Irresolutions that might yawn forever were it not for everybody's real enemy, the clock. The gutsy response would have been to retitle Conquest "Bathos", or "War on Terror" if they wanted to sadden George Bush, or "Waiting for Bravo" if they wanted to amuse the Beckett fans, or "Deadlock" if they wanted to tweak Valve's whiskers. Instead, EA have taken the coward's way out and chopped the allowance of tickets on a per map basis.

Read more


Siliconera Thursday, October 16, 2025 5:00 PM
    

New NIKKE Figure Is Rapi: Red Hood in Her Cherished Red Costume

Good Smile Company revealed its next Goddess of Victory: NIKKE figure, and it will be of the Red Hood version of Rapi wearing her just-released Cherished Red costume. There's no release window for it yet. It only announced the item is in development and shared art for it.

This version of Rapi is a scale figure and will be based on the Cherished Red costume Shift Up made for her after she won the NIKKE Character Popularity Poll 3 in 2024. It is the version of the character inspired by another other unit in the game named Red Hood. That costume and an event tied to it launched in-game on October 16, 2025. Good Smile Arts Shanghai is the studio developing it. It is unknown if the pose for the final item will be identical to the one shown in the art announcing the product. That image is the one Shift Up used in promotional materials for her when revealing the bonus and event. In the past, such as with the Quency: Escape Queen figure, Good Smile Company did base it on official art.

Here's the announcement image:

This will mark the second figure of Rapi from the company, and the second based on her Red Hood alt. The first was a Nendoroid of her based on her standard appearance. 

The Rapi: Red Hood Cherished Red costume figure is in development. Goddess of Victory: NIKKE is available on the PC and mobile devices. 

The post New NIKKE Figure Is Rapi: Red Hood in Her Cherished Red Costume appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, October 16, 2025 4:00 PM
    

Mouthwashing Anya Nendoroid Can Come With 2 Bonuses

During the 2025 Tokyo Game Show, Good Smile Company confirmed it would release a Mouthwashing Nendoroid of Anya, the Tulpar's nurse. At the time, there was no concept art or prototype figure shown. Now pre-orders are already live for her 2026 worldwide debut, and there are two possible bonuses for buying her direct from the company. She'll be out in Japan for ¥6,500 in May 2026, then debut worldwide for $40.99 in Q4 2026.

Editor's Note: The Anya Mouthwashing Nendoroid photos will include spoilers for the game.

The Anya Mouthwashing Nendoroid arrives in her work uniform for Pony Express. She has three face plates. One is more stoic, the second has her eyes closed and smiling, and the third is a bloody one from a certain point in the story. She comes with an optional party hat she can wear, and you can make her hold a bottle of mouthwash. The inside of the packaging also looks like the medical bay where she works.

Here are the first photos of her. 

You can see the trailer for her on social media.

https://twitter.com/GoodSmile_US/status/1978657273250508968

As for the Good Smile Company exclusive items, you get one from buying from the Japanese branch and two from going through the US one. Both storefronts include a hand part with the bottle of pain pills she could administer as part of her role on the ship. The US storefront comes with a background sheet of the sky. 

Here's how those look:

The Mouthwashing Anya Nendoroid will come to Japan in May 2026 and other regions in Q4 2026. Pre-orders are open until November 26, 2025. The game is on the Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

The post Mouthwashing Anya Nendoroid Can Come With 2 Bonuses appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, October 16, 2025 3:00 PM
    

Unicorn Overlord Melisandre Figure Debuts in 2026

Kotobukiya opened pre-orders for the Unicorn Overlord Melisandre figure ahead of her debut in 2026, and it confirmed buying direct through the company nets someone an extra face plate. It will launch in Japan first in June 2026 for 23,100円. The US release happens in July 2026, and it will cost $184.99 there.

Kotobukiya first started talking about the Melisandre figure when 2025 began. Concept art for her showed up at the end of January 2025. She's a Swordfighter, and her pose for the figure is based on the one used in her official art. She doesn't automatically join in Unicorn Overlord, and you need to make certain choices to get her as an ally. The figure is a 1/7 scale one that stands at almost 10 inches tall (252mm), and she comes "equipped" with what looks like her Black-Iron Sword. 

Here's how it looks.

The company also shared a photo highlighting the bonus face plate. This is only available through its official storefronts. While the character is smiling in her default pose, the additional posing option turns that into an open-mouth smile.

There are even more figures from Unicorn Overlord planned after the Melisandre one debuts. Apex-Toys confirmed it is making ones of Berengaria and Virginia

Unicorn Overlord is on the Switch, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X, and we will see the Melisandre figure show up in Japan in June 2026 and the US in July 2026.

The post Unicorn Overlord Melisandre Figure Debuts in 2026 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, October 16, 2025 2:00 PM
    

Dragon Ball FighterZ Free Update Focuses on Bardock vs Frieza

Bandai Namco announced a free Dragon Ball FighterZ update that adds more content for Bardock vs Frieza fights, and the patch is live now. There's also a trailer highlighting that addition. This comes after it confirmed at EVO France 2025 that a balance patch would show up on October 12, 2025, followed by more paid DLC based on Dragon Ball Daima in Spring 2026. Another patch is also confirmed to fix issues that came up in the one that appeared earlier this week.

The video begins by showing the new introduction to a Dragon Ball FighterZ match in which Bardock and Frieza are facing off. Frieza taunts him, then Bardock ties Tora's bloodstained armband around his head like a bandana and vows revenge. There are also clips taken from later in the fight, with one referencing Bardock's vision of Goku preparing to face Frieza.

https://twitter.com/dragonballgames/status/1978821482529579500

As for the next patch, Bandai Namco included a list of some of the things that will be repaired in that update. Here's what we can expect, taken from the official X announcement:

  • Cooldown time for Z Assist (Type A, Type B)
  • Hit: Instant Blow
  • Goku (Ultra Instinct): Unrestrained Will (Sparking! state only)
  • Gohan (Teen): Super Dragon Flight (Heavy)
  • Goku Black: Fierce God Kick (Heavy)
  • Zamasu (Fused): Wall of Light

And in case you missed the next DLC announcement, Goku SS4 Daima is on the way. It will show up in Spring 2026. That will be the seventh version of the character in the game. (Ninth, if you count Gogeta SSGSS and Gogeta SS4.)

Dragon Ball FighterZ is available on the Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Bardock vs Frieza update and balancing patch are live now. Goku SS4 Daima DLC launches in Spring 2026.

The post Dragon Ball FighterZ Free Update Focuses on Bardock vs Frieza appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, October 16, 2025 1:00 PM
    

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Ranked Battle Season 1 Gives Greninjite

Nintendo announced that, alongside the debut of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Season 1 of the Z-A Battle Club Ranked Battle kicked off with Greninjite for Mega Greninja as a reward. People have until November 5, 2025 to fight in online matches to earn it. Note that you do need to pay for Nintendo Switch Online and grab the day-one patch for the game to take part.

There's one requirement to earn Greninjite so you can Mega Evolve Greninja in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. You need to hit Rank K. This is accomplished by earning points as you take part in matches. While winning helps you get there faster, the nature of the competition here means that even if you don't, it is possible to earn the Mega Stone without too much trouble. 

The other rewards for getting to certain tiers in Z-A Battle Club Ranked Battle also came up for the first season. Regardless of what rank someone reaches, they'll get at least one Nugget. Seed of Mastery Z-A shows up as an additional reward for ranks L through R. A Bottle Cap is included in the bundle if you hit between Rank F and K. Folks who manage to get to between Rank A and E will get all of the previous rewards, Sport Ball Poke Balls, and a Gold Bottle Cap.

Game Freak and Nintendo also brought up the major rewards for seasons 2 and 3. Again, they will be Mega Stones. Delphox's Delphoxite will be the second one. Chesnaught's Chesnaughtite will be the one awarded in the third season.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is available for the Switch and Switch 2, and the Z-A Battle Club Ranked Battle Season 1 Greninjite will be available as a reward until November 5, 2025. After that, season 2 will begin.

The post Pokemon Legends: Z-A Ranked Battle Season 1 Gives Greninjite appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 4:47 PM
    

Line regiments shooting each other in Master of Command .

This Steam Next Fest, I haven't really been playing that many demos. I'll usually pick out a few, but with so many good, great games out now, I just didn't have the time. But peeping in just to look around, I found a gem of a game that immediately fired my boomer brain's neurons.

The game is Master of Command, a real-time strategy game that puts you in the midst of one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history, which, of course, took place in Europe, because where else would it be? It's the Seven Years' War, a proto-world war where European powers, chiefly France, Prussia, Britain, and Russia, clashed and fought for, well, seven years. Line warfare took the central spot during the conflict, as did artillery, revolutionizing warfare forever.

The campaign map highlighting Greater Poland in Master of Command.
The campaign map looks stunning. Image via Armchair History Interactive

Naturally, you control one of these states, managing armies from the smallest scale of the camp to the largest, open battles. You have a campaign to fulfill, unraveled through missions with different objectives and sub-goals, taking place across the European theatre. In the case of the demo, which puts you in the role of Prussia, you can attack some German states or face the Commonwealth's might in the Greater Poland region. You move around the overworld, decide who to attack and for what reason, and face them head-on, all while completing various mission objectives.

The game is very detailed and thoughtfully made, and will give you a sense of generalship much more than, say, Total War. Speaking of which, this game takes a lot of inspiration from Total War, especially some of its older titles.

Line regiments and artillery firing at each other in Master of Command.
Total War totally inspired the warfare of this game, and I'm all here for it. Image via Armchair History Interactive

Generals have regiments and provide special bonuses and buffs, much like they do in games like Shogun 2. Armies and formations are one-to-one, I won't say copies, but recreations of Total War's RTS formula, and so on. If you've played any TW game under the sun, and particularly an Elspeth von Draken campaign in TW Warhammer 3, then this'll be the perfect game for you.

Master of Command also has this unique, almost cel-shaded art style, which I found super compelling, even if it doesn't always fit with the theme and setting. It's an interesting choice of colors and stands out amid more grimy, gritty titles with military vibes, so I think it was a good decision to try something different.

I am a real Total War buff, and aneven bigger history buff, so Master of Command scratched an itch I knew I had but never bothered to look into. It's been quite a while since we've had a prominent game of this kind, tackling 18th-century warfare, so I see it as a most welcome release.

It comes out later this month in full, but you can still try the demo if you want, and I wholeheartedly recommend that you do.


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The post All my boomer brain neurons activated when I played this 18th century RTS' Steam Next Fest demo appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 4:34 PM
    

A menu shows the information for the Pokemon Eevee in Pokemon Legends: Za

Eevee is one of my favorite Pokémon, and I know I'm not alone in that. Eevee's ability to evolve into eight unique 'mon lets it fill a niche on almost any team. So naturally, everyone wants to know if the Evolution Pokémon is catchable in Pokémon Legends: ZA.

The simple answer is yes; you can catch Eevee in Pokémon Legends: ZA. The honest answer is that it's a hard Pokémon to find. But like all the best things in life, Eevee is worth the hassle.

Where to find Eevee in Pokémon Legends: ZA

The location of the Pokemon eevee in Pokemon Legends: ZA.
Screenshot by Destructoid

Eevee makes its home in the Bleu Sector 7, but you won't find it by combing the streets. The Evolution Pokémon only spawns on a single rooftop in the area, one you can't access from street level anywhere in Bleu Sector 7.

To access Eevee's rooftop, you'll need to head East across Vernal Avenue and go to Vert Sector 9. Once you're there, head to the lake across from the Stone Emporium. From there, you can climb a set of scaffolding up to the rooftops. From this position, you can parkour your way back to the roofs of Bleu Sector 7.

A map showing how to get to the Pokemon Eevee in Pokemon Legends: ZA
Screenshot by Destructoid

If you don't see an Eevee right away, don't panic. Eevee is a very rare spawn, so you might have to reload the area a few times before one shows up. While playing, we noticed Eevee seems to have a slightly higher chance of spawning at night, so if you're having trouble getting an Eevee to spawn, use a bench to bring the moon out.

If this sounds like a bit too much hassle for you, there is another way to nab an Eevee. You can encounter Eevee in Wild Zone 19, where it spawns in far more forgiving locations. That said, Wild Zone 19 unlocks late in the game, and any Eevees you find there will probably be under-leveled. I recommend getting an Eevee through Bleu Sector 7 if you want one on your team, but if you're only catching a few to complete your Pokédex, farming Wild Area 19 will work out just fine.

Can you get all of Eevee's evolutions in Pokémon Legends: ZA?

Promo art for the Eevee Grove expansion in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Image via Nintendo

Evolution is the name of the game with Eevee (unless you're still playing Pokémon: Let's Go Eevee), and luckily, you have access to all of Eevee's evolutions in Pokémon Legends: ZA.

You can buy the evolution stones you need to evolve Eevee into Flareon, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Leafeon, and Glaceon at the Stone Emporium for a slim ₽3,000. You can get Espeon and Umbreon by leveling your Eevee up during the day or night once it's reached maximum friendship. And finally, the elusive Sylveon will be yours if you level up a friendship-maxed Eevee that knows a Fairy-type move.

The post How to find Eevee in Pokemon Legends Z-A appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 4:30 PM
    

The Pokemon Staryu with it's trainer in Pokemon Legends: ZA.

Pokémon Legends: ZA's second Wild Zone is where the quality of the game's Pokédex really comes to light. You can catch some outstanding Pokémon here, including Staryu, one of the most creatively designed Pokémon ever made and an all-time favorite of mine.

Whether you're looking to make Staryu and its evolved form, Starmie, a permanent fixture of your team or trying to complete the "Surveying Wild Zone 2" request for Maple, you might run into some trouble. Catching this psionic starfish is a bit more complicated than Wild Zone 2's data page makes it out to be.

Where to find Staryu in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

A wild Staryu being targeted by a trainer in Pokemon Legends: ZA.
Screenshot by Destructoid

You can find Staryu in Wild Zone 2, but not all the time. Much like its inspiration, Staryu only comes out at night. If you're having trouble finding Staryu, it's likely because you're searching for it during the day.

Luckily, you don't have to wait until the sun sets to go starfish hunting. You can immediately change the time of day by resting at a bench. Once the sun's set, head to Wild Zone 2. Now, Saryu will spawn in the lake alongside Magikarp. There's even an alpha Staryu hanging around on the zone's southeastern shoreline.

How to catch Staryu in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

A trainer catching Staryu in Pokemon Legends: ZA.
Screenshot by Destructoid

Thankfully, catching Staryu is a lot easier than getting it to spawn. Wild Staryu won't try to attack you or run away if you get too close to it. Even better, Staryu stick close to the shoreline, where there's plenty of long grass for you to hide in.

If you stay crouched and stay out of Staryu's sight, you should be able to catch it with a simple Poké Ball. Even if you don't capture it and get dragged into a fight, you've had plenty of opportunities to catch some Grass and Electric-type Pokémon by this point, so it shouldn't be hard to knock it out. As long as you throw a Poké Ball at Staryu before it disappears, you're almost guaranteed to catch it.

If you're interested in checking out what other Pokémon Wild Zone 2 offers, check out the complete list here. Even if you don't plan on using any of them, catching them all nets you 1,000 research points.

The post How to find Staryu on Wild Zone 2 in Pokémon Legends Z-A appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 4:20 PM
    

An image of a guardian with the New Malpais pulse rifle in hand.

Destiny 2 players' pleas for earnable ornaments have been around for years, with multiple controversies surrounding the split between what appears for free and what comes with a price tag. The studio, however, surprised the community by announcing free cosmetics as part of an event next month.

The upcoming Call to Arms event, slated for Nov. 11, brings a slew of rewards, but the most notable of them might be a new Exotic ornament for the New Malpais pulse rifle. The ornament—and other rewards, including a finisher—will be available for all players, Bungie confirmed in a blog post today.

The studio has rarely given free, earnable weapon and armor ornaments. With The Edge of Fate, Bungie added an earnable ornament for Conditional Finality, which required players to go flawless before they could purchase it for Silver (and, during one week, for Bright Dust). The new cosmetic for New Malpais marks the first time in years that players can earn this type of item simply through gameplay.

Concept Art for the Gladius set in Destiny 2 shows influence from Iron Banner.
What the Gladius set looked like in concepts. Image by Ben Low via PC Gamer

The announcement comes in the wake of turmoil at Bungie: Destiny 2's player count is cratering to new lows, and the studio faced a scandal with its in-game shop in the past month.

The team teased an "incredibly cool new set of armor" for Iron Banner, which would have been available for free by playing the mode. The studio, however, was caught red-handed after moving the promised set to the paid Eververse store and giving players a recolor of an old, basic armor set instead. The community uncovered the scandal after seeing concept art for the Gladius set on Ben Low's since-deleted Artstation page, though PC Gamer archived an image of it (seen above).

"The overall balance in paid and earned armor cosmetics is off for this season," Bungie said in its statement. As a make-good measure, the team added another would-be Eververse set to Iron Banner in its stead, but fans were furious with the decision to shift sets in the first place.

A recolor of an old Iron Bannet set available in game.
Iron Banner armor at home. Image via Bungie

While this is the latest controversy involving the discrepancy in quality between earnable and paid armor sets, it's by no means the only one to happen in recent years. In 2023, Bungie said it couldn't maintain its pace of one ritual armor set per year, which sparked discontent in the community. To rectify the situation, the studio added the Biosphere Explorer set to the three ritual playlists, letting all players earn them without spending any money.

The news also follows major U-turns in Bungie's plans for Renegades, including the removal of Unstable Cores, the abandonment of a seasonal reset in December, and a litany of improvements to the Portal, making the power grind far easier.

Players can earn the ornament for New Malpais, as well as a series of cosmetics and weapons, when Call of Arms releases on Nov. 11. Until then, Festival of the Lost, the game's usual Halloween event, arrives next Tuesday.

The post I never thought this day would come: Destiny 2 is finally giving out a free, earnable ornament next month appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 3:56 PM
    

Riolu on the promo image of Legends ZA

Having a Lucario early on your Pokémon Legends Z-A adventure will be immensely helpful, and for that, you'll first have to catch a Riolu.

Once you have cleared the initial set of missions and unlocked more parts of Lumiose City, you'll be able to find a Riolu. Since it doesn't like to stay on the ground, you'll have to look for high places once the conditions are right. This guide will help you to do so.

How to find Riolu in Legends Z-A

Riolu can be found on the rooftops of buildings, and it doesn't spawn at a Wild Zone. In simpler words, it's a roaming Pokémon that can be found on roofs. This certainly makes it challenging for you to find the creature due to its absence in Wild Zones.

However, you can find a guaranteed Riolu spawn on top of the mall by the Looker Bureau. You can find the location from the center by turning northwest and traveling a bit. There are a couple of ladders that lead to the roof. The exact location of Riolu on the roof appears to be random (in terms of the exact spot), but it's always at the mall rooftop.

Riolu's location in Legends ZA
Screenshot by Destructoid

Riolu is one of the easier Pokémon to catch, as long as you find it on the map. Unlike other Pokémon, it doesn't try to escape in case you fail to catch it. You can rest on the bench and return to the spot to try and catch Riolu once again.

When trying to catch Riolu, make sure it's daytime and sunny. Otherwise, it won't spawn as a Roaming Pokémon.

How to evolve Riolu to Lucario in Legends Z-A

Evolving Riolu will take some time, but it will largely depend on how much you use it. Try to play it in as many battles as possible, and feed it a few berries to enhance your friendship. You can also try having a tea at the cafe, and give it the Soothe Bell (if that's available in your inventory).

Once Riolu's Friendship level is high enough, you'll be able to evolve it into Lucario. Do remember that the evolution can only happen in the daytime. If it's night and you don't want to wait, you can always change the hour of the day to your advantage.



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The post How to find Riolu and evolve into Lucario in Pokémon Legends Z-A appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 3:54 PM
    

The first Pokemon starter trio, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle from Pokemon Red, Pokemon Blue, and Pokemon Yellow

You can get all the Kanto starters in Pokémon Legends ZA, but you will have to progress up until the very end of the Story Missions to see them. But you're in luck if you're a fan of Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle, as you can pick one of them in a side quest you can't miss quite early into the game.

Here are the two methods to get the Kanto starters in ZA.

First method: Pick one during A Call from Mable

Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in A Call from Mable
A nostalgic choice. Screenshot by Destructoid.

You can pick one of the three Kanto starters during Side Mission 022, "A Call from Mable." You unlock this side quest by progressing through the main story and getting Main Mission 08, "Reaching Rank V." After you defeat Lida, simply heal at a Pokémon Center, and Mable will call you, giving you the quest.

Head to the Pokémon Research Lab south of Lumiose and take the elevator to the Director's Office. When you arrive, Mable will let you pick one from Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle to keep, simple as that. When you make your choice, the Pokémon will join your party or be sent to your box at Lv. 5.

Regardless of your choice, the Pokémon will be shiny-locked.

Second method: Catch 'em all in the endgame

The map of Lumiose City showing Wild Zone 20 in the middle.
Time to do some shiny hunting. Screenshot by Destructoid

If you want to catch the other Kanto starters you missed from Mable's quest, you need to finish Legends ZA. Once you complete the main story and the credits roll, you unlock the Wild Zone 20 in the center of Lumiose City, where the Prism Tower is. You can catch Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur in that area as wild spawns, which means you can also hunt for their shiny versions there.

Stock up on Poké Balls, bring some strong Pokémon with you to take them down, and you should have all Kanto starters in your Pokédex easily. Then, to have all their Mega Evolutions available in combat, you must buy their Mega Stones from the Stone Emporium for 100,000 Poké Dollars each.

The post How to get the Kanto starters in Pokémon Legends: Z-A appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 3:54 PM
    

Dark Light Survivor characters

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of the Vampire Survivors-like genre, often combining action roguelite mechanics with bullet hell gameplay, and I'm always on the lookout for the next great one.

That's why when Steam Next Fest rolls around, I scour the list of playable demos for a title like the one I just played called Dark Light Survivor. The name sounded familiar, and so I checked out the dev's Steam page, and sure enough, the new title is a spinoff of an existing one.

Dark Light Survivor characters
Screenshot by Destructoid

The original title, Dark Light, is a Metroidvania that launched in 2022, and I've had on my wishlist for a while. And it immediately jumped out at me because, yes, please, I need more games like this that are "Survivors" spinoffs of existing IP.

It quickly reminded me of titles like Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Temtem: Swarm, both of which take the same universe and characters from the original game and add a roguelite bullet hell spin for something unique and fun.

Not everyone is a sucker for the genre like me, so I get that I may be alone in my thinking, but I want more games like this. Every big IP should have a "Survivors" spinoff, because why not? And with games like Megabonk bringing in a slew of new players to the genre, it seems as popular as ever, so big publishers should be diving in more. Give me Call of Duty Survivors, Marvel Survivors, and Destiny Survivors. Give it all to me.

Dark Light Survivor is a bit more active than some other games in the genre because it requires you to aim towards your enemies with ranged weapons (you can toggle auto-firing as well) along with a melee weapon, but there's also a home base of operations in third person that you can explore in between runs, and I think that's just neat. It can also be played in an over-the-shoulder camera in third-person a la Megabonk, too.

The demo is quite limited with only one playable class, and it's definitely a bit rough around the edges with its visuals, but it offers the same itch-scratching roguelite stuff I love, all while exploring areas and taking down hordes of enemies, leveling up and getting new abilities on each run.

Dark Light Survivor Seraphina character
Screenshot by Destructoid

Dark Light Survivor's demo is playable now in Steam Next Fest, and it's entering early access soon, where it'll likely join a long list of games in the genre that I've invested in early on while watching it grow and improve with each update.


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The post One of my favorite Steam Next Fest demos is further proof that all games should have a 'survivors' spinoff appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 2:38 PM
    

Nightcap, a Fortuna vendor in an exo body, with his chest plate open.

Warframe's The Vallis Undermind update brought Nightcap, a new face (well, a new metal plate, really) in the post-Narmer Fortuna. Maxing your reputation with the mushroom forager is different from the rest of the Syndicates, since Nightcap standing uses a new system.

The biggest upside of the new vendor is that there's no limit to how much Nightcap standing you can earn in a day. This is a huge, welcome change compared to Warframe's other factions, which block your progress after a certain point. Here's what you need to know to rank up with Nightcap.

Nightcap standing guide in Warframe

Nokko, a mushroom-themed Warframe, stands in Nightcap's hideout. The vendor is visible on the left of the image.
That's even before you feed the Prince. Image via Digital Extremes

Deepmine bounties are the core of The Vallis Undermind. They're the only way to grab parts for Nokko, Warframe's mushroom master, and are essential to advancing your ties to Nightcap.

Instead of running through missions and seeing numbers go up, you improve your reputation with Nightcap by gathering mushrooms in Deepmine bounties, similar to Hex treasures in Höllvania. You can use those resources to fill his field guide—essentially a Pokédex for Venusian fungi. The Orokin Eye effect works on them, so use it if you've built a Parallax landing craft from the Zariman tileset.

Completing a bounty gives you Fergolyte, but each bonus objective in a Deepmine bounty drops an extra mushroom at the end of the mission. While it's a fairly straightforward system, it has increasing requirements and a layer of RNG. We've broken it down below.

How to rank up Nightcap standing in Warframe

Nokko, a mushroom-themed frame, finds a glowing purple fungus in a dimly lit cave below Fortuna.
Hunting for mushrooms is one of the best parts of a Deepmine bounty.Image via Digital Extremes

The field guide contains 16 types of mushrooms found in the depths of Fortuna, and Nightcap's research requires you to go foraging for them in the Deepmines. You rank up with Nightcap by completing entries in the field guide. Each fungus has three tiers of analysis, though you need more specimens for each level. Their rarity also affects how many samples are required.

Based on our experience, there are three main types of mushrooms, with Dull Button being an exception.

Rarity Amount required (level one) Amount required (level two) Amount required (level three) Total required
Common 3 6 9 18
Uncommon 4 8 12 24
Rare 5 10 15 30

Finishing a research tier requires you to hand in your mushrooms to Nightcap, depleting your stock. If you had five samples of a common mushroom, for instance, you'd give him three and still have another two in your inventory.

Here's how many mushrooms it takes to reach each level of reputation with him, as per Digital Extremes:

Rank Number Rank name Full analyses required
One Unknowing One
Two Curious Two
Three Seeker Six
Four Gardener 12
Five Steward 16

If you're not having luck with bonus rewards or in-mission spawns, Nightcap sells some mushrooms for Fergolyte, a resource awarded at the end of Deepmine bounties or by composting unused shrooms. Each sample costs 10 Fergolyte regardless of rarity, but the most sparse ones are locked behind higher Nightcap ranks.

Ranking up with Nightcap is a new, refreshing formula. His inventory has interesting offers, including all parts of Nokko and rare Arcanes, so get ready to click every mushroom you see. As usual for Fortuna NPCs, Nightcap opens up his chest plate at rank five, putting a face to the odd helmet you've been talking to.

The post How to rank up Nightcap standing in Warframe appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 2:17 PM
    

Battlefield 6 vehicles combat

Battlefield 6 has struck gold, crushing franchise records as it sells millions in its opening weekend. This outstanding performance comes after years of sluggish and less-than-stellar releases, which had in many ways tarnished the series' reputation, now (almost) fully reclaimed.

As per an EA press release, BF6 has sold over seven million copies in its first three days on the market, surpassing all previous titles' opening weekends. Over 172 million matches have been played since launch, with the game itself rising to nearly 750,000 concurrent players on Steam alone during its release day. It's an incredible achievement given how poorly previous games had performed, essentially placing the franchise in stasis for nearly a decade after Battlefield 1.

Vince Zampella, one of the biggest names to have worked on the game, said devs "never take moments like this for granted," expressing "sincere gratitude to our global Battlefield Studios and passionate community that has helped get us to this point."

A battle scene in Battlefield 6 Open Beta
As satisfying to play as it is beautiful. Screenshot via EA

Battlefield 6 is in many ways a return to form, with the game playing a lot like the older titles with modern settings, including Bad Company 2, BF4, and Battlefield 3, which even has a map remade and featured in this latest title, which just so happens to be my favorite one in the entire game. Even though I don't have as many hours on BF3, I can see the vision through Operation Firestorm that persists and is equally as good as it was so many years ago.

So, at the end of the day, EA deserves a pat on the back for delivering after many years a great experience that is unaffected by what gamers have come to expect of modern titles. There are no loot boxes, Nicki Minajes or Snoop Doggs running around the map shooting lasers and lightning out of living dragon guns.

The game takes itself seriously and respects the vibes and the atmosphere ,and takes great inspiration from what used to make this franchise a staple of the genre, which some competitors, like the one containing elements described above, should think about when making new entries every year.

Of course, it remains to be seen if BF6 will consistently continue to be realistic and gritty as it is now, but as things stand, it's very much a divergence from the rest of the market, and one that deserves all the success it's currently achieving.

The post Battlefield 6 breaks franchise records and throws down the gauntlet for CoD appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 1:43 PM
    

A trainer encounters Alpha Dratini on a rooftop

If you are heading to Lumiose City in the thrilling action-adventure title Pokémon Legends Z-A, there are a few powerful Pokémon you absolutely want to be a part of your team. One such pick is the Dragon-type Dratini, originating from all the way back in Pokémon Red & Blue on the Game Boy.

This slithering little sidekick makes a great addition to any team and has been made even better by the recent addition of Mega Dragonite. So, learn where to find one below, with our full guide.

Where to find Dratini in Pokémon Legends Z-A

A menu shows the location of Dratini in Pokémon Legends Z-A
Screenshot by Destructoid

At the time of writing, the easiest way to find a Dratini in Pokémon Legends Z-A is to head to Vert Sector 6 and then travel to Restaurant Le Nah. Once you have arrived, climb the ladder outside the restaurant to reach the rooftop, where you will find a Dratini.

A trainer looks up at a tall building in Pokémon Legends Z-A
Screenshot by Destructoid

This Dratini is likely to run away, so be careful approaching it. We recommend using a Quick Ball, but if you do lose it, it should respawn in this area after some time.

Can Dratini be Alpha in Pokémon Legends Z-A?

A trainer approaches an Alpha Dratini
Screenshot by Destructoid

Yes, Dratini can be found in the Alpha form during Pokémon Legends Z-A. Much like other Pokémon, there is a random chance for this to happen, so it is likely just a case of repeatedly encountering the Pokémon to force an Alpha spawn.

Can Dratini be Shiny in Pokémon Legends Z-A?

A menu shows the details of the Pokémon Dratini in Pokémon Legends Z-A
Screenshot by Destructoid

Yes, Dratini can be Shiny in Pokémon Legends Z-A. There is no set way to secure one, but normal methods will help. Complete the Pokédex to earn the Shiny Charm, which increases the base rate of Shiny appearances. Otherwise, find where Dratini spawns, and repeatedly enter, exit, and then re-enter the arena until you find a Shiny.

The post How to find Dratini in Pokémon Legends Z-A appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 1:32 PM
    

Spellcasters Chronicles characters

Many gamers, myself included, have fond memories of narrative-driven titles like Heavy Rain, Detroit: Become Human, or Beyond: Two Souls. I wouldn't mind another one like that.

But apparently, the studio behind those titles is now working on a free-to-play competitive multiplayer game that also incorporates deckbuilding, flight battles, and RTS elements. Why and how is a studio like Quantic Dream making such a different title?

Spellcasters Chronicles gameplay big monster
Image via Quantic Dream

The announcement of the new title Spellcasters Chronicles hit this morning, and it came with a reminder that the studio is also working on Star Wars: Eclipse, a game that was announced almost four years ago and has barely been heard from since.

"After years as a single-project studio, we also decided to take a new step," studio head David Cage said to Techradar. "Multiple teams are fully dedicated to crafting the next generation of great games, including something very different, a competitive multiplayer experience, born from the same spirit of curiosity and creativity that has always defined us."

This game sure is a departure from what Quantic Dream is known for. And it's a bit disappointing to be reminded that Eclipse is still in the works while this game is also on the way, and the Star Wars title has no significant update ready yet.

"Of course, development of Star Wars: Eclipse continues, and we are eager to share more with you in the future," Cage said.

Spellcasters Chronicles, meanwhile, sounds something like a three-vs-three MOBA with different genre inspirations flavored into it, with the aesthetic of about a dozen other free-to-play "hero" type games that have come and gone over the past few years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmI8nzNHR8k

Judging from the screens, teaser, and impressions from Game Informer, I still really have no idea what to think about this title. But I think I'm all out of hype for F2P games like this one, and I'd much rather see what Eclipse is looking like sometime soon.


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The post Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human devs are now making a F2P multiplayer game for some reason appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:58 PM
    

The Pokémon Furfrou is shown in Pokémon Legends Z-A

Introduced back in the original Pokémon X & Y, Furfrou is one of the most interesting Pokémon out there, as it has several different forms based on its haircut.

Based on the poodle and the way people style their fur for dog shows, Furfrou has access to quite a few of these forms, but you'll need to do some work to find them. Thankfully, if you are hoping to find this adorable creature in Pokémon Legends Z-A, it is confirmed to be returning and can be found around Lumiose City. So, in this guide, we're showing you how to give your pup a haircut and change Furfour trims in Pokémon Legends Z-A.

How to change Furfrou forms in Pokémon Legends Z-A

A menu shows where in Pokémon Legends Z-A to find the Furfrou mission
Screenshot by Destructoid

To unlock the ability to change Furfrou forms in Pokémon Legends Z-A, first head to Juane Sector 6 and find the NPC called Mirte. Talking to them will start Side Mission 047, titled 'Becoming A Furfrou Trimmer.'

A menu shows the Side Mission needed to unlock Furfrou
Screenshot by Destructoid

Completing the task is fairly easy, as you are just given the objective to use the move Slash on a nearby Substitute Doll. So, complete this, and you will then be able to visit Mirte and change to either the Heart, Star, or Diamond Furfrou Trims.

The Pokémon Furfrou is shown in Pokémon Legends Z-A
Screenshot by Destructoid

To unlock even more styles, you must complete Side Mission 062, titled 'Becoming A Pro Furfrou Trimmer.' Now, you must use Razor Leaf instead of Slash. Completing this mission unlocks the remaining Furfrou Trims: Dandy, Debutante, Pharaoh, Kabuki, La Reine, and Matron.

A menu shows the Side Mission needed to unlock Furfrou
Screenshot by Destructoid

Once you have completed both of these missions, you can change any Furfrou's Trim as often as you'd like, but it will cost 500 every time you do so.

The post How to get all Furfrou Trims in Pokémon Legends Z-A appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:43 PM
    

Aerodactyl imposed on the promo image of Legends Z-A

Legends Z-A has no shortage of pocket monsters you can capture, and you can add some 'historic' names in the form of Fossil Pokémon.

There are three Fossil Pokémon to add in Legends Z-A. They're introduced to you automatically if you pay attention to the side quests. However, unlocking these Pokémon involves a specific amount of in-game resources, and this guide will help you prepare for them.

How to get Fossil Pokémon in Legends Z-A

The easiest way to obtain Fossil Pokémon is by completing the Restored from a Fossil quest. This is the 27th side mission, so it will take a fair amount of time for you to gain access. The mission requires you to meet Reg at the Pokémon Research Center.

Reg will give you enough Poke Dollars for buying a Fossil of your choice. You can then use the Fossil to have your first prehistoric Pokémon.

How to complete Restored from a Fossil quest in Legends Z-A

The Restored from a Fossil quest requires you to travel to the Pokémon Research Center. It's located to the west of Wild Zone 1, so finding it isn't hard. It's the exact location from where you start your Pokémon journey.

Go to the second floor, and you'll find Reg on it. He will reward you with 20,000 Poke Dollars. You'll be tasked with obtaining either the Jaw Fossil or the Sail Fossil. To buy, go to the Stone Emporium, which is located in the southern part of Lumiose City.

Stone Emporium Location in Legends ZA
Screenshot by Destructoid

Enter and exit Wild Zone 1, and then turn right. Head straight on the main path, and you'll find the Stone Emporium. This place sells plenty of evolutionary items like Evolution Stones and certain Mega Stones. Take the stone back to Reg, and he will hand you a Pokémon. You can repeat this process to get all three Fossil Pokémon for your collection.

Here's a list of what each Fossil/Amber stone produces and how much they cost.

Stone Cost What you Get
Jaw Fossil 20,000 Poke Dollars Tyrunt
Sail Fossil 20,000 Poke Dollars Amaura
Old Amber 30,000 Poke Dollars Aerodactyl

Whenever you choose to buy a Fossil, take it to Reg, and you'll get the corresponding Pokémon.


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The post How to get and restore all Fossil Pokémon in Legends Z-A appeared first on Destructoid.


WGB Thursday, October 16, 2025 7:18 PM
     Former Assassin's Creed chief Marc-Alexis Côté confirmed he did not choose to leave Ubisoft; the company reassigned leadership. He expressed gratitude for his time but clarified his departure was not voluntary amid organizational changes.

WGB Thursday, October 16, 2025 5:33 PM
     Quantic Dream confirms development of Star Wars: Eclipse continues while announcing a new multiplayer project, Spellcasters Chronicles. The studio is expanding but faces staffing challenges and mixed public reactions.

WGB Thursday, October 16, 2025 4:50 PM
     Battlefield 6 has achieved record-breaking sales of 7 million copies within three days, surpassing estimates and reflecting strong player feedback, with new content season starting soon to further enhance engagement.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Thursday, October 16, 2025 4:11 PM

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MonsterVine Thursday, October 16, 2025 7:55 PM
     Developer Sparrow Night and publisher Twin Sails Interactive have announced that the full 1.0 release of their 1930s newsroom management sim will now arrive on Steam on November 18, 2025, two weeks later than previously planned. While the game's 1.0 content is already complete and stable, the team is choosing to give News Tower its […]