GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 1:44 PM Advanced Decryption Keys unlock High Security Lockboxes that can include a variety of powerful rewards and companion upgrade components. In this guide, we'll show you where to find all the Advanced Decryption Keys we've discovered on our playthrough of Paradise Island If you follow this guide, you'll find enough keys to open all of the … The post Where To Find Advanced Decryption Keys In The Outer Worlds 2 – Paradise Island appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 1:43 PM After you complete the introductory Companion Quest for Inez, you can choose which arm you have grafted onto her. You can either choose the Crabble Graft or the Raptidon Graft. In this guide, we'll tell you what happens so you know which to choose. After you find both parts, you will need to speak with … The post Choose The Crabble Or Raptidon Graft For Inez In The Outer Worlds 2 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 1:43 PM At the end of the Pinching the Pupa side quest, players are given a choice. They can either give the Pupa to Biologist Bradford or Trooper Wentworth. In this guide, we explain the outcomes of both choices so you can choose which to make. If You Choose Biologist Bradford You gain 3 Reputation with Auntie's … The post Give The Pupa To Biologist Bradford Or Trooper Wentworth In The Outer Worlds 2 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 1:43 PM The Pursuit Of The Partite Pentaptych is a hidden side quest on Golden Ridge that sees the player locating scattered Mural Pieces in exchange for a powerful new perk, Art Enthusiast. In this guide, we'll show you where to find each of the Murals. The Dream Of Stars Mural Fragment #1 This is likely the … The post The Pursuit Of The Partite Pentaptych Guide For The Outer Worlds 2 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 1:43 PM High Security Lockbox items are a rare locked chest that players can discover during their adventures in The Outer Worlds 2. They contain both the upgrade materials for the VALERIE companion, as well as other useful and powerful loot. You will also need to find Advanced Decryption Keys in order to unlock the High Security … The post Where To Find High Security Lockbox In The Outer Worlds 2 – Paradise Island appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 1:43 PM In Pursuit of Purloined Propaganda is a side quest in The Outer Worlds 2 that tasks the player with finding 10 volumes of Science Adventures Quarterly in exchange for some rare and valuable rewards. Below is a list of all 10 volumes, a map of where they can be found, and a location screenshot showing … The post Where To Find All Volumes Of Science Adventures Quarterly In The Outer Worlds 2 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 1:43 PM The Euphoria Coast Automech Repair Center hides a secret reward that players do not want to miss, but it's initially off limits, prompting guards to attack the player on sight, so how do you get in? In order to gain access to the Euphoria Coast Automech Repair Center, you need to find an Access Pass. … The post How To Gain Access To The Euphoria Coast Automech Repair Center In The Outer Worlds 2 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 1:43 PM When exploring The Outer Worlds 2, the Commander will often encounter areas of high toxicity. Various environmental factors, such as Zyranium, stop the player from exploring areas. Spending too long in a Zyranium field without proper preparation results in the death of the player character. In this guide, we'll explain how to unlock the technology … The post How To Enter Poisonous Zyranium Areas In The Outer Worlds 2 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 10:22 AM Players can roll into the weekend with the new release of RENGAME and Bandai Namco's Once Upon a KATAMARI. The post Once Upon A KATAMARI Launch Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Friday, October 24, 2025 10:04 AM Serving as the thrilling climax and finale of the Amphoreous saga, HoYoverse's Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.7 - dubbed "As Tomorrow Became Yesterday" - will launch November 5. The post Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.7 Launching November 5 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 5:57 PM
Halo: Campaign Evolved is making some changes to The Library so it won't be as annoying The post <i>Halo'</i>s Worst Level Is Getting Changed In The New PS5 Remake appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 5:09 PM
Master Chief is a multiplatform boy now The post Microsoft Confirms <i>Halo</i> Will Be On PlayStation 'Going Forward' appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 5:02 PM
This week we've got card games, bloody mannequins with knives, dinosaurs and more The post <i>Kotaku'</i>s Weekend Guide: 4 Great Games We Can't Wait To Get Back To appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 4:18 PM
Halo: Campaign Evolved arrives on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in 2026 The post 25 Years Later, <i>Halo</i> Is Finally Coming To PlayStation appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 3:29 PM
It's like hearing Hinako's internal monologue as she runs for her life The post <i>Silent Hill f</i> Actor Looks Completely Freaked Out While Streaming The Game For The First Time appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 2:57 PM Holy Crap, It Looks Like Disney Is Finally Restoring And Releasing The Original Version Of Star Wars
Leaked screenshots show off a highly detailed restoration that puts the crappy 2006 versions of the theatrical cuts to shame The post Holy Crap, It Looks Like Disney Is Finally Restoring And Releasing The Original Version Of <i>Star Wars</i> appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 2:14 PM
I've been changing the brightness the wrong way all this time The post It Took Me Eight Years To Discover My Favorite Switch Feature appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 1:03 PM
This is some of the worst Tom Clancy shovelware I've ever seen The post Tech Bro Uses AI To Create The Worst FPS Ever appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 1:00 PM
The return to Lumoise City took two more Pokémon off the board The post Only One Pokémon Is Catchable In Every Game Now, And It's Not Pikachu appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 12:45 PM
When is a sequel not quite a sequel? The post Six Soapy Hours With <i>PowerWash Simulator 2</i> appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 12:20 PM
EA is planning to roll out some highly requested fixes and tweaks when season one arrives later this month The post <i>Battlefield 6</i> Is Making Its In-Game Challenges A Lot Less Annoying appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 11:05 AM
Sure, the new spooky event is free, but that still doesn't make it any good The post Nobody Seems To Like The New Halloween Event In <i>Borderlands 4</i> appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 10:58 AM
Also: Pokémon Legends: Z-A sells well but not great and more leaks from The Simpsons Fortnite collab The post <i>Sims 4</i> YouTubers Abandon EA Creator Program Over Saudi Arabia appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 10:39 AM
This game has no business being this funny The post A Child Held Me Hostage In <em>Pokémon Legends: Z-A</em> appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 10:15 AM
Save more than 50% on the Eufy C10 robot vacuum for a limited time at Amazon. The post This eufy C10 Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Drops Over 50%, Practically Free Compared to Dyson appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Friday, October 24, 2025 10:07 AM
These ducks aren't messing around The post A Duck With A Gun Has Replaced <i>Battlefield 6</i> In The Top 5 Most-Played Steam Games appeared first on Kotaku. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 2:57 PM Football Manager 26 brings the sports sim back onto the pitch, and you can score early access at a discount with this early access deal. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:22 PM Find out how many planets and satellites you can explore on your expedition by taking a closer look at the entire The Outer Worlds 2 map. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:13 PM There are four different ways to infiltrate the Vox Relay, so here's each way to complete The Saboteur of Paradise in The Outer Worlds 2. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:10 PM The simple ability is one you could miss entirely if you don't know where to look, so here's how to get double jump in The Outer Worlds 2. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:07 PM You can stumble on them at any time, and even fail some, so here's the full The Outer Worlds 2 quest list of main and side missions. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:05 PM It's a tricky side quest on the first planet so here's a walkthrough of The Brain Benders of Auntie's Choice quest in The Outer Worlds 2. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:57 PM The Outer Worlds 2's Zyranium gas is one of Paradise Island's deadliest environmental hazards, so here's how it works and how to protect yourself. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:22 PM A list of each of the flaws in The Outer Worlds 2, how the flaw system works, and how to equip flaws by unlocking additional perk points. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:23 PM Traits are new to The Outer Worlds 2, but act similarly to attributes, so here are all the positive and negative traits we've seen so far. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:01 PM Here's how to complete one of the game's first side quests and delete Cadet Corbin's records in The Outer Worlds 2 once you find them. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:24 PM A list of all The Outer Worlds 2 skills and what each one does from lockpicking to leadership, and how they contribute to your build. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:01 PM Builds in The Outer Worlds 2 are complex, and a mix of positive and negative traits means you may want to respec if you choose poorly. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 2:01 PM Here are all six The Outer Worlds 2 companions available to join your party, how they function, and how to unlock them. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:00 PM If you're trying to get over the bridge to the Vox Relay, you'll need to complete the Outer Worlds 2 For Whom The Bridge Tolls quest. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 1:24 PM Here's a list of all The Outer Worlds 2 perks we know of so far, how they work, and how to unlock them by investing in specific skills. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 12:59 PM Obsidian's RPG sequel has launched, so does it compare to the first game and how long does The Outer Worlds 2 take to beat? |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 12:45 PM The Titan Quest 2 character creator lets you stride through its stunning Greek realms as the mythical hero of your dreams (or nightmares). |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 12:16 PM Head on over to the fantasy slot machine that is Slots and Daggers, a fantasy roguelike that'll cost you less than a cup of coffee. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 2:12 PM The Old School Runescape Sailing skill release date has been confirmed, and we've dived deep behind the scenes for our latest Jagex interview. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 11:59 AM FF7 Remake trilogy director Naoki Hamaguchi assures he isn't planning to shorten the third and final act, despite fan feedback for Rebirth. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 11:52 AM With an Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 CPU packed into its tiny 14-inch frame, this Razer laptop is an absolute stunner. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 11:41 AM From a Steampunk observatory to a 50s diner, here's what we know about the Zombies maps coming to Black Ops 7 at launch and beyond. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 10:54 AM Whether you're building enclosures in Jurassic World Evo 3 or running production in Factorio, here are the best management games available on PC. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 10:46 AM If you love Banished or Manor Lords, Farthest Frontier's 1.0 launch makes now the time to play this stunning medieval city-building sim. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 10:42 AM One of the best-selling games on Steam, Rust, just got a whole lot more grimdark as a fan favorite Warhammer 40k faction joins the fray. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 11:33 AM Our top flight sticks for PC from brands like Logitech and Thrustmaster transform games such as Microsoft Flight Simulator or War Thunder. |
PCGamesN Friday, October 24, 2025 10:19 AM This Asus TUF Gaming VG249QE5A gaming monitor features a 1,920 x 1,080 screen resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, all for under $90. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, October 24, 2025 11:14 AM  I blast my way through another hulking dragoon, and run off down a corridor, companions breathlessly in tow. Surrounded by doors, I pick one before the next platoon of goons can descend upon us. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Nirvana. A rare breather from The Outer Worlds 2's rollercoaster of shooting and talking. For a moment, I just take it in. Breathing deeply, my nostrils fill with the scent of fresh bleach. My mouth waters at the sight of surfaces you could eat your lunch off of. My eyes widen at the brilliance of the gold trim. Somehow, I can hear the fact there mush be a fresh roll in each perfectly-maintained cubicle. |
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Siliconera Friday, October 24, 2025 6:00 PM
Crypton announced the Miku Expo 2026 tour dates for the North American series of Hatsune Miku concerts. The Vocaloid will perform in 15 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the US between April and May 2026. Tickets aren't available yet, though links to product pages via the official site note that presales will start as soon as October 27, 2025, depending on the show. However, the official announcement noted general ticket sales start on October 31, 2025.
Here's the full Miku Expo 2026 Hatsune Miku concert schedule so far. Things kick off in Chicago, Illinois in the US. The final show is in Mexico City in Mexico.
We don't have any idea of the set list for this year's concert will be yet. However, the official key art and Hatsune Miku design for Miku Expo 2026 is available. That is a design from Yon that features Miku in a colorful dress with candy all over it.
Here's how that design looks:
The Miku Expo 2026 Hatsune Miku concerts start appearing in North American cities on April 13, 2025.
The post Miku Expo 2026 Hatsune Miku North American Concerts Revealed appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, October 24, 2025 5:00 PM
Macy's started sharing details about the balloons that will appear during the 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Nintendo confirmed a new Super Mario one will join returning characters like Goku. He's one of five new designs that will appear on November 27, 2025. The official website confirmed all new and returning balloons, floats, and performances so far.
Of the 32 confirmed Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 balloons, only three are pop culture ones like Super Mario. Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story series and the Shrek's Onion Carriage with his family and friends as of Shrek the Third will also be there. The Mario balloon will be over 43 and a half feet tall, 51 feet long, and 37 feet wide. It is to mark the 40th anniversary of the game series, and it is based on his Super Mario Galaxy appearance following the launch of Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Switch. While the actual balloon wasn't shown yet, a 3D model mock-up was shared alongside the reveal.
The Super Mario balloon will be one of two featuring characters from Nintendo games during the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Pokemon will be back again. The Eevee and Pikachu balloon, which features the two characters riding in a Poke Ball-themed sled, will be back. That first debuted in the 2021 parade and has repeatedly shown up since.
A number of anime character balloons are also returning. Goku from Dragon Ball Z and Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece will both be back.
The Macy's 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on November 27, 2025.
The post 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Includes Super Mario, Goku appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, October 24, 2025 4:00 PM
HoYoVerse drip marketing on social media confirmed that the 6.2 Genshin Impact characters will be Durin and Jahoda. The former ended up teased in lore prior to his debut now. The latter is tied to the Curatorium of Secrets that we started learning about after the 6.0 patch. We don't know if they will both be five-stars or if one will be a four-star.
Durin first started coming up in Mondstadt storylines in Genshin Impact as a rival to D'valin. The latest update teases him as a more friendly face who is known for spending time with Klee in Mondstadt. Another post referenced Fischl and him being a "rival" to her. His title is "The Undying Fire," and he'll be a Pyro unit.
In the case of Jahoda, the initial description almost makes her seem like a clumsy and ordinary employee at Nefer's Curatorium in Genshin Impact. However, there's a suggestion she might be destined for greatness. Another post also referenced Ineffa coddling her. She will be an Anemo unit and, as such, her title is "Windthreading Shadow."
Here's how both of them look:
The sole 6.1 new character is Nefer. She's a five-star Dendro character originally from Sumeru who only started to play a part in the story once we reached Nod-Krai. She's available on a featured banner until November 11, 2025.
The post 6.2 Genshin Impact Characters Are Durin and Jahoda appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, October 24, 2025 3:00 PM
Bandai Namco announced that it will offer a replica of the influential Stand Arrow, which debuted in JoJo's Bizarre Adventures: Diamond is Unbreakable, as an arcade prize in Japan. It will be able to be used as a cap on a pen. That will debut starting on November 18, 2025. There's no retailer that ships worldwide offering it yet.
In the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, starting with Diamond is Unbreakable, the Stand Arrow is a type of artifact that can be used to awaken characters' stands if it pierces them. This particular one features a design based on Yoshihiro Kira's arrow, which he used in that arc of the series. So it is green with golden accents. (The versions of the arrows that appeared in other arcs, like Golden Wind or Stone Ocean, do look slightly different.)
In this case, the arrowhead is almost three inches long (seven centimeters). It is compatible with all average ballpoint pens. If someone gets it via an arcade, it will come with one pen.
Here are the first photos of the item.
So far, the Stand Arrow only showed up in series up through Stone Ocean. This is because with Steel Ball Run, Hirohiko Araki kicked off a new continuity separate from the original Phantom Blood through Stone Ocean ones. The last three arcs, which include Steel Ball Run, JoJolion, and The JoJoLands, are part of their own connected line.
The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Stand Arrow pen cap based on the Diamond is Unbreakable appearance will debut in Japanese arcades on November 18, 2025.
The post JoJo's Bizarre Adventures Stand Arrow Becomes a Pen Cap appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, October 24, 2025 2:00 PM
HoYoVerse held the the 3.7 Honkai: Star Rail Special Program stream on October 24, 2025, and this next patch will both add Cyrene as a playable five-star character and end the Amphoreus Trailblaze Mission story. Everything will start on November 5, 2025.
Cyrene will play a major part in the end of the Amphoreus story, which helps also explain why she's the only new character debuting in Honkai: Star Rail 3.7. Spoilers aside, everyone from the Astral Express on the planet is now working alongside the Chrysos Heirs characters they met during the story to save the day.
As for banners, they will work differently this patch. Cyrene, the five-star Ice Remembrance character, will be available between November 5, 2025 and December 16, 2025. Castorice, Hyacine, and Tribbie reruns will be present between November 5-26, 2025. Cipher, Mydei, and Phainon reruns will return between November 26, 2025 and December 16, 2025. Everyone also gets a Golden Companion Spirit as a free gift for logging in between 3.7's start on November 5, 2025, and then the end of 4.0. Also, Topaz and Numby will be the new character in the Exchange Shop.
Here's the 3.7 Honkai: Star Rail trailer that teases the end of the Amphoreus Trailblaze Mission story, highlights Cyrene, and upcoming events. Note that if you haven't been keeping up with the 3.0 missions, there will be some spoilers in this footage.
You can see the full Special Program for 3.7 below.
This means that two HoYoVerse games will sort of feature the same new character at the same time. Cyrene in Honkai: Star Rail is an expy of Elysia from Honkai Impact 3rd, as many of the Chrysos Heirs are based on that game's Flame Chasers. The Elysia Hi! Love Elf Battlesuit debuted in Honkai Impact 3rd 8.5 this week.
There will also be a Honkai: Star Rail special promotion starting alongside 3.7. Crunchyroll members get rewards, and players of the game can get a free two-week Mega Fan trial.
Honkai: Star Rail is available on the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and Cyrene and Chrysos Heirs banners will arrive alongside the Amphoreus story conclusion in 3.7 on November 5, 2025.
The post 3.7 Honkai: Star Rail Update Adds Cyrene, Ends Amphoreus Story appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, October 24, 2025 1:00 PM
There's a new trailer for the latest Musou entry based on The Legend of Zelda, and this time the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment gameplay footage offers clear looks at the Goron, Rito, and Zora Sages who will fight alongside Zelda and Rauru in the past. It also highlights her teaming up with people for different types of attacks.
As part of this reveal, Nintendo completely announced the new Goron, Rito, and Zora Sages characters who will fight alongside Zelda as characters in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and showed them wearing their distinctive helmets. The video begins with looks at the King and Queen of Hyrule, Rauru and Sonia, and Zelda. From there, we see in-game footage interspersed with commentary on the coming war. At about the 43 second mark, it seems the Zora Queen Qia appears to attack hordes of enemies with water. At the 47 second mark, the Goron chief Agraston is apparently attacking. It looks like the Rito Sage Raphica shows up at the 50 second mark. In the second half of the video, we start to see Zelda teaming up with some of these masked warriors to fight.
This is the second recent The Legend of Zelda to put Zelda in the role of lead character instead of Link. In September 2024, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomdebuted. It involved the princess using her magic to summon copies of items and enemies to save Hyrule herself.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will come to the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 6, 2025.
The post Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Trailer Shows Sage Characters appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, October 24, 2025 12:00 PM
HoYoVerse and Crunchyroll announced that there will be bonuses and rewards tied to Honkai: Star Rail. Everything kicks off on November 6, 2025, which is right around when the 3.7 patch for the game appears. This will go both ways, with players getting a 14-Day Mega Fan Free Trial and subscribers getting in-game rewards for linking accounts.
We know more about what will happen on the Crunchyroll side of things than the in-game Honkai: Star Rail rewards for now. As mentioned, if someone plays the game, they can try out the Mega Fan subscription tier for two weeks. Normally, a free trial for that tier lasts for a week. That is the ad-free option that allows you to download HD videos for offline use, watch on four devices at once, and access the Crunchyroll Game Vault. HoYoFair 2025 Special Fan Art Program "Chimerric Park" will appear on Crunchyroll for two weeks, with people able to earn access ahead of its wider release.
As for what happens on the Honkai: Star Rail side, there will be in-game rewards for being a Crunchyroll member, but we don't know what they will be. HoYoVerse did mention Lost Crystal and Stellar Jade giveaways. It also said that rewards will be doled out over four time periods. Here is the schedule for that:
Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices. The Crunchyroll promotion will run between November 6, 2025 and January 27, 2026.
The post Crunchyroll Subscribers Get Honkai: Star Rail Rewards appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Friday, October 24, 2025 11:00 AM
Sanrio has revealed that Baskin-Robbins Japan will hold a Hello Kitty campaign event to commemorate the character's birthday in 2025. The event will have the title "Hello Kitty Loves Ice Cream," and it will run throughout most of November 2025—starting from Hello Kitty's actual birthday on November 1, 2025.
Baskin-Robbins outlets across Japan will sell limited-edition ice cream with Hello Kitty-themed packaging for the event's duration. Buyers can choose the ice cream flavors by themselves, and each entry will also come with an additional permanent Hello Kitty merchandise.
Here is the full list of items that will be available in the November 2025 campaign:
Sanrio's Japanese press release suggests that this is not the first time Baskin-Robbins has held a Hello Kitty birthday event. As a matter of fact, the Japanese chain held a campaign titled "Hello Ice Cream!" to commemorate the character's 50th anniversary in November 2024.
In other news, ahead of Hello Kitty's birthday on November 1, Bandai Namco also revealed that it would bring the Hello Kitty and Friends Yokai Figure set via its Gashapon capsule machines to the US and Canada in October 2025 to help celebrate Halloween in North America.
The "Hello Kitty Loves Ice Cream" event will take place at Baskin-Robbins outlets across Japan from November 1 to 27, 2025.
The post Baskin Robbins Japan Will Hold Hello Kitty Event in 2025 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 3:46 PM
The first time I played Pokémon Legends: Arceus, I understood why it's a game separate from the standard naming conventions of other Pokémon games. The colon after "Pokémon Legends" in the title hinted that more games could come in the future, and I was excited to see how Arceus was different from the mainline games.
Legends: Arceus introduced complex exploration, crafting, and a more natural way to interact with Pokémon in wide-open areas that I would almost call an open world. It painted a picture in my head that this is what Pokémon Legends would be all about.
Perhaps other games in the series would explore time travel or alternate timelines. Just as PLA takes us to the ancient times of cataloging and studying Pokémon, I imagined future games exploring different eras or dimensions. So this new series had an identity in my mind: a game focused on a good legend, with intricate mechanics and a more mature storyline than the other mainline games.
PLA is significantly harder to play than Pokémon Sword and Shield. You have to face strong Alpha Pokémon that are tougher than your team, complete long Pokédex tasks, and manage scarce resources. You can't want to waste Pokéballs, and salvaging items to craft others is key. There isn't much money to be had, and blacking out is a huge problem because you have to go back to where you were to recover your satchel and precious items.
It's a much harder and more mature experience. The story is more serious, instead of the usual savior child and silly evil characters. It feels more like an actual legend, something closer to The Legend of Zelda than Pokémon. I decided that's what Pokémon Legends is about: Pokémon for experienced players, for a new audience, for the modern way of playing video games.
But then came Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and right from the announcement, I was skeptical. It's set in the same timeline as Pokémon X and Y, just five years later. So Pokémon exist, the Pokédex exists, and all the Pokéball technology exists as normal. When I finally got to play the game, I realized its story is essentially like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Some bad guys aren't really that bad, elementary plot issues are there to be solved, and once again, you're the hero saving a city. The theme became much more normal than the previous Legends game, more like Scarlet and Violet than Legends: Arceus.
We lost the time dimension in Z-A, and I feel we could have gone to the far future instead. We lost the plot and all the exploration, as the whole game takes place in Lumiose City. The city, supposed to feel big, becomes small because you can fly to almost every building. Distances are irrelevant since you can fast-travel everywhere.
The Pokémon discovery is also boring. In Legends: Arceus, Pokémon were in their own habitats where you'd expect them. You'd find Hippopotas and Hippowdon in the mud, in the poisonous Scarlet Bog next to other 'mon like Haunter and Stunky. In Z-A, Hippopotas is in artificial sandboxes in Wild Zones inside the city. These wild zones are extremely small and packed with Pokémon seemingly at random, in a way that's not creative or attractive at all. We lost that natural habitat, exploration, and ambiance that Legends: Arceus had.
There's almost no legend to be told. Legends: Arceus had several legendary Pokémon to meet and explore, and building the first Pokédex felt like ike writing down the legends of every Pokémon. In Z-A, it feels like playing through a long, repetitive story without knowing the Pokémon's origin or role in Lumiose City. The story about Zygarde takes forever to be told, and there's no big-picture legend in Z-A.
Resources are always available. In Z-A, I suddenly had 20 Hyper Potions with no idea where they came from. In Legends: Arceus, I'd spend time exploring to get money for Poké Balls to catch difficult Pokémon instead of getting them fed to me nonstop from floor loot or quests.
The fact that we went from Legends: Arceus, a game with complex mechanics, a mature plot, and an interesting living world, to the story of a prodigy being good at Pokémon battles in a single city is disappointing. It killed everything I thought the Pokémon Legends series would be. I just hope The Pokémon Company goes back to something more like Arceus that pushes the franchise's lore, exploration, and depth forward, rather than returning to something so basic and childish as Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
The post Pokémon Legends: Z-A ruined my expectations so badly I can't predict what the third game will be anymore appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 2:30 PM
Remember that Battlefield 6 trailer that made fun of Call of Duty's incessant need for celebrity cameos in its marketing? This Black Ops 7 trailer proves their point in a big way.
The BO7 launch trailer brings back Peter Stormare as "The Replacer," AKA the guy who replaces you at your job so you can stay home and play CoD. But this time, he's joined by a very interesting selection of celebrity cameos that have been a hit or miss with fans.
First up, we have Love Island season seven's Huda Mustafa ("first baddie in space"), who has continued on the path of her lucrative influencer career even after losing out on the show in its finale. And honestly? Good for her. But then there's Jake Paul, the short-form video creator who's gone on to terrorize the world as a very selective boxer.
In the video, the crew heads into space to inhabit Mars to "populate a Martian colony that will become the bedrock for humanity's future," and these two are humanity's best and brightest to do the job. The Replacer has taken the place of the actual spaceship pilot, which causes hijinks, and gives us the best part of the video when he "accidentally" ejects Paul into space.
That's when the Replacer puts in a call to Earth for more Replacers, who are comedian Nikki Glaser and beloved actor Terry Crews, the latter of whom CoD fans seem to be actually enjoying in the video (and hoping to see him as an operator). And so now it appears Crews and Glaser will take Stormare's place for the time being as he attempts to navigate outer space with Huda. Have fun, buddy.
I've never been the biggest fan of gratuitous celeb cameos in these CoD videos, and this one is missing the mark for many and seemingly proving BF6's point. What does any of this video have to do with BO7? Nothing at all, really, but I guess you have the liberty to create something like this when everyone knows exactly what CoD is bringing to the table with its yearly releases.
In previous years, CoD launch trailers have enlisted celebs like Robert Downey Jr., Kobe Bryant, Jonah Hill, Michael Phelps, and more, all cosplaying as soldiers and fighting each other. This one's quite different (probably for a variety of reasons), and I'm not digging it.
I'm actually decently optimistic and excited about BO7 after playing the beta and its limited skill-based matchmaking that will come to the game on day one, so I'm going to politely choose to forget that this trailer exists and hop online with a fresh mindset on Nov. 14.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 2:10 PM
Dispatch, produced by AdHoc Studio, has put out its first two episodes. And if I can tell you anything, it's that it's better than most full-blown hundred-million-dollar TV productions, both in terms of storytelling and, most surprisingly, the animation.
Being so good in all aspects, I had to go back in time and revisit those games that made AdHoc into what it is today, then functioning under the Telltale Games umbrella before it went dark. Not being much of a fan of either Borderlands or The Walking Dead, I naturally chose the one game that I adored as a kid: The Wolf Among Us, based on the Fables IP from DC's comics.
And man, it's been a decade since I last fired it up, but one thing hasn't changed at all. The game is still, to this day, absolute perfection.
Usually, when I go back and take another look at stuff I loved as a kid, I would end up not liking it at all. Most recently, I binge-watched a lot of my childhood classic movies, including Terminator 1, a film I saw countless times as a wee lad. However, I would come to find out that the movie isn't actually that good and that I am misremembering many of its scenes, replaying them in my mind as some pinnacle of cinema that they ultimately never were.
But when it comes to The Wolf Among Us, I find myself equally excited about the mysterious and intriguing story about murders in Fabletown, the reimagining of various fairytales and characters, the deep and dark and conflicted nature of its protagonist, Bigby (Big Bad) Wolf. Every aspect of the world, the story, the visuals, still enthralls me, makes me want to continue playing and uncover a story that I had already experienced and can predict.
The gameplay elements, though light, also lend themselves perfectly to a more laid-back experience where following the narrative itself takes precedence, though the quick-time events do bring the player into the fold every now and again. I actually like the QTEs in The Wolf Among Us more than I do in Dispatch, but the latter includes new and unique mini-games and other elements that TWAU does not have.
And though the animations are far simpler, even for the time, The Wolf Among Us manages to convey emotion and character a lot better than most contemporary games, chiefly due to its focus on facial expression and reaction. Whether a character is happy, sad, angry, or anything else, the game makes it its job to truthfully and clearly state that through animation, emphasizing the "show, don't tell" rule of narrative to the utmost.
I haven't ever played a game like The Wolf Among Us since. Well, at least until Dispatch. But even this latter does not offer that same feeling, a similar vibe. It's its own thing, shares a lot of DNA with its predecessors, but The Wolf Among Us truly is a one-of-a-kind game that could've gotten a sequel (AdHoc even wrote a full script for it) if it weren't for, as always, money problems.
Telltale has since been revived, and with it, the prospects of TWAU 2 have also been resurrected. But we haven't heard anything of it in years, and given that it's not being handled by the most talented team for this kind of game, I'm not so confident it could ever match the first. That is, if it does come out.
So, yes, The Wolf Among Us stands firm as one of the greatest games of all time, and a wild ride that you can only ever take for the first time once, but one that still never gets dull.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 2:06 PM
Multiple reports are now pointing to Battlefield 6's free-to-play battle royale mode coming next week as a shadow drop, so the industry is on edge in waiting.
Rumors about the mode's release have been swirling for weeks, and video leaks of the playtest in Battlefield Labs have inspired hope and excitement for players. But as for what the game is actually called, that's a different story entirely.
The Battlefield 6 battle royale mode will be called Battlefield: RedSec, according to Battlefield and Call of Duty news account ModernWarzone, which has been leading the charge on reporting unconfirmed info about the mode that he says will also be free-to-play.
Industry reporter and leaker Tom Henderson also said this morning that he "can now independently verify" that BF6's BR mode will be coming on Oct. 28, and that it will be a shadowdrop with no prior announcement this Tuesday.
"RedSec" doesn't really roll off the tongue, especially when compared to other popular titles in the genre like Warzone or Fortnite, so I'm sure the general gaming public will tilt their heads a bit at it. But honestly, if the game mode is fun, then the name itself probably won't matter in the long run.
I'm admittedly not the biggest Battlefield fan, but since this mode will reportedly be free-to-play, there's no downside to giving it a try if and when it does drop next week. It feels as though the gaming industry has veered away from BRs in recent years and more towards extraction shooters when it comes to hyped up releases, but this could easily blow up in a big way when it comes to popularity if it's received right by fans.
If you had any gaming plans next week (such as full releases for games like ARC Raiders and The Outer Worlds 2), then maybe leave a spot in your calendar to potentially try out what could be the next big thing in the gaming world.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 2:02 PM
With how the state of the gaming industry is nowadays, nothing comes as a surprise. All sorts of titles have risen through the ranks and conquered the market, but if you were to tell me a game about ducks with guns beating AAA behemoths, I'd never believe you.
But that is exactly what has happened. Escape from Duckov, a strange extraction shooter that puts you in control of a duck in what seems a post-apocalyptic, heavily-militarized world, has smashed through Steam's concurrent player charts and even managed to beat Battlefield 6. The title peaked at over 260,000 players (thanks SteamDB), briefly overtaking EA's blockbuster to become the third-most popular shooter on the platform, just slightly behind PUBG, which is free-to-play.
And yes, Duckov is a paid title, which only adds to the layers of mystery as to how this game managed to become so popular. However, it is a big thing in China at the moment, which could be contributing to the game's sudden and sharp rise, as well as its huge dips the closer we are to Chinese evening hours. That's just a theory, but a probable one.
Even so, Escape from Duckov came out of nowhere, catching us all by surprise with its super weird style. We gave it a 7, praising the game for being unique, but criticizing its many drawbacks, not least because we couldn't understand who the audience for such a thing might be. Many people, it'd turn out, but I still have no clue as to why you'd be paying to play this instead of a proper extraction shooter.
Games really do work in mysterious ways.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 2:00 PM
The Big Fella Evolution could be your best way to spend 25,000 coins in FC 26, and more so if you need a new midfielder.
The latest evolution kicks off the Ultimate Scream celebration and upgrades a CDM of your choice. Let's look at the best options for the evolution based on the upgrades on offer.
Table of contents
FC 26 The Big Fella Evolution requirements
Here are the requirements of The Big Fella Evolution in FC 26.
FC 26 The Big Fella Evolution upgrades
The evolution has four levels of upgrades, and there are certain conditions to fulfil.
Level 1 upgrades
Level 2 upgrades
Level 3 upgrades
Level 4 upgrades
Level 1 upgrade requirements
Level 2 upgrade requirements
Level 3 upgrade requirements
Level 4 upgrade requirements
Best players to use in The Big Fella Evolution
Here are some of my best recommendations for inclusion in the evolution.
While the upgrades are minor, you will be able to include these cards in future evolutions to create a chain and upgrade their stats further.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 1:47 PM
So, you've made it to the Tormented Souls 2 Prison and I can't help but wonder: "Just what kind of convent has cells and medieval torture devices under their sacred place?" Someone's got some confessing to do.
The darkness greets you from the prison pit as a grotesque sound emanates from its depths, only making that pit in your stomach worse. The Chess puzzle was just the start, but things are getting more serious now. The monsters are growing restless, their aggression manifesting in the very darkness that'd consume Caroline if her lighter ever ran out of fuel. While the cells keep the monsters at bay, it's a temporary refuge, for you must pull the lever at the pit's center if you wish to restore power and enter the Crypts below.
Tormented Souls 2: Prison lever puzzle solution
The Prison lever is inactive, which sounds like a good thing when a humanoid monster slams his fist against a prison cell, desperate to get out and have his revenge on the first person he sees (that's you, by the way). But safety doesn't last for long as the Prison puzzle demands you siphon power to the lever so you can access the Crypts. To do so, head into the open cell opposite where you walked in. But beware: a spider-like monster will ambush you. We recommend using the Nailer to deal with these as they have a higher health pool and a wider range of attacks than the humanoid creatures.
Inside this cell is the key to the Prison puzzle, outlined on the Symbol Paper that tells you what to do next. Take this back to the Prison entrance (follow the red cable from the lever) and unlock the breaker using your Pliers. Now, turn the switches based on the cryptic paper you picked up. The goal is to flick the switches towards the option that could fit inside the Symbol Paper's circle with an 'X' inside it.
From left to right, here's which way to turn each switch:
You won't know it's correct until you pull the lever above the pit. Now the true descent begins as you're inching closer to getting that Cursed Book, in a place where Evil Dead meets Indiana Jones. It's time to put your newfound Bible to good use.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 1:37 PM
Football Manager 26 is now available in Advanced Access beta. While Sports Interactive has secured many key licenses for this edition of the game, you will still need to use a facepack to cover all your bases. Here's how you can do so.
How to install a facepack in Football Manager 26
For this task, you'll need to download a facepack. There are multiple ones available on the internet (I use DF11, but you can go for any one you like).
Now, go back to the facepack that you have downloaded. If it's compressed, extract all its contents to this graphics subfolder. Extract the facepack folder as a whole, and not its individual contents. If the process works properly, you'll find the facepack folder within graphics.
Next, open and check if the graphics have loaded. If not, then close the game and Steam, and restart the game once more. Unlike the last few years, we don't have to reload the graphics from scratch.
You'll notice that all the facepacks you have added will show up in Football Manager 26. You can also apply updates to the facepack by the same method. You can also use the method to install trophy images, club logos, and more.
Doing so is completely safe, and there's no risk of a ban whatsoever. If you want to remove the facepack, just delete the files from the Sports Interactive folder, and they will be gone.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 1:25 PM
The Inverted Instinct Evolution is now live in FC 26, and it provides some exciting upgrade options for players and their Ultimate Team squads.
Not only is the evolution available for free, but you can use it up to two times. Let's look at the best options to consider based on the offered upgrades.
Table of contents
FC 26 Inverted Instinct Evolution requirements
Here are the requirements of the Inverted Instinct Evolution in FC 26.
FC 26 Inverted Instinct Evolution upgrades
The evolution has four levels of upgrades, and there are certain conditions to fulfill.
Level 1 upgrades
Level 2 upgrades
Level 3 upgrades
Level 4 upgrades
Level 1 upgrade requirements
Level 2 upgrade requirements
Level 3 upgrade requirements
Level 4 upgrade requirements
Best players to use in Inverted Instinct Evolution
Here are some of my best recommendations for inclusion in the evolution.
While the upgrades are minor, you will be able to include these cards in future evolutions to create a chain and upgrade their stats further.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 1:03 PM
Companions in The Outer Worlds 2 are crucial combat buddies who bring their expertise to the battlefield in different ways.
For example, Niles has an ability that taunts foes to keep their attention on him so you can deal big damage, while the robot VALERIE can burst heal you and keep you alive. Finding upgrades for your companions makes things way easier as the game's difficulty ramps up, so they're important in your quest.
Here's how to upgrade your Outer Worlds 2 companions so they can maximize their effectiveness in helping you along your journey.
How to get companion upgrades in Outer Worlds 2
Companions have two main types of upgrades, Perks and Mods via Companion Mod Kits. Perks are acquired at levels five, 10, 15, 25, and 30 as you level, but Companion Mod Kits bring powerful buffs to your companion's armor and damage-dealing capabilities.
Perks function similarly to your own Perks, offering different buffs and gameplay changes and you can choose one of two options for each, while Companion Mod Kits directly affect their weapons and armor. For example, Niles' mod kit can change his weapon damage to acid or electric, making him more formidable in combat alongside you.
Once you have a Companion Mod Kit, head to a Workbench and select the Party Upgrades option. Here, you will find a screen like the one above, allowing you to choose which upgrades to unlock. Choose wisely, because they can't be changed.
Companion Mod Kits are found throughout the game via different paths, but the first one for Niles is unlocked by finishing the Pressing Cares quest on Paradise, which is a Companion Quest. Companion Quests are marked by your companion's face next to the quest title in your journal, so completing these is a good first step on finding more Companion Mod Kits.
Companion Mod Kits also alter the appearance of your companions. I selected the electric armor upgrade for Niles and he got the cool metal mask that you see in the image at the top of this article.
These quests function like Loyalty quests in Mass Effect or other RPGs where the upgrades are tied to your relationship with the companion. So far, Companion Mod Kits don't necessarily seem to be tied to these quests, as we've had trouble finding additional ones in the review period. This could be a bug, however, so stay tuned.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 1:02 PM
The Outer Worlds 2 is finally upon us, bringing Obsidian's recognizable and stellar writing. But those words on your screen need a lot of power to render, as does everything else in this Unreal Engine 5 game.
So, naturally, you're probably going to have to tweak a few things to squeeze out some extra fps, and we've got the settings set just right for maximum performance.
Here's everything you need to know.
The Outer Worlds 2 optimization guide
The Outer Worlds 2 runs on the Unreal Engine 5 and makes use of everything this powerful engine has to offer. From real-time reflections to impeccable textures, Obsidian really made sure that no part of the engine's capabilities went to waste. That came at a cost, though: the average PC is going to struggle to run the game on High settings, with my own 4060 Laptop GPU scraping together some 30 to 45 fps, depending on location.
Even so, these settings can be optimized to ensure you have little impact on visuals but gain greatly in performance. So, here are the settings:
With these settings and TSR set to Native or about 75 percent, you should gain a lot in fps while sacrificing little graphical fidelity. The game doesn't use up too much video memory for High textures, enabling you to keep this setting ramped up. Screen Effects and View Distance don't seem to take much away either, but View Distance might be knocked down to Medium if you have a, say, mid-range 30-series GPU.
Anti-aliasing rarely does anything for performance, with TSR handling the bulk of the work (or FSR or DLAA, and even DLSS). However, GI and Reflections will take a chunk out of your fps no matter the hardware you're using, increasing the toll on both your GPU and your CPU. For the average player, keeping these two on low should improve performance noticeably, but shouldn't impact looks all that much.
The Outer Worlds 2 seems to have forced ray-tracing anyway (Lumen), so changing these settings won't turn your world to mush by any means.
Lastly, Crowd Density can help out if your CPU is bottlenecking your game, with each reduction (hopefully) increasing performance, especially in crowded areas like big towns or hubs.
The Outer Worlds 2 system requirements
The Outer Worlds 2's system requirements range from decade-old hardware to more recent powerhouses, illustrating the game's optimization. Even so, I wouldn't advise even trying to play the game on the lower-end hardware, simply because it will probably struggle at 30fps with upscaling and lowest settings, which is no way to play this game considering how pretty it is.
Here are both the minimum and recommended system specs:
As you can see, Obsidian hopes its game will run and perform on the hardware most commonly found among gamers. However, from my own experience, I believe the game will struggle to perform satisfactorily on anything lower than the recommended, and even then could require compromises like upscaling and settings tweaks. All in all, the settings we've shared above can and will ensure that your game runs great on the majority of hardware out there.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 1:00 PM
The Outer Worlds 2 is the latest and greatest from the legendary Obsidian Entertainment, and it's quite a blast.
The open-world RPG, true to the studio's form, features galactic spelunking, exploration, FPS combat, and an engaging story quest that sees you tracking down someone who betrayed you very early on. That's where the main quest line takes you in the early hours of the game.
If you've gotten stuck on the final objective of one of Outer Worlds 2's main quests, The Saboteur of Paradise, we've got you covered.
How to find de Vries' Safe Room in Outer Worlds 2
Finding de Vries' safe room is one of the main objectives in Outer Worlds 2's early story quest, The Saboteur of Paradise. Once you've made it to the Vox Relay above Paradise, follow your objective markers to sneak around the facility, avoiding combat as much as possible (or killing everyone, the choice is yours).
Following the markers and interacting with the terminals and consoles will eventually allow you to combine items to gain access to the main command floor area, where you saw that goon Brigadier Montelli execute one of his men when you first arrived.
The mission culminates in a boss fight against the heavily armored Montelli, who is no joke in the early goings of the game. I defeated him by sitting back behind cover, firing at him from afar with a Repeater Rifle, and lobbing Bio-Grenades at his feet until his HP was empty. Make sure to use Niles' and VALERIE's abilities to keep you safe, heal when you need to, and loot Montelli's body for the awesome Chainspark Cannon weapon.
Once he's dead, you can move on to the next area and interact with a console, using the Root Kit you created to open up her safe room. This can be tricky to find because there's no marker or any real indicator of where it is. Turn around, and the door will be off to your right, marked by a red light, holding a locker with loot and de Vries' private terminal to interact with.
A cutscene will begin, featuring a voice log from de Vries, and this will trigger another scene and your exit, so enjoy the exposition.
After this, the quest will complete, and your journey in Outer Worlds 2 will continue from there.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 12:35 PM
AdHoc Studio, the creative masterminds behind The Wolf Among Us, Tales From the Borderlands, and The Walking Dead, have finally begun the episodic release of their first original title, Dispatch.
And, from the first two episodes that are currently available, I have to say the studio hasn't changed a bit, still retaining the godlike writing quality we've come to expect from it, which now comes sprinkled with quirky and fun gameplay mechanics that are markedly different than its previous games.
Here is our review-in-progress, focusing on what is currently available, as we're going to reserve our final score for when all 10 episodes are released.
Peak fiction
Dispatch, described as a superhero workplace drama, places you in the shoes of Robert Robertson the Third, i.e. Mecha Man, a hero with no powers of his own who finds himself down on his luck and on the verge of quitting the business altogether. With some favorable happenstance and the intervention of old pals, he is brought to be a superhero dispatcher, controlling Team Z, a "hero" unit comprised of semi-rehabilitated supervillains that need to be reigned in.
It unfolds in much of the same manner as AdHoc's previous games, with emphasis placed on storytelling and narrative rather than gameplay, though you can still opt in for quicktime events, which invite you to take part in the otherwise cinematic experience unfolding before you.
Where Dispatch diverges from past AdHoc games is its addition of the, well, dispatching mechanic, which sees you manage heroes, send them on assignments, upgrade them and take care that they don't suddenly call to their inner villain and start blasting people all over the place. Which, FYI, they probably will.
Dispatch features an impeccable animation style, which is far removed from just about anything else AdHoc has ever done, with the game standing as probably one of the best-animated shows you've ever experienced. It's 3D with comic-inspired shading and is very reminiscent of Invincible, which shares a lot of art direction with Dispatch. Or is it the other way around? Doesn't matter, really.
And with this animation style comes the best video game voice acting and writing in a long time. Every scene feels realistic, the dialogue choices range from funny to outright Oscar-worthy, while non-player characters themselves never feel out of place, weird, or unrelatable.
Everyone has depth, intrigue, and layers; all the characters come together nicely and blend into a cohesive cast where each member appears like a person, motivated, driven, flawed, and emotional.
And the voice acting itself helps to highlight and illustrate and elevate all of these characteristics and the people carrying them, with professional VAs like Aaron Paul (Jessie from Breaking Bad), who are as perfect in their role as the newcomers like Charlie White (MoistCritikal), though this last is a well-known actor from Hunger Games, but you get my drift.
Of course, none of the above would matter if it weren't for AdHoc's trademark choices-and-consequences approach, with everything you decide to do in the game coming back to haunt, bite, or bless you down the line. A lot is at stake every time that dialogue or decision box pops up, and you'd better think fast lest time runs out and you're forced to make a decision you perhaps did not want to.
You drive the story, you decide how it unfolds, and though it's lighter on gameplay than most games, the amount of agency you do have is off the charts, much like how it is in AdHoc's other games.
Though these first two episodes are some two hours long, I cannot say that they did not provide a fulfilling, whole experience which, despite leaving things at the table in anticipation of further releases, is nevertheless the pinnacle of storytelling and yet another proof that AdHoc are the best in the business, making it a crying shame that their The Wolf Among Us 2 never manifested.
Perhaps Dispatch will change that because, as it stands, it's one of the best pieces of interactive fiction to have ever graced Gabe's digital kingdom, and I cannot wait to see what's to come in the week ahead.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 11:38 AM
If you have begun completing achievements in PowerWash Simulator 2, you won't want to miss out on the secret gnome, which is located closer to you than you might think.
Secret quests refer to specific achievements that won't be laid out in the open at first. They will be revealed only after you complete that particular quest. This guide will help you to find the secret gnome, which, incidentally, is located in your office.
Table of contents
PowerWash Simulator 2 secret gnome location
The gnome in discussion is located in your office, which is the first location you access in PowerWash Simulator 2. Your office essentially serves as your base of operations, where you can view the map and access new tasks.
To find the gnome, you'll particularly want to be in the first room up the stairs. This room contains the big world map and your pet Odysseus. Look for the computer table setup against the wall on the left (from the wall with the map). Then look behind the open door that leads up from the stairs. The gnome will be behind the door, and you'll pick it up to trigger a secret achievement.
How to complete the Gnome From Home achievement in PowerWash Simulator 2
The Gnome From Home achievement is automatically complete when you pick up the gnome for the first time. Unfortunately for players, there's no practical use for the gnome. You can place it in your office and use it as a decorative piece, but that's pretty much it.
Alternatively, it can be a cool item to show off to your friends, as PowerWash Simulator 2 allows you to play with friends. You can also play local split-screen co-op with your buddy on the same device to power wash together.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 11:30 AM
A reminder of the rules of chess awaits you in Tormented Souls 2 library, but you won't be leaving this puzzle as a Grandmaster.
With classic and retro-style puzzles full of intricate and satisfying level design, where backtracking and finding shortcuts is inevitable, Tormented Souls 2 throws a chess puzzle your way as a little taster of what's to come. But, as you know with any Resident Evil-style puzzle, there's multiple steps you must take to reach that satisfying solution.
Table of contents
Where to find the Chess Mat and Cryptex
This puzzle truly starts when you find the Chess Mat on the table in front of the fireplace in Calefactory. However, you may familiar yourself with chess via the upper floor of the Library, as this is important to solving the Cryptex as soon as you have it in your possession. The puzzle initially presents itself as a game of chess, but it isn't until you flip around the Chess Mat that you realize this puzzle is all about a code. The Library reminder on how each chess piece moves is helpful if you didn't already know how this board game worked. Now, the hunt for the Cryptex is on.
Once you have the Chess Mat (which you can refer to in your key item inventory tab), you have to piece together a Handsaw by combining its Frame and Blade. The Handsaw Frame is on the Refectory, where you have to move a trolley to reach a small squeeze-through area, the furthest point south from the Calefactory.
Then, head to Cloister and pull the lever on the elevated cage made of metal and wood. This sends the corpse inside down to the Basement, accessible via the stairwell on the southern side of Cloister (opposite the elevator on the map). Pull the Handsaw Blade out using the Pliers you got at the start of Tormented Souls 2 and combine with the Frame to create the Rusty Handsaw.
Finally, make your way to the Kitchen where multiple spider-like creatures spawn in. It's best to use the Nailer here to avoid taking unnecessary damage from the persistent monster lurking inside the Kitchen. Open the freezer nearest the Kitchen stairwell. Use the Rusty Handsaw on the frozen corpse inside. Still in the Kitchen, go downstairs and open the stove door, using Caroline's Lighter to ignite the dry wood inside. Place the Frozen Hand on the stove top to melt it, giving you the Cryptex.
How to solve the Cryptex
The answer to solving the Cryptex is on the back of the Chess Mat. The code shows seven symbols, each corresponding to how a chess piece moves. The Library offers the key, but you can solve this if you already know how each piece moves around the chess board. Rotate the dials and assign each piece relating to the Chess Mat sequence. Here's the answer:
This will give you the Crown Key to unlock the gate in the north side of the Basement.
Tormented Souls 2: All chess puzzle key items, summarized
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 11:13 AM
Dispatch, a so-called superhero workplace drama, is yet another piece of interactive fiction released by AdHoc Studio, now under its own guise and brand rather than Telltale.
The game brings along all the recognizable quirks we've come to expect from this team, including quick-time events, incredible storytelling, compelling characters, and, this time, animation that most TV shows can dream of achieving. But all of that is merely available on two platforms, PC and PlayStation 5, with fans left wondering if an Xbox or Switch release of the game is ever to come.
Thankfully, we have some information, so here's all you need to know about Dispatch on Xbox and Switch 2.
Will Dispatch release on Xbox or Switch 2?
As things stand, Dispatch is only available on the PC and PlayStation 5. The game is an interactive, cinematic experience, much more so than your average action-RPG or other story-oriented genre. This, then, makes it perfect for the PS, which has come to be synonymous with these "interactive movie" types of games, what with Sony's own first-party games of the type like Uncharted, among others.
However, Xbox isn't all too different from the PlayStation in essence, but has oddly been left out of the equation for the game's initial release. So is it ever going to launch on Xbox? It actually seems like it. In an interview with Insider Gaming, AdHoc's Narrative Director Pierre Shorette revealed that Dispatch will probably come out on other platforms at some point.
Asked about the game's PC and PS release, Shorette said PC was always going to be counted in, and that the PlayStation is associated with games like Dispatch, making it a natural decision to release on that platform. But, "that's not going to say that we're not going to eventually come out on those platforms," Shorette added, indicating Dispatch could launch on both the Xbox and Switch 2 at some point in time.
When that will be is yet to be revealed.
So, it seems like it's going to be a waiting game for Xbox and Switch fans, who will have to either get the game on these existing platforms or be steadfast for the foreseeable future until the game branches out.
Dispatch is set to release all of its episodes by Nov. 12, after which a potential port could be expected, with my predicting an early 2026 release date if not before that.
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Destructoid Friday, October 24, 2025 10:45 AM
Chaos Zero Nightmare has an unusual reset time for daily, weekly, and monthly activities. While many gacha games default to midnight or the first hours of the morning, the reset time for CZN is 1 pm CT (18:00 UTC).
Here's the full list of repeatable activities in the game that refresh at that time:
That means you must schedule your gaming sessions to claim all rewards from these time-gated events before 1pm CT every day. Any bonuses from events and missions you've completed but forgot to claim are lost. You can claim rewards from the Growth Guide, the Achievement Log, and the Achievement tab at any time since they aren't tied to daily resets.
Aether recharges are also not bound by daily reset times since they reset periodically as you spend Aether. To see how long it will take for your Aether to fully recharge, tap the Aether icon in the Lobby, and you'll see a countdown timer next to "Until Full Recharge" that indicates how many hours are left.
Chaos Zero Nightmare daily reset time, converted for other regions
The post All Chaos Zero Nightmare daily reset times appeared first on Destructoid. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, October 24, 2025 5:42 PM According to The Pokemon Company. The post Pokemon Legends: Z-A Sales Surpass 5.8 Million Units In One Week appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, October 24, 2025 5:11 PM Trailers were also released. The post Halo: Campaign Evolved Announced For PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, October 24, 2025 4:50 PM Announced in a recent Direct. The post Kirby Air Raiders Will Not Have Any DLCs appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Level Up Friday, October 24, 2025 10:59 AM  <a href="https://gameinformer.com/product/pokemon-legends-z-a">Pokémon Legends: Z-A</a> launched last week on October 16 for Nintendo Switch and Switch… |