PCGamesN Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:10 PM  Season 7 of Diablo 4 is finally upon us, and judging by early player reactions, its witchcraft theme, new seasonal storyline, and fresh activities are being well received. If you've long sar on the sidelines, understandably daunted by what can be quite a complex RPG to learn, then a new free week of Diablo 4 may be the perfect time to try it. Oh, and you can use the very cool Spiritborn class, which is normally exclusive to owners of the Vessel of Hatred expansion only, for free as well. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review, Diablo 4 classes |
Siliconera Tuesday, January 21, 2025 11:30 PM
The Wajima Lacquerware Youth Association has announced a new exhibition showcase for its plate art inspired by Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIV. The group will showcase the FFXIV lacquerware at the Isetan Shinjuku department store for a week in mid-February 2025.
There will be three different kinds of plate art that will be displayed at the exhibition. The first one will feature the exquisite art of the Dreadwyrm. The second one will have a silhouette of Bahamut. The third and last item will have the bird and Elpis flowers that symbolize the character Meteion.
However, there will be no new plans to set up a new pre-order batch for the lacquerware. Wajima had previously opened orders for the silhouetted Bahamut and Meteion-themed plates at 66,550 yen and 40,700 yen respectively. The first pre-order wave opened on December 12, 2023, but it was interrupted by the Noto earthquake. The second wave launched on June 11, 2024, but Wajima had already closed the pre-orders on August 9, 2024.
More sample images of the FFXIV lacquerware plate art are available via the Wajima Lacquerware Youth Association's official X account:
The Final Fantasy XIV-themed lacquerware plate art will be placed on display on the fifth floor of Isetan Shinjuku on February 12-18, 2025.
The post FFXIV Lacquerware Plate Art Will Be Displayed Again appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, January 21, 2025 9:30 PM
Kadokawa announced a new KDcolle (Kadokawa Collection) figure of Asuna Undine from SAO wearing a Chinese dress. The figure costs 7,072 yen (or approximately $45.48) and it is set to release sometime on September 2025.
The pre-order period for the figure is now open on the Kadokawa online store and the Good Smile Company online storefront and it will end on March 5, 2025. The new SAO figure of Asuna Undine in a Chinese dress is inspired by her look in the Alfheim Online arc of the anime series. The figure is approximately 231mm tall (or about 9.1 inches) including the stand.
The new Asuna figure features the character wearing a dark purple dress with golden details. Asuna also carries a fan with the same color scheme in here right hand. Another accessory included is a boa with a fuzzy texture that imitates real life fur. A stand for the figure is also included.
You can check out the Asuna Undine China Dress ver. in more detail here:
Other similar SAO figures include a figure of Asuna as a bunny girl that was announced in November 2024 and is expected to release in May 2025 in Japan and worldwide in Q4 2025. Additionally, a figure of Sinon in her Crystal Dress was revealed to release in January 2026 with its pre-orders open until February 28, 2025.
The new Sword Art Online figure of Asuna Undine China Dress ver. costs 7,072 yen (~$45.48.) Pre-orders are now open and will close on March 12, 2025, while the figure is expected to release on September 2025.
The post SAO Asuna Undine Figure Wears a Chinese Dress appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, January 21, 2025 9:00 PM
The official miHoYo TMall account has opened up pre-orders for figures that look like plush dolls of Sparkle and Pom-Pom from Honkai: Star Rail. These figures are part of the Huggy Good Smile line, so they'll likely appear on Good Smile Company for Japanese and North American customers in the future. [Thanks, heiankyo_327!]
The Sparkle plush figure uses the design from the game. Meanwhile, the Pom-Pom plush figure is wearing their default conductor's uniform, and they look happy with stars in their eyes. Both plushes cost 89 CNY ($12.25) each, and they'll ship out in July 2025. Like other Huggy Good Smile figures, you can move the arms up and down to pose them, and there's a magnet at the back of the head. In Pom-Pom's case, the ears, not the arms, move.
Size-wise, the Sparkle plush is about 65 millimeters tall. Meanwhile, the Pom-Pom is about 80 millimeters tall. You can pose them on a shelf, or hang them from a refrigerator or other metallic surface using the magnet.
Honkai: Star Rail recently started Version 3.0, which introduces a new world to explore and new characters to meet. The new character on banner right now is The Herta, who is the 5-star version of the Herta we met at the beginning of the game. Other 5-stars available for a limited time are Jade, Lingsha, and Feixiao. You can also permanently get the Remembrance Trailblazer via the story.
Honkai: Star Rail is readily available on the PS5, Windows PC, and mobile devices. The Honkai: Star Rail Sparkle and Pom-Pom Huggy Good Smile figures will come out in July 2025.
The post Honkai: Star Rail Sparkle And Pom-Pom Figures Resemble Plush Dolls appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, January 21, 2025 9:00 PM
Cover announced the release of a new plush of Hololive's Harusaki Nodoka that belongs to the "hololive friends with u" merchandise collection. The new plush costs $25/3,740 yen and is now available online from the Hololive official store.
As a reminder, the Hololive online store offers international shipping via the GeekJack third party site, and the items will be sent within 15 business days of making an overseas order. The Harusaki Nodoka plush is approximately 220mm tall (or about 8.7 inches) and it features her wearing her signature light green cardigan and white shirt, with a black tube skirt and wearing a pink Hololive staff lanyard.
You can take a better look at the new Harusaki Nodoka plush here:
Harusaki Nodoka is a Hololive staff member that hosts the group's Japanese YouTube channel. Nodoka used to co-host alongside Friend A (also known as A-chan) until the latter's retirement in June 2024.
As a reminder, other Hololive Friends plushes include a line featuring Sakura Miko, Shirakami Fubuki, and Sakamata Chloe in Minion costumes from the Despicable Me film franchise. These were announced back in late October 2024 and are currently out of stock.
The new Harusaki Nodoka plush costs $25/3,740 yen and is now available for purchase from the Hololive online store.
The post Cover Released a Plush of Hololive Staff Harusaki Nodoka appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, January 21, 2025 8:30 PM
Square Enix has added screenshots from FFVII Rebirth to it's Final Fantasy VII Remake gallery. Available to view online, the gallery contains screenshots taken by players that are put on display. Viewers can smash that like button when looking at an individual screenshot.
A total of four room are available to peruse. While each gallery room doesn't necessarily have a theme, every screenshot available does feature some key character in FFVII Rebirth and Remake. Images of Tifa, Aerith, and Yuffie in their beach attire or Sephiroth cutting an imposing figure against a cool, grey backdrop are displayed.
There are more than a handful of images to check out as well in this 3D interactive experience. However, the most you can do is like a screenshot. Outside of that, there isn't much else. Square Enix may add more screenshots in the future.
In 2022, the gallery featured fanart from various artists. Now it seems to be entirely comprised of screenshots from the first two games in this new compilation.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is readily available on the PlayStation 4 and Intergrade is available on the Windows PC and PS5. The sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, is available on the PlayStation 5.
The post FFVII Rebirth Screenshots Added to Remake Gallery appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, January 21, 2025 8:00 PM
Uniqlo announced the release of a new batch of Pokemon Sketch graphic t-shirts featuring designs of the beloved creatures sketched in a soft pencil style. The t-shirts will appear in Japan on late March 2025 and might appear overseas at a later date.
The new collection offers 8 new designs, with 4 t-shirts for men and the remaining 4 available for kids. The men's t-shirts cost 1,500 yen (~$9.64) and are available in sizes ranging from XS to 4XL. The first design offers a white t-shirt with a sleeping Pikachu on the front and the text "Pikachu is recharging" beneath the drawing.
Next is another white tee featuring sketches of Meowth accompanied by Galarian Meowth to its left and its Alolan variant to its right. The Pokedex number 52 appears next to the drawings. The third option is a green t-shirt featuring Mimikyu with the text "Its actual appearance is unknown" below the drawing. The final design for men is a black t-shirt with Umbreon on the back and the text "starry night, silvery moonlight" on the front.
Meanwhile, the children tees cost 990 yen (~$6.36) and offer sizes between 100 to 160 in increments of 10. The first design for kids features the same sleeping Pikachu from the adult designs, with the exception of the colors appearing more vivid. The second one is a black t-shirt featuring Ceruledge. The third design is a purple Gengar t-shirt with a miniature version of the Pokemon appearing in the left side on the front. Gengar also appears in the back to the right of a text saying "Watch out for the shadows." The final kids design is a light blue t-shirt of Glaceon accompanied by its 471 Pokedex number.
The new Pokemon Sketch t-shirts will appear in Uniqlo Japan on late March 2025, and might appear overseas at a later date. The first batch of Pokemon Sketch t-shirts released back in July 2024.
The post Pokemon Sketch T-Shirts Head to Uniqlo in March 2025 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:45 PM
Dynasty Warriors Origins has a character bonding feature, where the original protagonist Ziluan can build close friendships with most of the game's unique characters. The Yellow Turbans' leader Zhang Jiao is also included in the list, but the method players must perform to bond with him will be different from other characters in Dynasty Warriors Origins.
The game's bonding system formally appears when Sima Hui invites you to the Shui Jing Retreat in Chapter 2. But when you check the bondable character list, it includes Zhang Jiao who is already dead and grayed out with the starting "Acquaintance" level.
It turns out that increasing the bond level for Zhang Jiao is only possible in the Dynasty Warriors Origins post-game mode. As such, be advised that the guide below will contain post-game content spoilers.
Once you have reached an ending with game credits in Dynasty Warriors Origins, the post-game mode will unlock story restart points where you can move back to the beginning of any chapter among others. If you want to start raising your bond level with Zhang Jiao, you should restart the story from either the Prologue or Chapter 1.
Play through the early game segments until you finish the first two Skirmish stages. When the gate separating the You and Ji Provinces opens, you will spot someone who did not exist in your first playthrough. That's right, Zhang Jiao will be there and you can watch his first bond event.
After the first event concludes, Zhang Jiao will give you a set of training missions. Just like other characters, clearing two of the three missions will let you increase the bond by another level.
You can repeat the sequence twice within Chapter 1, but you will eventually notice that you won't find Zhang Jiao anywhere after you have reached Bond Level 4. It turns out that to get his final bond event and level, you will have to move forward to a much later period in the timeline. When I moved the storyline to an endgame branch in Chapter 5, I somehow noticed Zhang Jiao appearing in the mountain village near the city of Ye. You can talk with him right there to finally max out his Bond Level.
Dynasty Warriors Origins is available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
The post How to Bond With Zhang Jiao in Dynasty Warriors Origins appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:30 PM
Nintendo announced as of January 21, 2025 it would no longer broadcast commercials concerning it's products and games on Fuji TV. Instead of airing Nintendo commercials, these slots will be replaced AC Japan announcements. [Thanks, Nikkei!]
There is some speculation as to why Nintendo has chosen to withdraw from Fuji TV, and this concerns news presenter and personality Masahiro Nakai. Fuji TV is currently under investigation for the cover up of several sexual assault scandals and allegations against Nakai. Given Nintendo's core brand and marketing falling into the sphere of being "family friendly," this doesn't come as a surprise.
Alongside Nintendo choosing to withdraw from Fuji TV, other brands such as Suntory and Toyota have taken the same measures.
While Nintendo is already an established brand, and of course, developer and publisher, it opened a museum in March 2024. In preparation for it's opening, Nintendo revealed a sign for the building in October 2023.
The museum serves as a way to look at the history of the company, and take a look at it's wide range of consoles and other associated products. The first inklings of a Nintendo museum opening up were in 2021, with a formal announcement appearing sometime later.
The post Nintendo Stopping Commercials on Fuji TV appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:15 PM
When Koei Tecmo first added Xu Shu in Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires, it placed him in affiliation with Liu Bei and his Shu Kingdom. However, the strategist historically only assisted Liu Bei for a brief period before he was forced to serve under Cao Cao and his eventual Wei Kingdom. Dynasty Warriors 8 and 9 featured hypothetical scenarios where Xu Shu managed to stay with Liu Bei, so long-time series players may wonder whether a similar scenario exists in Dynasty Warriors Origins or not.
The answer to this question is, unfortunately, a No: There is no way for Xu Shu to stay with Liu Bei in Dynasty Warriors Origins. No matter what the player does in Liu Bei's story route, Xu Shu will eventually leave his side and join Cao Cao.
At some point after the Battle of Xinye stage, Xu Shu will ask you a hypothetical question that alludes to his actual situation. However, no matter which answer you choose, his final decision will not change. Even when you choose the "No" answer in an attempt to dissuade him, he would only have a brief response before all answer branches converge into the same single conclusion. Your performance at the preceding Battle of Xinye will not matter either, regardless of whether you faithfully followed his orders or not.
As a side note, Liu Bei's story route does have an alternate branch leading to the True Ending in a similar fashion to Cao Cao and the Sun family. However, it does not involve any efforts to make Xu Shu remain in Liu Bei's faction. As such, we will explain the methods required to get it at another place.
Dynasty Warriors Origins is available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
The post Can Xu Shu Stay With Liu Bei in Dynasty Warriors Origins? appeared first on Siliconera. |
MonsterVine Wednesday, January 22, 2025 12:10 AM S-GAME kicked off 2025 with a fresh trailer for Phantom Blade Zero, showcasing next-gen visuals, intricate martial arts-inspired combat, and new boss mechanics. Celebrating the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Snake trailer also unveils snake-themed weapons and gameplay details that raise the bar for action RPGs. Martial Arts Meets Next-Gen Action Inspired by […] |