Apr 14, 22:00


GamersHeroes Monday, April 14, 2025 9:14 PM
    

Featuring a powerful collection of hits, the latest trailer for Capcom Fighting Collection 2 puts the spotlight on both Power Stone and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper.

The post Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Game Spotlight Trailer Highlights Power Stone and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Monday, April 14, 2025 8:51 PM
    

Combining real-time tactics with turn-based strategy roguelite elements, players will be able to outsmart foes, discover synergies, and save one's grove in Neurodivergent Studios' Beyond the Grove.

The post Strategy Roguelite Beyond the Grove Announced appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Monday, April 14, 2025 7:28 PM
    

A precision platformer where one's weapons are one's wings, players will set out to arrest Satan with the release of DeadToast Entertainment (My Friend Pedro) and Devolver Digital's Shotgun Cop Man May 1.

The post Run-and-Gun Platformer Shotgun Cop Man Launching May 1 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Monday, April 14, 2025 7:09 PM
    

The world of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is getting that much better with its new Title Update on April 16.

The post Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Title Update Coming April 16 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Monday, April 14, 2025 2:49 PM
    

Set to bring the official 2025 season with 78 riders, 39 teams, and 22 tracks, Milestone's MotoGP 25 will launch in just a few short weeks - gear up with the latest "Beyond the Grid" segment for the title.

The post MotoGP 25 Launching April 30 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Monday, April 14, 2025 5:20 PM
    

In furtherance of Marvel President Kevin Feige's Thanos-like quest to collect all of the best actors to power his Marvel money-making machine, another award-winning actor has entered his orbit. During a panel at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), John Boyega revealed he has had conversations with the MCU…

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Kotaku Monday, April 14, 2025 4:35 PM
    

Starting today, over 150 Bethesda- and Sega-published games are currently on sale on the Nintendo Switch eShop. And with confirmation from Nintendo that most Switch games will work fine on Switch 2, it's a great time to grab stuff like Doom Eternal and Sonic X Shadows Generations for less than usual.

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Kotaku Monday, April 14, 2025 3:51 PM
    

Yesterday, the second season of HBO's The Last of Us premiered, and I had my gripes with this first episode. HBO's approach to The Last of Us Part II's story has stripped away a lot of the mystery and tension present in the game, but I do want to give some props to the team behind the show for faithfully recreating…

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Kotaku Monday, April 14, 2025 3:00 PM
    

Warner Bros and Mojang's A Minecraft Movie has now grossed over $550 million globally at the box office. The incredibly popular video game adaption is now more than halfway to reaching one billion total.

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Kotaku Monday, April 14, 2025 2:50 PM
    

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is nothing if not a power fantasy. Fighting thousands of grunts at once is fun in and of itself, but soaking up loads of skill points and experience points to unlock consistently stronger abilities makes the game hard to put down. That said, while Origins isn't necessarily complex, its…

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PCGamesN Monday, April 14, 2025 7:13 PM
     Darkest Dungeon 2 update expands its intense, strategy game style Kingdoms mode

Darkest Dungeon 2 was already a brutal, challenging affair, but the introduction of its Kingdoms mode took things to a new dimension. Bringing the core DD2 experience into a strategy game-esque setting, which is laid out like a tabletop board game, it's dropped its turn-based combat and gloriously grim aesthetic into a fresh experience. Developer Red Hook promised that more content drops, known as 'modules,' would arrive for Kingdoms, and now it's made good on that pledge as its second expansion, Secrets of the Coven, has just arrived.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best tactical rpgs on PC, The best strategy games on PC, The best roguelike games on PC

PCGamesN Monday, April 14, 2025 6:17 PM
     Skull and Bones just unveiled its Year 2 roadmap, and it actually looks great

While fortunes have improved a little bit for Ubisoft since the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, there's no escaping the fact that it was on a torrid run before that. One of several underperforming projects during that rough patch was co-op pirate game Skull and Bones - designed to rival the beloved Sea of Thieves, it fell horrendously short at launch. Amazingly though, it's still plowing on. What's even more amazing is that I've just seen its Year 2 roadmap, and it looks genuinely impressive.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Skull and Bones review, Best pirate games, Skull and Bones system requirements

PCGamesN Monday, April 14, 2025 4:57 PM
     Overwatch 2 Stadium mode features just 17 heroes at launch, but for good reason

With Marvel Rivals really stealing the limelight in recent months, Overwatch 2 is in need of a big shakeup, and that's exactly what it'll get soon with its experimental new Stadium mode. Shorter games, reworked abilities, an optional third-person POV - it's one of the most radical things Blizzard has done to the game since, well, sticking a '2' on the end of it, probably. Ahead of its rollout next week, a new trailer has dropped for the mode alongside confirmation that less than half of the hero shooter's 42 characters will be playable in Stadium at launch. However, there's a very good reason why.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: All Overwatch 2 characters, Best Overwatch 2 settings, Overwatch 2 tier list

PCGamesN Monday, April 14, 2025 3:34 PM
     Eerie horror card game The Horror at Highrook gets release date, and it's soon

Despite the fact that the sun is shining and Starbucks is selling its summer-themed iced drinks, I've found myself wandering down the horror hole yet again. From eerie graphic novels to DMing Candela Obscura for my unsuspecting team of paranormal investigators, for whatever reason spring 2025 feels closer to autumn than it does anything else. What better to kick off of my summer spookfest, then, than The Horror at Highrook, a card-based, narrative-driven RPG where solving puzzles and investigation is the name of the game.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games

PCGamesN Monday, April 14, 2025 2:31 PM
     Brilliant survival FPS Metro 2033 Redux is free to keep on PC, if you're quick

A free-to-keep PC game is always worth getting hyped about, but when it's an atmospheric, must-play FPS game, my excitement levels go up to a different level. Sharing a similar tone and survival-based focus to the Stalker series, the Metro franchise has produced some sensational shooters, and now the remastered version of the game that started it all, Metro 2033 Redux, is being given away for free.


PCGamesN Monday, April 14, 2025 2:11 PM
     Claim over 30 Steam Deck games, thanks to Amazon

The second Prime Gaming drop of April is here, and there are still over 30 free Steam Deck games for you to download, provided you have an active Amazon Prime subscription. New games include Minecraft Legends and God's Trigger.

If you're lucky enough to own the best handheld gaming PC of the moment, this is a great deal. You may well already pay for your Amazon Prime subscription to use the free delivery service, or watch movies and shows via Prime Video. However, there is an extra level to Amazon Prime, which includes free video games, and there just so happens to be some fantastic Steam Deck experiences included. If you don't already have Prime Gaming, you can get your first month for free by following this link.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Monday, April 14, 2025 5:11 PM
     Logitech Pro X TKL Rapid review - peak performance with some design flaws

Logitech is taking a massive leap and entering the Hall Effect keyboard market with the Pro X TKL Rapid. This board also has the latest in-demand features like rapid trigger and key priority built in. These new features are quickly becoming commonplace in gaming keyboards, but this effort from Logitech feels very basic, even for a first venture into Hall Effect design.

Price is also a factor holding the Logitech Pro X TKL Rapid from being one of the best gaming keyboards, as its relatively plain design does very little to justify the $170 price, although its build quality is mostly very good, bar some minor key wobble concerns. Granted, OLED screens, a wealth of RGB zones, wireless connections, and more in-depth media controls aren't what make or break a gaming keyboard, but they are nice to have when considering the level of investment.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Logitech G502 X Plus review, Logitech G Pro X 60 Lightspeed review, Best gaming mouse

PCGamesN Monday, April 14, 2025 4:19 PM
     Schedule 1 dealer list and all locations

Disclaimer: Schedule 1 is a fictional, satirical videogame, and the information in this guide relates only to the game.

Where do you find all Schedule 1 dealers? To keep your new business running like a well-oiled, money-making machine, you need dealers peddling your product while you concentrate on making or producing to the highest level possible. If you can keep your guys distributing, you can focus on your own job. Everybody wins. It's Economics 101.

Keep the gig going by checking out some of our other Schedule 1 guides. And if that includes a few shortcuts, here's our complete Schedule 1 mix guide for everything you need to know about creating the best product from what you have in the simulation game.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Schedule 1 mix, Schedule 1 money, Schedule 1 dealers

PCGamesN Monday, April 14, 2025 4:11 PM
     All Schedule 1 console commands and cheats

Disclaimer: Schedule 1 is a fictional, satirical videogame, and the information in this guide relates only to the game.

What is the complete list of Schedule 1 console commands and cheats? Using them allows you to change various aspects of the game and customize your Schedule 1 playthrough, letting you become a certified kingpin in record time. Also, super simple Schedule 1 cheats can get you free money, products, and even change the time of day without hitting the hay.

For more on Schedule 1, the hit simulation game, check out how to make Schedule 1 money fast and our complete Schedule 1 mix guide. That's assuming you want to do things the right way. Not that two wrongs make a right, but you get what we're saying. We ain't narcin on you, your customers, or your customer's customers.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Schedule 1 mix, Schedule 1 money, Schedule 1 dealers

Siliconera Monday, April 14, 2025 9:00 PM
    

nijisanji hololive event

The first offline collaboration event between hololive and Nijisanji will take place on May 24 and 25, 2025 at Es Con Field Hokkaido. Ticket prices start range between 5000 JPY ($34.95) and 77,000 JPY ($538.20). [Thanks, Inside Games!]

Though this is an offline event, the VTubers will be playing baseball using Professional Baseball Spirits 2024-2025. Here are the match-ups:

Day 1

  • Hoshikawa Sara (Nijisanji) vs Usada Pekora (hololive)
  • Lize Helesta (Nijisanji) vs Amane Kanata (hololive)

Day 2

  • Hoshikawa Sara (Nijisanji) vs Amane Kanata (hololive)
  • Lize Helesta (Nijisanji) vs Usada Pekora (hololive)

Some members of Sara's team include Higuchi Kaede, Furen E Lustario, Elira Pendora, and Hyakumantenbara Salome. Lize's team includes Tsukino Mito, Inui Toko, Nui Sorciere, and Meloco Kyoran. On hololive's side, Pekora's team includes Oozora Subaru, Houshou Marine, and the Fuwamoco pair. Kanata's has Yukihana Lamy, Nekomata Okayu, and Sakura Miko.

Sasaki Saku (Nijisanji) and Shirakami Fubuki (hololive) will also serve as the chairpeople for the tournament, and they'll stream the training that the other VTubers undergo for the tournament. Training will start from March 18, 2025. The more expensive the tickets, the closer you are to the diamond. Some of the tickets also include merchandise, such as shirts and caps of the teams, lanyards, and acrylic keychains.

The hololive and Nijisanji baseball collaboration event will run from May 24 to 25, 2025.

The post Hololive and Nijisanji Team Up for Vtuber Event appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, April 14, 2025 8:00 PM
    

playstation network maintenance

The PlayStation Network will undergo maintenance on April 15, 2025. During this time, some PS3, PS4, and PS Vita games' online functions may not be available.

The maintenance will run from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. That would convert to 6:00 PM PDT/9:00 PM EDT of April 14 to 1:00 AM PDT/4:00 AM EDT. The English accounts for Sony and PlayStation have not made any announcement for maintenance, so it appears that this is only for Japan. 

Many of the replies and QRTs to the original Tweet are complaining about how long the maintenance will last, as well as how many consoles will be affected. Some are wondering what they should do during this time, even though April 15, 2025 is a Tuesday. As a reminder, the maintenance will only impact online services, which means that games that have an offline mode will still be playable during the above hours.

As of the time of writing, Sony has not mentioned anything about the PS5's servers going offline for any maintenance. This likely only affects the PS3, PS4, and PS Vita due to the age of the above consoles. For reference, the PS3 came out in 2006, the Vita in 2011, and the PS4 in 2013. All of them are already over a decade old.

The PlayStation Network maintenance for the PS3, PS4, and PS Vita will run from 6:00 PM PDT/9:00 PM EDT of April 14, 2025, to 1:00 AM PDT/4:00 AM EDT of April 15, 2025.

The post PS3, PS4, and Vita PlayStation Network Maintenance Announced appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, April 14, 2025 7:00 PM
    

ssanrio monster hunter keychains

Keychains of the Sanrio Monster Hunter monsters will appear in capsule toy machines around Japan some time during the second week of April 2025. There are ten variations to collect, and it costs 300 JPY ($2.10) per attempt.

These rubber keychains stand at around 50 millimeters tall, and the target audience is for people who are over fifteen years old. It's likely due to the toys being a choking hazard for younger children. Here are the ten different Sanrio Monster Hunter keychains to collect:

  • Bad Badtz-Maru x Nargacuga
  • Cinnamoroll x Velkhana
  • Hangyodon x Lagiacrus
  • Hello Kitty x Felyne
  • Kuromi x Fatalis
  • Little Twin Stars x Rathalos and Rathian
  • My Melody x Mizutsune
  • Pochacco x Zinogre
  • Pompompurin x Furious Rajang
  • Tuxedo Sam x Valstrax

This is the same line-up that Sanrio and Capcom came up with back in 2024 when it first announced the crossover project. Items that have appeared in the past include acrylic keychains, clear files, and stickers.

It's unlikely that these Sanrio mascots will appear in Monster Hunter Wilds, which is the most recent entry in the Monster Hunter franchise. They're part of a collaboration of physical and digital merchandise, rather than a crossover within the game. Monster Hunter Wilds came out in February 2025, and sold over 8 million copies within three days of release. It is currently Capcom's fastest-selling game to date.

Monster Hunter Wilds is readily available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC.

The post Sanrio Mascot Monster Hunter Wilds Character Keychains Debut appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, April 14, 2025 6:00 PM
    

Now Pac-Man Championship Edition Is in Volkswagen Cars

Bandai Namco announced that a version of Pac-Man Championship Edition is now playable on select kinds of Volkswagen cars that use AirConsole. People who have a Volkwagen ID account, the app, and a supported car can it while parked and connected to the internet.

Volkwagen started by explaining which systems are capable of using it. If someone has a 2025 Golf, Golf Variant, Passat, Tayron, or Tiguan model or a Volkwagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, or ID.7, the game is supported. You will need VW Connect Plus, an ID user account, have downloaded AirConsole, and be online. If you meet all those criteria, then when you park you'll find the game there.

Now, this isn't the exact Pac-Man Championship Edition seen on consoles and PCs, as it features iconography inspired by Volkwagen. Instead of Power Pellets, Pac-Man needs to eat the car logo to power up and be able to eat Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde. In original games, you could collect fruit for points. Here, there are silhouettes of the company's wheels and cars to collect instead. 

It isn't uncommon for there to be variants of iconic games playable on cars in the last few years. For example, you can play Cuphead in a car now.

Pac-Man Championship Edition is available on AirConsole on the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, and Golf, Golf Variant, Passat, Tayron, and Tiguan models released after 2025. You can also find the game and variants of it on the PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, PC, and mobile devices.

The post Now Pac-Man Championship Edition Is in Volkswagen Cars appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, April 14, 2025 5:00 PM
    

Fields of Mistria Patch Adds New Furniture, Cosmetics

NPC Studio announced a smaller patch for Fields of Mistria is now available, and it features some new furniture, new cosmetics for players' animals and farmer, and some extra dialogue if you update to 0.13.3. As another important note, the company made sure to mention there is a new gift you can give Dozy the dog, as the character now "loves Dog Treats." This is the first substantial patch since the major one in March 2025.

Some of the new items and changes you won't see until you go to a Saturday Market, the Mines' Lava Caves, or hit the second year. Merri is selling new Tabletop Clutter, for example. Nora's Animal Festival Booth will stock items you can dress up livestock in. Hayden will sell a Pet Dish decorative item. Iceboxes and Potted Flowers are part of the Lovely Cottage collection. You can also get new level 71-90 Renown Rewards, or pick them up if you already passed those tiers. You can also find Lava Caves' Fire Sage outfit parts. 

In terms of some notable NPC additions, Dozy isn't the only one changed in the Fields of Mistria patch. In addition to him loving Dog Treats now, there are alterations to Celine and Caldarus. Celine now loves the Temple Flower you can find. Also, Caldarus will send you a letter on your birthday, and an issue with his heart level increasing ended up being fixed. 

Here are the full Fields of Mistria patch notes from the official site going over new furniture, cosmetics, additions, and fixes in 0.13.3.

[Highlights]

  • New furniture items have been added to the Tabletop Clutter set. These items and recipes can be purchased at Merri's stall.
  • Additional animal cosmetics have been added to Nora's Animal Festival booth.
  • Saturday Market vendors have been updated to always stock recipes. This ensures that the vendors' recipe inventories are only empty when they have no recipes left to sell.
  • There is now a toggle option in the Gameplay Settings to disable the Oversleep Penalty after passing out or fainting in the Mines.
  • Dozy now loves Dog Treats as a gift!

[New Features]

Gameplay

  • There is now a Year 2+ variant of the Spring Festival intro scene (Spring 14).

Art

  • The Pet Dish furniture item has been added to the game. It can be purchased at Hayden's Shop. Note: The Pet Dish is just decorative and not necessary for pet care.
  • The Fire Sage outfit can now be found in Lava Caves treasure chests.
  • New items have been added to the Lovely Cottage furniture set: Potted Flowers and Iceboxes. Note: Players who have already unlocked the Lovely Cottage furniture set will have these recipes unlocked upon updating the game.

NPCs

  • Additional NPC dialogue has been added.
  • After unlocking Caldarus, the player will receive a birthday letter from him.

Sound

  • Sound effects have been added for the Purple Mushroom's goo attack and the Enchantern's defeat in the Mines.
  • Improved lava rock platform creation sound effects.
  • Improved Water Sprite activation sound effects.

[Updates]

Gameplay

  • Items now magnetize toward the player while the player is in the yawn animation.
  • Renown Rewards for levels 71-90 have been updated. Note: Players who have already achieved these levels will have the new rewards available to pick up in the Renown chest upon updating their game.

QOL

  • The Crown Request: "Baked Dishes" text has been updated to specify that Baked Main Dishes are required to complete the quest. Additionally, the quest icon has been updated to a Baked Potato, which is a valid item for the quest.
  • The Renown Rewards Chest's icon is now visible from further away if there are rewards inside of it.
  • Extra items dropped after cooking at the inn can no longer drop out of reach of the player.

Art

  • Updated Counter furniture items placement, allowing them to be flush with the north wall of the player's home.

NPCs

  • Celine and Dozy's Loves have been changed. Potential Spoilers: For Celine, Spring Galette has been replaced with Temple Flower. For Dozy, Monster Cookie has been replaced by Dog Treat.

Sound

  • Sound effects in some event cutscenes have been adjusted.
  • Improved monster defeat sounds.
  • Improved wood footstep sound effect.
  • The Beach Cave now has ambience sounds.

UI

  • An "Other" category has been added to the Sets page of the Crafting menu to display all craftable items that are not part of a specific Set.
  • Tool and Place glyphs (ex: [E] Place) now only appear in valid locations where the action can occur. Ex: The planting glyph will only appear when holding a seed near tilled soil.

[Bug Fixes]

Gameplay

  • Taking damage while catching an insect no longer causes the player to lose the insect.
  • The player can no longer get stuck inside the General Store if the Upgrade General Store scene is skipped midway through.
  • Animals can no longer spawn out of bounds on the expanded eastern farm plot.
  • Pets will no longer work on rainy days if the player loads into the middle of a rainy day.
  • Barns and Coops no longer have a rare chance of spawning without the Storage Chest. Note: For players who currently don't have a chest in their Farm Buildings, destroying and rebuilding the building will fix the issue.
  • Saving and loading back into the same file no longer causes the Request Board requests to refresh.

QOL

  • Extra Legendary fish have been removed from players' inventories. Note: If the player hasn't donated the Legendary fish to the Museum, they will not be removed.
  • Floating items will no longer disappear when the game updates.
  • Hay no longer shows up in the Mill crafting menu. It now only appears where it is supposed to appear (the Stone Refinery crafting menu).
  • Buying 1000+ items from a store no longer causes the items to disappear and/or become stuck permanently floating on the ground.

Art & Visuals

  • Players no longer hold up their held item during the "I overslept…" cutscene.
  • Olric's Aldarian name on the Elsie Gossip cards is now correct.
  • The fainting sequence at 2 am no longer causes the player to sometimes disappear.
  • Stalagmites in lava pools on Lava Caves Mines levels will no longer have lava rock platforms form on top of them when using the Summon Rain Spell.
  • The player's sleep animation now consistently plays before dream cutscenes.
  • The Animal Sprite Statue no longer activates during the End of Day sequence when the camera pans inside a barn/coop.
  • Pets can no longer appear on seesaws while also being in the player's hands.

NPCs

  • Caldarus' heart level now increases at the start of the Fire Seal quest as intended.

Sound

  • Walking over Blue Sapling's sap puddles now plays the correct sound effect.
  • Fire pillar sound effects now play from the correct locations.
  • An issue where water sound effects from the beach can layer with phase interference has been fixed.

UI

  • The regular-sized tile indicator no longer appears momentarily when planting saplings.
  • The Main Menu buttons no longer disappear if the player skips watching the Credits.

Crash Fixes

  • Bringing your Pet to the Summit for the Shooting Star Festival no longer crashes the game.
  • Switching your pet's Job while holding them and then setting them down no longer crashes the game.
  • Water Sprite Statues activating when they've been placed off the expected grid location no longer crashes the game.

 Fields of Mistria is in early access for PCs via Steam. 

The post Fields of Mistria Patch Adds New Furniture, Cosmetics appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, April 14, 2025 4:00 PM
    

Hirosaki Sakura Festival Includes Mori Calliope Liqueur Promotion Morizakura

Cover and We's Star announced there will be a special Mori Calliope pin given away when people buy the MoriZakura liqueur inspired by the Hololive Vtuber at the Hirosaki Sakura Festival. This will be the only way to get the special Mori Calliope Hololive Vtuber pin, as the companies noted it will not be resold outside of the event. The promotion begins on April 18, 2025, two days after the event begins at Hirosaki Park on April 16, 2025. It's the latest merchandise tied to this collaboration to appear.

To get the pin, someone needs to buy MoriZakura at the booth. If there are still pins available, one will be included in the purchase. It features Mori Calliope in a kimono front and center, with a fox mask on her head. She's posing on a bridge, and Hirosaki Castle is in the background. Behind it are cherry blossoms, to indicate this appeared in honor of the Hirosaki Sakura Festival 2025. 

Here's the official image from the event, which includes a picture of the MoriZakura liqueur and the Mori Calliope pin accompanying the liquor that features the Hololive Vtuber in front of Hirosaki Castle.

This isn't the only time we saw a special promotion to promote the Mori Calliope MoriZakura liqueur in Japan and worldwide, as the liquor also inspired a Fortnite map. That debuted back in December 2023, when Cover and We's Star announced the collaboration

The Hirosaki Sakura Festival will be held at Hirosaki Park and the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden between April 16, 2025 and May 5, 2025, and the MoriZakura Mori Calliope liqueur and Hololive pin will be available while supplies last between April 18-30, 2025. Most recently, the performer streamed herself playing Myriad Death and announced a DOOM run will start on April 15, 2025.

The post Hirosaki Sakura Festival Includes Mori Calliope MoriZakura Pin Promotion appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, April 14, 2025 3:15 PM
    

star rail best characters 2025

It's the second anniversary of Honkai: Star Rail, and fans both new and old may be wondering which characters they should pull for in 2025. Here is a list of some of the best general units you can get in the game. Note that these are basic and don't necessarily all fill the same role in a party.

As of the time of writing, Honkai: Star Rail heavily favors characters who either specialize in AoE attacks or high HP and HP reduction. This means shielders, like Aventurine, and single-target DPS characters, like Feixiao, aren't as universally useful. However, it's important to keep in mind that the meta of the game shifts, and the game mode and DPS of choice will change which character you prioritize. For example, Huohuo will have a hard time working with Castorice, but she shines when paired with Aglaea. Choosing characters based on your individual needs is sometimes more important than picking whoever is topping the tier lists.

For this article, we focused on picking characters who are easy to raise or use for F2P players, excel in multiple modes in the game, and have generic enough kits that you can use them with almost any archetype. Though we didn't include any 4-stars, honorable mentions do go to March 7th (Hunt), Pela, and Gallagher. HoYoVerse hasn't released any new 4-star characters since Moze, but they're still good units to invest in.

The Herta

honkai star rail best characters 2025 herta
Screenshot by Siliconera

The Herta is a great DPS who matches the current AoE meta. However, even if the game shifts away from that, you can still use her in modes like Apocalyptic Shadow or Pure Fiction, as they prioritize killing as many enemies as possible in a short amount of turns. Though not her optimal team or build, you can get away with using F2P units and a Light Cone other than her signature. Unlike characters like Acheron or Castorice, The Herta can still put out some good damage with those compromises.

Tribbie

honkai star rail tribbie best characters 2025
Screenshot by Siliconera

Tribbie is a fantastic universal support character who can increase all allies' All-Type RES PEN, as well as how much DMG the enemy takes. She can also double as a sub-DPS with her follow-up attack, which uses ally Ultimates as the trigger. The simple activation cost for Tribbie's follow-up attack, as well as the fact that literally any composition or archetype can make use of her buffs, means that Tribbie is well worth the investment no matter who you want to use or pull.

Ruan Mei

ruan mei
Screenshot by Siliconera

Ruan Mei and Robin have been some of the best Harmony supports in the game since they came out, and the jury is out as to which is better. While Robin provides ATK, Crit DMG, and DMG boosts, as well as Advances Forward the entire party's turns after she uses her Ultimate, we recommend Ruan Mei a tiny bit more, because of the more general usage of her buffs. For reference, Ruan Mei increases SPD, All-Type RES PEN, Weakness Break Efficiency, DMG, and Break Effect. She can also extend the duration of Weakness Break for one turn. Not everyone wants Crit DMG, but everyone wants what Ruan Mei's selling.

Lingsha

star rail best characters 2025 lingsha
Screenshot by Siliconera

Lingsha is the "I'm a healer, but..." meme personified as a cute dragon lady. Like Ruan Mei, she's a great universal healer who does especially well on Break teams. Not only can she double as a sub-DPS who can also heal with her summon, she can also increase how much Break DMG enemies receive with her Ultimate. Unlike other sustain units like Huohuo or Aventurine (unless you have his E1), Lingsha even has a panic button (her Ultimate and/or Ember's Echo) when you're in a pinch.

Huohuo

honkai star rail best characters 2025 huohuo
Screenshot by Siliconera

Even a year after this article hyping her up, Huohuo remains one of the best sustains in the game due to her auto-heal, cleanse, and Energy Regeneration. She can also increase the party's ATK. While characters who don't use a typical Ultimate charge, such as Feixiao and Castorice, exist, the overwhelming majority of the roster do. She doesn't have the sheer versatility and damage output as Lingsha, but she's still well worth the Stellar Jades.

Honkai: Star Rail is readily available on the PS5, Windows PC, and mobile devices.

The post Best Characters in Honkai: Star Rail in 2025 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, April 14, 2025 3:00 PM
    

Fate stay night Saber and Sakura in Mahjong Soul

Yostar is revealed Sakura Matou and Saber as guest characters from Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel who will appear in Mahjong Soul. Players of the game will be able to recruit them via a crossover event that launches for a limited time from April 23, 2025, then use them as playable characters in the game.

The company had previously teased the crossover event in early February 2025. However, it only recently started publishing details about the event after it confirmed April 23, 2025, as the launch date.

Yostar is also publishing new trailers featuring the guest characters on the game's official social media accounts. The gameplay segments notably show how the company produces accurate 3D models of the guests' hands. Here is the first trailer featuring Sakura Matou:

https://twitter.com/MahjongSoul_EN/status/1911260554129281218

The second trailer shows the Fate/stay night Servant Saber in Mahjong Soul. Players can also notice how she will play Mahjong with her full armor gear:

https://twitter.com/MahjongSoul_EN/status/1911622941785063549

In addition, Yostar is holding sweepstakes on Facebook and X, where people can win autograph boards of Saber and Sakura signed by their respective Japanese voice actresses, Ayako Kawasumi and Noriko Shitaya. Both sweepstakes will close on April 21, 2025, at 9 PM PT or midnight ET.

The Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel crossover event in Mahjong Soul will launch on April 23, 2025. The free-to-play game is readily available worldwide on iOS, Android, and PC via Steam.

The post Fate/Stay Night Saber and Sakura Will Join Mahjong Soul appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, April 14, 2025 2:30 PM
    

ASUS Making Hatsune Miku Headset, Keyboard, and Mouse

ASUS announced four PC peripherals based on Hatsune Miku will become part of its TUF Gaming line in June 2025. These will be a themed H1 Gen II Headset, K3 Gen II Keyboard, mini wireless mouse, and P1 mouse pad to go with it. Prices aren't available yet, but the standard version of that headset is typically $59.99 and that kind of keyboard can start at $94.99. 

The color scheme for all four items are similar. In each case, they are green with black, pink, and white accents. The headset, keyboard, and mouse all have Hatsune Miku silhouettes on them, as well as often the ASUS TUF Gaming logo. The headset works with PCs and the PS5.

The keyboard also has keycaps with images, iconography, and phrases tied to the Vocaloid. For example, the shift key has her image on it and says "Born to be different." The Esc key has an 01 on it, and her name is on the enter key. It also has a detachable top plate, IP57 waterproofing, optical mechanical RGB switches, and you can swap keycaps. 

Here's how the keyboard looks:

This is what the headset will look like:

And here are the mini wireless mouse and mouse pad:

The ASUS TUF Gaming headset, keyboard, mini wireless mouse, and mouse pad featuring Hatsune Miku will launch in June 2025.

The post ASUS Making Hatsune Miku Headset, Keyboard, and Mouse  appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Monday, April 14, 2025 7:20 PM
    

Ultimate Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List

With the release of Monster Hunter Wilds, I've spent a lot of time trying out all the weapons, from the Day One launch to the latest Title Update 1. As such, I put together this ultimate Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List to help both beginner and veteran players decide which weapon to use.

All MH Wilds weapons, ranked

For this Monster Hunter Wild Weapon Tier, I have listed out the pros and cons of each tool, along with whether it's beginner-friendly or reserved for veteran players. We'll also dive into what makes each tool especially valuable in Title Update 1 and how they contribute to the current meta. Here is my ultimate Monster Hunter Wilds weapon tier list:

S Tier

Insect Glaive

Hunter wielding the Insect Glaive
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pros: Swift mobility, excellent damage rates, and Kinsects
  • Con: Doesn't offer as many defensive tactics as the others
  • Guard Accessibility: No
  • Best For: Beginners and veterans

Since Monster Hunter Wilds launched, the Insect Glaive has held a solid spot in the meta—and it continues to shine in Title Update 1. It's a flexible weapon that works well for both beginners and veteran hunters, offering fast, fluid movement and dynamic aerial combat. While it lacks a guard option, its quick evasion makes it easy to stay mobile and avoid incoming damage.

One of the Insect Glaive's biggest strengths is its Kinsect companion. Kinsects don't just gather extracts that provide valuable buffs to your speed, attack, and stamina—they can also apply debuffs to monsters, giving you an edge by weakening your target mid-fight.

Great Sword

Hunter holding the Great Sword
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pro: High DPS rates
  • Con: Slow in movement
  • Guard Accessibility: Yes
  • Best for: Veterans

The Great Sword delivers some of the highest DPS rates in Monster Hunter Wilds, often landing massive damage with just a single, well-placed swing. Even tough monsters like the High-Rank Zoh Shia can fall quickly with just a few solid combos.

However, its slow, deliberate movements make it better suited for veteran players who are already comfortable with its weighty playstyle. While it may not shine in terms of mobility, innovative use of evasion and guard still gives you the tools to stay in the fight.

Bow

Hunter wielding a Bow in MH Wilds
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pros: Excels in mid to long-range distance attacks, precision targeting, and versatile attacks
  • Cons: Always requires you to keep your distance from the enemy, making you vulnerable during close-range combat
  • Guard Accessibility: No
  • Best for: Beginners

The Bow presents a more approachable playstyle for newcomers, giving you the freedom to keep monsters at bay through its Quick Shot, Dragon Piercer, and Charging Sidestep attacks. Dragon Piercer is definitely my personal favorite—it fires a fiery shot that hits hard, but you'll need to charge it to maximize its power.

The one downside to the Bow is that you're constantly forced to stay far away from the monsters. Since many of these beasts tend to charge straight at you, maintaining that space can be a challenge. Thankfully, the Bow ranks high for mobility, so dodging should come in clutch. Still, teaming up with others in multiplayer can be helpful, especially if you have teammates wielding close-range weapons.

Long Sword

Hunter holding the Long Sword
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pros: Swift movements and high-damaging strikes
  • Con: A little less DPS than the others in S Tier
  • Guard Accessibility: No
  • Best for: Veterans

If you're a fan of combos, you know just how strong the Long Sword can be. Learning to master the Spirit Gauge to empower your well-orchestrated combo attacks gives the Long Sword one of the highest skill potential weapons in all of Monster Hunter Wilds.

Though the Long Sword has slightly lower DPS than the Great Sword, its lightning-fast agility makes up for it. So, if the Great Sword feels a bit too slow for your taste, the Long Sword is the perfect, swift alternative to keep you in the action.

Sword and Shield

Hunter wielding the Sword and Shield
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pro: The most well-balanced weapon that caters to offense and defense
  • Con: Doesn't really have counterattacks
  • Guard Accessibility: Yes
  • Best for: Beginners and veterans

Until you've fully grasped the mechanics of Monster Hunter Wilds, the Sword and Shield option allows newer players to easily block and attack monsters with your shield, reducing the overall damage you're going to take while you learn things. It's an excellent option for getting a grasp of the game while ensuring you stay alive.

The Sword and Shield is one of the most reliable weapons, capable of handling almost any situation with ease. Thanks to its impressive mobility, solid defensive guard, and devastating attacks, it's a true all-rounder. The only thing it's missing is a counterstrike, which most of the other weapons on this list boast. But honestly, with everything else it brings to the table, that small gap hardly matters.

A Tier

Gunlance

Hunter wielding a Gunlance
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pros: Thrives in long-reaching attacks and guarding techniques
  • Con: Slow mobility
  • Guard Accessibility: Yes
  • Best for: Veterans

The Gunlance is basically the Sword and Shield on steroids, with a massive gunblade and shield instead of a smaller regular sword and shield. While it may seem poised to surpass the Sword and Shield, its low mobility keeps it firmly in the A tier rather than the S. However, it does come with a unique edge: the ability to charge its shell, transforming it into a gun-like build.

Those who take the time to master the inner workings of the Gunlance will find it to be the best overall tankier-oriented weapon, allowing experienced players to play the role of tank while still dealing massive damage with powerful and hard-hitting explosive shells.

Switch Axe

Hunter wielding a Switch Axe
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pro: Axe Mode harnesses a long reach, while Sword Mode triggers fast attacks
  • Con: It can get tedious with the same combos
  • Guard Accessibility: No
  • Best for: Veterans

The Switch Axe is a deadly weapon for experienced hunters who can smoothly transition between Axe Mode and Sword Mode, chaining together wide-reaching swings and quick, relentless strikes. When mastered, it ranks among the highest damage-dealing weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds.

I will say, though, that there aren't many opportunities for combos, even with the dual modes. As a result, longer battles can start to feel even more drawn out. Even so, it's a strong pick when it comes to dishing out damage.

Charge Blade

Hunter wielding a Charge Blade
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pro: Axe Mode can be devasting
  • Con: Fairly challenging mechanics
  • Guard Accessibility: Yes
  • Best for: Veterans

Like the Switch Axe, the Charge Blade features two modes: Sword and Axe. Although they might seem similar at first glance, their playstyles differ quite a bit upon closer inspection. Sword Mode provides exceptional guarding options along with higher mobility, making it great for staying active on the defense. Axe Mode delivers crushing, high-impact attacks that really let you feel the weight behind every swing.

The challenge with the Charge Blade lies in its layered mechanics. To unlock its full potential, you need to charge phials by building up Sword Energy, then switch to Axe Mode to unleash that stored power in explosive bursts. It's a demanding weapon to learn, particularly for newcomers, so it's crucial to familiarize yourself with it first.

Dual Blades

Hunter wielding Dual Blades
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pro: Best in mobility
  • Con: Less damage rates than the others
  • Guard Accessibility: No
  • Best for: Beginners and veterans

The Dual Blades are easy to spam rapid attacks on monsters, even for a beginner. It's one of my all-time favorite weapons in the game, where mobility is at its peak. It's an incredibly unique weapon that doesn't rely on guarding due to its quick and agile evasive moves. Just be sure to keep an eye on your stamina—run out at the wrong moment, and you'll be wide open for a punishing hit.

If you deal enough attacks, you can enter Demon Mode, a state that temporarily ups its power. Once you've got this down, the Dual Blades become a much stronger option in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Heavy Bowgun

Hunter wielding a Heavy Bowgun
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pros: Great for long-distance and precision attacks
  • Con: Low mobility
  • Guard Accessibility: Yes
  • Best for: Veterans

For players who want to be immobile while launching powerful ranged attacks at monsters, the Heavy Bowgun is for you. If the Light Bowgun is a machine gun, the Heavy Bowgun is an artillery cannon. However, the lack of mobility can hold back a newcomer's performance, although blocking is still an option to defend yourself.

Despite its reliance on stationary attacks, I've found the Heavy Bowgun to be one of the best secondary weapons. There are countless moments when I need long-range firepower, and that's where this weapon really stands out, providing invaluable support when it counts the most.

B Tier

Hunting Horn

Hunter wielding the Hunting Horn
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pro: Great for the support role
  • Cons: Adequate damage rates and complicated mechanics
  • Guard Accessibility: No
  • Best for: Veterans

Essentially a robust blunt hammer that also lets the player give themselves and other nearby allies buffs, the Hunting Horn can be extremely versatile when in the hands of a skilled player. It may not top the charts for sheer damage, but the Hunting Horn's Echo Bubbles can improve your combat tactics. Drop some of these bubbles on the field to increase damage rates within its radius.

If you're new to Monster Hunter Wilds—or the series as a whole—do yourself a favor and take the Hunting Horn for a spin at the Training Grounds first. Its mechanics can be a bit tricky to master, requiring you to hit the right musical notes in sequence to pull off a proper performance. And just when you think you've got the rhythm down, it throws in a Special Performance with a particular button input, which can be tough to nail when monsters are breathing down your neck.

Light Bowgun

Hunter wielding a Light Bowgun
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pros: Fast mobility and heavy-hitting mid-range attacks
  • Cons: Not as powerful as the Heavy Bowgun
  • Guard Accessibility: No
  • Best for: Beginners and veterans

For beginner players, the Light Bowgun is a fantastic option as it allows you to basically continuously fire at monsters with a machine gun-like weapon. Until you learn the game, keeping monsters at range is a huge advantage, and being able to consistently upkeep damage while moving around is a massive boon to newer players.

Compared to the Heavy Bowgun, the Light Bowgun does fall behind in overall damage—a difference that aligns with their namesakes. Of course, it all comes down to playstyle; the Light Bowgun's speed and mobility might make it the ideal pick for those who favor agility over firepower.

C Tier

Lance

Hunter wielding the Lance
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pro: Best for defense
  • Cons: Low mobility and damage rates
  • Guard Accessibility: Yes
  • Best For: Veterans

Since the Lance prioritizes defense, its offensive capabilities leave much to be desired, which is why it finds itself at the bottom of this Monster Hunter Wilds tier list. Monsters just won't go down quickly with this weapon, leaving you to depend heavily on your teammates. The lack of mobility doesn't help either, making it all too easy for enemies to land a hit.

On the other hand, if you're the type who values defense above all else, the Lance still has its place. Its attacks are swift, and its counterattacks can pack a punch when timed right.

Hammer

Hunter wielding the Hammer
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pros: Powerful attacks
  • Con: Lacks in adaptability
  • Guard Accessibility: No
  • Best For: Beginners and veterans

Bonk! That really sums up the Hammer for beginner players. If you want to be able to power up attacks to bonk monsters in the head and potentially stun them, the Hammer is for you. It can be relatively slow but also hard-hitting, so if that sounds like your playstyle, give the Hammer a try.

I know this may seem a bit harsh, and for the most part, the Hammer probably belongs more in B Tier for both beginner and veteran players, but in Monster Hunter Wilds, it really feels as though Hammer users should just be using the Hunting Horn instead. Sure, they're both blunt-type weapons, but when it comes to utility, the Hunting Horn truly outshines the Hammer with its unmatched support capabilities, something the Hammer just can't compete with.

As you can see, most weapons are simply better when in the hands of a more skilled player. This means that you should try all the weapons and see which one you like the most; after all, they all have vastly different playstyles. Once you find one you like, keep playing it until you master it, and it will be able to hold its own against any other weapon regardless of its placement on this tier list! For more help on builds, check out our best weapon tree list.

The post Ultimate Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (Title Update 1) appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, April 14, 2025 5:02 PM
    

Mohamed Salah in EA FC 25

The release date for EA Sports FC 26, or EA FC 26 in short, is doing the rounds on social media.

While EA Sports has revealed nothing official yet, a new leak has emerged on X from AhcanFUT, who's a reliable name in the community. According to them, EA Sports is potentially looking at an earlier release window compared to the usual pattern. The leak also includes some interesting information relating to crossplay.

EA Sports FC 26 release date (leaked)

If the rumors are to be believed, EA FC 26 will be released on August 23 for Ultimate Edition users. If EA Sports follows the same pattern that they did for FC 25, the full launch will take place on August 30. The Ultimate Edition, as usual, is expected to have several benefits, including early access.

The leak also suggests that there will be a gameplay trailer between May 20 and May 27. The exact nature of what will be revealed to us is unknown at this point. EA Sports could end up giving us the first trailer for the upcoming game, but it's better to wait for official information before reaching a conclusion.

EA Sports FC 26 crossplay changes

EA FC 26 is expected to be released on both generations of consoles, along with PC. EA Sports will likely offer special editions for the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2. While crossplay between the same generational devices will be there, console and PC users will no longer be able to play together.

This will be a major change from how crossplay works in EA FC 25. In the current game, those on the current generation consoles of Xbox and PlayStation can match with and against PC users. EA Sports is finally set to make the much requested change after all.

It's worth noting that all the information presented in the article are in the form of leaks. Readers are advised to take the news with a grain of salt, and some of the actual meaning of the original tweet could have been lost in translation.

The post EA Sports FC 26 release date and crossplay info, leaked appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, April 14, 2025 4:52 PM
    

Schedule 1 gold bar

In Schedule 1's 0.3.4 version, TVGS introduced a pawn shop and boutique shop for purchasing items. One of these items is a gold bar worth $10,000 in-game cash, which you can buy in unlimited quantities to flex your wealth. You can even turn this item into a lucrative money-maker.

Typically, the gold bar by itself doesn't do much besides making you look wealthy with a stack of these on a shelf. However, once you get the pawn shop involved, it becomes one of the best money-making methods Schedule 1 offers.

How to get gold bars in Schedule 1

You can purchase gold bars from Bleuball's Boutique for $10,000 in-game cash. They're available in unlimited supply, letting you buy as many as you can afford if you have money on a debit card. They don't take cash here, so visit an ATM before taking a trip here.

Schedule 1 boutique item list
Screenshot by Destructoid

You can find Bleuball's Boutique next to Ray's Realty on the south side of Hyland Point. It's open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., so you'll need to make a day trip there to buy all the available gold bars. If you're unfamiliar with the game's map, we've got a full Schedule 1 map labeled with key locations to help you during your playthrough.

How to make infinite money using gold bars in Schedule 1

Once you have some gold bars on hand, head to the Pawn Shop near the Motel and Warehouse. Inside, you'll find Mick, who'll offer you money in exchange for items you offer. In the case of gold bars, his range is between $4,500 and $18,000, averaging around $11,400 per bar. This is already an impressive margin since you bought them for $10,000. If you have multiple gold bars, this number will increase even further.

Schedule 1 Pawn Shop
Screenshot by Destructoid

Unfortunately, there are some downsides to this. Mick only deals with cash, so you won't get the money back on your card. While you can use businesses like the Laundromat and Post Office to refill your debit account quickly, you're limited to their 24-hour cycles and your $10,000 weekly deposit limit. In short, you can use this to buy a few gold bars, but it's unlikely you'll go beyond $100,000 at a time unless you're in the late game and are diligent with your laundering.

There are no major downsides beyond this if you're seeking extra money. You can try to haggle for a higher price, but this comes at the risk of him saying no and losing his temper, causing him to fight you until you pass out. If you go for his default $11,400 offer or try to bump it up slightly, you'll usually get out unscathed with some extra cash in your pocket. I've managed to get him to accept over $12,000, so it's worth trying to bargain if you feel confident.

Why can't I find the Pawn Shop guy?

If you're at the Pawn Shop but can't find Mick, there are a number of reasons why this might happen, including the following:

  • He's accepting a deal from one of your dealers.
  • You have an active deal with him, and he's waiting at your meetup spot.
  • The store is closed
  • Police are chasing you
  • You previously failed a haggling deal with him

The most likely reason is that Mick's either meeting with a dealer or waiting for you to give him some products. In this case, you'll have to wait for the transaction to finish or give him his items. After the exchange, he'll walk back to the Pawn Shop and work as usual.

If you've already been to the Pawn Shop and failed to bargain a better deal with him, he'll remember the exchange and refuse to trade with you. This usually doesn't last forever, but you may have to wait a day or two for him to recover. You'll also want to visit during the shop's opening time of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or else the doors won't be open until you return during these hours.

The post Schedule 1 gold bar glitch, explained appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, April 14, 2025 3:05 PM
    

Ronaldo Lima in EA FC 25

The TOTS or Team of the Season promo is coming soon to EA FC 25, and it could feature a host of amazing cards for Ultimate Team fans.

Over the years, TOTS has always been extremely popular with Ultimate Team players. EA Sports has yet to confirm all aspects of the promo, but there's plenty to explore for the fans. We have confirmation about the promo's card design, but the most important part is the release date. Let's take a look at this year's promo calendar and when Team of the Season cards will be available in packs.

EA FC 25 promo calendar

Promo Name Expected Release Date Confirmed
Road to the Knockouts September 20, 2024 Yes
Total Rush October 11, 2024 Yes
Trailblazers October 25, 2024 Yes
Centurions November 8, 2024 Yes
Track Stars November 15, 2024 Yes
FC Pro Live November 22, 2024 Yes
Thunderstruck November 29, 2024 Yes
Ultimate Succession December 5, 2024 Yes
Globetrotters December 13, 2024 Yes
Winter Wildcard December 20, 2024 Yes
NumeroFUT January 3, 2025 Yes
Team of the Year January 17, 2025 Yes
Future Stars January 31, 2025 Yes
Grassroot Greats February 14, 2025 Yes
Fantasy FC February 28, 2025 Yes
FUT Birthday March 7, 2025 Yes
Dreamchasers March 21, 2025 Yes
Immortals April 4, 2025 Yes
Invincibles April 18, 2025 No
TOTS April 25, 2025 No
FUTTIES July 18, 2025 No

According to the rumors, we should get the Invincibles promo before we can start packing TOTS items. Not much can be said about the upcoming promo as it will be making its debut with FC 25. We're eager to see who is included in the Team of the Season promo, which will begin by revealing the nominees.

As usual, players will be able to vote for their favorite stars to help them find a place on the starting lineups. Some of the promo cards will be released as part of SBCs and objectives, which will make it easier for the community to get them.

The post EA FC 25 promo calendar – TOTS predicted dates and more appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, April 14, 2025 3:01 PM
    

an image of the AK-74 Assault Rifle with the Warzone logo on top right

The AK-74 is one of the meta weapons you can use in Call of Duty Warzone Season 3. It can deal great damage from distance and is a perfect choice for BR.

However, to get the best out of the Assault Rifle, here's the ideal set of attachments and perks to use this Season.

Best AK-74 build in Warzone Season 3

an image of an AK-74 build for Warzone
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Optic: Kepler Microflex
  • Muzzle: Compensator
  • Barrel: Short Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag II
  • Rear Grip: Commando Grip
  • Stock: Infiltrator Stock
  • Laser: Fast Motion Laser

The eight-attachment loadout for the AK-74 goes best in Warzone as it strikes a balance between recoil control and damage. This means you have to equip the Gunfighter Wildcard, and since it's BR, you can always switch to a different loadout if you're keen on using a sniper as a secondary, such as the HDR.

Best AK-74 loadout in Warzone

an image of an AK-74 loadout for Warzone
Screenshot by Destructoid

  • Pistol: 9mm PM

    • Muzzle: Suppressor
    • Barrel: Long Barrel
    • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
    • Magazine: Extended Mag I
    • Fire Mods: 9x18mm Makarov FMJ

  • Tactical: Smoke Grenade
  • Lethal: Semtex
  • Perk 1: Survivor
  • Perk 2: Sprinter
  • Perk 3: Tempered
  • Wildcard: Gunfighter

The combination of Smoke Grenade and Semtex is great for Warzone as it gives you the cover needed to cross an open area and deal additional damage when weapons fail to do the job.

Why should you choose this loadout?

Starting with the Optic, the Kepler Microflex gives you an unobstructed view through and around the lens. It increases the Precision Sight Picture, which is necessary for close and medium-range gunfights as it gives you enough field of view to knock enemies down.

The Compensator is a great attachment for the AR to drastically improve its vertical recoil control. The Short Barrel will improve its in-air handling by improving the Jumping ADS and Jumping Sprint to Fire speeds.

For the underbarrel, go with the Ranger Foregrip as it will lower the horizontal recoil of the AK-74 and also improve its Sprinting Movement Speed. The Extended Mag II will hold 20 more bullets in the magazine, which is crucial for Warzone. Yes, the ADS Speed, Reload Quickness, and Sprint to Fire Speed take a slight hit, but it's worth the sacrifice.

For the rear grip, equip the Commando Grip to counter the ADS and Sprint to Fire Speed loss while also improving the AR's Jumping Sprint to Fire Speed and ADS Speeds.

The Infiltrator Stock enhances your mobility by improving the movement speed when you're aiming down sights, while Fast Motion Laser enhances the accuracy by drastically improving the Diving, Sliding, and Jumping Hipfire Speeds.

Now that you know the best Warzone loadout for the AK-74, check out the fastest TTK loadouts for Verdansk in Call of Duty: Warzone season 3.

The post Best AK-74 loadout in Warzone Season 3 appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, April 14, 2025 2:40 PM
    

Forza Horizon 5 Horizon Realms update scene

The Horizon Realms update has been announced for Forza Horizon 5 ahead of the upcoming PS5 launch, and it includes almost three years' worth of content for those who joined the party late.

Playground Games officially announced the update towards the end of February, and its release will coincide with the game's entry on PlayStation. The update offers an excellent opportunity to catch up with all the content they might have missed throughout the last few years.

Horizon Realms will have nearly 3 years' worth of content

Eleven of the previously released limited-time locations will be part of the update, along with the Stadium Track. The last one will premiere as part of the Horizon Realms.

  • Stunt Park
  • Ice Rink
  • Oval Track
  • Summer Party
  • Neon Airstrip
  • Día de Muertos
  • Winter Wonderland
  • Lunar Drift Arena
  • Retrowave Highway
  • Cars and Coffee
  • Stadium Maze

Stadium tracks will be part of the Horizon Stadium Circuit, and you will be able to race on them whenever you want.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWd6ox2dgec

Forza Horizon 5 Horizon Realms cars

There are four new cars to be added to your garage, and it will all depend on earning the accolades. Every realm will have unique challenges, and completing them will help you to access all the new vehicles.

  • 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto
  • 2023 Lamorghini Huracan Sterrato
  • 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430
  • 2022 Hennessey Mammoth 6x6

A new car pack is also part of the update.

  • 1989 Nissan Pao
  • 1991 Nissan Figaro
  • 1989 Nissan S-Cargo
  • 1987 Nissan Be-1

All vehicles are part of the Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack, and it can be purchased as a standalone item. All Ultimate Car Pack Collection owners will receive the pack at no extra cost.

Forza Horizon 5 Horizon Realms modes

You will have two ways to drive and explore the update.

  • Skill Mode: Enter one of the realms and get as much Skill Score as possible. Try to rank high on the leaderboard and get new badges for your efforts.
  • Free Mode: If you don't care about competition, you can explore the realms and drive however you want.

Forza Horizon 5 Horizon Realms Stadium Circuit

The Stadium Circuit will make its debut as part of the update, and it will be based on some classic race track designs. It will feature bends, corners, and decorations themed for the occasion. The objective will be to score the best time possible on the new route and explore the full location in the Free Roam mode.

Forza Horizon 5 Horizon Realms release date

The update will be going live for all platforms on April 25. It's available for free, but you'll need to update your client to the latest version to enjoy the update.

The post Forza Horizon 5 Horizon Realms release date, all included content, and more appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, April 14, 2025 2:20 PM
    

Blue Prince key art

Blue Prince's achievement list is no laughing matter, packed with cryptic trophies tied to the mysterious Room 46 and intense postgame content. One standout challenge is Dare Mode—a brutal feature that dramatically ramps up the difficulty. Here's how to unlock Dare Mode in Blue Prince and what it changes.

Before you read on, be warned that minor spoilers are ahead, specifically with content that unlocks after the postgame phase.  

Complete Blue Prince Dare Mode guide

You can access Blue Prince's Dare Mode by purchasing the Swim Bird Plushie for 110 coins at the Mount Holly Gift Shop. To unlock this shop, you must reach Room 46, which is on the same path as the Antechamber and the Basement. An achievement like this will likely take a while to conquer, especially with how many coins you have to earn for the plushie.

Basement door in Blue Prince
Screenshot by Destructoid

Luckily, the Swim Bird Plushie is a permanent upgrade for the Master Bedroom, so once you snag it, it's yours for good. The only problem is that spawning the gift shop is a challenge due to the changing layout of Mt. Holly. Some days, you'll get lucky and get everything you need, while other times, it's one dead end after the other. I recommend trying out any other Blue Prince achievements simultaneously; just save yourself some sanity from the game's unforgiving RNG mechanics.

How to make coins fast in Blue Prince

If you're curious about how to afford the plushie's whopping 110 coin price, here are a few ways to make money fast in Blue Prince:

  • Obtain Allowance Tokens
  • Draft a Rumpus Room
  • Use the Shovel as many times as possible
  • Draft Vaults
  • Solve the Chamber of Mirrors puzzle
  • Use items like the Metal Detector and Coin Purse
  • Draft a Freezer to save resources for the following day
  • Spread more coins from the Office
  • Exchange gems or keys at the Laundry Room
  • Use the Tomb to receive five coins for each dead end

Acquiring Allowance Tokens should be your first priority, as they automatically reward you with coins at the start of each day. You'll have multiple chances to get these tokens, including with the Trading Post puzzle and in the middle of the Cloister. Plenty of rooms offer money, but if you're after a significant amount, aim for the Vault, which rewards you with 40 coins.

Allowance Token in Blue Prince
Screenshot by Destructoid

You can also try to find the Freezer, which saves all your resources for the next day. This method may be one of the best ways to earn money fast in Blue Prince, but unfortunately, it's a rare discovery. Regardless, the other techniques are still viable and extremely helpful. The Metal Detector, in particular, alerts you of nearby coins, while the Coin Purse provides additional money frequently.

How to play Dare Mode in Blue Prince

Dare Mode allows you to create a new save file where you must complete four challenges whilst on the path to Room 46. The dares either take the shape of a tricky restriction or a challenging, high-stakes objective. For example, one could force you to always draft a red room when it appears on the lineup.

Chapel Red Room in Blue Prince
Screenshot by Destructoid

Each day, a new dare is unlocked, and you'll have to wait until all four are revealed before you can enter Room 46. You must follow the rules of each dare daily, or your attempt will be unsuccessful. The ultimate goal is to reach Room 46 without breaking any rules, earning you the coveted Dare Bird Trophy. It's a tough challenge, with all the restrictions this mode imposes, so it definitely demands a lot of time, patience, and determination.

The post How to unlock Dare Mode in Blue Prince appeared first on Destructoid.


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