Over the last 22 years, Eve Online has evolved from a straightforward space MMO into a veritable second universe, parallel to our own. It has its own economy and corporations; its galaxy is divided between player-made administrations, factions, and pseudo societies. All told, if you want to break into Eve Online today, in 2025, you've got a lot to learn - there's a barrier to entry. Though it's set in the distant, distant, distant future, when even the advanced civilizations that colonized the furthest reaches of the universe have collapsed, Eve Frontier represents a fresh start for CCP's flagship. While it's already accessible through the incipient Founder program, Eve Frontier is about to break cover and go fully public.
We're spoilt for choice with fantastic city builders right now, but I could always use more. Manor Lords, Frostpunk 2, Against the Storm, Timberborn, and Cities Skylines all offer us something slightly different, but none of them are quite like Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown. Mixing city builders, RTS games, and medieval fantasy into one comprehensive experience, it's finally set for a full 1.0 launch on Steam very soon.
Offices, industries, parks, landfills - none of these matter in Cities Skylines unless you have good roads. It's less and less certain that Colossal Order will reinvent and turn around its faltering sequel, but for all its struggles, Cities Skylines 2 does have good road-building tools, especially the roundabouts and the instant grids. Transport Fever 3 is looking pretty in-depth, too, and of course, Saber's Roadcraft is all about logistics at the ground level. Essentially, if you have a taste for transit and tarmac, there's a lot to choose from right now. But don't forget Mini Motorways. Four years since it was originally released, the minimalist car strategy game still has almost-flawless player reviews, and it's soon getting a transformational update borne from fans' biggest dreams.
June 7 - Added a response from 1047 Studios announcing changes to store pricing moving forward.
New multiplayer FPS Splitgate 2 is facing a negative response among its player base for expensive microtransactions introduced with its full launch. The fast-paced arena shooter, which uses portals to allow quick traversal around its maps, was launched out of beta during the Summer Game Fest showcase, but has been met with criticism over its new battle royale mode and pricey cosmetics in the wake of 1047 Games co-founder Ian Proulx's on-stage appearance, where he spoke of being "tired of playing the same Call of Duty every year."
June 7, 2025: We have new Volleyball Legends codes for UPD 22.
What are the new Volleyball Legends codes? Taking to the volleyball court in this Roblox adventure will have you itching to get ahead of the competition. Inspired by the Haikyuu anime, you'll participate in volleyball matches in teams of six and compete to be the best.
This unofficial, fan-made Roblox game isn't strictly affiliated with Haikyuu, but the imagery and references to the manga series are plain to see. Unlike the latest Blox Fruits codes or Dress to Impress codes, Haikyuu Legends codes won't get you currency, but they can have a direct effect on your skill level in the game, so take note.
June 7, 2025: Two new Blue Lock Rivals codes are in for the ranked update.
What are the new Blue Lock Rivals codes? While your metavision may let you play the perfect pinpoint pass, you'll need a little extra assistance perceiving all the freebies the Roblox game offers.
Blue Lock Rivals throws you into world soccer's biggest pressure cooker, putting your skills to the test as you channel the playstyles of the hit series' biggest hitters on the field. You'll need to be on your A-game to succeed in this Roblox experience. Read on to find out the anime game's latest codes and how to redeem them.
When you sign up to a VPN, you typically have the option to pay monthly or get a tasty discount for paying for a year or more in advance. Some VPNs have gone further, offering lifetime deals, but as it turns out, you can't really trust these to last that long. Perhaps they weren't referring to human lifetimes after all, or maybe they thought most people only lived a few years.
I've been excited about Roman Sands RE:Build since the moment I laid my eyes on it, particularly because it's from the same studio behind the ever-haunting Paratopic. Roman Sands just has a ridiculously strong art direction to it, very much one that could easily be dubbed Y2K, but I think more accurately should be seen as an evolution of the aesthetic/ era. Almost as if this is the direction it could have gone in.
Now, I'm not naming any names here, but there's a certain hand-drawn metroidvania that everyone's a bit sick of waiting for by this point, and could really do with a release date. OK, fine, yes it's Hollow Knight: Silksong, and if those recent Steam backend updates mean anything, I expect it'll get some kind of update sometime in the next few days. In the meantime, here's Constance, also a hand-drawn metroidvania, that actually does have a release date.
I don't think you can more easily sell me on a game than by saying it was made by one of the artists behind Celeste, and has music from Disasterpeace, i.e. the composer behind Fez, Hyper Light Drifter, and It Follows. But that's exactly what Neverway is, a horror RPG in the vein of Stardew Valleyfirst announced back in April, back with a nice little look-in at yesterday's Day of the Devs presentation.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader and Pathfinder: Kingmaker developers Owlcat Games are venturing into the realm of "hard sci-fi" with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, a new RPG based on the James S. A. Corey novels and Syfy TV adaptations. It's an original story that casts you as a Pinkwater Security mercenary, who starts out trapped on Eros Station - an asteroid base that undergoes cataclysmic upheaval in the TV show - and later takes charge of an advanced starship, so as to quest around the solar system. The game is inspired by BioWare's Mass Effect series, with "tactical" third-person combat featuring two ally characters and cover mechanics. Also, crew romances. Here's a trailer.
Dune Awakening has different ways to test your survivability, and using a Stillsuit in certain situations can be the difference between life and death.
This special type of armor (if we can call it that) has a unique arrangement that allows you to generate water passively during your adventures. It's a perfect solution for beginners to manage all their water needs while away from their bases. Moreover, there are multiple options to pick from as you unlock more blueprints.
All Stillsuit options in Dune Awakening
Every Stillsuit has four parts: Body, Boots, Gloves, and Masks (slightly different from armor), and Fabricators make them. It takes a bit of time for you to research a Fabricator. Once done, you can manufacture Stillsuit parts with the correct resources.
Stillsuit Part
Armor
Scavenger Stillsuit Mask
3
Scavenger Stillsuit Gloves
2
Scavenger Stillsuit Body
6
Scavenger Stillsuit Boots
2
Kirab Stillsuit Mask
4
Kirab Stillsuit Gloves
3
Kirab Stillsuit Body
10
Kirab Stillsuit Boots
3
Slaver Stillsuit Mask
6
Slaver Stillsuit Gloves
5
Slaver Stillsuit Body
15
Slaver Stillsuit Boots
5
Native Stillsuit Mask
9
Native Stillsuit Gloves
7
Native Stillsuit Body
23
Native Stillsuit Boots
7
Mercenary Stillsuit Mask
14
Mercenary Stillsuit Gloves
11
Mercenary Stillsuit Body
35
Mercenary Stillsuit Boots
11
There are two other pieces not mentioned on the table above. These two items aren't part of a set directly (yet to verify if there are other parts). The Hollower Stillsuit Gloves offer 19 Armor, and so do the Hollower Stillsuit Boots. These two items are the best Stillsuit Gloves and Boots, respectively, when it comes to defense.
Are Stillsuits worth using in Dune Awakening?
Compared to Light Armor and Heavy Armor, Stillsuits don't provide too much protection. They have armor values, but Light and Heavy Armors offer more protection. If you're traveling longer distances, it's better to use a Stillsuit. You'll need water on your journey, and Stillsuits create the resource passively.
If you're expecting fights and combat, switch to your Light or Heavy Armor. Managing your water levels should be your secondary priority, as you should focus more on protecting your health from the enemy's attack.
The world of Hagga Basin in Dune Awakening is not filled with riches, so it is crucial to master the art of trading to always have some spare Solaris in your inventory.
The new MMO offers a lot of trading freedom: you can choose between AI-controlled vendors and other human players. When you start playing the game, your options will be pretty limited. Let's quickly take a look at how to buy and sell items like an expert to increase your wealth.
We will explore your trading options against the AI first, as that's much easier to manage.
How to purchase and sell items in Dune Awakening from Trading Posts
Trading Posts will introduce you to the world of buying and selling items in Dune Awakening. They're available in every major region (including the one where we begin our adventures). These posts have a merchant located over there at all hours. You can check out what items are on offer and purchase them by simply paying the required Solaris.
You can also sell the items in your inventory, and the merchant will pay you the offered price. However, there's a catch, as the cost of any commodity depends on the forces of supply and demand. You won't earn much if you're trying to sell too many of the same item at a location. Similarly, certain locations will have an affinity towards a specific type of item, and the merchant there will be willing to pay extra.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Once you reach a Trading Post at a location, you'll come across a Contract Board. Accept the job, and it will lead you to the Trading Post in the next area.
Can you trade with other players in Dune Awakening
You can trade with other players just like with AI-controlled merchants. The basic premise is the same, but you'll have to visit The Exchange—which is essentially the player-managed market. To do so, you must visit the Social Hubs (found at Harko Village and Arrakeen). Let's check out the full process in the next section.
How to buy and sell at The Exchange in Dune Awakening
You'll have to speak with the Taxi NPCs to reach the social hubs. These NPCs can be found at all the Trading Posts, and they will charge you a 2,500 Solaris fee. You won't have to go through this once you get an Ornithopter.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Go to the CHOAM Exchange Store at the Social Hub. You'll find something called a sales terminal; interact with it, and you'll be able to find many items listed by other players that you can buy. You can also list your items and price them as you want. Again, be aware of the market's asking rate so that you have better chances of selling your products.
You will also come across NPC vendors who sell unique vehicle parts, rare resources, and more. Typically, these items aren't found at the Trading Posts, but they also cost more Solaris, so managing your resources is a matter.
How often do you drive your cars in BitLife? I know I've tried to create massive luxury car collections with rich characters, but I've only experimented with driving around a handful of times. During BitLife's Speed Demon challenge, that changes completely.
BitLife's Speed Demon challenge has five objectives to complete:
Be born a male in Los Angeles
Steal five or more cars
Drive fast around downtown LA
Shake the cops while driving
Rob a bank
You won't need the racing expansion to finish this challenge. However, having the mafia special career pack for the criminal special talent can help make several of these tasks easier. Nonetheless, this is optional, and it's still entirely possible to complete this without the help of any packs.
Be born a male in Los Angeles
Our first task of BitLife's Speed Demon challenge is to create a character born in Los Angeles. To do this, select 'Male' as your gender before choosing the United States as your starting country and Los Angeles as your place.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Since this challenge revolves around driving, you won't need to worry about your stats or special talents. Having the criminal special talent can make car theft and bank robbery tasks much easier, but you're not required to use it if you don't own the prerequisite pack.
Steal five or more cars
Speaking of crime, it's time to take some cars. You can take cars by heading into Activities, Crime, and Grand Theft Auto. From here, your goal is to steal five cars without getting caught by BitLife's police.
For the most part, this is pretty simple. There's a chance the car's owner will come by and confront you or that your character will struggle with stealing the vehicle. If this happens, it's generally safer to leave it, age up, and try again with more cars.
Aside from that, what you do with the cars is up to you. However, I recommend keeping at least one for the next task.
Drive fast around downtown LA
Screenshot by Destructoid
Now that you have some cars, it's time to start driving. To do this, head into Assets, select your vehicle, and pick Drive to encounter a pop-up menu for your driving options. You'll need to pick "over the speed limit," followed by "downtown" as your destination. I wouldn't suggest bringing any passengers, but it's up to you.
Shake the cops while driving
All kinds of interactions can happen while driving. The one we're looking for is the police chasing after you. When this happens, try to drive away to give yourself a chance to shake them.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Odds are, you probably won't succeed on your first try. If you do, great—that makes one of the toughest parts of this challenge much easier. Otherwise, you can close and restart your BitLife app or accept the consequences and try again in the future.
Rob a bank
The final task of BitLife's Speed Demon challenge is to rob a bank. Head back into the Crime menu before picking Bank Robbery. Your bank, weapon, and disguise are entirely up to you: what matters is that you're successful in your attempt.
Like the previous task, this one has a somewhat high chance of failing. It's entirely luck-based, leaving you to either accept your fate after receiving the result or close and reopen the game if you fail. As long as you have one successful outcome, you'll knock out this task and complete BitLife's Speed Demon challenge.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, an upcoming action RPG by Owlcat Games, allows players to create customizable captains and manage a crew, blending tactical combat with a new story set in the beloved universe.
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, June 7, 2025 7:49 PM
In a surprising announcement at today's Wholesome Direct, Milano's Odd Job Collection was announced to be released in fully localized English text with dual Japanese and English audio options. Milano's been left alone and it's up to her to fund her summer vacation by taking on part-time jobs all over town. This is a pretty […]
Is This Seat Taken? a game developed by Poti Poti Studio received a release window during this morning's Wholesome Direct along with the announcement that it's coming to the Nintendo Switch. The trailer shows the player taking on a series of challenges involving placing cute lil' geometric shapes in the correct places to solve their […]
Big Walk, House House's latest game, is a cooperative multiplayer adventure game allowing players to explore a vast island with a variety of challenges together. Alongside the trailer, Big Walk also received a release window of 2026 for the cooperative adventure for both PC and consoles. A follow-up to Untitled Goose Game is a big […]
Consume Me, a self-care life-sim RPG where players will take on the time in their life that sucked the most, a teenager. In the trailer, we see the protagonist as she manages her schedule and deals with the daily drudgery of life, but in a fun and very animated way. Life is chaotic, especially when […]
Following its debut during today's Future Games Show, Herdling—the latest project from FAR: Lone Sails developer Okomotive—just dropped a brand-new trailer and a free demo on Steam. Published by Panic (Untitled Goose Game, Firewatch), Herdling is set to launch this summer for Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. From Lone Vehicles […]
"Are you familiar with the game Gloomhaven or the board games?" Hristo Petkov, Game Director of Frosthaven at Snapshot Games asks. "All I know about these games so far is the little I've played of the tutorial before we hopped on a call." I almost laughed at how woefully unprepared I thought I was. "Okay, […]
Players will be able to build your own Jurassic World like never before with the release of Frontier Developments' Jurassic World Evolution 3 on PC and consoles October 21.
IOI Partners (Hitman, Project 007), together with Leslie Benzies' Build a Rocket Boy, announced at Summer Game Fest that MindsEye will feature Agent 47 as a playable character in a post-launch mission for the title.
1047 Games cofounder Ian Proulx took the stage at Summer Game Fest on Friday to promote his new game Splitgate 2 by calling out the current state of online shooters. Eschewing the marketing speak of most of his peers at the glossy showcase, he said he wants Titanfall 3 to come out and called his new game's surprise…
Okay, technically it's not summer for another few weeks, but it was 80 damn degrees in New York today so as far as I'm concerned, we're in summer mode. Also, happy Switch 2 launch week to all those who celebrate! This week eager fans, us included, finally got their hands on the highly anticipated hybrid console from…
Gamers are a passionate bunch, and we're no exception. These are the week's most interesting perspectives on the wild, wonderful, and sometimes weird world of video game news.
If you're stuck on a tricky boss fight or a challenging puzzle, or just want to make the most of your time with a new release, we've got you covered. Here are some of the tips we found most helpful this week.
From mergers to memes, the landscape of interactive entertainment is always in motion. Here's your cheat sheet for the week's most important stories in gaming.
June 7, 2025: We added the latest Monopoly Go dice links for free dice rolls.
How can I get free Monopoly Go dice links? The household favorite board game has been reimagined as a free-to-play app on smartphones, allowing everyone to experience the thrills of Monopoly on practically any device. Everything that makes the board game special is here in Monopoly Go, so you'll be collecting properties and building hotels as you go around the board, and there are a variety of multiplayer minigames to get through along the way.
You're going to need to get your hands on Monopoly dice rolls, but they are difficult to come by no matter how far you are into the board game. There are ways to earn additional dice rolls, including logging into the game every day to collect daily bonuses, progressing further in the game, and inviting friends to try Monopoly Go. While you can also spend real money to unlock more dice rolls, you may want to give our list of Monopoly Go dice links a try instead, especially if you're waiting for the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event. Take a look at all the currently active Monopoly Go free dice links for today.
New multiplayer FPS Splitgate 2 is facing a negative response among its player base for expensive microtransactions introduced with its full launch. The fast-paced arena shooter, which uses portals to allow quick traversal around its maps, was launched out of beta during the Summer Game Fest showcase, but has been met with criticism over its new battle royale mode and pricey cosmetics in the wake of 1047 Games co-founder Ian Proulx's on-stage appearance, where he spoke of being "tired of playing the same Call of Duty every year."
Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios is apologizing to the upcoming extraction shooter's community for inadvertently teasing a shadow drop via a countdown ahead of Summer Game Fest. Arc's launch date was finally revealed at SGF earlier this week, but thanks to an alternate reality game (ARG) some players assumed Arc was going to actually come out during the show, or at least have a beta. That didn't happen, and now Embark says it "mismanaged the hype" around the game.
June 7, 2025: We've set sail for the third sea in the hopes of finding new 2x XP Blox Fruits codes.
What are the new Blox Fruits codes? We've compiled a regularly updated list of all Roblox Blox Fruits codes to redeem in-game freebies like XP boosts, free Beli, and stat resets for your pirate adventures. Need a boost to take on the increasingly tricky competition? We've got you covered.
Blox Fruits is one of the biggest Roblox games ever, thanks to its fun, anime-inspired pirate action. That said, it can be challenging to find new free codes, so we've done the hard work and listed all the active Blox Fruits codes in 2025, including any Update 23 and Blox Bulletin codes, below. Once you're up to date on the new Blox Fruits codes, consider checking out our ultimate Blox Fruits guide or our in-depth Blox Fruits tier list for the current meta.
June 7, 2025: There's a lone new Basketball Zero code for the weekend.
What are the new Basketball Zero codes? Stemming from a collaboration with the original owner of smash-hit Roblox sports game Blue Lock Rivals, the legendary developer is now letting you shoot hoops with anime icons big and small.
If Roblox is your main source of play, do consider checking out our Blue Lock Rivals codes, Volleyball Legends codes, or Anime Rangers X codes guides. We check more than 100 of the most popular Roblox games for new codes constantly, helping to ensure there's always a steady stream of freebies to grab while you wait for your favorite titles to update.
June 7, 2025: You can grab a free gift without a new DTI code during the June 7 cutscene event.
What are the new Dress to Impress codes? Look no further if you want to strut your stuff on the catwalk with all the latest fashion accessories. The latest DTI codes grant you the hottest cosmetics to add to your ensemble and create a stunning new look, and it's as simple as entering a code or two.
As the name suggests, Dress to Impress is all about fashion, collecting new clothes, and trying out different styles. Unlike most Roblox games, these DTI codes permanently unlock a set of items to add to your wardrobe. If you're looking for extra freebies, we also have codes for some of the other best Roblox games such as Blox Fruits codes to help you get an edge on the competition. Alternatively, you can check out our list of Dress to Impress outfit ideas.
June 7, 2025: With an update due "soon" (we all know what that means) we're out looking for new Anime Rangers X codes to compensate.
What are the latest Anime Rangers X codes? This fresh new Roblox tower defense title brings easy freebie redemption back to the biggest genre trend of last year, granting it a quick boost of launch popularity against classics of the past.
June 7, 2025: We have three new Anime Vanguard codes in for UPD 6.
What are the new Anime Vanguards codes? In a Roblox game where the universes of multiple anime have started colliding, you can pick from many units in a tower defense title featuring tons of your favorite characters. To have the most powerful warrior around, the rewards from using the latest codes can give you just what you need.
Like when using Special Anime Defense codes or Anime Royale codes, redeeming these extra rewards can give you an edge over other players. These can include currencies used for special banner units or crafting important items. To help you be the best in this Roblox adventure, the free codes in this guide will have you covered.
June 7, 2025: A new Arise Crossover code has arrived for the release of the relic upgrader.
Want the latest Arise Crossover codes? If you're short on cash, gems, boosts, and more, these promo codes for the latest Solo Leveling-inspired Roblox simulator will keep you grinding long into the evening. In this action RPG, you must go on a journey to become the strongest warrior in the land to rid the world of evil.
If you're like us, you most likely play different Roblox games every day, so we highly recommend checking out our Blue Lock Rivals codes, Blox Fruits codes, or Anime Rangers X codes guides. We check well over 100 of the most popular Roblox games for new codes every week, ensuring there's always a steady stream of freebies to consume while you wait for your favorites to update.
June 7, 2025: One new SpongeBob Tower Defense code is in for UPD 23.
What are the new SpongeBob Tower Defense codes? Bikini Bottom is in danger and only the sub-aquatic city's goofiest goobers can protect it. From SpongeGar to double Krabby Pattied-up Squidward, there's a wild cast of characters that can be called upon to aid the defense effort.
Of course, these iconic faces come at a cost, requiring you to cough up Gems and Magic Conches to partake in the Roblox game's gacha system. Fortunately, the SpongeBob Tower Defense codes often reward you with these precious materials, so load up Roblox, dive into Bikini Bottom, and use the following codes to keep it safe.
June 7, 2025: There's a new Brainrot Evolution code for the World 7 update.
Want new Brainrot Evolution codes? We can help you keep up your dependency on the latest and greatest memes out there. Get free EXP Potions, coins, gems, and everything else you might need to evolve your favorite brainrot character with the latest codes.
If you're on the lookout for other Roblox adventures, check out the latest codes for other huge games on the platform. We're always hunting for new Blue Lock Rivals codes, Blox Fruits codes, and Meme Sea codes. We have well over 100 Roblox games we're always keeping a watchful eye on to ensure we have the latest freebies ready to go.
May 31, 2025 We've detailed the Dawnbound mutation effect.
What are the best Grow a Garden mutations? Whether you want to build a garden that's perfect to show off to friends, or one that's designed to just make money, there are Grow a Garden mutations you'll want, others you'll want to avoid, and you'll need to know the effects one mutation might have when paired with another.
Since Grow a Garden works while you're not even playing, check out the best Roblox games around for something else to play while things grow. If you're open to quick recommendations of the biggest games around, check out the latest Blox Fruits codes or Blue Lock Rivals codes. Of course, be sure to check for new Grow a Garden codes, too.
June 7, 2025: We've added a section on how to get the Anti Bee Egg from the Bizzy Bear.
How do you farm Grow a Garden honey? With the latest in-game event putting an extra twist on the week-long crop farming rush, we've got some tips on how to maximize your Grow a Garden honey gains to get all the free seeds, pets, and gear possible.
Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Season 4 is finally here, and it brought with it a true blast from the past. More than a decade after it first appeared in Black Ops 2, the bizarre multiplayer and Zombies lovechild known as Grief is back. Pitting two teams of four players against each other and a horde of the undead all at once, the goal is to survive the longest while sabotaging the enemy as much as possible. You can't directly harm your opponents, but you can make their lives a living hell instead. I for one am incredibly glad to see Grief return, but that doesn't mean the mode hasn't been without its problems. Luckily for us, then, Treyarch has already taken aim at some of the new game mode's biggest issues, with more changes on the way.
June 7, 2025: We're back to managing bees in the hopes of cultivating new Grow a Garden codes for the Friendship update.
What's the complete list of Grow a Garden codes? Since it is potentially the biggest Roblox game of all time in terms of active players, you'll definitely want new Grow a Garden codes to help, well… grow your garden! Get loads of free seed packs and other boosts by redeeming each new code before it expires.
Given it's an AFK type game—and by that we mean your garden continues to grow while you're offline—it makes sense to turn your attention to other Roblox games while your plants mature. For freebies elsewhere, look to our guides on King Legacy codes, Climb and Jump codes, and maybe even Basketball Legends codes if you're the sporty type.
June 7, 2025: We've added the Anti Bee Egg pets to the GaG pets tier list.
What are the best Grow a Garden pets? With an ever-increasing number of pets and wild animals to have roaming your garden, it makes sense to question the best use of pet slots and which eggs to shell out your shackles on.
Need a free seed pack to use alongside the pets you have roaming around in the biggest Roblox game ever? Check out all of the Grow a Garden codes. And after you sow your seeds, get a head start in other popular Roblox titles with the latest Blue Lock Rivals codes or Climb and Jump codes. For more help in making money in Grow a Garden, check out our Grow a Garden values list.
I can't think of many games with as perfect a name as Satisfactory. There are few feelings in gaming so utterly satisfying as laying out the perfect base and watching your clockwork masterpiece whirr, grind, and tick over as it collects and processes innumerable resources. Don't just take my word for it; the automation sandbox game has a near-perfect 97% Steam score from nearly 200,000 user reviews. It's about to get even better, too, as developer Coffee Stain Studios prepares to unleash its first big post-launch overhaul, Satisfactory 1.1, and to celebrate it's going cheap right now.
Is Dune Awakening down? While we still love single-player games, but there's also something to be said for the chaotic joy to be had in multiplayer experiences - especially massively multiplayer ones.
One of the few downsides that comes with playing with friends and strangers around the world is the instability of online servers. As a survival MMO, Dune Awakening could be victim to severe server downtime, so if you're struggling to get into Arrakis, that could be why. Here, we've got the latest on maintenance in the crafting game, and the current Dune Awakening server status.
If you've read anything I've written before, you know I love Dead Cells. The action roguelike is infinitely replayable, filled with tough fights, and has had a steady stream of updates and expansions over the last few years elevating it to new heights. If you adore Motion Twin's opus as much as I do, then, Dragon is Dead is a game you really need to check out. With a suitably dreary setting, fast-paced combat, and a lot of reasons to keep coming back, the Steam 1.0 version is finally here.
With no more than a passing mention at the Summer Game Fest showcase, the wait for Hollow Knight Silksong feels more agonizing than ever. A week of backend Steam updates have raised anticipation to the max, and we're tingling for news. There's still a chance; the Xbox Games event on Sunday would be a reasonable place for it to appear, given its presence on Game Pass. But rather than waiting, why not satisfy those action platformer cravings with stunning new Metroidvania MIO: Memories in Orbit, which you can try for free right now courtesy of a just-released demo.
Blizzard has been massively improving Overwatch 2 throughout 2025. The team has spent the last few months introducing a slate of game-changing features and modes that breathe entirely new life into the aging hero shooter, reminding us why OW2 is so good in the first place. Between the new perks, hero bans, and Stadium game mode, Overwatch 2 almost feels like an entirely different game right now. This is undoubtedly a good thing, but it's also reasonable to feel a bit worried about how these new features could overshadow Blizzard's focus on the core game. Well, the Diablo and World of Warcraft studio is here to alleviate those fears.
The Rust June update has arrived, and there's a lot of changes in store for Steam's biggest survival game. While there's nothing so dramatic as last month's introduction of a whole new biome, developer Facepunch isn't resting on its laurels. Indeed, jungle changes are at the top of a long list of alterations, buffs, nerfs, and other balance tweaks. Among the other inclusions are the long-rumored silencer rework, a crucial lighting adjustment, some very helpful wire laying and cosmetic base-building additions, and a fantastic tool for creative mode players, so let's dig through the details.
Remember Toem? That was a bloody lovely game. I'm always partial to a game where photography is the core mechanic, there's such a specific joy in navigating a space attempting to capture a fracture of its essence. Photo modes just aren't the same, I want someone to textually give me a camera and send me on my way. A sequel was announced last year, quite simply called Toem 2, and during yesterday's Day of the Devs, some gameplay was shown off for the first time.
While the upcoming Slay the Spire 2 hovers threateningly over the deckbuilding landscape, one game in the genre is replacing the usual boney arithmetic with harsh words, legal loopholes, and subtle threats. All Will Rise is a "narrative deckbuilder" set in a tense courtroom where you play a lawyer cross-examining those who may or may not be involved in the brutal murder of a holy river.
GameBoy-styled fantasy adventure Everdeep Aurora has dug deep enough to uncover a release date. If you've missed this pretty retro platformer, it looks sort of like a monochromatic SteamWorld Dig but with friends to meet instead of enemies to smash. You are a cat, and your cat mum has gone missing. The only clue is a note from her telling you to dig down and find her. It's a little bit Spelunky, a little bit Gato Roboto, and it's coming out in a month's time.
If we're being honest with ourselves, the original PSP was a sort of Proto-Switch too, no? As in it was home to a lot of odd, smaller-scope games that not many other platforms might have featured outside of Nintendo's earlier handhelds. Patapon was one such tiny oddity, one of the most charming games on the platform, if not to ever outright exist. It did go on to get a couple of sequels, but the series (outside of an upcoming remaster of the first two) is sort of dead. Luckily, Ratatan, a spiritual successor from Patapon's creator is here to satisfy your tiny-guy-chanting-to-music needs with a newly revealed release date!
Arc Raiders! It's an extraction shooter! A fact that will leave many with the question, "is this the one that'll push the genre to the mainstream?" Personally I haven't the foggiest, and I don't have a horse in that race either. That kind of nonsense matters more to shareholders than it does to little old me. Still, we've not got a huge amount of time to wait to find out if Arc Raiders is the one to make extraction shooters big, as during Geoff's Livestream of Questionable Quality and Orbs, it got a release date.
Partly in the absence of real surprises, and partly because the auditorium bass notes were making me feel queasy and dissociative, I spent a lot of this year's Summer Games Fest showcase transfixed by Geoff Keighley's balls. I am, of course, referring to the show's animated backdrops, in which glutinous, gleaming orbs floated like nitrogen bubbles in a cosmic brain - sometimes tossed upon a tide of marbled petro-vomit, sometimes drifting over a scree of lava lamp effluence, sometimes hovering against sherbety silver Bermudas of arches and plinths. Immersive!
Now that the 2025 Wholesome Direct is done, we know the over 60 cozy games featured during the event. While most are headed to PCs, a few console and mobile titles showed up as well. In addition, eight ended up being shadowdrops during the event, among them the Switch and PC games Instants and Squeakross: Home Squeak Home. Quite a few also ended up being playable for the first time, with an array of demos showing up for them on Steam following the presentation. XSEED and Marvelous also announced they would be localizing Milano's Odd Job Selections for the first time and releasing it on consoles and PCs.
Here is the full list of every one of the cozy games that came up during the Wholesome Direct 2025.
All Will Rise - on Kickstarter - PC
Ambroise Niflette & the Gleaned Bell - on Kickstarter - PC
Anxiety Puppy - Q4 2025 - PC
The Berlin Apartment - November 2025 - PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC
Big Hops - 2025 - PC, Demo on Steam
Camper Van: Make it Home - Out today - Switch and PC
Capy Castaway - TBD - PC
Clawsome - 2025 - PC
Collector's Cove - TBD - PC, Demo on Steam
Crescent County - on Kickstarter - PC and Xbox Series X
Danchi Days - TBD - PC, Demo on Steam
Discounty - August 21, 2025 - Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, Demo on Steam
Dosa Divas - 2026 - Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC
Everdeep Aurora - July 10, 2025 - PC, Demo on Steam
Fireside Feelings - Out today - PC
Fishbowl - TBD - PS5 and PC
Gecko Gods - Fall 2025 - PC, Demo on Steam
Gemporium - August 2025 - PC
Gourdlets Together - 2025 - PC
The Great Coffee Caper - TBD - PC, Demo on Steam
Guardian of Nature Episode 1 - Out today - PC
Haunted Paws - Alpha on June 7, 2025 - PC, Demo on Steam
Heidi's Legacy: Mountains Calling - 2026 - PC
Hotel Galactic - July 24, 2025 - PC
Instants - Out today - Switch and PC
Is This Seat Taken? - August 2025 - Switch and PC
Islanders: New Shores - July 10, 2025 - Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC
KuloNiku: Bowl Up - Q3 2025 - PC
Leaf Blower Co. - 2025 - PC, Demo on Steam
Let's Build a Dungeon - TBD - Xbox Series X and PC
Letters To Arralla - TBD - Demo out now.
Little Kitty, Big City - Free Content Update Summer 2025 - Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X
Llamalandia - TBD - PC, Demo on Steam
Luma Island - June 20, 2025 - PC
Lynked: Banner of the Spark - Out now - PC
Mafate - TBD - PC, Demo on Steam
MakeRoom - August 7, 2025 - PC
Mazey Village - TBD - PC
Mecha - TBD - PC
Milano's Odd Job Selections - 2025 - Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC
Muri: Wildwoods - 2025 - PC
Monument Valley 3 - Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC - July 22, 2025
Omelet You Cook - Out now - PC
On-Together - TBD - PC
One Move Away - 2025 - PC, Demo on Steam
Out and About - Playtest out today - PC, Consoles in 2026
Outside the Blocks - TBD - PC
Pawsta - on Kickstarter - PC
Puni the Florist - TBD - PC
Seasonala Cemetary - Out today - PC
Sheepherds - TBD - PC, Demo on Steam
Shiba Sweet - TBD - PC
Squeakross: Home Squeak Home - Out today - Switch and PC
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - August 27, 2025 - Switch and PC
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game - July 29, 2025 -
Tiny Wander - TBD - PC and mobile
Town to City - TBD - PC
Townbox - TBD - PC
Vending Dokan - Early Access out today - PC
Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe - 2025 - Switch, Switch 2, and PC
Winter Burrow - 2025 - Switch, PC, and Xbox Series X
The Wholesome Direct 2024 roundup included about the same number of cozy games as the 2025 one.
Camper Van: Make It Home, Fireside Feelings, Instants, Omelet You Cook, Out and About, Seasonala Cemetary, and Squeakross: Home Squeak Home are all available on PCs now, with Instants and Squeakross also available on the Switch.
Shift Up held its Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Stellar Blade crossover livestream and revealed that the collaboration characters joining the game will be Eve, Lily, and Raven. The event will be called "Memories Teller" and be fully-voiced by the cast from the PS5 and PC game. Providence will be the boss in it. There will also be costumes for Eve and Raven. Everything starts on June 12, 2025. June 2025 is also when the NIKKE crossover DLC comes to the console and PC game.
Everything first starts after maintenance on June 12, 2025, but not all elements will appear at that moment. "Memories Teller" begins with a rumor humans are on the surface. However, once going there, we encounter people like Eve and Lily. Going through that event allows us to earn SR Lily for free. That day is also when the SSR Eve Pick-Up Recruitment gacha banner starts and we can get the Neurolink Pass to earn the Neurolink Suit costume for the character.
The next batch of updates for the NIKKE Stellar Blade crossover event kicks off on June 19, 2025. That's when the SSR Raven gacha banner begins. In addition to being able to pull for the character, the Midsummer Pass can be acquired and gone through to earn a Midsummer Alice costume for the character. Another Eve outfit will appear in Stellar Blade on that day too, with the costume gacha adding a banner for her famous Skin Suit from the PS5 and PC game.
We got to see teaser images for many of the characters and costumes in the gallery of Shift Up official images below.
Note that Eve, Lily, and Raven won't appear in any other recruit banners in NIKKE after the Stellar Blade event ends, as they are limited units.
Here is the full Collaboration Special Livestream:
https://www.youtube.com/live/B43uSI8hJI0
Goddess of Victory: NIKKE is available on PCs and mobile devices. Stellar Blade is on the PS5 and PC. The crossover event will take place starting on June 12, 2025.
Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, Boruto, and Boruto: Two Blue Vortex are all series that highlight the growth of young ninjas placed in extraordinary situations throughout the course of the manga and anime series. However, in the case of this sequel series' second part, I'm starting to think it might be even better at highlighting that development. The way in which Boruto matured from the first half to the second is so striking, and the recently released second volume of Two Blue Vortex especially highlights different ways in which he's grown up over the course of all these chapters.
Editor's Note: There will be spoilers for volume 2 of the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga below.
Throughout the first volume of the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga, we already started to see Boruto Uzumaki's development. He's working alongside Sasuke Uchiha to train. He's understanding what's happened in the world. He's accepted needing to stay on the outskirts, even if it also means rushing in to help the people who falsely consider him an enemy. His thoughts on Kawaki's motives and willingness to find a solution that could result in a situation that mirrored Naruto and Sasuke's show it as well. But now that the second volume is here, it's even more obvious how much he's changed over the time-skip.
Image via Viz Media
A big part of that comes up at the very outset of the second volume. We see an immediate parallel between his early training with Sasuke after the events in the first part of the series and the second. As the Divine Trees attack, he witnesses what happened to his master attempting to protect him. He made a commitment upon seeing his absorbed body. Especially since Sasuke asked him to protect Sarada. So at the very beginning, we're seeing the level of respect he has for this man and the commitments he's willing to make.
Part of assuming that responsibility also shows the level of courage Boruto now possesses as of Two Blue Vortex. We always knew Naruto's son was brave. However, at this point he's willing to go to Konohagakure and risk attacks and capture so he can find Sarada and tell her what happened to her father. He is aware of the possible consequences. However, his relationship with the Uchiha family, assumption of the duty assigned to him, and respect for her and her father means he's willing to risk it all. It's quite telling.
So is the tact and intelligence he displays while there. Shikamaru Naru, the acting hokage following the incident involving Naruto, becomes aware of the effect of Eida's Omnipotence and the fact that everyone's memories has been tampered with. This is partially due to listening to Sumire Kakei and Amado Sanzu. He doesn't behave rashly, and instead communicates in a mature fashion with Shikamaru. He takes the time to explain things, even if it might not make a difference. He's never rash, showing how much he's grown as an individual and over the course of the series.
This extends to an encounter with Mitsuki. Mitsuki is enraged, due to Omnipotence and Kawaki's influence. Boruto understands. He's aware of it. He doesn't behave in a hostile manner or go on an all-out attack in response. Instead, he's extraordinarily kind in this encounter. He helps explain, even though Mitsuki is rightfully experiencing all sorts of emotions. He takes a chance and trusts him.
In a way, I feel like these latest two volumes of the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga are offering even more insight and explanation into how unique Boruto is compared to his father. His growth as an individual is extraordinary. I'd say he's more mature at this age than Naruto ever was, partially due to the circumstances. But it's also due to who he is as an individuals. It really helps define this second part of the series and character.
Volumes 1 and 2 of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex are available now, and Viz Media hasn't shared a release date for the third volume of the manga yet.
Mirror Mode is one of the more confusing modes to unlock to unlock in Mario Kart World, but don't panic, as we are here to tell you what you need to do to get one of the game's iconic modes in the nick of time.
Be cautious, though, as unlocking the mode is a bit of a grind, and you might find yourself squinting at some of the requirements you need to take part. Some are fun, some are stress-inducing, while others are just a time sink.
How to get Mirror Mode in Mario Kart World
Image via Nintendo
To unlock Mirror mode, you need to do the following tasks:
Complete every Grand Prix in 150cc, it doesn't matter where you finish
Complete every Knockout Tour course in 150cc, it doesn't matter where you finish
Complete over 40 P Switch Missions in Free Roam
Collect 10+ Peach Medallions
After completing the above, if you race on the Special Cup again and the credits roll, you should get a special cutscene where Mirror Mode unlocks. I should note that there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the way to unlock the mode, with some claiming that you may also need to have all costumes and characters unlocked, but this is not true.
There is also some confusion on whether you need to get three stars on all tracks or simply complete them all to get Mirror Mode. You do not need to get 3 stars or get first, you only need to finish each course to unlock Mirror Mode.
It was hard for even me to know what you needed at the time, so I started a brand new save file and did the bare minimum to figure out the above information. I originally completed the Special Cup without getting over 10 Peach Medallions, and Mirror Mode didn't unlock. That is when I knew what the missing piece was for my new save file experiment.
Oh, and when you have unlocked Mirror Mode, head to Peach's Castle in Free Roam and drive into the stained glass window you see in the cutscene to make Free Roam become mirrored as well!
You wouldn't know it as a casual player, but there are different stastics for each character when paired with a kart combo in Mario Kart World, so if you want to get the best stats when trying to play online and raise your point tally, its important to know are the details you need to make the best decisions possible.
The stats are only per character as well, so using a character in a different outfit won't change the base stats, so you can take the character you either like best or want the stats of, and wear any of its costumes with no issues whatsoever.
All individual character stats and weight in Mario Kart World
For the sake of making this as simple as possible, the stats for each character are based on their stats on the Standard Kart, so players can then add or subtract numbers for the car they want to use. We hope it is helpful!
We have also categorized whether a character is Lightweight, Mediumweight, or Heavyweight, for those who want to know which weight division the characters fall into. The stats range from 1 to 4, representing the four bars in the character details screen.
Mario
Weight Class: Medium
Vehicle Character Stats - Mario
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2
2.2
1.8
2
Luigi
Weight Class: Medium
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2
2.2
1.8
2
Peach
Weight Class: Medium
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.8
2.4
1.6
2.2
Daisy
Weight class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.8
2.4
1.6
2.2
Yoshi
Weight class: Medium
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.8
2.4
1.6
2.4
Toad
Weight class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.6
2.6
1.4
2.4
Koopa Troopa
Weight class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.6
2.6
1.4
2.4
Bowser
Weight class: Heavy
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2.6
1.6
2.4
1.4
Wario
Weight class: Heavy
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2.4
1.8
2.2
1.6
Waluigi
Weight class: Heavy
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2.4
1.8
2.4
1.6
Rosalina
Weight class: Heavy
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2.2
2
2
1.8
Pauline
Weight class: Medium
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2.2
2
2
1.8
Baby Mario
Weight Class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.4
2.8
1.2
2.6
Baby Luigi
Weight Class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.4
2.8
1.2
2.6
Baby Peach
Weight Class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.4
3
1
2.6
Baby Daisy
Weight Class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.4
3
1
2.6
Lakitu
Weight Class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.6
2.6
1.4
2.4
Toadette
Weight Class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.6
2.6
1.4
2.4
Bowser Jr.
Weight Class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.8
2.4
1.6
2.2
Baby Rosalina
Weight Class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.4
2.6
1.2
2.6
Birdo
Weight Class: Medium
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2
2.2
1.8
2
King Boo
Weight Class: Medium
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2.2
2
2
1.8
Shy Guy
Weight Class: Light
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
1.6
2.6
1.4
2.4
Donkey Kong
Weight Class: Heavy
Speed
Acceleration
Weight
Handling
2.4
1.8
2.2
1.6
I've focused on the main cast for now, but will return to add Cow and the rest of the NPCs when I unlock them later on. So please bear with me!
By some random chance, I have found one of Mario Kart World's greatest gameplay changes, and it comes in the form of being able to manually throw items in any direction, even to your side, which could change the race as we know it.
With certain items like the Green Shell, you can actually manually aim where you want the shell to go instead of always firing it straight above or behind the player's character. This is a complete game changer, as it allows for precise aiming... if it weren't for the finicky controls to get it to work.
To manually aim certain items, you need to use the right stick to move the camera in the direction you want to throw the item. When you have the target lined up in the center of your screen, you can throw the item, and your character will throw the Green Shell and other items in the direction you were looking.
While this might sound easy on paper, holding the A button to accelerate while moving your character with the left stick, then trying to move the right stick at the same time to move the camera, and then pressing the L bumper or trigger, is harder than it sounds. Give it a try yourself to see what you mean.
Still, the find is pretty cool and adds an extra layer of skill to the gameplay, especially in Knockout Tour. I can't tell you how many times a player has been driving to the left or right of me, thinking they are safe from the Green Shell behind me, only to surprise attack them and knock them out in various rounds. So I'm hopeful that passing this knowledge onto you will aid you in your online matches as well.
It takes a bit of practice, same as other new mechanics like wall riding, but if you can master it and learn which items can be manually thrown and which can't, you'll have something up your sleeve to show off your friends in a future race. It also helps in Battle Mode, too!
Mario Mart World has a neat trick for you to perform in solo play that can stop a Blue Shell from hitting you or make up for a mistake you made that might have left you losing your coveted first-place finish.
Rewind is a new tool in-game that lets you turn back the clock and rewind time at any given notice to get out of a dire situation. It's a pretty cool ability, but the vast majority of players either don't know it exists or have no idea how to activate it.
How to rewind in Mario Kart World
Rewinding in-game is pretty simple. At any time, you can press down on the D-Pad and your character will jump back a few seconds to a former position. It'll also help you dodge any weapons like the Blue Shell, but there are some limitations to its use.
For starters, you can only use this ability in solo modes, so you cannot use it in online matches. Also, when you use rewind, only you rewind, so all other NPC characters will keep racing and even pass you after you use the ability.
The rewind also loses most of your speed and acceleration, so it can prove costly if you press it at the wrong time, especially in 150cc races where every second counts. It's still pretty cool to get out of a jam, though, and is a great tool for beginners to get out of situations they didn't want to be in.
I haven't used it myself during 150c races where I have made a mistake, I find it's quicker to take the hit than fall back in places and lose further time. It definitely has its uses, though, in free roam when doing some P Switch missions or trying to get some of the Peach Medallions, as if you fall off a cliff, you can go right back where you came and try again.
One of cinema's most calculating villains is stepping back into the spotlight—this time as a target. Mads Mikkelsen reprises his role as Le Chiffre, the icy-eyed antagonist from Casino Royale, in a new Elusive Target mission for HITMAN World of Assassination. Unveiled during Summer Game Fest 2025, the mission, titled The Banker, sends Agent 47 […]
