Kotaku Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:05 AM  Nintendo and Miyamoto have just announced the two lead actors in 2027's live-action Zelda movie. We now know that both lead roles will be played by British actors, with Link portrayed by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Pinocchio) and Bo Bragason (Three Girls) appearing as Zelda . |
Kotaku Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:00 AM  Pokémon TCG Pocket is already nine months old, because time has come loose from its moorings and there's a global conspiracy to cover up this chronological catastrophe. Over its three-quarters of a year, the mobile version of the collectible card game has introduced many new sets of cards, a new ranked tournament… |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:45 AM How does Dead by Daylight ranking work? Ranks in Dead by Daylight were replaced some time ago by a Grading system. These DBD grades have no bearing on your matchmaking rating (MMR) and are simply a way to keep track of your own progress. Your DBD rank is shown by a colored icon in the top right-hand corner of your in-game screen, but might not mean much to you from the icon alone. If you're wondering what the point is, well, we can't blame you. There's isn't really one. That said, there is a hefty Bloodpoint reward during each Dead by Daylight grade reset depending on which level you reach. Of course, there are often other ways to get extra BP, too, including with DBD codes and Prime Gaming, so you always have plenty to hand to level up your DBD killers and survivors. If you still want to know more about your DBD rank, the grading reset, and what the rewards are, then read on. Continue reading DBD ranks explained - All Dead by Daylight grades MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:45 AM The latest Dune Awakening patch notes are here, and developer Funcom has fixed a prevalent item duplication glitch. Some players had previously been able to copy items while trading via the Exchange, but this exploit is now a thing of the past. Funcom says you might still see any duplicated items in your inventory, but confirms "they don't exist." MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best MMOs, Dune Awakening release date |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:49 AM Who are the best characters on the ZZZ tier list? HoYoverse's latest gacha comes with a full roster of playable agents that sport unique abilities, attributes, and combat specialties. With so many characters to choose from, it can be difficult to decide who to add to your team. We've tested each one to bring you a complete and reliable tier list that ensures you're investing your time and level-up materials into the right units. Our expert Zenless Zone Zero tier list is based on the current stats and performance in the latest Zenless Zone Zero update, so be aware these rankings may be subject to change. We regularly update this tier list as new characters are introduced in Zenless Zone Zero banners, so check back for the latest developments in the gacha game. Let's get into the best (and worst) characters in Zenless Zone Zero 2.1. Continue reading ZZZ tier list - best characters in Zenless Zone Zero 2.1 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:14 AM The Outlast Trials is a co-op horror game you owe it to yourself to try. Boasting a 93% Steam user score from more than 57,000 reviews, it's a beloved prequel to some of scariest, nastiest videogames around. Like the earlier Outlast entries, you've got to creep around dilapidated buildings, complete objectives, and avoid bloodthirsty killers. There is a twist, though: you can play The Outlast Trials either solo or in a group. Developer Red Barrels has also been generous with free updates, giving you new monsters to face and tests to overcome. Now's the ideal time to give it a try, too, with the latest season launching alongside a steep 60% off sale. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best survival, Best co-op games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:56 AM If you think fast and click even quicker, you could grab yourself a great graphics card deal right now. That's because you can currently buy an AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT gaming GPU from Amazon for just $279.99, which is 15% lower than this particular card's normal price, and $20 lower than the overall RX 9060 XT MSRP. That's a refreshingly low price for this AMD GPU in a time when we're used to seeing the latest GPUs costing much more than their MSRP in the US. What's more, the 9060 XT is currently the best graphics card in its class right now on our buying guide, even at MSRP, out-performing the rival RTX 5060 in a number of our tests. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 9070 XT review |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:48 AM Ark: Aquatica was supposed to be a special celebration of Studio Wildcard's original survival game, but it's been met with a hugely negative response as many players find their saves unplayable, settings reset, and mod compatibility broken. The underwater expansion has just launched to mark ten years of Ark Survival Evolved, reimagining the world and giving a reason to return from its newer Unreal Engine 5 remaster. Unfortunately, an accompanying update appears to have caused a plethora of issues with the core game, even affecting players who haven't bought the new DLC. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ark 2 release date, Best survival games, The best Ark mods |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:35 AM The launch of Avowed came around as my fascination with Dragon Age was starting to wane. I needed a new, fantastical world to sink my teeth into, an epic quest to undertake, and of course, characters to woo. The RPG held so much promise, and for me, it mostly delivered, with one exception: there wasn't enough romance. While my hopelessly devoted heart continues to pine for Kai and an improved romance update to come along, it looks like there is plenty to keep myself entertained with, as a huge new patch drops for the game. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Avowed review, Avowed map, Avowed builds |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:19 AM At 20 years old, Minh Le, better known as 'Gooseman,' co-created what would become one of the biggest and most popular videogames in the world. Originally a humble Half-Life mod, Counter-Strike was quickly spotted and bought by Valve, which also hired its two developers. 25 years later, Counter-Strike 2 averages 1.6 million peak concurrent players per day - estimates vary, but most sources assert that the shooter earns Valve around a billion dollars a year. Not bad for something that was first built in a college dorm room. Le, however, doesn't work at Valve anymore. Alongside Ultimo Ratio, he's now working on a new - and excellent - FPS called Alpha Response (more on that later). So, what prompted him to quit a job at one of the most esteemed game makers in the business, leaving behind Counter-Strike in the process? Talking to PCGamesN exclusively, Minh Le explains what happened. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best multiplayer games, Best old games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:12 AM What's the complete list of Read or Not missions? The situation in Los Sueños is volatile to say the least, as violent crime surges across the city. Placed into the tactical boots of LSPD Commander David 'Judge' Beaumount, it's your job to crack down on crime and return Los Sueños to a peaceful state. Ready or Not's single-player Commander mode features 18 missions in the base game, plus six more through DLC. Your first playthrough of the tactical FPS game should take around ten hours, though you'll quickly ramp up your playtime if playing on hard mode or if you're trying to rack up S-rank mission scores. Read on for the complete Ready or Not missions list. Continue reading Ready or Not missions list - all main and DLC levels MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ready or Not missions list, Best Ready or Not mods, Best multiplayer games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:06 AM July 16, 2025: We added one new NBA 2L25 code. What are the active NBA 2K25 codes? It's another year in the NBA 2K calendar, and as is tradition, there are plenty of freebies to collect. Over the lifetime of each game in the storied basketball series, 2K dishes out a slew of locker codes that can be punched in, rewarding you with everything from free packs to top-rated stars as the season progresses. In NBA 2K25, you can expect a similar slurry of goodies to come your way, helping you make the most of your time in the sports game. Of course, NBA 2K25 locker codes don't last forever, so you'll have to act fast when a new code does pop up. Fortunately, we're keeping our eagle eyes eagerly on the latest codes, which you can find below. Continue reading NBA 2K25 codes July 2025 - all locker codes MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sports games, Best multiplayer games, New PC games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:06 AM Since Ready or Not developer Void Interactive announced it would be removing and adjusting some of the game's more extreme material on PC in order to launch on console, disappointed players have bombarded its Steam page with negative reviews. Almost immediately after the update dropped, one creator released a mod that aims to walk back most of the controversial changes. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ready or Not missions list, Best Ready or Not mods, Best multiplayer games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:48 AM What are the current and upcoming Genshin Impact events? A new version of Genshin Impact arrives every six weeks, complete with new characters, quests, and events. It's difficult to determine which events are currently running and if there are any new ones coming soon, so here's a schedule for all current and upcoming Genshin Impact events. There are usually a number of Genshin Impact events running simultaneously, and they aren't just in-game events. Hoyoverse often launches a web event every update, which gives players a chance to learn about the latest Genshin Impact characters through an interactive story told through a web browser. Like all gacha games, the rewards for completing events in Genshin Impact range from in-game items like Primogems and Mora to real-life prizes like mouse mats and plushies. Continue reading Genshin Impact events - all current and upcoming events MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:38 AM When is the Gears of War Reloaded release date? As one of the most beloved shooter series of all time, Gears of War has earned legions of fans across nearly two decades. Just ahead of its 20th anniversary, the game that started it all is being relaunched and brings the Microsoft exclusive to PlayStation for the very first time. While the first Gears of War was released back in 2006, the multiplayer game series hasn't slowed down since, and there's a new mainline game in the pipeline too: Gears of War E-Day. While this doesn't have a release date yet, Gears of War Reloaded does, and it brings the franchise to a new audience while giving veteran fans a visually updated return to the first game. We've got all the details about the Gears of War Reloaded release date, and what it means for multiplayer. Continue reading Gears of War Reloaded release date, upgrades, and more MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Gears of War Reloaded release date, Best multiplayer games, Gears of War E-Day release date |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:23 AM How does the CS2 ranks and rating system work? Competitive Counter-Strike is drastically changing in CS2 to create a more streamlined experience depending on how you prefer to play the game. There are now two forms of ranked play in CS2: Competitive and Premier. Unlike CSGO, your rank is split depending on the mode you're playing in Counter-Strike 2. Don't worry if you're a Global Elite-level player; as long as you continue to play well on the CS2 maps you should end up exactly where you deserve to be in the FPS game. Valve has removed the option to pick short or long games; instead, they've settled on MM24 to get directly to the action. Here's what you need to know about the rank and ratings system in CS2. Continue reading CS2 ranks and rating system explained MORE FROM PCGAMESN: CS2 crosshair, CS2 review, CS2 skins |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:08 AM What is the next Monopoly Go event? With so many limited-time events in Monopoly Go, it can be hard to keep track of the rewards you can get your hands on. Monopoly Go events can last anywhere from a few hours to a week, so bookmark this page as we'll keep it regularly updated with the next events and their start and end dates. Monopoly Go is the latest online board game sweeping the globe, but completing all of these events won't be easy without some free Monopoly Go dice links, so check out our daily updated guide for some freebies and rewards before you get started on the next Monopoly Go tournament. Continue reading All Monopoly Go events, tournaments, dates, and rewards - July 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:46 AM July 16, 2025: We added one new ZZZ code and checked for any expired codes. What are the new Zenless Zone Zero codes? We love a freebie. Whether it's free Polychrome, Investigator Logs, or Bangboo Algorithm Modules, the latest in-game redemption codes are the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to get free items while also skipping the gacha grind. With that in mind, we've collected all the latest codes available to redeem right now. HoYoverse periodically release ZZZ codes for their gacha games that coincide with major updates and livestreams, but the developer also loves to stealth drop codes, too. Now that Zenless Zone Zero is finally here, there are a ton of redeem codes waiting for you to scoop up. As our Zenless Zone Zero review attests, there's a lot of currency and materials to gather in the free PC game, so here are all the Zenless Zone Zero codes to get ahead in the latest update. Continue reading ZZZ codes July 2025 and how to redeem MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:41 AM What are the Zenless Zone Zero banners? If you're looking to expand your roster of playable agents, then wishing on banners is your best bet. These digital gacha machines form the basis of developer HoYoverse's monetization strategy, and they should be instantly familiar to anyone who's dipped into Genshin Impact or Honkai Star Rail. Zenless Zone Zero includes several event banners that offer the chance to pull characters, weapons, and Bangboo. Banners rotate regularly, so it's important to think strategically about whether to spend your ZZZ Polychrome on the current banner, or hold off until the next one. The ZZZ 2.1 banners include brand-new agents that can shake-up your Zenless Zone Zero team comps, so get set to start spending in HoYoverse's urban gacha game. Here's who you can pull in Zenless Zone Zero banners. Continue reading Zenless Zone Zero banners - next, current, and 2.2 banners MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:04 AM What are the best Sims 4 expansion packs? The Sims 4 has graced our monitors since 2014, but it certainly hasn't stopped growing its offerings in the form of expansion packs. With Sims 5 officially shelved, its predecessor isn't losing its shine and is still receiving regular new expansion packs. You could also expand your experience with our Sims 4 CC creators and packs guide for the best custom content from community creators, as well as a guide to how to install CC in The Sims 4. Still, there is a ton of DLC available for the free PC game, and while it's all personal preference, our list of the best Sims 4 expansion packs will point you in the right direction to bring a whole new dimension to your game. Continue reading Best Sims 4 expansion packs 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Sims 4 mods, Best Sims 4 sex mods, The Sims 4 cheats |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:00 AM When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz? This special, limited-time event allows players to trade two, usually locked golden stickers during a 24-hour period. This is an ideal solution for grabbing elusive missing stickers and completing albums before they come to an end. There's no official schedule for Monopoly Go's Golden Blitz event, so we can only estimate the date of the first Summer Escape Golden Blitz based on previous events and official sticker polls. However, we check daily for official word on the next trade. While you wait, be sure to participate in other Monopoly Go events for a chance to earn rare sticker packs, and keep on top of freebies with our free Monopoly Go dice rolls guide, which is updated regularly with the newest links. Continue reading When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 16, 2025 4:58 AM When was the ZZZ 2.1 release date? The next update for Zenless Zone Zero is finally here, and it's time to look ahead to what awaits us in Version 2.1. If you've been saving up your Polychrome, we've got a full itinerary of everything coming to HoYoverse's urban fantasy in the next few weeks. ZZZ 2.1 "The Impending Crash of Waves" is the latest update to hit the gacha game, and it picks up right after Phaethon and Yunkui Summit foiled the Exaltist plot in Zenless Zone Zero's last update. As Porcelumex launches an investigation into the underground research facility, Phaethon and friends soak up the sun at Fantasy Resort. We've also got an early look at upcoming characters set to make a mark on our Zenless Zone tier list, new locations, and more. Continue reading ZZZ 2.1 release date, characters, banners, events, and story MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:44 AM  Publishers Krafton have told workers at Subnautica 2 studio Unknown Worlds they would still get a promised bonus if they ship enough of the game by the end of 2026. In other words, they've been given an extension to hit their targets. The bonus money was in question after the surprise firing of senior staff a couple of weeks ago, and the enforced delay of the survival game by Krafton. After worker concerns and fan outrage, now the corp says "don't worry, we'll pay!" Although it's not the huge $250 million they were originally supposed to. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:35 AM  Valve have updated Steam's rules and regulations to prohibit games that "may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam's payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers". And in particular, "certain kinds of adult only content". In other words, they are giving banks, ISPs and credit card companies some degree of control over Steam's definition of acceptable "adult only content". All of which potentially has rather dramatic ramifications, given that banks and payment companies have a track record for pressuring platform holders to nuke what they deem to be NSFW material. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:11 AM  What happens when an unenforceable force meets an un-shut-uppable object? Cooperative monsterman shooter Killing Floor 3 found out this past Sunday, as players of its closed online stress test were asked to agree to a nondisclosure agreement (shared on Reddit) that would stay in effect for five years. Or four years, three hundred and fifty-four days after KF3 is supposed to launch, on July 24th. Naturally, this was broken almost immediately, including by Twitch streamers clicking through the agreement live on air. In a forum post, developers Tripwire Interactive have since declared that they stopped bothering to enforce within the test's first hour, and apologised for making such a mad demand in the first place. The post also confirms that another stress test – which PC players can still apply to join – is happening later today, Wednesday 16th, and won't insist on any legal gagging at all. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:11 AM  I liked Avowed, and having read through the notes for its summer update, patch 1.5, I reckon I'll like it even more whenever I next decide to don the persona of a trickshotting Envoy. This patch is the second of three seasonal updates Obsidian outlined that the game'd be getting over the course of this year. It's brought a substantial rework of fighter and ranger skills, some extra unique weapons for you to get your mitts on, Steam Deck verification, plus a bunch of other tweaks and fixes. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:29 AM  Frosthaven digital is launching in early access on Epic and Steam at the end of the month, July 31st. The dark fantasy RPG will be £33.50, and it's Julian Gollop's Snapshot Games handling the adaption. I had a short hands-on preview with the director back in March. Here's a trailer. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 16, 2025 4:56 AM  We are straining Rock Paper Shotgun's innovative "News To Me, Anyway" subcategory to breaking point with Anoxic Depths: Caves Of The Yendori, a turn-based spelunking roguelite from Studio Tectorum. The scurvy bean-counters among you might protest that it came out 10 years ago, possibly before some of you were old enough to read, operate video games, or count beans. To you scurvy bean-counters I would say: if you're going to be so picky about details, how about you help me remember which way is up, because I am stuck in an underwater cave. I have maybe 12 breaths left in my oxygen cylinder, and all I can see is rock texture. The ladder to the surface could be a foot away or 20. Soon, my body shall join those of the divers who came before. Ye gods, I love being this confused in video games. |
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Siliconera Wednesday, July 16, 2025 8:00 AM
Donkey Kong Bananza is a constant series of pleasant surprises. From things like new gameplay mechanics and power up growth to callbacks to past games and revelations about lore, there's always something astonishing to take in as you play. I absolutely love it. This is exactly what I wanted a Switch 2 launch window game to play. It shows exactly how much more powerful the console is both in terms of presentation and technical capabilities.
Things start out in Donkey Kong Bananza with DK working in mines alongside other primates. They've discovered bananas! Or gems! (They're Banandium, technically. DK eats them.) After a strange rock falls from the sky, he investigates to find it's a strange, purple, talking rock that runs from him when it sees he's an ape. He gives chase and rescues the creature from some monsters, at which point Oddrock warms to him and travels with him. It's then that we find VoidCo mining company Void turned Pauline into Oddrock, wants to force her on his side, and is on a mission to steal all the Banandium with his cohorts Poppy and Grumpy. It's up to DK and Pauline to head to the center of the planet to grant their wishes for bananas (DK) and to go home (Pauline), while also fixing the messes VoidCo cause to civilizations on each layer.
I want to avoid any and all spoilers here possibly related to the story. However, I will say there are many moments that left me absolutely buzzing. I can't exactly express how much excitement and joy I derived from certain plot points, callbacks, and tidbits here. It's amazing, and I honestly can't wait to start seeing how everyone reacts as they go on the journey.
Ahead of Donkey Kong Bananza's launch, there was a lot of talk about how folks from the Super Mario Odyssey team worked on it. While it definitely feels like a different and unique game on its own, it fills the same sort of niche on the Switch 2. It takes us to a bright, vibrant world. There are tons of different locations, each with their own sorts of biomes, challenges, and denizens. The vibes are immaculate in each space, with every layer feeling like it is encouraging you to interact with environments and terrain types in different ways. For example, muck like mud is going to slow you down. Going into a layer lets you know how "hard" the terrain is, to give you an idea of the effort needed to bust through stuff. Some spots are especially conducive to grabbing a chunk of rock and riding on it.
The nature of it also means there's tons of freedom. Each layer is filled with little collectibles like fossils you can find to trade for outfits, Banandium you can trade for items and hideaways, records that can be played in your hideaway jukebox, clothing that affects DK and Pauline's abilities, DK color schemes you can buy, Challenge stages, and of course the big bananas you bust up to earn skill points. In addition to gold and treasure chests being around, it's just plain fun to destroy terrain and see if there are "secret rooms" in the hollows of dirt.
Each of the Bananza forms in the game also feels really great and like they add to the experience. These are forms you unlock after encounters with Elders of the communities on certain layers, and they're triggered by Pauline's singing. While they're designed to really handle specific situations in their home layer, they do end up returning in later ones for specific moments. Like you can use them at any time, but I found some do feel a bit more useful than others. Like I expected Ostrich Bananza to be my favorite, due to the gliding and ability to "bomb" enemies from above. And it is good! But early on, Kong Bananza establishes itself as one of the standout ones and remains so useful throughout so many layers for exploration and enemy encounters.
Those fights against enemies are also pretty great, by the way. There are so many approaches to dealing with them. Smack 'em with DK's fists? Rip out some of the ground and start swinging? Grab some Banandium and throw it since it explodes on contact? (Should you really be eating that DK?) Trigger one of the Bananzas and start swinging or attacking? There's a lot of freedom and, given that some enemies may start to be made of tougher terrain types or involve inventive or evolving sorts of movesets tied to new compounds or traits you learn about, experimentation is wise!
The boss fights get as varied too, and I swear there's so much Splatoon campaign DNA in them. The character designs, approach to attacks, and sounds surrounding them all got me thinking about that. They're a constant flurry of motion as you use DK's destructive abilities in Donkey Kong Bananza to tear up the environment, deal with potential hazards, break down elements, and use all of his resources to take folks out. Most of them really feel solid and like they don't wear out their welcome, while also using things you might have learned in the layer where they appear to tie in with the theme and put your knowledge to good use. They're inventive and technically impressive, due to exactly how much is happening at any given time during these bombastic moments against major foes.
As inventive as some Donkey Kong Bananza fights are, I encounter two opponents I found both infuriating and a little unfair. No spoilers here, of course, but the nature of said encounters made me feel like the team intended to show off what it could do and try to push the system to the edge without thinking about whether or not survival in that specific instance might come down to dumb luck. It's also why I'm convinced some designers behind the final Splatoon 3 fight played a part in this game's development. (No other bosses in Nintendo history inspired such fury in me as that last Hero Mode foe.) This might just be a personal pet peeve, as I didn't feel any of the other major opponents were unfair or unbalanced in any way.
And, like I said, the boss fights in Donkey Kong Bananza pair with general stage construction and destruction to show exactly how powerful the Switch 2 is. It's something that comes out throughout the game, due to how much damage we're doing and the possibilities. But in these fights, it's really clear. There are particles everywhere! Tons of different types of textures are on screen at once. Explosions! In some instances many opponents also on-screen at one time and active! But there's never any lag or issue, even in Handheld Mode. Really, I feel like it's magic sometimes.
The only flaw I can think of is that sometimes, as you're burrowing through terrain as DK, it might get a bit difficult to see where you're headed in Donkey Kong Bananza. You may find yourself needing to fiddle with the camera a bit to get the right view to figure out where you are, if you should head up or down, and how to get out. There are some automatic quality of life elements already in effect, with the perspective and terrain going invisible in spots to highlight things. Plus the radar comes in quite handy, especially if upgraded. I got used to it after a few layers, so I expect others will as well.
Donkey Kong Bananza is my new favorite DK game, due to its fantastic gameplay and how well it shows exactly what the Switch 2 can do. I loved the story. I loved the environmental design. I loved the worldbuilding. The gameplay is fantastic, save for that one jerk opponent. This is a stunning example of what this new system can do. Donkey Kong Bananza is not only one of the best Switch 2 games in 2025, it will be one of the best titles released this year on any platform.
Donkey Kong Bananza will come to the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.
The post Review: Donkey Kong Bananza Is Superb appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:09 AM
Gifts in RogueBlox provide powerful passive bonuses and an active ability once you reach their Tier 3. That said, you have to level them by doing their specific tasks and the tedious part is that you have to wipe between each Tier progression to level the next Tier. Let's analyze all their effects and progression to find the best one in this all RogueBlox Gifts guide.
Table of contents
Complete RogueBlox Gift Guide
Below you'll find a table with all Gifts, effects, progression tips and pros & cons but before that I'll show you some important notes about Gifts in RogueBlox:
RogueBlox Gift Progression & Best Gift
Let's take a look at what is the best gift in RogueBlox by analyzing all the Gift effects and bonuses. We'll also take a look at progression for each gift and what are the best ways to progress. Note that some progression methods are drastically faster than others which I'll mention below.
That's it for my complete RogueBlox Gift guide for progression and pros & cons for the best Gifts. Be sure to check out our RogueBlox codes to claim free goodies in the game.
The post Complete RogueBlox Gift Guide – Best Gifts & Progression appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||
Destructoid Wednesday, July 16, 2025 4:16 AM
I love any game that has either proximity chat or goofy, cartoonish graphics. When you combine both, all of a sudden, you have a recipe for a great time. My latest entry in this ever-growing list is PEAK, and oh boy, does multiplayer make this a blast.
I've been playing PEAK solo since a couple of days after it was released. Although my friends bought it about a week later, it took a while for us to align our schedules and play. Now that we've tried a few runs, I've experienced more of what makes these types of games so fun and strange.
One of my favorite moments was right at the beginning of our first run. Although I'd played PEAK before by this point, one had only watched a few streamers play, while the other knew next to nothing about it. Before we even started climbing up Shore's mountain, my friend, with no knowledge of the game, ran straight into a jellyfish, getting locked into a stunned and poisoned position for about 30 seconds straight. Anytime he moved, he dropped right back down to the ground. It hadn't even been five minutes, and I was already having fits of laughter.
Before that happened, though, they discovered the existence of the bugle. We all celebrated by playing it in turns before I brought it along for the adventure. I'd start playing it anytime we accomplished something difficult, which led to it getting "mysteriously" stolen and thrown out of my backpack.
We didn't just stay on Shore, though. The farthest we made it as a group was near the top of Alpine. I was close to reaching a high point and dropping down a rope before I barely ran out of stamina. By some strange coincidence, there was a crevice in the mountain under me, so I ended up tumbling down and nearly dying. I only had a sliver of my health left, with no way to get out. My friends tried to save me by using shelf mushrooms, but I ultimately ended up succumbing to my injuries and hunger. They passed shortly after, ending the run.
I'll admit it—I played as a ghost a lot that night. During our first two runs, I died on every level, including Shore. I picked up the pace later on, but it was still interesting to know that the most experienced player in the group was the one most prone to falling off ledges and accidentally stepping on poisonous plants. At least I got to show them the capybara.
Overall, though, it was a fun night. I've played PEAK solo since, and although I still haven't made it past Alpine, I'm enjoying it all the same. Now, I just need to ask them to play again when we all have some free time.
Have you played PEAK in a multiplayer lobby yet? What are some of your funniest moments? Let us know in the comments below!
The post It's been a month since PEAK came out. What are some of your funniest moments so far? appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||
Destructoid Wednesday, July 16, 2025 2:08 AM
A fresh server maintenance has been announced for multiple titles, including EA FC 25, on July 16, and the online connectivity will cease temporarily from normal operations.
The latest maintenance is scheduled between the FUTTIES celebrations as we gear towards the second week. While the maintenance is routine, EA Sports has yet to announce a reason for it. There is no news of any upcoming title update, so we can rule that out. All forms of online matchmaking will be down until the maintenance is over. Thankfully, the developers have announced the official schedule for today's server downtime, so we have a fair idea about when normalcy will be restored.
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EA FC 25 Server Maintenance schedule (July 16)
The server maintenance on July 16 begins at 1am PST/3am CT/4am EST/8am UTC. Matchmaking will be disabled 30 minutes before the maintenance actually begins. The servers are expected to be down for about three hours (excluding the 30 minutes prior to their start).
If EA Sports sticks with the expected schedule, the servers will be back at 4am PST/6am CT/7am UTC/11am UTC. However, the maintenance can get extended beyond the scheduled time at short notice. If that happens, this article will be duly updated. The last few routine maintenance haven't had any extensions, which is a good sign.
Which modes can you play during maintenance?
Every game mode that requires online matchmaking will be disrupted. This includes the entirety of Ultimate Team. If you manage to sign in, chances are that any attempt to start a game will show you an error message. You'll have to wait till the maintenance ends, and this is also applicable for Squad Battles games.
When the server is live, you can try the Career Mode to manage a club of your choice. Career Mode games don't rely on an online connection, which allows you to try them out during ongoing maintenance. The same also applies to EA FC 24 and FIFA 23, as their servers are also included in July 16's downtime.
The post EA FC 25 Maintenance (July 16): When will the servers come back? appeared first on Destructoid. |
