GamersHeroes Tuesday, July 29, 2025 3:48 PM Holding the esteemed honor of being Northern California's largest pop culture event, the team behind FAN EXPO San Francisco 2025 have confirmed that the iconic voice actors behind Zero Two, Nico Robin, and other characters will be at the event. The post FAN EXPO SF 2025 Guests of Honor to Include Stephanie Sheh, Tia Ballard, and More appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Tuesday, July 29, 2025 3:21 PM Making its debut during the recent Scott Pilgrim EX San Diego Comic Con panel, take a sneak peek at Tribute Games' Scott Pilgrim EX with the latest video for the title. The post Scott Pilgrim EX Gameplay Sneak Peek Released at SDCC appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Tuesday, July 29, 2025 2:15 PM Happy #TowaTuesday! In honor of this fine day, the latest Guardian trailer for Brownies inc. and Bandai Namco's roguelike Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree puts the spotlight on the scholar Akazu and baby-faced elder Koro. The post Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree Koro and Akazu Guardian Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:40 PM A chaotic online multiplayer romp awaits with today's release of Strange Scaffold and publisher Frosty Pop's Co-op Kaiju Horror Cooking on Steam. The post Strange Scaffold Launches Co-op Kaiju Horror Cooking Now on Steam appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:23 PM White Owls and CULT Games' 2.5D slasher film parody action game Hotel Barcelona will open its doors September 26. The post Hotel Barcelona Launching September 26 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Tuesday, July 29, 2025 11:48 AM Developers and publishers? Governments or governing bodies? Digital distribution platforms? Payment providers? Who do you want controlling what you can and cannot play in the video game industry? The post Who Do You Want Censoring Your Video Games? appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 3:20 PM  One of the biggest games on the planet right now isn't Call of Duty or Counter-Strike or Fortnite. While those are very popular video games, a single free game in Roblox called Steal A Brainrot has them all beat. |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 2:25 PM  As you play through Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, you'll occasionally stumble upon an item or location with a bit of sparkly blue mist emanating from it. These are Faces of the Past. Interacting with these spots will present you with a simple gesture puzzle. Performing the right gesture will earn you rewards ranging from… |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:00 PM  One thing almost every soulslike fan can agree on is that fashion is often more important to us than stats. It's true! Most of us will rock some pretty terrible armor as long as we look cool doing it. But that's why it's so awesome when a game offers transmog with no downsides, letting us wear the best armor for our… |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:30 PM  Sometimes, you just need to change your approach by resetting all your skill points. This is especially true in any good role-playing adventure that features a smorgasbord of build options like Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. Thankfully, this soulslike game incentivizes creativity and experimentation in its skill system,… |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:20 PM  Lies of P is arguably one of the best Soulslikes since the Dark Souls games themselves. A spiritual successor to Bloodborne for those hopelessly waiting for an actual sequel, Lies of P leads the free PS Plus games for August, continuing the paid subscription service's recent win streak. |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:02 PM  This week, a video of a Beyblade match came across my Twitter timeline that was so sick, it made me think that maybe the anime from the early 2000s that dramatized the spinning tops wasn't as exaggerated as I once believed. When you think about it, there's drama to pitting two spinning tops against each other in a… |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 11:30 AM  The second batch of Everdark Sovereign bosses arrive in Elden Ring Nightreign later this week, and FromSoftware just revealed who will be first up: Maris Fathom of Night. Better known simply as Augur, this phantasmal jellyfish was arguably the easiest Nightlord in the base game, so I'm looking forward to discovering… |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 10:45 AM  How much grease and salt can you stand on your video game controllers? Everyone who's ever played a video game has, at some point, eaten while gaming, and usually it requires you to either put a controller down or hold it in one hand while quickly horking something down between respawns. Well, if you have access to a… |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 10:35 AM  Godbreakers is a multiplayer roguelike with some interesting ideas but a lot to prove. It's coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC later this year and hoping to reverse a recent trend of underwhelming games by parent publisher Thunderful, which was just purchased by Atari amid its latest round of layoffs. |
Kotaku Tuesday, July 29, 2025 9:20 AM  A Chinese Pokémon fan has noticed that a piece of fan art of Ho-Oh that they say they created appears to have—based on leaks—been mirrored and included in the forthcoming Wisdom of Sea and Sky set, coming to mobile app Pokémon TCG Pocket tomorrow. |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 2:28 PM Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 5 is almost here, and even though eyes are starting to swivel towards the reveal of Black Ops 7, the new season is set to deliver plenty of content to both COD experiences. While BO6 receives its final round-based Zombies experience and a remaster of a classic map from the original Black Ops, things are getting pretty wild in Verdansk. As Call of Duty Warzone continues to relive iconic moments from the first Verdansk era, Season 5 will once again open up the doors and roof of Stadium, allowing players to explore inside. However, all narrative responsibilities appear to have been tossed in the trash, because Warzone is picking a rather unusual way to blow the roof off this iconic POI: a massive space laser. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Warzone loadouts, Best Warzone AR, Best Warzone guns |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 2:54 PM Evercore Heroes Ascension developer Vela Games, a studio including ex League of Legends devs, is rolling out its first major content drop for the early access co-op roguelike, promising an all new game mode, better combat, and the introduction of its latest hero. Having recently enabled the ability to play as a duo, we've teamed up with the studio to dish out Steam keys for you and your plus-one. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Evercore Heroes characters, Evercore Heroes release date, Best roguelike games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:43 PM Once No Man's Sky got over those early hiccups, it became a game to define a generation. One of the best live-service games ever created, it has picked up countless awards for the amount of free updates it has offered its players over the year. But as developer Hello Games moves on to Light No Fire, we're left looking for our next space sim to hit all those same exploration beats. StarRupture wants to step into those enormous shoes. With exploration aplenty, survival mechanics galore, and—of course—base building, this first-person survival game could be the indie to take No Man's Sky's mantle. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best base building games, Best open-world games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:49 PM How do you get acorns in Grounded 2? By the time you come to need them, you'll have likely passed a few acorns scattered around the park. Used in the crafting of heavy armor and some important base construction, knowing some common Grounded 2 acorn locations can save you valuable time. If you're looking for Grounded 2 acorns for a camp craft, you might want to know the best Grounded 2 base locations in the survival game if you're in a hurry. And if you're after more materials for crafting, we have a guide on how to get Grounded 2 grass seeds. Continue reading How to get acorns in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:35 PM Ayaneo is on a roll lately with new handhelds, but it's just announced a brand new model with a powerhouse AMD chip that makes it a serious Steam Deck contender. The Ayaneo Next 2 will be the company's first gaming handheld running an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU that houses a gaming GPU more powerful than that of the PlayStation 5. This isn't the first, second, or even third Ayaneo handheld that we've seen in recent months. Just a few months ago, our Ayaneo 3 review found that the company's most recent flagship device, powered by the less powerful but still very capable AMD Strix Point chip, offered seriously powerful gaming performance. With the Xbox Ally handheld on its way too soon, we'll be seeing the competition on our best handheld guide get even tougher to beat. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:30 PM While the Grand Theft Auto series puts you in the shoes of a criminal mastermind (or just a run-of-the-mill criminal in the case of GTA V's Trevor), plenty of people - myself included - would love Rockstar Games to release an entry that delivers a police-focused sandbox. Grand Theft Auto V's biggest mod is, undoubtedly, the LSPDFR mod that turns the game into a police simulation experience, and if you like that premise, The Precinct is a game you should check out, and it's now at its lowest price ever. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best crime games, Best police games, Best open-world games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:29 PM What are the best Cyberpunk 2077 mods? CD Projekt Red released its own REDmod tools for free, allowing everyone to install Cyberpunk 2077 mods through a dedicated client they can download from Steam or GOG. This release comes as we also see Cyberpunk 2077 mods that alter the range of facial features, change your looks in small ways after character creation, and even access stuff we were never meant to see. That last one's important as it adds new functionality to the cyberpunk game. What starts with a shove one day could evolve into giving your character superpowers. Continue reading The best Cyberpunk 2077 mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty review, Best Cyberpunk 2077 mods, Buy Cyberpunk 2077 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:25 PM Looking for Lingonberry Leather in Grounded 2? To acquire this helpful item, you'll need to source a fully-formed Lingonberry for that. Unless you're lucky enough to find some pre-crafted Lingonberry Leather in an abandoned chest, you might have a rough journey on your hands. Even if you're well on your way to becoming king of the park, you should learn how to get the Grounded 2 silk rope recipe to utilize this versatile crafting material. And if you haven't already, check out how to craft the spinning wheel in the survival game—it's a great tool for turning simple fibers into fancy new gear. Continue reading How to get Lingonberry Leather in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:25 PM Scared about your ability to beat Ladybugs in Grounded 2? If you're after some great gear to carry you through your time in the park, you'll have to take on this gentle giant sooner rather than later. The infamous beginner beater from the original title is back, and the reason to risk it all on a kill is bigger than ever. Just starting your time in the park? Check out how to get the silk rope recipe to make big strides out of the gate. Learning how to craft the spinning wheel will be a big help, too. And if you're fighting Ladybugs to upgrade your Omni-Tool, read up on where to find blueberries and how to beat Scorpions while you're here. Continue reading How to beat Ladybugs in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:25 PM Want to set items to the hotbar in Grounded 2? With so many menus, buttons, and items to sift through, it can be difficult to know where everything is. Whether it's weapons, restoratives, or shields you want to switch between, we can help you quickly set up your Grounded 2 hotbars below. What you set to your Grounded 2 hotbar is up to you. Different types of weapons are a good call, but you also can't go wrong with food and bandages. For builders, common crafts can speed things up, so check out how to get the silk rope recipe and how to craft the spinning wheel to increase your odds of surviving in the wilderness. Continue reading How to assign items to the Grounded 2 hotbar MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:24 PM Wondering how to beat Snails in Grounded 2? These slow-moving creatures are a relatively common sight in the park and can present you with myriad materials that are useful late into your adventure. Given you'll spot a Grounded 2 Garden Snail as soon as you journey out of the Training Facility, we're going to assume you're taking your first steps under the shoes of the public. Learn how to get water right away and how to get the Red Soldier Ant egg to hatch your own ride. Mounts are a great way to escape danger if nothing else. Continue reading How to beat Snails in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:54 PM How do you solve Nora's riddles and get to the water in the heart of the forest? If Daisy Took has asked for your help in trying to decipher Nora's book of riddles in Tales of the Shire, you might be stuck on the second riddle. Here's how to solve it. If you're still trying to figure out the solution to the first riddle, here's how to get to the tree in the eye of the river in Tales of the Shire. It's worth trying to find each riddle location, as it improves your friendship level with Daisy and gets you nearer to unlocking a new venue and trading in the relaxing game. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Tales of the Shire fishing guide, How to unlock cooking stations in Tales of the Shire, How to increase backpack size in Tales of the Shire |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:24 PM Struggling to destroy Dead Roots in Grounded 2? These seemingly impassable barriers will become your worst nightmare long before they become your savior. More often than not, you'll be pinned against them as you fend off spiders and ants with no hope of clearing them. If you're yet to unlock the means to clear Dead Roots in Grounded 2, you need to learn how to get water first. There's a long and dark road ahead of you, and dehydration can be the danger down below. Knowing Grounded 2 acorn locations can help you get some suitable gear you can make even better with Grounded 2 quartzite and marble and the smithing station. Continue reading How to clear Dead Roots in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:24 PM Looking to beat a Scorpion in Grounded 2? Being one of the first of the game's biggest insects you'll do battle with, learning how the Northern Scorpion, its subspecies, and offspring attack can help you deal damage without dwelling on prep work. They rarely travel alone, after all. If you're looking to tussle with a Northern Scorpion in Grounded 2, you're either trying to get into a new Ranger Outpost location or you're walking the long and winding road to Grade II Omni-Tool upgrades. For the latter, you might also want to know where to find Blueberries and how to beat Ladybugs. Continue reading How to beat Scorpions in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:22 PM Looking for Blueberry Leather in Grounded 2? Blueberries are an uncommon sight in the park, which can make finding them an incredibly dangerous endeavor. Despite their low grading and limited use later in the game, you have to work hard to harvest them. Unless you know where to find and farm blueberries ahead of time, anyway. If you're looking for leather, you're likely well on your way to mastering the park life in Grounded 2. For more handy tips in the survival game, check out how to craft the spinning wheel to turn fine fibers into all sorts of handy crafts. Continue reading How to get Blueberry Leather in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:21 PM Want to beat Stinkbugs in Grounded 2? Like Scorpions and some species of spiders, Stinkbugs can cause problems through debuffs. Unlike the aforementioned buggies, they can do so without hitting you, which makes them a real pain to deal with. As you continue on your Grounded 2 journey, you'll want to learn the silk rope recipe and how to craft the Spinning Wheel. We also highly recommend learning how to get quartzite and marble for some easy upgrades. Back to the subject at hand, if you're tired of avoiding these large and endlessly roaming stinkers, we can help you take them on. Continue reading How to beat Stinkbugs in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:16 PM Who would win in a fight? One large, angry primate, or 100 dudes? It's a question that has puzzled slightly sozzled pubgoers for generations, and one that has finally been answered by a videogame. Gorilla vs 100 Men puts you in the shoes of the aforementioned ape, and charges you with delivering hominid justice to your numerous human aggressors. With hilarious ragdoll physics and even funnier NPC barks when you yeet someone into a sand dune—"I've got kids!" one fella yells as you wallop him—it's no wonder this game quickly became a viral sensation. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:57 PM Where is the tunnel to find Nefi's tongs in Tales of the Shire? To unlock new locations, recipes, trading, and more, you need to build up the relationships of your new village pals. The main way to do this is to invite them over for yummy meals to satisfy their cravings, and once you meet companion milestones, a tale becomes available to unlock more goodies. In this tale, Lily Cotton has asked you to fix her mixing bowl, which is one of the Tales of the Shire cooking stations you can unlock by completing club missions in the relaxing game. You need help fixing it. Fortunately, there's a blacksmith in the village who's willing to lend a hand. Continue reading Nefi's tongs and tunnel location in Tales of the Shire MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Tales of the Shire fishing guide, How to unlock cooking stations in Tales of the Shire, How to increase backpack size in Tales of the Shire |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:20 PM What are the best battle royale games? Each one of these multiplayer games revolves around one core idea: lots of players go in, and only one can leave (or maybe a team, depending on the game). Battle royale is a violent, unpredictable, and frenzied multiplayer mode where the only goal is to endure until you're the sole survivor(s) - and all tactics and styles of play are equally viable in the best battle royale games. You can win by hiding in bushes and waiting for the herd to thin out, or scavenge a weapon and start reducing the numbers yourself. With the explosion of free PC games like Fortnite, Warzone, and Apex Legends, you would be forgiven for thinking there are only three battle royales out there, but there are now numerous other contenders to challenge them, each with its own spin on the established formula. Whether you're after a battle royale FPS game or an inventive new twist on the formula, there's something out there for everyone. So, to help you broaden your horizons, we have assembled this handy guide to decide on which one you should spend your time playing. Continue reading Best battle royale games to play in 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:11 PM What are all the Infinite Craft recipes and combos? We've been addictively playing this since we learned about it, and as a result, there are hundreds of combinations and recipes now known. Here's our guide on all of them, including some of the most obscure suggestions. Infinite Craft is a browser game that has taken the internet by storm, with endless possibilities and some that'll give you quite a giggle. Think of it as a puzzle game by ways of god; it's a great game to open if you want to while away an hour or two figuring out every combination. Continue reading All Infinite Craft recipes and combos list MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Browser games, Puzzle games, Upcoming games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:47 PM How do you get water in Grounded 2? It's hot out there in the park. When you're the literal size of an ant, even small spills can become veritable lagoons. But sources you'd otherwise consider as dry as the desert can become viable ways to sustain yourself and your teammates for days. You just need to know where to find water in Grounded 2, and how to drink it. Unless you've been surviving off murky water run-offs under the Snack Shack this whole time, you're likely new to the Grounded 2 park. To get going with minimal risk in the survival game, check out how to get the silk rope recipe. Continue reading How to get water in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:41 PM How do you get Grounded 2 grass seeds? We're here to help you look beyond the horizon and to see the bigger picture. Although the park is filled to the brim with materials, friends, foes, and literal garbage, the clutter might be overcomplicating your search for grass seeds. If you're looking for grass seeds in the survival game, you're likely just setting off on your jaunt around the town park. We can help. Check out some other Grounded 2 guides covering how to get water and where to find blueberries. You wouldn't want to be caught off guard by an opportunistic mosquito now, would you? Continue reading Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:07 PM Where can you find a red soldier ant egg in Grounded 2? Much of Grounded 2 feels the same as the first game. In many ways, it's a perfect sequel, with the mechanics remaining much the same, while the story continues from the original. Among the new mechanics are ridable mounts, and you'll need an egg to get your very first Buggy. Instead of pets, Grounded 2 introduces Buggies, aka mounts. While the questline directs you to your first Buggy, actually finding a Grounded 2 red soldier ant egg and surviving the terrifying hatchery anthill in the survival game is a tough challenge. If you're struggling, here's how to find your way around and our best tips for surviving the dark crevices of the anthill. Continue reading How to get a red soldier ant egg in Grounded 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:01 PM How do you unlock new cooking stations in Tales of the Shire? You'll find out quite early that a way to a hobbit's heart is through their stomach, and if you want to ingratiate yourself with the locals, you're going to have to learn how to cook, and fast. While your house does come with all of the basics you'll need to rustle up a decent meal, it won't be long before you need to expand your repertoire. Your cooking stations are the heart of your home in Tales of the Shire, and it won't be long before you outgrow your humble beginnings in the relaxing game. You'll soon begin to collect recipes, and with backpack upgrades, you'll have more ingredients than you know what to do with. Here's how to unlock cooking stations in Tales of the Shire so you can be the best cook you can be. Continue reading How to unlock cooking stations in Tales of the Shire MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Tales of the Shire fishing guide, How to unlock cooking stations in Tales of the Shire, How to increase backpack size in Tales of the Shire |
PCGamesN Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:03 PM Want to know everything there is to know about Tales of the Shire fishing? This activity is essential for creating tasty recipes, such as crispy fish pie and the Bywater signature dish, for all your new hobbit friends. So here's where to find specific fish in Tales of the Shire. If you've just started out in Tales of the Shire, or perhaps you're looking to unlock more fishing locations to catch new fish to satisfy your guests' cravings, here's everything you need to know about how to fish in the crafting game, where to fish, and how to upgrade your fishing rod. Continue reading Tales of the Shire fishing guide MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Tales of the Shire fishing guide, How to unlock cooking stations in Tales of the Shire, How to increase backpack size in Tales of the Shire |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:42 PM  There are at least two ways to write about parrying mechanics. On the one hand, you have people like me who compose farking ridiculous intros such as "a good parry mechanic is a kind of redemption", then spend hundreds of words overegging the pudding. On the other, you have Nic, who sums parrying up far more elegantly as "a pleasingly low-effort method to make your opponent look very silly". I hope that both Nic and I will be at home in Memoria Wake, a new isometric action-RPG in which you can parry giant black cats with an umbrella. There's now a demo on Steam. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:20 PM  Steam's in the midst of a racing fest at the moment, and as you can probably imagine if you've not taken to tuning out the litany of driving-related words I've carved into the tree that houses the esteemed RPS treehouse in the short time I've been here thus far (believe me, I don't blame you if you have), I'm in my element. One of the games I've spotted as a result of this celebration of all things car-ish is Star Racer, which doesn't involve cars at all. It's a retro-style ship racer that lets you blast your fellow competitors to bits, feels very much inspired by the likes of F-Zero and Wipeout, and just emerged from early access the other day. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:03 PM  Itch.io have announced that they are seeking out new payment processing partners who are more willing to handle the purchase of NSFW games, after delisting or removing a vast swathe of games in accordance with the content restrictions of companies such as Paypal and Stripe. They've also offered an explanation for why they've recently delisted so many more "infringing" games than Steam, which has carried out its own cull of sexually explicit games under pressure from finance firms. Finally, Itch have acknowledged that their recently posted list of newly prohibited adult material is far too vague to be useful. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:00 PM My best PC gamer deals for today are all about discounted Samsung gaming monitors and graphics cards _4hYPvqm.jpg?width=1920&height=1920&fit=bounds&quality=70&format=jpg&auto=webp){kind=tracking} Samsung's latest gaming monitor sale is packed with big discounts on some of its best displays, from lightning-fast esports panels to massive ultrawides built for full immersion. If you're after crisp 4K visuals, OLED contrast, or high refresh rates for competitive play in today's deals, you're in the right place. I've also sorted out a round-up of every discounted graphics card I could find, so there's no excuses for swiping an awesome battlestation upgrade today. Let's get into it: |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:17 PM  Monster Hunter Wilds is now set to get an endgame revamp earlier than originally advertised, with Capcom having opted to chuck their established update plans for the next few months out of a window. Well, I say that, all they've really done is move around some bits. While performance issues have proven to be the main achilles heel of the action game about hunning mons, the stuff you're left to do once you've slapped up Arkveld has been another source of player ire. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 11:21 AM  If you've installed a Call of Duty game at any point in the past few years, odds are you know the pain. You want to stick one thing, the thing you want to play, on your drive, but thanks to the series' launcher, end up accidentally sticking somewhere in the region of 200 to 300MB of various Call of Duty stuff onto your PC. Well as of today, the massive number you're quoted'll be slightly less beefy, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (the ones from the 2020s, not the classics bearing the same names) set to be banished from HQ and back to standalone downloads. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 11:10 AM  There are a number of official Jumanji video games, but they don't seem very Jumanjish to me. You've got a bunch of nineties-to-noughties minigame compilations, a pachinko adaptation, and a few reportedly dismal games based on the recent Dwayne Johnson movies, also feat. Steve off Infiniminer and Amy Pond from Dr Avenger: Endgame. Ludogram's just-announced streamerbait co-op horror game Invokyr seems to be cleaving a lot closer to the 1995 movie, which is itself based on Chris Van Allsburg's book from 1981. The game sees you and up to three others playing a cursed boardgame that transforms the house it's played in. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 9:02 AM  Horizon Zero Dawn/Forbidden West publishers Sony have called in the lawyers over Tencent's upcoming Light of Motiram, arguing in a lawsuit filing (spotted by Reuters) that the post-apocalyptic action adventure looks a little too much like their post-apocalyptic action adventure. The case alleges that Light of Motiram, currently in development at Tencent subsidiary Polaris Quest, is a "slavish clone" of Guerrilla Games' original series, and seeks to block its release on copyright infringement grounds. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 8:53 AM  Warner Bros. Games aren't pushing the brakes on games with live service elements any time soon, despite the whole Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League debacle. A new job listing at Gotham Knights studio WB Games Montréal suggests their upcoming game will have at least some of those long-term servicey bits to it. Or, at the very least, its executive producer will need to be someone who knows what live services are and can do some live service strategising. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 8:35 AM  The human world is a tedious place consisting of grocery trips, laundry and tax returns, so let's all go be janky-ass wolves. We shall coordinate to bring down elk amidst the engulfing winter snows of the Yellowstone Caldera, duel with cougars under starbound skies, and do adorable bellywiggles in what is possibly our own poop, though I'm not sure if the simulation covers the entire lupine digestive cycle. If that's not enticement enough, we can do some wolf sex and raise a litter of cubs together. We shall manage our cubs by means of leather spreadsheets that look like they were recently mauled by hungry, horny wolves. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, July 29, 2025 8:20 AM  Killing Floor 3 has an excellent headshot. It's the kind of frisson-inducing gun/baddie interaction that most FPS games strive for and fail: somehow crisp and explosive at once, like popping a balloon full of wedding china. There's a deliciously tangible sense that a metal cylinder has launched out of your hands at several times the speed of sound and shattered the entire existence of the snarling cannibal clone in front of you, a tactile treat that KF3's waves of mutant men will happily feed you over and over again. Bloody good headshot, I say. I just wish that, after hours and hours, this game would produce something else that excites as much as its dome-blasting. Or, at least, balances that instant gratification with more enduring reasons to keep tooling up and shipping out. Instead, it ends up coasting on gunfeel, and when asked for something new or something fresh, can only point towards pages of tedious stats. |
Twinfinite Tuesday, July 29, 2025 9:51 AM  |
Twinfinite Tuesday, July 29, 2025 9:15 AM  |
Siliconera Tuesday, July 29, 2025 4:00 PM
The Genshin Impact Ineffa banner is about to start soon on July 30, 2025, and HoYoVerse created two videos to honor her debut and offer insights into the character. Each of them is more focused on who she is, rather than the Electro unit's moveset. They also offer more insights into her creator and friend, Aino.
The "Ineffa: Essentials for Home and Travel" video begins with her in town, preparing for both daily life and a trip with Aino. We see her ticking stuff of her list, while also rescuing some kids nearby from being crushed by a falling piece of rubble. Aino then begs her for meals and snacks like "krumkakes," even though she's supposedly had enough sugar for the day, and Ineffa makes them for her. There's always a first-person perspective section, during which we see her mopping, and segments when she's assisting by handing off tools or attacking possible threats. It's then that it shifts to Ineffa being in Sumeru facing foes. It ends with Aino sending the robot to Natlan with a message for the Traveler and Paimon.
Here's "Ineffa: Essentials for Home and Travel."
The previous Ineffa Genshin Impact video focused more on her creation. We see Aino actually building the robotic maid. That also involved insight into why she created the other character and her goals. That Genshin Impact video featured more of an anime appearance, and it also prominently featured an original score.
You can see that one below:
Genshin Impact is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, and the Ineffa banner will be available starting on July 30, 2025.
The post Latest Genshin Impact Videos Show Ineffa at Work appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, July 29, 2025 3:00 PM
Back in September 2022, Slime Rancher 2 entered early access on the Xbox Series X and PC, and Monomi Park said it wouldn't leave that state and release 1.0 "for at least 18 months." Now, it actually has a release date. The full version of the game will debut on all existing platforms and the PS5 on September 23, 2025. That will be about 36 months after early access started. An iam8bit physical release for both consoles will come on January 14, 2026.
We know that the 1.0 version of Slime Rancher 2 will include both expected additions and ones based on player feedback. The campaign storyline will finally wrap up. The Labyrinth will be larger. There'll be extra customization items. It will also be possible to get Quantum Drones to gather or work on your farm.
The release date trailer for Slime Rancher 2 shows some of the elements that will be available once we see the game leave early access.
In the case of the Slime Rancher 2 physical copy, it will cost $34.99. That gives someone the game and a poster. Said copy will work on any PS5 or Xbox Series X. However, early pre-orders made before August 26, 2025 can upgrade to the Exclusive Edition. That is the same price, but also includes a code to download the soundtrack.
Slime Rancher 2 will leave early access and debut on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on September 23, 2025. The physical PS5 and Xbox Series X copies will launch on January 14, 2026.
The post Slime Rancher 2 Leaves Early Access in September appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, July 29, 2025 2:00 PM
Bandai Namco announced a new Gundam 45th Anniversary x Hatsune Miku: Energetic Haro Speaker Miku version that can be displayed as a figure or used as a speaker. It will be a Banpresto crane game prize in Japan. It will start showing up in arcades on August 21, 2025. There's no word yet on if it will show up worldwide.
This Haro is designed to look like Hatsune Miku. It is teal, and on either side of its head are the same black and magenta squares used as the Vocaloid's hair accessories. It also has matching magenta eyes, which light up when in use. It is about four inches tall. The speaker is inside the mouth, so when in use that will be open. The product page noted that it works with PCs and smartphones.
Here's a photo that shows the Gundam x Hatsune Miku Haro speaker both closed and when it is on and in use, complete with lights on.
This isn't the only recent Gundam x Hatsune Miku merchandise to appear. There are keychains headed to Bandai Namco Gashapon capsule machines in the US and Canada. MegaHouse also showed the Hatsune Miku x Wing Gundam Zero EW figure at Wonder Festival 2025 Summer.
The Gundam 45th Anniversary x Hatsune Miku: Energetic Haro Speaker Miku version will launch as a Banpresto crane game prize in Japan on August 21, 2025. It's unknown if we'll see it worldwide.
The post Gundam x Hatsune Miku Haro Is a Speaker appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:00 PM
Nintendo announced that Mario Paint, an SNES game that involved using a mouse peripheral, is now on Nintendo Switch Online and uses either a USB mouse or a Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 to play. If you don't have either type of control scheme, it isn't possible to play it.
To go along with the Mario Paint Nintendo Switch Online release, the company also shared a walkthrough trailer that shows the game's different modes. It begins by showing the interactive title screen. From there, the Coloring Book functionality is highlighted. That's followed by the Drawing Board, a free play mode that lets you sketch with a mouse using various tools. The Joy-Con 2 Switch 2 mouse controls are highlighted in Mario Paint at the one minute mark. That's followed by peeks at the fly swatting minigame, the stamp designer, the animation elements, the music composition capabilities, and how the Suspend Point system lets you save more works. It ended by confirming Nintendo Music now includes the soundtrack too.
Here's the full video:
This comes after the major update that brought GameCube games to Nintendo Switch Online. You need the Expansion Pack membership tier and a Switch 2 to access those. Members can also purchase a GameCube controller for their Switch 2 to use with those games.
Mario Paint is now available on the Switch and Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online, and you need a mouse or Joy-Con 2 to play it.
The post Nintendo Switch Online Mario Paint Needs Mouse or Joy-Con 2 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:00 PM
Bandai Namco announced on both Premium Bandai and Gashapon Online that it will make a Nike Air Jordan 1 High 85 Shadow and Reverse Shadow Model Kit and Miniature Collection gacha replica. The model kit lottery for a chance to pre-order one opens in Japan on July 31, 2025, and those able to buy it will need to pay 11,000円 (~$74). A US release isn't confirmed for either yet. However, Bandai Namco does operate Gashapon US machines, so we could see the miniature shoes in late 2025 or early 2026.
In the case of the model kit, it seems to be based on the Tokyo-exclusive colorway. Only an initial teaser image for it appeared. It showed a deconstructed version of the model kit, so we can see the different layers and pieces. However, they're arranged in such a way that we can get an idea of how the final model will look.
As for the Nike Air Jordan 1 High 85 Miniature Collection gashapon, we have a general idea of how these small figures will look. They will only be about two inches long (45mm). There will be 18 colorways, though the teaser image only showed the Bred black and red design. Shoes were 3D-scanned to ensure accuracy. When you get it from the machine, the shoes will arrive in a tiny replica of the actual shoebox.
Here are the teaser images for both items:
The Nike Air Jordan 1 High 85 Shadow and Reverse Shadow Model Kit pre-order lottery opens in Japan on July 31, 2025, and the gashapon Miniature Collection based on it will be on Gashapon Online on August 7, 2025 and in capsule machines in October 2025 in Japan.
The post Bandai Namco Teased Nike Air Jordan Model Kit, Gashapon appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, July 29, 2025 11:00 AM
Good Smile Company announced it will rerelease two of its The Legend of Zelda Nendoroids, with the figures based on The Wind Waker and Majora's Mask both coming back. Both originally appeared in 2015 and 2016, and as a result prices are high on stores like Amazon due to them being out of print. The returning Majora's Mask one will be ￥6,400/$42.99, and The Wind Waker one will be slightly cheaper at ￥5,900/$38.99. They're expected to launch in Japan in December 2025, followed by a worldwide release in Q2 2026.
In each case, the Nendoroids have items that reference The Legend of Zelda game the figures come from. The Wind Waker one is a little more basic, hence the lower price, and it comes with a Master Sword, shield, heart container, and stoic, shouting, and sneaky expressions. The Majora's Mask one is a bit more involved, since we get Tatl, his sword, and four masks for him to wear. (The Deku, Goron, and Zora ones join Majora's Mask.)
As a reminder, here's how both of those The Legend of Zelda figures look:
We've seen quite a few of these figures based on this specific series. Some of the more recent ones that started to show up in 2023 and 2024 involved the recent mainline entries The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Both Link and Zelda ones appeared.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and Wind Waker Nendoroids will return to Japan in December 2025 and worldwide in Q2 2026. Pre-orders close on September 10, 2025.
The post Legend of Zelda Nendoroids Return appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, July 29, 2025 10:00 AM
Back when Capcom announced Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 3, it also said the new game in the series would get a new, more challenging quest level difficulty and Talismans as rewards starting with it. That was supposed to arrive at the end of September 2025. Now it took to social media to announce a roadmap update that bumps the release of those two types of features to August 13, 2025.
This new Monster Hunter Wilds quest level difficulty and Talismans being doled out as rewards are both intended to offer more endgame activities and incentives to folks who already beat the game. In the case of difficulty, it is designed to address player feedback about things being too easy. With the Talismans, those will involve a new way to get access to additional skills. The roadmap also noted adjustments and improvements, and among those will be weapon balancing changes. As a result of the change, the Festival of Accord Flamefete will run until August 13, 2024, so it ends at almost the same time as Arch-Tempered Uth Duna Free Challenge Quest.
The rest of the Monster Hunter Wilds roadmap concerning Title Update 3 and Title Update 4 remain the same. Those appear at the end of September 2025 and Winter 2025, respectively. Each will bring an additional monster. Title Update 3 is also confirmed to involve a new Festival of Accord, while the fourth will add "more challenging quests."
Here's the full timeline:
Monster Hunter Wilds is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
The post Monster Hunter Wilds New Quest Difficulty and Talismans Arrive Earlier appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, July 29, 2025 9:00 AM
The Daemon x Machina series is about to continue with Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion, a whole new opportunity to step into an armored suit and fly around in your mech to face foes and gradually become a more powerful force. And also, to apparently play a card game against the people living in that world. To briefly go over what to expect from this new installment, Siliconera asked the Series Producer Kenichiro Tsukuda a few questions about what we'll experience.
Jenni Lada: Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion offers a more open-world approach with different biomes compared to the original game. What led to this change in design and direction?
Kenichiro Tsukuda: In the mech genre, there have been few games that have attempted open world environments, and even fewer that have been successful. I believe that our studio will be the one to break new ground in this genre. Utilizing our experience in creating RPGs, we started this project with the intention of trailblazing a new path to the future.
How will these different types of biomes affect gameplay in Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion?
Tsukuda: I'll start by saying that the story mode can be played in online co-op. I hope players will enjoy simply spending time together, but they can also enjoy gearing up in different areas. Compared to the previous game, even weak enemies consistently drop good equipment and skills, so there's always excitement in traveling to new areas and seeing what kind of new gear you can acquire.
What does balancing look like for Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion look like and how does gameplay on a mission change based on if you fight alone or with other players?
Tsukuda: We designed the game overall to be accessible even to genre newcomers, but hard mode is also available to veteran players right away. We also made multiplayer specifically more accessible. Those who played the previous title may remember that even if one player is defeated, teammates can revive them as many times as needed. The same holds true in Titanic Scion. Our goal while balancing the game was to make the mech genre more accessible to a wider audience.
The original Daemon x Machina included PvP. Could that be an option here as well?
Tsukuda: We may have more to say on this at a later date.
Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion involves transmog and more cosmetic elements for Arsenals. What led to that choice for this entry and how in-depth can these looks get?
Tsukuda: I recognize and accept that many mech enthusiasts may prioritize performance over appearance, but for genre newcomers or those who may become fans in the future, appearance can often be a key factor. Many players who played the first game were indeed new to the mech genre at the time. In any case, I believe it's important to give players freedom of choice with Titanic Scion. As for the extent of customization, you can customize the appearance of five armor parts to look like different armor, and you can also hide equipped parts, allowing you to see your avatar even while inside your Arsenal.
In addition to the Arsenal being changed via extensive customization, Immortal Factor mutations can change your avatar's appearance. Are these changes only cosmetic or will there be story implications to those Fusion choices as well?
Tsukuda: There can be consequences for fusing too much, so be careful!
How involved can our avatar get with fellow members of the Reclaimers? Can they become our allies in battle or can we build relationships with them?
Tsukuda: You will fight alongside the Reclaimers as one of their members. You can also bring your newly met allies into battle, so fight alongside your favorite characters!
Overbullet appears as an optional card game in Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion. What do the competitive options for it look like?
Tsukuda: Stay tuned for more information.
The original Daemon x Machina included a number of crossovers with Code Geass, Eureka Seven, and The Witcher. How would you feel about crossovers coming to Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion?
Tsukuda: We are currently developing a lot of original DLC for this title. If we were to consider a collaboration, we would need to carefully consider what form it would take. We do not have plans for collaborations at this time, but if we were to pursue one in the future, I personally would love to see Metroid or Gundam.
Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion will appear on the Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on September 5, 2025.
The post Interview: Brief Insights Into Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 3:20 PM
We have the first official information about the Black Ops 6 Season 5 Multiplayer mode, and there's plenty to unpack.
Rogue Black Ops is back with the CIA hunting a common enemy, which sets up the fifth season nicely. While we are getting a new map in Zombies, Multiplayer should still have a lot of pull, and for good reason. Let's cover all we know about the mode from the latest blog.
Table of contents
Black Ops 6 Season 5 Multiplayer maps
Season 5 will have four maps available for the players.
Black Ops 6 Season 5 Multiplayer modes
Season 5 will have new and returning modes for fans to explore and enjoy.
Black Ops 6 Season 5 Multiplayer additional content
We have a new score streak coming to both Multiplayer and Zombies during the mid-season refresh in Black Ops 6 Season 5.
As usual, a new Ranked season will begin, offering fresh camos for you to grind and obtain.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 2:59 PM
It's unfortunate when you and your friends are excited to play a game, only to run into issues that prevent you from playing. Grounded 2, despite boasting impressive graphics and entertaining survival elements, isn't immune to these problems.
There are multiple reasons why Grounded 2's multiplayer servers may not work for you. From a minor crossplay issue to potentially game-breaking errors, we're here to dive deeper into potential fixes so you and your friends can jump back into the action and beat up some insects.
Table of contents
How to fix Grounded 2 multiplayer not working
Multiple factors can cause Grounded 2's multiplayer mode to not work for you. Here are some potential causes and solutions you can try right now:
The exact solution you choose will largely depend on which platform you and your friends are on. In some cases, it may also be a server overload issue on Obsidian Entertainment's end, which can impact server availability and cause crashing.
At the time of writing, Grounded 2 is still in its Early Access edition. Because of this, the game is more susceptible to stability issues, crashing, and other server-related problems that can prevent you from playing in multiplayer. If this is the case, we'll have to wait for more details from Obsidian.
If it is a client-side problem, it can stem from not having updated the game recently, especially if you're attempting this months after its initial release. If you're trying to join someone's server but can't find it, you may also not have them added on your chosen platform, and doing so will often resolve this issue. You or one of your friends may also not have crossplay enabled, which will prevent you from joining each other's servers if you're on separate platforms.
How to enable crossplay in Grounded 2
If you're attempting to play Grounded 2 with someone who is on a different platform than you, there's some good and bad news. The good news is that the game supports crossplay, letting you play with friends, regardless of their platform. The bad news is that you have to enable this manually by heading to your main menu, selecting Enable Crossplay, and logging into your Microsoft Xbox account.
If you're on PC, you can access this by pressing F1 and following the game's steps to log in to your account. Otherwise, you can hover over the button to enable it, letting you log in and have access to this feature. That way, once you go through the steps to making a multiplayer server in Grounded 2, your odds of running into any subsequent issues will be much lower.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 2:42 PM
FUTTIES team 4 will be available soon in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team, and we will all have a fresh set of cards to grind for.
Similar to the last three weeks, we should be getting special cards for former legends and current footballers. Some of these items should be getting 98 and 99 overall ratings, along with five playstyles+. So far, there have been no new leaks or official hints from EA Sports, but there are a few names predicted to arrive in the fourth week.
Table of contents
All EA FC 25 FUTTIES Team 4 players (predictions)
All items that have already appeared in the first three weeks won't be making a repeat, which certainly rules out a lot of potentially great candidates. That said, there are plenty of good choices for the fourth week.
We should be getting plenty of leaks ahead of the official launch, and they will be duly added to this list. Make sure to look out for SBCs and objectives as they will also feature FUTTIES items for you to collect. We have had some fantastic SBCs during the first three weeks, and the trend should continue.
EA FC 25 FUTTIES Team 4 release date
FUTTIES Team 4 will release on Friday, August 1, and replace the Team 3 players. As of writing, there are still a few days for you to pack players from week 3, who are available in different packs. The highlight of the collection is the 99-rated items of Cristiano Ronaldo and Johann Cruyff. Getting them, unfortunately, will depend entirely on luck.
Team 4 should also mean the release of batch 3 of the best of re-release. This lot will have cards from older promos that were released previously in Ultimate Team. We have 180 items as part of the Re-Release batch 2, and it will be interesting whether EA Sports crosses the 200 threshold with the third batch.
The post All EA FC 25 FUTTIES Team 4 players (leaks and predictions) and release date appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 2:37 PM
Another week brings a new set of Scout missions, and you can now complete the Scout 10 tasks in The Division 2.
The structure is pretty similar to the last few weeks: there's a piece of intel, hinting at different tasks to complete. There are three to complete, and things are slightly different this week. Unlike the last few iterations, there are fewer location restrictions in the new missions.
How to complete The Division 2 Scout 10 missions?
Scout week 10 missions begin with you decoding the intel, which is a cryptic set of messages. Do note that you'll need to clear the content of all nine weeks prior to the latest one (don't worry, as the missions don't expire before the end of the current Crossroads season).
Here's the intel for week 10.
You'll notice that the intel doesn't pinpoint a location. Let's now look at how to complete all three tasks that are part of week 10.
That's all you have to do to complete week 10 of the Manhunt scout missions, which gets us closer to accessing the climax mission before Crossroads season ends. While we work our way towards the Tinkerer mask, make sure to add the Catalyst Exotic to your collection.
If you're still looking to complete Week 9, here's our detailed guide. The missions, compared to this week, were harder as they involved dispatching an HVT.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:52 PM
In almost every situation, survival games are better with a group. Grounded 2 is no exception, as the fun of it comes from Hoops, Willow, Max, and Pete interacting with one another and reacting to the world around them.
That said, making a multiplayer server can be tough to figure out. Let's dive into how to play Grounded 2 with friends so you can jump right into Brookhollow Park and get the insect-infested party started.
Table of contents
How to create a multiplayer server in Grounded 2
Below is a complete step-by-step guide to creating a multiplayer server in Grounded 2:
Once you add your friends on Steam or Xbox, you can then invite them to your lobby through each respective app. From there, they can accept the request and choose a character. Once everyone's ready, you, as the host, can start the game and name the world.
How to join a multiplayer server in Grounded 2
What if your friend is hosting the server, and you want to join them? You have two options for doing so:
Sometimes, your friend's game won't appear in the list, especially at the beginning when you're making a fresh save. In this case, they'll need to invite you through either Steam or Xbox. You can then accept the request by entering their message box on Steam, pressing Windows + G on the PC Xbox app, or navigating to your notifications menu through Xbox.
How to enable crossplay in Grounded 2
One major issue you may encounter is attempting to join someone's server when you're on a different platform. To allow this, you'll need to enable crossplay by pressing F1 on PC or the Enable Crossplay button in the bottom-right corner of your screen in the main menu.
Enabling crossplay will require you to log in to your Microsoft account. Afterwards, you'll have access to Grounded 2's crossplay features, letting you play the game with your friends, even if you're on different platforms.
At the time of writing, multiplayer servers are not appearing for some players, particularly for those attempting crossplay. We're currently investigating potential solutions that will help you bypass this issue. We'll also update this page as Obsidian Entertainment gives more information about this.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:34 PM
The Valiant Vida Evolution is now live in EA FC 25, and you can spend a few coins to get a 98-rated CB for your Ultimate Team squad.
This is the first time that we have received a 96-rated evolution for the CB position. In exchange for 50,000 coins, you'll get stat upgrades, new playstyles, and roles. Let's quickly go through the upgrades to determine the best possible candidates for the evolution.
Table of contents
EA FC 25 Valiant Vida Evolution requirements
Here are the requirements of the Valiant Vida Evolution in EA FC 25.
EA FC 25 Valiant Vida Evolution upgrades
There are four levels of upgrades, and here are the requirements.
Level 1 upgrades
Level 2 upgrades
Level 3 upgrades
Level 4 upgrades
Level 1 upgrade conditions
Level 2 upgrade conditions
Level 3 upgrade conditions
Level 4 upgrade conditions
Best players to use in Valiant Vida Evolution
Here are some of the best players to use in this evolution.
Your club's evo chain candidates can provide unique solutions exclusive to your Ultimate Team squad.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:28 PM
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to claim that GTA 6 has been in development for a long time, and this is without even considering its most recent delay.
However, one curiosity has always remained in the minds of fans: when did the development start? After all, GTA 5 has remained on top for more than 10 years, and the Online version continues to receive new content. So far, the number has been a matter of speculation and guesswork, but an accidental source confirmed a rough timeline for us.
GTA 6 has been in development for longer than you may think
The recent information comes from David O'Reilly, who went on an interview with Kiwi Talkz and confirmed what many of us had already speculated. David had worked on GTA 6 for five years until he left the company in 2023.
This information essentially confirms that the upcoming Grand Theft Auto saga has been in development since 2018. This means that the development began right after the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 (another masterpiece), and it's now in its eighth year.
Considering the delayed launch date, GTA 6 is just two years shy of a decade in development. The game was originally scheduled to launch in 2025, but it got pushed back to 2026. In fact, the actual development cycle could be a decade, as David's statement doesn't take the pre-production phase into account. This period sets the early founding pillars in game development, and it's pretty important in creating a good product (which Rockstar seems to get done every time).
It's worth noting that this isn't the first time that David has hinted at the development period. When the second trailer dropped, he had reportedly stated the duration of his tenure. So technically, we did already know about the timeframe, but the latest news can be considered confirmation.
Eight years or more might seem long for a single video game. But that's just the expectations from Rockstar in a nutshell, given it routinely delivers successes. Despite the existence of "....got this before GTA 6" memes, they still pushed back development to ensure the quality of the title. Only Rockstar can pull off such rockstar moves, I suppose.
At this point, it's best to hope that the developers don't aim at stretching the full development cycle past a decade, and we can enjoy the game on our consoles come May 26, 2026.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:22 PM
If you want to last longer than a day in Grounded 2, you'll need to do a whole lot of building. While items like beds and workbenches are required to progress through the story, you can take things a step further by making cooking stations, entire basketball courts, or a leaf castle.
There are well over 100 construction recipes you can unlock throughout your playthrough, and more are arriving as it progresses through its Early Access phase and approaches version 1.0. Here's a complete list of construction recipes you can find in Grounded 2.
Table of contents
All Workstation recipes in Grounded 2
All Housing recipes in Grounded 2
All Housing (Exterior) recipes in Grounded 2
All Decoration recipes in Grounded 2
All Wall Mount and Stuffed Bug recipes in Grounded 2
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:22 PM
Early in your Grounded 2 playthrough, you'll start building workstations that require acorn parts. It doesn't take long to learn that these are a little tough to find initially, requiring you to venture out into the world to discover some. Here's exactly where you can find acorns in Grounded 2.
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Where to find Acorns in Grounded 2
Acorns spawn near oak trees in Grounded 2. One of the closest you'll find early on is directly south of the Snackbar in the Entrance, bout you can also spot them in the game's northern regions. It'll appear as a large tree with orange and brown leaves, allowing you to differentiate it from pine trees.
As you get closer to an oak tree, you'll begin spotting large acorns on the ground. You'll need to unlock the Omni-Tool to break them, rewarding you with an acorn top, shells, and bits to use in building and crafting.
How to use Acorn top and shells in Grounded 2
Of the three items you can obtain from acorns, their tops and shells are crucial for building valuable early-game structures like garden patches, smoothie stations, and water containers. You'll also need multiples of both for acorn gear, including the Sturdy Shell trinket, Acorn Plate, and Acorn Greaves.
Here are some additional examples of workstations and items that use acorn tops and shells:
Acorn tops and shells are also usable in the Resource Analyzer, allowing you to learn new recipes from the get-go and gain some science points.
How to use Acorn bits in Grounded 2
Acorn bits are much less versatile than their top and shell counterparts. Rather than using them to build, they're a requirement for cooking certain foods. Below is a list of recipes that include Acorn Bits:
If you enjoy cooking in Grounded 2 and want your inventory full of helpful dishes, keep some Acorn Bits on hand so you'll be ready for your next session. Otherwise, your main priority will likely be farming for acorn tops and shells due to their vast array of uses both in the early and mid game.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:22 PM
After venturing out into Grounded 2's open world, you'll discover resources like plant fibers, sap, and pebbles. Early on, you'll learn about the existence of an Omni-Tool and its upgrade options, including a shovel attachment that requires grass seeds.
Do you get grass seeds from the ground? Do you use your hands to dig them up, or are they lying around somewhere? That's what we're here to discover. Here's exactly where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2.
Where to find Grass Seeds in Grounded 2
You can find grass seeds by breaking grass flowers around the map. They appear as tall, upright plants with thin stalks and seeds emerging from the top. You can find these anywhere, with the earliest example being right outside of the Snackbar Ranger Outpost.
Breaking grass flowers requires unlocking your Omni-Tool through the main story. Your Omni-Axe upgrade will already be available by default, so you won't have to worry about any subsequent upgrades for now. Once you pick up the tool, find one of these flowers and chop it. A grass seed will drop to the ground, allowing you to pick it up and use it later.
How to use Grass Seeds in Grounded 2
The main purpose of grass seeds early on is to unlock the shovel function of your Omni-Tool. You'll need the following resources for this upgrade:
Aside from the grass seeds, it's a relatively simple recipe that you're intended to unlock early on. That way, you can uncover burrowing grubs and larvae for extra resources and reveal the Omni-Shovel's second tier.
Another option is to use grass seeds to make Green Machine once you unlock and build a smoothie station. Green Machine is a beverage that instantly heals you and gives faster stamina regen rates. Making it requires building a smoothie station, which you can place after collecting the following resources:
Once you have every material, you can build the station, letting you use excess grass seeds to make some Green Machine as an early-game healing and stamina potion. Combining this with different smoothie bases can make its effects more powerful, especially after you unlock additional drink options that synergize well with its buffs.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:22 PM
If you played the first Grounded, you'll remember the joys of carrying around a bunch of tools for chopping down grass, digging up grubs, and bonking enemies on the head. Fortunately, inventory management is much easier in Grounded 2 with the introduction of the Omni-Tool.
The Omni-Tool is an all-in-one tool that combines an axe, hammer, shovel, and wrench into a single item. You can even upgrade it, allowing you to break stronger objects as your playthrough progresses. Let's dive into the requirements for every Omni-Tool upgrade in Grounded 2.
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How to unlock and upgrade your Omni-Tool in Grounded 2
You'll first unlock your Omni-Tool after finding Ranger Outpost: Snackbar during the main story. Inside this base, you'll find a Resource Analyzer and a wall of Omni-Tools, letting you grab one to use for the rest of your run.
You'll also find a locked door on the opposite side of this room. There's no way to unlock this door from this side, requiring you to advance slightly further into the main questline. You'll eventually find a cave that leads directly to this backroom and lets you unlock the door, giving you easier access to both areas.
Once you enter this room, you'll find a Ranger Station that features a Science Shop, Omni-Tool upgrades, and Ranger Challenges. Early in your playthrough, you'll have limited upgrade options, but uncovering more resources will let you expand further.
All Omni-Tool upgrades in Grounded 2
The Omni-Tool has four components: axe, hammer, wrench, and shovel upgrades. Each has between three and five tiers of varying complexity, with Science Points being a major component. Here's a complete list of every upgrade and its required materials.
At the time of writing, some materials are unavailable in Grounded 2's Early Access version. We'll continue revising this page as more updates roll out and Obsidian Entertainment releases new features.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:13 PM
We're in a bit of a lull in terms of big new releases, so I finally got my hands on Diablo IV. Now, to set the stage, I'm a huge fan of the first two titles, but I fell off hard at the third.
Diablo III just felt empty and linear to me, especially when compared to the first title, which was an absolute banger back in the day. I never got into the multiplayer aspect of it, and so when the fourth title was announced, I didn't even care.
I'd moved on to other games, and since many players loved the third title, I figured there wasn't enough incentive to change this new formula. So I figured IV would be another bland, multiplayer-focused experience.
Boy, was I wrong. I could kick myself for not playing sooner.
The first thing that struck me about Diablo IV is the oppressive feel of the game, something I felt the third title lacked. It threw me back to the first game, feeling constantly threatened by the gloomy dungeons and powerful beasties. This didn't last too long, since the campaign is laughably easy, but it was enough to draw me in. And, even when you do feel overpowered, it's still an eerie game, isn't it?
By the time I finished the campaign, which was great, I was far from done with the game. I'm still loving every moment of it, and I can't get enough. I feel like it's absolutely nailed the seasonal format, and many titles out there can learn a lot from it.
What blew me away the most was the sheer volume of endgame content. The campaign is merely an intro, a teaser, if you will, to what's really out there to discover.
And yeah, the game's been around for eight seasons, and is well into its ninth, so it's had some time to get the kinks ironed out. And, judging by what a colleague told me, I definitely missed out on a lot of teething issues.
As a day one player, he confirmed how the game started out pretty rough and that it wasn't until the fourth season that they finally overhauled the subpar loot system. There were other issues as well, but the folks at Blizzard Entertainment have definitely course-corrected and created what I deem to be one of the best new-player experiences in MMOs today.
The moral of my little story? Fans of Diablo and Diablo II, it's time to hop back on. You shan't be disappointed. There's no need to chase meta builds, either. I play a lazy Flurry Rogue build, and I'm still having the time of my life.
I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below, but while you formulate your best response, let's settle something first. Which is the best Diablo game ever?
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:06 PM
If you're familiar with the original Grounded, you'll know that there are hundreds of crafting recipes to check out, from consumables to some of the coolest bug-themed armor you've ever seen. Grounded 2 follows the same trend, with a mix of familiar and new items ready to create right now.
All Consumables Workbench crafting recipes
Here's a comprehensive list of every Workbench recipe you can unlock in Grounded 2:
All Resources Workbench crafting recipes
All Weapons Workbench crafting recipes
All Armor Workbench crafting recipes
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:12 PM
The many friendly faces you can meet while out and about around Innisgreen have lots of strange but rewarding quests for you to complete. One of the trickier tasks you'll come across is the My Sleeping Giant Fable.
This mission, given to you by Glen Nhoam, involved bringing a massive statue to life. This is a pretty daunting task to get done, so here's how to complete My Sleeping Giant Fable in The Sims 4.
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My Sleeping Giant Fable walkthrough in The Sims 4
To complete the My Sleeping Giant Fable, you need to solve Glen Nhoam's riddle, which requires you to awaken The Great Gnome statue. The riddle you're presented with is vague, so it can be tough to figure out what you're actually meant to do. You're specifically presented with the following statement.
Wake The Great Gnome Statue in The Sims 4
Your main goal in this quest is to wake The Great Gnome Statue, which is a massive fixture located in the central square region of the Coast of Adhmor. To bring this otherwise ordinary statue to life, you need some Fairy Dust.
How to get Fairy Dust in The Sims 4
There are quite a few different ways to acquire Fairy Dust, including:
It's generally easiest to stock up on Fairy Dust by becoming a Fairy yourself and going about your usual activities. Take care of your Sims' needs and use their magical abilities to spawn Fairy Dust on the ground nearby. Performing the special Fairy WooHoo is an especially great way to spawn lots of Fairy Dust at once.
Once you have the required Fairy Dust, click on The Great Gnome Statue located next to Glen Nhoam's stall. Select the "Wake The Great Gnome" option to officially bring this imposing statue to life. The gnome will immediately be angry with you, so your next task is to find a way to appease it.
Soothe The Great Gnome in The Sims 4
While all regular gnomes require a gift to calm down, this one is a bit different, so simply select the "Soothe The Great Gnome" option to immediately calm them down. As soon as you do, this Fable will be complete, and you'll receive a Gnome and the special Now You Gnome reward trait. This trait allows you to revisit The Great Gnome statue whenever you like to receive special presents.
If you're not sure what to do next after finishing this quest, you might work on Not Mushroom for Error or obtaining Magic Beans. To make the most out of this pack, you may also want to learn the best Enchanted by Nature cheats.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:01 PM
The village of Bywater is home to many friendly faces who are instrumental in progressing your journey in Tales of the Shire. Meeting all of these characters and tracking them down to work on quests is crucial if you want to succeed.
The Shire is vast, and it can be pretty tricky to distinguish the notable characters from non-interactive NPCs wandering around Bywater. It's much easier to unlock them all or track someone down if you know where to look, so here are all of the townsfolk you can meet and where to find each one in Tales of the Shire.
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All characters and how to find them in Tales of the Shire
There are 15 key characters you meet throughout Tales of the Shire, and these are the ones you need to interact with on a regular basis. As the storyline progresses, you'll occasionally meet some other individuals, but none of them are as interactive as the townsfolk.
At nighttime, most villagers either head home or visit one of the two local hangouts. This includes The Green Dragon and The Ivy Bush Inn, both of which are in The Village Square. If you're looking for someone in the evening, these two spots are the best places to check.
All villager shops in Tales of the Shire
Around half of the townsfolk stick to tending their shops each day, so finding them is fairly easy once you're familiar with the right spots. If you're looking for specific items you can buy from these characters, here are all of the villagers who run shops and what you can get from each one.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:01 PM
The many townsfolk who call the Shire home have lots of quests they require your assistance with in Tales of the Shire. Most of them are decently straightforward, but others can be tricky to navigate, as is the case with Nora's Riddles: Eye of the Lake.
This riddle-focused quest is given to the young Daisy by Nora, and she's completely stumped by it, so it's up to you to track down the right location for it. The Shire is large, and you're not given much to go on, so if this mission has you stumped, here's how to solve Nora's Riddles: Eye of the Lake in Tales of the Shire.
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Nora's Eye of the Lake riddle solution in Tales of the Shire
To solve the riddle Nora gave Daisy in Tales of the Shire, you need to find a lake area that looks like an eye on the map. The Shire is quite vast, and there are many water areas you can explore, so finding the right one for this clue is quite tough.
The riddle you're given to work with is, "In the eye of the lake, there stands a tree, and in its roots, you'll find what you seek." Based on this, you know you're looking for a tree and a lake, which describes just about every water pool around the Shire. There's only one that truly fits the description for this quest, though, so it's time to hunt down the right one.
In the eye of the lake, there stands a tree, and in its roots, you'll find what you seek in Tales of the Shire
The lake that looks like an eye can be found near the very southern end of the map, fairly close to the Cotton family's home. There's only one water pool around this area, so once you're in the right region, it's fairly easy to spot.
This lake is an oval-shaped pool with a little island right in the middle of it. The idea is that the island is the pupil and the surrounding lake is the iris, but it only sort of looks like an eye when viewed on the map, so it's not completely obvious that it's the spot you're looking for. There's another lake way up north that also sort of matches the description, but the only one that counts for this task is the southern lake.
Once you spot the lake, look for the stone bridge leading across the water to a tiny island. Cross it and approach the white sparkles near the tree trunk in the middle of the small island. Interact with these sparkles to summon Daisy and show her that you've found the location from the riddle.
The only quest objective is to find the spot mentioned in the riddle, so once you're done discussing this location, the Nora's Riddles: Eye of the Lake quest will be complete. This isn't the last riddle Daisy will need your help solving, though, so be prepared to tackle more tricky tasks after it.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 12:01 PM
Bywater, the village you call home in Tales of the Shire, isn't recognized as an official village when you first arrive there. To help it become one and progress through the main storyline, you need to work on increasing your Fellowship.
Leveling up your Fellowship is one of the most important gameplay aspects to work on, but you're not given a whole lot of guidance on how to do so. If you find that this recurring mission has you stumped, here's how to increase Fellowship in Tales of the Shire.
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All ways to gain Fellowship in Tales of the Shire
There are three ways you can increase your Fellowship in Tales of the Shire, including:
Each of these methods for earning Fellowship is unique, and some are more rewarding than others. Here's a full breakdown of everything you need to know about all three of them.
Leveling up relationships in Tales of the Shire
The first, and least rewarding, way of earning Fellowship is leveling up your relationships with each of the 15 townsfolk who live around the Shire. You can increase your friendship with these characters by cooking meals and inviting them to dine with you at any of the available spots where you can host a meal.
For the best chance of increasing your relationship, you'll want to cook villagers' favorite dishes. All characters have specific preferences and enjoy certain foods more than others. Even if you give them a random dish, though, you'll still gain some friendship, so don't worry too much about it if you don't have the ingredients to make one of their desired dishes early on.
Leveling up clubs in Tales of the Shire
The second way you can build your Fellowship is by leveling up clubs. This is a decent way to do so, and rewards more Fellowship than leveling up friendships, but it's not the overall best method for it. You can level up clubs by completing missions associated with them, which are pinned on the board at The Ivy Bush Inn.
The cooking club requires you to cook up meals using certain ingredients, the fishing club has you hunting for varying amounts of specific fish, the foraging club has you gathering various resources, and the gardening club tasks you with harvesting certain types of seeds. You can work on up to 10 tasks across all clubs at once, and once you're done with one, you need to visit the club leader to officially finish it and claim a prize.
Completing tales in Tales of the Shire
The third and most rewarding way to boost your Fellowship is by completing tales. Tales are quests given to you by the many villagers who call Bywater home. Some quests may ask you to find a specific item around the Shire, some may have you running around to talk to various villagers, and some may send you on a scavenger hunt. The exact requirements for each mission you come across vary, so how easy or hard a task is to tackle does, too.
Best way to level up Fellowship in Tales of the Shire
Overall, the best way to increase your Fellowship is by completing tales, otherwise known as quests, in Tales of the Shire. This includes main story quests, side quests granted to you by villagers, and those you come across while exploring, which are marked with white sparkles.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 11:47 AM
Trying to do the same thing and expecting different results is often defined as insanity, but for Warner Bros. Games, there's no stopping their love for live-service titles.
If the latest job listing at Warner Bros. Games Montreal is used as an indicator, the studio is looking for an Executive Producer to lead the development of a high-quality AAA game. The description makes two things clear: the project will be based on IP from the DC Comics catalog, and will include post-launch live operations.
Of course, it would be taking a punt at this point to guess what the mystery upcoming project looks like, but I am quite sure it will be yet another live-service title. That's no surprise given the recent trend, but it seems that Warner Bros. Games is hoping to believe in the adage of "third time's the charm".
Warner Bros. Games will have to get plenty of things right with their new live service title
The recent days of Warner Bros. Games haven't been smooth, and more so for their Montreal branch. December of last year witnessed the laying off of almost 100 developers after Gotham Knights failed to kick off (not a live-service title, but WB tried to follow a different path from the older Arkham titles).
Perhaps the biggest failure that comes to my mind is the somewhat expected fate of Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League. Rocksteady has a rich pedigree when it comes to game development. Unfortunately, they decided on going for a live-service approach that simply failed to materialize into success. The game might still be online, but it has already received its final content update.
Monolith's Wonder Woman, which could have been a fresh change, got canceled earlier this year. The reason was simple: strategic change of direction. However, the new direction doesn't seem to be very different from what we expect.
Sure, Warner Bros. Games has released two new games: DC Dark Legion and DC Worlds Collide. Both titles are mobile games, filled with microtransactions, and the latter is an idle gacha. Sure, they're cute and fun, but are they what the fans truly want at this point?
I would have been happier to see them go back to the old days of AAA, but offline titles. Nobody minds a few post-launch DLC and expansions, but live service seems to bring them success on the mobile platforms alone. Finding success on PC and console is different, and Suicide Squad's failure proves that to an extent.
If Warner Bros. Games doesn't want to repeat the mistakes of the past, they (and their new Executive Producer) will have to do a lot more than rely on "third time's the charm". Only time will tell how the new project turns out, and whether it can bring success to an entity that recorded a 41% drop in gaming revenue last year.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 10:53 AM
MOBA-Battle Royale hybrid Supervive might not be available on consoles (yet), but you can use a controller on your PC to outlast your enemies.
The revamped 1.0 version has plenty of changes, with most of them being positive for the game. As of writing, there's no official support for the use of controllers (yes, even if you use a device that's compatible with your PC setup). Thankfully, you can take advantage of the experimental support from the in-game client to use a controller (with a few tweaks, of course).
Supervive controller support explained
The lack of official controller support isn't without its vices. The experimental support works well, but there are performance issues. I tested this with my Power-A Xbox controller and my DualSense Edge. Both seem to work seamlessly, barring a few situations.
The experimental mode does allow you to move, use the abilities, and aim pretty smoothly. That said, I will still prefer using my keyboard and mouse. If you still want to use a controller, there's another workaround.
How to use a controller to play Supervive?
Steam's Big Picture mode is a nice workaround if you want to use a controller. Once you have opened the mode, launch Supervive from your library.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 9:20 AM
Around the vast world of Innisgreen, there are many townies who have special quests, known as Fables, for you to tackle in The Sims 4. One of the toughest tasks you'll come across is called Not Mushroom for Error.
This mission, given to you by the iconic Spruce Almighty, challenges you to solve four unique riddles given to you by mushrooms. These puzzles are quite tricky to solve, so here's how to complete the Not Mushroom for Error Fable in The Sims 4.
Table of contents
Not Mushroom for Error Fable walkthrough in The Sims 4
To complete the Not Mushroom for Error Fable for Spruce Almighty, you need to solve all Mushroom riddles. There are four colored Mushrooms sitting fairly close to his tree, and you must interact with and satisfy the conditions presented by each one to finish this quest.
All riddle Mushroom locations in The Sims 4
Before you can get to work solving the Mushroom riddles, you need to know where to find each one. All four of them are fairly close to Spruce Almighty's tree in the Sprucederry Grove region of Innisgreen, but they blend in with the environment quite well and can be easy to overlook. Here's where to find each one.
How to solve Blue Mushroom's riddle in The Sims 4
The correct answer for the Blue Mushroom's riddle is Bioluminescent Mushroom, but you can't select this option unless you have Lightning Root Leaves in your inventory. To acquire this special item, you either need to plant and grow a Lightning Root plant yourself or find one you can pick from out in the world.
If you want to get this quest done as quickly as possible, it's best to find one in the wild. You can find a Lightning Root plant over in the Fairy neighborhood Everdew in a circular patch of grass close to the Summerdream family's home. Once you collect leaves from this plant, head back to the Blue Mushroom and select the Bioluminescent Mushroom solution to finish this riddle.
How to solve Red Mushroom's riddle in The Sims 4
The solution to the Red Mushroom's riddle is Amanita Muscaria. You're only given two options to choose from for this riddle, which are Amanita Muscaria and Fly Agaric, so it's a bit of an easier one to get done.
How to solve Green Mushroom's riddle in The Sims 4
The answer to the Green Mushroom's riddle is a Truffle, but you must have at least 5,000 Simoleons in your household to choose it. The other option you're given, which is a Mushroom Steak, won't complete the puzzle, so if you don't have enough, get to work earning until you do.
How to solve Yellow Mushroom's riddle in The Sims 4
The correct answer to the Yellow Mushroom's riddle is a Fairy Ring, but you can only select this answer if you are either a Fairy or have unlocked an Enchanted by Nature notebook entry. This means you either need to work on becoming a Fairy or find something unique to this expansion pack world.
If you're not interested in becoming a member of this occult, the easiest way to unlock an entry is through foraging. There's a decent chance you already have one at this point, so you may not even need to go searching. If you do, though, foraging around is the best way to unlock an entry. Once you've done one of the two requirements, return to the Yellow Mushroom and select a Fairy Ring to officially finish this Fable. Completing this quest gets you a Glasswood Tree and some Everdew Seeds.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 9:20 AM
Playing the first Grounded game during its Early Access period was an interesting experience. My friends may not love survival games, but this one had me firmly in its grasp for hours upon hours. Fast forward to 2025, and Grounded 2 has me feeling excited yet conflicted.
Grounded 2 is a direct continuation of the first game. Following its opening, which summarizes the prequel's story, the aftermath, and present-day events leading up to you taking control of your playable character, you'll wake up inside an Ominent lab and quickly realize that you've, once again, shrunken down to the size of an ant. This time, you're at a now ruined Brookhallow Park, and your goal is to figure out why you're small again and what new challenges are afoot.
The first thing I noticed upon starting my playthrough was how beautiful this game is. Grounded's cartoonish style is what hooked me into playing the first game, and having that still present was reassuring. That said, the added details in nearly every aspect, from the ambience and lighting to micro-details in plants, bugs, and items, made the first few minutes of the experience that much more jaw-dropping. That is, until you actually play the game.
With Grounded 2 being in Early Access, I wasn't expecting it to have every feature of the first game, especially since it has plenty of time to expand leading up to its full release. That said, seeing that most of its items and structures were identical to Grounded was surprising. I was fine with the bugs being the same, since we're in the same geographical area as the prequel. But, having the same sequence of analyzing random objects, making a workbench, and farming ants with a spear made me feel like I was still in the first game.
Initially, I quite liked this. Having a sense of familiarity felt nice, especially since it allowed me to focus on the storyline rather than learning new mechanics and navigating the environment. Some key differences, such as the addition of buggies to ride around on bugs and the Omni-Tool that combines four tools in one, changed things enough that I was excited to see exactly what was in store in this second game. The story gets much more interesting as you go, but I couldn't help but compare the similarities between the two titles.
Overall, my enjoyment of Grounded 2 depended largely on my desire to continue its storyline and see how Max, Hoops, Willow, and Pete would react to everything years later. They may not be adults yet, but with them being slightly older and having already experienced the events of the first game, their personalities naturally reflect that. They're still childish and carefree, but you can immediately sense their dread over the situation alongside their determination to understand what's going on.
If you're here for the story or the satisfaction of taming and riding around the map on an ant, Grounded 2 has you covered in spades. If you want a completely different gameplay experience, you won't find that here. At least, not yet.
I'm optimistic to see how Grounded 2 will shape up over its Early Access period. The original Grounded changed drastically over its two-year EA phase, with most of its in-game regions taped off, a small portion of the items that are available now, and polish in nearly every aspect. Comparatively, Grounded 2 is starting off strong and has the potential to stand tall as one of the best and most impressive sequels we've seen in recent years. Whether it lives up to it will depend on how much feedback the community will provide and how far Obsidian wants to push the game's boundaries beyond what we've seen so far.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 9:01 AM
Grounded 2 is releasing in early access today, giving players a slice of a brave new tiny world, filled to the brim with new mechanics, items, and abilities, alongside rideable Insects known as Buggies that'll surely give fans of the genre something fun to experiment with.
After playing the game for a bit, Destructoid had the opportunity to speak with two members of the Obsidian team about the game's direction and gain insight into what to expect from the future as the game launches in early access.
Note: Portions of the interview have been edited to remove repetition and enhance the reading experience.
The first thing that I wanted to discuss is, obviously, that this is a sequel. It's obvious, it's in the name, and obviously, the community had a large part in defining what made the first game so popular and endearing. I was wondering how you took in community feedback for a sequel and used that for the development process of Grounded 2.
Aarik Dorobiala (Senior Community Manager for Grounded 2): So working so closely with the community for Grounded one was a very special experience, just like being able to be very transparent and open with the community. And not only that, but Obsidian is not just making this game. There are people behind this game. So the community also got to learn about the people who are making the game, that is, we're gamers too. I think opening up that communication pathway helped us bond with the community. And yes, there was so much feedback and suggestions that we couldn't fit into Grounded one; it only made sense to take it into Grounded 2, like having the cold biome that they always asked for. But, there was just not enough space in the backyard because we filled it with so many things, and bringing the snail to life in Grounded 2 because they asked about the snail constantly, because there's this tiny little snail shell in the backyard. They're like, what? A snail shell? That means there's got to be something, right? So, bringing that into it and, of course, probably the biggest thing, Buggies, the players in the community want to know, one way to either tame or ride insects. And that's probably one of the big features we're showcasing with Grounded 2.
Mike Winzler (Producer for Grounded 2): Grounded 2 is comprised of a lot of kinds of features and items from the community that kind of have these long roots that sort of affect a lot of different systems and levels and related pieces, and so required a little extra time to sort of cook... it was strange, kind of going dark on Grounded 2, right? It was a surprise announcement. After all these years and direct conversations with the community, it seems we need a little time to prepare something for you guys.
You both have touched on Buggies, so I have to ask. How does the team determine which bugs are rideable and which ones need to remain a threat? And another question, did the Ant-Man movies impact any decisions when coming up with new game mechanics?
Winzler: Yeah, I'll hop on the first question about sort of which ones we pick, and why. I think getting the idea of what Buggies were and how they're going to affect the game, and sort of how they would be with you throughout the experience. It took a long time, just in terms of, there are a lot of different ideas there, you want to try a few different ones out and kind of see what felt the most natural and felt like it also had a sort of wide open future that we could kind of carve out accordingly with what the community likes and provides feedback on.
So I think kind of like, hey, which Buggies? Which insects can be Buggies? I think our, sort of our mindset going into that was always, well, which ones have sort of compelling, multiple-use skill set? So, which ones can be interesting to be involved in building, as well as level design and traversal, and which ones would add a new wrinkle to combat? There's never really any that we would outright not consider for a Buggie... However, I think we also want to start slowly, with a smaller Buggie count.
Dorobiala: And then, to answer your second question, I don't know whether the inspiration came from Ant Man. I think it's because of the time era of the game where Grounded 2 takes place; it takes two years after the first game. So we're in 1992, and I think maybe it's more that the inspiration came from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, where those kids were shrunk down, and they rode an ant. However, I will say that the Red Ant soldier Buggie does have a recruit ability, allowing it to recruit one nearby worker ant. So maybe there might be a little inspiration there, too.
The game starts in early access. When you look at Grounded one and the amount of features it has, in terms of the Zipwire mechanic (and I know the team has touched on why its not in Grounded 2 yet to make Buggies feel more useful at the start) but in the future, as you add more updates, how are you going to balance Buggies and items to make them all have their uses so once isn't more overpowered than the other.
Winzler: Yeah, that's a great question, and something that we're kind of always grappling with. But it's the fun part of the challenge, too, if you have a staple of Buggies, can they all have their own kind of character? And can they all bring something new and useful to you, even as you kind of go through different biomes and different phases of the core game there? So I think looking at the Red Ant and the Orb Weaver to start, they're very different animals in the sense that the Red Ant is the sort of all-arounder. But they also have a nice kind of intrinsic connection to building and hauling materials around, whereas the Orb Weaver is more like this, a kind of walking weapon, and in terms of what it can do in combat, and shoot webs.
But I think the more we played with just ourselves internally, the more we realized, 'No, they still need to feel different.' They all need to have different kinds of use cases.... So, suppose you have a particular taste for this one Buggie, and we can still keep them in the mix and with you throughout the experience. We're still waiting for community feedback to make some bigger decisions and refine the ones we already have in place. But I know both myself and Chris Parker, the Game Director, feel very strongly of 'now I want, I want to make it possible for you to take the first red ant you get as a Buggie and have that, that red ant with you by your side through the full game.' That should be a viable route... Ensuring that the relationship with your Buggie is something that can be sustained and still retain value mechanically is a significant focus for us as well.
I'd like to discuss some examples of new features and updates. In Grounded One, you start in the suitcase, and you come out into the open world. You're kind of a bit clueless about what you're doing. You have to learn as you go in. Whereas in Grounded 2, you started in a more tutorial-based mode, which introduces people to the main concepts and gets them accustomed to crafting.
However, when you go out, you also gain the Omni tool in Grounded 2, which replaces the need to craft individual axes and similar items. This has made the game a lot more user-friendly, as it eliminates the need to hoard items at all times. Can you walk us through the process of making that decision to optimize resourcing?
Winzler: Omni tool side. That was an interesting discussion early on. I think it was one that Edios Montreal did with a fresh set of eyes and a new perspective on the project, which they had a really strong feeling about, and we're very passionate about it. And so that was a fun, kind of early on partnership moment where we were kind of all right, this is outside of our initial understanding or reflex on some of the stuff, and then we really kind of shaped it together...
[As for the new tutorial], it was this kind of community add-on, but it was also, hey, you know, we're new on this project, and we want to be a surrogate for new players and returning players both. And so, having a little more streamlined approach at the beginning, 'Hey, if you're brand new to Grounded, here's all the things you should be up to speed on.' But if you've played Grounded before, you can just kind of whiz through this and then start getting to the new stuff.
Dorobiala: I think when in regards to the Omni tool, we're very excited to hear feedback from the community, because there's one side of the community who wants to have all the tools, and they're the collectors, and there's even a sub community that uses these tools as a form of, like pvp arena combat, like in Grounded one. However, the reception of the Omni tool so far has been positive. We're very curious and excited to hear more.
It's always a big feature that the Grounded community consistently requests. Are there any plans at all to add official mod support to the PC game in the future, or is it too early to tell at the moment?
Dorobiala: It was the former. We're going to be releasing an early access version, so there will be a lot of changes and iterations to the game. So, it's something to consider later down the road and maybe further along in the development.
Did the team have the Grounded story fully planned out from the get-go of early access, or had you started to expand it in each update until it came to a resolution? How does the story, especially an early access game, come into fruition?
Winzler: I don't want to steal Aarik's line. That's so good. It's a full credit, Aaric. He said, hey, the narrative in Early Access is like a tabletop RPG campaign where you've got these sort of big beats that you're interested in the sort of general direction that things are going, but you still want to, you still want there to be plenty of room for improvisation and things to things to go differently based on how people are feeling about it.
Community feedback even amounts to 'Hey, we love this character. Let's give them more, more screen time, more lines. Let's get them in the mix more.' It's that feeling of having a coherent idea of the setting and some of the big pieces that blend more seamlessly into gameplay. But, I think there's nothing set in stone, as far as the finer details there in between.
It was interesting to see how the narrative unfolded along that road (in Grounded one). I wasn't involved in the narrative on that. So it's kind of looking at it with the perspective of evaluating how we wanted that for Grounded 2. A lot of the story was told in the past tense: "Here's what Tully was doing before the game started." And you're almost like a Crime Scene Investigation, figuring out what, putting all the pieces together... as a summary, I'd say, we have, we have big pieces in place, but I think we actively try to stay fluid with it and not over-commit to things. So there's still that element of like... Spontaneity and room for community feedback to be incorporated.
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Destructoid Tuesday, July 29, 2025 8:18 AM
Survival co-op title PEAK is best enjoyed with your friends, but it can be tricky if you lose connection mid-game. Thankfully, there's a possible workaround for the problem that allows you to rejoin your friends and resume playing an ongoing round.
That said, the complete process is certainly tricky if you don't know the correct steps. More importantly, you can't technically do anything, and it has to rely on the power of friendship. Sticking true to the spirit of PEAK, your friends will have to help you come back to the island and rejoin the party.
How to rejoin your friends late game in PEAK?
Let's say you lost your connection or the game force-closed. This can happen without prior warning, and your session will be disrupted. If you leave, it creates a problem for you and your friends. Your friends will be one player short (making it difficult for them to win) while you lose all your progression for that round.
This will automatically connect you with your friends and spawn you at the applicable campfire. However, you must be idle and in the main lobby. If you've started your run, the process won't work. This method also works if your friend is trying to join your pre-existing run. The method and restrictions are the same. As long as they follow the steps correctly, they should be able to enter your ongoing run.
Do note that the method of joining your friends in PEAK mid-game can be slightly buggy. There are incidents where players haven't been able to join the desired lobby after enacting the steps correctly. If that happens, it's best to create a fresh instance by restarting your game and repeating the process.
The post How to join your friends mid-game in PEAK appeared first on Destructoid. |
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