GamersHeroes Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:36 AM Get ready to get grapplin' this spring when Mommy's Best Games' brutal 80's sci-fi action platformer ChainStaff launches April 8. The post Brutal 80s Platformer ChainStaff Launching April 8 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:33 AM For those looking to do some blasting, Leonardo Productions' darkly ironic action roguelite Hell Architect: Survivors will be part of Steam Next Fest. The post Darkly Ironic Action Roguelite Hell Architect: Survivors Part of Steam Next Fest appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:29 AM 17th Century Deckbuilding Card Battler The Killing Stone Shifting to Early Access Launch February 18 While still seeing a launch for the PC via Steam on February 18, Question's deckbuilding card battler The Killing Stone will instead see an Early Access launch during this time. The post 17th Century Deckbuilding Card Battler The Killing Stone Shifting to Early Access Launch February 18 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:53 AM
Jordan Mechner says news like this makes him glad he's not in game dev anymore The post <em>Prince Of Persia</em> Creator Reacts To The Canceled <em>Sands Of Time</em> Remake: 'Having A Project Killed Is A Brutal Experience' appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:48 AM
I mean, not enough to actually watch it—I'm not deranged The post A <i>Pokémon</i> 30th Anniversary Commercial Is Forcing Me To Care About The Super Bowl appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:40 AM Apple iPad (A16 Chip) All-Time Low Deal Quietly Makes a Comeback, No Need to Look for Budget Tablets
Add this iPad to your iOS ecosystem and get more done, whether you're into work or play. The post Apple iPad (A16 Chip) All-Time Low Deal Quietly Makes a Comeback, No Need to Look for Budget Tablets appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:12 AM
The Fortnite launcher isn't going anywhere even if Steam has twice as many players The post The Epic Games Store Can't Beat Steam But It Might Become The Next Discord appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:10 AM
Save $5 per month on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate over at StackSocial. The post Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Sees a Price Cut, Moving Closer to Its Pre-Surge Pricing After Last Year's 50% Increase appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:46 AM
Derpy will lead the movie's Lego sets this summer The post <em>KPop Demon Hunters</em> Lego Sets Are Coming, Starting With Everyone's Favorite Pot-Tipping Demon Cat appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:40 AM
The screen stays easy on your eyes, even during extended sessions. The post Samsung 32″ Borderless Monitor Crashes to Budget Portable Display Pricing at Record Low appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:10 AM
If you want a smart speaker, this is the one to buy, especially at a significant discount. The post Amazon Goes Big on Smart Speaker Deals as Echo Dot Max Falls to Record Low, Comes With Alexa+ Early Access appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:40 AM
It's time to get organized and save some cash while you're at it. The post Anker USB-C Docking Station Drops to a Historic Low Price, Packing 13 Ports for a Complete Desktop Upgrade appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:11 AM
It's a partner showcase, so don't expect details on the next Mario or Zelda game The post There's A New Nintendo Direct Just In Time For Switch 2's Momentum To Snowball appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:10 AM
Enjoy breathtaking details with exceptional color accuracy for all your favorite content. The post INSIGNIA 55″ Smart Fire TV Hits Nearly 50% Off After Another Price Cut Ahead of Super Bowl, Cheaper Than Smaller Models appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:07 AM
Yusuke Omura designed the Ultra Beasts based on designs rejected by Ken Sugimori The post Ultra Beasts Look Like Rejected Pokémon Because That's Exactly What They Are appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:01 AM
The Souls-like series returns with a new formula The post <i>Nioh 3</i>: The <i>Kotaku</i> Review appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 8:40 AM
No need to deal with tinny TV sound again. The post Bose Soundbar Drops Back to Black Friday Price Just in Time for Super Bowl TV Audio Upgrades appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 8:10 AM
Save $40 on this tiny but durable large-capacity storage card that works with cameras, consoles, drones, and much more. The post Amazon Is Clearing Out Samsung's Nintendo Switch 2–Friendly MicroSD Card at Its Lowest Price appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 7:40 AM
Bid storage problems goodbye while saving big. The post Crucial X10 Pro 4TB SSD Gets a Surprise Price Drop While 1TB and 2TB Stay Full Price on Amazon appeared first on Kotaku. |
Kotaku Wednesday, February 4, 2026 7:10 AM
Save $29 on the Apple AirPods 4, or save $39 on the model with active noise cancellation. The post AirPods 4 Just Became the Most Affordable Entry in Apple's Earbuds Lineup After a Surprise Price Drop appeared first on Kotaku. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:41 AM Former Intrepid Studios director of communications Margaret Krohn says the Ashes of Creation shutdown happened "in a way I did not expect." |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:39 AM Our pick of top gaming keyboards includes TKL, mini, cheap, high-end, and wireless options. With brands like Corsair, Glorious, and Razer. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:59 AM Here's everything you need to know about the Marvel Rivals ranks, including how competitive mode works and the Season 6 ranked rewards. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:33 AM Here are the very best Nioh 3 character creation codes that'll transform its protagonist into some of popular culture's most iconic faces. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:20 AM Grab $219-worth of games, including Resident Evil Village, in this month's Humble Choice that's packed with Steam Deck-friendly titles. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:53 AM In a short statement provided to PCGamesN, NetEase says that the events described by the Romeo is a Dead Man director "did not occur." |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 7:53 AM Hypixel's approach to developing Hytale is certainly unconventional, but some players seem to have forgotten that was always the plan. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 7:47 AM The Helldivers 2 Into the Unjust update introduces the Bastion Tank and brings back the LAS-16 Trident, a beloved weapon from the original. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 7:23 AM Digital Extremes is reworking Warframe's Platinum currency bundles and regional pricing, and it's a decision that benefits everyone. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, February 4, 2026 6:13 AM With AMD providing the combined CPU and GPU SoC for Valve's Steam Machine, it has confirmed the tiny gaming PC is arriving imminently. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:47 AM  Valve's upcoming Steam Machine reboot might not be as troubled by ongoing memory shortages as previously feared. Or, at least, not as delayed. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:02 AM  Apex Legends season 28 launches on February 10th, and appears to add competitive glazing to the now 7-year-old battle royale. The game's "newest tactical mechanic", so says the announcement post, is Hardlight Mesh, a glowy, bullet-resistant window that teams can either throw up to defend a hidey hole or, with enough lead, rockets, and/or angry kicks, break down to form a new ingress point. Holes in walls? That's old hat. ApeLegs is disrupting holes in walls. There'll probably be a TechCrunch article on it. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:00 AM  My experience with the third Nioh reminded me of many other games — the open world of Elden Ring, the samurai/ninja gameplay of Assassin's Creed Shadows, and the dopamine-generating loot drops of Diablo. I make these comparisons not to disparage Nioh 3, but rather to praise its adroitness. This is a great game that pilfers elements from many disparate titles with the stealthy fluidity of a shinobi, blending them into an attractive whole that resembles a shiny samurai cuirass. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, February 4, 2026 8:49 AM  Friends, I think I have unearthed the next Hidden Gem, though Hidden Arrow Trap might be the more appropriate framing. It's a 2D precision platformer called the The Pale Piper that reminds me of Limbo, Hollow Knight and VVVVVV. It's the work of FreeTimeDev, who is also known for Godot tools and synthwave jams on Itch.io. It's out today on Steam, and the demo has killed me eleventy million times. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, February 4, 2026 7:09 AM  While Amazon have been gradually dropping episodes of their Fallout show's second series,a timer has been ticking away. It's been on the show's website, which is a little interactive map. Surely this timer, set to expire once the final episode of the series went live, could herald the reveal of Fallout New Vegas or Fallout 3 remasters Bethesda may have in the works, some fans speculated. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, February 4, 2026 6:47 AM  Epic have discussed their latest plans for growing the Epic Games Store's audience and stealing more eyeballs from industry overlords Steam. One side of it is launching a proper unified multiplatform store and shared libraries across PC and mobile, together with better performance and features such as voice chat. The other side of it is channelling the brand clout of Fortnite to increase sales of third party releases, with a new official program of Fortnite cosmetics and Epic Store avatars for people who buy games from participating developers. They're going to do upwards of 100 hats (or equivalent) a year, apparently. 100 hats! Where did I leave that trusty Smithers gif. Ah, here you go. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, February 4, 2026 5:22 AM  Generative AI has played "zero part" in Rockstar Games' creation of GTA 6, Take-Two CEOman Strauss Zelnick has said at the company's latest financial numbers get-together, where he also indicated the game's still on to initially release this November. Well, on consoles at least. Though, back in the AI front, the Z bloke also revealed that Take-Two have "hundreds of pilots and implementations" on the go involving the tech. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, February 4, 2026 5:18 AM  Here is a question for the septuagenarians and older in the RPS readership, assuming any of you are that venerable: if some chortling time traveller had told you back in the 50s or 60s that the perpetually sizzling terror of nuclear apocalypse would one day become a nostalgic playground for videogames with two-headed cows and dogs named Dogmeat and swaggering cowboy zombies, what kind of period-appropriate blunt implement would you have clobbered that time traveller with? While you grizzled boomers get your gums into that vexing proposition, here's the trailer for AtomTeam's Atom RPG 2, the floridly titled sequel to 2018's Atom RPG. It's another turn-based, top-down affair in the spirit of the original Interplay-published Fallouts, and appears rich in bunkers, action points and raging, possibly mutant bears. It's also the work of a team based across Cyprus, Ukraine and Latvia, who probably have very different ideas about the nature and duration of the Cold War than the people behind Fallout. |
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Siliconera Wednesday, February 4, 2026 12:00 PM
NPC Studio announced the fourth major update for Fields of Mistria will debut at the end of this month and unlock the secret bachelorette character. She'll show up on February 23, 2026, and depending on your progress with the mines storyline, you might not need to spend too much time unlocking her. This also seems to be the last big update before the 2026 1.0 release and ensuing additions after that.
The secret bachelorette is one of the biggest additions in this update. She'll be available to actually date, just like Caldarus was the focus of the March 2025 update. Up to her eighth heart event will be available. Since she's also tied to the mines, we'll be able to finish that adventure and storyline, entering its last biome, fighting its new monsters, and finishing the Runes Seal Quest.
There are a handful of other additions. In town, there will be more Request Board quests, more Museum sets, a new Lost and Found Quest, and some more bugs and fish. We'll be able to set up apiaries and terrariums on our farm, get more Skill Perks, have more pet appearance choices, and get more furnitures and accessories.
Editor's note: There will be spoilers for the Fields of Mistria secret bachelorette in the video below.
Here's the teaser trailer for the fourth major update for the game. It doesn't show too many of the additions. Instead, it only shows a player's Fields of Mistria avatar working alongside the Priestess secret bachelorette. While this is the first time we'll see her true self, she does show up as a prominent NPC throughout the mines storyline.
Here's the updated roadmap for the game.
Fields of Mistria is in early access for PCs, the fourth major update appears on February 23, 2026, and the 1.0 launch is set for 2026.
The post Fields of Mistria Secret Bachelorette Debuts This Month appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:00 AM
Animate Holdings announced that Card Lab Gamers will run temporary pop-up and fair stores themed after Magical Girl holoWitches from mid-February 2026 to mid-March 2026. These stores will also celebrate the conclusion of the manga series and the launch of the anime videos.
Gamers' main outlet in Akihabara, Tokyo, will host the primary pop-up shop in addition to the fair store. The chain will also run fair stores at its other outlets in Sendai, Nagoya, Namba (Osaka), and Hakata (Fukuoka).
The stores will temporarily sell various kinds of holoWitches merchandise. Prices will range from ¥440 (~$2.80) for a random clear card to ¥6,600 (~$42.10) for a full-graphic T-shirt. Buyers can also receive a random character bookmark as a bonus for every ¥2,000 spent on Hololive Production's official goods that include at least a holoWitches item.
The Magical Girl holoWitches manga launched in 2024. The title initially featured Amane Kanata, Sakura Miko, Himemori Luna, Houshou Marine, Sakamata Chloe, and Murasaki Shion. But after Chloe became an affiliate and Shion graduated, Cover added Shirakami Fubuki and Yukihana Lamy to retain the six-member group. The latest manga chapter—the 23rd chapter of the 2nd part—was published on January 14, 2026.
The Magical Girl holoWitches pop-up and fair stores will be held at Gamers outlets across Japan from February 13 until March 15, 2026.
The post holoWitches Pop-Up Shops Mark End of Hololive Manga appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:17 AM
Nintendo confirmed that it will hold a Partner Showcase Direct at 6am PT/9am ET/3pm CET on February 5, 2026, and it also noted this will be all about Switch 1 and 2 games. It will only focus on third-party titles from partners like Capcom and Square Enix. Also, it will be a worldwide affair, with English and Japanese placeholders live.
Here is the English presentation placeholder. This will be a 30 minute video. No titles are confirmed yet. However, some Switch 1 and 2 games without release windows include The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Mina the Hollower and Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.
You can also find the placeholder for the Japanese Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase below that will highlight Switch 1 and 2 games. These tend to include some different or additional games.
This isn't the first Nintendo Direct of the year. We saw ones for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. However, there's no date for the first first-party one of 2026 yet.
The Switch 1 and 2 game Nintendo Partner Showcase Direct will air on YouTube worldwide at 6am PT/9am ET/3pm CET on February 5, 2026.
The post First 2026 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase Looks at Switch 1 and 2 Games appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:00 AM
I've been a fan of the Nioh series since its inception, but I was nervous when Team Ninja said Nioh 3 would involve big changes to a formula that I loved. With this sequel, the developer added open-world elements and completely reworked foundational mechanics. While I enjoyed Rise of the Ronin a lot, its open-world level design and direction aren't exactly what I want out of a Nioh game. Fortunately, any comparisons end there. Nioh 3 takes the essence of the series, fine-tunes all its systems, and builds new and interesting mechanics in ways that feel laser targeted at fans.
Nioh 3 puts the player in the role of Takechiyo Tokugawa, the eldest grandchild of Ieyasu Tokugawa, during the early Edo Period. As you are about to be appointed Shogun, your younger brother Kunimatsu betrays you. This sets you on a time-traveling path through different eras of Japan's history to learn the strength and values needed to become Shogun. Similar to Nioh 2, it has you play as a defined character, but allows you to fully customize their look. Twofold in this case, as you can completely change how your character looks between its Samurai and Ninja styles, with armor sets also being split. It's a small addition, but a really cool one, especially considering how deep and varied Koei Tecmo's character creators always are. While the time-traveling element is fun from a historical perspective, I didn't find Takechiyo's journey is as compelling as Hide and Tokichiro's was in Nioh 2. The interpersonal drama and stakes in the previous game felt more moving to me.
Mechanically speaking, Nioh 3 starts in a peculiar manner. By default, Samurai style is incomplete, having only access to medium stance (don't worry, that gets remedied very fast). On the flipside, Ninja style has access to all its basic mechanics from the get go. I found the first tutorial boss to be exceedingly tricky in Samurai style, until I tried in Ninja style and understood that the game was trying to teach me to appreciate both, and to change accordingly to the situation. In that sense, Nioh 3 is not necessarily an easier game than its predecessors, but it feels more approachable.
Compared to previous entries, I didn't feel like I had to commit to one weapon class, I was encouraged to experiment and swap freely. The name of the game is still all Koei Tecmo's signature "masocore" challenge, but the new open-field structure, and the division between Samurai and Ninja styles introduces a deep level of choice and flexibility. These open-fields are composed of various regions, each one designed like various traditional Nioh missions, but adjoined and seamless. This means that the way you enter, discover, and approach some regions can be different on a player-by-player base. Oftentimes the game will set you on a linear path, but when you have the freedom to approach missions, it's an interesting twist. The second region in particular is especially good at doing this with its main objective.
During my 70 hours with the game, I tried dual swords, odachi, and switchglaive for Samurai, and dual ninja swords, talons, and hatchets for Ninja style. I never ran out of weapon points and in fact had a surplus at all times. Being able to fully respec your character at almost any time is an amazing addition, but feels so necessary in retrospect. I feel like the new Ninja style is going to be divisive among Nioh veterans, depending on your preferred weapons. Nioh 3 is all about tradeoffs and compromises. Almost every mechanic has been reworked and expanded in some way. Ninja weapons don't have access to stances, but are faster and deal more damage to enemies from the back. This lends Nioh 3 an almost Ninja Gaiden feeling that really clicked with me.
In turn, this means that Ninjutsu is now an essential part of your kit. I was never a fan of Ninjutsu in previous games—preferring Onmyo magic—but I loved how it has been implemented here, especially the way you recharge your Ninjutsu by fighting. Meanwhile, Onmyo has been reworked to be attached to yokai Soul Cores. I understand why Team Ninja didn't make a dedicated Onmyo tree this time around, and I actually appreciate it. Having so many options available doesn't mean you're overpowered. I still died a lot, but I feel like Nioh 3 reduces frustration by giving new ways to approach fights. As I played, I took a much more aggressive role in fights, going in to deflect, evade, and position myself in the most advantageous way to unleash combos, Ninjutsu, and magic.
Team Ninja has leveraged the studio's years of experience to make Nioh 3 feel the most interesting out of any game in the series. Being accessible doesn't mean that the game makes compromises with its intended audience. Nioh 3 can also be the studio's most devilish endeavor. The inclusion of so many options and flexibility, both in combat and exploration, means that frustration is kept at a minimum in a genre known for its challenge, while maintaining the friction necessary for triumph to taste oh so sweet.
Nioh 3 will come to PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam on February 6, 2026.
The post Review: Nioh 3 Is Accessible and Ferocious appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:31 AM
Just about any online game in 2026 deals with cheaters and hackers attempting to ruin the integrity of the experience, and ARC Raiders is no different.
The extraction shooter from Embark Studios has had its struggles with hackers for a while, and in the ongoing effort to keep them at bay, a new change may adversely affect someone who's potentially innocent.
Steam Family Sharing allows up to six members of a household share their game libraries together, allowing for people to simultaneously play different games on the same account at the same time, rack up their own achievements, and use their own save files. But, according to Embark, cheaters have sullied the experience so a change has been made.
"Up until now, suspended accounts could exploit Steam Family Sharing to avoid account suspensions, making their way back to Speranza to continue their illegitimate play," Embark announced this morning. "This change prevents that by ensuring that if an account is suspended, all accounts associated with that account through Steam Family Sharing are also, automatically, suspended as well."
There's a scenario that could happen here where someone playing ARC Raiders on a family sharing account gets taken down because someone else in that group was suspended (not necessarily cheating or hacking, but any sort of bad behavior). I'm imagining a gamer family with one bad actor that ruins it for everyone, and that kind of stinks, but it seems necessary.
Embark's website also states that if the person who's suspended is the license owner (the person who bought the game and has it tied to their account), all accounts within the family sharing plan will also be restricted. Big bummer.
The simple lesson here is to not cheat, and if you're using family share, be careful who you share with because you may quickly become guilty by association. But if your younger sibling or something has been dabbling in some wallhacks, be prepared to take an ARC Raiders vacation.
The post ARC Raiders steps up efforts to curb cheaters, but some gaming families may get caught in the crossfire appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:17 AM
As if there weren't enough reasons these days to think about my own mortality, the lovable Pokémon franchise is going to bring it into the Super Bowl on Sunday.
During the NFL's big game on Sunday, Pokémon is set to showcase something for its 30th anniversary, which comes at the end of this month on Feb. 27. And what better way to feel your age than to realize a franchise you saw the inception of and grew up with is now 30. Oof.
The teaser below features Jigglypuff tuning up for a special performance of some kind, and wow, 30 years of Pokémon, huh? Time really flies when you're fighting cute animals in bushes and then capturing them into indentured servitude, I guess. Although, I do wonder just what they'll be showing during the game. Odds are it's just a "hey, we're turning 30" PSA, but I feel like there's a lot of potential for some good puns here.
The halftime show will be performed by Bad Bunny. How about a Bad Scorbunny reference? The game is between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. More like the Patrats vs. the Seadras, right, gang? No? This must be that 30-plus age level of jokes I keep hearing about.
Regardless of what the ad shows, Feb. 27 is a big day for Pokémon, and that's what gamers are focusing on. For the 30th anniversary, the company has already revealed the first few pricey LEGO sets for the celebration, but all eyes will be on what's next for the franchise during a special Pokémon Presents live stream.
We could get some updates on existing games like Pokémon TCG Pocket, Pokémon GO, or Pokémon UNITE, or even Pokémon Pokopia which releases in early March. But really, it's all about the 10th generation of games (leaks say it'll be called Pokémon Wind and Waves) and whatever else is being cooked up, like the battle-centric Pokémon Champions.
Either way, it'll be nice to sit on the couch with friends and family and see some Pokémon on the screen. Everyone knows what it is and most millennials around my age have some memories tied to it, so it'll be a nice breath of fresh air from all the other ads for AI companies, tax services, and beer.
The post Pokémon turns 30 this year, and it's reminding middle-aged fans in America with a Super Bowl appearance appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:47 AM
Special events in The Sims 4 often challenge you to explore certain locations and tasks you may not be familiar with. In the Lost Legacies event, you're tasked with venturing to Willow Creek Archive, a spot you likely don't know where to find.
Special events often ask you to visit certain locations around the world, which can be tough, as you may have switched out lots or might not be familiar with the names of some of them, especially if you have most expansion packs installed since there are loads of spots to visit. If this quest has you stumped, here's where to find Willow Creek Archive in The Sims 4.
Willow Creek Archive location in The Sims 4
Willow Creek Archive is a library lot located in Willow Creek, a free base game world available to all players. It can be found in the Crawdad Quarter neighborhood, which is a collection of community lots situated near the bottom left corner of the map. Nearby, you can also find the Movers & Shakers gym, The Blue Velvet nightclub, the Municipal Muses museum, and the Magnolia Blossom park.
This lot is always a library by default, but like the vast majority of locations in The Sims 4, it can be freely edited, removed, or replaced if desired. If you've updated or changed your Willow Creek world in the save you're playing in, this lot might be called something completely different, and it may even be another type of venue entirely. If this is the case, you can still try to get the event missions done there, but it may be a bit glitchy since it's not technically the right lot.
To avoid running into any issues, it's generally best to just load up a clean save where all the lots are the same as what they started off as. The Royal Envoy from Ondarion, the world featured in the Royalty & Legacy expansion pack, might not show up properly at this location otherwise, and you may not have the items you need to progress.
When you need to visit this spot, there are two ways you can travel there. The first is by opening the map, selecting Willow Creek as the world, and clicking on the Willow Creek Archive lot. The second method is to use your phone, select the travel icon, choose Willow Creek, and select the Willow Creek Archive lot. The map is usually the fastest and most efficient method, but both options get you the same end result.
Visiting the Willow Creek Archive is one of the key tasks you need to get done to complete all week one Lost Legacies event quests. Most of the missions in the Darong Beginnings portion of this event take place here, so finding it early on is crucial for progression.
The post Where to find Willow Creek Archive in The Sims 4 appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:29 AM
YAPYAP requires you to venture into the castle with your buddies and cause as much mayhem as possible, but you'll also need to escape to keep your progression intact.
Adventures in YAPYAP can be broken down into three nights, with each of them having a timer. Creating chaos is only one aspect of the job, as extraction is key. The process can be confusing since the game doesn't elaborately tell you what needs to be done.
This guide will explain the process, which is quite simple.
How to extract in YAPYAP
To extract before the timer runs out, you'll need to find the Extraction tower. This tower is easy to locate: it will have flames coming up from the top of the tower. None of the other towers on the map has these flames coming up from the top.
Reaching the tower is slightly confusing since you'll need to use the teleporters. However, trying different teleporters eventually got me to the base of the tower. You need to do this before the timer (for that specific night) is over. If you're playing at a party, all your friends also need to make it out alive individually.
Once you reach the tower, make your way up the stairs. You'll eventually reach a room where there's a crystal ball. You can use this crystal ball to complete your extraction, or you can use it to observe where your buddies are.
The extraction takes 10 seconds to complete. You'll be returned to your base once the extraction is complete. You can choose to spend your Gold to acquire new wands and stuff. You can also start the next night if that's applicable. To play co-op with your friends, you also have to wait for them to return. When it comes to extraction, always reach the tower before the timer is over, as you'll die.
The post How to extract in YAPYAP appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:00 AM
Nioh 3 is the third entry in this long-running Koei Tecmo series, coming six full years after Nioh 2 dropped in 2020. It refines just about every part of the core gameplay experience, expanding it with quality-of-life improvements and a combat system that's fit for just about anyone.
Its holistic approach to the soulslike genre provides it with a tremendous amount of content, vast open worlds (called open fields) that reward exploration, quests and smaller stories perfect for the traditional RPG fan, and a hack-and-slash and Sekiro-style combat mix to fit any preference.
It's my first new game of 2026, and man what a start it was. Nioh 3 does just about everything right, and I'm super excited to jump back in as soon as I'm done writing this up.
A slightly different Sengoku Jidai
Nioh 3, like much of Koei Tecmo's games, takes place in historical Japan, starting during the early 17th century a few years after the Tokugawa Shogunate was established. You play as Takechiyo, one of the Tokugawa clan who was supposed to ascend to the rank of Shogun before strange Yokai invaded Edo and burned it to a crisp.
You're then transported back to different civil wars like the Heian or the Warring States (Sengoku) period, with historical figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu and Takeda Shingen playing significant roles in the story.
It's a fun take on the usual Samurai setting, changed to fit the game's narrative where challengers for the throne have demons on their side, aiding them to establish a new Shogunate.
In the wake of this war, you're tasked with helping eradicate the Yokai and bring about lasting peace in Japan, fighting all sorts of monsters, human, monster humans, demons, and anything else you can think of in the process.
The game places you in huge "open fields," as the game calls them, where you ultimately decide where to go, though the story itself is meant to be experienced in a specific way. But you can more-or-less ignore most of what the game tells you to do and explore at your own pace, leveling up and coming back to continue the plot when you feel ready for it. The maps are very reminiscent of Elden Ring's in this respect, though they're more streamlined and conventionally separated into leveled zones.
This doesn't mean you're barred from going to a zone even if underleveled, but it will be a significant challenge to overcome (much like going to Caelid first in Elden Ring would be).
The maps are filled to the brim with content that rewards exploration and the inquisitive mind. From mini-games chasing cats around to gain powerful upgrades to bases that need capturing to world bosses and epic battles, everything is right there, waiting for you to encounter it. The freedom of how you approach it is a major highlight for Nioh 3, and it truly lets you pick and choose your battles without locking you down to singular approaches.
There are also various quests you can pick up that show up on maps so you know where to find them but don't hold your hand when they're being solved. In fact, there's no map path taking you directly to the quest either, so the mystery of quests that we've become used to in soulslike games is still there, albeit much more approachable.
The story itself isn't all that great, and I didn't pay too much attention to it. Though I am a big nerd for the Sengoku and Heian periods, this is so far removed from the actual things that it barely even passes as a Jidaigeki (period story).
I will say character designs, the Japanese voice acting (the English dub is straight-up horrible), and the grand scale of what's going on play into the vibes of Nioh 3, and those vibes are off the charts. I loved every single bit that had to do with the art style and character designs in this game, whether they're random grunts or huge, imposing dudes like Takeda Shingen and his generals, among others.
Some of the best Soulslike combat ever
While the world and the exploration are great and all, Nioh 3, being a soulslike game, stands out the most with its combat.
You have two styles: Samurai and Ninja, each equipped with literal dozens of weapons and armor types, as well as full-blown skill trees, combos, martial arts, ninjutsu, you name it. One is oriented around slower, more methodical fights (the Samurai), whereas the other rewards fast-paced, relentless attacks and dodging (the Ninja).
You can swap between each on the go, and many fights will reward you if you use both at the same time.
The Ninja can sneak around, use powerful and lightning-fast attacks, dodge to evade, and utilize Ninjutsu (more-or-less spells) to great effect. I spent most of the game as the Ninja, but style-swapping is an important part of the gameplay and some bosses definitely were easier to beat as the Samurai than the Ninja, likely because the former is more heavily-armored and based around turn-taking and defense rather than unstoppable onslaught.
The Samurai, however, can be played much like you would play Sekiro, highlighting deflections instead of dodging and blocking. This part of the game is so well-done they could've just made it the default setting, though Nioh 3 loves to give you options for everything so this, too, is your own to decide what to do with.
The spellcasters in the back shouldn't worry either. Even if the game really wants you to play melee, there are many ways to embrace the Samurai Wizard within you with summons, Ninjutsu, and other spells you can find around the game.
Speaking of summons, Nioh 3 does a tremendous job with its summoning system. You can place down summoning markers and players can bring in your character into their world to fight alongside them (the characters are AI controlled). On the other hand, if you die somewhere, instead of merely leaving a blood pool behind you like Dark Souls does, Nioh 3 turns your death into a summonable revenant that others can fight to gain Glory and even some loot from your character's inventory.
Don't worry, you yourself don't actually drop anything or get adversely impacted if your dead character ends up losing. The winner, though, can actually earn a lot.
Of course, no soulslike combat system would be complete without the bosses. To say I loved them would be an understatement, with each boss being very different from the one you'd fought before, with unique abilities, movesets, advantages, and weaknesses. The difficulty also varies, but I didn't encounter any boss that didn't have some obvious or glaring flaw that was just waiting there to be exploited.
Even the most challenging bosses had something that could be used against them, or a very obvious moveset, or were susceptible to a particular weapon or combination of attacks, and so on. One boss did feel a bit "bullshitty" to me, but I just summoned an AI-controlled friend and we beat him to a pulp (even if the AI died at the half-way point).
You're also given a powerful shapeshifting ability that charges up as you fight which can be of tremendous help in tough fights. You can regain the bar after dying, making subsequent attempts easier if things go just about right and you're able to change shape and go berserk on the boss.
Unfair spawns and other aspects of what I consider artificial difficulty were nowhere to be found. As opposed to games like Hell is Us which saw soulslike combat as nothing more than dozens of super strong one-shot enemies in a room, Nioh 3 takes its difficulty very seriously and makes everything as fair as it can be.
So long as you're around the same level as the enemy, you should have no trouble getting through the challenge, even if it takes you several attempts.
It's great for everyone
Nioh 3 is likely going to be remembered as the most universal soulslike out there. It has deflecting for Sekiro fans, a huge open world for those more aligned with Elden Ring, cool and fair boss fights like Dark Souls 3 had, and twisted horror of Bloodborne.
Quality-of-life improvements and streamlined mechanics make it the most refined soulslike experience I've ever had, and it's going to be tough to return to older titles that do not remove all the horrible and unfair bits like crappy enemy spawns, bad gank fights (looking at you, Elden Ring), repetitive bosses, buggy platforming, and so on.
Nioh 3 can be rough around the edges sometimes in its jumping, platforming, and performance bugs (even though it runs great most of the time). But it's an amazing experience all throughout, despite not having the most interesting of stories.
But, then again, most Soulslikes don't.
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Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 8:52 AM
A royal event has arrived in The Sims 4, bringing with it plenty of exclusive prizes you can earn. To unlock them, you need to tackle some tricky weekly tasks, starting with the week one quests.
Since there are loads of free goodies up for grabs, there are also plenty of tough challenges to work through. You have to put in quite a lot of effort, but the prizes are worth it. Here are all week one Lost Legacies quests and rewards in The Sims 4.
Table of contents
How to complete all week one Lost Legacies quests in The Sims 4
To complete all week one quests in the Lost Legacies event, you need to work through all The Arrival missions and all Darong Beginnings missions. The first part has five missions, while the second portion has six, making for a total of 11 quests to tackle throughout.
The Arrival quests in The Sims 4
There are five key tasks featured in The Arrival portion of the event. These missions focus on kicking it off with the arrival of the Royal Envoy and getting familiar with the situation and what's expected of you in it.
Darong Beginnings quests in The Sims 4
There are six quests in the Darong Beginnings portion of the event. In this part, the Royal Envoy is on the move, and you need to follow them to the library to learn more about the Darong family.
All week one Lost Legacies event rewards in The Sims 4
There are five main prizes featured in week one of the Lost Legacies event. Four of them are free rewards available to all players, while the fifth is exclusive to Life & Death expansion pack owners. You also get to grab 100 Satisfaction Points along the way.
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Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 7:53 AM
To coincide with the arrival of the Royalty & Legacy expansion pack, the Lost Legacies event has taken over in The Sims 4. Throughout this event, there are many tricky missions to tackle, like finding and meeting the Royal Envoy.
Tracking down any specific Sim can be tough, but even more so when it's someone new, as you have no idea what she looks like or where she can be found. Getting to know this Sim is crucial if you want to start the event, though, so here's how to find and meet the Royal Envoy in The Sims 4.
Table of contents
Where to find Royal Envoy in The Sims 4
Upon starting week one of the Lost Legacies event, the Royal Envoy should spawn somewhere around the neighborhood of your current lot. Her exact location varies for everyone since it depends on where you are when you choose to begin playing the event.
Typically, she'll spawn along a sidewalk or on the outskirts of the lot. If you're at your home lot, look for anyone walking around out front. If you're on a community lot, hover over each of the Sims in attendance to search for the right one.
The Royal Envoy has her title listed in red letters over her right above her name when you hover over her, making her a bit easier to track down. Her real name is Marina Corsair, and she's got dark red hair and is wearing a black shirt with a lively green and yellow vest. Her attire and overall appearance are a bit more regal than most other Sims, so once you know what to look for, she should be fairly easy to spot.
If you search all around your current lot but cannot find her, click on your Sim and select the "Call Envoy to current lot" option. It's only available to use if the Royal Envoy is not in the nearby area, so if you don't see it, she's close to your current location and you'll have to keep searching until you find her.
Meet the Royal Envoy in The Sims 4
To complete the meet the Royal Envoy quest, you simply need to introduce yourself to this special event Sim. The tough part of this mission is tracking her down, as she wanders quite a bit and can be difficult to pinpoint. Once you locate her, select any type of introduction to check off this task.
The Royal Envoy hails from Ondarion, the world featured in the Royalty & Legacy expansion pack. Once you're done talking to her for the first time, the next event quests will unlock, allowing you to progress and get close to claiming those sweet free rewards.
If you're looking for a break from this event, there are plenty of other tricky tasks worth tackling. You might try finding all Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths, obtaining Magic Beans, completing the Not Mushroom for Error Fable, and locating the Peculiar Plumbird.
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Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 6:59 AM
The Finesse Shot playstyle has been one of the most overpowered options in FC 26, but players have run into a spot of bother.
There have been numerous reports of the playstyle being nerfed ever since EA Sports dropped the v1.4.2 update earlier on Feb. 4. Several players have stated how the Finesse Shot+ playstyle has completely stopped working as intended.
However, the true reason is something different.
Has EA Sports nerfed Finesse Shot+ in FC 26
As of writing, EA Sports hasn't nerfed the Finesse Shot+. The base variant is working as intended, and I have tested it. It's the playstyle+ that's not working as intended. I have properly reviewed the patch notes, and there's no instance of a nerf to the playstyle.
Any major change made by EA Sports is typically added ot the patch notes. The patch notes for v1.4.2 have no mention of nerfs to any playstyle+, let alone Finesse Shot.
There's no exact mention of why the Finesse Shot+ isn't working as intended. I firmly believe that it's a bug. I have tried spamming the Finesse Shot+ playstyle, and it appears to be working randomly. Sometimes, the shots proceed as intended and often result in a goal. Sometimes, there appears to be no power behind the shot. While the shot's path has the expected curve, the lack of power makes it easy for the opposition goalkeeper to save the attempt.
As I mentioned, this only seems to be happening with the playstyle+. While the icon (for Finesse Shot+) lights up as intended, the ineffectiveness of the shot will be pretty apparent. If this is a bug, expect it to be fixed soon.
As of writing, it's best to use cards that have other playstyle+, since using Finesse Shot can be problematic. You might be on goal and yet fail to score due to a possible bug. Cards with alternate playstye+ like Low-Driven, can be a good choice if you want to go full meta.
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Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 6:33 AM
I'll show you the best units in Anime Reversal for all roles as well as talk about the best traits for key units. The roles are Ground, Hill, Hybrid, Support and Farm. Here's my Anime Reversal tier list and unit guide.
Table of contents
Anime Reversal
The best units in Anime Reversal are currently the S and A-Tier Ground units since there are no flying enemies. Don't use Hill units at all and focus on getting Ruda, Red Hair and Ice Queen. Then focus on EVO-ing RedHair to Emperor and Awaken (see how below). SpeedCEO is always useful for farming gold in the background. Let's analyze all units individually below.
S-Tier Hybrid
S-Tier Ground
A-Tier Ground
B-Tier Ground
Hill
S-Tier Support
A/B-Tier Support
That's it for my guide on the Anime Reversal unit tier list. Check out our Anime Reversal codes for free goodies.
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Destructoid Wednesday, February 4, 2026 6:06 AM
The Trial Room puzzle in Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined can be a confusing one after you encounter it in the beginning parts of the game.
The Shadow Puzzle in the Trial Room is certainly trickier to complete since you're not told what needs to be done. However, the puzzle isn't as hard as you might think, and this guide will provide you with the detailed solutions.
Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined Shadow Puzzle solution
You'll find the Shadow Puzzle in Estard by taking the path that leads you to the entrance of the cave from Hermit's Cottage. Open the door and head inside, and you'll arrive in a room with a couple of statues. Both statues will have patterns on them, and there's a door in the right corner (with a hole in the middle). If you look straight, you'll find a brightly-lit shape on the wall in front of you (by the door with the hole).
To solve the puzzle, you'll need to create the same pattern shown on the wall in front of you. To do so, you'll need to use the statues. To create the pattern, we begin by moving the two statues.
Once you've moved the statues correctly, it should look like the image above. You'll notice that the pattern is still incomplete. To complete, move your chosen character up the steps and stand in front of the shadow. This completes the pattern and opens the locked door to the right.
Use the unlocked door to proceed further. You'll eventually reach the Trial Room, where you'll need to defeat the enemies to pick up the Yellow Tablet fragment. This completes the first trial; return to Hermit and discuss the results, and start your search for the remaining fragments.
The post How to complete Trial Room puzzle in Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined appeared first on Destructoid. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:55 AM According to an earnings report. The post Borderlands 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Version Development Has Been Paused appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:43 AM For Partner games. The post February Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase Announced appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
MonsterVine Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:00 AM My Hero Academia: All's Justice has some ambitious ideas for an arena fighter, though they're executed with mixed results. As a My Hero Academia 3D fighting game, All's Justice is rather enjoyable and features an impressive roster – it's just the singleplayer campaigns that struggle more, thanks to some peculiar design choices. My Hero Academia: […] |
MonsterVine Wednesday, February 4, 2026 10:00 AM Question has announced that The Killing Stone, its upcoming 17th-century occult horror deckbuilder, will now launch in Early Access on Steam on February 18, 2026. The narrative-driven card game was previously scheduled to release in full on that date, but the team opted to delay version 1.0 to further refine its story-heavy design based on […] |