For those looking forward to Netmarble's upcoming monster-taming action RPG MONGIL: STAR DIVE, the team has made a major update to its official website that expands both character and story content.
Bandai Namco announced its Bandai Candy brand will sell a blind box The Legend of Zelda Weapon Collection set of replicas. These will begin appearing in Japan on February 23, 2026. It will be 450円 (~$2.90) per box. There's no confirmed worldwide release yet, but items from this line often appear on the company's Amazon storefront or in Asian grocery stores. The product page also notes that Premium Bandai will sell a 10-piece set for ¥4,950 (~$31.80).
All of the items in this blind box set are based on equipment found in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom line. There are nine items total in the set, and each one arrives with a stand that features a label noting what kind of weapon is on display. Naturally, the Master Sword and Hylian Shield Link is known for are here, with the former available in sheathed and unsheathed formers. These three even include additional display parts so you can have the sword in a pedestal, be displayed with the full scabbard, or be shown with the shield in front of it. The other items include the Boulder Breaker, Great Eagle Bow, Lightscale Trident, Royal Claymore, Scimitar of the Seven, and Zora Longsword. Each item also comes with a piece of gum.
The Legend of Zelda Weapon Collection blind box replicas will appear in Japan starting on February 23, 2026, though we don't know if they'll also appear worldwide. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is on the Wii U, Switch, and Switch 2, and Tears of the Kingdom is available on the Switch and Switch 2.
A new Silent Hill game, not the remake of the first one, is in development at Konami. This is confirmed in the Japanese and English Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2025 report. This seems to be in addition to Silent Hill Townfall, which Konami also talked about. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
The pertinent information appears on the eighth page of the document in Japanese and ninth page in English. The company stated, "As a continuation of our ongoing efforts, we are currently developing a brand-new title in the Silent Hill series, as well as a remake of the first installment, Silent Hill." Konami already revealed the first game's remake in June 2025. Bloober Team, which made the widely successful remake of Silent Hill 2, is working on this as well.
Konami revealed Silent Hill: Townfall in 2022. Though the Annapurna resignations in 2024 worried fans that this additional installment would never come out, we received confirmation that same year that it will. However, there has not been concrete information on the game since then. Townfall still does not have a release window, and Konami also has not yet announced what platforms the game will appear on. If this "entry" is nothing more than Townfall, we at least know that Konami is still actively working on that game with Annapurna.
The most recent release in the long-running horror franchise was Silent Hill f, which takes place in Japan, rather than the titular town in the United States. Silent Hill f is readily available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC.
Sanrio and Baskin Robbins announced a Hinamatsuri sales event in Japan that involves ice cream in a hinadan stand box with Sanrio characters as hinakazari doll decorations. It will be available in stores starting on February 15, 2026, then run until the festival itself starts on March 3, 2026. It will cost 2,400円 (~$15.40).
This Sanrio characters Hinamatsuri set at Baskin Robbins doesn't include any special ice cream flavors or merchandise. You choose any five flavors of ice cream for the "bases" for the Emperor Cinnamoroll, Empress Hello Kitty, and court ladies My Melody, Usahana, and Kuromi. At the bottom of the box and display are Pompompurin, Tuxedosam, Pochacco, Keroppi, and Hangyodan as decorative court musicians.
Here's another photo highlighting how the full display will look. The Pompompurin, Tuxedosam, Pochacco, Keroppi, and Hangyodan decorations are tabs built into the box that pop out when displayed, while the Cinnamoroll, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Usahana, and Kuromi decorations are actually placed on top of the ice cream.
Image via Sanrio and Baskin Robbins
Baskin Robbins frequently offers these sorts of promotions in Japan with different series and companies. Ones based on the Super Mario series happen regularly. So do ones tied to different Pokemon characters. However, it's a bit more rare to see ones appear worldwide.
The Hinamatsuri Sanrio characters Baskin Robbins set will be available in Japan between February 15, 2026 and March 3, 2026.
Bandai Namco confirmed the next DLC characters for Tekken 8, and three of the stars of Season 3 will be Kunimitsu, Robert "Bob" Richards, and Roger Jr. All of them are returning cast members. The identity of the fourth is still a mystery. However, we do have release windows and teasers for the three confirmed folks in a new trailer for the latest entry in the fighting game series.
The first part of the Season 3 pass actually doesn't involve characters. The Aurora Outfit Pack is part of it. That appears to feature costumes for Jin, Lili, and Panda. That appears on February 10, 2026.
The extra Tekken 8 DLC characters will start rolling out in late Spring 2026, as a version of Kunimitsu will debut at that point. The teasers for the character make it seem like this is actually Kunimitsu II, who appeared in Tekken 7, rather than her mother who was the original character. Bob will follow her in Summer 2026. He first debuted in Tekken 6. Roger Jr's turn comes in Autumn 2026, following his debut in Tekken 5 when he replaced the original Roger. The final character appears in Winter 2026. A new battle stage will also be part of this pack, though details about it aren't available yet.
Here's the announcement trailer for Season 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSbCMA9Nevk
Tekken 8 is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Season 3 DLC character run will begin in late Spring 2026 with Kunimitsu II joining the cast.
Starsand Island, a new farming and life sim from Sparkle Lab, is about to enter early access on two platforms. People on PC and the Xbox Series X will get to start playing it on February 11, 2026. Others will need to wait until Summer 2026, as the 1.0 launch that includes the Switch 2 and PS5 won't happen until then.
Ahead of the reveal, Seed Sparkle Lab did explain what will be part of early access on Steam. All four seasons will be present. People will be able to go through the professions' beginner and expert tasks, which will include 100 kinds of crops, 10 species of animals for ranching, over 100 kinds of marine life, 15 NPCs in town, bows as weapons, and the ability to craft machines and tools for farming, logging, and mining. More parts of the island are available, which includes three new spots to live. However, things like dating and multiplayer won't be present until 1.0. It is unknown if the My Time at Portia crossover will be present in early access.
There's also a Starsand Island early access trailer, and that highlights some of the things we can expect from the initial PC and Xbox Series X launch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G7ps4PEp_M
Here are the exact launch times for Starsand Island early access worldwide.
Image via Seed Sparkle Lab
Starsand Island will enter early access for the PC and Xbox Series X on February 11, 2026. A full launch that also includes Switch 2 and PS5 versions is set for Summer 2026.
Upcoming sci-fi title Menace could be a fun game to try out, especially if you love turn-based tactical battles.
Developed by Overhype Studios, Menace is made by the same folks who gave us Battle Brothers. This guide will help you keep track of the upcoming launch if you're interested in trying the game out.
Menace will go live worldwide on Thursday, Feb. 5. It will be exclusively available on PC due to its (likely) early access state. The following countdown will expire once it goes live.
[hurrytimer id="1174307"]
The countdown above is based on the following timings.
6am PT
8am ET
9am CT
2pm UTC
3pm CET
The timings mentioned here are based on the information available on SteamDB. Any change will be duly updated in this guide. As of writing, there's no way to pre-order Menace, but you can wishlist it on Steam.
What to expect from Menace
Menace puts you in charge of a band of marines, mercenaries and criminals in a distant system cut off from the core Worlds. Your 'army' will have to faceoff against warlords, corrupted organizations, and governments to gain the upper hand.
The core gameplay will center around a turn-based tactical approach, which is pretty similar to Battle Brothers. However, the theme and change of environment will need you to adjust your tactics accordingly. While you won't be fighting directly on the field, every decision depends on you. From choosing requests to sending dispatches to control what your army does on the field - everything depends on you.
It will be interesting to find out if Menace could turn out to be one of the best tactical turn-based titles in 2026. It has been sometime since we have had a big hit in this genre.
Grip is arguably the most important attribute in Cairn as it determines how easy or hard your climb will be.
Extra grip is an additional boost that you can apply during your climb. Ideally, you would want to use the boost while climbing the harder mountains. Unlike almost all other boosts in Cairn, extra grip isn't obtained from food.
This guide will explain everything you need to know.
Extra grip determines how many difficult grabs Aava can make before she slips. The boost allows Aava to hold on to surfaces that are usually not grabbable. This can be immensely beneficial as that extra layer of grip will prevent her from falling down.
Moreover, extra grip only works with her hands. Your feet play no role, and you'll need to balance Aava's lower limbs carefully. To use extra grip on your climb, you'll need chalk.
Screenshot by Destructoid
How to use chalk in Cairn
You can use chalk any time, given you already have it. You can use the d-pad to get the chance to apply chalk. Once Aava rubs the chalk on her hands, the Extra Grip boost becomes active immediately.
Naturally, you're going to need more chalk. The easiest way to do so is to compost with your Climbot. Once you can open the backpack, select what you want to compost. This will make the Climbot start a timer. Once the timer is over, your compost is complete, and the selected item gets converted into chalk.
The best items to choose from will be plastic wrappers from your food. You'll find these items pretty frequently, so turning them into chalk is pretty great. As an alternative, you can also send other waste materials into compost.
While chalk is pretty easy to make, you have limited space in your bag. Hence, use chalk as and when required. Wasting it early will prevent you from using it when you require it the most.
Ultimate Gauntlet 10 has arrived in FC 26 Ultimate Team, meaning you can use your different squads to grind various rewards.
The format of the latest Gauntlet is exactly the same: play up to three matches every round, and try to win as many as possible. You'll be rewarded based on your games played, goals scored, and wins (for the extra bonus).
Let's look at all the available rewards.
How to get all Ultimate Gauntlet 10 rewards in FC 26
The table below has complete information about every available reward and what you need to obtain them.
Tasks
How to Complete
Rewards
Play 1
Play 1 match in Ultimate Gauntlet 10.
81+ Rare Gold Players Pack x3
Play 2
Play 2 matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 10.
82+ Rare Gold Players Pack x3
Play 3
Play 3 matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 10.
80+ Rare Gold Players Pack x5
Score in 3
Score at least 1 goal in 3 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 10 to earn an EVO Consumable. All EVO details can be previewed.
Evolution
Score in 5
Score at least 1 goal in 5 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 10.
81+ Rare Gold Players Pack x5
Score in 6
Score at least 1 goal in 6 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 10.
83+ Rare Gold Players Pack x3
Score in 7
Score at least 1 goal in 7 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 10.
85+ Rare Gold Players Pack
Score in 9
Score at least 1 goal in 9 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 10.
84+ Rare Gold Players Pack x2
Score in 11
Score at least 1 goal in 11 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 10 to earn an EVO Consumable. All EVO details can be previewed.
Evo Unlock
Completing the full set also gets you a 2x 86+ Rare Gold Players Pack as the final reward. This week's Gauntlet doesn't feature a special card, which is a bit disappointing. However, you get some excellent free evolutions along with a bunch of fodder. Hence, make sure to complete all the tasks before the objective expires next week.
The Up in the Air Evolution is a free upgrade you can use in FC 26 Ultimate Team to improve a card of your choice.
While the upgrades could have been better, it's a free option. So, let's look at the best candidates for this evolution based on the upgrades and requirements.
Here are the requirements for Up in the Air Evolution in FC 26.
Overall: Max 86
PlayStyle: Max 10
Not Rarity: World Tour Silver Stars
Not Position: GK
FC 26 Up in the Air Evolution upgrades
Up in the Air has only two levels of upgrades. To obtain the boosts, you'll need to complete specific tasks.
Level 1 upgrades
Overall: +1 | 87
Heading Acc.: +8 | 90
Jumping: +8 | 90
PlayStyles: Aerial Fortress | 7
Level 2 upgrades
Finishing: +5 | 88
Positioning: +5 | 87
Strength: +8 | 87
PlayStyles: Precision Header | 7
Level 1 upgrade requirements
Play 1 match in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO player.
Level 2 upgrade requirements
Play 2 matches in Squad Battles on min Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO player.
Best players for Up in the Air Evolution in FC 26
You can include a wide variety of items in this evolution. This is strictly a chain evolution, so that has been kept in mind for the following considerations.
Eric Dier Winter Wildcards
Bouaddi Future Stars
Grawe Future Stars
Zagadou Winter Wildcards
Espino Time Warp
Dante Time Warp
Patrick Vieira Winter Wildcards
Julian Ryerson Winter Wildcards
Elliot Anderson Winter Wildcards
Vitor Reis Future Stars
While the boosts are available for free, they could have been more significant considering the current stage of the power curve.
Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, while well-received critically and by fans, sold over 1 million copies, falling short of Sega's expectations. The company plans to support ongoing sales through downloadable content.
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Monday, February 2, 2026 1:59 PM
I'm going to use my valuable intro space to say: Amazon, if you can, please reupload the Bad Bunny concert you streamed for a single day only while I was travelling. I'd really appreciate it. Please reupload the Bad Bunny concert "No me quiero ir de aquí: Una Más" so I can watch it. I'd […]
NaissancE developers Limasse Five have released a big update for SenS, their early access open world spelunking game in which you search an enveloping Structure for Unique Places, tools and artefacts. The ExistencE of SenS is news to me, despite it being very much my cup of ImpossiblE ArchitecturE.
Launched on Steam in 2022, it's a work of torqued cuboids, sunken pockets of city, and vaguely fractal fissures. While there are no living or active threats, as far as I can tell, you do have to worry about traps and Unstable Zones - "simple or even abstract architectural structures at the beginning, but getting more complex, vast and labyrinthine the further you go." Unstable Zones change in the dark. So you'll need to use Luces - glowballs - and other tools to solidify paths and access points.
Team Fortress 2 Classified is out now on Steam, the mod having finally earned Valve's blessing after a bit of a tizzy with its former name of Team Fortress 2 Classic. That makes it an easy one-click job to install, assuming you have the original TF2 installed, and it's a fine piece of modding work in general: inspired by the shooter's past without being beholden to nostalgia, while expanding itself with restored modes and weapons that Valve left on the cutting room floor.
Mark's on holiday today, which means we can't do our usual thing of workplace-bullying him into writing about Fallout 76 while we sit around in wingback chairs drinking Glenfiddich. But if he were here, he'd surely be thrilled to note this PCGN interview with Bethesda Game Studios creative director Jon Rush, who says he hopes the multiplayer RPG can become "thicker" in 2026. Oh my.
The Final Fantasy XIV Online Store is now selling a new FFIX crossover costume called Battlefield Rose's Attire that lets FFXIV players dress as General Beatrix. It costs $12 to get it in the MMORPG, and it arrives as the Valentine's Day 2026 Valentione's Day event starts for active subscribers.
This is a single-character outfit when purchased. It is not limited by gender, so anyone of any race could wear it. Square Enix's screenshots even show how the FFIX Beatrix Battlefield's Rose's Attire costume would look on an Elezen, Lalafell, Miqo'te, and Viera. It can also be dyed. Someone who buys the Battlefield Rose's pack gets the coat, eyeguard, manicae, sollerets, and tights. The eyeguard is considered a head item, so you can't wear anything else on that part with it.
Here's how it looks:
Images via Square Enix
This is the second FFIX outfit to appear in FFXIV in 2026. The first was a costume inspired by Garnet. That was called Humble Attire. Only these two are available so far, and we haven't seen ones inspired by characters like Zidane or Vivi yet. Ones based on multiple FFX folks have showed up, however.
As for Valentiones Day, that runs February 2-16, 2026. The quest is called "The Icing on the Cake." Going through it gets someone the Cozy Valentione Beret, Cozy Valentione Cardigan, Cozy Valentione Slacks, Comfy Valentione Beret, Comfy Valentione Cardigan, Comfy Valentione Skirt, Cozy Valentione Shoes, Valentione Chair, Valentione Round Table, Valentione Rug, Rolanberry Valentione Cake, Valentione's Day MMXXV Advertisement, and the Orchestrion Rolls for "Affection Confections," "Flavors of the Heart," and "A Heartfelt Finish."
Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, Valentione's Day takes place between February 2-16, 2026, and the FFIX Beatrix costume is available via the FFXIV Online Store.
Shift Up promised two Goddess of Victory: NIKKE crossovers in 2026, and it revealed one of them will involve the anime seriesLycoris Recoil. Only a teaser image is available at the moment, and it seems to promise that both Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue will be present. We'll know more for certain as the event date draws nearer, as it will start on February 12, 2026.
The official announcement included art showing off characters from the anime and the game, as well as some trademark elements from the series. Chisato and Takina are front and center. The hacker Kurumi is on the left, suggesting she could be the free SR unit given away during the event. The lycoris flowers also appear in the background. All three Cafe Sweety NIKKEs also showed up in the art too, with Frima, Milk, and Sugar there.
We've seen a number of Goddess of Victory: NIKKE anime crossovers before the Lycoris Recoil one. Evangelion showed up multiple times, with additional characters showing up each time. Chainsaw Manand Re:Zerofolks also showed up during special events.
Goddess of Victory: NIKKE is available on the PC and mobile devices. Lycoris Recoil light novels and manga are handled outside Japan via Yen Press, while the anime is on Crunchyroll. The crossover event between the two will show up on February 12, 2026.
For the first time, Gen Urobuchi will team up with Kenichi Suemitsu to bring Saya no Uta as a readers theater performance. You'll be able to catch it between June 4 and 14, 2026 at the Sogetsu Hall in Akasaka, Tokyo. [Thanks, PR Times!]
Gen Urobuchi is a writer whose notable works include Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero, and Psycho-Pass. He also wrote Saya no Uta in 2003, and it's a horror eroge visual novel that's become well known for its themes, quality, and graphic content. Kenichi Suemitsu is a playwright and scriptwriter who worked on the Stage: Touken Ranbu and TRUMP series stage plays.
The cast for the performance is full of popular young actors and actresses. Here is the cast for the Saya no Uta readers theater performance:
For Fuminori and Saya, the cast is listed in alphabetical order, not the order they will appear on stage. If there's a particular Fuminori or Saya you want to see, you can check out the schedule via the official website. Tickets will cost 10,500 JPY ($67.80). Advance sales are between February 9 and 17, 2026. If you miss that window, you can get the tickets starting from March 14, 2026.
The Saya no Uta readers theater show will appear at Sogetsu Hall in early June 2026.
While the wait for Dragon Quest XII continues, Square Enix has kept the fires burning for the Dragon Quest series by remaking some of the earlier entries. First, the legendary Dragon Quest III was given the HD-2D treatment while largely retaining its original structure. Next, Dragon Quest I & II underwent a similar process while also dramatically expanding on the sparser bones of those pioneering RPGs. While one might have expected Dragon Quest IV to be the next game to be reissued, Square Enix decided to hop ahead to the PlayStation Dragon Quest game, Dragon Quest VII. We've had plenty of time to spend with Dragon Quest VII Reimagined to see what its new take has to offer players both returning and new.
At the time Dragon Quest VII first released on the original PlayStation back in 2000, its five-year development time seemed quite lengthy. In Japan, expectations and anticipation ran equally high. The game met and exceeded that hype by most measures, going on to become the highest-selling PlayStation game in the region. When the game arrived in North America just over a year later, it was facing a very different situation. With Enix's original American offices having closed early in the 16-bit era, the mainline series hadn't seen a localized release since 1992. Dubbed Dragon Warrior VII for the West, the game struggled with being a humble-looking PlayStation RPG in a post-PlayStation 2 world.
Screenshot via Siliconera
Those who tackled the game came away with varying thoughts on it. Dragon Quest VII is a lengthy game relative to other RPGs of its era, with a slow initial build-up and lots of ways to get hopelessly far off-track. Its focus on a series of smaller vignettes over a strong over-arching plot ran against the popular grain of the genre at the time, and its systems could be rather complex. Some people loved these aspects, while others found themselves bouncing off of the game. When Square Enix made its first attempt at remaking the game via Dragon Quest VII for Nintendo 3DS, it attempted to address some of these issues. While preserving virtually all of the same events and most of the systems from the original, it was a brisker affair due to various additions and tweaks.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined goes further, and it's a very different game from the source material. It subtracts almost as much as it adds, and at times it feels like the opposite of what we saw with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. It's a take that wants you to get lost less often and get to the exciting bits faster. Instead of the humble look of the original or using a throwback style, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined opts for a more modern presentation with diorama-like visuals. Its glasses are off, its hair has been styled up, and it's in the best threads it could find. Can it finally be the star of the prom?
Screenshot by Siliconera
It's a smoother experience than the previous versions of Dragon Quest VII. Many rough edges have been significantly sanded off, and a strong effort was made to reduce friction as much as possible. Getting lost is nearly impossible, as the game will always point you to where you need to go next. Important items will be marked on your map. You'll have your first battle much sooner. The job system is functioning right from the start of the game, though it still takes a little while before you can fully play around with it. Chunks of the world and the scenarios that go with them have been omitted. As an exchange, some things have been added to the story too. This is a version of Dragon Quest VII trying its hardest to please the crowd.
Stepping back from my own personal feelings, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is without question a good RPG. It's very smooth to play, and I think its snappier pace makes for a more immediately appealing adventure. Yet I can't help but feel it has sacrificed a lot of its original identity to achieve all of this. Newcomers will likely enjoy what they find here, and the fact that it's so different from the previous versions means that returning players have a reason to play it as well. It's an abridged take on the game, for better or worse, but it's certainly a well-made one.
Nihon Falcom CEO Toshihiro Kondo teased at Taipei Game Show 2026 that his company is working on more new games in 2026, which include a brand-new IP game and a sequel entry to Tokyo Xanadu. Falcom is also preparing a major reveal in February 2026. [Thanks, GNN and Game*Spark!]
Kondo noted that the 45th anniversary of Nihon Falcom will fall in March 2026. One of the games that Falcom is known to be working on is Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter. Kondo also confirmed developments for sequels to Trails Beyond the Horizon, Tokyo Xanadu, and Ys. In addition, the company president teased that Falcom is working on a brand-new game that does not belong to any existing franchises.
The mention of the new Xanadu game confirms that the project Falcom revealed in March 2024 is still in the works. The new game taking place in Kyoto will mark the 10th anniversary of Tokyo Xanadu, which Falcom released first for PlayStation Vita in September 2015. Meanwhile, the sequel to Trails Beyond the Horizon is slated to cover its conclusion arc.
As a side note, GungHo has also uploaded a new gameplay trailer for Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09CpH5vaZKM
One of the new games Nihon Falcom is working on is Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, which will be available worldwide for PS5, Switch, Switch 2, and PC in Fall 2026. Falcom will have a major game reveal event in February 2026.
The Up in the Air Evolution is a free upgrade you can utilize in FC 26 Ultimate Team to improve a card of your choice.
While the offered upgrades could have been better, it's a free option. Let's look at the best candidates for this evolution based on the offered upgrades and requirements.
Here are the requirements for Up in the Air Evolution in FC 26.
Overall: Max 86
PlayStyle: Max 10
Not Rarity: World Tour Silver Stars
Not Position: GK
FC 26 Up in the Air Evolution upgrades
The Up in the Air has only two levels of upgrades. To obtain the boosts, you'll need to complete specific tasks.
Level 1 upgrades
Overall: +1|87
Heading Acc.: +8|90
Jumping: +8|90
PlayStyles: Aerial Fortress|7
Level 2 upgrades
Finishing: +5|88
Positioning: +5|87
Strength: +8|87
PlayStyles: Precision Header|7
Level 1 upgrade requirements
Play 1 match in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO player.
Level 2 upgrade requirements
Play 2 matches in Squad Battles on min Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO player.
Best players for Up in the Air Evolution in FC 26
You can include a wide variety of items in this evolution. This is strictly a chain evolution, so that has been kept in mind for the following considerations.
Eric Dier Winter Wildcards
Bouaddi Future Stars
Grawe Future Stars
Zagadou Winter Wildcards
Espino Time Warp
Dante Time Warp
Patrick Vieira Winter Wildcards
Julian Ryerson Winter Wildcards
Elliot Anderson Winter Wildcards
Vitor Reis Future Stars
While the boosts are available for free, they could have been more significant considering the current stage of the power curve.
When the first season of Black Ops 7's Ranked Play ladder begins this week, reinforcements will be in place in the battle against cheaters and hackers.
Call of Duty's RICOCHET Anti-Cheat will have "a stronger form of remote, cloud-based attestation" ready to go when season two of BO7 begins on Feb. 5, which Activision describes as an "additional layer" of detection that "works before a match begins and builds on existing TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements, setting a new industry standard for security."
Image via Activision
"This approach verifies PC integrity using Microsoft Azure Attestation, directly countering attempts to bypass system-level protections," Team RICOCHET said. "It's the most robust attestation technology available in gaming, and bringing it first to Ranked Play helps ensure competitive matches are won on merit. These added protections help stop cheating before a match even begins, so games feel fair from the start."
In addition to this new layer, RICOCHET will be targeting players who use unapproved third-party devices to gain an edge, like Cronus Zen or XIM Matrix adapters, which the company said "are cheating tools, even if they masquerade as accessibility devices."
"These devices provide unfair advantages that exploit aim assist and make players question whether they're losing to a stronger competitor or to a cheater," Team RICOCHET said. They disrupt fair play, and they're a violation of Activision's Security and Enforcement policy."
Activision said that accessibility is important in CoD, but "these devices are not here to help with accessibility," claiming instead that "they exist to give cheaters an edge over players competing fairly, and that does not align with our standards for fair play."
Just like any modern online game, CoD has struggled with cheaters and hackers over the past few years, especially in the free-to-play Warzone mode, but not at all for lack of effort. RICOCHET sees updates constantly, and Activision has gone to the source by suing and shutting down multiple cheat providers over the last few years in its efforts to provide a fair experience. But these cheats are always evolving, and so, too, must the anti-cheat.
Image via Activision
For all the info on RICOCHET's changes ahead of season two launching on Thursday, check out today's post on theCoD blog.
If you think you've mastered the art of ghost hunting in Phasmophobia, you may be ready to put your skills to the test. Weekly challenge modes are a great way to find out just how good you are.
These special trials modify how the game works, usually with rules that make the experience a lot harder. Successfully finishing the challenge gets you plenty of XP and cash, so it's well worth the effort. Here's the weekly challenge in Phasmophobiaand everything you need to know to beat it.
From Feb. 1 to 8, the weekly challenge is Frostbitten in Phasmophobia. In this challenge, extreme cold has taken over, making both you and the ghost much slower than usual. There are a couple of extra modifiers alongside this one, but moving slower is the main one.
How to complete the weekly challenge in Phasmophobia
To finish the weekly challenge mode in Phasmophobia, you need to correctly identify the ghostpresent on the featured map three times. The specific changes present in each trial mode vary, but your goal is always the same.
All Frostbitten weekly challenge modifiers in Phasmophobia
This challenge mode has several specific rules that modify the way the contract functions. Here are all the key details you need to know.
This is one of the trickier challenges you can attempt in Phasmophobia, so here are some of the best tips you can employ to help you get it done.
Be wary of early hunters. There's no setup time in this one, so it's possible, although unlikely, that you may be hunted as soon as you step on the map. Try to get Crucifixes down around the ghost room as soon as possible to deter this and also ensure you're always ready to run or hide as needed.
Learn Camp Woodwind's layout. Since it's an outdoor map, it's tough to investigate. Learn the map layout beforehand to make this process easier. You can explore it in a custom match with the friendly ghost option turned on, so you don't have to worry about hunts.
Loop around the map. Camp Woodwind is essentially one giant circle, so you can generally loop around it endlessly to escape the ghost during hunts. Focus on breaking line of sight with the ghost as you go to ensure it can't catch you.
Don't use temperature to find the ghost. It's snowing, and the fuse box is broken in this trial, so your temperature readings will be way off. Use a different method, like placing sensors or an EMF Reader, to pinpoint the ghost's location. Once you've found the right room, you can then use the Thermometer to check for freezing temperatures.
Play with friends. Your odds of success are a lot better with allies helping you through this tricky trial. With additional ghost hunters at your side, you can explore the map more quickly, work together to gather evidence, and continue the investigation even if you perish.
Don't give up. Since all equipment is provided for free, there's nothing to lose in this challenge. Because of this, you can keep trying without worrying about losing money or equipment. Give each contract your all and keep at it until you get it done.
Make an educated guess. Some ghosts are just easier to identify than others, so luck plays a large role in how easy or tough this trial is. You should always make a guess before you leave, then reroll to try again, even if you have no idea what the correct ghost type is.
When does the challenge mode change in Phasmophobia?
The challenge mode changes every Monday at 12am UTC, which translates to 6pm CT every Sunday. You have a full week to tackle each challenge mode when it's available. All challenge modes return regularly since they're on a rotating schedule, so if you don't get to finish one, you can always try it again in the future.
Next weekly challenge mode in Phasmophobia
The next weekly challenge mode, which will run for a full week from Feb. 8 to 15, will be Do As I Command. This challenge mode will begin as soon as this week's featured one ends.
All weekly challenge modes in Phasmophobia
Screenshot by Destructoid
There are 26 challenge modes in Phasmophobia. A different one is available to complete each week, and the challenge order stays identical, so it's easy to know which one is coming next. Here are all of the challenges you may face in Phasmophobia.
Name
Description
Map
Lights Out!
Get your candles at the ready, all the lights are out!
6 Tanglewood Drive
Speed Demons
There must be something in the air, everyone's going crazy!
Maple Lodge Campsite
Detectives Only
Put your detective skills to the test, this ghost is giving nothing away!
42 Edgefield Road
Hide and Seek: Seeker
There's a very quiet ghost hiding somewhere, can you find it?
Some of our equipment has stopped working, hopefully this'll be enough for you to see.
42 Edgefield Road
Deja Vu
This one feels pretty nostalgic, don't you think?
6 Tanglewood Drive
Tag! You're It!
This ghost will chase you immediately, better get running!
Brownstone High School
Special challenge modes in Phasmophobia
In addition to the regular challenge modes that rotate in and out on a consistent basis, there are also sometimes special challenge modes that have only ever appeared once and left the rotation afterward. These trials are generally designed for testing out features that are new at the time, like fresh equipment and maps.
The best innate technique in Sorcerer Ascent depends on whether you're going for PVP or PVE so I will rank them for these two modes separatly. Clans on the other hand depend on whether you're investing stats for a melee/weapon build or a cursed energy damage build. Here are two Sorcerer Ascent tier lists for best innate technique and best clan.
You get access to you innate technique by progressing the main story past Jujutsu High, finishing the CT unlock quest. The best techniques in Sorcerer Ascent are displayed above and I've explained the ranking reasons below for both PVE and PVP. Note that you can progress just fine by using the None innate technique since you can focus on melee skills and energy coating but this tier list assumes you're going for a cursed energy damage build.
How to Unlock Domain Expansion: Reach Level 105 and talk to Kusakabe who will give you a quest for your Domain. You'll need maximum mastery of your innate technique as well as a:
Soul Swap Stone: Drops Luck 1/2/3 boxes, Travel Merchant as well as Soldier Group, Skitterface Group and Flies Group in World Events.
Domain Expansion Essence: Drops from Luck boxes, World Events like Gloomhorn Curse (105+) and Grasshopper Curse boss (85+).
How to Get Soul Points (CT Reroll): The best way to farm Soul Points is from Raids but you can also get them from Luck boxes and codes.
Innate Technique PVP/PVE Ranking Explanations
Innate Technique
PVP & PVE Ranking Explanations
Disaster Plants Special
PVP S-Tier • PVP has a ton of competition for the best moveset and DP is a strong contender due to stuns • There are a lot of stuns here like Flower Field and moves that you cannot combo break/vent from • This means that you have some of the best combo starters for damage that you can repeat each time the stun move is off cooldown
PVE S-Tier • Tons of AOE and damage in this moveset for Raids • Plus you have CE regen with domain for infinite spamming
Disaster Flames Special
PVP S-Tier • Scales incredibly well with stats for massive damage output that will one shot players with a combo • All the moves do insane damage but requires a ton of stat investment and a CT damage boost clan to be good • Not as great as other CTs in terms of stunning but makes up for it in damage
PVE A-Tier • Put it A since it's bad early but much stronger later so it's not beginner-friendly • That said it deals a ton of damage against enemies and bosses once you invest a lot into curse technique damage
Blood Manipulation Special
PVP A-Tier • Deals great damage and has good combos but it has slow windups • Experienced players will dodge your moves and then punish you • This means that you have to kite with your ranged moves and learn combos and timing to offset the slow wind ups • Still pretty great in PVP thanks to the Choso clan's Stack move upgrade for excellent mobility
PVE S-Tier • The slow wind-ups matter less in PVE so you can make full use of the high damage • You can play pretty safe against bosses with your ranged moves
Cursed Speech Glorius
PVP S-Tier • This is one of the best PVP movesets that's also very skill dependent • All the moves deals a ton of damage in PVP • Most of them also go through blocks • You just have to learn to aim them well
PVE S-Tier • Same reasons but mostly because of high damage
Straw Doll Glorius
PVP S-Tier • Really annoying and opressive to fight against • You just have to land the steal hair move • Then you can kite them and spam damage moves
PVE A-Tier • Not as opressive in PVE but still good DPS
Ratio Glorius
PVP A-Tier • Incredibly flexibile for both PVP and PVE • Incredibly fast • Lots of dashes for mobility • Excellent chip damage for a hit and run playstyle
PVE A-Tier • Not as strong in PVE as it is in PVP but still better than the lower tiers
Explosive Flesh Epic
PVP B-Tier • It's a hit or miss in PVP since it can either be quite powerful or bad • The moves can be dodged by themselves since they have start-up lag • That said if you know how to M1 combo and can catch an enemy in a combo the moves deal a ton of damage
PVE A-Tier • Catching something in a combo isn't a problem in PVE so Explosive Flesh is one of the most beginner friendly PVE CTs • Massive damage for its rarity
Blazing Courage Epic
PVP B-Tier • Flame Roar is really good in PVP if you can land it • Otherwise the moves are difficult to land or combo into • They still deal great damage
PVE B-Tier • Decent DPS and better than lower rarities but not the best option when compared to the CTs above
Crystal Formation Rare
PVP C-Tier • Okay in PVP due to the counter but otherwise the main damage moves have start-up lag • You can deal decent damage and be pretty tanky with it though • Overall not the strongest option but quite usable
PVE B-Tier • Great tankyness and decent AOE damage • Beginner friendly • I prefer it over Earth Manipulation for PVP and PVE
Earth Manipulation Rare
PVP C-Tier • Overall weak due to slow moves and low damage
PVE B-Tier • It's decent and better than nothing but there are better options
Sorcerer Ascent Clan Tier List
Image by Destructoid
Determining the best clan in Sorcerer Ascent is much simpler than CTs because it's just the question of what build you're going for and then higher stats. If you're going for high stat investments into cursed energy damage go for Choso and go Itadori if you're maxing melee/weapon damage. The tier list includes great alternatives with lower stats but higher drop chances.
Common Clans: Common Clans don't give any bonuses.
How to Get Soul Points (Clan Reroll): The best way to farm Soul Points is from Raids but you can also get them from Luck boxes and codes.
Sorcerer Ascent Clans Overview
Clan
Clan Stats
Clan Notes
Choso Special
+20% CE Damage +10% Health +25% CE Replace "Flowing Red Scale" of "Blood Manipulation" innate technique to "Flowing Red Scale: Stack"
• The best clan for CE damage builds • You don't have to use Blood Manipulation though Stack is great mobility
Itadori Special
+30% Black Flash Damage +15% Health +18% PhyDamage Special Black Flash after 4 Black Flash in a row
• The best clan for melee/weapon builds • Check the FAQ below on how to Black Flash
Kamo Glorius
+20% CE Damage +15% CE +Chance to get Blood Manipulation Innate Technique
• The second-best CE damage build Clan • Best if you want to secure Blood Manipulation and then spin for Choso
Tsukumo Glorius
+15% CE Damage +5% CE
• Third-best Clan for CE damage builds
Nanami Glorius
+5% Physical Damage +10% Health +5% CE
• The third-best clan for melee/weapon builds
Inumaki Glorius
+10% CE Damage +5% Health +20% CE +Chance to get Cursed Speech Innate Technique
• Decent for CE damage builds • You mainly want it to get Cursed Speech which is an S-Tier Innate
Todo Epic
+10% Health +7% Physical Damage
• The second-best clan for melee/weapon builds
Kugisaki Epic
+5% CE +5% CE damage
/
Kusakibe Epic
+5% Health +5% CE
/
Nitta Rare
+3% CE Damage
/
Ino Rare
+3% CE
/
Sorcerer Ascent FAQ
What is the best PVE and PVP innate technique and clan in Sorcerer Ascent?
Disaster Plant, Cursed Speech and Straw Doll are the best PVP innates in Sorcerer Ascent due to combo potential while almost all of them are good for PVE. The best clan is Choso if you want to build for CE damage and Itadori if you want to build for weapon/melee damage.
How to get Soul Points/technique and clan rerolls in Sorcerer Ascent?
You get Soul Points from Raids, Luck boxes and codes.
How to get and use Blackflash in Sorcerer Ascent?
You get Black Flash from the Hanami boss in the Goodwill Exchange Event in Jujutsu High (Lvl 40+) by M1-ing the boss until you see spark effects. When you do keep M1-ing until you get the Black Flash skill. You can do it by equipping it, M1-ing until the Black Flash skillbar icon lights up red and then pressing the button you assigned it to. Then you have to press it again when the flame fills up to perform a Black Flash.
How to get a weapon in Sorcerer Ascent?
The most accessible way is from Hotagurawa boss/dungeons and the Nanami weapon from the Nanami boss.
How to get Domain Expansion?
Check the guide under the Innate Technique tier list.
Can you have multiple innate techniques?
No, you can have only one curse technique per slot.
That's it for my Sorcerer Ascent tier list and guide. Check out our Sorcerer Ascent codes for free rewards.
All around the Fortnite island, you'll encounter NPCs who need your help. One of these characters is Carina, and she's got quite a mystery for you to solve. To do so, you'll need to work through her quests.
Some of her tasks are rather tricky, and since they all fall under progressing one larger mission, it can be a bit tough to figure out how to work through them all. Finishing this quest series is crucial for keeping up with the main storyline, though, so here's how to uncover the mystery with Carina by completing her quests in Fortnite.
Uncover the mystery with Carina by completing her quests in Fortnite
Screenshot by Destructoid
To uncover the mystery with Carina, you need to complete seven of her missions to unlock the final stage in this quest series, which is another task you must tackle to officially finish the full series. There are eight Carina quests to choose from, so you can skip one and still get it done.
How to complete all Carina quests in Fortnite
Quest
How to complete
Damage opponents while airborne.
Deal 250 damage against enemies while airborne. You can deal this damage against hostile NPCs or enemy players. The easiest way to check off this task is by jumping frequently while you attack. If you manage to secure a boss Medallion, it's even easier to tackle with one, as you can activate it to gain low gravity, allowing you to stay in the air longer and thus dish out more damage while airborne.
Emote near or as Human Bill.
Find Human Billaround the island. Then, either emote while standing near him or defeat him in battle to claim his Medallion so you can emote as him. It's generally easiest to complete this task by emoting near him, as it's quicker and safer, but either method works. You only need to perform one emote to finish this quest.
Survive storm phases without taking storm damage.
Outlast 10 storm phases without taking any storm damage. This one is pretty easy to work on without much effort as long as you keep an eye on your map and swiftly move into the eye each time the storm shrinks.
Defeat one henchman. Track down a boss, like Human Bill or Beach Brutus, to find one. Henchmen can only be found near bosses. Once you've located a boss, look for the two NPCs hanging out near them, which are both henchmen. Strike at one of them with everything you've got to finish this quest. Attacking the henchman will make the boss and other henchmen angry with you, so be prepared for a big battle.
Hit opponents with the Holo Rush SMG.
Deal 50 damage against enemies using a Holo Rush SMG. Find a Holo Rush SMG by looting around the island. Once you have one, find an enemy player or hostile NPC like a boss or henchman to fight. Shoot at them using this weapon until you have done 50 damage.
Destroy objects at Tiptop Terrace or Battlewood Boulevard.
Travel to Tiptop Terrace or Battlewood Boulevard to destroy 25 objects. Visit Tiptop Terrace, which can be found near the northwest end of the island, or Battlewood Boulevard, which is near the south edge of the island. Once you're at either spot, start breaking anything you see. You can use your Pickaxe or a weapon of your choosing.
Reboot or hit players with a Reboot Van.
Reboot one player with a Reboot Van or hit one player using a Reboot Van. Track down a Reboot Van around the map, then use it to reboot an ally who falls in battle, or hop inside and drive it around until you find a player you can hit with it.
Damage opponents with Epic or better weapons.
Deal 500 damage against enemies using Epic or better weapons. You can deal damage against hostile NPCs, like bosses, or enemy players you encounter. The weapon you use to deal damage must be Epic or better, which means Purple for Epic, Orange for Legendary, or Gold for Mythic. Keep firing at foes using a weapon of one of these rarities until you've accumulated 500 damage against them. It will likely take a few fights against different enemies to finish this quest.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Once you've checked off seven out of the eight quests from this series, Carina's final mission for you will unlock. The last task asks you to confront Vengeance Jones or Heroic Hope about the Dark Voyager. You just need to have a chat with either character to get this one done, so the only tough part about it is tracking them down.
Vegeance Jones can be found at Lethal Labs, while Heroic Hope is hanging out over at Classified Canyon. Once you've found either character, interact with them and select the quest dialogue option to proceed. As soon as you're done chatting, all missions will be complete, which means you're officially done uncovering the mystery with Carina by completing her quests.
Mountain-climbing adventure Cairn has plenty of buffs and boosts to aid you on your ascent to the top of Mount Kami.
Paying attention to the buffs is necessary if you don't want Aava to fall. There are different ways to trigger these boosts, and this guide will explain what they do (so you know which buff to trigger).
All Cairn buffs and boosts explained
The table below explains every buff and boost and how they work.
Boost
What it does
Burst
Burst allows you to increase your movement speed. The movement buff applies while you walk, sprint, and climb.
Grit
Higher Grit allows you to take less environmental damage. This includes fall damage, damage from sprinting, and allows you to move better.
Grip
Grip allows you to have more stability with your hand and feet during your climb. You'll be able to exert more pressure on your hands and legs, and climb for a longer stretch of time.
Extra Grip
Same as Grip, but lasts for a longer time.
Focus
Focus allows you to regain stamina quicker. Faster stamina recovery allows you regain your condition quicker after a movement.
Strength
Increased Strength allows Aava to exert more pressure and force during a climb.
Stamina
Aava will need to take rest during a climb, and Stamina determines how often you'll need to stay still. When you boost Stamina, you need fewer breaks, allowing Aava to keep climbing for a longer time.
Temerature
The higher Aava climbs, the chillier it becomes. Boosting the Temperature will raise her resistance to cold and prevent all cold-related nerfs.
How to get buffs in Cairn
To get buffs, you'll have to rely on different foods and beverages (infusions). There is some basic stuff that you can buy from the Vending Machine. However, it's significantly better to cook food items and make infusions. The boosts you get from them have bigger impacts, and stay active for a longer period of time.
Happy Groundhog Day, everybody! It's the most menial, silly, and uneventful "holiday" of the year in the United States, but I love it.
For those outside of the states (or those unaware), every year on Feb. 2, the people of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, gather around to pull a groundhog out of his temporary home called Gobbler's Knob. And that's really about it! There's festivities, there's food, there's music and dancing, but it all revolves around the groundhog, and his name is Punxsutawney Phil.
Photo by Barry Reeger/AP
Phil has taken on a legendary, sort of mythical status, that this one fluffy rodent has been predicting the weather since the 19th century. Well, it's clearly not the same one; there have been several throughout the centuries. The idea is that if Phil "sees his shadow," he predicts six more weeks of winter. And if he doesn't, well, springtime weather is coming early. It's silly, it's nonsensical, and it's fun.
Anyway, I'm here today because of a movie of the same name, Groundhog Day, released in 1993. Starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, it has a simple but fun premise: "A cynical TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again when he goes on location to the small town of Punxsutawney to film a report about their annual Groundhog Day." It's an all-time classic romantic comedy, and Bill Murray is at some of his best. It's on Netflix, and you should watch it.
The movie itself pokes fun at the holiday and town of Punxsutawney for its silliness, but it's got a lot of heart. Through re-living the same day over and over again, Murray's character learns some lessons. And it got me thinking about some of the enjoyment I've gotten by playing and re-playing (over and over) some of my favorite games.
So in the spirit of this "holiday" and the movie that gave it a whole new meaning, these are the games that I love re-living again, and again, and again.
Final Fantasy VIII
Image via Steam
Go ahead. Talk your trash. I know a lot of people dislike FF8 for a variety of reasons, but I do not care. It is my first Final Fantasy game, and it's one I re-visit often. I played the original on PS1 (with all four of its discs) about a dozen times, and I've played the remaster a few more since.
I love the characters the most, I think. Squall, Rinoa, Zell, Quistis, Selphie, and Irvine bring me joy just thinking about them. Is it the best FF storyline? No way. Do most people hate the Junction and Guardian Force system, although I love it? Yep. FF8 feels like home to me, and even playing it again as an adult without the rose-tinted glasses, I love it. I see more of its faults, sure, but I still enjoy going back to it.
Simply writing about the game makes me want to play it again. And I want to see it remade one day, no matter how unlikely it may be, considering there are several others that probably deserve the honor more and would sell better as well. But I don't care. Catch me in Balamb Garden, stuffing hot dogs down my throat forever.
Resident Evil 2
Image via Resident Evil Wikia
While the RE2 Remake may have improved upon and surpassed the original in many ways for modern audiences, I still can't get enough of the OG. Way back in 1998, for my birthday, all I wanted was a PS1 and RE2. And, as a spoiled kid, I got them both.
I watched my uncle play the original RE1 years prior, and it scared the god out of me. And truth be told, I didn't finish RE2 until years later, because the zombies busting through the windows of Kendo's Gun Shop also scared the god out of me, and I couldn't sleep for days.
But eventually, I persevered, and I think this game is still a masterpiece. Leon A and Claire B, or Claire A and Leon B, matters not. Both scenarios are perfect and worth replaying. And when I do go back to play it (sometimes I even bust out my old PSP to re-play it, or even via the cloud on PS5), I have to do all four of them.
Marvel SNAP
Image via Steam
The only "modern" game on my list is one that I should probably consider a minor addiction at this point. I've played Marvel Snap on Steam and on my phone for thousands of hours since it launched in October 2022, and I don't see myself stopping any time soon.
Marvel Snap admittedly pisses me off quite a bit. The game has issues with balance, progression, and microtransactions, but I'm an absolute sucker for Marvel and card games, so this one has had me by the throat for a while. I start just about every day pedaling on an exercise bike while playing Snap, doing daily missions and ranking up, or just messing around with new decks. I can't stop, and I don't want to stop (most of the time, anyway).
Even if I'm not at my desk, Snap is a few seconds away on my phone when I'm out. And I spent more money on it in the past than I should have, I've tempered that spending, and stick with monthly season passes that keep me coming back constantly.
Metal Gear Solid
Image via Steam
When it comes down to it, Metal Gear Solid on the PS1 is still probably my favorite game of all time. It's a game I return to often to re-live the incredible voice acting, iconic boss fights, and memories that shaped me as the gamer I am today.
I have a ton of memories in MGS1, but this game gave birth to several more, including the rest of the series and just about everything else Hideo Kojima has done since (I have an Outer Heaven tattoo to showcase my love for the series). It means a lot to me, but even from an unbiased standpoint, MGS1 still stands the test of time as one of the best games ever made.
This is another game I can play just about anywhere, whether it's PS5, or even my Steam Deck thanks to the Master Collection that launched a couple years back. It's a quick game, beaten in just a few hours, but a lot of the time I like to sit back and let the Codec calls play.
The sound of Solid Snake's footsteps in the snow or on metal grated flooring is like ASMR to me. It's comforting. It's happy, and positive, and that's in short supply these days, so MGS1 is a game I will want to keep re-living forever.
Oh, did I mention that Groundhog Day is my birthday? And every year growing up, my mom used to ask me when I woke up, "did you see your shadow?" Yeah, I may be biased, but sharing the day with Phil is one of my favorite uninteresting tidbits about myself. Maybe I'll play some MGS1 or RE2 today for old time's sake.
And why not? Because Phil saw his shadow again this morning, meaning six more weeks of winter, so I may as well stay warm.
A life of solitude with your pet pig is thrown off course when a magic mushroom crash-lands on Earth. Forager by day, social recluse by night, Hermit and Pig must navigate society and help the townsfolk scrounge up some food, else chaos ensues.
It was an ordinary day for Hermit and Pig, who'd spend every morning scavenging for mushrooms and foraging truffles. That was until Mary showed up. After eating a blue mushroom (because why not?) Hermit and his only friend, Pig, journey into town and into the heart of a conspiracy that's quickly spiralling out of control. Everything wants to fight and talk to you. How will Hermit cope?
Hermit and Pig is a turn-based RPG focused on delivering a story-rich, compact narrative that is sure to bring a smile to those who journey with these wholesome companions. While the plot is rather generic and rarely expands beyond its surface, its story isn't the reason to keep playing.
The dialogue makes the game
Screenshot by Destructoid
Screenshot by Destructoid
Off the bat, it's clear Hermit and Pig has a distinct identity and so much character. Much like Frog Detective, Thank Goodness You're Here!, and Night in the Woods, Hermit and Pig is quirky, humorous, and packed with funny dialogue that keeps the adventure feeling light. Any form of tension is broken by light-heartedness, where the stakes continuously grow, but settle with comedic relief that tells us to never take what's happening too seriously. It's a pleasant reminder for those like myself, who struggle with social anxiety—that life truly isn't out to get you.
Screenshot by Destructoid
The dialogue and overall vibrant and cute art style immediately invite relaxation. Even without voice acting, every character has a distinct voice that's silly yet believable, and it strengthens the overarching story. The quirky characters and their interactions bring the otherwise still landscape to life. Quirkiness follows Hermit and Pig's dream sequences, which also remind me of Night in the Woods.
Keep moving, old friend
Screenshot by Destructoid
Hermit and Pig is very easy to digest with its design and core gameplay mechanics. The pacing and level design are simple but great, and the map is incredibly helpful at pointing out where you need to go without hand-holding. I'm not a huge side-quest fan and find it often breaks the immersion, but Hermit and Pig does a great job at blending quests together that it feels natural, fun, and certainly never tedious. It adds to the story's flow and makes backtracking engaging.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Screenshot by Destructoid
Screenshot by Destructoid
Hermit and Pig is packed to the brim with tiny details. Hermit holds quest items in front of him, he spreads his arms out to balance across wooden beams, pets Pig's head for 1HP, and sweats profusely when approaching a conversation. The soundtrack is awesome and very reminiscent of OG Crash Bandicoot. I almost feel tricked into enjoying Hermit and Pig for nostalgia is strong in this one, and I felt transported to my childhood while playing it.
Accessibility in combat
Screenshot by Destructoid
While this RPG lacks in secrets, there are Trinkets to find or barter, Mushrooms to cut, and Truffles to dig up. Speaking of core mechanics, Hermit and Pig has amazing combat options. Being able to simplify controls outside of changing the overall difficulty is an awesome feature I wish more games had. As enemy health bars get higher, the combat expands to give you new ways of fighting back, but it also means fighting gets easier. The UI is clean, and you have everything you could possibly need on the menu, which is super easy to navigate if you ever need a refresher.
Screenshot by Destructoid
I gave myself a disadvantage using a controller where the buttons didn't line up to what's shown on-screen, meaning I couldn't use any Special move at all without failing miserably (this is not a fault of the game). There is a slight learning curve with the arcadey fighting-game-inspired Combos and Specials that makes Hermit and Pig feel more like playing a WarioWare game than a Pokémon title, as reaction time and quick-thinking take precedent in every fight. Of course, you can remove the challenge altogether by either lowering the difficulty or simplifying the combat. Taking me seven hours to beat, I only felt the need to use Specials at the final boss fight, demonstrating Hermit and Pig's lacking difficulty.
Screenshot by Destructoid
There's also the Trinkets, Mushrooms, and Truffles. Trinkets give you combat buffs, Mushrooms act as healing or status effect items, and Truffles revive allies. There is a lot of RNG involved in fighting and logical thinking to figure out what attacks are effective, but I didn't find combat too much of a challenge, especially since I ignored Special moves (Granted, I did play on Normal difficulty). I'm sure, however, that Hermit the Pig isn't intended to be a difficult game.
Social anxiety simulator
Screenshot by Destructoid
Interestingly, you cannot outrun a single thing in this game (which is fitting as you're playing an elderly and anxious man). But Hermit and Pig is very forgiving and wants you to have fun—and fun you shall have. Save stations are found in abundance, meaning it's rare to go into a new fight with low health. It's highly unlikely you'll ever run out of Mushrooms, either, as you can get Pig to forage mid-fight, trade with vendors, or find them as you explore. I will say however, scripted fights should remove the Run feature as there's a moment in the game where I was meant to fight a bear but ran away, then NPCs immediately praised me for beating up a bear...
The anxiety aspect of this RPG is uniquely done with the socializing mechanic that behaves similarly to fight encounters. It breaks up the chaos of fighting with dialogue, where you must pick the most socially acceptable prompt, and you will lose 1HP for every time Hermit cringes at your words. While it's entertaining, it's also incredibly easy to complete these sections without losing any health, and they're always positioned near save points. I would have loved it if this mechanic had higher stakes, such as losing more HP, which then puts you at a disadvantage going into the next fight.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Though Hermit and Pig wants to deliver a story-rich experience, it is sorely lacking in replayability and is overall an easy game to beat if you disable the Combos mechanic. However, if you're looking for a cozy turn-based RPG that is a good time, then Hermit and Pig is an authentically entertaining experience from start to finish.
The first set of leaks for Team 2 of the Future Stars promo has started appearing online, and FC 26 players could expect some fantastic cards in the days to come.
EA Sports has remained tight-lipped about week two, and we have the first week of cards currently available in Ultimate Team. These cards will be replaced soon with the new additions, so let's look at which names are expected to be part of the promo.
The list of leaked players for now is small, but more names are expected to appear closer to the release.
Vuskovic
Pele
Antonio Silva
Dani Olmo
Doumbia
Of the leaked names so far, Doumbia and Olmo are expected to arrive as Flashback items. Like the first week, Team 2 will have special cards for active footballers and former legends. The cards released via SBCs and objectives will be easier to obtain as there's no element of luck. The Future Stars SBCs released so far have been significantly cheaper compared to what we had during TOTY.
FC 26 Future Stars Team 2 release countdown
Team 2 will directly replace the Team 1 cards, and they will be released on Friday, Feb. 6. The following countdown will expire once Team 2 cards are in packs.
[hurrytimer id="1174161"]
The countdown is based on the following timings.
10am PT
12pm CT
1pm ET
6pm UTC
7pm CET
This has been the usual pattern that EA Sports has followed when it comes to promo releases. It will be interesting to see which names get leaked and who eventually makes it to the full launch.
Each map you can battle on in Marvel Rivals has quite a few special achievements tied to the location, most of which are fairly tricky to figure out. One such achievement is Well, That Got Weird..., which is part of the Museum of Contemplation.
All achievements only give you the name and a very short description to work off, so it's generally fairly tough to determine what each one is asking of you. If this mission has you stumped, here's how to complete the Well, That Got Weird... achievement in Marvel Rivals.
How to complete Well, That Got Weird... in Marvel Rivals
Screenshot by Destructoid
To get the Well, That Got Weird... achievement in Marvel Rivals, you need to accidentally transform the Bats Mobile in the Museum of Contemplation. This can be done by helping the convoy reach the second checkpoint while on the attacking side at this location.
Accidentally transform the Bats Mobile in the Museum of Contemplation in Marvel Rivals
There are quite a few steps to accidentally transforming the Bats Mobile in the Museum of Contemplation so you can earn the Well, That Was Weird... achievement. If you're struggling to get this one done, here's a full step-by-step walkthrough to help you through it.
Play Quick Match or Competitive. You must be in a real match to work on this task, not Practice VS. AI or a Custom Game. For most achievements, it's generally best to stick to Quick Match so the stakes are less serious. This one, though, doesn't matter as much, as you don't have to stray from the main objective to get it done.
Visit the Museum of Contemplation. This achievement can only be completed while at this location, so you first need to have this location chosen. You cannot select where a round takes place, so luck plays a huge role here.
Be on the attacking team. You must be on the side that is pushing the convoy forward, which is the attacking side, rather than the side that is trying to stop it, which is the defending side. Again, this comes down to luck, as there's no way to determine which side you get. You'll know you're on the right side if you see the message "Escort the Bats Mobile to escape the Museum of Contemplation" in the upper left corner.
Push the convoy to the second checkpoint. The next step is to push the convoy all the way to the second checkpoint. You must make it to this point to have a shot at checking off this challenge. If your team doesn't manage to push it this far, you'll have to try again in another round. When you do manage to reach this checkpoint, you'll see the message "Arrived at Contemplator's Garden" pop up briefly. This checkpoint is also when you transition from being inside the museum to exploring the outside area beyond it.
Wait for the Bats Mobile transform. After passing through the door, the convoy will continue moving forward in the same form until it's no longer under cover, at which point it will transform from a bus into a Ducktor Strange inflatable.
Screenshot by Destructoid
As soon as you witness the convoy change forms while you're a member of the attacking team, you'll officially complete the Well, That Got Weird... achievement. You can see this transformation while on either team, but only members of the attacking team will actually get the trophy, so if you're not one, you'll have to keep trying until you are.
BitLife regularly challenges you to complete obscure and rare tasks. One of the tougher missions you may encounter, especially when working through challenges, asks you to get a restraining order.
While some quests are fairly easy to figure out on your own, others are complex, and getting a restraining order is one such feat. This isn't a feature you likely run into often while playing, so if you're struggling to figure out what needs to be done, here's how to get a restraining order in BitLife.
How to have a restraining order filed against you in BitLife
Screenshot by Destructoid
The easiest way to get a restraining order is to harass someone into filing one against you. This is easiest to do with your exes, but can be done in any relationship, whether it be friendly, romantic, or otherwise.
To get a restraining order filed against you, click on the person you want to have file one. Then, select the Stalk option frequently. You can also choose the Call and Message options alongside this, selecting negative options like arguing with them to help speed the process along. Keep stalking and otherwise bothering them as much as you can.
If you keep at it, you'll eventually get a pop-up letting you know that the person you've been bugging has filed an order against you. How long it takes to get this pop-up varies, but as long as you don't give up, you will get it eventually. The specific time frame of each restraining order varies, but they have the same effect, which means you'll be instructed to break all contact with the individual who filed it going forward.
Screenshot by Destructoid
How to file a restraining order in BitLife
Filing a restraining order against someone else is a fairly tough task in BitLife, as it can only be done when certain events unfold. Specifically, you must have an ex or stalker who refuses to leave you alone. When this happens, you'll get a pop-up asking if you want to file a restraining order against them.
There's no way to file a restraining order against someone outside of this specific type of event, so it's not a feature you'll be able to make use of very often. If you're working through a challenge that tasks you with getting a restraining order, the best way to do so is by having one filed against you, typically by harassing an ex until they've had enough of your antics.
Nioh 3 could be your next big adventure in 2026 as the upcoming title goes live very soon on PC and console.
The third instalment in the saga, developed by Koei Tecmo, is available for pre-order as of writing. This guide will help you keep track of the upcoming launch so that you can jump right in when it goes live.
Nioh 3 countdown
Nioh 3 goes live worldwide on Feb. 5 (Feb. 6 in some regions). If you're on console, the release date is on Feb. 6 since it will follow the regional launch schedule. The following countdown will expire once the game goes live.
[hurrytimer id="1174067"]
The countdown is based on the following timings.
5pm PT (Feb. 5)
7pm CT (Feb. 5)
8pm ET (Feb. 5)
1am UTC (Feb. 6)
2am UTC (Feb. 6)
This countdown is only applicable if you're planning to play Nioh 3 on PC. If you're on console, you'll need to wait for midnight in your region. This also means that the New Zealand method could get you a few extra hours of gameplay.
You can currently pre-order and pick between the Standard and the Digital Deluxe Edition. There's no advanced or early access, but the Digital Deluxe Edition offers the season pass that will include all post-launch DLC content. You also get a few extra purely cosmetic goodies. The main pull of the Digital Deluxe Edition is definitely the post-launch content (via the Season Pass).
If you're interested in checking out the game, a free demo is currently available. All your progress from the demo will carry over to the full launch, which is great. If you've already purchased Nioh 3, the demo will serve as your indirect advanced access.
Nioh 3 is just around the corner, but its character creator is already live, so we can spend untold hours crafting our perfect protagonist ahead of the actual launch.
We've compiled several of the most stunning characters made by the community so far, which, through the game's code system, can easily be shared and imported into any save game.
This character, made by user HealSlut_Soraka, is a woman with otherworldly eyes, crimson and almost serpentine. The tattoos hint at a potential Yakuza background, a rough upbringing, and a passion for violence, as well as deadly skill with the sword, though her solemn expression does suggest a kinder, more vulnerable side. It's incredible how much character-building can be done by sculpting the looks alone.
Nioh 1's protagonist was none other than William Adams, a real historical figure from old Britain who explored the world and somehow wound up in Japan. He became a Samurai, was the first British person in Japan, and ended up being a highly influential person in the country during the 1600s. Nioh bases a lot of its stories on actual events and utilizes many historical figures to tell its tales, so this recreation for Nioh 3 fits perfectly in context.
Of course, whenever a game has a character creator, people will flock to it to recreate real people or characters from other games. Thus, user Dusty_Tibbins made Venom Snake, the main antagonist of Metal Gear and the protagonist of the now memed-to-death Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain (when you can't even say... my name).
As with Venom Snake, it was almost guaranteed someone would try to recreate Witcher characters, and given Ciri's popularity in the wake of the upcoming The Witcher 4, this is unsurprising. The Ciri made by user nightE89 was labeled an "attempt," though I can guarantee that it'd be quite difficult to do much better than what they achieved here.
Fun and even ridiculous characters have become a staple of the Soulslike genre at this point. Just imagine what sort of ludicrous stuff people used to make in Dark Souls 1 and even the later games, because fidgeting with the sliders would produce wilder and wilder results the more you flicked them back and forth. The tradition continues in Nioh 3, with this Joker recreation being just as funny as you'd imagine.
Pain. Disease. Death. All unpleasant, yet all realities of the human condition. While the sciences have come a long way, the claims of those who practiced them were once much more ambitious and unwieldy. It might seem silly to consider reaching immortality through science, but in eras such as the one Dr. Daniil Dankovsky lived […]
Dragon Quest VII is a game about discovery and learning from the past. It makes sense that the first real 3D remake of a Dragon Quest game is Dragon Quest VII. But what did Square-Enix learn, and was it enough to sell a remake of a game that already has one? Dragon Quest VII Reimagined […]
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