Apr 11, 22:00


GamersHeroes Friday, April 11, 2025 6:55 PM
    

Players will be able to battle the fury of nature with Starward Industries' appropriately titled game Into the Fire - learn more with the latest gameplay trailer for the title.

The post Into the Fire Gameplay Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Friday, April 11, 2025 4:01 PM
    

Published by 11 bit studios and developed by Digital Sun, the world of Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault promises even grander adventures and deeper shopkeeping mastery when it launches this summer.

The post Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault Launching This Summer appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Friday, April 11, 2025 3:30 PM
    

Save the date, and get ready to alternate: 11 bit studios' highly anticipated title The Alters will launch June 13.

The post The Alters Launching June 13 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Friday, April 11, 2025 3:10 PM
    

The team at HoYoverse will welcome even more Proxies into the world of New Eridu with the official release of Zenless Zone Zero on both the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming this June.

The post Zenless Zone Zero Launching on Xbox This June appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Friday, April 11, 2025 2:13 PM
    

Bandai Namco and Club América are teaming up for an unforgettable partnership that will bring PAC-MAN experiences, exclusive gear, and unforgettable moments. 

The post Bandai Namco x Club América PAC-MAN Collaboration Announced appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Friday, April 11, 2025 5:10 PM
    

Good Old Games aka GOG is having a massive sale on a whole bunch of older PC games. Stuff like Deus Ex, Fear, Theme Hospital, Sim City 4, Fallout New Vegas and many more are part of the deal. But don't wait too long, as the sale ends on April 25.

Read more...


Kotaku Friday, April 11, 2025 5:00 PM
    

I say this apolitically: Things are about to be more expensive than they've ever been. While you're donating plasma and cashing coins in anticipation of the Switch 2 (by the way, what the actual hell is Nintendo doing right now?), we suggest you spend time settling in with some more modestly priced wares. That's what…

Read more...


Kotaku Friday, April 11, 2025 4:55 PM
    

I wake up in a metallic corridor harassed by little cyborg creatures that effortlessly go splat when I pull the trigger. A voice in my head rambles about death, civilization, and the violent heist I've been tasked to help with. After every grisly death, my synthetic body is reborn. A sprawling, AI-controlled city…

Read more...


Kotaku Friday, April 11, 2025 3:55 PM
    

The Star Wars universe has expanded into LEGOs, animation, The Muppet Show, and even figure skating. Now, the storied franchise might be venturing into a space it's never officially gone but always been adjacent to: horror. According to Andor creator Tony Gilroy n comments to Business Insider, Lucasfilm and Disney…

Read more...


Kotaku Friday, April 11, 2025 2:30 PM
    

The Simpsons is finally replacing one of its veteran voice actors and thankfully, no AI is involved. According to Entertainment Weekly, in the future the nefarious, beanie-wearing bully Jimbo Jones will be voiced by MadTV alum Mo Collins.

Read more...


PCGamesN Friday, April 11, 2025 6:14 PM
     Ember and Blade is a newly revealed soulslike RPG with a Vampire Survivors twist

Whether it be a FromSoftware dark fantasy masterpiece like Elden Ring, to something with a more novel setting and flavor like Lies of P, to games that move away from the traditional melee focus like Remnant 2, you're absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to great soulslikes these days. However, it's rare to see one that takes the core principles of soulslike combat and chucks it into a Vampire Survivors-style horde slayer. Well, that's exactly what Ember and Blade, a newly revealed action RPG, aims to do.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best soulslikes, Best RPGs, Best action games

PCGamesN Friday, April 11, 2025 5:13 PM
     Ambitious space MMO Eve Frontier is now free to try, but not for long

There are quite a few ambitious multiplayer space sandboxes around these days that offer up huge systems, galaxies, or even universes for players to make their mark in. Alongside the likes of Star Citizen or No Man's Sky, there's Eve Online. But not content with just the one massive space game, developer CCP Games is spinning up yet another Eve experience - the player-controlled, blockchain-integrated survival MMO, Eve Frontier. Access to Frontier, in its current alpha state, is typically locked behind paid founder packs. However, for the next ten days, it's totally free to try.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best space games, Best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Friday, April 11, 2025 3:00 PM
     Here's how a Walmart shopper just saved over $380 on an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080

In a story that will both impress and make you jealous, one lucky Walmart shopper found that, due to the open-box/returns policy, you can snag a brand new Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 for well under MSRP, if someone happens to return one in your area.

In our RTX 5080 review, we determined that this is now the best graphics card for under $1,000. It's a great GPU for gaming at 4K, even if it doesn't quite reach the performance of the ultra-expensive RTX 5090. Nvidia DLSS 4 does a lot of heavy lifting on these new cards, with the exciting multi frame gen tech only compatible with the new GPUs.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 review, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 review, Best graphics cards

PCGamesN Friday, April 11, 2025 3:00 PM
     Battlefield rival Delta Force marks new chapter with two game-changing weapons

Whether it's Battlefield or EFT, Rainbow Six Siege or CoD, guns on their own are never enough. The world of the modern multiplayer FPS is frighteningly competitive - despite plenty of experience with 1.6 and CSGO, I still get obliterated in Counter-Strike 2, and I daren't even try The Finals. You need more than just good aim these days. It's about reflexes, knowledge, and mixing your rifle with the right equipment. One of the biggest new Steam shooters of 2025 so far, the next chapter of Delta Force will soon go live. With an expanded arsenal and a litany of new tech designed to add layers to combat, PCGamesN gets an exclusive look at two game-changing weapons.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Delta Force guns, Delta Force operators, Delta Force loadouts

PCGamesN Friday, April 11, 2025 2:34 PM
     Cloverpit puts a gritty, Balatro inspired spin on slot machines

Jumping into a new survival horror roguelike, the last thing you'd expect to be doing is staying in one room endlessly cranking the lever on a slot machine. But that's the exact premise of the Balatro-esque Cloverpit, which brings a huge range of modifiers, multipliers, and satisfying combos to the classic casino game. However, it's a bit more poignant than that, as the game also acts as an allegory for the darker side of gambling.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games

PCGamesN Friday, April 11, 2025 2:59 PM
     BG3 Patch 8 release date locked in for the RPG's swansong update

It is most likely the final major update to one of the greatest games ever made. It's going to add some essential features and expand its already generous offering of subclasses. It will, essentially, make an all-time great RPG the best it's ever been. I am talking, of course, about BG3 Patch 8. This update has been months in the making, but now the wait is almost over, as Larian has revealed that it'll be hitting Baldur's Gate 3 very soon.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 builds, BG3 mods, Baldur's Gate 3 classes

Siliconera Friday, April 11, 2025 9:00 PM
    

gawr gura tokyo tourism ambassador

Hololive Vtuber Gawr Gura is no longer on the official list of Tokyo Tourism Ambassadors. This sudden removal has prompted some to wonder what this could mean for Gawr Gura's future. [Thanks, OhayoMybrother!]

Currently, the website for Tokyo Tokyo, which lists the various tourism ambassadors, only has Sakura Miko and Mori Calliope shown for Cover representatives. Gawr Gura was one of the Hololive Vtuber ambassadors, though. When Cover first announced them joining the initiative in February 2023, Gawr Gura also appeared in the picture.

While some are thinking that this might be lead to a possible graduation down the line, others are more optimistic. Some have pointed out that Gawr Gura mentioned in a membership stream that she wanted to take some time off, relax, and take care of her cats. So her stepping down as a tourism ambassador could be her reducing how much work she took on.

The fears about Gawr Gura's graduation could stem from some recent departures from hololive and Cover. Ceres Fauna (who debuted in 2021) graduated in January 2025, and Murasaki Shion (who debuted in 2018) will graduate on April 26, 2025. On the flipside, Amelia Watson concluded her streaming activities in September 2024, while Sakamata Chloe stopped her activities in January 2025. However, both of them are still affiliates of hololive, which means they might return in the future as a special guest.

Gawr Gura is a VTuber affiliated with Hololive English's first generation, Myth. She debuted in 2020 alongside members like Mori Calliope and Takanashi Kiara. She is one of the most subscribed VTubers in the world, and she surpassed former #1 Kizuna Ai back in July 2021. As of the time of writing, Gawr Gura has over 4.55 million subscribers on her YouTube channel.

The post Hololive Vtuber Gawr Gura Not on Tokyo Tourism Ambassadors List appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, April 11, 2025 8:00 PM
    

nekopara after

Sekai Project and Neko Works have revealed that Nekopara After La Vraie Famille, the follow-up to Nekopara Volume 4, will come out on May 22, 2025. You can now wishlist it on Steam as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W-C0PZmSS4

The story takes place after Beignet puts catgirl Fraise in Kashou's care. She's bewildered by the other catgirls living under his roof, and so asks Shigure, Kashou's sister figure, for advice. Fraise doesn't know that Shigure also harbors feelings for Kashou. Judging by the summary, it appears that there will be a love triangle between Kashou, Fraise, and Shigure. However, the girls are trying to prioritize the other's happiness despite their own feelings for Kashou.

Sayori, the creator of the series, will draw the artwork and stills in the game. The game will also feature a gallery mode, so you can look back on your favorite illustrations after you unlock it. Yukiya Murasaki wrote the story. Murasaki's best known for being the author of Altina the Sword Princess and How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord. As well, Ceui will sing the opening song "Contrail". The game will be available in English, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese. You can only choose Japanese as a voice-acting option, though.

Nekopara After La Vraie Famille will come out on Windows PC via Steam on May 22, 2025.

The post Nekopara After: La Vraie Famille Release Date Set appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, April 11, 2025 7:00 PM
    

team rocket bath

Team Rocket and their Pokemon will appear at all Gokurakuyu and Raku Spa bath houses around Japan. The collaboration event will run from April 24, 2025 to May 20, 2025. [Thanks, PR Times!]

From April 24 to May 20, 2025, the Gokurakuyu and Raku Spa stores in Japan will feature various limited time baths and merchandise based on Team Rocket and the Pokemon they use in the games. Aside from the three classics from the original anime (Arbok, Weezing, and Meowth), the collaboration also features species like Nidoking, Mimikyu, and Mewtwo. Each Pokemon will have a special bath for a few days, and here is the schedule:

  • Mewtwo: April 24 to April 27
  • Meowth: April 28 to April 30
  • Wobbuffet: May 1 to May 3
  • Mimikyu: May 4, May 6-8
  • Arbok and Weezing: May 9 to  May11
  • Houndoom: May 12 to May 14
  • Murkrow: May 15 to May 17
  • Nidoking: May 18 to May 20

You can also purchase a long towel featuring one of the above Pokemon for 1,100 JPY ($7.65). This price includes the fee of using the bathhouse. You can also get the towel from Raku Cafe if you spend over 1,100 JPY.

Aside from novelty items featuring the Team Rocket Pokemon, you can also purchase menu items based off them. Each item includes a little cut-out of the Pokemon in question. Examples of collaboration food items and drinks include Mewtwo's cool almond Calpis (880 JPY), Nidoking's Bone-in Chicken Curry (2640 JPY), and Houndoom's Cold Sesame Dandan Noodles (2420 JPY). If you order a drink, you can get an original coaster. Meanwhile, ordering a food item can net you a random keychain.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the next upcoming title in the video game franchise, will come out on the Nintendo Switch in Fall 2025.

The post Team Rocket Takes a Bath in New Pokemon Event appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, April 11, 2025 6:00 PM
    

toheart new characters

Aquaplus has announced information about the new additional members in the cast of characters who'll be joining ToHeart in the remake version of the title, which will come out on the Nintendo Switch and Windows PC via Steam on June 26, 2025. You can also listen to voice samples from these characters via the official website.

To clarify, the ToHeart remake doesn't introduce any new characters. There is a new voice actor or actress for them instead. However, you can still swap to the old voices if you want via the options Here is the list of the characters' new voices, as well as their old ones:

  • Masashi Sato: Nayuta Sugiura (First major role)
    Original: Soichiro Hoshi (Akechi in Persona 5)
  • Sebastian: Shinnosuke Ogami (Filip in Japanese dub of Sons of Anarchy)
    Original: Ryusuke Obayashi (Goto in Patlabor)
  • Serika Kurusugawa: Asumi Sato (First major role)
    Original: Junko Iwao (Mint in Tales of Phantasia)
  • Tomoko Hoshina: Yuki Nagaku (Lily in The Price of Smiles)
    Original: Aya Hisawaka (Kero in Cardcaptor Sakura)

The remake version will also feature new "visual cinema scenes" at key moments. These scenes will include animation-like movements and special camera angles to portray these important events. Finally, Aquaplus released the first of a new series of promotional trailers in which you can listen to the heroines' theme songs. The first one is Akari's. You can watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m5wN9sLcyE

The ToHeart remake will come out on June 26, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch and Windows PC.

The post More ToHeart Characters Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, April 11, 2025 5:00 PM
    

GU Selling Pokemon Pixel Art Shirts in Japan

GU will offer a new line of Pokemon Pixel Art shirts and apparel featuring creatures from the popular RPG series. The new line will go on sale in Japan from April 25, 2025.

First, here is the full list of of Pokemon Pixel Art t-shirts and clothing and their prices:

  • Graphic T-shirt (2 available) – 1,290 yen (~$8.98)
  • Sweater-style T-shirt (2 available) – 1,990 yen (~$13.86)
  • Lounge set (3 available) – 2,990 yen (~$20.82)
  • Boxers (4 available) – 590 yen (~$4.11)
  • Socks (4 available) – 390 yen (~$2.72)
  • Bag (2 available) – 1,990 yen (~$13.86)
  • Kids graphic T-shirt (4 available) – 990 yen (~$6.89)
  • Kids zip up hoodie (2 available) – 1,990 yen (~$13.86)
  • Kids bottoms (3 available) – 1,990 yen (~$13.86)
  • Kids lounge set (4 available) – 1,990 yen (~$13.86)
  • Kids cap (2 available) – 1,290 yen (~$8.98)
  • Kids bag (2 available) – 1,990 yen (~$13.86)

And here's a look at some of the new Pokemon GU clothing items:

GU has previously released other Pokemon T-shirts and clothing collections, like a line of clothing featuring creatures from the Galar Region that first appeared in Pokemon Sword and Shield, back in 2020.

The Pokemon Pixel Art apparel collection will go on sale on April 25, 2025 and will be available on the GU online store and physical retailers in Japan.

The post GU Selling Pokemon Pixel Art Shirts in Japan appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, April 11, 2025 4:00 PM
    

Monster Hunter Wilds Red Bull Cafe Event Starts in Japan

A collaboration cafe combining Monster Hunter Wilds and Red Bull will appear in Japan between April 19-20, 2025. The venue selected is the Café&Bar RAGE ST, located near Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo, Japan. It will involve the meals with the drinks, as well as some imagery pairing Hunters with the item.

Four different menus inspired by different monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds will be available, each paired with a different Red Bull drink as well. The menus include two burger sets, a Japanese style curry dish with pancakes as a dessert, and a gyoza plate accompanied by a rose hip pudding.

Additionally, the monsters attached to each menu are the Arkveld and Rey Dau for each burger set, the Nu Udra and Rompopolo for the curry and pancakes menu, and the Uth Duna and Lala Barina for the gyoza plate and rose hip pudding. The cafe will allow for 1, 2, or 4 person seats, and bookings will be handled in a first-come, first-served basis. The second floor of the cafe will include PS5 and PC sets where player will be able to participate in a time attack-style challenge.

The Monster Hunter Wilds collaboration cafe with Red Bull will appear between April 19-20, 2025 in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Monster Hunter Wilds is readily available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC worldwide. The first free title update including the Mizutsune monster is now available on all platforms.

The post Monster Hunter Wilds Red Bull Cafe Event Starts in Japan appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, April 11, 2025 3:30 PM
    

Infinity Nikki PC Steam Release Date Set

Right now, if you want to play Infinity Nikki on a PC, you need to go through the official site or Epic Games Store, but now the Steam release date is set. While the product page didn't update yet, that version will launch on April 29, 2025. Infold Games also announced a number of rewards to celebrate the launch.

Basically, everyone is getting Resonite Crystals and Energy Crystals, though the official image on social media also shows the image for the Blings currency used to buy from in-game stores and upgrade outfits. Infold noted that everyone, regardless of platform, will get 10 Resonite Crystals and 3 Energy Crystals. The former allows you to pull on the standard banner, with each one granting a single pull. The Energy Crystals restore Vital Energy when used, allowing you extra opportunities to go through Realm Challenges.

As a reminder, the past rewards already came and went. They included things like a live wallpaper and it seems like an outfit.

Here's the full wishlists reward tiers image:

Infinity Nikki is available on the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, with a Steam launch set for April 29, 2025. A new event map is also in our future.

The post Infinity Nikki PC Steam Release Date Set appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, April 11, 2025 3:00 PM
    

If you have an extraordinarily popular anime and manga series like My Hero Academia, it is only inevitable you will get spin-off series that flesh out the world more. I have been waiting for years for My Hero Academia: Vigilantes to get its due as an anime series. While it is finally here, it doesn't quite feel like a required watch for fans just yet.

The story of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes kicks off with the main character, Koichi, going about his business as a normal young adult. Koichi is your typical All Might fan that works at a knock-off Family Mart and gets beat up by thugs in alleys occasionally. The only notable part about Koichi is his moonlighting as the do-gooder Nice Guy.

Image via Bones

Unfortunately for Koichi, his quirk isn't too helpful for fighting bad guys. Koichi's quirk just has him slide along the ground at the speed of a bicycle. His life changes, though, when him and an underground pop idol are saved one day by a vigilante that acts like the messy Batman version of All Might.

Together, three vigilantes decide to work together to investigate a new drug that is empowering villains in the town. This is the general gist of what happens in the first episode, which isn't much. You get an introduction to the main characters and the battle they are going to fight in the series.

That said, I can't help but feel like this is a "wait and see" type of anime right now. As of right now, there isn't much to enjoy in the series. The main characters are fine, but nothing special. Koichi, in particular, is a mostly forgettable protagonist. He doesn't quite have the standout (for better or worse) quirkless nature of someone like Deku, nor is he super heroic, either.

The same goes for the other two vigilantes he fights alongside. At the same time, the story is pretty lackluster at this point. It is barebones enough to get the point across, but isn't exciting enough thus far. There is no notable drama or anything to get me to root for the main characters. It doesn't help, either, that there aren't any exciting or notable villains introduced just yet.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes review
Image via Bones

For me, the most notably disappointing part of the series yet is the animation. While not inherently bad by any means, it doesn't look great, either. This could be because this is not from the primary animation team at Bones. That said, it doesn't look any better at all than the very first season of the original MHA looked back in 2016.

I am aware this series gets much more serious and intriguing as the manga goes on. As such, I do expect this anime series to get better in due time. That said, it will likely take several episodes to get to that point. After all, it is just a bit too goofy and almost parody-like at this time to recommend to all fans of the original series.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes feels like it is in the wait and binge watch category right now. I'm not sure I will watch it week-to-week myself. This is because the characters, story, and general animation are all passable but nothing special right now. In the end, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes isn't quite the required spin-off I would recommend to fans just yet, but that could change in the future.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is streaming right now on Crunchyroll.

The post My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Doesn't Feel Necessary Just Yet appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, April 11, 2025 2:30 PM
    

Baldur's Gate 3 on Sale Ahead of Patch 8

Larian announced that Baldur's Gate 3 patch 8 will debut on April 15, 2025, and ahead of that the game is on sale. However, the discount only applies to the PC version. It's now $47.99 on Steam. The console versions aren't reduced.

To go along with patch 8, Larian announced a special stream that will discuss it. That will happen at 5am PT/8am ET on April 16, 2025. A showcase will be held on Twitch. A big focus on the update is the 12 new subclasses, and that will be the focus of that stream.

In case you missed it, here is a list of the new subclasses we'll see:

  • Arcane Archer Fighter
  • Bladesinging Wizard
  • Circle of the Stars Druid
  • College of Glamour Bard
  • Death Domain Cleric
  • Drunken Master Monk
  • Hexblade Warlock
  • Oath of the Crown Paladin
  • Path of Giants Barbarian
  • Shadow Magic Sorcerer
  • Swarmkeeper Ranger
  • Swashbuckler Rogue

As for the sale, the Baldur's Gate 3 price drop is in effect on Steam both before and after the update. It is 20% off until April 21, 2025. The game is normally $59.99, though on the PS5 and Xbox Series X it costs $69.99.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and Patch 8 launches on April 15, 2025. 

The post Baldur's Gate 3 on Sale Ahead of Patch 8  appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 6:24 PM
    

Emma Frost smirk Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals Season 2 has finally begun, and there's a cosmetic for Emma Frost to earn for absolutely free. Although it will require a bit of your effort, here's everything you need to know about getting the Golden Diamond skin in this new Season.

Table of Contents

How to get Emma Frost's Golden Diamond skin in Marvel Rivals

To get Emma Frost's Golden Diamond skin in Marvel Rivals, you have to reach the Gold Tier III Rank in Season 2.

an image of Marvel Rivals ranks and Season 2 rewards
Screenshot by Destructoid

Starting from the Gold Rank and until Diamond, the reward you get is this Golden Diamond skin for Emma Frost. Starting from Grandmaster and all the way up to One Above All, you get the Crest of Honor badges for Season 2 as well.

Yes, you will need to put in the grind and improve with each game, but the rewards are completely worth it. The Golden Diamond skin was also leaked before season two's release.

Here's what the cosmetic's description says in the game: "With the sun illuminating her, Emma radiates a dazzling golden light. 'Sweetheart, start the countdown - three minutes from now, and even the sun will have to concede that I reign as the true beacon of brilliance."

How long do you have to claim Emma Frost's Golden Diamond skin in Marvel Rivals?

Marvel Rivals season two ends on July 11. This means, at the time of writing, you have about three months to climb up the ranks and secure Emma Frost's Golden Diamond skin and add it to your cosmetic collection. Marvel Rivals season three begins on the same day as well.

The current season's battle pass has 11 pages of rewards. The entire duration of the second season should be enough to claim all the free as well as the premium rewards (if you upgrade to the Luxury tier).

Are there any other free skins to claim in Marvel Rivals season 2?

Yes, you can also claim a free Flora Maiden Mantis skin in Marvel Rivals season two. It's a limited-time skin you can claim and is a part of the Cerebro Database event that has multiple challenges and rewards.

The first line of rewards from this event includes Emma Frost line rewards, with more heroes to have their own lines in the coming weeks.

The post How to get the free Emma Frost Golden Diamond skin in Marvel Rivals season 2 appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 5:58 PM
    

Process of Infinisuit upgrade in Crashlands 2

The Infinisuit in Crashlands 2 is Flux's personal protection unit, and your priority is to upgrade it over time to take on the challenges of the alien planet.

The Infinisuit has different components to improve, and the idea is to improve in a balanced fashion. To start the task, you'll have to find something called Juice Jems, which can be found while exploring the land. This guide will help you to improve your suit and know all about the process.

How to upgrade your Infinisuit in Crashlands 2

Press the Esc button to open the main menu, which acts as a hub for all in-game activities. You can view your quests, crafting options, and more. Press E/Q to scroll over to the Infinisuit section, which will show all the available nodes. To improve your suit, infuse a suit with the required amount of Juice Jems.

Infinisuit in Crashlands 2
Screenshot via Destructoid

Once you unlock an upgrade on one row, the next row will become available. However, the cost in terms of Juice Jems will progressively increase as you try to unlock the upgrades on the lower rows. While the costs are higher, you get more telling upgrades. Hence, it makes sense to invest in stronger updates despite the higher costs.

How to get the first Infinisuit upgrade in Crashlands 2

Getting the first upgrade is going to be the hardest one. You'll have to get the recipe for Popcork Dock. You can obtain the recipe by speaking with Maarlo in Haarlipool. You'll have to build Popcork Dock to get into Haarlipool. Once you obtain the recipe, return to Graal's cabin and look for the required ingredients.

You'll need the following items to craft a Popcork Dock.

  • 7 Popbark
  • 1 Popcork
  • 1 Grumble Pebble

Next, go to your crashpod and follow the shoreline. Keep following the shoreline, and you'll see the path will take you close to a Juice Jem. You'll need 3 Popcork Docks to access the location. This is the earliest you can come across a Juice Jem, but there are more areas to find them.

Juice Jem in Crashlands 2
Screenshot via Destructoid

Another area you can try is southeast of Graal's cabin. Like the first location, you'll need Popcork Docks to reach the Jem.

Once you find the first Jem, go to the Infinisuit menu to infuse it in the node you want.

The post How to improve your Infinisuit in Crashlands 2 appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 5:51 PM
    

Statue in the middle of the Cloister

While the Cloister room may seem empty at first glance, a hidden entryway waits to be discovered. Finding it unlocks a path to a permanent buff, giving you a stronger setup each day. Here's how to reach the center of the Cloister in Blue Prince.

Blue Prince Cloister room puzzle solution

The first step to solving the Cloister puzzle is tracking down the room itself. Since it's a Green Room, you'll want to prioritize that color when drafting. Use the Greenhouse to tilt the odds in your favor, or aim to pull the Green Thumb book while drafting a Secret Passage. Just ensure you're stocked up—unlocking the Cloister costs three gems, making it one of the pricier rooms to access.

Drafting the Cloister room
Screenshot by Destructoid

You can avoid the cost entirely if you come across a Terrace first (it removes gem costs on Green Rooms). But if not, it's best to save at least three jewels for the time being. For more help on this, check out our all gem locations guide to gain enough currency for the room. Once you've discovered the Cloister, approach the statue. Interact with the pillar on the right first, then the one on the left, specifically on the squares. You may be able to interact with them in any order, but this procedure is what worked for me.

Pillar squares in Cloister
Screenshot by Destructoid

The wall in between the pillars will now drop down, where you can reach the middle of Blue Prince's Cloister. Go to the back of the statue to grab an Allowance Coin. This currency is a permanent upgrade that grants you two coins at the start of your day. While at the Entrance Hall, approach the table, and you should see an envelope with the word "Allowance" on it. You can increase this intake by finding more Allowance Coins from various challenges. The Trading Post puzzle is one of the few that rewards you with this currency, giving you more opportunities at the shop.

Grabbing the Allowance Coin from statue
Screenshot by Destructoid

While at the Cloister, you can also read a note from Mrs. Babbage explaining that the coin is a token of her appreciation. Aside from the coin, you can dig up spots here with your trusty Shovel. Those who don't have this item can find it in areas like the Toolshed or Courtyard. If you happen to see the Cloister again in another playthrough, you may not be able to gain another Allowance Coin. But a hidden gem could still be behind the statue if this area is refreshed.

The post How to reach the middle of the Cloister in Blue Prince appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 5:32 PM
    

Geek Time Emote in Fortnite

The newest Item Shop update in Fortnite has delivered a K-Pop-themed emote centered around a popular song that was released last year in 2024. The emote is called New Woman, which is also the name of the song produced by K-Pop artist LISA and featuring Rosalía.

You can see the emote and how much it costs in Fortnite below.

Fortnite adds New Woman emote in latest update

The Item Shop update on April 10 added the New Woman emote to Fortnite. While the community's focus has been centered around the upcoming Adventure Time crossover, many fans were pleasantly surprised to see the New Woman emote available for sale as well.

New Woman is a song released in mid-2024, featuring K-Pop artists LISA and Rosalía. The emote in Fortnite performs a dance from the music video of New Woman and plays a snippet of the song in the background as your character is dancing. The emote lasts for several seconds and plays a majority of the chorus from the song while your character performs some sleek moves.

https://twitter.com/FNBRintel/status/1910483721217626523

You can purchase the New Woman emote for 500 V-Bucks, but if you want to purchase it, you might want to act fast. New emotes in the Item Shop usually stick around for a couple of days, but they often disappear after that, and there's no telling when they will return to the shop. As with most Fortnite emotes, the New Woman emote works in battle royale, LEGO Fortnite, and Fortnite Festival.

Alongside the New Woman emote, the Item Shop also saw the arrival of the Geek Time emote. Geek Time is a song produced by artist Yeat, and while it's not K-Pop, it's still a widely popular song that was all over the top charts in 2024. Geek Time is a similar emote to New Woman, showcasing a dance from the song's music video and a short snippet of the song. It also goes for 500 V-Bucks in Fortnite.

You can purchase either the New Woman or Geek Time emotes in-game or by going to their official store pages on Fortnite's website. If you visit the Fortnite website to view the emotes, you can see the emote performed in its entirety and hear the snippet of song playing in the background.

The post K-Pop meets Fortnite in latest emote addition appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 4:57 PM
    

Krakoa Hellfire Gala season 2 Marvel Rivals

With Season 2 now live in Marvel Rivals, what will be the best heroes to ban in ranked modes? 

Because of the balance changes, some characters will either be very dominant in the meta or just very annoying to deal with. To avoid some already one-sided matches in the game, here are some top recommendations.

Best heroes to ban in Marvel Rivals Season 2

There will be similar picks from previous seasons, but we'll explain why each one below should or will most likely be banned during the beginning of ranked games.

The Hulk in Marvel Rivals
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Hulk

Bruce Banner did not need a buff. With a reduced cooldown to his bubble shield and more mobility, the Green Goliath is going to be a very hot pick. Not to mention, his Gamma Charge teamups with the newly buffed Iron Man and the Gamma squid turrets (Monstros) with Namor make him as an anchor a big reason to ban.

Namor Marvel Rivals
Image by Destructoid

Namor 

Namor counters any flying and flanking hero thanks to his turrets. On top of that, the area of effect that his ult has is the perfect trick to win back a point in Overtime, especially with that knockback. Gamma Monstros are going to cover dive strategies with Hulk as he defends.

Marvel Rivals Spider Man
Screenshot by Destructoid

Spider-Man

This ban is obvious. Spidey's movement and single-target damage are crazy. He's a bigger distraction than any other hero on this list.

Marvel Rivals Wolverine
Image by Destructoid

Wolverine 

Wolverine has been the tank buster of Marvel Rivals. In the right hands, he can hard carry a game or just be easy ult fodder, even after the nerfing to his Rage mechanic. Still, it's always a safe bet to ban him in ranked.

An image of Marvel Rivals crossplay customization options
Image by Destructoid

Black Panther

While receiving significant nerfs to his kit and lying low since Season 1, Black Panther is on par with being a nuisance alongside Wolverine and other melee-centric characters in the game. His small hitbox and burst damage make him a safe bet to ban in competitive play.

Image by Destructoid

Magik

Magik is in a similar category to Black Panther and other melee characters in this game. In the right hands, she can ruin your backline, starting with healers and long-ranged attackers. 

Marvel Rivals Groot Carvel Traveler skin
Image by Destructoid

Groot

While flying under the broken meta radar, Groot excels in certain maps with smaller or fewer entry and choke points, like Hydra Charteris Base or Klyntar (as a Defender). His walls are perfect for stalling or singling stragglers out. Other than these maps, he's not considered for a ban.

Cloak & Dagger posing together in twilight duo costume in marvel rivals
Screenshot by Destructoid

Cloak and Dagger

Cloak and Dagger have many tricks up their sleeve, being a flexible counter against flying opponents, preventing one-shot ults from characters like Jeff, Iron Man, and Magneto, and having auto lock-on attacks in both forms. It's a bit strange how they managed to dodge most support nerfs. 

Banning them is more disruptive to both teams, as the likelihood of someone picking them is significantly higher than every other Strategist in Rivals.

The post Best heroes to ban in Marvel Rivals Season 2 appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 4:11 PM
    

Mortaccio the skeleton offers his assistance to a tiny robot

A massive new expansion and a smaller update have been released for Vampire Survivors, adding even more characters and weapons to the game. Unlocking them all can be confusing, but this guide will help you navigate through unlocking everything from the Emerald Diorama and The Coop updates.

First, go to the online store of whatever platform you're playing on to get the Emerald Diorama DLC. The game's recent update has the content, but you need to add the DLC to your account for it to unlock. It's free, but you still need to "buy" it. To know if you've got it or not, check the Unlocks button on the main menu of Vampire Survivors and look for the quest "Find and buy the Emerald Disk."

How to unlock all 16 new SaGa characters

To unlock the new Emerald Diorama content, players will need to find the new merchant in the Moongolow stage and buy the Emerald Disk for 50k gold. This will unlock the new stage and the series of quests to get the new content.

The new map is called Emerald Diorama and features a stage mechanic of traveling to different locations. The Junction is the central area, though the first time you go to the stage, you'll be in a normal-looking location. Head East and beat the first boss to gain access to the door to The Junction.

To get some of your unlocks, you need to know the names of each place. We've got a map for that, including the Inverted version of the stage. The locations are swapped vertically and horizontally, so referencing this map might be easier.

A map showing the locations of the new worlds from The Junction
Image by Destructoid

A map showing the locations of the new worlds from The Inverted Junction
Image by Destructoid

Because this DLC is centered around the SaGa series, it uses mechanics from those games. Some of the terms from those games might not be familiar to you, so here's the breakdown of the three big ones you'll see:

  • Glimmer - When a weapon "glimmers" something, it means it learns a new ability due to you using it. We're unsure exactly what you need to do to trigger it, but it's effectively automatic.
  • Tech - Short for technique; these are independent skills each weapon can unlock. They're acquired in a run when a weapon is used multiple times, eventually "glimmering" a new ability. The Tech acts as a secondary attack for the weapon.
  • Showstopper: Whenever a character's health gets critical, they'll enter a short overdrive mode. This is a great way to clear a path to safety before you're overwhelmed. You'll know it has triggered with the dramatic music change and swirling lights around the edges of the screen.

Name Unlock Conditions Notes
Tsunanori Mido Go east in Miyako, passed the Junction Gate to unlock his coffin Starts with Fleuret. Obtains a Kugutsu Follower every 20 levels (max 4) and triggers Showstopper at low health
Bonnie Fully evolve The Splashers. These can be unlocked as Tsunanori's alternate weapons by fully evolving the Fleuret Starts with Punch, and can unlock Kick as a starter later. Gains Might when using glimmered techs. Also teams up with Formina as a second character by default. They will trigger Showstopper at low health
Formina Fully evolve Kick the weapon by maxing it out, glimmering its technique, and having Pummarola Starts with the Saber Machine Gun or Eagle Gun, after unlocking it. Gains Duration when using Glimmered techs. Also teams up with Bonnie as a secondary character by default. Triggers Showstopper at low health
Diva No. 5 Fully evolve the Eagle Gun by maxing it out, glimmering, and having the Spinach passive Starts with Super Missile or the Twin Dragon, after unlocking it. Has 6 different skins with different stats, all of whom trigger Showstopper at low health
Ameya Fully Evolve the Twin Dragon by maxing it out glimmering, and having the Karoma's Mana passive Starts with Spirit Rings or Intuition. Gains stat bonuses when collecting her summoned cats, and triggers Showstopper at low health
Siugnas After defeating the boss in each part of The Junction, go to the new door on the bottom that leads to Providence. Beat the last boss, and get the coffin to the east Starts with the Town Sword. Defeated enemies become followers. Increasing Max Health increases maximum followers. Triggers Showstopper at low health
Final Emperor With Bonnie or Formina, defeat the Final Emperor's demon form in Inverse Emerald Diorama, Grelon Starts with Flamberge. Triggers glimmered techs more often, and triggers Showstopper at low health
Dolores With Siugnas, defeat the Specter of Iwanaga-hime in Inverse Emerald Diorama, Yomi Starts with Bullova. Triggers Showstopper at low health and on revival, gaining a bonus to Cooldown every time it's triggered
Macha Alter Ego With Ameya, defeat the Iron Maiden in Inverse Emerald Diorama, Avalon Starts with the Khukuri and a hidden Rings of Calamity. Increases enemy spawn by 50 and triggers Showstopper at low health
Lita Caryx With Tsunanori, defeat the Earth Dragon in Inverse Emerald Diorama, Pulchra Starts with Glaive, knows the "Heaven's Thunder" tech, and triggers a Showstopper at Critical Health
Kugutsu Defeat the Divine Wood Spirit in Inverse Emerald Diorama, Miyako City Starts with the Twin Dragon. Their other skins are Komachi, Boh, and Sukune. They start with the Khukuri, Eagle Gun, or Punch, respectively. Gains 1 revival and 5% Growth every time they glimmer a new tech
Mr. S With Diva No.5, defeat Living Anguish in Inverse Emerald Diorama, which is the boss summoned in Inverse Providence Starts with Intuition. Gains more projectiles every 20 levels (max +4,) and is good at using techs
Lolo, Hiss, Meow, and Purr Use Ameya Aisling and an evolved Gati Amari Trigger Showstopper at low health and gain a follower whenever Showstopper is triggered
Kina After beating the stage once, start Emerald Diorama and then immediately quit out. Has no weapon, but knows the Swallow Slice and Airwave techs for attacking. Gains bonus Recovery whenever Showstopper is triggered at low health
Imakoo End anguish with an otherworldly melody as the greatest mechanical songstress - Defeat Living Anguish with Diva No. 5 and the Song of Mana evolution Has no weapon, but knows the Hell's Fury and Blood Rage techs for attacking. Gains bonus might whenever Showstopper is triggered at low health
Malevolent Door Spirit Defeat the boss in Grelon while they are frozen, using Clock Lancet and similar weapons should work Starts with the Blood Chalice, and innately knows "Vermillion Sands" tech

How to unlock all new Weapons for Emerald Diarama

With new characters comes a massive arsenal of new weapons. Almost all the new weapons each come with a Tech that can be "glimmered" by using it. If a weapon evolves, it retains its previous form's Tech as well as eventually "glimmering" a new one.

Weapon Name How to Unlock Notes
Fleuret Tsunanori Mido's starting weapon, getting to max level will unlock it for everyone The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Crystalline Carve"
Dress Sword Evolve the Fleuret into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Crystalline Carve" It can glimmer the "Shocking Rush" tech. Once it does, and reaches max level, opening a chest will cause it to evolve into Espada Ropera
Espada Ropera Evolve the Dress Sword into this reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Shocking Rush" It can glimmer the "Mega Thrust" tech
Super Missile The starting weapon of Diva No. 5, getting to max level will unlock it for everyone The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Ballistic Missiles"
Hydra Cannon Evolve the Super Missile into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Ballistic Missiles" It can glimmer the "Artificial Hailstorm" tech. Once it does, and reaches max level, opening a chest will cause it to evolve into Hyperion Bazooka
Hyperion Bazooka Evolve the Hydra Cannon into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Artificial Hailstorm" Can glimmer the "Cosmic Rave" tech
The Splashers Fully evolve the Fleuret to unlock as Tsunanori Mido's alternate starting weapon The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level, obtaining the Spellbinder passive, and glimmering its tech, "Dual Whirlwind"
Pursuant Blades Evolve the Splashers weapon into this by reaching max level, obtaining the Spellbinder passive, and glimmering its tech, "Dual Whirlwind" Can glimmer the "Dual Torrent" tech
Flamberge The weapon is dropped by the boss in the Grelon part of the map, and evolving it unlocks it for everyone. It is also the starting weapon of Final Emperor The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Bull Crush"
Zweihander Evolve the Flamberge into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Bull Crush" Can glimmer the "Absentzen" Once it does, and reaches max level, opening a chest will cause it to evolve into Galatyn
Galatyn Evolve the Zweihander into this by reaching max level and learning its tech "Absentzen" Can glimmer the "Vandalize" tech
Punch Bonnie's starting weapon, getting to max level will unlock it for everyone The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Raksha"
Pressure Point Evolve the Punch into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Raksha" The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Shenlong Firefist"
Gilded Hand Evolve the Pressure Point into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Shenlong Firefist" Can glimmer the "Guanyin" tech
Kick Fully evolve the Punch to unlock as Bonnie's alternate starting weapon, and leveling it to 8 unlocks it Can glimmer the "Thunder Kick" tech. Will evolve after glimmering, reaching max level, and having the Pummarola passive
Triangle Kick Evolve the Kick into this by glimmering "Thunder Kick," reaching max level, and having the Pummarola passive Can glimmer the "Triple Dragon" tech
Twin Dragon Diva No. 5's Virginia skin and Kugutsu's Musashi skin both start with this, and leveling it to 8 unlocks it Can glimmer the "Gravedigger" tech. Will evolve after glimmering, reaching max level, and having the Karoma's Mana passive
Gekkabijin Evolve the Twin Dragon into this by glimmering "Gravedigger," reaching max level, and having the Karoma's Mana passive Can glimmer the "Scattered Petals" tech
Spirit Rings Ameya Aisling's starting weapon, getting to max level will unlock it for everyone Evolves when any 5 passives are at max level and you open a chest. It can trigger additional techs when Area, Speed, Duration, and/or Growth are at or above 155%.
Rings of Calamity Evolve the Spirit Rings into this by evolving any 5 passive weapons Can learn the "Chaos Disaster" tech
Saber Machine Gun Formina Franklyn's starting weapon, getting to max level will unlock it for everyone The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Shockwave"
Hecaton Machine Gun Evolve the Saber Machine Gun into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Shockwave" The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Bombarding Fire"
Divergence Evolve the Hecaton Machine Gun into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Bombarding Fire" Can glimmer the "Sunlight Shower" tech
Eagle Gun Formina Franklyn's starting weapon, as well as Kugutsu's Boh skin. Can glimmer the "Falconfire" tech. Will evolve after glimmering, reaching max level, and having the Spinach passive
Pendragon Evolve the Eagle Gun into this by glimmering "Falconfire," reaching max level, and having the Spinach passive Can glimmer the "Bounding Shot" tech
Town Sword Siugnas' starting weapon, getting it to max level will unlock it for everyone The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Swallow Slice"
Lordstar Evolve the Town Sword into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Swallow Slice" The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Airwave"
Dayblade Evolve the Lordstar into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Airwave" Can glimmer the "Life Sprinkler" tech
Sanguine Star Siugnas' other starting weapon, getting to max level will unlock it for everyone Can glimmer the "Blood Rage" tech. Will evolve after glimmering, reaching max level, and having the Stone Mask passive
Blood Chalice The Malevolent Door Spirit's starting weapon, and evolving the Sanguine Star by glimmering "Blood Rage," reaching max level, and having the Stone Mask passive Can glimmer the "Scarlet Harbinger" tech
Khukuri Starting weapon of Macha Alter Ego and Kugutsu's Komachi skin Can glimmer the "Moonfall Slash" tech. Will evolve after glimmering, reaching max level, and having the Parm Aegis passive
Jetstream Evolve the Khukuri into this by glimmering "Moonfall Slash," reaching max level, and having the Parm Aegis passive Can glimmer the "Kaleidoscope" tech
Bullova It is the starting weapon of Dolores, getting to max level will unlock it for everyone Can glimmer the "Hell's Fury" tech. Will evolve after glimmering, reaching max level, and having the Skull O'Maniac
Falconwind Evolve the Bullova into this by glimmering "Hell's Fury," reaching max level, and having the Skull O'Maniac Can glimmer the "Reverse Delta" tech
Glaive The starting weapon of Lita Caryx The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Divine Lancer"
Feather Spear Evolve the Glaive into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Stardust" The weapon will evolve when you open a chest after reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Stardust"
Lohengrin Evolve the Feather Spear into this by reaching max level and glimmering its tech, "Stardust" Can glimmer the "Triumvirate" tech
Emerald Rapture Find and evolve the Emerald Rapture to unlock it for all characters. It drops from a secret boss in The Junction. You need a character who can fly out of bounds to go directly south and find a copy of The Junction's corridor. In the southern part will be a circle that summons the boss who drops Emerald Rapture Will evolve after reaching max level, and having the Crown passive
Emerald Wave Evolve the Emerald Rapture into this by reaching max level, and having the Crown passive This teleports enemies away and drops their XP gems
Intuition The starting weapon of Ameya Aisling and Mr. S, getting to max level will unlock it for everyone Allows you to choose from a selection of the Emerald Diorama weapons

The post Unlock all new weapons and characters in SaGa-themed Vampire Survivors update "Emerald Diorama" appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 3:56 PM
    

Mt. Holly manor

Most things come and go in Mt. Holly, but permanent upgrades stick. These lasting buffs stay with you for the entire playthrough, where it doesn't always feel like you're starting from scratch. Find out how to get all permanent upgrades in Blue Prince.

How to get all permanent upgrades in Blue Prince

If you want to make your life easier, at least in Blue Prince terms, you can attach permanent buffs to your character by completing various puzzles. Here's an overview of all the upgrades you can get:

Locations Buffs
Apple Orchard Gain an extra 20 steps daily
Gemstone Cavern (Utility Closet) Instantly receive two gems at the start of your day
Blackbridge Grotto Access one offline terminal from the network daily
West Gate Permanently unlocks the West Gate, giving you additional rooms each day
Trading Post (Allowance Token) Bestows two gold coins each day

As you may expect from a challenging game like Blue Prince, getting these upgrades will take up a lot of your time. The biggest reason is the rooms needed won't always spawn, so you'll most likely be doing multiple playthroughs. Since each step is relatively complex, let's break down all the upgrades.

Apple Orchard

Locked apple orchard in Blue Prince
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Apple Orchard buff is the easiest upgrade to get, as it can be done outside and not in the manor itself. Go to the Campsite on the west side to find the Apple Orchard. Enter the code 1128, and you'll gain 20 extra steps by the next day. If you want to know how we got this answer, check out our guide on how to find the code near the Campsite.

Gemstone Cavern

Blue Prince Breaker Box VAC Indicators solution
Screenshot by Destructoid

While you can't freely move around the Gemstone Cavern, you can access it temporarily through the Utility Closet's Breaker Box. You'll have to tap on the circles on the box until they display the correct order. It should appear gray, blue, green, white, red, and purple. As a result, the wall behind you will open, giving you the new permanent gems upgrade in Blue Prince.

Blackbridge Grotto

Activating the power in Boiler Room
Screenshot by Destructoid

Of all Blue Prince's permanent upgrades, the Blackbridge Grotto is the most difficult. You'll need to activate the power in the Boiler Room, which you can learn about in our Pump Room explainer. You'll then need to direct this power to the Laboratory. If you haven't found it yet, you'll have to try your luck with drafting.

It's best to place the power toward new room openings, not places you've already opened. You can also select areas connected to the Boiler Room's power line to hopefully trigger the Laboratory's appearance. This room will have a puzzle involving the Periodic Table, where you can get the answer "Push Three Up After Nine."

Since you've turned on the boiler room, you'll notice that a nearby mechanism will now be active in the Laboratory. Interact with Lever 9 and then Lever 3 to open the Blackbridge Grotto.

Switch solution in Laboratory
Screenshot by Destructoid

West Gate

Using the Garage Opener
Screenshot by Destructoid

First, you must locate the Utility Closet to turn on the power in the Garage. This step activates a device in the Garage that is crucial for the West Gate upgrade. After you've turned on the power, it's time to find the Garage and interact with the opener beside the door. You'll open the doors, allowing you to go outside. Take the path on the left and continue forward. When reaching a crossroads, take another left and open the door to the West Gate to gain the next buff.

Trading Post

Cube puzzle solution in Trading Post
Screenshot by Destructoid

After you've unlocked the West Gate, backtrack to head towards a bridge. On the other side, you'll find a door that can lead you to the Trading Post. In this room, you'll find a cube puzzle that you must position in the above pattern. Solve the Trading Post challenge to gain the Allowance Token, which you may encounter in other areas. When beginning your day, you'll find an envelope with this money on the table near spawn.

How to get permanent upgrades for rooms in Blue Prince

The playable character isn't the only one who can earn permanent upgrades—Mt. Holly can receive some powerful enhancements as well. By using Upgrade Disks at any Terminal, you can activate buffs that improve the manor, providing perks in various rooms. Unfortunately, these disks have no fixed locations, so you'll need to keep an eye out for them.

Using the Terminal in the Laboratory
Screenshot by Destructoid

Once you find an Upgrade Disk, head to a Terminal and choose from a randomized set of room enhancements. There's a wide variety of upgrades to discover, and each run offers different options. For instance, I picked an upgrade for the Spare Room that granted me a Sledge Hammer every time I drafted it. Another time, I unlocked a perk that added two extra gems to the Courtyard. With so many rooms tucked into Mt. Holly Manor, the possibilities for permanent upgrades are vast. There's no wrong choice here, so pick whatever best fits your needs.

There might be even more permanent upgrades waiting for Blue Prince, especially once you discover Room 46 through the Antechamber. I haven't found any other upgrades besides the ones above, so if there are any hidden surprises tied to it, I'll be sure to update this guide with the details.

The post All Blue Prince permanent upgrades and how to get them appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 3:55 PM
    

Oscar in Schedule 1

Schedule 1 allows you a lot of customization options when it comes to mixing base products with extra resources, and some of them sell for a lot of value.

While the number of base drugs is rather limited in early access, you can mix and match with other items and general products. All you need is a Mixing Station, and this guide will detail the best possible combinations to make with all variants of drugs available in Schedule 1.

Best Marijuana mixes in Schedule 1

While you get access to Weed quite early as it's the first type of drug you get to sell, the true mixing potential will require you to level up. There are four variants, and here are the four best mixes to make.

Variant Ingredients Effects Sale Price ($)
OG Kush Mega Bean (Foggy)
Paracetamol (Sneaky) x2
Battery (Bright-Eyed)
Cuke (Energizing) x2
Gasoline (Toxic)
Anti-Gravity, Balding, Bright-Eyed, Cyclopean, Glowing, Foggy, Tropic Thunder, Zombifying 164
Sour Diesel Motor Oil (Slippery)
Paracetamol (Sneaky)
Viagra (Tropic Thunder)
Chili (Spicy)
Cuke (Energizing)
Iodine (Jennerising)
Anti-Gravity, Bright-Eyed, Jennerising, Munchies, Slippery, Spicy, Thought-Provoking, Tropic Thunder 144
Green Crack Banana (Gingeritis)
Chili (Spicy)
Horse Semen (Long Faced)
Mouth Wash (Balding)
Viagra (Tropic Thunder)
Iodine (Jennerising)
Motor Oil (Slippery)
Balding, Electrifying, Jennerising, Long Faced, Slippery, Spicy, Thought-Provoking, Tropic Thunder 153
Grandaddy Purple Energy Drink (Athletic)
Gasoline (Toxic)
Mega Bean (Foggy)
Paracetamol (Sneaky)
Battery (Bright-Eyed)
Cuke (Energizing)
Anti-Gravity, Bright-Eyed, Calorie-Dense, Cyclopean, Foggy, Glowing, Tropic Thunder, Zombifying 163

Best Meth mix in Schedule 1

Best Meth mix in Schedule 1
Screenshot via Destructoid

Meth is the second drug you get access in Schedule 1, and it requires you to mix Pseudo with Acid and Phosphorus. You can further mix the product with more items to add effects and raise the value of the final product.

Base Variant Ingredients Effects Sale Price ($)
Meth Horse Semen (Long Faced)
Paracetamol (Sneaky)
Mega Bean (Foggy)
Banana (Gingeritis)
Battery (Bright-Eyed)
Cuke (Energizing) x2
Gasoline (Toxic)
Bright-Eyed, Cyclopean, Electrifying, Foggy, Glowing, Long Faced, Tropic Thunder, Zombifying 340
Meth Battery (Bright-Eyed)
Cuke (Energizing)
Gasoline (Toxic)
Mega Bean (Foggy)
Bright-Eyed, Cyclopean, Foggy, Zombifying 203

Best Cocaine mix in Schedule 1

Best Cocaine mix in Schedule 1
Screenshot via Destructoid

Cocaine is the final drug to make in the game, and it requires the use of Gasoline with Coca leaves.

Base Variant Ingredients Effects Sale Price ($)
Cocaine Motor Oil (Slippery)
Paracetamol (Sneaky)
Battery (Bright-Eyed)
Cuke (Energizing)
Gasoline (Toxic)
Horse Semen (Long Faced)
Mega Bean (Foggy)
Anti-Gravity, Bright-Eyed, Cyclopean, Foggy, Glowing, Long Faced, Tropic Thunder, Zombifying 735
Cocaine Battery (Bright-Eyed)
Horse Semen (Long Faced)
Iodine (Jennerising)
Viagra (Tropic Thunder)
Bright-Eyed, Jennerising, Long Faced, Tropic Thunder 420
Cocaine Cuke (Energizing)
Horse Semen (Long Faced)
Mega Bean (Foggy)
Viagra (Tropic Thunder)
Cyclopean, Energizing, Long Faced, Tropic Thunder 414

The valuation of the products will depend on your negotiating skills. Customers will pay more for items with a higher number of effects. Make sure to counter these combinations and make the highest profit possible.

Best Midgame mixes in Schedule 1

Midgame represents a stage when you have already unlocked Shirley Watts as a supplier, which allows you to make Meth. While Cocaine still remains locked, you can make a lot of money with both Weed and Meth strains. For Weed, I have settled for OG Kush because you're still in the midgame stage. The very best recipes have been reserved for the endgame recipes.

Variant Items Used Effects Sell Price ($)
OG Kush Banana
Cuke
Banana
Jennerising, Thought-Provoking, Energizing, Gingeritis 80
OG Kush Paracetamol
Cuke
Paracetamol
Gasoline
Cuke
Mega Bean
Battery
Anti-Gravity, Balding, Glowing, Tropic Thunder, Zombifying, Cyclopean, Foggy, Bright-Eyed 164
Meth Cuke
Viagra
Mega Bean
Cyclopean, Tropic Thunder, Foggy 167
Meth Banana
Cuke
Horse Semen
Mega Bean
Electrifying, Cyclopean, Long Faced, Foggy 206

Best Endgame mixes in Schedule 1

Endgame is when you'll have access to every item and drug. At this stage, you should get automated setups on larger properties like the Docks, and focus solely on Meth and Cocaine. The objective is to mix them with high number of Mixers to get the maximum value possible.

Variant Items Used Effects Sell Price ($)
Meth Banana
Cuke
Paracetamol
Gasoline
Cuke
Battery
Horse Semen
Mega Bean
Electrifying, Glowing, Tropic Thunder, Zombifying, Cyclopean, Bright-Eyed, Long Faced, Foggy 340
Meth Motor Oil
Banana
Cuke
Paracetamol
Gasoline
Cuke
Battery
Horse Semen
Mega Bean
Anti-Gravity, Electrifying, Glowing, Tropic Thunder, Zombifying, Cyclopean, Bright-Eyed, Long Faced 353
Cocaine Motor Oil
Cuke
Paracetamol
Gasoline
Cuke
Battery
Horse Semen
Mega Bean
Anti-Gravity, Glowing, Tropic Thunder, Zombifying, Cyclopean, Bright-Eyed, Long Faced, Foggy 735
Meth Motor Oil
Banana
Cuke
Paracetamol
Gasoline
Cuke
Battery
Horse Semen
Mega Bean
Anti-Gravity, Electrifying, Glowing, Tropic Thunder, Zombifying, Cyclopean, Bright-Eyed, Long Faced 756

How to mix recipes in Schedule 1?

To mix different recipes in Schedule 1, you'll need a Mixing Station and mixers, along with the drug (which serves as the base material). You'll unlock Mixing Station as you level up. After placing it in a room, add the drug you want. Then, add a mixer you want to complete the process. You'll get back a drug of the same type, but the strain will be different.

A modified strain of any drug will increase its value when you add a mixer to it, as it unlocks additional effects. If you want to raise its value, use that particular strain in the Mixing Station once again, and add another mixer (with a different effect). If you follow the recipes mentioned in the tables above, you'll unlock advanced strains with higher market prices and sale values.

The post The best mix for all drug types in Schedule 1 game appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 3:21 PM
    

A view from above of the city in Schedule I

Schedule 1 is a complex game, and it's only getting more intricate as developer TVGS adds more new items, locations, and mechanics with each update. Luckily, the Schedule 1 Trello board and Discord server can help players manage their criminal empires and keep track of all these new features.

What is Schedule 1's Trello board?

The Schedule 1 Trello board.
Image via Destructoid

If you ever find yourself overwhelmed by all the new features dropping into Schedule 1, the official Schedule 1 Trello board can help you break all the latest information down into more manageable bites. This board lays out all of TVGS' planned/in-progress updates and has a list of updates that are still in the planning stage.

With Schedule 1's popularity climbing by the day, this Trello can help you stay on top of the game's latest bug fixes, overhauls, and new additions. Want to know if you'll ever be able to tag your territory with graffiti? The Trello board has the answer. Do you want to be the first to know when the game gets controller support? The Trello board's got you covered. If you have a Schedule 1-related question, the odds are that this Trello board can help.

What is Schedule 1's Discord server?

The Schedule 1 Discord server.
Image via Destructoid

If you'd rather get answers and advice from other Schedule 1 players, you can connect to them through Schedule 1's official Discord server. The sign-up process is simple: look the Schedule 1 Discord up on your browser and click the link. You'll have to prove you aren't a robot by checking a box on a pop-up prompt, but you aren't a robot (hopefully), so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

There are plenty of helpful channels in the Schedule 1 Discord server, including general charts, bug reports, frequently asked questions, and news announcements. If you want to play with some of your friends on Steam or meet new players, you can start a voice chat. On top of all that, the Schedule 1 Discord has no role-exclusive channels, so you can access any channel you want from the start.

How to find other Schedule 1 social media pages

Schedule 1's Trello board and Discord page are helpful, but I understand there are people who don't find either website appealing. If you count yourself among this group, don't worry! Schedule 1 has plenty of social media pages that you can use instead. Here are the links to them.

These pages feature incredible information you won't find on the Schedule 1 Trello board or the Discord server, including clips of prominent content creators playing the game and announcements for new features. Feel free to search around until you find a favorite to dive into.

The post Schedule 1 Trello and Discord links appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 3:12 PM
    

best board games under 25$

Board gaming can sometimes be a dauntingly expensive hobby, especially considering all the expansions, deluxe editions, and miniatures you can buy. However, you don't need to spend a fortune to assemble an awesome collection of tabletop titles.

While many board games cost well over $100, there are even more you can find for less than $25. Whether you're looking for a small card game to bring to a party or a casual board game for a family night, there are many options to explore.

How we picked the best board games under $25

As we reviewed this list, we considered our most enjoyable board game experiences over the years. While you may be a fan of competitive and strategic titles, friends and family may prefer more casual games.

Keeping these differences in mind, we've included 12 games spanning a diverse range of genres in both board game and card form so you can have plenty of options for your next session. Every one of the cheap board games that we're highlighting in this list has unique mechanics and interesting themes that create considerable replay value and guarantee game night fun.

1. Trails

Best nature card game

Trails board game
Image via Keymaster Games

  • Players: Two to four
  • Playtime: 20-40 minutes
  • Ages: 10+
  • Price: Varies
  • View at Amazon

Discover scenic vistas and explore U.S. National Parks in Trails, a standalone board game based on Keymaster Game's popular tabletop title Parks. As you move through the wilderness, you'll get points for spotting birds and collecting natural resources like acorns and rocks. Turn these supplies in for badges and take a few photos before night falls to pick up the most victory points. The artwork here is particularly gorgeous and invites the players to visit the game's most iconic locations in person.

2. The Resistance: Avalon

Best medieval fantasy card game

Avalon board game
Image via Indie Boards and Cards

  • Players: Five to ten
  • Playtime: 30 minutes
  • Ages: 14+
  • Price: $24.80
  • View at Amazon

In Avalon, each player begins with a secret role that determines their allegiance. They must then deduce which other people around the table are on their team. If you're on the side of Arthur and his knights, you'll need to complete quests successfully. Accidentally inviting the baddies to come with you might spell doom. If you're allied with Morgana instead, you'll need to stealthily sabotage these quests by convincing everyone of your good intentions and then playing fail cards. As far as social deduction games go, it doesn't get much better than Avalon. This title works exceptionally well for large groups.

3. The Crew: Mission Deep Sea

Best trick-taking card game

The Crew Mission Deep Sea card game
Image via Thames and Kosmos

  • Players: Three to five
  • Playtime: Varies
  • Ages: 10+
  • Price: $14.95
  • View at Amazon

If you're looking for a fun cooperative game with plenty of depth that won't break the bank, then you'll love The Crew: Mission Deep Sea. It's a trick-taking card game for two to five players that puts your team on a quest to discover a lost continent. The objective cards upset the basic formula of only playing high-number cards to win sets and ensure that no two games are quite the same. There's also a scaling difficulty system, which guarantees that players who love a good challenge will have a great time.

4. Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game

Star Wars board game
Image via Fantasy Flight Games

  • Players: Two
  • Playtime: 30 minutes
  • Ages: 14+
  • Price: $14.95
  • View at Amazon

The classic conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire takes center stage in Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game. Two players face off in a duel-like format. The aim is to cripple each other's bases and prevent the opponent from purchasing too many powerful cards for their deck. Iconic characters from the original trilogy, such as Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, play a key role in the game because of their force-wielding abilities. However, claiming victory requires a more diverse mix of units. As a result, you'll need to put a few rebel troopers, smugglers, and tie fighters into play if you want to win.

5. The Fox in the Forest

Best two-player card game

The Fox in the Forest board game
Image via Renegade Game Studios

  • Players: Two
  • Playtime: 30 minutes
  • Ages: 10+
  • Price: $15.99
  • View at Amazon

The Fox in the Forest is an enjoyable trick-taking card game for two players with a few interesting twists. The various people and mystical beings on the deck all have interesting powers that players can work with. This allows for a healthy dose of strategy but also ensures that the gameplay remains surprising and unpredictable. Also, if you take too many tricks at once, you'll have to pay the penalty for being greedy. The theme is simple yet engaging, and the illustrations on the cards are elegant and aesthetically pleasing.

6. Love Letter

Best social deduction card game

Love Letter card game
Image via Z-Man Games

  • Players: Two to six
  • Playtime: 20 minutes
  • Ages: 10+
  • Price: $14.99
  • View at Amazon

Our first social deduction game on this list is Love Letter. We're mixing strategy, bluffing, and romance in this fast-paced card game as you, using the cards in your hand, try to deliver a special letter to the princess to convince her you're the most suitable person to be her confidant. The cards in your hand are characters with unique point values and abilities, letting you use any means necessary to win the heart of the princess.

While playing Love Letter, you have one goal—eliminate other players and have the highest-valued card in your hand by the end of your turn. If you're the last player standing, you'll automatically win favor from the princess for that round. Whoever has the most favor will win the game. A usual game takes around 20 minutes, but with how many card combinations and strategies you can use, there's plenty of replay value.

7. One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Best fast-paced card game

One night ultimate werewolf card game
Image via Bezier Games

  • Players: Three to ten
  • Playtime: 10 minutes
  • Ages: 8+
  • Price: $24.95
  • View at Amazon

For a dramatic game of social deduction and hilarious accusatory conversation, try One Night Ultimate Werewolf. Each player takes on a different secret role in the village and will sometimes get to take action during the brief night phase. When the town awakens, it's up to the players to figure out who amongst them is an evil werewolf. At the end of the day, the players vote on who they should execute. If werewolves all avoid capture, then they win. If just one of them is caught, the villagers win instead. There's also an app that assists with running the night phase, which prevents someone from having to sit out and manage the game from the sidelines.

8. Skull

Best cheap board game with unique gameplay

Skull card game
Image via Space Cowboys

  • Players: Three to six players
  • Playtime: 30 minutes
  • Ages: 10+
  • Price: $19.99
  • View at Amazon

The simple yet exciting party game Skull will put your bluffing skills to the test and keep you on the edge of your seat. Players take turns placing their tiles face down until someone decides to bid on the number of tiles they can turn over without hitting one that's secretly a skull. The other players can then bid a higher number or let things play out. If the highest-bidding player avoids the other players' skulls, they win points for every tile they turn over. If they are unsuccessful, they must give up one of their tiles instead, making bluffing even more difficult for them.

9. Decrypto

Best team-based card game

Decrypto card game
Image via Scorpion Masque

  • Players: Three to eight players
  • Playtime: 30 minutes
  • Ages: 12+
  • Price: $24.9
  • View at Amazon

If you enjoy games that require you to guess what your teammates and opponents are thinking, then you'll love Decrypto. When you set up the game, you'll place four of the random word cards in your team's windowed stand so that each word is next to a different number. Then, choose a teammate to secretly read a series of numbers. That player will then attempt to communicate this code to their teammates with word-based clues related to the randomized cards. If you're paying close attention, you might also score points by intercepting the enemy's numerical sequences.

10. Bang! The Dice Game

Best card game with dice

Bang, a Wild West board game
Image via DV Giochi

  • Players: Three to eight players
  • Playtime: 15 minutes
  • Ages: 8+
  • Price: $17.99
  • View at Amazon

In Bang! The Dice Game, outlaws and fugitives roam the Wild West, and the sheriff and his deputies have to try and keep them in check. The game's classic Spaghetti Western theme never fails to entertain, and its gameplay mechanics are definitely exciting as well. At the start, you'll receive both a character card and a role. Each character has a unique power, and each role has a different objective, which means there are a ton of interesting combinations. If you're an outlaw, your goal is to shoot the sheriff. Representing the law instead? You'll need to eliminate all the baddies with the aid of your deputy. If you're the renegade, you can only claim victory if you're the last one standing.

11. Here to Slay

Best fantasy strategy game

here to slay board game
Image via Unstable Games

  • Players: Two to six players
  • Playtime: 30-60 minutes
  • Ages: 14+
  • Price: $20.00
  • View at Amazon

Recruit fierce heroes, wield magic, and take down mythical monsters in Here to Slay, a thrilling dice-rolling game in which the seemingly endless card combos allow just about anything to happen. The characters you play will let you fight dragons and other strange creatures, provided you have the power icons that match the enemy's requirements. Your heroes and any modifier cards also make it possible for you to sabotage your friends, which is arguably a big part of why this game is so fun. The artwork and the expansions are, of course, also fantastic.

12. Happy Little Dinosaurs

Cutest card game

Happy Little Dinosaurs board game
Image via Unstable Games

  • Players: Two to four players
  • Playtime: 30-60 minutes
  • Ages: 8+
  • Price: $19.82
  • View at Amazon

Happy Little Dinosaurs is an undeniably adorable card game that's all about avoiding perilous hazards until you're the last dino alive. These calamities can be as obvious as falling meteors but are often more comedic. Getting caught cosplaying, accidentally running into a shark with legs, or taking a spa day in what turns out to be hot tar could spell doom. To avoid these perils, you might have to break out your meteor cannon or purchase a disaster insurance policy.

The post 12 Cheap Board Games Under $25 That Are Definitely Worth Buying appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Friday, April 11, 2025 2:27 PM
    

Trading Post room in Blue Prince

Beyond the puzzles inside Mt. Holly, additional challenges can be found tucked around its edges. At the Trading Post, a strange cube mechanism waits to be unraveled, rewarding those who stray from the main path. Here's how to unlock and solve the Trading Post puzzle in Blue Prince.

How to unlock Trading Post puzzle in Blue Prince

You can uncover the Trading Post by acquiring the West Gate permanent upgrade. This upgrade requires you to open the Garage doors after you've turned on the room's power at the Utility Closet. Once you venture outside, you'll see a bridge leading to a shed.

Path to the Trading Post
Screenshot by Destructoid

Open the door, and you'll be presented with three options, just like the rooms in Mt. Holly. The Trading Post will be one of them, and you can start exchanging with the shop to gain other Blue Prince items. For example, when I exchanged my Sledge Hammer, I got a Coupon Book in return. The rewards you get seem to be randomized, so you may end up finding something of high value. Once you're done exploring the Trading Post inventory, look to the left to spot the cube puzzle, thus beginning the Blue Prince challenge.

Cube puzzle location in Trading Post
Screenshot by Destructoid

Blue Prince Trading Post cube puzzle solution

The Trading Post's puzzle presents you with nine squares coated in yellow, pink, or gray colors. You'll have to press these cubes in the following order:

  1. Middle row, far right
  2. Middle row, center button
  3. Bottom row, center button
  4. Top row, far left
  5. Middle row, far left
  6. Middle row, far left
  7. Middle row, far left
  8. Middle row, center button
  9. Top row, center button
  10. Middle row, far left
  11. Middle row, far left
  12. Middle row, far left
  13. Middle row, center button
  14. Middle row, far left
  15. Middle row, far left
  16. Bottom row, center button
  17. Middle row, far left
  18. Middle row, far left
  19. Middle row, far left
  20. Hit all four corner buttons (triangles) in any order

The goal is to get the yellow squares to the four corners and the pink square in the far left middle row. If it's in this pattern, you can hit the four triangle corners to complete Blue Prince's Trading Post puzzle. I checked out this solution with other players, and the answer remains the same, no matter what. It should look like this (the only thing missing is the lit-up triangle in the bottom-left corner):

Cube puzzle solution in Trading Post
Screenshot by Destructoid

The box will open up with a new item inside. Grab this object to obtain the Allowance Token, permanently raising your Allowance to two coins daily. It's possible to find more of these tokens throughout your run, increasing your money at the start of your day. It functions similarly to the permanent gems upgrade you'll earn from the Gemstone Cavern, where you'll receive resources automatically. If you want to earn more of these buffs, check out our guide on how to solve the code near the Campsite.

The post How to find and solve Trading Post puzzle in Blue Prince appeared first on Destructoid.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, April 11, 2025 6:17 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, April 11, 2025 3:26 PM

MonsterVine Friday, April 11, 2025 5:00 PM
     The game originally known as Dante's Ring is getting a new title, 'Into the Fire.' Pitched as an extraction survival game, Into the Fire has players live on an island with an erupting volcano for 30 days as they try to extract and save people and animals. Along with the name change, developers Starward Industries […]

MonsterVine Friday, April 11, 2025 3:00 PM
     ATLUS West announced yesterday that they were launching the Summoner's Guild, a "special club for Raidou fans itching to get a deeper look" at RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army. Basically, they want you to sign up for their newsletter and want to give you incentives to do so. One of those incentives, […]

MonsterVine Friday, April 11, 2025 2:00 PM
     CloverPit, pitched as a rogue-lite slot machine nightmare, got an announcement trailer today. Why do game developers want to drag something wholesome like gambling through the mud? Panik Arcade, the developers behind cult hit Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom, released this announcement trailer along with a demo on Steam. As someone who will never own property […]