Mar 16, 20:00


GamersHeroes Monday, March 16, 2026 5:44 PM
    

All aboard! PC component manufacturer HYTE has officially launched their Firefly line of products done in collaboration with HoYoverse's space fantasy RPG Honkai: Star Rail.

The post Official HYTE x Honkai: Star Rail Firefly Collection Live appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Monday, March 16, 2026 3:50 PM
    

Answering the Bat-Signal, TT Games and WB Games' LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is set to release for PC and consoles May 22.

The post LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Launching May 22 appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Monday, March 16, 2026 2:56 PM
    

Paying host to speedruns, skits, and fundraising, Games Done Quick's women and femmes winter speedrunning event Frost Fatales 2026 has raised $147,532 for the National Women's Law Center non-profit.

The post Frost Fatales 2026 Raises Over $147K for the National Women's Law Center appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Monday, March 16, 2026 1:37 PM
    

Accepting the interview invite without hesitation, we recently caught up with the insanely talented Creative Director David Ashby at Day of the Devs to learn more about Pro Jank Footy.

The post Pro Jank Footy Interview – David Ashby Talks Arcades, Humor and BBQs appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Monday, March 16, 2026 1:15 PM
    

Ready to do your part? Auroch Digital and Dotemu's action-packed, first-person retro shooter Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is now available for PC and consoles.

The post Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! Now Available appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Monday, March 16, 2026 12:59 PM
    

The latest characters to hit the track in SEGA's Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds are Angry Birds' Red, Like a Dragon's Goro Majima (as the one and only Captain Majima), and Puyo Puyo's Arle.

The post Red, Goro Majima, and Arle Coming to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 6:17 PM
    

MSI is cutting back on how many low-end GPUs it makes to focus on mid-and high-range hardware

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 5:30 PM
     A warrior hugs a cat in a field.

Pearl Abyss' latest adventure kicks spring off with a big blockbuster

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 5:16 PM
    

KPop Demon Hunters and Sinners fans have beef with the Academy

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 4:35 PM
     Marathon characters appear in yellow smoke.

Duos comes to Perimeter as a test to see if it works

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 3:40 PM
     Kpop Demon Hunters U 00 06 22 12 (1)

'Golden' is an Academy Award-winning song, but is it the best on the soundtrack?

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 3:34 PM
    

Finally, all your video games can look terrible and artificial

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 3:25 PM
    

The late David Keighley helped created the IMAX format and worked alongside directors like Christopher Nolan

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 2:55 PM
     Steam Games

Intended to suggest success, Valve's GDC presentation instead revealed some serious issues

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 1:29 PM
     A woman in a submarine is surprised.

A judge has explained how the CEO of Krafton relied on an AI chatbot for legal advice and planning

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 12:49 PM
     Img 2490

This isn't a bug, and there is a roundabout way to fix it

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 12:38 PM
    

Wikis focused on Runescape, Balatro, and Minecraft have also ditched Fandom over the last few years

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 12:20 PM
     Starfield concept art shows the Morning Checkpoints logo.

Also: Atlus is giving its Persona devs a raise

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 12:11 PM
     Crackedxbox

The process is a whole lot more involved than jailbreaking a PS4, though

Kotaku Monday, March 16, 2026 12:01 PM
     A diver is under the water.

Krafton is 'enjoined' from firing Ted Gill as part of a new court order

PCGamesN Monday, March 16, 2026 1:45 PM
    

Learn the best way to summon orbs to do your bidding as we break down the perfect strategy and builds for The Defect in Slay the Spire 2.


PCGamesN Monday, March 16, 2026 1:01 PM
    

Croatian Controller Miks is the new Valorant agent, and if used right, his musical might will bring a victory fanfare to your team.


PCGamesN Monday, March 16, 2026 12:08 PM
    

While The Legend of California's Jeff Kaplan has taken his fair share of inspiration from Rust, he's been quick to separate the two.


PCGamesN Monday, March 16, 2026 12:00 PM
    

Starship Troopers Ultimate Bug War is a throwback shooter based on a film that's nearly 30 years old - and it's entertaining as hell.


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, March 16, 2026 2:15 PM
    

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is three things. Firstly, it is available now on Steam. Secondly, it is a splashy fantasy open world anime confection, all Disney towers and fluttering windmills and jaunty sailboats and some kind of porcine Space Hopper that transforms into a buzzard. Thirdly, it is a free-to-play game with gacha elements.

I do not like gacha elements and other habit-forming randomised rewards, but I do not think that games featuring them are automatically abominable. Put it this way: our former EIC Graham Smith liked Genshin Impact, and he is both a protective father and a fearful crank who writes mean things about Wholesome games and pretty much just stopped enjoying stuff sometime in 2004.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, March 16, 2026 1:45 PM
    

Less than a year since Krafton fired the co-founders of Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds, a Delaware court has ordered the three executives be reinstated. The judge ruled in favour of the ousted founders, saying that Krafton was guilty of "wrongfully usurping control" of the company.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, March 16, 2026 1:18 PM
    

If you've been hankering for a new Mirror's Edge, then good news, chum - the only part of Panline that doesn't remind me directly of Mirror's Edge is your "Panlet" handheld comms device, which looks a hell of a lot like a PlayStation Portable.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, March 16, 2026 12:15 PM
    

No matter how many times you walk through the Like A Dragon series' nearly ever-present stomping ground of Kamurocho, odds are you'll never get sick of seeing its streets and alleyways. RGG Studio are among many studios - Elden Ring developers Fromsoftware included - who've seen their creative asset reuse widely praised in recent years. While they're far from the first to master leaning on previous bits of design top help save time and resources, Far Cry 4 and Assassin's Creed 3 director Alex Hutchinson reckons it's more key than ever right now that other studios follow their lead.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, March 16, 2026 12:04 PM
    

Extraction shooter is a fussy, intimidating name for what was once a fussy, intimidating genre. However, now, as you'll see below the pool of the best extraction shooters on pc is thankfully deeper, wider, and warmer.

The genre has a couple of defining traits: you need to "extract" – leave, basically – at the end of a run to secure everything you've gathered so you can add it to your permanent stash, and if you die you lose what you're carrying. But beyond that it's surprisingly flexible, and even some of these core pillars are now being challenged. You'll find PvP mosh pits, singleplayer-only adventures, and even a brilliant top-down shooter starring cute ducks.

Read more


Siliconera Monday, March 16, 2026 5:00 PM
    

2026 Square Enix Publisher Sale Stars Ben Starr and Matt Mercer Recommending RPGs

Square Enix kicked off its publisher sale on digital games and on physical titles at retailers like Best Buy, and as part of the promotional effort announced Ben Starr and Matt Mercer will recommend RPGs. At the moment, only the teaser video with Starr is live now. However, the video with Mercer will appear on YouTube at 7am PT/10am ET/3pm CET on March 17, 2026. 

First, here's the initial Square Enix teaser video "Ben Starr is Back?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fbEMKFb3eM

Here's the Square Enix Publisher 2026 placeholder for the "Matt Mercer and Ben Starr on What RPG You Should Play Next" video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joDXWCNf-JM

As for games, here are some of the most notable deals on RPGs and entries in other genres in the 2026 Square Enix Publisher Sale. All of them are available via the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Steam

  • Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster - $31.99.
  • Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion - $19.99.
  • Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake - $44.99.
  • Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake - $35.99.
  • Dragon Quest Builders - $13.99.
  • Dragon Quest Builders 2 - $24.99.
  • Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection (FFI-FFVI) - $48.64.
  • Final Fantasy III 3D Remake - $6.39.
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade - $19.99.
  • Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - $29.99.
  • Final Fantasy VIII Remastered - $7.99 ($4.79 for standard). 
  • Final Fantasy IX - $8.39.
  • Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster - $11.99.
  • Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age - $19.99. 
  • Final Fantasy XIII - $6.39.
  • Final Fantasy XIII-2 - $7.99.
  • Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII - $7.99.
  • Final Fantasy XV - $13.99.
  • Final Fantasy XVI - $24.99.
  • Final Fantasy Type-0 HD - $11.99. 
  • Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - $34.99.
  • Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece (Entries 1-3) - $49.99.
  • NieR Automata - $15.99.
  • Octopath Traveler 0 - $37.49.
  • Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin - $15.99.
  • World of Final Fantasy Complete Edition - $15.89.

The Square Enix Publisher Sale on its own games and other titles is on until March 26, 2026.

The post 2026 Square Enix Publisher Sale Stars Ben Starr and Matt Mercer Recommending RPGs appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, March 16, 2026 4:00 PM
    

Gnosia Mobile Ports and The Live Playing Theater Play Announced

Now that the Gnosia anime adaptation season ended with episode 21, Android and iOS mobile ports of the game and a stage play is confirmed. The App Store and Google Play pages are live, and it costs $24.99 to immediately begin playing. Gnosia: The Live Playing Theater shows will appear in Japan between August 21, 2026 and September 6, 2026. 

In the case of the Gnosia mobile ports, it is nearly identical to the versions already available on consoles and PCs worldwide. The story and its scenes remain the same. The only difference is, Petit Depotto optimized the touch-screen controls. The price is also the same as the console and PC releases, and you get the full game for the money. (However, on Steam the game is temporarily $17.49 until March 19, 2026.) 

As for the performances, Gnosia: The Live Playing Theater will feature a different ending each show at the Hikosen Theater in Tokyo, Japan. This is because each actor learns if they will be human or Gnosia, as well as what role their character might be, right before that appearance. So every one will be different. The show will also be streamed, though details about that part aren't on the official site yet. It is also going to be based on the anime adaptation, which means the lead will be the established character Yuri instead of the more ambiguous and customizable player character from the game version.

Here's the key visual for the Gnosia: The Live Playing Theater stage play. It features the actors playing Yuri, the anime protagonist, and Setsu.

Image via Aniplex

Gnosia is available on the Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile Android and iOS devices worldwide and on the Vita in Japan. The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll. The stage show will run in Tokyo, Japan between August 21, 2026 and September 6, 2026. 

The post Gnosia Mobile Ports and The Live Playing Theater Play Announced appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, March 16, 2026 3:00 PM
    

Funbox PS1 Dualshock Controller Pouch Is a 1:1 Replica

Funbox announced it will sell two silicone pouches in Japan that are essentially 1:1 replicas of the PS1 Dualshock controller. They will be 2,178円 (~$13.70) and launch on March 17, 2026. As of time of writing, these are only confirmed for Japan and there's no word regarding a worldwide release. 

In terms of size, the PS1 Dualshock Controller pouch is very similar to the actual peripheral. It is 155mm long, 97mm tall, and 59mm deep. To compare, the actual controller is 157mm long, 95mm tall, and 55mm deep. All buttons are recreated, including the triggers on the shoulder, and there are joystick replicas. (These are not functional and do not click.) The connector appears as a charm on the strap, which is 160mm long, and resembles the one used to plug the controller into the console. 

Here are all of Funbox's official photos of the black and grey pouches. Some of the images offer more context, allowing us to see the bag alongside the real controller or how it looks when worn on a backpack.

This is the second replica like this Funbox released. It previously sold a larger pouch that resembled the original PlayStation console. That will be sold again in March 2026, according to the official press release.

The Funbox PS1 Dualshock controller pouches will launch in Japan on March 17, 2026. 

The post Funbox PS1 Dualshock Controller Pouch Is a 1:1 Replica appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, March 16, 2026 2:00 PM
    

Hololive English Vtubers 4th Concert Set for July 2026

Cover announced Hololive English 4th Concert will be held July 3-4, 2026 and once again feature feature the company's Vtubers performing their songs and covers. It will be held at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Ticket sales aren't open yet, and the company will announce more details closer to the event.

The initial teaser for the concert only offered very few details about the 2026 performance. We know this will be a two-day show, like some past Hololive English concerts, which means there could be different songs song by the Vtubers and schedules. We know the full title is also Hololive English 4th Concert: Serendipity. We don't know who will be performing, but it should be Calliope Mori, Kiara Takanashi, Ninomae Ina'nis, IRyS, Hakos Baelz, Ouro Kronii, Fuwawa and Mococo Abyssgard, Koseki Bijou, Nerissa Ravencroft, Shiori Novella, Ceciliia Immergreen, Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame, Gigi Murin, and Raora Panthera. 

Here's the official teaser trailer for the event from YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDDV_JMU8GY

There's no information regarding the streaming tickets for the performances. However, Cover typically offers an option that lets someone buy digital tickets to watch these types of performances live and then rewatch them on-demand for a period of time.

The Hololive English 3rd Concert was held back in August 2025, and that time the Vtubers performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. That was also a two-day event, but it happened in August 2025. 

Hololive English 4th Concert: Serendipity will be held at Shrine Auditorium between July 3-4, 2026.

The post Hololive English Vtubers 4th Concert Set for July 2026 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, March 16, 2026 1:00 PM
    

Zenless Zone Zero Physical PS5, Xbox Series X Collector's Edition Shared

HoYoVerse announced physical Collector's Edition copies of the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of Zenless Zone Zero will be available for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Pre-orders are already live on the Panax Store, and they cost $59.99 each. While it's only available for folks in North America now, these will be sold internationally as well. It is expected to ship on September 17, 2026. A similar sort of release happened in 2025 with Honkai: Star Rail.

While we know everything that will be in the physical Zenless Zone Zero Collector's Edition for the PS5 and Xbox Series X, we don't know specific details about some of the items included. For example, we get the game on a disc, but it's unknown up to which version is covered. There's an acrylic standee stage with Anby, complete with NFC technology built into it, but HoYoVerse didn't note what happens when it is scanned. There will be one PS5 and Xbox Series X-exclusive collector's postcard in each one, but we don't know what that design looks like. A redemption code for in-game, "exclusive" items is included, but again, we won't know what it is. There are also going to be seven character photo cards, one character badge pin, and a Proxy Acrylic Avatar Card with Belle and Wise on it.

Here's the photo highlighting the items.

Image via HoYoVerse

This is the second time we've seen this happen with a HoYoVerse game. As mentioned earlier, we saw the Honkai: Star Rail Trailblazer Edition in March 2025. That was a PS5-exclusive release, and it didn't include as many extras with it. Basically, people got a copy of the game, a postcard, and two keychains featuring characters from the game.

Zenless Zone Zero is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, and the physical collector's edition will launch on September 17, 2026.

The post Zenless Zone Zero Physical PS5, Xbox Series X Collector's Edition Shared appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Monday, March 16, 2026 7:06 PM
    

The flying ship in Everwind

Sandbox-RPG hybrid Everwind has less than 24 hours left for it to go live in early access, and this guide will help you keep track of the upcoming launch.

The game will be initially released by Bohemia Interactive on PC, and you can get your copy on Steam. But first, let's look at when the game launches so that you can jump in immediately.

Everwind release countdown

Everwind's early access goes live on Tuesday, March 17. The following countdown will expire once the game goes live.


[hurrytimer id="1192927"]

The countdown is based on the following timings.

  • 9am PT
  • 11am CT
  • 12pm ET
  • 5pm UTC
  • 6pm CET

These timings are based on the information available on SteamDB. Any changes to the actual launch will be duly updated on this guide. If there are no more delays, less than 24 hours are left, so let's see what we can expect from Everwind.

What to expect from Everwind

Everwind is mish mash of the RPG and Sandbox genres that you get to enjoy from a first-person perspective. You can choose to play alone or with your friends, as you look to build your base, gather resources, loot, craft, and everything else that you can expect to do in a true sandbox.

However, the world of Everwind will have its own set of dangers, which also includes dungeons for you to conquer. Wield different weapons that suit your playstyles, and take on stronger enemies to get better loot. With a procedurally-generated world, no two maps and situations will be the same. It's now up to you to build your ship, expand it, and start your adventure.

The post Everwind release countdown: Exact date and time appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, March 16, 2026 5:10 PM
    

Characters in The Seven Deadly Sins Origin

The Seven Deadly Sins Origin is now out on PC and PS5, with a mobile launch coming soon, and you get to choose from a host of different characters.

The character has been adapted directly from the manga that also inspired an anime. Every character has its unique pros and cons, but some are better than the rest.

Disclaimer: Large parts of this tier list are based on the closed beta. It's a good starting point, but I will update the tiers as I play and test more characters.

Complete The Seven Deadly Sins Origin character tier list

Characters in The Seven Deadly Sins Origin belong to different rarities, but not all rare names are better. Moreover, the kit you equip will also determine how the characters work and what roles they play. However, I have assessed the characters based on their best kit.

S-tier

S-tier characters are simply the strongest ones in the entire game. They will be the characters you should ideally reroll for, and they will work well with most weapons.

  • Meliodas: He is pretty much the best healing support you can find among all characters. You can either go for the Dual Sword or the single one. The fact that you can have one HP bar for the whole team allows you to heal all your allies.
  • Jericho: Jericho is pretty much the strongest DPS unit in the entire game. She can also inflict Freeze with her Special Attack when you're using the Dual Sword kit. Her Frozen Saber ability allows you to teleport her behind the enemy to deal extra damage, and also increases the Burst Gauge. She's also one of the best universal characters to get.
  • Diane: Diane, in some teams, can be slightly better than Jericho (but Jericho is far more universal). Diane is a different type of DPS as she can also create her own sustains. She can gain a shield from her passive, and she can also heal herself with burst damage. Her Axe kit also allows you to inflict stuns, which is great for crowd control.

A-tier

Image via Netmarble

The A-tier characters are pretty strong in their own right, but slightly fall short compared to the S-tier choices.

  • King: With his Staff kit, King can attack as an amazing support. He clearly becomes S-tier if you're using him with Diane (due to the Earth-based synergy). His ability to inflict Bloom on allies raises their damage potential. If you opt for the Book kit, King becomes a defensive support who provides barriers for other allies.
  • Elaine: Unlike King, Elaine is a pure defensive support who offers massive shields and damage reductions with her moves. She can also neutralize the enemy's burst resistance. This allows your units to enter the burst states quicker, which is great for DPS characters like Jericho. However, she's also a great partner with Diane due to their Earth affiliation.
  • Manny: If you're running a burst-focused team, Manny becomes an S-tier pick. She inflicts Punishment on enemies. Those enemies will then take Critical Hit as Punishment is active, and it also inflicts additional Holy damage. She can also buff the Crit Damage of her allies and reduce the Element Defense of enemies.
  • Howzer: If you're a free-to-play player, Howzer is a pretty good choice. He can inflict Bleed with his attacks, which raises the damage dealt to enemies (while nerfing the healing rate). You have to combine it with his special attack that helps Howzer gain Gust. He is a relatively simple character to master, but he might lose his relevance once we get more names in the future.

B-tier

B-tier choices are average at best, so I have briefly explained what they do and what you can expect of them. In simple words, try to replace them with better options listed above unless you're a fan.

  • Guila: She can deal damage via Fire Burst when she is in her Demon Form. You'll need to use her Demon Form carefully since it also allows her to reduce her skill cooldown by 50% by landing Critical Hits.
  • Drake: He does lightning damage to enemies, and he can also increase his Burst Duration with Lightning Burst. However, the lack of synergy for the Lightning element continues until the full launch.
  • Slader: While he can deal Fire/Physical damage to enemies, his overall potential is pretty limited. His base damage is pretty low, which makes him unideal as a DPS until you build him up.
  • Hendrickson: Hendrickson is useful as long as you have Meliodas in your team, as he can improve Meli's damage potential. If you don't have Meliodas, Hendrickson is a C-tier.
  • Tristan: He is an okay character, as everyone gets him for free. His kit is pretty basic, but it can deal a decent amount of Fire Damage. Outside that, there's not much to write home about him.

C-tier

These are extremely weak characters, and you should look to replace them as soon as possible.

  • Bug
  • Dreydrin
  • Dreyfus
  • Gilthunder
  • Griamore
  • Tioreh

The post The Seven Deadly Sins Origin character tier list (March 2026) appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, March 16, 2026 4:08 PM
    

2026_Marathon_Launch_Press_Kit_Compressed_001 (1)

Thursday will mark two weeks since Marathon's launch, and Bungie is continuing to work on adding requested features, including one that players have been asking for since the closed alpha.

Marathon's game director Joe Ziegler confirmed today that a "limited time duos queue" is coming this week as part of a testing phase for the game. The test will begin on March 18 and last for two weeks, but it could get cut off early or be extended, and it will also be limited to just the Perimeter map.

Marathon space ship
Image via Bungie

"This is a bit of an experimental feature so we expect to learn some things along the way and make changes to future versions of this," Ziegler said. "This likely won't be the final implementation of how it would look and flow in the game, but for now it was easiest way for us to get it to you all to help us test."

The test will only allow premade teams of two, meaning there won't be any solo matchmaking for the mode, and players will be matched with other duos only. Ziegler did warn, though, that "some things will be a bit jank" in the testing phase.

Currently, Marathon supports solo queue and Trios with matchmaking. When solo, you queue into other solo players, and trios will always match you with other teams of three. If players want to queue up in a group of two, they can either go up against other trios, or matchmake a random third.

"We're excited to run this experiment with you all," he said. "Pending what we learn, we're hoping to expand duos as a queue in the future and we wanted to take this first step sooner than later so we could understand how it affects our game better before investing a lot more time in fleshing out the feature."

The post Marathon is adding one of its most requested features this week, but with a catch appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, March 16, 2026 3:58 PM
    

NVIDIA DLSS 5 Resident Evil

Yes, the image above is real. Yes, it just kind of looks like an AI filter. And yes, it's really how Nvidia chose to debut and tout its upcoming DLSS 5 technology.

This is where we are now. This is what the tech industry is selling, described by Digital Foundry as "Nvidia's attempt to use machine learning to leapfrog generations of GPU hardware evolution to deliver photo-realistic lighting using the hardware of today."

Image via Digital Foundry

And so, this new technology takes Resident Evil Requiem's Grace Ashcroft, and her beautiful face model Julia Pratt, runs them both through an AI filter, and spits out something that looks like a bad ad for a mobile game that you get while scrolling YouTube shorts. Or worse, the AI-powered "recreations" that people keep plugging into their generative machines to tout on social media's "look what I made" meta.

That's just not even Grace anymore, or Leon, as shown in the image above. And it gets worse, as seen in another image below. Nvidia showed off DLSS 5 at GDC this week, scheduled to come later this year to the RTX 50s-series GPUs, with Requiem and also Starfield, and that example below is even more egregious.

I mean, look at this crap:

Image via Digital Foundry

This is what we get when DLSS 5's "lighting model uses just color information and motion vectors to deliver photo-realistic imagery," according to DF. I thought it was a joke at first, but no, it's very real. And all I see in these faces is that same lifeless, uncanny valley-looking AI face that keeps popping up everywhere.

This, to me, is just the latest in a long line of signs that artistry is dying in favor of the AI boom. For now, at least, most gamers won't have to worry about their games looking like this as companies like Nvidia continue pumping its resources into data centers that end up pricing people out of even acquiring the tech needed to run this stuff in the first place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZlwTtgbgVA

Man, this sucks. What do you think about where the industry is headed with DLSS 5 and its implications?

The post Nvidia's upcoming DLSS 5 tech turns Resident Evil's Grace and Leon into soulless, AI-filtered slop appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, March 16, 2026 2:49 PM
    

Grealish FUT Birthday in FC 26

Ultimate Gauntlet 13 is now live in FC 26, and completing it will get you different rewards that also include a guaranteed promo card.

You have to play three matches in every round and try to win as many as possible. However, you can afford to lose some since most of the tasks can be done by simply playing a fixed number of matches. Let's look at how to complete the full objective to obtain the maximum rewards.

How to get all Ultimate Gauntlet 13 rewards in FC 26

The table below has all ten tasks in the Gauntlet. You need to complete any nine to finish the objective set.

Task Rewards
Play 1 match in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 5x 83+ Rare Gold Players Pack
Play 2 matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 6x 83+ Rare Gold Players Pack
Play 3 matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 5x 84+ Rare Gold Players Pack
Score at least 1 goal in 3 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 to earn an EVO Consumable Evolution
Score at least 1 goal in 5 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 5x 85+ Rare Gold Players Pack
Score at least 1 goal in 6 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 Jack Grealish FUT Birthday
Win 3 matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 5x 85+ Rare Gold Players Pack
Win 4 matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 to earn an EVO Consumable Evolution
Score at least 1 goal in 12 separate matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 3x 86+ Rare Gold Players Pack
Win 6 matches in Ultimate Gauntlet 13 3x 86+ Rare Gold Players Pack

Once you complete the set, you'll get an extra 10 86+ Rare Gold Players Pack. Hence, you get a guaranteed promo card that can be built from scratch just the way you want. But that's not all, since you also get several guaranteed walkout packs. These packs could include promo cards, but at worst, you'll get 86 or higher-rated cards that can be used to complete SBCs.

The post All FC 26 Ultimate Gauntlet 13 rewards and how to get them appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, March 16, 2026 2:22 PM
    

Tchouameni TOTW in FC 26

The Party in the Middle Evolution is now live in FC 26, and you can use it to upgrade one of your midfielders.

While the evolution costs 60,000 coins to unlock, you can apply some massive upgrades to your chosen card. Let's look at the best candidates based on the requirements and possible upgrades.

FC 26 Party in the Middle Evolution requirements

Here are the requirements of Party in the Middle Evolution in FC 26.

  • Overall: Max 88
  • Shooting: Max 85
  • Physical: Max 89
  • PlayStyle: Max 10
  • PlayStyle+: Max 2
  • Not Rarity: World Tour Silver Stars
  • Position: CM

FC 26 Party in the Middle Evolution upgrades

The evolution has five levels of upgrades, each with certain conditions to fulfill.

Level 1 upgrades

  • Overall: +20 |89
  • Shooting: +15 |83
  • Acceleration: +15 |88
  • Ball control: +20 |86
  • Sprint Speed: +15 |88
  • PlayStyles: Pinged Pass |8

Level 2 upgrades

  • Defending: +15 |86
  • Agility: +30 |90
  • Balance: +20 |89
  • Reactions: +20 |88
  • Weak Foot: +3 |4
  • PlayStyles: Intercept |8

Level 3 upgrades

  • Crossing: +15 |90
  • Long Passing: +30 |92
  • Short Passing: +30 |92
  • Skills: +4
  • PlayStyles+: Pinged Pass |2
  • PlayStyles: Incisive Pass

Level 4 upgrades

  • Aggression: +15 |84
  • Dribbling: +20 |87
  • Jumping: +10 |90
  • Stamina: +10 |90
  • Strength: +15 |83
  • PlayStyles: Long Ball Pass

Level 5 upgrades

  • Curve: +15 |90
  • Vision: +20 |90
  • Composure: +20 |89
  • PlayStyles+: Intercept |2
  • PlayStyles: Bruiser |8
  • Roles: Box-to-Box++

Level 1 upgrade requirements

  • Play 1 match in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player.

Level 2 upgrade requirements

  • Play 1 match in Squad Battles on min Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO player.

Level 3 upgrade requirements

  • Play 1 match in Squad Battles on min Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO player.

Level 4 upgrade requirements

  • Play 1 match in Squad Battles on min Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO player.

Level 5 upgrade requirements

  • Play 2 matches in Squad Battles on min Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO player.

Best players to use in Party in the Middle Evolution

Here are some of my best recommendations for inclusion in the evolution.

  • Blaise Matuidi Ultimate Scream
  • O'Reilly TOTW
  • Aurelien Tchouameni TOTW
  • Lewis Miley Fantasy FC
  • Doucoure Time Warp
  • Adam Wharton Future Stars
  • Fabian Ruiz FC Pro Live
  • Khephrem Thuram Winter Wildcards
  • Bouaddi Future Stars
  • Paul Pogba Ultimate Scream

The post Best players for FC 26 Party in the Middle Evolution appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, March 16, 2026 2:08 PM
    

Subnautica 2 gameplay

The messy story of Subnautica 2's development and delay got a whole lot messier today, deepening the plot about the highly anticipated sequel's delayed early access launch.

Last summer, publisher Krafton placed the blame for Subnautica 2's delay on three former executives at developer Unknown Worlds, amid reports that the game was actually pushed to avoid paying them $250 million in bonuses, according to a report by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier.

Subnautica 2 flashlight gameplay
Image via Krafton

The latest development, picked up by VGC, is that a judge in Delaware has ruled that Krafton must reinstate former Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill, who was fired by the company last year, along with former founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire.

To make matters even juicier, the judge also made an accusation that Krafton's own CEO "turned to artificial intelligence to help him brainstorm ways to avoid paying the earnout," remarking that "ChatGPT likewise advised that it would be 'difficult to cancel the earnout.'"

That strategy, apparently, was to place blame on Gill and other executives who Krafton said "abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them" alongside Subnautica 2's development. Now, the recent court ruling claims that "Krafton went searching for a pretext" to avoid a "nine-figure liability."

"We are deeply disappointed by the former leadership's conduct, and above all, we feel a profound sense of betrayal by their failure to honor the trust placed in them by our fans," Krafton said in a statement last July.

Basically, Subnautica 2 devs said the game is ready for early access, but the game was delayed because Krafton said and felt otherwise, apparently. But now all of this is being called into question, and it may be due to the publisher attempting to avoid its payment responsibilities.

Subnautica 2 is currently the most wishlisted game on Steam, ahead of titles like Deadlock, Light No Fire, Crimson Desert, and Forza Horizon 6. It's unclear what this latest wrinkle means for the undersea exploration game, but the sloppiness behind the scenes just keeps getting sloppier. Hopefully, with Gill back at the reins, the game could be closer to release than ever.

The post Krafton ordered to reinstate fired Subnautica 2 CEO after judge accuses publisher of using ChatGPT to help abandon bonus payments appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, March 16, 2026 1:45 PM
    

The world of Britannia in The Seven Deadly Sins

The Seven Deadly Sins Origin is now out on PC and console, and you can tweak the in-game settings to get the best possible performance.

The general performance in the first hour seems to be pretty strong, but I did encounter some lag and a few stutters along the way. Thankfully, you can solve any issues by tweaking the graphics settings.

Best The Seven Deadly Sins Origin graphics settings

Here's the set of specifications that I am using.

  • AMD Ryzen 5600G
  • 12 GB of Nvidia RTX 3060
  • 16 GB of DDR5 RAM.

The following table has the best recommended settings for devices like mine, and if you're on the lower end in terms of the requirements from Netmarble. If you have a powerful rig, you don't need to tweak much for obvious reasons.

Best graphics settings for The Seven Deadly Sins Origin
Screenshot by Destructoid

Option For Mid End For Low End
Screen Resolution Personal Preference Personal Preference
Frame Rate 60 FPS 45 FPS
Vertical Sync Disable Disable
Graphic Quality Custom Custom
View Distance Quality Medium Low
Shadow Quality Low Low
Texture Quality Medium Low
Post-Processing Quality Medium Low
Special Effect Quality Medium Low
Global Illumination Quality Low Low
Reflection Quality Low Low
Environmental Detail Quality Medium Low
Anti-Aliasing Medium Low
Shadow Display Distance Medium Medium

There are a couple of pointers to note.

  • I have disabled the VSync since I was encountering stutters on my end with the feature enabled. Hence, I chose to disable it, and it improved the performance.
  • While the aim is to get as many frames as possible, it makes little sense to do that if you encounter lag and stutter. Hence, I have capped it to 60 FPS on my PC.

The post Best The Seven Deadly Sins Origin graphics for less lag and max FPS appeared first on Destructoid.


WGB Monday, March 16, 2026 1:44 PM
     Lego Batman: The Legacy of the Dark Knight has a new release date of May 22, one week earlier than planned. Deluxe edition buyers gain early access on May 19. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 version won't launch until 2026.

iDev Games Feed Monday, March 16, 2026 12:21 PM
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MonsterVine Monday, March 16, 2026 3:00 PM
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MonsterVine Monday, March 16, 2026 12:00 PM
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