Kotaku Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:30 AM  Last year, AI generated art finally broke through the mainstream—but not without significant public controversy. The rampant art theft required to build an AI's dataset and the resulting forgeries eventually led to a class action lawsuit against AI generators. Yet that hasn't stopped developers from using the… |
Kotaku Thursday, February 16, 2023 8:00 AM  VR is not the Future of Gaming™. Rather, it's an active, thriving, wonderful part of its present with many great experiences to enjoy. PS VR2 joins in on that fun with one of the best headsets you can presently buy. But at a cost of $550 dollars for the unit and its controllers (in addition to needing to own a… |
Kotaku Thursday, February 16, 2023 8:00 AM  A fully realized VR experience in the world of Sony's Horizon franchise is an exciting prospect indeed, but Horizon Call of the Mountain can't fully deliver on that promise. It's too small in scope, has a surplus of arcadey combat scenarios that instantly break immersion with their rigid structure, and what strengths… |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:24 AM  The GTA Online weekly update for February 16-22 is upon us, and it marks the long-awaited arrival of the 50-car garage. This hefty storage solution is the perfect place to store all your GTA 5 cars in the Rockstar online multiplayer game, and comes alongside a sporty new car in the form of the Toundra Panthere. There's also plenty of bonuses and discounts, so read on for the full details. Continue reading GTA Online weekly update adds 50-car garage and Toundra Panthere MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best GTA 5 RP servers, GTA 6 release date speculation, GTA 5 system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:00 AM  A Steam sale celebrating the best strategy games from across the industry is returning after its successful 2022 outing. TactiCon 2023 is a 'digital convention' collaboration from indie publishing teams Hooded Horse and Firesquid that aims to uplift a wealth of exciting tactics and strategy games from across a range of sub-genres, with dozesn of new releases and playable demos available alongside plenty of deals. Continue reading Hit Steam sale celebrating strategy games returns with TactiCon 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Steam FAQ, Steam family sharing, Steam in-home streaming |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 8:11 AM  No matter whether you own TWW or TWW2, all Total War Warhammer 3 players can now access the terrific Immortal Empires campaign, as Sega and Creative Assembly launch patch 2.4 for the Warhammer game and tease the arrival of the long-awaited Chaos Dwarfs. Continue reading All Total War Warhammer 3 players now get Immortal Empires MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Total War: Warhammer 3 DLC, Total War: Warhammer 3 races, Total War: Warhammer 3 review |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:41 AM  On the lookout for an Apex Legends characters guide? Our handy breakdown of each legend in Apex Legends and their abilities will be just the ticket. Whether you're considering who to try first, or who you would like to mix things up by playing as next, each of Apex Legends' heroes boasts a unique personality and playstyle to make every round feel fresh. There's an Apex Legends character for every play style: Wraith and Mirage's stealthy and deceptive characteristics will appeal to the seasoned flanker who is out to deal serious damage to one key target, then there's the medic, Lifeline, who plays a crucial role of maintaining the health of her squad. You'll need to think carefully about how characters complement each other if you want to win games consistently in the free PC game. Here's what you can expect from each of the Apex Legends heroes. Continue reading Apex Legends characters and abilities list MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Apex Legends characters guide, Apex Legends skins, Apex Legends map guide |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 7:53 AM  Want to know the next Disney Dreamlight Valley update release date and who's coming with it? Dreamlight Valley updates add new characters and quests to the life sim, and we already know there's a lot of room for new faces to be added. Fans on social media have been requesting the likes of Cinderella, Belle, and Stitch - and with a certain blue alien having crash-landed in the valley last year, we know Gameloft are listening. Despite being in early access, the Disney game cemented itself as one of the best PC games of last year, with regular content updates, a vibrant community, and speedy and regular patches when bugs are found. We've now had two large content updates since the game launched just a few months ago. With "an almost unlimited source" of classic characters to choose from, there's no sign of these updates slowing down yet, with Dreamlight Valley update 3 just around the corner. Continue reading What is the next Dreamlight Valley update release date? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Disney games, What's the next Dreamlight Valley update?, Disney Dreamlight Valley guide |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 7:20 AM  The best Warzone 2 Lockwood 300 loadout makes close range battles incredibly easy. All it takes is one perfectly placed shot to instantly down nearby enemies. Al Mazrah may be a large map for a battle royale game, but there are plenty of areas where the Lockwood 300 can be highly effective in this FPS game. As long as you ensure your loadout contains a long range weapon alongside this shotgun, you should have no problems taking out enemies from practically any distance in the free PC game. Continue reading Best Warzone 2 Lockwood 300 loadout for Season 2 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 7:14 AM  Looking for the perfect class setup and best MW2 Lockwood 300 loadout? This powerful shotgun has been compared to the 725 from the 2019 Modern Warfare, so does it live up to the hype? If built properly, the Lockwood 300 can do some real damage, capable of a one-shot kill; here's how to create the ideal setup. Continue reading Best MW2 Lockwood 300 loadout MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Modern Warfare 2 guns, Best loadouts in Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 2 maps |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 7:10 AM  When does Hogwarts Legacy take place? The latest Harry Potter universe game is set in the distant past, long before the scarred boy set foot in Hogwarts' hallowed halls and even before the Fantastic Beasts films. To put this into context, Dumbledore is a mere child in the events of this game, so it's as if we're stepping into a brand-new world. With its rather early timeframe, most of the Hogwarts Legacy characters are new faces, with no Hagrid or Harry Potter to help you settle in. However, since the ghosts have been on campus since forever, it's highly probable you'll at least bump into Nearly Headless Nick from time to time. Continue reading When does Hogwarts Legacy take place? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 7:02 AM  Not sure how to open Hogwarts Legacy eyeball chests? There are plenty of objects and items you can't interact with when you first start playing Hogwarts Legacy, but it won't take long before you can start collecting every item you find. One of the objects you'll certainly run into during your time with the RPG game are eyeball chests, or chests with eyes. Each one of these chests holds 500 Galleons - and is a great way to make money in Hogwarts Legacy - which is enough to buy several Hogwarts Legacy potions, plants and seeds from Dogweed and Deathcap, and much more around Hogsmeade. While it may feel like these chests are always watching you, all you need to do is cast a spell to remain out of sight. Continue reading How to open Hogwarts Legacy eyeball chests MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:59 AM  A selection of CSGO skins for the AWP rifle and other inventory items have been removed and replaced by Valve after claims that they were based on "stolen artwork." The change follows recent CSGO updates which alter maps including Ember and Boyard, as the Steam FPS game also breaks its own record for concurrent players. Continue reading CSGO skins removed by Valve after alleged copyright infringement MORE FROM PCGAMESN: CS:GO console commands, CS:GO tips, CS:GO smokes |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:58 AM  Hogwarts Legacy companions keep you company as you study your classes in the famous school, sit by your side as you grab a drink in Hogsmeade, and fight with you when taking on the dark wizards and terrifying evil of the wizarding world. Your companions aren't defined by your house either, as you make friends with each of these characters for their own individual story development. Hogwarts Legacy has an astounding amount of content. The huge, open-world Hogwarts Legacy map looks absolutely gorgeous, and the attention to detail that has gone into designing the world can be seen from the landscapes themselves to the common rooms and classrooms. There are loads of Hogwarts Legacy characters to get to know as well, and that's where the Hogwarts Legacy companions come in, as four fellow students are particularly crucial to your time in the RPG game. Continue reading Hogwarts Legacy companions explained MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:54 AM  While Apex Legends Season 16 may be entitled "Revelry," its new Team Deathmatch mode has been anything but, leading Respawn to make some pretty hefty changes to the battle royale game's latest foray. Continue reading Apex Legends Season 16 Deathmatch mode has been fixed already MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Apex Legends characters guide, Apex Legends skins, Apex Legends map guide |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:48 AM  You may have stumbled across several Warzone 2 Sea Treasure Tokens - or Sea Treasures Tokens, as they're known in-game - in your time on Ashika Island, but what are they? They can't be used at buy stations and aren't usable in your hands, so picking them up with no knowledge of what they're for is just taking up valuable inventory space. Thankfully, we know precisely what Warzone 2 Sea Treasure Tokens are, and what they're used for. Getting a victory on Ashika Island Resurgence is about setting a high pace early, pushing teams, and getting the wipe - putting together an aggressive Warzone 2 loadout is key in the free PC game, and you'll want to complement your build with some of the prizes you'll get from using Sea Treasure Tokens at designated machines. Continue reading Warzone 2 Sea Treasure Tokens explained MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 7:06 AM  The Hogwarts Legacy bridge puzzle is just one of the many secrets you can uncover in the school of witchcraft and wizardry. It's also very easy to overlook, given that it's an environmental puzzle that demands you keep an eye out for esoteric clues as you explore. The Hogwarts Legacy bridge puzzle is found in the Viaduct Courtyard that connects the Great Hall and Library Annex, which you can locate on the Hogwarts Legacy map. It's a fairly innocuous area at first glance, but look closer, and you'll see the hallmarks of a puzzle. What's more, solving it will net you a legendary item – you don't even need to know how to open Hogwarts Legacy locks in the open-world game to access it. Here's how to solve the Hogwarts Legacy bridge puzzle. Continue reading Hogwarts Legacy bridge puzzle guide MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:41 AM  Trying to catch the Hogwarts Legacy flying pages? You may have seen them slowly flapping their papery wings across the many rooms of Hogwarts. These are field guide pages, though not ones to be confused with those hidden next to landmarks or from empty paintings. Getting the Hogwarts Legacy flying pages, along with the Hogwarts Legacy Revelio pages, gives you little experience but nothing else to contribute to completing the Hogwarts Legacy challenges. That said, these Hogwarts Legacy field guide pages are worth picking up when you see them get that little extra boost, as level-ups give you additional health. So therein lies the big question: how? Chances are you've seen them early in the open-world game and attempted to use the basic projectile spell to knock them down. All this does is knock them around, but they remain airborne. You need to learn one of the Hogwarts Legacy spells from your teachers before you can pluck them from the sky. Continue reading How to get Hogwarts Legacy flying pages MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:29 AM  Want to know how to skip Hogwarts Legacy cutscenes and dialogue? One of our biggest pet peeves in games is when characters take too long to speak. If you play with subtitles on, chances are you can read faster than any NPC can talk. Fortunately, you don't have to waste any time if you want to speed through the story. It's important to note that there are certain cutscenes that are pre-rendered, meaning you won't be able to skip through any of the dialogue. Instead, you may receive the option to skip entire cutscenes. If you're looking to save some time, don't forget to check out our Hogwarts Legacy Floo Flames locations to instantly fast travel to specific locations. There isn't a way to replay cutscenes in Hogwarts Legacy, so think carefully about what you're willing to skip through. Continue reading How to skip Hogwarts Legacy cutscenes and dialogue MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:10 AM  What is the GTA podium car this week? GTA Online vehicles are expensive things, so we're happy to take a spin on the Diamond Casino's Lucky Wheel to get a discount. Winning isn't guaranteed, sure, but it isn't out of the question, either. Look, we don't have a problem - leave it alone. Finding out what is the GTA podium car is simple enough - it's winning it that's the challenge. You can spin the Diamond Casino's Lucky Wheel once daily, and each Podium Car refreshes after seven days on a Thursday. Basically, you have seven shots to get the vehicle of that given week. If you own a Penthouse, you can spin it for free, but if you don't, it's $500 a spin. Don't fret if you don't win, as you can try for something else. You have a one in 20 chance of getting the podium vehicle, a car discount, or a mystery prize. There's a four in 20 chance of getting clothes, chips, and cash. Finally, there's a five in 20 chance of getting RP. On that note, here's everything you need to know about this week's GTA podium car. Continue reading GTA podium car: here's what vehicle you can win in GTA Online MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best GTA 5 RP servers, GTA 6 release date speculation, GTA 5 system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:12 AM  Brewing Hogwarts Legacy potions is an integral part of the school curriculum and a vital tool in your fight against darkness. Potions are small bottles of liquid that imbue the user with various effects when ingested. From Harry Potter lore, these effects vary wildly and are only limited by the creativity of the brewer - growing back broken bones, physical transformations, and even falling in love are not out of the realms of possibility. During your time in Hogwarts Legacy, you'll have the chance to attend potions class and whip up a few concoctions of your own. You'll have the opportunity to steal the Hogwarts Legacy Fwooper feather, so give our guide a read to find out whether you should help out your fellow student. Thankfully, there's no Professor Snape in sight, but you're still going to have to keep your concentration levels up. Continue reading Hogwarts Legacy potions explained MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:07 AM  Are you looking for a Multiversus tier list? The Warner Bros fighting game is now in its second season, with players gaining access to some brand new characters. Soon, we'll know how the likes of Black Adam will compare to the most powerful characters on the roster, from DC Superheroes such as Batman and Wonder Woman to Cartoon Network favourites like Finn the Human and Steven Universe. Of course, we can't discount those throwback characters from Warner Bros' back catalogue of shows acquired over the years, including Shaggy and Velma from Scooby Doo. With such an illustrious gathering of fighters, a Multiversus tier list was inevitable. Judging by other competitive fighting games, ranking which of these fighters are the best characters goes beyond looking at their individual abilities. Multiversus focuses on team-based combat, with each fighter broken down into roles such as Bruiser and Tank. Continue reading Multiversus tier list February 2023: best characters ranked MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Multiversus impressions, Multiversus tier list, The best Multiversus mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:03 AM  Want to know which Multiversus free characters are on rotation? If you're starting for the first time, you don't have access to the entire roster right away unless you cough up the cash for a Founder's Pack. Fortunately, Multiversus gives players access to a number of free characters which appear on a biweekly basis. The current batch of free characters in Multiversus includes Wonder Woman, Taz, Iron Giant, and Rick. It's important to note that any progress made using these characters carries over once you unlock them in the fighting game, allowing you to carry on where you left off. Your progress always carries over regardless of how you end up unlocking the characters, whether with in-game gold, by spending Gleamium, or using character tokens from the Founder's Pack. Continue reading Current Multiversus free characters February 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Multiversus impressions, Multiversus tier list, The best Multiversus mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:25 AM  If you're a horror aficionado, the Resident Evil 4 remake release date is sure to be a firm fixture on your calendar this year. Once again, we'll be back in the shoes of Leon S. Kennedy, the rookie cop turned special agent tasked with saving the President's daughter from the evil clutches of Osmund Saddler, bioweapons researcher and enigmatic leader of the Los Iluminados cult. Ahead of the Resident Evil 4 remake release date, Capcom has wowed fans with gameplay footage that includes some of Leon's closest encounters with the hostile Ganados. We've also had confirmation of several major departures from the third-person, action-survival horror formula. Here's everything we know about the Resident Evil 4 remake release date, as well as what changes are coming to Capcom's reimagining of one of the best PC games in its genre. Continue reading Resident Evil 4 remake release date, gameplay, trailer, and changes MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Resident Evil 4 Remake release date, Resident Evil 4 system requirements, Best horror games on PC |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:28 AM  Looking for the best free PC games? Whether you're broke or just frugal, free is a price point that appeals to everybody's purse. No matter your genre of choice, it turns out that zero can buy you quite a lot in the F2P game world, and even beloved classics are available at the steepest possible discount. We've collated the top free games on PC guaranteed to deliver a near endless stream of complementary entertainment. All you need to spend is your time. From cultural landmarks like Fortnite, to all-time greats like Team Fortress 2, some entries on this list can easily make our list of the best PC games of all time. In no particular order, here are the best free games on PC. Continue reading The best free PC games MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 5:50 AM  The most divisive in Ubisoft's sandbox shooter series, Far Cry 6 is now available as a free PC game. The Rainbow Six, Watch Dogs, and Splinter Cell developer is also offering big discounts on Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Ghost Recon, though you'll need to act fast if you want to take full advantage of all these deals. Continue reading Far Cry 6 is now a free PC game, at least for a while MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Far Cry 6 review, The best open-world games, Buy Far Cry 6 |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:09 AM  With the STALKER 2 release date pencilled in for the end of 2023, developer GSC Game World announces that the STALKER 2 ultimate edition price will raise slightly in the coming weeks "to keep the quality at the desired level during these uneasy times." The much-anticipated horror FPS game sequel has been heavily impacted by numerous factors, including the relocation of its developers following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading STALKER 2 ultimate edition gets more expensive "during uneasy times" |
PCGamesN Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:49 AM  Want to know who tops our Apex Legends tier list? With the release of Catalyst, Apex Legends players now have 23 Legends to choose from when taking on the Apex Games. Each Legend has their own set of skills, playstyle, and personality, with plenty of choice for every type of player, whether you like to be aggressive, defensive, or offensive to the senses (cough – Caustic – cough). Your ideal Legend pick depends on your strengths and weaknesses – your experience, game sense, movement skills, and aim all factor in, as does your squad composition and whether you're playing with friends or a team of strangers. That said, although all the characters are relatively balanced, there are some Legends who have pulled away from the pack due to their powerful abilities, and some who are more niche picks. Our Apex Legends tier list aims to give you a quick look at the current Legend meta in one of the best free PC games. We've ordered the Apex Legends characters in order of general effectiveness, to help you decide who to play if you're after a big win. We're aiming this list at the average player who has a reasonable grasp of the game, but we'll also point out the best characters for absolute beginners, and mention the ones you'll see in top-tier competitive play. Continue reading Apex Legends tier list – the best Legends to use in Season 16 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Apex Legends characters guide, Apex Legends skins, Apex Legends map guide |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, February 16, 2023 10:00 AM  Like a sticky ball of regurgitated sap spat from the jaws of a giant dog, review code for Wild Hearts came in hot and fast earlier this week. So while other outlets will be delivering their final verdicts on Omega Force's beast batterin' simulator today, I'm afraid I haven't had the chance to play enough of it to give it a fair shakedown yet. It's good, though! I really like it, and as a huge Monster Hunter fan I'm pleased that there's finally a worthy alternative to Capcom's long-running series. Competition is good! |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:37 AM  To celebrate Total War: Warhammer 3's first anniversary, developers Creative Assembly are making the Immortal Empires campaign free to all owners of the Warhammer 3 base game. Previously, you needed to own all three Total War: Warhammer games to play Immortal Empires, since it compiles campaign maps, war units, and Legendary Lords from across the strategy trilogy. Now, you'll just need to own Warhammer 3 for access to the campaign. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:00 AM  If you were a fan of last year's TactiCon, the digital festival highlighting all sorts of strategy games, you might be pleased to learn it's coming back. Organised by Old World publisher Hooded Horse, along with Firesquid, the publisher behind Great Houses Of Calderia, the Steam event will showcase games in every tactical subgenre, and will run between May 11th-15th later this year. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:00 AM  It's the dead of night. I'm in my little tugboat out on open waters. I can barely see three feet in front of my nose because of the thick blanket of fog, but I'm trying my hand at night fishing, hoping to hook something really good. I find a squid spot and start to fish, reeling in one or two fine-looking catches. The third one, however, is monstrous, a mess of jagged teeth and sickly pale flesh. Yes, this should make for a fine amount of cash. The more morbid it is, the more money I get. Suddenly there's a deep rumbling in the ocean and panic starts to creep in. I chuck my prize into my cargo and speed back to town, the phrase 'fuck round, find out' circling my brain. I've not been playing Dredge long, but I'm calling it one of my favourite games of the year, right now, in February. Black Salt Games' sinister fishing RPG is gripping and enchanting in a way I didn't anticipate. I've spent hours exploring its murky waters and my constant shock at what unsettling creatures my hook brings in is seemingly never-ending. Its eldritch world keeps pulling me back with its mystery and malevolent horror, and its sense of atmosphere and tension is incredible. Basically, I'm completely enraptured, hook, line, sinker. Dredge already feels like one of this year's greatest indie horrors and all this, from a fishing game of all things. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:42 AM  Last week Valve announced a "full-on update-sized update" would be coming to Team Fortress 2 this summer, getting us all excited at the thought of new content after years in maintenance mode. Valve have now quietly edited their original announcement blog post, walking back the hype while emphasising the community-developed aspects of the update. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, February 16, 2023 5:45 AM  Kaiju-quashing RPG Wild Hearts is out today and, eesh, the PC version is quite the technical mess. I've put together this settings guide – based on the game's early trial build – for those who want to join the hunt pronto, but above all else my advice is to wait until developers Omega Force get the promised performance improvements up and running. From what I've played, Wild Hearts's bad shape is doing an otherwise enjoyable Monster Hunter-like a huge disservice. |
Twinfinite Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:30 AM Niamh Fitzgerald's Trial in Hogwarts Legacy Is a Love Letter to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows The master of death. |
Twinfinite Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:00 AM You can't go down the runway like that! |
Twinfinite Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:00 AM Making the world a better place, one bowl at a time. |
Twinfinite Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:00 AM Glory awaits those that can brave the darkness and madness. |
Siliconera Thursday, February 16, 2023 10:00 AM
Wild Hearts will look familiar to a certain class of player: the one that's spent hours upon hours hunting the great beasts of the Monster Hunter series. And then, your character turns a little whirlygig strapped to their arm and manifests a crate out of thin air. That's when Wild Hearts looks familiar to a different class of player: the ones who remember to thank the Battle Bus driver. EA and Omega Force have banked on the idea of spicing up the the well-worn paths of the monster-hunting genre with a spot of on-the-spot construction reminiscent of Fortnite. The good news is that their gamble has paid off, at least in my estimation. Wild Hearts is set in Azuma, a tucked-away corner of a fantasy world inspired by feudal Japan. Far away from the samurai warlords that battle for dominance, the people of Azuma are losing their fight against a much more ancient foe. The Kemono, massive animals brimming with elemental power, moved in, driving the humans back to the remaining fortified settlement of Minato. It's into this desperate situation that your character, a Kemono hunter of mysterious lineage, walks. Gaining the power to manipulate Karakuri, a lost technology, you set out to aid Minato and its people by driving the Kemono back into quiescence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_grFGQ2oWUQ The game has a surprisingly involved story mode, with numerous dialog sequences and a fairly involved sense of community in Minato. Players on the hunt for Kemono can even gather up smaller beasts to bring into the city as pets. The pets even serve a purpose by regularly furnishing you with small amounts of resources, making them more than a mere cosmetic consideration. You'll also meet multiple NPCs, each with their own sense of character and some involvement in the overarching narrative. Wild Hearts won't be pulling a dedicated JRPG off the storytelling throne, but it's nice to be given more context for your actions than simply hunting monsters for its own sake. The additional story is also helpful, as the setting of Azuma presents itself in a novel way compared to its peers. Where the Kemono of Wild Hearts use their elemental fury to change the landscape around them, you do so with the power of the Karakuri. During a hunt, your "basic" Karakuri, like crates and springs, function like gadgets and usually don't last past a given fight. (However, they will litter your battlefields as you carry out more hunts.) However, your Dragon Karakuri, unlocked through an upgrade tree and by activating "Dragon Pits" scattered throughout the map, function like permanent additions of infrastructure. You'll use Hunting Towers to locate points of interest and Kemono hangout spots. Flying Vine launchers add convenient zip lines you can use to bypass terrain challenges. Wind Vortexes produce updrafts that you can ride with a special glider to travel even farther. All this building you can do outside your hunts underlines one of the concepts of Wild Hearts, which involves "taming" an untamed land.
Even the Kemono themselves reflect this sense of unbridled, primal power. Most of the Kemono designs are drawn from a design sensibility that boils down to "take a regular animal, make it huge, then fuse it with the environment." The Ragetail, your first hunting target, looks for all the world like a massive rat that's slowly being consumed by a monstrous flower garden. Flowers grow from its eye socket, while its tail drags around a massive seed pod. When enraged, the Ragetail blooms with anger, scattering petals and becoming even more dangerous. The ape-like Lavaback spouts molten rock from formations on its hide, and its apoplexy feels like a volcano erupting. In other words, hunting down the Kemono feels going up against the forces of nature itself. Thankfully, you've got humankind's most distinctive skill on your side: Advanced Tool use. The Karakuri gadgets you can manifest from thin air bear the distinctive aesthetic of wooden clockwork. This sensibility trickles into the eight weapon types you have at your disposal. Each plays in a different manner, but all the playstyles and gimmicks emphasize a sense of transformation and complexity. Even a weapon as simple as a massive hammer works with a series of tricks that allow a hunter to extend its reach and add impact to its swings. Monster Hunter veterans will likely see parallels to some of their favorites in the various Wild Hearts weapons. The hand cannon, with its slow movement and emphasis on heat management, comes across like the heavy bowgun, while the parry-centric play style of the Bladed Wagasa (essentially a clockwork umbrella) is a dead ringer for the Long Sword. The shifting form of the Karakuri Staff reminds me of my beloved Charge Blade, with its emphasis of dishing out big combo-ending hits with a massive blade. The most unique weapon in the arsenal is the Claw Blade, which combines a short-range dagger-like sword with a tether that allows extensive aerial maneuvering that combines the flashiest aspects of the Dual Blades and Insect Glaive.
Overall, the weapons in Wild Hearts don't quite feel as deep or precise in their tuning as in Monster Hunter. This both good and bad. To me, it's good, because there's less pressure to practice and master the move set. For the most part, learning a weapon in Wild Hearts is about equipping it, taking a few swings at a training bear to remember the buttons, and then going out and whaling on a Kemono until muscle memory sets in. Flashy attacks are relatively easy to access, and you don't have to worry about some of the fiddlier upkeep, like sharpening. The flipside of this streamlining is that there's also less motivation to spend time learning your weapon's intricacies. Some of that missing complexity has instead been moved into the Karakuri system. In addition to the basic items and Dragon Karakuri, Fusion Karakuri need to be unlocked by seeing "inspiration" in various hunts. Once unlocked, Fusion Karakuri become useful gadgets, like being able to summon a wall to blunt a Kemono's charge. The additional complexity of building a Fusion Karakuri (it needs to be assembled by placing basic Karakuri in a specific pattern) adds some welcome dimensions to what would otherwise be a rote combat experience. In its way, Wild Hearts has moved some of the skill ceiling Monster Hunter fans enjoy out of mastering one's gear and into mastering the environment (by effectively placing Karakuri to maximize the effects of your weapon). I can't say for sure whether that shift in design philosophy will give Wild Hearts the same enduring appeal as its closest competitor. But in the moment, at least, Omega Force crafted a worthy and entertaining alternative that forges a distinct identity of its own. Wild Hearts is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. The post Review: Wild Hearts Infuses Monster Hunts with Construction appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:30 AM
Medicos Entertainment opened up pre-orders of a super action figure of Lisa Lisa from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Battle Tendency. The figure is a pre-painted action figure that uses PVC, ABS, and nylon. It stands at around 150 millimeters tall. Since it is available via Amazon, overseas customers should be able to purchase it as well. [Thanks, Hobby Dengeki!] Aside from being able to move her limbs, there are various head and hand parts as well. You will also be able to give her her sunglasses, with a specific hand part for them. Finally, the action figure will come with the Red Stone of Aja, which was a prominent key item in the story of Battle Tendency. Here are some more pictures of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Lisa Lisa super action figure: [gallery columns="6" link="file" ids="951509,951508,951507,951506,951505,951504"] In Battle Tendency, Lisa Lisa was the teacher of protagonist Joseph "JoJo" Joestar and his rival Caesar Zeppeli. She taught the two of them how to better hone their Ripple, though Kars injured her before she could play an important part in the final battle. Like how Polnareff from Part 3 inspired Guile from Street Fighter 2, Lisa Lisa is the blueprint for Rose, who debuted in Street Fighter Alpha. The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Lisa Lisa super action figure costs 8,705 JPY, which is around $64.85. Pre-orders are open and the action figure will ship out on September 30, 2023. You can stream JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (as well as Battle Tendency) via services such as Netflix and Crunchyroll. The post JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Lisa Lisa Action Figure Has Moves appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, February 16, 2023 9:00 AM
Due to "various reasons," the studio behind Ayaka recast Takahiro Sakurai as Haruaki Kurama. While the Ayaka Twitter account did not state the exact reason, it likely has to do with the multiple adultery allegations against Sakurai. In an update from our original story, news came out that Sakurai was cheating on a total of three women for over a decade. This is only one role, which means that so far, all of Sakurai's other ongoing roles are still him. As a reminder, Sakurai's major ongoing roles include:
This is just a small sample of Sakurai's major roles from current works. He is also an extremely prolific voice actor who has appeared as major and supporting characters in many anime and video games. Ayaka may be the only work that drops Sakurai in favor of a less controversial voice actor. However, other companies and studios may also choose to recast Takahiro Sakurai due to the scandals that surround him. Ayaka: A Story of Bonds and Wounds will start airing some time in 2023, and more information on who will replace Sakurai as Haruaki Kurama will appear later. As for Sakurai's other roles, it is unclear if he will keep them going forth or if other companies plan on replacing him. The post Cloud Strife Voice Actor Takahiro Sakurai Recast in 2023 Anime appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, February 16, 2023 8:30 AM
Technically speaking, Like A Dragon: Ishin! does not feature any characters from the Yakuza games. Although they look exactly the same, Ryoma Sakamoto is not Kazuma Kiryu. Thanks to a new Like A Dragon Ishin Kiryu Skin, though, you can make them look even more alike. Sega introduced what it's calling the "Dragon of Dojima" DLC pack, which contains a skin to make Ryoma look like a man born more than a century after he died. Check out the teaser for it below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqkDNGqWrvE The Like A Dragon: Ishin! Dragon of Dojima DLC trailer shows Ryoma dressed in the trademark slate-gray suit, white snakeskin shoes, and maroon silk shirt worn by Kazuma Kiryu throughout the Yakuza titles. Ryoma enjoys a spot of rock-paper-scissors with a geisha, has his ears cleaned by Haruka, and trades blows with Souji Okita, a Shinsengumi officer who looks the spitting image of Yakuza alum Goro Majima. As it's a cosmetic skin, he'll also be able to wear it while doing activities like the Coliseum or Battle Dungeon. The Like A Dragon Ishin Kiryu skin pack is included with the Digital Deluxe edition of the game. It's one of six optional DLC packs that are part of the bundle. The other DLC packs include costumes and cosmetic unlocks, as well as items to make early-game progression faster. The packs included are:
Additionally, three weapons are included on top of the DLC packs.
Pre-orders of the Digital Deluxe edition also get early access to the game. For them, it'll be playable on February 17, 2023 at 3:00 PM GMT. For everyone else, Like A Dragon: Ishin! launches on February 21, 2023, on the PS4, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. The post Like a Dragon: Ishin Kiryu Skin Brings the Dragon of Dojima to the Past appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, February 16, 2023 8:00 AM
Eorzea no longer takes Discover. Square Enix issued an update to its earlier guidance about planned changes to the accepted payment methods for Final Fantasy XIV. According to a post added to the Lodestone community site, the FFXIV payment changes have been updated to include Discover among the discontinued options. The reduction in FFXIV payment methods will take effect in late February 2023. In a post titled "Important Notice About Purchases and Subscriptions Follow-up 1", Square Enix updated the list of FFXIV payment changes. Where previously Discover was considered a valid option, it is now discontinued in North America and Europe, alongside JCB, Carte Bleue, and SEPA (or Sofort). At the moment, the available FFXIV payment methods are:
Square Enix reiterated that it hoped to reintroduce some of the discontinued FFXIV payment methods over time. However, those affected by the changes will want to seek alternative methods in the meantime. According to the original announcement, the FFXIV payment changes won't immediately affect users enrolled in a recurring subscription plan. However, those who wish to make changes or updates will have to enter a new payment method if their currently selected option was discontinued. Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC. The post FFXIV Method Payment Changes Expanded to Drop Discover appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, February 16, 2023 7:00 AM
Blue Reflection Sun will debut next week. According to DMM Games and Koei Tecmo, the release date of Blue Reflection Sun is set for February 21, 2023. A pre-registration campaign is ongoing, and has passed the 300,000 pre-registrant milestone. [Thanks, Famitsu!] To commemorate the release date confirmation, DMM Games uploaded a special promo video featuring Blue Reflection Sun characters. The video is set to the song "Clockworks" by performers syudou and Mafumafu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC2tVrkbkVE Developed as a collaboration between DMM, Koei Tecmo and artist Mel Kishida, Blue Reflection Sun (also known as Blue Reflection Sun/San) is related to the Blue Reflection console and PC RPG series. The story follows the students of Hinomori Academy, who survived the advent of "Ash," a mysterious phenomenon that caused diseases in the populace and triggered the appearance of monsters called "Testa". Ash also prompted the emergence of special powers in certain people, such as heroine Shiho Kasuga. Shiho and other "Eroded" humans manifest their special powers and fight against the Testa to secure a future for humanity. Unlike other games in the Blue Reflection series, upon release, Blue Reflection Sun will feature a male protagonist, in the form of the player character. As the ongoing pre-registration campaign has passed the 300,000-user milestone, all players of Blue Reflection Sun on release will receive 3,000 "Wish Stones", 3 UR-rarity Flag Cards, Skip Tickets, and a selection of character enhancement materials. Blue Reflection Sun will go live in Japan on February 21, 2023. It will be available on the Japanese iOS and Google Play stores. International release plans have not yet been detailed. Other games in the Blue Reflection series are available on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC. The post Blue Reflection Sun Release Date Set for Late February 2023 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:00 AM
Nintendo announced the release of the official Splatoon 3 art book, and the original soundtrack album, titled Splatune 3. The Splatoon 3 art book releases on March 31, 2023, and it is available now for pre-order. It costs 3,300 JPY (roughly $24 USD). The Splatune 3 releases on April 26 and it will cost 5,280 JPY (roughly $39 USD). Both are only confirmed for Japan at the moment. [Thanks, Famitsu!] The art book contains 400 pages featuring concept art of the different stages, weapons, and characters, and the locations visited in Hero Mode. Meanwhile, the original soundtrack includes 4 CDs. The album includes multiple songs from famous fictional bands from the world of Splatoon 3, such as C-Side, Front Roe, Damp Socks, and Off the Hook, as well as the Deep Cut Concert at Nintendo Live 2022. Additionally, the album comes with a booklet that includes an article and music discussion featuring Marie from Splatoon, Marina from Splatoon 2, and Big Man from Splatoon 3. A Season Pass for Splatoon 3 was recently announced, and it allows players to go back to Inkopolis, where it all started. The Splatoon 3 art book releases on March 31, 2023, and it is now available for pre-order from the Japanese Nintendo Store, Amazon Japan and ebten. "Splatune 3," the Splatoon 3 Original Soundtrack releases on April 26, and is also available for pre-order from the Japanese Nintendo Store, and ebten. The post Splatoon 3 Art Book and Soundtrack Coming Soon to Japan appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, February 16, 2023 5:30 AM
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a game to check in with when specific dates like birthdays roll around. The title celebrates Final Fantasy game anniversaries and character birthdays. People who stop by on those occasions get a reward that they can then use in-game. This is also marked by an image upon heading to the main menu that reminds you of what the special occasion is. Whether Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is celebrating a Final Fantasy character's birthday or the day an installment released, you get the same gift and sort of notification. If it is a person's birthday, you get to see their Theatrhythm character art perched on a birthday cake with a "Happy Birthday" banner. It then notes that is the character's birthday and gives you a Silver Growth Egg to use during a song.
If it is the day a game releases, the game notes that it is a "Special Day," shows the entry celebrating an anniversary's logo on a cake, and gives you another Silver Growth Egg. In the case of a "Special Day" notification, it will also let you know when the next "special day" will be. For February 16th, you'll always get that notification to honor Theatrhythm Final Bar Line's debut. As a reminder, a Silver Growth Egg in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line multiplies the EXP earned for characters in your party in a Music Stage by two. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is available for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. The post Visit Theatrhythm Final Bar Line on Final Fantasy Character or Game's Birthday appeared first on Siliconera.
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