May 10, 12:00


Kotaku Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:45 AM
    

This is either the most terrifying or the most adorable thing you might read today: The United States Navy's Marine Mammal Program (which I had no idea was a thing) is working with sea lions and dolphins, training them to…uh yeah…play video games. Gotta spend oversized defense budgets somehow, I guess?

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:05 AM
    

It's a pivotal moment for Blizzard, and some developers there worry the company is facing an unnecessary wave of departures that could hamper games like World of Warcraft, the long-running MMO whose recent Dragonflight expansion was praised by critics and players alike. At least a few employees say the studio's…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 10, 2023 9:45 AM
    

We know Ganondorf is Link's greatest foe, but The Legend of Zelda series is full of some exceptional boss fights that don't feature the Gerudo King of Thieves. Link faces a plethora of scary ghouls and vicious beasties, and Nintendo has found a lot of ways to keep these encounters fresh over the years. Some leave an…

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PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:42 AM
     Genshin Impact gives you Primogems for being nice to other players

The Genshin Impact Recollector's Path event is offering more than one way to earn Primogems in the anime game - share your event-related tips with other players for a chance to win extra Primos outside of gameplay. It's a small amount, but any free gems are always welcome if you plan to pull for Baizhu, Ganyu, or Kaveh on the current Genshin Impact banners.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:28 AM
     Fallout creator reveals the true purpose of the vaults

Fallout vaults are unusual. On the surface, they're basically sophisticated bomb shelters designed to help US citizens survive the eponymous fallout of the 2077 war. But if you've played Fallout 3, New Vegas, or Fallout 4 - or the classic isometric RPG games from Interplay and Obsidian - you know that the vault's creator, Vault-Tec, is up to something more sinister. Now, Tim Cain, co-creator of the original Fallout way back in 1997, shares the true, original meaning behind the vaults.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fallout 4 console commands, Fallout 4 mods, Fallout 4 System Requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:29 AM
     Genshin Impact outfits – available skins and costumes

Want to know what Genshin Impact outfits are available? The outfits system was introduced in the Genshin Impact 1.6 update, following months of pleading from the community. These outfits give you the chance to dress your favourite characters in brand-new clothes.

As Genshin Impact characters are locked behind gacha mechanics in the free PC game, players were initially worried that skins may be sold using the same system. However, there are actually two methods to unlock skins: purchase the skin for 1,680 Genesis Crystals, or complete specific Genshin Impact events to unlock the skin for free. If you're unlucky enough to miss the event, free skins will make their way to the Character Outfit Shop in the future. Here's a list of every Genshin Impact outfit available in the game right now and how to get it for yourself.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:19 AM
     Minecraft 1.20 is finally here, kind of

Minecraft 1.20 is one step closer as the first prerelease for the Mojang building game goes live, and the developer confirms it is now focusing on bug fixes and performance improvements only. Ahead of the full Minecraft 1.20 release date, this means you can test out every new feature coming to Minecraft Trails and Tales, including fresh biomes, archeology, and, erm, camels. It just might not be in the full, working order that you get on the actual launch day.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:04 AM
     The best Stardew Valley mods 2023

Looking for the best Stardew Valley mods? The mod scene has been thriving on PC despite having no official Steam Workshop support. Dedicated modders have been working to alter almost everything available in the game, from adding game-breaking cheats like god mode to texture overhauls that turn Stardew Valley into a pixelated fairytale.

Despite thousands of daily concurrent players still enjoying the base indie game, Stardew Valley is getting on a bit, so we can't blame you for wanting to shake things up. Thankfully, and predictably, the modding community is here to help bring other IPs to the valley, along with new maps and even improvements to married life. We've compiled our favourite Stardew Valley mods that celebrate the creativity of the modding scene. Here are our top picks that provide visual overhauls, gameplay changes, and, yes, even some cheats, making one of the best PC games even better.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Stardew Valley multiplayer, Stardew Valley realism, The best Stardew Valley mods

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:59 AM
     Best Honkai Star Rail Blade build

Looking for the best Honkai Star Rail Blade build? Blade wields the Wind element and follows The Destruction path, dealing large amounts of damage by sacrificing health.

Blade is a member of the Stellaron Hunters and a proficient swordsman and in the right hands and with the best Honkai Star Rail team comp, Blade could be one of the best characters on our Honkai Star Rail tier list. So here's how to get the most out of this mysterious character including the best Relics, Light Cones, and team comp. Though Blade hasn't arrived in Honkai Star Rail just yet, he should be available as a playable character on an upcoming Honkai Star Rail banner.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Honkai Star Rail review, Honkai Star Rail characters, Honkai Star Rail tier list

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:53 AM
     Genshin Impact tier list May 2023: the best characters in 3.6

Looking for a Genshin Impact tier list? There are currently 66 Genshin Impact characters available, so there's no shortage of candidates for your dream team. But with so many different weapons, elementals, talents, ascension bonuses, and constellation upgrades, finding your favourites can be challenging.

Don't let the placement of the characters on our Genshin Impact tier list deter you from pulling on the next character banner. While base stats and elemental abilities are important, the value of a character also depends on personal playstyle, available weapons and artifacts, and team composition. That being said, if your favourite Genshin Impact character is in C tier or below, you may struggle to get past some of the more challenging Spiral Abyss floors. Don't worry too much if your favourite Genshin Impact character is on one of the lower tiers; you can still make it work with our recommended Genshin Impact builds. Being on a lower tier in the free PC game means that there are better alternatives, or the character needs a very specific build or team to shine.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:50 AM
     Minecraft Nether portal dimensions and calculator

Wondering how to build a Minecraft Nether portal and what the dimensions are? This supernatural portal is a gateway between worlds, separating the overworld and Nether (a menacing hellscape full of hostile mobs). If you want to access the Nether, your only way in is through this ominous purple door, so, how do you build and use a Nether portal to travel to the Nether?

After building a Minecraft Nether portal following the requirements below, you can use it to teleport to the Nether by simply walking into its purple haze. Within seconds, you'll be in a hellish Minecraft landscape full of lava and monsters. Most Minecraft mobs and other entities can enter or exit the Nether portal in Minecraft, with the exception of a Minecraft wither and ender dragon - just as well, you certainly don't want either of those sneaking up on you. If you're daring enough, you can also use Nether portals to travel through the overworld faster, so keep reading to calculate distances.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:45 AM
     Jedi Survivor's lightsaber combat massively improves with this mod

Switching between all the Star Wars Jedi Survivor lightsabers can be quite the pain, as you need to constantly go to certain rest points in the action-adventure game to swap out the five available stances and use them. That's all changing in Star Wars Jedi Survivor with this mod though, which makes it much easier to switch between stances on the fly, thus improving the game massively.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Star Wars Jedi Survivor lightsaber colors, Star Wars Jedi Survivor review, Star Wars Jedi Survivor system requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:45 AM
     GTA 5 cheats 2023

Looking for GTA 5 cheats in 2023? How about codes, console commands, and phone numbers, too? We've scoured the internet to find every cheat code and console command you could need to get the most out of your GTA 5 experience, including all the GTA 5 car cheats.

This guide serves as your comprehensive hub for all the best and most useful cheats. So whether you're in dire need of a shortcut to skip to the good stuff on your 90th GTA 5 playthrough, or you're just bored and want to fly up into the sky, we've indexed and categorised every code in the game, alongside instructions on how to enter them. If you're looking to get ahead of the competition in multiplayer literally, we've got a list of the fastest GTA 5 cars to enjoy in this most popular of open-world games.

Continue reading GTA 5 cheats 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best GTA 5 RP servers, GTA 6 release date speculation, GTA 5 system requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:30 AM
     Get one of Steam's biggest grand strategy games for 75% off

Stellaris might be the grandest of the best grand strategy games out there, given that it's literally spread across the vastness of space, and now you can get your hands on it for a massive 75% off thanks to a Steam sale. Developer Paradox, makers of Crusader Kings 3, Europa Universalis 4, Total War Warhammer 3, Victoria 3, and the recently released Age of Wonders 4, are certainly experts in the strategy market, and Stellaris is among their finest work.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Stellaris review, Stellaris mods, Stellaris DLC guide

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:27 AM
     Judas release date speculation, trailers, gameplay, story, and more

When is the Judas release date? Judas is an upcoming first-person shooter developed by Ghost Story Games, a studio led by Ken Levine and other former Irrational Games developers. Yes, the same developers who brought us the highly acclaimed BioShock and BioShock Infinite. Much like those earlier games, Judas will be a single-player, story-driven first-person shooter set in a futuristic sci-fi universe.

While we're still a way off getting our hands on this exciting FPS game, we can shed some light on what to expect with the upcoming Judas release date, trailers, gameplay, story, and more.


PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:15 AM
     Honkai Star Rail review – mind the gacha

Before our Honkai Star Rail review leaves the station, let's first address the slot machine in the room. Honkai Star Rail is a gacha game, and as such it comes with an awful lot of psychological baggage. All the trappings of the Hoyoverse monetisation machine are here: character banners, battle passes, subscriptions, and of course, an in-game shop bursting with premium currency. Each one comes with a real-world price tag, and many of the RPG game's reward systems naturally lead back to these menus.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Honkai Star Rail review, Honkai Star Rail characters, Honkai Star Rail tier list

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:05 AM
     Best police games on PC 2023

What are the best police games? We have all considered life as a super sleuth or detective for a brief moment. Whether drawn in by the position of authority, the puzzling casework, or even the hard-drinking: police games deliver plenty of action and intrigue.

However, unlike many of the best PC games, cops aren't all gunslingers in John Woo-esque shootouts or chasing criminals in high-speed car chases. The best police games often see you digging through crime scenes for evidence and carrying out routine procedures rather than pursuing perps with your gun drawn.  If you're looking for Sherlock and the other great PC game sleuths, check out our best detective games list.

Continue reading Best police games on PC 2023

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:01 AM
     Best puzzle games on PC 2023

The best puzzle games on PC have a variety of brainteasers, from classic head-scratchers to frustration-fueled problems. Whether you're looking for clever dialogue, moving narratives from rich stories, or a healthy dose of laughter with your conundrums, puzzle games are versatile enough to find a way to do it all.

This vast genre covers everything from pirate point-and-clicks to tetromino trickery and quantum physics capers. These games are so good they were even considered for our list of the best PC games. Our comprehensive list outlines the best puzzle games, including a few very familiar faces.

Continue reading Best puzzle games on PC 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Return to Monkey Island system requirements, Return to Monkey Island difficulty modes, Return to Monkey Island mop guide

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:31 AM
     Honkai Star Rail release date, story, and more

Want to know more about the Honkai Star Rail release date? Hoyoverse's follow-up to Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd is almost here, blending together open-world and turn-based mechanics with anime aesthetics to create a different type of anime game.

At first glance, Honkai Star Rail should look familiar to Genshin Impact players as the devs have decided to stick by their tried and tested formula. As our Honkai Star Rail review will attest, these anime games may share a similar art direction and user interface, but they also offer completely different gameplay experiences. Here's everything you need to know about Hoyoverse's newest free PC game title.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Honkai Star Rail review, Honkai Star Rail characters, Honkai Star Rail tier list

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:00 AM
     Minecraft 2 release date speculation, news, and mods

Is there a Minecraft 2 release date yet? To be honest, Minecraft 2 hasn't technically ever been announced - but that doesn't stop the original Minecraft's legions of fans clamouring for a sequel. After all, Minecraft isn't just a game, it's an institution with over 100 million devoted players.

Given the overwhelming success of the first game, and it's undeniable title as one of the best PC games of all time, there's a good the chance that Minecraft 2 could happen one day. We already know that Mojang Studios don't shy away from new titles, adding Minecraft Dungeons, Minecraft Legends, and the ill-fated Minecraft Earth to the roster already. But dedicated fans also know the developers love an April Fool's prank, which is where the speculation of a Minecraft 2 release date originates.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft 2 release date

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 9:55 AM
     Minecraft 1.20 update release date speculation and features

Eager for the Minecraft 1.20 update release date? So are we. The next major content update was announced during Minecraft Live on October 15, 2022, and has now been given its official name: Trails and Tales, with the update focussed on the Minecraft community and their stories. Ahead of the Trails and Tales update release date, Mojang Studios has now revealed all of the new and exciting features we can expect to see - and we've even been given hands-on access to allt he new stuff in recent snapshots.

Minecraft remains one of the best PC games of the last decade, and keeps fans coming back with these annual updates. Based around the community, representation, and creativity, we know the next one will include new Minecraft skins as well as a new way to customise your fit with Minecraft armor trims. There's a new mob in the form of the Minecraft camel - as well as mob vote winner the Sniffer - and, yes, long since forgotten about, Minecraft archeology is happening. Here's everything coming when the Minecraft 1.20 Trails and Tales release date rides in.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 9:50 AM
     Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty release date, trailers, story, and more

Want to know about the Phantom Liberty release date? The upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 expansion, dubbed a "spy-thriller" by developer CD Projekt Red, promises to drop you in a brand-new part of Night City. As V, a Cyberpunk for hire, we'll be spying around and fighting military forces along with our new buddy, FIA Agent Solomon Reed, played by Idris Elba.

We first saw the expansion during The Game Awards 2022, but there's still so much we don't know about this upcoming RPG game expansion. Judging by CD Projekt Red's past games, there's a good chance Phantom Liberty will redeem Cyberpunk 2077 after its rather shaky start, with the potential for the game to end up on our best PC games list by the end of the year. Based on the first trailers, here's everything we know about Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty so far.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cyberpunk 2077 review, Best Cyberpunk 2077 mods, Buy Cyberpunk 2077

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:52 AM
     Best turn-based strategy games on PC 2023

Turn-based strategy games bring out the more cerebral undertones of the genre. The break afforded by 'turns' allows us to think, ponder and plan our moves with as much expert precision as we can muster. Witnessing that master plan unfold can create untold levels of satisfaction, and suddenly you fancy yourself the master tactician.

This genre is also home to the 'one more turn' trope - that feeling of near-addiction that compels you to click the 'End Turn' button just one more time to see what happens in one of the best PC games. Maybe you're waiting to see the outcome of a daring attack; maybe you're just trying to click through some downtime. We also have the best strategy games or 4X games to see our thoughts on that particular niche. Note that despite many similarities, we are not counting tactical RPG games among this list as they have their own separate entries.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: XCOM 2 tips, XCOM 2 DLC guide, XCOM 2 system requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 9:34 AM
     Genshin Impact 3.7 release date, new characters, and more

Want to know the Genshin Impact 3.7 release date? Even though the 3.6 update has only just graced our screens, it's time to gather more information about the banners and events ahead.

The Genshin Impact 3.6 update has started off strong with banner reruns of Nahida and Nilou, two excellent characters that have earned high spots on our Genshin Impact tier list. The second half of the update includes two new characters, Baizhu and Kaveh, though we don't know how good they are just yet. In comparison, Genshin Impact 3.7 release date looks to have fewer new features than 3.6 so far. One reason for this may be because of the rumours of a new region and map coming to the free PC game, as well as the introduction of the Hydro Archon lurking around the web, so we may not need to wait all that much longer for the Genshin Impact 4.0 release date.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:09 AM
     7 PC games like Fire Emblem 2023

Looking for PC games like Fire Emblem? Many games bring aspects of the popular RPG franchise to PC. Of course you're not going to get an exact replica of the Nintendo-developed Fire Emblem, but whatever it is that intrigues you about the games, whether you've played them or not, there'll be something on this list for you.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a unique union of Persona and grid-based warfare. It manages to make building an army fun as well as a megalomaniacal necessity, and is firmly one of the best tactical RPGs around. Since the fantasy games series is exclusive to Nintendo platforms, though, it's perfectly understandable why you might be looking for a PC alternative. So don't despair; there are a ton of similar games available right now, and we've listed them right here.


PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 9:28 AM
     Best medieval games on PC 2023

Medieval games are less common than you might think. Rare is a videogame that doesn't feature at least one sword, suit of armour, or roast chicken. Still, they're usually mixed in with bearded hermits slinging magic fireballs, which we're reliably informed your average medieval peasant had very little knowledge of.

To that end, we've assembled a list of the best PC games that eschew all the prophecy and pyrotechnics for good old-fashioned steel-on-steel action. Medieval games come in all different shapes and sizes, with some opting for a more fantasy game style. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is, after all, no basis for a system of government. Similarly, a level ten Necromancer against a blacksmith wearing a potato sack is no basis for a fair fight.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Crusader Kings 3 DLC guide, Best Crusader Kings 3 mods, Crusader Kings 3 review

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 7:57 AM
     Don't expect to play Dragon Age Dreadwolf this year

Dragon Age Dreadwolf is looking unlikely to make it for 2023. We've been eagerly anticipating more news on the Dragon Age 4 release date, but a recent EA financial report suggests that we won't be playing the fantasy game any time soon. Officially titled Dragon Age Dreadwolf and centred around Solas, the latest from Mass Effect and Star Wars The Old Republic developer BioWare is set as a sequel to 2014's Inquisition.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Dragon Age 4 characters, Dragon Age 4 release date rumours

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 7:53 AM
     How to access the Street Fighter 6 open beta

Want to get into the Street Fighter 6 beta? At this point, almost everyone does since it's easily one of the most anticipated fighting games. While we know the Street Fighter 6 roster available at launch, only eight of these fighters will be playable in the upcoming beta. The first closed beta took place last October, and the second in December 2022. We now have news that the final open beta will be happening later this month.

Moreover, the Street Fighter 6 beta includes crossplay between Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S consoles. No matter where your friends are playing the highly anticipated fighting game, you should be able to match up with them. The game modes on offer include online matches, tournaments, training mode, the new extreme battle mode, and even one or two classic Capcom arcade cabinets. Here are the details on when it starts and which of the sizeable Street Fighter 6 roster will be available to choose from.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Street Fighter 6 release date, Street Fighter 6 roster , Street Fighter 6 preview

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:40 AM
    

Early access hit V Rising is getting its first major update next week with the Secrets Of Gloomrot, a Frankenstein-inspired package that offers a brand new region full of fresh-fanged beasties, and plenty more improvements. Secrets Of Gloomrot is set to join one of the best survival games - according to RPS readers and the RPS Hivemind - on May 17th as a free update. Lay your eyes on the first horrid gameplay trailer below:

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:24 AM
    

The Forge Of The Chaos Dwarfs expansion is hot out of the oven, but Creative Assembly have already detailed what's next for Total War: Warhammer 3. A fresh roadmap shares what's coming in the next twelve months, which includes three paid expansions: Shadows Of Change (Summer 2023), Thrones Of Decay (Winter 2023), and To Be Revealed (which I'm hoping is the official title, coming Spring 2024). Each expansion will be accompanied by a free update that brings Legendary Heroes for everyone, as well as interim patches in between content drops.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 10, 2023 9:09 AM
    

Take-Two's "indie" publishing label Private Division have announced a partnership with Game Freak, the long-standing studio behind every mainline Pokémon game, plus a few extras. Details are scarce, but the pair are working on a brand new action-adventure IP codenamed Project Bloom. We've been teased with a single piece of concept art that shows off a brooding character dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, contemplating something in a very dreamy forest.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 10, 2023 7:07 AM
    

Last summer's Xbox Games Showcase stated that every featured game would release in the following twelve months, which included the much-anticipated metroidvania sequel Hollow Knight: Silksong. Developer Team Cherry have now shared that Silksong likely won't hit that "1st half of 2023" mark as the bug-squashing adventure has "gotten quite big".

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 10, 2023 5:33 AM
    

Armor Games are a conventional PC publisher nowadays with games such as Bear And Breakfast and the upcoming Tartarus Key under their belt. But they're perhaps best known for their history as a browser games heavyweight, having hosted hundreds of free Flash games back in the day. Armor Games are now going back to their Flash game roots to publish The Elephant Collection, a remastered decalogy featuring some of the most famous, relephant elephant games from creator and CEO John "jmtb02" Cooney.

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Twinfinite Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:58 AM
     Are you tire-d of the usual battle royale?

Twinfinite Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:06 AM
     Taking dungeons back to their roots.

Twinfinite Wednesday, May 10, 2023 9:30 AM
     Please, Xbox, just show us more of Avowed.

Siliconera Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:30 AM
    

Pokemon Unite Eevee Festival Means Leafeon and Umbreon Debuts

More Eevee evolutions are coming to Pokemon Unite as playable characters, with Leafeon and Umbreon on the way. The official Twitter account announced an Eevee Festival that will celebrate current and upcoming characters. The Japanese site offered even more details, providing release dates for both. Umbreon will join the game on May 25, 2023. Leafeon will follow on June 8, 2023. Inteleon will also eventually join the game, according to the Japanese update.

Here's the official announcement for the new characters and upcoming event. Like current playable evolutions Espeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon, Leafeon and Umbreon will start out as Eevee. As people play, they'll then eventually level up to their final forms over the course of the map.

The Japanese announcement also showed the matching Holowear cosmetics that will be available for every Eevee evolution in Pokemon Unite.
[caption id="attachment_962384" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Pokemon Unite Eevee Festival Means Leafeon and Umbreon Debuts Image via The Pokemon Company International[/caption]

Pokemon Unite is available for the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, and we'll see Umbreon in-game on May 25, 2023 and Leafeon on June 8, 2023.

The post Pokemon Unite Eevee Festival Means Leafeon and Umbreon Debuts appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:00 AM
    

Honkai: Star Rail Animated Short Stars Jing Yuan and His Mentor

HoYoVerse promised an anime-like animated short involving Honkai: Star Rail five-star character Jing Yuan, and it's now live. People can view it online or download it. Not only that, but it features his mentor Jingliu, another person from Xianzhou Luofu. However, HoYoVerse hasn't announced if she'll be playable yet.

Editor's Note: The Honkai: Star Rail Jing Yuan and Jingliu miHoYo Anime animated short features spoilers for the game's story.

The four and a half minute long short covers multiple phases of Jing Yuan's life. It begins with a look at more recent events, as he heads to see Jingliu. It's then that he experiences a flashback to when he first met his "master." As the two duel, we see how she helped him train and become the general we see in the Xianzhou Luofu portion of the storyline. The video also offers a bit of a brief explanation of mara, which players encounter when on the starship.

At the very end, we see Jing Yuan with his own apprentice, Yanqing. We then see how his past shaped him as a result.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-MFg_0wY4U&ab_channel=Honkai%3AStarRail

Honkai: Star Rail is available for PCs and mobile devices, and the Jing Yuan banner arrives on May 17, 2023.

The post Honkai: Star Rail Animated Short Stars Jing Yuan and His Mentor appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:30 AM
    

Tears of the Kingdom Dungeons Feature

Nintendo released yet another The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom interview, and this one features a discussion about its dungeons. In Breath of the Wild, people could head to the four Divine Beasts. Here, Director Hidemaro Fujibayashi, Technical Director Takuhiro Dohta, and Art Director Satoru Takizawa offered details about what people can expect.

The discussion about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom dungeons noted that they'll feel more like the traditional ones in the series, rather than Breath of the Wild's Divine Beasts. Both Dohta and Takizawa referred to them as offering a "wide variety" of differences. Takizawa specifically noted how this differed, due to the previous entry's looking a bit alike. Dohta said, "We've made dungeons unique to their respective environments, so we think you'll be able to enjoy the wide variety of regional characteristics."

Fujibayashi teased even more details about what to expect from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom dungeons and discussed one specific one that is underground.

Yes, we haven't talked about the dungeons yet. They've changed from the previous game. For example, there is a dungeon that connects directly from Hyrule's surface. If you dive from the sky straight into the dungeon, you'll trigger an event. We think this will be a new experience that wasn't possible in the previous game.

As a reminder, the past interviews discussed use of past The Legend of Zelda sound effects and that the newest game was intended to be a sequel from the start. Two more will appear on May 11, 2023.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will come to the Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2023.

The post Tears of the Kingdom Dungeons Feature 'Wide Variety' of 'Regional' Looks appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:00 AM
    

Atelier Marie Remake Key Art

It's not been that long since Gust released the most recent game in the long-running Atelier series. With Atelier Ryza 3 still fresh in people's minds, Atelier Marie Remake is now ready to take the series back to where it all began.

Until now, Western Atelier fans needed to rely on fan translations to experience the origins of the series. Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg originally released in 1997 for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. It later got a slightly improved re-release for Dreamcast and PS2, although this also never left Japan. However, the game is now coming to the West in the form of a remake, now with a chibi art style similar to the Switch remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.

[caption id="attachment_962265" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Atelier Marie Remake Barrel Screenshot via Siliconera[/caption]

The premise for Atelier Marie is a simple one. You play as Marlone, aka Marie, who is a student at the esteemed alchemy academy in Salburg. The problem is, she has the worst test scores in the history of the school. Marie now has five years to prove herself as an alchemist, and it's your job to help her.

Much like other Atelier games, the game revolves around gathering materials and crafting items for quests. However, this system is notably more barebones than in the more recent titles. While the Atelier Ryza games featured bustling towns full of NPCs handing out quests, Atelier Marie has a single tavern in a town consisting only of places required for your needs.

It's not surprising, of course. This is a remake of a much older title that's been iterated on countless times, and so it feels stripped back as a result. However, it might feel a bit disappointing to newer fans of the series whose experience is with those larger, more complex titles.

[caption id="attachment_962266" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Atelier Marie Remake Crafting Screenshot via Siliconera[/caption]

Crafting is similarly simple, as you just need to gather ingredients, head to your atelier, then combine them. Unlike later titles which featured materials with varying traits, the most complex Atelier Marie gets is asking you to buy additional tools to improve crafting. And those are one-off purchases, not something you need to consider each time you craft.

Where the game does get complex is through time management. Marie has five years to prove herself, and different actions advance your time towards that inevitable goal. Returning to the atelier costs a day, and each gathering location in the overworld requires a certain number of days to travel to and from.

This is where the biggest change for the remake comes in. In the original, gathering spots were static screens that handed you random materials for each day you chose to spend there. In the remake, they're now full maps you can explore, and items are visible. However, picking up these items also spends your days with each haul, and this is where things get surreal.

[caption id="attachment_962267" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Atelier Marie Remake Gathering Screenshot via Siliconera[/caption]

The original mechanic likely gave the impression that Marie and her friends were scavenging and coming up with a haul of items from a long day of searching. In the remake, it inexplicably feels like it takes Marie a whole day to pick up a single bundle of loose branches.

Clearly the change was made to remove randomness from the equation, but the replacement feels awkward early on. Sure, it's easier to find exactly what you need, but each day gives you a smaller material reward, and it disincentivises exploring the new maps too much so you don't eat up all your days. Hopefully this is something that can be adjusted for the final release, perhaps advancing a day for every three or four materials you collect, instead of just one. Or maybe it could be based on how many steps you take while walking around the map. In its current form, it feels both mechanically and narratively nonsensical.

That said, Atelier Marie definitely has some old school charm so far. Its simple barebones structure makes it easy to dip in and out of and feels like a game that will thrive on the Switch. I just hope that some of its weirder issues can be ironed out by the final release.

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg releases on July 13, 2023. It's releasing for the PC, PS4, PS5 and Nintendo Switch.

The post Preview: Atelier Marie Remake Has Old School Charm appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 10, 2023 9:00 AM
    

Hololive UMISEA New Song

Cover Corporation released a new original song from the Hololive VTuber music group UMISEA titled "UMISEA no SACHIHAPPY!" This new song is performed by the Japanese livers of the group, Sakamata Chloe, Houshou Marine, and Minato Aqua. Hololive released the song as part of a collaboration between UMISEA with Hokkaido-based seafood company Yoshida Kanko. The song is also available on select streaming services.

UMISEA is a music group consisting of several Hololive and Hololive EN talents. The lineup consists of Gawr Gura, Ninomae Ina'nis, Houshou Marine, Minato Aqua, and Sakamata Chloe. One particular aspect of UMISEA is that each member of the group shares some element in their presentation with the ocean, such as Gawr Gura or Ninomae being partial sea creatures.

UMISEA debuted back in September 2021 with their first song "Domination! All the World Is an Ocean." Sakamata Chloe joined the group in August 2022 for the release of the group's second single, "It Comes Ryuuu And It Goes Kyuuu."

You can check out the music video for "UMISEA no SACHIHAPPY!" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTX41QjX_VI

The new Hololive UMISEA song "UMISEA no SACHIHAPPY!" is now available to stream on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music. Hololive also released a music video of the song via their YouTube channel.

The post Hololive Music Group UMISEA Releases New Song appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 10, 2023 8:30 AM
    

Toro Inoue birthday sony cat

Toro Inoue is Sony Japan's cat mascot, and he recently celebrated his birthday for the first time in four years. "Toro's Birthday Party 2023" fan event was held on May 6, 2023 to celebrate the creation of the mascot. Approximately 160 fans gathered at the event, and Toro and his partner Kuro themselves made an appearance. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

Toro Inoue, also known as the "Sony Cat," first appeared as one of the Pokepi (short for Pocket People) in the first game of the Doko Demo Issyo game series, released in Japan in 1999. Toro has also appeared in plenty of mobile games, has had collaborations with other franchises such as Sanrio, and continues to be a popular character in Japan nowadays.

The latest birthday party for Toro was the first in-person event since the start of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Toro and Doko Demo Issyo merchandise, alongside select food items themed after the character were also sold at the venue. As is customary for the cat's birthday, the venue also held a small altar for fans to display their Toro creations and memorabilia.

Cutting the cake was a challenge for Toro, so BeXide president Kazunori Nanji, the company that handles the Doko Demo Issyo series, helped cut it on behalf of Sony's mascot. Additionally, Naoshi Horiguchi, character designer for the franchise, offered a 40-minute live drawing session. The event came to a closing with a commemorative photo of Toro and Kuro posing with 30 fans elected in a lottery.

The post Sony Cat Mascot Toro Inoue Celebrates Birthday Party appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 10, 2023 8:00 AM
    

FFXI Adventurer Gratitude Campaign 2023

Square Enix revealed that a new FFXI Adventurer Gratitude Campaign will be held between May and July 2023. Things will begin on May 15, 2023. Over a period of seven weeks, players that log in at least once per week will receive special items. Players can receive items for up to four different weeks. In addition, some of the items included as rewards are designed to help returning players.

For the first login, players will be able to obtain one echad ring. It is a special item that confers an experience point gain bonus. Players in possession of the item will instead receive a red mog pell. The second login will grant a ♪Red Crab mount. Those in possession of the mount will receive 12 copper A.M.A.N. vouchers instead.

The third login will grant a Cipher: Kupofried. This is a summon that will grant an experience point gain bonus on the summoner. Players that already own Kupofried will receive a silver mog pell. The reward for the fourth and last login of the campaign will be a Vana'clock, a furnishing item for a Mog House. Owners of a Vana'clock will instead receive a red mog pell.

This isn't the first time that an Adventurer Gratitude Campaign has appeared in Final Fantasy XI, with the most recent one happening on December 2022.

Final Fantasy XI is available for PC. The new FFXI Adventurer Gratitude Campaign will be held between May 15, 2023 and July 3, 2023.

The post FFXI Adventurer Gratitude Campaign 2023 Returns in May appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:03 AM
     Praise Of High Morals Fountain Honkai Star RailThere are a plethora of activities to engage in when playing Honkai: Star Rail. Some of these activities are quests, which are either given or hidden. One of these hidden quests involve doing good deeds in exchange for an item called Praise of High Morals. But what is this item, and what do you do with it? We'll explain everything about how to get and use Praise of High Morals in Honkai: Star Rail. Guide on finding and using Praise of High Morals Throughout your time playing this sci-fi strategy RPG, you may find yourself stumbling upon tasks that give you a moral dilemma. If you make the morally correct choice, you receive the Praise of High Morals item. One of the many hidden quests in Honkai: Star Rail involves getting Praise of High Morals in exchange for rewards. But where do you find them, and how do you use them? Screenshot by PC Invasion How to use Praise of High Morals If you find yourself in possession of this item, you'll want to head towards...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:33 AM
     How to beat Bronya in Honkai: Star Rail - Boss Fight GuideBronya is the first wall you'll face in Honkai: Star Rail and serves as a 'damage check' for the first planet in the game. If your first encounter with the Commander of the Silvermane Guards didn't go your way, this Boss Fight Guide should help. Let me show you how to beat Bronya in Honkai: Star Rail. Related: Honkai: Star Rail – All Currencies Explained How to beat Bronya in Honkai: Star Rail – Boss Fight Guide Bronya is one tough cookie, and you should expect no less from the Commander of the Silvermane Guards. Still, with a bit of preparation, you'll emerge victorious. Bronya hits hard and frequently calls for reinforcements throughout the fight. Although it's tempting to ignore the soldiers, I recommend dealing with them unless you're sure you can burst Bronya down in a few turns. If you keep the soldiers alive, Bronya effectively has multiple attacks per turn instead of one.  There...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 10, 2023 6:31 AM
     Honkai Star Rail ScreenshotHonkai: Star Rail and Genshin Impact are both gacha games created by HoYoverse and are often compared to each other due to many of the similarities between the two games. The two gacha games share many systems with each other, such as leveling up characters and farming for certain gear, but there are also some key differences between the two games as well. Obviously, judging which game is better is a subjective matter. But you can use these differences to ask yourself: Honkai Star Rail vs Genshin Impact: Which is Better? One thing to keep in mind is Genshin Impact is a good bit older than Honkai: Star Rail. This means the former game does have more meat on the bone than Honkai: Star Rail. As a result, this guide will try to keep things more general, keeping in mind Honkai: Star Rail has a long future ahead of it. Follow this guide to find out which is better, Honkai: Star Rail or Genshin Impact? Related: Honkai Star Rail: Best Build for Welt – Relics, Light Cones...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 10, 2023 6:17 AM
     Is Darkest Dungeon 2 Coming To Ps5 Featured ImageDarkest Dungeon 2, the sequel to Red Hook Studios' smash-hit roguelike in which players plumb the depths of both haunted tombs and their own slowly dwindling sanity, has finally emerged from early access. Releasing in full on May 8 for PC, many are now enjoying its gruesome charms for themselves. Many others, however, are still on tenterhooks, waiting to see if the game will release on their platform of choice, be it the Nintendo Switch or Sony's PS5. Is Darkest Dungeon 2 coming to PS5? Read on to find out. Will Darkest Dungeon 2 be crawling its way onto PS5? So far, there has been no official announcement from Red Hook Studios about Darkest Dungeon 2 coming to console. This applies to all current consoles, including Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PS4, and of course PS5. While we've heard nothing so far, that doesn't mean the game won't be coming to console at some point in the future. Screenshot by PC Invasion While nothing's a given, it�...

Gamer Empire Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:46 AM
     Choosing a starting solar system in Stellaris is one of the first decisions you make in the game. This decision may seem minor, but it can have long-reaching consequences on your playstyle. In most playthroughs, you will start in a random system with a home planet between sizes 18 and 21. We do have some […]

Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:00 AM
     Hooray! A couple days in a row of feeling alright! Lately, that's been a rather hit-or-miss type of thing, so if I can string a pair of days together, I'm gonna be thankful. I'm also thankful for some bite-sized gaming stories to nosh on. Let's see what we have on the platter today. 3D Printable …

Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Wednesday, May 10, 2023 7:03 AM
     The new YouTube channel, RoleplayRhythms: Music for Tabletop Gaming & RPGs aims to transform the gaming experience by offering an immersive array of music and ambience designed specifically for roleplaying and tabletop gaming enthusiasts. RoleplayRhythms delivers a unique auditory experience, curating an extensive library of themed music and ambient soundscapes tailored to a variety of …

WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews Wednesday, May 10, 2023 8:37 AM
     The Nintendo Switch is heading into its seventh year on the market as the third best selling console of all time, beaten only by the Playstation 2 and Nintendo's own DS. It's success is undeniable, yet due to it already being fairly underpowered at launch fans and journalists have constantly speculated about the release of a new Nintendo console. Well, Nintendo themselves seem to have put those rumours to bed.

iDev Games Feed Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:24 AM
     Hard bike game for pro bikers...