Kotaku Monday, August 14, 2023 1:30 PM  Embracer Group, the Swedish holding company that's been buying up everything from Borderlands maker Gearbox Entertainment to the rights to The Lord of the Rings, saw its stock plummet earlier this year when a mystery $2 billion deal collapsed at the last minute. Axios now reports that the partner who walked away… |
Kotaku Monday, August 14, 2023 1:08 PM Leveling up a completely new seasonal character in Diablo IV just got a lot faster after fans discovered what might be the best early XP dungeon grind in the game. Following Blizzard's recent big buff to enemy density, the Domhainne Tunnels in Scosglen can take players all the way up to level 40 in just a couple hours. |
Kotaku Monday, August 14, 2023 1:00 PM  Overwatch 2 is, by far, the worst rated game on Steam, and developer Blizzard's messy breakup with China in 2022 is, in part, responsible for it. |
Kotaku Monday, August 14, 2023 12:55 PM  Baldur's Gate 3 has a myriad of choices for building your character from the moment you boot up the RPG, including its 12 different classes, which range from magic users to standard sword-and-board warriors. Developer Larian Studios has released early statistics since the game launched on August 3 for the characters… |
Kotaku Monday, August 14, 2023 10:52 AM  At the Pokémon World Championships, Game Freak showed off a new look at Scarlet and Violet's upcoming expansions. There was a lot of new footage in the latest trailer, but the most important thing is that Scarlet and Violet are bringing back every starter Pokémon from across the games with the Pokédex updates included… |
Kotaku Monday, August 14, 2023 10:15 AM  Pokémon Scarlet and Violet sold phenomenally well on Switch. They also launched with tons of bugs and frustrating raid battle performance that made them some of the most busted games in the series' long history. Fans have been debating for years now if developer Game Freak is just making too many Pokémon games too… |
Kotaku Monday, August 14, 2023 9:10 AM  During Gen Con, an annual tabletop gaming convention held yearly at the Indiana Convention Center, some thieves made off with a substantial amount of Magic: The Gathering cards worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. |
Kotaku Monday, August 14, 2023 8:45 AM  The big, enormous, mega-large final version of Larian's addition to the Baldur's Gate franchise is out and it's getting a ton of attention for its depth, multifaceted outcomes, and generally solid adaptation of the Dungeon & Dragons ruleset. It's also a very visually pretty game, with wonderfully detailed environments… |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 1:54 PM  Star Citizen is one of the most highly anticipated space games currently in development, combining features from first-person shooters with elements from other genres such as sandbox. While it hasn't yet fully launched, players have been exploring the stars in-game through its alpha version. Star Citizen also offers players the opportunity to jump into public test builds of the game, with Cloud Imperium now announcing a change to its priority system for access. Continue reading Star Citizen test builds are only available to select players now MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best simulation games, Best multiplayer games, Best space games |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:42 PM  Baldur's Gate 3 is easily one of the best Steam Deck games you can play today, but it's unfortunately lacking the split screen feature available on desktop PCs. However, try as Larian might to keep this feature off the Steam Deck, this hasn't stopped Baldur's Gate 3 fans from finding a way to restore this functionality on the handheld. Continue reading Baldur's Gate 3 Steam Deck split screen is possible after all MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:38 PM  Reality set in for console gamers when Bethesda revealed during Summer Game Fest 2023 that Starfield's frame rate will be capped at 30fps on Xbox Series X and S. While current-gen consoles enjoyed a brief period of solid 60fps performance modes, we're starting to see triple-A titles revert to being best played at a 30fps lock. While this is the new(old) norm on consoles, word of a low frame rate lock would be like nails on a chalkboard for PC players. The Starfield Direct likely convinced people with aging rigs to upgrade their machines for the first time in years, but our gaming standards are higher than they've ever been. Technology has evolved to the point where 60fps is viewed by some as low. With that in mind, we need to know that Starfield on PC won't be held back by a low frame rate cap, allowing us to push to 120fps or beyond. Continue reading Starfield on PC better be lightyears ahead of Xbox MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield release date, Starfield companions, Starfield system requirements |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:44 PM  Assassin's Creed Mirage is probably the only stealth game I've really ever looked forward to, and it has a lot to do with nostalgia. I grew up playing the Assassin's Creed series, as many other gamers did, and every new entry feels like a step back into my childhood. It looks like I'll get to check the new entry out for myself sooner than I previously expected, as Ubisoft has just announced a new release date for Assassin's Creed Mirage. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Assassin's Creed Mirage release date, Best stealth games, Best RPG games |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:35 PM  When is the Assassin's Creed release date? We know that Mirage is an homage to the original Assassin's Creed games, bringing back the stealth-focused gameplay in a densely populated Middle-Eastern city. While it's still an action-adventure game with a strong narrative focus, long-time Assassin's Creed players will be reminded of Ezio's adventures rather than Eivor's. Assassin's Creed Mirage, announced in September 2022, is part of Ubisoft's larger Assassin's Creed series. Following the release of Valhalla back in 2020, it's the thirteenth major installment. Like other AC games, Mirage is all about fascinating historical settings, intriguing characters, and sneakiness - something that will hopefully place Mirage among the best PC games when it eventually releases. Whether you're a veteran assassin or new to stealth games, here's everything we know about AC Mirage release date and gameplay. Continue reading Assassin's Creed Mirage release date, news, and gameplay MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Assassin's Creed Mirage release date, Best stealth games, Best RPG games |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:38 PM  Is Starfield on PC? Given that the promotional material for perhaps the most anticipated game of the year focuses on the Xbox Series X/S consoles, it can be a little confusing for those on PC wondering if they can also explore Bethesda's latest RPG. As we edge ever closer to the Starfield release date, you may be asking if you can play Starfield on PC. There is, luckily, a simple answer to this question, so if you're hoping to explore the highly anticipated RPG game and meet as many of the companions out in space as you can, read on to learn if you can do that with your gaming rig. Continue reading Is Starfield on PC? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield release date, Starfield companions, Starfield system requirements |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:19 PM  What is the Baldur's Gate 3 Counting House vault code? There are many reasons why you would want to gain access to the most secure bank in Baldur's Gate - could be that you're there to stop a dastardly plan, could be that you just want to take a peek into what the citizens of the city find valuable - and fill your own pockets while you're at it. There is a lot to explore in Baldur's Gate 3, with our BG3 review going into a spoiler-free hint at several highlights. Before you tackle the Counting House vault, it's worth taking another look at your class - you don't want to be caught short if a fight breaks out. Here's how to crack the code so you can break into the Counting House vault. Continue reading What is the Baldur's Gate 3 Counting House vault code? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:21 PM  Where do you find Baldur's Gate 3 Sussur Bark? Locating the BG3 Sussur tree is part and parcel of the 'Finish the Masterwork weapon' quest, in which you can use the Blacksmith's furnace to upgrade your weapon of choice. If you're not sure where to gather Sussur bark though, we've adventured to the Underdark to find just that. Baldur's Gate 3 is a vast story RPG game, and as we mourn over in our BG3 review, there are hours of interactions that you may never even see. However your game plays out though, thankfully you'll venture into the Underdark, where the Sussur tree resides. You can use this to craft improved BG3 weapons for any of the classes in your party - provided you can survive the journey. To stand a chance, read on for everything you need to know about finishing the Masterwork weapon and finding Baldur's Gate 3 Sussur Bark. Continue reading How to get Baldur's Gate 3 Sussur Tree Bark MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:16 PM  What are the best games like Wordle? With its release and subsequent explosion in popularity during late 2021 and beyond, Wordle continues to keep players occupied with its daily word puzzles. Wordle's simple concept — guess a five-letter word within six tries using the limited hints given — makes for the perfect daily brain teaser. Even with the internet's tendency to move onto the next viral sensation, it's no surprise that one of the best browser games in recent years is still going strong today. If you're still playing the OG, our sister site Pocket Tactics has the Wordle answer daily. But what if you want to move on and try something a little different? Well, there's definitely no shortage of free PC games that have taken inspiration from the word guessing game. Some focus on specific topics, while others tweak the simple five-letter format in new and exciting ways. With this in mind, here are the best games like Wordle. Continue reading The best games like Wordle 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best free PC games, Best browser games, best free Steam games |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:15 PM  Half-Life will never die. Yes, Half-Life 3 has been in the mist for 16 years now. But the FPS game series that brought us Gordon Freeman, Black Mesa, Alyx Vance, and more will never be forgotten - and now there's cast-iron proof. As part of a huge community event, Half-Life Opposing Force has a dramatic new record for concurrent players on Steam, demonstrating that - in the 19 years since Half-Life 2, and with the wonderful addition of Half-Life Alyx - the fandom remains as strong as ever. I hope Valve is still working on a new Half-Life. The anticipation and love for the series continues to burn bright. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Whatever happened to Half-Life 3?, Best old games, Best FPS games |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:09 PM  How do you solve the Baldur's Gate 3 Silent Library puzzle? The Gauntlet of Shar holds as many secrets as it does trials, and some are easier to uncover than others. The Silent Library puzzle is one such secret; while the library itself is easy to miss, its unassuming stone plinth and mysterious riddle ('What can silence the Nightsong?') can easily leave you at a loss. Thankfully, we've got all the answers. Solving the Baldur's Gate Silent Library puzzle is a crucial step on Shadowheart's own journey to become a Dark Justiciar in Baldur's Gate 3, so it should come as no surprise that we recommend bringing her with you as you battle your way through the BG3 Gauntlet of Shar trials. It's also worth bringing Astarion along if you're lacking the proficiency to disarm traps yourself – alternatively, consult our best builds and perform a respec if you're a Rogue or Bard. Now that you've got the best team comp for the job, here's how to solve the Silent Library puzzle. Continue reading How to solve the Baldur's Gate 3 Silent Library puzzle MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 11:49 AM  When is the Dragon Age 4 release date? Dragon Age 4 is real and in production at BioWare, we know that much, but where will the story go next? And which of our favourite characters will return? Bioware has officially announced the title, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, which looks set make a list of the best PC games and best RPG games. So far we've had a cryptic teaser trailer about Dread Wolf, suggestions of a potential multiplayer angle, and heaps of clues to its story contents courtesy of various interviews and tweets with developers and writers who have worked on previous Dragon Age games. BioWare has teased more about the Dread Wolf saying, "Solas, the Dread Wolf. Some say he might be an ancient elven god, but some say not. Others say a betrayer of his people…or a savior who now seeks to rescue them at the cost of your world. " Continue reading Dragon Age 4 release date speculation, trailer, and news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Dragon Age 4 characters, Dragon Age 4 release date rumours |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 11:49 AM  The best gaming PC is a system that suits your needs and fits within your budget. It could be something that spares no expense, packing the most powerful hardware into a premium case, or a budget build that's more than capable of running your favorite esports game. Regardless of which rig sounds more up your street, we're here to help you figure out what prebuild is right for you. Whether you know how to build a gaming PC or not, prebuilt systems offer a convenient way to upgrade your set-up in one fell swoop with minimal hassle. They typically come with a small premium versus doing it yourself, but this does remove the risk of things going wrong on your end. Better still, you'll be covered by another warranty on top of the individual parts. The best websites for custom PC builds will offer you a selection of components to chose from within a given price range. As a general rule of thumb, you're best putting the majority of your budget into the most powerful graphics card you can afford, as it'll have the most dramatic effect on performance. When it comes to picking out a CPU, opt for something with at least six cores if you can, but don't forget to pair it with two 8GB sticks of RAM. It's worth mentioning that the handheld PC market has greatly matured in recent years, with the Steam Deck serving as the most successful pioneer. These devices are worthy alternatives to a tower, particularly if your buying power is on the lower side. Continue reading Best gaming PC 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 1:25 PM  Applying a Steam Deck skin is a great way to protect your handheld from general wear and tear, but also an opportunity to show off your love of some of the best Steam Deck games (even the unreleased ones). Aiming to do just that, this Starfield Steam Deck skin has us champing at the bit for the RPG's launch. Continue reading This Starfield Steam Deck skin is absolutely stellar MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield release date, Starfield companions, Starfield system requirements |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 11:38 AM  August 14, 2023: The Visual Novel Fest ends later today. The next big Steam sale is the Strategy Fest in late August. When is the next Steam sale date? It feels like one Steam sale has just ended when the next one begins, but with some events offering better discounts than others and genre-specific sales, it's a good idea to keep these dates to hand. Fortunately, Valve has released the entire Steam sale dates for the rest of the year so that you can plan your wishlist beforehand. Whether you're looking for new PC games to sink your teeth into or survival games to test your endurance, there's something for everyone on Steam. The seasonal sales are much bigger and last one to two weeks, with more games, DLC, and bundles available with chunkier discounts. The Steam summer and winter sales are the big ones for the calendar, and summer is not far off. Continue reading When is the next Steam sale? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Steam FAQ, Steam family sharing, Steam in-home streaming |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 11:33 AM  Genshin Impact 4.0 goes live this week, and we're all expecting new gameplay features, engaging Archon Quests, and a unique region to explore. But let's not gloss over the other additions - the previously unseen creatures that inhabit the anime game's Hydro nation. Genshin Impact 4.0 will bring robotic stingrays, sunbathing seals, dogs in full outfits, and much more when the Genshin Impact 4.0 release date arrives. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 11:31 AM  Where can you find Minecraft frogs? With much of their utility added via the game's 1.19.0 update in mid-2022, frogs in Minecraft have become a sought-after critter ever since. The Wild Update brought them into the fold, giving us another option for a tag-along pet, much like the cats and wolves that we've grown accustomed to over the years. Not only can they aid in combat, but they can be used to create Froglights: the brightest blocks in the game. Being such a huge game with an equally huge following, this guide on Minecraft frogs barely scratches the surface of the game's complex mechanics. On our Minecraft page, you'll find guides covering anything from Minecraft seeds to popular Minecraft mods. Here's everything you need to know about one of the most unique Minecraft mobs in all the game's biomes, as well as how to farm Froglights of various colors to illuminate your world. Continue reading Minecraft frogs – How to tame, breed, and make froglights MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 11:28 AM  If you fancy telling your own Star Wars-themed story, you're in luck, as there is a brand-new mod for Minecraft that adds all the characters from the original trilogy, several planets as biomes, and even allows you to create a custom lightsaber. So if you've ever wished to play in your own Star Wars sandbox game while also having the familiar gameplay mechanics from Minecraft, this Minecraft mod is possibly the best way to live that dream. Continue reading Minecraft Star Wars mod lets you zap Creepers with the Force MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 11:01 AM  Which bosses are in Armored Core 6? Whilst it may not be a Soulslike, AC6 will feature the long, complex boss fights that FromSoftware has become known for. The emphasis of the game is still on your highly-customizable mecha, but the combat plays an integral part in your journey. With FromSoftware's reputation for a really great boss fight preceding the Armored Core 6 release date, our expectations have been set and the bar is high. To gear up to take on any of these behemoths, check out all of the AC6 leg types available for your build. If you're wondering whether Armored Core 6 is available on Game Pass - we've got you covered there, too. Continue reading All Armored Core 6 bosses and how to beat them MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best robot games, Armored Core 6 release date, Games like Dark Souls |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 10:46 AM  The Cities Skylines 2 economy has me both excited and intimidated. In the original Cities, I have a pretty simple task. Keep residential, industrial, and commercial taxes around 14% and everything will be more or less fine. With the Cities Skylines 2 release date almost upon us, however, I think it's time to brush up on my supply and demand, as CS2 looks to deliver a more detailed and realistic simulation of a working city. That means more specialized industries, and a lot more taxes. Get ready for the next generation of the Colossal Order city-building game. Cities Skylines 2 is all about that money. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cities Skylines 2 release date, Cities Skylines 2 system requirements, Cities Skylines 2 maps |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 10:24 AM  Is Starfield Steam Deck compatible? Playing Starfield on your Steam Deck should unlock a universe of entertainment from your sofa, but we haven't got the official word from Valve on whether it's Steam Deck compatible. Although you should be able to get the RPG running on your handheld, the struggles of similar games to get decent performance suggests you probably won't be blasting off at light speed. As stated in the Starfield system requirements, you'll need 125GB of storage space if you want to head out exploring new planets. There's over a hundred different solar systems on offer, so it's not exactly a surprise the game takes up so much space. If you're hoping to play Bethesda's latest title on the go, you might want to check out our guide to the best microSD card for Steam Deck, especially if you've got the 64GB model. Continue reading Is Starfield Steam Deck compatible? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield release date, Starfield companions, Starfield system requirements |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 12:04 PM  It's April 1973, blown-out hair and colorful fashions are all the rage and, appropriately, The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, a song about murder in the American South, is the biggest hit on the radio. Just months before the events of the 1974 movie, another group of young victims goes missing in Muerto County, Texas, and this is where our The Texas Chain Saw Massacre review first finds us. Sure, here we have another asymmetrical horror game based on a scary movie, but that's no bad thing - especially not when Gun Interactive is involved. The Friday the 13th: The Game publisher knows what makes a killer multiplayer game, and the Jason Vorhees-led 4v1 was one of the best before its untimely demise. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre takes what was great about F13, adds the grit and beauty of the 1974 Tobe Hooper classic, and chucks in a couple of extra killers for good measure. Continue reading The Texas Chain Saw Massacre review – A thrilling horror homage MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best multiplayer games, Best survival games |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 10:47 AM  When is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 release date? The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 series is poised to succeed team green's current generation graphics cards, pushing performance and more to new heights. While the pixel pushers probably won't see the light of day for a while yet, details, speculation, and rumors surrounding these GPUs are already doing the rounds. Continue reading Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 release date speculation MORE FROM PCGAMESN: RTX 4060 review, DLSS explained, Best graphics cards |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 10:36 AM  Who is Minthara in Baldur's Gate 3? Minthara is a potential companion that most players will not recruit due to the cruelty required to get her to join your party. As a Drow Paladin, however, she will make a valuable ally for the evilly inclined. Combining both melee prowess and healing abilities earned from her deity, she can tank hits while keeping herself and your party – those that stick around after you recruit her, that is – alive. If you have hopes of sticking with Minthara, check out our class guide so you know how to outfit the rest of your party - complimentary classes are the best way forward. BG3 Minthara herself is a Lolth-Sworn Drow, which basically means she's a tad more evil than her Seldarine cousins. If all that sounds like a demonic language to you, our guide on the many BG3 races and their numerous subraces has you covered. With all that knowledge under your belt, you're ready to find out what Minthara offers your party. Continue reading Baldur's Gate 3 Minthara companion guide MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class |
PCGamesN Monday, August 14, 2023 9:52 AM  Where can you find the Nightsong in Baldur's Gate 3? The contract you receive from Aradin seems straightforward: retrieve a valuable relic located in a temple infested with goblins to receive a hefty reward from a wizard. Simple, right? Wrong. It turns out that the Nightsong is also the source of Ketheric Thorm's immortality, sequestered in an alternate dimension known as the Shadowfell. 'Find the Nightsong' is a lengthy sidequest that spans multiple acts in Baldur's Gate 3, beginning in the Druids' Grove and taking you on a journey across the Shadowlands. Its outcome also has major implications for Shadowheart, so be sure to change party members to bring her along for the ride. We also recommend taking at least one spellcaster from the pool of Baldur's Gate 3 classes, since they'll certainly fare better against the enemies you'll encounter in the depths – check out our best builds if you're new to spell-slinging. Now that you're all prepped, here's how to find the Nightsong in Baldur's Gate 3. Continue reading Where to find the Nightsong in Baldur's Gate 3 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 1:40 PM  If you, like me, immediately regret any decision you've ever made - well, at least in terms of video games - and have found yourself longing for a different face to stare at for hours and hours of conversations in Baldur's Gate 3, there might be good news on the way. Larian has teased that it's working on a future way to change your appearance in its hugely popular D&D game. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 1:16 PM  Just bought an awesome new CPU after a friendly RPS deals writer found a great deal on one? Worried about covering that massive IHS with thermal paste? Don't worry - you can pick up Arctic's popular MX-4 compound thermal paste for $5.56 today and it comes with a tiny spatula, perfect for ensuring full coverage even on modern extra-large processors like Intel's 12th/13th-gen chips, AMD's Ryzen 7000 chips and even workstation-class products like ThreadRipper. This stuff normally costs $9, making this a cool 38% discount. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 1:08 PM  Assassin's Creed Mirage will release a week earlier than originally announced, bringing its release date to the very beginning of October and giving it some extra breathing room ahead of Alan Wake 2, Lords of the Fallen and the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection. Christ, it's still a busy month though, isn't it? |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 1:05 PM  IO Interactive have found such success with Hitman over the past decade that it's hard to imagine the developer making anything else, but I have many vivid memories of its non-Agent-47-centric outings. 2010's Kane & Lynch 2 was a very special breed of spiritual ugliness, while 2003's Freedom Fighters wowed youngling me with its chunky urban squad tactics. I also have a soft spot for Mini Ninjas, one of IO's few jaunts into the realm of family-friendliness, if only because as somebody familiar with IO's other work, I could smell the blood beneath its bloodless Nickleodeon visuals. I'm keen to hear more of the studio's forthcoming James Bond adaptation, unveiled in 2020 - surely a marriage made in franchising heaven, though I struggle to imagine an IO protagonist quipping like 007. But I'm especially eager to lay eyes on its currently untitled Project Fantasy, an online RPG inspired by "the togetherness, camaraderie, agony, and delight" of table-top gaming and more specifically, Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy books. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 1:00 PM  Building a new PC? Newegg have specced out a great high-end combo that bundles a Core i7 12700K processor, MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR4 motherboard and DDR4-3200 RAM for $347 with code BTS343A, a $230 savings over buying the same items individually. That's a surprisingly awesome deal and would make the perfect beginnings of a high-end rig, with just a GPU, CPU cooler, SSD, PSU and case needed for a complete build - many of which you may want to bring over from your existing PC. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 12:40 PM  If you can believe it, we first wrote about Small Saga, the retro-flavoured turn-based RPG filled with penknife-wielding rodents and fireballs cast from cigarette lighters, a little over four years ago. Clearly inspired by the likes of Final Fantasy - albeit crossed with the 'small animals on a big adventure' feel of Brian Jacques' Redwall novels - it looked absolutely brilliant. That sentiment was only solidified by its Steam Next Fest demo last year, which left Katharine impressed by its compelling combat and rodent fantasy setting. It's been quite the journey for the indie RPG, but we won't have to wait much longer to see what Small Saga has to offer in full, as it finally has a release date. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 12:04 PM  For all the big-budget GeForce graphics cards, it's the firmly mainstream XX60 models that must surely keep the lights on at Nvidia HQ. A glimpse at the current Steam hardware survey reveals that the RTX 3060, RTX 2060, and GTX 1060 are all within the top four most-used GPUs – with the RTX 3060's laptop version at number five. These are important cards, and messing up the next one would be a disaster. The RTX 4060 is not a disaster. Ultimately, it a very capable 1080p graphics card, a technical upgrade on the RTX 3060, and (unlike several other RTX 40 series GPUs) arrives at a reasonable price. But it probably doesn't deserve the apparent immortality of its predecessors, with only modest gen-on-gen performance gains and a heavy reliance on DLSS (including DLSS 3) to expand that difference. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 11:00 AM  In the picturesque Regency town of Leamington Spa, a debutante has entered the local high society of AAA game developers. Named Maverick Games, it's led by the former director of Forza Horizon 5 - a creative risk-taker named Mike Brown. "Games are made in a very certain way that brings with it real security," Brown told GamesIndustry.biz in January. "We know that if we do these things in a row, we will hit this date and the game will come out. I think there are other ways where you can still hit that date, but also do a load of new things on the way." One of the new things Maverick is backing is Jamie Brittain, lead writer on the studio's unannounced open world game. Brittain has never worked on a videogame before. Yet any millennial who grew up in the UK will undoubtedly be familiar with Skins, the epochal teen drama he co-created with his dad, Bryan Elsley. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 10:10 AM  Pathfinder: Gallowspire Survivors - a Vampire Survive 'em up set in Paizo's D&D-adjacent pen-and-paper setting Golarion - launches into Steam Early Access on 14th September 2023, Paizo and developer BKOM Studios have announced. If you're new to the much-imitated Vampire Survivors format, the idea is to steer an auto-attacking character around a map that is slowly invaded by increasingly hazardous waves of foes, levelling up as you go. Think of it as a bullet hell shooter, but set to the tune of a walking sim. At first, anyway: at higher levels, Vampire Survivors is a perfectly withering experience, for all its initial glacial pace. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 9:20 AM  Every weekend, indie devs show off current work on Twitter's #screenshotsaturday tag. And every Monday, I bring you a selection of these snaps and clips. This week, I return to oggle cars on alien worlds and cars in big fights, even more immersive sims, and a game described uncertainly as perhaps "Sekiro with a gun?" or "Killer7 souls?" Check out these attractive and interesting indie games! |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 7:03 AM  Game designer, sometime Gears of War frontman and nowadays, comic book author Cliff Bleszinski would very much like Epic to make another Jazz Jackrabbit. In case you're unfamiliar, or disgracefully young, Jazz Jackrabbit was a platform game for MS-DOS, published in 1994 - it was Bleszinski's first project as a designer for then-named Epic MegaGames. He worked on the game alongside coder Arjan Brussee, who would later found Guerrilla Games before moving to Visceral Studios and finally, reuniting with Bleszinski to launch Bosskey Productions, the ill-fated creator of the generally rather decent Lawbreakers. Cor, people don't half move around in this industry. I never played Jazz Jackrabbit - if memory serves, the first in the series launched during a particularly cursed/blessed (delete as appropriate) part of my early youth, when my gaming consisted exclusively of shareware titles on Apple Macintosh. But I can certainly get behind Bleszinski's follow-up remark that he'd like a potential Jazz Jackrabbit 3 to be a first-person game in the vein of PS1 classic Jumping Flash. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 14, 2023 6:45 AM Baldur's Gate 3 is Metacritic's highest-rated PC game ever, but devs are rejecting cheap comparisons  Little-CRPG-that-could Baldur's Gate 3 has solved the Labyrinth, outwitted the Sphinx and ascended to the rank of Metacritic's highest-rated PC game of all time, knocking ZA/UM's Disco Elysium into second place. (OK, so technically they're both on 97, but I'm guessing the "score distillation" arithmetic behind-the-scenes puts Baldur's Gate 3 ahead - their positions were reversed last time I checked.) This follows a busy weekend for Larian's new game, which exceeded its own online player activity record on Sunday to the tune of around 875,000 players. It's a terrific achievement for one of the richest and most rewarding D&D adaptations ever set to code. It's also only going to encourage those on the interwebs who are using Baldur's Gate 3's success as a stick to beat other developers with. As you've likely discovered for yourself, the new game is the centre of a raging discussion about what we should expect from today's "triple-A games", aka "biggest/shiniest". Some point to its lack of microtransactions or DRM, while others highlight its relative technical sturdiness and overall "quality". A few people go into specifics: I've read a couple of thoughtful comments comparing the bespoke, one-and-done nature of Baldur's Gate 3 quests with open world action titles and other genres that hinge on repeated quest formulas and reward systems. |
Twinfinite Monday, August 14, 2023 10:21 AM  |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 1:30 PM
Square Enix revealed a new story trailer for Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis. The trailer shows off snippets of various episodes that will be part of the game, including retellings of past events, new perspectives and a whole new story focused on Sephiroth. Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis will feature a new story that hasn't been seen before. It's set to be a prequel about Sephiroth, a "young hero" before he became the villain we know him as now. This had been teased in previous trailers. This storyline also features new characters like Glenn. https://twitter.com/FFVII_EC_EN/status/1690906084175958017 In addition to the Sephiroth story, the new Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis story trailer showed off various retold scenes from previous games, such as the infiltration of Mako Reactor 1 from the start of Final Fantasy VII. The trailer also teases new scenes from perspectives we haven't seen before, such as a scene where Tifa and Jessie are comforting each other and one where Aerith is praying to her mother while imprisoned in the Shinra Building. Previously, Square Enix revealed snippets from the soundtrack of Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis. The tracks previewed were remixes of "Main Theme of FFVII" and "Fight On!" made exclusively for the new game. Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis will release on September 7, 2023 for mobile devices. The post New FFVII Ever Crisis Story Trailer Previews New Sephiroth Story appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 1:00 PM
Bandai Namco revealed the official minimum and recommended PC requirements for Armored Core VI. There are actually two sets of them. One of them is for a base playthrough that doesn't use the ray-tracing feature. The other is if someone does want to use ray-tracing. Everything appeared ahead of its debut later in August 2023, so we can prepare. Here are the full Armored Core VI PC requirements for if ray-tracing is off from Twitter:
And these are the full Armored Core VI PC requirements for if ray-tracing is off:
We've started to see more from Armored Core VI leading up to its debut. For example, Bandai Namco offered a peek at Armored Core customization. It showed screenshots detailing the Image Editor and Paint options. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon will come to the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC on August 25, 2023. There will be standard, collector's, and premium editions of the game available. The post Armored Core VI PC Requirements Detailed appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 12:30 PM
HoYoVerse shared details about the 4.0 Genshin Impact Lyney and Yelan banners. It noted the four-star characters who will show up on each banner. It also noted both will appear until September 5, 2023. The Epitome Invokation weapon banner's featured pieces of equipment also appeared. The two entirely new characters are the five-star Pyro archer Lyney and the four-star Anemo swordswoman Lynette. Lynette is on both Lyney and Yelan's banners. Yelan, as a reminder, is a five-star Hydro archer. Joining these three will be the Pyro swordsman Bennett and the Hydro catalyst user (and healer) Barbara. As someone might expect from an Epitome Invocation weapon banner for two archers, bows show up quite frequently. The Aqua Simulacra is a five-star one with Yelan in mind, while The First Great Magic is a five-star one for Lyney. The focus four-star weapons on this banner are Favonius Greatsword, Favonius Lance, Sacrificial Bow, Sacrificial Fragments, and Sacrificial Sword. We also know who will appear on the 4.0 Genshin Impact banners appearing on September 6, 2023. The two five-stars will be reruns of the Childe and Zhongli banners. Freminet will appear as a focus four-star on both. Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices. The 4.0 Genshin Impact Lyney and Yelan banners begin on August 16, 2023. The new banners will end on September 5, 2023. The post 4.0 Genshin Impact Lyney and Yelan Banners Detailed appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 12:00 PM
Every past starter Pokemon will be appearing the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC. In a trailer revealed at the Pokemon World Championships 2023, more details about Part 2: The Indigo Disk were revealed. Peeks at the characters appeared. All 24 starter Pokemon from previous mainline titles will be returning for the DLC as wild Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Pokemon. This means that everyone from the original trio of Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle up to Sword and Shield starters Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble will all be available. The trailer shows off pairings such as Cyndaquil and Torchi, Oshawott and Piplup, and Snivy and Rowlet. This marks the first time in the series that all previous starter Pokemon have been freely available without the need for trading. https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/1690755121674629120 The trailer revealing the starter Pokemon also had plenty of other new additions to show off. A bunch of new moves will be coming to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, including Psychic Noise, which causes damage and blocks healing, and Upper Hand, which strikes before a target's priority move. The new Raikou and Cobalion variants will each gain a new move, with Raging Bolt (Raikou) gaining Thunderclap and Iron Crown (Cobalion) gaining Tachyon Cutter, which attacks twice in a row. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are out now for Nintendo Switch. The second part of the DLC expansion, The Indigo Disk, will be releasing sometime in Winter 2023. The post All Pokemon Starters Will Be Returning for Scarlet and Violet DLC appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 11:30 AM
Aniplex exhibited a set of new NieR Automata 2B and 9S merchandise at Comiket Summer 2023 in Japan. The items feature new artwork of the protagonists 2B and 9S based on their anime appearances, sporting matching horse mackerel t-shirts. Those very same t-shirts have also been recreated as physical merchandise for people. Currently, there is no means of purchasing these items outside Japan. The lineup of new NieR Automata Ver 1.1a merchandise made available at this year's Summer Comiket included clear files, can badges, acrylic stands, framed artwork, and a t-shirt. The only way to purchase this merchandise at the moment is by attending Comiket and visiting the Aniplex booth. Here's a complete list of the merchandise along with the prices for every item:
Here's a closer look at all of the NieR Automata 2B and 9S merchandise: NieR Automata Ver 1.1a is an anime adaptation of the action-RPG NieR:Automata. Although it was met with unfortunate delays due to a bout of COVID-19, the anime was able to reach its final episode in July 2023. A second cour is currently in production. Comiket, the largest convention in Japan, is held bi-annually at Tokyo Big Sight. This year, it was held from August 12-13, 2023. The post 2B and 9S Wear Matching Shirts in New NieR Automata Merchandise appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 11:00 AM
HoYoVerse set a date for the Honkai: Star Rail Special Program to introduce the 1.3 update. It will appear at 4:30am PT/7:30am ET on August 18, 2023. As usual, this will be about a half hour long showcase going over upcoming characters, events, story segments, and additions for the game. The update itself is expected to appear at the end of August 2023. People can catch it on YouTube. People can already visit the official placeholder for the Honkai: Star Rail Special Program. It teases which characters will debut in this new update. Imbibitor Lunae and Fu Xuan both will appear as hosts alongside Owlbert and Sushang. Both of those characters appeared in the story ahead of their playable debut, with Imbibitor Lunae being especially notable in the last Trailblaze Mission quests on the Luofu. We do still have two activities going on in-game ahead of the update. Kafka and Luka joined the roster of playable characters. There's a Kafka companion mission that appeared once her banner started. As for events, the Underground Treasure Hunt is running until August 28, 2023. Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PC and mobile devices. The 1.3 update is expected to appear on August 30, 2023, the day after the Kafka banner ends on August 29, 2023. The Honkai: Star Rail Special Program for 1.3 will air on August 18, 2023 at 4:30am PT/7:30am ET. The post Honkai: Star Rail Special Program for 1.3 Airs This Week appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 10:30 AM
Hololive Vtuber IRyS announced her first 3D Showcase will take place on August 19, 2023. It will be held at 8pm PT/11pm ET. It will only last for an hour and will be her first to showcase her 3D model. Here's her official announcement for the presentation. It didn't note what to expect. However, the reveal did mention the Vtuber herself did work on the stage design for the show.
In the official press release, it mentioned "various contents during the stream." In past 3D showcases for other Hololive English talents, this meant visits from other Vtubers from the company. There would also be examples of different sorts of poses for the model. These showcases also often include performances. Considering the number of original sounds and covers IRyS has, it seems like a performance will be likely. Also, we could see some celebratory merchandise announced and revealed. The IRyS 3D Showcase will be held at 8pm PT/11pm ET on August 19, 2023 on the Hololive Vtuber's official YouTube channel. The post Hololive EN Vtuber IRyS 3D Showcase Is This Week appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 10:00 AM
When a new Genshin Impact update is about to drop, there's a certain HoYoVerse routine begins. It starts drip marketing for the next characters on the way. This happened with Freminet, Lyney, and Lynette ahead of 4.0. Now that 4.0 is about to launch on August 16, 2023, the 4.1 Genshin Impact Fontaine characters Wriothesley and Neuvillette appeared. This announcement didn't reveal the star rarity of either Genshin Impact Fontaine character, but it did offer other details about Neuvillette and Wriothesley. Neuvillette is essentially the "Chief Justice" of the courts in the city as the Iudex of Fontaine. He will be a Hydro character.
Meanwhile, Wriothesley seems to essentially be considered a "duke" in Fontaine in Genshin Impact. He's a Cryo type character who is the Administrator of the Fortress of Meropide. His Constellation is called Cerberus.
Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and 4.0 will arrive on August 16, 2023. The post Genshin Impact Fontaine Characters Wriothesley and Neuvillette Teased for 4.1 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 9:30 AM
The Hololive Vtuber music unit UMISEA, which consists of Gawr Gura, Houshou Marine, Minato Aqua, Ninomae Ina'nis, and Sakamata Chloe, released a new song. "Ocean wave Party Live" is now live. In addition to being able to streamed on Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify, and YouTube Music, the music video is also live on YouTube. You can watch the new Hololive UMISEA song "Ocean Wave Party Live" music video below. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v_BFL-kuWs&ab_channel=hololive%E3%83%9B%E3%83%AD%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%96-VTuberGroup[/embed] UMISEA first started as a unit back in September 2021. At the time, Gawr Gura, Houshou Marine, Minato Aqua, and Ninomae Ina'nis performed "Domination! All the World Is an Ocean." Some of the group's other tracks include "UMISEA no SACHIHAPPY" and "It Comes Ryuuu And It Goes Kyuuu." There's also a new episode of the Hololive web anime holo no graffiti starring UMISEA to go along with the new song. It goes over the formation of the band for the music festival. You can watch it below. It features Gawr Gura, Houshou Marine, Minato Aqua, and Ninomae Ina'nis. The same VTubers that recorded the new single. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Za05AVwc88&ab_channel=hololive%E3%83%9B%E3%83%AD%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%96-VTuberGroup[/embed] The Hololive Summer 2023 3DLive Splash Party will be held August 26-27, 2023. Tickets will be available and the event can be streamed even after the performance until September 27, 2023. UMISEA is scheduled to perform. The post New Hololive UMISEA Song Released Ahead of Summer 2023 3DLIVE Splash Party appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, August 14, 2023 9:00 AM
Bandai's Tamashii Nations announced there will be a One Piece SH Figuarts Zero Extra Battle figure of Luffy in his Gear 5 form. These are large, static figures designed to capture movement and activity. Both the English Twitter account and official site note October 2, 2023 pre-order dates for it. It has a March 2024 release window. Here's the official announcement. In it, Tamashii Nations noted more details will arrive in the future. However, we know past One Piece SH Figuarts Zero Extra Battle figures would tend to be between 170-180mm, so the Gear 5 Luffy one could be about that size or larger. [embed]https://twitter.com/TamashiiNations/status/1690781424591544320[/embed] We also know it is one of multiple Gear 5 Luffy ones on the way. For example, the MegaHouse Portrait of Pirates line of figures will include one in its collection. That will be a ¥22,000 (~$152) statue that stands at about 230mm tall. It is also arriving in 2024, though it will show up in May 2024. We saw this form of Luffy show up first in chapter 1,044 of the manga. It then appeared for a moment in One Piece Film: Red, before being revealed in the anime adaptation proper in episode 1,071. The One Piece Gear 5 Luffy SH Figuarts Zero Extra Battle figure will appear in March 2024, with pre-orders opening on October 2, 2023. The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll, and the manga is available via Viz Media. The next figures based on the series to appear will be SH Figuarts ones based on the live-action versions of Luffy and Zoro. The post SH Figuarts Zero Extra Battle Luffy Gear 5 Giant Figure Announced appeared first on Siliconera. |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, August 14, 2023 1:49 PM  Upon entering the Mountain Pass and heading into the Rosymorn Monastery, you'll find the Githyanki Creche Lae'zel is looking for. On your way to finding the Inquisitor, you'll take on a failed cleansing, many fights, and a closed barrier. To continue this quest, you'll need to break the barrier. It has to do with a Githyanki Barrier Disruptor, and we'll explain how to use it in this Baldur's Gate 3 guide. How to activate the Githyanki Barrier Disruptor in Baldur's Gate 3 A forcefield barrier blocks your way to where the Inquisitor is. How you use the Githyanki Barrier Disruptor in Baldur's Gate 3 is by placing a Gith Shard in it. You can get your hands on this shard two different ways. Either you fight for it, or pickpocket it. Screenshot by PC Invasion After trying to get Lae'zel cleansed of the parasite in the Infirmary, it completely broke the machine. The doctor locked my party inside the room, so we ended up having... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, August 14, 2023 1:29 PM  Moonstone Island is an upcoming indie game that can be summed up with one word: "cozy." But, if you stopped there, you'd be doing the game and yourself a disservice — Moonstone Island has vibrant islands to explore, lively towns to visit and people to take out on dates, a myriad of Spirits to fight, collect, and train, and so much more. After thoroughly enjoying the Moonstone Island demo, I had the pleasure to interview Sandy Spink, the creator and director of Studio Supersoft, the studio making Moonstone Island. In our exclusive interview, I asked Spink lots of questions because Moonstone Island is truly an enigma to me! I'm not a fan of Pokemon games and I've tried Stardew Valley and so many games like it to no avail and yet I loved playing Moonstone Island; I needed to know the secret sauce that makes Moonstone Island work. But before we dive in, a trailer to familiarize yourself with Moonstone Island. Moonstone Island com... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, August 14, 2023 12:51 PM  There are plenty of secrets and alcoves to discover around the world of Baldur's Gate 3. Some places are easy to find, while others are hidden behind tiny entrances. If your characters are perceptive enough, they'll be able to discover Rocky Crevices or Burrow Holes. While we've covered how to get inside the crevices before, let's focus on how to enter Burrow Holes in Baldur's Gate 3. Baldur's Gate 3: Ways to get inside Burrow Holes You and your party are much too big to enter these tiny holes. If you find a way inside them, you may find a whole new room to explore. How you can enter Burrow Holes in Baldur's Gate 3 is by making yourself smaller or able to pass through solid surfaces through many means. Let's go over each way. Druid Wildshape as a Cat Cast Gaseous Form Cast Enlarge – Reduce on a Halfling or Gnome Screenshot by PC Invasion Druid Wildshape as a Cat Are you a Druid like I am? Well, you'... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, August 14, 2023 12:38 PM  A solid trigger finger, accuracy, and map awareness will only get you so far in the unforgiving landscape of Tarkov. As a low-level player, you'll miss out on some of Escape From Tarkov's best resources, including the Flea Market. In this guide, I'll show you how to level up fast in Escape From Tarkov Patch 13.5. I'll also share a few clever ways to earn EXP and explain why your level is so important. How to level up fast in Escape From Tarkov Patch 13.5 For most players, the first big milestone of each Wipe is unlocking the Flea Market. This feature allows players to buy items from each other in a marketplace and offers a vast array of equipment you may not find at the Traders. Most 'Meta' gear is unavailable in the Flea Market, but it's still a valuable resource and is open to everyone upon reaching Level 15. Trader Loyalty Levels (LL) are locked behind player level as well, so it's essential to gather as much EXP as you can. ... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, August 14, 2023 12:19 PM  Buildcrafting is a huge component of Remnant 2. The multitude of hidden secrets within the game award so many little items that can adjust your build. Tweaking one element over another can turn you from a bullet sponge to a walking arsenal in seconds. However, arguably the most important element of your Remnant 2 build is your Archetype. These are either available from the start, in Ward 13, or have to be found within the game itself. The Explorer Archetype must be searched for in Remnant 2 before you can unlock and use it on your build; here's how to do it. How to unlock the Explorer Archetype in Remnant 2 Screenshot by PC Invasion Unlike a lot of the harder-to-find Archetypes in Remnant 2, this one is actually surprisingly simple, in method anyway. You don't have to equip a million specific items, sacrifice a goat under a blood moon, and sing the star-spangled banner backward as you do for the Archon Archetype. Simply beat the final boss once to receive the r... |
Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Monday, August 14, 2023 1:27 PM  BKOM Studios, in collaboration with Paizo, unveiled an exhilarating new game set to hit Steam's Early Access platform on September 14th: Pathfinder: Gallowspire Survivors. This roguelite bullet hell survivor offers a fresh perspective on the Pathfinder universe, inviting players to challenge the legendary villain, Tar-Baphon. Gallowspire is the resting place of the disgraced lich-emperor, Tar-Baphon. … |