GamersHeroes Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:28 AM The Halloween season is in full swing with Amazon Games' New World: Aeternum Nightveil Hallow event. The post New World: Aeternum Nightveil Hallow Event Now Live appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:55 AM  On the one hand, the PlayStation 4 version of Horizon Zero Dawn already looked great running on a PS5, and selling a remaster feels a bit like a wasteful attempt to double-dip by Sony. On the other hand, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is looking exceptional so far, and might end up being one of the best-looking games on… |
Kotaku Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:39 AM  The PS5 Pro is out in just a few weeks promising "enhancements" for over 50 games to start. One of those is The Last Of Us Part I, which was showcased in the initial tech demo for the hardware running more smoothly at higher fidelities than its current PS5-only version. The Naughty Dog hit and other blockbusters are… |
Kotaku Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:30 AM  I wasn't wholly convinced when A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead was announced—how many movie video game adaptations succeed? Sure, there's a handful of notable titles, but this seemed the unlikeliest choice of IP to port over. Yet, this survival horror focused on noise genuinely impressed me, and indeed Zack. It's not… |
Kotaku Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:10 AM  The official release of Monster Hunter Wilds is months away, but the hit franchise's first mainline sequel built from the ground up for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S will be available to try for free near the end of October in its first open beta test. PlayStation Plus subscribers in particular will get a chance… |
Kotaku Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:45 AM  You know what's always fun? Watching grifters flail. That aside, there's news about the clown-car developers of The Day Before, that hilariously terrible bait-n-switch 2023 game that went from Steam's most wishlisted to most hated, over the course of an increasingly ridiculous series of delays, and the eventual… |
Kotaku Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:35 AM  Pokémon's Bear Walker collaboration remains one of the best merchandising deals the franchise has done. The (pricey) skateboards are some of the nicest pieces of high-quality merchandise you can find under the Pokémon umbrella. Despite their steep cost, they must be selling well because The Pokémon Company keeps… |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:54 AM  Want to sign up and access the Monster Hunter Wilds beta? Capcom has announced that the Monster Hunter Wilds open beta is on the way and includes a limited portion of the game for players to test. Feel free to spend a long time in the character creator when putting together the perfect main character and Palico, your progress carries over to the full game when it releases. Ahead of the Monster Hunter Wilds release date, you'll be able to get hands on with the RPG game for the first time. The beta includes a trial of the story and opening cutscene, taking you through the Chatacabra hunt to learn the basic tutorials, as well as trying out some of the weapons on offer. You'll also be able to take on the Doshaguma Hunt, one of the many Monster Hunter Wild monsters, and you can explore this area on your Seikret. Continue reading Monster Hunter Wilds beta start and end times, how to gain access MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best games like Monster Hunter, Monster Hunter Wilds system requirements, Monster Hunter Wilds release date |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:54 AM  What is the best Path of Exile 2 Ranger build? The Ranger - and some of their skills - return in Path of Exile 2, but this time with an emphasis on speed and agility. We'll be able to move while shooting and also build out in either long or short range combat, depending on what suits your playstyle. Sometimes it's chaotic to play a ranger with hordes of fast-moving enemies in an RPG game like Path of Exile 2, but seeing as the devs are aiming to have this ranger feel like Legolas, expect swift movement, high jumps, and quick getaways. As we look forward to the Path of Exile 2 release date, we've gone through all the skills and gems we've seen so far and what the best Ranger build could look like. Continue reading Path of Exile 2 Ranger class guide MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Path of Exile 2 Witch class guide, Path of Exile 2 preview, Path of Exile 2 release date |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:52 AM  There's nothing quite like the sound of silence. In some ways, it's tranquil, but in others it's deafening. It's the one thing that the best survival horror games always get right - they force you to listen out for a rustle in the bushes, a twig snapping, an ominous rumbling. Harvest Hunt does all of that and more; the whisper of the corn, the splashing of water, the roar of The Devourer. One of my personal favorite indies of 2024, this under-loved gem just got a brand new update, and it's perfect for spooky season. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best roguelike games, Best indie games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:49 AM  What are all the Infinite Craft recipes and combos? We've been addictively playing this since we learned about it, and as a result, there are hundreds of combinations and recipes now known. Here's our guide on all of them, including some of the most obscure suggestions. Infinite Craft is a browser game that's recently been taking the web by storm, with endless possibilities and some that'll give you quite a giggle. Think of it as a puzzle game by ways of god; it's a great game to open if you want to while away an hour or two figuring out all of the combinations. Continue reading All Infinite Craft recipes and combos list MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Browser games, Puzzle games, Upcoming games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:42 AM  US chip maker Qualcomm has reportedly been put on notice by Arm that it's going to have its license revoked, meaning it wouldn't be able to make its own chips based on the Arm architecture any more. The reported move follows a raft of speculation that Qualcomm has been looking to buy Intel, which makes CPUs based on the more complex x86 architecture. While Qualcomm's prime market is smartphones and mobile devices, the CPU manufacturer has been making waves in the gaming laptop business lately, with products such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus range featuring up to 12 cores and surprisingly capable GPUs. Qualcomm might not make the very best gaming laptop chips right now, but its silicon is being taken seriously by big laptop makers looking to make power-efficient machines. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:37 AM  What are the Dragon Age The Veilguard weapons? We know that there are a lot of weapons coming to Dragon Age The Veilguard, and we're diving into all the weapon types we've seen so far to help you decide which ones to pick. Ahead of the Dragon Age The Veilguard release date, we were lucky enough to get a seven-hour hands-on preview with the RPG game. We've had a dig through of each of the Dragon Age The Veilguard classes, skills, and specializations to see which weapon types we'll be wielding in the upcoming game. Continue reading All Dragon Age The Veilguard weapons we've seen so far |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:41 AM  How do you upgrade gear and weapons in Dragon Age The Veilguard? You can upgrade items for Rook and your companions at your base, but here are the things you'll need to consider when upgrading and enchanting your gear. Ahead of the Dragon Age The Veilguard release date, we're taking a closer look at how item progression and upgrades work. You can equip up to nine items to your character, including three Dragon Age The Veilguard weapons and a helmet, armor, belt, amulet, and two rings. All this gear can be further upgraded at your base, here's how. Continue reading How to upgrade gear and weapons in Dragon Age The Veilguard MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPGs, Dragon Age The Veilguard companions, Dragon Age The Veilguard release date |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:35 AM  As the hype builds for the arrival of what's anticipated to be the fastest gaming CPU you'll be able to buy this year, a new high-quality picture of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D box has emerged. It purports to show what buyers of the 3D V-Cache-equipped chip can expect to see first, if and when they rush out to buy one of these new AMD processors. As the best gaming CPU elect, the eight-core X3D variant of AMD's Ryzen 9000 series of AM5 processors is expected to fly off shop shelves as gamers seek the utmost in gaming performance. However, up until this leak, our only previous glimpse of the retail packaging of the chip had been this grainy 9800X3D box image. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 7800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 7800 XT review |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:33 AM  Coming a whole decade after its predecessor, Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 was one of the most anticipated releases of last month (and of the year in general). It spent just the right amount of time in the development oven too, as the final product is a fantastic squad shooter with immersive aesthetics and a decent level of challenge. If you've yet to add it to your Steam library, the cheapest way to do so is to buy it through Fanatical, where it is 12% off. Continue reading Warhammer 40k Space Marine 2 just hit its lowest price yet MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Space Marine 2 review, Space Marine 2 system requirements , Best Warhammer 40k games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:26 AM  Who are the Black Ops 6 Operators? While the Gulf War may be the setting for the latest Call of Duty game, there's domestic conflict bubbling away. In Black Ops 6 there are two opposing factions of elite operatives: the Rogue Black Ops and Crimson One. The former will be familiar to returning Black Ops players, and the latter are the CIA team assigned to bring our heroes down. All 21 Black Ops 6 launch Operators are divided into these factions, and the FPS game's roster of characters will only continue to grow. While some Operators are available as soon as you boot up Black Ops 6, others are tied to player progression, campaign rewards, or as purchasable skins in the store. To find out who's in each faction, as well as how to unlock Black Ops 6 Operators, read on. Continue reading All Black Ops 6 Operators and how to unlock MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 release date, Best FPS games, Best Black Ops 6 loadouts |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:14 AM  If there's one thing that prompts firey discussion in the PC gaming community, it's Denuvo. The storied anti-tamper software has consistently been accused of tanking players' performance, even if we're still light on verifiable data to back these claims up. I remember the Resident Evil Village debate back in the day, and I also remember the celebratory comments that flooded our Facebook post confirming that Capcom had eventually removed it. A quick glance at any forum post on Denuvo is pretty harrowing, but product manager Andreas Ullmann is determined to put a stop to it. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Resident Evil Village review, Resident Evil Village bosses guide, The best horror games on PC |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:53 AM  What are the best Fallout 4 mods on PC? Despite having been around for nearly a decade, Fallout 4 remains one of the most popular games in the series, thanks in no small part to its vibrant modding community. With the Fallout TV series spiking interest in the Bethesda series again, what better time than to jump back in with more modded gameplay? Thanks to mods like these, RPG games like Fallout 4 enjoy such longevity after launch. To celebrate the weird and wonderful creations of the Fallout 4 mod community, we've picked more than 50 of the best Fallout 4 mods to get you on your way to a more interesting Boston Wasteland. If that's not enough tinkering for you, check out our list of Fallout 4 console commands, which give you even more customization in one of the best PC games around. Continue reading Best Fallout 4 mods 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fallout 4 console commands, Fallout 4 mods, Fallout 4 System Requirements |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:50 AM  Monster Hunter Wilds continues to be the game I have my eyes on above all others. The next Capcom RPG is also the most exciting upcoming PC game right now, and while we must wait until 2025 to play the full thing, you'll be able to get a taste very soon courtesy of a new multiplayer beta. Game director Ryozo Tsujimoto also reveals a new volcanic region known as the Oilwell Basin, which appears to play host to some rather terrifying new foes. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best games like Monster Hunter, Monster Hunter Wilds system requirements, Monster Hunter Wilds release date |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:37 AM  It's those final few hours of Civilization 6 that can really grind you down, when the map is teeming with different units from every single opponent, and you're all fighting one another turn after brutal turn. Civilization 7 is reworking the entire meta game, as your nation and culture evolves with each new era, and I'm hoping the large-scale combat will feel different, too. In the meantime however, Age of History 3 feels like a superb alternative. Created by Łukasz Jakowski, this is a grand strategy game in the vein of Europa Universalis and Hearts of Iron, but with a greater focus on warfare. Less than a day old, it's already a huge hit on Steam. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best grand strategy games, Best 4X games, Best strategy games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:36 AM  Genshin Impact banners rotate every few weeks on a precise schedule, and we always know what to expect thanks to regular updates from Hoyoverse. The developer of the anime game always keeps its fans in the loop with regular livestreams and social media updates, so you can plan where you want to spend your hard-earned primogems. With a two to three-week turnaround for banners, the roster of Genshin Impact characters is constantly changing, and the free PC game regularly introduces two new characters to wish for. Every limited-time character banner, or event wish, contains a five-star character and three four-star characters with increased drop rates. There's also a Genshin Impact weapon banner, which runs alongside each character banner and changes weapons every update. Continue reading What is the current and next Genshin Impact banner? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:31 AM  How do you install and play a Minecraft snapshot? These snapshots are the very first iteration of Minecraft updates and are a way for Mojang to test out bug fixes, technical changes, and new mechanics before officially rolling them out. Anyone with the Java edition of the creative game can try these features without any risk to your current world, so let's find out how to be the first to try the next big Minecraft update. During Minecraft Live, the next big Minecraft update or drop is revealed to the community. At past events, we've had the likes of the Caves and Cliffs update, The Wild Update, and the Trails and Tales update - each of them overhauling the base game with new Minecraft biomes, blocks, and mobs. Since these updates come with so much new content, they need to be tested out first, and that's where Minecraft snapshots come in. Use them to test out new experimental features before anyone else, and feedback to Mojang if you have any issues. It's a win-win situation. Continue reading How to play Minecraft snapshots - snapshot 1.21.3 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:27 AM  What are the best cross platform games? Crossplay games really are the holy grail of gaming, and they weren't particularly all that common until a few years ago. Nowadays, there are plenty of online experiences you can jump into with friends, regardless of what platform you're playing on. The great thing about the best PC games featuring crossplay is that there's a lot less organization involved. We've all experienced how difficult it can be to wrangle a group of friends together to try out a new game, so this way, you won't have to worry about who's playing on what platform. Here are our picks for the best crossplay games on PC in 2024. We've included horror games, FPS games, and other genres for the definitive list of the very best games that you can play with your friends on other platforms. Continue reading Best cross platform games 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review, Diablo 4 classes |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:23 AM  Fallout London is nothing short of a miracle. Team Folon, made up of superfans and modders, managed to create an entire game within Fallout 4. London isn't the first Fallout total conversion mod, and I doubt it'll be the last, but it's definitely the most impressive. The world of Folon's England is vast, filled with unique NPCs and quests, and fits right at home in Bethesda's universe. It's so good in fact, that the team has just celebrated Fallout day by hitting a new milestone. Continue reading Fallout London has been played by over one million people already MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fallout 5 release date, Best games like Fallout, Best Fallout 4 mods |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:11 AM  Looking for a Genshin Impact tier list? There are currently 93 Genshin Impact characters available, providing you with a wide variety of candidates to construct your dream team. But with so many weapons, elementals, talents, ascension bonuses, and constellation upgrades, finding your favorites 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. It doesn't matter if your favorite 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. We've spent hundreds of hours trying different variations of teams in Spiral Abyss to establish who the best characters are in Genshin Impact. Continue reading Genshin Impact tier list - the best characters in 5.1 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:48 AM  What are the best new PC games in 2024? Perhaps you've just been paid, your bank account is filled with virtual dosh, or you simply want to get caught up with the latest PC games because they're, well, new and shiny. As much as we love firing up our old favorites, there are loads of new PC games that deserve some attention, too. To keep you in the know, we've got the definitive list of the best PC games that have been released recently, from big-budget RPG games to indie strategy games. Whatever you're into, stay up to date with all the latest and greatest releases right here on PCGamesN. Continue reading The best new PC games 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Palworld bosses, Palworld map, Palworld settings |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:33 AM  What are the best GTA 5 mods? There's no need to trundle through mod databases for dodgy links and unclear mod descriptions as we've done the legwork for you, hunting down the most popular GTA 5 mods for your enjoyment. After a decade as one of the best PC games, the Grand Theft Auto 5 mod scene is more than just a few cheats and trainers - it's rife with incredible additions, useful tweaks, and big transformations. GTA 5 mods are guaranteed to keep you entertained during the long wait for the GTA 6 release date, but there's almost too many to choose from. If you're stuck on which ones to install, take your pick from our list of the best mods, scripts, and addons for Rockstar's landmark sandbox game. Continue reading The 59 best GTA 5 mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: GTA 5 RP servers, GTA 6 release date estimate, GTA 5 cheats |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:30 AM  What is the next Monopoly Go event? With so many limited-time events in Monopoly Go, it can be hard to keep track of the rewards you can get your hands on. Monopoly Go events can last anywhere from a few hours to a week, so bookmark this page as we'll keep it regularly updated with the next events and their start and end dates. Monopoly Go is the latest online board game sweeping the globe, but completing all of these events won't be easy without some free Monopoly Go dice links, so check out our daily updated guide for some freebies and rewards before you get started on the next Monopoly Go tournament. Continue reading All Monopoly Go events, tournaments, dates, and rewards MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:21 AM  October 23, 2024: We've added a new Monopoly Go dice link for free dice rolls. How can I get Monopoly Go free dice links? The household favorite board game has been reimagined as a free-to-play app on smartphones, allowing everyone to experience the thrills of Monopoly on practically any device. Everything that makes the board game special is here in Monopoly Go, so you'll be collecting properties and building hotels as you go around the board, and there are a variety of multiplayer minigames to get through along the way. You're going to need to get your hands on Monopoly dice rolls, but they are difficult to come by no matter how far you are into the board game. There are ways to earn additional dice rolls, including logging into the game every day to collect daily bonuses, progressing further in the game, and inviting friends to try Monopoly Go. While you can also spend real money to unlock more dice rolls, you may want to give our list of Monopoly Go dice links a try instead, especially if you're waiting for the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event. Take a look at all the currently active Monopoly Go free dice links for today. Continue reading Free Monopoly Go dice links October 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:01 AM  One of the most impressive things about the No Man's Sky redemption is that Hello Games never seems truly satisfied. Not content with merely righting the ship and delivering on its initial promises, the developer continues to unleash update after update, pushing what's already PC's best space sandbox game to new and greater heights. Next on the list is something rather fitting for Halloween seasons, as the especially creepy new event No Man's Sky: The Cursed is unleashed upon the universe, bringing battles "at a scale not seen before." MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Best open-world games, Best space games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:15 AM  The Spencer Mansion from the original Resident Evil is one of the greatest settings in horror game history, surpassed only by RE2's Raccoon City Police headquarters and the titular town of Silent Hill. Every room hides a new horror, an imaginative, mind-bending puzzle, and a lethal enemy - each time you enter an unexplored area, it feels like anything can, and will, jump out on you. Channeling the evil spirit of Capcom's awful abode, Haunted Bloodlines also feels like a would-be sequel in the Silent Hill series, a first-person fear fest where reality warps around you and your sanity hangs in the balance. If you've just gotten finished with Silent Hill 2 Remake and want something fresh for the spooky month, you can try Haunted Bloodlines right now. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best FPS games, Best puzzle games |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:56 AM  Velvet 89 is a free hidden object game that tells the story of communist Czechoslovakia's "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, which brought an end to 41 years of one-party rule and led to the founding of a parliamentary republic. The game released earlier this month, and you can find it on Steam, iOS and Android. I know nothing about the Velvet Revolution, but I do have some quick thoughts on the use of a format I associate with Where's Wally to capture a process of extraordinary political change. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:20 AM  Developers Dreamlit have piped over fresh footage of their open world ecotribal extravaganza Towers Of Aghasba. It's an abbreviated but generous display of equatorial exotica and vaguely prehistoric wildlife, home to such key verbs as "exploration", "village-building", "gardening", "creature-nurturing" and "murdering megasloths with a lump of wood". And look at that, there's a release date perched on top - 19th November 2024. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:00 AM  Over the past week or so, you may have caught wind of Denuvo - the makers of anti-cheat and anti-piracy software - embarking on a PR campaign of sorts, intended to combat negative public perception of their software. In case you're unfamiliar, Denuvo's wares have become infamous for allegedly sabotaging the performance of all sorts of video games, from Resident Evil: Village to Tekken 7, though accounts of the severity vary, and there is an on-going shortage of independently supplied raw data. Denuvo's attempts to clear the air include opening a Discord, which they say " is a key step in fostering closer relationships with game developers, publishers, and players, offering a dynamic, real-time platform for meaningful interaction". On Monday, Denuvo's media team reached out to me to offer an interview with Denuvo's product manager, Andreas Ullmann. Here's that interview, edited for brevity. RPS: In a recent public statement you said "we will stop letting every claim about our product go unanswered". What claims are you referring to? Andreas Ullmann: It's basically really about the stuff that's posted by the community. So you just need to check out Steam forums, for example. Very toxic, very hostile environment. If a game announces to use any of our products, if you check out the Steam forums, all the claims are popping in. SSDs are destroyed by our solution. The usual performance topics, and we simply don't want to leave the floor to these people who are posting all things about us anymore. We want to also be there for a person who has not heard about us before. We also want to share our view, our opinion on these topics, and also act as a trusted source of information. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 23, 2024 5:53 AM  "Move over Hollow Knight," declared Katharine (RPS in peace) in our Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown review, summarising this freshly-honed hunk of POP art as "a deep and challenging Metroid-like with some of the best platforming this side of Moon's Ori games." Sadly, for all the plaudits, the game doesn't seem to have earned sufficient megabucks to justify keeping its development team together. Earlier this week, French journalist Gautoz reported that Ubisoft had disbanded The Lost Crown's core dev team after turning down proposals for a sequel and further expansions. Speaking to RPS this morning, Ubisoft have confirmed that "most" of the Lost Crown's dev team have moved onto other projects, while noting that there have been no layoffs as a result. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 23, 2024 5:31 AM  I feel this one largely speaks for itself, honestly. I could theorise on the fictional conceit of bringing packaged creatures to life using a microwave and also, sometimes, a blender, but to do so would be to stare into a gift horse's abyssal oat hole so intently that… …I was going to finish that with something about its molars staring back, but I had to quickly Google "do horses have molars?" only to misspell it. "Yes, horses can have a strong sense of right and wrong, and what is fair," went the AI overview. "Some say that horses can teach people to live in the present and to be authentic." Thanks for that. |
Siliconera Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:30 AM
The Castlevania game series is the focus of a huge sale on Steam and Humble Bundle. The Castlevania Fair contains significant discounts on the main installments and some collaborations, along with a selection of bundles.
The Castlevania Fair is offering significant discounts on almost every game currently available on PC through either Steam or Humble Bundle. These are the current discounts:
In addition, the three classic collections are available as a bundle through Steam, which offers an overall 52% discount.
Various collaborations are also part of the Steam sale, whether it's the Castlevania content itself or the base game. The Return to Castlevania DLC for Dead Cells currently has a 30% discount. While the Castlevania content for Dead by Daylight doesn't have a discount, the base game currently has 60% off.
The collaborations are also available as bundles, all with the Dominus Collection, for the following discounts:
Vampire Survivors is also part of the Steam sale, with a 25% discount. This is likely to get people ready for the upcoming Castlevania content, which launches on October 31, 2024.
The Castlevania Fair sale is currently happening on Steam and Humble Bundle.
The post Castlevania Steam & Humble Sale Discounts Games and Collections appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:40 AM
During the October 2024 showcase for the game, Capcom revealed that Monster Hunter Wilds will have an Open Beta Test starting on October 31, 2024. That will last until November 3, 2024. The beta test will be available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam and offer full crossplay support.
The new Monster Hunter Wilds beta test will offer access to three different aspects of the game. The first one is the character creator, which will allow players to customize their hunters and Palico partners with the same tools as the final version of the game. Players will be able to carry over the character data from the beta test to the final release of the game.
The Story Trial section covers the opening cutscene of Monster Hunter Wilds, the first Chatacabra Hunt, and basic tutorials. Meanwhile, the Doshaguma Hunt takes players against a fight against the leader of the Doshaguma pack. Players can use an SOS Flare during either the Chatacabra or the Doshaguma Hunt to connect with other people in online multiplayer. those participating in the beta test will receive a Palico pendant accesory that players can redeem in the final version of the game.
Here are the PT and GMT times for the new Monster Hunter Wilds beta test shared at the event, as well as a look at the Palico pendant we get for taking part:
Monster Hunter Wilds will come out on February 28, 2025 for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam. The Open Beta Test will run between October 31 and November 3, 2024 and will offer crossplay support.
The post Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Test Starts Next Week appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:16 AM
Capcom's latest Monster Hunter Wilds trailer takes us to Azuz the Everforge, a new city in Oilwell Basin, and it showed off the new monsters Rompopolo, Ajarakan, and one only referred to as the Black Flame. It seemed like the one almost bore a resemblance to Nakarkos, from Monster Hunter Generations.
The new Azuz the Everforge trailer kicked off the Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase on October 23, 2024, which you can see in the very beginning below. We first see a hunter coming with their crew to Azuz the Everforge. This gives a chance to see what the city looks like. After wandering around the town, we end up in what looks like the Oilwell Basin biome. It is then that Rompopolo attacks. It will be a Brute Wyvern monster. It's also known for borrowing and using the oilsilt to its advantage when attacking.
After that, we get to see the new Ajarakan Monster Hunter Wilds monster. It is on fire and seems to engage in ape-like behaviors. Which is appropriate, as it is described as a Fanged Beast. The announcement confirmed that, as befits a creature comfortable in that element, it is active in Firespring.
The video closes out with the people summoning the Firespring as part of a ceremony. However, things seem to go awry. It seems there may be an eruption of sorts, and that is when the Black Flame appears.
Monster Hunter Wilds will come to the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on February 28, 2025. People who pre-order get the Guild Knight Set layered armor and Hope Charm.
The post New Monsters Shown in Monster Hunter Wilds Azuz the Everforge Trailer appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:00 AM
HoYoVerse announced that people who use PlayKeyboard can now get custom Android and iOS keyboards inspired by the new Honkai: Star Rail 5-star character Rappa. At the moment, only two appeared, but eventually five will be available. Those will roll out between October 23-25, 2024.
The official site allows you to see what these Honkai: Star Rail Rappa Android and iOS custom keyboards will look like. At the moment, since it is only the first day, only Rappa Dark Mode and Rappa Emoji are available. Each one has colored keys overlaid on a design based on the game and character. On the Shift, Delete, and Space Bar keys, there are emojis of Rappa. These change design when the keys are pressed.
Here's a gallery showing how these first two Honkai: Star Rail custom keyboards will look when in use.
The official announcement shows how to get one of these PlayKeyboard options set up on an Android or iOS phone or tablet.
As a reminder, Rappa is only available in-game for a limited time. She's an Imaginary Erudition character. She's available now that the 2.6 update launched.
Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices. The Rappa banner will be available until November 13, 2024.
The post Get Honkai: Star Rail Rappa PlayKeyboard Custom Mobile Keyboards appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:00 AM
Apparel store Mayla started selling pumps based off various characters from Demon Slayer. In total, there are eight variations.
Each pair of pumps costs 28,600 JPY ($188.80). Mayla does offer international shipping, so you can purchase these heels even if you don't live in Japan. Sizes range between 34 to 40, and Mayla also includes testimonies from its staff as to which size is most comfortable for them. When you purchase these shoes, it'll come in a box depicting all of the major characters from Demon Slayer (thus far), as well as a postcard of your chosen character.
The characters you can get shoes based off are:
The shoes differ in the color scheme. All of the Demon Slayer pumps bear the signature designs aesthetics of Mayla, such as the bow at the back and a tasseled charm hanging from the front buckle. The heels of these pumps are made of wood, which makes the heels look more Japanese.
Mayla is a Japanese company that specializes in apparel and accessories based off games and anime. Crossover items it released in the past include Nier Automata shoes, Evangelion heel sneakers, and Cardcaptor Sakura lounge wear. It also releases items that are not part of any collaboration. Mayla's clothes are elegant and hyper-feminine, introducing elements like lace, bows, and ruffles.
The Mayla Demon Slayer pumps are readily available via its online store. You can watch Demon Slayer on streaming services like Crunchyroll and Netflix.
The post Mayla Released Pumps Based on Demon Slayer Characters appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, October 23, 2024 8:00 AM
I have a rather long history with Koei Tecmo's Chinese Three Kingdoms period-based games. Besides the Dynasty Warriors series, I have also grown fond of the more down-to-earth Romance of the Three Kingdoms strategy games that have individual role-playing elements. So when Koei Tecmo announced Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake, I was very excited to see how the new game would play like. While it successfully brings back a classic entry with modern features, omissions in its localization bog it down.
Most entries in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms game series have an exclusive focus on playing as regional rulers who vie to unify China while recruiting officers and managing controlled cities. Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 is one of the few four mainline entries besides 7, 10, and 13 as of 2024 that feature the ability to play as subordinates and unaffiliated officers. The seventh installment may be the series' first-ever game with individual viewpoints that came out in 2000, but its features were very barebones. Character relationship features like declaring new sworn siblings and marriages were only made available in the 2001 release of 8 and its Power-Up Kit expansion in 2002. And since 8 was more like a direct upgrade to 7, I can totally see why Koei Tecmo chose 8 as a basis for this remake.
The PC version that I got is not only the intended main platform for this game; it also has some exclusive features not in the console releases. While the PlayStation and Switch builds mostly separated each language version to its own SKU, I could freely set the language to English, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean when I boot up the PC game. Furthermore, the PC version also has an exclusive extra program that lets you insert your own character portraits into the game.
The uploaded custom portraits add even more varieties for creating original officers. You can set the character's starting stats and abilities as you like without any restrictions. You can even pre-determine familial relations and compatibilities with any existing characters. But what caught me by surprise is that the new officer's biography will be automatically filled based on the stats inputted if you did not write anything there before registering them.
Once you have selected your player character and starting location, it's time to start the game. But before that, it is worth noting that the original Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 used to let you play as multiple characters, including those who belong to opposing factions. The remake completely removed that option. That means you can only view the world from a single character's viewpoint.
Koei Tecmo still retains a majority of gameplay elements that the original Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 had in this remake. While the time in 10 and 13 passed on a daily basis, 8 has monthly turns instead. You will be allocated action points every month to perform activities like developing cities or interacting with other officers, and these points will also be replenished in the new month.
While Free Officer has been my favorite starting position, its features are unfortunately very limited here. Unlike in Romance of the Three Kingdoms 10 or 13's expansion pack, I could not even raise my own militia troops when I am completely alone. The only requests available were too costly, with few rewards to boot. That meant I really had to interact with the townsfolk or other characters to make any progress.
Only after you have been affiliated with a faction, can you enter a Parliament session whenever a new season kicks in. You can gather intelligence on other areas or attempt sabotage plots here, but these sessions will also be the only moments you can launch invasions on enemy cities.
No matter what your position or activity is, building relationships with other characters is of the utmost importance in Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake. Forming Synergetic destinies and close-knit relations, like sworn siblings and marriages will let them provide performance bonuses for your both your domestic and in-battle activities. Unlike the original game, many female officers appear by default in this remake, and some of them are not married by default either. This is particularly very helpful for both finding more marriage candidates, as well as generating children who can also act as your character's successors. I also noticed in my subordinate playthrough that my liege would often accommodate officers with close-knit relations to move to the same city I reside in. Having such officers nearby really sped up my progression.
The largest change made in Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake is the way story events are triggered. Events no longer run on their own from behind the scenes with the brand-new inclusion of the Tales system. You can now check the exact requirements to trigger the events, and you can even choose whether to actually trigger them or not at all. The triggerable events range from historical stories to job promotions and even finding new spouses. However, one very nifty thing I particularly noticed about historical events is that some of them have fictional what-if scenarios with better endings incorporated as formal branches. This Tales system is, without a doubt, the best addition, and I hope it will also be included in the series' future entries.
But with all the requirements and results shown, one would expect every side-event to be informed in advance as well. Some of the request events can result in unannounced duels. So when I played as a Strategist-type character, I would have practically no way to get past a decently strong bandit to clear the quest.
Koei Tecmo also brought in Debates—which first appeared in Romance of the Three Kingdoms 10—for Strategist-type characters to compete in place of the Warrior-focused Duels. But for better or worse, both Debate and Duel have the exact same system. Each side must use a numbered card in each turn, and they can add more if the numbers are the same or increment in order.
The advantage rules may get a bit confusing at first, but the amount of cards played will be prioritized over the total number amassed. In addition, later turns will generate larger damage, so you are more encouraged to preserve your deck until you can unleash them all in the final turn. The consequences of losing a Debate usually range from loss in money to reputation, so they are not as severe as a non-casual Duel that can result in an injury or even death if it happens during a battle.
Speaking of the battles, Koei Tecmo has also made some overhauls to them in Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake. The company still retains the basic gist of the turn-based strategy battle system, but the square grids have been changed to hexes. While I am personally more of a fan of square grids, hexes do have more advantages, as they give more slots to surround enemies.
While the game has tactics and stratagems that can deal major damage, most of them can only be used once or twice. I ultimately found out that the best damage contributors are the bonds I have forged with allied officers. Such bonds would provide Links that boost damage when such officers are also within the attacking range, so the best way to win battles here is really to gang up on one enemy at a time with a group of closely related officers.
Most of the gameplay segments in Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake do not involve heavy processing, apart from the 3D-intensive parts like battles and duels. Even then, I could still run everything in 60 fps with an RTX 3070 and a not-so-recent Core i9 CPU. However, the game does not have options to further increase the frame rate. There is also a soundtrack option, which allows you to choose between the remake or the original version. I personally preferred the remake versions, as they are better orchestrated.
While the gameplay system itself is mostly fine enough, there are several issues with Romance of the Three Kingdom 8 Remake's localization that hamper the experiences if you don't select the Japanese version. Koei Tecmo used to include a Chinese voiceover option in more recent entries like Romance of the Three Kingdoms 13 and 14. But in 8 Remake, the voiceovers are only available in Japanese with no other language options. The omission of a more authentic and region-accurate language voiceover, when it had been present in prior entries, is a very unfortunate downgrade.
I also noticed very prominent usage of the "they/them" pronouns to refer to individuals in most of the in-game lines for the English localization. This still makes sense for the regular gameplay lines, since there were no pronoun usages in the original Japanese version, but I also found these instances in the historical event dialogues as well. The latter would only make sense if you could gender-bend the characters in Ikki Tousen or Koihime Musou style. But even after I unlocked the feature to edit historical characters, it still would not let me change their genders to justify this decision.
But that is not even the biggest issue I have with this game's—or rather the series'—English localization. Even though the whole series has run for more than twenty years, Koei Tecmo has still yet to fully commit to implementing courtesy names in the English version. The company does actually make some efforts towards this by retaining references to courtesy names for some of the key characters and historical events. However, it still omitted the input entry for courtesy names that characters could occasionally declare in place of their given names during regular gameplay lines. This feature has been a given in the Japanese and Chinese versions, so those who can only play the English version are still missing a good part of the immersion in the game's universe.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake ultimately did a decent job of bringing back a classic series entry by including newer features from the more modern entries, although it's still not enough to convert me into believing this to be the best one among the series entries with personal viewpoints. (Romance of the Three Kingdoms 10 still holds that dear spot for me.) But while the Tales event triggers are a highlight, a number of glaring issues in its localization make it rather difficult to recommend this game over the prior entries unless you can play the game in its original Japanese build.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake will be available worldwide on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch on October 24, 2024.
The post Review: Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake Brings Back a Classic appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, October 23, 2024 7:00 AM
Despite adoring JRPGs and playing essentially every major one that releases these days, there is one series that has never enticed me: SaGa. While I appreciate the non-linear nature and multiple playable characters in these games, every one I tried lost me one way or another. At least, that was true until now. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven finally helped me understand why players like this series.
I played the original Romancing SaGa 2 when it came to Switch. It also lost my interest quite quickly. Thankfully, this remake feels like a direct proposal to newcomers and uninterested JRPG fans like myself, while also being a victory lap for existing SaGa fans. The core of this experience is the same as the original, but with a new fully 3D coat of paint and some much-needed quality-of-life features.
No, you don't need to play any other SaGa game to enjoy this non-linear experience. The story kicks off with seven memorable heroes that once (supposedly) saved the world, but are now apparently engaging in some less heroic deeds. After a pretty linear prologue, you are set off to do whatever you want in terms of building an empire to inevitably defeat these seven fallen heroes in whatever order you like.
The crux of this JRPG experience is its unique and surprisingly great emphasis on player choice. Pretty much every aspect of the game is up to you to decide. With few exceptions, you pick which hero to go after and fight next. You also get to choose who the emperor is and how to customize the capital city of Avalon to your liking.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is unlike any other JRPG I've played, including in its own Square Enix series. This is a true fantasy epic. Don't go into this game expecting a typical linear group of heroes saving the world. Instead, this is a game that focuses on a thousand years-long saga of various heroes and parties.
Much of this thematic aspect comes from the permadeath feature, which might be my favorite part. Every character has their usual HP, BP (think mana or MP), and skills in battle. But if a character loses all of their HP, they also lose a life point, or LP. If their LP, which is extremely rare to restore, reaches zero, they die for good. And, yes, this even includes the emperor you play as.
However, this is just a feature of the game and not a "game over" like most JRPGs. If your emperor dies, you just keep moving on with the story. You move on to the next generation of the empire and pick the next successor. Better yet, this person also inherits the skills and powers of the previous emperor. This means you are encouraged to actually lose and move throughout the generations.
I will admit, though, this aspect does make Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven a bit too impersonal at times. Outside of a couple of key characters, I never really connected with anyone. Since I knew they could die at any moment, I didn't get attached to any particular party member or ruler.
This is a general sacrifice this title makes for its element of player choice. It extends to the overarching plot as well. The story here is pretty barebones and nothing too special. This is possibly intentional to give focus on the player's decisions. While I like the decent English voice acting, it also adds little to the overall experience.
If you're looking for the next JRPG to wow you in terms of characters and plot, this might not be the one. That said, if you're looking for a game with quirky features you won't find anywhere else, I say give it a go. This even applies to the turn-based combat. This is by far my favorite turn-based battle system in the SaGa series so far. It is fast but flashy and full of many different skills.
There are about 30 different classes party members could have throughout the adventure, plus a ton of weapon types. Someone might have a bow and spear, plus fire spells. Another character might have a shield and be more like a tank but also have healing. The title avoids the usual methods of progression and leveling up, too.
Characters learn new skills naturally as you battle with them. There will be a golden exclamation point next to an attack, such as using your spear. Keep using that skill enough and they will randomly learn a new move. It is always fun to see what new skill someone might learn. You have to be careful, though, as this game does use a resistances and weaknesses system. Oddly enough, it reminds me of Square Enix's Octopath Traveler series in the presentation of the bar underneath the enemies, but not much beyond that.
The game is challenging enough but never too grindy in my experience. This is despite the general lack of traditional levels. Not only do you learn skills mid-battle, but you gain attributes like more HP the more fights you do. You also level up the weapons or spell type you used in combat, rather than the character's basic level. I actually rather like this Final Fantasy II-like way of doing it since I would level up what I actually care to use for a character.
There are also other great additions in combat like United Attacks. This is essentially a Limit Break for the party that builds up over time and lets the player execute extraordinarily powerful moves. These are especially useful against the tough bosses. Plus, it has the QOL features I prefer in dungeons like speeding up fights, auto battles, and fast travel points.
There is a surprising amount of content, both old and new, on top of the base experience. There is a city builder-like system where you unlock buildings like shops and upgrade them throughout the generations. You can visit the university and take on fun little exams Yakuza: Like a Dragon-style for special rewards. And then there are the memories scattered throughout the world to find as collectibles. These give some much-needed insight into the seven heroes and why they seek revenge.
All of these systems come together to make for the first Romancing SaGa game I ever finished and truly enjoyed. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a great JRPG in a packed year of them well worth checking out. Whether you are new to the series or a familiar veteran, there is something to enjoy. Sure, the 3D visuals are colorful and pretty, but nothing too spectacular, and the title certainly lacks the dedicated characters and plot of other JRPGs. However, it makes up for this with the fantastic focus on player choice that is uniquely rewarding and memorable.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven releases for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC on October 24, 2024.
The post Review: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Justifies Its Remake appeared first on Siliconera. |
iDev Games Feed Wednesday, October 23, 2024 7:02 AM In this free game, you gamble to make money!... |
MonsterVine Wednesday, October 23, 2024 7:00 AM The SaGa series is near and dear to my heart, with SaGa Frontier 1 & 2 being two of my favorite games on the PlayStation 1. The series has a notorious reputation for being hard to get into with not a ton of entries in the series being what one would call a good entry […] |