GamersHeroes Tuesday, December 17, 2024 4:44 PM All those that dive into Com2uS' Summoners War: Sky Arena can celebrate the holiday season in style with a number of high-value, sought-after rewards for a limited time. The post Summoners War: Sky Arena Final 10th Anniversary Event Now Live appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:31 AM Throwing players into a prison sentence for the ages, see what awaits troublemakers in Dimps and Bandai Namco's Freedom Wars Remastered with the opening movie for the title. The post Freedom Wars Remastered Opening Movie Released appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 17, 2024 3:50 PM  Guangyun "Guangguang" Chen, creative director behind Marvel Rivals, says that while many players have requested a role queue system, a matchmaking option to help create balanced teams, there are currently no plans to implement one in the free-to-play character shooter. |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 17, 2024 3:40 PM  We used to only get a Day of the Devs showcase once a year during the summer. Now we get an encore during the holidays as well. This year's Day of the Devs: Game Awards 2024 Edition didn't disappoint either. Every time I think the heavily curated, very personal, extremely intimate showcase can't possibly top the last… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 17, 2024 2:58 PM  Every hero shooter has characters players loathe to fight against. Marvel Rivals is no exception. Jeff the Land Shark has become an early love-to-hate hero because he literally eats his opponents (and allies) and then spits them off the map. I personally hate to see Hawkeye coming because I know his arrows will find… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 17, 2024 1:45 PM  Apple has released lists revealing the most downloaded and popular free and paid games on iPhone and iPad. The company also shared data on the most popular Apple Arcade games. Balatro sickos might be surprised! |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 17, 2024 12:40 PM  If you've recently loaded up the Nintendo Switch's eShop to buy something or search for a specific game, you've likely noticed that the digital store is filled with a lot of garbage that was likely made quickly and is only there to cash in on a trend or holiday. And worse, it seems Nintendo doesn't give a shit, which… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 17, 2024 12:30 PM  On seas awash with the wreckage of lesser online multiplayer shooters, Marvel Rivals has managed to not only stay afloat but maintain some momentum following its big free-to-play launch earlier this month. However, the live-service game is still missing one very big feature: cross-progression. |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:45 AM  Borderlands 4 is coming out in 2025 but still holding most of its cards close to the vest. Following the release of its gameplay reveal trailer at The Game Awards 2024, we do know a bit more about the upcoming loot shooter though, in part due to new comments from a member of the narrative team who's promising fewer… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:35 AM  Marvel Rivals is the latest game to make a splash in the hero shooter scene, and it's easy to see where it takes its inspiration from. That's not to say the developers didn't put enough of a unique spin on things. Team-up abilities, for example, are a special mechanic and there are quite a few other distinct terms to… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:25 AM  Microsoft's newest sales pitch to prospective gamers is that everything—your TV, computer, or phone—can be an Xbox. It's part of a new strategy aimed at reaching more people, and potentially making a lot more money. It's also a major shift for the millions of people who have been Xbox fans for decades now, and the… |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 5:00 PM  Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, FF16, and the ever-popular Final Fantasy 14 are naturally the biggest names in the epochal RPG series now, but for me, the best one always has been - and probably always will be - Final Fantasy 8. It arrives in the middle of the series' golden period, between FF5 in 1992 and Final Fantasy 10 in 2001, and captures everything that made Square (and now Square Enix's) flagship adventure distinctive and special. I sometimes miss that core, single-player experience - I'm basically a sucker for '90s-style JRPGs. Thankfully, Hironobu Sakaguchi, the original creator of the entire Final Fantasy series, is still working, and his latest game (published by none other than Square Enix) is finally on Steam, and available to sample for free. This is Fantasian Neo Dimension. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Best JRPGs, Best fantasy games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 4:42 PM  This year has been a big one for The Elder Scrolls Online. The popular MMORPG celebrated a major milestone with its tenth anniversary, but Zenimax Online Studios is capping off the year by revealing some sweeping changes that are coming to ESO. The most notable is a major change to the way content is going to be distributed to players, with a move away from annual Chapters and a shift to a seasonal model instead. Continue reading ESO wants to be more experimental as MMORPG shifts to seasonal model MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMORPGs, Best fantasy games, Best single-player MMOs |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 1:49 PM  With some gorgeous cinematic trailers, the backing of Wizards of the Coast, and some star power with Matthew McConaughey on the cast list, there was already a lot of interest and excitement about Exodus. The first game by Archetype Entertainment, which is spearheaded by some former BioWare veterans, Exodus just got its first full gameplay reveal, and this third-person RPG is one that Mass Effect fans are going to go wild for. Continue reading Exodus is a space RPG flowing with Mass Effect DNA MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best space games, Best RPGs, Best PC games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 12:48 PM  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 Tuesday, December 17, 2024 12:46 PM  December 17, 2024: We've added the latest Monopoly Go dice links for free dice rolls and tokens. 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 December 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 12:28 PM  Nvidia App could be impacting your gaming PC performance. After an investigation, the company has come out and confirmed the new desktop software is causing issues, with other outlets reporting frame rate drops of up to 15% in some games. While it had been in beta for a few months, last month saw the official public switching on of Nvidia's new software that helps users manage some of the best graphics cards in the world. It hasn't taken long for the millions of Nvidia GPU users of the world to encountered a few issues, though. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: GeForce RTX 4070 Super review, DLSS explained, Best graphics cards |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 12:03 PM  What are the best Minecraft castle builds? Minecraft's sprawling, procedurally generated landscapes lend themselves perfectly to the majesty of a castle build, be it in the snow, lush green mountains, or stony peaks. If you're desperate to build your own castle but need some inspiration for its design, these blueprints, tutorials, and ideas are simple to download, easy to follow, and perfect for inspiring your next build. So you've outgrown your Minecraft house, want something bigger, grander, and more classic than a fancy mansion. Well, we've found some of the best Minecraft castle ideas to spark your creativity, and they range from mini fortresses to large, Victorian-style manors. There are builds here for every difficulty level, and, while most of these Minecraft designs fit into any of your favorite Minecraft biomes, some are perfectly suited to a specific setting. Continue reading The 23 best Minecraft castles - builds, ideas, and blueprints MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:54 AM  Acer may have just inadvertently revealed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 VRAM specs, along with the memory allocation of the RTX 5080, ahead of the launch of these GPUs at CES 2025. These crucial specs were discovered listed on the launch data sheets for two new Acer Predator Orion 7000 gaming PCs that are also set to be launched at the world's largest tech trade show next month. Based on their leaked spec sheets, both Orion PCs could easily top lists of the best gaming PCs, as it appears Acer is packing each rig with killer hardware. On top of the RTX 50-series GPUs, Acer is also equipping them with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF, for series multi-core CPU power. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best gaming monitor |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:49 AM  When is the Mouse P.I For Hire release date? We love an FPS here at PCGamesN, and there's nothing we like more than something new and unique. Mouse ticks all our boxes, then, with black-and-white, 1930s cartoon style graphics in a noir-themed boomer shooter, in which you play as a badass mouse PI. Set to be one of the best upcoming indie games, Mouse takes what we love about FPS games - gratifying guns, satisfying head pops, and characterful enemies - and gives them a Popeye-meets-Cuphead twist. Of course we want to know how soon we can get our hands on it, and we're sure you do too, so here's everything we know about the Mouse PI For Hire release date and what it brings. Continue reading Mouse PI For Hire - Mouse release date estimate, trailers, and news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best old games, Best indie games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:52 AM  Are you looking for the best Elden Ring mods? The beauty of mods is that they're highly versatile tools that allow players to tweak their experience. In the case of Elden Ring, you might wonder why anyone would want to mod a game that's so well-received. Well, if you find Soulslikes difficult, the Easy Mode mod is a surefire way to tone things down a notch. Some players might consider this goes too far, so why not remove the death mechanic, which stops you from losing your Runes instead? What makes the best Elden Ring mods stand out is that they have the power to drastically improve someone's experience of the open-world game. Whether you want to change the way ranged weapons work, or you want the option to pause Elden Ring, we've got the mods for you. Here's everything you need to try out the best Elden Ring mods, including seamless co-op, the Convergence overhaul mod, and more. Continue reading The best Elden Ring mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, Elden Ring weapons |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:31 AM  What are the best Minecraft skins? There are countless Minecraft skins available online now, as imaginative creators have spent years building an extensive library of avatar customizations for the sandbox game. With OCs, Disney characters, superheroes, celebrities, cartoon characters, and even memes now available for your Minecraft skin the choice can be overwhelming, but we've gone through them all to find the best. If you'd rather rock something a bit more unique than the defaults, we recommend one of the custom Minecraft skins below. You can even build from one of these options or create your own from scratch with our instructions on the best custom Minecraft skins editor. If that's a little too much effort, find out how to change your Minecraft skin, then pick from these free, ready-to-go NameMC Minecraft skins. We're always adding to this list, too, so be sure to keep checking back for a fresh look! Continue reading The 101 best Minecraft skins 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:27 AM  What are the best Minecraft mods in 2024? Every game of vanilla Minecraft can vary quite dramatically, and the best Minecraft mods go one step further to provide an entirely new experience. Whether you love creative building, terrifying survival, or speedrunning the story, we've got the mods for you. We've even thrown in interface mods and tools to make things easier, too. All the Minecraft mods below are divided into sections, depending on what you want to do with the sandbox game – from simple utility changes to deep world mods you can get lost in for months. There are new mobs, new biomes, performance boosting mods, and more, and you can jump to the bottom if you don't know how to install Minecraft mods and want to learn. Continue reading The 60 best Minecraft mods December 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:26 AM  There's a great opportunity right now to take advantage of an incredible gaming laptop deal just before the holidays. This Acer Nitro V 15.6-inch laptop ships from Newegg with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, along with an Intel CPU and 16GB of RAM for just $919.99, saving you $380 on its usual retail price right now. Acer has packed plenty of power into this 15.6-inch machine, even if it isn't the single best gaming laptop known to man. The biggest draw is the Nvidia GPU, with this machine housing the laptop version of the GeForce RTX 4060. This not only gets you solid overall gaming performance but also gets you access to technology such as Nvidia DLSS 3 frame generation to massively improve frame rates in modern games. The Intel CPU is a powerhouse, too, with the 14-core Core i9 13900H boosting to a top clock speed of 5.40GHz, making this a good all-rounder. Continue reading Save $380 on this amazing Acer Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 gaming laptop MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best gaming monitor |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:27 AM  What are the best Cyberpunk 2077 mods? CD Projekt Red released its own REDmod tools for free, allowing everyone to install Cyberpunk 2077 mods through a dedicated client they can download from Steam or GOG. This release comes as we also see Cyberpunk 2077 mods that alter the range of facial features, change your looks in small ways after character creation, and even access stuff we were never meant to see. That last one's important as it adds new functionality to the cyberpunk game. What starts with a shove one day could evolve into giving your character superpowers. Continue reading The best Cyberpunk 2077 mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty review, Best Cyberpunk 2077 mods, Buy Cyberpunk 2077 |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:17 AM  Asus' new gaming tablet, the Asus ROG Flow Z13, has just appeared in a benchmark leak, in part showcasing the incredible performance of the AMD Ryzen Max+ 395 CPU that powers it. The previous iteration of this device used an Intel CPU and Nvidia RTX 4060 laptop GPU but AMD's new "Strix Halo" chip is so powerful, it has replaced both. The leak strongly suggests that future AMD-powered contenders for our best gaming laptop and best handheld gaming PC lists will be incredibly powerful while managing to do away with an entire extra chip. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 7800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 7800 XT review |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:13 AM  If a free Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super graphics card and a copy of Diablo 4 sounds like a tempting combination, Nvidia has the giveaway for you. With the company celebrating 25 years since the debut of the first GPU, the GeForce 256, it is running a series of "Mystery Box" prize giveaways, and the latest box has just been opened, revealing an incredible prize package. With the RTX 4080 Super being one of the best graphics card options available right now, it's this Nvidia GPU that is the most covetable part of the prize, but there's plenty more as well. The winner will also receive a Collector's Edition copy of Diablo 4, a Diablo 3 chess set, a sealed copy of Diablo 2, and, perhaps most interestingly, a signed GeForce 256 GPU. Continue reading Win a GeForce RTX 4080 Super and copy of Diablo 4, thanks to Nvidia MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review, Diablo 4 classes |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:13 AM  If you're looking for a survival game with a slightly different flavor than most, Astrobotanica is for you. While Subnautica takes you to the ocean floor, Valheim transports you to a world of Norse mythology, and Palworld makes you a creature tamer, Astrobotanica takes place on a prehistoric version of Earth. Between a demo, Kickstarter, and Steam Early Access launch, there's a lot to get excited about - Astrobotanica has big plans for 2025. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best open-world games, Best relaxing games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:55 AM  What is the Path of Exile 2 endgame? The Path of Exile 2 endgame gives you access to a sprawling map called Atlas, and it's your job to cleanse the corruption across the land, starting at a temple in the center of Atlas called Ziggurat. From there, you can open portals using Waystones and select a tier to conquer, and on successfully doing so, open up more areas to explore. Each level in Atlas has a combination of randomized monsters, with over 400 monster types in early access, and you need to defeat all powerful and unique enemies within that map to progress deeper into Atlas. The Path of Exile 2 endgame is hundreds of hours long, with seven systems and added progression to the Path of Exile 2 ascension. To reach the endgame you need to complete the first three acts, twice, the second time in Cruel difficulty. Check out our how long is Path of Exile 2 to find out how long this takes. Continue reading PoE2 endgame explained MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Path of Exile 2 builds, Path of Exile 2 classes, Path of Exile 2 quests |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:56 AM  Toy Box sounds like a very Xmassy game, but then you watch a trailer, and realise that it is not very Xmassy at all. It's a free visual novel with a macabre puzzling element. The setup is that you're a toy inspector working for a jovial Grand Toy Maker, his face hidden above the top of the screen. Your job is to disassemble toys - five in all - according to his eldritch written instructions, and either "salvage" them or "sentence" them to the incinerator. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 17, 2024 5:00 PM
Atlus and Perfect World Entertainment announced that a new Persona 5: The Phantom X live announcement program will be broadcast on December 20, 2024 at 8pm JST. The companies will share the results of the recent Japanese closed beta test survey and future plans for the game. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
Persona 5: The Phantom X Chief Producer Yosuke Uda will appear alongside other development members as part of the new live broadcast, and Neki Matsuzawa will be the host. The rest of the developers appearing in the upcoming Persona 5: The Phantom X broadcast are Main Scenario Planner Yusuke Nitta, Development Producer Jun Matsunaga, and Sega Operations Director on P5X Yuta Sakai.
You can check out the upcoming livestream where they will reveal future plans for P5X here:
The developers are also accepting questions that will be answered during the livestream, via X (Twitter) and Discord. Additionally, a merchandise goods giveaway campaign will be held on the Japanese official X (Twitter) account the day of the broadcast.
Persona 5: The Phantom X is readily available on mobile devices and PC in South Korea, Taiwan, and China. A Japanese closed beta test recently ran between November 29 and December 5, 2024 and the results will be announced in the upcoming broadcast.
The post New Persona 5: The Phantom X Broadcast About Beta Announced appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 17, 2024 4:00 PM
Dragon Quest series creator and General Director Yuji Horii announced that he has won a Cultural Affairs' Commissioner's award. Horii posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) about the award, which included accompanying pictures.
You can view the post below:
Horii states that it was an honor to be the recipient of the award, and that not even 40 years ago that games were viewed as being responsible for crime and looked down on. He goes on to say that this attitude has changed, as games have been recognized as a part of Japanese pop culture and that he is deeply moved by the continued support of the games industry.
As mentioned previously, Yuji Horii is the creator of the Dragon Quest series. He has, in some capacity, been involved in the release of every mainline title. While serving as General Director of the series, he is additionally credited with writing the scenario for the likes of Dragon Quest XI, and the upcoming Dragon Quest XII.
In May 2024, Horii himself shared and update concerning the state of Dragon Quest XII and how he believes it will honor two members of the core team that passed.
Dragon Quest XII is currently in development for as yet unspecified platforms.
The post Dragon Quest's Yuji Horii Wins Cultural Affairs' Commissioner's Award appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 17, 2024 3:00 PM
It's the dead of night, thunder roars and nothing but a dim flashlight and lightning strikes illuminate the path forward. The vast wasteland between my last safe haven and the current destination is devoid of life, human or animal. Yet, I remain vigilant of my surroundings, questioning if those leaves that whipped by my ear were an omen of a deadly anomaly ahead, or simply just the wind. At last, I hear voices as I approach my objective — a rising altercation between a member of a friendly faction and an unknown instigator. Shots fire and I whip out my rifle, only for my game to turn into a glorified slideshow. The enemy's shotgun begins to levitate and wiggle in front of his face, before he suddenly contorts himself into an indescribable shape on the ground. Meanwhile, my newfound ally unloads a magazine into the nearby wall. This is Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
In a universe where the 1986 Chornobyl disaster wasn't an isolated incident, the Zone of Alienation — or simply "the Zone" — is a hostile wasteland inhabited by opportunists seeking to exploit its supernatural properties. You are Skif, a veteran drawn into the Zone after an anomaly destroyed your home, leaving behind a mysterious artifact in its devastation. With nothing but a pistol and the clothes on your back, you must utilize the limited resources of the Zone to survive and uncover the web of conspiracies you find yourself tangled in.
As a first-person shooter, firearms naturally play a central role, but don't expect to charge in guns blazing. There's a significant emphasis on vulnerability, where a single mistake often results in another tick on an ever-increasing death counter. Ammo and medkits are scarce throughout most of the game, forcing you to cautiously approach every encounter or to work out how to avoid conflict entirely. Even as resources become slightly more abundant, inventory management remains a constant battle. Each item adds weight to your satchel, forcing difficult decisions between leaving loot behind or becoming encumbered.
The issue with Stalker 2's combat system is that enemies frequently swing between extremes: laughable incompetence or pinpoint accuracy. Every fight is a toss-up between enemies firing at the wall and running in circles, or barraging you with bullets with impossible aim from across a field. Mutants, on the other hand, will devour your entire stock of ammunition, kick your ass, and (metaphorically) spit on you while you're down. While also susceptible to broken AI, these bullet sponges are so powerful that this rarely matters. Don't get me started on those little gremlins that telepathically launch your weapons from your hands.
When combat does work, it works rather well. Between holding my head in my hands, waiting for the loading screen to return me to my checkpoint, there were triumphant fist pumps after defeating tough enemies. There are few feelings better than overcoming difficult sections, whether it's the relief or survival, the thrill of accomplishment, or a mix of both. Often, the only reward is satisfaction, as mutants don't drop loot.
Armor and weapons in Stalker 2 are subject to a durability system, gradually deteriorating with use or when damaged. Luckily, most bases have an NPC who can repair and even upgrade your gear, provided you have the cash. This is where side quests come into play, offering a means to earn money, acquire new weapons and gear, and learn more about the Zone and its people. There are several factions to align with, including Spark, a familiar band of stalkers from previous titles; Noontide, a clan of former brainwashed individuals seeking redemption; and the Ward, a military branch "serving" the Zone. You begin on relatively good terms with each of these, but tensions will eventually begin to rise. Difficult decisions must be made eventually, shifting your relationships and the story itself.
The open world of Stalker 2 feels massive, amplified in scale by the absence of vehicles or traditional fast travel. Anomalies mean that navigating the Zone is never a simple task. From gravitational distortions to sudden walls of jagged glass, staying vigilant is essential on every journey. The long walks between objectives offer plenty of time to soak in the game's incredible atmosphere. I often found myself cranking up the volume of my headphones during storms, immersing myself in the thunderous clashes in the sky above, the patter of rain, and the crunch of leaves underfoot. As frustrating as they could be at times, the "emissions" were one of my favorite examples of how the game builds atmosphere and tension. These deadly surges of energy envelop the Zone in a sinister red mist, gradually intensifying until stepping outside means certain death.
As phenomenal as the atmosphere is, it can only carry the game so far. Eventually, the long treks grow tiresome, and the Zone starts to feel hollow. The once-advertised A-Life 2.0 system, which was meant to create dynamic NPC interactions without player interference, is essentially nonexistent. Aside from a horde of enemies spawning out of thin air, there are no memorable moments that make the Zone feel alive. NPCs are mostly confined to bases and similar areas, offering little interaction and seemingly borrowing one another's faces. Unfortunately, Stalker 2's technical issues don't stop there. As you might have noticed, this review comes nearly a month after the game's release. Despite my system meeting the recommended specs, the game ran at an unplayable frame rate during my early access period. When the game finally launched, I was greeted with constant crashes. It wasn't until a week after launch that I was able to actually run the game, but that doesn't mean it's smooth sailing. The game still suffers from frequent stuttering, freezing, and occasional moments where I have to manually restart to regain a playable frame rate. There are brief stretches where the game runs buttery smooth, but those moments are typically short-lived.
Despite its significant technical and performance issues, the allure of the Zone and the intrigue of the narrative drove me forward. From carefully weighting each decision to navigating the many twists and turns, I was hooked. I particularly appreciated how the game avoids clear-cut "good" or "bad" choices, instead opting to mirror real life complexities of morality in dire situations. However, the true intrigue lies in the Zone and its mythic, as many of the characters failed to make a lasting impression. Partially due to the English voice acting, which, aside from Skif himself, was generally lackluster for several main characters and NPCs. Overall, I struggled to form any genuine emotional connection with any character, which is a rare exception for me when it comes to story-heavy titles.
Considering the conditions Stalker 2 was developed in, it's remarkable that it exists at all, but it's clear the game needed more time to fully realize its grand ambitions. The foundations are solid, and beneath the grime of poor optimization, bugs galore, and broken AI lies the potential for a truly excellent game. GSC Game World appears committed to its equally dedicated fans and with any luck, we'll see a Cyberpunk 2077-esque turnaround in the years to come.
In the end, Stalker 2 is an experience that is as frustrating as it is engaging. It's brutal, unforgiving, buggy, and often unfair — yet it's precisely this combination of atmosphere, world-building, and challenge that earned the franchise its fiercely loyal fanbase. The most dedicated players will likely uncover a brilliant gem beneath the grime, but for many, the game's technical flaws and questionable decisions may prove too difficult to overlook. For now, it's a matter of waiting to see whether GSC Game World can iron out its issues and unlock the true potential of a remarkable foundation.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is available on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
The post Review: Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl Shows Promise, Lacks Polish appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 17, 2024 2:00 PM
Nihon Falcom announced that its founder Masayuki Kato died on December 15, 2024, and it happened at the age of 78. With the passing of Kato, Nihon Falcom will also be looking at filling the spot of chairman of its board of directors.
The company expressed its condolences to Masayuki Kato's family. At the time of writing, there has been no information on the cause of death. Kato's family have also expressed their wish to mourn his passing in private.
Masayki Kato founded Nihon Falcom on March 1981 and began acting as its Representative Director. In December 2023, Kayo became a chairman for the board of directors at Nihon Falcom. While the passing of Masayuki Kato leaves Falcom with one less chairman in the board, the total number of directors still complies with Japanese law and the company will continue operating as such.
Nihon Falcom is a Japanese game development company, and it is behind the creation of popular titles such as the Ys series, the Xanadu series, and The Legend of Heroes series, with its most notable titles being the Trails games, among others.
Some games developed by Nihon Falcom include Ys X: Nordics released on October 25, 2024 for Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC, as well as the upcoming The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II coming out on February 14, 2025 for the same platforms. Additionally, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 1st, a complete remake of the first title in the Trails series, was revealed back in August 2024 and will come out for Switch in 2025.
Nihon Falcom founder Masayuki Kato died on December 15, 2024 of unknown causes. He was 78 years old and an active chairman at the board of directors of the company.
The post Nihon Falcom Founder Masayuki Kato Died appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 17, 2024 1:00 PM
It's been months since Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home released in August 2024, and now you can finally use a controller with the mobile game. Natsume announced on social media that the update is live as of December 17, 2024. Grabbing that gives you an option other than using the touch screen, as well as adds support for cloud saves.
It seems like people on Android devices may have already had access to these new elements a bit early. The Google Play page noted that it updated to 1.3 on December 10, 2024. However, the App Store Version History specifically notes the 1.3 update launching on December 17, 2024, and it shared the brief patch notes.
Here are the full patch notes for 1.3:
With the mobile controller support, any one you typically use with your Android or iOS device's games should work with Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home. Just make sure it is connected via Bluetooth before you settle in, then play as usual.
Natsume didn't note how cloud saves will work. However, presumably this will happen as you make save files, then allow you to carry over to any other possible Android or iOS devices you own that are connected to that account.
This is one of multiple Harvest Moon mobile games from the company. Other immediately playable titles include the life-sims Harvest Moon: Light of Hope and Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories. There is also the puzzle spin-off Harvest Moon: Mad Dash.
Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home is available on Android and Apple iOS devices.
The post Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Mobile Game Finally Gets Controller Support appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 17, 2024 12:40 PM
Last week, Activision and Blizzard announced the Overwatch 2 crossover with Avatar: The Last Airbender, and now there's a trailer showing us more of the character skins we'll be able to get. There are six heroes who will be available, with some of the most notable being Zenyatta as Aang and Mei getting a free Katara costume. The event starts on December 17, 2024, and it will end on December 30, 2024.
The trailer begins with a teaser showing silhouettes of the different Overwatch 2 characters in the Avatar skins as they perform actions. It is then that it cuts to Zenyatta in the Aang attire. We get to see footage of him, as well as first-person gameplay. The Katara version of Mei comes up after that. The video makes sure to point out that we are able to earn this Epic Skin by playing. It's free, unlike the others. After Mei, we see Venture in Toph attire. That's followed by Genji in the Zuko skin. Kiriko shows up as Suki after that, followed by the Orisa Appa skin.
Here's the full trailer from YouTube:
While the skins are the most obvious and likely desirable items in the crossover, there are other items too. Challenges will be available until December 30, 2024 that are based on the show. If you complete them, you can get cosmetics like icons, sprays, and voiced lines.
These kinds of Overwatch 2 crossovers with other series are common now, and we've seen quite a few notable ones before this Avatar collab. For example, there was a One Punch Man one in 2023. A My Hero Academia crossover followed that. In 2024, we also ended up seeing Transformers and Cowboy Bebop show up.
Overwatch 2 is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. The Avatar: The Last Airbender event runs until December 30, 2024. You can find the Avatar series streaming on Netflix.
The post Avatar Overwatch 2 Trailer Shows Character Skins appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 17, 2024 12:05 PM
At Anime Expo 2024, Idea Factory International announced the Switch otome game Battlefield Waltz. Now, we have a release date for it. It will appear in both North America and Europe on April 8, 2025. As is common with the company, it will be sold digitally and physically. The official IFI Online Stores in North America and Europe will also sell a limited edition version.
Battlefield Waltz is the Switch version of a Vita otome game from the company. After Lan's world is ripped apart, she starts to wield the Cursed Sword to fight back. As she prepares to become a warrior, she joins the Nirvana Academy to learn how to use her new power alongside others as she'll head out to the frontiers of the Royal Capital. Naturally, since this is a dating sim visual novel, the men she'll meet along the way may be love interests she can romance.
We don't know what kinds of items will appear in the Battlefield Waltz Limited Edition yet. In the case of 9 RIP, the company's most recent release, it came with CDs with the audio drama, an art book, and accessories like a necklace. All IFI Online Store purchases, standard or limited, also come with a trading card. Orders aren't open for either physical version yet, but you can wishlist the standard or LE ones.
Battlefield Waltz is immediately on the Switch and Vita in Japan, and it will show up on the Switch worldwide on April 8, 2025.
The post Battlefield Waltz Switch Otome Game Dances into April appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:30 AM
Infold Games released the patch notes for the Infinity Nikki December 18, 2024 maintenance period, and the ability cutscene skip ability will be enhanced when it happens. The company also confirmed that the limited time Revelation Crystals for Butterfly Dream and Blooming Fantasy will expire for the current banners when maintenance starts and says to use them before then, while also noting that everyone will get 100 Diamonds and a Resonate Crystal after maintenance to claim between December 18-25, 2024. Maintenance will last one hour and start at 6pm PT/9pm ET and last one hour.
The Infinity Nikki ability cutscene skip function will specifically be adjusted for Animal Grooming and Fishing. Previously, the game required you to press and hold the skip button in order to fast forward through the grooming action and get to the result. In the case of gathering materials from brushing animals, it will also be enhanced so it takes less time. Infold also said the Skip button will change to "O/X" on a PS5 and "A/B" on a PC, depending on your controller and region, to avoid scenes.
Other changes also involve feedback from players. For example, if you are using a controller, you'll see Mira Level and your Health at all times. That doesn't appear at the moment on PCs and mobile devices. We'll also be able to determine how sensitive the camera will be. A PV preview will appear on banners, which you can watch for free Blings, and the animations and Diamond Exchange will be faster and easier for that. The Well of Fortune: Waterway Begins platforming will be adjusted as well. Finally, going forward, you'll see an increase in score at Mira Crown Pinnacle Contest for pieces with the Formal and Trendy labels.
Infold Games also shared images of the new paid outfits that will be joining Infinity Nikki after the December 18, 2024 maintenance on Weibo. Here are the three new styles. One of them also has an evolved form variant.
In addition to those new paid outfits, new limited-time banners and events will also debut after maintenance ends.
Infinity Nikki is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and maintenance will begin at 6pm PT/9pm ET on December 18, 2024.
The post Next Infinity Nikki Maintenance Adjusts Ability Cutscene Skip Function appeared first on Siliconera. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, December 17, 2024 5:40 PM The accolades trailer was also released. The post FANTASIAN Neo Dimension Demo Announced appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, December 17, 2024 5:10 PM Elden Ring has surpassed 28.6 million units. The post Elden Ring Sales Has Surpassed The Total Sales of The Dark Souls Series appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, December 17, 2024 4:33 PM According to the game director. The post More Elden Ring Nightreign Details Revealed appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, December 17, 2024 3:50 PM Capcom is focusing on reactivating dormant IPs The post Capcom is Planning More Game Revivals appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
iDev Games Feed Tuesday, December 17, 2024 4:16 PM street fighter falconZ.... |
MonsterVine Tuesday, December 17, 2024 1:30 PM December 15th marked the 30th anniversary of the Tales of series and Bandai Namco had a lil' stream to mark the occasion. Drumming up sales numbers, a little announcement on what's to come, and mostly fanfare, nobody expected much from the stream. These types of affairs are usually a spectacle with little substance and the […] |