Feb 17, 12:01

GamersHeroes Monday, February 17, 2025 11:03 AM Puzzle-Deduction Game Figure it Out! Launching February 28       A free puzzle and deduction game where players will be under a watchful eye, Two Weeks at Home's Figure it Out! will come out for Steam on February 28. The post Puzzle-Deduction Game Figure it Out! Launching February 28 appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Kotaku Monday, February 17, 2025 9:50 AM Avowed Is Wonderful, But Could My Companions Please Just Shush?       "Another win, but who's counting?" It's the stupidest thing a person could say after a fight. No one. No one was counting. Including you, Kai, unless you think "another" is a numeral. Recognizing a win in no sense implies tallying anything. It doesn't make sense. Stop saying it, man. Just stop saying it. In fact,… Read more...

Kotaku Monday, February 17, 2025 8:45 AM The 12 Wes Anderson Characters That Made Him An Icon       We watch movies for how they momentarily teleport us to worlds where anything can happen and none of it is our responsibility. It's the characters that are our vehicles down these cinematic roads paved in broken hearts, therapeutic laughs, and unnecessarily life-threatening stunts by Tom Cruise. The greatest… Read more...

Kotaku Monday, February 17, 2025 8:30 AM Rainbow Six Siege X Will 'Transform' The Live-Service Tactical Shooter       The term "live-service game" has, in the last few months, become synonymous with enormous financial disasters. Hundreds of millions, possibly billions, have been lost over the past year to the hubristic concept of games people will want to keep playing, and investing in, for years to come. But it's vital to remember… Read more...

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 11:35 AM Dead by Daylight system requirements       What are the Dead by Daylight system requirements? As you might expect, having been released back in 2016, the Dead by Daylight PC system requirements are somewhat dated. This means that you should have no issue playing the game on an old or budget gaming PC, but the better your hardware, the better your game will look and run. You have never needed the best graphics card to run Dead by Daylight and it's unlikely you ever will unless a massive graphical overhaul is released. That's not to say that this asymmetrical horror game looks bad. Instead, DbD uses dark environments to take a focus away from the general level of detail and keep players focused firmly on the task at hand, whether that be escaping a map or chasing down survivors as a killers. Continue reading Dead by Daylight system requirements MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 11:33 AM Free Monopoly Go dice links February 2025       February 17, 2025: 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 February 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 11:28 AM New roguelike Sodaman is a cyberpunk Hades in a world without any good Dr Pepper       Everyone has a drink they can't live without. For me it's a can of Monster Pipeline Punch. I know it has a lifetime's worth of sugar in it, and ingesting just one makes me feel as though my heart is about to explode, but every sip is worth it. Sodaman is an all-new action roguelike built around this universal love for carbonated beverages, and it looks like a worthy successor to the best of the genre. With cybernetic augmentations, alien lifeforms, and a neon-drenched aesthetic, Sodaman is out now in Steam Early Access. Continue reading New roguelike Sodaman is a cyberpunk Hades in a world without any good Dr Pepper MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games , Best cyberpunk games, Best action adventure games

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 11:15 AM New DBD Chapters are delayed so BHVR can fix the community's biggest problems       Behaviour Interactive is delaying Dead by Daylight Chapters and other content such as Rifts and Collections so it will have room to address the community's biggest complaints with the game. This is part of the DBD quality-of-life initiative for 2025, which takes aim at long-standing issues and will be split into two phases. So, while new Chapters are being pushed back, Behaviour is using this extra time to finally make the core experience much better. Continue reading New DBD Chapters are delayed so BHVR can fix the community's biggest problems MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 10:35 AM Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 stock availability to be "stupidly high soon" says leak       The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 launch left plenty of gamers disappointed, thanks to immediate stock shortages, but that could be about to change. A new rumor is suggesting that supply of new RTX 5090 graphics cards will be vastly improved soon, giving gamers the chance to actually buy one of these new gaming GPUs and leaving scalpers disappointed. The launch of these new Nvidia cards has been rather stop-start. While the company has certainly produced the best graphics card in the RTX 5090, it's been almost impossible for the majority of gamers to get hold of one, while RTX 5080 stock has been similarly constrained. If Nvidia is able to resolve these issues over the coming months, then all the better, for both the company and for gamers generally. Continue reading Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 stock availability to be "stupidly high soon" says leak MORE FROM PCGAMESN: RTX 5090 review, DLSS explained, Best graphics cards

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 10:34 AM Pacific Drive is the best it's ever been, as players are flocking to it on Steam       I've said it before, but 2024 really was the year of the survival game. We had megahits like Palworld and Once Human, and excellent genre entries like Enshrouded and Abiotic Factor. Then there was Soulmask, The Forever Winter, and even Infection Free Zone. There were so many I wouldn't be surprised if there are loads you still plan on getting around to playing. So if Pacific Drive is one of the games on your ever-growing list, now's the perfect time to play it. If not, then consider this your introduction. Continue reading Pacific Drive is the best it's ever been, as players are flocking to it on Steam MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Pacific Drive review, Best survival games, Best single player games

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 10:29 AM Windows 11 drops support for old Intel gaming CPUs, but it isn't what you think       Microsoft has quietly dropped 8th, 9th, and 10th-gen Intel gaming CPUs from its new hardware guidelines for Windows 11 PC manufacturers, but gamers don't need to be too worried. While the company hasn't made a public statement, its guidelines make clear that these Intel CPUs will continue to work with the latest version of Windows 11, at least for now. It's no surprise that Microsoft is leaving these older CPUs out of its future Windows 11 plans. The best gaming PCs on sale are already using newer processors, while these Intel gaming CPUs are now between eight and five years old and are heading towards obsolescence. For gamers with older PCs, however, it's welcome news that their rigs aren't destined for the junk pile just yet, even if this is a sign that their PCs are starting to get a little long in the tooth. Continue reading Windows 11 drops support for old Intel gaming CPUs, but it isn't what you think MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Microsoft DirectX Raytracing, Microsoft Hololens hands-on, Windows Game Mode preview

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 10:04 AM FNAF Secret of the Mimic release date, news, and details       When is the FNAF Secret of the Mimic release date? Five Nights at Freddy's is one of the most well-known and well-loved horror game series of all time, and it just keeps on coming. There are mainline games, spinoff games, toys, VR games, and a movie series now, and, almost ten years to the day since the franchise's debut, another official spin-off horror game was announced. Secret of the Mimic is an officially licensed FNAF game from Steel Wool studios which previously released Security Breach and VR game Help Wanted. The latest installment in the Five Nights at Freddy's series is presumably entirely cannon like previous Steel Wool games, but is set to deep dive into an all-new set of characters. As we look forward to the Secret of the Mimic release date, here's what we know about the horror game so far. Continue reading FNAF Secret of the Mimic release date, news, and details MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best indie games, Best story games

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 7:43 AM DBD codes February 2025       What are the latest DBD codes? These freebie-granting DBD rewards can reward you with anything from a few bonus Bloodpoints to help prestige the latest character, to new and exclusive in-game cosmetics, so it's crucial you get them while they're live. There are more ways to customize your game than ever with DBD badges and banners, but there are still occasional rewards for items for your DBD killers and survivors, too. All of them let you show off your style, while Dead by Daylight Bloodpoints and Rift Fragments help your in-game progress, so there are always plenty of goodies to be had. Some of these Dead by Daylight codes are ongoing though, so you may have snapped them up already. Continue reading DBD codes February 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 7:41 AM Get the most underrated Resident Evil game and three horror classics for $7 each       Resident Evil 2 Remake gets all the love, and the 2023 version of RE4 is definitely a series highlight. But with talk of Resident Evil 9 starting to swell, as well as speculation about possible remakes for Code Veronica or Zero, there's one seriously underappreciated RE game that deserves a reappraisal. Available for less than $7 when bought alongside other Capcom hits like Devil May Cry 5, Onimusha Warlords, and Street Fighter, forget what you've heard and drop all assumptions - Resident Evil 3 Remake is actually very good. Continue reading Get the most underrated Resident Evil game and three horror classics for $7 each MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Resident Evil 3 review, Resident Evil 3 system requirements, Resident Evil 3 mods

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 7:41 AM Borderlands 4 release date, trailers, and latest news       When is the Borderlands 4 release date? The Borderlands series dates back to 2009, when the first game was released on PC and consoles. Over the last 15 years, the series has become so popular that it was turned into a blockbuster movie in 2024 and, while that might have been met with a rather underwhelming reception, the franchise is set to continue with another videogame entry. Confirmed during Gamescom Opening Night Live in August 2024, Borderlands 4 is already shaping up to be one of the more exciting action-adventure game releases arriving in 2025. Here's what we know about the Borderlands 4 release date, including when it's set to arrive, what the trailers reveal about the game, and more. Continue reading Borderlands 4 release date, trailers, and latest news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best RPG games, Best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 7:28 AM Alan Wake 2 system requirements       What are the Alan Wake 2 system requirements? When it first released, Alan Wake 2 had easily the most demanding system requirements ever seen on PC. However, following optimizations, these requirements are now lower, and forced ray traced games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are now considerably higher. Continue reading Alan Wake 2 system requirements MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 7:09 AM This 180Hz Acer gaming monitor is an absolute bargain at just $119.99 right now       A few years ago, picking up a fast gaming monitor from a well-known brand for under $120 would have been near impossible, but those days are over. A prime example is this absolute steal of a gaming monitor deal, with this 180Hz Acer display now costing just $119.99, saving you $80 on Best Buy's usual MSRP. For that price, you'll be gaining a 24-inch panel with a full HD resolution, which combined with its 180Hz refresh rate makes this a fantastic budget purchase for gamers who love fast-paced action games. Acer is no stranger to our best gaming monitor guide, with it consistently churning out top-tier displays. While this Acer Nitro Gaming XF243Y M3bmiiprx isn't quite on the same level as the likes of the Acer Predator X45 - check out our Acer X45 review for the full low-down - it is a display packed with features that you'd only expect on pricier models. Continue reading This 180Hz Acer gaming monitor is an absolute bargain at just $119.99 right now MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best gaming monitor

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 7:03 AM Best Path of Exile 2 Ranger build, skills, and equipment       What is the best Path of Exile 2 Ranger build? The Ranger returns 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. The best PoE 2 Ranger class build counter Path of Exile 2's hordes of fast-moving enemies with swift movement, high jumps, and quick getaways. Now that the early access Path of Exile 2 release date is here, we've gone through all the skills and passives in the RPG game to determine the best PoE 2 build that can carry you right up to endgame content. Continue reading Best Path of Exile 2 Ranger build, skills, and equipment MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Path of Exile 2 builds, Path of Exile 2 classes, Path of Exile 2 quests

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 7:51 AM ZZZ tier list - best characters in Zenless Zone Zero 1.5       Who is at the top of the ZZZ tier list? HoYoverse's latest gacha comes with a full roster of playable agents that sport unique abilities, attributes, and combat specialties. With so many characters to choose from, it can be difficult to decide who to add to your team. We've tested each one to bring you a complete and reliable tier list that ensures you're investing your time and level-up materials into the right units. Our expert Zenless Zone Zero tier list is based on the current stats and performance in the latest Zenless Zone Zero update, so be aware these rankings may be subject to change. We regularly update this tier list as new characters are introduced in Zenless Zone Zero banners, so check back for the latest developments in the gacha game. Let's get into the best (and worst) characters in Zenless Zone Zero 1.5. Continue reading ZZZ tier list - best characters in Zenless Zone Zero 1.5 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 7:00 AM When is the next Dreamlight Valley update?       What is the next Dreamlight Valley update? Each new Dreamlight Valley update adds new characters, features, and quests to the life sim, and the roster of Dreamlight Valley residents has expanded so much already - and shows no signs of slowing down. Fans on social media have previously requested the likes of Cinderella, Belle, and Stitch, and with Cinders the only one missing now, we know Gameloft is listening. Disney Dreamlight Valley has never been better thanks to the colorful life game's new characters and mechanics. Its vibrant community makes it even better, especially with more multiplayer functions being added, and a paid DLC brings even more biomes and residents to your valley if you want them. Even if you don't want to splash out on paid content, there are still plenty of new Dreamlight Valley recipes, characters, realms, and more added to the base game regularly, so here's everything we know about the next free Dreamlight Valley update. Continue reading When is the next Dreamlight Valley update? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Disney games, What's the next Dreamlight Valley update?, Disney Dreamlight Valley guide

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 6:56 AM Best Path of Exile 2 Witch build, skills, and equipment       What is the best Path of Exile 2 Witch build? The Witch makes her return in Path of Exile 2, but this time her summoner abilities have been simplified without lowering her skill ceiling. You're now able to automatically summon most minions, but a strong build is still required to see you from early game to endgame. Controlling an army filled with minions is a difficult task in the original RPG game, but it's easier to get up and running in Path of Exile 2. Now the early access Path of Exile 2 release date has passed, we've got the best PoE 2 Witch class build, from skills and passives to spirit buffs and equipment. We've also got more tips over in our dedicated PoE 2 builds guide featuring two Witch setups. Continue reading Best Path of Exile 2 Witch build, skills, and equipment MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Path of Exile 2 builds, Path of Exile 2 classes, Path of Exile 2 quests

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 6:50 AM Genshin Impact tier list - the best characters in 5.4       Looking for a Genshin Impact tier list? There are currently 94 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 5.4 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 6:33 AM The best multiplayer games to play with friends 2025       What are the best multiplayer games? Intricate gameplay and glistening visuals only go so far; humans often provide the biggest surprises with schemes that transform even the most average game into an unforgettable experience you'll be talking about until the end of time. Fast and frantic or tense and calculated, the best multiplayer games come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it's vying for control of the payload in an FPS game or fighting for survival in a co-op game with your friends, these experiences wouldn't be the same without a bunch of real people. We've curated a list of the best PC games with multiplayer functionality so you can go around killing, maiming, or, occasionally, helping random people on the internet. Continue reading The best multiplayer games to play with friends 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Apex Legends characters guide, Apex Legends skins, Apex Legends tier list

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 6:53 AM Dragon's Dogma 2 system requirements       What are the Dragon's Dogma 2 system requirements? Despite a ton of performance issues causing headaches for players at launch, Dragon's Dogma 2 now runs much better on PC, and the system requirements remain achievable for most players with older gaming PCs. The launch of Dragon's Dogma 2 might have been rough, but now is a great time to update your rig for the make the most of your time with the game. We highlighted some launch performance issues in our Dragon's Dogma 2 review but these issues were due to poor optimization and have since been fixed. Continue reading Dragon's Dogma 2 system requirements MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 6:26 AM When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event?       When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz? This special, limited-time event allows players to trade the usually locked golden stickers up to five times a day. This is an ideal solution for grabbing elusive missing stickers and completing albums quickly. While you can trade these up to five times a day, each event is limited to two specific stickers, set by Scopely. There's no official schedule for Monopoly Go's Golden Blitz event, so a lot of sites that confirm dates are actually speculating based on the current Monopoly Go events. While you're waiting for the next Golden Blitz, make sure to keep on top of other freebies with our free Monopoly Go dice links guide, which is updated several times a day with the newest links. Continue reading When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 6:24 AM All Monopoly Go events, tournaments, dates, and rewards - February 2025       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 - February 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 6:24 AM 23 years later, classic cyberpunk MMO inspired by Deus Ex is somehow still alive       There was a time, around 2005 and 2006, when every new MMO was a 'World of Warcraft killer.' Age of Conan. All Points Bulletin. LOTR Online. The fates of these games are varied, but for the most part, they serve to prove a single point - making a successful MMO and keeping it online is tough. Originally released in 2002, that halcyon year that brought us Grand Theft Auto Vice City, Medieval Total War, and Morrowind, one massively multiplayer and FPS hybrid was formally resigned to the trash can of gaming history. But thanks to the work of cast-iron fans, 23 years later, it's still online. A bit cyberpunk and very Deus Ex, you can play Neocron for free. Continue reading 23 years later, classic cyberpunk MMO inspired by Deus Ex is somehow still alive MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMOs, Best FPS games, Best cyberpunk games

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 6:17 AM The best Space Marine 2 mods 2025       What are the best Space Marine 2 mods? Space Marine 2 could be the greatest Warhammer 40k game ever, and naturally, it deserves a mod list that matches its prestige. From performance enhancements to quality-of-life tweaks, modders have pulled the game apart, remodeling it to bring even more glory to Ultramar. While the Space Marine 2 mods list will only grow over time, with even more sophisticated tweaks sure to come, we already have a solid collection available for the co-op game. If you're hoping to bolster the game's performance, give it a visual makeover, or even take your Operations character into the main campaign, then behold our humble mod menagerie. Continue reading The best Space Marine 2 mods 2025 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Space Marine 2 review, Space Marine 2 system requirements , Best Warhammer 40k games

PCGamesN Monday, February 17, 2025 6:03 AM When is the next Steam sale?       When is the next Steam sale? It feels like one Steam sale has just ended when the next one begins, but with some events offering better discounts than others and genre-specific sales to look out for, it's a good idea to keep these dates to hand. Fortunately, we've got a complete list of all the official Steam sale dates for 2025 and beyond, so you can make a dent in your Steam wishlist without breaking the bank. Whether you're looking for new PC games to sink your teeth into or simply the best PC games of all time, there's something for everyone on Steam. Genre sales can introduce you to hidden gems if you can snap up the bargains in time, while seasonal Steam sales can last for weeks, with more games, DLC, and bundles available at chunkier discounts. Continue reading When is the next Steam sale? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Steam FAQ, Steam family sharing, Steam in-home streaming

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, February 17, 2025 11:14 AM Xbox boss Phil Spencer says games journalism has too much "what do they call it? Search engine optimization or something like that?"       Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer would like to know if video games journalism is OK. He is concerned that the "whole space is gonna go away or be corrupted by things". He mourns the heyday of magazines, and is bemused by this "SEO" malarkey he keeps hearing about. Much like a Dickensian child holding out a bowl for more gruel, he wants to know if there's still a "path" for "people with a real honest voice". Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, February 17, 2025 9:15 AM Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion gets a whole gamejam dedicated to Persuasion Pie, co-hosted by a Don't Nod developer       Among the dorkiest aspects of Bethesda's winningly dorky The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the persuasion wheel minigame - also known as Persuasion Pie, also known as the Wheedlin' Roundabout, also known as the Dartboard of Indoctrination. (Maybe not so much the last two.) This saw you choosing methods of gaining NPC affection from a disc with quadrants labelled "Admire", "Joke", "Coerce" and "Boast", each of which elicits a different response previewed by the NPC's gurnishly changing expression. You have to choose all four options at least once per round, and the underlying "pie" rotates every time you pick one. The underlying segments are partially filled in to show how much they'll affect the NPC's opinion, for better or worse. The idea, then is to match responses that have a positive effect to the largest chunks of pie, by picking them in the right order. If you think all that sounds incredibly overwrought and laborious, then you are clearly not Don't Nod Montreal's Colin McInerney or one of the other hosts of Wheeljam 2025, a game creation jam dedicated to Bethesda's ole Tart Of Cajolement. Here is a trailer. Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, February 17, 2025 7:33 AM I found the best Presidents' Day deals on gaming rigs, including $900 off a RTX 4090 laptop and more       Presidents' Day brings a wave of discounts on gaming laptops, desktops, and more, making it a great time to upgrade or invest in a new machine. Whether you're after raw performance, high refresh rates, or a balance of power and portability, there are plenty of options available at lower-than-usual prices. Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, February 17, 2025 5:56 AM Viktor Antonov, the key mind behind Half-Life 2's City 17, has died       One of video gaming's great urban fabulists, Half-Life 2 art director and Dishonored visual designer Viktor Antonov, has died at the young age of 52. Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, February 17, 2025 5:41 AM Frog breeding management sim Mudborne gets a release date this March on World Frog Day       I generally avoid using the word 'darling' as an adjective because it makes you sound like an bourgeois playwright two bottles of sherry deep into a nervous breakdown. Lord Of The Rings tainted the word 'precious' forever, and the term 'wholesome' has been Cronenberged to hideous effect. 'Cute' is too pat, I use 'adorable' too much, and you cannot make me say 'Kawaii' under any circumstances. All that said, management sim Mudborne makes my eyes go wide and my heart swell like a marshmallow dropped in a pond full of excellent frogs. It's releasing March 20th on World Frog Day, and a portion of the profits will go to amphibian, wetland, and environmental charities. Have a Steam demo. God I love that soundtrack. Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, February 17, 2025 5:33 AM Diablo speedrunners searched 2.2 billion random dungeon seeds to debunk a two-decade old speedrun record       A team of Diablo speedrunners spent months searching the 1996 RPG's 2.2 billion valid randomly generated dungeon seeds to find the layout used in a stupidly lucky speedrun they suspected to be illegitimate, says a new report from Ars Technica's Kyle Orland. The three minute, 12 second sorcerer run by Maciej "Groobo" Maselewski was first uploaded to Speed Demos Archive in 2009. Watching it "feels like watching someone win the lottery," writes Orland, thanks to a seemingly random streak of entrance and exit stairways right next to each other, allowing for a rapid, safe descent through the dungeon. Groobo lucked out again on the ninth floor, nabbing the Naj's Puzzler item needed for later teleporting exploits. Read more

Siliconera Monday, February 17, 2025 12:00 PM Interview: Learning About the FFXIV Echoes of Vana'diel FFXI Raid        When the 7.1 FFXIV patch dropped it included an Echoes of Vana'diel Alliance Raid inspired by FFXI, bringing the two Final Fantasy MMORPG entries together. Now, there's even an Echoes of Vana'diel subscription sale to make it easier for people to get back into the older of the two titles. To learn more about what went into this crossover, Siliconera spoke to Lead Battle Content Designer Masaki Nakagawa and Art Team Lead Yusuke Mogi about preparing for this new addition. Jenni Lada: When did work start on the FFXIV Echoes of Vana'diel FFXI Raid? How involved were members of the FFXI development team with the FFXIV Echoes of Vana'diel Raid? Masaki Nakagawa (with input from the Scenario Team): We began planning Echoes of Vana'diel (EOV) around winter of 2023, in tandem with the development of Dawntrail. Those of us in the Battle Content team began the project by first deciding the four bosses so the Scenario team could concentrate on their tasks for Dawntrail. Once they were decided, we then moved on to designing the overall dungeon and outlining the story. The FFXI team's primary role was supervision of the original concept, plot, and in-game text of the scenario, along with voices and dialogue of NPCs and boss characters. We also asked them to provide the final assessment in ensuring the overall battle content was consistent regarding the universe and lore of the title, and to review the elements that were given an FFXIV-original twist for potential concerns.  Image via Square Enix What led to Prishe being chosen as the main character for the FFXIV Echoes of Vana'diel FFXI Raid? Nakagawa and the Scenario Team: We felt that the first boss of the alliance raid needed to be a character with a strong impression; someone that even those unfamiliar with FFXI would warm up to. Given her appearance in Dissidia Final Fantasy and various other titles as the "face" of FFXI, as well as her striking and charming personality, Prishe seemed like the perfect fit for what we were looking for. Some aspects of her design were adjusted from her appearance in FFXI, and we were slightly worried if fans would be receptive to them, but we were relieved to see lots of positive comments after the alliance raid was released. Many of Prishe's trademark attacks and abilities appear during the FFXIV Echoes of Vana'diel FFXI Raid, such as Asuran Fists, Auroral Uppercut, Banishga, and Nullifying Dropkick. How did you determine which moves would appear in the Raid? Also, how did their appearances in other games, like FFXI and Dissidia, influence the look of the attacks here? Nakagawa: I asked for input from the person in charge of this boss fight regarding this question, so I'm quoting him below: "I placed a heavy emphasis on conveying Prishe's defining character traits. I wanted her attacks to make sense for those who remember Prishe from FFXI and establish her personality for those who haven't played, so I gave her moves that symbolize her youthful spirit. Prishe has appeared in many other titles, and I hoped that by conveying her charm through this boss fight, players would not only take interest in the original FFXI but also in other titles such as Dissidia Final Fantasy. When designing her animations and visual effects, I did my best to stay consistent with her previous appearances, while making alterations to help her naturally blend in with the setting of FFXIV and reinforce her character traits. For example, her Auroral Uppercut and Nullifying Dropkick are still an uppercut and dropkick, and Asuran Fists still features eight consecutive hits; but aside from those core ideas, each move was largely redesigned." As a side note, the staff member in charge of the Prishe encounter was also the battle content designer for AAC: Light-Heavyweight Division M2 featuring Honey B. Lovely. As with the Honey B. Lovely encounter, I think he did a great job of designing a delightful boss battle that highlights the character's unique traits. Likewise, how did you pick Fafnir for the FFXIV Raid and how did you adjust the enemy's moveset for attacks like Absolute Terror and Hurricane Wing when compared to FFXI? Nakagawa: In the early planning stages, we brainstormed to decide the four bosses and enlisted the help of several game designers from the Battle System Team and Battle Content Team who are well-versed in FFXI. Among the many ideas pitched, Fafnir was included. After some deliberation, we decided on the Shadow Lord (boss 4) and Prishe (boss 1) first, then the Ark Angels (boss 3), and finally, Fafnir (boss 2). There were three reasons why we chose Fafnir: Other bosses were humanoid, and so from an overall perspective, we needed a powerful, giant monster to differentiate them. Dragons are a staple in fantasy works, and so choosing one would allow for us to create an appealing boss fight that would be easy to understand for those who may not know FFXI. We wanted to include at least one HNM (High Notorious Monster), which are very memorable for FFXI players. Capricious Cassie, another HNM from FFXI, was also considered. We debated over which one to choose and ended up choosing Fafnir because we felt Capricious Cassie would have a weaker impression on players who aren't familiar with FFXI. As for designing the Fafnir encounter, I started by deciding on the overall theme of the boss battle. I decided to feature a powerful dragon with dynamic and spectacular attacks and followed that theme as I came up with the battle mechanics based on Fafnir's signature moves in FFXI, such as Dragon Breath, Spike Flail, Absolute Terror, and Hurricane Wing.  I then relayed my ideas to the staff member in charge of the boss fight, who filled in the details. They captured the essence of Fafnir's moves, carefully maintaining the impression of those attacks in FFXI as they put all the pieces together to make for a dynamic and spectacular encounter. Image via Square Enix What challenges did you face when creating the FFXI Ark Angel equipment for the FFXIV Echoes of Vana'diel Raid? Mogi: Because the design is fully black in color, during the initial drafts, the FFXI and FFXIV versions of the gear gave off very different impressions based on the varying physiques of the character races. With that in mind, during the concept art phase, I was quite conscious about keeping the visual impressions consistent where possible, such as the lengths of the top and the volume of the sleeves. A major area of adjustment was the ornate details, which I added so the gear wouldn't look like it lacked features compared to existing FFXIV gear. To avoid deviating too far from the original look, I focused on the symbolic curved lines on the front of the torso as the key pattern and eliminated unnecessary designs as much as possible. Finally, with the final 3D models in mind, I added some highlights to the metallic parts; with that, I think I was able to achieve a simple yet weighted look. What kinds of feedback have you gotten from the Echoes of Vana'diel first part from FFXIV players, and how will that affect future parts of the FFXI crossover? Nakagawa: Are you referring to feedback from FFXIV players who are not familiar with FFXI? I'll answer with that assumption in mind. There was a large number of comments regarding the third boss, the Ark Angel encounter. FFXIV has never had an encounter where you fight five bosses all at once, and I'm very happy it was well-received as a fresh new battle experience. We saw many positive responses from both those who have and haven't played FFXI. Developing the battle was filled with hurdles we had to overcome and proved quite challenging for us, but I feel it was all worth the effort.  Prishe also received a lot of feedback, including from people who have not played FFXI. They seemed to enjoy her unique and charming personality, and many people commented that the fight was quite different from other boss fights, with its engaging mechanics that were both unusual and comical. As for Fafnir and the Shadow Lord, although their mechanics were straight forward, many players seemed to enjoy those battles for their visual impressiveness. As for the difficulty level, we worked to make the battles more challenging overall compared to Myths of the Realm. Casual players mentioned that they struggled on their first attempt but felt the difficulty was just right and enjoyable from the second attempt onward. Others also noted that the difficulty level was perfect for an alliance raid, and that they look forward to subsequent installments to be this challenging. Since Myths of the Realm saw a lot of feedback in the vein of "It wasn't challenging enough, even on day one!" I'm relieved to see people seem to be receptive to this change in direction. On the flip side, because it is a rare opportunity of a crossover with another game, I've seen players eagerly asking for even more unique ideas and new mechanics. We've started work on the second installment, leveraging the feedback we received from everyone. We aim to surpass even this first alliance raid in the series, so I hope you'll look forward to it! Final Fantasy XIV is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and Final Fantasy XI is available on PCs.  The post Interview: Learning About the FFXIV Echoes of Vana'diel FFXI Raid  appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Monday, February 17, 2025 11:10 AM Fatal Fury CotW Kain and Season Pass 1 Characters Revealed       SNK has revealed more playable characters coming to Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves both at and after launch, which includes Kain R. Heinlein. The company has also published many trailers related to the new announcements on its YouTube channel. Kain R. Heinlein will be one of the characters available at launch in City of the Wolves. The Japanese voiceover trailer reveals how Yuichi Nakamura voices the character: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnS6xKrg-sw An English version of the same trailer is also available simultaneously. It reveals Brett Calo as the English voice actor for the same character. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmtR0ylmum8 Kain will also appear as one of the eight characters available in the Open Beta Test for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. People worldwide will be able to play an earlier build of the game before its release from February 20 until February 24, 2025, in Pacific Standard Time, or February 25, 2025, for the rest of the world. The other seven characters available in the Open Beta Test besides Kain will be Mai Shiranui, Rock Howard, Terry Bogard, B. Jenet, Hotaru Futaba, Preecha, and Vox Reaper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uScgL3kOA0g SNK has also revealed the full Season Pass 1 DLC character roster. The company had previously announced at Tokyo Game Show 2024 that it would add Ken and Chun-Li from Street Fighter 6 in Summer 2025 and Winter 2025, respectively. The remaining three characters newly revealed will be Andy Bogard in Summer 2025, Joe Higashi in Fall 2025, and Mr. Big in early 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2JEb_ItQYY Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, and PC worldwide on April 24, 2025. The post Fatal Fury CotW Kain and Season Pass 1 Characters Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Monday, February 17, 2025 9:00 AM God Eater Self Avatar NPC Trick Should Become a Feature       The God Eater series holds a special place in my gaming memories. As one of the more established competitors to Monster Hunter, Bandai Namco gave a more extensive focus on the characters. It also let players bring NPCs as party members even in single-player sessions, which did not appear as a feature in Capcom's games prior to the 2022 release of Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak. However, the God Eater games released on the PSP, PS Vita, and PS4 also had a trick that allowed players to register characters from the same account's saved slots as avatar NPC companions. To put the trick into perspective, we should first learn how the avatar NPC feature came to be in a genre that thrived with multiple competitor titles around the 2010s. The Monster Hunter games have a Guild Card that records each player's activities. Players can also customize the card before sharing it with others by writing their own messages while choosing a specific pose and title. However, the cards barely serve any gameplay purposes other than recording proof that you have encountered those players in a multiplayer session. This was where Bandai Namco tried to amp up the competition by adding a meaningful gameplay feature to the cards. In the God Eater games, exchanging these cards would not only let players see each other's records; it also actually let them select the player's avatar as an NPC party member akin to the in-game story characters. Some of the games' players have even discovered a trick where they can register characters from other save slots in the same account as avatar NPC companions, which also means they can technically add their own created characters as party members. Such a trick has since been known in the community as the "Self Avatar Card." The trick was made possible by utilizing loopholes in the wireless and online features of the now-legacy consoles, although one would be required to own two copies of the same game and/or console to pull it out. While methods to execute the trick had existed as early as the release of God Eater Burst—the enhanced edition of the first series entry released for PSP in 2010, I had the most profound experiences with God Eater Resurrection and God Eater 2: Rage Burst when Bandai Namco released them for the Vita and PS4. Screenshot by Siliconera There were two methods possible to execute the trick in both games. The first one utilized two Vita consoles—one of them could also be a PlayStation Vita TV. And if one had purchased the game digitally, they could download and access the same game on both consoles and then connect with the local Ad-Hoc mode. The second method—and the one I actually used—involved purchasing a copy of the game for each of the PS4 and Vita. I still remember how I could connect to a private online room with the same account simultaneously on both platforms. After successfully performing the internal exchange, I could sync the saves with the updated Self Avatar Cards via the cross-save feature. In God Eater Resurrection, that also meant I could add the franchise's anime protagonist Lenka Utsugi besides my own characters to the list of callable allies. God Eater was not the only series in the hunting action genre to feature the Self Avatar Card trick. When Koei Tecmo launched Toukiden Kiwami around 2014-2015 and Toukiden 2 in 2016, it released both games on the PS4 and Vita. I still fondly remember how I could pull out the same method and have my characters appear in each other's saves. God Eater 3, unfortunately, does not support the same trick due to the lack of cross-play and cross-save between its PS4, PC, and Switch releases. Technically speaking, players of the Switch and Steam versions could have a similar experience of exchanging avatars between two respective devices. However, both platforms have more stringent account checks so it would necessitate a secondary account. And while there is a way on the Switch to access a single digital copy on two consoles and accounts, both consoles can only connect via online multiplayer, which also requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for each of them. Screenshot by Siliconera The experience of having another self-made avatar as an NPC companion in these character-driven hunting games is different from the likes of Freedom Wars' Accessory androids or Dragon's Dogma's Pawns. In the latter games, you could create the secondary avatar right away, but they are more designed to be emotionless servants to your primary character. The avatar NPCs can appear as callable characters with a more complete personality that can even become indistinguishable from the existing story characters if they are created elaborately enough. I actually felt more motivated to replay God Eater and Toukiden games with secondary and tertiary avatars when I had my previous character(s) appear to help me in the new playthrough. However, looking at how stringent the user account check has become in more recent platforms, it becomes more crucial that generating self-made NPCs should not be the result of a cross-play trick, but rather should be implemented as an official gameplay feature. Having such a feature can help give more motivation to players who want to get immersed into the game's world but prefer playing in single-player modes, such as myself. But I am personally hoping that the self-made avatar NPC feature can appear formally in not only a hypothetical God Eater 4 by Bandai Namco or Toukiden 3 by Koei Tecmo but also all other upcoming hunting action games, including Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds which is starting to go all-in on NPC support hunters. Imagine replaying the latter game with a newer character and you spot your first avatar coming to help after you launched the SOS Flare... How cool would that be? Screenshots for this article were taken from the PlayStation 4 version of God Eater 2: Rage Burst. The game is also available on PlayStation Vita and PC. The post God Eater Self Avatar NPC Trick Should Become a Feature appeared first on Siliconera.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 10:56 AM Magic: The Gathering – 20 Best Wizard Cards for Commander       The Wizard creature type is a populous one across the history of Magic: The Gathering. Debuting in Magic's first set, Alpha, in 1993 with the ever-present and not-quite-omnipotent "Tim" (aka Prodigal Sorcerer), Wizards have since become something of a mascot creature type for the game. With over 1,000 Wizards now populating Magic, blue dominates the type with over 500 Wizards in their ranks. Green brings up the rear in terms of sorcerous sundries with only 32 Wizard creatures. But all colors feature at least 30 Wizards, so it's a creature type that you're sure to run into when playing Commander – but what are the best Wizard cards for the format? Grab your floppy pointed hats, a wand, a staff, a spellbook, or whatever talisman you need to help hone your spellcasting abilities, and let's explore the finest Wizard cards for Commander. Honorable Mentions Voidmage Prodigy A revelatory card upon release, as well as Magic Hall of Famer Kai Budde's Invitational card, this Wizard lord turns all of your Wizards into walking Counterspells (the capitalization is merited, as the activation cost for the ability is double blue. While the game has seemingly passed this card by, as a player who came of age during the release of Onslaught, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't at least mention this mighty morphing powerhouse Wizard. Arcanis the Omnipotent Speaking of Onslaught and powerful Wizards, how does Omnipotence sound? No, not the one you're thinking of. This legendary Wizard from Onslaught has a pretty bad rate (five mana for a 3/4 with no evasion), but the bonus is that you can tap it whenever you want to Ancestral Recall yourself. Again, the power level of this card is not ultra-high, but it did retain its rarity upon being reprinted in 2024's Foundations, and it also makes for a great reanimation target for the first card on our list proper. Top 20 Wizards for Commander 20. Bloodline Necromancer While the majority of this list will feature blue creatures, we'll kick things off with a premier black Wizard. Combining the black element of reanimation with the wizarding element of necromancy, this Vampire Wizard made its debut in the Commander 2017 release. While five mana is fairly steep for a mere 2/2 flyer, it's this creature's triggered ability that really sings, especially when paired with cards that duplicate triggered abilities such as Panharmonicon. Simply gently place a threatening, mana-intensive Wizard or Vamp in your graveyard, then play this nifty little Wiz to get it back – no questions asked. Pairs well with beefy Wizard lords such as Cyclone Summoner and Galecaster Colossus. 19. Talrand, Sky Summoner This legendary Merfolk Wizard hails from the core set Magic 2013, and it has long been a favorite for spellslinging Commander decks. While this card has become a bit obsolete – cards are far stronger now than they were in 2012 when this card debuted – the rate of producing a 2/2 flying Drake token for every instant or sorcery spell you play is still a nifty payoff for Wizard decks. Talrand really shines when paired with cards that double (or even triple) your token generation, as well as cards that double up your triggered abilities, of which Wizard decks can happily apply multiples of. Still, this is an iconic card that can still be an important cog in spellslinger Commander deck archetypes. Also, this card simply has a great name, and "Sky Summoner" is an objectively cool title. It also happens to accurately describe this fishy fellow's creature-generating ability. When form meets function, one can't help but smile. 18. Niv-Mizzet, Parun There have been a total of seven Niv-Mizzet iterations over the years, with four them being Izzet-colored and the other three costing WUBRG (all five colors). This version of Ravnica's legendary Dragon Wizard hails from 2018's Guilds of Ravnica. This card is a Commander classic, as it lets you draw a card whenever any player – not just you – plays an instant or sorcery. This should activate quite frequently for you if you're the owner of this card, and this beefy Parun makes for an excellent option as your Izzet commander. Beyond that, multiple different variants of Niv-Mizzet go infinite with one another as well as with Curiosity-style effects that draw you cards upon damaging foes. 17. Docent of Perfection / Final Iteration The only true typal "lord" found here is this five-mana transforming Insect Horror from Eldritch Moon. While the front side of this card is certainly spicy for spellslinger Wizard deck variants, it's actually the card's backside (Final Iteration) that delivers a truly impressive boost to power and toughness for your myriad Wizards on the battlefield, including the ones that are produced whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell. Beyond the Docent's sheer power, this is a singularly flavorful card that directly references – and even features – a renowned card from a prior related set. Delver of Secrets remains a favorite archetype in the high-powered Legacy format, and its flipside, Insectile Aberration, is shown here as the upgraded Docent, and then, ultimately, the Final Iteration, completing the Delver's transformation from devious Wizard to all-consuming Insect god. 16. Step Through While not a Wizard creature, this five-mana sorcery features a spicy little activated ability that is perfectly suited to Wizard-focused Commander decks. Sometimes, there's a specific Wizard you're looking for, and you simply haven't been able to find it through the various card-drawing mechanisms you have in place throughout your well-brewed Wizard deck. Enter Step Through's wizardcycling ability. Pitching this card from your hand and paying two mana to nab any Wizard you want from your library is tremendous utility, and keeping this card in hand for special occasions can sometimes spell the difference between utter defeat and clean victory. Furthermore, it also works as an emergency double bounce spell as a last resort, but you'd definitely prefer to use it as a two-mana tutor spell. 15. Goblin Electromancer A staple Goblin Wizard in Wizard decks and spells-matter decks of all stripes is this Izzet card that originally released in 2012 as part of the Return to Ravnica set. While it might not be the most overpowered card in the history of Magic, the ability to simply lower the cost of all of your instant and sorcery spells by one colorless mana is often enough to transform Wizard decks from plodding, finicky piles to well-oiled machines. Wizard decks are often focused on reaching a critical mass of spellcasting, and even if they're not, the ability to lower the cost of counterspells, bounce spells, or other more control-oriented plays makes this two-mana Wizard a jack-of-all-trades that fits neatly into almost any deck that features its colors. 14. Flame of Anor Introduced in Universes Beyond: The Lord of the Rings from 2023, this card represents one of Gandalf's finest moments: his defeat of the Balrog after the Fellowship traipsed through the Mines of Moria. Seeing as Gandalf is among the most powerful and iconic Wizards throughout pop culture history, it's no surprise to see one of his signature moments captured with a terrific Magic instant. Of course, Gandalf being the adept Wizard that he is, this card's modality is more effective when you control a Wizard as you cast it; instead of choosing one of three options, you get to choose two of three options – a supreme upgrade, especially when one of the options is drawing two cards. The most used modes chosen in Commander are likely to be drawing two cards and dealing five damage to target creature, though the artifact destruction is also a nifty option if one of your opponents has a particularly annoying trinket on the board. 13. Balmor, Battlemage Captain Wizard decks have gotten many boosts over the years, especially ones that specialize in casting instant or sorceries. Cards with prowess, or cards that provide +1/+1 counters whenever you cast an instant or sorcery are perfect fits within a "spells matter" Wizard shell. One card that was first printed in 2022's Dominaria United that perfectly fits into this theme is Balmor, Battlemage Captain. This Izzet Bird Wizard gives all of your creatures trample and a +1/+0 boost whenever you cast an instant or sorcery. The trample addition is key here, as simply boosting power and toughness is often not enough for a gang of Wizards to get over the finish line – unless they have flying, of course. Balmor also serves as a terrific budget option as a Wizard deck commander, as it's only an uncommon and was also reprinted in Foundations. 12. Wizards of Thay An intriguing and highly synergistic Human Wizard, Wizards of Thay hails from the Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate set, which unveiled the entire team that was featured in the award-winning RPG from Larian Studios, Baldur's Gate 3, alongside this 3/3 Wizard with the quite rare myriad keyword (only 32 cards in Magic's history feature this ability). Debuting in Commander 2015 on the card Broodbirth Viper, this ability allows the creature that hosts the ability to duplicate itself and attack each other player in your Commander pod. With Wizards of Thay, this is especially useful, as that means it can lower the cost of your instant and sorcery spells by a whopping four colorless mana. Oh, and this card also allows sorcery spells to be cast at instant-speed. As such, combat can truly become a nightmare for foes to deal with when you're swinging away with Wizards of Thay. 11. Archmage Emeritus This card originally released in Strixhaven: School of Mages from 2021, and it features the magecraft ability. Unlike many other Wizard cards, magecraft allows players to benefit from not only casting spells, but also from copying them. This is a notable bonus, as other Wizards on this list as well as a bevy of spells can copy your instants and sorceries with ease. Being able to draw cards upon playing or copying your spells is big game, as Wizard decks always want to have several answers in hand lest their foes aim to quash their well-laid plans. Recently reprinted in Outlaws of Thunder Junction Commander, this card is gearing up to be a Commander staple, as its average price point above $4 across all printings indicates. 10. Ertai Resurrected Ertai has been a notable part of Magic lore for decades, and his name is featured on a total of seven cards, including three distinct cards of the man himself. While the original Ertai card, Ertai, Wizard Adept from Exodus, is somewhat underpowered by today's standards and his follow-up card, Ertai, the Corrupted from Planeshift is only a niche Commander option, it's 2022's Ertai Resurrected from Dominaria United that truly shines across multiple formats. While a 3/2 for four mana isn't great, the ability to counter a wide range of effects (spells, activated abilities and triggered abilities) or destroy a creature or planeswalker when Ertai enters makes this card an amazing Swiss Army knife that can answer a number of "kill-on-sight" threats, often in a surprising way, as the fact that this card counters triggered abilities can really stymy a foe's game plan in unexpected ways. 9. Thassa's Oracle While Laboratory Maniac is also a Wizard, it's this two-mana Merfolk Wizard that deserves a spot on this list. Sure, the abilities are similar, but Thassa's Oracle allows you to have at least a few cards in your library for its instant-win scenario, whereas the Maniac leaves you completely denuded of anything in your library. Beyond that, if your board is littered with a lot of blue pips after playing cards such as Future Sight, Arcanis the Omnipotent, Azami, Lady of Scrolls or any other cards with blue in their casting cost – which, if you're playing Wizards, will likely be most of them – then the ability to win the game on the spot becomes even easier, making this tricky little Merfolk an unassuming yet powerhouse threat for Wizards. 8. Basalt Ravager This fun finisher hails from the Kaldheim set, which introduced a number of Giant typal synergies. Of course, this Ravager just happens to be a Giant Wizard, so this card's ability can also be used to brilliant effect in Wizard decks that want to stack the board with Wizard tokens or other inexpensive Wizard cards. The real fun of this card is if you can duplicate the ability with cards such as Naban, Dean of Iteration, Harmonic Prodigy, or Strionic Resonator (or, if you really want to get crazy, all three). Being able to blast any target – likely an opponent – for, let's say, eight damage three or four times will almost certainly be enough to finish them off. This card is a ravager, indeed. 7. Riptide Laboratory Another way to re-trigger some of your Wizards' best abilities is with this nifty little utility land. Originally releasing amidst the typal cornucopia of 2002's Onslaught, this nonbasic allows you to tap it and pay one colorless and one blue mana to return any one of your Wizards to your hand. Of course, this can be used to save that creature from removal, or to simply ambush your foes with the various strong ETB effects that Wizard cards are home to. For example, return your Ertai Resurrected to your hand for future countering abilities. Or bring back your Basalt Ravager to dome your foe for big damage based on the number of Wizards you have. Or return your Bloodline Necromancer to your hand to reanimate another big-time threat from your graveyard. The possibilities are nearly endless, so toss this land in your next Wizard-based Commander deck and don't look back. 6. Adeliz, the Cinder Wind With an ability similar to Balmor, Adeliz is actually the slightly stronger option, though she lacks the beneficial trample keyword, and she is only limited to boosting Wizards – not all creatures. Still though, in a Wizards typal deck, that should be pretty much all your creatures anyway, so that limitation shouldn't adversely affect the impact this uncommon Izzet legendary from the Dominaria set has on the game. This card having haste makes it quite the potent threat, as you can throw it down and then immediately attack. Then, next turn, the fun can really begin. Whether you have a deck full of powerhouse red combat tricks or other fun shenanigans, all of your Wizards going forward will get a +1/+1 boost whenever you play an instant or sorcery. Combine that with cost-reducing cards like Wizards of Thay or Goblin Electromancer, and you've got the makings of an unstoppable freight train that your opponents better act quickly to stop or they'll be toast. 5. Dualcaster Mage This fun three-mana Human Wizard debuted in the Commander 2014 set and is a notable piece of tech for spellslinger decks, especially those that employ a critical mass of Wizards. This card is notable for being able to go infinite in a variety of ways, like with Twinflame, Molten Duplication and even Saw in Half from the "Un-set" Unfinity. This card pairs beautifully with Archmage Emeritus, as you're able to draw a card on the casting as well as on the copying of the spell you choose to duplicate. It can also put you far ahead on board when paired with another notable legendary Wizard… 4. Naban, Dean of Iteration One of the best ways to maximize the plethora of ETB triggers that Wizard cards employ is via this legendary Human Wizard from 2018's Dominaria set. Being able to double up any abilities that pop upon your Wizards entering the battlefield is surely going to be a massive swing in favor within your well-crafted Wizards deck. Do note that this ability includes cards' abilities that are already on the battlefield (such as Docent of Perfection's or Talrand, Sky Summoner's) as well as cards with the actual ETB effect (such as Basalt Ravager or Ertai Resurrected). 3. Azami, Lady of Scrolls Originally printed in 2004's Champions of Kamigawa set, this legendary Human Wizard features an amazing activated ability: Simply tap an untapped Wizard you control to draw a card… that's it! This is a brilliant effect, as Wizards often care about drawing a card or feature cards that are able to go infinite via card-drawing combos (looking at you, Niv-Mizzet). Certainly, Azami can go infinite with multiple different cards, such as past fabled combo-enablers like Mind Over Matter and Intruder Alarm, but perhaps Azami's best infinite combo partner is The Locust God from 2017's Hour of Devastation– as you can get infinite card draw, infinite draw triggers and other sweet payoffs in combination with a number of cards that play with creature types. 2. Inalla, Archmage Ritualist Perhaps the best option to choose as your Wizard commander is this legendary Grixis Human Wizard that was originally released in the Commander 2017 set. Featuring the eminently rare eminence ability (see what I did there?), this Wizard allows you to duplicate any nontoken Wizard that enters the battlefield under your control by paying one colorless mana, though those tokens are exiled at end of turn. However, with the right combinations of cards – such as cards with impactful ETB triggers – Inalla can be a nightmare matchup. As a commander, Inalla is a top-flight choice for Wizard decks as she opens up the best options in that creature type's most populous colors: blue, black, and red. Of course, while her eminence ability is the eyebrow-raiser, her other ability is the one that can end games quickly with some spicy combos, as tapping five untapped Wizards to force the target player to lose seven life is pretty trivial in the right circumstances. 1. Harmonic Prodigy Many of the cards on this list feature game-breaking triggered abilities or stupendously powerful ETB abilities and others, like Naban, Dean of Iteration, can double up those triggers so long as they're ETB abilities. What if there was a two-mana Wizard that could double up any triggered ability, whether they be ETBs or static ones? You'd get Harmonic Prodigy. This card pulls double duty as an amazing enabler for both Wizard and Shaman typal strategies, but in a Wizard-focused deck, Harmonic Prodigy is the engine that makes your entire deck hum. Want to draw another card via Archmage Emeritus? Sure thing. How about doubling up tokens created by Docent of Perfection, Talrand or Inalla? You got it. Doubling up the power and toughness boost Wizards receive from Adeliz? Harmonic Prodigy's got you. This card's supreme utility and power cannot be overstated, and to top it all off, it's got prowess, so it gets a +1/+1 power and toughness boost (actually +2/+2 because it's a triggered ability) whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell. An amazing creature from Modern Horizons 2, and definitely the best Wizard card for Commander ever printed. Wizards For the Win Perhaps it's because the Wizard creature type shares a name with the parent company that's been responsible for Magic: The Gathering since its founding in 1993, Wizards of the Coast. Or perhaps it's simply that fans of the fantasy genre enjoy a character who can employ magic to succeed. Either way, Wizards will remain a popular and important part of Magic forever, and I hope you enjoyed reading about the best studious spellslingers in Commander. The post Magic: The Gathering – 20 Best Wizard Cards for Commander appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 10:38 AM Review: Tomb Raider IV-V-VI Remastered       The second Tomb Raider trilogy and the third entry in Saber's grand Tomb Raider and Soul Reaver restoration effort is now out. It's time to find out if the developers treated this divisive batch of Tomb Raider games well enough to see them soar to never-before-seen heights. In my review of the I-III trilogy, I discussed the great, the good, and the lackluster about the remasters — which was very little, it turned out. I could afford to do that as the three games were very similar. This time, however, I'm covering the base elements that carried over from the previous remaster trilogy, then doing a necessarily separate look into each of these three distinct titles. Tomb Raider IV-V-VI Remastered review (PC [Reviewed]) Developer: Saber, Aspyr, Crystal Dynamics Publisher: Aspyr Released: February 14, 2025 MSRP: $29.99 Saber's remaster standard The original remaster trilogy set the gold standard for what a modern remaster should achieve. Everything looks better courtesy of new models, beautiful new high-res textures, and improved lighting. Don't like the cool new graphics? No problem, as a toggle allows players to go through the entirety of the games looking like they did upon release. The games also benefitted from allowing players to enjoy the game through the original control settings, or via a revamped modern control scheme and a bunch of quality-of-life improvements such as indicators of interactable objects. Most of these improvements carry over to the second remaster trilogy, with some exceptions in the third game. Now let's look at what makes each of the new remasters interesting. Tomb Raider Chronicles Remastered Though I'm going over Chronicles first, I must remind you that this is actually the middle entry in the second trilogy — Tomb Raider 5, if you will. I'm doing that not to keep up with the disjointed spirit of the trilogy but because it makes sense. Chronicles is a rather simple game, and the one closest to the original trilogy in terms of structure. Chronicles was born out of Core Design's necessity to release one Tomb Raider entry each year. 5 years in, you can see how tired everyone was. The result is not a cohesive narrative but a collage of four different gameplay and story segments glued together via the thinnest plot thread imaginable. Chronicles' original release felt like a B-side collection that Eidos sold as a new album. Two of the four parts play like middle-of-the-road Tomb Raider adventures. The first one, Rome, is easily the blandest of the bunch — the first bizarre choice for a game with no narrative obligations. The second one takes place in Russia and features some pretty decent claustrophobia-inducing action as Lara ventures into a doomed war submarine. The two final segments, however, are where the little magic Chronicles has to offer lies. The third one has you play as a young version of Lara, one who's yet to be allowed to use her famous dual pistols — or any sort of weapon, for that matter. This forces players to engage the game in a completely different way, and, even though something's missing — not just the guns, some more mechanics to make things more interesting, perhaps — it remains a valiant effort in tinkering with the formula. The final segment is easily the most memorable one. It has Lara breaking into a high-tech complex and using primitive stealth to steal an artifact from her mentor. You feel the Metal Gear Solid influence, and it has players using cool tech gadgets to mess with the enemy's advanced security system. It absolutely doesn't play as well as MGS — or even as well as the best regular Tomb Raider levels — but it is the most entertainingly daring deviation from the formula inside the two original trilogies. Image via Aspyr Naturally, it also oozes the most try-hard Nu-metal "cool" you can only find on an original release from the early '00s. Chronicles wasn't a great game at the time of release, and likely won't gain any new fans just because it now features the quality-of-life improvements Saber had previously put in the original trilogy. Now, regarding the visual remaster work itself, Saber either did an even better job than it previously had or did the same job but wielded even better results as the 5th game's slightly superior tech allowed for it. I believe the latter is the case, and I intend to prove it in my next segment through screenshots that I believe will absolutely blow your mind. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation Tomb Raider 4 was the first one to attempt a bigger deviation from the norm, and the one that got better results out of it. Aside from a short tutorial set in Cambodia, The Last Revelation takes place entirely in Egypt. This is by far the largest game in the series, so the solo setting could end up wearing out its welcome quickly – but that doesn't happen courtesy of varied environments coupled with some pretty original challenges. TLR features some of the best temples, traps, puzzles, and overall locations in the entire series. It's also the first game to make each level less of an episodic thing by having most of the game be a huge hub area. That decision worked to make the game's scope feel even larger, though the hub lacks the beautiful interconnectedness we would later see in Dark Souls, which might make the big picture feel emptier and more disjointed than it should be — like Dark Souls 2. Still, while this trilogy is weaker than the original one, I'll die on a hill defending that The Last Revelation is better than Tomb Raider 3 — In fact, make it a pyramid. Screenshot via Destructoid Screenshot via Destructoid Even though this is definitely an inferior set of games, this trilogy looks even better than the previous one. On top of the field-of-view upgrade over the original, the remaster offers a much-improved skybox and that does a lot for this game, especially. The sky in the first remastered trilogy looked heaps better than the one on the original games — like, the OG Tomb Raider release didn't even feature a sky box — but The Last Revelation will hit you with one of the most beautiful skyboxes I've ever seen in a game. It's a thing of beauty that not even the best screenshot will do justice to, since what truly sets them apart is the movement. Those factors add up to allow TLR to pull off scope incredibly well: Screenshot via Destructoid That's the Great Pyramid level, both still the greatest achievement in the series scope-wise, and the most interestingly daunting level in the game. Staying true to TLR's theme of playing with the formula, the Great Pyramid does away with any key-finding or block-moving mechanics. It just wants players to jump their way near the top. The problem? players will have to carefully analyze every block they decide to jump to, as picking the wrong one will cause them to fall all the way to the beginning, or their deaths — also, there are traps. The Great Pyramid level was impressive back in 1999 and is somehow even more impressive nowadays — not enough games enjoy this type of scope these days. The callous inventiveness of this level would likely make even the maddest Pharaoh from the sleaziest Egyptsploitation movie feel so seen. Image via Aspyr With all that, it should come as no surprise that TLR proves the perfect match for the remaster's photo mode. Screenshot via Destructoid And that's where things take a tumble. Tomb Raider: The Angel Of Darkness In the weeks leading up to this release, I wrote a piece called "How do you even remaster Angel Of Darkness?". Long story short, it's about my skepticism towards the concept of fixing a house with no walls via one single beautiful coat of paint. A game can suffer from various types of problems, and AOD's original release is a perfect collection of all the problems other games have ever suffered from. An extremely tense development cycle resulted in missing elements, new elements that didn't work, and neglect toward the series' staple elements that prevented them from keeping up with the times. The remaster does a brave job of restoring a lot of cut content. Some of it is useful; some of it is nice to see. It also does a commendable job of making the original control scheme somehow work better than the modern one. Still, the game remains too clunky for its platforming, gunplay, and melee action to feel anything other than highly frustrating. Missing a difficult jump is something that can occur in a Tomb Raider game. AOD's clunky controls, however, combined with the game's still-awful camera and level design, leave Lara looking like an untrained clown forced to perform acrobatics in a professional circus. Image via Aspyr On the visual side, this remaster is surprisingly weak. Though AOD is the only game in the two trilogies made for the then-superior PS2 hardware, it ends up being the worst-looking out of all the remasters. Dare to guess which of the screens below shows the "Original" visual mode and which shows the "Remastered" mode? Image via Aspyr Image via Aspyr Don't fret it. Even I know the answer only because I know which filenames I gave each screenshot. By looking at Lara's model from the front, it's easy to spot which is which. If you're looking at her while you normally would during gameplay, it'll be a guessing game as the remaster seems to do some upgrades, but also some downgrades. AOD's control scheme is also more complex, so it got me to sometimes accidentally toggle between the old and new graphics modes without noticing. Overall, though it features some serious improvements over gameplay that will feel great for fans, the AOD remaster falls short of anything meaningful enough to allow this game to keep up with the times. Anyone trying to play AOD for the first time via the remaster will likely go through as much pain as we all did back in '03, and I believe preventing that was the bar this remaster really needed to clear. Unfortunately, The Angel Of Darkness remains a poor experience overall, though this is definitely the best way to play it so far. If you're a true fan of the series and you're just looking for a more playable version of this game, I'd recommend this. If not, however, then maybe skip on this remaster. All in all, I don't blame the developers for AOD's shortcomings. This one was just too broken to ever fix. I find the other two remasters more than enough to justify the trilogy's asking price if you are a fan. If you aren't, then you're better off getting into the series via the first trilogy, or by giving the 2013 reboot a shot. The post Review: Tomb Raider IV-V-VI Remastered appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 10:27 AM How to become a Forensic Scientist in BitLife       BitLife has hundreds of jobs you can pursue depending on your character's work experience and education. While some careers require no previous experience or formal schooling, others, like forensic scientists, are more in-depth. Fortunately, you can land this job quickly if you know which university program to study. How to become a Forensic Scientist in BitLife Becoming a forensic scientist in BitLife requires a university degree in Criminal Justice. Although other science-related degrees like biology and chemistry also work, Criminal Justice is a surefire way to find a forensic scientist within the first year or two of completing your character's post-secondary schooling. Once you graduate from university, search through your job list until you find jobs like "Crime Scene Analyst" and "Crime Scene Technician." Screenshot by Destructoid You'll quickly notice that there's no position in the job list called "Forensic Scientist." However, when you tap on Crime Scene Analyst, Crime Scene Technician, and other related titles, you'll find Forensic Scientist as the career type rather than the job title. As long as the position you're applying for has Forensic Scientist as its career, you can pick any you meet the requirements for. What if your character graduated from university with biology or chemistry? Although you can still land a forensic scientist role with these, you'd likely have to reset your BitLife app a few times or age up, as biology and chemistry tend to give you jobs like Environmental Scientist, Biotechnologist, or various engineering careers. You still have solid odds of finding a forensic scientist position, but the Criminal Justice degree tends to show it more often. Once you become a Forensic Scientist in BitLife, you can work towards achievements like Jack of All Trades or complete weekly challenges like Cunning Cougar. The job itself doesn't pay a ton at first, but with a few raises and a promotion or two, you can turn this into a lifelong career in no time. The post How to become a Forensic Scientist in BitLife appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 9:47 AM Avowed: Best Fighter Build       Ready to dash out some serious punishment? Then you want to consider the Fighter class in Avowed. But if you want to ensure that you do not waste skill points on abilities that you don't need, you must make sure that you have the best build. Here's our guide to creating the best Fighter build in Avowed. Best Attributes for a Fighter At the start of the game, you get 10 points to distribute on your attributes, with three points being the maximum. An ideal Fighter needs to invest right from the get-go into both Constitution and Might. Those two attributes will help you withstand a good amount of punishment, and offer higher than average HP. Image via Destructoid Might also allows you to carry more items and dish out more damage. After you invest a few points in them, leave some points for both Resolve and Dexterity. The first is great to keep up your Stamina, so along with dealing damage you can keep attacking without having to pause every few seconds. Finally, with high Dexterity, you can be sure that you are agile enough and not just a useless tank. Best skills for the Fighter build When you're just starting out, make sure you acquire useful skills for your Fighter. First off, we recommend Constant Recovery as that will help you live longer by recovering 50% of your health. Toughness will also give you a much-needed boost to your health points, so get on that as soon as possible. Charge is also a good skill to invest just one point into. This skill will allow you to dash toward enemies and give you time to land a few extra hits. Also, even if you're not planning to make a hybrid of Fighter with other classes, don't be afraid to pick skills outside of the Fighter class. Experimenting is key to building up a balanced character in Avowed, so don't get too comfortable in your niche. Here is a breakdown of all the Fighter' skills. Skill description Level required Tips Charge 1 Low priority (can invest one point) Constant Recovery 1 High priority Toughness 1 High priority Armored Grace 1 Useful if you plan to wear medium/heavy armor soon Shield Bash 1 Low priority Iron Fists 5 Low priority Barbaric Shout 5 Low priority Bleeding Cuts 5 High priority Brawn 5 Low priority Devastating Criticals 5 High priority Power Jump 10 Low priority Stunning Blows 10 Low priority (unless you are wielding two-handed weapons) Unbreakable 10 Low priority Built To Destroy 10 High priority Into The Fray 15 Low priority Reflect 15 Low priority Retribution 15 High priority Inspiring Triumph 20 Low priority Clear Out 20 High priority If you want your Fighter to be a classic sword and shield kind, then investing in skills such as Shield Bash and Unbreakable is definitely required. The first will give you a new attack while you are defending, while the second skill will decrease the amount of Stamina used while protecting yourself. Image via Destructoid Built to Destroy, on the other hand, is an all-around useful skill, giving you back some health whenever you destroy things, along with empowering your melee attacks to destroy entire walls. Pretty impressive. As for the final skills, Inspiring Triumph might be useful if you rely on your companions a lot, but we know Fighters like to dive headfirst into combat, so we recommend instead prioritizing Clear Out and its whirlwind special attack that will get rid of most enemies. Best skills for a battle mage (fighter wizard) If you want to build up your Fighter to be also able to use magic, then invest some points into Intellect early on. Then, grabbing the Magic Missile skill right at the start will also make sure that you have one spell to use right from the beginning. Image via Destructoid Here are some other skills if you want to build a Fighter Wizard: Magic Missile (Level 1) Wand Mastery (Level 5) Blast / Bounce (Level 10) Clearly, if you decide to go for a Fighter, you must accept the limitations of the class and the fact that they will never be as skilled in magic as a pure Wizard. So, by keeping your overall magic use as an alternate weapon, investing in single spells, such as Blizzard or Fireball, is not recommended as your Fighter will never have enough magic points for that. Instead, choose some of the more generic magic skill attacks, such as Wand Mastery. That is if you are planning to use a wand along with your other classic melee weapons. The combo of Blast and Bounce could also be useful, but overall there are not a lot of skills that we would recommend investing in if you want to become a battle mage. Best skills for a Fighter ranger Want your Fighter to be quick on their feet and good at using a bow or a gun? Great, but let's start by ignoring Tangleroot right at the start, and instead go for both Survivalist, which boosts health-restoring powers; and Parry, which will help even if you aren't planning to use a ranged weapon. Survivalist is not worth investing any more than a single point in, but if you enjoy getting up close and personal with enemies, Parry is worth raising to two or even three points. Here are some useful Ranger skills for your fighter: Parry (Level 1) Survivalist (Level 1) Arrow Deflection (Level 10) Critical Strike (Level 15) Flurry of Blows (Level 20) Overall, invest a few points in Parry when you have the chance, but, unless you are planning to use a bow or a gun, then you can leave most of the Ranger skills alone until Level 10. For example, Marksmanship is a good one if you want to use a bow or a gun. Image via Destructoid Once you reach level 10, you can add Arrow Deflection to Parry, making for some great defense for your Fighter. Finally, you can increase the damage of your critical strikes once you reach level 15, which is great for your Fighter. Bear Ally is fun, but probably better left alone unless you want to try it out. Finally, for the final two skills at level 20, we would recommend mostly Flurry of Blows which works great, especially if your Fighter is quite tanky. Staggering Shot is, again, recommended only if you built up your fighter to switch on the fly to bows and guns. The post Avowed: Best Fighter Build appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 9:46 AM When does Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2: Lawless start? Release date, downtime & more       Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2, titled Lawless, is set to release on February 21, 2025, at 2 AM ET (7 AM UTC / 11 PM PT on February 20). This aligns with the Season 1 Battle Pass end time, as shown on the in-game Battle Pass page, which suggests that downtime will likely begin at 2 AM ET as Epic Games prepares the update. Based on previous Fortnite updates, the downtime is expected to last up to five hours, meaning Chapter 6 Season 2 should be fully available by 7 AM ET (12 PM UTC / 4 AM PT). Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 update could be available during downtime Epic Games typically doesn't allow preloading for Fortnite updates, but players eager for the Lawless season can keep their consoles on or the Epic Games launcher open to auto-download as soon as it's available. The update usually becomes downloadable while servers are still offline, so even if you install it immediately, you'll still have to wait until Epic completes maintenance before jumping in. If Epic Games detects issues while deploying the update, it may delay the release by a few hours to apply a fix. To stay updated on potential delays, follow @FortniteStatus on X, where Epic regularly posts real-time maintenance updates and server status reports. How to prepare for Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 update Check your storage space: New Fornite seasons can come with large updates ranging from 8GB to 15GB, depending on your system. Make sure you have enough free storage on your device to download it. Claim your Chapter 6, Season 1 rewards if you haven't yet. Leave auto-updates on: To jump in early, make sure your device is turned on and able to automatically download updates during server downtime. What content to expect from Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 New skins https://twitter.com/Fortnite/status/1890476200193118367 Epic has teased new skins for Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2, including Mortal Kombat's Sub-Zero, Outlaw Midas, and Big Dill, a giant criminal pickle. While Epic hasn't confirmed how they'll be available, early teasers like these typically indicate Battle Pass additions. New map teaser As for the Chapter 6 Season 2 map, Epic shared a sneak peek on X, hinting at a new POI called Crime City, featuring burning trash cans, a vandalized hotel, and 'wanted' posters for Big Dill and Midas. This remains the only official map teaser so far. https://twitter.com/Fortnite/status/1889691128221372868 The post When does Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2: Lawless start? Release date, downtime & more appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 9:20 AM How to unlock Heroes in Warriors: Abyss       Warriors: Abyss has 100 heroes to obtain and use in the game, but most of them will be locked when you begin your journey. 21 heroes are available by default when you start the game. While these characters are pretty powerful for beginners, there are better ones to unlock for the future. Every hero offers unique abilities and buffs, and they can be unlocked by earning in-game resources. How to get all characters in Warriors: Abyss To start the process, you'll have to play with one of the 21 characters available. However, you'll notice a section called Hall of Bonded Souls. It's impossible to miss as the tutorial will also describe it to you. You'll be able to unlock and add new heroes from this section and use them on your quests. You'll need a currency called Karma Embers. You can earn this currency whenever you complete a run, and the number will vary based on difficulty. You'll also earn this currency by unlocking different chests during the runs. Image via Destructoid Once you've obtained Karma Embers, you'll be able to unlock the heroes and then use them during a run. Some, like Daqiao, are really cheap to unlock, as you'll need between 100-200 Karma Embers. Others, like Nobunaga Oda, are towards the higher end and cost 4000 Karma Embers or more. Of course, any hero, once unlocked, will remain available for all runs. Once you have enough Karma Embers, you'll be able to "Form Bond" to unlock the character. Unlocking all the available characters will take time, but you should focus on some of the more meta ones for starters. They will help you go deeper on your runs and obtain more rewards. Make sure to check out our guide on the tier list for all starter heroes. Here's a guide if you're looking for a summary of all the unlockable characters and how much they cost to unlock. The post How to unlock Heroes in Warriors: Abyss appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 8:49 AM How to set up party camp in Avowed       We all know that getting some rest is the most important thing in life, but it's similar in games. So if you're looking to store your items and chat with your party members, let's learn how to set up a party camp in Avowed. How to set up a party camp in Avowed As you start exploring each region in Avowed, you will find several places where you can set up a party camp. You can do this around what the game refers to as Adra Waystones. These are big green rocks that give off a purplish haze (sorry Jimi Hendrix). Once you interact with them, you can set up a camp and they will stay on the map as little tent icons you can quickly refer to. This is a 100% safe zone, meaning that enemies cannot approach you and you will be able to recover back to full health once you rest. Image via Destructoid Along with being your place of rest, they also work as fast travel points, so you can get around the region much faster. Once you finish at the camp, you can exit and go back to where you were before fast traveling or simply leave the camp. But what can you do at a party camp in Avowed? What to do at a party camp in Avowed Along with acting as fast travel points, party camps are a useful mechanic in the game. They allow you to perform several things that you can't do anywhere else. Here's what you can do at a camp: Rest: this is an obvious one, just choose to rest and you will spend the night at the camp and wake up with your health fully restored. Speak with your companions: you can walk around and check if your companions have a bubble above their heads. You can also check out the notification in the lower left of your screen. When that happens, you can interact with them and initiate or progress a little romance subplot with them. At some point in your relationship with them, you will be also offered training so you can level up some of your stat points. Enchant your items: by using specific resources and elements, you can enchant some specific items or, also, upgrade the magic properties of some unique ones. Upgrade your equipment: as above, by using the workbench, along with some specific resources, you can improve your armor and weapons. Store items: by using the party stash, you can put away items that you do not plan to use at the moment. This helps to avoid becoming encumbered during the game, and you can send items to the party stash at any time during the game. Change outfits: by using the main tent at the camp, you can change the outfits for your main characters, so they can look their best. Using the Totem shrine: you can access and change Totems and fragments that give your party powerful effects, though only one can be active at a time. Image via Destructoid When you are ready to get back to your adventuring, simply choose to rest and you will leave the camp. The post How to set up party camp in Avowed appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 8:39 AM Wanna See Me? Here's Fortnite's rare emote returning after almost 3 years       Fortnite has re-released the rare ICON Series emote "Wanna See Me" in the Shop starting February 17, 2025, for 500 V-Bucks, but it will only be available until February 20 at 6 PM CT. According to Fortnite Wiki, Wanna See Me last appeared in the shop on August 16, 2022, making this its first return in 916 days. The emote makes the character dance smoothly and playfully to "Whole Lotta Choppas" by Sada Baby. Curious to see how Wanna See Me looks in action? Check out the in-game animation in the video below. Video by Destructoid Wanna See Me is returning along with other highly requested ICON Series emotes such as Rollie, Evil Plan, and Chicken Wing It, which are all parts of different collaborations between Epic Games and artists. Fortnite's ICON Series emotes, especially those tied to music artists, tend to have limited availability due to licensing agreements. These deals often prevent Epic Games from re-releasing emotes unless they renegotiate with the original partners. This is why some emotes, like Wanna See Me, return after years of absence, while others remain missing for even longer. While Wanna See Me has become rare after this long wait of two and a half years, some players on social media were surprisingly unexcited about its return, but mostly because they'd rather see other emotes like Mine and Line Dancin'. https://twitter.com/tabirain14/status/1891276957477752988 https://twitter.com/imissgerardasf/status/1891278262401159649 Other ICON Series emotes even rarer than Wanna See Me include Head Banger from the Travis Scott set, last seen over 1,700 days ago (almost five years), and Lazer Blast, a Major Lazer dance last seen 1,345 days ago (almost four years). Whether these emotes will ever return to Fortnite remains unclear. The post Wanna See Me? Here's Fortnite's rare emote returning after almost 3 years appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 8:12 AM All accessories in Avowed and how to Find hem       Avowed offers a host of different accessories for you to collect, and they offer a range of unique effects when equipped. At any given time, you can equip up to three of them. There's one slot for amulets or trinkets and two for rings. To use them, you'll have to find the accessories first. Usually, the locations are easy to access once you know which quest to look into. All Amulets and Trinkets locations in Avowed Amulet/Trinket How to obtain Effects Halma's Fancy Can be obtained from a trader at Thirdborn in Shatterscarp for 2,250 currency. +2 to Perception Painter's Brush You'll have to get the Painter's Regret treasure map, which can be obtained while exploring the lands. The trinket is located in a golden chest. +5% to Critical Chance Umpara's Promise Go to the Sand Sea Ruins, and you'll find a shipwreck at the very edge of the map. The Amulet can be found right beside a potion at this location. Nullifies all forms of physical damage from traps Statuette of Lament Go to the Southern Side of Emerald Stairs near Fior Mes Inverno docks. Go to the left of the docks, and you'll find a small stretch of land with the trinket on it. +100% to time you can stay underwater Garland of Wildgroves Western Ruins of The Delemgan Glade. Like the Painter's Brush, you'll find a golden chest in the Delemgan Queen area. +30% increased resistance to Poison Accumulation. Gilded Skull Go to the west of Fior Mes Iverno, where you'll find the trinket location to the southwest of the Ranger's Outpost. +15% cooldown reduction to Second Wind Berath's Blessed Ward Complete the Elder Offering quest by completing Rossana's Wish. To do so, put food on all three graves. +4% reduction in damage taken from vessels Kithwarder Finish all five bounties in the Dawnshore region, and claim the rewards from the person standing by the bounty board. Reduced damage from Kith enemies, but increased damage from all other enemy types White Key Cameo This amulet can be found at Claviger Eadmund's estate in Northern Paradis. Take the stairs, and you'll come across a door that leads outside to a ladder. Take the ladder to reach upstairs to get the golden chest. Restore your health by 50% when you revive your companion Torc of the Warrior King This item is located in the northeast of Tama's Cabin in Emerald Stairs. Go through the small cave and you'll reach the amulet. Added level to Might stat Steel Garrote Medallion Found inside the Ruinous Cavern to the left of Paradis Outside. Enter the cavern, and you'll find a wall on your right to break. Added level to Resolve stat The Fantastic Alembic If you manage to return the Luminous Adra to the quest-giver of Precious Light, you'll get this trinket. Clear all your elemental accumulations Rathun Figurine Buy from the trader in Shantytown. +10% increase in Fire Damage Chanter's Panpipes Acquire from the Memory of the Deep quest. To do so, acquire the Mysterious Meteorite, and give it to Josep. Summon a phantom during a fight Enchanted Suolenet You can get this amulet by completing the Lost Suoles quest in Shantytown. Bring all the Suolenets to the quest-giver, and don't ask for a payment. +20% increase in currency gain while picking up coins Night-Mistress' Favor This trinket can be obtained from the A Lady Never Tells quest. Return Giuliana's package to her without any more questions. Regenerate essence automatically if you're close to your companion All Ring locations in Avowed Ring How to Obtain Effects Cipher's Bestowed Focus Northeast of Shatterscarp in a building at the top of the Ruined Village area. Increase damage reduction if your health drops below 30% Sand' Shroud This ring can be found at the little shack in the southwest of the Shark's Teeth area. +10% increased chance to avoid Ranged Damage Chitin Band Teleport to the Thirdborn Party Camp, and take the northeast route. The ring can be claimed from the skeleton bodies located in this region. +5% Reduced Damage from beasts Ring of Elemental Balance In the southwest part of Shatterscarp, you'll find the Shrine of Wael. The ring is in a small room in the shrine's main area. +10% Reduced Fire, Frost, and Shock Accumulation from enemies Ring of the Founder Located in the Ancient Grotto at the southwest edge of Emerald Stairs. +10% Increased Damage against enemies with full health Vailian Dueling Ring You'll need to travel to the northwestern edge of Emerald Stairs. You'll find a body on top of some ruins, and the ring will be on it. +7% chance to avoid Melee damage The Packmule's Burden You can find this ring inside the Naku Tedek. You'll come across an area where the water is shallow, but you'll need to turn off the electricity. Then, dive in the middle to discover a secret path that leads you to the chest with this ring. +25 Increased Carry Capacity Ring of Minor Deflection Defeat Delemgan Queen, who is found at the western runs, and you'll find the ring on her body. +3% Damage Reduction from all sources Civilizing Influence Found on the western edge of the island containing Naku Tedek. Reach the top, and then jump down to a lower platform. You'll find a skeleton body with the ring on it. Reduced Damage from Beasts, Primordials, and Winders Wayfarer's Ring You'll find the Runnyd's House on the northeast side of the map. You'll find the ring guarded by a couple of bears on the way to this location. Increased Health and Essence regeneration from Food and Potions. Arcanist's Ring This ring can be found at the top of Castol's Folly island, where you'll find a golden chest containing the ring. +1 to Intellect stat Ring of Peerless Marksman Complete the Missing Rangers side quest and talk to Lieutenant Fidelio. +10% Increased Ranged Damage Bitter Bonding When you enter Shantytown via the bridge, turn left, and you'll find an NPC searching the sewers. You will find the ring here, but it's up to you if you want to return it. Restores health based on damage Celestial Loop Available as an alternate reward after completing the Lost Suoles quest Increased Resistance to Fire and Frost Damage Vindictive Band Once you finish the Cabin Fever side quest, you can get this ring from Dehengen in Clavinger's Landing in Dawnshore. Make sure not to attack Xaurip. Increased Poison damage from critical hits. Apart from picking your accessories, make sure to choose your preferred class based on our tier list. Similarly, you'll also have to level up quickly to power up your character with the help of new skills and abilities. The post All accessories in Avowed and how to Find hem appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 8:03 AM What to do first in Avowed       Starting a huge new RPG is always an exciting moment, but what if you don't want to make the wrong choices or waste any time? Let's find out what to do first in Avowed to avoid finding yourself with a character you might not like down the line. First steps in Avowed While it can be important to get your character just right, don't worry too much since Avowed not only allows you to modify your outfit later but also the kind of weapons you wield. Naturally, the background is important as that will affect your dialogue choices and can't be changed later. Once you have completed the creation and finished the tutorial, here are the things you should care most about while playing the first hours in Avowed. Which class and background to select Your background in Avowed does not have a whole lot of weight on the gameplay, as it will only shape your dialogue options and your starting weapon. Choose whatever one you think best suits your gameplay style. Image via Destructoid Next, there are three main classes to choose from, which should be plenty familiar to anyone who has ever played an RPG. You have your basic Fighter, a classic beast that can take a lot of damage while dealing it, too, but is not agile at all and not a good magic user (naturally). Then comes the Ranger who, of course, prioritizes a ranged weapon and is a skilled killer who prefers stalking in the shadows rather than being on the front of the battlefield. Finally, wizards prefer casting magic rather than getting into physical fights, since they cannot take a lot of damage before falling on the battlefield. We recommend you choose whatever you want. In Avowed, you will be locked into a certain class once you select it, so if you want to try out other skills while making your very own hybrid, feel free to do so. Not only can you cancel your skill points at any time (which will cost a bit), but you can experiment across the class skill trees as much as you want. In fact, we recommend it, since you'll have more options later on. Feel free to experiment and branch out. Which weapon to get After the tutorial is over, you will find yourself at the docks with a bit of money to spend and several merchants who will be more than happy to take it. But, overall, we would not recommend going out on a spending spree as enemies will drop weapons quite often. Instead of spending money on regular weapons, save it for supplies such as potions and health-restoring items. Instead, focus on getting your hands on weapons that have special qualities, particularly legendary and Unique weapons (and armor). Image via Destructoid While all enemies drop common weapons and gear, you can upgrade gear once you unlock the camp. You can use crafting resources to get them to higher levels over time. Plus they can also be enchanted with powerful spells. Later on in the game, you can also find enemies that drop rarer weapons. If you want a few unique weapons in the early game, you can get the Unfliching Duty shield (by completing the message from afar quest) and the Last Light of Day sword, which drops at the completion of the Dawntreader secondary quest. Getting money fast A dream for everyone in this economy, right? The best way to get money in Avowed without wasting time or risking dying too many times is by simply exploring, and remembering to loot the bodies of the enemies you've killed. Still, that takes time and you get only a few coins. Instead, you should consider doing some bounty hunting. You will find NPCs all over the Living Lands who will send you after several people that they want you to get rid of. The bounty master usually hands out such tasks. Image via Destructoid Bounty missions will usually range in difficulty, but most will be easy even if you're just starting. After you've done the deed, simply get your hands on the required evidence and then go back to the NPC who gave you the mission to get the bounty money. Keep track of totem fragments While there are many useful items and resources to pick up in Avowed, we recommend keeping an eye out for totem fragments right from the beginning. Each region in the game comes with one piece, broken into six fragment pieces scattered across various places on the map. Image via Destructoid Once you have your camp set up, you can use your Totem fragments, but before you can do so you need to build a Totem base. Still, it doesn't matter which order you collect them in, as long as you have them it is possible to use them once the totem base is assembled. Once you find the base, all pieces will be activated automatically and each one comes with a unique passive bonus which will stay active throughout the game, once it's been selected in your camp. While it is possible to activate only one totem at one time, if one is still incomplete you will receive all the passive bonuses related to the fragments you have collected. The post What to do first in Avowed appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 7:04 AM Best Cedo Prime build in Warframe       Our Cedo Prime build for Warframe is going to be quite an interesting one. This shotgun is a beast, being an elemental primer and a crit machine. With all that said, here's a build to use for it along with good Warframes to get the most out of this weapon. Best Cedo Prime build in Warframe This build will focus on its strengths since the secondary glaive fire is excellent for crowd control and priming targets for increased damage per status effect. To start, use this mod setup: Galvanized Hell Atomic Fallout Critical Deceleration / Blunderbuss Frigid Blast Primed Ravage Hunter Munitions Toxic Barrage Blaze Exilus: Galvanized Acceleration This mod setup might seem weird with the absence of a damage mod like Point Blank or Primed Point Blank. However, because of this weapon's unique ability, you receive 60% additional damage for each status effect on the target you're shooting. With your weapon innately doing puncture damage, the addition of Radiation, Heat, Viral, and Slash (from Hunter Munitions) increases your damage by 300%. This doesn't even account for the other three elements proceed by the secondary fire of the Cedo Prime. Arcane Primary Blight Primary Blight is the better choice because if you spam the secondary fire of the Cedo Prime, every enemy hit by the glaive is guaranteed to be afflicted with a Toxin status effect. At max rank, this then gives your weapon an additional 144warfr% critical damage and 72% multishot. The critical damage is huge for your primary fire while the multishot can help spread status effects more as it affects how many glaives you shoot. Screenshot by Destructoid Cedo Prime playstyle The best way to play the Cedo Prime is by first shooting its secondary fire into a group of enemies. Each one will be affected by at least six different status effects, increasing the damage dealt to them. Because Atomic Fallout is in this build, you're also providing a lot of crowd control, making enemies fight one another. This makes it easier for you to survive if you get overwhelmed by mobs of enemies. After firing your glaive, start shooting enemies affected by all these stacks of statuses to essentially kill them in a few hits.  It could be a bit disorienting to see the glaive bounce around in different colors, blowing up on enemies and occasionally making you stumble. It's advised to use this before going into a group of enemies, or better yet, having a mod like Primed Sure Footed to prevent that. Best Warframes for the Cedo Prime Aside from Lavos and Lavos Prime being the better candidates for this weapon, these other frames can put in some serious work with the shotgun: Chroma (Prime) Citrine Cyte-09 Frost (Prime) Garuda (Prime) Harrow (Prime) Koumei Mag (Prime) Mirage (Prime) Nidus (Prime) Nova (Prime) Saryn (Prime) Vauban (Prime) Yareli All of these frames pair well with the weapon either because they can inflict status effects of their own, giving your Cedo Prime more damage, or because they have some ability to buff up or make better use of the secondary fire altogether. This weapon is very versatile as a mobber and bosser, being unrivaled to most other shotguns in Warframe. The post Best Cedo Prime build in Warframe appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 6:36 AM All Firecracker Jewelweed locations in Wuthering Waves: Where to find and farm Phoebe and Roccia's ascension material       To the delight of all Cardcaptor Sakura fans, Phoebe just arrived to rival Jinhsi for the spot of the best Spectro DPS in Wuthering Waves. But just like with Roccia, you will need to collect 60x Firecracker Jewelweed to awaken her full potential. So that you can quickly raise your favorite to level 90, here are all the Firecracker Jewelweed locations in Wuthering Waves, as well as how to get all of the remaining ascension materials for both Phoebe and Roccia. Table of Contents: All Firecracker Jewelweed locations in Wuthering Waves The best way to farm Firecracker Jewelweed How to get all of Phoebe's remaining ascension materials How to get all of Roccia's remaining ascension materials All Firecracker Jewelweed locations in Wuthering Waves A Rinascita exclusive, you can find around 50 Firecracker Jewelweed while exploring the region in Wuthering Waves. The majority of them (21) are found in the vicinity of Lorelei's Atrium of Reflections, more specifically by the Nimbus Sanctum Dream Patrol Challenge. The remaining jewelweed can then be found at the eastmost portion of Requiem Ravine, as well as by the area's Garden of Salvation. You can check out the exact locations of all jewelweed below: You can gather the jewelweed way more easily by selecting Collection Spots while overviewing the specialty on your backpack on either Roccia or Phoebe's ascension screens. The game will direct you toward one of the areas above and mark the location of all Firecracker Jewelweed within it. Once you collect all in the area, the marker will then shift to another and continue until you have gathered them all. Where to buy Firecracker Jewelweed in Wuthering Waves You can also purchase up to 15 Firecracker Jewelweed from Rosemary's Apothecary in Ragunna City. You can find the apothecary by the City Square Waypoint. Each jewelweed will cost 3,000 Shell Credits. Like most shops, the apothecary's stock will be refreshed weekly. Image by Destructoid How to get all of Phoebe's remaining ascension materials Image by Destructoid Apart from the 60 Firecracker Jewelweed, you will also need to expend a total of 46 Cleansing Conches, 170,000 Shell Credits, as well as four LF, 12 MF. 12 HF, and four FF Whisperin Cores to ascend Phoebe all the way to level 90. You can check out how to get all of her remaining ascension materials below: Cleansing Conches: By defeating Lorelei and claiming it among her rewards. The number of conches gained will depend on your SOL3 level. LF/MF/HF/FF Whisperin Cores: By completing any of the Forgery Challenges across Huanglong. All cores can also be acquired via Conversion and Purification. How to get all of Roccia's remaining ascension materials Image by Destructoid Although Roccia will also share Phoebe's main ascension material by using Cleansing Conches, she will also need four LF, 12 MF, 12 HF, and four FF Tidal Residuum to reach level 90. As always you will also need to expend 170,000 Shell Credits. You can get all Tidal Residuum types in WuWa by completing Tidal Challenges across Rinascita, as well as via Convertion and Purification. Now that you know how to get Firecracker Jewelweed, make sure to also check out the latest Wuthering Waves codes for a good amount of extra materials and Astrite. The post All Firecracker Jewelweed locations in Wuthering Waves: Where to find and farm Phoebe and Roccia's ascension material appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 5:59 AM How to upgrade weapons and armor in Avowed       One of the most paramount, fundamental methods to considerably increase the power of your character in Avowed is to upgrade your weapons and armor. Gear upgrades like these make a dramatic difference, especially on the game's hardest difficulty. So here's a step-by-step guide on the process, for your reference. How to upgrade your Gear in Avowed Upgrading your gear is rather simplistic. The first thing you want to do is travel to your Party Camp. This is your main base of operations throughout Avowed, and it's also the only place where you can perform enchantments and enhance your gear. Once you've made it to your Party Camp, head over to your camp's Workbench and interact with it when you get close. Screenshot by Destructoid Here, you'll see all the gear on your character that can be upgraded. You'll need the correct materials to upgrade your gear, with different materials being necessary for different pieces of gear. Gear Quality Tiers All upgradable gear in Avowed is separated into Quality Tiers, of which there are five. These are the following: Common (Tier 1) - White Fine (Tier 2) - Blue Exceptional (Tier 3)- Purple Superb (Tier 4) - Red Legendary (Tier 5) - Legendary When upgraded enough (three times per tier), gear will move up to the next quality tier, changing its appearance and providing you with significantly better stats. Additionally, as your equipment rises through these tiers, the material requirements will become much harder to come by as high-end upgrades require rarer drops. For this reason, I highly recommend you focus on a few pieces of gear initially, so you have enough power to deal with anything Avowed throws at you early on. This is especially recommended if you're playing on a difficulty like Path of the Damned. How to reach your Party Camp in Avowed Reaching your Party Camp is really easy, but might trip you up in the early game. In order to travel to it, you need to find an Adra Waystone. These look like giant green crystals, often with purple smoke emanating from them. They can often be found near main roads or just off said roads near important points of interest. Screenshot by Destructoid By walking up and interacting with these crystals, you'll be prompted with the option to travel to your Party Camp. Once unlocked, you can travel to your Party Camp from any location via your Map. As a little bonus, when you travel to your Party Camp, you can interact with the Adra Waystone and you'll be prompted with the option to return the exact location you traveled from. Where to get Upgrade Materials in Avowed Screenshot by Destructoid If you're missing a material or three for an upgrade, don't worry. Most materials, early on, are pretty commonly found just by exploring and looting everything you find. In particular, when you're near something lootable nearby, you'll hear a faint glittering sound if you're listening carefully enough. Lootboxes and Chests very often have an assortment of upgrade materials in them, so make sure you're actively hunting them down as you proceed. The post How to upgrade weapons and armor in Avowed appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 5:33 AM Avowed: Best Early Weapons for Wizard       Playing the Wizard class in Avowed is all about invoking devastating AoE (Area of Effect) nukes, casting swarms of magical missiles, and erecting powerful shields to unmake enemies and protect themselves. However, to even consider doing these things with your Wizard, you'll need the signature weapon, the Arcane Grimoire. Fortunately, Wizards have access to several powerful Grimores that are pretty easy to obtain in the early game, and you'll definitely want to know about them to get a leg up on the enemy. Best Early Game Grimoires for Wizard in Avowed A Grimoire is more than just a fancy book in Avowed. All Grimoires come with unique stats and an assortment of spells that you can cast, even if you haven't learned them yet. Most of the top-tier early-game Grimoires grant you a big bang for your time since they're not difficult to get. Common Grimoire of Elements Believe it or not, the Common Grimoire of Elements is one of the best ones you can use in the early game for a few reasons. It comes with four universal useful spells that do not require any point investments to gain access to. Fan of Flames Chill Blades Jolting Touch Arcane Veil Three of these spells get you basic access to all three elements and their accompanying status effects. More importantly, though, they allow you to solve all possible elemental puzzles in the early game and allow you to break through specific obstructions as needed. No matter what build you're going for, you can always use this Grimoire for puzzle-solving reasons alone. Screenshot by Destructoid The most important of the spells is not the elemental ones, but the pure Essence one: Arcane Veil. Arcane Veil is an extraordinary basic spell that grants you a massive 50% Damage Reduction shield while it is active. At level two it deflects Gun and Arrow projectiles, which means it stops one of the most deadly damage types in the game entirely. I cannot state enough how ridiculously strong Arcane Veil is, and to have access to it on a Grimoire without investing a point into it makes this Grimiore one of the best ones to have for early game. Anextili's Grimoire While not as universal as the Grimoire of Elements, this unique Grimoire is highly valuable early thanks to the defensive spells it offers you with little cost. Fan of Flames Arcane Veil Grimoire Snap Missile Salvo Screenshot by Destructoid I've already spoken at length about the strength of having Arcane Veil in a Grimoire. Instead, I want to highlight Grimoire Snap as the second useful defense spell inscribed. Grimoire Snap is an incredible 'keep away' tool when enemies get way too close for comfort. Casting it closes your Grimoire while admitting a powerful shockwave around you, scattering nearby foes. This is quite for Wizards, especially if you want to keep your enemies at bay while invoking. Just keep in mind that you need Level 5 and the Wizard talent: Grimiore Mastery I to make use of it. Missile Salvo is not really an early-game spell, so I won't get into detail about it. Beothel's Grimoire Last but certainly not least, Beothel's Grimoire is a unique one that grants you access to a distinctive combination of spells that you won't find in any other early-game Grimoire, along with one incredibly familiar one. They are the following: Corrosive Siphon Arcane Veil Parasitic Staff Blizzard Right off the bat, access to Arcane Veil makes this Grimoire a top-tier pick. However, Corrosive Siphon gives you access to a siphon life type of heal that also applies Poison accumulation to the target affected. Healing outside of food items and potions is highly scarce in Avowed, so this spell is a huge deal to have. Best of all, it is a basic spell so every build can use it. Screenshot by Destructoid Then there's Parasitic Staff which has the incredibly useful function of restoring Essence (Avowed's Mana resource) every time you strike an enemy with it. Casting this spell summons a staff in your hands, and every time you swing and connect, you'll restore Essence to yourself. Considering the Essence cost of spells, Parasitic Staff has incredible synergy with the Wizard class. Finally, Blizzard is a potent Ice element AoE nuke that will freeze enemies that stay within for too long. It's a very strong spell that's given as a freebie in this stellar Grimoire. Where to find early game Grimoires in Avowed Common Grimoires of Elements are found literally everywhere, all over Dawnshore, the first area. As its name implies, they are quite common, found often as loot in chests, or randomly sitting on desks and tables in various locations. If you're exploring Dawnshore, you are guaranteed to find several of them. Anextili's Grimoire can be found next to the skeletal body of the crazed Pyromancer who blows himself up when you get near him, just South of Breath's Gateway. Image by Destructoid His body is up on a hill overlooking the campsite present. Look for a flag on a nearby cliff. If you haven't been to this location yet, be prepared for a large fight, as you'll find a whole camp of enemies waiting for you. Beothel's Grimoire can be found within the confines of Paradais itself, purchased from a Merchant named Merylin, directly West of the Eastern Paradise Gate Beacon. Screenshot by Destructoid Come prepared with a coin purse as this mystic tome will cost you 5,850 currency to purchase. It is unique, after all. The post Avowed: Best Early Weapons for Wizard appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Monday, February 17, 2025 5:02 AM This Half-Life mod reimagines the horror of the Great War trenches       Along with the original Doom, Half-Life is generally regarded as one of the most influential first-person shooters of all time. That alone is enough to cement its place in gaming history. However, the continued efforts of the modding community also helps keep Valve's classic in the limelight. In this instance, we're being transported back to World War I, thanks to ModDB user eyeling. Although it's not out yet, "In Mute Witness Stand" is a different take on Half-Life, with it being set in the trenches during the Great War of 1914-1918. Image via eyeling/ModDB While the mod can be described as a reimagining of the horrors of the war, there's definitely a sense that "horror" is more what the creator is aiming for here. As well as being able to face off against the Germans, you'll also be fighting against an "army of the dead." Also rabbits and rats, for some reason The mod itself – which will have both singleplayer and co-op elements – puts you in the shoes of the good old-fashioned "British Tommies," battling against the forces of evil, with eyeling saying that some of the maps have been based on real-life battles and locations, such as the Charge at the Somme and the First Battle of Gaza. You'll come up against such "post-living" foes as Undead Tommies (I think the image above shows one of them), as well as Trench Crawlers, which are said to "feast on dying soldiers." Of course, this is a WWI simulator as well, so you'll also be having a bit of a set-to with the German army, which includes snipers, landmines, and artillery. It seems as though this mod is aiming for a sense of realism in terms of warfare, but with a nice dollop of the supernatural thrown in there for good measure. It certainly seems like it's a far cry from what we come to expect from a Half-Life game at any rate. The post This Half-Life mod reimagines the horror of the Great War trenches appeared first on Destructoid.

WGB Monday, February 17, 2025 9:18 AM Sony's Days Gone Remastered: How to Upgrade and What You Need to Know       Days Gone Remastered was announced, allowing existing owners to upgrade for $10 on April 25. However, those who obtained the game for free via PS Plus are ineligible for the upgrade.

WGB Monday, February 17, 2025 7:20 AM Rainbow Six Siege X Announced as the"biggest transformation in the game's history"       Ubisoft faces declining sales but announces a major update and rebranding for Rainbow Six Siege, celebrating its 10th anniversary with anticipated gameplay changes, set to be revealed on March 13.

MonsterVine Monday, February 17, 2025 9:00 AM Shujinkou Review – I Think I'm Learning Japanese       Shujinkou is a dungeon crawler that boasts giving players a unique opportunity to learn Japanese as they play. Although it specifies on the Steam page that Shujinkou is not purely a learning tool, it's a video game first with the intent of informing second. That's what I'd consider a noble cause—focusing on making a great […]