Jul 09, 08:00

PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:58 AM
    

Free-to-play, multiplayer mech game Steel Hunters will shut down in October, developer Wargaming Group confirms. The newly launched PvPvE shooter hit Steam Early Access in April, but has been met with mixed user reviews and a sharp decline in players since release. Now, the World of Tanks studio says it has "made the decision to sunset Steel Hunters," and will unlock its full roster of Hunters for everyone to use in the final days before its closure.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best mech games, Best free Steam games, Best free PC games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:56 AM
    

We could, I repeat could, have just had our most concrete piece of evidence for the Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake's existence. A mysterious update on the Steam backend points to some features that aren't in the original game, and this might mean Ubisoft's remake is closer than ever. If not, we could be getting a big Black Flag update any day now.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best pirate games, Best RPG games, Best sandbox games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:50 AM
    

While we wait for more news and a closer look at GTA 6, you can check out the GTA system requirements for all the previous 3D games in the series. You've got plenty of time to replay these epic crime games or play through them for the first time, ahead of next year's big launch.

Whether it's Grand Theft Auto 5 or the Definitive Edition of GTA 3, we've gathered all the PC system requirements for every major GTA game into one place. You won't need the best graphics card to run any of them, but older PCs and laptops may still struggle with the demands of GTA 5's enhanced edition following some big performance upgrades.

Continue reading GTA system requirements
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:37 AM
    

If you're dropping into Old Detroit ahead of the Unfinished Business standalone adventure, it's well worth checking out the RoboCop Rogue City system requirements to get a feel for how the game is likely to perform.

Taking on the role of Alex Murphy in RoboCop Rogue City is remarkably fun, with the game being one of the most underrated shooters of the past decade. Better still, you won't need one of the best graphics cards from our buying guide to run the game with great frame rates.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:25 AM
    

I have fond memories of Guild Wars 2's Asian-inspired expansion, End of Dragons. Transporting us to a gorgeous, jade-encrusted world, it's easily my favorite chapter of Tyria's ongoing saga - partly because of the aforementioned aesthetics, but also because Virtuoso is easily my favorite Mesmer spec. But, as the curtains fell on Cantha and we ventured out into Janthir and Nayos, elite specializations seem to have taken a back seat. In a new blog post that both analyzes the past and looks to the future, however, NCSoft confirms that elite specializations are back on the menu, and they're better than ever before.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best MMOs on PC, Guild Wars 2 system requirements, Guild Wars 2 expansion
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:14 AM
    

Diablo 4 Season 9 has just begun, and it's a great time to dive into Blizzard's gargantuan ARPG. After some ups and downs, the Warcraft and Starcraft developer's latest update has the game in a good place, and you can currently grab both the base game and its expansion, Vessel of Hatred, at a lower price than they've ever been before on Steam. You'll need to move fast, however, as there's just over one day to snag this saving.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review, Diablo 4 classes
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:45 AM
    

It's well worth checking in with the Overwatch 2 system requirements if you're planning on returning to the game for Season 17. The theme of this season is "Powered Up!", but you won't need an uber-powered gaming PC to run this hero shooter.

While you aren't going to need to invest in one of the best graphics cards from our buying guide to play Overwatch 2, there's certainly a benefit to having the best PC hardware possible when playing a competitive first-person shooter, namely a faster frame rate and higher detailed images.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:59 AM
    

Who are all the Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls characters? Arc System Works has some difficult decisions to make before its 4v4 tag-team fighting game launches, mainly on the character roster front. After all, if Wolverine isn't in this game, we suspect Arc will have to respond to some rather stern emails.

With the Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls release date set for 2026, there's plenty of time to theorize which characters will be added to the fighting game before it launches. Before we do that, take a closer look at which fighters have made the roster in the upcoming game, as well as who is likely to join the cast based on the Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls easter eggs we've spotted.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls release date, All Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls characters, Best fighting games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:51 AM
    

Fanatical is offering you the chance to win a brand new Steam Deck OLED for as little as $1, thanks to its latest mystery game bundle. While the Steam Summer Sale offers a great way to get a steep discount on some great games, it pales in comparison to this deal, where you can bag up to 25 games rated as "very positive" on Steam for just $15.99.

The beauty of these Steam Deck giveaways is that you're getting some great games to add to your Steam library for well under MSRP, and at the end of it all, you could have a brand new console on which to play them. What's more, you stand a chance of getting your hands on the top device in our best gaming handheld buying guide for just $1.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:41 AM
    

What is the Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls release date? Arguably the biggest surprise of Sony's summer State of Play, Arc System Works stunned the fighting game community with a seismic announcement. There's a new fighting game on the horizon, and it's ready to take the crown as the premier tag-team fighter.

This heavy-weight collaboration has brought together Arc System Works, Marvel Games, and PlayStation Studios to create Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls, a 4v4 tag-team fighting game starring the biggest superheroes from the Marvel universe. Ahead of the Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls release date, we'll take a look at what you can expect from the gameplay, as well as the potential roster, and so much more.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls release date, All Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls characters, Best fighting games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:38 AM
    

It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your storage when you've got a gaming PC, and now is a great time for a high-speed upgrade, thanks to this brilliant gaming SSD deal on Amazon Prime Day. For just $189.99, you can treat yourself to a 2TB WD Black SN8100 SSD, one of the fastest SSDs on the market right now, and saving you a huge 41% in the process.

There's no doubt about it – this Western Digital drive is a performance beast. As our WD Black SN8100 review shows, this is the fastest gaming SSD that we've tested to date, easily making it the top-speed drive on our guide to the best gaming SSD. While it wasn't the best option for budget gamers initially, this big Prime Day deal discount makes it a much more tempting option.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:32 AM
    

Much like other football games on PC, the Rematch system requirements are about as challenging as kicking a ball into an empty goal, at least by modern gaming hardware standards. The higher graphics settings, however, will put your average mid-range gaming laptop or PC through its paces.

You won't need the best graphics card on our buying guide for kick-off, which puts Rematch in a good position to compete with EA Sports FC 25. Only time will tell which comes out victorious as the best sports game, but Rematch definitely has EA beat when it comes to an upper limit for hardware. After all, securing a frame rate of 60fps on the high graphics presets on a 1440p resolution will demand quite a lot from your setup.

Continue reading Rematch system requirements
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:29 AM
    

What is the best handheld gaming PC? This year is set to see some big new entrants in the gaming handheld space, including the Ayaneo 3 that we just reviewed. After hundreds of hours of testing, our top handheld picks remain the same as they have for a while, and you can find those choices below.

The best gaming handheld overall remains the Steam Deck OLED, thanks to its SteamOS software making it easy to access your Steam games. What's more, Valve's operating system is so good that the older Steam Deck LCD takes our second spot, despite using old hardware. If you want more power, features, screen resolution, and Windows compatibility, though, the AOKZOE A1X and Asus ROG Ally X lead the charge here. If you're new to handheld gaming PCs, check out the how to choose section of this guide. Plus you can read the FAQ that answers your most common handheld gaming PC questions.

Continue reading Best handheld gaming PC 2025
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:24 AM
    

With summer in full swing, now's the perfect time to venture into the great outdoors, touch some grass, and make some new friends - all from within the comfortable confines of your own home, of course.  And there is nowhere more cozy than the world of Palia, especially in the wake of its new Solstice Bloom update.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Palia fishing locations, Best Palia mods, Best simulation games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:20 AM
    

Star Citizen cheating is on the rise, the space game's developer Cloud Imperium Games says in a new update, forcing the studio to tighten its anti-cheat measures. In a new post on its forum, Spectrum, lead community manager Ulf Kürschner says CIG will be stiffening its anti-cheat measures, with a large ban wave already sent out and stricter countermeasures planned to handle the giant MMO's larger player base.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best simulation games, Best multiplayer games, Best space games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:18 AM
    

Dune Awakening developer Funcom is apologizing to players following a recent patch that mistakenly turned a number of the Deep Desert's PvE exclusive areas into PvP ones. This unexpected change caused many players to lose vehicles, items, and materials in the survival MMO, as they venture into the endgame area. Funcom is also promising to reimburse anything you may have lost, while outlining everything else it plans to fix.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best MMOs, Dune Awakening release date
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:07 AM
    

What is the next Monopoly Go event? With so many limited-time events in Monopoly Go, it can be hard to keep track of the rewards you can get your hands on. Monopoly Go events can last anywhere from a few hours to a week, so bookmark this page as we'll keep it regularly updated with the next events and their start and end dates.

Monopoly Go is the latest online board game sweeping the globe, but completing all of these events won't be easy without some free Monopoly Go dice links, so check out our daily updated guide for some freebies and rewards before you get started on the next Monopoly Go tournament.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:58 AM
    

July 9, 2025: We added one new NBA 2L25 code.

What are the active NBA 2K25 codes? It's another year in the NBA 2K calendar, and as is tradition, there are plenty of freebies to collect. Over the lifetime of each game in the storied basketball series, 2K dishes out a slew of locker codes that can be punched in, rewarding you with everything from free packs to top-rated stars as the season progresses.

In NBA 2K25, you can expect a similar slurry of goodies to come your way, helping you make the most of your time in the sports game. Of course, NBA 2K25 locker codes don't last forever, so you'll have to act fast when a new code does pop up. Fortunately, we're keeping our eagle eyes eagerly on the latest codes, which you can find below.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sports games, Best multiplayer games, New PC games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:47 AM
    

Genshin Impact banners rotate every few weeks on a precise schedule, and we always know what to expect thanks to regular updates from Hoyoverse. The developer of the anime game always keeps its fans in the loop with regular livestreams and social media updates, so you can plan where you want to spend your hard-earned Primogems.

With a three-week turnaround for banners, the roster of Genshin Impact characters is constantly changing, and the free PC game regularly introduces two new characters to wish for. Every limited-time character banner, or event wish, contains a five-star character and three four-star characters with increased drop rates. There's also a Genshin Impact weapon banner, which runs alongside each character banner and changes weapons every update.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:44 AM
    

Nothing beats stomping around in a gigantic mech. Whether it's while doing parkour tricks in Titanfall, fighting kaiju in Pacific Rim, or in trigger-finger battles in Armored Core 6, controlling massive robots is a thrill I find myself constantly drawn to. That's why I'm incredibly excited by the prospect of a new Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries DLC, as the hardcore shooter is about to get even bigger, and better, later this year.

PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:05 AM
    

When is the Resident Evil 9 release date? 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Capcom's beloved survival horror series, and it stands to reason that the next installment is as much a look back at what came before as it is another step forward. The official reveal at Summer Game Fest was as good a confirmation as any.

RE9, otherwise known as Resident Evil Requiem, takes us back to Raccoon City for the first time following its destruction at the end of RE3. It's one of the most iconic horror game locations and holds a lot of memories for Resident Evil's characters, history, and fans. Prepare for this zombie-infested trip down memory lane with everything we know about the RE9 release date, including the latest trailers, news, and story predictions.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best survival games, Best zombie games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:12 AM
    

July 9, 2025: We added five new ZZZ codes and removed one expired code.

What are the new Zenless Zone Zero codes? We love a freebie. Whether it's free Polychrome, Investigator Logs, or Bangboo Algorithm Modules, the latest in-game redemption codes are the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to get free items while also skipping the gacha grind.  With that in mind, we've collected all the latest codes available to redeem right now.

HoYoverse periodically release ZZZ codes for their gacha games that coincide with major updates and livestreams, but the developer also loves to stealth drop codes, too. Now that Zenless Zone Zero is finally here, there are a ton of redeem codes waiting for you to scoop up. As our Zenless Zone Zero review attests, there's a lot of currency and materials to gather in the free PC game, so here are all the Zenless Zone Zero codes to get ahead in the latest update.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 4:52 AM
    

There's no denying that retro horror aesthetics are incredibly popular in the videogame sphere at the moment.  You only have to look at the success of hits like Crow Country and Signalis, as well as the interest in the upcoming Holstin. But there's another new game on the scene, Pulsebreaker, that's worth keeping an eye on.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, New PC games, Best PC games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:33 AM
    

When is the Hollow Knight Silksong release date? Silksong is the long-awaited sequel to 2017's immensely popular Hollow Knight. We don't use the phrase 'long-awaited' lightly either, since over half a decade has passed since its announcement.

Just like its predecessor, Hollow Knight Silksong is a 2D Metroidvania game set in an underground realm inhabited by bugs. You can expect to explore gloomy grottos and ancient citadels in classic platform game style, fight off their quarrelsome occupants, and unlock powerful skills and equipment. Here's everything we know about when to expect Hollow Knight Silksong, including gameplay and trailers.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Indie Games, Hollow Knight Silksong release date, Upcoming PC Games
PCGamesN Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:58 AM
    

July 9, 2025: We looked for new Mech Arena codes and checked the validity of current codes.

What are the new Mech Arena codes? If you want to keep up with your teammates and opponents in Plarium's fast-paced mech shooter, you're going to need A-Coins and Credits to get the latest weapons and gear.

Luckily, this free PC game offers many ways to get more XP, A-Coins, and Credits, including daily login rewards and challenges. There are also regular new Mech Arena redemption codes for the multiplayer game, too, and we've listed all the current ones below. These codes not only provide you with in-game currency to upgrade your gear, others occasionally even reward you with a whole new mech for nothing, so don't miss out.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best multiplayer games, The best free PC games
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:15 AM
    

Naughty Dog have released a new mode for The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered that lets you play out the events of the story in chronological order. Nobody who has ever read a single book can understand why.

Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:52 AM
    

Have you recently lost a vehicle or item in Dune: Awakening in a fashion that wasn't your fault? If so, you may be entitled to in-game compensation from developers Funcom, who've said sorry for a Deep Desert patch "oversight" that wiped out "an unfortunate amount" of bases and gear.

You won't even have to enlist the services of a friendly neighbourhood Lionel Hutz or Saul Goodman either, DA's devs are already working to send out replacement stuff to affected folks. They've also pledged to tackle the cheating and item loss due to bugs that've been plaguing the game since launch.

Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:30 AM
    

We've already posted about one cursed moonbase game this week, but I am a creature of multitudes and always have room in my heart for another - particularly when it's been in development for almost as long as I've been posting. Routine is still alive, baby! Development team Lunar Software have finally posted an update about their first-person 80s-themed space horror, which had Craig Pearson rhapsodising about Kubrickian smoothies back in 2012. Let's all celebrate by re-watching the last trailer.

Read more

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, July 9, 2025 3:31 AM
    

Amazon Prime Day is in full swing, which means it's also one of the best times of year to grab a case for your Steam Deck. From sleek travel bags to custom shells and heavy-duty protection, I reckon I've covered every form of case Steam Deck owners could possibly want. Plus, if you're not already a member, Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial of Prime, which gives you instant access to these exclusive discounts. Not a bad deal from the get-go right? Let's get into it:

Read more

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Destructoid Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:40 AM
    

A Sim with orange hair walking into a rocky cave in the sims 4

Special events in The Sims 4 often challenge you to venture to unique locations you may not otherwise visit. In the Nature's Calling event, one of the places you're tasked with visiting is a special cave you have to investigate.

You're not given much information about how to find and interact with this cave, so it's certainly one of the trickier tasks you'll come across. If this one has you stumped and is halting your event progress, here's how to investigate the cave in The Sims 4.

Table of contents

Where is the cave in the Nature's Calling event in The Sims 4?

The investigate the cave option on a cave in the sims 4
Screenshot by Destructoid

The cave you need to investigate can be found near the northernmost end of the Desert Bloom Park lot. There's a small cave entrance up against the massive rocky wall surrounding this park.

To find the cave, start by visiting Desert Bloom Park. Once you're there, move the camera north until you can't go any higher, then look slightly west. The cave entrance is on a small cliff area near a picnic table, grill, bench, and trash can. There's a path that runs through the entire park, and you can follow it to reach this location.

Where is Desert Bloom Park in The Sims 4?

Desert Bloom Park is the park lot right in the center of Oasis Springs. It's part of a base game world, so all players have access to it. It's directly south of the Landgraab family's mansion and is the largest lot in this world.

Like all lots, this one can be replaced with any other one you build or place from the gallery, so if you've modified it, finding the right spot can be tough. Everything you need to do on this lot for the event exists around the outskirts of it, so you can still head here to tackle the quests even if the lot has been replaced with something else.

Desert Bloom Park marked on a maap in the sims 4
Screenshot by Destructoid

Investigate the cave in The Sims 4

To investigate the cave for the week three Nature's Calling event quests, click on the cave entrance and select the "Investigate the cave" option. Like all other event tasks, this one has a special wind and leaves icon to help you distinguish it from other tasks. Your Sim will look around the outside of the cave once you initiate this action, but not venture inside yet.

Although it's not time to head inside during the week three quests, the text accompanying it seems to hint that we might explore the cave in future parts of the event. If you haven't ever opened this cave before, it's locked behind level 10 of the handiness skill, so it's a good idea to get your Sims skill up to prepare in case it's needed to access the secret Forgotten Grotto area during the event. We've been working on this skill quite a lot already, so there's a decent chance we will need level 10 to finish the event.

With this task out of the way, you can move on to finishing the rest of the week three Nature's Calling event quests. Some other tricky The Sims 4 tasks you may need help with are finding Foundry Cove, doing homework, and listening to the wind.

The post How to investigate the cave in The Sims 4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:33 AM
    

superman movie moster 2025

The reviews are now in for the hotly anticipated Superman movie by DC Studios and James Gunn, but does it live up to the hype or fall flat on its face?

It's looking like a mixed bag so far, with it teetering around the 70s on Metacritic, with critics divided between both hating it and liking it. But what are outlets saying about the film, and is it worth going to see?

The first in DC's new cinematic universe starring David Corenswet is "glib and flimsy". Comic fans will love it, but this curio feels like "an eccentric sci-fi B-movie".

BBC was one of the first ones I saw, with BBC saying that Gunn didn't really give the story more time to breathe, and it is mixed with its 3-star rating.

For as expensive and action-packed as it is, this Superman is also stuffed with whimsical concepts and ridiculous side characters.

The Atlantic, though, has heaps of praise for the movie, devoting an entire section about what they feel is brilliant about the movie, and highlighting Hoult's take as Luthor as one of the stand-outs of the film.

From the very beginning, this new Superman is encumbered by a pointless and cluttered new backstory which has to be explained in many wearisome intertitles flashed up on screen before anything happens at all. Only the repeated and laborious quotation of the great John Williams theme from the 1978 original reminds you of happier times.

But on the other end of the spectrum, The Guardian was scathing in their review, saying that the thrill of this movie and superhero movies in general has lost its thrill.

As both a story on its own and a prequel to a whole bunch of others, this movie must introduce us to a variety of characters we'll meet later, and it does it without feeling too much like fan service or exposition.

The New York Times praises the film, showing another take on what has already been a mixed bag of reviews from across the globe.

Superman is a wonderfully entertaining, heartfelt cinematic reset for the Man of Steel, and a great new start for the DC universe on the big screen.

And lastly, from IGN, the site calls it a wonderfully entertaining, heartfelt cinematic, and the reset that DC needed to tell its own stories.

But critics aside, what did you think of the movie if you've seen it, and do you agree with any of the reviewers? Let us know in the comments below.

The post The Reviews are in for Superman, here is a round-up appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:53 AM
    

Coffee Caravan featured image

It's time for another week of cozy game discussions, Destructoid. This week, I'm here with a game I picked up a few months ago after getting a sudden craving for cooking games. Let's give it up for Coffee Caravan, a management roguelite that's all about brewing drinks for impatient customers.

In the game, you, a barista, are in charge of serving coffee to customers through your caravan cafe. You'll gradually unlock new recipes, equipment, and decorations to make your run easier, with various checkpoint marking challenges to overcome, such as needing a certain number of recipes or serving specific customer types. Think PlateUp, but much calmer.

Coffee Caravan level map
Screenshot by Destructoid

I'll be honest, I was expecting a casual restaurant management game when I first booted this up. I completely missed that it was a roguelite, so you can imagine my surprise when I saw the genre's famous branching paths and realized what I was getting myself into. Thankfully, these elements actually made the experience more fun. Rather than stressing over whether I'll succeed, I look forward to each new node and the chance to find fun items.

You don't even have to worry about the stressful nature of roguelikes. Sure, there's a level of pressure in knowing that failing your run means starting over. On the other hand, it's overall an easy game that focuses on cozy relaxation over stressful, fast-paced gameplay. You can even play weekly challenges if that's more your style.

Coffee Caravan gameplay
Screenshot by Destructoid

For some, that means it's too easy, as you may find yourself prepping ingredients or sitting and waiting for customers rather than sprinting around and having them leave constantly. For others, this is perfect, as you won't have to worry about min-maxing your setup for peak efficiency. Heck, I don't like thinking about my builds in games and tend to just use whatever looks fun.

Coffee Caravan is a great choice for anyone who wants a change of pace in their cozy games. If you're bored with your typical farming, life, or cooking sim games, this'll crank up the action slightly without feeling like an overwhelming challenge that's impossible to overcome. You'll still need some level of strategy, but you don't necessarily have to plan every step of the way if you don't want to.

Do you normally prefer slow-paced, relaxing games, or fast-paced action with some fun and cute moments sprinkled in? Are you here to discover a new game during the Steam Summer Sale, or did you see coffee in the title and become curious? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Cozy Corner – Grab a cup of hot coffee in this oddly relaxing roguelite appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Wednesday, July 9, 2025 5:24 AM
    

mario maker 2 key art

A new Super Mario Maker would be the perfect game to release right now on Nintendo Switch 2, and you can't tell me otherwise.

Not only is it Mario's 40th anniversary coming up, but the Nintendo Switch 2 is crying for a new Mario Maker game. I've seen many players call for a Switch 2 version of Mario Maker 2, but I feel that creating a brand-new game built specifically for Switch 2 would be a far better way to make the most of the hardware, while also giving us more options to create levels in new styles.

Think about it.

First of all, you could add a Super Mario Wonder style game maker that uses a lot of the power-ups and things from those games for people to make different and unique-looking levels from what we got before. If Nintendo could also make it so Wonder Seeds flip the map and allow for more creative control, it would open up new styles of levels we haven't seen before.

Also, another left-field idea. You can also make use of the Switch 2's upgraded power to give us limited 3D levels from Super Mario 64. Even if you can only make stages based on one level, and even if it might be a pipe dream, imagine what creators could do in a 3D space with power stars scattered in a level. I know this one is wild, but I'm hopeful for some form of 3D creation down the line if we do get a new Mario Maker, even if the tools are basic.

Then we need to talk about the elephant in the room. Mouse controls. How wild would it be creating levels with the Switch 2's new mouse controls for ease of use and quicker and more precise builders for those (like me) who weren't keen on using the joysticks all the time.

And why stop there? If Mario Maker is successful, the next obvious thought is to make a Zelda Maker, allowing players to create their dungeons in different Zelda styles with puzzles, challenges, keys, and items to find. That's the dream right there.

The post Now is the perfect time for Super Mario Maker 3 appeared first on Destructoid.

Destructoid Wednesday, July 9, 2025 1:04 AM
    

Promo art for Umamusume Pretty Derby

Umamusume Pretty Derby has a pretty wide set of characters for us to obtain from banners, and some of them are exceptionally strong in the current meta.

Since the game is essentially a single-player experience, you can get away with just playing with characters you love. However, you don't have unlimited resources. Following the tier list will not only help you to train your characters systematically, but you'll also know when to reroll.

Umamusume Pretty Derby tier list explained

I have used four ranks to classify all the trainees available in the current version of the game.

  • S-tier: The very best characters you can use in the current version of the game. While all of them have certain weaknesses, they're the best in their respective categories.

  • A-tier: Respectable characters who might not be as good as the S-tier characters, but they're still worth your resources for team races.

  • B-tier: Decent characters to have as backups, but you should refrain from investing too many resources in them.

  • C-tier: Average characters who aren't worth your time.

S-tier

Characters Strengths Weaknesses
Oguri Cap Amazing on Turf and Dirt
Perfect for Medium-distance runs
Works well with different strategies
Beginner friendly		 Poor Sprint grades and low Stamina
Taiki Shuttle Works well on Turf and Dirt
Works well with Medium and Long-distance races
Can be used well as a Front Runner		 Poor stamina
Short races
Rice Shower Great on Turf
Best choice for Medium and Long-distance races
Best character for Pace strategy options		 Dirt and Short Races
Silence Suzuka Great Front Runner
Amazing in Medium-distance races
Amazing base Speed and Gut stats		 Long-distance races
Terrible on Dirt
Symboli Rudolf One of the best all-rounders in the game
Extremely beginner-friendly
Great option on Turf		 Relatively weak in Short-distance races
Special Week One of the best trainees for long races
Highly versatile
Another great all-rounder in terms of base stats		 Struggles with Short-distance races

A-tier

Characters Strengths Weaknesses
Maruzensky Great option on Turf
Great option for races of all distances		 Poor when pushing late
Extremely poor base Stamina
Taiki Shuttle Great at Medium-distance
Holds position well		 Poor at Short and Long-distance
Poor base stamina
Mihono Bourbon Amazing Medium-distance runner
Great option on Turf
Excellent base Gut		 Very low base Stamina
Not beginner-friendly
Tokai Teio Good all-rounder but lacks specialization
Good at Medium-races		 Struggles in Short-distance races
Struggles on Dirt tracks
El Condor Pasa Best 2-star character
Excels in two track types
Does well with Medium-distance races
Beginner friendly		 Low stamina
Struggles in Sprints
Mejiro McQueen Great Guts and Stamina
Excellent at Long-distance races		 Struggles in Short-distance races
Extremely poor Speed and Power
TM Opera O Beginner friendly
Shines in Long-distance races		 Extremely weak at Sprints

B-tier

Characters Strengths Weaknesses
Daiwa Scarlet Good Medium-distance races
Available for free
Good for different strategies		 Falls off in the power curve
Poor stats
Mayano Top Gun Great for longer races
Fits different strategies		 Falls off in Short-distance races
Poor Speed and Power
Grass Wonder Good choice for Turfs
Fits well with different strategies		 Low Stamina and Gut
Gold Ship Good on Turfs
Beginner friendly		 Struggles on Dirt and Short-distance tracks
Air Groove Beginner-friendly all-rounder
Good for Medium-races		 Struggles at Sprints and Long-distance races
Struggles on Dirt
Vodka Only 2-star that works well on late strategies
Flexible
Fits well with Medium races		 Struggles in non-Medium races

C-tier

There's not much to write about these characters. These are the 1-star characters that are easy to obtain (barring Super Creek), and their stats don't hold well (even with the upgrades).

  • Super Creek

  • Nice Nature

  • Sakura Bakushin 0

  • Matikane-fukukitaru

  • King Halo

  • Haru Urara

  • Mejiro Ryan

  • Winning Ticket

  • Agnes Tachyon

The tables above will be updated once we get more characters in Umamusume Pretty Derby.

The post Umamusume Pretty Derby character tier list appeared first on Destructoid.

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