Aug 11, 12:00


Kotaku Monday, August 11, 2025 11:31 AM
    

Art shows the villain of Far Cry 3.

Rob Mac is adapting the Ubisoft series for FX according to a recent leak

The post Mac From <i>It's Always Sunny</i> Is Making A <i>Far Cry</i> Show appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Monday, August 11, 2025 10:59 AM
    

Plus: Samoa Joe reviews Battlefield 6's open beta, news on the next Resident Evil movie, a cool indie RPG that looks like Persona gets a release date, and Spider-Man!

The post What The Hell Is Going On With Video Game Disc Cases? appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Monday, August 11, 2025 9:55 AM
    

A tank atop a hill firing at unseen enemies in Broken Arrow.

This real-time strategy game can take up a ton of your...real time

The post <i>Broken Arrow</i> Has A Healthy Campaign Runtime, But The Real Challenge Comes After The Credits appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Monday, August 11, 2025 9:46 AM
    

Drag x Drive players win a a match.

Fans are buzzing about Drag x Drive: 'I bet jeans will become the meta'

The post PSA: Wash Your Jeans Before Playing Nintendo's Newest Switch 2 Exclusive appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Monday, August 11, 2025 9:37 AM
    

Dorian Pavus looks sad at something off-screen

The 'soft pitch' for Dragon Age: The Champions Trilogy never got off the ground

The post BioWare Apparently Pitched A <em>Dragon Age</em> Remaster And EA Said No appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Monday, August 11, 2025 8:22 AM
    

Mcd

The Japanese Happy Meal sold out in its first day, largely thanks to scalpers

The post McDonald's <i>Pokémon</i> Promotion Ends In Utter Chaos appeared first on Kotaku.


Kotaku Monday, August 11, 2025 7:00 AM
    

Bf66

The open beta for BF6 drew in over half a million concurrent players

The post <i>Battlefield 6</i> Just Smashed <i>Call Of Duty</i>'s Player Records In Two Days appeared first on Kotaku.


PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 11:54 AM
    

How do you get the Bushwacker in Grounded 2? If your archer needs a new bow, this one should keep them happy. It's one of a few free Grounded 2 hidden weapons up for grabs, saving you the trouble of searching for certain materials. You'll need to make some daring jumps, but it's worth it.

The Bushwacker weapon goes hand-in-hand with the Grounded 2 Gloom Skewer. Land a shot with this in Grounded 2, and the signature stabbing weapon will do even more damage. Need more to arm your group of agricultural avengers? Learn how to get the Grounded 2 Ice Sickles and plan out your next survival game expedition.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to get water in Grounded 2, How to clear dead roots in Grounded 2, Where to find grass seeds in Grounded 2

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 11:31 AM
    

How do you make spaghetti in Grow a Garden? When Chris. P enters his Italian era, he might decide the messy pasta dish is all he can eat for the next hour. Be ready to hit those cravings and score tons of cooking rewards with these easy Roblox Grow a Garden spaghetti recipes.

You don't need to worry about a meal running over Chris P.'s craving window. Instead, plan for the next potential boost by learning how to make a salad or how to make a burger in advance. And if you want to try making bigger meals for better rewards, read up on how to make pie and how to make pizza, too. Give any mutated meals that don't hit his craving to the Food Connoisseur for new Roblox rewards.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 11:12 AM
    

How does the BF6 rangefinder work? Sniping in any game is an art form, no more so than in Battlefield 6. A talented Recon player can be devastating for the opposition, forcing enemy players to take cover no matter where they are on the map, instilling fear that their next step might be met with a sharp snap and a respawn screen.

Many Battlefield 6 weapons have shone during the BF6 betas, but none have such a unique use case as the sniper rifle. A single-purpose tool of death that can be considered a scalpel in a war full of hammers, it takes skill to use effectively. One of the tools that can improve your sniping is the Battlefield 6 rangefinder - here's how to use it.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Battlefield 6 preview, Battlefield 6 release date, Battlefield 6 weapons

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 11:05 AM
    

AMD has quietly unveiled a new budget graphics card for gamers. The AMD Radeon RX 7400 is unlikely to be a hype-inducing entry into the company's lineup, however. It features a last-gen RDNA 3 GPU with meager specs that make it marginally less powerful than the company's previously lowest-spec entry of that generation, the AMD Radeon RX 7600.

The most recent entries by AMD into the GPU market have genuinely impressed us, with the AMD Radeon RX 9070, RX 9070 XT, and RX 9060 XT all earning places in our best graphics card guide. Its RDNA 3 cards were less impactful, however, due to their poor performance compared to Nvidia counterparts, and we're not expecting this card to change that story, either.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 9070 XT review

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 11:03 AM
    

Smilegate Entertainment, the studio behind hugely popular FPS series Crossfire, is in a bit of a rut. In 2022, it launched CrossfireX, which was poorly received across the board, and marked a huge L for campaign crafter Remedy Entertainment. That year it also dropped an RTS, Crossfire Legion, which tried and failed to emulate the classic Command and Conquers of old; it's set to be delisted from Steam later this month. Now, Smilegate has revealed a new installment into the series, Crossfire Rainbow, and it looks like the studio's dabbling in horror this time.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best FPS games, Upcoming PC games

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 11:12 AM
    

I think about the Roman Empire every day. I know it's a meme, but it's true for me. That meme is my hole, it was made for me etc. I've trekked along Hadrian's Wall, toured the Colosseum in Rome, and beamed every Roman movie I can find into my eyeballs—even the travesty of historical inaccuracies that is Gladiator 2. But I've always wondered why we don't have more Roman video games. Rise: Son of Rome was ok, but the era has largely been bypassed by mainstream studios. That's why I'm glad that Roman 4X game Yield! Fall of Rome has finally exited early access and hit 1.0.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Turn-based strategy games, Best 4X games, Best strategy games

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 11:04 AM
    

How do you trigger the Reckoning song? It's a part of the Treyarch Zombies maps that we've come to love over the years: the musical easter egg. There's nothing quite like a metal soundtrack blasting through your headphones when you're ripping through hordes of zombies.

So, with the last Zombies map of Black Ops 6, Kevin Sherwood is back, this time featuring the vocals of Black Ops icon Elena Siegman. If you're struggling to figure out where the Mister Peeks headsets are across the two huge Janus Towers, we've got you. Once more with feeling, here's how to find the Reckoning secret song.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 guns, Black Ops 6 review, Black Ops 6 loadouts

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 11:00 AM
    

All I want is Harrowing Summoner's Rift. Reimagining League of Legends' classic battleground as a pumpkin-ridden, candlelit forest full of horrors, it's easily my favorite of Riot's various map skins (Winter's Rift is a close second, though - Santa Hat Baron when?). Coming into 2025, where seasonal map changes are the name of the game, the chance that these classic reskins may return doesn't feel so much like a pipe dream anymore; sometimes, dreams become reality. While Riot's new League of Legends Season 3 preview doesn't showcase the new and improved versions of Harrowing or Winter that I was hoping for, it does confirm that it's bringing back the beloved Doom Bots event, meaning that a Halloween event doesn't feel outside of the realm of possibility.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, LoL tier list

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 11:03 AM
    

If you plan on dipping your toes into one of the longest-running competitive esports franchises currently available on PC, it's well worth checking out the CS2 system requirements to ensure your gaming PC or laptop is up to the challenge.

As we enter Season Three, which sees the return of Overpass to the active map pool, CS2 is still a popular as ever, with over 1.25 million average daily players. A big reason for this is that despite its upgrades over CS:GO, you won't need the best graphics card from our comprehensive buying guide to run the game, meaning just about anyone can play. If you're jumping in and want to skip the awkward trial-and-error phase of figuring out the best CS2 settings, we have you covered there, too.

Continue reading CS2 system requirements
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 10:14 AM
    

Where can you find every Mafia The Old Country safe code? While telling the story of Enzo Favara and his journey within the Torrisi famiglia, you're taken to Italy during the 1900s in the latest Mafia game. Starting as a powerless mine worker, you will help Enzo climb the ranks within this family, as he discovers what kind of man he wants to be.

However, there will be some obstacles in the way of progression. These can take the form of fights against enemies, car chases, or locked safes. We have found every safe in Mafia The Old Country and have detailed the story game's safe codes below so that you're not wasting time looking for them.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best PC games, Best action games, Best single player games

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 10:02 AM
    

Despite being over 500 years old at this point, chess has more than endured the test of time. Even now, new stratagems are being developed as the next generation of players continues to plumb its near-bottomless tactical depths. Considering its prominence, it's unsurprising that the basic concept of chess has been ripped apart, spliced with elements of other games, and stitched back together more times than I've lost to my dad at it. Solo developer Marc Makes Games has now dropped his own take, Passant, and - wait a minute, why has a Dragon King just blasted my board?

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games, Best puzzle games, Best strategy games

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 10:02 AM
    

Competition breeds innovation, or so the saying goes. Forthcoming sci-fi 4X game Stellar Reach hopes to provide just that to genre top dog Stellaris. Where Civilization has a strangehold on Earth-based grand strategy, Stellaris has that same grip on the sci-fi subgenre. However, with the power of former Ubisoft and Creative Assembly developer James Miller behind it, Stellar Reach hopes to break that monopoly and give players a new galaxy to conquer. But can it compete with the likes of Homeworld 3, Endless Legend 2, and Sins of a Solar Empire 2 in the shadow of Paradox's behemoth?


PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 10:36 AM
    

August 11, 2025 We added two new Borderlands 3 Shift codes and removed one expired code.

Looking for new Borderlands 3 Shift codes? Gearbox's chaotic shooter has plenty to offer, but we can never say no to even more free loot. Redeem codes are released regularly and include keys to open loot chests and other trinkets to expand your arsenal further.

Some Borderlands 3 redeem codes are permanent fixtures, while others are only available for a limited time. We've collected all the latest codes so you never miss out on free golden keys. You can even redeem these codes in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands if you just can't get enough of the FPS game series. Now you're all set, gear up for new Borderlands 3 updates with the latest promo codes below.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Borderlands 3 Shift codes, Borderlands 3 legendary weapons, Play Borderlands 3

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 10:29 AM
    

What are the Infinity Nikki banners? There are a ton of outfits to find, earn, and buy in Miraland, but truly unique outfit pieces can only be found in banners. Aside from their striking looks, banner-exclusive pieces can help you achieve a perfect score in styling challenges. So, if you're overdue for a wardrobe refresh, let us walk you through the banner system.

Infinity Nikki takes its cue from acclaimed gacha games like Genshin Impact by offering limited-time banners, otherwise known as resonances, that feature exclusive outfits. Not only do we have a full list of the RPG game's latest banners, but we've also included banner odds and how resonances work for new stylists. Remember to redeem the latest Infinity Nikki codes for more banner currency to complete your favorite outfits.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Infinity Nikki codes, Infinity Nikki banners, Infinity Nikki review

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 10:00 AM
    

Civilization 7 might have landed to a mixed response, but we're still spoiled for choice when it comes to 4X games. Paradox's Stellaris recently launched its experimental Biogenesis expansion, and its magical sibling Age of Wonders 4 is soon to get a major overhaul. For a shorter-form spin on the format, indie game Rogue Hex puts a roguelike twist on things. My attention this week has been on Endless Legend 2, however, which I've been playing in a preview form. So far, it's feeling like a worthwhile successor to the game that finally stole me away from Civ 5 more than a decade ago, and you can try it for yourself thanks to a new demo on Steam.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best 4X games, Best fantasy games, Best strategy games

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 9:44 AM
    

What are the correct Madden 26 combine interview answers? It's time to use these Madden 26 Combine interview answers to make sure you are the #1 pick. Getting drafted high comes down to your ability to impress at the Combine with both your physical ability and by answering some interview questions.

The Combine questions have changed from last year and are now based on situational questions rather than NFL facts. The interview questions have a direct impact on your influence with teammates and coaches. So what are the right answers to these Madden 26 questions? We've created superstars at every position and compiled every answer to bring you a cheatsheet that will boost you to that number one draft choice in the sports game.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Madden 26 system requirements, Best football and soccer games, Best sports games on PC

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 10:14 AM
    

August 11, 2025: We added nine new Infinity Nikki codes and removed 23 expired codes.

What are the new Infinity Nikki codes? The fifth installment of Infold Games' dress-up series marks its debut on PC and consoles, and there are a ton of freebies available to claim. These limited-time redeem codes are a staple of gacha games, offering you the chance to collect premium rewards at no cost to your bank balance.

Infinity Nikki lets you redeem codes for free items like Revelation Crystals, Threads of Purity, and Bling, all to unlock and upgrade outfits to traverse the open-world game. Here are all the new codes following the Infinity Nikki release date, including livestream codes and how to redeem them.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Infinity Nikki codes, Infinity Nikki banners, Infinity Nikki review

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 10:14 AM
    

What is the best fight stick? A good fight stick gives you better control, more directional accuracy, and greater tactile feedback in arcade-style games of all types. They're more comfortable, natural, and satisfying to operate for fighting games and their design is inspired by the controls found in traditional arcade uprights. We've tested many options to come up with our list of the current best fight sticks whatever your budget.

Our knockout champion is the Nacon Daija that boasts fantastic performance and is packed with high-end features. For those on a tighter budget, the Qanba N3 Drone 2 is a great choice for around $100. Meanwhile, fans of leverless fight sticks (hitboxes) should swing for the Victrix Pro KO Leverless Fight Stick. For more options, see the list below, and if you're not sure what you're looking for, you can read the how to choose and FAQ sections of this guide to help you choose.

Continue reading Best fight stick 2025
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 10:05 AM
    

Despite a recent update to Unreal Engine 5, the Valorant system requirements are still more than friendly to entry-level gaming PCs or laptops. That said, frame rate drops can mean the difference between victory and defeat, so you will want to upgrade your existing rig if you're looking for a competitive edge.

Valorant is a well-established cross between Counter-Strike 2 and Overwatch, so you can rest easy knowing that you won't need one of the best graphics card picks from our helpful buying guide to get the game running. In fact, even if you're fighting on the Corrode map introduced in Valorant patch 11.00, just about any entry-to-mid-range gaming laptop or PC should be able to achieve a respectable frame rate.

Continue reading Valorant system requirements
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 7:46 AM
    

To get the maximum enjoyment possible from chasing down ancient treasure, you're going to need nothing less than a modern, high-end gaming PC to tackle the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle system requirements. Anything older is going to put you in trouble because this game is simply greedy for your system resources across the board. In fact, you'll need a GPU with hardware ray tracing to even meet the minimum specs.

The requirements for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are hard-hitting, but remain unchanged ahead of the Order of Giants DLC. If you want to run this game on the highest Ultra settings, with full ray tracing enabled, you're going to need an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, or another of the best graphics card picks from our helpful buying guide. However, if you're happy to play Indy at 1080p on low presets, you'll be okay with a less powerful rig, but you're still going to need a GPU that supports ray tracing.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 7:26 AM
    

It's time to upgrade your gaming storage, thanks to this exciting Samsung gaming SSD deal. The Samsung 990 Pro is the fastest PCIe 4.0 drive we've tested, so if you're keen to max out your speeds on a PC that doesn't support PCIe 5.0, then this is the drive for you, with a solid saving on top to boot.

We've tested a number of Samsung drives over the years, with this particular model getting a recommendation in our best gaming SSD guide. As our Samsung 990 Pro review shows, this is a fast and affordable option for gamers who can't switch to a PCIe 5.0 SSD, with the 990 Pro still delivering great performance.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Samsung Odyssey G9 G95SC review, Samsung 9100 Pro review, Samsung T9 Portable SSD review

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 7:00 AM
    

What are the upcoming Game Pass games? New titles constantly appear on the platform, and as more developers jump on board with Microsoft's subscription service, it can be easy to lose track of the best of the bunch. Our complete list of games coming to Game Pass charts new releases in 2025, so you can play your most anticipated games on day one without spending a cent more than your subscription fee.

Game Pass presents an excellent opportunity to take the best PC games for a spin without worrying about triple-A price tags. Equally, you can take a chance on the most experimental and unorthodox indie games that might otherwise go overlooked on other platforms. Whether you're a fan of fast-paced FPS games, spine-chilling horror games, or immersive RPGs, the best way to keep up to date with all the games coming to Game Pass in 2025 and beyond is right here on PCGamesN.

Continue reading Upcoming Game Pass games
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hellblade 2 review, Hellblade 2 lore stone locations, Hellblade 2 face locations

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 6:52 AM
    

Gaming history is filled with 'what if?' moments. I often wonder what would've happened if Square Enix's Shinji Hashimoto hadn't bumped into that Disney exec in an office elevator, eventually spawning one of my favorite gaming series ever, Kingdom Hearts. The butterfly effect, for me at least, likely wouldn't have brought me into games media. I'd also have avoided a few more headaches from trying to make sense of what's actually happening. Well, here's a new one for you: what if id Software co-founder John Romero helped make Thief instead of Doom?

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best old games, Best FPS games, Best zombie games

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 6:42 AM
    

August 11, 2025: We looked for new Strinova codes.

What are the new Strinova codes? While there are plenty of amazing agents and their weapons to test out, sometimes you just need a few freebies to get an edge on the competition. iDreamSky gives you the chance to redeem limited-time Strinova codes for free rewards. These goodies could be anything from EXP boosters, dream tokens, and emotes to skins or crystal boxes.

If you're looking for Strinova redeem codes in the anime game, we have you covered. We've included all the latest promo codes below, along with some helpful instructions on how to redeem them. These freebies can help you build the best characters on our Strinova tier list, so don't forget to check back regularly.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best anime games, Best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Monday, August 11, 2025 6:34 AM
    

What are the best Minecraft maps right now? Minecraft is the inventor's paradise, but, of course, it is also the connoisseur's nightmare. There are thousands of maps out there, from massive city maps to confined horror maps and everything in between, so it can be tough to find the best of the best. Luckily for you, we've taken the time to trial loads of the top picks, and we've trawled through even more YouTube videos, so we feel knowledgeable enough to bring you this list of the best Minecraft maps around.

We've whittled down the finest user-created environments and placed them into categories below. Whether you fancy plunging to the depths of a Minecraft dropper, living out your Minecraft life game fantasies, or risking it all in the finest parkour the building game has to offer, we have everything you need to get the most out of these top Minecraft maps.

Continue reading The best Minecraft maps 2025
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 11, 2025 9:40 AM
    

Some upsetting news from the past weekend: Bithell Games, the Mike Bithell-founded indie studio behind Thomas Was Alone, John Wick Hex, Tron: Identity and the just-released Tron: Catalyst, are laying off 11 developers. That's "The majority of our full-time staff," according to a post on Bithell's personal Bluesky account.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 11, 2025 7:01 AM
    

Everybody stay calm. You're about to read about landlords and the prospect of paying rent. Don't worry, there probably aren't any landlords in the room right now. There are, however, new landlords in Cyberpunk 2077, should you choose to install this mod that introduces a whole bunch of expanded mechanics and details when it comes to cyberflats.

It's called Eviction Notice, and it's a substantial overhaul of how housing works in the futuristic RPG. Gone are the days of just living for free in Megabuilding H10, or walking up to one of the newer pads added in by the 1.5 update and paying a one-time fee for permanent access. Clearly these options are too idealistic, and your merc with a toaster transplanted into their face needs to battle their most terrifing foe yet: fiscal responsibility.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, August 11, 2025 6:34 AM
    

Edwin's off for a few days – something to do with the thesis that he's recently started using to make us call him "Dr Edwin" in meetings, turning his camera off and muting himself if we forget. So, for this week's rundown of new PC game releases, you've got me, fresh from my recent encroachments into WAWAPW and the Sunday Papers. You thought AI would steal everyone's jobs? Wrong. It was the hardware editors.

Read more


Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 9:24 AM
    
Teamwork and Supermarket Together codes are the ingredients for success!

Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 8:15 AM
    
While the rewards keep rolling while you're offline, redeeming Fight Anime Bosses codes is a way faster method.

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Dungeon crawling is more fun when you have Dungeon Lootify codes.

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Become a battle-hardened dungeon crawler with Dungeons Incremental 2 codes!

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Lost Currents codes are so good that they'll make you implode. From happiness, of course!

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Totally Accurate Tops codes will grant you totally accurate rewards.

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Don Quixote, my beloved, you deserve all the Limbus Company codes.

Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:42 AM
    
Hopefully, we'll get some Build a Scam Empire codes soon!

Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:42 AM
    
The codes will never forsake you (unless they expire).

Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:41 AM
    
We have a bunch of Jujutsu Odyssey codes you can use for cool freebies!

Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:41 AM
    
Give your dogs some treats in the form of Pet Tower Defense codes.

Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:41 AM
    
Prove Tanjiro is a big crybaby with Hinokami Legacy codes.

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Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:40 AM
    
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Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:40 AM
    
Our article is your number-one spot for finding all the latest news on DC Worlds Collide codes.

Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:39 AM
    
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Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:39 AM
    
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Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:39 AM
    
Collect free Cash and Skill Points with the help of Legacy of Krypton codes.

Twinfinite Monday, August 11, 2025 5:38 AM
    
Find the latest Rogueblox codes right here.

Siliconera Monday, August 11, 2025 12:00 PM
    

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Arata and Freya Romance Options Shared

Marvelous and XSEED shared two new Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar romance options trailer, and they highlight returning bachelorette Freya and new bachelor Arata. She first debuted in the DS version of the game, and she went by the same name in it as well. Meanwhile, he's new to this installment and is close to Samir, who was known as Amir in the original release. Both are available right away when the game begins.

In the case of Freya, she is one of the villagers who lives in Zephyr Town and commutes to another one on most days for her job in the city. She enjoys food from the cafe. The heart events shown in the video show her meeting with the player character at the cafe and dealing with possible burnout and questions about her future.

Here's her trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o7tKgPmEB8

Arata is entirely new and, when you first start Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, the bachelor lives in the mountains training. The heart events teased in his trailer tend to focus on his training and attempts to get stronger. 

You can see Arata in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsNttsgeysk

These are the third and fourth romance options trailers in this new Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar bachelor and bachelorette collection. The first two looked at Jules and Sophie

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar will come to the Switch, Switch 2, and PC on August 27, 2025, and Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar is on the DS. 

The post Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Arata and Freya Romance Options Shared appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, August 11, 2025 11:00 AM
    

Death Stranding 2 Dollman Figure Plays 5 Voiced Lines

Taito announced a new prize figure of Dollman from Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and it confirmed it will play five voiced lines randomly. This will begin showing up in the middle of December 2025 in arcades in Japan. There's no word yet if we'll see other storefronts also sell this sound figure worldwide. 

The Death Stranding 2 Dollman will be about six inches tall (15cm). There will only be the one style of him in his brown suit with red accents from the game. No examples of the five random voiced lines were shared. However, the first example photo did show he will have a loop at the top of his head that allows someone to attach Dollman to a belt loop or keychain. It also suggested the body will be able to sway back and forth.

Here's the first photo of the item:

This isn't the only time a Death Stranding 2 Dollman figure appeared, complete with strap for attaching as a decoration, but the other one ended up being quite expensive. It was part of the $229.99 Collector's Edition. The Dollman in that was 3" long, had no moving parts, and didn't make any sounds.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is available on the PS5, and Taito will offer the Dollman sound figure with voiced lines in Japanese arcades starting in December 2025.

The post Death Stranding 2 Dollman Figure Plays 5 Voiced Lines appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, August 11, 2025 10:00 AM
    

One Piece Live-Action Season 3 and One Piece Heroines Anime Announced

As part of the One Piece Day 2025 announcement, Netflix shared a live-action season 2 trailer and season 3 confirmation and Shueisha announced a One Piece Heroines anime. The second season debuts on the streaming service in 2026. The announcement only noted season 3 production "is kicking off." There's no expected air date for the novel anime yet.

In the case of One Piece season 2, the latest trailer highlighted many of the new characters joining the cast. It also officially dubbed this One Piece Into the Grand Line. Three of the biggest ones are peeks at Lera Abova as Miss All-Sunday, aka Nico Robin, Callum Kerr as Smoker, and Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday, aka Nefertari Vivi. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfeCCnOPqrA

It is just after the one minute mark that season 3 is confirmed.

In the case of One Piece Heroines, that originally started as a novel series about the various women who show up in the series, so the anime should focus in on them as well. Viz Media released the first volume, which involved stories based on Nami, Robin, Vivi, and Ghost Princess Perona, back in April 2025. The second volume, which debuted in July 2025, featured Boa Hancock, Tashigi, Reiju, and Uta. 

Here's the key art for that anime adaptation. It showed Nami and Robin:

The first season of the One Piece live-action adaptation is on Netflix now, with season 2 on the way in 2026 and the third being produced. The anime is on both Netflix and Crunchyroll. Viz Media handles the manga outside of Japan. There's no launch window for the One Piece Heroines anime.

The post One Piece Live-Action Season 3 and One Piece Heroines Anime Announced appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, August 11, 2025 9:00 AM
    

iwakura aria review

Much like how protagonist Ichiko could not tear her eyes away from her new mistress, Aria Iwakura, when she first saw her, I fell in love with Iwakura Aria the moment I saw the game's art. This Switch game is a gripping suspense drama and romance that's occasionally dragged down by its translation.

Iwakura Aria takes place during the summer of 1966, a time of rapid economic growth in post-World War II Japan. Ichiko Kitagawa isn't reaping any of those benefits, though. She's an orphan girl who has to sell trinkets and her artwork to raise money for the facility. Her painting catches the eye of Amane Iwakura, a rich businessman who purchases her art and hires her as a live-in maid. This is only the first life-changing meeting Ichiko has that summer, as she's almost instantly enchanted by Aria Iwakura, Amane's daughter.

iwakura aria review ichiko and aria
Screenshot by Siliconera

The story isn't a simple romance between a maid and her mistress. Ichiko keeps encountering strange rooms and odd people while working at the Iwakura manor, and both Aria and Amane are keeping secrets from her. As Ichiko learns more about the Iwakura family, her relationship with Aria shifts from its initial innocent admiration to something much darker.

Iwakura Aria is a straightforward visual novel that occasionally offers choices to progress. At times, you can move Ichiko around as she cleans the manor, which can unlock some additional dialogue and information. I personally liked the story quite a bit, especially the human drama and mysteries it presents. The game's pacing was phenomenal, lingering just enough to pull you into the character's thoughts or situation without overstaying its welcome. Every time it solves one conflict, it sets up another after a brief respite, so it's never dull.

aria with ichiko
Screenshot by Siliconera

The relationship between Ichiko and Aria is the key point of tension in the game, as well as the story's focus. "Sweet" might not be the right word, but it's compelling with plenty of romantic and painful moments. It's frustrating in a positive way, between Aria's reticence and Ichiko's subconscious toxicity. The game did a good job in making you sympathize and empathize with both of them. If you're into darker and more psychological yuri, their relationship is a fun rabbit hole to jump into.

While the entire cast did an amazing job on this game, Sayumi Suzushiro's portrayal of protagonist Ichiko was particularly memorable. Her sobbing and voice breaking in emotional scenes elevated them, and I really liked the way she changed her tone and speech patterns depending on who Ichiko spoke to. With Sui, her friend, she took on a deeper register and conversational manner of stringing her words together. However, when Ichiko spoke with Aria, the breathy and high-pitched way of speaking had elements of both a nervous maid and a girl in love. I liked Suzushiro back in Master Detective Archives: Rain Code, but her acting in Iwakura Aria stood out even among veterans like Aria's Chie Nakamura (Sakura in Naruto) and Amane's Toshiyuki Morikawa (Sephiroth in Final Fantasy).

iwakura aria translation
Screenshot by Siliconera.

Unfortunately, despite the mesmerizing story and artwork, the English localization falls short and can distract from the experience. There were multiple instances where the meaning of the English translation did not match the original script. For the most part, these wouldn't affect one's understanding of the story; they only caught my attention because I know Japanese. However, there are also moments where even someone who doesn't understand the language would go, "Uh, what?"

In one memorable scene, the translator defaulted to using "Tch" where words like "Nrgh..." or even "Eek..." would have worked perfectly fine. It gave the impression that Ichiko really did not want to spend time with Aria, even though it was supposed to be a moment of levity or playful flirting. I didn't appreciate the translation pulling me out of scenes like that, especially in a story with as much underlying tension as Iwakura Aria's.

iwakura aria review blood
Screenshot by Siliconera

Though the story can sometimes verge on the uncomfortable—it delves into themes of child abuse, self-harm, and sexual violence—it still provided a fascinating read. The pencil crayon-like artwork of 100 Nen is also a treat, giving the whole game a unique and eye-catching aesthetic. Ichiko and Aria's relationship developing from indifference to friendship to an obsessive love that bordered on hatred is the kind of content I always eat up, and man, did MAGES provide a feast.

Iwakura Aria will come out on August 14, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch and Windows PC.

The post Review: Iwakura Aria Is a Romance Full of Chills And Thrills appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, August 11, 2025 8:30 AM
    

siliconera logo survey

We're looking for even more feedback on Siliconera, what you want to see from the site, and just things in general that you enjoy! We've started up a whole new survey so we can get your thoughts. Our goal is to constantly build on the site's foundation to continue to make it (and our newsletter) bigger, better, and more able to cover everything you like! 

With this latest survey, we hope to get your insights about the site and things you like to check out online. That means answering a handful of questions about topics that matter to you. If you could please spare 5-10 minutes of your time, we'd really appreciate it! And in the end, your responses could really make a difference!

Thanks you all for visiting Siliconera and taking the time to fill out this survey. 

The post Shape Siliconera by Taking Our New Survey appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Monday, August 11, 2025 10:58 AM
    

A snap of the upcoming MESA update in PEAK

PEAK's first major content expansion, Mesa, is almost upon us, and it could have plenty of exciting content for the fans.

Developers Landfall and Aggro Crab have already revealed a mini trailer for the expansion, along with the release date. While the developers have been tight-lipped about what to expect, we got some interesting reveals in the trailer. Let's first find out when the update goes live.

PEAK Mesa update release countdown

We already had confirmation about the release date when the update trailer was disclosed to the audience. We all get to enjoy the first major content expansion for the popular co-op survival adventure on Aug. 11.

Incidentally, we don't have any confirmed information about when the update will go live. That said, certain speculation can be made based on how we receive updates in PEAK. While all the updates so far have been minor, the Cannibalism update went live at 2 pm CT. The countdown below is set to that time for now, to at least give us a ballpark figure of when we get to play.


[hurrytimer id="1102805"]

  • 1pm PT
  • 2pm CT
  • 4pm ET
  • 8pm UTC
  • 9pm BST

Once again, these times are based on when PEAK typically receives updates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXqfn1i6RYU

All changes coming in the PEAK Mesa update

Again, the developers haven't shared much on new content in the new update. Here are some key things we expect as part of the upcoming patch.

  • Potential new natural disaster, like a Tornado.
  • New biome, potentially a desert.
  • New achievements (already visible on the database, but exact details haven't been disclosed)
  • Plenty of bug fixes (as that has been a common trend so far).
  • Surprise drops like Cannibalism (not sure, but it will be cool).

Once we have confirmed details about the update, we will make sure to keep you up to date on the key changes.

The post PEAK Mesa update release countdown: Exact start time and date appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, August 11, 2025 10:53 AM
    

Pre-match presentation in Madden 26

X-Factor abilities in Madden 26 separate the best from the rest, as only a very selected group of NFL pros have this feature.

X-Factor abilities make these superstars light the field on fire, and perform better than other names in their positions. Like last year, there are different abilities suitable for players in various positions.

Disclaimer: List in progress. More abilities to be added as we discover what they do.

All Madden 26 X-Factor abilities explained

The list of X-Factor abilities have never been more, offering plenty of different options to pick from.

Ability name How they work
Ankle Breaker Increased fakeout rates in the zone with every juke/hurdle/spin after grabbing the ball.
Bazooka Increased maximum throw distance once athletes enter the zone.
Blitz All opposing blockers get their resistance bars wiped out.
Bottleneck The superstars have high chance of winning any press encounter when entering the zone.
Double Me Increased success rate against ambitious catch attempts and single coverage.
Dual Threat Increased chances of success while trying to knock a pass loose and defeating pass blocks.
Escape Artist Increased scramble speed in the zone.
Fearmonger Apply pressure on QBs even if the athletes have blockers around them.
First One free Increased fakeout rate for the next dribbling move.
Freight Train Higher chance to break the upcoming tackle attempt.
Max Security Ability increases the success rate on possession catches.
Momentum Shift Automatically knocks out every field opponent out of the zone or make them lose all progress.
Phenom Higher chance of winning the first interaction against a defender.
RAC'em Up Increased chances of success on RAC catches.
Reinforcement Higher chances of defeating run blocks and stopping catches with tackles.
Relentless All rush move attempts in the zone are automatically free.
Run and Gun Perfect accuracy when attempting a throw on the run inside the zone.
Shutdown Tighter coverage and more frequent interceptions when contesting a catch.
Truzz Never endure a fumble inside the zone irrespective of the frequency of tackle attempts.
Universal Coverage Get almost guaranteed knockouts within the zone.
Unstoppable Force Higher win rate and block shed speed when attempting an one-on-one pass blocks.
Wrecking Ball Higher success rate on stiff arm and truck attempts.
YAC'Em Up The first post-catch tackle attempt in the zone is guaranteed to be a success.

Due to the exclusiveness of these powers, about 50 NFL superstars have X-factor abilities in Madden 26. Once we discover more, you can find new abilities on the table above, along with their explanations. Always remember that all the abilities come into play when the corresponding superstar enters the zone.

The post All Madden 26 X-Factor abilities and how they work appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, August 11, 2025 10:37 AM
    

Weapons kid running in street

If you haven't had a chance to see the new horror film Weapons yet, I highly suggest it.

The follow-up to 2022's Barbarian from writer and director Zach Cregger, Weapons flourishes as a piece of original storytelling in a world where adaptations and sequels are everywhere. And so, inevitably, with some success, he has found himself on that path.

Julia Garner in Weapons
Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment

Earlier this year, it was announced that Cregger will be writing and directing a Resident Evil movie reboot for Sony Pictures, which could come out as early as next year. In an interview with Inverse last week, Cregger revealed that his movie will be "a different story" from the games, avoiding iconic characters like Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and other legends of gaming.

And so, I am left not knowing how to feel about this project's promise.

"Let me say this: this is not breaking the rules of the games," Cregger said of his reboot. "I am the biggest worshiper of the games, so I'm telling a story that is a love letter to the games and follows the rules of the games."

That's good to know, at least. As a fan, he should have some expectation of what gamers would like to see, and with his acumen for atmospheric creepiness, it seems like he's a good fit for Resident Evil. But can the movies flourish without their icons? Resident Evil 7 mostly did so without much help from its legacy cast, telling a new and original story in a different setting, so it's possible.

I have little doubt left in Cregger's ability as a horror filmmaker. He's two for two thus far when it comes to telling interesting, original, and creepy stories. I enjoyed Barbarian, but Weapons was a big step up in some ways. Can he continue that trajectory? It's tough to say, especially since he will be pulling from source material and not a place we know works to some degree: his own mind.

Zach Cregger holding a degree
Image via Instagram

With both Barbarian and Weapons, a lot of the appeal relied on the mystery and suspense before exploding into terror and gore. With Resident Evil, there's little mystery left, so I'm wondering how this may end up.

Resident Evil movies have a pretty murky past. Sony released six movies over the course of 15 years with an original character named Alice (Milla Jovovich), with some versions of certain game characters appearing throughout. The movies were mostly commercial successes and were sometimes okay in their own right, but they left fans of the game wanting more.

And then there was 2021's Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, which by all accounts was an abomination from all angles. I haven't even seen it yet, and I may have to eventually, but I think I've been avoiding it as a fan of the games.

Resident Evil is in my "big three" of franchises that I grew up with and haven't stopped loving, along with Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy (I was clearly a PS1 kid), so this movie means a lot to me. I think that Cregger can nail it, but I have my reservations.

Cregger said his movie will be "obedient to the lore of the games," and so my excitement now comes from his ability to tell an original story. He's confined to that lore, but what and whose story could he tell within it?

Resident Evil (2002) Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez
Image via Sony Pictures

What if he told an isolated story about a random civilian's experience in the Raccoon City outbreak? No sequels, no big budget action, just pure terror. This is something I would love to see, personally. But I have a feeling he'll come up with something unique enough to stand out, while also remaining "obedient" to the source, like he said.

Part of me wishes Cregger could keep on telling his own original stories, but another part of me is excited at what his take on Resident Evil may look like. And so now, we wait.

Let us know in the comments how you feel about Cregger, Weapons, Barbarian, Resident Evil, or anything else on your mind.

The post After seeing Weapons, I'm both hot and cold on the idea of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, August 11, 2025 9:08 AM
    

Looking at mother and daughter polaroid picture on a boat, setting out to the Old Harbour

15 days at the lighthouse can feel like an eternity when you're away from family. You feel as though the whole world rests upon your shoulders, and in Static Dread, it literally does. A slow build with a catastrophic climax, there are so many ways this adventure can go.

What reality can you trust, and who will you leave to succumb to the darkness, wasting away on the all-consuming ocean floor?

In true cosmic fashion, it's not very clear just how many endings Static Dread has. As the entire game moves into a new branch every time you make an important choice. There's also no obvious default or canon ending, as your first playthrough will likely look different from mine. To add to the confusion, there's only really one achievement tied to all but two endings. "The End?" achievement is unlocked when you beat the game, regardless of your outcome.

While there's a lot of variety, there are very strict paths you traverse down that lock you into smaller branches, and all of them bring you to the same place: the Necronomicon. Static Dread starts rather open-ended and gets increasingly narrower in its design because of the choices you've made throughout.

Static Dread: All endings guide

Bright shot of the lighthouse beam shining into the camera with silhouette of the Great Old One in the background
Screenshot by Destructoid

We have exhausted all options on the fifteenth day, so we can confidently tell you that there's nothing else you can do but talk to The Darkness and choose what you're willing to sacrifice. While you can either attack The Great Old One or strengthen it, both lead to the same path, where you must release what the Old Keeper lost his mind protecting. You can only use the lighthouse beam three times against or for the benefit of the otherworldly entity. The dialogue repeats until you're locked out of using the radio, where (after talking to the Village Elder) you're forced to touch the Necronomicon.

If you choose to empower The Great Old One, the cultists will take over Blackfort when Darkness is released from the lighthouse (so long as the city remains intact).

No Way ending

Clicking Give Up prompt on the bed in the lighthouse
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Unknown (Old Keeper) will speak to you on night one, commanding you to leave the lighthouse. Listen to its words and go into the bedroom, clicking on and confirming the "Give up" prompt on the bed. The Lightkeeper quits before anything truly begins. But what kind of home will he return to? A place of denial and loneliness isn't much different than the isolation of working in that very lighthouse. With no Keeper to fill his shoes, Blackfort succumbed to the very darkness you could have fought against.

Darkness ending

Choosing to listen to your wife's voice as Unknown tries to wake you up
Screenshot by Destructoid

We recommend loading into day two to get this ending, as it gets harder for the Darkness to consume you the stronger the Great Old One gets. Turn off all lights (including your flashlight) after starting the night shift and wait for the darkness to overwhelm you (red brain icon shows when you're about to lose consciousness). Then keep choosing dialogue options that favor the wife and daughter so the Lightkeeper falls asleep to the sound of their voices. Reality becomes a mere concept to the Lightkeeper as he descends into the abyss, unable to pull himself away from his past.

Nuclear codes ending

Looking at the board with frequencies pinned all over it
Screenshot by Destructoid

This is the hardest ending to unlock, as you need to collect information as you play.

The most important note you need for this ending is found on the tenth day. I sided with Blackfort and the soldiers throughout my playthrough to get this ending. The fax page for the nuclear codes is distorted, borderline unreadable. Colonel Edwards thinks the launch codes were destroyed, but the three-digit set is just about legible on the fax you were sent. Directly underneath and slightly overlapping the words "Top Secret" at the center of the page is 74 20 73. You will receive the Aircraft Carrier Tempest frequency by playing, but you don't need to activate the nuclear warheads yet.

A cinematic shot of The Great Old One behind the lighthouse
Screenshot by Destructoid

Receive the Commander's instructions by playing through the fifteenth day and siding with the soldiers throughout your playthrough so that they successfully make it to the old village. Set the frequency to 18.9 between attacking The Great Old One's eyes and setting course for nearby ships. Follow these dialogue prompts to destroy the deity:

  • Apply Military Encryption
  • Activate Voice Control
  • 357 - Alpha - 57
  • Activate emergency control
  • 800 - 15 - 32
  • Launch torpedoes
  • Turn off the pump
  • 357 - Omega - 32
  • Disable torpedo launchers
  • Supply power to strategic weapon systems
  • 800 - 15 - 57
  • Enter Launch Codes
  • 74 - 20 - 73
  • Activate nuclear warheads

Klaatu Barada Nikto ending

Daughter telling us to let go off the darkness
Screenshot by Destructoid

Either let in or scare away the Fisherman's dog on night seven to get the basement key. Find the two glowing pieces near the rotation device at the top of the lighthouse and under the wooden floorboard in the bedroom (needs the crowbar from the generator room). Place the glowing pieces on the basement door (which activates only at night). Reach the fifteenth night.

On the final night, play until you speak to the Village Elder. Enter the basement to release the Darkness and make one last wish. The Keeper will automatically insert the Cthulhu-looking mark onto the door. Select "Touch the Necronomicon," "Let go of the darkness, banishing it from the lighthouse," and "Dispel the barrier protecting the lighthouse" to achieve this ending. The cultists win, transforming what remains of Blackfort into mutants who worship The Great Old One. A new world has begun.

Note: this ending achievement will unlock the very first time you choose to touch the Necronomicon, whether you made a final wish or not.

Family ending

The wife looking at us with the crashed car behind her
Screenshot by Destructoid

Following the same route as the previous ending, touch the Necronomicon but select "I want to ask the darkness for one last wish." This is where the remaining endings in Static Dread await. In this instance, choose "I will sacrifice the Old Keeper" to "be with my family." Much like the Darkness ending, the Keeper succumbs to this greater evil to be with his family, as he was unable to move on and come to terms with his own mortality.

An alternative to getting this ending is to sacrifice the city to save your family. This results in the same cutscene as sacrificing the Old Keeper for your family, but at the cost of wiping out Blackfort.

Selfless ending

Lightkeeper's family is resurrected ending
Screenshot by Destructoid

Touch the Necronomicon to sacrifice yourself to save your family. You haven't put an end to the nightmare, but your family is alive. Having traded places, they must now learn to move on without you.

Sacrifice ending

Red beams flying out of the lighthouse light as the aurora floats above
Screenshot by Destructoid

Touch the Necronomicon, but choose "sacrifice myself." Choose either "I want this monster to disappear" or "Bring back the old world" to get this ending. The events repeat as the world reverts back to how it was, but this time, a new Keeper has to replace you. Both options result in the darkness becoming stronger than The Great Old One.

Alternatively, you can sacrifice the Old Keeper and choose either dialogue option for your wish. The darkness will still win, but bringing everything back to the old world means you will wake up at the start of the game, realizing that the cosmic nightmare will always happen no matter what. Human prevention cannot do much against concepts far greater than our understanding.

Destruction ending

Looking at the destroyed Blackfort
Screenshot by Destructoid

The last ending we obtained was to sacrifice Blackfort so that The Great Old One could be destroyed. This leaves the Lightkeeper by himself, knowing that the Darkness still escaped, and took an entire city with it. No more cultists, mutants, and the acceptance that his family is gone, the Lightkeeper has to find a new meaning to life now that his duties are over.

The post All Static Dread: The Lighthouse endings and how to get them appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, August 11, 2025 8:43 AM
    

Rick and morty falling through colorful space and Belly, Conrad, jere, Taylor, and Steven gathered around a table outside in the summer i turned pretty

It's Monday, and a fresh week is here, so it's time to discuss what we've been watching lately. This week, I finished the latest season of Rick and Morty and tuned in to the newest episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty.

We're now about halfway through the final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, with the rest of the episodes slated to continue releasing weekly until mid-September, so it feels like a good time to talk about what's happened so far, especially with the latest episode finally giving us some insight into Conrad's POV. We've also got a full season of Rick and Morty to discuss, so let's get into it.

Rick and morty sitting in a ship in space
Image via Adult Swim

First up, let's talk about Rick and Morty season eight. It had 10 episodes as usual, and overall, this season was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. It had some epic highs, but some rough lows, too, leading to an overall just okay season with too many forgettable episodes.

The episodes I enjoyed most were episode 10, seven, six, and five. Episode three was easily one of my least favorite ones of all time, and the rest of the episodes were just okay. It wasn't necessarily a bad season, but it also wasn't one of the best.

I usually really enjoy the more serious, lore-focused episodes, so when the third one started with the Citadel of Ricks, I was eager to see what happened next. Unfortunately, though, everything that unfolds in this one is completely disconnected from the Rick and Morty we follow and has no actual consequences or bearing on any part of the story. It just felt tired, pointless, and quite boring to watch.

James Gunn talking to rick and morty
Image via Adult Swim

This season wasn't all bad, though. As an avid superhero movie enjoyer, episode seven was especially exciting to me, as James Gunn, the head of DC and director of Superman, showed up in it. I also found it quite amusing that Zack Snyder, who previously led some DC projects, showed up so the two could poke fun at fans who try to pit them against each other. Gunn was also a really entertaining villain in this one, and gelled extremely well with Rick and Morty.

The lore fix for this season did come through a bit towards the end. We learn more about Beth's past in the sixth episode, and the finale of the season really digs deep into more of that and Rick's past with Diane, too. Although the earlier part of the season is very up and down, it ultimately ends on a high note, and I'm excited to see what the writers cook up next season.

I've also been keeping up with the final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, with new episodes currently airing weekly until around Sept. 17 when the show officially ends. It's been a wild ride so far, with episode five finally giving us some insight into Conrad's perspective. It only took us two and a half seasons, but we finally got there.

Jeremiah, Belly, and Conrad sitting on the beach in the summer I turned pretty
Image via Prime Video

I can't believe it took so long to get one of the key trio's perspectives. The show is usually narrated by Belly, and we also got Jeremiah's thoughts last season, but this is the first time we got to see what's going on in Conrad's mind. He's held so much back for so long, and with how good this episode was, I really wish we'd gotten to see more of his thoughts sooner. I kinda get why we didn't, but I still wish we had.

Conrad's perspective is a unique mix of humor and heartache that I can't get enough of. He goes from intense yearning or sadness to delivering lines like, "I would rather shoot myself in the head with a nail gun repeatedly than watch them touching each other like that" in an instant, and it's quite a whirlwind to watch. I was bawling one minute at his Susannah flashback, then dying of laughter at the next, and it's all because of Conrad's unique perspective finally shining through.

Every time I think the love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah can't get more frustrating than it already is, The Summer I Turned Pretty finds a way to surprise me. It feels inevitable that Belly and Conrad will end up together at this point; it's just a matter of how much pain and betrayal it's gonna take to get there.

Conrad pointing at Belly while on the ground next to her in the summer i turned pretty
Image via Prime Video

I'm team Conrad all the way, now, but I also really need Belly to spend some time on her own before they get together, and want Jeremiah to stay on good terms with his brother and Belly, so I'm quite worried to see how everything resolves. We've still got half a season to go, though, so I'm hopeful it will all work out in the end.

I'm also nearly done watching the first half of the new Wednesday season, so expect to hear more on that soon. There are only four episodes released for now, with more on the way in September, but it's already been quite enjoyable.

So, Destructoid, what have you been watching recently? Have you tuned into either of these shows, or has something else been occupying your time? Let us know what you've been enjoying recently down in the comments so we can discuss.

The post Weekly Watchlist Vol 6 – Rick-ety adventures and Conrad-ictions of the heart (Aug 11 to 18) appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, August 11, 2025 8:22 AM
    

A player dribbling past a tackler in Madden 26

The Franchise mode offers different options for Madden 26 players to pick from, and this year brings a host of exciting challenges.

It's pretty easy to pick the best sides and keep taking them to new heights. However, that might not be the experience you want. The table below has details about ten exciting challenges you can try out in this year's Franchise mode.

10 best teams to pick in Madden 26's Franchise mode

I've picked these teams based on a variety of different reasons, which I outline for you in the table below.

Team Status Salary Cap Reason
Kansas City Chiefs Championship Contender $15.2m Decent salary cap, but the pressure will be intense. The squad is one of the best on paper, led by DT Jones and QB Patrick Mahomes. There are numerous 90-rated stars, so you'll need to manage the roster and destroy all other sides on the way to the Super Bowl.
Washington Commanders Playoff Hopeful $23.5m The team has decent young talent that you can use to build a championship-winning squad. There's plenty of room in the salary cap, which might be enough for a couple of fresh free agents. Provides a good experience for those who want a decent challenge, without the burden of building a team from scratch.
New York Jets Rebuilding $37.8m One of the worst-performing teams last season, the Jets have a couple of stars to build the team around. There's plenty of money in the salary cap, but a complete overhaul is the ultimate goal of this playthrough.
New England Patriots Rebuilding $64.6m The glories of the past are now history, and you'll inherit an extremely weak squad. However, you have money and the free agent market. The initial save will be tough, so you'll need smart recruitment to get your run going.
Baltimore Ravens Championship Contender $16.3m One of the best squads in the league. While salary cap space is tight, you won't really need to recruit much. The aim will be to win as many games as possible.
Houston Texans Playoff Hopeful $15.9m While the base squad is decent, there's some room for improvement. You'll have to be smart with recruitment as the wage cap is pretty tight here.
Pittsburgh Steelers Playoff Hopeful $21.9m The Steelers have one of the strongest defenses in the league, but you'll need to improve the offense. There's decent money available, and a few smart trades will net you even more. Spruce up the offense, and you should be well on your way to the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers Rebuilding $22.3m One of the weakest squads in the entire league, and there's not much space in the wage cap. Both offense and defense need improvement, and your aim will be to build around star DT Derrick Brown. A challenging experience.
Philadelphia Eagles Championship Contender $31.9m The Eagles have the best offense in the NFL this season (on paper), but the defense is pretty shoddy. Thankfully, you have more than decent money to shore up the defense in hopes of winning a Super Bowl.
Atlanta Falcons Rebuilding $8.17m This is one save ideal for trade experts, as you have a weak squad and an almost non-existent wage cap. There are a few stars on the roster, and trading some of them might not be a terrible idea.

Ultimately, always pick a save based on how you want to enjoy Madden 26's Franchise mode, and what your expectations are. Picking a squad like the KCC is boring for me because I prefer a decent challenge. But if you're a beginner, playing with a stacked team won't be a bad idea at all.

The post Best teams to pick in Madden 26 Franchise mode appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, August 11, 2025 8:19 AM
    

paper mario 64 key art

It is Aug. 11, 2025, marking 25 years since the original Paper Mario game was released on Nintendo 64, which would go on to become one of the biggest Nintendo spinoff IPs and some of the company's most beloved titles.

It makes me feel really old, considering I remember playing this as a kid on my Nintendo 64 in my parents' living room, trying to find all the stars and playing what would be one of my first ever RPG games. It left a lasting impact on me, and I'm sure I'm not alone there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FXz73E-bq4&ab_channel=GameSpotTrailers

It was definitely a different Mario game than what we were used to, considering that up until this point most spinoff games were things like sports or Mario Kart, so to take Mario and expand upon the world and do what Square Enix had done with Super Mario RPG on the SNES, but create something more Nintendo—it really does speak to the company's creativity when it comes to its iconic character.

It would also spawn a huge variety of other Paper Mario games 25 years later, and also lead to a lot of other Mario RPG-like games, such as the Mario and Luigi series. Some great, some... not so great (looking at you, Sticker Star), but it's hard to hold a candle to the original.

Honestly, I could talk about this game and series for ages. Still, for now, I want to know what some of your fondest memories from the original Paper Mario 64 game are, or what your fondest memory from Paper Mario titles overall is. Even if you haven't played the original (and if you haven't, I implore you to play it on the Nintendo Switch expansion patch to see how far we have come), and only played maybe The Thousand-Year Door or one of the other entries, I want to know what your peak Paper Mario moment is.

Let me know in the comments below!

The post It's Paper Mario's 25th anniversary today, so what are your fondest memories from the series? appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, August 11, 2025 8:11 AM
    

Pre-match presentation in Madden 26

NFL stars in Madden 26 have certain differentiating factors that separate them from average athletes, and these Superstar abilities can help you rise above your opponents.

While Superstar abilities might appear to be the same as X-factor abilities, they are quite different. Unlike X-factor abilities, there are fewer Superstar variants, but they're usable outside the zones. They're also more common than X-factor abilities, but let's take a look at how they work and how they impact the gameplay in Madden 26.

All Madden 26 Superstar abilities

The table below has information about most of the Superstar abilities available in Madden 26. There are a few missing, and we will add them as soon as we have more information about how they work.

Ability How they work
3rd Down Threat Higher chance of winning contested catch attempts against single coverage during 3rd down and within 25 yards.
Acrobat Better chances of success at swats and diving catch attempts.
All Day Less shed attempts by their block target.
Deep in Zone KO Force more catch knockouts and quicker reaction in deep zone coverage.
Deep Out Elite More consistent catching 20+ yard passes from the line of scrimmage.
Demoralizer Defenders can clear the ball carrier's progress for entering the zone with a hit-stick tackle.
Edge Threat Quicker and better pass rush moves while rushing from the edge.
Edge Threat Elite Same as Edge Threat, but applies more pressure on the QB.
Enforcer Supreme Prevents broken tackles, results in higher fatigue penalties, and clears the ball carrier's progress towards the zone with a hit-stick attempt.
Escape Artist Increased scramble speed for QBs.
Evasive Custom juke and spin animations that offer better control.
Extra Pop Higher chance to force fumbles with Perfect Hit Sticks.
Fearless Completely immune to throw penalty from defensive pressure.
Flat Zone KO Force more catch knockouts, and faster flat zone coverage.
Gutsy Scrambler Immune to throw penalties due to defensive pressure.
High Point Deadeye Perfect accuracy on high-point throws under 20 yards.
Human Joystick Quicker momentum shift, faster direction change, and more agile corner turns.
Leap Frog Better at holding on to the ball when tackled mid-hurdle.
Lumberjack Prevents broken tackle attempts and raises the number of fumbles.
Lurk Artist Make jump and 180-degree interceptions in the zone, and endure less fatigue.
Mid in Elite More consistency while catching passes within a 10-20-yard distance.
No Outsiders Faster run shed moves, raising the chance of shedding blocks.
Omniscient Detect user-controlled defenders before the snap.
Pass Lead Elite Higher throw power on bullet precision passes.
Post Up Almost guaranteed to win any double-team block attempt.
Reach Elite Move out from engaged blocks to make tackle and block attempts on the ball carrier.
Reach For It Make attempts to gain extra yards when tackled.
Relentless All rush move attempts are free in the zone.
Roaming Deadeye Perfect accuracy on all throws where pressure hasn't been applied.
Route technician Higher success rate when creating separation at the last cut.
Run Protector Reduce the chance of a quick block shed move from a rusher.
Run Stopper Attempt a shed without spending a point during a Run play.
Screen Protector Higher chance of winning impact blocks on screen plays.
Secure Protector Reduce the rusher's chances for a quick block shed move.
Short In Elite Catching chance improves when receiving passes within 10 yards of the Scrimmage line, inside the numbers.
Short Out Elite Catching chance improves when receiving passes within 10 yards of the Scrimmage line, outside the numbers.
Sideline Deadeye Perfect accuracy on all throws outside numbers.
Slot-O-Matic Receivers make faster cuts and better catches when lined up in the slot.
Speedster Ignore one bar of blocker resistance while attempting speed pass rush.
Strip Specialist Tackle effectively despite trying to strip the ball.
Swim Club Ignore one bar of blocker resistance while attempting swim/club pass rush moves.
Tank Break almost all hit-stick tackle attempts.
Tip Drill Increase the chance to catch passes tipped into the air.
Under Pressure Apply pressure on the QB over longer distances.
Unfakeable Perform actions that cannot be faked out by defenders.
Universal Coverage Physical coverage defenders can prevent catches even when the target has safely grabbed the ball.
YAC'Em Up Almost guaranteed chance to break first post-catch tackle.

Make sure to keep checking out the table as we make more entries.

The post All Superstar Abilities in Madden 26 and how they work appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Monday, August 11, 2025 7:13 AM
    

vox seas fruit tier list and guide

The best fruits in Vox Seas depend on what you need them for whether it be PVP or PVE grinding and I'll go into the most powerful options for both. While guns/Musket are predominantly the best damage in this game, fruits can be useful for PVE due to their massive AOE damage and some are good for PVP too. Here's my Vox Seas Fruit tier list and guide.

All Vox Seas Fruits Ranked

vox seas fruit tier list
Image by Destructoid

Note that for this Vox Seas Fruit tier list I considered the best options for both PVP and PVE but I also took into account if a fruit is really cheap/easy to get. Some lower rarity Fruits in Vox Seas can usually grind PVE really well for you on a budget. Overall, S-Tier are the generally best options for PVP and PVE with A-Tiers being close seconds and perhaps better specializing in one or the other. B-Tiers are really good for early-to-mid game PVE grinding and PVP while C are for beginners and D you should avoid. Let's move onto analyzing all Fruits and their moves individually.

Logia Fruits: Vox Seas has a Logia Fruit system similar to Blox Fruits where elemental fruits like Vulcanic or Shine make you immune from attacks from enemies if your level is drastically higher than theirs.

Fruits Are A Bit Weak Right Now: Currently, guns/Musket are the best DPS sources for progression and PVP most of the time. There's still some great Fruits in S and A-Tier like Poison and Mirror but until we get a damage adjustment patch just keep this in mind.

S-Tier Fruits

S-Tier Fruits Why S-Tier?

Poison
Mythical
• Easily the best Fruit in the game for both PVP and PVE due to the massive AOE damage and the Venom King monster form (at Mastery 120) with new abilities
• The best fruit for Raids Black Beard/Sea Beast
• You get better M1s in both base form and Venom King form but you'll mostly be spamming the AOE moves in both forms
• For the base moveset the Toxic Eruption is amazing for PVE grind and Pague Dive is great for PVP due to the mobility along with the enhanced M1s
• In Venom King form Toxic Zone is great for PVP damage along with Toxic Javelins for zoning while Venom Spit and Breath will farm Raids and PVE mobs

Orbit
Mythical
• While it doesn't have as many moves as Poison, Orbit still has some of the best AOE damage in Vox Seas
• Detroit and Planetary Crush are the main AOE damage dealers and the best for PVE grind but they're decently fast and can be used in PVP as well
• That said for battlefield control in PVP the Gravitational Field is great for debuffs while Gravity Flight at Mastery 25 is just all around awesome mobility for PVP
• Your first ability Gravity Slash is just for PVE spamming but I wouldn't recommend it in PVP up close since it's easily dodged due to slow wind-up though it does fly out super fast when wind-up ends

Eclipse
Legendary
• Easily the best Legendary because it's so flexibile for both PVP and PVE
• For PVE Dark Shot which is the first move and Dark Bomb which is at Mastery 110 will obliterate mobs in an AOE for grinding
• For PVP Dark Pull and Abyssal Pull offer crowd control for locking your opponent
• For Raids you might need to get used to the Fruit moves a bit but Eclipse still does a lot of damage

A-Tier Fruits

A-Tier Fruits Why A-Tier?

Vulcanic
Legendary
• In my opinion the Vulcanic is solely A-Tier for PVE because it's a bit weak for PVP due to the easy to dodge moves, low range and a bit slower wind-ups
• That said, for PVE it works wonders because you can line up enemies well for Magma Punch and Magma Rain
• Moves will also leave behind magma damage puddles which further increase your PVE damage (Players can just dodge these for PVP)
• Magma Palm is great damage for raids and bosses
• Magma Waves provide great mobility and leave behind damage puddles like the other moves (This is actually a great PVP move since you can reposition well)

Mirror
Legendary
• Mirror is drastically different from Vulcanic because it's the best end-game PVP fruit
• It's got high damage good AOE moves that have fast wind ups for starters with Reflected Blast and Mirror Impact
• And also, one of the best mobility damage moves with Shattered Step
• But if fast AOE damage wasn't enough, you also get Mirror World which is basically a free global teleport to any island location you want at the click of a button
• Poison and Orbit do have better AOE damage but Mirror's speed, utility and mobility keeps it competitive with them for PVP

B-Tier Fruits

B-Tier Fruits Why B-Tier?

Blaze
Epic
• Blaze is personally my favorite PVE fruit due to how easy it is to get and how useful it is for early, mid and sometimes late game PVE grinding
• I think it's better than all B-Tier Legendaries in that regard due to both being Logia and a ton of high damage AOE moves like Fireball, Flame Pillar and Fire Disk
• You also get some utility and mobility with Hot Surf to reposition and deal damage
• It's not the best for PVE but still you can't go wrong with Blaze to level and progress fast

Frozen
Legendary
• Frozen is harder to get than Blaze but it also has great AOE moves for PVE grinding
• You also get better M1s with the special ice trident weapon
• Frozen also has a fast ranged poke with Ice Pheasant in addition to the AOE moves

Zen
Legendary
• The Zen form is not like Buddha in Blox Fruits and does not give you any great benefit yet except minor stuff like better M1 range
• The moves are all okay for PVE but the main AOE damage comes from the Mastery 100 Buddha's Wrath which is pretty good
• Overall I would focus on Blaze/Frozen or higher tier Fruits until a damage adjustion update comes out since those have better AOE

Shine
Legendary
• Shine is in my opinion the worst Legendary but still beats C and D-Tier Fruits due to its good M1s, decent damage and some AOE
• You mainly want Shine for the Flight ability since it's useful for getting on Skypea for Observation Haki

C-Tier Fruits

C-Tier Fruits Why C-Tier?

Dust
Epic
• Not as good as Blaze for PVE farming and not as good as Mirror for PVP
• It's got some decent AOE moves but that's about it since they don't deal as much damage and this is harder to get than Boom
• Still an okay beginner fruit

Boom & Elastic
Rare
• Either save money for better Fruits via the dealer/gatcha or use guns/Musket if you want the best early to mid-game damage until you farm up for better fruits and then reset stats
• Boom is slightly better for PVE farming while Elastic is okay for early PVP but I would skip these

D-Tier Fruits

D-Tier Fruits Why D-Tier?

Divide & Kilo
Common
• Same as the Rares above

How to Get Fruit in Vox Seas

how to get fruit in vox seas
Image by Destructoid

Here are the main methods for getting Fruits in Vox Seas:

  • Buy from Fruit Dealer on first Island/Central Town cafe (Gold buys are replaced while Robux buys stay in your inventory).
  • Get random ones from Ronin Gatcha dealer on Werewolf Island (2nd Island)/Central Town cafe. Chances vary per rarity Common-Rare-Legendary-Mythic.
  • You can also sometimes find them in the open world.
  • Get them from trading with other players (I recommend VS Discord for offers).

That's it for my Vox Seas Fruit tier list and guide. To grind faster with EXP boosts, get free stat resets and more check out our Vox Seas codes.

The post Ultimate Vox Seas Fruit Tier List [RELEASE] appeared first on Destructoid.


MonsterVine Monday, August 11, 2025 9:00 AM
     Lululu Entertainment and co-publisher popagenda have announced that Henry Halfhead, their quirky sandbox adventure where you can become nearly any object in sight, will launch on September 16 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game will be available for $12.99, with a limited-time 25% launch discount. "We are very excited for people to […]