Ben Brosofsky

Protorelic quests are a big part of 's side content, but they're definitely not all equal in quality. These side objectives task Cloud and company with tracking down pieces of armor associated with Gilgamesh, a recurring character who started out as an villain. Completing every quest can be rewarding, but the road there is often rocky.

Like in any open-world game, travel is one of the most important aspects of , and there's one key element that the game does better than just about any competitor. The world of Gaia presented in is a huge one, translating what was originally an overworld map into a series of large open-world zones filled with activities and decorated in detailed terrain. Not every corner of the map is as exciting as the more bespoke content in the game, but it does manage to smooth over some potential annoyances in a smart way.

has been no stranger to recent controversy, and some new buzz around the involvement of AI has reignited tensions regarding the future of the game. Artificial intelligence has been a big talking point in the past couple of years, with developments in text, image, and video generation leaving many concerned about the future of artistic industries. As people look to companies for reassurance about creator rights and a focus on human work, they're often receiving the opposite in return.

Bards are often viewed as a generally humorous class option for , but just like in tabletop, dismissing them as silly ignores the heavier implications of what bards can do. doesn't shy away from darker themes and violent affairs in general, offering plenty of possibilities to take an amoral path and bloodying the party at just about every turn. It's easy to think of the more devious Origin characters as the ones most likely to embrace underhanded behavior, but a playable bard is capable of outdoing them all in some regards.

The community has never shied away from tackling the Galactic War with gusto, but when taking a step back to look at the overall picture, some of the current efforts of Super Earth's soldiers might actually be poised to backfire. Although individual objectives can vary, the basic prerogatives of are always simple enough. Terminids and Automatons must be defeated at all costs, a necessary step in ensuring the safety and spread of Managed Democracy throughout the galaxy.

A new source of danger has started to show up in , and unlike most threats, it doesn't actually have anything to do with Terminids or Automatons. Whether attempting to rescue civilians from Automatons or gunning down new flying bugs in , there's already more than enough to worry about for the soldiers of Super Earth. The Galactic War takes no prisoners, however, and it's wise to be prepared for any sort of challenge, even the kind that has nothing to do with the war itself.

video game adaptations often focus on the high adventure that can be found within the tabletop experience, but a new life sim could shake things up from the standard. Life simulation games have become increasingly popular in recent years, from the spike in 's popularity to the ever-expanding realm of cozy indie games. It's a template that can be applied to just about anything if the execution is well-considered, and is certainly no exception.

has just gotten a big addition with the release of an expansion pass, but whether this DLC is actually worth the purchase is a much more contentious issue. Although is a polished remake of the classic acclaimed RPG, it's always been subject to some criticism over the exclusion of some significant content that appeared in prior editions of The expansion pass solves one big issue in this regard – with the caveat of requiring an extra chunk of cash, a decision that may not go down smoothly.

Survival crafting game has been an early access hit so far, and a new roadmap finally reveals concrete plans for the future of the game. As one among several major 2024 releases in its genre, carved out a strong niche with an atmospheric fantasy setting and voxel-based world that allows for more unique construction possibilities. Although it has more polish than many other early access titles already, there are also a lot of areas where the game could still benefit from significant expansion and improvement.

is the freshly announced upcoming entry in the popular racing management series, and the newest entry is finally adding a much-requested feature that could transform the game experience. Althoughthe franchise has only been around for a few years, it hasn't had much trouble building a pedigree as the official management game for the Formula series of racing championships. The racing series also features some management aspects in a My Team career mode, but it's a significantly less robust approach than what offers.

Getting the hang of combat in can be a challenge, but there's one optional setting that can make it easier to master without decreasing the actual threat that enemies pose. Building on the system established in, features a fusion of dynamic action combat with the menu-based ability, spell, and item options that return from the original It can be a lot to wrangle, and it's sometimes possible to get tripped up by the hectic nature of battle even when keeping a good handle on the system itself.

is a game with plenty of strategic possibilities, but there's one key aspect of tactics that has been misrepresented from the start. Some areas where the game can be confusing have to do with bugs present at its launch, like the armor issue that has rendered heavy armor significantly less useful than intended. On the other end, however, some information can be deliberately withheld with the intention of making the game easier to get into rather than harder.

Efficient travel can often be dependent on acquiring the best mounts in the game, but there's one way to move quickly that dodges these prerequisites. Although doesn't have a world as huge as many other survival crafting games, it's still substantial and can take a fair amount of time to cross distances. Fast travel is always an option, but it's bound to specific locations that have to be activated first, and it's not always as fun as actually making it from Point A to Point B.

The shifting tides of the Galactic War can bring constant changes to the experience, but one recent adjustment to the game completely overhauls the way that armor should be approached in every mission. Although the best offense is a good defense is typically a good mantra when it comes to games, it hasn't always been true of. With the newest update, however, the list of effective armor choices has grown significantly, making for more diverse and interesting strategic options to deploy against the Terminids and Automatons.

The upcoming addition of mechs is a source of significant excitement in , but getting them could require some extra effort in the Galactic War. As a feature first introduced in the original, exosuits provide a unique way to power up at the cost of mobility. For soldiers used to deploying on missions with light armor and outrunning enemies whenever possible, their inclusion in could represent a big shift in strategy.

has a variety of weapons that are exciting to use, but the thrill factor doesn't always correspond directly to actual utility in the fight against Terminids and Automatons. Rather than experimenting with some of the more flavorful options, many soldiers have ended up sticking to tried and true basics like the SG-225 Breaker, a shotgun with a track record of getting the job done. This hasn't been an ideal balance for the game, but new changes have shifted things around enough for some weapons that weren't viable before to look like reasonable options.

has two key visual modes in Graphics and Performance, and deciding which one is the best way to play can be a tough choice. This form of split graphics settings was popularized on the mid-generation upgrade models of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and it's persisted in the current generation as a way to let users choose a balance between frame rate and visual fidelity. Different games have different trade-offs, however, and the decision in has different implications than it did even in

is well-known for its memorable and often lovable characters, but there's one in particular who has proven to be consistently problematic across the course of its continued development. Although finished its early access period and had a full release in August 2023, it has continued to evolve since then, with regular updates addressing problems and complaints to improve the game. While many issues can be addressed with one-and-done fixes, not everything ends up being so simple.

Dynamic difficulty is a newly introduced feature in , and it could be the right fit for anyone who isn't too enthused by the other options. Although most games in the series were originally released without difficulty settings, the remake trilogy is far from the first time that the franchise has experimented with options. added an Easy mode to the first couple of games, for example, and it's become a more consistent inclusion from onward.

There's a lot to do in the Grasslands area of , and it might quickly become tempting to follow the thread of the main story and leave some content behind to revisit later. Although is an open-world game, the divisions between its zones can complicate the idea of jumping between different ones. It's easy to end up wondering if there's any way to go back after finishing Chapter 2 and progressing on to Junon, but the answer may not immediately present itself.

might be widely recognized for the elements that it borrows from other games, but there's at least one key area where it's trying to take its own path. As a survival crafting game that tosses the basics of the franchise into a world with base-building, guns, and criminal opportunities, seems to have scratched an itch for millions of players. The tough part comes in maintaining that spike of popularity, and it's interesting to see how developer Pocketpair is approaching updating the game and fostering a community.

attracted a fair share of criticism despite its overall acclaim, and one particular note of complaint has reappeared in As updates to one of the most beloved RPGs of all time, it's no surprise that the remake games are prime targets for critique. Although it's definitely possible to make valid points about their weaker elements, one that's gotten a lot of practice in the past is ultimately a fairly minor issue to fixate on.

sparked a lot of reinvigorated interest in the classic isometric RPG style, and a new game called could be the perfect follow-up for anyone itching for me. Generally speaking, the isometric perspective in RPGs goes hand-in-hand with the classic approach of 90s PC entries in the genre, with a focus on deep player choice and branching story possibilities. When paired with modern updates to combat and quality-of-life, it can be an especially potent cocktail.

The world of features a creature for just about every purpose, but when stacking everything up, some Pals just end up being more useful than others. Since the game is only at the start of its early access period, the passage of time could definitely provide an opportunity to tweak the balance to even out the worst disparities. One recent change, however, has the opposite effect of making a Pal that was already great better than ever before.

One big draw of is the chance to play as Cloud Strife and company, and the action-oriented reimagining of the original game's combat offers a lot of opportunities for fun with each of them. That being said, not every playable character in is created equal. While some are immediately engaging to pick up and play, others offer slightly less in the way of thrills.

Live-service games can feel like a blight on the video game industry sometimes, but if proves anything, it's that the situation is a little more complicated than that. As a third-person, bigger budget sequel to an acclaimed top-down shooterpacks a lot of interesting action and strategic gameplay into an online co-op experience. It's also had a bit of a problematic launch, with overburdened servers, optimization issues, and way too many error codes making it difficult to actually play the game — but it's still managed to quickly attract a community of ardent fans.

is the newest game from Moon Studios, the company behind the games, and anyone familiar with the workof the studio knows that it's gorgeous. It's also fluid, challenging, and deeply atmospheric, all highlights that seems hellbent on upholding. This time, though, these concepts play out in an action RPG space, and the uniqueness of resulting concoction is immediately intriguing.

Optimizing the perfect loadout can be a noble pursuit, but weirdly, it can sometimes go hand-in-hand with approaching the game in the wrong way. The community has united enthusiastically around the shared goal of winning the Galactic War and wiping out Terminids and Automatons, which might make it seem like every choice that furthers battlefield prowess is the right one. It's definitely true that putting forth one's best effort is an important part of playing the game, but there's also a way to take this sentiment too far.

The early access period of has been plagued by its fair share of bugs and design flaws, but sometimes fixing those issues can have unintended consequences as well. It's standard for games releasing in early access to still need some work, so it's not surprising that developer Pocketpair has been pushing patches out to address problems. The important thing is that forward progress is being made, and exploring the results of each patch can provide some truly interesting results that are sometimes more fun than if the game had been released in a perfect state to begin with.

Some of the most exciting video games of 2024 are coming in March, running the gamut from ports like's PC debut to new flagship titles like . 2024 has been a busy year so far, with a mix of long-anticipated release dates, unexpected breakout hits, and even a surprise drop or two. March shouldn't have any trouble keeping up the momentum, bringing a conclusive end to the winter season of games and heralding in spring with some fresh titles.

Willy Wonka has recently been trending for all the wrong reasons, and an recreation of the event that cast his name into disrepair captures all that's equal parts sad and funny about it. Although Willy Wonka's chocolate factory is intended to be even more wondrous than it is unsettling, a Glasgow Wonka-themed event missed out on the note about the whimsy. What was supposed to be an exciting destination for kids turned out to be a mostly empty warehouse with some amusingly pitiful attempts at decoration, and images of the affair are hard to forget.

Every month brings a fresh batch of PlayStation Plus games like clockwork, and the service is expanding its library as always in March. As a subscription that provides access to online play on Sony systems, PS Plus is a must for many dedicated PlayStation users. For those who aren't committed to regular multiplayer, PS Plus finds its other major point of attraction in a rotating catalog of free games for subscribers that are available to download for a month and to play as long as an account that's already added them has an active subscription.

Artificial intelligence can seem like an interesting tool for upscaling classic games, but if there's anything that some samples with the original prove, it's that the technology still has some serious limitations. AI has recently been a hot-button issues, with a lot of legitimate concerns about corporations replacing the artistic efforts and livelihoods of real people with comparatively soulless and low-quality AI content. There are some areas where AI can provide useful services outside of original creative work, but even when attempting possibly valid endeavors, the end results might not always be ideal.

Developing strategy is crucial to mastering the missions of , and there's one type in particular that demands a different approach to tactics. Although might not look that different from a typical mindless shooter at first glance, it focuses heavily on coordination and adaptation, and simply going in guns blazing can sometimes lead to defeat regardless of skill. This ultimately makes the game more rewarding to play and master, but the initial learning curve can be steep for newcomers.

is a great mix of gaming conventions and new ideas alike, but there's one break from industry standards in the game that has particularly unique implications. Although many aspects of player freedom that offers feel fresh, they mostly stem from the tradition of classic computer RPGs like the two previous entries in the series, with an extra dose of modern physics-based possibilities. After years of mainstream RPGs that lack a deeper level of freedom, however, examining what does differently can bring some interesting choices to light.

has had a spectacular launch in some regards and a troubled one in others, and one persistent bug can be the source of some confusion. Suiting up for maximal defense against Terminids and Automatons might seem like a good strategy in, but it doesn't tend to take long to get the sense that something isn't quite right. Anyone finding themselves disoriented when it comes to armor in the game has good reason, as a key element hasn't yet been fixed.

One of the great joys of can come from starting everything over again, and it's almost time for the perfect opportunity to do so once more. Few indie games have accrued a legacy comparable to that of, which has consistently garnered acclaim since its original launch in 2016. Since then, it's received a surplus of updates and ports, all of which are especially impressive considering that the primary work is done by a solo developer known as ConcernedApe.

is most well-known for the more intense parts of its gameplay, but spreading Managed Democracy to alien planets isn't always as exciting as it seems. Certain aspects of the game tend toward the methodical side, which can be frustrating when time is of the essence after spending hours attempting to get into the overwhelmed servers. Luckily, the game isn't without its fair share of minor exploits, and one trick in particular can help make a slow task significantly more efficient than doing it the proper way.

Realm Cards in offer a lot of interesting ways to spice up the game, and the most memorable ones tend to do so in ways that are truly inventive or transformative. Although some Realm Cards determine basic attributes of a generated realm like its biome, others have more unusual effects. Minor Realm Cards are where the system tends to shine, making it possible to break the laws of nature or randomize unique attributes to keep exploration fresh even after plenty of gameplay experience.

has a lot of enemies that can be frustrating to fight, but one of the most annoying to encounter is actually interesting in a way that none of the others can claim. Enemies in can be divided into two factions – Terminids, which appear as insectoid alien creatures, and Automatons, which are robotic and heavily armored. Both draw on classic science-fiction tropes, with Terminids in particular invoking the Arachnids that show up in, an obvious inspiration for the satirical jingoism of

is one of the biggest upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusives, but the game is going to be skipping one major market completely. Developed by Team Ninja, the studio behind action hits like, , and, successor to the latter is an open-world historical adventure taking place during a time of major upheaval in 19th century Japan. This setting could prove interesting to many potential fans, but it also treads on some ground that seems like a likely cause for the major exception in its worldwide release.

has a legacy that's hard to beat when it comes to tactics games, but not every title in the franchise lives up to its highest standards. The ideal experience should be challenging but fair and have a story and gameplay that emphasize exciting new ideas while sticking to the best elements of the formula. Fortunately, the series has managed this feat quite a number of times by now, providing plenty of great options across several decades of games.

The series might never venture outside its home on Nintendo consoles, but has skyrocketed to enormous popularity as an alternative on Xbox and PC. Collecting cute creatures has a close-to-universal appeal, even if puts an emphasis on the possibilities of using them as workhorses or selling them on the black market.One area where has been notably lacking, however, is in the merchandise department, as a breakout hit obviously can't compete with the well-oiled merchandise machine that's built up an empire of products over the years.

The PC launch of has been a rough experience, but a new update might be the solution to some of the biggest problems that are plaguing the game. Although the buzz around the actual gameplay experiencehas been widely positive, the same can't be said for the challenge of getting to that gameplay. From optimization struggles to overburdened servers, there's been a lot standing in the way of the high-intensity bug-slaying action that's quickly taken Steam by storm.

The first card choice in is a major decision to make, and it's hard to go into it with a thorough grasp of the pros and cons of each decision. 's tutorial segments are reasonably effective at introducing the basic components of mechanics like Realm Cards, which play a complex role in the game as a whole and help set it apart from other survival crafting games like . When the time comes to make a major call, however, the decision tends to be as paralyzing as it is potentially invigorating.

Patch 6 brought plenty of appreciable improvements to , but it seems like this particular update may not be going over as smoothly as many of its predecessors. It's not uncommon for game fixes to introduce problems of their own, as even careful meddling with complex code often runs into unintended consequences. For the most part, however, has avoided making things worse with major patches, and an early hotfix that caused crashes for some players made the studio revise its approach to pushing fixes in general in favor of extreme caution.

The PlayStation 5 is expected to get a mid-generation refresh with an upcoming PS5 Pro, but based on rumored release plans, it sounds like the hardware could be dropping at a terrible time. The PS5 has been a strong seller since its launch, with component shortages initially leading to a long period of supply issues that seemingly only served to increase the demand. More recently, a revised Slim model trimmed the size and unified the disc-based and digital versions of the console, making the disc drive a modular component that requires an initial online activation.

The Nintendo Switch has been an exciting era for Nintendo exclusives, from new titles to the increasingly strong library of classics accessible through Nintendo Switch Online, but there's one gaping hole in availability that's been a source of fan frustration for years. and, respectively the second and first entries in the series, are both available through Nintendo Switch Online., however, has kept up its legacy of absence outside of Japan, leaving the trio painfully incomplete on the platform.

was a shining example of a game done right in a year plagued by industry troubles, and the developers behind the game seem to be keenly aware of the mechanisms behind these larger problems. Developed by Larian Studios, was able to draw on a legacy of strong RPG experience and the success that the company found in placing a big financial bet on The final product has won an impressive array of awards since its release, most recently claiming the title of Game of the Year from the prestigious DICE Awards.

has a lot of interesting mechanics and techniques to set it apart from other third-person shooters, but there's an addition coming that could send things to the next level. As a sequel to an acclaimed top-down shooter about violently spreading "" throughout the galaxy, builds on an acclaimed legacy despite shifting up the gameplay perspective. Not every concept included in the original game has made it into the sequel, but the introduction of one particularly exciting component is only a matter of time.

Enchanted cards are always a big draw for players and collectors, and the upcoming expansion is adding a fresh new batch to the game. Enchanted is the highest designation of rarity in the game, referring to cards with alternate art and a special «Inkwash» foil treatment. Although they have the same value in gameplay as their standard variants, Enchanted cards definitely pop in a collection.

The world of is full of scheming villains and horrific evildoers, but sometimes, the characters that are the easiest to hate aren't the ones that are doing the most wicked deeds. Although General Ketheric Thorm is one of the game's most diabolical characters, for example, the iconic vocal performance from J.K. Simmons and crackling dialogue make it easy for him to go down as a favorite. On the other hand, some equally well-portrayed characters just feature such annoying characteristics that comparatively good intentions can't save them from being the punching bags of the community.

The survival crafting game has been getting plenty of attention since its release in January, but a new game called could be poised to give it some serious competition. This isn’t the first legitimate rival to, as the fantastical quickly attracted a community only a week after ’s launch. also takes the approach of building a fantasy world for players to explore, but it does it differently and that could help it stand out in the increasingly crowded field.

For a system that's often been painted as the console that killed Sega's hardware market, the Sega Dreamcast certainly managed to rustle up an excellent library of games. There was never really anything wrong with the experience of actually playing a Dreamcast — and there was a lot that was genuinely great about it — but decisions surrounding its price and release and the unstoppable hype for the PlayStation 2 doomed it to comparative failure. Although it wasn't a graceful way for Sega to bow out of the console wars, the Dreamcast makes for a respectable swan song.

March 2024 is bringing a fresh new slate of games to the table, with titles from to releasing across the full range of modern platforms. Not every 2024 game has been a hit so far, but between the launch of games like and has complemented a boom in popular survival crafting experiences to prove plenty of market strength. March 2024 could keep that momentum up, and some of the most anticipated titles feel like sure bets for fun.

just received a big update, and although it narrowly missed a release in time for Valentine’s Day, some of the changes and additions will be perfect for the romantic at heart. Major patches are no surprise to players at this point, as the tradition of dropping long lists of adjustments has been fairly steady since the game’s full release. The gap between Patch 5 at the end of November and the new Patch 6 has been longer than the others, but this long after launch, the rate slowing is something of an inevitability.

Xbox is bringing four previously exclusive games to other platforms in the near future, and although the specific list hasn't yet been revealed, reports have made it easy to place strong bets on which titles are coming. The official announcement of multi-platform titles has been backed up by weeks of rumors that already pointed in some specific directions, and some new hints help confirm certain details. Both the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch are expected to be recipients of multi-platform Xbox releases, making these games available on every major current-generation console.

Xbox's future hardware has come into question recently after reports that the company would be bringing some of its previously exclusive titles to competitive platforms, but thanks to some new information from Xbox, it sounds like there's actually good reason to be looking forward to the next generation. Microsoft has struggled in recent years to remain directly competitive with Sony, with respectable hardware sales failing to translate to a comparable level of success. The split release of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S attempted to appeal to both enthusiasts and casual fans, but it hasn't been enough.

Recent news surrounding shifts in Xbox future has generated some division among fans of the platform, but an update regarding Xbox Game Pass availability should be universally exciting for subscribers to the service. Xbox Game Pass has been a major selling point for Microsoft in recent years, with a huge library of games accessible through a monthly subscription fee. Although not every addition is permanent, it's always growing over time on the whole, and new publishers getting on board is always a great sign for the future of the service.

Rumors of Xbox going multi-platform have dominated discussion of gaming consoles recently, and as the time draws close for Microsoft to make an official announcement on the subject, there's already enough information out there to make a reasonably reliable prediction about what games Sony fans can expect to make the PlayStation 5 transition. Initial rumors of Xbox's transition away from exclusivity came as something of a surprise, especially considering Microsoft's recent focus on acquiring studios to push strong exclusives. At this point, however, it's hard to deny that there's a shift happening, whether Xbox fans like it or not.

The series is one of the biggest video game hits to come out of the early 2010s zombie boom in the market, leading to several spin-off games and eventually the 2023 title Although none of the games ever quite garnered critical acclaim, most generally met a positive reception thanks to fun gameplay and the use of an effective Old Hollywood B-movie tone. managed the largest launch in franchise history across Xbox, PlayStation, and the Epic Games Store, and it's moving to Steam on April 22, 2024, to expand those sales even further.

has no shortage of interesting summons to employ in combat, but one of the most useful ones can be exceptionally easy to miss. Unlike summons in some classic RPGs like, summons are more than just special combat moves, entering battle with a unique place in the turn order and featuring movesets of their own. Some aren't especially well-suited to battle, but others tend to thrive in the midst of the fray and can provide some serious assistance when needed.

Of all the ways to power up Pals in , one of the most transformative is one that isn't intended at all. As an early access title, currently has its fair share of bugs and glitches. Most of these are more frustrating than anything else, but it's not impossible to run into a glitch that can actually be of benefit in the right situation. Without the ability to have any stable control over it, however, putting it to its best use isn't an easy task for even the most adept players.

has its fair share of memorable characters, but there's one in particular whose resilience can extend beyond the pale to cement a tirelessly annoying presence. It can be all too easy for games to focus on the characters who move the main story and neglect the rest, filling out a world with NPCs who do nothing more than parrot the news or make trite remarks. avoids this pitfall with ease, and some of the most interesting figures can be found idling in the streets or waiting behind shop counters.

February 15 should be a big day for Xbox fans, but whether it's an exciting event might come down to more of a person-to-person basis. Xbox has recently been the center of swirling rumors and reported leaks, all centering around a purported big shift in Microsoft's approach to the gaming industry. For anyone invested in the ecosystem, the kind of uncertainty generated by widespread speculation and unconfirmed news can be a bit nerve-wracking, which is why the clarification that an official Microsoft response could be particularly welcome.

The early access release of on February 20 is poised to introduce players to survival in a Victorian gaslamp fantasy world — or rather, worlds, as hopping across distinct Realms is a key part of the concept. Realmwalking is made possible through cards that can be combined to generate biomes and characteristics, which can be further twisted by the use of Minor Realm Cards that impose unique and unusual conditions. is made for those who love exploration, and it approaches it in a way that isn't quite like what any game has done before.

2024's slate of game releases so far has skewed in the survival crafting direction, with and both quickly attracting large and dedicated communities. The newest early access title that's set to join these ranks is , a Victorian gaslamp fantasy twist on the concept developed by Inflexion Games. This time, the big selling point comes from putting procedural generation in the hands of the players through a unique realm traversal system that aims to keep the gameplay and environment fresh.

Co-operative online play is a big part of the upcoming game , but developer Inflexion Games might be open to some possibilities that could benefit other ways of playing. is a new take on the popular survival crafting genre that takes inspiration from the Victorian era and the fantastical twist of works like, sending players on a journey that crosses various Fae Realms full of wonder and danger. A unique mechanic called Realm Cards facilitates this adventure by offering up the keys for procedural generation and embracing the potential for surprising results.

Breeding is a big part of acquiring the best Pals in , and there's one Pal in particular that can make the process easier and more effective than ever. Although much of the fun in the game can be found through capturing Pals, relying on this technique is also a complete gamble when it comes to stats and abilities. Breeding makes it easier to combine specific powerful traits, including the transfer features and abilities that can only be found on very specific Pals in the wild.

The new game is a major horror venture from Hideo Kojima and genre expert Jordan Peele, and it sounds like there might be some real-world haunting to cast the right sort of specter over development. Revealed at the Game Awards 2023, marks Kojima's return to horror after the canceled game that he was working on with Guillermo del Toro in the early 2010s. This time, is in the hands of the independent studio Kojima Productions rather than Konami, so shouldn't run the same risk of meeting its doom too early.

The newest trailer for is a fascinating window into the game, and it seems like star Norman Reedus shares that sentiment. As the actor who lends face, voice, and motion capture to the role of Sam Porter Bridges, Norman Reedus has one of the most direct windows into the world of that anyone besides director Hideo Kojima himself can boast. When it comes to the PlayStation State of Play trailer for the game, however, it seems like Reedus was in for some surprises of his own.

Astarion's nature as a vampire spawn makes him one of the most interesting companions, but it also leads to a difficult choice when he asks to drink the protagonist's blood. No matter how fascinating this high elf rogue can be, turning over one's blood to a third party is never a comfortable prospect. This choice can have both upsides and downsides in, and it's best to have a thorough understanding of both of these possibilities before making a final decision.

There are plenty of stats to keep track of in but one that can be especially crucial to getting the best performance in combat is shockingly easy to miss out on. Although it's easy to progress through battles and build up a base without optimizing everything, there's no reason to waste something that can help every Pal in combat. If the game never mentions it to begin with, however, it comes as no surprise that it can be especially easy to make such a fundamental mistake.

is widely revered as one of the most engaging and enveloping open-world experiences out there, but not every aspect of the game helps sell the immersion of the world. Although developer Rockstar Games isn't generally prone to imposing arbitrary limitations, with the series representing a gold standard for chaotic and amoral player freedom, does have slightly higher storytelling ideals than the no-holds-barred satire of A well-chosen sacrifice can be worthwhile, and it's easy to see the logic behind one restrictive decision in 's development.

Amassing an interesting library of weapons is one of the most exciting parts of progression in , but one sword that could be the crown jewel of any collection remains unfortunately off-limits. For martial classes, weapons with unique attributes help add flavor to combat, especially for those who lack any access to spells that can often make higher-level play especially fun. The amount of freedom that offers generally provides avenues to acquire and use anything that seems like it could be in reach, but sometimes it’s the rare exclusions that sting the most.

It looks like may be getting another Mythical Pokémon in the future, and it's reported to tie in with the next movie to release. just received Pecharunt as a new Mythical Pokémon, a Poison/Ghost-type that appeared in the epilogue to DLC after the main story concluded with Receiving another would double the amount of Mythical Pokémon that can be natively acquired within the game, as Pecharunt is currently the only creature to qualify.

A new report offers more clarity on the future of the Nintendo Switch 2, and the key piece of news that it delivers actually supports two major rumors about the upcoming console. Nintendo has generally kept quiet about plans for a Switch successor, but that hasn't stopped speculation from running wild for years. In more recent months, things have transitioned from more random conjecture to reasonably grounded analysis of reports about the console, which seems set to arrive in the near future despite the lack of any official announcement from Nintendo.

Honour Mode can make into a complete nightmare, but there's one method that can surprisingly circumvent its most challenging limitation. Originally implemented as a feature in the games from developer Larian Studios, Honour Mode ramps up the difficulty of a campaign by turning it into an Ironman run, where a total party kill means game over. It also tweaks the challenge in a variety of subtler ways, like giving bosses Legendary Actions inspired by tabletop that let them interrupt the turn order for extra maneuvers.

Dondoko Island is a significant part of 's appeal, but how and when the experience can be accessed in-game isn't immediately obvious. The series, formerly published as in the west, has long been known for featuring memorable and unique side content and mini-games to accompany its more dramatic main stories. promises an even longer and more robust experience than any of the past games have ever delivered, and Dondoko Island might be the selling point that jumps out the most.

Making progress in can be engaging, but it's not possible to advance characters or Pals forever, as a level cap will eventually be reached after enough play. Since takes obvious inspiration from both and survival crafting games like and, the inclusion of a finite leveling system isn't especially surprising. There's a big difference between a level cap of 25 and 250, however, so it can be useful to know which end of the spectrum ultimately falls closer to, in order to have a good understanding of progression.