Screen Rant - Game Features

One Silly Choice Will Ruin Tav's Immortalization In Baldur's Gate 3

Ben Brosofsky — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 10:01:25 GMT

It's possible to immortalize a custom character in Baldur's Gate 3, but it can be all too easy to make a mistake that will forever affect Tav's preserved legacy. Whether helping everyone in sight or going down a path of evil, it's safe to say that any Baldur's Gate 3 protagonist is going to leave a major impact on the world. Making sure that history has something to remember them by might be a touch narcissistic, but it's arguably justified as long as it ends up looking good.

Is Minthara Worth Recruiting In Baldur's Gate 3?

Melissa Sarnowski — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 22:30:38 GMT

Baldur's Gate 3 doesn't offer a lot of rewards for choosing to run a morally evil playthrough. However, Larian Studios has helped remedy that to an extent through patches and hotfixes, which have put content involving Minthara that ended up not working back into the game properly by fixing the triggers. But there are still big downsides to recruiting Minthara despite those fixes that leave whether she's worth recruiting lingering.

Looks Like The $300 Starfield Constellation Edition May Have Been A Waste After All

Glenn Bunn — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:04:29 GMT

When Starfield launched back in September 2023, there were several different versions available for purchase. The standard edition was available on day one via the Xbox and PC Game Pass subscriptions, while other special editions and upgrades came with bonus content and early access to the game when pre-ordered.

You Owe Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen's Rival Blue An Apology

Ben Brosofsky — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 18:00:34 GMT

Blue's status as a classic Pokémon rival makes him easy to hate, but his behavior in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen might actually be more justified than anyone's ever thought. Blue is characterized by an arrogance that makes for a nice foil to the protagonist Red or Leaf, frequently bragging or acting dismissive to other trainers. Although it's hard to redeem that behavior on the whole, Blue may not be as much of a liar as he's made out to be, making a case for at least a little reappraisal in hindsight.

5 Letter Words Wordle Hasn't Used Yet (Updated Daily)

Lindsay Cutone — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 17:23:00 GMT

Wordle, the five-letter word guessing game that has taken the world by storm, challenges players each day to figure out the winning word. Since its release in 2021, Wordle has become immensely popular on social media and has even inspired variations of the game including Quordle, Octordle, and, for math lovers, Nerdle.

Admit It - You Know Absolutely Nothing About FNAF's Story

Melissa Sarnowski — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:30:30 GMT

Five Nights at Freddy's has grown from an indie game developed by one person to a AAA franchise with a movie based on the series set to release this month. Although it might not seem like it at first glance, this series is packed with lore. The hard part is figuring out the details about what really happened during Fazbear Entertainment's dark history, and how much of it is told through unreliable narrators or put together as theories without solid confirmation.

There's One Good Reason Not To Deck Out Your Starfield Penthouse

Garrett Ettinger — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 12:30:28 GMT

From the ship-builder to the various homes that can be purchased in the Settled Systems, Starfield has many customization options to help immerse the player into the universe Bethesda has crafted. Unfortunately, the game is still not without its bugs, and some of these can cause a complete lack of immersion and some pretty serious frustration, especially when it comes to home decorating. While many will just utilize Starfield Outposts or their ships as their main home, others will painstakingly take hours to craft the intricate interior designs that rival even the most skilled decorators on HGTV.

One D&D Mechanic Would See Dwarves As The Ultimate Heroes In Baldur's Gate 3

Lee D'Amato — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 11:36:28 GMT

Dwarves may represent one of the biggest missed opportunities in Baldur's Gate 3. There are relatively few prominent main characters of the smaller races sprinkled throughout the entire game. There may be a handful of goblins in the camp, but they either die at the party's hands or are left behind after Act One of Baldur's Gate 3. There are the deep gnomes and duergar of the Grymforge and Moonrise Towers, but again, they either die or disappear. There may be the occasional halfling, dwarf, or gnome in the lower city, but most only appear briefly. In fact, many dwarves appear in the game, but most of them don't stick around.

FNAF Security Breach Ruin DLC: Story, Characters, & Price

Melissa Sarnowski — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 19:11:27 GMT

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach's Ruin DLC has seemingly redeemed the base game after bugs, glitches, and a lackluster story left it as one of the most disappointing FNAF games. In a true turnaround of events, the Ruin content has not only given players a reason to return to Security Breach, but also a host of reasons to get excited for whatever game comes next.

One Of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Hardest Bosses Can Be Beaten With A Simple Trick

Lee D'Amato — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 18:12:26 GMT

Believe it or not, one of the hardest bosses in Baldur's Gate 3 can be beaten in Act One at almost no risk to the party. There are many difficult bosses throughout the game, but sometimes, it's possible for the party to avoid fighting them entirely. The more players explore, the more options for bizarre and broken exploits they find. Whether it's by successful dialogue checks, a hidden trick within a boss battle, or a perfectly tweaked OP Baldur's Gate 3 build, there are many ways to make difficult situations much simpler to resolve.

Starfield DLC Can Fix The Game’s Most Painfully Boring Feature

Carrie Lambertsen — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 14:10:27 GMT

The universe that Starfield takes place in presents opportunities for players to immerse themselves in space travel and exploration, but DLC has the chance to rectify some of the game's more tedious aspects. There are engaging features such as random encounters with other spaceships, quests both for the main storyline or optional side missions that provide lore in addition to rewards, and plenty of NPC relationships to form. All of these blend together to create an exciting and immersive game, set against the massive backdrop of space with planets to explore and ships to customize.

You’ve Been Taming Zelda: TOTK’s Wild Horses Wrong This Whole Time

Melissa Sarnowski — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 13:09:27 GMT

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom doesn't gift Link a horse like other games in the series, such as Ocarina of Time. Instead, he has to tame wild horses and bring them to a stable if he wants to use them later. With how skittish horses in TOTK are, this tends to be easier said than done. Additionally, Link won't always have enough stamina to tame wild horses early in the game.

Starfield's Starmap Navigation Would Be So Much Better With One Change

Garrett Ettinger — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 20:05:27 GMT

Navigation in Starfield's Starmap can be frustrating. Even for those who have invested hundreds of hours into the game, the base game for Starfield lacks proper labeling, which can make space navigation difficult. While astrological accuracy is undoubtedly something the game has achieved by correctly naming solar systems and planets after natural systems in the known galaxy, not everyone is an astronomer. This lack of decent labeling can make navigating to even the most well-known locations a hassle without the aid of auto-navigation on the mission screen.

Sony's New Movies Feature Somehow Makes PS Plus Worse

Derek Garcia — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 18:46:16 GMT

The tiered PlayStation Plus service still struggles to establish itself as a credible Xbox Game Pass alternative, and the recent effort to add value with video content for PS Plus Premium subscribers has somehow made the service worse for many. In late 2021, Sony launched the Bravia Core streaming service, a niche product offered only with Sony’s Bravia TVs. Though it promised superior fidelity in movie playback, the service did not offer a fully stocked streaming library akin to Netflix or a vast storefront like Amazon’s Prime Video. Now rebranded Sony Pictures Core, PS Plus Premium subscribers have been promised a library of free films, but the app is riddled with bugs.

GTA 6 Release Date Leaks & Rumors - Everything Confirmed & Debunked (So Far)

Lara Jackson — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 18:03:25 GMT

It's no overstatement to say Grand Theft Auto 6 is one of the biggest games on the horizon, but developer Rockstar Games is remaining silent on the game's release date. This leaves rumors, leaks, and guesses to flood the internet as fans wait to get their first official glimpse of the game. While some of these release date theories are built on logic, others seem to have been plucked out of thin air.

Elden Ring: Why You Shouldn't Kill Caelid's Big White Dragon

Fletcher Varnson — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 17:52:28 GMT

For many Elden Ring players, starting a new game by killing the dormant white dragon Greyoll of Caelid for easy runes seems essential. Because the giant dragon does not defend itself, it may at first seem like there aren't too many better methods for a newbie Tarnished to quickly gain lots of runes. However, simply running up and slaughtering this giant dragon without considering its lore or the consequences of Greyoll's death can take away from the experience of the game.

One Zelda: TOTK Temple Proves Why Tears of the Kingdom DLC Was Needed

Matthew Wilcox — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 16:31:21 GMT

Among the various Temples featured in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, one perfectly encapsulates why TOTK ‘s lack of DLC is so unfortunate. TOTK’s Temples partially return to the classic Zelda dungeon format, which was notably absent in Breath of the Wild, although the Shrines of both games are effectively miniature dungeons in their own right. Each Temple utilizes a new mechanic to match its theme, but they can reveal more about the game than simply introducing gameplay features.

Should You Enter The Planecaster In Baldur's Gate 3?

Lee D'Amato — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 15:06:27 GMT

The decision over whether to enter the Planecaster in Baldur's Gate 3 is more complicated than it seems. The party may be faced with this choice if they progress in the githyanki crèche questline, which eventually puts them face-to-face with the githyanki god-queen Vlaakith. Using Shadowheart's mysterious Astral Prism, which thus far has seemed to protect the party from Illithid influence, Vlaakith opens a portal to the Astral Plane, and demands that the party step inside and kill her prisoner. Unless the player has been following the lore very closely, it's difficult to understand just what this decision entails until they're already on the other side.

There's One PS Plus Extra Game You Shouldn't Sleep On This October

Glenn Bunn — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 13:37:26 GMT

PlayStation Plus' October 2023 offerings for its Extra and Premium tiers are exactly what one would expect around the Halloween season. Several horror titles such as Outlast 2, Dead Island: Definitive Edition, Alien Isolation, and The Dark Pictures Anthology's third entry, House of Ashes, are advertised as the subscription's major draws for the month alongside the DC superhero title Gotham Knights, but there is another title that's been added that shouldn't be overlooked: Disco Elysium.

Nintendo Seems Determined To Kill Your Love Of Yoshi

Lara Jackson — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 09:52:27 GMT

Despite being one of the cutest faces in the Super Mario roster of characters, Yoshi has been almost neglected as of late, with Nintendo really underusing the iconic dinosaur in comparison to its other characters. This is especially true when it comes to the most modern Mario media such as the Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming Nintendo Switch game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. While Donkey Kong and Princess Peach enjoy the spotlight, Nintendo seems determined to send Yoshi to the shadows.

Dead Island 2 Haus DLC: Story, Price & Release Date

Glenn Bunn — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 20:49:23 GMT

Dead Island 2's publisher Deep Silver and developer Dambuster Games have revealed the game's first story expansion, Haus. The expansion will see players venture to a completely new post-apocalyptic area to deal with a mysterious cult and will include completely new weapons and skill cards to aid them on this mission.

Baldur's Gate 3 Weapons Update Could Change How Characters React To Your Worst Crimes

Ben Brosofsky — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 20:32:30 GMT

Baldur's Gate 3 does an admirable job accounting for player creativity and experimentation, but certain possibilities are blocked off by limitations that can be immersion-breaking and lead to some head-scratching moments. The task of emulating the experimentation of tabletop Dungeons & Dragons is a challenging one, as the lack of a dungeon master that can respond naturally to improvisation means that the game has to account for a surplus of scenarios ahead of time. Many of Baldur's Gate 3's biggest failures to manage this are all tied to the same mechanic that feels like it has a uniquely incomplete implementation.

“It’s Commonplace For Strange Phenomena To Occur In Hyrule” - Zelda: TOTK Director Explains Unsolved Mystery

Matthew Wilcox — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 17:30:29 GMT

An interview with Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi has revealed some of the thought process behind the development of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. For all that it expanded on the Zonai race hinted at in Breath of the Wild, TOTK left mysteries involving Sheikah technology unsolved in a way that confused and frustrated many. Of course, some Zelda mysteries have gone unanswered for decades, but in this case new information has clarified some of the more notable changes to Hyrule.

You Might Want To Think Twice Before Buying A PS5 "Slim"

Glenn Bunn — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 16:33:23 GMT

Sony has announced new versions of the PlayStation 5 in time for the 2023 Holiday season after months of rumors. The new PS5s will launch in November and will be 30% smaller and either 18% or 24% lighter compared to the previous models, which is still less significant than Sony's previous mid-generation console releases. However, despite the smaller form factor and the promises of a larger 1TB SSD storage space over the original model's 825GB, the new versions of the console do come with their downsides.

Van Gogh Pikachu Proves Pokémon TCG Collectors Need To Slow Down

Carrie Lambertsen — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:49:07 GMT

What was supposed to be an adorable collaboration card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game with Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum became a chaotic frenzy for collectors and scalpers who wanted to get a copy of the special Van Gogh Pikachu card. On September 28, 2023, when The Pokémon Company debuted its collaboration collection with the museum, scalpers swarmed in to claim the cards, so they could be resold at exorbitant rates online rather than allowing true fans to be able to get access to them as intended. The Van Gogh collection merchandise was entirely sold out within the first 24 hours of the exhibit's opening, and promo cards were out of stock in minutes online.

Be Afraid Of The Rumored Guitar Hero Reboot

Ben Brosofsky — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:31:28 GMT

Rumors have emerged of a potential Guitar Hero reboot on the horizon, but despite everything that a return of the series could bring to the table, it might be best if the franchise stayed dormant. Guitar Hero was on top of the world for a time in the mid-to-late 2000s, with a rapid succession of games having no trouble selling copies or peripherals across a variety of consoles. It fell out of favor almost as quickly as it rose to fame, however, with oversaturation likely playing a large role in its diminishing appeal.

What Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Deal Really Means

Lee D'Amato — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:54:29 GMT

The decision in Microsoft's legal case against the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a historic one, but for those who don't have a law degree, it can be hard to understand. The case surrounds the Microsoft Corporation's attempt to purchase the game developing and publishing powerhouse Activision Blizzard, Inc., an enormous conglomerate that counts Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Candy Crush among its flagship properties. Microsoft first announced its plans to buy Activision Blizzard in January 2022, and the FTC's review began shortly thereafter. The legal battle began in earnest by June 2023, when the FTC filed its first documentation in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

You Can Finally Beat Pokémon S&V's Teal Mask DLC Now (1 Month Later)

Ben Brosofsky — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:32:13 GMT

The Teal Mask DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet may have already been out for a month, but a huge roadblock in the way of completing it has just been removed. The Teal Mask DLC follows the base games in offering an open-world experience, but its smaller environment and focused content means that it generally doesn't take very long to finish. For some trainers, however, actually taking care of all the content included in the DLC hasn't been possible, leaving a frustrating sense of a lingering to-do list that could have persisted until the release of the follow-up expansion The Indigo Disk.

Baldur's Gate 3: Should You Let Volo Remove Your Eye?

Lee D'Amato — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:00:27 GMT

There are many purported cures for the tadpole parasites that plague the party in Baldur's Gate 3, and one of those is the bard Volo's experimental surgery. Players are liable to first meet Volo in the Emerald Grove, where he's interviewing a druid in Wild Shape about the recent goblin-tiefling conflicts. He twists their words to craft an exaggerated account of their recent battle, before disappearing from the grove. As it turns out, Volo's been kidnapped by goblins and forced to perform odes to their leader Dror Ragzlin. The party needs to rescue him if they want to see more of the blustering bard.

One Hidden Starfield Location Is The Best Source For Contraband

Glenn Bunn — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:30:27 GMT

Starfield is full of secrets across its vast galaxy, with several bases and planets housing a plethora of resources. These range from organic materials sourced from alien fauna and flora, to inorganic components which can be extracted through mining, or items such as spacesuits, weapons, and food. Not all items are considered legal, however, with stolen goods being flagged, and some items marked as Contraband, such as harvested organs, mech components, Va'Ruun Heretic writings, and more are deemed illegal regardless of how they've been acquired.

Why Forza Motorsport Doesn’t Have Split-Screen Multiplayer At Launch

Ben Brosofsky — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 20:30:52 GMT

The new Forza Motorsport game brings the long-running sim racing franchise to the Xbox Series X/S for the first time, but a lack of split-screen multiplayer support marks a break with series tradition. Although the companion Forza Horizon series has never featured split-screen renditions of its open-world environments, consoles have always been able to handle local multiplayer in Motorsport's more focused racetracks. The technological leap with the Xbox Series X/S might seem even more capable of taking on such a challenge, making the lack of the staple feature more surprising and disappointing.

Starfield’s Cities & Planets All Have The Same Problem

Carrie Lambertsen — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 19:55:07 GMT

Within the vast magnitude of space exploration in Starfield, there are over 1,000 planets to discover and explore in a large open-world, or open-galaxy, adventure. Across the star systems, there are surprisingly few cities where groups of people have congregated, and much of civilization seems to have taken a bit of a step backward in some ways. Even the lack of good maps for the four major cities is a frustrating disappointment that can leave some wondering what happened to humanity's current reliance on navigation software and map programs, but even that is just a small part of a larger problem.

"It Ruined Quests For Me" - Baldur's Gate 3 Has A Lot To Teach Other RPGs

Ben Brosofsky — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 19:31:20 GMT

Baldur's Gate 3 may be a long experience, but developer Larian Studios found some smart ways to make it engaging across the full course of its runtime. It's possible to play through the game in an efficient manner, skipping sidequests and random activities to focus on the main story experience, but focusing on speed doesn't feel like the most rewarding way to take on its challenges. Although the ways in which Baldur's Gate 3 maintains interest and variety may not always be immediately obvious while playing it, stepping back to think about its design reveals just how smart it really is.

Every Sword Appearance In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Ranked

Ben Brosofsky — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 17:00:33 GMT

Basim's main weapon in Assassin's Creed Mirage is a sword, so it's important for him to wield one that looks good as he slices and dices through the guards of Baghdad. Unlike other recent Assassin's Creed titles, alternative weapons like axes or bow aren't present in the game, meaning that one sword or another will remain equipped throughout the entire game. None of the available blades in Assassin's Creed Mirage are entirely lacking in style, but some are more basic than others, making abandoning less glamorous options once others become available to Basim a good call.

Forza Motorsport Starting Cars: Should You Choose Ford, Honda, Or Subaru?

Lee D'Amato — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:31:31 GMT

Forza Motorsport starts by letting players choose from one of three free starting cars. The options are a 2018 Ford Mustang GT, a 2019 Honda Civic Type R, and a 2019 Subaru STI S209. The immersive gameplay of the Forza series has always been about collecting vehicles, assembling a diverse garage of dream cars, tuning them up, and testing them out on the track. Of course, Forza Motorsport is no exception, so players shouldn't expect to be stuck with their starter cars for long. Still, everyone has to start somewhere, and the first car they choose can affect their performance in early races.

"A Strong Sense of Pace": WRC Preview

Rob Gordon — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:00:33 GMT

The World Rally Championship is one of the most challenging and exciting motor racing events in the world. The off-road time trial format tests its drivers with the harshest of conditions, and over the years has received a number of video game adaptations such as the extensive WRC 10. Next in the list is WRC, with EA Sports and Codemasters taking over the mantle.

LEGO Animal Crossing - Release Date, Prices, Sets, & Characters

Ben Brosofsky — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 19:30:29 GMT

The newly revealed LEGO Animal Crossing sets bring a beloved Nintendo property to building block form, translating a variety of iconic characters, locations, and elements to the world of LEGO. Initially announced through a teaser showcasing minifigure designs for some Animal Crossing characters, the crossover has managed to generate plenty of excitement among franchise fans. The full slate of sets isn't yet available for pre-order or purchase, but the availability of designs, prices, and release dates makes it easy to prepare for the upcoming launch of the LEGO Animal Crossing line.

One Horrible Starfield Mechanic Makes Being A Bad Guy Nearly Impossible

Glenn Bunn — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 15:00:29 GMT

As is often the case with role-playing games, Starfield grants players a variety of ways to play to create a more unique, tailor-made experience for each individual. Players can choose between dialogue options that can be diplomatic or confrontational, and combining this with other actions they make throughout the campaign can lead to great rewards or devastating consequences. However, one thing Starfield's developers seem to want to prevent is playing the game as a bad guy.

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty DLC: Should You Kill Or Save Katya In Spy In The Jungle?

Lee D'Amato — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:30:27 GMT

The Cyberpunk 2077 side quest "Spy in the Jungle" forces players to decide the fate of a former SovOil agent named Katya. The quest begins with Ana and Steven, two members of a Brazilian intelligence agency, hiring V to find their missing friend and former collaborator, one Mark Bana. Bana wore a biomonitor at the time of his disappearance, which is still giving off signals to suggest he might be alive. However, the agents warn that it might not actually be Bana behind the signals. V tracks Bana through Organitopia, a natural history museum taken over by technological scavengers, and at the end of it all, finds Katya.

Baldur's Gate 3 Bug Can Prevent Shadowheart From Leaving Camp (But At A BIG Cost)

Melissa Sarnowski — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 12:00:28 GMT

Baldur's Gate 3 includes countless choices to make through the game that change the party's path as they try to solve the problem of the Absolute along with the Mind Flayer tadpoles in their brains. Naturally, not every choice has positive consequences. Instead, some result in characters leaving the party, too upset or disgusted to continue traveling with the group, and that might mean losing out on quests or a skill set that rounds out the team in combat.

How To Beat Commander Zhalk In Baldur’s Gate 3

Kurtis Seid — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:00:30 GMT

Commander Zhalk is the tutorial boss of Baldur’s Gate 3. Defeating him is entirely optional, but it does yield great rewards. This includes enough experience points to reach level 2 and one of the best greatswords for most of the main story.

Every Playable Character In Mario Bros. Wonder Has The Same Problem

Ben Brosofsky — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:00:32 GMT

Super Mario Bros. Wonder includes a strong variety of playable characters, but one key aspect of their implementation seems likely to lead to disappointment when selecting any option in-game. Following up on the New Super Mario Bros. series that started on the Nintendo DS, Super Mario Bros. Wonder represents a fresh approach to 2D side-scrollers, building on the plumber's original legacy. With various unusual environments, fresh power-ups, and a revitalized art style to accompany the classical platforming experience, there seems to be plenty to look forward to in this particular outing.

When Are LEGO Animal Crossing Sets Coming Out? Release Date Details Explained

Lee D'Amato — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:41:16 GMT

Players can soon build their very own islands from scratch with a series of Animal Crossing-inspired LEGO sets. A range of minifigures representing some of the series' most popular characters - Isabelle, Tom Nook, and Marshal included - as well as some common elements of island set dressing, like fruit trees and flying presents, have already been confirmed. Other common sights of the Animal Crossing franchise will also be adapted into LEGO form, like Isabelle's house, Nook's Cranny, and Kapp'n's boat.

Zelda: TOTK’s Regional Phenomena Quests Are Actually Shockingly Dark

Matthew Wilcox — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:00:26 GMT

The four Regional Phenomena quests form a large part of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s main storyline, but on close examination, these quests actually tell some incredibly dark stories. Although there are other main quests in TOTK to focus on alongside them, these quests directly lead Link to meeting four of the game’s sages, who each grant him a sage summon and ability like BOTW’s Champion powers. Pursuing them leads Link into direct conflict with Ganondorf’s forces, confronting him with just how monstrous the Demon King’s plans are.

Will Modern Warfare 3 Be On Game Pass?

Ben Brosofsky — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 12:43:52 GMT

Xbox Game Pass offers a strong library of games available for a subscription fee, but one title that could give the service a significant boost is the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Not to be confused with 2011's Modern Warfare 3, the new entry follows the rebooted Modern Warfare subseries and is set to release across current and last-gen PlayStation and Xbox systems as well as PC. With a retail price of $69.99, Modern Warfare 3 isn't going to come cheap, making the possibility of an Xbox Game Pass release particularly tantalizing.

One Roleplay Choice Completely Destroys Orin's Story In Baldur's Gate 3

Melissa Sarnowski — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 11:00:27 GMT

Baldur's Gate 3 has three main villains and several others that the Origin characters face throughout three acts. However, Orin the Red, in particular, treats the party as if it has a good moral alignment, even if that's not the case. As a result, Orin's attempts to be evil are overshadowed and fall flat in the face of an evil party. It turns out that Orin isn't all that skilled when it comes to choosing blackmail material. Or, at the very least, the best blackmail material isn't available to her for the taking.

Assassin's Creed Mirage Fixes The Franchise's Biggest Quest Problems

Ben Brosofsky — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 17:00:27 GMT

Assassin’s Creed Mirage takes plenty of inspiration from the earlier games of the franchise, but that doesn’t mean the series is entirely resting on its laurels. Some areas of the game try to evolve the experience in new ways from its original roots, taking a different direction than the trajectory of previous transformations. One aspect that sees some freshening up is the way that AC Mirage treats quests, and the changes in this particular regard are better than any that have come before, fixing some crucial problems that have long troubled the series.

Baldur's Gate 3: Should You Help Or Kill Thrumbo?

Lee D'Amato — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 15:00:28 GMT

Thrumbo, an oddly-named zombie, can be either friend or foe to the Baldur's Gate 3 party. In order to meet him, they'll first have to get through Wyrm's Rock Fortress and into the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. Once inside, they may spy the majesty of Philgrave's Mansion. Knock on the door (or sneak through the hole in the back), and Mystic Carrion will offer a cold greeting. He's an undead mummy, and he operates a fine little shop with some great gear for spellcasters. But more importantly, he needs the party to find his lost thrall. In return, he promises a magic item.

Disney Lorcana: Rise Of The Floodborn - Release Date, Pricing, & New Cards

Austin King — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 14:00:29 GMT

Disney Lorcana: Rise of the Floodborn is the second set of cards coming to the popular trading card game from Ravensburger. Following up from The First Chapter, Set 2 of the TCG already has a release date for later this year. This second set will feature over 200 new Disney Lorcana cards, which can be acquired through booster packs, starter decks, a new gift set, and a new Illumineer's Trove that's focused on Rise of the Floodborn characters.

Starfield Makes You Friends With The Worst Parent In The Multiverse

Derek Garcia — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 12:00:28 GMT

In Starfield, players will spend time with several members of Constellation — the society of spacefaring explorers — but one member stands out for all the wrong reasons, thanks to terrible parenting skills, which are possibly the worst in the multiverse. The cowboy hat-wearing Sam Coe is one of the most distinct companions in Starfield, thanks in part to his anachronistic appearance but more so due to his daughter, Cora Coe. Cora is the archetypal precocious youth, a 12-year-old girl with knowledge well beyond her years. Sam repeatedly endangers Cora throughout Starfield’s story, making him an unfit parent, before committing the most profound act of child abandonment possible.

AC Mirage: How Basim Compares To Other Assassin’s Creed Protagonists

Ben Brosofsky — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 21:00:27 GMT

The Assassin's Creed Mirage protagonist Basim is the most recent in a long line of leading player's in Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise, and stacking him up against the others can reveal how likely it is for him to make a mark. Assassin's Creed protagonists tend to share some core traits, with a set of skills that let them parkour across rooftops and take down enemies and a link to the Assassin Brotherhood or the HIdden Ones. Basim doesn't necessarily break fundamentally new ground, but he also isn't a carbon copy of any of his predecessors.

Nintendo Switch 2 Can Finally Give Us The Zelda We’ve Been Waiting For

Matthew Wilcox — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 20:00:27 GMT

With The Legend of Zelda sure to gain new titles in the future, the long-rumored Nintendo Switch 2 offers the perfect opportunity to bring one forgotten game to life. Despite the console still not being officially announced, recent developments suggest it is more likely than ever that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be released in 2024. Of course, not every rumor can be believed, and some Switch 2 leaks are almost certainly fake, but the console undoubtedly has the potential to create an even better gaming experience than the Switch.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Hints At The Origin Of An Iconic Ezio Weapon

Kyle Gratton — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 17:00:25 GMT

Assassin's Creed Mirage may take place in 9th century Baghdad, but there's an Easter egg that will likely remind longtime fans of Ezio Auditore, the famed assassin who lived roughly 800 years later during the Italian Renaissance. During Basim's story in Mirage, the Brotherhood of Assassins has yet to be established, still known as its precursor organization, the Hidden Ones. The Hidden Ones would become the Assassins in the following centuries, giving them a shared history, and through this Mirage has hinted at the origins of an iconic weapon best associated with Ezio.

Should You Cure Pandirna In Baldur's Gate 3?

Ben Brosofsky — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 14:01:25 GMT

Pandirna isn't a character that every Baldur's Gate 3 campaign will run across, but encountering her can lead to some interesting choices in Act 1 of the game. One of the tieflings that can be found in Druid Grove, Pandirna isn't easy to stumble upon in the way that most of the refugees are. Instead, she can be found inside a locked hut, which requires a bit of sneaking to enter without triggering any onlookers or guards. The tiefling is guarding a chest inside, although all she can really do to guard it is slump against the side.

Baldur's Gate 3: Should You Become An Unholy Assassin Or Kill Sarevok?

Lee D'Amato — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 19:00:29 GMT

As part of a late-game quest in Baldur's Gate 3, players can decide either to join the murderous Church of Bhaal or to defy it. This takes place during their introduction to Sarevok, one of the Church's leaders and a recurring antagonist from earlier Baldur's Gate titles. The party first meets him at the conclusion of the "Open Hand Temple Murders" quest line. In it, players collaborate with the hollyphant Investigator Valeria, helping to solve a series of mysterious killings around the outskirts of Baldur's Gate. They eventually discover a list of targets, and Valeria urges them to enter Wyrm Rock Fortress and the city proper to continue their inquiry.

Zelda: TOTK’s Map May Be Hiding Another Secret Stone

Matthew Wilcox — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 16:00:25 GMT

It appears that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is hiding a Secret Stone in its map of Hyrule. Originally belonging to the Zonai, the artifacts greatly amplify the Sages’ magical abilities in Tears of the Kingdom. The seven known Secret Stones are mostly discovered in their corresponding ancient temples in TOTK, if not already in the possession of other characters. However, there is actually another way to see one of these mystical artifacts in TOTK.

Baldur's Gate 3 Takes The Worst Part Of D&D And Makes It Hilarious

Ben Brosofsky — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 13:46:26 GMT

Baldur's Gate 3 does an excellent job of recreating the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying experience in a video game, but one specific side quest pokes some loving fun at its inspirations. DnD is a tool that can be used for endless creativity, but it also lends itself to certain tropes or familiar gameplay elements that recur in many campaigns. In some cases, tropes can be popular because of their epic scale or memorable impact, but others stick around more because of convenience than out of any particular love that players have for them.

Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty: Should You Cure Songbird Or Save Yourself In The Killing Moon?

Andrew Zhou — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 12:46:25 GMT

In a similar vein to base Cyberpunk 2077, the main story of the Phantom Liberty DLC has several major decisions which can drastically change the story, which rewards are obtained, and endings for both the DLC's story and the story of the main game. Taking place around the time of the later parts of Cyberpunk 2077's main story, Phantom Liberty has V delving into a sectioned-off area of Night City known as Dogtown, pulled into a mission to save the president of the NUSA from a crash by the enigmatic Songbird in exchange for a promised cure to V's terminal condition.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Where You Know Roshan’s Voice From

Ben Brosofsky — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 11:00:25 GMT

Roshan plays a major role in Assassin's Creed Mirage, and there's a good reason why her distinctive voice is as recognizable as it is. As a Hidden One who trains the protagonist Basim in the arts of assassination and more, Roshan acts as a strong mentor figure in the game. She also serves as a powerful figure involved in undercurrents of resistance in Baghdad, standing up for the oppressed and unheard in a city where staggering splendor and cultural advancements could cover up or even exacerbate the plight of the less fortunate.

Will Lies Of P Have DLC?

Kyle Gratton — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 22:30:24 GMT

Lies of P has established itself as a bona fide and well-designed soulslike, and developers Neowiz Games and Round8 Studio don't appear to be resting on their laurels. The game first drew excitement because of its similarities to Bloodborne, but Lies of P's brooding and violent adaption of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio manages to establish its own identity. While the game is a robust experience all told, and New Game Plus helps add replayability, the prospect of additional DLC is nonetheless exciting.

Lies Of P: Should You Kill Sophia Or Give Her Peace?

Lee D'Amato — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 21:01:25 GMT

In Lies of P, players must decide Sophia's ultimate fate. Sophia is a bit of a mystery. She's roughly equivalent to the Blue Fairy, who originally appeared in The Adventures of Pinocchio as Pinocchio's greatest ally and advisor. In Lies of P, she helps him level up with Ergo, revives him when he dies, and is generally a force for good. Throughout most of the plot, she doesn't seem to have ulterior motives of her own, besides a genuine desire to help Pinocchio and see him through his journey. However, as players approach the final moments of the game, they realize that Sophia is out for more.

Baldur's Gate 3 Just Got Even More Nudity

Ben Brosofsky — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 19:05:54 GMT

Nudity in Baldur's Gate 3 has attracted its fair share of attention, and it looks like that particular facet of the game has just been tuned up one more degree. Although most of the Baldur's Gate 3 experience is likely to be spent clothed in the average campaign, the game has its bases covered when it comes to disrobing. From unique undergarment options to the somewhat amusing existence of an extensive genitalia lineup, Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian Studios has ensured that the game's emphasis on choice doesn't end when nighttime falls.

Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty: Should You Help Alan Or Kill Milko In Treating Symptoms?

Carrie Lambertsen — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 18:30:25 GMT

In the Dogtown district of Cyberpunk 2077's new Phantom Liberty DLC, there are many gigs that V can take on for extra rewards and to get some expanded backstory and questing in. However, they are often still filled with the same tough types of decisions that are present throughout the game. Among these is the gig "Treating Symptoms" from Mr. Hands which offers some interesting choices as V infiltrates the Voodoo Boys hideout. All the side gigs in the game are optional and do not affect the main storyline of Phantom Liberty or Cyberpunk 2077, but are generally worth doing for the extra content and loot they provide.

You're Probably Making Baldur's Gate 3 Harder Than It Has To Be

Ben Brosofsky — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:30:28 GMT

Baldur's Gate 3 can be a challenging game, but it also contains plenty of features that help make tackling its hardest fights and highest skill checks much easier. Some possible boons are well-hidden, while others just end up being passed over because they lack the flashiness of the game's most attractive elements. One useful technique, in particular, appears to be going unused by the majority of the game's players, but its ease of use and consistent efficacy make ignoring it the wrong decision for most campaigns in Baldur's Gate 3.

"Not Just Another Puzzle Game": The Talos Principle 2 Preview

Kaitlyn Peterson — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:00:25 GMT

The Talos Principle II is the sequel to 2014’s The Talos Principle, by developer Croteam and publisher Devolver Digital. Those familiar with the first game know it primarily centered around interesting puzzles and sci-fi storylines. Though its sequel is, for the most part, one-in-the-same as far as overall general content, The Talos Principle II does attempt a fresh new feel to keep players thinking outside the box.

Detective Pikachu Returns Fixes A Problem The Main Series Has Had For Decades

Bruno Yonezawa — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:47:25 GMT

The release of Detective Pikachu Returns for Nintendo Switch has highlighted a problem that the main Pokémon series has had for decades. Detective Pikachu Returns is a spin-off game in the franchise and a sequel to 2016’s Detective Pikachu, which was originally released for the Nintendo 3DS. The new game follows the story of the titular Detective Pikachu and his investigative partner, Tim Goodman. The duo’s goals are to search for clues in order to solve the several mysteries that shroud Detective Pikachu Return’s Ryme City. There are curious events taking place in the city, such as the disappearance of Harry Goodman, Tim’s father.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s Best Armor Is A Huge Disappointment

Kyle Gratton — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 11:01:25 GMT

Assassin's Creed Mirage doesn't quite employ the extensive gear systems of its RPG predecessors, but there is still a decent number of options when it comes to what outfit to wear. The wardrobe Basim can collect throughout the game is largely comprised of robes resembling those traditionally worn by the Hidden Ones – often primarily white or off-white and hooded – but some, and particularly some costumes, have a bit more variety, including a few that are definitely more armored than Basim's default attire. The most exclusive outfit in the game, however, is disappointing compared to the verisimilitude offered by most others.

Assassin's Creed Mirage Ending Explained (In Detail)

Lee D'Amato — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:05:34 GMT

The ending of Assassin's Creed Mirage puts a satisfying button on protagonist Basim Ibn Ishaq's coming-of-age story, and further ties him the events of its predecessor, Assassin's Creed Valhalla. AC Mirage opens with a young Basim, in his ninth-century days as a petty street thief. Plagued by visions of jinni, Basim sets off on a journey of self-discovery. He tries to join the Hidden Ones, a real-life (with many artistic liberties taken) organization of covert assassins, but is rejected. In an attempt to impress them, Basim and childhood friend Nehal try to steal from the Caliph's palace, but when things go south, Nehal winds up killing the Caliph.

Should You Kill Black Cat In Lies Of P?

Andrew Zhou — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:00:26 GMT

Like many other games in the soulslike genre, Lies of P has a number of NPC questlines, including one centered on a Stalker known as Black Cat, that run throughout the entire game - and although in most cases these quests are less obtuse than others in the genre, the different outcomes of each quest can still be unclear. As each NPC quest can only be completed in one way per playthrough of the game, decisions that yield different rewards or story outcomes can be especially important to consider, especially since certain decisions can have effects outside their individual storylines.

Can You Keep Playing Assassin’s Creed Mirage After Beating The Game?

Glenn Bunn — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 14:00:27 GMT

Assassin's Creed Mirage will see the franchise returning to the Middle East with a smaller, more stealth-focused title set in 9th-century Baghdad. Its story follows a 17-year-old Basim Ibn Ishaq long before he appeared as a fully-fledged Master Assassin in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. In Mirage, Basim works alongside his mentor Roshan to take down members of The Order of the Ancients, rising up from being a street thief to a member of The Ancient Ones in the process.

One Small Baldur's Gate 3 Decision Makes The Battle At Last Light Inn So Much Easier

Ben Brosofsky — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:00:27 GMT

The battle at Last Light Inn can be a challenging and even frustrating encounter in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3, but it doesn't have to be. As a deep, choice-driven roleplaying game, Baldur's Gate 3 is all about offering multiple approaches to overcoming the hurdles that it presents throughout the story. Some enemies can be defeated through persuasion rather than battlefield prowess, and certain encounters may never even arise depending on the decisions made beforehand. The ability to choose the order in which the party does many tasks can also be a great way to dodge certain complications that only arise with specific sequencing.

Assassin's Creed Mirage Map Size: How Big Is AC Mirage?

Glenn Bunn — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 11:00:26 GMT

Assassin's Creed Mirage has been a return to the franchise's roots, with a smaller, more stealth-focused title set in a stunning recreation of Baghdad in the year 861. The title tells the origin of Basim Ibn Ishaq, a character who was introduced in the franchise's last title, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, by which time he was already a Master Assassin on his travels to Norway.

Should You Give Your Heart To Geppetto In Lies Of P?

Lee D'Amato — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:05:27 GMT

One of the final scenes of Lies of P forces Pinocchio to decide whether to turn over his heart to his creator, Gepetto. Pinocchio's mechanical heart, the P-Organ, is part of what allows him to walk the line between puppet and real boy, exploring the desolate city of Krat as a freestanding automaton with a sense of will. It also functions as a complex, customizable skill tree, allowing players to upgrade the P-Organ throughout Lies of P to gain new skills and upgrade stats.

Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty: Should You Take Angie's Deal In No Easy Way Out?

Andrew Zhou — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 19:00:28 GMT

Continuing the trend set by the base game of Cyberpunk 2077, the Phantom Liberty DLC has a variety of side quests and gigs that offer meaningful decisions, which in many cases can significantly effect the quests' narratives and rewards, which happens to be the case with a quest called "No Easy Way Out." Taking place in Dogtown, a cordoned-off section of Night City controlled by the warlord Kurt Hansen, Phantom Liberty brings with it a new, espionage-focused main storyline that fits into the story of Cyberpunk's base game, as well as a number of new side activities and NPCs to populate the newly accessibly area.

Should You Side With Raphael In Baldur's Gate 3?

Lee D'Amato — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 17:00:29 GMT

It's easy to see why someone would be conflicted over Raphael's deal in Baldur's Gate 3. He makes a lot of big promises: he can fulfill the party's wildest dreams, he can help Astarion finish his personal quest to undermine his former master, and, perhaps most importantly, he says he can cure Tav of their parasitic tadpole. Raphael's is one of many cures dangled in front of the party throughout the game, which vary greatly both in efficacy and veracity. While it quickly becomes pretty clear that Auntie Ethel's help isn't all that she promises in Baldur's Gate 3, Raphael's confidence and apparent power make his deal sound more tempting.

D&D's Planescape Character Options: The New Backgrounds & Feats Explained

Lee D'Amato — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 15:00:28 GMT

The Planescape setting has returned to the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, with plenty of new options for character customization. Planescape was first introduced in the second edition of Advanced DnD, the original version of which didn't allow for angelic or demonic characters. These options were added in the first iteration of the Planescape setting, which establishes a detailed cosmology across a diverse range of existential planes. The new release, Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse, does just the same, adapting the original rules, lore, and geography required for reality-bending campaigns to the particulars of DnD's fifth edition.

EXCLUSIVE - Magic: The Gathering x Doctor Who Previews

Cody Gravelle — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 15:00:28 GMT

One of Magic: The Gathering's biggest crossovers to date is coming soon, as the long-running tabletop property will bring the dazzling universe of Doctor Who to decks everywhere on October 13, 2023. It's an exciting project that's only made possible by the existence of Universes Beyond, the concept that allows MTG to branch into properties like Transformers, Lord of the Rings, and now, Doctor Who.

Genshin Impact 4.2 Charlotte Kit Leaks - Vision, Skills, & Burst

Bruno Yonezawa — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:01:27 GMT

The complete gameplay kit for Charlotte in Genshin Impact has allegedly leaked, revealing the intricacies of her abilities, how she operates on the field, and much more. The leaks detail her Skill, her Burst, her Passive Talents, and even her Constellation levels. Charlotte is a new 4-star hero who is finally making her debut as a playable character in Genshin Impact 4.2. She was initially presented in the game as an NPC ahead of Fontaine’s release. Charlotte is a journalist for the Steambird and was visiting other nations in Teyvat to write up a story for the local newspaper in the Nation of Justice.

Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty: Should You Side With Jago or Bennett In Run This Town?

Lee D'Amato — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 12:07:27 GMT

After the events of Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC, players are forced to choose the new boss of Dogtown: the wily Jago, or the brutal Bennett. These two have been squabbling over territory for the entirety of the DLC, and while Kurt Hansen and his Barghest militia once kept them in check, that guiding force has disappeared as of Phantom Liberty's ending. V is drawn into the power vacuum created by Hansen's death during the Phantom Liberty side quest "Run This Town." They have the authority to decide which of the remaining two factions will take over the district.

Baldur's Gate 3: Should You Free The Artist Or Leave Oskar Alone

Bruno Yonezawa — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 19:01:25 GMT

While venturing through Act 1, players may stumble across the option to free the artist Oskar Fevras in Baldur’s Gate 3 or simply leave him to his fate at the hands of the Zhentarim. This, like many others in the game, seems like a rather inconsequential decision to make, but one that eventually connects to a larger side quest, much later in the game, however. This is one of the essential Baldur’s Gate 3 quests before Act 2, even if it does seem like something worth missing out on initially. The decision to free him may seem difficult, mainly because it can cost a meaningful amount of gold.

Should You Play Detective Pikachu Returns Before The First Game?

Bruno Yonezawa — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 18:00:25 GMT

Playing the first game before Detective Pikachu Returns seems like the natural step, as the new Nintendo Switch title is a sequel to the original one. Nevertheless, that can be quite complicated, as the previous game was released for a previous generation of consoles. While Detective Pikachu Return’s release is on the Nintendo Switch, the first Detective Pikachu came out in 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS. As such, access to it at this point can be somewhat difficult.

"The Exuberant Exasperation The Franchise Is Known For": WarioWare: Move It! Hands-On Preview

Deven McClure — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 17:26:13 GMT

WarioWare: Move It! is the latest installment in the chaotic world of Wario and his eccentric allies, bringing with it over 200 microgames and an inventive new multiplayer mode. Though the long-running Nintendo series just celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, it still maintains its trademark brand of comedy and fast-paced gameplay. A recent hands-on preview at a Nintendo Holiday Showcase gave a glimpse at what players can expect from the upcoming title's style, games, and various modes.

Is The Barbarian Armor In Zelda: TOTK & BOTW Really Zonai?

Matthew Wilcox — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 16:30:28 GMT

It has long been assumed that the Barbarian Armor set found in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild belonged to the Zonai tribe, but now it seems that this may not be the case. With the introduction of the Zonai King Rauru in TOTK alongside his sister Mineru, it is readily apparent that the Barbarian armor does not seem to match their culture. As a result, it seems TOTK has left yet another mystery unsolved in the world of Hyrule.

One Race Receives The Most Hate In Baldur's Gate 3

Lee D'Amato — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:30:27 GMT

There's a lot of discrimination going on in Baldur's Gate 3, but one playable race gets the worst of it. The Forgotten Realms' complicated politics cause many NPCs to dislike, distrust, or outright fear characters of other races. Shadowheart scorns githyanki, especially Lae'zel. Showing any kind of sympathy with Lae'zel can hurt the chances of romancing Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3. The xenophobic druids of Emerald Grove believe that the tiefling refugees who camp around their home invite trouble. The Society of Brilliance assumes githyanki are inferior, and Lady Esther wants one of their eggs so she can prove it. And just about everyone hates goblins.

Should You Kill Reed In Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC Or Agree To His Deal?

Austin King — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:31:26 GMT

Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC is full of choices that V must make - and these decisions can ultimately affect which ending players get. In fact, some options can even lock players out of Phantom Liberty's true new ending, and one of these factors includes deciding to kill Solomon Reed or agreeing to his deal. This occurs extremely late in the game, but it will have a major impact on the ending, so knowing which choice is correct is important.

Genshin Impact 4.2 Furina Kit Leaks - Skills, Burst, & Constellations

Bruno Yonezawa — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 12:30:28 GMT

The Genshin Impact 4.2 leaks about Furina’s gameplay kit, including her skills, Elemental Burst, and even Constellations have been shared by several sources, and tease how the character will play out on the field once she arrives in the next update. Furina is the vessel of Focalors, the Hydro Archon in charge of Fontaine, the Nation of Justice. The character was mentioned by name prior to the release of the region but has since appeared as an NPC with Version 4.0. Furina is now one of the confirmed characters for Genshin Impact 4.2, along with Charlotte. Furina is expected to be a 5-star character, like all other Archons.

One Baldur's Gate 3 Fix Actually Makes Managing A Party More Annoying

Ben Brosofsky — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 11:01:25 GMT

Baldur's Gate 3 has received a number of adjustments since the game's launch that do wonders to improve it, but one major change is ultimately more annoying than it is helpful. Although several hotfixes have been rolled out to address severe issues quickly, the bulk of the changes have come in the major patches for the game, which feature long lists of tweaks. From cleaning up issues with story flow to adding commonly requested features, each patch has left the game in a better state than before.

Can 200+ Improvements Fix Payday 3's Disaster Of A Launch?

Glenn Bunn — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 21:00:28 GMT

Payday 3 was finally released on all current-gen consoles and PC - and was included as part of the main Xbox, PC, and Ultimate Game Pass tiers - on September 21, 2023. The title was highly anticipated by fans of the heist shooter series who had waited just over a decade since the release of its predecessor, Payday 2, but unfortunately, it has suffered from one of the worst launches of the year so far. Developer Starbreeze Studios seems intent on turning things around, though, promising over 200 improvements are on the way.

There’s One Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Side Quest You Should Do ASAP

Lee D'Amato — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 20:16:30 GMT

Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC brings many new side quests to the open world of Night City, but one in particular shouldn't be skipped. Naturally, the main focus of the Phantom Liberty DLC is on its tense, twisted spy thriller of a story. Even so, some of its side quests do a wonderful job of expanding its world, getting the player acquainted with the notable people, places, and things of Dogtown to ease them along their journey.

Scarlet & Violet's Indigo Disk DLC May Have Pokémon's Easiest Villain

Matthew Wilcox — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:02:27 GMT

It seems that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will have the franchise’s easiest villain for people to beat when the upcoming Indigo Disk DLC releases. Given both the ending of The Teal Mask and its gameplay, it is easy to predict how several aspects of The Indigo Disk will play out. One of these likely outcomes features a villain who appears to be doomed to be overcome with ease.

Baldur's Gate 3's Best Boss-Nuking Strategy Is Perfect For One Class

Bruno Yonezawa — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:00:28 GMT

There is a boss-nuking strategy in Baldur’s Gate 3 being shared around that seems like a perfect fit for one of the most popular classes in the game. The new turn-based RPG by Larian Studios offers players a lot of leeway when facing enemies throughout the land of Faerûn, as they are free to engage however they want and use the tactics that best fit them. The turn-based nature of the game also allows for improvisation and, luckily, this boss-killing tactic is not too strict, being easily adapted.

Frostpunk 2 Preview: Human Nature Versus Utopian Society

Deven McClure — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:18:29 GMT

The long-awaited Frostpunk 2 expands upon the ideas of the award-winning original, amplifying the survival game's scope and scale in new ways. The title is developed and published by 11 bit studios, a company best known for its hand in the initial Frostpunk and This War of Mine. A recent demo presentation from game co-directors Jakub Stokalski and Łukasz Juszczyk - the former of which who also serves as design director and the latter as art director - at Gamescom gave a better idea of some of the game's main systems and how it's grown since the original.

Stardander School For Witches Preview: Academics & An Epic Story

Deven McClure — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:00:29 GMT

Stardander School For Witches is a magical RPG that weaves together elements of turn-based combat and simulation while telling an epic story through multiple perspectives. It comes from Fancy Fish Games, which in the past has produced titles like Aground and I Can't Escape: Darkness. An early look at Stardander has shown that the visual novel has great potential, despite a few graphical setbacks.

You're Playing Starfield Wrong, But It's Not Your Fault

Derek Garcia — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:00:29 GMT

On paper the storyline of Starfield is the most compelling of any Bethesda RPG to date, but the game’s evident fear of any linear elements hurts the presentation, limiting players’ emotional investment. With any form of fiction, there is a difference between story and storytelling. The plot of Starfield is an ambitious space opera, full of twists and turns and emotional moments. Those narrative beats fail to land as well as they should, since Starfield eschews cinematic presentation to maintain player freedom. It contains a good story that is told poorly, leaving Starfield with wasted potential, which could have been improved on if the game had been more linear.

"Silliness & Creative Carnage": Arizona Sunshine 2 Hands-On Preview

Deven McClure — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:06:53 GMT

Arizona Sunshine 2 brings more of the chaotic fun and carnage of its predecessor, while also adding new layers of detail and an incredibly versatile dog companion. The game comes from Vertigo Studios, which alongside the original Arizona Sunshine has produced titles like After the Fall and Another Fisherman's Tale. A recent hands-on preview showed off a VR game that's certainly more about fun than fear, while still offering a solid dose of carnage.

RDR2: How Much You Can Do Before Arthur Gets TB?

Casey Troy Simoes — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:00:28 GMT

Arthur Morgan contracts TB fairly early in Red Dead Redemption 2, but much can still be done before his fateful encounter with Thomas Downes. Throughout the game, Arthur's TB progresses in a way that starts to have a significant narrative impact. However, the mission where Arthur contracts the deadly disease has a very specific trigger, meaning that avoiding it can open up other avenues. While this would effectively stop the story and lock out a large portion of the game, it is a viable option for those wishing for Arthur Morgan to live on without succumbing to his seemingly inevitable fate.

One Change Would Make Zelda: TOTK’s Ending So Much Better

Kyle Gratton — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:00:29 GMT

The main story in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is nothing short of grandiose, but its ending took a turn that missed an opportunity for more poignancy. As a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, at the end of which Calamity Ganon was seemingly destroyed, TOTK gets rather inventive with its narrative, choosing to tell two parallel arcs spanning untold millennia. Its conclusion is satisfying and emotional, but one change could have been for the better, though such an ending seems incredibly unlikely with the history of Nintendo's flagship fantasy series.

Baldur's Gate 3: Should You Kill Or Drink With Thisobald Thorm?

Ben Brosofsky — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 20:00:26 GMT

Thisobald Thorm has a memorable presence in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3, but deciding on the best way to deal with him isn't always easy. The Shadow-Cursed Lands of Act 2 are full of looming darkness and threatening encounters, but a few semi-abandoned locations play host to possibly more peaceful encounters. One of these is the Waning Moon, an old brewery currently occupied by a monstrous barkeep and a variety of ghouls. This barkeep is a strange, Frankenstein-like creature who can seem intimidating, but it's possible to initiate a conversation with Thisobald Thorm without pulling out a blade.

Tears Of The Kingdom Shows One Zelda Gameplay Feature Still Needs Work

Kyle Gratton — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 18:00:28 GMT

While The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is certainly one of the series' more innovative titles, it still inherits a great deal of DNA from its predecessors. Some degree of reinvention is practically expected of every game developed by Nintendo, but The Legend of Zelda is a series especially susceptible to recycled elements. This is clearly by design, since each game has familiar yet refurbished locations and recurring characters of even minor importance. Familiarity is a hallmark of Zelda, even as games like Twilight Princess experiment with motion controls, or A Link Between Worlds adds a third dimension to the series' 2D roots. Ever since the series entered the 3D era, however, its combat has been largely stagnant.

Baldur's Gate 3: Should You Save or Kill Mizora in Act 2?

Bruno Yonezawa — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 16:00:26 GMT

The decision of killing or saving Mizora in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be a confounding one, as the outcomes of each possible choice are not always clear. Mizora is an evil-aligned character who is revealed during Act 1 of the game and acts as a constant presence in Wyll’s questline. As such, choosing how to deal with her can be complicated, as choices may not always lead to what sprouts from rational thinking. This is true with many instances in the game, such as standing by Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 and helping her reach her faith-related goal of becoming a Dark Justiciar.