With Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's rapid progressi??on system, it can be hard to keep track of all your? stats as you swiftly rise through the Prestiges.

You can find all the information you need about your multiplayer stats in the Combat Record. If you're not sure we're to find this, I've got you covered - here's how you can view all your Combat Record stats in Black Ops 6.

How to view Combat Record stats in Black Ops 6

Viewing your Combat Record stats in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is simple. Follow these steps to keep track:

• Open Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer
• Head to the "Barracks" tab along the top of the screen
• Press "Stats" then "Combat Record"

Voila! You're in the Black Ops 6 Combat Record. You can also go straight there by pressing the "Launcher Menu" button in the top-right ??corner of your screen and pressing "Combat Record." This is represented by six small rectangles - you can't miss it.

Once in the Black Ops 6 Com??bat Record, you can keep track of ??all the following stats:

• Time played
• Games played
• Average Eliminations per game
• Score per minute
• Win/Loss ratio
• Elimination/Death ratio
• Total wins and losses
• Total Eliminations and deaths
• Highest Elimination streak
• Highest Eliminations in one game
• Best weapons by total Eliminations and Eliminations/Death ratio
• Recent matches (stats for last ten matches)
• Total Victories by game mode

Every time you Prestige in Black Ops 6, a new tab is added to your Combat Record stats. This shows you all of the above stats per Pres??tige, allowing you to see the improvements (or decline)?? in your performance over time. Don't worry - you can still view your lifetime stats on the main tab.

Can I check K/D ratio in Black Ops 6?

Sadly not - K/D ratio has been replaced with Elim/D ratio in Black Ops 6, which adds any assists to you??r total tally. There's no way to check classic K/D like back in the ??day.

Does the Black Ops 6 Combat Record track Zombies stats?

No. You can track your Zombies stats by heading t??o the "Leaderboards" tab in the "Barracks." From there, select "Zombies" to track tons of different stats a?cross these categories:

• Career
• Eliminations
• Rounds
• Critical Damage
• Maps

You can filter these stats by Friends or Global to see where you stack up in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 rankings.

The post How to view a??ll your Combat Record stats in Black Ops 6 appeared first on Destructoid.

Over 30 million players have pre-registered for the latest entry in the Nikki series, and the release date is finally in place. You'll be able to leap into Miraland ?and dress up all fancy when Infinity Nikki launches worldwide on December 5, 2024.

Following up on last month's closed beta, Infinity Nikki has its sights? set on PlayStation 5, PC, and iOS and Android devices. You can see some of the colorful open world and sample pop artist Jessie J's theme song, "Together Til Infinity," in the release date trailer below.

Kentaro Tominaga—who previously worked on Nintendo titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, among others—is at the helm for this one. Infinity Nikki lets players explore the world of Miraland, taking on puzzles, digging up secrets, and putting on their fiercest duds for fashion c?ontests.&nbs??p;

There are other characters to meet, ?and story quests to accept along the way. It all looks and sounds like a pretty pleasant little adventure, with more dress than stress on the menu. If you didn't get a chance to see how it plays during the recent beta, you'll be able to set out on this delightfully poppy adven??ture early next month. 

And yes, that song is going to be in my head for the rest?? of the day, too. It's definitely fitting for so??mething that bills itself as "the coziest open-world game."

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There's a lot to discover on the expansive grounds of Botany Manor, and you'll soon be able to do so on Sony's platforms. Publisher Whitethorn Games announced plans to bring Balloon Studios' puzzler ??to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on December 17, 2024. 

There's nothing unique to the consoles to keep an eye out for with this release, but at th?e very least it offers another way to explore this quaint and thoughtful little gem. Check out a brief look at the PS4 and PS5 versions in the announcement video below.

Botany Manor first opened its gates on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam) on April 9. It's also available via Game Pass for any subscribers who want to give it a quick go as part of th??eir membership. 

For those who haven't done so yet, Botany Manor follows retired botanist Arabella Greene. Thanks to her storied career, she now has a large collection of rare, and in some cases forgotten, plants. It's up to you to explore the manor, dig through Arabella's notes, and find out the right way to ensure their growth and continued survival. 

Botany Manor isn't just about bringing a bunch of plants back to life. Well, that's a large part of it, but it also hinges on learning more about Arabella's experiences as a woman scientist in the 19th century. You'll be able to piece together her life and what she went through, all while gathering the clues necessary to help the manor's many plants thrive. If you love plants but have the polar opposite of a green thumb, this ??is your ideal escape.

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Astarion is one of the most popular companions in Baldur's Gate 3. You'll likely meet him early in your adventure, a Rogue whose tongue is as fast as his sword. One thing's for sur??e: you want to keep Astarion around.

As a Rogue, Astarion has one distinct advantage over other Baldur's Gate 3 characters. Whether you're playing as him or bringing him along as a companion, Astarion can choose up to four ??feats as he levels up, as opposed to others' three. These come at Levels 4, 8, 10, and 12 for Rog??ues.

But which ones should you be taking for your playthrough? We're going to take a look at the best feats for Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3, to make sure you get your build just right.

Best feats for Rogue Astarion in BG3

When looking at the best feats for Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3, we'll highlight the four we think you should be taking throughout your playthrough. There are so many BG3 feats that these four aren'?t the only ones you can take, so we'll also include some honorable mentions that also work pretty well for an Astarion run.

The priority with these feats is to create a ranged Astarion BG3 build?. In the late game, this can result in some pretty crazy damage with the right feats in place.

Ability Improvement feat for Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3

With four feats to choose from, you should always be taking Ability Improvement. Usually, for a Rogue, you'd dump the extra two points here into Dexterity, allowing you to take advantage? of Stealth s??kills and giving you a bonus for abilities such as Sleight of Hand.

We'd recommend taking Ability Improvement for your Level 4 feat in Baldur's Gate 3. Astarion will reap the ben??efits if you take this one as early ??as you possibly can.

Sharpshooter feat for Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3

Any Astarion build in BG3 isn't complete without taking the Sharpshooter feat. It makes him an absolute menace from range, and the removal of penalties from low ground is just overpowered. Make no mistake - if you choose Sharpshooter as one of your feats for Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3, you should switch primarily to ranged attacks.

You should take Sharpshooter as your Level 8 feat for Astarion.?? The -5 penalty to Attack Roles can be negated by high Dexterity if you took Ability Improvement earlier, and the extra 10 damage is an enormous buff in excha??nge.

Dual Wielder feat for Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3

When you're really starting to hone your Astarion build in Baldur's Gate 3, we'd definitely recommend Dual Wielder. This fe?at will allow you to dual-wield crossbows, which, when combined with your previous two feats, makes Astarion a damage-dealing machine. The +1 bonus to Armour Class is??n't too shabby, either.

Dual Wielder is a Baldur's Gate 3 feat you should take for Astarion at Level 10. The previous two are so beneficial at an early stage, that you'll see more rewards from taking?? them first. Dual Wielder is great, but it's quite a specialist feat.

Mobile feat for Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3

The Mobile feat is one of the best for players who enjoy the stealthy aspects of a Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion playthrough?. It's commonly used alongside Dash to avoid Opportunity Attacks as you maneuver around the battlefield, then Cunning Action: Hi??de to go into Stealth mode.

When using Mobile as part of that combination, Astarion can pop in and out of stealth during combat, dealing massive damage before slipping away into the night. Even for ranged characters, Mobile is great for simply repositioning quickly without taking tons of da?mage. Grab this feat at Level 12 - it shouldn't be an early priority, but it's worth having.

Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion feats: honorable mentions

The four feats above aren't the only viable ones for an Astarion playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3. Here are some honorable mentions you can use, even if you're not embracing the range-heavy build we? recommended above.

It's also worth noting that you can always experiment with your Astarion feats in Baldur's Gate 3. If you think you've made the wrong choice for your playthrough, you can respec your class via Withers and choose your feats all over again. This will set you back 100 gold each time, which isn't much at all when you get into the latter stages of Baldur's Gate 3.

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While it definitely wouldn't rank amongst the best console ads of all time, ??Sony just released a pretty cool new PlayStation ad on their YouTube channel featuring one of the best surprises we've gotten from Sony in?? a while.

These ads are always cool to look at. This time we get a glimpse at what seems like PlayStation city, a place where PlayStation's famous triangle, circle, square and X replace the regular traffic signs in a way that somehow doesn't result in an accidental Carmageddon remake. We also see some buildings turning into the PlayStation's symbols, and it looks cool, but the best part comes right at the end, when it announces a price drop of $70 on the PS5 Slim Digital Ed??ition.

The price reduction is yet to take effect on the PlayStation direct online story, so don't get too hasty on your acquisition. Still, Sony notes the promo will last until Christmas or while supplies last, ?so I?? hope you manage to find the perfect balance between the two.

Sure, the comments make sure to remind players about the dire reality of having to buy the stand separately, but you don't really need one to enjoy your games. While the notion of a console only getting a temporary price drop four years after its release date would've been laughable in any other gen of PlayStation, this is better than no Christmas miracle at all. This piece of news feels even better when you realize how, for the first time in a lon??g while, scalpers' plans went awry as they stocked up on a bunch of PS5 Pros that no??body is buy at ridiculous prices and have since begun selling them at a loss.

You can now get the PS5's Slim Digital Edition fo?r $379.99 until Christmas, or until supplies are d?epleted.

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No Man's Sky developer Hello Games is celebrating N7 Day by adding Mass Effect's Normandy ?SR-1 back into the game? for a limited time. Each year, N7 Day celebrates the legendary BioWare franchise, and 2024 is no different.

This isn't the first time we've seen the Normandy in No Man's Sky. It was first released back in 2021, marking the launch of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition.?? Th??is crossover makes tons of sense, so it's great to see it return.

Mass Effect's Normandy is Returning to No Man's Sky

With a trailer and a set of release notes, Hello Games confirmed that Mass Effect's Normandy SR-1 is finally back in the game to mark N7 Day. The Normandy will only be available in No Man's Sky for the next two weeks, making it yet another limited-time event for Mass Effect's iconic frigate.

Described as "a love-letter from one science fiction game to another," this No Man's Sky update ??comes with a revamped version of the mission released back in 2021. When completed, you'll add the Normandy to your fleet, which you can then send out on expeditions to complete. You still can't pilot it, though. ??Disappointing, I know.

For the rest of N7 Day, players shouldn't expect anything too exciting from BioWare. The recent release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard has already seen the studio confirm it doesn't have any huge plans for a Mass Effect announcement, so as not to?? distract from its most recent release.

The wait goes on for any news about the upcoming Mass Effect title. In years gone by, N7 Day has seen multiple teasers for the ne??xt game in the series, yet it still f??eels as though we know very little about the game at the moment.

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Previously slated for the summer, a release date is officially in place for River City Girls 2's collaboration with Double Dragon. Billy and Jimmy Lee will make their way onto the mean streets as playable characters on November 12, 2024. 

The meat of the DLC is, of course, the ability to play as the hard-hitting protagonists of the Double Dragon series. Billy and Jimmy are totally unique fighters, bringing their own s?pecia??l moves to the fray. Players will be able to bust out Hurricane Kicks and Rising Knees as they make their way through the beat 'em up's story mode.

As previously reported, Billy and Jimmy will also be fully voiced. In River City Girls 2, those voices belong to the Game Grumps themselves, Dan Avidan (Billy) and Arin Hanson (Jimmy). The two are also teaming up for a new vocal song featuring music by River City Girls composer Megan McDuffee. 

Brawlin' boyz

Rounding it all out is the new dojo, Master Boro. As the screens and footage so far indicate, it looks like WayForward put in a lot of work to smoothly integrate the two worlds. Being one of the staples of the genre, it's a no-brainer to throw Double Dragon into the mix wherever possible, but it's nice to see it being done with the right amount of car?e and respect. Even if it all first emerged to the public as an April Fools' gag! 

When it launches, players can dive into the River City Girls 2 Double Dragon DLC on all available platforms. Crack your knuckles and get ready to fire it ?up in just six days on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox On?e, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. 

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Lords of the Fallen made its debut on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S a year ago, and now it has? plans for Sony's upgraded console. Publisher CI Games and developer Hexworks confirmed plans for PlayStation 5 Pro enhancements, which aim to give the action RPG even more of a visual boost.

On PS5 Pro, Lords of the Fallen promises "a 40% increase in pixel density over the base PlayStation 5 console." Visuals in Performance Mode have been upscaled from 1440p to 4K60, locking the action in a??t 60 frames per second while increasing the clarity of details in the distance. Character and environ?mental textures have also been refined.

Those who prefer to play on Quality Mode can look forward to a native 4K30 experience, "showcasing intricate visuals across the dual realms of Axiom a??????????????????????????nd Umbral at a stable 30 FPS."

Future of the fallen

Since it hit consoles and PC, Lords of the Fallen has had a number of post-launch updates and content releases, including the Clash of Champions boss rush mode that arrived back in May. Hexworks isn't done with it at this point, even without the Pro enhancements taken in??to consideration. 

There are further updates and enhance??ments on the way across all platforms. While we don't know much about the specifics just yet, many of them are apparently based on player feedback, so it should be interesting to see what they have in store for everyone.

There's also that s?equel that?? was referenced in CI Games' roadmap. Whether or not it ends up hitting the 2026 window with the promised "elevated production ??values," for now we can get a taste of some visual improvements when PS5 Pro launches in November. 

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The new DLC for Alan Wake II sure is frightening. But nothing is scarier than getting stuck on an obscure puz?zle. These Computer Passwords are quite tricky. We've created a guide det?ailing how to find the passwords, and what the passwords are.

Lake House Office Computer

The first compute?r you'll come across is in the main office on the ground floor of the Lake House facility. There's a note detailing that passwords have to be something significant, not a current date, and be 6 numbers. Putting together some context clues around the room will help you figure this first on?e out. Search the room and look for any text with a bold number. That's likely a hint.

You'll find an article about t?he actress Hedy Lamarr, and find the significant number 38. You'll also find a document stating that the Lake House will be finished on July 18. Remember that the Doctor whose office you are in is European, so they'd format the date as 18/07. Put these numbers together for the passcode.

The passcode is 180738.

Level Sublevel 2 Computer

Deeper into The Lake House is the second sub-floor, with another computer that requires some sleuthing to gain access to. You'll need the Level 2 Clearance Keycard to access the room nearby whe??re you'll find some more clues. Inside is a computer that has some emails containing the information you're looking for. A very special day related to a first date between two coworkers. The special d??ay is a week from "this" Friday. "This" Friday being the first one in the week of September 14.

They also mention that the other part of the code is related to a "Brown shape with horns." Next to the terminal is some text a?bout different paintings. Find the one with the matching that description and examine its number. Put that together with the special date.

The passcode is 092225

Other Computers

There are a few more computers elsewhere in The?? Lake House that require a passcode. However, these are almost always accompanied with a sticky note with the passcode written on it. If you do this in real life, please consider at least putting the sticky note under your? keyboard and not on the monitor.

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Over the past few years, Microsoft has ditched the concept of console exclusives, as it released a fair share of its games on the sy?stems of its two main competitors: Sony and Nintendo. And it seems that the company will keep this new business model for the next few years.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently sh??ared an annual letter on his personal LinkedIn page, where he gave a rundown of the company's recent performance and its future evolution. In the "Gaming" section of the text, Nadella stated: "Finally, we brought four of our fan-favorite titles to ??Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation for the first time, as we continue to extend our content to new platforms", further confirming that Microsoft plans to release even more games on systems of the competition.

Nadella reiterated this statement on the annual investor's report posted o??n the company's official website, where, among many other things, he said "We are focused on growing the platform and expanding to new ecosystems to engage as many gamers as possible". This all means that Microsoft is looking to reach a new audience by releasing its games on other consoles, and that it doesn't?? plan on stopping anytime soon.

Has Microsoft completely stopped making Xbox exclusives?

The four games that Nadella is referring to are Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Grounded and Sea of Thieves, which were all released on PlayStation 5 and/or Nintendo Switch throughout 2024. All of these titles were originally Xbox and PC exclusives, but they eventually made their way into the competitors' consoles. As weird and unexpected as these ports were, gamers reacted positively to this decision, and most of these IPs definitely managed to expand their audiences on these new platforms.

Of course, this has left a burning question among Xbox fans: Is it worth buying an Xbo?x Seri??es X if Microsoft won't make full exclusives anymore? Right now, Starfield seems to be its last AAA exclusive since it's only available on Xbox and PC, with no plans of releasing it on PlayStation 5. But Microsoft was not lying when it said that it plans to keep expanding the brand on other systems since the company already confirmed that it will also release some of its other games, like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle or DOOM: The Dark Ages on PS5. Maybe the age of the great Xbox exclusives is truly over, although you could argue that it ended a long time ago, considering Microsoft also launches all of its?? exclusives on PC via Steam.

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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 developer Saber Interactive ha??s confi??rmed that Public Test Servers are to be added to the game in a future update.

In a message spearheade??d by Game Director Dmitriy Grigorenko,?? it was confirmed that this will allow players to "try out major balancing updates and make your voices heard before they are pushed onto public branches."

Space Marine 2 rolls back balance changes, Public Test Servers confirmed

Last week, Space Marine 2 released its 4.0 patch, and to say players weren't happy is an understatement.? Unpopular weapon nerfs and a higher difficulty curve all around had gamers up in arms, leading some to take to the virtual streets in a form of protest as old as time: Steam review bombing.

Space Marine 2 fans can officially put down their pitchforks; the new 4.1 update to the game rolls back those controversial changes, with Grigorenko claiming he "forgot?? that once the game comes out, it's no longer a dev's game. It's yours first and foremost."

To avoid repeating the mistake with future balance updates, Saber Interactive confirmed that the aforementioned Public Test Servers will be coming to Space Marine 2 in "early 2025." However, no further timeline has been given for th??is as of yet.

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The Silent Hill 2 remake may have dominated much of the October survival horror discourse, but Crow Country remains an indie gem you should check out if you haven't had the chance. Plenty of folks have already, to the tune of 100,000? copies sold. 

This not-so-macabre milestone comes just a week after Crow County made its debut on Nintendo Switch, and roughly six months after it first laun??ched on Steam. There are still more monetary med kits in store for the folks at SFB Games, too.?? In fact, the game hit 100k prior to this week's launch on PlayStation 4.

According to the press release, ov?er two-thirds of th?e copies sold so far were on Steam. The rest were divided between the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch versions. 

The numbers clearly blew SFB Games' Tom Vian's mind, too. "100k copies in under 6 months is far beyond our highest hopes for Crow Country," he said. Before thanking everyone who has played so far, he added, "It’s been incredible to see so many people enjoy the game and recommend it to? each other, especially now in the runup to Halloween."

It's true; now is undeniably the very best time to play Crow Country. I??f you have fond memories of PS1-era survival horror, it'll scratch that itch in both fresh and ??familiar ways. For those who have already plumbed its horrifying yet oddly comforting depths, there's also a bunch of merch on the way from Fangamer. The first round of items is set to launch on October 29, with more �including physical releases for PS5 and Switch �following some time in 2025. 

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If you're looking to check out Monster Hunter Wilds ahead of its February launch, Capcom is ready to roll out an open beta. The company announced the official schedule for the round of testing, which starts with early ac?cess for PlayStation Plus members on October 28.

PS Plus members testing on PS5 will get their exclusive run until October 30, with the rest of the platforms following on October 31. You'll be able to spend your Halloween night in the world of Monster Hunter PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam from October 31 to N?ovember 3. The beta will support crossplay between the three platforms. 

Here's a breakdown:

Monster Hunter Wilds open beta start times

PlayStation 5 - PlayStat??ion Plus Exclusive Ear?ly Access:

• Starts: Monday, October 28, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. PT

• Ends: Wednesday, October 30 at 7:59 p.m. PT

PlayStation 5, Xbo??x Series X|S, and Steam (with Crossplay):

• Starts: Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. PT

• Ends: Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 6:59 p.m. PT

According to Capcom's overview, the beta will let players tinker with character creation, and the resulting Hunter and Palico data can be carried over to the full version. There's also the Doshaguma Hunt, which involves taking down the alpha of the Doshaguma pack, and a trial of the story that includes the opening cutscene and the Chatacabra Hunt w?ith tutorials to help along the way.

Rounding out the annou??ncement is a new trailer, The Black Flame. This one introduces the third location in the Forbidden Lands, the Oilwell Basin.

Monster Hunter Wilds launches in full on February 28, 2025.

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Blizzard has released the need-to-know details about Diablo 4's upcoming Halloween?? event, which will run between October 29? and November 5.

Diablo 4 recently released the Vessel of Hatred expansion, which has reinvigorated interest in the game. The new Spiritborn class is some of the most fun Diablo content in years, so it's a great period to hop ba??ck into the action.

Diablo 4 Halloween event details

In a Blizzard blog post, Diablo 4's Halloween event was confirmed as starting at 10 AM PT on October 29. The spooky celebrations will run until 10 AM PT on November 5. Throughout this period, you can log in and claim some limited-time cosmetic goodies for free, as detailed bel????ow:

• October 29: The Recluse’s Host Mount
• October 30: Ichorflame Torch Mount Trophy
• October 31: Recluse’s Flask Mount Trophy
• November 1: Reclusive Trappings Mount Armor

If you miss the cosmetics on the above dates, don't worry - you can still log in before the event finishes on Nov?ember 5 and claim them from the in-game store.

While the Diablo 4 Halloween event is ac??tive, Dungeon runs will be much more interesting, thanks to Meat or Treat. This "harrowing game of chance" allows Shrines to apply a surprise effect on top of its usual effect when activated. As? Blizzard puts it, "Will the Shrine bestow unexpected riches upon you, or will your Dungeon run go up in smoke?"

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Baldur's Gate 3 is a game t??hat lives and dies by its companions. The characters in Larian's RPG are arguably its ?biggest strength, but they can be even better.

This collection of the 10 best Baldur's Gate 3 companion mods alters both the look and behaviors of the game's followers. ?These are the must-haves, the cream of the crop.

More Reactive Companions

More Reactive Companions is a Baldur's Gate 3 mod that makes the game truly feel like a?? group adventure. It doesn't even add any new content, instead repurposing many of the throwaway dialogue lines used by the characters when playing as them.

These lines will be used as "companion chatter" when using this mod. Each one has been hand-picked for every scenario by mod author LightningLarryL, giving it a real feeling of authenticity. It makes a massive difference to make your ?party feel more alive than ever.

Full Custom Companions (Hirelings)

Full Custom Companions (Hirelings) expands the hireling system in a huge way. Instead of being constrained to the same old hirelings offered by Withers, this allows you to customize your own. You can even use Baldur's Gate 3 race mods to create extra unique hirelings.

That's not all this mod does, though. It also allows you to duplicate regular NPCs and use them as companions. These custom hirelings can also use tadpoles to gain illithid powers, making them feel much more like a regular BG3 companion.

Summon Guenhwyvar - Drizzt Legendary Panther Companion

If you're a Dungeons & Dragons lore fanatic, S????????????????????????????ummon Guenhwyvar - Drizzt Legendary Panther Companion should be right up your alley. The panther Guenhwyvar is a popular figure in the Forgotten Realms lore, and with this mod, you can summon her to fig?ht by your side.

Upon installation, you'll be given a figurine of Guenhwyvar. This can only be used to summon her once per Long Rest, so it's not entirely overpowered. Overall, it's a solid, lore-friendly addition to Baldur's Gate 3.

Adjustable Party Limit

Oh, you want a party? Adjustable Party Limit can give you a party. As the name suggests, it allows you to c?hange the number of companions allowed in your party at a time, selecting from anywhere between 1 and 16.

There are a few similar mods that do this, so why's this one the best? According to mod author PixellBytes,?? it's the only one that has "built-in ways to prevent you from encountering some of the most infamous party limit extender bugs, such as the Act 1 lake boat bug and the long resting bug." So, there.

JWL Scratch is Back

We all love Scratch; he's the best boy. But he isn't the most useful boy in combat scenarios. You can fix this with JWL Scratch is Back, which adds 11 elemental-themed variants of Baldur's Gate 3's cutest pup.

This is done in a lore-friendly way, giving you 11 enchanted collars to collect throughout the game, each of which offers a different buff to BG3's canine companion. Recom??mended if you want to bring Scratch along for the adventure.

Fireproof Karlach

If you think about it, even on a surface level, it doesn't make sense that Karlach takes fire damage in Baldur's Gate 3. She burns so hot that you can't even touch her!

Obviously, resistance doesn't always equal immunity, but I reckon Fireproof Karlach makes more sense to have than not. It simply gives her the Hellish Resistance trait, nullifying all fire?? damage.

Really Shadowheart

Really Shadowheart might be one of the most considered Baldur's Gate 3 mods out there. It completely alters her character in Act 3 to be more consistent wit?h Acts 1 and ??2. But what does that actually mean?

For starters, romanced Shadowheart no longer tolerate??s cheating. No more casual fun with Halsin or the Drow Twins for you! It's much more in line with the Shadowheart we meet earlier in the game, but that's only the tip of the iceberg for everything this mod does. She'll try to save her parents no matter what, she'll take a lot more persuasion to kill Viconia, and you can even propose to her if you do choose to save her parents. That's right: you can be married to Shadowheart in the epilogue with this mod. 10/10, no notes.

Karlach Overhaul WIP

Nexus Mods user vyrelis has seriously cooked with Karlach Overhaul WIP. It's by far and away the best overhaul of the tiefling companion's face, making it look a little so?fter than the base game.

It also gives her a cool new hairstyle that, in my opinion,? trumps the vanilla one. Overhauling the appearance of a fan-favorite character will alw??ays be controversial to some players, but this one's pretty tasteful.

A Visit with Volo - Astarion Reimagined

Now, for something a little more dramatic. A Visit with Volo - Astarion Reimagined de-ages Neil Newbon's popular vampire a good 20 years, giving him a look closer aligned to something you might see on a runway or the front of a magazin??e.

This pretty-boy-Astarion aesthetic won't be for everyone, and understandably so. But for those who do like it, it could prove to be one of the best Baldur's Gate 3 companion mods out there.

Lae'zel - Alternate Faces

Of all the Lae'zel overhauls on Nexus Mods, I reckon Lae'zel - Alternate Faces takes the crown. This one offers numerous face options, each based on a different Baldur's Gate 3 race.

The differences from the ba??se game version of Lae'zel are pretty small, ?so you won't be left feeling like she's a totally new character with this mod.

The post 10 best Baldur’s Gate 3 companion mods appeared first on Destructoid.

There are a lot of survival games out there, and it can be diffic?ult to f??igure out which ones are worth putting your time and money into. If you’ve got a PlayStation 5 and want a new challenge to dive into, we’ve got you covered. 

But what makes a survival game? Generally speaking, if you begin with very li??ttle and have to work your way up by gathering and crafting, then it can likely be included as part of the survival genre. If you can build your own base and c??ustomize it to your own tastes, then even better. 

Here?? are ten survival games ??available to play on PlayStation 5 right now, and each of them is definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of the genre. 

Minecraft

As far as survival games go, Minecraft is a classic. You enter a pixelated world and have to work your way up from nothing but your fists. Gather resources to build a shelter and food to fill your stomach, and then you can go exploring in the cave systems under your blocky feet. One of the major plus points to Minecraft is Creative Mode, a??llowing you infinite resou??rces to build glorious creations. 

The best thing about Minecraft is that it’s the perfect ?game to introduce a younger generation to the joy of survival games, with children everywhere loving the bl??ocky world and everything in it. 

Rust

After waking up ?naked on the beach with a rock, you’re tasked with surviving on servers filled with other playe?rs who are all only looking out for themselves. You then need to gather (or steal, if you’re feeling brave) resources that will allow you to build shelters, all while avoiding the hostile wildlife such as bears and wolves who will attack you without a second thought. 

To top off the survival experience of Rust, all servers get reset on the final Thursday of each month. This means that all of your bases, and all of your progress, is removed, and once again, you find you??rself naked on the sand with on??ly a rock.  

Ark: Survival Evolved

Have you ever wanted to tame dinosaurs and don them in mecha suits that turn them into war machines to use in survival against other players? We?ll, if that’s the case, then Ark: Survival Evolved might just be the survival game you’ve been looking for. You can play either single-player or multiplayer and form tribes with others on your server. 

It goes without saying that you begin your life in Ark: Survival Evolved with nothing, and you have to gather and craft you?r way up. Eventually, you can tame dinosaurs as mounts and take on mythical creatures. You can ??even build mobile bases on the backs of some of the larger prehistoric beasties, giving you the ultimate RV. 

Subnautica

Subnautica is unlike any other game on this list because you have no land to stand on. Well, aside from the giant ship that you get to explore as part of the story and two islands you’ll get to eventually. You’ll need to gathe?r blueprints, resources, and food in order to survive in the middle of an alien sea, surrounded by absolutely giant and very hostile alien creatures. 

There are multiple modes that you can enable while playing Subnautica, with Creative Mode disabling all depletable characteristics like health and thirst. On the other end of the spectrum, Hardcore Mode removes warnings of low oxygen levels and includes a gamer's worst fear �Permadeath. If you die, your save file will be gone ??forever. 

No Man’s Sky

No Man’s Sky got off to a rocky start when it was first released back in 20??16, but it’s become a beloved title in the survival genre thanks to multiple game-changing updates. Now, it’s an example of everything a good survival gam?e should be. 

As a humanoid explorer of the planets, you wake up on a random planet wi??th a crashed spaceship and only a multitool to help you navigate the strange world. On the plus side, the multitool not only allows you to scan and gather resources but also acts as your first weapon if you encounter any alien creatures out to kill you. 

Grounded

Grounded is my personal idea of hell, and seems as though it took heavy inspiration from Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Shrunk down to the size of an ant and suddenly needing to survive in a world fill?ed with giant insect??s, you’ll gradually become more hungry and thirsty as time goes on, having to gather resources and water to survive. 

What’s worse is that Spiders are considered an “apex predatorâ€?in the world of Grounded, and as an arachnophobe, having a giant spider chase you across the backyard while you’re starving and dying is not my idea of a fun time. With that said, Grounded does have an a?rachnophobia mode,?? and I guess your enjoyment of this will depend on how much bugs give you the ick. 

The Forest

If surviving against insects isn’t your idea of a good time, then how about surviving in a world filled with cannibals who not only want to kill you but also rip the flesh from your bones? The Forest is the predecessor to Sons of the Forest, and if you play through The Forest and find it enjoyable, I strongly suggest that you pick up the seque??l as well. 

The best survival method for The Forest is to focus on building and exploring during the day, as the mutants with nefarious intentions come out in the dark of night. There’s a huge level of?? fear and anxiety that you’ll feel when playing through this one, but it’s also hugely satisfying to survive and get through the story. 

Pacific Drive

If you’re looking for a survival game with a bit of a four-wheeled twist, then Pacific Drive is definitely the way to go. Using your ??trusty (if a little run-down) station wagon, you can drive across the map to scavenge and gather resources to improve both your own chances of survival and the car itself. 

Your car is fully customizable, and you’ll need to focus on repairs and upgrades so that you can explore further a??nd survive for longer. Anomalies around the map will affect you or the car in different ways, such as scrambling the controls for the car or inflicting damage, so be careful as you explore. 

This War of Mine

This War of Mine is the only survival game on this list th??at isn’t played through a first-pers??on POV. Instead, you’re in control of a group of people who are hiding in a damaged house after fleeing from a war. They can’t venture outside in the daylight, as there are snipers waiting to take them out, and you’re low on resources. 

Each controllable character has its own backstory, and you need to keep each of them alive as you wait for the ceasefire to come. However, there is no fixed timeframe for this event, so you’ll just need to keep going until it comes. This War of Mine is haunting and d??efinitely something you should try if you’re into survival games. 

Green Hell

Green Hell can be played in either single-player or co-op? multiplayer mode and is an open-world survival game set in the Amazon Rainforest. As you likely expect by now, you’ll need to gather resources??, build shelter, and find food in order to survive. 

If you choose to follow the story, which is entirely optional, then you’ll go off in search of your wife, who went missing after venturing out on a solo trip to a local tribal vi??llage. Unfortunately, your only contact with her is through the radio, and the local Yabahuaca tribe has not taken kindly to the presence of res??earchers in their jungle.

The post 10 Best PS5 Survival games appeared first on Destructoid.

There's no shortage of throwback beat 'em up games, and there's certainly no shortage of new games being made for old consoles. In the case of Vengeance Hunters, though, developer Nalua Studio has its sights set on a classic platform that doesn't get as much at??tention:?? Neo Geo. 

While the side-scrolling brawler was developed with SNK's arcade/home system �specifically the Neo Geo AES, the home console version you might remember as being prohibitively expensive �it also has a date for current platforms. The colorful throwback side-scroller is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on October 28, 2024.

If this is your first time reading about Vengeance Hunters, here's a quick minute-long look at its cha??racters and how their beatdowns look in action:

True to its Neo Geo roots, actually purchasing a physical copy of Vengeance Hunters on its intended platform is going to cost you. The standard version is pric??ed at 349 Euros (abo?ut US$$382), with the special and limited editions set at 429 Euros (US$469). Folks who were lucky (and wealthy) enough to grow up paying out the nose for Neo Geo cartridges likely won't flinch, but this is a niche market nestled further within an even more niche market.

Price aside, it's still cool to see someone making new Neo Geo games in 2024. Thankfully, it's not the only option for this one, because Vengeance Hunters looks like a lot of fun! There's a badass brawler named Candy, a top-heavy robot named Golem, and a rowdy, robot-armed hoss named Loony. The animation looks decent and the bosses are suitably scree??n-filling. We'll see how it plays, with or without the pricey cart in hand, later this month.

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Throughout Baldur's Gate 3, choosing your character's race is one of the most important decisions you'll make. It affects tons of dialogue throughout the ga??me, and changes how some characters treat your Tav.

As with every aspect of the game, Baldur's Gate 3 has tons of mods adding new races. Some are based on D&D lore, while others are homebrewed by fans. If you're starting a fresh Baldur's Gate 3 playthrough, why not consider on?e of these race mods?

Flutter and Whimsy (Fairy Race)

Flutter and Whimsy (Fairy Race) might be the most polished mod on this list. You can play Baldur's Gate 3 as a Fairy, complete with customizable wings. Fairies have their own custom cantrips and spells, including T??inify, which shrinks you down to size.

If you use other Baldur's Gate 3 customization mods, Flutter and Whimsy (Fairy Race) has you covered, including compatibility patches for many of the most popular downloads on the? Ne?xus.

Half Angel (Aasimar 5E)

Half Angel (Aasimar 5E) takes inspiration from the 2016 Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook, Volo's Guide to Monsters, to bring the Aasimar race to Baldur's Gate 3. This winged race features three unique subraces fit for? various playthroughs, each with extensive lore.

If you enjoy sitting in Baldur's Gate 3's character ??creator for hours, deliberating over every detail, you'll get lots out of Half Angel (Aasimar 5E). Creator DarthRen has added 25 halos and horns, as well as 10 wings and tails. That's not to mention the unique hairstyles and heads!

Ghastly Ghouls - Playable Undead Race

If there's one thing Larian's previous game, Divinity: Original Sin 2, has over Baldur's Gate 3, it's the ability to play as the undead. No longer. Ghastly Ghouls - Playable Undead Race solves this with four subraces: Lich, Gho??ul, Wight, and Mummy. Each has custom heads and bodies, meaning you can tinker with your Undead's ap??pearance to your heart's content.

This mod makes my immersion-obsessed heart happy. It uses the vanilla "Und?ead" tag for your Tav, affecting how various spells affect you. You'??ll be immune to some, while others, such as "Turn Undead," make you more vulnerable.

The Dunmer - Playable Dark Elf Race

Adding a race from The Elder Scrolls isn't exactly lore-friendly, but The Dunmer - Playable Dark Elf Race was simply too extensive to leave out of this list. I mean, let's take a look at what this Baldur's Gate 3 race mod includes.

Six subraces, "themed after the Great Houses, House Dagoth, and the Ashlanders." Seven new spells, all of which have custom visual effects. 11 unique heads, 50 skin tones, and 19 hand-drawn tattoos. And there are custom piercings based on The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. A must-have mod, really.

Half-Dragon

Half-Dragon is based on an original homebrew TTRPG system by author johauna's husband. Four races are added, and numerous subclasses are meticulously designed to crea?te a fun gameplay experience.

The highlight here is the ability to take the form of a Dragon. It's cool every single time and is reason enough to try this Baldur's Gate 3 mod. It feels like it should've been part of the base ga??me ??all along.

Spirited Seasons - Playable Fey Eladrin

There's a lot to love about Spirited Seasons - Playable Fey Eladrin, especially to en?joy creating stunning Tavs that look great in a screenshot. This adds the Eladrin race, wit??h four subraces based on each season, extensive customization options, and unique spells to match.

The only drawback is that you can't change seasons throughout your playthrough, as the Eladrin can in Dungeons & Dragons. This is due to the technical limitation of changing subraces mid-playthrough. Don't let that put you off - this is one of the most polished Baldur's Gate 3 race mods out there.

Whispers of the Fey - Goblins Race

Goblins exist in Baldur's Gate 3, so why can't we play as them? Whispers of the Fey - Goblins Race solves this issue, adding two new subraces: Greenskin Goblin?? and Dankwood Gob??lin. You can customize your Goblin as you would a regular Tav. There's even a custom Hireling named Ol' Shiny to bring along on your adventures.

If that hasn't convinced you, playing as a Goblin gives you access to a baby squirrel companion that will accompany you throughout F??aerûn. I, for one, am sold.

Playable Myconid Race

Remember the Myconids? Those fungus folk that you meet in Baldur's Gate 3's Underdark? You probably never considered the fact that you couldn't play as one, but with Playable Myconid Race, now you can. Who asked for this? Who cares!

Understandably, customization is limited with this race mod, so you're restricted to picking from the models already available in Baldur's Gate 3. Creator porridge77 admits it's a little janky, but for the novelty factor? alone, this is hard to beat and is well worth a slot in ??your load order.

Hearts of the Forest - Playable Dryad Race

Much like the previous mod, Hearts of the Forest - Playable Dryad Race takes a race already? in the game and makes it playable. Considering their humanoid form, it's a little surprising they're not playable in the vanilla game, but regardless, this mod solves this.

Creator EmeraldTechno ha?s gone the extra mile, creating new male Dryads. This isn't lore-friendly, but the end result looks great, so they get a pass here.

Wine and Revelry (Satyr Race)

Using Wine and Revelry (Satyr Race) is a way to guarantee a unique Baldur's Gate 3 playthrou?gh. Th??e main highlight here are the digitigrade legs, which obviously aren't possible in the vanilla game.

Creator labotor has added many customization options to flesh out Wine and Revelry (Satyr Rac??e), including various tails, horns, and e?ar options to give you total flexibility with your Satyr Tav.

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South Korean publisher Krafton has confirmed that it signed a licensing agreement with Palworld developer, Pocketpair. The agreement will see PUBG: Battlegrounds developer, PUBG Studios, bring Palworld to mobile devices for the first time.

Touted as "Pokemon with guns" by fans, Palworld was a surprise gargan?tuan success upon its Early Access launch earlier this year. Few, least of all Pocketpair, could have seen its eyewatering sales figures coming, as it stormed to the top of t??he charts on PC and Xbox consoles at the start of 2024.

Player counts have dropped in the months since, although a recent PlayStation 5 release has helped bring new fans into the fold. Nintendo and The Pokemon Company suing Pocketpair has also played a part in keeping Palworld in the news cycle of late.

Krafton confirmed Palworld's upcoming mobile port in a statement on its website, with its subsidiary PUBG Studios moving forward on the project. The announcement ga??ve no release window for Palworld on Android and iOS, although it did confirm it "plans to faithfully reinterpret and implement the original’s main fun elements to fit the mobile environment." Whether this results in any significant gameplay changes remains to be seen.

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A huge update is on the way to Sea of Stars with some oft-requested features in tow. Sabotage Studio has set the free Dawn of Equinox update for a November 12, 2024 l??aunch, introducing local co-op and more on all platforms.

Sabotage detailed the hefty update in a press release, which calls this the studio's "fully realized vision" for the acclaimed RPG. The local co-op, for starters, lets up to three pl??ayers tackle the adventure in its entirety, mastering timed hits in a co-op environment along the way. 

Combat has been refined significantly along with this addition. Combo Points are now retained after battles, there have been balance updates, and Mystery Locks introduce new ways to break enemy spells. If this makes things too easy or too hard for you �or anywhere in between �new diff??icult presets are available at the start of a new game. 

New horizons

Beyond quality-of-life improvements and a Quebecois localization, there are a few other major beats worth mentioning. Dawn of Equinox adds a revamped prologue that nixes the flashback structure and directly implements combat ?for the younger heroes. There's also a brand new cinematic during a pivotal moment for some extra impa?ct. 

Need help finding some of those pesky collectibles and hidden challenges? There's an improved Parrot Relic for that. Finally, a new Speedrunner Mode Relic triggers features that make it easier to keep track of your personal quest to set a world record in Sea of Stars, or at least best your own time. 

Beyond all that, the free Throes of the Watchmaker DLC is due out in spring 2025. When it launches, players will be also able to dig into the new storyline and more with Dawn of Equinox's local co-op. 

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A defining moment for any player who manages to perform it, and for many, the only type of play in EA FC 25 that warrants a ??r??eplay, very few things hit quite like a bicycle goal.

True to that, it's a given that performing the move won't be as simple as performing a finesse shot. So you can surprise your opponents and work your way into completing the On Your Bike! objective, here's how to perform a bicycle kick and score with it in EA FC 25.

How to perform a bicycle kick in EA FC 25

You can perform a bicycle kick in EA FC 25 by performing a Flair Shot (L2/LT + O/B ) in response to a high enough l?obbed pass or when a loose b?all is traveling either above or close to your player's head level. But the above is not an exact science, as there will be no way to control whether your player will go for the bicycle or scissors after taking off. You can, however, increase the odds in your favor. For example, when in 2v1 situations or if your striker is unmarked while in the box, you can perform an almost guaranteed bicycle kick by doing the following:

• Send a High Lob (L1/LB + â–?X) or a Flair Lob pass/cross (L2/LT + â–?X) to your desired player. Ideally, you want your target to be behind the penalty line when in 2v1 situations.
• Tap R3 right as the ball is about to arrive so that your receiver will control it with their chest.
• Hold L2/LT and press O/B to perform the bicycle kick.

Sending a High Lob Pass from behind right as your target player is about to enter the box and then tapping R3 before shooting will also, on most occasions, guarantee a bi??cycle kick.

Tips to score bicycle kick goals in EA FC 25

As you can see above, you can maximize your chances of scoring bicycle kick goals in EA FC 25 by trying to get into 2v1 opportunities, which will give you plenty of time to set the play as well as open the goal up. The best formations for that are the 4-2-4 and 4-2-2 variations, as they will revolve around a striker-duo. When using it, make sure to also use quick wingers and ??midfielders capable of performing spot-on passes.

It's also vital to note that, like in EA FC 24, players with the Acrobatic Playstyle + are more likely to favor the kick over regular volleys and scissors, even if whether or not they will score will still depend on thei?r stats and in many cases their shooting Playstyles. Among the best for the job, we have pretty much all of the game's top Icons, as well as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Sam Kerr. If you are not made of money, Cri??stiano Ronaldo is once again a solid pick.

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If there's a bone I'm willing to pick with Astro Bot, it's that there aren't enough classically haunted levels. Spooky Time nails the tone of goofy horror that I see far too infrequently. So, don your hunter's garb ??and let's track down every collectible to be had.

Where to find every bot and puzzle piece in Spooky Time

Spooky Time Bots

Bot 1: After claiming the Time Stopper and making it past the gates, you'll spot a ghost juggling two plates. The first wayward bot will be on on??e of them. Use the Time Stopper and bounce on the water bug bot? to make your way over and rescue it.

Bot 2: The second bot is ??found immediately after the first. There are two sets of ghosts juggling knives. Use the Time Stopper and collect the bot hanging on for dear life.

Bot 3 (Alpha Male): Chris "I can't use the lockpick" Redfield of Resident Evil fame ??is? just past the ghosts and their knives. Look to the pat on the left. When you come to the spinning flower, you'll see a pair of candles. Blow them out and jump over to rescue the former S.T.A.R.S. member.

Bot 4: On the platform with the pumpkin spitters and chameleons will?? be a wall with a pull-rope. Dispat??ch your foes and pull on the rope to reveal a pumpkin-themed clam inside. Use the Time Stopper to rescue the bot inside when its mouth is open.

Bot 5: After making your way past the ghosts shoving tombstones between one another, look to your right. There will be a path of coins leading to a rooftop. Up there will be a face in the wall that moves up. Use the Time Stopper to move the correct block and reveal the fifth tra?pped bot inside.

Bot 6 (Alpha Female): Jill Valentine, the best girl in all of survival horror, is our sixth bot. After getting past the wall mouth, you'll pull a lightbulb out of the ground. As it reve??als hidden platforms, take the path to the right toward the small column adorned with gravestones. Jump down the portal.

Inside, the?re will be several platforms to cross with our Master of Unlocking at the end. The trick is that the?? lights will flicker on and off. Use the Time Stopper to safely get across.

Bot 7: Our final bot is obtained while doing a sick Prince of Persia-style run up the wall. Use the Time Stopper to navigate past the ??knives and grab the bot on the way.

Spooky Time Puzzle Pieces

Piece 1??: ?When you come to the spinning flower and use it, the confined spooky squid will raise several platforms atop its tentacles. The first puzzle piece will be on the left.

Piece 2: The second puzzle piece is found in the same area as the fourth bot. Jump on the water bug and land on one of the columns. You'll see several coins, with the center coin being false. Kill the imposter and? pull the rope that appears to reveal the second puzzle piece.

Piece 3: The final puzzle piece is in the arena with ghosts that have created a whirlwind of flying debris. Use the Time Stopper to get to the center platform. From there, it's a matter of hitting the Time Stopper at the right? moment and jumping across to the puzzle piece.

The post All Spooky Time collectibles in Astro Bot appeared first on Destructoid.

There are a few levels in Astro Bot that are nothing short of incredible. Don't get me wrong; the?? entire game is phenomenal, but levels like Machine Learning are love letters to the franchises they honor. Lest you fall victim to their charms and miss ea?ch collectible, here's a handy list on finding every bot and puzzle piece.

Where to find every bot and puzzle piece in Machine Learning

Machine Learning Bots

Bot 1 (Loyal Oseram): Aloy's best friend, Erend, is found after you create t??he log bridge. He's off to the right on a small plateau, being bullied by some electric bots. Shoot the arrow symbol on the I-beam to make a bridge out of it and slay all that stand in your way.

Bot 2 (Security Scouter): The Watcher is found in the next area, with the r??ocket frogs hiding in the pond. To your right will be some ruins of a building with our hapless bot ensnared by a balloon. Shoot it down and add it to your collection.

Bot 3 (Paternal Outcast): The best father a cloned girl could ask for is dangling from a crystal in a cavern. Swim through and b??e mindful of the robo fish. Wh??en you surface, turn to the right, and you'll see him hanging.

Bot 4 (Grass Guzzler): The Grazer bot is found in the area with the Tall Neck walking in circles. It's trapped in a trip-wire fence with a few nasty bots bullying it. Hop the wires, tak??e out the bots, and free the adorable little guy.

Bot 5 (Cherished Wanderer): Last, but certainly not least, is Sylens. He is located in the flooded room just past the area with the circling tall Neck. After tak??ing the rope down, turn around and swing to the platform to free him. Rest in peace, Lance Reddick. You are sorely missed.

Machine Learning Puzzle Pieces

Piece 1: The first puzzle piece is acquired on approach with the Dual Speeder. Boost as soon as you are able, avoid the first Tall Neck's legs, and t?hen veer right to nab the piece atop the second Tall Neck's head.

Piece 2: After nabbing the "What a Trip!" Trophy, hang a left, and you'll see a small mountaintop in the ??distance. Line up a tricky shot to destroy t??he crate in the center, and the second puzzle piece will be yours.

Piece 3: The third and final puzzle piece is located in the area with the Tall Neck walking in circles. You'll see some deer grazing and a ghost walking through a wall. If you look on the right side, there will be a crac?k with an explosive barrel you can shoot. Blow it to smithereens to clear the way.

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If you've been on the Internet at all, you've seen the "This is Fine" dog, also known as Question Hound. KC Green (Gunshow, HE IS A GOOD BOY) is the artist behind it, and he just lau??nched a crowdfunding campaign for Question Hound's very own platformer.

The Kickstarter for the appropriately titled This is Fine: Maximum Cope went live earlier today with a goal of US$50,000. The campaign video includes some footage of the platformer in action, b??ut Green is quick to remind everyone that the assets and vi??deo are in the early prototype stage. Still, it already has some cute animations and you can kind of see what they're going for in the video below. 

This is Fine: Maximum Cope has players traversing worlds based on very real anxieties, including Humiliation, Fear, Failure, Loss, and Regret. In addition to taking on enemies that embody everyday worries, you'll have to face off against larger Anxiety Bosses. Defeating them ??and capturing their essence in a Worry-Box will net you new abilities that help Question Hound head into new areas.

Speaking of the dog at the center of it all, most of his abilities so far have to do with his trusty hat. He can toss it, shrink it small enough to fit inside it, and even use?? it as a boa?t. He can also use his tail as a helicopter and fire off a bark blast. 

No really, this is fine! 

KC Green is working with Numskull G?a?mes on this one. Reward tiers include a digital copy of the game, the physical release, a collector's edition, t-shirt bundle, and so on. The "Big One" is a $1,500 tier that includes everything else plus an in-game cameo featuring Green's illustration of you. 

This will probably be fully funded in the coming hours. When This is Fine: Maximum Cope eventually launches â€?it's currently eyeing a March 2026 delivery â€?it should be available on PlayStation 5, Ninten??do Switch, and Steam. 

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A month after launch, Vanillaware's Unicorn Overlord hit the 500k shipment milestone. Now, six months after release, ATLUS and Vanillaware are celebrating on??e million units sold around the world. 

Following the initial announcement, the official ATLUS West account shared the good news along with a special illustration. Vanillaware's Takashi Noma cooked up the following piece of art featuring Berengaria, Melisandre, and Rosalinde jus??t for the occasion.

Unicorn Overlord first launched for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on March 8, 2024. Its 500k triumph arrived shortly after on April 1, doing so at a faster pace than Vanillaware's previous strategy/visual novel outing, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. For further comparison, 13 Sentinels didn't hit 1M in sales until almost exactly three years after ?its global launch.

Hopefully, this simply means that Vanillaware is getting the proper commercial recognition to back up all of its critical praise. 2013 side-scrolling action-RPG Dragon's Crown also moved over one million copies around the world, so it's heartening to see George Kamitani and the rest of the tea??m getting their flowers.

As ATLUS points out, those who want to try Unicorn Overlord for themselves can check out a five-hour demo. The demo i?s available on all platforms and save data can be carried over to the full game. Like all Vanillaware games, the art direction is absolutely stunning, and than?kfully there's also a pretty darn gripping strategy game underneath it all. 

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Originally released a little over a year ago, Blasphemous II is a great example of how to do a sequel right. Now we're about to get more of said sequel with the news that the Mea Culpa DLC is due out on October 31, 2024.

There's more on the way beyond the paid DLC. The Game Kitchen is also cooking up a free update, "True Torment," for release at the same time. Here's a very quick tease for Mea Culpa. The DLC will be priced at $11.99 when it drops on Halloween and discounted at 20 pe??rcent off for the first two weeks. 

The DLC's title refers to the lost sword The Penitent One wielded in the first Blasphemous, which launched five years ago this month. The sequel's new expansion adds in two new areas �each with new bosses �four ?new quests, and a new alter??nate ending.

There's a lot going on in the free update, too. True Torment introduces New Game Plus, as well as more enemies, abilities, prayers, and updated quality-of-life and accessibility features. One of the new challenges is the Labyrinth of Tides, the name of which is suitably mysterious and foreboding now but comes dangerously close to sounding like the Blasphemous equivalent of a water temple. 

It's been long enough since Blasphemous II came out that d???ealing with these new challenges might just necessitate a fresh start. You'll soon find me trudging through Cvstodia once again with hell in my eyes.

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It was just earlier this month that Private Division announced a delay for Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game, pushing it to early 2025. It didn't take long for them to follow up, and now the chill, hairy-footed sim i??s due out on March 25, 2025. 

The official accounts shared a trailer along with the new release date. The folks at developer Weta Workshop open this one with a booming proclamation that "Tales of the Shire is a Lord of the Rings gaming experience like nothing that's come before." A much quieter voice follo??ws suit, briefly touching upon how the team used their years of experience with Tolkien's work to make something that? draws a lot from said source material. 

"Most importantly, it's a game about living as a Hobbit," they add. Judging from the release date trailer, it's got a solid aim on tha??t very specific niche.&n??bsp;

For Tolkien nerds, the significance of March 25 probably doesn't need to be explained. But for everyone else: following a journey of 11 months, one week, and six days, the One Ring and Sauron were u??ltimately destr??oyed on March 25 of Third Age 3019. 

If that little trailer peeking into the w?orld of the Hobbits isn't?? enough for you, the game's YouTube channel also celebrated Hobbit Day in style. A special Hobbit Day stream went live on September 22, offering an exclusive look deeper into the Shire. Let's see what's going on in the absurdly cozy town of Bywater: 

Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game is in the works for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Unless they?? pull a brutal bait-and-switch, something tells me we won't have to ??worry about a nasty scouring of these idyllic accommodations. 

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If, like me, you have a wistful nostalgia for the aesthetic of the classic cartoon, Rolie Polie Olie, then I have good news for you: Astro Bot's Luna Sola level channels that early 20th century feeling something fierce. Throw in some trippy day/night mechanics and it's a lot to tak??e in. So, let's take the hassle out of tracking down collectibles so you can bop to this Luna Sola's vibe.

Where to find every bot and puzzle piece in Luna Sola

Luna Sola Bots

Bot 1: The first bot is located behind a textured wall at th?e beginning. Take care of the Flame Spewer and br??eak down the wall to rescue them.

Bot 2: The second bot is immediately after switching the le??vel to night. Beat on the slime to free its hostage.

Bot 3 (Papercraft Postie): Iota from Tearaway is being held captive in a cage by a spooky ghost. After ascending the multicolored stairs, take out the enemies at the top, and pull the cord in the ground to the right. This will give you a light that reveals h??idden platforms. Ascend them and toss the light a??t the ghost to free our paper friend.

Bot 4: After switch??ing back to day, jump up the platforms moving vertically. The fourth bot is hiding behind the ??wall at the top.

Bot 5: ??Slide down the rail and take out the s??limes that spawn on either side of the electric barrier to reveal the fifth bot.

Bot 6: Hit the light next to the rubber duckie pond to switch the level to day. This will du?mp the pond on Astro, but will reveal the si?xth bot. Jump inside and pull the cord to reveal dynamite which is used to break the window.

Bot 7 (Knitted Kid): Sackboy is tucked in a po?rtal in the same area as the third puzzle piece. Switch the level back to day and break through the glass on the right. Jump down and swap the level to night. Activate the correct green button to open a portal.

You'll be transported to a retro level. Follow each short path, taking care of the enemies, and hi??tting the switches to rotate the level. Eventually you'll come across Sackboy and a rope that leads you back to the main level.

Luna Sola Puzzle Pieces

Piece 1: When ?you switch to night after saving the fifth bot, you'll see a spinning disc. Pull the rope in the ground to reveal a lightbulb. This will reveal hidden blocks. Follow them across the spinning disc to the first puzzle piece.

Piece 2: After encountering the first centipede troop, use a spin attack to destroy them. Swap the level to night and ?ascend the ladders. The tunnel at the top will now be a hole that contains the second puzzle piece.

Piece 3: You'll come across so arches with glass windows. Swap the level to ??day after dispatching the enemies and you'll see a rope in a wall. Turn the level back to n?ight and go pull the rope to reveal the third and final puzzle piece.

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Astro Bot is a treat for the eyes. Every level is lovingly crafted and full of detail. Yet, th??ere are a few that stand out. Serpent Starway's Trapped in Time is one such location, as you'll be n?avigating an hourglass from the bottom up. Try not to get so distracted by the shimmering beauty that you miss any collectibles.

Where to find every bot and puzzle piece in Trapped in Time

Trapped in Time Bots

Bot 1: The first bot is found shortly after obtaining the chicken jetpack. You'll catch a glimpse of the ??hapless bot behind?? some bars. Rocket to the top of the cell, destroy the slime, and use the jetpack to pull the chain. You'll fall into the jail and get little Linc "the Sink" out.

Bot 2 (Dream Chaser): Rudy Roughknight from Wild Arms is next on our list. After dealing with the first snake of the level, look to the right for a handle. Use the jetpack to pull it open and destroy the spikey boys inside. From there, jump down to the ledge. Our boy is inside. On??ce collected, boost up and out.

Bot 3: The third bot is found in the room with the deadly sea of purple sand. There will be a legally distinct Thwomp rocking back a??nd forth. Climb atop and use your jetpack to yank the handle and free our comrade.

Bot 4 (Desert Wanderer): The Traveler from Journey is a short...journey from the main path. After dealing with the spikey boys and the slime atop a pillar, jump across the three platforms in the purple sand. When you reach ??the end,? boost up to rescue the Traveler from the snake statue.

Bot 5: After making a bridge and dealing with the twin snak??es, the pool of purple sand in the center will drain. Use a spin attack to drill down and find the fifth bot.

Bot 6: The sixth bot is hanging out with some prairie dogs and enjoying the view. Give Timon? a good smack to add him to the collection.

Bot 7: The seventh and final bot is in the same room as the finish platform. It will be in tow behind a circling pelican. Boost up there and give ??it a little Hapkido to bring it home.

Trapped in Time Puzzle Pieces

Piece 1: The first puzzle piece is obtained on approach with the Dual Speeder. Boost to hit the golden snake and the puzzle p?iece will fly out of it. Veer to the left to collect it.

Piece 2: ?The second puzzle piece is opposite the platform where you used the leaves to boost to the top. There will be a cen??tipede circling a bottle. A spinning attack is a great way to deal with the minions. Once they're out of the way, break the bottle to collect the puzzle piece.

Piece 3: The third and final puzzle piece is tucked away underneath a bridge. On the glass bridge covered with golden treasure will be three electric boys. Take them?? out and destroy enough of the bridge to drop down to a platform. The puzzle piece will be hovering majestically above the sand.

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As a great big fat guy, I'm not a fa??n of lava levels. The heat is simply unbearable. Give me a nice arctic level where I can bundle up with a cozy hot cocoa, and we're in business.

Astro Bot does have plenty of variety? in its levels, and the Feather Cluster's Cannon Brawl is a hot take on pirate ships and lava. Here's how to beat the heat and nab each collectible on the way.

Where to find every bot and puzzle piece in Cannon Brawl

Cannon Brawl Bots

Bot 1 (Archstone Explorer): After obtaining the Muteki power-up, follow the path until you come across the checkpoint and Muteki trampoline. Jump down to the right and hop in the robo-croc's mouth. By staying in ball form, the robo-croc will carry you across the?? lava. From, there, bounce up to the Slayer of? Demon's bot.

Bot 2: The second bo??t is located on the sinking dock. Rush across after landing and?? take out the bots threatening your friend.

Bot 3: After using the Muteki power-up to move acros?s the narrow bridge, go to the right and use your ball form to get through the small hole. On the other end will be a? skeleton in a barrel surrounded by bots. Take care of the entourage, pull the stopper on the back, and push in the correct block to rescue the third bot.

Bot 4 (Nexus Dweller):? Head back the way you came and use the Muteki power-up to move across the bridge o?f legally distinct Thwomps. Once across, turn around and jump on top of them. Make your way across to the metal box at the end. Destroy it to reveal a volcano that will launch you to the top of a large cannon. Hop inside and use the Muteki power-up to work your way down the ramps and to the Maiden in Black.

Bot 5: The fifth bot is nigh impossible to miss. It's the poor little one being bullied by a pair of vacuum bots. Take them out to rescue your bud??dy.

Bot 6: The sixth bot is l??ocated in the cave after collecting the third puzzle piece and breaking through the flag. It will be situated between the two dangling skeletons.

Bot 7: The seventh and final bot will be on the sinking ship you crash land on. It will be on the left side, fighting for its life in a sea of jewels. Make a heroic res?cue before abandoning the vessel and taking on the boss, Captain Shortfuse.

Cannon Brawl Puzzle Pieces

Piece 1: The first puzzle piece can be obtained on approach with the Dual Speeder. It will be in the jaws ??of a robo croc and you'll need to veer right and boost to ?get it.

Piece 2: The second puzzle piece is conveniently located just after the?? second bot. Instead of proceeding straight towards the little vol??cano, take a left and head up the mast. There will be another volcano to shoot you to safety after securing the puzzle piece.

Piece 3: The third and final puzzle piece is just past the fifth bot. Jump up to the ladder on the left and grab the puzzle piece before dropping down on the pirate?? flag in ba??ll form.

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