Very early into Elden Ring, I kept seeing these random, cracked, conspicuous-as-hell statues with a blue or turquoise light. And 50 h?ours in, I finally know how to break them open.

Backing up a step, there are many different types of statues in this game, some of which you can directly interact with. I'm not talking about those. I ?mean the statues that are partially sl??iced open, and often embedded in the ground or toppled over. You'll probably recognize them when you see them. Like this one!

**Spoilers below**

If you're anything like me, you might've tried two-handing your weapon, various jump attacks, and explosive throwables, to name a few tactics that seemed like a good idea at t??he time. No dice �at least, not that I've seen. Instead, you'll need to source some outside help. You need to use ??a big boy.

That's right, a big boy

Had I spent more time scoping out this cracked glowing statue on stormy Limgrave hillside with several trolls roaming nearby, I probably would've figured out the solutio?n way sooner. In fact, on a return visit, the a-ha moment happened organically: a giant just casually strolled through it on his way to my character, and the cracked statue exploded, revealing a shiny reward.

What was inside? Unfortunately, just some low-level smithing stones �a useful find in the early game,?? but far less helpful down the road when they're more plentiful.

If you missed the statue pictured above, you might've seen this statue with a glowing crack in the heart of Stormveil Castle, which you would've g??one past on your way ??to the boss.

It's not-so-conveniently resting next to a large, gnarly enemy �large enough to make me think it could also be strong enough to bust open the statue... but it didn't work for me. Appearance isn't always everything, but once you get a feel for who (or what) has the magic touch to bust open glowing statues in Elden Ring, you'll probably be able??? to instantly recognize them.

What I simply had to do upon luring this troll was to have it casually walk on top of this statue. It could have also just swung its weapon at me and broken the statue as collateral damage, ??but at lower levels, that could be very risky.

Interestingly, it seems that other large-scale enemies in Elden Ring are capable of opening these glowing cracked stat??ues. When we mean big boys, they don't have to be on the scale of the aforementioned trolls. You just need to be able to look and them and think, "Yeah, this guy could probably eat rocks."

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Other ways to break glowing cracked statues in Elden Ring

Depending on the area you're in, you will have to do so?me scouting on what the biggest enemies are. You'll have to train a beast or two and b?ring them to the statue with the glowing cracks. In the example below found in the Sealed Tunnel, this statue is against the wall, so you can't just hide behind it in hopes of your enemy walking right into it.

What you will have to do is put your back against the statue as an enemy is about to attack you. At the right moment, dodge its attack and hopefully, they'll open the thing for you. Not the safest thing to do, but you proba??bly won't get anywhere just asking politely, either.

What do glowing cracked statues contain?

In terms of reward, from every example I've seen, these glowing cracked statues just give out various tiers of upgrade materials like Smithing Stones for your weapons and shields. A potentially good haul, but not necessarily something I'd want to go out of my way to get?, if that makes sense.

T??his is just the latest in a line of "Wow, I really overthought that!" moments in the game. I'm loving it. Especially now that I've hit a brick wall, and it's ti??me to go wandering again.

The post How to break glowing blue crac??ked statues in?? Elden Ring appeared first on Destructoid.

Group passwords are the backbone of Elden Ring's m??ultiplayer scene. Whether you and our friends are playing the game's box-standard multiplayer mode or using one of the many incredible mods fans have made to trick it out, you'll need passwords to explore the Land Between as a team.

Luckily, group passwords are much more than a way to join a group for cooperative multiplayer or PVP. Many Elden Ring group passwords significantly buff the number of Runes you get when you defeat one of the game's shard-bearing bosses. ?Some of these passwords give you a boost of up to 5%, so you and your friends could end up squeezing a few more level-ups out of the game's most epic bosses.

Specific passwords also come with other effects, including unique summon signs, varying amounts of bloodstains, and the chance to run into hostile phantoms. Here are some of the best co-op codes in Elden Ring.

How to use group passwords in Eldren Ring

After popping open the menu and selecting Multiplayer, you can press Triangle on PS4/PS5 to change your password Settings �from here, you can enter a Multiplayer Password or a Group Password. The latter is your ticket to scoring ?more Runes.

You can input up to five group passwords during a session, but you don't have to fill every slot. Having multiple group pas?swords activ??e can lead to strange results, so think carefully before you input co-op codes.

Popular Elden Ring group passwords

At the moment, I'm using these five Elden Ring group passwords:

• "SEEKERS" â€?VaatiVidya
• "straydmn" â€?r/EldenRing
• "FEXTRA" â€?Fextralife Elden Ring Wiki
• "fcb" â€?FightinCowboy
• "Koopy" â€?r/TwoBestFriendsPlay

Before I could finish filling out all five entries, my Rune buff was already active. Here's the status icon (it looks just like the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot with an up arrow):

Y?ou'll also notice that your character has a golden glow while the effect is active.

While group passwords only need to be typed once (and you can change or r?emove them whenever with no penalty or restriction), they won't automatically carry from one character to the next; if you've got a bunch of alt characters, you'll n?eed to fill out the passwords again for each individual tarnished.

This is probably something I should've looked into before finishing Elden Ring, but I guess that's what subsequent playthroughs are? for! I've been dominating the living room TV with this game, so I should cool it for now. (The keyword being "shou??ld.")

For further Rune farming, check out this late-game guide.

The post Best Elden Ring group passwords appeared first on Destructoid.

Warner Bros. Games has acquired the MultiVersus developer Player First Games for an undisclosed amount. The platform fighter developer is now readying for MultiVersus' second seas??on of content, set to make its?? debut this week on July 23, 2024.

Player First Games is now a part of Warner Bros.

In an official press release, WB Games announced its acquisition of Player First Game. Studio Co-Founders Tony Huynh and Chris White (also Head of Technol?ogy) will report to Carlos Barbosa, Vice President and Studio Head of Warner Bros. Games San Diego.

“We have worked with Player First Games over several years to create and launch MultiVersus, and we are very pleased to welcome this talented team to Warner Bros. Games,�said president of Warner Bros. Games David Haddad. “The bright and creative team at Player First Games adds to our extensive development capabilities.�/p>

One reason behind the Player First Games acquisition by WB Games is cited as a smoother integration process between the studio and the publisher, perhaps with better communication surrounding its IP or faster production time to release upcoming characters quicker. Huynh also explained that "having [their] development team integrated with the publisher is optimum for the players.�/p>

Samurai Jack and Beetlejuice are around the corner

Season 1 included four characters: The Joker, Jason Voorhees, Banana Guard, and Agent Smith. The rollout has been relatively slow, however, as Agent Smith is about to ?launch for everyone nearly two months after the game's release on May 28.

Season 2, so far, will give us the cartoon classic Samurai Jack, along with the grotesque ghosty Beetleju?ice, who seem to be in the game for promotional reasons as a sequel film heads to theatres this September. The Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch and Scooby-Doo have also appeared in the artwork for upcoming MultiVersus comics launching later this year (via Bleeding Cool), so it's likely they'll arrive in ?the platform fighter shortly.

Warner Bros. Games also owns NetherRealm Studios, the Chicago developer that makes the Mortal Kombat series, so Player First Games has?? great company in the fighting game space. Se?eing Sub-Zero clashing with Batman and Steven Universe sounds riveting.

The post Warner Bros. acquires MultiVersus developer Player First ???Games appeared first on Destructoid.

The theme park simulation sequel Planet Coaster 2 has officially been announced, adding water park rides into the experience this fall. You'll be running your own theme park once again?? when it releases for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC sometime this fall.

Water parks will cool down your guests

New to the series with this entry are water parks. Planet Coaster 2 lets you make a perfect water park with various rides, including lazy rivers, flumes, wave pools, and water coasters. You'll also have to provide changing rooms, sunbeds, lifeguards, and other essentials to help your business stay afloat.

You'll also need to monitor ??the guests as you attempt to keep the pools clean, ensure the rides are working properly, and add new facilities.

Planet Coaster 2 features plenty of improvements

Traditional theme parks aren't being excluded from the sequel either. The game is adding enhanced building and pathing tools to help you create the theme park of your dreams. You can now customize each ride in Planet Coaster 2 as well. Additionally, an improved event sequencer tool adds animatronics, smoke, water jets, sounds, and other visu?al wonders into the ??ride creation process.

Planet Coaster 2 features a bevvy of modes to hopefully keep you entertained in this simulation game. It?? will have a Career Mode, a franchise mode which has you make a connecting series of theme parks similar to Disney or Universal, and a Sandbox mode. The Frontier Workshop also provides blueprints and full parks across the console and PC versions of the g?ame, in case you need some help with the theme park creation process.

A full gameplay reveal is alr??eady set for July 31, and Frontier Developments promises to have new reveals on the last Wednesday of each month up to the game's launch during its Frontier Unlocked live streams.

Planet Coaster has been received well

The original Planet Coaster received a lot of fans after Rollercoaster Tycoon failed to meet expectations in recent entries. It currently has a Very Positive 91% Steam user review rating.

Hopefully, the sequel will be more challenging than its predecessor. "The entertainment value in Planet Coaster doesn’t come from management, so if that’s the type of coaster sim you’re after, you’re better off waiting for something else," said our 2016 review for the first game. "After the initial hurdles of starting a park in Cha?llenge Mode, it’s pretty smooth sailing."

While you wait for Planet Coaster 2, you may want to check out Planet Zoo on consoles. Those ports launche?d earlier this year in March.

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Once you find Slurp Cactus in Fortnite, they can ??help you gain shields and finish a weekly quest. Here's where to spot them in this big battle royale open world.

Slurp Cactus in Fortnite location

The Slurp Cactus is a new interactive object in Fortnite that lets you gain shields after ramming it with a vehicle or hitting it with a weapon. They can be found all over the new desert area to the south of the Chapter 5 Season 3 map. Find a car near a location like the Nitrodome and while driving, look on both sides of the road. You'll see cacti that have blue gooey leaves on t?hem. Ram into these plants and you'll gain a shield boost.

One of the Weekly Quests asks you to restore 300 health or shields with the Slurp Cactus. Once this is completed, you'll net yourself 15,000 XP. It also accounts for the bonus goals, which ask you to complete a certain amount of Weekly Qu??ests. If you finish 12, for example, there is a 25K experience bonus.

Other Weekly Quests in Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3

The other weekly quests in Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 are a cakewalk. Nitro Fists are a new weapon in the game that let you punch your foe?s to elimination. Get 400 damage with the Nitro Fists, and you'll get yourself another 15K experience points. The best way to take them out is to uppercut them, then smash your fists down while you're in the air.

Additionally, you can damage opponents with your car by either ramming them or modding a weapon to the top of your vehicle. You can collect them from boxes strewn throughout the map. Another quest is to go through a Flaming Boost Hoop.

The post Where to find Slurp Cactus in Fortnite appeared first on Destructoid.

The weather's starting to heat up, and so is this month of video games. From the long-awaited Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 to a remake of a beloved Paper Mario classic, there's ??much to look forward to in the May 2024 games lineup.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 (Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Developer: Ninja Theory
Price: $49.99
Release Date: May 21
Trailer

Creeping in with some psychological horror this month is Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Xbox promises a "brutal journey of survival" as we experience the myths of Viking Iceland. Ninja Theory has showcased some gorgeous visuals, striking performances, and phenomenal sound in early trailers. The original impressed, so hopefully the sequel lives up to its pedigree. Launching on May 21, it will be available on day one on Xbox ??Game Pass for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S??, and PC.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Switch)

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Price: $59.99
Release Date: May 23
Trailer

From a dark subdued atmosphere to a bright papercraft world, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door packs a dazzling amount of charm. While the game unfortunately runs at 30 frames per second (as opposed to th?e original's 60), the visuals reportedly pop on screen and suit a modern system.

Many will be reliving fond memories as they bounce on foes in time, find legendary treasure, and explore beautiful Mario environments. You should also expect funny dialogue from Bowser and others you know and love from the Mushroom Kingdom. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door's story unfolds on the Nintendo Swi??tch on May 23.

MultiVersus (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: WB Games
Developer: Player First Games
Price: Free to play
Release Date: May 28
Trailer

Warner Bros-themed platform fighter MultiVersus is finally returning on May 28. Its open beta was popular, but was taken offline for quite some time. Similar to Super Smash Bros., the aim of the game is to knock your opponent out of the ring. Characters like Batman, Bugs Bunny, and Finn from Adventure Time battle it out for dominance in the arena.

The game, however, has a unique focus on team-based gameplay, with some heroes like Wonder Woman having team-support abilities??. The Amazonian can use her lasso to save her ally, for example. Hopefully, the game succeeds with a new server system and a transition to Unreal Engine 5.

Wuthering Waves (PC, iOS, Android)

Publisher: Kuro Game Studio
Developer: Kuro Game Studio
Price: Free to play
Release Date: May 22
Trailer

Those wanting an alternate take on the Genshin Impact formula may want to check out Wuthering Waves on May 22. Available for free for PC, Android, and iOS, this anime-inspired game features pretty visuals, well-designed characters to meet (and unlock through gacha mechanics), and fast-paced action gameplay. The combat system features counters and QTE elements, making it somewhat different to MiHoYo's Genshin Impact.

We'll see if this game can stand out in a competitive space with Zenless Zone Zero and other titles on the horizon.

The Rogue Prince of Persia (PC Early Access)

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Evil Empire
Price: Unknown currently
Release Date: May 14
Trailer

Lastly, there's The Rogue: Prince of Persia, a new roguelike developed by Dead Cells studio Evil Empire. Launching under Early Access on May 14, this platformer sparks with color as the Prince acrobatically moves across each level and strikes his opponents. There are all sorts of weapons to collect, and a selection of secondaries, such as bows, shields, and grappling hooks. Ubisoft says on the Steam page that we'll have to "Switch [our] loadout? mid-run to adapt to new challenges."

Despite having an excellent Prince of Persia game already in 2024, a second might be a great desse?rt or perhaps even the main course.

Honorable Mentions

There are plenty other May 2024 games to choose from, including indie darlings like Braid Anniversary Edition and the fast-paced shooter XDefiant.

• Endless Ocean Luminous (Switch) - May 2
• Surmount (Switch, PC) - May 2
• V Rising (PC) - May 8
• Little Kitty, Big City (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch) - May 9
• Crow Country (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) - May 9
• Homeworld 3 (PC) - May 13
• Braid Anniversary Edition (PS4, PS5, PC, Netflix, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) - May 15 (16 for Xbox systems)
• Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut (PC) - May 16
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Switch, PC) - May 16
• Paper Trail (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
• XDefiant (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) - May 21
• RKGK (PC) - May 22
• Pine Hearts (Switch, PC) - May 23
• Rocket Rumble (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - May 23
• World of Goo 2 (Switch) - May 23
• Songs of Silence (PC) - May 23
• Umbraclaw (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
• F1 24 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - May 31
• Hypercharge: Unboxed (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) - May 31
• Mutant Football League 2 (PC) - May 31

The post Here are the most anticipated May 2024 games appeared first on Destructoid.

Penetration kills in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) are needed to get certain daily challenges completed. You can then unlock additional Killstreaks by completing these tasks. Here's how to get Penetration kills in MW3.

How to get a Penetration kill

In order to get a Penetration kill in MW3, your bullets need to pass through a wall before hitting your foe. The cover can't be too hard because the bullet won't go through it. Try to find a wall that's made of wood to get the Penetration kill and attack your foes as they approach. Get a proficient headset and listen out for nearby soldiers. Various modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, or H??ardpoint offer plenty of opportunities fo?r these kills.

While the Drexsom Prime-90 optic can't see through the wood, I found it excellent for spotting enemies with its thermal view of the area. It's also a good idea to equip the Snapshot ?Grenade and the UAV Killstreaks to pinpoint their location. Set up a Portable Radar Field Upgrade near a wall to increase your chances of getting the elimination.??

In addition to wooden coverage, shooting through fences may count toward a ?Penetration kill. It helps you get a clear shot of the enemy, differing from the obstructive objects.

What do you need for Penetration kills in MW3?

To gain Penetration kills in MW3, you'll need arm?or-piercing ammunition for your gun. You can unlock this type of ammo by completing two daily challenges. But first, you need to assign the ??goal reward in the Armory Unlock menu. Press the triangle button (or Y on Xbox) on the Party screen.

Next, find the armor-piercing ammo. It's marked by an emblem with three grey fallen ammo pieces. M?ake sure this reward is selected, showcasing an 'Active' statue on the top right of the box.

Once you've completed two daily challenges, the item will be available to you. Attach it to an assault rifle or LMG that's level 9 or above. Overall, Gunsmith add-ons with the Bullet? Penetration attribute are beneficial, including 9MM Armor Piercing, 9MM Hardened Rounds, 5.56 Nato Round Nose, and 5.56 Nato Mono.

Best MW3 maps for Penetration kills

Since Penetration kills require a wall, use small to medium-sized maps with an abundance of structures. Here is a list of the best MW3 maps for the Penetration kills:

• Farm 18
• Scrapyard
• Highrise
• Shipment

Due to its compact landscape, Shipment is one of the best choices for the MW3 Penetration kills. It's a reasonably hectic map where the rounds go by rather quickly. Thanks to its helpful structures, you may unlock thi??s specific elimination without even trying. The containers here are valuable for the Pen?etration kill's wall requirement, often causing Wall Bangs (another form of the kill).

Highrise's fences are another fantastic point of impact, allowing Operators to get a better ?shot. Plenty of fences are on either side of the map, perfect for these attacks. As long as the location is small in size, it's fair game for the Penetration kill. However, I suggest avoiding areas with more formidable structures, like the Quarry, since it will be challenging to shoot through certain walls. Ensure you also equip UAV equipment; otherwise, you may not see the opponent coming.

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You don't want to be a Sleeping Beauty in Dragon's Dogma 2, especially when harpies and other foes are flying around your hero. Thankfully, there's a way to wake your sleepyhead Arisen up. Here's how to cure the Sleep status in Dragon's Dogma 2.

No more naps; what potion cures Sleep in Dragon's Dogma 2?

To awaken your Arisen from their slumber in Dragon's Dogma 2, you'll need to create Waking Powder. To craft a Waking Powder potion, find two Grandpetals and mix them together.

You'll find Grandpetals from yellow bushes within the forests of Dragon's Dogma 2. I found a few of these resources north of Timeworn Shaft and northeast of Vernworth. It's a fair?ly common material to find in this area??, so you should be able to find Grandpetals fairly easily.

By the way, don't confuse the Sleep status effect with simply being Unconscious. You'll need a Sobering Tonic to resolve the unconscious debilitation, caused by lightning and blunt attacks. If you're tarred, a Wicking Remedy should do the trick.

Can you buy Waking Powder?

If you're getting exceedingly bad luck finding Grandpetals, you can buy Waking Powder from Philbert's Sundries for 400G. It's located in Vernworth's Merchant Quarter. It's standing next to Bjorn's Armory and close to Roderick's Smithy. Philbert only has ni?ne of them in stock,?? however.

Does Dragon's Dogma 2 have sleep resistance?

You can certainly reduce the likeliness of being afflicted with Sleep by equipping the right equipment. For example, you can get 2% more sleep resistance by wearing the Dev?otee's Hood. It's 6400G from Bjorn's Armory in Vernworth. It will likely improve your defense, magick defense, and knockdown resistance, too, depending on what your character is wearing.

As you proceed through the game, your sleep resistance? will likely increase with better armor available to be bought from future shops or found through looted chests.

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Spells are vital when you're fighting all sorts of monsters in Dragon's Dogma 2. That is why it's importa??nt to always have a curative at hand for Silence, just in case you get affected by this statu?s.

What potion cures Silence in Dragon's Dogma 2?

There are a few different ways to cure Silence in Dragon's Dogma 2. The first is to use a Soothing Brew. They can be crafted in the items menu after collecting the right ingredients: Moonglow and Syrupwort Leaf. Th??e first is a litt?le trickier to find, but you'll find them growing in a specific area called the Moonglow Garden. It's west of the Borderwatch Outpost and northwest of Melve.

If ?you're currently in Vernwor??th, it might be best to ride an oxcart up to Melve and then set off from there. You can find it at the North Vernworth Oxcart Station.

Once you arrive at the Moonglow Garden, you can pick up the flowers at any time, day or night. However, you may want to approach them during the evening as they'll glow with a pretty blue shine. If you want to change the time of day, there's thankfully a campsite nearby across a stone brid??????????????????????????ge.

The Syrupwort Leaves are easier to collect. Explore the forested areas of this land, and you should be able to pick one up relatively quickly. They have green leaves, a red stalk, and bl??ue orb-like flora on them. When you have both ingredients, combine them both to create a Soothing Brew. It tak?es 0.10 kg of space. When used it will "invigorate a weary throat," according to the game's description.

The second way to fix Silence is by using a Panacea. They can be found within chests around th??e open world an??d can be bought from a travelling shopkeeper named Mia. She sells the potion for 5,000G in Melve during my gameplay, but you may spot her in a different area. The game does say her residence is Melve, however.

How to fix other debilitations

There are many more debilitations to keep tabs on, other than Silence. Poison is a particularly gruesome one as it steadily reduces your health. You'll need a Detoxifying Decoction in this case. Another nasty debilitation is getting tarred?. This happens wh??en oil hits your character's body. This makes them flammable if they come into contact with fire.

The post How to cure Silence in Dragon’s Dogma 2 appeared first on Destructoid.

Falling unconscious in Dragon's Dogma 2 is detrimental whenever you face a mage with lightn??ing or a huge creature that can bash your head silly. Thankfully, there's a potion th?at can help.

How to awaken from unconscious status in Dragon's Dogma 2

You'll want to use a Sobering Tonic to wake up from unconsciousness.? Panacea would also work, but it's rarer to find and harder to make. Regardless, the Sobering Tonic is made by combining a Grandp?etal and Morningtide.

Both the Grandpetals and Morningtide are found all over the forests of Dragon's Dogma 2. The Grandpetals are ??spotted in yellow bushes with reddish petals. The latter can be found more c?ommonly. They're within green bushes and the grass. It's quite possible your pawns may pick up the ingredients already for you. Check your items and you may be surprised.

Once you have both ingredients, combine them within the item menu. You can either experiment or use the recipe. When you gain the Sobering ??Tonic, it will take up 0.10kg a??nd can be sold for 157G.

One factor to be aware of is that a Sobe?ring Tonic won't cure falling asleep. You'll need Waking Powder for that.

What other potions can you make?

You can create a bunch of potions in Dragon's Dogma 2. The Detoxifying Decoction is an important one because you can get poisoned easily in this open-world RPG. You'll need Pitywort and Syrupwort Leaf to cra?ft this liquid. You can also buy this poison-related potion from Philbert's Sundries for 500G.

Salubrious Draught is also quite essential. It heals your character a fair amount. All you need is an herb like Greenwarish or Syrupwort Leaf to form Salubrious Draught. Fruit Roborant is another great way to recover health.

The post How to heal unconscious status in Dragon’s Dogma 2 appeared first on Destructoid.

Being tarred in Dragon's Dogma 2 is a huge issue that can spark a fiery demise. You'll w?ant to have the right potion to counter this de??bilitation.

How to remove tarred debilitation in Dragon's Dogma 2

If you've been tarred, it means your character is covered in oil. That's because you can be inflamed if you're attacked with a fire spell or arrow. To counter this debilitation, you'll need a Wicking Remedy.

In order to craft this vial of medicine, you'll need two Cinnamon Barks. Similar to Hill Beech Bark, you'll collect it from trees. The best spot I've found so far is northwest of Vernworth. Run around to the thicker trees in the area, and you should see a bulging section on the trunk. You can collect multiple Cinnamon Barks from one tree. That would be enough to make at least one Wicking Remedy. Who knows? Maybe your pawn will help find some for you too.

Once you get ??tarred, use the Wicking Remedy in your inventory to flush the oil out. The game explains that it "has the curious effect of removing excess oils on the skin." It will take up ??0.10kg of storage and can be sold for 70G each.

Other medicines or potions you can make

While harvesting trees during the day, you can collect Hill Beech Bark. When combined, they create Parching Concoction, which cures the drenched debilitation. If you combine Dried Fruit and Morningtide (which is a pretty common pickup), you can make Fruit Roborant. It recove?rs a "g?reat deal of health," according to the game.

Can Cinnamon Bark be used for something else?

Cinnamon Bark is also used to enhance certain equipment in Dragon's Dogma 2. You'll nee?d at least one of this resource to upgrade the Woodland Boots at any arm?ory or blacksmith.

The post How to cure being tarred in Dragon’s Dogma 2 appeared first on Destructoid.

Intrepid adventurers face all manner of different creatures in Dragon's Dogma 2, whether it's day or night. And even if it seems insignificant, Capcom's latest ARPG does care about your monster-hunting schedule. If you're stuck waiting for the sun to cycle, here's how to change the time of day in Dragon's Dogma 2, so you can take advantage of each setting.

There are multiple ways to change the time of day in Dragon's Dogma 2

The first way to change the time of day in Dragon's Dogma 2 is to rest at an inn. At Vernworth, it costs 2000G. Your characters will be fully rested, but before they begin to sleep, the game gives the option of resting until day or night. You'll also be able to see if your pawn's been picked up ??by another player and has gained an award once your part??y wakes up.

If you're out in the middle of nowhere in the wilds, there are camps you can stay at. On your map and mini-map, try to look for the flame symbol. This is where you ??can stop for the night. You'll need a camping set, which you should have in your inventory already if you haven't sold it. I've had four in my inventory before because I've found them in chests. However, you only just need one as it's not limited to just one use.

At these camps, you can cook meals from the meat gathered from slain animals like pigs and rabbits. Similar to Final Fantasy XV, these meals will give you buffs the next day. Just make sure you d??on't coo?k rotten meat.

After this, you can rest in your camp, and like the inn, you can se??lect whether to wake up during t??he day or the night.

Lastly, if you're hoping to catch a ride on an oxcart, you don't need to wait in an inn t?o wait for one. There should be signage where the oxcart station is to let you wait for the ride.

Why do you want to wait until day or night?

Both the day and night have different creatures awaiting to attack you. For example, in the eve??nings, a ghostly slime glides through the sky?? and spits out poison. These don't appear during the day from my experience. Each of these creatures give unique drops that will help upgrade your gear or craft potions.

Additionally, there are quests limited to the day or the night. You may need to wait some time fo?r the mission to continue, like receiving recompense from Sven every few days in Vernworth.

The post How to change the time of day in Dragon’s Dogma 2 appeared first on Destructoid.

In the brief history of Call of Duty: Warzone,?? there have been a few d?ifferent maps and variations of the game.

Throughout its lifecycle, players have enjoyed certain eras of the battle royale much more than others. While everyone has their own opinion, most agree that one specific Resurgence mode map, and one particular sniper rifle meta, were the best time to play the game. Now, an emoji-eye tweet from the official Call of Duty account might be hinting at a return in Modern Warfare 3's Warzone Season 3.

Rebirth Island could return in Season 3

On Sunday, March 24, 2024, the official Call of Duty Twitter account randomly replied to two very old videos from popular streamers and players. One was from Call of Duty League caster Maven, to which the CoD Twitter simply replied with the eyes emoji. Warzone fans who saw it immediately started breaking dow??n the clip, which was posted on May 25, 2022, to figure out what the tweet?? was hinting toward.

As we approach the end of Season 2 in Modern Warfare 3, the developers obviously want to start revealing new content. What better time than now? That's why they've replied to Maven's tweet while he's playing on Rebirth Island, a fan-favorite map modeled after the real-life Alcatraz prison. It originally came out in Blackout, the battle royale in Black Ops 4, but gained immense popularity during the early days of Warzone?. Many players exclusively played it over the big map modes, but other Resurgence maps have just not? been as fun to play.

But that's not all that was similar about both clips to which Call of Duty replied.

Is the KAR98K returning to Warzone?

We'll admit, that this part of the theory is a little more of a stretch than Rebirth Island's return. After all, the map is now live in Warzone Mobile, and there have been rumors swirling of its return for quite some time. But is the popular bolt-action sniper coming back to the game? The KAR98K has been in many iterations of Call of Duty over the years, but it was also one of the best weapons to use in the early Warzone days.

It had incredibly fast aim-down-sight speed, didn't affect movement speed much, and could one-shot down with a headshot from just about any distance. Although we doubt that kind of power will return since snipers have been nerfed so much, fans are still excited to see the KAR98K make its debut in Modern Warfare 3. Both clips the Twitter account replied to were using the sniper rifle, so it's certainly a pos??sibility.

Lastly, both tweets Call of Duty responded to contained the phrase 'rebirth reaper'. Could this be hinting toward something too? Or was it just an easy way to search for tweets of clips from Rebirth Island? Time will tell, as Season 3 is set to begin in early April.

The post Rebirth Island could return to Warzone along with fan-favorite sn?iper, Tweets suggest appeared first on Destructoid.

Many Dragon's Dogma 2 voice actors have lent their performances to the characters of this busy fantasy w?orld. Thankfully, the end credits thank everyone who is a part of this project, even though the font is hard to read.

All English Dragon's Dogma 2 voice actors

Prepare thyself, fellow gamer. There are many English Dragon's Dogma 2 voi??ce actors to thank for their roles in this epic fantasy RPG. Be aware that som??e of these character inclusions might involve spoilers. They include:

• Dragon - Grahame Fox
• Brant - Wayne Gordon
• Ulrika - Holly Earl
• Wilhelmina - Charlotte East
• Sven - Jasper Cartwright
• Disa - Helen Goldwyn
• Phaesus - Andrew Whieldon-Dennis
• Rothias - Adam Price
• The Pathfinder - Kit Green
• Hugo/Srail - Kieran Urquhart
• Raghnall/Jarle - Mo Ayoub
• Sara/Ursula - Nneka Okoye
• Beren/Ambrosius - Jack Myers
• Menella/Eini - Elizabeth Chan
• Doireann/Nadinia/Trysha - Laura Aikman
• Luz/Cliodhna - Heather Bleasdale
• Rivage Elder/Gregor - Harry Myers
• Sigurd - Afolabi Alli
• The Dragonforged/Glyndwr - Peter Searles
• Taliesin/Lennart - David Rintoul
• Waldhar/Myrddin - Christian Holder
• Darragh/Lamond - Jordan Whitby
• Allard/Eino - Tony Longworth
• Sphinx - Alexa Bauer

Actors without characters attached in credits

Unfortunately, the end credits don't include everyone's characters next to their name. Here are all of the names that don't have attached characters named in Dragon's Dogma 2.

• Arkie Reece
• Adam Diggle
• Sara Chai Jewel
• Aurora Dawson
• Adam Howden
• Klara Kaliger
• Tashinga Bepete
• Kimberley Blake
• Dan Mersh
• Rebecca Perfect
• John Hopkins
• Harriet Kershaw

Which characters are some of these voice actors known for?

The voice of the scary dragon in Dragon's Dogma 2 is the experienced Grahame Fox. He is known for roles like Broccoli Man in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, as well as playing Lord Slaanesh in Total War: Warhammer III and the Squirrel Chief in the 2021 Game of the Year It Takes Two.

Ulrika's voice actor, Holly Earl, was the main protagonist of the PlayStation FMV game Erica, Agnes in the Humans TV series, and Lillia in the League of Legends series.

The post All Dragon’s Dogma 2 voice actors and characters appeared first on Destructoid.

Biscuits in Disney Dreamlight Valley are a sweet dish made with three different ingredients. As a three-star meal, biscuits are a great way to satisfy the characters living in your valley, and require? many of the real-world ingredients you've come to expect.

Biscuits Disney Dreamlight Valley recipe

In order to make Biscuits in Disney Dreamlight Valley, you'll need Wheat, Sugarcane, and Butter. Wheat is located at Goofy's Stall in the Peaceful Meadow. It's a cheap ingredient as its seeds cost 1 gold each. However, if you don't wan??t to wait a minute or so by farming it, Wheat can be purchased for 3 gold each.

Sugarcane can also be bought from Goofy's Stall. This time, head to his location in Dazzle Beach. You can buy yo?ur own sugarcane seeds for 5 gold or if you've fully upgraded this stall, pay 29 gold for the sugarcane itself.

The last piece of this yummy puzzle is the Butter. This is an easy ingredient to get, but it's most exp??ensive. Head over to Chez Remy. You may need to finish the Ratatouille realm in the castle first and then build Chez Remy first before getting butter.

Now that you're at the rat's restaurant, you can buy Butter for 190 gold. Conveniently there's ??a cooking area behind you from this location. Find the oven and mix the Wheat, Sugarcane, and Butter. Some lovely biscuits will appear before you. They'll sell for 294 gold and give 679 energy points. Biscuits are sometimes asked for by restaurant guests as well, allowing increasing your friendship with a Disney character.

Other sweet treats you can make

Biscuits aren't the only desserts you can make in Disney Dreamlight Valley. One of the five-star options is a Banana Split. You'll need five ingredients for it, and you can sell it for 714 gold. Additionally, you can cook up some Porridge with Fruits, which sells around 350-370?? gold, depending on the fr??uits you place into the recipe.

The post How to make Biscuits in Disney Dreamlight Valley appeared first on Destructoid.

Disney Dreamlight Valley players take a trip to Monstropolis on February 28. The free Monsters, Inc. content for Disney Dreamlight Valley, which includes Mike and Sulley as villagers, launches f?or free on all ??platforms

Announced on Twitter Wednesday, this content marks the game's ninth update. Few details are shared so far. However, from the sneak peek video shared on social media, we know we'll be exp?loring the Laugh Floor, where Mike and Sulley work, in addition to a new costume. The outfit looks inspired by the film's intro with colorful doors embedded into the design.

The Disney Dreamlight Valley roadmap for this year is currently on schedule. In December, the A Rift In Time expansion launched. In Spring 2024, more of Ancient's Landing is explorable with two new villagers coming. The community believes the "vibrant new villager" and "very lucky villager?" in the content roadmap to be Daisy Duck and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

After that, fans believe a realm based on Mulan launches in the late Spring season (with pink blossom flowers being displayed on the roadmap image) and The Princess and the Frog's Tiana could head to Disney Dreamlight Valley during the summer. Lastly, we'll likely have to stop Jafar from ruining the rift in an area inspired by Aladdin's Agrabah.

This isn't the only news we've heard from Disney today. The Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated developer Purple Lamp Studios is remaking the Nintendo Wii's Epic Mickey for modern platforms. It's a neat Mickey platformer that gives you the choice to remove or bring back objects in the world with Yen Sid's magical paintbrush. You'll also meet long-lost Disney character??s within this strange realm.

The post Disney Dreamlight Valley adds Monsters, Inc. con?ten?t later this month appeared first on Destructoid.

The outstanding Persona 3 Reload sales have led to it being the fastest-selling Atlus game in its history. One million copies of Persona 3 Reload were sold in its first week, according to Atlus.

"Persona 3 Reload sold 1,000,000 copies worldwide within its first week, becoming the fastest-selling game in ATLUS history!" said Atlus West on its Facebook page. "A huge thank you to our community for your incredible support!" Additionally, the publisher seems confident about its future lineup because it says "We look forward to breaking more records w?ith you" in the message as well.

Despite the game being available on Xbox Game Pass day one, that doesn't s?eem to ?have affected its sales in the slightest. In fact, the potential word of mouth may have even helped.

Reception seems to be positive, too. On Steam, the current review score is Overwhelmingly Positive with a 97% rating. Additionally, it has an 88 Metacritic score from 61 critics as of the time of writing.

Persona 3 Reload is an updated version of the original PS2 game, for better or for worse. It has an all-new UI, a talented voice cast, updated graphics similar to Persona 5, and both remade tracks and new music. It also lets you control all of your party members during battle rather than the AI taking measures into its own hands. The Persona 3 Reload sales prove there's still interest in? this gang'??s adventures in Tartarus and beyond.

The post Persona 3 Reload becomes fastest selling game i?n Atlus history appeared first on Destructoid.

The February 2024 games?? list is an exciting explosion of JRPG action and superhero fare. We'll also be surviving in a car from place to place in a much-anticipate??d indie.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink (PS4, PS5, PC)

Publisher: Cygames
Developer: Cygames
Price: $59.99
Release Date: February 1
Trailer

Granblue Fantasy: Relink kicks off February 2024 with an anticipated action-RPG. With a stunning watercolor-like look, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is based on the popular mobile game series, which also spawned an anime and a fighting game. The game features four-player co-op as you explore this stunning world.

According to the Steam listing, we'll be able to "choose from a diverse roster of skyfarers, each with their own unique weapons, skills, and combat styles." This action RPG plunges onto PlayStation and PC systems on February 1.

Persona 3 Reload (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC)

Publisher: Sega
Developer: Atlus 
Price: $69.99
Release Date: February 2
Trailer

Another RPG arrives later on February 2 just after Persona 3 Reload. It's a complete remake of the PS2 classic, featuring an all-new UI, gorgeous graphical upgrade, and voice cast. Both the classic and the PSP reinterpretation have their pros and cons, but the Reload version seems to be the best way to play, despite lacking the ??female protagonist from the portable ?entry.

Like Persona 5, you'll be taking on tasks around the town, hanging out with friends, and pursuing an evil force in Tartarus. "I really didn’t feel like an hour had passed by," said Timothy Monbleau in his Destructoid preview. "I felt so caught up in Persona 3 Reload’s gameplay that I honestly thought I had twenty more minutes?." That's always a good sign.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC)

Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
Developer: Rocksteady
Price: $69.99
Release Date: February 2
Trailer

Publisher Warner Bros. Games arguably fumbled the release of Gotham Knights, and fans of Batman: Arkham City developer Rocksteady hope that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League succeeds. It may not be a single-player game, but the story seems co?mpelling. You play as the Suicide Squad, attempting to kill the Justice League, who have been turned evil by prominent DC villain Brainiac.

Harley Qu?inn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark each have their own abilities to add to the mix. It's predominantly a third-person shooter as you explore the smashed-up city of Metropolis.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has been the subject of scrutiny. First, the game was in development for quite a while, and has been delayed several times. Second, its live service model has left some scratching their heads. Lastly, the game has already had launch issues for the 72-hour early access player??s, with saves acting as co??mplete before they even begin the campaign.

Despite that, if the combat isn't repetitive and the story is intriguing enough, maybe Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League could still work out on February 2. Be wary of spoilers, however.

Pacific Drive (PS5, PC)

Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Developer: Ironwood Studios
Price: $29.99 (10% off for first week)
Release Date: February 22
Trailer

A surprise gem of the February 2024 games list could be Pacific Drive. In a stormy, post-ap??ocalyptic world, you're journeying through a scary landscape with many obstacles along the way. To help you and your car on this adventure, you'll be picking up resources and crafting objects for the car. The problem is that the most valuable resources are found in the more dangerous areas of the map, adding a risk-reward system.

"Every time you venture out, new trials await: bizarre weather, unforgiving landscapes, and experimental remnants," says the official Steam listing. You can take on this task when Pacific Drive launches on February 22.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)

Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Price: $69.99
Release Date: February 29
Trailer

Cloud's next adventure takes him into a stunning open world in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. As the second part of a trilogy, our heroes venture towards Sephiroth as he's become a dangerous threat to the world. We'll be learning more about?? all of the party members as the storyline features many twists and turns along the way.

You might want to hold off on a full replay of Remake before Rebirth, however. "Overall, it mostly felt like more Final Fantasy 7 Remake with a few additions I could take or leave," explained Timothy Monbleau in Destructoid's preview. "I honestly wouldn’t recommend replaying Remake leading up to Rebirth, since I think you’d burn yourself out with how similar the??y are." It lau??nches on February 29.

Honorable mentions

February 2024 is an i??mmensely packed month of games. Some of the omissio?ns may have surprised you. Here are the honorable mentions you might want to check out.

• Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC) - February 2
• Foamstars (PS4, PS5 - will be available for free with PlayStation Plus day one) - February 6
• Helldivers 2 (PS5, PC) - February 8
• Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden (PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC)
• Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior (PC) - February 13
• News Tower (PC) - February 13
• Ultros (PS4, PS5, PC) - February 13
• Tomb Raider I-III Remastered (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC) - February 14
• PlateUp! (PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch) - February 15
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Switch) - February 16
• Skull and Bones (PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC) - February 16
• The Thaumaturge (PC) - February 20
• Nightingale (PC) - February 22
• Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake (PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC) - February 28
• Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC) - February 28

The post Here are the most anticipated games of Febru??ary 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.

The Dragon Ball Sparking Zero roster is so big that it looks like a custom MUGEN game. In a recent trailer featuring Goku and Vegeta, the ending shot showed what looks like a massive roster screen, with 164 slots.

If the final game truly fills out that screen, then we'd be looking at a fighter count that could exceed even Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with 24 different varieties of Goku and Vegeta so ??far.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero roster looks wild, but...

Despite the 164-character roster looking huge, you have to consider? the multiple forms that Goku and Vegeta can take. These are all the forms that th??e two Saiyans transform into:

• Goku (Z - Early)
• Goku (Z - Mid)
• Goku (Z - Mid), Super Saiyan
• Goku (Z - End)
• Goku (Z - End), Super Saiyan
• Goku (Z - End), Super Saiyan 2
• Goku (Z - End), Super Saiyan 3
• Goku (Super)
• Goku (Z - Mid), Super Saiyan
• Goku (Super), Super Saiyan God
• Goku (Super), Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan
• Vegeta (Z - Scouter)
• Great Ape Vegeta
• Vegeta (Z - Early)
• Vegeta (Z - Early), Super Saiyan
• Super Vegeta
• Vegeta (Z - End)
• Vegeta (Z - End), Super Saiyan
• Vegeta (Z - End), Super Saiyan 2
• Majin Vegeta
• Vegeta (Super)
• Vegeta (Super), Super Saiyan
• Vegeta (Super), Super Saiyan God
• Vegeta (Super), Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan

That's quite a lot of different versions of just two characters. It doesn't even include their Dragon Ball GT forms or their fusion?s, like Vegito and?? Gogeta, so there could be more.

Other characters have been shown too, such as the fan-favorite Android 18, Piccolo, and even Hercule. Villains like Cell and Majin Buu are i??ncluded as well.

The Dragon Ball series of fighting games has a legacy of long-ongoing DLC support. For example, The Hero of Justice Pack 2 for Xenoverse 2 launched mo?re than six years after the game's initial releas?e. It's easy to think that even this 164-fighter roster isn't the limit.

We don't know when we'll be able to play all 164 characters as Bandai Namco hasn't revealed a release date or window for Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. Hopefully, it will travel by Nimbus Cloud th??is year to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

The post Dragon Ball Sparking Zero ha??s a huge roster, with plenty of Gokus and Vegetas appeared first on Destructoid.

Long-time UK games retailer GAME won't be accepting trade-ins when February 16 rolls around, according to Eurogamer. GAME's parent company Frasers Group has officially?? confirmed its plans to remove the trade-in program to BBC News ?on Tuesday.

"As part of the integration of GAME, we will be phasing out the trade-in, pre-owned and Game Elite offerings in the UK over the coming months," said a spokesperson of Frasers Group to BBC News. This effectively hands off mainstream game trading to CEX, a popular used media retailer in the British I??sles.

The remaining pre-owned stock that GAME has acquired will be available on store shelves while they last. It will be curious to see how long copies of disappointing titles like Anthem and old sports ga??mes will remain in GAME before it throws them out. Frasers Group hasn't given an official reason for this decision, but it??'s likely due to lacking sales in the used game market.

"PlayStation and Xbox were not as big a part of the sales as they were [due to supply constraints]," said GAME CEO Nick Arran to GamesIndustry.biz in 2023.?? "But our toy business really came into its own, ?with staggering numbers at Christmas."

GAME could be switching gears to toys and other similar goods like Pokemon cards instead of its video game titles as gamers look towards an all-digital future. Ars Technica reported in 2022 a 30% drop in available physical games from 321 in 2018 to 226 in 2021. It was also leaked that the next Xbox Series X refresh called Brooklin might be digital only.

Perhaps GAME sees the writing on the wall as the gaming industry slowly moves past a used game model, which used to have 100 million titles traded in every year in the US alone.

The post UK games retailer GAME reportedly eliminates trade-in?s next month appeared first on Destructoid.

The holidays are a wonderful time to spend with ?family, but when I'm not sipping on that sweet h??ot cocoa or playing charades like a bumbling buffoon, I'm catching up on my excessive backlog of video games. This year, I decided to finish my trip to Hogwarts.

Note: There are spoilers ahead for Sebastian Sallow's storyline in Hogwarts Legacy.

Going back to Hogwarts

Hogwarts Legacy has been a touchy subject for many, and honestly, it's put me off playing the game throughout 2023. The criticisms of the universe's creator, J.K. Rowling, are well-founded. I'm bisexual and part of the LGBTQ+ community, but to me, the Harry Potter series is more important than her; it was a huge part of?? my childhood. The holidays are also a time when my parents watch the movies, so it's always something in the back of my mind during that time of year.

After a year of heavy guide writing, I decided to return to the Scottish highlands and finish my fifth year at Hogwarts. The game's visuals and storytelling entranced my family. However, it wasn't what they expected as they witnessed the end of Sebastian's dark storyline. Oh, and it was also fun to flip over a cow.

Did you finish a backlog game during the holidays?

With so many 2023 releases like Starfield or Baldur's Gate 3, games will fall by the wayside, ??especially if you have Xbox Game Pass. We all have busy schedules, so getting one or two weeks off is a blessing. That's why it's so fascinating there are trophy and achievement hunters out there who finish a game to completion.

The patience and the reluctance to buy new games are something to be admired. However, as a guide writer who has to stay current, I move on from games I love, which ca?n be heartbreaking. It's part of the job, especially as a freelancer.

Have you conquered a backlog game over the holidays? Were you able to defeat the Mongols in Ghost of Tsushima or finally finish every world in Super Mario Odyssey to completion? Let us know in the commen??ts below.

The post Did you finish a backlog game over the holidays? appeared first on Destructoid.

Microsoft hasn't been afraid to have fun with its consoles and feature them as various appliances, including a fridge. One of the latest Xbox redesigns comes in the form of a Series S toaster that you can pick up at Walmart.

We got our first glimpses last year when a French Twitter account posted images of the toaster along with its specs. It's now finally available for purchase, and it does everything you would want from a two-slice toaster, including a six-setting shade selecto?r dial to get your toast just right.

With a wide slot, it can sort out your artisan loaf bread slices, "bagels, frozen waffles, Texas toast, or English muffins." It also has an anti-jam function and as an attractive bonus, it also can imprint the Xbox sphere logo on your bread. To keep things from getting messy, you'll also get a remo??vable crumb tray and non-stick-coated? plates.

Some high-tech features include a digital LED cou??ntdown timer as well as the ability to keep a list of the different preferred settings of household members. At $39.99, it's not out of reach for ?the sufficiently motivated Xbox fan.

To complete the Xboxification of your life, throw in the Xbox Mastercard as well as the Wonka-inspired console and controller.

The post Xbox Series S toaster available at Walmart appeared first on Destructoid.

With The Game Awards just around the corner, Sega has teased a new game announcement at the event. Sending teaser letters to fighting game content creators, it points towards a Virtua Fighter 6 reveal at Geoff Keighley's show.

On social media, c??ontent creators like Curiousjoi and Maximillian Dood have been posting images of said a press mailer they've received, a postcard that read??s "New Era New Energy. Make sure to tune in to The Game Awards December 7th."

Maximi??llian Dood says on his Twitter post, "Curious, have thes??e gone out to others that are NOT huge fighting game creators?"

One of the replies from Brodoof shows a screenshot from one of the Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown trailers. It has the same exact font, but the color is red instead of blue. This has led many to speculate the press mailing is setting the stage for something new in the Virtua Fighter franchise.

Sega could be planning a new Virtua Fighter with rollback netcode

One of the most important aspects of a modern fighting game is having a great rollback netcode. It lets players around the worl??d battle it out and participate in tournaments online.

"I believe that implementing rollback will be absolutely necessary when developing future titles," said Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown producer Seiji Aoki when interviewed by Gamer Braves.

"While it’s important to create content for fighting game fans, I think it’s important to also create content that view??ers or newcomers to the fighting genre can enjoy," Aoki said in the same interview when asked about how to keep the game interesting for both new and returning fans and how they're approaching the eSports aspect?? of the industry. "For example, I can’t play soccer, but I love watching soccer."

It's just a waiting game now for eager fans to learn if Sega will revive the beloved Virtua Fighter franchise at The Game Awards.

The post Is Sega?? hint?ing at a Virtua Fighter 6 announcement for The Game Awards? appeared first on Destructoid.

The December 2023 games lineup involves us turning into blue aliens and harnessing the powers of a flour golem. We'll also be ??helping our favorite Disney characters with farming and other tasks.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Amazon Luna

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Massive Entertainment
Price: $69.99
Release Date: December 7
Trailer

The Division developer Massive Entertainment is behind the open world of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. You'll be exploring the beautiful Western Frontier, a new area inspired by James Cameron's box office breaking movie series. Available on December 7, this FPS has us playing as a Na'??vi? raised to be a warrior for the RDA but freed after 15 years. We'll be fighting back as we "reconnect with [our] lost heritage," according to the game's official website.

"It’s clear this is an open-world Ubisoft game, but there’s enough different there to make it feel like a fresh experience as well," writes our own Steven Mills in a preview of the new Ubisoft title.

This game seems similar to the Far Cry series as you craft your own gear, gain access to a variety of weapons like shotguns and a??ssault rifles, and take over outposts. Hopefully the game will be more interesting than the first movie's Unobtanium storyline.

Born of Bread - PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC

Publisher: Dear Villagers
Developer: WildArts Studio Inc.
Price: $24.99
Release Date: December 5
Trailer

Getting anxious for the Paper Mario: The Thousand Door remake? You'll want to check out Born of Bread while you wait. It has a vibrant art style, a similar turn-based combat system, and a story that seems just as silly. "Born of Bread puts a twist on turn-based combat tropes with a fun interaction system that will test your reflexes," says the game's Steam page. "This interactive system also features a weaknesss?? and resistance system tha??t makes battles more strategic."

The RPG seems memorable, as evidenced by our preview from PAX East earlier this year.

The combat system reacts to the timing of your button presses like the Paper Mario games that many enjoy. You'll also be solving puzzles with each character's abilities as you explore this world. It releases on December 5.

Disney Dreamlight Valley (1.0 release) - PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC

Publisher: Gameloft
Developer: Gameloft
Price: $39.99 and higher
Release Date: December 5
Trailer

The 1.0 release of Disney Dreamlight Valley and the expansion A Rift In Time is finally arriving on December 5. This game is similar to Animal Crossing, in which you're befriending Disney characters, harvesting crops, and finishing side quests along the way like making dishes for Ratatouille's Remy. You're also upgrading shops and other resources available to yo??u. Somehow, there's an intriguing storyline that meshes all of these Disney icons together and h?ave it make sense.

It's a relaxing adventure, especially for those who love almost every Disney movie like me. You may want to get the Gold Edition, which comes with the DLC A Rift In Time and 5,000 Moonstones, one of the game's currencies. And yes, it won't be free-to-play, unfortunately. I gues?s it's something else Eeyore can complain about.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince - Switch

Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Price: $59.99
Release Date: December 1
Trailer

Heading to the Switch exclusively is Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, the next entry in the long-running JRPG series. Similar to the Pokemon series, you'll be collecting monsters and training them. As ?the story proceeds, the game's environments will change from Spring to Summer and so on.

Synthesizing two monsters to make more powerful allies returns, too. "Players can experiment and eventually unlock over 500 monsters, including franchise favourites, dark lords, and completely new creatures," says Square Enix in a press release. The game's also online, so you can compete against your friends and foes throughout the world. I'm excited, but man, I'll skip over the Overture theme if it plays after it playing in so many trailers. Nevertheless Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince releases on December 1.

Sonic Dream Team - iOS, Mac, Apple Arcade

Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega Hardlight
Price: Free with Apple Arcade subscription
Release Date: December 5
Trailer

Last up is the Blue Blur himself, Sonic the Hedgehog in Sonic Dream Team. This time, you can play as six different cha??racters, including Sonic, Amy, Tails, Cheese, Knuckles, and Rouge. In this 3D platformer, you're trying to jump and spindash your way through Eggman's nightmare dreamscapes.

From the trailers and screenshots, it looks like a solid 3D entry, despite being exclusive to Apple Arcade. It's far more interesting than Sonic Superstars, that's for sure. It will be available on the subscription service on December 5. Hopefully this game heads ?to consoles soon?? after.

Honorable mentions

This month isn't just some RPG goodness and the ligh??tning quick speed of Sonic and his friends. There's far more than that. Who knows? There might be some?? shadowdrop surprises at The Game Awards. The honorable mentions include:

• Batman: Arkham Trilogy (Switch) - December 1
• SteamWorld Build (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Switch)- December 1
• A Highland Song (Switch, PC) - December 5
• Enclave HD (PS5) - December 5
• Arizona Sunshine II (PC, PSVR2) - December 7
• House Flipper 2 (PC) - December 13
• Bulletstorm VR (PC, PSVR2) - December 14
• Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (PS4, PS5, PC) - December 14
• Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero (Switch) - December 14
• Raccoo Venture (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC) - December 14
• Paranoid (PC) - December 14
• Trinity Fusion (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC) - December 15
• Resident Evil 4 (iOS) - December 20

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Tekken 8 is just around the corner, and Bandai Namco released a glimpse of ?Leo's glorious combos and eccentric personality in a trailer Wednesday. Their stylish red and white jacket shines as they show off their impressive new counter.

The German fighter Leo Kliesen is back in Tekken 8 with their Baji Quan fighting style. With their hatred of the main antagonist Kazuya Michima, it makes sense if they make an appearance in t??he story mode. With the codename "Seeker of? Truth," they'd likely join the battle to find out more about their murdered mother and missing father.

We didn't get many details in Tekken 7 as they were sidetracked by a love-stricken Yoshimitsu, but in Tekken 6, we learned that their mother worked for the Mishima Zaibatsu and G Corporation?.

Leo is looking sharp

Not much seems to have changed with Leo's moveset, except for the previously mentioned counter. They'll still stomp their foes' toes and have an elaborate combo set up with their punches and kicks. It's been a few years sinc??e I've stepped into the shoes of Leo but one new move seems to be an impact??ful swirling kick in the air, which is shown in the trailer.

They also has a new grappling hook that's used for Leo'?s Rage Art. Perhaps this will be used in combos too, but we haven't seen it implemented yet.

The trailer also show??s their adorable carefree persona?lity as they're surprised by the Coffee Queen's name. They stagger back like an anime character as shown in the screenshot above.

We'll be able to play as the German blonde Leo when Tekken 8 releases on January 26, just a few months away. They'll be fighting against many combatants, like the first French fighter in Tekken Victor Chevalier and a mysterious Heihachi-like character named Reina, and the rest of the healthy launch roster for the new Tekken.

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The Xbox console versions of Baldur's Gate 3 are on their way. And it looks like the optimizations made for the Xbox Series S version of BG3 may have some benefits for other platforms, too.

Larian Studios head Swen Vincke shared a look at some graphs for the upcoming port of Baldur's Gate 3. Notably, the graphs highlight how the optimizations being made are addressing an overall Baldur's Gate 3 speedbump: memory.

"Ensuring memory is well under control and having buffer for peaks was the main thing holding us back I think this will benefit all platfo??rms too," Vincke writes. "Still some work left but very close now."

A new horizon for Baldur's Gate 3

The Xbox Series versions of Baldur's Gate 3 are still coming along but planned for this year. While the massive RPG hit PC and PS5 earlier this year, the Xbox version was held off for some time, citing concerns about the Series S, a compromise was finally reached: allowing the Series S version to launch without split-screen co-op.

While the issues initially surrounded parity, seeing as the Series S is a step behind both the Series X and PlayStation 5, it looks like optimizing that port might be beneficial for all. The improvements in VRAM and RAM shown above definitely seem enticing, and if this makes my PC run BG3 better, then I'm all for it.

Plus, it means many more people will be able to play Baldur's Gate 3. Despite a frankly crowded year for big releases, Larian's RPG has been a huge hit for players, including myself. Getting Baldur's Gate 3 on Xbox Series S consoles, and optimizing it?? more in the process, seems like a real win-win.

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I'm just as surprised as you, but DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing is actually quite entertaining. It even brings its own unique mechanics to the overpo?pulated ?scene, iterating on a genre with loaded expectations.

It's no Mario Kart or Crash Team Racing, sure, but that's not what I'm asking for. The Dreamworks racer manages to capture plenty of lovely little details I love about its worlds, and the??y're worth a highlight.

It's the little things

More often than not, these tie-in games read like a cheap cash grab, leading to a disappointing result: Garfield Kart, anyone?

However, DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing really plays like it has some love behind it. Each kart is decorated with references to the movies these characters come from. Race tracks are quite charming and take place in locations you remember from the flicks, like Far Far Away from Shrek 2 or Berk from How To Train Your Dragon.

Funnily enough, the DreamWorks mascot even rescues drivers with his fishing rod when? falling off the stage. Developer Bamtang Games clearly took cues from be?loved implementations of other kart racers, but less so in the typical ways that feel like cheapened crossover soup.

Howe??ver, what's most important is how the driving feels, and I'm happy to report it's mostly smooth. Drifting around a corner at the end of the race gave me the boost I needed to win. It's also thrilling to pull off while you're in narrower sections of a track.

Admittedly, it does feel a bit slower than o?ther kart racers in the market, but it still manages to deliver a rush of speed as you zip through a piano-like boost pad and edge out the ?win.

DreamWorks Kart Racing travels down a magic pathway

DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing surprised me. It could have just been a run-in-the-mill kart racer, but it folds in a few interesting quirks ??to the gameplay. Among my favorites were the magic pathways.

Similar to mechanics in F-Zero 99, you can form a rainbow path above the typical track. Navigating the path perfectly makes it an effective shortcut. However, others can jump on the magic pathway, too, and it comes with hazards as paths fade over time. There's ??a risk/reward system that's captivating on the track.

??The track design is inventive, too. In one track, you're trying to avoid perilous dragon flames while twisting and turning through a castle, and another has you bouncing up and down in a trampoline room. There's good variety in the mix, shaking things up between the typical stretches of road.

You??'ll see all manner of sights and sounds, shaping up to something surp??risingly spectacular as you see familiar dragons from the franchise flying in the sky. There's also a starry Rainbow Road-like track inspired by the intro that plays before every DreamWorks film. It's complete with a glowing moon and bouncy purple clouds, making it my go-to pick.

While the items are a little lackluster, there are references to Dreamworks movies, like Shrek's onions. That was one of my bigger qualms with Disney Speedstorm??, as it lacks those touches and uses generic items ??instead.

All-Stars get a little chatty, too

Prior GameMill Entertainment tie-ins like Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl and Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 lacked voice acting at launch. However, DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing takes?? advantage of this feature. You'll hear Shrek calling out Tigress on the track. Some even have some witty banter between them, and there are even references to famous lines in the movies. While Shrek's voice actor sounds like he's never visited Scotland in his?? life, most of the performances are decent.

Overall, I've enjoyed my time with DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing. While it's certainly not as polished or fun as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled, I'd still recommend this to any kid or DreamWorks Animation fan. Now, where's the Rise of the Guardians DLC?

[A review code was provided by the publisher to the writer]

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There's no Batman, Luke Skywalker, or Jack Skellington in Fortnite's new OG Season. However, Fortnite has re??ceived its busiest day ever, receiving over 44.7 million players on Saturday, November 4, blowing the develo??pment team away.

Players spent a lot of time in Fortnite last weekend

"We're blown away by the response to #FortniteOG," said the game's official Twitter page. "Yesterday was the biggest day ??in Fortnite’s history ??with over 44.7 MILLION players jumping in and 102 MILLION hours of play."

The new OG season takes players back to the beginning of the battle royale mode. It brings back beloved locations like Tilted Towers, Greasy Grove, and Snobby Shores into the experience. This has obviously attracted fans to return to the game.?

The classic Assault Rifle, Pump Shotgun, and Hunting Rifle are back. In addition, you can use the Damage Trap, Grappler, and Boogi??e Bomb. The latter is my personal favorite, as it forces your opponents to ??dance if they get hit by the grenade. You can also ride around in a Shopping Kart or an All Terrain Kart.'

If you're a regular Fortnite player, you can ??utilize ??the Reboot Rally. This is an incentive to get returning friends into the action. If you finish certain goals with them, you can get the Skerran Glider and more rewards.

Fans have reacted strongly

Fortnite news social media account HYPEX reposted a funny video with the returning shopping kart that has received 17.4 million views. It says, "NAH FORTNITE IS SO BACK." It has a hilarious laugh that doesn't fail to make you smile as the shopping kart single-handedly takes out two party members. Popular streamer Ninja ??has retweeted the post as well, likely bringing in more players to the battle royale.

Meanwhile, streamer Nick Eh 30 shared an impressive feat in-game. The clip has received over one million views. "I have missed the OG season, let me tell you," Nick said with a laugh, decimating two enemies simultaneously. "I lov?e it."

On social media and around the world, ther?e is a buzz around Epic Games' bat??tle royale now more than ever.

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The Tekken series is getting its first French fighter, as Victor Chevalier is joining the Tekken 8 roster alongside a new Paris-themed stage.

Announced on Thursday, game director and chief producer Katsuhiro Harada added context for the character on social media.

"Victor is actually the first French fighter for the TEKKEN franchise," said Harada. "I have had the idea of a French character in my mind for a long time an??d it finally came to fruition. Thanks to Vincent Cassel for inspiring me and for voicing him??. And the stage is Paris itself, where I took my first Seine River cruise over 20 years ago."

Oui, oui, oui!

As Harada noted, Chevalier is voiced by French actor Vincent Cassel (Black Swan, La Haine). Victor Chevalier uses a blade, knife, and pistol as his weaponry. He also teleports across the screen as he slashes his opponents. Bandai Namco knows how to make older men look badass (remember Leroy Smith?).

The trailer also points out that Victor has a history with Raven, saying to him, "??You've gotten pretty good, Raven."

A new stage set in Paris for the Tekken 8 Victor character

In this new Tekken 8 trailer, we see the action taking place on a boat moving across the river?? Seine. Harada said he took his first Seine River cruise over 20 years ago, inspiring this stage to come to life in game.

As you fight with Victor and other Tekken 8 fighters on the Paris stage, you'll ?see the sights like the Eifel Tower in the background. Hopefully, there's a nighttime section for the final round, in which it sparkles in gold lights—though there wasn't a hint towards that in the trailer.

It's interesting that Tekken 8 has a Paris-themed level because Street Fighter 6 has one too, set closer to the Eiffel Tower during a festival. It must be a good time for virtual brawling in France. Nevertheless, Tekken 8 releases on January 26 for the PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox S???eries S, and PC.

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While PC and PlayStation 5 owners are off adventuring, there's a large faction of players still awaiting the Baldur's Gate 3 Xb?ox Serie?s X|S release. Larian Studios previously stated that it should be rolling out this year, but we've yet to hear anything definitive.

Today, Larian's CEO Swen Vincke emerged to squelch any fears that may be growing from the Xbox fanbase. Via Twitter/X, he confirmed that the t?itle is being "actively playtested" and remains on schedule for 2023.

It was back in August that Vincke confirmed the game was still slated to make a 2023 release. However, the game would not make the same release window as the PlayStation 5 version as compromises (the cutting of split-screen coop) had to be made on the Xbox Series S ve?rsion of the hit RPG.

To that point, it appeared as though keeping parity across Xbox Series S and X was creating issues, as some have reported in the past. But when Baldur's Gate 3 became a smashing success on PC, Gaming CEO Phil Spencer decided that perhaps complete similarities across the Series X and Series S versions of titles weren't entirely necessary.

With that, the Baldur's Gate 3 Xbox release is slated for late 2023. And since Larian's CEO confirming things are going well, Xbox players should be able to get their hands on the highly reviewed RPG at some point in the next couple of months.

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