Summary Shantaehas never quite achieved the mainstream success it deserved, despiteevery entry in the indie series receiving critical acclaimfor its innovative mechanics.WayForward’s plucky star hasnow been going for 23 years, but with struggles surrounding creative decisions and finding the right platforms, the series has only received five entries. The first sequel,Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution, was originally shelved because the technical limitations of the time prevented designer Matt Bozon from realizing his perspective-shifting vision....

Summary Fallout Londoncreator Team FOLON has recently detailed the upcoming 1.03 update and announced that the developers are currently working on a DLC for the popularFallout 4total conversion mod.Fallout Londonis one of the most popular game mods ever created, and it seems that its success is leading Team FOLON to expand its scope. Originally revealed in 2021,Fallout Londonwas finally released on GOG in July 2024. The ambitious project faced several setbacks before release after Bethesda updatedFallout 4unexpectedly, and also due to its large file size, but an unprecedented partnership with GOG helpedFallout Londonto come out and become a big hit, being downloaded by over a million gamers....

Summary Following the recent release date reveal ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s PC version, director Naoki Hamaguchi recommended the port for the lighting options on the new platform.Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthwas initially released exclusively on PlayStation 5 earlier this February and is the second entry in Square Enix’sFinal Fantasy 7Remaketrilogy. The second part sees Cloud, Tifa, Barrett, Aerith, and Red XIII pursuing Sephiroth, recreating iconic moments from the original JRPG in high-definition and expanded cinematic flair....

Quick Links After therecent delisting of one of Microsoft’s best racing games,Forza Horizon 4, its sequel,Forza Horizon 5, remains the primary choice for non-simulation racing fans. The game takes players on an exciting journey through a beautifully fictionalized version of Mexico. If you’re considering picking upForza Horizon 5, you’ll find yourself choosing from several editions. Deciding which edition best suits your preferences can feel overwhelming when all you want is to jump in and enjoy the game....

Summary Genshin Impactis introducing a new music feature in Version 5.3, and has released a useful infographic on what players can expect from the permanent game mode. The music ofGenshin Impactis beloved by fans, as many memorable themes have made their debut over the course of the Archon Quest. While players were able to play these themes during Flagship Events themed around music, there was also a demand to make the gameplay permanent....

God of War Ragnarokis a towering achievement for Santa Monica Studio. Completing the arc started in 2018’sGod of Warreboot,Ragnarokbuilds upon the high production value, nuanced storytelling, and hard-hitting combat established in the former, making it a worthy second chapter that has whetted player expectations for the next one. To the surprise of many,God of War Ragnarok’s story was completed through the release of theValhallaDLC, a free expansion released in December 2023, over a year after the base game’s launch....

Greedfall 2: The Dying Worldis not what one would consider a traditional sequel. Despite being the follow-up to 2019’sGreedfall,it takes place three years before the events of the cult classic RPG. The game also makes some big changes to the combat systems established in its predecessor. Instead of being a straightforward action RPG a laThe Witcher 3,Greedfall 2is more akin toStar Wars:KOTORorDragon Age: Origins. Its combat is still real-time, but it can be intermittently paused mid-battle so that players can command their characters around....

Summary AGrand Theft Auto Onlineplayer has discovered a nifty way to disarm bounty targets. Hunting down and apprehending bounty targets can often be a challenging task inGTA Online, but this trick makes the process much more time-efficient and simpler. Bounty hunting missions were introduced inGTA Onlineby way of the Bottom Dollar Bounties updatein summer 2024. To play these missions,GTA Onlineplayers must purchase a Bail Office and work with Maude and Jenette Eccles to locate and bring in bounty targets....

Summary Cars have always been a major aspect of theGrand Theft Autoseries, being a staple that players strive to collect. From regular cars to supercars, there has always been a wide selection of vehicles to drive.GTA 5is no different, with a large array of cars to zip through the streets of Los Santos with. The Online mode has only furthered this selection, adding new cars and vehicles over the many years it has been active....

2024 has been a tumultuous year forHelldivers 2. Originally launching to rapturous applause, the game struggled to find its footing as a live-service title, earning negative feedback for Arrowhead’s handling of updates and various other controversial features, like the arrival of the ever-contentious PlayStation ID requirement. Having said that,Helldivers 2appears to have stabilized somewhat, and it’s closing out the year with a special holiday gift for players. Live-service games live and die on the back of their free content releases....

The universe ofDuneis filled with crafty schemers, but none do it better than the members of House Harkonnen. The clever and manipulativeBaron Vladimir Harkonnenserves as the series' first and most memorable antagonist; other Harkonnens such as his nephew Feyd-Rautha would later follow in his footsteps. Dune: Prophecy,set ten thousand years before the first novel, introduces viewers to Harrow Harkonnen, who effectively establishes the house’s reputation as ambitious schemers. Harrow’s role inDune: Prophecycleverly foreshadows the direction House Harkonnen will go in the following centuries and millennia....

Quick Links In hopes of makingMonopoly GOmore engaging and customizable, the developers at Scopely have incorporated a fun and interactive feature: Emojis. You can collect various emojis through regular gameplay. This includes completing Quick Wins, finishing sticker sets, participating in special events, and even making in-game purchases. Besides decorating boards, having a complete shelf of emojis is a fun way to win some extra prizes. One exciting emoji players can add to their collections is theBen Tea Laugh Emoji....

Kindled Inspiration: Warm Protection is a random quest inInfinity Nikkithat instructs players to wear specific gloves and talk to Vendita. While fans who read the quest description will know that they should wear gloves that will inspire the design of the Kindgom Guards' gloves, they may be confused about where to find such an item. This guide is here to alleviate that confusion, and it will help players complete the Kindled Inspiration: Warm Portection quest inInfinity Nikki....