New moves and abilities in combat are based upon unlocking a variety of skills spread across four distinct skill trees in The First Berserker: Khazan. Everything from Javelin throws to overhead stealth attacks can be unlocked by earning and investing skill points in individual skills. This guide has everything there is to know about earning those skill points by raising Mastery Levels quickly and efficiently in The First Berserker: Khazan. How To Earn Skill Points Earning skill points is fairly straightforward, and is not to be confused with regular levelling from XP aka Lacrima. By simply engaging in combat with various weapons, while using a variety of moveslight, heavy, and specialyou will begin to fill the Mastery Level meter. Each time the meter is fully filled, you will gain a Mastery Level and earn a single skill point. Whether battling regular enemies or major bosses, and regardless of winning or losing the encounters, you will fill the Mastery Level meter. Unlike Lacrima, these gains are not lost on death, nor do they need to be retrieved from your corpse. For best results, choose a lone enemy that you feel confident battling and simply parry or block their attacks. Parrying adds 1% to the Mastery Level meter, and blocking half of a percent. Actively attacking the enemy only adds a third of a percent to the meter, and will eventually kill the enemy, so is not worthwhile for grinding Mastery Levels. Mastery Level Mastery levels are tied to story progression, as this is a balancing mechanic. Once the Mastery Level cap is hit, no amount of combat will increase the meters progress, though you can continue to earn Lacrima to raise your main level and associated stats. In order to progress past the Mastery Level caps and proceed further up the skill trees, certain story conditions will have to be met: Mastery Level 12 Complete Trials of the Frozen Mountain Defeat Blade Phantom Mastery Level 16 Complete Forgotten Place Defeat Viper Mastery Level 20 Complete First Act of Revenge Defeat Volbaino Mastery Level 24 Complete Strange Stench Defeat Aratra Mastery Level 28 Complete Traitor Revealed Defeat Rangkus Mastery Level 32 Complete Veiled Knives Defeat Maluca That is how to raise your Mastery Level and earn Skill Points fast in The First Berserker: Khazan. Tagged With: Atomfall Publisher:Rebellion Developments Developer:Rebellion Developments Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView MoreMonster Hunter Wilds Publisher:Capcom Developer:Capcom Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PCView MoreSouth of Midnight Publisher:Microsoft Developer:Compulsion Games Platforms:Xbox Series X, PCView More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

There are almost 70 full sets of gear in The First Berserker: Khazan, composed of weapons, armor, and accessories. As you collect and concurrently equip multiple pieces of any given set, certain set abilities become available, granting passive bonuses and buffs. With so many aesthetically appealing gear sets to choose from, it will come down to making a judgment based on their set bonuses, especially after the Transmog features are finally unlocked in New Game Plus. Beyond that, you will also unlock the ability to craft Legendary quality-tier gear sets in NG++. This guide has a small selection of some of the best gear sets grouped by each of the three weight classes, and based on their various attributes, as well as their lootable locations in The First Berserker: Khazan. Crimson Fiend Set Lightweight Armor Type Various pieces of the Crimson Fiend will drop from random enemies. Finding the Crimson Fiends Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith. Sentinels Greatsword Crimson Fiend Mask Crimson Fiend Top Crimson Fiend Wristguards Crimson Fiend Pants Crimson Fiend Shackles Beginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock: 15% Enraged Damage Increase 10% Charged Attack Damage Increase 100 Mortal Blow Skill & Charged Attack Stamina Recovery 30% Enraged Received Damage Decrease 20% Mortal Blow Damage Increase Fugitive Mage Set Lightweight Armor Type Various random pieces of the Fugitive Mage Set will drop from Bellerian in the Rephalan Mountains, a location in the Heart of Pell Los Region. Finding the Fugitive Mages Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith. Fugitive Mages Greatsword Fugitive Mages Headpiece Fugitive Mages Robe Fugitive Mages Wristguards Fugitive Mages Pants Fugitive Mages Shoes Fugitive Mages Ring Necklace of Untold Truths Beginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock: 10% Charged Attack Damage Increase 15% Guard Stamina Damage Decrease 15% Armor Breaker Skill Stamina Damage Increase 10% Brink Guard Stamina Damage Increase for 5s 15% Heart Piercer Skill Damage Increase 15% Brink Guard Damage Increase for 5s Heart Piercer: Fury Skill Master of Chaos Set Lightweight Armor Type Various random pieces of the Master of Chaos Set will drop from Ozma in the Imperial Palace, a location in the Vitalon Capital of the Empire Region. Finding the Master of Chaos Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith. Ozmas Dual Wield Ozmas Horns Ozmas Wings Ozmas Claws Ozmas Shroud Ozmas Gaiters Beginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock: 500 Chaos Resistance 20% Phantom: Sword Dance Skill Stamina Damage Increase for 15s 15% Phantom: Sword Dance Skill Damage Increase 20% Enemy Exhausted Damage Increase Phantom: Bloody Sword Dance Skill Chaos-Ridden Set Heavyweight Armor Type Various random pieces of the Chaos-Ridden Set will drop from Maluca in Nadin Quarry, a location in the Pell Los Plateau Region. Finding the Chaos-Ridden Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith. Chaos-Ridden Greatsword Chaos-Ridden Helm Chaos-Ridden Pauldrons Chaos-Ridden Gauntlet Chaos-Ridden Leggings Chaos-Ridden Shoes Beginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock: Brink Guard: Gain Regeneration, stacks 5 times 4% Brink Guard Damage Increase for 10s, stacks 5 times 0.15 Brink Guard: Spirit Accumulation Spirit Skill: Gain Consumed Volcanic Wrath Spirit Skill Golden Set Heavyweight Armor Type Various pieces of the Golden Set will drop from random enemies. Finding the Golden Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith. A full Golden Set can also be retrieved from a chest secreted behind a destructible wall beyond the New Town Blade Nexus in Capital City Vitalon, a location in the Vitalon Capital of the Empire Region. This can be done during the course of the endgame mission Fall of the Empire. Survivors Spear Golden Helm Golden Pauldrons Golden Gauntlet Golden Leggings Golden Combat Boots Beginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock: 15% Dodge Stamina Cost Decrease 10% Rear Assault Stamina Damage Increase 20% Trance Skill Damage Increase 10% Rear Assault Damage Increase Moonlight: Awakening Skill Fallen Lord Set Heavyweight Armor Type Various random pieces of the Fallen Lord Set will drop from Viper in Embars Ruins, a location in the Charnak Mountain Range Region. Finding the Fallen Lords Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith. Fallen Lords Spear Fallen Lords Helm Fallen Lords Pauldrons Fallen Lords Gauntlet Fallen Lords Leggings Fallen Lords Shoes Beginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock: 10% Charged Attack Damage Increase 25% Brink Dodge Stamina Recovery Rate Increase for 10s 10% Enemy Exhausted Damage Increase 15% Full Moon Skill Damage Increase 15% Spiral Thrust Spirit Skill Damage Increase Deep Shadow Set Plate Armor Type Various pieces of the Deep Shadow Set will drop from random enemies. Finding the Deep Shadow Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith. Formless Warriors Spear Deep Shadow Helm Deep Shadow Pauldrons Deep Shadow Gauntlet Deep Shadow Leggings Deep Shadow Shoes Beginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock: 15% Frontal Assault Stamina Damage Increase 10% Frontal Assault Damage Increase 90% Guard Penetration 15% Assault Skill Damage Increase 20% Afterimage Thrust Skill Damage Increase Devourer of Darkness Set Plate Armor Type Various random pieces of the Devourer of Darkness Set will drop from Aratra in Skoffa Cave, a location in the Charnak Mountain Range Region. Finding the Man-Eating Spiders Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith. Devourer of Darkness Greatsword Devourer of Darkness Helm Devourer of Darkness Top Devourer of Darkness Wristguards Devourer of Darkness Pants Devourer of Darkness Shoes Beginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock: 15% Charged Attack Stamina Damage Increase for 10s 15% Enemy Poison Damage Increase 100% Ghost Arm Block Skill Stamina Damage Increase Brutal Attack: Enemy Poison Ghost Arm Block: Overpower Skill Unending Tragedy Set Plate Armor Type Various random pieces of the Unending Tragedy Set will drop from Princess Ilyna in Rovelion Imperial Theater, a location in the Heart of Pell Los Region. Finding the Unending Tragedy Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith. Dual Wield of Unending Tragedy Helm of Unending Tragedy Pauldrons of Unending Tragedy Gauntlet of Unending Tragedy Leggings of Unending Tragedy Shoes of Unending Tragedy Scarlet Robins Ring Necklace of the Singing Hawk Beginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock: 15% Composed Damage Increase 1.5% Attack Stamina Recovery Rate Increase for 7s, stacks 20 times 15% Dodge Stamina Cost Decrease 100 Brink Dodge Stamina Recovery Crimson Tempest Skill 1% Attack Damage Increase for 7s, stacks 20 times Crimson Tempest: Gust Skill Those are just 9 of the most powerful gear sets out of the nearly 70 to be looted or crafted in The First Berserker: Khazan. Tagged With: Atomfall Publisher:Rebellion Developments Developer:Rebellion Developments Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView MoreMonster Hunter Wilds Publisher:Capcom Developer:Capcom Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PCView MoreSouth of Midnight Publisher:Microsoft Developer:Compulsion Games Platforms:Xbox Series X, PCView More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

The Nintendo Switch 2s hardware is no longer a secret, which means we can finally see how it stacks up against the Steam Deck. Nintendo dropped a full list of the specs after its Switch 2 Direct, and there are a few surprising features that make it more of a direct competitor to Valves handheld than we thought.Nintendo confirmed a number of games coming to the Switch 2, including ports of Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Split Fiction. The Steam Deck can already play those games right now, giving us a pretty good idea of what the Switch 2 will be like when it releases in June.Heres how the Switch 2s hardware specs compare to the Steam Deck.System sizeGraphic: Polygon | Source images: Nintendo, ValveNintendo stretched the Switch 2s overall size out a little bit to accommodate its larger screen. Its now about 4 inches tall and 9.4 inches long (with Joy-Cons attached). That means its a little smaller than the Steam Deck which is about 4.6 inches tall and 11.7 inches wide.Screen sizeGraphic: Polygon | Source images: Nintendo, ValveSwitch 2s new screen is actually bigger than the screens on both versions of the Steam Deck. Switch 2s new LCD screen is 7.9 inches while the Steam Deck LCDs is 7 inches and the Steam Deck OLEDs is 7.4 inches. Valve has the upper hand when it comes to screen technology with the Steam Deck OLED which gives it an edge for HDR but Nintendo has made sure to keep the screen a priority in the Switch 2s design.Screen resolutionSwitch 2s screen resolution is 1080p, an upgrade from the Switchs 720p screens. Its also an upgrade over the Steam Decks resolution, which is 1280x800. At such a small screen size on both handhelds, however, the differences will pretty minimal. You might notice games running smoother with the Switch 2s screen being able to hit up to 120 Hz though. The Steam Deck LCD can only reach 60 Hz and the Steam Deck OLED 90 Hz.When docked, the Switch 2 can output up to 4K at 60 frames per second to a TV. The Steam Deck can do 4K too, but it can also double the fps to 120. And even though its pretty unrealistic, it can actually output 8K at 60 fps.All that said, picture quality on the Switch 2s LCD screen wont be able to match the clarity of the Steam Deck OLEDs screen. Expect images on the Switch 2 to have blacks that look more gray and duller colors than what youd see on Valves device.CPU/GPUGraphic: Polygon | Source images: Nintendo, ValveEven though Nintendo has fully revealed the specs of the Switch 2, its Nvidia graphics and processing chip are still shrouded in some secrecy. According to leaks from someone getting their hands on the Switch 2 motherboard, the system will run on a custom Nvidia Tegra T239 processor. Analysts predict itll reach a similar power level as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. If thats true, the Switch 2 will be slightly faster than the Steam Deck OLEDs Zen 2 processor, but when you take into account its rumored 12 GB of memory compared to the Steam Decks 16 GB of memory the differences will be minimal.StorageWhen it comes to storage, the Switch 2 is a little better than the Steam Deck. Switch 2 has 256 GB of universal flash storage (UFS) storage, and there are no other versions of the hardware with more. That makes it even with the Steam Deck LCD, and half as big as the base Steam Deck OLEDs 512 GB capacity. Its not exactly a fair fight in terms of price, but the Switch 2 cant compete with the more expensive version of the Steam Deck OLED, which has 1 TB.You can expand the Switch 2s storage with a microSD Express card up to 2 TB. This is important because microSD Express cards are much faster (and more expensive) than the microSDXC and microSDHC cards that the Steam Decks support. As far as potential transfer speeds go, Nintendo wins.Battery lifeSwitch 2s battery life will last around 2 to 6.5 hours depending on what games you play. The Steam Deck LCD is rated for around 6 to 12 hours, and the Steam Deck OLED can last from 2 to 8 hours. Battery life is really tricky to compare because it can vary so much, but on average the Steam Deck will have you reaching for the charging cables a little less often.PortsGraphic: Polygon | Source images: Nintendo, ValveNintendo surprised us with not one, but two USB-C ports on the Switch 2. And just like the previous model, itll have a 3.5 mm headphone jack (take that, Apple!). The Steam Deck only carries one USB-C port along with its headphone jack and, unlike the Switch 2, it doesnt have a fancy kickstand.PriceNintendo put a pretty steep price on the Switch 2, but its actually not that far off from the Steam Deck. The Switch 2 will cost $449.99 for just the console, and $499.99 for the console and a digital copy of Mario Kart World. The Steam Deck is a bit cheaper if you go for the LCD version at $399 which is the closest version to Nintendos console.As soon as you step up to the Steam Deck OLED, Nintendos console becomes the cheaper one of the two. The Steam Deck OLED starts at $549 and jumps up to $649 for the 1 TB version. But this is also where the Steam Decks specs start to diverge from the Switch 2, so its not exactly a fair comparison.See More:

Looking for a creative new game to play? You can currently pick up the Lego board game Monkey Palace on Amazon for only $27.23 thats 32% off its typical price of $39.99.Designed for two to four players ages 10 and up, Monkey Palace has players take on the role of monkeys building a tower out of Lego bricks with the goal of earning banana points. Using a combination of different types of Lego blocks, players work together to build up the existing structure, while additional game mechanics give players opportunities to block the paths of opponents or gain rewards to boost their own ascension.Monkey Palace$27$4033% off$27$27 at AmazonThough the process of figuring out the best building strategy can be frustrating at times, the collaborative, creative elements of Monkey Palace result in an overall very rewarding experience, as expressed in our 2024 review.Theres a tangibility in Monkey Palace that supercedes even the desire of winning. Sure, we kept score and celebrated our wins as much as rued our losses, but ultimately what we enjoyed more than anything was the 3D creation at the end something organically co-created together. I suspect after several games the shapes start to feel similar, such is the case with how the system encourages a gradual slope, but we still appreciated having something that we built together. And unlike other board games, I didnt find myself immediately tearing down the board and putting everything away. In fact, our most recent game remains intact, a temporary centerpiece for our kitchen table.At less than $30, this Monkey Palace deal seems like a good opportunity to snag a game and art project all in one.See More:

T-Mobile has been working with SpaceX for a long time to bring cellular coverage to remote areas through the Starlink satellites. To extend this feature, it launched the satellite powered direct-to-cell beta program in December 2024. This was meant to bring early access to U.S. customers and allow them to test the program. The full service is expected to launch in July 2025. Some of the beta testers are complaining about the service and questioning whether the partnership offers underwhelming services despite the constant hype about the feature.T-Mobile and SpaceX's satellite-powered direct-to-cell service beta program has left users feeling disappointedBy leveraging the Starlink satellite internet constellation, T-Mobile and SpaceX partnered up to bring connectivity in far-flung areas where communication is often compromised. It has not been long since both partners launched their service in the beta program to be able to test it before it is fully launched. However, contrary to expectations, beta users are dismayed with the service as it fails to deliver what has been promised and offers subpar performance instead.One of the users shared about their testing experience on Reddit, expressing that they used it across the Southwestern US on spring break and were left disappointed. The service was called a hot mess:So, I took my family on an epic spring break tripVegas, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Red Rock Canyon, and Valley of Fire. Tons of these spots have zero cell coverage, so I figured itd be the perfect chance to test out T-Mobiles Starlink beta for satellite texting. Spoiler: its a hot mess.Death Valley seemed like the ideal testing groundwide open skies, no interference. On the valley floor and up at Dantes View on a mountain peak, Id get 1-2 bars of T-Mobile Starlink signal. Promising, right? Nope. Not a single SMS or iMessage would send. Four days of trying, and nothing.The user pointed out that most of the locations had no traditional cell coverage and was where it made sense to test out the satellite service. While the phone would catch a satellite connection, it was not working as no messages were either received or sent out during the four-day testing period. If this is to be compared with the iPhone's built-in messaging, the latter outperforms with its ability to send messages seamlessly.This experience was not limited to a single user but many others shared about a similar experience and the T-Mobile's satellite service failing to deliver messages in remote areas across the U.S. It is important to highlight that T-Mobile feature is currently in beta and the limitations might not come up when the program is fully launched. For now, users can try sending messages and test data capabilities.Deal of the Day

Marvel Rivals developer NetEase Games has just revealed new details about the upcoming Season 2: Hellfire Gala update that will go live next week on April 11, 2025. The new season adds X-Men Emma Frost to the lineup, and Ultron, who spoils the gala Frost is hosting in the Mutant nation of Krakoa.This is also the setting of the new maps that'll be added with Season 2, which, according to a press release, will feature "dreamy botanical landscapes and beautiful fireworks."Weekly missions will also be added with Season 2 on top of the already included daily missions, just to give players a little more to do during the three-month-long season.Speaking of season length, NetEase also revealed that beginning with Season 3, a season in Marvel Rivals will only be two months long, with a new playable character introduced each month.For Season 2, the first half will introduce Emma Frost as a new Vanguard character, with Ultron, and details about his character type, still to come in the second half of the season. Season 2 will also feature the first time NetEase adjusts or removes certain team-up abilities, which means the game is about to undergo some of its first major changes.Marvel Rivals launched at the end of 2024, and has so far accomplished what many big publishers have tried and failed to do, which is carving out a slice of the live service pie for itself. NetEase boasts that the game has grown to beyond 40 million players since its launch, and it doesn't show any signs of slowing down. Marvel Rivals definitely has an advantage over games like Sony's failed Concord, which was also attempting to establish a new set of characters and a new world for players to enjoy, but as we saw in Marvel's Avengers, a big IP backing up your game doesn't mean it'll be a smash-hit.NetEase even admits in its developer vision presentation that the studio understands the pressure it is under to sustain the success Marvel Rivals has enjoyed so far. These changes coming in Season 2, which are still to be laid bare in the full patch notes still to come, could prove to be the beginning of a turning point for the game, with the next check coming with the arrival of shorter seasons in Season 3. This was a move made specifically to try to keep players engaged and not let the game stay too stale.Deal of the Day

At long last, A Minecraft Movie is finally in theaters. It's been over a decade since it was first revealed that Warner Bros. was working with Mojang Studios on adapting the title for the big screen, with various writers and directors attached over the years. Now, with Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre director Jared Hess at the helm, the movie is a reality--and leaves room for potential sequels, too. With that in mind, we need to parse through that ending, including the post-credits scene that included one very interesting appearance.Warning: The following contains full spoilers for A Minecraft Movie. If you haven't seen the film, you should stop reading now. Otherwise, you will be spoiled. Without further ado, let's dig into the movie's ending.The endContinue Reading at GameSpot

Open-world games offer players large worlds to explore, often with a massive amount of side and optional content. While these games often overlap with the RPG genre, they can also be in other genres, like racing or stealth games. The common thread through all of the games on this list are worlds that players can explore with a large amount of freedom, often with persistent progression to build your character and tackle increasing challenges. While not every open-world game contains a large explorable world, that expiration and discovery is a key part of what makes open-world games special.Some of the most notable games in the genre are also some of the best-selling games of all-time, like The Witcher 3 and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, touting huge worlds full of side quests, lovable characters, and new places to explore. Despite the heavy focus on exploration, these games also often feature deep narratives as well, although there are exceptions to that as well. Many of the games on this list are fairly modern, thanks to an increase in size and depth to the open-worlds due to more powerful hardware introduced with more modern consoles. Below you can see our picks for the best open-world games you can play right now. These span a variety of platforms, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, and we've tried to lean into games that are still widely available and well worth playing in 2025. Red Dead Redemption 2Developer: RockstarPlatforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PCGenre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: YesRed Dead Redemption 2 is an incredibly deep cowboy simulator, touting an expansive version of the Wild West. Made by one of the best open-world developers, Rockstar, it shouldn't come as a surprise that this game is incredibly detailed and full of side stories to discover in its large world. Plus, Red Dead Redemption 2 features a massive narrative about the death of the Wild West, offering an incredible story for you to engage with in between exploring the world. The simulation aspects can't be overlooked either, whether it's slowly riding your horse to the next destination, or taking care of you or your horse's hunger needs, to just stumbling upon a strange situation between NPCs. Plus, it features Red Dead Online, a multiplayer experience set in the same open world, so you can play cowboy with your friends. See at Amazon Dragon's Dogma 2Developer: CapcomPlatforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCGenre: RPGMultiplayer: NoDragon's Dogma 2 won't be for everyone, but if you love responsive open worlds and games filled with systems, you will likely love it. The world features tons of NPCs, who can be interacted with in multiple interesting ways, including being killed--either by you, the plague, or roving monsters. The combat and classes offer depth to its RPG systems, and while it contains a fast-travel system, it's designed for you to not use it, emphasizing that this is an experience where the journey is far more important than the destination. That said, these systems create a lot of pushback, so if you are looking for a more relaxed or checklist-style open-world experience, look elsewhere. See at Amazon Forza Horizon 5Developer: Playground GamesPlatforms: PS5 (April 25), Xbox Series X|S, PCGenre: RacingMultiplayer: YesOne of the few non-RPGs on the list, Forza Horizon 5 features an open-world version of Mexico for you to race around. Sitting somewhere in between arcade racing and simulation, Forza Horizon 5 has plenty of secrets to discover in its open world, along with events like jumps or point-to-point races that you can find and start throughout the world itself. While the main races do happen in instanced versions, the tracks are made up of parts of the open world, creating a seamless racing experience. It's not just one of the best open-world games out there, but also one of the best racing games. Plus, it has two expansions that add new environments to race through, including a Hot Wheels-themed area. See at Green Man Gaming No Man's SkyDeveloper: Hello GamesPlatforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCGenre: Survival-CraftingMultiplayer: YesSure, one open world to explore is cool, but what about an unlimited number of worlds? No Man's Sky offers an infinite universe of procedurally generated worlds for you to fly to and explore, letting you seamlessly run around the surface of a planet, fly into the atmosphere, and then move through space before landing somewhere else. You can explore these worlds to find new plants, resources, and creatures, which you can collect and use. You can become a merchant, a builder, or a fighter across a universe shared with other players in multiplayer. Plus, Hello Games regularly releases free updates for the game, so there are new systems being added, offering new ways to interact with the massive universe of No Man's Sky.Fanatical and GameSpot are both owned by Fandom. See at Fanatical Sea of ThievesDeveloper: RarePlatforms: PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PCGenre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: YesIf you've ever thought that a pirate's life was for you, Sea of Thieves has an ocean begging to be explored. A co-op multiplayer experience by design, you can gather your crew and sail the seas, plundering islands and ships for loot. There are quests to take on, and you can even steal treasure from other players you may encounter out on the open seas. (A PvE mode has also been introduced since launch, in case you don't want to contend with hostile players.) Plus, Sea of Thieves is an ongoing game, with updates regularly adding new content to engage with. Who hasn't wanted to gather a few friends, sing a sea shanty, and search for hidden treasure? See at Steam Genshin ImpactDeveloper: HoyoversePlatforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, MobileGenre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: YesOne of the few free-to-play games on the list, Genshin Impact offers a massive open world heavily inspired by Breath of the Wild. There are puzzles to solve, monsters to defeat, and a long list of quests to complete. Genshin Impact has received multiple new regions since launch, expanding the open world even further. While Genshin Impact is free-to-play, it does feature gacha mechanics, asking you to roll for new characters who are available for a limited time. You can earn rolls by playing and you can see everything Genshin Impact has to offer without a full roster, but if the idea of gambling for new characters sounds unappealing, you'll be better off with a different open-world game. See at Epic Games Store Marvel's Spider-Man 2Developer: Insomniac GamesPlatforms: PS5, PCGenre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: NoWhile all three Marvel's Spider-Man games developed by Insomniac Games feature open-world versions of New York for you to swing around, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 offers the biggest and highest fidelity version of it. Offering fun exploration via web-swinging, there are side quests, collectibles, and puzzles to seek out across the city and complete. On top of that, there is an excellent Spider-Man story for you to experience as well, offering a complete package for anyone who loves the webhead or just wants to explore a detailed version of New York City. See at Best Buy Indiana Jones and the Great CircleDeveloper: MachineGamesPlatforms: PS5 (April 17), Xbox Series X|S, PCGenre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: NoIndiana Jones and the Great Circle isn't a traditional open-world game, as it features multiple levels across the globe, but it does scratch that itch in a unique way. While not every level is massive, there are multiple large areas, like Vatican City, which have a variety of secrets to find and collect. These levels are incredibly detailed, letting you experience these places in a way not found in many video games. Discovery is a huge part of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, so if that's what draws you to open-world games, it's a great game for exploring detailed spaces. You even get a fantastic Indiana Jones story as the cherry on top. See at Amazon Elden RingDeveloper: From SoftwarePlatforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2Genre: Action RPGMultiplayer: NoElden Ring takes the difficult and methodical combat From Software is known for and places it into an open-world setting. Of course, that undersells just how well-realized that open world is and how perfectly it works with the intense combat. You are encouraged to explore, as there are limited map markers and few specific objectives outlined for you, allowing you to discover caves, dungeons, and hidden bosses. This exploration and discovery is what open-world games are all about, and Elden Ring rewards players for finding and scouring new areas, so long as you can defeat whatever enemies are lurking in the space. Plus the horse has a double-jump, something you won't find in most open-world games. See at Best Buy The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomDeveloper: NintendoPlatforms: Nintendo Switch, Switch 2Genre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: NoThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom--and its predecessor Breath of the Wild--are perfect for open-world fans who love exploration. Hyrule is filled with puzzle shrines to tackle, enemies to defeat, and chests to crack open. Building upon Breath of the Wild's foundation, Tears of the Kingdom offers a ton of freedom when it comes to exploring the world, thanks to the Ultrahand ability. This allows you to combine different objects to build flying robots, monster trucks, and long bridges, giving you complete control over how you explore the open world, on top of being able to go in whichever direction you please. Even if you spent tons of time exploring Hyrule in Breath of the Wild, this adds a new dynamic to the world--and there are new areas in the sky and deep underground to check out, too.If you're getting a Switch 2, you'll be able to enjoy an enhanced Switch 2 Edition. See at Best Buy Cyberpunk 2077Developer: CD Projekt RedPlatforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2Genre: RPGMultiplayer: NoCyberpunk 2077 may have had a rough launch back in 2020, but the first-person RPG has become one of the best open-world games thanks to updates and the spectacular Phantom Liberty expansion. You get to explore the massive Night City, which is filled with futuristic vehicles, and tons of side activities. You can steal cars, take down rogue criminals, or perform criminal jobs yourself. You can get yourself a ton of cyber enhancements and follow in the footsteps of Johnny Silverhand as you take on the corporation ruling the city in a fantastic main narrative, matched in scope by the large open world. Phantom Liberty adds a distinct story that stands as some of the best Night City has to offer, and which can impact your understanding of the broader story in surprising ways depending on when you engage with it.A Switch 2 version is on the way. See at Amazon See at Best Buy Ghost of TsushimaDeveloper: Sucker Punch ProductionsPlatforms: PS4, PS5, PCGenre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: YesGhost of Tsushima takes inspiration from Assassin's Creed with its open-world experience. Offering opportunities for both intense samurai sword action and quiet stealth-focused sequences, Ghost of Tsushima excels thanks to a gorgeous open world. It has plenty of side activities, including some less-common ones, like composing Haikus or slicing through bamboo. It also has a visually stunning open world, using saturated colors to decorate its mountain ranges and open fields. While there are a few options for samurai open-world games set in Japan, Ghost of Tsushima is one of the best, and its sequel, Ghost of Yotei, is set for release sometime in 2025. See at Best Buy Death StrandingDeveloper: Kojima ProductionsPlatforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCGenre: AdventureMultiplayer: NoHave you ever felt the urge to explore nature? What about exploring nature while delivering packages? Death Stranding offers just that in a post-apocalyptic America, one where nature has reclaimed much of the world. Yes, you will spend some time shooting enemies and going through the wild story that could only come from Hideo Kojima, but much of this experience is about moving from place to place. You get to construct bridges or use the ones left by other players in a game as much focused on exploration and the journey as any game in the genre. That said, if the idea of trying to take countless packages across unpaved landscapes sounds a bit frustrating, you may want to pick another game on the list. Or if it was exactly your thing and you want even more, its sequel, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, releases on June 24, 2025 on PS5. See at Best Buy Mad MaxDeveloper: Avalanche StudiosPlatforms: PS4, Xbox One, PCGenre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: NoThe middle years of the Xbox One/PS4 generation were filled with middling open-world games, and if you didn't know any better, you might lump Mad Max into the group. It follows a pretty standard structure of exploring the open desert wasteland, completing side activities and struggling to survive amongst the vicious gangs that have survived to this point. Mad Max excels in its third-person combat and it delivers on the car-combat mechanics you would expect from a game based on the film franchise. It's become a hidden gem among open-world games, and one that gives you a vehicle-centric twist that many others on this list don't provide. See at Fanatical Middle-earth: Shadow of MordorDeveloper: Monolith ProductionsPlatforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PCGenre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: NoMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is an excellent open-world checklist game, set in the Lord of the Rings universe. It has great combat, taking inspiration from Arkham Asylum and Assassin's Creed, offering both the responsive brawling and stealth approaches. On top of being set in the Lord of the Rings universe, Shadow of Mordor also has the unique Nemesis system to help it stand out among the crowd. This system makes certain Orc enemies remember your actions, with some moving up the ranks for defeating you or taking the spot of a high-ranking Orc you took out. See at Fanatical Yakuza 0Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku StudioPlatform: PS4, Xbox One, PCGenre: Action RPGMultiplayer: NoThe Yakuza series feature a unique take on open-world games, using a smaller area like Kamurocho, but still filling it to the brim with side activities and missions. While the series features a ton of games, Yakuza 0 remains arguably the best place to start. It's a more modern entry in the series and, as a prequel, sets up the overall story of the franchise and its characters. Both Kiryu and Majima are playable characters, introducing you to some of the best video game characters in the business. Yakuza 0 has tons of great minigames, like running a cabaret club and racing pocket RC cars (complete with their own storylines that can vary from heartwarming to downright bizarre). See at Fanatical Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2Developer: Warhorse StudiosPlatforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCGenre: Action RPGMultiplayer: NoWarhorse Studios' Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is an open-world RPG set in a realistic 15th century medieval Europe. Not only does it offer the freedom and depth you would expect from a good open-world game, but it weaves realism into its systems, perfect for those seeking a less fantastic experience. You need to bathe regularly, need a special drink to save, and generally have to deal with a high level of friction, making it an ideal open-world game for people who enjoy that friction. It's got a strong main narrative and a protagonist who is truly just a guy, letting you get a feel for what it would be like to be a normal person in medieval Europe. See at Amazon Ghostwire: TokyoDeveloper: Tango GameworksPlatforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCGenre: HorrorMultiplayer: NoGhostwire: Tokyo is a divisive game, but there aren't many examples of a real city being remade so intricately in a video game. This version of Tokyo is filled with Yokai, but you can visit real historical landmarks and explore a visually incredible city. If you don't enjoy horror, this may not be for you, but the unique combat system and horror-inspired enemies create a different kind of open-world game, even if it still has all of the side content and collectibles you would expect from the genre. See at Best Buy Octopath Traveler 2Developer: Acquire and Square EnixPlatforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCGenre: Turn-based RPGMultiplayer: NoOctopath Traveler 2 is a gorgeous turn-based RPG made in the HD-2D art style used in games like the first entry in the series and Dragon Quest 3: HD-2D remake. While Octopath Traveler 2 doesn't offer a seamless open space to explore, it does offer a ton of freedom in how you explore the world. Since you can choose any of the eight characters' stories to start with, and you can choose to tackle the different stories in whatever order, you have the freedom that is expected in these genres.You can go to different regions of the map as you choose and discover secret areas and side quests, making it an open-world game in multiple ways. You can also swap between day and night in Octopath Traveler 2, changing the available NPCs and opening up new areas. Each party member also has two unique overworld abilities, one for day and one for night, like pick pocketing or putting people to sleep. Plus, it has a strategic combat system and several excellent stories, making it an ideal choice for anyone that enjoys turn-based combat. See at Amazon Assassin's Creed OdysseyDeveloper: UbisoftPlatforms: PS4, Xbox One, PCGenre: Action-AdventureMultiplayer: NoMost Assassin's Creed games are open-world games, but the modern kind, from Origins onward, takes that to the next level. In this case, we have Assassin's Creed Odyssey on the list for blending a massive open world with a strong narrative throughline. The base game offers over 100 hours' worth of side missions, bounties, naval combat, and so much more for you to sink your teeth into, with multiple DLCs that add even more open-world areas. The RPG elements give you tons of customization for your weapons and armor, and you can still take a stealth-first approach, making this a buffet of great content. It's one of the best Assassin's Creed games in the entire series. See at Green Man Gaming Fallout 4Developer: BethesdaPlatforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PCGenre: RPGMultiplayer: NoBethesda is one of the most prominent developers when it comes to open-world games. It has classics like Fallout 3 and Skyrim, and while it has arguably missed with recent releases--looking at you Starfield--Fallout 4 is a happy medium. It doesn't have as much RPG depth as Fallout 3, but it makes up for it with the size of its open world, which is filled with small dungeons to explore and tons of side activities to complete, and shooting that doesn't feel like an afterthought. There are fun companions, and if you are into it, base-building systems that are surprisingly deep. Fallout 4 also has a great DLC in Far Harbor, which features a strong narrative if you found the one in the base game to be lacking. Those who play on PC can also check out our list of the best Fallout 4 mods, which can further improve and expand the game. See at Fanatical Batman: Arkham CityDeveloper: Rocksteady StudiosPlatforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCGenre: Action-adventureMultiplayer: NoWhile you might be able to argue that Batman Arkham Asylum is an open-world game, Batman: Arkham City is undeniably one. Significantly larger than the first game, Arkham City takes the hand-to-hand brawling and stealth takedowns and expands them into a large city. Not only is it one of the best superhero stories in a video game, but the expanded world lets you glide and grapple like you're really Batman navigating a city. There are Riddler Trophies galore, along with other side quests and collectibles, scratching that checklist open-world gaming itch. See at Fanatical Sunset OverdriveDeveloper: Insomniac GamesPlatforms: Xbox One, PCGenre: Third-person ShooterMultiplayer: YesSunset Overdrive had the unfortunate fate of being an Xbox One exclusive, resulting in it being severely underplayed. This open-world game features all of the side activities, collectibles, and enemies you would expect, but what makes it special is the movement, something Insomniac Games nailed long before making the Spider-Man games. There are rails to grind, walls to run on, and buildings to leap off of, coalescing in a fluid and fast movement system that works incredibly well with third-person shooting. It's colorful and silly, making Sunset Overdrive a blast to play. See at Fanatical SatisfactoryDeveloper: Coffee Stain StudiosPlatforms: PCGenre: Management SimMultiplayer: YesSatisfactory might be primarily about building factories, but it is an open-world game at its core. You have a large alien planet that you can explore alone or with friends, along with combat and resources to discover in the world. The vast majority of your time will be spent creating elaborate factories with spider-webs of conveyor belts, but the open-world exploration plays a big enough role to put it on this list, even if it isn't a traditional open-world game. Plus, the factory building is so satisfying that anyone mildly interested in the concept should check it out. See at Humble State of Decay 2Developer: Undead LabsPlatforms: Xbox One, PCGenre: Survival-craftingMultiplayer: YesState of Decay 2 is an open-world survival game, where you must recruit survivors, build communities, and take down hordes for the undead in one of the best zombie games. Supporting co-op multiplayer and a short narrative story, the main juice in State of Decay 2 involves exploring the open-world and choosing when to take risks--and when to take your toys and go home--to find resources and new survivors. This loop creates stressful situations and tough choices, while offering a deep and extensive zombie apocalypse to play in. See at Steam Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom PainDeveloper: KonamiPlatforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PCGenre: Stealth-ActionMultiplayer: NoThe final game in the Metal Gear Solid series--no, Metal Gear Survive does not count--Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain takes place in a large open-world, offering nearly endless opportunities for stealth-action. There are outposts to take down, soldiers and resources to collect via Fultons, and a creative main story from Hideo Kojima. While there are complaints against it, mainly the unfinished narrative, the freedom and creativity you get from combining the intricate stealth-combat mechanics with an open world creates a fantastic game and one of the best stealth-action experiences you can have. See at Fanatical

The Apothecary Diaries was the hit romance anime series of last year. Its perfect blend of mystery, suspense, romance, and political drama made it one of the most beloved shows in recent memory. To top it off, the character of Mao Mao was well-liked for her personality, wit, and surprising empathy.

Now that Nintendo's deep dive into the Switch 2 has come and gone, the gaming world is buzzing with what was revealed at the showcase. The Switch 2 is set to be one of the biggest releases of the year, and while some revelations have been exciting, others have been controversial.