Behind the Scenes: Railway Station By Alina Khan on December 16, 2024 Behind the Scenes Head into Seifis art journey as he ventures through various render engines to skillfully master his hyper-realistic art.INTRODUCTIONHi, I am Alireza Seifi, a 3D designer and environment artist born in Tehran, Iran. My main field of interest and focus was cinema and film music so with that background, I joined the 3D industry like many other people in the early 2000's and started my career in 2005 seriously. In that time, I was mainly focused on recreating ancient monuments and architecture using 3DS Max, V-Ray, and Brazil render engine. Since I have worked with most render engines, I wanted to share my experience and history of working with these as well.Damavand Tomb Tower / 2011. 3DS Max, V-rayTehran Post and Telegraph Building / 2013. 3DS Max, V-rayLater in 2016-2017, I tried to switch to a more modern architecture style, archviz, and product visualization. It was at that point that I said goodbye to my old favorite render engine, V-ray, and switched to Corona Render which was and is very user friendly, artistic, and produced realistic results without tweaks and complicated settings.Melbourne Townhouse Replication / 2017. 3DS Max, Corona RenderAt the same time, the revolutionary Fstormrender was also released for 3DS Max, with which I made a lot of renders.Still Life / 2018. 3DS Max, FstormrenderI can say that before working with Fstorm, I had started working with Octane Render and Cinema 4D. I was a bit tired of 3DS Max and wanted to switch to Cinema 4D but Fstorm was sort of a simpler version of Octane for 3DS Max, Because of this, I stayed in 3DS Max more and produced more renders with Fstorm.MainFrames Lab / 2019. 3DS Max, FstormIt was around 2020 that I almost stopped working with 3DS Max and switched into Cinema 4D and Octane Render. Octane render has a specific spiritual look which was very satisfying to me, and also very helpful because I was switching to a more retro-style image creation.Galaxy Hill / 2021. Cinema 4D, Octane RenderWhile working with Octane Render was very satisfying, I was trying to create bigger scenes but I gradually faced the VRAM issue in Octane which my laptop GPU couldnt handle. So, interestingly, I switched back to Corona Render again not in 3DS Max but this time in Cinema 4D, and it shockingly gave me the exact retro result I was looking for. The deep shadows and special sense of Corona lights were outstanding; however, the light always needed to be controlled by blockers like in any other engine to get more dramatic and focused lighting. In total, it was more reliable and satisfying for me to work with CPU-based render engines than the GPU engines, even though the latter gives faster results as the first one is more accurate, worth it to try if you have a strong CPU.The Elevator / 2022. Cinema 4D, Corona RenderIt was around 2022 that I became more interested in Unreal Engine as well as Blender. After a bit of working with Blender, I started really enjoying Blender and Cycle. My main obstacle in Cycles was that I was not able to produce my desired results I used to get from other engines in the past so my results with Cycles always came with lots of trial and error. I watched a lot of tutorials and I should say that I was really influenced by the works of the famous Blender artist, Ian Hubert, and I really appreciate his and other Blender artists efforts in discovering and showing the abilities of Blender and Cycles to people. That way, I gradually started producing more works and renders with Blender and Cycles.Ships in The City / 2024. Blender CyclesINSPIRATIONI am deeply inspired by dreams, lucid dreams, and nightmares, so once in a while I used to recreate part of a dream in CGI. Railway Station was also based on a lucid dream I saw a few months ago; what I can remember was an Art Nouveau style with a lot of corridors in which I was moving through. The atmosphere was something between a retro shopping mall, a museum, and a 19th-century railway station like the famous Art Nouveau Metro in Paris, so I tried to achieve that combination as much as possible. Somewhere empty and abandoned, like on a Friday afternoon, but also cosy and pleasant to chill like European 19th-century urban designs.PROCESSIn the past, I used to make some sketches before creating the scene but I dont do it in recent years anymore. Rather, I prefer to block the scene directly in the 3D program. The first and most time consuming part of this project was finding good/related stained glass textures and some helpful Art Nouveau references to see the architecture and structure connections and after that, I started modeling.ModelingAbout the modeling process I can say that despite the past, I dont use subdivision modeling anymore but I do use the mid-poly method which is handy both for realistic rendering and also game modeling. Its mostly based on beveling but I should always think ahead about the bevel numbers to avoid jagged edges or have base mesh duplicates as backups for complicated objects before beveling.I had prepared this scene for Unreal Engine so all the objects were modular and easy to array.But my laptops old GPU, the GTX 1080, was not able to give good results for the stained glass using Lumen; Unreal has also stopped supporting its realistic render option, the RayTracer, for old GPUs like mine, so I had to render the scene with Cycles in Blender.AddonsHere, I should confess that the most advantageous feature of Blender over other 3D programs is its handy addons and asset browser, which make the process faster and easier for impatient people like me who want to see the final result in the shortest amount of time. This way I wanted to share the list of addons that helped me a lot in the project:Blenderkit for fast readymade materials and objects:Using Blender Kit, I was easily able to load a bunch of different materials that I didnt have the nerve to make from scratch dealing with 100s of complicated shader nodes distracting me from focusing on the creative side of the project.Hardops Boxcutter and Machin3tools for fast hardsurface modeling tools:Without these tools, its almost impossible for me to create fast hard surface models. HardOps array/bevel/mirror/modifier/boolean/.. tools all gathered in the Q menu really make the modelling process 10x faster.Also, Machin3tools features like the align tool, right-click save/export menu, etc., are very important for any project. I myself cannot work without them. For example, since I use Substance Painter a lot, the Machin3tools save menu gives the fast possibility of FBX, OBJ, etc., export and many other options with just pressing Ctrl+S.Sketchfab and its Blender import addon for realistic 3D scanned models:I cannot express the importance of Sketchfab for I have not finished any project without using Sketchfab 3DS scans, be it either the 3D landscapes, industrial/mechanical models, characters, etc. In this project, I used the train model from Sketchfab.Eco-Scatter and GScatter for scattering:Eco-Scatter is an extremely user-friendly scattering addon for Blender that I use for any project with scattering. Maybe many people havent heard about this addon, but I should say its incredible. Of course, I prefer scattering tools with biome support like Graswald GScatter, which have premade grass fields or ecosystems like 3DS Max Forest Pack Pro, but unfortunately Graswald has stopped releasing the addon for newer versions of Blender, so I cannot currently use it for my projects anymore, and I really miss it.Free Blender Plants Library:I used Blenders free plant library for this project and others as well. Its very handy and I even sometimes export its models and convert them to use in Cinema 4D as well.Quixel Bridge (currently fab) assets:Like many other people, I use Quixel Bridge (currently fab) for every project. I used the stone/marble materials and the grass models for this project from Quixel Bridge.PolyHaven addon:As always, I used the PolyHaven addon for fast HDRI lighting of the scene. In this scene, I first used PolyHaven to find the most suitable HDRI for environment lighting, and I also used the Blender sun for directional lighting, especially the light passing through the stained glasses and their effect on the floor. Even though I use PolyHaven for HDRI lighting, I sometimes forget that it has a very high-quality model collection that, in my opinion, might be the highest or one of the highest quality 3D models in the market.RenderingHere is the final render with some post-production. I still miss the LUT possibility in Blender, but the AGX and new Khronos in combination with curves manipulation give very satisfying results. This way, I apply the LUT in Photoshop with other effects.RENDER: Railway StationI would like to extend my special thanks to the BlenderNation team for giving me this opportunity. Thank you for taking the time to read my article. Feel free to reach out with any questions on my social media. Have a great day!About the Artist Alireza Seifi is a 3D visualizer and environment artist based in Budapest, currently working on 3D environment and filmmaking projects. Links

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NHTSA data shows five of the most fatal car brands. See where Tesla landsMarley MalenfantUSA TODAY NETWORKShow CaptionHide CaptionTesla Cybertruck modifications upgrade EV to a sci-fi police vehicleA host of mods for the electric Tesla Cybertruck has now been perfectly packaged for first responders and police departments.Thinking of purchasing a new car? Many consider the price, the color, the model and the gas mileage when looking for a vehicle. But safety should be the no. 1 priority.According to an analysis from iSeeCars, the current five most dangerous brands you could purchase today is the Dodge, Kia, Buick, Tesla and Buick.Despite their driver-assisted technology, Tesla's Model Y and Model S car are known to be dangerous on road, according to iSeeCars' data.Karl Brauer, iSeeCars Executive Analyst, said some of the blame falls on distracted drivers."New cars are safer than theyve ever been, he said. Between advanced chassis design, driver assist technology, and an array of airbags surrounding the driver, todays car models provide excellent occupant protection. But these safety features are being countered by distracted driving and higher rates of speed, leading to rising accident and death rates in recent years.Here is the top five list of most dangerous car brands.The five most dangerous car brandsAccording to their methodology, iSeeCars analyzed fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of model year 2018-2022 cars with car crashes that resulted in at least one occupant fatality to identify the most dangerous vehicles on U.S. roads today.RankMakeFatal Accident Rate (Cars per Billion Vehicle Miles)1Tesla5.62Kia5.53Buick4.84Dodge4.45Hyundai3.9Tesla's past recalls, other mishapsThis year, Tesla had several recalls on their models for parts and labor issues.In May, Tesla recalled more than 125,000 vehicles over concerns of a malfunction with the vehicles' seat belt warning system could increase the chance of injury in a crash.The recall applied to:Model S cars made between 2012 and 2024Model X vehicles made between 2015 and 2024Model 3s made between 2017 and 20232020-2023 Model Y vehiclesThere were also recalls for nearly 4,000 of its Cybertrucks after regulators discovered the accelerator pedal could get stuck as a result of a manufacturing error. According to NHTSA's defect notice, the Tesla Cybertruck had an issue with its accelerator pedal, which could become stuck and cause unintended acceleration.

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Shadowy BehaviourTurns out we can't have anything nice anymore, as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 spoilers are apparently already floating aroundThe film is due out later this week.Image credit: Paramount/ Sega News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Dec. 16, 2024 Be careful out there, Sonic fans, as spoilers for the third movie have seemingly hit the internet.Look, I'm not the biggest stickler for spoilers in the world, but they're still a bit annoying from time to time, and especially if it's for a film that hasn't even come out. There's a lot of joy in being surprised by something! And if you like me enjoy a good surprise, you might want to stay clear of anything to do with our good friend Sonic the Hedgehog, as it appears that spoilers for the third film have made their way online. I'm not going to link to it, but I have seen a video shared around of the film's post credits scene, which won't necessarily spoil the film itself considering the first couple of films just used them to set up the next one, but still something best viewed in the cinema.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. From what I've seen that's the one big spoiler that's been floating around, though it might still be worth muting some general Sonic-related terms just in case if you're particularly spoiler averse. You've only got four days to wait, as the film's worldwide release is this Friday, December 20, and the official Sonic the Hedgehog movie Twitter account has even said you shouldn't "disappoint Shadow" by sharing spoilers. You wouldn't want to do that now, would you? To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Last month director Jeff Fowler even specifically went out of his way to tease the post-credits scene for this third film, and earlier this month the film's producers confirmed there'll even be more than one of them - I can't tell you which of them have been shared online, potentially all of them, so again, best to stay off the internet for a few days. I'm sure you haven't managed to 100% complete Sonic x Shadow Generations yet so why don't you give that a go in the meantime.

Dun-dun-dun-duhh-duhWhile you wait for that Superman trailer, have a listen to the upcoming film's quite lovely main theme that calls back to the 1978 originalA little something to tide you over.Image credit: DC Studios News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Dec. 16, 2024 We won't be getting the first trailer for James Gunn's Superman until later in the week, but he has at least shared the main theme.There's a lot riding on James Gunn's shoulders at the moment. As co-CEO of DC Studios, he's the one leading the new DCU in a direction that'll either pay off tremendously, or have DC presumably abandon its connected film universe ambitions entirely (there's only so many times you can do a universe reboot, despite what the comics might tell you). As shared by Gunn himself on his personal Twitter account, a teaser trailer for his Superman film is finally coming this Thursday, offering up a first look at the new DCU - on the live action front, anyway, as his currently airing animated series Creature Commandos is actually the first project in the film universe. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.In order to tide you over until Thursday, though, Gunn also released a small snippet of what seems to be the film's main theme. You can check it out for yourself above, the audio paired with a sort-of-GIF of David Corenswet's Superman flying upwards, the theme playing as he does so. And it's quite lovely! Very mellow, nostalgic kind of vibe to it, and you don't have to listen too closely to hear that it has a callback to the 1978 Richard Donner directed film's main theme, of course incredibly composed by the one and only John Williams. To see this content please enable targeting cookies. This new theme will have been done by John Murphy, a composer who has a number of classics under his belt like 28 Days Later, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and 2021's The Suicide Squad, which Gunn also directed; this'll be the third film the pair has worked on together, as Murphy also did the score on Guardians of the Galaxy 3.After this week's teaser trailer, though, you've still got a bit of a wait to go, as Superman isn't due out until July 11 next year. I'm sure you'll manage!

In virtual production, this previsualization step is roughly the same, but the construction of the set takes place in a virtual environment instead of a physical space. This is handled by a specific team, called the virtual art department, which collaborates with everyone from VFX supervisors to carpenters to ensure a seamless blend of digital and real.When the set is created in digital space, virtual scouting can take place. Via this process, filmmakers can explore the space with virtual reality headsets and work out the best angles and shots, just like they would with real-world locations. Movies such as The Jungle Book and Avengers: Endgame used real-time engines for on-set previews of how green screen shots would look in the finished movies.Main virtual production techniquesUse of LED wallsWithout good-quality LED screens, ICVFX would fall apart. These fundamentally rely on the same technology that displays imagery on your TV, monitor, or smartphone, with a few key differences:No bezels: LED stages are created by building literal walls or volumes of multiple panels that seamlessly link together. Bezels are obviously a no-go in this environment, so LED screens feature edge-to-edge displays.Sturdy and versatile: The panels also have to be tough enough to withstand temperamental directors boots and versatile enough to mount in various scenarios, from large flat walls to cavernous volumes, where they can form part of the wall or ceiling.Increased brightness: Film sets are surprisingly bright places. A specialized LED screen is much brighter so it's visible on camera, even with studio lights in front of it, and so it can cast realistic lighting and reflections on physical actors and props. It also has a matte finish to avoid unwanted reflections on the screen itself.Excellent viewing angles: Have you ever noticed how cheaper monitors can look washed out when viewed from a certain angle? This effect would ruin a virtual production, so most LED panels are designed to be viewed from any angle.Low pixel pitch: Likewise, the distance between pixels on the screen (known as pixel pitch) must be as low as possible. If the pixel pitch is too high, theres a risk of a moire effect when the camera is close to the screen, which can cause unwanted wavy or shimmering lines. Today, 1.8mm is considered a good pitch but panels used in the production of Tomorrowland in 2015 featured a pitch as high as 11mm!Color accuracy and calibration: Spot-on color reproduction is essential for seamlessly blending the LED wall or volume with real-world props and actors. For instance, a virtual desert shot might use real sand on set, so its crucial that the colors and lighting match accurately.Rear projection and virtual setsRear projection is nothing new. Those unconvincing shots of actors driving cars against shaky backgrounds in old films made use of this technology by placing a car in front of a projector and replaying footage of a road. Fortunately, its come a long way since then but the fundamental principle is the same.In an ICVFX production, a car can be placed in front of a moving CG landscape to create a convincing illusion that the vehicle is in motion. However, unlike old rear projection systems, the angle, lighting, and content of the backdrop can be changed if necessary. We used this technique to create the moving steam train footage for Ray Tracing FTW.

Need to get away for a while? We recommend cozy and calming video games.Escapism is often central to the intrinsic nature of video games. They offer imaginary settings with active engagementmeaning the worlds arent real, but our interactions with them very much are.While escapism in gaming often conjures images of gamers taking on bombastic roles like a superhero, a rockstar, or an intergalactic savior, it can also be a retreat into cozy and calming video game worlds. The benefits of cozy games include a renewed sense of accomplishment, strengthened emotional resilience, entering a calming flow state of relaxation and concentration, and so much more.Cozy games have their own thriving subgenre, offering a wide variety of relaxing experiences you might not have encountered before. Lets explore some new ways for you to escape the hustle and bustle of the real world with great games to help you unwind at the end of the day.All of the cozy games from our list are available within the Wholesome Snack 2024 Bundle.Fae Farm (2023)Fae Farm is a cozy and customizable farm simulator RPG that gives players a feeling of peace and optimism. Farm sims like Fae Farm give players a sense of accomplishment with its goal orientated development of the farmland itself and the people youll befriend and help within the game.As your farm grows, you can befriend cute and cuddly magical creatures to add to your pastures and explore the enchanting island of Azoria alongside up to four human players. The multiplayer component of Fae Farm fosters a sense of community and friendshipwarm feelings that remind you of the happier aspects of life and society.These cozy and unique features are why Fae Farm is one of the best relaxation games for mental wellness. Interestingly, the magical elements of Fae Farm seem to amplify the escapism inherent in this cozy title, making it even more enchanting.Minami Lane (2024)Create and manage your own cozy street, and watch the world around it evolve with each decision you make in Minami Lane. Build ramen stalls, karaoke bars, and more to turn your block into the coziest street in town. This bite-sized casual management sim, designed to be enjoyed in 2-4 hours, offers a delightful slice of kawaii, Japanese-inspired life.The positive reinforcement in Minami Lane feels so good as you watch your street grow, inhabitants smile, and the community thrive all because of your fantastic decision making. The heartwarming, throwback soundtrack and the warm, artistic color palette create a comforting shield against the icy cold chills of reality.Feel the vibe check passing in real-time as you unwind with this calming video game.Spirit City: Lofi Sessions (2024)Relax, rethink your agenda, and recharge alongside cute little cozy Spirit Companions in Spirit City: Lofi Sessions. Integrate your real-life tasks into the game with a collection of handy features like to-do lists, pomodoro timers, and habit trackers designed to improve concentration and ease stress. Customize your avatar and your own cozy in-game bedroom with countless patterns & colors, furniture, and seasonal decor.Lofi Sessions masterfully blends productivity and relaxation into a powerful remedy for any negative emotions swirling around you. Feel your anxiety and stress gently fade as you earn positive reinforcement and XP for completing tasks you might have been dreading. The calming effect of Spirit City: Lofi Sessions soundtrack enhances the chill vibesadd gentle rain or rolling storm filters to any track for a fully customized destressing session.This is truly one of the best games for unwinding. Watch your cares slip away as you settle into the satisfyingly slow-paced routine of Spirit City: Lofi Sessions.In ConclusionThe positive connection between calming video games and mental health can be felt the moment you enter a title screen. The warm and soothing tones a welcoming menu to usher you into a game state of total relaxation is second to none.Feel the positive mental health benefits of gaming for yourself and pick up one of the cozy titles from our Wholesome Snack 2024 Bundle today.

The series celebrates its 30th anniversary next year.Bandai Namco has kicked off its Tales series 30th-anniversary celebrations with the Anniversary Project Special Broadcast. And while there were no special surprises or announcements, series producer Yusuke Tomizawa did reiterate that the team would be working on more remasters.In the original Japanese broadcast (reported on by Gematsu), Tomizawa-san stated that he couldn't reveal specific plans, but did say that Bandai Namco intends to "provide fairly consistently."Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Image: Nintendo LifeNintendo has officially kicked off its Switch eShop Holiday Sale in Europe, bringing beefy discounts to thousands of games until 12th January 2024.And yes, we said "thousands". Indeed, there are so many games currently seeing a price cut on the eShop that it can be difficult to know where to start, but that's where we come in. Below, we've laid out every game in the Nintendo Holiday Sale that we've awarded 9/10 or higher, so you can filter through to the cream of the crop in no time.The list may seem a little shorter than usual for now, though Nintendo has announced that more games will be added to the sale on 24th and 30th December, so keep an eye out for more discounted delights in the coming weeks.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube788kWatch on YouTube Note. We've given sale prices in GBP followed by the percentage discount, but commensurate EUR savings can be found across European eShops.If you want to pick up some credit to assist in your eShop purchases, you can head over to the Nintendo Life store or see all available options in the links below.Buy Nintendo eShop CreditUSACANUKEURJPNSo, let's dive into some of the top discounted picks, presented below in alphabetical order...A Short Hike (Switch eShop)Publisher: Whippoorwill / Developer: Adam Robinson-YuRelease Date: 18th Aug 2020 (USA) / 18th Aug 2020 (UK/EU)3.77 (-40%)A Short Hike is a fat-free experience from top to bottom or should we say bottom to top? It's the kind of game that makes us sigh with happiness when we recall our time with it, and even having played it through to its ostensible conclusion multiple times, we know for a fact there are still things to see and do on that mountain.It's something of an apotheosis a milestone in indie games akin to Cave Story or Spelunky. The very best bits of multiple game genres, stripped of all padding and bloat, mixed perfectly into a delicious video game stew that only gets richer the more you play.An exploration in every sense of the word, A Short Hike is cute without being twee, challenging without being obnoxious, and emotional without being cloying. A landmark game for all ages. Don't miss this one.Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition (Switch)Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Project AcesRelease Date: 11th Jul 2024 (USA) / 11th Jul 2024 (UK/EU)32.99 (-34%)Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the absolute pinnacle of the series and despite coming to Switch over five years after other platforms, this 'impossible' Switch conversion does very little to degrade the experience. Long-time franchise players and military aviation enthusiasts will be overwhelmed by the fan service at every turn, from craters on the ground to airplanes, liveries, callsigns, and emblems shouting out to previous entries.We understand the genre is uniquely niche, but if this is your first foray into the franchise, this conversion is a perfect gateway into this rich, revered series. You get tons of content and an epic single-player campaign wrapped up in triple-A presentation that delivers the most comprehensive portable experience ever from Project Aces.Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.Alien: Isolation (Switch eShop)Publisher: SEGA / Developer: Creative AssemblyRelease Date: 5th Dec 2019 (USA) / 5th Dec 2019 (UK/EU)9.99 (-33%)Alien: Isolation is a survival horror masterpiece and straight-up one of the very best horror video games ever released. It's a nerve-wracking affair a slow, methodical game of cat and mouse against a brilliantly clever recreation of one of cinema's most infamous killers but if you're up to the task you'll find one of the most satisfying gameplay experiences in the genre; a brilliant and beautiful homage to one of the greatest Sci-Fi movies of all time. Feral Interactive has done a stellar job with this Switch port and the excellent motion controls and inclusion of all previously-released DLC only go to sweeten the deal. This is essential stuff for survival horror fans.Alisa Developer's Cut (Switch eShop)Publisher: Top Hat Studios / Developer: Casper CroesRelease Date: 6th Feb 2024 (USA) / 6th Feb 2024 (UK/EU)12.14 (-25%)Alisa Developer's Cut is an excellent homage to classic survival horror that can easily stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark. From the tank controls to the cheesy voiceover work, it nails almost every aspect, providing an experience that feels like it was ripped straight from the '90s. Its overall appeal will likely be limited to those who are intimately familiar with survival horror, but if that's you, then strap yourself in for one of the best examples of the genre to date.Armello (Switch eShop)Publisher: League of Geeks / Developer: League of GeeksRelease Date: 27th Sep 2018 (USA) / 27th Sep 2018 (UK/EU)7.99 (-60%)While this turn-based affair might look, move, and feel just like a real board game, Armello is actually a completely original creation and one that does more than simply doff its cap at the world of tabletop gaming. From the deep tactics of its living board game gameplay to the sheer charm of its worldbuilding and animal character designs, it's a quest filled with back-stabbing, political power plays, and rampaging monsters thats different each and every time you play. Its at its absolute best when played in multiplayer, that human factor making for an even more unpredictable battle for the corrupted throne. The Switch version has had its ups and downs since launch, with some updates making things worse, but it's apparently back to being in a playable state on Nintendo's console. As such, youd be doing yourself a disservice not to add this anthropomorphic tale to your wishlist.Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (Switch)Publisher: Koei Tecmo / Developer: GustRelease Date: 24th Mar 2023 (USA) / 24th Mar 2023 (UK/EU)27.49 (-45%)Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key ends Ryza's three-game run on a high note, serving up a heady mix of exploration, crafting, and combat that benefits greatly from a narrative arc that's had time to develop and grow. The new key mechanics add more depth to combat, synthesis, and exploration, the world is more seamless and diverse than ever before and the whole thing comes together to form a satisfying end for this hugely popular protagonist. We did have some issues with small text, no English dub, and a little fussiness in how information is relayed, but overall this is Gust's finest adventure to date and a JRPG experience that long-term fans and newcomers alike will find plenty to delight in.Blazing Chrome (Switch eShop)Publisher: The Arcade Crew / Developer: JoyMasherRelease Date: 11th Jul 2019 (USA) / 11th Jul 2019 (UK/EU)4.58 (-70%)For those longing for a time when side-scrolling shooters ruled the roost, Blazing Chrome is exactly what you're looking for. Perfect for short sessions, its slick gameplay and old-school art direction make for an astonishingly fun game full of explosions, epic set pieces and spectacular boss battles. Its brutal difficulty may not be for everyone, but if you're up for the challenge, then get ready for one of the most accomplished 2D action titles in years.BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light (Switch)Publisher: Koei Tecmo / Developer: GustRelease Date: 9th Nov 2021 (USA) / 9th Nov 2021 (UK/EU)19.99 (-60%)Blue Reflection: Second Light improves on almost every aspect of the original, with a mystery that feels more personal as the characters become closer. The relationship between the girls as they seek to discover why they were brought to this strange world is the star of the show; though the combat is fun, it is always a vehicle to get you more story rather than the driving force of the game. Second Light is a fantastic-looking anime adventure that you'll love, so long as you can accept that combat isn't the focus.Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Switch eShop)Publisher: Finji / Developer: FinjiRelease Date: 15th Dec 2021 (USA) / 15th Dec 2021 (UK/EU)8.54 (-50%)As an adventure game, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is quite sincerely up there with the very best of the genre. Theres plenty to see and do and a full completion run will probably take you 25-30 hours. The characters and their travails are rich and likeable, the games sense of humour is generally inspired, and its all very sweet without being sugary-twee and talking down to the player. Its also an affecting little tearjerker that will definitely strike a chord if you make art, and almost certainly will even if you dont so long as youre capable of pretty basic empathy. Chicory is simple to play but impressively long and complex, with perfect controls, performance and visuals. Throw yourself into painting the world and youll be left with a game thats very much your own and speaks to you directly a beautiful marriage of mechanics, themes and visuals.Crawl (Switch eShop)Publisher: Powerhoof / Developer: PowerhoofRelease Date: 19th Dec 2017 (USA) / 19th Dec 2017 (UK/EU)2.59 (-80%)We really like Crawl, and wed bet our collected stash of gold and wrath you will, too. A dungeon-crawling hack-and-slash affair with roguelike elements, one player is the hero trying to get through a dungeon and the others play as monster-controlling ghosts attempting to kill said hero and take their place.It's an everyone-for-themselves free-for-all, yet there are opportunities for frantic 3v1 co-operative play a necessity when all the non-hero ghost characters must take joint control of bosses the hero faces. Its great fun in single-player thanks to some aggressive AI, but that consistent danger takes on a new dimension when you and three of your friends are jostling for XP and that all-important killing blow.Competitive couchplay doesnt get much better than this on Switch.Crypt of the NecroDancer (Switch eShop)Publisher: Brace Yourself Games / Developer: Brace Yourself GamesRelease Date: 1st Feb 2018 (USA) / 8th Feb 2018 (UK/EU)3.59 (-80%)A roguelike at heart with a rhythm-game soul, Crypt Of The NecroDancer is a sublime experience thats a must-play for fans of the genre(s). Its upbeat, uptempo take on dungeon crawling is infectious, and theres enough content here to last even the savviest of spelunkers for many, many dance-fuelled dives into the depths if youve never tangoed with the NecroDancer, this fully-featured Switch edition is the perfect way to jump in. For anybody who never played this but loved the Zelda spin-off Cadence of Hyrule (and was left wanting more), what are you waiting for?Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition (Switch eShop)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 20th Feb 2020 (USA) / 20th Feb 2020 (UK/EU)7.99 (-50%)Even so many years after its 2005 debut, Devil May Cry 3 remains one of the very best action games ever made. It may have aged in places, but that turbo-charged, combo-heavy action feels as fresh today as it did back in the mid-noughties. The new Freestyle mode which lets players swap combat styles on the fly at any point during the action is a genuinely excellent addition to the package, and the ability to play Bloody Palace in local co-op is the cherry on top of a Switch port that should appeal to anyone interested in sampling the devilish delights of this all-time classic.Dragon Ball FighterZ (Switch)Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Arc System WorksRelease Date: 28th Sep 2018 (USA) / 28th Sep 2018 (UK/EU)7.99 (-84%)Dragon Ball FighterZ on the Switch is, simply put, one of the best fighting games we've seen on the system. Arc System Works went the extra mile in capturing the essence of the source material and distilled it into an incredible brawler that has lost nothing in the transition to Nintendo's hybrid console. The stunning visuals, intense action, and easy-to-master controls make FighterZ a game all fans of the genre should have in their library. If you only play this kind of game casually, it remains a must-own.Dusk (Switch eShop)Publisher: New Blood Interactive / Developer: New Blood InteractiveRelease Date: 28th Oct 2021 (USA) / 28th Oct 2021 (UK/EU)7.44 (-50%)Dusk is one hell of an impressive piece of software and possibly the single best Unity port to Switch we've ever seen, sidestepping typical performance problems and delivering a brilliant experience of a brilliant game. It's not as good a game as Quake, but almost nothing is. There's a relatively limited arsenal of weapons they're all great, but there's no iconic gun here, just your usual pistol, shotty, assault rifle, explosives, et al. We're being churlish with our criticisms here, though ultimately, Dusk is another absolute cracker in Switch's FPS roster.Everhood (Switch eShop)Publisher: Foreign Gnomes / Developer: Foreign GnomesRelease Date: 4th Mar 2021 (USA) / 4th Mar 2021 (UK/EU)6.74 (-50%)Everhood is one of the most memorable games weve played in recent years. A mad mix of RPG, rhythm action, kart racing and bullet-hell shmup, its utterly bonkers plot and weird cast of characters is reason enough to check it out, but the instantly accessible rhythmic combat will keep you hooked from the very first battle to the epic final boss encounter. Some may be put off by the minimal visual design and deliberately vague sequence of events, but for those after something a bit different, Everhood delivers originality and unique gameplay in spades and absolutely deserves a place in your Switch library.Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (Switch eShop)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 30th Jun 2023 (USA) / 30th Jun 2023 (UK/EU)12.49 (-50%)Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective was one of the best games on Nintendo DS. Now it is one of the best games on Nintendo Switch. If you're a fan of Ace Attorney, Danganronpa, AI: The Somnium Files, or just of having a good dang time with a brilliant story and stunning art, then why are you still here? Go and get the game. Now. Go!!!!