Mass Effect 2 is celebrating its 15-year anniversary today, January 26, 2025. Below, we look back at its unique episodic structure, and how other developers have not picked up its torch.Most RPGs are like fantasy or science-fiction novels. The cross-continental journeys of Final Fantasy X or Dragon Age: Origins feel analogous to The Lord of the Rings or The Wheel of Time. Even sandboxes like Baldur's Gate 3 lean on a linear set of events, the disruption of routine key to fantasy fiction. Mass Effect 2 is a serious contrast, instead modeling itself after a season of television. I'm not the first person to make this comparison, but even after a decade and a half of further RPG releases, ME2's structure remains striking. The format helped catapult ME2 to upper echelons of many greatest-games lists. It is still the most beloved entry of the franchise, beating out its incomplete and controversial siblings. However, without the novelty of experiencing it for the first time, ME2 feels more like a valiant first effort at something new, rather than the apex of the form.To summarize, protagonist Shepard is tasked with recruiting 12 party members to accompany him on a "suicide mission." Outside of a few main quests, most of ME2's runtime concerns itself with recruiting those characters and helping them resolve their personal issues. ME2's main plot is ultimately inconsequential to the trilogy's broader machinations. Instead, the game's series of one-off missions steal the show, making ME2 more character-focused than its kin. One could argue that Baldur's Gate 3, with its three acts, or Dragon Age: Origins, with its hub areas, have episodic structures. But each mission in ME2 is essentially an episode of TV. Most are entirely self-contained, and few relate back to the main plot in any meaningful way. They act the way individual episodes in a television show might act. The game is a serious attempt to bring the long-term, routine-focused dynamics of classic Star Trek to a massive RPG.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Two is better than one. But then three is better than two, and you get the idea. Co-op gaming can be an absolute blast as you work together with friends to solve puzzles, bring down gigantic beasts, or just annoy each other in goofy ways.2025 looks absolutely stuffed with big-name games and exciting experiences that can be shared together with a friend or even in groups. We're talking a new Monster Hunter entry and an Elden Ring spin-off, for instance, and that just scratches the surface. Below, you will find a lengthy list of our most-anticipated co-op games arranged by release order. Though, do note, not every title has a specific date and will be grouped together near the end. For more, be sure to check out GameSpot's 2025 upcoming games release schedule. Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power BattleDeveloper: AspyrPlatforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: January 23Swing around a lightsaber to cut down some clankers in this latest Star Wars revival game from Aspyr, which previously brought Knights of the Old Republic 2 and Bounty Hunter to PC and consoles. If desired, you can be the Jedi master as Qui-Gon Jinn while your mate has to be the padawan as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Or, bring balance to the Force of your friendship in couch co-op by selecting from an assortment of other characters in this action arcade game, such as Mace Windu, Queen Padme, or even Jar Jar Binks. See on Fanatical Orcs Must Die: DeathtrapDeveloper: Robot EntertainmentPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|SRelease Date: January 28Become a war mage with up to three other friends and protect the rift in Orcs Must Die: Deathtrap. The name describes the game here, as dispatching orcs with crossbows and magic is of utmost importance with your character. But on top of that, the third-person action game mixes in tower-defense aspects, so you can place traps throughout the map to assist in defeating foes. Between stages, upgrade your abilities, traps, and weapons before taking on a new challenge. It'll be available on day one through Game Pass. See on Steam Sniper Elite: ResistanceDeveloper: RebellionPlatforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4Release Date: January 30Team up to take down Nazis inside France during World War II. Occurring at the same time as Sniper Elite 5, Resistance features first-time main protagonist Harry Hawker. However, the entire campaign can be played through with a comrade online. That means the two of you can giggle at or be disgusted by the franchise's well-known X-ray mode, which showcases how a bullet can rip through human flesh. GameSpot's preview noted that Sniper Elite: Resistance is like a warm serving of comfort food. See on Amazon Monster Hunter WildsDeveloper: CapcomPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5Release Date: February 28There is nothing quite like the thrill of the hunt of an enormous beast in this action-RPG franchise. With Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom is going full open-world--the hub is not a separate area--as well as introducing storms and seasons that affect the landscape. So be prepared to squad up with three other players to brave the elements and bring down fantastical beasts. GameSpot got to go hands-on with the title and believes Monster Hunter Wilds doesn't sacrifice depth while streamlining the experience. See on Fanatical Begone BeastDeveloper: TandemiPlatforms: PCRelease Date: February 2025 (early access)This co-op hack-and-slash game has players wielding flashlights that can transform into weapons like a sword, bow and arrow, and a huge hammer. Oh, and there's a lot of screaming in this roguelike title. Developer Tandemi touts its dynamic AI director and map-outline maker to ensure each run for players is truly unique. See on Steam Split FictionDeveloper: Hazelight StudiosPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5Release Date: March 6There might not be a better co-op developer in the world than Hazelight Studios, which previously created A Way Out and It Takes Two. Like those games, Split Fiction is co-op only (no single-player option) and sees players assuming the roles of writers Zoe and Mio. One is a fantasy author, while the other loves sci-fi tales. Split Fiction sees their words coming to life and has players adventuring through their creative worlds, each featuring different mechanics. See on Amazon Commandos: OriginsDeveloper: Claymore Game StudiosPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5Release Date: March 2025Take on dangerous missions in this World War II tactical stealth game with a friend. The co-op mode works locally or online, letting players tackle challenges like sabotaging their enemies or rescuing allies together in the strategy game. Plus, you get to beat up some Nazis, which is always a good thing. See on Steam Killing Floor 3Developer: Tripwire InteractivePlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5Release Date: March 2025Coming out almost nine years after Killing Floor 2, this new entry in the co-op horror series sees up to six players working together to take down bioengineered monsters. Killing Floor 3 wants to ensure you're properly equipped--along with your buddies--to cut through the enemy Zeds as well. That's why flamethrowers and katanas will be at your disposal. And they will lead to "even more realistic carnage" than previously seen in the series, according to developer Tripwire. Killing Floor 3 is also included in GameSpot's most-anticipated horror games for 2025. See on Fanatical Revenge of the Savage PlanetDeveloper: Raccoon Logic StudiosPlatforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4Release Date: May 2025This silly sci-fi sequel sees a major shift in perspective, as Revenge of the Savage Planet has a third-person viewpoint compared to the original's first-person camera. But the goofy humor and poop jokes are back for round two. Speaking of two, Revenge of the Savage Planet sports online and couch co-op, so players can work together to explore four different alien planets. Together, you can lasso odd aliens or jump into strange waters. From there, make these foreign places your own since you're basically a disregarded and fired space explorer. See on Amazon The House of the Dead 2: RemakeDeveloper: MegaPixel StudioPlatforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: Spring 2025 (North America)"Reload. Reload. Reload." Get ready to hear that on repeat in The House of the Dead 2: Remake, a horror rail-shooter game that sees players blasting away zombies. Along with a campaign featuring branching pathways, this title will offer a Boss Rush mode for two people to tackle. The House of the Dead 2: Remake is based on the original arcade game from Sega, which first hit home consoles on Dreamcast in 1999. Developer MegaPixel Studio is updating the visuals as well as remastering the soundtrack, though the original music will be available as well. See on Steam Dying Light: The BeastDeveloper: TechlandPlatforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4Release Date: Summer 2025 (North America)Set in Castor Woods, Dying Light: The Beast sees the return of the first game's protagonist, Kyle Crane. Apparently, he's been a prisoner for over a decade, and in that time was experimented on. But now he's broken free, and fans believe Crane will be able to transform into a beast of sorts, hence the subtitle. However, you don't have to venture out into the game's zombie-infested open world alone. Dying Light: The Beast offers four-player co-op. See on Steam Double Dragon ReviveDeveloper: Yuke'sPlatforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4Release Date: October 23The Lee brothers are returning in a new arcade beat-'em-up, though it's unclear whether this is a remake of the 1987 original or just incorporating past elements from the franchise. Regardless, Double Dragon Revive is promising a playable cast of characters that's bigger than just Billy and Jimmy. Marian, who's the girlfriend kidnapped in the first game, is able to dish out the pain this time, alongside a ninja named Yagyu Ranzo. See on Steam Elden Ring NightreignDeveloper: From SoftwarePlatforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4Release Date: 2025This co-op action-RPG is a standalone spin-off of Elden Ring that focuses on teamwork to take down the Nightlord. Elden Ring Nightreign sees a trio of players venturing out into Limveld where the goal is to survive a "a three-day-and-night cycle." That task will feature Dark Souls enemies, with relics carrying over between runs to help against those foes as the game takes a page from roguelikes.Two important things to keep in mind with this highly anticipated title: Elden Ring Nightreign isn't a live-service game and won't offer cross-play between different platform families. See on Fanatical Subnautica 2Developer: Unknown WorldsPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|SRelease Date: 2025 (early access)This open-water survival sequel is officially offering co-op for up to four players, after Subnautica and its spin-off Below Zero were solo-only affairs. In addition, Subnautica 2 will take place in a new alien ocean full of weird underwater lifeforms and various biomes. Like the previous game, it's all about exploring the deep seas and then returning to build a base as well as crafting. See on Steam FBC: Firebreak Developer: Remedy EntertainmentPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5Release Date: 2025Like Elden Ring Nightreign, FBC: Firebreak is a co-op spin-off to a fan-favorite single-player game--this time being Control. A trio of players will fight against the creepy Hiss enemies from a first-person perspective, another big change from Control. It's up to you, and friends, to bring order back to the Oldest House. See on Steam Borderlands 4 Developer: GearboxPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5Release Date: 2025New vault hunters, a new baddie, and of course, new loot. Those are just a few of the promises for Borderlands 4, the next installment in the widely popular looter-shooter series. Gearbox is also touting that the new game will feature a seamless world and movement mechanics that may make it tough to revisit previous entries in the franchise. As for the humor, it sounds like you won't have to worry about Skibidi or Hawk Tuah jokes. Basically, Borderlands 4 narrative director Sam Winkler wants to cut down on some of the toilet humor. See on Steam Little Nightmares 3Developer: Supermassive GamesPlatforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: 2025The aim of adding co-op to Little Nightmares 3 is to amp up the scare factor for the series. This time, players can pair up to survive The Maw as the protagonists Low and Alone. The former has a bow at their disposal, while the latter utilizes a wrench. These weapons are needed for the game's puzzles as well as fending off horrific creatures. Like Killing Floor 3, Little Nightmares 3 is also included in GameSpot's most-anticipated horror games for 2025. See on Amazon Terminator: SurvivorsDeveloper: Nacon Studio MilanPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5Release Date: 2025Taking place four years after Judgment Day, Terminator: Survivors sees you and your friends trying to keep mankind alive. As such, this open-world survival game has players searching for materials and other people to build a base. But, of course, Skynet and its machines are on the hunt for you, including the Terminator. The game was originally planned for 2024 but got pushed back to this year. See on Amazon 33 ImmortalsDeveloper: Thunder LotusPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|SRelease Date: Early Access in 2025This action-roguelike boasts the biggest player count for co-op on this list with--you probably guessed it--33 players. 33 Immortals is the next game from the developers behind Spiritfarer and sees them going in a totally different direction that's self-described as "pick up and raid." Basically, the action-RPG plans to offer an MMO-like raid as players go against the wrath of God. Oh, and don't worry about organizing a massive meetup with all of your buddies for 33 Immortals, as the game will offer instant matchmaking. See on Epic Games Store Streets of Rogue 2Developer: TinyBuildPlatforms: PCRelease Date: 2025This sandbox sequel gives you the choice to steal, fight, farm, or hack your way to overthrowing a corrupt president. Streets of Rogue 2 takes inspiration from games like Stardew Valley and Terraria but also does its own chaotic and goofy things. Two ways developer TinyBuild dishes out to tackle the game are creating a zombie outbreak or getting ancient vampires to work with you. Of course, the silliness can be turned up from there by playing locally or online with friends. See on Fanatical Sunderfolk Developer: Secret DoorPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: 2025This tactical RPG is inspired by tabletop board games, even requiring a foursome to play together in the same room. On top of that, Sunderfolk has players utilizing a smartphone app to control their anthropomorphic animal (there are six classes to select). There is quite the pedigree behind the game, too, with numerous ex-Blizzard folks working on the project. Game director Erin Marek told GameSpot in December that Gloomhaven is a major inspiration for the title. See on Steam Primal PlanetDeveloper: SeethingswarmPlatforms: PCRelease Date: 2025This metroidvania game sees a cave dweller obtaining crafting tools and exploring a primeval map full of dinosaurs and eventually aliens. But players don't have to adventure alone in Primal Planet as is common in this popular side-scrolling genre. A second person can locally control a sinosauropteryx to help with battling and problem-solving. See on Steam Tears of Metal Developer: Paper CultPlatforms: PCRelease Date: 2025Slice and dice through scores of foes in this co-op action roguelike, which gives off some Braveheart vibes thanks to the Scottish setting. Each run will see you trying to learn more about a dragon meteor. This rock is apparently responsible for your enemies, as well as some mysterious powers. See on Steam Gears of War: E-Day Developer: The CoalitionPlatforms: PC, Xbox Series X|SRelease Date: TBASometimes you have to go back to go forward. That's what The Coalition is doing with Gears of War: E-Day, a new entry in the storied series that's set 14 years before the original game. That means players will assume the role of a young Marcus Fenix and his buddy, Dom, as they face off against the Locusts when they first emerge on Sera. The prequel was announced at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, and details have been sparse since then. However, The Coalition will utilize Unreal Engine 5 for the third-person, cover-based shooter. See on Steam Stage Fright Developer: Ghost Town GamesPlatforms: PCRelease Date: TBAFrom the creators of Overcooked, Stage Fright looks to mix elements from its frantic chef-inspired game with the silly spookiness of Luigi's Mansion. Ghost Town Games says that the goal with the co-op title is to stretch your mind with escape-room challenges instead of focusing on quick reflexes. The experience will offer online and couch co-op. See on Fanatical

"Eternal Holy City" Okhema is a safe place for the citizens of Amphoreus in Honkai: Star Rail, and it is unlocked during Trailblaze Mission 'Silver Chariot, Away to that Blackened Land.' One of the Chrysos Heir Aglaea even rewards Trailblazer and Dan Heng their own private bathroom chamber as a thanks for the effort in protecting the holy city.

Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings is now live on PS Plus Premium with a full trophy list. The obscure PS2 game joined the classics catalog on PS Plus Premium earlier this week, and brings glad tidings for trophy hunters as well.

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After a series of unfortunate delays, the next installment in the Assassins Creed franchise is coming to PC and consoles on Mar. 20. Assassins Creed Shadows follows protagonists Naoe and Yasuke through 16th-century Japan on a quest for vengeance, while continuing the modern-day Assassins versus Templars storyline thats always been at the center of the series. The gameplay of Shadows combines some of the best elements of previous Assassins Creed titles, but most notably marks the return of the more robust loot system that was trimmed for the leaner experience of Assassins Creed Mirage.If youd like to pre-order this new entry in the stealthy and stabby franchise, weve compiled every version of Assassins Creed Shadows thats currently available to pre-order, what you get with each edition, and where you can find them.Assassins Creed Shadows- Standard EditionPre-ordering the standard version of Assassins Creed Shadows from any retailer, whether physical or digital, grants you access to the Thrown to the Dogs bonus quest at launch and the Claws of the Awaji expansion, which will become available later in 2025. However, there are some slight differences depending on which retailer you purchase from. Reserving a copy at Target will gets you access to an exclusive Steelbook case, while reserving the Limited Edition from Amazon gets you the Naoe Sekiryu Character pack which includes a modest collection of in-game cosmetics in addition to the pre-order quest content.Currently you can preorder a physical copy of the $69.99 Standard Edition for Xbox or PlayStation from Amazon, Target, or GameStop. However, if youre playing on PC you can also reserve a digital version of the game on Steam or the Epic Games Store.Assassins Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe EditionThe Digital Deluxe Edition of Assassins Creed Shadows features all of the pre-order quest content from the standard edition but also includes some additional in-game items. Youll get the Sekiryu Dual Pack which includes a collection of cosmetic items for both Yosuke and Naoe along with some extra decorations for your hideout and five Mastery Points to jump start your adventure.The $89.99 Digital Deluxe Edition of Assassins Creed Shadows is available to pre-order for consoles from Xbox or PlayStation, while PC players can reserve a copy from Steam or the Epic Games Store.Assassins Creed Shadows Collectors EditionIf you want actual physical bonus items with your copy of Assassins Creed Shadows, the Collectors Edition is the best place to get them. This version of the game features all of the digital content included with the lesser versions of Assassins Creed Shadows, but also includes the following items:Steelbook case76-page concept art bookletLife-size replica of the hilt of Yosukes katanaFold out world map15.7-inch statuette of Naoe and YosukeWall scroll with the Assassins Creed on it (27.6 x 11.8-inches)Two lithographs (5.3 x 7.5-inches)The $229.99 Collectors Edition of Assassins Creed Shadows is available to pre-order for PlayStation or Xbox exclusively from GameStop.

Modern Hollywoods foremost experimenter, Steven Soderbergh, has a new movie out this week, and its all about ghosts. Presence, his excellent new film and his first real foray into the horror genre, is shot entirely from the perspective of a ghost who inhabits a house where a new family has moved in. In the hands of nearly any other director, this kind of formal experiment could feel like a gimmick at best or, at worst, a movie-ruining annoyance but instead Soderbergh integrates it so effectively and smoothly that it feels like the most natural way to tell this story. Soderbergh carefully allows the camera-ghost to become a character at exactly the right times; otherwise, he lets the concept rest and relies on the movies fantastic script and family drama.So, in honor of Soderberghs achievement in ghostly innovation, it got us thinking about ghosts as a subgenre of horror, and all of the fascinating and inventive cinematic storytelling filmmakers have used to tell evocative ghost stories. You can probably think of a few movies that fit the bill off the top of your head: Theres The Sixth Sense and Paranormal Activity, even Field of Dreams if youre willing to stretch a little. But the well runs much deeper than those few movies. Here are some of our favorite unique ghost movies, each of which does something a little different with the genre.Carnival of SoulsDirector: Herk HarveyCast: Candace Hilligoss, Frances Feist, Sidney BergerWhere watch: Prime VideoThis film follows Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss), a young woman who survives a tragic car accident only to find herself pursued by a ghostly spirit with haunting eyes and a stark white face. Aside from just the spirit, Marys also inexplicably drawn to an abandoned carnival, which she finds herself constantly drifting toward for seemingly no reason at all.Carnival of Souls is an utterly strange and inescapably haunting classic, but the reason it belongs on this list is how quietly and effectively it slips ghostliness into the film. The ghosts in Carnival of Souls arent just haunting, theyre watchful and almost unnoticed, slipping eerily through crowds before doing something tangible, like reaching out and touching Mary before shes even seen them. Watching it now, over 62 years after its release, Carnival of Souls feels both recognizable, in how deeply it influenced not just ghost movies but the horror genre as a whole, and also still somehow surprisingly unique. While its inspirations are felt throughout the genre, its not quite like any movie thats come since.Lake MungoDirector: Joel AndersonCast: Rosie Traynor, David Pledger, Martin SharpeWhere to watch: Prime VideoLake Mungo is a found-footage film that tells the story of the Palmer family, whose 16-year-old daughter Alice drowns in the Australian lake that gives the movie its title. A few days after Alices funeral, the family begins hearing strange noises and waking up to bizarre occurrences in their house each morning. Alices older brother Matthew sets up a video camera to see whats going on, and the family realizes Alice seems to have returned to their home as a ghost they just cant figure out how or why.Theres no shortage of found-footage ghost movies, but few of them engage as meaningfully or interestingly with either concept as Lake Mungo does. What makes it unique is how actively it engages with both the faults of memory and the faults of film itself. Its constantly grappling with the ways that footage could be doctored or altered, and what it might mean for the supernatural to interact with digital manipulation. For the viewer, it also means a constant questioning of what were seeing in this pseudo-documentary is real and what isnt. The result is a film, much like Presence, that uses its ghostly subgenre to tell a deeply moving story about families and the secrets that pull them together and apart.Classic ghost moviesOf course, theres much more to the wider cinematic world of ghosts than just the strange and unique movies weve listed above. While the goal of this main list is to shed light on a few films you may not have seen, or that may have been doing something out of the ordinary, were certainly not immune to the classics either. With that in mind, here are five all-time ghost movie classics, in case the other five in this story werent enough to cure your paranormal curiosity.The HauntingWhere to watch: Rentable on Apple TV and Amazon Prime VideoPoltergeistWhere to watch: Paramount PlusThe ChangelingWhere to watch: Shudder, PeacockThe ShiningWhere to watch: Rentable on Apple TV and Amazon Prime VideoHouseWhere to watch: Max, Criterion ChannelKwaidanDirector: Masaki KobayashiCast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Rentar Mikuni, Tetsur TambaWhere to watch: MaxKwaidan is unique on this list in that it doesnt tell a single narrative story, but rather is made up of four different ghostly short stories. One short story tells the tale of an unfaithful swordsman, another of a man who makes a promise to a spirit, another of a musician who plays songs for the court of a long-dead emperor, and another of a man who sees someone elses face in a teacup.Kwaidan is both the easiest and hardest movie on this list to recommend. This isnt due to the movies quality its outstanding but rather due to the amorphousness of its influence and uniqueness. Its not just hard to imagine what this subgenre of horror might look like without Kwaidan, its downright impossible. The movies haunting tone and camerawork and the distinctive style with which each of its tales is told have seeped down into the very foundation of horror films and become inextricable from the films we love today which is reason enough to include it here.The Devils BackboneDirector: Guillermo del ToroCast: Fernando Tielve, Eduardo Noriega, Federico LuppiWhere to watch: Rentable on Apple TV or Amazon Prime VideoThe Devils Backbone is about an orphanage in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. One day, an orphan named Carlos arrives and begins to meet the other residents of the orphanage and explore its secrets. While most people might think the orphanages most interesting treasure is the cache of loyalist gold hidden somewhere on the grounds, Carlos finds himself more fascinated with (and terrified of) the ghostly boy who lurks the buildings halls at night.Many movies include ghosts as something other than malevolent spirits, enough that its a category that absolutely necessitates a place on this list, but what makes del Toros version of this narrative so compelling in The Devils Backbone is how elegantly he weaves them into the story and tone of the movie. The Spain of this movie feels constantly haunted by the recent past, and troubled by the wounds of its violence a literal bomb sits in the orphanages courtyard, unexploded but always threatening. Del Toro makes a ghostly presence in this place feel natural, like you couldnt imagine somewhere this terrifying not having a ghost in it. Its at once a more hopeful and haunting kind of ghost story than anything else on this list.PulseDirector: Kiyoshi KurosawaCast: Kumiko As, Haruhiko Kato, KoyukiWhere to watch: MaxThis 2001 masterpiece from Japanese horror legend Kiyoshi Kurosawa is perhaps the scariest movie on this list. Pulse follows several people in Japan whose dealings with computers, and time spent on the burgeoning internet, allow them to watch the slow tumble of ghosts into the real world. These ghosts take the place of the once-living humans and seem to be in constant, but passive, search for more victims.Despite the fact that its now nearly 25 years old, Pulse remains the definitive ghost story for the internet age. Its concept of ghosts who slip into our world through the internet feels as hauntingly plausible as it did when the technology was still mysterious and perhaps even more metaphorically sound than anyone in 2001 could have imagined. Whats more, the films signature images of lonely people on webcams, desperate for connection, fading into black spots on the wall only to return as haunting specters waiting to turn the rest of the world into something just as alone as they are is the most affecting, insightful, and tragic addition to ghostly cinema since the subgenres earliest films.

I asked six leading LLMs this question.Two of their answers surprised me. The rest were incorrect. Some were more misleadingly incorrect thanothers.This reveals a secret to designing effective and successful AI products. PerplexityYes, some mosquito species do bite leeches. A groundbreaking study by researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has revealed that the mosquito species Uranotaenia sapphirina feeds on the blood of earthworms and leeches. This discovery is significant because it challenges the long-held assumption that mosquitoes only feed on vertebrate animals.Key Findings Unique Feeding Behavior: Uranotaenia sapphirina, a common mosquito species in eastern North America, was found to obtain 100% of its blood meals from worms andleeches. Implications for Disease Transmission: This feeding behavior could potentially impact the transmission of pathogens. For example, Uranotaenia sapphirina mosquitoes that feed exclusively on worms and leeches have tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis virus and West Nilevirus. Indirect Virus Contact: While the mosquitoes are unlikely to become infected with these viruses by feeding on worms, there is a possibility that they could come into contact with viruses by feeding on leeches that have previously fed on virus-infected animalhosts.Broader ImplicationsThis discovery expands our understanding of mosquito host ranges and feeding behaviors. It suggests that the potential hosts for mosquitoes are considerably broader than previously thought. This new information could have significant implications for our understanding of disease transmission and mosquitoecology.The study highlights the need for further research into mosquito-host interactions, particularly regarding invertebrate hosts. As Lawrence Reeves, the lead researcher, stated, This study really highlights that we still have much to learn about mosquitoes. Correctanswer. Provides links to sources and related information. Provides shareable link to the conversation: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/do-mosquitoes-bite-leeches-w5huK163TuKAOcxnueZ8hg#0 Gemini 2.0 Flash ExperimentalIts an interesting question! While its not the norm, some mosquitoes do indeed biteleeches.Heres what weknow:Mosquitoes have diverse diets: While many mosquito species prefer the blood of vertebrates like mammals and birds, some species have been found to feed on invertebrates.A specific example: Research has shown that the mosquito species Uranotaenia sapphirina specifically feeds on the blood of earthworms and leeches. This was a surprising discovery, as it was previously thought that these mosquitoes primarily fed on frogs andtoads.So, in short, while its not common for all mosquitoes, some species do bite leeches for their blood. This highlights the diverse feeding habits of mosquitoes and how much we are still learning about their behavior. Correctanswer. Provided two source links, but presented many facts that lacked citations. Didnt provide a way to share a link to the answer or the related conversation. Claude 3.5Sonnet:This is a fascinating but very obscure ecological question. Based on my understanding of mosquito feeding habits, they generally dont bite leeches. Mosquitoes typically feed on warm-blooded animals (mammals and birds) because they are attracted to body heat, carbon dioxide, and specific chemical signatures these animals produce. Leeches, being cold-blooded invertebrates, wouldnt produce these attractive signals.Additionally, leeches have a tough, muscular body wall that would likely be difficult for a mosquitos proboscis to penetrate, unlike the softer skin of their usualhosts.Since this is quite an obscure question about a very specific ecological interaction that may not be well documented, I should note that while I aim to provide accurate information, I may hallucinate when answering questions about such specific and uncommon interactions. If youre interested in this for research purposes, Id recommend consulting a parasitologist or checking scientific literature on mosquito host preferences. Wrong answer. But Claude prominently warned me that this specific answer may be wrong. This is a huge improvement over the other incorrect LLMs, which presented their wrong answers authoritatively. Didnt provide links to sources or related information. Didnt provide a way to share a link to the answer or the related conversation. ChatGPTo1There is no documented evidence or strong biological reason to suggest that mosquitoes feed onor biteleeches. Mosquitoes typically seek vertebrate hosts (such as mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles) because they rely on cues like carbon dioxide, body heat, and certain body odors that are not produced in significant quantities byleeches.Why mosquitoes generally would not biteleechesHost detection:Mosquitoes use CO, heat, and chemical signals given off by vertebrates. Leeches (being invertebrates) do not emit these signals in a way that would attract mosquitoes.Feeding preferences:Mosquitoes are adapted to feed on vertebrate blood. While leeches do have a circulatory fluid, it is not the same as vertebrate blood, and it would not be considered a typical or efficient food source for mosquitoes.Habitat and behavior differences:Even though both mosquitoes and some leeches (particularly aquatic species) may share marshy or aquatic environments, their interactions are more or less incidental. Mosquitoes typically rest on surfaces above water or vegetation, while leeches remain in or very close to the water column or substrate, reducing any opportunity for directcontact.Consequently, while mosquitoes and leeches may coexist in similar habitats, mosquitoes do not typicallyand are not known totarget leeches as bloodmeal hosts. Wronganswer. Didnt provide links to sources or related information. Provides shareable link to the conversation: https://chatgpt.com/share/67730f81-98a0-8003-944b-1f4a1dc92cf5 MistralMosquitoes typically do not bite leeches. Mosquitoes are known to feed on the blood of various animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even some fish, but leeches are not a common target for them. Leeches themselves are blood-sucking creatures, but they feed on vertebrate animals, not on other invertebrates like mosquitoes.The feeding habits of mosquitoes and leeches are quite different, and there is no known ecological interaction where mosquitoes would feed on leeches. Mosquitoes use their proboscis to pierce the skin and suck blood, while leeches use their suckers and teeth to attach to their hosts and feed onblood. Wronganswer. Didnt provide links to sources or related information. Provides shareable link to the conversation:Le Chat - Mistral AI Llama (MetaAI)Mosquitoes primarily feed on nectar and other sugary substances. Female mosquitoes may bite animals and humans to obtain protein from blood, which they need to layeggs.Leeches, on the other hand, are primarily aquatic and feed on the blood and bodily fluids of otheranimals.There is no documented evidence of mosquitoes biting leeches. Their feeding habits and ecosystems generally dont overlap in a way that would lead to this behavior. Wronganswer. Didnt provide links to sources or related information. Didnt provide a way to share a link to the answer or the related conversation.Takeaways for AI productdesignAccuracy is critical. Of course AI product makers strive for accurate answers. But even the best LLMs will hallucinate and get things wrong sometimes.Just as important as accuracy is helping people calibrate trust so they can make better decisions.Research shows a repeated pattern in human behavior around early AI tools: people tend to bounce between counterproductive extremes of overreliance and aversion:Initial overreliance: When encountering an AI tool, people frequently accept its suggestions without double-checking them. They trust it too muchmore than they would a humanexpert.Algorithm aversion: After the tool makes a mistake, people often shut down and reject even helpful AI assistance. They trust it too littleless than they would a human expert who made amistake.To succeed, designers need to keep people involved, to help them find a healthily skeptical middle ground. How? Were still hammering out the best practices, but here are three core guidelines:1. Surface sources, and link tothemPerplexitys approachlinking to primary research and showing its workhelped people verify its surprising claim.Without sources, even correct answers (like Geminis) are harder to trust andverify.Making sources easily checkable builds credibilityand more importantly it encourages people to get involved and verifyclaims.As fully Explainable AI (XAI) seems more and more an unrealistic pipe dream (though approaches to show me your train of thought show promise in certain contexts), source attribution is more important thanever.2. Highlight risk, and help people manageitClaudes answer was wrong. But Claude served it up in a way that made it less likely for people to repost it as truth. Other LLMs included easily-ignored, ever-present LLMs may sometimes hallucinate warnings off to the sidebut in the midst of an output that seemed at higher-than-usual risk of inaccuracy, Claude pointed out that higher risk and advised me to fact-check a specificclaim.This stands in stark contrast to ChatGPT, Mistral, and Llama, which confidently presented incorrect reasoningAcknowledging uncertainty helps prevent destructive overreliance on AI systems. Research shows that, when AI tools present calibrated uncertainty, users can adjust their reliance appropriately and reduce confirmation bias in their decisionmaking.3. Design for verification and collaborationAI tools should make it easy for people to shareand questionfindings with other humans. Chats should default to privacy, and sensitive conversations about personal information or trade secrets should be kept private. But for simple questions about public information, we can make it easier to share parts of any conversation with friends and colleagues, to reduce misunderstanding that comes from loss of context and to encourage further fact-checking. Features like shareable conversation links and integrated source citations should be standard, not afterthoughts.This isnt just good product design its essential for building collective knowledge and trust, and for defusing disinformation.The future of AI products wont be determined by their accuracy alone, but by how well they help humans make better decisions.By designing to the complementary strengths of humans and of AI, we can augment human intelligence and agency, rather than attempting to replacethem.Sources / more backgroundAlgorithm Aversion: People Erroneously Avoid Algorithms After Seeing ThemErrAI Overreliance Is a Problem. Are Explanations a Solution?Overreliance on AI: Addressing Automation BiasTodayTo Trust or to Think: Cognitive Forcing Functions Can Reduce Overreliance on AI in AI-assisted Decision-makingIncreasing the Adoption of UX and the Products You Design Part 1 | Part2How People Can Createand DestroyValue with Generative AIShaping minds: how first impressions drive AIadoptionDo mosquitoes bite leeches? was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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