Final Fantasy 14's next patch, 7.2, will be called Seekers of Eternity and will be released at the end of March.The news was shared as part of the latest Letter from the Producer livestream, along with artwork for the patch.It will feature a new character, though her identity has been left a mystery for now beyond featuring in the new artwork.FINAL FANTASY XIV Letter from the Producer LIVE Part LXXXVWatch on YouTubeAs with previous patch 7.1 released in November (Crossroads), Seekers of Eternity will continue the main story after the events of Dawntrail. Eventually these will lead to the presumed next expansion. Who is the mysterious blue-haired character? | Image credit: Square EnixAs part of that story continuation, a new dungeon will be included in this patch called The Underkeep, which - like the story of Dawntrail - appears to take clear inspiration from Final Fantasy 9's Alexandria. A new Trial called Recollection against a Beatrix-esque cyborg will also be added.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Is that a robot Beatrix?! | Image credit: Square EnixOther additions in this patch include more Hildibrand Adventures, new Cornservant side quests, new Allied Society quests with the Mamool Ja, and a return of the PvP mode Frontline (Secure). The Arcadion will also continue with the Cruiserweight tier, while the Duty Support system will be extended to The Sunken Temple of Qarn.Further, we've finally received further details on the forthcoming Cosmic Exploration mode.This new activity is designed for crafters and gatherers as players explore stars, with new stars added in each major patch of the 7.x series. Players will "nurture the development of planets by completing missions and events as a community", including building a base of operations.Not much more is known yet, though more details will follow in the next livestream. It's clearly meant as a mirror to the Island Sanctuary farming mode from the previous expansion, with a bucolic setting swapped for a sci-fi aesthetic and a new experience aimed more at communal play than solo play. Your base of operations in Cosmic Exploration | Image credit: Square EnixAnother addition will be the Occult Crescent field operation, an island shrouded in mystery where players can explore its unmapped terrain and battle against its inhabitants. Players will join forces in small skirmishes against monsters, as well as larger boss battles, with this area also providing a new method of weapon enhancement.To enter the Occult Crescent players must be level 100, but interestingly it's introducing Phantom Jobs: essentially a secondary Job with additional support actions and traits. These Phantom Jobs include Monk, Bard, Geomancer, Ranger, Berserker, Time Mage, Chemist, and Cannoneer. These will be familiar to Final Fantasy 5 players and its Job system, and while the team wants to implement new Jobs in the next expansion, these Phantom Jobs allowed them to introduce Jobs that may not fit with the game otherwise. Could Phantom Jobs be a way of expanding the main game in future? | Image credit: Square EnixFinal Fantasy 14 players can receive a discount on 30 days access to Final Fantasy 11, in celebration of the Echoes of Vana'diel raid series introduced in the last patch.To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Lastly, director and producer Naoki Yoshida acknowledged a recent letter concerning a third-party tool used to reveal Player IDs against a player's will. Counter-measures against this will be implemented in Patch 7.2 and onwards.

"Artificial intelligence is an oxymoron, there's no such thing," says Take-Two boss"Machines don't learn. Those are convenient ways to explain to humans what looks like magic."Image credit: Rockstar / Eurogamer News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Feb. 7, 2025 Take-Two Interactive boss Strauss Zelnick has opened up about his views on AI, calling the concept of artificial intelligence "an oxymoron", adding that whilst there's "no doubt that what is considered AI today will help make our business more efficient", "it won't reduce employment" across the games industry.As reported by our sister site, GamesIndustry.biz, Zelnick was candid about his position on AI, but did concede that "the video game business will probably be on the leading, if not bleeding, edge of using AI".Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer.Watch on YouTube"Machine learning, machines don't learn," Zelnick said when asked by an investor to share his thoughts on AI's role in the industry."Those are convenient ways to explain to human beings what looks like magic. The bottom line is that these are digital tools and we've used digital tools forever. I have no doubt that what is considered AI today will help make our business more efficient and help us do better work, but it won't reduce employment."To the contrary, the history of digital technology is that technology increases employment, increases productivity, increases GDP and I think that's what's going to happen with AI. I think the video game business will probably be on the leading, if not bleeding, edge of using AI."In terms of guardrails, however, Zelnick stressed that it was important AI did "not infringe on other people's intellectual property by poaching their LLMs", adding: "Yeah. We're not going to do that"."Moreover, if we did, we couldn't protect that, we wouldn't be able to protect our own IP," he explained. "So of course, we're mindful of what technology we use to make sure that it respects others' intellectual property and allows us to protect our own. Apart from that, I really can't think of any new guardrails that need to be implemented."Yes, Rockstar Games' hugely anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on track to launch this "fall" publisher Take-Two Interactive reiterated, despite persistent rumblings of a delay.Take-Two recommitted to its release window as part of its Q3 FY 2025 earnings report yesterday, writing, "This calendar year is shaping up to be one of the strongest ever for [the company], as we plan to launch Sid Meier's Civilization 7 on 11th February, Mafia: The Old Country in the summer, Grand Theft Auto 6 in the Fall, and Borderlands 4."

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Helldivers 2 celebrates its one-year anniversary, and Arrowhead has rewarded the community with an influx of buffs via update 01.002.101, as well as the release of the superb Servants of Freedom Warbond. It was an excellent first year for HD2, but Arrowheads second year is poised to be even better judging by leaks. These leaks now include unique upcoming missions and new Spore bugs as part of The Gloom in Helldivers 2.Helldivers 2 leaks share The Gloom missions and Spore bugsAccording to prominent Helldivers 2 leaker, Iron_S1ghts, Erson Sands is set to receive exclusive missions featuring The Gloom. Below are The Gloom objectives listed by the dataminer:COLLECT GLOOM-INFUSED OIL:Automated oil extractors may still be operational. The oil, having been exposed to the planets substrate, could contain information on how the Gloom has altered the planet beneath the surface. Its even possible it has somehow been made more potent.Extract samples of oil that has been exposed to the Gloom.COLLECT GLOOM SPORE READINGS:The probes were supposed to automatically transfer the data back to Ministry of Science servers but unfortunately the Gloom is interfering with their signal transmission.Find probes sent into the Gloom and extract their research data.Find the probe and boost its signal to transmit its data past the atmospheric Gloom to the Super Destroyer.GLOOM LIDAR TOWERS:Gloom spores suffuse the planets atmosphere from the ground to the exosphere. It is possible that this is key to its ability to interfere with the Illuminate machinations. Utilize the scattered LiDAR towers normally used to gather topographical data and use them to measure the density and composition of Gloom spores. Secure research data on the Gloom in hopes of finding a way to stop the Meridian Singularity.Use LiDar towers to gather Gloom spore data and upload it from a communication relay.In addition to all the above, Iron_S1ghts reports that there are also gloom-variants of current missions, and these will feature the Spore Burst gloom bugs.Image credit: @Iron_S1ghts on XRemember that these are all leaks as of writing. Theres also no ETA for when The Gloom missions and objectives will become active.For more Helldivers 2, a leak has uncovered a melee weapon seemingly from Warhammer 40K. Make sure to check out our guide to thebest warbonds ranked, along with thebest stratagemsandbest throwables. We also have a guide to thebest weapons, and, if youre coming back to HD2 for the first time in a long while, we have a bunch oftips and tricksto help you get reaccustomed to the battlefield. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now Helldivers 2Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5Genre(s):Action, Shooter, Third Person8VideoGamerRelated TopicsHelldivers 2 Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereWhile the Sundered Doctrine Dungeon Race is about to begin, Bungie recently released Destiny 2 Episode Heresy. This brought about the excellent collaboration with Star Wars, and Bungie shared the update 8.2.0 patch notes to let fans know all the buffs, nerfs, and other balance changes included. Only, after a few days of experiencing Episode Heresy, Destiny 2 players have discovered some huge changes not listed in the patch notes.Destiny 2 players discover secret Episode Heresy changesOn the DestinyTheGame subreddit, OP pipfan shared a post titled, The Redirection perk got a ton of changes not listed in the patch notes. This is alluding to update 8.2.0 for Episode Heresy, and below are the changes found by the OP:Hitting a red bar now adds two redirection stacks instead of oneRedirection now stacks to 30 instead of 20Shooting an elite or above enemy consumes only three stacks instead of fiveDamage buff seems to be same as before, just now is gained faster, pre-patch one stack would be 20% more damage, and up to five stacks could be consumed at once for a 100% damage buff, now its 33% per stack and consumes at most 3 stacks for a 100% damage buffIn addition to the above, the OP discussed the enhanced version of the Redirection perk. The OP reports, As far as I can tell, the enhanced version of the perk changes it so two stacks equal the 100% damage buff (so 50% per stack). So with a max of 30 stacks, you can have up to 15 double damage shots stored up.Responding to the above discovery, players are very happy. One user dubbed the above changes a huge buff, while another user said, thats f*****g sick. Some people were also elated that Bungies update included some stealth buffs as opposed to stealth nerfs.Hopefully the Redirection perk doesnt get reverted or nerfed in the future as players are overwhelmingly happy with the changes discovered so far.For more Episode Heresy, gameplay leaks have uncovered additional new weapons set to arrive, including the return of a fan-favorite Exotic from D1.Destiny 2Platform(s):Google Stadia, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Web, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Adventure, First Person, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter8VideoGamerRelated TopicsDestiny 2 Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

For all the glowing up that happens in front of your bathroom mirror, figuring out how to unclog a bathroom sink can get ugly quick. Your sink catches loose hair and soap scum so you can face the day looking prim and proper, but it cant always handle the debris. With the average American household using 20% of their water via faucets, its a big deal when your bathroom sink drains slowly and, eventually, not at all.Unclogging a bathroom sink sounds like an easy DIY taskand it isbut some touted methods can lead you astray. We spoke to professional plumbers to find out what works and what doesnt. The following guide from AD provides instructions on how to resolve your clogged bathroom sink and when to call for help if things arent going your way.Gather supplies: What do I need to unclog my bathroom sink drain?Unclogging a slow drain is a job you can usually do yourself with a few common household items. Dont bother raiding the pantry though. Vinegar and baking sodaId save that for your salad and other things. It doesnt do much of anything other than make a foamy mess, said Nate Schlueter, owner of Schlueter Plumbing in Cincinnati.Heres what you need to get started:Drain plungerPlastic waste bagRubber glovesWet rag or towelZip strips/ties (1824 long)How to unclog a bathroom sinkSchlueter estimates the following two methods can eliminate a bathroom sink clog 70 percent of the time without calling a plumber.Method 1: Use a bathroom plungerA plunger is a simple and inexpensive way to unclog a bathroom sink.Photo: Dmitrii Bykanov/Getty ImagesTo properly plunge your bathroom sink, its best to have a drain plungerthese are usually the ones with red cups and wood handles. You can also buy a hand plunger for sinks for around $5. Then, follow these steps:Step 1: Clear any loose debrisIf your work area is not clean, waterborne waste can affect the seal you get with the plunger or get pushed into the pipe, worsening the clog.Step 2: Remove the drain coverYou must remove the drain stopper for clear access to the pipe.Step 3: Fill the sinkFill your sink with a few inches of water if it doesnt have standing water already. You want enough to make a firm seal without splashing water everywhere. Seal the overflow hole with your wet rag.Step 4: Form a tight sealPlace the plunger directly over the drain. Cover it completely to create a tight seal.Step 5: Plunge the drainUsing force and both hands, push and pull the plunger handle straight up and down for about 20 to 30 seconds.Supply Guru Heavy Duty PlungerMini Plunger, Multipurpose Nonslip HandleStep 6: Check and flush the drainCheck whether the clogged drain has cleared and flush the sink with hot water for several minutes. If it was a success, youre done!Step 7: Repeat (if necessary)If the drain clog remains, repeat steps four through six.

During the Roman Empire, bathhouses were more than a clean place to rinse off the grime from the grind; they were central to daily life. Bathhouses featured a sequence of rooms ranging from cold to warm to intensely hot, designed not just for bathing but for conversation, connection, and even the exchange of gossip and the gospel.Nowadays, bathing is often seen as a daunting task that doubles as a mini spa moment. For many of us, its just another necessary part of our daily routine, the last step in the process of winding down for the evening. But in the past, bathing was rarely solitaryit was a sacred, communal ritual that fostered connection and ceremony. Considering how bathhouses are spaces of indulgence, where entertainment met excess, and decadence and debauchery coexisted with God-divined cleanliness, it begs the question: How could we have fallen so far from grace into the lone bathtub?The check-in desk at Aman New Yorks spa.Photo courtesy of Aman New YorkMeet me at the bathhouseThe art of intentional sweating dates back thousands of years. Ritualized bathing, sweating, and bathing again is a tradition that predates even the resurrection of Christ, and was practiced in ancient civilizations from Greece and Rome to the Indus Valleys Mohenjo-Daro. Over the past decade, the rise of personal saunas, cold plunges, and other buzzy wellness trends like cryotherapy and hot yoga have made their mark all over metropolitan cities like New York City, offering an after-work sweat. These stepping stones have revived ancient rituals, bringing back the timeless practices of sweating and bathing in hammams, banyas, hot springs, and bathhouses.Depending on how well the algorithm has curated your For You Page (FYP) its almost impossible to not scroll past one of those dazed-and-confused post-bathhouse testimonial videos. In metropolitan cities, a trip to the hammam has become a quiet status symbol, often slipping into conversation with a hint of bragging. Bathhouse in Brooklyn has even become a first-date destination, where many of my friends settle for steam to set the tone for a new kind of intimacy. It seemed like these sweat circles were one big members-only club that everyone was invited to, but I wasnt specifically keen on paying a subscription for.The steam room inside the Banya Spa House at Aman New York.Photo courtesy of Aman New YorkA prime example of this growing cultural phenomenon is the Russian and Turkish Baths, a century-old East Village staple that has long been a favorite for locals but has recently gone viral, drawing tourists from all over. The 133-year-old institution is a testament to timeless wellness, with its Russian Rooma humbly engineered gas-heated chamber with ten tons of rocksradiating intense, all-day warmth, complemented by a bracing 39-degree cold plunge. Russian and Turkish Bath is definitely a function-forward space instead of one that implements design, lighting, and decoration as a part of its experience. This bathhouse is definitely a clean and orderly space, so much so that they ask that customers shower prior to certain experiences, but its design isnt as updated: It features brick walls, wood paneling, open showers, wet rooms that lead into the hallway, and do-it-yourself Banya massage table.Dmitry Shapiro, general manager of Russian and Turkish Baths (and son of one of the owners), insists that while social media has increased more awareness to the public, its not the reason were popular. But one thing he cant deny is how the clientele has changed. Its gotten younger and more diverse, he explains. I think people have learned about the health benefits of bathhouses and have chosen it as a gathering place over a bar. Shapiro was pleased to hear that people liked their TikTok content while attending a conference hosted by Culture of Bathing last month. This is definitely an international movement, he adds.During the conference, High Line cofounder Robert Hammond emphasized the physical, mental, and social benefits of the bathhouse in the post-pandemic era. People thought COVID would wipe it out, but it actually strengthened the appeal, he argues. People realized these spaces were safer, and the desire for real-life connection grew.Hammond preaches this testament of how being around other warm bodies is probably the best medicine one could receive, You dont even have to meet people [at the bathhouse]; just being around others, sweating together, creates a sense of community, he continues. Youre sharing an experience, and thats what society is missing. Hammon describes this bond formed through shared bathing as a spiritual euphoria. He adds, You get a real-life high from it.The Hammam Spa House is a moody marble sanctuary.Photo courtesy of Aman New YorkBreaking down the bathEuphoria may be a strong word, but its easy to see why stepping out of a sweat-filled haze could inspire someone to make bathhouses a ritual. In these intimate settings, safety is largely a givenin order to truly feel relaxed and safe, true comfort comes from shedding social norms. At the bathhouse, nobody cares about your follower count. Theres no hierarchy based on where you sit in the sauna, or a job title to uphold. Stripped of these personal markers, all that remains is the simple, primal pleasure of sweating. In a society driven by social media and status, its no wonder that more and more people are seeking refuge in a space where roles cease to exist.Even in a status-conscious city like Miami, the luxury Turkish hammam Hrrem offers an escape from Miamis informed social roles, welcoming those already accustomed to heat and humidity. Designed with historical accuracy and Turkish craftsmanship in mind, the 20,000-square-foot space evokes the grandeur of Topkapi Palace and the intricacy of extravagant Istanbul hammams. With intricate tilework, mosaic chandeliers, and sweeping open-air architecture, Hurrem has 15 different features ranging from marble-clad scrub rooms, a restaurant, a salt room lined with hand-selected rose-hued salt bricks sourced from the pristine Himalayan mountains, and a bath space touched with marble finishing.The Grand Hammam is a marble and mosaic tiled haven.Photo courtesy of Hrrem Hammam Wellness & SpaWhile Miami is typically known for its Latin and Caribbean culture, Hrrem fuses Turkish and Caribbean wellness traditions. In Latin American and Caribbean traditions, heat, water, and collective relaxation rituals play a significant role, explains Pnar etiner, senior interior architect at Juno Design & Manufacture. Herbal saunas, steam baths, and heat-based practices have been used for centuries for purification, relaxation, and healing, she explains in an email. This is where I believe Turkish hammam culture aligns perfectly with these practices in Miami.etiner notes that hammams have historically served as centers for health, social connection, and cultural events for centuries. According to Medical News Today, sweating helps flush toxins, promotes relaxation, boosts circulation, and eases muscle tension. Regular sauna, hammam, and steam room use can even strengthen the immune system. But for many, the appeal goes beyond just physical benefits.People find they can practice mindfulness and meditation more effectively in these environments, adds etiner. With the rise in health awareness after the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in these practices has surged. As a result, more people are turning to heat-based rituals to support both physical and mental well-being, manage stress, and detoxify naturally.Visitors are always welcome to take a dip in the pool.Photo courtesy of Aman New YorkLet the isolation sink inWhile business is booming for bathhouses, some people are worried about the sacredness of Turkish bathing practices being lostreduced to a commercialized wellness trend destined for the next Goop newsletter. Paris-based Turkish artist Deniz Bedir has qualms with the modern Turkish Hammam, claiming it has lost its cultural significance and become more for tourists. For him, the most authentic experience occurred in 2018 while visiting his familial hammam for the first time in Kzlcahamam, Turkey. I recall my mom telling me she went with my late grandmother and the other elder women would take care of each other, he says. It wasnt like a spait was a communal space.This sense of community and ritual is echoed by Los Angelesbased artist Gabi Abrao, who captured the allure of the bathhouse in a single tweet: In the bathhouse, you are timeless and eternal. You cant bring your phone. Your makeup will melt off your face if you wear it. If you faint, we will catch you. If the bathhouse is truly a sanctuary of ritual, release, and reverencethen why have I spent so long depriving myself of the simple pleasure of sweating among strangers?Despite the promises of community connection and the reassurance that someone would catch me if I fainted, I opted to dip my toes in with a private hammam experience at Aman New York. Unlike traditional hammams, this luxury hotel leans more toward the spa experience (translation: polished and private). Visitors enter a marble-clad room, its centerpiece a heated stone slab radiating intense warmth. After a practitioner scrubs off layers of grime, a bucket of ice is poured followed by your choice of a cold plunge or a warm soak (I did both). This version suited my preference for a quieter experience that left me feeling comfortably nourished.Still, I couldnt shake the guilt of feeling like I had broken an unspoken rule by opting for solitude; and that if I had surrendered to tradition, someone would have been there to catch me if I fainted.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reportedly developing a custom AI chatbot for use by U.S. government employees. It looks as though Elon Musk is hoping to use AI to replace the millions of workers he wants to cut.WIRED reports that DOGE is building an generative AI chatbot for use by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), an independent government agency which manages federal buildings, IT infrastructure, and professional supplies. Called "GSAi," DOGE's custom chatbot is apparently intended to increase federal employees' productivity. Specifically, DOGE reportedly intends to use the chatbot to analyse the GSA's contracts and draft documents.In audio obtained by WIRED, GSA's Technology Transformation Services (TTS) head Thomas Shedd claimed that this AI project wasn't new, and had already been underway "before we started." A mechanical engineer who had worked at Tesla for eight years, Shedd was appointed to the GSA within days of President Donald Trump's inauguration. He quickly made clear his intent to implement artificial intelligence and automation throughout the U.S. government, including training AI to code government software for multiple different agencies."The thing that's different is potentially building that whole system in-house and building it very quickly," said Shedd, as reported by WIRED. "This goes back to this, 'how do we understand how the government is spending money?'" Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!Trump began drastic federal spending cuts upon taking office less than three weeks ago, with GSA staff reportedly expected to reduce the agency's budget by 50 percent. Cost cutting measures at the GSA will reportedly include job cuts, as well as terminating leases on all federal offices (of which there are approximately 7,500). Presumably Trump and Musk hope to eliminate enough jobs that they won't need the spaces despite the return-to-office order for federal employees.DOGE had reportedly considered using AI tools which already exist, but decided to build GSAi after determining that current models wouldn't offer all the data it wanted. It has still found use for existing AI tools in other instances, though. Earlier this week the Washington Post reported that DOGE fed sensitive data from the U.S. Department of Education into AI software to analyse its spending.Related StoriesWhile AI chatbots are an interesting novelty, they are frequently inaccurate and misleading, making relying upon them for important projects a dangerous proposition. Even so, Musk and Trump appear to be hoping that AI technology will offset the countless federal employees they're planning to dismiss.DOGE has been on a mission to drastically cut the federal workforce, presenting approximately two million employees with an apparent "buyout" offer last week. In response, many federal workers have resolved to "hold the line," refusing to resign and be replaced by Trump and Musk loyalists if they're replaced at all.TopicsElon MuskGovernment

Early DevelopmentsDon't worry, nuke-firing Confuciuses, Civilization 7 will be getting some fixes for those pesky early access issuesSome UI changes are coming to U and I.Image credit: 2K/Firaxis News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Feb. 7, 2025 Civilization 7 has had a bit of a mixed reception following its arrival in early access form ahead of full release on Februrary 11. There are a fair few things that folks have immediately begun calling for changes to, and Firaxis has now said it's heard some of these concerns, and will be doing stuff to try and rectify them.While how much you generally like what Civ 7 does differently to its precdecessors will probably vary from person to person and be something you've just got to live with, the likes of the game's UI have been attracting criticism from Steam users that can be tweaked on the fly.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. So, as outlined in a fresh blog post, that's exactly why developer Firaxis is doing."Over the last few days, the team has been poring over your feedback, including our most recent Steam Reviews during the Early Access period," the studio wrote, "As stewards of the Civilization franchise, we hold ourselves to a high standard and always strive to create the best game possible. Civ would not have come this far without you, and your opinions matter greatly to us." To see this content please enable targeting cookies.In reponse to that feedback, it's identified "three key areas" it'll be prioritising working on in the immediate future: improving the UI, "implementing community-requested features", and delivering "Quality-of-Life Updates". Those QoL bits will be coming with Patch 1.1.0, which the studio plans to deploy in March.UI wise, Firaxis wrote that it's "already looking into include making UI interactions more intuitive, improving map readability, fixing areas of polish like formatting, and more".The community-requested features are things like letting you customise city and religion names, adding teams to multiplayer games, and offering a wider variety of map types. Those "will be included in upcoming patches as free updates".Meanwhile, the developer added: "Work is already well underway on Patch 1.1.0, which includes fixes and adjustments that were already on our radar. This list includes quality-of-life UI adjustments, ongoing AI balance and improvement, adjustments to diplomacy and crises, plus additional bug fixes."So, there you go. Fret not, people who're trying to s**thouse their way to a culture victory by encouraging everyone else to wipe each other out while you erect seven million amphitheatres.

On Track, It Seems"Big things are coming!" Fallout: London's first DLC sounds like it's not too many Tube stops away, as Team FOLON teases "maybe some more surprises too"Here's hoping it's a less bumpy ride the rest of the way than the one the Wayfarer goes on after breaking containment.Image credit: Team FOLON News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Feb. 7, 2025 After releasing the first couple of meaty patches for Fallout: London last year, Team FOLON closed out 2024 by teasing upcoming DLC for its massive Fallout 4 mod.It's been relative radio silence since the new year kicked off, but judging by a fresh tweet, it sounds like the wait for new stuff and a third patch might not last too much longer.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. "SOOOO Big things are coming! Fallout: London's first DLC is getting closer, and the team at Team FOLON LTD has been working non-stop to bring the 'Rabbit & Pork' DLC to you all," this new post from the team of modders that's now pretty much a proper studio reads, "Maybe some more surprises too Exciting times ahead. Stay tuned!"We've known that'd be the name of the mod's first add-on since around Christmas, when the modders revealed the monikers they've given to the three bits of DLC they've currently committed to, but not put release dates on. As well as Rabbit & Pork, there was a second DLC dubbed "Last Orders" and a third named "Wildcard". To see this content please enable targeting cookies.While the other two are still a bit mysterious, we've got a good idea what Wildcard will almost certainly be. One of the things Fallout: London project lead Dean 'Prilladog' Carter mentioned to us when we interviewed him just after the mod's release was that the team originally had plans to add in a whole New Vegas-style wildcard arc to the mod's main questline that had to be cut during the mod's development, and that this will be added back in via "a future patch".That aside, we've also already got a good idea what kinds of general changes and fixes patch 1.03 itself will be bringing, thanks to this handy spreadsheet Team FOLON shared when it announced the update late last year.Will you be hopping back into Fallout: London to check out its DLC? Let us know below, and make sure to check out the various features that came out of our interview with Carter if you haven't already, as well as our review of the massive mod.

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)On Western shores last yast year, Falcom started a fresh arc in its long-running flagship franchise with The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak, breathing new life into the series while offering a great jump-in point for newcomers looking for a place to start. With the overall Trails series rapidly nearing the conclusion of the epic story its been building up for the last couple of decades, Falcom has now released The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II, allegedly the final release in this arc. This sophomore outing for Van and crew feels a little more uneven than its predecessor, but is ultimately a worthwhile new entry.The plot picks up not too long after the previous game, starting once again with protagonist Van Arkride taking a midday nap on the couch in his office. Hes soon visited by his old friend Elaine from the Bracer Guild, who alerts him to reports of a new serial killer on the loose in Calvard. As the local Spriggan (a sort of private investigator), this would already be in Vans wheelhouse, but theres an additional detail that raises the stakes: the killer somehow has their own Grendel form, which was previously thought to be unique to Van. The two thus set out on the trail (heh) to track down the killer.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Suffice it to say, this is only the setup and a lot more happens later that expands the scope considerably and notably involves time-travel shenanigans. Although we still enjoyed the narrative, particularly the depth of the characterisation, it does feel a little more oddly paced than its predecessor and relies too much on the time travel elements to give the protagonists a do-over almost anytime something goes wrong.And while this isnt necessarily a bad thing, important characters and plotlines from previous Trails releases feature here, which takes away from the nicely self-contained and more newcomer-friendly approach of the previous entry. Even given the contributions of the older cast members, longtime fans of the franchise may also be frustrated by the lack of progression for the overarching series plotin many ways, this is very much a bottle episode or side story that doesnt do much to alter the status quo.Considering that the end of the Trails series as a whole is quickly coming into sight, it can feel a little disappointing to play through a release thats content to idle in place instead of answering some longstanding questions.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Combat follows an expanded version of the system introduced with the previous entry, smartly mixing both live-action and turn-based elements. When you first encounter enemies in the field, you can opt to simply beat the tar out of them with your weapon of choice, and new additions like quick-fire arts and cross attacks with other party members give you a few other options. Still, this action combat is less of a focus than the turn-based system, which you can always trigger with the tap of a button.Once in turn-based mode, things unfold more like youd expect out of a typical Trails game, with plenty of tactical options to demolish your foes. A redesigned timeline at the top of the screen details things like who moves next or how long a given abilitys cast time will take, and each character has a variety of Arts and Crafts to take advantage of elemental weaknesses and debuffs.Positioning really matters here, so when a character takes their turn, they can move freely within a set range to evade attacks enemies are winding up for while setting up their own counterattacks that can garner bonuses for being inflicted from the side or behind.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Due to its depth, combat is the highlight here, though the 'action' side could have a little more meat to it. The new additions certainly help to flesh it out, but it doesn't feel like a viable alternative to the turn-based combat for anything stronger than the common trash mob. Even if it clearly isnt meant as the primary means of combat, we wouldve liked a little more effort put into making it more engaging; the current system is still awkward and we found ourselves using it less over time as its shallowness became more apparent.One area in which youll get plenty of opportunity to put this system through its paces is a new side mode called the Marchen Garten, a procedurally-generated dungeon that takes after the True Reverie Corridor from Trails into Reverie.Here, youre tasked with taking a party of any four unlocked characters and working your way through floors with randomised objectives, such as breaking a certain number of objects or defeating specific enemies, that culminate in a tough boss fight. Good performance gives you extra cracks at an in-game gacha with rewards like new cosmetics and, importantly, upgrades for crafts and S-crafts.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)We appreciate what Marchen Garten is going fora side mode like this feels like it absolutely belongs in a Trails gamebut the execution is lacklustre. It doesnt take very long for the repetitive nature to make progression feel like a grindy slog, and the rewards youre often given for your troubles rarely feel like they justify the effort to get them. Sure, its good for grinding your characters into peak shape, but theres a lingering sense of 'missed opportunity'. Marchen Garten feels like padding not inherently bad, but hopefully Falcom will keep iterating on what it was trying here for future games.Apart from the combat and the core gameplay loop, there are also a variety of fun minigames and side activities to engage in as a sort of palate cleanser. Things like a hacking minigame with Mare for opening special chests or a fishing minigame anywhere theres running water help to break up the gameplay loop a bit and introduce some fun distractions that can also net you some tasty rewards. While none of these minigames overstay their welcome and theyre rarely forced upon you as part of the core progression, we appreciated what they added.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Visually, Trails Through Daybreak II borrows a lot of assets from its predecessor, but there are some improvements evident in the generally smoother and flashier battle animations. And though the environments and models overall look decent (if a bit simplistic), this entry falls into the same pit of having text thats way too small for the Switchs portable screen, to the extent that certain letters will simply not display properly. Considering how heavily it relies on lengthy, text-heavy cutscenes and detailed tinkering with character loadouts, wed advise those of you with poorer eyesight to play primarily with the Switch docked.That said, even if the text clearly isnt optimised well for the Switch, the underlying game engine still runs cleanly on the humble hardware. Frame drops were minimal and mostly unnoticeable in our experience, while load times are kept to a minimum and are reasonable when they occur.As for the music, Trails Through Daybreak II features a welcome mixture of the expected bombastic rock tracks with more downbeat jazz and funk tunes that help to give things more atmosphere. Its not a soundtrack that demands a thorough listen in the same way that some of the best Persona OSTs do, but overall its tough to be disappointed by the variety and quality that the composers delivered here.ConclusionTrails Through Daybreak II doesnt feel nearly as refreshing as its predecessor, but its still a solid entry in the long-running series that ticks the necessary boxes (legible text aside). Though its story isnt all that exceptional, the combat is as rewarding as ever and new gameplay features like the Marchen Garten help to make this feel distinct and worthwhile. And while we wouldnt necessarily suggest that this is a great starting point for newcomers, series fans will find lots to love here, even if it wont be topping many lists as a series favourite.Combat gets a nice upgradeEffective characterisation in the central plotMinigames help diversify the gameplay experience a bitRebalanced turn-based combat offers more challengeTime travel gimmicks take more than they give to the plotAction combat can still feel rather anaemicTiny text, stillGood 7/10 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.