It's been nearly five years since Mojang, the studio behind Minecraft, added RTX support. The move allowed creators, modders, and the like to turn the block worlds they build into visually stunning landscapes. However, in that time, there has seemingly been little forward momentum in terms of officially created visual improvements. Now, though, Mojang has taken things one step further with the newly announced Vibrant Visuals update.GameSpot recently visited Mojang's Sweden-based studio to test the new update, and it's not hyperbole to say Vibrant Visuals is a game-changer for the 14-year-old title. And it's not just for those with PCs that support ray tracing. When Vibrant Visuals launches for Minecraft Bedrock, it'll also be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and some iOS and Android devices. And for those that play Java Edition, Vibrant Visuals is also in the works for that platform.It's a change that's been in the pipeline for years. As Minecraft executive producer Ingela Garneji explained to a small group of press, "It's been a bumpy road. We've been iterating and learning, failing and then learning fast, and improving things together with the community, actually."Continue Reading at GameSpot

While each of Minecraft's twice-annual game drops have brought new mobs, the second drop of 2025's is a cut above the rest. Meet the happy ghast. Finally, a ghast that doesn't want you dead.That's right: While ghasts are known for spitting fireballs at you, carving paths of destruction across the Nether, this new variant just wants to be your friend. The happy ghast comes in a few forms, the evolution of which are up to the player to set in motion.The most interesting aspect of the happy ghast is that it allows players to fly around the overworld. If you've been playing Minecraft long enough and have been to The End, that might not sound all too valuable while you whip around the map with your elytra wings. However, for newer players, the process of getting a happy ghast begins in the Nether--a location you visit long before you venture into The End. That brings flight to users much earlier in the game. The added bonus is that up to four people can travel on a single happy ghast, making group adventures easier.Continue Reading at GameSpot

With A Minecraft Movie headed to theaters on April 4, it should come as no surprise that the game it's based on is adding a bunch of content linked to the release. Minecraft is adding downloadable content from the film, as well as a live event and even a free skins pack so you can look like the movie's characters.The live event transports you to a custom Minecraft realm that is the home of Midport Village, where you interact with the movie's characters, going on missions and earning exclusive loot for use in the game. The event features voiceover from Jack Black, who plays Steve in the film, and sees the user teaming with the characters played by Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Sebastian Hansen to play through a series of minigames. The mode also features multiplayer action, so you won't have to face the dangers that await alone. If you manage to complete all five games within the mode, you'll earn an exclusive item, the Yearn cape.The event, which was announced during Minecraft Live, launches on March 25 at 3 PM PT/6 PM ET and runs until April 7 at the same time.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Since September 2023, Minecraft has shifted its major update strategy to twice-annual "game drops" that add new mobs, blocks, and items to the game. With the latest Minecraft Live event, we now know what 2025's first game drop, Spring Into Life, contains. Get ready for a bunch of animal variants and some really cool new plants being added.Starting with plants, players are getting something they've wanted for quite a while. After first being teased a number of years ago, firefly bushes are being added to the game. The bushes will grow in swampy biomes and near water, offering the twinkling lights of fireflies to add a little brightness to the night. Additionally, per Mojang, you'll be able to place the bushes, which are plant blocks, underneath other blocks to make your builds shine.Other plant-based additions:Continue Reading at GameSpot

God of War is celebrating its 20-year anniversary today, March 22, 2025. Below, we examine how Kratos' character arc has shifted over time to become a timely reflection on masculinity and change.As much as people remember the brutality and the grandiosity of God of War, as a singular game and as a series, it's easy to forget that the first God of War in 2005 doesn't actually begin with Kratos fighting a hydra and ripping soldiers apart with his bare hands.It begins with a suicide attempt. Starting a new game, the very first thing we hear from Kratos is him gravely intoning that "the gods have abandoned me" before walking straight off a cliff into the Aegean Sea. This is a warlord who accidentally murdered his own wife and child, and is then cursed by an oracle to have his family's ashes permanently grafted to his skin, ensuring there is nowhere in Greece he can go where his crimes are unrecognized. The only help he receives is being conscripted by the gods to murder Ares, who set him up to begin with, which isn't really helpful at all. The reward is the gods' forgiveness, which does nothing to alleviate his consistent nightmares about the deed. When blood doesn't grant him peace, the gods give him power, letting him take Ares' place as the Greek God of War, beginning a reign so destructive that almighty Zeus himself has to intervene to take him down. That's before finding out Zeus himself is Kratos' father, and Kratos having his revenge means laying waste to his entire domain. Which Kratos does.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Capcom has announced that it will be airing a Monster Hunter Wilds showcase on March 25 at 7AM PT / 10AM ET. It'll be hosted by producer Ryozo Tsujimoto.The showcase will provide details about game's first free title update coming in early April. An old monster, Mizutsune, will be making a return. It was first introduced in Monster Hunter Generations and is a water elemental monster that has become a fan-favorite since its debut. The title update will also add a new gathering area that's only accessible for players who've beaten the main campaign, as well as seemingly another monster aside from Mizutsune.Join us March 25 at 7am PT/2pm GMT for the Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase, hosted by producer Ryozo Tsujimoto! We'll be detailing the first Free Title Update coming in early April, which includes Mizutsune and a host of other new additions. Watch here:https://t.co/WbntyFSOZe pic.twitter.com/rTuHrT4vAw Monster Hunter (@monsterhunter) March 21, 2025 Monster Hunter Wilds has been a smash hit since it launched last month, following the success of the series breakout hit Monster Hunter World in 2018. It's the best-selling game of 2025 so far, and sold 8 million copies during its first three days on the market, making it Capcom's fastest-selling title to date.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Coming off its TMNT and Minecraft collab, Dr. Squatch has a new batch of soap and deodorant this time with a Call of Duty-themed twist. There will be two new fragrances joining the lineup: Ghost Grit and Sarge Soap. They're both available as bar soap or deodorant. If you buy them in bar form, customers can unlock an exclusive Dr. Squatch calling card in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which is only available through this collab. Ghost Grit contains ghost plant extract and has earthy scents of leather and smokey charcoal, but is still slightly peppery. The Sarge Soap contains field balm (think minty) with fresh scents of Scottish juniper, pine, and moss.The New Dr. Squatch x Call of Duty collection. Dr. Squatch sent GameSpot a sneak peek at the bars, and the mint and pine from the Sarge Soap really comes through loud. Ghost Grit isn't as strong and similar to Squatch's Minecraft Diamond Scrub, which had a more pumice stone scent to it, but still very rugged.Continue Reading at GameSpot

One of Valve's most popular games, 1998's Half-Life, could have been the one and only game the company ever released, until a deal was struck that changed the company's fate forever. Monica Harrington, Valve's first chief marketing officer, said at the Game Developers Conference that publisher Sierra had the option for two more games, and after the first Half-Life became a gigantic success, Valve attempted to renegotiate with Sierra.The terms of the deal, Harrington said, was that Valve would fund all but $1 million of the development costs of Half-Life's sequels, with Sierra retaining IP rights and giving Valve back 15% of revenue. "It felt insane," Harrington said, as reported by GamesRadar.Harrington said that if she and her husband Mike Harrington were to make real money out of being co-owners of Valve at the time, she knew Valve's prospects had to be "much, much brighter," and that included renegotiating with Sierra.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Atomfall isnt your ordinary survival game. Sure, its set in a post-apocalyptic environment filled with mutants, giant robots, and rival factions fighting over the few areas deemed safe. It even has a protagonist suffering from amnesia. But besides some genre specific features--resource management, skill trees, a branching narrative--Atomfall tries to chart its own path by removing or altering a few key elements. The result is a challenging, yet rewarding gaming experience.In order to help mitigate some of the more challenging (and potentially frustrating) aspects of the game, weve put together a list of things players should know before pressing start. That includes some combat tips, a breakdown of Atomfalls unique leveling system, an explanation of its accessibility options, and more. Prepare for the winding road aheadOne of the ways Atomfall differs from the Fallouts of the world is by its reluctance to signpost objectives. Thanks to its Leads system, where players are given clues about notable locations, characters, and more,theres very little in terms of guided exploration. Instead, the map is filled in either by stumbling into a key area or by gathering enough leads to point you in a given direction; think of an NPC marking a general location/sharing longitude and latitude lines via a note and youll get the idea. And when it comes to following your compass, youll have to tag a location on your map before getting an indicator to direct your path.That said, Atomfall does have several difficulty options that change the amount of help youre given during play. Each of them can be tweaked further by alerting specific attributes; you can turn on waypoint markers for tracked leads while keeping the rest of the standard difficulty settings the same. And if a certain setting isnt to your liking, you can change it back at any time. If needed, make further adjustmentsAtomfall also allows you to change several accessibility settings. Text scaling is certainly a boon for those of us who like to play with subtitles on. Having the ability to scale aim based on FOV is also great. There's also automatic traversal/shooting/etc. toggle, different settings for interaction cues, color changes for various alerts; while Atomfall doesnt have every option imaginable, it does have a lot for you to work with. Avoid FightsThe combat in Atomfall can be brutal early on. One-on-one is doable. Even two on one is survivable. Any more than that and youre going to have a tough time. Being stealthy is the way to go until youve found good weapons or at least a solid grasp on the games melee combat. Even then, itll be in your best interest to avoid most fights considering you dont gain any experience points for beating foes.Atomfall doesnt use typical RPG elements for leveling. There is no XP bar to fill by completing objectives. And while you can loot consumables, crafting materials, key items (like keys) and weapons from enemies, there are no stat-based gear to collect. This means that surviving a tough fight wont necessarily make you stronger. At least, not in the way wed normally expect. Again, avoid needless fights. Bluffing WorksYou wont always be able to avoid a fight. That said, it is possible to set yourself up for a slightly easier time by being tactical. Toss a grenade to take out bunched up enemies. Lure a few into a well-placed trap. Use the fact that the game allows for friendly fire and make them shoot one another. Or, when all else fails, bluffIn Atomfall, its possible to scare an enemy by aiming a ranged weapon at them even when you dont have ammo. If they dont have a gun of their own and you havent killed any of their companions, you might get them to put their hands up and/or retreat. This tactic doesnt always work of course. Still, the worst-case scenario (beyond them blindly charging you) is a few seconds to rethink your strategy while your enemies backpedal. Use a BowOne of the best weapons in Atomfall is the bow and arrow combo. Not only is it silent, its extremely deadly and not just from headshots. With the shotgun, I was able to down one of the game's tougher enemy types with 2-3 shots depending on their distance from me and where I shot them. With a bow, I was able to drop them with two shots regardless of where I hit them.Once you've found a bow, which are abundant in the Skethermoor region, snag the Bow Expert book from Slatten Dale trader Molly Jowett should she have it in stock--trader inventory rotates often--and youll unlock powerful skills, making the bow an even better option in the field. Enemies RespawnBe careful when returning to places after clearing them of enemies. They always respawn, making traversal between areas tough. This even happens when saving and loading into locations. After clearing an underground bunker of bandits, I saved and exited the game to grab lunch. When I loaded my save, I was met with the same enemies, despite seeing their bodies on the floor; they were actively stepping over their own corpses as they patrolled the halls.Perhaps this example isn't intentional and it'll be patched out, but even if so, revisiting regions is sure to refresh the bad guys, too. Make Sure to TrainThough Atomfall doesnt have an XP bar, it does have ways for you to level up. You can unlock skills, for instance, using Training Stimulants. These items can be found within the environment, in B.A.R.D. supply cases, and as rewards for completing leads. Collect enough and youll be able to unlock a skill, changing the way you approach a given problem.New skills can be learned (before being unlocked with stimulants) via training manuals. Unlike the stimulants, the manuals can seemingly only be bought from traders or given as rewards at the end of major leads. Wed recommend getting Thick Skin to stave off violent beatings, followed by some stealth-based skills, the latter of which can be learned via a book bough from the Slatten Dale trader Molly Jowett. Kill NPCsOk, just hear us out. Were not saying that you should kill NPCs. Especially if youre not looking to be viewed as another morally bankrupt individual. That said, it is possible to kill every NPC you meet along your journey. Need that shiny battery from a shop keeper but dont have enough stuff to trade for it? You could just kill them and take it.Now, doing that might mean you lose out on a few leads and future shop items. And if youre seen by a guard, things will go south quickly. But because so many leads intersect, its possible that youll just pick it up from a different character with slight variations based on your choice. Basically, it wouldnt be the end of your game if you went rogue on a trader. Wed recommend making a new save file though, just in case. Save OftenThis might seem like a no brainer, but you should save often in Atomfall. The game doesnt always save during key moments. Its auto saves are on a timer (the default being three minutes) and it also saves whenever you enter an area that prompts a loading screen. But if you find a needed item, solve a lead, or kill a powerful enemy, the game might not save. There were a few times where our game crashed right after completing an objective, forcing us to redo a tricky scenario. Watch for BugsSpeaking of crashes, it seems that no post-apocalyptic game is complete without a few bugs. The same goes for Atomfall. Thankfully, Rebellion is aware of the most glaring issues, so theres a good chance that theyll be addressed by the time you get your hands on the game. There are a few worth noting though, as some might still pop up on occasion. One was a sound issue that caused the game to go silent. Youll be able to hear people speaking and maybe walking but nothing else. The fix is easy. Save your game, completely close down Atomfall, and load back in.Another has to do with Molotov cocktails. Using them on one or two enemies is fine. Tossing one in a group of four or more caused the Xbox Series X version of the game to crash. Wed recommend holding off on using this item against large groups until this issue is fixed--especially, if you havent saved in a while. Free HealthLike most games of this ilk, there are consumable items littered throughout Atomfalls varied environments. None of them have as many health-based goodies as Wyndham Village though. There are cakes, assorted bread, and vegetables just waiting to be eaten. There are even pots of tea for weary travelers.The tea pots are just sitting around the village, in front of shops, in peoples homes--you name it. And its free. Save those crafting materials and enjoy a spot of tea for a decent health boost. You can only drink from a tea pot once. Still, who wouldnt enjoy a brief moment of relaxation before following up on a challenging lead?If you want to get more out of Rebellion's new survival game, use our guide on locating all Atomfall gnomes.

Netflix was working on a AAA multiplayer shooter with a team that included Halo and Destiny veteran Joe Staten, but the game and the studio were scuttled in 2024. Why? One of Netflix's top gaming bosses, Alain Tascan, said in an interview that this project did not align with the company's goals."I don't want this move to be seen as, 'We're not going to do big ambitious games,'" Tascan told Bloomberg. "It was just the genre of the game... I don't think was matching the platform. This team was really good at what they were doing, but we wouldn't have been the best partner for them to express their skills and their expertise."The shift away from this game came amid a wider shakeup at at Netflix's film and TV divisions that calls for fewer, less-expensive releases that aim for higher quality. Continue Reading at GameSpot

Thinking about unlocking the best skills for Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows? This mountain of a man might be a stranger in a strange land, but he has heart, honor, and unswerving loyalty. He's also a peerless warrior who can clear out a whole room full of hostile fighters. Our guide has all the information you need if you want to select some top-tier perks and abilities for Yasuke.Best Yasuke skills in Assassin's Creed ShadowsCompared to Naoe, Yasuke isn't quite as light on his feet. In fact, you'll probably notice him struggling with traversal and exploration, since he's unable to climb higher walls or cross tightropes. On the bright side, he's an absolute powerhouse who can survive taxing battles even when facing numerous foes. Yasuke has the following skill trees:Main archetype: Samurai - Has offensive and defensive perks, as well as assassination functions.Melee weapons: Long Katana, Kanabo, and Naginata - Certain skill trees will only appear once you've obtained a weapon of that particular type.Ranged weapons: Bow and Teppo - Similar to melee weapons, you also need to acquire a teppo (firearm) or bow to access their respective skill trees.Note that you must amass enough Knowledge Points from various activities. These allow you to unlock perks from higher tiers using your Mastery Points (i.e. skill points). Samurai: Best skillsAbility: Impenetrable Defense/Unbreachable Guard/Absolute Perfection - This is one of the best Yasuke skills in Assassin's Creed Shadows since it combines both defense and offense. Once activated, you're able to counter every enemy hit (up to five hits) for the whole 20-second duration.Passive: Regeneration - Restores Yasuke's HP whenever he kills an enemy. This is an absolute necessity for most of the campaign.Passive: Brutal Assassination/Assassination Damage tree - This is Yasuke's own way of performing assassinations and taking out a chunk of a target's HP.Passive: Vigor I/II/III - Have more adrenaline so you can keep fighting in great condition. Long Katana: Best skillsPassive: Combat Expert and Melee Weapon Armor Damage - These have utilitarian effects when it comes to dealing damage and armor piercing.Passive: Adrenaline Builder - Increases adrenaline gains.Passive: Riposte/Energizing Defense/Defensive Strike - Improves your counter so that you can perform a riposte, with bonus health restoration, too. Kanabo: Best skillsPassive: Devastation/Turmoil/Infinite Devastation and Forward Momentum/Constant Pressure/Power Surge - These are some of the best Yasuke skills in Assassin's Creed Shadows, especially if you prefer wielding a kanabo. The weapon itself has slow but powerful attacks, often breaking an enemy's guard as well. As such, it's often a good idea to keep swinging until your targets are eliminated.Passive: Combo Ender Damage - Increases the damage of your combo enders regardless of your equipped weapon. Naginata: Best skillsAbility: Crescent Strike/Deep Cut/Disabling Strike - Among all the weapon-based abilities in the game, we feel that the naginata's Crescent Strike is the most devastating. It cuts through a wide arc, allowing you to hit multiple enemies around you.Passive: One Man Army - Increases damage when hitting multiple enemies.Passive: Far Reach/Lethal Reach/Fatal Reach - Improves your damage throughput, critical hit chance, and adrenaline generation when wielding a naginata. Bow: Best skillsAbility: Clear Mind/Effective Mindset/Level-Headed - Slows down time when activated, allowing you to land more headshots.Passive: Marksman's Shot/Stance/Touch - A posture shot to the head also allows you to fire another arrow by pressing the attack button.Passive: Critical Damage and Headshot Damage - More damage with your armaments, so what's not to like?Large Quiver I/II/III - Increases the maximum capacity for all your arrow types. Teppo: Best skillsAbility: Explosive Surprise/Barrage/Warfare - If you prefer to use a teppo (i.e. musket) instead of a bow, then the Explosive Surprise ability is one to watch out for. With it, you can blast clustered groups of enemies, before following up with a deadly melee strike.Passive: Teppo Tempo/Target Vulnerability - Aiming down sights can be risky when you're surrounded by several enemies. That's why you need a handy dodge, made even better if it inflicts vulnerability on advancing hostiles.Passive: Larger Pouch I/II/III - Increases the maximum capacity for all ammo types.That's all you need to know about the best skills for Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows. If you want to learn about the more stealth-focused ninja protagonist, you can read our best Naoe skills guide.Do you need more help as you continue your adventure throughout Sengoku Jidai era Japan? We've got you covered, so just take a look at our Assassin's Creed Shadows guides hub.

InZoi, the first real attempt ever to compete with The Sims in the life sim space, is here, releasing via Steam Early Access, and it's only natural that players will spend their first several hours in the game creating their characters and messing around in build mode to see what kinds of dollhouses they can assemble. There's no point in jumping into the simulation until you've got everything else in order.For those Sims players who are eager to see what InZoi's got that The Sims doesn't, be warned that InZoi's build mode has a few big quirks that you'll need to learn about before you get started, or else you might accidentally rip the walls out of your house while you're trying to make it bigger. Fortunately, we've got you covered with our InZoi build mode guide.How InZoi's home-building gameplay differs from the SimsIf you're coming to InZoi from The Sims 4, you'll probably be used to a build mode in which everything is one context-sensitive click away. Clicking on an object picks it up; clicking on a wall lets you move it to expand or contract the room it's containing. You just click on what you want to manipulate, and then you manipulate it. InZoi's build mode is slightly more complicated than that, thanks largely to the fact that it has more customization options--but there are some fundamental differences from The Sims that will probably trip you up at first.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Fortnite OG mode is taking another step toward the present very soon--Season 3 starts on March 25, taking us back to the season that kicked off way back in February of 2018. While Fortnite OG has waned in popularity a bit recently, one of the big reasons for that is that Fortnite changed very little during those original two seasons, so this nostalgic mode didn't get to do much differently either. Season 3, however, is where things began ramping up. The game's overall storyline made its very first appearance when a large meteor appeared over the island midway through the season.With just days remaining before the next round of Fortnite's throwback party begins, let's take a look at everything we know about Fortnite OG Season 3.Table of Contents [hide]Fortnite OG Season 3 teaserFortnite OG Season 3 teaserEpic has dropped a single teaser for OG Season 3, which shows an astronaut helmet with the Fortnite island visible in the reflection--along with the meteor above it. The TikTok and Instagram versions of the teaser are the most illuminating versions, as they reveal that the astronaut is wearing a studded leather jacket. There aren't any skins that wore anything like that from Season 3, battle pass or otherwise, but our Metallica-themed remix of Rust from Chapter 5 Season 3 did. Regardless, I doubt that thing is spaceworthy, but Fortnite isn't concerned with such things.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Planning to use the best Naoe skills in Assassin's Creed Shadows? This shinobi of Iga has seen her fair share of tragedies. Now, she wants to exact vengeance on her foes, striking from the dark and waylaying anyone who gets in her way. Our guide has everything you need to know about the ideal perks and abilities for Naoe.Best Naoe skills in Assassin's Creed ShadowsNaoe, compared to Yasuke, is extremely agile, relying on fast movement, quick dodges, and various tools to survive. She has the following skill trees:Main archetype: Shinobi - Focuses on traversal and speedy movement.Main archetype: Assassin - Focuses on instantly killing foes and adrenaline gains.Melee weapons: Katana, Kusarigama, and Tanto - These skill trees will only appear once you've acquired your first weapon of each respective type.Ranged options: Tools - Naoe doesn't really wield ranged weapons, unlike Yasuke, but she does have some nifty options in combat.Note: Don't forget that Mastery Points (i.e. skill points) come from level-ups and objective completions. However, you still need to amass Knowledge Points from optional activities, as these allow you to unlock higher-tier skills and perks. Shinobi: Best skillsAbility: Heighten Senses/Extended Perception/Critical Insight - Slows down time if you get detected, allowing you to reposition for a kill or escape swiftly.Passive: Shinobi Mastery - Increases your maximum health.Passive: Prodigy - This increases the damage dealt by your abilities, so what's not to like?Passive: Igan Roll/Ninja Fall - You'll often find yourself jumping from a great height, so you might as well reduce/negate fall damage. Assassin: Best skillsPassive: Nightcrawler - This provides a decent damage boost when it's nighttime.Passive: Executioner - You deal more damage against vulnerable enemies (i.e. those whose attacks were perfectly parried or dodged).Hidden Blade, Vigor, and Assassination Damage trees - All of the perks here make Naoe a more effective killer. Katana: Best skillsAbility: Guard Breaker/No Quarter/Unstoppable - We feel that Guard Breaker is the more viable katana ability for Naoe, at least when compared to Tidal Wave.Passive: Melee Expert - This increases all damage that you deal with melee weapons.Passive: Counterattack/Swift Step/Hardened - If you prefer wielding a katana, then this is one of the best skills for Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows. As long as you get the timing right, you should be able to deflect a lot of hits. Kusarigama: Best skillsPassive: Multi-target Expert - Increases damage dealt when hitting multiple enemies.Passive: Critical Proficiency - Increases critical damage. Tanto: Best skillsAbility: Shadow Barrage/Endless Barrage/Contemplation - This might just be the best Naoe skill in Assassin's Creed Shadows. When active, it causes her to automatically evade up to seven hits or up to 20 seconds (by default). You're essentially invulnerable for 20 seconds, and you're still able to unleash combo chains. This makes Shadow Barrage an amazing ability for boss battles or encounters against larger groups of hostiles.Passive: Gap Seeker - Increases armor-piercing damage.Passive: Critical Thinker - Increases critical hit chance. Tools: Best skillsPassive: Kunai Assassination Damage I/II/III - Since Naoe doesn't use normal ranged weapons, you just have to rely on either kunai or shurikens. We feel that the kunai is better given the higher damage output.Passive: Smoke Bomb/Enduring Haze - The reason why you want to have a smoke bomb handy is because it lets you re-stealth even while you're in the middle of combat. This means you can either escape quickly or go for a sneaky assassination.Passive: Larger Tool Bag I/II/III - Simply increases the maximum capacity of tools that you can have in your pouch at any given time.That does it for our guide on the best skills for Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows. If you're keen on learning more about her fellow protagonist, you can visit our best Yasuke skills guide.Do you need more help as you continue your adventure throughout Sengoku Jidai era Japan? We've got you covered, so just take a look at our Assassin's Creed Shadows guides hub.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition $50 (was $60) at Woot See at Woot See at Best Buy See at Walmart See at Target Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is discounted to $50 (was $60) at Woot. The new Nintendo Switch exclusive just launched on March 20, but the Amazon-owned discount shop has made a habit of offering $10 discounts on Nintendo games during launch week. This deal has already sold out once, so you'll need to be quick to snag a copy for the reduced price.It's important to note that if you order a Switch game from Woot, you'll often receive an imported copy. All Nintendo Switch games are region-free, so the only difference you'll notice is the ratings board logo. Your copy of Xenoblade Chronicles X will be sealed and fully playable in English, so as long as you don't mind a slightly different box, you might as well save 10 bucks while you can.Woot has a bunch of Nintendo Switch game deals right now, including a number of other recent Nintendo exclusives.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Following a lengthy wait, A Song of Ice and Fire's Illustrated Edition series is set to return this fall with A Feast for Crows. The Illustrated Edition of the fourth novel in George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy series will be published on November 4, almost exactly five years after the release of the previous entry, A Storm of Swords: The Illustrated Edition. Game of Thrones fans can preorder A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition for $50 at Amazon.Note that reserving a copy at Amazon means you won't pay until it's shipped, and you'll be eligible for any price cuts between now and November 4.The Illustrated Edition series debuted in 2016 with A Game of Thrones. Following a three-year wait, Random House published A Clash of King's Illustrated Edition in 2019. A Storm of Swords was published one year later, but then the waiting game started. For Game of Thrones fans, the wait for this special hardcover edition of A Feast for Crows undoubtedly pales in comparison to The Winds of Winter. Nearly 14 years have passed since the release of A Dance with Dragons, so five years is nothing.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Marvel Rivals has become incredibly popular since its December 2024 launch, landing near the top of Steam's most-played list nearly every week since it went live and receiving praise from critics and players alike. But the game's sustained popularity has also resulted in an influx of new players. With 37 playable heroes--and many more to come--Marvel Rivals can be a bit overwhelming for those who are new to the game. But with a little guidance and some practice, it's easy to master a few characters--we recommend becoming proficient in at least one character from each hero class, to ensure you can fill in any tactical gaps in your team's roster.Each hero has a star rating (ranging from one star to five stars) indicating how difficult that character is to master. But not all one-star heroes are created equal, and not all two-, three-, four-star, or five-star heroes are as daunting (or deadly) as they may initially seem.You can easily destroy a five-star hero with a one-star hero, and many higher-tier heroes are quite easy to get the hang of. If you're a new player looking for a good hero to try out without getting instantly clobbered--or a more experienced player who's still struggling--you're in the right place.We've put together a list of the 10 best Marvel Rivals heroes for players who are new to the game, still haven't found their "main" yet, or just need a bit of guidance. Keep scrolling for a closer look at some of the easiest (and most rewarding) heroes to master.For lots more on choosing your go-to character in Marvel Rivals, check out the Duelist tier list, Vanguard tier list, Strategist tier list, or--if you're coming to the game as an Overwatch player, you can pick your Rivals main based on your Overwatch main. 10. Luna SnowLuna Snow makes for a great support character, especially for players who don't want to be in the center of a brawl.Difficulty rating: Class: StrategistHP: 275Luna Snow is ideal for new players who are a bit shy about getting into the fight, but still want the ability to defend themselves. Her normal attack, called Light & Dark Ice, deals damage to enemies and heals allies. She's also great for healing airborne heroes, who often get overlooked by their ground-bound Strategist allies.Her Share The Stage ability allows her to protect a single ally, attaching an Idol Aura to them that protects them and restores their health when Luna is healing other teammates. We recommend attaching Idol Aura to airborne characters like Iron Man, Storm, or Human Torch, as they often fly so high that it can be difficult to hit them with Light & Dark Ice.Luna's Ice Arts ability is another great one--it allows her to fire multiple shards of ice at enemies, damaging them while healing both her allies and herself. Absolute Zero also allows Luna to fire ice at the enemy (a single clump, in this instance), but it also heals her in the process.But by far, Luna's most useful abilities are her passive Smooth Skate ability and her ultimate Fate Of Both Worlds ability. Smooth Skate sees Luna ice skating through the arena, making her one of the fastest-moving heroes in the game, and also allows her to jump higher. Smooth Skate's speed boost gives Luna the ability to get back in the fight ASAP, or quickly escape danger.As for her ultimate, Fate Of Both Worlds temporarily increases Luna's HP from 275 to 525 as she puts on a performance. Players can toggle back and forth between a performance that heals all nearby allies, and one that grants nearby allies increased damage, and Luna can move around to make sure she's healing/buffing as many teammates as possible.This is a great way to turn the tide in battle--use the first part of the performance to heal up your allies, then swap to the second performance to give them a damage boost. 9. Iron ManIron Man's ability to fly is great for avoiding damage, and his other skills are great for dealing it.Difficulty rating: Class: DuelistHP: 250Iron Man has the benefit of being able to fly high and fast, which is invaluable when it comes to avoiding damage. Iron Man's normal attacks--Repulsor Blast and Unibeam--are quite useful, but using his Armor Overdrive ability will increase the damage of both attacks. Unibeam is absolutely deadly and is great for quickly draining health from enemy Vanguard-class heroes.Iron Man's Hyper-Velocity ability allows him to fly extremely quickly for a brief amount of time--and also allows him to unleash a barrage of missiles while doing so. This is great for getting out of sticky situations--just blast your enemies with missiles and make a beeline for the nearing Strategist or health pack to heal up. Then return to the fight, activate Armor Overdrive, and hit your enemies with your buffed Unibeam.Alternatively, Iron Man may wish to return to the fight with his ultimate ability, Invincible Pulse Cannon (assuming it's loaded up and ready to go).This ability deals devastating damage to anyone caught in its blast and also sends them flying backwards. This ability is great for game modes in which teams are fighting to gain control of an area of the map. Aim it well enough, and you might even be able to blast enemies off the edge of the map. 8. MagnetoWith a powerful ultimate ability, MagnetoDifficulty rating: Class: VanguardHP: 650Magneto's normal attack, Iron Volley, allows him to fire a volley of magnetized orbs that explode on impact, but rather than reducing the damage of projectiles fired from a long distance, Iron Volley's explosions get bigger based on how far they've traveled.His Metallic Curtain ability blocks all projectiles, and his Metal Bulwark ability conjures a protective shield around an allied teammate. Any damage taken by this shield transforms into rings on Magneto's back, but we'll get to those in a moment.Magneto isn't just about protecting others--his Iron Bulwark ability works just like Metal Bulwark, except it gives a protective shield to Magneto rather than a teammate. Again, any damage the Iron Bulwark shield takes transforms into the circular metal rings on his back. What do those rings do, exactly?Well, if you use Magneto's Mag-Cannon ability, you can launch those rings at enemy players, causing damage. The more rings on Magneto's back, the greater the damage, and a full stack (three rings) will also knock enemies back upon impact, in addition to dealing damage.But the real star of the show here is his ultimate ability, Meteor M. The Meteor M ability sees Magneto fly upward (making him harder to hit) and summon an iron meteor that does devastating damage upon impact.The meteor's power can even be enhanced by absorbing the projectiles of enemies to shoot at it, but too many projectiles can cause it to self-destruct, so it's best to launch this meteor quickly. 7. The ThingThe Thing's extra HP and rock-solid ability set makes him ideal for players who want to play on the frontlines.Difficulty rating: Class: VanguardHP: 700In addition to his enormous amount of health, The Thing also has a passive ability called Unyielding Will, which makes him immune to being launched upward, knocked backward, or otherwise displaced.His Stone Haymaker and Rocky Jab abilities allow him to punch his enemies with a great amount of force, and his Yancy Street Charge ability sees him gain speed, allowing him to rapidly dash through hordes of enemies, damaging them and knocking them out of the way in the process.But as a part of The Fantastic Four, The Thing is a team player at heart. His embattled leap ability sees him jump toward an ally, healing both himself and his teammate in the process. His ultimate ability, however, is all about damage and area control.Activating Clobberin' Time will cause The Thing to forcefully punch the ground, damaging enemies in front of him and sending them flying upward. 6. Invisible WomanDespite her four-star difficulty rating, Invisible Woman is surprisingly easy to get the hang of.Difficulty rating: Class: StrategistHP: 275As a hero with a four-star difficulty rating and relatively low HP, you might expect the Invisible Woman to be quite complicated to master. But in our experience, she's not too hard to get the hang of, and she's incredibly useful.Her normal attack, Orb Projection, damages enemies but heals allies. Her Psionic Vortex ability sucks nearby enemies into the orb, making them a prime target for her Force Physics ability, which allows her to push enemies in front of her away, or pull them closer. Pulling them closer is a great time to unleash Agile Strike, a three-hit combo that damages enemies and knocks them backward.Invisible Woman's Guardian Shield is invaluable, allowing her to place a damage-absorbing shield in front of her allies. This ability refreshes almost instantly, allowing her to reposition the shield quickly. Even better, the shield can go anywhere--even up in the air. This is great for protecting airborne heroes long enough for you to heal them via Orb Projection.If things start getting dicey, Invisible Woman can easily make a quick escape via her Veiled Step ability, which allows her to jump high into the air and land far away from her original position. This is a great way to escape an unwinnable situation long enough for her passive ability, Covert Advance, to trigger. Covert Advance sees Invisible Woman become invisible after a short time out of combat, regenerating health in the process.Her Invisible Boundary ultimate ability is also quite powerful, creating a circular force field that renders allies within it undetectable by enemies and heals them over time. Enemy players who are brave enough to step into the Invisible Boundary will have their movement slowed.Invisible Woman is wildly powerful, but don't let that four-star difficulty rating scare you off--she's really quite easy to get the hang of, and is great for players who want to be able to heal themselves and their allies, but still want to be able to inflict damage upon enemies and control their ability to freely move across the arena. 5. Star-LordWith a great movement boost and weapons that can lock-on to targets, Star-Lord can deal some serious damage.Difficulty rating: Class: DuelistHP: 250If you enjoy third-person shooters, Star-Lord is the hero for you. His normal attack--Element Guns--sees him dual-wielding two automatic pistols that, when well-aimed, can do absolutely massive damage.But if you're struggling with aim, don't worry--Star-Lord's Blaster Barrage hits all enemies within range, with no aiming needed, and his ultimate Galactic Legend ability sends Star-Lord flying up into the air (making him harder to hit) before unleashing a barrage of elemental bullets from his pistols that do devastating damage. This ability also allows him to lock-on to enemies, and once locked-on, it's almost impossible to miss.Star-Lord also has some great movement-based abilities to help him get out of trouble or catch up with his team. His Stellar Shift ability allows him to dodge and quickly reload at the same time. He gains both the Unstoppable and Invincible status effects while dodging.His Rocket Propulsion ability allows him to quickly rocket-boost himself forward, which really comes in handy when trying to avoid certain death or get back into the match ASAP after being eliminated. 4. Jeff The Land SharkDon't be fooled by his utterly adorable appearance--this little shark is as deadly as he is cute.Difficulty rating: Class: StrategistHP: 250He might be adorable, but this cuddly little shark with puppy-dog vibes is deadlier--and more helpful--than you might think. Jeff The Land Shark has two normal attacks: Joyful Splash and Aqua Burst. Joyful Splash sees Jeff spew a mouthful of healing water at his allies, and this water has some serious range, making it ideal for healing airborne allies or ground-bound teammates who are far away.Meanwhile, Aqua Burst allows Jeff to spew multiple spheres of water at enemies, damaging any enemies within range of said spheres. His Healing Bubble ability is exactly what it sounds like--Jeff spits out a bubble that heals whichever teammate collects it, grants them both a healing boost and a movement boost, and also launches nearby enemies upward.His passive Oblivious Cuteness ability is also quite useful, as it reduces the amount of damage Jeff takes from critical hits. His Hide And Seek ability allows him to dive into the floor, with only his dorsal fin visible, which makes him harder to hit. While using Hide And Seek, Jeff moves faster, automatically self-heals if he's injured, and gains the ability to swim up the side of walls. It's great for orchestrating a subtle exit if Jeff finds himself in the middle of a battle he can't win.Jeff's most powerful ability is arguably his It's Jeff! ultimate ability. Jeff dives into a large section of the arena's floor before briefly surfacing and goblins up anyone caught in the whirlpool. Hide And Seek then automatically activates for a brief amount of time, allowing Jeff to quickly swim away from the scene before spitting out the heroes he's swallowed. It's Jeff! is great for getting enemies out of the way, especially if you're near the edge of the map--you can simply use Hide And Seek to swim to the edge of the map and spit your enemies out right there, sending them flying off the edge of the map and killing them instantly.It's Jeff! can also be used to swallow teammates, swim to a safer area, and spit them out there before using Joyful Splash to heal them up. Just be careful not to accidentally swallow teammates along with enemies, as your allies likely won't appreciate being spit off the side of the map. 3. The PunisherThe Punisher's ultimate ability is incredibly powerful, and will send enemies running for cover.Difficulty rating: Class: DuelistHP: 275The Punisher is great for new players--especially those who enjoy third-person shooters. His normal attacks include Adjudication--which see The Punisher fire an automatic rifle that does decent damage--and Deliverance.Deliverance can easily take out most characters in three or four shots (depending on their HP and how much damage they've already taken). Both Adjudication and Deliverance pack a serious punch, and swapping back and forth between them makes taking out enemies incredibly easy. But if you want to make it easier, you can use The Punisher's Scourge Grenade ability, which fires a smoke grenade, blinding enemies, causing minor damage, and sending The Punisher flying backward, out of their range.Enemies can still be seen through the Scourge Grenade's smoke, creating the perfect opportunity to finish them off with Deliverance or Adjudication. The Punisher's passive Warrior's Gaze ability works like X-Ray vision, and allows him to briefly see outlines of enemies who disappear from sight by running for cover.Speaking of running for cover, The Punisher's Vantage Connection ability allows him to launch a grappling hook, creating a sort of zipline that can quickly move him across the map. This is great for escaping peril or relocating at a moment's notice.But the real stars of the show are The Punisher's Culling Turret ability and his Final Judgement ultimate ability. Activating Culling Turret creates a shielded turret with a shield and a separate HP bar, so unless enemies are behind The Punisher, they'll have to deplete the turret shield's HP before they can start whittling down The Punisher's HP.The Culling Turret does massive damage and lasts until its shield is destroyed, but there's one downside: The Punisher has to sit in it, leaving him unable to move while using the turret. Having the Invisible Woman cast a shield near you or having Luna Snow cast Share The Stage to attach a protective Idol Aura to The Punisher is a great way to make up for the vulnerability created by sitting in one place with only a forward-facing turret shield to protect you.As for The Punisher's Final Judgement ultimate ability, it's great at crowd control. Final Judgement sees two Gatling guns appear on The Punisher's back, along with a target-seeking missile launcher.While this is great at draining enemy health, it offers no protection for the Punisher. No HP boost, no temporary HP, no floating in the air, no shield. So be aware of your surroundings and be sure to let your teammates know you're about to play judge, jury, and executioner, so the Strategists on your team can keep you healed up, and any Vanguards can get between you and the enemy, absorbing damage. 2. VenomWith more HP than anyone else in the game, Venom is both fun to play and difficult for enemies to take down.Difficulty rating: Class: VanguardHP: 800Venom is arguably one of the best heroes to take for a spin as a new player. He's got more HP than any other character in the game, and his Symbiotic Resilience ability allows him to generate bonus health if he takes damage. The more damage he takes, the more bonus health he'll recover.Venom is also highly mobile. His Venom Swing ability allows him to quickly get back in the fight (or get the hell out and find a health pack), and it also gives him a chance to make use of Frenzied Arrival: An ability that allows Venom to dive-slam into the ground when jumping or swinging from a significant height.When he hits the ground, any nearby enemies will take damage and get tossed into the air by the force of Venom's landing. But this hulking symbiote's surprisingly smooth movement doesn't stop there--his passive Alien Biology ability allows him to crawl up walls, providing more opportunities to jump down and trigger his Frenzied Arrival ground-slam ability.As for offense, Venom's normal attack is Dark Predation, a skill that sees him use his tentacle-like appendages to stab enemies. Venom needs to be fairly close to his enemies to land a hit with Dark Predation, but with 800 health and the ability to Venom Swing away if things get messy, it's a small price to pay. Venom can also use his Cellular Corrosion ability to grab multiple enemies with his tentacles.Cellular Corrosion causes damage to enemies who are unable to break free from Venom's clutches, so grabbing your foes with that ability and then using Dark Predation to damage them while they're still in your clutches is a great way to engage in some crowd control. Triggering Symbiotic Resistance beforehand is even better, as it lessens the likelihood of enemies managing to kill Venom before he can kill them.Venom's ultimate ability, Feast Of The Abyss, is quite similar to Jeff The Land Shark's ultimate ability. Venom melts into a large puddle of black symbiote goo on the floor, and can reposition himself. After a brief period of time (or, ideally, when triggered by the player), Venom will surface, taking a large bite out of any nearby enemies.This ability can do some significant damage--one chomp is enough to cut down The Punisher's health by over 50%, for example. But it also had added benefits: Feast Of The Abyss regenerates Venom's health, granting him bonus health that--depending on how many victims were devoured--can temporarily raise his HP from 800 to over 1,300.All in all, Venom is extremely easy to get the hang of, and more than that, he is wildly fun to play. Like many of Marvel Rivals' playable heroes, Venom really makes you feel like you're playing a brain-eating symbiote from planet Klyntar. 1. Scarlet WitchBetween her auto-aiming default attack, her ability to disappear, and her deadly ultimate, Scarlet Witch is ideal for new players.Difficulty rating: Class: DuelistHP: 250At first glance, Scarlet Witch is easy to overlook. She's got low HP, only one normal attack, and doesn't move very fast. But she's capable of inflicting wild amounts of damage, and can quickly escape if the fight gets too dicey.Her normal attack, Chaos Control, deals damage to enemies based on a percentage of their max health. But far more importantly, Chaos Control is effectively an endless stream of Chaos Magic that does not require aiming. Yep, Wanda's magic effectively has auto-aim. It also has some serious range, and using it restores Chaos Energy.Chaos Energy powers one of her other abilities: Chthonian Burst. This ability allows her to fire up to four explosive magic missiles that pack a serious punch. Chaos Energy slowly refills on its own over time, but using Chaos Control refills it much faster, and when playing as Scarlet Witch, you should pretty much always be using both Chaos Energy and Chthonian Burst.Another ability Scarlet Witch possesses is called Dark Seal. Triggering it fires an orb of Chaos Magic that can be detonated by the player, or will detonate on its own eventually. Once detonated, Dark Seal essentially serves as a force field that periodically stuns enemies who try to walk through it, or happen to be standing within range when it detonates.Another valuable ability Scarlet Witch possesses is Mystic Protection. It has two charges, and when triggered, Scarlet Witch becomes transparent and gains the ability to fly--but enemy players only see her as a small red orb zooming around that is very hard to hit. Mystic Projection is an excellent way to get out of hot water and find the nearest health pack when an enemy is about to finish you off.But the best demonstration of Scarlet Witch's chaotic powers is her Reality Erasure ultimate ability. When triggered, Scarlet Witch can fly freely, chanting a brief incantation ("Pure chaos!") before unleashing a huge orb of Chaos Magic that destroys nearly everything in its path.The brief moment between triggering Reality Erasure and it actually detonating can be dangerous, however--Scarlet Witch does not have an extra shield or any other additional help to protect her while she's vulnerable.As soon as enemy players hear, "Pure chaos!" they will do everything they can to take Scarlet Witch down before Reality Erasure detonates. We recommend either flying as high up as possible and only descending when the ability is about to detonate or triggering the ability while hiding behind cover, only exposing yourself to the enemy right when Reality Erasure is going to detonate. If you've got voice chat on, be sure to warn your teammates so they can protect you with shields, healing, or distractions.Overall, Scarlet Witch is the best character to start off with if you're new to Marvel Rivals. Knowing that every single normal attack will always hit its target will allow you to get familiar with Scarlet Witch's other powers and focus on familiarizing yourself with other important aspects of the game, like different modes, various hero team-ups, and not letting Jeff The Land Shark spit you off the side of the map.

From ancient Greece to England during its industrialized age, Assassin's Creed games have always been a fun trip through history. Each era explored by the franchise has been surprisingly authentic as well, with Ubisoft even offering gameplay modes in recent titles that allowed players to soak up the time period and not have to worry about being mauled by the local wildlife.So if you were looking to experience the series not from the first game, but from the first chronological entry, where would you start? That's what we've done below, as we've looked at each of the mainline games released so far--and a few of the spin-offs--to create a timeline that covers Spartan legends, the golden age of piracy, and the French revolution.Something to be aware of if you're looking to get the full scope of the AC timeline is that many events take place during DLC expansions for the games, including those for 2, 3, Unity, Syndicate, Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. AC2 is otherwise missing some notable levels, while AC3's Tyranny of King Washington is a great three-part story. Unity's Dead Kings concludes the story in a much-improved way over the base game. Odyssey's The Fate of Atlantis does a lot of worldbuilding involving the Isu. And so on.We've included the just-released Assassin's Creed Shadows, which falls roughly in the middle of the overall timeline. Set in ancient Japan, the game stars two protagonists once again--the first time since 2015's Assassin's Creed Syndicate allowed the Frye twins to share the stage. If you're interested, you can read our Assassin's Creed Shadows review to see how it stacks up against the rest of the series, as well as our Assassin's Creed Shadows guides to help you out.If you need to pick up any of the games in the series, many of them are on sale individually, as well as in discounted bundles through Ubisoft's store right now:Assassin's Creed -- $5 ($20)Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection (PS4) -- $10 Includes: II, Brotherhood, RevelationsAssassin's Creed Ezio Auditore Pack -- $11.60 ($40) Includes: II, Brotherhood, RevelationsAssassin's Creed American History Pack -- $28 ($80) Includes: III Remastered, IV: Black Flag, Freedom Cry, Liberation Remastered HD, RogueAssassin's Creed Mythology Pack -- $32 ($160) Includes: Origins, Odyssey, ValhallaAssassin's Creed Modern Revolutions Pack -- $18 ($90)Includes: Unity, 2x Unity DLC, Syndicate's Gold editionAssassin's Creed Mirage + Valhalla Bundle -- $33 ($100)Assassin's Creed Shadows -- $70 In the beginning (77,986 BCE)While we've yet to journey to the very distant past of humanity, we have seen glimpses of the beings who ruled the world long before humanity did. In fact, humanity was created as a race of slaves by the mysterious Isu, but when two humans known as Adam and Eve revolted, a war broke out between the Isu and their creations. The rebellion ended after a cataclysmic solar flare struck Earth, annihilating most of the Isu and leaving humanity free to find its own path in life.The Isu who did survive helped guide humanity to form their own culture, and while they weren't alive for long after the great disaster, they did live on as myths and legends in human history. A number of powerful Isu artifacts--commonly referred to as Pieces of Eden--also survived into the new era, and these relics became central to the conflict that would unfold across the ages.Assassin's Creed Valhalla has a somewhat standalone DLC, Dawn of Ragnarok, that covers some of these events. Assassin's Creed Odyssey (431 BCE 422 BCE)In the current mythos of Assassin's Creed, Odyssey is the earliest game in the timeline. As one of the grandchildren of the legendary Spartan King Leonidas, players could choose to tackle the game as one of two siblings: Kassandra (the canonical choice) or Alexios.Set during the Peloponnesian War, Odyssey predates the formation of the Templar and Assassin orders, but it does touch on topics that had become staples of the series, like the Isu, Pieces of Eden, and secret organizations looking to control humanity. Assassin's Creed Origins (49 BCE 44 BCE)Almost four centuries later, the next chapter in the Assassin's Creed saga would shift to Egypt for a grand tale of revenge. This is where the groundwork was established for the factions of Assassin's Creed, as Origins introduced the Order of the Ancients that would eventually evolve into the Templars and Abstergo, forcing the protagonists Bayek and Aya to form the Hidden Ones, a secret society that would one day become known as the Assassin Brotherhood. Assassin's Creed Mirage (861)Many centuries later, Assassin's Creed would visit ancient Baghdad and tell the story of Basim, a street thief who would be inducted into the Hidden Ones and would assist in their fight against The Order of Ancients. Hellbent on revenge, Basim's story would be revisited in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Assassin's Creed Valhalla (872 878)While Basim did show up and play a pivotal role in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the job of the playable protagonist was thrust onto Viking warrior Eivor. Valhalla was primarily set in ye olde England as Eivor worked to establish their own settlement, but it did feature a few jaunts to faraway and strange lands while also blending recorded history with mythology.The Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients were still fighting one another in the shadows, but after a few centuries had passed, the conflict would heat up as these organizations continued to change with the times.Valhalla has a setting you can toggle to ensure you're playing as the canonical Eivor throughout the story. Assassin's Creed (1191)The first Assassin's Creed game set the stage for the franchise with its foundational building blocks. From protagonists being fond of hoodies to the Animus, Pieces of Eden, and the concept of DNA containing the memories of the past, all of it can be traced back to this single game. Chronologically, Assassin's Creed takes place 300 years after Valhalla and is set near the end of King Philip II of France's Third Crusade.The main storyline focused on protagonist Altar Ibn-La'Ahad atoning for the death of a fellow assassin by hunting down members of the Templar order, but like most Assassin's Creed games, there was a big twist waiting in the shadows. Assassin's Creed 2 (1476 1499)Another massive time-skip would see players engage in some Renaissance-themed resistance in Assassin's Creed 2. With Altair Ibn'La-Ahad having long since passed away, it was time for a new generation to take the fight to the Templars, a job that the charismatic Ezio Auditore da Firenze was well-suited for. Ezio's tale began as a quest for vengeance, but across a journey that would span several years, he'd learn more about the Templars and just how deep the rot went as he explored 15th century Italy. Players also got to trade blows with the Pope, cementing Assassin's Creed 2 as one of the best in the series. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (1499 1507)Set in the wake of Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood saw Ezio embark on a new quest to rebuild the Assassin Brotherhood, get some overdue payback, and keep another Piece of Eden out of the reach of the Templars. Set primarily in Rome, Brotherhood was another lengthy adventure that unfolded over several years as Ezio worked to dismantle the Borgia army. Assassin's Creed: Revelations (1511 1512)Ezio's story would eventually reach its end in Assassin's Creed: Revelations, as his brief journey to Constantinople saw him on the hunt for Altair's secret library. After a great deal of effort--and with quite a few Templar agents lying dead in the sand--Ezio would hang up his hidden blade and entrust the fate of mankind to future generations of Assassins, including his descendant Desmond Miles. Assassin's Creed Shadows (1579)The newest game in the series, Assassin's Creed Shadows is set during a pivotal moment in Japanese history. While we're keeping details light so as to avoid spoilers, what has been confirmed so far is that the game kicks off in 1579 during the end of the Sengoku period, an era when Japan was engaged in several bloody civil wars. Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (1715 1722)From this point, the Assassin's Creed timeline would start to converge tightly as more major events unfolded. Technically a prequel to Assassin's Creed 3, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag starred the pirate Edward Kenway as he unwittingly became involved in the secret war between the Templars and Assassins during the early 1700s.On top of the race to uncover the location of a lost First Civilization site, Black Flag also puts its own spin on real-life figures from the era--something that had become a staple part of the franchise in earlier games--as infamous pirates like Edward "Blackbeard" Thatch, Stede Bonnet, and Calico Jack appeared in Kenway's adventure. Assassin's Creed Rogue (1752 1760)After years of working in the shadows for the Assassins Brotherhood, Assassin's Creed Rogue was a big narrative departure for the series. A spin-off that bridged the gap between Assassin's Creed 4 and Assassin's Creed 3, players stepped into the shoes of a disillusioned Assassin who had been left for dead by the order and decided to join with the Templars to hunt down another Piece of Eden. Edward Kenway's son Haytham would play a key role in the story, as he'd ascended to the rank of Templar grandmaster. Assassin's Creed: Freedom Cry (1735-1737)A hard-hitting game in which players took on the role of former slave Adwal, Assassin's Creed: Cry Freedom was set 15 years after Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, and saw Adwal shipwrecked in Saint-Domingue. Originally released as DLC for Assassin's Creed 4, Freedom Cry was later re-released as a standalone game. Assassin's Creed 3 (1754 1783)It might have taken a while to get going--thanks to a lengthy prelude starring Templar problem-solver Haythem Kenway--but Assassin's Creed 3 was all gas and no brakes once Kenway's son Connor began learning the fine art of assassination.Embarking on a years-long quest of revenge for the death of his mother, Connor would meet several famous faces from history while having an impact on the American Revolution. At the same time, Assassin's Creed 3 also brought the story of Desmond Miles to a close, as he raced to prevent the end of the world by any means necessary. Assassin's Creed: Liberation (1765-1777)Originally released for PS Vita--and later ported to PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch--Liberation is another spin-off from the Assassin's Creed 3 era. The first game to feature a female protagonist in the form of French Assassin Aveline de Grandpr, Liberation's story primarily unfolded during the final days of the French and Indian War, while also revealing more of humanity's hidden history.Liberation largely takes place at the same time as AC3, and Connor from that game even shows up here. Assassins Creed Unity (1789 1794)Moving ahead to 1789, it was time to swap out the American Revolution for a French one. Assassin's Creed Unity was an ambitious game in the series, and despite it being riddled with several bugs at launch, the story of Arno Dorian is still a fascinating exploration of Paris, rebellion, and love. Assassin's Creed Syndicate (1868)Popping back to England for the Assassin's Creed timeline, Syndicate featured a pair of protagonists in the form of Jacob and Evie Frye. The story was mostly constrained to 1868, but that still allowed players to meet historical figures like biologist Charles Darwin, writer Charles Dickens, and even Queen Victoria. There's even a collection of optional side quests in the latter half of the game that sees you play as Lydia Frye--Jacob's granddaughter, and an Assassin during World War I--where you get to meet future British prime minister Winston Churchill in the digital flesh. The Animus connectionOne of the key elements shared across all of the Assassin's Creed games is that of the Animus, the high-tech device that allows for protagonists in the modern era to relive the memories of their ancestors. The series initially started with Desmond Miles learning about his connections to the assassins from ancient eras, and for a while, this facet of the games took a backseat to the historical action.It would resurface more prominently starting with Assassin's Creed Origins, as the game introduced Layla Hassan and fleshed out her story across the Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

Atomfall sports some interesting collectibles. We especially like the retro lunch boxes filled with assorted goodies--theyre trophies with a purpose. But the best collectible has to be the garden gnomes hidden around Wyndham Village though. These little guys are so cute, you just want to punch them.Thats right. Instead of collecting the garden gnomes in a literal sense, you destroy them via punching. Send a jab or a hook at 10 of them, and youll unlock the Orna Metal achievement/trophy. To help with that, weve listed the locations of all 15 gnomes below. You know, for those of us who "gotta punch 'em all"!*To make this easier, we've listed the gnomes in an order starting from the Casterfell Woods entrance, making a loop around the entire village with the least amount of backtracking* Gnome 1The first gnome can be found as you enter Wyndham Village from Casterfell Woods. Head up the road until you come to the Mereview Hotel. Walk up to the left side of the hotel, under the shaded area and youll see the gnome sitting on a couch. Punch it. Gnome 2Head down the road past the hotel and the small bridge. The next gnome will be sitting inside the bus station on the left side of the road. Send a jab its way before moving on. Gnome 3Keep down the road until you see a "children at play" sign. Go past it and take a sharp right between the two boarded up houses. Follow the small alley around and youll see the third gnome on a windowsill on the right. Knock his head off. Gnome 4From there, go back to the road, turn right and head past the two houses. Turn right, heading off of Bridge Street going towards Slatten Dale Hobbs Quarry. Stay on the right side of the Village Green (the circular platform in the town square) and head right on Chapel Brow. Follow this road all the way till you pass a makeshift gate/guard post sitting next to a loudspeaker. Turn left at the first house past the gate and the gnome will be next sitting near a boarded-up door. Give him a right hook. Gnome 5Get back to the road and head back towards the town square. Before you get there, take a right towards St. Katherines Church. Enter the church and take the first left, going around the corner and up the stairs on your left. Go all the way up and take the ladder to the roof. Once up there, quickly head over to the ledge and uppercut the gnome--dont try to fight the bats; they never stop spawning. Gnome 6Leave the church, turn right and head back down the road towards the town square. Take a slight right and head towards the Town Hall--itll be the building with the loud speakers on the roof. Go behind the building on the right-hand side, past the flowers. Youll see the gnome next to a wheelbarrow. Drop kick itwith your fist. Gnome 7Go down the street towards Grendels Head Shop (its to the left of the town hall). Walk up to the front door and turn around. The gnome will be on the ground next to a barrel. Hit 'em in the face. Gnome 8From there, get back on the road and walk towards the right side of the Village Green, ignoring the metal gate on your right. Turn right towards the boarded-up shop called the Little Tea Room. The Gnome will be on a windowsill out front. Throw another jab. Gnome 9Turn around and head back towards Grendels Head. This time take the left and go through the metal gate. Go toward the playground and walk between the small wood fence and stone wall. Youll see people working around some crates. Head towards the two houses on the right side of the playground. The gnome will be next to a flower pot near the back door of the stone house. Rough him up. Gnome 10Go back to the road and make a right on Ridgeway, heading up the hill. Youll come up to a stone shed. Follow the path going to the right, behind the shed, until you get to a road overlooking that area. Turn left and go straight towards the stone house on the right. Its connecting shed will have its door slightly ajar, allowing you to peek in and see the gnome sitting next to a wicker basket. Hope over the wooded gate and stone wall to reach the back of the shed to attack the gnome. Gnome 11Go all the way back to Ridgeway and turn right, passing by Wyndam Garage. Go through the gate, over the small bridge and immediately take a sharp right going past a large house (beside the creek). Follow the path behind the house to a grassy area. Youll see the gnome youre going to assault sitting on a picnic table. Gnome 12From there, go past the house back to the road and turn right, going past the bus stop. Keep going until the road ends. Turn right on the dirt road and continue until you reach a small stone building on your left. Walk around to the front of it to see the gnome on a small bench under its window. Ruin his day. Gnome 13Take the next left, past the wood barrels and walk between the two stone houses. Go through the small alley into Mill Grounds, walk across the road and onto the field behind the large house. Turn left and walk towards a small dug out of sorts to see a gnome hiding from your fist in the hole. Gnome 14Turn directly around and head left, going past the large house and through another alley. Follow the road all the way around the bend towards a grassy area. Youll come up on the Fern Bank sign. Walk past it, turn to the right (toward the bridge) to see the gnome on the ground. Give him a knuckle sandwich. Gnome 15From there, turn left and go over the bridge. Follow the road to the left, taking the first right between two houses. Hop the stone wall on the left and the gnome will be on the ground nest to a storage container. Swing on the last gnome to complete the challenge.For more help with Rebellion's new sandbox, use our Atomfall tips.

Four Call of Duty cheater providers have reportedly shut down, with the timing notably coming just ahead of the upcoming launch of Season 3 for Black Ops 6 and Warzone. Call of Duty has recently struggled with cheaters, and with Verdansk's big return to Warzone next month, no one wants hackers ruining the fun.This report comes from Call of Duty content creator LunchTime, who used social media to share that four Call of Duty cheat providers confirmed to have shut down this week. The details can be seen in the tweet below.4 additional Call of Duty cheat providers GCAIMX, Suave, ZZS, & MoneyMan have been shut downOne step closer to hacker-free COD pic.twitter.com/F0mCWfGM37 LunchTime (@LunchTime_YT) March 20, 2025 Activision has yet to comment on the shutdowns of these cheat providers, but the publisher recently released an extreme warning to Call of Duty cheaters about account sharing, reminding players that selling accounts is a violation of the Call of Duty terms of use. These sold accounts can be perma-banned.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Wordle took over our routines back in late 2021, and for some, it has been a recurring presence since. But there are multiple games like Wordle out there to try. If you're looking for a twist on the concept of guessing a word in a few tries, or a different take altogether with a similar spirit, there's a lot to choose from.If you haven't played Wordle yet, it goes like this: Every day there's a five-letter word selected that you have to guess in six tries. If you type a word and you see a green highlight, it means the letter is in the word, and also in the correct spot. If you see yellow, it means the letter is part of the word, but it's in the wrong spot. The word is released daily at midnight, and of course, bragging on social media about your result is more than encouraged. Wordle owner the New York Times did introduce an archive in May 2024 that allows you to go back and solve old puzzles, but that requires being a paid subscriber.Some of the Wordle alternatives on this list will feel quite familiar if you're knowledgeable of the original. Different rules, as well as distinct themes of what you're trying to guess, set a different tone for each from the get-go. Sometimes you'll be trying to piece together the name of a country or the title of a song. Others offer more unorthodox experiences, such as involving RPG references. If you have been feeling fatigued about the Wordle formula, there are puzzle games that will scratch a similar daily itch while offering something fresh.In 2025, the landscape of games like Wordle is seeing slower but still steady growth. If you don't know where to start looking, here are 15 options that are sure to cater to everyone's area of expertise and likings. As a reminder, these games are generally playable across PC, typically in your browser, as well as your phone or tablet. For more, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best 25 free games to play in 2025. PuzzmoWhere to play: Web browserLast year, we highlighted SpellTower from the Puzzmo collection. It remains a fun spin on the classic word-search concept, where you start with a board that's filled with random letters, and you're tasked with finding words via the sole act of swiping on them. The bigger the words, the bigger the score. And yes, there's a lot more freedom in the swiping action than you'd expect, as you slice rows and connect with letters diagonally without restriction.But there's more to Puzzmo than just SpellTower. Typeshift, for example, gives you columns of random letters and asks you to complete words in a highlighted row. When you successfully spell a word, the letters you use turn solid. To complete the puzzle, every letter needs to be turned solid. But you can use letters more than once to make that happen.If you have access to Puzzmo Plus, Cube Clear is an interesting iteration of SpellTower. You're presented with a 36-letter grid, and the trick is that whenever you spell a word, the letters then disappear. Longer words score higher points, and adjacent tiles disappear after use as well, which causes the remaining tiles to fall to the bottom of the grid. At the time of publication, you can start a 7-day free trial to check it out. But if anything, SpellTower continues to be an excellent choice. CinematrixWhere to play: Web browserIf you're a film enthusiast, every weekday morning has a new Cinematrix puzzle for you to solve. You're presented with a nine-tile grid that has six main items, which work as clues to guess multiple movies in their corresponding rows.The clues can encompass actors, a release date range, how many words the title has, and the average Rotten Tomatoes score. The idea is to mix and match clues to come up with as many films as can fit the criteria. You get nine guesses each day, so make the most out of them. Crossword Jam+Where to play: iOS, Apple Arcade, and AndroidIf you're looking for some puzzle fun on the go, Crossword Jam+ is one of the best games like Wordle out there. Instead of guessing just one word, you're given multiple of them to figure out inside a grid.The one key aspect is that you're shown all the corresponding letters from the get-go. As such, you'll have to mix and match until you've filled the entire grid. Some anagram puzzles range from two letters to seven letters, in case the first few puzzles aren't challenging enough. AbsurdleWhere to play: Web browserAbsurdle creator Sam Hughes introduces the Wordle alternative as "an adversarial version" of the popular game. That sentiment has some truth to it--you aren't guessing a word, but rather "feeding" a grid with a few words yourself until the word materializes.Unlike Wordle, you don't have a limit for guesses, so you can continue inputting words until you either match one of the acceptable options to finish the puzzle, or you give up and start from scratch. If you don't want to come up with words yourself, you can use the random guess button. ConnectionsWhere to play: Web browserIf you don't want to be guessing individual words but rather group them by association, another of the New York Times' games, Connections, is a great option. The task is to find groups of four items that have some relation with each other.Each daily puzzle has one solution--whenever you solve a group, it'll get an assigned color in the grid. You can make up to four mistakes per puzzle, and if you're really stuck, there's a shuffle button that rearranges the word positions so you can refresh your mind for a bit. IYKYKWhere to play: Web browser, although there's a similar physical card gameThe creators of CultureTags, a card game launched back in 2020 after a Kickstarter campaign, have their own spin in the landscape of games like Wordle. Released on a daily basis, IYKYK asks you to guess a culture tag in three tries.Yes, you get half as many tries as the regular Wordle, but a hint is released on the second try. Each guess you do has to include an answer for all rows in the phrase. After each one, the color of the tiles will change to indicate how close the attempt was, in a similar fashion to Wordle. If you're an online person, IYKYK is the one for you. See at Amazon Hello WordlWhere to play: Web browserTired of having to wait until the next day for a new Wordle? Hello Wordl might be a great alternative. The foundation is fairly similar to the original concept--you get six tries to guess a specific word. However, you can also get Mastermind-style feedback after each guess. And, aside from a daily mode, you can also play randomly as many times as you like.If you want to add some variation, there are three difficulties to pick from. Normal difficulty has you guessing with valid dictionary words. In Hard difficulty, similar to Wordle's, green letters must stay fixed while yellow letters have to be reused. There's also Ultra Hard, where yellow letters must move away from where they were clued, while gray clues have to be obeyed. Nerdle Where to play: Web browserFor some, letter-based puzzles might not offer the same thrill anymore. If that's your case and you're somewhat good at math, Nerdle has a different challenge for you.In Nerdle, you have six tries to find a hidden calculation in a daily puzzle. The process is similar, using colored clues and a process of elimination. It's a nice way of practicing calculations, trying to figure not only numbers but the operators themselves. WorldleWhere to play: Web browserIf you're one of the few people who actually paid attention to geography class in school, you're in luck. Worldle offers daily challenges where you need to guess a country or territory within six attempts or less.You always get a visual cue at the start, but the interesting part comes after at least one guess. You'll get information on the distance between your guess and the actual answer, cardinal direction, and proximity. If you know your way around the world, Worldle will put you to the test. HeardleWhere to play: Web browserIn the case that music is your thing instead of vocabulary, Heardle makes for a great daily exercise. You have up to six attempts per day to guess a song. The way this is done is you'll hear the first second of a track, and if you can't guess it, you can progressively add more time to listen to what comes next.An interesting twist is that you can get more seconds by failing an attempt, or by manually skipping ahead. For every skip, the number of seconds added increases. If you lose the daily Heardle, don't fret, as there's an unlimited mode available as well. DungleonWhere to play: Web browserDungleon gets away with not displaying letters or numbers entirely. Instead, you have six guesses to find out a dungeon's composition, using a number of pre-made icons mimicking an RPG's dungeon.The basics stay the same. Icons that are in the right spot will appear green, while those that are correct but not in the correct position will be yellow. Those that aren't part of the puzzle are red instead. The catch is that there are some rules you'll discover as you play, such as how each dungeon has at least one hero and one monster, or how some icons only appear alongside others. CrosswordleWhere to play: Web browserCrosswordle is an interesting mix between the usual crossword and what other games like Wordle offer. The grid you're given already has all the letters, including a few highlighted in green and yellow to give you some clues. Your task, then, is to swap letters around until you get them to the right position, up to 17 times per puzzle.While the number of available swaps might entice you to go wild with your attempts, you're moving a single letter at a time. Deducing what the words can be ahead of time--similar to Wordle--is key to getting the puzzle done as promptly as possible. There's both a daily challenge and a practice mode in case you want to prepare yourself for the next challenge. FramedWhere to play: Web browserIf you're a film connoisseur and you've already tackled the daily Cinematrix puzzle, Framed introduces itself as one of the games like Wordle that has more similarity to Heardle. Making use of an image provided daily, you'll have to guess the name of the movie.Like Heardle, each incorrect guess reveals a new (and usually more revealing) frame from the movie. If you leave the input blank and press submit instead, you'll automatically skip to the next image. The frames aren't just from the intro of a movie but instead selected at random. Sometimes seeing a character might provide more help than a shot of a landscape, but who knows, you might get lucky on your first try as well. Cine2NerdleWhere to play: Web browserCine2Nerdle is a great alternative for Framed, acting as a community-led microcosm of cinephiles. You get a grid with 16 tiles, and you must swap to organize them into rows, or columns, to represent movies. Logically, there's room for four movies, but each puzzle has a fifth film, adding some extra challenge. You get 15 swipes a pop, but as with these games, the fewer the better.Aside from the original mode, there's Reserval, which asks you to find five hidden themes in each grid, and Logical, which gives you a list of rules to follow: All antagonists are in row 2, no two characters from the same row or column have appeared in a movie together, and so on.If you're feeling like practicing before tackling the daily challenge, you can access the archive with hundreds of past puzzles. Moreover, there are user-created puzzles, or you can make your own. GamedleWhere to play: Web browserThere are never enough game references in your life, and Gamedle is here to put your knowledge to the test with a visual twist. In essence, you're shown a blurred video game cover, and you get six attempts to guess correctly. If you input the correct franchise, it will count as yellow, while both franchise and saga will net you the win.Different modes include one where you guess games based on artwork pieces alone, or even keywords. There are weekly themed challenges, too, such as most review-bombed games or games with the best trailers, for example. A nice detail is that you'll get some extra information on the games themselves, so it serves as a discovery app to boot.

The Andromeda Strain 4K Limited Edition Blu-ray $50 | Releases May 13 Preorder at Amazon The classic 1971 sci-fi thriller The Andromeda Strain is still heralded as one of the most influential films (and books) in the genre. The adaptation of Michael Crichton's beloved novel blended realistic biological and medical science with fictional concepts, sci-fi visuals, and suspenseful action in new and exciting ways. Soon, you'll be able to revisit the movie with The Andromeda 4K Limited Edition Blu-ray launching on May 13.Preorders are available for $50 at Amazon--though we wouldn't be surprised to see this price drop ahead of release. And with Amazon's preorder price guarantee, you'll be charged the lowest price offered during the preorder window when your Blu-ray ships. The Andromeda Strain 4K Limited Edition Blu-ray $50 | Releases May 13 The Andromeda Strain 4K Limited Edition features a new 4K restoration of the movie based on the original camera negatives and lossless original audio, with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision. A set of bonus art cards and a slipcase are also included, along with a long list of bonus features you'll find outlined below. Preorder at Amazon The Andromeda Strain 4K Limited Edition Special FeaturesAudio commentary by critic Bryan ReesmanA New Strain of Science Fiction, an appreciation by critic Kim NewmanThe Andromeda Strain: Making the Film, an archive featurette from 2001 directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring interviews with director Robert Wise and screenwriter Nelson GiddingA Portrait of Michael Crichton, an archival featurette from 2001 directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring an interview with author Michael CrichtonCinescript Gallery, highlights from the annotated and illustrated shooting script by Nelson GiddingTheatrical trailer, TV spots and radio spotsImage galleryIllustrated collectors booklet featuring writing by Peter Tonguette and select archive materialReversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Corey BrickleyDirected by Robert Wise, The Andromeda Strain is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. The film follows a group of scientists who are called in to examine a government satellite that crashlands just outside a small town in New Mexico, mysteriously killing almost every citizen within minutes. The scientists discover the satellite carried a lethal extraterrestrial virus, dubbed "The Andromeda Strain," and now must find a way to contain and destroy it before it can spread. The film and novel versions are credited with establishing the "techno-thriller" subgenre of science fiction.Continue Reading at GameSpot

H.P. Lovecraft's At The Mountains of Madness Deluxe Manga $25.78 (was $50) See at Amazon H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu Manga $15.30 (was $20) See at Amazon The hauntingly beautiful manga adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness is on sale for 50% off at Amazon. Dark Horse originally published the lengthy tale in two paperback volumes before reissuing it last July as a premium 600-plus page hardcover not unlike the publisher's Berserk Deluxe Editions. The stunning At the Mountains of Madness Deluxe Edition retails for $50, but manga readers and Lovecraft fans can snag a copy for only $25 for a limited time.Lovecraft manga adaptations were written and illustrated by Gou Tanabe and translated to English by Zack Davisson. At the Mountains of Madness Deluxe Edition was one of two translations Dark Horse published in 2024. In October, Dark Horse released a paperback edition of Lovecraft's best-known work, The Call of Cthulhu, and you can grab that one for only $15.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Publisher Konami and developer Far Out Games have revealed that their delivery simulator game, Deliver At All Costs, will be free on the Epic Games Store at launch.When Deliver At All Costs launches on May 22, players will have one week to redeem the game for free. After that time period, it will cost $30, just like on other platforms, including PS5, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S. Players who wishlist the game on the Epic Games Store will receive a notification for when it becomes available for download. Continue Reading at GameSpot

Assassin's Creed Shadows is off to a strong start on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, as the game reached 1 million players within hours of launch, Ubisoft says. Concurrent players on PC via Steam for its launch day also look good compared to the previous release, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, but there is a caveat here.It's not even 4PM here in Canada and Assassin's Creed Shadows has already passed 1 million players!Thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts for joining this adventure in Feudal Japan. We are beyond excited to start this journey with you! pic.twitter.com/1cqwABrQfN Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) March 20, 2025 The important thing to note is that on PC, Assassin's Creed Shadows had a day-one launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Valhalla adopted a different approach when it first launched on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and even Google Stadia in November 2020. While it was available on PC as well, it was an Epic Games Store exclusive until November 2022. When it reached Steam, it peaked at 15,431 concurrent players in December 2022.On its first day, Shadows eclipsed that with a peak of 41,412 players and that number has already grown to 42,415. In comparison, Assassin's Creed Mirage has a peak player count of 7,837, and at the time of writing, Shadows hasn't beaten Origins (41,541 concurrent players) or Odyssey (61,984 concurrent players) numbers yet. Concurrent players typically increase on the first weekend after launch as well, so these numbers could still potentially increase further.Continue Reading at GameSpot

If you're looking for a unique way to experience the Harry Potter book series, consider diving into the Interactive Illustrated Editions. These beautiful hardcover editions include full-color artwork alongside interactive papercraft elements based on iconic moments from the story. Interactive Editions of the first three Harry Potter books are currently available, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Interactive Illustrated Edition is up for preorder for a 20% discount ahead of its October 14 release. See all four Interactive Editions Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Interactive Illustrated Edition (Hardcover) $40 (was $50) | Releases October 14 The Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Interactive Illustrated Edition is a special hardcover edition of the fourth novel in the series with new cover art and 150 full-color illustrations by Karl James Mountford.Along with artwork throughout, eight scenes from The Goblet of Fire are accompanied by interactive elements. Scholastic has teased a few of the papercraft components: the Weasley family tent at the Quidditch World Cup, the moment Harry sees the Dark Mark in the Sky, Harry's journey to the Lake at Hogwarts, and the maze from the final challenge of the Triwizard Tournament.The Goblet of Fire: Interactive Illustrated Edition is 608 pages, which is markedly shorter than the original 752-page hardcover, but it's worth emphasizing that the upcoming edition still contains the complete unabridged text. Preorder at Amazon Harry Potter: Interactive Illustrated EditionsHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- $21.61 ($38)Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -- $19 ($38)Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban -- $22.39 ($40)Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -- $40 ($50) | Releases October 14Harry Potter: Interactive Illustrated Edition Box Set (Books 1-3) -- $82.38 ($116)Harry Potter fans interested in starting a collection of Interactive Illustrated Editions can save big on the first three books. A box set compiling the first three released last fall, but it's roughly $20 cheaper to buy each book individually right now. The only downside to buying each book on its own is you miss out on the gorgeous display box. Like Goblet of Fire, the first three novels each contain over 150 full-color illustrations and eight interactive elements.Harry Potter: Interactive Illustrated Edition Box Set (Designed by MinaLima)The Interactive Illustrated Edition series debuted in 2020 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The second book in the series, Chamber of Secrets, was published in 2021, and was followed up by Prisoner of Azkaban in 2023. Notably, those three books were designed and illustrated by MinaLima, a design studio who worked on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film franchises from the beginning.Continue Reading at GameSpot

33 Immortals couldn't be further from Spiritfarer if it tried. Developer Thunder Lotus made an impression with its cozy and, at times, tear-jerking management and platforming mash-up, but is trading its glistening seas and carefree exploration for a far more dangerous expedition. 33 Immortals is all about action, thrusting you and over 30 others other players into chaotic PvE skirmishes and even greater challenges as you attempt to ascend through the different floors of the underworld and wage a rebellion against the forces that keep you there.33 Immortals attempts to distill the rush of an MMO raid into smaller, run-based encounters that you can participate in with up to 32 other players. Each run starts on a relatively large map that revolves around PvE encounters. You're encouraged to quickly link up with other players in order to survive, while also empowering yourself by killing enemies and collecting resources for upgrades. Dotted around the map are 12 Torture Chambers, which are your initial objectives to tackle. These combat arenas only allow six players in at a time but through two intense waves of enemies at you in a confined space. Clearing these rooms offer rewards, but also work towards the greater goal of unlocking an ascension challenge. The stakes shift here, with a more involved combat encounter waiting for a larger group of 11 players. Those remaining outside can use the time to continue getting stronger before attempting the challenge too, with the final, climatic boss fight waiting once everyone still alive manages to succeed.As its name implies, 33 Immortals sees you teaming up with 32 other players.The structure that each run follows offers an easy to understand process that you need to follow to ultimately succeed, stripping out a lot of the guesswork usually associated with raid-like activities in games like Destiny and World of Warcraft. This not only allows runs to be significantly shorter, but also means you can easily hop in and out of sessions without having to commit potentially a few hours at a time to make progress. This streamlining is exactly what 33 Immortals is aiming to achieve, but right now it comes with the caveat of reducing your focus solely down to its combat, which doesn't yet exude a level of depth that suggests it'll be enough to carry run after run.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Bloober Team has been busy recently, with the recent Silent Hill 2 remake garnering critical acclaim and its next project, Cronos: The New Dawn, due later this year. Today, during the Future Games Show, the Polish studio not only announced a new development studio in Broken Mirror Games, but also the label's first project: I Hate This Place, an adaptation of the popular comic series via a partnership with Skybound Entertainment.I Hate This Place is an isometric survival-horror game that puts players into the role of Elena, who finds herself dealing with a supernatural evil she mistakenly unleashed into the world. Elena will fight her way through hordes of monsters with both melee weapons and firearms, while also crafting important supplies in her bid to reach each safehouse before nightfall.I Hate This PlaceGallery A brief teaser trailer shows off the adaptation's visual style, which will use a retro comic-book theme similar to its source material. We also see a few of the giant monsters Elena will face off against, as well as a brief tease of the Horned Man at the center of it all.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Xenoblade Chronicles X gets a second shot at life with a Definitive Edition on the Nintendo Switch. Jake joins Kurt on the GameSpot Show to explain why this is important.

Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days is coming to Steam in just a few weeks as an early-access game. The news was revealed during the latest Future Games Show. The 2D zombie survival game debuts on April 9 for $25 and is a spinoff of a series that's gathered 150 million downloads on mobile.Unlike the original mobile games, which are first-person auto-runners, Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days is a 2D third-person survival game set in Texas circa 1980 that asks players to manage characters' health and wellbeing, scavenge for supplies, and build a base. Combat is best avoided, as just one or two undead monsters can kill playable characters, especially if they're already injured, sick, or tired.Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days lets you build out a base, but demands you defend or even ditch it when it's time.Like State of Decay, the game features permadeath, so there are no do-overs and killing off your entire community will spell game over. The game's dwindling resources and difficult choices are reminiscent of This War of Mine, routinely asking players to choose the best of a bad bunch of options.Continue Reading at GameSpot