Elden Ringis the latest entry in the series of notoriously challenging and gritty fantasy RPGs released by game developerFromSoftware, whose previous titles include theDark Soulsgames andBloodborne. With writing contributions from acclaimed fantasy author George R. R. Martin, this game, its world, and its characters bring the same dark fantasy flavor of those previous games. The game is as beloved as its predecessors, with nearly every aspect of it receiving tremendous and universal acclaim....

Summary AsLGBTQ+ representationcontinues to expand in gaming, it’s important not only to acknowledge the strides that characters are making, but also the work of queer creators behind the scenes.From LGBTQ+ voice actorsto the programmers, artists, composers, and developers and all the other staff members it takes to make a game, these are often times the people fighting the hardest to ensure all gamers can see themselves in games. In this case, we want to spotlight games that involve trans creators....

Marvel Comicshas some exceptional comic stories from over the years. You can find intergalactic adventures, touching personal stories, and people overcoming incredible odds. Between mutants, super soldiers, power suits, super intelligence, and so many other powers and abilities, there’s a little bit of something for everyone in Marvel’s comics. With more than 80 years' worth of stories under their belt, Marvel’s writers, artists, editors, and more have produced some fantastic stories and arcs to get lost in....

Summary As you build your very own Homestead inLightyear Frontier, you’ll need to upgrade your Mech to access more regions and get better materials. These upgrades offer various bonuses and make different activities easier, from plowing your own fields to watering your crops faster – but which ones are the best upgrades? Since upgrades come in tiers that enhance each other, it can be difficult to know which upgrades to get first....

Political board games are designed to immerse you in real-world political scenarios, letting you take on roles such as politicians, policymakers, or influential figures. With meticulously crafted gameplay mechanics, these games capture the core of political processes. You’ll find yourself campaigning, negotiating, forming alliances, and making tough decisions that shape the game’s virtual society. Political-themed board games have become increasingly popular, offering players an engaging, thought-provoking way to dive into the intricacies of politics, governance, and decision-making....

For those of us running with portable gaming systems, running out of battery is one of the worst feelings. Coming up on the big boss fight just for a “Battery Low” to flash in the corner feels like the universe is conspiring against you. But it’s probably not - you might’ve just forgotten to charge your Deck. If you’re using a Steam Deck, finding a good third-party charger is crucial. Doing so can save you some money, give you more chargers in your arsenal, and make it easier to find one when you need it....

Summary One of the most niche art styles in video games seems to be watercolor, which is a shame. Muted color palettes, lack of lines, or at least keeping the colors in the lines, and a hint of transparency to colors make these games unlike anything else on the market in terms of visuals. These games have become synonymous with strong emotional narratives. Of course, it would be great to see the medium branch out, as many hand-drawn games vary from genre to genre....

Call of Duty Mobilebrings the legendary Call of Duty experience to your mobile devices, allowing you to dive into thrilling combat anytime, anywhere. It even features the iconicgame modes from the CODfranchise and allows you to team up with friends or battle against players from around the world. Even if you’re a seasoned player, Call of Duty Mobile offers a way to enhance your experience through redeemable codes. These codes grant access to tons of freebies, likeweapon and character skins, blueprints, and much more....

Summary Concordwill require players to have a PSN account, even if they’re playing onPC. This follows on from otherSony-published games making this a requirement going forward, regardless of the platform we’re playing on. However, Concord developer Firewalk Studios has defended the move, explaining that this makes cross-play and cross-progression easily possible betweenPS5and PC. This is despite its fellow Sony-published live service,Helldivers 2, having towalk back its own PSN requirementsdue to backlash from fans....

For the longest time, the most iconic ‘retro’ indies have aped pixel graphics;The Binding of Isaac,Vampire Survivors,Stardew Valley,Terraria,Celeste, and so many more come to mind almost immediately. 8-bit has been synonymous with nostalgia for decades, but that’s finally changing as the zoomers who grew up on early PlayStation get older. The PS1 is 30 years old, and its successor is 24. They are, much as it may pain some of you, retro....

A reliableSegainsider has claimed that a sequel toDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chroniclesis currently in development, presumably at CyberConnect2. Although there have been a few disappointments here and there (I’m looking at you Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash), the last few years have beengreat for anime gaming adaptations, even if a lot of them have been following the same arena fighter formula popularised byNaruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm. One anime gaming adaptation that can certainly get away with following that trend is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles....

Quick Links Final Fantasy games rarely stop at one entry in any given world. They get remakes, sequels, spin-offs, reinterpretations, and so on. People will always want more of the thing they love, especially if that thing is Final Fantasy 7, which is now at a frankly obscene number of entries for a single Final Fantasy setting. So much of why Final Fantasy 7 is so beloved is its characters, and inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, your love of those characters is the driving force behind the game’s existence....

Summary What’s the coolest weapon you’ve ever used in a video game? Not the best, not the most powerful, thecoolest. It’s a difficult question. My mind immediately flies to the Master Sword like theZeldastan I am, but that is immediately usurped by Halo’s vastly superior Energy Sword. While Abby’s golf club is pretty iconic, you can’t just think about hitting and slashing. Half-Life 2’sGravity Gun earns a mention, as does Turok’s Cerebral Bore for thatnoisealone....