Aside from its increasingly unhinged storyline, meeting various Disney characters has always been one of the primary joys of Kingdom Hearts. With so many main series games and spinoffs, Sora and his friends have visited plenty of Disney favorites over the years, from heading under the sea to getting spooky with Jack Skellington. But who cares, no big deal, we want more. Specifically, there are a few Disney worlds that absolutely need to come into the game in Kingdom Hearts 4.

Brave

Would Merida and Sora get along? Debatable, as they both tend to be a bit impulsive and stubborn. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want a Brave inspired world in Kingdom Hearts 4. As a Disney/Pixar Princess, this young woman who breaks tradition and accidentally turns her mother into a bear would bring her spirited determination to the story in the best way… and a Scotland-inspired world sounds like good fun to explore.

Encanto

As a newer Disney film, Encanto hasn’t had a chance to join the ranks of Kingdom Hearts. Because so many characters in the movie have special powers, there’s a lot of potential in combat and Keyblade designs with this one – not to mention the map potential for their magical house. Many fans are pretty convinced we’ll see this world in Kingdom Hearts 4, and here’s hoping they’re right.

The Emperor’s New Groove

While Kuzco and the gang have made minor appearances in earlier Kingdom Hearts mobile games, we’ve yet to see them in one of the main console entries to the story. The Emperor’s New Groove has a host of colorful characters we’d love to see interact with Sora and his friends, and there’s good potential for some interesting world designs based on Kuzco’s kingdom, as well.

Moana

Like Kuzco, Moana has briefly appeared in a mobile Kingdom Hearts entry – Kingdom Hearts Unchained X, specifically. But with two films and plenty of interesting magic (hello, Maui shapeshifting), we need to see a whole world dedicated to Moana in Kingdom Hearts 4. There’s fun potential for some water exploration here, and Te Ka is just begging to be a Heartless boss battle. Rumors suggest this one is likely coming, and let’s hope it’s true!

The Incredibles

The superhero family The Incredibles are a dynamic group that could add a lot of interesting elements to Kingdom Hearts. A world full of Supers would be an interesting place for Sora, Donald, and Goofy, who have powers of their own. Villains from the movies could make an appearance as Heartless, and the Incredibles could use their powers to team up as party members.

The Princess and the Frog

Most Disney princesses have some role to play in the Kingdom Hearts universe thanks to the whole Princess of Heart situation. Yet we haven’t visited Tiana in the bayou, and that needs to change in Kingdom Hearts 4. The environment alone could make for an interesting world, and there’s plenty to explore with the “turning into a frog” dynamic as well. Tiana’s in Disney Dreamlight Valley now, so it’s time for the Kingdom Hearts 4 debut.

Up

I’m not saying we need to revisit the absolute cry fest that is the beginning of Up, but that flying house would be a fun addition to the game. Plus, having Carl in the mix would add some interesting old man grumpy energy to the game, which is something we haven’t often seen. And don’t even get me started on Kevin.

Turning Red

Turning Red didn’t enjoy the originally planned theatrical release, which means many people have yet to experience this delightful take on teenage girlhood. Mei Lee and her tendency to transform into a panda when she gets emotional would be incredibly entertaining additions that would fit right into the vibes of Kingdom Hearts. There’s also some great potential for a giant panda Heartless battle that I, frankly, need to experience.

Inside Out

The whole inner-world of emotions situation in Inside Out is perfect for Kingdom Hearts 4. We could travel inside Riley’s mind or even into Sora, Donald, and Goofy’s, to see what their emotions look like. Elements like the Islands of Personality and more would make for compelling gameplay and an entertaining storyline, making this a prime candidate for inclusion in the next Kingdom Hearts game.

The Princess Diaries

This is a “hear me out” situation, but … hear me out. They’ve done live-action worlds before with Pirates of the Caribbean, and while fans had mixed reactions, I’d like to see them try it again with the Princess of Genovia. She is, after all, a Disney princess, and I think a young Mia would have an interesting dynamic with Sora – they’re both incredibly idealistic, but Mia is awkward where Sora just kind of bursts right into any situation without thinking.

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The upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest entry in the Capcom series, arriving next month on Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and PC. The developers have been hard at work making this the best entry in the series, and to do this, Capcom has been reevaluating and modifying aspects of the series, making improvements, and adding new features. Among them, the game fuses many of the systems from Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise while also introducing its own, and improving on existing mechanics. One system fans have had issues with in the past has been revamped, making it better than ever and more accessible in Monster Hunter Wilds.

The Capcom development team for Monster Hunter Wilds opened up about how cooking works in-game in a recent interview with IGN. Long time players will already be familiar with heading to a cantina to cook up delicious meals, featuring a wide array of recipes, or throwing some raw meat on a BBQ spit quickly while on a hunt. With Monster Hunter Wilds, the devs have found a way to combine the two into something entirely new.

RELATED: Monster Hunter Outlanders Announced With New Trailer

In Monster Hunter Wilds, players will be able to set up small campsites, complete with a small grill. Here, players can cook up simple, yet delicious recipes while on a hunt. While previous games were primarily limited to meat, players can use these campsites to cook up different recipes with meat, vegetables, and fish.

While this may sound like a small change, it is a major shift for the game, and can greatly impact a hunt. Cooked food can give players buffs, making hunts easier or providing much-needed defense and elemental resistance. Players would normally have to return to a cantina to cook these types of recipes, so being able to set up camps on the go lets players achieve this from practically anywhere.

The team at Capcom opened up about their excitement for the change to the cooking system, revealing their inspirations and research into making food look as good as possible in Monster Hunter Wilds. Capcom focused on making the making the meals visually appealing, even if it resulted in a lie, such as the cabbage lifting a little when the player removed the lid. Little tricks like this, and specific lighting techniques, go a long way to make the food standout.

The time and hard work put into Monster Hunter Wilds appears to have already paid off, because everything looks delicious. Even if the cooking and eating cutscenes are short, the labor shows how dedicated the team is to making every aspect of the game perfect. Many players will likely find themselves getting hungry watching their characters cook, and may need to pause the game to grab a snack.

Monster Hunter Wilds is set to launch on February 28, 2025, and a second open beta is planned to take place ahead of its release. Fans can jump into the open beta and possibly cook up some of the delicious recipes at that time. Just remember not to go hunting on an empty belly or you’ll need to set up camp!

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Dungeons and Dragons has had a huge resurgence in recent years. Wizards and the Coast and Hasbro are intent on capitalizing on this, pushing out films, games, and even reworking Dungeons & Dragons 5e with its 2024 and 2025 series. However, this has alienated some fans, finding themselves stuck in a place where they want to use legacy content instead of new material. Some players have jumped ship altogether after some of Hasbro’s choices, even after these were backtracked. Fortunately, there are so many options for tabletop role-playing, and we’ve listed out some of the best alternatives to Dungeons and Dragons below.

Here are fantastic alternatives for those looking for a new TTRPG.

Pathfinder

Pathfinder by Paizo is the classic alternative to Dungeons and Dragons, having many similar features. Both games feature a similar fantasy setting and share similar gameplay. Pathfinder got its start being designed after Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition before it turned into the 4th edition. It shares the crunchiness of the former system and unrestrictive character building. Pathfinder was even called D&D 3.75 because of how similar it was to D&D 3.5. Since then, Pathfinder has found its footing, standing out on its own but offering D&D players a familiar alternative.

Pathfinder 2e features 23 playable base classes with many more prestige options and there are over 30 ancestries, or races. Many of these are similar to what players would find in D&D, but new options as well. Players will find the systems similar as well, with questing, story-telling, miniatures, dice, and maps. Paizo also releases new material and adventures regularly, giving players and game masters plenty to enjoy. Transitioning from Dungeons and Dragons to Pathfinder may take a little bit of work, but gives a less restrictive alternative to the classic TTRPG.

Daggerheart

Retaining a similar feel to D&D is Daggerheart, the upcoming TTRPG by Critical Role. Critical Role is probably the most successful D&D campaign, having found its roots in Pathfinder and then D&D before ultimately deciding to create its own TTRPG. Daggerheart shares the theme of a fantasy world, and considering it stemmed from the creative minds at Critical Role and Darrington Press, fans will find comfort in its familiarity. However, Daggerheart implements a unique world and unique features that will engage players both new to tabletop roleplaying games and veterans.

One of the main features of Daggerheart is how it incorporates the game master in a player role. This is done through its two dice system, Hope and Fear, creating a system defined as yes, yes and, no, and no and. When players roll good or bad with Hope, they can a bonus, however, if players roll with fear, success, or failure, the GM gains a bonus. The GM can then use these Fear points to further interact with the party, giving them a pseudo-player status. At launch, Daggerheart will feature eight classes and 18 ancestries or races. As Daggerheart launches in Spring of 2025, players will get to experience this TTRPG for the first time and help shape its future.

RELATED: The Legend of Vox Machina Confirms Season Four Renewal

BREAK!! RPG

BREAK!! RPG is yet another fantasy tabletop role-playing game but carries a different aesthetic than Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and Daggerheart. Fans will spot its anime style, inspired by Studio Ghibli, The Legend of Zelda, and more. It smashed through its Kickstarter goal, showing the promise and love behind this project. It is designed to be simple and quick to learn, provide a clean and modern rule set for fantasy fans, and has all the hallmarks of old-school gaming. From problem-solving to combat, hero progression, and loot gathering, BREAK!! RPG has many of the fan-favorite features of D&D, SNES games, and anime. It also features a unique setting that is post-apocalyptic but not grimdark, hitting a sweet spot that allows for darker and lighter moments.

Players have the choice of eight callings or classes, including the likes of Battle Princess and Murder Princess, and eleven species if you count Native Humans to Dimensional Stray Humans (that’s right, you can be an isekai human). BREAK!! RPG leans heavily into its anime influences, and this is clear in the world and gameplay mechanics. The BREAK!! RPG store is currently not open yet, likely because the team is still fulfilling Kickstarters and getting itself up and running, but players can expect engaging and entertaining adventures with BREAK!! RPG.

Dark Heresy

The Warhammer 40,000 universe is grim and dark, without much hope, but its games are a blast. For tabletop role-playing, there are numerous options for exploring this world, but Dark Heresy is one of the best. Players take on the role of acolytes serving an Inquisitor of the Imperium of Man, hunting and eradicating the heretic and the alien. It features fast character creation to get you into the game quickly and dynamic rules featuring combat, stealth, and social play.

With the core rules of Dark Heresy, there are seven classes to choose from, but this has been expanded with expansion books. Players will largely be from the Imperium of Man, but there are options for playing as Xeno races. While there have been successors to Games Workshops’s Dark Heresy, it remains one of the best and has the most content. Newer additions add and remove features, but Dark Heresy gives an excellent glimpse into the brutal reality of living in the Warhammer 40,000 world, especially compared to a Space Marine like in Warhammer 40,000K: Space Marine 2.

RELATED: Dungeons & Dragons Favorites Get New Funko Pop Wave

Mutants and Masterminds

For superhero fans, Mutants and Masterminds is a great system to live out your power fantasy in a modern world. Whether you are a DC or Marvel fan, you can recreate your favorite heroes and villains, or make one completely unique. Where Mutants and Masterminds excels the most is in creating narratives and wish fulfillment, especially with how popular superheroes have become in the media. Mutants and Masterminds has numerous editions and books, providing content for just about every player.

Mutant and Masterminds differs from some TTRPGs in that it does not use a traditional class system. Instead, it relies on a power level system where players choose various powers and increase how strong these are. Mutant and Masterminds does require more work in the character creation phase and requires the game master to more finely tune villains and encounters, but is well worth the work. There are numerous pre-written games players can use to get their feet wet and learn the system before eventually diving into making their own characters and adventures.

Liminal Horror

For those who want a more grounded and realistic TTRPG, Liminal Horror is a great place to look. It focuses on everyday characters who encounter something out of the ordinary, typically in a horror setting. Think Alan Wake meets True Detective and you’ll quickly see where Liminal Horror can take you. One of the best parts of Liminal Horror is how accessible it is. PDFs of the basic rules are available online, and the system is incredibly easy to use to create custom homebrew content.

One of the main reasons Liminal Horror is so easy to get into is its rules-lite and adaptable systems. Players take on the role of investigators, whether by trade or circumstance, typically uncovering some dark or eldritch horror. Survival is the main goal, and not one every player will succeed at. It describes itself as “not a game about solving mysteries, but rather surviving them.” Again, Liminal Horror is incredibly flexible, with players creating various modules inspired by Control, The Last of Us meets Twin Peaks, and obviously the Cthulu mythos. Liminal Horror is simple and offers the ability to create complex narratives and compelling interactions, and provides a great gateway into more complicated systems.

Cyberpunk Red

Cyberpunk RED serves as a TTRPG version of Cyberpunk 2077 and serves as a prequel to the game, taking place between the original Cyberpunk TTRPG and Cyberpunk 2077. The story is set somewhere around 2045 after the end of the 4th Corporate War. While the major corporations are taking their time to lick their wounds, players take on the roles of those left behind trying to survive and live off the scraps. Cyberpunk RED’s books offer huge amounts of lore and worldbuilding, filling in gaps for game masters while allowing them to come up with their own narratives.

Cyberpunk RED features 8 roles or classes, players can choose from when making their character. Those familiar with Cyberpunk 2077 will find similar archetypes to what V can be made into in-game. The game master has the freedom to create the narrative, but as Cyberpunk 2077 players know, anything can happen in Night City, leaving the players with multiple paths to take. Cyberpunk RED offers streamlined gameplay that sacrifices none of its depth, particularly with the change to Netrunning. Groups can partake in pre-written modules to learn the game, or jump right in and live life in Night City their way.

Tabletop role-playing has never been in a better place than it has been now. Dungeons and Dragons has pushed the boundaries and brought this experience to even more people. While D&D is the iconic system and will likely remain king for quite some time, new TTRPGs are being written and published every year, so feel free to experience something new like one of the TTRPGs above.

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The release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in theaters has resulted in resale prices for numerous Sonic games jumping by a large amount. Perhaps more than anything else, movies tend to impact the value of comics and video games that they might be based on. While this was previously seen with both Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the third film in the franchise has had the largest monetary sway so far with some of the older Sonic video games it’s adapting.

Based on data from Price Charting, the Sonic games that have seen the biggest boost in cost are the ones that all happen to feature Shadow the Hedgehog. This has been most notably found with Sonic Adventure 2, which is the first game that Shadow appeared in. Prior to the release of Sonic 3, complete copies of Sonic Adventure 2 on Sega Dreamcast were selling for about $140 on average. Now, that value has spiked to well over $200 with the average price now sitting around $210. Some copies of the game, however, have sold for even more and have eclipsed the $300 mark.

The GameCube port of Sonic Adventure 2, dubbed Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, has also been hit with an enormous jump. Leading up to the release of Sonic 3, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle was only going for around $60. As soon as the movie hit theaters, though, that quickly changed. At the time of this writing, average sales for Sonic Adventure 2: Battle have hit $130, with Player’s Choice versions going for a bit less.

Naturally, Shadow’s own dedicated game Shadow the Hedgehog has also increased in value greatly. While prices for Shadow the Hedgehog vary depending on the platform, all versions of the title have just about doubled in recent weeks. On average, the PS2 version of Shadow the Hedgehog sells for $65, the Xbox version is at $90, and the GameCube edition is sitting at a staggering $145.

Related: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Digital Release Is Coming Sooner Than You Think

As usual with sudden spikes in price like this, it’s likely that the resale costs for all of these Sonic video games will start to fall in the weeks and months ahead. The further we get away from the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the more these prices will begin to return to where they were at previously. Still, if Sonic 3 prompted you to begin picking up physical copies of these Sonic titles from yesteryear, you may have chosen a bad time to become a collector.

The post Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Makes Sonic Games Soar in Price appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Castlevania: Nocturne will be making its highly anticipated return of Season 2 on Netflix later this week, and the series has dropped a special new poster to help hype up the new episodes. Castlevania has been one of the standout successes with Netflix in the last few years as Powerhouse Animation and producer Adi Shankar have been working to bring the Konami video game franchise to screen. Following the first four seasons of the original Castlevania TV series, the franchise has continued with a brand new sequel series that moves the Belmont timeline hundreds of years into the future with new allies, enemies and more.

Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 will be making its premiere with Netflix on Thursday, January 16th, and Netflix is getting ready for the series with the debut of a brand new trailer and poster for the new episodes. The new trailer shows off the best look at the new season yet (which you can check out in the video above), and the new poster for the season shows off an intense look at the returning cast as they head into a new season filled with battles. Check out the new poster for Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 below.

When Does Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Come Out?

Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 will be officially making its premiere with Netflix on January 16th. The new season will be running for eight episodes total at 25 minutes each with a returning staff and voice cast from the first season. Kevin Kolde and Clive Bradley will be serving as showrunners (with Bradley also handling writing duties), Samuel and Adam Deats are serving as directors, and Project 51 Productions and Powerhouse Animation are producing the new season for Netflix. The end of the first season ended on a massive cliffhanger, so things are picking up right from where it all left off.

As for what to expect from the new season of episodes, Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 is teased by Netflix as such, “Now joined by the legendary Alucard, Richter Belmont and his band of vampire hunters are in a desperate race against time. Erzsebet Báthory, the Vampire Messiah, who already seems invincible, seeks the full power of the goddess Sekhmet so she can plunge the world into endless darkness and terror.” Now is the perfect time to catch up with the first season streaming with Netflix as well.

RELATED: Sakamoto Days’ Twist-Filled Opening is The Perfect Introduction to The Series

Is Castlevania: Nocturne Getting a Season 3?

With Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 now making its way to Netflix, it’s time to look ahead to a potential future. As of the time of this publication, Netflix has yet to announce any interest in a potential third season for the series. Those behind the scenes are unaware of a potential continuation either as director Samuel Deats revealed to fans on social media last Fall that production would be going on hiatus with the second season nearly being wrapped up.

“For those of you wondering, now that Castlevania: Nocturne S2 is mostly wrapped, we’re going on hiatus until release and we find out if we’re getting renewed,” Deats stated to fans on X. “It goes without saying, but if you want to see more shows of Castlevania quality, please support S2 when it releases!” If nothing behind the scenes has changed since Deats revealed this last Fall, then it might be a much longer wait for a new season than expected. So if fans want the best chance at seeing a new season, they will need to see Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 as soon as it hits Netflix to show there’s interest in a continuation.

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The latest rumor tied to the Nintendo Switch 2 has potentially revealed three games that are bound for the console. At the time of this writing, it’s presumed that Nintendo’s formal reveal of the Switch 2 is under 48 hours away. While Nintendo hasn’t confirmed this itself just yet, all credible leaks and reports are pointing to an announcement of the hardware on January 16th. And while this initial showing of the system is said to not be centered around games, we have an idea of some third-party titles that might be in the works for Switch 2.

According to insider Nate the Hate, ports of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Assasin’s Creed Mirage, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows are all in development for Switch 2. Although Metal Gear Solid Delta still doesn’t have a release date, it’s presumed that this Switch 2 version of the game could arrive at some point in 2025. As for Assassin’s Creed Mirage, this is reportedly going to be a title that will release in proximity to the Switch 2’s arrival. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is then claimed to be further off, but is still something that Ubisoft is actively developing.

In addition to this trio of games, another Nintendo insider who goes by PH Brazil has asserted that Atlus is looking to bring Metaphor: ReFantazio to Switch 2. Metaphor is said to be targeting a release on Switch 2 at some point during the console’s “launch window”, though, and won’t be a day-one release for the hardware. Still, this move on the part of Atlus is one that makes sense given that games such as Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal (among others) have all come to Switch recently.

Related: Nintendo Switch 2 Consoles Apparently Released Into the Wild Early

Assuming that all of these games do indeed end up releasing on Switch 2, it would suggest that third-party support for the console is going to be quite extensive. What remains uncertain, though, is what Nintendo’s own games for the Switch 2 will be. Fans have naturally assumed that a new Super Mario game will be one of the biggest titles on Nintendo Switch 2 in its first year and may even be released in tandem with the platform. If this is truly the case, we could end up learning more about this Super Mario title at some point later this week.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors Reveal Four More Games Coming to the Console appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Fortnite leakers are notorious for discovering upcoming skins and collaborations between Epic Games battle royale and other franchises. Sometimes the leaks are accurate and players get a sneak peak of what skins are joining Fortnite, but sometimes the leaks miss the mark. A recent leak has captured fans’ attention, and there is some credibility here based on previous skins released in Fortnite. One of the biggest surprises was the correctly leaked Godzilla collaboration, which ties in directly with this new leak.

The leak of a King Kong and Kaiju No.8 collaboration comes from known leakers Dr Cacahuette and iFireMonkey, showing off a potential look at upcoming skins. The 3D models for King Kong show what skins players can equip in Fortnite to play as the giant ape, based on his appearance from Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. King Kong was previously leaked to be coming to the game after Godzilla joined, but Epic Games hasn’t officially confirmed this just yet.

RELATED: Fortnite Chapter 6 Makes Controversial Weapon Change

The inclusion of skins and items from Kaiju No.8 is certainly a surprise but fits with Godzilla and King Kong also joining the game. For Kaiju No.8, leakers discovered a pickaxe codenamed Sure Bamboo, which has a similar color scheme and aesthetic to Kaiju No.8. If the pickaxe is an indicator of what’s to come, fans can probably expect a skin based on the Kaiju No.8 manga as well.

Both of these leaks should be taken with a grain of salt until an official announcement of a collaboration is made. As noted before, leakers are sometimes right, but can wrong just as often. Even well-known leakers who have gotten information correct don’t have a perfect batting average.

That said, with Godzilla’s inclusion, King Kong’s arrival makes sense, and considering both figures’ kaiju status, Kaiju No.8 also fits. Epic Games hasn’t been shy about including anime crossovers in Fortnite, so this isn’t far off the mark for what the studio may do. The current season of Fortnite ends on February 21, 2025, making it the perfect time to add more skins along with a new season.

Only time will tell if King Kong and Kaiju No.8 join Fortnite, but it would be a fitting follow-up to Godzilla. In the meantime, fans have taken to ridicule the leaked models for King Kong, specifically, the interesting choice to keep the head and body separate and King Kong’s funny facial expression. Fans of both franchises certainly hope the leaks are true, and most are happy to see new skins added. Fortnite continues to grow and expand its roster of collaborations, some of which seem impossible only to be done. King Kong and Kaiju No.8 aren’t far from the realm of possibility, so the leaks do look pretty credible.

Including kaiju in Fortnite makes sense and opens the door for even more. Godzilla and King Kong have numerous adversaries that could be added to the game, which would lead to some interesting parties. A team consisting of Godzilla, King Kong, Kaiju No.8, and another kaiju like Mothra would be an interesting sight to see dropping from the Battle Bus. Here’s to hoping more kaiju jump into Fortnite and give fans what they want.

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Season One of Marvel Rivals has officially begun, with players digging into Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman, the most recent additions to the superhero roster. With the Human Torch and The Thing releasing in late February, many fans are wondering when we will see even more characters make their debut in the free-to-play shooter. As players may know, there have been many leaks regarding the next batch of characters to assemble into the Marvel title, with names such as Cyclops, Professor X, Jean Grey, and Blade swirling around the internet. The wait for these superheroes won’t be long, as Marvel Rivals director Guangyun Chen has addressed the game’s planned character release schedule.

The excitement surrounding Marvel Rivals characters began with the debut trailer for the game, and continued until launch when the likes of Squirrel Girl, Iron Fist, Black Window, Cloak & Dagger, and Wolverine were revealed. Players got to witness the release of two characters simultaneously with the launch of Season One and will apparently get that chance again in February. While a massive amount of characters have already been announced, NetEase Games isn’t looking to stop the momentum.

Marvel Rivals Will Add a New Hero Every Half a Season

RELATED: Marvel Rivals Leak Reveals More Playable Characters Coming Soon

According to an interview with Metro UK, Che opened up about the plannyed three-month seasons and addressed the rollout of new content, including heroes. He revealed: “Every season we’ll be rolling out fresh seasonal stories, new maps, and new heroes. We’ll actually be breaking down each season into two halves. The length of one season is three months. And for each half of the season, we will introduce a new hero. We just eventually want to continue to enhance the experience, and keep everyone excited in our community.”

With confirmation that there will be two characters released in one season, this means that players will be introduced to a new character every 90 days in Marvel Rivals. From a macro-view, this also means that Marvel Rivals will release eight new characters every year, which is already more than Overwatch 2’s schedule of one new hero every other season. In terms of this year, given we’re getting four characters in one season, 2025 could see 10 superheroes added to the game. That in mind, the roster will jump to 43 characters by the end of the year. 

NetEase has been open about their continuous work on Marvel Rivals, as they have taken all the feedback given by players and addressed it when necessary. Chen’s comment on keeping everyone in the community excited about the game reassures players that there will be no shortage of new content to dig into every month.

Chen also spoke about the seasonal updates with team-ups and new heroes, adding: “Looking ahead as we move on to seasonal updates, we’ll be introducing new heroes and will also be refreshing the team-ups every season. That includes adding new team-ups, as well as breaking down and reshaping the existing ones to keep the experience dynamic and engaging for everyone.”

The dedication of the Marvel Rivals team has been comforting to a lot of fans, as the support for the game hasn’t died down since its release. According to SteamDB, Marvel Rivals has more players jumping into the game than it did on release, with about 500,000 playing the new season.

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It’s no secret that Niantic has made Pokemon Go‘s Remote Raids much worse over the last two years. From jacking up the cost, to placing limits on how many players can participate in each day, the developers have made it much harder to Raid remotely when it’s inconvenient to do so in person. These changes were made specifically because Niantic wants to encourage people to play the game locally, and sees that as important for the longterm health of Pokemon Go. It’s surprising then that the company has announced a positive change that we can expect to see during the Fashion Week: Takeover event and the upcoming Ho-oh Shadow Raid Day.

For the first time ever, players will be able to remotely participate in Shadow Raids during these events. Considering that it’s the month of January, and many places are dealing with very cold temperatures, this should open up Shadow Raids to a much larger number of players. It should also make some of the tougher Shadow Raids a lot more manageable, which is a very good thing. At this time, it’s unclear whether this will be a running change for all future Shadow Raids, or if we should just expect to see Niantic open them up during specific events.

Whatever the case might be, this change is definitely a good thing. There was no real advantage to blocking remote players from participating in Shadow Raids. If anything, this was making it harder for local players, as well, because it results in a smaller pool of players to pull from. It will be interesting to see what comes of this change, and if it might open the door for other Remote Raid changes. One of the biggest complaints about Gigantamax Raids right now is that it’s simply too difficult to enlist enough local players to defeat them. Hopefully, Niantic will consider allowing players to participate in Max Raids remotely, as well.

The timing of this change is pretty convenient for Pokemon Go players. During Ho-oh Shadow Raid Day, participants will have an increased chance of encountering a Shiny Ho-oh. Shiny Ho-oh has a gorgeous gold and white color scheme, in place of the standard orange. This could be a really good opportunity for players to find one, either for use in Pokemon Go, or for sending over to Pokemon Home for use in the mainline games.

RELATED: Pokemon Go Reveals Lunar New Year Event and Gigantamax Max Battle Day

The Fashion Week: Takeover event begins in Pokemon Go on Wednesday, January 15th at 12 a.m. and runs through Sunday, January 19th at 8 p.m. local time. The Ho-oh Shadow Raid Day event will take on Sunday January 19th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time.

Are you happy about this change to Remote Raids? Will this make you more likely to participate in Shadow Raids? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Xbox Game Pass has today added its biggest games to the service so far in 2025. After a rapid pace of new releases on Game Pass to close out 2024 that included Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and STALKER 2, the early part of the new year has been pretty quiet for Xbox users. Fortunately, for those looking for some brand-new titles to check out on Xbox Game Pass, a couple of standouts have now landed on the platform.

As of today, EA Sports UFC 5 has made its way to Xbox Game Pass. Available only to those with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, UFC 5 is the latest entry in EA’s fighting game franchise that only just released a little over a year ago. For it to have now been added to Game Pass is a big boost to the service, especially for those who enjoy sports titles. UFC 5 can be played on Xbox Series X and S platforms only, though, as a PC version of the game does not exist.

Related: Microsoft Announces Changes to Xbox Game Pass Quests

Luckily, for those on PC who are looking for a new Game Pass game, a second title has been added to the service today. That game in question is Diablo, which is the original entry in Blizzard’s hugely popular action RPG franchise. While it’s a bit dated, Diablo is still a classic and is very much worth checking out if you’re at all interested in the roots of the series.

To learn more about both UFC 5 and Diablo, you can find descriptions and videos for each attached below.

UFC 5

“EA SPORTS UFC 5 is as real as it gets. Powered by Frostbite engine’s advanced rendering capabilities, your favorite fighters now have unparalleled character likenesses to complement next-level environment fidelity that’ll make their walk to the Octagon feel like a PPV main event.

The all-new authentic damage system brings the intensity and strategy of a fight to life, as cuts and strikes absorbed can affect mobility, defense, stamina, and more. Take too much damage, and the doctor will check to see if you’re able to continue.

For lovers of the ground game, the new Transition-Based Submissions make grappling feel more fluid and realistic than ever before. And if you like to admire your handiwork, new Cinematic K.O. Replays capture your fight-ending finishes in all their punishing glory. Plus, a completely revamped live service schedule builds exciting challenges around all PPV fight weeks. Bring the next evolution of the fight game home with UFC 5.”

Diablo

“Darkness stirs beneath the town of Tristram. A mad king, his missing son, and a mysterious archbishop are all pieces of the puzzle you need to hack through. You have journeyed to the source of this evil. A cathedral stands in Tristram, built over the ruins of an ancient monastery. Eerie lights and ungodly sounds echo through its abandoned halls. Tread softly, adventurer; for you tread on nightmares.”

The post Xbox Game Pass Just Added Its Biggest Games of 2025 So Far appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Hunt: Showdown 1896 is ringing in the new year with big plans, some of which developer Crytek is sharing with players. A lot of what the developer plans to implement in early 2025 is quality of life, making bug fixes and updates to increase player experience. Undoubtedly, players can expect new content as the year goes on, but early on will be improving various aspects of the game. Crytek has consistently informed players of what changes and updates they can expect going forward. As such, they released what changes players will see ahead of implementing them, giving players a heads up of the fixes to come.

We haven’t yet gotten a full set of patch notes to detail everything that’s coming in the next Hunt: Showdown 1896 update, but here’s what we know so far of the early 2025 plans:

Gameplay Bugs

• Fixed various crashes and freezes that occasionally occurred during gameplay, as well as when loading in and out of a mission.
• Fixed an issue where Player A could appear to be killed by Player B even after Player B was already visually dead.
• Fixed an issue where players could potentially leave map boundaries, possibly by using vaulting.
• Fixed an issue where the Poison effect could remain stuck on the player.
• Fixed a problem where compounds occasionally seemed to be dominated by a single special AI type.
• Fixed locations where players could become soft-locked or access unintended locations.
• Fixed an issue where the Spider could fall through the floor or terrain upon death.
• Fixed an issue where Assassin clones were sometimes not visible.
• Fixed an issue where fire or bleed effects would continue when switching from healing with a first aid kit or syringe to stopping the effect with the ‘F’ key.

RELATED: Hunt: Showdown Permanently Gets Cheaper, but With a Catch

Weapons and Equipment

• Fixed an issue where bullets were not visible during the reload animation of the 1865 Carbine when using default ammunition.
• Fixed an issue with ammo switching on dual pistols that caused mixed ammo, firing issues, or broken reloads.
• Fixed an issue with the Avtomat where the fire rate was incorrect, third-person audio was broken, and bullets were loading at the wrong time.
• Fixed various issues with hunters and equipment skipping.
• Fixed an exploit where the hand crossbow with a revive bolt, combined with precise timing, allowed players to self-revive.
• Fixed an issue where throwing a lantern during the extinguishing animation caused the player to get stuck, preventing sprinting, vaulting, and item usage.
• Fixed an issue where some traps, consumables, and tools didn’t count toward the “deal damage with traps/consumables” progress.

Hunter and Prestige Systems

Hunter and Prestige Systems

• Fixed an issue where hunters could not be equipped or changed after prestiging following a server crash.
• Fixed an issue where clicking the ‘YES’ button multiple times quickly in the confirmation popup could dismiss two hunters at once.
• Fixed an issue where forcefully disconnected users could no longer change their hunter or equipment.
• Fixed an issue where some prestige levels only mentioned a ‘random skin’, where users could actually choose from multiple rewards.

User Interface

User Interface

• Fixed an issue where all scopes were misaligned during the first ADS with a centered crosshair position.
• Fixed an issue where slots in the Free Hunter Recruits screen and Loadouts screen displayed static names.
• Fixed an issue where weapons and hunters would remain on the screen and overlap when switching between menu tabs.

This is just a preview of what players can expect to come to Hunt: Showdown 1896. No dates have been set for these planned fixes, but they are coming. Players can also expect the Post Malone event to come in February 2025. Hunt: Showdown 1896 recently received a huge update, which added a new map and more.

The post Hunt: Showdown 1896 Previews Biggest Changes Coming Soon appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Marvel Rivals has exploded in popularity, becoming one of the hottest and most played multiplayer games. It draws players in with its fantastic roster of Marvel heroes and villains, as well as its engaging hero shooter gameplay. Marvel Rivals is available on most platforms, including PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, and features controls for controllers and mouse and keyboard. However, some players have found a workaround on console that seemingly gives them an advantage. But those interested in using the tech should watch out, as Marvel Rivals developer NetEase has promised to come after anyone using the exploit, and it means business.

The exploit in question is using a keyboard and mouse adapter on console. What this does is combine the high sensitivity and precision of a mouse with the aim assist of a controller. Combining the two gives players an unfair advantage thanks to the controller inputs harnessing the aim-assist with the speed of a mouse.

RELATED: Marvel Rivals Leak Reveals Professor X, Cyclops, and More Characters Coming to the Game

NetEase has specifically mentioned several types of adapters, including XIM series, Cronus Zen series, Titan Two series, KeyMander series, and Brook Sniper series. It also stated it would target those not listed as well, citing “Any device enabling keyboard and mouse emulation of controller inputs, even if not explicitly listed, will be considered a keyboard and mouse adapter.”

Those caught using such a device face several consequences, including, “temporary or permanent account suspensions, removal from leaderboards, or other punishments depending on the circumstances.” The permanent ban is the penalty most focused on, as NetEase has not been shy about banning players in the past, though it has been understanding for false bans.

NetEase Games is strict about violating any of its rules for Marvel Rivals. The studio wants to ensure a fair and fun environment for all its players. This means ensuring there is a level playing field and all players have equal opportunities. Any other form of cheating or exploiting the game will be similarly punished. Marvel Rivals has also been quick to remove offensive mods as well. It is likely NetEase will continue monitoring Marvel Rivals for further exploits players discover.

This news follows the recent addition of Mr. Fantastic and The Invisible Woman in season 1 of Marvel Rivals. There has never been a better time to jump into Marvel Rivals, and its popularity has soared, especially for strategist players. The Invisible Woman has been a huge hit with many players instalocking her as a soon as a match starts.

Leakers have been hard at work trying to uncover what is coming, which may be new a PvE game mode, costumes, and various incoming characters. The leaks may or not be true, but fans have a lot to look forward to with Marvel Rivals. But regardless of what content is added, players should make sure to play fairly and avoid any form of cheating, hacking, or exploits.

The post Marvel Rivals Players Warned That This Exploit Will Get You Banned appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Simmers just experienced the first Behind the Sims showcase of 2025. While there were some exciting announcements, fans can’t help but think there must be something more. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the original The Sims game, and EA is planning a 25-hour livestream to celebrate. Many gamers suspect that some of the biggest announcements might be waiting for that celebratory stream. Due to a few breadcrumbs that just might be hints from EA, many Sims fans think that one of the big reveals will center on beloved earlier entry to the franchise, The Sims 2.

The Behind the Sims video was just under 10 minutes long, which means things moved pretty quickly. In it, fans got a look at a timeline leading up to and shortly following the February 4th birthday of The Sims. That included two big free updates for The Sims 4, a PC release for the MySims Cozy Bundle, and an official look at the previously leaked upcoming kits. They also briefly teased the name for the next season, Motherlode, which sets the theme for the next few expansions… even if the Behind the Sims didn’t reveal much about them. But the video had a few “blink and you’ll miss it” moments that fans are picking up on.

In particular, many fans have noticed that the date of February 25th is highlighted on the timeline, with nothing but an eyes emoji to indicate what’s coming that day. Due to some of what’s been shared on social media recently, and thanks to a specific sound that maybe probably played during the video, fans think that date will have something to do with The Sims 2.

February 25th Might Bring Major News About The Sims

After watching the short and sweet birthday edition of Behind the Sims, many fans jumped into analysis mode. The video lacked some of the news many Simmers were expecting, including Project Rene news, an explanation for a recent update to The Sims 3, or intel on the Sims movie. While Project Rene was nowhere to be seen, fans have spotted a few hints that just might point towards something with The Sims 2, instead.

There are two primary details that have fans thinking The Sims 2 news is coming, most likely a remaster or re-release of some kind. First, a familiar sound that pops up when the eyeball emojis are on screen during the video. As one Simmer notes in response to this post about the roadmap, “when the 2/25 part popped up the “Sul Sul” audio from TS2’s intro played.” Those with a deeply engrained memory of loading multiple discs of The Sims 2 expansion packs onto the family computer recognized this sound from the 2004-2009 era of The Sims, leading to speculation that the February 25th date somehow relates to The Sims 2. But like any good fan theory, there’s more.

RELATED: The Sims 4 Celebrates 25 Years with Massive Free Update & Launch Page Overhaul

The upcoming Blast from the Past live event includes an item that’s looped into The Sims 2 lore – a milk carton from the game that features Bella Goth’s missing person photo. Many fans think the overall nostalgia vibe of the in-game event and 25th birthday make it a great time to revisit some of the earlier games in the franchise. This milk carton, for some, is another hint that The Sims 2 will be involved.

Not every fan is convinced it’s going to be The Sims 2, however. The “Sul sul!” sound is also pretty close to the one from The Sims 3. This game, which many Simmers still prefer over The Sims 4, recently got the first big update in quite some time, which might suggest that whatever news is coming in February may have something to do with this game, not The Sims 2. Regardless, many fans think that some kind of remaster for older Sims games might be in the works, bringing those nostalgic vibes into the modern era.

The post Sims Fans Expect a Sims 2 Surprise After New Tease appeared first on ComicBook.com.

For months now, fans of the Pokemon Trading Card Game have been waiting to find out when the next McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion will arrive in U.S. locations. A Pokemon TCG promotion landed in France last year, with a theme centered around the Year of the Dragon. Now that it’s the Year of the Snake, the theme has changed just slightly, but the cards seem to be headed our way later this month. Each Happy Meal will be accompanied by a booster pack that includes four promo cards, one of which will be a holo. The cards will largely feature Dragon-types like Drampa and Dragonite, but will also include fan favorites like Pikachu and Charizard.

According to reporting from Poke Beach, the Pokemon Dragon Discovery Happy Meal campaign will launch in the U.S. on January 21st, and will run through February 24th. That means we can expect it following the current promotion centered around Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Apparently, four Happy Meal boxes will be offered, highlighting different Pokemon: Charizard, Dragonite with Pikachu, Rayquaza, and Roaring Moon. In addition to the cards, the Happy Meals will also include stickers and a double-sided poster. Fans of the Pokemon TCG should be aware that the cards that are being offered have appeared in past sets, but offer some slight differences in the holos, and the card numbering.

At this time, McDonald’s and The Pokemon Company have not officially confirmed the starting date for the Happy Meal promotion. Some restaurant offerings can also vary, so Pokemon fans might want to check with their local McDonald’s before making a special trip. McDonald’s normally allows the purchase of a toy without a full Happy Meal, but the company has avoided doing that for past Pokemon promotions. The reason of course being that some resellers made it hard for fans and kids to actually get their hands on the cards. At this time, we don’t know if the same can be said for the Dragon Discovery promotion, but it’s probably a safe bet!

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet – Journey Together Officially Announced

The Pokemon Dragon Discovery Happy Meal should be a nice way for fans to start off 2025. This year promises to be a good one for the Pokemon franchise. Pokemon Day is February 27th, just three days after the McDonald’s promotion will apparently come to an end. Pokemon Day is an annual event where The Pokemon Company reveals news about upcoming releases. This year’s show should be an exciting one, as Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be made available on Nintendo Switch sometime in 2025. The last time we heard about the game was last year on Pokemon Day, so we’re long overdue for an update. There have already been some leaks about TCG sets based on the game, so we might learn some details about those, as well!

Are you looking forward to this Pokemon Happy Meal promotion? Have you had trouble getting the cards during past McDonald’s promotions? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Pokemon x McDonald’s Collab Sets a Date for These Promo Cards appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The next installment in the Civilization series is still about a month away, with Civilization 7 set to arrive on February 11th. As the release date approaches, the developers continue to provide Dev Diary updates about what fans can expect from the next Civilization game. The most recent Dev Diary digs deep into some brand new systems coming to Civilization 7, which will introduce new ways to encourage players to make the game their own.

In this most recent update from the developers, players got some insight into the thinking behind Civilization 7‘s new meta progression features. These elements are part of the Legends System, which adds ways for players to get rewarded through multiple playthroughs, not just in a specific save file. Part of the goal here is to make the game feel more manageable, breaking the massive campaign into smaller acts. As part of that, the game introduces new pathways for players to explore, including new Paths.

These Foundation and Legend Paths are a way of tracking gamer progress through the game. It’s something like a quest log for playing the game itself, tasking players to complete various challenges, such as playing as a specific leader or completing certain milestones like discovering lighting as Ben Franklin. And of course, any good quest log brings rewards to earn as tasks get checked off.

Players Will Earn Cosmetic Collectibles and Mementos just for Playing Civilization 7

Alongside the new Paths feature, players will be able to earn rewards for “playing the game how you want to play it.” The rewards include two main kinds of rewards: Cosmetic Collectibles and Mementos.

For Cosmetic Collectibles, players might imagine skins for characters, but these are a slightly different approach. These rewards will let players modify their Player Card, an in-game profile card. These cards show up in-game on the main menu, as well as in the lobby for multiplayer games. On them, players can display their earned Cosmetic Collectibles, including Badges, Banners, and Titles. This will let players show off their in-game achievements, either on display for themselves or to other players in the lobby.

RELATED: A Game of Thrones Star Narrates Civilization 7

If players prefer in-game rewards that actually interact with gameplay rather than a virtual trophy case, that’s where Mementos come in. These are special types of equipment that players can attach to their leader’s during game setup, giving them special bonus effects. Each leader can have up to two Mementos equipped, and there will be over 100 options that gamers can earn by completing Paths.

Combined, the Cosmetic Collectibles and Mementos provide two very different options for players to feel rewarded for playing Civilization 7 through multiple unique playthroughs. These features will let gamers keep a virtual record of their accomplishments and will also offer in-game benefits, combining two ways of making players feel engaged. For those curious to dive into the new Paths and earn these special rewards, Civilization 7 will be here on February 11th, bringing these features with it.

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Ongoing development of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has director Hideo Kojima saying that he is feeling exhausted. Perhaps now more than ever, Kojima and those at Kojima Productions are incredibly busy. Not only is the studio trying to complete its work on Death Stranding 2, which is slated to release later in 2025, but it’s also juggling work on two additional games in OD and Physint. With so much happening at a single time, Kojima has opened up about how tired he is feeling.

In a series of messages on X, Kojima provided fans with some insight into the current development of Death Stranding 2. Kojima said that work on Death Stranding 2 has entered the “crunch” phase, which has resulted in the director needing to tackle multiple things at a single time. As a result, Kojima acknowledged that this portion of development is always “incredibly tough” and has left him feeling physically and mentally drained.

“The most demanding period of game development—both physically and mentally—commonly known as ‘crunch time,'” Kojima said. “On top of mixing and Japanese voice recording, there’s an inevitable pile of other tasks: writing comments, explanations, essays, interviews, discussions, and non-game-related work. It’s incredibly tough.”

In response to this statement, Kojima was met with a litany of replies from fans who encouraged the director to take care of himself. Others tried to remind Kojima that Death Stranding 2 is (seemingly) approaching the finish line, which means that he shouldn’t have to be in this phase of development much longer. As for Kojima, he went on to say that he watched a movie after his long work day which left him feeling “cleansed.” Even if this was just a brief respite from crunching on Death Stranding 2, finding a moment to relax seemingly re-energized Kojima just a bit.

Related: Hideo Kojima Apologizes After Lack of New Death Stranding 2 Reveal

Currently, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach doesn’t have a specific release date, but it will be arriving at some point in 2025. Whenever it does launch, it will initially be exclusive to PS5 platforms.

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The original The Sims game launched on February 4th, 2000, which means The Sims franchise is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. Turning 25 is a pretty big deal, and the team behind The Sims has plans for celebrating in style. While much of what’s to come for The Sims 4 in 2025 is still shrouded in mystery, the first few big updates for the year have been revealed in a recent Behind the Sims birthday bash extravaganza.

Behind the Sims is EA’s way of sharing updates about new features and plans for the franchise. These videos are always exciting for Simmers, and 25 year celebration edition was packed full of birthday cakes, confetti, and announcements. We got confirmation of the upcoming Cozy Gamer kit, but still not much to go on in terms of upcoming DLC for The Sims 4 in 2025. While those expecting a reveal of the next Expansion Pack might be disappointed, there’s plenty of good news for free-to-play The Sims 4 players.

In terms of next season, players got a hint that it will be based around the popular Motherlode cheat. Aside from that, what’s coming next in expansions is anyone’s guess – but given that money focus, new careers seem likely. Instead of looking too far into new content, the Behind the Sims birthday update focused on the near future for The Sims, including an upcoming 25-hour livestream on the actual 25-year anniversary. That anniversary showcase will feature prominent Sims live streamers and “special guests you might recognize. It takes place on February 4th, 2025 starting at 5pm EST and will stream live via the Sims YouTube, Twitch, and Tiktok Channels. The biggest news for now, however, is the massive free update – or really, updates – that are headed to The Sims 4 very soon.

The Sims 4 is Getting Two Big Free Updates in the Next Month

Sims 4 fans will get not one, but two big updates for the base game in the next month or so. The first is a Sims Lab-driven overhaul to the game’s main menu, which is set to launch on January 14th at 3 PM EST. During the Behind the Sims, players got our first look at the new menu, which is definitely a different feel from the current vibe. It focuses on the current save file gamers are working with, minimizing the ad-heavy look of the current model with a smaller sidebar and separate Store section.

RELATED: The Sims Turns 25 in February and I Have a Wishlist for Celebrating

Along with the new menu, the January 14th update will implement redesigned versions of several iconic family homes in the game. The Pancake, Goth, Caliente, Landgraab, and BFF houses are fully renovated to feature newer items from various updates throughout the year, giving them a more modern feel that goes along with what players can build in the game in 2025. The renovations should feature only items from free base game updates, so even fully free-to-play players should see the new designs following the update.

This is just the beginning for free 2025 updates, however. On February 4th, the 25th birthday of The Sims franchise, The Sims 4 will get another massive free update. With over 70 new in-game items added, it will be one of the biggest free updates Simmers have seen in a while. There will be new Create a Sim items for every generation, with new hairstyles for every generation, as well as plenty of new clothing and accessories. In addition, new Build Buy items will be included, with more window and door options, new finishes for kitchen cabinets, and more.

The update will also usher in the start of another Live Mode event, something that the Sims community will no doubt greet with mixed feelings. This Blast From the Past event begins on February 4th with the new update, and has a 2000s theme to celebrate the year The Sims came into existence. We’re talking inflatable chairs and couches, people.

With a massive free update to start the year, 2025 is looking like an exciting time to be a Sims fan. Get ready to enjoy the new main menu and eagerly await more hints about the new DLC to come with the Motherlode season in The Sims 4.

The post The Sims 4 Celebrates 25 Years with Massive Free Update & Launch Page Overhaul appeared first on ComicBook.com.

For Dragon Ball fans, there is no event bigger than Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour. While Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO and Dragon Ball FighterZ are featured at various FGC events, many of the other games in Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour’s lineup don’t see much action. Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2025 is the latest installment in the annual event, and players have been prepping and practicing in anticipation. However, there is some bad news for those planning to attend Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour. And unfortunately, it came right before the event was set to begin.

Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2025 has been canceled due to the wildfires in Southern California. The event was planned to take place in Los Angeles, California, on January 18th and 19th. The choice to cancel was made to protect hosts, attendees, and everyone involved with the event. While no official date or plan was given, Dragon Ball Games Hour 2025 did inform fans it would provide further updates.

RELATED: Is Dragon Ball Daima A Quiet Remake of Dragon Ball GT?

No information was given as to whether refunds would be given to those who purchased tickets or not. Presumed, this information will come out at a later time and the focus is on informing fans and attendees the event was canceled. If the event is moved to a new location and time, it is likely attendees will have the option of keeping their ticket or relinquishing it.

The event was slated to feature Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Dragon Ball Super Card Game Masters, Dragon Ball Legends, Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle, and Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World in tournament formats. Without the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2025 to host them, players of these titles will have a harder time finding venues and ways to play in-person.

The annual event is one of the biggest events for Dragon Ball, featuring numerous games and an environment where fans can get together to share their love of the franchise. News of the cancellation hit fans hard, but it is understandable for Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2025 to cancel considering the devastation of the California wildfires.

There is a good chance the event will be rescheduled and moved to a new location. Many fans suggested Las Vegas as a viable alternative, and the city is known for hosting events such as these. However, with Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2025 set to take place in a few days, there is no way to get it rerouted to Las Vegas in such a short amount of time.

Fans expect an announcement revealing Dagon Ball Games Battle Hour 2025 taking place within the next few months. If this proves to be true, the event would only be delayed a short amount of time. Until an official announcement is made, fans will need to be patient and wait for the organizers to come up with a new strategy. Still, fans can watch the various anime of Dragon Ball to hold them over until an announcement comes.

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Bethesda’s games have often featured a lot of stylized violence. The Fallout games are a perfect example, featuring a lot of humorous gore. However, the developer went in something of a different direction for Starfield. There were multiple reasons for that decision, from technical challenges, to the game’s overall tone. In a new episode of the Kiwi Talkz podcast, former Bethesda artist Dennis Mejillones offered some insight into ideas that were considered during the game’s development but ultimately scrapped. Decapitations were nearly part of the game, but the team ended up leaving them out of the finished product.

According to Mejillones, the amount of detail involved in the character designs made it difficult to keep decapitations. Each suit featured so many details that had to be accounted for, including things like hoses. Also, “the character creator had evolved quite a bit.” These were cited as potential reasons, but Mejillones also noted that decapitations didn’t really fit from a tonal perspective.

“Fallout is very stylized in that regard. It’s meant to be… that’s part of the tongue-in-cheek humor. You know that splatter mess, that perk that you get where you can make a mess out of somebody, just blow up into goop. It’s part of the fun for it,” said Mejillones. “It’s like those old-school animes like Fist of the North Star. They punch each other, just gushes of blood forever would come out. Nobody can hold that much blood, but it’s fun because you’re like ‘oh man that’s cool,’ that kind of a thing, and it adds to that style. And I think for Starfield it was definitely meant to be more lo-fi and realistic. We were inspired a lot by things like The Expanse and Star Trek. Stuff like that. So I think it just didn’t fit thematically, also.”

While some Bethesda fans might be disappointed that Starfield didn’t offer a more significant amount of gore, it makes sense why the developers went in a different direction. While some might have preferred that level of violence, it’s easy to see how that would have been more of a fit for something like Dead Space, as opposed to Starfield. The old-school science fiction approach played a big role in the game’s art direction, and a bunch of over-the-top decapitations or head explosions just wouldn’t have fit.

RELATED: Xbox Game Pass Report Says Premium Games on the Service Can Lose 80% of Sales

Hopefully Fallout fans will get their fix of gore and violence when the series makes a comeback. At this time, there has been no word on when we can expect to see Fallout 5, but reports last year suggested that a continuation of the series is seen as a priority for Xbox and Bethesda. The success of the Amazon series has led to a lot of reinvigorated interest in the games, but Bethesda is currently working on The Elder Scrolls 6. How things will play out remains to be seen!

Are you happy Starfield was a little less gory? Do you think it made more sense with the game’s world? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: Video Games Chronicle]

The post Starfield Developer Reveals Why the Game Is Less Violent Than Fallout appeared first on ComicBook.com.

As the influx of new cards slow down, Pokemon TCG Pocket players are focusing in on completing their collections from the Genetic Apex and Mythical Island sets. Spending more time with those cards means some players are taking a closer look at the art, leading to some surprising discoveries. Many players already know about interlinked cards like the Snorlax that’s basically Exodia, but now they’re realizing that many cards have art that connects to the Pokemon games outside of TCG Pocket.

For many players, the focus of Pokemon cards both physical and digital is about how they’ll play in battle. The moves and HP matter more in those situations than the artwork. But many fans collect the cards more like artwork, enjoying the depictions of their favorite Pokemon in scenic backgrounds. Even in the digital world of Pokemon TCG Pocket, many players are happy to spend time just admiring the beautiful art of the cards.

Sometimes, that time spent looking at card art pays off in unexpected ways. A recent trend has players looking closely at card art to identify locations that Pokemon fans have already seen before. Many cards, it turns out, secretly feature locations from the main series games, and it takes some attention to detail to match these digital cards with their secret Pokemon game locations. Naturally, plenty of players are willing to go the extra mile, leading to some fascinating realizations about where our favorite Pokemon are hanging out in their TCG Pocket cards.

Pokemon TCG Pocket Cards with Artwork Connections to the Main Series Games

A trip through the PTCGP subreddit will reward players with a few interesting looks at the in-game locations from several of the cards. Pokemon TCG Pocket features a mix of digital renderings of existing physical cards and new artwork, leaving plenty of room for players to explore how the cards connect to other elements of the Pokemon franchise.

For instance, one player realized that Grimer appears to be hanging out in the Cinnabar Pokemon Mansion from the Kanto region.

RELATED: Pokemon TCG Pocket May Have Its Biggest Month Yet in January Thanks to 2 New Features

Given the shattered glass and fallen rubble, plus the similarity in the colors of the wall and floor, it looks like this player might be on to something. They’re not the only one involved in close readings of TCG Pocket cards, however. This player believes Spearow is hanging out near the Celadon City department store, and they’ve brought the receipts to prove it.

Given that most of the cards in the current Pokemon TCG Pocket sets are from the Kanto region, many of the in-game locations players are spotting come from that original area. Other notable Pokemon hanging out in recognizable Kanto regions include Jynx, spotted near a Pokemon center near the house where, in game, players can trade to get a Jynx of their own. Given that it’s one of the only ways to get this rare Pokemon in th early games, it’s an impressive bit of attention to detail that has fans impressed.

Others believe that Tentacol, Haunter, and Rattata are also depicted in locations from the Kanto region. Indeed, the houses depicted behind Rattata have that look about them, and there’s some lighthouse scenery behind Tentacool that looks quite familiar. Not all fans are taking the trend seriously, however, with some jokingly posting pictures comparing cards to real-life beaches.

Even if fans can’t resist poking a little fun at the location matching trend, it’s clear that the attention to detail with the Pokemon TCG Pocket cards continues to impress fans. Plus, it gives players something fun to do while they eagerly await the ability to trade those cards and fill in the elusive gaps in their Card Dex.

The post Pokemon TCG Pocket Players Discover Hidden Easter Egg Locations in Cards appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Fortnite is one of the biggest names in gaming, featuring not only its own original content but that of various franchises it has collaborated with over the years. It seems each passing month adds some new crossover to the battle royale game in the form of skins and cosmetics. Fans are always eager to see what the future holds for Fortnite and what characters will be added from their favorite series. While a certain leak has come out before, it is once again circulating the internet, pointing to an upcoming crossover soon between Fortnite and a popular franchise.

The supposed leak suggests a collaboration between Epic Games’ Fortnite and Capcom’s Devil May Cry. Devil May Cry is a fantasy action game with over-the-top action, iconic characters, and a fantastic wardrobe. Any of the characters from Devil May Cry would make great skins in Fortnite, even enemies and bosses would be great fits.

RELATED: Fortnite OG Confirmed to Return for Good in December

The leaks first appeared in 2023, but have since resurfaced, suggesting Devil May Cry will be coming to Fortnite very soon. However, these are rumors and leaks and there is nothing official or of substance to say this is true. Known Fortnite leaker ShiinaBR picked up the story and shared the leak as well, leading some to believe Fortnite x Devil May Cry is coming.

Entertaining the idea that the Devil May Cry x Fortnite crossover is true is fun, especially considering the possibilities. Between Dante, Nero, Virgil, and more, Devil May Cry is full of fantastic skin choices. There are also numerous weapons that could be implemented into Fortnite, either as items or weapons used in-game.

The latter would likely require a major event, so fans will likely only see skins and cosmetics unless Epic Games goes all out on Devil May Cry within Fortnite. Epic Games tends to save this for large crossovers, like the various Marvel or Star Wars events. While Devil May Cry is certainly a popular franchise, it likely doesn’t warrant an entire event, meaning most crossover items will be cosmetic.

Capcom has collaborated with Fortnite before, including Resident Evil and Street Fighter skins in the past. Including the likes of Chun-Li, Ryu, Cammy, Blanka, Leon S. Kennedy, Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and more. Chun-Li remains one of the most popular Fortnite skins, so Capcom certainly has some weight when it comes to getting skins into Fortnite.

Only time will tell whether the leaks are true, but fans are certainly hopeful. Not only would Devil May Cry provide great skins and cosmetics, but the soundtrack is notable as well. Devil Trigger and Virgil’s Battle Theme are absolute bangers and would be fantastic additions to Fortnite Festival.

Fortnite leakers have been on the money many times before, especially those supporting the Fortnite and Devil May Cry crossover. Fans are hopeful, especially for Dante and Virgil skins, but whether or not the iconic characters come to Fortnite remains to be seen.

The post Fortnite x Devil May Cry Leaks Early appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Over the last few months, several things have leaked about Nintendo’s next video game console, tentatively known as “Nintendo Switch 2.” While the system seems to have a design similar to the current Switch, Nintendo has made some changes, including the addition of a new “C” button on the Joy-Cons. What that new button does has been a topic of debate for a while now, but dataminers looking at the current Switch operating system believe that the C stands for “Campus.” Apparently, players will be able to communicate and share rooms with up to 12 other Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. They’ll also be able to share screens.

Dataminers shared their findings on Discord, which were picked up by users on the Gaming Leaks and Rumors subreddit. The original poster claims that the community elements will be “nothing like Miiverse,” so fans of the Wii U era should not expect to see something along those lines. Presumably, this feature will be implemented in online games like Mario Kart, Splatoon, and Animal Crossing. Screen sharing could also be a way for players to help one another when they get stuck in games, which is something currently available on PS5.

As with most things related to Nintendo Switch 2, none of this information is confirmed, and readers should take this with a grain of salt. However, it does seem plausible. The company has been slower to embrace things like voice chat and communication, and the current method through the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app is clumsy at best. A dedicated button that allows users to chat and share screens would be a big step forward, and bring Switch 2 closer in line with other modern platforms.

Last May, Nintendo stated that the company’s new system will be revealed at some point before March 31st, 2025. The company has yet to narrow down the date, but according to a rumor first shared by NateTheHate, the Nintendo Switch 2 console will be revealed on Thursday, January 16th. Since that initial rumor surfaced, several outlets have chimed in that they’ve heard similar information. If that rumor is to be believed, this week will see the unveiling of the console, with information coming about the games sometime after. Assuming all of that is correct, and Nintendo is focused purely on the system itself, we’ll probably find out about new features, so we could have confirmation about the new button and what it does exactly.

RELATED: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review: Pulse-Pounding Platforming Gets an HD Makeover

While the current Switch has been a massive success for Nintendo, the system has a lot of room for improvement, from the weak communication options, to the system’s graphics and processing power. Fans are eager to see Nintendo stepping up its game, and it will be interesting to see what gets revealed. Hopefully the company can meet or exceed the current hype, and convince current Switch owners to purchase a new system.

Are you looking forward to finally seeing Nintendo’s new console? Do you want to see improved communication features? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Reveals What Mysterious New Button Does appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Less than a year after its release, the final update for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has now gone live. By all accounts, Suicide Squad has been one of the biggest bombs in recent memory. Despite failing to meet expectations both critically and commercially, though, developer Rocksteady Games has continued to release new updates for Suicide Squad at a frequent pace to see through its previous commitments. Now, with those commitments having been met, work on the game has reached its conclusion with the launch of this new patch.

Downloadable now across PS5, Xbox, and PC, the last update for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League brings some new content to the game. This new content takes the form of an expanded location to explore and four new weapons to use. Other than this, the rest of the update is related to bug fixes with some others being tied to slight gameplay tweaks.

Related: Rocksteady Reportedly Planning New Single-Player Game Following Suicide Squad Disaster

Moving forward, Rocksteady hasn’t announced any additional plans for Suicide Squad beyond this patch. That being said, it has acknowledged there are some issues still remaining in the game that might be rectified in another subsequent patch. In addition, Suicide Squad is now available to download and play for free as part of PlayStation Plus for the month of January 2025. As such, if Rocksteady sees a rise in player counts via PS Plus, perhaps there will still be a couple of additional patches in the future.

Until then, though, you can get a look at the patch notes for what should be the final update to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League attached below.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Episode 8 Update Patch Notes

MEDIEVAL GENIUS 

You’ll be able to explore more of the medieval Elseworld in Episode 8: Balance, with twists on familiar sights and new locations too. Take your quest to The Quarry, a fortified citadel you’ll have to besiege if you wish to triumph over the tyrant Brainiac. The Arena is the perfect place for jousting tournaments or interdimensional warfare, and the statues of King Jor-El and Queen Lara Lor-Van will be sure to inspire awe for this age of chivalry and honor. 

LIBRA INFAMY SET 

The Infamy Set for Episode 8 is inspired by Libra, an incredibly dangerous DC Super-Villain obsessed with the idea of balance. This fascination with balance carries over to his Infamy Set, which applies stacks of Scales of Libra to enemies, increasing both the damage they deal andreceive by 50% for each stack. This makes it a high risk, high reward set that encourages a bold and dynamic playstyle.

NOTORIOUS WEAPONS 

The perfect accompaniment to Libra’s Infamy Set is The Silencer’s Complete Silence. This set of weapons inspired by the deadly assassin The Silencer deals a bonus 200% damage to any enemy affected by stacks of Scales of Libra. The Alt-Fire is where this weapon truly shines, however, dealing 1,000% bonus damage and creating a Silencer Zone where the enemy was hit. Enemies standing in Silencer Zones have 100% reduced damage, making this a perfect crowd control tool while you and your squad dish out some major damage.

Doctor Sivana’s Magic Bullets is the perfect way to kill a lot of enemies really fast. Bullets from this weapon pierce through enemies, apply a stack of Scales of Libra and have a chance to electrify enemies hit. If you can position yourself cleverly to line up multiple enemies with one shot, this shocking weapon can devastate an entire army.

Chronos’ Equilibrium dials up the glass cannon playstyle to the max, dealing 25% bonus damage for every 1% of your Shield missing, encouraging a dangerous but incredibly powerful style of play where you’ll constantly be in the middle of the fray.

GAMEPLAY CHANGES 

• Reduced the duration of Deathstroke’s Suicide Strike against certain enemies, to be closer in line with other characters’. 
• The XP requirements for Squad Levels have been decreased, and rewards from previously earned XP are given retroactively. Players with profiles that have earned XP may notice an increase in Squad Levels, and that extra Squad Points are available to spend following the update to Episode 8.

BUG FIXES 

• Fixed a bug for players in the Japan region that caused LuthorCoin to expire prematurely. 
• Fixed a bug that prevented the Raising Hell Playlist from updating when playing in Episodes other than Episode 7. 
• Fixed a bug that prevented players from correctly receiving bonus XP from Critical Kills and from killing Infused enemies. 
• Fixed a bug that prevented B-Technology Resources from being rewarded upon completing certain missions. 
• Fixed a bug that prevented new personal bests in Killing Time from registering on the Leaderboards. 
• Fixed a bug in the Episode 7 Mayhem Mission that caused the kill counter to display incorrect values. 
• Fixed a bug that sometimes caused Lootinauts to disappear when killing the host they were hiding inside. 
• Fixed a bug during the Episode 7 Mayhem Mission that sometimes caused Green Lantern Constructs to immediately reappear after being destroyed. 
• Fixed a bug that caused Harley Quinn’s Shorten Rope Traversal Ability to not be usable while using the Trigger Happy controller layout. 
• Fixed a bug that caused Captain Boomerang’s ‘Captain On Deck TFX Pack’ to charge the wrong amount of LuthorCoin. 
• Fixed a bug that occurred upon purchasing the Joker Emote Bundle that caused one of the emotes to appear to not be owned. 
• Fixed a bug that caused Gorilla Grodd’s Tier 2 ‘Mind Over Matter’ Infamy Set to deal 500% bonus damage to non-Crazed enemies, instead of correctly requiring them to be Crazed. 
• Fixed a bug with Orphan’s Heartseeker whereby nearby enemies failed to receive 50% of Suicide Strike damage when performed on a Marked enemy. 
• Fixed a bug with Brain’s Teaser whereby killing a Burning enemy with the weapon’s Alt-Fire did not always apply burn to nearby enemies. 
• Fixed a bug that caused issues for players navigating around pikes in the Medieval Elseworld. 
• Various crash fixes. 
• Various UI fixes. 
• Various SFX fixes. 
• Various gameplay bug fixes. 
• Various performance improvements and fixes. 
• Various animation and cinematic fixes. 
• Various audio fixes. 
• Various environmental fixes. 
• Fixed several incorrect or untranslated text strings. 
• Fixed instances of enemies spawning incorrectly. 

KNOWN ISSUES 

• When attempting Riddler challenges from an Episode other than the one currently selected, progress can sometimes be tracked incorrectly. To correct this, exit out of your current session back to the main menu. 

The post Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Final Update Released With Patch Notes appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Call of Duty: Warzone is one of the most popular modes in the Call of Duty series, bringing the iconic series’ gameplay to a battle royale mode with huge maps and player numbers. Activision rotates what map players will launch in, but there have been some fan favorites throughout the years. One of these is Verdansk, which was initially leaked to be returning to Call of Duty: Warzone. Activision confirmed this, but the date when players could return to Verdansk was still up in the air, however, recent leaks point to an expected release date.

According to known and credible leaker, TheGhostofHope, Verdansk would return to Call of Duty: Warzone during season 3. Initially, fans expected Verdansk to return during season 2 in December 2024, but was then delayed to Spring 2025. It remains to be seen whether or not these leaks are true, but fans are excited about returning to Verdansk in Call of Duty: Warzone. Going by previous season lengths of about three and half months, fans expect Verdansk to return to Call of Duty: Warzone in mid-April.

RELATED: Call of Duty Insider Shares First Details on 2026 and 2027 Games

It’s important to note that these are leaks, and may not be true. While Activision has confirmed the return of Verdansk to Call of Duty: Warzone, fans should note they have been somewhat vague with specifics. While leaks point to a season 3 release, there is no guarantee this is true until official word is given.

In Call of Duty: Warzone, Verdasnk is the capital of Kastovia and has seen various versions throughout the years. With Verdansk’s return, players are hoping it will have a similar effect to Epic Games bringing back the OG Fortnite map. Verdansk has a special place in fans’ hearts, having been featured in multiple Call of Duty campaigns and being a major Call of Duty: Warzone map.

While some are excited to return to the Verdansk map in Call of Duty: Warzone, others have pointed out Activision’s inability to deal with hackers and cheaters. Some believe updating Call of Duty: Warzone is pointless until something is done about the issues plaguing the game, with many refusing to play the game anymore.

Fans have demanded Activision do something about the bugs, hackers, cheats, and false bans. With luck, Activision will take this to heart and do something about these issues, hopefully, to coincide with the release of Verdansk. Fixing the problems and launching the old map will have a huge effect and likely bring back many old players and new players.

Still, Verdansk was a major reason for Call of Duty: Warzone taking off. The map and the free-to-play launch of Call of Duty: Warzone saw the series reach new heights and mark some of its greatest achievements. If anything can bring in players to the series, it is bringing back Call of Duty: Warzone’s Verdansk.

The post Call of Duty: Warzone Reportedly Bringing Back Verdansk appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Atlus has released its first new update for its acclaimed RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio in months. In the wake of Metaphor launching this past October, a handful of initial patches for the game went live to resolve various problems that players were running into. Since that time, though, Atlus has greatly slowed down with its cadence for new updates. Now, only a couple of weeks into 2025, that has finally changed.

Downloadable now across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms, update version 1.11 for Metaphor: ReFantazio brings a couple of important changes to the game. Most notably, Atlus has added the option to swap party members and tweak formations in an added in-game menu. A new category function has also been added to make it easier to navigate the menus. Other than this, most of the other alterations with this Metaphor update are related to bugs found in the PC version of the title.

Related: Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Hopes to Expand the Game Into a Series

You can get a look at the full patch notes for this new Metaphor: ReFantazio update courtesy of Atlus attached below.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Update 1.11 Patch Notes

All platforms

• You can now change your formation and swap party members on the main menu and EQUIP screen.
• Added a category jump function to specific locations on the main menu and ITEM screen.
• Fixed a bug that prevented progress from being made when performing certain operations on the main menu.
• Other minor fixes.

Windows and Steam Versions

• Adjusted analog stick operation for characters and cursors.
• Fixed an issue where camera movement using the mouse was slow in some cases.
• Fixed an issue where the frame rate was fixed with certain operations.
• Fixed an issue where certain operations during command battles made it impossible to progress.
• Fixed an issue where certain operations in Magura Hole made it impossible to progress.
• Fixed an issue where controller input would not be accepted under certain conditions on Windows 11.

The post Metaphor: ReFantazio Gets First New Update in Months, Patch Notes Revealed appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Path of Exile 2 has been one of the hottest early-access games and action RPGs of 2024, with plans to go strong in 2025. Grind Gear Games has been hard at work making improvements to the game, and taking feedback from the community when making updates. Each one brings new content and fans back to the game, especially when issues appear and Grinding Gear Games fixes them. The studio has just released a new hotfix, the third since Path of Exile 2’s early access launch in 2024, and players are thrilled about what this hotfix brings to the game.

While the hotfix fixed a number of issues, the three that standout are fixing Corrupted Skill Gem Level Modifiers, improving weapon skill visibility in chat, and resolved client crash issues caused by the Power Siphon skill. Players will need to restart Path of Exile 2 and verify their game is up-to-date to ensure the hotfix takes effect.

RELATED: Diablo 3 Season 34 Release Date and Theme Announced

Grinding Gear Games has been busy releasing updates and patches to Path of Exile 2, with the latest patch having been released on January 8, 2025. Grinding Gear Games has confirmed more patches are coming as well, which is to be expected when a title launches in early access.

The team at Grinding Gear Games is using the early access period of Path of Exile 2 to create the best game when the full release comes. The studio has repeatedly made efforts to be transparent about the state of the game and its plans. Grinding Gear Games recently appeared on the Tavern Talk podcast, where they answered questions and talked about Path of Exile 2. Though the podcast has come and gone, fans can listen to it and learn more about the game.

Path of Exile 2 is already shaping into one of the best action RPGs and contains a large amount of content in its early access phase. Refining the gameplay, ensuring balance, and giving players enjoyable content are just some of Grinding Gear Games’ focus for Path of Exile 2. The team has big plans for the future of Path of Exile 2, taking it way beyond the scope of early access.

Even in its early access release, Path of Exile 2 has seen an incredible number of players jumping into the game. This means Grinding Gear Games will get more feedback and be able to take all this into account when making updates and fixes. The more players share their experiences with the developer, the better Path of Exile 2 will become.

2025 is already shaping up to be an incredible year for Path of Exile 2. With one update and hotfix released within weeks of the new year starting, fans can expect Grinding Gear Games to be all hands on deck supporting Path of Exile 2. Players should keep an eye out for new classes, areas, and bosses to be added to the game, but can enjoy the various balancing and patches released until major content is released.

The post New Path of Exile 2 Hotfix Released, Here’s What It Does appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Netflix just unleashed a new trailer for The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep, and why did it take so long for Geralt to be animated?! The new anime movie adapts Andrzej Sapkowski’s short story, “A Little Sacrifice,” from the second novel in the Witcher series, The Sword of Destiny. With Netflix’s animated and live-action Witcher projects all set in the same universe, the streamer has had to get creative with casting following the departure of Henry Cavill.

Doug Cockle returns as Geralt of Rivia in Sirens of the Deep, lending his distinctly gruff, American baritone to the White Wolf. Cockle voiced Geralt in all three of CD Projekt Red’s acclaimed The Witcher video games, including the beloved The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Sirens of the Deep combines The Witcher‘s TV universe with its video game universe, as Anya Chalotra and Joey Batey will voice Yennefer and Jaskier, respectively.

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep Trailer Showcases Monsters & Mayhem

The new trailer shows off the beautiful animation and grand action scenes in Sirens of the Deep. Additionally, fans have gotten a better look at how director, Kang Hei Chul, has stretched Sapkowski’s short story to a feature length runtime. Unlike the short story, which solely focuses on the romance between a local lord and a mermaid, Sirens of the Deep raises the stakes exponentially, as Geralt is thrust in the middle of a brewing war between the settlers of a coastal city, and an entire underwater civilization.

Despite his best efforts to remain neutral, Geralt is forced to unsheathe his sword, and the action teased in the trailer looks incredible. The trailer shows off the giant monsters, breathtaking sword work, and even a first-person P.O.V. fight sequence.

[RELATED – The Witcher 4 Revealed in First Trailer]

What Next for Netflix’s The Witcher?

While the live-action The Witcher adaptation has been incredibly divisive — three seasons with mixed reviews, with two more seasons on the way without Henry Cavill, plus the failed Blood Origins spin-off — the world of animation has been far more successful. Nightmare of the Wolf took fans back in time, following a young Vesimir. The film received strong reviews and much acclaim from the fan base. Netflix are hoping Sirens of the Deep can achieve similar success. Netflix haven’t announced any new anime Witcher project at the time of writing.

As for the live-action series, The Witcher will come to an end following the next two seasons. Liam Hemsworth is stepping is as Geralt of Rivia for Seasons 4 & 5. While some are boycotting the show due to Henry Cavill’s departure, some are still holding out hope for Liam Hemsworth to be a decent, if not equally good, Geralt of Rivia.

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep releases on Netflix on February 11th, 2025.

The post The Witcher’s New Anime Unleashes Killer Trailer: Watch appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Arrowhead Studios has today released a new update for Helldivers 2 across PS5 and PC platforms. In the wake of Helldivers 2 receiving its massive “Omens of Tyranny” patch this past month, little else has been done with the game. While news on the franchise hasn’t been stagnant as a film adaptation of Helldivers was just announced this past week, Helldivers 2 itself hasn’t received any major content drops since mid-December. Now, that has finally changed to some degree as a new patch for the game has gone live.

Downloadable right now, update version 1.002.005 for Helldivers 2 is a pretty small one. The update looks to primarily resolve issues related to crashing that were transpiring for players. These game crashes would be activated when players would quit the game or when an Illuminate ship would despawn. Other than this, Arrowhead has resolved a couple of smaller bugs related to specific weapons and missions.

Related: 7 Actors We Think Would Be Perfect for the Helldivers Film

Moving forward, there will certainly be some larger updates for Helldivers 2 on the horizon. Arrowhead Studios has yet to outline a roadmap for its popular shooter in 2025, but those details are likely to come about in the weeks ahead. When they do, we’ll be sure to fill you in here on ComicBook.

To see everything that this new Helldivers 2 update does, you can view the full patch notes attached below.

Helldivers 2 Update 1.002.005 Patch Notes

Fixes

Crash Fixes and Soft-locks:

• Fixed a crash caused by Illuminate ships despawning
• Fixed some potential crashes when the player quits the game

Miscellaneous fixes

• Fixed an issue with jitter when aiming through scopes
• Fixed an issue with the STA-X3 W.A.S.P Launcher’s targeting not properly working when using one owned by another player
• Reduced disconnections in Illuminate missions

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On Friday, January 17th, Grand Theft Hamlet will be released in U.S. theaters. The hook is simple: directors Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls have created a documentary about staging a production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Grand Theft Auto Online. While the concept sounds somewhat absurd, fans of Grand Theft Auto should take it somewhat seriously; Grand Theft Hamlet currently holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with more than 40 critics having weighed in on the film so far. The film has also won multiple awards already, including the Jury Award for best documentary feature at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival.

Grand Theft Hamlet is a machinima production, similar to other high-profile projects like Skibidi Toilet and Red vs. Blue. The theatrical release for Grand Theft Hamlet is being handled by MUBI, and a trailer for the documentary can be found below.

Once Grand Theft Hamlet has been released in theaters, it will be interesting to see how audiences react. The challenge with a film like this is that it has two very different audiences to appeal to. On one hand, streams of GTA Online have done extremely well on Twitch, so it’s likely fans of the game will give it a chance. However, casual viewers might be hesitant about watching a documentary play out entirely within a video game. That’s going to be a tough sell for some theater goers. Apparently the audience does eventually get to see the cast, but not until the very end (presumably once the credits roll).

The concept of a documentary shot entirely in Grand Theft Auto Online came about as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdowns, artists were looking for ways to continue to stretch their creative muscles, and we got to see a lot of creativity as a result. Video games in particular became an outlet for many different people. Around the same time Crane and Grylls were creating a documentary in GTA Online, Rogue One co-writer Gary Whitta developed a talk show created entirely within the Nintendo Switch game Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Similarly, various sports games were used to fill the void left by in-person events, with major athletes competing in iRacing competitions and Mario Tennis tournaments.

RELATED: 7 GTA Cameos You Missed in San Andreas, GTA 5, and More

At the very least, Grand Theft Hamlet could be a fun distraction for GTA fans hungry for new content related to the franchise. 2025 is supposed to be the year that Grand Theft Auto 6 is released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, though there has been speculation about whether the game will actually release during this calendar year. We’ve still got a long way to go to find out, so Grand Theft Hamlet could help to fill the void a little bit.

Are you planning to check out Grand Theft Hamlet? What do you think of the movie’s concept? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post New Movie Made Entirely in Grand Theft Auto Has Near Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score appeared first on ComicBook.com.

With The Last of Us Season 2 starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey only a few months away, you can revisit the first season with a limited edition Steelbook of the 4K Blu-ray that features absolutely stellar artwork on the cover. Pre-orders are available here at Universal Pictures’ new GRUV site for as little as $27.99 when you use the code SIGNUP20 (20% off) at checkout. A listing is also available here on Amazon. It’s expected to arrive on March 18th. The standard 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD editions are also available. Info on special features can be found below.

• NEW The Last of Us: Stranger Than Fiction – Series cast and filmmakers are joined by experts in survival, microbiology, and parasitology for a chilling discussion on the realities of the invasive fungus and subsequent apocalypse in The Last of Us.
• NEW Controllers Down: Adapting The Last of Us – Follow the journey of The Last of Us from console to screen as cast and filmmakers take us inside the process of expanding the world and breathing new life into the game’s beloved characters.
• NEW From Levels to Live Action – Discover how The Last of Us incorporated and expanded fan-favorite game moments in the series
• Getting to Know Me (4 Featurettes)
• The Last Debrief with Troy Baker (2 Featurettes)
• Inside the Episode (9 Featurettes)
• Is This A The Last of Us Line? (2 Featurettes)
• Optional English SDH, Spanish, and French s8ubtitles for the main feature

Synopsis: “The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival. Season one stars Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, Storm Reid as Riley, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce as Perry, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Keivonn Woodard as Sam, Graham Greene as Marlon, and Elaine Miles as Florence. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker also star.”

You can check out a teaser for The Last of Us Season 2 right here. It is expected to begin streaming on Max in April, 2025.

The post The Last Of Us First Season 4K Blu-ray Gets An Amazing Steelbook appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Sony has released a first look teaser at its upcoming adaptation of Until Dawn. Adaptation is being used pretty loosely in this context, as the film does not directly cover the events of the PlayStation 4 game. We’ve known for some time now that the filmmakers planned on telling an original story, but we didn’t know exactly how that would work in practice. In a short video, Sony has now revealed the basic concept of Until Dawn, and how it relates to the source material. Apparently, the filmmakers are trying to replicate the gameplay’s basic concepts instead of its storyline.

In the first look video, writer/producer Gary Dauberman explains that his goal was to not give audiences the same experience they had while playing the game. Director David F. Sandberg says that the movie will have “the same tone and the same vibe, but it expands upon the universe.” Sandberg goes on to say that the game had players making different choices that resulted in the characters having different deaths. The film will attempt to replicate that idea, where the characters die and essentially start over in a different horror genre. To actually make it out alive, they have to make it through these events until dawn. The first look video can be found below.

All in all, this sounds like a fascinating attempt at bringing the game to the big screen. Like the movie, the Until Dawn video game mashed up different horror genres, starting out as something closer to a slasher film, before pivoting to a creature feature. In that way, the concept of these characters waking up in new horror genres does fit in pretty well with the game. Whether or not fans of Until Dawn will enjoy the result remains to be seen, but it’s an interesting approach, and the filmmakers clearly put a lot of thought into how best to adapt the game.

In addition to the concept of characters having multiple deaths, the filmmakers have also brought over one of the main actors from the game; Peter Stormare will be back in the film. In the Until Dawn video game, Stormare played Dr. Alan J. Hill, and he will also play someone named “Hill” in the movie. However, these two do not appear to be the same character.

RELATED: Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 Rumor Points to 2027 Movie Release

Unfortunately, the first look doesn’t offer a whole lot more information. We’re given some brief teases of the main cast, and some of the freakier occurrences they’ll be dealing with. The end of the first look promises that a trailer for Until Dawn will be arriving soon, so hopefully Sony won’t be keeping us in suspense for too much longer. With the movie slated to arrive in theaters on April 25th, we can probably expect to see something within the next few weeks, as Sony begins the hype cycle.

Are you looking forward to Until Dawn? Would you have preferred a direct adaptation? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Until Dawn First Look Explains the Movie’s Differences from the Game appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Step aside Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo hardware that everyone really wants is the Alarmo alarm clock. Make your mornings slightly less miserable by waking up to one of 42 scenes that deliver “immersive sounds and music” from classic Nintendo games like Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Ring Fit Adventure, Pikmin 4, Spatoon 3, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Plus, additional games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be added as free updates in the future.

However, the clock does more than just wake you up. It can also “add Nintendo ambiance to your living space with an hourly chime and Sleepy Sounds themed to your chosen scene”. It can even track sleep patterns, respond to gestures, and get progressively intense with wake up calls from characters like Bowser if you’re in danger of oversleeping. Intrigued? Here’s what you need to know to get your hands on one…

Nintendo’s Alarmo clock has been available to Nintendo Switch Online members for $99.99 since October. However, you’ll be able to order one without a membership in the coming weeks. Nintendo has revealed that Alarmo will be available at retailers starting in March 2025. Presumably, Amazon will be one of these retailers, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see a pre-order go up sooner rather than later. If / when that happens, you should be able to reserve one here on Amazon while supplies last – which might not be long. You should also keep tabs on the official Amazon Nintendo page in case it shows up there first.

If you can’t wait for it to show up at retail, you can get a Nintendo Switch Online membership here at Walmart and here on Amazon.

“After a few seconds, someone (or some thing!) from the scene you picked will appear,” Nintendo said about the new Alarmo clock. “Wave your hand or move your body to make the clock quieter. Depending on the title you’ve choosen, you might also hear coins or other familiar game sounds when you interact with Alarmo.”

Of course, if you’re interested in Alarmo you may have at least a little interest in this whole Nintendo Switch 2 thing. You can keep up with the latest news on the Nintendo Switch 2 right here.

The post Nintendo’s Alarmo Alarm Clock Will Soon Be Available To Everyone appeared first on ComicBook.com.

In 2010, Retro Studios revitalized one of the great franchises of the SNES era. Donkey Kong Country Returns gave Wii owners a new game that drew inspiration from the Rare developed trilogy, while adding several new ideas and concepts. Nearly 15 years later, that game has received a high definition coat of paint on Nintendo Switch. The result is largely faithful to the original game, which should be good news for those that enjoyed the original, as well as those that didn’t get a chance to experience it in the first place.

In Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Donkey and Diddy Kong set out on a new journey after their banana hoard is once again stolen. This time around, the culprits are the Tiki Tak Tribe, who have also used their powers to mentally enslave the other animals of Donkey Kong Island. As players journey throughout the island’s different worlds, they’ll have to defeat animal enemies such as crabs, birds, and moles. There’s also the Tiki Tak Tribe themselves.

Anyone that has ever played a Donkey Kong Country game on Super Nintendo or through Nintendo Switch Online should be immediately familiar with the gameplay in Donkey Kong Country Returns. Donkey and Diddy jump, swing, and climb over various pitfalls as they make their way to the end of each stage. Retro Studios did an incredible job with the original version of Donkey Kong Country Returns, carrying over many of the best elements of the SNES games, right down to the nerve-wracking mine cart levels. However, the developers might have even outdone the mine carts; the Rocket Barrel stages provide some of the most tense and unforgiving moments the game offers.

Rare’s Donkey Kong Country games were always challenging, but the difficulty factor was ratcheted up once Retro Studios took over the series. There are all kinds of obstacles that will result in deaths, from precariously placed enemies, to giant gaps in the ground. In that regard, the game can be anxiety inducing. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD does carry over the easier “modern mode” from the 3DS version, so fans that want a more forgiving route can always choose that option. However, while normal mode offers a steep challenge, the game remains tough but fair. Each level has multiple checkpoints, extra lives are in plentiful supply, and it’s easy to stock up on Red Balloons thanks to Cranky Kong’s shop.

When Donkey Kong Country Returns was released on Wii, it was the first 2D entry in the series since 1996. As such, the game set out to channel a lot of the most popular parts of the early games. This really comes through in the game’s music. The game did not feature the talents of original series composer David Wise, but Kenji Yamamoto’s compositions did pay tribute to several of his tracks, offering newer takes on fan favorites like “DK Island Swing” and “Aquatic Ambiance.” The resulting tunes aren’t terribly original, but their familiarity is not a bad thing. Those tracks are favorites for a reason, and the new versions are excellent.

Donkey Kong Country Returns was already a pretty game when it released on Wii, and the new developers have done an excellent job with the HD remaster. Everything pops just a little bit more than it did on the original system, particularly in levels like Sunset Shore. Whether you’re playing in handheld mode or on the TV, the visuals have an extra bit of crispness. Players shouldn’t go in expecting a 2D platformer as pretty as Super Mario Bros. Wonder; this is still a Wii game at its core. However, the work of Retro Studios holds up nicely. The developers have also added multiple control options, including a more traditional control scheme compared to the Wii version. These additions, while seemingly small, make Donkey Kong Country Returns HD the definitive way to play the game.

As with any remaster, the worst parts about Donkey Kong Country Returns HD are the elements that didn’t work in the first place. For one, the game features no water levels. Those types of levels were some of the best in the Donkey Kong Country trilogy, offering memorable areas with the fan favorite swordfish Enguarde. Their presence was definitely missed, and Retro was quick to rectify that omission with the game’s sequel. The Tiki Tak Tribe are also a lot less interesting than the Kremlings, the enemies from the SNES games. The Kremlings were more visually varied, and felt significantly more iconic (which is why King K. Rool was such a great addition to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). Last but not least, Donkey Kong Country Returns is a fairly short game, and those that don’t set out to find every collectible and bonus stage should have no problem rolling credits in under 5 hours.

RELATED: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Reveals First Preorder Bonus

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch library. It was a great game in 2010, and it remains a joy to play after all these years. There will no doubt be plenty of debate about whether the game’s price is justified, and if this should have been packaged alongside Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Regardless, it’s great to finally have this in HD. Not only will it test your platforming prowess, but it will also help fill the gap as we all wait for DK’s next big outing. If you loved the old Donkey Kong Country games on Super Nintendo and missed Donkey Kong Country Returns when it came out 15 years ago, this is the perfect opportunity to rectify that.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is set to release January 16th on Nintendo Switch. A code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review, and it was reviewed on a Nintendo Switch OLED. 

The post Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review: Pulse-Pounding Platforming Gets an HD Makeover appeared first on ComicBook.com.

There is a new release for The Legend of Zelda fans that is free for all Nintendo fans across Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. With the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal rumored to go down this week, there is a chance The Legend of Zelda fans will be treated with a glimpse at what’s next for the series. Following The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the next mainline installment is likely a ways off, and thus unlikely to rear its head at any type of Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event. However, re-releases, spin-offs, and smaller projects of course could show up at such an event. This includes the rumored Breath of the Wild remaster. Before this though, there is something new for Legend of Zelda fans and it’s free.

As noted, this new free download is only available with an active subscription of Nintendo Switch Online. The Expansion Pack, however, is not required. In other words, all Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can enjoy this new free download, but only subscribers. And this is because the free download comes with Nintendo Music, which is locked behind a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

More specifically, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can now enjoy the music of GameCube Zelda game The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, which joins The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in Nintendo Music.

RELATED: New Rumor May Reveal Release Date of New 3D Mario Game

For those unfamiliar with the game, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was the 10th total release in The Legend of Zelda series when it hit the Nintendo GameCube in 2002. And like every other mainline Zelda game, it was very well received back in 2002. This is perhaps most evident by its 96 on Metacritic. Among the mainline installments, it sticks out from the rest courtesy of an cartoon-like art style complete with cel shading.

While The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is not among the most popular mainline Zelda games, it did get two sequels via the Nintendo DS: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass in 2007 and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks in 2009.

For more coverage on The Legend of Zelda and all things Nintendo — including all of the latest Nintendo news, all of the latest Nintendo rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo deals — click here.

The post New Legend of Zelda Release Can Now Be Downloaded for Free appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo fans are airing their frustrations with a problem that they believe began with games on Nintendo Wii. Prior to the Nintendo Switch becoming Nintendo’s top-selling home console ever, the Wii held that record. Throughout its lifespan, the Nintendo Wii sold over 100 million units around the globe and featured a fantastic library of games that included Mario Kart Wii, Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, just to name a few. And while the Wii is still looked back upon fondly by most Nintendo fans, some are starting to realize that it could have introduced one annoying issue that won’t go away.

In a recent thread on Reddit, user Kitchen-Inflation-77 opened up about their experience with the recent Switch game Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Despite being initially excited about the game, Kitchen-Inflation-77 found themselves greatly disappointed by Brothership for a variety of reasons, but specifically noted that the game far too frequently tried to explain things that didn’t need explanation. This led to them feeling like they were being talked to like a child, which was a major turn-off and ultimately led to them ending their playthrough of Brothership.

This sentiment was one that numerous others echoed in the thread on Reddit, with some saying that this annoyance is one that has started to permeate throughout many of Nintendo’s games outside of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. To that end, the Nintendo Wii was pointed to as the console that seemingly began this trend of being overly “hand-holdy” with players. And while this hasn’t been the case with every single game from Nintendo since, it still proves to be an issue with some new titles to this day.

“I would say the Wii really kickstarted the whole thing since it was trying to be so inclusive. I think people forgot,” said TransitionInfamous86. “Even going back and playing Mario Galaxy 2 feels weirdly more hand-holdy than the original. Like, it’s a sequel, shouldn’t people know how to play by now? I feel like early Switch somewhat moves away from this. Breath of the Wild was a great example of how to teach new players without getting in their way. But the hand of Nintendo finds its way back in our faces from time to time.”

Related: Nintendo Wii Fans Surprised With New Support for the Console in 2025

If the Wii really is the point where Nintendo started providing far more guidance to players than needed, then that would be pretty logical. Perhaps more than any other console from Nintendo, the Wii was just as popular with casual audiences as it was with hardcore Nintendo fans. This is why games like Wii Sports, Just Dance, Wii Fit, and many others ended up being such a success on the hardware. Knowing that it had such a widespread audience of casual players, Nintendo seemingly felt the need to provide more assistance in games like The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Super Mario Galaxy 2 than it ever needed to.

As mentioned, this guided gameplay format isn’t in every Nintendo game nowadays as titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Maker 2 have given players a ton of creative freedom. Still, with the Switch 2 set to be revealed and presumably released later this year, let’s hope that Nintendo continues to stray further away from this style that is clearly turning off fans.

The post Nintendo Fans Express Frustration With Issue That Began on Nintendo Wii appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Persona fans think that the reveal of Persona 6 could finally be happening later this month if a new report is any indication. For a period of multiple years, the reveal of Persona 6 has arguably been the most hotly anticipated announcement that fans have wanted to see from Atlus. Instead, the Japanese company spent 2024 releasing games like Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio rather than a new mainline Persona game. Now, with the calendar having turned to 2025, Persona fans think there’s a possibility for Persona 6 to be unveiled in a little over two weeks at a forthcoming event.

In a report from Windows Central today, it was said that Xbox’s upcoming “Developer Direct” presentation on January 23rd will see the reveal of a new game in a “legendary” Japanese series. Further details on what exactly this franchise is weren’t provided, but this brief tease was enough to lead Persona fans to think that the announcement could be that of Persona 6. Others, however, are under the assumption that the game could instead be related to Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Ninja Gaiden, or Resident Evil.

If Persona 6 were to be announced at this Developer Direct event, it would actually make quite a bit of sense as Xbox and Atlus have partnered with one another a lot over the past few years. Specifically, Atlus used various Xbox events to announce both Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio to the world for the first time. As such, there’s a precedent at play for Atlus to again do the same thing with Persona 6 at another Xbox showcase.

Related: 5 Persona and Metaphor Projects from Atlus We May See in 2025

For now, there’s still nothing that we know about Persona 6 in an official capacity despite numerous rumors related to the game continuing to circle. Some of the more recent Persona 6 rumors have even suggested that a release in 2025 could be feasible as the title is said to be far along in its development. If this is truly going to be the case, then it would make even more sense for Atlus to reveal the game to the world at Xbox’s next Developer Direct later this month.

The post Persona 6 Speculation Heats Up Following New Report appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A popular series of games from Sega could soon be coming back if a new leak is any indication. Over the past few years, Sega has been on a hot streak and has continued to release acclaimed titles at a rapid pace. Some of the most standout games from Sega in this span have included Persona 5 Royal, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Sonic Frontiers, Sonic x Shadow Generations, and Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania, just to name a few. And while it’s already known that revivals of games like Virtua Fighter, Crazy Taxi, and Jet Set Radio are in the works, it seems that Sega could also be planning to reimagine one of its more eclectic properties.

Spotted by Gematsu, Sega has recently filed new trademarks for “Ecco” and “Ecco the Dolphin” in Japan. These trademarks were filed by Sega at the end of December 2024, which means that this is a recent move from the publisher. For now, it’s not known exactly what Sega might be planning, but the fact that this has happened suggests that an announcement could be on the horizon.

Released in 1992, the original Ecco the Dolphin was an action-adventure title that went on to be hugely popular on the Sega Genesis. Sega later made a sequel in Ecco: The Tides of Time in 1994 and a spin-off dubbed Ecco Jr. in 1995. When the series made the jump to 3D with 2000’s Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, though, this proved to be its final installment. Since then, Sega hasn’t done anything whatsoever with the series despite some requests from longtime fans to see it return.

Related: Sega Dreamcast Fans Dealt Disappointing News From Sega

If Sega is doing something with Ecco the Dolphin, the question then becomes what the nature of this project is. One option could be a remastered collection of Ecco the Dolphin games of the past, which would make sense given that many of these entries have never been on modern hardware. The alternative would then be a wholly new Ecco game, but this might be a riskier option since the franchise hasn’t been heard from in 25 years.

Regardless of what the case might be, it’s clear that Sega is making a renewed effort to revive some of its biggest games of yesteryear. As such, don’t be surprised Ecco the Dolphin joins that growing slate of returning IP in the months ahead.

The post Sega Leak Teases Return of Franchise That Hasn’t Been Seen in 25 Years appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Year of the Snake is officially upon us, and Pokemon Go will be celebrating with a new event at the end of the month. The Lunar New Year event will begin on Wednesday, January 29th at 10 a.m., and will run through Sunday, February 2nd at 8 p.m. local time. During the event, players will have an increased chance of becoming Lucky Friends, and will have an increased chance of obtaining a Lucky Pokemon in a trade. The event will focus largely on Pokemon with elongated bodies, from those with names that spell “snake” backwards, to those the Pokedex describes as “rock snakes.” The following Pokemon will be found in the wild:

• Darumaka
• Dratini
• Dunsparce
• Ekans
• Gyarados
• Onix
• Snivy

During the event, players will have an increased chance of encountering Shiny Ekans. The Shiny version of Ekans gives it a more realistic color scheme, abandoning the deep purple body for an olive green color. The normal yellow in the Pokemon’s eyes, rattle, and belly are retained, however. It’s a nice contrast to the Poison-type Pokemon’s normal coloration, and Pokemon Go players will want to keep their eyes open while they’re playing during the Lunar New Year event.

As is often the case with Pokemon Go events, Niantic will be selling Paid Timed Research for $2.00. This time around, that price will get players two Lucky Eggs and an Incubator. They’ll also get encounters with both Ekans and Nosepass. Paid Timed Research cannot be purchased by using PokeCoins. Throughout the event, players can also expect a collection challenge, PokeStop Showcases, and more.

While the Lunar New Year event is happening, Pokemon Go players can also look forward to a Gigantamax Kingler Max Battle Day. On Saturday, February 1st between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. local time, Gigantamax Kingler will be appearing in six-star Max Battles. During that time, all Power Spots will be hosting Gigantamax Battles, and will refresh more frequently. The collection limit on Max Particles will also be increased to 1,600, and players will receive 8x the Max Particles from Power Spots.

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet – Journey Together Officially Announced

This will mark the first time that Gigantamax Kingler has been made available in Pokemon Go. Gigantamax Battles have proven to be a big challenge for players since their arrival last season, so players should be well-prepared ahead of time, with either some of the Gigantamax Pokemon they’ve managed to catch, or Dynamax. A powered up Dynamax Venusaur with Max Overgrowth should help, and players tackling these battles together should plan on using some of the newly added Max Mushrooms for some extra assistance. Hopefully Gigantamax Kingler doesn’t prove to be too difficult for players to obtain!

Are you excited for the Lunar New Year event in Pokemon Go? Do you plan on looking for Shiny Ekans while those Shiny odds are increased? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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PlayStation is starting 2025 off with an all-new collection of “Midnight Black” PS5 accessories. Sony ended 2024 with the PlayStation 30th Anniversary line, which included consoles, controllers, and other accessories that resembled the PlayStation 1’s iconic grey style. With this new ‘Midnight Black“ collection, fans might assume that PlayStation means to subconsciously remind players of the sleek look of the PS2. All of these new PS5 products will release on February 20, and preorders are expected to begin January 16 at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET via PlayStation Direct and the Amazon links below. Direct links will be added after the launch, so stay tuned for updates.

DualSense Edge (Midnight Black) – $200: The highly customizable controller looks sleek in Midnight Black. The new accessory includes two pairs of remappable back triggers: standard and lever styles, two function buttons, three pairs of stick caps: standard, tall dome, low dome, braided USB-C cable with optional connector housing,  and a hardshell carrying case. Pre-order here at Amazon.

PlayStation Portal (Midnight Black) – $200: The remote-focused PlayStation Portal includes an 8” LCD Screen and it’s capable of 60fps at 1080p resolution. For fans who want consistent, stable play while on the move. Previously, the Portal was only available in white. Pre-order here at Amazon.

PlayStation Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds (Midnight Black) – $200: These Earbuds include six earbud tips for a comfortable fit and are compatible with PS5, PC, Mac, PlayStation Portal, and mobile devices via Bluetooth. Works well with 3D Audio supported PS5 games for a more immersive experience. Pre-order here at Amazon.

Pulse Elite (Midnight Black) – $150: Like the earbuds, the Pulse Elite Wireless Headset allows for spatial 3D audio, increasing the immersion in any videogame. Included is the  PlayStation Link adapter, USB-C cable, a charging hanger, and a mounting plate. Pre-order here at Amazon.

According to the PlayStation blog, “each Midnight Black accessory features a unique, rich shade of black, with sleek detailing on various buttons and accents such as the PlayStation logo. The Midnight Black design extends to the included charging case for Pulse Explore earbuds, charging hanger for Pulse Elite headset, and carrying case for DualSense Edge controller. The Pulse Elite wireless headset and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds will also include a felt grey carrying case.”

So, whether this “Midnight Black” collection is here for nostalgia points or not, at least we know it looks super cool and sleek. And if it reminds you of the PS2 and all its beauty, well that’s just a plus. 

Want to stay up to date with all PlayStation news and collectibles? Then keep an eye on our Gear Page!

The post New PS5 Midnight Black Collection Pre-Sale Starts January 16 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Last week, Xbox announced a Developer Direct presentation that will take place on January 23rd. In the announcement, Xbox said that viewers will “visit a surprise location to see another studio’s brand new game.” That generated a lot of speculation from fans, who wondered what the game might be. Following the initial announcement, insider Jez Corden teased that “the Xbox Developer_Direct is going to be a lot bigger than Microsoft is currently letting on.” Corden has now elaborated on his comments with a new post. While Corden has not explicitly said what the game will be, he has offered some hints in a new post on Windows Central.

“…I won’t spoil what it is, but our sources indicate that it is a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP which has decades of history, and should make a lot of fans happy. Indeed, Microsoft has won some strong support from the region lately from studios like Square Enix for Final Fantasy, HoYoverse for Genshin Impact, and Sega/ATLUS for Persona, and we suspect this new game will help further that trend,” writes Corden.

As with any rumor, readers are advised to take this with a grain of salt. It’s possible that Corden’s sources are incorrect, or that the reveal won’t deliver on the hype. Regardless, it’s pretty interesting that Xbox is keeping a tight lid on the game’s identity. Capcom or Konami would seem like the most logical choices, and both companies have plenty of “legendary” IP that would get fans excited. Capcom’s fans have been begging for new entries in the Mega Man and Dino Crisis franchises, and both would be a big deal. Konami’s Castlevania is another IP that is in desperate need of a new entry, and it would make sense given the company’s recent pushes with Silent Hill and Metal Gear; Castlevania is the biggest Konami IP unaccounted for in recent years.

Readers should keep in mind that just because the game will be appearing in the Xbox Developer Direct, it does not necessarily indicate that it will be exclusive to the platform or a game that will be published by Xbox Game Studios. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of three games confirmed to appear during the presentation, and that one is being published by Kepler Interactive, and has been announced for PS5. The other two announced games are Doom: The Dark Ages (also confirmed for PS5), and South of Midnight.

RELATED: Xbox Game Pass Report Says Premium Games on the Service Can Lose 80% of Sales

The Xbox Developer Direct already seems worth watching given what we already know; Doom: The Dark Ages could end up being one of the year’s biggest games. The announcement of a major new entry in a well-regarded series could make this even sweeter, but we’ll have to wait and see if the show can deliver on the hype.

Are you planning to watch the Xbox Developer Direct? What Japanese IP do you expect to see at the show? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Rumor: Xbox Developer Direct Will Reveal New Entry in “Legendary” Japanese Series appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A new update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone has today gone live but in the process has introduced even more problems. This past week, Activision released a pretty major new update for BO6 and Warzone that brought about some big overhauls to both Call of Duty games. In the wake of this update going live, though, some players reported major problems were occurring on loading screens which would lead to BO6 and Warzone outright crashing. Now, this error tied to game crashing seems to have been resolved, but as a result has brought about larger problems.

Downloadable now, the latest patch for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone is live across PS5, PS4, Xbox, and PC. The patch is a pretty small one that looks to only resolve five different bugs that CoD players have been running into. The largest bug of this group was related to the aforementioned crashing, but others have been tied to item models and bullet trajectory.

Related: The Absurd Cost to Make a Call of Duty Game Revealed by Activision

The bigger problem at play now, though, it related to matchmaking across the pair of Call of Duty games. Following this update’s release, Black Ops 6 and Warzone players have been met with a litany of struggles, most notably tied to matchmaking. Numerous players have since reported that they can’t even get into matches as a result of problems with the Call of Duty servers. Meanwhile, Charlie Intel claims that Warzone players in Ranked Play are finding themselves stuck under the map in addition to other odd bugs.

For now, Activision hasn’t responded to these new issues that have emerged in Black Ops 6 and Warzone, but we’ll likely hear something soon. In the interim, you can find the full patch notes for today’s new Call of Duty update attached below.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone January 13th Update Patch Notes

BUG FIXES

• Fixed an issue where loading screens were causing instances of freezing or crashing.
• Fixed an issue with bullet trajectory on the AMR Mod 4.
• Fixed an issue in Resurgence where a player dying out of bounds would lose functionality of their field upgrades and killstreaks.
• Fixed an issue where models weren’t visible for ammo boxes, self revives, and throwing knives.
• Fixed an issue where players would not have a death icon when dying to Red Light Green Light.

The post New Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone Update Introduces Big Issues appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The director of Helldivers 2 has opened up about the level of involvement that developer Arrowhead Studios will have with the upcoming film. This past week, PlayStation surprisingly announced that it was now developing a live-action Helldivers movie. Work on this big-screen adaptation of the popular co-op shooter seems to only just beginning, which means that the movie likely won’t hit theaters for a few more years.

In response to one fan’s question on X, Helldivers 2 director Johan Pilestedt shared his first comments on the Helldivers movie. Specifically, Pilestedt was asked whether or not those at Arrowhead would be working on the film to ensure that it “stays faithful to the games.” Pilestedt then verified that Arrowhead will be involved in some capacity, but also acknowledged that those at the studio don’t know anything about making a movie. As such, they’re letting others with more experience take lead on the adaptation.

“I’ve been dodging this question. The short answer is yes,” Pilestedt said. “The long answer is that we’ll see. We are not Hollywood people, and we don’t know what it takes to make a movie. And therefore we don’t, and shouldn’t, have final say.”

The Helldivers movie is one of many live-action projects that PlayStation Productions is currently working on. In addition to Helldivers, PlayStation is creating films tied to Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon Zero Dawn, Gravity Rush, and Until Dawn. On the TV front, it’s then working on new seasons of The Last of Us and Twisted Metal in addition to a television version of God of War. Release details on all of these projects are virtually nonexistent other than Until Dawn, which will arrive later in 2025.

Related: 7 Actors We Think Would Be Perfect for the Helldivers Film

As for Helldivers 2, Arrowhead continues to support its popular shooter with new content and will keep doing so throughout 2025. What this support will look like next isn’t yet known, but there’s a good chance that a new patch for the game on PS5 and PC is right around the corner.

The post Helldivers 2 Director Reveals Level of Involvement With New Movie appeared first on ComicBook.com.

PowerWash Simulator developer FuturLab has announced that it will no longer be supporting VR platforms. While PowerWash Simulator‘s VR base game and all previously released DLC will remain available, the company will be moving resources away from the technology to work on other projects instead. In other words, don’t expect to see future DLC released on Meta Quest. In a statement shared to the game’s social media accounts, FuturLab CEO Kirsty Rigden did not rule out support in the future, saying that “we absolutely love and believe in VR.” However, Rigden said that “I will always choose job security for my team.”

“We have been faced with a cross roads: we have a truly excellent and kind VR team who were working on a platform which costs us more than it makes, while also having a list of job openings that were looking to be filled on other projects. We took the decision to redeploy our VR team into those other projects/roles,” Rigden writes.

While this news is bound to disappoint PowerWash Simulator players on Meta Quest platforms, it’s hard to argue with the logic behind the decision. At the end of the day, FuturLab is a smaller studio, and it doesn’t make sense to throw money at a platform that isn’t proving profitable. Given the sheer number of layoffs that have happened in the video game industry over the last few years, it’s great to see a studio being able to keep this team on, even if it means sacrificing VR support. These employees will now be able to work on things like PowerWash Simulator‘s upcoming Wallace & Grommit Special Pack.

Rigden’s comments about the profitability of VR aren’t all that surprising. While many hoped that the technology would be the next big thing for gaming, it remains fairly niche. Major companies like Meta and PlayStation have spent a lot of money investing in VR, but the market doesn’t seem to have expanded much over the last few years. There are various reasons for that; for one thing, it remains prohibitively expensive for many people, and there are few standout exclusives that are pulling in users. In a time where PlayStation’s own VR future seems to be in question, it’s hardly surprising that a company like FuturLab sees it necessary to move away from VR releases.

RELATED: Batman: Arkham Shadow Review: VR Enhances the Classic Arkham Formula

It will be interesting to see if this move on FuturLab’s part will be the start of a trend. There are a lot of smaller studios that produce VR games, and it’s possible they’re facing similar problems. We could see more gaming companies moving away from VR altogether, and shifting resources where they might work best. That could be cause for concern for VR users, but for now, we’ll have to wait and see how things play out.

Did you try out PowerWash Simulator VR? Do you think more companies will start to abandon the technology? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post PowerWash Simulator Developer Ending VR Support Because it “Costs Us More Than it Makes” appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Prepare your garlic mix and sharpen your stakes, because Netflix’s Castlevania: Nocturne is gearing up for a big return in a few short days. Based on the Konami video game franchise of the same name, the beloved Castlevania animated series follows the fight between the Belmont clan of monster hunters and the vampiric forces seeking to rule the world. Season 2 of Castlevania: Nocturne releases on January 16, and the latest trailer teases the high-stakes action fans can’t wait to experience.

Netflix’s animated Castlevania series first debuted in 2017 to rave reviews from fans and critics. The original series ran for four acclaimed seasons on the streamer, before wrapping up in 2021. The sequel series, Castlevania: Nocturne — set 300 years after Castlevania — debuted in 2023 to similar acclaim, and fans have been desperate to see Richter Belmont return to the screen ever since.

Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Brings Back Alucard

Fans were ecstatic to see Alucard return in Season 1’s finale. Long-time fans will recognize Alucard as the son of Dracula from the original Castlevania series — while even longer-time fans know him as the supporting-turned-player character who first appeared in 1989’s Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. Alucard is back in Nocturne with a new, video-game accurate look.

The newest trailer gives fans a fresh look at Alucard in Season 2 of Nocturne, and he’s back fighting alongside a Belmont after 300 years. Alucard leading a French military musket brigade wasn’t on our 2025 bingo card, but we can’t wait to see it on the big screen. The team will also have a new vampiric foe to face off against, Tera, Maria’s mother. Tera sacrificed herself at the end of Season 1, letting herself be turned into a vampire, while Richter, Maria, and Annette fled from the Vampire Messiah.

Season 2 sees Richter Belmont, Maria, Annette, and Alucard take the fight to the Vampire Messiah, who achieved her aim in Season 1 of blocking out the sun, causing an endless night so that vampires could rule the world. With the newfound aid of Alucard, as well as veteran member of he Belmont clan, Juste Belmont, Richter, Maria, and Annette are taking the fight to the Vampire Messiah and her army of vampiric henchmen.

[RELATED – Castlevania: Nocturne Cosplay Gets Spooky With Alucard]

Who Stars In Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2?

The core cast of Season 1 are returning for the show’s sophomore season. Edward Bluemel, Pixie Davies, and Thuso Mbedu return as Richter, Maria, and Annette, respectively, while Iain Glen reprises his role as Juste Belmont. James Callis also makes the jump from the original Castlevania series to voice Alucard in Nocturne‘s second season. Sydney James Harcourt returns as everyone’s favorite night creature, Edouard, who managed to keep his human soul. Franka Potente reprises her role as Erzsbet Bathory, the Vampire Messiah, and Zahn McClarnon returns as Orlox, the vampire who killed Richter’s mother many years ago.

Season 2 of Castlevania: Nocturne releases on Netflix on January 16. The new season will run for eight episodes, and all eight will drop at once on Netflix on the premiere date.

The post Netflix’s Castlevania Nocturne Hypes Season 2 Release With Incredible Trailer: Watch appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is coming to modern platforms on January 23rd, including PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. The original version came out more than two decades ago, but the new version will feature some improvements. Most notably, 13 additional playable characters are being added to the roster, including Rifle Droid, Staff Tusken Raider, Ishi Tib, Mercenary, and Jar Jar Binks. As the game’s release date approaches, ComicBook can exclusively reveal three more characters that will join the playable cast of characters.

Pilot Droid– The Battle Droids used by the Separatists were a massive part of the Star Wars prequels, and they came in a variety of flavors. While the Rifle Droid is great for attacking at a distance, the Pilot Droid is better for players that like to attack close up. The character has strong agility, allowing it to bring down opponents using kicks and punches.

Weequay– Like Ishi Tib, the Weequay species first debuted in Return of the Jedi, and have appeared in a significant amount of Star Wars fiction in the decades since. Most notably, the Weequay Hondo Ohnaka has been a major character over the last few years, and will be appearing in the DLC for Star Wars: Outlaws. In Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles, Weequay will be a good fit for players looking for a shooter with tactical attacks.

Rifle Tusken Raider– As seen with the Battle Droids, some of the playable characters will be slightly different takes on one another. The Rifle Tusken Raider is ideal for players that want to play as one of the denizens of Tatooine, but would prefer to use a ranged weapon, as opposed to their classic staff. One of the most memorable scenes in The Phantom Menace centered on a Tusken Raider using its rifle to cause chaos in the Podrace, so this one seems like a nice fit!

Right now, it’s impossible to say how these new additions will handle in Jedi Power Battles. The original version of the game put a bigger focus on the Jedi themselves, with players being able to control characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, and Qui-Gon Jinn. Obviously those original options will still be available to players, but there’s going to be a much larger pool to choose from this time. That should make the game even more appealing to single players, as well as those that plan on tackling the game in two-player co-op.

RELATED: Skeleton Crew Further Proves Star Wars Is Better Under Disney

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles was one of several games based on the first entry in the prequel trilogy. The new version is being handled by Aspyr, who also brought Star Wars Episode I: Racer to modern platforms in 2020. There are still a number of other Episode I games that could get that treatment in the future, including well-regarded ones like Battle for Naboo. Star Wars fans will have to wait and see what comes next, but hopefully more classic games will get a similar treatment in the future!

Are you planning to check out Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles? What do you think of these new playable characters? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles Reveals Another 3 New Playable Characters (Exclusive) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

It’s only been a few days since Doom Match was added to Marvel Rivals, but a leak may have revealed another new mode in the works. According to the Rivals Leaks account on X/Twitter, a source told them “they had experienced a PvE mode in the game.” This information was provided “some time ago,” and nothing had been heard about it since. However, the Rivals Info account also received a tag about a possible PvE (Player vs. Environment) mode. At this time, none of this information has been confirmed, but the existence of multiple sources could add a little more credibility to this whole thing.

As with any rumor, readers are encouraged to take all of this with a grain of salt. That said, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if NetEase is testing or considering ways of expanding Marvel Rivals. The game has found huge success since launching last month, and new modes are a great way to lure in players that might not otherwise be interested in the main game. It’s possible the PvE mode could just be a limited time addition, or something a little more substantial.

How exactly a PvE mode would work in Marvel Rivals remains to be seen. Replies to the post from Rivals Leaks have shared some interesting ideas. X/Twitter user @Thisesportslife suggested this could be a way for the game to bring in Ultron, who has been leaked as a playable character, but not officially announced. Having players take down swarms of Ultron’s robotic drones could be a great way to introduce the Avengers villain, while also adding some fanfare around his addition to the game. By the same token, a mode where players have to take down swarms of vampires could also make sense, given the current season’s theme.

Whatever the case might be, it will be interesting to see if this rumor pans out. Marvel Rivals Season 1 just began last week, bringing in the Fantastic Four and Dracula as new playable characters. While Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny all leaked ahead of time, Dracula’s announcement seemed to come completely out of nowhere (though vampires had been established in the game’s narrative). It’s certainly not implausible that this mode leaked well ahead of an official announcement, but there’s simply no way of knowing how far along PvE might be, or when we might see it.

RELATED: Marvel Rivals Devs Shut Down Requests for Role Queue

Thankfully, Marvel Rivals players should have plenty to keep them busy in the game, regardless of whether this rumor pans out. Live service games can be quickly abandoned by players if they don’t get enough support, but it seems NetEase has ambitious plans for the coming months, including several more playable characters. The Marvel Universe has no shortage of content for the developers to mine, so we’ll have to see if the game can maintain its current momentum.

Would you like to see a PvE mode in Marvel Rivals? Have you been enjoying the game so far? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Marvel Rivals Leak May Have Revealed Another New Mode appeared first on ComicBook.com.

At long last, the Nintendo Switch 2 should be revealed later this week. For months on end, Nintendo has been bombarded with questions tied to its Switch successor. To this point, Nintendo has chosen to remain completely silent despite numerous leaks of the Switch 2 appearing on the internet in recent weeks. Now, it sounds like this silence will finally be coming to an end in mere days.

In new information that comes by way of Nate the Hate, a Nintendo insider who has had a ton of accurate scoops in the past, it was said that Nintendo is planning its reveal of the Switch 2 for this week on Thursday, January 16th. At that time, Nintendo is said to only be showing off only the Switch 2 hardware via an initial teaser trailer. Games for Switch 2 are said to not be the focus of the console just yet, with a presumed event coming later to detail what software is in the works.

“I have been told Switch 2 will be revealed on Thursday, January 16th,” Nate the Hate said. “What I’ve heard is that the reveal itself is going to focus almost exclusively on the console itself. There is not going to be any presence of games. There could be a game shown running on the screen, or maybe even a TV screen, depending on how the trailer is put together, but software is not going to be a focus.”

If this info is accurate, it would suggest that Nintendo’s rollout for the Switch 2 is going to be pretty similar to how it released the original Switch. Last time around, Nintendo unveiled the Switch via an initial teaser in October 2016 and followed it up with an event in January 2017 that focused on games for the hardware. In all likelihood, a showing of games for the Switch 2 would come about more quickly this time around given that Nintendo is rumored to be releasing its new console as early as April 2025.

Related: New Rumor May Reveal Release Date of New 3D Mario Game

On virtually an annual basis, Nintendo holds its first Direct presentation of the year in February. Assuming that this holds true in 2025, it would make sense for Nintendo to announce the Switch 2 this week and then focus on games coming to the console next month during a dedicated Direct. Time will only tell if this is truly the strategy that Nintendo opts to go with, but we shouldn’t have to wait much longer to find out.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Is This Week, Says Trustworthy Insider appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Larian Studios, the company behind the hugely successful RPG Baldur’s Gate 3, has said that its focus has now fully shifted to its next project. In the wake of BG3 launching throughout 2023, Larian spent most of 2024 continuing to support the game with new content. Currently, this ongoing support for BG3 hasn’t concluded just yet as Patch #8 is set to release at some point in the coming months. Despite this, a new statement from Larian has made it clear that its main priority is something that has yet to be shown to the public.

In a recent post on X, Larian director Swen Vincke shared a new video that broke down the history of the studio. Vincke said that the video made him nostalgic for the past while also acknowledging that Larian’s “story ain’t over yet.” In this regard, Vincke was referring to the next game from Larian which remains shrouded in mystery.

In a supplemental statement given to VideoGamer, a representative from Larian said that Vincke and the rest of the team have their “full attention focused on crafting their next title.” To that end, Larian also said that it expects to go on a “media blackout” until it chooses to unveil this new project. As a result, it might be many more months or even years until we hear from Larian and what it is doing.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3: Is Patch 8 The Last Big Update?

While details on Larian’s next game are still not known, what is confirmed is that it won’t be a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3. A proper Baldur’s Gate 4 is something that Larian says it previously considered, but it opted not to move forward with the game for one reason or another. Still, even if BG4 isn’t happening, Larian’s history would suggest that it won’t stray from the RPG genre.

As for Patch #8 of Baldur’s Gate 3, details on when it will arrive haven’t yet been given by Larian. In all likelihood, though, we should start to learn more about what might be the final major patch for BG3 in the coming weeks.

The post Baldur’s Gate 3 Developer Says “Full Attention” Is on Next Game appeared first on ComicBook.com.

We’re less than one year away from the release of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and it seems that Blumhouse and Universal Pictures might already have big plans for the future of the film series. According to @Katsterlingfan on X/Twitter, they have been told by a reliable source that filming on a third movie in the FNAF series will begin 6 months after the release of the sequel, with a planned release in 2027, possibly late in the year. @Katsterlingfan has a big following on the platform and a positive record with FNAF fans, but they also encouraged their followers to “take this with a heavy grain of salt.”

On the surface, a 2027 release for Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 doesn’t seem impossible. By the time Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 releases on December 5th, it will have been just over 2 years since the first movie’s release. A late 2027 release for a third film is ambitious, but certainly not impossible. Given the success of the first movie, there’s a pretty good chance that Blumhouse and Universal will want to capitalize, and start up production with a short break between.

Obviously, plans can change. The first Five Nights at Freddy’s had a box office haul of more than $297 million on a budget of $20 million. It also managed that number despite the fact that the movie was released that same day streaming on Peacock. That set a new record for Blumhouse, and it’s not hard to imagine the company wanting a steady stream of sequels. However, if the second film were to underperform, plans could easily change.

Five Nights at Freddy’s was already a massive franchise when the first movie released in theaters. The games and merchandise have generated huge sales, and the series has a passionate following. With Hollywood increasingly pursuing video game adaptations, there’s no doubt that Blumhouse and Universal want Five Nights at Freddy’s to generate the same level of success seen by Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog series. Whether we’ll get a similar string of sequels remains to be seen, but this rumor about a third film seems very plausible.

RELATED: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 Star Matthew Lillard Reveals Why He’s “Very Excited” for the Sequel

At this time, details about Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 are very slim. A teaser poster for the movie was released in October 2024, which featured an image of Toy Freddy from the games. We know that several members of the surviving cast will be back for the sequel, including Josh Hutcherson, who played protagonist Mike Schmidt. The movie will also see the return of Matthew Lillard, who played William Afton in the first film. As the year goes on, we should start to get a lot more details about the sequel, and maybe even some hints about Blumhouse and Universal’s plans beyond that!

Are you planning to check out Five Nights at Freddy’s 2? Do you think we’ll see a third movie in the series in 2027? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 Rumor Points to 2027 Movie Release appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A PlayStation Plus free game has been compared to a Nintendo GameCube masterpiece by those on PS5 who have checked out the game, which is currently free via the PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium tiers. Those with a PS Plus Essential subscription will be unable to check out the validity of this massive praise because the PS5 game is not available via the PS Plus Essential tier.

The free PS5 game on PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium has specifically been compared to the two Metroid games on GameCube: 2002’s Metroid Prime and its 2004 sequel Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The first of these two games is widely considered one of the best games of all time, as evident by its 97 on Metacritic. Meanwhile, its 2004 follow-up is not quite in this same category, but it’s still considered among the best GameCube games, as evident by its own Metacritic score of 92.

As for the PlayStation Plus free game drawing comparison to these two Nintendo greats, its Returnal, a 2021 roguelike third-person shooter from Finnish developer Housemarque and PlayStation. An early PS5 game, Returnal itself boasts a very solid Metacritic score of 86 and is held as one of the best games of 2021. To this end, it won Best Action at The Game Awards that year, and picked up nominations for Best Audio Design and Best Game Direction as well.

According to a new post over on the PlayStation Plus Reddit page, “Returnal is PlayStation’s Metroid.” This is high praise, but considering the post is atop the PlayStation Plus Reddit page, not too much of a hot take.

“I converted from Nintendo Switch recently (end of November) because the game selection was getting stale and I missed having a PlayStation. Went from having no games to play to having a huge backlog of different games thanks to PS Plus,” reads the post in question. “Jumped into Returnal tonight and man it feels so similar to the Metroid GameCube games from back in the day. Haven’t felt this level of thrill/eeriness/frustration in a long time.. the roguelike gameplay is also something. Pretty awesome game overall.”

Echoing the sentiment of the post are many of the comments that it has attracted, some of which warn players it’s much more difficult than these classic Metroid games and quite different, however, there are no doubt some striking similarities between the two from their environments and atmosphere to their narrative set ups.

“Had the game since day one. I am yet to defeat the first boss. 10/10 recommendation any time I have the chance,” reads one of the comments.

Another comment adds: “Returnal is truly one of a kind. I was blown away by the gameplay loop, the incredible story, the worlds, visuals, and sound design. Even though it’s been out for a while now, I still consider it one of the best releases of this generation.”

Those that decide to check out Returnal based on this recommendations from PlayStation Plus subscribers should expect a game, on average, that is about 20 to 30 hours long. The low end of this range is reflective of a mainline playthrough, while the high end is reflective of a playthrough that engages with side content in the game. Meanwhile, completionists will need closer to 60 hours with the PS5 game.

For more PlayStation Plus coverage — including all of the latest PS Plus news, all of the latest PS Plus rumors and leaks, and all of the latest PS Plus deals — click here.

The post PlayStation Plus Free Game Compared to GameCube Masterpiece by Fans appeared first on ComicBook.com.