The release ofElden Ring’sShadow of the Erdtreeexpansion is giving fans of FromSoftware’s open-world RPG masterpiece reason to celebrate. Not only doesShadow of the Erdtreedeliver more of what players already loved about the base game ofElden Ring, but it also provides a significant challenge to those who had spent dozens, if not hundreds, of hours in The Lands Between. Still, there are enough new features introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree to where players will want to avoid approaching the DLC as if it were the coreElden Ringexperience....

Summary WhileTerminatorfans are just days away from the release of the franchise’s highly anticipated Netflix anime adaptation, the father of the franchise himself might have just given everyone something more to look forward to. TheTerminatorfranchise was at the peak of the science fiction genre when it launched with the very first film in the series,The Terminator.Written and directed by James Cameron andstarring Arnold Schwarzenegger in the iconic role that he has now stepped back from, the first two films would be massive hits....

Summary There are rumblings thatNintendomay be hosting another one of its Nintendo Direct events this week.Nintendo’s Direct events are special showcases where the company highlights upcoming games. Directs often contain both first- and third-party releases, with the main ones typically having a special focus on Switch exclusives. There are a variety of Nintendo Direct events hosted every year. The main Nintendo Directs are the ones that generate the most hype from the community, but fans are also treated to Mini Directs, Indie World events, and Partner Showcases, the latter of which focus on games being made by third-parties for the Switch....

Summary Deltarunedeveloper Toby Fox has provided fans with an update on the game’s fourth chapter, which sounds like it is nearing competition. But while the actual development is drawing to a close, it sounds as thoughDeltaruneChapters 3 and 4 are still a long way from release. Fox rocketed to developer stardom in 2015 with the release ofUndertale, an innovative RPG filled with bullet hell battles andrewarding experiences for not killing monsters....

Summary Ethan Nestor, also known as CrankGameplays on YouTube, has been banned fromTwitch. Nestor has been diversifying his content by tackling more variety topics on YouTube andTwitch, and even co-hosting theBrain Leakpodcast with Jacksepticeye. Nestor recently finished an 18-dayTwitch subathon, clocking in at over 394 hours, where he played random games and did entertaining IRL streams. Just a day after the successful subathon, the creator was banned from Twitch due to inappropriate content that was shown in one of his streams....

Summary One of the most astounding things about gaming is the way it can bring in players of varying backgrounds, even those with seemingly overwhelming hurdles to overcome on the road to pressing start. For the blind,a good accessibility optionmakes the difference between playing and not. That’s somethingAgrounddeveloper Whitethorn is keenly aware of. Game Rant’s Joshua Duckworth was able to sit down withWhitethorn’s CEO Matthew White to discuss what it means to players with such limitations to be able to join in on the fun thanks to a little extra feature here and there....

One unexpected way thatHaunted Chocolatiercould stand apart from its predecessor would be by adding some extra elements of randomness. A game likeHaunted Chocolatier, similar toStardew Valley, will probably call for a lot of planning on the player’s part, between running their chocolate shop and meeting people around town. However, no matter how much the player plans, there will always be some element beyond their control.Haunted Chocolatiercould do well to embrace the unexpected and make it a gameplay feature....

Summary Despite following a pattern that players are accustomed to, narratives in JRPGs are unique and significantly different from Western games. Elements that escalate enormously, causing characters to start by facing trivial problems and end up fighting gods for the fate of humanity, are common. JRPG heroes are also highly distinctive, often featuring altruistic personalities and well-crafted designs. Names likeCloud Strife, Ichiban Kasuga, and Crono are always remembered. However, there are many characters – especially from franchises not as popular today – who are forgotten by players but still deserve recognition for their quality....

Summary The survival-action titleAtomfallwill be hitting Xbox Game Pass as a day-one release in March 2025, and will also be released simultaneously for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.Atomfallis reminiscent of theFalloutfranchise but is set in the British countryside, adding a horror twist. Atomfallwas revealed during the June 2024 Xbox Games Showcaseas a new IP forSniper Elitedevelopers, Rebellion Developments. The title takes place in Northern England near Cumberland, after the Windscale nuclear disaster, a real-life accident that took place in 1957 and has been called one of the worst nuclear accidents to ever occur....

Quick Links Upon being kidnapped by the Second Sister in chapter four, players will be thrown into a new area called the Webbed Hollow inBlack Myth: Wukong. While exploring the area, you will discover weird purple talismans stuck on tall statues. There will be four talismans in total and upon removing the final one in the next area of chapter 4,the Destined One needs to fight a boss. While removing the seals, players might encounter the Fourth Sister, who is also trying to remove them, but is always punished upon touching the talismans....

Summary The free-to-play battle royale hero shooter gameApex Legendsrecently updated players on its anti-cheat efforts. It acknowledged the ongoing challenges of combating cheating and admitted that past measures haven’t been as effective as needed. The team is now stepping up efforts to improveApex Legends’s integrity, with a focus on making noticeable improvements over time. Cheating remains a persistent problem in many hero shooters, andApex Legendsis no exception. The game frequently faces criticism due to its ongoing battle with cheaters, which disrupts competitive balance and undermines the overall player experience....

Summary With roots infiction and fantasy, most anime series tend to feature otherworldly elements and spiritual creatures, and celestial beings such as angels, demons, and deities are naturally referenced the most. Celestial beings are often seen as arbitrators between the heavens and the earth, though not all celestial entities bear a positive regard for humanity, as some can take on the form of devils and demons. Anime series feature this very concept but with a fantastical twist of their own....

Summary Gorons isThe Legend of Zelda’s answerto Tolkien’s dwarves: stout, hardy, and somewhat obsessed with rocks and gems. Instead of hoarding precious stones like dwarves, gorons covet them for their taste, being that they eat them. A goron’s diet generally matches their personalities, as gorons tend to be strong, bold, and down to earth, making them prime contenders for being some of the most memorable characters. Every goron has fire in their bellies and a little rock and roll in their blood (perhaps literally), but these gorons stand out as mountains amongst giants....