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Starfield Land Vehicle Update: How To Get The Rev-8 Planet Rover


The Starfield land vehicle update has finally arrived, meaning players can now travel across land surfaces on four wheels rather than just on foot. Players have been waiting for this rover vehicle, which we now know is called the Rev-8, since the game first released. Thankfully, the Starfield land vehicle is free--as an update anyway. It'll still cost you some credits in-game, but that's nothing a few successful bounties can't resolve.

In this guide, we'll walk you through how to quickly get the Rev-8 Starfield land vehicle, as well as how to re-color it and what you can do with it after that.


Head to any Ship Services Technician


The only spot to get a Starfield vehicle for now is from a Ship Services Technician. If it's been a while since you've played Starfield, these are the folks that usually hang out near landing bays on some of the game's major hub worlds such as Akila and Neon. Perhaps the easiest one to reach, however, is on the planet Jemison, located in the Alpha Centauri system, because it's the earliest location available in the game once you can start traveling around. Specifically, you'll be landing in the city of New Atlantis.

You can travel there, then head off your ship to immediately find a Ship Services Technician right near where you've landed. He'll be standing next to the bright, highlighter-yellow sign.


Choose the dialogue option, "I'd like to purchase a vehicle."


Speak to the technician and ask to buy a vehicle. He'll show you what he has available.


Buy the Rev-8


Surprise! There's just one vehicle--for now anyway--but it is an all-purpose kind of ride anyway, so it'll do the trick no matter which far-off land you'll be exploring. The Rev-8 costs 25,000 credits, so if you don't have enough right now, you'll need to save up a bit more by completing missions and otherwise stacking space cash.

Once you've purchased it, you can change the color by clicking Y on an Xbox controller from within the technician's store menu or your vehicle menu. This lets you repaint the vehicle's three primary colors in whatever hues you'd like.

Then, whenever you land your ship, the Rev-8 will be seen parked right next to it, making it easy to use as soon as you come in for a landing in whichever of the best Starfield ships you've been zipping around. It also has a few cool features. Keep reading to learn about those.


The Rev-8 can jump, shoot, boost, and more


Yup, just like your rocket-strapped intergalactic anti-hero, your shiny new Rev-8 can boost-jump, fire a gun, and even speed up for a few seconds at a time. It also has a really slick turning radius; it sometimes feels almost like a Halo Warthog. Use the Y button to jump while driving, which can help clear obstacles or climb rough terrain.

You can also do the following:

  • Boost - left stick or RB
  • Turn on headlights - LB (hold)
  • Open scanner - LB
  • Fire weapon = RT
  • Change camera - Back/Menu button

Notice also that your Starfield companion will join you in the passenger's side, allowing you to recreate TLC's iconic banger all across the known universe.


The Rev-8 isn't just for uncivilized planets


This was a fun surprise. The Rev-8 can be driven on any surface where it fits, not just the often barren, sometimes inhospitable planets spread across the game. Land in a city hub and you'll see your new Starfield vehicle is still parked beside your ship, waiting to be put to use. Go ahead and cruise around the commercial district of New Atlantis. Just watch out for pedestrians.

For many more Starfield guides, check out our robust Starfield guides hub where dozens of tips and how-to articles await you.


Paramount+ 12-Month Subscriptions Are 50% Off, Just In Time For Football Season

In celebration of the upcoming NFL and NCAA Football seasons, Paramount+ annual subscriptions are available for 50% off. Available until September 23, the deal includes both Paramount+ Essential and Paramount+ with Showtime tiers. This offer drops the price of Paramount+ Essential to only $30/year (normally $60) and Paramount+ with Showtime to $60 (normally $120). New and returning subscribers are eligible for the deal, and new subscribers also get their first week free.

Let's break down the differences between the two tiers to help you decide which one is right for your sports streaming interests.

If you're an NFL football fan, the Paramount+ Essential deal is especially enticing, as you'll get to watch all of the NFL coverage on CBS throughout the season for just $2.50/month. CBS will host more than 100 regular season games. For more details about the NFL on CBS schedule, check out the official website.

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Civilization 7 Has Four Editions To Choose From, Preorders Live Now

It's been nearly eight years since the launch of Civilization 6, and now--thanks to Gamescom Opening Night Live--we have an official release date for Sid Meier's Civilization 7. The long-awaited strategy game arrives on February 11, 2025 for PC, Xbox, PS5, and Switch, with select versions offering early access on February 6. Four different versions are up for preorder, including the Collector's Edition loaded with physical goodies. If you favor physical media, you'll definitely want to take a look at the Deluxe Edition, which comes with a bunch of extra in-game content.

And if you want to learn more before placing your preorder, read our Civilization 7 hands-on preview for an in-depth look at the long-awaited 4X strategy sequel.

Here's a closer look at all Civilization 7 preorders, plus any preorder bonuses that come with your purchase. And if February sounds far away, you can pass some of the time by reading Sid Meier's Memoir: A Life in Computer Games. Published in 2020, this superb book takes you inside the mind of one of the most influential game developers. You can purchase a hardcover copy for $20.80 (was $28) or paperback for $15.26 (was $17).

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Overwatch 2 Season 12 Battle Pass: All Skins, Emotes, And Rewards


Season 12 of Overwatch 2 has arrived, adding the new support hero Juno to the hero shooter. Season 12 also introduces a ton of new cosmetics for players to get, including a new battle pass featuring some Egyptian mythology inspired cosmetics, plus a few surprises as well. The new update also comes with a ranked reset for all players and a new game mode, clash. Clash gets two maps at launch, both inspired by previous control point maps that were removed alongside that game mode. Temple of Anubis is a fresh take on the previous map of the same name, and the new Hanaoka map is heavily inspired by the old Hanamura map.

The new battle pass includes several Egyptian skins, along with enough Mythic Prisms to unlock all customization options for the new Mythic Anubis skin for Reaper. Illari, Baptise, and Doomfist all have legendary skins matching this theme, but there are three other legendary skins that don't fit. This includes the ship captain Sigma skin, Dorothy from Wizard of Oz Ashe skin--complete with a Tin Man Bob--and the Oni Ana skin. The battle pass costs $10, with a $40 bundle available that gives 2,000 Overwatch Coins (about $20 in value), 20 battle pass tiers, and two exclusive skins, Aset Echo and Heist D.Va.

There are also a few more Oni skins available in the shop at the start of the season, with Oni Kiriko, Cyber Oni Hanzo, and Heist Soldier: 76, available in a bundle or separately. Xbox Game Pass subscribers will also be able to claim a bundle of skins and Mythic Prisms on September 17. Below you can see every skin, icon, and other reward in the Overwatch 2 Season 12 battle pass.


















































































How To Make A Fence In Minecraft

Aside from a basic front door, one of the best ways to protect your base or stop mobs from going anywhere is with a fence. The fence in Minecraft is quite powerful, as you can't hop over it while standing on the ground, unlike many other blocks. To see how to craft a fence and the best way to use it, read the guide below.

Making a Fence in Minecraft

A fence is an extremely simple item to make once you know the recipe, as it only requires two basic resources to craft. You can see the crafting recipe for a basic fence below:

  • At a crafting table, place two Sticks in the middle and bottom middle boxes
  • Then, place four of the same wood Planks in the four boxes that border the Sticks
The crafting recipe for a fence in Minecraft
The crafting recipe for a fence in Minecraft

There aren't any other items that are more easily acquired than Sticks and Planks. You can gather Planks by chopping down logs and placing them in a single box at a crafting table. Then, you're able to use those Planks to make Sticks by placing two of them on top of one another at a crafting table. You now have all the resources required for a fence.

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House Of The Dragon Season 2 4K Steelbook Preorders Are Live At Amazon

House of the Dragon Season 2 is now available to preorder on 4K Blu-ray at Amazon ahead of its November 19 release, which is perfect timing for the holiday gift-giving season. Before placing your preorder, you should also check out Amazon's deal on the steelbook edition of House of the Dragon Season 1, which drops the price to only $30 for a limited time.

Season 2's finale aired over the weekend, and the wait for new House of the Dragon episodes will probably be a long one. Production on Season 3 is expected to begin early next year, and we now know the Game of Thrones prequel series will run for four seasons. But judging by the nearly two-year wait between the first and second seasons, it seems unlikely Season 3 will debut before 2026. Fans can fill at least some of that wait time by rewatching the first half of the show on 4K Blu-ray. Plus, if you're like us, you'll want to refresh your memory with a rewatch right before Season 3 kicks off.

House of the Dragon Season 2 - 4K Blu-ray Steelbook Edition

$57

House of the Dragon Season 2 is getting multiple physical editions, including a special 4K steelbook edition, standard 4K Blu-ray, and 1080p Blu-ray. Though Amazon has not yet added full descriptions to the listings, the two 4K versions have different cover art. The steelbook edition is shown above.

You can preorder House of the Dragon Season 2's 4K steelbook edition for $57. Meanwhile, the non-steelbook edition is $50 at the moment. Blu-ray prices at Amazon often starter higher than the retailer will actually sell them for at launch. Your order comes with Amazon's preorder price guarantee, which means you'll only pay the lowest price offered and won't be charged until your order ships. The 1080p Blu-ray edition is available to preorder for $45.

Here's a closer look at House of the Dragon Season 2's 4K steelbook edition

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Lego Advent Calendars 2024 - Preorder Star Wars, Spider-Man, Disney, And More At Amazon

More than 100 (seriously) new Lego sets launched within the last week, but amidst the chaos, the king of brick-building sets also revealed its slate of 2024 Advent Calendars. Releasing September 1, each Lego Advent Calendar for 2024 has its own them and 24 miniature builds, one for each day in the weeks leading up to Christmas. You can preorder Lego Advent Calendars themed around Star Wars, Spider-Man, Disney, and more at Amazon right now. These calendars tend to be popular, so we'd recommend preordering one soon. Unless you or the person you're buying it for likes Pokemon more. In that case, you should check out the Pokemon Trading Card Game 2024 Holiday Calendar.

Lego 2024 Advent Calendars

Lego Star Wars 2024 Advent Calendar

$45 | 246 pieces

First on the list is the consistently popular Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar. This one comes with some exciting minifigures like Holiday Princess Leia, Holiday Luke Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, 501st Clone Trooper and a Praetorian Guard, and a Super Battle Droid. There are enough pieces to build a wide variety of Star Wars vehicles and props, like an X-wing, TIE Fighter, AT-AT, Y-wing, Jabba's Sail Barge, the Millennium Falcon, and much more.

Lego Marvel Spider-Man 2024 Advent Calendar

$45 | 246 pieces

Next up is the Lego Spider-Man Advent Calendar, which has 246 pieces inside of it. Minifigures include Spider-Man, Green Goblin, Miles Morales, and Venom, and you can build models inspired by the New York City street scenes from various Spider-Man movies.

Lego Disney 2024 Advent Calendar

$45 | 253 pieces

Sticking with Disney, this Advent Calendar includes Elsa, Tiana, Ariel, Mirabel, and Moana micro-dolls alongside buildable models like Ariel's Undersea Palace and Elsa's Ice Palace, and more.

Lego Harry Potter 2024 Advent Calendar

$45 | 301 pieces

For the Harry Potter set, you can expect 16 mini-builds--like festive items and a gargoyle for each of the four Hogwarts houses--as well as eight minifigures. You'll get holiday versions of Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Albus Dumbledore, Susan Bones, Cho Chang, Professor Flitwick, and Choir Ghost minifigures, plus a Hedwig figure.

For original Lego properties, you can check out Advent Calendars for Lego Friends (not to be confused with the TV show) and Lego City. Lego Friends has five characters and lots of festive accessories to build, while Lego City builds the countdown to Christmas by piecing together a snowy winter village scene. All of these sets are now available to preorder at Amazon, and they'll be available starting September 1.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 Leaks Continue, This Time With A Graphic New Ability

Even though Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is still a couple of months away, leaks have begun making their way online. The latest one showcases how the meat shield mechanic looks when performed on another player.

Whenever players sneak up behind another enemy, they can use them as a human meat shield instead of automatically performing an execution on them. As shown in a clip by Charlie Intel on X/Twitter, when using someone as a meat shield, the player will pull out their pistol and use that to defend themselves.

Leaked Black Ops 6 gameplay shows the human meat shield feature pic.twitter.com/ZH20x8N4TC

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) August 5, 2024

Once players have someone, they can also kill them. Players will be able to perform a "Quick Kill" which presumably means they'll die right away, and they'll also have the opportunity to perform their execution.

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Fanatical Summer Sale Includes Hundreds Of Steam Games For Big Discounts

Fanatical's big Summer Sale is live now. As is usually the case with these giant sales, you can find deals on PC games from just about any genre you're interested in. You can pick up strategy games like Age of Wonders 4 and Crusader Kings III, challenging souls-like RPGs like Lies of P or Lords of the Fallen, first-person shooters like Doom Eternal or Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster, and plenty more games and bundles during the event, which runs from August 5 to 19.

If you spend over $12 on your order, you'll get to (virtually) smash a piñata to earn either a free game or coupon to use on a future order. This freebie offer is repeatable, so you'll want to split up the games you pick into multiple orders--as long as you stay above $12 with each order.

Fans of Capcom's games can grab many of the company's latest games at nice discounts, including Street Fighter 6, Resident Evil 4, and Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak. You can also load up on Sega-published titles, including Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Sonic Frontiers, and Soul Hackers 2. Along with the deals on individual games, you can also grab multiple titles in bundle deals like the A Plague Tale bundle, the Batman: Arkham Collection, the Darksiders franchise pack, and the Star Wars Classics Collection.

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A John Wick Sequel Series Is In Development

Although Keanu Reeves' titular assassin seemingly wrapped up his story in John Wick: Chapter 4, the actor is executive producing a new sequel series that will pick up where the film left off.

Via Deadline, the potential show is called John Wick: Under the High Table, which will introduce new characters who are trying to make a name for themselves in the world of assassins. Meanwhile, the High Table itself is "in a tenuous position," probably because John Wick killed most of the major power players in the organization. The description for the series teases that some of the "franchise stalwart characters" are still "committed to the old world order."

John Wick director Chad Stahelski is executive producing the show alongside Reeves, and he will also direct the pilot episode. Robert Levine, the co-creator of FX's The Old Man, is writing the series for Lionsgate. However, the project doesn't currently have a streaming service or a network attached to it. Assuming the show goes forward, it will be the second TV spin-off for the franchise after The Continental: From the World of John Wick. That three-part miniseries premiered on Peacock in 2023.

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Pokemon Trading Card Game 2024 Holiday Calendar Is Up For Preorder At Best Buy

Advent Calendars with small pieces of chocolate to enjoy each day in the lead-up to Christmas are cool and all, but these days there are more exciting options. One such example is the Pokemon Trading Card Game's annual holiday calendar. The 2024 Pokemon TCG Holiday Calendar is now available to preorder for $50 at Best Buy ahead of its August 23 release. This is a pretty stacked collection of daily Pokemon gifts designed to appeal to fans of the official Pokemon trading card game. Inside, you'll find special foil cards, booster packs, and more, with each day bringing a new gift--unless you don't have the patience to wait and open them all at once.


Pokemon TCG Holiday Calendar 2024

Pokemon Advent Calendar 2024
Pokemon Advent Calendar 2024

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SteamWorld Heist 2 Review - Like Clockwork

SteamWorld Heist 2 marks the seventh game in the SteamWorld franchise, which has built itself more as an anthology than a series. The name is a playground for different ideas, loosely connected around a cartoon-robot aesthetic, rather than a connected universe of familiar gameplay structures and stories. Heist 2 marks only the second direct sequel, after SteamWorld Dig 2. Since Dig was SteamWorld's breakthrough, it seems significant that the second true sequel is going to the more-modest cult-hit SteamWorld Heist. But the proof is in the pudding, as SteamWorld Heist 2 is a massive leap over the first game, expanding on virtually all of its systems without overcomplicating them or compromising its charm.

Like the first game, SteamWorld Heist 2 defies easy categorization, as it really only plays like itself. You and your band of Steambots go on missions to tightly enclosed indoor spaces, and take part in turn-based tactical combat. While there is cover and abilities with cooldowns like you might find in a typical XCOM-like, the 2D perspective shifts more than just your point-of-view--in comparison to its genre contemporaries, Heist 2 plays extremely differently. Rather than flanking around enemies, there's a huge emphasis on verticality, as well as lining up trick-shots using laser sight-like aimlines to bounce your projectiles off the walls or objects to hit an enemy ducking behind cover. And like the first game, you can pick up bags of optional loot, typically including one especially well-hidden or well-guarded piece of epic loot, and then head for the evacuation point to end the mission. How long you stay to grab every last piece of loot is often pressed by an escalating alarm system, creating a nice tension between risk and reward.

Where SteamWorld Heist 2 builds on the first game's structure is through a variety of new systems, each of which feels full-fledged in itself and complements the existing loop. Primary among these is a new job-class system, which is defined by your weaponry. Any Steambot can equip any job by simply switching their primary weapon during the mission loadout, and the requisite experience points they earn in that mission will go toward the equipped job. Each job has five levels to unlock, with a sequence of powerful abilities becoming available throughout.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

House Of The Dragon Co-Creator Says Season 4 Will End The Series

House of the Dragon Season 2 left a lot of loose ends to explore when Season 3 inevitably rolls around. There are also plenty of lingering questions about where House of the Dragon will go next. But the show may have already reached its halfway point. In a new interview, series co-creator Ryan Condal indicated House of the Dragon will finish its run after four seasons.

Condal was asked by The Hollywood Reporter if the series would run for five seasons as previously mentioned. In response, Condal said "I think it's four [seasons]." He also explained why the Season 2 finale ended without showing the Battle of the Gullet.

"When you're a showrunner, you're always in the position of having to balance storytelling and the resources that you have available to tell that story," noted Condal. "When you're trying to mount the show, which requires a tremendous amount of resources, construction, armor, costumes, visual effects… we are trying to give The Gullet--which is arguably the second most anticipated action event of Fire & Blood--trying to give it the time and the space that it deserves."

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Why Lego Star Wars Is Bringing Darth Jar Jar To Life In Rebuild The Galaxy

The idea that Jar Jar Binks was secretly a Sith lord has been an amusing Star Wars joke and meme for years. But next month, the idea of Darth Jar Jar will finally be given form in the new miniseries, Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy. At Comic-Con, the creative team behind the show explained why they decided to incorporate Jar Jar's dark side into the story.

Rebuild the Galaxy writer and producer Dan Hernandez told GameSpot that the team was excited about the possibilities of remixing the Star Wars universe. And they also realized that this may be their only opportunity to bring Darth Jar Jar to life.

"We said, 'Maybe this is the only possible way to actually tell the story of Darth Jar Jar and what would that look like?' and just kind of take it seriously as a not just a meme joke," said Hernandez. "But to say, 'Okay, well what would cause him to become a Sith?' Where would he end up in this version of the Star Wars galaxy and writing it in such a way where we said, 'Can he actually be scary? Can he actually be something that people never thought that they would see?' And then to have on top of that to have Ahmed Best come back and be Darth Jar Jar and everything that he brought to that character, because he thoroughly embodies [Jar Jar]. We're such huge fans of his and of the character."

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Game Of Thrones: House Of The Dragon Season 2 Finale - 10 Lingering Questions Before Season 3


Image credit: HBO

Warning: The following contains spoilers for the Season 2 finale of Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon. If you haven't seen the final Season 2 episode yet, turn away now.

Everything is coming up Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy), or so it seems, in the House of the Dragon Season 2 finale. The true heir to the Iron Throne started the season grieving her son Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) and lost the war for the throne's first major battle. Things were looking very bleak for Rhaenyra after Rook's Rest, but the gods started to show her favor when it was revealed that you don't have to be of noble birth to be a dragon rider.

The fierce dragon Sea Smoke started that revelation when he left the keep and adopted a small folk rider--Corly's (Steve Toussaint) second bastard-son Adam of Hull (Clinton Liberty). Rhaenyra put out the call to all small folk who believed they had a claim to Targaryen blood to come to Dragonstone and try their luck with the two remaining unclaimed dragons in the keep. Two King's Landing small folk, Ulf (Tom Bennett) and Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew), rose to the challenge and claimed the last adult dragons in Rhaenyra's possession.

Adding three more dragons to her cause was a necessary bolster in Rhaenyra's cause, and it put Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) on his heels in the last two episodes of the season. Team Green realized that Rhaenyra had the tactical advantage in the war, and multiple people, including Larys (Matthew Needham) and Alicent (Olivia Cooke), changed up their strategies in the final episode. Alicent went as far as traveling to Dragonstone to make a deal with Rhaenyra, allowing her into King's Landing to take both the throne and Aegon's head in exchange for letting Alicent and Helena (Phia Saban) escape.

The season ended with Rhaenyra contemplating Alicent's offer. Meanwhile, everything is in motion for two major battles in Season 3. Corlys is heading to the Battle of the Gullet after Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) secured ships from Essos to break Corlys' blockade. Aemond is also planning to take Helena and her dragon with him to the River Lands to wipe out Daemon's (Matt Smith) forces, despite Helena's ominous warning about what would happen to Aemond if he continued down that path.

The House of the Dragon Season 2 finale was a major setup for big events to come in Season 3. The tides have turned in the war, but we still have many questions after the open-ended events of the season finale. Let's get into it.


1. Will Rhaenyra accept Alicent's offer?


Image credit: HBO

Alicent essentially offered Rhaenyra the Iron Throne on a silver platter. All Rhaenyra has to do is allow her former best friend and her half-sister to go freely. Helena already had to watch her son be murdered in the Season 2 premiere, so I think we can all agree that she's been through enough and deserves a reprieve. Alicent even conceded that Rhaenyra could take Aegon's head where everyone could see so they would know the throne was hers. However, Alicent was the one to push Aegon to steal the throne in the first place, so there is a question of trust in the arrangement. It's unclear whether Rhaenyra is going to go straight for King's Landing when Aemond flies for the River Lands, or if she's going to use the intel Alicent gave her for a different plan.


2. Does a son for a son include Aemond?


Image credit: HBO

At the end of Rhaenyra and Alicent's bargaining, Rhaenyra said that killing Aegon would be "a son for a son," meaning that Aegon's life would be a fair exchange for Lucerys'. However, where does that leave Aemond? He's the prince regent and the one on the throne. He's calling the shots while Aegon recovers from the Rook's Rest battle. Rhaenyra will also have to kill Aemond to take the Iron Throne, and then it would be two sons to avenge Lucerys' life. It feels weird that they would leave Aemond out of the negotiation when they both know he needs to die for Rhaenyra to have a peaceful reign.


3. Who is holding Otto Hightower hostage?


Image credit: HBO

One of the big twists of the finale was that Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) wasn't wandering around his home kingdom or living up retirement in a brothel. He's been held captive somewhere and was being released at the end of the episode. Who has been holding on to the former hand of the king and what do they plan to do with him in the coming days? Someone from Team Green could use him to try to bring Aemond to heel. Team Black could use his knowledge to help them infiltrate King's Landing. He's a very useful power-player and an advantage to whoever has him on their side. It remains to be seen who that will be and why they think now is the time to put Otto Hightower back into the game.


4. Is Daemon really loyal to Rhaenyra now?


Image credit: HBO

Daemon has been going through it at Heron Hall. He's been haunted by visions of his ex-wife, the teenage version of his current wife, and his dead brother. During the finale, he placed his hand on a bleeding tree and saw visions of the Night King and Daenerys hatching her three dragons. He knows the chaos that is coming and it seems to be enough to make him renew his vows to Rhaenyra. He swears that he's her faithful servant now and he's raised an army to fight for her cause… but can we trust him? Daemon has spent the entire season gathering forces so that he could claim the throne for himself. Was the last set of visions really enough to align his loyalty with Rhaenyra again? Rhaenyra should keep an eye on Daemon in the coming weeks to make sure he is staying true to his word.


5. Are Larys and Aegon really going to Essos?


Image credit: HBO

Larys (Matthew Needham) convinced Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) to escape King's Landing with him before Rhaenyra arrives with her dragons under the guise that they would go to Essos and live off of Larys' squirreled-away family savings, but Larys is always thinking two to three steps ahead. If he has possession of the usurper, would they really go to Essos and wait, or would Larys use Aegon to gain him favor within Rhaenyra's court? Aegon should be careful with how much trust he has put into Larys, who has proven multiple times that he will do whatever it takes to survive.


6. Is that dragon gonna eat Rhaena?


Image credit: HBO

Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) is making the case for being the most-underrated Targaryen at this point. She ditched her nanny duties to chase down a wild dragon. One of the closing scenes of the finale was Rhaena facing down the giant beast. We know from previous exposition that Rhaena was almost burned alive as a child when she first tried to claim a dragon. Will this adventure go better? If she does manage to seat the dragon, that'll give Rhaenyra a four-dragon advantage over Aemond and his fleet--though we expect that riding a wild dragon will be much more difficult than claiming one that's been raised and fed in a keep for most of its life. Rhaena may add a number to the fleet, but she'll have the most-unpredictable dragon out of everyone in Westeros and she's the most-inexperienced rider. Before we can get to how Rhaena will deal with battle, she needs to actually get on the dragon without being eaten first. We don't know for sure that she's going to make it.


7. Is Helena going with Aemond to the River Lands?


Image credit: HBO

Aemond tried early on in the episode to force Helena on her dragon to ride with him to take down Daemon's forces, but Alicent put a stop to it. He approached Helena alone later on and she promptly called him out for trying to murder Aegon, and she predicted Aemond's death. He threatened to kill her and she said it wouldn't make a difference. It was the boldest we've ever seen Helena be, but it didn't answer whether she would join Aemond's cause. Having Helena with him is the only way that Aemond can overtake Rhaenyra's fleet, but Helena seems to have no interest in helping her brother. Having a psychic on the team would be really great if anyone would take Helena seriously, but it remains to be seen how Helena is going to factor into this next phase of the war. Does she go with Aemond? Does she leave with Alicent to escape all of the fighting? Or is there a third path none of them have been able to suss out yet?


8. What is Rhaenyra's current relationship status?


Image credit: HBO

Rhaenyra is really popular at the moment. Daemon has re-pledged his loyalty to her, seemingly putting their marriage back on track. Then there's Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), who Rhaenyra made out with in Episode 6. Alicent also offered for Rhaenyra to run away with her and Helena. So who has Rhaenyra's heart these days? Obviously, she has a lot on her plate with the war and trying to get her inheritance back, but Rhaenyra has also always made time for bedfellows. Is she married to Daemon but hooking up with Mysaria on the side? Is she going to continue hooking up with Mysaria? Did running away with Alicent sound appealing at all to the hopeful queen? We need to get some wine and figure this out, Rhaenyra.


9. Does Daemon have a connection to the three-eyed raven?


Image credit: HBO

Daemon also sees a vision of a raven when he's getting the Song of Ice and Fire download from the bleeding tree. He's been having visions the entire time he's been at Heron Hall, but that final set makes it seem that Daemon may have a tie to the three-eyed raven. We know the three-eyed raven was one man until he passed the power of Sight on to Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in Game of Thrones, but could Daemon end up in that haunted cave at some point during his journey to reclaim the Iron Throne for Rhaenyra (or himself)?


10. Are Sharako Lohar and Tyland just the first incarnation of Brie and Jaime?


Image credit: HBO

The House of the Dragon Season 2 finale saw Tyland Lannister land in Essos to ask for ships to help him break the blockade held up by Corlys' naval forces. He was granted the ships after winning a mud-pit-wrestling match against Admiral Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn). After the match, the two struck up a bit of a friendship and ended the episode sailing their giant navy toward Corlys' armada. Their joking banter was very reminiscent of Tyland's future relative Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his knight best friend Brienne (Gwendoline Christie). Are Lannister middle siblings always drawn to powerful women? This seems to be setting up a pattern, but we can only hope that Tyland treats Sharako a lot better than Jaime treated Brienne in the end.


The Boys Cast Pitch Dream Deaths for Characters

We want (most) characters to survive in The Boys Season 5. But if their character had to die, we asked the stars of the Prime Video show to pitch a dream death. Here are Chace Crawford (The Deep), Jack Quaid (Hughie), Jessie T. Usher (A-Train), Laz Alonso (Mother’s Milk), Tomer Capone (Frenchie), Karen Fukuhara (Kimiko), Valorie Curry (Firecracker), Susan Heyward's (Sister Sage) responses. And we also asked showrunner Eric Kripke to weigh in.

Happy 25th Anniversary Spongebob!

Celebrating 25 years under the sea with SpongeBob! We dive deep with the voices behind your favorite Bikini Bottom residents: Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Mr. Lawrence (Plankton), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), and Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy). The cast reflects on raising a generation and giving behind-the-scenes stories with unforgettable Bikini Bottom moments.

New Marvel Lego Set Recreates Avengers: Age Of Ultron's Opening Battle

Avengers, assemble…into a very cool Lego set! While Avengers: Age of Ultron is a polarizing film, there's no debate whatsoever about the movie's opening shot that features Earth's mightiest mortals wrecking a Hydra base. That splash-page moment has been recreated in Lego, and you can add it this new set to your collection for $100. This new Avengers building kit is just one of over 100 new Lego sets that are now available at Amazon.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Over 100 Lego Sets Released In August - Here Are The Biggest Ones


If you're looking for new Lego sets to build, you might have more trouble figuring out which one to build first than picking one out you're interested in. Over 100 new Lego sets from many of the manufacturer's most popular franchise collaborations released this week, making August arguably the biggest month of 2024 for Lego enthusiasts. The wide variety of new releases includes building kits inspired by entertainment juggernauts such as Star Wars, Marvel, Batman, and Jurassic World. Lego's gaming-inspired lines have also expanded, with fresh releases in the Super Mario, Animal Crossing, Minecraft, and Sonic the Hedgehog collections. To help you sort through the massive lineup of Lego new releases, we've put together a list of the biggest new Lego sets of the month, organized by franchise.

Unless otherwise noted, all of the links below will take you to Amazon listings. Most of the sets highlighted below are brand-new releases, but there are some former Lego Store exclusives that launched at Amazon and other major retailers this week. We've also included a handful of sets within these franchises that went up for preorder this month, including the highly anticipated kit based on Super Mario World and the Shadow the Hedgehog display set. That said, the vast majority of the sets below are available to ship right now and are eligible for Prime shipping at Amazon.



Lego Super Mario


Starting with the new Super Mario releases, Lego has refreshed its core interactive adventure sets featuring Mario, Luigi, and Peach. These starter sets are required if you want to utilize the many expansions as playsets. Each starter set now costs $10 less than before and come with more notable minifigures than the original lineup.

There are some exciting new expansion sets, too. Most notably, there's the 932-piece King Boo's Haunted Mansion and The Bowser Express Train, which is the biggest Lego Mario expansion yet at 1,392 pieces. And while it's not launching this month, you can also preorder the moving Mario & Yoshi figure that's based on the duo's pixel art sprite from Super Mario World on SNES. Check out even more new Lego Super Mario sets below.

Read more on the new Super Mario Lego sets.


Lego Star Wars sets


Lego's Star Wars line has stuck closely to established characters, vehicles, and scenes from canonical Star Wars media, but this month sees the company get more creative with the galaxy far, far away. There's a new set that reimagines the Millenium Falcon as the "Dark Falcon" piloted by a crew of alternate universe versions of characters like Sith Lord Jar Jar Binks and bounty hunter C-3PO. You can also grab an X-Wing-themed mech piloted by Luke Skywalker.

There's plenty of traditional sets you're looking for something more canonical, including new versions of the Imperial Star Destroyer, TIE Intercepter from the Ultimate Collector Series, and an X-Wing versus TIE Fighter set, among several others. There are even new releases based on Disney+ shows like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and the upcoming Skeleton Crew. Check the links below for more.

Read more on the new Star Wars Lego sets.


Lego Minecraft


Minecraft and Legos are a no-brainer combination, which is probably why the line has proven to be so popular all this time. This month sees several new models join the collection, including the awesome Crafting Table diorama display cube, as well as new adventure playsets like the Ender Dragon and End Ship, just to name a few.

Read more on the new Minecraft Lego sets.


Lego Sonic the Hedgehog


Three new Lego sets featuring the blue blur and his friends are available this month, and you can also preorder the upcoming Shadow the Hedgehog head kit that launches on October 1.

Read more on the new Sonic the Hedgehog Lego sets.


Lego Marvel


Marvel fans have a whole bunch of new Lego displays to assemble, such as the epic Avengers: Age of Ultron playset and the super-detailed SHIELD Helicarrier model. There's plenty more to check out, including preorders for the Spider-Man 2024 Lego Advent Calendar that releases September 1.


Lego Guardians of the Galaxy


While we covered all the new Lego Marvel releases above, we also wanted to make sure to highlight the new Guardians of the Galaxy sets, especially the epic Milano Starship model. There's also a new and predictably adorable Dancing Groot figure.

Read more on the new Guardians of the Galaxy Lego sets.


Lego DC Batman


Lego's also showing some love to the DC comics fans out there with a selection of new Lego Batman sets. There are displays based on the Batman: Animated Series Batmobile, The Batcave, and a Bat-themed mech suit--all of which feature minifigs of the caped crusader, his allies like Batgirl, as well as villains like Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze, or the Joke. If you're looking for something more complex, there's a new large-scale Batman figure featuring the Bat-Pod motorbike.

Read more on the new Lego Batman sets.


Lego DreamZzz


Lego is expanding its DREAMZzz series, which initially launched in 2023, with several new sets. These new kits feature highly imaginative builds like giant battle mechs, transforming dinosaurs, buff pandas decked-out with rocket launchers, and more. Check out all the new Lego DREAMZzz sets below.


Lego Animal Crossing


Two new Lego Animal Crossing sets are available now, letting you add K.K. Slider's concert plaza and the Dodo Airlines airport to your IRL brick-based village.

Animal Crossing is one of Lego's most recent collaborations. The first five sets in the collection released earlier this year. At the moment, it's not too expensive to build a complete Animal Crossing set. Here's a list of the other five sets:

Read more on the new Animal Crossing Lego sets.


Lego Jurassic World


You can grab two new Lego Jurassic Park: Dinosaur Missions playsets this month, including the Allosaurus Transport Truck and the Stegosaurus Discovery team. If you are looking to build the dinosaurs themselves, you can grab the Jurassic Park Baby Bumpy Ankylosaurus kit. And though it's not a Jurassic Park set, dino fans will probably dig the new 3-in-1 dinosaur figure that lets you build either a T-Rex, Triceratops, or a Pteradactyl.

Read more on the new Lego Jurassic World sets.


Lego Disney


The Lego Disney series is getting a huge batch of new sets this month. The coolest--and most complex--is this 1,445-piece Young Simba Lion King model, which was previously only available as a Lego Store exclusive. If that's a bit bigger than what you're looking for, there's also a smaller 222-piece Simba Cub version available as well. Then there's a grip of playsets based on other Disney movies like Frozen, Encanto, Sleeping Beauty, and more. And if you're looking for something for younger builders, there are also two new Little Mermaid Duplo sets as well. See all the new Disney Lego sets below.


Lego Duplo Peppa Pig


Speaking of new Duplo sets, Lego has released its first batch of Duplo playsets based on Peppa Pig.


Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch + Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle


Space enthusiasts can now purchase two highly detailed sets from Lego's awesome series of collaborations with NASA. NASA's Artemis Space Station launch system was a Lego Store exclusive, but this huge 3,601-piece set is now available at Amazon. You can also pick up the intricately designed Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle from the Lego Technic line.

Lego also added a bunch of new car building sets to its Technic line, including the Volvo Truck and Electric Excavator, Porsche GT4, and Mercedes-Benz G 500.


Lego Ninjago


Lego's original Ninjago property is still going strong, and four cool sets have joined the lineup this month, including the ferocious dragon shown above.


Lego City


Speaking of Lego's original lines, Lego City continues to receive some of the coolest playsets, such as the brand-new Robot World Roller-Coaster Park.


Lego 2024 Advent Calendars (Preorder)


The holiday season is still several months away, but if you're already feeling the festive spirit, you can preorder the batch of 2024 Lego Advent Calendars. There are six buildable Advent Calendar scenes available for preorder, including sets themed on original Lego lines like Lego City and Lego Friends, and popular franchises like Star Wars, Spider-Man, Disney, and Harry Potter.


Every Upcoming Pokemon TCG Release You Can Preorder At Amazon And Best Buy


The Pokemon Trading Card Game is about to get a new batch of exciting releases thanks to the upcoming Shrouded Fable and Stellar Crown sets as well as a few special collections. Various new decks, booster bundles, elite trainer boxes, and other upcoming collections will be released over the next two months. To help Pokemon TCG fans looking to get their hands on the new cards as soon as possible, we've put together this guide of all the Pokemon TCG releases available for preorder at Amazon and Best Buy.

We'll continue to add to this list as more Pokemon TCG products go up for preorder. The most recent addition to this list is the Paradox Wisdom Premium Collection, which is available at Best Buy for $50. We'd expect this one to be popular. In addition to preorders, you'll find the Pokemon TCG products that released this week on August 2.

Note that some boxes and collections contain code cards for Pokemon TCG Live that correspond to the exact physical deck, foil promo card, etc. Each Pokemon TCG booster pack also comes with a code card to unlock a booster pack in the online game. Booster packs also contain 10 Pokemon and one Energy cards.


Pokemon TCG: Paradox Wisdom - Premium Collection


$50

Release Date: October 4

  • Iron Leaves ex promo card
  • Iron Crown ex promo card
  • Iron Boulder ex promo card
  • Oversize Iron Crown ex promo card
  • Seven Pokemon TCG booster packs
  • Magnetic 3-card holder
  • Magnetic 3-card holder base
  • Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

Pokemon TCG Holiday Calendar 2024


$50

Release date: August 23

Includes:

  • Eight foil Pokemon TCG cards with a festive stamp
  • Five Pokemon TCG booster packs
  • Seven Pokemon TCG 3-card fun packs
  • Two Pokemon coins
  • Two Pokemon sticker sheets
  • One Chien-Pao sidekick keychain
  • Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

Pokemon TCG: Trainer's Toolkit


$35

Release date: October 18

Includes:

  • Four Pokemon TCG booster packs
  • 65 card sleeves
  • Deck Builder’s Guide
  • Six damage-counter dice
  • One competition-legal coin
  • Two condition markers
  • Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

Pokemon TCG Charizard ex Super-Premium Collection


$80

Release date: October 4

Includes:

  • One foil promo card featuring Charizard ex
  • One card-display figure featuring Charizard
  • 10 Pokemon TCG booster packs
  • Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

Pokemon TCG: Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle (2024)


$15

Release date: August 30

Includes:

  • 35 three-card mini packs (105 cards, three per pack)

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Stellar Crown Booster Box


$161

Release date: September 13

Includes:

  • 36 Stellar Crown booster packs

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Stellar Crown Elite Trainer Box


$50

Release date: September 13

Includes:

  • Nine Stellar Crown booster packs
  • One full-art foil promo card featuring Noctowl
  • 65 card sleeves featuring Stellar Form Terapagos
  • 45 Pokemon TCG Energy cards
  • Scarlet & Violet—Stellar Crown expansion Player's Guide
  • Six damage-counter dice
  • One competition-legal coin-flip die
  • Two plastic condition markers
  • A collector’s box with 4 dividers
  • Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Stellar Crown Booster Bundle


$27

Release date: September 13

Includes:

  • Six Stellar Crown booster packs

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Stellar Crown Blister Packs (styles vary)


$14

Release date: September 13

Includes:

  • Three Stellar Crown booster packs. Multiple versions available, selected randomly by Best Buy

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Stellar Crown Sleeved Booster


$4.49 per pack

Release date: September 13

Includes:

  • 10 Pokemon and 1 Energy per pack

Pokemon TCG: Houndstone ex Box


$22

Release date: October 4

Includes:

  • One foil promo card featuring Houndstone ex
  • One foil card featuring Greavard
  • One oversize foil card featuring Houndstone ex
  • Four Pokemon TCG booster packs
  • Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

Pokemon TCG: Tapu Koko ex Battle Deck / Iron Leaves ex Battle Deck (random selection)


$10 per deck

Release date: October 18

Only one deck included per purchase, selected randomly by Best Buy. Each deck includes:

  • One 60-card deck
  • Three reference cards
  • One rules booklet
  • One single-player playmat
  • One large metallic coin
  • One deck box
  • One strategy sheet
  • Code card to play the deck online

Pokemon TCG: Miraidon ex / Koraidon ex Deluxe Battle Deck (random selection)


$20 per deck

Release date: August 23

Only one deck included per purchase, selected randomly by Best Buy. Each deck includes:

  • One ready-to-play 60-card deck
  • One single-player playmat
  • One set of damage counters
  • One large metallic coin
  • Two condition markers
  • One deck box
  • One strategy sheet
  • Code card to play this deck online

Pokemon TCG: 2024 Poke Ball Tins (random selection)


$15 per tin

Only one tin included per purchase, selected randomly by Best Buy.

  • One collectible Poke Ball Tin
  • Three Pokemon TCG booster packs
  • Two sticker sheets

Pokemon TCG: Mini Portfolio + booster pack


$5.49

Release date: September 27

Includes:

  • One mini-portfolio with slots for 60 cards, plus one Pokemon TCG booster pack


Pokemon TCG: Paradox Destinies Tin (random selection)


$27 per tin

Release date: September 6

Only one tin included per purchase, selected randomly by Amazon or Best Buy. Each tin includes:

  • One foil promo card featuring Gouging Fire ex, Raging Bolt ex, Iron Boulder ex, or Iron Crown ex
  • Five Pokemon TCG booster packs
  • Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box


$41.68 ($50) at Amazon | $50 at Best Buy

Release date: August 23

Includes:

  • Nine Shrouded Fable booster packs
  • One full-art foil promo card featuring Pecharunt
  • 65 card sleeves featuring Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti
  • 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
  • Scarlet & Violet—Shrouded Fable expansion player's guide
  • Six damage-counter dice
  • One competition-legal coin
  • One plastic condition markers
  • Collector’s box with 4 dividers
  • Code card for Pokemon Trading Card Game Live

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Shrouded Fable 6pk Booster Bundle


$27

Release date: September 6

Includes:

  • Six Shrouded Fable booster packs

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Shrouded Fable Illustration Collection - Kingambit


$22

Release date: August 2

Includes:

  • One full-art foil promo card featuring Kingambit
  • Two foil cards featuring Pawniard and Bisharp
  • Four Shrouded Fable booster packs
  • Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

Scarlet & Violet - Shrouded Fable Special Illustration Collection - Kingdra ex / Greninja ex


$30 per box

Release date: August 2

If purchased at Best Buy, you will receive one of the collections at random.

Includes:

  • One full-art foil promo card featuring Kingdra ex or Greninja ex
  • Two foil cards featuring either Horsea and Seadra, or Froakie and Frogadier
  • Five Shrouded Fable booster packs
  • Code card for Pokémon TCG Live

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Shrouded Fable Blister Pack


$14

Release date: August 2

  • One foil promo card featuring Pecharunt
  • Three Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Shrouded Fable booster packs
  • Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Shrouded Fable Mini Tins (random selection)


$10 per tin

Release date: August 2

Only one tin included per purchase, selected randomly by Best Buy. Each tin includes:

  • One collectible Mini Tin
  • One Pokemon TCG art card showing the art from the Mini Tin
  • Two Shrouded Fable booster packs
  • One sticker sheet

Alien: Romulus Clip Channels Director Fede Alvarez's Past Work

The tagline for the original 1979 Alien film famously said that "in space, no one can hear you scream." What that expression neglected to mention is that the Xenomorphs appear to have very good hearing, and they seem to pick up on almost every sound in a spaceship or colony. That ability is on full display in a new preview clip from the next film in the franchise, Alien: Romulus.

The clip features Isabela Merced as Kay, one of the ill-fated group of young people who thought it would be a good idea to scavenge materials from derelict ships. In this scene, Kay is unarmed and attempting to slip by a Xenomorph. And the alien in question seems to be actively looking for Kay and listening intently as she tries to stay as quiet as possible. It's reminiscent of the way Jane Levy's character hid from Don't Breathe's blind killer, Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang).

Regardless of Kay's best efforts, she's still caught off guard when a Xenomorph appears close by and drags away two bodies. It's difficult to tell if the bodies came from Kay's crew or if they were originally stationed on the ship that's now overrun by facehuggers and Xenomorphs.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Avowed Delayed To February 2025, Graciously Making 2024 A Little Less Crowded

Xbox has graciously alleviated some of the mounting pressure as we head into the final months of 2024, delaying Avowed until early next year. Avowed is now set to launch on February 18, 2025.

Though it's a shame that we'll have to wait a bit longer to play Obsidian Entertainment's action RPG, this does mean the already crowded fall line-up of games is a tad more manageable and easier on the wallet. Instead of Avowed competing against the likes of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and Assassin's Creed Shadows this holiday season, it will launch during the (currently) sparser start of 2025.

So many games coming! As such, we're moving Avowed to Feb 18, 2025 to give players’ backlogs some breathing room.
Stay tuned for more from our games across Activision, Blizzard, Bethesda & Xbox Game Studios at gamescom, including our Aug 23 livestream for a look at Avowed:… pic.twitter.com/3RnyVwlHRa

— Xbox (@Xbox) August 2, 2024

In the announcement of the delay, Xbox teased that more details for games across the company's portfolio--including Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda titles--will be revealed during gamescom. Avowed will also be the primary focus of Xbox's planned livestream for August 23, when we'll see more of the upcoming action RPG.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Is Fallout London Worth Your Time?

The highly animated Fallout London mod by Team FOLON is finally here. The mod is essentially a new Fallout game, introducing new quests, weapons, locations, and more. In our video breakdown, GameSpot goes over whether this fan-made mod merits a download.

Downloading Fallout London will completely overhaul Fallout 4. Therefore, playing this mod will require you to know Fallout 4 alongside all of its DLC, and if you want to play the normal Fallout 4 again, you'll be forced to uninstall the mod.

The game itself starts like most Fallout games: You make a character and eventually leave an underground base. Once you reach the surface, you take a train that shows you what's left of London.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

7 Days To Die - How To Heal Injuries, Infections, And Ailments


It's often a struggle to survive the harsh environments found in 7 Days To Die, with so many different ways to injure yourself, become ill from infection, and get sick from consuming bad food. Here will guide you through the most efficient ways to heal yourself from cuts, sprains, and various ailments.



Infections

It's easy to become infected in 7 Days to Die, and it's even harder to cure yourself early in the game. The longer you stay infected, the harder it gets to heal. So watch your infection meter on the far-left of your HUD.

You can cure it with honey if the infection is under 5%. Honey is scavenged by harvesting tree stumps. (You can double up on honey. Two honey will cure up to 10% infection.)

Beyond 5-10%, your best options are antibiotics and herbal antibiotics. Regular antibiotics will cure 25% infection per dose, and herbal antibiotics will cure up to 10% per dose. These can be randomly looted in the world, purchased from traders, but only the herbal antibiotics can be crafted.



Sprains and breaks

Sprains and breaks are common injuries in 7 Days to Die. A sprained leg or knee will reduce your health and majorly slow you down, and a broken arm or leg will also reduce your health and speed even further. Each sprain will have a timer for how long you're affected by the injury.

It's also important to note that you shouldn't sprint or jump while suffering from a sprain because it will increase the amount of time you're suffering. So, only run around if you're in immediate danger.

Painkillers will help for a sprain, and these are easily found through normal looting. Broken bones can only be helped with splints and casts, but these are much rarer and only craftable with the Physician skill. To get this crafting ability, you need to first put two points into the Intellect attribute to unlock the Physician skill, and then spend the one point needed to purchase it.



Fatigue

Fatigue doesn't sound as awful as most of the other injuries or ailments in the game, but the impact of the effects can be costly. Fatigue is a negative stat that lasts for two hours, and it reduces your health by 20% and increases the damage you take from enemies by 10%.

The only way to cure this is with vitamins. Vitamins are found by random looting or sold by a trader. A bonus to taking vitamins is that you'll get a temporary resistance to disease, meaning you can drink murky water or old Sham sandwiches you found without worry of sickness.



Bleeding out

There are many ways to bleed out in 7 Days to Die. Getting attacked by a zombie, a vulture, or even the unfortunate mishap of accidentally bumping into your own spike traps.

Bleeding can be stopped with a standard bandage. These are easy to craft, but you won't get any health back. To stop the bleeding and regain lost health, you'll need to use either a first aid bandage or med kit.



Lacerations

A laceration is a deep wound that can only be mended by a med kit or a sewing kit. Sewing kits are also used for crafting armor, but you might want to keep a few on hand in case you get this type of injury.



Concussion

A concussion can often happen from a bad scuffle with zombies, and it may seem like you can carry on as normal with your adventure, but it lasts for two hours with a whopping 25% decrease to your health and all your player's attributes are lowered by one point.

This injury can be healed by painkillers, and these are found through normal looting.



Dysentery

If your HUD shows the--for want of a better term--orange pooping butt icon, then you're suffering from dysentery. This comes from drinking murky water you haven't boiled or from eating old food you found like Sham sandwiches.

The negative effect here is that your character has diarrhea, and it will reduce your fullness and hydration levels. There's only one way to cure Dysentery, but thankfully it's fairly easy to do. You need to boil some water and collect Goldenrod, which is the yellow flower commonly found in the world. This lets you craft Goldenrod Tea to cure this ailment.



Abrasions

Abrasions can be healed with aloe cream, which is made from the aloe plant. Aloe can be scavenged in the desert biome, grown on a farm plot, and found as random loot.

First aid bandages can also be used, and these will be best if you're low on health. These will provide additional health, while the aloe will not.

Here we also provide some 7 Days To Die 1.0 tips for beginners just getting started on console on PC. For more in depth tips, we guide you on how to find mechanical parts, how to get a set of wheels, and even how to respec your skills.


This $16 Lego Star Wars Set Transforms Luke Skywalker's X-Wing Into A Mech

Luke Skywalker has flown X-Wings and A-Wings over the years, but have you ever seen him inside of a mech suit? Thanks to this Lego suit, you can imagine just how different Star Wars would have been if Skywalker was piloting an "X-Wing" warsuit equipped with an oversized lightsaber. This is one of more than a dozen new Lego Star Wars sets that launched this week. Not only is it one of the coolest new kits in the collection, but it's also one of the cheapest at only $16.

Luke Skywalker X-Wing Mech
Luke Skywalker X-Wing Mech

Taking design cues from Luke's X-Wing starfighter, the mech has articulated hands, arms, legs and feet, a cockpit for the included minifigure, and an adjustable X-wing jetpack. For situations when you need to bring an uncivilized weapon to a fight, there's also a buildable stud-shooting blaster.

As mentioned, a bunch of other Lego Star Wars sets launched this week, in case you'd like to pick up a few more for your collection. Some are quite creative, like the 1,579-piece Dark Falcon set that reimagines the heroes of Star Wars as villains and gives them a sleek new spaceship to explore the galaxy in. Also, you get a Darth Jar Jar Binks minifigure, so this is the best Lego Star Wars set of the year.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

What's Next For Bungie? | Spot On

Despite releasing one of the year's most critically acclaimed expansions, Destiny 2's The Final Shape, it's been a rough year for Bungie. Last October, the developer laid off roughly 100 people, equating to approximately 8% of it's workforce. Earlier this week, the studio let go another 220--a shockingly high 17% of its workforce--while also relocating 12% of its remaining staff to its parent company, Sony.

Bungie executive Pete Parsons cited "rising costs of development," "industry shifts," and "enduring economic conditions" as the reason for the mass layoffs, which impacted "most" of Bungie's executive and senior leader positions. Considering this loss of leadership, it comes as no surprise then that the studio is entering what the executive refers to as a time of "tremendous change." And as for the mass transfer of former Bungie employees to Sony, Parsons' explained the move aims to "deepen" Bungie's integration with the company--a statement that has raised more than a few eyebrows.

Though it's easy to see these layoffs as merely the latest in a series' of widespread job losses in the industry, it also showcases the trend of large corporations acquiring well-known developers and how it ultimately leads to significant changes in staffing, priorities, and, potentially, identity. This week on Spot On, Tam and Lucy discuss the impact of these layoffs and what it means for the future of Destiny 2, Marathon, and Bungie as a whole.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

7 Days To Die - How To Get Wheels And Craft Vehicles

7 Days To Die's Navezgane map offers plenty of ground to explore, but it's a slow process until you can get a set of wheels for your adventures. Here is everything you need to know to cruise your way through the apocalypse.

How to craft vehicles and get a "free" bicycle

Once you complete 10 trader quests from Rekt, you can get a bicycle as a reward. This offers you nine additional storage slots and a way to pedal around the map a bit faster, and without the need for fuel.

However, you can use resources to craft a minibike by reading 20 vehicle magazines, 45 magazines for the larger motor bike, 70 is needed to craft the 4-wheeler, and 100 magazines read for the gyrocopter.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

7 Days To Die - How To Get Mechanical Parts

7 Days To Die's zombie apocalypse can be a tough environment, so you'll want to get started right away crafting the best items for your survival. One of the most crucial components for crafting are mechanical parts. Here we guide you through all the ways you can get these valuable parts.

What are mechanical parts?

Mechanical parts
Mechanical parts

Mechanical Parts are used for crafting high-end items for survival, such as vehicles, guns, and tools. This is a resource you can never have too much of, so you'll likely want to stock up on mechanical parts as soon as you start finding them.

How to find mechanical parts

These parts can be found at random when looting various items, such as cars, appliances, and dumpsters. You can even find these pretty early into the start of your game.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

7 Days To Die - How To Respec Your Skills

7 Days to Die offers plenty of skills to level up your characters, but surviving the zombie apocalypse can get a bit overwhelming, and you might decide you've placed your points into less beneficial skills. The game does give you a chance to reset your skill points, but it's going to cost you. Here's everything you need to know about resetting your skills.

The option to reset your skill points in 7 Days to Die comes from a rare consumable item called Grandpa's Fergit'n Elixir. This elixir will return all of your skill points to you so that you can reinvest them. However, this handy elixir comes at a price.

Discounted elixir price with 1 skill point in barter
Discounted elixir price with 1 skill point in barter

This is an item only found at a trader shop, and it sells for 6,000 Dukes. If you already have some bartering skills, then you should be able to haggle a better price. For example, the screenshot above shows the price at 5,700 Dukes with 1 point spent in barter.

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Nosferatu Remake From The Witch Director Gets First Trailer

Nearly a decade ago, Robert Eggers helmed his first horror film, The Witch, before he went on to direct The Lighthouse and The Northman. Later this year, Eggers is revisiting his horror roots with Nosferatu, a remake of the 1922 silent film. The first trailer for Nosferatu premiered over the weekend in theaters, and it's now online as well. And if the plot seems very familiar, it's probably because the original Nosferatu was already an unauthorized take on Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Bill Skarsgård, who played Pennywise the Dancing Clown in Warner Bros.' two-part adaptation of Stephen King's It and will reprise the role in the upcoming prequel series Welcome to Derry, will portray the monstrous Count Orlok in Nosferatu. Unlike most of Hollywood's vampires, Orlok is hideously ugly, and the trailer goes out of its way to withhold his appearance. But his shadow looms over the city, and Orlok himself is set upon a young woman named Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp).

The trailer shows that Ellen doesn't understand what's happening as Orlok exerts his influence over her. Like her counterpart in Dracula, Mina Harker, Ellen already has a husband, Thomas Hutter, as played by Superman's Nicholas Hoult. However, Orlok's obsession with Ellen means that Thomas is simply another obstacle to overcome, and it's doubtful that the vampire is losing any sleep during the day over his rival.

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Joker Film Is Getting A New Limited-Edition 4K Blu-Ray Release Ahead Of Sequel

With a new Joker film on the way, now is a great time to revisit the first film starring Joaquin Phoenix as the infamous Batman villain. While Joker doesn't have any Caped Crusaders loitering around Gotham, it does have incredible performances from Phoenix and the rest of the cast. A fresh re-release of the film on 4K Blu-ray with a fancy steelbook is available to preorder for $28.85 at Walmart ahead of its August 20 release date.

Joker 4K Blu-Ray - Limited Edition Steelbook

$28.85

For the extras, you'll get several behind-the-scenes features on how the film came together, Phoenix's evolution into the harlequin of hate, costume tests, alternate takes, and more.

In case you missed it, Joker starred Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian living in Gotham City. Stuck in a dead-end job as a clown-for-hire and struggling with a neurological condition that causes him to have random fits of uncontrollable laughing, Fleck eventually snaps under the pressure of one too many bad days and slowly starts transforming into the Joker.

The film is surprisingly grounded, gritty, and has a nihilistic sense of style thanks to director Todd Phillips, while Phoenix steals the show as he slowly becomes more unhinged in this unsettling origin story.

A sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, is scheduled to hit theaters on October 2 and will introduce Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. Joker is notable for being the first R-rated movie to gross over a billion dollars at the global box office and was nominated for 11 Academy Awards--winning two for Best Actor for Phoenix and Best Original Score.

If you are looking for some Bat-entertainment, there are a few great deals on right now. You can check out our list of all the Batman Blu-rays you can buy right now, and for some quick must-haves, you can't go wrong with a 4K version of The Dark Knight Trilogy, Batman: The Complete Animated Series, or The Batman starring Robert Pattinson in a very cool Pattsuit.

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One Elden Ring Player Is Beating Shadow Of The Erdtree's Bosses Without Lifting A Finger

Elden Ring's new Shadow of the Erdtree expansion requires fast reflexes, a well-equipped character, and plenty of patience if you're looking to conquer it. Or if you want to show off, you could find a novel way to play it, just like Twitch streamer Perrikaryal has done by using the power of her mind to make progress.

Working her way through the Elden Ring DLC--which is quickly earning a reputation for being incredibly challenging--Perrikaryal has already managed to beat several of the early bosses with pure brain power, like those two guys in a Chinese dragon costume. How does the hands-free setup work? According to Kotaku, Perrikaryal's rig uses motion sensors to track her head and eye movements alongside an electroencephalogram (EEG) device to record the electrical activity of her brain.

It's not a perfect system and there are times when the code behind it requires fine-tuning, but when it works, it really works. If you're interested, you can see more on Perrikaryal's Twitch channel, where she has several highlights of challenging the tough new bosses. If you're not quite ready to build your own Cerebro in your quest to be the top Tarnished in Shadow of the Erdtree, you can check out GameSpot's Elden Ring DLC guides hub for some helpful tips and tricks, or you can check out our rundown of 14 things to know before jumping in.

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Wipeout Futurism: The Graphic Archives Gives Inside Look At PlayStation's Iconic Racing Series

Wipeout first launched for PlayStation and DOS in 1995, and it quickly became a cult classic. The series would go on to earn multiple sequels on PlayStation platforms over the next two decades, all of which followed the same futuristic racing blueprint laid out by the original. If you're a dedicated fan of the series, you'll likely be interested in the upcoming Wipeout Futurism: The Graphic Archives--a hardcover volume that details the game's creation and how the series played a role in shaping the racing genre. The book releases on November 12, and preorders are seeing a slight discount ahead of its launch.

Wipeout Futurism: The Graphic Archives

$56 (was $60)

Wipeout Futurism: The Graphic Archives contains 320 pages filled with commentary, concept art, and additional designs related to Wipeout. The hardcover volume features interviews with sound designer Loic Couthier, writer Damon Fairclough, game director Stuart Tilley, and other creatives instrumental in bringing Wipeout to the masses. In short, this is a deep dive into all things Wipeout.

The book is bound to be a popular item among Wipeout fans, so consider reserving a copy soon if you want to add the book to your shelf at launch. And because preorders are seeing a slight discount, it's all the more enticing. Plus, if the price drops even more, you'll only pay the lowest cost offered at Amazon from the time you place your order and when the book ships (you're charged when it ships).

If you're looking for more video game books to fill up your bookcase, there are plenty of other items to check out at Amazon. From Sonic encyclopedias and photographic histories of the game console to Super Mario Odyssey art books and more, here's a look at some other video game books you should consider. PlayStation fans should also check out the upcoming Bloodborne Complete Guide, a reprint of the mammoth collector's edition guidebook that has been sold out for years.

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Andor Season 2 Will Feature More Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Characters

When Andor debuted on Disney+ in 2022, only a small handful of characters from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story appeared in the series beyond Diego Luna's Cassian Andor. Genevieve O'Reilly's Mon Mothma had a large supporting role while Forest Whitaker's Saw Gerrera and Duncan Pow's Ruescott Melshi briefly appeared. But according to Luna, more Rogue One characters are coming in Andor Season 2.

Via Popverse, Luna told a panel at ACE Superhero Comic Con 2024 that additional Rogue One characters will arrive as the events of the series get closer to the timeframe of the movie.

"I can tell you, Rogue One is coming, so there will be characters there that you will recognize," said Luna. "There will be cool stuff. For those who love Rogue One, this season is going to be very special. And it's going to be fascinating to go straight to Rogue One after watching this second season, because you will see Rogue One from a different perspective. I promise you that."

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Bloodborne Collector's Edition Guide Is Coming Back, And Preorders Are Live At Amazon

Sadly, but unsurprisingly, PlayStation didn't have any Bloodborne news during its recent State of Play, but that doesn't mean there isn't a new Bloodborne product releasing soon. Well, newish. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Future Press is re-releasing its long out-of-print Bloodborne Complete Edition Guide. This massive, officially licensed book originally released back in 2017 as a collector's edition with some cool bonus content geared toward dedicated Bloodborne fans. You can preorder Bloodborne Complete Guide at Amazon for $60 ahead of its September 30 release.

Bloodborne Complete Edition Guide

$60

This massive volume clocks in at 736 pages and encompasses everything from beginner tips and tricks to a bestiary containing useful info about enemies. It'll also give you a walkthrough on how to explore every area in the game, including The Old Hunters DLC. The text is accompanied by work of From Software's concept artists, making this the ultimate companion for fans of the game. It's especially useful if you're shooting for 100% completion, with info on how to best accomplish the daunting feat.

The Bloodborne Complete Edition Guide also comes with a "bonus chest" that gets you the following goodies:

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Fortnite Reload Mode Is Live, Exclusive Loot Available For Those Who Like A Challenge

Fortnite is going back to its roots with the launch of Fortnite Reload, an exciting new mode available for both Battle Royale and Zero Build. Featuring classic weapons, iconic locations, and an old-school Fortnite aesthetic, Fortnite Reload is a futuristic twist on Fortnite's past.

Fortnite Reload (which launched just after Saturday's Metallica concert) takes place on a smaller map that includes familiar locales like Tilted Towers and Retail Row, where 10 four-person squads will face off inside a Storm that shrinks much faster than it does in standard matches.

Fortnite Reload also features a twist that seems to take inspiration from Call of Duty: Warzone--players who are eliminated can reboot, provided that at least one of their fellow squadmates is alive. But there are some limitations. Here's how rebooting works in Fortnite Reload:

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Inside Out 2 Passes Dune 2 To Become 2024's Highest Grossing Movie

For the last few years, Pixar's animated flicks haven't struck box office gold in the way that the studio's earlier films did. Last year's Elemental proved to have legs, but Inside Out 2 is the comeback that Pixar was hoping for. After opening last weekend with$154.4 million, Inside Out 2 is estimated to have added $100 million this past weekend, making it only the seventh film to hit that milestone in its second weekend. Now, Inside Out 2 has officially passed Dune: Part Two to become the highest grossing movie of 2024.

Via Deadline, Inside Out 2's new running totals are $355 million domestically, and $724 million worldwide. By comparison, Dune: Part Two had $282 million domestically, and $711 million worldwide. Inside Out 2's continuing dominance could mean that next weekend's new arrival, A Quiet Place: Day One, may have to settle for second place.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die continued to perform well in second place with $18.7 million in its third weekend, which brings its total to $146.9 million. The Bikeriders made its debut with a third place finish and $10 million. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes edged closer to the end of its second month at the box office by coming in fourth place with $3.7 million. Thus far, the latest Planet of the Apes film has $164.4 million. Rounding out the top five, The Garfield Movie added $3.6 million to its new $85.1 million total.

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Watch GameSpot's Star Players, Which Takes You Into The Gaming Lives Of Celebrities

Today, GameSpot is premiering a brand-new show called Star Players, in which we interview celebrity guests and chat to them about their favorite video games and more.

Hosted by GameSpot's Lucy James, Star Players kicks off today with a sit-down with Monet X Change, the multi-talented, classically trained singer and winner of Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars who put out a new album, Grey Rainbow Vol. 1, back in May. Monet X Change discusses their favorite video games, how they got started playing, their favorite gaming memories, and more. They even go head-to-head with Lucy in Smash. Check out the episode below.

Guests in episodes to come include Steve-O, Aisha Tyler, and Dominic Monaghan. Steve-O is the legendary performer from Jackass, while Tyler is known for her voice roles in games like Halo: Reach and Watch Dogs. She also hosted Ubisoft's E3 press conferences back in the day. Monaghan, meanwhile, played memorable roles in the video games Quantum Break and Call of Duty: Vanguard, among others. He of course also portrayed Merry in The Lord of the Rings and Charlie on Lost.

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Palworld - How To Make And Use Plasteel

Among the many new materials that arrived with the Sakurajima DLC in Palworld is Plasteel. This is the ultimate material for any player looking to make some endgame content that will stack up against anything out in the world. Plasteel is primarily used to make armor, weapons, and other high-level base equipment. It's also a requirement to make the best Sphere in Palworld, which is extra important for capturing the top Pals from the Sakurajima DLC.

To see the entire process of crafting and using Plasteel in Palworld, take a look below.

Crafting Plasteel in Palworld

Plasteel is unlocked through the Technology menu in Palworld. You can unlock it for four Technology Points once you reach level 50, which used to be the maximum level in the game. Following the Sakurajima DLC, the max level is now level 55, and you'll find many uses for Plasteel within these new levels.

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Palworld - How To Start Sakurajima DLC

The first major expansion in Palworld has finally arrived in the form of the Sakurajima DLC. This update delivers a new island, dozens of Pals, and five extra levels to grind through in the Technology menu. While you can experience some of this content from the moment you boot up an old save, most of the DLC requires you to visit a specific location on the map.

Below, you can see exactly where to go to start the Sakurajima DLC in Palworld.

Finding the Sakurajima Island in Palworld

As you might expect, a majority of the new content in the DLC resides on the new Sakurajima Island. This island isn't on a separate map from the original island, but you won't be able to see it right when you load up an old or new save. Instead, you need to discover the island and uncover its surroundings like you did with the original Palpagos Islands map.

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Dr Disrespect's Twitch Ban Was Reportedly Due To Messaging A Minor

Four years ago, Twitch banned popular streamer Dr Disrespect AKA Herschel "Guy" Beahm from its platform for unknown reasons. According to a new report, Beahm's ban was allegedly the result of him texting a minor through Twitch's now-defunct Whispers messaging system and offering to meet up with them at Twitchcon.

A former Twitch employee who asked to remain anonymous when they spoke to The Verge explained that a "significant" amount of time had passed from when Beahm had allegedly sent the messages between himself and the minor, and when the moderation report about the messages was filed.

Possibly linked to the claims are new comments from Cody Conners, another former Twitch employee, who worked in the company's strategic partnerships team. While Beahm isn't named in the X/Twitter posts, Conners did write last week "He got banned because [he] got caught sexting a minor in the then-existing Twitch Whispers product. He was trying to meet up with her at TwitchCon. The powers that be could read in plain text."

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At Least One Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree Boss Is Just Two Guys In A Costume

Shadow of the Erdtree doesn't waste any time reminding you that you will die frequently, as an early encounter with the Divine Beast Dancing Lion boss is brutal. Inspired by Chinese lion dances, it turns out that this boss is actually two dudes in a coat masquerading as a monster and not some horrible abomination dreamt up by its creators. It's just like all those kids in Saturday-morning cartoons pretending to be adults when they hid themselves under a trenchcoat and combined their height to sneak past concert security.

As discovered by YouTuber BonfireVN (via Endgadget), Divine Beast Dancing Lion is comprised of one person in the front who attacks while pantomiming as a monster, while another crouched enemy in the rear controls the body. This is pretty accurate to how real-life Chinese lion dancers perform, and From Software went so far as to animate both of the deadly dancers beneath the costume. It turns out that not everything has to be a grotesque monster after all. It's a lovely extra layer of detail, even though you won't have time to see it because you'll be too busy dodging its attacks.

If you're just getting started and you're finding Shadow of the Erdtree to be pretty tough, you can check out our Elden Ring DLC guides hub for some tips and tricks. The expansion has been a critical hit--GameSpot's first review in 2024 that scored a perfect 10--and The Witcher developer CD Projekt Red has congratulated From Software for breaking a long-standing record set by the Polish studio.

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War Thunder Dev Apologizes After Accidentally Using Image Of Challenger Disaster

War Thunder developer Gaijin Entertainment has issued an apology after accidentally using a picture of the Space Shuttle Challenger exploding in the game's artwork.

With each new patch released for War Thunder, a new loading screen is added that reflects its contents, and these can also be downloaded as wallpapers from the developer's website. In this case, the most-recent screens include War Thunder's newest Seek & Destroy update, but appeared to also show an infamous image of the Challenger explosion. The issue was first noticed by users on Reddit as well as those on War Thunder's forums.

At first, some users speculated that it could've been an AI image, but Gaijin Entertainment addressed the issue, saying, "Hey guys, yeah please accept our apologies for this, the picture was part of an aerial explosion reference pack used by our artists and the context was lost." Gaijin also said the key art would be changed on Monday and it's taking steps to make sure that this issue doesn't happen again.

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Dredge, One Of 2023's Breakout Hits, Is Getting A Cool Collector's Edition For Switch And PS5

The breakout indie hit Dredge has had a great year. Since first launching in March 2023, the spooky-yet-wholesome fishing game earned award a nomination for best indie game at The Game Awards, teamed up with last year's other big fishing game Dave the Diver, and has a big new DLC expansion called The Iron Rig on the way. And Dredge fans have more than just the expansion to look forward to. A physical collector's edition filled tons of goodies releases later this year.

Dredge Complete Collector's Edition launches November 19 for PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Along with the collectibles, this new physical edition includes the Iron Rig DLC. Compared to many collector's editions, Dredge's $100 price feels like a bargain. Preorders are available now at Best Buy for both platforms.


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The Minecraft Manga Is Real, Available To Preorder

You probably already know that Minecraft will soon be getting an official movie and a TV show, but did you know it'll also be a manga in the near future, too? Well, technically it already exists--the Minecraft manga originally made its debut in 2020 in CoroCoro magazine, but its finally getting an English localization by VIZ Media next year.

Preorders are now live for the Minecraft manga--a sentence many of you never expected to ever read--and you can get the first volume through Amazon for $12 ahead of its March 11, 2025 release.

The Japanese edition of Minecraft Vol. 1
The Japanese edition of Minecraft Vol. 1

Based on the official synopsis, it sounds like the Minecraft manga hits the main appeals of the video game version, featuring a big, adventurous story about exploration, crafting, and slashing zombies. "Peaceful life in a perfectly constructed town bores 10-year-old Nico into mischief," the description reads. "Riding Creepers while they explode is fun and all, but what he really wants is to escape the blocky confines of his home and take his crafting skills on an adventure to the ends of the Overworld. Just how big is the world, anyway, and what could stand in his way? Nico gets his chance to prove how strong he's become when zombies attack! After modding an innovative solution to repel the undead foes, Nico earns the right to go on the adventure he’s always wanted. But right away, he runs into another zombie…and this one can talk!"

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Official Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Merch Is Now Available

A bunch of new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 merch is available ahead of the game's upcoming release later this year. The merch drop is officially licensed and available online from the Call of Duty Shop.

The majority of the new Black Ops 6 merch is apparel featuring art and iconography from the game, such as this T-shirt with the "The Truth Lies" slogan and graffitied Mt. Rushmore design on the back. The shirt starts at $30 and is available in white or black and various sizes, from men's small to men's 4XL. You can also pick up other tees, hoodies, and hats with the Black Ops 6 logo in various colors and sizing options.

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Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Release Date May Have Leaked From GameStop

GameStop has posted what appears to be the release date for the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. The remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 doesn't have an official release date at the moment, but a recent post from GameStop implies that the game will be out on November 17.

In a now deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), the video game retailer wrote, "Prepare to slay in Metal Gear Solid [Delta]: Snake Eater. Where stealth & survival meet savagery! Coming 11.17." That release date of November 17 hasn't been posted anywhere else and GameStop's own website has a placeholder date of December 31, 2025, listed as the game's release. The post was up for over an hour before being deleted.

GameStop has since deleted the post.
GameStop has since deleted the post.

It's not immediately clear if this is an unintentional leak or if the date in the post is a mistake. It's important to point out that November 17, 2004 was the release date of the original Metal Gear Solid 3, so either the date is an homage to the original, or someone accidentally pulled the old date for the post. November 17 falls on a Sunday this year, which would be abnormal for a video game release, as they typically release on Tuesday or Friday.

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Asus ROG Ally Bundle Is Only $400 At Best Buy, Comes With Official Travel Case

PC gaming handhelds are one of the most convenient ways to play your Steam, GOG, or Game Pass Ultimate libraries on the go, but they're also pricey. Luckily, if you've been waiting for a solid deal on one of the best of these devices, you can save $100 on multiple models of the Asus ROG Ally at Best Buy right now. To sweeten the deal, you get the official travel case and one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with your purchase. The ROG Ally is the most popular Windows-based gaming handheld, and these deals are the best yet for both models.

With this deal, you can grab the ROG Ally with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU for just $550 (was $650), or the model with the standard Ryzen Z1 chip for just $400 (was $500). The included carrying case normally costs $40, so you're actually saving $140 in total.

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Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3: The Best Landing Spots During Wrecked


Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 brought us another major new addition to the battle royale map, with a massive new desert region on the southern side of the island that includes several new major locations while only fully getting rid of one of the existing ones. So while nearly all of our favorite landing spots from last season are still around, the island's balance has been upset by the addition of a bunch of new locations that are all on one side of the map--not to mention the new roaming bosses that spawn in a few possible locations each game.

So when it came time to decide which landing spots have been working out the best for me thus far, it didn't take long to realize I'm biased toward the southern part of the map where all the new stuff is. It's just such a departure from how the rest of the Chapter 5 island looks, and we haven't had a desert region like this in battle royale since Chapter 3. So the addition of a desert is well overdue, and it's a very cool area--the only way they could have made it better is by putting a Butter Barn out there somewhere. Maybe next season?

In the meantime, I've got a few spots that I've found have worked out pretty well for me as recurring landing zones. Some will have you in a fight right away, and others will get you off to a quiet start--but what really matters is they're all better than just dropping down at a random spot inside a random named location. Let's take a look.


The Nitrodrome


The Nitrodrome is that rare location that's perfect for free-for-all sort of battles. It's easy to lose yourself in the maze-like architecture. There's tons of cars and car upgrades, so it's the easiest landing spot to run away from if it's too much. Hanging around the arena for 60 seconds will spawn tons of good loot, including Nitro fists, and this is the only location that always has a boss NPC and boss car. And it's in the middle of the map, so it's usually in the circle for a long time. The Nitrodrome is the complete package. But it's also a spot you have to play by ear--this is a chaos zone, for sure.


That small shack to the north of the Nitrodrome


For solos, this is a good pivot spot because it has three slurp cacti and enough other loot that you'll be ready to fight quickly, and a car parked out front for a fast getaway if needed. It's going to be fairly rare for there to be enough loot for multiple people here, but there's a service station pretty close to the north that can help as well.


Any gas station


Aside from the Nitrodrome, the best place to get a well-equipped car quickly is one of the gas stations--not just any random Season 3 service station, but specifically one of the gas stations that have been on the map all season. These gas stations always have all three car upgrades, along with a decent assortment of loot and a vending machine. So any of them will get you serious bang for your buck.


Peabody's house


The pea man's house has all the same amenities as a gas station, but with way more stuff otherwise. While a gas station is probably a better landing place for a smaller group, this house has enough loot to support a full squad.


Class Courts clubhouse


Anecdotally, Classy Courts has been a lot quieter this season thanks to the new region being on the opposite end of the map, so you're more likely to be able to land here without being harassed now. But on top of that, Oscar the Tiger lives in the clubhouse now, and if you beat him in a duel you get his mythic Frenzy Shotgun. But when enemies land here with you, be sure to drop at the big clubhouse vs the courts--the cover of the building will save your life more often than not.


Wasteland Challenge 1


This little outpost south of Reckless Railways was a favored spot of mine last season because it's got a decent amount of loot and it's sitting right in between a bunker and a weather station. And in Season 3 it got even better with the addition of a Wasteland Challenge pickup. With a challenge, you'll have to deal with some complicating factor--like taking 5 points of health damage every time you stand still, for example--but you'll also get bonus XP as you play. And since you can only pick up a challenge before the third storm circle, landing near one of these is a must if you want to play with one. But since this one is located in the middle of the map, it can be fraught sometimes to drop here.


Wasteland Challenge 2


The only other place to get a Wasteland Challenge is this small spot on the southernmost point of the island. In addition to the challenge, there are several chests to loot, an NPC who sells Boom Bolts, a bunch of slurp cacti so you can easily and quickly shield up, and usually a vehicle. It's at the edge of the world, yes, but it's also close to all the new stuff, so it's a good spot to get started from.


Brutal Beachhead at the boss car garage


This beached ship is kind of an awkward spot because of its verticality, but slightly to the west of it (under the L in Brutal on your mini-map) is a smaller building that holds Megalo Don's SUV when he spawns there. This little building has become my main starting point for Brutal Beachhead because it's a much more contained situation than the rest of the ship is. But don't dilly dally here--there's not that much loot in the building, so this is just your, ahem, beachhead for this location before you go hunting for your enemies.


Sandy Steppes at Hope


Snooty Steppes, best known as the former home of Peter Griffin, got a significant makeover when it was buried in sand--it's a really cool change, if we're being honest. And if you land near the NPC Hope on the eastern end of town, you'll have access to three weapon chests that guarantee at least blue-quality weapons, and Hope herself sells a purple-quality Tactical Assault Rifle and Shockwave Grenades. In other words, if you land in this house, you'll very quickly be ready to fight as sweatily as you want.


Mount Olympus throne room


Mount Olympus may seem a little bit lackluster without Zeus and his equipment, but the throne room is now home to Artemis, the only current hireable NPC that will ping enemies. So while this spot may have lost a lot of its luster this season, Artemis's presence makes it a destination even so.


Save Big On Upcoming Tolkien Box Sets And New Lord Of The Rings Collector's Editions

Target Circle members can dive into a massive buy one, get one 50% off sale encompassing video games, board games puzzles, books, and more. As far as books are concerned, few in the catalog are as enticing as those written by J.R.R. Tolkien, with a variety of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books eligible for the savings.

Before perusing the collection, be sure to sign up for Target Circle. Membership is entirely free and it takes just a few seconds to sign up. You can then add any two eligible items to your shopping cart to see the discount automatically applied. Here's a look at our favorite Tolkien deals at Target, including limited editions, illustrations, and collector's editions up for preorder. And you can flip through Target's entire library of Tolkien books here.

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Halo Was A No-Show At Xbox's Press Conference, But Here's A Month-Old Infinite Trailer

Xbox's 2024 Showcase came and went without any mention of Halo Infinite or Halo in general, but the official Halo X account did share a month-old Halo Infinite trailer a day later.

This year's Xbox Showcase, the first since Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, was without a doubt one to remember, featuring new installments from heavy-hitting franchises like Call of Duty, Doom, Fable, Gears of War, and the reboot of Perfect Dark. What wasn't shown or mentioned was Halo, the franchise whose lead character, the Master Chief, has long served as a mascot for the Xbox brand and, until Microsoft's acquisition of Call of Duty, has arguably always been its most recognizable game franchise.

This is Halo Infinite ♾️ pic.twitter.com/1Shtr2QBM1

— Halo (@Halo) June 10, 2024

That made Halo's absence during the showcase even more noticeable. Not even Halo Infinite was mentioned, further solidifying the writing on the wall that the 2021 title, which is not receiving story DLC or future multiplayer seasons, is reaching the end of its life. Developer 343 Industries has said nearly as much, having already publicly said the studio is changing priorities and looking to ramp up development on future Halo projects.

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WWE Clash At The Castle 2024: Match Card, How To Watch, Start Times, And Everything To Know


WWE's Clash at the Castle returns for 2024 as the UK-based PLE heads to Glasgow, Scotland for the latest installment. This is the second time WWE has held this event, with the first being in 2022.

This year's Glasgow event will take place at the OVO Hydro on June 15. As of this writing, there are five matches confirmed for the card, with each of them being contested for WWE championships.We have a few predictions about some of these matches, and possible title changes, below.

Much like the first installation on the event, 2024's Clash at the Castle is being built around WWE wrestler Drew McIntyre. In 2022, he headlined the event and faced Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Ultimately, he lost. Now, two years later, McIntyre takes on Damian Priest for the World Heavyweight Championship. It's unknown whether or not this will be headlining the event or opening the PLE--the former seems more likely, considering there's an "I Quit" match on the card.

Chances are there's a lot you may be wondering about this event, which takes place in Europe. "What time is this show airing in my time zone?" You may be wondering about the match card, how to stream the PLE, and maybe you're salivating for a couple predictions. Don't worry, we have all the info you need to know about the upcoming Clash of the Castle event. Check it all out below.

For more info about what's happening in WWE, check out every wrestler released in 2024.


How to watch Clash at the Castle


If you want to know who will win the crown, then you'll have to subscribe to Peacock, which includes other WWE live events and costs $6 a month. There's also the $12 a month option which allows you to download content for offline viewing and watch movies or TV shows without ads. If you're a premium subscriber, what you'll get during WWE PLEs instead of commercials is video recaps of the various feuds leading into matches.

There are multiple ways to watch Peacock. Aside from watching it on mobile devices and PC, you can stream the service on Amazon Fire devices, Android TV, Apple TV, LG Smart TVs, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xfinity, and more.


Start time for Clash at the Castle


  • 11 AM PT
  • 1 PM CT
  • 2 PM ET
  • 7 PM BST
  • 4 AM AEST (June 16)

Clash of the Castle returns to Glasgow, Scotland, and because of this, most American audiences will get to enjoy this PLE during a lovely Saturday afternoon. Once again, sorry Australia because this PLE airs super-early in the morning for all of you. Like previous PLEs, there will be a Kickoff Show, which will highlight the ongoing storylines leading to Clash of the Castle. So if you're excited to watch the show, but you aren't caught up on all the storylines, the Kickoff Show will be a great place to catch up.


Match card for Clash at the Castle


Below, you'll find the match card for the WWE event. As of this writing, there are five bouts on the card, and considering previous PLEs that aren't one of "The Big Four, there may be one more match added; however, both PLE's that proceeded Clash of the Castle--The King and Queen of the Ring and Backlash France--only had five matches on the final card.

  • Damian Priest (c) vs. Drew McIntyre (World Heavyweight Championship)
  • Bayley (c) vs. Piper Niven (WWE Women's Championship)
  • Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (c) vs. Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn vs. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark (WWE Women's Tag Team Championship)
  • Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable (Intercontinental Championship)
  • Cody Rhodes (c) vs. AJ Styles ("I Quit" match for the Undisputed WWE Championship)

Predictions


Damian Priest (c) vs. Drew McIntyre (World Heavyweight Championship)

This is a tricky one. Damian Priest is a new champion, and WWE probably wants to establish him as a credible champion. However, he's up against McIntyre, who is battling-it-out in his home country in Scotland. Considering McIntyre lost the last time he was in a match at Clash in the Castle, losing again wouldn't really help him out. So the best way to go about this match is to have McIntyre win, but he needs to win in a way that doesn't allow him to win the World Heavyweight Championship. That being said, if this is the case, McIntyre will win by DQ, whether it be someone else helping Priest out, Priest using a weapon, CM Punk showing up to mess with McIntyre, or Priest getting counted out. This will lead to a rematch at Money in the Bank in July, with Priest getting a ton of heat. I don't see the title changing hands at this PLE.

Winner: McIntyre wins by DQ.


Predictions


Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (c) vs. Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn vs. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark (WWE Women's Tag Team Championship)

WWE is showcasing its top-tier women's tag teams and having them fight-it-out for the women's tag title. Luckily, it will be a triple threat match, and not one of those multi-tag matches where only two people are in the ring at the same time. Derailment aside, this is a fantastic way to put some emphasis on this division and to establish Belair and Cargill as stars. This will be a fantastic match, regardless, as each tag team brings a very specific style of wrestling to the match. But ultimately, the powerhouse team of Belair and Cargill will get the win here.

Winners: Belair and Cargill


Assassin's Creed Shadows Showcase Highlights Its Two Very Different Gameplay Styles

Ubisoft gave us the deepest look yet at Assassin's Creed Shadows--previously codenamed Assassin's Creed Red--during its Ubisoft Forward presentation. This game stars dual protagonists, the stealthy shinobi Naoe and the real-life samurai Yasuke.

The demonstration began with Yasuke riding across the countryside on horseback and then exploring a village on foot. The villagers reacted to the presence of a samurai with respect, and some even bowed. We also saw a cute moment where he found a dog and gave it a friendly pet before talking with a woman about a recent violent threat to her village. So he went off to investigate and the problem, sensing corruption in the village that is effectively dividing the people there. He's confronted in the street by a rival samurai who wants him to leave the situation well enough alone, and quickly dispatches him and his allies. His weapon--called a kanabo--isn't what you may expect from a samurai, though, resembling a steel spiked club. He then switches to using a more traditional katana for the second phase of the fight. When he takes out the leader, there's a special transition to mark the beheading.

Another fighter attempts to ambush Yasuke, but Naoe intervenes. The two exchange some dialogue, and there's a player-select screen to choose how to approach the next part of the mission: directly with Yasuke or stealthily as Naoe. For the demo, it transitioned to Naoe, who skulked across rooftops, around corners, and through tall grass in an enemy encampment. We get to see her sneak into a building and stab someone through a door, before sensing the target on his way and hiding on the ceiling. She follows him outside and sneaks through the water to get a good vantage point before stabbing him, but that alerts his guards. That kicks off a more-direct combat sequence, but Naoe's combat looks more distinct with lighter, ranged attacks. After killing a few guards, she runs off to escape the camp.

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Here's How Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Works On Game Pass

We know that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is coming to Xbox Game Pass (and PC Game Pass) when it drops this October, and now we have the full details on how Game Pass subscribers will access it. Activision has published a massive blog on the official Call of Duty site to explain how it all works, but we've boiled it down for you in a few sentences below.

Basically, Game Pass subscribers will be able to access Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 at launch on October 25 if they are actively subscribed to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console. As you might expect, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers have access to both the PC and Xbox versions of the game, as well as Multiplayer and Zombies modes on both platforms. However, those with a Game Pass Console subscription must also have a Game Pass Core pass in order to play Black Ops 6's online modes like Zombies, as well as general multiplayer. Subscribers can further upgrade to the game's Vault Edition (MSRP of $30 US) to receive benefits like a Mastercraft Weapon Collection and the Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack.

To access preorder bonuses like the Open Beta Early Access and the Woods Operator Pack, Game Pass subscribers must log in to Modern Warfare 3 or Warzone on the platform where they hold their subscription at some point before October 25. It's not clear when this open beta will take place, but subscribers should look out for concrete dates at some point soon. Additionally, if you unsubscribe to Game Pass, you naturally lose access to Black Ops 6 unless you resub or buy it outright.

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Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora Sky Breaker DLC Continues The Story In July

Ubisoft's Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora The Sky Breaker DLC is coming July 16, Ubisoft revealed during its Ubisoft Forward press conference, continuing the story of the open-world shooter set in the same universe as James Cameron's blockbuster film franchise.

Picking up after the game's main story, the Na'vi are celebrating their victory with an Olympic-like sports festival called The Great Games. The games, however, are interrupted when a massive ship crashes into the festivities, once again forcing the Na'vi to take action to defend their home again the RDA.

The Sky Breaker DLC will take players to a new location: The Heart of the Plains. They'll also encounter a new enemy type--the AMP Defender--a mech-suit equipped with a huge riot shield and gatling gun, as well as more well-equipped RDA lieutenants. Players will be able to take on various challenges as part of The Great Games' festivities. The DLC will also further extend the game's character progression, adding the ability to reach master crafter status and new Legendary-rarity items alongside new ways to spend skill points.

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Giancarlo Esposito's First Marvel Movie Revealed

Earlier this month, Giancarlo Esposito couldn't resist telling fans at CCXP Mexico that he had finally been cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At the time, Esposito declined to share any details about his character or where he would show up. But he did say it would happen "sooner than you think." And he was right, because the project is filming right now and it will be in theaters early next year.

Via The Hollywood Reporter, Esposito has been added to the cast of Captain America: Brave New World, which will be Marvel's first movie of 2025. The secrecy surrounding Esposito's character is so tight that his role is reportedly listed as "undisclosed" on the call sheets. However, THR is reporting that Esposito is playing a "villainous role."

Esposito had a career resurgence after portraying Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, a role he reprised for the prequel series Better Call Saul. Since then, Esposito has portrayed villains in The Mandalorian and Revolution, and a morally ambivalent character on Prime Video's The Boys.

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Mike Flanagan Is Terrified To Reboot The Exorcist

As announced earlier this week, Mike Flanagan has officially signed on to direct the next Exorcist movie, which is a clean break from the previously planned trilogy. Flanagan has a "radical new take" on the classic franchise. But that doesn't mean he isn't intimidated by the task at hand.

"For The Exorcist specifically, I'm f***ing terrified," said Flanagan at an ATX panel via SlashFilm. The director gave that answer in response to a question about handling the creative freedom to do what he wants, along with the pressure of living up to the expectations that come with the franchise.

"With The Exorcist, there's a lot of pressure, but thankfully there are a lot of bodies on the field of people who have stepped on landmines," joked Flanagan. He went on to praise William Peter Blatty's Exorcist sequel novel, Legion, as well as The Exorcist III. However, Flanagan was particularly enthusiastic about the short-lived 2016 Exorcist TV series that aired for two seasons on Fox.

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Call of Duty: Game Pass' Savior? | Spot On

Call of Duty is one of gaming's biggest series. Xbox Game Pass is one of gaming's biggest services. It only makes sense then that one of Xbox's priorities--particularly after purchasing Call of Duty's publisher, Activision--was ensuring the next title in the series is available on Game Pass.

Fortunately for Xbox and Call of Duty fans already subscribed to Game Pass, Microsoft recently confirmed that the next Call of Duty, Black Ops 6, will be included in the subscription service. Yet we can't help but wonder if having Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Game Pass will actually move the needle for Microsoft. Sure, Call of Duty has a built in, loyal fanbase, but will fans who traditionally play on other consoles be motivated to enter the Microsoft ecosystem? Will those not wanting to shell out $70 to purchase the game outright be attracted by Game Pass' lower price point?

On this week’s Spot On, Tam and Lucy discuss that state of Microsoft and AAA gaming in general, the potential for a Game Pass price hike, and whether they think BLOPS 6 will be the title to give Game Pass a much needed shot in the arm.

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Popular Apple And Beelink Mini PCs Are Even More Budget-Friendly Than Usual At Amazon

Mini PCs are a nice alternative to full-size desktops or laptops. They can be used with standard keyboards, mice, and monitors just like a regular desktop PC, but they're more affordable. Their small, compact size also makes them easy to fit on your desk or even carry around with you in a backpack. If that sounds like the kind of PC setup that's right for you and you're looking to pick one up, then you're in luck--You can save on a bunch mini PCs at Amazon right now, including a dozen models from Beelink, which is the most popular mini PC brand on Amazon.

Beelink Mini S12
Beelink Mini S12

The prices of these mini PCs range based on the included hardware, with the most affordable being this Beelink Mini S12 Pro model that's down to $159 (was $199). It sports a 12th Gen Intel CPU, 16GB RAM, and a 500GB SSD. If you need something stronger, the Beelink SER5 Max with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD is available for $389 (was $459).

These mini PCs are designed for general use and home office functionality, but some can handle some light gaming. The model best suited for gaming is this Beelink SER7 configuration that includes a dedicated AMD Radeon 780M GPU, along with a Ryzen 7 CPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD. It's available for $550 (was $749).

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One Of The Best Games Of 2023 Is Getting A Physical Release

A physical edition of the incredible indie adventure game Cocoon is launching on Nintendo Switch and PS5, courtesy of the folks at iam8bit. Not only is this a great opportunity to add one of the best games of 2023 to your collection, but the new Cocoon physical edition will also include five bonus art cards exclusive to the new release.

The Cocoon physical edition launches for $30 on September 13, and preorders are available now.

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Save Big On Pokemon Scarlet And Violet Double Pack

If you haven't played the latest mainline Pokemon games, you can pick up the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Double Pack for $90 on eBay. You're saving $30 off list price with this bundle ($15 per game). Scarlet and Violet are part of a small group of Switch games that only rarely drop below $50, so this is a pretty solid deal, especially if multiple members of your household like Pokemon. If this deal sells out, Walmart has the bundle for $100.

You don't have to play both of them to get the full Pokemon experience, so if you're looking to share the experience with a friend or family member, here's an easy way to do so. Plus, you'll be able to easily trade the Pokemon that are exclusive to each game.

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How To Unlock Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door’s Secret Character

There’s a secret Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door party member you can unlock if you put in a bit of effort, but the classic RPG does a pretty good job hiding what you need to do. She might not be much help in combat, but her field skill is one of the most useful in the game--especially if you’re keen on tracking down every secret.

We explain how to unlock the secret character in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door below and whether she’s worth the effort. Of course, be mindful that this guide is one big spoiler.

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Halo Infinite Finally Adds A Great Feature From MCC

343 is finally adding Match Composer to Halo Infinite, a multiplayer feature previously seen in The Master Chief Collection that makes finding a game much easier. Match Composer will launch alongside the latest Operation on June 4.

As explained in a Halo blog post, Match Composer is a feature that allows players to find very specific kinds of matches. For example, if someone is looking for Team Slayer, a 4v4 game, all they have to do is select those, and they'll be launched into a queue looking for that specific game type.

The blog post explains that every mode will be turned on by default. So, players must turn off which game modes they don't want to look for. It's worth pointing out that if players are looking for a very specific game, it may take longer to find a match than someone with every mode turned on.

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Ghost of Tsushima Is Another Solid, Slightly Unambitious, PlayStation PC Port

As Sony continues to bring many of its acclaimed PlayStation console exclusives to PC, each release seems to be getting better in terms of quality and stability. Ghost of Tsushima is the latest to uphold this trend, with developer Nixxes showing yet again how valuable of a purchase it was in the pursuit of this PC-focused endeavor. Taking the work done by Sucker Punch on the PlayStation 4 and translating it to a smooth PC experience might sound trivial in the face of more demanding projects such as Returnal and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, but it doesn't make the final product any less impressive when you're able to get it running far beyond even the PlayStation 5 version's level of visuals and performance.

Ghost of Tsushima on PC is the complete package, including the post-launch multiplayer mode Legends (which requires a PSN account to play) and the entertaining Iki Island DLC that extends protagonist Jin Sakai's adventure. There's a lot to play here, especially taking into account the scope of the main adventure. It's a story that takes some time to get going, but fully earns its pacing through moments such as the breath-taking late title card screen and captivating set-piece battles that bookend its main acts. Ghost of Tsushima's open-world design feels slightly old given the time since its original release, but it's no less captivating to make your way across the gorgeous island the game takes place on.

On PC, Tsushima looks better than ever, too. There are some small improvements that help its visuals surpass those of the PS5 version, including some upgrades to volumetric fog and smaller visual enhancements to make the world look sharper to the eye. It's hard to pick these out without a direct comparison to the console version, however, with Nixxes holding back large changes such as ray-traced lighting or global illumination, which is disappointing given how both have become commonplace in modern games. Ghost of Tsushima side-steps its age with a timeless visual design. Colors are vibrant and accentuated, bringing to life forests laden with warm autumn hues and providing an eye-catching contrast between the lush wildlife and the oppressive Mongol structures that have started infecting it.

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Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Collector's Edition Soundtrack Preorders Live At Amazon

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is undoubtedly one of the best Switch games of all time. Weaving an engaging narrative with inventive gameplay mechanics and a sprawling world to explore, the successor to Breath of the Wild quickly proved it was far more than just an asset flip. A sometimes overlooked part of its success is its soundtrack, which is filled with powerful tracks that help bring the diverse world of Hyrule to life. And if you want to keep listening to its music while away from your Switch and have a cool display piece, you'll be glad to know that Tears of the Kingdom: Official Soundtrack preorders are now open.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Original Soundtrack

The Tears of the Kingdom: Original Soundtrack is expected to begin shipping in August. Amazon lists the release date as August 9, while Play Asia lists it for August 5. You will, however, get it sooner from Amazon if you live in the US, simply because you'll be importing from overseas at Play Asia.

The Tears of the Kingdom original soundtrack includes over 200 tracks across nine discs. Each disc features gorgeous Zelda iconography and comes with a large, decorative storage case.

Note: Play Asia's price is $72 plus shipping and import fees, while Amazon's price is $136, at least for the time being. If you preorder from Amazon now, you won't be charged until your order ships in August. Plus, you will pay the lowest price offered between the time you order and release. It's highly unlikely this soundtrack will actually sell for $136 on Amazon. We'd expect it to drop significantly--close to Play Asia's price--before release. So you could secure your preorder now and cancel later if the launch price is too high.

That said, we wouldn't be surprised if this edition sells out, so you may want to secure your preorder and then cancel later if you think the launch price is too high.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Original Soundtrack Collector's Edition

Step up to the collector's edition and you'll get the same nine discs as the standard edition as well as a stylish Master Sword USB Player with 15 additional tracks. You'll also get a case with an exclusive design, giving you an easy way to store the volume when not in use.

Note: Amazon is currently charging $194 for the collector's edition version of the Tears of the Kingdom soundtrack (versus $120 plus import fees at Play Asia). Just like with the standard edition, it's unlikely you'll actually wind up spending $194. That said, we would expect this edition to sell out, so you may want to secure your preorder and then cancel your order closer to launch if you decide against getting it.

While you're waiting for these to ship, consider checking out the existing collection of Zelda soundtracks. This includes music from Wind Waker, Majora's Mask, and Breath of the Wild. For good measure, we've also tossed in two great Mario soundtracks--one of which was released to celebrate the series' 30th anniversary. Most of these soundtracks have limited stock and prices fluctuate frequently.

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Snag 10 Epic Strategy Games And Expansions For Only $20

Fanatical's new Tabletop Wargame Bundle lets you build your own collection of epic strategy PC games for as low as $2 per game. Each of the titles on offer is based on large-scale tabletop-style wargames--hence the bundle's name--and let you wage battles in various settings like ancient Rome, Sengoku-era Japan, high fantasy, and more.

Fanatical's Tabletop Wargame Bundle has five games and 21 DLC packs to choose from, and your total savings depend on how many you add to your bundle. The base games are Field of Glory: Empires, Field of Glory II, Field of Glory II: Medieval, Fantasy General II: Invasion, and Sengoku Jidai: Shadow of the Shogun. The rest of the content includes paid DLC for all five titles that add extra units, factions, single-player campaigns, and more.

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12 Video Game TV Shows That Were Actually Awesome


TV adaptations of video games are nothing new. Back in the '80s, we had the Super Mario Bros. Super Show, The Legend of Zelda, Captain N: The Game Master, Pac-Man, and others. As we got into the '90s, we saw even more. However, the difference between the TV shows of the '80s and those of the decades that followed is that the quality got a whole lot better. More recently, we've seen Fallout and The Last of Us, which aren't only great adaptations, but also amazing standalone TV series.

We're in another golden age of television, with there being so many options and so much content, and the stuff that is good tends to be very high-quality. Because of this, we're seeing more and more video games being adapted to the small screen as studios look for stories that people may be familiar with but could find brand-new life in a different medium, and some of these TV adaptations we've seen have been really good.

There have also been some really bad ones, like The Witcher: Blood Origins and others. Sometimes, creative teams just don't have a good grasp on what makes a game great or some games just can't be adapted to television.

Looking through the history of video-game adaptations for television--yes, even at Sonic the Hedgehog, Darkstalkers, Double Dragon, and others--we've found 12 TV series that not only got their inspiration from pretty great video games, but managed to take that inspiration and turn it into a great show.

For more adaptation lists, check out every video game movie currently in the works and the highest-grossing video game movies.


12. Maniac Mansion (1990)


The original Maniac Mansion was a point-and-click computer adventure by LucasArts Games released in 1987. It was a comedic game, poking fun at B-horror movies. The story followed a group of teens trying to get back their friend from a mad scientist who controls her with a sentient meteor. The game was innovative, as the term "cutscene" was coined upon its release.

The 1990 Maniac Mansion TV series may not be something you've ever heard of, as it primarily aired on YTV (a popular Canadian network) and on The Family Channel (now known as Freeform). It featured SCTV alumni and was written by John Hemphill (Schitt's Creek), Paul Flaherty (Primetime Glick), and Eugene Levy (Schitt's Creek). The story focused on a mad scientist and his family living in a mansion. While it might not follow the plot of the game, it fits the tone and the world it takes place in. Maniac Mansion feels like its own thing weaving its mythos into the world of the game. It's a self-aware, ridiculous comedy that feels like a precursor, in tone and style, to Eerie, Indiana.

Where to watch: YouTube


11. Street Fighter II V (1995)


Street Fighter is that video-game series where two people with incredibly deep backstories fight each other in various locations. That's the short and sweet summary of the game series. It was a revolutionary title in arcades, helping popularize the one-on-one fighting genre, which ruled over arcades--followed by gaming consoles--for decades.

There are two Street Fighter TV shows: the American one (terrible) and the Japanese anime (awesome). The anime is titled Street Fighter II V and lasts for a single season. Over the course of its 29 episodes, the show follows Ken and Ryu--following a recent defeat by Guile-- as they attempt to become better fighters. Along their journey, they come across other fighters and find themselves coming up against Shadowlaw (Shadaloo). It's a little bit of a departure from the stories in the games, as well as the feature-length anime, but Street Fighter II V is a great, character-driven story featuring characters you love. Sure, it may stray a little from the very deep SF lore, but it does so in a very loving and engaging way.

Where to watch: YouTube


10. The Witcher (2019)


In the Witcher series, you take control of a monster hunter named Geralt to hunt down various monsters, helping the good people of the fantasy realm called the Continent. At least, that's what you're supposed to do. In reality, you spend the majority of your time working on side quests and building your Gwent deck by playing the card game against NPCs in order to collect special cards. The Witcher is an incredibly fun and engaging game, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the handful of games GameSpot has reviewed that received a 10/10/ over the years.

Netflix adapted the story and elements from both the video games and original novels for its 2019 series. Since then, it's run for three seasons, with a fourth and final installment on the way. The Witcher captures the spirit and tone of the video games exceptionally well, filling the series with drama, intrigue, and some great fight sequences. And of course, the series also has some exceptionally cool-looking monsters, which Geralt has to fight off, or run from.

Where to watch: Netflix


9. Pokemon (1997)


Do I have to explain what Pokemon is? Regardless, I will. You play as a Pokemon trainer, searching the world to capture the strange mostly-little pocket-monster creatures, trapping them in softball-sized containers. From there, you use your collection of creatures to fight those captured by others. No matter which way you put it, Pokemon is a great game but has a dark underbelly.

In 1997, Pokemon became an anime series--one year after the Game Boy games were released--and it's still running today. The series primarily follows Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum and his beloved free-range Pokemon, Pickachu, as Ash works to become the greatest Pokemon trainer in the world and attempts to catch each type of Pokemon. With the show running since 1997, the series has well over 1,200 episodes in its run, beating out One Piece by a couple hundred. Pokemon is a fun show with a good heart. At its core, it remains nostalgic comfort food that's still fun to watch today.

Where to watch: Hulu/Apple TV+


8. Castlevania (2017)


The first game in this long-running franchise was released in 1986. Castlevania is a 2D platformer where you fight spooky supernatural beings, all on your quest to kill Dracula as you explore numerous areas and face obstacles that can be incredibly difficult.

Netflix debuted an animated series based in the Castlevania world in 2017. The show follows Trevor Belmont on his journey to kill Dracula. There are many other familiar characters along Belmont's journey, like Dracula's son Alucard. What makes this particular adaptation stand out as such a strong show is that it feels just as much like a horror series as it does an action-adventure one. The series even has a follow-up, Castlevania: Nocturne, also available on Netflix; however, this series takes place during the French Revolution. Both shows are great as standalone homages to the video game series and enhance the world they're adapted from.

Where to watch: Netflix


7. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (1991)


Way back when, in the mystical '80s, not everyone owned a home computer; however, lots of schools did. So when your teacher rolled that giant PC into the classroom, you were filled with excitement. A lot of what came out of this market was educational games, with the two most notable being Oregon Trail and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? The Carmen Sandiego franchise began in 1985, and your goal was to gather clues and use those clues to travel and find a thief hiding somewhere in the world. Eventually, you'll have the case to take down Carmen Sandiego herself.

In the '80s and '90s, video-game adaptations tended to be animated series that weren't all that interesting or were huge departures from their source material. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego was a game show. Contestants (Gumshoes) would answer questions related to geography in order to catch one of Sandiego's cronies. The winner of the trivia contest would then go on to try and catch Sandiego herself while standing on a giant map of a continent. It has the spirit of the video game, but it's presented in a way that's unlike all other video-game adaptations. Also, Rockapella, an acapella group, sang the intro and outro to the show, and it's still 100% perfect.

Where to watch: YouTube


6. Arcane (2021)


League of Legends is an online battle arena game, which debuted back in 2009. Ten people choose their champions and break off into teams of five in order to defend their area and fight the other team. The game is still wildly popular, even 25 years after initial release, and it's become a prominent aspect of the current esports market.

Netflix has done a few animated adaptations of beloved properties, but few of them are as good as Arcane (In fact, there is only one better, which you'll see in a moment). The show is an animated action-adventure series that expands the world of League of Legends, following sisters Vi and Jinx, as they live in an oppressed city, which has come to odds with the upper-class. It was a huge hit for Netflix when it was first revealed and was hailed by critics for expanding the world and characters within League of Legends.

Where to watch: Netflix


5. Gangs of London (2020)


You may have never heard of the video game Gangs of London. However, it's important for this list. The open-world PSP action-adventure was released in 2006, making it the third installment in The Getaway series. It's a mixture of a Grand Theft Auto, Driver, and Max Payne clone where you play as a gangsters and head out on missions, like every other GTA clone during that time. Critically, the game wasn't well received, but there was something there worth adapting.

In 2020, Gareth Evans and Matt Flanner created a series based on the game in the UK on Sky Atlantic, and it aired on AMC+. There are currently two seasons, with a third one on the way. Gangs of London takes place after the assassination of the leader of London's most powerful crime family. The series takes ideas from the original game and expands on that world, delving into the fictional gang culture of the series as characters try to figure out who ordered the assassination. Many critics consider this series a fantastic look at modern crime families, featuring exceptional performances from a strong cast.

Where to watch: AMC+


4. Cyberpunk Edgerunners (2022)


Cyberpunk 2077 thrusts you into this dystopian futuristic society where cybernetic implants are normal and outside of these living, breathing cities, is a wild, Mad Max-esque landscape. It was a large-scale project, and while there were some early bugs in the game--which have been fixed--Cyberpunk was ultimately well-received once its issues were sorted.

Cyberpunk Edgerunners exists in the world of Cyberpunk 2077--specifically Night City--and follows David Martinez, a mercenary, who is also known as an Edgerunner. It's a layered story revolving around classism, losing your humanity, and being on the right--or wrong--side of the law. And it's all packaged in this style reminiscent of '80s and '90s anime. It's exceptionally well done. In GameSpot's Cyberpunk Edgerunners review, I said, "Studio Trigger's dive into the world created by CD Projekt Red works exceptionally well, and it's one of Netflix's best anime dealing with someone else's IP."

Where to watch: Netflix


3. Twisted Metal (2023)


The PlayStation 1 era of gaming offered up some incredible games, like Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, and many other memorable games. One of those games many remember is Twisted Metal. It's a mixture of every racing game you've already played, Mad Max, and Death Race 2000. You pick an over-the-top personality and their cool-looking vehicle that fires missiles and shoots guns. You take on other fighters in their cars and shoot each other until there is only one vehicle left standing.

Peacock's Twisted Metal series takes concepts, characters, and ideas from the world of the video game and implements them into a post-apocalyptic setting featuring a Milkman (a job in the future) making a delivery along with new frenemy "Quiet." Peacock's take on the property understands it just can't do a straight adaptation of the games. It wouldn't make sense. And while, yes, the show features plenty of characters from the original games, it's a much more grounded series that sticks with a singular character. While the original idea had some humor to it, the Twisted Metal series is incredibly funny but holds true to some of the things you loved about the original game.

Where to watch: Peacock


2. Fallout (2024)


Speaking of post-apocalyptic, one of the best franchises to come out of that genre is none other than Fallout. Taking place in a world where 1950s American Exceptionalism never ended, a great nuclear war destroyed humans' way of living in 2077. Some people stayed on the surface, while the privileged and their offspring got to live in underground vaults, safe from the radiation. Originally an isometric-perspective game, Fallout 3 became a first-person shooter, which helped propel the franchise to be one of the best in gaming.

What's great about Fallout isn't the characters--each game introduces a new set of heroes and antagonists. It's about the stories that can be told in the world. The Amazon Prime series follows Lucy, a young woman leaving her vault for the first time; Maximus, an up-and-coming member of the Brotherhood of Steel; and Cooper Howard, a former TV star who became a ghoul and lived for 200 years. It's new stories in a pre-existing, rich landscape. The stories from the games don't really need to be retold, and the Fallout TV series understands that.

Where to watch: Prime Video


1. The Last of Us (2023)


The video game series may be about a fungal pandemic that turns people into zombie-like mutants, but the heart of the story revolves around a man whose child died taking an immune girl on an escort mission to get her to people that can create a cure. In GameSpot's review of The Last of Us, Tom Mc Shea said, "The Last of Us is a singular adventure that looks the downfall of humanity in the eyes and doesn't blink."

While Fallout tells new stories in a larger world, The Last of Us goes the other way and tells the story of the first game, and why wouldn't it? It's a compelling, emotional journey that will have the viewer on the edge of their seat. HBO took a brilliant piece of art and delivered it to people that may not be gamers in a way that still connects to the emotional core of the story, set in a world that would pique their interest on paper. Who doesn't want to see an HBO show that's zombie-esque, as HBO is known for its high-quality programming? The show does veer away from the game, at times, but it's there to tell other stories about people living in this world. Overall, it's a masterpiece of an adaptation.

Where to watch: Max


Black Mirror Creator Teases USS Callister Sequel

In 2017, Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker opened up the fourth season with USS Callister, an episode that featured Jesse Plemons as Robert Daly, a man who trapped digital clones of his colleagues in his own classic Star Trek-inspired world. It was a living hell for the clones until Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) led a revolt against Daly. The episode was so well-received that Brooker has been talking about a sequel since 2018. Now, the sequel has apparently already begun production.

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Brooker explained why it took so long for the sequel to come together before letting it slip that the cast has been reunited.

"It was something we were looking at for quite a long time," said Brooker. "There were various iterations it went through, various version we wanted to do and were discussing on and off for several years. But there are a lot of schedules to sort out, and then the pandemic got in the way. It was something that looked like it wasn't going to happen, and so I was delighted when it did. So, it's been a minute. But even writing the characters is a luxury I don't often get. I've never had it before on Black Mirror, to have a character that survives beyond one episode! So that's been a lot of fun, and then seeing them all on set has been fantastic."

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Konami Shares Return To Silent Hill Movie Teaser

Earlier this week, Konami's Silent Hill Showcase offered fans a look at the upcoming remake of Silent Hill 2 as well as the new movie, Return to Silent Hill, which is based on the same story. While there wasn't a lot of footage from Return to Silent Hill during the event, a trailer is apparently closer than we believed. Now, Konami has dropped the first teaser for the trailer which features some familiar creatures from the game.

Take a look at the gripping new trailer of #RETURNTOSILENTHILL directed and produced by Christophe Gans with music composer @AkiraYamaoka.

Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/1gTcSAapnc

— Konami (@Konami) May 31, 2024

Pyramid Head and the Dark Nurses are returning from the original movies. However the story isn't directly connected to either of the two previous films. Instead, the focus is now on James Sunderland (Jeremy Irvine), a man who has received a letter from his wife, Mary (Hannah Emily Anderson), telling him to meet her in Silent Hill. That should be impossible, since Mary has been dead for years. But inside that town, reality has a way of breaking down into something far more sinister.

Konami also shared a longer behind-the-scenes video from Return to Silent Hill with returning co-writer and director Christophe Gans. Among the insights shared here, Gans reveals that every monster or creature in the film is portrayed by a dancer. And their movements are unsettling even when they aren't covered in makeup or replaced by CGI.

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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Teases New Killer Ahead Of Double XP Weekend

Gun Media and Nighthawk Interactive, the publishers behind the asymmetrical survival horror game The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, have recently teased a new Family member (the game's version of killers) to join its ever-growing roster of characters.

The news comes from a teaser posted to the official Gun Media YouTube channel. Although the video isn't that long, it starts with the character Virginia searching through a toolbox and is quickly interrupted by Hands, the newest member of the Family, the playable killers in the game. Even though this trailer doesn't show him in action, we do know that his weapon of choice will be a hammer. Gun Media is even aware of how menacing he is because, in a press release, the studio makes it a point to say, "That boy is big!"

That wasn't the only announcement that the studio made. In addition to teasing a new character, players will be able to take advantage of double XP weekend that'll take place from March 17 - 20.

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Hades 2 - How To Get More Death Defiance And Extra Lives


You'll likely experience failures in Hades 2. After all, a roguelike game is about going through multiple unsuccessful runs until you finally have the right build to take out your foes. Still, there's one particular facet that should help keep Melinoe alive. Here's our guide on how to get extra lives and Death Defiance in Hades 2.

Hades 2 Death Defiance guide: How to get more extra lives

The Hades 2 Death Defiance mechanic allows Melinoe to continue fighting. If ever her health is depleted, a Death Defiance token is consumed instead, restoring some of her HP. Here's a quick summary:

  • With all functions unlocked and upgraded, you can have +5 Death Defiance at the start of your run.
  • Boons from various deities and NPCs can also increase or replenish your tokens.
  • Some characters also have boons that cause effects depending on how many Death Defiance tokens have been consumed already.

Arcana Card: Eternity


The Eternity Arcana Card is your primary means of getting extra lives in Hades 2. By default, the card grants +1 Death Defiance. It can then be upgraded further to give +3 Death Defiance at max rank. You can learn more about this in our best Arcana Cards guide.


Schelemeus Keepsake: Luckier Tooth


Keepsakes are obtained by giving various NPCs Nectar gifts. One of these NPCs is Schelemeus, the skeletal fella in the training room. His Keepsake, the Luckier Tooth, grants one Death Defiance token, which also heals for a huge amount once triggered. You can learn more about the Luckier Tooth, as well as other accessories, in our Keepsakes guide.


Moros Keepsake: Engraved Pin


Another viable Keepsake is the Engraved Pin, which comes from Moros. It's basically like Schelemeus' Luckier Tooth, but there are some caveats:

  • Each time Melinoe's HP drops to zero, the Engraved Pin effect will trigger and you restore +30 HP. Moros will start counting down your doom via a 10-second timer.
  • If you can defeat all enemies in a room, including additional spawns, then Melinoe gets to stay alive.
  • However, if you fail to do this, then Melinoe will perish. If you have a Death Defiance token, then that token will get consumed first.

The Engraved Pin Keepsake is a high-risk, high-reward accessory, since it technically means you have unlimited lives in Hades 2 (i.e. it triggers before all other Death Defiance tokens). Unfortunately, it only grants a small amount of health. If it procs at the wrong time and you're unable to defeat your foes, then you'd end up with a failed run or you'll keep wasting Death Defiance tokens.


Hermes Boon: Close Call


You can get a Hades 2 Death Defiance token if you come across Hermes' legendary boon: Close Call. It grants one token and, once it's triggered, it causes all enemies to move 90% slower for eight seconds.

Note that Chronos, the game's final boss, has a nifty mechanic where he practically ignores slowing effects (i.e. Sorceress Arcana Card). We've yet to see if Hermes' own token affects him. Lastly, we have a best boons guide in case you'd like to see which deities offer ideal perks and skills.


Chaos Boon: Defiance


Primordial Chaos has their own legendary boon called Defiance, which simply grants +1 Death Defiance for that particular run. However, each Chaos blessing has a randomized curse. Survive this debilitating effect for multiple encounters, and you should gain a blessing's full benefit. You can learn more in our Primordial Chaos boons guide.


Narcissus Gift: Life Savings


Narcissus can be found randomly in the Oceanus region (i.e. second zone). One particular gift that's part of the selection pool is called Life Savings, which provides +1 Death Defiance and +1 Deathcap (i.e. a mushroom resource).


Echo Gift: Survive Survive Survive


Echo can be found randomly in the Fields of Mourning region (i.e. third zone). Her Survive Survive Survive gift is one of the most useful in the game, since it replenishes all spent Death Defiance tokens since you started your run.


Animal Familiar: Toula the Cat


Toula the Cat is an unlockable Animal Familiar/Pet. She provides a means of getting another Death Defiance in Hades 2. Furthermore, you can give her another Witch's Delight treat to unlock her Heart Bond passive. This increases the amount of HP healed by her Death Defiance token.


Perks affected by Death Defiance


Some supporting characters offer perks that are affected by your Death Defiance tokens:

  • Hades: Last Gasp - Deal +10% damage for each spent/consumed Death Defiance token.
  • Medea: Malice in Kind - Whenever a foe makes you use Death Defiance (i.e. kills Melinoe), it loses 15% HP. Note that this might be viable against bosses (i.e. five Death Defiance tokens would mean losing 75% HP), though we've rarely seen Medea or this boon in our runs.

That does it for our guide on how to get more extra lives and Death Defiance in Hades 2. If you're keen on surviving your treks to the deepest dungeons, then you might want to know how to heal and increase your max HP.

Hades 2 stars Melinoe, the Princess of the Underworld. This roguelike game promises challenging encounters as you keep retrying until you can have the perfect run. If you want more tips and tactics, you can head over to our guides hub.


New Game From Former GTA Boss Will Be Introduced Via An Upcoming Audio Series

Absurd Ventures, the studio created by former GTA boss Dan Houser, has announced that its upcoming video game universe, A Better Paradise, will kick off with an audio series that's scheduled to release on June 10 on all major podcast platforms.

The upcoming audio series, written and created by Houser, will be called "A Better Paradise: Volume One: An Aftermath" and will consist of 12 episodes. It will feature various actors, such as Andrew Lincoln from The Walking Dead, Shamier Anderson from John Wick: Chapter 4, and Rain Spencer, who starred in The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Volume One: An Aftermath is just the first of many projects the studio is working on. The studio has confirmed that various TV shows and video games are set in the same world as A Better Paradise.

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Stranger Things 5 Photo Teases More Nancy And Jonathan Drama

Because the Byers family moved out of Hawkins at the end of Stranger Things Season 3, Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) and his girlfriend, Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), didn't get many scenes together in Season 4. There were even some signs that the relationship was in trouble and potentially coming to an end. However, one of the first pictures from Stranger Things Season 5 shows Jonathan and Nancy back together, doing what they do best: getting in over their heads in danger.

Jonathan Byers. Nancy Wheeler. SITTING IN THE BACK OF STEVE HARRINGTON'S BMW!
📸 via Ross Duffer pic.twitter.com/HgnDdG09ck

— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) May 17, 2024

Those aren't happy expressions on their faces, so we'll just have to assume that Jonathan and Nancy are seeing something horrifying. And although he's not pictured, the safe assumption is that Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) is driving his car. Last season, Nancy and Jonathan both faced dangerous situations without each other. Since the series ends with this fifth season, it's nice to know they're facing the latest threat together.

Additionally, since the Season 4 finale opened up Hawkins even further to the Upside Down, there's a strong chance that our two lovebirds are reacting to something otherworldly that shouldn't exist in this plane. And we wouldn't be shocked if more creatures from the Upside Down crossover to our world as well.

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Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Review - A Mastery of Illusions

I've never really given much thought to the differences between a labyrinth and a maze. That is, until I played Simogo's Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. A labyrinth, as I know now, is a singular path, twisting and turning, constantly changing in direction. It invokes the illusion of feeling lost, despite the fact that its path always leads to a center. A maze, on the other hand, has multiple paths, filled with dead ends, wrong turns, and requires trial and error to reach its end. The former can be a meditative and reflective journey for some, while the latter is a trying experience that requires patience and perseverance to see it through. Despite these differences, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes brings them together through mechanics, themes, and narrative. The result is a gaming experience that masterfully interlocks storytelling with design, making it one of Simogo's finest achievements, and one of the most impressive narrative puzzle games in recent memory.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a psychological horror puzzle game that sent me on a winding journey through a black and white, neon-red-accented hotel, to untangle a mystery that blurred the line between fact and fiction. It is dense with puzzles, heavy on story, but both are interwoven, and that is key to the way it unravels. I was consistently thrown off the path to the truth, led astray in what I perceived as a maze, when in actuality, I was being armed with knowledge that led me through a labyrinth to the game's heart-wrenching conclusion.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

With no setup or direction, the game simply begins. You take control of a suave, sunglasses-wearing, 1960s mod-style dressed woman, standing alone in the woods at night, just outside the historic-looking Hotel Letztes Jahr. Like its main character, you are thrown into this world with no knowledge of who or where you are, or why you're there. The goal of the game is to find the truth, as said verbatim in the game's manual, which is found within the world itself as opposed to being accessible by default. This obtuse direction set the tone for the game--foreshadowing that I was going to have to work to understand anything and everything on the journey before me. It pulled me right in, feeding into my natural curiosity and love for mysteries. The discovery of its hidden truths is tracked via a Truth Recovery percentage in the game's menu. It isn't long, though, until you find a letter with a vague and mysterious message signed by Renzo Nero explaining that you were invited to be at this hotel, on this date, in the year 1963.

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Fortnite Festival Just Did Something It's Never Done Before

Epic is teaming up with renowned singer Billie Eilish to introduce three new songs from her newly released album, Hit Me Hard And Soft, to Fortnite Festival. The newly added songs from the album are playable today as of 5 PM PT/8 PM ET.

This marks the first time music has come to Fortnite Festival on the same day it released elsewhere. The upcoming songs that players will be able to jam out to will consist of "Chihiro," "The Diner," And "Lunch."

It's also worth mentioning that Fortnite Festival season 3 is centered around Billie Eilish, similar to how season 2 was with Lady Gaga. Several songs of hers, as well as three in-game skins and other accessories, are available for purchase.

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Stephen King's New Book Is Steeply Discounted At Amazon Ahead Of Next Week's Release

Stephen King's next book is almost here. You Like It Darker, a collection of short stories, releases Tuesday, May 21. Published by King's longtime publisher Scribner, You Like It Darker will join King's wildly impressive bibliography that already includes over 10 story collections--not to mention the 60-plus novels. If you're a King fan, you can save big on your preorder right now. You Like It Darker is discounted to $18.90 (was $30) at Amazon, which represents a savings of 37%. The Kindle version is available to preorder for $15, and Audible Premium Plus members can use their monthly credit for the audiobook edition.

Preorder You Like It Darker: Stories

$19 (was $30)

You Like It Darker: Stories is a hardcover collection of 12 new tales by King. Clocking in at over 500 pages, the massive volume will "delve into the darker part of life--both metaphorical and literal." Included in the collection you'll find Two Talented Bastids, Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream, Rattlesnakes (a sequel to Cujo), The Dreamers, and The Answer Man.

If you'd rather enjoy the upcoming collection as an audiobook, consider checking out Audible. New members are eligible for one month of Premium Plus for free, and it comes with a bonus credit right now. This means you'll get two Audible credits that can be used to redeem audiobooks from the Premium Plus catalog. Those audiobooks will be yours to keep, even if your subscription lapses.

If you're a current or lapsed Audible member, you can buy three credits for $38. Not concerned about other audiobooks? The You Like It Darker: Stories audiobook is available for $18 (down from $26).

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Need A PS5 Or Xbox For EA Sports College Football? Check Out These Great Deals

EA Sports College Football 25 is due to hit this summer, but that comes with a caveat for fans: It's not going to be available on older consoles or PC. So while you can preorder College Football 25 on PlayStation 5 and on Xbox Series X from Amazon right now, you might also be in the market for one of those shiny new(ish) game consoles on which to play it.

Luckily, Walmart has you covered with some discounted PS5 Slim and Xbox Series X consoles, both of which come bundled with games to get your new console library started. The PS5 Slim bundle comes with Spider-Man 2, while the Xbox Series X bundle packs in Diablo 4.

PS5 Slim Disc Console - Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Bundle

$449 (Valued at $560)

Sony's Spider-Man 2 PS5 Slim bundle was one of the most popular gaming products over the holidays, but most retailers ran out of stock months ago when the promotion officially expired. Walmart was in this camp, but surprisingly, the bundle has returned. Valued at $560, the bundle includes a PS5 Slim with a 1TB SSD, a digital download code for Spider-Man 2, and a DualSense controller. Even if you don't care about Spider-Man 2, you're still saving $50 off the price of the PS5 Slim with a disc drive.

Xbox Series X - Diablo 4 Bundle

$470 (valued at $560)

Microsoft's Xbox Series X bundle comes with some solid benefits if you're a Diablo fan. Alongside the Series X console, which sports a 1TB SSD, you get a digital download code for Diablo 4, and a few digital goodies for the game: the Light-Bearer mount with the Caparison of Faith mount armor. The bundle also packs digital items for Diablo 3 and Diablo Immortal, as well as a wireless controller. This bundle is shipped and sold by Antonline, a reputable retailer of tech and gaming products.

While both the PS5 and Xbox are offered in digital-only versions, both these consoles sport disc drives, if keeping physical media around is important to you.

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George Miller Considered De-Aging Charlize Theron For Furiosa - Then He Saw Gemini Man

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has had a particularly long journey to the big screen, with director George Miller having originally planned to shoot it back to back with 2015's Fury Road. Despite already having a screenplay in place, the back-to-back productions didn't end up happening--and as time passed and star Charlize Theron got older, it became increasingly impractical to have her return to play a younger version of the character.

"She was very excited about it, and my intention was that we do it next [after Fury Road]. But then, we've now gone through the third parent company of Warner Bros, from Time Warner to AT&T and now Discovery " Miller said to a group of reporters at an event for Furiosa, indicating that the corporate upheaval at Warners Bros. over the past decade is to blame for Furiosa's delay.

But the Fury Road prequel, as we know, would end up moving forward with Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne sharing duties as the younger Furiosa. But despite the passage of time, Miller still weighed the possibility of using Theron for the prequel, thanks to the emergence of popular CGI de-aging technology.

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XDefiant Can Be Preloaded Now, PC Specs Revealed

XDefiant, Ubisoft's free-to-play multiplayer shooter featuring factions from across Ubisoft's various game franchises, can now be preloaded ahead of its May 21 launch. For those on PC, Ubisoft has additionally revealed XDefiant's PC system requirements.

The shooter can be installed now on both PC and consoles, where it will be playable on both last-gen and current-gen Xbox and PlayStation hardware. As for the system requirements on PC, Ubisoft has given a few different suggestions on what will be needed, including what setups players will need in order to play on Ultra settings.

  • Minimum Resolution: 1080pCPU: Intel i3-10105F; AMD Ryzen 3 3100GPU: Intel ARC A380 (6GB); NVIDIA GTX 1050TI (4GB); AMD RX 5500 XT (4GB)RAM: 8 GB Dual ChannelOS: Windows 10Storage: 35 GB
  • Recommended Resolution: 1080pCPU: Intel i3-10105F; AMD Ryzen 3 3100GPU: Intel ARC A750 (8GB); NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6GB); AMD RX 5500 XT (8GB)RAM: 16 GB Dual ChannelOS: Windows 10Storage: 35 GB
  • Enthusiast Resolution: 1440pCPU: Intel i5-10400; AMD Ryzen 5 3600GPU: Intel ARC A770 (16GB); NVIDIA RTX 2060 (6GB); AMD RX 5600 XT (6GB) RAM: 16 GB Dual ChannelOS: Windows 10/Windows 11Storage: 35 GB
  • Ultra Resolution: 4KCPU: Intel i7-9700K; AMD Ryzen 7 3700XGPU: NVIDIA RTX 3080 (10GB); AMD RX 6800 XT (16GB)RAM: 16 GB Dual ChannelOS: Windows 10/Windows 11Storage: 35 GB

XDefiant will support uncapped frame rates on PC, as well as widescreen support and DX11 and DX12. Ubisoft suggests a SSD for the best experience. Ubisoft's shooter has been a long time coming, having held an open beta last summer only to be delayed multiple times despite nearly releasing late last year. Its release comes even as Ubisoft has recently canceled other free-to-play titles like The Division: Heartland.

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Venom: The Last Dance Will Be The Final Venom Movie

The first Venom movie with Tom Hardy marked the beginning of Sony's Spider-Man Universe, which has yet to included Spider-Man himself. Instead of using Spidey, Sony has put villains and supporting characters into leading roles. Unlike the films that came after it, including Morbius and Madame Web, Venom was actually successful. However, the upcoming third film in the franchise, Venom: The Last Dance, will be the final Venom movie.

Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman Tom Rothman casually made the announcement during an interview with Deadline when he said "The third and last Venom, is going to be huge." He also noted that "when the last of the Spider-Verse movies comes with Phil Lord and Chris Miller, it's going to be a significant event, as will the next Tom Holland Spider-Man film."

The most surprising part of that announcement is that Hardy's Venom never got a chance to meet Tom Holland's Spider-Man despite Venom and Eddie Brock's cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Sony often mentions that it has the rights to 900 Marvel characters, but Venom is one of the few on their roster who has actually been a leading character. Most of the others can't hold down their own comic book series, much less a movie or a TV show. That's why it's very possible that Sony may eventually change course, reboot the Venom films, or recast the role down the line.

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