Bethesda's first big expansion to Starfield, Shattered Space, will launch for PC and Xbox Series X/S on 30th September.

We got a quick look at the upcoming addition tonight during Gamescom Opening Night Live, in a trailer that mostly focused on the REV-8 land vehicle included in August's free game update.

Ahead of launch, marketing for Starfield felt fairly sober and dramatic - it's fair to say tonight's video takes a more upbeat tone. Previously, Bethesda's Todd Howard said that the lack of land vehicles was a deliberate choice - but it's now something that's being walked (or driven) back.

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Hunt: Showdown 1896 - the huge new update that necessitated an engine upgrade and introduced all new UI - has just hit an all-new concurrent player peak of over 60,000.

Up until the 1896 update dropped on 15th August, the extraction shooter's simultaneous player record - set back in October 2023 - sat at a modest 42,000ish players.

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Just when Geoff Keighley had started to fade from your memory, he comes rubber-banding back with a vengeance - snap! It's Gamescom week and it kicks off with Opening Night Live this evening from 7pm UK time (other Opening Night Live timings here). A pre-show with additional announcements will begin at 6.30pm UK. We'll be watching and reporting on it live, as always, right here, so you can either keep abreast of announcements while you do something else, or you can join in with your thoughtful and amusing comments. Please keep us company. Please.

What do we expect to see today? Well, probably Geoff Keighley, but also the new Indiana Jones game, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Dune Awakening. We're also expecting Little Nightmares creator Tarsier to unveil its new project, which could be exciting. On top of that: Diablo 4 expansion Vessel of Hatred, Civilization 7, hero shooter Marvel Rivals, Lost Records (the project made by the creators of Life is Strange), Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (which was recently delayed), and Black Ops 6. Keighley's best pal Hideo Kojima has also been tweeting enigmatic silhouetted pictures of actors who are presumably playing roles in Death Stranding 2.

And before you ask, "Yes, there will be new game announcements," Keighley said on X.

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A flurry of Pokémon news has confirmed a launch date for the long-awaited Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, and a look ahead at what's next for Pokémon Go.

Pokémon TCG Pocket, a digital version of the phenomenally-popular trading card game, will go live via the iPhone App Store and Google Play for Android worldwide on 30th October.

As previously announced, you can open two packs of Pokémon cards for free per day - just enough to get you hooked - and it's interesting to see the pack-opening mechanic front and centre in the game's trailer below.

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Ubisoft has updated the PC requirements for its upcoming Star Wars adventure, Star Wars Outlaws, and released a new teaser showing off what kind of performance PC players can expect when the game releases on 30th August.

Taking up a modest 65GB, the settings shouldn't be too punishing for those looking only to meet the minimum standards – although you will need to have DLSS or FSR – but those pushing for the "ultra" experience will need a decent rig.

Check out the details below:

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Lo, a ripple in the release date sands. Stand still a moment while we study this phenomenon. Yes, yes, it is the unmistakable rumble of a large survival MMO pondering its release date. Dune: Awakening is having a think and has decided "early 2025" is a good non-specific time period to come out in early access. That could mean January or February. Or March, I guess. April? Now don't be silly, that's spring. Not April, surely. This beast seems hungry. It will eat before then. I have foreseen it. Mostly by watching the trailer that dropped at Gamescom.

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Fine, that was slightly mean of me. There’s clearly at least fifteen people still playing Starfield, and Bethesda are today rewarding their commitment with a free buggy named the Rev-8. Today! It actually looks pretty nifty. With it, you’ll be able to hop, jump, and skip the tedious ballache that was hoofing it across the RPG’s needlessly large planets. Here’s a looksie:

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Our unlucky planet in Wasteland Waste Disposal has suffered not just one apocalypse but all of them. Turns out the "megapocalypse" was an unhealthy combination of "every worst-case apocalyptic scenario imaginable". Luckily, in this upcoming sandbox adventure, you have a giant metal fortress that walks above the pools of toxic sludge on huge spidery legs and chomps up all the trash you bring it. If you are not intrigued by that, perhaps the little janitor with a sci-fi vacuum cleaner (or the feel-good music reminiscent of Adventure Time songs) will convince you.

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Good job, everyone! The cat talk in the comments has never been stronger. I miss my cats back in England very much. Though I did visit a cat cafe recently, and I got to boop some sphinx kittens on the nose. Life pretty much peaked then, so I'm in a bit of a slump right now. So do me a favour and sound off even more than usual about what your fur babies have been up to lately! And also, if you feel like it, let us know what you're playing this weekend too. Here's what we're clicking on!

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Well, root my toots. Unless you’re Australian, in which case don't do that. Just enjoy the now very much confirmed-looking release of the original Red Dead Redemption on PC. That’s according to a listing on the PlayStation Store, which contains the currently inaccurate but tantalising phrase “now on PC for the first time ever.”

Read more

The search for the cheapest and yet best quality supermarket drink-as-you-go coffee continues. I know it's the first time I've made you aware of this project, but it's been going on since I moved to Glasgow. So far, Lidl's own brand remains the clear winner, a solid 8 on the taste meter at just 59p. But while writing this, I'm sipping an "Intenso" Arctic Coffee from Morrisons, which is giving the Lidl frontrunners some stiff competition at last, albeit at 145% the cost. Will one true victor emerge? Find out next week! For now, here's what we're all clicking on this weekend!

Read more

Fine, that was slightly mean of me. There’s clearly at least fifteen people still playing Starfield, and Bethesda are today rewarding their commitment with a free buggy named the Rev-8. Today! It actually looks pretty nifty. With it, you’ll be able to hop, jump, and skip the tedious ballache that was hoofing it across the RPG’s needlessly large planets. Here’s a looksie:

Read more

Our unlucky planet in Wasteland Waste Disposal has suffered not just one apocalypse but all of them. Turns out the "megapocalypse" was an unhealthy combination of "every worst-case apocalyptic scenario imaginable". Luckily, in this upcoming sandbox adventure, you have a giant metal fortress that walks above the pools of toxic sludge on huge spidery legs and chomps up all the trash you bring it. If you are not intrigued by that, perhaps the little janitor with a sci-fi vacuum cleaner (or the feel-good music reminiscent of Adventure Time songs) will convince you.

Read more

Good job, everyone! The cat talk in the comments has never been stronger. I miss my cats back in England very much. Though I did visit a cat cafe recently, and I got to boop some sphinx kittens on the nose. Life pretty much peaked then, so I'm in a bit of a slump right now. So do me a favour and sound off even more than usual about what your fur babies have been up to lately! And also, if you feel like it, let us know what you're playing this weekend too. Here's what we're clicking on!

Read more

Well, root my toots. Unless you’re Australian, in which case don't do that. Just enjoy the now very much confirmed-looking release of the original Red Dead Redemption on PC. That’s according to a listing on the PlayStation Store, which contains the currently inaccurate but tantalising phrase “now on PC for the first time ever.”

Read more

The search for the cheapest and yet best quality supermarket drink-as-you-go coffee continues. I know it's the first time I've made you aware of this project, but it's been going on since I moved to Glasgow. So far, Lidl's own brand remains the clear winner, a solid 8 on the taste meter at just 59p. But while writing this, I'm sipping an "Intenso" Arctic Coffee from Morrisons, which is giving the Lidl frontrunners some stiff competition at last, albeit at 145% the cost. Will one true victor emerge? Find out next week! For now, here's what we're all clicking on this weekend!

Read more

Did The Gentlebros come up with the pun "Pi-Rats" and then work backwards from there in deciding that Cat Quest 3 should be pirate themed? Or was "Purr-ibean" the initiating pun? I feel that the action-RPG sequel had to begin with one of wordplay or another, given that its Steam page boasts that it also has "furr-ocious spells" and "gla-meow-rous costumes".

It's also claws-out now on Steam, which has me feline fine.

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Did The Gentlebros come up with the pun "Pi-Rats" and then work backwards from there in deciding that Cat Quest 3 should be pirate themed? Or was "Purr-ibean" the initiating pun? I feel that the action-RPG sequel had to begin with one of wordplay or another, given that its Steam page boasts that it also has "furr-ocious spells" and "gla-meow-rous costumes".

It's also claws-out now on Steam, which has me feline fine.

Read more

Title: Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Type of Game: Action-Adventure
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released: May 10, 2016
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Level of Maturity: Teen (T) – ESRB
Reading Time: 13 minutes

Naughty Dog is behind some of the best PlayStation games in history. The Crash Bandicoot series won the hearts of millions of gamers on the first PlayStation. On PlayStation 2, the developers pulled it off with the excellent JAK and Daxter series, which brought an open world and other innovative features to the platforming genre that the competition continues to benefit from to this day. With the arrival of the PlayStation 3, developers decided to move on to a whole new genre that allows them to tell well-written stories with fleshed-out characters. We’re talking, of course, about the Uncharted series and the head of the phenomenal The Last of Us. Later on, the developers then sought to end the story of their biggest star, Nathan Drake. I’ll tell you how the fourth Uncharted fared in the review now, though you probably already know that. Naughty Dog is a safe bet.

The Final Adventure Begins

Even when Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End was announced, the developers made it clear that it would be Nathan Drake’s last adventure, concluding his story. Of course, I won’t tell you here if everything will turn out well or badly, you’ll have to find that out for yourself. Anyway, the new adventure revolves around the famous pirate Henry Avery, who was supposed to hide somewhere a treasure of incalculable value that Nathan Drake was after fifteen years ago, even with his brother, who is making his first-ever appearance in the series.

Although he wasn’t mentioned in the previous games because Nathan had him presumed dead, he fits in perfectly with the game and the Uncharted series and helps tell not only the actual pirate story but also clarifies the history of Nathan Drake around which the story is built. We’re used to well-written stories with Naughty Dog, and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is no exception to this. The plot is intriguing, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns, as well, as nicely-written dialogue, and most importantly, superbly acted characters with professional voice acting, both the main characters, which is to be expected, and the negative characters. For the first time ever, the acting of each character goes so far that you can tell what they are feeling, whether sadness, anger, or joy, from their facial expressions and just by looking into their eyes, which only helps to tell a story full of all sorts of emotions.

Crafting the Ultimate Journey

In Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, it’s easy to see how far the developers at Naughty Dog have come over the years. From the platforming games and the first Uncharted to The Last of Us, with which Nathan’s fourth adventure shares a number of common elements, from the style of storytelling to the action itself, which is far more varied and not as tightly tuned as in the past, which I’ll mention later. Of course, everything you loved about the previous games returns, just in a far more polished and bigger way.

Of course, only a fool would expect a new Uncharted open-world game, which of course it isn’t, it’s still a linear shooter that focuses mainly on storytelling, just with far more open locations that have excellent and detailed design that the developers must have spent years of hard work on. You’ll get to see lots of places around the world as you play. You’ll explore rainy and freezing Scotland, the urban environment of Italy, but also Madagascar, and various tropical islands. The fact that the levels have increased several times shows that a new element in the gameplay fits in perfectly. For example controllable vehicles in Madagascar plains. You’ll be driving around the many levels in a jeep, and at sea in a boat. The vehicle controls are fully intuitive and you’ll get used to them in a matter of seconds.

Pacing Perfection

What’s great about Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is how the developers kept the pace high from the start. They constantly mix in slower storytelling chapters with action-packed ones. This balance is something they’ve been striving for since the first installment. Naughty Dog’s evolution is evident in the action passages as well.

These passages are more entertaining and elaborate than in the past. They offer plenty of options for resolving conflicts, thanks to the openness of the levels. You can still charge through enemies like Rambo and make Nathan a mass murderer. The shooting and cover system behind obstacles is now excellent. Nathan has several new ranged and melee attacks. Many encounters can also be avoided altogether. You can bypass opponents in the manner of Solid Snake. The developers created a simple but fully functioning stealth system, inspired by the Metal Gear Solid series. The feel of the action passages is excellent. The variety is enhanced by the roughly three dozen weapons, which are a joy to shoot.

Intelligent Adversaries and Allies

It’s incredible how Naughty Dog developers are raising the bar in almost everything. They are showing their competitors what direction to take. This also applies to the artificial intelligence of the enemies and characters that accompany you during each chapter. Enemies are observant, scrutinizing every slight movement on the map. They constantly change position during encounters, taking cover and supporting each other to eliminate the protagonist as soon as possible and thwart his quest for the legendary treasure.

You won’t come across any standing dummies who just stand still and shoot. This adds to the dynamic and excellent firefights, which are different every time and consistently enjoyable. The developers were aware of this and created something unique. You can replay all the encounters afterward without having to repeat entire chapters. Excellent AI is also provided by the teammates, who support Nathan in the fight. They can often shoot a large number of villains and help in fistfights. They constantly communicate with him, advising him when going through various locations and helping with solving puzzles. This makes the gameplay as smooth as possible and maintains a certain pace.

Exploring and Puzzling Through the World

Action makes up roughly half of the gameplay in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, making it the most important component. But I mustn’t forget to mention the excellent exploration of each level. This is done in the manner of The Last of Us, whether you do it on foot or from a jeep. The solutions to the superbly designed logical or spatial puzzles are also worth noting. The indispensable diary will help you with these. In it, Nathan writes down everything he sees during the game to assist him in difficult moments. You can also collect old pages from books or letters, which help during the puzzles. Most importantly, these items deepen the story and the legend of the pirate treasure.

Additionally, you can sometimes use the novelty of a jeep to solve puzzles in the open world. This adds many unexpected scenes and events. The jumping passages are also satisfying. Nathan’s movement on platforms is much smoother and more intuitive. He has a special grappling hook to cross big gaps. Later, there is a climbing wedge, which could have been used a little more. You get it relatively later and then only use it in a few situations, which is a bit of a shame.

A Lengthy and Replayable Treasure Hunt

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is clearly the longest installment in the series, with 22 major chapters. While I didn’t really stop anywhere and a lot of places were left unexplored, I still got a solid fifteen hours on the greater difficulty along with exploring, which is way above standard for a single-player game these days. But I believe that many will take a little longer to play because you’ll want to explore everything. The big advantage is the replayability. You can search for hidden treasures, relics, links to other games, or other bonuses that the developers cleverly hid around the locations that you don’t have the chance to discover on your first playthrough.

Additionally, replayability is helped by the fact that you can handle many situations like Rambo, but also avoid encounters altogether, and there are several hidden trophies for quietly passing through the levels. The developers have also prepared a lot of unlockable bonuses, whether it’s infinite bullets, all the weapons, and so on, to various graphics filters, or bonus character outfits that you’ll definitely want to unlock. So one playthrough of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is definitely not the end of it, you’ll want to give it at least one more go. In the case of the platinum trophy, even a total of three times.

Expansive Multiplayer Fun

Moreover, Uncharted is no longer just a story campaign, but since the second installment, the developers have also regularly served up a multiplayer component, which they are constantly improving. While in Uncharted 2 it was still a minor bonus, in Uncharted 3 it was a full-fledged part, and it’s no different in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, where the multiplayer is the most ambitious and, dare I say it, can keep you entertained for dozens more hours.

The multiplayer builds on fast and fluid 5 vs 5 team action with the ability to use a variety of weapons, bonus abilities, and even a grappling hook for movement or melee, it also allows teams to create interesting tactics on nicely designed maps, of which there are eight in the base and inspired by the story campaign. For multiplayer, I have to mention the fact that the developers focused mainly on stable 60fps. For the PlayStation 4 version. The PlayStation 5 version I reviewed, called Legacy of Thieves Remaster Collection, with this remastered campaign, runs at 60 fps as well. For PS4 “only” Multiplayer, which is a well-done job considering the weaker performance of this console.

Multiplayer Modes and Mechanics

So far, Uncharted 4 has three game modes for you to play. There’s the classic team deathmatch, which is all about the number of enemies you kill. The second mode is Command, in which you and your team have to take control points on the map and then hold them to get the most points, it’s classic Control, but it’s also fun in an Uncharted way and won’t get boring.

The most team-based mode is the Looting mode, designed to be played with eight players (4 vs 4). In it, a special relic always appears on the map which you then have to deliver to your chest. Of course, both teams fight for this, and the relic can be tossed between team members in various ways to support each other. I found this mode to be probably the most fun, the most exciting, and the most made for teamwork and headset communication of all.

Unparalleled Visual Detail

If there’s one studio that has always gotten the most out of any given piece of hardware and shown everyone that it can be done when you want it, it’s definitely Naughty Dog. Back in the PlayStation 2 era, everyone admired the gorgeous-looking JAK and Daxter platformers, on PlayStation 3 it was the Uncharted series, and it was the fourth installment that was the best-looking game of that generation until The Last of Us Part II arrived, no question.

Throughout the game you’ll marvel at the awesome-looking locations for the time, with realistic textures and lighting, all the characters are incredibly detailed, with skin deformation and various wounds and torn clothing visible as you play. In addition, everything is complemented by awesome effects, whether it is explosions or perfect physics, thanks to which practically everything effectively falls apart, and during shootouts, stones and large amounts of splinters fly to each side. It’s almost unbelievable what the developers have managed to get out of hardware that can match computers at several times the price of his time.

Immersive Audio Experience

The whole perfection is then underscored by the soundtrack, which for the first time ever is by the acclaimed British composer Henry Jackman. It contains a lot of great and easy-to-remember tracks (including new versions of old songs and brand new ones) that you’ll want to keep playing on their own, and the soundtrack always complements the action on the screen, whether it’s the cutscenes or the action sequences themselves, making you feel like you’re watching a movie in the cinema. The sound system is also great, whether it’s the gunfire, explosions, various music effects, or the environment itself, everything has been worked out to the maximum by the developers to give the best possible farewell to their favorite hero and prepare him for a dignified exit from the video game scene.

A Triumphant Farewell

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is one of the best action games I’ve been able to play to this date, containing a perfect balance between cinematic sequences, action, and solving ingenious puzzles, while in virtually everything setting the bar for the competition a little higher again and in some aspects up to this date. Whether it’s the narrative, the acting, the design, the excellent action, the AI, or the breathtaking audiovisual design, where you can see in every pixel how much care and love the developers have put into the game. Naughty Dog has created yet another video game gem, and it just confirms where the best games you can play are currently being made. It’s just a shame that we’ll have to wait a long time for another game of similar quality.

Where to Buy The Game?

Steam (PC, Mac, Linux): Full Thieves End collection available for $49.99. You can purchase it directly from Steam.
PlayStation Store (PS4): Full Thieves End collection available for 39.99. You can find it on the PlayStation Store.
Epic Games Store (PC): Full Thieves End collection available for $49.99. Purchase it from the Epic Games Store.

Official Page: Visit the official Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End page for more information.
Subreddit: Join the discussion on the Uncharted Subreddit.

Check out the rest of the gallery under, still didn’t get enough? Check our dedicated Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End gallery here!

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Assassin’s Creed, a renowned video game franchise by Ubisoft, has captivated gamers with its enthralling blend of action, open-world exploration, and historical narratives since its first installment in 2007. Players delve into the ongoing battle between the Assassins, who strive for peace through freedom, and the Templar Order, who aim to establish peace through control. ... Read more

The post Assassins Creed Games in Order: A Comprehensive Timeline for Fans appeared first on Gamer For Fun.

I believe I am not the only one who has had childhood afternoons spent poring over pirate maps, so you can recognize the feeling that such moments ignited in you, the wanderlust that you yearn to pursue in life. Sea of Thieves may provide just such an adventure (or nostalgic memory reignited), and it could be the case that once started, you will be hooked (pun intended) for a long! Think about the longevity of this adventure game: 12 Seasons already! When I say "hooked for long," it is not just an expression... I really mean it!

Is Sea of Thieves Worth It?

One must consider whether its riches truly meet their mark because the Sea of Thieves is a pleasant and addictive game, however, you cannot avoid asking yourself: is it worth its very high price tag? Also, are there ways to mitigate the price, like getting it for less - think cheap Xbox games on key websites like G2A or Eneba - or something else? Very fast, to leave these questions behind, I can tell you that on Xbox, you can get an Xbox pass for less than $10/month and enjoy many games, including Sea of Thieves. And "yes," it could be found at a better price on the websites mentioned.

From Ship to Shore: Unraveling the Mysteries of Sea of Thieves Islands

Although its graphics might not appeal to everyone - with more cartoony than hyper-realistic depictions - that doesn't matter; what matters is how well they work together: vivid colors, meticulous attention to environment details ranging from tropical island palm trees swaying in the breeze to volcanic vents in Devil's Roar giving off fiery flares combined to form an undeniably stunning world that exudes with its distinct artistic style and captivating moments of breathtaking beauty or hilarious pirate misadventures captured as screenshots before! Never have I taken so many screenshots before in one game that captured such breathtaking moments of breathtaking beauty or hilarious pirate misadventures!

An Insanely Beautiful Piratical Playground

And yet this is only a taste of what lies beyond. Concealed alcoves, perilous shallows, and mysterious isles shrouded in mist make the Sea of Thieves realm, an ever-evolving tableau that never ceases to surprise with its breadth and diversity. Furthermore, weather patterns add another dimension: one moment being caressed by gentle caresses of zephyr wind while moments later caught up in a fierce battle against tempests wreaking havoc: all elements come together to make for an ever-evolving tableau which demands reverence as well as attention as continual adaptation by those living within its waters.

Are You Dreaming of Hoisting the Jolly Roger and Chasing Sunset across Endless Blue?

In conclusion, here's the salty truth: Sea of Thieves can be an amazing solo experience too, even if I would rather recommend it as a multiplayer PvP or PvE video game, offering plenty of solitude with which you can commune with the vastness of the ocean. Even if you buy Xbox adventure games for playing alone, solo sailing offers its poetry and it is a nice departure from many more commercial offers or twitch-shooters that conquered the market lately. This is a different kind of adventure, that develops slowly, but well, and communing directly with nature while learning to read waves, predict storms, and anticipate squalls is part and parcel with becoming a hardened pirate from sea's harsh conditions.

Forspoken is the inaugural AAA release of 2019, as well as an exclusive PlayStation 5 console exclusive, garnering considerable anticipation due to its anticipated impact. As players learn the controls for Athia's vast open-world environment and engaging in combat becomes an adventure full of thrills; reaping rewards by mastering its intricate systems can prove lucrative indeed. However, Forspoken's narrative trajectory remains uneven. While buoyed by an amazing lead performance and memorable plot twists, the overall experience was marred by suboptimal pacing and delivery; similar to watching an expertly executed play where key moments stand out but its glory fades due to uneven pace or delivery; ultimately preventing its full potential from being realized.

Forspoken stands out in the gaming landscape by creating an expansive world and thrilling combat dynamics that engage its player base, yet sometimes experience moments of brilliance being overshadowed by pacing issues - this story of two dimensions where gameplay excels in providing an adventurous and exhilarating experience while storytelling struggles to keep up a steady cadence is told through forspoken. Fospoken orchestrates gameplay to another level, so what I've got is as fluid as a serenade, if you know what I mean. Of course, this entices players to discover and buy PS5 games of the same kind once they finish Forspoken because they get the taste of adventure and miracle worlds.

Forspoken - An Immersive RPG

Forspoken is an enjoyable fantasy-world RPG when exploited properly; yet patience must be exercised during its slow, somewhat cumbersome initial phase. Unfortunately, lengthy story interludes that lean toward verbosity fall short of communicating its true potential; these imperfections prevent Forspoken from rising to be the next great open-world game; though fans of fantasy realms should find plenty of enjoyable moments while traveling across its sprawling world as formidable sorceresss.

Beginning Forspoken is like entering an intimidating maze - initially slow-paced but ultimately rewarding once explored fully. Unfortunately, its narrative sometimes succumbs to long-winded passages which overshadow its core strengths; similar to an engaging stage performance where brilliant moments fail to shine amidst less impactful dialogues. Fospoken's gameplay is a marvel, like a tapestry interwoven with finesse and ingenuity, if you allow me the comparison, simply beckoning players of all ages and levels of experience to harmonize their gaming journey into Athia, far from everyday problems, a means to escape and enjoy a different reality. With an assortment of tantalizing cheap PS5 games, there is the slight chance to overlook Forspoken - my advice: don't!

Verdict

Forspoken is an immersive fantasy world full of charm, challenges, and moments of pure delight that are sure to enthrall fantasy fans of any kind. Though not among the elite open-world games, Forspoken offers fantasy enthusiasts a fantastical gaming experience where magic collides with exploration for an unparalleled gaming adventure, yet beneath these early obstacles lies an amazing fantasy world to be explored. Fantasy enthusiasts will take immense delight in traversing vast landscapes as a powerful sorceress - it's an exhilarating journey with plenty of magical prowess and open-world exploration, eventually showing its strengths despite initial missteps.

Just recently, Underspace was patched with a Hotfix which includes the following fixes; options resetting on restart, optimization with storm effects to help with GPU load, starchaser ships properly colored, fixed issue with unstable jumpholes, fixed issue with campaign 10, storms properly saving, ships can now be optimized, fixed cargo dupe bug and some UI errors.

Now, if you are wondering what Underspace is? Well, it's a game I recently got for free from Lurkit.com and it's supposed to be a spiritual successor to one of my favorite games, Chris Robert's Freelancer. Yes, before Star Citizen and before Starfield there was Freelancer and it was and still is a very good space game.

I've played Underspace for almost 4 hours and I'm happy to say that Underspace captured the feeling of playing Freelancer. The open space, the trade lanes, the jump gates, the look and feel, the dog fights, the style and a lot of other things. If you are a fan of Freelancer then there is a big chance you'll at least like Underspace.

One feature that I really like that was not in the original Freelancer game was on-foot exploration. Unlike in Freelancer, in Underspace, you are free to walk around in first-person when you're docked on a ship or on a planet somewhere. Although, it's somewhat limited.

Currently, Underspace is in Early Access in Steam and it's not a very expensive game. It will only cost you around $10 US dollars which is a very much better deal than Star Wars Outlaws.

Anyway, that's all I have for you right now regarding Underspace. If you have any comments, questions or reactions then please post them in the comments section below.

IN THIS VIDEO: At the wreckage, to get the salvage, I had to shoot it and blow it up. Grabbed all of the ones I found and went back to the shipyard. I had some trouble docking but eventually learned how it was done.

Hello fellow gamers! I'm here playing and livestreaming Underspace. Underspace (https://lurk.ly/AB_fX6) is an open-world space arcade dogfighting game, where every star system is crafted by hand, and every star system has something to see or do. 

For comments, questions or reactions then please post them in the comments section below. Also, please like the video, share the video, follow the channel and enable notifications.

Thank you for watching!

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PC Specs

• CPU » AMD Ryzen 5 3400G
• GPU » NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
• RAM » 16 GB Generic Memory

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IN THIS VIDEO: I continued with the mission, fighting with enemies in the Underspace and having problems seeing what's happening on screen. By the way, it's not the game's fault. I just have poor eyesight.

Hello fellow gamers! I'm here playing and livestreaming Underspace. Underspace (https://lurk.ly/AB_fX6) is an open-world space arcade dogfighting game, where every star system is crafted by hand, and every star system has something to see or do. 

For comments, questions or reactions then please post them in the comments section below. Also, please like the video, share the video, follow the channel and enable notifications.

Thank you for watching!

Links

• Rumble » https://rumble.com/register/kabalyero
• Twitter » https://twitter.com/kabalyero
• Website » https://www.kabalyero.info
• Ko-fi » https://ko-fi.com/kabalyero
• VPN » ProtonVPN » https://go.getproton.me/SHtQ

PC Specs

• CPU » AMD Ryzen 5 3400G
• GPU » NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
• RAM » 16 GB Generic Memory

FTC Disclosure: This post or video contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links.

IN THIS VIDEO: It was my first time in Underspace space for a mission and, just like in Freelancer, in-system fast travel is done with Trade Lanes. Combat was very similar to Freelancer too with some mild changes.

Hello fellow gamers! I'm here playing and livestreaming Underspace. Underspace (https://lurk.ly/AB_fX6) is an open-world space arcade dogfighting game, where every star system is crafted by hand, and every star system has something to see or do. 

For comments, questions or reactions then please post them in the comments section below. Also, please like the video, share the video, follow the channel and enable notifications.

Thank you for watching!

Links

• Rumble » https://rumble.com/register/kabalyero
• Twitter » https://twitter.com/kabalyero
• Website » https://www.kabalyero.info
• Ko-fi » https://ko-fi.com/kabalyero
• VPN » ProtonVPN » https://go.getproton.me/SHtQ

PC Specs

• CPU » AMD Ryzen 5 3400G
• GPU » NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
• RAM » 16 GB Generic Memory

FTC Disclosure: This post or video contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links.

IN THIS VIDEO: Found the location of the Red Exclamation Mark and received my first mission in Underspace. Take off cinematics are very much like Freelancer which is the same in Starfield.

Hello fellow gamers! I'm here playing and livestreaming Underspace. Underspace (https://lurk.ly/AB_fX6) is an open-world space arcade dogfighting game, where every star system is crafted by hand, and every star system has something to see or do. 

For comments, questions or reactions then please post them in the comments section below. Also, please like the video, share the video, follow the channel and enable notifications.

Thank you for watching!

Links

• Rumble » https://rumble.com/register/kabalyero
• Twitter » https://twitter.com/kabalyero
• Website » https://www.kabalyero.info
• Ko-fi » https://ko-fi.com/kabalyero
• VPN » ProtonVPN » https://go.getproton.me/SHtQ

PC Specs

• CPU » AMD Ryzen 5 3400G
• GPU » NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
• RAM » 16 GB Generic Memory

FTC Disclosure: This post or video contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links.

IN THIS VIDEO: Unlike in the original Freelancer game, here in Underspace, my character can walk around. The game froze though when I tried changing the game's graphics quality from Very High to High.

Hello fellow gamers! I'm here playing and livestreaming Underspace. Underspace (https://lurk.ly/AB_fX6) is an open-world space arcade dogfighting game, where every star system is crafted by hand, and every star system has something to see or do.

For comments, questions or reactions then please post them in the comments section below. Also, please like the video, share the video, follow the channel and enable notifications.

Thank you for watching!

Links

• Rumble » https://rumble.com/register/kabalyero
• Twitter » https://twitter.com/kabalyero
• Website » https://www.kabalyero.info
• Ko-fi » https://ko-fi.com/kabalyero
• VPN » ProtonVPN » https://go.getproton.me/SHtQ

PC Specs

• CPU » AMD Ryzen 5 3400G
• GPU » NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
• RAM » 16 GB Generic Memory

FTC Disclosure: This post or video contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links.

Activision and Microsoft have reportedly approved the creation of a new "smaller" team within Blizzard Entertainment - mostly comprised of employees from Activision's mobile-focused King division - to develop new "AA" games based on existing Blizzard properties.

That's according to Windows Central's Jez Corden, whose sources say the new initiative reflects an eagerness at Microsoft to "explore and experiment" with smaller teams within the larger organisation, in response to the "monstrously ballooning costs" of AAA game development.

Corden notes Microsoft has seen success with the likes of Sea of Thieves and Grounded, both built by comparatively small teams - and, of course, 2023's Hi-Fi Rush, created by a small team within Tango Gameworks, was heralded as a "break out hit" by Microsoft after its release.

Read more

Once Human's maintenance is now complete, and the F2P open-world shooter is back online with a plethora of QoL improvements and optimisations, including a desperately-needed revision to vehicle handling.

Whilst players received a bundle of Stardust and health-related items to make up for the downtime, Once Human's long-promised controller and Steam Deck support is still nowhere to be seen (although, confusingly, the "controller" in-game item remains in place).

In terms of Memetics, you can now pick up memetic specialisation memory fragments in the wild and trade them between players. All memetic fragments will be destroyed at the end of the season – which is in a couple of weeks time – and cannot be sent to Eternaland, so be mindful of that.

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Hello! Welcome back to our regular feature where we write a little bit about some of the games we've been playing over the past few days. This week we push through to get to better times in a game, which we hope are coming; we change our perception of a game after talking to the people who made it; and we find the familiar in a game that also manages to feel completely new.

What have you been playing?

Catch up with the older editions of this column in our What We've Been Playing archive.

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It barely feels like five minutes since the last one, but, somehow, Gamescom is almost upon us again. Which means publishers are starting to detail their plans for the show - and in Microsoft's case, we now know that'll include daily livestreams for those at home, plus over 50 playable games for anyone wandering the Koelnmesse's halls.

Attendees visiting Microsoft's Hall 7 Gamescom booth in person will find 50 games from Xbox Game Studios, Blizzard, Bethesda, and third-party partners, playable across 240 gaming stations. These include Age of Mythology: Retold, Ara: History Untold, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, Fallout 76: Milepost Zero, The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road, and Towerborne.

Playable third-party games, meanwhile, include Star Wars Outlaws, Space Marine 2, and the long-awaited Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. A full list of games at the booth can be found here.

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Pokémon Go's upcoming addition of Dynamax mechanics has been something of an open secret - and now we're able to see how some elements will look in-game for the first time.

Fans of Pokémon Go have peered inside the popular mobile game's files to find visual elements of the upcoming Dynamax system, which also offer clues as to how Dynamax Pokémon will be obtained.

For the first time since Pokémon Go's launch all the way back in 2016, new locations look set to appear on the game's overworld map - currently labelled as "stations". These gym-like structures look like they'll host raids for Dynamax Pokémon.

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Last week, Ubisoft raised eyebrows when it issued a vaguely-worded apology for "some elements" in Assassin's Creed Shadows' promotional materials that had "caused concern" among some fans.

Fans widely attributed the statement as referring to the ongoing backlash towards the game's inclusion of historical figure Yasuke as a Black samurai and its dual protagonist. Moderators of the main Assassin's Creed reddit this week described the topic as a "tedious discussion" that Ubisoft's statement had only "exacerbated".

In contrast, Ubisoft creative director Julian Gerighty has now acknowledged online criticism of Star Wars Outlaws - specifically, the aesthetic appearance of main character Kay Vess - by stating that "bad-faith" debates are "not worth engaging with".

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The Star Wars Outlaws team has devised a solution to that 'yellow paint' debate.

Many video game developers have introduced yellow paint into their games, as a way of signposting players where to go next. Not sure where to climb? Look for the yellow scuffs on the cliff side. If it's a building, maybe look out for a yellow drainpipe or window ledge. Resident Evil even features yellow locks for players to pick.

Needless to say, yellow paint - or indeed any brightly coloured marker - is a pretty common occurrence across the video game landscape. It is a useful accessibility tool for many players. And, this same paint-based path finder also features in Star Wars Outlaws. That is, unless you don't want it to.

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Aside from a blue paint job and some migraine inducing Na'vi Senses, last year's movie tie-in, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora was a Far Cry game in all but name. It's a typical Ubisoft move to repurpose portions of an existing product that has already proven popular with their audience, but in the case of Avatar, the final result failed to set the metaphorical Home Tree on fire (sorry, too soon?).

I think part of why Avatar's players burnt out so quickly (sorry again), was that it was basically just Far Cry but made worse with the addition of a bunch of Avatar gubbins. In the case of Star Wars Outlaws however, Ubisoft hasn't just picked one singular game to rework. Here, its plucked all the best bits from across its biggest franchises and created this melting pot of familiar gameplay elements. These elements are instantly recognisable when you see them one-by-one, sure, but they all come together as a whole to create a proper Star Wars-y feeling adventure.

When our dashing Deputy Editor, Chris Tapsell went hands-on with Star Wars Outlaws in June, he came away underwhelmed by the dated gameplay he'd experienced during the trio of linear missions he'd been given to play. As if countering that preview with a big, 'well check this out then', Ubisoft invited me along to a four-hour preview session that featured a big chunk of open-world action instead, where player were let off the leash to explore as they saw fit.

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Starfield fans believe a trademark for "Starborn" registered by Bethesda parent company Zenimax earlier this month points to the game's currently unrevealed second expansion, likely due in 2025.

Bethesda's space RPG released last year, and is set to launch its first expansion Shattered Space in the coming months. In conversation with YouTuber MrMattyPlays back in June, Bethesda's Todd Howard confirmed there would be at least one more expansion to come after Shattered Space, stating the studio was already "planning for the one after this".

It now appears that this 'planning' has made further progress, thanks to that aforementioned trademark. As spotted by Timur222 on social media platform X, Bethesda has filed a trademark for something known as Starborn. What is a Starborn? We'll explain below - so beware of small Starfield spoilers.

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US workers body SAG-AFTRA says its voice actors strike could still impact projects that have been in development for over a year, including games like GTA 6, despite the terms of its agreement stating they should be safe.

Initially, last week's shock announcement of strike action by video game actors over AI concerns was thought to have minimal impact on games expected to release later this year, as it did not include games that commenced production before August 2023.

Now, however, SAG-AFTRA says all "members who want to show solidarity with the union can elect voluntarily not to work", intimating that it believed the strike could be more disruptive than previously suspected and impact "non-struck" games.

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Gearbox founder Randy Pitchford says news about the next game in the Borderlands series will come "sooner rather than later".

Gearbox – which is now a subsidiary of Take-Two after being sold by Embracer last year – hasn't yet confirmed another Borderlands game is on the way, but Pitchford says he hasn't "done a good enough job of hiding the fact that we're working on something [...] and [he] thinks people that love Borderlands are going to be very excited".

"Oh man, I don't think I've done a good enough job of hiding the fact that we're working on something," Pitchford told TheGamer. "And I think people that love Borderlands are going to be very excited about what we're working on.

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Activision and Microsoft have reportedly approved the creation of a new "smaller" team within Blizzard Entertainment - mostly comprised of employees from Activision's mobile-focused King division - to develop new "AA" games based on existing Blizzard properties.

That's according to Windows Central's Jez Corden, whose sources say the new initiative reflects an eagerness at Microsoft to "explore and experiment" with smaller teams within the larger organisation, in response to the "monstrously ballooning costs" of AAA game development.

Corden notes Microsoft has seen success with the likes of Sea of Thieves and Grounded, both built by comparatively small teams - and, of course, 2023's Hi-Fi Rush, created by a small team within Tango Gameworks, was heralded as a "break out hit" by Microsoft after its release.

Read more