On paper, Poisonous Proposition in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a very straightforward task. You need to get poisoned a couple of times, and you need to help someone else get poisoned to cap it off. However, there are frustrations that I’m here to help you through.
Poisonous Proposition can be found after you arrive in Bhattal. Near the Rockmouse’s Burrow tavern where you first meet Menella, there’s a weird little man who will examine you, Jarle. Sad that you aren’t currently infected with poison, he asks for your help in studying various toxins.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Where to find Asps in Dragon's Dogma 2
The Asps are perhaps the easiest to find in Dragon’s Dogma 2. This is because Battahl is packed with them. You’ll find them easily to the west of the Rockmouse’s Burrow. They’re lumpy purple lizards. You’ve no doubt fought many of them already.
This time, however, you’re going to shove yourself into their faces and try getting them to poison you. Now, there’s a chance here that your Pawns will draw all aggro or kill the asps immediately, so I’m going to give you the most important part of this article: Tell your Pawns to “Wait.”
This means your Pawns will stand down. They’ll still defend themselves, but they won’t group up and attack your target unless you are already in combat.
Once you’re poisoned, just head back to Jarle. Don’t heal the toxin. You can refill your health with a potion, but you have to still be in a poisoned state when you talk to Jarle. He’ll examine you and remove the poison, then it’s onto the next part.
Where to find Venin Harpies in Dragon's Dogma 2
The next group of enemies are a bit harder to find. A smidge. They’re still pretty much everywhere in Battahl. I preferred to search the highlands directly south of the Rockmouse’s Burrow across the main road to Bakbattahl.
Your Pawns will make even quicker work of Harpies, so it’s even more important to tell your Pawns to wait so they’ll become less aggressive. And, once again, the strategy is the same. Let the Harpies focus their attacks on you until you become poisoned. Once you are, either kill the Harpies or simply run away.
Return to Jarle. Once again, don’t detoxify. Jarle will heal you, and then it’s onto the next part.
Screenshot by Destructoid
How to allow Jarle to be poisoned by the Chimera
So, ugh. For this last one, Jarle wants to be poisoned by a Chimera. He knows where to find one (southeast Battahl in a cave along the coastline). You simply need to be prepared to take it on.
Here’s the thing: Jarle isn’t very good at being poisoned. He’ll run around the Chimera like a hungry toddler, but he has no strategy for getting the poison into him. This can drag the fight on and on and on.
Here’s how I solved the issue. Don’t have the Pawns wait. They need to keep the Chimera’s attention. The Chimera spits poison from his butt (his tail), so ideally, he’ll be facing away. I then grabbed Jarle and picked him up. Then, as best I could, I danced directly behind the Chimera’s hind quarters. It took a bit of time, and I wasn’t in the right spot for its attack a couple of times, but eventually, I got the poisonous shower from the Chimera’s snake head. Since Jarle was slung over my shoulder, he also got poisoned.
Once poisoned, you can put him down. He’ll run home, so you don’t need to worry about him anymore. Kill the Chimera or run away from it. Return to Jarle (you don’t need to be poisoned), and he will reward you with a Ring of Purification and 19000 G. That seems like a reasonable reward for putting up with the guy’s weird little experiments.
Dragon's Dogma 2: A Poisonous Proposal guide
To summarize, you'll need to complete these five steps to finish the A Poisonous Proposal quest in Dragon's Dogma 2:
Get poisoned by an asp, then return to Jarle.
Get poisoned by Venin Harpies and return to Jarle
Go meet Jarle at a Chimera cave, have him get poisoned by the Chimera, then return to him once this is complete to get your reward.
The post How to complete A Poisonous Proposal in Dragon’s Dogma 2 appeared first on Destructoid.
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Relientk778h ago What, I thought this was dead after Shawn Layden left Sony. I would definitely pick this up if it's true. I have such great memories of playing the MediEvil games on PS1 and I played the PS4 remake. Such a great and underrated series.
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Despite the fact that Hollywood’s actors and writers went on strike in part because of the encroachment of AI just this past summer, we’ve already seen the technology pop up more during the past few months.
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Razer just released the Kishi Ultra mobile gaming controller, a successor to the popular Kishi V2 Pro. It’s filled with improvements, including a larger form factor to accommodate beefier mobile devices like 8-inch tablets and even some foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The controller also offers USB-C compatibility, so it should work with just about any device out there, as long as it fits. Remember, even modern Apple products now include USB-C ports.
Razer says the controller has been “designed to provide an authentic console experience on the iPhone 15 series, iPad Mini, and Android tablets with 8-inch displays.” To that end, it features the company’s proprietary Sensa HD haptics technology, which includes a haptic coil near each hand to increase immersion. The company says this experience will actually surpass what's found with traditional console controllers. The newly-released Interhaptics SDK will even allow developers to “craft bespoke haptic experiences.”
This immersion is further improved by integration with Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting system. This allows for customizable lighting schemes, which lets players bring “a piece of their gamer room setup with them.” Beyond the lighting and haptics, the controller boasts the company’s proprietary Mecha-Tactile ABXY buttons and 8-way D-pad. There are console-sized hall effect triggers, programmable L4/R4 multifunction buttons and full-sized thumb sticks, complete with anti-friction rings. The expanded form factor also means it should work with most devices without having to remove the case.
Razer
The controller can access Razer’s subscription-free Nexus app, which pulls up custom button-mapping for thousands of compatible games across iOS and Android.. This means that it’ll be a plug and play experience for the vast majority of available content, without having to fiddle with control settings. Additionally, the Nexus app lets users record and share gameplay.
The Razer Kishi Ultra is available right now and costs $150. The controller is joined by an updated version of the Kishi V2, which now connects via USB-C. That one costs $100.
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Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
When I reviewed the Xbox Series X nearly four years ago, I called the console a “next-gen PC.” Not only did the Xbox look like a PC with its boxy, rectangular, tower-like case but it also felt like one thanks to hardware upgrades that allowed it to run games with a variety of PC-like graphical modes. Now, as we approach the next generation of Xbox, it looks like Microsoft is about to close the gap between Xbox and PC even further.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has teased some potentially massive Xbox platform changes in recent weeks. At the same time, leaked internal memos have revealed an increased focus inside Microsoft on Xbox game preservation and forward compatibility.
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Former Call of Duty League pro and Challengers player Bryan ‘Jimbo’ Sabman attempted to return to competitive action after getting banned for cheating, but league officials stepped in before he had a chance.
On April 17, The Rotation reported that Jimbo would return for the upcoming Challengers Cup this weekend and allegedly was given approval to play by FACEIT. CoD content creator Xensterr called out the league for allowing him to participate in matches. "Call of Duty League failed to speak about the situation when he got banned on LAN. They should do us a favor and ban the cheater again from any type of competitive play," Xensterr responded.
Image via Activision
In response, Blizzard Entertainment senior manager Spencer Peterson confirmed, "No story here, he’s not eligible to participate." Additionally, The Rotation added that FACEIT admins have now also ruled that Jimbo is ineligible to compete in Challengers.
This saga started back in June 2023, when Jimbo's account was banned mid LAN match for cheating. As seen in the image provided, there was a message in the bottom-left hand corner of the players' screen showing a ban message. In the aftermath, The Rotation confirmed that Orbit was forfeited from Challengers Champs. Jimbo, GRVTY, Gio, and Classic would have moved down to the loser’s bracket but instead headed home early. Jimbo hasn't competed in CoD match since that incident, and it doesn't appear that the league plans on giving him a second chance any time soon.
The post Call of Duty League senior manager shuts down rumors of known cheater making a comeback appeared first on Destructoid.
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Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer SHIFT UP have released a new music video for Stellar Blade titled Eve in collaboration with Korean pop artist BIBI.
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Despite sending some of that affection to the musical stylings of Frank Sinatra and science education over the last decade, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane hasn’t forgotten his first love: his precious cartoons.
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Cities: Skylines 2 developer Colossal Order is unlisting and refunding purchases of its controversial Beach Properties asset pack less than a month after its release. It’s also significantly delaying the game's future DLC and console port.
Beach Properties was the first paid DLC for Cities: Skylines 2, and has an “Overwhelmingly Negative” rating on Steam, with just 4 percent of user reviews marked as positive. In a note announcing the reverse of course, Colossal Order CEO Mariina Hallikainen said the company had let its community down.
“We thought we could make up for the shortcomings of the game in a timeframe that was unrealistic, and rushed out a DLC that should not have been published in its current form," Hallikainen said. "For all this, we are truly sorry.”
The asset pack itself worked as advertised, adding a number of zoneable waterfront-style properties to the game, but it was definitely thin for the $9.99 asking price. Most will admit, though, that the content itself wasn’t the problem: The DLC was largely derided because it was released at a time when players were waiting on patches for the base game. Cities: Skylines 2 was released in a poorly optimized state in October 2023, and although it’s in better shape now, many in the community feel there are fundamental issues with the simulation, and there is still work to be done to make the game run better. Mod support — perhaps the reason that the original Cities: Skylines had such a long lifespan — was also slow to arrive, and is still only in beta, with no support for custom assets.
In an FAQ accompanying the announcement, Colossal Order explains how the refund and compensation program will work. Essentially, if you bought the DLC separately, you should be able to get a refund. Those who redeemed a code as part of the game's Deluxe or Ultimate editions will not. Instead, compensation will come in the form of creator asset packs and radio stations which Colossal Order says will "total around $39.99 in added value." The beachfront properties will be added to the base game, free of charge, for all players.
To call Cities: Skylines 2’s launch messy would be kind. Since the game’s release on PC last October, developer Colossal Order has burned through the goodwill it built up over a near-decade of the original game’s lifespan. Things came to a head in late January, when many of the community's loudest and most respected voices broke rank to talk openly about the game's issues.
Another casualty of today's announcement is the game's console release. Cities: Skylines 2 was supposed to launch simultaneously on PC and console, but the PS5 and Xbox versions were pushed back to spring 2024 weeks before release. It has been clear for some time that revised date was not going to happen, and Colossal Order confirmed it's now hoping to have the console ports ready for October.
The final piece of bad news is that Bridges & Ports — the first expansion pack that will go beyond assets — is going to be further delayed to Q1 2025 to allow the developers to "focus on additional free patches and game updates in the coming months." The expansion pack was supposed to be released in Q2 2024, and is included in the game's Ultimate Edition.
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It’s not an official Nintendo accessory, but everything about 8BitDo’s Retro Mechanical Keyboard screams NES regardless. Photo by Jon Porter / The Verge
If you’re craving all things Nintendo after yesterday’s Indie World showcase event, right now, 8BitDo’s Retro Mechanical Keyboard has plunged to a new all-time low price. Normally $99.99, right now, you can buy the keyboard for $83.69 from Amazon. The Famicom-inspired Fami Edition, meanwhile, is available for about $2 more.
From “Super Buttons” labeled “A” and “B” right down to the color scheme, everything about the keyboard is designed to mimic the original NES controller’s style. Yet, while it looks like it’s straight from the ’80s, it’s got modern conveniences like programmable Super Buttons and clicky, hot-swappable switches you can easily replace.
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The battle between two of the most impressive fighters in manga and anime history is about to commence. The legendary Baki the Grappler is about to go toe-to-toe with a relative newcomer in Ohma Tokita. The upcoming Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura crossover will see these two fighters duke it out to determine the ultimate fighter. Here’s the release date and everything you need to know.
Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura release date, explained
The Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura release date is coming up quite soon. Fans don’t have to wait too long, as the release of this monumental anime crossover is set for June 6, 2024. The crossover will be available around the world for everyone to enjoy at once. At this time, it appears this crossover is only happening in anime form. Fans will have to wait and see if a manga version of the event will happen.
Image via Netflix
Where to watch Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura
When the Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura crossover happens on its release date, fans will be able to watch it on Netflix. Netflix is producing the film and it appears to be an exclusive for the subscription platform. Thankfully, the anime crossover will be available worldwide on the same release date and presumably in multiple languages for fans to check out.
The crossover between the two fighters will happen in the form of a Netflix anime movie, instead of the usual episodic series these two are known for. As such, fans will presumably be able to watch the entire movie and find out without having to wait for another movie or episode who is the fighter that will come out on top between the two legends of the arena.
Image via Netflix
What to expect from the Netflix crossover anime film
Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura is exactly what it sounds like: the epic crossover between two of the most prolific fighters in manga and anime history. On one side of the arena, there will be Baki the Grappler, the teenage hand-to-hand combat specialist. His start in the scene began in 1991 with his initial manga from creator Keisuke Itagaki.
Baki’s original manga is split into five different parts, with the third arc being, specifically, the Baki Hanma arc. This is the current arc in the latest Netflix anime series, which began in 2021. This is also the iteration of Baki that will appear in the upcoming anime crossover film.
On the other side of the arena facing Baki is the newcomer, Ohma Tokita. He is the star of the Kengan Ashura manga and anime series, which began its run in 2012 and concluded in 2018. He starts out as a fighter in his late 20s who rises from nothing to become one of the most famous fighters in the Kengan Annihilation Tournament. They will battle it out to see who reigns supreme on June 6, 2024 on Netflix.
The post Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura release date and where to stream appeared first on Destructoid.
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It’s hard to believe that the Spy X Family series, based on the manga series of the same name, has only been around since 2022. The characters have become so ubiquitous in fan spaces that it feels like they’ve been with us for much longer.
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Supergiant Games just treated Hades fans to an extensive look at the game's upcoming sequel. Seriously — the developer hosted a three-hour livestream that showed off Hades II's gameplay, new features and mechanics, as well as the new designs for its characters based on the gods of Greek mythology. Supergiant's Creative Director Greg Kasavin and Studio Director Amir Rao demonstrated the abilities of the game's new protagonist, Melinoë. While she's the sister of Zagreus, the first title's protagonist, and Hades II is a direct sequel to the original, Kasavin and Rao said players don't need to have prior knowledge of the first game and of Greek mythology to enjoy it. Old fans, however, will catch "delightful references" here and there.
Melinoë is a witch and assassin, who's adept with her staff and can wield magic, and has a pretty different playstyle from Zagreus, as the gameplay footage showed. Kasavin and Roe also showed off new gods like Apollo, returning ones like Aphrodite and Demeter, new resources and various environments within the game. They played the technical test version of Hades II, however, which means certain environments and elements could still go through some changes before the final product is released.
The developer is hoping to fix any issues technical test players might find expeditiously so that the game can go into early access, which is expected to take place sometime this spring.
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The Neo family of devices. Image: Elgato
If you watch a Twitch streamer, it’s almost guaranteed that they will be using at least one Elgato product. After dominating this part of the market for years, Elgato is now shifting its primary focus away from gaming with its new Neo line while also preparing a bevy of AI features to improve new and existing gear.
Neo is a collection of Elgato’s most popular products made simpler, more affordable, and more compact so they can be used easily with a laptop or iPad. “They look more accessible, they look more friendly,” says Julian Fest, general manager of Elgato, in an interview with The Verge.
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There are few spots in Dragon’s Dogma 2 where a single bridge is your only point of ingress to an area. Usually, there’s a detour, but there are a few where there isn’t. So, if you destroy one of these bridges, how long do you have to wait to fix it? Can you even fix the bridge?
Can you repair bridges in Dragon’s Dogma 2?
No, you can’t repair bridges in Dragon's Dogma 2. However, after enough time, a broken bridge will be fixed. You can speed up this process by sleeping at an Inn a few times, or just going elsewhere until the bridge is fixed. Your Pawns will say how there’s nothing you can do about the bridge and that you should move on. They're right, in a sense. Moving on and doing something else for a few in-game days should give the game enough time to fix the bridge on its own.
If there’s a detour, you’ll just have to go that way. If the bridge was over a solid surface, you can climb down the remains of the bridge like a ladder and maybe climb up the other side. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait until the invisible bridge gnomes come around to repair it.
So, the only answer here is that you should just do something else in another part of the map for a while and then check on the bridge later.
How many days does it take to repair a bridge in DD2?
It’s hard to give you a direct answer here. A few days is the easy way to explain it, but have you ever heard the phrase “A watched pot won’t boil?” It means that if you do nothing but anticipate something happening, the time you wait will feel like an eternity.
I’m applying it in a more literal sense here. To be clear, I’m speaking of suspension bridges; ones made of wood. Stone bridges cannot be destroyed. For this test, I accidentally knocked down a bridge that leads to the Wyrmsblood Forest in Battahl using lightning magick. Don’t worry, I survived, but my Pawns weren’t so lucky. Each one plunged to their death, either splattering against the canyon floor or being taken by the brine.
However, there are quite a few ways to destroy a bridge. The easiest way is to take out the supports on one end of it. These are the posts that the bridge is tied up by. Kicking, striking, or otherwise attacking the posts will quickly lead to them breaking and the bridge collapsing.
So, I returned to Bakbattahl and stayed a night in my house. I then returned and the bridge was still out. There was no detour. So, I decided to wait and see how many days would pass before it was repaired. I went south to a campsite where I could easily view the bridge. Then I waited. And I waited. And I waited.
Eventually, the Pawns were like, “You really like this particular campsite for some reason, don’t you?”
But no bridge appeared.
More than a week passed, and then I got bored and headed South. I went right up to the labyrinth in the extreme south of Battahl and turned around. Sure enough, without having even rested, the bridge was there.
There’s a good chance that, based on how Dragon’s Dogma 2’s world works in terms of respawning and refreshing its instances, it’s actually distance-based rather than time-based. But to be safe, maybe give it a few days. If enemies you had previously eliminated in an area have respawned, then there’s a good chance that the bridge is back. Try to be more careful this time.
Screenshot by Destructoid
The post How long does it take to repair a bridge in Dragon’s Dogma 2? appeared first on Destructoid.
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"The Vancouver-based (Canada) indie games developer Red Hook Studios are today very happy and excited to announce that their roguelike /strategy/RPG Darkest Dungeon II, is coming to Playstation consoles (PS5 and PS4) via PSN on July 15th, 2024." - Jonas Ek, TGG.
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What if the public event you were attending was entirely a setup just to getcha? That’s the nightmare of paranoiacs and Truman Show fans everywhere, and also the premise of M. Night Shyamalan’s new film Trap, premiering in theaters August 9.
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Twitch has been testing a discovery feed for livestreams and Clips on mobile since last year, in hopes of giving users a new way to find new streamers to follow and, hence, spend more time on the platform. Now, the website has announced that it's rolling out the feature to all users later this month. The feed will first appear as a new tab in the mobile app and will allow viewers to switch between a scrollable feed for livestreams and another one for Clips. Like their names imply, the live feed will show users broadcasts from people they already follow and ongoing streams from people they don't based on their watch history. Meanwhile, the Clips feed will be filled with short snippets from live broadcasts.
Users will be able to join ongoing streams from the live feed by tapping on the streamers' avatars to immediately go into theater mode. Twitch will also show when the streamer is live in the Clips feed, so viewers can check them out from there, as well. And just in case it isn't clear, Twitch explained in its announcement that the discovery feed will only be aggregating streams and clips from the service and that creators cannot upload to it directly. In other words, getting highlighted on the feed is a game of chance, though featured Clips will be given priority over non-featured ones.
The discovery feed launching this month isn't its final form, though. Some users might start seeing the feed as their actual home page sometime next month, which is what Twitch had in mind for the feature in the first place. In early March, company CEO Dan Clancy said the service is giving its mobile app its first major redesign in years and that the discovery feed will be its new landing page.
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Image: Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Last March, Panic launched a curated game shop called Catalog for its Playdate handheld. And one year later, the company says it has sold more than 150,000 games through the store. “We want to let everyone who enjoys games know that there is a vibrant game dev community making hundreds of inventive and thoughtful games for Playdate,” Arisa Sudangnoi, head of Playdate developer relations, said in a statement. The news comes exactly two years after the handheld first launched.
At the beginning of 2024, Panic revealed that it had sold 70,000 Playdate units, and it now says that more than half of those users — 38,000 — have purchased a game through Catalog.
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Like any streamer, SpookTubers thrive with a top-tier set-up, getting them one step closer to viral stardom. While it won't always be smooth sailing with the threat of grotesque monsters, there are a few ways to maximize your group's video-recording journey. So, here are the best Content Warning mods.
Image via Landfall
SkipIntroScreen
If you want to start your SpookTuber life early, use RamuneNeptune's SkipIntroScreen mod. It's a fairly self-explanatory add-on that skips the beginning scene instantly. Although Content Warning's introduction already features a similar option, this mod does it automatically. Even if it is a fairly short interval, every second counts, right?
Image via Landfall
Increase max player count
Many real-life viral videos consist of large ensembles, which can bring about even more shenanigans than a smaller group would. Since Content Warning is all about the next big thing, you can take advantage of a mod that increases player count, stepping away from its four-player limit. Join 753.network's Discord channel, or use the Vitality mod to expand your lobby. For a full breakdown of the mods, check out our guide explaining how to play with more than four people. It's fairly simple, working in similar ways to its Lethal Company mod cousins.
Image via Landfall/blazitt
More face customization
DiabolicalStudios' More Customizations mod broadens the Vanilla features of Content Warning's face designs. It showcases a 128-character limit for much more free range, along with optional sizing for the face itself. You'll need to get creative since it solely depends on text-based designs, but at least you can experiment to get the best one.
Image via Landfall
VolumeBooster
Given that Content Warning utilizes co-op features, communication is key. However, nothing is worse than not being able to hear everyone in the voice chat. Fortunately, the VolumeBooster mod fixes that by turning up the volume 30 times higher. This includes SFX, Voice, and General settings for a relative surround sound experience. The only issue with this, though, is that the monster sounds will be up close and personal, resulting in more jumpscares. Yet, I suppose this will work in the group's favor for the sake of viral stardom.
Image via Landfall
Better camera configuration
If you want to capture the many outrageous moments of Content Warning, your team will need a suitable camera. The Flashcard mod can help with this by extending Vanilla's max length. Rather than the standard 90-second cap, the add-on increases it to 120 seconds. More time means more chances of getting the perfect SpookTube video.
Image by Destructoid
Ragdoll effect
The art of dramatization shines in horror genres, so why not stir up some more trouble with the MakeMeRagdoll mod? Simply press the default keybind to enter a ragdoll state as long as you want. Nevertheless, it won't make the monsters think that you've fallen and can't get up, as it is purely for appearance purposes. While it is just for show, it could still make for an excellent shot or to have a laugh with your team.
Image via Landfall
UI adjustments
Those who want to remove the UI clutter can install CommanderCat's mod on Discord. Remove all interface elements by pressing the 'P' key, where you can only see the camera and everything else in front it. Vignette appearances can also be deactivated to enhance the character's perspective further.
Image via Landfall/ViViKo
More color customization
In addition to DiabolicalStudios' facial expression expansion, ViViKo's mod adds much more vibrant colors to face customization. It goes beyond Vanilla's standard ROYGBIV colors, including lavender, peach, and black designs. Players can also apply face color to their suits for a more personalized experience.
Image via Landfall
Comment expansion
YouTube lovers have undoubtedly gotten lost in the comment section in one way or another. The same could be said for SpookTube's chat section, but it can be pretty limiting in the base version. To breathe more life into this feature, use the More Comments mod to expand its variety. The base game's comments will be completely revamped, along with some new additions to add more flair.
Image by Destructoid
Mouse Wheel
Are you tired of constantly digging through your inventory slots? Then, try out this Mouse Wheel mod, which allows you to quickly scroll through the selection. Plus, setting configurations are available for more customization, such as tweaks to camera zooms or skipping empty/artifact slots.
Image via Landfall/Arargd
Silly Items
While players are the heart and soul of Content Warning's Spooktube videos, it doesn't hurt to have some fun props. The Silly Items mod offers a range of objects that come with their own unique sound effects, like a Clown Horn, Woops Cushion, and Rubber Ducky. These items, found in the 'Misc' section of the shop, are not just for pranking your friends but also for adding a playful twist to your encounters with monsters.
Image via Landfall
Better Sprint
Video game sprinting can sometimes be a bit unpredictable, with characters moving either too slowly or too fast. But with the Better Sprint mod, you can better control your character's speed and movement in Content Warning. This add-on enhances your maximum stamina, regeneration, and sprint speed, giving you the power to maneuver swiftly and effectively. No more running away from monsters in fear; now, you can do it with confidence.
The post 12 Best Content Warning Mods appeared first on Destructoid.
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VGChartz's Evan Norris: "If you haven't played Rainbow Cotton before, you're not alone. A Dreamcast exclusive released only in Japan, it's not exactly a household name. Looking to change that, and bring the sixth-gen game back into the spotlight, is German studio KRITZELKRATZ 3000, which
with the backing of publisher ININ and original developer SUCCESS
has remade the 3D shoot-'em-up from the ground up. Featuring several modern quality-of-life upgrades, plus HD graphics and a brand new local co-op mode, it promises to merge the past and present when it launches digitally on consoles and PC on May 9.
Ahead of the game's release, I chatted with Andreas Scholl, technical director at KRITZELKRATZ 3000 and lead programmer for Rainbow Cotton, about what fans can expect from the remake."
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The Witcher had a good run; at least as good as it can get when the lead actor bows out midway through over rumored creative differences. The fact that the show survived to recast Liam Hemsworth as Geralt and even got a spin-off speaks to its success.
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A keyboard is one of the few pieces of technology you may use for hours every day. Why not make it something that brings you joy? Sure, the people who gush over these things can be intense, but the upgraded comfort, durability and customizability that comes with a good mechanical keyboard is a real thing. If you’re looking to make the switch (ahem), we tested a couple dozen mechanical keyboards over the past few months and rounded up our favorites below. We’ve also broken down what to look for when shopping for one.
What to look for in a mechanical keyboard
Layout
The first thing to decide with any keyboard is what size and layout you want. Full-size layouts have all the keys you’d ever need — a number pad, a full function row, arrow keys, etc. — but they also have the largest physical footprint. A 96-percent or “1800” keyboard is similar, but crunches the navigation cluster (Page Up, Home, etc.), numpad and arrow keys closer together to save space. Tenkeyless (TKL) or 80-percent keyboards omit the number pad entirely; they're often considered the best blend of size and functionality. 75-percent keyboards keep almost all of the buttons of a TKL model but further reduce any “dead” space between them — think of them like the TKL versions of a 96 percent layout.
It gets more and more minimal from there. The smallest popular layout is the 60 percent keyboard, which removes the arrow keys, function row, numpad and navigation cluster. This kind of design can be particularly useful for gaming, as it opens up a ton of desk space to swing your mouse around. It typically relies on shortcuts to make up for its missing keys, but it comes with a learning curve as a result.
Even more compact options exist beyond that. These can be adorable, but they usually involve removing the number row, which is a step too far for most people. There are all sorts of ergonomic keyboards that utilize different shapes to improve your wrist and arm comfort as well, but we have a separate guide for those.
Switch type
No component has more of an impact on how a mechanical keyboard feels and sounds than the switches beneath its keycaps. The market for these tiny mechanisms is vast and complex but, to keep it simple, you can separate them into three types: linear, tactile and clicky. Which you prefer ultimately comes down to personal preference, so we encourage you to go to a store, try out a friend’s keyboard and test switches out to determine what you like best.
Linear switches feel smooth and consistent all the way down. Many PC gamers prefer them because they’re often light and fast to actuate, so they can register inputs quickly. They tend to be quieter than other switch types as well, but some may find them too sensitive.
Tactile switches create a noticeable “bump” partway through a press. They generally aren’t as fast as their linear counterparts, but many (including yours truly) enjoy the tangible sense of feedback they provide with each keystroke. This bit of resistance can make it a little easier to avoid typos, too. Many tactile switches are neither outright quiet nor disruptively loud.
Clicky switches are, well, clicky. They work similarly to tactile switches but use an extra mechanism that makes a sharp click sound when pressed. The exact design of that mechanism can differ depending on the switch. Some people love the audible feedback of clicky switches. The people who work or live with them? Probably not so much.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Remember: These are general buckets. Within them lies an enormous variety of switches with differing actuation points, weights, springs, bump sensations and more. One linear, tactile, or clicky switch can feel and sound noticeably different than another.
There are more dramatic variations as well. Low-profile switches, for one, can be linear, tactile or clicky but aren’t as tall and have a shorter travel distance. They allow for flatter and more compact designs, with keys that are fast to press but also easy to bottom out.
Optical and Hall effect switches rely on different mechanisms entirely. Instead of a physical contact point, the former uses a beam of infrared light to register keystrokes, while the latter uses tiny magnets. Both commonly have a linear feel. They can also enable a few gaming-friendly features: You could set custom actuation points and make any key more or less sensitive, map multiple actions to one keystroke or even use an “analog mode” that emulates gamepad controls. These are niche tricks, but they can make a difference for competitive-minded players. Boards that use these “analog” switches are frequently more expensive and less customizable than traditional mechanical options, though.
Switch modifications
It doesn’t stop at switch types: Manufacturers (and you!) can make several other tweaks to shape how a mechanical keyboard feels and sounds. Some have layers of different foam inside their case to tamp down noise, for instance. Some have switches that are lubricated out of the box to provide a smoother feel and more muted sound. A few others put plastic, rubber or foam “films” between the upper and bottom housing of a switch to keep it from wobbling and further tune its acoustics. Or they stick a layer of tape on their printed circuit board (PCB) to absorb higher-pitched sounds. We think most people will find that some well-applied foam and lubing makes things feel nicer, though this is another matter that comes down to taste.
Keycaps
Keycaps play a huge role in defining a keyboard’s character. First off, they should look nice! There’s a huge market for third-party keycaps in all different styles, from the playful to the professional to the proudly impractical. The majority of mechanical keyboards make it easy to swap in new keycaps, so it’s usually not a huge deal if you ever get bored with your device's stock set.
Most keycaps are made from one of two types of plastic: ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). Keycaps using the latter tend to be higher-quality. They're often thicker, more durable, deeper-sounding and less prone to developing a shiny or greasy finish over time. Still, premium ABS keycaps do exist, so this is another case where what’s “best” partly comes down to personal taste. You may prefer an ABS keycap that feels smooth over a PBT model with a rougher texture.
Keycap sets are available in several different shapes and sizes. Some are totally uniform; many others are distinctly sculpted to meet your fingers in (ostensibly) more natural positions. Which is most comfortable is something you’ll have to figure out for yourself. You can check out keycaps.info to see what the most popular keycap profiles look like.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Keyboard makers have several different methods of printing the letters and symbols (aka “legends”) that go on a set of keycaps. The two most common are known as double-shot and dye-sublimation. Double-shot caps are typically more durable but cost more to produce — they’re made by molding one color of plastic for the keycap around a second color of plastic for the legend. “Dye-sub” caps, in contrast, use heat to stain in the legends but are decently durable in their own right.
For keyboards with RGB backlighting, it's best if the legends to be “shine-through,” so those color effects are visible through the keycaps. We don’t think it’s the end of the world if they aren’t — as you’ll see below — but the RGB won’t be as fun otherwise.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers (or “stabs”) are little components that go under large keys like the space bar or backspace to keep them from rattling or wobbling when pressed. These come in different types as well. Many a decent keyboard has been hindered by subpar stabilizers, so it’s worth checking your bigger keys first to ensure they aren’t distractingly shaky or uneven.
Mounting styles and case quality
A keyboard’s mounting style determines how its PCB and plate — i.e., a common (but not universal) layer that holds the keycaps in place above the PCB — are secured within its case. This, too, comes in varying styles and can have a significant effect on how the board feels and sounds. It’s also something that’s best explained visually, so we’ll point you to this excellent infographic from Thomas Baart instead of running through every possible configuration here. It’s hard to say one mounting style is always better than the others, but many enthusiast boards these days use some sort of gasket mount, which puts a gasket material on either side to separate the plate from the main case. Done well, this can make typing feel softer and bouncier than it would on a more traditional, tray-mounted design.
Regardless of what’s going on under the hood, a good keyboard shouldn’t feel cheap on the outside, either. Its case shouldn’t flex under pressure or feel hollow as you’re clacking away. Higher-end models often have cases made from metal or sturdier plastic — the former may feel more premium but it’s typically heavier and pricier.
Customizations and software
We focused on pre-built models here, but that doesn’t mean customization isn’t important. Experimenting with different switches and keycaps is half the fun of this hobby, after all. For this guide, we prioritized keyboards that are “hot-swappable,” which means they let you easily remove and replace switches without having to desolder anything. Permanently attached switches may be more stable, but fixing a broken hot-swappable switch should be relatively painless — and more affordable to boot.
We also valued keyboards that are easy to program and customize through software, whether it’s a manufacturer-specific app or popular open-source programs like VIA. Not everyone will go through the trouble to set macros, customize backlighting or remap keys, but it’s better to have the option if your mindset changes down the road.
It’s a plus if a keyboard works across multiple operating systems, particularly Windows and macOS, just in case you ever switch allegiances. If the device comes with OS-specific keycaps you can pop on to make the experience less clunky, that’s even better.
Connectivity
Wireless connectivity isn’t essential with a device that mostly sits on your desk, but it’s always nice to cut down on cables. Though wireless keyboards still cost more than wired ones, today you can get something great for less than $100. If you do go wireless, look for a model that can connect over Bluetooth and a USB wireless dongle. The former is convenient for travel, while the latter can provide a more stable connection. For wired keyboards, you want a detachable USB cable so you don’t have to replace your entire device if the cord ever frays or breaks.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Backlight
Good backlighting will make any keyboard easier to use in the dark. We gave bonus points to keyboards with fully programmable RGB lights, as they can be particularly fun to mess with, but they're not essential. As noted above, the strength of your backlight will be neutered if your keycaps’ legends aren’t transparent.
Rotary knob
Some mechanical keyboards come configured with a rotary knob, which typically controls volume by default but can be customized to control other inputs as well. This is more of a fun bonus than anything else, but we found it hard to give up on devices without one.
How we tested
To be clear, there isn’t one “best” mechanical keyboard for everyone. Yes, some are likely to be better for most people than others; that’s what we set out to find with this guide. But ultimately, this is one of those categories that’ll largely depend on your personal tastes.
It’s also worth reiterating that we only considered pre-built models for this guide. We still valued keyboards that are configurable with different switches, keycaps and other design tweaks upfront and easy to customize after purchase. However, we recognize that many people just want to pay for a nice thing and enjoy it, without having to do homework on how they can make it better. If you want to get hardcore later on and start building your own custom keyboards, we have a whole separate guide for that.
With that said, we started our research by reading a ton of reviews from both professionals and everyday users, trawling enthusiast forums along the way. This helped us whittle down the devices that had a shot of being a top pick and were readily available from reputable brands. From there, we used each keyboard as our daily driver for a few days, typing up thousands of words, playing PC games and paying attention to the key aspects noted above. We fully charged each wireless model and monitored its battery drain to ensure it lined up with their advertised rating. We also ensured any companion software worked as intended.
It’s worth keeping in mind that new mechanical keyboards are coming out all the time. It's very difficult to get to everything, but we'll continue to monitor the market and update this guide as noteworthy boards arrive.
Other mechanical keyboards we tested
Just a few of the other mechanical keyboards we tested for this guide. Clockwise from top left: the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless, the G.Skill KM250 RGB, the Lofree Block, the NZXT Function 2 and the Lofree Flow.Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Lofree Block
The wireless Lofree Block feels great and has a fun retro aesthetic that looks like it belongs next to an old Mac. Its keys are wonderfully smooth to the touch and create a nice thocky tone. At $169, it’s a good middle ground between the Keychron Q Max and V Max series if you dig the look. However, it doesn’t have any software for programming macros, it only has a white backlight and it only comes in a full-size layout. Are those huge issues? No. But there are fine margins separating these things once you get to a certain point.
Lofree Flow
It’s a similar story with the Lofree Flow, a low-profile model. Its full-POM switches are softer and noticeably quieter than the NuPhy Air V2, and its thin aluminum case looks and feels high-quality. It can only work wirelessly using Bluetooth, though, and we noticed a couple of connection hiccups in testing. There’s still no software, either, plus its backlight is fairly weak. It also costs $40 or so more than the Air75 V2. Still, it’s a great alternative.
Keychron K Max
The low-profile Keychron K Max series has all the requisite features and costs less than the NuPhy Air75 V2 and Lofree Flow. If you don’t like the Air V2’s style and want a cheaper low-profile model, it’s worth a look. That said, the keycaps on NuPhy’s board feel a bit higher-quality, and the tactile Gateron switches in our K Max unit sound thinner.
NZXT Function 2 & Function 2 MiniTKL
The full-size NZXT Function 2 and tenkeyless NZXT Function 2 MiniTKL are perfectly solid gaming keyboards with fast optical switches, durable PBT keycaps, tasteful RGB lighting, sound-dampening foam and aluminum top plates. They support a fair amount of customization through NZXT’s CAM app, including the ability to swap between two different universal actuation settings. The stabilizers on larger keys exhibit some rattle, though, and the Wooting 60HE+’s magnetic switches are far more versatile for not too much extra cash.
The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL.Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
MelGeek Modern97
With its fun speckled color scheme, gasket-mounted design and multiple foam layers, the MelGeek Modern97 is a solid value at $139. The linear, pre-lubed Kailh Box Plastic switches in our unit are smooth and enjoyably clacky, while the larger keys are neither hollow nor overly loud. All of the switches are hot-swappable, and the whole thing works over USB-C, Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz dongle. Alas, its ABS keycaps start to feel slicker and greasier with extended use. This model also has a 90 percent layout, which saves a little extra desk space compared to a 96 percent board but can lead to more accidental presses around the arrow keys.
Razer Huntsman V2 TKL
The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL is a quality gaming keyboard with light optical switches, crisp shine-through keycaps, a sturdy frame and an impressively muffled sound thanks to some internal foam. (If you buy the model with Razer’s linear optical switches, that is; another variant with clicky switches isn’t nearly as quiet.) It’s often available in the $100 range, and at that price it’s a solid pick. It’s neither wireless nor hot-swappable, though, and its keys wobble more than those on the Keychron V Max.
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro
The analog Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is a decent alternative to the Wooting 60HE+ if the latter’s shipping delays become too great. It’s available in a 60 percent, TKL or full-size layout, and it offers a similar set of gaming features, including an adjustable actuation range and a rapid trigger setting for repeating keystrokes faster. But its optical switches are noisier and more hollow-feeling than Wooting’s Hall effect setup, so it’s not as pleasant for typing.
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless
We recommend the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless in our guide to the best gaming keyboards, and it remains a good choice if you want the granular customizability of the Wooting 60HE+ in a wireless design. It also comes with a wrist rest, unlike Wooting’s models. Its magnetic switches are somewhat harsher-sounding, however, and its space bar is louder. SteelSeries’ companion software is clunkier to navigate as well. We haven’t tested the 60 percent Apex Pro Mini Wireless, but it should perform similarly.
G.Skill KM250
The $50 G.Skill KM250 is the top budget pick in our gaming keyboard guide, and it’s still a better buy than the Keychron C3 Pro is gaming is your chief concern. Compared to Keychron’s board, it adds hot-swappable switches, full RGB backlighting, PBT keycaps and a rotary knob in a smaller 65 percent layout. That said, the C3 Pro’s fuller sound and springier keystrokes make it superior for typing, and its tenkeyless design should be more comfortable for a wider swath of people. It’s typically available for $10 to $15 less, too.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 WirelessPhoto by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Logitech G Pro X TKL & G Pro X 60
The Logitech G Pro X TKL and 60 percent Logitech G Pro X 60 are well-built but far too expensive for gaming keyboards that lack hot-swappable switches and the analog functionality of competitors like the Wooting 60HE+.
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a wireless 96 percent keyboard that’s marketed toward gamers but should feel great to anyone. The pre-lubed, linear ROG NX Snow switches in our test unit are smooth and quiet, while the PBT keycaps feel stable and high-quality. The keycaps let the RGB backlight shine through cleanly, plus there’s a clever multi-function key that puts various lighting and media controls in one place. ASUS’ Armoury Crate software is sloppy, though, and the board’s overall look may be too gamer-y for some. At $180, it’s not cheap either. The Keychron Q5 Max costs $40 more but gets you a more premium (if heavier) all-aluminum chassis; here, the housing is plastic.
ASUS ROG Azoth
The ASUS ROG Azoth is like a 75 percent version of the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless with a few more enthusiast touches. Its gasket-mounted design gives keystrokes a slightly softer landing, it has a programmable OLED display and it even includes a switch lubing kit in the box. Like the Strix, its hardware is very clearly high-grade. But its software is much more aggravating and, with a list price of $250, it's a worse value than the Keychron Q Max.
Corsair K70 RGB TKL
The Corsair K70 RGB TKL isn’t bad in a vacuum, but it lacks wireless functionality and fully hot-swappable switches. It’s on the noisy side, too, and Corsair’s iCue software is rough.
The Logitech G Pro X 60.Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Corsair K70 Max
The full-size Corsair K70 Max is another high-end gaming keyboard with magnetic Hall effect sensors and Wooting-style features, but trying to program those settings through Corsair’s iCue app gave us headaches. The 60HE+ also feels better for typing, with less rattling on large keys like the space bar. Wooting’s HE keyboards support a slightly wider actuation range on top of that, plus they cost $30 to $55 less depending on size.
Razer Huntsman Mini
The Razer Huntsman Mini is a fine value if you want a no-frills 60 percent keyboard for less than $100, but it’s another wired-only model that isn’t truly hot-swappable.
Logitech G915 TKL
The Logitech G915 TKL is a wireless low-profile model with a metal frame and handy media controls. The GL Tactile switches in our test unit are comfortable and not particularly noisy. But the thin ABS keycaps feel way too cheap for something that costs $230, the keys themselves are a little too wobbly and the switches aren't hot-swappable.
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Bleeeeeaaaagggghhhhh. Screenshot: Wes Davis / The Verge
Comedy Central has ordered 10 episodes of Golden Axe, an animated show based on the fantasy beat ’em up sidescroller games. Deadline writes that it will be both “hilarious and loving” in its adaptation of the game. If I remember my Sega Genesis days well, I think that means there’ll be fighting over who gets to ride the purple bird dinosaur and that, at some point, a gigantic hairy skull will float down and hotbox everyone.
Who’s big idea was this, you ask? You can blame producers Mike McMahan (Star Trek: Lower Decks) and Joe Chandler (American Dad!), who will also write the first episode together, with Chandler serving as the showrunner afterward. A timeline for the show’s release hasn’t been announced yet.
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Eiichiro Oda's brief hiatus is finally coming to an end. With the World Government pulling every trick out of their bag in a desperate attempt to stop the Straw Hat Pirates, the Egghead Arc is nearing an explosive finale in Chapter 1112. Here is everything fans need to know about One Piece chapter 1112 release date and time.
One Piece Chapter 1112 release date and time, explained
After waiting three weeks, One Piece fans are at the edge of their seats, awaiting the fate of the Straw Hat Pirates and everyone else fighting tooth and nail to get off Egghead Island alive. The agonizing wait is almost over as the current One Piece Chapter 1112 release date is set for Sunday, April 21, 2024. The manga has been on a weekly schedule, but Oda took a break to rest properly.
Fans can check out Chapter 1112 at approximately 11 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. PDT), closely aligning with the midnight release in Japan. If fans stay off social media, they should have no issues avoiding spoilers.
Image via Toei Animation
Where to read One Piece Chapter 1112
Once the floodgates open, Once Piece fans can read the latest chapter on Viz Media and MangaPlus. Both websites will have the chapter available in English. It all comes down to personal preference as to which service you prefer to use.
What to expect from One Piece Chapter 1112
If you still need to catch up, we recommend reading Chapter 1111 before reading ahead. Even if there aren't any official confirmed spoilers for the upcoming new chapter, we can infer what might happen next based on the breadcrumbs sprinkled in by Oda.
The most recent chapter ended with the Iron Giant awakening from its slumber and non-verbally apologizing to Joy Boy. It's unclear what sort of relationship the mysterious figure has with Joy Boy, but Vegapunk previously explained that the Iron Giant launched an unsuccessful attack on Mary Geoise 200 years ago after running out of energy.
Gear 5 has activated the Iron Giant, so Chapter 1112 will likely showcase the massive ally's powers. If we were going to make a prediction, it would make sense if the Iron Giant was apologizing to Nika for failing to attack Mary Geoise successfully. As a beloved figure of the Buccaneers and other slaves, Nika most likely tried to launch a rebellion against the World Government 200 years ago but failed. Alongside the Giant Warrior Pirates, The Iron Giant will probably be the final piece that helps Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats escape Egghead, and will finally get a chance to make up for the previous shortcomings.
We are also waiting for Vegapunk to finally announce his death in a message he prepared before presumably dying, but we don't expect Oda to drop that bombshell revelation on us just yet. There is no clear indication of what Vegapunk has up his sleeve, and it's almost impossible to determine what twist in the tale Oda has planned.
The post The Straw Hat Pirates may have awoken a giant ally – One Piece Chapter 1112 release date & predictions appeared first on Destructoid.
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You’d think that, by now, Glen Powell’s characters would have learned that adopting a false identity and lying to pretty much everyone you know never pans out well, but nope!
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Panic is celebrating Playdate's second birthday this month, and the party favors include some piping-hot statistics about Catalog game sales.
Playdate hit the market in April 2022 with 24 free games. Its Catalog store went live in March 2023, offering 16 curated games for purchase directly on the device. Panic has added more titles to Catalog on a bi-weekly basis for the past year, and the marketplace today has 181 games and apps. More than 150,000 games have been sold on Catalog, giving developers $544,290 in gross revenue — that's after taxes, processing fees and Panic’s 25 percent cut.
Panic
The average price of a Playdate Catalog game is $5.36. The average install size is 5.03MB, while the smallest Catalog game is 30.1KB and the largest is 107MB. Playdate ships with 4GB of flash storage. It also has 16GB of RAM, an accelerometer, a 400 x 240 1-bit display, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, a mono speaker, and a condenser mic and stereo headphone jack. Oh, and it has a delightful little crank.
The figures Panic shared today cover Catalog purchases, which means they only tell part of the story. While Catalog has just under 200 titles, there are more than 800 Playdate games and apps available on itch.io alone, and the community there is active and vibrant. As I described in our Playdate retrospective published last week, browsing the device's itch.io page feels like "hanging out in a friendly underground clubhouse populated by crank-obsessed video game freaks." But, like, in a great way.
Playdate supports games from new and veteran developers, and some of its most notable titles include Mars After Midnight by Lucas Pope, Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure from Keita Takahashi’s studio uvula and Zipper by Bennett Foddy. Some of my personal favorites include Root Bear, Spellcorked, Word Trip, Chopter Copter and Pocket Pets.
This is the first time Panic has publicly shared data about Playdate game sales or its revenue-share model. The 25 percent cut that Panic takes is less than the standard set by Steam, which gets 30 percent of most game sales, but it's more than split on the Epic Games Store, which reserves 12 percent for Epic.
Playdate costs $199 and there's an optional teal cover available for $30. Panic has also been teasing the Stereo Dock — an adorable Playdate charging station, Bluetooth speaker and pen holder — for more than two years, but the accessory is still "coming soon." There's no word on a price or release window for the Stereo Dock, but Playdate Project Lead Greg Maletic recently told Engadget to expect an update in the coming months.
"We apologize to everyone with a Playdate who has been waiting patiently for the Stereo Dock; it’s been a trickier project than we anticipated and we had a few false starts," Maletic said. "We thought we'd save some time on that project by having our factory do the software for the Stereo Dock, but we've learned that you don't always necessarily want that in some cases. The Stereo Dock is very much alive, we have the physical prototypes to prove it! We expect to have a formal update on when you can buy one later this year."
Panic
More than 70,000 Playdates have been sold in the past two years and a little more than half of all owners have purchased a Catalog game, according to Panic.
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Image: Bay 12 Games
Though you could always go on adventures in Dwarf Fortress, with the game’s Adventure Mode expansion entering public beta today, you can now sally forth with a full complement of updated graphics.
In Adventure Mode, there are all sorts of shenanigans to get up to in the ridiculously large and detailed procedurally generated world. It’s an RPG campaign complete with character creation, quests to complete, and bandits to fight.
With the public beta, your adventures on the surface world will look a lot more detailed than smiley faces and ASCII art. There’s still the same level of granular detail in combat, allowing you to stab, punch, kick, throw, and bite just about anything on your enemies right down to their eyeballs.
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Black Clover is finally coming back after its lengthy hiatus. The magical action manga series is gearing up for its long-awaited return and it should kick off with a banger of a first couple of new chapters. Here is what you need to know about the Black Clover Chapters 370 and 371 release dates, times, and everything else.
Black Clover Chapters 370 and 371 release dates and times
The wait is finally over, as we now know the Black Clover Chapters 370 and 371 release dates. The release date for the next chapter is set for April 29, 2024. But it doesn’t stop there. Since the series has been on a lengthy hiatus since 369’s release in December 2023, manga creator Yūki Tabata is granting fans access to not one, but two chapters at once.
Both 370 and 371 will launch on the same release date of April 29, 2024. Fans will be able to check out the new chapters soon after their release around 11 a.m. EDT (9 a.m. PDT). This is because the new chapters will release officially in English shortly after they launch in Japan on April 30, 2024. There is only a short wait until this beloved manga returns.
Image via Pierrot
Where to read Black Clover
As fans get ready for the long-awaited return of Black Clover, you can prepare by knowing exactly where to read the manga. There are two places fans can officially read the series in English: Viz Media and MangaPlus. Both of these are official options and they offer fans the latest three chapters in English for free.
As such, both Chapters 370 and 371 should be available for users to go through for read when they come out. But this also means that two chapters will likely not be free for everyone at the same time. You should be sure to catch up on the series while you still can, so you don’t have to sign up for any service or account once the dual chapter release happens. As for which service to read the new chapters from, it is up to you. They will have the same exact translation, so it comes down to your preferences for style or user interface.
Image via Pierrot
What to expect from Chapters 370 and 371
It has been quite some time since Black Clover released a chapter, so you aren’t alone if you forgot some of what happened recently. To help you out, here is a little spoiler warning. With that in mind, Chapter 369 ended with the final battle raging in the series. Asta, Yuno, Yami, and the others waged war against the Lucius clones to try and take them out one by one.
Since the chapter ended in the midst of this battle, it is likely that Chapters 370 and 371 will pick up right there. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of these chapters is all about the pure action right from the get-go, as the battle against the clones continues. But there is a chance we could see some possible hints or teases for the impending competition between Asta and Yuno for the title of Wizard King.
The post Black Clover Chapters 370 and 371 release dates & what to expect appeared first on Destructoid.
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Igor writes: "If you are looking for the best ways to use Mesh Shield in The Finals, we got you covered. You will find everything you need in our article."
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The one rule of Pretty Little Liars is, no matter how many mysteries you solve, how deep down the rabbit hole you go, or how frequently you unmask A, the twisted, murderous mind games must always continue.
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It hasn't been long since Apple started allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. We've already seen one notable controversy after the company pulled Game Boy emulator iGBA from the storefront. It turned out that iGBA, which hit the top of the download charts, was a near carbon copy of another emulator submitted for review.
GBA4iOS developer Riley Testut claimed that iGBA was a "knock-off of GBA4iOS" that was packed with ads and trackers. As it turns out, Testut's Delta, a successor to GBA4iOS, is now available for free in the App Store.
The original emulator picked up some buzz a decade ago after Testut found a way for iPhone users to sideload the Game Boy Advance emulator without having to jailbreak their device. Apple eventually closed the iOS loophole and, of course, Nintendo was none too happy about the emulator. However, you can now download Delta free from the App Store directly without having to worry about sideloading.
Along with GBA titles, the app supports NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color and Nintendo DS games, with the promise of more platforms to come. The app supports third-party controllers, as well as quick saves, cheat codes and data syncing between devices using Google Drive or Dropbox. There's even local multiplayer for up to four players, though you'll probably want to use an iPad or mirror your phone to your TV in that case.
You'll need to supply any games you want to play on the emulator. To stay on the right side of the law, you'll need to dump games that you already own into ROM files.
While iPhone and iPad users outside of the EU can snag Delta from the App Store directly, the process is a little different for those who live in the bloc. Testut is also behind a third-party app marketplace called AltStore, which iPhone users in the EU can now more easily install a version of.
Europe’s coolest alternative app marketplace is HERE!
Introducing AltStore PAL — an Apple-approved version of AltStore exclusive to the EU
Download now from our website for just €1.50/year (+ VAT) 🇪🇺 https://t.co/3ZfYbq4QNU pic.twitter.com/D5cbkWhi7l.— AltStore.io (@altstoreio) April 17, 2024
AltStore PAL is an open-source marketplace that includes Delta as well as another app that Testut developed called Clip, which is a clipboard manager. The latter requires a small donation of at least one Euro to use. Testut noted that he and his business partner Shane Gill plan to open up AltStore PAL to other third-party apps after making sure that everything runs smoothly.
That said, AltStore PAL costs users €1.50 per year. That covers the Core Technology Fee Apple charges for each download of an app marketplace, as well as payment processing. Alternatively, you can use the previous version of AltStore, but you'll still need to use a computer to sideload apps and refresh them once per week.
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Like most people, I’d prefer to stare at a bunch of cacti in my living room rather than an uninspired black rectangle. Image: Samsung
Everyone may like watching movies on a big screen, but a hulking panel is nothing but an eyesore when turned off. That’s why Samsung’s Frame TV has become so popular over the last several years and why several TV manufacturers, including Amazon, have begun to crib ideas from the company’s artsy panels. And while the Frame certainly isn’t cheap, you can currently pick up the 2022 model at Amazon in the 55- and 65-inch sizing for $997.99 ($500 off) and 1,597.99 ($400), respectively. It’s also on sale in the behemoth 75-inch configuration for $1,895 ($1,103 off), an all-time low, with Best Buy and Walmart matching Amazon’s pricing in most instances.
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Developer Warhorse revealed today that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is officially on the way. The medieval first-person open-world RPG will place players back into the role of Henry, the protagonist of the original, now serving as a knight of his friend Hans, providing a bigger scope and scale for the conflict. Warhorse plans to release Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 by the end of 2024.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R48DEEjyS5k
Embracing the massive open-world of the original, Warhorse explained that the sequel will build on almost every facet of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. A longer, more epic story, more cutscenes, more expanded combat, and a larger world are just some of the features. More specifically, the world itself is double the size, and will feature more large-scale battles as opposed to the smaller battles of the original. It's a bold follow-up to a popular title that has sold over 6 million units to date.
Also like the original, choice and the world changing around your choices are big part of the adventure. In an example provided by the developers, if players choose to bumble around town drunk and naked as Henry, those around will comment on his behavior and Henry can respond in turn. However, if any nobles are present, they might remember this moment when later considering to fraternize with Henry.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is aimed to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.S before the years end.
The post Medieval open-world RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance getting a sequel appeared first on Destructoid.
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Hellblade 2 is confirmed to be around 9 hours in length, and there's a strong case as to why that relatively short length will likely be one of its strongest suits.
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Re-airing any sort of exploitative or sexually explicit material—even for the purpose of exposing a predatory system—is a slippery slope, and it’s one Quiet On Set subjects Raquel Lee Bolleau and Alexa Nikolas say the documentary’s producers didn’t handle well.
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Blaze Entertainment has made a bunch of announcements regarding its Evercade retro gaming consoles Among other things, the company has revealed refreshed and less expensive hardware.
The Evercade -R range updates the VS and EXP with a new look. Each of the new consoles, which will arrive in July, comes with a bundled cartridge (more on that in a moment). The previous consoles have been discontinued but will be available while stocks last.
Blaze redesigned the handheld Evercade EXP-R with the aim of reducing costs. To that end, Blaze has removed two features: 18 Capcom games that were built into the EXP and the Mini-HDMI out port. On the plus side, that means the latest version of the console is $100 (£100 in the UK and €120 in Europe), $30 less than the previous system.
The EXP-R has a new textured grip on the back that seeks to improve comfort for longer gaming sessions. The system is charcoal grey and there are turquoise accents on the power, menu, start and select buttons. Like its predecessor, the EXP-R includes Wi-Fi and a TATE button, which allows you to switch to vertical play while maintaining an accurate screen ratio.
Rather than being a handheld, the Evercade VS-R plugs into your TV. It has the same color scheme as the EXP-R, with a turquoise power button and front LED light. Like the VS, it has a dual cartridge slot and four USB ports for controllers.
The console now supports the TATE screen rotation function and there's Wi-Fi connectivity for firmware updates. The console comes with a controller and power cable, but you'll need to supply your own HDMI cable. The Evercade VS-R will also drop support for the Namco Museum Collection 1 & 2. That said, with these changes, Blaze has also been able to drop the price of the VS-R to $100, the same as the new handheld.
You might want some games to play on those systems. To that end, Evercade has announced a new cartridge format. The Giga Cart is able to store larger games (such as ones that were originally available on CDs) and it will typically cost $25, compared with the $18 of regular Evercade cartridges.
Blaze is planning to release two titles on the Giga Cart format this year, and we now know what one of those is: a collection of the first three Tomb Raider games. This isn't the so-so remastered bundle with upgraded visuals that hit other platforms earlier this year. Tomb Raider Collection 1 includes the original versions of the three games with the OG character models and textures. While you'll be able to buy the cart separately and play it on existing Evercade and Super Pocket devices, Blaze is bundling it in with the Evercade EXP-R and VS-R.
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Image: Riley Testut
The Delta emulator is officially available on the Apple App Store — for free — outside of the European Union, where it’s available via the third-party AltStore PAL app marketplace that just went live.
The app marks the first significant and officially sanctioned game emulator for the iPhone since Apple began allowing them, with wide-ranging console emulation from the original Nintendo Entertainment System to the Nintendo 64 (and even the Sega Genesis, for when you want to play those games that Nintendon’t).
Delta developer Riley Testut told The Verge via email that the app is identical to the version debuting with AltStore PAL.
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Few things strike me as more post-doomsday-ish than humankind reaching a time when video game to film or TV series adaptations get good, but that's where you and I are right now. The Fallout TV show rocks so much that it immediately prompted its watchers to scour the media wasteland to satiate their hunger for some sweet tales of the post-apocalyptic.
If you're looking for games, that's easy — just play any Fallout game. If you're looking for movies, however, that might be more of a challenge, so I've come up with a list of the best post-apocalyptic movies Fallout fans can enjoy today.
Image via Warner Bros
Mad Max: Fury Road (George Miller, 2015)
Even though we can attribute the boom of the Post-Apocalyptic genre and landscape to the original Mad Max, its sequel, Mad Mad: Fury Road, is a much better film by every conceivable metric.
The funny thing about Fury Road is that it's not as influential as the original film, but that's not because it's worse — it's because its action is so groundbreaking that no one dared rip it off. Watch this one if you'd like to know what a fast-paced Fallout story would look like. I promise you that the only possible downside here is the inevitable disappointment at learning that no Fallout game features cars — yet.
Image by Miramax
Hardware (Richard Stanley, 1990)
Hardware is the least-known title on this list, which is a shame as it's one of the most Fallout-like films out there. It tells the story of nuclear damnation, mad automatons, and Wasteland scavengers who come across cursed "treasure".
Despite a hilariously small budget by today's standards, Hardware manages to beautifully — if that's the word to use here — recreate the "colors" of the wasteland and the decadence of a metropolis tainted by the consequences of flirting with nuclear powers. Do not sleep on this one if you want to see something bold, unique, and massively underrated.
Image by Goskino
Stalker (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1984)
While it's up for debate whether Stalker takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, there's no debate on whether it plays like a post-apocalyptic movie. Stalker shows the journey of a few men searching for a literal miracle that will change their lives, but their adventure is anything but magical. Instead of beautiful landscapes, they must traverse what is only known as "the zone", a mysterious and haunting place where they must face outer and inner adversities to get to their desired goal. It has little to do with the Fallout series, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a movie that plays out more like your favorite Fallout campaign.
Image via Dimension
The Road (John Hilcoat, 2009)
This easily makes the top 3 for bleakest entries on this list of already-bleak movies. The Road pulls no punches, as it depicts a father and son attempting to survive through a nuclear winter, mostly just out of their basic instinct to survive. This is the equivalent of going on a custom Fallout campaign with only two bullets, in a world where you can only count on one or two NPCs in the entire Wasteland.
Image via Universal Pictures
Children Of Men (Alfonso Cuarón, 2006)
Most post-apocalyptic movies tell the tales of characters living in the aftermath of a clear near-extinction event. Children Of Men shows a post-apocalyptic world where an apocalyptic event clearly took place, but it went over the heads of many. Few people notice just how doomed they are. In Children Of Men, the entire human population has become incapable of conceiving more babies. Nobody really knows why, or what to do about it. Children Of Men actually shares more elements with Half-Life 2 than with the Fallout series, but the main character's journey is sure to entice fans of either series.
Image by
LQ/Jaf Productions
A Boy And His Dog (L.Q. Jones,1975)
If you're into the Fallout series, the first five minutes of A Boy and his dog will immediately give away that this is where Black Isle Studios got the idea for Dog Meat, your dog companion in many of the games. It's far from the best film on this list, but it's an interesting adaptation of a comedically dark story by Harlan Ellison that predates even Mad Max in the "adventures in the post-apocalyptic wasteland" genre.
Image via Disney
Wall-E (Andrew Stanton, 2008)
Why would kids not have the right to enjoy the post-apocalypse as well? Wall-E isn't just one of the greatest movies about the post-apocalypse. It's one, if not the best of Pixar's movies. It gets that distinction because it tells an incredibly heartwarming tale in the bleakest of scenarios that kids and older folk can enjoy together.
Image via Madhouse
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (Yoshiaki Kawajiri 2000)
The only problem with putting Bloodlust in a list of best post-apocalyptic films is that it might strike many as too gorgeous to be post-apocalyptic. Luckily, Fury Road has already broken that barrier, so we can now talk about one of the coolest-looking anime of all time and address its wacky post-apocalyptic roots.
Bloodlust is actually the sequel to another movie, the original Vampire Hunter D, which also has a video game adaptation, but those weren't very good. Bloodlust, however, is everything the original should have been and more, so if you're looking for a beautiful tale of vampires in the post-apocalypse, you can do no better than this one.
Image by Toei
Battle Royale (Kinji Fukasaku, 2000)
Okay, Battle Royale doesn't take place in a post-apocalyptic Wasteland, so it isn't exactly like Fallout. Still, it does take place in a dystopian time, as that's the only kind of time when you can have a yearly TV show where an entire classroom has to go on a death match until only one student remains alive. Also, that's kind of like Fallout 76's Battle Royale mode, whose name came from, well, I'll let you guess.
In all seriousness, though, this is a fantastically bleak film that any fan of the broad post-apocalyptic genre, of the Fallout series, or Battle Royale games in general should absolutely watch.
Image via archive.org
Threads (Mick Jackson, 1984)
Threads is the final boss of the post-apocalypse.
I left Threads for last not because it is the best, nor the one I'd like to recommend the most, but because it's the one I'd recommend you look for if you've seen everything else in the genre and still want more. Threads tells not just the story of the post-apocalyptic nuclear holocaust, but the story of what takes place during it, and it's likely even more dour than you can imagine.
The post 10 best Post-Apocalyptic movies like Fallout appeared first on Destructoid.
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In a social media post, Ubisoft said it hoped to release XDefiant by the end of March. However, there are "still some improvements" the studio has to make before it's ready. Right now the focus is on an upcoming 12-hour stress test for the game's servers, and Ubisoft is inviting its early access players to hop in and try to put the servers through their paces.
After this process, Ubisoft said it expects to be able to lock in a public release date and begin to discuss XDefiant's post-launch content plans.
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Two years removed from the finale of the critically acclaimed, audience-beloved comedy We Are Lady Parts, it looked as though the show was going the way of MacGruber—another Peacock series destined to fade into obscurity because they premiered at a time when no one knew what Peacock was.
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The surreal puzzle game Lorelei and the Laser Eyes hits the Nintendo Switch and PC on May 16, as revealed at Nintendo’s Indie World Showcase event. This is a big deal, as the game’s being developed by Simogo, the company behind the mind-blowing adventure Sayonara Wild Hearts, which was one of our favorite titles of 2019. It’s also being published by Annapurna Interactive, who helped steward games like Stray, Open Roads and Cocoon to digital store shelves.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes was originally teased a couple of years back and looks to be a more frightening experience than Sayonara Wild Hearts. The game’s title is quite literal, as you play as someone named Lorelei who has, wait for it, laser eyes. It’s set inside of a mysterious mansion, with a mostly black-and-white color palette. It looks positively soaked in vibes.
There are all kinds of different puzzles to solve as you explore this mansion, so expect the gameplay to change on a dime, just like Sayonara Wild Hearts. Despite the brand-new trailer, much of the title is still soaked in mystery, which is likely a purposeful move by the devs and publisher. We do know that it’s non-linear, so you can explore and solve puzzles at your own pace.
This is Simogo’s ninth game. In addition to Sayonara Wild Hearts, the Swedish company made Year Walk, The Sailor’s Dream and Device 6. All of these games toyed with surreal imagery and unique gameplay mechanics, and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes most definitely follows suit. There’s no price yet, but eager players can already wishlist it on Steam.
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That €1.50 per year subscription does not include tax but does offset Apple’s Core Technology Fee. Image: AltStore PAL
After we recently tested it in beta, the third-party iOS app store AltStore PAL is now live in the European Union thanks to Apple’s compliance with the region’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Installing AltStore PAL requires clicking through a lot of Apple’s clumsily implemented scare sheets that double and triple check your desire to install apps from outside Apple’s App Store. But with persistence and enough clicks it eventually installs.
The new app marketplace is arriving with two apps developed by Riley Testut: Delta, an emulator capable of playing NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games; and Clip, a clipboard manager that’s forbidden by Apple.
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Completing every Baldur's Gate 3 sidequest is an awfully tall order, but don't let the Ornate Mirror and its tricky Balsam Ointment question throw you off. You'll need to pass its test or risk losing access to the Necromancy of Thay questline. It's not a hard conversation to navigate, but the fancy furniture is kind of a jerk, so here's a quick list of all Ornate Mirror answers for those worried about passing its vibe check.
Screenshot via Destructoid
Where is the Ornate Mirror?
Upon reaching Act 1's Blighted Village, enter the building next to the glowing Waypoint and search for a wooden hatch behind the bar. Climb down into the cellar, proceed to the back northernmost wall, and flip the lever hidden behind a few crates.
Follow the tunnel, hugging along the wall curving right, and you'll encounter the Ornate Mirror. It's not too hard to find, and the space is small, so take a moment to snoop around, picking up more items and assorted junk—no shame in collecting a little NPC gold fodder.
Interacting with the Ornate Mirror triggers the usual Skill Checks, so save before proceeding. It'll lock you out of the secrets it guards if you answer wrong.
Screenshot via Destructoid
Every BG3 Ornate Mirror Answer
The BG3 Ornate Mirror is no normal mirror; it's a spooky spectral gateway blocking your path forward. For my own playthrough, I chose a half-drow, half-elf warlock, and some prompts here reflected as much. She's also a bit of a smarty pants, so history checks come in handy. Anyway, to spare folks who didn't go with the same setup, this guide will focus on using answers not locked to the same path.
Your conversation begins with unfriendly introductions, but to get by, answer:
1. Tell it your name.
1. Yes, an ally! I'm an ally of your master's.
Screenshot via Destructoid
The Mirror gets a little testy, asking more questions, but we've got all Ornate Mirror answers at the ready—including the one about what Balsam Ointment is for. Hint: it's for cleaning wounds. Here are all of the Ornate Mirror answers in BG3:
Question: What do you of the zulkir known as Szass Tam?
2. Szass Tam is a foul, wretched creature OR A foul lich. May he die a thousand more deaths.
Note: Passing an Intelligence (History) Check here revealed Szass Tam was a "powerful lich in Thay who made deals with dark gods." The check determines which answer you see, but it's always the second one.
Question: Tell me, why might one use Balsam Ointment?
2. To clean a wound?
Question: If you could see anything in me, what would it be?
2. I'd look for whatever spell will rid me of this worm in my head.
With that, the Ornate Mirror is done with its Q&A session; congratulations on passing the test. You're free to proceed into the laboratory it once guarded and discover the room's biggest secret, the Necromancy of Thay. When you're done here, maybe consider heading northwest for another quest, Rescue the Trapped Man.
How to discover the Ornate Mirror answers
In BG3, you can read various books around the Apothecary's home and cellar if you're interested in learning more about Szass Tam, Balsam Ointment, and other miscellaneous lore pieces. While many of these books have flavor text, a few reveal some important details, including the answers to the Ornate Mirror questions:
The Apothecary's Ledger inside the house reveals the existence of the cellar.
The Healer's Log in the cellar that Balsam Ointment was used to clean a splinter wound before bandaging it.
The Dark Journal in the casket at coordinates (X-667, Y: -316) tells the story of someone being chased by the Zulkirs, implying distaste for them.
Alongside notes and books, you can find multiple alchemical ingredients and potions throughout the Apothecary's house.
The cellar, in particular, has items such as a Potion of Healing recipe book, Elixir of Poison Resistance, and several other items to help you create alchemy mixtures.
The post All Ornate Mirror Answers in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3): Including Balsam Ointment appeared first on Destructoid.
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ApocalypseShadow5d ago (Edited 5d ago ) Hope they get to continue to make Ninja and Samurai games under them.
Since Acquire would have to work with From Software to make another Tenchu, I can see them making Way of the Samurai or Shinobido. Both were great game series. And Shinobido is pretty much Tenchu in the look and feel of the game. Especially the PSP game.
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Alex Garland’s Civil War may be the movie of the month, but before Kirsten Dunst or Cailee Spaeny ever picked up their cameras to document a crumbling, divided America, Natalie Portman’s Lena set out with a team of three other scientists to explore an equally terrifying phenomenon called The Shimmer in the...
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It's always nice to get a release date for a game that's caught the eye whenever it has popped up. We've had a few looks at Schim, a pretty puzzle platformer, in previous game showcases. It emerged during Nintendo's Indie World stream on Wednesday that the game is coming to Switch, PlayStation, Xbox and PC on July 18. The creators say it will run smoothly on Steam Deck too.
You'll take on the guise of a schim, a frog-like creature that's linked to a human but gets separated from them. To get back to your person, you'll need to leap from one shadow to the next. Schim seems to play around with light and shadows in intriguing ways, such as a forklift activating to give your character access to a new area horizontally and pulling back on a sign to propel yourself further forward.
Schim uses an abstract art style that hopefully lends itself to moderately challenging gameplay. Developers Ewoud van der Werf and Nils Slijkerman, who have worked on the game for four years, also say that each level will feature small stories. I'm looking forward to this one.
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