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Perfect Tides (2022) – Game details | Adventure Gamers

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Perfect Tides (2022) – Game details | Adventure Gamers



It’s the year 2000. You live on an island, with your family, a virus-free computer and a 56k modem. And with gorgeous rolling dunes, free-roaming deer and no cars in sight, the landscape is basically paradise. But it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Three seasons out of the year, the island is practically abandoned. And with school going badly on the mainland, sometimes the internet is your only company. Not that you’ve minded, lately: your online life is taking you to wild new places. You feel acceptance, creative empowerment… and for the first time, something very close to how you imagined love would be. The seasons carry you mercilessly, from one revelation to another. As summer approaches, the island pulsates with nervous anticipation, and so do you. Your life is about to change in irreversible ways — in undreamed-of directions. You may soon discover what lies beyond the island, and perhaps more mysteriously, in the depths of your own heart.



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10 video games that are actually funny

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10 video games that are actually funny


Life is a funny thing. You know what else is funny? Video games. Crafting an enjoyable or edifying gaming experience is challenging enough. But creating a game that manages to be hilarious? That’s a feat of design and writing worthy of admiration.

If you find yourself in need of a good hearty chuckle, we’ve got just the list for you. We’ve pulled together a selection of the best video games that are actually funny. From amnesiac disaster cops to flying suitcases and more, here are 10 games (and series) with the best comedy writing the medium has to offer.

Image: ZA/UM

Where to play: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

Disco Elysium is considered by many to be one of the best-written RPGs of the past decade, so it’s no surprise that it’s also considered one of the funniest. No matter how the player chooses to customize their starting stats, the protagonist of Disco Elysium is the living human embodiment of a train wreck, bumbling from one perversely embarrassing encounter to the next in his existential mission to not only uncover the culprit behind a murder, but settle on an ideological framework by which to judge that murder. More often than not, you can’t stop your character from putting his whole foot (or worse) in his mouth. All you can do is try to roll with the punches and laugh your way through it. —Toussaint Egan

Agent 47 holding a briefcase while walking down a suburban street with windmills visible in the distance in Hitman: World of Assassination.

Image: IO Interactive

Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

The Homing Briefcase alone would be enough to earn the Hitman series’ spot on this list. But that’s just one example of the many ways IO Interactive’s immersive assassination simulator allows players to toy with the game’s impressively crafted stages. Rather than attempting to make massive open-world environments, the games instead function more like the best city block simulators you’ve ever played, each with their own intricate series of patterns, pathways, and ridiculous characters. The games’ winking tone, silly weapons, and penchant for hijinks means every attempt at a level is a chance for something hilarious to happen. —Pete Volk

LeChuck from Return to Monkey Island reading a map. He is dressed up like a pirate and you can see his desk lit by a candle as he writes.

Image: Terrible Toybox/Devolver Digital

Where to play: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X

Starting with The Secret of Monkey Island in 1990 and running all the way to Return to Monkey Island in 2022 (which landed at No. 16 on Polygon’s list of the top 50 best games of the year), this series has been a standard-bearer for comedy in point-and-click adventure games. That’s to the credit of Ron Gilbert, a master of puns and interactive story design, who headed up each game in the series. Very few games have made me laugh out loud while playing them, but all six Monkey Island games have. You do need to like puns, though. —Maddy Myers

A screenshot from Overboard.

Image: Inkle

Where to play: Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

In Overboard!, you are not motivated by righteousness — unless you think pushing your husband off a cruise ship because he’s holding you back in life is righteous. This point-and-click murder mystery starts out with a grisly killing like any other, but in this colorful take, you’re not trying to solve it — you’re trying to get away with it. It has to be funny by nature, otherwise it’d be morally depraved, and the game succeeds there. The main character is sultry and witty, and you might find yourself commanding her to seduce the captain by complimenting his hat or smother a nasty old woman who knows too much. Whether you end up in jail or not, when each 20-minute playthrough ends, you can start over with your new information and a few new objectives in tow. —Zoë Hannah

Paper Mario: Color Splash

A Shy Guy throws Mario in jail in a screenshot from Paper Mario: Color Splash

Image: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo

Nintendo’s writers like to cut loose when it comes to the humor and real-world references in the Paper Mario series. The entire franchise is varying degrees of funny, but the series may have peaked with 2016’s Paper Mario: Color Splash for Wii U — a game that’s unfortunately still stuck on that platform.

Paper Mario: Color Splash sends Mario to Prism Island, after the heroic plumber receives a letter in the mail — which actually turns out to be a paper Toad who has been drained of its color, having met that fate thanks to paint-slurping, straw-wielding Shy Guys. At Prism Island, they meet Huey, a sentient can of paint who delivers much of the game’s jokes and meta-commentary. Color Splash is also packed with wise-cracking Toads — this game has SO many Toads — and Bowser’s minions who riff on anything and everything. There are great paper-based sight gags, fourth-wall-breaking jabs at the Mario franchise, cleverly disguised gun-control jokes, and even jokes about the Watergate scandal. Some of the game’s real-world references may have even gotten a little too hot for Nintendo’s tastes.

If you don’t have a Wii U handy, hope that Nintendo sees fit to bring Color Splash forward to the Switch. But Switch owners have another great option in Paper Mario: The Origami King, which is also very funny — just not as consistently funny as Color Splash. —Michael McWhertor

A pair of yellow and blue portals adjacent from one another in the corner of a room in Portal.

Image: Valve

Where to play: Android, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, Xbox 360

The first Portal is a standout for puzzle design, an irrepressible gem that remains on almost every critic’s personal best-of-all-time video game list for good reason. But the other reason it’s a standout is its dialogue. You play as Chell, a silent protagonist stuck in a maze-like series of puzzle rooms that turn out to be a testing center run by a sentient robot named GLaDOS. For whatever reason, this robot has been programmed to be a master shit-talker, and she will be making you chuckle even as you question what the hell is going on throughout every single puzzle room. She keeps up the shtick in Portal 2, but her jokes get a lot meaner and (in my opinion) less funny; the original Portal has the perfect balance. —Maddy Myers

Thank Goodness You’re Here!

A screenshot of a man with his hand stuck in a sewer grate surrounded by a cast of eccentric characters in Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Image: Coal Supper/Panic

Where to play: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC

Do you enjoy Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, or That Mitchell and Webb Look? If yes, have I got the game for you. If no, consider this an introduction (or indoctrination) to the world of absurdist British humor. Developed by Coal Supper and published by Panic Inc. (the latter best known for Untitled Goose Game), Thank Goodness You’re Here is a comedic adventure game about a small fellow running errands for the locals of Barnsworth, a fictional small town in Northern England. You interact with everything — and I mean everything — by punching, which proves to be an exceptionally effective strategy. The writing is brisk and cheeky, supported by an exceptional cast of actors that includes What We Do in the Shadows star Matt Berry. —Chris Plante

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series

In one Yakuza: Like a Dragon mini-game, Ichiban must fight imaginary rams as a symbol of his attempt to resist falling asleep while watching classic films

Image: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio/Sega via Polygon

Where to watch: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Wii U, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

Think of the Yakuza series (recently rebranded Like a Dragon in Western markets) as a collision of The Godfather and The Simpsons. Each entry tells a life-or-death story of an ex-Yakuza member navigating the gray space between crime, law enforcement, and civilian life. But these dramatic narrative threads get entwined with hundreds of side characters and their comedic, heartfelt ambitions. Take for example the most recent release, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The protagonist’s desire to save Hawaii from a megalomaniacal cult leader gets put on ice as he helps a struggling musician rediscover his passion for environmentalist death metal. For nearly two decades, the game’s designers have chosen joy above all else, whether that’s a parody of Pokémon in which you collect local perverts, an Animal Crossing clone set on an island of trash, or a boss battle in which the squad fends off construction vehicles with a collection of pristine office furniture. —CP

There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension

A screenshot of a desktop in There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension.

Image: Draw Me A Pixel

Where to watch: Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

I’m remiss to say anything about how There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension plays, because watching the confounding narrative unfold with each chapter is the joy in itself. It feels distinctly inspired by the point-and-click browser games of old like World’s Hardest Game, where the game itself is plotting against the player. This version is animated and aged up for the current moment, filled with decisions and puzzles that’ll confuse you into putting the game down, but motivate you to pick it up again a few minutes later. This game is not fair, but it is supremely funny — the perfect antidote to the current moment, which also feels like the wrong dimension. —ZH

A screenshot from Trombone Champ.

Image: Holy Wow Studios

Where to play: Mac, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

Trombone Champ could have been a one-note joke, that note being the flatulent tooting of a trombone. The rhythm parody game could have effectively mocked the genre with nothing more than its out-of-tune, fart-adjacent impersonation of the instrument. An ironic selection of public domain hits like “The Blue Danube” and “The Old Gray Mare” would have sealed the deal as an instant hit on Twitch streams. But the more you play Trombone Champ, the funnier it gets, as you uncover bizarre “Tromboner” cards and inexplicable baboon-related deep lore. The community has made hundreds of custom tracks if you want to trombone your way through the fire and flames. But if that’s all too much satire for you, it’s still ultimately a game about making fart sounds, and that will always be funny. Perfecto! —Clayton Ashley



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Who is Stronger, Wukong or Erlang Shen?

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Who is Stronger, Wukong or Erlang Shen?


The question of whether Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, is stronger than Erlang Shen, the Chinese god of war and one of the most skilled warriors in Chinese mythology, is a fascinating debate that has intrigued readers of *Journey to the West* and enthusiasts of Chinese mythology alike. Both Wukong and Erlang Shen are legendary figures known for their immense strength, magical abilities, and combat prowess. Their iconic showdown, which takes place during *Journey to the West*, stands as one of the most famous battles in Chinese literature, symbolizing not only a clash of physical and magical strength but also a contest of wits and resilience.

To understand who is stronger, we must consider each character’s origins, powers, abilities, and the broader context of their rivalry. Both Wukong and Erlang Shen bring unique strengths to the table, and comparing them requires a look at their roles in mythology, their specific abilities, and the outcome of their epic duel.

 Background and Origins

Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, is a central figure in *Journey to the West*, a classic Chinese novel attributed to Wu Cheng’en. Wukong is born from a magical stone on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit and gains his powers through rigorous training and defiance of heavenly and earthly authority. He is known for his rebellious spirit, his cunning, and his extraordinary powers, which include shape-shifting, superhuman strength, speed, and mastery over the mystical staff Ruyi Jingu Bang.

Erlang Shen, on the other hand, is a divine hero in Chinese folklore and a symbol of loyalty, strength, and righteousness. He is often depicted as the nephew of the Jade Emperor and a skilled warrior who uses his third eye to see through deception. Erlang Shen is known for his unwavering sense of duty, his loyalty to the celestial realm, and his role as a protector. In mythology, he is considered one of the most powerful gods, possessing incredible combat skills and wielding a magical trident known as the “Three-pointed, Double-edged Lance.

Powers and Abilities

To fairly compare Wukong and Erlang Shen, we must break down their unique strengths and analyze how these abilities complement and contrast with each other.

Sun Wukong’s Abilities

72 Transformations (Shapeshifting): Wukong is a master of transformation, capable of taking on 72 different forms. This ability gives him versatility in combat, allowing him to evade attacks, deceive opponents, and even assume the form of other creatures or objects to trick enemies.

Ruyi Jingu Bang: Wukong wields the legendary staff Ruyi Jingu Bang, a magical weapon that can change size at will. He can shrink it to the size of a needle or expand it to towering heights. It is incredibly durable and, in Wukong’s skilled hands, becomes an unstoppable weapon.

Immortality: Sun Wukong achieved immortality through various means, including stealing the peaches of immortality, drinking the elixir of life, and mastering Taoist alchemy. His numerous forms of immortality make him nearly indestructible, adding to his resilience in combat.

Speed and Agility: Wukong’s speed is unmatched—he can travel more than 54,000 kilometers in a single somersault. His agility makes him hard to pin down, giving him a significant advantage in evading attacks.

Martial Arts Mastery: Wukong is a skilled martial artist, having studied under Subhuti, an immortal who taught him various magical techniques and combat skills. His mastery over martial arts makes him a formidable opponent in close combat.

Who is Stronger, Wukong or Erlang Shen?

Erlang Shen’s Abilities

Third Eye: One of Erlang Shen’s most distinguishing features is his third eye, which grants him the ability to see through illusions and deceptions. This skill is particularly useful when dealing with an opponent like Wukong, who often relies on trickery and shapeshifting.

Three-pointed, Double-edged Lance: Erlang Shen’s weapon of choice is his magical lance, which he wields with great skill and strength. It is a versatile weapon that suits his direct and powerful combat style, allowing him to strike with precision and deadly force.

Shapeshifting Abilities: While not as adept as Wukong, Erlang Shen also has shapeshifting abilities. He can transform into various forms, though he usually relies more on his physical strength and his third eye than on transformations.

Control over Celestial Hound: Erlang Shen is often accompanied by his loyal hound, which can track down opponents and assist him in battle. The hound adds an additional layer to his combat strategy and can be used to pursue Wukong even if he tries to escape.

Divine Strength and Combat Prowess: As a god of war, Erlang Shen possesses extraordinary strength and combat skills. He is revered as one of the strongest celestial warriors, known for his valor, discipline, and mastery over a range of martial arts techniques.

The Legendary Duel: Sun Wukong vs. Erlang Shen

In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong and Erlang Shen come into direct conflict when Wukong’s rebellious actions lead him to challenge the heavens. In response, the Jade Emperor sends Erlang Shen to subdue the Monkey King, resulting in a fierce showdown that tests both characters’ powers and resilience.

The Battle of Strength and Wit

During their confrontation, Wukong and Erlang Shen are portrayed as equals in many respects. The fight showcases not only their physical abilities but also their strategic thinking. Both characters rely on their strengths: Wukong uses his shapeshifting, speed, and agility to evade attacks, while Erlang Shen counters with his third eye, strength, and precise strikes.

Wukong’s Strategy: Wukong uses his transformation abilities to try to outmaneuver Erlang Shen. For example, he transforms into various creatures to escape or deceive his opponent, attempting to exploit any opportunity to land a surprise attack.

Erlang Shen’s Counter: However, Erlang Shen’s third eye allows him to see through Wukong’s transformations, negating Wukong’s usual advantage. The third eye prevents Wukong from using his shapeshifting to escape or deceive Erlang Shen, forcing him to rely on direct combat skills.

Who is Stronger, Wukong or Erlang Shen?

Stalemate and Divine Intervention

The duel between Wukong and Erlang Shen ends in a stalemate, with neither character able to decisively defeat the other. Both demonstrate their strengths, and although Erlang Shen gains a slight advantage by using his third eye, Wukong’s resilience and resourcefulness prevent him from being subdued. Ultimately, the battle reaches a point where the Jade Emperor must intervene, and only through the Buddha’s divine intervention is Wukong finally captured and subdued.

Analysis: Who is Truly Stronger?

While Erlang Shen’s powers make him a formidable opponent, Sun Wukong’s resilience, adaptability, and varied powers arguably give him a slight edge in the long term. However, “strength” can be defined in different ways, and each character has unique traits that make them strong in their own respect.

Physical and Combat Strength: Erlang Shen likely has an edge in raw physical power and martial discipline. His experience as a god of war and his expertise in wielding the three-pointed lance make him one of the most skilled fighters in the celestial realm.

Magical Abilities: Wukong’s range of magical abilities, including his 72 transformations, immortality, and speed, give him more versatility. While Erlang Shen’s powers are formidable, Wukong’s unique abilities allow him to adapt to various situations, making him incredibly resilient.

Endurance and Resilience: Wukong’s numerous forms of immortality make him incredibly hard to defeat. In contrast, Erlang Shen, though powerful, does not have the same degree of invincibility as Wukong. This immortality gives Wukong an advantage in any drawn-out conflict, as he can survive injuries that might incapacitate Erlang Shen.

Mental Fortitude and Wit: Wukong is often depicted as more cunning and mischievous, using his intellect to outwit opponents. Erlang Shen, while strategic, is more straightforward and relies on his combat prowess. Wukong’s ability to think quickly and adapt to unexpected challenges adds to his strength.

Who is Stronger, Wukong or Erlang Shen?

Third Eye as an Equalizer: Erlang Shen’s third eye is a powerful tool that neutralizes Wukong’s trickery and shapeshifting. This ability gives Erlang Shen a key advantage, as it enables him to counter Wukong’s main strength—his transformations and illusions.

Read Also: Best Tips for Hogwarts Legacy Beginners: A Guide to Starting Your Magical Journey

Conclusion: A Complex Balance of Strengths

In the end, the question of who is stronger—Wukong or Erlang Shen—depends largely on the context. If we define strength as purely physical and combat skill, Erlang Shen’s martial expertise, third eye, and disciplined approach make him a formidable opponent who can match and sometimes surpass Wukong in battle.

However, if we consider resilience, adaptability, and endurance, Sun Wukong’s diverse powers and immortality give him a unique advantage. Wukong’s ability to withstand defeat, adapt to challenges, and use his cunning make him incredibly powerful in his own way.



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10 Most Overrated Video Games Of All Time

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10 Most Overrated Video Games Of All Time


Throughout the medium’s history, some incredible games have come out, and it seems every year we crown a new GOAT. But on the flipside, there are always those games that get absurd praise and do not live up to the billing.

I hope you’re in a good mood right now. Soon, your blood will be boiling, and you’ll be calling this article the worst ever written. But hey, that comes with the territory I suppose.

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DualShockers shares our list for the best games published by ATLUS. Some totally amazing examples of the JRPG genre.

Every game on this list is a good game, but maybe, just maybe, it got more praise than it deserved.

10 Deathloop

Dishonored 3 This Is Not

Deathloop Kicking Enemy in Face

Deathloop was released in the infancy of the PS5, and perhaps that’s part of the reason for the praise for this game.

We saw incredible ratings left and right, 10/10s, and numbers that would suggest this would be the new “it” game.

Then, the people actually played it and what did they find? A rather generic first-person shooter that relied on an interesting mechanic of dying, then repeating the same scenario in an effort to kill off 8 individuals before the time loop resets.

Is it a bad game? No, far from it, but playing it shows this is far from a 10/10.

You have some great PS5 Dualsense features here to make the combat feel a bit more punchy, but between the built-in repetition, the underwhelming and, frankly, annoying antagonist Julianna, and the somewhat drab world you’re forced to explore, there is no reason this game should’ve been rated as well as it was.

9 Final Fantasy 9

It Just Wasn’t That Great

vivi-final-fantasy-9-headshot

Final Fantasy 9 is hailed as the best in the series by a good number of fans of the franchise, and they have a point.

It has the classic Final Fantasy trappings and is a tribute to how the series felt pre-Final Fantasy 7.

Despite that, it lacked in certain areas, making it unable to compete with the titans in the series.

Following on from Final Fantasy 8, where you had the controversial junction system, the highly interactive limit breaks, and a handful of ideas that were either hit or miss, Final Fantasy 9 just felt pretty dull by comparison.

On the topic of story, 9 had a good one to tell, but when it came to certain characters, we got very little of their stories, and some of the best characters don’t even become party members when it’s clear they should.

Amarant, a very interesting character who joins you late in the story, is completely left out in the cold regarding backstory.

There’s also Quina, a terrifying creature who just wants to eat everything. That’s all we know about her—she’s hungry.

Final Fantasy 9 is a very good game for sure, but it is pretty overrated when it comes to standing with the greats of its own series.

8 God of War: Ragnarok

A Tone Shift That Doesn’t Fit

God of War Ragnarok Kratos Fight

Winner of many GOTY awards in 2022, God of War: Ragnarok was considered the pinnacle of the series and a masterful conclusion to the series. However, in many ways, it was an underwhelming sequel to the incredible God of War (2018).

The biggest issue is in the combat. While it can be fun at times, there is a severe lack of innovation.

In four years of development, we got one new weapon, and it was an underwhelming one at that.

The game also removed the entirety of the hand-to-hand combat tree, and reduced the frequency of Runic attacks, which made the combat feel incredibly limited compared to the first game, which had Kratos feeling like a true god in combat.

There is also the segment of Ironwood, which, for my money, is the worst 3 hours in gaming history.

This is all before we reference the story, which, to me, dropped the ball several times in terms of being a worthy sequel to the first game.

Due to details like forgetting to follow up on Kratos’s Leviathan ax, being imbued with poison.

Or how Santa Monica Studios also forgot to follow up on the Dark Elves, telling Kratos, “He has made a grave mistake.” and completely dropped the ball with Freya coming at Kratos for vengeance.

Finally, the actual event of Ragnarök is a joke. We don’t even see Thor vs. Jormandgur except in the background of the fight for about 5 seconds, and it felt less like the end of the world and more like a low-budget battle of Helms Deep.

God of War: Ragnarok is still a good game, but it didn’t deserve the near-perfect praise it received when it was released.

What Could Have Been

metal gear solid v, Venom snake walking

Metal Gear Solid V is one of the biggest missed opportunities in gaming history.

The issues can be traced back to the tumultuous development cycle that eventually culminated in series creator, Hideo Kojima, leaving Konami for good.

It’s a tough game to hate, because there is so much good here. It has the best third-person combat system ever crafted, with some great stealth mechanics and the freedom to tackle missions as you see fit, which is an amazing achievement.

Unfortunately, surrounding that gameplay is a mess and an unfinished game.

At a certain point in the game, missions just start repeating. I don’t mean the same kind of objectives, I mean the exact same missions.

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The Tokyo Game Show trailer shows many major characters, updated graphics, and the same old iconic voice lines.

Then, it gets even worse. You get to a point where you get this epic slideshow of what is to come in chapter 2. Huge set-piece moments are teased. Following Liquid after he steals Metal Gear, it looks amazing.

It finally looks like the real Metal Gear Solid is coming, and then the game ends. No resolution.

Then there’s the fact that Snake is almost completely silent, the villain, Skullface, is laughable, and all of the lovable weirdness of the series is known for is missing after the first mission of the game.

Compared to the series standard, Metal Gear Solid V falls short in almost every area, and despite glowing reviews when it was released, it was highly overrated.

6 Death Stranding

A Lack of Respect For Your Time

Sam Bridges Carrying Boxes In Death Stranding

Death Stranding was one of the biggest hits of 2019. It was the long-awaited first game by Hideo Kojima’s independent studio, and it was packed with big-name actors, with Norman Reedus in the lead role.

If you scan Open Critic, you’ll see tons of 100s, 90s and generally very high scores, and it seemed for all the world we were getting a new iconic title from the Metal Gear creator.

Unfortunately, Death Stranding fooled most of the critics. The gameplay involves delivering packages across a destroyed United States.

This results in endless retrievals, and hours on end of collecting packages that were dropped for one reason or another and, eventually, you just grow sick of it.

In between this, you’ll have to hide from the terrifying BTs or have to face off against them in one of the strangest ideas for a boss imaginable, where you will throw grenades full of pee and shoot enemies with blood bullets. Innovation folks.

There is also a story that is so convoluted and full of bad writing that it makes Kingdom Hearts seem comprehensible by comparison.

We’re not done in this world, though, so there is hope. Death Stranding 2 is coming in the near future, so perhaps the series can become a less divisive one later down the line. But I’m not holding my breath.

5 Breath of the Wild

Pitchforks At The Ready

The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild Link In An Open World

Breath of the Wild was the rebirth of Zelda and the GOTY in 2017, but even though this one is undoubtedly a special Zelda iteration, I never understood the unanimous praise from all corners of the internet.

The world is barren, and while it can be fun to explore, you’re not finding side quests pop up with the quality of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt; they’re mostly fetch quests.

The exploration is a let-down because no matter what cool weapon you find, it’s going to break.

That’s not hyperbole; it’s a game mechanic that will have you ripping your hair out as you frantically swap weapons on the fly.

Even the iconic Master Sword isn’t immune to this terrible mechanic.

Plus, to further showcase the flaws in this supposed flawless gem, Zelda has always been known for its elaborate dungeons, so answer me why this game decides to offer so very few to explore?

Breath of the Wild does a lot of things well, though, like combat, visuals, and freedom of gameplay.

However, I hold steadfast in my opinion that it ain’t flawless, and people need to accept that.

4 Red Dead Redemption 2

A Cowboy On Rails

Red Dead Redemption 2 Arthur hunting 3 pronghorn, one had a perfect pelt.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most important games of the past ten years. It’s incredible looking to this day, an achievement in voice acting and character development, and brings the idea of gaming as an art form to the forefront in a big way.

But here’s the big question: Is it fun to play? Many people struggle with this question when playing Red Dead Redemption 2.

We get that Rockstar is trying to create a mood and a theme of suffering and struggle, but in the process, they forgot to add fun gameplay in many places.

The mission structure is woeful, forcing you onto an extremely linear path constantly, and anything outside that path results in ‘mission failed.’

The gunplay is also mediocre and archaic. We get it. The Wild West probably had slower, more cumbersome guns, but not everything has to be a simulation.

Sometimes, a thing can just be fun without being painstakingly realistic, and that’s hilarious to say, considering the game has a Max Payne-esque slow-motion mechanic.

We all know this was a great game, but much like other entries on this list. It’s the unanimous and unwavering praise that seems a little shallow-minded and disingenuous. Still great, but a little bit overrated. Now, put your six shooters away.

3 Call of Duty Series

World War Yawn

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Trailer Bike Gun

Call of Duty has been a mainstay in the gaming community for almost 20 years now, and while it was novel when released, it’s getting long in the tooth.

It’s one of the highest-selling titles year to year, and it does so by innovating little and aggravating a lot.

This is a veritable gaming machine at this point, and the developers aren’t shy about throwing microtransactions at players by the boatload.

Character skins, guns, boosts, and all other manner of nonsense are now only purchasable with actual money or hundreds of hours of grinding.

It’s gone too far. It’s gotten too big. Players buy it year after year, regardless of whether it’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 or the next mainline entry. At this point, what’s in the game doesn’t matter; it’s going to get bought.

It’s hard to blame Treyarch or Infinity Ward, but we need a full resurrection.

Something free of microtransactions, something innovative, and something worth the $70 we’re being charged yearly to play largely the same game.

2 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Your Friendly Neighborhood Rehash

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Peter's Symbiote Combat Powers

Spider Man 2 had all the hype in the world when it swung into late 2023 with Game of the Year aspirations.

While the game was certainly good, it felt like everyone was just so desperate for it to top Spider-Man 2018 that as long as it wasn’t terrible, it would be seen as a massive success.

The gameplay itself was also just a full rehash of a game from 5 years prior and Spider Man: Miles Morales.

They somehow decided that more Mary Jane missions were the move here, and again, they are awful.

The combat was more or less the same, and on top of that, they made the baffling decision to take away the suit-based powers that made discovering new suits so fun in the original game.

It doesn’t hold a candle to the story of the first game, which had much deeper personal stakes, and while there is the rug pull of Venom being the ultimate villain, it feels rushed and like the two should’ve had separate games to explore each villain more thoroughly.

It’s a solid entry for sure, but between the rushed parts, the lackluster combat, and the overall lack of improvement over the first game, it ended up being a bit overrated.

1 Fortnite

A Stolen Idea, An Empire Born

fortnite

Fortnite is a phenomenon, the likes of which we’ve never seen in gaming. Over the past eight years, it’s become the most popular game on the planet, and that’s not even hyperbole.

What it’s done for the gaming community is undeniable, but the game itself? It’s just not all that special.

We’ve got the most mediocre third-person shooting you can find, pop-culture character updates, and the most basic building system imaginable.

There are also far better Battle Royale’s out there as well, like Call of Duty: Warzone.

We can also hold Fortnite responsible for this horrific graphic style that is bleeding into games of all genres (Looking at you Dragon Age: The Veilguard).

It’s stretched into being more than just a game at this point, with actual concerts taking place inside the game. Fortnite, for all intents and purposes, is the Facebook of video games.

There’s also the endless microtransactions, season passes, and currency to acquire. It’s also produced such madness as kids spending $1000’s of dollars just to watch this game being played.

This is a bad example to set in the gaming world, and, if anything, it has led to countless awful live-service model games that are poisonous to the industry in the same way.

It’s by no means a bad game, but because of the publicity it gets, you’d think this was the greatest game of all time when, in reality, it’s just the most overrated game of all time.

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10 Best Games Like Warhammer Space Marine 2

In the grim darkness of the far future there are only badass shooters



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Fist of the North Star 2 aka Last Battle (Sega Mega Drive) is possibly coming to the Commodore Amiga

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Fist of the North Star 2 aka Last Battle (Sega Mega Drive) is possibly coming to the Commodore Amiga


The last news story from me today unless something major comes out, as looking through both the EAB forums and Facebook, we’ve found out that the Sega Mega Drive version of Last Battle: Legend of the Final Hero, is possibly coming to the Commodore Amiga as Fist of the North Star 2. As in the words of the developer who is creating it using the Scorpion Engine “This will be for the Amiga game jam. But street fighter will be first”. To coincide with this news, we’ve got a short video of an early build as well as a wikipedia description about the original.

And here’s the wikipedia info! “Last Battle: Legend of the Final Hero is a side-scrolling martial arts beat ’em up released for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1989 by Sega. It was one of the six games that were available as part of the Genesis launch lineup in the U.S. The Japanese version, titled Shin Seikimatsu Kyūseishu Densetsu: Hokuto no Ken. “Fist of the North Star: The New Legend of the Post-Apocalyptic Messiah”), is based on the manga and anime series Fist of the North Star (Hokuto no Ken in Japanese). Since the international version did not retain the Hokuto no Ken license, the graphics and characters’ names were altered”.

Dev Notes : I’ll be making at least 1 level demo for the amiga game jam. But if i can make a full game it would be cool.

And that’s all there is to say about the game, but keep an eye out for more on IndieRetroNews!



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Walt Disney Tribute Camera Lego Set Deal Restocked At Amazon, Big Discount Expires Soon

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Walt Disney Tribute Camera Lego Set Deal Restocked At Amazon, Big Discount Expires Soon


If you’re shopping for a Disney enthusiast this holiday, you should check out this deal on Lego’s Walt Disney Tribute Camera before it’s gone. Normally $100, this charming buildable display commemorating Disney’s 100 anniversary is on sale for only $70 at Amazon and Target. It’s one of many soon-to-be-expired deals in Target’s Early Black Friday Sale, and Amazon is matching the offer. Just keep in mind that Target’s deal is scheduled to end today, November 10, at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET. Amazon’s deal could disappear at the same time or even before then. The set was sold out at Amazon the past few days before its restock on Saturday.

$70 ($100)

The Walt Disney Tribute Camera includes three minifigures and two Lego animal figures

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The Walt Disney Tribute Camera Lego set was designed for adults and comes with 811 pieces that you’ll assemble to create a vintage-style camera with a tripod. It also has a hinged back panel with a film strip showcasing stills from 20 classic Disney movies. It includes a working crank and multiple lenses. The two film reels atop the camera form the zeroes in the number 100, which is a cool way to implement the 100th anniversary logo into the build.

You’ll also put together a director’s clapperboard, which serves as a stand for the included minifigures: Walt Disney, Mickey, and Minnie. The Mickey and Minnie Mouse figures are based on their appearances in the old black-and-white cartoons. You’ll also get Lego animal figures of Bambi and Dumbo.

$31 ($40) | Click coupon box

Disney 100 Celebration Train Lego Set
Disney 100 Celebration Train Lego Set

For the young Disney fan in your life, check out the Disney 100 Celebration Train at Amazon for $31 (was $40). Make sure to click the coupon box on the listing to get the full discount. This is one of Lego’s playsets designed for preschoolers. The 200-piece set features a train engine, three cars designed as parade floats, and a small station. The Disney Celebration Train includes six minifigures: Mickey, Minnie, Woody from Toy Story, Moana, Tinker Bell, and Peter Pan.



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Andor, The Best Star Wars Story In Years, Officially Returns For Season 2 In April 2025

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Andor, The Best Star Wars Story In Years, Officially Returns For Season 2 In April 2025


Image: Disney

Andor isn’t just top-tier Star Wars storytelling, it’s hands-down one of the best TV shows of the decade so far. Fans have been patiently waiting for news of its season 2 release, and Disney has finally confirmed the Rogue One prequel series will return in April 2025.

The announcement came after the Disney+ app accidentally revealed the season 2 debut on April 22, 2025 via an in-app ad. Arriving two and a half years after season 1 wrapped up, the next slate of episodes about reluctant resistance fighters trying to bring down the Empire leads directly into the events that start Star Wars: Rogue One. Showrunner Tony Gilroy previously confirmed that season 2’s 12 episode arc will be full of time jumps, with each section covering a span of a few days before jumping another year forward.

While Gilroy is writing the first three episodes of the show’s final season, he’ll be joined again by Beau Willimon (House of Cards), Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler), and Tom Bissell, the novelist and essayist who’s also written for several video games, including The Vanishing of Ethan Carter and Gears of War 5. Andor star Diego Luna previously said the end of show would make Rogue One feel like a “different” movie, presumably in a good way.

The Mandalorian jump started Star Wars’ streaming era on Disney+, and there have been plenty of decent to good shows in the years since. Still, Andor arguably stands head and shoulders above them, at least when it comes to the script, acting, character development, and world-building. It’s a shame that we’re only getting one more season, but in the end, it’s nice to see creatives allowed to follow through on a specific vision and storyline without the need to keep expanding it and padding it out to juice subscription numbers.

And so far, outside of Andor’s April return, 2025 is looking pretty empty otherwise when it comes to Star Wars. Skeleton Crew arrives this December and the Mandalorian & Grogu movie isn’t until 2026, with Ahsoka season 2 seemingly not set to arrive before then either. Hopefully, that encourages everyone to give Andor it’s due in the meantime.

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Disney Dreamlight Valley: All The Night Show Star Path Duties

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Disney Dreamlight Valley: All The Night Show Star Path Duties


The current Disney Dreamlight Valley’s Star Path is the The Night Show Star Path which offers several decorative items, cosmetics, Motifs, and an exclusive companion for players to redeem in exchange for event currency. The event currency for this star path is Rock Star Token which players will earn by completing the Star Path’s duties. This guide will help you complete all the The Night Show Star Path Duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley.

There are three Duties for the free Star Path holders whereas, the players with premium Star Path can complete six duties every day. Each duty gives out a reward of 10 – 20 event currency depending on the duty so, if you are having trouble with any Star Path’s duty, we will be listing down every Star Path Duty for the current Star Path along with the solution so, that you can get the idea of how to complete them.

All The Night Show Star Path Duties & Their Solutions in Disney Dreamlight Valley

There are 60 Duties in The Night Show Star Path which will rotate daily as you complete them. Some of the Duties repeat so worry not as they will give out the reward for completing them again.

All the The Night Show Star Path Duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley are as follows.

Duty: Banish some Night Thorns – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 10

Solution: Remove Night Thorns in the Valley or Splinters of Fate in Rift in Time.

Duty: Mine for any gems – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 20

Solution: Mine the nodes to find gems.

Duty: Tackle Royal Tasks – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 15

Solution: Complete the duties in the Dreamlight Duties or Mist Duties sections.

Duty: Get crafty – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 15

Solution: Craft anything at the Crafting Station.

Duty: Give a starry-eyed robot his favorite gifts – Requirement: 4 – Reward: 20

Solution: Give WALL-E his favorite gifts.

Duty: Whip up some 4-star meals – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 10

Solution: Cook any 3-star meals.

Duty: Go fish – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 20

Solution: Catch any fish.

Duty: Get some quality time with your neighbors – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 15

Solution: Hang out with villagers

Duty: Work a shift at Chez Remy or Tiana’s Palace – Requirement: 4 – Reward: 20

Solution: Serve meals to villagers at Chez Remy or at Tiana’s Palace.

Duty: Chat with Mickey Mouse – Requirement: 1 – Reward: 15

Solution: Speak with Mickey Mouse.

Duty: Pick some crunchy red fruit – Requirement: 50 – Reward: 10

Solution: Forage apples from the apple trees.

Duty: Mine for gems somewhere peaceful – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 20

Solution: Mine the gems around the Valley or Eternity Isle.

Duty: Complete some Dreamlight Duties – Requirement: 15 – Reward: 15

Solution: Complete the duties in the Dreamlight Duties or Mist Duties sections.

Duty: Collect seafood on the sand. – Requirement: 20 – Reward: 15

Solution: Collect clams, oysters, and scallops from Dazzle Beach.

Duty: Give favorite gifts to a shapeshifting demigod – Requirement: 5 – Reward: 20

Solution: Give Maui her favorite gifts.

Duty: Prepare some 4-star sweetness – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 10

Solution: Cook any 4-star dessert meals.

Duty: Fish for catfish somewhere peaceful – Requirement: 3 – Reward: 20

Solution: Catch Catfish in the Peaceful Meadow biome.

Duty: Open some Memories– Requirement: 5 – Reward: 15

Solution: Open memories.

Duty: Wait tables with Remy or Tiana – Requirement: 5 – Reward: 20

Solution: Serve meals to villagers at Chez Remy or at Tiana’s Palace.

Duty: Talk to the Valley’s top vegetable merchant – Requirement: 2 – Reward: 15

Solution: Speak with Goofy.

Duty: Submit an entry to DreamSnaps – Requirement: 1 – Reward: 10

Solution: Submit a DreamSnap.

Duty: Find gems with your Pickaxe – Requirement: 20 – Reward: 20

Solution: Mine gems with the Royal Pickaxe.

Duty: Tackle your Royal To-Do list – Requirement: 20 – Reward: 15

Solution: Complete the duties in the Dreamlight Duties or Mist Duties sections.

Duty: Pluck some dark blooms – Requirement: 15 – Reward: 15

Solution: Harvest Black Passion Lily flowers from the Frosted Heights biome.

Duty: Bring favorite gifts to a tiny chef – Requirement: 6 – Reward: 20

Solution: Give Remy his favorite gifts.

Duty: Cook 4-star main courses – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 10

Solution: Cook 4-star entrée meals.

Duty: Catch fish somewhere dazzling – Requirement: 20 – Reward: 20

Solution: Catch fish in the Dazzle Beach biome.

Duty: Complete Boutique Challenges with Daisy – Requirement: 2 – Reward: 15

Solution: Complete a boutique challenge.

Duty: Work a shift with Tiana or Remy – Requirement: 6 – Reward: 20

Solution: Serve meals to villagers at Chez Remy or at Tiana’s Palace.

Duty: Chat with an adventurer and investor – Requirement: 2 – Reward: 15

Solution: Speak with Scrooge McDuck.

Duty: Pick some berries that are blue – Requirement: 50 – Reward: 10

Solution: Forage blueberries from the Dazzle Beach or Forest of Valor biomes.

Duty: Mine for Shinies – Requirement: 3 – Reward: 20

Solution: Mine any Shiny Gems around the Valley or Eternity Isle.

Duty: Polish off some royal tasks – Requirement: 25 – Reward: 15

Solution: Complete the duties in the Dreamlight Duties or Mist Duties sections.

Duty: Dig for pottery material – Requirement: 30 – Reward: 15

Solution: Find clay.

Duty: Give an elemental force of nature her favorite gifts – Requirement: 6 – Reward: 20

Solution: Give Elsa her favorite gifts.

Duty: Prepare a 5-star starter – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 10

Solution: Cook any 5-star appetizer meals.

Duty: Fish perch in the Forest – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 20

Solution: Catch perch in the Forest of Valor biome.

Duty: Finish Boutique challenges with Daisy – Requirement: 1 – Reward: 15

Solution: Complete a boutique challenge.

Duty: Feed Villagers at Chez Remy or Tiana’s Palace – Requirement: 7 – Reward: 20

Solution: Serve meals to villagers at Chez Remy or at Tiana’s Palace.

Duty: Talk to a skilled huntress on four paws – Requirement: 2 – Reward: 15

Solution: Speak with Nala.

Duty: Craft any large elixir – Requirement: 3 – Reward: 10

Solution: Craft Even More Miraculous Growth Elixir.

Duty: Mine for a black gemstone – Requirement: 5 – Reward: 20

Solution: Mine Onyx.

Duty: Look after the Valley… royally – Requirement: 25 – Reward: 15

Solution: Complete the duties in the Dreamlight Duties or Mist Duties sections.

Duty: Collect some fungi – Requirement: 30 – Reward: 15

Solution: Forage mushrooms.

Duty: Give the ruler of Pride Rock his favorite gifts – Requirement: 6 – Reward: 20

Solution: Give Simba his favorite gifts.

Duty: Whip up a 5-star dessert – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 10

Solution: Cook any 5-star dessert meals.

Duty: Fish for tilapia somewhere sunny – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 20

Solution: Catch tilapia in the Sunlit Plateau biome.

Duty: Enter a DreamSnaps competition – Requirement: 1 – Reward: 15

Solution: Submit a DreamSnap.

Duty: Feed hungry folks at Remy’s or Tiana’s – Requirement: 8 – Reward: 20

Solution: Serve meals to villagers at Chez Remy or at Tiana’s Palace.

Duty: Talk with the lion who would have been king – Requirement: 2 – Reward: 15

Solution: Speak with Scar.

Duty: Harvest red fruit with a pit – Requirement: 40 – Reward: 10

Solution: Harvest Cherries.

Duty: Find diamonds with your Pickaxe – Requirement: 3 – Reward: 20

Solution: Mine Diamonds with the Royal Pickaxe.

Duty: Embrace your royal duty – Requirement: 30 – Reward: 15

Solution: Complete the duties in the Dreamlight Duties or Mist Duties sections.

Duty: Begin The Remembering – Requirement: 10 – Reward: 15

Solution: Open memory shards.

Duty: Give favorite gifts to a talkative meerkat – Requirement: 7 – Reward: 25

Solution: Give Timon his favorite gifts.

Duty: Cook a 5-star main course – Requirement: 10 – Reward 10

Solution: Cook any 5-star entrée meals.

Duty: Cast for an angler – Requirement: 3 – Reward: 20

Solution: Catch Anglerfish in the Forgotten Lands biome.

Duty: Take on challenges with Daisy in the Boutique – Requirement: 2 – Reward: 15

Solution: Complete a boutique challenge.

Duty: Bring food to customers at Tiana’s or Remy’s restaurants – Requirement: 9 – Reward: 20

Solution: Serve meals to villagers at Chez Remy or at Tiana’s Palace.

Duty: Chat with a friendly warthog – Requirement: 4 – Reward: 20

Solution: Speak with Pumbaa.

That is all the The Night Show Star Path duties and completing all of them will net you a total of 970 Rock Star Tokens.



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New Star Wars trilogy helmed by X-Men writer reportedly in the works, because we don’t already have enough vaguely lightsabery things lurking in the upcoming asteroid belt

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New Star Wars trilogy helmed by X-Men writer reportedly in the works, because we don’t already have enough vaguely lightsabery things lurking in the upcoming asteroid belt


We’re drowning in Star Wars things that’re in the works right now, and here’s another one to add to the bacta tank. A new trilogy that Lucasfilm has reportedly agreed a deal for Simon Kinberg – known for his work on several X-Men movies – to write and produce.

So yeah, make some space, the likes of The Mandalorian & Grogu, Dave Filoni’s Star Wars thing, the thing with Daisy Ridley in it that looks like it could be called New Jedi Order, and Donald Glover’s Lando thing – there’s a new kid on the block of Star Wars movies that may come out sometime in the near future.

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A report from Deadline is the source on this Simon Kinberg Star Wars thing, with the publication reporting that it’s a deal for three films driven by the writer, who has some Star Wars pedigree, having co-created Star Wars Rebels alongside the aforementioned Filoni and Carrie Beck.

Deadline claims to have heard that this new trilogy could comprise “episodes 10-12 of The Skywalker Saga that began with George Lucas’s 1977 first film”, making them a follow-up the the last trilogy of new movies that proved not very polarising at all reception-wise.

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter claims that the trilogy is “not meant to be a continuation of the Skywalker Saga”, and will feature a bunch of new characters and a fresh story.

What we do know at this stage is Kinberg’s track record, which includes X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and X-Men: Apocalypse. He also wrote XXX: State of the Union, which is the one that stars Ice Cube instead of Vin Diesel as its lead, because 2005 was a weird time and some behind-the-scenes stuff involving scripts happened.

How do you feel about the idea of this new Star Wars trilogy and what would you hope to see from it? Did you enjoy XXX: State of the Union? Let us know below.



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Elderborn: A Metal-Fueled Action Fantasy Slasher Arrives on Xbox Series X|S and PC | TheXboxHub

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Elderborn: A Metal-Fueled Action Fantasy Slasher Arrives on Xbox Series X|S and PC | TheXboxHub


Elderborn
Elderborn – the barbarian is unleashed

Prepare to unleash your inner barbarian with Elderborn on Xbox and PC.

Hyperstrange has delivered Elderborn, a visceral first-person slasher with a heavy metal twist, to Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Priced at £11.99, this action-packed adventure invites players to step into the role of a merciless slayer and forge their own destiny in a world of ancient secrets and brutal combat.

Become the Dark Messiah

In a time of legend, when barbarian tribes seek a new leader, you emerge as a formidable warrior destined to uncover the mysteries of a doomed city.

Elderborn blends old-school single-player action with a classic heroic story and a modern level of skill-based challenge. Explore a handcrafted world, master a variety of weapons, and conquer challenging enemies in a quest to fulfil your destiny.

Features That Will Unleash Your Inner Barbarian

Skill-Based Combat: Engage in visceral first-person melee combat inspired by Soulslike games, mastering 11 unique weapons and a deep character progression system.

Brutal Challenges: Face a variety of enemies, each with their own distinct fighting styles and weaknesses, requiring you to adapt your tactics and hone your skills.

Mysterious World: Explore a hand-crafted world filled with ancient secrets, from eerie catacombs to a monolithic city steeped in lore.

Epic Soundtrack: Immerse yourself in an original heavy metal soundtrack that blends classic and modern influences, perfectly complementing the game’s brutal action.

New Game+ Mode: Once you’ve conquered the campaign, test your skills and replay the game with increased difficulty and new challenges.

A Tribute to Classic Fantasy

Elderborn is an unapologetic homage to the heroic fantasy of Robert E. Howard and the pop culture of the 80s and 90s.

With its blend of classic storytelling, challenging gameplay, and a heavy metal soundtrack, this game is sure to resonate with fans of action RPGs and those who crave a visceral and rewarding combat experience.

Elderborn is available now on Xbox Series X|S and PC for £11.99 through the Xbox Store.

But will you be looking to unleash your inner barbarian in this epic action-fantasy adventure? Let us know in the comments.

Elderborn Description

ELDERBORN is a Metal Action Fantasy Slasher with brütal FPP melee combat and souls-like/RPG character progression. In the times of legend, the barbarian tribes need a new dark messiah. The player becomes a merciless slayer who will uncover ancient secrets in the city of doom, and forge their own destiny. This ambitious indie game, five years in the making, combines old-school single-player feel, a classic heroic story, and modern level of skill-based challenge. All this and more creates an action-packed, lore-filled, engaging adventure that will last 8-10 hours in a single play-through.



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