The Suikoden series of role-playing games may be defunct, but for its devoted fans, it remains a cherished example of the genre at its best. People love these games! Which they are absolutely correct to do. Suikoden games—especially the first two in the series—feature fantastic stories of political intrigue filled with a huge cast of compelling characters. But the last mainline entry was released in 2006, and they just don’t make them like they used to. Except this year, someone did. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is the modern Suikoden game fans have been waiting for, and now that it’s on sale, it’s the perfect time to pick it up.
I Didn’t Play Final Fantasy XVI ‘Right,’ And That’s OK
The two core pillars of the Suikoden series that made fans fall in love with it in the first place are the political narratives and the extensive casts of collectible party members. Eiyuden checks both those boxes and more. That’s no surprise, with Suikoden series creator Yoshitaka Murayama leading development on the title. As Murayama’s last game before his tragic passing only months before its release, it’s a stunning showcase of how the games of the past can be recreated today and still rock just as hard.
Like the Suikoden games that inspired it, Eiyuden puts you in the shoes of a new recruit in the military of a large nation. Soon enough your fresh-faced hero falls into a story of war, betrayal, honor, and friendship. In many ways the narrative can be seen as tropey and too familiar, but at the end of the day the RPG pulls off its fantasy story with extreme skill. You might have played games with stories like this, but none of them have writing that’s as consistently sharp over the course of dozens of hours. That includes the writing for every collectible hero, of which—as the name suggests—there are over a hundred. Searching out every character and then continuing to interact with them throughout your playthrough helps tease out so many complexities to these individuals, while also adding context and meaning to the larger-scale conflicts you’re engaged in.
Actually playing the game feels great, too. The turn-based six-person party combat feels fast and dangerous, with the sheer number of potential party members and different permutations allowing for some truly amazing team compositions that are a joy to discover. Beyond the typical encounters, there are also large-scale strategy sections that put you in control of an army. These are contrasted with one-on-one duels that feel filled with tension at the prospect of a wrong choice during combat that could lead to game over. That scale, both epic and intimate, is a recurring element of Eiyuden that helps make it memorable and set it apart from its peers. Perhaps that is best exemplified by the ability to run a castle, manage its inhabitants, build it up, and have your efforts impact the rest of the game. Some of Eiyuden can feel old-school but that’s often what makes it so special. Right now, the RPG is 35 percent off on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC, a worthwhile price of entry for one of the best RPGs of 2024.
Diablo 4 ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. Though Lilith is defeated and Sanctuary saved for a time, another threat, Mephisto, still looms. Seeking to put an end to the Lord of Hatred once and for all, Neyrelle traps Mephisto’s essence within a Soulstone before disappearing, leaving only a cryptic note as to her intentions. Enter Vessel of Hatred, Blizzard’s first expansion for Diablo 4 releasing on October 8, where players will race to find and help Neyrelle in her struggle before it’s too late.
Ahead of the release of Vessel of Hatred and alongside the debut of a new in-game cinematic highlighting the physical and mental toll Mephisto’s presence has taken on Neyrelle, we got the chance to chat with game director Brent Gibson and associate narrative designer Eleni Rivera-Colon about Vessel of Hatred’s cast of characters. How is Mephisto’s influence affecting Neyrelle? What is Mephisto’s goal, and what is he able to do while trapped within the Soulstone? What is Lorath up to? Gibson and Rivera-Colon wouldn’t spoil anything but did help set the table as to what players can expect to see as they journey through Vessel of Hatred’s story campaign.
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Now Playing: Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred – Official Cinematic Launch Trailer
In Vessel of Hatred, Neyrelle is seeking the Vault of Light, a location said to be hidden within the dense jungle of Nahantu and supposedly the final resting place of Akarat, the founder of the Zakarum faith. It’s there she hopes to be able to destroy Mephisto for good, but his presence within the Soulstone corrupts the world around her, catching the attention of the Spiritborn, the guardians of Nahantu’s jungles.
After teaming up with a new character, the wise Spiritborn elder Eru, players finally catch up to Neyrelle in the newly revealed cinematic. Soulstone in hand, she furiously recites ancient chants in an effort to control Mephisto’s power. Gibson said the scene is the moment the player character is “coming to terms” with the scale of Neyrelle’s situation and realizing that something must be done as she struggles to tame Mephisto.
“She’s doing everything she can with chants to hold him in the Soulstone,” Rivera-Colon said. “He’s essentially trying to break out. He’s going to do everything he can.”
Players will team up with a new character, the Spiritborn elder Eru, in their hunt for Neyrelle.
Neyrelle believed that by accepting the burden of the Soulstone alone, she would be keeping her friends safe. Taking on heavy burdens and being forced to deal with situations out of her control is something that Neyrelle as a character is used to, Rivera-Colon said.
“In the expansion we get to really explore what she thinks about this choice and this decision now that she’s been with something like Mephisto and [the] Soulstone for so long,” Rivera-Colon said. “It’s going to take a heavy, heavy toll on her, and this is something she wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to do.”
As much as it’s a story about Neyrelle, it’s also one about Mephisto, too. Absent in Diablo 3, he played a supporting role in the story of Diablo 4, aiding players anonymously in his Bloodied Wolf form on their quest to stop Lilith before eventually revealing his true identity. Gibson said one of the goals of the expansion was to hone in on the Lord of Hatred and tell the next major chapter of his story, teasing that there is “still more to come” in regards to Mephisto that Blizzard will craft over time.
Mephisto is one of the Prime Evils, and though he is terrifying in his own way, he’s quite different compared to the demon from which the series derives its name, Diablo. Mephisto is more keen to sow hatred and division among the people of Sanctuary, finding vulnerabilities in people and turning friends and family against one another for his own nefarious purposes.
“That’s his MO,” Gibson said. “If you think about the way he shows up in the base game, making you second guess your allies, making you second guess Lilith. What kind of influence does he have on Neyrelle right now? What is he making her second guess?”
Though he is still trapped in the Soulstone, his wolf projection seen in the base game returns, once again serving as Mephisto’s voice and a way for him to “spread his message.” His corruption seeps from the Soulstone into the world around it, with Gibson describing the Soulstone itself as being almost radioactive in nature.
“It’s a pretty big deal that Mephisto is back on Sanctuary,” Gibson said. “Any time that happens, they get banished back to the abyss and have to kick and scream all the way back. Even though he’s stuck in the Soulstone, the danger here is if he gets out, he’s physically back on Sanctuary, and so it’s important Neyrelle finds a solution to not let that happen.”
Mephisto was defeated in Diablo 2 but is finally back on Sanctuary (albeit still inside Neyrelle’s Soulstone).
Mephisto is trying to do everything in his power to break free, though his options are limited and so he must be careful, Rivera-Colon said. Thankfully for Mephisto, the expansion returns him to one of his old seats of power, the jungles of Nahantu where he previously corrupted the Zakarum church and battled players in Diablo 2. Gibson said that Vessel of Hatred is “revisiting history” in that way, but it’s clear that Vessel of Hatred is also expanding on the region and its lore, adding new wrinkles to the story of Akarat, the Zakarum, the Light, and the Spirit Realm.
“The Zakarum faith didn’t get everything right,” Rivera-Colon said. “They didn’t know Akarat. So it’s an opportunity to explore Akarat and Akarat’s faith not just through the Zakarum faith but through the land and the impact he had on the land throughout Nehantu.”
There’s no doubt the focus of Vessel of Hatred is on Mephisto and Neyrelle. However, one of Diablo 4’s main characters, the last Horadrim, Lorath, is notably absent. Gibson said that was by design, as they only had so much room for the stories they could tell in the expansion.
“Where Lorath is is a mystery,” Gibson said. “That will unpack over time, but if you think about the state of the world after the base game, he had some work to do.”
Blizzard is still leaving plenty of details for players to discover come launch day, though a recent trailer may have already spoiled one of the expansion’s boss fights. Thankfully, players won’t have to wait long to find out what happens next. Preloading for Vessel of Hatred is available now for PC players using Battle.net, while console players can preload the expansion October 5 ahead of its October 8 release. For more on Diablo 4, be sure to check out our hands-on preview with the new Spiritborn class, as well as read up on all the new systems, like Runewords, and the difficulty overhaul coming alongside Vessel of Hatred.
Bouillabaisse is one of the rare meals in Palia that players can consume to gain a decent amount of Focus or give it to the characters who love/need it. Currently, Zeki and Kenli need the Bouillabaisse and this guide will walk you through how to unlock the Bouillabaisse recipe and make it in Palia.
How to Unlock the Bouillabaisse Recipe in Palia
Like every cooking recipe in Palia, players must first learn its recipe and it is the same for Bouillabaisse. Before players get to make the Bouillabaisse, they will have to unlock it. The Bouillabaisse recipe is rewarded by completing the Freshwater Bundle of the Vault of the Waves.
How to Make the Bouillabaisse in Palia
Once you have the Bouillabaisse recipe, you will be able to make it using your cooking appliances. As each recipe requires certain cooking appliances and ingredients, it is the same for the Bouillabaisse. You need 1 Standard Stove, 1 Standard Oven, and 1 Prep Station to make the Bouillabaisse using the following ingredients.
Follow the following steps to make the Bouillabaisse.
Step 1: Interact with the Standard Stove and select the Bouillabaisse recipe to start making it.
Step 2: Go to the Prep Station and interact with it to make Chopped Onion by chopping the Onion.
Step 3: Interact with the Prep Station again to make Chopped Potato by chopping the Potato.
Step 4: Interact with the Prep Station again to make Chopped Spice Sprouts by chopping the Spice Sprouts.
Step 5: Interact with the Prep Station again to make Basic Dough by rolling the Wheat.
Step 6: Go to the Standard Oven and interact with it to make a Baguette.
Step 7: Interact with the Standard Oven again to make Roasted Potatoes.
Step 8: Go to the Standard Stove and add Any Bass, Oyster Meat, Baguette, Roasted Potatoes, Chopped Onion, and Chopped Spice Sprouts.
Step 9: Complete the stirring mini-game to finish making Bouillabaisse.
Make sure to complete all of the above steps in under 3min otherwise, you will get Spoiled Food.
Use of Bouillabaisse in Palia
Consuming Bouillabaisse generates 350 Focus (Basic) or 525 Focus (Star Quality). You can sell it for 57 Gold (Basic) or 91 Gold (Star Quality) at the Shipping Bin. Additionally, you can give it to the villagers who like it or who need it as a weekly want. Zeki and Kenli need Bouillabaisse until October 6, 2024, so if you have prepared some, bring them one each.
Catching Uncommon and rare fish is the crucial step in leveling up the Fishing Guild in Palia. It unlocks advanced versions of the Fishing Rod, new items, and crafting recipes at the Fishing Guild Store. One of the common fish that players can catch is a Mottled Gobi which Einar currently needs. This guide will walk you through where to find and catch Mottled Gobi in Palia.
Where to Find Mottled Gobi in Palia
The Mottled Gobi is found in Ponds at any time. There are several ponds in Kilima Valley and Bahari Bay, and you can go to any pond to try and find Mottled Gobi. However, the Mirror Pond Ruins located northwest of the Kilima Valley is the pond we recommend for catching the Mottled Gobi.
How to Catch Mottled Gobi in Palia
Upon reaching the Mirror Pond Ruins, look for a fishing bubble in the pond. After that, equip the Fishing Rod tool and cast the line inside the bubble while equipping a Glow Worm as bait.
NOTE: Glow Worm bait is mandatory for catching the Mottled Gobi. Make sure to equip Glow Worm Bait on the fishing rod before casting the line into the pond.
Once done, wait for the bobber to shake three times. As the bobber starts to move after the third shake, reel in the fish by holding the Left-Click Button and moving the mouse to keep the fish inside the brackets to catch the fish.
Uses of Mottled Gobi in Palia
The Mottled Gobi can be sold for 100 Gold (Base) or 150 Gold (Star Quality) to Zeki or at the Shipping Bin. Moreover, you can also gift it to certain villagers who like it or those who need it. Currently, Einar needs the Mottled Gobi until October 6, 2024, so if you caught one, bring it to him.
Earlier in 2024, Valve announced that games being sold in Germany were going to require an Age Rating to continue to be sold, and now there’s a deadline.
An update was posted to Valve’s official Steamworks documentation (thanks SteamDB), that now makes it clear that game developers have a deadline of November 15th 2024 to ensure an Age Rating is provided. If one is missing, from that date the games simply won’t be displayed to Steam customers in Germany.
Developers will need to “truthfully complete Steam’s built-in content questionnaire and publish the results”. Thankfully Valve has a built-in system for this, so it shouldn’t take long for developers to do.
From Valve’s FAQ:
Q. When do I need to complete this questionnaire by?A. You can complete the questionnaire at any time. Games without a German age rating will be hidden from customers in Germany starting November 15, 2024.
Q. If I fill out the questionnaire, is my game guaranteed to remain available in Germany?A. No. There are certain kinds of content that are not allowed for sale to customers in Germany. If present in your game, this content must be disclosed in the content questionnaire. Please complete the questionnaire completely and truthfully. Steam will automatically generate an appropriate rating for your game in Germany. If the generated rating allows, your game will automatically become visible to customers in Germany.
Q. What if my game has a USK rating?A. If your game has been issued an age rating by going through the rating process directly with USK, you may also enter that information within the store page editor for your game. This is rare. If you do not have an agreement directly with USK, do not enter a USK rating.
Get ready to put your observation skills to the test as Spot The Differences! Party has arrived on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Complete with full Xbox Play Anywhere support, this one brings with it a visual overhaul and hours of fun for solo players and groups alike. With stunning 4K graphics, this classic game challenges you to find the subtle differences between two seemingly identical images. You know, it’s Spot the Difference, just in Party form…
A Party for Your Eyes (and Brain)
Spot The Differences! Party boasts a whopping 300 pictures and 3,000 differences to find, guaranteeing hours of engaging gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned spotter or a casual observer, there’s something for everyone with three distinct game modes.
And what are those modes? Well, how do the following sound to you?
Timed Mode: Race against the clock to find all the differences before time runs out. Perfect for those who love a challenge and want to test their speed and accuracy.
Casual Mode: Relax and take your time as you search for differences without the pressure of a timer. Ideal for a more laid-back experience.
Party Mode: Gather your friends and family for a competitive spotting frenzy! See who has the sharpest eyes and the fastest reflexes in this exciting multiplayer mode.
Xbox Play Anywhere Support
With Xbox Play Anywhere support, you can seamlessly switch between your Xbox Series X|S and PC, picking up where you left off on either platform. Share your progress and achievements across devices, and enjoy the game wherever you go.
Sharpen Your Senses
Spot The Difference! Party is more than just a game; it’s a fun and engaging way to improve your observation skills and attention to detail. Challenge yourself, compete with friends, and enjoy the satisfaction of finding those elusive differences.
Spot The Differences! Party is available now on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Gather your friends, grab your controllers, and get ready for a party of spotting fun! Just head to the Xbox Store to get access via a download for £8.39.
You can’t play this one on Xbox One.
Our full review is coming soon. Just as soon as we’ve spotted all those differences.
Spot The Differences! Party Description
The most complete difference game on consoles, in an all-new version with gorgeous 4K graphics! Play solo or with up to 3 friends, and see who is the quickest spotter!
Wizards of the Coast shared more info about the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide in a new video on the official YouTube channel. The book will bring a mix of expanded content, updates, and some new features. This release, part of the revised core rulebooks for the 50th anniversary of D&D, aims to build on the 2014 version with additions based on feedback from the community. Here’s a look at what was revealed in the video.
One of the goals for the new DMG, according to Wizards, is to improve the accessibility of information within the book. The layout has been revised to help Dungeon Masters find the sections they need more easily. The book has also been expanded, with more pages dedicated to advice on adventure and campaign creation, as well as tools for running games.
New Sample Adventures and Campaign Setting
One of the major additions in the 2024 DMG is the inclusion of five sample adventures and a complete campaign setting. This marks the first time a DMG has included a full campaign setting, which could help newer DMs by offering a ready-to-use world. The setting chosen is the classic Greyhawk, one of D&D’s earliest campaign settings, known for its rich lore and iconic characters. The book provides a starting point in the City of Greyhawk and extends outwards to the surrounding regions. However, it’s presented in a deliberately skeletal format, meaning DMs will need to flesh out the details on their own, in line with the original 1980s Greyhawk products.
The inclusion of these sample adventures, alongside an appendix of reusable maps, is a significant shift from the 2014 DMG, which focused more on advice than ready-to-play content. This could be a positive step for new DMs, though it remains to be seen whether these simplified adventure formats will appeal to more experienced DMs or those seeking more complex narrative tools.
The Bastions System: A New Layer of Gameplay
A completely new addition is the Bastions system, which allows players to build and manage strongholds. Starting at level 5, players can create their own home base, issuing orders, recruiting inhabitants, and harvesting resources. Wizards says this feature draws from older editions of D&D, where strongholds were a part of high-level play, but here, the concept is introduced earlier in the game. Bastions are designed to function independently from the characters’ adventuring, providing a place for narrative development while characters continue exploring the world.
Expanded Tools for Adventure and Campaign Creation
The new DMG includes a greatly expanded section dedicated to creating adventures, which is paired with the aforementioned sample adventures to help DMs visualize their own story-building process. The book provides adventure hooks and advice tables sorted by levels, which could make it easier for DMs to construct balanced and varied adventures for different tiers of play.
In terms of campaign building, the revised campaign setting chapter has been moved later in the book, with an emphasis on giving DMs tools to build campaigns once they have a solid grasp of running the game.
Updated Magic Items and Treasure
Magic items continue to have a significant presence in the DMG, and this edition aims to broaden the variety of items available. Wizards has added more common magic items and updated the art for many items, including nostalgic ones from older editions. Notably, items used by characters from the 1980s D&D cartoon, like Hank’s Energy Bow and Diana’s Quarterstaff, are included.
For DMs looking to craft magic items within the game, the magic item crafting rules have been expanded. While the 2014 edition offered basic rules, the new DMG promises to provide a more comprehensive guide for crafting items with your DM’s approval.
Lore Glossary and Expanded Multiverse
The lore glossary is a new feature, offering a quick reference guide to D&D’s most iconic characters, locations, and materials. This includes entries on classic figures like Tasha, Mordenkainen, and Iuz, as well as lesser-known but significant figures from various editions of D&D.
The multiverse remains a core part of the D&D experience, and the new DMG includes a chapter on the cosmology of D&D’s various planes of existence. This section expands on how different settings and planes fit together.
To assist with gameplay, the DMG will also include tracking sheets for DMs to use during campaigns. These sheets cover a variety of in-game needs, such as tracking NPCs, settlements, and major campaign events.
The last news story from me today, as thanks to a recent contact by the developer(Amaweks) and our good friend Saberman(YT), we’ve been told if you remember playing the famous platformer of the Great Giana Sisters which was released from 1987 onwards. Then you may like the latest Amaweks ZX Spectrum game of ‘Marlow’. A game in which the developer says is a platformer for the ZX Spectrum 128k, inspired by “The Great Giana Sisters”. To coincide with this news, as ever we’ve got some more information about the game as well as a gameplay video below.
This is what the website says about the game. “Malow in Apocalyptic Acid World is a platform game for ZX Spectrum 128k, inspired by “The Great Giana Sisters.” What? You thought the inspiration came from a certain mustached plumber? No way… Navigate this vast apocalyptic world by jumping, stomping on enemies, collecting crystals, throwing molotov cocktail, and breaking blocks with your head across 4 worlds, in a total of 17 levels and 5 Boss battles”.
Dev Notes :
This project was only possible thanks to MPAGD Gen2, modified version of the engine by Xavisan, that expands memory usage beyond the 48kb, without which the complex title screens, introduction, and ending, as well as the large number of music tracks, screens, and code, would not have been possible.
Marlow Key Features:
5 Bosses and 17 stages Spread through 2 Episodes (2 programs)7 catch sound tracks (more info on readme.txt)10 Full screen illustrations (loading, title, intro cutscenes and endings)Fluid gameplay mechanics in a style rarely seen on the ZX Spectrum
This was going to be a review of a shitty visual novel called Animal Kung Fu, but I decided to turn it into an editorial to call out its publisher, Aldora Games. You see, awhile back I reviewed another of their “visual novels” called Cyberpunk Paradise Elysium. It was crap too, using AI generated everything and a half-assed story I could write in my sleep if I wanted to. Ironically, it was removed from the eShop, probably for copyright violations. Not surprised at all.
Who are his family and friends? Never elaborated on.
Animal Kung Fu is no different, being a thinly-veiled ripoff of Kung Fu Panda. The protagonist is a clumsy red panda, who learns kung fu and goes on an adventure with lots of animal friends to defeat evil. I surprised they haven’t been sued. But lets say you don’t want a Kung Fu Panda ripoff, how about an Aldora Games’ Bambi ripoff? Or how about an Aladdin ripoff? Looking for something more adult, how about a zombie romance? There are sixty-five titles listed on the eShop under Aldora Games. More when including those removed for copyright violations.
Eight of these shitty visual novels in a little over ten days.
But why even care about Aldora Games? I’m singling them out for the same reason I singled out Pakotime. These visual novels are cheaply made, AI-generated garbage that clog up the e-shop and push out more deserving titles. There are tons of great visual novels on the eShop. They range from Sunlight Scream to ones I haven’t gotten around to reviewing but sound interesting, like Caffeine: Victoria’s Legacy. Aldora Games says, “We are dedicated to creating exciting and unique games for the Nintendo platform.” However, they are creating the exact opposite.
Describe the journey! *throws Switch*
Aldora Games could create great visual novels if they just took the time and energy to write and produce something good. But they don’t. Instead, they do the meme, “Mom: We have Kung Fu Panda at Home!” And its Animal Kung Fu. That’s how they make their money. So tell parents far and wide, if it is an Aldora Games visual novel, don’t buy it for your kids! So in conclusion, the tag line on their website reads: “Video games for gamers developed by gamers.” But we all know that is a lie. Let them die.
Update: A few hours after going live, I discovered Aldora released yet another visual novel today, this time based on Peter Pan. They never stop do they!
P.S. Read up on Artem Kritinin releasing dozens of asset flips on the eShop1
Although I actually quite enjoyed it, the rest of the world responded to the release of Star Wars: Outlaws with apathy. The critical reception was okay and there was at least some mild interest in it prior to release, but once it was out the discussions dried up quickly and people lost interest. It seems putting Star Wars on the box doesn’t draw in a crowd anymore.
That idea has been backed up by a new report from the excellent Grant Taylor-Hill of Insider Gaming. According to Grant, who presumably had to pull off some Sam Fisher nonsense to get into Ubisoft HQ, the game has sold just a million copies in its first month.
Grant goes on to say that he was unable to confirm exactly what sales Ubisoft was expecting, but I think it’s safe to say were thinking a bit higher than a million.
It puts Ubisoft’s recent comments and decisions into some perspective, though. Last week, the company announced it was delaying Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, in part because it wanted to make changes based on feedback it had received for Star Wars: Outlaws. The company also confirmed that sales of Outlaws were ‘softer than expected’.
For some context, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage managed 5 million in its first month, despite it being a much smaller game than the regular Assassin’s Creed entries. Perhaps I’m being too generous, but I imagine Ubisoft would have thought the Star Wars license alone would bring them at least somewhat close to Mirage’s numbers.
The real issue that Ubisoft faces with low sales is that Outlaws is a licensed game, meaning they have to pay Disney a chunk of the profits. It’s impossible to know the exact details of the contract, but we do know, thanks to leaks, that Insomniac’s deal with Disney for the Spider-Man games means the House of the Mouse gets paid a significant chunk of cash. On top of that, any copy of Star Wars: Outlaws sold on PlayStation or Xbox takes another 30% of the profits away from Ubisoft. The Epic store takes far less, but as we know sales there can’t be great as Ubisoft has announced its games will be launching on Steam on day 1 moving forward.
