Steam

Since the launch of the BioGenesis DLC, Stellaris has witnessed a significant jump in engagement on Steam, with its peak concurrent player count crossing 31K. BioGenesis is the first episode of the ninth season of Stellaris, which came out on May 5, 2025. View the full article

Do you have a ton of unused Disney Dreamlight Valley lying around? Do you struggle to figure out what to do with it? Thankfully, the Cheshire Cat has a solution, but it requires completing a few of his friendship quests. What is his solution, then? The Cheshire Cat can teach you how to make an Uncrafting Station, letting you take objects and break them down into their raw resources. Here's how to unlock and use Disney Dreamlight Valley's Uncrafting Station. How to get the Uncrafting Station in Disney Dreamlight Valley Unlocking the Uncrafting Station requires completing the Cheshire Cat's level seven friendship quest. This mission, also titled The Uncrafting Station, walks you through the Cheshire Cat's abilities with destroying objects and receiving their raw materials. You'll then craft the station before viewing a brief tutorial on how to use it. Screenshot by Destructoid There are three steps to completing this quest and unlocking the Uncrafting Station: Destroy Wildly Jubilant TopiariesGather Blue SporesCraft the Uncrafting Station Before making the station, the Cheshire Cat will ask you to craft and destroy Wildly Jubilant Topiaries. After crafting and placing them, the Cheshire Cat will ask you to break them, revealing his powers of returning their raw resources. He'll show this off further using balloon arches, letting you gain some flowers and other items to use however you wish. Your next goal is to venture into the Alice in Wonderland Realm to collect Blue Spores. They'll mostly appear along pathways, with some clustered around massive blue mushrooms scattered around the beginning area. Travel around this area to find some spores, giving you one of the most important materials for crafting the Uncrafting Station. Screenshot by Destructoid Lastly, you'll need to stockpile the following materials for the Uncrafting Station recipe: Mushroom (28)Glass (17)Purple Bell Flower (6)Blue Passion Lily (4)Hardwood (35)Blue Spores This recipe isn't cheap, requiring you to find two flower types, over two dozen mushrooms, and 35 hardwood. You'll need access to biomes like Frosted Heights, the Glade of Trust, and the Forest of Valor to farm each, but if you have this quest active, you'll likely already have these unlocked. With every item on hand, go to a crafting workbench to make the Uncrafting Station. How to use the Uncrafting Station in Disney Dreamlight Valley As the name suggests, the Uncrafting Station lets you uncraft items you've created or unlocked in the past. If you have furniture items you've picked up throughout your playthrough or crafted and wish to undo, you can toss them into this machine and use Dreamlight to uncraft them. You'll gain the item's crafting resources back after a short delay. Screenshot by Destructoid The delay varies depending on the furniture item's complexity and quantity. If you toss in one furniture piece, you'll likely only need a few seconds and 50 to 100 Dreamlight to break it down into its raw materials. Using dozens or a complex recipe will require more Dreamlight and time. If all your queues take a few minutes, you can take a quest detour or step away from the game for a bit and return later. The post How to unlock the Uncrafting Station in Disney Dreamlight Valley appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Minecraft has released a new snapshot for Java Edition players. That is the second Minecraft snapshot released in May, and it brings fixes for various bugs, improvements, and new features to make the gameplay more engaging. View the full article

The bullet hell strategy RPG Touhou Spell Carnival is finally available on PC Steam with a standard and Digital Deluxe Edition. View the full article

The importance of Forzathon Points is something every Forza Horizon 5 player learns early on. After all, they can be used to purchase both seasonal meta cars and the always sought-after Super Wheelspins. But even if farming the points can be considered a very straightforward process, knowing how to do it efficiently can make all the difference. To help you do just that, here are the best ways to get Forzathon Points in Forza Horizon 5. Table of contentsThe best ways to get Forzathon Points in Forza Horizon 5How to unlock La Casa Solariega in Forza Horizon 5The best ways to get Forzathon Points in Forza Horizon 5 Image via the official Forza YouTube channel Although you can get points by unlocking certain accolades and Mastery car nodes, the best way to get Forzathon Points in Forza Horizon 5 can be done by completing both Horizon Arcade Events and Weekly/Daily Challenges. While the events spawn across the map in sets of two per 15-minute intervals, all challenges can be found on the Season main screen. Image via the official Forza YouTube channel To further boost your overall FP gain, unlocking the La Casa Solariega is also a must, as the house comes with a game-changing double FP perk. You can check out how many Forzathon Points completing the mentioned Arcade Events and challenges will net you below, as well as how to unlock La Casa Solariega by heading further down: Weekly Challenge: 80FP (160FP after purchasing La Casa Solariega)Daily Challenges: 10FP each for a total of 70 per rotation (20/140FP after purchasing La Casa Solariega)Arcade Events: 30FP each (60FP after purchasing La Casa Solariega)How to unlock La Casa Solariega in Forza Horizon 5 If you're just starting and cannot wait to boost your FP gain, you can unlock La Casa Solariega pretty much from the get-go by visiting it after purchasing the VIP Membership DLC. You can also get the house by purchasing it for 1,500,000 CR after reaching 17,000 Accolade Points. As you can see below, La Casa Solariega can be found by heading to a hill west of Teotihuacan. Image by Destructoid For those who do not plan on buying the DLC but are struggling to get the necessary amount of CR, selling cars in the auction house and performing wheel spins are by far the best ways to quickly farm the currency. If you're confident in your driving skills, you can also boost the amount gained after pretty much all activities by raising your difficulty level and reducing braking assist. The post How to get Forzathon Points in Forza Horizon 5 – Best methods appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article

В честь 80-летия Великой Победы "Леста Игры" запустила масштабные тематические события во всех трёх своих проектах — "Мире танков", "Мире кораблей" и Tanks Blitz, чтобы почтить память героев и передать эстафету памяти новым поколениям. Игроков ждут специальные обновления и уникальные награды. View the full article

Студия Bungie представила новое сюжетное расширение для Destiny 2 под названием Renegades. Дополнение выйдет 2 декабря 2025 года. View the full article

Саундтрек Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 набрал более 18 миллионов прослушиваний на стриминговых площадках с момента релиза, сообщила студия Sandfall Interactive. Это огромный успех для французского композитора Лориана Тестара — до недавнего времени его никто не знал, а теперь у него сотни тысяч слушателей и престижные награды на горизонте — эксперты прочат альбому призовые места на церемониях награждений в конце года. View the full article

Классические приключенческие игры Ecco the Dolphin и Ecco: The Tides of Time получат переиздания под современные платформы. Об этом в беседе с Xbox Wire сообщил геймдизайнер Эд Аннунциата, работавший над оригинальными проектами. View the full article

Бывший руководитель PlayStation Studios Сюхэй Ёсида считает Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 идеальным представителям АА-игр новой волны. Проект сочетает в себе яркое художественное видение, выраженную амбициозность авторов и умеренный производственный бюджет. View the full article

На этой неделе Microsoft анонсировала Gears of War: Reloaded — ремастер самой первой части серии Gears of War, который выйдет 26 августа на ПК, PlayStation 5 и Xbox Series X|S. Теперь были раскрыты дополнительные подробности новой версии. View the full article

Независимая студия Lunchbox Entertainment запустила в раннем доступе на ПК в Steam свою дебютную игру — MOBA под названием Sirocco. Вдохновлённый культовым модом Battleships для Warcraft 3 проект сочетает элементы Vampire Survivors и классические механики жанра, предлагая игрокам сражения 5 на 5 на просторах морей, где для победы придется полагаться на командное взаимодействие и креативное мышление. Игра уже доступна для бесплатной загрузки. View the full article

With the chill of winter settling in, there’s no better excuse to bunker down and get stuck into some stellar titles at not-so-stellar prices. This latest round of discounts features genre greats, cult favourites, and a few under-the-radar gems, all primed for your backlog. Get scrolling to get saving! This Day in Gaming In retro news, I'm celebrating the 27th birthday of Gran Turismo, a game whose realistic handling and 150-car garage boggled my mind at launch. This was clearly no Ridge Racer. It basically taught pre-L-plater-me how to corner correctly with its 100-page instruction booklet. Nailing apexes, weight shifting, drifting—it filled my empty petrolhead up and made sure I'd learned by placing driving tests between me and its championships. The impact the arrival of GT had on the evolution of racing games as we currently play them cannot be overstated. Polyphony's "real driving simulator" triggered a seismic shift in an entire genre and is one of the most influential games ever made. To this day, I can't enter my garage at home without hearing smooth jazz in my head. Aussie bdays for notable games - Gran Turismo (PS) 1998. Sequel - Pac-Pix (DS) 2005. eBay - ***** Blox (Wii) 2008. eBay - Wii Fit (Wii) 2008. eBay Contents NintendoXboxPlayStationPCPC GearLEGOHeadphonesTVsNice Savings for Nintendo Switch On Nintendo Switch, Life Is Strange: True Colors is down to just A$25, a steal for a title whose lead character, Alex Chen, was originally pitched as mute, until the team at Deck Nine reworked her into one of the series’ most expressive and resonant leads. Also worth snapping up is The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (A$23), which finally localised two previously Japan-only entries, complete with a character named Herlock Sholmes (!!). Civilization VII (-23%) - A$69Dragon Ball FighterZ (-44%) - A$50Life Is Strange: True Colors (-70%) - A$25The Sinking City (-90%) - A$7Little Nightmares Comp. Ed. (-75%) - A$13The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (-60%) - A$23 Expiring Recent Deals Minecraft Dungeons Ult. Ed. (-25%) - A$45Monster Hunter Generations Ult. (-80%) - A$15Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory (-44%) - A$49Tales of Vesperia: Def. Ed. (-80%) - A$15Star Wars: Dark Forces Rem. (-45%) - A$24Streets of Rogue (-75%) - A$7 Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card. Switch Console Prices How much to Switch it up? [/url] Back to top Exciting Bargains for Xbox On Xbox Series X, The Witcher 3: Complete Edition (A$36) delivers a fantasy RPG masterclass. Fun fact: CD Projekt Red designed Geralt’s beard to dynamically grow in real-time. Meanwhile, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2: Deluxe Edition (A$33) is seriously cheap nostalgia. Seagate Expansion Card 1TB (-32%) - A$208The Witcher 3 Comp. (-54%) - A$36Suicide Squad: KTJL (-83%) - A$19NBA 2K25 (-68%) - A$38Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 - Del. Ed. (-60%) - A$33Overcooked! 2 (-75%) - A$8 Xbox One Spyro Reignited Trilogy (-65%) - A$24****** Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (-60%) - A$27Dying Light: The Following Enhanced (-70%) - A$14 Expiring Recent Deals Monster Hunter Wilds (-23%) - A$89Avatar: FoP Gold (-40%) - A$94TopSpin 2K25 (-77%) - A$23Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (-45%) - A$54PGA Tour 2K25 (-34%) - A$79Diablo III: Eternal Col. (-67%) - A$32Dark Souls: Rem. (-50%) - A$29******: Def. Ed. (-85%) - A$10****** III: Def. Ed. (-80%) - A$9 Or just invest in an Xbox Card. Xbox Console Prices How many bucks for a 'Box? [/url] Back to top Pure Scores for PlayStation On PS5, Tales of Arise (A$32) shook up the franchise with its first major engine overhaul in years, while Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (A$41) turned heads with its chaotic tone, an intentional choice by creative director Tetsuya Nomura to “go full meme.” Death Stranding 2 (-21%) - A$99Cyberpunk 2077: Ult. Ed. (-27%) - A$77Tales of Arise (-68%) - A$32Stranger of Paradise FF Origin (-58%) - A$41Civilization VII (-34%) - A$79Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Leg. Ed. (-47%) - A$94 PS4 Digimon World: Next Order (-56%) - A$37Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (-69%) - A$30DayZ (-51%) - A$38 Expiring Recent Deals Sonic x Shadow Generations (-35%) - A$49TopSpin 2K25 (-77%) - A$23Ghost of Yōtei (-21%) - A$99Stellar Blade (-13%) - A$109Monster Hunter Wilds (-23%) - A$89GTA Trilogy Def. Ed. (-71%) - A$29Overcooked! All You Can Eat (-44%) - A$31EA Sports FC 25 (-36%) - A$69Ghost of Tsushima Dir. Cut (-58%) - A$46 PS+ Monthly Freebies Yours to keep from Apr 1 with this subscription ARK: Survival Ascended | PS5Balatro | PS5, PS4Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun | PS5, PS4 Or purchase a PS Store Card. What you'll pay to 'Station. [/url] Back to top Purchase Cheap for PC And for PC, Stellaris (A$14) offers intergalactic strategy with depth, while Screencheat (A$4) flips couch multiplayer norms by making screen-peeking not just allowed, but necessary. Oblivion Rem. (-17%) - A$70Age of Empires II: Def. (-65%) - A$13EA FC 25 (-70%) - A$32Screencheat (-80%) - A$4Stellaris (-75%) - A$14 Expiring Recent Deals Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (-18%) - A$57V Rising (-62%) - A$19Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (-80%) - A$19Dead Space (-75%) - A$22Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Rem. (-85%) - A$11Mass Effect Leg. Ed. (-90%) - A$8 Or just get a Steam Wallet Card PC Hardware Prices Slay your pile of shame. [/url]Laptop DealsApple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch (-16%) – A$2,094Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (-36%) - A$879Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen7 (-27%) - A$1,018Desktop DealsHP OMEN 35L Gaming (-10%) – A$2,799Lenovo ThinkCentre neo Ultra (-25%) - A$2,249Lenovo ThinkCentre neo 50q (-35%) – A$629Monitor DealsLG 24MR400-B, 24" (-30%) - A$97Z-Edge 27" 240Hz (-15%) - A$279Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo Curved (-22%) – A$2,499Component DealsMSI PRO B650M-A WiFi Motherboard (-41%) – A$229AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (-7%) – A$876Corsair Vengeance 32GB (-35%) – A$82Kingston FURY Beast 16GB (-30%) – A$48Storage DealsSeagate One Touch Portable HDD (-24%) – A$228Kingston 1TB USB 3.2 SSD (-17%) – A$115SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO (-63%) – A$29SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC (-53%) – A$9.90 Back to top Legit LEGO Deals City Fire Station (-34%) - A$99City Express Passenger (-30%) - A$175Minecraft The Baby Pig House (-27%) - A$22Technic Kawasaki Ninja (-26%) - A$74 Expiring Recent Deals Animal Crossing Isabelle’s House (-43%) - A$40Grogu with Hover Pram (-35%) - A$97Star Wars Home One Starcruiser (-28%) - A$79Mandalorian Moff Gideon Battle (-27%) - A$44 Back to top Hot Headphones Deals Audiophilia for less Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro (-49%) – A$179Sony WH-CH520 Wireless (-27%) - A$73SoundPEATS Space (-25%) - A$56.99Technics Premium (-36%) - A$349 Back to top Terrific TV Deals Do right by your console, upgrade your telly Kogan 65" QLED 4K (-50%) – A$699Kogan 55" QLED 4K (-45%) – A$549LG 55" UT80 4K (-28%) – A$866 Back to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube. View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

As you settle down back at camp in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 after a long day on the Continent, you'll have a few different options when interacting with the campfire before continuing your journey into the next day. These choices include checking in on the rest of your party, remembering your current objective, and of course, writing in Gustave's journal so that his apprentices will have a record of his journey to defeat the Paintress. The decision to write in Gustave's journal is small but well worth it. View the full article

Over on Reddit, an Oblivion Remastered player going by the name of purpleturtlehurtler claims to have found the perfect balance of speed and fun. In a 90-second video, their high elven mage (with a custom class called "Master Blaster") leaps from a frozen mountainside, flies through the air to land near the sunny Imperial City, then hops across the water of the Niben without seeming to lose any velocity. It's all done without console commands or mods, or even drinking skooma for that sweet buff to your speed stat... Read more.View the full article

A prominent Fortnite leaker believes that the popular battle royale could be collaborating with James Gunn's upcoming film, Superman, to bring the hero to the game once again. Fortnite has a long history of collaborating with the DC universe, as characters like Wonder Woman, Batman, and Joker have regularly received skins in the game. View the full article

long with sleuths like Sherlock Holmes, Columbo, and Hercule Poirot, pop culture is full of detectives who aren't, technically, real detectives. Jessica Fletcher of *******, She Wrote was a novelist who just happened to solve in the neighborhood of 250 murders. Father Brown was an exceptionally nosy small town priest who had a knack for sniffing out the truth. Encyclopedia Brown was a smug little narc who constantly ratted out his classmates. You don't need credentials or a badge to solve crimes... Read more.View the full article

Alongside the surprise drop of the second Grand Theft Auto 6trailer, Rockstar Games has released a select few character bios on the people Jason and Lucia will interact with throughout the game. These snippets don’t provide much information for each character beyond the broad feel for each of them. The most exciting of these, besides the main characters, is a quirky conspiracy theorist: Cal Hampton. View the full article

Diablo 4 just teased a new collaboration with Cantrip Candles, a fantasy candle-making company. While details on this Diablo 4 collaboration are currently sparse, fans can expect to learn more very soon. View the full article

"There's a lot that still needs to be done"View the full article

Juno is one of the better characters to use in Overwatch 2's Stadium mode, and using her with an optimum build is going to make her incredibly effective. Typically, a DPS, an optimum build for Juno, will revolve around her powers, and you should focus on increasing the amount of damage she can dish out. This guide will help you make the best possible build with Juno, allowing you to dominate matches in the Stadium mode. Table of contentsBest powers for Juno in Overwatch 2 StadiumBest items for Juno in Overwatch 2 StadiumBest powers for Juno in Overwatch 2 Stadium There are two ways to go with Juno. Her Glide charges are amazing, and an optimum build towards that ability can be helpful. But an easier option is to go with powering up her Torpedoes, which will suit well with more players in general. Keeping that in mind, here are the four powers you should focus on. Pulsar Plus: Pulsar Torpedoes will gain one additional charge.Cosmic Coolant: Cooldown for Pulsar Torpedoes will be reduced by 0.5 seconds for each enemy hit.Medicinal Missiles: Pulsar Torpedoes will heal 30 extra HP, and allies will have 50 percent more healing for three seconds.Stinger: Your Mediblaster will cause 10 extra damage to enemies over one second. All four powers are specifically geared towards Juno's Pulsar Torpedoes and raise their damage potential. Once built up fully, the torpedoes should be able to dish out a lot of damage, and you should concentrate on targeting the squishier enemies. Screenshot via Destructoid The powers mentioned here will be unlocked during the first, third, fifth, and seventh rounds. The priority should be Pulsar Plus, as it will increase the damage and healing potential of your Torpedoes. The choice between Medicinal Missiles and Cosmic Coolant would depend on your preference. Go with the former if your team is lacking a good healer. Since the last one is fairly difficult to unlock, I have gone for Stinger, as it will cause your Mediblaster to do more damage. Best items for Juno in Overwatch 2 Stadium The success of Juno's build will also heavily depend on the items you're purchasing in the game. You'll be able to purchase items following the completion of the Armory phase. As you complete more rounds, you'll earn more currency and get better items. Pulsar Destroyers: This item is the first one to own, and it gives +10 percent Ability Power. Pulsar Torpedoes explode on hit, and they will deal +20 Ability Damage. The extra damage provided by this item fits extremely well with the powers mentioned above.Lock-On Shield: This item offers +10 percent Ability Power, and you gain Overhealth equal to 50 percent of your max Health and Shields.Champion's Kit: This item focuses purely on Ability Power. It provides a buff of +40 percent Ability Power. It's an upgrade over Nano Cola.Catalytic Crystal: This item offers +15 percent Ability Power. You'll get +20 percent Ultimate Charge from Ability Damage and Healing. These are quite easily the best items to purchase to make the most of Juno's abilities in the Stadium mode. The post Best Juno build in Overwatch 2 Stadium appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

What are these mysterious paw prints and purple cracks scattered around Dreamlight Valley? The Cheshire Cat is up to some mischief again in a chaotic event, and it's up to us to figure out what's going on. We'll even get some Wonderland-themed furniture items as a reward. One of the tasks you'll encounter during Disney Dreamlight Valley's Cheshire Chaos event is Jungle Bungles. However, unlike others requiring you to venture into regions like the Toy Story realm, this one has some unexpected hidden requirements. How to complete the Jungle Bungles duty in Disney Dreamlight Valley Completing the Jungle Bungles duty during the Cheshire Chaos event requires unlocking and exploring the Lion King realm starting on May 11. You'll need to complete the Lion King's quest line and unlock both Simba and Nala as villagers before beginning this duty. Here, you'll find purple paw prints scattered around, which you can clear away using your Royal Watering Can. However, you won't spot these paw prints right away. While the Toy Story realm has several to clear away, the ones in the Lion King realm aren't available until May 11. Here are all the details you need about the Cheshire Chaos event's schedule, according to an announcement from Gameloft and in-game information: Starting on May 7, Cheshire Cracks will appear in all Dreamlight Valley biomes. You'll also find your first set of paw prints within the Toy Story realm. Cheshire Cracks spawn every 15 minutes, while paw prints appear every 10 minutes.From May 11 onwards, paw prints will start appearing in the Lion King realm. Like the Toy Story realm's duty, Clean Your Room, you'll need to wash away 20 from this realm to redeem your next prize.Lastly, on May 15, the Aladdin realm will begin spawning paw prints. However, you'll only have one week to clear them away and claim your final event reward. Screenshot by Destructoid Since the Lion King realm began spawning paw prints on May 11, it was impossible to find them in this area before this date. Similarly, the More Than a Mirage duty is also locked behind a timegate, preventing you from completing it until after May 15. Entering the realm and exploring the area will reveal small pink-purple paw prints dotted around. They spawn every 10 minutes, with up to five available at one time. Leaving for several hours won't let you stockpile 20 paw prints in one spot, so you'll have to return periodically to finish this duty. When does the Cheshire Cat Chaos event end? Disney Dreamlight Valley’s Cheshire Cat Chaos event originally began on May 7 and ends on May 20. These dates give you around one week to enter the Lion King realm and clear away 20 paw prints alongside finishing the event's other duties. Now's a good chance to finish it alongside Clean Your Room and Calmer of Chaos before transitioning to More Than a Mirage. The post How to complete Jungle Bungles in Disney Dreamlight Valley appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article

The best PS2 games began the hype of the most popular franchises we know today. This includes the likes of God of War, Kingdom Hearts, and Ratchet & Clank; here are the games that represent the best experiences on Sony's best-selling platform. 20. Burnout 3: Takedown Image via Criterion Games The PS2 era was a golden age for racing games, with legends like Need for Speed and Gran Turismo tearing up the track. But Burnout 3: Takedown didn't just race; it roared to the front with unmatched style and energy. Often hailed as one of the greatest racing games ever made, it delivers a full-throttle blend of speed, chaos, and excitement. Every moment is a rush, from the bone-crunching takedowns that send rivals flying to the tight, responsive handling that makes every turn feel exhilarating. It's more than just fun; it celebrates pure game racing. 19. Guitar Hero 2 Image via Harmonix Guitar Hero rocked the world when it first debuted on the PlayStation 2, breaking away from traditional controllers and putting a guitar in players' hands. While the original kicked things off with style, the sequel took everything to the next level. Guitar Hero 2 brought a killer lineup of iconic songs that inspired players to add them to their playlists (it even made me want to pick up a real guitar). The sequel felt *******, bolder, and more alive, with expanded venues, more instruments, and an even greater sense of show-stopping fun. 18. Ico Image via Team Ico Team Ico has a gift for crafting games that feel like living art, and Ico is no exception. At its heart is a timeless tale of rescue and companionship as a young boy and a mysterious princess embark on a wonder-filled journey. The bond between Ico and Yorda deepens with every step, making the story all the more powerful. The game's puzzles challenge your mind without breaking the atmosphere, and its quiet beauty and emotional weight leave a lasting impression. 17. God of War Image via PlayStation God of War is one of the PS2's most iconic games, and for good reason. It features outstanding character action as you whip your enemies with the Chains of Olympus and take them down in grisly detail. The storyline is epic, the visuals are still cinematic to this day, and you'll love the intense boss battles from this game. Kratos might be one-note in this PS2 interpretation when compared to the reboot-quel PS4 series, but it's still fun to take down the Greek gods one by one. 16. Beyond Good & Evil Image via Ubisoft One of the most underrated games on the PS2 (and also one of the best) is Beyond Good & Evil. It features a riveting story that has you uncovering a sci-fi conspiracy. You're taking pictures for the IRIS Network, revealing details about a corrupt organization that is taking prisoners. It's set up in a Zelda-like way, where you solve puzzles, take down bosses, and try to get through each "dungeon" alive. It also has an open world to explore with plenty of secrets to find. There are lots of animals to take pictures of to get money and other rewards. "The game manages to draw one in and keep the player involved with a charming game world and a strong, atypical female protagonist," said our review of the 2011 HD version. 15. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Image via Activision The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series defined what skateboarding should be in games: pure, unadulterated fun. The third installment stands tall as the absolute best in the series. I have endless memories of losing myself for hours in a skateboarding paradise. The objectives to tackle only made it better, giving you unique challenges to conquer before the timer ran out. Like Guitar Hero 2, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3's playlist shaped my musical taste in ways I never expected. There's nothing quite like skating while jamming out to a great beat. 14. Sly Cooper & The Thievius Raccoonus Image via PlayStation After playing this game very recently on the PS5, thanks to PlayStation Plus Premium, Sly Cooper & The Thievius Raccoonus holds up exceptionally well. The art style looks stunning on screen as it has comic book-like visuals. It's fun to clobber enemies with Sly's cane and stealthily move across each level with the abilities this raccoon gets from his ancestors. The developer Sucker Punch Productions (inFAMOUS, Ghost of Tsushima) continues to throw in twists to the gameplay to keep Sly's adventure fresh from beginning to end. 13. Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Image via Naughty Dog From one platforming hero to another, Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is by far the best of this Naughty Dog-developed trilogy. It features bright, bold visuals, with plenty of entertaining platforming challenges across the game's world. The biomes are varied and present engaging game designs. Additionally, Daxter is a successful comedic relief for the game as he tries to shake Jak back alive after he is taken down by his enemies. The Precursor Legacy's controls still stand the test of time, where Jak rolls and jumps his way to each platform. It is an impressive visual spectacle for the PS2 and should be praised. 12. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Image via Ubisoft Before the rise of the Assassin's Creed series, there was Prince of Persia, an action-adventure game that pushed puzzle-solving to new heights. While the trilogy holds a special place in my heart, The Sands of Time is easily the crown jewel. It was the first time we had the legendary dagger capable of bending time itself. Every puzzle felt like a challenge, but failure never felt punishing—you could rewind and fix your mistakes. As a kid still learning the ropes, that made all the difference. The story kept me hooked as the prince and princess developed an unexpected connection in a world filled with danger and wonder. 11. Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal Image via PlayStation Arguably, the best of the three platforming mascots from the PS2 era is Ratchet with his best pal Clank. I challenge you to find a PS2 game funnier than Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal. It has the hilarious antagonist Dr. Nefarious alongside his straight-person sidekick Lawrence with witty banter and well-timed slapstick. You also get Courtney Gears, a funny albeit dated reference to Britney Spears. Ratchet and Clank are also fantastic as the protagonists of the game, with quips of their own. Up Your Arsenal features all kinds of weapons at the Lombax's disposal. You have the electrifying Shock Blaster, the powerful Plasma Whip, and the Qwack-O-Ray, which turns your enemies into explosive ducks. The developer Insomniac Games is so creative with its weapons, and the platforming is also varied all the way through, with fun segments like using the gravity boots and riding grind rails with Ratchet's footwear. 10. Silent Hill 2 Image via Team Silent After all these years, Silent Hill 2 remains one of the most chilling horror experiences in gaming. Stepping into its fog-covered world is genuinely terrifying, but the kind of fear that keeps you moving forward, eager to see what happens next. The horror alone doesn't carry the game; its haunting soundtrack, gripping story, and thoughtful character development all play a part in making it something truly memorable. The recent remake brings everything into sharper focus, making the fear hit harder and the atmosphere even more unsettling. 9. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Image via Rockstar Games You've got plenty of choices when it comes to Grand Theft Auto PS2 games, but the one that truly stands out is San Andreas. Even as a kid who wasn't allowed to play it back in the day, I could tell greatness when I saw it. Compared to its predecessors, San Andreas offered so much more, with a vast world to explore. Combined with CJ's captivating storyline, it was an experience like no other. What really set it apart, though, was its unique features, like the realistic weight system that changed based on your exercise habits. It's something even the newer GTA games don't quite replicate. Here's hoping Grand Theft Auto 6 takes a few notes from this masterpiece. 8. Bully Image via Rockstar Games Staying in the realm of Rockstar Games, here's the next best thing: Bully. I love this game so much that I didn't even realize I was wearing my Bullworth hoodie as I wrote this. That's how much it's stuck with me. I still find myself playing it almost every year. For me, no game has done the time system quite as well as Bully. I can still remember that first class around 9:30 am, then the second at 1:30, followed by the 11 pm curfew. Sure, it's a tight schedule, but isn't that exactly how it feels to be a student at Bullworth Academy? The world of Bully may be small, but it's packed with fun distractions, from a tattoo shop to an amusement park. Every area has something new to discover, making exploration just as exciting as the quests. And the story of Jimmy Hopkins, a boy on a mission to become king of Bullworth and its bullies, is entertaining enough to keep you hooked from start to finish. Taking down all the cliques and becoming their leader one by one is incredibly satisfying. 7. Resident Evil 4 Image via Capcom While Resident Evil 4 hasn't aged the best when compared to other games on this list, you can't deny its importance in the industry. It revolutionized the third-person shooter genre with great controls (at the time), powerful guns, and exhilarating blockbuster moments that kept us glued to the screens. It also brought in an era of quick-time events, which began a cinematic era in gaming, for better or for worse. This Capcom game delivers a successfully creepy atmosphere with its dark European aesthetic. The storyline is also effective as you try to save the President's daughter, who has been kidnapped by this scary cult. "The game proves that sometimes all you need is a simple gameplay hook, as well as the bravery to stick with it, in order to drive home a compelling experience," said our review of this game's HD version in 2011. 6. Okami Image via Capcom Before the PlayStation 2 era was almost over, Okami arrived just in time to leave its mark. The art style was unlike anything else, with each scene resembling a beautifully crafted painting. The game's world is rooted in Japanese mythology, where you step into the paws of the sun goddess Amaterasu, fighting off demons drawn from ancient legends. One of the most captivating aspects of Okami is its combat system. Forget traditional weapons or fists; here, you wield the Celestial Brush, using it to paint powerful abilities that can defeat enemies. But the brush isn't just for destruction; you can draw a circle to light up the sky or create lily pads to cross water. The freedom to paint anything you need, anytime you want, makes it one of the most creative and unique combat systems I've ever experienced. I can only imagine how this concept will evolve further in the Okami sequel. 5. Persona 4 Image via Atlus The Persona series is well-renowned, and for good reason. After you finish each entry, you'll feel like you're saying goodbye to your friends with a tearful smile, and that's the same with Persona 4. Each character is well-rounded with likable traits and weaknesses that they show throughout the deep storyline. You'll also get to know them through your social links, and as you increase your bond with them, your abilities grow. The combat revolves around collecting different monsters called Shadows and using their abilities in battle. You can even fuse them to create stronger creatures for your moveset. It's a fantastic game loop and will keep you playing for many, many hours. We gave the Golden version on Vita a 10/10 rating in our review. "The summoning system of the Persona games has been likened to Pokemon’s monster collecting and, while they’re similar in the collection aspect, I feel Atlus’ work is quite a bit deeper in scope, and certainly more adult," it said. "For being engrossing they’re on the same level." 4. Kingdom Hearts 2 Screenshot by Destructoid Square Enix delivered one of the best PS2 games in 2005 when Kingdom Hearts 2 launched that December in Japan. It has an engaging narrative with fascinating original characters to meet, in addition to Final Fantasy and Disney heroes along the way. The combat is stellar and still has the best action RPG system to date. The reaction command mechanic has you dynamically react to enemy attacks, and the combat options available to the player, such as abilities, magic, drive forms, summons, and more, are immense. The boss battles are also epic as you confront the powerful Organization XIII, Heartless, and Nobodies that stand in your way. I'll never forget pressing triangle and cross as fast as I block Xemnas' constant barrage of lasers toward Sora and Riku. The scale of each world is incredible, too, especially considering that it was developed for PS2. The World That Never Was features a massive castle that you need to work your way up to stop Xemnas' plans. The attention to detail in each Disney world is also immaculate. Mulan's visual art style with the smoke and fire is replicated to perfection, and Beast's Castle looks as impressive as it does in the movie Beauty & The Beast. 3. Shadow of the Colossus Image via PlayStation Shadow of the Colossus is an artistic masterpiece that every gamer should get the chance to play. With incredible visuals and stunning music, you play as Wonder on an incredible journey to save his love. To do that, you have to take down these gigantic creatures, fittingly called colossi. The game features a protagonist who isn't perfect. He is slim, stumbles around, and can fall down easily. It sounds frustrating at first, but part of the charm is that you're playing as this weaker man fighting against these terrifying beasts. He isn't Kratos, he's relatable. The colossi themselves are levels as you're trying to find a way to scale up them and strike your sword into their weak spot. When the puzzle of how to climb a colossus is solved, you get a rush of satisfaction as the magnificent track "The Opened Way" blasts out loud in glee. Everything in this game comes together in a beautiful package, and it's one of PlayStation's best games ever. 2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Image via Konami Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has been my favorite game of all time for as long as I can remember. And I know I'm not alone, as many still consider it one of the best PlayStation 2 titles ever made. Since it's a prequel, you don't have to worry about getting lost in the tangled web of Metal Gear lore. You can jump in with zero knowledge and experience the powerful story of Naked Snake. The narrative is packed with twist after twist and showcases one of my all-time favorite characters, the legendary Boss, who also happens to be Snake's mentor. It's the perfect origin story, blended with real-world events that helped me understand history in a unique way. The gameplay goes far beyond the usual point-and-shoot formula. You have countless ways to take down enemies and can even complete the entire game without taking a single life. Survival is key, too. You need to hunt for food, treat realistic injuries with specific medical tools, and constantly adjust your camouflage to blend into the environment. All of these systems work together to create a sense of isolation and immersion that few games have ever matched. You genuinely feel like you are deep in enemy territory, relying on your instincts to survive. And then there are the boss battles, which deserve their own spotlight. Each one has a distinct weakness, forcing you to rethink your approach every time. My favorite will always be the battle against The End, an old sniper hidden in a vast jungle. It was more than a fight—it felt like a real hunt. I remember holding my breath, scanning for movement, listening for the faintest sound that might give away his position. It was tense, slow, and unforgettable. Moments like that are why this game has never left my mind. 1. Final Fantasy X Image via Square Enix Final Fantasy X is arguably Square Enix's magnum opus, delivering a stellar story that continues to resonate with players. As a fish out of water, the main protagonist, Tidus, experiences a new world 1,000 years in the future. The characters he meets along the way have interesting personalities that change the trajectory of the narrative significantly. They all have their own roles to play in the party. You'll get invested in every character, especially Yuna and Tidus, who share a touching romantic story across the game's lengthy campaign. The voice performances are also impressive, especially if you consider this is the first mainline game in the Final Fantasy series to feature voice acting. I cried multiple times when I played this as a kid, and after playing through the game five or so years ago, I had the same reaction. What helps add to the drama and emotion of the narrative is the impeccable soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu, who delivers his best work with themes like "To Zanarkand" and "Movement in Green." Spira takes your breath away What is just as memorable is the sights of Spira, the land where Final Fantasy X takes place. The designs of the temples, the gorgeous scenery of Besaid, and the grand cities of these islands stick in my mind decades after playing Final Fantasy X for the first time. Additionally, the turn-based combat system is one of the best that the legendary Final Fantasy series has to offer. You can switch our party members for strategic depth, interact with objects during the battle in a puzzle-like fashion against bosses, use special abilities, and utilize the mega-customizable Sphere Grid that lets you progress your characters in your own way. "Its story, which follows summoner Yuna on her journey across the world of Spira to fight Sin, is one of Square Enix’s best," said our review of the Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD remaster. "Likable characters with memorable outfits, a fantastic musical score, and a powerful ending made this game one of the best role-playing games of the PS2 era." The post The 20 best PS2 games of all time, ranked appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article

The Blood of Daedra is one of the most interesting quests to complete in Oblivion Remastered, and it's your gateway to collecting Daedric Artifacts. The main objective is to provide Martin Septim with a Daedric Artifact that he will use in a ritual. While the result is the same, your approach can be different. This guide will provide you with all the important information required to complete the quest. Table of contentsHow to begin the Blood of Daedra Quest in Oblivion RemasteredHow to complete the Blood of Daedra Quest in Oblivion RemasteredWhich Daedric Artifact should you give to Martin?How to begin the Blood of Daedra Quest in Oblivion Remastered First, you'll have to finish the Spies quest. Head to the Cloud Ruler Temple, and you'll meet Martin Septim. He will be on a mission to decode the Mysteries of Xarxes that you obtained from the Mythic Dawn base. You'll be informed that he'll require a Daedric Artifact to open the gates to Camoran's Paradise. This marks the start of the quest. Screenshot via Destructoid How to complete the Blood of Daedra Quest in Oblivion Remastered Martin will ask you to use the Modern Heretics book, and you'll find the Shrine of Azura in it. A new quest log entry will occur, asking you to visit the Shrine and find a Daedric artifact. Go to Lake Arrius Caverns, and go north to arrive at the Shrine of Azura. Talk with Mels Maryon to learn about the requirements of the Azura quest. Make sure to check out our guide about how to obtain the Star of Azura, which is incidentally one of the best Daedric Artifacts to obtain. Once you have obtained at least one Daedric artifact, go back to Martin. Talk with him, and you'll have to provide him with an artifact. If you've more than one, you'll be able to pick which one you want to submit. Screenshot via Destructoid Martin will ask you to speak with Jauffre, which will mark this quest as complete. Which Daedric Artifact should you give to Martin? The objective is to provide Martin with an artifact that doesn't have any substantial benefit. The artifact you provide to him will be destroyed, and the best choice is Namira's Ring. This artifact is obtained once you complete the Namira quest. The quest is available pretty early (you'll have to reach player level five to unlock it), which makes it easy for you to obtain the item. The effect of Namira's Ring is unique as far as Daedric Artifacts are concerned. It reflects a small amount of physical and magical damage, but the effects can be replaced by other methods (by the use of spells/potions). This is the artifact that you should ideally be giving away to Martin for him to use in the ritual. The post How to complete the Blood of Daedra quest in Oblivion Remastered appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Marvel Rivals has given players a first look at what they can expect to see when a new patch launches on May 8, which will include numerous bug fixes and fresh skins for Squirrel Girl and Rocket Raccoon. NetEase Games recently launched Season 2 of Marvel Rivals, which introduced Emma Frost as a Vanguard. It's also expected that the villain Ultron will make his debut with the release of a major mid-season update. View the full article