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Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the best-selling game published by Nintendo in January 2025, at least in the US. We don’t know how many copies the game sold, but having been released midway through the month, it must have sold a lot, and very quickly. According to games industry analyst Mat Piscatella, this remaster ranked eighth in the list of highest-selling games in the US last month, and that’s without counting digital copies. It also took the spot of highest selling Switch game of January. That’s hardly surprising for a remake of a popular Nintendo title. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD sold over 4 million copies on Switch. Even remakes like the poorly timed The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, released on the unsuccessful WiiU one year before the Switch, managed to cross the 1 million copies milestone. Image by Nintendo Nintendo remakes rarely add much to the original. The Donkey Kong remaster comes with an oddly named “Modern Mode, ” and the game does look better and run smoother than the original, but that’s it. The only major exception is TLoZ: The Wind Waker HD, a full remake of a not-so successful title which could probably be ported as-is on the Switch and sell like hot cakes. So why are there so few Nintendo remakes on the Switch? They sell millions of copies at full price and are relatively cheap to produce, so why are Mario Galaxy and Mario Sunshine only available in the discontinued Super Mario 3D All-Stars? Some, like Rare’s n64 titles, are hard to license, but first-party games like Luigi’s Mansion, Metroid Prime 2 and 3, Fire Emblem, Wario Ware, and many more should be a no-brainer. Some might say that it’s not a problem if a company decides not to make all the money in the world, and they’d be right. But the problem isn’t leaving money on the table; it’s leaving fans without easy, legal access to older games and seasoned developers unable to show everyone the fruits of their work. Ultimately, the problem is that I, personally, have to keep a Wii around for when I replay Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. The post Donkey Kong Country Returns HD dominates switch charts, are more remasters to come? appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article

Some Atlus fans have recently taken note of one Persona 4 vocalist, whose social media activity has sparked speculation that a remake of the iconic JRPG is in the works. While this idea has already gained quite a bit of online momentum, the underlying evidence pointing to a Persona 4 remake is circumstantial, at best. View the full article

The latest statement on the issue came from an Nvidia staff member named Manuel in the GeForce driver feedback thread. Manuel says that they're still investigating whether the issues will require a driver update or a straight VBIOS flash for the RTX 50 cards. Read Entire Article View the full article

Avowed has no shortage of treasure hidden among its untamed wilderness and city rooftops. Most of this loot can be found within chests, which often lack security relative to the contents held within. Countless fabled swords, armor, and trinkets are left to the first adventurer to find them in Avowed's world. Locked chests do exist, however, and can take a varying number of lockpicks to access. View the full article

Lost Soul Aside has shared the various tiers of system requirements for PC players, ahead of the game's long-awaited launch. An action-RPG developed by China-based Ultizero Games, Lost Soul Aside is scheduled to roll out on May 30, 2025, on PC and PS5. View the full article

John Malkovich is set to appear in a still unnamed role in the upcoming Fantastic Four film, and he's shared what his experience of shooting it was like. Read more View the full article

Sometimes, you don't need the Force to get your way, as this Star Wars Unlimited: Twilight of the Republic deal proves. Whether you're a new collector burnt out by the Pokémon hype like me, or you've been taking on other players in the Star Wars TCG for ages, this deal isn't one that you should pass on. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: Star Wars Unlimited TCG has nine sets lined up already Exclusive: Star Wars Unlimited card reveals for Aggression aspect Exclusive: Star Wars Unlimited Millennium Falcon card reveal View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

New information about an Amphoreus character’s true form in Honkai: Star Rail has allegedly leaked, showcasing what may be a boss encounter and not their playable version in the game. The turn-based RPG by HoYoverse is still in the early stages of the Amphoreus story arc, having gone through the initial missions brought forth by Version 3.0 and proceeding into new quests with Version 3.1. Currently, a lot of attention is focused on Version 3.1’s contents, such as the releases of Tribbie and Mydei in Honkai: Star Rail, while another portion of the attention shifts toward the Version 3.2 leaks. View the full article

Skyrim was getting ready to launch—it was mere weeks away—but former Bethesda producer Jeff Gardiner and the designers were in the midst of a disagreement over balance. This led Gardiner, who also had years of creative and design experience, to take matters into his own hands... Read more.View the full article

Fortnite players discover that the resort and spa at Outlaw Oasis hides a deadly Easter egg if the rules there are not followed. It's an exciting time for Fortnite players as the new season has finally arrived, transforming the map and bringing back a lawless feel to Fortnite. View the full article

The team behind Doom: The Dark Ages went all the way back to the original game to find inspiration for the latest entry in the series. Read more View the full article

The Mariana's Veil Bestiary is now live in Fisch as part of the major update, and there are plenty of new species to catch and add to your in-game collection. The new bestiary can be divided into five different parts based on the location. While we keep working on finding out how to catch all the fish (and items) that are exclusive to the new location, here's all the available information we currently have. Disclaimer: All regions to be updated. All 10 fishes in Volcanic Vents bestiary in Fisch Volcanic Vents is going to be the very first area you'll come across after you gain access to your submarine. Without the new vehicle, it will be impossible to enjoy the contents of the update. Check out this guide to find out more about how you can get your submarine. Just proceed through the opening in Roslit Bay and follow the light emitting from the vines to reach the Volcanic Vents. Be very careful around the burning rocks, and use your gliders to gain access to the fishing area. Here is all the information we have about the ten species you can catch at this location. NameTypeSuitable BaitTimeSeasonWeatherHellfire HaddockCommonWormNightSummerRainInferno HideCommonAnyAnyAnyAnyEmbertail EelUncommonFlakesNightSpringAnyInfernal IguanafishUncommonInsectNightAnyWindySmoldering StingrayUnusualSeaweedNightSpringAAnyMolten MorayRareMonnowAmuSpringRainPyrite PufferfishRareShrimpNightAutumnAnyScalding SwordfishLegendaryTruffle WormDaySummerClearBlisterback BlennyMythicalFish HeadDaySummerClearMagma LeviathanSecretTruffle WormDaySummerFoggy All nine fishes in Challenger's Deep bestiary in Fisch Challenger's Deep is the second area you can access in Mariana's Veil, and it has nine unique species of its own. Two of them are more crucial, as they will help you to upgrade your submarine and gear. NameTypeSuitable BaitTimeSeasonWeatherFrostscale FangtoothCommonBagelDayWinterAnyCryoskinCommonNoneAnyAnyAnyChillshadow ChubUncommonInsectDayAnyClearSubzero StargazerUncommonFlakesDayWinterAnyDeep Freeze DevilfishUnusualSquidAnyAutumnRainIceberg IsopadRareMinnowNightWinterWindyCryo CoelacanthRareShrimpAnyAutumnClearPolar Prowler FischLegendaryTruffle WormNightWinterClearCillfin ChimaeraMythicalFish HeadNightWinterAny All 10 fishes in Abyssal Zenith bestiary in Fisch The Abyssal Zenith is the third region you can reach in the Mariana's Veil update, and it has ten different species to catch. To access this location, you'll have to get the Ice Upgrade applied to your Submarine and get the Glimmerfin Suit to Level 2. NameTypeSuitable BaitTimeSeasonWeatherLeviathan Humpback AnglerfishCommonWormAnySummerRainTitanic ****** SeadevilCommonBagelNightAnyRainColossal SaccopharynxUncommonFlakesAnyAnyWindyAbyssal Bearded SeadevilUncommonInsectAnyWinterAnyRadiant Triplewart SeadevilUnusualShrimpAnyAutumnClearDeeplight FootballfishRareSeaweedAnySpringClearInfant Giant SeadevilLegendaryTruffle WormAnyAutumnClearVoidglow FishLegendarySquidNightSpringFoggyChillfin ChimaeraMythicalFish HeadAnyAutumnClearCrowned AnglerfishSecretTruffle WormNightAutumn All 10 fishes in Veil of the Forsaken bestiary in Fisch NameTypeSuitable BaitTimeSeasonWeatherHydra HaddockCommonInsectAnyAnyWindySerpent SurgeonfishUncommonBagelAnyAnyFoggyKraken KoiUncommonWormAnyAnyClearGorgon GrouperUnusualMinnowAnyAnyClearSiren SculpinRareSquidAnyAnyWindyCyclone ScorpionfishRareSeaweedAnyAnyRainTyphoon TailfinLegendaryTruffle WormAnyAnyRainTwilight TentaclefishMythicalTruffle WormAnyAnyClearScyllaSecretShark HeadAnyAnyAny The post How to complete Mariana’s Veil Bestiary in Fisch? (100% Bestiary) appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article

As you explore the Realm of Shadow in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, you're bound to encounter at least some of its dozens of bosses. And because the world is so open, it's good to know which order to challenge each boss so you're always on a level playing field. The best boss order in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Screenshot by Destructoid In this guide, we'll only list the bosses that are a part of Shadow of the Erdtree's main story or its major side quests. The smaller dungeon bosses are even more optional, and while they can drop useful items and spells, you'll find the vast majority of rewards before facing them rather than one for beating the dungeon boss. You only need to defeat four bosses out of the fifteen on this list to "finish" the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Those bosses are Messmer, the Impaler; Romina, Saint of the Bud; Needle Knight Leda and her companions; and the final boss. Many of the remaining ten require additional exploration and quest progression to unlock. Almost all the side bosses are harder than the required ones, though the final fight beats them all for difficulty. I've primarily listed the bosses in order of difficulty, but because you can skip and/or return to so much of Shadow of the Erdtree, I've also taken the most natural order into account. Lastly, the bosses you have to go way out of your way to find are listed further down than those you would reach via more common progression.1 Rellana, Twin Moon Knight Screenshot by Destructoid Found at the top of Castle Ensis, Rellana is a bit further into the map than the Dancing Lion of Belurat Tower, but she's also significantly easier to beat. She's a more traditional Elden Ring humanoid boss with a shorter attack list, attacks that have simple tells, and a large but not overwhelming amount of health. She won't ask you to learn or relearn any mechanics from the base game, and her movements should be familiar, if a bit floaty, compared to enemies you've faced before. You can skip Castle Ensis, and thus Rellana, entirely by using a sealed spiritspring in the southeasternmost portion of the Gravesite Plain, which takes you to the Fort of Reprimand in the southeast of the Scadu Altus. As such, you can return to Castle Ensis with more collected Scadutree Fragments, making Rellana a much easier fight. Divine Beast Dancing Lion Screenshot by Destructoid I suggest saving the Dancing Lion until you have at least level 8-10 Scadutree Blessing. Much less, and it can easily two or three-shot even level 200 characters with almost any attack. That's especially true of the second and third phases. You can get up to seven Fragments if you fully clear the Gravesite Plain, which can be enough to justify the fight. The Golden Hippopotamus Screenshot by Destructoid Between the two optional Shadow Keep bosses, the Golden Hippopotamus is both easier to beat and easier to find. You'll face it as your first challenge shortly after walking through the Keep's front gate and taking the elevator up. The biggest problem with the fight is the size of the arena compared to the boss's girth — it's easy for the hippo to fill a good half of the area in a single attack. However, its attack list, relative difficulty compared to the other options, and simplicity of discovery put it first. Commander Gaius Screenshot by Destructoid To even reach Commander Gaius, you need to enter the Shadow Keep from the east via the Church District. You'll need to travel around Bonny Village to get there. However, I recommend always beating Commander Gaius, the second optional Shadow Keep boss, for a few reasons. Five of them in fact: the five Scadutree Fragments you'll find west of his arena. The fight isn't particularly fun, bordering more on annoying than enjoyable, but it's also fairly straightforward to master. The roll timings for Gaius's attacks and the attack patterns are well-telegraphed, leaving execution the main determining factor in achieving victory. Messmer the Impaler Screenshot by Destructoid You should have a Scadutree Blessing of at least ten by the time you fight Messmer at the top of the Shadow Keep, so long as you collected most of the Fragments in the Gravesite Plain, Scadu Altus, and within the Keep itself. The Messmer fight should be your first real challenge in Shadow of the Erdtree. If nothing else, it's the best fight you can reach by this time in the DLC, providing a brutal fight that's satisfying to master. Putrescent Knight Screenshot by Destructoid The Putrescent Knight is the first boss in Shadow of the Erdtree that takes you well off the beaten path, found as it is deep in the Stone Coffin Fissure. The entrance is at the southern edge of the Cerulean Coast, and you enter the zone after Miquella shatters his Great Rune as you approach the Shadow Keep. The Knight is at the very bottom of the Fissure, guarding St. Trina, and it's a less technical fight than Messmer or the Dancing Lion. It's also a bit easier, so long as you know that you can jump to avoid the blue flame the boss summons in its second phase. Metyr, Mother of Fingers Screenshot by Destructoid I've placed Metyr here on the list for two reasons. First, by this point, you'll have easy access to the Church of Manus Metyr and both of the finger ruins. You'll encounter the Church on your way toward the Shadow Keep from the east. You should also have the O, Mother Gesture from Bonny Village, and you'll need it to open the way to the Hinterlands Finger Ruins. Second, beating Metyr gives you a chance to grab the Sword of Night from Jolan and the ability to craft the Staff of the Great Beyond from Metyr's Remembrance. The Sword of Night is one of the best Katanas in Elden Ring, and the Staff of the Great Beyond can cast both Sorceries and Incantations. Jori, Elder Inquisitor Screenshot by Destructoid No FromSoftware game would be complete without a boss made of mobs, and while Jori, the Elder Inquisitor, is one of the studio's better showings, it's still more frustrating than fun. You can't even reach Jori without completing the Darklight Catacombs, which you can only get to by the end of the river leading south from the Shadow Keep. Said river is only accessible via a coffin hidden behind two illusory walls beneath the bridge leading to Specimen Storage in the Keep. Oh, and you can't access the Abyssal Woods or Midra's Manse without beating Jori, making him "mandatory" if you want all the Remembrances in the DLC. Midra, Lord of Frenzied Flame Screenshot by Destructoid In the far west of the Abyssal Woods, at the top of Midra's Manse, is poor Midra. I much prefer fighting him to Metyr, but I do think Metyr is harder. I've placed Midra later than Metyr due to how deadly the path to reaching him is. A hidden catacomb, the Jori fight, the Aging Untouchables in the Abyss, and all the madness effects in Manse — getting to him is a lot. Your reward is one of the best fights in Shadow of the Erdtree. Scadutree Avatar Screenshot by Destructoid Deep below the Shadow Keep at the literal Scadutree Base is its rotted sunflower avatar. The Scadutree Avatar is one of the easier later-game optional bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree. I recommend facing it when returning to the Shadow Keep once it's time to proceed west and progress the story. The Avatar's attack list is relatively short, very weak to fire, and technically still three-shot the unprepared. Still, the fight is much more manageable than any other in the DLC, provided you hit the boss in the head. Romina, Saint of the Bud Screenshot by Destructoid Found at the western portion of the Rauh Ruins, Romina is one of the easier bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree, though that doesn't make her actually easy. Her attacks have a long reach, and many apply Scarlet Rot. She's also one of the few required fights in the DLC, as access to the final dungeon is impossible without beating her. I've placed Romina at this point in the list because if you follow the bosss order I've presented, Romina will be a nice bit of relief from the barnburners you've fought so far. Needle Knight Leda Screenshot by Destructoid Near the top of Enir-Ilim, guarding the path to the final boss of Shadow of the Erdtree, are Needle Knight Leda and whatever companions she can claim. The number of enemies you fight in this encounter and who you can call on for aid depends on how many or how few NPC side quests you've completed and their outcomes. For instance, Thiollier and Hornsent can be enemies or friends in this fight, whereas Morne can only be an enemy. Dead NPCs, or those whose quests you don't complete, won't show up. You might notice a glaring boss omission at this point in the list. We're getting to him. Ancient Dragon Man Screenshot by Destructoid The Ancient Dragon Man is on this list for the same reason Jori is: you don't reach the boss beyond without defeating him. He's essentially an NPC fight, and while his damage is absurd, it's no less than other Elden Ring NPCs. Too much damage and health, the ability to act in ways regular player characters can't, and so on. However, the great katana the Dragon Man drops is a fantastic weapon for the next boss on our list. Bayle the Dread Screenshot by Destructoid As optional superbosses go, Bayle is no Malenia, but we do have a guide on how to beat him if you need help. That said, he's probably the hardest boss in the DLC outside of the final one, so saving him to the end of a playthrough only makes sense. And while he's not the only boss on the Jagged Peak, you can't run from his fight like you can against Sennesax. Additionally, even with maximum or near-maximum Scadutree Blessing, Bayle's two-shot potential is incredibly high. That goes double for his second phase. His weakness against anti-dragon weapons can give you an advantage. The Final Boss Screenshot by Destructoid The final boss of Shadow of the Erdtree has been significantly nerfed since the release of the DLC, but he remains the greatest challenge you'll face in the Realm of Shadow. His health pool, damage output, and the chaos he can bring to the fight are unmatched. This final fight can spiral out of control faster than anywhere else in the DLC, and my first fight took 40 hours before I saw the victory screen. Learning this fight is much easier than it once was, and if you have a solid handle on the mechanics, a lot of the difficulty melts away. Just don't get ******. That's my best boss order for experiencing the main and side story beat in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. You can find more than 20 other bosses in the catacombs scattered throughout the Realm of Shadow, but they offer nothing to the DLC's narrative beyond the lore in the items they drop. Many are also suped-up world enemies, earning them another demerit. Now go, Tarnished, and explore the Realm of Shadow, and don't forget to enjoy the ruckus! The post What is the best boss order for Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC? appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Is there any better genre than science fiction? Reasonable people may disagree, but the answer is no. Sci-fi novels take us out to the stars or force us to confront our pasts or lock us inside the dark cages of our minds. The best novels in the genre can change your life. Here are the 10 best sci-fi books of all time in chronological order. The best sci-fi books of all times Frankenstein - 1818 Image via Penguin Random House No “best of science fiction” list would be complete without the book that unofficially gave birth to the genre. Some people might not immediately associate the story of Frankenstein with sci-fi, but when you read Mary Shelley’s original novel, all the hallmarks of the genre are already there. Frankenstein, or a Modern Prometheus, is basically the first speculative sci-fi novel all about how far some men are willing to go in order to pursue scientific discovery. It’s as prescient today as it was back in the 19th century. While it might be easy to consider it a horror novel, the original text by Mary Shelley definitely veers more into the scientific and the implication of creating new life from the dead rather than towards shocking horror scenes or gore. Dune - 1965 Image via Penguin Random House When you think of the term sci-fi epic, nothing fits the description better than the original novel by Frank Herbert. This is still a classic for a number of reasons. Dune is not just an action-packed sci-fi epic set on one of the most memorable alien planets in the entire genre. It’s also a dense story about politics, religion, and intergenerational trauma. When his family is betrayed shortly after taking control of the desert planet Arrakis, Paul Atreides rises up against the planet’s imperial oppressors, but just because he saves Dune doesn’t mean Paul is really a hero. While the cinematic adaptations could leave a bit to be desired, think of the ultra-weird David ****** movie or the way too pedantic TV movie adaptation, the original novel still remains as powerful as the day it was published. Anathem - 2008 Image via Harper publishing In today's sci-fi world, the epic is still going strong, and it is often hard to find a stand-alone book that can be enjoyed without having to dive into a 3000+ four-book epic. Anathem by Neal Stephenson is definitely one of them. The young Fraa Erasmas has been living a separate life for decades, locked in a convent that was made to protect certain people, such as scientists and philosophers, from the corrupt world outside. Now, the convent is finally opening its doors, and Erasmas will have to face a new life, along with a planet on the brink of cataclysmic change. This is a book made to challenge readers with the use of a new language and many uniquely creative ideas that will make it hard to put down. If you are looking for something different inside the sci-fi genre, Anathem will more than satisfy you. The Left Hand of Darkness - 1969 Image via Penguin Random House There are few sci-fi authors as beloved as Ursula K. Le Guin. She could expertly shift between genres, and though she’s created some great sci-fi novels, she’s also responsible for the enthralling Earthsea fantasy series. The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a human diplomat named Genly Ai, who’s sent to the planet Gethen to convince them to join his planet’s federation. Ai experiences extreme culture shock as the novel explores the utterly alien culture of the Gethen people. Today, The Left Hand of Darkness is even more relevant for how it explored androgyny in science fiction for one of the first times in history. The author explores how sex and gender influence both culture and society. Rendezvous with Rama - 1973 Image via Gateway Publishing Speaking of one of the most influential sci-fi novels ever, Arthur C. Clarke is probably best known for writing 2001: A Space Odyssey, but honestly, any of his novels deserves a spot on this list. I’m particularly fond of Childhood’s End, a deeply haunting first-contact story like no other. Still, Rendezvous with Rama might just be Clarke’s masterpiece. The book is set in the 22nd century and begins as a strange alien object enters the solar system. The crew of the Endeavour go to scout the object out, but they couldn’t be less prepared for what they discover. It is the first book in the long Rama series that would span four books written by Clarks and Gentry Lee. The first book was also adapted into several video games, the most recent one being Sierra Entertainment's 1996 point-and-click adventure Rama, which is every bit as weird as its source material. The Martian - 2011 Image via Ballantine Books Going to Mars is definitely not a distant possibility and a faraway dream like it was described in many sci-fi books from the 60s and 70s. Indeed, the story that Andy Weir traces in The Martian is more down to earth (pun intended) than many others. When Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars, he did not imagine he might also be the first one to die there. After an accident, Mark is alone on an unknown planet, with no way to contact Houston and get himself back. It is a story of both technology and also how human beings react in the face of adversity. The Martian also explores our relationship with space travel and its many dangers and perils. While the novel is much more recent than many others on the list, it is already on the way to becoming a bonafide classic of the genre. Kindred - 1979 Image via Beacon Press Octavia E. Butler’s brilliant novel weaves together the world of 1970s Los Angeles and antebellum Maryland to explore themes of race, power, gender, and love. The book follows a writer named Dana who finds herself shifting through time, stuck between life with her white husband in California and another life on a plantation with her enslaved ancestors. Dana is forced to confront a dark history while trying to find a way to stay locked in the present. Through the juxtaposition of classic sci-fi tropes such as time travel, with more current topics of interracial couples and the way society feels towards different ethnicities, Kindred remains a current and important novel that is sure to spark intelligent discourse and debate. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - 1979 Image via Crown Publishing Group Not every sci-fi novel needs to take itself seriously to tell a great story. Douglas Adams’s The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a tongue-in-cheek romp through a wildly imaginative version of outer space. After Earth is destroyed for the construction of a hyperspace express route, surviving human Arthur Dent is thrust into the universe against his will. The novel’s world is rich with characters and exotic settings, and just about every page will have you laughing until you’re in tears. If you are looking for a fun and light read, then the original book by Adams is a great place to start with. But if you liked his style, we are sure that you would also love its sequels, especially the continuation of Arthur Dent's adventures in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Neuromancer - 1984 Image via Penguin Random House Neuromancer is William Gibson’s debut novel and the book that really kicked off the cyberpunk subgenre. The story is set in a high-tech, low-life future where corporations control just about every aspect of modern life, and cyberspace cowboys are the stars of society’s criminal underbelly. Everything that you might have seen from the classic cyberpunk vision, from The Matrix to the recent Cyberpunk 2077 game, was inspired by Gibson' seminal novel. Neuromancer elevates a typical heist plot into an enchanting tale about the birth of AI and how the past haunts people. Cyberpunk has never been more popular than it is today, but the genre’s also never been better than it was in Neuromancer. Oryx and Crake - 2003 Image via Penguin Random House Margaret Atwood is a masterful writer whose contributions to fiction span multiple genres. Her best-known work, The Handmaid’s Tale, leans into some sci-fi tropes while telling what’s essentially an alternate history story, but Oryx and Crake dive headfirst into heavy sci-fi elements. The book explores an Earth decimated by climate change and other apocalyptic catastrophes, but it’s as touching and human as anything Atwood has ever written. Proof that love can exist even in a place that is now a full bio-wasteland rather than the classic dystopic future. With climate change and catastrophic events now being parts of our daily lives, Atwood's novel resonates louder than ever before. We can only hope that someone is listening. Which sci-fi book should I start with? Sci-fi is a genre that can be a bit intimidating sometimes and even feel slightly dated if you just throw yourself into some classic books from the 50s. If you want to start with a classic that still has maintained intact its original power, we recommend Isaac Asimov's Robot stories and Stanislav Lem's Solaris. While Asimov might feel a bit dated at times, the stories are all quick and to the point and will be a great way to see if you can be passionate about sci-fi. Solaris is also a quick and light read that will still leave you to ponder questions on humankind and their relationship with space and technology. If you find yourself loving them both, then you know you are on the right track. Also, 1984 by George Orwell is also a great way to move your first steps into an unfamiliar genre since, even though at the time many of its concepts were new, with our society rapidly becoming more and more dystopic, you will feel right at home from the first few pages. What are the most influential sci-fi novels of all time? While many of his books haven't aged as well as others in our list, Jules Verne is definitely one of the most influential authors of all time. He began writing sci-fi before the term was even a thing, imagining a future where human beings could travel fast underwater or in space. Edgar Rice Burrows and HG Wells' works are also authors that should definitely be considered highly influential. Again, it would be difficult to recommend something like The War of the Worlds today, and the overall scope of their novels is quite small compared to big universe builders such as Dune. Still, their role in shaping how science fiction became accepted cannot be diminished. Still, despite Verne's influence on early sci-fi cinema and many other authors, it'd be difficult to define any of his books today as cultural touchstones. In that regard, we believe 1984 definitely fits the bill, as inventing the modern concept of the dystopian future and many of its rules and its overall look. Neuromancer by William Gibson is also another novel that would be considered still today highly influential. What's the difference between the sci-fi and fantasy genre? Often, the differences might be fewer than one thinks. In science fiction, often the author tries to apply our current understanding of the world and its technologies in order to predict their potential evolutions, along with its consequences and issues. It rarely goes beyond that. In the fantasy genre, usually, there is no realistic viewpoint that the author uses as a base, since the fantasy genre often goes way beyond our present day, looking at ancient myths and classic roles, along with monsters and heroes that first debuted in the Dungeons & Dragons rulebook. Overall, a good distinction between the two genres is that one is rooted in reality, while the other will often deviate from it and, instead, look somewhere else for its inspiration. But there are still plenty of exceptions to this. The post 10 best sci-fi books of all time appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

One Stardew Valleyplayer discovered the hard way that the NPCs wouldn't tolerate all being dated at once, calling them out for their cheating. Since its release in 2016, this lovable farming and life-sim has quickly become a fan-favorite for players, particularly for its wide-spanning characters and relationships. Players can advance friendships and start intimate partnerships as they wish with most of the people in the game, learning more about them as they go. View the full article

Poppy Playtime is a colorful but creepy place where fun childhood memories mix with fear. While characters like Huggy Wuggy and Mommy Long Legs are well-known scary figures, Poppy Playtime Chapter 4: Safe Haven introduced a new character that made a big impact: Pianosaurus. This character is a strange combination of a dinosaur and a piano, showcasing the odd imagination of Playtime Co. View the full article

The Totems inAvowedare one of the best and easiest ways to boost your stats quickly. The Wael’s Totem is the version that can be found and collected throughout Shatterscarp and you can sweep it up with a fair amount of ease depending on the level of your gear. You can get some clues as well, which will help you find it if you don’t want to follow the map below. View the full article

When you cast your mind back to the year 2000, the defining RTS games of the era are likely names such as Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2, or the slightly earlier StarCraft: Brood War. But if you had a PlayStation at the time, you might have been playing classics such as Team Buddies. Originally developed by Psygnosis, if you want to get your hands on an original copy via eBay today, you'll be looking at a price tag of more than $100. But out of nowhere, a listing for a full remaster of Team Buddies has just mysteriously appeared on Steam. Read the rest of the story... View the full article

Fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic should keep their eyes on February 26, as it could be an exciting day for BioWare's MMO. Star Wars: The Old Republicfans might be in for a treat, thanks to a planned developer livestream on that date. View the full article

Obsidian's latest RPG Avowed just launched this week, and it sounds like its director is already thinking about what's next for the new RPG. Read more View the full article

Today we’re taking a look at the M900 Pro, Delux’s flagship lightweight ergonomic gaming mouse. Featuring an asymmetrical design and lightweight form factor, the M900 Pro should be a great mouse for games with heavy tracking, like Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, and CoD Warzone, also greatly benefitting from a speed-type mousepad. Did Delux manage to […] Source View the full article

Monster Hunter Wilds is changing the core formula quite a lot. From implementing easier combat features and new weapons to shaking up the world design to accommodate a new, sprawling open world, a lot is changing with this new entry into the beloved Monster Hunter franchise. Of course, this is nothing new, as dedicated fans will know. The Monster Hunter games have slowly been evolving since the first entry, with each new addition attempting to both cater to the hardcore fans and those who want to get into it, but feel too overwhelmed. View the full article

A new report has claimed that Obsidian Entertainment is happy with Avowed's sales, with confirmation that the studio may consider expansions and sequels to the game. It wasn't clear whether Avowed's presence on Xbox Game Pass on day one would harm its sales, but that doesn't appear to be the case. View the full article

Rebellion's upcoming Atomfall already draws strong comparisons with Stalker, what with it being an open-world shooter set in a cordoned off zone in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster. But it seems the latest game from the Sniper Elite devs may also be taking a leaf out of Dying Light 2's book, if the words of lead designer Ben Fisher are anything to go by... Read more.View the full article

Grinding Gear Games has revealed several new Path of Exile 2 items that will be introduced as part of the 0.2.0 update. The patch itself is currently on course to reach all versions of Path of Exile 2 in March 2025. View the full article