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Despite my love for colorful, fantasy anime aesthetics, I've never quite gotten on with the likes of Genshin Impact. Perhaps its the gacha, or having to keep up with what feels like volumes worth of bizarre terminology - I've just never been able to really commit to any of HoYoverse's long-running games. That's why Blue Protocol was so exciting to me - to quote Amazon at the time, the MMO was supposed to be about undertaking a "fantastical journey," where the story was at the core of the gameplay. But, that simply wasn't to be; back in August 2024 Amazon cancelled the Western release of Blue Protocol, with Bandai Namco Online confirming that service would also end in Japan in January of 2025. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: Canceled Amazon MMO Blue Protocol is coming back as spinoff Star Resonance All Blue Protocol classes explained Blue Protocol delisted from Steam, effectively killing it for good View the full article

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 might only be a few months old, but it looks like it's already been dethroned as the fastest Nvidia gaming GPU out there. Initial benchmarks have shown that the Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell, aimed at workstation PCs and sharing the same GPU chip as the RTX 5090, is actually a gaming powerhouse itself, with performance that is at least 10% faster than the RTX 5090. That said, we're not rushing to update our advice on buying the best graphics card out there just yet. There are plenty of reasons why this Nvidia workstation GPU isn't really suitable for gaming, not least the enormous price tag, with some RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell cards selling for as much as $11,000 online so far. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: 24GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Super GPU is coming sooner than expected, says leak This leaked new Nvidia GeForce gaming GPU could cost even less than the RTX 5060 Nvidia GeForce gaming GPU prices are reportedly about to get even more expensive View the full article

According to publisher Nexon, The First Berserker: Khazan failed to meet sales expectations, but the company still sees the hardcore action RPG as a success. Released in March, The First Berserker: Khazan fits into developer Neople's long-running Dungeon & Fighter series, something the company is eager to promote more heavily in the West. View the full article

Popular benchmarking tool OCCT is releasing an optimized handheld edition for the Steam Deck, allowing curious gamers to fully stress test their hardware with a natively supported app. According to the developers, this "portable handheld edition" will run "flawlessly" on the Steam Deck and be available for free on launch. Benchmarking tools such as OCCT have been popular with hardware builders for decades, allowing you to check the stability of your machine. While it has always made sense to use OCCT on the best gaming PCs, I can also definitely see the appeal of using it on a handheld, especially if you're unsure whether or not your Steam Deck is working properly. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: This new Nvidia GPU is 10% faster than an RTX 5090, if you can afford it Best VPN service 2025 Best gaming monitor 2025 View the full article

I'm not even that hardcoreView the full article

Despair reigned among fans when Blue Protocol met its end in 2024. But like a phoenix, it rose again, reborn by Tencent's BOKURA as Star Resonance. Although little has been heard since the shutdown, the MMORPG now gleams anew with a 2025 release. I, for one, am thrilled to see Blue Protocol make a comeback. Anime-inspired MMOs are rare, and this one fills a unique niche. The new version is a clear improvement compared to the original. Visuals have been updated, character designs are more polished, and the world itself feels much more alive and interactive. [Hidden Content] When the original was canceled, many speculated if the shutdown was because the world felt lackluster and lacked depth. But with Star Resonance, the focus shifted to delivering a more dynamic experience. The announcement trailer showcases a world full of activities, like racing across open fields on pig-like mounts, fishing with friends by a peaceful lake, or relaxing around a campfire after an exciting raid. Star Resonance could become the ultimate multiplayer experience, blending action, exploration, and social interaction in ways fans have been eagerly waiting for. Each class offers unique combat playstyles, giving you the freedom to shape your character in ways that align with your personal preferences. With the world and its characters drawing inspiration from anime, it's safe to expect some iconic builds from fan-favorite shows and manga. Nevertheless, there will undoubtedly be fresh, innovative takes that push the boundaries and create entirely new archetypes to explore. The game will continue to evolve with new content and regular updates, which is promising for its long-term success. If the development team can maintain a steady flow of new content, Star Resonance could finally deliver on the potential the original never quite realized. While we're still waiting on a concrete release date, we'll likely see a launch later in the year—or, if we're lucky, sometime in the fall. The post Could this be the MMORPG comeback of 2025? Blue Protocol returns as Star Resonance appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article

Blue Protocol may have been shut down last year, but it lives on in a new form now with Blue Protocol: Star Resonance. Publisher A Plus unveiled the new MMORPG today, and it's set for launch sometime in 2025. Blue Protocol: Star Resonance is an anime-inspired MMORPG, with action combat and an open world to explore, targeting PC on both Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as iOS and Android. Currently, the game is set to launch in Europe, North America, and Latin America sometime in 2025. Per Gematsu, Blue Protocol: Star Resonance was previously only announced for China. It was licensed to Bokura, the developer, after the closure of Blue Protocol and picked up some members of the original team in the process. Now, Star Resonance looks to be heading to new territories. You'd be forgiven for thinking Blue Protcol: Star Resonance is the original Blue Protocol, as the gameplay and world look very similar. The original Blue Protocol was a collaboration between Amazon Games and Bandai Namco. The MMORPG went live in Japan and was planned for a worldwide release. IGN even previewed it in 2023, calling it "gorgeous" and "cool." Then in 2024, Bandai Namco announced it was cancelling the worldwide launch and would discontinue service for Blue Protocol by January 18, 2025. “We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Amazon Games throughout the development of Blue Protocol, and both of our teams are disappointed that we will not be able to deliver the game to players around the world,” Bandai Namco said in a statement at the time. “We have worked hard to prepare for the release; however, we have come to the conclusion that it will not be possible to provide a service that satisfies all of you.” Cut to now, and Blue Protocol: Star Resonance bears all the hallmarks of Blue Protocol. There's the anime-inspired aesthetic, action combat, character customization, and community events. This, in essence, may just be the return of Blue Protocol for those who were interested in seeing it arrive in the west. While this news might feel like seeing the ghost of old games past, it might be some good news for anyone who didn't get the chance to try Blue Protocol before its closure. Maybe the second time's the charm? We'll know for sure when Blue Protocol: Star Resonance arrives sometime this year. Eric is a freelance writer for IGN. View the full article

New details about Dan Heng’s rumored new form in Honkai: Star Rail have leaked, and based on the information provided, the Astral Express crew member will have an unexpected summon mechanic – even when compared to the new memosprite summons that have been added with the introduction of the Remembrance as a playable Path. Currently, HoYoverse’s turn-based RPG is moving toward Version 3.3, a major patch that will introduce Hyacine and Cipher to Honkai: Star Rail, as well as a new weekly boss to face and several updates to the Amphoreus story arc. View the full article

Как и было обещано, следующее крупное обновление для постапокалиптического шутера с открытым миром S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl не заставило себя долго ждать. Студия GSC Game World объявила о выходе патча 1.4.View the full article

We recently reported on the reveal of an upcoming PC release of Stellar Blade, the formerly PS5 exclusive action game ... Read more View the full article

Stellar Blade will be releasing a Complete Edition for both PlayStation 5 and PC, adding new outfits, an additional boss fight, and more to the action-adventure game. Fans can expect to see the new edition of Stellar Blade launching in June, alongside the launch of the game on PC. View the full article

After Metaphor Refantazio, it's tempting to start wondering when we might see Persona 6. Atlus, however, isn't quite done with its predecessor, as we return to Tokyo for Persona 5: The Phantom X, a new JRPG that will be launching globally in June as a free PC game. Originally only available in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, it returns to the scene of the crime with an entirely new cast of Phantom Thieves led by a boy known by the codename 'Wonder,' although you can expect familiar faces such as Joker to join you on your journey. Read the rest of the story... View the full article

Now Playing | There's no right or wrong way to play, but also I am correctView the full article

Once upon a time, I remember seeing the trailer for the first Dead Island game. "They banned this trailer because it was so scary," my cousin would whisper. "You're way too young to watch it." I puffed up my 15-year-old chest and prepared for the worst. "I'm not scared." I was, in fact, scared. Years later, when Dead Island 2 was announced, I wasn't as frightened of its overt gore and chaotic action, but for me those blood-tinged childhood memories have always meant that the series was always one of my favorites, up there with Dying Light and Left 4 Dead. If you've skipped out on Dambuster's sequel, it's well worth a go, and it's free right now on the Epic Games Store. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: Snag zombie slaying hit Dead Island 2 cheap right now Grab the most brutal zombie game ever for its lowest price yet Dead Island 2's new free update delivers two essential zombie slaying modes View the full article

The viral idle game Cookie Clicker is officially headed to all major consoles, with its release set for May 22. Originally developed for browsers by Julien Thiennot in 2013, the cult hit is known for its immensely addictive gameplay loop, tasking players with simply making cookies. Cookie Clicker is currently available via Steam, which was released with the help of Playsaurus, for $4.99. View the full article

While there are many haunting and terrifying locations in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, such as Renoir's Drafts or the Endless Night Sanctuary, the area that easily gives me nightmares is the Gestral Beach ascension tower. The ascension tower is a relatively straightforward mini-game, and the Gestral Beaches are meant to be a light-hearted or even relaxing break from the often bleak and depressing world inside the Canvas. In my experience, there is absolutely nothing light-hearted or relaxing about it, and it's arguably one of the harder challenges in the game (aside from maybe raft volleyball). View the full article

He says the community "helped me get out"View the full article

There's a newish Persona game on the way next month, and it is, of course, yet another Persona 5 spinoff. I'm not sure if another cow in existence has been so thoroughly milked before, but here we are. I call Persona 5: The Phantom X (that's its name, by the way) newish because it's actually been available in China through an ongoing open beta for the last year. Earlier today, Atlus held a pre-recorded livestream confirming that the mobile game is finally coming westward, and that it'll be getting a PC release as well. Read more View the full article

"You're a space marine, one of Earth's toughest, hardened in combat and trained for action. Three years ago you assaulted a superior officer for ordering his soldiers to fire upon civilians. He and his body cast were shipped to Pearl Harbor, while you were transferred to Mars. With no action for fifty million miles, your day consisted of suckin' dust and watchin' restricted flicks in the rec room." That's our introduction to Doomguy, in the instruction manual that accompanies the original game from 1993. Doom doesn't have any cutscenes or dialogue. In terms of a narrative, each episode ends with a short passage of text summing up what you've just done and teasing the next location you're about to enter, and that's all. But the eponymous hero of id's greatest shooter nevertheless has character. When his nose and teeth are bloodied, Doomguy soldiers on regardless, one brow raised, hungrily looking for fresh meat. When he finds a new, big gun, he grins, bares his teeth - he can't wait to kill something with this. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: Doom The Dark Ages missions list - all campaign missions and challenges All Doom The Dark Ages wolf statue locations Is Doom The Dark Ages on Game Pass? View the full article

It's not always about the moneyView the full article

"PS5 users will receive the free update content through a patch download"View the full article

Kazutaka Kodaka created the multimedia project, but only provided worldbuilding for the game, which will see its end of service in NovemberView the full article

In addition to the standard ghost hunting equipment you can use in each round, there are also several Cursed Possessions that can make your investigation easier or more difficult in Phasmophobia. One of the most dangerous and complex ones is the Music Box. If you don't fully understand how this item works, there's a good chance you'll end up the victim of an untimely hunt. It's a tough object to use right, even when you do know what it does, so precision is key. Here's how to use the Music Box in Phasmophobia. Table of contentsHow do you use the Music Box in Phasmophobia?How to turn on the Music Box in PhasmophobiaHow does the Music Box work in Phasmophobia?How to find the Music Box in PhasmophobiaShould you use the Music Box in Phasmophobia?Tips for using Music Box in PhasmophobiaHow do you use the Music Box in Phasmophobia? Screenshot by Destructoid The Music Box can be used to pinpoint the ghost's location, but it also results in a cursed hunt if you're not careful with it. When this item is used, the ghost will sing along to the tune that's playing as long as they're within 20 meters of it. You can follow the singing to learn where the ghost is. While the Music Box is active, the ghost will wander around their chosen location while humming. If you get close to them while the song is playing, the ghost will then turn towards you, walk up to the box, and trigger a cursed hunt. You can only use this item once per round, so make sure you use it right, or you'll waste it and likely end up the victim of a cursed hunt. How to turn on the Music Box in Phasmophobia You can turn on the Music Box using the Primary Use button. It's the same button you use to activate or use pretty much every item in Phasmophobia. The specific control you need varies by platform, so if you're not sure what it is, open your Journal, select the Pause Menu tab, choose Options, and look for the Use option under the Controls section. The button you need is located right next to it and can also be modified from this page. How does the Music Box work in Phasmophobia? Screenshot by Destructoid The Music Box is essentially a compass-like item that helps you track down the ghost using music. The haunting song it plays is echoed by the ghost, so you can then head towards the voice to determine where the ghost is. If you're already within five meters of it when using this item, the ghost will appear immediately and walk right up to you. How to find the Music Box in Phasmophobia The Music Box has a one in seven chance of spawning on each map in all regular contracts. If you're playing the featured weekly challenge mode, it might not be present, so be sure to check the rules to see if it is. It has a fixed location on each map, so there's only one spot you need to check for it around each one. It's a very small item that's super easy to miss, so be sure to scan carefully to avoid missing it. Should you use the Music Box in Phasmophobia? The Music Box is rarely worth using, especially when you're playing alone. It's by far the most dangerous Cursed Possession you can use, and it's generally much more risky than it is rewarding. I've had many successes with all other Cursed Objects, but this one rarely ends well. Overall, it's best to avoid using this item. Tips for using Music Box in Phasmophobia Screenshot by Destructoid The Music Box is a notoriously tricky item to use correctly in Phasmophobia. It takes a lot of trial and error to learn how to use it right, so here are some tips to help you navigate this process and make it a bit easier. Avoid using it when playing alone. Your odds of staying alive are a lot better if you only use this item when you have allies at your side who are ready to keep the team safe. Have all additional players hold Incense and be ready to light it if the player holding the Music Box activates a hunt. Never drop the box; always place it down instead. Dropping the box automatically triggers a cursed hunt if you've started playing the song. The only way to avoid a cursed hunt is to place it down before the song ends. Make sure you have high sanity. You can't use this item if your sanity is at zero percent. It also drains your sanity quickly as you use it, so for the best chances of surviving, make sure your sanity is full or close to full before using it. Keep the box away from the ghost. As soon as you get within range of the ghost to see and walk towards you with the box, avoiding a cursed hunt is no longer possible. This is why it's best to have allies helping you out, so they can approach the ghost safely while you keep your distance. There are many other tricky items you'll come across while playing, so next, you may want to learn how to use the Monkey Paw, all hiding places in Point Hope, how to use the Spirit Box, and all Monkey Paw wishes and effects. The post How to use the Music Box in Phasmophobia appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article

One of the first things to master in The Precinct is to arrest suspects and bring them in for further investigations, and it's not a simple task as you might think. The game puts you in the shoes of a rookie cop, and you'll have to emulate his father, which isn't an easy job. While you gradually learn the basic mechanics and master them over time, arresting a suspect can be a tricky task. This guide will first teach you how to arrest a person who's a suspect of wrongdoing, and then bring them in for further investigation. Table of contentsHow to arrest a suspect in The PrecinctHow to bring in arrested suspects in The PrecinctHow to arrest a suspect in The Precinct The task begins by approaching the suspect and breaking down their resistance meter, which will allow you to bring them in. To restrain, approach the suspect, and press the "Restrain" prompt. This part won't be easy, as a suspect will try to evade your attempts. To prevent the suspect from escaping, you'll have to bring down the blue Resistance Meter. To bring down the suspect's Resistance Meter, you can hit the Voice Order button. If that doesn't work, you'll have to physically restrain the suspect. Always press the "Red Rights" prompt while completing the restrain process. Screenshot via Kwalee Next, check their ID to see if they have broken any rules in the past, and if they have any outstanding warrants. Then conduct a search for if they're carrying any ******** items. Once the search is complete, choose the "Resolve" prompt, followed by the "Arrest Suspect" prompt to complete the process. How to bring in arrested suspects in The Precinct The process of escorting an arrest suspect is pretty easy. After you have completed the arrest, you can pick from one of the two options: ******* the suspect back to the precinct on your own (either in a vehicle or on foot)Call an ******* unit, who will take the prisoner back to the precinct. If you're looking to ******* the suspect manually, make sure to use a vehicle as that's going to save your time. The post How to bring in suspects and arrest them in The Precinct appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article

The wait is over, as Doom: The Dark Ages is now available to play. If you haven't picked up the game yet, we've got even better news: It's already on ***** for Xbox and PC so you can save some cash before jumping in. Fanatical and GMG are offering a nice little discount on it right now for PC players (17% off down to $58.09) while Newegg is offering an Xbox digital code for $10 off with promo code EPESA522 (dropping it to $59.99). No better time than now to pick up the shield and start bashing your way through the armies of Hell. Head to the links below to take advantage of these deals while they're still available. Doom: The Dark Ages PC Deal PC gamers can save 17% on a Steam code by picking the new Doom game up at Fanatical or Green Man Gaming. Doom: The Dark Ages Xbox Deal (Digital) Xbox owners can get a copy on ***** for $59.99 at Newegg when they enter promo code EPESA522 at checkout. The code also unlocks access on Windows. IGN's Mitchell Saltzman spoke very highly of Doom: The Dark Ages in our 9/10 review. In it he said, "Far from just being “More Doom,” Doom: The Dark Ages is a new flavor of the legendary shooter series that’s heavier and more grounded, but no less energetic and exhilarating. The new shield is an outstanding addition that adds a ton of both offensive and defensive options, and when combined with the extensive arsenal of traditional Doom guns, provides a ton of fun and exciting ways to dispatch the hundreds upon thousands of demons that stand in your way." If you're itching to pick up more discounted PC games for your Steam library, there are plenty more deals to check out right now, including on some newer releases. You can see some of our top discounts at the moment in our overall roundup of the best video game deals, which includes a deal on The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered for PC. Even Elden Ring Nightreign is discounted right now for PC, if you want to save on your preorder of FromSoft's latest. Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN. View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]