When a game gets announced, especially with flashy trailers or bold promises, it’s easy to get swept up in the hype. But, sometimes, what finally lands on our consoles at launch is something completely unrecognizable. Graphics get downgraded. Mechanics disappear. And players? They notice. This list looks at games that changed substantially between announcement and release, and whether they pulled it off in the end. Some stuck the landing and exceeded my expectations, while others faceplanted and then scrambled for months (or years)....

There is only one thing worse than being weak inBaldur’s Gate 3: having no sense of fashion. Charisma is a stat for a reason, and there is nothing worse than showing up to Baldur’s Gate itself in dirty, non-matching rags. If you are tired of seeing Volothamp “Volo” Geddarm flex on you with his fancy little doublet, fear not. The ladies and gents of the Sword Coast will want nothing more than your attention and fashion advice once you take two or three of our little suggestions below....

Quick Links Trophies and achievements inTainted Grail: The Fall Of Avaloncan often be vague, leaving you unsure of what exactly needs to be done. Some come with descriptions that offer little to no actual direction, while others may sound simple but turn out to be much harder than expected once you attempt them. Among the numerous available ones is one called For Academic Purposes, as its description states that you need to find all books about Liliana with no hint, no clue, no nothing, and you probably don’t even know who Liliana is....

Quick Links Of all the planets inRevenge of the Savage Planet,Quasadron IX is perhaps the most savage. Thankfully, with six teleporters to discover (and a seventh you’ll unlock simply by crash landing on its surface), it has the fast travel infrastructure to help you avoid all the angry creatures that want to turn you into goo. To find all of Quasadron IX’s teleporters, you’ll need to search the north, the south, the high, and the low....

Quick Links Herbil is a small and adorable Pal—but don’t let its size fool you. It’s got big fists and prefers solving problems with punches. According to its Palpedia entry, if your heart stops, Herbil will literally punch it back to life. This charming Pal was added toPalworldin the Tides of Terraria update, and that heart-punching line isn’t just a joke—its partner skill can actually revive you when you’re incapacitated. If you’re looking for a cute yet incredibly useful Pal and don’t know where to begin your search, this guide will help you track Herbil down with ease....

Quick Links Aging is something we all have to deal with in real life, and it usually causes issues, whether with appearance, health, or other things. However, in a video game, you don’t often think that a character would suffer from it, but withTainted Grail: The Fall Of Avalon, there is. Asgall, who at first seems like a normal soldier, suffers from aging but doesn’t usually show it until he challenges you to a duel for fun and realizes how weak he has become....

Summary Russia has declared that Wargaming CEO Victor Kislyi and Lesta Games founder Malik Khatajiev are “members of an extremist organisation.” The verdict was delivered in Moscow City Court behind closed doors, shortly after the prosecutor-general accused Khatazhayev and Kislyi of ‘anti-Russian’ activity, referring toWorld of Tanks' fundraising campaign for Ukraine in 2023. Metro author Dmitry Glukhovsky came under similar scrutiny and iswanted by the Russian governmentfor protesting the war in Ukraine....

Quick Links Between difficult boss battles and even the occasional crowd of grunt enemies, it’s really easy for damage to stack quickly inWuchang: Fallen Feathers. Sometimes, depending on the type of enemy you’re fighting against, you’re able to easily get knocked out of the fight in one to two hits, especially during boss battles. That’s why it’s important to find ways to reduce damage. So, if you’re wondering the best ways to reduce damage in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, look no further than this guide....

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodis often considered one of the greatestanimeseries of all time. Every character has their own arc going on, and by the end of the series, it all comes full circle with thunderous cheers. This includes tales of vengeance, alchemy, the pursuit of knowledge, and finding meaning in life. Watching Edward and Alphonse Elric struggle to get their old bodies back culminates in one of the greatest climaxes in anime....

I loveAnimal Crossingas much as the next person, but let’s not pretend every villager is just a sweet little creature collecting bugs and sipping on coconut juice. Some of them - some of them - give off weird energy. Maybe it’s the vacant stare. Maybe it’s the weird house decor. Maybe it’s the way they talk about ‘snacks’ without specifying. Whatever it is, I’m watching my back. Here’s who you should too....

There was a time when games revolved around single-player adventures, whilemultiplayer modes were seen as additional bonus content. Gaming has changed since then, though. Nowadays, many of the biggest games are multiplayer-focused titles. That said, some of the most significant games still provide single-player story modes or campaigns, even if they often feel like bonuses more than main selling points. Therefore, you may consider skipping them altogether. You shouldn’t do that in the following games, though, as their single-player modes are definitely worth playing....

Summary Are you aSuper Smash Bros.player who has been unlucky in love? Well, you were very, very nearly in luck, as over the last few months, one budding developer has been working on a dating app designed to connect players ofNintendo’spremier fighting franchise. Unfortunately, mere hours before it was set for release, Nintendo, being its litigious self, has reportedly issued a cease and desist to the creator, meaning things are no more....

Earlier this year,Ubisoft revealed its post-launch roadmapforAssassin’s Creed Shadows, confirming that the Claws of Awaji expansion is due to launch sometime in 2025. But we might be playing it a lot sooner than we expected. As reported byInsider Gaming, Ubisoft mentioned in an earnings report that the first major DLC will release by the end of September; “Ahead of the Holiday season, the mid-term potential of the game will be supported by the Claws of Awaji expansion, coming in Q2, that will introduce more than 10 hours of new content along with a new weapon, skills and abilities, further expanding and enriching the game experience....