Summary AnAnimal CrossingandPokemonfan has recreated many of the series' cat Pokemon asAnimal Crossingvillagers. Fans of bothAnimal CrossingandPokemonare excitedly sharing their thoughts on the concepts, with many wishing they could officially invite these villagers to come live in their towns. As popular Nintendo games,PokemonandAnimal Crossingoften go hand-in-hand. WhilePokemonhas largely outsoldAnimal Crossingin the west since the two series' inceptions,Animal Crossing: New Horizonstook the world by storm, becoming a massive hit for the company....

TheDragon Questseries is almost forty and that’s a huge accomplishment for any video game series. It began as a simple RPG on the NES and quickly grew popular in Japan. One of its defining features is the punny names for the monsters who are also cute aesthetically. That’s easy to figure out. Something fans or newbies may not know is that there are a lot of prequels in the series including mainline entries....

Summary One of the most exciting moments in playing a game is discovering something new. Whetherplayers have already logged hundreds of hours, or they’re relatively new to the world and its rules, uncovering a secret passageway or a new piece of lore keeps the game fun and encourages even deeper investment in the story. This list aims to highlight both well-known picks and some indie titles that encourage curiosity throughout gameplay....

Summary Black Ops 6Multiplayer takes players on a wild ride, featuring the classic fast-paced arcade action they’re used to—this time with a reinvented movement system,a roster of ’90s weapons, and all-new maps and modes to explore. While most players may dive straight into Core Multiplayer for casual gaming sessions, those looking for a more competitive challenge may turn to Ranked Play. WithCall of DutyLeague rules in effect forBlack Ops 6Ranked Play, players have restricted loadout options, making it that much harder to optimize their class setups....

Summary A creativeDestiny 2player has managed to extend the Vanguard’s recruiting efforts all the way to the Hundred-Acre Wood, recruiting classic character Winnie the Pooh to the ranks of the Guardians with a new customized costume. The new costume takes advantage of a set of themedDestiny 2cosmetic parts, further expanding the creative potential embodied in the game’s armor customization system. One of the most distinctive parts ofDestiny 2is its unique, easily identified sci-fi aesthetic....

Summary Nintendo has revealed the pre-order bonus forDonkey Kong Country Returns HDin the US and UK, ahead of the game’s launch in January. The bonus will only be available while supplies last, so those wanting the exclusive physical goods may want to pre-orderDonkey Kong Country Returns HDas soon as possible. First revealed in the June 18 Nintendo Direct,Donkey Kong Country Returns HDwill be Nintendo’s first game release of 2025, as fans anticipate the reveal of the Nintendo Switch’s successor....

The hugely popularDragon Age: The Veilguardfeatures some of the best combat the series has ever had. Moving far and away from the tactical roots of the series has meant that in each game BioWare has tried to configure the ARPG combat in a satisfying. Though bothDragon Age 2andInquisitionhad some rough patches in its combat design because of this, the series has come full circle now to have combat that is as satisfying from an action standpoint asOrigin’s was from a tactical standpoint....

Elden Ringboasts intricate lore in a massive fantasy setting via main and optional quests. One of the reasons why the game has such a good story to tell is that its developer, FromSoftware, used a trick to ensure it is well-fleshed out. Elden Ring’s deep and interesting history can be attributed to George R. R. Martin. The narrative has contributed greatly toElden Ring’s success, which begs the question of whether FromSoftware would consider reusing the trick of using a fantasy author to create compelling lore for its next title....

The TCL S5 entered the scene as a TV that pairs affordability with the functionality of a4K TV. Thisbudget 4K TVhas received a limited-time 24% discount, lowering its price from $330 to just $250. Like Vizio, TCL is a well-known manufacturer ofbudget TV modelsthat allow buyers to enjoy clear visuals and modest sound quality at a reasonable price. TCL TVs are mostly affordable thanks to the availability of models like the32-inch S3and40-inch S3,which are on sale for $138 and $170, respectively....

Theextraction shooter genrehas pretty much blown up in popularity over the past few years, from the hardcore military simulation of Escape from Tarkov to the cooperative alien-blasting action of Helldivers 2. Now, Thousand Hour Games is preparing to throw their hat into the ring with Everstorm, an ambitiousindieproject that combines extraction gameplay with MOBA-style controls and roguelite progression. Speaking at MIGS 2024, Creative Director Morgan Nagel shared insights into the game’s development and unique approach....

Summary Genshin Impactfans hope that upcoming five-star characters might receive similar treatment to howHonkai: Star Railintroduces some of its new playable units. SinceGenshin Impact’s release in 2020, developer HoYoverse has introduced new playable characters with every update, expanding the roster to over 90 units. The most recent additions to the roster are the five-star Anemo user Citlali and the new four-star Electro support Ororon. Both characters are currently featured on the ongoing Limited Character Banner, which is scheduled to expire around December 10....

Puzzles inGenshin Impactare always fun to solve, especially if they’re in the open world. There’s no better feeling than coming upon a puzzle as you run around Teyvat while exploring the surrounding areas. One of the best examples of this is theFurnace of Fiery Embers puzzlesscattered all around Ochkanatlan. Once you solve all five puzzles, you get your hands on multiple Precious and Luxurious chests alongside Flute of Ezpitzal, which is aForgeable weapon inGenshin Impact....

Summary After playing a game for hours, it can be a relief to see how it ends. Usually, it’s a happy ending that sees the heroes save the day, though even the sad endings can be worth the effort if they wrap things up well; especially if it’s the only ending available. However, some games offeralternate endings, depending on how the game was played. These can be even better than the happy ending, or they can be considerably worse....