Cult of the Lamb will receive a metal album just shy of Halloween. Hymns of the Unholy will release on streaming platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon music on October 28, 2024. Additionally, consumers can pre-order a Deluxe Edition vinyl through the Devolver online store for $32.00

Developer Massive Monster, and Publisher Devolver, shared a snippet of how the Hymns of the Unholy album will sound. Alongside this, a list of bands that have contributed to the album, which is a fair few, with some quite notable within the music scene. (Some bands do fall within the category of being metal, or heavy metal, while others straddle the fine line of what defines the genre.)

You can list to one of the songs from the Cult of the Lamb heavy metal album below:

The bands that will appear on the album include:

• Animals as Leaders
• Killswitch Engage
• Polyphia
• Trivium
• Malevolence
• Monuments
• While She Sleeps

In August 2024, Massive Monster announced all pre-order bonuses would be distributed to players entirely for free. Players will also given free cosmetics, which included a red prayer box, a stone monument, and a cart of flowers.

The Cult of the Lamb Hymns of the Unholy album will release on October 28, 204.

The post Cult of the Lamb Heavy Metal Album Out Ahead of Halloween appeared first on Siliconera.

Overwatch 2 is no stranger to collaborations, and received a series of My Hero Academia skins on October 17, 2024. Famitsu interviewed Art Director of Overwatch 2, Dion Rogers, which revealed how the collaboration came to be, and what decided certain characters receiving specific skins. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

Dion Rogers, the Art Director of Overwatch 2, said this concerning how the skins were chosen for the My Hero Academia crossover.

The team has a list of series that more or less match the "theme" of Overwatch 2, including things we've loved as children or have become interested in or addicted to! One of them is My Hero Academia, which we're collaborating with right now. My Hero Academia has that same positive outlook when it comes to being a hero, which is great.. I think the collaboration has good synergy.

Dion Rodgers, Blizzard Entertainment

When it came to deciding which character would receive skins, the team decided based on personality and circumstance. Rogers stated that Trace and Deku have similar personalities, and that their origin stories are similar. At least in terms of meeting an aspirational figure and that more or less deciding their initial journey.

Reinhardt was given an All Might skin, which the development team decided was a natural choice. This was due to Reinhardt's bombastic personality and booming voice. However, there were a lot of adjustments made to his face to make sure he encapsulated the character. A "withered" All Might skin was also considered, but it was too difficult to implement, and that idea was subsequently shelved.

Overwatch 2 is readily available for free on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch, and PC. The My Hero Academia crossover skins will be available until October 30, 2024.

The post Here’s How the Overwatch My Hero Academia Skins Were Decided appeared first on Siliconera.

An update to Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero will appear in late October, which includes a balance to Yajirobe. Additional adjustments include changes made to certain stage on lower difficulty settings, improved responsiveness to controls in online matches, and general stability. This information appeared on the official Dragon Ball Games X (or Twitter) account.

You can view the announcement in English below:

One of the most notable, or interesting, bits of information concerning the announcement involves the developers deciding to rebalance Yajirobe in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. While not the most popular character in the Dragon Ball franchise (that probably goes to Vegeta or Goku, given how many variants of those two characters are in the game), he has more or less dominated the competitive scene.

One of the least surprising announcements is the adjustment being made to difficulty levels to specific stages in the game's Episode Battles. While Bandai Namco was not specific as to which Episode Battles will be impacted, consumers have en masse reported struggling against the Ape Vegeta battle.

Other updates that will appear include more responsive controls in online battles and general improvements. Bandai Namco has not provided a concrete date as to when this update will appear. Only that it will release sometime in late October 2024.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is available for PS5, Xbox Series X and PC. You can read our review here.

The post Yajirobe Being Rebalanced in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero appeared first on Siliconera.

Another set of Castlevania DLC has appeared in V Rising, this time taking a queue from the Dominus Collection and includes a Soma Cruz and Shanoa skin. The pack includes several furniture items and more Castlevania inspired decor. Those who have purchased the Castlevania Premium Pack will receive this DLC entirely for free. The DLC pack will cost $24.99.

As mentioned previously the Castlevania Dominus DLC Pack for V Rising will include a Soma Cruz and Shanoa skin. It does not specify that the skins themselves are gender locked, but are shown on the Type 1 and Type 2 bodies respectively. The previous DLC, Legacy of Castlevania, which included an outfit and hairstyle inspired by Alucard, were not gender locked.

Stunlock Studios share details about this DLC pack, and announced that V Rising has now received a special Castlevania bundle, which includes the Legacy of Castlevania DLC. Again, if you have purchased this DLC pack, you will receive everything included in the Domnius Collection for free.

Castlevania crossovers seem all the rage, as Dead by Daylight and Vampire Survivors have gotten their own set of DLC. Dead by Daylight has since received Trevor and Dracula, as the Survivor and Killer respectively. And Vampire Survivors will see the inclusion of over twenty Castlevania characters into it's already robust roster.

V Rising is available for PC via Steam and PlayStation 5. You can read our review here.

The post V Rising Legacy of Castlevania Dominus Pack DLC Includes Shanoa and Soma Skins appeared first on Siliconera.

Horror games were once a staple in the games industry. Clock Tower, Fatal Frame, Resident Evil, Silent Hill. These were all notable franchises that went on to inspire the likes of Dead Space, and other seminal horror titles that would pop up over the years. But as the industry shifted, embracing the trend that Resident Evil 4 set into motion, survival horror as it once was died. In it's place was action horror, which veered further and further from what was previously associated with the genre. Even Silent Hill was affected by this, with Silent Hill: Homecoming being the series' first foray into "smoother," action oriented combat. And as interest in horror waned, franchises began to disappear. Fatal Frame vanished, Clock Tower was long since gone, and Silent Hill was no more. All that remained was Resident Evil. But as remakes began to appear, and shown to be highly successful, Konami finally announced a reimagining of Silent Hill 2. Which has since become a critically acclaimed hit — whether longtime fans want to agree with that.

While the Silent Hill 2 remake may not be the best selling Silent Hill title as of writing this feature, it is the fastest selling. The best selling Silent Hill title is still the first, which capped at around 2 million units sold worldwide. But it seems like this new interpretation of Silent Hill 2 could take that spot.

I don't enjoy writing about the "profitability" of games, but unfortunately, this is what drives the market and trends. The Resident Evil 2 remake more or less paved the way for where we are now. Remakes are hot, they're popular, and they're a winning formula. Resident Evil 2 remake is one of Capcom's best selling titles, with the Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 4 remakes up there as well. So it's natural the other developers and publishers have followed suit. It more or less guarantees sales, as it banks on nostalgia while also pulling in a new audience from a generation of consumers that otherwise do not have immediate access to the originals. (Capcom has more or less catered to both audiences at this point by releasing the original versions of the first three Resident Evil games on GOG.) The long and short of it, is that Capcom established a trend that other developers are following.

And with the Silent Hill 2 remake selling as well as it is, I wouldn't be surprised if we see more Silent Hill remakes on the horizon. If you read my review then you know I enjoyed it quite a bit, even if it did fumble in some places. I also wouldn't be opposed to other remakes of previous Silent Hill games, specifically Silent Hill 4: The Room, which remains my favorite. Even if it is deeply flawed and feels like half of a game at times due to all of the backtracking. (Which I have no problem with, personally.) I also don't feel like it's strange to expect or even ask of these things.

There's been a debate in the community for quite sometime about the artistic integrity of remakes. Some view them as abhorrent, soulless recreations of a title or franchise they loved. Others are happy to experience something they may have otherwise missed, or is no longer accessible due to not owning the required hardware. Emulation does exist, of course, but is not a viable option for everyone. Some are stuck in the middle, agreeing that remakes lack the artist vision or intention of the original, but are interested to see new interpretations of something they love. Despite these debates, I don't see remakes going away for the foreseeable future.

Because while the Silent Hill 2 remake is an indication that horror games are still capable of generating profit, it's another example of how remakes are a sure fire way for developers to make their money back. Or even allow funding for new IPs in some cases. Not ever developer or publisher will pump that money into new IPs, of course, but it is a consistent way to keep making money. Which is ultimately what this industry boils down to. And honestly has boiled down to for a long time.

It's all about profit. And I don't think it's wrong to make that observation or state it as fact. Production and budgets have ballooned to the point of absurdity. Shareholders and investors are key factors into what does and doesn't get made. It's why one genre can dominate an entire market for a handful of years, as developers are forced to chase trends. Obviously, I should clarify that I work in game development, I had a brief stint in Public Relations (for AA and AAA titles), and moonlight as a market analyst. This more or less intersects with every facet of my career. Understanding a market, profitability, and so forth.

Does this mean Konami will return to game development full swing with the success of this remake? Who knows. Honestly, I couldn't speculate. While it does have several Silent Hill projects in the works, including Silent Hill f, and Townsend, that doesn't mean that Konami will continue to spit out Silent Hill games once development on f has wrapped. Konami as a developer and publisher has made some very strange business decisions in the past, at least when it comes to video games, that make it somewhat hard to predict what it will end up doing with this success.

But I can see this continuing to bolster the resurgence of survival horror, and by extension action horror, because let's be honest; that's what a lot of these remakes are. Remakes and horror go hand in hand. It makes these titles approachable, accessible, and in the end a profitable venture for studios with established IPs. A part of me hopes Koei Tecmo follows suit and makes a new Fatal Frame game, or that Capcom decides to make a new horror IP entirely. (This is purely optimistic thinking on my end.) Overall, I can't see this trend ending any time soon, especially with the success of the Silent Hill 2 remake. And in the end, I fully expect this trend to run itself into the ground, even if I don't want it to.

The Silent Hill 2 remake is available for PC and PlayStation 5.

The post Silent Hill 2 Remake’s Success Shows Horror Games are Still Profitable appeared first on Siliconera.

I am never going to beat the allegations of being a Warcraft III-liker, or that I really, really like Arthas Menethil. (I write about him all of the time and how I am still, unfortunately, deep in the Warcraft III sauce.) Which is why I, personally, think that Blizzard Entertainment should roll out another wave of those sweet, sweet Warcraft III Frostmourne replicas that were produced in 2021. Would I have the money to drop on a $1,500 1:1 scale replica of the legendary blade? Absolutely not. I work in games, which means I make peanuts by comparison to almost anyone outside of this field. But I can dream about owning it.

You see, Frostmourne isn't just any sword. It was the ancient Runeblade wielded by the Lich King Ner'zhul, and after him Prince Arthas Menethil of Lordaeron. (I am going to ignore the additional lore about Frostmourne and it's origins added in through Shadowlands because it doesn't do much other than overcomplicate the mythology around a really cool sword, and sometimes things are better off left unexplained.) That probably means nothing to you unless if you've played Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, it's expansion The Frozen Throne, or World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King.

My original intention for this feature was to take pictures around my apartment and poorly Photoshop the sword in various places, such as in my kitchen, my bedroom, and above my desk, showcasing just how cool Frostmourne would look in these mundane, day-to-day spaces. But I realize that it isn't the wisest choice. I don't need people seeing what the inside of my apartment looks like. Not because it looks bad, but putting that information out on the internet isn't exactly smart. Especially for a gag.

So imagine, if you will, Frostmourne mounted above your very own desk; it's polished edge, glistening in the lamplight of your personal office. Or perhaps hanging beside your fridge, complimenting the eggshell white walls of an otherwise drab room. Or even in your bedroom! Not above your bed, but just somewhere on one of the four walls, hanging there, menacingly. It could be a neat conversation starter at the very least, as I've been told by friends who are truly encouraging to live my best life. (We're only here once, after all.) But I'm not entirely certain guests would be down to listen to a long schpeal about Warcraft lore, like I've often subjected you to. At least those that have frequently read my World of Warcraft features at Siliconera.

Perhaps that doesn't seem entirely cool to you, the reader. After all, we more than likely have different tastes when it comes to home decor. I prefer the moody atmosphere of forest green walls accentuated by dark wood trim accented with gold. Vintage furniture and chaise lounges accompanied by towering bookshelves. Picture frames of dull silver housing hand illustrated pomegranates and flowers. What I'm describing is Gothic, perhaps even a little Castlevania flavored. Would the Warcraft III Frostmourne replica fit in with this perfectly curated space that I've painstakingly took the time to assemble? More than likely not. Still, a man can dream.

Warcraft III is available for PC. World of Warcraft is also available for PC.

The post I Think Blizzard’s 1:1 Warcraft Frostmourne Replica Would Look Really Cool in my Apartment appeared first on Siliconera.

It's 3pm. I'm having lunch with friends and my phone vibrates in my pocket. Out of habit I pull it out, flipping open the case to check and see if I've received an urgent work email. (I do that a lot, because I get a lot of emails. It's part of the job.) Instead, it's several Discord notifications. I wonder if something has happened. If maybe a server I'm in has been hacked, or if plans have changed for an upcoming event. Pulling down the menu I just see and @ from another colleague and friend, GC. I groan as I look at the image attached to the message. Another series of World of Warcraft skins have been added to the pool of Diablo IV skins, and this time Arthas has joined the lineup. I already know I'm going to purchase the skin when I get home.

If you hate skins and cosmetics in video games, this article is probably not for you. I've more or less come to the bitter realization that I am the problem when it comes to microtransactions in video games. They're my hobby, and sometimes I just wanna look cute. I own way too many Fortnite skins, even though I don't play the game as often anymore, and I don't even want to disclose how many Necromancer skins I own in Diablo IV. For me, it's all about the appeal of looking nice. Of making a character or a theme around an aesthetic that presents itself through gameplay. Or you slap my favorite World of Warcraft blorbo in the cosmetic shop and you'll find me sighing, dejected, knowing what kind of man I am.

You see, I had already purchased the Invincible mount in the shop, fully aware that I was probably not going to end up getting Arthas' undead steed in Icecrown Citadel any time soon. ( ran weeklies for the Dreadwyrm set for my Death Knight because I wanted to create a "canon" outfit for him. I do not have that same fortitude for a mount I wouldn't use. So I had to get the Arthas skin. I just needed to. (I, in fact, did not need to, this is obviously a gross exaggeration.) Using what little currency I had remaining on my account, I purchased the skin and roll another Necromancer.

Thankfully, I actually really do enjoy playing Necromancer in Diablo IV, the Arthas skin is just a nice touch. I am surprised that Necromancer of all classes would be given an Arthas skin, but who am I to complain. While I did have some fun playing the Spiritborn, the class introduced through Diablo IV Vessel of Hatred, it's a bit too active for me. The same goes for Rogue, which was my main during the review period of the base game, and Season of the Malignant. Necromancer is a nice little class where I can just build my skeleton army and let them wreak havoc on my foes. Which, I suppose, is true to form for Arthas. He did kill a vast majority if his subjects, only to raise them into undeath and lead them in bloody conquest over most of the Eastern Continent. But that's neither here nor there.

All I'm saying is I love the skin, I'm happy to have the skin. I just hate how predictable I am. Yes, I look very cool with the Arthas skin and the Invincible mount to match. But I'm such a sucker for this, especially now that I've gotten deep into World of Warcraft. Which I love! I'm also not tempted to purchase other World of Warcraft inspired skins in Diablo IV either, as I already own the set for Kael'Thalas and the Illidan skin doesn't look all that great. The Rogue just doesn't have the right proportions and the horns attached to a helmet looks really goofy. Maybe I would get the Garrosh skin, but I don't play Barbarian.

For the time being, I can't see Blizzard Entertainment managing to get me to purchase another skin in Diablo IV. At least not as quickly. Because I more or less have what I want. So if you see a Necromancer running around dressed as the Lich King himself, Arthas Menethil, with a horde of skeletons in tow. Well, that might just be me.

Diablo IV is available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X. World of Warcraft is available on PC.

The post The World of Warcraft Arthas Skin Got Me to Roll Another Necromancer in Diablo IV appeared first on Siliconera.

Fluorescent lights flicker, casting shadows against the walls of a dingy, dirty bathroom. A man stands in front of a mirror, his hands trembling and a pale band of skin noticeable on his ring finger. He stares, long and hard, at his reflection, scrutinizing, before he gathers himself and steps outside. Fog blankets the horizon, with the tops of trees and a distant lake all that remains visible. "I got a letter from my wife.." He begins, and with it, the story of Silent Hill 2.

I had some reservations when I learned that Bloober Team would be the developers handling the Silent Hill 2 remake. I did not care for The Medium at all, and I still consider it one of the worst psychological horror games I have ever played for a myriad of reasons — largely for how it handles sensitive topics such as child sexual assault, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. Given that Silent Hill 2 has similar themes, albeit it constructed in a different way due to their execution, I was not confident that Bloober Team would be able to execute on them properly, despite having direct supervision from Konami. I was equal parts happy and surprised to be proven wrong.

For those unfamiliar with the critically acclaimed and hugely influential horror game, on the surface Silent Hill 2 is about James Sunderland who has returned to the quiet, lakeside town, in search of his wife after receiving a letter from her posthumously. It's a strong hook that immediately informs the player that something isn't quite right, with James or the titular town. But digging deeper into the meat of Silent Hill 2, it's about guilt, punishment (sometimes well deserved, other times not), and retribution. There are other individuals who are drawn to the town for this reason, desperate to find a loved one or to escape the retribution that follows a guilty conscious in the form of Angela and Eddie. There too, is Laura, a young girl that seems unphased by the grotesqueries that wander through the foggy streets of Silent Hill and Maria, a woman who shares an uncanny resemblance to James' dead wife. Narrative threads tie these characters together, and James seems as though he is inflicted upon each individual he meets, neither making their situations better or worse, but simply a driving force as he carries his guilt, weighing heavy, on his back.

Since the game is so old, I won't be diving into any spoilers as the original isn't immediately accessible on modern hardware. The last time Silent Hill 2 was readily available was through the botched HD Collection that continues to live in infamy. Just know that the symbolism can at times be heavy handed in the remake, but doesn't detract from the overall feeling of the game. Certain monster redesigns, such as the Abstract Daddy or Lying Figures don't feel as impactful for various reasons, which kind of hampers their significance to the narrative and what they represent. But I can absolutely understand why something like the Abstract Daddy couldn't make it into a game in 2024 as it did in the early 00's, especially with the level of graphical fidelity was have now.

But concerning the actually atmosphere of the game, the Silent Hill 2 remake nails it. Silent Hill as a town feels alive, much like the Spencer Mansion from Resident Evil, it is very much it's own character. Dense fog blankets the town, making streets hard to navigate, and there is a clear sense that Silent Hill could turn on you at any moment. In fact, there was an instance in which I had progressed to a point and the otherwise quiet town (with the exception of Lying Figures slithering around under cars and hurling streams of tar-like acid at me) was suddenly encased in howling winds that seemed to want to keep me from reaching my destination. It was an interesting change from the original that made the town seem hostile.

Environments also change as you proceed through them. While the town is not in the best shape, with the apartments, various shops and bars, and the Brookhaven Hospital all in some state of decay, this is pushed further as James continues in his desperate pursuit of finding out whether or not his wife could truly be alive. Wallpaper peels away, revealing barbed wire and rotten wood, darkness blankets the sky and rain seeps in through the cracks. The change is gradual, sometimes hardly noticeable and other times it's happens so abruptly you know that you've been pulled into another world. Your radio hisses with static as monsters of James' own making approach, staggering through the darkness as you wildly swing your pipe in their direction.

Combat is a lot more refined, but encounters are still dangerous. Generally when I play a Silent Hill game I don't use any of my ammunition until I hit a boss fight. I tend to just whack away at whatever feels bold enough to approach me or I just sprint past it. (Most of the time I just run. Resources are valuable and scarce in survival horror games after all.) But the Silent Hill 2 remake forced me to use the guns I had collected as I worked my way through the apartments, the hospital, and deeper into a mysterious chasm in an abandoned historical center that led me into a prison. I was playing on the Light combat difficulty, and even then I struggled at times, because enemies hit hard. That said, the game is pretty generous when it comes to healing items, which does remove some of that tension. But it was nice to know that the game wasn't exactly a cakewalk.

Puzzles are mostly the same, with a few new ones thrown into the mix, and all of the locations have had some adjustments made to improve their level design. The apartment has had some much needed changes, making it a far less labyrinthian experience. I felt as though the game provided me with just enough breadcrumbs to lead me from location to location without making me feel as though it was holding my hand. Which was great, because it made me feel like I was capable of solving these puzzles on my own even if some solutions were staggeringly obvious. And I really can't speak enough as to how much the level design has improved. It's made it easier for me to consider a third of fourth playthrough, whereas with the original it felt like pulling teeth having to revisit certain locations. (I'm already on a NG+ playthrough, and will definitely shave down my original 11 hour playtime significantly.)

The voice acting can sometimes be hit or miss, but I feel like that more or less boils down to personal opinion. The original Silent Hill 2 had an unmistakable uncanniness to it, with the exception of Laura who just sounded and was written like an actual child, and the remake more or less refines some line deliveries. I don't think it's to the detriment of the game necessarily, though it does provide a different feeling and tone. James sounds less detached and strange, and straddles the line of pitiful and desperate well enough. Eddie is more or less exactly the same, and Laura is fine. She could be ruder, louder, more annoying, but that's a matter of taste. Angela is also mostly just fine. The issue I take is more the extra bits of dialogue she's given that peel back a certain mystery that existed in the original Silent Hill 2. But maybe the game does need to be more overt for a modern audience. What do I know. Concerning Maria, I do have a bias towards her original voice actress, but the new actress does a decent job of it. She sounds sultry when she needs to, furious at James' lack of consideration, or sometimes on the edge of being someone else entirely. While it might not be for me, it does the job.

What most enticed me about the remake, however, were the new notes and polaroids you can collect. You see, while most will argue about what makes Silent Hill truly Silent Hill, for me it has always been about theory crafting. Silent Hill as a series has required you to read, to piece together information to solve puzzles, but to also understand what is being inflicted upon it's numerous protagonists. There is always some kind of revelation at the end, one that feels satisfying in it's conclusion, but always leaves you wanting more and thinking about the little details that have been left unsolved. Silent Hill 2 remake has a lot of that in terms of how it seems more connected to Silent Hill 4: The Room than ever, outside of it's reference to Walter Sullivan, and the suggestion of James possibly being stuck in a time loop of suffering and despair has only continued to fuel long dormant fan theories. In that way, the Silent Hill series is very much alive and well once again. And I'm happy for it.

Overall, the Silent Hill 2 remake was surprising. It's surprising in the way that I'm already playing it over for a second time. It's surprising in the way that I enjoyed what the game had to offer, not being the biggest Silent Hill 2 fan myself. (Silent Hill 4 will always be my favorite, even if it isn't the best.) Maybe that distance is what has allowed me to appreciate it more. Though I highly doubt it. The Silent Hill 2 remake shows that Konami is just as capable as it's competitors in breathing life into their classic horror games. And I earnestly hope that other Silent Hill games will be given this treatment, or that it's success means a certainty of more new stories in this horrible haunted town in the future.

The Silent Hill 2 remake is available for PC and PlayStation 5.

The post Review: Silent Hill 2 Remake Shows the Spirit of the Series is Alive and Well appeared first on Siliconera.

Venomous snakes, overlarge and the color of sinew and raw red meat, slither over a well worn path. Flies buzz around corpses that have been claimed by lush, green jungles. Corruption grows, black tendrils seeping through green-blue waters now turned putrid. And somewhere, deep within the vines and ruins of Nahantu, a presence stirs — Hatred manifest. Which is apt, consider Diablo IV's expansion is titled Vessel of Hatred. And while Diablo IV does draw players back to the once explored jungles of this southern continent, Blizzard Entertainment has cast a new light on this region, and used it to expand further on the MMO-lite systems that appeared in the base game.

To say that I was anticipating this expansion would be an understatement. While not the perfect game by any stretch of the imagination, the narrative of Diablo IV had me intrigued as to where the series could go next. There was the familiar strum of an acoustic guitar, the tease of the Prime Evils returning to Sanctuary in some shape or form. Vessel of Hatred builds upon these things, but not in the way that I expected. Because as a series, Diablo has always been straight forward. While the binary lines of good and evil are often obscured, you know that, at the very least, you will be fighting back against the spawns of Hell and their masters.

But instead of plunging players back into the fiery pits and the Realm of Hatred we were acquainted with in the base game, the entirety of this campaign takes place in the jungles of Nahantu. As mentioned previously, this region isn't entirely foreign. Some of it appeared or was mentioned in Diablo II, a game that Diablo IV continues to try and channel to it's benefit and detriment. Or what I believe the general audience, and to some extent even die-hards, remember that game being. It's still gritty and gross. Killer flies attempt to swarm you as snakes dart at you from shallow pools of water. There are abominations that prowl within the jungle, but these enemies are very much the same that appeared in various areas of the base game. It doesn't matter much, as what you kill isn't as important as to how fast you kill it.

This new region is rich in culture, taking deep inspiration from Latin America. It's in the architecture, in the clothing the citizens wear, and in the Spiritborn, Diablo IV's new class. Summoning strength from the Spirit Realm, the Spiritborn channels four animals — well, one very large insect and three animals if we're being technical. You can call upon the Rezoka, the jaguar, to deal fire damage in fast, swiping slashes, Kwatli, the eagle, to launch yourself in the air and slam down on enemies to electrify them, crush them with the raw strength given to you by Wumba, the gorilla, or spew poison at your foes with the power of Balazan, the centipede.

Overall, the Spiritborn is a somewhat well rounded class. I liked the option of being able to choose from four different types of damage, even if I favored the burn damage from Rezoka and the poisonous puddles provided by Balazan. Much like the Sorcerer, I felt funneled into specific builds, but I'm liable to give Wumba a shot once the game releases in full. As it stands, the Spiritborn is a nimble, close-range fighter that excels best when you're mashing your dodge button to weave in and out of combat. It reminded me most of Rogue, a class that I previously loved, but have come to otherwise abandon in the late game for the less involved Necromancer. While the Spiritborn is no doubt exhilarating to play, it isn't my speed. But those that love fast and frenetic movement will absolutely enjoy this class, and based on what I played and saw (since Blizzard Entertainment allowed us to group up with other reviewers given access to the game ahead of launch), it seems like it's capable of doing an incredible amount of single target and AoE (Area of Effect) damage.

I ran through The Undercity, one of Diablo IV's new ways to level, which is effectively a series of small dungeons that require you to gather essence from random spawned fonts, while killing enemies to build up time so you don't get kicked out before defeating the final boss and reaping your rewards. You can also offer tribute to increase the amount of rewards you get and what kind. It's a more effective way of grinding out gear and materials than Helltides, for example. My Necromancer was more than strong enough to blast through The Undercity on his own, even on the higher Torment difficulties, due to some good luck regarding a few uniques I picked up, but paired with a Spiritborn, we were speedrunning these micro-dungeons with incredible efficiency.

And in the end game the Spiritborn continued to shine, as Diablo IV has edged closer and closer into becoming an MMO-lite. Yes, the base game allowed for you to see players scurrying about in the world, and world quests were kind of a thing that existed but never quite caught on. But Vessel of Hatred takes this a step further with a new end-game dungeon The Dark Citadel. Unlocking it is a chore, and I'm not sure how much I like the idea of weekly rewards tied to what is effectively a World of Warcraft raid appearing in the ARPG. Blizzard Entertainment has also added a Party Finder into the game, which I'm sure many will be using to clear this new gauntlet of content, which cannot be tackled alone. Which is probably for the best, because The Dark Citadel is hard. Like, really hard. This in combination with how the campaign ended, leads me to believe that we're going to get a lot more expansions. And probably not far spaced apart.

Vessel of Hatred continues not some time after the ending of Diablo IV. Lilith has been slain, and her father, Mephisto the Lord of Hatred, has been imprisoned in a stone. If you're familiar with the Diablo series, you've seen this song and dance before. Because for some reason, this seems to be the only solution to imprisoning beings of great and terrible power. The player character is on the hunt for Nyrelle, a young girl who more or less made the decision to seal said Lord of Hatred into the stone, and it now threatens to overcome and wholly corrupt her. Again, the game is not subtle about it's various metaphors and imagery to the very end. And brutality in Diablo IV comes in handfuls in what feels like an attempt to further distance itself from the maligned Diablo III, which arguably had some of the darkest lore the series has had to date.

Violence and death are plentiful because it must be so, the narrative must remain cynical and cyclical even with small rays of hope desperate to shine through. It is what fans want, but it doesn't do the game any favors. I'm not sure if I was more tolerant of it in the base game because I had a deep desire for a new Diablo game, or if I just really loved Lilith. In Vessel of Hatred it feels wanton, necessary because this is what the brand is now. A man is flayed open, driven mad, because that is just the way the world is. People are driven to the brink in the wake of Reaper of Souls, pushed further to the edge because of Lilith's promise of free will and our denial of it. Sacrifices are made out of a desperate sense of self-preservation, but for what?

I won't spoil the end of the expansion, but it was so on the nose that it nearly made me laugh. I have a clear idea of what could happen, but given how abruptly it ended and how far away we seem from actually fighting a Prime Evil, I'm not sure when we'll get there. I'm not even sure if I'm interested at this point. But Diablo has always been good at sucking me back in through it's seasonal content, that continues to introduce new mechanics. I will give the development team that, in that Vessel of Hatred is the product of these hit or miss seasonal cycles, pulling what players were most receptive to, and just keeping it in. However, I'm not too keen on some adjustments made to unlocking the aforementioned end game content. I'm just glad I have a high level character to blitz through it and unlocking it before jumping into the next season, because I know I will.

The Diablo IV Vessel of Hatred expansion has me torn. I love a lot of the new changes, and I really wanted to say that I loved the story, but I don't. Since I'm largely someone that does play a game for it's narrative, it's strange to be on the other side of that. Now I'm in it for the gameplay, the number crunching, finding the most effective build to run dungeons ad nauseam while listening to whatever post-hardcore song shuffles through the playlist I've constructed overtime just to keep me going. If anything, I suppose it's fun, and players looking to sink their teeth into more engaging content will have a good time. I just wish I loved it more.

Diablo IV is available right now for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Vessel of Hatred will release on October 8, 2024.

The post Review: Diablo IV Vessel of Hatred Leans Further Into Being an MMO-Lite appeared first on Siliconera.

According to a post made on X (formerly Twitter), the Nintendo Switch emulator Ryujinx has been shut down. Creator of Ryujinx, gdkchan, has removed downloads for the emulator, despite the website still being available. Additionally, no official post has been made on the website concerning the current situation.

You can view the post, which includes a screenshot from the Ryujinx Discord server, about Nintendo's contacting gdkchan about the Switch emulator, below:

The Discord user who shared this information, rip in peri peri, explained the situation. Nintendo had contacted gdkchan to offer an agreement concerning the emulator. While gdkchan has not made an official statement as of this article, the Discord post notes that downloading the emulator is no longer available, and that it's safe to come to the conclusion as to what that agreement entails. The post thanks those who had contributed to the project, which includes code, documentation, and issue reports.

While legal action is not being taken against gdkchan, the same cannot be said for Palworld developer Pocketpair. As of September 18, 2024 Nintendo filed a lawsuit concerning patent infringement. Specific details about the lawsuit have yet to be shared, though speculation continues to be rife. More information about the lawsuit may be shared in the future.

The post Nintendo Shuts Down Switch Emulator Ryujinx appeared first on Siliconera.

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred is a return to several things for the series. While it visually attempts to ape off of the much beloved and highly acclaimed Diablo 2, and it's subsequent Lord of Destruction expansion, it appears as though Blizzard Entertainment wants to dig into that even further, dredging up mechanics and features from what was considered the high point of the series. And I couldn't help but consider the possibility, or rather, how interesting it would be to see the classes from Diablo 3 appear in Diablo 4 as Mercenaries.

For those unfamiliar with the Mercenary system, in Diablo 2 you could hire mercenaries in major towns to accompany you through various continents to defeat the Prime Evils. These companions were not given individual character arcs, and were instead faces with names and classes attached. They could die, and if you had grown attached to them, either through their utility or constructing a narrative in your head over who they could have been, it could sometimes feel like a loss. New mercenaries could be hired to replace your old one, continuing the cycle of live, die, repeat.

Diablo 3 expanded this system, though some would argue that it was a step back in some ways as players weren't exactly looking for the mercenaries of old to become fully fleshed out characters. Instead of hiring a nameless Sorcerer, instead you could take Cormac the Templar with you, who had a small introductory quest that gave you an idea of what this man was about, and what his ideals were. Diablo 3 had a total of three mercenaries you could recruit and equip, and even tailor their skills.

This is more or less the direction Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred is seeming to go in. There are a total of four companion characters, which Blizzard Entertainment has shared very little information about, that seemingly have their own stories. What those stories are have yet to be seen, or their utility. But they seem to encompass some kind of role that will align with a handful of playstyles and builds. While these new Mercenaries in Diablo 4 do seem neat, a part of me would have loved, or would love, to see the classes of Diablo 3 return in some way.

Like many players I am beating on my chest for a true "tank" class. I want a Templar (that doesn't seem likely given new lore), a Paladin (also unlikely due to lore reasons), or the Crusader (again, probably not possible due to lore). But if I can't play one of these three "holy warriors," I would love to see one join my party. Perhaps a jaded Paladin, or the last Crusader in search of someone to pass his armor and flail to. Or even the Demon Hunter! I loved the Demon Hunter and the lore surrounding the class. Yes, Diablo 3 was a colorful game which was a point of contention for the player base, but the Demon Hunter was a class forged in some of the most painful, traumatic experiences possible. So having a Demon Hunter, perhaps on the cusp of turning into what they hunt, would fall in line with the cynical tone of Diablo 4.

It would also give the team the chance to further flesh out what happened between the events of Diablo 3 and Diablo 4 without it being contained to a series of short stories or novels not everyone can get their hands on. (Or maybe don't want to read in general.) I know I would certainly like to know more. Even getting that sliver of information about how Malthael wiped out a good chunk of humanity in Reaper of Souls had me sucked into the "What ifs" of what transpired between games.

And if we can't play or revisit those classes that some of loved in Diablo 3 for one reason or another, adding them in through other means could, at the very least be interesting.

Diablo IV is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Vessel of Hatred expansion release date is 8, 2024.

The post Diablo 3’s Classes Should Appear as Mercenaries in Diablo 4 appeared first on Siliconera.

It's Tuesday. I pick up my Weekly Quests in World of Warcraft, and between doing some World Quests, I need to go win a couple of Battlegrounds — Blizzard Entertainment's attempt at cooperative PvP. It can't be that hard, I think, I as I queue up on my Alliance side Death Knight. How I was wrong. For the next few hours I get trounced. Blood Elf Demon Hunters Swarm me, an Orc Fury Warrior rips me apart, and a Zandalari Troll Warlock sicks her minions on me. Within a matter of moments I'm dead on the ground, waiting six seconds to respawn.

I think this has to be a one-off. So I try again. And I keep trying. Eventually I decide PvP isn't for me. Struggling uphill just to get a few Marks of Honor for a transmog and get some gear for endgame activities isn't really worth it. But a few other friends that play on the Horde side coax me into joining them on my Blood Elf Marksmanship Hunter. I sigh and queue up with them.

And we win. And we just keep winning. I'm giddy with excitement, because even if I die it feels like our teams are more coordinated, and once the ball gets rolling we start to win. And I mean we win hard. We grind the Alliance to dust, and I'm twenty Marks of Honor richer and closer to the zweihander from Shadowlands that I've been coveting for months.

Admittedly I still don't quite know how Battlegrounds work in World of Warcraft. Only that you need to capture a point, sometimes run a flag somewhere, defeat a boss, or just kill a lot of other players. But I've found more success on the Horde side than on Alliance. I asked fellow Siliconera staff member GC Vazquez why that was a thing (he's been playing since Vanilla), and he explained that the Horde just get better PvP passives. Tauren get an extra stun, Orcs are just more resilient, and the Forsaken aka the Undead can shake of charms and what not.

Now, that gives you quite the edge over your standard Human, Night Elf, and what other options are available to the Alliance. Reputation gain doesn't mean much if you're getting trounced by a pack of Mag'har Orcs. Being able to move faster in ghost form isn't going to stop a Tauren from stunning you to death while a pack of Blood Elf Demon Hunters descend upon you. Not even the extreme ability to hold out and simply not die when you're a Death Knight will keep you alive. (Trust me, I've lived a lot longer in skirmishes with about six or so people descending on me than I should have as a Frost Death Knight.)

I've all but switched over to Horde when it comes to PvP for that reason. It's also made me actually enjoy playing my Marksmanship Hunter, who I absolutely abhor doing PvE content on. Nothing felt more satisfying that shooting down a Draenei Paladin from across a long stretch of bridge, or raining down a volley on a pack of Alliance players. Or, and this is one of my favorite moments, getting a kill shot on a Night Elf Demon Hunter that was gliding towards me. It also gives me an excuse to use my traps, that I feel are functionally useless otherwise. But if you're a Marksmanship Hunter and I'm playing my class wrong please feel free to let me know!

I think I've finally found a place in the Horde, and a spot for my Marksmanship Hunter. As I'm writing this I'm waiting in a Battlegrounds queue, eager to join my comrades in another fight. Who knew PvP would be fun when you're winning, or when you snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. So I'm pouring one out for you, sweatlords of the Horde. I'm happy to join your ranks, and I can't wait to maybe one day figure out just how Battlegrounds work in World of Warcraft.

World of Warcraft is available for PC.

The post World of Warcraft Horde Players are PvP Sweatlords and I Love That For Me appeared first on Siliconera.

I spend a lot of time in World of Warcraft now. Either by choice, or obligation. (I write a lot of guides, OK.) And the one thing that I, as a casual player, feel is missing from the otherwise content-packed MMORPG is a photomode. Yes, I know you can get something like a photomode in World of Warcraft, either through an optional quest that unlocks a camera of sorts, or through the use of add-ons. But I want something in-game, something more substantial, because of those that aren't as artistically inclined, in-game photography is a way for us to express ourselves and show off our characters.

While I don't dabble in Final Fantasy XIV as much as I used to, the photomode in that MMORPG is pretty great by comparison. It doesn't have the same heft as something you'd see in your stock-and-standard AAA game, but it works and players have gotten creative with it. Square Enix has also expanded upon it's features, adding the ability to freeze frame combat poses, add additional effects to your character, and so forth.

What I'm craving in World of Warcraft is a few of those features. That freeze frame is something I constantly think about when my Death Knight uses Howling Blast, and I yearn for the ability to take a freeze frame of him pointing his sword, surrounded by the swirling cold. I yearn to zoom in to get a nice profile shot of my character, or even allow him to look pensive as he stare out over the unforgiving tundra of Northrend. I know in the screenshot below it looks like he's doing just that, but I want a closer zoom in without entering the body of my character and swapping to first person mode. I want to frame the picture in a way that highlights him and the environment. Not one or the other. And I wanna do it easily!

World of Warcraft has some truly stunning vistas, especially in The War Within, and getting attractive screenshots of this is fairly easy. Especially if you're traveling using the in-game flight paths that give you scenic tours of these gorgeous new areas. But please Blizzard, I just want to take cool screenshots of my character.

One of my favorite pastimes in Final Fantasy XIV, or even in MMORPGs, it just taking pictures. Whether it's to make an edit, or just to make something cool that I can show off to friends that more or less encapsulates the vibe of my character. I want to tell a story with my screenshots, I want people to look at my character and wonder what their deal is, or just appreciate the lighting and composition. I wish I could do the same in World of Warcraft. Not just for my Death Knight, but for my Marksman Hunter or my Assassinate Rogue. Getting pictures of them using their skills in action, as janky as they are would just be neat.

It'd be another way to show off your transmogs as well. All of the items you've worked hard to farm from Mythic and Heroic Raids and Dungeons. And your mounts as well! There are some cool ones that I've picked up, and being able to take screenshots with them, much like I can do in Final Fantasy XIV would be awesome. (Square Enix please don't get mad at me for installing a Summoner mod that replaces Bahamut with Ultima. I just love Ivalice too much.)

But who knows, adding a photomode to World of Warcraft might no be possible given how old the game is, and I might have to cave in and use and add-on to make this happen. If that's the case, well, I might report back and tell all of you how that goes. If not, then know that I'm still standing around in Northrend at odd hours of the day, waiting for the lightning to strike behind Ice Crown Citadel and praying that my character turns his head slightly to the left.

World of Warcraft available for PC. Final Fantasy XIV is available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.

The post World of Warcraft Should Add a Real Photomode appeared first on Siliconera.

Square Enix has revealed the line-up of Final Fantasy XIV merch that will appear at TGS 2024, which includes a plethora of goods. And on top of this, some of these items will be available to purchase through the Square Enix Online Store, for consumers in North America and Europe.

Some of the most interesting Final Fantasy XIV merchandise that will be appearing for the very first time include the Emet-Selch crystal keychain, the Viper and Pictomancer Job pins, an assortment of mouse mats, and magnets featuring framed pictures of various characters from the MMORPG.

You can take a look at the full list the TGS 2024 Final Fantasy XIV merch and the price for each below:

• Final Fantasy XIV Job Class Keychains - $14.99
• Emet-Selch Crystal Keychain - $14.99
• Final Fantasy XIV Job Class Pins - $9.99
• Final Fantasy XIV Framed Portrait Magnets Volume 1 & 2 - $88.00
• Final Fantasy XIV Gaming Mouse Mats - $34.99

  • Shadowbringers, Endwalker, Warriors of Light

All of these items are currently available to pre-order online. They ship sometime in April 2025.

However, there will be some merchandise that is exclusive to Tokyo Game Show 2024. These include a Pictomancer themed t-shirt, a Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail calendar, a Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail folding fan, and a holographic print. As it stands, these items are not available through the international Square Enix Online Store.

Final Fantasy XIV, and the Dawntrail expansion, are available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

The post Final Fantasy XIV TGS 2024 Merch Includes Emet-Selch’s Crystal appeared first on Siliconera.

Square Enix is set to release another series of Kingdom Hearts themed notebooks and accessories. However, these items will only be available in Japan. The Kingdom Hearts themed notebooks and additional accessories will be available to purchase on September 28, 2024. All of the items can be purchased through the Square Enix Online Store.

The first series of merchandise is a total of five different Kingdom Hearts themed notebooks. Each notebook will cost 1,320 yen or around $10. Each notebook is inspired by some kind of popular motif in the series, such as the Kingdom Key, the icon crown, or the logo for Destiny Island and Traverse Town.

You can take a look at the notebooks below.

Additional accessories include a stationary holder modeled after the letter Pluto gives to Sora in the beginning of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. It costs 880 yen or $6.

You can take a look at the stationary holder below.

The third and final items are notebook covers. Both are available in black and white, and just like the notebooks, feature motifs associated with the series. Each cover will cost 9,900 yen or around $68, so a fair bit more expensivethan the notebooks themselves and the stationary holder.

Once again, these items are only available to the Japanese Square Enix Online Store. Which means consumers outside of Japan will need a middle-man service to obtain these Kingdom Hearts accessories and notebooks.

Kingdom Hearts 4, the latest mainline entry in the series, is in development.

The post Kingdom Hearts Notebooks and Accessories Heading to Japan appeared first on Siliconera.