Acer’s Predator laptops are nice options that often deliver a lot of performance for reasonable money, but today you can get even more per dollar than usual, as an RTX 3070 Ti gaming laptop in manufacturer-refurbished condition has dropped to $919 at Ebay – thanks to an extra 8% discount on refurbished items applied in the cart.
For context, this laptop has a list price of $2099 and still seems to be selling new for $1679 on Amazon – so this price is very reasonable indeed.
After sharing a sneak peek during a recent episode of Hot Ones featuring Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon, Netherrealm Studios has released a new trailer today spotlighting the Jean-Claude Van Damme skin in Mortal Kombat 1.
The new trailer shows off Van Damme fighting a few characters, including Johnny Cage, the former being an alternative skin for the Mortal Kombat veteran that can only be unlocked if you purchase Premium/Kollector’s editions of the game. The costume the Van Damme skin wears even resembles the outfit worn in the 1988 film Bloodsport.
Van Damme becoming a playable character in the next installment in the Mortal Kombat franchise comes full circle as the character, dating back to the original Mortal Kombat game, when then developer Midway Games attempted to secure the license to use Van Damme’s likeness in their game but did not pan out at the time. The character Johnny Cage is inspired by the actor, with one of Cage’s special moves being the split-legged groin punch that Van Damme performs in the film Bloodsport.
“We tried a number of times going back and forth with [Van Damme],” Boon said during a recent episode of Hot Ones. “This time, we hit the lottery, and we got him. And we actually have his voice, and he’s going to be the Johnny Cage character.”
Mortal Kombat 1 is out on September 19. For more information, check out the recent reveal that series veteran Nitara is joining the roster (and is voiced by actress Megan Fox) and our interview with Boon at gamescom last month. Or the live-action trailer featuring Dave Bautista that also pays homage to the iconic Mortal Monday TV commercial.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
Fast 2TB NVMe SSDs are continuing their downwards slide towards affordability, with Crucial’s popular (and fast) P5 Plus PCIe 4.0 SSD reaching a new low of $88 at Newegg today. That price is courtesy of a $10 discount when you use code SSACW527 and runs for today only.
The P5 Plus is a drive that we’ve covered many times over on the RPS Deals beat, as it comes very close in performance to the top options in its category – your Samsung 990 Pros and your WD SN850xs – while often costing much less.
And Ash’s journey has only just finished!
Those who have grown up with the Pokémon animated series, prepare to feel old. Today marks 25 years since the show’s pilot was first broadcast in North America. Yes, twenty. Five. Years.
On 8th September 1998, the US was first treated to episode one, ‘Pokémon – I Choose You!’, which would go on to introduce us all to Ash Ketchum, Pikachu and a number of other familiar faces that we have grown accustomed to over the ensuing two and a half decades.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Cities: Skylines singlehandedly resuscitated the city builder gamer when it arrived in 2015; indeed it also made the genre relevant on console with a very slickly handled Xbox console port in 2017.
The announcement of Cities: Skylines II promised to take things even further: bigger cities, redesigned economies, dynamic seasons – even the ability to zoom in and observe any citizen, any time.
As I sat down to play Cities: Skylines II at gamescom last month, I wasn’t thinking about any of that; I was more worried that in the years since I last built a town, I’ve forgotten almost everything I had ever known about the game.
Fortunately, Cities: Skylines II has your back.
The developers from Paradox led off by sharing that there is a renewed focus on “onboarding,” so while the sequel is more complex than the original Cities: Skylines, it’s actually easier to understand.
Instrumental for new and lapsed players is the new tutorial, a quick, but digestible introduction to road building, zoning (residential, commercial, industrial), and getting buildings powered and connected to water and sewage. Crucially, roads include power and water hookups, making initial infrastructure and city layout very easy; just build the road the way you want it and you’re good. Tips for (slightly) more advanced functions such as bulldozing and rezoning wait just off to the side so you can learn them when you need them and not a moment before.
Cities: Skylines II is loaded with quality of life touches that allow players to deftly address issues and focus on the fun parts of building and managing a city. For example, when getting new systems up and running, like adding in a water pumping station, you see a positive reaction (stars coming from nearby homes and businesses) indicating that yes, things are connected. No more wondering “did I do that right?” Another great feature: you can replace roads in place without bulldozing; cities can start with smaller roads and upgrade to higher capacity down the line, when your citizens demand it. And they will demand things!
In game social media channel “Chirper” keeps you keyed in on what’s going on in your city, good and bad. Someone complaining about housing prices? Your residential zoning demand may be spiking. You can even click through and learn more about the citizen who was tweeting at you.
Despite not playing the original in years, with all of these onramps, I got up to speed in Cities: Skylines II in under a half hour. In that time, I had built a functioning, growing “Tiny Village” – receiving some rewards including cash, and even a signature building, a “pop music mansion.” Taylor Swift is formally invited to relocate to my humble village.
Cities: Skylines II also lets you choose your new features via a skill tree, which unlocks as you reach these milestones. Around the time I hit Tiny Village status, I earned the right to build roundabouts, traffic lights, and more. Basic services are automatically added, others are only unlocked as you prove yourself a capable city planner. I may have gone crazy with roundabouts, replacing every 4 way stop in town. Don’t like it, leave. Or better yet, build your own town!
Cities: Skylines II will be incorporated into Game Pass on Day One for Console, PC, and Cloud. And if reading this piqued your Inner Mayor, know that the original Cities: Skylines – Remastered is playable now, also with Game Pass.
Paradox Interactive
Cities: Skylines II: Ultimate Edition gives you access to the base game, as well as the Expansion Pass.
This includes the San Francisco Set, Beach Properties Asset Pack (Q4 ‘23), two Content Creator Packs (Q1 ‘24), the Bridges & Ports Expansion (Q2 ‘24) as well as 3 Radio Stations paired with each release (Q4 ‘23, Q1 Q2 ‘24).
If you can dream it, you can build it.
Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into the thriving metropolis only you can imagine. You’ve never experienced building on this scale. With deep simulation and a living economy, Cities: Skylines II delivers world-building without limits.
Lay the foundations for your city to begin. Create the roads, infrastructure, and systems that make life possible day to day. It’s up to you – all of it.
How your city grows is your call too, but plan strategically. Every decision has an impact. Can you energize local industries while also using trade to boost the economy? What will make residential districts flourish without killing the buzz downtown? How will you meet the needs and desires of citizens while balancing the city’s budget?
Your city never rests. Like any living, breathing world, it changes over time. Some changes will be slow and gradual, while others will be sudden and unexpected. So while seasons turn and night follows day, be ready to act when life doesn’t go to plan.
The most realistic and detailed city builder ever, Cities: Skylines II pushes your creativity and problem-solving to another level. With beautifully rendered high-resolution graphics, it also inspires you to build the city of your dreams.
Deep simulation.
AI and intricate economics mean your choices ripple through the fabric of the city. Remember that as you strategize, problem-solve, and react to change, challenges, and opportunities.
Epic scale, endless possibilities.
Cities: Skylines II lets you create without compromise. Now you can build sky-high and sprawl across the map like never before. Why not? Your city is you.
Cities that come alive.
Your decisions shape each citizen’s life path, a chain of events that defines who they are. From love and loss to wealth and wellbeing, follow their life’s ups and downs.
A dynamic world.
Pick a map to set the climate of your city. These are the natural forces you’ll negotiate to expand your city amid rising pollution, changeable weather, and seasonal challenges.
Paradox Interactive
If you can dream it, you can build it.
Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into the thriving metropolis only you can imagine. You’ve never experienced building on this scale. With deep simulation and a living economy, Cities: Skylines II delivers world-building without limits.
Lay the foundations for your city to begin. Create the roads, infrastructure, and systems that make life possible day to day. It’s up to you – all of it.
How your city grows is your call too, but plan strategically. Every decision has an impact. Can you energize local industries while also using trade to boost the economy? What will make residential districts flourish without killing the buzz downtown? How will you meet the needs and desires of citizens while balancing the city’s budget?
Your city never rests. Like any living, breathing world, it changes over time. Some changes will be slow and gradual, while others will be sudden and unexpected. So while seasons turn and night follows day, be ready to act when life doesn’t go to plan.
The most realistic and detailed city builder ever, Cities: Skylines II pushes your creativity and problem-solving to another level. With beautifully rendered high-resolution graphics, it also inspires you to build the city of your dreams.
Deep simulation.
AI and intricate economics mean your choices ripple through the fabric of the city. Remember that as you strategize, problem-solve, and react to change, challenges, and opportunities.
Epic scale, endless possibilities.
Cities: Skylines II lets you create without compromise. Now you can build sky-high and sprawl across the map like never before. Why not? Your city is you.
Cities that come alive.
Your decisions shape each citizen’s life path, a chain of events that defines who they are. From love and loss to wealth and wellbeing, follow their life’s ups and downs.
A dynamic world.
Pick a map to set the climate of your city. These are the natural forces you’ll negotiate to expand your city amid rising pollution, changeable weather, and seasonal challenges.
Related:
Starfield Starters: 10 Things to Know as You Begin Your Journey
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Starfield, Solar Ash, and Lies of P
This Week’s Deals with Gold and Spotlight Sale
Last week, we asked you harness the power of the sun and moon and share moments from Sea of Stars using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
ppeter_gee shares Valere and Zale overlooking the port town of Brisk
manoloo_o shares a band of pirates playing at the local tavern
Lme3guazUS shares Elder Mist floating above a sacred pond
supersaturnn shares a long-awaited reunion between best friends
call_me_xavii shares the Sleeper sleeping in the overworld
cenrice shares Valere using the moonerang at night
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: Baldur’s Gate 3 – Original Character
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on September 13, 2023
Next week, we’re rolling the dice on Baldur’s Gate 3. Share the custom hero you’ve created using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
There’s a growing subgenre of horror games that lure you in with cutesy charm before revealing something sinister waiting beneath it. Your Doki Doki Literature Clubs. Your Among The Sleeps. Your Opening A Box Of Celebrations Only To Find Your Mum’s Knitting Kit. Absolutely bone-chilling stuff. The Bunny Graveyard fits right in with this idea, which tells a seemingly sweet tale across a series of mini-games à la WarioWare, but as expected, things take a creepy turn in the trailer below.
Starfield players have already made some incredibly useful mods, like a fix for the frustrating inventory system or the addition of DLSS support, but they’ve also added some very silly things like hairy chests, colourful juice boxes, and the lasagne loving cat Garfield.
That’s not to say the creators of these mods aren’t looking to provide a service and more options for players, of course. The Hairy Chest for Men of Starfield mod by kosmos84 comes with two options to suit different needs, for example: Normal and Furball.
Another from KaySato upgrades the bland juice boxes of Starfield: “This mod adds unique textures for the boring grey drink packs, giving more variety and immersion.”
Other players have created similar mods to spice Starfield up a bit. One from Darkslayer14, for example, replaces every collectible magazine cover with a classic Marvel Comics cover. “Some are from a specific character’s line of comics, others are for different events,” they said.
Anime lovers can get involved as well with a Cyberpunk Edgerunners poster for settlements and homes mod by feelp0, while tabletop fans can change Starfield’s board games to classic Warhammer or even tabletop versions of Skyrim and Fallout thanks to Scottyus1.
Photos of Bethesda development chief Todd Howard can also replace every painting in the game with ronaldomoon’s mod, and players can polish up Starfield’s baseballs and basketballs with the HD 4K Balls mod by Bulwarkhd.
Some mods really are just for a laugh though, but that’s perfectly valid too. Another from Bulwarkhd pulls a Thomas the Tank engine skin over Vasco the robot, while Nicolas Cage’s face can replace the flashlight glow thanks to Brandoman, and the Sansfield mod by bonobot replaces all of Starfield’s fonts with Comic Sans. Last but not least (maybe), a mod from J8oot replaces the Starfield title in the main menu background with Garfield, and turns the planet into the big ginger cat’s face.
As mentioned, some more traditionally useful mods exist for Starfield too. Players almost immediately added their own DLSS Support and a field of view slider after Bethesda released Starfield without these features.
What IGN called a “shockingly bad” inventory management system was also replaced with a mod, and though installing these unofficial improvements turns off achievements in Starfield, modders have modded that setback out too.
For more information on how to install Starfield mods (and just about anything else in the game), be sure to check out IGN’s Starfield Guide
In our 7/10 review, IGN said: “Starfield has a lot of forces working against it, but eventually the allure of its expansive roleplaying quests and respectable combat make its gravitational pull difficult to resist.”
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
As promised, I have returned from the Starfield fields for an extended look at its PC performance and settings. And what a journey it’s been – there was the drama-tinged DLSS mod, the crap Steam Deck showing, the streaming workaround for said crap Steam Deck showing, and even the first recorded instance (I think?) of a game utterly refusing to work on a hard drive.
Last week we discussed Starfield. This week – the week of its official launch – three other IGN UK crewmates discuss their experiences of Bethesda’s spacefaring RPG. Join Matt, Jesse, and Emma as they analyse the layers of roleplaying and space exploration, before moving on the sing even more praises of Baldur’s Gate 3 (now available on PS5!) There’s also a bit of Counter-Strike 2 chat, an enthusiastic assesment of Armored Core 6, and your feedback.
Tell us your thoughts on Starfield, Baldur’s Gate 3, and any other RPG you fancy. Or, of course, whatever food you’ve been eating this week. Get in touch at ign_ukfeedback@ign.com
