Exciting news for the future of everyone’s favourite co-op shooter that isn’t legally an adaptation of Starship Troopers. A few days ago, Helldivers 2 issued a new major order to annihilate the Automatons, who had been pushed back like never before. And annihilate you all did, with players’ combined efforts being officially recgonised yesterday on the Helldivers 2 Xitter: Mission Accomplished! The bots have been eradicated!
I get an itch to put on my gardening gloves and get planting when spring comes around. While practicing patience for the right weather, I’ll read up on books and try to learn new techniques – but this year, Botany Manor has helped satiate my excitement. It’s a cozy, first-person puzzle game that puts a blank herbarium book in your hand and asks you to grow different plants until the pages are full. Botany Manor is a short and sweet story that safely sits surface-level, but its witty mysteries engaging enough to keep me happily digging for more.
Botany Manor puts you in the boots of retired botanist Arabella Greene as she returns to her grand, and adorably stylized, English manor in 1890 Somerset. Each “puzzle” is actually a fictional plant waiting to be grown, with clever clues scattered around that help you tend each new seed type. Those can start simple, like the Fulguria needing flashes of lightning to bloom, but clues gradually increase in complexity and quantity in order to bring these whimsical plants to life. Real-world science and the time period both inspire unconventional growing methods, such as needing to play the buzzing sound of morse code for a certain seedling. Botany Manor may not teach you much about actual gardening – though I probably read the word “chloroplasts” for the first time in a very long time – but I enjoyed the surreal nature of it.
For example, picking up the first packet of seeds at the potting bench reveals an imprint of a fictional plant called Windmill Wort, with slots for three clues waiting to be found nearby. From the start, it was evident that these clues would not only help solve this puzzle, but also string together a much larger story about Arabella and the manor she lives in. Heat and wildflower charts on a chalkboard helped me figure out the right temperature to grow Windmill Wort, which then bloomed into a lovely pink flower that literally spins like a windmill to clear up smog, smartly tying into a newspaper I had found that discussed the issues of the era’s recent industrialization.
Some information took an embarrassingly long time to decipher as I ran back and forth from one clue to another while head-scratching theories tested my memory. Chapters in the herbarium tell you what clues you’ve found and where to find more, but it doesn’t save the more specific information from them. So, if you forget what that pamphlet in the attic said, you’ll have to walk back to examine it – which makes Botany Manor feel a lot like a walking simulator. My hands were off the keyboard quite often taking physical notes on my discoveries, essentially writing up my own botany book. I also had to tirelessly retrace my steps several times to reread or flip around clues in case I may have missed something, which could get a little tedious. But it helps that icons will pop up when you walk past an item to let you know you can examine it, and musical cues acknowledge that you’re on the right track.
Between solving plant mysteries, you’ll occasionally visit the front gate to pick up a key or decrypt secret locks to access a new area, which helps cut down on the otherwise repetitive nature of the roughly six-hour campaign. I looked forward to what awaited in each new section of the manor, not only because the clues became progressively more creative, but also because it was always fun to find more pamphlets, bottle labels, advertisements, and other environmental details full of vintage charm. The books about art I stumbled across made the space all the more quaint, too, and were later upstaged by a dreamy painting room that reminded me of my own canvases of houseplants.
Botany Manor beckons you with strange ideas and picturesque scenery in every challenge, but Arabella’s story trails behind. Rather than telling her tale through characters and spoken dialogue, it opts for written notes on pretty stationary and significant items that peer into Arabella’s life to tell its overarching story. I liked Arabella, a strong-willed botanist who has suffered unjust rejection in her field, but these notes and letters fail to dig deep into her emotions. Even letters from family, friends, and groundskeepers have the potential to create intimate moments, but are instead easily forgettable in the hunt for clues. The manor is clearly not abandoned, either, as fire burns beneath the stove in the kitchen, but the space feels as if everyone left at the drop of a hat. It’s a bit odd, but it does work in that it prevents any distractions from the puzzles themselves – and after all, Arabella needs to focus to get this herbarium published and earn her rightful flowers as a woman in STEM.
Bloomin’ lovely.
When cosy and wholesome games first stepped onto the scene, they were counter-culture — created in response and in resistance to an industry that churned out violence, conflict, and a particular type of masculinity that wasn’t keen on things like emotions or intimacy. Some people were tired of this monolithic and exclusionary idea of what a game ‘should’ be — and so, as a direct contrast to all of that, the cosy game movement was created, prioritising stories that minimised conflict, and focused instead on growth and creation. That’s part of the reason why so many cosy games are about farming and relationships, because the themes of cultivation and creation are almost the exact opposite of violence and conflict.
But these days, cosy games have become a dominant part of gaming culture, and the conflict-free alternatives they once offered as a respite from the status quo are now a lucrative part of the status quo. This is what happens when counter-culture becomes culture: it forgets its roots and its purpose, and instead becomes about aping what’s already popular. In the process, many cosy games fail to understand that a player’s desire for softness and kindness does not mean that they want a completely toothless game. Challenge is not conflict. Challenge is fun.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
I know some of you will quibble with the headline, so let me confirm straight away that, yes, technically Aquarist is not a game simulating being an aquarium. An aquarist is someone who builds and manages aquariums, which is your principle task in the capital A Aquarist game. It recently left early access, which is sort of unbelievable because it’s very janky in the most adorable way. You can tell it was made by someone who bloody loves aquariums, but taken at face value the career mode tells a strange tale indeed. For example, you have a very unsettling father.
Ring of Honor wrestler Athena debuted some striking new ring gear inspired by Karlach from Baldur’s Gate 3 during the most recent Supercard of Honor event.
Fans of Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios’ latest video game based on the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role playing game, went wild for Athena’s epic entrance, with those in the crowd and watching at home commending her Karlach-inspired outfit, which came complete with the iconic character’s twisty horns and signature axe.
Oh wow 🥰❤️🔥🥰❤️🔥🥰
Congratulations to real-life Karlach @athenapalmer_fg on retaining her title!!! https://t.co/G4UFGKBVg6 pic.twitter.com/AdHUfstq7s
— Samantha Béart is Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3 ❤️🔥 (@SamanthaBeart) April 6, 2024
Even Samantha Béart, who provided the voice and motion capture for the game’s beloved barbarian, reposted a video of Athena’s arrival and gave her a shoutout. “Oh wow,” Béart wrote on X/Twitter alongside some heart emojis and a gif of the fan-favorite character. “Congratulations to real-life Karlach, Athena, on retaining her title!”
Those on Reddit were also impressed with Athena’s efforts. “Oh wow, this works on so many levels,” one person wrote in a thread dedicated to the wrestler’s new gear. Another added: “This is the mashup I needed this year,” concurring with the original poster, who wrote: “It’s cool to see some Baldur’s Gate 3 representation in wrestling.”
Karlach is a tiefling barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3 who seeks revenge on the man who sold her to an archdevil when she was young. She often channels her rage into ferocious attacks while also surviving vicious strikes from others, making her a particularly fierce fighter (and certainly one who would be formidable in a wrestling ring).
Athena, also known to the WWE Universe as Ember Moon, shared a carousel of photos from the event on Instagram. “A massive thank you to Larian Studios and D&D for letting me be my favorite character from Baldur’s Gate 3, Karlach!” she wrote, tagging another user to thank them for the hair, make-up, and body paint.
The Baldur’s Gate 3 tribute from Athena is one of several video game cosplays seen at wrestling events. It follows Kenny Omega’s Final Fantasy 7 Sephiroth-inspired costume at Wrestle Kingdom last year and Will Ospreay’s Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Jacob Fyre-style entrance gear for the 18th edition of the event this year.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter @AdeleAnkers.
According to one unofficial tracker created by video game artist Farhan Noor, there have been 8000 layoffs in 2024 so far, following an estimated 10,500 layoffs in 2023. The leaders of Microsoft, Embracer Group, Epic and other industry giants have made swingeing cuts to their workforces. While larger companies have inevitably seen the largest reductions, many smaller developers and publishers have also cut staff or even closed their doors. Circumstances vary by company, of course, but as regards the biggest publishers, there are some broad overlapping causes: reckless or, if you prefer, “overambitious” expansion and overhiring during the pandemic lockdown gaming boom; lower-than-hoped returns on new technologies and business models such as NFTs; and rising global interest rates, which have scared away potential investors.
The carnage was uppermost in Larian CEO’s Swen Vincke’s mind when he accepted Baldur’s Gate 3’s Best Narrative gong at the GDC Awards last month. According to Vincke, the layoffs can be traced straightforwardly to a pattern of executive greed that sees company leadership betting the livelihoods and stability of their workers on whatever new idea seems capable of delivering instant growth for shareholders.
Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 14 boss Naoki Yoshida has told The Gamer that he reckons “It’s probably about time,” for a new Final Fantasy Tactics game.
The hint at some long term wish fulfillment came up during an interview with The Gamer’s Gabrielle Castania, in which Naoki ‘Yoshi-P’ Yoshida spoke about Final Fantasy 16’s upcoming The Rising Tide DLC, alongside DLC director Takeo Kujiraoka and localisation director Michael-Christoper Koji Fox.
Hello Honolulu!
The Pokémon Company wrapped up this weekend’s European International Championship with a taste of what’s in store for the competitive scene over the rest of 2024, importantly sharing the date and venue for this year’s World Championship which is heading to Hawai’i this summer.
Revealed in an all-new trailer (above) we now know that the 2024 Pokémon World Championships will be held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center in Honolulu from 16th-18th August.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Time for another sorry week of heaving news-fuel into the Maw’s thousand-and-one gullets and urgh, what’s that brooding stench? It reeks of embargoes in here. The air is foul with it. This week is the week of the inaugural Triple-I Initiative showcase, aka the IIIIs, aka a 45-minute dollop of trailers and announcements from such studios as Slay The Spire creators MegaCrit and Darkest Dungeon developers Red Hook. We know of a couple of the announcements in advance; others, we’ll learn about alongside you on 10th April.
Saturday and the weekend have officially arrived, which means it is time to round up the best deals you can find this weekend! We’ve searched all over the internet to compile the deals you do not want to miss, which include video games, technology, earbuds, and more. The best deals for Sunday, April 7, include Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Persona 3 Reload, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the Razer BlackShark V2 Headset, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, Nintendo Switch Lite, Beats Powerbeats Pro, and more.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a release that went under many people’s radars earlier this year. At $29.99, this 2D platformer is absolutely worth your time and money. We gave the game an 8/10 in our review, stating, “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown captures not only what made games such as The Sands of Time so good, but it irons out a lot of the little issues that plagued the 3D games.”
This special edition Xbox controller is sure to make a nice addition to any collection. The Dream Vapor edition features a swirly pink and purple pattern, which is a unique offering compared to other official Xbox controllers. At 24% off, this is the lowest we’ve seen this controller yet. Additionally, you can always use an extra controller. Whether you’re playing a multiplayer title or your controller wears down after years of use, having an extra on hand is better for everyone.
The BlackShark V2 headset has an impressive set of features that should fit all of your needs. First, there is a noise cancellation factor with the earcups built inside the headset. Outside noise is always a problem with most gaming headsets, but the BlackShark V2 Pro limits noise from leaking into your gameplay experience. Audio-wise, the BlackShark V2 Pro has 50mm sound drivers that contain titanium-coated diaphragms. Each driver is divided into three separate parts to create the best-quality lows, mids, and highs. You’re getting excellent sound quality both in and out of games.
Unicorn Overlord just released last month and is already available at Amazon for $39.99. This title was developed by Vanillaware, most recently known for 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Over 60 unique characters are available to choose from within Unicorn Overlord, where you command armies in tactical battle. We gave the gave a 9/10 in our review, stating “Unicorn Overlord is a visual delight that’s brimming with creativity, and an absolute must-play for any fan of strategy RPGs.”
The Cowboy Bebop Original Soundtrack is officially available now on vinyl! This 2LP set contains an Amazon-exclusive Red Velvet color variant. Inside, you’ll find the inner sleeves printed with beautiful art from the series. With the soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts, this vinyl set is perfect for any Cowboy Bebop fan.
Persona 3 Reload is already one of the biggest 2024 releases so far. The remake brings in new gameplay features, new voice actors, and an impressive slew of technology, including ray tracing. It’s on sale right now at Amazon for $39.99, which marks a new all time low for the title. If you’ve never experienced the story of Persona 3, this is the definitive way to do so.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest title in the long-running RPG series. Kiryu Kazama returns following the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, uniting with Ichiban Kasuga in a wild adventure you won’t forget anytime soon. This $30 discount just a few months after launch is a great deal you shouldn’t pass up on, though newcomers should aim to play the previous titles in the series before jumping in.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro are an excellent choice if you’re looking for an Apple AirPods alternative. You can get up to nine hours of listening time off a single charge, with over 24 hours available if you use the included charging case. These earbuds are powered by the H1 chip, which allows for easy pairing and instant connectivity when using an iPhone. Overall, it’s hard to beat the value these earbuds provide at just $130.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink marks the first console RPG from Cygames. Characters from the beloved mobile RPG make in appearance in a brand-new story with many thrills and environments to discover. The big focus of Relink is the multiplayer features, which allow you to tackle over 100 quests with friends around the world. With many post-launch characters and updates planned, you can expect hundreds of hours of fun with a title like this.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is an excellent choice if you’re in the market for a new gaming keyboard. HyperX Pudding Keycaps are included, which are translucent ABS to allow more light to be seen through them. Additionally, dedicated media controls and a volume wheel are included. This keyboard is normally priced at $129.99, so you’re saving almost 50% with this deal from Amazon.
Walmart currently has the Timmy & Tommy’s Aloha Edition Nintendo Switch Lite available for $179. This bundle includes a turqoise Nintendo Switch Lite and a free digital copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Together, that has a $260 value, which means you can save $80 by purchasing this bundle. If you have not purchased a Nintendo Switch yet, this is an excellent option.
NHL 24 brought all-new gameplay and dozens of new features to the hit EA Sports series. This is the lowest price we’ve seen NHL 24 at so far, so if you’ve been on the fence, be sure to pick up the game while this sale is live. There are a total of over 75 new goal celebrations in NHL 24, which elevates the presentation and immersion to new heights.
Woot currently has both the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 versions of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 on sale for 50% off. This collection includes the first three Metal Gear Solid titles, in addition to Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. If you’ve yet to play through these incredible action titles, the Master Collection is the best (and only) way to do so on modern gaming platforms.
