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Honkai Star Rail Sparxie Release Date Leak: Everything We Know About the Newly Revealed Sparkle SP
Honkai Star Rail Sparxie Release Date Leak: Everything We Know About the Newly Revealed Sparkle SP HoYoverse has officially done the drip marketing reveals for the characters coming in Honkai Star Rail Version 4.0. The reveal that has gotten everyone gossiping is Sparxie, who is Sparkle’s SP with a streamer-themed persona, and the second playable character in the long-awaited Elation Path. Aha Instant | Sparxie "Hey there, Galactic Baseballer, welcome to […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Jan 5
Arc Raiders Kill-On-Sight Players Will Be Matched With Those Who Are Equally As Aggressive
Arc Raiders Kill-On-Sight Players Will Be Matched With Those Who Are Equally As AggressiveThe CEO of Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios has revealed that players who kill-on-sight frequently will be matched with equally aggressive players. The post Arc Raiders Kill-On-Sight Players Will Be Matched With Those Who Are Equally As Aggressive appeared first on PlayStation Universe .
Jan 5
Project Thea Free Download (v0.11.6)
Project Thea Free Download (v0.11.6)Project Thea Direct Download: A dark turn-based strategy-survival RPG blending retro-futuristic urban fantasy with Slavic folklore. Customise your characters’ gender, class, and race, and recruit NPC allies to explore the wastelands, rebuild your colony, and engage in tactical card-based combat. Experience branching narratives and character progression, where every choice shapes your survival and the fate […] The post Project Thea Free Download (v0.11.6) first appeared on WorldofPCGames .
Jan 5
Stranger Things Season 5: Is There Going to Be an Episode 9? Conspiracy Theory Explained
Stranger Things Season 5: Is There Going to Be an Episode 9? Conspiracy Theory Explained Netflix recently concluded its long-running sci-fi horror series Stranger Things with Season 5, a finale that has sparked mixed reactions among fans. While the season brought closure to the show’s characters and overarching story, its polarizing ending has ignited new conspiracy theories, including speculation about a secret Episode 9. Name Stranger Things Creators Matt Duffer […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Jan 5
5 Biggest Winners and 5 Biggest Losers From Critics’ Choice Awards 2026
5 Biggest Winners and 5 Biggest Losers From Critics’ Choice Awards 2026 The 31st Critics’ Choice Awards have officially wrapped up with some winning big while others going home empty-handed. The event took place at the Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, California, and was hosted by Chelsea Handler for the fourth year in a row. Let’s take a look at five of the biggest wins and five of […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Jan 5
Arc Raiders Aggression Matchmaking: How Embark Studios Is Sorting Looters From Killers
Arc Raiders Aggression Matchmaking: How Embark Studios Is Sorting Looters From KillersEmbark is profiling your trigger finger to bucket you with specific predators versus prey. Söderlund’s aggression-based experiment suggests your peaceful extraction might still end in blood until this messy science system is actually settled. The post Arc Raiders Aggression Matchmaking: How Embark Studios Is Sorting Looters From Killers appeared first on Game Reviews, News, Videos & More for Every Gamer – PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Beyond @ WePlayGames 2025 .
Jan 4
ARC Raiders More Frequently Matches Friendlier Players Together (and Vice Versa), Confirms Embark
ARC Raiders More Frequently Matches Friendlier Players Together (and Vice Versa), Confirms EmbarkPlay nice, and you'll match up with other friendly players, though CEO Patrick Söderlund admits it's "not a full science."
Jan 4
Avatar Fire and Ash Crosses $1.08 Billion in Global Box Office
Avatar Fire and Ash Crosses $1.08 Billion in Global Box OfficeAvatar Fire and Ash has officially crossed the $1 billion milestone at the global box office, marking another major commercial achievement for director James Cameron. The third entry in the… The post Avatar Fire and Ash Crosses $1.08 Billion in Global Box Office appeared first on TwistedVoxel .
Jan 4
Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe is Helmed by Batman: Arkham Origins Director
Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe is Helmed by Batman: Arkham Origins DirectorBenoit Richter has also worked on Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Transference and non-Ubisoft titles like Army of Two: The 40th Day.
Jan 4
A Game in Chiaroscuro: Looking Back at Expedition 33
A Game in Chiaroscuro: Looking Back at Expedition 33 In April 2025, French studio Sandfall Interactive released its first game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 . It quickly exploded in popularity, selling 3.3 million copies in 33 days, garnering huge amounts of acclaim, and earning numerous year-end awards. This game has had a meteoric rise in its young life. Naturally, a question arises: why did Expedition 33 blow up the way it did, and is it really worth all this hype? For me, yes it’s absolutely worth the hype – this game is tight . Despite this simple answer, the reasons why are many and varied. Much of it comes down to this: Expedition 33 addresses many things that mainstream gaming has been lacking for a while. There is a lot to talk about, but the focus here will be narrowed down to a summary of a few things. Otherwise, this might dissolve into an excited stream of consciousness which, while fun to write, is perhaps not fun to read. [caption id="attachment_163173" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A look at the combat UI[/caption] Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG, a genre which one dominated the RPG genre. A personal issue I have with many turn-based games has to do with the enemy’s turn. Sometimes there’s not much reason to pay attention to what your opponent is doing, whether they’re the computer or another player. It's easy to zone out if all you can do is watch animations you've seen before play out. You're taking that damage whether you're paying attention or texting a friend about how hard this boss is. Expedition 33 is one of the few turn-based games I’ve played that experiments with the genre, mixing up the standard pattern of combat. After choosing which attack to use, there are quick time events during the animation, and the outcome of those can add considerable bonus damage. On an enemy’s turn, the player can defend through either dodging or parrying, which adds so much to the half of combat that’s usually a void. Parrying is harder to time correctly than dodging, but if performed perfectly, can be followed up with a damaging counterattack. These feel so good to pull off, the animation and sound combining to say, “you earned this!” Another addition I find notable and enjoyable is something the game calls Free Aim. During a character’s turn, instead of taking a typical action, the player can instead enter a targeting mode and shoot enemies or objects in the environment. This can be used to weaken enemies by attacking weak spots, neutralize dangerous enemy abilities, and add some nice additional interactivity, which spices up the gameplay. These iterations on the typical game loop are a major reason the game garnered so much attention. How often do we get to see this kind of innovation in established genres? In established franchises? How often do more experimental games get this kind of mainstream attention? Will we see more games like these garnering mainstream attention in the future? It will be interesting to see what this game inspires in the coming years. [caption id="attachment_166521" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Expedition 33, the night before they depart[/caption] It’s not a new observation to say that video game stories tend to be a bit thin. Often it boils down to, "here’s your bad guy, here’s why the player character doesn’t like them, here’s some stuff in the way, go do a bunch of murder, earn shiny loot." Not that these stories are automatically bad , but as a young medium, video games lack the history or learnings that film or literature have. Games also have the unique wrinkle that story isn’t often the main draw, the gameplay is. Narrative fulfillment isn’t the only way to find entertainment or joy in games, so a simplistic story isn't necessarily a detriment. But I think there’s a genuine cause to argue that the quality of Expedition 33 's story is on par with any classic movie or novel. It's impossible to go into much detail without discussing major spoilers, but it is layered, thoughtful, compassionate, and allows the player time and space to just feel . This is exactly the kind of narrative nerds like me write books and essays about. An elegant encapsulation of the story is hidden in its title, at least to those of us who don't speak French. Clair obscur is the French version of the Italian word chiaroscuro , referring to a painting style where high contrast between light and dark is used to create shape and mood. It's easy to see where this concept can be applied to Expedition 33 's story. The sharp contrast between moments of darkest tragedy and lightest joys serves to enhance both. The bleakness of the world makes the goofier moments sweeter, which in turn, makes the saddest moments sting more. A brief content warning for this next section, there will be discussions of mourning and suicide as depicted in this game, and if you are uncomfortable with these topics, please skip ahead past the next image. If there is a single, unifying theme to Expedition 33 , it is grief. It touches the lives of every single character, with all having lost someone they love. How they face (or don’t face) the void left behind defines many of their arcs. For many, their grief has destroyed them. For some it might yet destroy them. The game makes no single stance about how to handle grief or what it means, because it's a question with no true answers. Instead, it invites the players to explore how other people feel and to understand why. This isn't the only sensitive topic the game tackles, Expedition 33 has one of the best depictions of suicidal ideation I’ve personally seen. Suicide is often whittled down to a plot device or a sickness. Here, a number of characters think about or attempt to kill themselves, and they all have different reasons for doing so. The game does an excellent job in allowing the player to feel and understand why its characters might make such a choice. It’s not something with a singular cause or a singular solution, but rather is a complicated part of the human experience. The entire topic is handled with care and compassion, something that can be rare to find even in other mediums. It inspires trust in the developers, that they can tackle difficult themes and do so appropriately. [caption id="attachment_181215" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The world of Clair Obsur: Expedition 33 is vibrant and colorful[/caption] The game's music deserves a spotlight. Though not a primary draw of the game, it absolutely helped in the game's rise. A particular standout is the theme of a major boss in Act 2: “Une vie à t’aimer” ("A Life to Love You"). It includes a special twist for this song is that francophone listeners will glean extra meaning. The lyrics foreshadow upcoming events and story reveals, which the rest of us have to wait to discover. The entire soundtrack for this game was composed by an artist named Lorien Testard, in collaboration with Alice Duport-Percier later joining and helping to co-compose many of its vocal tracks, and this was his first major production project. When the game first came out, there was a great deal of hay made on social media about Testard being found on Soundcloud. While it's true that he uploaded much of his music to SoundCloud, it was posting his music to an indie forum that attracted Sandfall's attention. The point is, people seemed surprised that an artist of such talent hadn't been "discovered" before. It's easy to forget that there’s incredible talent everywhere, and always new things to discover. Sometimes you have to go looking for it, but the journey is worth it. [caption id="attachment_163160" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Tomorrow comes[/caption] This is certainly not an exhaustive discussion of the merits of this game. Three of the nominations for the Game Awards were for Best Performance, with Jennifer English winning for her performance as Maelle. I could talk about the art direction, enemy design, the silly costumes, the baguettes, and any number of things. I’m not claiming this is a perfect game either, because nothing is. If I were feeling nitpicky, I could point out pacing issues in game progression, the inability to save and easily swap loadouts, story moments that didn’t quite work for me, frustrating enemies, and other things of this kind. None of this detracts from what makes this game great, or why it's gotten so much deserved attention and love. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a breath of fresh air, a rare gem in a medium that can be so often steered by corporate interest rather than artistic ambition. Sandfall Interactive has already said it will not be making a sequel to Expedition 33 , and I am content with that. As much as I would like to explore the world more, the story stands strong on its own, and leaving it that way is a brave choice in an era which has so much emphasis on franchises. We will all just have to wait and see what Sandfall, and the developers they inspire, will do next. The post A Game in Chiaroscuro: Looking Back at Expedition 33 appeared first on RPGamer .
Jan 4
RPGamer Round-Up: December 21 – January 4
RPGamer Round-Up: December 21 – January 4 Welcome to the latest edition of RPGamer's round-up column, where we look back at some of the articles that we have posted over the intervening period. This article is designed to give reminders of some interesting content and stories that our readers might have missed.       Editorial Content RPGamer’s Most Anticipated Games: 2026 Edition As we enter 2026, it’s time for RPGamer to look ahead at what awaits us in the next year. Our team has picked out nearly thirty titles that are on the horizon. Kingdoms of the Dump Review Dive into a landfill inspired magical kingdom with Roach Games’ Kingdoms of the Dump . Ryan Costa discovers that the turn-based RPG has a lot of ambition that holds itself together despite some gameplay quibbles. Potions: A Curious Tale Review Potions: A Curious Tale is a puzzle-adventure game from indie developer Stumbling Cat that is now out on consoles after launching for PC last year. Amaan Bhimani reports that it offers a soothing but shallow experience mostly held up by its cozy vibes. Adventure Corner ~ Dispatch AdHoc Studio’s superhero tale Dispatch hearkens back to peak Telltale Games narrative adventures. Alex Fuller finds its great writing, stellar presentation, and highly enjoyable gameplay makes for a standout experience. Adventure Corner ~ 1000xRESIST A sheltered society of clones is shaken to its core when one of them begins unearthing the truth of its formation and origins. 1000xRESIST has a lot to say for Jordan McClain with an infectiously creative and daring sci-fi story packed with meaning and intrigue. Backloggin’ the Year – Sam’s Sojourn, Year End Wrap-Up It’s time to wrap up the last chunk of games Sam played for Backloggin’ the Year. Check out if she completed her personal challenges and which games for the Fall months were her favourites.         Major News Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time’s Free DLC Out Now Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time ’s latest major update is out now. The update adds the free The Sinister Broker Bazario’s Schemes DLC to the game. Granblue Fantasy Steam Release Announced Cygames has announced a new Steam release for free-to-play RPG Granblue Fantasy . Releasing in March, the Steam version will be separate to its current mobile and browser versions. Sword and Fairy 4 Remake Announced Publisher CubeGame announced a remake of Sword and Fairy 4 . The remake of the 2007 entry in the long running Chinese-language RPG series is in development for PC and consoles, with an English version of the trailer stated to be coming soon. The Relic: First Guardian Launching in May Action RPG The Relic: First Guardian received a May release date. The title, which draws inspiration from Korean myths, will launch on PC and consoles. Tribe Nine's Neo Neon Tribe Web Story Translation Announced The web story Neo Neon Tribe , a continuation to free-to-play RPG Tribe Nine ’s story, is receiving an English translation. The translation effort is led by publisher Aksys Games and the game’s original creators. Gachiakuta: The Game Announced Com2uS announced an action RPG based on the Gachiakuta manga and anime series. Currently under the working title of Gachiakuta: The Game , it is in development for PC and consoles. Stardew Valley Dedicated Switch 2 Version Released in North America ConcernedApe has given Stardew Valley ’s dedicated Switch 2 version a surprise release in North America. However, the developer has noted some issues with the version, which will be addressed as soon as possible.         Other News and Media Front Mission 3: Remake Releasing on PC, PlayStation, Xbox in January Latest Dragon Quest X Expansion Announced for Japan Exist Archive: The Other Side of the Sky Being Delisted in Japan Duel-Focused Turn-Based RPG Neidfyre Announced Neverness to Everness Co-Ex Test Announced Digimon Story Time Stranger’s Second Season Pass DLC Arriving Next Month Eldegarde Releasing in January Tenshi no Uta: The Angel Verse Collection Getting International Physical Release Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Update Adds New Bosses VIractal: World of Viractalia Receives New Early Access Update Persona 5: The Phantom X Version 2.7 Update to Celebrate Half-Year Anniversary Genshin Impact Version Luna IV Arriving January 14 Monstre Waltz Switch Port Available in Japan, Releasing on PC Later Bloodgrounds Welcomes Masters of the Arena Update Next Titan Quest II Update Takes on the Centaurs Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Direct Trailer Showcases Game Content Exodus Developer Video Examines Latest Trailer Code Vein II Gives Center Stage to Valentin Voda The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II Gets Recap Ahead of Trails Beyond the Horizon The post RPGamer Round-Up: December 21 – January 4 appeared first on RPGamer .
Jan 4
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Sparks Outrage Over ‘Inaccurate Costumes’: Here Is Why Fans Are Furious
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Sparks Outrage Over ‘Inaccurate Costumes’: Here Is Why Fans Are Furious This year has the best entries coming in. The box office is all set to be flocked by a large audience, to watch movies coming right out of one’s dreams. Bringing back the bright days, one of the highly anticipated movies is The Odyssey. Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring a grand cast, The Odyssey […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Jan 4
Girls Frontline Fire Control: How to contact Customer Support Service
Girls Frontline Fire Control: How to contact Customer Support ServiceDarkwinter Software Co., Ltd has officially released Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control. Set in the Girls’ Frontline universe, Fire Control blends high-intensity shooting gameplay with deep team-building strategy. The game is very team-dependent and hero shooter-like. If you are having trouble, here’s how to contact Customer Support Service in Girls Frontline Fire Control. Table Of Contents How to … The post Girls Frontline Fire Control: How to contact Customer Support Service appeared first on GamingonPhone .
Jan 4
Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man 2 Co-Star Spotted Barefoot in LA – Homeless Rumors & Plastic Surgery Spark Questions
Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man 2 Co-Star Spotted Barefoot in LA – Homeless Rumors & Plastic Surgery Spark Questions Mickey Rourke, who was once a potential actor being eyed by every other director in Hollywood, has been facing struggling days recently. A latest report by The Daily Mail states that the actor whose skills we all enjoyed, alongside Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man 2, was seen in a condition in which he was totally […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Jan 4
Ariana Grande Allegedly Cheated After Controversial Relationship With 17-Year-Old Jai Brooks
Ariana Grande Allegedly Cheated After Controversial Relationship With 17-Year-Old Jai Brooks The romance between Ariana Grande and Jai Brooks from the Australian YouTube crew Janoskians ignited a media firestorm between 2012 and 2014, fueled by accusations of cheating that played out in public. Brooks claimed that Grande betrayed him with Nathan Sykes around their one-year anniversary, sparking a fiery X feud (via E! News). In a rant, […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Jan 4
Shocking Horror Role Jamie Lee Curtis Almost Took: Why Did Her Mom Turn Down the Producer’s Call?
Shocking Horror Role Jamie Lee Curtis Almost Took: Why Did Her Mom Turn Down the Producer’s Call? Jamie Lee Curtis of Halloween fame turned down the role of one of the biggest horror movies of the Golden era of Hollywood, and it appears that it wasn’t even her decision. Speaking on The Drew Barrymore Show, Curtis explained: Ray Stark, who was the producer of The Exorcist, was a very good friend of my […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Jan 4
PowerGPU Warns of Rising PC Hardware Prices Across Components
PowerGPU Warns of Rising PC Hardware Prices Across ComponentsCustom gaming PC vendor PowerGPU has issued a public warning regarding ongoing and expected price increases across the PC hardware market, advising consumers that current pricing conditions may worsen as… The post PowerGPU Warns of Rising PC Hardware Prices Across Components appeared first on TwistedVoxel .
Jan 4
Limbus Company: The Complete Combat Guide and Tips
Limbus Company: The Complete Combat Guide and TipsFrom the creators of Lobotomy Corporation and Library of Ruina, another tale set in the same, unique world unfolds. Limbus Company is a single-player turn-based RPG developed by Project Moon. In this massive dystopian metropolis, you will embark on a journey to find Golden Boughs with a cast of 12 Sinners. Enjoy a gripping story … The post Limbus Company: The Complete Combat Guide and Tips appeared first on GamingonPhone .
Jan 4
Limbus Company: The Complete Combat Skill Guide and Tips
Limbus Company: The Complete Combat Skill Guide and TipsFrom the creators of Lobotomy Corporation and Library of Ruina, another tale set in the same, unique world unfolds. Limbus Company is a single-player turn-based RPG developed by Project Moon. In this massive dystopian metropolis, you will embark on a journey to find Golden Boughs with a cast of 12 Sinners. Enjoy a gripping story … The post Limbus Company: The Complete Combat Skill Guide and Tips appeared first on GamingonPhone .
Jan 4
Angelina Jolie Stepping Away From Hollywood? $25M Estate on the Market: Here’s Her Next Move
Angelina Jolie Stepping Away From Hollywood? $25M Estate on the Market: Here’s Her Next Move Angelina Jolie is moving on, not from Hollywood but from Los Angeles. Despite it being her birth city, the actress was only staying there due to the custody agreement with ex-husband Brad Pitt over their 6 children. But now, all of her children are grown up, except Knox and Viv, who will turn 18 this […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Jan 4
ARK: Survival EvolvedArk: Survival Evolved is a action-adventure survival video game developed by Studio Wildcard.