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The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 2 Review: The Intimacy of Holding on to a Lie Alright, let’s be real: The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 2 completely took me on a wild ride. Like actually. I went in thinking I was about to get some creepy forest vibes, maybe a little spooky action with a ghost or whatever, and I came out holding my chest like I just got possessed. This […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

Jul 14

Animal Crossing Crocs Come With Isabelle and Tom Nook Jibbitz Charms Nintendo and Crocs announced there will be adult and children style Animal Crossing Crocs and official Jibbitz charms. These will be sold in-stores and online worldwide. Everything will start to show up on August 26, 2025. While the US site hasn’t put listings up yet, the Japanese one did . While no pre-orders are open in the US, details about sizes and prices are available. Both the adult and children’s Animal Crossing Crocs will feature the same design. Forests with trees will be on the top, water and a beach will appear along the heel, and the strap across the back will feature a sky and balloon. The adult version, which is a unisex style, is a Platform Clog and also features the series’ logo inside. That costs $69.99. The smallest size is the equivalent of a Men’s 4/Women’s 6, while the largest is a Men’s 13/Women’s 12. The kids’ one is a Classic Clog. It ranges from 11C – 6Y and costs $54.99. Regardless of which one you get, you also get the Tom Nook, Timmy and Tommy, Isabelle, KK Slider, tree, and house Jibbitz charms. As for the Animal Crossing Jibbitz charms, there will be 13 designs available. Two are packs with five-each. One of those features the three Able Sisters, which are Mable, Sable, and Label, a striped shirt, and a backpack. The other has Blathers, Celeste, Pascal, a fossil, and a scallop. Those are $16.99 each. There will also be three sold solo. These are ones of the villagers Bunnie, Marshall, and Rosie. Here’s how everything will look: Images via Crocs and Nintendo Past game-related Crocs crossovers include Pokemon and Sonic the Hedgehog designs. The Animal Crossing Crocs and Jibbitz charms will launch on August 26, 2025. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is on the Switch. The post Animal Crossing Crocs Come With Isabelle and Tom Nook Jibbitz Charms appeared first on Siliconera .

Jul 8

Rekindled Trails Free Download (v1.0.0)Rekindled Trails Direct Download: On your journey, you’ll explore a world as beautiful as it is mysterious. Light your path with the help of the Flame and uncover diverse biomes and villages along the way. Venture into shadowy mines, enchanted forests, desolate deserts and uncover new mysteries at every step. During your journey, you’ll gather […] The post Rekindled Trails Free Download (v1.0.0) first appeared on WorldofPCGames .

Jul 3

Donkey Kong Bananza Preview - Our Impressions After Two Hours Of Gameplay<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/26/e8c3362c/ns2_donkeykongbananza_scrn_25.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Donkey Kong Bananza" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /> Platform: Switch Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Release: <time datetime="2017-10-27T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">October 27, 2017</time> Rating: Everyone 10+ I already <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2025/04/03/tearing-down-walls" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="92715d04-480f-41df-aec2-430bcbefadef" data-entity-substitution="canonical">got my hands on Donkey Kong Bananza</a> in New York back on the same day it was announced. Though I came away impressed by the level of destruction and exploration packed into the various areas, the short amount of time I played at the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event was not nearly enough to fully understand why I should be excited about this game outside of it being the first 3D Donkey Kong platformer in more than a quarter-century. Last week, I was given the opportunity to return to New York to play Donkey Kong Bananza. However, this time, I was given two full hours of hands-on time, and as a result, I emerged extremely excited to go bananas with DK later this month.Like my April session, my hands-on time with Donkey Kong Bananza began in the Ingot Isles Mines, which serves as a tutorial location. Here, I relearn to smash terrain in all directions, slap the ground to pick up loot and locate secrets, and collect Banandium Gems and gold wherever I can find it. It also reminded me of the impressive level of destruction at play in Donkey Kong Bananza; I loved punching through every kind of terrain to forge new paths and unearth various collectibles. Plus, it's just so super satisfying to smash through walls with DK's fists. Though I'm afforded some exploration in the mines, I'm eager to see areas I haven't seen before, so I run towards the giant Banandium Gem at the end of the area and kickstart the main story. <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/27/a38d1f03/switch2_dkb_media-broll_scrn_05.jpg" alt="Donkey Kong Bananza" title="Donkey Kong Bananza" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default"> Following that reintroduction to Bananza in the Ingot Isles Mines, my time with the game took me to three main areas: the Lagoon Layer, the Canyon Layer, and the Forest Layer. Lagoon Layer was comprised of SL100 and SL101 (numbers seemingly indicating the areas' progression within the game). It featured several pillars that I needed to destroy in order to unplug the water. With each destroyed pillar, the water level rose, opening access to new areas. This felt similar to Wet-Dry World in Super Mario 64, except it seems like the water only rises as you destroy more pillars. While there, I also unlocked the first of DK's transformations: the Kong Bananza. This powered up his punching so he could not only destroy enemies and objects that normal Donkey Kong couldn't without the aid of harder terrain, but also destroy other objects with ease. Not only that, but each Bananza transformation has its own vocal track from Pauline. Bananza transformations only last a short amount of time, but they are incredibly powerful.  This was particularly true as I moved on to the next area of my demo. <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/27/23e3a84f/switch2_dkb_media-broll_scrn_04.jpg" alt="Donkey Kong Bananza" title="Donkey Kong Bananza" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default"> Following an extended period in the Lagoon Layer, I explored the Canyon Layer (SL300), which allowed me to experiment with different terrain and offered a bit more vertical and underground exploration. It was here that the destruction really started to sing as I dug deep into the canyon in search of collectibles. Aided by the Kong Bananza's powerful punch, I started racking up Banadium Gems from across the map. As you hit certain milestones in your Banandium collection, you earn skill points, which can be used for upgrades to DK's health, punching power, and collection radius; they can also grant new abilities to Donkey Kong, like a skill where he can use terrain he ripped from the ground to surf across water or the ability to slam a chunk he's carrying into the ground after jumping. You can opt to use skill points to upgrade your Bananza transformations (more on that later). My time in the Canyon Layer culminated in a boss battle against Grumpy Kong. This employee of the dastardly corporation VoidCo creates a multi-terrain golem with a giant club made of rock, which he violently swings. After absorbing a few hits, I scurried to grab some apples to restore DK's health. I was tempted to use the Kong Bananza, but I wanted to do this as standard DK. I punch through a layer of softer terrain before realizing I could rip rocks out of the golem's body and use them as a way to break the harder material making up the body of the monster. In a "eureka!" moment, I decided to rip chunks out of Grumpy Kong's club, which, after a few rounds, reduced it to a near-harmless nub. After eating away much of its armor, its vulnerability point was exposed on the top of its head, and DK was free to beat Grumpy Kong into submission and defeat the boss. <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/27/6a2b4f1f/switch2_dkb_media-broll_scrn_13.jpg" alt="Donkey Kong Bananza" title="Donkey Kong Bananza" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default"> After moving to the final area of my session, the Forest Layer (SL-600), I realized that the easy exploration I experienced in the previous layers would not last. Poisonous lakes, thorny plants, and more aggressive enemies littered the Forest Layer, making for plenty of challenge. Thankfully, in this final session, I could utilize the Ostrich Bananza, which allows DK to transform into a bird-like hybrid and glide for a limited time. I was surprised by how short his flight is, but you can upgrade that using skill points. During this section of my demo, I used a skill point to unlock a move where DK can drop egg bombs while in his Ostrich Bananza form. During my hands-on time, I completed various Challenge Courses and Battle Courses, two types of sectioned-off rooms you discover throughout the explorable areas of Donkey Kong Bananza. These curated challenges offered puzzles, platforming obstacle courses, timed combat scenarios, and even barrel-blasting exploration. Whether I was precariously navigating around thorny vines, avoiding moving walls while hanging from a grate and climbing, or defeating a group of enemies before time expired, I eagerly looked forward to each new challenge room. And since they offer optional Banandium Gems for completing optional tasks or finding hidden areas, it seems like you'll have plenty of reason to spend extra time or replay these fun rooms. <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/27/9d419d65/switch2_dkb_media-broll_scrn_14.jpg" alt="Donkey Kong Bananza" title="Donkey Kong Bananza" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default"> I was perhaps most eager to play through a 2D sequence as shown in the <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/06/18/everything-we-learned-during-todays-donkey-kong-bananza-direct">Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct</a> a couple of weeks ago. These are mixed in with the Challenge Courses, and the one I stumbled upon threw a labyrinthine barrel course at me. This felt like a superb throwback to the Donkey Kong Country stages we all remember, but DK retains his complete moveset, including Bananza transformations. My primary concern with these stages – that, like other 3D platformers that incorporate 2D sequences, the physics wouldn't feel quite right in 2D – was soothed when I had the chance to run and jump from this perspective. I'm happy to report that it felt terrific in 2D, even given the limited time I had and despite the platforming I was doing not being particularly challenging.The only negative I can really say from my hands-on session is that the framerate really struggled to keep up with the action unfolding on screen on a fairly regular basis. While it's nowhere near as bad as some other games we've seen on the original Nintendo Switch, it's slightly concerning that the second major first-party title for the company's new, more powerful hardware can't consistently perform well. However, it is entirely possible that the build I played isn't fully optimized the way the launch version will be. <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/27/d37d051b/switch2_dkb_media-broll_scrn_10.jpg" alt="Donkey Kong Bananza" title="Donkey Kong Bananza" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default"> Before concluding my gameplay session, I participated in a brief co-op play session. The second player controls Pauline's vocal blasts, which can emulate different terrain, smash through walls, and even defeat enemies. You can control Pauline's crosshairs using the mouse mode of the Joy-Con 2, motion controls, or traditional gamepad controls. It's a more active co-op experience than either Super Mario Galaxy or Super Mario Odyssey. However, it still feels more like a fun way to incorporate a less-experienced player into the fun rather than a destination mode.Midway through my demo, I felt a strong sense of excitement overtake my mind. I was still focusing on the gameplay, but I was more looking forward to the long nights I will inevitably spend exploring the many layers and biomes with Donkey Kong and Pauline when Donkey Kong Bananza arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17.

Jul 1

Val Kilmer’s Best Role Predicted Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Feud With Taylor Sheridan 32 Years Back Kevin Costner’s departure from Yellowstone was no mere hiccup in a TV series; it was probably the chapter written long before the cameras rolled on the Dutton ranch. Believe it or not, if you think this is just a casual creative disagreement, you’re missing the forest for the trees. Over thirty years ago, Val Kilmer’s […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

Jul 1

April Grove Can Be Quite Soothing Colorgrave’s made a point of bringing the Game Boy Color aesthetic back to gaming, thanks to titles like Curse Crackers , Prodigal, and Veritus , and April Grove is the latest endeavor to utilize that screen size and palette. It’s also a more relaxed type of game. At first site, I admit I hoped it would provide the same sort of outdoor experience as maybe the original Survival Kids , especially after the Switch 2 take felt disappointing. This game is generally fine, but I feel it is best as a way to decompress after a long day for a few minutes and calm my mind rather than actually engage with in a serious way. If you play in small doses, it’s easier to deal with the more tedious elements. April Grove begins with our character, a new forester, heading to assist the goddess April with maintaining her forest. The goal feels like responsible forest stewardship. We’ll be cutting enough wood for people’s needs, but not in a way that tears down a majestic habitat. It strikes me a bit as forestation. You benefit and get more opportunities to be better in your new role. However, you’re also not getting to diversify and do anything else. But since it is only $3, it’s understandable for an occasional timesink. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk8YR2iVzEU The core gameplay loop revolves around acting as the area’s resident woodcutter. You cut down trees. If you get good at it, you’ll level up. That means you can cut down new and different types. As you might guess, this can get monotonous. Since there’s no farm or real means of profit and crafting tied to this. You cut down logs. These are sold. You can then buy cosmetics. The downside is, this gets incredibly repetitive. Rewards for getting good involve being able to buy meals to ensure you’re stronger when you cut, you get equipment, and maybe you change your look. April will eventually let you into new areas. But the people in the town around you aren’t all that interesting, even though their character designs are great, I didn’t feel all that interested in the items I could spend money on, and it isn’t compelling in the way other life sims that involve woodcutting are. Like Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time ? Still the best 2025 game in which cutting down trees is a major gameplay element. Images via Colorgrave It ends up coming down to April Grove being pleasant, in its way, and quite pretty, but a little aimless. I wouldn’t say it’s a game to completely avoid. I’d say I enjoyed about the three hours I’ve played so far. It’s a budget title at only $2.99, so it isn’t some grand simulation about forestry and a life as a woodcutter. (Again, that’s Fantasy Life i .) I feel it’s more about winding down and taking a moment to chop down some trees for 15-30 minutes, calming down and enjoying the ambiance as you do. April Grove is available on PCs via Steam . The post April Grove Can Be Quite Soothing appeared first on Siliconera .

Jun 29

James Franco’s 2013 Film Is Fun Until You Remember What the Sequel Did to Your Childhood When you think of childhood movies, The Wizard of Oz is probably one of the first that comes to mind. It had a magical forest, the poppy field, and the flying monkeys—what more could a kid want? But let’s be real: for all its charm and color, that movie had some moments that seriously messed […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

Jun 27

Every Statue in Kingdom Two Crowns: What They Do and Where to Find Them Kingdom Two Crowns is one of the many games in Raw Fury’s Kingdom series of video games and is a delightful pixel art adventure. Much of the game has the player exploring areas to uncover new secrets, many of which include the Statues. Statues are always found within forests and are almost always covered in moss, […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

Jun 25

Katy Perry vs Orlando Bloom Net Worth Comparison: Who Is Richer After Their Alleged Breakup? Sometimes, love stories don’t just unravel; they unravel with the subtle grace of a wildfire in a dry forest. As the saying goes, even the brightest stars can flicker under pressure, and Katy Perry’s 2024 has been a constellation of misfires. From her single, Woman’s World, turning into an unexpected joke, to the 143 album […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

Jun 25

Epic NPC Man: Nice Day For Fishing – ReviewComedy troupe Viva La Dirt League’s Epic NPC Man series has come full circle with the release of Nice Day For Fishing. Originally making its debut in 2016, Epic NPC Man started as a series of sketches that lampooned video game tropes. It was successful enough to spawn a crowdfunded film, a comic book, and now… a video game. But can Nice Day For Fishing stand on its own, or is it overly reliant on inside jokes, obscure references, and fan service? Story Central to Nice Day For Fishing is local fisherman Baelin, the lead character from the film Baelin’s Route: An Epic NPC Man Adventure. Like his fellow townsfolk, Baelin is an NPC from the fictional MMORPG Skycraft. Things go awry when a magical item causes all the player characters to disappear from the game. And no, this isn’t the fault of wizard Baradun, stop asking. As it turns out, Baelin is suddenly able to take on quests, so now it’s up to him to keep the village of Honeywood safe. In a world where monsters wreak havoc on a regular basis, that’s a big task for a laid-back character like Baelin, so our unlikely hero sets out on an epic quest to return things to normal. Fortunately for Baelin, many familiar faces from Epic NPC Man are ready and willing to help him in their own ways. Most of Nice Day for Fishing’s humor derives from callbacks and references to the sketch series. However, even with only our cursory knowledge of the series, we couldn’t help but chuckle at some of the jokes. Graphics A surprising amount of detail was crammed into Nice Day For Fishing’s pixel art. The environments are varied, and there are plenty of small sight gags to discover. The fish designs are varied and easily recognizable, despite their simplicity. The retro visuals make for a game that runs as smooth as you’d expect, with a steady frame rate. Sound Given how close the people from Viva La Dirt League were involved with the development of Nice Day For Fishing, we feel like a huge opportunity was missed by not having the game fully voiced. The characters do all get short voice blurbs, but unless you can actively hear the line deliveries in your head from having watched the sketches, a lot of the humor falls flat. Line delivery is important! The soundtrack comprises the kind of cliché medieval tunes you’d expect from a low-budget YouTube sketch comedy series, which is unsurprisingly very fitting. That said, the transition from combat music to overworld music is abrupt and jarring. Gameplay Fishing mechanics are a common sight in RPGs, but typically in the form of a minigame instead of a fully fleshed-out gameplay element. That’s not the case here, but with a title like Nice Day For Fishing, it’s not exactly surprising that fishing is the central mechanic. The game is still unmistakably an RPG, albeit one where familiar elements like combat and treasure collecting are tied to Baelin’s skills as a fisherman. The core gameplay loop is simple but efficient. You set out to fish and use your haul in order to restore and improve the village of Honeywood, which was destroyed in the game’s opening. Gradually restoring Honeywood gives you access to better equipment, like a treasure magnet and new kinds of bait, which in turn means you can fish more efficiently, rinse and repeat. New and more fleshed-out mechanics, like combat, spells, and traveling using water currents, are introduced gradually, making for a game that has a bit more depth than you’d initially expect. Catching fish takes more than just choosing the right type of bait and mashing a button to reel it in. Each fish has its own attack pattern, with later-game fish being a lot trickier to take down. Attacks from fish can be blocked and parried, and Baelin can rely on magic attacks and potions to take down trickier sealife. As you’d expect, rare and powerful fish are worth more and will net you bigger and better rewards. Apart from dealing with aquatic opponents, Baelin can also gather treasure by sticking a magnet at the end of his fishing rod and aiming for sunken treasure, although this is a fairly fiddly mechanic that often sees you miss your mark by the slightest margin. Things never get ridiculously difficult or complicated, but that makes sense here, as Nice Day For Fishing’s main reason for existing is to be a tie-in game. The game sticks to a handful of core features, and does flesh these out well enough. That said, there are a couple of features we’d have wanted included here, first and foremost being fast travel. The map isn’t enormous, but we still had to do more backtracking than we liked. It’s probably also worth mentioning here that there are some simple platforming sections when navigating the forests and caves that are found in the overworld. The tediousness of having to revisit the same areas over and over is likely intended as a jokey reference to the sketch series, but in practice, it wasn’t very fun. Despite all the backtracking, Nice Day For Fishing isn’t a very long game, and can be completed in a handful of hours. If your aim is to complete the fishing dex, then you can probably squeeze some more time out of it. Even then, the €19.99 price tag is hard to justify unless you’re deriving enjoyment from the humor and the references. Fortunately, there’s nothing stopping you from checking out the sketch series on YouTube before you decide to take the plunge with Nice Day For Fishing. Conclusion For what it wants to be, Nice Day For Fishing is a neat little game. However, if you’re unfamiliar with the Epic NPC Man series, or if Viva La Dirt League’s humor isn’t your cup of tea, then the game isn’t going to stick its landing with you. Like so many other tie-in games, you’re expected to be familiar with the source material in order to fully appreciate what’s on offer here. The core fishing-meets-RPG gameplay loop is enjoyable, but there isn’t enough here to make picking up Nice Day For Fishing worth it based on just that.

Jun 25

Chronicles of the Wolf launches today!Published by PQube and PixelHeart, and developed by Migami Games, Chronicles of the Wolf is a new metroidvania action-platformer that brings the legend of the Beast of Gévaudan back to life. You’ll play as Mateo Lombardo, the past apprentice of the ancient Rose Cross Order, who awakens in the forest of Gévaudan after his comrades have been massacred. Track down the Beast of Gévaudan, a monster drawn from real historical accounts that terrorised 18th-century France, to defeat it. On his journey, Mateo must travel through various places, solving cryptic puzzles to unlock new paths. Mateo will face powerful enemies along the way. Gain upgrades and power-ups to defeat them. You’ll have to explore, backtrack, and collect various items, armor, and weapons to unlock new abilities to progress. Additionally, a dynamic day-night cycle adds to the challenge. Chronicles of the Wolf offers 10-12 hours of gameplay, more than 150 enemies to fight, and a narration brought to life by Robert Belgrade, known for his work in the Tekken series and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Additionally, the game features stunning cutscenes and a haunting soundtrack composed by Jeffrey Montoya. On top of that, Bloodless from the action series Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night makes a special entrance. Dive into this haunting tale and reveal the truth behind the Beast of Gévaudan. Chronicles of the Wolf is digitally available for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC. Physical editions are available for Nintendo Switch and PS4 and 5. A free demo is now available on Steam.

Jun 24

New Shonen Jump Manga Kaedegami Starts Shuiesha started a new Shonen Jump manga series run, and Kaedegami chapter one is available worldwide. Both MangaPlus and Viz Media offer it in English. It’s a simulpub series from Jun Harukawa. , We will see new chapters appear every Sunday from here on out. Kou is a young man living in the woods near Shuraku Village when Kaedegami begins. However, his home life is interesting. After being abandoned as a child by his father in that forest, a masked Shenguai Chiyou named found him. Since she felt lonely, she started caring for him and helping him survive. Rumors in town are spreading about a malevolent Shenguai attacking people. When it comes to town and targets Chiyou, Kou learns some truth about the one person he considers family and makes a decision to help her even if it puts himself at risk. So the two set off on a journey to reclaim what Chiyou lost. This isn’t the only new Shonen Jump manga to start in June 2025. Harukaze Mound debuted on June 15, 2025. That’s a new series about baseball. Before that, we saw ones like Magical Girl and Narco Wars . Kaedegami chapter one is available now, and the next chapter of the new Shonen Jump manga will appear on June 29, 2025. The post New Shonen Jump Manga Kaedegami Starts appeared first on Siliconera .

Jun 23

Slavic Folklore Comes Alive In Chains Of Lukomorye, A Shooter Set In An Alternate Post-WWI Timeline<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/33f7bc58/chains_header.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Chains of Lukomorye Forge Ahead Games Cinematic Reveal Announcement Trailer" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /> Game Informer can exclusively reveal the first-ever trailer for Chains of Lukomorye, an action-adventure game set in an alternative post-World War I world intertwined with Slavic folklore. This trailer highlights the characters of Slavic mythology, like the massive black cat Bayun, the forest guardian Leshy, and other "names not spoken in years." There's no release date for the game yet, but you can <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3746310/Chains_of_Lukomorye/">wishlist it on Steam</a> starting today. Chains of Lukomorye comes from Forge Ahead Games, a small European indie studio. This is the game's cinematic announcement trailer, though it does feature snippets of gameplay that look promising. Forge Ahead Games describes the game as a haunting third-person shooter that explores love, grief, and the thin line between fate and free will. It also says the game will be playable solo or in online co-op, "as you descend into an alternate post-WWI world where Allied experiments shattered reality itself." Check out the Chains of Lukomorye reveal trailer for yourself below: <iframe width="560" height="315" frameBorder="0" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TSwdVStJyf8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay" allowfullscreen="true"> </iframe>"The ritual ended the war but cracked the world," a description of the game reads. "Myths seep into broken trenches and forgotten villages, and something ancient stirs in the dark. Journey through deserted trenches and enchanted ruins to rescue a lost love from the Slavic Underworld." Game Informer can also exclusively showcase the first-ever Chains of Lukomorye gameplay trailer: <iframe width="560" height="315" frameBorder="0" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tOb04lqqnLY" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay" allowfullscreen="true"> </iframe>Check out the screenshots below for another look at Chains of Lukomorye:  What do you think of Chains of Lukomorye's reveal trailer? Let us know in the comments below! <section class='type:slideshow'><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/122fb866/chain_forest.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/ba1ff221/head_vetryan.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/f54ba383/fantasyscreen03_fov90.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/5c399ce6/monsters02non_gameplay_1920.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/fff4c592/ww1_location_03_ui.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/a45fac82/wolf.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/5420917f/ww1_location_04a_ui.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/7593f2fd/runicstone.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/5d2b9dc3/fantasyscreen01_ui.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/18/db46a246/highresscreenshot00038.jpg'></figure></section>

Jun 20

99 Nights in the Forest True Story ExplainedLet's unravel the mystery...

Jun 19

The Forest Keeper Free Download (Build 17652597)The Forest Keeper Direct Download: Before you is a boundless scorched wasteland littered with the rusty wreckage of a past world. The ruins of cities buried beneath the sands hold dangerous secrets, and the roads are teeming with monsters. In this world there are no laws, only brute force and iron will. Take your weapons […] The post The Forest Keeper Free Download (Build 17652597) first appeared on WorldofPCGames .

Jun 17

Lumberjacked Free Download (Build 18342017)Lumberjacked Direct Download: Welcome to LumberJacked, a 3D incremental clicker game that takes place deep in a mysterious forest. Chop trees, collect the logs, and toss them into the chipper to earn cash. Use your earnings to upgrade your strength and efficiency, or sharpen your axe allowing you to cut down increasingly tougher and more […] The post Lumberjacked Free Download (Build 18342017) first appeared on WorldofPCGames .

Jun 13

Stardew Valley Creator ConcernedApe Gives Short And Sweet But Promising Update On Haunted Chocolatier<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/ceed320b/haunted_chocolatier_bakery.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Haunted Chocolatier Screenshot Stardew Valley update concerned ape" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /> <a href="https://gameinformer.com/2024/03/19/stardew-valley-16-patch-drops-today-heres-what-to-expect">Stardew Valley is still receiving updates</a> while developer ConcernedApe chips away at developing his next game, <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/haunted-chocolatier">Haunted Chocolatier</a>. Still, he's full speed ahead on the latter, and early this morning, ConcernedApe dropped a short and sweet but promising update about Haunted Chocolatier. "The world of Haunted Chocolaiter is larger than Stardew Valley," ConcernedApe writes on <a href="https://x.com/ConcernedApe/status/1932705089283895458">X</a>. Okay, we told you it was short... but it is also promising because Stardew Valley is a massive game. It's one people are still sinking hundreds of hours into each year. That Haunted Chocolatier's world is bigger than Stardew Valley is both concerning (for our time) and exciting (for our time).  While waiting to learn more about the game, read <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/07/05/haunted-chocolatier-feed-that-eerie-craving-with-what-we-know-so-far">Game Informer's exclusive interview feature with ConcernedApe about Haunted Chocolatier</a>, and then read about how he said <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/05/08/i-might-eventually-make-a-stardew-valley-2-says-stardew-valleys-creator">he might eventually make Stardew Valley 2</a>. After that, read <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/games/stardew_valley/b/pc/archive/2016/03/24/stardew-valley-review.aspx">Game Informer's Stardew Valley review</a>. What do you hope to see in Haunted Chocolatier? Let us know in the comments below! <section class='type:slideshow'><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/98fb1067/haunted_chocolatier_hunted_house.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/a54a20ee/haunted_chocolatier_fire_watch.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/1923e517/haunted_chocolatier_ingredients.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/ceed320b/haunted_chocolatier_bakery.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/fbca1c54/haunted_chocolatier_interior.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/e9cc663d/haunted_chocolatier_adventure_forest.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/ceadfd33/haunted_chocolatier_ghosts.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/c9ed0a98/haunted_chocolatier_snowy_woods.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/91e4f99a/haunted_chocolatier_bakery_interior.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/b769075a/haunted_chocolatier_stick_combat.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/50378116/haunted_chocolatier_burk_character.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/23807f80/haunted_chocolatier_screen_2.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2021/10/21/aa83c901/haunted_chocolatier_trailer_screen_1.jpg'></figure></section>

Jun 11

Review: Kabuto Park Can Be a Simple Bug-Catching Sim Kabuto Park attempts to capture a moment. It’s summer. You’re a kid. You have no responsibilities and very little supervision. There are bugs everywhere, but they’re friends and not fearsome. All of this makes for a perfect opportunity to obsess over the little critters and share them with your friends. While the result is a game that’s a bit short and is best played in small doses due to a simple gameplay loop, finding these little guys is still quite pleasant. You’re a young child who is about to enjoy 30 days of summer vacation. How? By catching bugs. Your new friend Midori kicks off August by introducing you to the joys of exploring places like a farm, a lake, a forest, and a swamp to find unusual critters. Once you do, you can level them up and battle them in a big tournament for cash and candy. Why? Well, it’s a way to spend some time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORNPGBfcHXQ&ab_channel=WholesomeGames Kabuto Park is an incredibly simple bug-catching sim. You start out with access to one area, then need to participate in battles in the tournament to earn enough money to upgrade the boots and reach new spaces. Catching involves a timing-based system, during which pressing the confirm button on a blue patch lets you move closer for increased green area catching opportunities. You start out being able to catch two bugs per area, with a tool upgrade increasing that, but since time doesn’t pass until you compete in that day’s tournament battle and there are only a handful of spots to search in each location, it’s not really worth investing in anything beyond a boots to reach new spots and guide to increase odds of encountering uncommon and rare bugs. Catching and battling are also rather breezy affairs. So while you can pay in-game coins for Honey to increase the green patches during a moment when you find a bug, I didn’t really find that necessary. As for battling, you basically watch as your team of three bugs pushes up against an opponent’s trio. The goal is for one side to push the other out of the “ring,” with the cards in the deck adding skills that can be supportive, defensive, or offensive. However, since you can see the opponent’s stats right away, it is easy to just… overpower them and win. Especially since there are certain bugs that are extremely OP, catching repeats of bugs means you can “sell” them for candy used to level ones you own up, and the early game bugs can be as good as endgame ones depending on your cards and moveset. For example, a Goliath Beetle is ridiculously strong, has a temporary buff card that keeps the team from being pushed back, and owns an incredible Overcharged Kick attack card. But then, all the rare bugs I found seemed to possess the best sorts of movesets and stats. Even if I tried to experiment with a Wind-based card deck, it just wasn’t worth it to deviate from my other lineup. Screenshots by Siliconera Easiness aside, I will note that another issue is that Kabuto Park doesn’t feel exactly perfect on a handheld gaming PC like a Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion Go. It isn’t optimized for a control scheme that only uses a controller. The mouse sensitivity and speed is too high, so it’s incredibly easy to overshoot with the cursor when browsing menus or making selections. Using the touchscreen is an option, but then there are some inputs where just tapping isn’t enough and you then need to press the A button to confirm the actions. I will say the fact that it is short, affordable, and easy meant I found it easy to appreciate other elements. The bug designs are quite cute. They’re stylized, but still recognizable. Especially with certain ones like an Orchid Mantis. I could use bugs I really liked or found strong, since they do remain viable for a long time. There are shiny bugs, just like there are shiny Pokemon, which incentivized the whole catching process and made me want to return to areas where I’d already found every critter. Also, while it can get a little repetitive, the fact that it is brief helps keep it from getting tedious. Kabuto Park feels like the type of game you play for about 15-20 minutes every day for a week when you need to take a minute to relax. It’s never taxing. The challenge is minimal. The bugs are cute. I doubt anyone will spend longer than a few hours 100%-ing it, but it’s enjoyable in moderation. Kabuto Park is available for PCs. The post Review: Kabuto Park Can Be a Simple Bug-Catching Sim appeared first on Siliconera .

Jun 8

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Preview - Slicing And Dicing<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/07/16afc712/lantern_festival_4.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /> Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC Publisher: Sega Developer: Lizardcube, Sega Release: <time datetime="2025-08-29T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">August 29, 2025</time> Rating: Teen Since its first reveal, I've eagerly anticipated Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. The combination of handing the <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2025/05/23/how-sega-and-lizardcube-pulled-shinobi-out-of-the-shadows" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="50058802-9567-4c97-8a9a-60931acd3b1c" data-entity-substitution="canonical">keys to a classic franchise to a proven indie studio like Lizardcube</a> (Streets of Rage 4, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap) and the utterly stunning art style had me ready to don the Oboro Clan shōzoku as Joe Musashi after a long hiatus. The one thing that could deflate my eagerness to jump into Shinobi: Art of Vengeance would be if it didn't play well. However, we don't have to worry about that, as after spending 30 minutes with a controller in my hand, I'm pleased to report that Shinobi: Art of Vengeance plays as well as it looks. The story of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance doesn't try to reinvent the wheel: an evil corporation led by an oppressive villain known as Lord Ruse has seized control of the planet, and it's up to Joe Musashi to put a stop to it. My quest starts in Oboro Village, the home to Joe and his clan, and the first stage in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. The peace of this serene ninja village doesn't last long after Joe says goodbye to his wife, as the ENE Corporation forces attack. Platforming and pulling off combos is a breeze, thanks to fluid controls and an appropriately weighted protagonist. Making my way through this first stage felt terrific, and even though most of the encounters were little more than thinly veiled tutorials for Joe's impressively large suite of moves, I relished in each slash of the sword. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance feels endlessly rewarding for creativity. Though the first combo I learned was punctuating a series of light attacks with a couple of heavy attacks, experimenting gives me more options to play with. This rewarding combo system only improves as Joe's move set grows. <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/07/11a2017f/bamboo_forest_dive_kick.jpg" alt="Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" title="Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default"> To start, Joe only had his sword and kunai (which are initially extremely limited until you upgrade how many you can carry).  However, as I progressed through the stage, I began unlocking new moves. Though you can use collected currency throughout your journey to upgrade your character with new moves, kunai upgrades, and a bigger health bar, the most effective moves in my hands-on time with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance were the ones I uncovered by progressing the main story.Through his Ninja and Ninjutsu stances, Joe can use a variety of powerful moves once they're unlocked. Holding a shoulder button lets me put Joe into a different stance, granting him access to different signature moves I unlocked during my gameplay. Shinobi Execution allows you to strike at staggered enemies, killing them and granting additional rewards after defeat. Later, I unlock Fire Ninpo, which blasts a fireball at a nearby enemy. There's also the Water Ninpo ability, which isn't an attack as much as a defensive ability that surrounds Joe with water and lets him parry incoming attacks. Finally, there's Karyu, which is from the Ninjutsu Stance. This move engulfs all enemies on screen, dealing massive amounts of damage. If these stance-based moves seem powerful, it's because they are. Thankfully, you can't just spam them; each one operates on a type of gauge or can only be used under certain conditions. For example, Shinobi Execution can only be used when an enemy is staggered after taking a lot of certain kinds of damage. The Ninpo moves use a dedicated gauge that charges when you attack enemies. And finally, Karyu charges when you take damage or collect Rage Orbs from fallen enemies. During my time playing, the moves feel appropriately balanced and not too rarely available.  <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/07/6f022acd/lantern_festival_2_fire_ninpo.jpg" alt="Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" title="Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default"> The first stage was extremely straightforward with minimal exploration, but it gave me my first test: the Ghost Samurai miniboss. This hulking warrior uses dark attacks and employs uninterruptible heavy swings to deal significant damage if I'm not careful. After taking a couple of hits, I learn his attack patterns and when to strike to deal the most damage. I blast him with a Fire Ninpo, land several combos on him, and deal enough damage to stagger him and open him up to a Shinobi Execution to put a bow on the tutorial stage.As I move on to the second stage of my play session, it's evident how little of the surface of Oboro Village I've scratched. The Lantern Festival feels like a true action-platforming stage, full of exploration, more intricate platforming, environmental puzzles, and more difficult encounters. Starting out in a swamp with platforms that lower into poisonous waters and various creatures to slay, the stage eventually opens into a stunningly beautiful village with floating Japanese lanterns, extravagant decorations, and fireworks. Oh, and tons of enemies. Thankfully, Joe Musashi now has access to Amulets, bonuses granted based on their type. Passive Amulets are always active in the background, while Combo Amulets activate once your combo level reaches a specific number. Thankfully, the combo meter doesn't reset based on elapsed time from your last strike landed, but rather the time you go between taking damage; that means you don't have to sprint to find another enemy just because you cleared the screen before any more spawned.  <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/07/4eaf4098/lantern_festival_1.jpg" alt="Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" title="Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default"> I also now have access to Ningi abilities, which are primarily for mobility and traversal. The two Ningi abilities I used were the Ninja Claws, which let Joe climb on special walls, and the Cannon Punch, allowing Joe to punch through certain walls and break enemy armor. These truly opened up the levels with a ton of new paths, and it made me want to revisit the previous stage, which you can do through the checkpoint statues, to see if there were any new areas I couldn't previously get to. I'm excited to see the rest of the moves you can unlock, as there are 17 combat moves, 8 Ninpo, 7 Ningi, and 4 Ninjutsu slots on the upgrade page.Working through the Lantern Festival stage revealed the challenges of the platforming and combat encounters; shielded enemies required me to carefully time my dodges to get around back, while archers proved to be the bane of my existence as I sometimes didn't even know they were around until the marker appeared by me indicating they were about to rain an arrow down. These new enemy types required me to think differently about how I approached each group of baddies, and I can't wait to see what other challenges await in the final version. <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/07/3b40a543/lantern_festival_3.jpg" alt="Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" title="Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default"> Shinobi: Art of Vengeance was already one of the most promising games of 2025, but after getting my hands on this early build, my interest in the title has skyrocketed. If what I played is any indication, Lizardcube and Sega clearly understood what makes a great 2D action game and a great Shinobi game more than a decade after the last all-new entry. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance arrives on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC on August 29. To go behind the scenes and learn about the making of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, head <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2025/05/23/how-sega-and-lizardcube-pulled-shinobi-out-of-the-shadows" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="50058802-9567-4c97-8a9a-60931acd3b1c" data-entity-substitution="canonical">here</a>.

Jun 7

Epic Games Store Mystery Games for June 5 Leaked: Deathloop and Ogu and the Secret ForestThe next free games for the June 5 giveaway in Epic Games Store Mega Sale 2025 may have leaked early, thanks to trusted insider billbil-kun. According to the reliable leaker,… The post Epic Games Store Mystery Games for June 5 Leaked: Deathloop and Ogu and the Secret Forest appeared first on TwistedVoxel .

Jun 5

The ForestAs the lone survivor of a passenger jet crash, you find yourself in a mysterious forest battling to stay alive against a society of cannibalistic mutants. Build, explore, survive in this terrifying first person survival horror simulator.