Month: April 2025

April 26 marked the first anniversary of Manor Lords’ launch in early access. To celebrate this milestone, developer Slavic Magic unveiled a variety of features and updates currently in development, such as enhancements to AI and user interface, camera improvements, and new building types. These additions are expected to roll out before the game exits early access.

Manor Lords quickly established itself as a remarkable success, selling over 1 million copies on its first day and surpassing 3 million units in lifetime sales by February 2025. Its unique combination of city-building and real-time strategy elements, all underscored by a strong emphasis on realism, has attracted a dedicated fan base. Slavic Magic has also kept the momentum going with substantial updates.

Interestingly, publisher Hooded Horse encouraged fans not to feel rushed to purchase the game at launch, a rare move in the industry. Reflecting on this significant anniversary, Polish developer Grzegorz Styczeń provided a detailed status update on several features in active development. Among them is a new “Records” feature that will track regional consumption and production.

Additionally, the approval system is being revamped to reduce volatility in a player’s public rating, placing greater importance on recent events over past occurrences. Another noteworthy update is the introduction of an upkeep system, which will impose a monetary cost on running various buildings, enhancing the game’s realism. Furthermore, two new building types, quarries and lime kilns, are under development.

Quarries will provide a constant stone supply, while lime kilns will produce lime essential for advanced stone construction. Additional updates in progress include improvements to AI for village building, a records view for production data, and a rework of the progression system. These changes reflect Slavic Magic’s commitment to enhancing gameplay and visual consistency, propelled by the studio’s growth to at least eight permanent employees thanks to the game’s success.

A new mod for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been released, enhancing dodge and parry timings to different extents. This mod is compatible with the Steam, Epic Games Store, and PC Game Pass versions of the game. Players can choose from three versions that provide varying levels of ease, along with a fourth version that increases the challenge. This dodge and parry mod is freely available for download on NexusMods.

The mod’s creator also provides clear installation instructions for Windows users to help them integrate it into the game’s file directory. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws strong inspiration from classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy and The Legend of Dragoon. In its captivating narrative, an entity known as the Paintress draws the number 33 in the sky, marking the departure of individuals aged 33 and older. Consequently, Expedition 33 embarks on a mission to defeat her and put an end to her reign of terror.

Following its launch on April 24, the game quickly gained traction, selling over 500,000 copies across various platforms and receiving a remarkable score of 92 on OpenCritic, making it the top-rated game of 2025. Following Bethesda Game Studios’ surprise release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Kepler Interactive took to social media to draw comparisons between this event and the phenomenon called “barbenheimer” that emerged in 2023. Despite the game’s reliance on timed button presses for combat, the new mod by user Caites facilitates the dodging and parrying mechanics in the PC version. The mod features three options for wider dodge and parry windows, including a version called “True Expert” for tighter timing.

Caites highlighted that standard immunity durations for dodging range from 0.22 to 0.35 seconds and 0.15 to 0.25 seconds for parrying. The mod also allows players to extend dodge timings up to a full second with the “Even Easier” option. This increased leniency enables players to more effectively deal with status debuffs like Burn, especially when combined with the game’s automatic attack timing. While initial instructions focused on the Steam version, the mod is compatible with other platforms as well.

With enthusiastic player feedback and budding mod support, Expedition 33 has begun its journey on a promising note, hinting at the potential for future quality-of-life enhancements.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is currently available on Battle.net for just $19.99, thanks to a 50% discount. This reduction marks the game’s lowest price yet, providing an excellent opportunity for fans and new players alike to dive into the adventure. However, this limited-time offer is set to expire on May 7, making it crucial for interested gamers to act quickly. Additionally, players who purchase the game will receive complimentary Totally Tubular skins, which introduce retro-themed outfits for characters Crash and Coco that can be accessed after completing the first two levels.

The Spring Sale on Battle.net, which kicked off on April 24, features discounts on various titles of up to 67%. Notable highlights include the base edition of Diablo 4, now available at a 45% discount ahead of its Season 8, as well as Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Digital Deluxe, which is priced at up to 60% off. Fans of classic real-time strategy games can also enjoy a 50% discount on the remastered version of StarCraft. Despite a successful launch in 2020, with Crash Bandicoot 4 surpassing sales expectations, the future of the franchise appears uncertain.

The game has sold over five million units, yet there are rumors that a potential Crash Bandicoot 5 has been scrapped. These rumors stem from Activision’s shift towards focusing on live-service titles rather than traditional single-player experiences, along with concerns over the series’ perceived underperformance. Developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision, Crash Bandicoot 4 continues the beloved series, following Uka Uka, Doctor Neo Cortex, and N. Tropy as they plot an attack on the multiverse. Players are equipped with new powers through the acquisition of four Quantum Masks to aid them in their journey.

Recently, a dedicated Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) fan stumbled upon what appeared to be a “scalper stash” of Journey Together card packs at a Target store. After notifying the store manager, an employee was instructed to restock the shelves with the pack, allowing eager parents and other Pokemon TCG enthusiasts to purchase the cards. The Journey Together set has gained immense popularity, featuring fan-favorite cards from the Scarlet & Violet series, making it highly sought after in 2025. Despite the success of the Pokemon TCG Pocket mobile game, many fans still enjoy the traditional tabletop version, choosing to collect cards, assemble competitive decks, and engage in battles with friends.

The hobby continues to thrive, with new expansions and sets frequently being released. While GameStop has discontinued pre-orders for Pokemon TCG products this year, it remains a go-to retailer, along with others, for day-of-release purchases. However, fans remain cautious of scalpers due to the high demand which can hinder their chances of acquiring desired card packs. An image shared by a Reddit user, TheRisingPhoenix2112, showcased the supposed scalper stash, along with details of the events that unfolded after the discovery.

As the employee was reshelving the packs, many fans quickly gathered around to seize the opportunity, with parents purchasing packs for their children. Upon discussing this situation on Reddit, various users expressed relief that the packs were sold to fans instead of being hoarded by scalpers, while some raised concerns about potential intentional withholding by a Target employee. Several users noted that they successfully found Journey Together packs at reasonable prices, which led to speculation about whether the stash had simply been left in the aisle. The overall sentiment among the community indicates a mix of excitement and wariness regarding the potential for scalpers, highlighting ongoing issues with product availability.

To address these challenges, The Pokemon Company has recognized the difficulties fans face in purchasing products and aims to boost the production of new sets and reprints.

Brawlhalla has announced a collaboration with Star Wars for the upcoming “May the 4th Wave 2” event, which will commence on April 30. This exciting event introduces General Grievous as a new playable character, alongside a variety of fresh content, including the Small Theed Generator map, the Asgardian Greal Lightsaber, and a Death Star Hologram Orb. Ubisoft and Blue Mammoth Games have integrated General Grievous into Brawlhalla as part of a continuous collaboration that began in 2024.

Previous updates included fan-favorite characters like Han Solo and The Mandalorian, reflecting Brawlhalla’s tradition of crossover events with several popular franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Mega Man. In December 2024, Brawlhalla saw the addition of characters from Star Wars, such as Kay Vess, Nix, and Grogu, acting as skins for existing fighters and wielding their iconic weapons, notably lightsabers. The official Brawlhalla Twitter account recently shared a trailer showcasing gameplay features of the new event.

The video highlights General Grievous battling against other characters while hinting that items and characters from the previous Star Wars collaboration will also be available for those who may have missed them. While many fans have expressed excitement about the new content, some disappointment has been voiced regarding the absence of Yoda in Wave 2. Players, such as @ExileBH, have suggested Yoda should be a skin for Wu Shang, while others have expressed a desire for balance changes instead.

Nevertheless, regular monthly updates from Brawlhalla may address these concerns in the future. Looking ahead, after the May the 4th Wave 2 event, Star Wars enthusiasts can anticipate the “A Pirate’s Fortune” DLC for Star Wars: Outlaws, set to launch on May 15. This new adventure will follow Kay Vess and Nix as they join Hondo Ohnaka, unfolding after the main game’s storyline.

Overwatch 2 is set to introduce exciting Gundam Wing skins for several heroes, including Mercy, Reaper, and Soldier: 76, inspired by iconic mechs from the beloved anime. This collaboration will debut on April 29 and although skins have been leaked, official details regarding pricing remain undisclosed. The Gundam Wing crossover adds to Overwatch 2’s growing list of anime collaborations, which already includes notable past skins from One-Punch Man, Cowboy Bebop, and My Hero Academia.

In a recent collaboration, players enjoyed skins inspired by One-Punch Man in 2023, showcasing the adventures of Saitama. Following that, 2024 saw the introduction of Cowboy Bebop skins, based on the legendary 90s anime about space bounty hunters. The same year also brought skins from My Hero Academia, featuring looks for players based on Deku and his fellow heroes.

On Reddit, user -Elixo- provided a sneak peek of the upcoming Gundam Wing skins. Mercy’s skin will draw inspiration from the XXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero, while Soldier: 76 will wear the OZ-00MS Tallgeese design. Reaper will flaunt a skin based on the XXXG-01D Gundam Deathscythe, and Ramattra’s skin will be inspired by the OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon.

These leaks align with previous rumors about which heroes would receive new cosmetics in this crossover. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing first aired in 1995 and quickly gained popularity as the first Gundam series to be broadcast in the United States. Its plot follows five young pilots who take on the oppressive OZ organization using advanced Mobile Suits.

With the Gundam Wing collaboration arriving soon, players eagerly await more information on potential bundles and additional cosmetic items. In the meantime, the newly introduced Dokiwatch series features magical girl transformations for heroes like Widowmaker and D.Va, giving fans more reasons to customize their favorite characters.

Blizzard has unveiled details about player housing in the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion, Midnight, which is set for release between late 2025 and early 2026. Players will have the opportunity to acquire various housing items, including some that can be easily purchased from NPC vendors.

More specialized items, particularly those themed around specific factions or races, will require different crafting professions or may be obtained through the Auction House. Achievements from previous expansions will also play a role in acquiring furnishings.

For instance, players can earn rewards retroactively by completing tasks or achievements from earlier content. Notably, Blizzard has mentioned items like the Stormwind Hall Rug, which can be purchased after reaching the Revered reputation rank with Stormwind City.

Additionally, legacy raids such as Onyxia’s Lair will reward decorative trophies, like the Head of the Broodmother, once players achieve the “More Dots! (25 player)” accomplishment by defeating Onyxia swiftly.

Blizzard has taken steps to address concerns about the potential grind associated with collecting housing items. They clarified that the process will not require exhausting “transmog runs,” which can be tedious when farming for rare mounts.

Players can expect to earn their housing rewards through established systems of currencies and reputations. Meta-achievements from expansions like Dragonflight are also designed to offer decorative rewards, which will allow players to make progress before the arrival of Midnight.

Unique furnishings are also on the table, with items such as Onyxia’s head classified as one-of-a-kind decorations. This means players can only display one in their homes, regardless of how many they may acquire.

As excitement builds for the expansion, fans eagerly await Blizzard’s approach to a successful player housing experience.

Genshin Impact is set to release a new Chronicled Banner in Version 5.6 that will highlight characters from Inazuma. This banner will feature limited characters like Chiori and Kokomi, allowing players to select a 5-Star character or weapon. Additionally, the pity system from previous Chronicled Banners will carry over, offering a chance for players to obtain desired characters or weapons. With nearly a hundred playable characters in Genshin Impact, the game faces challenges in balancing Event Banners.

This has left many older characters underrepresented. To address this issue, HoYoverse introduced the Chronicled Banner, enabling easier access to beloved characters. However, players have expressed some concerns, primarily regarding the inconsistent scheduling of these banners. The initial Chronicled Banner was introduced in Version 4.5, followed by a second in Version 5.3.

While the time gap between the upcoming Inazuma banner and its predecessor is brief, the rotation schedule for these banners in the future remains uncertain, especially with potential Sumeru banners on the horizon. During a recent developer livestream for Version 5.6, HoYoverse disclosed details about the Inazuma Chronicled Banner. Interestingly, this banner excludes Yumemizuki Mizuki, the latest Standard character, which means players will only face Limited characters in their 50:50 pulls. Some of the featured characters include Ayaka, Ayato, Yoimiya, and Yae Miko, alongside Kokomi and Itto.

The available Signature Weapons are solid, with offerings like Uraki Misugiri and Thundering Pulse adding value. Alongside the Chronicled Banner, Version 5.6 will introduce new characters such as Escoffier, Navia, Kinich, and Raiden. Escoffier and Navia will appear in the first half of the update, followed by Kinich and Raiden in the latter half. As the game prepares to return to Mondstadt, there may be opportunities for future Chronicled Banners to feature characters from that region as well.

Version 5.6 is scheduled for release on May 7.

Bethesda has recently launched the first update for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, but it appears to have introduced bugs for some players. The hotfix was primarily intended to enhance the game, yet many users have reported issues, particularly relating to upscaling options.

As a result, PC gamers are currently unable to enable DLSS, a feature that enhances graphical performance. The announcement of Oblivion Remastered came after months of speculation, and its release earlier this week saw it become an immediate success, peaking at over 182,000 concurrent players on Steam.

This remarkable achievement is noteworthy, especially considering that the game has also been available through the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. However, the recent 1.9GB hotfix has drawn mixed reactions from the community.

Despite Bethesda’s assertion that the update would not alter gameplay, many players have expressed frustration over the reported problems related to game settings, especially the disabling of upscaling features. Additionally, some players are facing challenges within the game’s quests, particularly in the “Battle for Castle Kvatch” mission.

Many find themselves stuck as NPCs do not trigger properly after enemies are defeated. Fortunately, a workaround has surfaced; players can eliminate enemies in a different part of the courtyard, collect necessary items, and resolve the issue.

On a positive note, Oblivion Remastered boasts an impressive array of over 200 mods despite lacking official mod support. While console gamers may not benefit from this, PC users have plenty of options to customize their gameplay.

These mods include enhancements such as unlocking map markers, introducing new difficulty levels, and altering the game’s visual elements, providing diverse opportunities for exploration and engagement in the classic title.

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, an exciting armor perk allows Naoe to swiftly tag enemies and loot using her enhanced Eagle Vision. To access this perk, players need to equip the Cerulean Guise Kosode light armor, which becomes available after completing the Legacy Animus Project. As players explore the vast open-world setting of feudal Japan, they can discover special rewards and gear that enhance gameplay.

Each of the two playable characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows possesses unique abilities catering to different playstyles. The formidable samurai warrior Yasuke specializes in direct combat, while the agile shinobi Naoe excels in stealth and exploration. Naoe’s tools, including her grappling hook and Eagle Vision, give her a significant advantage in navigating the intricate environment and revealing hidden secrets.

Uncovering these secrets is crucial for Naoe and Yasuke to fulfill their quest to dismantle a nefarious conspiracy. As players eliminate elite samurai or explore the rifts in the Animus, they earn new gear that boosts character attributes and unlocks special perks. These perks can be equipped via the blacksmith located at their hideout in Izumi Settsu.

Recently, an engaging fan of Assassin’s Creed Shadows went viral for her creative portrayal of Naoe, capturing the attention of the community. One particularly notable perk requires players to complete level 21 of the Legacy Animus Project Battle Pass. Upon equipping the Cerulean Guise Kosode light armor, Naoe can efficiently tag enemies by pressing down on the right analog stick.

Additionally, holding the L2 trigger allows players to mark all nearby loot and hidden items, facilitating their exploration significantly. However, unlocking this perk necessitates the accumulation of Data Fragments, as both characters have dedicated Battle Passes that lead to exclusive armor without requiring real-world purchases. Despite facing some pre-release challenges, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has thrived, receiving positive reviews and achieving impressive sales figures.

Ubisoft plans to unveil the post-launch DLC roadmap on April 30, hinting at even more gear and perks for players to experience on their journeys across ancient Japan. Players will immerse themselves in a rich historical narrative filled with action, navigating the tension of feudal Japan as both a lethal shinobi and a legendary samurai. This adventure allows them to master unique playstyles, train allies, and develop a customizable hideout while pursuing their shared destiny.