Category: Games

Gamers are expressing a desire for the return of subcategories in Oblivion Remastered’s item menu for improved organization. The remastered version, released unexpectedly earlier this week after much speculation, has already gained significant popularity, with over four million players engaging with the game. While it features enhanced visuals created in Unreal Engine 5, many fans of the original 2006 title feel that some changes, particularly in the user interface (UI), have not been beneficial.

One notable aspect that has been missed is the categorization of items. In the original Oblivion, players could sort items by type, making it easier to locate specific goods. For instance, players could differentiate between alchemical apparatus and potions, streamlining usability.

However, in the remastered edition, all items are grouped together on the same page, leading to frustrations among players who find it more time-consuming to navigate. A post by an Elder Scrolls fan on social media highlighting this issue garnered over 3,800 upvotes, with many agreeing that reintroducing subcategories would enhance the game’s experience. Alongside these organizational concerns, players are also facing several bugs, including a significant issue in The Battle for Castle Kvatch quest, where Savlian Matius fails to recognize that enemies have been defeated.

Additionally, some Xbox Series X/S and PC users have reported losing their saved games, which has caused major disruptions, particularly for those who invested considerable time into their gameplay. Bethesda is aware of these concerns and is actively working on updates to address these bugs. A recent hotfix was released; however, it inadvertently caused new issues, such as preventing certain PC gamers from enabling DLSS upscaling.

Fans remain hopeful that these problems will be resolved so they can fully enjoy Oblivion Remastered in an optimal state.

Costco has announced a Nintendo Switch 2 bundle that will include the popular game Mario Kart World and a Nintendo Switch Online upgrade. This bundle is set for release on June 5 and will only be available to Costco members. Importantly, pre-orders are not an option, and customers are limited to purchasing one bundle per membership.

On April 26, Costco made public its plan to offer this exclusive bundle in select US locations. In contrast, other retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy had already started taking pre-orders for the Switch 2, although this process quickly turned chaotic with technical errors and long queues frustrating many customers. While some managed to successfully secure their pre-orders from Walmart and Best Buy, GameStop’s in-store pre-order system was largely effective.

Currently, Switch 2 pre-orders are sold out, but additional waves of availability are expected as canceled orders are returned. The upcoming bundle at Costco, according to social media leaker Wario64, is enticing for members. It includes not just the digital version of Mario Kart World but also a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership with the Expansion Pack upgrade.

As Costco membership is required, new members can join for an annual fee starting at $65 for the Gold Star level or $130 for the Executive tier. Each membership provides two cards, allowing members to share with a friend or family member. While Costco hasn’t officially listed a price for the bundle, by combining the typical prices—$499.99 for the console and $49.99 for the subscription—it would total about $549.98.

Wario64 predicts a potential $10 discount, lowering the price to approximately $539, which could attract more shoppers to the store on June 5.

Walmart’s pre-order page for the Nintendo Switch 2 was unexpectedly taken down on or around April 26, leading to confusion among fans. While some individuals reported successfully placing their pre-orders before the page was removed, the incident highlights ongoing issues faced by major U.S. retailers since the launch of pre-orders on April 24.

The global pre-order process began on April 9, with U.S. pre-orders initially delayed due to the impact of the Trump administration’s trade policies. These policies prompted Nintendo to revise its product pricing amidst fears of future tariffs.

Although American consumers were eventually able to attempt pre-orders starting April 24, feedback suggests that the experience has been anything but smooth. The abrupt removal of Walmart’s pre-order page does not appear to stem from heavy traffic issues; rather, the entire pre-sale landing page was taken off the retailer’s site, as highlighted by a Reddit user.

Currently, searching for the “Switch 2” on Walmart’s platform yields misleading results, primarily featuring third-party listings for alternate models. However, the listing for the Mario Kart World bundle remains active, albeit marked as out of stock.

This recent removal contributes to the perception that the Switch 2 pre-order situation in the U.S. has been poorly managed. Other retailers like Best Buy and Target experienced similar technical problems at launch, with many customers left frustrated.

Complaints also arose about the design of Walmart’s original pre-order page, which failed to provide crucial information such as queue positions or notification procedures. Additionally, users encountered issues with the anti-botting mechanism, which would often malfunction, further complicating the pre-order process.

The pre-sale period is theoretically set to last until June 4, just before the console’s expected market debut.

The popular Animal Crossing LEGO sets are set to retire by the end of 2025, with the majority of them scheduled to leave shelves on December 31st. Collectors and fans are encouraged to secure their favorite sets before they are no longer available, especially with new sets rumored for a Summer 2025 release. The collaboration between Nintendo and LEGO continues to flourish with ongoing releases like Super Mario and Donkey Kong sets, but the imminent retirement of the Animal Crossing line is a cause for concern among enthusiasts. Animal Crossing, first released in Japan in 2001, has become a beloved staple in the life-simulation gaming genre, known for its engaging gameplay and charming Villager characters.

The partnership that brought Animal Crossing into the LEGO world allowed fans to recreate the game’s wholesome environment. Unfortunately, this means that many treasured LEGO sets are now on the chopping block, scheduled for retirement. Currently, several Animal Crossing LEGO sets are available for purchase. This is a perfect opportunity for fans to create their own virtual villages at home.

According to insights shared by the LEGO community on Reddit, of the 12 released Animal Crossing sets, eight will cease production by December 31, 2025, while two others, including the Able Sisters’ Clothing Shop and Leif’s Caravan and Garden Shop, are set to retire in July 2026. Additionally, the Maple’s Pumpkin Garden Polybag set has already ended its sales in December 2024, marking the start of the retirement for that collection. While the current Animal Crossing sets are approaching their end, speculation surrounds new LEGO releases linked to the franchise, with new set numbers suggesting further developments. Collectors should act fast to acquire the existing kits before they are gone.

Meanwhile, the strong collaboration between Nintendo and LEGO continues to thrive with other franchises, ensuring that fans have plenty to look forward to in the world of LEGO.

Days Gone has recently received a significant graphics update for the PlayStation 5 and PC, providing upgraded visuals and new gameplay features. Originally launched in 2019 for the PlayStation 4, the game has undergone a dramatic remaster that enhances the player experience while keeping its core narrative intact.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Days Gone centers around the character Deacon St. John, portrayed by actor Sam Witwer. Players navigate a ravaged version of the northwestern United States overrun by Freakers, a type of mutated creature born from a global pandemic.

As Deacon travels through the expansive open world on his motorcycle, he encounters various factions and must engage in survival combat against both the human adversaries and the hordes of Freakers that threaten his very existence. The latest Steam update has enhanced the game’s visuals with advanced technology, including ozone and spectral light simulations.

These improvements bring more vibrant colors and better lighting effects, allowing for a more realistic representation of outdoor settings. Additionally, night environments are darker, increasing the tension and danger, particularly as players must remain vigilant for lurking Freakers.

The update also boosts shadow map resolution, enhancing details for an immersive gameplay experience. Moreover, the game now supports full haptic feedback for players using a DualSense controller on Steam, enabling a deeper sense of connection to in-game actions.

To fully utilize this feature, a wired connection is recommended. Many enthusiasts were already impressed with the graphics at the game’s original launch, but the remaster offers a fresh perspective that has left a significant portion of the community excited about the future of Days Gone.

With a rich story and diverse gameplay modes, players have plenty to explore and enjoy.

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.