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Highguard Launches to Big Steam Concurrents, but It's Getting Absolutely Destroyed in User Reviews

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Highguard launched last night as planned, and met with big Steam concurrents but also a flood of negative user reviews. The free-to-play “PvP raid shooter” was the big new game reveal at the end of last month’s The Game Awards, but developer Wildlight then went dark until the game’s January 26 release date. Highguard hit a peak of 97,249 concurrent users on Steam — a significant number for any new game launch on Valve’s platform — but Wildlight will be particularly concerned by its “mostly negative” user review rating. Currently, just 32% of the 14,500 user reviews are positive. While some of the negative reviews revolve around PC performance problems, most criticize Highguard’s game design, and question some of the decisions made by the developers. Chief among the criticisms is that the size of the map feels too big and empty for a 3v3 competitive shooter. You’re able to summon a mount to get about faster (the mounts are one aspect of Highguard that players seem to universally l...

Ubisoft Developer Hits Back at 'Online Conspiracy Theories' Suggesting DEI to Blame For Company Issues, Suggests Creativity Instead Suffering from 'Big Business Syndrome'

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A former Ubisoft Osaka staff member has spoken out against persistent "online conspiracy theories" that the publisher's performance is being impacted by a focus on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives, rather than the company instead suffering from "Big Business Syndrome." Last week's major company reshuffle that saw Ubisoft cancel six games, close two studios and confirm layoffs at three more locations has led to a fresh wave of criticism online, and some commentators suggesting that Ubisoft was now suffering following a directive to increase DEI within its games. Last year's Assassin's Creed Shadows became a lightning rod for controversy surrounding the inclusion of its Black samurai protagonist Yasuke, a real-world historical figure whose prominence sparked a backlash against staff members working on the project — something that Assassin's Creed's former boss Marc-Alexis Côté was forced to fiercely condemn. Now, a staf...

Code Vein 2 Review

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The idea of an anime-style soulslike releases plenty of good chemicals in my brain, but the first Code Vein back in 2019 turned out to be just okay in my book. Like a number of Bandai Namco's original IP, I was intrigued to see that idea get another shot, which made me optimistic for Code Vein 2. However, with a middling execution of its open world and inconsistent gameplay qualities, this sequel doesn't necessarily improve upon its predecessor, and instead struggles to stand out in a somewhat saturated genre. Its story still compelled me through the 50 hours I spent to finish the main quest and all of the side content at least, but that time came with a lot of ups and downs. Coming off of From Software's Elden Ring (which Bandai Namco published) not too long ago, pulling up the map of Code Vein 2 had me intimidated and enticed in equal measure. A few hours past its opening act, I was able to grasp its cadence and scale, which thankfully wasn't as overwhelming as I...

Terraria's Bigger and Boulder 1.4.5 Update Is Almost Here, and This Teaser Has Fans More Excited Than Ever

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Re-Logic has dropped a new teaser trailer for Terraria 1.4.5 — now dubbed the Bigger and Boulder Update — which is set to launch tomorrow, January 27. The teaser for Bigger and Boulder — I see what you did there, Re-Logic — shows off "over 100 combinations and eight brand new boss tracks," as well as reveals character portraits (including the Goblin Tinkerer), new icons for auto-sorting things like coins, new furniture, and new Palworld and Dead Cells minions. There also seems to be a pre-hard mode Acorn Tosser, Slime Spear, Slime Whip, and Starcrash Whip, lightning strikes in thunderstorms, Boulder tiles, blocks, and chests, and more. Lots, lots more. Trailer in 24 Hours! Name of the Update is Bigger & Boulder! by u/StingingGamer in Terraria And no, Re-Logic doesn't even say that this is the last update anywhere — despite insisting Terraria had received its last update for years — but of course, with the team promising that crossplay will be "made av...

One of Sony's PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for February Has Leaked

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A reliable leaker has revealed Sony's main PlayStation Plus Monthly offering for February, more than a week before it becomes available. Boxing game Undisputed will headline next month's lineup, according to Dealabs ' billbil-kun, who says that the liscensed punchup title will be the month's main game available. So, while other titles are expected, Undisputed will be February's main addition. Undisputed is expected to become available on February 3, for PlayStation Plus subscribers across all tiers from Essential upwards. As ever, it should remain available for a month, until March 3. We'll follow up with February's other PlayStation Plus Monthly games whenever Sony announces them. January's PlayStation Plus Monthly games are of course currently still available to claim, including Disney's Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, Core Keeper and Need for Speed Unbound. Originally launched in October 2024 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, Undisputed i...

Magic’s TMNT Preorders Crash to New Record Low Price on Amazon, Just Weeks After Its Last Big Discount

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With Lorwyn Eclipsed now out, our attention will soon sharply be turning to the next Magic set of 2026, which is also the first "Universes Beyond" release of the year: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles . And, if you’re already sold on meeting up with cardboard versions of the Heroes in a Half Shell, their friends, and their foes, then good news - Amazon is once again discounting booster boxes, which are now down to their lowest ever price , and even lower than a previous best we saw just a couple of weeks ago. Now down to just $124.99, and containing 30 of your finest Play Boosters (each containing 14 cards), this is a certified $84.71 in savings compared to its original $209.70 list price. That's also just over $4 for each booster ($4.17, to be precise), which is more than a couple of bucks off what you’d usually pay when buying them individually. In comparison, the market price for these is still sitting around $139, according to data at the trusted resale marketpla...

The Best Deals Today: Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree, Tekken 8, Octopath Traveler 0, and More

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We've rounded up the best deals for Sunday, January 25, below. Don't miss your chance to save on these deals! Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree for $20.37 Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree was a surprise hit from Bandai Namco in 2025, featuring a brand new cast of characters and world to discover. Dubbed as Bandai Namco's first roguelite, this game features a unique mechanic where you constantly switch between two swords to replenish their sharpness. You can pick up a Nintendo Switch copy this weekend for only $20.37. Octopath Traveler 0 for $40.61 Octopath Traveler 0 was easily one of the most overlooked RPGs of 2025. This massive game packs in a huge amount of content, with over 100 hours required to 100% the game. In our 9/10 review , we wrote, "Octopath Traveler 0 asks you to stick with a 100-hour journey, and it rewards you with the kinds of moments only lengthy RPGs can pull off with its overarching story, an intricate turn-based comba...