Summary Although it’s expected that the bulk of a game’s content will be contained within the bounds of its main story, there exist many titles that bookend their experience with an end-game section that arguably rivals the core with regard to scale and scope. From genre-defining soft reboots to quintessential Nintendo twists on tried and true formulae, there are an extraordinary amount of video games that defer a great amount of gameplay and narrative content until its later moments....

Summary The Nintendo Switchis widely praised for its portability and convenience, making it a great choice for gaming while traveling. With a diverse selection ofengaging single-player and multiplayer titles, the Switch ensures hours of entertainment during users' downtime on long flights (or, at least, ensures a distraction from the cramped legroom and crying babies). The following games are perfect for passing the time on long flights, as they don’t require an internet connection to play....

Summary Mastery of the elements is a common theme forRPGpowers, and it’s not just limited to mages slinging spells, either. Plenty of RPGs use elemental magic as a way to augment attacks and introduce variety in what the player can do, and how they can control the battlefield. These elements all come with their own tropes: ice to freeze enemies, lightning to stun them, and so on. Still, some RPGs manage to shake up the formula and interpret these powers in unique ways....

Summary Fans of the HBO series can barely contain their excitement as season two ofThe Last of Usmakes its return in only a few short months. Adapted from Naughty Dog’s second game in the franchise,The Last of Us: Part 2, post-apocalyptic enthusiasts will be even more excited to learn that two of its game writers will join focuses yet again for the show’s last two episodes. After an emotional season one finale cliffhanger with Ellie realizing that Joel is keeping secrets from her, and she can’t trust him anymore,The Last of Usseason two can’t come quick enough for fans and many have recently even worked outthe actual release date for when its storyline will continue....

Summary Rockstar Games means a lot of things to different people. Some think about the open-world mayhem and satire ofGrand Theft Auto, while others remember the heart-wrenching stories of theRed Dead Redemptionseries. It is no secret the amount of work that goes into game development, but it is hard to even quantify the complexity of the biggest games from this publisher. The titles listed are not only complex in the way they were made - they also present gamers with rules and systems other games lack, forcing players to think about the experience differently....

Whether it be turn-based or real-time, tactics games are a rather unique genre that can be niche to many gamers. These games swap the fast-paced movement and quick reflexes that are often required in many action games for a slower, more methodical approach to gameplay. Tactics-based gamesemerged mostly in the 1980s on the PC platform, adding a new layer to the mechanics of traditional turn-based RPGs and strategy games. Factoring in aspects like resource management, unit positioning, and terrain-based effects, just to name a few; tactics games have a lot to offer players who are up to the challenge....

UPDATE: All TikTok services in the US have been restored. Original story follows. The wildly successful social media/video appTikTokno longer works in the US as of 10:00pm CST on Saturday, January 18.TikTok, the successor to Musical.ly, exploded in popularity during the pandemic, quickly becoming one of the world’s most-used apps. Hundreds of millions of individuals use TikTok on a daily basis, but unfortunately for its fans, the app has been a political target for years now....

Summary TheKingdom Come: Deliverance 2realistic combat is one of the game’s key hallmarks, since, just like the first installment,Kingdom Come: Deliverance, it has unique features that set it apart from other titles in the genre. Battles are slower and more lethal, requiring Henry to watch every move closely to avoid being caught off guard and knocked down with only a few strikes. For beginners, there are severalcombat tips forKingdom Come: Deliverance 2that can make the experience more engaging....

Summary Quick Links One Pieceisa very long ongoing series. Oda, the mangaka, has been taking breaks often from working on the manga, typically a week between every few chapters. Today, some good news forOne Piecefans dropped as it was finally confirmed that Oda will go on a four-chapter streak with no breaks as the exciting Elbaf arc continues on. Oda Set To Drop 4 Chapters in a Row Chapters Dropped On January 19, January 26, February 2, and February 9 For the last few months, Eiichiro Oda, One Piece’s mangaka, has been taking breaks often....

Summary It’s officially the end of an era forThe Simpsons, as the beloved mobile gameThe Simpsons: Tapped Outhas shut down.The Simpsons: Tapped Outwas originally released in 2012 and proved to be a hit on Android and iOS mobile devices. A city builder game that let players essentially create their own Springfield,The Simpsons: Tapped Outgenerated millions in revenue for EA and had a dedicated fanbase of players even 13 years after its release....

Summary Project GG, the upcoming superhero title fromPlatinumGames, has been removed from the developer’s website, leaving fans to wonder if the intriguing project has been canceled. PlatinumGames is well known for its stylish action titles likeBayonetta,Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance,andNier: Automata. Even before he helped foundPlatinumGamesin 2006, Hideki Kamiya had his own pedigree with classic Capcom titles likeDevil May Cry,Viewtiful Joe, andOkami. Under Platinum, Kamiya helped create high-octane titles likeAstral Chain,World of Demons, and the previously mentionedBayonettaseries....

Summary Quick Links All of us, at some point in our lives, have imagined living in our favorite anime world. Having a chance to live out a life completely different and even become the cool hero that everyone loves is no less than a dream. However, it is also important to know that not every anime world is as warm and welcoming, and it might actually be a horrifying nightmare living in some of them....

Apex Legendshas made some divisive moves with its recent updates, making 2024 something of a rough year. However, there’s one changeApex Legendshas made in the past year that Respawn shouldn’t rein in completely. Respawn has had some recent difficulties with givingApexthe means to keep up in an increasingly competitive sphere. 2024 was especially tough, asRespawn’s proposed battle pass changescaused a massive controversy among fans that spiraled into a general aura of distrust....