Month: January 2025

Tekken 8’s greatest challenge is building on a fighting game experience that has been refined to close to perfection over the course of eight-plus years, without feeling like it retreading old ground or needlessly upending the foundation laid by its predecessor. Thankfully, it’s a challenge that developer Bandai Namco meets by introducing an improved fighting system focused on aggression, an impressive roster of 32 fighters, and one of the most rock-solid online experiences I’ve ever seen in a fighting game.

The main draw of Tekken 8 is the Heat system, which represents a new wrinkle to an already-satisfying set of brawling mechanics. Certain moves in each fighter’s repertoire emit a burst of white energy on contact which, in turn, activates an aura of that same energy around the character’s limbs. While in this state, characters can inflict more damage when blocked, gain access to a quick Heat Dash or powerful Heat Smash, and receive a few unique perks depending on the character. Claudio, for example, gets access to enhanced and powerful Starburst attacks while Heat is active, while Leroy can add time to his Heat meter whenever he uses one of his uniqu…

As I played The Solitaire Conspiracy, I couldn’t help but wonder what other classics of tabletop gaming would benefit from the treatment that the solo card game receives here. Story-driven checkers? Chess with hero characters? Mancala with a leaderboard? The latest project from Bithell Games reimagines solitaire as a means of espionage. And while the FMV story that frames each hand is pretty predictable, the mechanical ramifications of this conceit make for a fantastic take on the traditional card game.

You are an unwitting spy, kidnapped and put to work by Protega, an intel organization working outside the confines of any nation’s government. Protega is represented to you by Kinda Funny’s Greg Miller as Jim Ratio, your handler and constant companion throughout the campaign. Ratio tells you that you need to take down a mysterious figure called Solitaire, who has shut down Protega’s means of communication with their operatives out in the field. It’s your mission to regain control of this spy network.

Your spy work plays out through games of solitaire. According to the credits, the versions of the game that The Solitaire Conspira…

As part of the many Nintendo Direct announcement, Octopath Traveler 2’s free demo is now available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and PC. The demo includes the opening hours of the game, and saves will transfer to the full game after purchase. Come from Sports betting site VPbet

Octopath Traveler 2, the sequel to the 2018 Octopath Traveler game, launches on February 24. It follows eight different characters who all have different motivations and goals. Combat is turn-based with unique systems like a day and night cycle that affect which actions specific characters can take.

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A handful of official Xbox wireless controllers are on sale for great prices right now. Most notably, a few special-edition models are discounted, including the eye-catching Dream Vapor variant, which launched earlier this year. A first-party Xbox controller is naturally the go-to option for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, but it’s also a fantastic PC, Mac, and mobile gaming controller.

Xbox controller deals available now

• Stellar Shift – Special Edition (Best Buy) — $50 ($70)
• Dream Vapor – Special Edition (Amazon) — $53 ($70)
• Stormcloud Vapor – Special Edition (Walmart) — $54 ($70)
• Pulse Red (Amazon) — $44 ($65)
• Carbon Black (Amazon) — $44 ($60)
• Carbon Black (Walmart) — $44 ($60)

The controllers listed above have been discounted by up to $21, and some of the highlights include the gorgeous blue-purple gradient of the Stellar Shift controller, the mesmerizing Dream Vapor with its smoky swirls, and the very crimson Pulse Red controller. Like the regular Carbon Black controller–which is also on sal…