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  • Spooky new Metroidvania Shadow Labyrinth gets a great pre-order discount

    Spooky new Metroidvania Shadow Labyrinth gets a great pre-order discount


    Everyone loves Pac-Man. The yellow ball of joy has been a staple in videogame history since his debut in arcades back in 1980, and after decades of spin-offs, formula changes, and other bizarre twists, it’s time to take things back to basics – of course, that doesn’t mean a basic arcade game, but a Metroidvania with spooky vibes and action-packed combat, right? Well, if that intrigues you, Shadow Labyrinth has now got a great discount before launch.

    While that may sound like a strange place to take the long-running series, when looking at Pac-Man’s lengthy history, it actually works quite well. Over seemingly hundreds of titles, the puck has been going from classic PC games to even taking a shot at becoming a great battle royale game, but Shadow Labryinth feels different, like a new step for the iconic character.

    In my mind, Hollow Knight Silksong is one of the best Metroidvanias, but I’ve been waiting on that for over a year. So, while the Hollow Knight Silksong release date remains elusive, Shadow Labyrinth is doing a great job of scratching that itch.

    In this action game, Shadow Labyrinth puts you in the role of a character lovingly called “Swordsman No. 8” as you explore a large maze (see: labyrinth) and fight plenty of monsters, as well as upgrade your abilities. Fortunately, you’re not alone in your adventure, as a floating orb called Puck (see: Pac-Man) joins your side.

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    Ever since I saw the announcement trailer, I’ve been enthralled by the idea of diving into this world. Call me basic, but I always love a premise of “this light-hearted thing, but dark”, and Shadow Labyrinth takes the very idea of Pac-Man and turns it into something new, yet familiar. In a wave of upcoming PC games, Shadow Labyrinth has got me waiting to dive into the halls of its terrifying maze.

    If you’re ready to explore this haunting take on Pac-Man, you can grab Shadow Labyrinth for just $25.19 at Fanatical. That’s a 16% discount on the game before it launches, and cheaper than Steam itself, so you’re getting an exciting new game to experience for a great price with this deal.

    While you wait for the doors to swing open on Pac-Man’s new adventure, make sure to check out the best PC games right now for something to pass the time with. Personally, I’d recommend grabbing a copy of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to sink your teeth into, as it’s one of the best RPGs I’ve ever played.

    You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.



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  • Nintendo Switch Part Deux – The TouchArcade Show #611 – TouchArcade


    Welcome to the latest episode of The TouchArcade Show! We were short on time this week so it’s a bit of a short one, but we really wanted to discuss Nintendo announcing the Switch 2. Yes, if you haven’t seen yet they’ve officially unveiled the Switch successor’s hardware in a new video, and it looks pretty sweet. There’s also LOTS we don’t know yet so it’s fun to kind of speculate what we’ll be in store for when it launches this year. Don’t worry though if the new Switch isn’t your thing, we also talk about a handful of totally random topics just like we always do.

    Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to [email protected]. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

    As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.


    Stitcher: The TouchArcade Show via Stitcher Radio for Podcasts
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    Direct Link: TouchArcadeShow-611.mp3

     



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  • A Ghost Story Hidden in the City feature – Grandis Adventures

    A Ghost Story Hidden in the City feature – Grandis Adventures


    In Grandis Adventures, some side quests are quiet, subtle, and filled with mystery. This short article introduces one such moment — where a ghost vanishes into the night.

    Inside the train, a silence lingers. The world outside is shrouded in fog.

    Train

    In the world of Grandis Adventures, some side quests aren’t loud — they’re quiet, subtle, and mysterious.
    This clip shows one of them. A player walks through the neon-lit streets…

    Where the track ends… something else begins.

    Train

    And then, just at the end-
    He disappears.

    Yes. He was a ghost all along.

    We’re crafting each side quest with story, emotion, and mystery at heart.
    More to come soon.



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  • Vampire Survivors dev is publishing a $4 action game, and it’s out on Steam now

    Vampire Survivors dev is publishing a $4 action game, and it’s out on Steam now


    Since it launched in 2021, Vampire Survivors cannot be stopped. Poncle’s phenomenal bullet hell roguelike is one of the most successful indies on Steam, amassing a 98% positive user rating from nearly 240,000 reviews across its lifetime. That’s for good reason, too, as not only is the core experience infinitely replayable, but a collection of updates and DLC have vastly expanded what’s on offer. Vampire Survivors is easily one of the best value propositions available on PC today, and now Poncle has another one for you. The studio is publishing the incredibly vibrant and kinetic Berserk or Die, which has a truly bizarre control scheme, and it’s available right now.

    You’re the last soldier left on the battlefield, and with enemies approaching from all sides, you’ve got one job: survive. Set on a gorgeous 2D plane, that’s the core premise of Berserk or Die from Nao Games, a new action indie game all about chaining together flashy moves.

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    This isn’t like Castlevania, Contra, Ninja Gaiden, or any manner of classic platformer, though, because in Berserk or Die, you can only move by attacking. Hitting the left or right side of your keyboard attacks in that direction, and the more keys you press at once, the wilder and more powerful your moves. That’s right, you’re encouraged to smash your keyboard to bits with as big a strike as possible. Once you’ve obliterated enough enemies your special gauge will fill up, and you can then shake your mouse and unleash a move that’ll wipe through all the enemies on the screen.

    With multiple characters to choose from, and an array of weapons to equip them with, you’ll have more than enough ways to keep gameplay feeling fresh. If you manage to survive until nightfall, you can then visit a lone peddler to sell your wares, heal your wounds, and buy upgrades. You’ll do all this to a soundtrack from Vampire Survivors composer Filippo Vicarelli, too, so you just know it’s going to get your blood pumping.

    Berserk or Die out now

    “Nao Games shares the Poncle spirit of making games that are immediately accessible, affordable, and a bit out of the ordinary; for fun.” Poncle’s Luca Galante says. “When I first met Shibata-san and played Berserk or Die, I knew this was a game that deserved to be seen and played by more people. I’m really happy we got to support Shibata-san and hopefully make that happen.”

    Berserk or Die is available on Steam right now, for $3.99 / £2.99. Just head here.

    We’ve also got all the single-player games and best PC games you’ll want to keep an eye on as well.

    You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.



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  • Updated Demo out now ! – Backpack Survivors news

    Updated Demo out now ! – Backpack Survivors news


    Backpack Survivors Updated Demo Announcement

    This new and updated version includes new systems such as Item Merging and a complete Talent Tree to unlock and discover. Also many Quality of Life and visual improvements have been added.

    Discover more than 40 weapons and over 180 items, equipment and relics.

    Check out the Backpack Survivors Demo and let us know what you think of it !

    We are very excited to have made the next step towards an Early Access Release and would love to hear your thoughts.

    Backpack Survivors Battle

    You can join our Discord to follow development, check out the Roadmap and share your awesome builds with others.

    Happy Gaming !

    Chris & Martijn
    CM Game Studio



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  • Is Dune Awakening down? Server status right now

    Is Dune Awakening down? Server status right now


    Is Dune Awakening down? While we still love single-player games, but there’s also something to be said for the chaotic joy to be had in multiplayer experiences – especially massively multiplayer ones.

    One of the few downsides that comes with playing with friends and strangers around the world is the instability of online servers. As a survival MMO, Dune Awakening could be victim to severe server downtime, so if you’re struggling to get into Arrakis, that could be why. Here, we’ve got the latest on maintenance in the crafting game, and the current Dune Awakening server status.

    An in-game message showing no Dune Awakening servers found.

    Dune Awakening server status

    The Dune Awakening servers will be down for maintenance on Sunday June 8 from 1am PDT / 4am EDT / 9am BST / 10am CEST. The downtime is expected to last for two hours, but develop Funcom says it will bring servers back online as soon as the patching process is complete.

    Funcom adds, “Please note that, for the first few days, we may patch daily and will try to stick to a similar maintenance time.” While the game launched into early access on Thursday June 5 at 7am PDT / 10am EDT / 3pm BST / 4am CEST, some players are having trouble finding any available servers.

    If this is the case for you, the game’s official X profile has shared some suggestions. The first is that Steam may have incorrectly loaded the day one patch. In this case, simply try restarting your game.

    Meanwhile, if you played the beta, you could still be connecting to beta regions, so click ‘Change Region’ to double-check you’re in the right place.

    The Dune Awakening server launch times for early access and release.

    Early access is available ahead of the Dune Awakening release date on Tuesday, June 10 for players who have preordered the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition of the game. If you want to get online early, you can upgrade your standard edition copy, or purchase one of these editions if you don’t already own the game.

    So, that’s the latest on the Dune Awakening server status. If you can’t get online right now, you could try a Dune Awakening private server. Alternatively, you can always have a go at some of our other favorite survival games, or peruse our list of upcoming PC games on the horizon.



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  • Ultimate Crystal of Atlan Class Tier List

    Ultimate Crystal of Atlan Class Tier List


    Crystal of Atlan is officially out, and as an MMORPG, it allows you to choose from a variety of different classes. There are five characters to choose from, but each one can specialize into at least two subclasses. We’ve been messing around with the game even before the official launch, and we’re proud to bring you our ultimate Crystal of Atlan Class Tier List.

    Crystal of Atlan Best Overall Class Tier List

    A Crystal of Atlan Class Tier List
    Image via TierMaker / Remix by The Escapist

    For this Crystal of Atlan tier list, we evaluated every character class, measuring their overall DPS, Survivability, Support, PvP capabilities, and usefulness while in a party.

    S-Tier

    Class Info

    Warlock
    The Warlock is one of the best classes in Crystal of Atlan as it’s excellent at PvP and PvE content with his spells, debuffs, and overall damage.
    However, once he transforms he suddenly skyrockets to the top of the DPS charts.
    Even with lousy armor, a transformed Warlock does insane damage.
    With so many tricks up his sleeve, we had no choice but to put him here.

    Scytheguard
    If you want a class that can do just about anything, this is the class for you.
    The Scytheguard is mainly a support unit, but she is great in the front lines, can do some great crowd control.
    She is also a great healer, which always comes in handy whether you are playing solo or in a party.
    She can’t dish out as much damage, but she makes up for it in almost all other areas.

    A-Tier

    Class Info

    Berserker
    If all you care about is dishing out melee damage and dominating the front lines, the Berserker is the class for you.
    Extremely powerful DPS, great mobility, and an absolute God at PvP.
    He’s somewhat lacking when it comes to his support abilities and can be outsmarted by a ranged unit.
    A great pick for a starter character.

    Cloudstrider
    Somewhat difficult to play, but a fantastic Class if you can master her playstyle.
    With the Cloudstrider, you can switch between all the different elements to take advantage of the enemy’s weakness.
    She is fast-paced, she can move around the battlefield a lot, and her moves just look amazing.
    She is great in PvP too, but she isn’t the tankiest character.

    Starbreaker
    Starbreaker does some devastating damage, and she is pretty tanky.
    If you get her in the frot lines, she can be an absolute beast with DPS.
    Her biggest problem is that she is slow. Her movement is slow, and her attacks need a second to charge.
    Because of this, she isn’t great at PvP, but in almost every other aspect, she is amazing.

    B-Tier

    Class Info

    Blademaiden
    If you position her correctly because of her puppet, the Blademaiden can do a lot of damage, maybe even more than other classes.
    Unfortunately, if she isn’t positioned correctly, she lacks a lot. She is not tanky at all, and she can be easily overwhelmed in PvP.
    If you’re playing in a group, she is a great pick for extra damage.

    Magician
    The ultimate support character. Unfortunately, there is definitely a learning curve when it comes to mastering the Magician.
    His abilities are super useful, and can save the entire party if done right. However, when it comes to dishing out damage, and surviving, he’s lacking a bit.
    Magicians are great at PvP and are overall a lot of fun to play, if you can handle their shortcomings.

    Bounty Hunter
    Bounty Hunters use their guns to attack from a relatively safe distance.
    If you like to play ranged units, this is the one for you. She excels in group combat but reveals her glass-cannon nature when surrounded by enemies.
    She is still a lot of fun to play with and is a great asset when in a group.

    Magiblade
    The Magiblade is a great class if you don’t want to be a melee but still leave a bit of room between you and the enemy.
    He is super easy to play, and a great pick for a first character. Unfortunately, once you get to the endgame, you realize that he isn’t amazing at anything.
    Decent damage, decent mobility, okay tankiness, but there are just better classes out there.
    Still, don’t sleep on the Magiblade if you like the combat style, because it can be a lot of fun.

    C-Tier

    Class Info

    Elementalist
    Under the right circumstances, the Elementalist is great. He can clear small groups of enemies and exploit their weaknesses.
    On the other hand, he isn’t very mobile, can get interrupted easily, and just isn’t great if there isn’t a group backing him up.
    If you don’t mind the squishy and stationary nature, the Elementalist is still a lot of fun.

    Gunner
    Gunner is great when she is in a party and casts her AoE abilities.
    Unfortunately, she lacks in almost any other aspect. She is too slow for PvP, her abilities aren’t varied, and she just can’t seem to catch a break with DPS.
    We’re confident the Gunner is going to get a major buff soon.

    That’s all there is to our Crystal of Atlan tier list. Have fun playing and don’t be afraid to try out other classes, even if we put them lower on our tier list. Check out our Crystal of Atlan codes for free rewards.


    The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy



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  • The Reports of Our Death Have Been Mildly Exaggerated – The TouchArcade Show #612 – TouchArcade


    Hark, a new podcast is afoot? ‘Tis true, and it has been A WHILE, friends. Ten weeks to be exact. How have you been? I love what you’ve done with your hair. How about this weather we’re having? Ok, enough small talk, let’s get into this latest episode. Eli and I discuss what the hell we’ve been up to for the past two and a half months, and spoiler alert: It’s nothing terribly exciting. Just damned busy and/or sick. We also talk about our latest retro handhelds. I personally am having a love affair with the Retroid Pocket 5, and also picked up a Miyoo A30 just as an extremely cheap and extremely pocketable option. Eli has to GBA SP-alikes, the Miyoo Flip and the Anbernic RGXSomething or another (their naming conventions are pretty terrible). Next we share our thoughts on the controversial reveal of the Switch 2 and finish things off with some good old fashioned VR discussion. Sorry for the long wait, but it feels great to be back.

    Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to [email protected]. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

    As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.


    Stitcher: The TouchArcade Show via Stitcher Radio for Podcasts
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    Direct Link: TouchArcadeShow-612.mp3

     



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  • As the Hollow Knight Silksong wait continues, try gorgeous new Metroidvania MIO

    As the Hollow Knight Silksong wait continues, try gorgeous new Metroidvania MIO


    With no more than a passing mention at the Summer Game Fest showcase, the wait for Hollow Knight Silksong feels more agonizing than ever. A week of backend Steam updates have raised anticipation to the max, and we’re tingling for news. There’s still a chance; the Xbox Games event on Sunday would be a reasonable place for it to appear, given its presence on Game Pass. But rather than waiting, why not satisfy those action platformer cravings with stunning new Metroidvania MIO: Memories in Orbit, which you can try for free right now courtesy of a just-released demo.

    Built by French developer Douze Dixièmes and published by Space Marine 2 studio Focus Entertainment, MIO: Memories in Orbit is the perfect salve to those Metroidvania cravings. It’s absolutely beautiful, captivating the eye from first glance with its detailed environments. As the eponymous MIO, a nimble robot that’s awoken in an abandoned technological ark called The Vessel, you must set out to attempt to prevent the ship’s shutdown, revive its lost memories, and discover who you are.

    The Vessel is a living organism that plays home to a range of diverse ecosystems. In true Metroidvania fashion, you’ll gradually unlock new ways to traverse the environment and access new areas – a grappling hook, wall clinging, gliding, and so on. MIO can enhance their abilities by scavenging components from defeated enemies or the world, offering a wealth of build options. You could employ your grapple to evade or wield it as an offensive lasso, for example, or sacrifice your shield to earn a damage boost.

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    With more than 30 enemy types to discover and 15 battles against the guardians that roam The Vessel, you’ll need to carefully consider how you adapt to each fight and counter your opponent’s strengths. It looks pretty magnificent, and now feels like the perfect time to give it a shot before the inevitable wave of Silksong hype actually crashes over us. A new demo has just landed on Steam, allowing you to get an early taste without spending a thing.

    The MIO: Memories in Orbit demo is out now on Steam. The full game is scheduled to launch in 2025. Head here to download it. Douze Dixièmes warns that its gentle looks belie a challenging game: “Expect to die. A lot!” The developer does note, however, that difficulty settings are included in the demo version if you’d like a less stressful experience.

    Alternatively, we’ve rounded up the best action games and the best platform games on PC right now to ensure you’ve got plenty of options.

    You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.



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  • What to Buy in Crystal of Atlan – Best Purchases & Spending Guide

    What to Buy in Crystal of Atlan – Best Purchases & Spending Guide


    Crystal of Atlan town with a view of a few stalls and merchants

    Screenshot by The Escapist

    Crystal of Atlan is the new free-to-play MMORPG that just launched globally, and everyone’s already busy learning the ropes of each class and getting to the endgame. Of course, being free-to-play doesn’t mean the game doesn’t expect you to swipe your card every now and then. Since you are reading this, chances are you are considering buying something in the game but aren’t sure if it’s worth it. We know the feeling, and that’s exactly why we made this what to buy in Crystal of Atlan guide.

    What Can You Buy in Crystal of Atlan

    Opal store in Crystal of Atlan
    Screenshot by The Escapist

    Here’s everything you’re able to buy with real money in Crystal of Atlan:

    • Vouchers
    • Opals
    • Phantasium Passes

    Vouchers are used to buy different packs and can even be exchanged for the Phantasium Pass. With Vouchers, you’re usually aiming to buy more than one thing at once. Vouchers range from $0.99 all the way to $999

    Opal is something of a default premium currency in Crystal of Atlan, and it’s used for buying individual items and other currencies. A lot of the stuff you can buy with Opals, you can get from Voucher packs. This is also the main currency you’ll use to buy Gacha pulls. There is also a non-premium version of Opal called Prismadium (it’s the same as Opal, only earned by playing the game). Again, the amount of Opals you buy ranges from $0.99 all the way up to $999.

    Prismadium Pass is the game’s non-recurring monthly subscription. You can buy the 15 ($2.69) or the 30-day ($4.69) pass. You can also buy Vouchers and redeem them for either pass while in the game.

    What Not to Buy in Crystal of Atlan

    A Crystal of Atlan Gacha page
    Screenshot by The Escapist

    Here are the things we think aren’t worth buying in Crystal of Atlan using any of the currencies above:

    • Batteries – Batteries restore your character and account stamina. You get these from random item loot boxes but, honestly, even if you could buy them in bulks, they just wouldn’t be worth it.
    • Revival CapsulesThe game hands these out quite often, and it’s better to save them, than use them. Most of the time, it’s better to just die and restart a mission if you’re struggling. The game is easy enough, so you likely won’t start dying until you reach end-game, and even when you do, it’s better just not to spend Opals or Prismadiums on these items.
    • Maltz’s Special Injection – Like with Revive Capsules, the game will hand them out often. Save them for really tough end-game bosses and even then use them sparingly.
    • Rank A Outfits – In the Outfit section, you’ll have a few Rank A Outfits that don’t cost a lot of money. Avoid these, unless you really like the cosmetic look. Outfits do actually improve your stats, and since you’ll want the best one, there’s no need to buy A rank outfits when S rank are available too.
    • Buying Opals for Gacha pulls – Crystal of Atlan gives you plenty of ways to earn Gacha pulls and Prismadium. Because of this, there isn’t a real need to spend money for extra pulls, when you can just use what you earn by playing to get them. So, just play the game a bit more, and you should earn more than enough non-premium currency for the Gachas.

    Things Worth Buying in Crystal of Atlan

    Crystal of Atlan Phantasium Pass
    Screenshot by The Escapist
    • Prismadium Pass – This non-recurring subscription is absolutely worth it if you’re planning to play the game for a good while. Firstly, it immediately gives you 150 or 300 Opal, depending on how many days you bought. Secondly, it gives you so many daily benefits such as: daily chests and daily Prismadium, an increases your daily energy cap, free Double Potions, free Abyss Runs, the ability to acquire skills faster, faster EXP gain, lower fees when using the Trading House, extra Gold gain, and additional Trading House listing Slots. The value is amazing, but only if you’re planning to play Crystal of Atlan daily.
    • Resource Packs – The Resource packs usually give you more value than the individual items are worth. The only problem is, you are usually limited to buying one of each packs. These aren’t super valuable like the Prismadium Pass, but are great if you were planning to spend a bit more money anyway.
    • Premium Adventurer’s Manual – This is Crystal of Atlan’s Battle Pass. As you complete daily, weekly, and seasonal quests you’ll unlock both free and premium rewards. This is worth getting if you are planning to play the game on a daily basis. We definitely recommend the regular Adventurer’s Manual. The Collector’s one is only worth it if you REALLY want the extra cosmetics.

    The rest is up to you. We hope our recommendation gives you a better idea on what you should and shouldn’t buy if you’re planning to play Crystal of Atlan. Have fun and if you haven’t decided on your class yet, check out our Ultimate Crystal of Atlan Class Tier List.


    The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy



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