A Magic: The Gathering Beginner's Guide for Newcomers

I've said it a ton over the last few weeks, but interest in Magic: The Gathering is at what feels like an all-time high. With the recently released Final Fantasy Universes Beyond crossover set, new players that may have never picked up a card are now inching ever so slowly towards one of the most addicting and time-consuming hobbies around. If you're one of these people, or someone looking to dip your toes into the wonderful world of hundred-dollar cardboard, IGN has you covered with our Magic: The Gathering beginner's guide.

Where to Start Playing in Person

For newcomers, the best place to start playing in person is with what we call "kitchen table" Magic. No formats, no banlist, no meta, just good old fashioned vibes. Find a starter kit you like, grab a friend, sleeve them up, and jump in. These starter decks are great ways to learn the rules. I'd also highly recommend picking up MTG Foundations, as this set is specifically designed with brand new players in mind.

Now that you've learned the rules, found the colors you like, and learned a strategy that suits you, you probably want to move up to playing at a local game store (LGS) in your area. Your mileage will vary, as some stores' player bases favor certain formats over others. But for the most part, many LGSs will run the Standard format as their primary Friday Night Magic (FNM) event. To find an LGS near you, use the Wizards Event Locator to enter your address and distance you want to check.

MTG Formats

Every store is different, and not everybody enjoys playing the same formats all the time. Here's a quick breakdown of some of the most popular formats:

• Standard: This is the most entry-level 60-card, best-of-three format in Magic. You can use cards from the last two years, and cards will rotate out every Fall.
• Limited: Limited formats are 40-card events where you don't show up with your own preconstructed decks. The two options are Booster Draft, where pods of eight players will open booster packs and pick a card one by one, passing their pack to the next player until three packs have been drafted. Sealed is where you get six booster packs, open them, and build your deck from this pool.
• Pioneer: Pioneer is the next step up in terms of power level from Standard. This format is non-rotating, and only cards from Return to Ravnica to current sets are legal. No supplementary sets are allowed, like Commander decks or sets like Modern Horizons.
• Modern: Easily the most popular format among competitive players, Modern allows you to use cards from Mirrodin onward, save for Commander deck cards. Direct-to-Modern sets like Modern Horizons are legal, and are big contributors to the format's current meta.
• Legacy: Every Magic set is legal in Legacy, including Commander decks. This means it has some of the most powerful decks in the game, the most expensive, and is the most difficult to learn. If you're starting out, you likely will not touch Legacy any time soon, if ever.
• Pauper: One of my personal favorite formats, Pauper is essentially Legacy Lite. Every set is fair game, but you can only use common rarity cards. Many of Legacy's strongest cards are common, like Brainstorm and Ponder, so Pauper is a great format to learn when you're curious about these interactions.
• Commander: Commander is the format most new and casual players are familiar with. Commander is a format where up to four players battle it out with 100-card decks, where each deck is built around their Commander (a Legendary creature of their choice). You can only build your deck using your Commander's colors.

TCGPlayer Is a Great Place to Buy Cards

All Constructed formats have a list of banned cards to help balance out the meta and remove insane combos from their respective formats.

For the best place to pick up singles to round out your decks or find sealed product, I recommend Card Kingdom and TCGPlayer. These are the two biggest and most-trusted TCG vendors in the world.

Where to Start Playing Magic Online

MTG: Online

Magic: The Gathering Online has been around for years, and is a pretty good translation of in-person play to this online client. You can play every format available in paper, buy, sell, and trade cards with other players, and it's the best way to grind out games to practice or learn different strategies.

MTG: Arena

MTG: Arena is the most recent online Magic client, launching in 2019. Taking visual cues from games like Hearthstone, Arena is my preferred way to play the Standard and Pioneer formats - Modern, Legacy, and other older non-rotating formats aren't present on Arena. You can still do booster draft and sealed, however. Arena also has a handful of its own bespoke, digital-only formats. Aside from Standard, Pioneer, and Limited, here's what's exclusive to Arena:

• Alchemy: This is essentially standard. It has the same rotation schedule and relatively the same card pool. However, Alchemy versions of preexisting cards have digital-only mechanics that wouldn't be possible in paper, like Conjuring cards into your deck.
• Historic: This is a non-rotating format, similar to Pioneer, that leans way harder into the client's digital only mechanics. Conjure, Seek, and giving cards perpetual buffs or debuffs are the main draw.
• Historic Brawl: Brawl is a less popular Standard variant of Commander, and Historic Brawl is exactly what you'd expect: Digital-only cards are available to build your Brawl deck with.

Where To Go From Here

There you have it! Everything you need to know to start playing Magic: The Gathering both in-person and online. Whether you're the next best Pro Tour grinder or run the Commander tables at your LGS, there are countless ways to play and enjoy the most popular trading card game in the world. There are countless sealed products to buy and build your collection, and new sets are released every few months. For hardcore collectors, we've even helped track some of the most valuable cards to chase in the Final Fantasy Through the Ages collection. And if you're looking for great gifts for that special Planeswalker in your life or interested in some of the best MTG accessories and supplies, check we've got a guide breaking down dozens of my personal recommendations.

Magic: The Gathering Accessories and Supplies

Myles Obenza is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Bluesky @mylesobenza.bsky.social.

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The Best Deals Today: Donkey Kong Bananza, LEGO Animal Crossing, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and More

We've rounded up the best deals for Saturday, June 21, below, so don't miss out on these limited-time offers.

Donkey Kong Bananza Now Available to Pre-Order

This week's Donkey Kong Bananza Direct was absolutely bananas, and if you weren't interested in the game before, you probably are now. Bananza is set to be DK's biggest adventure yet, and this time, he's joined by a young Pauline. The two are tasked with heading to the very core of the planet, where wishes are supposedly granted. If you are looking for the next big game on Nintendo Switch 2, this right here is sure to be it. Donkey Kong Bananza is the best-selling game on Amazon at the moment, so be sure to lock in your copy to get it day one.

The Legend of Zelda Collector's Chess Set

Chess is more popular than ever, especially with the rise of digital games. However, nothing beats a quality physical chess set that you can play at home. This Zelda-themed chess set features pieces sculpted after Link, Zelda, Ganon, and more, with a total of 32 different characters and enemies. If you're a fan of The Legend of Zelda, this is an excellent way to add some functional decor to your home.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance for $24.99

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is back at its all-time low price this weekend! SMT V: Vengeance is an enhanced version of the former Nintendo Switch exclusive SMT V, launched in 2019. The biggest feature available in this upgraded re-release is the all-new Canon of Vengeance route, which is essentially 40 hours of new story content.

Save Over 50% Off This LEGO Animal Crossing K.K.'s Concert in The Plaza Set

LEGO sets nowadays do not come cheap, especially for those with a larger number of pieces. A few years ago, Nintendo teamed up with LEGO for Super Mario, and that has grown to include both The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing. This weekend, you can save over $45 off the LEGO Animal Crossing K.K.'s Concert Set, which is perfect for fans of all ages.

Super Mario Party Jamboree for $44.99

With the recent reveal of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, it's no question that you are going to want to save anywhere you can. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario Party Jamboree is set to cost $79.99, but you can upgrade from a Nintendo Switch copy for $20. This weekend, save your cash and pick up a copy of Super Mario Party Jamboree from Woot for only $44.99.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Out Next Week

After almost six years, the sequel to Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding is finally set to arrive this upcoming week. Following the events of the first game, Sam Porter Bridges is now tasked with venturing outside the United States, with both Mexico and Australia set as destinations. If you're like me and incredibly excited for this game, you can even purchase the deluxe edition to play two days early on Tuesday, June 24.

Crucial T500 1TB Gen4 NVMe M.2 Internal Gaming SSD for $75.19

Most of us can always use a new SSD, and this deal from Crucial is quite good. Normally priced at $144, you can score this Crucial T500 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD for $75.19 this weekend at Amazon. You can use this SSD in a laptop, desktop, or even a PlayStation 5 to expand your storage for games, media, and more.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii for $37.99

The latest Like a Dragon game stars everyone's favorite ex-yakuza, Goro Majima, on an adventure to sail the seas as a pirate. When Majima wakes up unable to remember anything about himself, he embarks on a quest to regain his memories, and of course, in true Like a Dragon fashion, things get crazy. This is the lowest we've seen this game so far, so be sure to pick up a copy while you can.

Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

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Duke Nukem Rights Acquired by Devil May Cry and Castlevania Showrunner

Netflix’s Castlevania and Devil May Cry showrunner Adi Shankar has turned his attention to the Duke Nukem series after acquiring the screen rights from Gearbox Software.

The animated adaptation creative lead teased his next project during an interview with Esquire. Although projects like Devil May Cry Season 2 are currently top of mind, it sounds like something based on the legendary tongue-in-cheek first-person shooter franchise is currently in the works.

“I'm being approached with different IPs and companies that want to work with me,” Shankar said. “I bought the rights to Duke Nukem. Not the gaming rights, but I bought it from Gearbox.”

Duke Nukem is an unmistakably ‘90s video game franchise that got its start in 1991, but it wasn’t until 1996 that it would find its FPS footing with Duke Nukem 3D. Although a laundry list of sequels arrived throughout the 15 years that followed, its 2011 entry, Duke Nukem Forever, was heavily criticized by critics and fans alike. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360-era title did so much to damage the blond, buzzcut hero’s reputation that there has not been a new Duke Nukem installment since.

Shankar is already cooking up ideas for what a present-day take on Duke Nukem could look like. It’s unclear if fans can expect to see an animated Duke Nukem show in the vein of Shankar’s other projects, a movie, or something completely different, but it’s clear Shankar is trying to put together a project of some sort behind the scenes.

"I don't intend on having anyone tell me what to do on this one.

“It's a middle finger to everybody,” Shankar said when describing his vision for Duke Nukem. “When Duke Nukem blew up, a bunch of people sat around trying to turn it into a brand, when it's just a middle finger. Duke Nukem can't be made by a corporation, because the moment a corporation makes Duke Nukem, it's no longer Duke Nukem. I don't intend on having anyone tell me what to do on this one.”

We’ll have to wait to see what Shankar has in store for the ‘90s icon. For now, no casting, plot, or release date details for the Duke Nukem show have been revealed. It's unclear how the recent rights aquisition will impact the Legendary Entertainment Duke Nukem movie reported on in 2022.

For a better look at what to expect, you can read up on his other Netflix projects. We gave Season 1 of Devil May Cry an 8/10 in our review, with Castlevania Season 1 earning an 8.1/10 from us upon its release in 2017. Shankar is involved in other Netflix projects, too, including the Castlevania: Nocturne spinoff series, an Assassin’s Creed series, and even an animated PUBG show.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

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Anime Rising Codes (June 2025)

Last updated June 20, 2025 - Added new Anime Rising codes!

Need codes for Anime Rising? We've got all the latest active codes so you can earn mythical fragments, tokens, and more. You can rely on us for when new ones are released and updates on when codes expire. And if you're not sure how to redeem codes, we have a quick explanation for that too.

Working Anime Rising Codes (June 2025)

These are all the current active codes for Anime Rising that you can redeem for a variety of rewards:

• DUNGEONREWARDS - 10 Quirk Tokens, 3 Arise Luck Boosts, 3 Summon Move Speed Boosts, 5 Class Quirk Tokens, 8x 1 Hour Quick Income, 5 Random Chests, 25 Mythical Fragments, 2 Altar Summons, 3 Shiny Luck Boosts, 3 Player Move Speed Boosts (NEW)
• UPTUESDAY - 10 Quirk Tokens, 6 Arise Luck Boosts, 6 Summon Move Speed Boosts, 1 Class Quirk Token, 2x 1 Hour Quick Income, 5 Random Chests, 25 Mythical Fragments, 2 Altar Summons, 6 Shiny Luck Boosts, 6 Player Move Speed Boosts
• THANKYOU - 1 Hour Break Orbs, 3 Arise Luck Boosts, 1x 1 Hour Quick Coins, 3 Shiny Luck Boosts, 5 Revive Scrolls, 1x 1 Hour Quick XP, 1 Class Quirk Token, 1x 1 Hour Quick Income, 5 Random Chest, 25 Mythical Fragments, 2 Altar Summons, 3 Player Move Speed Boosts, 3 Summon Move Speed Boosts
• RISEUP - 10 Quirk Tokens, 6 Arise Luck Boosts, 4x 1 Hour Quick Coins, 6 Shiny Luck Boosts, 5 Revive Scrolls, 4x 1 Hour Quick XP, 1 Class Quirk Token, 2x 1 Hour Quick Income, 5 Random Chests, 25 Mythical Fragments, 2 Altar Summons, 6 Player Move Speed Boosts, 6 Summon Move Speed Boosts

All the codes above have been tested as working at the time of submission. However, codes with unknown expiry dates may stop working at any time. Spotted a new code we haven't included or tried one only to find it's expired? Let us know by reporting them here.

Expired Anime Rising Codes (June 2025)

There aren't currently any expired codes for this Roblox experience but if that changes, we'll be sure to update this section with them.

How to Redeem Anime Rising Codes

Redeeming codes in Anime Rising doesn't require too much effort unlike some other Roblox games. Fortunately you don't have to reach a certain level or join a specific group. Here are the quick simple steps to redeeming them:

1. Launch Anime Rising
2. Press the green "Store" button on the left side of your screen
3. Then press the "Codes" button of a blue bird near the bottom right.
4. Enter your code here and press the blue Redeem button to get your rewards.

Why Isn't My Anime Rising Code Working?

If you're having trouble redeeming a code, there are two main reasons why one usually doesn't work. Here's what you need to know:

• The code is expired
• The code has been entered incorrectly

If a code is entered incorrectly or doesn't exist, you'll see a message that says, "Invalid code". To avoid running into this problem, we recommend copying and pasting directly from this article. Just make sure you don't accidentally end up with an extra space in your code when copying one. This is why it never hurts to double-check before redeeming a code.

Where to Find More Anime Rising Codes

You can always check back here for whenever new codes are added since we try to update as often as we can. However, if you want to search for Anime Rising codes yourself, there is a dedicated Discord server where they're announced. The in-game window for codes mentions each developer's Twitter account but they don't seem to post any on there.

What is Anime Rising in Roblox?

Anime Rising is a collector game that seems to be inspired by Solo Leveling. You can defeat all sorts of enemies and then resurrect them to fight for you. Over time, you'll amass a large squad of teammates to help you complete quests. Using free summons from the codes in this article, you can also get characters heavily inspired by other popular anime shows too.

Jeffrey Lerman is a freelance game journalist for IGN who has been covering games for over a decade. You can follow him on Bluesky.

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Parasite Testing Codes (June 2025)

Last updated June 20, 2025 - Added new Parasite Testing codes!

Looking for active Parasite Testing codes? We've got all the working codes for this Roblox experience, so you don't have to search for them. Redeem each one for rewards like credits to buy weapons or leveling up to access the armory sooner!

Working Parasite Testing Codes (June 2025)

Here are all the current active codes you can redeem in Parasite Testing as well as the rewards you'll get from them:

• 2KSERVER - 5 Credits, 5 Levels (NEW)
• 1M VISITS - 75 Credits, 25 Levels
• PUPPETEER - 5 Credits, 5 Levels

All the codes above have been tested as working at the time of submission. However, codes with unknown expiry dates may stop working at any time. Spotted a new code we haven't included or tried one only to find it's expired? Let us know by reporting them here.

Expired Parasite Testing Codes (June 2025)

The below codes have unfortunately expired and will no longer work. We've included them here so you know not to bother trying to redeem them:

• 1KSERVER

How to Redeem Parasite Testing Codes

Redeeming codes in Parasite Testing isn't too hard once you know where to look. Follow these simple steps to start getting those rewards:

1. Launch Parasite Testing
2. Interact with the laptop in the first room you spawn in. You can see it in the screenshot above.
3. Enter a code in the box that says, "Enter a code..."
4. Press the big green Submit button to redeem your code.

Why Isn't My Parasite Testing Code Working?

If you're having trouble redeeming a code, there are two common reasons why it may not be working:

• The code is expired
• The code has been entered incorrectly

If a code has been entered incorrectly or has expired, you'll see a message that says, "Not a valid code". In order to avoid this, we recommend copying and pasting the code directly from this article. As long as you don't accidentally get an extra space in there when copying it, it should work if it's active. We make sure to check and test every Parasite Testing code before we add them to this article.

Where to Find More Parasite Testing Codes

We always recommend checking our article here for up to date codes since you can rely on us to verify which ones are working. But, if you'd prefer to search for some Parasite Testing codes on your own, you can check the dedicated Discord server.

What is Parasite Testing in Roblox?

Parasite Testing is a Roblox experience that revolves around shooting eldritch creatures. A large red biomass will keep spawning parasites that evolve when attacking players. If you let them get too close, you'll become infected and have to worry about your teammates taking you out. Depending on the parasite type, you'll either respawn or can fight researchers while infected.

Eliminating creatures and infected players will give you credits and level you up. This will help you unlock new weapons for taking on tougher creatures. But you can also use traps to wipe out hordes of parasites via decontamination or electricity.

Jeffrey Lerman is a freelance game journalist for IGN who has been covering games for over a decade. You can follow him on Bluesky.

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Dune: Awakening Developer Is 'Formulating A Plan' To Improve PvP and Toxic Deep Desert Experiences

In its first Q&A since Dune: Awakening launched on June 10, developer Funcom responded to questions on what's next for its survival MMO, and in particular changes due to come to its endgame.

Funcom said it's "currently formulating a plan" to improve PvP in the Deep Desert, which players have previously branded as "toxic" due to griefing. Funcom has already patched out the ability for players to squish other people with their Ornithopter, but senior game director Viljar Sommerbakk also revealed the team was considering tweaking Ornis further, such as equipping them with rockets that "reduces overall maneuverability and max speed".

The team is also considering making Scout Orni rockets cost slightly more heat to fire, something Sommerbakk said would limit its combat usefulness relative to the Assault Ornithopter "while still allowing it to be an aerial threat."

"We have a lot of plans to address [players'] points about respawn times and revives," creative director Joel Bylos added. "Full loot is a decree that can be obtained via the Landsraad (so compete there if you want to make it a reality), there are control points in the deep desert already, we have no plans to reduce the DD size. As we work on the game, we will continue to work on making PvP more rewarding (I am sure you will note I am not being very concrete but that is because we are planning and watching how people are playing and finding the right points to address)."

Lead producer Ole Andreas Hayley said: "The Deep Desert will always stay a PvP free-for-all area, but we might consider adding other locations that offer factional warfare."

"We want players to make meaningful decisions about what they bring with them and how they outfit their vehicles," Sommerbakk continued. "Once players have engaged in PvP, we want the experience to be reliable, responsive, and clearly understood. This determines how PvP as a whole feels and how players make their moment-to-moment decisions in a fight. To ensure a more reliable experience in ground combat, we are continuing to address issues with movement desyncs and rubber banding, as well as ability activation reliability."

There's also some quality of life tweaks on the way, too, including named storage containers and vehicles, to help you differentiate, as well as "deposit/extract all" buttons for water storages and the like. We should also expect boss encounters as part of future dungeons as the team continues to evolve PvE content.

Interestingly, Hayley also teased that we could receive additional maps in the future, also.

"The Dune universe has a lot of interesting locations and worlds to explore, and we're looking forward to continuing to build on top of the foundation we have," he said.

Right now, there are no plans to make it easier to distinguish between NPCs and other players — "this is in line with the vision of the game" — and when asked if it would be possible to skip all dialogue and animations, Bylos said: "Absolutely not."

We gave Dune: Awakening a Great 8/10 in our review, writing: "Dune: Awakening is an excellent survival MMO that captures Frank Herbet’s sci-fi world incredibly well, mostly to its advantage and occasionally to its detriment. The survival climb from dehydrated peasant to powerful warlord of Arrakis is a joy almost every step of the way, and the story and worldbuilding filled this nerd with absolute joy.

"There’s still plenty for Awakening to work on though, as its combat never really hits its stride, the endgame is a bit of a chaotic mess not worth the effort, and there’s quite a few technical bugs yet to be squashed, but even these rough patches felt like tiny desert mice next to the leviathan shai-huluds that are this survival game’s wonderful successes."

Dune: Awakening has enjoyed a superb launch, with a 'very positive' user review rating on Steam. Within hours of going live on June 10, Funcom's survival MMO had clocked up over 142,000 concurrent players on Valve's platform, and hit a new high over the weekend of 189,333 players.

If all that's got you interested, make sure to check out all the Dune: Awakening classes you can choose from, and keep an eye on our in-progress Dune: Awakening walkthrough for a step-by-step guide to the story. To help you survive on Arrakis, we've got Dune: Awakening resource guides that'll help you find iron, steel, aluminium, and more.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

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Confused Nintendo Fans Spot Giant Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Advert Stating That the Game Is 'Out Now' — Sparking Hopes of an Imminent Release

A giant advert for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond at London's Oxford Circus tube station states that the game is now available, sparking confusion from Nintendo fans on their morning commute.

First off, if you've seen the advert yourself, no — the current London heatwave hasn't melted your senses. The advert, now spotted by multiple fans, really does say the game is "out now".

Officially, Nintendo has not announced a Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date other than a vague promise it will launch this year. But even if the game isn't out now, its appearance on an advert in such a prominent location is giving Nintendo fans hope its launch is right around the corner.

"Any idea why the MP4 Beyond ad in the London Underground says 'out now'?" Nintendo fan orchestar wrote on reddit. "I’m genuinely confused. Do they mean the Switch 2 is out? I wish the game was truly out though haha."

Fans have speculated that the advert is perhaps outdated — maybe Nintendo did initially plan to launch Metroid Prime 4 now, and the wording wasn't updated? Alternatively, we could be seeing a version of the advert not due until later, alongside the game's actual release date.

For other Nintendo fans, keen to play the game soon after many years of waiting, the advert has sparked hope of a surprise release. This does seem unlikely, however, with Donkey Kong Bananza firmly positioned as Nintendo's next big Switch 2 title.

IGN has contacted Nintendo for comment.

Now a cross-gen title for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to finally arrive at some point in 2025 after a long and eventful development.

Originally announced back in 2017, the follow-up to Retro Studios' beloved GameCube and Wii trilogy was rebooted in 2019, and development restarted by Retro Studios after an earlier version in the works at Bandai Namco failed to meet Nintendo's standards. Years later, with Switch 2 on the horizon, Nintendo finally gave the game a proper unveiling in June 2024.

On Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will run at 120 frames per second and offer optional controls that take advantage of the Joy-Con's mouse feature. It seems most likely to arrive at some point between Donkey Kong Bananza's July launch and Pokémon Legends: Z-A's arrival in October.

Image credit: orchestar

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

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Ghost of Yotei Director Reveals Efforts to Respectfully Portray the Ainu Indigenous People of Japan

In a new entry on Sony’s official PlayStation blog, Sucker Punch Productions' co-creative director Nate Fox shared more insight into the research trips the Ghost of Yotei team took to Japan. Following on from his previous PlayStation blog contribution (more on that here), Fox yet again emphasized the team’s commitment to portraying feudal Japan in a respectful way, this time focusing on the efforts they made to represent the culture of the Ainu.

The Ainu are an indigenous people from north Japan, especially Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido, which provides Ghost of Yotei’s setting. Their language, culture, beliefs, and traditions are distinctly different from the Yamato (also known as Wajin), the main ethnic group that makes up the overwhelming majority of Japan’s population today.

Ghost of Yotei is set at a pivotal point in the history — 1603 was the year the Tokugawa Shogunate was formed by Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan’s great unifiers, putting an end to decades of civil war. Edo (now Tokyo) became Japan’s center of power, ushering in the peaceful Edo period in which Japan’s culture and society blossomed. However, at this time, Hokkaido was still a wild, sparsely populated island home to the Ainu, its formidable winter snow and rugged landscape making it a tough place to live.

“When setting a game in Hokkaido we knew a crucial element was doing our best to represent Ainu culture in a respectful way,” Nate Fox explained. “Thankfully we’d connected with an Ainu cultural adviser before setting out on our reference gathering trip.” Not only that, but they were invited by the adviser to meet her family, which led to the Ghost of Yotei team getting to forage for vegetables in the mountains. “It was a lovely way to make new friends and start our journey in learning about Ainu culture. That night we resolved to put foraging into our new game, we wanted players to be able to share (our) experience.”

According to Fox, the Ghost of Yotei team spent part of their research gathering trip in Oshima Peninsula, the southern part of Hokkaido that is closest to Japan’s main island of Honshu. In the 1600s, this was the domain of Matsumae clan, who would be given exclusive rights by the Tokugawa government to trade with the Ainu living further north. Fox observed that there are signs even today of how the mainland Japanese people of this time rarely lived any further north of Oshima. There is a “proliferation of cherry trees on the peninsula, brought there from Honshu, yet uncommon in the rest of the island. That really told the story of how sparsely settled Hokkaido was in 1603 by the Wajin people,” he noted.

“We’ve tried to mimic that quality in the game, leaning into areas of wilderness between homesteads.” This rugged wilderness will provide a backdrop for protagonist Atsu’s quest to take revenge on those who killed her family.

Fox and the team also went to the Nibutani Ainu Museum with their Ainu cultural adviser. Traditional Ainu houses (called cise) differ from traditional Japanese houses. The museum trip “really helped us get a sense for sorts of objects we’d see in the game and how they were used.”

We can get a glimpse of the inside of an Ainu house, with its large central hearth, in Ghost of Yotei’s official release date trailer (around the 2-minute mark). The woman protagonist Atsu is talking to in this scene seems to be Ainu, as she has a lip tattoo. This symbol of beauty for the Ainu would later be cracked down on by the Japanese government in the late 1800s, after it had fully annexed Hokkaido (source: Embassy of Japan in the UK). By then, measures to force Ainu to abandon their language and culture and integrate into Japanese society were in full swing.

(As a side note, J.K Goodrich’s 1888 account of Ainu houses paints a first-hand picture of the contrast, and complicated relations between the Ainu and Japanese at this time.)

Fox also touched on the time that the Ghost of Yotei team spent learning about Edo period Japan, which took them to Nikko Toshogu, one of the shrines in Japan dedicated to the unifying shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, who kickstarted the Edo period. “While there we obtained a blessing for the game from the enshrined deity, Tokugawa Ieyasu,” Fox explained, adding that they proudly display the ema (wooden plaque) and omamori (protective charm) that they obtained from Nikko Toshogu at the studio as reminders of their trip.

Reflecting on the research trip, Fox explained that “while our version of Hokkaido is fictional, the feeling of authenticity we strive to create has roots in those real world experiences.” It will be interesting to see how Ghost of Yotei portrays the contrast between the Wajin/Edo culture, and that of the Ainu.

Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.

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Deals for Today: Nintendo Switch Power Bank, Death Stranding Vinyl, Skytech Gaming PC, and More

If you’ve been holding out for a solid deal, today’s lineup delivers some excellent finds. From a $12 power bank perfect for your Nintendo Switch 2 to a hefty Skytech gaming PC loaded with AMD’s latest hardware, there’s a little something for everyone.

TL;DR: Deals For Today

Vinyl collectors can also look forward to Woodkid’s emotionally rich Death Stranding 2 soundtrack, while digital deal hunters should check out the IGN Live 2025 Bundle. Eight well-reviewed PC games for just $22.

Hulu + Live TV Free Trial

Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial that allows you to take the live TV streaming service for a spin. This is one of the overall best streaming free trials because it gets you a bundle of services. It is quite a bit shorter than the standard Hulu free trial of 30 days, but it's a great way to test it out over the weekend.

Final Fantasy x Secret Lair

While boosters, Commander decks, and a new Starter Kit are up for grabs (if you can find them in stock), collectors will be most drawn to the highly coveted Secret Lair drops. Despite selling out instantly via Wizards of the Coast, these limited-edition mini-sets (Game Over, Weapons, and Grimoire) are still available through third-party platforms like TCGPlayer, though you’ll be paying premium prices well above the original $30–$40 MSRP.

Each set features beautifully reimagined cards themed around iconic Final Fantasy characters and spells: the Weapons drop highlights legendary arms like Cloud’s Buster Sword and Tidus’s Brotherhood, Grimoire centers on magic-wielders like Vivi and Aerith, and Game Over pays tribute to villains with cards like Spira’s Punishment and Meteorfall. All sets come in standard and foil variants, with Japanese versions available as well. If you’re considering adding these to your collection, be sure to check listings carefully and be prepared for markups ranging from $70 to $150 or more.

MTG Final Fantasy Chase Cards

It's insane how quickly these cards have climbed in value just days after release, and I can guarantee you (almost) that they won't be coming down any time soon. If you fancy saving some money ripping packs of MTG FF, just buy the card you want on TCGPlayer instead and save a fortune.

Where To Buy MTG: Final Fantasy

It's finally here, Magic the Gathering: Final Fantasy is out in the wild. If you got a preorder for MSRP, well played, but many TCG and Final Fantasy fans missed out. Fear not, there's still some options on sealed products available right now, including options from the secondary market with TCG Player which is around the same or lower than the pricing of big box retailers right now.

Pokémon Restock Updates

Checking these prices against TCG Player secondary market values, a lot of these products aren't far off the mark. Make no mistake, they're still way off MSRP, but finding Pokémon products on shelves that haven't been marked up past the point of anyone caring is a positive. Still refusing to pay over MSRP for new sets? Well played, I'm proud of you. Here's some single card highlights for you to shuffle through instead. Spoiler, there's plenty of deals to be had.

Destined Rivals Singles Are On The Rise (Again)

It's hard to stick a pin on Destined Rivals single card values right now, and the dips in value seem to match the little bits of stock distributors release to stores. Looking at the tracking charts for each of these cards, we can see mostly plummets from day one, then either upticks or cards for sale that exceed the original value at launch. It's crazy, but we now know how low these cards can go. Sure there's always attempts at market manipulation, but I wouldn't buy any cards on the rise right now.

The Most Expensive Pokémon Cards In Packs RIGHT NOW

We're not talking about vintage or out of print sets, all of these are incredible chase cards you can pull from booster packs available now. You can probably put money on their value going up as soon as their respective sets go out of print. If you don't want to spend mega money ripping open packs, market values on these single cards are quite reasonable for the most part..

Destined Rivals Sealed Stock

Wew're look to market values for Destined Rivals at the moment, seeing as big box stores are either fresh out of stock or charging over MSRP and what they're worth on the secondary market. So here's the full lineup to pop on your shelf or rip open like THAT Tyranitar. If you know you know.

Skytech King 95 Gaming PC

Skytech King 95 Gaming PC delivers serious performance for gamers ready to step into high-end territory without going overboard. Priced at $2,099.99 with a 5% coupon currently available on Amazon, this build features an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU and a Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, making it well-equipped for smooth gameplay at 1440p and capable 4K performance. It also includes 32GB of fast DDR5-5600 RAM, a 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD for quick load times, and an 850W Gold-rated PSU to ensure stable power delivery. The system comes preloaded with Windows 11 Home, built-in Wi-Fi, and even includes an RGB keyboard and mouse to complete your setup.

Iniu 10,000mAh 22.5W USB Power Bank

If you need a budget-friendly power bank for your new Nintendo Switch 2, this deal is hard to beat. Amazon currently has the INIU 10,000mAh 22.5W USB power bank on sale for just $11.87 when you clip the 10% off coupon and use promo code F4M479K9 at checkout. That’s a 56% discount off its $26.99 list price. This compact charger can fully juice up a Switch 2 about 1.5 times and offers three outputs—including a 22.5W USB-C port with Power Delivery 3.0 for fast charging, plus two USB-A QuickCharge 4 ports. With over 18,000 Amazon reviews averaging 4.6 stars, it’s a reliable pick that rivals pricier options like Anker. It’s also TSA-compliant and travel-friendly thanks to its slim 10,000mAh capacity.

IGN Live 2025 Bundle

Celebrate IGN Live 2025 with a Humble Bundle packed with critically acclaimed games, all while supporting a great cause. For just $22, you can unlock a collection of eight PC titles worth $239, including fan favorites like Slay the Spire, The Medium, art of rally, Old World, and Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator. Whether you're into strategic turn-based combat in Wartales, mystical adventures in Black Book, or fast-paced action in Bloodroots, this bundle has something for every kind of gamer. All proceeds benefit Child’s Play, a charity that brings games and technology to children in hospitals around the world. Redeemable on Steam and available across multiple platforms, this deal is only live for a limited time.

Woodkid for Death Stranding 2 On the Beach - 2LP Vinyl

Available now for pre-order, the Woodkid for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach 2LP vinyl features 16 original tracks composed by Woodkid for the upcoming sequel to Hideo Kojima’s acclaimed Death Stranding. Set to release on September 26, 2025, this deluxe edition includes collaborations with Elle Fanning and Bryce Dessner, alongside ethereal vocals from the Suginami Junior Chorus. Pressed on two translucent ultra-clear vinyl records, the soundtrack is packaged in printed sleeves and housed in a metallic case featuring official game artwork, wrapped with a translucent belly band..

Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch 2)

Kirby’s back with a fresh upgrade for Nintendo Switch 2 in a reworked version of Kirby and the Forgotten Land. This enhanced edition features smoother performance, higher resolution, and a brand new post-meteor storyline with extra Mouthful Modes. It’s the same colorful 3D platforming adventure, complete with abandoned malls, mystery-filled ruins, and chaotic boss fights, now with expanded content and improved visuals. You can even team up with a friend in local co-op to save the Waddle Dees and rebuild their town together.

Donkey Kong Bananza

With a Nintendo Direct dropping for Donkey Kong Bananza tommorow, it's a good time to make sure you've got the Mario Odyssey-esque 3D platformer secured for day one. This physical edition has the full game on the cart and is giving DK the kind of 3D platforming love it's been missing since the Nintendo 64 days.

FiGGYZ

FiGGYZ are a new line of 4.3-inch pixel art collectibles that snap into place with magnets and feature characters from major franchises like Sonic, Street Fighter, and Banjo & Kazooie. They're compact enough for desks or shelves, and every release includes a chance at rare gold, silver, and bronze variants with drop rates as low as 1%. A clean, fun option for collectors who want to show off their favorite characters without clutter.

Monty Python And The Holy Grail - 4K UHD Combo + Steelbook

Monty Python and the Holy Grail gets the 4K UHD treatment in this limited edition SteelBook release, celebrating 50 years of absurdity. Follow King Arthur and his coconut-clopping knights on their chaotic quest for the Holy Grail, now with upgraded Dolby Vision visuals and Atmos audio. This edition includes a tribute feature with comedians and fans, plus a bonus “Near-Theatrical” HD cut of the film.

Badass Brawlers Bundle

Humble’s Badass Brawlers Bundle serves up seven beat-’em-ups for just $16, with a total value of $179. Highlights include River City Girls 2 with four-player co-op, the kaiju-smashing Dawn of the Monsters, and cult favorite Double Dragon Neon. Other picks like Full Metal Furies, Final Vendetta, and Young Souls round out a solid lineup of co-op-friendly, side-scrolling brawlers. All games redeem on Steam, and proceeds help support the charity SpecialEffect.

Self Adhesive Hook And Loop Cable Ties

These self-adhesive hook and loop cable ties from MUTOTO are a simple solution for tidying up cords around the house or office. Each pack includes 40 grey straps made from durable nylon with strong back glue, making them ideal for desks, entertainment centers, or kitchen setups. They’re adjustable, reusable, and easy to apply with no tools needed. Just stick, wrap, and adjust as needed. Be mindful when using on painted walls though, as the adhesive may cause damage if removed too soon.

Anker HDMI Switch

Anker’s 4-in-1 HDMI Switch lets you connect up to four devices to a single display, making it easier to swap between your console, PC, or projector setup. It supports 4K at 60Hz with HDR, Dolby, and DTS compatibility for crisp, lag-free viewing. The included remote allows for quick input switching, though you’ll need to supply your own batteries and charger. It’s a compact, reliable pick for anyone looking to simplify their entertainment or workstation setup.

JSAUX 3-Pack Tempered Glass Screen Protector Switch 2

This 3-pack of JSAUX tempered glass screen protectors is made specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2 and offers full edge-to-edge coverage without removing the pre-applied film. Each protector features 9H hardness to guard against scratches and drops, and the included guide frame makes installation quick and bubble-free.

Switch 2 tomtoc Slim Carrying Case

This Switch 2 case isn't a chunk, protects all the buttons including the shoulders and triggers and has been tested for drops and bumps that are bound to happen. It also has an inlay to store up to 12 carts, so it ticks all my boxes.

The Legend of Zelda Master Sword

So this Master Sword replica is made of ABS and has sound effects alongside some iconic themes from across the Legend of Zelda mainline game series. The cuttons to activate it all are easy to reach when holding it, and in all honesty it sounds so cool. Just don't go hitting your mate over the head with it, I reckon It would still hurt!

Borderlands 4 Preorders

Borderlands 4 preorders have finally landed, and the started edition is just under the $70 mark in a suprising move after the comments made by Randy Pitchford. We've had a bit of a behind the scenes look with the beggining of the "Beyond the Borderlands" video dropping on how to make a vault hunter, and it's all looking good.

Narrative Arc Bundle

This Humble Bundle highlights seven story-rich indie games for $20, with a total value of $162. Titles include Harold Halibut, a stop-motion-style adventure; Six Ages 2: Lights Going Out, a myth-driven survival strategy game; and SEASON: A letter to the future, a reflective travel narrative. Also in the bundle are Dustborn, Mutazione, Venba, and Frank and Drake, each offering unique perspectives and storytelling formats. Purchases support the It Gets Better Project, and you can choose to pay more or less depending on the number of games you want.

Apple Mac and iPad Deals

Need an upgrade or a good introduction into the Apple ecosystem? There's plenty of choices here, with the M4 chip powering the MacBook and Mac Mini, it's just a case of thinking about if you'd like a traditional desktop setup or something you can take on the go. iPad A16 is perfect for pretty much anything too, even a bit of Apple Arcade.

Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor

This beast is the first Dual UHD gaming monitor, combining two UHD screens into one curved 1000R display and its $450 off. It supports a 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, with DisplayPort 2.1 for full performance. Quantum Mini LED backlighting with DisplayHDR 1000 and 2,392 local dimming zones delivers strong contrast and color accuracy. You also get ergonomic adjustments, CoreSync ambient lighting, and features like Picture-by-Picture for multitasking. Just note: full DUHD at 240Hz requires a compatible graphics card with DP 2.1 or HDMI 2.1 support.

Big Discounts On Crucial DDR5 and Storage

Crucial are one of the most dependable brands when it comes to M.2 and portable drives, and is a great option for those wanting the benefits of DDR5 RAM without flashy RGB and it's price tag. Here's some of the best deals in the Crucial price slashing marathon on Amazon right now. I currently use the X10 Pro 4TB for backing up files and folders on my PC and for watching videos on my projector, just a solid piece of kit.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (PS5)

Kingdom Come Deliverance II drops you into the brutal heart of 15th century Bohemia, and right now the PS5 version is just $47.99, down from $69.99. You play as Henry, a blacksmith’s son caught in a fight for survival, revenge, and rebellion. With over five hours of cinematic storytelling, a massive open world, and intense first-person melee combat, this sequel builds on everything that made the original a cult hit. Whether you're swordfighting, smithing, or trying to navigate life in a war-torn land, this is medieval roleplaying at its most immersive.

DOOM The Dark Ages Art Print

This limited-edition DOOM The Dark Ages art print is a must for fans of the Slayer's latest crusade. Officially licensed and hand-numbered out of 995 copies, it's printed on high-quality art paper and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Produced by one of the UK’s oldest commercial printers, the A3-sized piece measures 11.69 x 16.53 inches and captures the brutal tone of the game perfectly. Pre-orders are open now, with shipping expected in July 2025.

Power Up Pride Bundle

Power Up Pride Game Bundle brings together seven standout indie titles for just $13, with all games yours to keep. You’ll find cozy village life in Echoes of the Plum Grove, charming shop sim gameplay in Sticky Business, and emotional storytelling in titles like Haven and A Normal Lost Phone. It’s a solid mix of narrative-driven adventures, life sims, and visual novels, all picked for their unique stories and engaging mechanics. Great value, great games, and a portion of your purchase supports charity through Xperience Studios.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

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Wuchang Fallen Feathers Is a Soulslike with a Unique Look and a Neat Hook

I’m not going to lie to you, folks. When I hear the word “soulslike,” my eyes start to glaze over, and I imagine the sweet release of death. It’s the same way I feel when someone says “metroidvania,” or “roguelike.” There’s nothing inherently wrong with soulslikes, metroidvanias, or roguelikes, for the record. There’s just an awful lot of them. I love a good steak, but you can’t eat fillet mignon every day. Sometimes you need some sushi, a taco plate, hell, even just a burger. A little variety goes a long way. So when I got asked whether I wanted a one or two-hour appointment with Wuchang, I only signed up for an hour. But I was allowed to play for two, and I’m really, really glad I did. Wuchang may be a soulslike, but it’s got unique ideas, and by the time I put down my controller, I knew I wanted to see more of what it has to offer.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers sets itself apart from the jump with its unique art and setting. It takes place in the land of Shu during the latter part of the Ming Dynasty. That single choice sets what I played of Wuchang apart from just about every other soulslike. Most games in this genre aren’t shy about their dark fantasy aspirations. In theory, that should mean everything looks a little different. In reality, that means most games look like Dark Souls, which means that most games really look like Berserk. I like Berserk, but it’s not great when everything looks like it stepped out of one of Kentaro Miura’s panels. Wuchang’s dark fantasy, make no mistake, but its setting means a lot of what I saw looks and feels unique (and colorful).

The story’s got an interesting setup, too. You play as Wuchang, a pirate with a nasty bout of amnesia. In my demo, she woke up without knowing who she was or what was going on. Unfortunately for her, amnesia might be the least of her problems. You see, Wuchang has contracted a disease known as the Feathering. It starts small; feathers form on your limbs. But as the disease progresses, you lose your memories, go mad, and undergo a “monstrous transformation.”

Unlike most other Souls games, you don’t have to equip or spec into magic for it to be useful. It just is.

There’s no known cure, but that doesn’t mean our girl is just going to lie down. She’s healthier than most, so she’s going to look for a cure. The problem is, once most people realize you’ve contracted the Feathering, they’ll attack you on sight. It’s a neat reason for why just about everyone in Wuchang (though not all; there are plenty of people willing to help you) will attack you as soon as they see you. And the Feathering isn’t entirely a curse; it also gives Wuchang access to very powerful magic. Unlike most other Souls games, you don’t have to equip or spec into magic for it to be useful. It just is. That’s pretty slick.

The other big thing Wuchang does is make each of its weapons unique. Each one is different in very subtle ways. The greataxe in my demo could block, but parrying was a technique that was essentially reserved for a longsword. Other weapons didn’t have either ability, opting instead for attack skills to lay on the hurt. And you can’t just fire off these skills anytime, either. Using them (aside from block and parry, which you always have provided you’ve equipped a weapon with them) take charges, which you build by pulling off perfect dodges or parries. Nailing perfect dodges and parries also charges your magic.

Wuchang isn’t quite as fast as Bloodborne, but it’s faster than most souslikes and encourages you to be aggressive to build those charges. The dance is still here against bosses, and you shouldn’t charge in blindly, but Wuchang is less about waiting for enemies to whiff an attack and punishing them and more about forcing them to swing at you, building those charges, and then cashing in for big damage, either through weapon abilities, magic, or attacks that deal damage while switching to your other equipped weapons. It’s a nice change of pace from traditional soulslike, and forces you to take risks to get access to your best stuff.

Even leveling up is its own thing. Instead of dumping points into your core stats, you fill out a skill tree for everything from your weapons to upgrading your flasks. If you want specific stats, you’ll get them through the armor you equip. There’s no shortage of outfits in Wuchang, from the traditional to the risqué (and there is no shortage of fanservice in Wuchang), but you’re not just playing Fashion Souls or looking at core stats here. You always want to be sure you’re picking the right resistances. If you’re losing to enemies with swords, you might want some slashing resistance. Getting smashed by a big hammer? Bludgeoning resistance is the way to go. Magic got you down? Get some magic resistance in you. These choices matter, and I appreciate that your gear matters, even if I could have done without some of the fan service.

There’s no shortage of outfits in Wuchang, from the traditional to the risqué.

There are still bonfires (here, they’re shrines) and resting at them, which in Wuchang is known as “entering the Dream,” still respawns any enemies you’ve defeated. Even that, though, isn’t necessarily safe. The first time I entered the dream in my demo, I was attacked by a large, bird-like boss. I lost the fight that followed, but when I went back to the dream, the boss wasn’t there. I couldn’t tell you what the deal with that was, but it was interesting, and I kept wondering when (or if) I would get another shot at him. I didn’t, but I am interested in getting another crack at him and figuring out what all that stuff is about.

Speaking of bosses, I did get to square off with three of them during my time with Wuchang, and none of them corresponded to the “Big Dude in Armor” stereotype. From Software got that right with Artorias the Abysswalker, and they (and many others) have leaned on similar versions of that fight since. Often imitated, never duplicated, as the saying goes. Wuchang isn’t interested in sitting down at that table, though.

Instead, every one felt very different. The first was a masked man with a halberd. He definitely had a range advantage on my longsword and greataxe combo, but that was fine with me. I wanted him to swing at me so I could build charges and then use my greataxe to lay down the law. This boss took me quite a few attempts, mostly because I’d think I had an opening when I really didn’t, and get cooked for trying to attack when it wasn’t actually my turn. Once I got his patterns down, though, I was building charges and spending them efficiently, dodging through his attacks and landing big swings of my own. And when I needed to back off? I could cover myself with magic.

The second fight was against someone who seemed to have been transformed by the feathering. This was more acrobatic. The boss would leap into the air and attack from range, forcing me to time my dodges to avoid projectiles and keep from committing until I absolutely had to. I didn’t find it nearly as hard as the first (it took me just s couple tries), but I did appreciate the change of pace.

The last fight… whew, that last fight. Only one person at the entire event beat the final fight in the Wuchang demo, and I’m sad to say it wasn’t me. While the other two fights were all about dodging, this one (against a woman wielding a sword), forced me to parry. Even with the right weapon and good timing, she was a hard fight: incredibly fast, aggressive, and damaging. Every time I tried to back off to heal, she was in my face. Even when I parried her successfully, I had to be careful; I often only had time for a single counterattack before she’d hit me again. It was a brutal fight, and I didn’t win, but I appreciated how hard it was, and how I’d had to change my strategy for each boss. I can’t wait for another crack at her from the comfort of my couch.

And that sums up my feelings with Wuchang as a whole, really. I got a ton of time with it, far more than anything else I played at Summer Game Fest, and I left satisfied with what I’d seen. But I was also excited to see more. Not bad for a souslike, right?

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Dune: Awakening Review

If there’s one thing beyond doubt after having played well over 100 hours with Dune: Awakening, it’s that Funcom has done its homework in crafting the most authentic take on the Dune-iverse imaginable. As a longtime fan of Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi setting, that’s an incredible thing to experience more often than not, and my time on Arrakis has been filled with moments of genuine shock. It’s very clever how the harsh environments and empty space are repeatedly used as progression checks, turning what seem like they should be weaknesses into strengths. Other times, that stubborn adherence to established lore results in annoying or just plain boring irritations, like how you’re all but forced to adopt a nomadic lifestyle in a genre where putting down roots and building up your base is one of the fundamentals. There have also been plenty of technical issues and bugs, an endgame that could use a bit of hydration, and combat that never stops being underwhelming, but on balance my friends and have had an absolutely awesome time nerding out.

If you’ve ever played a survival game (and have read a Dune book or seen the movies) before, you’ll know most of what you need to feel at home among the giant sand worms: you gather materials from the world, build your own ugly-as-heck home, and upgrade your equipment to gain access to more dangerous areas with rarer materials. Like plenty of survival games, including Funcom’s own Conan Exiles or last year’s Once Human, all of this is happening on a server full of similarly sunburnt players in a perpetually online world, where cooperation and limited instances of PvP are both a distinct possibility, and which account for most of its best moments.

The story is an interesting twist on the Dune world that takes place in an alternate reality where Paul Atreides was never born and House Atreides doesn’t collapse as a result. It’s a smart decision that allows for Awakening’s developers to play in the Dune-iverse without tying themselves to canon events or being obligated to kill off the various fan-favorite characters that the novels dispose of with reckless abandon. The plot is full of lore, familiar faces, and a few compelling twists and turns, but unfortunately each of those chapters is separated by about a dozen hours of gameplay and grinding that makes it pretty hard to keep track of or enjoy in any comprehensive way. Plus, Funcom makes the classic mistake of randomly throwing in a stealth level, and though it’s not quite as annoying as these one-offs tend to be, it’s definitely not playing to Awakening’s strengths. All in all though, I quite enjoyed the story that’s told, in large part because it makes such good use of the universe and worldbuilding.

Where this game really sets itself apart is by just how much it adheres to its legendary setting.

Where this game really sets itself apart, though, is by just how much it adheres to its legendary setting, and that has a major impact on just about everything you do. For example, clever use is made of Arrakis’ harsh environment, which is weaponized against you quite literally every second you stay within its atmosphere. Standing directly in sunlight unprotected will bake you alive in a matter of seconds; sandstorms blow on a regular basis and will kill you if you aren’t able to get to shelter first; and most notably, there’s the issue of those pesky, enormous, man-eating worms which gobble you up if you dare tread upon their domain for too long. By leaning into the unforgiving world as much as it does, Awakening puts you in a constant battle against the planet itself. So instead of casually trotting around collecting resources at your leisure and settling your own little piece of the world, you’re frantically ducking behind rocks to avoid the sun’s harsh rays and drink what little water you have left, and playing a never-ending game of “the floor is lava” as you rush from one place to another with a shai-hulud hot on your heels.

All of these hazards give you obstacles that are satisfying to overcome. For example, early on you’re unable to leave the tutorial area thanks to a massive gap of empty space where sun exposure or, more likely, a massive worm would certainly kill you if you attempt to go on foot, so you have to craft your first vehicle in order to safely cross it. Later on, you start to encounter places that are too hot or irradiated to explore without proper equipment. There are plenty of examples just like this, where the unique nature of the setting is turned into an interesting mechanic and usually Awakening is a better, more interesting survival game for it.

But there are other times where this fanatical adherence to Dune conventions can be quite obnoxious, like how you’re encouraged (and in some cases required) to move your base of operations from place to place as you unlock access to higher-level regions. Pulling up stakes means you either have to abandon all you’ve built up to that point or tediously relocate as much of your equipment as you can, piece by piece.

Then there’s stuff like the fact that guns are often useless, since many enemies make use of the all-important Holtzman shields that completely protect from ranged attacks. This creates a weird situation where you’re juggling back and forth between guns and melee weapons depending on which enemy is currently running towards you, oftentimes having to choose between addressing the swordsman barreling down on you or the guy a few feet behind him with a chaingun, which can create a really oppressive rhythm to combat. While using guns is more effective at the start, once enemies start getting shields here’s little reason to ever use a gun. Melee is much better at killing enemies, since you can sprint through almost any bullets that bounce off your shield, then stun and stab enemies relentlessly until they die, but this becomes extremely monotonous, since every encounter plays out identically with almost no variety.

Dune: Awakening has pretty awful combat.

That’s just part of the reason that, like almost every single one of its peers, Dune: Awakening has pretty awful combat. I knew going into a survival MMO that would be the case, but it’s still a particularly bitter pill that never gets any easier to swallow. I spent half of my time playing with ranged weapons before switching to a vastly more effective melee build, but both are repetitive, sloppy, and downright janky. I honestly kinda respect how much Dune: Awakening sticks to its guns by making said guns ineffective to keep with Dune lore, even as it sometimes comes at the expense of me having a good time.

There are, at least, some neat little tricks like Bene Gesserit powers that let you command enemies to stop dead in their tracks for stretches of time, or an anti-gravity grenade that suspends everyone in the air, but very little of this stuff mixes things up enough to make up for the hours of blandness forced upon you. What’s more, there’s also some really irritating bugs, like how sometimes the parry button is unresponsive, or for some reason you simply won’t be able to swing your weapon at all until you unequip and re-equip it, which requires running away frantically to find a hiding spot where it’s safe to do so. Again, in the world of MMOs and survival games alike, I don’t expect anything as polished as Gears of War, but if you were hoping Dune would get this bit right I’m afraid that it definitely does not in its current state.

Progression is incredibly well paced.

Thankfully, the combat miss is more than counterbalanced by the absolutely stellar survival mechanics, which are some of the most thoughtful and polished I’ve seen in a while. There’s a constant stream of new technologies to research, equipment to craft, and material to hunt for with almost no filler or repetitive grind along the way. Every time I collected the right materials to craft the latest shiny thing I want, I immediately had another enticing item to chase, and with unique schematics dropping left and right, I was always making interesting decisions on whether to spend my rarest materials on a cool item with a special effect versus taking the more conservative route and just crafting common items to save those resources for a rainy day (it’s gotta rain on Arrakis eventually…right?) There are some instances where the exact amount of materials needed to craft something, and the time it takes for those recipes to be cooked up, are a bit much, especially in the endgame where you can go through ornithopters quite quickly during PvP. But aside from these more extreme, late-game examples, the progression is incredibly well paced.

It’s especially impressive that Funcom accomplished this loop so well in a desert world where there are no other locations aside from hot sand, and almost no plants or wildlife available to harvest. A major hallmark of survival games is punching trees, and there are no trees on Arrakis – instead, you’re making tools to pull water from morning dew collecting in the world at night and by pulling it from the air, which is just really clever and a welcome change of pace that embraces the weird and barren setting, even if it is still essentially the same thing.

It took me over 80 hours to complete the campaign.

Though it took me over 80 hours to complete the campaign and master the main map of Hagga Basin, there’s still quite a bit to do once you reach the end of the grind and are inevitably pushed out to the Deep Desert to begin the endgame. This PvP-heavy zone is the only source of the materials necessary to reach the highest heights currently available in Dune: Awakening and has some really great ideas, like how the Coriolis Storm sweeps through each week and destroys everything in its path, leaving behind a new procedurally generated map to explore and fight other players to build settlements on. Unfortunately, those maps are absolutely massive and largely empty (and not in a good way, like the Hagga Basin), and what structures and shipwrecks there are to explore are mostly carbon copies of one another and almost instantly become a chore to explore.

But worse than that is the fact that the main event of the Deep Desert is the PvP experience, which is presently pretty awful – and not just because combat in general isn’t great in Awakening. The current meta involves everyone on the map flying around in ornithopters, carpet bombing one another into oblivion as they fight for a small amount of minerals needed for crafting. There’s very little in the way of gunplay, and hand-to-hand combat is fairly rare unless you get caught inside a shipwreck or cave, which isn’t all that likely when so much of the map is barren dunes. It’s a massively unrewarding experience that leaves those without guilds or powerful ships to live under the oppressive regime of their fellow players. If your ornithopter is destroyed in a dogfight, which is fairly likely, then you’ll need to haul your defeated butt back to Hagga Basin for another few hours of grinding to make a new ship, just for the chance to get your teeth kicked in and your mouth filled with sand all over again.

What’s hilarious is that even if you’re on the winning side of that brutal equation, you’re rewarded with basically nothing since players only drop the loot in their backpack and hang on to the much more valuable items they likely currently have equipped on their person. You’re at least able to grab some high-value materials, including the all-important spice, which helps you craft some of the most potent items on Arrakis, but those can also be scavenged from the world if you simply get lucky and swoop in undetected to grab what you need and leave before someone blasts you. It’s a meta that simply isn’t very fun for either side, and combined with the lack of rewarding things to do, I suspect this underdeveloped part of the Dune journey will be the focus of some serious revamping in the weeks and months to come.

Speaking of which, there’s still some technical work to be done as well. It’s certainly better than it was during the beta, but even as improved as it is, I’ve had disconnects, seen entire mountains disappear and reappear before my eyes, and even had a few hours where all sand worms just up and deleted themselves from existence, making everyone on the server swarm to the resources normally protected by their constant threat. It’s not been the smoothest launch by any stretch – but also far from the worst.

from IGN Video Games https://ift.tt/fy07wFq
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