Author: Game Infliction

Udo Kier, the German Actor Who Played Yuri in Command and Conquer: Red Alert and Was Set to Star in OD, Dies Aged 81 — Hideo Kojima Says ‘There Will Never Be Another Like Him’

Udo Kier, the German actor who starred in over 200 films, has died aged 81.

Kier, who appeared in 275 roles including in My Own Private Idaho, Blade, Armageddon, and Dogville, as well as Madonna music videos and video games, died on Sunday morning, his partner Delbert McBride confirmed to Variety. Photographer Michael Childers took to social media to say Kier died in hospital in Palm Springs, California. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

The horror film specialist had a breakout role in 1970’s Mark of the Devil, before being cast as Frankenstein in 1973’s Flesh for Frankenstein, then Dracula in 1974’s Blood for Dracula — both produced by artist Andy Warhol. His first American role came in 1991 film My Own Private Idaho, which starred River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. Madonna, a fan of Kier’s work, cast him in her music videos for Erotica and Deeper and Deeper. Later notable roles came in the likes of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Johnny Mnemonic, Armageddon, End of Days, and Blade. Kier’s final film was the political thriller The Secret Agent, in which he played a Jewish Holocaust survivor caught in the final years of the Brazilian military dictatorship.

As well as starring in hundreds of films, Kier was no stranger to the world of video games. He famously played Yuri in the live-action cutscenes that formed a part of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2’s story, and reprised the role in 2001’s Command & Conquer: Yuri’s Revenge.

Later, he had voice roles in 2017’s Call of Duty: WWII, and 2022’s Martha is Dead. He was set to appear in OD, the upcoming horror video game by Hideo Kojima and producer Jordan Peele, and indeed was a part of its teaser trailer, below, showing initial face scan work. It is unclear whether Kier will now be recast in the upcoming Microsoft game.

Kojima took to social media to pay tribute to Kier, expressing his shock at the news.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Kojima said. “It all happened far too suddenly. Because of the strike, we weren’t able to shoot OD for a long time, and we were forced to reschedule to next year. Even during that time, Udo and I exchanged emails frequently. We stayed in close contact. When we met in Milan at the end of September, he told me how much he was looking forward to the shoot starting up again next year. He was full of energy then too, making me laugh with his usual ‘Udo-isms.’

“I still can’t believe this. Udo wasn’t just an actor. He was truly an ‘icon’ of his time. We’ve lost a great ‘icon.’ There will never be another like him. Udo, rest in peace. I will never forget you.”

The tweet video below, shows Kojima and Kier together in Milan in September.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

This week in PC games: warriors, painters, roguelikes, sailors, shotguns, subs and metroidvanias

November is… merry! As the great grim centipede of people and property that is Videogaming continues its progress of the midnight wood, a dozen auteur designers from theatre backgrounds don coxcomb hats and sequined codpieces. They climb onto carts and stage a chariot race, beating each other with bladders decorated to look like Roger Ebert. There is laughter up and down the train. Meanwhile, the industry seers and marketing-mancers have received hopeful tidings from their friends among the owls and bats. The trees are thinning out ahead. The stars can sometimes be seen. There is wild talk that third-person cover shooters are about to come back into fashion.

That isn’t all the owls and bats have seen, however. As the path curves, we find ourselves in the courtyard of a squat and forbidding tower. Five levels of blood-flecked obsidian and pixelated braziers, each named for a day of the week, each infested by perfectly terrifying new PC games. Never mind that the edifice has clearly been slapped together using assets lifted from a webinar. Never mind that you can see fuchsia checkerboards everywhere. The tower’s frightful denizens must be defeated – or possibly even bought – if the convoy is to proceed.

Read more

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Demo Now Available At Switch 2 Kiosks (US)

Samus returns this December.

Nintendo has been promoting the Switch 2 in stores with kiosks, where you can go and play the latest and upcoming titles.

We’ve already seen games such as Donkey Kong Bananza added to these store units, and now, in a very exciting update, it seems Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is playable at select locations in the US.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Save Over 20% On Black Myth Wukong at Amazon For Black Friday

Black Myth Wukong has been a conversation-starter since its earliest gameplay footage was shown, and the mythology-inspired action-RPG has kept a pretty high price since it debuted.

Now, thanks to PlayStation Black Friday sales, it’s dropped to its lowest price at Amazon with a 22% discount from the MSRP, bringing the game down to just over $50. It’s not a huge discount, admittedly, but if you’ve been waiting for a chance to put yourself in Heroic Monkey’s shoes, then now’s the time.

Black Myth Wukong Hits Lowest-Ever Price

Thanks to this discount, Black Myth Wukong on PS5 is now $50.55, down from its $64.99 MSRP.

The game is inspired by ancient Chinese mythology, and sees Heroic Monkey taking the fight to bosses and beasts alike in a pseudo-retelling of the Journey to the West story, only with a lot more combat. Thankfully, the combat is the best part, so you won’t see us complaining.

If you have held out, then now really is a great time because developer Game Science dropped a massive patch for the game last month.

It promises improved performance, like faster loading speeds, better texture clarity, and improved CPU and rendering performance, making a great game even better.

That’s particularly important because, in IGN’s review, Mitchell Saltzman noted the game’s bugs.

“Despite some frustrating technical issues, Black Myth: Wukong is a great action game with fantastic combat, exciting bosses, tantalizing secrets, and a beautiful world,” he concluded.

The game is getting a sequel, Black Myth: Zhong Kui, as revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live this year, but rumors continue to swirl about Wukong getting some kind of DLC. The game launched on Xbox platforms earlier this year.

More PS5 games on sale today

Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.

Horizon: Forbidden West Is Down To Its Lowest Ever Price At Amazon Ahead Of Black Friday

Horizon has become an enduring franchise for PlayStation since its debut in 2017, and while there are only two mainline games, the series’ presence can be felt in everything from a LEGO spinoff to toys and a PlayStation VR 2 game.

If you’re yet to get acquainted with hero Aloy, then there’s good news for you and your wallet – Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Forbidden West is down to its new lowest price, and the complete edition is reduced, too.

Horizon: Forbidden West Is Under $20

Over at Amazon, you can pick up Aloy’s second adventure, Forbidden West, for just $19.99. That’s a huge 71% discount on one of the best games on PlayStation 5.

It’s packed with a lush open world to explore, as well as excellent combat that utilizes our heroine’s bow and traps to devastating effect against robot dinosaurs in a ‘post-post-apocalypse’.

That’s the lowest price we’ve seen from Amazon, and there’s another option if you want the Burning Shores expansion, too.

The Horizon: Forbidden West Complete Edition includes the game and the DLC in one package for $29.99. That’s half price from the MSRP.

Reviewer Simon Cardy gave Horizon: Forbidden West a 9 out of 10 in his review, and said: ”A triumphant combination of enthralling combat, top-tier creature and character design, and a captivating open world, Horizon Forbidden West is an absolute blast and fantastic showcase for the power of the PS5.”

As for the expansion, that got an 8 out of 10 rating, too, and it includes a new area and fearsome new robot foes to fight.

The series is getting an MMORPG spinoff called Horizon: Steel Frontiers, but it’s only coming to PC and mobile for now.

Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.

The 10 Most Valuable Avatar: The Last Airbender Magic Cards That I’m Already Chasing

Cracking packs for Magic: The Gathering’s latest Universes Beyond set, Avatar: The Last Airbender?

Us two, and with the new set finally back in stock online, it looks as though it might be a set you can more readily buy.

So, what are the chase cards? What are the most powerful characters, and which are the rarest? We’ve broken down the top 10 most valuable cards using data from the folks at TCGPlayer.

Before we begin, however, it’s worth remembering that we are talking close to launch prices here, and we’ve taken them as close to the set’s launch date to try and keep things as accurate as possible.

10 – Ozai, the Phoenix King (Borderless) – $20

This Ozai, the Phoenix King (Borderless) variant has striking artwork, the firebending keyword, and a high mana cost – but can be indestructible if you have enough unspent mana.

9 – Appa, Steadfast Guardian (Borderless) – $22

Aang’s faithful companion is not only adorable, but he has airbending potential on the battlefield, too. This borderless version is up to $22 at the time of writing. Yip yip!

8 – Fire Lord Azula (Borderless) – $28

Fire Lord Azula can firebend 2, and can double your spells while attacking, while being a 4/4 in its own right. It’s up to around $30 for this awesome borderless variant.

7 – Avatar Aang (Borderless) – $35

Sitting at $35, Avatar Aang is a transforming card that switches to Aang, Master of Elements if you bend all four elements in a single turn. The colorless artwork looks really great on both sides of this borderless option.

6 – Badgermole Cub – $50

It may seem a strange card to climb in value, but Badgermole Cub now only earthbends 1, but it can also add additional mana when you’re tapping creatures. That means even the standard version is valued at $50 – and it’s climbing.

5 – Wan Shi Tong, Librarian – $54

Wan Shi Tong, Librarian can rack up counters, has Flash, Flying, and Vigilance, and gives you card draw, too. What’s not to love? This standard version is up to $54.

4 – Ozai, the Phoenix King (Borderless) – $55

Another printing of Ozai, this version has an inky-black background but performs the same as the other Borderless version on this list.

3 – Badgermole Cub (Borderless) – $60

Functionally identical to the Badgermole Cub above, this one has a borderless design and is $60 or $94 in foil right now.

2 – Wan Shi Tong, Librarian (Borderless) – $

The same card as number 5 on this list, this borderless variant looks even betterbut will set you back around $90

1 – Neon Ink Foil Cards – $2,000 and up

If you crack open a pack and find a Neon Ink Foil version of Aang, Swift Savior, Fire Lord Zuko, Katara, the Fearless, or Toph, the First Metalbender, they’re going for $2,000 and up right now – good luck!

Where to Find These Rare Cards

Magic’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Collector Booster Box is finally back in stock and available to buy at Amazon, priced at $455.88. This is the best way to hunt down the rarest Avatar x MTG cards, if you got the cash to flash.

This is much cheaper compared to the market price, as seen at TCGplayer, which has it listed at around $528. These collector boosters have been incredibly hard to come by, hence the high pricing.

But, if you play your cards right, there are also a couple of amazing promo offers that could bag you this crazy expensive booster box for under $250. If you fancy saving a small fortune, you’ll need to check if you’re eligible for an Amazon Visa card (see here).

After signing up, you’ll receive an instant $60 gift card credited to your Amazon account. This will bring down the total price to $489.99, which is well below market value.

TCGPlayer’s Black Friday Sale Starts November 28

One more thing before you go, Trading card game players rejoice; TCGPlayer is having a nice Black Friday promotion. From November 28 at 9 AM ET to December 1 at 11 PM ET, you can get 10% cash back in store credits on all purchases.

This includes both single cards and sealed products. Plus, if you’re a TCGPlayer subscriber, you’ll get 13% or more back (12% base plus 1-3% monthly loyalty bonus). That’s pretty great, all things considered.

If you’re looking to buy any singles, it’s worth holding off until then to get the best deal possible.

Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.

Super Mario Odyssey Gets a Big Black Friday Discount With a Free Switch 2 Upgrade

It’s hard to believe the Nintendo Switch’s first year gave us The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey just a few months apart, but it really was a fantastic start for the system.

If the latest movie trailers got you wondering what you may have missed out on, then we’ve got good news – one of the best Nintendo games of the last decade (and probably ever) is half price at Amazon for Nintendo’s Black Friday sale.

8 Years On, We’d Still Buy Super Mario Odyssey

Thanks to the discounts, the game (which still sells for $59.99 now eight years on) is down to just $29.99. Given its size and scope, that’s a big deal, and it’s still the most recent 3D Mario platformer we’ve got.

This huge 3D adventure pairs Mario with Cappy, a fun new character who allows Mario to transform into characters, enemies, and inanimate objects alike, opening up the sandbox of each of its distinct worlds to fun puzzles.

With the arrival of the Switch 2, the game looks better than ever. There’s improved image quality, particularly when playing on TV, and HDR support added. The update is free, too.

In our review, Ryan McCaffrey awarded a ‘Masterpiece’ score of 10 out of 10, and said “Super Mario Odyssey is a brilliant adventure and love letter to the series that made Nintendo a household name.”

The latest trailer for the Super Mario Galaxy movie hints at Odyssey worlds being included, and, as we mentioned, the game got a free performance upgrade on the Nintendo Switch 2.

The Nintendo development team that worked on Super Mario Odyssey released Donkey Kong Bananza as a Switch 2 exclusive this year, and it’s up for Game of the Year.

More Switch games on sale for Black Friday

There are a ton more Nintendo Switch games on sale for Black Friday now and likely more to come as the sale rolls on.

Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Is Only $30 This Black Friday

With the new screenshots for the Zelda movie released, many new Zelda fans are looking to explore the series for the first time. The best time of the year to score Zelda games on sale is here with Black Friday, and the latest 2D entry, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, is available for 50% off for a limited time. Grab the trusty Tri Rod and begin an exciting adventure across Hyrule today!

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for Only $30

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is one of the most unique games in the franchise for many reasons, but none are more obvious than this being the first game with Zelda as the protagonist. Instead of playing as Link, you play as Princess Zelda, who must save Hyrule on her own. As a result of this design, the game plays vastly differently from any other in the series.

The star of the gameplay is Zelda’s Tri Rod, allowing you to create Echoes of almost anything. This can mean copying a bed and placing a dozen to form a staircase, or even spawning enemies to attack for you. You can get very creative with how you solve each puzzle, as most of the time, there is never just one solution. Creativity is key, and it’s up to you to determine how to approach new challenges.

If you’re a fan of Zelda games and have yet to check out Echoes of Wisdom, Black Friday is the perfect time to do so. This is especially true for Nintendo Switch 2 owners who skipped out on Switch, as there is an update for enhanced performance that supports 4K resolution and 60 frames per second.

For more Black Friday deals, be sure to check out the full Nintendo Black Friday sale to save on even more Nintendo Switch games. If you’re looking for deals outside of games, the Amazon Black Friday sale is a great place to start.

More Nintendo Swich Games on sale today

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.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Hits Its Lowest Price Ever for Black Friday

It’s time to draw the curtains, as Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has hit a new all-time low price for Black Friday 2025! This turn-based Mario adventure is a must-own for any Nintendo Switch player, and there’s never been a better time to add this game to your collection.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for $29.99

Paper-Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is one of the most beloved Mario games of all time. The Nintendo Switch remake introduced several new features and quality-of-life updates, including the Partner Ring, which lets you quickly flip between partners, and new badges to unlock. Additionally, you can explore concept art and listen to the soundtrack in the Art and Sound Galleries, which can be filled out by obtaining Star Pieces. Beyond this, much work was put into the visual department, with updated sprites, enhanced graphics, and new lighting added to create a more premium experience.

Of course, the star of the show is the turn-based combat that Paper Mario is known for. Battles take place on a stage with toads in the audience, who actually can help change the course of battle by refilling the SP gauge. Each turn, you’ll have the chance to choose your attack, whether that be a jump, hammer, or special move. The Thousand-Year Door is a game of strategy, which is a huge shake-up to the traditional Mario formula found in the 3D platformers.

For more Black Friday deals, be sure to check out the full Nintendo Black Friday sale to save on even more Nintendo Switch games. You can also see the full Target Black Friday sale for a broader range of deals.

More Nintendo Swich Games on sale today

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.