Category: Video Games

Minecraft Update Adds Long-Requested Wolf Variants After Over 10 Years of Waiting

Since Mojang added wolves to Minecraft’s Java Edition beta in 2011, they’ve remained pretty much the same, with only one variant (in comparison to the game’s 11 different cats and an impressive 2,700 different tropical fish). Quite a few players have begged Mojang to add more wolves — and now, after 13 years, it seems their work has finally paid off.

In a blog post today, Mojang revealed that it’s testing out eight new wolf variations for the game’s next update. According to the blog post, each new wolf variant lives in its own biome and has its own rarity. (The game’s original wolf is also sticking around in the taiga biome, but it’s now called the Pale Wolf.)

While Minecraft’s revamped wolves aren’t in an official release of the game right now, they can currently be tested by installing the most recent snapshot, which also features the long-requested wolf armor.

Of course, the Minecraft community was thrilled by the long-awaited announcement, with a few players sharing that the update was enough to draw them back into the game.

A few players even deemed it the game’s best snapshot ever.

We gave Minecraft a 9 in our 2011 review, calling it “a blank page just daring you to jump in and do with it what you will.” Since then, it’s changed quite a bit, with its latest major update adding camels and archaeology. The game’s annual addition of mobs hasn’t been without controversy, though — last year, players even “unionized” to petition Mojang to abolish the mob vote.

Amelia Zollner is a freelance writer at IGN who loves all things indie and Nintendo. Outside of IGN, they’ve contributed to sites like Polygon and Rock Paper Shotgun, and they’re currently developing a game called Garage Sale. Find them on Twitter: @ameliazollner.

The Xbox Toaster Oven Is Back on Sale at Walmart

It’s back! Walmart is once again offering the Xbox Series S Toaster for $40. Don’t be fooled by the $84.49 MSRP listed on the site, though; the toaster launched back in January at a retail price of $39.99. That said, $40 isn’t a bad price for a toaster oven, even if it’s a meme one like this.

Xbox Series S Toaster for $40

The toaster looks similar to the white Xbox Series S console, but it is an actual working 2-slice toaster with creature comforts you’d expect from any decent toasting appliance like defrost and bagel functions, digital countdown timer, and six different shade settings. Of course, an Xbox toaster’s gotta have a gaming-centric feature, and fortunately the Xbox toaster does not disappoint. It will expertly imprint the Xbox logo onto each and every slice of toast – genius!

Check out all of the best Xbox deals today on consoles, games, and accessories.

Unknown 9: Awakening gives a first look at its mix of Psi-Ops and Assassin’s Creed, ahead of a summer release

We first – and last – saw Unknown 9: Awakening nearly four years ago, when the original action-adventure game from developers Reflector was revealed with a flashy cinematic trailer at Gamescom 2020. Since then, main character Haroona has aged from a young girl in India to an adult with the power to possess people and make them murder each other, if our first look at gameplay ahead of a release this summer is anything to go by.

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Review: Ancient Weapon Holly (Switch) – Serviceable But Shallow Roguelite Action

Hey, everybody. Want to kill all humans?

There is no shortage of terrible things buried deep underground, but, in Ancient Weapon Holly, you get to be the worst of them. This roguelike from Acquire, one of the studios behind the Octopath Traveler series, puts you in control of a powerful robot that seeks revenge on the humans that buried it for thousands of years. Reaching the surface and killing all humans will take a bit longer than you’d expect, though.

At first glance, Ancient Weapon Holly is a serviceable, fun, action-packed roguelite. The game consists of ten levels to play through, each one increasing in difficulty. Holly starts with a basic ranged attack and the ability to open up pits in the floor for enemies to fall into. These can be closed up to instantly kill most enemies, particularly once you’ve upgraded your attack power through the game’s version of a sphere grid. It is an interesting mechanic and the combat is chaotic enough to keep you interested for a few hours, but the game’s lack of depth makes it feel repetitive long before Holly reaches the surface.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead (2408.240303-2200)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring today.

It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details

  • OS Version: XB_FLT_2408GE26070.1510.240303-2200
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – March 6, 2024
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – March 7, 2024

Fixes Included

Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

System

  • Various stability and performance fixes.
  • Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.

Known Issues

While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

Audio

  • Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
    • Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
    • Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
      • Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.

Networking

  • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
    • Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

What Happens to Your Feedback

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead (2408.240303-2200) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Is Secretly a Real-Time Strategy Game – Xbox Partner Preview 2024

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess was given a fresh look at the Xbox Partner Preview through a brand-new gameplay trailer. Interestingly, it seems to secretly be a real-time strategy game as much as an action game like Devil May Cry.

The new trailer shows the hero as they traverse the world and battle various spirits. It also showcases the the game’s day/night cycle and how it incorporates the strategic positioning of villagers, who will fight by your side, along with a building element that sees you explore villages and repair contraptions that can be used to your advantage when the monsters come at night.

An Xbox Wire post further fleshes out the details on Kunitsu-Gami, revealing that the story revolves around a hero named Soh who must work together with the maiden, Yoshiro, to “purge and cleanse the villages of defilement.” Masks worn by Soh and various villagers confer divine power, with 12 available in total.

This game features a very distinct blend of action and strategy genres and takes strong inspiration from various elements of Japanese culture

“After releasing Shinsekai: Into the Depths four years ago, we’re ready to open a new chapter for players around the world to enjoy,” director Shuichi Kawata wrote. “This game features a very distinct blend of action and strategy genres and takes strong inspiration from various elements of Japanese culture. With all of that, we’re excited (and maybe a little nervous…in a good way!) to have everyone experience this game.”

According to Kawata, Kunitsu-Gami is in the “final stages of development.” When it releases, it will be available on day one on Xbox Game Pass.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess was first revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2023, with the initial trailer featuring a lavishly detailed vision of the Japanese spirit realm mixed with the combat that Capcom is known for. It was also confirmed to be headed for a day one release date on Xbox Game Pass.

Aside from Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, the showcase includes new info on The First Berserker: Kharzan and a host of other games. You can read about everything announced at the Xbox Partner Preview right here.

Look for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, with more info to be revealed at a Capcom streaming showcase scheduled for March 7 at 3pm PT / 6pm ET.

Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

What’s better: left-handed FPS options or a little hand for a cursor?

Last time, you decided that removing a card from your deck is better than enemies stopping respawning after you kill them loads. The result wasn’t close but was closer than I expected, which shows why it’s important to ask. We’re doing important work here, you and I. This week, it’s a question of mitts. What’s better: left-handed FPS options or a little hand for a cursor?

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Review: LEGO Animal Crossing – Bunnie’s Outdoor Activities – Is It Any Good?

New Horizons on the block.

Nintendo’s latest collaboration with Lego has resulted in a handful of Animal Crossing sets, a crossover that fans have been begging for ever since the firms’ first collaboration, the LEGO Super Mario sets, were announced back in March 2020 — coincidentally Animal Crossing: New Horizons‘ launch month.

In the years since, we’ve seen a bunch of Nintendo-themed Lego sets encompassing the more play-focused Super Mario series to the grander, more expensive sets like the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Mario 64 ‘?’ Block, and the mighty Bowser, which are aimed at older gamers.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com