A new series of challenge mod packs aim to raise awareness for Long Covid and chronic fatigue symptoms using three perennial favourites: Elden Ring, Minecraft, and The Witcher 3. The initiative is called Long Covid Mode and all three mods make sweeping adjustments to the games, turning “real-world symptoms into in-game effects.” Take a look at some of the examples below:
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has been out in the wild for a weekend now, and fans are spotting all kinds of fun easter eggs and tidbits all over the place. One of our favorites? Link’s cooking animations have gotten the smallest, sweetest musical upgrade. Yes, Link sings now!
In Breath of the Wild, Link’s cooking animation was pretty wholesome on its own. He would toss the ingredients into a pot, hum a few abstract notes cheerfully as they stewed, and then express delight when the dish was done (assuming it wasn’t…dubious). But in Tears of the Kingdom, his cooking is even more adorable, because Link actually sings multiple recognizable songs from his own games while food is cooking.
We’ve caught our buddy Link singing his own main theme:
The Ballad of the Wind Fish:
Epona’s Theme:
and Saria’s Theme:
Others around the internet have reported hearing even more tunes from Link, so you’ll have to do a lot of cooking if you want to hear them all. It’s an adorable bit of almost fourth wall breaking behavior from our adorable protagonist. What’s more though, it’s part of a much larger and more defined personality that Nintendo has endeavored to give Link in recent games, from his dialogue options to smaller mannerisms like these. Just another reason we really love Link here.
For help with everything Tears of the Kingdom, take a look at our Tears of the Kingdom Walkthrough and Guide about making your way through Hyrule. In fact, you can start here:
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.
I’ve been meaning to write about Veiled Experts for over a month now, since playing it religiously during the Final Beta Test. I’ve been putting it off mostly because I’ve been busy, but also because I’m trying to find a way of saying “actually it’s really good” without people laughing and throwing garbage at me. It’s very hard to describe Veiled Experts to someone in a way that doesn’t prompt an instant dismissal. That was my reaction too. I saw it on Twitch, my mind said “third person Counter-Strike”, and sent an automatic signal down to my lips to proclaim the words: “sounds awful”.
Thank goodness for boredom. Later that day I was at a loose end and saw that Veiled Experts was free, so I downloaded it and tried it out. And here we are, a month and a bit later. The game is about to release into Early Access, and I’m desperately trying to get everyone I know to play it with me, because it’s bloody phenomenal.
In Breath of the Wild, which released almost two years after the death of late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, Nintendo seemingly included a tribute to his memory in the form of Satori Mountain and its resident Lord of the Mountain. And now, in the sequel Tears of the Kingdom, that tribute has been further expanded upon with one of the game’s most mystical hidden encounters.
On Satori Mountain in Breath of the Wild, players who visited on certain nights could see a beautiful spectral creature called the Lord of the Mountain and witness a number of Blupees gathering. It was truly a breathtaking surprise moment for those who stumbled upon it, and a number of other context clues in-game pointed at the whole thing being a way to honor Iwata’s memory.
Caution: Spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom follow. Read on at your own risk.
Tears of the Kingdom still includes Satori Mountain, but it goes a step further with the Lord of the Mountain creature, the Blupees, and the beauty surrounding it all.
Scattered across Hyrule are eight cherry blossom trees, including one on Satori Mountain. If you leave an offering of fruit in the offering plate in front of one of these trees, the Lord of the Mountain — a creature known as a Satori — will appear to you. The Satori will then mark several dozen points of interest in the nearby area with glowing blue auras. You can use these auras to seek out hidden caves that include Blupees, Bubbulfrogs, and other treasure and secrets. The auras disappear after a time, but you can bring them back by offering another piece of fruit at the shrine.
What’s more, collecting Bubbul Gems from Bubbulfrogs can get you multiple rewards, most notably three pieces of armor called the Mystic Robe, Mystic Trousers, and Mystic Headpiece, which resemble the Satori aesthetic. The final piece is extremely time consuming to collect due to the sheer amount of Bubbul Gems needed, so you’re likely to encounter multiple Satori on your way to this incredible outfit.
For more spelunking assistance, here’s our guide to finding caves in Tears of the Kingdom. And for help with everything Tears of the Kingdom, take a look at our Tears of the Kingdom Walkthrough and Guide about making your way through Hyrule. In fact, you can start here:
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.
After giving us a release window for horror collection Layers Of Fear, developers Bloober Team have now set a concrete date: June 15th, 2023. The game previously changed its name earlier in the year, dropping the pluralisation of Layers Of Fears. Presumably, it’ll still explore more than one fear, though. You can see for yourself as the game released a new demo today, available on Steam until May 22nd.
Robert Eggers would be proud.
If you’re a fan of the utterly fantastic Robert Eggers movie The Lighthouse, then this upcoming first-person horror might well be up your street.
No One Lives Under the Lighthouse is a slow-burn horror in which you take on the role of a lighthouse keeper, tasked with keeping the lights on every night. Hallucinations might cause your sanity to slip as you explore the creepy PS1-inspired environments.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
May has a plethora of genres and game styles coming your way. You can hit the pitch later today, or soon you can build a railway empire, collect monsters, voyage a magical world, or we can stop here and get right into the games. Let’s dive in!
FIFA 23 (Console and PC) EA Play
The World’s Game is available today from 10:00AM PDT with PC Game Pass & Ultimate via EA Play. Hit the pitch today, plus claim monthly FIFA 23 member rewards. Experience HyperMotion2 Technology on Xbox Series X|S that delivers even more gameplay realism, the addition of women’s club teams, and more.
Eastern Exorcist (Console and PC) – May 18
This is a fictitious eastern world with an infestation of vicious demon monsters. Play as a skilled exorcist against chaotic evil to fight your way through the brutal world, and experience unforeseen entanglements of complex beings.
Ghostlore (Console) – May 18
Available now with PC Game Pass and coming soon to Xbox consoles. Ghostlore is an ‘Eastpunk’ Action-RPG where you fight monsters from Southeast-Asian folklore. Inspired by timeless classic ARPG’s such as Diablo 2 and Titan Quest, Ghostlore offers a detailed item and character customization system, procedurally generated maps, and an authentically retro 90’s aesthetic.
Planet of Lana (Console and PC) – May 23
Available on day one with Game Pass: Planet of Lana is coming soon to Xbox Game Pass for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. In this cinematic puzzle adventure, Lana and her companion Mui go on a voyage of discovery that will take them across the strange and magical world they call their home.
Cassette Beasts (Console) – May 25
Recently added to PC Game Pass and making its way to Xbox consoles! Bring your cassette player and get ready to press play! Collect awesome monsters to use during turn-based battles as you adventure into the open-world RPG, Cassette Beasts. Get ready to experience an incredible retro vibe with unique innovations to the genre.
Massive Chalice (Cloud and Console) – May 25
Massive Chalice is a tactical strategy game set on an epic timeline from Double Fine Productions. As the Immortal Ruler of the nation, you’ll take command of its heroes, forge heroic marriages to strengthen your Bloodlines, and battle a mysterious enemy known as the Cadence in a 300 year war.
Railway Empire 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 25
Available on day one with Game Pass: All aboard the express train to riches and fame in Railway Empire 2! Grow your company into the largest railway company of the continent and outsmart your competitors as you connect cities and companies with an ever-expanding network of rail lines, bridges, and tunnels.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Console and PC) – May 30
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top-down adventure game in a coloring book world where you can draw on anything. Use your painting powers to explore new places, solve puzzles, help your friends, and change the world!
Sea of Thieves: The Hoarder’s Hunt – Available now
A new Sea of Thieves Mystery has begun, and there are over 100 real-world prizes to claim! Players must race to unlock a triple-locked chest, but the keys can only be unearthed by following a trail of crazed clues left by the mysterious ‘H’. In-game rewards await all pirates who take part.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Return to Rome – Available today
Game Pass members can save 10%! Return of Rome brings the original Age of Empires into Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition as a brand new, self-contained experience. Relive the triumph and trials of antiquity with the original sixteen civilizations – plus one brand-new civilization, the Lac Viet.
FIFA 23 Ultimate Team Pack – Available today
Get your EA Play FUT Supercharge Pack, featuring new players for your FIFA 23 Ultimate Team! EA Play members can claim this Pack from May 16 to June 16.
Smite x Vshojo Starter Pack – Available Today
Anime VTubers fight the Gods? Vei, Ironmouse, Nyanners, Silvervale, Kson, and Apricot have crashed into Smite as new Skins! Get Six Free Goddesses and start your Smite x VShojo journey today!
The following games are leaving the library soon, so there’s no better time to jump back in. Remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% on games available in the Game Pass library!
Let us know what you’re jumping into next over at @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass on Twitter, or at least check in to stay up to date on Game Pass news. See you next time!
Related:
Play The World’s Game With FIFA 23, Arriving on The Play List Tomorrow
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Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App for Windows [2305.1000.47.0]
It’s safe to say Night Dive Studios’ remake of System Shock is one of the most hotly anticipated releases of 2023, and that release is just around the corner. But System Shock fans have another project to look forward to in early 2024 – a hardcover art book called The Art of System Shock.
A collaboration between Dark Horse Books and Night Dive, The Art of System Shock aims to peel back the curtain of development on the remake. Expect plenty of developer commentary and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, along with a wealth of concept art detailing the Citadel space station, the games’ varied enemies and props and more.
Here’s a look at the official cover art for The Art of System Shock:
The Art of System Shock is a 192-page hardcover book priced at $49.99. It’s slated for release in bookstores on February 13, 2024 and in comic shops on Febriary 14, 2024.
The System Shock remake was delayed from its original release date in March to now May 30 on PC. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions will follow after its launch on PC, but no date has been solidified yet. The game’s Kickstarter page first launched back in 2016.
In IGN’s System Shock remake preview, we said: “With the short time I had with System Shock Remake, I could see that Citadel Station feels like a character unto itself, and I’m looking forward to taking a deep dive into and learning the mysteries that lurk within.”
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
What can I say? I love games that have a bit of a sing-song. I’ve enjoyed the pop platforming of Sayonara Wild Hearts, the DIY DJ-ing in Fuser, the grungy game-meets-album Teenage Blob, and the recently released fist-pumping robot-thrashing Hi-Fi Rush just to name some from the top of my noggin’.
Music is a definitely big part of these games, but Stray Gods: A Roleplaying Musical has set itself on a different kind of musical path, in that it’s actually a musical. I’m talking like a full-on ballad-belter, curtain-caller, exit-stage-left-er musical. And get this: it’s also a modern retelling of the mythos behind the Greek Gods. It feels like my inner theatre kid has chugged ten Red Bulls and is waiting for her cue to burst out.
Our spotlight deals for the day include the Link amiibo being back in stock at Amazon, this time for £19.99 (it was £29.99 when it was first listed at Amazon). If you paid £29+ for it from Amazon during the preorder phase, try having a chat with Amazon customer service to see if they’ll refund the difference (otherwise say you’ll just return the preorder for a full refund, and buy the amiibo again at a reduced price). We also want to spotlight the new Tears of the Kingdom Collector’s Edition guide preorders for £29.99 as well, or there’s the paperback edition for £19.99 (the release date is June 16).
Click here to skip past all Tears of the Kingdom deals and preorders.
With how massive The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is at the moment, I hope you don’t mind that it’s taking the spotlight again in UK Daily Deals. But, because I’m nice, I’ve also included a bunch of other new and cool deals to check out today, including the last chance to secure more discounts with the KING15 code at eBay. I’ve also left an easy-to-click navigation link just above so you can skip past the rest of the Zelda stuff if it really doesn’t interest you. Otherwise, check out all the discounts below with our handy links, and follow @IGNUKDeals on Twitter for more updates.
Finding stock for the Zelda Switch Pro controller has been tough to come by since its announcement. At the time of writing, Amazon is the only retailer with the controller available. But, this could change at any moment, so make sure you’re following @IGNUKDeals on Twitter for more updates.
While I’m here, quick shout out to IGN’s Tears of the Kingdom Wiki guide, it is legit incredible and the team has knocked it out of the park with this one. If you’re looking for a physical guide, which will likely end up being more of a collectable by the time it releases on June 16, you’ve got a couple of options right now. The Collector’s Edition is beautiful and can be preordered at £29.99 from Amazon, while the standard paperback edition is £19.99. Both are out on June 16, and can be preordered using the links just below.
We’ve all been waiting patiently for the Link Tears of the Kingdom amiibo come back in stock for the UK, and thankfully Amazon has come through with the goods. You can order the Link amiibo for £19.99 right now, and with next-day delivery if you’ve got Prime.
If you didn’t secure a preorder and were waiting for reviews (we gave it a 10/10 Masterpiece in our review), then look no further as we’ve already found you an awesome deal to check out (with a fast delivery or pickup time as well). Tears of the Kingdom is down to just £49.99 at Argos right now, and you can save an extra £5 on your order if you sign up for their current email marketing promo as well (see here for more details).
With Keeper, you can store all of your passwords, credit card info, and other sensitive data in one secure, encrypted digital vault. Plus, they use top-notch encryption technology to keep your stuff safe and have added bonus features like password generation, password sharing, and two-factor authentication.
It’s a roll of the dice. These are my absolute favourite deals that are available right now, but don’t necessarily fit anywhere else, making them a little bit more random compared to everything else in Daily Deals.
eBay has got another brilliant promo code on with KING15. This will save you an extra 15% off on select purchases, and is even available on a few top video games as well. See below for some of our favourite deals in the sale (which ends May 16).
When new games like Star Wars Jedi Survivor are starting to take up around 150GB of your SSD, it might be wise to consider an expansion. If you haven’t gotten around to expanding your PS5 storage just yet, then you’re in luck, as this is an excellent price on the highly recommended Samsung 980 Pro 1TB. Down to just £89.99, you’re getting this SSD at an exceptional price!
UK online retailer ShopTo has currently got a brilliant selection of PlayStation Gift Cards at discounted prices; for example a £50 card for £42.85 instead. Not only do these make great gifts, but they’re also perfect for topping up your own PSN account as well. There’s more gift cards available, so I’ve left some handy links just below. And don’t worry, ShopTo is a trusted seller, and we feature deals from them all the time so you’re absolutely in safe hands when purchasing.
Whether you’re looking to build your collection or buying a gift for someone else, Amazon has plenty of LEGO deals that are worth checking out.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
