Given how immensely popular Baldur's Gate 3 was when it fully launched in 2023, I think it's easy to forget that the journey there had a lot of us playing the first act of the game for the better part of three years. In that time, the idea of playing Dungeons & Dragons was seeded within me, growing more and more annoying and harder to ignore by the day as it dug its roots into my brain. By the time I actually finished a full co-op run in October 2023 (I have kids, it took a while, forgive me), I'd also fallen into watching Dimension 20. Before long, my desire to play Dungeons & Dragons had become a full creepy eldritch tree that wasn't letting me think about much else.

You can imagine my joy when I got an invite into a mate's group, and we've been playing at least twice a week since. I did try to pick up Baldur's Gate 3 again to do an evil playthrough, but it just wasn't the same; it lacked all of the stuff I love about D&D, namely the very silly voices and the fully reactive world. The change in immersion from "I choose what to say from a list," to "I say what I want at any given time" is one that video games just can't compete with. So, at this point, I just sort of assumed that Baldur's Gate 3 was done for me.

Despite that, the news about Patch 8 started to trickle out, and by gumbo, I couldn't help but want to play with the new subclasses (even though mods have added them in unofficial capacity already, and I've ended up playing with mods anyway). I was apprehensive about how much I'd enjoy it, but it turns out learning D&D back-to-front actually means I'm substantially better at Baldur's Gate 3 now, and more importantly, I completely understand the dice that are rolling in the background.

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I'll be real: Now that I think about it, the trick I'm about to talk about is incredibly obvious. So I'm begging you, please don't judge me too harshly and appreciate the fact that I am majorly humbling myself by writing about this. And, for those of you who also didn't realize you could do this, rest assured that you are in good-ish company.

Earlier this year, Fields of Mistria's second major update was released, bringing with it the lava caves biome. And did you know that, unlike me, you don't have to use your watering can and desperately hop around the cave's various rock formations to progress through it? In a post shared on the official Field of Mistria Instagram, the team behind the game revealed that players can use the game's rain spell to instantly solidify every single inch of lava on the floor. That's right. All of it. And although this feat takes a lot of mana if you want to do it on multiple levels, man oh man, it changes things--and saves my poor stamina bar.

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Admittedly, I haven't played nearly as much Fields of Mistria since the game's second update dropped--I blame the absolutely wild number of phenomenal games that have come out this year for that. For this reason, I think I'm a little more justified in not picking up on this sooner. But as someone who delights in games that force you to think about things in more roundabout way (ie. Metal Gear Solid, Paranormasight, etc.), I am kicking myself for not considering that I could use the rain spell down in the mines.

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EA Sports announced Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26 release dates in a new trailer highlighting the "football journey" from high-school recruit to big-league pro. Preorders are open for both games now, with a few caveats. They're only available for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S to start with, as EA has yet to open preorders for Madden NFL 26's Nintendo Switch 2 version. The studio isn't supporting PS4 and Xbox One with this year's sports games, either.

Madden NFL 26 launches on August 14, and College Football 26 releases on July 10. Madden 26 will launch on PC, but EA Sports has no plans to put College Football 26 on PC at present.

Preorders are available on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, and while EA Sports is pushing an "MVP Bundle" version that includes both games for $150.00, you can preorder Madden 26 separately for $70.00. Standalone College Football 26 preorders aren't live yet.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 launches in June, but preorders in the US began today, April 24. Official reviews for the system are expected later, but for now, user reviews at one retailer are available--and they're overwhelmingly negative.

Reviews for the standard Switch 2 console at Target are currently hovering at just above 2/5 stars, with more than 400 people weighing in. Of course, no one actually has a Switch 2 yet, so the reviews are instead focused on the messy preorder experience and other factors.

People are using the review page to express their frustration and disappointment about the preordering experience, which left many people unable to secure a console. Some people claim Target's website and order process was anything but smooth.

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Nintendo Switch 2 preorders are officially live, though the first wave has already sold out. But if you were one of the lucky customers who got confirmation of your purchase, it’s now time to start looking at accessories, including carrying cases and screen protectors. If you're not interested in spending $40 on Nintendo's official carrying case and screen protector combo pack, there are some enticing third-party options for cheap at Amazon. Check them out below:

• iVoler Tempered Glass Switch 2 Screen Protector (4-Pack) -- $9 ($16)
• TZGZT Switch 2 Carrying Case + 2 Screen Protectors -- $16.84 ($28)
• Mumba Switch 2 Carrying Case (Multiple Color Options) -- $19

iVoler Tempered Glass Switch 2 Screen Protector (4-Pack) $9 (was $16)

A screen protector is a wise investment for your Switch 2, and this iVoler is one of the most popular brands for tempered glass screen protectors for a wide variety of devices, including the original Switch. You can snag a four-pack of Nintendo Switch 2 screen protectors for only $9 (was $16) with this limited-time deal.

These tempered glass screen protectors are 0.3mm thin, and the set also comes with an alignment guide to streamline the installation process. Along with the guide, you'll get the usual wipes and bubble-removal cards to help you make sure you apply the screen protector perfectly.

See at Amazon TZGZT Carrying Case + Screen Protectors for Switch 2 $16.84 (was $27.73)

Want an accessory bundle with all the essentials? Check out this pack, which gets you a hardshell carrying case and two tempered glass screen protectors (alignment tray included). The case fits your Switch 2 console, 12 game cards, additional cables, and even the bulky AC adapter. A hard-shell, water-resistant design keeps your gear safe, while a plush interior should ensure nothing jostles around and gets scratched in transit.

This brand is a total unknown, and the case is not officially licensed by Nintendo, but the price is so low that it's worth considering.

See at Amazon Mumba Carrying Case for Switch 2 (Multiple Colors) $19

If you'd prefer a sleeker Switch 2 carrying case, this one from another unknown brand is available for $19 in black, and other color options are available for a bit more.

Featuring a thin hardshell design, this case is largely designed for storing the Switch 2 on its own, but it does have an insert with slots for 12 game cartridges.

The EVA hard shell exterior should keep it safe while in your backpack or suitcase, and its thin 1.22-inch footprint means it should be easier to toss in a backpack than some other carrying cases.

See at Amazon Nintendo Switch 2 Official Accessories

For Nintendo's official accessories, check out our full roundup of the Switch 2 controllers and other peripherals that will launch alongside the console on June 5. Here's a quick rundown of the official Switch 2 accessories, from the new Pro Controller to a cute Piranha Plant Camera.

• Carrying Case & Screen Protector -- $40
• All-In-One Carrying Case -- $84
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller -- $84
• Joy-Con 2 Controllers (2-Pack) -- $94
• Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card -- $60
• Switch 2 Camera -- $54
• Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Switch 2 -- $59
• AC Adapter -- $35
• Joy-Con 2 (Right, Red Strap) -- $54
• Joy-Con 2 (Left, Blue Strap) -- $54
• Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip -- $40
• Joy-Con 2 Straps (2-Pack) -- $14
• Joy-Con 2 Racing Wheels (2-Pack) -- $25

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

$85 | Releases June 5

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For more affordable accessories, check out the GameStop Switch 2 lineup. Along with a similar carrying case that’s just $25, you’ll find Joy-Con 2 charging docks, cartridge cases, screen protectors, and more.

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 incorporates tons of classic aspects of the turn-based genre, along with the active combat aspects it chooses to revolutionize. One of those classic aspects are different outfits you can collect and equip, including swimsuits. These swimsuits can be primarily found in areas called Gestral Beaches, which typically contain a minigame of some type that you must beat in order to unlock the swimsuits. Each of these awards a swimsuit or two, with most party members having at least one option, if not a pair of swimsuits. Below, you can find the Gestral Beach locations, along with the relevant swimsuits you unlock, and the one other way you unlock them.

Since all four beaches share the same name, these are ordered based on when you gain access to them.

Gestral Beach 1The first beach can be found west of the Gestral Village.

The first Gestral Beach can be found to the west of the Gestral Village on the starting section of the world map. This beach has a short obstacle course you have to run across in order to unlock two swimsuits. Once you complete the obstacle course, speak with the Gestral at the end to receive your rewards. This obstacle course is relatively simple, but using Lune, who floats instead of running, makes it slightly easier.

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Former Xbox-console-exclusive Forza Horizon 5 sounds like it will run great on the PlayStation 5, and will be particularly impressive for those playing on PS5 Pro, according to Digital Foundry.

Though the PS5 version of the open-world racer that first released in 2021 isn't set to release on PlayStation 5 until April 29, the performance-breakdown wizards at Digital Foundry have already put the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5 through its paces ahead of its release. The good news: They largely have nothing but positive things to say.

While its visual performance on the base PS5 seems nearly identical to its performance on Xbox Series X|S (Digital Foundry says there's virtually no visual distinction and that they struggled to differentiate the two side-by-side), that's still an achievement given the series the franchise's ForzaTech engine has never run on PlayStation devices before. The game runs at a constant 30fps in quality mode and a steady 60fps during performance mode, and Digital Foundry says developer Panic Button's PS5 port is a "near-perfect match" to the Xbox Series X|S version.

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The upcoming collaboration between Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy continues to be the most anticipated expansion of the year. Today, during a call with investors, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks revealed just how popular the set is proving to be, as Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy is already the best-selling set in the game's history, with over 30 days before its June 13 launch.

Cocks revealed the accolade during the opening statements of the investor call, saying that the Final Fantasy expansion has already achieved the lofty goal through preorders alone. The previous set to hold the record was another Universes Beyond expansion, The Lord Of The Rings, which launched in 2023.

Sephiroth and Cloud, as depicted in the Final Fantasy Starter Set.

The record-breaking figures are coming at an opportune time for Hasbro, as Cocks also explained that the success of Wizards Of The Coast's tabletop division is acting as a shield against the chaotic tariff situation enacted by US President Donald Trump thanks to limited international production. "Most of our domestic supply is produced in North Carolina and Texas, with the balance from Kyoto, Japan," Cocks said in the investor call.

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Lego Fortnite: Mecha Team Leader (2,503 pieces)

$250 | Releases August 1

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The Lego Fortnite lineup will double in size in the coming months, as four new sets are slated to arrive between June and August. The most notable addition to the lineup is the Mecha Team Leader, a 2,503-piece display model for adults that you can preorder now for $250 from the Lego Store. The Mecha Team Leader releases August 1, but you'll be able to build the three other new sets while wait starting June 1.

Upcoming Lego Fortnite Sets

At this time, only the Mecha Team Leader is available to preorder. It's unclear if preorders will be offered for the other three sets listed below. That said, it's worth noting that unlike the original lineup, these do not appear to be timed exclusives on the Lego Store, so you should be able to buy them from major retailers at launch.

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The real journey in Oblivion Remastered begins after you step out of the grimy Imperial City sewers and emerge in the world of Cyrodiil. Right from the start of the game, there are zero restrictions on where you can go, who you can meet, and what you can do. You can choose to follow the main story quest, which requires you to hand over the amulet the emperor entrusted to you before he died, or completely ignore the story and explore the new world before you.

If you're a veteran of Oblivion, then you likely have a solid idea of the best places to go first. However, if you're hopping into the game for the first time with the remaster, you might need some guidance. After all, the map is huge and offers some free fast travel destinations thousands of meters away right from the get-go.

So, what should you do first in Oblivion Remastered? Below, we'll offer a few specific directives on the best places to visit after emerging from the sewers. For so much more on the "new" game, use our full Oblivion Remastered guide.

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If you don't play games on PC (or even if you do), you might not know that there's been a run on parkour games for a while now. All of these also compete with games like Roblox and Fortnite, where parkour sims carve out a major aspect of the user-generated worlds on display. But one of these parkour games stands out above the rest: Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game.

It's both the highest-rated parkour game on Steam (among those with more than just a handful of reviews) and has the most Steam reviews by far, with 96% of its nearly 5,000 user reviews giving the game the illustrious "Overwhelmingly Positive" distinction on the digital storefront. Soon, it'll be leaving early access and coming to consoles as well, with a 1.0 launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S scheduled for June 17.

During my hands-on time with the game, it was quickly apparent how much solo developer Michel Losch drew inspiration from the past. The arena-like maps and the ability to freely go wherever and chain together stylish moves felt like something right out of a classic Tony Hawk game. One of its maps, The Shed, seems to intentionally invoke imagery of Tony Hawk's beloved warehouse level. Still, I agreed with Losch's assessment that the physics and required stick skills of his game end up landing Rooftops & Alleys (R&A) somewhere in the middle of Tony Hawk and the more sim-like Skate series from EA.

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The talk of the town currently in gaming is Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, but it might not be the only RPG remaster from Bethesda. A report said a Fallout 3 remaster is coming, and now one of the game's original designers, Bruce Nesmith, has commented on what he'd like to see from it.

Nesmith told Videogamer that he'd like to see Fallout 3's gunplay improved upon to make it more like Fallout 4's. "[Fallout 3 combat] didn't hold up to shooters at the time," he said. "Also, it's an RPG shooter; it's not a run-and-gun shooter. But a lot of work was done on that for Fallout 4. So I anticipate seeing a lot of that work go into it, assuming they're doing the same thing."

Nesmith pointed out that Fallout 3 marked Bethesda's first big stab at a shooter-style game, and the gunplay was not ideal.

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EA officially announced Madden NFL 26 today, and this new entry brings the biggest platform-availability shake-up that the football game series has seen in years.

When Madden NFL 26 launches in August, it will only be on the current generation of consoles and PC. Nearly five years into the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S's lifespan, EA has finally decided to drop the PS4 and Xbox One versions. 2013's Madden NFL 25 was the first game in the series to release on PS4 and Xbox One, and every annual release in the series has been available on those platforms until this year.

Additionally, Madden NFL 26 will be the first game in the series to be released on Nintendo Switch 2. EA teased this during the Direct unveiling the console earlier this month, but we now have official confirmation. It's the first Madden game to be released on a Nintendo platform since Madden NFL 13 in 2012. Considering Madden is one of the best-selling games every year, a shift in platform availability like this is significant.

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French independent game studio Coven has announced its second title, Micromega. Based on the works of acclaimed artist Mani, the game tasks players with solving physics-based puzzles in a decaying, monochromatic world. According to the game's press release, "scale, motion, and observation are key to progression." The studio also shared Micromega's first trailer, which can be viewed below.

Based on the trailer, it seems like Micromega will be an atmospheric adventure, with minimalist ambient music accompanying the small sphere as players roll it across series of floating platforms, debris, and other obstacles. Though the puzzles will be fairly straightforward to begin, 30 levels of escalating difficulty are currently planned for the game, with hidden paths and collectibles offering up even greater challenges. All of the game's environments are hand-drawn by Mani, who also serves as the game's director.

"Every stage of this vertical-scrolling adventure is a delicate dance of physics and strategy, where peculiar creatures hold the key to the ascent," Micromega's Steam page reads. "Each plays a role, but at a different scale, working together to shift the world and free the Sphere’s path to the unknown... Even the smallest push can set massive change in motion. This world obeys its own delicate physics, observing these interactions is key to progress."

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Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition for Switch 2

$70 | Releases June 5

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Cyberpunk 2077 has seen tremendous growth since launching in 2020. Originally littered with bugs, Night City is now better than it’s ever been--thanks to dozens of updates from CDPR and the brilliant Phantom Liberty expansion that transformed the world and strengthened the narrative. Nintendo users weren't able to play the open-world RPG on Switch, but they will be able to play it on Switch 2 on June 5, which is the same day the console launches. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is now available to preorder for Nintendo Switch 2.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition for Switch 2 $70 | Releases June 5

This is the only version of the game up for preorder. However, it’s the premium Ultimate Edition that bundles together the base game and the Phantom Liberty expansion. Better yet, all of this content is included on a physical 64GB game card--meaning you won’t need to download additional content to your console. At the moment, Cyberpunk 2077 is the only third-party Switch 2 with all of the game data on the cart--other third-party titles are Game Key Cards, which require additional downloads from the eShop.

Considering the size and scope of Cyberpunk 2077, it's pretty awesome that this is a true physical edition.

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Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition has been optimized for smooth gameplay on Switch 2. This includes the use of Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology, support for Gyroscope Mode and motion controls, touchscreen menu navigation, and compatibility with the Joy-Con 2's mouse controls.

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Pokemon TCG Pocket's next expansion will take players to Pokemon Sun and Moon's Alola region with its new Celestial Guardians set.

There will be more than 200 new cards in the set for the free-to-play mobile game, including EX versions of Sun and Moon's Legendary Pokemon mascots Sogaleo and Lunala. Sun and Moon starters--the grass owl Rowlet, the fire cat Litten, and the water seal Popplio--are also being added as part of the set.

In sync with its Alola region theme, Celestial Guardians will also be unique Alolan versions of cards like Meowth, Raichu, Vulpix, and Marowak for players to collect. Trainer cards coming as part of the set include the introduction of Rare Candy and the Torom Dex, as well as Supporter cards for Sun and Moon's Trial Captains Ilima, Lana, Kiawe, Acerola, Mallow, Sophocles, and Lillie.

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EA Sports has announced a new paid season pass for FC 25, the first of its kind for the soccer series, and the developer anticipated fans having a lot of questions about this.

In a blog post, EA Sports said the paid season pass is "purely additive," but many believe it's just the latest example of EA trying to squeeze even more money out of players beyond the microtransaction-heavy Ultimate Team mode. The FC 25 "Premium Pass," as it's called, can be purchased with FC Points or UT Coins at a cost of 1,000 FC Points ($10 USD) or 500,000 worth of in-game earnable UT Coins.

As for what's included, players get tradeable packs and Season Points boosters, along with more player items, evolution consumables, retro-themed cosmetics. The graphic below shows everything included with the paid expansion pack, and some of the content is exclusive to the Premium Pass.

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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has introduced quite a few new features and improvements to Cyrodiil, but one classic feature from the original 2006 version of the game has undeniably remained: extremely cursed character faces.

To be fair, most of the horrifying faces in the original Oblivion belonged to NPCs. Player-characters often ended up looking a bit off as well, but the player-character's face wasn't featured as prominently in the original game as it is in the remaster, nor was third-person mode as polished as it is in the latest version of the game, so the game's wonky NPC faces tended to overshadow whatever horrors players put together in the character creator. In Oblivion Remastered, however, many of the game's NPCs have had glow-ups, while the game's character creator has given players more flexibility to turn the Hero of Kvatch into an utter monstrosity. There's even a subreddit where players can share said monstrosities: /r/OblivionAbominations.

Naturally, Oblivion Remastered's updated character creator makes it far easier for players to create visually appealing characters, but it also makes it easier for players to create characters that are pure nightmare fuel. Almost immediately following the game's surprise release, social media started filling up with screenshots of player-character designs that make the bug-eyed NPCs of Starfield look downright friendly. Here are some of our favorites.

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Nacon has announced that the Unfinished Business standalone expansion for RoboCop: Rogue City will launch on July 17 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The company also released a new trailer for the expansion, showing off some of the new gameplay, enemies that RoboCop will encounter, and what appears to be a ghost from his past, back when he was still made from easily damaged flesh and bone.

First revealed earlier this year during the Nacon 2025 showcase, Unfinished Business revolves around the high-tech OmniTower being taken over by an army of mercenaries. The organization is after the power source at the heart of this building, and when combined with stolen modules from the Metro West precinct, they'll be able to take control of any OCP technology, including RoboCop.

Naturally, Old Detroit's best cop isn't going to wait for this to happen, and he heads to the OmniTower to put a stop to these nefarious plans.

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Avalanche Studios has confirmed that Hogwarts Legacy on Nintendo Switch 2 is a new build of the game with "next-generation assets" instead of using the Switch port as a foundation for development. However, this means there isn't a Switch 2 Edition upgrade pathway for players who already own the RPG on Switch, like there is with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Party Jamboree.

On YouTube, Avalanche's VP of technology Rob Nelson explained that it wasn't an easy choice regarding how to bring Hogwarts Legacy to Switch 2. "So for Nintendo Switch 2, we had a decision to make whether we were going to do an up-port from Nintendo Switch or start with next-generation assets," Nelson said in the Creator's Voice video (seen below). "That was a difficult decision because the easy path would have been to do the up-port from Nintendo Switch. But we felt like we were able to create a better realization of our world by starting with the next-generation assets. And we're really happy that we were able to deliver that."

While this should mean better visuals on Switch 2, the downside comes down to the apparent lack of an upgrade path for current owners of Hogwarts Legacy on Switch. For instance, Zelda: Breath of the Wild owners can pay $10 to upgrade to a prettier Switch 2 Edition. It looks like a brand-new, full-priced purchase of Hogwarts Legacy will be required on Switch 2. That said, there is a chance that the original Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy could get a performance boost on Switch 2.

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