Gait Games

As previously explainderised, not only do we want to do a better job of rewarding RPS Supporters with exclusive articles and other fineries, we want to a better job of highlighting what your patronage gets you, including the chance to catch up on exclusives you may have missed. Here, then, is the first in a series of roundups in which we bring together all of the past month’s Supporter articles, plus recaps of any news and developments around the program itself.

And, if you’re reading this but haven’t subscribed: like what you see? Becoming an RPS Supporter is the best way to help sustain the work that we do, and on top of everything here – plus all other Supporter-exclusive articles, past and future – you’ll also get fully ad-free browsing across the site. Bargain.

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# Action-Adventure Games to Discover Following 007 First Light

**007 First Light** stands out as an exceptional action-adventure game that seamlessly combines stealth, gadgetry, and combat into an incredible cinematic journey. It ranks among the top James Bond games ever produced, and many fans are hopeful that developer IOI will create a sequel. In the meantime, if you’ve completed **First Light** and are still seeking engaging sim-like action and stealth, here are several game recommendations that could fulfill that desire.

## Hitman: World of Assassination

Let’s address this one right away. IOI’s earlier **Hitman** titles, particularly the **World of Assassination** trilogy, share numerous similarities with **007 First Light**. However, Agent 47 is more ruthless and eccentric than Bond, within much larger sandbox settings. If you relished the combination of social stealth, action, and exploration in **First Light**, you will likely enjoy the contemporary **Hitman** titles as well.

## Alpha Protocol

There are few modern spy games that steer clear of James Bond, but **Alpha Protocol** stands out as a flawed yet captivating endeavor to create a Spy RPG. Created by Obsidian, it encountered issues at its launch, making it somewhat unbalanced and buggy. Nevertheless, modders on PC have improved the game, allowing it to offer some of the spy fantasy you encountered in **First Light**.

## Splinter Cell: Conviction

Among the many **Splinter Cell** titles, **Conviction** isn’t necessarily the fan favorite, but its fast-paced, action-driven gameplay makes it enjoyable. Unlike earlier installments in the franchise, **Conviction** provides a more action-focused experience with optional stealth features, mirroring the gameplay style found in **First Light**. Sam Fisher might not be as debonair as James Bond, but he’s adept at getting the job accomplished.

## James Bond 007: Blood Stone

The inclusion of **Blood Stone**, which is a third-person action-adventure game, justifies the comparison to **First Light**. While it includes plenty of gunplay, its cinematic action and overall atmosphere align more closely with what players might anticipate from **First Light** than from more shooter-centric entries in the Bond series.

## Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

**Phantom Pain** isn’t featured on this list solely because it incorporates stealth gameplay; it is included for the myriad of ways it allows players to interact with enemies and the environment. Kojima’s concluding **MGS** game contains many mechanics similar to **First Light**, ensuring a familiar experience for those who enjoyed exploring after finishing the latter.

## Watch Dogs 2

For enthusiasts of hacking elements in **First Light**, **Watch Dogs 2** is essential. This open-world action game presents extensive stealth and hacking functionalities. Set in the lively backdrop of San Francisco, it enables inventive interactions with technology and the environment. Its overall design makes it an excellent follow-up for those yearning for a seamless action and stealth experience.

## James Bond 007: Everything Or Nothing

The final Bond game on this list is **Everything Or Nothing**, distinguished for being one of the uncommon third-person James Bond titles. The game showcases Pierce Brosnan in an original story that captures the thrill of modern Bond films. Though not intricate, it delivers an enjoyable experience, particularly for fans of the classic PS2-era action.

## Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Even though this title diverges from the third-person format, **Indiana Jones and the Great Circle** merits inclusion. Both games emphasize accessible immersive simulations with a focus on action. **The Great Circle** arguably provides more avenues for dealing with situations, making it an exciting option for players seeking to extend their adventure after **First Light**.

## Batman: Arkham City

Lastly, consider **Arkham City**, a compelling suggestion that brings a different superhero angle. At first glance, Batman may appear vastly different from Bond, but both heroes exhibit traits of cunning and gadget expertise. The stealth mechanics and action-packed gameplay in **Arkham City** should resonate well with anyone who has just finished **First Light**.

These games offer a diverse range of experiences that strike a balance between stealth, action, and narrative depth, ensuring that the thrill found in **007 First Light** continues in a fresh setting.

DLC-sized Fallout: New Vegas mod Fallout: New California‘s now available via GOG, offering an easy way to give it a go if it’s long sat on your lost of mods to try at some point before the universe dies.

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# Spider-Man: Brand New Day – A Reflection on Thanos and the Avengers

*Spider-Man: Brand New Day* has premiered, and while it establishes the foundation for upcoming films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it also contemplates previous occurrences, particularly the last unified threat faced by the Avengers – Thanos. The movie recognizes the occasionally intricate motivations behind Thanos’ behavior in *Avengers: Infinity War* and *Endgame*, skillfully blending humor with reflection on one of the most divisive figures in the franchise.

## Thanos’ Plan: A Point of Contention

In a crucial scene, the film emphasizes a significant question that has perplexed viewers for a long time: if Thanos was genuinely worried about overpopulation, why did he opt to eliminate half of all life instead of simply using the Infinity Stones to increase the resources available? This rhetorical query highlights the plot inconsistency that has plagued conversations about Thanos’ motivations since he was first introduced.

The film addresses this dilemma directly in a segment during Dr. Bruce Banner’s lecture, where a student questions Thanos’ apparently flawed reasoning. Bruce, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, tries to redirect the inquiry to a fellow student dressed in green, who humorously exclaims, “Hulk smash!” This scene showcases that even the most brilliant minds in the MCU find it challenging to provide a satisfying explanation for Thanos’ grim decision-making.

## The Duality of Thanos

Since *Infinity War*, fans have engaged in debates regarding whether Thanos embodies a misunderstood antihero or a villain whose absence of empathy negates any noble intentions. Some contend his actions arise from tyrannical traits, rejecting alternative solutions in favor of his disastrous strategy. Others suggest that his conviction provides a thought-provoking commentary on sacrifice and ethics, framing his choices as a misguided yet determined approach to an existential dilemma.

Despite the gravity of this philosophical quandary, *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* adopts a lighter perspective in its exploration. By incorporating humor and self-awareness, the film facilitates a reflection on Thanos without striving to resolve all narrative inconsistencies. The acknowledgment of the question itself serves as a gesture toward the audience, affirming their ongoing debates while maintaining the film’s focus on Peter Parker’s immediate challenges.

## Peter Parker’s Struggles

Amidst this examination, the film focuses on Peter Parker (Tom Holland) dealing with an imbalance in his DNA. This anomaly results in his Spider-Man powers overshadowing his human qualities, prompting him to seek help from Bruce Banner, who is now a university professor. Although lacking the Avengers’ full backing, this connection introduces a novel dynamic, highlighting Bruce’s own transformation as he navigates his dual identity and faces challenges within the academic sphere.

Peter’s interruption of Bruce’s class adds depth to the narrative, contrasting the intellectual hurdles of being a superhero with the existential threats posed by adversaries like Thanos. This blend of humor and seriousness illustrates Peter Parker’s continuous development, reinforcing themes of responsibility and personal evolution.

## Conclusion

*Spider-Man: Brand New Day* not only provides entertainment but also encourages reflection on the intricacies of heroism, ethics, and the motivations behind villainy. Through its exploration of Thanos’ actions and the humorous yet meaningful interactions between Peter and Bruce, the film contributes to the broader MCU narrative while engaging viewers in a discussion about the essence of sacrifice and the trials of leadership. As the franchise progresses, inquiries regarding past narratives remain essential, influencing the future of superhero storytelling.

As you might be aware, mods made using generative AI – either to directly generate the likes of character voices or for tasks linked to development – seem to be getting more common as the controversial tech continues to become tougher to avoid no matter where you’re looking. Such mods aren’t against the rules of modding site Nexus Mods, provided they don’t infringe on the rights of voice actors or use assets without permission and are appropriately tagged. This week, the modding site have moved to tighten up the latter, dividing a single AI-generated content tag into three more specific ones.

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**Ubisoft Closes Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles Amid NFT Controversy**

Ubisoft has formally declared the termination of its turn-based strategy title, *Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles*, which featured Web3 technology. Introduced in 2024, the game’s shutdown was announced this week on the official website and Discord server, revealing, “Following thorough deliberation, we have opted to phase out the game. The *Champions Tactics* servers will be officially deactivated on October 30.”

This choice did not take the game’s community by surprise, as many had noted warning signs for several months. Back in May, Ubisoft signaled intentions to remove the game’s Web3 components due to unspecified challenges with the Oasys blockchain infrastructure. The primary concept of *Champions Tactics* was to enable players to mint and trade game units on the blockchain marketplace for cash or the Oasys cryptocurrency (OAS).

Ubisoft’s attempts to integrate NFTs into its games have encountered considerable pushback from the gaming community. In spite of widespread dissatisfaction, the company persisted in pursuing NFT integration, to the chagrin of gamers who frequently perceive these technologies as exploitative. The initiative to shift to a free-to-play model—*Champions Tactics Reforged*—on Steam last year, which eliminated NFT features, did little to enhance interest, highlighted by the game’s mixed reception.

To retain its player base, Ubisoft is guiding users to its new collectible card game, *Might and Magic Fates*, which was launched in early access in February. This game mixes elements reminiscent of *Hearthstone* while providing a marketplace for purchasing and selling cards using cash or cryptocurrency. High-ranking *Champions Tactics* players are being encouraged with exclusive in-game rewards to transition to the new platform. However, feedback from the *Champions Tactics* Discord indicates skepticism regarding the potential success of *Might and Magic Fates*.

As Ubisoft navigates the challenging landscape of blockchain gaming, the closure of *Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles* stands as a significant reminder of the hurdles encountered by traditional gaming companies striving to adapt to new technologies amidst mixed reactions from their audience.

It’s another one of those days, as Double Fine have announced that they are laying off 23 members of staff. This comes weeks after their split from Xbox that left them independent once more, which also saw South of Midnight developers Compulsion go indie, and State of Decay studio Undead Labs and Senua’s Ninja Theory acquired by new, as of yet to be confirmed owners.

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**Rumors Around the Arrival of the Ocarina of Time Remake and Amiibo Launches**

Nintendo’s latest announcement about the remake of *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* has ignited enthusiasm and conjecture within the gaming community. With its potential release aimed at November, many enthusiasts are keen to understand the tactical timing, particularly in light of the upcoming debut of *Grand Theft Auto VI* on November 19.

Traditionally, Nintendo has exhibited a practice of unveiling new amiibo alongside their first-party releases, which seems to serve as a method to simplify distribution and minimize shipping expenses. This habit has resulted in occasions where amiibo launch dates are disclosed ahead of the related game, frequently lacking any thematic link between the two. For instance, the recent reveal of the King Dedede amiibo coincided with the launch of a new *Rhythm Heaven* title, exemplifying this peculiar yet calculated marketing strategy.

Recent discoveries on the Nintendo UK Store by a Reddit user have brought attention to the launch of the Sword Kirby & Dragoon and Noir Dedede & Hydra amiibo, set for November 11. While this date initially appeared unlikely for a game release, a correction of the system clock shifted it to November 12, implying that a new Nintendo title could be unveiled on that date.

This conjecture is especially captivating considering the timing in relation to *GTA VI*’s debut. Nintendo’s choice to unveil a remake of a classic like *Ocarina of Time* in such close proximity to a major competitor prompts inquiries about their market approach. While it may appear counterproductive to launch alongside a potentially overpowering title, it could also reflect Nintendo’s assurance in the lasting allure of Zelda, relying on the game’s legacy to establish its own presence in the saturated market.

As the gaming landscape anticipates further updates, the alignment of the amiibo release and the speculation surrounding *Ocarina of Time*’s debut serves as a reflection of Nintendo’s distinctive marketing tactics and the continuously shifting dynamics of video game launches.

Romanceable vampires? It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

The post Moonlight Peaks Dating Guide [How to Date, Romance, and Marriage] appeared first on Gamezebo.

Photojournalist Frank West is heli-dropped into the Willamette Parkview mall, following a tip-off that there’s something sinister going down in the sleepy Colorado town. Impressively undeterred by the sight of people eating each other by a school bus during his fly-by, he instructs his pilot to drop him off on the mall roof and return for him in exactly three days.

The rest, more or less, is up to you. If you decide to do absolutely nothing but lounge around in the security room for 72 in-game hours, Dead Rising doesn’t care. The chopper turns up on schedule, you get in and leave. Thanks for the £40, here’s the credits.

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