Once again it appears that Pocketpair appears to be going after a bit of Pokemon’s pie, this time of the card game variety. Where the latter’s started life as a physical medium, the former’s attempt at such a thing, literally just called Palworld Official Card Game, announced today, looks to be of the digital-only variety, though what there is to learn about it is a touch slim overall.
**First-Person Horror: A Fresh Take on *Arc Raiders***
In the realm of gaming, gameplay manipulation through hacks frequently leads to unanticipated and occasionally frightening experiences. This occurrence is especially noticeable when a game meant for a particular viewpoint is compelled to adopt a different perspective, resulting in unexpected horror—whether via visual glitches or an increased sense of dread. One of the more recent titles to attract attention is *Arc Raiders*, which has recently emerged in discussions for its shift from a third-person to a first-person view, revealing a more intense gaming experience.
A Reddit user by the name of Short_Satisfaction_9 recently showcased, via console modifications, that *Arc Raiders*, generally played from a third-person perspective, could be adjusted to function in first-person. Although this change was visually flawed, it drastically transformed the combat dynamics within the game, rendering it much more frightening. The already challenging aspects of *Arc Raiders*, which involve confronting PvE bots and drones, saw a significant escalation as players found it harder to detect foes from afar. The third-person view offered a wider battlefield perspective, allowing players to foresee attacks and devise strategies accordingly. However, switching to first-person eliminated this benefit, enhancing the chances of unexpected encounters with adversarial forces.
The repercussions of this new viewpoint should not be overlooked. Gamers used to the relative safety a third-person perspective offers discovered themselves in a more frenzied arena when shifted to first-person. The thrill of fear became unmistakable, as players had to maneuver through the game’s perilous terrain with reduced visibility and increased tension. This idea resonates with numerous horror genre enthusiasts who recognize how a mere change in perspective can heighten the fear factor, shifting the game from a conventional action experience to one fraught with urgency and suspense.
Nevertheless, as thrilling as it might be for some, the option to modify the game in this manner is no longer accessible. In response to a wave of complaints concerning cheating, Embark, the studio behind *Arc Raiders*, made decisive moves to eliminate access to the in-game console. This decision stemmed from findings that players were misusing the console commands for unfair advantages, such as deactivating fog effects to greatly enhance visibility. Essentially, PC players could see adversaries much more clearly than their console peers, resulting in an uneven playing field, which led Embark to introduce a hotfix to eradicate the problematic console commands, including the one that permitted the first-person view.
The significance of revoking these features is considerable; while it mitigates cheating and equalizes competition, it simultaneously deprives players of the opportunity to delve into the eerie depths of *Arc Raiders* from a first-person viewpoint. This choice underscores the fine line developers must navigate between cultivating a fair competitive space and empowering players to experiment with their gameplay experiences. Although many may mourn the loss of this distinct horror encounter, it underscores the idea that perspective in gaming can profoundly transform the player’s experience and alter the overall atmosphere of a game.
As *Arc Raiders* continues to progress, both players and fans will observe attentively, eager to discover what other surprises the game might present and how subsequent updates could impact player immersion, whether through the realm of horror or other experiences. In the interim, those fortunate enough to have experienced the game in first-person mode will possess a genuinely unique story to share, illustrating how gaming can embody both thrilling and chilling moments.
The cutest furry friends
The post All Heartopia Animal Trough Locations – and What Troughs Are! appeared first on Gamezebo.
As we stumble into what increasingly looks like a hardware-unfriendly 2026, RAMnarök shows no signs of petering out. As tech giants continue hoarding memory chips to build their AI farms, and suppliers gleefully jack up their prices in turn, consumer-grade RAM is still laughably expensive – and SSDs, most of which also need these in-demand chips, are seeing some nasty inflation as well.
I bring this up now, when storage prices began climbing back in November, because the past week has been particularly fucked, vis-à-vis the kind of SSDs you’d want in a modern games PC. Keepa, Amazon-tracking the browser extension I’ve long used to gauge the honesty of Prime Day and Black Friday deals, makes for grim reading: the 1TB WD Black SN850X currently sits at £162, having been £116 on January 5th, and £85 on November 5th. Nearly double the price, in barely two months.
When enthusiasts discovered that [Lego had successfully obtained the Pokémon license from a competing brick brand](https://kotaku.com/lego-pokemon-pikachu-date-price-mega-bloks-teaser-1851770713), there was considerable enthusiasm. However, some fans are now expressing dissatisfaction regarding the elevated prices and the construction differences between the Pikachu sets from each brand.
After hinting at it in 2025, [Lego has officially unveiled its first forthcoming Pokémon sets](https://kotaku.com/pokemon-lego-sets-release-date-price-pikachu-charizard-2000658895), featuring both an Eevee and a Pikachu. Nevertheless, these are not the inaugural officially licensed brick-based toy items tied to Game Freak’s renowned franchise to appear in stores. For several years, Mega Bloks, a rival to Lego, held the license and rolled out over 100 distinct Pokémon sets. Mega Bloks has created a wide array of Pokémon sets and themes in different sizes and packages. To maintain fairness in comparison, we will concentrate on the two most similar offerings from Mega Bloks: Jumbo Pikachu and Jumbo Eevee. These sets are approximately equal in size to Lego’s upcoming Pikachu and Eevee sets, making them the most equitable for comparison.
First, [from 2022, we have the Mega Bloks Jumbo Pikachu](https://www.amazon.com/building-poseable-character-Building-Exclusive/dp/B079KNH886?tag=kotaku01-20). Upon its release on store shelves a few years back, this 12-inch-tall Pikachu was priced at $50, although it was often found on sale if one searched diligently. It features 806 pieces with posable arms, legs, ears, and a movable head. Additionally, it is a sturdier Pikachu, resembling the original “fat Pikachu.” It’s honestly a solid, visually appealing set, although there were critiques at the time regarding the build having issues with pieces falling off. The set includes just the Pikachu figure and nothing more.
Now let’s juxtapose that set with Lego’s recently announced Pikachu set. [This one is set to retail for $200](https://jaysbrickblog.com/news/first-lego-pokemon-sets-officially-revealed-for-27-february-2026-launch/) upon its February launch, making it four times the price of the Mega Bloks version. Ouch. And when comparing them side by side, it’s hard to pinpoint why. Lego’s model is technically 13 inches tall, but that measurement only applies when it’s displayed on the included brick-built stand.
The actual Pikachu build appears to measure around 11 inches tall, making it nearly the same size as the older Mega Bloks set. Still, it comes with a whopping $150 premium. It boasts over 2,000 pieces. Lego’s Pikachu undoubtedly looks cleaner, with fewer exposed studs, but that might be a drawback for some fans. The most significant downgrade is that Lego’s Pikachu appears far less posable. Nonetheless, I favor Lego’s rendition of Pikachu’s paws, which look adorable compared to the blocky, less appealing human-like hands of the 2022 set. Furthermore, Lego’s set includes a brick-built Poké Ball, which is a neat addition but may be considered extraneous.
Conversely, the comparison between Mega Bloks’ Jumbo Eevee and Lego’s Eevee set is notably duller. Both appear to be roughly the same size and are similarly priced. Mega Bloks charged $50 for Eevee when it launched in 2020. Lego plans to sell its Eevee for $60. A $10 hike for more pieces and a better-looking build works for me.
On the other hand, the Lego Pikachu indeed appears to be an expensive set that might be viewed as a downgrade relative to Mega Bloks’ version of Pikachu. While I appreciate the sleeker aesthetic and the included stand, the Poké Ball seems like an inefficient use of pieces, and for that price, I wish Lego had incorporated more posable limbs and joints.
Ultimately, if you’re eager to acquire a brick-built Pikachu for your desk or bedroom shelf without dishing out $200, purchasing a new Mega Bloks Pikachu for $50 or less provides a robust alternative, allowing you to save enough to buy Lego’s less expensive Eevee set.
From main meals to desserts!
The post All Heartopia Recipes – Level Requirements and Ingredients appeared first on Gamezebo.
A poster advertising a definitive edition of Tom Clancy’s The Division appears to have been spotted by folks attending a Ubisoft-run eSports event in Japan. At least, that’s assuming this isn’t some elaborate ruse designed to draw in spies from other game studios, while only Jack Ryan can see what’s truly going on.
### Code Violet: A Promising Idea Stumbles
As the gaming industry progresses, each year generally brings its share of underwhelming titles, and it seems that **Code Violet**, a fresh survival horror game from **TeamKill Media**, may already be positioning itself as a contender for 2026’s standout bad game. Following the legacy of their earlier release, **Quantum Error**, which was also met with criticism, **Code Violet** currently holds a lackluster score of 40 on Metacritic, indicating it may not have escaped the same pitfalls as its predecessor.
#### Setting and Gameplay Mechanics
**Code Violet** strives to fuse elements from renowned games such as **Resident Evil 4**, **Dead Space**, and **Dino Crisis**. The concept revolves around a confined environment, over-the-shoulder shooting mechanics, and formidable dinosaur enemies. However, initial reviews suggest that the game fails to capture the tension and effectiveness of its inspirations. Critics have observed that the shooting mechanics lack the essential depth needed to provoke fear or thrills when battling the dinosaur foes.
IGN’s Jarrett Jawn emphasizes the flaws in the game’s combat system, where even a tactical withdrawal can turn into a stressful ordeal due to camera malfunctions. “A well-timed dash back can really confuse the raptors,” Jawn notes, yet points out that the cramped spaces quickly transform encounters into chaotic situations that detract from player enjoyment. The game’s controls seem to heighten rather than ease the tension, with reviewers citing problems like camera collisions with obstacles that obscure gameplay.
#### Combat and Audio/Visual Feedback
Numerous reviews expose a shared frustration with the overall performance of combat in **Code Violet**. John Cal McCormick from PushSquare portrays the shooting experience as “weak,” denouncing the firearms for their absence of weight and impact. He likens the sensation of firing a shotgun in the game to a feeble puff of air through a straw, illustrating the game’s ineffective feedback loop. Hitboxes are frequently described as erratic, leaving players uncertain whether they are hitting their targets until a dinosaur falls in a less-than-convincing manner.
#### Tonal Discrepancies in Character Design
Adding to the game’s numerous problems is a stark tonal inconsistency between its horror elements and the depiction of its main character, Violet. Reviewers have remarked that her fanservice-driven outfit clashes significantly with the game’s serious narrative moments. Jaz Sagoo from COGConnected notes that while Violet’s character model is meticulously crafted, it trends toward an excessively sexualized portrayal, which detracts from key story moments. In a particularly striking scene, Violet’s emotional turmoil is contrasted with her revealing outfit, undermining the intended seriousness of the moment.
#### Community Reaction and Future Prospects
The feedback regarding **Code Violet** has led to a surge of commentary from the gaming community, with many voicing little astonishment at its shortcomings given TeamKill Media’s previous endeavors. The collective longing for a genuine revival of **Dino Crisis** has been evident, as fans crave a true dinosaur horror experience rather than games that merely hint at its core elements without success.
In conclusion, **Code Violet** seems to represent another miscalculation for TeamKill Media, suggesting that it may be wise to wait for a more established developer, like Capcom, to revisit the franchise before diving into this latest dinosaur-infested horror. As reviews continue to pile up, it remains uncertain how low the score for this ambitious yet struggling title will fall.
New seeds for your garden and cooking recipes!
The post Where to Buy Seeds in Heartopia – Seasonal Stock and Locations appeared first on Gamezebo.
Happy Mawday all! This week, I’m thinking about how we can expand our bestiary of Maw manifestations. When describing the beast, we often resort to stock Lovecraftian imagery of a kaleidoscopic kerfuffle of teeth and tentacles, but the Maw’s appearances aren’t always so pulpy and cinematic. Sometimes, it just looks like a blinking cursor, or an expectant child, or a feeling of guilt about not returning a text message from an old friend. Sometimes, it looks like an audience of people who want to read about new PC games.
Come, depress yourself with me as we tot up possible indicators of Maw activity. Alternatively, read about some of those aforesaid new PC games. Thanks very much to Editor King Julian for suggesting the majority of titles on this list, which he has been doing with disturbing efficiency of late.
