Mobile Game Releases – Page 11

Posted on January 10, 2023 by — Leave a comment

More Tales of remasters could be on the cards for the RPG series

As the Tales of Symphonia Remastered release date approaches, a new official Q+A on the Tales of website briefly mentions the possibility of other games in the franchise receiving remasters.

The translated statement (Thanks, Siliconera!) says that the devs are sincerely grateful to fans “for their passion and desire to play older Tales of games on newer platforms”, and that they look forward to “requests for future remasters” after Tales Of Symphonia Remastered’s release on February 17.

The Q+A clarified that the team is currently focussing their attention on the Tales of Symphonia Remastered launch, but definitely doesn’t discount further remasters of games in the series on Nintendo Switch and other consoles.

Fans have reportedly been asking for a Tales of Symphonia remaster since Tales of Symphonia Chronicles came out on PS3, which is why the devs chose this game as the first to get the remaster treatment.

That’s everything we know about the future of Tales of remasters. If you’re looking for more anime games, check out our Genshin Impact Alhaitham and Genshin Impact Yanfei guides.

Posted on January 10, 2023 by — Leave a comment

More Tales of remasters could be on the cards for the RPG series

As the Tales of Symphonia Remastered release date approaches, a new official Q+A on the Tales of website briefly mentions the possibility of other games in the franchise receiving remasters.

That’s everything we know about the future of Tales of remasters. If you’re looking for more anime games, check out our Genshin Impact Alhaitham and Genshin Impact Yanfei guides.

Posted on January 8, 2023 by — Leave a comment

Genshin Impact Alhaitham build

On our latest travels across Sumeru, we’ve crossed paths Genshin Impact’s Alhaitham, a strapping, silver-haired scholar who appears to have a trick or two up his sleeve. Though solid information about him is somewhat scarce at the moment, we’ve done a little detective work to dig up everything we know for now. Of course, we’ll be sure to update this guide if Hoyoverse gives us any more interesting crumbs, but in the meantime, let’s take a look at this tall, broody, and handsome chap.

For more info on the upcoming characters, check out our Genshin Impact Sumeru, Genshin Impact Tighnari, Genshin Impact Collei, and Genshin Impact Dori guides. We’ve also got helpful information on the next and current Genshin Impact banner, as well as a Genshin Impact tier list boasting the best of the best.

When is Genshin Alhaitham’s banner?

Genshin Impact Alhaitham’s debut banner, ‘Caution in Confidence’, will begin on January 18, and be available until February 8. It will run with Genshin Impact Xiao’s rerun banner. Alhaitham’s brand new weapon, Light of Foliar Incision, will be on the weapon at the same time.

You can find out more about the current and next Genshin Impact banners right here on Pocket Tactics.

Who is Genshin Impact’s Alhaitham?

In the third Genshin Impact Sumeru trailer, Hoyoverse revealed an upcoming Dendro character called Alhaitham. We then meet him in Port Ormos, during the Sumeru Archon Quests. But who is the mysterious scholar?

Alhaitham works as a Scribe of the Sumeru Akademiya’s Harvatat – one of the six main schools, which focuses on linguistics. Being a part of Sumeru Akademiya, Alhaitham is familiar with many other characters, including those who studied there like Genshin Impact’s Lisa. Some keen-eyed players also noticed a suspicious note outside the Wangshu Inn in Liyue that suggests Alhaitham and Zhongli share a friendship.

Alhaitham’s name is likely based on Ibn Al-Haytham, an Arab mathematician, astronomer, and physicist of the Islamic Golden Age. He’s considered to be the ‘father of modern optics’ due to his significant contributions to the study and principles of optics, having been credited as the first person in history to prove that vision occurs in the brain instead of the eyes. This makes sense with Alhaitham being from Sumeru, the nation of scholars, and perhaps gives us further insight into his intellectual prowess.

Alhaitham has grey hair, and his outfit is black, turquoise, gold, and green. Many fans have highlighted the similarities between him and Honkai Impat 3rd’s Su, which wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen a Honkai ‘expy’ (or export) appear in Genshin’s roster, with characters like Genshin Impact’s Raiden bearing striking resemblances to previous Honkai characters. Coincidentally, Honkai’s Su is actually a scientist who created the ‘seed of Sumeru’.

What is Genshin Impact Alhaitham’s element?

Alhaitham possesses a Dendro vision, as seen attached to his cape. He will be the fourth Dendro character released into Genshin (not including the Traveler).

What is Alhaitham Genshin Impact’s best role?

Alhaitham fits best in a DPS, or perhaps sub-DPS role. He is not an off-field applicator, and his Chisel Light Mirrors will disappear when he leaves the field. As a Dendro user, he will excel at creating reactions, so it will be best to set up some elements and then unleash his special and burst to deal plenty of damage when they are charged.

What’s the best Genshin Alhaitham build?

Here are our speculative choices for what’s best to equip Alhaitham with. Taking into account what we know about his constellations and talents, buffing his Elemental Mastery is a priority, as it translates to damage on his skill and burst. Thankfully, there are weapons and artifact sets that can help with this.

What are the best Genshin Alhaitham weapons?

Alhaitham is a sword user, along with his Dendro vision. When he is in the game, we will update you with our tried and tested picks. Ahead of his release, we can recommend these weapons for Alhaitham, especially his signature weapon, Light of Foliar Sanction, which will be available on the weapon banner alongside him.

Weapon	Rarity	Stat	Skill	How to obtain
Light of Foliar Incision	5-Star	CRIT damage	CRIT Rate is increased by 4%. When Normal Attacks deal Elemental DMG, the Foliar Incision effect will be obtained, increasing DMG dealt by Normal Attacks and Elemental Skills by 120% of Elemental Mastery. This effect will disappear after 28 DMG instances or 12s. You can obtain Foliar Incision once every 12s.	Weapon banner
Sapwood Blade	4-Star	Energy Recharge	After triggering Burning, Quicken, Aggravate, Spread, Bloom, Hyperbloom, or Burgeon, a Leaf of Consciousness will be created around the character for a maximum of 10s. When picked up, the Leaf will grant the character 60 Elemental Mastery for 12s. Only 1 Leaf can be generated this way every 20s. This effect can still be triggered if the character is not on the field. The Leaf of Consciousness’ effect cannot stack.	Crafting
Freedom Sworn	5-Star	Elemental Mastery	Increases DMG by 10%. When the character wielding this weapon triggers Elemental Reactions, they gain a Sigil of Rebellion. This effect can be triggered once every 0.5s and can be triggered even if said character is not on the field. When you possess 2 Sigils of Rebellion, all of them will be consumed and all nearby party members will obtain Millennial Movement: Song of Resistance for 12s. Millennial Movement: Song of Resistance increases Normal, Charged and Plunging Attack DMG by 16% and increases ATK by 20%. Once this effect is triggered, you will not gain Sigils of Rebellion for 20s. Of the many effects of the Millennial Movement, buffs of the same type will not stack.	Gacha
Lion’s Roar	4-Star	ATK %	Increases DMG against enemies affected by Pyro or Electro by 20%.	Gacha

Other than these specific picks, Primordial Jade Cutter or Mistsplitter Reforged will be good options due to their CRIT rate buffs.

What are the best Genshin Alhaitham artifacts?

Like Alhaitham’s weapon choice, you’re going to want to go for Elemental Mastery and Dendro damage buffs with his artifacts. There are a few good sets we can use for this:

Artifact set	2-Piece Bonus	4-Piece Bonus
Deepwood Memories	15% Dendro DMG Bonus	After Elemental Skills or Bursts hit opponents, the targets’ Dendro RES will be decreased by 30% for 8s. This effect can be triggered even if the equipping character is not on the field.
Gilded Dreams	Increases Elemental Mastery by 80	Within 8s of triggering an Elemental Reaction, the character equipping this will obtain buffs based on the Elemental Type of the other party members. ATK is increased by 14% for each member whose Elemental Type is the same as the equipping character, and EM is increased by 50 for every member with a different Elemental Type. Each of the buffs will count up to 3 characters. This effect can be triggered once every 8s and even when not on the field.
Wanderer’s Troupe	Increases Elemental Mastery by 80	Not recommended
Flower of Paradise Lost	Increases Elemental Mastery by 80	The equipping character’s Bloom, Hyperbloom, and Burgeon reaction DMG are increased by 40%. Additionally, after the equipping character triggers Bloom, Hyperbloom, or Burgeon, they will gain another 25% bonus to the effect mentioned prior. Each stack of this lasts 10s. Max 4 stacks simultaneously. This effect can only be triggered once per second. The character who equips this can still trigger its effects when not on the field.

For other, not-as-specific choices, the Noblesse Oblige and Gladiator’s Finale sets (especially with the two-piece bonus) are always good choices due to their Elemental Burst and ATK buffs respectively. They are also easier to attain given that they can be crafted at the Alchemy bench, or earned from some bosses as drops.

What are Genshin Impact Alhaitham’s skills?

Note that this information is currently unconfirmed by Hoyoverse, and has been spied in the 3.4 beta. According to Honey Impact, his skills are like this:

Normal Attack – Up to five rapid strikes
Charged Attack – Two rapid sword strikes that use an amount of Stamina
Plunging Attack – When jumping from mid-air, will hit the ground with a small AoE to damage enemies.

Alhaitham’s Elemental Skill, Universality, seems to resemble Genshin Impact Keqing‘s, and sees him perform a rush attack while dealing Dendro damage. By holding the associated button, you can aim where to place the attack, too. This attack forms a ‘Chisel Light Mirror’, which changes his normal attack damage to Dendro, and provides Projection Attacks causing more Dendro damage in a small AoE.

His Elemental Burst, Particular Field, is where the hefty damage comes in. Again, like Keqing’s burst filled with quick strikes, Alhaitham’s burst sets out a ‘Binding Field’ that strikes all opponents in it with Dendro damage. The more Chisel Light Mirrors that exist when you activate this skill, the more damage it deals.

What are Genshin Impact Alhaitham’s Constellations?

Alhaitham’s Constellation appears to be called Falco Caeli, which translates to ‘Falcon (or hawk)’ and ‘sculptors chisel’. It has also been named ‘Vultur Volans’, which is the old name for the constellation Aquila, meaning eagle.

From what we’ve seen, Alhaitham’s Constellations are the following:

Intuition – Alhaitham’s elemental skill cooldown is reduced by 1 second when a Projection Attack hits an enemy.
Debate – Each Chisel Light Mirror being created increases Alhaitham’s Elemental Mastery by 40 for 8 seconds.
Negation – Increases the level of Alhaitham’s elemental skill by three.
Elucidation – When Alhaitham’s burst is performed, two effects will take place:
- Chisel Light Mirrors will increase EM of all party members for 15 seconds.
- Chisel Light Mirrors will give Alhaitham a 10% Dendro bonus for 15 seconds.
Sagacity – Increases the level of Alhaitham’s burst by three.
Validity – Creating more than the maximum Chisel Light Mirrors increases Alhaitham’s Crit rate and Crit damage by 10% and 70% for 6 seconds.

What are Genshin Alhaithams’s ascension and talent materials?

Unfortunately for us Alhaitham wanters, there isn’t much preparation we can do ahead of time, aside from gathering Nagadus Emeralds and the Eremite headband item drops. The local speciality and boss drops that Alhaitham needs to ascend are both being added in 3.4, along with the man himself. We’ll need Psuedo-Stamens from a new Setekh Wenut boss – a big desert snake – and Sand Grease Pupas that we can pick up in the same area. His talent materials can be farmed in advance, however; Alhaitham needs the Ingenuity talent books, and the Mirror of Mushin drops from the Balladeer weekly boss.

That’s everything we know about Genshin Impact’s Alhaitham so far, but we’ll be sure to update you as soon as Hoyoverse confirms anything else. In the meantime, head over to our list of the best games like Genshin Impact to find something fresh to play.

Posted on January 5, 2023 by — Leave a comment

Fortnite figures

Look we all love playing video games, but sometimes it’s nice to spend a bit of time in the real world. Well, if you just can’t tear yourself away from Tilted Towers then this guide to Fortnite figures might be the answer you need. As one of the biggest properties in the world, you had better believe there’s plenty of merch, so we’ve collected all the best and brightest pieces we could so you know exactly where to grab them.

When you do want to drop back into the game though, don’t worry, we have plenty of great articles to help you along the way. Be sure to read our guides covering Fortnite memes, Fortnite Lego, Fortnite Deathrun codes and maps, Fortnite Prop Hunt codes, and Fortnite characters.

Let’s dive into our Fortnite figures guide.

Fortnite figures

Fortnite Legendary series

Fortnite Victory series

Fortnite Funko Pops

Fortnite Peely figures

Fortnite Jonesy figures

Fortnite Drift figures

Fortnite battle bus toys

Fortnite Loot Llama figures

We hope you found the perfect gift (or present for yourself) among all these great deals. If you’re still looking for something for the gamer in your life, be sure to also check out our guides covering the best Lego gaming sets, the best Among Us toys and gifts, and the best Super Mario toys.

Posted on January 3, 2023 by — Leave a comment

AU Reborn Codes

Anime has so many good fighters these days, it makes you wonder what would happen if they all existed in the same universe. Luckily, AU Reborn can help us to find the answer. But if you want to be as strong as Yor Forger or Yugi, you’re going to need AU Reborn codes to help you out.

If you’re a fan of free stuff for your blocky adventures, check out our list of Roblox promo codes, as well as codes for other games like Ohio codes, Broken Bones 5 codes, and Bleach Era codes.

Here are the latest AU Reborn codes

Active codes:

!code 40klikes – free cash and tokens
!code 30klikes – free cash and tokens
!code 20klikes – free cash and tokens

Expired codes:

!code 5klikes
!code 10klikes

What are AU Reborn codes?

AU Reborn codes are in-game freebies that are given out by the developer, Xenostrology, to celebrate certain milestones. They’re a great way to get ahead in the game. New codes come out all the time, so bookmark this page to stay up to date on the latest AU Reborn codes.

How do I redeem AU Reborn codes?

Redeeming AU Reborn codes is simple, all you need to do is:

Boot up Roblox
Launch AU Reborn
Open the chat menu by pressing ‘/’
Enter the code
Hit enter
Enjoy!

There you have it, all of the current AU Reborn codes. If you’re looking for more anime fun, check out our best anime games guide.

Posted on January 1, 2023 by — Leave a comment

Today’s Coin Master free spins links [January 2023]

Wondering how to get Coin Master free spins? You’ve come to the right place. This is an addictive mobile game by design. It combines the thrill of playing slots with the social battling of Clash of Clans to create something that you just can’t put down; in a good way. The problem is, you so often have to put it down if you’re not willing to fork out the cash for regular spins. That’s understandable when as little as 30 spins will set you back £1.99 in the UK or $1.99 in the US.

In this Coin Master blog, we’re going to provide you with all of the ways you can get your hands on a few free spins and a Coin Master bonus here and there. This will allow you to continue playing long after your daily free spins run out, and provide you with the means of getting extra, without the need to spend your hard-earned money on premium spins in the game’s store. We’d also recommend checking out our Coin Master free cards and Coin Master free coins guides to get even more rewards, and our Pet Master free spins guide if you fancy checking out Moon Active’s latest game.

Here are the latest Coin Master free spin links

Today’s Coin Master free spin links

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How can I get Coin Master free spins?

Here are a bunch of tips to help you get even more free spins in Coin Master.

Follow Coin Master on social media

Each day, Moon Active, Coin Master’s developer, provides a bunch of links that you can follow to get your hands on Coin Master free spins. If you keep on top of this, you can get a steady stream of free stuff for very little effort. You can follow Coin Master on Facebook or Twitter.

Want more? Check out CodesDb for a powerful, searchable database of the latest game codes.

Sign up for email gifts

If you sign up for email gifts, you can get yourself a handful of Coin Master free spins every single day just by following a link on your phone. We haven’t encountered any spam from signing up so far either, so it’s a quick and easy method of getting yourself some tasty free spins.

Invite friends

Each time you invite a friend who successfully joins Coin Master through Facebook, you’ll get 40 Coin Master free spins, which is considerable. They don’t even have to actually play the game; they simply have to download it and log in via their Facebook account to get you the free spins. Of course, it’s in both your interests to actually play it, which brings us nicely to our next point.

Request spins as gifts

You can get up to 100 Coin Master free spins per day from friends, though to get to those heights you’ll need 100 active friends who are kind enough to send you a gift each day. Each gift consists of a single free spin.

Unless you’re incredibly popular, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll have 100 friends; let alone 100 that will actually deign to play a game with you. We recommend heading on over to the official Reddit community or Facebook communities to try and find people willing to play with you.

Watch video ads

You can get a limited number of Coin Master free spins per day by watching a video ad. Simply scroll to the slot machine and tap on the spin energy button on the bottom right. If it’s not there, you’ve run out of free spins you can get through this method for the day, but if it is, simply tap on it and you’ll watch an ad.

Spin

Ironically, you can actually get a ton of Coin Master free spins by, well, spinning. If you get three spin energy symbols in a row, you’ll get a bunch of free spins. Pick up a chain of them and you can spin for ages before you run out.

Level up your village

Each time you level up your village, you’ll get a bunch of Coin Master free spins. It’s not easy though, as it costs a considerable amount of gold to purchase new buildings and improve them, and you have to purchase every single one of them, including improvements, to level up. That’s going to cost a lot of spins, as it is.

Looking for a new game? Take a look at our Free Fire redeem codes, My Singing Monsters breeding guide, or even our Pokédex!

Participate in events

There’s almost always at least one event happening in Coin Master, and it can absolutely shower you with free spins. While viewing the slot machine, look at the top right of the screen. Any virtual buttons that you can see beneath the menu (which is displayed as three lines) are an event. Tap on one and you’ll see what each event involves.

Take advantage of these events and you can get yourself a lot more Coin Master free spins than usual.

Wait

This is an obvious suggestion, but it’s actually worth taking into consideration. You get five free spins every single hour, and you can only hold a maximum of 50 spins at any one time. That means every ten hours you’ll hit the maximum number of spins, and any Coin Master free spins you would have earned after that will cease to exist.

So, we recommend setting a reminder to visit Coin Master every ten hours at least to spend your spins so you are always earning more. You’ll actually end up earning a huge number of extra spins if you’re dedicated, so it’s totally worth doing.

Coin Master free spin FAQ

Now, we’ll answer a bunch of questions you may have regarding getting Coin Master free spins.

Do Coin Master free spins links expire?

Yes, the daily links that we include at the top of this page expire after three days, which is why we only include those from today and the two days prior.

Can I get 50 Coin Master free spins?

Coin Master 50 spin rewards most commonly appear during in-game events, like those that reward you for raiding or battling other players. There’s also a small chance to get this number from daily links, so bookmark this page and check back often.

Can I get 60 Coin Master free spins?

Yes, though it doesn’t appear to happen often from daily links. We’d recommend playing often and participating in events, and following the social media channels to find out what’s happening soon.

Can I get 70 Coin Master free spins?

We’ve never seen a Coin Master 70 spin reward appear as part of the daily links, but it has been known to appear as part of special events.

To get your hands on this rare reward, we would recommend playing on a daily basis and following social media channels to get an indication of when the next big event will take place.

Can I get 100 Coin Master free spins?

Yes, though not from the daily links. We’ve seen this number of free spins appear often during in-game events, most notably for those that reward you for raiding and participating in PvP battles.

Play often and follow the social media channels for events to keep an eye out for this.

Can I get 50,000 Coin Master free spins?

Again, 50,000 Coin Master spin rewards don’t seem to appear as part of the daily rewards cycle, but have been known to crop up during events. Follow the socials and play regularly to get the best chance at this reward.

And that will just about do it for our Coin Master free spins guide. For something a little different, why not take a look at our guide to answers for Wordle today? And if you’re looking for something new to play, check out our best mobile games list.

Posted on December 30, 2022 by — Leave a comment

The best indie games on Switch in 2022

While we on the PT crew love a big release game as much as the next person, but there’s something truly special about indie games. Luckily, this year has seen some brilliant entries into the hall of the best indie games on Switch, full of stunning artwork, thoughtful stories, moving characters, and boundary-pushing gameplay.

Dealing with heavy themes like loss, fear, environmental issues, and identity, these games not only prove that you don’t need a big label attached to you to show your worth, but you can resonate with people from all walks of life, regardless of whether you’re a tiny mouse, a green-thumbed witch, or a possessed lamb.

The best indie games on Switch 2022

ValiDate

ValiDate: Struggling Singles in your Area is a romantic visual novel about 13 struggling singles navigating their way through modern life. Facing the trudge through the dregs of capitalism, soul-sucking nine-to-five jobs, the transition into the uncertainty of mid-adulthood, and the harsh realities of hitting your 20’s in the current day, ValiDate sees our roster of plucky playable characters find romance and embrace their individuality in this hectic world.

With over 30 routes to choose from and plenty of stories to explore, it’s a truly heart-warming experience full of inclusivity and universally relatable themes.

Cult of The Lamb

Dubbed affectionately by James Stephanie Sterling as ‘a world of sh*t’, Cult of the Lamb is an adorably monstrous roguelike slash colony sim. You take the role of the cutest little possessed lamb in town, who was saved from annihilation by an ominous stranger.

It’s now up to you to repay the debt by building a loyal following in his name – that’s right, you start your own cult, venture out into mysterious and monstrous regions, and build a loyal community of woodland worshippers as you spread your Word in pursuit of becoming the one true cult. Build your (very literal) flock, destroy the non-believers, and get your colony working like a well-oiled, poop-fuelled machine. Delightful! Check out our full thoughts in our Cult of the Lamb review.

The Spirit and the Mouse

The Spirit and the Mouse is a beautiful, emotive, narrative-driven adventure game that proves the best things really do come in small packages. Step into the tiny paws of a sweet little mouse, who only wishes to bring happiness to the humans around her.

After accidentally absorbing the power of an electric spirit called Lumion, she’s tasked with helping the human inhabitants of her cosy, Parisian town, until she can collect enough happiness to send Lumion home. With thoughtful puzzles, heart-warming stories, and oodles of charm, it’s hard not to fall in love with this little gem. Check out our The Spirit and the Mouse review here!

Ooblets

Ooblets is a delightful farming, creature, and collection life sim that offers oodles of joy, all year round. With its vibrant colours, stylised art, silly-sounding words, and epic critter dance battles, it’s a truly wholesome, light-hearted experience that offers a whole heap of fun for anyone looking for some chill vibes after a hectic day. Ooble over to our Ooblets review to find out more.

Opus: Echo of Starsong

Opus: Echo of Starsong is a beautiful text-driven, visual novel style side-scrolling adventure game that revolves around Eda, a girl who can hear mysterious sound waves known as starsong. She crosses paths with a young man called Jun in search of their source and, together, they venture out to the heart of space to unravel the ancient myths that surround them.

Embark on a stunning, intergalactic journey that transcends through time and love – just make sure you have a box of tissue to hand, this one is sure to pull on your heartstrings.

Temtem

A massively multiplayer online RPG, Temtem is a vibrant creature collection bonanza that sends you off in search of adventure in the lovely Airborne Archipelago. Catch those terrific Temtems, battle other tamers, customise your home, and explore a dynamic online world full of fresh species and fun friends at every turn. If you need more convincing, check out our Temtem review where we refer to it as a ‘new monster-taming titan’.

Wylde Flowers

Wylde Flowers is a wonderfully witchy farming and life sim full of charismatic characters, chill vibes, and magic at every turn. You take the role of Tara, who moves to the countryside to help her grandma manage the farm in her old age. But grandma has some secrets that affect you too – you guessed it, you’re a witch! Tend to crops and animals, build friendships with the townsfolk, and cultivate your magic in this enchanting experience. To find out more, check out our Wylde Flowers interview and Wylde Flowers review.

Potion Permit

Permit yourself to enjoy a perfectly potent brew in Potion Permit, a brilliant blend of old-school JRPG topped with a sprinkling of intriguing puzzles and minigames to keep it fresh. Grab your briefcase as you move to Moonbury to take the role of their new chemist, tending to the townsfolk and nursing them back to health. In our Potion Permit review we describe it as carrying a ‘surprisingly poignant message about discrimination, generalisation, and fear of change’ despite its cute and cosy exterior.

Cat Cafe Manager

Cat Cafe Manager is a super chill business sim, in which you travel to the sleepy village of Caterwaul Way to rebuild your grandmother’s cat cafe. Adopt stray cats, decorate and expand your cafe to your liking, serve your customers with tasty treats, and build up relationships with your regulars. It’s cute, it’s wholesome, and its relaxing vibes are just purr-fect for unwinding with. Check out our Cat Cafe Manager review to read more.

We Are OFK

A musical origin and interactive E.P., We Are OFK is a unique and experimental title about four friends dreaming, dating, and trying to scrape together enough to pay rent in Los Angeles. Describing itself as ‘a story of making art, what we risk, and what thrives for it’, We Are OFK is a visually beautiful, heartfelt, and relatable experience grounded in real life, and revolving around a truly loveable queer cast.

The indie scene, as always, has has offered up some masterpieces in 2022, and it’s been truly cathartic to go back over these beauties as we reflect on the past year. Whether handling themes of death, love, loss, self-destruction, or self-acceptance, these titles prove that videogames are, undeniably, art, and should always be respected as such. Now, dry your eyes and look to the horizon, as there’s plenty more to look forward to next year.

While you’re here, check out our list of the best Switch games, or the best mobile games for more of our top picks from the last 12 months.

Posted on December 28, 2022 by — Leave a comment

Roblox game creator Bloxburg has been bought by Embracer

There is no denying that Roblox is one of the biggest games on the planet, with a huge user base for players both on mobile and PC. Yet, until now, major publishers and developers haven’t taken much of an interest in the creator-driven juggernaut. That may be about to change.

A new report suggests that Embracer Group has published Welcome To Bloxburg, with rumours swirling that the acquisition was somewhere to the tune of $100m. The report comes from @EmbracerInvest on Twitter and suggests that Embracer group bought the one-man company behind Welcome To Bloxburg, known as Shortcake AB, and the company will now be known as Coffee Stain Gothenburg.

Embracer Group is the publisher behind multiple developers such as THQ Nordic, Plaion, Gearbox, and Crystal Dynamics. Their portfolio includes such titles as Destroy All Humans, Tomb Raider, Saints Row, and many more, so its interest in both Roblox and Welcome To Bloxburg marks a major shift in developer and publisher interest in the massive title. This could mean major developers finally taking an interest in Roblox and developing bespoke titles for it, but for now, we will have to wait and see.

For an insight on the acquisition from a Roblox creator, be sure to check out the video from YouTube creator AshleyTheUnicorn below.

If this has you in the mood to check out Roblox, be sure to check out our guide to every Roblox game code next.

Posted on December 26, 2022 by — Leave a comment

Pocket Tactics Awards 2022 – Switch games of the year

2022 is finally drawing to a close, so you know what that means? Game of the year lists aplenty from all of your favourite publications. Here on Pocket Tactics, we couldn’t pick just one game each, so we’ve chosen our top two Switch games of the year for 2022 and provided you with a little reasoning as to why they’re just so good.

Maybe this list will give you a little inspiration on what to play over the holiday season, or maybe you’ll even find a hidden gem to add to your collection, who knows? Read on to find out.

Persona 5 Royal – Tilly

Persona 5 needs no real introduction. It’s been one of my favourite games for a long time, and many of us at PT feel the same. So it’s an absolute joy to see such a beautiful port of the game on Switch in all of its Royal glory. This iconic, highly stylised RPG perfectly balances dungeon crawling, intricate narratives, life sim, and social sim elements into a masterful entry in the popular series, and now you can play it anywhere, any time.

Whether you’re completely new to the series or are hoping to dive back in with the flexibility and portability of the Switch, this version is honestly worth every penny in my opinion. Check out our Persona 5 Switch review to find out more.

Digimon Survive – Ruby

Digimon Survive was a bold move for Bandai Namco, but I must say, it really paid off. A super dark story where the choices you make can mean life or death for your friends, some amazingly fun tactics combat, and a roster of adorable Digimon that you can into battle with you all make Survive a unique experience for fans of the series and newbies alike. I really hope we see a sequel in the future.

For even more of my digital ramblings, take a look at my Digimon Survive Switch review.

Bayonetta 3 – Nathan

What is there to be said about the return of the Umbra Witch? PlatinumGames very rarely drop the ball, and the third entry in this slick action franchise somehow manages to turn the already chaotic action up to 11, and deliver a tone and story that exceeded my wildest imagination.

Bayonetta has never been so… Bayonetta, and the addition of the Demon Slave techniques and new character Viola only help to round out what was already a very solid return to form. Here’s hoping we don’t wait a decade for Bayonetta 4. Take a look at our Bayonetta 3 review for more.

Disney Dreamlight Valley – Kayleigh

Get outta the way Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, Disney Dreamlight Valley is here to fill that life simulation hole in my heart. Honestly, this is such a chill and wholesome game that I can get lost in it for hours, even harvesting a ludicrous amount of pumpkins is fun. The fact that you get to rebuild a decrepit village and fill it with your favourite Disney and Pixar characters is a dream come true. It gives me the bear necessities to get through the day.

To discover even more about this great game, check out our Disney Dreamlight Valley review.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Connor

We had high hopes for Kirby’s debut 3D adventure on Switch, and the star surfers’ sojourn into the Forgotten Land did not let us down. With welcoming gameplay for all ages, a ton of things to do outside of the platforming sections, and some of the most imaginative Kirby worldbuilding we’ve seen in a long time, it’s no wonder this pick made our list.

From abandoned amusement parks to sci-fi blockbuster-worthy laboratories, Kirby’s adventure far from home feels like a reinvigoration for the series, managing to perfectly balance Kirby’s childlike sensibilities with a world of wonder that everyone can enjoy. Add on top of this a bursting roster of potential power-ups, and you’ve got a Kirby adventure for the ages. Head on over to our Kirby and the Forgotten Land review for more.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim – Ben

When I wrote my 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim review, I had not seen Neon Genesis Evangelion. I didn’t even know the premise. So, I lauded it honestly, with no mention of its influences. And I think the review is better for it. Of course, if I wrote the review now, having watched the anime, I would have made bad jokes about the similarities.

The game takes you to a high school where everyone is destined to fly these massive mechs called sentinels, then proceeds to tell a time-hopping story that intertwines effortlessly with different bottlenecks and wide open narrative loops that never disorientate enough to push you away. Oh, and there’s also a lovely RTS mode. It’s just so great.

Harvestella – Tilly

Harvestella is a beautiful RPG with life-sim and farming-sim elements. Its unique world, intriguing cast of characters, emotive narrative, and ambitious range of mechanics offer plenty to explore, and I find myself returning to it again and again. It’s slow to start but, with a bit of patience, blossoms into something truly memorable. Head over to our full Harvestella review to find more of our thoughts.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion – Ruby

I love Final Fantasy more than anything else on this planet, so Crisis Core is a no-brainer as one of my Switch GOTY picks. Gorgeous graphics? Check. Much-needed quality of life improvements? Check. No buck wild changes to the story? Massive check.

As I mention in my Crisis Core review, the Switch version maybe isn’t for all the graphics purists out there, but if you favour portability and expect this to be the remaster it is, definitely pick it up on the Nintendo console.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus – Nathan

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet might be hogging the limelight at the moment, and if I look at my playtime I’m already creeping towards an embarrassing amount of hours… But if I had to pick my favourite Pokémon title in recent memory, it’s going to be Pokémon Legends: Arceus. A wildly refreshing take on the franchise that focuses on fluidity over tradition, every single gameplay aspect was reexamined and changed to suit this new take.

Exploring Hisui is a joy, and while the roster of new ‘mons isn’t quite as exciting as Scarlet and Violet, I struggle to go back to some of the slower mechanics in the launch of generation nine. Actually sneaking up on Pokémon, throwing Pokéballs with gyro aiming, ducking out of the way of a charging angry monster, it all helps to make Pokémon feel more alive than ever and I can’t go back. I’m a sucker, I’ll play any Pokémon game that comes out, but after a taste of what this franchise can really be, I’ll be first in line for the next Pokémon Legends game. Ancient Johto anyone? We’ve also got a Pokémon legends: Arceus review if you want to read more of our thoughts.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – Kayleigh

Okay, so generation nine may have had a bumpy start courtesy of some performance issues, but I can’t deny how incredible the Paldea region is. Not only is the luscious Spanish-influenced environment easy on the eye, but the innovation on display through the new ‘mon is fantastic, as is the way in which three campaigns are woven into the world in a manner that allows you to shape your own story.

Check out our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet review to discover even more about these games.

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe – Connor

Sometimes, you see a special edition version of a game and think “how could they possibly make this any better?”. For me, The Stanley Parable was one of those games, or at least it was until the Ultra Deluxe version came along and blew my mind while shattering the fourth wall into a million irreconcilable pieces.

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe delivers on its promise and then some, adding even more depth to the meta majesty of the original narrative. Better still, the experience feels perfect for Switch, with the ability to take this bundle of existential crisis-inducing material just about anywhere you feel. There’s nothing like a good meltdown on the train. We’ve got a The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe review you should probably check out.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Ben

When I reviewed Xenoblade Chronicles 3, I wrote that “Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the most loudly surefooted statement in the series’ history, being what it is without a hint of doubt throughout its hundred hours […] it takes everything that makes the series special, turns it up louder, down darker.” In part jokingly, I chose to describe XC3 as nebulously as possible. I basically didn’t say anything.

Now, looking back on my time with the game, it is a shining splinter at the centre of my year. A wild escape into a sincere world. A glorious piece of videogame nonsense that goes on forever and has people with cat ears and people with horns and I love it. With refined combat, excellent voice acting, and gorgeous, wide worlds to explore, nothing else came close. Except for Elden Ring, which is, of course, the real game of the year. It’s just not on Switch.

Well, that’s it for our list of the Switch games of the year 2022! Do you agree with our list? We’ve also put together a list of our mobile games of the year, too.

Posted on December 24, 2022 by — Leave a comment

All I want for Christmas is Geralt

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when you should spend as much time with your loved ones as possible – and I’m certainly keen to pay a visit to The Continent where my love waits for me, even if he happens to have a wandering eye towards two sorceresses. I can’t stay too mad at Geralt, I wouldn’t say no to Triss Merigold either. Still, this is about why my virtual husband is the one gift I hope to find under my tree this year..

Quite honestly, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of my favourite games of all time, and it’s something that I play over the holidays every single year. Then, of course, I usually revisit during the year at some point, too. Toussaint truly is lovely in the summer, and the walks myself, Geralt, and Roach have together are beyond magical. Those luscious plains, the stunning vineyard, that shining sun – ah, memories.

The thing is, for the past couple of years, the Christmas period hasn’t been a cause of celebration for me, the loss of my mum hit me greatly, and thus, I turned to videogames more than ever as a source of comfort, one of which just so happens to be The Witcher. However, there’s more to it than a desperate need to escape my once dismal world and join one that’s full of adventure and magic.

The Witcher 3 is a surprisingly wintery game, and I have receipts to back up my claim. Not that I need to, Geralt is my husband, and Christmas is a time to be with family. Still, I’ll explain why Geralt and his most recent adventure are all I need for Christmas. Well, besides the abundance of food, booze, and time with my real loved ones.

Think about it, the entire world of The Witcher exhumes warmth, even if you don’t realise it, and there’s no denying how much people long to feel that way this time of year. It’s a luscious world that features varying environments that emit that warm, soothing feeling that you associate with the cosiness of winter. Not only that, but let’s take a quick look at Novigrad, or any other bustling city in Wild Hunt. You can find all manner of taverns, and stopping for a little tipple of booze is just what the doctor ordered in these cold times.

Plus, what better way to stay warm than by heading out into the wilderness to complete some contracts? Monster-slaying is a tiring business that’s sure to work up a sweat. Seriously, even from the comfort of my own couch, I feel as though I am right there with Geralt as he slaughters dangerous foes such as the Leshen (this beast just so happens to be my favourite, perhaps I’ll explain why another time).

It’s not just Geralt that entices me to this world every Christmas, nor is it the grand adventure that awaits me, though that certainly plays a part in it, but rather it’s the other characters that lure me in too. The multiple interwoven storylines that surround these characters are so intricate at times that it truly feels like unwrapping a layered present.

Triss Merigold is my favourite character just after Geralt, so I don’t hold it against him too much when he strays from me into her arms – I mean, I would too. Her kind and caring nature is soothing, so if Christmas is a tricky time for you, this single character in this ethereal world can serve as a reminder that people care, they’re by your side, and, thanks to certain situations in the game that admittedly don’t pertain to the red-headed sorceress (drag queen Witchers, anyone?), there’s still plenty of laughter.

Besides the aforementioned escapism, The Witcher 3 is a terrific game anyway, one that I can’t recommend enough for those that are yet to experience it, and what better time to dive in than now since the next-gen version is finally out. Plus, there’s a lovely update for all you Switch players out there.

There’s so much content on offer that, with Geralt by your side, I guarantee that you won’t be bored during your Christmas break. You truly do get your money’s worth, from an engaging narrative and interesting side quests to the vast lands of The Continent and some of the best DLC in videogame history. So do yourself a favour this Christmas, and pick up The Witcher 3. I promise you’ll then fully understand why Geralt is all I want for Christmas.