Lord of the Rings games are hit and miss, with the highs of Battle for Middle-earth being offset by the incredible lows of Conquest, where you play as Sauron taking over Middle-earth in an alternate universe where Frodo fails to destroy the Ring. That’s a cracking idea, sadly let down by the gameplay that Edge described as “ceaseless button-mashing” in its 2/10 review. Somewhere in the middle sits theShadow of Mordorseries, which has fun gameplay, the revolutionary Nemesis System, and absolutely butchers Tolkien’s lore to force cameos from a NazgulledHelm Hammerhandand sexy Shelob....

Final Fantasy 14deals with some heavy topics and themes, the narrative becoming darker and more emotional with each passing expansion. Endwalker hit hard for me in particular, and I’ve written before about how itoffers the perfect depiction of depression. After experiencing such a poignant conclusion to the Hydaelyn and Zodiark story, Warriors of Light have since enjoyed lighter content updates in a much deserved break after saving the entire universe....

The internet has been very angry at Xbox this week, sinceRedfalllaunched to mixed reviews.The game is Arkane’s lowest-rated ever,has terrible AI,is filled to the brim with a shocking number of bugs, and was received so poorly that evenXbox CEO Phil Spencer said he was disappointed. Fellow Features Editor Eric Switzer has written extensive coverage of Redfall as well as acomprehensive review, all of which you should check out. Many have seen Redfall as a death knell for Xbox, an indication that even the strength of Game Pass can only carry the console so far without good flagship exclusives....

It’s time for you to enlist! Helldivers is getting a third-person sequel that takes the bug-killing action to a totally new dimension later this year. Announced at tonight’sPlayStationShowcase, Helldivers 2 picks up where the first game leaves off. The inhabitants of Super Earth–basically the same Earth, but futuristic–are under attack from space-faring bugs that have a taste for human flesh. A dictatorial government asks (and later enforces) enlistment with the Helldivers, a group of elite soldiers that drop into combat zones from orbit....

Honkai: Star Railhas turned out to be a far less cruel mistress than its predecessors when it comes to grinding. Hoyoverse has blended elements of bothGenshin ImpactandHonkai Impact 3rdinto a new gacha RPG that includes a space train, a huge chicken that squashes enemies, and even more unexpectedly, turn-based combat. Many were skeptical when we first discovered that Star Rail was using a turn-based combat system. However, adding an auto-battle function means that Honkai: Star Rail is vastly reducing the inevitable material grind that comes with games of this type, and I’m absolutely here for it....

John Wick and Horizon star Lance Reddickpassed away earlier this yearin March at the age of 60. He played Sylens inZero DawnandForbidden West, a travelling archaeologist who founded both the Eclipse and Sons of Prometheus, helping Aloy to uncover the truth of the machines. To commemorate his time with Horizon, developer Guerrilla Games has added an in-game tribute that all players can find and pay their respects to. The memorial was added in this week’s patch which fans were quick to find (as reported byGamingBible)....

Quick Links InPokemon Go,the three Legendary Lake Guardians are available through the completion of their specific Five-Star Raids. For a chance to acquire either Azelf, Uxie, or Mesprit, you will have to defeat them in these difficult Raid battles, requiring the proper planning and preparations in order to be successful. Related:Pokemon Go: What Are Lucky Pokemon And How Can You Get Them? Although these three Psychic-type Legendary Pokemon share a few similarities on the battlefield, there are some key differences when it comes to their Raids and where they will be available....

Quick Links Brotherhood is a beautiful thing. Well, it is when the brothers aren’t three hulked-out axe wielders taking heads indiscriminately, that is. Unfortunately, that is the form it takes withFinal Fantasy 16’s Mageth Brothers. While these brutes are more than capable of ending your life in shockingly short order, we can show you the best way to cut this family reunion short. Related:Final Fantasy 16: All Main Story Quests The Mageth Brothers will likely strike you as beingprettyfamiliar, given how many times you will have encountered the Imperial Champion class of enemy up to this point, but don’t get too cavalier....

Quick Links Dungeons & Dragons’Spore Druid offers an interesting take on nature-themed spellcasters. Instead of focusing on verdant blooms of green, or transforming into majestic beasts, a Spore Druid looks at the decomposers that form a vital part of the ecosystem. While mushrooms may normally lurk in the darkness, a Spore Druid thrives on the frontline. Related:Dungeons & Dragons: 10 Class Stereotypes That You Need To Forget Just as mushrooms are closer to animals than plants, a spore druid can play closer to a martial class than a ranged spellcaster....

Many ofDiablo 4’sside quests involve aiding the local inhabitants of Sanctuary. Hawezar is a particularly troubled zone, rife with plague and foul, snake-like entities. The Heretic quests will demonstrate just how scared the populace is and how far they are willing to go to protect their homes. It also involves discovering some particularly elusive flowers and is an easy quest line to struggle on. RELATED:Diablo 4: By Three They Come Quest Walkthrough This guide will explain where to start the Heretic quest, how to complete each of its objectives, and lastly what rewards you may gain from finishing the final quest....

Quick Links If you’ve reached the end ofThe Witcher 3and need a challenge to test your mettle before moving on, you could try the Treasure Hunt: Unlucky’s Treasure. It’s a quest intended for Level 48 players, people who’ve survived everything the game has to offer. Related:The Witcher 3: It Takes Three to Tango Side Quest Walkthrough Attempting the quest will pit you against a high-level Archgriffin on a remote island in Skellige, a confrontation not to be attempted by the unprepared....

Quick Links It is always fun decorating your town in order to personalize your village life inDisney Dreamlight Valley. Placing trees, park benches, and pathways makes the valley feel more like a town than a forgotten forest. But what if we told you there is more to it than that? RELATED:Disney Dreamlight Valley: Best Furniture Sets, Ranked You can actually change your whole house completely. There are multiple ways you can make your house unique from other players, making your home stand out from the rest....

Quick Links With the vast quantity of expansion packs available forThe Sims 4, there is now a wide variety of skills that Sims can attempt to master throughout their lives. The Jungle Adventure game pack adds two skills, the Selvadoradian Culture skill and the Archeology skill. You should definitely learn the Archeology skill if you’re planning on spending a few days in the Selvadoradian jungle; it’s a great way to take advantage of the artifacts your Sim will find there....