Via the Windows store I first encountered the Taiko no Tatsujin series in an arcade in Tokyo, but now it’s evenlessaccessible: it’s out on PC but onlyvia the Microsoft store. If you’re willing to make that journey, you’ll also be greeted by two new DLCs which adds Studio Ghibli tracks and music from classic Bandai Namco games. Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Master is a rhythm game inspired by traditional Japanese drumming....

But they’d help Microsoft put Game Pass on Steam While Game Pass isn’t available through Steam, you will be able to dual boot into Windows on the Steam Deck, meaning putting Game Pass on there yourself should be fairly straightforward. We also spoke to Newell this week in the build up to the launch of the Steam Deck -which we’ve now reviewed. We asked him what he thought of the trend of consolidation in the games industry, which Microsoft are at the forefront of....

Well? The Steam Next Fest ends on Monday, so do check out the bevvy of demos while you can. We’ve alreadyrecommended loadsbut I still have a dozen or so I want to play. Which other demos would you recommend to everyone, gang? And what are you playing this weekend? Alice BeeI am a bundle of stress at the moment because I am moving to a country in just over a month, and yet still do not have a home to move to in said country....

Discover the best Spirit Ashes and learn how to use them in Elden Ring Looking for the best Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring?Spirit Ashes are an exceptional aid in mostElden Ringbossfights. These handy summons will call spectral beings to assist you in fights and help take attention off you in battles, giving you time to heal or perform aweaponattack. With over 60 to find and choose from in the game, we’ve put together a list of the best Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring along with an explainer of how to use them and where to find them....

“What does it smell like?” Last Friday I asked you, our loyal readers,if you had any burning questionsabout theSteam Deck. The aim was to answer as many as possible in time for thesystem’s official launch, which is today! After scouring through your questions and posing them to hardware editor James - who’s been putting the system through its paces for a week or so now - we’ve created a mammoth 19 minute long video that’s bursting at the seams with new information about Valve’s first handheld PC....

The perfect Elden Ring counter This time, Sophie has fallen into a dream in which none of her friends remember her, though the dreamworld setting doesn’t seem to change the core of what you’re doing. You still gather ingredients, craft things via the “Synthesis” system, and battle stuff. The turn-based battles have become increasingly refined in recent iterations of Atelier and now trigger seamlessly within the game world. Does any of this matter?...

“How are you making your game developers better developers?” Theconsolidation of the games industry– that is, games companies being bought up and absorbed by bigger games companies – has been increasing, intensifying, andgiving poor Ed the aches. Exhibited most dramatically byMicrosoft stumping up $69 billion for Activision Blizzard, this trend towards conglomerification has raised worries about both creative expression and the potential locking-down of more games to certain platforms. “Any sort of acquisition or consolidation has to actually answer the question: how are you creating more value for customers, at the end of the day?...

Last year’s earnest homage to JRPG classics Cris Tales, last year’s earnest RPG with a pop-up book art style, is currently free from the Epic Games Store. If you grab it before March 3rd, it’s yours to keep forever. Cris Tales is a JRPG except for the fact it was made in Colombia, not Japan. It stars Crisbell, a time mage in a magical realist world who explores, helps the locals, and takes part in turn-based battles as a squad of three....

Left 4 Dead meets Minecraft, in space If you’re looking for a spot of jolly cooperation this weekend, other thanElden Ring, round up the crew and get rowdy inDeep Rock Galactic. The excellent cooperative FPS, where we play as spaceDwarves gathering spacegems and battling spacebugs in destructible spacemines, is holding a free trial weekend on Steam to celebrate its fourth birthday. It is a (rock) cracking game. “The high level concept for this game isLeft 4 Deadmeets Minecraft, both undeniably influential games that, personally, I don’t have much enthusiasm for,” Nic Reuben said in ourDeep Rock Galactic reviewafter the full launch....

Discover the best spells in Elden Ring and a list of every spell Looking for the best spells in Elden Ring?Spells have dominated theElden Ringmeta, with many players relying on them to defeatthe hardest bosses in Elden Ring. Despite various nerfs that have arrived since launch, Elden Ring spells remain incredibly powerful. Whether you’re summoning a spectral sword to slay baddies or unleashing a destructive beam of magical energy, you’ll make short work of any enemy....

How to get the Grand Lift of Dectus working in Elden Ring Want to know how to activate the Grand Lift of Dectus in Elden Ring?While there are multiple ways to reach theAltus PlateauinElden Ring, the Grand Lift of Dectus is by far the easiest route. However, when you arrive you will discover that the lift of Dectus doesn’t work. Fortunately, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll explain how to activate the Grand Lift of Dectus, covering where to find both parts of the Dectus Medallion that you’ll need to use this massive elevator....

FromSoft say they’re investigating Easy Anti-Cheat issues, at least After three years of waiting and hoping,Elden Ringfinally launch last night and yep, sounds like it launched too early. Many PC players are reporting suffering low framerates, or stuttering, or crashes, or nonfunctional controllers, or…. While we wait for official fixes in patches, players are sharing possibly-maybe-kinda workarounds that might help. To my great surprise,Elden Ringthis morning sits on Steam with a ‘Mixed’ player review rating with only 60% positive reviews....

Learn how to summon your trusty steed in Elden Ring Want to know how to summon Torrent in Elden Ring?WithElden Ringmaking the leap to open world, a trusty mount was always going to be necessary. Torrent takes up the mantle of video game animal sidekick for your lowly Tarnished, and we’re already in love. However, after a long trek in a dungeon you might forget how to summon your horse in Elden Ring, leaving you stranded in this dangerous world....