As you travel across the galaxies, you’ll often find yourself snapping a few pictures of the magnificent planets and beloved companions. Well, at least that’s definitely the case for me as I attempt to master the art of photography while still trying to be an elite explorer of the Constellation crew.

To my surprise, the photos I’ve taken (good or bad) aren’t simply tossed into the Photo Gallery to never be seen again but rather put up for display with each passing loading screen. Given that there are plenty of load times for Starfield’s massive universe, this feature could be a lot more tedious through other means, and yet, I actually enjoy seeing all these random photos I’ve collected. It makes the experience much more personal instead of primarily using premade ones.

The Xbox Series X is already a rather nice-looking minimalist monolith, but that’s not going to suit everybody’s tastes. Thankfully, Microsoft has now answered the prayers of those looking to add a little more personality to their consoles with Xbox Series X console wraps. These offer you the chance to bring some flair to your console, and there are no stickers or tools required to do so. This ease of use means that you’ll be able to change up the look of your Xbox effortlessly to suit your every mood.

So far, only Starfield and camo wraps have been announced, but here are 10 more Series X console wraps we want to customize our console with in the future.

There’s a lot to love about Starfield: the space dogfights, the exploration, the neverending list of quests, the excellent main story… Oh, and also the plushies.

Yes, you read that right. While Bethesda has always been lauded for their impeccable attention to detail, it really does feel like they’ve taken things to a whole other level with Starfield. We all remember The Lusty Argonian Maid from Elder Scrolls, and that was funny and all, but never have I been so enthralled by Starfield’s criminally adorable line of space plushies.

There’s nothing more humbling than thinking about the vast expanse of the cosmos.

To do so is to confront the stark reality that all of us are living out our lives on what astronomer Carl Sagan famously described as a “Pale Blue Dot”. It’s something that the very best works of science fiction have done repeatedly across film and literature, but arguably there has never been a video game that could be included in that pantheon of greats.

Whether you are a newcomer or a Bethesda gaming veteran, it’s crucial to know what you are signing up for, especially if you have a certain expectation or are unsure about a mechanic. You could also factor in basic gameplay mechanics that could result in your character’s demise simply because you weren’t aware of the galaxy’s many harmful features.

That’s where we come in to help you get a better idea of what to anticipate before starting Starfield, with several handy tips and tricks that can maximize your space adventures.

Sea of Stars has had an extremely successful release, with plenty of players praising the game for its simplistic yet cute story revolving around friendship and heroism, gorgeous 2D pixel art graphics, and endearing and lovable main characters. However, while the magical Solstice Warriors Zale and Valere are brilliant key protagonists, there is one character who steals the show from these two, despite having no powers himself.

This, of course, is none other than Valere and Zale’s best friend from childhood, Garl. He may not be gifted with any magical powers, but he’s certainly just as much — and at times even more — of a hero than his two friends. Unfortunately, for the most part, Garl seems to just slip under the radar as the humorous, lovable Cook despite being so much more.

It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that Baldur’s Gate 3 has some truly standout characters for you to interact with.

Almost as soon as you dive into the game, you get the chance to meet a wide variety of characters that run the gamut of fantasy races and creatures. Some are easily befriended and can offer you aid, while others see you as a threat or a nuisance and treat you as such. Each has their own personality, and several can be interacted with in ways that are mind-blowing compared to the more static NPCs found in other games.

This year has been one of the busiest in gaming history. Things kicked off back in January with Hi-Fi Rush and Dead Space commanding near-universal acclaim and the release schedule hasn’t let up since. After all that, we’re now standing on the precipice of the holiday season. Impossible though it may seem, the best could still be to come. It’s all very exciting, but it does pose the question: Where do I find the time to play everything?

On the cusp of Starfield’s monumental release, here are some suggestions on how to make the most of your gaming time over the rest of 2023.

Over the last few years, anime has continued to grow in popularity among a variety of different ages. While many anime shows feature dark themes or complex plots, there is a surprisingly enjoyable selection of shows considered suitable for children. If you’re looking for some offerings to enjoy with younger individuals, or are looking for the perfect introductory series, then we’ve got you covered. Here are the 10 best kid-friendly anime that can be enjoyed by all ages, listed in no particular order.

Pokemon

Watch On: Netflix, Pokemon TV, Prime Video

You can never go wrong with a classic such as Pokemon. This anime revolves around protagonist Ash Ketchum and his beloved partner, Pikachu, as he sets out in the Kanto Region to collect all eight Gym Badges, challenge the Elite Four, and become a Pokemon Master.

The Sega Genesis, known as the Mega Drive outside of North America, is one of the most iconic consoles ever, let alone of the 16-bit era. Released in the late 1980s, it was Sega’s answer to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and is fondly remembered for its library of unforgettable games. Although many games crossed over on both consoles, the Genesis has their fair share of fantastic exclusives, and that’s what we’ll focus on here. Let’s dive into the top 10 best Sega Genesis games of all time.

10. Beyond Oasis

Beyond Oasis (known as “The Story of Thor” in some regions) is a classic action RPG for the Sega Genesis released in the mid-90s. The game stands out not only for its intricate gameplay mechanics, but also for its engrossing storyline and robust visuals for its time.

One Piece, the brainchild of Eiichiro Oda, has taken the world by storm since its manga first released in 1997. Later adapted into an anime in 1999, it has continuously entertained fans for decades, but there are some significant differences between the original and animated adaptations. Up to the Wano arc, countless details and nuances could be identified that differ between these two mediums, and we’ll be covering the main ones you need to know about.

Filler Episodes, Expanded Fight Scenes & Characters

During several points where the animators had to wait for the manga to provide more story, the anime introduces Filler episodes. These episodes aren’t based on manga content and are standalone stories or arcs created to give the manga time to advance.

The Harvest Moon series paved the way for many farming simulators we know and love, acting as the foundation for the genre. Since its release, it has transcended into multiple variations with its spin-offs and main entries, ultimately morphing into the Story of Seasons franchise that still harnesses its predecessor’s adored elements. However, in recent years, the spotlight predominately shined on the newer edition, shying away from the Harvest Moon series. That is until The Winds of Anthos was announced to finally bring the series back on the map.

Although I’ve only experienced the Story of Seasons side, it was plain to see how much the franchise has improved in this upcoming installment, with its overhaul of revamped graphics and entertaining open-world mechanics. If you’ve played past entries, you’ll undoubtedly be blown away by the winds of Anthos, as it features five villages in an extensively large map. By the looks of the area size I saw in the preview, it may be one of the biggest locations in the series, giving players more to explore and a lot more to do.

Games in 2023 have been nothing if not massive, both in the way there are so many high-profile releases and the sheer size of the releases themselves. Baldur’s Gate 3 is of course no exception to this, with there being enough content in the game to keep you locked in for 90 hours before even reaching the second act. For someone who spends every second of playing games searching for secrets and Easter eggs, this comes as both good and bad news.

My Dreams Are Top-Down & Turn-Based

For starters, Baldur’s Gate 3 hit me like an Eldritch Blast right off the bat. I hadn’t played any of Larian’s previous games, including Divinity: Original Sin. I’ve played plenty of Dungeons & Dragons, but I didn’t know what to expect from the game until about a month prior to its release, where suddenly my imagination went wild with the different chaotic adventures I could go on. To say that I was pleasantly surprised after launch would be an understatement.

As long as there have been Pokemon, there has been a meticulous grind attached to their mastery.

Gaining access to the very best battlers required thorough tinkering from the moment they are first acquired; breeding for top IVs, a suitable nature, the correct ability, any relevant Egg moves, subsequent EV training, and an infinitesimally small chance that they will be a shiny…

Ah, the Game Boy Color. The awkward middle child between the original Game Boy and the Game Boy Advance. It might be tempting to write the Game Boy Color off entirely with its much more capable successor arriving only less than 3 years later, but the console still had a wide library of great titles.

Not all of them hold up so well today, but a few are stone cold classics that are still worth playing if you can get your hands on them. There are some notable omissions on this list — games which have been remade or which were available in superior versions on other consoles. These are the 10 best handheld experiences that you can’t find anywhere else but on the Game Boy Color.

Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) has garnered loads of attention for its enthralling narrative, in-depth role-playing mechanics, and detailed character interactions. One of the defining features of the game is the diverse and dynamic companions you can journey with throughout your adventures. Although you can skip any or all of them, you would be wise to recruit them on your journey. Let’s dive into the 10 best companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, each bringing their unique stories, abilities, and personalities to the table.

10. Jaheira, High Half-Elf Druid

Jaheira, a Half High Elf Companion, becomes available for recruitment in Act 2, where she steadfastly guards the Last Light Inn in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. This dedicated guardian assists your journey in unraveling the enigma surrounding the absolute cult. From the outset, she is introduced as a Druid from the Circle of the Moon, displaying her proficiency with spells and the distinctive Wild Shape ability.

If there’s one guarantee when it comes to a new game featuring customizable mechs, it’s that a whole lot of people are going to be rushing to recreate their favourite anime robots. With its incredibly robust design tools Armored Core 6 has proven to be no exception. Players have already taken to the internet to show off their magnificent works of gleaming metal and here are some of the best so far.

10. Eva-01

Lets get this one out of the way first because we all knew it was coming. Neon Genesis Evangelion is widely hailed as one of the greatest anime of all time and players couldn’t wait to recreate the series’ famous purple and green mecha in AC6.

It’s a new week and we have a fun list poised to make you laugh out loud or smile at the very least. So read on and have some laughs with these curated memes that have people popping off.

Recently, Luffy from One Piece has been showing off his new 5th Gear power-up. It’s so huge that fans are literally seeing this talked about everywhere, and this meme demonstrates just that. The hype doesn’t seem to be slowing down and will be huge news the rest of the year as the new movie drops and the Wano arc comes to a close!

Everyone knew that FromSoftware’s latest game would be another punishing lesson in what it means to ‘git gud’, but Armored Core 6 has wasted less time than expected in putting players through their paces. Now a helicopter has become the internet’s latest nightmare. Is it all too much to expect of the modern gamer?

In the Line of Fire

Before players get access to the much praised Garage where they can start customizing their mech, they first have to complete a short tutorial area. Rather than the kind of hand-holding experience that people looking for a fun new robot shoot-em-up might’ve expected though, a few short explanations of the game’s basic controls are all players are offered before things get real.

First revealed back in June as part of Microsoft’s showcase at Summer Game Fest 2023, the latest project coming out of Life Is Strange creators DONTNOD is peculiar, to say the least. Rather than being narrative-heavy with impactful choices to make, Jusant is a much more meditative affair as an action-puzzle climber, where the journey is of your own making.

The mysterious nature of the overall narrative of Jusant, with its focus on the secrets of a bygone civilization, depends heavily on environmental storytelling, with the main character functioning as more of a lens for players to view this world through. Scattered letters and notes provide contextual clues about the people that once were and a time before now, but only if you make the effort to find them, oftentimes requiring venturing off the beaten track.