However, this is where the pity system has another effect. If a player "loses" the 50/50 and obtains a Standard Banner character, they are guaranteed to obtain the featured character next time they pull a five-star. This effect carries over across banners, so if you lose the 50/50 and don't get the character you want, you don't have to worry about losing the 50/50 again before you get the next win, even if the character banner changes o
In 2024, Hoyoverse introduced the Chronicled Wish, a new type of banner that only runs periodically. This banner is special in that it features a large roster of limited five-star characters and weapons, some Standard five-stars, and a specific pool of four-star weapons and characters. Three-star weapons are also obtaina
But as alluded to near the beginning of this review, Genshin Impact does falter at the point where it seems the game is destined for undeniably phenomenal heights. Not entirely a deal-breaker or one that takes the player completely out of the accomplished immersion of its world or even its combat. But when totted up, does signal a game that could've used a bit more checking-over. When it comes to tackling some of the more technical components, Genshin Impact drops the ball one too many times. Even if you were to disregard the nature of the narrative or the way in which a group of characters can, at their worst, talk extensively (and absently off-screen worst of all), there's a notable disconnect when the game, for example, continues to refer to your male sibling character as "she" or "her." It isn't the only basic error that crops up with many an instance of dialogue cutting off mid-conversation, not matching up with what's written on-screen and at one point, a mere line of dialogue getting stuck on-screen for the rest of one's play session.
Pokémon has always been a series near and dear to my heart, and while I was always keen on the mainline titles, the first spin-off I was ever introduced to was Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. I fell utterly in love and this year got the surprise announcement that the first title was receiving a remake. It ended up being everything I wanted and more. A return to one of my absolute favorite games in a new style and yet felt like revisiting old friends I hadn't spoken to in a long time. The story is entirely about friendship, a bond between Pokémon as they struggle to save the world together and solve the problems as they're shunned away from their home after being accused of crimes they didn't commit. It added great new things like shiny Pokémon, mega evolutions and a ton of visual upgrades for items that helped build on the world. It even fixed one of my biggest disappointments that was after the game your partner no longer said good morning to you, but now they will every day even after they've evolved. Heck, they even finally added bandanas on the main Pokémon duo while they're still in their basic forms. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX is a comfort in every way. It's familiar, yet changed, just as you would expect from an old friend and I'm thankful I had the chance to dive back into the wonderful experience once more.
My normal taste in games leans towards arcade and action, but this year has been one where the extra focus to hone in on pinpoint-perfect reflexes just hasn't been as available as I'd like. Instead I've been taking it easy, using gaming as a way to relax and escape into a more manageable world. The SLG game online guide that I'm thankful for this year is SnowRunner, which doesn't have an enemy anywhere in the whole world but instead requires the player to use its tools to complete a huge series of jobs across hostile terrain. While sorting out the controls takes some effort, once learned there are a huge amount of tools available to tackle even the roughest wilderness. Mountain tracks carved by streams, muddy bogs, rivers frozen solid and snowdrifts that even the highest-traction tires can't get a grip on all stand in the way of delivering Cargo to Place. You can tackle the challenges with brute force, careful plotting of the optimal route or relying on the winch to basically drag the truck to the goal, but there's always a way if you're patient enough. Few events are timed and just about everything is optional if you decide that a particular job feels like a bit much. There's pressure in navigating the tougher areas, of course, but otherwise SnowRunner is a game of choosing a task and tackling it however you like, driving across the beauty of a wilderness that's just barely been touched by humans. It's challenging, sure, but also relaxing and satisfying, and I'm thankful there are games that let me unwind into a simpler, more-focused world.
Not to mention, a lot of Hydro characters are known for their versatility. For instance, Neuvillette, Ayato and Childe are both some of the most powerful DPS in the game, while Barbara and Kokomi are ever-reliable healers. Furina and Nilou offer quite the balance between heals and attacks, while Yelan can break the game at Constellation 6 with her multi-faceted abilit
