Gaming
Surprise! Pauline is your companion in Donkey Kong Bananza
Can be controlled by a second player
The undisputed champion of platforming in the original Switch generation is Super Mario Odyssey. In the blossoming Switch 2 generation, Nintendo aims to recapture the magic with Donkey Kong Bananza, the titular character’s first foray into the world of 3D platforming in the modern era. To do so, the upcoming title just revealed a crazy surprise it’s been saving until now: Pauline.
When the title was first announced, Donkey Kong came with an interesting companion called Odd Rock. The sentient rock followed the tried-and-tested formula of 3D platforming: a grander protagonist accompanied by smaller companion. Now, during the recent Nintendo Direct dedicated to Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo revealed the rock’s staggering secret. Pauline, a franchise staple, was actually hiding inside.
Pauline stems from the very first game featuring both Mario and Donkey Kong, simply called Donkey Kong. She was the damsel in distress that Mario had to rescue by avoiding Donkey Kong’s barrage of barrels. She also recently made an appearance in Odyssey as the mayor of New Donk City.
In Bananza, Pauline is just someone who wants to fulfill her dream of becoming a singer in the real world. As a companion, a secondary player can control her by sending out onomatopoeic sound effects against enemies or the terrain.
Besides Pauline’s reveal, Nintendo also announced the game’s mechanics. Donkey Kong’s goal is to collect Golden Bananas in a quest to reach the core. Golden Bananas are hiding everywhere including the terrain. Part of the game, then, is destroying the terrain to uncover secrets.
Donkey Kong also has a skill tree, similar to an RPG. He can also turn into other animals as hidden abilities found throughout the map.
Donkey Kong Bananza is coming exclusively to the Switch 2 starting July 17.
SEE ALSO: The Nintendo Switch 2 is FINALLY HERE!
Gaming
Resident Evil Requiem will get a story expansion
There’s no word yet on when the story expansion will drop.
Resident Evil Requiem, Pokémon Pokopia, and Slay the Spire 2. Between these three, gamers today are eating well and good. Or rather, they’re not, because of how addicting of a time sink these titles are. The latter two especially are built to be played over and over for weeks and months. Now, Resident Evil Requiem is working on something, so you also won’t forget about it in a few months’ time.
Via an official post on Resident Evil’s social media platforms, Capcom has confirmed that a story expansion is coming to the horror game. Currently, the base game doesn’t take long to beat, especially when compared to other RPGs today. The expansion should add more content to explore the story’s world.
Right now, Capcom can’t share a timeline for the update’s launch. However, in the meantime, the developers are cooking up a few minor updates to keep the game alive. For one, the game will receive performance updates to improve the smoothness of gameplay and fix bugs. It will also get a photo mode for all you Leon-holics out there.
Finally, in May, the base game will get a “minigame” added to the main game. There’s no word as to what this minigame is, so we’ll have to wait for when it drops.
Resident Evil Requiem is out now on all major platforms. The game features the survival horror style of the modern Resident Evil games, while serving up the classic action gameplay with the return of Leon S. Kennedy as a co-protagonist with Grace Ashcroft.
SEE ALSO: Resident Evil Requiem is out now
GIGABYTE and Capcom have collaborated for a limited time Resident Evil Requiem-inspired custom PC giveaway.
The setup is inspired by the title, which recently released, and includes an exclusive monitor game bundle to bring players closer to the experience.
Headlining the collaboration is the Umbrella Corporation — Level 3 Access custom rig giveaway. It is one of a kind, fully-built desktop featuring a Z890M AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE motherboard and RTX 5080 AERO OC SFF graphics.
Of course, it draws inspiration from the visual identity and atmosphere of Resident Evil Requiem. It also features a GIGABYTE C102 GLASS ICE chassis design and custom GIGABYTE MO27Q28G gaming monitor to complete the setup.
The giveaway runs from March 2 to March 31 via the official campaign website. Fans can enter for a chance to win the custom rig, with no purchase necessary. The only caveat is that they have to be a United States or Canada resident.
Such experience is designed to invite players and PC enthusiasts alike to engage with the collaboration while highlighting GIGABYTE’s premium hardware craftmanship and attention to detail.
In addition to the giveaway, GIGABYTE is also offering a Resident Evil Requiem game bundle with select gaming monitors. Included are AORUS brand monitors, ranging from 27 to 55 inches in size.
This bundle is available until March 31. Customers who purchase eligible models can redeem a digital game code through GIGABYTE’s official redemption platform.
The featured monitor is the MO27Q28G, which has fourth generation WOLED panel with 280Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. It is an ideal monitor to experience the spine-chilling terror and death-defying action of the title.
Gaming
Where Winds Meet Hexi expansion now available
Explore massive new maps, fight new bosses, and claim exclusive rewards and bonuses
The first major expansion for Where Winds Meet, the Hexi expansion, is now available. The open world action RPG’s most ambitious free-to-play expansion since its release is now accessible across PC, PlayStation, and mobile.
The Hexi expansion invites players to leave the familiar heartlands behind and step into a breathtaking, unforgiving new frontier.
Included are three major maps and nearly 20 sub-regions, urging players explore vast and diverse environments.
These massive new areas are divided into three chapters: the ancient ruins of Jade Gate Pass, the snow-capped mountain region Liangzhou, and a vast grassland area Qinchuan.
The expansion takes players back to the Tang Dynasty, which exists outside of the main game’s premise.
Here, players can battle 11 unique bosses and take part in several side quests. New gameplay mechanics will also allow them to surf on sand faster or reverse time to rebuild ruins and solve puzzles.
To celebrate the massive milestone, the title is also giving away a wave of exclusive free rewards and in-game bonuses. There’s 30+ Lingering Melodies and 90+ Resonating Melodies.
Furthermore, there is a wide range of cosmetics, including outfits, accessories, and even emotes. These rewards will be spread out from March to May.
Players simply have to log in and claim their launch gifts and gear up for the desert.
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