PC gaming news and reviews

The latest PC gaming news and reviews of gaming PC hardware, software and accessories.

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GOG's Galaxy 2.0 game launcher is available without an invitation
After launching in a limited, invite-only beta earlier this year, GOG Galaxy 2.0 is now available to anyone who wants to try it. You can join the open beta by visiting the GOG Galaxy website and downloading the new client on your PC or Mac.
Oculus Quest hand tracking is available as an experimental feature
You don't have to wait until 2020 to try Oculus Quest hand tracking, at least so long as you're willing to accept some limits. Oculus is trotting out the controller-free input method as an option in the "Experimental Features" menu this week. You can only use it in the main interface as well as first-party apps like the web browser and Oculus TV, but that still allows you to ditch the grips for common tasks. You can switch back to controllers through a quick toggle in the home screen.
'Twin Peaks VR' trailer offers a dive into David Lynch's mind
If you suspected that Twin Peaks VR would be a head trip, you guessed correctly. Collider and Showtime have released a trailer for the series' official virtual reality experience ahead of its debut later in December, and it feels like a mirror of David Lynch's psyche with the same strangeness as the series. The return to the Red Room is really just one part of your journey -- you'll also return to the train car where Laura Palmer was killed, a log cabin (but whose?) and Sheriff Truman's office, complete with an unsettling Killer BOB orb. It's clear this is tailor-made for the sort of fan who could quote whole scenes verbatim.
The 'Dark Crystal' tactics game arrives on February 4th
If you've been craving another Netflix-linked video game, you'll have to wait a little bit longer. BonusXP and En Masse have revealed that The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics will debut on February 4th, 2020 -- so much for that 2019 target. It might be worth the extra wait if you felt the Netflix series wasn't enough, though. The title for PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Mac and PC has you playing both through "and beyond" the story from the show, including its main characters (such as Aughra and Deet).
'Firewatch' team pauses its next game to work on Valve titles
Did you get nervous when multiple former Campo Santo developers pulled mentions of In the Valley of Gods from their Twitter profiles? Your trepidation might have been justified, although it's not as bad as it sounds. Studio co-founder Jake Rodkin has revealed that the team has placed In the Valley of Gods "on hold" while its various members work on other Valve projects, including Half-Life: Alyx, Dota Underlords and Steam. Rodkin characterized it as a voluntary shift -- Valve wasn't forcing the developers to work on its existing titles.
Dragon platformer ‘EarthNight’ is out today on Switch, PC, Mac and iOS
EarthNight made waves when it was revealed at in 2015. The endless runner mixes hand-drawn visuals with catchy chiptune music and old-school sound effects, resulting in a game that could please both today's mobile-first gamers as well as those who grew up in the 2D era. And of course, there are giant dragons. After four years of waiting, the game is finally hitting consoles and computers today.
Oculus Go is on sale for $120 at Amazon for Cyber Monday
Did you pass on the Oculus Go's discounted Black Friday price because it was still a little too dear? Your patience is being rewarded. Amazon is selling the stand-alone VR headset for $120 on Cyber Monday, or another $30 off the already fairly low price of $150. That's the lowest price we've seen, and it makes the Go that much more viable if you want to try VR or just enjoy a private Netflix viewer.
Oculus Go drops to $150 on Amazon in Black Friday sale
You're looking at one of the most affordable ways to immerse yourself in stand-alone VR. Amazon is selling the 32GB Oculus Go headset for $150, down from the usual $199, as part of its Black Friday sales. There have been substantial discounts before (the Go dropped to $159 in a flash sale this summer), but this is steeper than usual.
‘No Man’s Sky Synthesis’ update allows you to upgrade your favorite ship
No Man's Sky developer Hello Games has released the latest update for its popular space exploration game. Titled Synthesis, the highlight of the update is a new upgrade system that allows you to visit one of the game's many starship-outfitting terminals to spruce up your favorite spacecraft. Using the new system, you can upgrade one of your current ships all the way to S-Class, as well as add additional inventory slots.
Is the Valve Index the best high-end VR headset?
As VR becomes more and more mainstream, a key to its success will be the choice of headsets available. On the entry-level end is the Oculus Go, at $199. On the upper end is Valve's Index, which features two RGB LCDs running at 1,440 x 1,600 pixels, capable of a 120Hz (or 144Hz) refresh rate and selling for a stunning $999. Senior editor Devindra Hardawar reviewed the Index and found that it had nearly every feature one would expect to find on a high-end VR headset, including finger-sensing controllers, excellent image quality and plush cushioning around the eye pieces and rear head strap.
Valve's Steam Controller is dead
Four years after Valve released its oddball Steam Controller, it's not making any more. The controller is on sale today for $5 -- that's 90 percent off its list price of $49.99 -- and a note in the Steam Store warns that there's a limited quantity remaining. Once those controllers are gone, Valve doesn't plan to make more, The Verge reports.
'Red Dead Redemption 2' comes to Steam on December 5th
Red Dead Redemption 2's PC launch drew a number of complaints, not the least of which was having to use yet another publisher-specific launcher to play it. If you haven't already bought the game, though, you won't have to deal with that hassle. Rockstar has revealed that its open-world Western will be available through Steam on December 5th. You can play where most of your existing game library already resides.
Facebook buys 'Beat Saber' creator Beat Games
Facebook has bought Beat Saber developer Beat Games. It'll continue operating as an independently operated studio in Prague only it'll be under the umbrella of Oculus Studios.
‘Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order' broke multiple sales records for EA
Less than a month after release, EA has declared Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order a success. While the publisher didn't break out any numbers, it did say that the title has sold more digital downloads than any other Star Wars game to date in its first two weeks of availability. EA also said that Fallen Order had the best PC launch of any of its Star Wars games.
Samsung will host 10 live concerts in its 360-degree video app
From gigs like Coldplay's 2017 show to entire festivals like the Global Citizen Festival, attending a concert virtually could be the new way to enjoy live music. Samsung has announced it is getting in on the action by offering a series of concert events through its 360-degree video app, Samsung XR.
'State of Decay 2' brings zombie slaying to Steam in early 2020
You don't have to be fully committed to Microsoft's vision of gaming to play State of Decay 2. The zombie-filled survival game is now slated to come to Steam in early 2020. You won't have to be worried about finding friends to play, either. The title will support four-person Xbox Live cross-play, so friends who bought the game through the Microsoft Store or on Xbox One can join you in fending off the undead.
Valve has made me believe in Half-Life again
Just over two years ago, I left Valve's Half-Life franchise for dead. It had been ten years since Half-Life 2: Episode Two left fans with a massive cliffhanger that it seemed would never be resolved. But three days ago, Valve revealed that the story wasn't over, not quite: Half-Life: Alyx would be a full-fledged new entry into the series, built from the ground up for VR. Perhaps even more surprising was yesterday's reveal that the game is basically done and set to arrive in March of 2020.
'Half-Life: Alyx' is a VR prequel set before the events of 'Half-Life 2'
After more than 12 years, Valve is officially returning to the Half-Life universe. Half-Life: Alyx is a "full-length" VR entry into the series -- but if you were thinking we'd finally find out what happened after the events of Half-Life 2: Episode Two, I have some extremely disappointing news. Alyx will take place between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. For those of us who've been waiting for Valve to return to these games, it's a bit of a bittersweet moment -- the company undoubtedly knows how to make an excellent game, and the screenshots Valve shared certainly should get fans excited. But if you're looking for closure after the mega-cliffhanger that was Episode Two, you'll have to keep waiting.
Steam is holding a sale to celebrate the launch of Remote Play Together
After a brisk, one-month beta, Valve's new Remote Play Together feature is now available to all Steam users. As the name suggests, it allows you and up to three other friends to play split-screen games with one another over the internet. It emulates the experience of playing a game on the couch with a group of buddies by capturing your friends' inputs and then streaming it back to your device. Once you're in-game, you can talk to your friends over voice chat.
Check out the trailer for the final episode of Darth Vader's VR saga
LucasFilm's ILMxLAB has shared a new trailer for the upcoming final episode of its excellent Vader Immortal VR game series. While short, the minute-and-a-half long clip is dense with details.

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