The games for PS Plus Essential in January 2025 for PS5 and PS4 have been officially announced. We will briefly introduce you to the games and show you when they will be available.
Which PS Plus games are available in January 2025? Again in January 2025, there are three games that you can get with the PS Plus Essential subscription.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (PS5)
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered (PS4)
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe (PS4, PS5)
When will the games be available? The games are always available from the first Tuesday of a month:
PS Plus games available: January 07, 2025, around 12:00 PM
All important information about PS Plus Essential in January 2025
Here we briefly present the three games:
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (PS5): This game is a loot shooter where you take on the role of various DC supervillains. You can tackle the story alone or in co-op with friends.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – Gameplay Trailer
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered (PS4): With this title, you have a revamped version of the classic racing game that puts players in high-speed chases between racers and the police. With improved graphics, crossplay multiplayer, and all DLCs, the game offers thrilling excitement and intense head-to-head duels on open roads.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe. (PS4, PS5): This game is an expanded version of the cult classic, which captivates players with a mix of humor, storytelling, and unpredictable twists. With new content and endings compared to the original version, it invites exploration of the boundaries of choice and freedom in an absurd office environment.
What else do I need to know? If you haven’t claimed the games from last month for PS Plus yet, you should hurry. Once the new games are available, the old ones will be disabled again.
A small team from Latvia created an animation film that has been garnering attention since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival. What started with a single developer, his laptop, and free software has now become a multiple award-nominated and winning animation film that will soon be shown in Germany.
What is Flow as a film project? The wordless animation film tells the story of the journey of a black cat trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world without humans along with a group of various animals. Together, they travel through forests, across water, and forgotten monuments, learning to coexist peacefully.
Gints Zilbalodis, the director of the film, explains in an interview with Fast Company how he managed to develop a project with a low budget of 3.5 million euros and a manageable team that seems to succeed despite the simple resources.
Here you can see the trailer of the animation film:
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The trailer for Flow shows the journey of a cat through a beautiful world, created entirely in Blender
From a One-Man Project to a Film Festival Surprise
How was the development in Blender? One of the reasons for the low budget was the use of the free program Blender. The 3D modeling software is freely accessible, runs on almost all laptops, and has become an industry standard alongside similar programs like Maya.
The team developed their own tools that advanced the development both technically and visually. For example, they were able to better control the animation of water, which represents an important metaphor in the story of the film.
Blender also offered the team the opportunity to work with a real-time rendering engine. This means that one does not have to wait for the fully rendered image, but can see all textures, effects, and lights directly while working.
How many people were ultimately involved in the project? While Zilbalodis worked alone in the early years, additional 2D, 3D, and sound artists, as well as other production staff, joined the project over time.
The core production team consisted of about 20 people, with additional temporary staff totaling around 50. According to Zilbalodis, usually only 2 to 3 people were actively working in the studio with him.
How were the stylistic decisions made? To create a closer connection between the film and the audience, the team opted for a graphic and abstract art style.
With a simpler design, they want to give audiences the opportunity to project themselves or their pets onto the characters and the story. It also allowed the team to implement more expressive facial and movement animations, which can be quite advantageous in a film without spoken words.
The environments are relatively endowed with significantly more details, which makes them appear particularly real and lively despite the painted style.
An image from the film shows one of the environments through which the animals travel.
Pokémon cards have become an investment for many collectors. Especially rare specimens can fetch horrendous sums. One man from the USA has been sent to prison for it.
What did the man do wrong? The now 33-year-old V. Oudomsine borrowed money from a loan program of the Small Business Administration. The loan was meant to serve as aid for small businesses that needed financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oudomsine received around 82,000 euros for his small business, which supposedly employed 10 people. However, according to the United States prosecutor’s office, such a business never existed. The convicted man partly used the money to buy a particularly rare Pokémon card in January 2021. This made him guilty of a crime.
For those who can’t afford Pokémon cards, there is currently a free alternative: Pokémon TCG Pocket.
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Pokémon TCG Pocket scores with pure nostalgia
Criminal bets on the value of Pokémon card
Why did he spend the money on a Pokémon card? The card is a first edition of Charizard. In recent years, the prices for older cards have skyrocketed, allowing many fans to earn a horrendous sum by selling their cards. No wonder, that thieves have even started stealing the valuable cards.
The fraudster likely speculated that the card would increase in value. This way, he could not only pay back the loan but also pocket some money for himself. However, Oudomsine is said to have bought the card at the most inconvenient time.
When the then 31-year-old bought the card, it was supposed to have reached its peak value. Therefore, it would not have been possible to sell Charizard at a higher price. According to Price Charting, the current value of a comparable card is about 26,100 euros. Thus, the criminal’s plan went wrong.
What kind of punishment did he receive? Due to the embezzlement of the aid funds, Oudomsine was sentenced to 3 years in prison in 2022. Additionally, he was not allowed to keep the Charizard card – it was seized by federal authorities. Unless something has changed in the meantime, Oudomsine is presumably still in prison.
A fan of Monster Hunter World shares his story with the community. He wants to find like-minded individuals and new players for the release of Monster Hunter Wilds in February. In doing so, he reaches many fans directly in the heart.
What story does the player share? User BlindAaron mentions in his thread on Reddit that he is nearly blind medically. He can see nothing out of his left eye and only sees as if looking through a roll of toilet paper with his right eye.
Nevertheless, he has spent about 800 hours in Monster Hunter World and is really looking forward to the release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28, 2025. He primarily played it with his brother, but apparently, his brother has no interest in playing the new title.
With his thread, he is mainly looking for new players who can be patient and forgive mistakes. He seems to have found and mastered his main weapon in the bow, but he also wants to try new weapons in Wilds. Additionally, he is considering starting to stream.
In the latest video, you not only get insights into the lore but also some new content:
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Monster Hunter Wilds: Daisy Ridley explains the lore
“If you are a hunter… you are my family.”
How does the community respond? His call resonates strongly with the fans. Many express their admiration for him, that despite his severe limitation, he has managed to find a home in Monster Hunter World, and they would be happy to join him on his journey in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Among them are not only like-minded individuals who also embark on their hunt with a limitation, but also dozens of other hunters who want to support his endeavor:
User Zercomnexus writes on Reddit : “Honestly, mistakes in MHW are just fine. Are we going to smack monsters? Is the monster big and cool? Good”
User AltimitIchi invites him via Reddit: “If you are a hunter… you are my family. I will hunt with you.”
Organic-Commercial76 shared via Reddit: “I am physically limited and my partner who has ADHD will play. We always appreciate people who are just as considerate to us. Send me a message, and we can team up in February.”
User Genoxida resigns on Reddit: “I was just about to say that I would join, as my partner gets confused by playing survival games and we have played MHR/MHW, but there are so many people here.”
Some also ask how he manages the game with his limitation. Others encourage him that his choice to focus on a ranged weapon at first was the right one since this could actually benefit from his “focused field of vision.” They still encourage him to try other weapons as well and fuel his ambition to master those too.
Previously, the community had already shown that they are generally willing to forgive mistakes as long as a hunter is involved with enough passion. The fans also encourage those who think they are too bad for the franchise and give tips on how they can make it easier to get started: Can I play Monster Hunter Wilds if I’m bad at Monster Hunter? Community provides answers
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, more and more players are noticing that their opponents are leaving the matches. Many rounds are not completed with 6 players, as the game actually intended. Some players on Reddit are now providing the answer to what could be the reason.
Why are they running away? Many players are frustrated with the matchmaking in Call of Duty and therefore leave ongoing matches. The community believes that eventually a better lobby will come if they leave the ongoing rounds often enough.
The Reddit user “sw3ar” writes in a post in the BO6 forum: “Friendly monthly reminder – Just quit games. If the EOMM has decided that it’s your turn to suffer, just leave every single lobby until you find the right one. Don’t play sweaty Activision games. Just leave.” (via Reddit)
The post collected about 1,400 upvotes and over 650 comments. Some players add that they have more fun playing Call of Duty since they started leaving matches: “My experience has improved significantly since I started leaving games as soon as I realized it’s one of those rounds.”
Many players agree: Call of Duty is more fun when they occasionally “run away,” meaning leave a match.
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CoD Black Ops 6: Prestige explained – Is it worth it?
Players believe a system determines who wins the match
Why would leaving help? This belief among some players is based – as often in Call of Duty – on a discussion about matchmaking.
In addition to the long-standing debate about so-called skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), which selects your opponents based on your gaming skills, there are now also theories about a system called “Engagement-Optimized Matchmaking” (short: EOMM).
The EOMM is supposed to fundamentally improve the gaming experience of players. The theory is that the system intervenes when, for example, you lose several games in a row. Some players believe that this system can also influence the outcome of a match. Furthermore, it is said in the community that everyone will eventually be due for a defeat (via Reddit).
Players are therefore convinced that after a few good and victorious rounds, there will always come a match designed for players to lose. A defeat is then inevitable. “Now it’s the opponents’ turn for a win.”
To escape this supposedly unavoidable defeat, they leave the match and look for a new one – until they are back to winning or even a winning streak. After all, the system must recognize from players leaving that things are not going well for them and thus want to actively improve the gaming experience again.
The only problem is: Activision has never confirmed that EOMM exists in Call of Duty – it’s all just a player theory.
The community of Diablo 4 has killed millions of Goblins during the winter event, unlocking rewards for all players. If you want them, you need to hurry: You only have until Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM to do so.
Here you can claim the rewards: The free items are available in Kyovashad. Simply visit the Goblin shrine to the left of the city portal and click on the statue. You will then have the opportunity to collect each of the 5 rewards.
Most rewards are available for all players. However, some are only obtainable if you possess the Vessel of Hatred. If you collect all the bags and open them, you will receive:
a Magnificent Spark
30 million gold
7,500 Oboluses (you will have to gamble multiple times)
at least 26 geared items with item level 800 and a Great Affix, including Uniques
some tributes, citadel coins, and more
With the gold and items, you have a strong start for endgame in Diablo 4, but you will need level 60 to even equip them. By the way: The Mother’s Blessing event also runs until 7 PM.
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Diablo 4: The trailer for the winter event ‘Sleigh Ride to Hell’
Free skins and limited offers in the shop
Also until January 2 at 7:00 PM, you can claim three free skins in the shop: two trophies and one mount armor. Additionally, there are the Christmas skins for sale, which will disappear from the shop again at 9:00 PM.
If you haven’t logged in for a while, you can also claim another reward in Kurast for the community challenge in the Dark Citadel. Here, at the statue southwest of the city portal, there is a trophy, some items, and a bit of gold, as well as a player title.
The winter event is well-received by the community (for example via Reddit) and many players hope that future events will follow a similar format. Both the rewards and the process are considered a good idea to offer something for all players.
In Pokémon TCG Pocket, a new event centered around the Water Pokémon Blastoise has begun. This means new promo cards, hourglasses, and additional rewards for collectors of the mobile game.
Trainers must again participate in CPU battles and complete special challenges to earn rewards and packs that may contain the new card. In addition to Blastoise, there are further rewards like promo cards that trainers can obtain. What these are will be revealed by MeinMMO in the following article.
With the new booster, Celebi-ex is available for the first time, for which you can build a special deck:
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Pokémon TCG Pocket: Celebi ex Deck – This is how you should play it in this combination
All info on the Blastoise event and how to defeat it
When does the event take place? You can now participate in the drop event, which has been running since January 1, 2025, at 07:00. After that, you have until January 15 at 06:59 to complete the battles.
What new promo cards are available? As with the previous drop event, there are also 5 new cards as rewards this time. These are included in the promo packs of series A, Vol. 3. If you win a fight and receive a pack, you could find one of the following cards inside:
Snivy
Volcarona
Eevee
Chinchou
Blastoise (Full-Art)
Each of the cards is supposed to have the same chance of being included when opening a pack. Blastoise, Chinchou, and Volcarona have the same ability as the previous standard cards.
Eevee, on the other hand, can no longer deal damage with its attack, but can reduce the opponent’s damage by 20 points. For Snivy, the damage of the attack has been halved, but collectors now only need one energy card to attack.
What fights and rewards are available? In the CPU battles, there are 4 different Water decks available against which you need to compete. The following rewards await you for your (first) victory:
Shiny
First Time: 2 Pack Hourglasses, 50 Stardust, 1 Shop Ticket, 25 XP
Which deck should I use? To win against Blastoise, it is recommended to play a deck with Electric Pokémon. We can recommend the deck centered around Pikachu-ex, which makes a strong start at the beginning of the match.
Is there a special challenge? This time there are no surprises waiting for you. In the last event, you had to put a Pokémon to sleep. This time, you only need to complete the same standard challenges as usual.
For a challenge, you need to use a deck whose rarity is at most ♢♢♢. Replace Pikachu-ex and Zapdos-ex with the standard variants or other Electric Pokémon like Raichu or Magnemite and Magneton.
The deadly games from Squid Game have just been continued in Season 2. It could already be known when Season 3 will continue – but only by accident.
When will it continue? The Korean YouTube channel of Netflix may have already revealed that Season 3 will continue on June 27, 2025. So far, it was only known that the series would be extended in 2025.
The date would be perfect since it falls on a Friday. This way, fans who work during the week could binge-watch the series over the weekend. They wouldn’t have to take a vacation or watch the series in bits and pieces throughout the week.
You can watch the trailer for Season 2 here:
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Squid Game Season 2 – Trailer for the release date of the Korean series
Where does the leak come from? A 15-second video teased Season 3 of Squid Game. The Korean YouTube page of Netflix is said to have included the crucial hint in the video description that the start date is on the mentioned day.
Meanwhile, the video along with its description has been set to “Private,” so you can no longer check for yourself. Currently, only the teaser can be found, in which the date is not revealed. However, the Twitter channel of Maxblizz has secured a screenshot showing when Season 3 is supposed to come. With a translation tool, it can be seen when the Netflix series will continue.
Second leak confirms June for Squid Game Season 3
How likely is this? Note: This is still not an officially confirmed piece of information. It may be that the date is still subject to change internally and the series could air later (or even sooner). So far, it is only officially known that it will continue sometime in 2025.
There is, however, a second theory that supports June 2025: In the first episode, a calendar is shown where the days leading up to June 19 are crossed out. This could be a hint at the release of Season 3.
However, you should take this hint with caution, as the calendar in the episode is set to 2024. Therefore, it is unlikely that June 19, 2025 is the release date for Season 3. However, it could be a general hint at June 2025 and support the first leak.
The tier list for Season 6 in Diablo 4 shows you the best builds in German for all classes in the endgame. We provide you with a short description and links to recreate them.
Which is the best class in Season 6? The Spiritborn as the new class leads the list. Necromancers and Barbarians have also proven to be strong after a few weeks, but every class has at least one build that can carry them through the tough endgame content. The list is regularly updated and adjusted.
This is how we created the list: We refer to data from the Diablo expert and build theorycrafter Rob as well as assessments from other experts, such as maxroll.gg, particularly wudijo. For better context, the experience of our own experts at MeinMMO has been included.
The tier list covers all endgame activities for Diablo 4, with the Pit serving as a benchmark. The builds may not always be best suited for PvP, speed grinds, and level builds.
What does “S” to “F” mean? In the tier list, builds are categorized by letters. In this case, “S” stands for the best builds, while “F” designates the worst.
S Tier: The best builds in Season 6
The builds in this tier are the absolute best you can play. They have virtually no weaknesses and perform better than anything else in every content. There may be a minor weakness here and there, but generally, it is not enough for other builds to pass them by.
Finally, Barbarians have a proper ranged build: You throw your weapons around actively and obliterate enemies unfortunate enough to be in the trajectory. The goal of the build is to maximize the Mighty Throw, the new skill, as far as possible without sacrificing too much defense. A disadvantage: You absolutely need the unique “The Third Blade”.
Do you want to poison enemies with a giant centipede and then make them explode? Then this build is perfect for you. Touch of Death relies on high damage over time (“DoT”), which you can cause to explode at once with various abilities and legendaries for multiple times its damage.
An alternative to the touch build is the “Stinging Swarm” Spiritborn (via d4builds.gg). It uses the same abilities except for the main skill and is somewhat weaker, but significantly easier to play.
The best starter build for anyone who wants to play Spiritborn. You throw feathers around that explode on impact and then return, similar to the Hunter’s twisting blades. Although most damage comes from the Eagle, you use Gorilla and Jaguar as spirits for more defense. All you need for the build is a legendary power from the codex: the Bouncing Aspect. From there, the build only gets stronger.
For this build, you need the unique “Cuirass of the Blood Crafter,” which summons a free bone spirit whenever you gather enough blood orbs. You create these orbs via Blood Wave. A major advantage: Max HP increases your damage, making the build strong in both attack and incredibly tanky.
A fast-paced playstyle: You stab your daggers into an enemy, sprint through as many opponents as possible, and rip the weapons from the original target. On the way, the blades obliterate everything they touch. A melee build for anyone who wants to feel like a ninja.
Diablo IV reveals the expansion Vessel of Hatred in new gameplay trailer
A Tier: Strong builds for the endgame in Season 6
A-tier builds are generally somewhat weaker than S-tier builds, but constant improvements and tweaks often change the category, especially at the beginning of the season. However, these builds offer a bit more choice for your playstyle and are often not as heavily reliant on single items.
With the Landslide build, you frequently switch your form to take advantage of various bonuses. The main skill Landslide becomes a damage-over-time effect on the ground with the unique ring Earthbreaker and has a chance to generate additional landslides when cast multiple times.
The build works by constantly resetting your evasion ability, allowing you to use it continuously. This is achieved by selecting the Eagle spirit in your spirit hall and using Thunder Spike every time. This makes your enemies vulnerable right away and thus ensures more damage. All you need for the build is the unique quarterstaff Sepazontec. Even after a nerf, the build is still extremely strong.
“Stop hitting yourself” is the motto of the Thorns build for Spiritborn. You use the power of the Gorilla to obtain plenty of shields and blocks while building up thorns. Additionally, you summon a spirit Jaguar and benefit from the attack speed and resource generation of the Jaguar. However, for the ultimate build, you need the right runeword, which allows you to use the decay of the Necromancer.
After several nerfs, the Heartseeker Rogue works a little differently in Season 6: You now enhance the base skill with the shard Verathiels and create area damage through the Punish passive. Essentially a very classic build with a main attack and several enhancements.
After Barbarians, Rogues now also have a “Spin2Win” build: Dance of Knives is one of the new skills from Season 6. You spin wildly in circles throwing knives at nearby enemies. With the right items, you have a high evasion chance during this time, providing solid defense, pull enemies close repeatedly, and compared to other builds, have nearly no resource problems. The build becomes truly powerful only with good gear.
The Minion Necromancer combines his army of undead with enormous shadow damage over time. Your skeleton mages, which become shadow mages in this build, engage in combat with your golem, while you support them in the background with skills. You use Corpse Tendrils to stun enemies and “Plague” to inflict shadow damage.
The ideal build if you want to sweep through demons personally as a Reaper. Reaper summons a spectral scythe and makes enemies vulnerable upon impact. Together with the new passive ability Affliction, you increase your damage dealt even further. The build works completely without uniques and can be easily constructed with the codex. Ideal for beginners.
The new ability Soul Rift does exactly what the name says: You tear the souls from your enemies and create essence with the right unique item. You spend this for a bone spirit that then provides more resource generation. Through a runeword, you can basically trigger Overwhelm continuously, which constitutes your main damage.
Despite several nerfs, still one of the strongest builds in the game: You shoot lightning spears that bounce off you and enemies, getting stronger as they do so. However, due to the nerfs and new possibilities, this build is likely the one that will drop out of the S-tier later on.
Your chain lightning bounces between you and a single enemy or multiple enemies, releasing crackling energy in the process. With each bounce, the lightning gets stronger. You let your lightning bounce while you run to the end of the dungeon.
For many seasons now, one of the favorites for many sorcerers: You let multiple ball lightnings hover around you and draw enemies in with the Robes of the Infinite. This way, you easily bind the enemies to you and fry them with your lightning balls.
In B-tier, you will find builds that are partially experimental or have weaknesses against certain content. Some of them are strong against mob groups but useless against bosses. The builds here are weaker than in higher tiers, but especially in cooperation with other players who can mitigate their weaknesses, they have great potential.
With builds in C-tier, you can still easily master the endgame, just not as far as with builds in higher tiers. The idea here is builds that are a bit more flexible and offer more choices without having to give up strength entirely. If you are just looking for pure fun and want to slay a few demons, you can go for these without any worries.
We generally advise against the builds in this tier. Based on the current state, you will not get very far with them, and it is usually not worth investing gold or time in them – unless you really want to play them. They might still be useful to reach the endgame, but afterward, they will struggle.
The market is constantly changing regarding which shooters are currently recommended. Some games have dominated the scene for years and will also be represented in the top lists at the end of 2024 / beginning of 2025. We show you the currently best shooters for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Switch.
Update, December 13, 2024: The article was originally published on March 25, 2024. We last updated it on December 13 and removed XDefiant from the “Honorable Mentions” since Ubisoft announced on December 4 that XDefiant will be permanently shut down in June 2025.
What kind of games are these? MyMMO editor Dariusz Müller has looked at the current market and evaluated, based on his experience in many different shooters and thousands of hours of gameplay, which ones he believes are currently the best.
In this regard, he considered various factors such as the game’s performance, the gameplay loop, player counts, and the current state of the games. Nevertheless, the list is a personal assessment of the author, and it may be that a game is missing or that a present one is rated lower by you.
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The best shooters where you can play PvP
Apex Legends
Developer: Respawn Entertainment |Model: Free-to-play |Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch | Subgenre: Battle Royale |Mode: PvP |Perspective: First-Person |
What makes the game special? Apex Legends is a battle royale shooter that stands out due to its fast and variable movement, differentiating it from competitors like PUBG and Fortnite.
Moreover, Apex Legends is a hero shooter. Before the start of a round, you choose a legend that you control during the round and cannot switch in between. Each legend also brings its own abilities.
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Apex Legends Gameplay Trailer
Who is the game interesting for? Apex Legends is aimed at fans of battle royale shooters but also at players who enjoy fast movement and, for example, like to slide. If you find PUBG too calm or slow, you should take a look at Apex Legends.
Due to the different legends you can play and which bring their own play styles, Apex Legends has more gameplay depth and variety than other battle royales. This means: If you want to be among the top players, you need to invest a lot of time and practice.
Pro
Free-to-play
Playable on all major platforms
Fast and versatile movement
Intuitive gunplay
Regular updates
Versatile gameplay through various playable characters
High player counts
Contra
The different characters and play styles make it difficult for newcomers to get started compared to other battle royales
Aggressive monetization through battle pass and skins
What makes the game special? BattleBit Remastered is a PvP shooter that garnered attention in summer 2023 as the Low-Poly Battlefield, where you engage in large-scale and chaotic battles with up to 254 players.
On the battlefield, you can fight either on foot or with various vehicles. Of course, you also have access to well-known weapons such as an M4 or a UMP, which you can additionally customize with different attachments.
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Battlebit Remastered – Announcement Trailer
Who is the game interesting for? BattleBit Remastered is primarily aimed at fans of Battlefield, as the battles in both games are similarly large, chaotic, and offer infantry and vehicle combat.
However, it is important that you do not place a high value on beautiful graphics, as you will not find that in BattleBit. Instead, the game features a very minimalist appearance due to its low-poly graphics, which allows solid performance even on lower-end PCs.
The gunplay is simple and innovatively learnable, strategic approaches are not necessarily required, and you also do not need extra hands or cat-like reflexes for movement. BattleBit plays very simply and is therefore also suitable for casual players and newcomers to shooters.
Pro
Large chaotic battles like in Battlefield
Good performance
Intuitive and easy gunplay
Good selection of weapons, maps, and class gadgets
Beginner-friendly
Contra
Only available on Steam
Low-poly graphics are not pretty
Some players report a susceptibility to motion sickness
Player numbers have significantly decreased since the successful release
What makes the game special? Battlefield is primarily known for its large, action-packed battles. You fight with numerous players on large maps, trying to capture or defend flags, among other objectives.
You have access to various weapons and equipment. You can also access a fleet of vehicles, including tanks, helicopters, transport vehicles, and airplanes.
The classic Battlefield experience includes classes such as the Medic or Engineer, who take on various roles on the battlefield. The latest installment, Battlefield 2042, has taken a slightly different direction and also offers various playable characters with unique abilities and gadgets.
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Everything you need to know about the new Battlefield 2042 – in 2 minutes
Who is the game interesting for? Battlefield is primarily interesting for players who enjoy large battles filled with chaos and explosions. Within the franchise, you can experience various settings like World War I or II with corresponding weapons.
However, if you prefer small battles with a maximum of 10-12 players, Battlefield is probably not the best choice for you. The same applies if you have an aversion to fighting against tanks or helicopters and prefer pure infantry battles.
In general, Battlefield is much more beginner-friendly than tactical shooters like Valorant or Rainbow: Six Siege and caters to players who can only play a few hours per week.
Pro
Available on all major platforms
Large, sometimes immersive battles with many players
Many different weapons, equipment, and vehicles
The various games cater to many potential settings (WW1, WW2, modern)
Beginner-friendly gunplay, low learning curve
No SBMM – you can always encounter good and less skilled players, resulting in very mixed lobbies
Contra
Due to the lack of success of Battlefield 2042, players are spread across the different installments of the series
Full-price title that still sells DLCs, a Battle Pass, or cosmetics depending on the game
The latest installment 2042 still has performance issues
If you only enjoy infantry combat and not vehicles, you will likely have little fun in most game modes
What makes the franchise stand out? Call of Duty is THE mainstream shooter. If you are a shooter fan, it is very likely that you have played a CoD game – whether it be the arena modes of a current multiplayer title, a zombie mode, or Warzone.
The CoD franchise offers a variety of different game modes, maps, and weapons, consistently has enough players to fill a lobby, and the latest installment is continuously updated with new content.
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The new CoD MW3 presents itself with shooter action in the new multiplayer trailer
Who is the franchise interesting for? Theoretically, for most shooter fans, as CoD really offers many different modes. The weapons are easy to control and with aim assist, the game is also suitable for casual players on consoles.
In practice, especially tryhards and regular players are often dissatisfied with CoD and express much criticism. Matchmaking is often criticized, and aim assist for controller players is a hotly debated topic.
Furthermore, the franchise may not be interesting for you if you have little money available or are very stingy, as Activision regularly releases new CoD titles at full price, and support for the predecessor is then reduced or even discontinued.
Pro
Easy and intuitive gunplay
Developer support for current titles
Impressive selection of weapons, maps, and game modes
Beginner-friendly
Contra
Regularly released installments divide the player base and cost full price for minimal improvements
Strong criticism of matchmaking, keyword “SBMM”
Strong aim assist for controllers is a recurring topic in discussions
PS players regularly have advantages such as longer XP bonuses or earlier beta access
What makes the game stand out? Counter-Strike 2 replaced CS:GO in September 2023 and modernized the graphics and engine of the tactical shooter. However, the gameplay of this successful title remains the same.
Two teams of 5 players each – the terrorists and a counter-terrorism unit – compete against each other
The teams must attempt to plant a bomb, prevent the bomb from being planted, or defuse the planted bomb.
Both teams must play in both defense and offense.
A distinctive feature of CS2 is the extremely low precision when shooting while moving. Therefore, you cannot eliminate your opponents as accurately while moving as you can in CoD or Battlefield. Additionally, using a scope is only possible with certain weapons.
Furthermore, Counter-Strike is known for the astronomical prices for skins, as these can be traded between players. A special skin with a rare color pattern in good condition can be worth hundreds to thousands of euros. Therefore, many players spend enormous amounts of money purchasing keys to open crates with random contents.
Start video
Counter-Strike 2: Valve once again impresses with the launch trailer
Who is the game interesting for? CS2, as a tactical shooter, is less suitable for casual gamers. You should not rush into every battle thoughtlessly but rather take tactically sensible positions. Teamplay and communication are also extremely important.
If you want to dash from kill to kill, listen to dubstep, and not communicate with others, then CS2 is probably not suitable for you – unless you are interested in skin trading. Alternatively, you might try your luck opening crates, but we can’t recommend that.
Pro
Improved graphics compared to its predecessor
High player counts
Ongoing support from Valve nearly guaranteed for years
An active and widely viewed e-sport if you want to follow your favorite game at sporting events
Almost unmatched in gameplay, as even Valorant does many things differently with its agents
Contra
Gambling mechanics when opening skin crates
Not beginner-friendly
Some content from CS:GO is still missing
Severe problems with cheaters
Considered one of the most toxic communities
Escape from Tarkov
Developer: Battlestate Games |Model: Buy-to-play |Platforms: PC | Subgenre: Extraction shooter, Hardcore shooter |Mode: PvPvE |Perspective: First-person |
What makes the game special? Escape from Tarkov is perhaps the most prominent extraction shooter on the market and experiences a significant hype on Twitch about every six months – whenever there has been a wipe in the shooter.
You start your raid with your gear, collect loot, and complete missions from traders. The game takes place in the fictional Russian city of Tarkov. On the different maps, you encounter both enemy players and NPCs. If your character dies before you can extract, you lose all your loot.
Escape from Tarkov is known not only for its extraction mechanics but also for its challenging gameplay. Alongside a realistic recoil system and minimal HUD, injuries can occur which your character can suffer, leading to death if untreated.
Start video
Escape from Tarkov: Update 0.13.5 brings a new, nasty boss to the streets of Tarkov
Who is EFT interesting for? Escape from Tarkov is not suitable for players looking for an easy and intuitively learnable game. You must thoroughly learn and understand EFT and all its mechanics.
EFT does not explain much and is also very challenging due to its hardcore gameplay. Moreover, caution and communication in co-op is essential – otherwise, your teammate might get caught quickly because you thought he was an enemy. You must also be aware that you will die a lot – a lot.
If you enjoy hardcore shooters and realistic gameplay mechanics and don’t mind extraction shooters and plenty of deaths, then EFT is essential for you.
Pro
Unique mix of extraction shooter and realistic hardcore gameplay
Large player base, especially after a wipe
Regular wipes provide long-term motivation as they force players to grind from the beginning again
Battlestate Games continues to work on EFT and promises to deliver content updates that bring changing seasons
Contra
Not beginner-friendly, steep learning curve
Only available on its own launcher and not on Steam or other established launchers
Due to the versatile key mapping, a console release or controller support is nearly impossible
Like many PvP shooters, EFT currently has a significant cheating problem
Fortnite
Developer: Epic Games |Model: Free-to-play |Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Mobile | Subgenre: Battle Royale |Mode: PvP |Perspective: Third-Person |
What kind of game is this? Fortnite is a colorful Battle Royale game played from a third-person perspective and is available on all major platforms.
Fortnite was once primarily known for its approach of combining shooter gameplay with building and crafting elements from a survival game. Instead of just seeking cover or a higher vantage point, you can quickly construct a barricade, a tower, or anything else.
However, Fortnite now offers a variety of other modes. You can experience the “Battle Royale” action entirely without building. Or you can skip the shooter aspect and create your own LEGO village in the Survival mode LEGO Fortnite.
Overall, Fortnite regularly features exciting events and numerous collaborations that expand the game with new content – always in a vibrant and colorful style. Yet, if you want to have your favorite skin, you usually have to pay well for it.
Start video
Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5 Season 2: Myths & Mortals showcases battles with gods
Who is the game interesting for? Even though Fortnite is often said to target younger players due to its graphic style, it also offers enough appeal for players who grew up in the 90s or early 2000s with its many collaborations. Who wouldn’t feel nostalgic with skins from Dragon Ball, the Ninja Turtles, or Naruto?
Nonetheless, you should obviously have no problems with the colorful visuals and third-person perspective, and generally be a fan of Battle Royale.
Pro
Available on many different platforms
Active player base
Regular updates, events, and collaborations
The Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) allows players to create their own games and modes
Fortnite now also expands its repertoire beyond Battle Royale, for example with the Survival mode LEGO Fortnite
Contra
Aggressive monetization through Battle Pass and skins
Childish graphic style may not appeal to everyone
Not available on Steam
If you just want to play Battle Royale, you’ll also have to download LEGO Fortnite and vice versa
Developer: Crytek |Model: Buy-to-play |Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5| Subgenre: Battle Royale |Mode: PvPvE |Perspective: First-Person |
What kind of game is this? Hunt: Showdown is an extraction shooter with horror elements, where the entire map is inhabited by numerous different monsters.
You must hunt and kill at least one of up to two boss enemies, then collect and extract a trophy dropped by the boss. To know the location of a boss, you need to gather clues or encounter him randomly. There are four different monsters that can appear on the map.
The weapons of the shooter are rather old-fashioned and rustic. There are single-shot guns and revolvers. The character designs also reflect more of the Wild West than that of soldiers.
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Hunt: Showdown Launch Trailer
Who is the game interesting for? Hunt: Showdown is interesting for players who want to play a somewhat different extraction shooter and have no problem with monsters.
However, if you want modern weapons, cool colorful abilities, and fast movement, you are in the wrong shooter. Instead, Hunt: Showdown excels with its sound design and overwhelming atmosphere.
Pro
Exciting gameplay
Unique setting
Outstanding sound
Developer support
Contra
Not beginner-friendly
Defeats are painful
Overwatch 2
Developer: Blizzard |Model: Free-to-play |Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 | Subgenre: Hero Shooter |Mode: PvP |Perspective: First-Person |
What kind of game is this? Overwatch 2 combines the gameplay of a first-person shooter with that of a MOBA like LoL or DOTA. There are a number of heroes who can use different abilities in 5v5 battles, and they all play differently.
Due to their roles in the matches, the individual heroes are assigned to different roles. There are the Support characters, who can heal their teammates or provide a damage boost, and the DPS, who aim to deal as much damage as possible and create chaos. The third and final role is the Tanks, who have a lot of health and are essential with their abilities to achieve the objective of the respective mode.
In one mode, your task is to push the payload, which is a moving object, as far as possible – further than your opponents. In another mode, you must capture and hold specific points. Teamwork is required for each mode.
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Overwatch 2: The Most Important Things About the Hero Shooter in 43 Seconds
Who is the game interesting for? Overwatch 2 is interesting for you if you want to play a slightly different shooter. Instead of running in circles in a TDM, looking for one gunfight after another or planting a bomb at a specific spot, you need to utilize your different abilities and work as a team to achieve the common goal.
However, if you are looking for realistic weapons such as an AK or an M4, you will be out of place in Overwatch. There are futuristic guns, supernatural abilities, and of course Winston – a giant, talking gorilla in clothing. Overall, the entire game has a comic-like graphic style.
Pro
Many different heroes allow you to find the play style that suits you
The selection of heroes and their synergy are strategically relevant
Available on all common platforms
Runs well on low-performing PCs
Regular content updates and balancing patches
Contra
Aggressive monetization through Battle Pass and skins
The promised PvE campaign has been canceled
New heroes are often overpowered
The colorful graphic style is not to everyone’s taste
PUBG: Battlegrounds
Developer: KRAFTON |Model: Free-to-play |Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Mobile | Subgenre: Battle Royale |Mode: PvP |Perspective: Third-Person, First-Person
What kind of game is this? PUBG: Battlegrounds, or simply PUBG, is one of the first and most successful Battle Royales. It features a significantly more realistic graphic style than, for example, Fortnite and Apex Legends and also provides weapons and equipment known from the real world.
The shooter can be played in both First-Person and Third-Person perspective. However, you can also look through the scope in Third-Person – just like in First-Person.
In addition to a variety of weapons and equipment, you will find various vehicles in PUBG such as cars and motorcycles, which you can use to move faster to the zone.
Start video
Everything that makes PUBG: Battlegrounds special in 2 minutes
Who is the game interesting for? PUBG is interesting for fans of Battle Royale who are not interested in the bright colors of Fortnite or the different characters and their abilities of Apex Legends.
PUBG plays slower than many other representatives of the genre, but puts more emphasis on realism – even though it is not a simulation or a hardcore shooter. It is therefore perfect for casually playing a few rounds, even if you prefer a realistic setting.
Pro
Extremely active player base
Beginner-friendly
Third- and First-Person
Playable on all major platforms
Can also run on older PCs
Continues to be updated
Contra
Outdated graphics (still)
Large cheating problem
Rainbow Six: Siege
Developer: Ubisoft |Model: Buy-to-play |Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 | Subgenre: Tactical Shooter |Mode: PvP |Perspective: First-Person |
What kind of game is this? Rainbow Six: Siege is a tactical shooter from Ubisoft in which you play 5v5. Your goal is to defuse a bomb or rescue a hostage, for example. You access various members of counter-terrorism units such as GSG-9 or SAS, each with unique abilities.
In addition to the different characters and their gadgets, there is a whole range of weapons and secondary gadgets like grenades, breaching charges, or C4 explosives. You can use these to tactically alter the maps – the destructibility of floors and walls plays a significant role.
You can, for example, blow a hole in the floor or shoot through with a shotgun to then look down at a door through which your opponents may enter the building.
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Rainbow Six: Siege Launch Trailer
Who is this game interesting for? Rainbow Six: Siege is a tactical shooter, so you should definitely have an interest in strategic approach and coordination within a team. Additionally, a certain curiosity and creativity are advantageous if you want to make the most of the map’s destructibility without delving into professional strategies.
Generally, the game involves a lot of practice. If you have no interest in learning the maps or the abilities of different characters, you are likely to be unsuccessful in Rainbow Six: Siege.
Pro
Unique gameplay due to the abilities and destructibility of the map
Regular updates provide the game with new content
Developers continuously work on balancing and release regular patches
Contra
Lots of cheaters
Not beginner-friendly due to many different abilities and maps
The many balancing changes are not always well received by players
Splatoon 3
Developer: Nintendo |Model: Buy-to-play |Platforms: Nintendo Switch | Subgenre: Hero Shooter |Mode: PvP, PvE |Perspective: Third-Person
What kind of game is this? Splatoon is not exactly what many genre fans would call a shooter. You play as small colorful Inklings trying to color an arena in vibrant colors. Inklings are a mix of humans and octopuses.
There are five different PvP modes in Splatoon 3, a short campaign that introduces you to the principles of the game, and a PvE mode where you must fend off waves of enemies. The primary PvP mode is called “Turf War”.
In Turf War, you play 4v4. The team whose color is most represented in the arena wins. You shoot this color with various “weapons”. The core aspect of the gameplay is therefore based on shooting and spreading color. For this, there is a variety of different weapons and special abilities.
You can also shoot at your opponents, although you shouldn’t expect any blood or similar from this kid-friendly shooter.
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Splatoon 3 Trailer
Who is the game interesting for? Splatoon is not only aimed at various age groups and can also be played with younger players; it is also interesting for fans of tactical shooters. Especially the positioning of individual team members has a noticeable impact on the outcome of a match.
Additionally, Splatoon offers a low time-to-kill and fast movement. Especially in octopus form, you move quickly when you dive into your team’s color pools. However, since Splatoon does not have aim assist, this kid-friendly shooter might be too challenging for CoD veterans.
In contrast to other tactical shooters, Splatoon also has the advantage of being very beginner-friendly, and there is also a rank mode for solo players. You are not completely out of luck if you don’t have a fixed team.
Pro
Unique gameplay concept
Beginner-friendly
Fast movement
Low time-to-kill
Solid selection of weapons
No differences in hardware performance
Child-friendly
Relatively low toxicity due to lack of communication options with random teammates and opponents
Contra
Only available on Nintendo Switch
Expensive – Nintendo rarely offers discounts for their exclusive full-price titles
Lack of communication options with random teammates
What kind of game is this? Team Fortress 2 is a hero shooter that was released back in 2007 and still counts among the most popular games on Steam. The setting is colorful, the nine playable characters are quirky, and there are a number of well-known modes like Capture the Flag and Team Deathmatch.
The heroes all have different abilities and weapons that can be played in various ways. The matches are action-packed.
Start video
Team Fortress 2 – Class Trailer
Who is the game interesting for? If you enjoy hero shooters like Overwatch 2, there is really no reason not to try out Team Fortress 2. However, you should be aware that you are playing a game from 2007.
The graphics and effects are old, and modern shooters have a completely different movement system. But if that doesn’t bother you, you’ll find Team Fortress 2 to be a shooter that is still actively played on Steam.
Pro
Active Community
Many different game modes
The heroes and their abilities play out differently
Contra
Very outdated graphics
No new updates
Numerous cheaters
The Finals
Developer: Embark Studios |Model: Free-to-play |Platforms: Steam, PS5, Xbox Series | Subgenre: Arena Shooter |Mode: PvP |Perspective: First-Person |
What makes the game special? The Finals is a PvP shooter that lets you compete in teams of three for victory in a game show within a virtual arena. Your goal is to collect more money than your opponents.
Accordingly, various weapons, abilities, and gadgets such as sledgehammers, grappling hooks, grenades, and mines are available, from which you can create your loadout based on your class.
However, the biggest feature of the shooter is the massive destruction you can cause throughout the map. For example, it is possible to demolish entire buildings or blow up the ground beneath safes. Both the abilities and gadgets, as well as the destruction, have a tactical benefit.
Start video
The Finals reveals the new trailer for Season 2
Who is the game interesting for? The Finals is interesting for players who enjoy more casual gameplay. While there is skill-based matchmaking and a ranked mode in the shooter, the game mechanics are not as competitive as in Counter-Strike or Valorant.
Overall, the shooter is beginner-friendly and appeals to players who enjoy CoD or Battlefield, thanks to the rather fast movement and simple gunplay.
If you are also interested in being able to destroy large parts of the map, including entire houses, The Finals offers a nearly unparalleled experience.
Pro
The destruction of the map is not only innovative but also unique
Intuitive, simple gunplay with consistent recoil patterns
Fast movement, complemented by gadgets
Strategic applications of gadgets and abilities give additional depth to the gameplay
Updates are expected to supply the game with new content for a long time
Contra
Cheaters have already become one of the biggest problems shortly after release
Player numbers have decreased significantly since the release in December 2023
Only three players per team in the main modes is frustrating for larger groups of friends
Relatively few maps and weapons
Titanfall 2
Entwickler: Respawn Entertainment |Modell: Buy-to-play |Plattformen: Xbox, PlayStation, PC | Subgenre: Arena-Shooter |Modus: PvP |Perspektive: First-Person |
Was ist das für ein Spiel? In Titanfall dreht sich alles um Mechs, den sogenannten Titans. Das sind große, schwer bewaffnete Kampfmaschinen auf zwei Beinen, die von menschlichen Piloten im Inneren gesteuert werden.
Passend dazu führt ihr den Großteil dieser Kämpfe mit den verschiedenen Titans aus. Ein Mech hat in etwa eine riesige Minigun, ein anderer einen Flammenwerfer. Dann gibt es noch einen Titan mit einer Art Scharfschützengewehr für Kämpfe auf lange Distanz sowie einen Titan mit einer Schrotflinte und einem Schwert für kurze Distanz. Für jeden Spielstil gibt es einen passenden Titan.
Außerhalb der Titans brilliert der Shooter vor allem mit dem Movement, das sehr schnell ist und flexible Bewegungen sowie Wallruns ermöglicht. Ergänzt wird das Movement zudem durch eine Grappling-Hook, die ihr allerdings gezielt bei eurem Piloten ausrüsten müsst. Dieser besitzt obendrein eine Reihe verschiedener Waffen, darunter beispielsweise Sturmgewehre, Maschinenpistolen und Schrotflinten.
Neben dem PvP-Modus besitzt Titanfall 2 auch eine Kampagne, die ihr innerhalb von 10 Stunden durchspielen könnt. Das ist zwar recht kurz, doch viele Fans des Genres sagen ihr bis heute eine hervorragende Qualität nach – nicht zuletzt, weil sie euch die fürs PvP benötigten Grundlagen vermittelt.
Start video
Titanfall 2 shows in the multiplayer trailer how fast the gameplay of the shooter is
Für wen ist das Spiel interessant? Wenn ihr richtig Bock auf einen Shooter habt, der ein schnelles und variables Movement bietet, dann solltet ihr euch Titanfall 2 auf jeden Fall anschauen. Es macht sogar Spaß, einfach nur an den Wänden entlangzulaufen. Dennoch könnt ihr auch sliden oder hüpfen, das Movement ist wirklich ein grundlegendes Feature des Shooters.
Das andere grundlegende Feature sind natürlich die Titans selbst. Wenn ihr Kampfroboter cool findet und euch vorstellen könnt, damit gegen andere Spieler zu kämpfen, habt ihr in Titanfall 2 die Chance dazu.
Solltet ihr es in erster Linie auf Infanterie-Gefechte abgesehen haben und Vehikel-Kämpfe möglichst meiden wollen, dann könnte euch Titanfall 2 enttäuschen. Die Auseinandersetzungen zwischen den verschiedenen Mechs sind ein fester Bestandteil jeder Runde.
Pro
Das Movement gilt bis heute als eines der besten überhaupt
Das Gunplay ist intuitiv und leicht zu meistern
Begrenzte Auswahl an Waffen, Aufsätzen und Titans erleichtert den Einstieg
Häufig im Angebot für unter 5 € erhältlich
Da es im gleichen Universum wie Apex Legends spielt, könnten euch Waffen wie die Mastiff bekannt vorkommen
Contra
In die Jahre gekommene Grafik
Vergleichsweise wenig Spieler und ein entsprechend langes Matchmaking
Die verbleibenden Spieler sind vor allem Titanfall-Veteranen, die das Spiel gemeistert haben
Es gibt keinen Modus nur mit Piloten, die Titans sind immer dabei
Keine neuen Updates mehr
Valorant
Developer: Riot Games |Model: Free-to-play |Platforms: PC | Subgenre: Tactical Shooter |Mode: PvP |Perspective: First-Person |
What kind of game is this? Valorant is a tactical shooter by Riot Games, where you play 5v5. One team must plant the so-called Spike – a type of bomb – in one of up to three spots. The other team must prevent this by eliminating all players from the attacking team or stalling long enough until the round timer expires.
In the fight for the rounds, you have access to various weapons that you must buy at the start of a round, similar to Counter-Strike, from a buy menu. You can use these weapons until you die and lose them – or until the sides switch. You can also pick up weapons from dead teammates or opponents. Managing your money is an important strategic component.
In addition to the various weapons, Valorant offers a range of different agents with unique abilities and tactical options. The agents and their abilities are a significant unique selling point of the shooter compared to similar titles.
Start video
Riot Games shows the new agent of Valorant in the animated trailer
Who is the game interesting for? Valorant is primarily aimed at players who enjoy classic tactical shooters like Counter-Strike – meaning with a buy menu and planting/disarming a bomb. So, if you’re looking for fast shooters where you don’t have to communicate or think much, Valorant is not for you.
The major difference to CS2 lies in the agents, their abilities, and the colorful setting. Instead of smoke grenades that create gray clouds, for example, there are green or purple smokes to restrict your opponents’ vision. So, you should bring a tolerance for vibrant colors and an animated style.
Pro
Requires few resources and can also be played on less powerful PCs
One of the best anti-cheat systems
Active player base including esports
Regular updates bring new content
Developers continue to balance game
Technically few errors – rarely serious bugs or server problems
Contra
Not available on console
Differences between strong and weaker agents can be significant
Developers have difficulties finding the right balance
Many smurfers due to F2P
Toxic community
High prices for skins
These were the 15 best shooters in which PvP is played. On page 2, we will continue with the best PvE shooters.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
With patch 11.1, there’s a new weapon that many want in World of Warcraft. Because it’s ‘Best in Slots’, even when you don’t need it.
Slowly but surely, patch 11.1 Undermine(d) for World of Warcraft is coming into view. More and more information is being revealed through data mining, including the new weapons from the raid “The Liberation of Lorenhall”. One weapon is expected to be the best that you can equip – because that’s what the weapon claims.
Start video
3 absurde Bugs, die in WoW passiert sind
What kind of weapon is this? The rather unusual weapon named “Best-in-Slots” is a two-handed mace that comes in two variants. The weapon is available as a Strength/Agility variant and as an Intelligence variant.
“Best in Slots” does not have secondary stats, but it does have a chance to randomly increase a secondary stat by a high value for 15 seconds. Therefore, the weapon is significantly worse than other weapons as long as the effect is not active – but likely much stronger while it is active.
The use effect is also appealing. Because in combat, you can activate the weapon every 2 minutes to instantly get a strong bonus on the currently highest secondary stat (also for 15 seconds).
If you use the weapon outside of combat, you can change its variant – for example, turning the Intelligence weapon into one for Agility or Strength.
Due to this adaptability, the weapon is likely to be sought after by Druids, Paladins, or Shamans – but perhaps Warriors and Death Knights might want it just for the Strength variant.
The name “Best-in-Slots” not only refers to gamer jargon, where a “Best in Slot” weapon is the optimum for the character, but it is also a play on words with a casino. Because the mace is of course “Best in Slots” when it simply destroys the slot machines and thus you get the win.
Are there any other effects? Yes. In the Liberation of Lorenhall, there are also several other weapons with special effects that are exclusive to this raid. Although the other weapons cannot switch between different “stances”, some have interesting properties.
Many weapons have the addition “Vile Contamination”. Weapons with this addition have a chance to debuff the target hit, causing minor shadow damage every 3 seconds. The debuff can stack up to 25 times – and lasts until the enemy is dead. This can pay off during long boss fights.
After about 57 hours, two streamers on Twitchand YouTube managed to win a round in Fortnite – an unbelievable feat that over 346,000 people watched simultaneously.
Who are the two streamers? These are Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed. Kai is one of the biggest streamers on Twitch, while IShowSpeed streams on YouTube and is very successful there.
The two streamers have set a seemingly simple goal for their collaboration event: to win a round in the OG Ranked mode of Fortnite. After about 57 hours, they succeeded, but the way there was anything but easy.
Start video
These are the 5 most relevant German streamers on Twitch in 2024, according to Google
The problem became so serious that Fortnite developer Epic Games itself intervened. With their help, they were able to ban many stream snipers from the matches (via Dexerto). Their goal suddenly seemed achievable again.
How many viewers did the two streamers have? According to the X-channel Streams Charts, Kai Cenat peaked at around 160,000 simultaneous viewers. His watch time amounted to around 5 million hours. IShowSpeed had 186,000 viewers with the same watch time.
Altogether, the two streamers had more than 346,000 viewers and a combined watch time of over 10 million hours. However, they had to endure 206 losses before they could end their stream with the one decisive victory.
The Twitch streamer wrldkailee explained in a viral video on TikTok which 5 games she considers as red flags: Whoever plays these games is not suitable as a potential partner. These games are red flags.
This is the streamer: wrldkailee is a Twitch streamer with an average of 50 viewers. She mainly plays Apex Legends, so she is a real gamer.
She may not have much success on Twitch, but she has far more on TikTok, where her short videos showing only the upper half of her face peak at 8 million views.
Her most successful videos are about explaining to women what their partner’s games say about them: Which games are red flags, which are okay? Which type of player should you definitely keep (Elden Ring) and who should you get rid of immediately? With these videos, she has apparently found her niche on TikTok.
Players of Destiny 2 need to be strong once again:
Start video
Destiny 2 shows the launch trailer for The Final Shape
Especially first-person shooters are red flags
Which 5 games does she warn women about?
The worst game is Valorant: Guys who play Valorant either flirt with every girl or hate all women. Valorant players are moderators on Discord, keeping loud E-Kittens.
Rainbow Six Siege – Players of Siege hate women even more than Valorant players. They have heard the worst things about these players.
Genshin Impact – The players are just weird. She swears they have “fantasies” about the characters of the game and life-size pillows with the characters on them.
Rust – The game is only about torturing others and ruining their day. That is the biggest red flag she has ever heard. They would certainly do the same to women.
Destiny 2 – Men who play Destiny 2 deeply hate it. They are all on drugs. This is the type of men with whom one builds a traumatic relationship. You should save yourself from that.
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Well, she kind of has a point, doesn’t she? At least the analysis of Genshin Impact and Destiny 2 seems to hit a nerve with players, as can be read from the comments. It says: “Hey, I take the Destiny 2 thing personally.”
Only the classification of Rainbow Six Siege is viewed critically: The game has a great community, they counter her.
In our comprehensive class guide to Guild Wars 2we present the best classes for PvE and PvP for the year 2025. Which class is best suited for beginners? Which one is suitable for raids and fractals? And which classes define the current meta for arenas in Guild Wars 2?
In our overview of the classes, we want to address the general positions of the classes and present the differences in the game modes. We distinguish between the best classes for newcomers, for instanced PvE, and for PvP.
The PvE in the open world is left out here, as you can successfully roam through the world with any class. Overall, the balance in Guild Wars 2 is currently very well-balanced, and almost all classes are playable in all areas.
Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and was last updated in December 2024 with an eye on the upcoming New Year.
[toc]
Start video
Guild Wars 2: Launch trailer by Janthir Wilds prepares you for the new adventure
The best classes for newcomers in Guild Wars 2
Newcomers who started with the Steam release do not yet have access to the specializations that have come into the game with the expansions. The specializations will be available at the earliest with level 80.
Therefore, they must initially rely on the base classes.
Which is the easiest base class?
For beginners, the Ranger is still the best choice. It wears medium armor, has some survival skills, and often fights at range with a longbow.
The animal companion is helpful, as it usually occupies the enemies, preventing them from attacking us.
The shout “Protect me” also ensures that your animal companion provokes the enemy and thus draws their attention.
The invulnerability from the Stone Sigil or the roll evade from the skill “Lightning Reflexes” also increase survival chances.
A simple build focuses on longbow and sword/axe as weapons and armor with offensive stats (power, precision, ferocity). You then choose the specializations over time:
Marksmanship
Beast Mastery
and Warfare.
Animal companions like the Iboga help Rangers survive
Heavy armor for the easy start!
Also suitable for a relaxed start is the Warrior. As a wearer of heavy armor, he automatically withstands more and has a useful passive effect with the Healing Sigil.
With skills like “Endure Pain” and “Dolyak Signet,” you can also survive well in longer battles. Suitable weapons are greatsword and sword/warhorn. This combination deals a lot of damage while keeping you very mobile.
In the specializations, you will find all the important enhancements in the areas of strength, weapons, and defense that will help you in the open world.
Warriors can withstand a lot of damage thanks to heavy armor.
A second life bar?
The Necromancer is the class with light armor that can withstand the most damage by far. It naturally has a lot of life points and also brings the Death Shroud.
The Death Shroud behaves like a second life bar and allows you to take a lot of damage. At the same time, there is a trait in the specialization of Death Magic that initially brings you into the Death Shroud upon receiving lethal damage.
Additionally, Necromancers can summon minions that support them in combat. A useful skill is “Fear,” which makes enemies flee from you. Here, ranged weapons like scepter/warhorn and staff are also recommended.
Necromancers gain support from the Death Shroud and the minions.
Which classes are the hardest for newcomers?
We especially advise newcomers against the Elementalist and the Mesmer at this point. Both classes have few life points and are harder to play than the others.
The Revenant is also not easy, but is only available to you if you own one of the two expansions.
On the next page, we will reveal which classes work particularly well in instanced PvE.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The MMO New World offers you a system without classes. Instead, the weapons determine your play style. But which weapons are the best with the launch of Aeternum, and which are particularly suited for PvE and which for PvP? We at MeinMMO will tell you.
This is how the tier list is structured: In this article, we want to reveal which are currently the strongest weapons in New World. The list originally comes from our former colleague Alexander Leitsch, and it is regularly updated by the MeinMMO editorial team.
You can expect a tier list for PvE and one for PvP, as both play styles differ significantly. The weapons have been assigned to different tiers:
In the S-Tier are the strongest weapons.
In the A-Tier are still strong weapons, but they have a slight disadvantage compared to the S-Tier.
In the B-Tier are weapons that are quite usable in PvP or PvE, but are not the best choice.
In the C-Tier are weapons that are rather weak in their respective game mode.
You should currently stay away from the weapons in the D-Tier.
Furthermore, we tell you in the article which weapons work well in combination with the S-Tier weapons.
The tier list is continuously updated. The last update took place in December 2024.
The trailer for the new console version of New World:
Start video
Trailer for New World Aeternum announces console version
The best weapons in PvE
Tier
Weapons
S-Tier
Greatsword Life Staff Rapier
A-Tier
Bow Fire Staff Mace
B-Tier
Sword and Shield Spear
C-Tier
Void Gauntlet War Hammer Musketeer
D-Tier
Axe Ice Gauntlet Thunder Gun Battle Axe
What makes the weapons so strong? Basically, weapons in the open world are strong that deal a lot of damage and take out enemies without the player receiving much damage themselves. Accordingly, ranged weapons like the Fire Staff or Bow are useful.
However, the situation is a bit different in dungeons and mutations. There you have a healer and a tank and should focus entirely on dealing damage. Currently, builds with Rapier and Greatsword dominate here.
The Life Staff is ideal for solo players in the open world as well as for healers in dungeons and thus secures its place in the S-Tier.
It is best to combine a melee and a ranged weapon to achieve the strongest effect in the open world. In dungeons, a purely melee build can also be advantageous.
Why are some weapons so weak? Basically, all weapons can be used, but some are only good for specific content. For example, the Axe only deals okay damage, has a short range, and lacks control effects.
The Thunder Gun lacks range and precise penetration. The Ice Gauntlet takes too long to ramp up, and with the Battle Axe, the attacks simply take too long.
The best weapons in PvP
Tier
Weapons
S-Tier
Greatsword Ice Gauntlet Rapier
A-Tier
Life Staff Sword and Shield
B-Tier
Fire Staff Bow Mace
C-Tier
Void Gauntlet Thunder Gun Battle Axe Spear
D-Tier
War Hammer Musketeer Axe
What makes the weapons in the S- and A-Tier so strong?
The Rapier is currently among the most destructive PvP weapons in the game, and the Ice Gauntlet brings an attractive mix of control and ranged damage. Therefore, the duo of Rapier and Ice Gauntlet is a strong choice.
Alternatively, you can combine any offensive weapon with a Life Staff. It ensures your and your allies’ survival.
The Greatsword has a good mix of offense and defense; its powerful attacks can cause enormous damage.
Sword and Shield provide you with survivability and control.
Why do weapons end up in C- and D-Tier? The control effect of the War Hammer is very difficult to utilize profitably in dynamic PvP fights. The Axe does not bring any advantages aside from damage.
The two firearms, Musketeer and Thunder Gun, are too limited. The Void Gauntlet is simply too weak compared to other options. And the Battle Axe can be powerful in certain situations but is vulnerable to crowd control and enemies that can keep you at a distance.
The streamer was accused by her teammates of being in a bad mood after she commented “She knows that” on a hint to another teammate. She argued that this was only being thrown at her because she was a woman, called the others “damn losers”, and then reported them to Riot. A recording was posted by LightEdits on YouTube.
Others accuse the content creator LightEdit of provoking Joona until she reacted harshly and then cutting the scene out of context.
However, more than half a year later, it is another Twitch streamer, Kyedae Shymko, who has trouble because of the whole incident. Because she broke a sort of golden rule.
Misconduct online can indeed have consequences for “real” life:
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Chef ruined his company in 59 seconds on Twitch – What happened to him?
Streamer reaches out to the university of the dispute opponent
What did the streamer do? The dispute continues on X, formerly Twitter, where Kyedae, a streamer friend of Joona, also got involved. She allegedly sent recordings showing the behavior of LightEdits to his university.
The accusation seems to be: She wanted to ensure he would be expelled from the university due to misconduct. The streamer brought up the topic again around Christmas 2024 and provided screenshots that allegedly show Kyedae’s message to the university (via X).
In videos with hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube, she was referred to as a “massive bitch.” Users describe her behavior as “disgusting” and “diabolical.”
Almost 650,000 people have watched a video about Kyedae’s alleged misdeeds on YouTube.
Streamer criticized for snitching on streamer at his university
What was the disastrous part? The general tone in the comments under various posts about the situation is that Kyedae has gone too far by bringing an online confrontation into real life by contacting the university. It is said that she wanted to destroy his life.
Twitch streamers manage to resolve their conflict privately
How did it all end? After Kyedae initially seemed to try to move past the situation and removed comments about it, she finally released a statement on Instagram on December 30, 2024. In it, she clarified that she did not contact LightEdits’ university directly, but rather the university’s esports team X account.
The claim that she had him expelled from the school or wanted to destroy his life was false. She did not intend to harm anyone, the streamer stated. She also urged not to jump on the “hate train” and spread misinformation.
Kyedae explained that she has been harassed continuously about this old issue since Christmas.
LightEdits shared the statement on his X account and stated that he had privately spoken with Kyedae and reached an agreement. He believes her that she had no bad intentions. Thus, for both sides, at least everything now seems to be settled.
In the guild “OnlyFangs,” the Twitch celebrity is currently playing WoW Classic. But after the actual boss, Sodapoppin, had an accident, the rage machine from League of Legends, Tyler1, is taking command: He may be new to WoW, but he has an ego shaped by LoL. Interestingly, even the boss of Riot Games, Marc “Tryndamere” Merrill, is in the guild.
What’s going on at OnlyFangs? Many prominent Twitch streamers are playing WoW Classic in hardcore mode on a new server. Among the well-known active streamers and YouTubers there are people like Mizkif, Tektone, xQc, erobb, Tyler1, TimTheTatman, Esfand, PirateSoftware, Emiru, or MOONMOON. We have already reported about MissRage.
The project leader and guild master is actually Sodapoppin, an experienced WoW player, but his character died during a failed pull in the Scholomance instance. Therefore, Sodapoppin had to give up the guild leadership.
How the Worst Troll from Twitch Became the Face of League of Legends
Tyler1 declares himself the Warchief
This is Tyler1’s takeover: The self-assured LoL player made fun of the death of his predecessor: Sodapussy just couldn’t tank. Now he has to take over.
Tyler1 happily shouted into the microphone that he is the new Warchief and will rule with an “iron fist” like God.
He will not tolerate any pussies. And those who don’t like it can just leave the guild.
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This is what Sodapoppin said: He seems to take it relatively easy. Sodapoppin essentially says that either it works, which is good. Or it will be terrible, but then at least it will be entertaining, which is also good.
In any case, Tyler1 brings some spice to the situation.
He will now focus on leveling his new character.
This is particularly spicy: A member in OnlyFangs is Marc “Tryndamere” Merrill, the founder and boss of Riot Games: He created LoL, the game from which Tyler1 was banned for years, until he ultimately became the face of the game.
Tryndamere is active in OnlyFangs as a normal WoW player. But he is under special observation from the community. It’s already a moderate sensation if you can get him to meow.
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MeinMMO editor Dariusz is convinced: Modern shooters have a problem that disadvantages weaker players and is therefore bad for your gaming friendships.
Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is a much-discussed topic. Especially in shooters like Call of Duty, there are many players who sharply criticize the system. The general criticism is that every match played is tiring because everyone plays at roughly the same level, leading to no relaxed, fun rounds anymore.
However, I have a completely different problem with SBMM in various games, as it divides the community into good and bad players.
SBMM divides your friend groups
In many shooters, SBMM calculates a sort of skill average of the opposing teams and tries to find a balanced gaming experience. The problem is that the weaker players are always disadvantaged.
For example, if the game assigns players to skill ranges of 1-10 and we take a team consisting of three players from skill range 8 and two from skill range 5, the average is 6.8 (rounded up to 7).
This results in the “better” players (level 8) having a comparatively easy match against opponents below their level, while the weaker players (level 5) have a difficult match against opponents roughly 2 “levels” above their own level.
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This kind of match usually makes the affected players have little fun. I have experienced in my circle of friends how someone stopped playing a competitive shooter with us because the matches felt too difficult for him and he was frustrated. Similar situations are heard and read repeatedly in various shooter communities.
The once friend group then plays together less frequently because the different skill levels prevent collective fun in a competitive shooter. In extreme cases, the individual players may never play together again, and contact breaks off because they simply cannot play their favorite shooters together anymore.
Additionally, you will find it harder to make new friends in shooters, as the community is already split by the matchmaking system. You will never randomly encounter significantly better or worse players and therefore cannot get to know them.
And luring your friends into a shooter where they look bad could also prove challenging.
Yes, but that doesn’t work in friend groups. Because it’s about playing together. If this is frustrating for the weaker players, it’s a pity for everyone.
In shooters without strict SBMM, matchmaking is a bit more “random”, the teams are more mixed. While there can also be better players in the same lobby, the same applies to worse players – and there is always someone who is better or worse.
Without a skill-based matchmaking system, friend groups could play together without anyone being disadvantaged by the system. In every round, the opponents are at a different skill level, allowing for matches where even weaker players can succeed.
Yes, but that doesn’t work in friend groups. Because it’s about playing together. If this is frustrating for the weaker players, it’s a pity for everyone.
In shooters without strict SBMM, matchmaking is a bit more “random”, the teams are more mixed. While there can also be better players in the same lobby, the same applies to worse players – and there is always someone who is better or worse.
Without a skill-based matchmaking system, friend groups could play together without anyone being disadvantaged by the system. In every round, the opponents are at a different skill level, allowing for matches where even weaker players can succeed.
Black Myth: Wukong wins several awards at the Steam Awards 2024, even surpassing Baldur’s Gate 3 in this aspect.
What kind of game is this? Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-playing game developed by the Chinese studio Game Science. As the chosen one with striking similarities to Sun Wukong, the mythical Monkey King, you fight your way through Chinese mythology. The story is based on the Chinese novel “Journey to the West,” a classic of Chinese literature.
For a long time, Black Myth: Wukong was the most wished-for game on Steam. The game not only managed to create a huge hype but also met the high expectations upon release. Player reviews on Steam are “extremely positive.”
With over 2.2 million concurrent players, no new game had a higher peak in player numbers on Steam in 2024 – most of the players were from China.
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Black Myth: Wukong: The final trailer for the action RPG from China
Surpasses Baldur’s Gate 3 at the Steam Awards
Black Myth: Wukong has received this many awards: The game won 3 awards at the Steam Awards 2024: “Game of the Year,” “Best Game Where You Are Bad,” and “Outstanding Game with a Deep Story.” This surpasses the exceptional role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3, which only secured two awards at the Steam Awards last year.
Unlike the Game Awards, the winners of the Steam Awards are not chosen through a mix of jury and fan voting. Every Steam user can vote for any game – whether they own it or not.
On Reddit, there is already discussion about this year’s winners. No one seems truly surprised by the results, but the award for “deep story” raises eyebrows – as it is not something that the game is remembered for.
Few streamers have had as rough a year in 2024 as Guy “Dr Disrespect” Beahm. In Germany, streamers like AnnieTheDuck and Simon Unge have also faced hardships, but Dr Disrespect seems to be the only one among them who is facing the public.
Who has fallen among streamers in 2024? Here in Germany, in 2024, there were scandals involving AnnieTheDuck and Simon Unge, among others. These are influencers who were considered exemplary over many years, but their image crumbled in a few months when behavior that many deemed immoral came to light.
There has always been a lot of excitement surrounding the US streamer Dr Disrespect. He never had such a clean image. In 2017, at the height of his success, he disappeared from the scene, later admitting that he had cheated on his wife. By 2020, when he was permanently banned from Twitch, it was clear that something was off.
2024 was the year when the circumstances of his ban became known: He had exchanged inappropriate messages with a minor via Twitch chat in 2017. The consequences of this misconduct from many years ago caught up with the streamer in 2024: He lost many partnerships, friends distanced themselves from him, he was demonetized on YouTube. It didn’t help him that he repeatedly claimed that nothing illegal happened – he just flirted. Just the keyword “minor” was enough for even long-time friends to distance themselves from him.
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DrDisrespect was a celebrity on Twitch – His ban remains a big mystery to this day
You are not just fans or followers, you are family
This is what he says now: In a long message on X to his fans, Dr Disrespect speaks on December 31, 2024, not about mistakes or guilt, but mainly about gratitude. He explains how thankful he is to his “true fans” who stood by him during the storm.
Many false friends have left him, they were only friends with him as long as it was convenient. But he doesn’t care, he can forgive too.
In the end, only his fans count for him: those who are always there, who believe in him, who do not doubt. These people drive him to do all of this.
Dr Disrespect says he loves what he does, he loves entertaining people – in 2025 he will continue to do just that. It will be his biggest year yet. He is not only looking for advertising partners but also for people with whom he can build something long-term.
Anyone who follows him is not just a follower, not just a fan, he belongs to the family.
Dr Disrespect relies on a Now more than ever strategy
This is the reaction: Viewed from a distance, this may seem too dramatic or calculated, but the narrative “I do this only for you, you are extremely important to me” is actually very well received by the people.
In any case, Dr Disrespect seems to have somewhat regained his footing. Although the path to Twitch and YouTube is blocked, he has now found monetization on controversial platforms like X and Rumble.
Whether he truly manages to achieve a similar level of fame as in 2018 or 2019 on Twitch, when he was regarded as the face of the platform and signed big deals, remains to be seen.
Editor’s note: In an earlier version of the article, we stated that the streamer had corresponded with a 17-year-old. However, the age of the affected individual is not definitively known. It is only confirmed that she was a minor at the time of the inappropriate messages. We have accordingly corrected this.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
