After 20 years, I have lost interest in One Piece, but the Netflix series showcases the Straw Hat in top form

MeinMMO editor Niko grew up with One Piece, but he no longer follows the anime and manga. The Netflix-series gives him a sense of nostalgia.

Like many people my age, I also grew up with the anime on RTL2. One Piece (although Dragon Ball is still my favorite) was something very special. No anime, no series could convey the feeling of adventure as much as One Piece.

I tried to watch every episode, and when I had completely caught up (it was already airing on Tele 5), I picked up the manga and regularly read the new chapters there too. But now, nearly 20 years after my first contact with the anime, I’m out.

About with the “Wano Kuni” arc, I stopped reading the manga. I still get to hear about major events, but I lack real interest. However, the 2nd season of the Netflix series, which will be released on March 10, 2026, could rekindle my love, even though the series looks quite silly.

Who is writing here? Nikolas Hernes primarily focuses on movies and series for MeinMMO, but he grew up with anime. Even if he doesn’t watch as much as he used to, he is still passionate about the medium.

One Piece, along with Dragon Ball and Naruto, played an important part in his life that he doesn’t want to miss even after over 20 years. That’s why the Netflix series of One Piece is also a major highlight for him.
Start video
One Piece: Netflix shows new trailer for season 2 with Nico Robin

Silly, but full of adventure

I can understand anyone who continues to actively follow One Piece. There are new characters, big new revelations, and epic battles. But for me, personally, it’s too much. The spirit of adventure before the time skip, the 2-year time jump after the Sabaody arc, is missing for me. I miss the feeling of being on a treasure hunt with the Straw Hats. Nowadays, I prefer to watch shorter anime or series.

But that’s where the live-action series on Netflix comes into play. When the 1st season started in 2023, I, like many others, was initially skeptical. A good live-action adaptation of anime seemed impossible, but Netflix made it happen. They found a middle ground. Nothing is too realistic, often even silly. But that was how the anime was back then.

Every time I see new trailers for season 2, I get excited. Yes, I know the story almost by heart, but it’s about the feeling – the feeling of fun, adventure, and friendship. Much of the set design looks almost theatrical, and the effects are not always good. But that’s what creates a special charm.

I want to feel the camaraderie of the Straw Hats again, not just in dramatic moments, but also in exploring new islands or interactions on the ship. That is something that is missing in today’s anime and manga.

In addition to a reinterpretation of many characters, I especially look forward to the fights, because something special is missing from today’s One Piece: more ingenuity in combat.

Not hitting harder, but rethinking

What I really liked about the early arcs in One Piece were the fights. The many abilities were so unique that the Straw Hats had to rethink to defeat their enemies. I immediately think of the fight Luffy vs. Crocodile or Chopper and Lysop’s 2 vs. 2 against Mister 4 and Miss Merry Christmas.

Seeing those fights in a new light will be a fun experience. Back then, the environment was still used, and Devil Fruits were creatively interpreted. That is something I miss a bit these days. In new fights, it often feels like the one who wins is the one with the cooler ability, not the one who uses it the smartest.

A major highlight for me is already Mister 3. I really like seeing David Dastmalchian in films and series, and his first images as a villain of the Baroque Works are fantastically silly (via x.com). In general, I have to praise the actors. With every interview, I feel like they love the characters. Taz Skylar as Sanji is especially impressive, who underwent tough training.

That is also an important factor for the fights. Besides the camera and choreography, the actors must also embody the situation. One has to approach such a live-action adaptation with fun and a little silliness, not with pure realism.

I am super excited for Season 2 of One Piece because I already know that I will feel like a child turning on RTL2 after school to watch the latest adventure of the Straw Hats. MeinMMO author Sophia is especially looking forward to the villains: I have been waiting for two years for the new season of One Piece and I can’t get enough of the new villains.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

A player buys a computer, really wants to play Fortnite on it, but his brother has to shatter that dream

A player buys a computer: He wants to play Fortnite on it, but the hardware is not sufficient. His brother now has to explain to him somehow why this computer won’t work for that.

Our cover image is a symbolic image.

A player reports that his brother has bought a new computer. His wish is to play Fortnite with it. But the player has to disappoint his brother, although he does not want to say it too directly. Because the hardware of his “new computer” is simply hopelessly outdated:

The installed processor is an Intel Pentium E5500, the CPU is from 2010 and has not been supported for a long time. In addition, there are 4 GB of DDR2 RAM. A dedicated graphics card, on the other hand, is not installed. At least, as the user states, his brother paid “only” 14 US dollars for the system, which is about 12 euros. So he writes on Reddit.com:

My brother asked me if his PC would run Fortnite. I’m not joking, he seriously asked me that. I don’t know what to tell him; when he got it, he was so happy.

He cannot play Fortnite with the device, but at least, as the thread starter explains, his brother can play Roblox on the computer. Because that seems to run on the system despite the completely outdated hardware.

How does the community react? A few people offer the user to gift or sell better hardware to his brother. One user, for example, offers him a computer with an Intel 6700K and a Radeon RX 580, and another wants to donate DDR4 RAM to it. However, the player has not reacted to the offer yet.

Start video
Why is RAM so expensive? The current situation explained in 2 minutes

Completely outdated hardware is not really worthwhile even in 2026 despite high RAM prices

Is such old hardware even worth it today? No, almost not at all. The completely outdated hardware is often too slow for modern Windows versions, especially the DDR2 RAM for modern software. In addition, many older components are no longer manufactured today. If an old motherboard or the RAM fails, it is significantly more difficult to obtain spare parts.

What such hardware is still worth it for at best is as a system for tinkering or experimenting. For example, to test Linux or to set up a home server if one does not want to buy a Raspberry. However, a modern Raspberry would definitely be cheaper and more efficient than a 15-year-old PC.

RAM has become really expensive. Some users are now going so far as to buy 18-year-old hardware: DDR3 RAM and suitable processors are significantly cheaper. Dealers report that the sales figures for old hardware are supposed to have risen rapidly: Users are currently buying 18-year-old hardware out of desperation because modern RAM is way too expensive

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Pokémon GO gives you 400 Poké Coins, but you have to earn them

In February, there is again a GO Pass in Pokémon GO. And it comes with some strong, free rewards.

What is the GO Pass? The GO Pass is a rewards system in Pokémon GO, where you level up by completing tasks. For each level, you receive a reward, and additionally, you unlock bonuses at certain levels that remain active until the end of the pass. There is a free and a paid version of the GO Pass.

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the February edition of the pass starts. It will be active until Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Here, you can expect some strong rewards – including 400 free PokéCoins.

Start video
Pokémon GO shows its new season in the trailer

Complete tasks, receive rewards

How do you earn the coins? If you want to receive the PokéCoins, you must collect points for the GO Pass. You can earn a certain amount of points every day by catching monsters, hatching eggs, or completing raids. The amount of points you can collect daily is limited to 100.

Additionally, there are daily and weekly tasks that will provide you with extra points. This way, you can make further progress, in addition to the daily limited number of points. To see your tasks and progress and to claim your rewards, go to the “Events” tab.

At which levels are the free coins available? To receive the free coins, you must achieve the following levels in the GO Pass:

  • Level 10: 10 PokéCoins
  • Level 20: 20 PokéCoins
  • Level 30: 30 PokéCoins
  • Level 40: 40 PokéCoins
  • Level 60: 60 PokéCoins
  • Level 70: 70 PokéCoins
  • Level 80: 80 PokéCoins
  • Level 90: 90 PokéCoins

You can therefore receive a total of 400 PokéCoins in the GO Pass. If you buy the paid version of the pass for €8.99, you can receive an additional 1,000 coins, totaling 1,400 coins.

What other rewards are there? In addition to a variety of experience points and some items and stardust, there are also various candies for Pokémon as well as encounters with the monsters as rewards.

Particularly interesting is the Pokémon encounter at level 100 of the pass. Here, you will receive Giratina in its altered form. You can view all rewards in the game in the “Events” tab. Alternatively, here is an overview that a trainer posted on Reddit:

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What bonuses are there? If you reach levels 25, 50, and 75, you will unlock certain bonuses in the game for the remaining duration of the GO Pass. These include the following:

  • Level 25
    • Open up to 40 gifts per day
    • Collect up to 125 gifts per day from gyms and PokéStops
    • 10 additional gifts can be stored in the item bag
  • Level 50:
    • Double duration for daily adventure incense
  • Level 75:
    • Receive up to 2 additional free raid passes daily from gyms

In the paid version, the bonus for level 25 changes slightly. Instead, you will receive the following bonuses:

  • Open up to 50 gifts per day
  • Collect up to 150 gifts per day from gyms and PokéStops
  • 20 additional gifts can be stored in the item bag

Not only does the GO Pass await you in February. There are again many events and content that are active in the game. If you want to get an overview of when which content is available in the game, take a look at our overview with all events in February 2026 in Pokémon GO.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Sandbox MMORPG announces full release on Steam, but the veterans are not pleased at all

The developers of The Quinfall have announced the full release of the MMORPG. However, alongside the excitement for the big update, there is also a lot of criticism from the players.

Update: The developers provided an update regarding refunds on Discord on February 3rd at 14:14. Now, all purchases after the wipe will be refunded, regardless of when they were made.

What kind of MMORPG is this? In early 2025, a new MMORPG named The Quinfall launched in Early Access on Steam. The developers aimed to engage players with grinding, a vast world, and many sandbox elements, including the option to freely build their own houses and bases.

The MMORPG consciously opted out of many activities typical of theme parks and focused more on a true challenge and social features. The Early Access period on Steam has been rather mixed, as the MMORPG currently holds a 47% positive rating with over 7,000 reviews, making it balanced.

During the Early Access period, many of the significant issues, such as technology and the combat system, have gradually been improved. The latter now looks really good and is probably the most important change since the Early Access launch. Now the developers have announced the end of Early Access and the full release.

Here you can watch the release trailer for The Quinfall:

Start video
The Quinfall presents new trailer for the full release on Steam

A release with consequences

What have the developers announced now? The developers of The Quinfall have set the full release date for their MMORPG on February 6th. Additionally, for the upcoming year, they plan new content such as new quests, an open PvP zone, terraforming, combat golems, sieges, airships, and balloons, as well as a wedding system.

However, the developers would like all players to initially experience the updates of the past year at the same level, which is why they will also wipe all player progress with the new update.

Players who have spent money on the game will receive part of their expenses back, depending on how long ago the purchases were made (Source: Discord). Those with parts of the “Ancient Armor” will get these back after the wipe, but the veterans are not pleased about it at all.

How are the veterans reacting to the wipe? Unlike the developers, the veterans generally view the wipe negatively. They claim on Reddit that the developers promised beforehand that there would be no wipes.

The fact that not everything will be returned to players for their character in real-money spending is also causing frustration among veterans. Player Drelkag also complains on Reddit: “They are deleting everything, and the cash shop coins that people bought at the beginning of the testing phase won’t even be fully refunded. What a scam.”

Indeed, according to the announced guidelines on Steam, players whose sales are older than 9 months will receive no refund at all. The developers state:

The refund of VCoins will occur gradually after the introduction, based on the original purchase date:

  • 100% refund: All VCoins purchased within the last 3 months,
  • 60% refund: All VCoins purchased 3 to 6 months ago,
  • 20% refund: All VCoins purchased 6 to 9 months ago.

This structure was designed to provide all players with a fair and sustainable transition. […]

Announcement by the developers on Steam

The developers further explain explicitly that there will only be the announced refunds for VCoins and “Ancient Armor,” and that no further refunds will be carried out.

For new players, starting at a level where everyone is on the same level is surely a good incentive. At the same time, it is questionable whether the developers are being too harsh with the veterans who supported the development of their MMORPG over the past year. MeinMMO expert Karsten Scholz had no positive words for the launch of the MMORPG: 2025 will go down in history as one of the worst years for MMORPG fans

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Only because of the bravest dog did Tolkien’s most beautiful love story succeed

In the universe of The Lord of the Rings, there are not only imaginary creatures, but also pets like dogs populate Middle-earth. Long before the events of the films, an animal became a mighty ally, one that could even take on Sauron.

Dogs play no significant role in The Lord of the Rings films, yet they exist in Tolkien’s stories. In the First Age, several thousand years before the Fellowship’s journey, a special dog even became an ally of the Valar. These are ancient beings created by the divine being Ilúvatar.

Huan was a wolfhound, whose true age is unknown. He was chosen by the Valar and granted special abilities, including immortality and the ability to never need sleep. According to a prophecy, he would speak three times before his death.

Originally, he was a hunting dog of Oromë, a Valar known as a hunter and one of the strongest of his kind. He later gave Huan to Celegorm, one of the sons of Fëanor. He too was a hunter and a friend of Oromë, who taught him many things.

Huan was not only a strong hunting dog but a true hero.

Start video
The Rings of Power Season 2 – SDCC Trailer for the Latest Season of the Amazon Series

Mightier than Many Warriors

What was Huan’s life like? Along with Celegorm and other Noldor, he traveled to Middle-earth. One day, while hunting with Celegorm and Curufin (another son of Fëanor), Huan found Lúthien, the daughter of King Thingol, who ruled in Doriath.

She was searching for her great love Beren. At that time, he was on a suicide mission with Finrod, the king of Nargothrond: Since Lúthien’s father did not truly accept their love, he sent Beren to retrieve a Silmaril, one of the three powerful gemstones, which were at that time in the possession of the true villain Morgoth.

Celegorm and Curufin were aware of this and captured Lúthien to use her as leverage against Thingol, to convince him to agree to an alliance. However, Huan helped Lúthien. During her captivity, she often talked to the dog.

Huan spoke for the first time, helped her escape, and traveled with her to Tol-in-Gaurhoth, a fortress of Sauron, who was then still a lieutenant. There, Beren was imprisoned.

In keeping with the other name of the fortress, Isle of Werewolves, Lúthien and Huan had to fight against them. Once that was done, even Sauron himself transformed into a werewolf, as a prophecy stated that Huan would die by a werewolf. But with Lúthien’s help, Huan was able to defeat him. Sauron fled, and the lovers were reunited.

On their way back to Doriath, Beren and Lúthien encountered Curufin and Celegorm again, to whom Huan also returned. The now exiled Elves attacked Lúthien, but Huan defended her. They fled in fear.

The Death of Huan

How does the story of Huan end? Beren decided to continue searching for the Silmarils and sneaked away alone. Huan and Lúthien naturally followed Beren on the way to Angband. When they met, Huan spoke for the second time and informed Beren that he must face his fate together with Lúthien.

Beren, disguised as the werewolf Draugluin, and Lúthien, disguised as the bat Thuringwethil, made their way to Angband, initially without Huan. To defend Angband and protect himself from Huan, Morgoth created a powerful werewolf of his own.

Carcharoth is a descendant of Draugluin, the first werewolves, and was fed living flesh by Morgoth.

Beren and Lúthien managed to steal a Silmaril, but the great evil wolf of Morgoth was waiting. He bit off Beren’s hand that held the gem. But Huan helped the two by sending the Eagles for their rescue (as seen in the films). The lovers returned to Lúthien’s father, who accepted their love after hearing what had happened.

However, Carcharoth had a problem: The Silmaril in his stomach caused him endless pain, driving him mad as he tried to hunt the heroes. Just before he reached Thingol’s kingdom, Thingol sent a troop (himself included) out to hunt the werewolf.

A final great battle between the two creatures ensued. Beren and Huan were able to kill the werewolf, but both died. Huan spoke for the last time and said goodbye to Beren and Lúthien.

Huan is proof that not only humans, elves, or dwarves have resisted evil, but also animals. Furthermore, he represents a central element of the story: loyalty. If you want to learn more about The Lord of the Rings and Middle-earth, you can find an overview here: The Lord of the Rings: Everything About the Lore and History of Middle-earth

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

A loyal order of the Space Marines is so brutal that it would be better suited to Chaos – Soon you will be able to play it yourself

For many fans, the Space Marines and the Imperium in Warhammer 40,000 are considered “the good guys” of the setting, even if that is already questionable. However, one Order of the Space Marines cannot be counted among them: the Carcharodons, an Order of slavers. Space Marine 2 will soon bring them as DLC.

In the world of Warhammer 40,000 there is not exactly “good and evil”, but some factions come very close to the extremes. The Carcharodons are one of these factions. They are one of the most controversial, but also one of the most popular Orders of the Space Marines.

When exactly the Carcharodons were created is not known in detail. However, they are said to have existed since shortly after the Horus Heresy, roughly since the 32nd millennium. Their origin is also unknown.

Speculation suggests they are outcasts of the Raven Guard, one of the original Orders of the Space Marines. The reason for their banishment: they were simply too brutal, their methods not compatible with the morality of the Imperium or at least their original Order.

Since their exile, they have followed the “Forgotten” and fight on the borders of the Imperium against the enemies of humanity, for despite everything, they are loyal to the Emperor of Mankind.

Start video
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 presents its roadmap for the second year of the popular third-person shooter

So brutal that the Imperium has banished them

Their name means roughly translated from High Gothic “Space Sharks” and they behave exactly like that. They still murder, kidnap, and enslave citizens of the Imperium today, and that was also the reason for their original banishment.

It is not known when exactly or by whom the Carcharodons were cast out, but the “Raven Guard” theory is probably the most likely: after the return of the primarch Corvus Corax, he expelled the brutal part of his Legion.

Corvus Corax is possibly the most powerful of all Primarchs and is, based on his origin story, absolutely opposed to slavery. Raised on a tyrannized world and among slaves, he has grown up as a rebel and freedom fighter.

The kinship of the Carcharodons to the Raven Guard is indicated by titles they give to their Astartes. However, they are also attributed a certain kinship to fallen brothers, followers of Chaos, which is not surprising given their methods.

Recruits rarely come voluntarily and the gene-seed makes them into monsters

Carcharodons raid Imperial worlds and call it the “Red Tithe”. There, they take most citizens they can find as slaves and make them servants of their Order.

Some few chosen “get to” undergo the trials, to ultimately become a Space Marine, albeit not necessarily voluntarily. Those who do not pass the trials likely die.

When a Space Marine is created, an Apothecary implants the gene-seed of the Order, which slowly changes the man’s body. However, in the case of the Carcharodons, this has severe side effects because the seed itself is unstable and prone to mutations, similar to the Raven Guard:

  • The skin becomes pale, almost corpse-like.
  • The eyes lose their color and become jet black, without pupils.
  • Carcharodons become more aggressive and malevolent purely from the gene-seed, showing no regard for civilians.
  • Older Carcharodons even develop grayish scales on their skin.

The Ashen Claws, a traitorous but not Chaos-corrupted branch of the Raven Guard, do not view the Carcharodons as brothers, but rather as unnatural hybrids – and even equate them more with the treacherous World Eaters.

Carcharodons coming to Space Marine 2

At the end of February 2026, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will receive its Patch 12. This brings the Tech Marine as a new class into the game, as well as new DLCs for the game, including the Carcharodon DLC.

The DLC includes the complete heraldry of the Carcharodons, with which you can customize your Space Marine for coop missions and PvP: two helmets, left and right shoulder plates, and chest pieces. Unlike other cosmetic DLCs, you do not get a new heraldry page, but get the armor pieces directly in the selection when you purchase the contents.

In addition, Focus Entertainment will also provide the “Raven Guard” DLC… the kinship of the two Orders is a widely spread theory. Additionally, there will be a new map, new weapon variants, and new equipment for healing.

The Carcharodons are not one of the most well-known, but definitely one of the most notorious Orders in Warhammer 40,000 – and with their behavior certainly not the first choice for most (new) fans. If you want to know which Order suits you, take the test here: In Warhammer 40,000, the Emperor created 20 perfect sons – which gene-seed would you receive?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. wh40k.lexicanum.com

The Lord of the Rings: Everything about the lore and history of Middle-earth

The Lord of the Rings offers a rich universe full of stories, lore, and characters that do not all appear in the movies. In this overview, you will find all the articles available on MeinMMO about Tolkien’s creations.

What does this overview provide? In short: A listing of all our articles that deal with the lore of The Lord of the Rings and the extended universe of J.R.R. Tolkien.

This includes stories about individual characters, events, or places. The articles delve deep into the history of Middle-earth and the planet Arda. For better orientation, we have categorized the articles into different categories.

You can find a table of contents here:

[toc]

Start video
Epic Trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship

Mysterious and Powerful Beings from Middle-earth

The following articles tell about various beings that are quite mysterious and often possess great power.

Ainur – The Offspring of the God Ilúvatar

Maiar and Valar

Wizards

Dragons

Spirit Beings

The Peoples of Middle-earth

The following articles deal with various peoples that have left their mark on Middle-earth.

Hobbits

Men

Elves

Dwarves

Orcs

Eagles

Other Creatures from Middle-earth

Middle-earth is full of strange creatures that sometimes have a great influence on the story. They are sometimes quite old, in other cases, their origin story is curious.

The Rings of Power

In Middle-earth, everything revolves around the Rings of Power. In addition to the One Ring from Sauron, the others also play an important role.

Places in Middle-earth

Some places in Middle-earth are very special, as important events took place there or they are noteworthy for other reasons.

Weapons, Armors, and Armies

There is a lot of fighting in The Lord of the Rings, and the right weapons and armies are of great importance.

Miscellaneous

These were all the articles we have for you about the lore of The Lord of the Rings on MeinMMO. The overview will be updated in the future as new contributions appear. Everything else we have about the franchise outside of lore, can be found here on MeinMMO.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Is Pokémon GO worth the Spotlight Hour today?

The first Spotlight Hour of February 2026 is waiting for you in Pokémon GO. MeinMMO shows you what to expect there.

What kind of event is this? The Spotlight Hour is a short event that lasts only 60 minutes. It takes place every week on Tuesday. There is at least one Pokémon that is in the spotlight, along with a bonus.

In the upcoming Spotlight Hour on February 3, 2026, the Pokémon Whismur is waiting for you. This Pokémon is from Generation 3 and can first evolve into Loudred and then into Exploud.

Start video
Pokémon GO shows its new season in the trailer

Spotlight Hour on February 3, 2026 – Start and Bonuses

When does the Spotlight Hour start? As usual, the short event starts at 6:00 PM. It ends again after 60 minutes, at 7:00 PM.

What bonus is active? Each Pokémon you catch during the Spotlight Hour will give you double the amount of candies.

Can you catch Shiny Whismur? Yes. You can also encounter the shiny variant of the Pokémon. However, the chance of finding a shiny specimen is not increased.

Is it worth it to participate in the Spotlight Hour? Whismur and its evolutions are unfortunately not strong Pokémon and do not appear in the list of best attackers in Pokémon GO for raids.

If you still have Pokémon rewards from research or the raid pass, you can at least use the event to claim those rewards and get double the amount of candies for them.

The new month has started. And with it come countless events, raids, and other content waiting for you in the game. In addition to the Spotlight Hours, there are many other events in February. If you want to know what they are and what to expect from each of them, feel free to take a look at our overview with all events in February 2026 in Pokémon GO.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Steam stops selling Ashes of Creation, examining possibilities for potential refunds

Since Ashes of Creation lost most of its leading developers along with the studio head, the MMORPG does not look good. Whether the game has been discontinued has not yet been confirmed, however, Steam has now decided not to offer it any longer.

What is the situation for Ashes of Creation on Steam? After the announced resignation of the now former CEO of Intrepid Studios and Creative Director of Ashes of Creation, Steven Sharif, the future of the MMORPG initially remained uncertain. Many concerns that the game would be discontinued seem to be confirmed by further news: Ashes of Creation is no longer available on Steam at the time of this article (February 3, 2026, 7:30 AM).

In addition to a current “balanced” rating (45% positive), which summarizes the negative sentiment of the community, there are no more options to purchase Ashes of Creation.

Start video
Ashes of Creation: Early Access Guide stimmt euch auf den Start auf Steam ein

Players Demand Refunds, Steam Looks Into It

What does Steam say about refunds? Angry players who are now turning to Steam to request refunds report in community discussions on the platform as well as on Reddit about their current knowledge regarding this topic.

According to Hokagefall on Steam, they contacted support to request a refund, and received the following message: 

Hello,

I understand the problem. Please note that we are investigating this matter further. As soon as we have more information, we will update your ticket.

Since another user received a similar response from Steam support, these reports seem credible.

Steam Support Refund Ashes of Creation
Steam support regarding a refund ticket (Source: LawdAizen on Reddit)

The community therefore recommends all players who also wish for a refund for Ashes of Creation to also submit a ticket.

How did this situation arise? In addition to Sharif’s resignation, mass layoffs ensured that a large part of the management team left the studio as well. No CEO, no management team, and missing developers who have previously worked on the project suggest a bleak future for Ashes of Creation.

Just a few weeks ago, the former studio head expressed reassuring words that there was no fear of an end to Ashes of Creation with the first layoff of 9 people. In his last message on the official Discord server for the game, which includes his resignation, he can no longer make these statements. Further details he cannot “responsibly comment on at this time due to ongoing legal and administrative matters.”

The resignation of Steven Sharif and the expected consequences for Ashes of Creation is not a new drama, but a pattern that seems to be repeating itself. This topic has been analyzed in more detail by editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski and written here on MeinMMO: The “Star Citizen” syndrome: Why millions were spent on the MMORPG castle in the air again

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Steam
  2. Reddit

21 years after the release, Guild Wars gets a new update, bringing a fresh game mode

Although Guild Wars has existed for 21 years, there have been frequent updates recently. The latest brings a game mode that stands out mainly for its difficulty.

What kind of game mode is this? 21 years after its release, the developers of Guild Wars are adding a new game mode to the cooperative RPG. As they explain in the patch notes on Steam, it is a “self-found” mode called “Melandru’s Accord”.

This is based on a community rule set that prohibits building your character with the help of others. This means that the game mode has some restrictions. It is forbidden:

  • to trade with other players
  • to pick up item drops from other players
  • to access the account storage
  • to use skill tomes or learn skills from the account
  • to visit the “Zaishen Menagerie”
  • to trade with other players via the auction house or NPCs
  • to recruit mercenaries into your roster

Additionally, there are some other restrictions that are meant to ensure that players achieve everything on their own and without assistance in this game mode.

Here you can watch the trailer for Guild Wars Reforged:

Start video
Guild Wars Reforged verströmt im Launch Trailer liebgewonnene Nostalgie

German Language in Guild Wars

What else did the patch bring? The developers of Guild Wars have released further innovations in the patch. There is now a translation of the in-game texts into new languages. Guild Wars is now available in German for the “in-progress” game modes Melandru’s Accord, Dhuum’s Covenant, and Reforged Mode.

Furthermore, the developers have improved touch screen support for the Steam Deck, enhanced the user interface, and provided the Prophecies campaign with more experience points.

Thus, the cooperative game also receives valuable updates 21 years after the release, which will certainly increase its replay value.

Why is it still being patched after 21 years? For the 20th anniversary of Guild Wars, the developers resumed work on the game. With Guild Wars Reforged, there was a major update on December 3, 2026, that focused on more modern graphics, an improved interface, and increased accessibility for newcomers.

Especially on the Steam Deck, the RPG has become popular and cherished by fans, as thanks to the update, the title plays well there. Since the release of the “Guild Wars Reforged” version, the developers have consistently provided updates and also plan further improvements to the game in the future.

Since the release of Guild Wars Reforged, the developers have been working hard to make the return to the predecessor of today’s still popular MMORPG appealing. The new game mode is just one of many changes. How the comeback went can be found here: 20-year-old MMORPG classic Guild Wars celebrates a strong comeback, bringing back the feeling of the past

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. pcgamer.com

The 10 most popular ships from Harry Potter – Which pairing has the most fanfictions?

To Harry Potter there are countless fanfictions. Often, it revolves around the relationship between two characters. But which couples are particularly popular among fans?

What kind of list is this? Many fans of Harry Potter and other franchises like to come up with their own stories about their favorite fandoms: so-called fanfictions. One of the most popular sites for this is “Archive of Our Own“, short AO3.

On Reddit user Agamar13 posts an interesting statistic: The Top 100 Ships that were tagged most frequently on AO3 in 2025. This shows us which couples had the most contributions – especially fanfictions – written about them last year.

Included are many pairs from Harry Potter, of which we want to look at the Top 10 on this list. Besides the most common name of the ship, you will also find out how many entries there were for the couple in 2025 and what place it landed on the “Top 100” list.

Start video
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – Trailer for the 6th part of the fantasy series

Rank 10: Marlene McKinnon/ Dorcas Meadowes

  • Ship Name: Dorlene
  • Entries: 2,867
  • Overall Placement: 67

At the first entry of this list, one might wonder if they landed in the wrong fandom. But indeed, Marlene McKinnon and Dorcas Meadowes are official characters from Harry Potter. But don’t worry if the names don’t ring a bell. The two witches are only mentioned in a few sentences in the books, so you haven’t missed much.

Marlene and Dorcas were members of the first Order of the Phoenix, during the same time as Harry’s parents. Both were killed in the wizarding war, and Dorcas even by Voldemort himself.

Not much more is known about the two. Also, whether they actually had a romantic relationship. That’s why they are so well-suited for fanfictions. Since they are official characters, the story integrates perfectly into the original. Still, one can get creative. Additionally, the first Order of the Phoenix and the time of the Marauders are very popular among many fans. The result: over 2,800 fan works about Marlene and Dorcas, just in the last year.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Here’s how to get the new monster Flamigo in Pokémon GO – All information about the Carnival of Flamigo

In Pokémon GO the next event starts. Included is a monster that you can obtain for the first time in the game here, as well as 3 monsters that you can get more easily as Shiny.

What kind of event is this? The “Carnial of Flamigo” starts on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM. It runs until Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 8:00 PM.

How do I get Flamigo? Flamigo is a monster that resembles a flamingo in both appearance and name. It is from Generation 9 and has the types Flying and Fighting.

You can find the monster in the wild during the event, although it is a bit rarer. Additionally, there are supposed to be encounters with event Pokémon through field research, collector challenges, and time-limited research during the event. It can be assumed that you can also obtain Flamigo here – however, this is not yet guaranteed.

Start video
Pokémon GO shows its new season in the trailer

All content from the Carnival of Flamigo

Which monsters are at the event? In addition to the new monster, there are several others that you can encounter in the wild.

  • Lotad**
  • Buneary*
  • Pipipek**
  • Spritzee** (rare)
  • Flamigo(rare)

While you have the regular chance to get Buneary as Shiny (*), the chance of getting the shiny variant of Lotad, Pipipek, and Spritzee (**) is additionally increased during the event.

What bonuses are available at the event? During the Carnival of Flamigo, the following bonuses are active in the game:

  • double effect duration for incense
  • double effect duration for the daily adventure incense
  • increased chance to get Lotad, Pipipek and Spritzee as Shiny
  • 500 additional Stardust when you catch Flamigo

Further content of the event: Field research and collector challenges are also part of the event. While you can receive encounters with event monsters as rewards in both field research and collector challenges, there are additionally experience points and Stardust in the collector challenge.

A free, time-limited research will also be available during the event. Here you can also obtain encounters with event Pokémon, as well as 2 incense and Stardust.

For $4.99 (about €5), there is also a paid, time-limited research. There you will receive among other things 1 star piece, an avatar pose, and additional encounters with event monsters. If you purchase the ticket in the Pokémon GO web store, you will also receive a premium battle pass.

Not only the Carnival of Flamigo awaits you in February 2026 in the game. There are many other events and content. If you want to get an overview of what they are and when they take place, feel free to take a look at our overview with all events in February 2026 in Pokémon GO.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Pokémon GO: Jirachi Quest “A Thousand-Year Sleep” – Guide

The special research for Jirachi called “A Thousand-Year Sleep” is now available in Pokémon GO. We will show you the stages and give you tips for solving them.

In Pokémon GO, you can now complete the special research about the mysterious Pokémon Jirachi. You need to complete 7 stages to finally encounter Jirachi. The research is comparable to the tasks related to Mew or Celebi.

The special research is called “A Thousand-Year Sleep” and presents you with some tricky tasks. Jirachi was previously only available at all 3 GO Fests and is now catchable worldwide through this quest.

Special Research “A Thousand-Year Sleep” – The Quests

All 7 stages on the way to Jirachi present different challenges. You need to make friends or catch and photograph special Pokémon.

pokemon go jirachi

We will now give you an overview of the stages.

Stage 1/7

  • Catch 25 Pokémon
    • Reward: 1000 XP
  • Spin 10 PokéStops or Gyms
    • Reward: Encounter with a Jigglypuff
  • Make 3 new friends
    • Reward: Encounter with a Feebas

Reward at the end of the stage: 1x Moss Module, 1x Glacial Module, 1x Magnetic Module. This is how the new modules work in Pokémon GO.

Stage 2/7

Evolve Feebas
In Stage 2, you need to evolve a Feebas
  • Catch 3 Swablu
    • Reward: 10 Swablu Candy
  • Evolve a Feebas
    • Reward: 1500 XP
  • Earn the Hoenn Medal in Gold
    • Reward: 1500 XP

Reward at the end of the stage: 2000 Stardust, 10 Pokéballs, 3x Incense

This is how you evolve Feebas: The evolution of Feebas is special. You need 100 Feebas Candy and must walk 20 km with the Feebas you are evolving.

So it is worth taking Feebas as your buddy right at the beginning of the special research.

Stage 3/7

Pokémon GO Snorlax Title
  • Take a snapshot of Surskit
    • Reward: Encounter with a Snorlax
  • Land three great throws in a row
    • Reward: 2000 XP
  • Earn 3 candies while walking with your buddy
    • Reward: 2000 XP

Reward at the end of the stage: 20x Silver Pinap Berry, 3x Lucky Egg, 2000 Stardust

This buddy you should take: To complete the task as quickly as possible, you should choose a buddy that only needs 1 km per candy. These include, among others, Magikarp, Pidgey, or Swablu.

Stage 4/7

Gift
In Stage 4, you need to send gifts
  • Catch 50 Psychic or Steel-type Pokémon
    • Reward: 2500 XP
  • Use a Power Up 10 times on Pokémon
    • Reward: 2500 XP
  • Send 10 gifts to friends
    • Reward: 2500 XP

Reward at the end of the stage: 1x Fast TM, 1x Charge TM, 1x Raid Pass

Look for these Pokémon: Psychic and Steel-type Pokémon are collected quite quickly. Some of them are very common, such as Hypno, Steelix, Natu, or Meditite.

Stage 5/7

Pokemon GO PvP is here
PvP battles are expected of you in Stage 5
  • Battle three times against a Team Leader
    • Reward: Encounter with a Crustle
  • Win 7 battles against other trainers
    • Reward: 3000 XP
  • Win 5 raids
    • Reward: 3000 XP

Reward at the end of the stage: 3 Rare Candies, 20 Ultra Balls, 3000 Stardust

This helps you in battles: Team Leader battles are quick to finish. It’s best to take Blanche’s Great League, as she is the easiest to defeat.

In trainer battles, you should look for a hyper-friend, as you can fight from a distance. This way you don’t have to play together.

Stage 6/7

PokéStops
You need to spin PokéStops for 7 days
  • Take 5 photos of Steel or Psychic-type Pokémon
    • Reward: Encounter with a Klang
  • Land 3 excellent curveball throws
    • Reward: Encounter with a Bronzong
  • Spin a PokéStop for 7 consecutive days
    • Reward: 4000 XP

Reward at the end of the stage: 10 Silver Pinap Berries, 10x Lucky Egg, 5000 Stardust

This helps with throwing: The excellent throws are likely to frustrate many trainers. It’s best to always use a Nanab Berry. It keeps the Pokémon still, allowing you to hit better.

Ideal Pokémon for this are Swablu, Nosepass, or Makuhita. They have large circles and are easy to hit.

Stage 7/7

Jirachi
  • Automatically completed
    • Reward: 4500 XP
  • Automatically completed
    • Reward: 4500 XP
  • Automatically completed
    • Reward: 4500 XP

Reward at the end of the stage: Encounter with a Jirachi, 20 Jirachi Candy, 1 Jirachi Shirt for your avatar

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Reddit

Pokémon GO: Vivillon Map – You Need Friends from These Regions

In Pokémon GO you can evolve Vivillon with different patterns, but for that, you need postcards from various regions. Here you will find the map and all the information about it.

What kind of Pokémon is Vivillon? Vivillon is the third evolution of Scatterbug, which can first evolve into Spewpa and then into Vivillon. With the “Rolling Scatterbug” event in 2025, the shiny variant will also be introduced to the game.

The special thing: Vivillon comes with different wing patterns, which depend on various regions.

To get Scatterbug, you need to pin postcards from your friends from these regions. 3 postcards from the same region will give you a Scatterbug encounter, whose Vivillon evolution will eventually display the corresponding pattern. In addition, you can continue to collect postcards from these regions to get more Scatterbug.

You can find out how exactly this works in the overview of Scatterbug, Spewpa, and Vivillon.

But which patterns and regions are actually relevant? We’ll look into that here and give a tip below on how you might obtain the necessary postcards.

Update from February 3, 2026: We have updated the article for you.
Start video
Pokémon GO shows its new season in the trailer

Vivillon Map 2026 – Which region brings which pattern?

Which regions have the patterns? From the following regions, you need to pin postcards to obtain the different patterns.

Pokemon GO Vivillon Map
The Vivillon map at a glance
  • Archipelago: Caribbean islands, South Africa
  • Continental: Southeast South America, Central Europe, Asia
  • Elegant: Japan
  • Garden: Great Britain, New Zealand, Ireland
  • High Plains: Southwest USA, Eastern Europe
  • Polar: Canada, Greenland, Finland, Norway, Sweden
  • Jungle: Along the Equator
  • Marine: Western South America, Spain, Portugal, Mediterranean region
  • Meadow: Italy, France, Central Europe
  • Modern: Southeastern USA
  • Monsoon: Southeast Asia
  • Ocean: Hawaii, Galapagos, Madagascar
  • Polar: Western and Eastern Canada, Alaska, southern end of South America, Scandinavia
  • River: North Africa, South Africa, Southern Australia
  • Sandstorm: Arabian Peninsula
  • Savanna: Eastern South America
  • Sun: Mexico / Central America, Eastern Africa / Madagascar, Northern Australia
  • Tundra: Iceland, Scandinavia, Northern Japan

The boundaries are still not entirely clear, but can only be approximately delineated.

How to obtain the Vivillon postcards? Trainers share friend codes on reddit

Where to get the postcards? To get the various patterns, but also the encounters needed for the candies, you need a lot of postcards. Trainers recommend using Sanana berries and Mega Bug Pokémon during Scatterbug encounters to get more candies.

In Germany, for example, one can get the Continental postcards easily, where one can even pin their own postcards. But what about the other regions?

One possibility: On reddit, trainers have already created a dedicated subreddit called “VivillonCollectors” (via reddit), where there are posts for each region.

There, trainers share their friend codes in the respective post, depending on which region they come from. This already provides a way to find friends in regions that you are still missing.

Vivillon in Pokémon GO: All patterns

How many patterns are there? As of now, 18 patterns are available in Pokémon GO.

All Vivillon patterns at a glance

You can also find an overview of all patterns directly in the game when you access the Vivillon medal. There, you can track your progress in collecting. Do you also have tips on how to better obtain Vivillon variants? Share them in the comments! Another monster in Pokémon GO that can cause you problems is Ditto. How to catch Ditto and Shiny Ditto, you can also find out from us.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

The “Star Citizen” Syndrome: Why millions were spent again on the MMORPG castle of dreams in Ashes of Creation

Steven Sharif’s withdrawal from Ashes of Creation is the latest act in a drama that has been repeating itself for over a decade. Whether Star Citizen, Chronicles of Elyria, or Camelot Unchained – the pattern is almost always the same. MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski analyzes why it is so attractive for us to believe in the dream castle time and again and to invest in it.

There was no spectacular trailer or extravagant stage show. It all started with a simple blog post in which Steven Sharif painted the picture of an MMORPG that was supposed to become a revolution and our second home.

He spoke of a world that reacts to us. A world that we can breathe, build, and – if we want – lay waste to. As we play, nodes and regions form. The more we play in a region, entire cities develop there, land is claimed, housing systems are created, and we manage an entire political system. We fight with others for these nodes and lead our guild to glory and wealth.

All that was missing for this dream MMORPG was $750,000, which was to be raised through Kickstarter – and the credit cards were drawn. In less than 12 hours, the goal was reached, and ultimately over $3 million was raised.

Today, 10 years later, we are facing the ruins of this enthusiasm. Sharif is gone.

The Alpha servers feel more like a construction site in perpetual raw build than like the promised land. But what is truly frightening is not the rubble at Intrepid Studios. The frightening part is the déjà vu.

Welcome to the “Star Citizen” syndrome. Ashes of Creation is not the first project that has choked on its own dream castle – and its backers along with it.

The Dream Castle in Its Parts

To get straight to the point: The big problem with projects like Ashes of Creation, Chronicles of Elyria or Camelot Unchained is that we are not buying finished games, but a dream. And the biggest problem is that the dream consists of an unfinished air castle, where we ourselves have to fill in the last bricks.

But let’s dismantle the air castle again.

The Alluring Narrative

In Steven Sharif’s case, there is this extremely charismatic leader who presents himself as one of us. A gamer next door, who is also pursuing the dream of the ultimate MMORPG – and now wants to build this perfect game for himself and us.

All of this is of course supposed to happen without the “greedy publisher” in the background, who only wants our money and does not understand us gamers at all. A feeling of “Us against them” arises, which strengthens the bond between the community and the studio. A nearly parasocial relationship develops.

And we could observe exactly this narrative in the other Kickstarter MMORPGs as well.

Start video
Ashes of Creation: Early Access Guide stimmt euch auf den Start auf Steam ein

The Paradox of Endless Freedom

We are currently living in a gaming era where especially AA studios are asserting themselves against giants like EA, Ubisoft, or Activision. The success of games like Arc Raiders or Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 underscores this.

Studios like Larian have shown with Baldur’s Gate 3 that it is indeed possible to create a complex and content-rich game without the publisher’s pressure. Studio head Swen Vincke never tires of talking about the exploitative nature of large publishers. And yes, greedy publishers certainly have a negative influence on studios and game development.

However, what must not be overlooked here is that the free-spirited studios still need to have a solid plan in place to finish their game.

Deadlines are necessary, a realistic budget calculation is needed, and strong project management is required for complex products like video games. A wonderful, creative, and ambitious idea is not enough. If you don’t have a publisher’s pressure pushing these things, a studio has to take care of it themselves.

The Psychology that Makes Us Reach for Our Wallets

We are given a sense of being able to actively shape the development. Whether in the case of Ashes of Creation the promise of the “Node System”, through which we can exert influence on how the world develops in the game. Or in Star Citizen feedback channels like Issue Council, where current balancing is discussed.

Then there is the “Sunk Cost” effect, which describes the phenomenon of holding on to projects, investments, or decisions even if they turn out to be wrong, simply because time, money, or effort has already been invested. Whoever has once spent 250 € or more for an alpha package or a virtual plot wants and must believe that it will be a success.

FOMO is the Kickstarter here, the fear of missing out. Limited alpha access and exclusive skins create artificial pressure.

The Promise We Actually Only Make to Ourselves

To secure funding, crowdfunded MMOs must sell a dream. And so come these promises that are hardly keepable. In theory, these offer endlessly deep systems like fully destructible worlds, an economy that develops automatically from PvP guilds, and political systems that also somehow arise from playing. Then there are some nice concept arts that invite us to dream.

The details are missing, and we start to fill them in our heads. And this is where the big catch lies. We have had 10 years to craft the absolute dream MMORPG in our heads and to make it bigger and more glorious than it could ever technically be programmed.

Buying access is buying a daydream. Nothing more.

Instead of Dream Castle, an Eternal Construction Site

How Ashes of Creation will proceed now is uncertain in the wake of Steven Sharif’s departure. Whether the game will be discontinued or will continue to be developed with a smaller team – and without Sharif – cannot be said at this point. The charismatic face that dreamed with us for the last 10 years is gone.

With such a development, Ashes of Creation is not alone:

  • Chronicles of Elyria started almost 10 years ago and raised nearly 8 million euros in 2019. The MMORPG is not dead yet, but is now embroiled in legal disputes.
  • Camelot Unchained has been in development for 12 years for a technology that seems outdated today.
  • Crowfall aimed to revolutionize the MMORPG genre in 2015. The game was released in 2021 without hype, intended to be revamped again, and now shows no signs of life.

Let’s come to the namesake of this article and the supergiant among crowdfunding MMOs: Star Citizen.

Pre-production began in 2010, about 16 years ago. More than 5.6 million supporters have raised over $809 million through crowdfunding. Since then, the space MMO has been in development, progressing only brick by brick.

Let’s be honest: The dream castle of Star Citizen is now so large that the science fiction MMO can no longer be released as “finished”. The dream has long become the product. The sale of expensive ships appears from the outside as the actual gameplay loop.

The hardcore community is fine with it, and to be fair, there is more than just the ship sale. For instance, it is also possible to fly through space and complete missions. Players describe this as something that is indeed not comparable.

However, the project and studio head Chris Roberts must continue to be critically observed. Reports continually emerge that depict a picture of wasteful spending, poor management, and harsh overtime phases.

This air castle could still implode.

At this point, I recommend the Kickstarter reckoning by our MMORPG expert Karsten Scholz:

More on the topic
25 MMOs that wanted your money via Kickstarter – A sad balance after 14 years
von Karsten Scholz

Why We May Still Be Allowed to Hope

So is it stupid to invest in projects like Ashes of Creation or Star Citizen?

No. It is human.

We all passionately love to play and have a longing for something that major AAA publishers have denied us for years: Real innovation, real risks, and the feeling of being part of something big from the very beginning. It feels good to believe in the fairy tale of “gamer for gamers”.

However, passion alone does not write net code, and visions do not pay for servers indefinitely. A dream castle does indeed need a foundation composed of cool project management, realistic budgets, and – as much as I hate to say it – sometimes also a “bad” publisher to enforce the tough decisions, so that something actually appears at the end.

All these projects have ultimately fallen victim to the same air castle on which we built our hopes. The minds behind the games also believed that the foundation was strong enough and that the rest would come together during construction. In the end, Ashes of Creation had a playable alpha version that was partly praised before the Steam release. All of this could not withstand the dream that was sold 10 years ago.

And this applies not only to crowdfunding MMORPGs. This applies to all games that sell us a dream or fat early access packages intended to support development. There are many examples where this has worked wonderfully. This can be a great way to involve the community early in the development process. However, if we are ready to pull out our credit cards too early, the question should first arise: “Does that sound too good to be true?” – Here it should once again be remembered that hopes are not finished games. We may keep dreaming, but we should perhaps refrain from using our credit cards until real code has emerged from the concept arts.

At the end of the day, an average game that I can install today on my hard drive is worth a thousand times more than the most beautiful vision that has been swirling around in our heads for ten years.

What about you? Are you backers of any of these projects, and do you regret it, or were you aware of the risks from the beginning? Feel free to share in the comments.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

I played Dragon Quest VII 10 years ago and was surprised how sad it still makes me feel

MeinMMO editor Jasmin has known Dragon Quest for several installments. She particularly remembers the seventh installment, which is now getting a remake. Nevertheless, the dark atmosphere emotionally impacted her.

The Dragon Quest series is one of the first JRPG series that ever existed. The special thing about the video games is that the characters were drawn by Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball.

For me, part 7 was my entry into the series. Originally released in 2000 for the PlayStation, this JRPG never made it to Europe. It was only with the version for the Nintendo 3DS that Dragon Quest 7 arrived in Germany in 2016.

10 years later, a reimagined version of part 7 is now being released. And even though I still had a rough idea of the story in my head, I was surprised by how much the stories from the game emotionally moved me. At one point, I even found a small tear forming in my eye.

Start video
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined: The Adventure Diary Shows Important Details About the JRPG

Short Stories with Dark Atmosphere for the Evening

We start the adventure as the son of a fisherman. The whole village believes that the island is the only place in the entire world and that the rest of the planet consists only of ocean. Over time, the fisherman’s son, along with his friends, finds different tablets that turn out to be portals to the past.

Each tablet leads to an island that suffers from a sad fate. Once we have rescued the island in the past, the same island also appears in the timeline of the fisherman’s son. While exploring the islands, we learn what has become of the descendants of the respective islanders from the past.

The story develops like many older Japanese role-playing games. Initially, it’s a simple adventure of an innocent boy. Later, the entire planet must be saved.

The special thing about the game is that each island is a self-contained short story. Each story is darker than the last. There is no perfect happy ending on any island. While there is a larger narrative surrounding the main characters, the individual islands are clearly the focus.

On one island, for example, there is an oppressive silence in the village because there are no more women. Monsters have kidnapped all the women and taken them to a mysterious tower. Our goal is to rescue the women, as the men are too weak to fight the monsters.

Even though I remembered some of the stories from my playthrough 10 years ago, one island completely floored me. Unfortunately, the story was designated as an optional island for the remake and doesn’t even have to be visited to reach the game’s ending. But I would recommend completing it.

This is what happens on the mentioned island

In this village, all the people have been turned to stone. The only survivor is an old man who was not present in the village at the time of the petrification. He has been trying for many decades to find a cure to awaken his friends and family.

He devoted his whole life to obtaining the cure. However, over the years, he realizes that the residents cannot be saved. For not only the passage of time affects him but also the stone statues. The statues have developed cracks that cannot be repaired, making revival impossible.

Thanks to our help, the old man manages to free the souls of the stone statues. When he encounters the soul of his deceased wife, he tells her that they will see each other very soon. After all, the man is already very old, and it is likely that he has not many years left before he ascends to the heavens.

The scene moved me so much at that moment that I almost cried. There are many more such stories that will likely affect each player differently. There is a high chance that one of the stories will resonate with you, and you will be emotionally swept away.

I find this especially amazing because there is no common thread between the individual island stories. Apart from the hero group, there are no connecting characters that make guest appearances on every island.

Each island manages to convey its drama within just one hour of gameplay. It doesn’t always take a 70-hour long story to emotionally engage a player, as I found out firsthand.

If you only have little time to play Dragon Quest 7, it is the perfect game for you. I enjoyed the title the most by playing in the evenings for an hour or two and completing one island per day. More than that, I just couldn’t manage mentally.

Idyllic Look around the Characters

Completely contrary to the dark atmosphere is the look of the game. For the remake, the main characters were built as puppets in real life and later digitally integrated into the game. You can see this in the figures. I could see individual fabric folds and felt like I could feel the texture with my eyes.

The developers have adapted the rest of the game to match the look of the characters. The worlds resemble small dioramas, which you might know from Fantasian Neo Dimension, another JRPG by Square Enix.

Even with the trees, I felt like they must be really fluffy, and I wanted to take them in my hands. For a cozy game, I would have expected this look, but not in such a dark game like Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined.

But it’s exactly this contrast that makes the game so good for me. After witnessing the sad fate of an island, the beautiful visuals calm you down.

However, I must say that none of the islands has any iconic location that has stuck in my mind afterward. Many of the islands are covered in forests and mountains, and the stone corridors of the individual temples and dungeons look too similar.

A Good Introduction to the Series

Since each part of Dragon Quest stands on its own, you don’t have to play the games in order. If you have never heard of Dragon Quest, part 7 might be the perfect introduction for you. And this is due to several reasons:

  • There is an automatic save after each area change.
  • The combat speed can be adjusted at any time, making annoying grinding more bearable.
  • There are no random battles anymore. This way, you control when to engage which enemy.
  • There is even an automatic combat mode where you don’t even have to press a button.
  • Content has been cut, drastically shortening the game time.

In combination with a particularly easy difficulty level, you can practically skip the fights. You run up to an enemy, press the start button, and let the fight happen. During those few seconds, you can unload cutlery from the dishwasher, hang some laundry on the line, or quickly check your phone to see who messaged you.

So it doesn’t always take your full attention when you come home after a tiring day, need to do housework, and want to play a bit. Of course, all veterans can do without such quality-of-life improvements and start directly on the highest difficulty level.

With Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, you can see if the series is something for you. Despite all the many new features, it still retains the characteristics of a classic Japanese role-playing game. Thus, there are only a handful of character models that repeat on each island, and turn-based battles are the order of the day.

Pros
  • Multiple individual stories with emotional fates
  • Hand-drawn characters by Akira Toriyama in the Dragon Ball style
  • Numerous quality-of-life features
Cons
  • Few character models
  • Little variety in the design of the islands and dungeons

Who is Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined suitable for?

You should play Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined if you…

  • are exhausted after work and want to play a quick round
  • enjoy classic Japanese role-playing games and can live with their disadvantages
  • are in the mood for dark and serious themes

You should rather stay away if you…

  • prefer action-packed gameplay
  • want to finish the game within 10-20 hours

If you still decide to play Dragon Quest in order, we have good news for you. Recently, remakes of the first two parts were also released. MeinMMO writer Niko has put them through their paces and comes to a similar conclusion as I do: I played a new RPG on Steam for almost 40 hours and didn’t even realize it was actually 39 years old

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Stranger Things shows the release date of the new series and new monsters in the new trailer

Although the last season of Stranger Things has already aired, fans of the series won’t have to wait long for more. In the first trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, Netflix confirms the release date and shows the fight against some monsters.

What kind of series is this? Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is a new animated series in the universe of Stranger Things. It takes place between Season 2 and Season 3 of the Netflix series and shows what happened in the winter of 1985 after the events of Season 2. Everything seems peaceful, but the Upside Down is still threatening Hawkins.

When does the series premiere? As the new trailer confirms, the series is set to start on April 23 on Netflix.

You can watch the first trailer here:

Start video
Stranger Things: Tales From “85 confirmed with the first teaser the series release date

Good Mood and Potential

What can be seen in the trailer? In the first trailer, you can see how the kids enjoy the winter and the returned peace. Dungeons and Dragons is being played, and even the first relationships are formed. But the peace is only a small part because monsters or creatures from the Upside Down seem to have returned.

Accordingly, you can already see some action sequences. Dustin and Steve flee in the car, other characters see an evil pumpkin creature, and apparently, horror elements are also included again.

What does MeinMMO film editor Niko say about the trailer? After the last season, I was a bit disappointed. Somehow the entire balance didn’t feel right. But after the first trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, I am positively surprised.

The look is unusual, yet I quite like it. The animations look solid, and overall it feels like series from earlier that are based on films. Do you still remember the Men-in-Black series? I do, and I’ll probably never forget the intro.

The new series about Stranger Things seems to be significantly more focused, and I look forward to spending time with the gang again. If they don’t try to tell something too big again, I’m sure Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 will work quite well.

What did you think of the first trailer? Are you excited about it, or have you moved on from the universe after the last season? Feel free to let us know in the comments. If you’re interested in which season was actually the best, check out our list: Stranger Things has ended with Season 5, but which season is actually the best?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Pokémon GO: Raids, legendary bosses and raid hours in February 2026

Pokémon GO offers many raids in February 2026. Which raid bosses does the month bring you? Here is the overview.

Legendary raid bosses, mega raids, special raid events: In February 2026, there is a lot for you to catch.

One special feature of February this year is: Towards the end of the month, the event Path to Kalos is on the calendar, bringing you numerous legendary bosses. They will also have their own raid hours. We will summarize those for you here as well.

As always, possible shinies are marked with an asterisk*. In the list below, you will also find all relevant counters against the raid bosses as a link.

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Pokémon GO shows its new season in the trailer

All Raid Hours in Pokémon GO in February 2026

The raid hours usually take place every Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. During this time, the mentioned raid bosses appear in all available gyms.

However, during the Path to Kalos event, some extra raid hours on other weekdays will also be added. These will also take place from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. All dates can be found here in the list.

Date of the raid hourBosses
February 4Dialga* and Palkia*
February 11Dialga* and Palkia*
February 18Solgaleo
February 23Articuno*, Zapdos* and Moltres*
February 24Crypto-Lugia* and Crypto-Ho-Oh*
February 25Lunala*, Proto-Kyogre* and Proto-Groudon*
February 26Dialga* and Palkia*, Dialga (Primal)* and Palkia (Primal)*
February 27Reshiram* and Black Kyurem*, Zekrom* and White Kyurem*

All Raid Bosses in Pokémon GO in February 2026

You will encounter the following raid bosses in February 2026 in 5-star or mega raids. They are legendary Pokémon or mega evolutions, some of which are among the best attackers in Pokémon GO.

DateRaid Boss
February 4 – 16Dialga*
Counters against Dialga
February 4 – 16Palkia*
Counters against Palkia
February 4 – 16Mega-Pidgeot*
Counters against Mega-Pidgeot
February 16 – 21Solgaleo
Counters against Solgaleo
February 16 – 21Mega-Sableye*
Counters against Mega-Sableye
February 21 – March 4Lunala
Counters against Lunala
February 21 – March 4Mega-Absol*
Counters against Mega-Absol
February 23Articuno*, Zapdos* and Moltres*
Counters against Articuno
Counters against Zapdos
Counters against Moltres
February 24Crypto-Lugia* and Crypto-Ho-Oh*
Counters against Crypto-Lugia
Counters against Crypto-Ho-Oh
February 25Proto-Kyogre* and Proto-Groudon*
Counters against Proto-Kyogre
Counters against Proto-Groudon
February 26Dialga* and Palkia*, Dialga (Primal)* and Palkia (Primal)*
Counters against Dialga (Primal)
Counters against Palkia (Primal)
February 27Reshiram* and Black Kyurem*
Counters against Reshiram
Counters against Black Kyurem
February 27Zekrom* and White Kyurem*
Counters against Zekrom
Counters against White Kyurem
On weekendsCrypto-Regigigas in Crypto-Raids
Counters against Regigigas

Which monsters do you want to catch from the raids in February 2026? Let us know in the comments! And if you want to know which Pokémon you can encounter outside of raids, be sure to check our event overview for the current month. Here you will find all events in Pokémon GO in February 2026.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Player refuses to replace his bad spear in Dungeons & Dragons, DM wants to reward him now

A player places the emotional value of his spear in Dungeons & Dragons higher than the actual skill and refuses to equip a more powerful weapon. His dungeon master appreciates this attitude and wants to reward him for it.

What makes the spear so important? The dungeon master Leytra reports to the Dungeons & Dragons community on Reddit that one of her players has never stopped opting to keep his simple and rather unremarkable spear rather than replace it with another weapon. The spear has no special properties and is nothing more than a simple weapon in the campaign’s story that the adventurer bought from a blacksmith at the very beginning. But that’s exactly what makes the spear so indispensable,

“All the others have switched to magical items, but he has rejected every found item because his character is attached to his spear, because it’s his,” explains the dungeon master, “He has accompanied him through all the shit that has happened.”

The dungeon master greatly values this attitude, as it is really great for role-playing and narrative. However, she wants to do something to reward this commitment and eliminate the mechanical disadvantage that the rather humble spear brings due to its simplicity. As far as the rules are concerned, she doesn’t care, because she would “homebrew it to hell and back’ to make it worthwhile for the story.

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22-year-old classic of Dungeons & Dragons shows in the trailer what it still wants to excite you with after all this time

Characters don’t have to be the only ones who can level up in Dungeons & Dragons

How can the dungeon master upgrade the spear? For the Dungeons & Dragons community, homebrew is not a foreign concept. It is not uncommon for dungeon masters to create and invent their own rules, which can lead to very special and personal moments with the group’s agreement.

The open-mindedness of the dungeon master allows the community to take many approaches they can borrow for their campaign and spear:

Players suggest giving the spear to a cleric or a blacksmith who can make it magical and allow a +1 bonus to attacks and damage rolls. If this should be something more spectacular, it could also happen through the blood of a powerful defeated opponent, whose power flows into the spear.

Regardless of how she decides, the community already seems excited about her approach as a dungeon master, as does HeySpudEyeSeeYou: 

“I generally think this mechanic is great. Instead of buying equipment in the typical old magic shop, the players’ gear simply ‘levels’ with them.”

Why is this just right for the dungeon master’s campaign? From the dungeon master’s description, it seems that for the player, it is not too important to be the most powerful in combat; otherwise, the spear would not have remained the main weapon for so long. It is evident from the explanation that the entire group along with the dungeon master places a greater focus on role-playing – an important aspect that should be discussed in a so-called Session Zero.

Considering the preference for role-playing and narrative decisions, it makes sense to elevate the sentimental value to the true power of the spear. The community recognizes this as well:

“This weapon has simply been perfectly primed for further development, gathering ‘experience’ together with the player and thus creating its own legend,” explains Commercial-Formal272. But feypop also explains why the dungeon master’s approach sounds perfect: “Modesty, patience, sentimentality, and care must be at the center. A spear is just a spear. It is the time we devote to it that makes it special.”

Just as the player was rewarded for his outstanding commitment to role-playing, this can, however, backfire. Based on another dungeon master’s experience, every player in his campaign deserves a reward, except for one – and that is his own fault: Player faces the consequences of his actions in Dungeons & Dragons and is the only one not to receive important rewards, causing despair for the dungeon master

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Reddit

MMORPG with 93% positive ratings on Steam turns veterans into pigs to help noobs

With Project: Gorgon, an MMORPG is more popular than ever on Steam. However, to help noobs, the developers must now turn into pigs.

What kind of MMORPG is this? Project: Gorgon is an indie MMORPG from Studio Elder Game, inspired by EverQuest 1 and Asheron’s Call. The focus is therefore on the immersive experience in the game world. For example, there is no fixed class system. Instead, you decide for yourself which skills you learn.

The MMORPG offers a lot of freedom, whether summoning an army of the dead as a necromancer or earning a living as a beastmaster: Project Gorgon offers a lot of variety. You can also transform yourselves into animals, and veterans are now experiencing this.

Here you can watch the trailer for the game:

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Project: Gorgon – Steam Release Trailer

Veterans Become Pigs

What’s up with the pigs? After the early access of Project: Gorgon, the game is currently experiencing a peak of attention on Steam. While the player peak during early access was only a few hundred players, on Sunday, according to SteamDB, there was a new high with over 2,200 players.

Reason enough for the developers to create more space for players. A brand new server for the MMORPG has been announced, aimed primarily at newcomers. To ensure that veterans do not have an advantage over newcomers on the new server, there are some restrictions for experienced players.

All players who have played 40 or more hours of Project: Gorgon will be transformed into a “support pig”. This animal is a kind of class in the game and has some unique abilities, but above all, it has no hands. This makes the experience extremely difficult and is intended to give new players the advantage they need to enjoy the MMORPG.

Veterans can also play in groups with regular players and support them. This is expected to develop a new style of play. Those who want to restart despite their 40 hours of playtime can permanently delete their previous progress via chat command.

For the new players of Project: Gorgon, the new server offers exactly what they need to experience the game anew, without being surrounded by veterans who have long gained many advantages. Why the MMORPG is so successful despite its old-school character, you can find out here: New MMORPG on Steam emulates EverQuest, starts 92 percent positively in the final release

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.