Video Games
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince iOS Game Review – Much Better Than Switch, But With Two Flaws

Back in December, I reviewed Square Enix’s monster-collecting RPG for Switch. I loved my time with it, despite its many technical issues. I expected it to return to PC like , one other Nintendo Switch exclusive, but I didn’t expect a mobile release. Square Enix’s latest release on iOS, Android, and Steam brings the entire previous paid DLC to the sport at a lower entry point, but removes one feature. That’s the real-time online multiplayer battles. Beyond that, there’s already a a lot better experience on Steam and mobile, simply as a result of its lower cost and included content, but is the sport value your time during this crowded release period and given its high price? That’s the query I’m going to reply in my mobile review, which will even include the sport on Steam Deck.
If you’re not accustomed to it, it’s a spin-off series of the major games with turn-based combat, but as an alternative of the major player fighting, you catch, raise, and nurture monsters to fight for you. When I played it, I enjoyed it, but I used to be told it was a “Monsters-lite” game, so when it was announced for Switch, I used to be excited to play it. I ended up loving it, as you possibly can see from my review linked above, but I feel it’s a really strong monster-collecting RPG with turn-based combat, whether you prefer it or not. What was much more interesting was that it seems like a side story and prequel to . It also had a seasonal feature where the monsters would change depending on the season and the world you were in.
Story-wise, the bits and pieces from IV already made it more interesting than a daily spin-off, but I focused more on getting my dream team of monsters than worrying in regards to the plot. I’m super blissful with how well thought out the mechanics are and the way the massive zones, lots of of monsters, and combat made me wish to keep playing, even on Switch after I first finished it, let alone on iPhone, iPad, and Steam Deck. Aside from the traditional turn-based battles and recruiting recent monsters, Synthesis in is sort of a Shin Megami Tensei fusion, and there is just a lot you possibly can do together with your skills. The seasons here not only change the monsters, but additionally the areas you possibly can explore with changes to the map. This implies that a body of water you possibly can’t cross will probably be frozen during a season, providing you with access to a brand new secret.
Combat in games like this will be repetitive, so I’m glad to see loads of quality-of-life features here, like a tactics menu that works similarly to the unique, direct commands, and more. You’re not only here to defeat enemies, but additionally to scout them, to bring them into your team and grow to be stronger. Ultimately, I didn’t test out the web multiplayer on Switch much, so I am unable to comment on how much of a loss it’s here, however it’s still a game mode that was cut. If you’ve got played it on Switch, keep that in mind, as it is the one area where the mobile and Steam versions are inferior to the Switch.
already shipped with loads of content, however the DLC just upped the experience level. This DLC was sold within the Digital Deluxe Edition or as a standalone DLC for the bottom game. The DLC alone cost over $25 on Switch, so getting the complete base game with all of the DLC for $24 on mobile makes it an incredible deal, but I’ll get to that in a moment. This DLC included The Mole Hole, Coach Joe’s Dungeon Gym, and Treasure Trunks. The Mole Hole was a dungeon that allowed you to scout (recruit) monsters you’d fought before, making it much easier to max out as you played. The DLC was also good for speeding things up, as you would also easily scout monsters that only appeared during a selected season or through synthesis.
Coach Joe’s Dungeon Gym DLC has randomly generated maps and is supposed to be post-game challenges quite than in-game experiences. The final DLC is just a chest that will be opened once per hour, containing a complete of 10 items. It’s type of a cheat DLC, so to talk. I didn’t find it great to have useful game modes or content in paid DLC, but that is now not a difficulty because it’s all included on iOS, Android, and Steam for the bottom price.
Now let’s move on to the features of the mobile port. With Square Enix you possibly can never make sure what features will probably be in the ultimate game. There isn’t any controller support. This is beyond disappointing for the reason that game is literally a console title ported to mobile devices. I attempted 6 different controllers without success to make certain. In addition to controller support, there may be cloud save and a couple of graphical options on iOS. Cloud save works tremendous.
As for the controls, I used to be surprised at how well the touch controls felt. It uses the floating joystick on the left for movement and the jump button mainly for exploration. The only minor issue you may run into is that among the touch targets are a bit small on non-Plus/Max phones. They’re not an issue on iPads though. The controls are good, but Square Enix must have left full controller support since it is a console game ported to mobile.
One of my only real issues with the Switch was the technical side of things. The frame rate was poor at launch, and the graphics weren’t great either. The former has been addressed to some extent, unlike , however the latter was never fixed. I didn’t have any major issues with graphics or performance on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 12, and even iPad Pro. There are some hiccups on the iPhone 15 Pro when running at the best graphics quality setting and navigating certain areas, however it’s nowhere near as bad because it is on the Switch. The game feels a lot better on iOS. Check out the comparison of the high and low graphics options on the iPhone 15 Pro below:
On mobile, there aren’t any specific visual or frame rate settings beyond the resolution option within the display settings. This enables you to play at low, medium, or high graphics quality. These presets also affect other settings, corresponding to the frame rate limit and post-processing. This setting can only be modified from the title screen on mobile, while on PC you possibly can adjust it on the fly. I stuck to the high setting on all of my iPhones. Unfortunately, it has some minor performance issues even on the iPhone 15 Pro, as I discussed above. The low setting seems unusable as a result of how blurry it’s. On my 2020 iPad Pro, the high preset has more regular frame drops than the iPhone, and it also seems to work with some tweaked settings. Overall, even the older iPad Pro runs well with it, but not in addition to the iPhone 15 Pro as expected. Every device I tested it on, including the iPhone 12, ran a lot better with it than on the Nintendo Switch.
Visually, it looks much cleaner than the Switch even on older iOS devices when playing at a high level. Square Enix didn’t just do a bare-bones port here. It has full-screen support for gameplay on my iPhone 15 Pro, and even has a pattern or graphic to fill the screen in areas with pre-rendered or static 16:9 elements. This pattern or graphic is especially used on my iPad Pro, because it doesn’t support full-screen gameplay there. This also applies to Steam Deck to make up for that aspect ratio in parts. I’m glad Square Enix put within the work here to make certain it still looks good no matter aspect ratio.
Impressions from the steam deck
On Steam Deck, no matter my settings, I could not get the sport to run at a locked 90fps even with the low presets, while playing at 800p. I made a decision to go for a 60fps goal, and it was much easier to attain. One of the eccentricities is that the sport doesn’t let you alter the resolution while playing normally on Steam Deck. You can do this by forcing the resolution in the sport properties before launching it. On PC, it enables you to change the graphics quality (low, medium, high), anti-aliasing (off, low, medium, high), maximum frames per second (from 30 to unlimited), toggle v-sync, and adjust the display mode (windowed, fullscreen, borderless). If you are playing at 60fps, I like to recommend setting the Steam Deck OLED refresh rate to 60 to avoid judder as well.
I’ve played it on iOS, iPadOS, Steam Deck, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite, so there’s little question that the Switch version is the worst of the bunch, despite the incontrovertible fact that the web mode has been faraway from mobile and Steam. The massive performance boost and improved graphics with all of the DLC available for download at a much lower cost make the sport even higher. It’s value noting that the sport is listed as Steam Deck Playable, not Verified, because Valve claims that among the text in the sport is small and will be difficult to read. I had no issues with this, and it seems to me that Valve has previously marked games with smaller text as Verified. Either way, you possibly can safely buy this game to play on Steam Deck.
If you’ve skipped Switch, the brand new mobile and Steam ports are the method to go. While the mobile version without controller support is disappointing, it’s still a game I play frequently as a result of its improvements over Switch and the improbable core gameplay loop. All the included DLC means you’ll have enough content to last you even longer. If you value controller support in a game like this, Steam Deck is the method to go. Hopefully, Square Enix will bring more games to mobile in the long run. Right now, the iOS version is definitely among the finest mobile releases this yr.
Video Games
Polygon sold to Valt and hit with mass layoffs (update)

She learned that the video game website was sold to Click-Farm Powerhouse, and a big a part of her Masthead was released. Sales were later Announced in a press release. Many employees have published online concerning the loss of labor or that colleagues are out of labor.
“I am no longer with. If you employ, consider many talented writers and editors on the market”, ” Sent co -founder and EIC Chris Plante. “Each of them deserves a spot in your staff. I won’t discuss selling more because I used to be not involved. I intend to spend time with my child. Win where I can.”
The sale was confirmed in a press release, which didn’t mention the discharge. The price of the contract has not been disclosed. Sources say that the deputy editor Maddy Myers and the Games editor Zoë Hannah belong to those that remain in Polygon. Editor -in -chief Chelsea Stark He said the releases including over 20 employees. Vox Media didn’t answer immediately on the request for comment.
“I’ll say more later, but I haven’t got a job anymore” Common older reporter Nicole Carpenter. “I’m on the lookout for a job, like lots of my amazing colleagues. I actually have many ideas and things that I would love to write. I’m really shocked.” “I had a terrific time at work” Senior author Michael McWherttor. “Let me know if you’ve any cool job offers!”
Established in 2012 in VOX Media, the site quickly became one of the most important points of sale of original reviews, reports and cultural analysis in the world of games. The coverage of video games, movies, television, comics and board games is one of the best, while its sensitivity to the future of design has helped to raise the way of presentation and online stories.
Valtt is based in Montreal and works and other mass aggregators. The company is run by Hassan Youssefa, which started its digital media with porn websites. “Adding a polygon not only strengthens our editorial muscles, but in addition strengthens our ability to provide unparalleled value to each recipients and advertisers,” said Youssef in a press release.
In the report at the start of this 12 monthsMany former colleagues accused the present media resources of Valet of being a exploiting content of content. “There is basically bad work in journalism. And then there’s a spot like Valt,” said a former colleague. “(This) considered one of the worst places I actually have ever worked and might be considered one of the worst publications of journalism I’ve ever seen.”
Valt replied to the investigation through the position Because defamation claims that reporting was filled with mistakes and caused the founding father of the corporate “Huge emotional stress, influencing (amongst others) his mood, temperament and sleep ability”.
Wox Media Union blew up sales and exemptions that took place when it is marked in the next contract. “Probably much more demoralizing is the choice of VOX Media to sell a praised game site to an organization known from alleged conditions of exploitation and devaluation of rigorous journalism for the raising of content”, IT, IT wrote in a press release. “Lack of respect VOX Media for the fame of Polygon within the media of games, labor and passion of staff and a solid community of players and fans who support him couldn’t be more clear.”
The: “Losing to such an organization just isn’t only a loss for Vox Media, but for our industry and online culture as a complete. From a sustainable development perspective, there is no such thing as a financial or long -term sense and says concerning the lack of care and consideration for this company and its staff.”
Update 5/1/2025 17:06 ET: VOX SVP Chris Grant, which he founded, shared insight into the contract and the frustration is visible on BlueSky. “14 years ago I threw what is going to occur to a startup polygon called Sports Blogs Inclas on the undeading third floor of the DC tenement house,” he wrote. “I kept my laptop on my lap and went through the deck. Today the identical company – now called Vox Media – Sold Polygon to Valet.”
He continued: “Their press message proudly calls Polygon” Publication of Premium games “, but Valet literally refused to meet me or answer one query during this process. They were extremely optional as to how the publication of games even becomes “premium”. Really (!) I hope that the remaining POLYGON team has a likelihood to proceed working, which everyone was so cared about!
“My most honest thanks to the whole team, I’m so sorry, everything ended.”
VOX
(Tagstotranslate) polygon
Video Games
13 things we learned about Borderlands 4 after today’s great event


Today we learned loads more about During about 20 minutes, PlayStation State of Play dedicated only to Gearbox and the upcoming continuation of science-fi booty shooter.
The announced last 12 months is to be launched on September 12. This date is barely sooner than previously announced and leaked yesterday By Genera Gearbox, Randy Pitchford just a few hours before the disclosure of official messages. Since then, Pitchford claimed that changing the discharge date of the sport has nothing to do with other games corresponding to Or Regardless of this, the shooter of the shells comes out sooner than expected, so it is smart that Gearbox wanted to indicate him due to the brand new PlayStation games.
April 30 Sony broadcast a 2-minute deep immersion game In which we learned far more about the upcoming FPS. Here are 13 key information from the event.
- Pitchford claims that he could have a more “grounded tone” that can return to the unique game.
- Two latest hunters in the sport received names and we learned more about them. Vex is a robust mermaid with a ghost-thistle, which he can stroke and use in battle. Rafa is a former Tediore soldier who uses advanced technology throughout the fighting.
- He is embedded on Cairos, a brand new planet who was previously controlled and hidden by a mysterious alien generally known as a magazine. However, just a few years before the beginning of the sport, the dishonest moon crashed on the planet and caused quite a lot of chaos. (OG Lilith may very well be involved in it …)
- The looter’s behavior will support Cross Gromplay throughout the premiere. It can even will let you play a divided C0-OP screen of two players. While twiddling with others you’ll have the opportunity to set your personal difficulty, and all of the loot can be installed, so that they don’t steal the gun between friends.
- Cairos could have 4 huge zones that players can freely explore without charging screens. In the mission we saw during a demo, latest hunters infiltrated a secret black research facility with the characters of the Armata.
- You can now move on large gaps and use Zipline lines at some points during exploration or during a fight. Gearbox confirmed that sliding, double jumps and destruction have also returned.
- Players could have access to “Digirunner”, a vehicle that appears very much like Wróbel. These are one -man pillows, to which you’ll be able to be reborn at any time on the planet.
- During the exploration of Cairos you’ll discover silos. These are locations that aren’t related to side tasks, but work more like such activities that may be seen in a great game within the open world
- Most weapons manufacturers from previous games, corresponding to Tediore and Jakobs, are back. But this time the weapon may be welded with “licensed parts”. So Jakobs can have a distinct brand or barrel brand, which may change the way in which it shoots or the variety of damage attributable to him. This will make you extremely unique loot, which you can see in games much more diverse.
- Speaking of loot, Gearbox has converted how often rare loot falls and guarantees that legends can be less frequent and more powerful than in. You can even have the opportunity to unlock improvements that could make some brands more powerful.
- They will contain missions to repay and fight bosses, which should facilitate than ever grinding specific loot.
So yes, we learned loads! And I’m excited, seeing more games between now and her (sooner than planned) premiere on September 12. On PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Switch 2.
(Tagstranslate) borderlands
Video Games
Thunderbolts sounds the best MCU movie for years

Another movie Cinematic Universe Big Marvel lands in theaters this weekend. But after just a few MEH mistakes and films, Like February It seemed that MCU couldn’t get a run at home. Fortunately, in keeping with critics, there could also be a return to MCU form for a while and the best entrance to the franchise for years.
Over on Rotten Tomatoes, from 13:00 EST 29 AprilIt has 91 at the spot of aggregation after 70+ reviews. And although Rotten Tomatoes is a defective and unrelated strategy to critically evaluate movies, it may not less than provide us with general “climate control”, how film critics on the network feel about the film. It seems that the majority of them kick, if 91 sticks, it might create one in all the best rated movies of the MCU of all time.
In many reviews, the performance of Florence Pugh as a recurring yr Belova is mentioned as a particular that helps to lift the whole movie. This time, the Badass killer and the Black Widow’s sister cope with depression and the feeling that her life has no purpose. The remainder of the Thunderbolts team, with whom they meet after someone is attempting to kill them, consists of characters from previous MCU projects who are actually forced to cooperate to save lots of the day and possibly themselves. It seems that in the latest adventure of MCU superheroes there’s a shocking amount of introspection and heart, which was missing in lots of last entries.
“But for everything else, the script is doing well, his most impressive feat appears when he slowly breaks the layers of the characters,” he said Austen Goslin. “On the paper, of course, is Marvel’s answer to DC, a collection of people who did bad things that joined forces to try to buy back, saving the day. But instead of the blunt humor of both films (screenwriters) Calo and Pearson seem to be more interested in discovering what it means to these characters, to be unexpectedly that their earlier movies.
Another outstanding performance is realized by Lewis Pullman, who plays Bob, a character that is more, which may seem.
“His journey to becoming a guard is a story about mental health and extreme loneliness,” said Clint Gage in S Review. “There are days when Bob feels an unchanging sentry, and days when he cannot not let the void take over and never have a havoc. He is the right opposition for a personality equivalent to Yelena, who continually questions the things she did and the way she should take into consideration herself. When Bob forces members of Thunderbolts to look of their lives of their lives. what would go.
Critics were pleased with the undeniable fact that it doesn’t turn right into a CGI Slopfest in the last half-hour and that the motion generally stays legible, grounded and exciting, not something that could be said about many modern hits.
It also has a powerful ending in keeping with many reviews. Many critics praised the ending that it was even higher than the starting, the unusual feature of the MCU movie.
“The final act of the film is basically embedded in the head space, not above the threatened metropolis, is a testimony to the interior (not a word that often appears in Marvel’s films) a film that finds live photos from comics to realize authentic emotions from real life”, “,” Jake Coyle, AP film critic, Jake.
OnRachel Leishman summed up what many critics suggested of their reviews: that is an older MCU film less dedicated to configuring the future or squeezing in some multiry -foreheads, and as an alternative focuses on the story of a strict, well -dropped history of superheroes with characters that care about interaction. “I have always loved Marvel’s movies and I can’t wait to watch it ten times,” said Leishman.
He involves cinemas on May 2, 2025.
(Tagstranslate) Thunderbolts (T) Pearson (T) Lewis Pullman
-
Press Release1 year ago
U.S.-Africa Chamber of Commerce Appoints Robert Alexander of 360WiseMedia as Board Director
-
Press Release1 year ago
CEO of 360WiSE Launches Mentorship Program in Overtown Miami FL
-
Business and Finance11 months ago
The Importance of Owning Your Distribution Media Platform
-
Business and Finance1 year ago
360Wise Media and McDonald’s NY Tri-State Owner Operators Celebrate Success of “Faces of Black History” Campaign with Over 2 Million Event Visits
-
Ben Crump1 year ago
Another lawsuit accuses Google of bias against Black minority employees
-
Theater1 year ago
Telling the story of the Apollo Theater
-
Ben Crump1 year ago
Henrietta Lacks’ family members reach an agreement after her cells undergo advanced medical tests
-
Ben Crump1 year ago
The families of George Floyd and Daunte Wright hold an emotional press conference in Minneapolis
-
Theater1 year ago
Applications open for the 2020-2021 Soul Producing National Black Theater residency – Black Theater Matters
-
Theater11 months ago
Cultural icon Apollo Theater sets new goals on the occasion of its 85th anniversary