Finding weed stems in Grounded 2 seems like a much bigger hassle than it actually is, thanks to some specific naming conventions and the survival game’s puzzle-like design. You’ve probably seen several weed stem candidates already without realizing it, just because the game doesn’t outright call the plant in question a weed. Below, we explain where to find weed stems in Grounded 2 and what you need for the job....

Ah, the days of CRT displays. It was the era where the average TV could adequately render the way pixel art games were meant to be played. With newer tech, the graphics on retro games get upscaled, which often ends up ruining what games look like. But thanks to a new update to the Nintendo’s Classics app, you can now play Super NES games with an improved CRT filter on...

Well, that didn’t even last two months. Just after the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, I wrote about how, despite the tremendous amount of FOMO, I, like so many gamers, felt the Nintendo Switch 2 wasn’t a necessary purchase just yet. Most consoles don’t provide marked upgrades at launch and often won’t have a robust games line-up for some time. The Switch 2 is no different, with only Mario...

It is a universally understood fact that dragons are supposed to be cool, at least in theory. Perhaps this is why the recent reveal of Mega Dragonite in Pokémon Legends: Z-A hasn’t sat well with at least some of the fandom: the souped-up version of the tangerine wyvern is as cute as it is goofy. Some aspects of these criticisms are easy to understand: Mega Dragonite now has two sets of...

Finding Grounded 2‘s acorn shells and acorn tops is one of the first big challenges in Obsidian’s survival game. Tracking them down takes you further afield than you’ve likely been so far, and you’re not alone. Some of Grounded 2‘s biggest early-game threats are lurking in the grass. Below, we explain where to find acorn shells and acorn tops in Grounded 2 and what to expect on the journey. Where...

Building friendships should be the number one activity on every Tales of the Shire Hobbit’s to-do list. By improving your friendship level with each of the fifteen locals, also known as the Bywater Townsfolk, you can unlock new conversations, shop upgrades, fishing spots, trading opportunities, and even room expansions. Even among friendly neighborhood Hobbits, however, forging friendships takes more than a day’s work. Here’s everything you should know about friendships...

Foraging is probably one of the easier activities in Tales of the Shire compared to fishing and cooking, but there are some secrets to the art of plucking mushrooms and gathering berries that you may not know about, such as seasonal preferences, unexpectedly helpful insects, and the difference between foraging and gardening ingredients. From butterfly guides to the best foraging location in early game, here’s everything a foraging Hobbit should...

Gardening is an important pastime in Tales of the Shire. A proper Hobbit needs a proper garden full of fruits and veggies — including any ingredient that can’t be foraged in the wild. If you want the best garden in Bywater, simply sowing some seeds is not enough; you must also water your plants and mind their companions. This Tales of the Shire gardening guide will show you how to...

The Nintendo Switch 2’s new features include Joy-Cons that can become a mouse. I’ve personally been wondering which game will allow us to take full advantage of mouse controls, and now I know: Mario Paint. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to get artsy, then this 33-year-old classic game, now available for Nintendo Switch Online members as part of the July game updates, might be just the thing you’re...

On paper, a cozy little game set in the Shire sounds like a slam dunk. The Shire is canonically a beautiful, peaceful, inviting little place, and a game that lets you customize your own personal Hobbit hole sounds delightful. But in practice, Weta Workshop’s new life sim, Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game, sadly falls as short of its quest as Boromir. Published by Private...