The latest My Nintendo rewards are puzzling

The latest PUBG update adds Ranked Mode and a range of other gameplay changes. It’s good news for players frustrated with shotguns, that’s for sure.

We don’t write about PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds very often these days. The once plucky battle-royale is now part of the video game furniture, quietly ticking along with regular updates and survivor passes.

However, update 7.2 adds a long-awaited and radical new mode, so we thought we’d mention it.

PUBG‘s new Ranked Mode is for up to 64 players and features no Red Zones. PUBG Corp says the intention is to make the best loot more readily available to the game’s best players.

Some balance adjustments have also introduced to “strengthen the characteristics of each weapon type.” The biggest change can be seen in shotguns, which now inflict more damage on the head and limbs, have a reduced accuracy penalty during movement, less damage drop at range, and better hip-firing accuracy.

Other changes ushered in by update 7.2 include tweaks to the main menu navigation bar, improved tire wear indicators, and slew of bug fixes.

You can chew over all of the new additions by reading update 7.2’s comprehensive patch notes.

The update is available now on PC, Stadia, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

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Minecraft Dungeons headlines this week’s lineup of new PlayStation 4 releases.

Minecraft Dungeons doesn’t feature mining. And nor does it feature crafting. It does, fortunately, feature dungeons.

The newly renamed Mojang Studios has partnered with Double Eleven for the console port of this procedurally-generated dungeon crawler. The game looks beautiful, plays like a dream, and is an accessible entry point to the genre. It might lack a little depth compared to Diablo and the like, but that’s no bad thing. It’s a hack and slash experience for all the family.

The fifth game in WayForward’s long-running Shantae franchise also comes to PS4 this week. Shantae and the Seven Sirens received a warm welcome on its Apple Arcade debut last year, but we think it will feel more at home on console. Expect another enjoyable Metroidvania wrapped up in glorious visuals.

Other new games include Let’s Sing 2020, Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen, and Camel 101’s psychological horror, Those Who Remain.

Here’s the full list of new PlayStation Store releases for the PS4, PS VR, and PS Vita. We’ll add any late additions to the list throughout the week.

New PlayStation 4 releases: May 25-29, 2020

Monday, May 25, 2020

• No releases

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

• Castle Pals
• Minecraft Dungeons
• Rune Lord
• Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

• Many Faces
• Wizards: Wand of Epicosity

Thursday, May 28, 2020

• Atomicrops
• Bug Fables
• Hotel R’N’R
• Let’s Sing 2020
• Shantae and the Seven Sirens
• Those Who Remain

Friday, May 29, 2020

• Genetic Disaster
• Little Misfortune
• Pong Quest

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Bookmark the Thumbsticks new releases page for the latest games. You can also stalk us on social media via Flipboard, Facebook, Google News, and Twitter.

This week’s episode of State of Play will feature an extended look at upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusive, The Last of Us Part II.

Sony has announced that the next State of Play video will be broadcast this Wednesday and is focussed entirely on naughty Dog’s promising new action-adventure and game, The Last of Us Part II.

The game’s director, Neil Druckmann, will lead viewers on a 20-25-minute-long preview that covers the game’s story, characters, and threats. It will conclude with around eight minutes of never seen before gameplay.

The Last of Us Part II – State of Play

• Time: May 27, 2020 – 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm BST / 10pm CEST
• Watch: Twitch / YouTube

The game itself will be out in just under a month, coming exclusively to PS4 on June 19, 2020. It’s available to pre-order now via the PlayStation Store, Amazon, and other online retailers.

You can reacquaint yourself with the game by watching the recent story trailer for The Last of Us Part II right here.

Sony also says that this week’s State of Play will not include any information on the company’s next-generation PlayStation 5 console.

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Minecraft Dungeons and Shantae and the Seven Sirens headline this week’s lineup of new Xbox One releases.

Minecraft Dungeons is the week’s big new Xbox One game. The family-friendly dungeon crawler from Mojang Studios blends fast-moving hack-and-slash combat with the aesthetics of Minecraft to delicious effect. It’s not the next Torchlight, but it’s a polished co-op experience for intrepid explorers of all ages.

Another highlight is Shantae and the Seven Sirens from WayForward. The game returns to the franchise’s roots with another colourful instalment of exploration and platforming.

Other new Xbox One games include the dark fantasy adventure Little Misfortune and psychological horror, Those Who Remain. We also presume that the release of Ultimate Fishing Simulator means we’ll never need to buy another fishing game.

Each new release can be purchased from the Xbox One digital games store and Microsoft online store. Here’s the confirmed lineup.

New Xbox One releases: May 25-29, 2020

Monday, May 25, 2020

• No releases

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

• Minecraft Dungeons

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

• Castle Pals
• Many Faces: Console Edition

Thursday, May 28, 2020

• Atomicrops
• Shantae and the Seven Sirens
• Those Who Remain

Friday, May 29, 2020

• Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
• Genetic Disaster
• Georifters
• Indiecalypse
• The Last Scape
• Little Misfortune
• Ultimate Fishing Simulator

If you’re looking for some video game bargains, read our roundup of this week’s new Xbox One sales and promotions.

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Bookmark the Thumbsticks new releases page for the latest games. You can also follow us on social media via Flipboard, Facebook, Google News, and Twitter.

This week’s lineup of new Nintendo Switch releases includes some 2K classics, the return of Shantae, and a brand new Minecraft game.

There’s a jam-packed week ahead on the Switch with a slew of great games coming to the Nintendo eShop.

We’ll take a deep breath and start with a couple of new games. First up is Minecraft Dungeons. It’s a family-friendly dungeon crawler that effortlessly combines a tried-and-tested gameplay formula with the iconic Minecraft aesthetic. It’s probably not a classic of the genre, but it’s accessible, polished, and lots of fun.

Shantae and the Seven Sirens is the fifth game in WayForward’s long-running series of visually resplendent action-adventure games. The little we played of it on Apple Arcade suggests its back-to-basics approach was the right choice.

The biggest release of the week – for long-time Nintendo fans, at least – is Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. The classic Wii RPG gets a visual and audio upgrade and a whole new epilogue that runs to around 10 hours. On this occasion, the ‘Definitive Edition’ subtitle sounds well earned.

2K Games is also releasing three content-packed compilations: Borderlands Legendary Collection, BioShock: The Collection, and XCOM 2 Collection. For players of a certain age – cough – the chance to replay Irrational’s 2007 classic in handheld mode will likely prove irresistible. Each collection is also reasonably priced, and teaches EA a thing or two on bringing older games on the Switch,

Other new Nintendo Switch releases include the Sega arcade classic Thunder Force AC, Little Misfortune, and Adam’s Venture: Origins.

We’ll keep this page updated throughout the week with any last-minute changes. Here’s the full lineup of new Nintendo eShop releases as it stands.

New Nintendo Switch releases: May 25-30, 2020

Monday, May 25, 2020

• No releases

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

• Minecraft Dungeons
• Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

• Ailment
• Missile Command: Recharged

Thursday, May 28, 2020

• Atomicrops
• Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
• F-117A Stealth Fighter
• Fly Punch Boom!
• Game Tengoku CruisinMix Special
• Hill Climbing Mania
• Resolutiion
• Let’s Sing 2020
• SEGA Ages Thunder Force AC
• Shantae and the Seven Sirens
• Synaptic Drive
• Turmoil

Friday, May 29, 2020

• Adam’s Venture: Origins
• Castle Pals
• Climbros
• Despotism 3K
• Genetic Disaster
• BioShock: The Collection
• BioShock Remastered
• BioShock 2 Remastered
• BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition
• Borderlands Legendary Collection
• Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition
• Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition,
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
• Flux8
• Indiecalypse
• Little Misfortune
• Moonlighter: Between Dimensions (DLC)
• XCOM 2 Collection
• Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
• WildTrax Racing

Saturday, May 30, 2020

• #womenUp Super Puzzles Dream
• Undead and Beyond

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More from Thumbsticks

Visit our new releases page for regular Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 updates. You can also follow Thumbsticks on Facebook, Google News, Twitter, and Flipboard.