Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz’s 2019 horror movie The Lodge has stuck with me for its suffocating atmosphere, the brutal isolation of its location, and a snowbound setting that keeps the outside world at bay while slowly driving its occupants mad with cabin fever. But what lingers most isn’t just the cold location: It’s how the movie explores the ways hatred can spiral into something worse. The filmmakers let the characters’ traumas fester unchecked, trapping them in a situation where the emotions are as cold as the world outside the titular location.

Launching your first game on Steam is always scary, given how busy Valve's storefront is and how quickly anything can get lost in the shuffle, especially if you're not a big name. But LORT developer Big Distraction is counting its blessings today as the new roguelike inspired by Risk of Rain 2 reaches an impressive six-figure milestone just a few days after its early access release.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: Indie dev behind new Risk of Rain 2 style roguelike celebrates "absolutely nuts" launch as it shifts 100,000 copies in three days

There are plenty of games in which you can climb that mountain over there. Some of them, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, or Death Stranding, even take the act of climbing pretty seriously. In these games, the weather, the air temperature, and your stamina are all factors you’re going to have to consider as you succumb to the deep human urge to get to the top of a thing.

The first big Europa Universalis 5 update is looking to be just what it needs as developer Paradox Tinto aims to build on a largely excellent foundation to ensure EU5 can truly cement its spot among the best grand strategy games around. The team has had plenty of time to watch a wide audience get to grips with everything on offer, which allows the kind of in-depth, rigorous testing that you can only get once your game is out. Based on this, it's tackling some key frustrations, including the fine balance of enemy-AI aggression, and the somewhat stale nature of its economic system.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: Europa Universalis 5 is fixing AI aggression and economic woes, and stopping the Holy Roman Empire from being "gobbled up"

A forgotten TV adaptation and an unlikely producer crossed paths in the 2000s, revealing a lesser-known chapter in the life of a modern Hollywood icon.

Fans will always remember Mark Hamill for his iconic take on The Joker, but before that, the "Star Wars" actor portrayed another deranged DC baddie.