Lighting: Gaming’s Unsung Hero

Most Fine Art posts onKotaku tend to show stuff like environment art and character design because they’re the best fit for a website. Sadly, this often ignores a lot of the great work done in other areas of games development that are just as important in determining how pretty a video game looks. I’ve done…

Absolutely Perfect Force Awakens Cosplay

There’s just so much to love here. The cosplay for starters, of course, but also the dedication: while the lightsabers have (duh) had some photoshop work done, that hellish weather was the real deal. Rey is Nixie Sweet, Kylo Ren is FenixEmber. All photos by Jason LaBoy

Look At This Custom Detective Pikachu Amiibo

GandaKris makes custom Amiibo. She’s made some excellent pieces over the last few months, but none so wonderful as this Detective Pikachu He’s got the hat, yes, but also a rug! And some tea! And a pipe! You can see more of GandaKris’ work (and order commissions) at her Facebook page UPDATE: There’s also some…

Winning The Battle Of Stalingrad In Two Turns

Unity of Command is a smart, tough, turn-based strategy game set in the Second World War that’s one of the best in the genre. With its emphasis on logistics, the Battle of Stalingrad should be one of the game’s most gruelling encounters. Should. Benjamin Thomas found a way to do what the Germans could not,…

The Week In Games: Another Dimension, New Galaxies

Megadimensional Neptunia VII? Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth? Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel? Gravity Rush Remastered? It’s a week filled with games wanting to take use to strange places, and we can’t be everywhere at once. It’s one of those weeks where my the knot in my gut twists tighter with every game I add to…

Seinfeld x Persona Would Be A Show For The Ages

Seinfeld clips overlaid with Persona 4’s UI? Triggerhappypilot, this is good work. While the joke itself is nothing new, it’s crazy how well this all comes together once the pictures are in motion. That music… (via Super Punch)

Still Waiting On A Good Mobile Digimon Game

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth arrives on the PlayStation 4 and Vita this week, and it sounds like the game digital monster fans have been waiting for. Digimon Heroes, released this past week for iOS and Android? Not so much. Digimon Heroes is a riff on the popular Puzzle and Dragons. Players collect, enhance and evolve…

Announced viaNintendo of America Twitter butt shot, Bayonetta and Corrin arrive in Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS this Wednesday, February 3.

Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: Totally Game Developer Barbie

Earlier this week Mattel introduced its 2016 Barbie lineup, packed with new shapes and sizes and one exciting new profession. Game developer Barbie is a great idea, though while I’ve seen plenty of devs working from a laptop on a crystal cylinder, I think we can do better. I’m actually impressed by what Mattel is…

Sunday Comics: Not How The Law Works

Welcome to Kotaku’s Sunday Comics, your weekly roundup of the best webcomics. The images enlarge if you click on the magnifying glass icon. Nerf NOW!! by Josué Pereira. Published January 29. Read more of Nerf NOW!! Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich. Published January 25. Read more of Awkward Zombie Penny Arcade by Jerry Holkins and…

Final Fantasy XV‘s Combat Kicks Even More Ass Now

Remember the exciting battles fought in the second coming of Final Fantasy XV Episode Duscae? They’ve got nothing on the awesome Niflheim base battle footage show during the finalActive Time Report. Check out new combos, warp kills, magical explosions and more. Check it out. I’ll walk through some of the cool new features quickly for…

Killer Instinct‘s Latest Returning Fighter Has A Friggin’ Dragon

During today’s Killer Instinct Cup at PAX Middle (I’m in the South, and it’s not here) Iron Galaxy revealed the new look for classic character Kim Wu. She’s come a long way since Killer Instinct 2. East Asian martial artist Kim Wu was 17 years old when we last met. Fans have been eagerly awaiting…

Old Wolverine Feels Dangerous Again

Wolverine can heal pretty much any physical wound he suffers. But the emotional ones? Not so much. Originally published 1/27/16 The Wolverine that most comic-book fans grew up reading has been dead for more than a year. Laura Kinney—his female clone previously known as X-23—has adopted the mantle of Wolverine, trying to deliver justice in…

My New Best Friend Is A Blade & Soul NPC

NCsoft’s martial arts MMO Blade & Soul is filled with colorful non-player characters voicing their enthusiastic praise, desperate pleas for help or dramatic plot advancement. Then there’s Ronsul. She’s the best. Most non player-characters with services to offer pour on the charm, enticing the player. Ronsul, a Dragon Trader posted at the Sandstone refuge, doesn’t…