New York Times Connections Hints and Answers for #278 June 02, 2025

Connectionsis not a hard game to learn, but it can be really challenging. In order to get this puzzle down in the number of attempts you have, you will need to know all the words, have a good handle on the categories, the rules ofhow to playConnections, and you might even need a little bit of help. If you are running out of tries and still stumped, this article can help with general clues, specific category spoilers and hints, and even the complete answer if that’s what you’re looking for....

July 14, 2025 · 3 min · 499 words · Eric Hutchinson

Nightingale Hands-On Preview: A Brave New World

Nightingaleis finally launching into Early Access on February 20, part of an onslaught of survival games likePalworldandEnshrouded. The beauty of this particular genre is how malleable it is, because these three games are truly nothing alike. Each game approaches its survival elements differently and has a unique core conceit.Palworldis about creature collecting, andEnshroudedputs as much detail into its RPG elements as it does its survival-crafting gameplay. Aesthetically,Nightingalesets itself apart by taking a Gaslamp Fantasy approachand blending the lines between its history, real-world history, and fiction....

July 14, 2025 · 9 min · 1796 words · Derek Smith

Nvidia is Letting Developers Test DLSS Models Directly From Its Supercomputer

NVIDIAhas been on the front lines of graphics innovation for a long time. With the release ofthe RTX 30-series cardslast year, the developers looked to push the boundaries of visual performance even further. While the company has promoted technologies such as ray tracing through its line of RTX cards, another technology has made an arguably bigger impact for gamers: DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). DLSS is a technology utilized by Nvidia graphics cards to improve performance in video games....

July 14, 2025 · 3 min · 443 words · Julie Lowery

Open World Shark RPG Maneater Gets Violent Launch Trailer

First announced all the way back in 2018,Maneateris finally nearing its release. A shark RPG that may remind some gamers of 2006’sJaws Unleashed,Maneaterhas gotten a new launch trailer ahead of its May 22 release date that focuses on dark humor and over-the-top violence. TheManeaterlaunch trailer highlights the game’s story, showing the origin of the man-eating bull shark that players will control in the game. As it so happens,Maneateris a tale of revenge, with players hunting down the fisherman that killed their mother....

July 14, 2025 · 2 min · 373 words · Ann Hamilton

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Broke a Major E3 Tradition

There is a lot going on for the Pokemon Company in 2021; between the 25th anniversary ofPokemongames,New PokemonSnap, and then the announcement of bothPokemonBrilliant DiamondandShining PearlandPokemonLegends:Arceus.Pokemongames have shaped entire generations of video game fans, and they are still doing as much with new and innovative titles likePokemon Legends:Arceus, and remakes of past generations. Especially considering how much thePokemongaming community enjoyed previous remakes,Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare among the most anticipated games to come out this year....

July 14, 2025 · 3 min · 568 words · Joshua Gardner

Pokemon Fan Makes Impressive Weezing Rug

Summary APokemonfan creates an impressive rug based on Weezing, one of the most recognizable Generation 1 Pokemon from the classic Game Boy titles. Although Weezing is missing fromPokemon Scarlet and Violet, Koffing and Weezing remain popular as two of the most beloved creatures in the long-runningPokemonfranchise. Weezing is a Poison-type Pokemon that evolved from Koffing at level 35 or higher.Pokemon GOplayers may evolve Koffing into Weezing by feeding it 50 Candies....

July 14, 2025 · 2 min · 405 words · Christine Reyes

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Fan Notices Interesting Detail About Hatterene's Pokedex Entry

Summary APokemon Scarlet and Violetfan noticed an interesting but dark detail about the Pokedex entry for Generation 8 Psychic/Fairy-type Pokemon Hatterene. Hatterene is a Pokemon that prefers to be left alone, andPokemon Scarlet and Violetplayers may be caught off guard by the Pokemon when wandering into forests in Paldea. Hatterene is the final evolution of Hattena, a Psychic-typePokemon introduced inPokemon Sword and Shield. The Pokemon’s body is very thin, but its extremely long and layered hair makes Hatterene stand tall and resemble a witch....

July 14, 2025 · 3 min · 571 words · Cindy Wong

Rockstar Co-Founder Developing AAA Open World Game

Summary A recent job listing fromRockstar Gamesco-founder Dan Houser’s new studio, Absurd Ventures, seemingly confirms development is underway on a AAA open-world game. Houser began Absurd Ventures back in 2023, with many speculating over what his first independent game would look like after leavingRockstar Games. As it turns out, it may not be very different compared to his past work. In 2020, Dan Houser parted ways with Rockstar Games, the studio he co-founded and where he played a pivotal role in creating iconic open-world titles likeGrand Theft AutoandRed Dead Redemption....

July 14, 2025 · 3 min · 428 words · Mackenzie Turner

Super Smash Bros. Director Masahiro Sakurai Now Owns an Xbox Series X

TheSuper Smash Bros.franchise has come a long way since its release on the Nintendo 64. New installments ofSuper Smash Bros.have been released on nearly every major Nintendo system to launch after the N64. In many ways,Super Smash Bros.likely would not exist today without the work of Masahiro Sakurai, who is an avid lover of video games. For several years,Masahiro Sakuraihas been the heart and soul ofSuper Smash Bros.For every game in the series, Sakurai has served as director and has been at the forefront of every major decision made in terms of the franchise as a whole....

July 14, 2025 · 2 min · 419 words · Brian Mills

The Best Sweeper Pokémon

Pokémongames push trainers to better themselves to become the very best like no one ever was. This pursuit means training Pokémon thoughtfully and adapting teams to challenges they may face. It is a meticulous process that becomes even more challengingfor competitive battling. The complexities of competitive Pokémon require trainers to carefully plan out their teams and designate specific roles for each member. Every Pokémon serves a purpose, but none are as vital as Sweepers....

July 14, 2025 · 7 min · 1402 words · Anita Martinez

The Coziest PS5 Games

Summary Cozy gameshave recently increased in popularity for many players, especially those who are looking fora cute video gamethat can be played casually. They commonly focus on simple tasks such as farming, crafting, or gathering, while allowing the player to personalize their experience to have full control. Commonly, these titles tend to be developed by Indie companies and therefore spend the majority of their time on PC or handheld devices such as the Nintendo Switch....

July 14, 2025 · 7 min · 1279 words · Amy West DDS

The Elder Scrolls 6 Should Bring Oblivion's Custom Classes Back

The Elder Scrolls 6may be a long way away, but fans are already talking about what they want to see in the upcoming title – custom classes being one of them. A staple fromDaggerfallall the way toOblivion, the class system offered a set of standard options but also allowed players to customize their own class. They could then choose their favored skills, attributes, and even think of their own class name....

July 14, 2025 · 3 min · 628 words · Mark Obrien

The Elder Scrolls’ Silt Striders Are Hiding a Dark Secret

Fast traveling inThe Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowindoffered somewhat of a unique experience. Players couldn’t just click on a part of the map and travel there instantaneously, they had to seek out a method to do so. One of these methods was the silt strider, but unbeknownst to many players, this method of travel may have been the darkest to be featured inThe Elder Scrolls. Considering their powerful utility in the early game, players may have not questioned how exactly these creatures got them from point A to point B....

July 14, 2025 · 3 min · 638 words · Dustin Gordon