Latest news with #AlanWake2
Digital Trends
a day ago
- Digital Trends
GPUs with 8GB VRAM are 2025's real budget trap
It has become increasingly hard to justify buying a graphics card with only 8GB of VRAM. Once the standard for midrange GPUs, it is now a hard bottleneck in modern games and the cracks are showing more than ever. Whether you're planning to upgrade or building a new budget PC, it's time to reconsider what you actually get with that 8GB label. Let's be clear, this isn't about raw performance alone. As we pointed out during the launch of the RTX 5060, the problem lies less in core count or clock speeds, and more in how 8GB of VRAM caps your long-term usability. Even if the card is decent at 1080p right now, it's the kind of hardware decision you'll regret two years from now. Recommended Videos Take Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a 2024 release that made headlines for its high system requirements. As per testing done by Computer Base, the game chews through VRAM at 1080p using ultra textures, forcing cards like the RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti 8GB to drop frames or crash entirely. That's not just limited to a particular title, it's becoming the new norm. Games like The Last of Us Part I, Hogwarts Legacy, and Alan Wake 2 are similarly harsh on VRAM, especially at higher settings. And no, simply lowering textures doesn't always 'fix' the problem as it can still result in texture pop-in, long asset loading, and a generally compromised experience. VRAM is the real limiting factor The conversation around GPU performance often fixates on frames per second, but in 2025, VRAM capacity is increasingly the thing separating playable experiences from broken ones. When modern game engines request more than your card can handle, it results in poor performance including stutters and crashes. It doesn't matter if your 8GB GPU technically has enough shader power, it becomes a glorified bottleneck. Worse still, newer cards with 8GB are often misleadingly marketed. Nvidia's RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti (8GB variants) look appealing on paper, with Blackwell efficiency and support for DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation. But when they choke on big textures or fail to keep up in open-world games, the real-world experience often falls short. AMD hasn't been much better. Recent cards like the RX 9070 XT and 9060 XT do bump up to 16GB, but the 8GB RX 9060 XT and even older options like the RX 7600, 6600 XT, and 6650 XT still populate store shelves with 8GB VRAM and tempting discounts. False economy in 2025 It's easy to think you're saving money by buying an 8GB card, but that short-term gain quickly erodes. As games become more demanding and AI workloads become more memory-intensive, you'll end up running into performance walls sooner than you'd expect. That leads to either compromises like dropping settings or resolution, or spending more to replace your GPU sooner than planned. If you're buying a card in 2025, aim for at least 12GB of VRAM, preferably 16GB if you want the system to stay relevant for 3–4 years. Cards like the RTX 5060 Ti (16GB), RTX 5070 (12GB), RX 9060 XT (16GB), and even some budget 7700 XT (12GB) models offer a far better long-term experience, even if they're a bit more expensive. Exceptions to the rule? Despite the growing irrelevance of 8GB GPUs in modern AAA gaming, there are still select scenarios where these cards make sense, provided the buyer understands their limitations. Esports titles like Valorant, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike 2 remain light on VRAM requirements and are designed to run at high frame rates even on modest hardware. For gamers who stick to 1080p resolution and play older or well-optimized games, 8GB cards can still deliver decent results. Similarly, budget-constrained builders, those with less than $300 to spend on a GPU, may find that 8GB cards are their only option unless they opt for second-hand GPUs with higher VRAM but lower efficiency and weaker features. There are also workloads where VRAM isn't the primary bottleneck. Media-centric systems, such as HTPCs or dedicated streaming rigs, can benefit from the video encode/decode capabilities of modern 8GB cards, especially if AV1 support or low power draw is a priority. Small form factor (SFF) builds or compact office PCs often can't accommodate large or high-wattage GPUs, and in such contexts, a compact 8GB card may be the most practical choice. Some users also rely on cloud services like GeForce Now or Adobe's AI-based rendering tools, where the heavy lifting is offloaded to remote servers. In these hybrid workflows, the local GPU serves more as a bridge than a workhorse, making an 8GB card a tolerable, if not an ideal solution. These use cases won't apply to everyone, but they do highlight that there's still a narrow but valid market where 8GB GPUs haven't been completely left behind. Final thoughts The writing is on the wall: 8GB GPUs are no longer a smart buy in 2025. Between games that already exceed that memory envelope and hardware cycles moving quickly toward more demanding workloads, buying an 8GB card today is like buying a smartphone with 64GB of storage. It technically works, but you'll regret it the moment you use it in the real world. If you want to build a PC that lasts, gives consistent performance, and doesn't force you to dial back settings in every new game, skip the 8GB options. It's no longer enough.
Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Civilization 6 and all its DLC is free right now but you'll have to be quick
Death Stranding, Marvel's Spider-Man, Alan Wake 2, and others have been discounted in the Epic Games Store Summer Sale, which includes a notable freebie too. The Epic Games Store might not be as popular as its rival Steam, but it is surprisingly generous when it comes to free games. The platform has been dishing out free games every week for around five years now. Over this past month alone, it has given out the likes of Sable, Two Point Hospital, and Backpack Hero. For the latest freebie, Epic is targeting strategy fans, with Sid Meier's Civilization 6. Best of all, it comes with all the expansions and DLC. The platinum edition of Civilization 6 is completely free right now on the Epic Games Store until Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 4pm BST. This edition comes with both expansions, Rise And Fall and Gathering Storm, along with all six DLC packs. Developed by Firaxis Games, the 2016 sequel is widely considered one of the best entries in the series. If you're unfamiliar (and as the name implies), the game involves developing your own civilisation in a race to defeat opponents, whether through military prowess, technological superiority, or cultural influence. It's a good way to test your interest in its recent sequel, Civilization 7, which came out in February this year across PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and recently Nintendo Switch 2. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Although so far most fans would agree that Civilization 6 is still the better game, especially with all its DLC. Once this offer expires next week, the next free game on the Epic Games Store will be Legion TD 2, a multiplayer tower defense game. More Trending This isn't the only bargain currently on the store. Epic is hosting a summer sale right now, which runs until July 31, 2025. Some highlights include Alan Wake 2 for £15.99, Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered for £24.99, and Death Stranding: Director's Cut for £14.39. Elsewhere, Assassin's Creed Shadows is 25% off at £44.99, while EA Sports FC 25 is a whopping 80% off at £11.99, ahead of the series' next entry. If you're in the market for a bargain in the console space, many deals from Amazon Prime Day are still ongoing and Sony is hosting a massive summer sale on the PlayStation Store. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Shadow Labyrinth review – Pac-Man meets Metroid MORE: Cyberpunk 2077 fans think new update secretly runs better on PS5 Pro MORE: Fans fear both EA Sports FC 26 cover stars have been hit by FIFA curse
Digital Trends
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
How to join the FBC: Firebreak closed beta test
We're just weeks away from the release of Remedy's upcoming video game set in the Control universe, FBC: Firebreak. Unlike Control or Alan Wake 2, FBC: Firebreak isn't a single player third-person shooter but a co-op focused multiplayer game. The trailers how off a distinctly Remedy-style game, with strange events and monsters around every corner, but if you were drawn to the studio's past games for being single-player experiences, you might be unsure about this one. Thankfully, you have the chance to dive into the Oldest House early by signing up for the closed technical test. Here's our memo on how to do it. Recommended Videos Difficulty Easy Duration 5 minutes What You Need Email address How to join the FBC: Firebreak closed technical test Remedy is hosting a short closed technical test to make sure the game is stable and ready to go when it launches on June 17. The test will begin on May 15 at 6 AM P.T and conclude on May 19 at 2 pm P.T. Since this is a closed test, not everyone will make it in, so let's get you signed up for a chance to play ASAP. Step 1: Head over to the official FBC: Firebreak test signup page. Step 2: Scroll to the bottom and enter your email address. Step 3: After completing the capcha, you will get a verification code sent to that email you will need to enter. Step 4: Agree to the terms and conditions and hit Sign Up., That's it! You're now in the lottery to get into the FBC: Firebreak closed technical test. Those who are selected will get an email informing them they got in and further instructions on how to access the test. Remedy did not specify how many people will be chosen for this test, nor when emails will be sent out, so all you can do at this point is cross your fingers and hope you get it.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
5 best survival horror games to play while waiting for Resident Evil 9
5 Best Survival Horror Games to Play While Waiting for Resident Evil 9 Still no official word on Resident Evil 9, and the wait is agonizing. Lucky for you, there are plenty of terrifying games that'll keep you on edge until Capcom finally drops the next chapter of bio-terror madness. From mind-bending psychological horror to gut-wrenching gore, here are five of the best survival horror games to play while waiting for RE9. Alan Wake 2 - Launch Trailer | PS5 Games 1. Alan Wake 2 Think Resident Evil meets Twin Peaks, but on steroids. Alan Wake 2 ditches the action-heavy vibes of the first game and plunges straight into survival horror madness. You'll play as both Alan Wake and FBI agent Saga Anderson, flipping between their stories as you try to escape the clutches of The Dark Place. If you love RE's mix of horror and storytelling, this one's a no-brainer. What Makes Dead Space So Good? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Small Electric Car for Seniors in Iraq: Prices That Will Surprise You Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo 2. Dead Space (Remake) Classic survival horror? Check. Disgusting mutant abominations? Double check. A protagonist who just can't catch a break? Triple check. The Dead Space remake brings back Isaac Clarke's worst nightmare with jaw-dropping visuals, brutal dismemberment mechanics, and an even creepier atmosphere. Outlast 2 - Launch Trailer | PS4 3. Outlast 2 If you think Resident Evil's first-person horror is scary, wait till you experience Outlast 2. No weapons. No combat. Just you, a camcorder, and a whole lot of running for your life. You play as a journalist investigating a disturbing cult in the middle of nowhere, and let's just say, things go south real fast. The game thrives on psychological horror, insane chase sequences, and a sense of helplessness that makes every second feel like a life-or-death situation. Silent Hill 2 Remake - the BEST thing about it 4. Silent Hill 2 (Remake) Resident Evil is all about zombies and bioweapons, but Silent Hill 2? Pure psychological torment. The remake is a visually stunning, emotionally devastating experience, bringing James Sunderland's twisted journey back to life. The fog-drenched streets, grotesque creatures, and deeply unsettling story make it one of the best horror games ever. THE EVIL WITHIN 2 Trailer 5. The Evil Within 2 The Evil Within 2 takes everything great about the first game and cranks up the horror and storytelling. Open-world sections add a layer of exploration, while the grotesque enemies and limited resources keep the tension high. Plus, you get to mess around with stealth, crafting, and some truly insane boss fights. Waiting for Resident Evil 9 doesn't have to be painful—these five games will keep you screaming, sweating, and questioning your life choices in the best way possible. Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2023 GOTY Nominee Is Discounted on the PS Store for a Limited Time
2023 was a stacked year for video games. Baldur's Gate 3, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4, and so many more games populated the PS5 with arguably some of the greatest games of all time. This includes a at that year which is currently at a considerably low price on the PS Store. Developed by Finnish game studio Remedy Entertainment, Alan Wake 2 is currently $29.99 on the PS Store. Typically, this game is priced at $59.99, which means this limited-time sale gives PS5 players a 50% discount on one of 2023's best video games. This is just the Standard Edition of the game, so it only comes with the base game. However, players that know they'll enjoy the game can pick up the Deluxe Upgrade for $10, a 50% discount from the upgrades usual $20 price tag. That means players can grab everything the game has to offer for just $39.99. Anyone interested in this Alan Wake 2 offer will have to grab it soon. This sale ends on February 27 at 2:59 A.M. ET. 'Fueled by the horror story, supernatural darkness invades Bright Falls, corrupting the locals and threatening the loved ones of both [Saga] Anderson and [Alan] Wake,' reads the game's description. 'Light is their weapon—and their safe haven — against the darkness they face. Trapped in a sinister horror story where there are only victims and monsters, can they break out to be the heroes they need to be?' When Alan Wake 2 launched in October 2023, it received an average score of 89 on the review aggregate site Metacritic across 71 critic reviews. It won several awards at The Game Awards 2023 including Best Game Direction, Narrative, and Art Direction. It was also nominated for Best Score and Music, Audio Design, Performance, Action/Adventure Game, and Game of the Year. The post 2023 GOTY Nominee Is Discounted on the PS Store for a Limited Time appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.
