News

This week on The Anime Effect: LeAlec, Leah and Nick give a rundown of all the anime you can look forward to this spring, the titles they're the most excited for and more! In our audio-exclusive episode, we fill you in on the latest news in the anime world, including Digimon Beatbreak coming in October, highlights from AnimeJapan 2025 and more! Episode 57 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you're waiting to watch the video episode, it'll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. Et. Listen or Watch on: Episode 57 Summary In this week's news episode, Leah, Nick and LeAlec discuss some of the biggest news that came out of AnimeJapan 2025 like Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc releasing in September and the latest on New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt , among other updates. Plus, we...

This week on The Anime Effect: Actors Neil Newbon and Devora Wilde join the podcast to talk about what The Sims can teach us, fostering an inclusive fanbase and how they would voice anime characters from popular titles. Artist d4vd returns to the podcast as co-host to talk news, recommendations and a burning question from a fan of The Anime Effect. We fill you in on the latest news in the anime world including a Spy x Family shoe collab, a Gridman movie coming to Crunchyroll and a release date for The Apothecary Diaries Season 2! Episode 38 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you're waiting to watch the video episode, it'll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. Et. Listen or Watch on: Episode 38 Summary In this week's episode, LeAlec, Leah and guest host...

Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3 is filled to the brim with choices, but there's one junction point that happens on a uniquely large scale. After finishing up the party's business in the Emerald Grove and nearby Goblin Camp, the time eventually comes to move on to a new area, and two paths offer divergent methods of kicking off the journey toward the city of Baldur's Gate. The Mountain Pass and the Underdark both sound threatening in their own ways, but both the hazards and rewards of taking either approach are ultimately radically different.

The Mountain Pass, true to its name, is an overland approach that brings the party through winding hills that can be found to the east of the Goblin Camp. The Underdark, on the other hand, plunges the journey into a dangerous subterranean environment that can be accessed through the Goblin Camp's Defiled Temple or several other entry points.

Bing Bong, the unofficial mascot of Baldur's Gate 3, gets a second chance with an improved mod on Nexus Mods. Creator robogena's "Better Bing Bong" mod adds quality-of-life improvements like level scaling and new skills. Larian Studios recognized fans' love for Bing Bong, making him canon in a post-launch update interaction.

Devout Baldur's Gate 3 players are likely very familiar with the unfortunate story of Bing Bong so those who want to give the beloved imp a second chance can now do so with this improved mod. While he may not be a character that actually appears in Larian Studios' RPG, Bing Bong has become somewhat of an unofficial mascot for Baldur's Gate 3 thanks to a memorable performance by the game's cast during an actual-play Dungeons & Dragons performance before launch. His fate may have been tragic, but fans have never forgotten him.

Over on Nexus Mods, creator robogena shared their upgraded...

In RPG games, companions are some of the most important parts of the story and player’s journey. If written correctly, they can make the game’s narrative even better. Baldur’s Gate 3 built upon this and made waves in the gaming community due to its intriguing story and well-defined companions.

It boasts a diverse cast of companions, each with their own unique personalities and stories. However, one companion who stands out the most from the start is Lae’zel. She was super aggressive from the start, to the extent that developers felt the need to nerf her personality a little bit.

Adjusting Aggression: Baldur’s Gate 3 Balancing Act

Larian Studios nerfed Lae’zel’s aggressive nature toward players | Baldur’s Gate 3

In an interview, the developers at Larian Studios shed some light on the decision they made to keep the companion characters’ story engaging. They also discussed their reason behind nerfing Lae’zel,...

Roxace's stunning Lae'zel cosplay received Larian Studios' seal of approval, impressing the official Baldur's Gate 3 account. Roxace showcased their cosplay process, transforming into the Githyanki warrior with accurate details and impressive makeup work. Their attention to detail extends to other Baldur's Gate 3 characters like Shadowheart, earning praise from the community.

A stunningly accurate Baldur's Gate 3 cosplay has received developer Larian Studios' seal of approval. After years in Early Access on PC, Larian's RPG was released last year to incredibly high critical acclaim, going on to win many Game of the Year awards and even making its way onto Screen Rant's "Best Games of All Time" list.

Belgian cosplayer Roxace took to X to share a video of their Lae'zel cosplay, which truly brings the character to life. This post caught the attention of the official Baldur's Gate 3 account, which shared the post with the caption "The fiercest Githyanki in all of Fay-run!

Baldur's Gate 3 covers only a small part of the Faerûn setting, and a sequel could have gone in many directions. Locations like Waterdeep could provide far-flung journeys, while the Upper City could stick close to home. It's possible a new Faerûn game could happen at a different game studio.

Baldur's Gate 3 isn't getting a continuation from developer Larian Studios, but taking a look at the game's setting in the larger context of Faerûn shows just how many interesting directions a sequel could have taken. As the central continent of the Forgotten Realms, a Dungeons & Dragons world with years of rich history behind it, Faerûn is a vast and varied expanse that boasts the complexity necessary to support countless adventures. The city of Baldur's Gate and its immediate surroundings make for some of the coolest locations in Faerûn, but they're far from the only to have significant potential.

The news that...

Lae'zel's dating profile was revealed by the voice actor Devora Wilde, which showcases her endearing yet awkward persona. Lae'zel seeks a reliable ally, not just romance, in a comedic twist on dating services in Baldur's Gate 3. Wilde's humorous portrayal of Lae'zel highlights her ego and humor while rejecting the nickname "Bae'zel."

Lae’zel’s dating profile in the world of Baldur’s Gate 3 has now been somewhat officially revealed in a humorous act put up by the character’s voice actor, Devora Wilde. The githyanki Fighter is one of the most emblematic Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3. While she initially comes off as a harsh hero to the point of sounding rude and unpleasant, her development through the campaign of Larian’s award-winning RPG grants her the post of one of the most endearing figures in all of Faerûn.

If players choose to romance Lae’zel in Baldur’s...

Illithid Powers in Baldur's Gate 3 can have consequences, with certain party members disapproving of their use while others approve. Overusing Illithid Powers, and making two specific choices at certain points in a playthrough, can lead to one of the game's bad endings, so it's important to use them sparingly and be mindful of their effects. While there are risks involved, the benefits of using Illithid Powers outweigh the potential drawbacks in combat situations.

Baldur's Gate 3 grants players access to the immensely powerful Illithid Powers, but doesn't make immediately clear whether they have any long-term consequences. These abilities are revealed and improved upon throughout the game. Some Illithid Powers are equivalent to other in-game spells or abilities, like Charm or Horrific Visage, but can be cast without magical ability or expending a spell slot. Others, like Inkblot or Aberrant Shape, are completely unique, reflecting their sinister and otherworldly origin.

[Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for one possible ending of Baldur's Gate 3.]

In case...

Romancing Lae'zel in Baldur's Gate 3 requires dedication and patience, but it leads to one of the most rewarding character arcs in the game. Lae'zel prefers directness and violence, appreciating decisions that demonstrate intimidation or dominance, making her a unique romance option. Pursuing a relationship with Lae'zel means being unable to romance other Origin characters, like Shadowheart.

Out of all the romances in Baldur's Gate 3, a love interest with the githyanki Origin character Lae'zel is one of the most rewarding the game has to offer. While at first, her rather harsh exterior wouldn't seem to lend itself well to a budding romance, sticking it out could result in one of the most satisfying character arcs possible. Like most romances in BG3, it won't be easy, however, and there are a lot of pros and cons that come with romancing the savage warrior.

At the beginning of the game, sparking that initial...

Larian Studios revealed statistics for Baldur's Gate 3 since its launch in August. One of the pieces of new information reveals a shocking lack of involvement with a romance option. The forsaken romance option is one of the best characters and the game and offers the largest character development.

One of the several romance options in Baldur’s Gate 3 definitely deserves a lot more love, especially after the developer Larian Studios shared some interesting statistics about players’ most common love interests. In the popular RPG, players can progress through the story and, during the course of the catastrophic story, develop relationships with most of their closest companions. Some of the options include fan-favorite companions like Astarion and Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3, as well as the vile Minthara. There are also a few one-time flings that players can engage in, though they lack more emotional depth and tend to only satisfy primal desires.

Baldur's Gate 3 touches on violent and tragic associations of DnD races, but some fantasy races, like gnolls, are left unexplored in terms of their creepy lore. The story of Yeenoghu, the god of gnolls, could have added more intrigue and peril to Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3, as it aligns thematically with the game's exploration of loyalty and agency. The gnoll encounter in Baldur's Gate 3 represents a significant difficulty spike and could benefit from more build-up and exploration through a quest line to enhance the player experience.

There's plenty of creepy content in Baldur's Gate 3, but some dark secrets involving a fantasy race that appears in the first act of the game are left untouched. As a video game adaptation of the tabletop Dungeons & Dragons experience, Baldur's Gate 3 has decades of storytelling to draw from. While plenty of DnD material focuses on the fun side of adventuring, the vast...

Romancing Lae'zel in Baldur's Gate 3 requires proving oneself through actions, as her loyalty to githyanki traditions values martial prowess and mental strength. The change to Lae'zel's romance requirements may be a response to speedrunners exploiting the game to quickly reach the romantic milestone. Patch 4 not only adds the requirement for proving worth to romance Lae'zel but also includes fixes to her Act 2 material, dialogue, and animations.

It might feel like building a relationship with Lae'zel in Baldur's Gate 3 has suddenly gotten harder than it's ever been before, and there's a particular reason why this is the case. Interpersonal connections and romances play a big part in the game, especially when it comes to the Origin characters that can join the party in Act 1 thanks to the shared struggle of mind flayer parasites. Navigating these links can be tricky, especially when it comes to winning over characters who don't share the...

Baldur's Gate 3 has a variety of funny characters that provide comic relief in the midst of danger and drama. Characters like Lae'zel, Naaber, His Majesty, and Volo bring humor through their witty dialogue and amusing behavior. From dry humor to hilarious misunderstandings, these characters add a lighthearted and enjoyable element to the game.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a world packed full of danger and drama, so it’s good to have a little comic relief here and there. While some characters add to the tension and story with serious cutscenes and complex questlines, others provide some much-needed fun throughout the game. They don’t all have huge roles to play in the epic plot, but every time one of these characters is on the screen, it is a joy.

As the party travels around the Sword Coast in search of a way to rid themselves of those pesky tadpoles, they...

Baldur's Gate 3 avoids filler content and monotonous quests, instead offering engaging and bespoke sidequests that match the quality of the main story. The game's quests feel immersive and natural, avoiding arbitrary task assignments and instead presenting unique objectives that heighten the sense of reality within the world. Baldur's Gate 3 mimics the experience of a great Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master, focusing on challenging and infrequent combat encounters with environmental opportunities and non-violent solutions.

Baldur's Gate 3 may be a long experience, but developer Larian Studios found some smart ways to make it engaging across the full course of its runtime. It's possible to play through the game in an efficient manner, skipping sidequests and random activities to focus on the main story experience, but focusing on speed doesn't feel like the most rewarding way to take on its challenges. Although the ways in which Baldur's Gate 3 maintains interest and variety may not...

Baldur's Gate 3 has wowed everyone with its attention to detail and nuanced characters. The third installment in the beloved Dungeons & Dragons-based RPG series continues the adventure in Faerûn, this time tasking its heroes with stopping a mind flayer plot.

Bringing the complex characters of Baldur's Gate 3 to life is a talented roster of voice actors, including Resident Evil Village's Maggie Robertson and Neil Newbon of Detroit: Become Human fame alongside well-known actors J. K. Simmons and Jason Isaacs. Joining this impressive cast is Jennifer English, best known for her role in Elden Ring, who voices Shadowheart, the team's guarded half-elf cleric. As one of the more complex companions, Shadowheart's personal quest and romance add an extra level of depth to Baldur's Gate 3, enhanced by English's performance in the role.

Related: Devora Wilde Wants Players To "Give Lae'zel A Chance" In Baldur's Gate 3

Screen Rant sat down with Jennifer...

Baldur's Gate 3 has exceeded expectations as a popular RPG with interweaving stories and complex characters, keeping players engaged for hours. Devora Wilde voices the fierce githyanki warrior Lae'zel, who stands out among the companions and has a nuanced character arc, including the possibility of a touching romance. Wilde did not anticipate the game's success and was initially overwhelmed, but ultimately embraced the role, finding it to be the most complex video game project she has worked on.

Baldur's Gate 3 has surpassed expectations and become one of the biggest hits of 2023 so far. The much-anticipated sequel to the beloved Dungeons & Dragons-based RPG continues the adventure on the Sword Coast of Faerûn in and around the titular city. With interweaving stories, complex characters, and the fate of the world hanging in the balance, there's plenty to keep even the most discerning player busy for hours.

Baldur's Gate 3 boasts an impressive...

Video game production has become such an involved process that studios often hire consultants and other third-party professionals most people wouldn’t traditionally associate with game development. But when you’re making a video game that even other major companies would consider overkill, you really need even more help than that. That’s one of the reasons why the Baldur’s Gate 3 team utilized the services of a position not typically seen outside of film and television.

Recently, BBC published an article about the trials, tribulations, and experiences of Jennifer English and Devora Wilde. Arguably the most fascinating factoid revealed in the article was that Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian Studios actually hired someone to ensure the game’s many actors felt at ease during some of the more potentially awkward recording sessions.

For those who need a refresher, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the latest entry in the legendary Baldur’s Gate franchise.

Documentary

Bestselling Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain has narrated “For Love,” a documentary feature that centers on the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the Canadian foster care system. Twain is a longtime children’s rights advocate via her Shania Kids Can Foundation.

In May, Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc First Nation discovered the remains of 215 children at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia, which thrust the issue of Canada’s past policies of forced assimilation onto the international spotlight, with the number of discovered children’s remains in unmarked graves, rising above 1,000.

The film is directed by artist and filmmaker Matt Smiley. It is produced by Smiley and Mary Teegee of Carrier Sekani Family Services whose previous collaboration, the documentary “Highway of Tears,” pushed the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women into the public dialogue in 2015.

“For Love” was filmed all Canada with various First Nation,...

Here’s the latest episode of the The Filmmakers Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on the official podcast site, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.

For those unfamiliar, with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro budget indie films to bigger budget studio films and everything in-between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their film making experiences from directors, writers, producers, screenwriters, actors, cinematographers and distributors.

The Filmmakers Podcast #186: ‘The Dare’ podcast special! Making our horror film with...

From the Horror Collective and Millennium Media comes the anticipated trailer for The Dare! Check it out before the movie is released on March 3rd on VOD, digital, and in theaters for one night only. Also in today's Horror Highlights: release details for Mondo's Godzilla: A Poster Show, The Long Dig, From the Stars... A Vampiress: An Unauthorized Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures, and The Deep Ones.

The Dare Trailer Revealed: "The official trailer for the upcoming award-winning horror film The Dare has been unleashed for all to experience! The film, which was produced by Millennium Media and is being distributed by The Horror Collective, will be released on March 3rd, 2020 on VOD and digital platforms. It will also have a limited, one-night release in theaters that week.

The film features lead actor Bart Edwards, who plays Urcheon in Netflix’s hit series The Witcher. Additionally, horror icon Richard Brake...

Stars: Jessica Cameron, Ria Fend, Jess Impiazzi, Akie Kotabe, James Kermack, Danielle Harold, Carl Wharton, Devora Wilde, Anthony Ilott, Marcia Do Vales, Barry Jay Minoff, Ayvianna Snow, David Lemberg | Written by Michael William Smith | Directed by Dan Brownlie

A live streamed, publicity stunt, filmed inside London’s most famous scare attraction takes a terrifying turn as the event awakes an evil spirit. Something relentless and seemingly unstoppable starts stalking the celebrity guests through the claustrophobic halls of this maze of terror.

The Tombs was, if memory serves, filmed a number of years ago in London at the scare attraction The London Tombs… Making this, despite being filmed some time ago, the latest film in a current spate of hunted attraction films to have hit DVD (and VOD) shelves, following on from the likes of Haunt, from the writers of The Quiet Place, and The Asylum’s Clown. Both films from...

Templeheart Films, the producing company behind Paul Hyett’s Heritiks and Andy Edwards’ Ibiza Undead, are set to unleash a new kind of monster in The Tombs, which has just finished filming at The London Tombs, The London Bridge Experience’s horror themed tourist attraction.

Directed by Dan Brownlie (Self-induced Nightmares, Serial Kaller), The Tombs stars Jessica Ann Brownlie (Valley of the Witch), Jess Impiazzi (The Only Way Is Essex), Marcia do Vales (Ibiza Undead), Jessica Cameron (Truth or Dare), Akie Kotabe (Humans), Anthony Ilott (Wrong Turn 6), Ayvianna Snow (Heretiks) and Devora Wilde (Rush).

Official Synopsis:

A clutch of C-list celebrities and the tabloid press have gathered at ‘The London Tombs’ to participate in a publicity stunt for a new horror movie being launched They and the cast are to take part in a filmed challenge in which their task is to find the skull of notorious necromancer Robert White.

Diamond Select Toys will be in attendance at this year's Toy Fair in New York City to display some new items, including Vinimates based on the upcoming The Dark Tower movie. Also in today's Horror Highlights: a clip of tonight's episode of Paranormal Lockdown, a Capture Kill Release trailer, a gameplay tutorial video for Injustice 2, cover artwork / preview pages for Little Nightmares, and behind-the-scenes photos from The Tombs.

The Dark Tower Vinimates from Diamond Select Toys: "Four months after New York Comic-Con, Diamond Select Toys is returning to the Jacob Javits Center in New York City for the annual International Toy Fair. Once again, Dst will unveil new items to retailers and press, and Dst is known for surprising people! Below, you’ll see some of the upcoming items that will be on display at the show, including new licenses Dark Tower, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales!