Most open world games these days are based on a tried and tested formula, and if you’ve played one or two, you’ll know what you’re getting into when you pick up the next one in the genre.

There’s usually a huge map to traverse, littered with quest markers and fast travel points that unlock more quest markers.

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You get a relatively linear main story and side missions to level up your character between major story pieces.

Typically, open world games hold your hand and make sure you know where to go so you don’t miss any content.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 takes most of these genre pillars and throws them away, proving that not sticking to what everyone else is doing is the way to go.

The game forces you to think about your every move, rather than mindlessly following a quest marker on your screen.

It rewards you for preparing well for your next adventure, and ensures you are well-rested and well-equipped for the task ahead.

You are encouraged to change your character’s calling and hire the right pawns into your party.

Still, the game will always punish you whenever you do something downright stupid.

This gives it an almost Monster Hunter-like feel, as Capcom’s other celebrated series are also more about preparation than the actual combat.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 makes no distinction between main and side missions, as even the most mundane task can often quickly turn into an adventure with major consequences.

The game wants you to be in charge of your decisions, good or bad, so there’s only one save file per playthrough, and it autosaves after important bits.

Fast travel is mostly limited to bullock carts between selected major locations, and even that system isn’t as simple as long-pressing a button, as things can happen along the way.

You can also travel between Portcrystals you find or place in the world, but this option is limited by the number of Ferrystones you have in your possession.

Everything in the game requires you to prepare and think, if you want to avoid or successfully deal with unpleasant surprises.

Even safe areas, such as camps and cities, are not completely safe, as random events can occur, which I won’t reveal.

Your own careless actions can turn a city against you, while aimless button pressing during combat will get you nowhere.

Unlike many other games in the genre, the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is designed for exploration rather than fast travel.

The game doesn’t reveal its secrets, but challenges you to find them for yourself, and trying to get the most out of them is infinitely more rewarding than following a question mark on your compass.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is no picnic and may seem quite challenging at first, but once you figure out what it wants from you, all the systems and quirky design choices fall into place.

Once that happens, it’s a true sandbox game that invites you to experiment with its mechanics and see how the complex world responds as you explore every corner.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 will be released on March 22, 2024 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Rating: 5/5

If you want to know more about other recent and upcoming games, check out our Alone in the Dark review.

The real estate agent who accidentally set fire to a $3.2 million home before an open house inspection had previously had a relationship with the owner, court documents show.

Julie Bundrock’s employer, Domain Residential Northern Beaches, was ordered to pay $862,315 to the owner and four tenants for negligently causing a fire that burned the house to the ground.

It can now be revealed that Mrs Bundrock was previously in a relationship with Peter Bush, who was preparing to sell the house at the time of the incident. news.com.au reported.

When questioned by Bush’s barrister, Dominic Priestley SC, Ms Bundrock said the pair had dated when they were younger and were still friends in 2019.

Ms. Bundock is not accused of any criminal wrongdoing and there is no indication that she acted with malicious intent when she accidentally started the fire.

Earlier this week, Daily Mail Australia revealed Ms Bundock herself owns two coastal properties.

The Northern Beaches real estate agent accidentally set the Avalon Beach home on fire in 2019 after noticing the current tenants had left some bedding on the deck to dry.

She threw the sheets on a shelf in a room downstairs and then turned on a lamp placed above the shelf.

Twenty minutes later a fire broke out and destroyed the entire house. It is believed that the light heated the bedding until it ignited.

Ms Bundock, who no longer works for Domain Residential Northern Beaches, has an extensive property portfolio on Sydney’s North Shore.

She owns a two-bedroom Queenscliff unit with panoramic views of the nearby beach.

She bought the clifftop property in 2004 for just $785,000 and now rents the apartment on vacation rental website Stayz for $695 per night.

‘A very private and peaceful area, the highest point of the hill. Enjoy the sounds of the waves and enjoy the sunrises over the ocean and beautiful sunsets over the hills,” she describes on the property listing.

‘Luxuriously furnished with designer finishes, recently renovated with luxurious carpets and an open plan living area leading through sliding glass doors to an extensive wrap-around balcony.

‘Designer kitchen and bathroom, king size main area, very comfortable second, views and built-ins in both. Sep toilet with sink. Study room, unlimited WiFi, washer-dryer combination, closed garage with automatic door.’

She also owns a nearby property in Dee Why, which she bought in 2007 for $290,000.

Ms. Bundock is no stranger to luxurious living.

On social media she shares photos of holidays to Vincentia in Jervis Bay and lavish trips to the snow.

On Tuesday, Avalon owner Peter Bush filed a complaint in court, along with the four tenants who lost everything in the 2019 fire.

Mr Bush told the court that Mrs Bundock said words to the effect of: ‘Oh my God Pete, I think I burned down your house’, and she did so in front of others.

‘I was doing some cleaning up. “I gathered some sheets that were drying on the porch and threw them on a free-standing metal shelf in the bedroom under the stairs,” Ms. Bundock reportedly told Mr. Bush.

‘I just threw them there, Piet, right against the light on the wall. I think that’s what started the fire.”

On Tuesday, Ms Bundock’s employer argued in court that the four tenants who rented the property at the time were responsible for the fire.

The defense stated that the tenants left the house “untidy,” forcing Mrs. Bundock to remove the bedding from the deck before the open house.

During her cross-examination, Ms Bundock said the house was ‘particularly messy’ that day and she was making it ‘presentable for sale’.

Chief Justice David Hammerschlag ruled that Ms Bundock ‘actively created the risk of fire and resulting damage’.

‘It is obvious that a fire can start if you put or throw bed linen against a burning light. That risk was clearly foreseeable, and Bundock should have known,” Hammerschlag said in his decision, also noting that the officer was an “aggressive and uncooperative witness.”

“Her evidence was clearly colored by a heightened sense that she had caused the catastrophe,” he said.

Mr. Hammerschlag ordered Ms. Bundock’s employer to pay Mr. Bush $740,642 for the loss of his home and a total of $121,475 to the four tenants, plus interest.

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Whether on or off the field, Venus Williams‘ style is the main wardrobe inspiration.

The tennis star took part in a singles match at the Miami Open on Tuesday, March 19. There was even a cat running across the field at one point during the game, but the adorable intruder wasn’t the only thing we found super cute.

Williams wore a sleeveless navy blue bodysuit with white trim, along with her white pleated skirt, visor and sneakers. This bodysuit, released through a collaboration with her brand EleVen and Lacoste, is no longer available. But we found a top that can help you get the look!

Grab the Move along with your sleeveless padded tank top with spaghetti straps (originally $32) now from just $27 at Amazon! Please note: Prices are correct at date of publication, March 20, 2024, but are subject to change.

Williams even wore the same bodysuit earlier this month while competing in the BNP Paribas Open in California Us want it even more. Luckily we noticed this Move along at the top on Amazon, which we can wear while exercising and more.

Like Williams’ bodysuit, this top has a square neckline and a white contrasting border that defines the bust. It’s even available in navy blue! You can also get it in eight other colors, including beautiful shades like apricot and purple. It also has removable padding and double-layer fabric, so you can go braless underneath.

Do you think you might want something different? Maybe a little less cropped or something in black? Do not worry. We’ve picked seven other similar options for you to check out below!

Shop more similar styles we love:

Not your style? Discover more Amazon fashion here and don’t forget to check it all out Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Aryna Sabalenka’s upcoming opponent Paula Badosa admitted it will be ‘uncomfortable’ to play against her on Friday – after the Australian Open champion’s boyfriend died by suicide.

Sabalenka’s friend Konstantin Koltsov “died by suicide” on Monday night after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami, police have confirmed.

The 42-year-old Belarusian, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was announced dead on Tuesday by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on the social messaging site Telegram.

World No. 2 Sabalenka is still scheduled for the Miami Open and lines up against Badosa on Friday. She was filmed training on the track on Tuesday, practicing despite her grief.

Badosa said, “I mean, I don’t want to talk about it. But of course. Like I said before, she’s one of my best friends.

‘Yesterday I talked to her a lot. Same thing this morning. So I know what she’s going through. I know the whole situation, what’s happening.

‘That’s a bit shocking for me to experience that too, because at the end of the day she’s my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very difficult situation.

‘Playing against her at the same time is also uncomfortable. Yeah, but I don’t really want to talk about it because I said I’m not going to talk about it. She’s my best friend and I promised that. I’ll stay like this. Sorry.’

Badosa defeated Simona Halep 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 – as the latter returned from a doping ban – to reach the next round of the Sunshine State tournament.

In footage shared by Polish sports commentator Bartosz Ignacik, Sabalenka is seen working her serve, 24 hours after Koltsov’s death was confirmed.

Miami-Dade police told Mail Sport that the investigation into Kolstov’s death is being treated as an apparent suicide.

According to investigators, Bal Harbor police and firefighters were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort in reference to a man who jumped from a balcony at 12:39 a.m. ET on Monday.

Reports from his native Belarus initially claimed that Kolstov had died of a “dislodged blood clot.”

The death of Sabalenka’s partner comes just five years after she lost her father Sergey following his sudden death at the age of 43.

Like Koltsov, her father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete has often spoken about the motivation her father inspired her in her tennis game.

Koltsov’s former club, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, wrote: ‘He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin wrote himself into the history of our club forever.

‘Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev and did a great job in the team’s technical staff.

“May his memory burn brightly.”

Sabalenka and Koltsov were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time Australian Open winner has regularly posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.

“I love you @koltsov2021,” she wrote in a message with hearts and other emojis.

“Happy birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.

‘I hope we get everything we planned. I love you.’

For support, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.

The cause of death of Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend has been revealed, with Miami police reporting an ‘apparent suicide’.

Konstantin Koltsov, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was declared dead by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram on Tuesday after the coach had a three-year relationship with Australian Open champion Sabalenka, 25 .

Sabalenka is in Miami preparing for the upcoming Miami Open, where she is seeded second, and Koltsov is said to have joined her in Florida before his shock wore off.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Salavat Yulaev’s coach, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,” the Russian club’s statement read.

‘He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin wrote himself into the history of our club forever.

‘Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev and did a great job in the team’s technical staff.

“May his memory burn brightly.”

In a statement released Tuesday, Miami-Dade police confirmed that Bal Harbor police and firefighters were dispatched to the St Regis Bal Harbor Resort early Monday morning.

“The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation into the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov. No foul play is suspected,” the statement concluded.

Earlier on Tuesday, Belarusian media outlets reported Telegraph reported that Koltsov died of “a dislodged blood clot.”

The death of the world number two’s partner comes just five years after the player lost her father Sergey following his sudden death at the age of 43.

Like Koltsov, Sabalenka’s father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete has often spoken about the motivation her father gave her in her tennis playing.

After winning her second Australian Open title in January, Sabalenka achieved a feat she previously discussed in an episode of Netflix’s tennis docu-series Break Point.

“We had one dream: that I would win a few Grand Slams before I was 25,” said the then 24-year-old.

“Now I’m 24 and there’s zero in my pocket.”

Sabalenka and Koltsov are believed to have been dating for three years after they were first linked in June 2021 and the world number two has regularly posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.

“I love you @koltsov2021,” she wrote in a message with hearts and other emojis.

“Happy birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.

‘I hope we get everything we planned. I love you.’

On International Women’s Day, Koltsov shared a photo gallery of Sabalenka, dedicated to the tennis star, with the caption: “Happy holidays, my dear, I love you dearly.”

Two months ago, Koltsov personally supported Sabalenka in Melbourne and watched her lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for the second year in a row.

Koltsov is said to have three sons from his previous relationship with his ex-wife Yulia, named Daniel, Alexander and Stefan.

In the wake of the tragedy, fellow WTA tour member Sloane Stephens appeared to respond to the news on Twitter, writing: “That moment when you can actually feel the pain in your chest when you hear or see something that breaks your heart (broken heart ). emoji).’

The former world number three did not refer directly to Sabalenka, but many fans on social media site X believe her post was written in light of the news in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Sabalenka lost to Emma Navarro in the last 16 at Indian Wells last week after knocking out former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, and is scheduled to play her first match at the Miami Open on Friday March 2022.

Known for his speed on the ice, Koltsov won the 2008 Russian Super League title with Salavat Yulaev and recently returned to the club as an assistant coach.

Koltsov was previously part of the technical staff of Dinamo Minsk and Spartak Moscow, and was also head coach at Brest and Dinamo Maladzyechna.

ARTHUR CAZAUX has been forced to withdraw from his match against Harold Mayot after collapsing on the pitch.

The 21-year-old Frenchman was locked in a third set against compatriot Harold Mayot when he fell to the ground while waiting for his return.

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As Cazaux lay on his back, a medic ran onto the court to help him.

The referee then also got out of his chair and walked over to inspect the scene.

According to Cracked Racquets reporter Damian CoastCazaux was taken off the track in a wheelchair after his retirement.

Mayot won the first set 6-4, before Cazaux fought back to take the second 7-5.

The 22-year-old was serving at 1-2, 30-30 in the deciding set when Cazaux fainted while waiting for his return.

The temperature in Miami today reached 31 degrees Celsius, with humidity around 70 percent.

Mayot will now meet former world number 7 David Goffin for a place in the main draw.

After receiving criticism on social media for his response to Cazaux’s collapse, Mayot wrote: ‘Stop starting a false controversy for nothing.

“It was a few games ago that he wasn’t feeling well and started having cramps.

“I didn’t see him fall and I thought he was down because he had cramps. When I understood that it was serious, I immediately went to him and was very worried.

‘I did my best to help. There is nothing but a great friendship and complicity between us, and there always has been.

“You need to stop sending your hate all the time. I wish him a good recovery and all the best.’

Cazaux currently sits at career-high 74 in the ATP rankings.

Last week he reached the round of 16 of a Challenger event in Phoenix, Arizona, where he lost a close match to former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.

Earlier this year he made a huge breakthrough by reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open.

He defeated Laslo Djere in the first round before memorably pulling off a huge upset by knocking out eighth seed Holger Rune in the second.

Cazaux backed up the result by beating 28th seed Tallon Greekpoor in round three.

He then bowed out to ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz in the last 16.

After his enormous result Down Under, Cazaux was given a hero’s welcome in his hometown of Montpellier.

He performed a ceremonial kick-off during Montpellier’s Ligue 1 match against Lille in January, before competing in the Open Sud de France the following week.

By Max Aitchison for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 7:07 PM EDT, March 16, 2024 | Updated: 7:13 PM EDT, March 16, 2024