Terry O'Neill 08/06/2025 Terry O'Neill 08/06/2025

Keep An Eye On: Highlights From Xbox Games Showcase

Following other major showcases this weekend, Xbox is eager to show off the games, both first- and third-party, they will be bringing out in the next 12+ months.

*Like those before it, the Xbox Games Showcase was full of interesting titles*

Once more Xbox returns to take the early morning slot on the Sunday, bringing with them a whole host of new and returning upcoming titles for our viewing pleasure. Microsoft have been on their game the last few summers, announcing a slew of amazing games coming to Xbox, both Xbox and PC Game Pass, and even some to Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s Switch consoles. It’s no doubt the teams at Xbox Game Studios and their partners have been hard at work, and while some games are still MIA (just where is Everwild, anyways?), we have still had more than enough new releases to shake a stick at. So here are some highlights I think are worth spotlighting from Xbox’s Game Showcase this past weekend.

The Blood of Dawnwalker

The debut title from Rebel Wolves, a new studio staffed with multiple veterans from CD Projekt Red, The Blood of Dawnwalker is a brand new single-player RPG, set in a dark and twisted version of medieval Southern Europe. Players take on the role of Coen, a young man forced into the lifestyle of the Dawnwalker, trapped between humanity and immortality after being cursed while trying to save his family. In this new trailer, we get to see some gameplay for The Blood of Dawnwalker, with some fast-paced swordplay, mystical vampire powers, all manner of creepy critters you wouldn’t want to see under your bed, and buckets of blood to round it all out. We don’t have a specific launch date yet, but The Blood of Danwalker will release on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5 in 2026.

Ninja Gaiden 4

Announced back in February of this year as a revitalization of a much-loved IP from a legendary Japanese studio, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a passion project from Ninja Theory with the intent to bring a brand-new entry to modern systems for fans old and new alike. As part of a long-running partnership with PlatinumGames, Ninja Gaiden 4 displays signature PlatinumGames DNA spliced with familiar combat fans of the Ninja Gaiden series have come to enjoy. This new trailer for Ninja Gaiden 4 shows off lengthy, stylish combos, frenetic close-quarters combat, and plenty of flying limbs. Both protagonists also get a look-in, with resident ninja Ryu Hayabusa taking a bit of a backseat for newcomer Yakumo. It won’t be long before we get to see how their intertwined stories unfold, as Ninja Gaiden 4 launches on October 21st for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5.

Beast of Reincarnation

I’ll be real with you, reader, this next trailer caught me off-guard. A Game Freak game that’s not locked to just Nintendo’s consoles (Yeah, okay, I know Little Town Hero exists) was only one thing that shocked me. The other is that Game Freak evidently has enough talent to make beautiful-looking games, which makes the progress(?) of the Pokémon series all the more questionable. What didn’t shock me was the frame rates. At first, I thought it was just the stream, but watching back the above trailer shows some janky frames. But I’m leaning towards optimism. Beast of Reincarnation shows combat and cutscenes of a game where the main character, Emma, and her dog must take on multiple large foes, similar to Shadow of the Colossus or Eternal Strands, with the main goal being a giant, plague-ridden beast that brings death wherever it goes. No set date for this, but Beast of Reincarnation is targeting a 2026 window, and will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5.

Clockwork Revolution

Next up, we got another in-depth look at Clockwork Revolution, the game that stood out most for me, personally. And it was a juicy trailer, over 5 full minutes of cutscenes and gameplay. Such a deep dive leads me to believe developers inXile are pretty far along in development, meaning a release date should be right around the corner. However, we got a cryptic “in due time” announcement for its release. Okay… Anyway, the gameplay shown off feels like a healthy blend of Bioshock Infinite, with some inspirations from Fallout, and maybe just a little dash of Dishonored. But most noticeably is how player choice will be a focus, as we get to see how much the world around us changes as we progress, and it seems there will be a good amount of replayability as we choose to shape the future, but just as importantly, the past. As alluded to earlier, there’s no set date or year for Clockwork Revolution, but it seems pretty far along, so hopefully it launches soon. It will be coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC when it does.

Aphelion

Combining nerve-wracking mountaineering and exploration on a frozen planet with many a near-death experience to the backdrop of a gripping music track, Don’t Nod’s newest title, Aphelion reminds me of their previous work on Jusant, but on a grander scale. The gameplay shown in the trailer features a lot of falling down and one life-threatening scenario after another, but it’s clear that to survive this hostile environment and regroup with the player character’s partner, Thomas, we must push through everything in a bid to get home safely. However it seems the planet isn’t as devoid of life as initially believed as we get a hint of something that sounds nasty at the end of the trailer. We have a broad 2026 release window for Aphelion, but we do know it’s coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5 when it launches.

MUDANG: Two Hearts

The title MUDANG: Two Hearts sounds like a cosy, turn-based JRPG. Cosy, turn-based JRPG this isn’t. What it does appear to be is a fast-paced, third-person shooter with sci-fi technology, similar to Ghost Recon. With certain stealth action titles currently MIA, it’s time for new IPs to step up to the plate. And that’s exactly what MUDANG: Two Hearts is doing. The trailer shows a mix of cutscenes and a lot of sneaking, with multiple playable characters stuck in various different scenarios across diverse locales, all with the goal of ensuring they don’t get caught. And for those that do, we get some chaotic melee combat. The trailer also alludes to some sort of infection that causes people to attack players, reminiscent of rage infected or zombies. There’s a lot on show, and the graphics on display are nothing short of stellar. Another 2026 release date for this one, coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5.

Aniimo

Bloody violence can only get you so far, and sometimes you just need some adorable creatures to pass them time with. But that doesn’t mean Aniimo is completely violence-free. What kind of monster-catching game wouldn’t feature a little violence? This shiny trailer shows off a beautiful art style, and unique takes on familiar animals. Players get to explore a vast, open world in this brand new, free-to-play ARPG. But it’s not just the protagonist we control in Aniimo, as we get a look at controlling a bunch of the various monsters we encounter as we explore, discover loot, and battle other critters. Like Palworld before it, we get a glimpse of what the Pokémon series could be if more time and effort was put into it, something that seems far worse when we can see what Game Freak themselves can do. Aniimo has a 2026 window, where it will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and mobile.

ROG Xbox Ally/ROG Xbox Ally X

Rounding out this list is the only hardware announced at the showcase, the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X. Sticking with the naming system, these two handhelds are premium hardware with the goal of bringing Xbox gaming to your hands, just about anywhere. The Ally X features an AMD Ryzen 72 Extreme chip alongside 24GB of memory and 1TB of storage. The lesser of the two, and most likely the cheaper, instead features an AMD Ryzen Z2A, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. No set release date or price for these two handhelds, but rumours are indicating a holiday 2025 release. Only time will tell.

And there we have it, fols. What I think are upcoming releases worth keeping an eye on from the Xbox Games Showcase. Some notable titles remain MIA, such as Fable and State of Decay 3, but Xbox head honcho Phil Spencer has promised a big year for Xbox in 2026, mentioning returning franchises and hinting at the return of a franchise “that has been with us from the beginning.” We’ll see more in due time.

I created this website as I feel the state of the games industry and games reporting as a whole has gotten overly negative and full of clickbait. While I understand both of these are a great way to generate engagement, it’s a detriment to those gamers (like myself) that are just trying to enjoy games and not have to worry about the negativity of the current state of the gaming industry. I want a space where gamers can come for unbiased news that doesn’t rely on clickbait or rumours with a dash of humour and have the opportunity to share their passion for games.

Terry O'Neill 07/06/2025 Terry O'Neill 07/06/2025

Keep An Eye On: Highlights From Summer Game Fest 2025

The main event at Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest has wrapped up and it featured a number of games I recommend you keep an eye on.

*Keigh-3 has come and gone for another year. But what games should you keep an eye on?*

Early June is like Christmas for gamers. Developers hold on to all their big announcements in anticipation of the long weekend that is now Summer Game Fest (formerly E3), where they can garner the most attention from gamers coming together to see what’s coming in the second half of the year and beyond. Even the steady stream of video game releases tends to dry up around the summer time, giving players some much needed breathing room to focus on their backlogs or games that released earlier in the year. Here are some of the games shown at SGF that I think are worth watching out for.

Mortal Shell 2

I know, I know. Another Soulslike. But hear me out. When the original Mortal Shell arrived back in 2020, the Soulslike genre wasn’t overflowing with multiple choices vying for your attention. The twist for Mortal Shell is alluded to in the title. There was a fantastically fun body-swapping ability, allowing players to swap between “Shells” to unlock new abilities or gain a second chance in combat. Mortal Shell 2 intends to expand on the game as any good sequel should, offering a bigger world to explore, enhanced combat, grotesque bosses, and new Shells to master. Players looking to give Mortal Shell 2 a shot can sign up for the closed beta set to launch in early 2026, over on their website. The full game will be launching later in 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles.

Mouse: P.I. For Hire

We got another brief look at my personal GOTY contender, Mouse: P.I. For Hire. If this is the first you’re hearing of P.I. For Hire, it’s a first-person shooter with an art style reminiscent of Steamboat Willie, the basis for Mickey Mouse. This new snippet shows off a ton of zany new gameplay, showing off just how gory the retro-inspired shooter can be. I personally love seeing fun, over the top gory gameplay set to some swinging beats, and it’s all against a gritty, crime-filled backdrop. We also hear the dulcet tones of legendary voice actor Troy Baker, taking on the role of titular character Jack Pepper. Mouse: P.I. For Hire is set to launch later this year for Nintendo Switch consoles, PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles, and PC.

Game of Thrones: War for Westeros

A lot of fans were left feeling disappointed after season 8 of Game of Thrones wrapped up (and to a lesser extent, season 7). While the show’s ending can’t be rewritten, from the looks of the trailer for Game of Thrones: War for Westeros, fans of the show who also enjoy video games can have a chance to set whatever outcome they most desire. Foregoing a traditional RPG approach, the developers over at PlaySide instead opted for a real-time strategy experience, giving gamers a more direct approach to how they will handle the series’ major wars. The trailer shows what would happen if the North lost the Long Night battle, and that’s only the beginning of what possibilities await players. Game of Thrones: War for Westeros is targeting PC when it launches in 2026.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Another classic Japanese franchise gets remade for the modern age (sorry, Dino Crisis). The newest action-packed trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword demonstrates fantastic swordplay as the player cuts through enemies in a veritable bloodbath. We get a brief look at the protagonist, Miyamoto Musashi as he wields the legendary Oni Gauntlet and cuts his way through demons from the underworld known as Genma. Another game that features plenty of gory gameplay (I see you noticing a trend), the graphics and world design look absolutely phenomenal, and I’m eager to jump into Onimusha: Way of the Sword when it launches in 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Dying Light: The Beast

I have a wonderful love/hate relationship with the Dying Light series. I loved the first one, didn’t really enjoy the second one. I could go on and on about why I didn’t enjoy Dying Light 2, but instead I’d rather be cautiously optimistic about Dying Light: The Beast. Originally planned as a DLC for DL2, over time The Beast grew so big Techland decided to release it as a standalone title, with the handy catch that if you already bought the deluxe edition of DL2, you get The Beast free of charge. Abandoning the narrow city streets and vast open rooftops the series is known for, The Beast is focusing more on delivering a horror-based approach. Gone is the hardcore parkour, replaced with more stealth and subterfuge ad returning protagonist Kyle Crane hunts down those who experimented on him. We won’t have to wait too much longer as Dying Light: The Beast will launch on August 22nd for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Acts of Blood

I hope I’m not the only one thinking upcoming beat-em-up Acts of Blood feels like a cross between The Raid and Sifu. Or maybe it’s more akin to a video game adaption of The Raid, I don’t know. What I do know is the trailer shows off a bunch of brutal hand-to-hand combat which, wouldn’t you know it, also features a lot of blood. Okay, fine, maybe there’s a trend in my choices. But if you enjoyed Sifu and Midnight Fight Express too, chances are you’ll be interested in Acts of Blood. The trailer is short, but shows off gritty combat in even grittier locations. Acts of Blood will launch in summer 2026 for PC.

ILL

Body horror and visceral dismemberment in video games are right up my alley (where did I go wrong?), so when the trailer for ILL played on-stage at SGF, I immediately took interest. Described as a brutally realistic first-person action horror game, ILL features all kinds of ugly mugs you’d rather not stumble across down a dark side street. The world we’re shown is grim and will no doubt challenge even seasoned horror pros. The game’s realistic physics are shown to comedic effect as the main character takes part in a game of Kick The Baby. Sadly, we don’t have a release date for ILL just yet, but we do know it’s coming to PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 when it does.

Into the Unwell

If Mouse: P.I. For Hire earlier in the list caught your eye, or if you enjoyed Cuphead’s retro art style, then maybe Into the Unwell is also a game worth checking out. This third-person roguelite sees players take control of several heavily medicated and severely drunk misfits that have to fight off their inner demons. Quite literally, as shown in the trailer. You can choose to go it solo or team up with two teammates, whatever appeals to you most. For example, I’ll be playing solo because I got no friends. We didn’t get a release date for this one, but we do know it’s coming to PC when it launches.

Felt That: Boxing

I genuinely had no idea how to feel after Felt That: Boxing was alluded to. And then the trailer played. Boxing puppets was not on my 2025 Summer Game Fest bingo card, yet once the trailer started to play, no other game stood out to me as much. The puppets in this trailer look incredibly realistic, to the point I though I was watching a live action trailer. But no, the game just looks that good. There’s also a good measure of dark humour sprinkled in and we see a bit of how the game’s physics-driven combat looks, and it’s only then when it becomes clear that it’s a video game and not a live-action(?) show. Like other titles on this list, Felt That: Boxing doesn’t have a release date, but it’s been confirmed for PC when it launches.

Resident Evil: Requeim

I have to cap off this list somewhere, and what better way to do it than to pull a Capcom and go “one more thing.” Yes, after not one, but two individual teases throughout the night, Capcom pulled back the curtain on what we all knew was coming, Resident Evil 9: Requiem. Fans were left somewhat disappointed when Resident Evil: Village voice actress Maggie Robertson showed up to announce… a Resident Evil sale. But at the very end of the show, Konami did hit us with the trailer for Resident Evil: Requiem, the latest iteration in the survival horror franchise. And the first part of the trailer left us guessing what it was. But when things start unfolding, we get a glimpse at what we can expect from Resident Evil: Requiem, and it might just feature a return to familiar places alongside worn out faces. What’s better is we don’t have too long to wait overall, as Resident Evil: Requiem is set to launch on February 27th, 2026 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5.

So there you have it, then. These are what I reckon are some of the highlights worth keeping an eye on from this year’s Summer Game Fest. Are there others you’re looking out for? Let us know in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 05/06/2025 Terry O'Neill 05/06/2025

Just What Is Undead Labs Teasing Us With?

State of Decay developers Undead Labs has uploaded a cryptic image to their Facebook account that is leaving players scratching their heads.

*Though it’s very cryptic in its depiction, it does not give much of an indicator it’s zombie-focused. So what is it?*

We’re mere days away from the Xbox Games Showcase this Sunday, and it seems that the studio behind the excellent State of Decay series, Undead Labs, is teasing… something. What exactly that something is is anyone’s guess, but it doesn’t appear to be directly related to their open-world games.

The image they teased seems to feature some kind of design carved into the earth, not too dissimilar to crop circles. The runes depicted look Nordic in design, which may be another indicator of what we can expect from the developers once they decide to share more information. There are more hints to be found over on the Undead Labs website, which features a codex to help translate the glyphs.

While the updates are just begging to be decrypted, nothing really points in the direction of a zombie game. Norse mythology, astrology, and even ancient runes all come to mind when checking out the website. While State of Decay is what the studio is best known for, I think they might be hinting at a brand new IP they are working on alongside State of Decay 3.

Speaking of State of Decay 3… it’s been 5 years since it was revealed at Xbox’s 2020 Games Showcase, and we’ve seen almost nothing new since then, save for a new trailer last year. While it seems far along in development, it’s impossible to tell, as we only got brief snippets of gameplay mixed in with cinematics. Here’s hoping we hear about it on Sunday.

What do you think this cryptic teaser could be, well, teasing? Let us know in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 05/06/2025 Terry O'Neill 05/06/2025

Keep An Eye On: Highlights From Sony’s June State Of Play

We have now had Sony’s summer State of Play, so let’s take a look at what I think are some particular standouts from last night’s stream.

*Sony shadow-dropped their State of Play. Sorta. Okay, fine, they announced it the day before*

Another State of Play has come and gone, and while it might not be the one to kick off the usual summer of gaming, it is the first of the bigger showcases we’re getting this summer. Sony showed off a plethora of games to generate interest, some newly, some we already knew, but all in, an interesting start to our summer of Keigh-3. Here are some that caught my eye.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger

I was never really into the Digimon franchise as much as Pokémon, but looking at this trailer for the latest Digimon game, maybe I backed the wrong horse. Now, Pokémon will always have my heart, but I say this as a long-time fan: It needs to be better. This trailer for the upcoming Digimon Story: Time Stranger truly showcases what Pokémon should be. As one of the most popular (and most profitable) IP of all time, Pokémon pales in comparison when it comes to games, if nothing else. The latest trailer for Digimon Story: Time Stranger shows off a bit of everything; the story, the characters to encounter, and the sheer breadth of Digimon growth and customization on offer. And the best part? It launches on October 3rd for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

We’re currently 0-2 for games that I’ve previously had no interest in that I now have an interest in. Whether my tastes have changed or the games simply look like that much fun, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, the first remake in of the third game in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, looks absolutely amazing in the marketing we’ve seen so far. And the newest trailer is no exception, either. Focusing more on the numerous stealth scenarios players will get into, it also shows off a healthy amount of combat with regular enemies and bosses alike. We also get another look at the Ape Escape mini game, before rounding it out with a look at what can only be Metal Gear Online. Snake Eater launches on August 28th for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Pragmata

Originally targeting a 2022 release, Capcom’s upcoming sci-fi game Pragmata was then delayed into 2023, with a trailer showing off just what kind of over-the-top, mind-bending goodness we can hope to expect to tide us over. Sadly, it slipped from its 2023 release, but has now resurfaced as part of Sony’s Summer 2025 State of Play with a new launch date of 2026. This new look at the game asks us “What comes after dreaming?” before showing off a stunning, utopic future set on Earth, before the video fades to black before we come to in the shoes of protagonist Hugh Williams. We then get a smattering of cutscenes and gameplay mixed together, where we see a better look at what Hugh and his ward, Diana, can do in-game. The video ends with an animated apology card from the devs, announcing the 2026 release. We don’t have a set date yet, but Pragmata will launch in 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Romeo is a Dead Man

Where do I even begin with this one? Romeo is a Dead Man did not look appealing to me in the first 30 seconds of its reveal. But that very quickly changed as the trailer unfolded and I got to see just how absolutely bonkers the game truly is. Combining anime-style artwork for some of the cutscenes with fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay, the aforementioned Romeo (who is a dead man, kinda) must take on hordes of actual dead men, women, weird skull snake bosses, and everything in between. This might sound pretty average for a zombie action game, but words truly do it no justice. Give the trailer a watch and just see for yourself. There’s far more to this game than I’ll go into now, but we also get a rapid fire montage of gameplay and witty dialogue, which seems to feature mini-games, manga strips, and anime scenes. Romeo is a Dead Man launches in 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Tides of Tomorrow

What if Waterworld was bright and vibrant instead of damp and miserable? The fabled storytellers over at DigixArt (the minds behind Road 96) return to try their hand at multiplayer story-telling. No, no, no, wait! Come back! I know you might be sceptical of how well that will work out, but judging by the trailer for their newest project, Tides of Tomorrow, I would actually hazard a guess that they can pull it off. The main twist we see in the trailer for Tides of Tomorrow is that other players choices and actions could make your personal playthrough easier or harder. It’s unlikely we’ll have to worry about griefing, as the game is still focused on telling a story, but it’ll be interesting to see just how much each individual playthrough will differ from the next. As the story unfolds, you will see ghosts of other player’s actions and how they might hinder your own progress. Tides of Tomorrow will launch on February 24th, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

So, there you have it. Those are the games that I think are worth watching out for from Sony’s latest State of Play. Will you be picking up any of these games? Sound off in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 03/06/2025 Terry O'Neill 03/06/2025

The Witcher 3 Will Receive Official Mod Support

CD Projekt Red has announced official mod support for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, coming to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox later this year.

*It seems we’re not done with The Witcher 3 just yet*

If you’re patiently waiting for the release of The Witcher 4 or the remake of the original The Witcher, and nothing else seems to scratch that itch for you, then you’ll be happy to know that CD Projekt Red is planning to update The Witcher 3 with official mod support on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles, slated for later this year.

The news comes from a blog post over on the official Witcher website as part of the 10-year anniversary celebrations of The Witcher 3. Players looking to avail of mod support will need to have a mod.io account, which they can sign up for free of charge. More information can be found on the blog post, including other FAQ.

*Mods will breathe new life into the already overflowing game.*

Though mods will be available on consoles, they can only be created on PC. Furthermore, not all mods that are created will be available via the cross-platform mod support, and mods will not be coming to previous-generation hardware.

The Witcher 3 already has a huge amount of content, and that’s not even factoring in its two major DLCs. With the release of official mods, players can once more dive into the vast open world as Geralt and start a brand new adventure, replete with new quests, armour, weaponry, and much more.

Will you be diving back into The Witcher 3 once mods arrive on consoles? Let us know in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 30/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 30/05/2025

Xbox’s Handheld Pushed Aside In Favour Of Project Kennan

Though it’s still some ways out, Microsoft might be benching their first-party handheld to instead focus on the third-party Project Kennan.

*We’re not entirely sure what Microsoft’s plan currently is, but we’ll likely find out during their showcase next month.*

In what can only be described as what is becoming a classic Xbox move, the company seems to be shifting focus from its own first-party products to put all its attention on the third-party handheld, Project Kennan. Critics of the platform will no doubt find this par for the course, but most will likely be watching to see what unfolds from this supposed plan.

As we already know, Project Kennan is currently deep in development in partnership with ASUS, with a planned release for sometime this year. Swapping time and resources to the third-party device is likely to try and guarantee a release for later this year, probably to ensure it ships in time for the holiday period.

This new update comes via Jez Corden of Windows Central, who says the current goal for Microsoft is to get Windows 11 into a more stable state for third-party handhelds - like the Kennan. The push to ensure everything is running fine for the Kennan’s release is most likely to focus on having Game Pass good to go out the gate.

Microsoft is also seemingly hard at work on the next-generation Xbox, which is set for around 2027, if things go according to plan, though they have not officially confirmed anything just yet. My guess would be that the focus is on having Project Kennan launch later this year in a bid to catch up on the PC handheld market, followed by the NextBox for 2027, and finally the first-party handheld for sometime after that hits the shelves.

It remains to be seen what Xbox is up to, but we might not be waiting too long for more insight into their plans, with the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8th. Will you be tuning in to see how things play out? Let us know in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 29/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 29/05/2025

EA Cancels Black Panther Game, Shuts Down Cliffhanger Games

In classic EA fashion, the publisher has cancelled the Black Panther game in production at Cliffhanger Games and lays off the development team.

*It seems we will never get a consistent Marvel Gaming Universe*

After the overall financial success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it feels strange that Disney hasn’t really been pushing hard with the expansion of the Marvel IP to other mediums. While the comics continue to be consistent, there hasn’t been as much headway made with video games. And what we have had has been maddeningly inconsistent. In fact, you can rely on how consistently inconsistent the Marvel video games are.

When Insomniac’s Spider-Man launched in 2018 to critical and commercial success, gamers assumed it was only a matter of time before we got a Marvel Gaming Universe. And while we did get multiple other titles featuring some of Marvel’s massive roster of heroes, for every fun and interesting game like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, we would get a rather lackluster release like Marvel’s Avengers. As much as I personally loved Spider-Man, I didn’t end up enjoying Spider-Man 2 as much. I haven’t even finished it.

And then we have games, like Marvel’s Black Panther, that cancelled before release. Though we didn’t have a whole lot of information on the game, there was still potential. But EA must not have seen the potential as now the game is scrapped and the studio, Cliffhanger Games, shuttered. Cliffhanger join the evergrowing list of studio closures over the past few years.

Announced back in 2023, details on the game were actually pretty light, with this being the first real news we got about it. What little we did know about Marvel’s Black Panther was that it was going to be an open-world game and the developers have since come out and said it was a “beautiful and stunning-looking game,” so it was at least far enough along to have excellent graphics, by the sound of things.

It’s not all doom and gloom for the devs, as some will be moved to other projects, but hopefully the remaining staff can find new jobs soon. There’s been no word on EA’s Iron Man game, so it might still be in the works. How do you feel about this news? Sound off in the comments!

Terry O'Neill 28/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 28/05/2025

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Gets October Release Date

It’s almost time to dust off your PokéBalls, Trainers. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is heading to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on October 16th.

*Love or hate the direction the games have been taking (or haven’t been), there’s no denying this latest artwork is clean*

The latest news for Pokémon Legends: Z-A has just surfaced, bringing with it the game’s launch date of October 16th, 2025. Preorders for the next title in the long-running monster-catching series will go live on June 5th, just over a week away from time of writing, and will be available on both Nintendo Switch consoles.

The base Nintendo Switch version will be fully playable at launch, but there will also be an option to unlock the Nintendo Switch 2 version by purchasing an upgrade pack, which will be available via the Nintendo eShop and My Nintendo Store. There’s no mention if this is a limited-time offer, so it should be possible to upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Z-A, no matter when you get your Switch 2.

To coincide with this announcement, the game’s cover art, seen above, has been revealed. Additionally, brand-new Mega Evolution plushes and other similarly themed products are also available over at the Pokémon Center website. And to round things out, the Pokémon Company International invites fans to the upcoming Pokémon Presents on Tuesday, July 22nd. No further information has been shared, but it feels safe to say we will get a more in-depth look at the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, probably running on Nintendo Switch 2.

What do you think of the cover art? Will you be tuning into the next Pokémon Presents, or will you wait for the October release? Sound off in the comments!

Terry O'Neill 24/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 24/05/2025

Embracer Group Struggles To Embrace The Future Of Gaming

Video game publishing behemoth Embracer Group is planning to break apart its massive business and divide its assets among different studios.

*Sadly Embrace Group do not rename themselves after The Division*

After years of collecting game studios and a whole host of IP like Infinity Stones, Embracer Group are no longer embracing the concept of owning everything in existence. Instead, as part of their financial strategy report for 2025/2026, it appears that Embracer will spin off some of its businesses to hopefully increase the company’s overall financial health and provide additional value to their shareholders.

Embracer currently has over 70 games in development, which it plans on leveraging to drive further profits and additional investments from shareholders while hopefully enticing new ones. These games will remain unaffected at their respective studios while the split takes place. While Embracer will split off Coffee Stain Group into its own division, they will also be rebranding themselves as Fellowship Entertainment after the Lord of the Rings IP they currently have control over.

Coffee Stain Group will be focusing on continuing live-service games and those with recurring updates, such as Deep Rock Galactic, Goat Simulator, Satisfactory, Teardown, Valheim, and Welcome to Bloxburg. Meanwhile, Fellowship Entertainment will retain ownership of other IPs such as Kingdom Come Deliverance, Metro, Dead Island, Killing Floor, Darksiders, Remnant and Tomb Raider, “amongst more than 300 other gaming IPs.”

CEO Lars Wingefors’ own private investment company, Lars Wingefors AB (great name, by the way, very original), will be creating a new privately held company named Embracer AB (noticing a theme here), as LWAB is the largest shareholder. Embracer AB will be interactive and support Coffee Stain and Fellowship as a long-term shareholder.

This appears to be the latest way for Embracer to try and mitigate recent financial troubles, and we will see just how well they fare in the coming months and years. How do you feel about such a large company needing to break off into smaller groups? Let us know in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 23/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 23/05/2025

Atomfall’s First DLC Launches Early June

If you enjoyed the limey countryside featured in Atomfall and are itching for more, its first DLC Wicked Isle has been announced for June 3rd

*What a terrible lantern, it will never light the way ahead*

It’s almost time to dust off your recently completed save file for Atomfall, as Rebellion has just announced the first DLC, Wicked Isle, is just a few weeks away. Atomfall’s Wicked Isle is launching on June 3rd, a mere nine weeks after the original game’s launch. DLC launching not too long after release is always a hot topic, but I am being optimistic that Rebellion knows what they are doing.

Sadly, a release date is the best we’re getting for the moment. Though Rebellion hasn’t officially uploaded a teaser, it can be found by a quick YouTube search. While we can’t glean too much additional information on what exactly the upcoming expansion will feature, except for a new location to explore. The brief teaser shows us approaching the most likely appropriately named Wicked Isle via a boat. Longtime fans of post-apocalyptic games will feel like this is a nod to Fallout 3’s Point Lookout DLC that had a similar approach.

Though Atomfall is included in Xbox’s Game Pass, the DLC is not coming to that service. While this may not bother owners of the game or players on other platforms, the DLC will need to be bought as a standalone or as part of the Deluxe Edition upgrade. Any completionists among you won’t mind that too much.

The short clip gives off Lovecraftian vibes, implying the new DLC will be inspired by eldritch horrors such as Cthulhu. If this is the case, it will draw another parallel to Point Lookout, which featured similar themes and quests. Whether this is the case remains to be seen; however, we don’t have to wait too long to find out as Wicked Isle launches on June 3rd. Will you be diving into Atomfall once more? Let us know in the comments section.

Terry O'Neill 22/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 22/05/2025

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced Announced Alongside PS5 Port

Good news for PlayStation gamers as Ninja Theory announces Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced coming to PS5 this summer.

*Personal space is not a concept in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced*

If you’ve been waiting patiently for the follow-up to the critical darling that is Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, then your patience has paid off. The development team over at Ninja Theory has announced Senua’s SagaL Hellblade II will be launching on PlayStation 5 this summer as an Enhanced Edition replete with new features.

Xbox and PC players aren’t left in the dark, however, as the Enhanced update will be released at the same time for those platforms for free. Ninja Theory hasn’t shared any information on what exactly the new features coming to the Enhanced update will be, but whatever the case, I’m sure fans will be happy to get more content.

With the launch of the PS5 version, players on all platforms will be able to jump into Senua’s Saga to experience these mysterious new features simultaneously. Here’s hoping that Ninja Theory provides more insight on what’s coming to Hellblade II before the update drops this summer.

Did you anticipate Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II to be the next Xbox game coming to PlayStation? Sound off in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 22/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 22/05/2025

Cyberpunk 2077’s Sequel Will Include New Chicago-Inspired City

The follow-up to Cyberpunk 2077 will feature an all-new city alongside Night City, this one taking inspiration from Chicago.

*Wake up, babes. We got a new city to burn.*

While the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel may be quite some time away, with developers CD Projekt Red putting the majority of their focus into the upcoming The Witcher 4, that hasn’t stopped a new tidbit of info about the open-world dystopian game from being dropped: there’ll be a second city for players to explore in the next mainline Cyberpunk entry.

If you enjoyed the rundown futuristic cityscape of Cyberpunk 2077, but wanted more, then this is sure to pique your interest. The new city in question will be like a “Chicago gone wrong.” So Chicago, then. This update comes via original series creator and role-playing mastermind, Mike Pondsmith.

Speaking during his recent appearance at Digital Dragons 2025, a games design conference, Pondsmith did say he’s not involved with the sequel currently in development at CDPR’s new North America branch, but is keeping an eye on the game’s progress.

While paying a visit to the studio to get a feel for the world being built by CDPR, Pondsmith elaborated, saying, “I’m not as involved directly, but I see the scripts. Last week, I was wandering around talking to different departments and seeing what they had, like, ‘this is the new Cyberware, what do you think?’”

“I spent a lot of time talking to one of the environment guys, and he was explaining how the new place… because there’s another city that we visit, and I’m not telling you anymore than that, but there’s another city that we visit. Night City is still there.

“I remember looking at it and going, ‘I understand the feel that you’re going for, and this really does work, it doesn’t feel like Blade Runner, it feels more like Chicago gone wrong’. And I said, ‘yeah, I can see this working’.” On that note, it seems that the Cyberpunk sequel will be even bigger and full of more to discover. Are you excited for its eventual release? Sound off in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 21/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 21/05/2025

Gearbox CEO Hints At Potential $80 Price Tag For Borderlands 4

Comments made by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford indicate that the upcoming Borderlands 4 could be launching at $80 price point, saying “real” fans of the series will pony up the cash.

*You might need a lot of loot to sell if you’re planning to buy Borderlands 4 at $80*

Though the dam hasn’t quite burst just yet, more and more cracks are showing, and $80 entry point announcements for new games are leaking through. Following Nintendo’s example, Microsoft was quick to jump on board with the announcement of $80 - or your regional equivalent - prices for upcoming new releases.

Now it seems Borderlands 4 might be the next new release eying up that shiny new price hike. Because if it works for the biggest publishers in gaming, it’s bound to work for big IPs too, right? Well, that’s what it seems for the next entry in Gearbox’s looter-shooter wet dream simulator, Borderlands 4.

While not officially confirmed in any capacity, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has alluded to Borderlands 4 potentially costing $80 in a response to one user on social media. The user in question alluded to fans not being willing to cough up for the increased price of games lately, a trend that is becoming quite popular among publishers lately.

Randy, this game better not be 80 dollars. Don't take that risk, alot of gamers aren't gonna pay 80 dollars and feed this notion of constant increase of the price tag

You are the CEO, you have some say with the price when it comes to your publisher
— 💎y J. 🪙er, 'The Treasured Treacher' (@oldgoldsot) May 13, 2025

Pitchford took note and did reply, but his response was not reassuring. He started off by saying the price of the game was not his call to make. It seems being CEO of a company doesn’t account for much in the video game industry. Continuing, Pitchford claims that “real fans” of the franchise will find a way to make it happen and pay the increased price anyways, which, as we all know, is code for “suck it up, buttercup, people will pay what we want to charge.”

Thankfully, fans are not content with simply rolling over to price increases being pushed by publishers. Pitchford’s reply was labelled as tone deaf and other fans are now calling out the Gearbox CEO, leading him to elaborate further on the thought process of some people that are calling the shots in the industry.

Pointing out certain obstacles that have popped up in recent years, Pitchford went on to say “There are some folks that don’t want to see prices go up, even the ones deciding what the prices are, there’s other folks accepting the reality that game budgets are increasing and there’s tariffs for the retail packaging. It’s getting gnarly out there. Borderlands 4 has more than twice the development budget of Borderlands 3.”

Sounds like Pitchford recently watched Jurassic Park, but I hate to break it to you, Randy, not everyone has the extra cash to spend, and unlike life, players might not want to find a way. What do you think about Borderlands 4 being one of the first major games of this year to cost $80? Sound off below.

Terry O'Neill 21/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 21/05/2025

Xbox Announces Retro Classics Featuring Over 50 Activision Classics

Another 50+ retro titles are now playable on modern hardware as Xbox has unveiled Retro Classics for Xbox Game Pass, giving older games a new lease on life.

The best deal in gaming just got better. Over 50 classic titles from the Activision back catalogue of games have been made playable through Xbox Game Pass as part of its brand-new Retro Classics addition, scoring another small win for game preservation.

Installed via Game Pass, Retro Classics is depicted as a single title totalling over 400MB, available to all tiers of Game Pass. Buried deep within Classics are the titular classics from Activision’s earlier days such as Commando, Pitfall, and Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat.

“Game Pass members can access Retro Classics through their Game Pass membership by searching and installing the feature via their console or on the Xbox app on PC,” the Xbox Wire post states. “Additionally, players can take on friends, rivals, or the entire world with unique challenges.”

This new-old release comes via a partnership with Antstream Arcade. While there are currently over 50 classic titles to dive into and try for yourself, Microsoft says the Retro Classics collection will grow to include over 100 games total over time.

Retro Classics is available today to all Game Pass players. Will you be diving in to check out some old Activision titles? Let us know in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 21/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 21/05/2025

Atomfall Sequel Being Considered By Rebellion

Rebellion Entertainment’s Atomfall was enough of a success that a sequel and other titles set in the game’s universe are being considered.

*Post-apocalyptia never seemed as enticing until it was set in the British countryside*

Despite launching into Xbox Game Pass, it seems that Rebellion Entertainment’s Atomfall was enough of a financial success that the studio is now considering a sequel and the possibility of spin-offs for the new post-apocalyptic IP.

If you enjoyed Atomfall, this can only be good news. During an interview with The Game Business Show, Rebellion Entertainment CEO Jason Kingsley announced that Atomfall was a financial success when it released on every major platform except Nintendo Switch back in March.

It’s always good to see new IP flourish, and the developers are taking Atomfall’s success as a confidence booster, with Kingsley revealing that Rebellion is now working on new DLC for the sci-fi hit. The team has also been discussing what is next for Atomfall, and it seems they’re toying with the idea of fleshing it out into a franchise.

Game Pass continues to be one of the best, if not the best, deals in gaming at the moment, and that comes on the hot streak of releases that keep launching into the service at a decent pace. Joining Atomfall more recently was the shadow drop of Oblivion Remastered and id’s latest entry in their long-running series, Doom: The Dark Ages. There’s no word yet if Atomfall’s DLC will also be joining the service, but keeping with the standards of Game Pass, it will most likely be paid DLC.

Have you been playing Atomfall and you’re eager for more? Let us know in the comments below!

Terry O'Neill 13/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 13/05/2025

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Hit With A Delay

The next delay announcement of 2025 is Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra which is now set to launch in 2026 instead.

*Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra features four playable characters across a range of different locales set in the latter half of World War II*

2025 is well underway, and the quality of video games released so far in the first half of the year has been nothing short of stellar, and it doesn’t look to be letting up as we journey into the second half of the year soon enough. But with the release of new games every month, some that are set for a release this year get delayed to later in the year or into the next. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is the next such title to get pushed out of 2025.

Originally targeting a holiday 2025 release, developers Skydance New Media have announced that the upcoming action-adventure game set in the grips of World War II will instead be releasing sometime in early 2026. Rise of Hydra features four playable characters, giving players the chance to strap on the shield as Captain America Steve Rogers and don the cowl of the then-Black Panther, Azzuri. Joining the two heroes are the other playable characters, Gabriel Jones of the Howling Commandos and Nanali, the leader of the Wakandan Spy Network.

Announced back in 2021, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is the first project for Skydance, headed up by industry veteran Amy Hennig, and the team has been plugging away at it ever since. News was scarce until 2024 when the studio announced the game’s full title alongside the game’s first story trailer.

This delay was announced to ensure that the game launches meet the developer’s intended vision. “Taking this additional time will allow us to add more polish, and make sure we give you the best possible experience, and one that lives up to our vision.” The team then promises to share more news soon.

Are you looking forward to diving into Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra next year or are you still working your way through all the games that have come out so far this year? Sound off in the comments!

Terry O'Neill 13/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 13/05/2025

Is A Grand Theft Auto 4 Remaster On The Cards?

Though the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI will leave us awaiting even longer, there’s a chance we may still get a GTA game this year in the shape of a Grand Theft Auto IV remaster.

*The first release in the HD Universe of the Grand Theft Auto series, GTA IV was praised for it’s high focus on realism. Except the driving*

Not only did Rockstar try and soothe the burn from the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI with a new story trailer chock full of fantastic graphics and oozing with character, they may also be planning a re-release of the seventh-generation classic, Grand Theft Auto IV which could launch as early as this year to try plug the hole left by the GTA VI delay.

Though not officially confirmed, a leaker known as Tez2 with a strong track record for previous GTA leaks has hinted that a remaster of Grand Theft Auto IV could be on its way to modern hardware sometime this year over on GTA Forums. Nothing is set in stone, and the project has apparently only been in development for about a year. Depending on the scale of the remaster and how many developers are working on it, 2025 might be ruled out if the game does indeed exist.

As an additional note, Tez2 also mentions that a port of Max Payne 3 could also be in development, aiming for a release after the GTA launch if Rockstar sticks to their original plans created during the pandemic. We already know that remakes of Max Payne 1 & 2 are already deep in development over at original creators, Remedy Entertainment, who have previously announced a collaboration with Rockstar, the creators of Max Payne 3. This collaboration could also lead to a remaster of Max Payne 3 releasing after the remakes of the first two titles.

Until Rockstar comes out to confirm or deny any information about a remaster of GTA IV and/or Max Payne 3, take this rumour with a pinch of salt. From Tez2’s reasoning, it seems to at least be plausible. Would you play a remaster of either title? Let us know in the comments below!

Terry O'Neill 06/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 06/05/2025

Grand Theft Auto 6 Gets New Trailer After Delay Announcement

Coming just days after the announcement that Grand Theft Auto 6 would be delayed to 2026, Rockstar has compensated fans somewhat with a new trailer for the next entry in the open-world crime series.

Rockstar Games has just uploaded a new trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, mere days after the game was delayed out of this year. Perhaps seeing it as some form of incentive to keep players interested - or to keep criticism to a minimum - the new trailer focuses on the two main protagonists, Jason and Lucia, as their life of crime takes an unexpected turn and a whole new world opens up to them.

This new take on Vice City looks absolutely stunning in the trailer, lasting over two and a half minutes. We get more insight on the two protagonists and the characters they will meet as their story in the sun-soaked city unfolds. Rockstar has shared some new info about both protagonists over on their website, alongside some gorgeous new screenshots and concept art, including a look at the Ocean View Hotel from back in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and GTA: Vice City Stories.

A new trailer, some new screenshots, and a look at the game’s characters could be enough to make sure fans are still interested, but with how long has already passed between entries in the series, it might not be enough to keep everyone’s interest. Take Two’s stock took a hit after delaying Grand Theft Auto 6, but it has since seen a resurgence since the trailer went live earlier today. It’s possible this trailer was done to keep shareholders happy when fans became unhappy.

Whether Rockstar will remain silent for the rest of the year and begin to build hype in the months leading up to the release of GTA 6 is anyone’s guess. Their games usually launch with a high level of polish and feature an incredible level of detail, so a delay is always welcome in my opinion. It should also reduce any fears of crunch in the lead-up to release.

What do you think of the new Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer? Is your interest renewed, or have you moved on? Let us know down in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 05/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 05/05/2025

Gears of War Comes To PlayStation For The First Time With Gears Of War: Reloaded

Rev up your Lancers and prepare to take the fight to the Locust. Gears of War is the latest Xbox exclusive coming to PlayStation 5, arriving later this year, arriving in the form of Gears of War: Reloaded.

*A remaster of the remaster (a re-remaster? Remaster-master?) of Gears of War is set to arrive on multiple platforms in 2025*

Yet another Xbox console exclusive is making its way over to Sony’s PlayStation 5 in the coming months. The first entry in the Gears of War series will arrive on Xbox Series consoles, Steam, and PlayStation 5 as Gears of War: Reloaded on August 26th, joining the likes of Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves that have already made their homes on the platform.

Microsoft has previously stated there are no red lines when it comes to what games will eventually make their way to other platforms, and that strategy is further reinforced by one of Xbox’s flagship IPs arriving on the PS5. The release of Gears of War: Reloaded was announced over on Xbox’s social media platforms, confirming that the updated version of the first Gears of War wouldn’t be an Xbox exclusive.

Reloaded will bring 4K resolution, 120 FPS support, and both cross-play and cross-progression across all available platforms when it launches in August. Players can dive into the Gears campaign in a higher resolution, in either single-player or co-op with a friend before diving into the critically-acclaimed multiplayer.

The original @GearsofWar returns. Gears of War: Reloaded drops August 26 in @XboxGamePass
With Xbox Play Anywhere, relive the fight across Xbox Consoles, Xbox PC, or stream it with Cloud Gaming in Game Pass—wherever you play, Delta Squad is back.
See more: https://t.co/qc2pzpQgQS pic.twitter.com/YCQA3sSgOg
— Xbox (@Xbox) May 5, 2025

While no Microsoft account is required to enjoy cross-play in Gears of War: Reloaded, signing into one unlocks full cross-platform functionality, such as cross-progression and sending invites to play with friends on other devices.

All players will also receive access to the previously released post-launch content from the previous remaster, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, immediately and free of charge. This includes an additional Campaign act, all Versus maps and modes, and every character and cosmetic released. Xbox players that currently own a digital copy of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, Microsoft will be giving a free upgrade to Reloaded via a code.

Though the announcement of Reloaded is good news, it’s a little bit disappointing that it’s only a remaster of the original Gears of War that we’re getting. As a longtime Xbox player, I am happy that more players will get to experience the original Gears of War with an updated look. It could also be an indicator that the recently announced Gears of War: E-Day could also be making it’s way to PS5.

What do you think of this announcement? Are you happy that more players will get to experience an Xbox classic? Sound off in the comments.

Terry O'Neill 02/05/2025 Terry O'Neill 02/05/2025

Rockstar’s Latest GTA 6 News Is A Delay Announcement

Despite previous assurances that Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on-track for this year, Rockstar Games has announced the game will be delayed into 2026.

Rockstar Games are synonymous with high-quality releases

Cold on the heels of any relevant Grand Theft Auto 6 news, Rockstar has just issued an update on the long-anticipated next entry in the juggernaut money-making crime epic, and it’s most likely what you’d expect after over 500 days of no actual information on the game: it’s been delayed out of this year.

Launching instead on May 26th, 2026, Rockstar is promising that Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch with a quality that players deserve. But this isn’t the first time Rockstar has delayed a game, and it might not be the last time that the next GTA gets delayed. Their most recent slate of releases tends to launch in the latter half of the year, but hopefully this will be the actual release date.

Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to release on May 26, 2026. https://t.co/YgaIn1cYc8 pic.twitter.com/cyeK7GM6Ob
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) May 2, 2025

It’s not what fans of the long-running series wanted to hear, and it most likely won’t have made shareholders happy, but Rockstar has asked for players’ patience as they work to bring a game that will “exceed your expectations.” This news comes a few short months after reconfirming Grand Theft Auto 6 would be launching later this year, despite any additional marketing to back up said claims.

Did you have a GTA 6 delay on your 2025 bingo card? Do you think we’ll get some new gameplay announcements to tide us over? Let us know in the comments!