Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 remake recently hit a new milestone, selling over ten million copies. To celebrate, the development team shared a funny little video on Twitter where the villagers in the climactic opening don party hats to celebrate. Doctor Salvador is busy shredding his chainsaw like an electric guitar while Leon raises his fist in respect. However, some users noticed that the sign near the tail-end looked a little odd. It features various lines of thanks, but perhaps most notable is the shape. Flip it 90 degrees to the left, and there’s a distinct resemblance to the Roman numeral for “9.” This has been taken as a tease for the next Resident Evil, the ninth mainline title after Resident Evil Village, though in what capacity remains to be seen. Aside from Onimusha: Way of the Sword in 2026, Capcom’s release catalogue looks a little dry. An announcement for Resident Evil 9, followed by a launch late this year or next year (if you believe the rumors), could help. As always, stay tuned for updates. Resident Evil 4 remake is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC. Check out our reviews for the base game and its expansion, Separate Ways. エージェントの皆様へ感謝の気持ちを込めて記念映像をご用意いたしました。ぜひ音付きでお楽しみください。Attention all agents,We've prepared a special video to express our gratitude to all of you, which we hope you'll enjoy (with sound ON)!RE4 Dev Team pic.twitter.com/cKaS198UVY— Capcom Dev 1 (@dev1_official) April 25, 2025

Days Gone Remastered, an enhanced version of Bend Studio’s 2019 open-world title, is now available on PS5. Retailing for $49.99, owners of the PS4 original can upgrade for $10. PC players can also pick up Broken Road, a DLC that includes all the new content for $10. Check out the launch trailer below. Alongside visual improvements and PS5 Pro support, the remaster’s main appeal is the new content, particularly Horde Assault. The arcade-like experience involves surviving in the world for as long as possible against increasingly challenging Freakers. Hordes are larger than ever, and negative Injectors result in more harrowing fights. However, there are also positive Injectors for gaining an edge, and as you level up, new cosmetics and playable characters become available. Days Gone Remastered also adds Permadeath and Speedrun Modes, and new settings for Photo Mode, like time of day, new logos and a three-point lighting system. High Contrast Mode, UI narration, fully remappable controls, and other accessibility features are also included. Check out our feature for everything you should know before buying.

Roaming Ezo, now known as Hokkaido in Japan, and hunting her family’s killers is quite the task for Ghost of Yōtei’s protagonist, Atsu. While she has some familiar tools like the grappling hook and katana, the latest trailer for the open-world sequel to Ghost of Tsushima showcased more new weapons. There’s the kusarigama, though we didn’t see its chain in action, and the spear, known as the yari, for long-rang stabbing. This is in addition to dual-wielding swords, the odachi and firearms. And while co-creative director Nate Fox says they have the “benefit of gunpowder being part of the combat mix,” the katana is still the focus. “While the Katana is still the most valuable weapon, having some more opportunities to blow things up is never a bad addition for a video game,” he told Variety in a new interview. Co-creative director Jason Connell added, “We’ve teased the kusarigama, and obviously, she’s got two swords, so there’s a cool dual-wielding element there. In this trailer, there’s a frame towards the end where you get to see a spear, which is called a yari. Being able to play with such a different variety of weapons is so new for the game’s feel. Each one of them has their own benefits.” Of course, they exist for more than just gameplay variety. Fox noted how “Mastering a weapon is part of the feeling of samurai cinema. Becoming a master of that blade is integral to it. But we wanted to give players an even bigger connection to the weapons and the land. “So inside of Ezo, you can find teachers who will teach you how to use that weapon in a very organic way that you might see inside these films. So you get to experience what it’s like to grow as a martial artist along with Atsu.” When asked if any particular piece of samurai cinema influenced the title, Fox pointed to Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo. “‘Yojimbo‘ by Akira Kurosawa is very, very big in both of our minds as being this tonal jumping-off point for what it’s like to be a wandering sellsword, which Atsu is.” Launching on October 2nd, Ghost of Yōtei will be available for PS5 at $69.99. Head here to learn more about the world design, which Sucker Punch refers to as its “most open” ever.

Sucker Punch Productions took many by surprise when it dropped a new trailer for Ghost of Yōtei and announced a release date. As Atsu, players embark on a revenge tour to slay the Yōtei Six, who slaughtered her family and left her for dead. Interestingly, the overall structure differs from its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima. Atsu will pursue leads in Ezo and choose which member to slay first, with the region promising more complex locales. Speaking to Variety, creative directors Jason Connell and Nate Fox discussed how the Edo period influenced world design. “This is the most open game we’ve ever made,” said Fox. “One of the greatest joys is just getting lost. You let your curiosity guide you through the landscape. We view that as this holy moment that we want to uplift players so they can feel very present inside Hokkaido or Ezo, as it was called back when our game takes place. Ezo is a character in and of itself, filled with hidden secrets and an anthology of stories.” Connell added, “It’s just so wild and nature-filled. There’s an opportunity to tell a slightly more wild and rural version of this story than if it was in a major city. There are so many biomes to bring to life and so many majestic and beautiful locations to take inspiration from. There’s no way we could take it all, so we get to cherry-pick some of the most beautiful locations and bring them alive to our players.” That “wild” approach is also evident in the gameplay, as players seemingly have a wolf companion to fight alongside them. Though there’s still a lot to unravel, Atsu can also unwind with some non-combat activities returning from Tsushima. Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2nd for PS5 and supports PS5 Pro on day one. Pre-orders start on May 2nd. Head here for details on the Digital Deluxe Edition.

Ubisoft has released a new video revealing progress on the planned offline mode for open-world racing title The Crew 2. In the video, titled The Crew 2: Offline Mode Update, the company reiterates that it has been working on bringing the feature to the game. According to producer Gregory Corgie, has described the offline mode for The Crew 2 as a “hybrid way to play the game.” Check out the video below. When it comes to the company’s progress in bringing offline modes to both The Crew 2 as well as The Crew Motorfest, Corgie has said that the initial state of development of the feature has been going smoothly. “As you can imagine, developing an offline mode requires time and resources,” said Corgie. “We are pleased to confirm that we are aiming to deploy a new hybrid way to play the game before the end of 2025.” This hybrid way essentially means that the studio has been working on adapting the core gameplay of The Crew 2 – originally developed from the ground up as a multiplayer game – for offline play. “Some features will be maintained, others will be adapted,” explained Corgie. “For instance, specific parts of multiplayer modes will no longer be available when playing offline. The final list of those features will be published as soon as we can.” Corgie also said that the development team is currently focused on bringing the offline mode to The Crew 2 first. This is because The Crew Motorfest is still a currently-supported game, and its teams are focused on the live-service aspects of the racing title. While no timeline was given for when The Crew Motorfest would get an offline mode, Corgie said that Ubisoft plans to release the offline mode for The Crew 2 in 2025. “The Crew 2 will be first, allowing players to enjoy and switch between online and offline mode whenever they want,” said Corgie. “When we will deploy the cversion before the end of 2025.” Development of offline modes for The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest was announced back in September. This was done in response to fan backlash against Ubisoft having taken the servers for The Crew down, making the 2014 racing title completely unplayable for players that had bought the game. In the meantime, Ubisoft has also been the target of a lawsuit by fans of The Crew that believe that the company had falsely advertised the game, pointing to its download code being advertised as valid until 2099. As part of the lawsuit, Ubisoft’s lawyers have argued that players never had ownership of the game. The most recent game in the series, The Crew Motorfest, is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The game has been supported with continuous updates since its 2023 launch. For more details, check out our review from back when it came out. And while you’re at it, also check out our reviews of the original The Crew, as well as the 2018 sequel The Crew 2.

During its recent live-stream for Marathon where developers answered questions from the community, Bungie has revealed why it decided to add aim assist for players that use mouse and keyboard, rather than restricting it for controller users. In the video, when asked about the decision to have aim assist only be a toggle regardless of the input device, the developers said that it was a new thing the studio was trying in order to give itself more ways to tinker with the game’s balance. The decision was also made to keep parity between keyboard and mouse players and controller players in terms of skill ceiling. Typically speaking, aim assistance is disabled for mouse and keyboard users, while controller users tend to get a slider that allows them to decide what level of assistance they would like with their aim. “This is like something we’re trying out as a lever to keep the parity close between mouse and keyboard and controller,” answered a developer. “We want to get it out and get a feeling for it. Right now we don’t think it’s in the most perfect spot or anything. We’re definitely trying to get folks’ reactions to this as a lever for getting parity without losing the skill ceiling and skill expression that you get with the input of your choosing, whether it be mouse and keyboard or controller.” “That’s why it’s a setting to go on and off. We definitely know that there’s players that definitely don’t want any kind of assistance at all with their aim, and they want that raw input feel. So that’s why it’s a toggle in the menu, We’re not trying to have it be must-pick kind of thing. Folks kind of feel differently when they play, and we’re looking to get that feedback and then tune aggressively accordingly with what it falls in line with their expectations.” “This is us getting this thing out there to get some thoughts on, and then iterate from there.” Marathon‘s take on aim assist has been getting quite a bit of criticism from players that have been taking part in the game’s current alpha. Some have taken to Reddit to voice their displeasure with the feature, with one example being Reddit user Carmelo_v talking about how heavy-handed the aim assist feels even on mouse and keyboard. Twitch streamer Shroud, known for playing competitive first-person shooters, has also criticised the aim assistance in the game, saying that the feature is making the PC version worse in its attempts to have more parity in terms of gameplay between keyboard and mouse users and controller users. “I get that they’re trying to balance between console and PC for crossplay, but it’s only going to ruin the PC part of the game,” said Shroud during a stream. “You’re basically trying to help PC be balanced against console, but you’re just watering down PC.” Marathon is slated for release on September 23, and will be coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. While Bungie hasn’t yet confirmed the title’s pricing, the studio has said that it is “definitely going to be a conversation.” Rumours, in the meantime, have indicated that Marathon will launch with a $40 price tag.

French developer’s debut release continues to make waves. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 turned more than a few heads in the lead-up to its release, and courtesy of its turn-based combat, storytelling, music, and more, it has enjoyed widespread critical acclaim. Reflecting that acclaim, on the day of its release, the game also attracted quite the sizeable playerbase. As per SteamDB, on Thursday, the day of its release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 saw a peak of 51,922 concurrent players on Steam. That means the game has already exceeded the all-time Steam concurrent player peaks of several major recent RPG releases, including the likes of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (46,161), Persona 3 Reload (45,002), Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake (45,357), and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (40,564). Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It is also available via Game Pass. Read our review of the game through here, where we awarded it a score of 9/10.

Street Fighter 6 is set to add the fourth and final DLC character of its Year 2 pass in the form of Elena a little over a month from now, ahead of which Capcom is continuing to show off new gameplay footage for the character.  The capoeira expert, who was first introduced to the franchise with Street Fighter 3: New Generation, will bring “a herd of fluid moves,” as Capcom puts it. That is on full display in the newly released gameplay trailer, which showcases Elena in action against multiple other characters. Check out the gameplay trailer below.  Street Fighter 6 is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PC, and launches for the Nintendo Switch 2 as a launch title on June 5. Elena will join the game’s roster on the same day, though depending on your time zone, she could become available late on June 4. 

When I originally reviewed Forza Horizon 5 back in 2021, I called it one of the best racing games ever made, and I still very much stand by that sentiment. Playground Games’ racer boasts a gorgeous and incredibly crafted open world, a bevy of extremely enjoyable content, best in class driving mechanics, and more, all of it combining in what is probably the best game of its kind you can play on Xbox or on PC. Now, it’s also the best game of its kind you can play on PS5. Microsoft has been rapidly expanding its multiplatform pipeline, and Forza Horizon 5 is the latest in a string of first party Xbox titles that have made their way to Sony’s platform. And though it’s not as if PlayStation audiences had been starved for good open world racers until this moment, there should be little doubt in anyone’s mind that Forza instantly places itself on top of those charts, and puts considerable distance between itself and everything else on the platform. It’s a special, generational game, and now, PS5 audiences get to enjoy it. For those unfamiliar, Forza Horizon 5 throws players into a massive, gorgeous open world map in Mexico. Like its predecessors, rather than going for accuracy, it instead looks to the real world location more for inspiration than anything else, crafting a huge play space that attempts to capture the characteristics and natural splendour of Mexico’s landscapes without feeling too beholden to recreating everything 1:1 the way something like, say, The Crew would. Having already poured dozens upon dozens of hours into the game on Xbox Series X, I knew exactly what I was in for when diving into Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, but even despite my level of familiarity with the game, I couldn’t help but fall in love with its open world all over again. From the level of environmental diversity it exhibits to the way its design encourages players to keep exploring, from the stunning vistas and sceneries scattered everywhere to the bevy of fun and varied activities on offer, there’s a lot to love about Forza Horizon 5’s world, and at least as far as I’m concerned, none of it has lost any of its charm in spite of how obsessively I’ve played the game elsewhere over the years. Those aforementioned content offerings are particularly impressive (though honestly, there’s a lot about this game that could easily fit the “particularly impressive” description- but more on that in a bit). Showcase events that serve as bombastic set pieces, traditional races and drag events and rallies and what have you, more bite-sized activities like bonus boards and speed traps to keep you occupied from moment to moment- although very little of it is revolutionary or groundbreaking in any fashion, it is all spectacularly designed and excellently executed. Even now, I’m yet to feel a single second of boredom playing this game. That becomes that much more of an impressive accomplishment when you consider just how much there is to do in Forza Horizon 5. Its open world Mexico map is colossal, and brimming with activities that can keep you occupied for multiple dozen hours, while the Rally Adventure and Hot Wheels expansions – both of which are excellent in their own rights (the latter in particular) – are also included in the package, providing a healthy chunk of top notch content on top of the base game’s already ample offerings. And once all of that is out of the way – which won’t be a brief experience by any means, to say the very least – you can always just aimlessly drive around in your favourite vehicles, which just never seems to get old in the slightest. There aren’t too many games that can legitimately claim to have a world that’s a joy to simply exist and move around in, regardless of what sort of authored content it may or may not offer up, but Forza Horizon 5 surely has a spot on that short list. All of that is, of course, only possible because the core driving mechanics are, in a word, sublime. Forza Horizon 5 has a startling number of vehicles for players to collect and drive, and each feels great to control, while still feeling sufficiently different from other vehicles. There’s a real, palpable sense of speed, the feedback to your inputs feels immediate and tight, and everything handles like an absolute dream. Fora Horizon 5 obviously doesn’t go for the absolute authenticity of a hardcore simulator like Forza Motorsport, instead deftly striking the perfect balance between arcade racing and realistic simulation- though it does obviously lean more heavily in the former’s favour by some margin. Arguably, Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 feels even better to play than it has on any other platform up to this point. That, of course, is because of the DualSense. I don’t think it would be exaggeration to call the DualSense one of the best controllers ever made, thanks not only to its ergonomics, but also is unique features- which, incidentally, is exactly what elevates an already masterful racing game. Forza Horizon 5’s implementation of the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers may not pull up any trees in terms of how innovative it is (or rather, isn’t), but said features do make the moment to moment driving feel even more tactile, immediate, and impactful than it has on other platforms- which is really saying something. It also also still looks absolutely gorgeous, of course. Forza Horizon 5 is easily one of the most technically impressive and best looking games I’ve ever played on a console, and that obviously still very much remains true on PS5 as well. Just like on Xbox Series X, which is where I previously played this game, there are next to no issues or technical blemishes of note to speak in the open world racer’s PS5 version. Between the two modes available, I went with Performance, and in the time I have spent with the game so far, I have come across no drops or hiccups. Suffice to say, Panic Button has done a solid job porting the game over to PS5. In the end, Forza Horizon 5 is an unsurprisingly excellent game on PS5. The open world racer firmly placed itself in the annals of video game history when it first released, and in the time since then, its legend has only grown. The opinion that it is one of the best racing games ever made and a blueprint for all future titles in the genre has become an increasingly common one, so it’s no surprise that the game makes a similarly strong impression on Sony’s console. For anyone who has even a passing interest in racing games, Forza Horizon 5 is well worth checking out. This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

The Lonesome Guild is an upcoming single-player RPG that wants to tell a story about a heroic adventure. Players will take on the role of Ghost – a spirit that has no memories of its own. Along the way, they will meet a ragtag group of characters that will eventually become heroes. Technical art director, Ruben Caliandro, was kind enough to answer some of our burning questions about various aspects of The Lonesome Guild, from gameplay variety to replayability and the game’s world. In a market that has plenty of action RPGs out there, what sets The Lonesome Guild apart from its contemporaries? The heart of The Lonesome Guild resides in the theme of togetherness, the idea that only by relying on each other the heroes can overcome adversity: individually, no single hero is strong enough to face the challenges ahead, but through friendship and cooperation they can overcome any obstacle. This pillar is deeply embedded in the game’s mechanics. Unlike many other action RPGs that focus on individual character powers and skills, The Lonesome Guild is centred on cooperation and relationships between party members. Exploration and puzzle mechanics are built around teamwork, and combat is designed to embrace togetherness: rather than controlling just one hero, players must strategically switch between characters, ensuring each party member takes advantage of their potential in combination with the power of their teammates. "The Lonesome Guild is centred on cooperation and relationships between party members." The protagonist Ghost is a unique character and being an ethereal entity he cannot physically interact with the world. He constantly depends on his teammates for ordinary actions such as interacting with objects or engaging in direct combat, but his strength lies in his bond with the other heroes, as he can merge with his allies to enhance their abilities. His power enables them to be stronger, to support one another with special abilities, and to unleash a surge of energy thanks to a team-based ultimate attack. How big of a role will the story play in The Lonesome Guild? The Lonesome Guild’s deep and rich story plays a central role in the game! Players are immersed in the tale of Etere, a world afflicted by the curse of loneliness which is spreading and threatening all life across the land, and at the same time the game explores the personal journeys of its heroes, each one carrying their own kind of loneliness, struggles and desires. These seemingly separate stories gradually evolve and merge into a single narrative, a shared purpose and a beautiful tale of heroic friendship. The storytelling is provided through cinematics, dialogues, in-game balloons, HUD chats and beautifully handcrafted 2D cutscenes. We want the experience to be accessible to everyone, allowing players who prefer to focus solely on the gameplay to easily skip all the narrative content without losing the fun. For those who instead enjoy deep narratives, The Lonesome Guild offers an immersive and compelling journey, with dialogue choices also influencing the gameplay and allowing players to strengthen relationships that impact the RPG progression system. Action RPGs often emphasize their progression systems. What does The Lonesome Guild offer in that regard? The Lonesome Guild relies on classic ARPG progression while adding unique mechanics that arise from the theme of togetherness. An interesting innovation is the relationship strength between Ghost and each hero, which is key for progressing through their skill tree. Players can choose to deepen certain bonds over others through dialogue choices and quests, shaping character growth in a meaningful way. Each hero features their personal relationship-driven progression path, with unique abilities and upgrades. Players can match them together by composing their active party and experimenting with different builds according to their preferences and playstyle. "We want the experience to be accessible to everyone, allowing players who prefer to focus solely on the gameplay to easily skip all the narrative content without losing the fun. " Will there be any option for co-op multiplayer? As a small studio working on our first action RPG, our focus has been on crafting the most engaging and polished solo adventure possible, and The Lonesome Guild reflects that as a single-player experience. The gameplay is designed around a single player managing an entire party, switching between heroes as needed while keeping track of their status, abilities and positioning. The experience is not just about playing individual characters separately but about overseeing the party as a whole, ensuring they work together effectively. Ghost plays a central and unique role, especially in combat, which also makes it difficult to adapt the core mechanics to a co-op multiplayer setting without compromising the intended experience. What kind of replayability can we expect from The Lonesome Guild? While The Lonesome Guild is a story-driven action RPG with a primarily linear narrative, there are still reasons for players to return after completing it. By developing different relationships between Ghost and the heroes, players can unlock skills they may not have accessed in previous runs, allowing for new build and party composition experiments, and they can explore optional side quests, discover hidden loot, and increase the difficulty level for subsequent runs if they’re looking for an extra challenge. What can you tell us about the world of Etere? Etere is a vibrant, living planet, with a diversity of biomes, races and cultures, each with its own traditions, customs and history. I remember the first time our writer told me the history of the planet from its formation to the time The Lonesome Guild‘s story takes place, spanning literally millions of years, and I was struck by the vastness and depth of the lore! Etere has a complex, interconnected history, with the stories of its cultures intertwining across centuries, shaping the world we experience in the “present” day in the game. The game only scratches the surface of this rich lore, offering a tiny glimpse into the vastness of this world made of ancient myths and religions that have been replaced, where traces of long-lost beliefs can still be found, and ancient ages and deeds occasionally emerge. Most of this lore remains untold, but it is reflected constantly in details like a wall painting in the ruins of an abandoned castle, the behaviour of the people players can encounter, the architectural style of a town, or even the shape of an entire biome. How much of Etere will we get to explore in The Lonesome Guild? Etere evolved profoundly through the ages, where once a thriving civilization stood, now abandoned ruins remain; where once there was an ocean, now a city stands in the middle of a desert, surrounded by towering walls made of sea and stars. What players can explore in The Lonesome Guild is a snapshot of each biome at the time the events of the story take place, and even though it is just a small portion of what the entire game world could offer, we wanted to showcase a truly diverse range of environments. "Etere is a vibrant, living planet, with a diversity of biomes, races and cultures, each with its own traditions, customs and history." Each of the 19 unique areas present in the game has its own distinct style, even within the same biome, and the 5 biomes themselves are deeply varied, ranging from the snow-capped city of Tallyoh near the organ-pipe-shaped peaks of the Sootpipes to the sky-reaching Spiral Tower in Nunuit, a city in the middle of the Sahduat Desert. In addition, players will encounter 6 unique cultures, each with its own history, style, and customs. NPCs and enemies are distinct to each biome, making exploration, dialogue, and combat highly varied across the world. The world of Etere truly feels rich and alive! Will there be many gameplay variety options in the form of different weapon types? Yes, there will be plenty of gameplay variety, though not through different weapon types: all heroes possess a weapon and a unique set of base attacks, but the real variety comes from the wide array of skills, as every character can unlock up to 4 skills and equip 2 of them at the same time, with the 24 total skills offering a large variety of possible builds. Each hero also features a unique support skill powered by Ghost which aids the whole team in a specific way, and Ghost’s power can unleash an ultimate teamwork attack, available independently from the specific build chosen by the player and customizable through the party composition based on skill tree upgrades. With an active team of 3 characters, chosen from the 6 available in total, we try to offer a lot of flexibility in how players can customise their party and approach combat, and to further diversify the gameplay there’s a variety of consumables and equipment, including legendary items that introduce custom combat mechanics. Are there any plans to bring The Lonesome Guild to the Nintendo Switch or the Switch 2? While discussions around a potential port have taken place, there are currently no plans to bring The Lonesome Guild to Nintendo consoles, and while we acknowledge that the game would be a great fit for the platform, there are significant technical challenges to consider. As a relatively small studio, our focus is now on finishing, polishing, and delivering the game for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 before our release deadline in Fall 2025. The high number of characters, complex VFX, and the richness of the environments all contribute to the game’s demanding requirements, and a substantial amount of work would be needed to optimize it for the Nintendo Switch, but we hope to be able to consider a port in the future.

Remember your first open-world game? That feeling of reckless abandon, of stepping into a world full of possibilities? You probably didn’t think as much about ticking items off a list. You may have ignored the main story for far too long. Sometimes, that nagging feeling of what you’re doing with your life would emerge – only to quickly fade as you wondered, once more, “What’s over there?” Everyone has a game that may or may not have first triggered that feeling, but for many, it all began with The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. Bizarre, beautiful, streamlined, annoyingly complicated, yet teeming with stories and interesting characters. Considered a unique in-between point for Morrowind and Skyrim, it exudes confidence in its strangeness, elegance in its world design, and, above all, that feeling of getting lost in a unique fantasy setting. "There’s an endearing charm, a sense of wonder at exploring Cyrodiil and taking in its details, even if some of the more outdated aspects of Oblivion often emerge." With Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda and Virtuos set out to harness that nostalgia, addressing the biggest grievances, enhancing aspects limited by the technology of its time, and delivering a complete visual overhaul. The Bethesda Jank is still very much at its core, whether in the NPC interactions or several aspects of its gameplay. And yet, there’s an endearing charm, a sense of wonder at exploring Cyrodiil and taking in its details, even if some of the more outdated aspects of Oblivion often emerge. The story starts with the player in prison, but it’s not long before the call of adventure comes knocking in the form of Emperor Uriel Septim VII and the Blades. Hounded by assassins, he escapes into underground passages beneath the prison, and it’s not long before you join in. After obtaining the Amulet of Kings and venturing into the world, crisis brews in the background, with the gates of Oblivion and the Daedra spewing forth to cause destruction. Yes, your ultimate goal is to stop this and bring peace to the province (and Tamriel as a whole), but the overall plot goes in some interesting directions while maintaining a fantasy adventure feel. It may seem superfluous to mention, but I’m impressed by how much the narrative holds up after all these years. The same goes for the exploration. You could deliver the Amulet to the grandmaster of Blades and follow the plot, becoming the Hero of Kvatch and whatnot. Or you can just get lost and explore. Venture out into the wider world and discover caves, abandoned forts and sanctums teaming with precious stones. Tussle with goblins, ogres, bandits, skeletons, mud crabs, and whatnot. "The single “thunk” of an arrow, whether you’re playing stealth archer and assassinating everyone or backpedalling against aggressive monsters, is just so satisfying." Channel a rune stone for some armor and a dagger that can’t be removed until the duration runs out. Heck, stop a passing Imperial Guard on the road, try to persuade him to no end, get insulted, then attack him and steal his horse (with some help from a wolf). Murder all the bandits occupying some ruins, sleep and run into a Speaker for the Dark Brotherhood, who invites you to join their cause. Every single bit looks better than ever thanks to assets created from scratch on Unreal Engine 5. The Emperor’s facial details are immaculate, with the new lip-syncing lending more realism and emotion to his soliloquy. Ogres and goblins look creepier; the various races are more detailed, whether it’s the Khajit’s fur or the scales of the Argonian. The real-time lighting and dynamic shadows lend a distinct atmosphere when exploring caves, torch in hand, as they do when roaming the countryside on horseback, appreciating the minute insects buzzing about and the revamped geometry. Even the combat animations look much smoother, bolstered by the new hit reactions and sound effects. The single “thunk” of an arrow, whether you’re playing stealth archer and assassinating everyone or backpedalling against aggressive monsters, is just so satisfying. Even the slight movement on Power Attacks, with your character shifting forward or backwards depending on the direction, feels right. Even the third-person perspective feels more tenable, though I still default to first-person while aiming. Don’t get me wrong, though – the combat hasn’t seen a massive overhaul as such. It certainly feels better, but it’s a far cry from the very best in the industry. We’ll come back to this, but suffice it to say that even if you’re a huge fan of Skyrim’s combat (despite the various elements it also stripped away), Oblivion will take some getting used to. One thing that won’t take a long time to embrace is the new levelling system. You still have Major and Minor Skills, and as you perform certain actions relating to them (more Archery to increase the Marksman skill, the new sprinting for Athletics, etc.), they increase in points. Accrue enough and you can level up, receiving Virtues to assign to various stats. "Outside the traditional jank, there are some notable bugs, like my shield appearing in one hand and the bow in another after equipping a torch, resulting in an obstructed view. Arrows have also been spotted jittering in the air on at least one occasion. " Only three stats can be upgraded with each level, but the amount of Virtues is fixed, and the benefits (including Endurance) are immediate. It’s a simpler system compared to the nightmare of the original, and it works remarkably, allowing you to indulge in the character fantasy rather than worrying whether you’re progressing properly or how much stronger enemies are becoming for no fault of your own. I’m not completely all in on the user interface rework – though it doesn’t feel as awful as some are making it out to be, there’s definitely room for improvement, especially in some filtering options. There have been several diverging opinions on performance, though. I stuck to 1440p, Vsync enabled, everything set to Medium and DLSS on Balanced (FOV for both perspectives set to 91) on a Core i5-11400 with 32 GB RAM and an RTX 4060 (8 GB). The frame rate remained respectably consistent, though it did occasionally drop after setting viewing distance and texture quality to High. Dropping the resolution to 1080p allowed for a mix of Ultra and High settings and Quality DLSS with the overall performance remaining fairly steady, sans a severe drop when going from early morning to sunrise. Your mileage will vary, so I advise looking into more configurations and tests before fully committing. Also, outside the traditional jank, there are some notable bugs, like my shield appearing in one hand and the bow in another after equipping a torch, resulting in an obstructed view. Arrows have also been spotted jittering in the air on at least one occasion. And I don’t know if I can classify this as a bug, but enemy AI is a little mixed, occasionally facing into walls and allowing for easy kills when they’re not oblivious to their allies dying. Then again, they will sometimes react to the slightest of noise and investigate, which I found surprising. "The passage of time may wear on Cyrodiil as its flaws become more apparent, but bringing back the joy of younger days more than warrants the price of admission." When spending more time with The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, several elements, like the dungeon design, are still obviously stuck in 2006. However, Virtuos has faithfully captured everything that made it so endearing. There could have probably been more extensive, earth-shattering changes, but it may not have felt like the classic that fans know and love. As such, Oblivion Remastered is a worthwhile role-playing experience, and even with a few nitpicks – that will hopefully get ironed out with subsequent patches – it stands in a class of its own, especially compared to Bethesda’s modern efforts. The passage of time may wear on Cyrodiil as its flaws become more apparent, but bringing back the joy of younger days more than warrants the price of admission. This game was reviewed on PC.

In its first livestream for FBC: Firebreak, Remedy Entertainment announced that the co-op shooter will launch on June 17th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC for $39.99. It’s also included with Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium on day one. FBC: Firebreak takes place six years after control, with The Oldest House still in lockdown after an invasion by The Hiss. With supplies dwindling, the Firebreak Initiative forms, and various regular office workers embark on dangerous Jobs to defeat the Hiss. Whether taking out self-replicating Sticky Notes in the Executive Sector or dealing with an out-of-control furnace in the Maintenance Sector, you can select the Clearance and Threat Levels for each Job. The former dictates the difficulty, while the latter affects the number of zones and complexity of objectives. There are three Crisis Kits available on top of Altered Augments to modify them, but players also have various firearms to rely on. You can also customize characters with “dozens” of Perks. Stay tuned for more details en route to the game’s launch.

The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion has more RPG mechanics built into it than Skyrim or most Bethesda games after Oblivion, for that matter. Skyrim streamlined some of the intricate busywork that fans have enjoyed dabbling in (and breaking the game with) since Daggerfall and Morrowind. Perhaps most obvious is the complete omission of an NPC persuasion minigame in Skyrim. The Oblivion Remaster brings back the old persuasion minigame wheel and all of the other cool stuff the original had. Here are some beginner tips to help make the journey through the radiant woodlands of Cyrodill that much more enjoyable. Don’t Grind Out Individual Skills Early On Since enemies still scale to your overall level in the remaster, it’s best to avoid grinding out skills that won’t help much in combat (like acrobatics). Every 10 skill ups grants you a level up, so choose what to train wisely or enemies will outperform you in the scaling ‘arms race’. The remaster lets players choose any attribute to level up regardless of class, so it’s possible to out-power enemies just by boosting Strength and Endurance. You can also just avoid leveling entirely by becoming an eternal insomniac. No really, just don’t rest and level scaling will never be an issue. Of course, avoiding leveling up forfeits your ability to progress your attributes like Strength and Endurance, so maybe that’s not the best option. Raise Five Combat Skills Every Level Another more commonsense tactic to make sure enemies don’t overpower you through scaling is to increase five combat skills every level. Doing this will scale your fighting skill rank (the Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, and Master ranks) in parallel with enemy soul class ranks. The specific skills that are useful in this situation are Blade, Blunt, Hand-To-Hand, Armorer, Block, and Heavy Armor. But you don’t need to constantly fight stuff to level these fighting skills; money can do the trick with the right trainers. There’s a Heavy Armor trainer smack dab in the Imperial City. Head to the City Market District and talk to Varnado at The Best Defense store to get started on your road to heavy armor mastery, if that’s a combat skill you want to focus on. Always Keep Repair Hammers on You Even if you’re not focused about raising Armorer skill, keeping a batch of repair hammers with you is smart. This is because, unlike Skyrim, armor and weapons degrade with use and break completely after a while. Consistent weapon and armor repair is crucial in Oblivion. Go Anywhere Now that you have some repair hammers with you, it’s time to choose a direction and explore! In Oblivion, it’s perfectly safe just to set off in any direction without the threat of level 100 dragons or the like. Since every enemy scales to the your overall level, there aren’t any super high level areas that kick you in the teeth (until you activate oblivion gates). Oblivion Gates Speaking of oblivion gates, this game has a soft ‘point of no return’ of sorts. Once the ‘Dagon Quest’ is initiated, those pesky oblivion gates open up all over Cyrodill, causing quite the blemish on the lush, and slightly more desaturated, landscape. These gates will persist until the main quest is finished, so it’s best to hold off on the Dagon Quest until you’re well equipped and ready to deal with their ubiquitous presence. Customize Your Class for the Best Optimization If you want to avoid running into the level scaling problem early, it’s best to make your own custom class. Standard classes are built to level fast before receiving the full bonuses to your targeted attributes.  While there’s a wide array of options that can yield effective results, raising Endurance early on is especially useful as it multiplies HP increase every level up. You want to ever level up to  health as much as possible, so targeting skills tied to Endurance is the best way to get that. Join a Guild for Free Bed, Trainers, and Various Cheap Vendors There are five main guilds available to join and rank up throughout Cyrodill. Being a member of any of these guilds supplies you with a free bed, cheaper vendors, and in most cases, a lot of supplies and adventuring experience. The Thieves Guild can be found when investigating the Gray Fox within the Waterfront District of the Imperial City. The Dark Brotherhood is perhaps the easiest one to get into….if you’re a murderer, that is. And the Fighters and Mages guilds have to be entered through other cities such as Chorral. The next point covers the fifth guild. Do the Arena Questline for Some of the Best Early Money in the Game The Arena is located right in the heart of the Imperial City. Just head on in and start taking on bouts to get some great early money and combat experience. This faction is especially recommended early on because the rewards don’t scale with the overall player level like other quest lines. Oh, and if you’re not a fighter, don’t worry. You can join, freely take weapons and armor from the racks, sell them in the city and never look back again to get some free cash without swinging a sword. Join the Mages Guild To Create Weapons and Spells for Good Early Game Money The Mages Guild has loads of free equipment lying around for apprentices to take. Finding alchemy equipment such as a mortar and pestle is easy once you’ve joined a guild hall. Furthermore, every guild hall houses many spell merchants, some which sell some of the best spells in the game. Use the Mages Guild to Triple Enchant Weapons for High Damage Hits Enchanting becomes available once you unlock the Arcane University within the Mages Guild quest chain. It’s a very open-ended method of adding special effects and spells to your armor and weapons. Enchanting your weapon with fire, frost, and shock each with lower points, is more powerful over time than enchanting a weapon with just one effect with very high points. For armor, it’s highly recommended you use the resist magic enchantment so that the particularly difficult daedra within the oblivion gates don’t pose too much of a threat. Summon Monsters for Easy Combat Experience Whether you’re a mage who wants to get some quick and easy strength skills up to par or a fighter seeking a risk-free method of training, Conjuration magic is a great option. Any new player can grab a basic Summon Scamp spell in a shop in the Imperial City Market District. Just head to Edgar’s Discount Spells shops and train your combat prowess against your summoned scamp for easy and quick experience. If you pick a Dark Elf race for your character, you get a built-in “Summon Ancestor” spell from the get-go, though you can only use it once a day. Buy the Dremora Lord Spell Before It’s Too Late The Dremora Lord conjuration spell disappears after the “A Plot Revealed” quest in the mages guild questline; buy it from Volanaro in the Bruma Mages Guild before then. For those particular interested going down the route of Conjuration, there’s a missable Dremora Lord spell within the Mages Guild questline. Volanaro sells this powerful spell in the Bruma mages guild branch. You must buy it before the “A Plot Revealed” quest or it, and Volanaro, will be gone forever. There’s much more to explore and min-max within the wide world that is Cyrodill, but these 12 are ones that helped us early on in our own adventures.

RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, Teyon’s standalone story expansion for the hit first-person shooter, is launching on July 17th. Check out the latest story trailer below. The story sees armed mercenaries controlling OmniTower, a recently established housing project. Their leader seeks the core to overtake all OCP technology, with some components stolen from the precinct in Metro West. Since that includes RoboCop, stopping him is a priority. Complications arise when it’s revealed that the leader is a former teammate of Officer Alex Murphy. Players will experience missions pre-RoboCop transformation, so it’s possible something happened to cause a split. How things will pan out remains to be seen, but navigating OmniTower will be challenging due to various traps and turrets. The mercenaries are also no pushovers, sporting high-powered weaponry. RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Stay tuned for more details and check out our review for the base game.

Microsoft has released a good number of first-party titles for the PlayStation 5 by now, but the next one in line might arguably be the biggest one yet. Forza Horizon 5 is set to release for Sony’s console not long from now, and Microsoft has released a new trailer to commemorate its looming launch. Check it out below.  Forza Horizon 5 takes place in an open world Mexico setting, while the PS5 version of the game, which is developed by Panic Button, also includes its two expansions – Rally Adventure and Hot Wheels – alongside the base experience.  Forza Horizon 5 is currently available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC. It launches for PS5 on April 29, while those who purchase the Premium Edition will get access a handful of days early, on April 25. Leaks have claimed that the open world title is also in development for the Nintendo Switch 2. 

A PvPvE multiplayer roguelike may not be when one expects from FromSoftware or from Elden Ring, but Elden Ring Nightreign has turned its fair share of heads nonetheless, and new details continue to be revealed on the title.  Publisher Bandai Namco and FromSoftware have released new gameplay trailers to showcase four of the eight playable characters that will be available in Elden Ring Nightreign. The trailers show gameplay for the arcane magic specialist Recluse, the deadly and nimble archer Ironeye, the heady damage dealing Raider, and the quick and roguish Duchess. Check out the character trailers below to see all four in action.  Elden Ring Nightreigns launches for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC on May 30. The game will also receive DLC before the end of the year, at some point in Q4, adding more playable characters and bosses. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. 

When the Nintendo Switch 2 launches roughly a month and a half from now, the console will have plenty of titles available right out the gate, and another major game has now been added to that growing list. Konami has announced (via Gematsu) Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars for the Nintendo Switch 2. The combined remaster of the beloved original JRPGs will be available for the next-gen console on the day of its release, on June 5. Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster will run at 1440p in console mode on the Switch 2, while in handheld mode, it will target 1080p. Both modes will see the game running at 60 FPS. In our review of the game, we awarded it a score of 8/10, saying, “Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars brings the two beloved classics to modern platforms with smart and sensible updates that only reinforce all the reasons the series was so beloved in the first place.” Read the full review through here. Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster is currently available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei has received a release date and new trailer out of nowhere, with a confirmed launch on October 2nd for PS5. In a PlayStation Blog post, senior communications manager Andrew Goldfarb confirmed pre-orders will begin on May 2nd at 10 AM ET in the United States and 10 AM local time for other regions. Pre-orders will receive a unique mask and PSN avatars for Atsu and the Yōtei Six, who she hunts out of revenge. The Standard Edition costs $69.99, while the Digital Deluxe Edition retails for $79.99 and includes The Snake’s armor set, a unique saddle dye and horse color, a gold Sword Kit, and a Charm for use in-game. You can also select a different dye for the starting armor and receive the Traveler’s Maps early for easier location of skill-upgrading statues. Of course, the Collector’s Edition is even more special, offering goodies like a physical replica of Atsu’s mask, sash, and Tsuba. You also get coins for playing Zeni Hajiki (which also appears as a mini-game), a papercraft ginkgo tree, and four art cards.

While there have been concerns about Switch 2 Edition releases for games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom would not support save data backup in the cloud through Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo has seemingly noticed the potential issues from this. As caught by NintendoLife, warnings that were previously present on the eShop listing for the Switch 2 Edition versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom about cloud saves have since been changed to offer more clarity. Previously, the eShop listing had a warning that Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom would not support save data backup through the cloud service offered through Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions. This would mean that potentially save data worth hundreds of hours would have to be left behind if a player were to upgrade to the upcoming console and want to play these games there. The message has now been clarified to indicate that new save data has been created in the second slot of the Switch 2 Edition of the game cannot be taken back to the original Switch. “Save data created in the second save data slot in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition cannot be transferred to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch,” reads the new note. This updated note is currently visible on the eShop pages for both Tears of the Kingdom – Switch 2 Edition, as well as the Switch 2-exclusive Donkey Kong Bananza. Other titles, like Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition still sport the older warning. Reports of some Switch 2 games not supporting save data backup through Nintendo Switch Online first popped up earlier this month thanks to the eShop listings of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The Switch 2 Edition upgrades for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be available when the console hits store shelves on June 5. The upgrades, priced at $10 if you already own the Switch version of the game, will also be available as standalone titles priced at $70 digitally. Nintendo has previously confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition will not include content from the expansion pass that was originally released for the title on the Switch. Rather, new players will have to buy the expansion pass separately to get access to the expansions released for the title. Other Switch games will also be getting Switch 2 Edition upgrades, including Super Mario Party Jamboree with the Jamboree TV expansion, Kirby and the Forgotten Land with the Star Crossed World expansion, and even upcoming titles like Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Along with enhanced visuals, improved performance and quicker load times, the Switch 2 Edition upgrades will also bring in new content for some games. Both The Legend of Zelda titles will also get access to new features through the official Nintendo smartphone app.

Ghost of Yōtei offered plenty of familiar sights in its latest trailer, from the sleek combat to the traversal (with the grappling hook returning). As Atsu, players embark on a mission to slay the Yōtei Six, consisting of The Snake, The Oni, The Kitsune, The Spider, The Dragon, and Lord Saito. However, she’ll also encounter “unlikely allies” and “forge connections that help give her a new sense of purpose,” per the PlayStation Blog. It confirms that the scene from the trailer, which sees Atsu visiting the past, is actually a new mechanic. Other changes include following leads for Yōtei Six and even prioritizing which one to slay first. Atsu can also meet different sensei to unlock new weapon skills, take on bounties, and find “peaceful reprieves,” some returning from Ghost of Tsushima. On top of all this, you can make a campfire anywhere, not unlike Red Dead Redemption. Will there be other mechanics, like cooking, for Atsu to engage in? Time will tell. Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2nd for $69.99 on PS5, with pre-orders starting on May 2nd.

While the recently-released The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has seen quite a successful launch, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra is seemingly not impressed. Taking to social media platform X, Ybarra has written his thoughts about the game, as well as other remasters of older titles. In his post, Ybarra says that he doesn’t believe that older RPGs like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, even with a fresh coat of paint with the Remastered release, don’t quite compare favourably to more modern RPGs like FromSoftware’s Elden Ring. Rather, he believes that the bar of quality for a modern RPG is too high for an older title to be able to surpass. “I’m skeptical about 20 year old remasters,” wrote Ybarra on X. “What was once fantastic, now remastered, will never hold up against modern masterpieces like Elden Ring. The bar has simply moved from safe open world RPGs to what Elden Ring brought us all. I would love to be proven wrong. But I’m not.” Responding to other posts, Ybarra also wrote about how he believes a remake would be more suitable than a remastered release. “I’d be all in on a real remake,” he wrote. “Remaster is my point and why I’m iffy on this. Everything I read says ‘remaster’.” When the point of a remastered release being able to tap into nostalgia is brought up, however, Ybarra mentions that he believes that the nostalgia factor is quite limited since the industry has seen plenty of remakes and remasters having been released already. “I hear you, but I think we’ve had so many ‘remasters’ that nostalgia is limited,” Ybarra responded to a post about nostalgia allowing an older title to compete with more modern releases. “I could be wrong. But I think the gaming community wants fresh and new more than ever.” When it comes to bringing up Elden Ring as a point of comparison, Ybarra also mentions that he doesn’t strictly mean to compare The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered with FromSoftware’s title in terms of it just being a Souls-like game. Rather, he is focusing more on the sense of discovery and the deep combat system offered by Elden Ring. “I don’t mean soulslike, I mean the discovery, the classes, the combat system, etc,” he wrote. “Just a new level of quality.” While Ybarra may have a point about the gaming audience wanting more fresh titles rather than just remakes and remasters of older games, the points he makes does miss out on the idea of bringing older games to a newer audience. Before the remastered release, Oblivion was an incredibly difficult game to get running properly on a modern PC since it requires quite a few community-made patches to fix game-breaking bugs. Console players, on the other hand, couldn’t experience Oblivion anyway since it was only released on the Xbox 360. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered was released on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S as a shadowdrop earlier this week. The game is also available on PC and Xbox Game Pass. Here is everything you need to know about the game. I'm skeptical about 20 year old remasters. What was once fantastic, now remastered, will never hold up against modern masterpieces like Elden Ring. The bar has simply moved from safe open world RPGs to what Elden Ring brought us all. I would love to be proven wrong. But I'm…— Mike Ybarra 🎮 (@Qwik) April 22, 2025 I don't mean soulslike, I mean the discovery, the classes, the combat system, etc. Just a new level of quality.— Mike Ybarra 🎮 (@Qwik) April 22, 2025 I hear you, but I think we've had so many "remasters" that nostalgia is limited. I could be wrong. But I think the gaming community wants fresh and new more than ever.— Mike Ybarra 🎮 (@Qwik) April 22, 2025

While a movie based on Kojima Productions game Death Stranding is being produced by A24, few details about the adaptation have been revealed so far. On a new episode of his radio show Koji10, series creator Hideo Kojima has revealed that the movie adaptation will be “an unbelievable and strange film”. According to X user Genki_JPN, Kojima referred to director Michael Sarnoski as a nice person and the right director for the movie. He also said that Sarnoski isn’t like a typical Hollywood person. “He says Director Michael Sarnoski is smart, has good taste and is a very nice person so is happy he can direct the film,” posted Genki_JPN. “He says Michael properly played Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid 1 and was going to play MGS2 and MGS3 as well but Hideo Kojima stopped him. Hideo Kojima said he doesn’t seem like a typical Hollywood person.” For context, Michael Sarnoski was brought on to direct the A24 Death Stranding project earlier this month. Sarnoski has previously worked on quite a few movies, including A Quiet Place: Day One, Pig, and upcoming movie The Death of Robin Hood. Alongside Sarnoski, Lars Knudsen and Ari Aster’s Square Peg have also joined the team as co-producers for the movie. A24’s involvement in the production of the Death Stranding movie was revealed all the way back in 2023. A24 has a history of producing indie movies that manage to get quite a bit of critical acclaim. Some of the movies produced by the company include Everything Everywhere All at Once, Lady Bird, and The Whale. The company also has quite a few critically-acclaimed horror movies under its belt, such as Hereditary,The VVitch, and Midsommar. “A24 was born into this world about 10 years ago, their presence is singular within the industry, they are like no other. The films they are delivering to the world are high in quality and very innovative,” said Kojima when announcing the partnership with A24 for the movie. “I have been attracted to their creations and they have even inspired my own work. Their innovative approach to storytelling aligns with what Kojima Productions has been doing for the last 8 years. Now, we are making a Death Stranding movie together. There are a lot of ‘game adaptation films’ out there but what we are creating is not just a direct translation of the game. The intention is that our audience will not only be fans of the games, but our film will be for anyone who loves cinema. We are creating a Death Stranding universe that has never been seen before, achievable only through the medium of film, it will be born.” A report from back in 2023 also revealed that Kojima is taking a hands-on approach to the production of the Death Stranding movie. His involvement in the movie includes producing, supervising, plotting, look, design, and content. In the meantime, Kojima Productions is gearing up for the release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The game, developed exclusively for the PS5, will be coming out on June 26. Hideo Kojima says the Death Stranding live-action film with A24 will be an unbelievable and strange film! via @koji10_tbs He says Director Michael Sarnoski is smart, has good taste and is a very nice person so is happy he can direct the film. He says Michael properly played… pic.twitter.com/pJXH3kMfMP— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) April 22, 2025

Massive Entertainment’s Year 7 Showcase for Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 offered numerous new details on Battle for Brooklyn, the next DLC. Launching on May 27th, it retails for $14.99 for base game owners, and it’s bundled with the Gold and Ultimate Edition. Returning to Brooklyn, where players began their journey in The Division 1, you’ll explore familiar locations and new areas like Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights during the Autumn. The DLC is touted to last six to ten hours and includes four Control Points (with each faction having a unique gimmick for guarding them). You can also look forward to 12 Living World Activities, ten Bounty Locations, eight Hunter Riddles, and a new collectable Bounties set. The Cleaners and Rikers are the main enemies, though they’ll harness the Purple Flame to more devastating effect, and Smart Cover returns with two variants: Precision and Fortified. You can also look forward to the new Catalyst Exotic Mask, which provides buffs when dealing and receiving status damage. As for future seasons, Massive promised more events, end-game depth, and an improved onboarding process for newcomers. Stay tuned for more updates.

With the introduction of GameCube games to the collection of classic titles that will be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 through a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, the company will also be releasing a new GameCube controller for the console. However, previous reports have indicated that the controller might only be compatible with GameCube titles, and other games being played might face some compatibility issues. The company has now confirmed that the GameCube controller will work with other games on the Switch 2 as well as GameCube titles. Speaking to Nintendo Life, the company has mentioned that players might face some issues when using the controller on Switch 2 titles, however. It cites the fact that the GameCube controller doesn’t have all the buttons that are usually present on a typical Switch 2 Pro Controller or the new Joy-Con 2 controllers. The company also points out that the GameCube controller will not be compatible with the original Switch. “The Nintendo GameCube controller is designed for use with the Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection of games and is an optional way to play those games,” said the company in its statement. “Since it doesn’t have all the buttons and features found in other controllers that can be used with the Nintendo Switch 2 system, there may be some issues when playing other games. The Nintendo GameCube controller can only be used on Nintendo Switch 2 and is not compatible with Nintendo Switch.” A previous statement by Nintendo indicated that the controller would only work with GameCube games being played on the Switch 2. While the company hadn’t elaborated at the time, speculation revolved around the controller not featuring all of the Switch 2’s buttons. However, historically, classic controllers released for the Switch have also been usable on other games, albeit with some issues here and there. The GameCube controller also tends to be of significance to fans of the Super Smash Bros. franchise. Since the GameCube title, Super Smash Bros. Melee, is widely considered to be one of the best games in the series, a GameCube controller is often preferred by players even for more modern titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch. The GameCube controller for the Switch 2 was announced alongside the arrival of GameCube games on the console during a Nintendo Direct earlier this month. At the console’s June 5 launch day, heavy hitters from the classic console will be available to play, including The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and Soul Calibur 2. More games are planned to be added to the service, including Luigi’s Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, and Chibi-Robo: Plug Into Adventure. GameCube games on the Switch 2 will have plenty of additional quality-of-life features for players, including online multiplayer, save states, game rewind, and even an option for CRT-styled scanlines applied through a filter on top of the game’s visuals for that extra retro appeal. Back when the GameCube was Nintendo’s latest console, scanlines produced by CRT TVs would be used by artists to add an extra layer of aliasing to improve visuals in games.

With the release and success of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, eyes are now on Bethesda for its long-rumoured remaster of Fallout 3. While the Oblivion remaster changed up quite a few things, it maintained the same classic open-world RPG gameplay of the original. Former Bethesda developer Bruce Nesmith believes, however, that with a Fallout 3 remaster, Bethesda should revise the title’s gunplay. Speaking to VideoGamer, Nesmith spoke about how the Fallout series under Bethesda had evolved between Fallout 3 all the way back in 2008, to Fallout 4 in 2015. Among the differences in the two titles, Nesmith specifically pointed to the gun combat, which was much more refined in Fallout 4 than its predecessor. “What did you see in Fallout 4? That will tell you what they felt was necessary to change from Fallout 3,” Nesmith said. “I know in Fallout 4 there was a lot of work done on the gun combat, because Fallout 3 is the first time they ever tried to do a shooter-style game. And, well, I think the work that was done was amazing.” Nesmith, who has previously worked at Bethesda on titles like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion and Fallout 3 as a designer, also went on to mention that the gun combat in Fallout 3 was “not good,” and that it would require heavy revisions if the game were to be remastered for release in the modern gaming market. He also says that Fallout 3‘s combat didn’t quite hold up to even its contemporaries at the time. For context, 2008 saw the release of Gears of War 2, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Dead Space, and Call of Duty: World at War, among many other titles. “[Fallout 3 combat] didn’t hold up to shooters at the time,” Nesmith explained. “Also, it’s an RPG shooter, it’s not a run-and-gun shooter. But a lot of work was done on that for Fallout 4. So I anticipate seeing a lot of that work go into it, assuming they’re doing the same thing.” “Oblivion wasn’t just brought up to the 2011 version of Skyrim,” he continued. “It was brought up to something that, at least on the surface, looks like it exceeds the most recent graphics update in Skyrim.” While Bethesda hasn’t made any announcements confirming the existence of Fallout 3 Remastered, rumours from as far back as 2023 indicate that it has been in the works for a modern release. A report from 2023 covering Microsoft’s trial with the US Federal Trade Commission included mentions of titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and The Elder Scrolls 6, as well as of remasters like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion and Fallout 3. More recent rumours have indicated that Fallout 3 Remastered is still in the works at Bethesda. However, the game isn’t planned for release for a while. In the meantime, check out everything you need to know about The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, as well as what former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra thinks about the game. Also check out how the remastered release revamps various gameplay aspects, like enemy scaling and encumbrance.

Sony and Sucker Punch Productions have announced that Ghost of Yōtei, the eagerly awaited sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, launches on October 2nd. A new trailer outlines protagonist Atsu’s backstory as she hunts for the Yōtei Six in Ezo before it became Hokkaido. Check it out below. After the gang destroyed her home, slaughtered her family and left her for dead, Atsu embarks on a journey of revenge. While utilizing a katana, she can also dual-wield blades, and harness new weapons like the kusarigama and spear. The wolf seen in the last trailer can also attack enemies while the Ghost’s grappling hook returns. Interestingly, the trailer concludes with Atsu “going home,” seemingly re-experiencing her past. Perhaps this provides more context on what led to the Yōtei Six attacking her family. Ghost of Yōtei will be available exclusively for PS5 when it launches later this year. It will support the PS5 Pro on day one. Stay tuned for more details and updates.

Blizzard has revealed that, while it would love to bring its action RPG, Diablo 4, to the Nintendo Switch 2, the company is still figuring out how to bring over the title’s live-service elements to the hybrid console. In an interview with Gamertag Radio, Diablo general manager at Blizzard, Rod Fergusson, spoke about plans for Diablo 4 in 2025, as well as the possibility of bringing the title to the Switch 2. According to Fergusson, Blizzard definitely notices an opportunity to bring the action RPG to the Switch 2. This is further evidenced by the company having previously brought Diablo 3, as well as Diablo 2 Resurrected to the original Switch as well. “I think there’s opportunity there for sure,” Fergusson said. “I mean, we have Diablo 3 and Diablo 2 Resurrected already on the Switch, and with backwards compatibility it’ll be playable on Switch 2.” Fergusson believes that, thanks to the more powerful hardware in the Switch 2, performance isn’t an issue when it comes to a Diablo 4 port for the platform. Rather, the hurdle for the studio is figuring out the live-service elements of the online-only game, and how these features could be brought over to the Switch 2. “It’s nice the Switch 2 has the performance that can run a game like Diablo 4, so yeah, it’s something to look at for sure,” he said. “I think the challenge is less around the hardware and just about how we… you know, live services on Switch have been a little bit challenging in the past.” “So I’m hopeful that as they launch this June and as we look to the future, that becomes easier and easier, so it makes more sense to put a live service on that platform.” For context, while the Switch 2 will be perfectly capable of connecting to the Internet in order to play online-only game, the console’s handheld features are also a big part of its feature set. A big selling point for several Switch owners was the fact that it could also work as a portable console that could be taken along on trips or commutes. Diablo 4, while potentially playable on the Switch 2 as long as it is connected to the Internet, will likely not work when a player decides to take the Switch 2 out with them. Even with the use of modern technologies like Wi-Fi tethering through smartphones, the connection would be too spotty to ensure a pleasant playing experience for an online-only title like Diablo 4. Previous rumours have also indicated that Blizzard has been working on a Switch 2 port of the game. Earlier this month, Blizzard had revealed its roadmap for Diablo 4 in 2025. A host of new content is planned for the game, including the return of Belial between April and July, as well as future content like Sins of the Horadrim from July to September, and Infernal Chaos from September to December. Diablo 4 is currently available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Blizzard has committed to developing more content for the game moving forward, and back in March, a developer also spoke about wanting the game to “be around for years”.

Many moments in Sandfall Interactive’s debut role-playing game stuck with me, even after the credits rolled, but perhaps the most poignant is from Sciel, a member of the so-called Disaster Expedition. “Death is a friend that will welcome me home.” At first, this may come across as accepting death before it even arrives, acknowledging the so-called great equalizer. However, from Sciel’s perspective, it offers two potential outcomes, both affording a reunion with her friends and family. Yet as ever-present as death can be throughout Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, life shines throughout. To prove that it’s not for nothing – that it’s beyond simply existing, even if it means struggling with crushing sorrow. The term references the strong contrasts between light and dark in painting to create a sense of volume, and this bleeds into every aspect of the gameplay. The turn-based combat with real-time elements; the mix of tragedy and joy; the impeccable homage to old-school RPGs in a contemporary shell. In short, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an excellent title. That Sandfall Interactive could deliver an experience of this weight and magnitude is as impressive as it is exemplary. "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an excellent title. That Sandfall Interactive could deliver an experience of this weight and magnitude is as impressive as it is exemplary." The story is compelling from the very get-go, starting in Lumiere, an island city separated from the main continent after the devastatingly mysterious Fracture. Its inhabitants know nothing of the outside world, save for the Monolith and the Paintress, who awakens once a year to paint a new number, after which every one of that age dies, dissipating into petals in an event known as the Gommage. The fact that it’s become part of daily life in the city further leans into the ever-present nature of death. Of course, its inhabitants aren’t taking this laying down…or at least they haven’t been for several decades. They send Expeditions of those with one year of life left to the continent in the hopes of destroying the Paintress and breaking the cycle once and for all. Why is she painting in the first place? Why does everyone die? Those are but a few mysteries that Gustave has to answer upon setting out. A kind-hearted yet sometimes timid engineer, Gustave is joined by Maelle, his foster sister. Despite having several years left, she yearns to explore the world outside Lumiere. However, as soon as their expedition lands on the beach of the continent, they’re accosted by Renoir, an old man who summarily slaughters them all (with some help from terrifying monsters known as Nevrons). With only a handful of survivors and little hope, Gustave sets out to reach the Monolith and stop the Paintress. Along with Maelle, he’s joined by the meticulous researcher Lune and the cheerful Sciel, a farmer turned teacher. Journeying through the continent, they meet the Gestrals, a race of wooden doll-like beings who yearn for combat and other challenges; seek out the legendary Esquie; and much more. To say any more would ruin the surprise beyond the obviousness of things not being what they seem. "There are a few awkward bits of humor (and at least one downright bizarre scene), but watching the group process events, be it rolling with the punches or making sense of cataclysmic events, is enthralling." Regardless, the plot is well-paced and tout, mixing the right amount of levity with seriousness. Some elements can feel a bit odd tonally, and by the time it’s all said and done, there are more than a few burning questions left unanswered. There are even elements that may be divisive among some players, but I feel that they suit the bigger picture, adding much-needed volume to the proceedings. While the larger conflict and mystery are intertwined with the group’s interpersonal relationships and bonds (and sometimes overshadow them), the characterization is extremely on point. Part of this is due to the natural dialogue, which lends more weight to the emotional moments. The other part is the voice acting. Charlie Cox is excellent as Gustave, balancing anxiety with an earnest nature that makes him imminently likeable. Kristy Rider lends a subtle sophistication and air to Lune, while Shala Nyx wonderfully embodies Sciel, who, despite her cheery and relaxed demeanor, seemingly carries a pall of sadness. Andy Serkis as Renoir, Ben Starr as Verso (a mysterious individual who tracks the expedition for unknown reasons) and Rich Keeble as Monoco (a Gestral who talks the talk and clumsily walks the walk) also shine throughout. But despite the tough competition, Jennifer English is my favorite. She lends an aura of innocence and street smarts to Maelle, later tinged with the trauma of watching her expedition murdered. The chemistry between the cast is also something to behold, whether they reminisce on the trials thus far, process grief, or try to make sense of everything happening. There are a few awkward bits of humor (and at least one downright bizarre scene), but watching the group process events, be it rolling with the punches or making sense of cataclysmic events, is enthralling. Also, shout out to the rest of the cast for voicing the voice logs of other Expeditions discovered throughout the continent. They’re a joy to listen to, and, on top of providing more context on what led to their demise, some genuinely poignant moments lay waiting to be discovered. Lore is always a challenging endeavor, but Clair Obscur’s logs paint an incredible portrait of the world while also getting me to care about these people. "All of this combines into a combat system that feels dynamic and involved. You’re constantly attempting to adjust to new enemies and patterns – and there is a venerable smorgasbord to deal with." Of course, you can chat up party members back at camp and increase bond levels, though the system could have used a bit more oomph beyond simply selecting one of two dialogue choices and watching the level increase. These interactions usually unfold as exchanges with minimal animation, though some unique moments occasionally emerge. The English lip-syncing also felt off on occasion, which took me out of some of the interactions (though the quality of the voice acting brought me back). Thankfully, this is less common during cinematics, which boasts incredible cinematography and animation work. Much has been made about the combat. How it’s dynamic and engaging, and the absolute highlight of the experience. Whatever you’ve heard or seen, good news – it’s even better than that. The fundamentals are straightforward enough – turn-based with a turn order determined by Speed, which also influences how often you act, which also applies to enemies. Action Points are spent on Skills, but you can also use them for Free Aim shots. Enemies can be stunned after receiving enough Break damage. So far, so good. Where Clair Obscur diverges from most other titles is in its use of real-time elements. Manually aiming to hit weak spots. Dodging attacks and parrying, leading to counters. Timed button presses for skills (though you can turn this off if it gets too obnoxious). You can also jump over certain moves and attack an enemy. Sometimes, the entire party may be targeted and upon parrying, they unleash a devastating triple counter. On top of this are Gradient Counters, used against specific enemy attacks, and Gradient Attacks, which unleash powerful techniques after consuming enough AP and building charges. All of this combines into a combat system that feels dynamic and involved. You’re constantly attempting to adjust to new enemies and patterns – and there is a venerable smorgasbord to deal with. It’s not long before you’re dealing with enemies who mix in sweeping attacks to jump over and must use Gradient Counters out of nowhere to survive devastating hits. The rush of parrying multiple hits, accompanied by the pause in music and punch of a counter is as dopamine-inducing the first time as it is the hundredth. Some enemies also have elemental affinities, which means they’re susceptible to different types of elemental damage. Use the wrong type, and you’ll deal less damage; use the same type of element and they’ll absorb your attack, regaining health. Not only will you have to consider which weapons to use (especially since their passives are integral to certain set-ups), but the Skills and synergies. "While early areas feel more “linear” and don’t offer as many side areas, that’s thankfully not the case throughout. Subsequent environments open up with more unique foes (like Mimes and Petanks), optional bosses, light puzzle solving, platforming, and varying elevations." In terms of character kits, Clair Obscur does a phenomenal job of outlining the basics and slowly adding layers of complexity. For example, Maelle has three stances – Offensive, which deals and takes 50 percent more damage; Defensive, which reduces damage taken by 50 percent and grants additional AP on parrying; and Virtuose, which increases damage by a whopping 200 percent. Early on, the loop seems easy enough to understand – Offensive stance, then ignite an enemy and switch to Virtuose before dishing out more damage. However, you may decide to spec into Burn damage, thus leveraging a skill, which inflicts Burn stacks while also dealing more damage with each stack. It also switches you into Offensive stance, allowing you to gain more Burn stacks with a different skill. You could switch to Virtuose with another skill (which also recovers some AP) and use another skill, which consumes those Burn stacks, for big damage. Or you could come up with something completely different. And that’s only one character. Lune encourages thinking carefully about your equipped skills since each generates a Stain that can be consumed for different effects. Want to cast an Ice attack and receive four AP if the enemy is burning? How about taking another turn because two green Stains have been consumed? I opted for a completely different approach – using a weapon that generates random Stains on Free Aim shots (and two on a base attack). If the odds were in my favor, I would consume them to increase the damage of skills or activate Mayhem, which consumes all four Stains for massive damage and potentially breaks an enemy. Was it super-practical to try and get four different colored Stains to activate Elemental Genesis, one of her highest-damaging skills? Maybe not, but when it worked, it was a blast. Then you throw in the Pictos and Lumina, further diversifying your builds. Pictos are items containing stats and a passive effect, like dodging to obtain an Action Point or a percentage chance to inflict a Burn stack on a Free Aim shot. You can equip up to three, but once you’ve played four battles, the passive effect can be equipped as a Lumina by anyone (if you have the Lumina Points). It’s reminiscent of Final Fantasy 9’s system, and the options are extensive, from increased break damage on base attacks and Free Aim shots to health recovery each round, additional AP on Parry, and even +1 AP on Parry, but damage received is doubled. "The overall diversity is also something to behold – each location brimming with an unmistakable atmosphere, whether it’s the deceptively laid-back Gestral Village, a location with an oceanic ceiling that has to be seen to be believed, or a battlefield littered with giant swords." There is a lot of choice available, yet, it’s streamlined and easy to enable. Even leveling up weapons to unlock their higher-level passives (since each has three) doesn’t feel grindy. You may not have enough resources early on to fully level up all the weapons, but later game threats offer more plentiful upgrade materials and even some free weapon level-ups. Considering your stats is important as well since weapons can scale off of two for more damage. However, you’ll want to diversify, especially since investing enough points in a stat could offer increases for others. By the endgame, your min-maxing route becomes clear but I still found it enjoyable to balance how much critical hit chance I needed and where I could compensate with Pictos. The other core pillar of Clair Obscur is exploration, which brings us to one of the more common points in previews – linearity. While early areas feel more “linear” and don’t offer as many side areas, that’s thankfully not the case throughout. Subsequent environments open up with more unique foes (like Mimes and Petanks), optional bosses, light puzzle solving, platforming, and varying elevations. Granted, some stretches offer little more than going from point A to point B (to say nothing of the stages, which are little more than a beautiful backdrop where you collect a record to play back at camp), but it’s an upward curve of complexity. Level layouts and mechanics become richer and more complex as you progress. The overall diversity is also something to behold – each location brimming with an unmistakable atmosphere, whether it’s the deceptively laid-back Gestral Village, a location with an oceanic ceiling that has to be seen to be believed, or a battlefield littered with giant swords. Which brings us to the overworld exploration. When the development team boasted about 30 hours of side content to go with the 30-hour story, it wasn’t kidding. Platforming challenges (including one that’s a clear homage to Only Up), Chromatic Nevrons (much tougher versions of foes who yield better rewards), Lost Gestrals, and optional areas teeming with challenging bosses – there is a deceptively large amount to discover. "You may baulk at some twists as much as enjoy the thrilling encounters and emotional moments. Either way, this is a fantastic RPG experience that deserves your attention." While some mini-games feel rougher than others, the sheer range of content is still impressive. I was delayed for hours from finishing the story simply due to discovering a new region, boss or side story. You shouldn’t expect Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth levels of playtime, but it’s still a meaty experience that thankfully doesn’t overstay its welcome or pile on meaningless tasks. Regarding the presentation, what can I say about Clair Obscur’s visuals that screenshots and video haven’t already? Unreal Engine 5 is in full effect with stunning particle effects, atmospherics and textures (barring the rare low-res example). Character models look excellent, but the environments are on another level entirely in terms of detail. It’s a shame that the PS5 version has such severe pop-in while traversing the overworld, especially on Esquie. You won’t notice it as much while exploring levels on foot, though HDR can feel a bit too dark in some places, necessitating adjustments. At least Performance Mode is a consistent 60 frames per second, and there are options to turn off motion blur. When it comes to the music, there are no complaints whatsoever. The sheer variety in arrangements, from jazz and piano-backed pieces with high-range vocals to techno, is breathtaking. Whether it’s better than the very best in the genre is for you to decide, but it certainly deserves a place in that tier. It’s a shame, then, that a bug can occasionally cause the music in a fight to cut out, resulting in an awkward silence. This isn’t as terrible as the two times I got stuck in the environment, but otherwise, the level of polish is fairly strong. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has a few nagging issues, especially on PS5, but the positives are overwhelming and worth celebrating. A studio of this scale delivering such incredible production values, combat, story-telling, characterization, and world design is truly something special and I only hope it isn’t lost in the shuffle of big-name releases. You may baulk at some twists as much as enjoy the thrilling encounters and emotional moments. Either way, this is a fantastic RPG experience that deserves your attention. This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered was finally made official on Tuesday after months of relentless leaks and rumours, and instantly upon its shadow-dropped release, the open world action RPG has oh-so-predictably attracted quite a sizeable audience. As per SteamDB, on its launch day, Oblivion Remastered saw a peak of 182,298 concurrent players on Steam. An Elder Scrolls game enjoying impressive player numbers should come as no surprise, of course, though for a shadow-dropped game, those are particularly high figures. It should be interesting to see how it performs over the coming days. It’s also worth noting that Oblivion Remastered is available through Game Pass and the Windows Store as well, which means its player base on PC is even larger than what its Steam numbers suggest. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is available on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Head on over here for details on some of its many changes and improvements.

With a remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny and a long-awaited new entry in the form of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, fans of Capcom’s long-dormant action franchise finally have quite a bit to look forward to in the near future. On top of that, the company is also set to release a new update for a previously-released title. Onimusha: Warlords Remaster will receive a new update on April 23, Capcom has announced, adding a new mode in the form of Hell Mode. Hell Mode, a challenging one-hit kill mode that makes players extra vulnerable, was freshly announced for the aforementioned Onimusha 2 remaster earlier this year, though soon, it will also be available to play in its direct predecessor. Additionally, the update will also add sub support for six additional languages in the form of Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Arabic, and Latin American Spanish. Onimusha: Warlords Remaster is available for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.