The movie adaptation of Sonys Horizon franchise that was last announced during CES 2025 back in January has now seemingly been changed into becoming a TV show. In an interview with Variety, head of PlayStation Productions Asad Qizilbash spoke about how there is an audience for games being adapted into movies and shows if the adaptations are done right.I think what people have seen in Hollywood is that video game adaptations, if done right, can actually be very popular, and they scale really well. Thats been a big sea change that Ive seen in the last five, six years, since weve really started to come and deliver some great content, said Qizilbash.This desire to do it right, according to him, was what led to the Horizon adaptation being turned from a movie to a TV show. Qizilbash said that it just wasnt creatively going how we wanted to.It is worth noting that changes like this arent likely to have adverse effects on the quality of the adaptation since the production work is likely still in its early stages. Neither Sony nor Columbia, for instance, have confirmed what kind of cast or crew is currently attached to the project.The adaptation will likely be produced in a similar way as what we got to see with HBOs The Last of Us, which was largely faithful to the source material in the games, while also making a few minor changes here and there in order to tell the story in a way better suited for episodic viewing.The Last of Us is getting ready to premiere it second season on April 13. Leading up to this, the show also got a new trailer. In more The Last of Us news, the PC version of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered came out last week. Check out our review for more details.

The Duskbloods director Hidetaka Miyazaki has revealed that the creature we see at the end of the games reveal trailer will be the players main companion in the games hub. In an interview with Nintendo, Miyazaki compared the characters role to that of the fire keepers in Dark Souls and the Maiden in Black from Demons Souls.That character shares a similar role with the fire keepers from the Dark Souls series. They remain in the hub area, providing the player with advice and guidance, said Miyazaki.As for why the creature looks like it could end up being some sort of mascot character for The Duskbloods, Miyazaki said that it was something new that FromSoftware was trying as part of its partnership with Nintendo in making the game. I suppose you could say we tried doing something a little Nintendo-esque in the spirit of the partnership, he said.We tried something cute for a change. Although I will say this character is actually an elderly gentleman.For more context about the role that the unnamed creature will likely play in The Duskbloods, traditionally, FromSoftwares titles have featured a character that accompanies the players in their adventures, either by actively traveling alongside them like in Elden Ring, or taking care of the players main home base, like in Dark Souls 2 or Bloodborne.This character is often the one players have to interact with in order to do various things like spending Souls, Runes, or Blood Echoes to level up their stats. The characters also often form an integral part of their games stories. The fire keepers from Dark Souls, for example, have been the last few creatures that have been keeping the flames from dying out.Having a character like that be a part of the home base in The Duskbloods would indicate that the title will feature some form of meta-progression outside of matches. While FromSoftware hasnt confirmed too many details about the game yet, the fact that it will be a match-based PvPvE title where players take on AI-based enemies as well as other players would indicate that each match would have them starting from scratch.The Duskbloods was originally announced during Nintendos Switch 2 Direct last week. The game doesnt yet have a solid release date. FromSoftware, however, has confirmed that it is aiming for a 2026 launch window. The game will feature more than 12 playable characters, and players will get to define their relationships with other players through the roles they pick.Each match will feature a group of 8 players that might end up being friends or foes, as they also try to take on environmental hazards and AI enemies throughout the match. Players will also get to pick between characters depending on their unique abilities and preferred playing styles.The studio has also stated that, while it has been working on more multiplayer-centric games recently, it is still committed to making more single-player games in the future. In the meantime, also check out reports that FromSoftware is the owner of the IP for The Duskbloods.

There arent a lot of games out there that we have been waiting for as long as we have forMetroid Prime 4: Beyond. Its been close to two decades sinceMetroid Prime 3: Corruptioncame out, andPrime 4itself was originally announced all the way back in 2017, before being indefinitely delayed and completely rebooted from scratch under Retro Studios just a couple of years later. Now, however, that long period of anticipation finally seems to be in its final stretch.An entire console generation after its original announcement,Metroid Prime 4: Beyondis close to releasing, while recent days and weeks have also brought new details and gameplay footage on the first person action adventure title. As we look to fan the flames of hype surrounding the game, here, were going to highlight the most significant details that have emerged on the upcoming Nintendo title. Without further ado, lets dive in- starting with the basics.STORY DETAILSSet some time after the events ofMetroid Prime 3: Corruption, Metroid Prime 4: Beyondwill see series protagonist and legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran embarking on a quest on yet another dangerous alien planet. As we saw in a recent Treehouse Live demo the game will begin with Samus responding to a distress call from Galactic Federation soldiers on the planet of Tenmaar, which we also saw glimpses of in Metroid Prime 4s re-reveal last June. As Samus lands, she finds the planet under assault from heavy Space Pirate forces, who, curiously enough, have forged an alliance with the enigmatic bounty hunter Sylux. For those unaware, Sylux has appeared a handful of times in the past, but little is known about the villainous character. Retro Studios and Nintendo have confirmed, however, that the bounty hunter is going to have a major role to play in the upcoming sequel.SETTINGThe planet of Tenmaar will be whereMetroid Prime 4: Beyondwill kick off, but its not the aforementioned dangerous alien planet that serves as the games main setting. As revealed in a recent Nintendo Direct trailer, the game is set on a completely new planet in the form of Viewros. Little is known about this planet or what sights it will have on offer, other than the fact that a colossal, towering tree lies at its heart and is clearly an important structure as far as the planets lore is concerned. This being aMetroidgame, presumably, well get much more intimate with the planet, its environments, its history, and its many hostile denizens over the course o the game.CLASSIC METROID PRIME GAMEPLAY RETURNSAll that we have seen ofMetroid Prime 4sgameplay so far has made it clear that for returning series fans, things will instantly feel familiar in more ways than one. The lock-on centric shooting, the shooting at doors to unlock them, the scanning of everything and anything that you can see, the energy tanks and missiles, the turning into a morph ball and using your bombs- all the familiar gameplay elements that youd expect in aMetroid Primegame are present and accounted for here.PSYCHIC ABILITIESMetroid Prime 4may be delivering a lot of more of the same, but that isntallthat its doing. Retro Studios is also changing up the tried and true gameplay formula with some new ideas thrown in- like Samus new Psychic Powers. How they will fit into the story remains to be seen, but we do know that Samus is going to be equipped with new telekinetic abilities inPrime 4. This time, shell be able to manipulate and move objects with her mind, control the trajectory of her fired projectiles, open doors that are otherwise inaccessible, and more. Presumably, these abilities will also have a significant role to play where traversal and exploration are concerned.ABERAXMetroid Prime 4: Beyondsrecent Treehouse Live demo showed off the opening minutes of the game, which, in trueMetroid Primefashion, end with a bombastic set piece boss fights against a ginormous alien monstrosity. Named Aberax, this creature, as the first boss of the game, isnt awfully difficult to take down, by the looks of it, but still seems like a solid introductory boss. In the demo, we saw it unleashing a variety of different attacks, such as sending out large circular waves for players to dodge over or under, using its jetpack for enhanced mobility, and swinging at Samus with vicious melee strikes. The boss fight tasks players with focusing on and damaging weak points on Aberaxs chest, which the creature does its best to try and prevent you from doing by blocking them with its shielded arms.NEW SUITYou cant have a newMetroidgame (with some exceptions) without a new suit for Samus to find and kit herself out with, and sure enough, Metroid Prime 4: Beyondwont buck that trend either. A new red suit was glimpsed in its Switch 1 Direct trailer at the end of March, though as youd expect Retro Studios and Nintendo have said little else about it, where it will fit in the story, or what (if any) new powers it will bestow on Samus.LAUNCH DETAILSAt the recent Switch 2 unveiling, Nintendo announced, as many expected, thatMetroid Prime 4: Beyondis going to be a cross-gen game. In addition to releasing on the Switch, it will also be available on the Switch 2 day and date. When exactly it will release is still a mystery, with Nintendo having chosen to withhold that information thus far, but wedoat least know that it will be out sometime this year.NINTENDO SWITCH 2 EDITIONMetroid Prime 4: BeyondsNintendo Switch 2 version or its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition release, as Nintendo is calling it will come with a number of enhancements. Players can expect improved load times, improved resolution and frame rate targets (more on this in a bit), HDR support (as long as you have a compatible screen) and more.GRAPHICS MODESMetroid Primegames have a knack for looking gorgeous for the hardware that they are on, andBeyondis looking no different. On the Switch 2, in fact, it will unsurprisingly boast some pretty impressive tech targets. In Quality Mode, the game will run at 4K and 60 FPS, while a Performance Mode will also be available for those who wish to play it at 1080p and 120 FPS.GAMEPLAY MODESMetroid Prime 4: Beyonds Switch 2 version will have exclusive gameplay features as well, with the game being playable one of several ways, thanks to the consoles versatile hardware. You can play it the regular way with a controller, or you can use the Switch 2s gyro controls to make aiming a little easier for yourself (not that the heavy lock on ofMetroid Primesgameplay makes that part of the gameplay too difficult). Best of all, youll also be able to turn a Joy-Con on its side to use it like a mouse and play the game that way, which is particularly exciting for a first-person shooter. As shown in the recent gameplay demo, switching between different gameplay styles will be instant and seamless.

Plenty of games generated buzz during last weeks Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, but the announcement of FromSoftwares The Duskbloods felt noteworthy. Perhaps its because of the concept or its exclusivity status a first for the developer on Nintendo platforms.However, there was some trepidation after it was announced as an eight-player PvEvP title. With Elden Ring: Nightreign on the horizon, was the developer focusing more on online experiences for the foreseeable future?Well, no. In a new Creators Voice interview with Nintendo, director Hidetaka Miyazaki said, This is an online multiplayer title at its core, but this doesnt mean that we as a company have decided to shift to a more multiplayer-focused direction with titles going forward.The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring was also announced, and we still intend to actively develop single-player focused games such as this that embrace our more traditional style.Though its action and art style scream FromSoftware, The Duskbloods sees the team venturing into interesting new directions. There are over a dozen playable characters with unique abilities and weapons, and players can customize them to some extent.You can also adjust their blood history, marking others as your rival or companion (and earning rewards). The range of traversal options is also distinctly superhuman compared to the developers previous titles.The Duskbloods launches in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

Following various teases, Bungie has confirmed a gameplay reveal for Marathon on April 12th at 10 AM PT on Twitch. This follows a rumor by Giant Bombs Jeff Grubb about the same back in February and recent tweets from individuals like Geoff Keighley about playtesting the title.Announced in 2023 as a PvP extraction shooter, Marathon is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Though not a direct sequel to the original trilogy, Bungie wants to honor the existing mythology, story, and themes. Rumors indicated that the title faced development issues leading to internal delays, with the sentiment around it reportedly not great.With Joe Ziegler taking over the directorial role and introducing playable heroes (known as Runners), Marathon will expand its playtests this year. Whether that could mean a closed beta, potentially announced during the upcoming reveal, remains to be seen.However, updates on the backend of its Steam listing hint at imminent pre-orders, so it may launch sooner than expected. Stay tuned for more updates in the meantime.

The second day of Nintendos Treehouse: Live stream offered even more gameplay for upcoming Switch 2 titles, including Kirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World. The upgraded version of the 2022 action platformer offers a brand new campaign, which sees a mysterious meteor crashing into the land.Kirby sets out to investigate familiar levels which have been remixed and revamped with new routes (though you can still choose from the originals on the world map). For example, the starting level sees the iconic skyscraper damaged by a meteor fragment. Enemies have also changed to have new attacks, and sections require activating new switches to generate platforms.Star-Crossed World will feature new Mouthful Modes, including a spring for jumping high and dropping down with a heavy slam on enemies. If that werent enough, players seeking a challenge can opt for Wild Mode to earn more coins.Kirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World launches on August 28th for the Switch 2. Its also a paid upgrade for owners of the Switch 1 version.

Though the real-time strategy genre is nowhere close to being in the sort of shape that it once used to be, fans thankfully still have some solid offerings to choose between, and every so often, something new and interesting usually tends to come along. Of course, in the absence of AAA studios, indies and smaller teams have had to fill the void, and with the upcomingTempest Rising,developers Slipgate Ironworks and 2B Games, and publishers 3D Realms and Knights Peak, are looking to do. With the games launch now around the corner, here, were going to cover some pivotal details that you should know about it and what itll bring to the table.STORY AND SETTINGTempest Risingis set in an alternate history Earth where the Cuban Missile Crisis went in a drastically different direction, sparking World War 3 and leaving chaos in its wake. Thirty-four years later, huge portions of the war-torn planet are heavily irradiated, though as luck would have it, these areas are also where the newly emerged, mysterious, plant-like energy source known as Tempest is found. As you would expect, Tempest is highly coveted by warring factions, who are locked in conflict as a result.INSPIRED BY COMMAND AND CONQUERIn case it wasnt abundantly clear by now, yes,Tempest Risingis heavily inspired byCommand and Conquer,to the extent that its developers have outright described it as a spiritual successor. From its war-torn setting and the narrative premise at its core to other gameplay and narrative details (that well get into in a bit), the game is wearing itsCommand and Conquerinfluences pretty proudly on its sleeve. Whats more,Tempest Risingsmusic is also being composed by Frank Klepacki, who is best known forCommand and Conquer.CAMPAIGNSAs youd expect from a real-time strategy game claiming to be inspired byCommand and Conquer,Temptest Risingwill feature two campaigns. Two factions, as we touched on, will be at the heart of the games story, and each of the games two campaigns will see you playing as a different one.CAMPAIGN LENGTHBy the look of it,Tempest Risingwill boast pretty substantial single-player offerings, with each campaign set to be eleven missions long, and cutscenes interspersed throughout. What the runtime for each campaign will be remains to be seen, but speaking in an interview with Gameshedge, lead game designer Brandon Casteel promised beefy missions with plenty of gameplay time per mission. Missions will also be varied, and not all following the same structure, according to Casteel.MULTIPLAYERNo RTS (especially one inspired byCommand and Conquer) is complete without a full suite of multiplayer offerings, and sure enough,Tempest Risingwill have plenty of modes on offer. Its been confirmed that in addition to multiplayer skirmishes, custom matches and ranked multiplayer matches will also be available.FACTIONSTwo factions will be at the heart ofTempest Risingsstory with the Tempest Dynasty and the Global Defense Force, each starring in their own campaign. In multiplayer, meanwhile, players will also have a third faction to play as in the form of the Veti, an ancient and technologically advanced alien race. Each faction will bring their own unique roster of units, systems, and play styles. The Veti, however, will not be available at launch. Exactly when the third faction will become available is currently not known.GLOBAL DEFENSE FORCEIn whats left of the world inTempest Risingsuniverse, the Global Defense Force (or the GDF) is the largest military on the planet. A coalition of the militaries of the United States, Canada, and Western European nations, the GDF specializes in technological advancements, scientific research, space exploration, surveillance, and intelligence warfare. In gameplay, the GDF will priorizite precision offense and high mobility- though heavy weaponry will also be an option should it become necessary.TEMPEST DYNASTYWhere much of the western half of Earth formed the GDF following World War 3, several Eastern European and Asian nations came together to become the Tempest Dynasty. With man of the dynastys former nations having suffered heavy irradiation, it also finds itself with large quantities of Tempest within its borders, which is now very much to their advantage. Armed with Tempest, in gameplay, the faction is able to use high-energy systems, units, and buildings to its advantage.SPECIALISTSAs youd expect, each faction inTempest Risingwill also feature its own roster of exclusive, higher-powered units touting unique abilities. The GDF, for instance, will have the drone assassin Comandante Vasco Delgado, the riot medic Captain Dylan Tremblay, the comms officer Captain Ed Hayes, and the sniper Captain Bronagh Cregan. The Tempest Dynasty, on the other hand, will have, among others, the physicist Dr. Aigul Yusupova, the machinist Sergeant Srdjan Radojevi, the anti-vehicle sniper Bataar Nergi, and combat support specialistMykyta Moroz.SUPPORT POWERSEach faction inTempest Risingwill also have its own set of support powers, which will supposedly work not too differently from how super weapons did inCommand and Conquergames. The GDFs support powers will let you unleash air strikes, deploy troop carriers loaded with peacekeeping forces, use communication jammers, and more. On the other hand, the Tempest Dynastys support powers will let you fire extremely volatile Tempest missiles, seed battlefields with dangerous mines, deliver automated infirmary pods on the battlefield, and more.SPECIALIST MISSIONSSimilar to Commando missions inCommand and Conquergames,Tempest Risingscampaigns will also feature missions where players will be playing only as a Specialist unit. How many of these we can expect is unknown, but speaking in the aforementioned Gameshedge interview, lead game designer Brandon Casteel confirmed that Specialist-only missions will indeed be featured.NO NAVAL BATTLESNaval battles were often a big part of the gameplay loop inCommand and Conquertitles, but this is one area whereTempest Risingis deviating from its biggest inspiration. Speaking with Gameshedge, Casteel explained that the complexity that naval gameplay would have added to the experience led to the developers decision to not have it be in the game at all. Whether or not it will be added in at some point in the future remains to be seen.Naval as a gestalt concept introduces a tremendous amount of complexity to a game, Casteel said. You have to worry about what happens on the coastline, about how air units and ground units engage with naval units; you will have to figure out much more complex map design challenges, and it will decrease the number of units you will be able to produce for air and ground as well. I feel like its tricky enough to worry about getting the basics of an RTS right, and we would have done ourselves no favors trying to figure out the very complex challenges inherent in adding a naval layer to the game. Never say never, but I think a lot of people drastically underestimate how hard it is to make naval work. Very, very few games have done it right.SYSTEM REQUIREMENTSRecommended system requirements forTempest Risinghavent yet been revealed, however, its minimum requirements are available, and thankfully, theyre not terribly demanding. To be able to run the game, youll need at least either an i5-7400 or a Ryzen 5 1600, along with either a GeForce GTX 1060 3 or a Radeon RX 580, and about 30 GB of free storage space.

Nintendo formally unveiled Mario Kart Worldat its Switch 2 Direct earlier in the week, and though the wait for aMario Kart 8successor has been a long one, its not going to drag on much longer.Mario Kart Worldwill release in June as a Switch 2 launch title, and ahead of its release, Nintendo isnt being stingy with the amount of gameplay footage it is showcasing.Hot on the heels of extensive gameplay showcased during Thursdays Treehouse livestream, Nintendo followed up today with more of the same. Close to 40 minutes of new gameplay footage have been revealed forMario Kart Worldin total, showing off more of its Grand Prix mode, some of the many tracks and characters that will be featured in the game, how it will incorporate GameChat features, and more. You can check out the gameplay below.Mario Kart Worldwill launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5. The game will be sold at a price of $79.99.

The wait for a new 3DDonkey Kongplatformer has dragged on for an eternity, but after several years of rumours, were finally getting another one.Donkey Kong Bananzawas one of Nintendos biggest announcements at the recent Switch 2 Direct, and the company is continuing to showcase the title ahead of its looming release.As part of its day 2 Treehouse livestream, Nintendo showcased new gameplay footage forDonkey Kong Bananza. Across roughly 15 minutes, the new gameplay shows off the games dynamic (and extensive) environmental destruction mechanics, how that impacts exploration, combat and platforming gameplay (including surface around on broken rocks), collectible hunting, what the map function will look like, and more. Both visually and in terms of gameplay, the action platformer continues to look promising. Check out the gameplay below.Donkey Kong Bananzawill launch on July 17 for the Nintendo Switch 2. For another lengthy chunk of gameplay footage, head on over here.

With the Switch 2 touting a significant technical leap over its predecessor, games are naturally going to be more visually impressive, technically demanding, and, by extension, larger in size- though nottoomuch larger, it turns out.Nintendo has started revealing file sizes for Nintendo Switch 2 titles via their Japanese eShop pages, and though they are obviously a jump from the Switch 1, by modern standards, they remain refreshingly manageable (based on early indications, at least).Mario Kart Worldis listed as having a 23.4 GB file size, in contrast to 11.3 GB forMario Kart 8 Deluxeon the Nintendo Switch.Donkey Kong Bananza,meanwhile, will have a 10 GB file size. In comparison, the dev teams last major 3D platformer,Super Mario Odyssey,has a 5.6 GB file size.Nintendo has also revealed sizes for upcoming native Switch 2 enhanced releases for a couple of Switch 1 titles, withKirby and the Forgotten Landweighing 5.7 GB, which is curiously about the same as its Switch file size, and Super Mario Party Jamboreecoming in at 7.7 GB (compared to 5.3 GB on Switch).The Nintendo Classics GameCube app, which will allow Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers to play GameCube titles exclusively on the Switch 2, will weigh 3.5 GB.Nintendo Switch 2 launches withMario Kart Worldas a launch title on June 5, featuring 256 GB of internal storage. Donkey Kong Bananzareleases on July 17.

Kirby Air Riderswas one of several first-party titles that Nintendo announced for the Switch 2 during its recent Direct presentation, though it revealed little about the game with a brief CG teaser. Wedid,however, get confirmation that Masahiro Sakurai theSuper Smash Bros.mastermind who also directed 2003sKirby Air Ride is returning 22 years on to direct the sequel. Now, Sakurai himself has revealed another crucial tidbit.Taking to Twitter, Sakurai recently revealed thatKirby Air Ridersis going to be developed by Bandai Namco Studios. Of course, this isnt the first time that Bandai Namco will develop a Masahiro Sakurai-directed title, having led development onSuper Smash Bros. for Wii Uand3DS, as well asSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.Bandai Namco has also worked on other first-party Nintendo titles in the form ofMario Kart 7, Mario Kat Tour, Mario Sports Superstars, andARMS.In 2023, Bandai Namco formally announced that it had established Studio 2 and Studio S, a team dedicated to working on projects commissioned by Nintendo.Kirby Air Riderswill launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 sometime this year.Just like Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS and Ultimate, the recently announced Kirby Air Riders game is also being developed by Bandai Namco Studios.The full staff is giving their all in developing the game, but it will take some time before we can share more information. / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) April 3, 2025

While Nintendo revealed a host of details about the Switch 2 during its recent Direct, the company was quiet about how much the console and its games would cost. Instead, the price would be later discovered through updates made to the official Switch 2 website. Notable about the pricing was the fact that, with Mario Kart World costing $79.99, it will be the first AAA game at that price without being a premium edition.According to former PR employees for the company, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, the company might be quite surprised at the outcry it has gotten during its Treehouse streams. For context, during the streams where Nintendo showcased the gameplay for titles like Mario Kart World, the live chat was flooded with messages asking the company to lower the price of the console and its games.Yang and Ellis believe that Nintendo is probably surprised by the reaction. In a recent video, the duo spoke about the consoles announcement. However, the fact that Nintendo didnt reveal pricing during the Direct itself was described by Ellis as showing disrespect to the consumer. Yang said that its a little bit degrading, almost, to the intelligence of the consumer.The duo also spoke about members of Nintendos PR departments likely discussing the matter in a War Room that it usually has for livestreamed events like the recent Treehouse streams.One of the things that we were joking about is this thing called the war room that Nintendo usually has at these types of events and for these big sort of moments, said Yang. We were joking around and saying things like Oh gosh, this is the worst place possibly to be, but there actually is a purpose to the war room, is that their job is to look at what is happening out there, what are people saying, what are people thinking, what is the reaction? And come up with any solutions to any issues. Theyre basically not doing their jobs at all right now.Yang also believes that Nintendo was likely caught off guard by the reaction to its games pricing. She went on to talk about how Nintendo hasnt had to do any crisis communication for quite some time now owing to the success of the Switch, and as such, its current teams might not have the experience required to handle this kind of situation.I do think that they are a bit surprised by how severe this reaction is, said Yang. The problem is, now they are kind of like, bad at doing this now, because they havent had a need to do a lot of crisis communication for eight years.The Nintendo Switch 2 is currently priced at $449.99. There is also a bundle announced that includes a copy of Mario Kart World, priced at $499.99. This would make the bundle the cheapest way to actually get the game, since on its own, it is priced at $79.99 for a digital copy, and $89.99 for a physical copy.

FromSoftwares The Duskbloods proved one of the bigger surprises for the Nintendo Switch 2, though its also relatively new for the developer. As a PvEvP title, the focus is on multiplayer as you control the Bloodsworn and compete for the First Blood as humanity ends.In a Creators Voice interview with Nintendo, director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed more details about the Bloodsworn and their abilities. There are several reasons we put the players focus on the Bloodsworn with one of those being character actions.The Bloodsworn possess superhuman abilities thanks to special blood, so their actions are more dramatic than anything seen in our previous titles. Even basic character actions in this game, such as sprinting, super jump, and double jump, are designed to be dynamic and stress-free and are complemented by each characters unique weapons and abilities, allowing for a wide range of creativity.Each Bloodsworn can also attack at range, with some possessing firearms. While each match can have up to eight players, there are over a dozen different characters to choose from, each with their own identity and appearance.I think there are a lot of unique elements to the character designs and the weapons they use, so hopefully, players can find one or two favorites among them, said Miyazaki. He also confirmed that players can customize them to a certain extent and build a character that feels like their own.The Duskbloods launches in 2026 as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. Stay tuned for more details in the coming year. In the meantime, FromSoftware is bringing Elden Ring to the platform with the Tarnished Edition, which includes the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree and some new items.

One of the more controversial parts of Nintendos recent announcements about the Switch 2 has been the fact that its games will now become quite a bit more expensive. The company has announced that first-party launch title Mario Kart World will be priced at $79.99 for the digital version, while a physical copy will be even more expensive with a $89.99 price tag.Circana analyst Mat Piscatella believes that this new pricing has been Nintendos attempts at trying to future-proof itself from the effects of the tariffs that are being introduced by the US. This was done because a company would have a much harder time in raising the price of an already-released product. Rather, Nintendo is pre-emptively releasing the product with a higher price tag.While pricing for a product can always be lowered over time, its extremely difficult and painful to raise pricing on a product once it has been announced or released, said Piscatella in a conversation with IGN. This is purely my own speculation, but this pricing is most easily explained by trying to be conservative given the current chaotic market conditions.Over on Bluesky, Piscatella has expressed thoughts that this new $80 price tag for video games might end up becoming the new normal. He compares this price hike to the cost of groceries going up due to inflation. Only, instead of being a gradual increase in price, the effects are arriving all at the same time.Welcome to the new normal of pricing, US folks, posted Piscatella on the social media platform. But instead of a slow increase over time like weve seen in grocery over the past few years, were going to start seeing things happen all at once.Piscatella also believes that, even with the price hike, sales of Nintendos games and consoles wont really be affected. He owes this to high-income households, as well as price insensitive super enthusiasts that would have bought the product regardless. Effects on sales, he believes, will only start becoming more evident once the Switch 2 enters its second year.Based on what were seeing across the market, sales to higher-income or more affluent households likely wont be impacted by this pricing, Piscatella told IGN. And, of course, we have the price insensitive super enthusiasts that will do and pay whatever it takes to acquire the Switch 2 at launch. Therefore, because of the limited quantities that will be available during the launch year, I do not anticipate this pricing to hinder year one sales volumes.The true test will come in year two, as supply is likely to become more readily available, and the addressable market will be forced to widen. So, well have to see what happens over the next 9-12 months.The Nintendo Switch 2 will be hitting store shelves on June 5 with a price tag of $449.99. Mario Kart World will be available as a bundle with the Switch 2, bring the price up to $499.99. This would essentially make the bundle the cheapest way to grab a copy of the game.Welcome to the new normal of pricing, US folks. But instead of a slow increase over time like weve seen in grocery over the past few years, were going to start seeing things happen all at once. Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) April 2, 2025 at 9:10 PM

While FromSoftwares Elden Ring Nightreign feels like a novel concept for the studio with its multiplayer, The Duskbloods sees it introducing several new features for the format. Speaking to Nintendo in a new Creators Interview, director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed how players can further shape their interactions with other players via roles.In online play, roles give players special responsibilities and objectives that often lead to unique interactions and relationships between players based on their corresponding roles.Some examples include a player with the Destined Rivals role who must locate another player who is their rival and defeat them. Conversely, Destined Companion involves finding a player designated as your companion. While completing them doesnt guarantee winning the match, they count as personal goals and confer rewards.Note that these names arent final, but roles add an extra layer of role-playing since theyre assigned by customizing ones blood history and fate. Interestingly, Miyazaki admitted this was akin to a tabletop RPG, even if it wasnt entirely intentional.It may reflect my own interests a bit. It might seem a little unorthodox at first, but I hope players will give it a try.The Duskbloods is a PvEvP title where the Bloodsworn battle for the First Blood during humanitys twilight (read: demise). Its out next year for Nintendo Switch 2 and offers a dozen playable characters with unique abilities and weapons. Head here for more details.

Nintendo has announced a delay to Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Originally slated to begin on April 9th, the company told GameSpot that it will update the timing at a later date. However, the console is still launching on June 5th.Several retailers, like Walmart and Target, have already created listings for the Switch 2 with the old pre-order dates, so expect those to change soon. The console is still listed for $449.99, while the Mario Kart World bundle is $499.99. Whether the tariffs will result in price increases remains to be seen, so stay tuned.Alongside Mario Kart World, which retails for a whopping $79.99, titles like Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Yakuza 0: Directors Cut, Street Fighter 6, Deltarune Chapters 1-4, Fortnite, and more will be available at launch. The console sports a 7.8-inch display with a 1080p resolution, but its dock allows for outputting to 4K. Head here for more details.

While Nintendo had confirmed that the Switch 2 allow players to play Switch games through backwards compatibility, the company has now revealed more details on how this works. In an Ask the Developer Q&A, Switch 2 director Takuhiro Dohta revealed that backwards compatibility on the upcoming console isnt the result of it featuring hardware from the original Switch.For context, the Nintendo 3DS was able to play games made for the DS due to it including some of the older handhelds hardware. The PS2 similarly was able to make use of embedded PSOne hardware to play older titles. According to Dohta, technical considerations made it difficult for Nintendo to approach backwards compatibility in the same way on the Switch 2.When we first started Switch 2 development, the focus was on enhancing its performance as hardware, namely, expanding its capacity, said Dohta. So, compatibility was a lower priority. For example, Nintendo DS games were playable on Nintendo 3DS, and Wii games were playable on Wii U, but it was difficult to achieve the same level of compatibility with Switch 2, because the hardware design approach was different from those systems.Switch 2 producer Kouichi Kawamoto added on to the statement, explaining how backwards compatibility worked in Nintendos previous consoles. The Switch 2, on the other hand, doesnt include any of the hardware from the original Switch.Simply put, those systems were compatible because Nintendo 3DS contained Nintendo DS hardware and Wii U contained Wii hardware, said Kawamoto. However, Switch 2 doesnt contain any Switch hardware.Dohta describes the approach to backwards compatibility on the Switch 2 as being something thats somewhere in between a software emulator and hardware compatibility. Through this, the new console is able to convince a game into thinking that it is running on the original Switch. For its part, the Switch 2 converts the games Switch data in real-time as the game is running.Currently, Nintendo has revealed that around 122 of its own games, along with more than 15,000 third-party games will be playable on the Switch 2 through backwards compatibility. There are also some Switch games that would face compatibility issues with the Switch 2 owing to the required dedicated hardware. This includes titles like 1-2-Switch, Ring Fit Adventure, and Game Builder Garage, among others, due to quirks of the Joy-Con and Joy-Con 2 controllers.Dohta had previously mentioned that running Switch games on the Switch 2 would also lead to better performance and stability for the games owing to the upcoming consoles stronger hardware. He noted that, even if a player doesnt buy the Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs, they will still enjoy a better experience with the games on the new console thanks to features like GameChat.Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs, on the other hand, will offer improved experiences for several Switch games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Party Jamboree. The upgrade packs will also bring in new content for some games, while others will only get performance and resolution boosts.The Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for launch on June 5. Check out our coverage of the recent Direct for more details.

Theres life in the old dog yet. Whilst the aging PlayStation 4 misses out on the bulk of new releases nowadays, theres still a wealth of fantastic games releasing on Sonys now twelve-year-old system. Herere fifteen games coming in 2025 to PS4 that are worthy of your time.Fatal Fury: City of the WolvesHotly anticipated sequel to Garou: Mark of the Wolves a fighting game many regard as amongst the finest Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has a steep hill to climb if the series is to re-establish itself alongside the pantheon of all-timers. Gracefully, City of the Wolves revitalises the fighting techniques of its predecessors whilst injecting novel mechanics and its own eye-catching art style to modernise the experience for players new and old.MotoGP 25New modes, from dedicated motard, flat track, and minibike racing to a never-seen-before casual arcade experience, bring plenty of novel ways to ride in MotoGP 25, but Milestones latest superbike sim aims to provide untold levels of authenticity from an area you might not expect. This year, sound design has been completely overhauled via on-track audio captured first-hand from the exhausts and tyre squeals of official bikes. MotoGP 25 has potential to be the long-standing series best entry in years.Onimusha 2: Samurais DestinyRemaster of the 2002 PS2 classic, Onimusha 2: Samurais Destiny is gifting new opportunities to relive the originals intense swordplay and dramatic revenge story with hi-res graphics and improved controls. Additional language support, new gallery modes, a refreshed soundtrack, intense Hell mode difficulty, and a very welcome quality of life contributing auto save feature round out this enrapturing odyssey through medieval Japan.Elden Ring NightreignCo-op games are resurging in 2025, with this standalone spin-off set within the Elden Ring universe a harrowing experience created specifically for a troupe of up to three of players to venture deep within the grim locale of Limveld together promises to be a standout. In true FromSoft fashion, surviving a three-day cycle in Elden Ring Nightreign will be anything but a cakewalk. Teams will encounter highly skilled, soul-crushingly tough opponents during each run. However, collectible relics will, with any luck, make subsequent runs more manageable.Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3+4The industrys worst kept secret officially announced on March 4th, and whilst many shared trepidation that Tony Hawks Pro Skater 4 will eschew its open-ended career mode skating for, what new dev team Iron Galaxy proclaim, as a return to 1 to 3s epic two-minute format, theres no denying Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3+4 is a welcome package. Revitalised parks, a handful a new courses, plus a quartet of new skaters (not including Doom Slayer) ensure Tony Hawks latest round of remakes are destined to do well.Ninja Gaiden: RageboundIf youre on the fence about Ninja Gaidens upcoming 2D side scroller, just know that it is a modern reimagining of the classic platformer, with all the mechanical depth of a modern adventure uniting with visual 8-bit pazazz. Ragebound could be the platforming sleeper hit of the year.Little Nightmares IIIThe pint-sized dread fest is returning, only, switching things up for Little Nightmares III is the introduction of co-operative gameplay, either couch, online, or via AI. Low and Alone, our poor children stuck inside a horrifying realm known as The Maw, must combine their unique skills and gadgets to overcome a breadth of tricky environmental puzzles all whilst evading the clutches of a horde of evil monsters.Shinobi: Art of VengeanceSpeaking of platforming sleeper hits ala Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, another iconic side-scroller is getting the modern treatment in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, and this one is coming directly from the team who made Streets of Rage 4. A Supergiant Games-style hand-drawn art style belies what looks to be a super-precise platformer, although it remains to be seen if the team at Lizardcube have toned down the series historic difficulty. Either way, mastering the way of the Shinobi has never looked better.AbsolumOkay, the aforementioned Dotemu have a hand in this one too, but unlike their prior publishing exploits this is the teams first original IP, and it has all the hallmarks of an instant classic. Absolum is a roguelite, side-scrolling beat em up set within an original fantasy realm. Here, a likeable cast of brawlers, each with distinct fighting styles, rapid combo chains, and spellcasting power, traipse through levels harbouring multiple paths and unpredictable encounters, promising an enveloping experience with every run.Terminator 2D: No FateMore 2D action side scrolling, only this one an officially licensed recreation of iconic movie Terminator 2. Terminator 2D: No Fate oozes adrenaline fuelled arcade style via thrilling set pieces plucked straight out of the film, lovingly crafted here in stunning pixel art. In addition to playing through the movie as on-screen icons Sarah Conner and Arnold Schwarzeneggers T-800, players will also get to experience novel Future War missions as an adult John Connor, with futuristic pipe bombs and plasma cannons the weapons of choice as he leads the resistance on a battle against Skynets sentient machines.Dying Light: The BeastThis standalone Dying Light adventure set more than a decade after events of the series mainline titles reunites you with Kyle Crane protagonist of the first game before transporting you both to country resort Castor Woods. After years of inhumane imprisonment and experimentation, Crane is out for blood and, as luck would have it, hes now imbued with zombie DNA. This genetic modification grants him beast-like powers which players can use to rip shreds out of those who kept him in captivity for so long.Commandos: OriginsThe legendary real-time tactics forebearer is making a triumphant return in 2025, and this time well be exploring the elite covert-operation units beginnings in Commandos: Origins. Undertaking daring rescues, clandestine sabotage, and edge-of-seat raids are the squad led by poster boy for the series the Green Beret and therell be a range of audacious missions and pivotal moments to undertake, from the Arctic circle to past the Eastern front.Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative SagaYs vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga is coming West for the first time, the all-star clash between heroes from Falcoms legendary RPG series having originally released for the PlayStation Portable in Japan in 2010. This version features remastered graphics and 60 FPS support, couch and online multiplayer, English voice acting, and a wealth of wallpapers and soundtracks from Falcom titles of old. Finally, the cult favourite, fast-paced battler has a home outside of Japan.Mouse: P.I. for HireCombining 1930s animation with the thrill of explosive first person shooting, in Mouse: P.I. for Hire you assume command of Private Investigator Jack Pepper who becomes embroiled in a gritty underworld of crooks and mobsters, these hand-drawn characters chilling enough to commit murder, corruption, and blackmail. We can safely say weve never seen a game quite like this.The House of the Dead 2: RemakeOn-rails shooting masterclass The House of the Dead 2: Remake reimagines the classic arcade experience in high-definition graphics, with remastered music and optional co-operative play. The first House of the Dead remake had its issues, but heres hoping developer MegaPixel Studio have ploughed all their knowledge into this sequel as, on balance, House of the Dead 2 was always the superior title.

Steel Seed is the upcoming sci-fi odyssey from Rome-based studio Storm in a Teacup alongside publishers ESDigital Games. Telling the story of Zoe, a human consciousness embedded into a robotic body, players will navigate parkour-style through a compellingly designed industrial, planet-sized facility, battling all manner of artificial intelligence on the quest to survive. Launching April 22nd, herere twelve in-game features to look forward to.Post-cataclysmic worldA more vivid descriptor than commonplace post-apocalypses, in Steel Seed youll navigate through the carcass of a planet-sized mega-factory, a world developers Storm in a Teacup describe as post-cataclysmic. See, a catastrophic event has left humanity on the brink of distinction, and with Earth uninhabitable machines sought control of the last remnants of humanitys survival. Their AI-dominated underground facility is vast, haunting, and evocative, with towering industrial landscapes and eerie biodomes the venues for a narrative said to explore what it means to be human.Drone companion Kobys flight modeYou awaken as Zoe, a human survivor within a robotic body. With no prior memory, Zoes journey becomes one of self-discovery (plus the overarching goal to find her father) but throughout her mission shes accompanied by Koby, a prototype drone who can assist her in numerous ways. By entering Kobys flight mode, Zoe can analyse surroundings, scan for paths and throughways, and interact with the environment such as flicking out-of-reach switches and engaging with mechanisms.Stealth gameplaySteel Seed is a stealth-action adventure, with regular stealth staples like shadows, distractions, and the environment key to successfully sneaking around. Numerous approaches to stealth can be adopted too, with the game not imposing one specific way to tackle an area stalked by numerous enemies. If you decide not to engage, you can crouch-walk Zoe through patches of holographic long grass. However, silent takedowns are, of course, present, with flashy kills possible from above, behind, and below. Stealth gameplay here resembles more of a sandbox style, with Storm in a Teacup founder and Steel Seed game director Carlo Ivo Alimo Bianchi bringing in expertise gleaned from formerly working on the Hitman series.Using Koby for stealthObserving enemy patrol patterns is a tried and tested method for a stealthy approach, and whilst weve already touched on Kobys ability to scan the environment its worth repeating here that whilst assessing the lay of the land ahead Koby can add tags to multiple targets thatre visible to both the drone and Zoe. Knowing when and where your enemies will walk gives rise to silent takedowns or complete evasion. That holographic grass we mentioned: Koby can learn skills such as the ability to drop patches of said digital grass for areas that dont have enough cover.Parkour and platformingIn this sprawling subterranean facility parkour and 3D platforming are the principal means in which Zoe can get about. So, leaping over gaps, grabbing handholds, balancing over ledges, wall running, leaping to yet more handholds all adorned with typical yellow paint is the name of the game, and whilst all these classic parkour manoeuvres arent strictly unique to Steel Seed its this machine-built world a facility designed for machines, not humans which will provide unusual hazards and layouts, distinct interest in 3D platforming.Dynamic combatAs per its Steam page, in Steel Seed youll face off against various enemy types and challenging bosses, each with unique abilities. Now, we havent seen much in the way of enemy variety in official gameplay footage shared thus far, but during an interview with publisher ESDigital Games brand manager Ilia Svanidze she spoke of Zoe encountering turrets, dual knife wielding Stalkers, and hulking Brutes in addition to weaker, simpler patrolling robots. When cover is blown and fighting becomes inevitable, Zoe has access to light and heavy attacks which utilise her glow-in-the-dark neon blade. Enemy blows are extremely powerful, so dodging also proves integral the flow of combat.Perfect dodgeIf players can dodge an enemy attack at the precise time, then theyll execute a Perfect Dodge which will allow Zoe to unleash a special attack which deals an immense amount of damage. Perfect dodges emit a vibrant pulse of pixelated light, with the example shown via official gameplay of Zoe then barrel-rolling over the top of a lurching enemy, her neon blade scything through their servos like a hot knife through butter. Fingers crossed therere heaps of special attack animations as perfect dodging seems like the most satisfactory method of wiping out Zoes enemies.Using Koby in combatDrone companion Koby isnt just useful for scanning the environment. No, his front-mounted cannon makes him a useful sidekick during battle too. His firepower can be aimed squarely at an enemys weak points which provides a momentary stun in addition to dealing damage. Kobys ranged attack capabilities extend to environmental objects too, in particular explosive barrels which can be shot from afar to blast multiple enemies to scrap.Upgradeable abilitiesDuring battle, Zoe and Koby will gain XP which can be ploughed straight into skill trees. Zoe possesses two skill trees whilst Koby has one and encompassing all three is a vast selection of passive abilities and primary skills and itll be up to players how they distribute their XP. Its been stated that skill trees cannot be completed during a single playthrough, so players will need to consider which abilities they wish to unlock. In total there are forty skills available, with some examples being damage bonuses, cannon unlocks for Koby, or abilities to scan further into the environment.Notable ability hackingOne ability that has been prominently highlighted during official gameplay is the ability for Koby to hack enemies, so during one of Zoes silent takedowns instead of slicing her robot enemy in half Koby will visually scan the enemies head to presumably reprogram them to fight alongside the pair. Its only a temporary switching of allegiance for the robot, but as demonstrated in gameplay this hacking ability will prove especially fruitful during encounters where Zoe is overwhelmed. The hacked robot will kill their allies, but furthermore provide a useful distraction for Koby to unleash his ranged firepower, or for Zoe to escape the situation entirely.Secrets and hidden areasSteel Seed is not an open world. Instead, missions are linear in design but each biome harbours numerous secrets, hidden areas, and multiple paths through. Itll be down to Zoe and Koby to identify these secret areas, with collectibles the reward for scouring levels clean. These collectibles include audio logs and documents, items which will flesh out the game world to provide backstory on how the tragic events of humanitys capitulation occurred. Locating hidden areas will be integral to understanding Steel Seeds story to the fullest.Thought-provoking sci-fi narrativeAnd to that end, Steel Seed is promising a thought-provoking sci-fi narrative which will have players considering the significance of humanity, of the perils of technology, of trust, resilience, control, and despair. This isnt simply going to be a tale of survival but a meaningful journey whereby a deep and compelling narrative propels players through.

At the recent Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo also announced a major (and frequently requested) new feature for Nintendo Switch Online, in the form of GameCube titles finally joining the subscription services catalog. Now, another feature for the upcoming GameCube library has been revealed.As reported by Nintendo Life, GameCube titles playable on the Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack will feature a CRT filter option. For those looking for an even more authentic retro experience, the filter should come as a welcome addition.GameCube titles will be available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers on the Switch 2 on June 5, the day of the consoles release. At launch, three games will be available in the form ofThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX,andSoulcalibur 2. More games will follow down the line, includingSuper Mario Sunshine, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, Pokemon Colosseum, Luigis Mansion,and more.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredlaunched for PC on Thursday, finally bringing the acclaimed 2020 action-adventure title to the platform, and it seems to have got off to a decent start with its new audience.As per SteamDB, on its PC launch day,The Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredsaw a peak of 23,350 concurrent players on Steam. Those arent necessary groundbreaking numbers, but presumably, they will continue to rise over the games first weekend.In comparison,The Last of Us Part 1has a peak of 36,496 concurrent Steam players. It should be interesting to see whether its sequel can surpass it. One area where it has got off to a decidedly better start is its reception. WherePart 1sPC port was widely criticized upon release,Part 2has a Very Positive user review rating on Steam at the time of writing, with 91 percent of its 1000-and-odd user ratings being positive.The Last of Us Part 2is available on PS5, PS4, and PC. Read our review of the PC port through here. Season 2 of HBOsThe Last of Us adaptationis also coming later this month.

Sandfall Interactive has revealed several new details on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, including its graphical modes on consoles. PS5 and Xbox Series X players can look forward to Performance and Quality modes, which improve the frame rate and resolution.Unfortunately, it didnt detail their exact frame rates and resolutions. The Xbox Series S wasnt mentioned, which could indicate only one mode. On the bright side, the role-playing game is PS5 Pro Enhanced with enhanced performance promised.On PC, Sandfall confirmed various options and presets from Low to Epic. Again, further details are required, but it seems possible to tone down the excessive motion blur. Check out the PC requirements here.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches on April 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, having recently gone gold. Set in a Belle Epoque France-inspired world, it focuses on the trials of an expedition setting out to defeat the Paintress before she can wipe out humanity. Retailing for $50, the role-playing game promises over 30 hours of main story content and roughly the same amount of side content.

The Nintendo Switch 2s new Joy-Con controllers will bring several new features, from mouse functionality and a new C button with new social features, and more. Interestingly enough, however, the Switch 1s Joy-Con controllers arent going to be incompatible with the upcoming next-gen console either.On the official Switch 2 website, Nintendo has confirmed that players will be able to play Switch 2 titles with Switch 1 Joy-Con controllers, though you obviously wont be able to use the aforementioned Switch 2-exclusive features. That also means games that are playable only with Switch 2-exclusive features likeDrag x Drive,which is built around mouse functionality will be playable only with the Joy-Con 2 controllers.Some other Switch 2 features will also be unusable with Switch 1 controllers. Nintendo explains, You cannot exit sleep mode on Nintendo Switch 2 using the HOME Button on Nintendo Switch controllers such as Joy-Con and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.On controllers without a C Button, you can start GameChat by selecting the option from the HOME Menu.The Nintendo Switch 2 releases with Mario Kart Worldas a launch title on June 5. It will be priced at $449.99.

South of Midnight is an interesting case study, because of how very much it seems like a game of two halves. On one hand, it boasts a distinct and incredibly well-realized setting, a gorgeous and memorable aesthetic, and strong storytelling chops that help bring its unique world and premise to life. On the gameplay front, meanwhile, Compulsion Games latest delivers a fairly standard action-adventure experience, one that weaves in a number of familiar elements and puts them together in what is a solid, if somewhat expected gameplay experience. The end result, then, is a game that manages to stand out with unique ideas while also delivering a no-frills, straightforward, lean and mean gameplay experience that anyone with a fondness for the Xbox 360 era of linear action-adventure titles will find very familiar.You play as Hazel, a young woman living with her mother in the American Deep South town of Prospero, which finds itself caught in the middle of a raging hurricane. Disaster strikes early on in the game, and Hazel soon awakens to a mysterious magic known as Weaving, which she must put to use as she embarks on a quest to rescue and reunite with her mother, and heal the decaying land around her with her newfound powers. South of Midnightmakes a strong impression with its setting and storytelling right off the bat, and there continue to lie some of its biggest strengths well past those early moments."South of Midnightmakes a strong impression with its setting and storytelling right off the bat, and there continue to lie some of its biggest strengths well past those early moments."Most impressive is the incredibly distinctive identity it carves out for itself. Blending its contemporary Deep South setting with local folklore and mythology, it crafts a gothic modern-day fairytale that instantly sets itself apart from anything else out there. From the gorgeous and highly detailed environments that you find yourself on throughout the course of Hazels journey to the wonderfully eccentric and quirky cast of characters, each of whom shines thanks to sharply written dialogue and excellent acting performances; from the monsters that you cross paths with to the storybook framing device the game adopts-South of Midnightkeeps finding ways to highlight its key strengths, and more often than not, does so in a way that feels very different from most other story-driven action adventure games.Games inspired by the Deep South that highlight its folklore, culture, and everything about it this constantly and proudly are few and far in between, which meansSouth of Midnightmanages to stand out from the crowd in this department. It does still have some flaws of note- Hazel, for instance, clearly got the Im an action-adventure protagonist who has to comment on everything in sight memo. Shes talking to herselfconstantlyand refuses to shut up, which means she got on my nerves more than a few times, even though she is otherwise a fun and charming protagonist. Even so, with its many notable storytelling strengths, it more than makes up for its few writing-related flaws.Another area whereSouth of Midnightinstantly catches the eye is with its visuals. It uses a highly stylized art style that fits perfectly with its modern fairytale framework and folklore-infused setting, and combines it with a stop-motion animation style that helps it stand out even more. Whether youre moving through its stunningly crafted environments or watching its lovingly directed cutscenes, South of Midnightis wonderful to witness, both in motion and otherwise. Its stop-motion animation style might prove distracting to some in gameplay personally, I didnt mind it once Id gotten used to it but the gamedoesgive you the option to turn that effect off outside of cutscenes."South of Midnightuses a highly stylized art style that fits perfectly with its modern fairytale framework and folklore-infused setting, and combines it with a stop-motion animation style that helps it stand out even more."Where it shows ambition and unbridled creativity in the narrative and visual departments, on the gameplay front, South of Midnightis happy to chart a well-trodden path. Close your eyes and picture a linear, third-person action-adventure game with a mix of melee and magical combat, some light exploration and progression mechanics, and a focus on nimble and parkour-based traversal, and you probably already have a pretty good idea of what youre signing up for.South of Midnightdoesnt reinvent the wheel, but ends up being anywhere between serviceable and forgettable to legitimately fun and solid in most areas of note.When the game starts out, the gameplay feels maybe a little bittoosimplistic and straightforward, but over the course of its opening a couple of hours, it briskly introduces one simple gameplay mechanic on top of another that are all fairly simplistic tropes by themselves, but are used in combination pretty effectively. Light and heavy attacks in combat, dodges rolls and perfect dodges, telekinetic abilities that let you push and pull enemies and things in the environment- mechanics like these (and others) are the kind that you have seen in a multitude of games in the past, but though South of Midnightdoesnt use them in any way that feels too different or extraordinary, it doesget the basics right.What that means is that gameplay, though its never breathtaking by any means, can often be more engaging than you might expect if all you had played of the game was its first hour or so. Levels are pretty condensed and the environments you find yourself in are never too sprawling, butSouth of Midnightslight exploration elements remain fairly compelling throughout. Progression is pretty standard and, if Im being blunt, unimaginative, but it does just enough to make you care at least a little bit about the next upgrade youll unlock, if not the one after that."More than a few times in recent years, weve collectively lamented the death of the so-called AA action-adventure game, so to see one as distinct asSouth of Midnightis heartening."Combat can be surprisingly fun when youre taking on multiple enemies of different types at once, weaving together different abilities while dishing out your own attacks. Particularly enjoyable is the traversal. Once again, it brings together familiar elements like ledge climbing, wall running, and what have you, and that moveset remains largely fun to use across the games runtime. Both combat and traversal can sometimes feel a bit rough around the edges at times due to the occasional instance of clunky movement, unresponsive inputs, or iffy hit detection, but by and large, South of Midnightis a fun and well-functioning gameplay experience.In the gameplay department, what stands out most aboutSouth of Midnightis how much it feels like a throwback game, specifically where its design style and sensibilities are concerned. More than a few times in recent years, weve collectively lamented the death of the so-called AA action-adventure game, so to see one as distinct asSouth of Midnightis heartening, to say the very least- not least because its coming from a major AAA first-party publisher. Its not often that we get a dozen-hour-long single-player story-driven game that wastes no time with semi-open world maps, skill trees, multiplayer elements or what have you, andSouth of Midnightdeserves recognition not just for being just that, but being a really good version of that.With strong writing, memorable characters, stylish visuals, great music, and an excellent setting,South of Midnightpumps itself full of personality and carves out a unique identity for itself, while with its combat mechanics, progression system, traversal, and light exploration, it sticks largely to the status quo, perhaps even to the point of being unambitious. In the end, when those two halves combine, what we get is a brisk and enjoyable game that leaves a stamp on you one way or another. South of Midnightis the sort of game that feels like a victory for the medium simply by existing in exactly the form that it does.This game was reviewed on the Xbox Series X.

The Last of Us Part 2 has always been an excellent game. Look no further than our reviews of the original PS4 release from way back in 2020, and the more recent PS5 Remastered release from last year. Personally, Ive always felt that the weakest part of The Last of Us Part 2 was the fact that it felt a bit limited by the constraints of the PS4 back when it first came out. With the PC release, we now potentially have the definitive way to experience a game weve repeatedly referred to as a masterpiece. It all comes down to how well Naughty Dog, along with Nixxes and Iron Galaxy have been able to bring the game to PC.So lets get the most important things out of the way first. The PC version of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is quite excellent. As the reasonable hardware requirements that the studio had previously announced would imply, the game is able to make fantastic use of the resources a modern gaming PC can give it. During my time with the game for this review, I played on a PC with an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, an AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT GPU, and 32 GB of RAM. This, paired with the fact that I had it installed on an NVMe M.2 SSD, meant that I never really experienced any technical hiccups.Throughout my time with The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, I was able to max out the graphics without having to switch on any of the image upscaling tools like FSR, while still being able to maintain frame rates of anywhere between 90 and 120. All of this while playing on a 1440p display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. Running it on the Steam Deck was also quite fruitful, delivering good enough performance with some of the graphics settings dialed in to get me just under 60 FPS. While this may not sound that good, it is worth noting that Steam Deck games often tend to run fantastically with a frame rate of 40 FPS for a good balance between performance, visuals, and battery longevity."The PC version of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is quite excellent."All of this good news also carries over into some of the smaller aspects of the game, like how it actually plays. Turns out the keyboard and mouse combination is a rather excellent way to play The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. It offers players a lot of control and accuracy when you really need to nail that headshot, while also providing more versatility when it comes to doing things like needing to craft a quick molotov in the heat of battle. The only real downside to the control schemeone I didnt experience while briefly using a DualSense controllerwas what felt like a strange rendering issue.Essentially, when youre in-game, Any UI element involving the mouse tends to tank the frame rate. I experienced this multiple times with my frame rate going from the high 90s all the way down to 40. Overall, this strange bug didnt really have much of an effect on my enjoyment of the game, since you rarely need to use the mouse outside of crafting and upgrading abilities anyway, and the moment you leave the UI and your mouse disappears, the frame rate tends to shoot back up. While I am far from a technical expert on the matter, the issue feels like it might have something to do with how the mouse is being rendered. These dips in the frame rate are basically non-existent just about anywhere else in the game.Generally speaking, the PC release of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is a big step upnot just from the state of the PC port of The Last of Us Part 1, but also the more recent PC release of Marvels Spider-Man 2. Aside from the minor bug involving frame rates dropping in UIs with a mouse, there hasnt really been much to complain about. Even the controls have transferred over to mouse and keyboard quite well, with the minute-to-minute gameplay involving both stealth as well as action feeling better than ever. The fact that the title is also Steam Deck Verified is definitely a sweet cherry on top of an already-excellent sundae."Even the controls have transferred over to mouse and keyboard quite well"When it comes to the game itself, even five years after its original release, The Last of Us Part 2 can still be considered a certified masterpiece. The game tells an incredible, epic tale of how the cycle of violence tends to hurt those closest to you, and how revenge is ultimately never really worth it. It also does an incredible number of smaller things to make sure that the overall narrative hits hard.The narrative trick here has been executed incredibly well; while you start off the game hating Abby as a character and spend quite a bit of time as Ellie in her quest for revenge, the script is essentially flipped at one point. You go back in time and take on the role of Abby, and you start to learn why she did the things that kicked off the plot of the game. You also get to see just how horrifying Ellies actions have been from an outside perspective, with her kill count getting higher and higher as you progress through the game.Interestingly, while many players will appreciate Ellie largely because they grew attached to her thanks to the events of the first game, in The Last of Us Part 2, I found Abbys parts to be much more fun from a gameplay standpoint. While both characters play the same (albeit with separate upgrade paths and weapons), Abbys gameplay felt a lot more interesting because of the kinds of enemies you get to take on, thanks to some of the best boss fights that Naughty Dog has ever made."You also get to see just how horrifying Ellies actions have been from an outside perspective"I also have to make special mention for one of the strangest encounters in the entire game: the Rat King. Feeling like an enemy straight out of a Resident Evil game, the Rat King is an amalgamation of incredibly strong cordyceps infected enemies, including clickers, stalkers, and even a bloater. The entire encounter is an intense one, forcing you to use up just about every resource you can to take it down. In a fun twist, players also experience a separate battle against a stalker that broke off from the Rat King during your fight with it. The whole fight, along with others you get to encounter as Abby, such as the memorable ones against Tommy and Ellie, are some of the highlights of the entire game, really showcasing how well its intense action gameplay works.The core story of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is excellent, but special mention has to go to its gameplay. The general gunplay and stealth both feel so good to use in the game, that the Remastered release on the PS5 brought with it an entirely new game mode with it in the form of No Return. Essentially a roguelite mode that allows players to fully experience the depth of The Last of Us Part 2s stealth and combat mechanics, No Return has been a generally great addition since its debut. The PC release brings in some more content for the mode, including new playable characters like Marlene. The mode continues to be an excellent way to re-experience the downright fantastic gameplay of The Last of Us Part 2.The Last of Us Part 2s story choices remain divisive to this day, but regardless of where you stand, its gameplay is undeniably top-notch. Playing it on a high-end PC with excellent performance makes this version the definitive way to experience the game.This game was reviewed on PC.

There are almost 70 full sets of gear in The First Berserker: Khazan, composed of weapons, armor, and accessories. As you collect and concurrently equip multiple pieces of any given set, certain set abilities become available, granting passive bonuses and buffs. With so many aesthetically appealing gear sets to choose from, it will come down to making a judgment based on their set bonuses, especially after the Transmog features are finally unlocked in New Game Plus. Beyond that, you will also unlock the ability to craft Legendary quality-tier gear sets in NG++.This guide has a small selection of some of the best gear sets grouped by each of the three weight classes, and based on their various attributes, as well as their lootable locations in The First Berserker: Khazan.Crimson Fiend SetLightweight Armor TypeVarious pieces of the Crimson Fiend will drop from random enemies.Finding the Crimson Fiends Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Sentinels GreatswordCrimson Fiend MaskCrimson Fiend TopCrimson Fiend WristguardsCrimson Fiend PantsCrimson Fiend ShacklesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Enraged Damage Increase10% Charged Attack Damage Increase100 Mortal Blow Skill & Charged Attack Stamina Recovery30% Enraged Received Damage Decrease20% Mortal Blow Damage IncreaseFugitive Mage SetLightweight Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Fugitive Mage Set will drop from Bellerian in the Rephalan Mountains, a location in the Heart of Pell Los Region.Finding the Fugitive Mages Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Fugitive Mages GreatswordFugitive Mages HeadpieceFugitive Mages RobeFugitive Mages WristguardsFugitive Mages PantsFugitive Mages ShoesFugitive Mages RingNecklace of Untold TruthsBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:10% Charged Attack Damage Increase15% Guard Stamina Damage Decrease15% Armor Breaker Skill Stamina Damage Increase10% Brink Guard Stamina Damage Increase for 5s15% Heart Piercer Skill Damage Increase15% Brink Guard Damage Increase for 5sHeart Piercer: Fury SkillMaster of Chaos SetLightweight Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Master of Chaos Set will drop from Ozma in the Imperial Palace, a location in the Vitalon Capital of the Empire Region.Finding the Master of Chaos Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Ozmas Dual WieldOzmas HornsOzmas WingsOzmas ClawsOzmas ShroudOzmas GaitersBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:500 Chaos Resistance20% Phantom: Sword Dance Skill Stamina Damage Increase for 15s15% Phantom: Sword Dance Skill Damage Increase20% Enemy Exhausted Damage IncreasePhantom: Bloody Sword Dance SkillChaos-Ridden SetHeavyweight Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Chaos-Ridden Set will drop from Maluca in Nadin Quarry, a location in the Pell Los Plateau Region.Finding the Chaos-Ridden Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Chaos-Ridden GreatswordChaos-Ridden HelmChaos-Ridden PauldronsChaos-Ridden GauntletChaos-Ridden LeggingsChaos-Ridden ShoesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:Brink Guard: Gain Regeneration, stacks 5 times4% Brink Guard Damage Increase for 10s, stacks 5 times0.15 Brink Guard: Spirit AccumulationSpirit Skill: Gain ConsumedVolcanic Wrath Spirit SkillGolden SetHeavyweight Armor TypeVarious pieces of the Golden Set will drop from random enemies.Finding the Golden Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.A full Golden Set can also be retrieved from a chest secreted behind a destructible wall beyond the New Town Blade Nexus in Capital City Vitalon, a location in the Vitalon Capital of the Empire Region. This can be done during the course of the endgame mission Fall of the Empire.Survivors SpearGolden HelmGolden PauldronsGolden GauntletGolden LeggingsGolden Combat BootsBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Dodge Stamina Cost Decrease10% Rear Assault Stamina Damage Increase20% Trance Skill Damage Increase10% Rear Assault Damage IncreaseMoonlight: Awakening SkillFallen Lord SetHeavyweight Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Fallen Lord Set will drop from Viper in Embars Ruins, a location in the Charnak Mountain Range Region.Finding the Fallen Lords Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Fallen Lords SpearFallen Lords HelmFallen Lords PauldronsFallen Lords GauntletFallen Lords LeggingsFallen Lords ShoesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:10% Charged Attack Damage Increase25% Brink Dodge Stamina Recovery Rate Increase for 10s10% Enemy Exhausted Damage Increase15% Full Moon Skill Damage Increase15% Spiral Thrust Spirit Skill Damage IncreaseDeep Shadow SetPlate Armor TypeVarious pieces of the Deep Shadow Set will drop from random enemies.Finding the Deep Shadow Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Formless Warriors SpearDeep Shadow HelmDeep Shadow PauldronsDeep Shadow GauntletDeep Shadow LeggingsDeep Shadow ShoesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Frontal Assault Stamina Damage Increase10% Frontal Assault Damage Increase90% Guard Penetration15% Assault Skill Damage Increase20% Afterimage Thrust Skill Damage IncreaseDevourer of Darkness SetPlate Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Devourer of Darkness Set will drop from Aratra in Skoffa Cave, a location in the Charnak Mountain Range Region.Finding the Man-Eating Spiders Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Devourer of Darkness GreatswordDevourer of Darkness HelmDevourer of Darkness TopDevourer of Darkness WristguardsDevourer of Darkness PantsDevourer of Darkness ShoesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Charged Attack Stamina Damage Increase for 10s15% Enemy Poison Damage Increase100% Ghost Arm Block Skill Stamina Damage IncreaseBrutal Attack: Enemy PoisonGhost Arm Block: Overpower SkillUnending Tragedy SetPlate Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Unending Tragedy Set will drop from Princess Ilyna in Rovelion Imperial Theater, a location in the Heart of Pell Los Region.Finding the Unending Tragedy Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Dual Wield of Unending TragedyHelm of Unending TragedyPauldrons of Unending TragedyGauntlet of Unending TragedyLeggings of Unending TragedyShoes of Unending TragedyScarlet Robins RingNecklace of the Singing HawkBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Composed Damage Increase1.5% Attack Stamina Recovery Rate Increase for 7s, stacks 20 times15% Dodge Stamina Cost Decrease100 Brink Dodge Stamina RecoveryCrimson Tempest Skill1% Attack Damage Increase for 7s, stacks 20 timesCrimson Tempest: Gust SkillThose are just 9 of the most powerful gear sets out of the nearly 70 to be looted or crafted in The First Berserker: Khazan.

New moves and abilities in combat are based upon unlocking a variety of skills spread across four distinct skill trees in The First Berserker: Khazan. Everything from Javelin throws to overhead stealth attacks can be unlocked by earning and investing skill points in individual skills.This guide has everything there is to know about earning those skill points by raising Mastery Levels quickly and efficiently in The First Berserker: Khazan.How To Earn Skill PointsEarning skill points is fairly straightforward, and is not to be confused with regular levelling from XP aka Lacrima. By simply engaging in combat with various weapons, while using a variety of moveslight, heavy, and specialyou will begin to fill the Mastery Level meter. Each time the meter is fully filled, you will gain a Mastery Level and earn a single skill point.Whether battling regular enemies or major bosses, and regardless of winning or losing the encounters, you will fill the Mastery Level meter. Unlike Lacrima, these gains are not lost on death, nor do they need to be retrieved from your corpse.For best results, choose a lone enemy that you feel confident battling and simply parry or block their attacks. Parrying adds 1% to the Mastery Level meter, and blocking half of a percent. Actively attacking the enemy only adds a third of a percent to the meter, and will eventually kill the enemy, so is not worthwhile for grinding Mastery Levels.Mastery LevelMastery levels are tied to story progression, as this is a balancing mechanic. Once the Mastery Level cap is hit, no amount of combat will increase the meters progress, though you can continue to earn Lacrima to raise your main level and associated stats. In order to progress past the Mastery Level caps and proceed further up the skill trees, certain story conditions will have to be met:Mastery Level 12Complete Trials of the Frozen MountainDefeat Blade PhantomMastery Level 16Complete Forgotten PlaceDefeat ViperMastery Level 20Complete First Act of RevengeDefeat VolbainoMastery Level 24Complete Strange StenchDefeat AratraMastery Level 28Complete Traitor RevealedDefeat RangkusMastery Level 32Complete Veiled KnivesDefeat MalucaThat is how to raise your Mastery Level and earn Skill Points fast in The First Berserker: Khazan.

In its Treehouse: Live stream, Nintendo showcased Metroid Prime 4: Beyond running on the Switch 2. Running in Quality Mode at 4K/60 FPS, it covers the beginning, where the Galactic Federation battles the Space Pirates to secure a sensitive artifact.Samus must get to it before Sylux, whos allied with the Pirates. Much of the classic Metroid Prime mechanics are present, from scanning and full 3D maps to transforming into a Morph Ball and traversing through cracks and under hazards. You can still lock on to enemies and slay them with charged shots and missiles.The biggest new addition on the Switch 2 is mouse controls, which allow for leading targets more precisely. You can switch seamlessly back to the regular controls and activate mouse support by placing the Joy-Con 2 flat.The first boss fight against Aberax is shown, though it transforms courtesy of a wayward Metroid. This leads to Samus targeting different weak points and using a double jump and the Morph Ball to avoid shockwaves. After defeating it, Sylux appears and accidentally shoots the artifact, triggering a reaction (which could lead to Samus gaining her new Psychic Powers).Along with Quality Mode, players can also use Performance Mode for 1080p/120 FPS gameplay. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond doesnt have a release date, but its out this year for Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.

Microsoft has announced that, after spending some time away from the subscription service, Grand Theft Auto 5 will be making its way back to Xbox and PC Game Pass on April 15. In a post on Xbox Wire, senior Game Pass senior community lead Megan Spurr has also revealed that PC Game Pass players will get access to GTA 5 Enhanced Edition.Since GTA Online differentiates between PC players on the regular edition of GTA 5 and the more recent Enhanced Edition release, PC Game Pass players have access to both versions of the game so that they can hop online with their friends without worrying about version mismatch errors.Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced Edition was released as a free update to PC players back in March. On launch, however, the game was met with mixed reviews from its players. Even now, GTA 5 Enhanced Edition has a user review aggregate of Mixed on Steam, featuring more than 33,000 user reviews.While players have been quite happy with the visual and performance upgrades brought in by the Enhanced Edition release, many have complained about technical issues, including HDR not being supported in some cases. More recent reviews have complained about GTA Online lobbies feeling much emptier than they used to, as well as the heavy-handed implementation of microtransactions.The enhancements brought in to the PC version of GTA 5 include the graphical upgrades we first saw with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game. The upgrade also brought with it a host of new vehicles, along with new activities to take on like the Wildlife Photography Challenge.GTA 5 Enhanced Edition is also hoping to bolster the player base for GTA Online by giving newer players a gentler learning curve by letting them have GTA$4,000,000 to start out with.For more details about Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced Edition, check out our thoughts about why it offers little more than a relatively decent visual upgrade, with its new content not quite feeling up to par with the rest of the game.Since its release back in 2013, Grand Theft Auto 5 has been incredibly successful for developer Rockstar and publisher Take-Two Interactive. Back in February, Take-Two revealed during its quarterly earnings report that more than 210 million copies of GTA 5 have been sold worldwide. This brings up cumulative sales for the GTA franchise as a whole up to more than 440 million units.Red Dead Redemption 2 has also been doing quite well. While not as successful in terms of copies sold as GTA 5, the game still managed to sell more than 70 million copies worldwide.In the meantime, Rockstar is currently developing Grand Theft Auto 6. While no details about the game have been revealed so far, many developers are holding their breath since it will likely be a massive launch that has far-reaching effects on the gaming industry. The game is being developed for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. There has been no word of a PC release so far.

Nintendo, in a hardware-centric roundtable Q&A, has revealed that the Switch 2 is capable of making use of Nvidias DLSS technology for upscaling images, as well as ray tracing. As caught by IGN, senior director of the Programming Management Group Entertainment Planning & Development Department at Nintendos Entertainment Planning & Development Division, Takuhiro Dohta, spoke about some of the capabilities of the con sole.We use DLSS upscaling technology and thats something that we need to use as we develop games, said Dohta, confirming that rather than making use of its own custom AI-based image upscaler, Nintendo is instead teaming up with Nvidia to use its well-developed and relatively mature technology.Dohta does reveal that the Switch 2 is also quite a capable machine, since it can go all the way up to 4K resolutions on the right TV. This power, however, is up to game developers to use. It will also be up to the developers to figure out if they want to try and run at higher resolutions natively, or if they want to use DLSS.And when it comes to the hardware, it is able to output to a TV at a max of 4K, Dohta continued. Whether the software developer is going to use that as a native resolution or get it to upscale is something that the software developer can choose. I think it opens up a lot of options for the software developer to choose from.Dohta also confirmed that the Switch 2 is capable of hardware-based ray-tracing for improved lighting He does emphasise, however, that it will ultimately be up to developers to see what they can do with it when it comes to not only the technical costs, but also how it would help them realise their vision for their games.Yes the GPU does support ray tracing, he said. As with DLSS, I believe this provides yet another option for the software developer to use and a tool for them.When asked about more technical details on the Switch 2s hardware, however, Nintendos Tetsuya Sasaki maintained relative silence on the matter, saying that the company isnt yet ready to divulge more details on that front.Nintendo doesnt share too much on the hardware spec, said Sasaki. What we really like to focus on is the value that we can provide to our consumers. But I do believe that our partner Nvidia will be sharing some information.Nintendo had previously confirmed through an update to its website that the Switch 2 is powered by a custom SoC (system on chip includes CPU and GPU) developed by Nvidia. Previous rumours have indicated that this chip might be based on Nvidias Tegra 239.The Nintendo Switch 2 will be hitting store shelves on June 5. For more details on some of the technical aspects of the console, check out the companys engineers explaining what prompted the decision to give the Switch 2 an LCD display rather than an OLED one which we last saw on one of the later Switch models.