Are we going back to Kratos youth? (Sony Interactive Entertainment)Sony will launch a God Of War side story in 2025, according to a source, as the series looks set to return to Ancient Greece.The future of God Of War was left on an open-ended note after God Of War Ragnark and its Valhalla DLC, with no clear indication of what could come next.The ending of God Of War Ragnark left open the possibility of a separate adventure led by Atreus, with rumours of a half-sequel, but other possibilities have also been suggested, like a pivot to Ancient Egypt or a return to Ancient Greece with a young Kratos.A new rumour has given further credence to the latter, claiming that a new game set in Greece will launch this year.The news comes from notable insider Jeff Grubb, who posted an update on Bluesky after God Of Wars 20th anniversary went by without any news of a new game, or the rumoured remastered collection of the original trilogy.Returning to his own post about the rumours of a remastered collection, Grubb wrote: Everyone keeps asking about this, so Ive tried to find out more: theres still a Greek God Of War thing coming out this year, but its not a remaster collection. Its a new side story project.He added: I was never told about a remaster collection, but I asked a source about the rumours (that I saw were focused on a collection) and they told me that nothing God Of War would happen at the State Of Play but something could show up at the anniversary.In the replies to the post, Grubb clarifed this project is a video game which is separate to God Of War Ragnark, so it wont be additional DLC. He doesnt have any information on when it could be announced, but if it is out this year, the next likely possibility is a future State Of Play or during Summer Game Fest in June.The side story description makes it sound like a standalone spin-off similar to Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.The previous rumour around a return to Ancient Greece the period of the original God Of War trilogy suggested it would revolve around a younger Kratos in a storyline about the relationship with his father, aka Zeus.More TrendingWhile this new rumour doesnt make any mention of it being a prequel or involving Kratos at all, it is perhaps the logical assumption, if true.Kratos history has been pretty well covered in various prequels already though, between God Of War: Ascension and 2008 PSP game God Of War: Chains Of Olympus, so its difficult to imagine what new ground they could cover.The jump back to Ancient Greece does make some sort of sense after God Of War Ragnarks Valhalla DLC though, which featured multiple callbacks to the Greek trilogy.Also, a new God Of War project would fill a significant gap in Sonys 2025 release slate, with only Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and Ghost Of Ytei confirmed for this year. Old man Kratos might be over (Sony Interactive Entertainment)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Two Directs in two weeks? (Nintendo)Multiple sources have suggested a Nintendo Direct is scheduled for this week, just before the Switch 2s big showcase.While everyone is anticipating next weeks Nintendo Direct for the Switch 2, new rumours suggest the company has a surprise up its sleeve over the coming days.Earlier this year, several insiders claimed another Nintendo Direct, dedicated to the original Switch, was planned for February, prior to the Switch 2 blowout on April 2, 2025. This included talk about a Kirby: Planet Robobot remaster and one final big game which is yet to be announced, described as a new version of a niche beloved franchise.While these rumours were tossed into oblivion after February went by without a peep from Nintendo, multiple sources have now suggested a Switch 1 focused Nintendo Direct could be happening after all.This latest wave of rumours stems from an insider on Chinese social media site Weibo (via Reddit), who previously leaked details about last years Nintendo Direct in June. In a somewhat cryptic post, he appears to suggest a Nintendo Direct dedicated to the Switch will take place on Wednesday, March 26.While in isolation this could be brushed off as wishful thinking, two other sources have alluded to the same thing. Famiboards user ninspider, who posted accurate drawings of the Switch 2 last year, responded with a wink emoji when asked if a Nintendo Direct is planned for this month.Similarly, VGC editor Andy Robinson responded with a thinking face to a post on Bluesky which praised Nintendo for not having any more Switch Directs before the big Switch 2 presentation, implying something might actually be on the cards.Nintendo usually announces these presentations at least a day in advance, so if it is true, some form of confirmation will likely arrive on Monday and Tuesday. Although, its perhaps best to take all of this with a pinch of salt.In what may, or may not, be sheer coincidence, these rumours have coincided with new activity around Hollow Knight: Silksong.Team Cherrys long-awaited sequel, which was announced six years ago, recently received some minor backend updates on Steam (via SteamDB) related to revised images and a copyright date adjustment from 2019 to 2025.There were updates to the games Steam meta data last year too, which amounted to nothing, but the timing in terms of the alleged Nintendo Direct is interesting.More TrendingThis also comes after Microsoft mentioned Hollow Knight: Silksong in a blog post earlier this month, alongside games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and FBC: Firebreak, which are both scheduled for this year.Insider extas1s recently claimed the sequel is planned for June 2025 at the latest, although he hasnt been reliable on the subject in the past.Team Cherry has not announced any release date (or window) for Hollow Knight: Silksong, but the developer did reaffirm the game was real and progressing in January this year.Any rumours around the Hollow Knight sequel are hard to take seriously given all the previous ones have come to nothing, but it would certainly be a smart move to launch it around the same time as the Switch 2 which is also expected to launch in or around June. Is Silksong set to actually launch this year? (Team Cherry)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Assassins Creed Shadows what happens next? (Ubisoft)The Monday letters page discusses the most overrated games of recent history, as a reader thinks 5 for Mass Effect Trilogy is disrespectful.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukWhats next?Im glad to hear that Assassins Creed Shadows is selling well, as Im really enjoying it so far. Thats hopefully good news for Ubisoft in general, given their current trouble, but the obvious problem for them is that theyve already got a gazillion Assassins Creed sequels and spin-offs in the work and as far as I know the one set in Germany during the witch trials is next.People have been asking for a game set in Japan for years, but I dont think a game where you play as a black cat was on anybodys wishlist. Im not saying it will be bad, thats not the point Im trying to make, but its not an obvious bestseller and that puts Ubisoft right back in trouble again.Thing is though Im not sure what is the next most requested setting? Ive heard stuff about India and the Azetc era but I dont know if theyre super anticipated. For a spin though why couldnt they try setting one in the future? Maybe have it half and half with the ancient past? Something weird like that could be an interesting way to hype a new sequel and try and keep the momentum.HoosantPreviously on Half-LifeIm seeing even more rumours about Half-Life 3 being nearly finished and coming out soon, but I just cant believe it. How could you even hope to sell something like that to console owners, or even just younger or casual PC owners, who have no idea what the series is and even less about what happened in the last one.Surely remasters, if not full remakes, with a big marketing campaign are essential to laying the groundwork for Half-Life 3. As I remember, Half-Life 2 only originally came out on the original Xbox, with some Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ports a few years later and none of them sold because no one knew or cared about Half-Life 1.If any company is not going to care about spending money on a vanity project. its Valve but why not just do it anyway? Id like a full fat remake of the two by Valve, especially if they update it with new story and gameplay elements.BensonAdded extrasNintendo could charge a tenner for a Switch 2 upgrade to games or provide it free out of the goodness of their own hearts. Alternatively, it could be a new feature of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.Either a new tier or bundled in the Expansion Pack, they could offer all upgrades for free when youre a member. They keep talking about making subscribing appealing to players and giving value and so on. They already have DLC on there, if you keep your subscription, so a 60fps upgrade doesnt seem too far-fetched.Euclidian BoxesGC: Yes, that sounds very plausible.Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukClassic pricingDoes anyone else feel kind of bad when they see a great game for ridiculously cheap? I know its silly but when I see something like Doom or Mass Effect Trilogy for just a few pounds it seems disrespectful?I know what Im saying, and I dont consciously agree with it, because itd be great if all games were that much, but subconsciously it doesnt sit right. Not when I know how much trash is out there with a 70 price tag on it.At the end of the day everything is only worth the price people are willing to pay for it and I guess with those two games Bethesda and EA reached the limit of people that were going to pay more than 5 for it. I hope they like them though. The idea of playing the whole of Mass Effect for so little is mind-blowing to me.LemonZRepo man and boyJust want to give a shout out to a fun new game that Ive been playing with my son. I know you struggle to cover everything, so if anyones looking for a fun co-op with horror vibes then you can do far worse than R.E.P.O.Its only on PC (were playing it on Steam Deck) at the minute, so not sure if it will make its way to console, but if you have a few friends and are looking to laugh and cry together then check it out.ChrisGC: The developer is very small and hasnt said anything about console versions yet.Netflix of NintendoIve been enjoying the love for the Nintendo GameCube recently and I hope that it will be a part of the Switch 2 from very early on. Although I dont understand why it hasnt been added already, given its not a technical issue, or at least I wouldnt have thought it was.I really hope that Nintendo has a proper virtual console that is a library of all their games right from the start. Previously, every time they release a new console they start their retro releases from scratch, so its the end of a generation before we get everything big and theres always lots of smaller titles left out that they dont have time for.Im hoping that backwards compatibility means they wont be able to do this again but the fact that people arent buying the games but essentially renting them via Nintendo Switch Online makes me think that well be back to square one again.At the very least have a PlayStation style platinum tier where you get everything from the start. I know not many would pay for it, but I would. To have every Nintendo game ever in one place would be an amazing thing but Nintendo seems strangely committed to making sure that never happens.Taylor MoonImpulse purchaseIm a massive fan of the first Darkest Dungeon (200+ hours) and its taken a while for the second to click but Im about 60 hours in.Ive got the DLC and one of the trophies has a 0.9% completion rate it isnt even a difficult trophy! I messaged in a couple of weeks back and you said how most people dont complete games, but do people even play them?SimonGC: Its quite possible a lot of people buy DLC, because they like the main game, with the intention of playing it but never get round to it.Overrated listSo, I mailed in a list a few months ago, detailing my ten favourite games of all time. I included titles such as Baldurs Gate 3 and Silent Hill 2. Id like to formally discuss another list. My personal opinion of the 10 games I consider to be the most overrated titles.10. Assassins Creed the one that started it all, but repetitive missions and clunky gameplay serve as a detriment.9. Fallout 4 serviceable graphics fail to mask a generic, boring, and repetitive role-player, thats more of an action game masquerading as a role-playing game.8. Final Fantasy 16 the pinnacle of horrendous side missions, bloated content, and the worst role-playing game that I have ever played.7. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain Kojimas worst game and an embarrassment of a title, that features barren and empty environments. The cherry on top is an unfinished story.6. Dragon Age: Inquisition a textbook example of dreadful combat, mundane fetch quests, and boring political intrigue.5. Uncharted: Drakes Fortune the beginning of Nathan Drakes journey, hasnt aged well and it is bogged down with awful platforming and below par combat.4. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim adored at launch, this title barely even matches what The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 brought to the table3. God Of War Ragnark tanky enemies, an unfulfilled narrative, and the premise of Ragnark falling flat. No wonder Elden Ring beat it to Game of the Year.2. Grand Theft Auto 5 an abysmal story, more emphasis on the online portion, and restrictive elements. No bowling. Torturing Lazlow is always funny though.1. The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom a reused world. No story. No reason to care about Zelda. Link is boring and mute. Sky portion disappoints. Ganondorf is forgettable as a villain. Raphael from Baldurs Gate 3 is more memorable. Shrines are just as repetitive and stale as Breath Of The Wild.Shahzaib SadiqGC: The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 came out more than eight years after Skyrim?Inbox also-ransIve been enjoying Aliens: Dark Descent and just finished XCOM 2 again. Im about to go back onto Halo Wars which is one of my personal favourites but Im just curious of your opinion on the game. Did you enjoy it?SimonGC: Not very much, no. But Halo Wars 2 is great, with a very good multiplayer if anyones still playing it.Glad to hear that Assassins Creed Shadows has been a hit. I dont want Ubisoft to go under and I like the game so far. I just hope that doesnt mean all theyll make in the future is Assassins Creed games.WotanMore TrendingEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Readers Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.You can also leave your comments below and dont forget to follow us on Twitter.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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Atomfall very British nuclear fallout (Rebellion)Fallout 5 may be a long time coming but the British-made Atomfall offers an interesting alternative, that has plenty of unique ideas of its own.Given theres still no clue as to when The Elder Scrolls 6 will be released, it could be the best part of a decade before we see another Fallout game from Bethesda. The logical thing for them to do is get someone else to make a new game but so far theres been no sign of that, which means the only alternative is to just play the old games again or look for a spiritual successor.Although its not nearly as similar as it first seems, Atomfall is very clearly attempting to fill that gap. The fan-made Fallout: London is a much more literal homage but a lot of the basics in Atomfall are clearly very similar, given its a first person action adventure (but pointedly not a role-player) in which you play a hapless survivor emerging from a bunker to discover a world changed by nuclear disaster.The difference is that Atomfall is set in the UK during the 1950s and the world hasnt been destroyed. Instead, a portion of Cumbria has been sealed off, following an accident at what is now the Sellafield nuclear processing site. What results is certainly Fallout-esque but while Atomfall is covered in rough edges, the best parts are surprisingly innovative.The nuclear disaster at the Windscale nuclear power station is a real thing that happened in 1957, except in Atomfalls version of reality it was considerably more serious. Although one of the key questions of the games plot is whether whats going on is due purely to the meltdown or if it has triggered some other pre-existing danger.You certainly have no idea when you start the game as, in true Japanese role-playing style, you wake up with amnesia and have no clue who you are or whats going on. In the first moments, a badly injured scientist gives you a hacked key to the door of the bunker youre in, which he promises will open up a much larger complex called the Interchange.Gaining full access to and reactivating the Interchange is implied to be your overall goal but Atomfall is surprisingly ambiguous as to what you need to do or how you should go about it. This is not a negative but one of the best things about the game.Atomfall is much closer to Zelda: Breath Of The Wild than it is Fallout, or an even more extreme example like Red Dead Redemption 2 where every interaction necessary to complete a mission is spelled out for you in patronising detail. Instead, youre merely given suggestions, including by a mysterious operator that keeps ringing you from red telephone boxes when you pass them by.Youre told to go to a map location and maybe youll find the battery youll need somewhere near, or to seek out a trader who lives vaguely to the north of your current location. The lack of handholding may irritate some but if you want to take the quickest route through the game its all pretty clear and probably wont take you more than a dozen hours (which could itself be considered a positive, given how frequent 60+ hour epics are getting nowadays).The most interesting way to play the game is by exploring on your own and stumbling on new locations and characters organically. This often results in what are technically side quests, but you slowly begin to realise especially if you replay the game, in an attempt to get a different ending that theres multiple different ways to approach each problem, both physically and morally.For example, the scientist at the start of the game wants you to make him a bandage, in what is a thinly disguised crafting tutorial, but you could just kill him and take his key without it being given to you as reward. The game has a Fallout style dialogue system and its entirely up to you how you treat people, as you deal with ordinary villagers, the increasingly unhinged military authorities, and a group of Wicker Man style druids.You can simply kill people if they have something you want but you can also betray their confidence if you feel it suits your needs or they deserve it. Atomfall isnt all that impressive in its opening hours but the more you get into it the more you realise that that theres not only multiple ways to complete a goal but more than one way to get sucked into that element of the story. This becomes particularly obvious towards the end of the game, when you realise how cleverly the game is juggling the various characters and your interactions with them. The village of Wyndham is very on the nose with its references (Rebellion)All this works great, along with other unusual ideas like a barter system instead of traditional shops, where you have to swap collected or crafted items to get what you want. You can end up with multiple copies of most crafting recipes and weapons, so you have to consider whether some items are better to trade in rather than actually use.Where the game struggles is in terms of the action, which is odd because Rebellions bread and butter is the Sniper Elite series and yet the stealth in Atomfall is much more rudimentary and the combat barely competent. Which is to say the ranged combat (particularly the bow and arrow) is fine, but the melee action is clunky, repetitive, and ruined further by rudimentary AI.The lack of fast travel is also irritating, especially as theres a lot of backtracking involved. Its probably because the game world is actually very small, with four main open world areas that even if they were all put together would still be small compared to most other comparable titles.Our biggest disappointment with the game though is the script, which gets little value out of the fact that this is a rare big medium budget game set in the UK. The homages to the work of John Wyndham, Nigel Kneale, and other early 20th century British sci-fi writers are mostly superficial, as are the attempts to invoke elements of folk horror especially given that, although there are sort-of zombies in the game, it never really tries to be scary.More TrendingThe dialogue and voice-acting is workmanlike at best and if we didnt know Rebellion were British wed never have guessed it, given how awkwardly over-the-top all the regional dialects are. Given that, its unsurprising that the game doesnt actually have that much substantial dialogue in it, with the wider plot almost creeping into FromSoftware territory, in terms of what it leaves to your interpretation.Atomfall is the sort of flawed but interesting game that more so than the franchises that get them as a matter of routine desperately needs a sequel, to further explore and refine its various unique ideas. For now, though, it has to be satisfied with being a diamond in the rough, because Atomfall is not just a Fallout surrogate but a genuinely unique open world adventure in its own right.Atomfall review summaryIn Short: An alternative to Fallout rather than a homage, with a more freeform approach to open world gaming that offers more meaningful freedom than many other bigger budget titles.Pros: Mission structure is impressively open-ended, while still offering enough handholds for those that want it. Character interactions are equally flexible and the bartering system is interesting.Cons: The script is weak and the melee combat pretty bad. Lack of fast travel is annoying.Score: 7/10Formats: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PCPrice: 54.99Publisher: RebellionDeveloper: RebellionRelease Date: 27th March 2025Age Rating: 18*available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass from day one The metal detector is usually part of a larger puzzle (Rebellion)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

How to play retro consoles on modern TVs and why you should Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished March 23, 2025 9:00am Plug n play is still possible in 2025 (Michael Veal)A reader explains why he values the plug n play simplicity of the sixth generation of consoles and details the best way to play them with modern tech.The sixth generation of consoles which comprised the original Xbox, the PlayStation 2, and the GameCube is probably the generation that I have the fondest memories of. I was heavily into gaming back then. I regularly bought gaming magazines. I visited the high street at weekends and visited shops to look out for bargains and new releases. Most importantly I played games for hours in my free time.The quality and innovation of games definitely peaked, and you could say plateaued, during the generation that followed, but the sixth console generation was great because of its astonishing variety of games and genres. Game development wasnt as financially precarious as it is nowadays. There were more developers and publishers around and (especially on the PlayStation 2) there were games for every taste and possible market.Ive become dispirited with gaming these days, because its too involved. Modern consoles are just so needy. If youve only got a spare moment for some gaming you definitely dont want to be watching the progress of a download or an installation while your console updates itself for whatever reason.After waiting for your console to update, the game that you actually want to play might itself require a patch. Youre initially asked to log on too. And try not to forget your username and your password. With these hassles in mind I decided that I wanted to skip back at least a couple of decades to a time when video game consoles were a much more straightforward proposition.At various points during the sixth generation I owned all three of the main consoles. I should have kept them, but I sold my PlayStation 2 and GameCube. These days the only sixth generation console that I still own is the original Xbox.One snag with retro gaming is that older consoles arent compatible with modern televisions. Fortunately, there are lots of different HDMI adapters available to buy on the internet. I bought my HDMI adapter for the original Xbox from a company/seller called xdevpro-net on ebay. An adapter is needed for modern TVs (Michael Veal)The adapter arrived promptly with instructions and it proved easy to fit and doesnt require an extra power source. One end of the adapter plugs into your original Xbox. You plug an HDMI cable into the other end of the adapter and then you plug that HDMI cable into your TV.Everything worked well after I fitted the adapter and the games looked and sounded pretty good to me. I cant as yet figure out how to display full widescreen. Maybe you need a more expensive adapter or a better TV. My televisions cheap and fairly basic but I had short goes on Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and after a short time I wasnt bothered at all that the games werent fully widescreen.Graphical fidelity and framerate is important to some people but I dont mind if an old game looks a bit rough. Blocky graphics are part of the charm of retro gaming as far as Im concerned. First and foremost, I want to have fun with a game and the occasional visual glitch doesnt trouble me at all.More TrendingMy old Xbox is a bit scuffed and knackered. I bought the console years ago second-hand, so the machine has had quite a life. Thanks to the HDMI adapter that life isnt over yet. Playing this old machine again has made me appreciate its simplicity. The whole selling point of consoles is their simplicity. You want to switch your console on and just start playing. An HDMI adapter makes this ambition possible in 2025.By reader Michael Veal Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy running on original hardware (Michael Veal)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Video game makers should bring back the best feature of the Xbox 360 Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished March 23, 2025 1:00am Not every Xbox 360 innovation caught on (Microsoft)A reader calls for one of the more forgotten aspects of the Xbox 360 era to be brought back, and help gamers get a better idea of what a games like before they buy it.I dont think theres any real answer to what is the best generation of video game consoles. It all depends on not only your age but what you were doing at that time in your life. The Xbox 360 era was a very happy time for me, so maybe that influences my positive feelings about, but I think theres more to it than that.The release of the Xbox 360 feels like the start of the modern era, in terms of digital downloads and online, and while that was always inevitable it only happened as soon as it did thanks to Microsoft. Which together with things like achievements is the sort of innovation thats been so lacking from them lately, especially in terms of things that Sony are then forced to adopt themselves to keep up.Backwards compatibility is the only similar things since then, but there is one feature of the Xbox 360 that I sorely miss and which I find no one seems to talk about. Perhaps theyve forgotten but back in the day it was a rule from Microsoft that every game, no matter what it was, had to have a demo. I miss that and I wish theyd bring it back.The reason that Microsoft changed the rules behind demos is that publishers found that if people played a demo they were actually less likely to buy the game. I dont think they ever explained why that was, but I think the assumption was that with games people were on the fence about, or couldnt really afford, they felt theyd already played it to some degree and so it was skippable.I kind of get that but it still seems a bit strange to me, since surely people wouldve liked some of the games they demoed, enough to buy the whole thing. Although I guess were talking averages here.By the end of the Xbox 360s life the rule had been taken away and demos were up to a publisher and most chose not to do them. The thing is, that was 15 years ago now and a lot has changed about gaming. There are less big name games overall and we learn very little about them before theyre released. Some arent properly announced until a few months until theyre out and they often get little or no hands-on previews from websites.At the time the Xbox 360 was getting demos for every game we knew a lot about them, through previews and interviews and often a good year or so of hype before its released. That is bound to affect how people viewed the demos.Maybe, after all that build-up, they thought the demo was a letdown, whereas now theyd be more wowed because they didnt even know what the game was until they started playing it. Indie games have got more expensive nowadays so demos for them are a lot more important than they used to be, and often its even less clear what an indie game is until you try it.Publishers must value demos to some degree because theyll often do beta tests for multiplayer games. These are usually released so close to the games release I cant believe they are at all useful in working out technical problems, let alone whether people liked it or not. Theyre just demos with a degree of plausible deniability if theres something wrong with it.More TrendingSony certainly didnt take any notice of everyone saying they hated Concord, and it came out anyway and, well you know the rest. So why not release demos for every game and then not only can people understand better what your games are, but companies can get advanced warning of a problem. Whether they choose to pay any attention to it or not is their business.By reader Cyclops Fantasy 7 Rebirth has a demo on PS5 (Square Enix)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Top 10 online co-op video games for modern consoles and PC Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished March 22, 2025 9:00am Left 4 Dead is still a classic (Valve)A reader who is unable to meet friends and families for local co-op recommends the 10 best co-operative games for playing with them online.Whilst I enjoy a good single-player game as much as anyone, there is still nothing quite like sharing that experience with a family member or friend.Due to geographical reasons Im pretty much limited to online co-op these days, but there are still plenty of great options available to choose from.So, for those of you in the same boat as me, here are my top 10 recommendations for online co-op games that you can still play right now on modern consoles and/or PC.10th BattleBlock TheaterA 2D platformer featuring great level design and puzzles, specifically designed to encourage co-operation, BattleBlock Theater is also one of very few games that consistently made me laugh thanks to both its comical gameplay and funny cut scenes. This can often be found in Steam sales for the bargain price of about 3.9th Halo 3The majority of the Halo campaigns are pretty good, whether played alone or with friends, but I think the popular opinion amongst fans is that Halo 3 is still the best the series has to offer. The campaign hardly seems to stop for breath throughout its 8 to 10 hour runtime, and from the fight through the Covenant armada to mad warthog escape of the final mission its full of memorable moments that are even better when played co-op.Tied 8th It Takes Two & Split FictionGames designed from the ground up as true co-op experiences are still far more uncommon than youd expect, but developer Hazelight Studios seems to be carving out a nice niche for themselves thanks to games like It Takes Two and Split Fiction. Both games constantly introduce new ideas and gameplay styles throughout their runtime, but importantly never lose sight of the fact that they are designed to be played together. Ill certainly be checking out whatever they come up with next!7th Portal 2Ive enjoyed very few entries in the puzzle genre over the years, but the two Portal games are amongst the rare exceptions. Of course, most people realise theyre excellent single-player titles, but Im constantly surprised at how many people dont know Portal 2 features a separate story designed to be played co-op. Considering just how well designed and rife for comedy the co-op missions are thats a real shame and I urge anyone to give it a try if they have the chance to.6th Borderlands 2I must admit, I never really got on with the original Borderlands, but this vastly superior sequel provided dozens of hours of entertaining online gaming. The more versatile skill trees and better mission design are welcome improvements, but its the genuinely funny script that focuses on the brilliant character of Handsome Jack that really sets this game apart from all the other entries in the series.5th Divinity: Original Sin 2Until another game that features later on this list was released, Divinity: Original Sin 2 was possibly my favourite role-playing game and certainly my favourite that features online co-op. The story, characters, combat, and level of freedom are all top notch and sharing it all with up to three friends makes it even more fun.4th ReturnalArguably the best PlayStation 5 exclusive, Returnal is a third person rouguelike shooter with incredible shooting mechanics and some of the most satisfying traversal youll find anywhere. The game is, however, incredibly tough, and thus the best way to play it is to team up with an online co-op partner to swing the odds at least a little more in your favour!3rd Baldurs Gate 3Baldurs Gate 3 is arguably the best role-playing game ever made, with a myriad of complex systems and an almost unfathomable level of freedom that allows players to shape the world in whatever way they choose. When you add the unpredictability of other players making their own choices on top, its simply an incredible experience.2nd Left 4 Dead & Left 4 Dead 2There are plenty of shooters that allow online co-op but the two Left 4 Dead games remain the pinnacle of the genre, and there are two aspects that really set these games apart. The first is the excellent enemy design, that forces players to stick together and co-operate, whilst the second is the final chapter of each mission that tasks players with surviving for a set amount of time before trying to escape to safety. The mad dash at the end, as it suddenly becomes every man for themselves, has provided countless moments of comedy over the years and kept us coming back time and time again.1st Dark SoulsIve listed the original Dark Souls as its my personal favourite, but this really represents the entire Dark Souls series, as well as Bloodborne and Elden Ring.The FromSoftware games are all great single-[layer games that are only enhanced by the clever implementation of online co-op, that allows you to summon assistance whenever youre struggling to defeat a tough enemy or traverse a difficult section of the game. When you and a buddy finally take down that boss after the tenth attempt its an exhilarating experience.More TrendingHonourable mentions: Gears Of War series, A Way Out, Salt And Sanctuary, and BroForce.By reader drlowdon Elden Ring is slightly easier with friends (Bandai Namco)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Xbox is betraying the entire concept of video game consoles Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished March 22, 2025 1:20am The next Xbox probably wont be a traditional console (Microsoft)A reader reacts angrily to suggestions that the next gen Xbox is a PC in a box and argues Xbox is trying to destroy the whole concept of video game consoles.Theres been a lot of people lately lamenting the current state of Xbox, and for obvious reasons given how bad console sales are getting. What annoys me though is the way they talk about Microsoft, as if theyre some kind of loveable loser who you should pity. Microsofts attempts at dominating the games industry are pitiable but their actions are hardly that of a helpless underdog.Theyre the biggest company in the history of mankind and while theyve been entirely incompetent in the way theyve used their colossal $3 trillion bank balance theyve also been extremely destructive. At some point in the Xbox One generation they mustve decided that if they cant beat Sony fairly then theyll just tip the table over and ruin the game(s industry) for everyone.Almost $100 billion later and they now own Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and a bunch of others and theyve completely failed to put their stamp on them. Nothing has changed about how these companies are run, or what games they make, but suddenly Phil Spencer and his cronies have started talking about what we are going to do, when discussing them. As if he or anyone else has had any impact on their success and/or failures.We know from the court cases that the original plan was to make all Bethesda games exclusives, just like Starfield, but clearly someone higher up, probably Microsoft boss Satya Nadella, told them that wasnt going to work. Theyve spent all this money and theres no way theyre going to get any of it back by only selling games as Xbox exclusives.Theyve not tried that with any Activision games, because the message had already sank in by then, and instead they pivoted to their multiformat plan (which theyve lied about and tried to underplay the entire time, even with petty things like not releasing the games physically).And now we learn that their big plan for the next gen is a PC in a box, a PC handheld, and AI. So they not only no longer make consoles theyre trying to make the entire concept of consoles go away, so that they can pretend that actually theyre irrelevant now and it doesnt matter that nobody bought theirs.What gets me though is that the first two things have already been proven not to work. Valves Steam Machines concept flopped horribly and the entire concept is fundamentally doomed to be the worst of both worlds. Not only that but the latest rumour suggests it wont even be properly backwards compatible only through emulation!We also know that PC handhelds are extremely niche concept, that have only sold a few million in the entire lifetime of the concept. Presumably Xbox thinks they can make theirs more successful but what is that based on? The Xbox brand being so super popular theyll go from Steam Deck numbers (4 million) to Nintendo Switch numbers (150 million). If they really do think that theyre more delusion than they seem.And then theres AI, which for no reason other than its an investor buzzword, theyre now going to use to make games. They know its only going to make bad games. They know its going to do talented people out of a job, but theyre going to push it anyway because theyve got loads of money and Sony hasnt.Theyre just going to do everything Sony cant, no matter how stupid or destructive it is, as they flail about, throwing everything at the wall and hoping that finally, for the first time in two generations, something sticks.More TrendingNot only is Microsoft betraying the whole concept of consoles, theyre doing it on purpose in an attempt to make Sony obsolete. If I was Sony I wouldnt be too worried, given Xboxs track record, but if they do succeed what will the future of gaming be under Microsoft? AI slop and PCs in a box. I hope they fail utterly, for the sake of all gaming.By reader Korbie Xbox accidentally leaked that theyre pushing for Steam integration (Microsoft)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

The best deal in the universe (Picture: EA)Remasters of three of the best sci-fi games ever made have been reduced to a bargain price on both PS4 and PC.BioWare has a long history of acclaimed role-playing games, including the recent Dragon Age: The Veilguard, but its greatest work is still arguably the Mass Effect trilogy.The sci-fi role-playing series is one of the defining pillars of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era, and set a new standard for choice-driven narratives in the medium (controversial ending aside). The original trilogy came to an end with 2012s Mass Effect 3, which was followed by the much maligned spin-off Mass Effect: Andromeda.A remastered compilation of the first three games, titled Mass Effect Legendary Edition, was released in 2021, across PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. If youre yet to embark on the space epic, this collection has now been reduced to a ludicrously cheap price.On Steam, you can pick up Mass Effect Legendary Edition for 4.99, a 90% reduction from its original 49.99 price. This deal runs until March 27 and is part of an EA Spring Sale, with other standouts offers being Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at 3.49 and Titanfall 2 at 2.49.More TrendingWhile not quite as cheap, a similar deal is available on the PlayStation Store, where Mass Effect Legendary Edition is down to 5.99. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is also down to 4.49, with both these deals running until March 26.If youre a fan of sharp comedowns, Mass Effect Andromeda is also 85% off on Steam at 5.24. Alternatively, you can sign up to EA Play for 5.99 a month and access all of these titles, but as the Mass Effect series is pretty lengthy, youre probably better off buying them at this cheap price and savouring the delights over time.EA is working on a fifth instalment in the Mass Effect series, although its unclear when it will be released. The project was announced back in 2020, but there have been no major updates since, aside from vague teasers.Its more likely well see the confirmed Mass Effect TV series before a new game, which is supposedly underway at Amazon. Daniel Casey, whose previous credits include Fast & Furious 9, is set to write and executive produce the show. The Illusive Man at a bargain price (Picture: EA)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Out of the shadows (Ubisoft)Ubisofts decision to delay Assassins Creed Shadows appears to have paid off, as the Japanese themed entry hits a major sales milestone within 24 hours.The lead-up to Assassins Creed Shadows was filled with overblown controversies, troubling delays, and the weight of Ubisofts future thrusted upon it, but it seems like it has emerged out the other side in relatively good shape.The setting of feudal Japan features two protagonists, with shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke, as they navigate turbulent clan wars during the Sengoku period. The game has been been met with largely positive reviews, and currently hold an 81 score on review aggregate site Metacritic.And now, less than 24 hours after Assassins Creed Shadows launched on March 20, Ubisoft has announced that its already surpassed one million players across PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.The vast majority of these players appear to be on console, where its more difficult to track exact numbers.However, according to SteamDB, Assassins Creed Shadows hit an all-time peak of 41,412 players on launch day, and while that may seem low in comparison to the likes of Monster Hunter Wilds and GTA 5, its largely in step with past Assassins Creed games.At the moment, Assassins Creed Shadows is just behind Assassins Creed Odyssey (62,069) and Assassins Creed Origins (41,551) in terms of the series highest peak on Steam, but theres a strong chance itll surpass both of those over the weekend.The game has been met with largely positive reviews from fans, particularly for its visuals. I am nine hours into Assassins Creed Shadows, and its definitely the best RPG Assassins Creed, wrote EliteGamer04 on X.Both Naoe and Yasuke are fun to play, this game looks quite great on my base PlayStation 5, and its definitely the most challenging in terms of combat.Casual Gamer Doc added: Assassins Creed Shadows is definitely worth playing. The game is absolutely a standout graphically. Best Assassins Creed game in a long time.More TrendingUsers on Reddit have sung its praises too, at least in regards to the opening hours. Shadows probably has the best opening to an Assassins Creed game since Odyssey, and the cut scenes themselves so far have been stellar, writes DanielG165.It remains to be seen if this enthusiasm will continue in the weeks to come, but for now at least, it seems like Assassins Creed Shadows has largely confounded the cynicism around it.The big question moving forward is how it will impact Ubisofts future. After a string of titles failed to meet financial expectations, including Star Wars Outlaws and XDefiant, the company is apparently considering a buyout with Tencent, or shifting its IP to an entirely new entity.The continued success, or lack thereof, for Assassins Creed Shadows will have large part to play in how all that shakes out. Feudal Japan looks pretty wonderful (Ubisoft)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Mario Kart might be smoother than ever (YouTube)More rumoured tech specs have emerged for the Nintendo Switch 2 and it seems the consoles display is a significant improvement over the original.While Nintendo has announced very little about the Switch 2, outside of what the console actually looks like, there have been a stack of leaks around its technical capabilities.The heavily teased mouse-like functionality has essentially been confirmed via Nintendo patents, which have also seemingly revealed new controllers and a reversed configuration. Since then, filings indicate the console will feature faster Wi-Fi, amiibo support, and GameCube compatibility.An initial list of technical specifications for the Switch 2 leaked back in January, but now some additional details have circulated relating to the consoles display.The details come from Famiboards user Secretboy, who previously posted about the Switch 2s specifications before they leaked later in January, albeit with some minor differences. In the same month, the user claimed the Switch 2s screen would support 120Hz and VRR (variable refresh rate).While this was largely overlooked at the time, the same user has reiterated this claim in a new post this week, stating the consoles rumoured LCD screen is 120Hz with HDR (high dynamic range) and VRR support.If true, this would be a significant improvement over the original Switch and Valves Steam Deck. The former supports only up to 60Hz, while the Steam Deck OLEDs display has an improved refresh rate of 90Hz.A 120Hz refresh rate on a LCD seems somewhat ambitious, especially for a company which usually prioritises affordability over technical prowess.All of these improvements would make games look and run far better on the Switch 2, with variable refresh rate (VRR) designed to eliminate screen tearing and input lag, while high dynamic range (HDR) essentially elevates a displays brightness and colour.More TrendingFor those with a Switch OLED, the idea of going back to an LCD screen for the Switch 2 is off-putting, but these sort of improvements could help lessen the blow.Nintendo never usually confirms technical specifications prior to a new consoles launch, especially at this granular level, so we probably wont hear anything about the finer points of the Switch 2s display at the Nintendo Direct on April 2. Although, any shown gameplay footage might provide some clues.Some prior leaks have suggested the Nintendo Switch 2 will be comparable in power to an Xbox Series S, although more recent rumours have put it closer to the PlayStation 4 end of the scale.However, we probably wont find out if this is true until the console launches, which is expected to be around May or June. The Nintendo Switch 2 should be out sometime around June (YouTube)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Its hard to believe that got there by accident (Microsoft)Microsoft has accidentally revealed its next gen Xbox plans, which seem to revolve around Steam integration and a move away from console development.Microsoft has said almost nothing about its next generation Xbox console so far and yet the rumours of the last few weeks, suggesting that it is essentially a PC in a box, have been very easy to believe.The rumours may not be officially confirmed for a while, but they almost were on Thursday evening, when Microsoft accidentally put up a graphic showing an Xbox dashboard with a Steam tab on it.Not only that but a few hours later a report emerged that Microsoft is planning to ditch the current ERA development environment of the Xbox Series X/S in favour of Win32, making the next Xbox literally a PC and meaning that current gen games will only be backwards compatible via emulation.Microsoft has already talked about bringing the best of Xbox and Windows together but until now its never been clear what that means.However, a blog post entitled Opening a Billion Doors with Xbox accidentally used an image of an Xbox dashboard in which you could clearly see a Steam tab, although it was not selected or referenced in the text.The UI is brand new and is shown running on a TV, a tablet, and a handheld device. Its clearly just a mock-up though as the Owned and Action-adventure tabs are both shown twice, so there is a possibility the Steam tab was a mistake although someone still went to the trouble to create the Steam tab for the purposes of the image.According to The Verge, Microsofts current plan is to create an Xbox app that shows every game you have installed on your PC, including from other launchers such as Steam and the Epic Games Store.How much Valve and Epic are currently on board with this is unclear, with the app apparently being fairly early in development and not guaranteed to launch with those features. Thats an Asus ROG Ally Microsoft is using in the image (Asus)What is the next gen Xbox?A response to the unintended leak from Windows Central suggests that Microsofts attempts to embrace PC gaming with the Xbox brand go even deeper.Its claimed that the bespoke ERA development environment for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S is being phased out in favour of the standard Win32 environment for PCs.The implication is that this is preparation for the next gen Xbox console, which increasingly sounds like its going to be more like a branded PC than a traditional console.More TrendingOne of the differences this will make to ordinary gamers is that automatic backwards compatibility with previous consoles will become impossible and theyll have to be emulated instead, which often results in technical issues.The aim seems to be to get every Xbox game that you own also playing on PC. Although, as Windows Central points out, this could run into legal complications with third party publishers.While the leak is obviously real, since it comes from Microsoft themselves, its unclear how much of it is aspirational and whether it is a concrete plan for the next generation.Given the ever declining sales of Xbox consoles, and the recent rise in popularity for PC gaming, it certainly makes sense for Microsoft to go on in this direction, even if its still unclear exactly how the details will play out. Does Valve know Microsoft is planning this? (Microsoft)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

How powerful will the Nintendo Switch 2 be? (YouTube)The Friday letters page is unconvinced that a Persona 4 remake is needed, as a reader is very glad Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been a hit.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukCounting the daysI am very glad to hear that Nintendo is thinking about a 60fps mode, and hopefully other upgrades, for the Switch 2. I very much doubt its only going to be Xenoblade Chronicles X and my hope is well get two main options: either the game is made with the Switch 2 in mind, which would probably be most stuff thats been out the last two or three years, or theyll use DLSS and other tech to artificially improve the resolution and frame rate.This is a thing that happens already on other devices and Nintendo is known to be interested in it, especially as its extra helpful for low-powered consoles, so I think its basically guaranteed. How theyre going to explain it to a non-technical audience I dont know but what Im more worried about is whether Nintendo will try to charge for any part of it, especially if theres an update involved.Nintendo make a lot of money selling ports and remasters and I dont think theyre going to give up that money easily. Well see though, not long till April 2 now.RoystonPerceived dominanceNo matter how many news stories we get like this I will never not be shocked by just how bad the Xbox is doing compared to PlayStation and has been doing since forever really. In my mind everyone had an Xbox 360 in that generation, it was the lead format and the PlayStation 3 was barely ever talked about.And then I find out that actually it came last, behind the Wii as well, and that was what everyone thinks of as the biggest Xbox console. I know Microsoft is technically the biggest games company now but it doesnt feel like it. It feels like Xbox is running on fumes, about to get the chop, and Activision and Bethesda are just doing what they wouldve done anyway.The fact that Microsoft owns them is irrelevant if nothing has changed. It all seems such a slow agonising death, but its far too late to reverse things now.JaceRandom birthdayI know the Inbox enjoys non-important anniversaries but just so you know, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is 19 years old this week. If those rumours about a remake are true you wouldve thought now was the time to announce it, but I guess not.Oblivion was my first ever open world game, and I remember not really understanding how the game would work when I started and then being gobsmacked when I got out of the dungeon and into the fields with all the flowers, where I realised that I could literally go anywhere.It also had really good voiceovers, with Patrick Stewart, Sean Bean, and Terence Stamp being much bigger names than I expected to be in a video game. Obviously Skyrim was better, but Oblivion was my first and I was really impressed.FreddyEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe wrong remakeIm not sure I understand the point of a Persona 4 remake. OK, its a PlayStation 2 game, which was a long time ago now, but the art style is stylised enough that it still looks decent today and Persona 3, which was also a PlayStation 2 game, seemed like such a small upgrade in its remake. Yes, the graphics are technically better but theyre not doing anything new or unexpected, that really justifies the remake existing.I say this as a Persona fan (although probably not as hardcore as some) and because I want them to just get on and make Persona 6 already. I realise its probably different teams, but its still a distraction and money going on that instead of a new game.I really dont understand why they didnt remake Persona 1 and 2, if they had to do something, since theyre 2D games and would have really benefitted from being modernised. I hate to say it was probably because it wouldve been too much effort. Persona 3 Reload feels more like a remaster than a remake and I doubt Persona 4 is going to be any different.WrexNew challengerIm so glad that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is doing so well. I enjoyed the original but theres no denying it was pretty janky and obviously low budget. I doubt the second one is mega budget either, but it looks like it. Im not surprised people are wanting to visiting Czechia after playing the game, because it makes it look really nice.I imagine the developer will make a third game now, but Id like to see them branch out and try some new settings. I do think they are the most interesting open world role-playing maker at the moment and definitely better than the washed-up Bethesda and BioWare.IshiWin some, loose someGot the AEW: Fight Forever wrestling game in the recent Steam sale. First impressions were great. 10 minutes later, the realisation set in. Bare match choices, lots of missing stars and the worst and least forgivable omission: four players max in a ring at one time. Even though it was only 3 odd I got it refunded. Very annoyed.The first Smackdown game, if Im remembering correctly, had six or eight people in the ring for Royal Rumbles and at least four for ladder matches.One positive of the sale was Dragon Age: The Veilguard. So far, Im enjoying it and up to now dont see what the outrage was all about. Im old though, so maybe I dont see what the younger peeps are triggered at. Did I use triggered right?I know you dont like multiple points in one letter, but did you play through Fallout: London without any issues? Ive spent days downloading, deleting, and redownloading it and mods and patches. I think Ive got it going now but Ive thought that before.BobwallettGC: We havent tried since launch.Empty fieldIm not sure if the PlayStation guy talking about GTA 6 is just trying to be optimistic but Im not sure Id count on anything being a hit this autumn other than that, except maybe Switch 2 games. Even if youre not that bothered by GTA, everyone and their dog is going to want to see what the fuss is about and thats going to eat up time and spare cash for at least six months.Its going to be interesting to see which games are confident enough to go for it, and go up against Rockstar, but I dont think its going to be many. More likely well have a very busy spring 2026, with everything running for the hills in the hope that people will get tired of GTA 6 by then.NosehairHistoric releaseHilarious and sad to see copies of Concord going for hundreds on eBay. I doubt many people will buy them, but some collectors will and I can kind of see why, to be honest. It is an important moment in video game history and a disc of it Is basically the only proof it exists now, unless you want to use up all that space on your hard drive to keep it from disappearing.$400 million is what it was rumoured to cost and it lasts just two weeks. The craziest thing is that it hasnt changed Sonys approach at all. Theres still almost no single-player games coming out from them and they keep saying that theyre still all in on live service games.Concord wont just go down in history as the biggest flop ever but as proof of just how insane the idea of live service games has made some publishers. Xbox is getting a lot of slack at the moment, and its mostly deserved, but what Ill give them Is that they havent fallen for that nonsense at all.All theyve got is Sea Of Thieves, which is really old now, and then a bunch of interesting single-player games on the horizon. Maybe thats because theyre super rich and they dont need any get rich quick type game but its interesting.I do feel Xbox has been poorly managed over the years, and not just by Phil Spencer. With all that money, and some good ideas, they shouldve been so much more than they are now. Maybe that means Sony were right and they shouldve made live service games instead?GannetInbox also-ransI dont get all this talk about Croc. I played the first game and it wasnt very good. Is it super popular and I didnt notice because I dont remember anyone talking about it before.KriegI see theres some rumours of a Final Fantasy 9 anime, but isnt it odd theres been so few Final Fantasy anime over the years? Advent Children is the most famous but you wouldve thought the whole series wouldve made a good anthology series.ModkerMore TrendingEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. 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Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition may run better on Switch 2 (Nintendo)It seems the Nintendo Switch 2 may be able to run the new Xenoblade Chronicles X at 60fps, but will that be true for all Switch 1 games?Now that Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is out the Nintendo Switch has hardly any first party exclusives left on its schedule, as the release of its successor, the Switch 2, looms.Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokmon Legends Z-A are still on the docket for 2025, but attention will squarely be on the Switch 2s line-up once the planned April Nintendo Direct airs in less than two weeks.The Switch 2s backwards compatibility means most current and future Switch games will work on the new console but a secret discovery in the code for Xenoblade Chronicles X suggests that at least some games will run better on the new hardware.Switch modder MasaGratoR has found evidence of a mode in Xenoblade Chronicles Xs executable file that allows the game to run at 60 frames per second instead of the usual 30. Except the Switch 1 isnt powerful enough to run the game like that.MasaGratoR theorises that the mode has only been partially implemented, since enabling it causes issues with the game. So, even if you could find a way to activate it thered be performance issues.But why would Nintendo and developer Monolith Soft include a 60fps mode if they didnt intend to use it? The natural assumption is that this is in preparation for when the game runs on Switch 2.Nintendo may not have shared any specs for the Switch 2, but its widely believed to be more powerful than the current Switch and implement upscaling tech that would allow for improved visuals and frame rates.As such, much like what the PS5 Pro does for PlayStation 5 games, we could see Switch games receive performance boosts on Switch 2, something that was claimed to be the case over a year ago.More TrendingAlthough its unclear whether all games could be made to run at 60fps, via a patch or some automatic process, or if the game would have had to have been designed with the feature in mind which might make Xenoblade Chronciles X one of the few titles to take advantage of the feature.In other Nintendo news, Nintendo of America has signed a deal with American baseball team the Seattle Mariners, to advertise the company on the teams jersey sleeves.Unlike other Major League Baseball teams, the Mariners will be the first to sport different logos depending on whether theyre the home team or not. According to the MLB website, their home jerseys will have the Nintendo logo while their away jerseys will have the Switch 2 logo.This partnership may seem random, but Nintendo and the Mariners have been working together ever since the 90s, when Nintendo of America bought the team. Nintendo sold its controlling stake in 2016, but its still maintained close ties with the team. They should really commit and all wear Mario hats during games (Bluesky)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Its going to happen eventually, but could an announcement be soon? (Atlus)Persona 6 remains MIA, but fans think theyve found another clue that points to a Persona 4 remake being in the works.The overwhelming success of Persona 3 Reload, a full remake of the original 2006 game, basically guarantees Sega and Atlus will be interested in doing more.Although some fans would prefer Atlus prioritise an original entry, namely the still absent Persona 6, theres mounting suspicion that the next game will be a remake of 2008s Persona 4.Its already a popular theory, but it now appears Atlus has filed a trademark for it, which has some thinking an announcement could happen in just a few months.According to Faz on X, Atlus registered a domain name for p4re.jp this week. Domain names, like trademarks and patents, arent always used, and are sometimes merely about stopping someone else from claiming them, but its pretty obvious p4re refers to a Persona 4 remake.This mirrors the events leading up to Persona 3 Reloads reveal. In 2023, Atlus registered a domain name of p3re.jp, which was followed by Persona 3 Reloads announcement at the June Xbox Games Showcase three months later.Assuming Atlus follows the same pattern, we could see an announcement this June, maybe even at this years Xbox showcase, if Microsofts marketing deal with Sega and Atlus is still going. As a reminder, Microsoft got to be the one to unveil Metaphor: ReFantazio as well.In terms of other evidence, Shihoko Hirata, a musician and singer best known for her contributions to Persona 4, admitted shes recently recorded music for a new game but didnt say what it was.Even without all this, a Persona 4 remake does feel like an eventuality. Aside from Persona 3 Reload becoming the fastest selling game in Atlus history (before Metaphor: ReFantazio exceeded it), Persona 4 used to be Atlus golden goose until Persona 5 came along.More TrendingIt was so popular it saw an enhanced version with new content for the PlayStation Vita, multiple spin-offs, and two separate anime adaptations.If a Persona 4 remake is Atlus next project, then that suggests Persona 6 is further off than thought. Previous rumours pointed to it launching in 2024, which obviously didnt happen.It was then suggested that itll launch in 2025 after an announcement in 2024 that year, but Atlus hasnt so much as teased the project.By September, it will have been nine years since Persona 5s Japanese launch (the West didnt get till March 2017) and, in that time, Atlus has kept busy with Persona 5 spin-offs, an enhanced re-release in Persona 5 Royal, and new entries/remasters for its other franchises like Shin Megami Tensei and Etrian Odyssey. Just where is Persona 6? (Atlus)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

GTA 6 will be economic boost for all gaming says PlayStation indie bossMichael BeckwithPublished March 20, 2025 4:04pmUpdated March 20, 2025 4:04pm Will GTA 6 be all you play once it comes out? (Rockstar Games)While some publishers worry that GTA 6 is going to make selling other games impossible this autumn, the head of PlayStations indie team disagrees.It is not an exaggeration to say GTA 6 will be the biggest video game release of the year. Scratch that, its going to be the biggest release in all of entertainment this year. In fact, itll probably be the biggest entertainment launch in human history.As such, its completely believable that other publishers and developers are eager to avoid releasing their games anywhere near GTA 6, for fear that theyd be overlooked. It seems likely even the Nintendo Switch 2 is trying to stay out of its way.This applies especially to indie studios, that lack the same kind of marketing power that Rockstar has, although Sonys own indie boss is optimistic that GTA 6s launch will be beneficial for smaller games.The comments come from Greg Rice, who serves as the head of PlayStation Creators, which means hes responsible for maintaining the companys relationship with indie developers, as well as being head curator for Day of the Devs a non-profit that raises awareness for indie titles.While attending, on behalf of Day of the Devs, GDC (Game Developers Conference) this week, in San Francisco, Rice told GamesRadar how hes heard other developers admit theyre worried about [GTA 6] sucking all the space out.Unsurprisingly, theyre apprehensive about launching a game even in the same month as GTA 6, since thats all anyones gonna be playing. Which isno doubt extra infuriating, as Rockstar and owner Take-Two have yet to say exactly when GTA 6 will launch, only that itll happen this autumn.Rice very much agrees that GTA 6 will do gangbusters and sell millions of copies, but he doesnt think other games are doomed to fail if they happen to come out around the same time.I think the industry is matured enough that theres space for [GTA 6] and for other things as well, said Rice. Its gonna be a combination of there will be games that will be successful around GTA time because theyre totally different, but itll also bring a lot more people back into the ecosystem.Rice also believes that GTA 6 players will eventually be encouraged to check out other games, calling it an, opportunity to get in on the new console generation and see what else is out there.[GTA 6 is] definitely gonna be a big economic boost for the games industry, and will be a multiple billion dollar title, but I dont think that its at competition with [indie games], Rice added.Rice isnt the only one expecting GTA 6 to be a boon for the wider industry. With near constant stories of layoffs and studio shutdowns, the games industry has fallen from the heights it enjoyed during the coronavirus pandemic and is still scrambling to find ways to bolster profits.More TrendingAside from making Rockstar and Take-Two a lot of money, GTA 6s launch should encourage console sales (which will benefit Sony and Microsoft) and draw more interest to games in general, both from consumers and investors.The latter is especially important and one of the key reasons why companies are currently chasing buzzwords like live service games and AI, even if the likelihood of any resulting game doing well is low.Not only is GTA 6 expected to have a separate online multiplayer mode, but it is also reported that GTA 6 will feature user-generated content akin to games like Fortnite and Roblox.Rockstar clearly hopes that players will never run out of things to do in GTA 6 and if its anything as successful as GTA 5, people will still be avidly playing it for the next decade and beyond. A high tide raises all boats (Rockstar/YouTube)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.ArrowMORE: Play the GTA 6 game map recreated by fan in GTA 5 GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

More Croc remasters hinted at as Argonaut pick risky release dateMichael BeckwithPublished March 20, 2025 1:09pmUpdated March 20, 2025 1:10pm Sounds like Argonaut wants to go all in on Croc (Argonaut)Argonaut Games is hinting at more revival plans for Croc, but its taking a big gamble with its chosen release date for the remasters launch.Announced back in 2023, the remaster of PS1 game Croc: Legend Of The Gobbos was meant to have come out this past December, but developer Argonaut Games opted to delay it for some extra polishing.The game is now scheduled to launch on April 2, with the reveal trailer promising revamped controls and visuals, as well as an in-game museum containing concept art, developer interviews and the like.Its bound to be a hit with anyone who fondly remembers the original but the good news for them is its not intended to be a one-off, with Argonaut already hinting at plans to remaster the rest of the series.After sharing a new trailer, Argonaut was quizzed by one fan on X as to whether they had any plans to bring back the two Croc games for the Game Boy Color as well, via the Nintendo Switchs online service.Although Argonaut didnt give a straight yes or no, they do seem to have some kind of plan for the titles: Well have more to say about our plans for the Game Boy Color Croc games later this year.Argonaut themselves didnt make the Game Boy Croc games. The first, titled simply Croc, was handled by a different British studio called Virtucraft and, unlike its console cousin, was a 2D platformer.The sequel, Croc 2, was developed by Japanese studio Natsume and was a top-down experience reminiscent of The Legend Of Zelda: Links Awakening. We didnt know Croc had a Game Boy game, let alone two of them (THQ/MobyGames)Were not sure how much demand there really is for the Game Boy games, which are not as well known as the already fairly obscure PS1 title, but a simple port to the Nintendo Switch shouldnt take too much effort.Nevertheless, Argonaut seem eager to pull off a full series revival. Its already expressed hope to remaster the PS1 version of Croc 2 and, if these remasters sell well, they want to make a brand new third game too.While diehard Croc fans have likely already put a pre-order down for the remaster, its launch is threatened to be overshadowed by a far bigger event happening on the same day: the Nintendo Switch 2 showcase.More TrendingConsidering Nintendo set that date in January and Argonaut only settled on it this week, we cant imagine Argonaut chose that date by accident.If we were feeling conspiratorial, wed theorise Argonaut plans to capitalise on the Switch 2 showcase, perhaps with an announcement for a Switch 2 port of the remaster or maybe even the PS1 Croc 2.Although it has a cult audience, Croc is by no means the most acclaimed game from Argonaut, who were one of the most respected British developers of the late 80s and early 90s.A lot of their best work was for Nintendo, with games like Star Fox and Stunt Race FX, but wed much rather see a new Starglider than another Croc. The remaster is slated for the original Switch, as well as PlayStation, Xbox, and PC (Argonaut)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.ArrowMORE: Star Fox 2 review the sequel that never was GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Xbox Series X/S console sales fall further behind PS5 in latest sales figuresGameCentralPublished March 20, 2025 1:42pmUpdated March 20, 2025 1:42pm Xbox sales are in freefall (Microsoft)Sales of the Xbox Series X/S continue to plummet in the US, as console sales as a whole reach their lowest point since the launch of the current gen.Theres a lot of confusion and uncertainty in the games industry at the moment, regarding the future plans of both Microsoft and Sony. Both have been acting strangely for years now, although with Microsoft its easier to understand why, given the constantly declining sales of the Xbox Series X and S consoles.If theres one single reason for Microsofts push towards multiformat releases its the collapse in sales for the Xbox Series X/S over Christmas 2023 in the US, only months after they completed the purchase of Activision Blizzard.That made it clear that not only was the current generation of hardware not selling but that it didnt make economic sense to keep any Activision Blizzard (or Bethesda) titles as console exclusives. Sales of the Xbox Series X/S have continued to decline ever since and the latest figures show theyre now 19% behind the Xbox One at the same point in its life.The problem here is that not only is the US the biggest market for Xbox but that the the Xbox One already sold poorly, with only around 58 million consoles in its lifetime compared to over 113.5 million for would-be rival the PlayStation 4.There is no exact figure for Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S sales, because Microsoft stopped reporting them, but its estimated the Xbox Series X/S is currently on only around 32 million, compared to 75 million for the PlayStation 5.Although Microsoft continues to insist that they have not abandoned the hardware market, with recent rumours seemingly revealing more about their new handheld device and their next gen console, they do certainly seem to have given up on the Xbox Series X/S.This was most obvious in the lack of marketing and hardware bundles for the consoles over Christmas. Theres also been repeated talk of low stock, and Microsoft abandoning some smaller markets, although theyve always denied it when specific examples have come up.The 19% figure comes from Mat Piscatella, director of US chart tracker Circana. In the same set of figures, he revealed that PlayStation 5 sales are currently beating the PlayStation 4 by 7%.More TrendingThese figures are only for the US, but it is by far the biggest territory for Xbox, in terms of volume and percentage of the market. The UK is the only other major market where Xbox sales come anywhere close to the PlayStation 5, and while theres less public sales data it is also seeing similar declines to the US.Piscatellas thread on Bluesky also reveals that video game spending so far this year, in the US, is down 11% overall compared to 2024, with mobile, consoles, and PC all down but subscriptions up 9% although thats calculated by revenue and is likely only a reflection of recent price increases.Hardware sales as a whole, and especially given that the Nintendo Switch is about to be replaced by its successor, were down 25% compared to February 2024, making for the lowest February since 2020 the last one before the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.In the US software charts, Monster Hunter Wilds instantly became the best-selling game of 2025, with Steam accounting for more than half of all revenues. A third party Xbox portable is set to go head-to-head with Nintendo (Valve/Microsoft/Metro)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Czechia tourist board plans real-life Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 tourMichael BeckwithPublished March 20, 2025 11:24amUpdated March 20, 2025 11:24am Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is quite the bucolic dream (Deep Silver)According to the local tourist board, theres been a recent increase in people wanting to visit the Czech Republic and its all thanks to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.Whenever a real-world location is used as a setting in a video game, its not uncommon for players to be compelled to visit that location in person, especially if the game makes it look as attractive as possible.Were sure games like Persona 5 and the Yakuza series have inspired trips to Japan. In fact, Ghost Of Tsushima is credited for raising worldwide awareness of the island of Tsushima and even led to a tourism campaign themed around the game.And now the country of Czechia, aka the Czech Republic, is expecting a similar boon thanks to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which launched this past February and has been hugely successful selling more than five times more than the original already.Created by Czechian developer Warhorse Studios, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is set during the early 15th century, when the country was known as the Kingdom of Bohemia.Given the games popularity Czechian tour operators have told TheGamer that theyre preparing for its player base to start flocking to Czechia later this year, especially since the country saw an uptick in tourism when the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance launched.Its too soon to tell how dramatic a boon Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will bring, but theres apparently already increased interest in locations featured in the game such as the town of Kutn Hora (known as Kuttenberg in the game) and the Trosky Castle ruins. This is Trosky Castle in real life (Czexperience) And this is Trosky Castle in one of the games cut scenes (Deep Silver)As such, there are efforts to more intrinsically tie these locations to their game counterparts, with tourist board websites like Premiant City Tour and Real Prague Tours now explicitly mentioning Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.More TrendingCzexperience is going so far as to run an all-day tour inspired by the game. Designed for adventurers at heart, this exclusive journey will transport you to some of the most iconic medieval sites that evoke the spirit of the game, reads its website.Its a smart move and, depending on how fruitful this strategy turns out, could do well for Warhorse Studios reputation in its home country.Although it can be pretty uncompromising in its portrayal of medieval life the landscapes of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are certainly very beautiful and this could end up being the video game equivalent of The Lord of the Rings, which led to New Zealand become a hot new tourist destination.Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and is slated to receive DLC expansions throughout the rest of 2025. This probably has a Starbucks by now (Warhorse Studios)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Copies of Concord on PS5 are going for up to 300 on eBayGameCentralPublished March 20, 2025 6:00am What would you pay for it? (eBay)Sonys failed live service game has finally become a hit with resellers on eBay, who are selling the game and its limited edition controller for crazy prizes.Video games dont have much of a history of famous flops since, unlike movies, its usually unclear exactly how much theyve sold or how much they cost to make. There are exceptions, like the apocalyptic failure of E.T. on the Atari 2600, but its only in the modern era of live service games that its become obvious when something has been a complete disaster.That is one way to describe the impossibly short life of Concord, which didnt even last two weeks before Sony announced it was being discontinued.That meant if you bought the game it was, as an online-only title, suddenly completely useless to you. Sony offered refunds but theres probably some people that were caught out, who had bought it physically and never worked out how to get their money back. But it seems an easy alternative is to now sell it on eBay.Rather than honest customers, that bought the game assuming it was going to be a long-running hit, it seems the majority of copies going up on eBay at the moment are unsold stock, that was taken off shelves once the games cancellation was announced.Its not clear why theyve only started showing up now but a post on the ResetEra forum shows its happening in both the US and Europe. Although one poster has a photo suggesting that the game is still being sold in shops in the UK, unaware that the game doesnt work anymore.As with anything on eBay, its difficult to tell what the going rate actually is, as most copies are being advertised with a Buy It Now price which theres no guarantee anyone will pay.There are several in excess of 350 but its very hard to imagine anyones going to hand over that much for a sealed box and a useless Blu-ray.Instead, the average seems to be around 30 to 40 in the UK. Although curiously thats much more than in the US, where the average Buy It Now price is around $20.More TrendingAt launch the game cost 34.99, although many believe the fact that it wasnt free-to-play, like most live service games, is one of the reasons for its abject failure; no doubt Sony was hoping that it would repeat the success of the similarly priced Helldivers 2.Although Concord is an important game, historically speaking, it does seem madness to spend large amounts of money on what is effectively an ex-video game.However, a more functional heirloom of the games brief existence has also become a hot ticket on eBay, with the limited edition Concord DualSense controller also going for upwards of 300.Unlike the game, this was always intended to be released in limited numbers, so not only is it a genuine collectors item but it actually looks really nice in its own right. The controller is actually really nice (Sony)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

An ad found during the ASAs investigation (ASA/PA Wire)An advertising watchdog is taking a stand against degrading images of women within mobile game adverts, describing them as harmful.Mobile gaming has long been the most profitable sector of the games industry but its also arguably the most problematic, with predatory microtransactions and unfiltered app stores.One issue which isnt often covered is the objectification of women within in-game adverts and apps, which is the subject of a new investigation by the UK advertising watchdog.The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) looked into the objectification of women in adverts for mobile gaming apps, and while the overall results are positive the regulator is telling advertisers to crack down on some harmful and shocking examples.The ASA monitored adverts using avatar technology software which mimics the browsing behaviour of different age groups in order to see how many were breaking the rules when it came to the issue.During the three-month investigation, 99.86% of the adverts shown to the avatars didnt contain objectifying or irresponsible depictions of women. However, eight adverts (from a total of 5,923) portrayed women in a harmful way.According to the investigation, these eight adverts contained harmful stereotyping of women as sexual objects, the use of pornographic tropes, and sexual encounters which were implied to be non-consensual.The published study names three sexually explicit games and apps, rated 16 and above, which were advertised within other games of a lower age rating aimed at children. One of these advertised games includes strong violence, sex, nudity, and strong language.More TrendingAs a result of the investigation, the ASA is telling advertisers, game developers, and owners of platforms to take responsibility in order to stop it becoming an issue. The organisation is also publishing new guidance for in-app adverts to make their stance clear to advertisers.Jessica Tye, regulatory projects manager at the ASA, said: We know that seeing harmful portrayals of women can have lasting effects, especially on younger audiences. Whilst were glad to see that most advertisers are doing the right thing, the small number who arent must take responsibility.Through this report, were making it clear: theres no room for these kind of ads in mobile gaming, or anywhere.Alongside this report, the regulator conducted research into peoples views on the objectification of women in advertising at large. They found that 45% of those surveyed were concerned about adverts that included idealised body images of women, while 44% were concerned about the objectification of women and girls.Over the past two years, the ASA has investigated and upheld 11 complaints where in-app adverts have harmfully objectified women, or risked condoning violence against them. An example of the advertisements (ASA/PA Wire)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Assassins Creed Shadows top three Creed (Ubisoft)The Thursday letters page asks whether the Nintendo Switch 2 will have a touchscreen, as a reader gets excited about Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukExpect the expectedI was going to say Assassins Creed is not really the sort of series I can imagine most people getting excited about but thats probably part of its appeal. Its kind of like a cosy game but with action and stabbing. You know what youre getting, the graphics are good, and you can kind of play it on autopilot.I realise that doesnt sound like a ringing endorsement but thats the perfect sort of game for relaxing with, as far as Im concerned. Or at least I assume thats what Shadows is like, but it doesnt sound like from your review that its any mad invention of the concept, which is exactly what Id assume.I know you ranked all the mainline games recently but where would you put Shadows, now that youve played it? It sounds like its probably the best of the modern games? Or maybe the best ever? Given how much I enjoyed Valhalla Im sure Ill like this one. Plus, you can never accuse Assassins Creed games of not being good value for money.CranstonGC: Wed say its the best post-Assassins Creed Origins game, yes. So thatd put it at number three in our list.Second time luckyI cant believe how excited I am for Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition today. As a gamer since the NES days, I cant remember having this much anticipation over a game release. Its the first time I wished Id bought online, so it would download in the morning, and I wish to take the day off.Xenobalde Chronicles X was the last game I played on the Wii U and only stopped when, post-game, I got locked in a mission against something way too powerful and I couldnt get out of it and Ive been hoping it would be ported to the Switch since it was released. It seems the perfect game to see me into the Switch 2.Kinetic induction (NN ID)PS: Regarding game shops, I have got my last few from Currys. The last few have had 10% off, so Ive had Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Zelda, and this for less than 40 each.Missing in actionTheres a lot of talk at the moment about what Capcom might do with all their Monster Hunter money, which is probably a flawed concept in itself because the obvious thing is that theyll just plough it back into more Monster Hunter (and gold-plated executive bathrooms).But rather than Dino Crisis or Onimusha what Id like to see come back is Devil May Cry. Im confused as to why we havent heard about a new game already as I wouldve thought wed get one anyway, since as far as I know Devil May Cry 5 was a success.Its been so long Im going to guess that they were working on something and cancelled it. Capcom do this a lot, with Resident Evil 2 and 4 both having got a fair way before they realised it wasnt working, and I think this is the sign of a good publisher/developer.Even so, its about time we had some new action with Dante and friends. Its over six years since the last one but it feels like longer.WinstonEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukLight more firesThat was an astonishing figure, to learn that Ubisoft has 18,000 employees, only to iterate essentially the same game again.Iteration isnt necessarily a bad thing, though, Im currently bashing, smashing, and crunching all the various beasts of Monster Hunter Wilds a series which moves forwards only gradually but which deepens its gameplay every time.Speaking of iteration, and also numbers of employees I suppose, Im also looking forward to Hello Games next endeavour: Light No Fire; less of a bankable hit than Monster Hunter Wilds but I think theyre on to something again (if only they can tone down the hyperbole this time!) with the one big world.Have we had any news about that recently? I remember seeing some wild speculation that it was nearly ready for launch when they dropped the trailer. High spirits, no doubt.Shambling RegGC: There dont seem to have been any updates since December 2023, but weve no reason to believe theres a problem.As if by magicIt looks like Inbox magic has struck again, because despite the developer not saying a word about it for ages theyve suddenly announced that early access for Wreckfest 2 will begin on Thursday. So thats pretty spooky timing.Its only on PC and while the Steam page hasnt been updated as I type this, apparently itll be 24.99. That seems more than reasonable to me, although itll go up 20% after two weeks, so its a kind of introductory offer.There will be console versions but only after the early access is done. Looks like three tracks plus the testing grounds, plus four cars and a bunch of race types with the option of bots. All sounds good to me, so well done to that reader for wishing that into existence.TacleGC: We hate to spoil the magic but the date seems to have been announced a month ago but not, we think, the other details.Touching thoughtNintendo are known for usually keeping costs as low as possible for their consoles. With the touchscreen barely (or never) used by the vast majority of Switch games, since itd prevent people playing in docked mode, I have a sneaky suspicion theyre going to drop touchscreen capabilities for the Switch 2.Have Nintendo ever confirmed or denied this?ttfp saylow (gamertag)Now playing: Shady Part Of MeGC: Nintendo hasnt confirmed or denied anything, other than the Switch 2 exists and its backwards compatible. Although that feature may be the primary reason they keep the touchscreen.Slow learnersThe only positive I can take for that (laughably bad) AI generated trailer is that everyone immediately realised what it was, complained, and the publisher got so embarrassed they unlisted the video and threw the developer under the bus.As you say though, I bet that wont put anyone off in the slightest and well see it happen again and again, until someone has the brainwave that trying to save a few dollars on making a normal trailer isnt worth ruining the reputation of your game and making everyone hate you. Why that isnt obvious from the start I couldnt say.BoycieBackground musicI agree with the recent discussions regarding video game music and that it is increasingly trying to encapsulate that big screen vibe. Although since Halo back on the original Xbox this has been going on for a long time. But ultimately it does seem to be what kind of game you prefer.I cant say I ever really hum any large game soundtracks, unless it has songs involved, like in Cyberpunk 2077. Otherwise, all big games are mainly background music to invoke atmosphere and tension but you wont remember it.The remake games like Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake are all highly reimagined music scores already recognisable from the retro years. But in the world of film and triple-A games, the film score rarely gets remembered unless its John Williams or Hans Zimmer.But traditional gaming soundtracks are still there in Japanese role-players on Switch or Steam. Disco Elysium has a great soundtrack, from the band Sea Power, which is stunning and very poignant to listen too. Cult Of The Lamb is always playing in my head, as well as the awesome Stardew Valley.I think ultimately games like Alan Wake and Assassins Creed may have one or two memorable tunes but otherwise itll be the back-up to whats happening on-screen with the players interactions. But if done well, many film score composers say if you dont notice the music, they have done their job well.So dont worry, traditional gaming soundtracks are still being produced, but more on the indie side of things. Listening and watching the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth score at the Royal Albert Hall, and the scores at The Games Awards, just shows that the more interesting and memorable of gaming music still has a massive part to play in the entertainment world.AlucardInbox also-ransMario Kart: Double Dash!! Super Smash Bros. Melee, F-Zero GX, and Fire Emblem would be awesome GameCube titles to add to the Switch!IsaacJust for an update, its now 3,648 days since the release of Bloodborne and the last time Sony seemed to give a damn about the game (if they even cared then, I dont exactly remember wall to wall adverts.LomaxMore TrendingEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Readers Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.You can also leave your comments below and dont forget to follow us on Twitter.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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Never trust the suits (Rockstar Games)You might be entitled to up to $3 million of in-game currency within GTA Online, although there are some awkward caveats.While the world anticipates the arrival of GTA 6, Rockstar continues to roll out updates for GTA Online, to keep players glued to GTA 5.The game continues to be successful 12 years later, with an enhanced PC version having arrived earlier this month and boosting it back up the PC charts, and now Rockstar is trying to entice lapsed players back into the fold with a new offer.As advertised by Rockstar, anyone who hasnt played GTA Online within the past 60 days on their Rockstar Games account can claim up to $3 million of in-game currency. To obtain the full amount though, you still have to pay.If you meet the above requirement, you can obtain $1 million entirely free. You just have to have a Rockstar Games account, link it to your respective platform, and claim it on the website. The support page notes, however, that anyone who has been suspended or banned is ineligible.If you are eligible and complete these steps, $1 million will be deposited into your Maze Bank within 72 hours.When it comes to claiming the remaining $2 million though, things get stickier. To claim $1.5 million, you have to buy one of the games shark cards, specifically either the Great White, Whale, or Megalodon card. These are priced at 14.99, 37.99, and 74.99, respectively, with the extra $1.5 million being added on top of what you purchase.More TrendingThe remaining $500,000 is added if you purchase a GTA+ subscription, which costs 6.99. GTA+ subscribers usually get $500,000 a month as part of the subscription, and while its not clear, we expect this offer means an extra $500,000 on top of that.In other words, the real free offer is just $1 million of in-game currency, with the rest available only if you buy additional money or services.According to publisher Take-Two, GTA 6 is on track to launch in autumn 2025 but if youre struggling with the wait try out a fan recreation of the games map in GTA 5. GTA 6 is coming this year, apparently (Rockstar Games)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

The AI marketing continues as Ark: Aquatica trailer attacked by fansGameCentralPublished March 19, 2025 3:09pmUpdated March 19, 2025 3:09pm Ark: Aquatica this is not in-game footage (Snail Games)The Aquatica expansion for Ark: Survival Evolved has been eviscerated by fans accusing it of being AI-generated, as Studio Wildcard distance themselves from the row.AI is something were going to be hearing about more and more over the coming years, and not just in gaming. Its almost certainly going to be a key part of the next gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles and its already being used in current games to generate some content.Microsoft in particular is very keen on using AI in a more substantial way, to make games, but its already commonplace in games marketing, even though fans always complain about it when they see it such as with the infamous six-fingered Santa Claus in Call Of Duty ads over Christmas.Where all this is going to lead except for more and more low level artists being put out of a job isnt clear but the latest controversy is over a trailer for DLC expansion Ark: Aquatica, which appears to be almost entirely AI generated.Online game Ark: Survival Evolved has been around since 2017, so everyone knows what the game looks like, and yet the trailer for the Aquatica expansion is very clearly AI generated.This is especially obvious as theres a couple of seconds of first person footage from the game at the start of the trailer, which looks nothing like the rest of it.At no point does the trailer indicate that the video is AI generated it doesnt even have a disclaimer about not being in-game footage even though some sections, such as a part where a character is riding on the back of a fish, are implied to be so.Its not clear if the video was always unlisted but it is now, with 4,100 down votes and only 166 up votes. Rather than original creators Studio Wildcard, the expansion is being developed by Snail Games, who have not yet commented on the controversy.This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves, says Syntac in the YouTube comments section.Absolutely pathetic, no one and I mean no one should by this DLC! adds Veno.Imagine how many AI shortcuts they took for the DLC if this is the effort they put into the trailer, says LoneWolf007.Meanwhile, plutoniclol6589 asks the question: What even is the point of an AI trailer? Youre showing NOTHING. This is worse than having [a] PowerPoint presentation about the DLC.The main games are made by Studio Wildcard and the video is not part of their X feed but there is a tweet, picked up on by the comments section, that insists that Ark: Aquatica is being developed by Snail Games.It also states that Studio Wildcard remains entirely dedicated to the production of Ark: Survival Ascended and Ark 2, and were excited to bring Ark: Lost Colony to you later this year!More TrendingWeve contacted Snail Games for comment but have not heard anything back yet.Even though the trailer has instantly killed fan interest in the expansion, this sort of thing is destined to become more and more commonplace in the games industry especially for lower budget titles or games that are still a long way out.While the Ark: Aquatica trailer looks bad even to an untrained eye, its certain that AI-generated video will become more and more realistic over time, making it harder than ever to predict what the actual game will look like.Whether publishers will pull back from the practice, without any sort of legislation to force them to do so, remains to be seen but its all very reminiscent of earlier generations, where trailers pretended pre-rendered footage was what the game looked like and were later forced to add not in-game footage disclaimers to make it clear it wasnt. Are you ready for levitating octopuses? (Snail Games)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

The Switch 2 is probably mere months away (Nintendo)As we approach Aprils all-important Nintendo Direct, here are the latest rumours around the price, release date, and games for the Nintendo Switch 2.Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially announced we still know very little about the console, with a brief trailer only showing its expanded size, revamped Joy-Cons, and hinting at its mouse-like functionality.Some of these details have been reaffirmed through patents, but Nintendo is expected to announce the major details in a Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday, April 2 at 2pm BST. As ever with Nintendo though, its difficult to predict what itll actually talk about.If official details are thin on the ground, there are a bunch of leaks and predictions around the consoles price and release date which seem increasingly convincing especially as many of the leaks prior to the Switch 2s reveal were later proved to be accurate.What is the Nintendo Switch 2 release date?Nintendo has not announced an official release date for the Switch 2, but it is widely predicted to launch in the early summer, most likely June.Prominent leaker NateTheHate, who was correct about the consoles reveal date, has said the Switch 2s release window is late May to June. A former employee at Nintendo Of America also predicted it will launch in maybe mid-June.Although some Nintendo fans have theorised it could be as early as May 15.None of this is confirmed, but it would align with Nintendos plans to hold public Switch 2 hands-on sessions throughout April, May, and June so all signs point to the console coming out within that window.What is the price of the Nintendo Switch 2?Nintendo has not announced a price for the Switch 2 but analysts expect it will be around $400. In the UK, that would translate to 400 or a little less.While this price appears to be the best guess, some have speculated it could be as high as $499, or at least upwards of $449. Nintendo may not be certain themselves yet, especially with the threat of US tariffs looming with more due to go into effect worldwide on April 2, the exact same date as the Nintendo Direct.For comparison, the original Switch cost 279.99 at launch and the OLED Model is priced at 309.99. The Switch 2 will almost certainly be more than that.What games are confirmed for the Switch 2?Nintendo has confirmed a new Mario Kart for the Switch 2, which was shown during the consoles reveal, but it doesnt have a name yet.Several smaller indie titles have also announced Switch 2 versions, including role-playing game Bestiario, the Star Fox-like Fur Squadron Phoenix, My Time At Evershine, action role-player Synth Beasts, and Yooka-Laylee remaster Yooka-Replaylee.All Nintendo Switch games will work on the next console through backwards compatibility but some upcoming titles, notably Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, are rumoured to be cross-gen titles in the same vein as The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, which launched simultaneously across the Wii U and Switch. Mario Kart is the only Switch 2 exclusive announced so far (YouTube)Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is slated to come out in 2025 and is tipped to be a key focus of the upcoming April Nintendo Direct.That means the best guess for the Switch 2s launch line-up, in terms of first party games, is Metroid Prime 4 and the new Mario Kart.Although therell hopefully be a glimpse of at least one or two brand new IP, in the April Direct, its not hard to guess what other Nintendo franchises will arrive on Switch 2, especially based on when the last entry was released.Animal Crossing and Splatoon are both likely to arrive in the first year or two, as is a new 3D Super Mario and/or a rumoured Donkey Kong title. A new mainline Zelda is not expected for several years but a new spin-off or remaster will no doubt be announced sooner rather than later.What third party support will the Nintendo Switch 2 have?Beyond that, third party titles like Tekken 8, Red Dead Redemption 2, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero are all rumoured for the console.More TrendingUbisoft is also believed to be going all out for the console, with ports of Assassins Creed Mirage and Assassins Creed Shadows.Theres a chance several games slated for May could also be planned for the Switch 2, including Doom: The Dark Ages and Elden Ring Nightreign.What other third party games will be available after that will largely depend on exactly how powerful the Switch 2 is, but it is expected to have very enthusiastic support, from all major publishers, right from the start. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is tipped to be a cross-gen game (Nintendo)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

There are more PC gamers than ever but theyre all stuck in the pastAdam StarkeyPublished March 19, 2025 11:10amUpdated March 19, 2025 11:11am Counter-Strike is still one of the biggest games on PC (Valve)The amount of PC gamers has jumped over the past year, but the overwhelming majority are still playing only playing old games.While the console market has plateaued over the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S generation, one area has continued to rise: PC gaming.This is apparent not only through analyst reports but in the actions of Sony and Microsoft over recent years, with both companies releasing games on PC to try and recoup the increasingly high development costs of console games.The rise of PC gaming has been reinforced in new data from video game market intelligence company Newzoo, along with the fact that only a small minority are actually playing new games.According to Newzoos yearly survey (via PC Gamer), which polled 73,000 players and pulled data from over 10,000 games, the PC market grew from an estimated 873.5 million players in 2023 to 907.5 million in 2024.This is considerably larger than console audience estimations of 653.1 million in 2024, although based on Newzoos prior reports, this has also seemingly increased, from around 625 million players in 2023.According to Newzoo, the vast majority of these PC players are playing older live service games. From January 2024 to December 2024, 67% of player hours on PC were spent on games that were six or more years old.A further 25% of player hours were spent on games that were two to five years old. The remaining 8%, meanwhile, was spent on games that were released within the past two years.Just to hammer the point home, that means a whopping 92% of time spent playing games on PC is dedicated to games that are at least two years old.The top games within the 67% chunk were Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (including Counter-Strike 2, which was released last year but is not considered a true sequel) with 7.1% of total hours, followed by League Of Legends at 6.4%, and Roblox at 6.2%.Notably, the top five games in this portion are all free-to-play live service titles, with Dota 2 and Fortnite taking up the remaining slots.This skew towards old live service games has been highlighted before, for both consoles and PC, but the point is worth reiterating especially when it comes to understanding why so many developers are chasing the live service trend, despite the likelihood of any given project being shut down months later.More TrendingThe size of the PC market also tracks with the amount of games being developed for the platform. In a GDC State Of The Industry survey from earlier this year, 80% of over 3,000 developers said they were making a game for PC, a 14% rise from 66% in 2024. This figure has been steadily growing since 2020, when it was at 56%.In comparison, 38% were developing a game for the PlayStation 5, while 34% were targeting the Xbox Series X/S. Its important to note though that the GDC report skews heavily towards Western developers, with mobile being more prominent in Asia and PC less popular in Japan.While the PC market is growing, its important to note that console gaming is still bigger in terms of overall revenue. As highlighted in a report from Newzoo last year, console games make up 28% of the overall games market, whereas PC sits at 22%, and mobile is at 49%.Regardless, the steady growth within the PC space might have a ripple effect on Sony and Microsofts plans for the next generation, with the latter reportedly developing a PC-like handheld with a third party company and planning a PC in a box approach for its next home device. Dota 2 is still as popular as ever too (Valve)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

How long is too long? (Richard A. Brooks / AFP) (Credits: AFP via Getty Images)The Wednesday letters page is unsurprised by Assassins Creed Shadows mostly good reviews, as one reader hopes for Xenoblade Chronicles X-2.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukWeekly quotaIve a question I dont see asked much and thats how many hours a week people play video games and what they think is healthy? I read today that the average is 8.6 hours, which is about 1.2 hours a day, and that seems to me to be reasonably okay. Its a lot but I dont think its unreasonable, especially compared to how long most people spend watching TV or looking at their phones.But thats the average and when you start to get above those numbers, I think it starts to become more worrying. Id certainly feel things were getting out of control if I was playing 15 or 20 hours a week. But to be honest, I dont really know, as I dont tend to time myself.So just interested to know if people have limits they impose on themselves? Or if you just play as much as you can? As someone with teenage kids I definitely have more spare time than I used to, but Im not sure sitting around playing video games is a very good example to be setting.GonchNo more, no lessSo Assassins Creed Shadows seems to have turned out exactly how I expected, and how I imagine most sensible people expected: more or less the same as usual but with a few little tweaks and extras to give it an illusion of change. Im not saying that as a big negative, just an observation, as its no doubt better than a lot of sequels.What I didnt expect was the unanimous praise for the graphics, so thats actually got my interest piqued a bit. Theres no way Im paying full price for it, because we all know what happens to Ubisoft games after a few months, but Ill probably get it sooner than I was intending.As for whether this will save Ubisoft the last suggestion was that it had to do really well and Im not sure if these good but not mind-blowing reviews are going to help it achieve that. I hope so though, the last thing we need is even less publishers in the world.FocusReputation repairI really do think the GameCube is a very underrated console. The two reasons it always gets looked down on are that its the only console to ever be outsold by an Xbox (just) and the Mario, Zelda, and Mario Kart games for it were not great. But everything else was.Metroid Prime is just as perfect as Super Metroid, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door hasnt aged a day, F-Zero GX is still my favourite racing game, and Resident Evil 4 was a revelation at the time. I also like Billy Hatcher And The Giant Egg.Im not saying its the best console ever or anything but some of its games are amongst the best things Nintendo has ever done and I hope that will be remembered via the Switch 2.KorbieEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukWhere the wolves areAs we all agree, graphics are much more important than gameplay. To this end, I recently picked up The Order: 1886 for a few quid and loaded it up on PS4 Pro. My goodness, its still very pretty. Those graphics absolutely smack you in the face and Im not sure there are many current generation games that surpass it.Jokes aside, they managed to make fighting werewolves extremely boring and the third person combat in general is a bit underwhelming, while I found the lovely graphics and setting to have some promise. Im not sure who owns the IP but I wouldnt be averse to seeing a studio like People Can Fly (who it was recently revealed have entered into an exclusive development agreement with PlayStation for something) have a bash at bringing the gameplay up-to-speed with the visuals, as fighting werewolves should definitely be fun (also playing Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow on the Steam Deck, which supports this).MagnumstacheGC: Its a Sony first party game, so they own it. Original developer Ready at Dawn went bust last August.Xenoblade Chronicles X-2For anyone that hasnt played it, I would 100% recommend Xenoblade Chronicles X, as I am one of the seemingly few that played it on the Wii U. GC are right to say that theres disagreement amongst fans and a lot of people that like X dont like the others and vice versa.I think its because the numbered games are a lot more anime inspired, whereas X is a lot closer to hard sci-fi. Yes, the characters still manage to be anime cliches but what can you do? No game is good at everything. I still love the game and the exploration and combat is great, with tons of customisation options, lots of characters (more in the Switch version, it seems) and the good ole transforming robots.Personally, Id much rather see a sequel to X than a Xenoblade Chronicles 4 but Im not very confident of that ever happening.GoldieHuman costSo theres a lot to talk about. Firstly, Ive had the inconvenience of finding out its probably not a good idea to buy a second-hand handheld. My OneXPlayer stopped working, after about a month of purchase. After an attempted reset I had no choice but to return it to CeX. Used the refund money to buy an ASUS ROG Ally X. Last time I ever use Utorrent, to torrent games. Lesson learned.Ive also had the distinct pleasure of waking up to see Assassins Creed Shadows meet my expectations and disappoint me. Of course itd include a forgettable story. I experienced this very milquetoast feature with my playthrough of Avowed yesterday. But an 82 on Metacritic and I could see GC scoring it a 7/10 from a mile away. It was written in the clouds, because Im foreseeing Ubisoft declaring bankruptcy very soon. If an 82 is the marginal best they can deliver us, after an abysmal 2024, its what they deserve.On a brighter note, Im exceptionally impressed by Death Stranding 2. I will be pre-ordering when Amazon decides that 69.99 is a ludicrous asking sum and lowers the price tag. Even Kojima isnt worth that much. But for the love of Miquella, can Rockstar please hurry up and announce the second trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6? I expected a March release but its getting absurd at this point.Shahzaib SadiqGC: Ubisoft employs over 18,000 people.New startI dont think well ever see another Half-Life or Portal game that isnt either a tech demo or a multiplayer game or some other thing that is purposefully not want people want. Its wrong to expect anything else really, because everyone that could have (or should have) been involved in making it is long since gone.If they really are trying to make Half-Life 3 right now then whos making it? Perhaps theyre talented people but theres no guarantees and itd be almost like Valve, as a developer, were starting from scratch, with their knowledge base and their reputation. If they announce anything Id be interested but not optimistic.PoissonTrack recordRE: Johnson and is anyone looking forward to Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Im very interested. Based both on the quality of Naughty Dogs previous work but also the little we know of the game so far.From Jak And Daxter and Crash Bandicoot to Uncharted and The Last Of Us (well forget about Way Of The Warrior) Naughty Dog have demonstrated consistent top tier quality. I see no reason to think they couldnt successfully try their hand at another type of game.I also like the set-up. I love sci-fi, FromSoftware games, and games that have an air of loneliness. Im prone to being melancholic to be honest.So a sci-fi Souls game where youre alone on an alien planet sounds fantastic to me.I can understand the overused 80s retro future art style making some feel its unoriginal. But I remember when The Last Of Us trailer landed many said it looked like another zombie game but that turned out to be a milestone in gaming.The title though, I agree, is a bit rubbish.SimundoInbox also-ransImagine if GTA 6 went back to the top-down style of game the series started out asLeighDappaLego Pokmon? I think Nintendo and Lego would be able to buy a mint at that point and just print off the money straight from the source. Heres hoping they make a Vanillite. I bet they dont.BosleyMore TrendingEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Readers Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.You can also leave your comments below and dont forget to follow us on Twitter.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Its not even been a year since this game was added to PlayStation Plus (Bigmode)Just as eight new games are added to the PS Plus catalogue, the same amount is scheduled to leave next month, including one of last years best titles.Animal Well was undoubtedly one of the best indie games to be released in 2024. In fact, it was one of 2024s best games period and probably would have walked home from The Game Awards 2024 with two trophies, had Balatro not been a thing.Theres no official sales data for the game, but hopefully lots of PlayStation owners checked out the game after publisher Bigmode struck a deal with Sony to add Animal Well to its PlayStation Plus service at launch.Less than a year since then, though, and Sony is poised to delist Animal Well from the service, so you now only have a few weeks to try the game at no extra cost and see what all the fuss is about.Animal Well launched on May 9 and while its yet another indie Metroidvania, it distinguishes itself with a greater emphasis on puzzle solving and being chock full of secrets.Combined with its complete lack of explanations for what anything is and what you need to do, it forces players to cooperate and share solutions and new discoveries with each other online.If you have a PS Plus subscription at either the Extra or Premium tier and havent tried Animal Well yet we highly recommend you put time aside for the next several weeks to experience as much of it as you can.When does Animal Well leave PlayStation Plus?Animal Well is expected to be delisted from PlayStation Plus on April 15. As a reminder, you cant download and keep games from the PlayStation Plus catalogue after theyve gone, so Animal Well will be completely inaccessible once it leaves the service.Afterwards, PlayStation owners will need to buy their own PlayStation 5 copy. The game is also available for purchase on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.More TrendingAnimal Well isnt the only game being removed either. The following seven games are also leaving the PlayStation Plus catalogue next month:Deliver Us Mars (PlayStation 5/PlayStation 4)Kena: Bridge Of Spirits (PlayStation 5/PlayStation 4)Miasma Chronicles (PlayStation 5)Nour: Play With Your Food (PlayStation 5/PlayStation 4)Slay The Spire (PlayStation 4)Stray Blade (PlayStation 5)Tales Of Kenzera: ZAU (PlayStation 5)However, its all swings and roundabouts, as today another set of eight games have been added to the catalogue, with our personal headliner being Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown a more traditional but no less impressive Metroidvania with an increased focus on combat. Not every animal is as friendly looking as these capybaras (Bigmode)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Assassins Creed Shadows a relatively dynamic duo (Ubisoft)Ubisofts pivotal new entry in the Assassins Creed series features two different playable characters in 16th century Japan.The Assassins Creed franchise is notionally about the millennia-spanning conflict between the Order of the Assassins and their arch-nemeses the Templars. Experienced in the modern world via the Animus, a machine that lets people inhabit the memories of long dead ancestors, early releases in the series made a big deal of current era interludes between bouts of remembered historical assassination.At some point, Ubisoft realised those were easily the dreariest parts of the games and decided to abandon forays into the modern era. But while Assassins Creed Shadows doesnt bring them back, it does feature mysterious glitches in the Animus that let you hear the voice of The Guide, a sort of digitally enabled Deep Throat who wants to lead you to discoveries beyond the memories youre playing through.Moment to moment though, Shadows is still all about quietly creeping up on unsuspecting characters and stabbing them in the neck, and while its Feudal Japanese setting provides an entirely new architectural style to leap around, thats still the games focus. Or at least half its focus, because in this instalment you play not only as stealthy ninja assassin Naoe but also as hulking samurai Yasuke, whos not nearly as stealth orientated.Yasuke is a real historical figure and a former slave, having arrived in Japan with Portuguese Jesuit missionaries. Thats also the case in the game, where hes taken under the wing of enjoyably evil warlord Oda Nobunaga, who trains him as a samurai before setting him to work burning villages and brutalising fellow clans in the name of unifying Japan. Yasukes colossal, muscular frame does not lend itself to climbing or creeping about, but it does make him feel like an unstoppable Terminator style killing machine.While most extremely large video game characters are slow and ponderous, his bulk is accompanied by fearsome speed and, especially in the first part of the game before baddies get more wily, he can feel practically untouchable. Running straight through locked castle gates, enemies stand about as much chance against him as bread does against an electric slicing machine, with approximately the same outcome.Naoe is more in line with traditional Assassins Creed protagonists. Her shinobi skills make her exceptionally fleet of foot and her grapple hook gives an instant escape route, allowing her to scale pagodas or nearby rooftops in seconds, so she can strike rapidly and then disappear.Because enemies level with you, In the latter parts of the game they get tougher and more resourceful and you quickly find that Naoes skills lend themselves to taking out entire castles full of guards and daish samurai, where she can scuttle up onto roofs without getting mobbed.Meanwhile, Yasuke is better at laying waste to smaller, more rustic enemy camps. Typically, that means facing off against half a dozen soldiers without much cover or opportunity to hide, where his tankiness, extra health rations, and brutal damage give him the advantage.Its actually quite refreshing to abandon stealth and charge in like an angry bull, especially in a game of this enormous scale, where fatigue regularly sets in through endless repetition of the core mechanics. If it were all simply hiding in tall grass, things would start to feel one note worryingly early.What never feels monotonous though, is its glorious setting. 16th century Japan looks utterly spectacular, from its majestic towering pagodas to the fleeting pink cherry blossom in spring. Youll be seeing plenty of that, not just for its ability to render the setting recognisably Japanese, but because the turn of the seasons plays an important role in Shadows.As well as controlling Naoe and Yasuke, you recruit allies who you can call for assistance when the going gets tough. Its a call back to Assassins Creed Brotherhood, when Ezio Auditore da Firenze could wave a hand and have his assassins materialise from thin air to annihilate nearby foes. Shadows goes a little further with that meta game, in a twist that also addresses the series map marker overcrowding. Naoes activities are more traditionally Assassins Creed (Ubisoft)Past complaints about the sheer number of quest symbols that pop up in Ubisoft games have apparently not gone unheeded, and Shadows borrows its structure from stablemate Tom Clancys Ghost Recon. Framed as a series of investigations, you gradually pick off members of different bad guy cadres in your pursuit of the real, hidden enemy.Each target offers clues to their whereabouts, but even with all elements of the HUD switched on, youre not simply given a location. Instead, you need to read the hints and then use your map to assess roughly where they might be, before sending scouts to confirm a precise location. Send your reconnaissance team to the wrong area and theyll come back empty handed, and while you can recruit new scouts, theyre a finite resource that only refreshes when the seasons change.Like previous outing Valhalla, youll need to engage in a little base building, which has been slightly beefed up in Shadows. Now, rather than just unlocking preset structures, you can lay out your hideout as you see fit, constructing and upgrading buff-conferring rooms, and adding cosmetics -from gravel paths to statues to pets that you unlock or buy from merchants as you explore.While there are other distractions from your main business of quietly killing hundreds of people, theyre not particularly well formed. There are all sorts of collectibles, including the above mentioned pets, and updates to your codex about the wealth of authentic historical detail, along with a series of basic rhythm action mini-games that let you learn new weapon techniques for Yasuke or meditations for Naoe.Those activities reward you with knowledge points, which youll need to open up the more powerful techniques in the games skill trees. Experience levels characters up, improving their base stats, while knowledge points unlock new abilities. Fortunately, no matter which protagonist youre playing, the other receives the same amount of experience and knowledge points, maintaining parity in their progression.Unlike the vaunting ambition of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which used its immense scale to inculcate you into an entire medieval life simulator, Assassins Creed Shadows conforms to the expectations of its long running franchise. Its lightning fast combat has been given a distinctive new feel and switching between its contrasting characters creates broader dynamics within its fairly narrow core stealth and assassination gameplay loop, but much else about the game feels familiar.The opening 20 or so hours are probably its least inspiring, with both Naoe and Yasuke feeling overpowered. Its only as both start to unlock more skills and equipment from their huge sets of historically accurate ancient Japanese weaponry that enemies start getting more persistent, making it trickier to simply vanish into the rafters like a stab-happy Batman. The open world is very nicely designed and rendered (Ubisoft)Is Assassins Creeds Shadows worth playing?For Assassins Creeds detractors, and those filled with ennui by Ubisofts formula, there will be little here to change minds. However, for those who still enjoy its schtick, this is a lightly refreshed take that at least deals with some of the series more frequent complaints, namely the profusion of quest markers, the endless stealth/homicide repetition, and the bugs.More TrendingDespite its scale, and apart from a couple of memorably macabre moments when headless corpses sprang back up and continued to fight, this is an almost completely bug-free experience.Its also beautifully acted, its story attempting to explore the tension between a desire for murderous revenge and the possibility of forgiveness. Considering that central thesis, its odd that you can still assassinate unarmed servants in return for a modest XP reward, the game only penalising you for accidentally hacking bystanders to death.For Assassins Creed nostalgists, its unlikely anything will ever beat tooling around renaissance Rome as Ezio, or the magical first half of Black Flag before it got bogged down in unnecessarily tricky combat and naval engagements. Assassins Creed Shadows walks a fine line between modest innovation and delivering on longstanding expectation, but it does so with polish and panache, even if things inevitably start to feel repetitious long before the closing credits roll.Assassin's Creed Shadows review summaryIn Short: If youve never liked Assassins Creed this wont win you over but Shadows is a well-made and exciting iteration thats impressively well-polished, even if it lacks any significant new ideas.Pros: Ultra-fast shinobi and samurai combat thats genuinely fun. Ancient Japan looks gorgeous with a huge, and hugely impressive, open world. The script and voice-acting are very competent.Cons: Dull mini-games and an inevitable sense of repetition and shallowness. Despite some minor innovations you cant help feeling a more significant reboot is overdue.Score: 7/10Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, and PCPrice: 69.99Publisher: UbisoftDeveloper: Ubisoft QuebecRelease Date: 20th March 2025Age Rating: 18 Yasuke is not a subtle fighter (Ubisoft)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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Lego has chosen Pikachu (Lego)A new line of Pokmon themed Lego sets have been announced, with a multi-year deal that is going to cost fans dearly.Not only do Lego and Nintendo get on very well but its amusing that theyre both quite similar companies, beloved by their fans but notorious for their secrecy and insistence on doing things their way.Their first partnership was for the ongoing Super Mario line of Lego sets, which rather than just being recreations of scenes from specific games, with ordinary brick built minifigures, involve giant-sized Bluetooth figures and customisable courses.Theyve also dabbled with sets aimed at adults, such as the upcoming Mario Kart model, as well as a 2-in-1 Legend Of Zelda creation, and a whole line dedicated to Animal Crossing. And now its the turn of Pokmon.How many other Nintendo franchises might be turned into official Lego sets is difficult to say but in some cases it seems theres been a delay because theyve licensed the property out to other companies first.For a few years there were Mario Kart sets for KNex and, over the years, there have been officially licensed Pokmon sets for both Nanoblock and Mega Bloks.Inevitably, they werent very good but even though its The Pokmon Company that organises merchandise for Pokmon, not Nintendo, theyve been brought into the fold and a line of Pokmon sets will be coming out in 2026, as part of a new multi-year deal.None of them have been revealed yet but the teaser video above clearly shows Pikachus tail. As if there was any doubt that hed be one of the first to show up.Mega Bloks toys tended to be brick-built versions of the most popular pokmon, including Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, but theres no clue as to what direction Lego may take other than theres likely to be some sort of twist to it.This new partnership will bring the world of Pokmon to life in entirely new ways, allowing fans to build beloved Pokmon in Lego brick form, says Lego.More TrendingFor the first time, the Lego Group will be bringing the most loved Pokmon to life in a brand-new way, with play experiences that will delight new and existing fans alike.While a Generation X video game sequel is likely to be announced by 2026, if not released, the sets wont necessarily have anything to do with that.The recently released Mario Kart sub-line is based solely on Mario Kart 8, in part because new Lego sets take a surprisingly long time to design and produce just like video games.There could be some connection to this years Pokmon Legends: Z-A but more likely Lego will, at least at first, go for the obvious iconic pokmon and locations. Or maybe theyll opt for something more outside the box, like the fan creation below. This fan-made set looks really neat (The Brothers Brick/Grant Davis)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy