The Fearsome Megalodon Ate Basically Whatever It Wanted to Reach Its Daily 100,000-Calorie Need, Study Suggests Scientists previously assumed the giant, prehistoric sharks mostly feasted on whales, but it turns out they probably weren’t so picky An artistic reconstruction of the extinct megalodon. Scientists' ideas about how the megalodon looked are based on its fossilized teeth. Hugo Saláis via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 4.0 Between 3 million and 20 million years ago, the largest predatory fish ever known hunted in Earth’s oceans. Called theOtodus megalodon), this giant shark grew up to 79 feet long, had teeth the size of human hands and could bite with the strength of an industrial hydraulic press. But what scientists know about the extinct creature has been almost entirely determined from fossil teeth—since paleontologists have yet to discover a complete megalodon, and the animals’ cartilaginous skeletons don’t preserve well. Now, new research on the mineral content of their teeth suggests megalodons ate pretty much whatever they wanted. Until recently, scientists assumed that megalodons satisfied their estimated 100,000-calorie daily needs by mostly eating whales. A study published Monday in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, however, suggests the prehistoric shark had a much more diverse diet than previously thought—akin to the great white shark’s “if it moves, it’s food” hunting strategy of today, writes Vice’s Ashley Fike. Jeremy McCormack with a fossilized megalodon tooth. Uwe Dettmar for Goethe University An international team of researchers reached this conclusion after analyzing the ratio of different variants, called isotopes, of the mineral zinc in 18-million-year-old megalodon teeth. Animals absorb zinc only through food, so this could offer a hint to their diets. Muscles and organs absorb more of the isotope zinc-64 than zinc-66, meaning that the higher up the food chain an animal is—or the more meat and fish it eats—the less zinc-66 it absorbs, and its ratio of zinc-66 to zinc-64 is lower, in turn. “Since we don’t know how the ratio of the two zinc isotopes at the bottom of the food pyramid was at that time, we compared the teeth of various prehistoric and extant shark species with each other and with other animal species. This enabled us to gain an impression of predator-prey relationships 18 million years ago,” Jeremy McCormack, a scientist from Goethe University Frankfurt and lead author of the study, says in a statement. Unsurprisingly, the isotope ratios in the teeth put the megalodon at the top of the food chain, alongside close shark relatives such as Otodus chubutensis. At the same time, however, the scientists noticed there wasn’t a huge difference between the megalodon and the lower-tiered animals, suggesting the sharks feasted on creatures from all rungs of the ladder. “They were not concentrating on certain prey types, but they must have fed throughout the food web, on many different species,” McCormack tells CNN’s Jacopo Prisco. “While certainly this was a fierce apex predator, and no one else would probably prey on an adult megalodon, it’s clear that they themselves could potentially feed on almost everything else that swam around.” The results also indicate that megalodon populations living in different habitats had slightly contrasting diets, potentially because of differing prey availability. More broadly, the study invites comparisons between the megalodon and its iconic extant relative, the great white shark. These comparisons, however, may have previously led to some overreaching assumptions. “Previous studies simply assumed that megalodon must have looked like a gigantic version of the modern great white shark without any evidence,” Kenshu Shimada, a vertebrate paleontologist at DePaul University and co-author of the new study, told National Geographic’s Jason Bittel back in March. He and colleagues had just published a different paper that reassessed the prehistoric shark’s size, suggesting that it had a more slender body than its smaller, modern cousin. The new study thus joins a host of research challenging widely held ideas about megalodons and their relatives, says Alberto Collareta, a paleontologist at the University of Pisa in Italy who was not involved in the research, to CNN. “These have led us to abandon traditional reconstruction of the megatooth sharks as ‘inflated’ versions of the modern white shark. We now know that the megalodon was something else—in terms of size, shape and ancestry, and of biology, too,” he adds. In fact, with both species eating generalist diets, great white sharks might have outcompeted megalodons for food and ultimately played a role in their demise. “Even ‘supercarnivores’ are not immune to extinction,” Shimada says in the statement. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Category: GamesMay 30, 2025 Atomfall Story Expansion Arrives Next Week – Dare You Visit Wicked Isle? Ben Fisher, Head of Design, Rebellion For those of you who are new to the game, Atomfall is an action-survival mystery set in the UK. The story takes place five years after the real-life events of the 1957 Windscale Disaster in the North of England. In the world of Atomfall, a quarantine zone has been established around the Atom Plant and no one has been allowed in or out for five years. Life and society have changed and adapted under these trying circumstances and gangs of strange folk now wander the countryside. You wake up in a bunker with no idea who you are or how you got there. Given the circumstances you have little choice but to set out on a journey to discover what really happened at Windscale and maybe try to find out who you are in the process. The Wicked Isle expansion adds a whole new location, with its own set of characters and enemies as well as additional leads, weapons, skills, items and multiple new endings for the main game. What is the Wicked Isle? Surrounded by murky and perilous waters lies a wicked isle… a mysterious new region to explore, nestled off the Cumberland coast. They say there was a creepy old fishing village out there, but the locals haven’t seen anyone from there for years. The Wicked Isle is an entirely new area for players to explore in Atomfall, accessible by boat from the village of Wyndham. It’s a region that gave us an opportunity to really double down on the Folk Horror influences that you find throughout the game, as well as hints of sci-fi and cold war paranoia for good measure. When developing the Wicked Isle, there were two real-world locations that acted as key inspirations. The first was Lindisfarne – the “Holy Island” – which is a monastery on an island off the coast of Britain and was famously raided by Vikings in the 9th century. On the wicked isle, an Abbey towers over everything and constantly entices you to explore what secrets it holds within. The other major inspiration was Anthrax Island, a real-world island off the coast of Scotland that was used for military experiments during the Second World War. The entire island was quarantined until the 1990s as a result of the tests, and you might find evidence of similar experiments as you explore Wicked Isle. Explore the Isle’s Mysteries Shrouded by dense fog, this strange isle holds secrets that lead to the heart of the mystery of what really happened at the Windscale Plant. The Wicked Isle is located close to the Atom Plant and as a result, infection had spread rapidly and had a significant effect on the environment and the people that live there. You will have to tread carefully! As you investigate the island you will uncover new leads and story threads. While some of these are standalone stories, some leads link back to the overarching narrative of Atomfall as you seek to uncover what really happened. You will have to travel back to the mainland in search of clues and items which will in turn unlock multiple new potential endings for the main game. Uncover New Treasures While exploring you will find new items, weapons, and skills to help you as you survive in the Quarantine Zone. Deadly blunderbusses, upgraded metal detectors, and otherworldly abilities are just some of the things you’ll find on the isle. In creating these new weapons, we had an immediate and impactful opportunity to link to the key themes we were exploring in this story expansion – whether it be the Blunderbuss and Cutlass tying to the nautical history of the isle itself or some of the stranger ritualistic weapons used by the pagan druids who have made this their home. However, I’m most excited to see how people interact with the new abilities that the Wicked Isle brings. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but you’re going to find some pretty weird stuff going on out there. Face Fearsome Foes The inhabitants of the isle have not escaped the impact of the disaster. A deranged druid cult has become even more powerful through their pagan rituals; roaming bandits have embraced the island’s nautical past and strange creatures lurk in the watery depths. If you want to survive, you’ll need to be prepared to fight back. The response from the community to Atomfall has been incredible and we cannot wait for players to experience Wicked Isle. The stories and leads you uncover there and the people you will meet along the way add even greater depth to the mystery of Atomfall. Available from June 3, the Wicked Isle Story Expansion Pack can be bought separately and is also included in the Atomfall Deluxe Edition and Atomfall Deluxe Upgrade. Game Pass subscribers will also receive a 10% discount. We hope you enjoy visiting the dark and lonely waters. Atomfall: Story Expansion Pack Wicked Isle Rebellion ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Surrounded by murky and perilous waters lies a wicked isle… a mysterious new region to explore, nestled off the Cumberland coast. They say there was a creepy old fishing village out there, but the locals haven’t seen anyone from there for years. There is a boat from the Wyndham Village shore for anyone brave enough to go and look for themselves. New mysteries, new supplies and new possibilities of escape could lie ahead for anyone who dares. The Atomfall story continues with the “Wicked Isle” Story Expansion Pack, introducing a new location, enemies, quests, characters, items, weapons, and more. Explore the isle’s mysteries Shrouded by dense fog, this strange isle holds secrets that lead to the heart of the mystery. Uncover leads that intertwine with the Atomfall narrative, expanding the story and unlocking new routes out of the Quarantine Zone. Uncover new treasures While exploring you will find new items, weapons, and skills to help you as you survive in the Quarantine Zone. Deadly blunderbusses, upgraded metal detectors, and otherworldly abilities are just some of the things you’ll find on the isle. Face fearsome foes The inhabitants of the isle have not escaped the impact of the disaster. A deranged druid cult has become even more powerful through their pagan rituals; roaming bandits have embraced the island’s nautical past and strange creatures lurk in the watery depths. If you want to survive, you’ll need to be prepared to fight back. Related Stories for “Atomfall Story Expansion Arrives Next Week – Dare You Visit Wicked Isle?” Category: ID@XboxA Little Roguelike Fun: Cryptmaster’s Deckbuilder in the Anniversary Update Category: ID@XboxGet Connected: Indie Selects for May 2025 Category: GamesFree Play Days – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (MP & Zombies Only), The Division 2, ARK: Survival Ascended, and More The post Atomfall Story Expansion Arrives Next Week – Dare You Visit Wicked Isle? appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Welcome to the world of Elden Ring: Nightreign, coming to PlayStation 5 on May 30. This new spin on the beloved dark fantasy classic is a cooperative multiplayer-focused adventure, where you’ll choose a class/character, be matched up with two other adventurers, then go off to try and defeat one of the mythical Nightlords. And if you’re familiar with Elden Ring at all, you know very well that this won’t be an easy task even with a group to help you out. You’ll start with six classes from the outset, with two unlockable afterwards. Each class has a unique Passive Ability, a Character Skill, and an Ultimate Art. Due to Nightreign’s much faster pace and ever-decreasing explorable area, it would be difficult to plan out your builds, so the unique abilities of your currently chosen class and equipped Relics will largely determine your playstyle. To help get you started, we’ll give you a quick look at each class’s strengths and noteworthy attributes. But don’t sweat the choice too much — if one class just isn’t gelling for you, you can swap class anytime between expeditions. Wylder Starting weapons: Wylder’s Greatsword and Wylder’s Small Shield Passive: Sixth Sense Character Skill: Claw Shot  Ultimate Art: Onslaught Stake If you want to just get in, melee some enemies, and do a good chunk of damage, Wylder’s the class for you. Yes, he’s pretty simple, but “simple” certainly doesn’t mean “ineffective.” In fact, Wylder is one of the most versatile classes when it comes to equipment.  Using the Claw Shot, you can bring annoying ranged attackers straight to your face for a good slashing — or, for the big boys, you can fling yourself at them for a slick dashing strike. Plus, you’ve got the ability to nullify one deathblow per revival after taking a break at site of grace with Sixth Sense, making this a good choice for newbies. (Just don’t rely on that ability to get you out of trouble all the time.) Guardian Starting weapon: Guardian’s Halberd Passive: Steel Guard Character Skill: Whirlwind Ultimate Art: Wings of Salvation If you’re looking for a warrior who will stick around, the bird’s the word. Our stalwart avian friend has a huge HP pool and a Steel Guard, a shield stance that consumes less stamina, blocks more effectively, and makes countering a cinch. The Guardian’s ultimate skill, Wings of Salvation, not only looks cool and hurts a large area of foes, it can also help revive near-death teammates within the range of its impact. Build a Guardian wisely, and you’ll have a fearsome tank that can dish it out as well as he takes it. Ironeye Starting weapon: Ironeye’s Bow Passive: Eagle Eye Character Skill: Marking Ultimate Art: Single Shot Not everyone likes to get all up in an enemy’s face, especially when they hit as hard as they do in Nightreign. Ironeye serves as the premiere ranged class, preferring bows and crossbows and specializing in Dexterity above all other stats. He’s also got an eye for treasure, as his Eagle Eye increases the amount of drops you’ll get from felled foes. The Ironeye also specializes in bypassing an enemy’s defenses: Marking a foe with a melee dagger attack will create an opening for extra damage, while Single Shot can ignore defense and obstacles in its path. (And he’s great for distance revival, too.) Raider Starting weapon: Raider’s Greataxe Passive: Fighter’s Resolve Character Skill: Retaliate Ultimate Art: Totem Stela They say that pain makes you stronger, and the Raider epitomizes the phrase: he’s built big to take a beating and hit back hard. He’s focused around the Retaliate skill, which sees him first take a defensive stance, then going into a headbutt. If he’s taken enough damage, his Fighter’s Resolve skill will transform Retaliate into a smashing uppercut that deals massive damage and lets him survive a lethal blow during its execution. But Raider’s also got a softer, supportive side: his Ultimate Art creates a tombstone that serves as a safe perch for long-range attackers and boosts their power. Recluse Starting weapon: Recluse’s Staff Passive: Elemental Defense Character Skill: Magic Cocktails         Ultimate Art: Soulblood Song Compared to other classes, you’re going to need some technical knowledge for the Recluse to really work her magic. She’s a very versatile class, offering both offensive and support capabilities with her spells. However, using her effectively will involve proper collection of elemental affinity residues with her Magic Cocktail ability. Each combination of three elements yields a unique result, so knowing exactly what you’re mixing up is very important. She’s not particularly resilient, either, making her ill-suited for the frontlines. But if you’ve a hankering to cook up trouble with elemental recipes, she’s your go-to gal. Executor Starting weapon: Executor’s Blade Passive: Tenacity                   Character Skill: Cursed Sword            Ultimate Art: Aspects of the Crucible: Beast The Executor’s motto is “Hit fast and cause plenty of pain”–though whether that pain will come from sheer damage output or from status ailments is up to you and your playstyle. Thanks to his passive skill, Tenacity, he gets a nice boost after recovering from status ailments of his own–though we don’t recommend actively seeking out getting afflicted. If you’re skilled at guarding, you can draw out the Cursed Sword for some impressive ripostes. And when things get hairy, you will too, with a big bestial transformation that sees you going feral on enemies for a few precious seconds. Just don’t give him the big weapons — or take too many big-damage hits. You’ll unlock the final two classes — the fleet-footed Duchess and the spirit-calling Revenant — as you progress the game. (Don’t look too hard–you’ll likely stumble upon at least one of the key items required to unlock them during your quests.)  Good luck, and remember: every run will yield a reward, no matter how things go, so keep on questing.

Hello, Proxies! Greetings from the Zenless Zone Zero dev team. I’m Zhenyu Li, the producer of Zenless Zone Zero. As we approach the game’s first anniversary, I’m thrilled to share with you that Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.0 “Where Clouds Embrace The Dawn” will launch on June 6 — a significant update and a milestone moment marking the beginning of Season 2 for Zenless Zone Zero. Hereby, I’d love to take the opportunity to share a glimpse into the exciting new content and optimizations coming soon to New Eridu. An exhilarating new adventure awaits in Waifei Peninsula After joining forces with the Mockingbird to quell the Sacrifice crisis, Proxies will head to Waifei Peninsula — a remote but charming district far from the urban heart of New Eridu — and embark on an exciting new chapter at the request of New Eridu’s Mayor. Guided by Yixuan, the High Preceptor of Yunkui Summit, Proxies will gradually uncover the enigmatic power hidden within the protagonists to harness the force of Ether and unlock new gameplay elements to explore the Hollows. As a major city in Waifei Peninsula, Failume Heights nestles next to the Lemnian Hollow and has flourished with its thriving market for the rare resource Porcelume. The city also features unique local teahouses, pawnshops, and dessert stalls — perfect spots for Proxies to unwind during their downtime. In addition to continuing the management of Random Play, Proxies will also get to simulate the management of Suibian Temple here. By dispatching Bangboo, completing commissions from NPCs, and gathering resources from the Hollows, players can gradually level up the temple to unlock new interior designs and earn a wealth of in-game rewards. Team up With the Grandmaster to face greater foes Despite being a key source of Porcelume，the Lemnian Hollow is shrouded in perilous Miasma. In Version 2.0, fearsome enemies will enter a Miasmic Field state under certain conditions, gaining shields and enhanced abilities. But fear not — powerful and trustworthy allies are on the way. The Grandmaster Yixuan will join the combat as an S-Rank Agent. Her unique Attribute Auric Ink and Specialty Rupture will bring Void Hunter-tier prowess to your squad. Joining Yixuan is Ju Fufu, the senior disciple of Yunkui Summit, who will debut as an S-Rank Fire Stun Agent. Wielding her mighty weapon Hu Wei, she will fight alongside Proxies in Version 2.0, bringing ferocity and flair to the battlefield. A panda who can’t fight is no good in the kitchen — and Yunkui Summit’s A-Rank Physical Defense Agent, Pan Yinhu, is here to prove just that with his formidable strength in combat. Meanwhile, Yunkui Summit’s exclusive S-Rank Bangboo Belion is also ready to join the fray. Proxies’ old friends Astra Yao and Caesar will also be making their return in the Version 2.0 banners. Optimized game experience with enhanced convenience With the expansion of New Eridu and the introduction of larger, more open Hollows in Version 2.0, Zenless Zone Zero will introduce a brand-new 3D map and enhanced navigation features. Proxies will be able to explore with greater freedom and efficiency, using Fissure Beacons within the Hollows to restore HP, revive downed Agents, and quickly teleport to key locations, streamlining combat and traversal like never before. To help new Proxies quickly dive into the story of Season 2, players will be able to unlock and switch to Version 2.0’s main storyline as soon as they complete Chapter 2 Interlude. Additionally, Hollow Zero: Lost Void will be updated with new commissions and the option to equip multiple Gears to different Agents, adding more strategic options to battles. ​​ Irresistible anniversary celebration rewards In addition to the thrilling game content updates, we’ve also prepared a generous selection of anniversary rewards for all Proxies as a token of our gratitude for your continued support. After the Version 2.0 update, Proxies can select one S-Rank Agent and one S-Rank W-Engine for free from the Stable Channel, receive 1,600 Polychromes, and claim an anniversary-exclusive title and avatar simply by logging into the game. On top of that, players will be able to receive a variety of in-game rewards, including 20 Encrypted Master Tapes, 10 Boopons, an A-Rank W-Engine, and protagonists’ new Outfits after completing specific commissions or event challenges. Thank you for an incredible year Before we wrap up, I’d like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our players. It’s been an incredible year, and we’re excited to continue exploring the world of New Eridu together with you. With the upcoming Version 2.0 and everything we have planned for the future, we promise to keep delivering experiences and content that will surprise and entertain you. Thank you all once again for being part of this remarkable adventure. We’ll see you in Waifei Peninsula on June 6!

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube813k Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for its upcoming Pac-Man re-imagining Shadow Labyrinth, and if previous glimpses of the game perhaps didn't convince you, then this latest effort may just bring you on board with its nostalgic elements. The new trailer showcases a series of mazes that look a lot more like the traditional Pac-Man experience you're perhaps more used to. There are a few interesting elements, mind you, including boost pads that speed Pac-Man (or "Puck", as it's known here) along a straight line, along with the ability to jump and bash into platforms, thus causing them to move or fall down.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube813kWatch on YouTube It's looking pretty sweet, and it's worth noting that this one is scheduled to launch on both the Switch and Switch 2, so we'd expect the latter to showcase some sizable performance upgrades. Whichever you opt to get, the game will launch on 18th July 2025. The core gameplay sees you take on the role of "The Swordsman", who must survive in a deadly world filled with fearsome creatures, all the while utilising Puck to gobble up enemies and gain vital upgrades. Images: Bandai Namco Entertainment Waka waka waka! Including a "Secret Edition" What are your thoughts on this one so far? Will you be picking up Shadow Labyrinth when it launches in July? Let us know with a comment. Related Games See Also Share:0 0 Nintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles 27 Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Games We're Excited For In 2025 The very best Switch 2 games coming soon Nintendo Unveils Diddy Kong's Brand New Design Cap's off Shigeru Miyamoto Explains Why Donkey Kong Has Been Redesigned You want expressive? You got it Nintendo Apologises For "Error" With Mention Of Switch 2 VRR TV Support "The incorrect information was initially published" The First Review For Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Is In A fantasy score?

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube813k Koei Tecmo will be showing its support for the Switch 2 this year with some of its games and launching in July is Wild Hearts S - a monster hunting-style game, which originally made its debut on other platforms in 2023. This updated version coming to the Switch 2 will include some adjustments to the gameplay and perhaps most notably is the increase from three to four players for both local and online play. This means you can now hunt with three other players. Although cross-platform multiplayer won't be supported. In Koei Tecmo's latest upload on its Japanese YouTube channel, it's now shown off some four-player footage running on Switch 2 hardware. You can see some monster battles as well as the players resting up at campsites. It should be at least enough to give you an idea of how it will run and play on the new system. "Master ancient tech to hunt down giant beasts inside a fantasy world inspired by feudal Japan! Hunt in a pack of up to four players in seamless co-op or play as a lone wolf as you fight fearsome beasts infused with the ferocious power of nature itself. Craft your hunting grounds and weapons, gear up to hunt, then take down the massive monsters in this chaotic world gone wild." You can find out more about what the Switch 2 version of this game in our previous coverage. When our friends at Push Square played the original release, they called it a fast-paced and thrilling alternative to Capcom's Monster Hunter. This also follows on from Koei Tecmo's Toukiden series. Here's what you can expect Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening lands next month Push SquareDomo arigato Mr. Kemono Will you be checking this out when it lands on Switch 2 in July? Have you played the original version? Sound off in the comments. Related Games See Also Share:0 0 Liam is a news writer and reviewer across Hookshot Media. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of many iconic video game characters. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles 27 Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Games We're Excited For In 2025 The very best Switch 2 games coming soon Nintendo Unveils Diddy Kong's Brand New Design Cap's off Shigeru Miyamoto Explains Why Donkey Kong Has Been Redesigned You want expressive? You got it Here's A Look At The Size And Inside Of Switch 2 Game Cases Arriving in store next month Zelda Fans Are Concerned About The Free Switch 2 Updates, But Don't Worry It's likely performance will still be improved

May 21, 202510 min readWhy Some Experts Call Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield a Dangerous FantasyThe White House’s $175-billion plan to protect the U.S. from nuclear annihilation will probably cost much more—and deliver far less—than has been claimed, says nuclear arms expert Jeffrey LewisBy Lee Billings U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on May 20, 2025, during a briefing announcing his administration’s plan for the “Golden Dome” missile defense shield. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty ImagesDuring a briefing from the Oval Office this week, President Donald Trump revealed his administration’s plan for “Golden Dome”—an ambitious high-tech system meant to shield the U.S. from ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missile attacks launched by foreign adversaries. Flanked by senior officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the project’s newly selected leader, Gen. Michael Guetlein of the U.S. Space Force, Trump announced that Golden Dome will be completed within three years at a cost of $175 billion.The program, which was among Trump’s campaign promises, derives its name from the Iron Dome missile defense system of Israel—a nation that’s geographically 400 times smaller than the U.S. Protecting the vastness of the U.S. demands very different capabilities than those of Iron Dome, which has successfully shot down rockets and missiles using ground-based interceptors. Most notably, Trump’s Golden Dome would need to expand into space—making it a successor to the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) pursued by the Reagan administration in the 1980s. Better known by the mocking nickname “Star Wars,” SDI sought to neutralize the threat from the Soviet Union’s nuclear-warhead-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles by using space-based interceptors that could shoot them down midflight. But fearsome technical challenges kept SDI from getting anywhere close to that goal, despite tens of billions of dollars of federal expenditures.“We will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago, forever ending the missile threat to the American homeland,” Trump said during the briefing. Although the announcement was short on technical details, Trump also said Golden Dome “will deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors.” The program, which Guetlein has compared to the scale of the Manhattan Project in past remarks, has been allotted $25 billion in a Republican spending bill that has yet to pass in Congress. But Golden Dome may ultimately cost much more than Trump’s staggering $175-billion sum. An independent assessment by the Congressional Budget Office estimates its price tag could be as high as $542 billion, and the program has drawn domestic and international outcries that it risks sparking a new, globe-destabilizing arms race and weaponizing Earth’s fragile orbital environment.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.To get a better sense of what’s at stake—and whether Golden Dome has a better chance of success than its failed forebears—Scientific American spoke with Jeffrey Lewis, an expert on the geopolitics of nuclear weaponry at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.[An edited transcript of the interview follows.]It’s been a while, but when last I checked, most experts considered this sort of plan a nonstarter because the U.S. is simply too big of a target. Has something changed?Well, yes and no. The killer argument against space-based interceptors in the 1980s was that it would take thousands of them, and there was just no way to put up that many satellites. Today that’s no longer true. SpaceX alone has put up more than 7,000 Starlink satellites. Launch costs are much cheaper now, and there are more launch vehicles available. So, for the first time, you can say, “Oh, well, I could have a 7,000-satellite constellation. Do I want to do that?” Whereas, when the Reagan administration was talking about this, it was just la-la land.But let’s be clear: this does not solve all the other problems with the general idea—or the Golden Dome version in particular.What are some of those other problems?Just talking about space-based interceptors, there are a couple [of issues that] my colleagues and I have pointed out. We ran some numbers using the old SDI-era calculation from [SDI physicists] Ed Teller and Greg Canavan—so we couldn’t be accused of using some hippie version of the calculation, right? And what this and other independent assessments show is that the number of interceptors you need is super-duper sensitive to lots of things. For instance, it’s not like this is a “one satellite to one missile” situation—because the physics demands that these satellites ... have to be in low-Earth orbit, and that means they’re going to be constantly moving over different parts of the planet.So if you want to defend against just one missile, you still need a whole constellation. And if you want to defend against two missiles, then you basically need twice as many interceptors, and so on.You probably have to shoot down missiles during the boost phase, when the warheads are still attached. For SDI, the U.S. was dealing with Soviet liquid-fueled missiles that would boost, or burn, for about four minutes. Well, modern ones burn for less than three—that’s a whole minute that you no longer have. This is actually much worse than it sounds because you’re probably unable to shoot for the first minute or so. Even with modern detectors [that are] much better than [those] we had in the 1980s, you may not see the missile until it rises above the clouds. And once it does, your sensors, your computers, still have to say, “Aha! That is a missile!” And then you have to ensure that you’re not shooting down some ordinary space launch—so the system says, “I see a missile. May I shoot at it, please?” And someone or something has to give the go-ahead. So let’s just say you’ll have a good minute to shoot it down; this means your space-based interceptor has to be right there, ready to go, right? But by the time you’re getting permission to shoot, the satellite that was overhead to do that is now too far away, and so the next satellite has to be coming there. This scales up really, really fast.Presumably artificial intelligence and other technologies could be leveraged to make that sort of command and control more agile and responsive. But clearly there are still limits here—AI can’t be some sort of panacea.Sure, that’s right. But technological progress overall hasn’t made the threat environment better. Instead it’s gotten much worse.Let’s get back to the sheer physics-induced numbers for a moment, which AI can’t really do much about. That daunting scaling I mentioned also depends on the quality of your interceptors, your kill vehicles—which, by the way, are still going to be grotesquely expensive even if launch costs are low. If your interceptors can rapidly accelerate to eight or 10 kilometers per second (km/s), your constellation can be smaller. If they only reach 4 km/s, your constellation has to be huge.The point is: any claim that you can do this with relatively low numbers—let’s say 2,000 interceptors—assumes a series of improbable miracles occurring in quick succession to deliver the very best outcome that could possibly happen. So it’s not going to happen that way, even if, in principle, it could.So you’re telling me there’s a chance! No, seriously, I see what you mean. The arguments in favor of this working seem rather contrived. No system is perfect, and just one missile getting through can still have catastrophic results. And we haven’t even talked about adversarial countermeasures yet.There’s a joke that’s sometimes made about this: “We play chess, and they don’t move their pieces.” That seems to be the operative assumption here: that other nations will sit idly by as we build a complex, vulnerable system to nullify any strategic nuclear capability they have. And of course, it’s not valid at all. Why do you think the Chinese are building massive fields of missile silos? It’s to counteract or overwhelm this sort of thing. Why do you think the Russians are making moves to put a nuclear weapon in orbit? It’s to mass kill any satellite constellation that would shoot down their missiles.Golden Dome proponents may say, “Oh, we’ll shoot that down, too, before it goes off.” Well, good luck. You put a high-yield nuclear weapon on a booster, and the split second it gets above the clouds, sure, you might see it—but now it sees you, too, before you can shoot. All it has to do at that point is detonate to blow a giant hole in your defenses, and that’s game over. And by the way, this rosy scenario assumes your adversaries don’t interfere with all your satellites passing over their territory in peacetime. We know that won’t be the case—they’ll light them up with sensor-dazzling lasers, at minimum!You’ve compared any feasible space-based system to Starlink and noted that, similar to Starlink, these interceptors will need to be in low-Earth orbit. That means their orbits will rapidly decay from atmospheric drag, so just like Starlink’s satellites, they’d need to be constantly replaced, too, right?Ha, yes, that’s right. With Starlink, you’re looking at a three-to-five-year life cycle, which means annually replacing one third to one fifth of a constellation.So let’s say Golden Dome is 10,000 satellites; this would mean the best-case scenario is that you’re replacing 2,000 per year. Now, let’s just go along with what the Trump administration is saying, that they can get these things really cheap. I’m going to guess a “really cheap” mass-produced kill vehicle would still run you $20 million a pop, easily. Just multiply $20 million by 2,000, and your answer is $40 billion. So under these assumptions, we’d be spending $40 billion per year just to maintain the constellation. That’s not even factoring in operations.And that’s not to mention associated indirect costs from potentially nasty effects on the upper atmosphere and the orbital environment from all the launches and reentries.That, yes—among many other costly things.I have to ask: If fundamental physics makes this extremely expensive idea blatantly incapable of delivering on its promises, what’s really going on when the U.S. president and the secretary of defense announce their intention to pump $175 billion into it for a three-year crash program? Some critics claim this kind of thing is really about transferring taxpayer dollars to a few big aerospace companies and other defense contractors.Well, I wouldn’t say it’s quite that simple.Ballistic missile defense is incredibly appealing to some people for reasons besides money. In technical terms, it’s an elegant solution to the problem of nuclear annihilation—even though it’s not really feasible. For some people, it’s just cool, right? And at a deeper level, many people just don’t like the concept of deterrence—mutual assured destruction and all that—because, remember, the status quo is this: If Russia launches 1,000 nuclear weapons at us—or 100 or 10 or even just one—then we are going to murder every single person in Russia with an immediate nuclear counterattack. That’s how deterrence works. We’re not going to wait for those missiles to land so we can count up our dead to calibrate a more nuanced response. That’s official U.S. policy, and I don’t think anyone wants it to be this way forever. But it’s arguably what’s prevented any nuclear exchange from occurring to date.But not everyone believes in the power of deterrence, and so they’re looking for some kind of technological escape. I don’t think this fantasy is that different from Elon Musk thinking he’s going to go live on Mars when climate change ruins Earth: In both cases, instead of doing the really hard things that seem necessary to actually make this planet better, we’re talking about people who think they can just buy their way out of the problem. A lot of people—a lot of men, especially—really hate vulnerability, and this idea that you can just tech your way out of it is very appealing to them. You know, “Oh, what vulnerability? Yeah, there’s an app for that.”You’re saying this isn’t about money?Well, I imagine this is going to be good for at least a couple of SpaceX Falcon Heavy or Starship launches per year for Elon Musk. And you don’t have to do too many of those launches for the value proposition to work out: You build and run Starlink, you put up another constellation of space-based missile defense interceptors, and suddenly you’ve got a viable business model for these fancy huge rockets that can also take you to Mars, right?Given your knowledge of science history—of how dispassionate physics keeps showing space-based ballistic missile defense is essentially unworkable, yet the idea just keeps coming back—how does this latest resurgence make you feel?When I was younger, I would have been frustrated, but now I just accept human beings don’t learn. We make the same mistakes over and over again. You have to laugh at human folly because I do think most of these people are sincere, you know. They’re trying to get rich, sure, but they’re also trying to protect the country, and they’re doing it through ways they think about the world—which admittedly are stupid. But, hey, they’re trying. It’s very disappointing, but if you just laugh at them, they’re quite amusing.I think most people would have trouble laughing about something as devastating as nuclear war—or about an ultraexpensive plan to protect against it that’s doomed to failure and could spark a new arms race.I guess if you’re looking for a hopeful thought, it’s that we’ve tried this before, and it didn’t really work, and that’s likely to happen again.So how do you think it will actually play out this time around?I think this will be a gigantic waste of money that collapses under its own weight.They’ll put up a couple of interceptors, and they’ll test those against a boosting ballistic missile, and they’ll eventually get a hit. And they’ll use that to justify putting up more, and they’ll probably even manage to make a thin constellation—with the downside, of course, being that the Russians and the Chinese and the North Koreans and everybody else will make corresponding investments in ways to kill this system.And then it will start to really feel expensive, in part because it will be complicating and compromising things like Starlink and other commercial satellite constellations—which, I’d like to point out, are almost certainly uninsured in orbit because you can’t insure against acts of war. So think about that: if the Russians or anyone else detonate a nuclear weapon in orbit because of something like Golden Dome, Elon Musk’s entire constellation is dead, and he’s probably just out the cash.The fact is: these days we rely on space-based assets much more than most people realize, yet Earth orbit is such a fragile environment that we could muck it up in many different ways that carry really nasty long-term consequences. I worry about that a lot. Space used to be a benign environment, even throughout the entire cold war, but having an arms race there will make it malign. So Golden Dome is probably going to make everyone’s life a little bit more dangerous—at least until we, hopefully, come to our senses and decide to try something different.

Blaze a Trail of Destruction in Sea of Thieves Season 16The Reaper’s Bones reveal new Voyages and schemes as they seek to dominate the waves!Frances 'Fracas' Addison (Writer/Editor)Posted in: Announcements on 22 May 2025Season 16 has arrived in Sea of Thieves! It’s been a little while since the fearsome Captain Flameheart regained his physical form, but the time has now come for him to expand the reach of his loyal followers and strengthen the standing of The Reaper’s Bones. In this latest free Seasonal update, pirates will be able to set out on their first ever Voyages for The Reaper’s Bones and work together with the legendary skeletons of the Order of Bone and Blade to uncover Ancient secrets – and that’s just the beginning… New Crews First, a note on another milestone: as Season 16 dawns, the Sea of Thieves is set to welcome in a whole host of new players! As you might have heard, Sea of Thieves arrives on Battle.net® on May 22nd to enable a wave of wide-eyed explorers to start their pirate journey on a brand new platform. Some Battle.net players have already been spied out on the seas, either as part of our Closed Beta or, more recently, during Early Access. But it’s Season 16’s launch that marks the official launch of the game on this new platform, and opens the doors for everyone who has purchased the game via Battle.net to set out on their maiden voyage. Alongside all the permanent free content added to the game since launch, Battle.net players will have access to all the goodies included with their chosen edition of the game, including any pre-purchase bonuses. You can find out more about it all in our announce article or the video below. Be sure to give these fresh-faced freebooters a warm welcome!Battle.net Announce Trailer: Official Sea of ThievesDuration 1:08Stronger Bones With their leader Captain Flameheart returned to full strength and armed with forbidden knowledge thieved from Ancient Temples, The Reaper’s Bones are making their move on the Sea of Thieves! This Season, for the first time, they’ll be offering Voyages for pirates to undertake, beginning with the Search for Ancient Secrets. In this Voyage, players will need to work with a lost crew of skeletons from the fabled Order of Bone and Blade to unearth long-buried Ancient Sarcophagi. Along the way, Ancient Phantoms will emerge to defend their hidden secrets. You’ll need to fight them off to finish activating the mechanisms and uncover a Skull of the Banished to take back to the Servant of the Flame. Voyaging for The Reaper’s Bones isn’t quite so simple, however: Flameheart values strength and dominance above all else, so if you want to sail in his name, you’ll have to fly a Reaper’s Mark Flag! The flag will be raised automatically whenever you undertake a Voyage for The Reaper’s Bones, revealing the location of your ship to all other nearby crews and inviting them to come and claim your loot for themselves, if they have what it takes…Sea of Thieves Season 16: Official Launch TrailerDuration 1:01Emergent Excitements The growing influence of The Reaper’s Bones is having an impact on emergent activities too. Their cunning weaponsmiths have devised a way of tapping the raw power of the Chest of Rage to construct a new, devastating weapon: the Cannon of Rage. This portable armament grants pirates who find it the freedom to fire cannonballs from almost anywhere, then pack up the cannon and carry it on to a new location for redeployment. There’s a risk, however: whenever the Cannon of Rage fires or takes damage, it starts to overheat. Fail to give it time to cool down (or speed up the cooling process with water), and it’ll live up to its name with a violent explosion that’s liable to sink the ship you’re standing on! Meanwhile, skeletal members of the long-lost Order of Bone and Blade have started clawing their way up towards the sandy surfaces of islands, waiting to be fully unearthed by curious passers-by. Rescue them and you’ll be friends for life – or at least until they fall in battle, as they’ll happily throw in their lot with the next pirate to revive them. You’ll find they’re also unable to leave the island to which their bones are bound! Until then, though, they can lend a hand with whatever needs doing, whether it’s demystifying tricky treasure maps, digging up treasure or helping to carry your haul to safety.Sea of Thieves Season 16: Official Content Update VideoDuration 4:50More to Come The Season 16 additions don’t end with May’s update. Over the next few months, new features will be arriving as part of our staggered Season delivery, including a second Voyage for The Reaper’s Bones and the introduction of breakable seals on Reaper’s Chests! If a crew decides to take the plunge and investigate what’s actually inside these strange glowing boxes, they might just find themselves with a sturdy crew of skeletons ready to defend their new companions to the death. The Followers of the Flame Voyage also focuses on these mysterious treasures favoured by The Reaper’s Bones. Pirates will be tasked with using an enchanted lantern known as the Follower’s Flame to search for a new kind of Reaper’s Chest in need of recovery, helped along the way by some of Flameheart’s loyal forces. These further additions will be arriving throughout Season 16, so be sure to keep an eye on our social channels for more news on each update as it approaches!Sea of Thieves Season 16: Unlockable CosmeticsDuration 0:52Flaming Fashions Any expansion to The Reaper’s Bones wouldn’t be complete without a fresh round of Commendations to work towards and the rewards unlocked by doing so. Season 16 introduces a wealth of new Reaper-inspired cosmetics to personalise your pirate, ensuring you can always show your allegiance via your wardrobe. Pirate Captains will also find that they have new Captaincy Milestones awaiting them to keep track of their contributions to Flameheart’s plans. Beyond Commendations, Season 16 promises everything you’d expect from a new Sea of Thieves Season, including another 100 levels of Renown to climb through with daring deeds and a rich bounty of cosmetics, gold, Doubloons and Ancient Coins to earn along the way. For pirates who already have some Ancient Coins ready to spend, the Pirate Emporium is ready to light up the night with its latest array of offerings, while the Season 16 Plunder Pass includes the luxurious Oyster’s Prize ship set (including Collector’s items) and matching Oyster’s Prize Eyepatch, Jacket and Belt!Pirate Emporium Update - May 2025: Official Sea of ThievesDuration 0:52The seas will be abuzz with activity during Season 16 as the Reapers roll out their plans, so keep your eye on the horizon for everything that’s coming. For a full breakdown of the features included and improvements made in this month’s update, check out the latest release notes. More information about the features coming later in the Season will be revealed in the weeks ahead, so follow Sea of Thieves on the social media platform of your choice to get all the latest updates. Good luck out there, and may the Flame burn!Connect With Us:

Episode 6 of season 2 of The Last of Us is directed by Neil Druckmann, and when viewed through that lens, its intentions become clearer. It contains some of the scenes that fans of The Last of Us Part 2, and presumably its creator, hold dearest. This allows Druckmann to tightly control the sacred bond between Joel and Ellie, as well as giving space to further explore characters barely present in the game – the final moments of Eugene’s life strains the connection between the protagonists in new ways. Joe Pantoliano imbues the doomed Eugene with a dash of class, Bella Ramsey slots nicely back into the role of a younger Ellie, and Druckmann steadily steers the whole ship, but this chapter is undeniably Pedro Pascal’s. His pitch-perfect portrayal of Joel reminds us of what both Ellie and the show have lost.Framed around each of Ellie’s birthdays following their return to Jackson, episode 6 delicately displays Joel’s urge to fulfil his role as a father. It's rooted in the very first scene, in which we see him as a teenage boy: The conversation between Joel and his father, played with warmth yet underlying hardness by Better Call Saul’s Tony Dalton, presents the poisoned chalice passed down from Miller to Miller. That struggle of generational fatherhood is what has driven Joel ever since. Sarah was his world before the outbreak. Then he grieved her, holding onto her memories until Ellie arrived. By the end of this episode, she’s 17, and he’s on the brink of losing another daughter. It’s a crossroads he’s contending with, and one brilliantly displayed by Pascal throughout, as he battles to do the right thing by her.PlayIt’s perhaps best conveyed in the final moment between them – and the very last conversation between Ellie and Joel before his death. Their porchside chat is perhaps the most affecting in all of the game, so it's a huge relief to see it recreated so well here. The vulnerability in Pascal’s face is all-consuming, as he barely utters a word but lets his eyes speak for him. He’s terrified of losing Ellie, but he’s expressing it in a way that he can’t really control, and a way that will infect her, too – his tears filling that cursed cup once more, ready for Ellie to sip from and make the same selfish mistakes he did. It adds extra heartbreaking context to her “I’m gonna be a dad” quip from earlier in the season. She’ll aim to break this cycle, but little in her present-day actions suggests this.Though that’s giving more thought to the present day than episode 6 can muster, which is my major reservation about this episode. The series of flashbacks is heartfelt and works excellently when it comes to building out the protagonists of The Last of Us’ past and future, but I can’t help but feel like momentum has stalled here. It feels off to spend a whole episode exploring Ellie’s history when we’ve just ratcheted the tension on who she’s become. And with only one episode left to go in the season, it feels like the only road to a satisfying finale will involve covering a lot of ground in a short period of time. It’s not so much a criticism of what this episode does, but more of its place within season 2.It feels like some of that season 1 magic has been rebottled.“Bella Ramsey feels much more at home as a younger Ellie, portraying a wide-eyed, excitable version of the character with a far greater verve than the more fearsome evolution we got last week. It’s best shown in her and Joel’s visit to a nearby museum, where Ellie takes a heartstring-tugging trip into orbit, thanks to a tape recording and a long-forgotten space capsule. The smile that dances across her face is a rare moment of levity in a show, that, up until this moment, has been irrepressibly bleak. As we watch the pair enjoy their respite, it feels like some of that season 1 magic has been rebottled.But, as ever, what The Last of Us giveth with one hand, it taketh with the other, not letting us sit with this flash of joy for long. Episode 6 finally answers a question posed in the season premiere: What did Joel do to Eugene to make Gail resent him so much? Pantoliano is given his time to shine as Eugene, a member of the Jackson community whose time is ticking away thanks to an infected’s bite. His introduction enables Joel and Ellie’s dynamic from season 1 to resurface, and echoes of their experience in Salt Lake City can be felt. Joel has lived long enough in this world to be wary of Eugene – any sense of optimism (or hope that Eugene can be healed) is long gone. Not Ellie, though: She still carries an element of naivety and wants to help Eugene.PlayThe mercy killing carried out by Joel only sows more seeds of distrust between him and his surrogate daughter. In his lie to Gail about it, Ellie realises just how easy it is for Joel to hide the truth. It’s in this moment that the fissures in their relationship really start to crack wide open. What Joel did isn’t necessarily wrong, but it runs counter to Ellie’s moral code and how she would’ve dealt with Eugene. It effectively means that she now knows that Joel has been lying about what happened in that Firefly hospital, and the revelation of him lying about Eugene is a great choice by Druckmann. It’s an example of adaptation for the better – which this season largely hasn’t landed for me – and a much more impactful, and logical, option than having Joel and Ellie traipse all the way back to Salt Lake City as they do in The Last of Us Part 2. It’s something the episode as a whole does to great effect as it further explores the intervening years and Joel and Ellie’s dynamic, offering new glimpses into previously unseen moments. Joel catching Ellie doing things she maybe shouldn’t be doing at 17 and his built-in resentment for Seth (due to his former life as a policeman, like Joel’s dad) add more shades to the character, even though he’s long gone in the present day. These little touches and grandstand speeches combine to great effect to help us fully understand why Joel made every decision that led to his death, all the way up to rescuing his eventual killer from a horde of infected. Above all else, it’s the desire to be a protector that forged the Millers’ poisoned chalice – and eventually led to his downfall.

Xbox Game Pass is, without question, one of the best deals in gaming. Whether you want to play the biggest new Xbox games the day they launch or dive into thousands of hours of content for one monthly fee, it is a goldmine for players looking to keep up to date with the latest and greatest releases without having to worry about the price tags attached to them.That being said, Game Pass is a huge service. Across PC and console, there are hundreds of games currently available, with more titles added pretty much every single month. So, for new subscribers wondering where to start, we've put together a list of some of our personal recommendations, so you can get cracking on some fantastic games and make the most out of your first few months.Xbox Game Pass TiersThe first thing to note about Game Pass is that it has a selection of different tiers depending on what platform you're using and how many games you want to be able to access. Let's quickly run you through the price structure so you know what you're getting before you buy.Xbox Game Pass Ultimate - As the name implies, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the premium subscription tier. When buying, you'll get access to online multiplayer, Xbox Game Pass Standard, Xbox Game Pass PC, and Xbox Game Pass' cloud streaming services. You'll also get an EA Play membership and bonuses, discounts and in-game perks only available to members. In essence, it's essentially a combination of Xbox Game Pass Standard and Xbox Game Pass PC, plus a few extra benefits (like playing on a FireTV Stick). It costs $19.99 per month.Xbox Game Pass Standard - Xbox Game Pass standard is the base subscription available exclusively on Console. You'll be able to access the full library of Game Pass games available on Xbox consoles, as well as play online multiplayer and access perks and discounts only available to members. It costs $14.99 a month.Xbox Game Pass PC - Game Pass' PC-exclusive tier, Xbox Game Pass PC will provide access to the full PC Game Pass library. You'll also get an EA Play membership and perks and discounts only available for members. It costs $11.99 a month.Xbox Game Pass Core - The other console exclusive Game Pass tier, Xbox Game Pass Core offers a lower monthly cost for a significantly smaller library of "core" games available on consoles. Members will also get access to online multiplayer, as well as deals and discounts in the Xbox store. It costs $9.99 a month.Best New Games to Play on Xbox Game PassWant to get stuck into some brand new additions to the Xbox Game Pass catalog? The following titles are all recent additions that you should absolutely give a go.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33A symphonic blend of turn-based strategy and intense real-time combat, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is already being lorded as a potential game of the year contender, and it's pretty easy to see why. Expedition 33 is an emotional, visually stunning odyssey. Top that off with a bold reimagining of classic JRPG combat systems, which melds fast-paced action game mechanics and the tactical turn-based battles of games like Persona and Final Fantasy, and you have one of 2025's first unmissable experiences. If you want to try it out for yourself, you can get stuck in right now on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion RemasteredNineteen years after its original release, Bethesda surprised the world by announcing the return of one of its most beloved and widely revered games, unveiling The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and then releasing it that very same day. With stunning new graphics, various overhauls, major UI changes, a fresh character creator and much more, it's never felt better to be accosted by a heavily armored, teleporting Legion Guard who labels you "criminal scum" for accidentally sitting on his horse. With over a hundred hours of quests to complete, demonic Oblivion gates to close and even two full DLCs to conquer, the return of Oblivion is an absolute must for those who missed it the first time around. If you want to discover what all the fuss is about or take a nostalgia tour around Cyrodiil all these years later, you can play Oblivion Remastered now on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Blue PrinceNot only recently added to the Xbox Game Pass library but also just a brand new release, Blue Prince is a critically acclaimed puzzler where you enter the shifting hallways of Mt. Holly, a mysterious manor hiding an array of secrets. You're tasked with searching that ever-changing mansion full of tricky puzzles to conquer, all the while uncovering a rich story through clues left behind by the former owners. Blue Prince has already garnered huge buzz since its release, with our own review saying, "If The Witness, Portal, and Myst are already emblazoned on the Mount Rushmore of first-person puzzle games, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Blue Prince carved alongside them soon enough." If you want to uncover the mystery for yourself, you can play it on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.Blue Prince is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Best Games to Play on Xbox Game PassSearching through the broad catalog of Game Pass games? The selections below are some of our absolute favourites the library has to offer.Halo: The Master Chief CollectionWhere better to start your Game Pass journey than with a rundown of some of Xbox's greatest hits. Halo has forever been the face of Xbox, and its armour-clad, hulking space marine hero, Master Chief, has had some of the most iconic adventures in gaming history. If you want to experience the first four of his outings enhanced with better graphics and shooting bundled into one seamless package, then the Master Chief Collection is a surefire recommendation. Compiling Halo 1, 2, 3, and 4 together, it'll take you from Master Chief's original battle with the covenant all the way to his first showdown with the Forerunners. Better yet, you can install Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach as additional DLC. The Master Chief Collection can be played on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.Halo: The Master Chief Collection is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.MinecraftWhat's there to say about Minecraft that hasn't already been said? Among the most influential and universally loved video games of all time, the experience of jumping in, building your first home, digging for resources and exploring an endless open world has, for many, become a seminal gaming memory. But for those that haven't played in years or have yet to even try Mojang's block-based titan, Minecraft should definitely be on your list of Game Pass stops. Over the years, it's transformed into a hub of endless possibility, so whether you want to build a rollercoaster that runs on Redstone, gear up to face the might of the Ender Dragon or simply create a small riverside farm, you can do all that or more by finding the game on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S.Minecraft is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Persona 3 ReloadA remake of one of the best JRPGs ever released, Persona 3 Reload is everything that made the original Persona 3 special repackaged with the stylish flourishes, gorgeous visuals, faster-paced combat and jaw-dropping UI that turned Persona 5 into such a hit. In short, it's a modernized Persona 3, and that means it's an absolute must-play. Whether you're trying to grow your friendships between exams or using your off hours to conquer the halls of Tartarus and the various demonic entities dwelling within it, this is just 100 hours of exceptional writing, free-flowing turn-based combat, creative boss encounters and some of the catchiest tunes humanly imaginable. And that's all without mentioning it centers around arguably the most emotional, hard-hitting story in the Persona franchise to date. If you want to uncover the mysteries of the Dark Hour, you can begin your adventure on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S or PC.Persona 3 Reload is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Resident Evil 2Although remakes are pretty prevalent in the current gaming landscape, few have had such big boots to fill as Capcom's return to Resident Evil 2. Reimagining such an iconic and beloved horror title is no small feat, but not only did Capcom succeed in making a loving ode to the iconic franchise's second entry; they made one that succeeds on its own merits. With a wonderfully cheesy B-movie-esque plot, tense survival horror gameplay, stunning visuals, immensely satisfying exploration and an endless supply of horrifying monstrosities waiting around every corner, Resident Evil 2 is an absolute must play for those that love a gory, shlocky zombie horror adventure. It can be played on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.Resident Evil 2 is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.InscryptionThe latest release from developer Daniel Mullins, Inscryption is one of the most original and utterly unique horror games of the modern era, which is surprising considering it's a roguelike card game. Handed a deck of bizarre cards, you find yourself trapped in a small log cabin with an ominous stranger who forces you to keep playing a tabletop game with him while you try to stack the deck in your favor and solve puzzles. But the longer you play Inscryption, the deeper the rabbit hole goes, leading you to discover there's far more to its simple premise than meets the eye. It's hard to talk about why its so special without spoiling its best-kept secrets, so trust us and give it a go. We promise you won't regret it. You can get stuck into this deck-building nightmare on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.Inscryption is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Doom Eternalid Software's second entry in their Doom reboot series, Doom Eternal knows exactly what it is. It casts you as a terrifying angel of death wielding a steel-barrelled sword of justice, and you're job is to rip and tear your way through anything even vaguely demonic that gets in your way. Cut to 15 hours of non-stop, gloriously over-the-top violence, as you shoot, stab, burn and chainsaw your way through hordes of demons while being serenaded by a heavy metal soundtrack that feels pulled straight from the pits of hell. Doom Eternal is sheer first-person shooting perfection that effortlessly combines satisfying gunplay, exploration and impeccable design to make a must-play symphony of carnage. If you're ready to rip and tear, you can find it on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.Doom Eternal is available on Game Pass Core, Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.PentimentIt's easy to look at Pentiment's detailed, historically accurate 16th-century setting and assume it may not be for you. However, the absolute genius of Obsidian's small-scale, dialogue-heavy RPG is that it not only makes such a dense period of history deeply accessible; it makes it absolutely riveting. Between a scandalous murder mystery, strange gossip shared among the local townsfolk and long-hidden secrets that concern the ostensibly altruistic members of the nearby monastery, the small town of Tassing quickly becomes a location that demands to be investigated. And as you do, information, secrets and relationships become a core currency, creating a world where who you talk to and what you tell them comes with heavy consequences. It's Obsidian refining their talent for crafting phenomenal dialogue and designing challenging moral decisions to a sharp point, creating a deeply poignant tale where no issue is black or white and misinformation is deadlier than any weapon. Pentiment is an underappreciated masterpiece, so if you love compelling, layered storytelling, make sure to give it a go on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S.Pentiment is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Dishonored and Dishonored 2Dishonored and its sequel, Dishonored 2, are front-to-back two of the best immersive sims ever made. From the moment you step foot in Dunwall and Karnaca, both worlds are filled to the brim with inventive ideas, both through their protagonists' varied skill sets and the way they can interact with the world itself. From offering you a range of shadowy supernatural powers to experiment with and combine to pull off creative kills, to the way each mission constantly reveals new routes to seek out your targets and execute the ultimate assassination, no one does it quite like Arkane, and these back-to-back stealth action masterpieces are truly their magnum opus. So, if you want to dive into two of the last generation's finest offerings, do yourself a favour and get both Dishonored 1 and 2 downloaded on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S or PC.Dishonored: Definitive Edition is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate. Dishonored 2 is available on Game Pass Core, Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Fallout: New VegasIf you're looking to dive into the wealth of Fallout games available on Game Pass, you can't go wrong starting with Fallout: New Vegas. Obsidian's spin-off takes everything that made Fallout 3 such an ambitious reimagining of the franchise and doubles down on it, throwing players into the seedy streets of post-apocalyptic Las Vegas and embroiling them in the power struggle between the various factions vying to control it. But where New Vegas exceeds is not by just being more Fallout 3. Obsidian uses their exceptional storytelling chops and talent for posing morally challenging decisions to create a world that operates purely in shades of grey. The end result is an RPG where every quest, no matter how big or small, has depth, and with four equally great DLCs to play too, it's sure to keep you invested well past the 100-hour mark. New Vegas can be played on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.Fallout: New Vegas is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Psychonauts 2If you're looking for a top-notch platformer that's absolutely crammed to the brim with charm, humour and wacky worlds to uncover, Psychonauts 2 is bursting at the seams with creative ideas. Double Fine's sequel to its cult classic hit is just as gloriously wacky and irreverently silly as ever, with the studio managing to surpass the original's boldest concepts with world after world of strange ideas, novel mechanics and phenomenal characters. So, if the idea of going on an espionage mission in a spiralling hellscape built of teeth or being led on a psychedelic, musical journey by an eyeball voiced by Jack Black appeals to you, you can get stuck into Psychonauts 2 on Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X and PC.Psychonauts 2 is available on Game Pass Core, Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.ControlA culmination of everything that makes Remedy Entertainment such a stand-out studio, Control is a sci-fi action horror game that revels in stretching the boundaries of all three of those genres. As you navigate its central setting of the Oldest House, you'll move between different universes, fight a variety of monstrous foes and uncover secrets about the strange building's most unsettling mysteries. But the true strength of Control is how willing it is to embrace its weirdness, whether that's through motel lobbies that let you move across time and space, mazes that you'll need to jam out to heavy rock to escape or the kind but bizarre janitor who appears to be an extradimensional being of extraordinary power. It's a world that begs to be explored, and considering you can do that while wielding an arsenal of mind-melding psychic powers, it's absolutely an easy recommendation. It can be played on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.Control is avaliable on Game Pass Core, Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.BalatroIf you didn't catch it last year, Balatro should be high up on your list of games to check out. Pitched as a roguelike Poker game, the concept is, initially, relatively simple. Moving through increasingly challenging blinds, you're dealt cards you need to combine to make poker hands, with each hand accumulating points. Earn enough points, and you beat the blind, allowing you to progress forward. Lose, and your run is over. But while Balatro may seem like a straightforward idea, its sheer creativity turns a mere poker game into an obsessive gauntlet. Whether it's specific buffs that task you with playing in unique ways, boss battles that completely stomp on your strategies and force you to think around them, or special power-ups that you need to employ in just the right way to win a brutal blind, it's not only one of the best card games you can play on a console, but one of the best roguelikes in years. It's constantly challenging you to think outside the box and experiment with its systems to pull off a hard-fought win, and once it's got its hooks in, you'll spend every waking moment thinking about how you'll do just that. Balatro can be played on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.Balatro is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Mass Effect: Legendary EditionIf Bioware's seminal sci-fi space opera trilogy, Mass Effect, has somehow eluded you up until this point, we're jealous, because now you can play all three of these epic RPGs in the best way possible. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition repackages all three experiences with updated visuals and refined mechanics to deliver the definitive way to experience Commander Shephard's hard-hitting mission to save the galaxy from the Reapers. If you've yet to experience Mass Effect, it's front-to-back a masterclass in interactive storytelling, intense squad-based combat, and hyper-immersive sci-fi world-building, and absolutely worth the hundreds of hours you could spend conquering each of its three entries. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition can be played on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.Mass Effect Legendary Edition is available on Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass PC via each tier's included EA Play Membership.Hollow Knight: Voidheart EditionEver wondered why "Silksong" trends every single time a publisher holds a game showcase? Well, it's because its predecessor Hollow Knight was so damn good. This action RPG casts you as a silent, sword-wielding bug venturing through a dark, forgotten kingdom on a quest to cleanse it of an infection that violently transformed its inhabitants. It's the set-up to a darkly beautiful masterclass in 2D Metroidvania design, as our small but mighty hero takes on fearsome foes in incredibly challenging combat encounters while exploring, growing stronger and learning exactly how this kingdom fell to ruin. If you want to join the agonizing wait to finally see Silksong hit shelves, get this downloaded and be prepared to lose all your free time until you hit the credits. You can delve into the depths of Hallownest on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition is avaliable on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.It Takes TwoIf you're looking for something a little more collaborative to jump into with your membership, Hazelight's game-of-the-year-winning co-op adventure, It Takes Two, is absolutely a must-play. Framed entirely around split-screen play, you and a partner embody Cody and May, a couple going through a complicated divorce that find themselves shrunk down and turned into toys. Committed to finding a way to return to their original bodies, they traverse an overgrown world of magic and mayhem, forced to work together to escape. It Takes Two is absolutely overflowing with creativity, and its greatest strength is how willing it is to experiment with fresh and novel mechanics so frequently that it never loses its breakneck pacing across its fourteen-hour runtime. And that's without mentioning that it's hugely accessible and downright fun to play with almost anybody. If you want to live out your ultimate Honey I Shrunk The Kids fantasy with a friend, you can download it on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.It Takes Two is avaliable on Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass PC via each tier's included EA Play Membership.InsideIf you love an indie horror that's equal parts a haunting narrative adventure and a creative puzzler, Inside is a top-shelf pick. Throwing you into a dark world with no guidance, it absolutely excels in building a sinister mystery that will stick with you long after the credits roll, as you tangle with skin-crawling monsters, explore a factory full of bizarre, twisted experiments and are left to piece together who you are, why you're here and what exactly your ultimate goal is. It's a classic for a reason, and while it's mostly remembered for its jaw-dropping final moments, the journey leading up to its horrifying conclusion is equally as phenomenal. If you want to investigate the game's eerie facility for yourself, you'll find it on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.Inside is available on Game Pass Core, Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.No Man's SkySince its slightly underwhelming release, No Man's Sky has had one of the biggest glow ups in video game history. Turning a relatively bare-bones, endless space exploration simulator into a vast, fully-fledged universe that can be explored in a multitude of different ways, Hello Games' stream of incredible updates have gradually made No Man's Sky a multiplayer experience like no other. Its sheer scope and freedom allow you to jet across the cosmos freely, exploring planets, building bases and teaming up with friends to create your own communities, make discoveries and chart a wealth of planets that only you have ever stepped foot on. So if you want to venture across the untamed stretches of the galaxy and join a passionate community of fellow adventurers, get stuck in on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.No Man's Sky is available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.CelesteA deeply moving story that lets challenging and incredibly satisfying platforming act as the driving force of its plot, Celeste is one of the best of its generation. Telling the tale of Madeline, a girl climbing the mysterious slopes of Celeste Mountain in hopes of proving her worth to herself, this powerful platformer is a beautiful, heartfelt, emotional odyssey. But where it truly stands out is how it makes you feel that journey through the gameplay itself. While learning to climb the mountain's treacherous, icy terrain can, at times, be tough, Celeste always pushes you to persevere in the face of its various hazards and adversities, as Madeline, and by extension the player, comes to realise that only through failing can they learn to grow. It's a masterful experience that also happens to look gorgeous, is frequently funny and, for completionists, has a hearty supply of tough-as-nails optional challenges for you to spend hours trying to overcome. If you want to start your ascent, you can begin the climb on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S.Celeste is available on Game Pass Core, Game Pass Standard, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.Dead SpaceThe original Dead Space is one of the most influential and deeply unnerving horror games ever made, and back in 2023, EA somehow found a way to make it even scarier. Bringing Isaac Clarke's journey through the USG Ishimura back for a full, from-the-ground-up remake, Dead Space's return is some of the best video game horror of the decade so far. With stunning graphics, impeccable sound design, tense, weighty gunplay and enemies that stalk your every move, it takes everything that works about the original and finds a way to make it twice as intense. So if you love a horror game that leaves you jumping at every sound for weeks after, Dead Space is absolutely for you. You can find it on PC, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.Dead Space is avaliable on Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass PC via each tier's included EA Play Membership.What's Next For Xbox Game Pass?As for what you can look forward to next on Game Pass, the biggest release set to hit the marketplace this month is undoutedly Doom: The Dark Ages. A prequel to Doom and Doom Eternal, it'll once again have players strapping into the heavy boots of the Doomslayer, as he rips and tears his way through a fresh horde of demons using an arsenal of medieval weaponry. It'll hit Series X, Series S, and PC on May 15, and be avaliable on Game Pass the day it launches.Alongside that, you can expect to see Warhammer: Vermintide 2 on May 13, as well as Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo on May 16. We'll be sure to update this page with any new upcoming Game Pass additions as Xbox announces them, so be sure to check back soon for updates!Callum Williams is an IGN freelancer covering features and guides. When he's away from his desk, you can usually find him obsessing over the lore of the latest obscure indie horror game or bashing his head against a boss in the newest soulslike. You can catch him over on Twitter at @CaIIumWilliams.