Steam’s 2025 Summer Sale is heating up, and racing fans have no shortage of high-octane discounts to burn through. From hardcore sim racing to open-world arcade mayhem, there’s a title for almost every kind of speed junkie in this year’s lineup. Whether you’re into GT3 realism, mud-plugging truck runs, or leaderboard-crushing time attacks, this breakdown will help you pinpoint the best value deals—and figure out which type of racer suits your style.
Let’s kick things off with games that don’t demand a sim rig to enjoy. At the forefront is Trackmania—which remains completely free to play for its base experience. Despite a modest Metacritic score of 74, the game thrives through its competition-driven loops. The draw here isn’t depth; it’s precision. With short user-made tracks and constant seasonal content, Trackmania thrives on community involvement and perfectionist time-hunting. It’s a simple formula, but it works, especially at zero cost.
If you’re leaning more toward chaos and anime flair, Haste enters as a stylish underdog at €13.29. It lacks a Metacritic rating, but it positions itself clearly: anime kart-style combat racing with a heavy emphasis on arcade mechanics. There’s no official score yet, and because it’s from an indie studio, this one’s more for those who prize aesthetic and energy over engineering detail.
BeamNG.drive straddles the line between simulation and experiment. While there’s no formal Metacritic rating, Steam classifies it as “Overwhelmingly Positive,” and honestly, that seems fair. With its advanced soft-body physics, BeamNG lets players simulate car crashes, suspension tweaking, or build full-blown off-road obstacle courses. It’s not structured racing per se, but if your inner gearhead enjoys vehicle dynamics above all else, this €18.00 tag (-20%) feels justified for the sheer depth of toys at your disposal.
If you’re into straight-laced realism, several standout titles deserve immediate attention. Automobilista 2 is practically a giveaway at €3.69—a jaw-dropping 90% discount off its original €36.99 price. Sporting a 78 Metacritic score, it’s a sim that delivers a surprisingly in-depth South American motorsport catalog with dynamic weather and solid handling. Built on the Madness Engine, it carries a polished driving feel that never quite hit mainstream fame—making this deal a hidden gem for sim enthusiasts.
Another rock-solid buy is the original Assetto Corsa. At €4.99 (-75%) and boasting an impressive 85 Metacritic score, it continues to enjoy popularity nearly a decade after launch. Its modding scene is still on fire, which means the base experience evolves constantly with fan-made tracks, cars, and drift setups. For value, AC is practically unbeatable.
Assetto Corsa Competizione, the more modern sibling, dials everything toward official GT World Challenge accuracy. For €9.99 (-75%), you’re getting a focused GT3/GT4 simulator with precise tire models, dynamic weather, and full laser-scanned tracks. The Metacritic score of 78 reflects its niche appeal—pure focus on GT racing means less variety—but for endurance-minded racers, it hits exactly where it needs to.
Sim heads should definitely also bookmark iRacing. It’s a unique offer: €3.73 gets you one month of subscription access (-66% off), unlocking what is arguably the most structured competitive ecosystem in sim racing. Metacritic puts it at 79, and its community-driven ride—with licensing, officiating, and SR/IR tracking—is unrivaled. The catch? You’ll need to pay monthly to continue, and meaningful progress requires further purchases. Still, this trial is a great entry point to a meticulous, league-based sim experience.
The sim market has been steadily evolving toward long-form racing, and Le Mans Ultimate enters the battlefield as one of 2025’s most interesting releases. While still under development and not Metacritic-rated, its positioning as “successor to rFactor 2” gives it pedigree. It’s €30.44 for now—a bit steep compared to others here—but it’s the only title on this list designed around multi-hour endurance scenarios, complete with day/night cycles and dynamic weather. It’s not done yet, but if you want cutting-edge endurance racing, this is where you look.
SnowRunner deserves mention, even if its focus isn’t traditional racing and its summer 
. Sitting at €14.99 and sporting an 81 Metacritic score, this off-road haul sim delivers satisfaction in rugged traversal, not breakneck speed. Mud physics, water resistance, and cargo balance make it a surprisingly strategic experience. It’s slow and deliberate but deeply rewarding—especially if you’ve got a steering wheel or a friend to co-op with.
For something that strikes a broader balance, Forza Motorsport (2023) steps in at €34.99. That price doesn’t scream deal, but you do get a full-featured, graphically stunning, sim-leaning racer with a solid 81 Metacritic score. The car customization system, streamlined assists, and competitive online modes give it both accessibility and depth. It’s arguably the most modern sim-style game on this list, and while not ultra-realistic, it supports wheel setups and tuning flexibility better than most semi-casual racers.
Only one major open-world racer made the discount board this year: The Crew Motorfest. On a massive €20.99 tag (-70% off from €69.99), it stands out both by map size and car roster. With a Metacritic score of 74, it’s the most accessible big-box arcade racer on the list. You’re looking at dozens of disciplines in one sandbox—from drift challenges to jet-powered drag racing—and a tone that embraces chaos, customization, and exotic settings. It’s not high-brow, but it’s high-fun. For less than half the cost of a modern AAA title, it fills the “need-for-speed-meets-variety” gap nicely.
The post Steam Summer Sale 2025 – Best Racing Game Deals, Ranked by Value and Genre appeared first on Game Reviews, News, Videos & More for Every Gamer – PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Beyond @ WePlayGames 2025.
At Summer Game Fest 2025, Yoshida previewed over twenty titles. He singled out OMUT, warning it ranks among the toughest games players will face. Yoshida tweeted that “OMUT will be one of the hardest games you’ve ever played”. He added the catch: despite the punishing difficulty, players won’t stop. That balance of frustration and obsession speaks to its design goals.
Yoshida didn’t elaborate on mechanics. Still, when someone with his experience flags difficulty, it hints at intricate systems. Expect tight controls, precise timing, and repeated trials. Games this tough require mastery and careful balance. At SGF 2025, Yoshida joined Easy Allies to preview more than twenty games. Around the 1:29:52 mark, he paused to emphasize OMUT. His commentary carried the weight of a long career guiding AAA and indie titles alike.
When Yoshida labels OMUT a top-tier challenge, gamers and journalists alike sit up.
The press hasn’t shared a release date, platform details, or genre. Still, Yoshida’s focus suggests OMUT will target experienced players.
Yoshida praised Ghost of Yotei as improving on Tsushima. That openness hints at why he highlights the game. His boundary-pushing taste suggests that OMUT could redefine expectations of difficulty.
Yoshida’s line “you won’t be able to put it down” hints at a design philosophy:
Those traits fuel the so-called “just one more run” behavior that hooks players.
Here’s what we’ll watch:
Now add OMUT to the list, with Yoshida’s endorsement suggesting it will stand out.
Yoshida’s legacy includes Gran Turismo adjustments and support for small teams like Team Asobi. His praise of OMUT suggests the game demands skill, not exploits, and respects player growth.
He also spotlighted Nine Sols, AstroBot, and Clair Obscur for their precision in scope and design. OMUT’s difficulty fits that profile: ambitious yet deliberate. For more game reviews and news, stay tuned to our website. Looking for more? Visit our YouTube channel for in-depth guides, exciting gameplay, and the latest updates!
The post Shuhei Yoshida Says OMUT Will Be Among the Hardest Games Ever appeared first on Game Reviews, News, Videos & More for Every Gamer – PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Beyond @ WePlayGames 2025.
That VideoGame Blog
REVIEW / Little Nightmares III (PS5)
When I heard Tarsier Studios was not going to be developing Little Nightmares III, I
The post REVIEW / Little Nightmares III (PS5) appeared first on That VideoGame Blog.
That VideoGame Blog
REVIEW / Discounty (PS5)
Walking into Discounty feels like stepping into a forgotten grocery store in a struggling town.
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Gaming platform to use facial age estimation to limit chats to similar age groups, as allegations of grooming grow
The online games platform Roblox is to start blocking children from talking to adult and much older teen strangers from next month as it faces fresh lawsuits alleging it has been exploited by predators to groom children as young as seven.
Roblox has reached 150 million daily players of games including viral hits Grow a Garden and Steal a Brainrot but has been hit by legal claims alleging the system’s design has made “children easy prey for paedophiles”.
Continue reading...
© Photograph: Roblox
© Photograph: Roblox
© Photograph: Roblox
The Monday letters page wishes Astro’s Playroom had been a Switch 2 launch title, as one reader worries that a Tomb Raidr reboot is doomed to failure.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Epic showdown
There’s always lots of talk about The Elder Scrolls 6, which I understand because everyone loves Skyrim and Bethesda are such a mess it’s just interesting following them. But I’m surprised there’s not been any discussion of The Witcher 4 lately.
We at least know a little bit about that, in that Ciri is the main character, but it seems likely that both are going to come out at almost exactly the same time. CD Projekt said no earlier than 2027 for The Witcher 4, which probably means at least 2028, and that’s exactly when The Elder Scrolls 6 is due.
Based on their recent track record I have to say I’m much more interested in The Witcher 4, and much more confident that it will be good. But both games have sold almost the same, at around 60 million (Bethesda seem to have Sony-itis when making up sales figures but let’s just assume they’re both more or less the same).
So, what would you bet on being more successful and more loved? Which are not the same thing. Personally, I think The Witcher 4 has got to be the early favourite.
Johnson
Prior reading
As someone that’s never played the series, I’m very curious to see if there is going to be a Half-Life 3 and if it will be on consoles. Steam Machine can’t have exclusives, but they can keep games PC-only and it seems likely they’ll do that here, which would be a shame I think.
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As far as I understand nobody knows for sure that Half-Life 3 is coming, so could the game actually be a remake? I know there’s been some fan ones, on PC, but I would like to see a big remake of the first two for all formats, so I can get a good look at it and have a chance with the backstory and the lore and everything.
It’s weird to me that one of the most talked about games ever doesn’t have a decent console version and most casual gamers have never heard of it.
Bootles
Gradual influence
The Reader’s Feature about Microsoft’s reverse Midas touch made me laugh, because I’ve been thinking something similar myself recently. The funny thing is I don’t there’s been enough time for Microsoft to have had any effect on Call Of Duty yet, given how long games take to make.
Being on Game Pass is obviously a difference, but that isn’t what made the game a big pile of you know what. So Microsoft couldn’t really have changed anything for Black Ops 7, I don’t think.
It’s actually more likely that Activision knew, or had a good idea, this was going to be a disaster when Microsoft bought them and just carried on anyway. They would’ve had their money by that point, so what do they care?
Bruno
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The one and only
So I had a look at my friends list, as was trying Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 on Game Pass, terrible game on every level and about 80 were online. I was the only one playing Black Ops 7 and on top of that no one was playing EA Sports FC… a massive change from few years ago when everyone would of been playing those games
Those were games my son would get every year with his mates, now they won’t even try them as they’re rubbish. So the golden goose is well and truly cooked for both, too many similar reincarnations every year with nothing new. I also note my son’s generation are actually falling out of love with gaming, which is worrying for the future.
Microsoft buying Activision for $70+ billion looking like the worst buy in history. They saw Call Of Duty as easy money every year but now that’s backfired big time… worrying times. Thanks for everything over the last year, seasons greeting and all the best.
TWO MACKS
Becoming a relic
Very much agree with the weekend feature about Tomb Raider. I think the biggest problem, at this point, is it’s just too late. The reboot trilogy wasn’t that big, so you’re talking 20-odd years since Tomb Raider was number one in pop culture.
I think most people think of the films first, and Angelina Jolie, before they do the games. I definitely think younger gamers will probably be pretty ignorant of the series, and that wouldn’t really be their fault.
I hope the new game is good, and comes out sometime soon, but if they say it’s cancelled and they’ve sold the franchise on to someone else I wouldn’t be surprised. If it does come out then it’s going to have to be amazing to reverse years of increasing irrelevance.
Focus
It’s the children who are wrong
You’re the most reliable review site bar none, such that I frequently make decisions based on your detailed and informed analysis (your passion for the form coursing through the beautifully crafted prose). After reading your review, I’ll definitely be downloading Sektori, as it’s a genre I love.
But the Kirby Air Riders review has me slightly baffled as it’s a total outlier and I can’t think of a comparable example in the 20 or so years I’ve followed your reviews. Despite very positive reviews by Eurogamer and IGN, yours is enough to put me off buying it.
Have you ever considered writing a feature on your most controversial reviews and reflections on whether you stand by them (and whether vindicated over the passage of time)? GTA 5 comes to mind as, if memory serves well, you gave it (a very generous in my opinion) 8 out 10.
Secondly, when, as with Kirby, your appraisal is such an outlier, does it give you cause to reconsider and even give the game in question another try? I’d love to see a reflection piece on that particular review and the contrasting takes on the game.
People like to say it’s all subjective and ‘just your opinion’, but you’re experts and your views are not the equivalent of a casual gamer or biased towards a particular company, IP or genre, they actually matter and materially affect what people purchase and play – they do me at least!
Ciara
GC: Thanks, but we’ve already spent more than enough time with Kirby Air Riders. Perhaps we will do a feature on other times we’ve disagreed with the consensus, if anyone else has any ‘favourites’.
Nintendo by Sony
Bought a PlayStation 5 on the Black Friday sale and I have to say Astro’s Playroom is amazing. It has to be the best pack-in game ever.
This is what Welcome Tour for Switch 2 should have been.
goldbricks23
GC: If only.
Face of the franchise
I’ve been following your ongoing coverage of the new IO Interactive James Bond game, primarily because I’m a fan of the developer but I do have nagging doubts about the face that they’ve chosen for James Bond.
I was trying to think, throughout the movies does Bond smile at all? Certainly not a lot. I’d cross the street to avoid 007 First Light’s smirking cheeky chappie interpretation of Bond, if that is indeed the face that IO Interactive are going with. He looks like the kind of bloke who’d find his own rubbish jokes hilariously funny or go on and on about the fortune that he’s just made buying and selling crypto currency, which is going to enable him to retire 30 years early and so he’ll have plenty of time to enter and win another around the world yacht race and tinker with his vintage sports car which he bought on a whim but has actually turned out to be a terrific investment.
007 First Light Bond would also own at least one pair of driving gloves. You know he would.
It’s possible that I’m overreacting or being oversensitive, but that smirking reinvention of Bond really winds me up every time I see it. I know the game is based more on the books but isn’t Bond meant to be emotionally cold and ruthless and, above all, dangerous? First Light James Bond simply looks annoying.
I wonder if any game has been financially scuppered by the appearance of its main character? Surely video game avatars have to appeal to the people who control them to some extent because they are the player’s core connection to the game. There was a big fuss over being forced to play as Raiden in Metal Gear Solid 2 but didn’t the game sell well anyway?
Maybe it doesn’t matter what a game’s playable character looks like if the actual game plays well.
Michael Veal (@msv858)
GC: We would hope so. Although we don’t disagree with some of your descriptions.
Inbox also-rans
As someone that’s never really played much Battlefield before I am surprised at how well the new one is doing. Is it really so completely different to Battlefield 2042, which was a complete flop?
Toasty
Am I the only one that played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with French voiceovers? If you played silent Hill f and Ghost Of Yōtei in Japanese I really don’t see why this would be any different. It’s the langue the game was made in and they’re all clearly French.
Label
GC: We did, at least for part of it.
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You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
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Xbox has hosted a surprisingly worthwhile third party showcase, with a release date for Reanimal but surprisingly no mention of Silent Hill 2.
There have been so many lamentable trends in gaming this year that some of the more minor issues have been pushed to the sidelines. But it sure is a shame that Nintendo Direct style online showcases are no longer the exciting preview events they used to be.
The ones from Sony and Nintendo this year have been largely uninteresting, whether the games featured are good or not, and while Xbox has probably had the best of it, you always have to put up with the increasingly unpalatable execs and their disingenuous promises.
Announced out of the blue just a few days ago, no one was expecting much from Thursday evening’s Xbox Partner Preview, but it was actually pretty good and debuted an unexpected new spin-off to Vampire Survivors.
The secret to the showcase’s success was very simple: not only were there no Xbox execs but there was hardly any talking at all, and what little there was featured a British voiceover. That also meant that the show was able to zip along at a fair pace, even if a few of the segments did seem to go on a bit long.
Everything kicked off with Armatus, which for some reason we initially took to be a Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 spin-off. It’s not and is instead a roguelite set in Paris, with what seem to be Soulslike undertones. It features procedurally-spawned rooms and enemies and is due out sometime next year.
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Like all the games showcased, Armatus is multiformat and has nothing specifically to do with Microsoft. Although a number of the titles featured will be available on Game Pass day one, as you can see listed below.
The showcase was almost exactly 30 minutes long, so we’d advise watching the whole thing, but the highlight was arguably Vampire Crawlers, a deck-building role-playing game (specifically a dungeon crawler influenced by Dungeon Keeper and the ancient Wizardry series) that is the first major spin-off from Vampire Survivors.
Vampire Crawlers is apparently the first of many planned spin-offs but, as you can see, this shares a similar pixel art visual style, while also paying homage to old school gameplay mechanics. Although the deck-building and card customisation might not be to everyone’s taste developer poncle insists that you can play the game at any speed you like, including ‘as fast as you humanly can’, so it does still have strong links back to the original game.
The majority of games featured were indie titles, but IO Interactive were also there to promote 007: First Light (including a new collaboration with Aston Martin) and Hitman: World Of Association (with the next elusive target revealed as Eminem/Slim Shady). We had an interview with IO’s CEO a few hours before the event, so we’ll reveal what was discussed then shortly.
THQ Nordic’s Reanimal, from the makers of Little Nightmares 1 and 2 (but not 3) were also on hand to announce a release date for the game, of February 13 next year.
The games with the longest amount of screentime were Chinese action adventure Tides Of Annihilation, which is very loosely based on Arthurian legend, and third person actioner Zoopunk. They both looked fine but, if anything, having much longer segments than any of the other games worked against them, as their previews did seem to go on a bit.
A number of brand new games were announced, including Echo Generation 2, one of several voxel-based games featured, with the ambitious looking Erosion having a very intriguing trailer. Alien invasion/petrol station simulator Roadside Research also looked like it could be amusing.
The following games will all be available for free on day one if you have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription:
If you’re wondering who Sam Preeble is, when he was promoted as the creator of Total Chaos, he’s a prominent Doom modder. Total Chaos started life as a total conversion of Doom 2, which is not something you’d guess simply by watching the trailer.
There was no real mic drop at the end of showcase, although Raji: An Ancient Epic sequel Raji: Kaliyuga did seem interesting and, like many of the other games, is coming to Game Pass Ultimate from day one.
The final surprise of the night was the Silent Hill 2 remake was not mentioned, despite it having been leaked to hell and back. It’s apparently available right now in Australia, although at time of writing it’s not on the UK store.
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Over 2 years since its release in June 2023, Diablo 4 is now approaching its 11th season, and players can expect a major shake-up to what they've come to know so far. Not only is Diablo 4 Season 11 introducing new seasonal activities and mechanics, but the game is also overhauling several systems with permanent changes. Although early feedback from the PTR suggests some of these changes will be controversial among players, the test period has given fans a good idea of what Diablo 4 has in store for Season 11.
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
I’m on Observation Duty 8 – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Observe. Report. Survive the night. Monitor the surveillance system for anomalies and report them to survive the night. Use your sharp eyes and keen attention to detail to detect supernatural anomalies ranging from subtle environmental changes to eerie and unsettling otherworldly intruders. Can you survive the night shift, or will you succumb to paranoia…? I’m on Observation Duty 8 is the most ambitious title yet in the original viral franchise that ignited a trend in spot-the-difference horror games that have been loved by players and streamed for millions by legendary content creators.
Primal Fray – November 24
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Primal Fray is a turn-based strategy roguelite. Combat takes place on a procedurally generated hex based flying islands. You will use your units to outmaneuver and kill enemy troops. Choose between multiple heroes. Use their unique talents to conquer the Rift and learn more about their stories entangled with dark and ominous Ironclad Corp.
A.I.L.A – November 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A.I.L.A is a first-person horror game set in a near-future filled with immersive technology. Play as the sole game tester for a revolutionary new fictional AI. Survive intense horror experiences that prey on your deepest fears as the lines between virtual and reality begin to blur…
Compadrone: Land Wars – November 25
Year 2352, humanity is exploring the exoplanets for the expansion of its stellar empire. It comes as no surprise that we encounter alien adversaries – some easy to conquer, others far more advanced and harder to subjugate. To assist in the conquest, a dedicated fleet of fighter drones called Compadrones – or ‘compadre’ drones were created to serve as the ultimate vanguard of our attack forces. Compadrone: Land Wars is a family-friendly top-down roguelite arena shooter with elements of tower defense gameplay in which you play as a drone sent to fight off aliens on an exoplanet.
Delivery of Us – November 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
In Delivery of Us, you guide a clever carrier pigeon on a mission to deliver every letter across the city’s rooftops. Plan each route carefully, because every move counts. Once the counter hits zero, the delivery fails. This relaxing logic and movement-based puzzle game combines smooth mechanics, strategic planning, and calm visuals. Each level challenges you to find the most efficient path to every mailbox while avoiding walls, hazards, and obstacles along the way.
Kill it with Fire! – November 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
You are the Exterminator on a crusade against the spider horde taking over the multiverse. Blast through the story campaign solo or with friends via online co-op for up to 4 players or jump into a frenetic Humans vs Spiders PvP mode for some laughs and screams.
Mudness Offroad & Buried Alive – November 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Mudness Offroad & Buried Alive Bundle delivers a gripping mix of harsh survival and demanding terrain navigation. One tests your endurance in nature’s toughest environments, the other your will to escape the unthinkable. This bundle is made for those who never back down — whether battling nature or facing their deepest fears.
Project Motor Racing – November 25
Project Motor Racing ignites all the passion, beauty, and intensity of professional motorsport. Race across eras in 70 meticulously recreated cars across 13 iconic classes and 28 global layouts.
Brotherhood – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery
They are billions. You are alone. An ominous brotherhood of religious fanatics perform experiments on humans in their top-secret scientific complex. An ancient prison hidden deep in the Swiss mountains houses hundreds of test subjects whose bodies are mutilated in an effort to produce a new biological species of superhuman. You are one of them, but unlike other test subjects, your body is immune to mutagens. For you, it’s not poison anymore, rather a source of power that makes your body nearly indestructible. Steal the weapon and obliterate them.
Dude, Where Is My Beer? – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Can you find a normal beer in a world of conspicuously flavoured craft beer, and solve the mystery of the elusive, missing pilsner, using nostalgic interface from the golden age of adventure games? Talk to West Coast IPA and American Black Ale drinking hipsters and solve beer related puzzles at different stages of drunkenness; explore locations like a sports bar, a microbrewery, a dive bar and a rock bar in the city of Oslo, in your quest of finding a pilsner.
King’s Justice – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Embark on a thrilling platforming quest across 10 handcrafted levels filled with deadly traps, diverse enemies, and escalating challenges. With an estimated playtime of 30–60 minutes, casual players will enjoy fast-paced action and precision gameplay.
Knight’s Quest – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Embark on a heroic journey in Knight’s Quest, a 2D platformer set in a world consumed by darkness. Play as a valiant knight determined to reclaim ancient ruins and defeat monstrous foes. Can you restore light to a shattered realm?
Poko’s Arctic Quest – November 26
Join Poko on a frosty and challenging adventure! Winter is coming, and the little penguin Poko needs to gather enough fish to survive the cold! Use your logic and planning to push blocks, open paths, and collect all the fish across 30 carefully designed levels inspired by classic puzzle games.
Schildmaid MX – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery
Schildmaid MX is a fresh and frenetic side-scrolling 2D shoot ’em up in which you pick 1 of 3 ferocious fighter spacecraft to wreak havoc on the invasion fleet that threatens your planet. Embark on multiple attack runs and strike fear into the hearts of your enemy. The best pilots are immortalized on the online leaderboards!
Space Frontier – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A classic space shooter reborn! Pilot your ship on an epic journey through the cosmos, facing hordes of space pirates across 13 intense levels. Defeat enemies to collect upgrade orbs and spend them in the shop to evolve your ship with more damage, extra life, and insane speed. Face colossal bosses in battles that demand strategy and razor-sharp reflexes. Every victory brings you closer to interstellar glory!
Traverse through the surreal world suspended somewhere between dream and emotion on a touching journey through grief, guilt, and healing, as you search for your lost sister, Lulu. Solve puzzles, recover lost memories, face your deepest fears and regrets… And don’t be afraid to take the leap forward.
Delivery Driver Massacre – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Step into a first-person horror experience inspired by classic 80s slashers. A routine job becomes a night of terror as you explore an eerie suburban home hiding sinister secrets. Solve puzzles, find tools to escape, and outsmart a ruthless killer who’s always one step behind you. Grimy VHS visuals, haunting ambience, and shocking moments bring old-school horror to life in a new way.
Garten of Banban 8: Anti Devil – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
You were tricked by your friends. After the latest events, you’ll need to delve deeper into the mysterious establishment of Banban’s Kindergarten. Now, you’re completely on your own – your friends are either dead or against you… From now on, you’ll only meet new enemies, who will make sure you never feel alone. Be careful – in Banban’s Kindergarten, they are lurking in every corner, waiting for you.
Quick Whiskers – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Get ready to jump, dash, and glide with Quick Whiskers, a pixel-art platformer where every move counts! Take control of a nimble cat and venture through 30 challenging levels across two unique biomes: the peaceful park and the bustling city. Your mission is simple but full of action: collect food cans and reach a cozy bed to rest.
Snake.io – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery
Develop your skills, try to survive as much as you can and become the biggest snake. You start as a small snake, get bigger by eating other snakes who try to do the same. You have to attack wisely but defend skillfully. How long can you survive?
Star Ores Inc. – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Star Ores Inc. is an intergalactic mining adventure that catapults you onto an abandoned space station in the middle of space. As a freshly minted entrepreneur, you begin your career in a world full of ores, machines, and galactic possibilities. Dig through massive asteroids and extract rare minerals, which you refine into valuable high-tech products. With the help of specialized robots, conveyor systems, and automated machinery, you build an efficient production chain — from raw material extraction to sales.
Street Racer Collection (QUByte Classics) – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery
Combining the speed of an arcade racer with the brawling of a fighting game, this cult classic made its mark with its originality and its own dose of chaos and personality. Race on tracks filled with obstacles and crazy settings (from Mount Rushmore to Transylvania), use special moves to knock out your rivals, and explore modes that go far beyond traditional racing.
Take control of your spacecraft and dive into a cosmic odyssey where speed, precision, and exploration collide. Navigate surreal, gravity-defying landscapes filled with twisting asteroid rings and radiant celestial structures. With every level, push your reflexes to the limit as you dodge obstacles, collect vital energy cores, and uncover hidden mysteries of deep space. Only the sharpest pilots will survive the challenge — are you ready to conquer the cosmos?
Bee Simulator: The Hive – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
See the world through the eyes of a bee! Explore a world inspired by Central Park as you gather pollen, evade threats, and build your own thriving beehive. This edition combines the original Bee Simulator with The Hive expansion, introducing new mechanics, game modes, and fresh as a spring pollen content—all in one buzzing adventure, perfect for players of all ages.
BucketCrusher – November 28
Xbox Play Anywhere
Will you manage to completely destroy the wall until not a single brick is left standing? Immerse yourself in the most satisfying casual game where you tear down walls brick by brick using a circular saw! Push the bricks into your BucketCrusher to convert them into cash, but watch out because you can run out of fuel!
El Coco – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
El Coco is a 3D action roguelike that plunges you into a world of dreams, broken memories, and living nightmares. Descend into The Uncertain, a place as strange as it is dangerous, and fight to recover what you’ve lost—if you can trust your guide.
Emoji Battlefield – Origins – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Emoji Battlefield – Origins throws you into a chaotic, rogue-like first-person shooter where emojis aren’t just harmless faces — they’re deadly enemies. Start each run by customizing your experience with unique modifiers: crank up the difficulty, make every emoji wear a ridiculous hat, or turn on bouncing mode for hilarious chaos. Then pick your unlocked arena — from The Bouncy Castle to Candy World or even outer space — each with its own hazards and interactive traps.
Habitat Shapes – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Enjoy the relaxing puzzle of Habitat Shapes by organizing spaces for three animal families – mammals, birds, and reptiles – using Fence/Wall pieces to keep them separated. Watch out: different families cannot touch, and any attempt triggers a funny “fight cloud,” sending the last piece back to the conveyor.
In Keypybara, prepare for a classic 2D platforming experience with precise and responsive controls. You must navigate carefully handcrafted levels (each one a single, challenging “room”) filled with deadly traps. Your mission is clear: collect the key to unlock the exit. To do this, you will need to push boxes and dodge spikes. With instant respawn and 30 unique stages that progressively increase the challenge, the game offers an addictive, smooth, and rewarding gameplay loop with every obstacle overcome.
Red Pippy – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Red Pippy is a charming 2D pixel art platformer that follows the journey of a little red bird in pursuit of its biggest dream: learning to fly! With each level, Pippy learns new skills as he navigates vibrant and perilous environments, jumping across platforms and overcoming obstacles that bring him closer to his ultimate goal. Will he prove that he’s ready to conquer the skies?
Wild West: Hidden Objects – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery
Step into the Cyber Wild West! Take on the role of a sharp-eyed detective in a world where the Wild West collides with high-tech cyberpunk. Welcome to Red Hook, a mysterious frontier town ruled by circuits and secrets. But trouble is brewing… The town treasury has been stolen. The sheriff? Kidnapped. Now it’s up to you to crack the case.
The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for November 24 to 28 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Borderlands has always thrived in excess—too much color, too much noise, too many guns that no one will ever use. Borderlands 4 doesn’t just continue this tradition, it leans into it with an unapologetic swagger. It is the series at its most self-aware, presenting a world that knows exactly what it is: a sprawling playground where every explosion feels earned and every joke teeters between clever and exhausting. What makes this entry remarkable, however, is not its continuation of chaos but the precision behind it. This is Borderlands engineered to be cleaner, faster, and more inviting without losing the unhinged edge that defined it in the first place.
The headline attraction is the new Vault Hunter, Vex the Siren, who doesn’t simply wield mystical energy—she commands it in the form of spectral companions. Her Reaper and Spectre summons mark a bold shift for the franchise. They are not gimmicks that run on autopilot but fully realized extensions of the player. Vex makes solo play viable in ways previous Vault Hunters never could. The Reaper, a hulking spirit that deals crushing close-range punishment, pairs beautifully with the Spectre, a darting shadow that harasses enemies from a distance. The duality creates a dynamic battlefield rhythm where positioning and timing matter far more than spraying bullets. Vex is not a sideshow attraction; she is the first Vault Hunter in years to feel like the franchise finally understood the need for solo depth. For players who often venture alone, Borderlands 4 is no longer a compromise. It is liberation.
Of course, Borderlands has always been best with others, and Borderlands 4 doubles down on this identity. Co-op remains the living heart of the series, and here it sings louder than ever. The sheer absurdity of four players unleashing an avalanche of elemental carnage in perfect unison remains intoxicating. What makes it sing this time is the fine-tuning: loot is instanced, so greed never poisons the session; cash is shared, reducing the tedious grind of uneven wallets; revives are smoother, making teamwork a reflex rather than a chore. It is still chaotic, still loud, and still prone to sensory overload, but that is the point. The cooperative energy sustains itself across dozens of hours because Borderlands 4 is engineered to be a party that never actually winds down. The game understands its role in your social circle: it doesn’t have to be profound, it just has to be relentlessly entertaining.
For all its loud personality, Borderlands 4 is quietly one of the most technically polished games the franchise has ever delivered. The world is seamless—no loading zones, no immersion-breaking interruptions, just continuous exploration across an enormous canvas. That fluidity matters because it means the humor, action, and absurdity never lose momentum. There are minor stutters, particularly during dense firefights, and the occasional texture hiccup that pulls you out of the flow. Yet these are mere smudges on a glossy surface. The addition of Echo-4, a personal robot guide, sharpens the design by providing direction without being obtrusive. Echo-4 doesn’t nag; it suggests. It prevents the endless circling of past entries where players lost hours simply trying to find the next objective. It is an understated but transformative improvement, proof that Borderlands 4 respects the player’s time even as it wastes no opportunity to clutter the screen with chaos.
On PC, Borderlands 4 is a showcase for just how well Unreal Engine 5 can be harnessed. The franchise’s cel-shaded art style has always been its signature, but here it evolves into something richer and more tactile. Textures are sharper, environments gleam with exaggerated detail, and HDR paints every explosion with neon brilliance. Borderlands has always been a comic book in motion; now it feels like a high-end graphic novel leaping off the page. Performance is stable even on mid-range rigs, and optimization is clearly a priority rather than an afterthought. For players who want to see their hardware stretched without punishing frame drops, Borderlands 4 delivers a rare balance. On the right monitor, with colors at full saturation, it feels less like a shooter and more like stepping into a carnival of impossible design.
The multiplayer systems deserve recognition as more than just features; they are the glue that holds the experience together. Instanced loot and shared cash might seem like simple quality-of-life inclusions, but in practice, they redefine how players interact. There is no arguing over drops, no passive resentment simmering between friends when one player hoards better gear. Instead, the focus stays on collaboration, whether that means coordinating elemental synergies or reviving fallen teammates in the middle of a firefight. Borderlands 4 succeeds in making multiplayer not just possible but essential. It transforms group play into an ecosystem of shared triumphs rather than fractured competition. This is not the brittle multiplayer model of other shooters where imbalance destroys camaraderie. This is a social contract written in neon: if you bring the noise, the game will amplify it, not divide it.
Borderlands 4 arrives in a landscape where players have never had more options. Some will inevitably look elsewhere for cinematic gravitas or narrative subtlety, but that was never this franchise’s goal. Borderlands is a circus act, designed to overwhelm, amuse, and astonish in equal measure. For those browsing storefronts to buy PS5 games, Borderlands 4 stands out not because it reinvents the wheel but because it polishes it until it gleams under blacklight. It is not a meditative adventure or an introspective journey, but it never claimed to be.
For those hungry for expansive universes and ambitious design, the appeal stretches further. Players who are inclined to buy PS5 adventure games may find Borderlands 4 straddles the line: it is not purely adventure, not purely shooter, but a hybrid that rewards exploration as much as chaos. It thrives on discovery—of loot, of outrageous characters, of absurd quests that blur the line between satire and parody. Borderlands 4 may not wear the “adventure” tag on its sleeve, but it contains more than enough curiosity-driven gameplay to justify its place in that aisle.
And in the wider discussion of modern RPG-shooters, titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 remind us that innovation can come from unexpected corners. Where that game pursues dreamlike atmosphere and painterly surrealism, Borderlands 4 pursues bombast and excess. They are polar opposites in tone but share the same ambition: to create worlds so distinct that they cannot be mistaken for anything else. In that context, Borderlands 4 holds its own by doing what only Borderlands can do—turning madness into method.
Borderlands 4 does not reinvent the franchise, and it doesn’t need to. Its achievement lies in refinement, in sanding away the irritations that made past entries feel bloated, while preserving the garish charm that made them beloved. Vex the Siren and her spectral companions reshape how solo play functions. Co-op remains the crown jewel, chaotic and rewarding in equal measure. The technical execution is stronger than ever, even if minor stutters occasionally intrude. On PC, in case you buy PC games, it is a visual feast that rivals anything in its genre. And in multiplayer, the game offers something increasingly rare: a system that values cooperation without creating friction.
Borderlands 4 is a masterpiece of design and exploration for those who understand what it wants to be. It doesn’t chase solemnity, it doesn’t masquerade as profound, and it doesn’t apologize for its gaudy aesthetic. It is a neon-soaked symphony of excess, sharpened to a fine edge. For the faithful, it is everything they wanted. For the skeptics, it may finally be the entry that shows the circus has grown up—not into something serious, but into something polished, intentional, and unashamedly itself.
Genshin Impact developer Hoyoverse has just revealed half an hour of gameplay of Varsapura, a new open-world game with shades of Control and LA Noire. The studio has really been branching out in all directions lately, between the creature-collecting Honkai: Nexus Anima and Stardew rival Petit Planet, but Varsapura is already looking the most interesting to me. Set in what appears to be modern-day Singapore with a mixture of paranormal investigation, dialogue choices, stealth sequences, and combat that takes notes from Zenless Zone Zero against a shadowy foe powered by the 'Mindrot,' it's already grabbed my attention.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: Genshin Impact's flashy combat and Control's paranormal vibes collide in a new Hoyoverse game, and I'm immediately hooked
Of all the Path of Exile 2 updates so far, few if any can hold a candle to the promise of the Druid. The transforming tyrant has been top of most of our PoE 2 wishlists since it was first mentioned. Developer Grinding Gear Games has been up-front about it being one of the most difficult Path of Exile 2 classes to get right, so the fact that it's finally here is truly a holiday gift. If you're interested but haven't yet picked the action RPG up, there's extra good news in the form of a free weekend for the launch.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: The new Path of Exile 2 Druid class is about to transform the ARPG, and you can try it for free
When is The Witcher Remake release date? Given that this remake of the classic PC RPG game has only recently been announced, it's far too early to tell when exactly you can play it. However, some of you may want to know more about the ambitious remake of the first Witcher adventure and if it's the best place to hop into the series. The original was far from the best PC game ever on release, but it was a fan favorite, so perhaps a remake with more polish will put it over that threshold. While the original RPG game was made by CD Projekt Red using BioWare's Aurora Engine, The Witcher Remake is instead "being rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5" by Fool's Theory. The Polish development studio also assists Larian with 'gameplay and tools programming support' for Baldur's Gate 3 and previously assisted People Can Fly with 'level design, meshing, and program support' for Outriders. Several veteran staff who helped make The Witcher will be part of this project, and CD Projekt Red will provide 'full creative supervision'.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: The Witcher Remake release date estimate and latest news
When is the Arknights Endfield release date? Arknights developer Hypergryph is breaking out of its mobile tower defense shell, bringing the hit franchise into a rich 3D world. However, this isn't another generic gacha-filled anime RPG, as Endfield is sticking to the series' strengths by bringing base-building to the fore. Announced back in 2022, Arknights Endfield has been on our radar for quite some time. Set to join the likes of Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves in the open-world gacha game arena, your gaming hours are soon to become a whole lot more stretched. Alongside the latest on a potential launch date, check out the latest trailers, gameplay videos, and our beta impressions below.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: Arknights Endfield release date window, gameplay, and latest news
