When IO Interactive first unveiled 007 First Light’s gameplay, its experience with the Hitman titles was immediately apparent. Observing your environment for opportunities, using tools to distract or take down guards, employing stealth, the list goes on.
However, it quickly became apparent that James Bond would venture into other areas, including action-filled set-pieces, fast-paced driving and extensive CQC. “Forward momentum” is a mantra from the development team. In a new cover story interview with Game Informer, gameplay director Andreas Krogh discusses how it combines with all the systems to make you feel like Bond.
“Forward momentum is one of these things where we just wanted to…Bond is really a character that thinks on his feet a lot, and we want to bring that into all our mechanics, both stealth and combat.
“In combat, you see this in the way of us having a range of features that kind of closes the gap to enemies. So part of our close combat system is rushing an enemy, but also the ranged combat is like, okay, you might not have a million ammo for your guns, and that means you run low on ammo.
“You have to pick up new ammo. How do you get new ammo? You get it from the enemies that are in front of you. So move forward to them. Use some of your closing the gap abilities. Disarm enemies. You get a new gun. Shoot that dry, throw your gun to the next one. Then he’s staggered. It’s easier to run up and take his gun again, or take his ammo and carry on from there and shoot more.”
That same “velocity” is something that the team is also trying to implement into the stealth – a significant departure from Hitman, where you would usually observe and then mull over your choices. It’s less about “letting you be in a cover to think for a long time” and more letting you “cover to observe your options once you have that, then use one of them, basically and probably one of them will create a situation that you can use for something else and carry on from there.”
Even the environment itself plays a role in all this, especially with the enhanced destruction. “Basically, it’s also in the environment interactions, where if you explode something, maybe something crumbles that creates a new path for you. Like showing you new options all the time because doing something will kind of drive you towards that option, which we then try to always make you go forward, basically in any given encounter.”
Thus far, we’ve seen Bond rush towards an enemy, knocking them over the edge and using their body to break his fall, and destroy a walkway which can be used to venture forth. However, you can leverage the environment in more subtle ways, like luring enemies into a room and then locking them in by lasering the doorknob.
With 007 First Lightout on May 27th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, it feels like we’re only scratching the surface of what players can accomplish as Bond. Stay tuned for more updates and check out the latest story trailer here.
Ever wondered what happened earlier this month when the Helldivers mounted an offensive against Cyberstan? The massive Helldivers 2 event saw players assaulting massive Automaton cities and even going up against Cyborgs for the first time. However, it carried a unique condition – if players hadn’t secured victory before depleting a set number of reserves, the mission would be a failure.
Well, the results are in and surprisingly, the Helldivers failed, even with new toys like an explosive hammer and the Bastion Tank. “The underhanded, subhuman treachery of the Cyborgs returned to once again steal peace from Super Earth’s citizens. The threat of a socialist planet-killer remains active. This is a grotesque travesty of Justice,” reads the official, in-universe tweet about what went down. While exposing the Cyborgs is deemed beneficial, Super Earth is currently in a “strategic contraction phase.”
“We must retract and regroup to prepare for the inevitable, unjust counter-offensive from the surviving socialist menace,” it reads. Which is probably a nice way of saying that the Automatons could attack Super Earth or any supporting location when players least expect it.
Regardless, this is an interesting twist in the ongoing Galactic War. Far be it from the Helldivers to suffer massive defeats under near-impossible odds, but this still felt imminently achievable. Whatever happens next, we’re keen to see how the story develops further, especially since the Battle for Cyberstan marked Arrowhead delivering new meta gameplay on a far more ambitious scale than anything before.
Available for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, Helldivers 2reportedly passed 20 million lifetime sales last month, which is pretty good news for PlayStation’s live-service initiative (numerous failures notwithstanding). Stay tuned for more updates on what’s next in the coming weeks.
OPERATION VALID PRETEXT CONCLUDED The peacekeeping Operation on Cyberstan has concluded.
The liberation of Cyberstan has failed. The underhanded, subhuman treachery of the Cyborgs returned to once again steal peace from Super Earth's citizens. The threat of a socialist… pic.twitter.com/4qrqAsC8Nw
Among other big releases like Resident Evil Requiem, Marathon, Pokémon Pokopia, and Slay the Spire 2, it’s easy for some games to get lost in the crowd. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is keeping its head above water, though, and Capcom has released not only a new trailer but a developer walkthrough to hype players up.
The former showcases even more new monsters, including Ibushi and Narwa (Monster Hunter Rise), Malzeno (Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak), and Ajaraka (Monster Hunter Wilds). However, arguably the most interesting tease is Lao-Shan Lung, who’s alive but crystalized. Surely the massive first-generation Elder Dragon wouldn’t suddenly come back to life and wreak havoc, right?
As for the walkthrough, it sees lead game designer Daisuke Wakahara outlining everything you need to know about the role-playing game, from the story and setting to the combat mechanics. While the traditional rock-paper-scissors approach returns, you also have the Wyvernsoul Gauge. Depleting it will stagger a monster, and once all stocks are gone, players can unleash a Syncho Rush for massive damage.
There’s plenty more to learn about, including Habitat Restoration, so it’s well worth the watch. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection launches on March 13th, with a free trial available for Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, and Xbox Series X/S now.
On Twitter, founder and CEO Marek Tyminski said, “The Demon’s Souls remake was an incredible achievement, and we’d be honoured to speak with the talented people behind it about opportunities on Lords of the Fallen 2 and beyond. We have multiple roles available, including some not yet listed on our website.
“If this speaks to you or someone you know, please reach out today – we’d love to hear from you and explore how your skills could help shape our next chapter.”
Besides serving as an incredible gesture for those affected, Tyminski’s statement is notable for the “and beyond” part. Granted, this could mean several things, from DLC to post-launch support. Following its release, Lords of the Fallen (2023) received dozens of updates that added new modes, features, difficulty options, and extensive revamps of the combat.
Bluepoint developers may also lend their expertise for optimization. All of its games have been a masterclass in the same, especially the Demon’s Souls remake, while delivering some of the best graphical fidelity out there. Given the performance problems that Lords of the Fallen launched with, it might help to get that talent on board to prevent the same issues with the sequel.
Lords of the Fallen 2 launches later this year for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. You can check out the latest details here, including improvements to the animations, world design and dual-wielding.
We'd like to invite any developers impacted at Bluepoint Games to contact us – careers@cigames.com.
The Demon’s Souls remake was an incredible achievement, and we’d be honoured to speak with the talented people behind it about opportunities on Lords of the Fallen II and beyond.… https://t.co/zJnf5spcfx
We’ve seen all kinds of gameplay in Bungie’s Marathon, from a duo squad working together with a pair of Rooks in PvE to a montage of executions and class abilities. But what does a successful run on Tau Ceti IV look like? Bungie has enlightened us with a new 18-minute gameplay video, featuring the Destroyer, Thief and Assassin on the Perimeter map.
Some highlights include the Thief grappling onto a roof and taking down an enemy player with a shotgun, before executing another. We even get to see a 2v3 situation, which really showcases the stopping power of the BR33 Volley Rifle. After starting the extraction process, players essentially set up a post that they must stay close to, fighting off all comers.
Which is where the Thief’s drone comes in handy. It can survey the area and mark any targets while also stealing loot from enemies. When exfil is complete, you can spectate other players or proceed to the stats screen to see your Eliminations (with enemy Runners tracked separately), revives, and even inventory value.
The Progress screen also highlights your Runner Level and reputation gained among the six factions – standard extraction shooter fare. Interestingly, there are filter options available for auto-vaulting, transmuting and auto-selling gear after every run. There’s something that ARC Raiders should think about stealing.
Marathon is out next week, but you can go hands-on early with the upcoming Server Slam, which runs from February 26th to March 2nd on all platforms. Head here for more details on what to expect.
Developer Embark Studios will be releasing ARC Raiders next major update next week called Shrouded Sky, which features the second Expedition window, a new Arc threat, a new map condition, and more.
Embark is a bit vague at what to expect but they did say that Shrouded Sky will feature:
New Map Condition
New Arc Threat
A new Player Project
The game’s third Raider Deck
Map update
Second Expedition window
Again, it’s all vague but many speculate the new map condition is wind-based (teaser above with a weather vane supports this), and based on the icon for the new Arc suggests it will be a flying machine.
The ‘map update’ is an interesting one as it’s not clear if this means a map will be altered to a point that certain sections are different like a new building or something is closed off. The community will appreciate changes to any map as avid players have likely memorized every section of each available map.
It’s February and ARC Raiders continues to go strong. Numbers aren’t as high compared to the first two months but retention is solid, which is a blessing for Embark Studios as they’re earning a reputation for being slow at reacting to issues found in the game, such as cheaters and exploits.
The latest update in the game was a Shared Watch event with a short reward track that requires Arc kills to progress through. It’s not a new PVE mode, but simply an event meant to encourage fighting Arc. When this event was teased, many were expecting a pve-only mode, but that’s not the case.
Before Shared Watch, they also added solo vs groups matchmaking for those eager to give themselves a true challenge in the game. It’s not for the faint of heart as it’s required that you are over level 40 to even have this matchmaking option available.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a slow-burn JRPG, one telling the story of a group of kids who can travel to the past and experience adventures that affect the present. Despite weaving multiple storylines, the late introduction of the class-changing system leaves the game relying heavily on its narrative and characters to keep players engaged. After 30 hours, it’s clear that patience is required before the gameplay fully opens up.
That alone is a tough sell for a remake to what many Dragon Quest fans consider one of the best from the series. We now live in a world where we demand instant gratification, and while I do appreciate the game’s basic nature, I see many falling off because of the game’s pacing.
This isn’t a problem with the game itself, as Dragon Quest VII Reimagined stays true to the original game. It’s slow compared to standard designs in that you’ll probably encounter your first battle 40 minutes in, as the game takes its time setting the stage for your party discovering different islands in the past. When it gets going, combat is the traditional turn-based combat system with no real twist. It’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33without the over-the-top flair and parry system. Characters and enemies take turns, you have skills, and occasionally you can do this game’s version of Limit Breaks to get a major advantage in battle. That’s it.
Vocations change things up, but they open up later
Vocations is the game’s class system that allows a character to get a new set of skills and different bonuses in certain stats. Changing my character’s Vocation is when things start picking up; the problem is it becomes available to my party at the 25th hour. Before Vocation changing, every character was stuck with their starter class, and with me having the tendency to over-level, I maxed them out 5 hours prior, making any Vocation experience completely wasted.
That stung a bit, as it felt like I was punished for going off the main path to fight special monsters and run for extra experience. Even equipment isn’t all that complicated at this point in the game as every character has four equipment slots and two accessory slots, and I was mostly doing fine by making sure I’m loaded with the best stats.
That’s the main hurdle that I encountered while playing Dragon Quest VII, as the first 20 hours is basic JRPG combat, with players going through multiple story arcs that come and go. Each island discovered is truly a new adventure each time, with their own set of characters and issues that need to be addressed by you. You’re a silent protagonist too, so most of the interactions are left with the rest of the party. It’s like another filler episode of your favorite anime, as some can be engaging, while others feel like they’re there to pass time.
Hour 30 feels like the game is finally beginning
When Vocation changing became available, I could quickly see the difference it brought to combat, as it felt like a wake up call to start paying attention. I started thinking about party compositions, setting them up for more advanced Vocations, as mastering specific Vocations unlocked newer ones.
The basic turn-based combat was looking more appealing now, and it did a few hours after too, as it all of a sudden gave me the ability to hold two Vocations at once, effectively doubling the amount of skills a character can hold, opening up this treasure trove of possibilities for me to just go nuts and experiment. I started throwing myself at every roaming enemy because I wanted experience. This is the point i’m at right now, and i’m now having a blast.
Patience is key for those eager to play Dragon Quest VII, something I struggled with past titles, as I wasn’t fond of the first-person perspective, and other titles were of the same slow pace. I’m finally over the hump and i’m now at a point of looking forward to booting the game and picking up where I left off. This is also the point in the game where the main story is finally taking shape.
I know at this point, I have a long way to go, so i’ll check back to see how the game feels 50 hours in. Pacing aside, this is an impressive remake to bring a classic JRPG to modern platforms that has the potential to be a kid’s Final Fantasy VII, but in 2026, it’s a hard sell as kids are steered to other things easily, with attention spans for the average player at an all-time low.
No issues with performance, and I appreciate quality of life features like speeding up combat or instantly beating low level enemies upon contact, showing that the game respects at least some of your time. I see people questioning the new visual doll-like style in Reimagined, but I think it works as it's bright and charming, but most of all it respects Akira Toriyama’s unique art style
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Ubisoft revealed the next season for their tactical FPS Rainbow Six: Siege, and it’s called Operation Silent Hunt, featuring Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
This isn’t the typical collaboration where it’s a skin for an already available Operator in the game, as the new Operator is Solid Snake himself, complete with a unique gadget and weapon to go along with him.
Snake’s Gadget is the Solition Radar MKII
Solid Snake is an Attacker with a gadget that functions similarly to a minimap. This device covers the map layout of the area Snake is currently on, giving out key information he can use or relay to his team. Default cameras can be identified as well as enemy players near his vicinity.
The device uses three threat colors, with green indicating “All Clear” and shifting to “Alert” when a threat is detected. A very useful tool but not completely one sided as Defender gadgets can fool players using Snake thinking it’s all clear or that there’s an enemy nearby. Gadgets like Mute’s jammer can hide a Defender’s location and Alibi’s static holograms of herself can make it look like someone is there.
Snake Also Features On-Site Procurement
Snake isn’t only about the Solition Radar as he has a unique ability called On-Site Procurement (OSP), which essentially allows the Snake player to scavenge a dead player (friend or foe) for one of the five gadgets available to Snake. This effectively gives Snake an additional secondary gadget if he’s able to go to a dead player and scavenge for the utility he’ll need for the current situation.
Snake can scavenge for a frag grenade, stun grenade, smoke grenade, impact grenade, or even a breach charge. It’s also not randomized as Snake can choose what he’ll get when doing OSP on a dead player.
Snake will launch with the PMR9OA2 marksman rifle or the F2 assault rifle as his primary. His secondary is also unique as he’ll have the TACIT .45 pistol, which has an integrated suppressor and reflex sight.
He’s a cool addition and honestly, I’m okay with collaborations like this as permanent additions to the game. My only concern is the unique passive ability for Snake as Rainbow Six seemed to be moving away from unique passive skills from Operators, as they eventually removed Zofia’s self-revive passive, that allows her to slowly pick herself up when down to be revived at 5 HP. We’ll see how it goes but this does add more flavor to an already tactical shooter.
Operation Silent Hunt will also feature a Metal Gear Solid-themed event, various balance changes, modernizing of maps (Villa, Coastline, and Oregon), and more. Silent Hunt goes live on March 3, but the test server for this new season will go live on February 17.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Marathon is moving full speed ahead as Bungie released a new gameplay trailer announcing the game’s first public test - the Server Slam. The event runs from February 26 to March 2 on consoles and PC, featuring full cross-play support.
Purpose of the Server Slam
The name of the public test says it all as Bungie wants to stress-test server loads ahead of launch. It also gives players their first opportunity to try the game without needing access codes.
Servers go live on February 26, 2026 at 10 AM PT and will close on March 2 at 10 AM PT.
Server Slam Content
The Server Slam won’t include the full game, but players can expect the following:
Two maps: Perimeter and Dire Marsh
Opening quests for five Marathon factions
Six Runner shells
Solo queue and proximity chat enabled
Players who participate will be rewarded with a special emblem and player banner, which will be granted at launch.
What Happens at Launch
When the full game releases on March 5, Season 1 begins immediately. It will introduce two additional maps named Outpost and Cryo Archive, alongside full progression trees and mission content for all six factions. Interestingly, the game will also launch with a ranked mode available from day one.
The Server Slam will be an important moment for Bungie, as this marks the first true public test and will likely determine whether the game justifies its premium price of $40 (PHP 1,799).
Marathon has had a rocky start, from the lukewarm reception during its alpha test to Bungie developers being accused of plagiarising art (an issue that has since been resolved). These setbacks are discouraging, but the team appears to be building an interesting world while injecting new ideas into the high-risk gameplay the extraction shooter genre is known for. I’m personally curious to see whether Bungie’s take has a strong enough foundation to sustain a healthy player base in the months ahead.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Blizzard made a strong showing during Diablo’s 30th anniversary spotlight event, announcing that Diablo IV, Diablo Immortal, and Diablo 2: Resurrected are all getting the Warlock class.
The biggest shock? Diablo 2 getting new content.
Warlock DLC Is Now Available in Diablo 2: Resurrected
The Warlock’s arrival in Diablo 2: Resurrected marks the first new class added to the classic game in 25 years. The DLC, titled Reign of the Warlock, is available starting today.
This doesn’t look like an undercooked addition thrown in to appease longtime fans. Blizzard says the class was tested and refined with feedback from some of the most committed players in the community.
The Warlock taps into Diablo’s demonic roots. One branch focuses on summoning, allowing players to call forth a Goatman, a Tainted, and a Defiler as companions. But that’s just one aspect of the class.
Another path lets the Warlock bind himself to a specific demon type, gaining that demon’s abilities and traits. Players can also devour bound demons for temporary combat buffs. Blizzard states that all demon types can be bound, opening up room for experimentation and build variety.
The third branch introduces the hexblade playstyle, where the Warlock summons a floating two-handed weapon while casting chaos spells with his tome.
The DLC is priced at $24.99. Beyond the class itself, it includes new class-specific items, additional runestones, new end-game encounters like the Colossal Ancients, and updates to Terror Zones.
Diablo IV is Getting the Warlock too
Diablo IV also appeared during the spotlight, revealing that Warlock will be the second class introduced in the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion launching on April 28.
More details about this version of the Warlock will be shared during a developer update stream on March 5, where Blizzard plans to take a deeper dive into the class.
The expansion also expands the endgame with two new modes: War Plans and Echoing Hatred.
War Plans Explained
War Plans allows players to create a chain of endgame activities in a single playlist. As you progress through your selected activities, rewards increase in value.
Available activities include:
The Pit
Infernal Hordes
Helltides
Nightmare Dungeons
Lair Bosses
Kurast Undercity
It’s essentially a structured way to grind more efficiently, something Diablo IV’s endgame arguably needed.
Echoing Hatred
Echoing Hatred is a rare event triggered by acquiring an “incredibly rare” item called a Trace of Echoes.
Once activated, players enter an infinite wave-based challenge where difficulty gradually increases. Each run features randomized enemies, making it a test of endurance and build optimization.
Overhauled Skill Tree
One of the more interesting announcements was the overhaul to Diablo IV’s skill tree launching alongside Lord of Hatred.
Blizzard calls it an overhaul, but it feels more like an expansion. Players will be able to modify certain skill properties directly within the tree.
Their example was the Sorcerer’s Hydra skill. Under the new system, players can enhance specific properties, such as increased burning damage or even convert it from a fire Hydra into a frost Hydra.
For further customization, the expansion introduces the Talisman system, allowing players to socket Charms for set bonuses. Charms will start dropping in every activity after unlocking it in the Lords of Hatred expansion. The Horadric Cube will also make its debut in Diablo IV with this expansion.
Diablo Immortal is also getting a Warlock
The free-to-play mobile entry, Diablo Immortal, will also receive the Warlock class between April and June 2026.
Since Immortal takes place between Diablo 2 and Diablo 3, its version of the Warlock will differ mechanically and thematically.
Blizzard described the class as follows:
“The Warlock is brutally powerful and reckless in their destruction. With this power comes a demeanor that leaves her enemies and allies terrified of her intentions. The Warlock uses the long-buried practice of Vizjerei magic and summoned demonic weapons forged in the Burning Hells.”
“Using Vizjerei magic, the Warlock can open portals to hell, carving rifts through reality to summon and command demons. The Warlock wields a demon skull in her main hand, and a sacrificial blade in her offhand.”
This version of the Warlock will also have the ability to summon Soulgorger, a massive beast capable of devouring demons to gain that demon’s traits.
The devs also shared the game’s 2026 roadmap.
Diablo 3 Benched
It’s a lot to process, but it makes sense given the franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
The true showstopper is still Diablo 2 receiving a brand-new class. Few expected Blizzard to invest resources into expanding a 25-year-old title beyond its remaster.
Diablo 3, however, remained quiet. It feels like that entry has been benched for years, clearly showing what their priorites are at the moment.
Still, three active Diablo games receiving major updates is more than most franchises get. Blizzard clearly wants this anniversary to make a solid impact, and I think the Warlock is one way to make sure it does.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Sixteen days after the release of Highguard, developer Wildlight Entertainment announced it had laid off “a number of our team members,” while retaining a core team that will continue supporting the game.
Today we made an incredibly difficult decision to part ways with a number of our team members while keeping a core group of developers to continue innovating on and supporting the game.
We're proud of the team, talent, and the product we've created together. We're also grateful…
No Marketing after Game Awards was the First Red Flag
Reception has been mostly negative. Being revealed at one of 2025’s biggest gaming events didn’t help, as it set high expectations without providing players a chance to engage beforehand. Following The Game Awards showcase, there was little to no marketing, no public test, and minimal community feedback leading up to launch. That’s a risky approach in today’s crowded shooter market.
That was the first red flag in my book. After the reveal, those in charge didn’t capitalize on the attention they had. Eyes were on them, and although the reception of the reveal was lukewarm, silence was not the best strategy. According to SteamDB, Steam saw 97,249 players try the game on day one. Today? The game is struggling to even get a daily player count of 3,000 on the platform. That’s the second red flag.
I played the game at launch and enjoyed it initially. By the second day, though, the excitement faded. Lag issues started cropping up, and over time, it became clear that while the game’s “raid a team’s base and plant an explosive device” mode is interesting, it lacks the depth, tension, and identity that can make players go out of their comfort zone and try something else. It’s engaging in bursts, but it doesn’t feel like a shooter built to make a lasting mark on the genre.
Servers remain online, though player counts continue to decline. The team has added a new map, a new character, and a 5v5 mode in response to player feedback.
Early layoffs mark the third red flag for the game. While a one-year roadmap exists, the combination of declining players, technical issues, and negative sentiment makes this an uphill battle for a live service title, a genre where recovery is hard to pull off.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Capcom is celebrating Monster Hunter Wilds’ first anniversary by giving players a glimpse of the next major update and confirming that the game’s first major expansion is now in development.
There are no further details about the expansion yet, but Capcom did outline what players can expect from the Version 1.041 update launching in February 2026.
Despite the online discourse and the performance issues on PC, it makes sense for Wilds to receive an expansion, especially considering every mainline entry before it eventually got one. Not many will consider Wilds one of the series’ best, but it undeniably sold well. The game hit 10 million units in its first month alone, beating World’s sales numbers, and being crowned the fastest-selling title in Capcom’s history.
If anything, this announcement feels later than expected. Instead of teasing it during the first anniversary, Capcom is only confirming now that development is underway.
1st Year Anniversary Event
To celebrate the game turning one year old, previous in-game festivals will return on a weekly rotation. This gives players another chance to experience each event and earn their associated rewards.
Festival of Accord – Event Schedule (Weekly Rotation)
Blossomdance: February 18 (Wed) – February 25 (Wed)
Flamefete: February 25 (Wed) – March 4 (Wed)
Dreamspell: March 4 (Wed) – March 12 (Thu)
Lumenhymn: March 12 (Thu) – March 19 (Thu)
10-Star Quests
For an added challenge, players over HR 100 can take on a 10-Star Arch-Tempered Arkveld. The event quest for this encounter goes live on February 18 and will later be featured as a free challenge quest starting March 19.
Completing 10-Star quests rewards hunters with Timeworn Charms, which can be appraised into rare-quality talismans, and Battle-Tempered Emblems, used to reinforce Gogma Artian weapons.
Arch-Tempered Arkveld won’t be the only 10-Star encounter. The game’s four apex predator monsters will also receive 10-Star quests, but only after Arkveld has been defeated.
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, players who log in will receive a special item pack, along with a Character Edit Voucher and a Palico Edit Voucher for those who want to change their hunter’s appearance.
Original Weapon and Pendant Design Contest Added
The winning designs from Capcom’s weapon and pendant design contest are now available in-game through a new event quest.
The grand prize weapon design, Shatterseal, is a Greatsword created by Nolan Lu. The winning pendant entry, Meatmergency!, was designed by ikei. Sixteen winners were selected overall, and their names (including the grand prize winner) are now featured in the in-game credits.
The anniversary update also includes a collaboration with the upcoming Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection.
A new side mission tied to the collaboration rewards players with cosmetic items, including themed pendants, Hunter Profile cosmetics, and a Palico armor set that transforms your companion into the art style of the Monster Hunter Stories series.
Another new side mission tasks players with supporting hunter Nadia. Completing it rewards players with Nadia’s armor set.
Monster Hunter Wilds will feature new event quests every week starting February 18. The event quests for the first two weeks of March have yet to be revealed.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Blizzard is making yet another major shift to its live-service hero shooter as Overwatch 2 ditches the “2” and reverts back to simply being called Overwatch. This change comes alongside a new year-long story arc called Reign of Talon, with Season 1 introducing five new heroes, new sub-roles, and more.
Five New Overwatch Heroes
Blizzard is introducing five new characters when Season 1 of Reign of Talon goes live next week, with one of them (Anran) being available via Hero Trial starting today, February 5.
Here’s a breakdown of the new characters and their abilities courtesy of Blizzard.
Domina (Tank)
Heiress and vice president of Vishkar Industries. Though Domina is not a formal member of Talon, a partnership with Vendetta has granted Vishkar Industries lucrative redevelopment rights for territories under Talon control.
Using advanced Vishkar technology, Domina is the first true poke tank since Sigma—an elegant long‑range controller with deadly zone dominance.
Photon Magnum (Primary Fire) - Medium-range beam that culminates in a high impact shot.
Barrier Array - A segmented hard‑light barrier deployed in front of Domina. Each segment must be individually destroyed, creating dynamic defensive angles.
Crystal Charge - Project an explosive crystal and reactivate to denotate it.
Sonic Repulsors - Push enemies back, stunning them if they hit a wall.
Ultimate — Panopticon - Fire a hard-light barrier that imprisons enemies and detonates on expiration.
Passive – Reconstruction - Dealing damage with abilities restores shields.
Emre (Damage)
Emre is a former member of the Overwatch Strike Team. He once stood as an example of Overwatch’s ideals, but as Overwatch lost sight of its mission, Emre chose to leave. Freja tracked him down and discovered that his body has been altered with cybernetic modifications. His mind appears to be in conflict; sometimes he behaves like the person he once was, and other times he seems detached.
Now aligned with Vendetta, Emre brings a fast-paced, run‑and‑gun damage style.
Take Aim (Secondary Fire) - Hold to zoom in, tightening accuracy and increasing fall off range.
Siphon Blaster - Temporarily wield a semi-automatic pistol with life stealing explosive rounds. Move faster and jump higher while wielded.
Cyber Frag - Throw a grenade that detonates shortly after bouncing.
Ultimate — Override Protocol - An override initiates, transforming you into a living weapon. Fires rapid explosive blasts or charged mega‑shots capable of wiping teams.
Passive – Altered Vitals - Passive health regeneration activates sooner and instantly restores 30 health when activated.
Mizuki (Support)
Mizuki is a member of the Hashimoto clan, which is aligned with Talon. He has endured years of misfortune and pressure within the clan’s hierarchy. Some believe he may not be suited for the life he has been raised into, but through dedication and influence from senior clan members, he has become a key player. Mizuki has been tasked with infiltrating the Yokai near Kanezaka, but there is concern that he may be influenced by them or potentially drawn to Overwatch.
Spirit Glaive (Primary Fire) - Throw a spinning blade that can bounce off walls, impact enemies and rapidly deal damage.
Healing Kasa - Throw your hat to heal an ally, bouncing to nearby allies and healing you when it returns.
Katashiro Return - Leap forward, leaving behind a paper doll. Reactivate to return and gain increased movement speed while active.
Binding Chain - Launch a tethering chain that hinders the first enemy hit.
Ultimate — Kekkai Sanctuary - Create a sanctuary that heals allies and absorbs enemy projectiles from outside the area.
Passive – Remedy Aura - Heals nearby allies. Healing scales with resources generated by dealing damage and healing.
Anran (Damage)
The older sister of Wuyang, Anran harnesses the power of Fire when in the heat of battle. She is confident and hardworking, holding others to the standards she maintains for herself. Anran joins Overwatch with the intent to save the world and to keep Wuyang out of trouble.
Zhuque Fans (Primary Fire) - Hand fans that shoot fiery projectiles.
Fan the Flames (Secondary Fire) - Hot wind blast that amplifies burning damage.
Inferno Rush - Propel yourself forward and damage enemies you impact.
Dancing Blaze - Strike nearby enemies while dodging all damage.
Ultimate — Vermillion Ascent (Alive) - Charge forward, exploding on impact and instantly igniting enemies.
Ultimate — Vermillion Revival (Dead) - When dead, revive yourself in a fiery explosion.
Passive – Ignition - Hit enemies with fire attacks to burn them.
Jetpack Cat (Support)
Yup. Jetpack Cat is finally joining the lineup.
Found as a stray in Gibraltar, little is known about Jetpack Cat other than how dangerous she is in fights, with quick reflexes and a kit befitting a feline Hero.
Biotic Pawjectiles (Primary Fire) - Mid‑range projectile spread that heals allies and damages enemies.
Lifeline - Toggle into transport mode, allowing an ally to be towed. Increases movement speed and heals your ally.
Frenetic Flight - Accelerate in your movement direction. Fuel recovery is slower while carrying another player.
Purr - Pulsing area heal that increases in frequency over time. Knockback nearby enemies when activated.
Ultimate — Catnapper - Dive towards a ground location, knocking down enemies and tethering the nearest one to you.
Passive – Jetpack - Permanent flight.
Overwatch Adding Sub-roles
The new season isn’t just about new heroes and a new story arc, they are also deepening the roles of each hero in the game through what they are calling sub-roles.
Tank Role
BRUISER: Reduces critical damage received. While at critical health, gain movement speed.
RECON: You detect enemies below half health through walls after damaging them.
Echo / Freja / Pharah / Sombra
Support Role
TACTICIAN: You can gain excess ultimate charge, which carries over after using your ultimate ability.
Ana / Baptiste / Jetpack Cat / Lucio / Zenyatta
MEDIC: Healing allies with your weapon also heals you.
Kiriko / Lifeweaver / Mercy / Moira
SURVIVOR: Using a movement ability activates passive health regeneration.
Brigitte / Illari / Juno / Mizuki / Wuyang
Conquest Meta Event will be 5 Weeks Long
The new season will also come with a 5-week meta event where the Overwatch community can pick to side with either Overwatch or Talon. This results in players completing missions tied to the game’s ongoing story, as the faction with the most missions completed will be rewarded at the end of the event. Thankfully, you are not locked into one faction after picking a side.
This event will feature these rewards:
75 Base Lootboxes
12 Epic Lootboxes
7 Legendary Lootboxes
9 new Voice Lines
31 2D Cosmetics
2 Weapon Charms
1 of 2 faction-themed Legendary Echo skins
Exclusive new Rare, Epic and Legendary titles (and a secret hidden one!)
The new season also includes a UI/UX update following the removal of the sequel branding, a competitive reset with unique rewards, and a large batch of new cosmetics. This includes a new Mercy Mythic Skin, with a Mei Mythic arriving mid-season.
Overwatch 2026 Roadmap
Blizzard also shared a glimpse of the game’s roadmap, promising a new hero for each of the next three seasons following Season 1’s launch on February 10, 2026.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Xbox has revealed wave 1 of PC and Xbox Game Pass titles for February 2026. This batch features 11 titles.
Xbox and PC Game Pass for February 2026 Wave 1 - Notable Picks for this Month
The most notable addition this month is High on Life 2, a new wacky shooter that once again leans into talking alien guns and offbeat humor that made the original stand out.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is also worth highlighting, giving players a chance to experience the first game before jumping into its sequel, which is one that many considered game of the year material.
We also have Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, which sticks closely to Ubisoft’s familiar open-world formula. It’s not going to change anyone’s mind on that design philosophy, but it’s a solid experience if you’re already on board with it.
Here’s the full list.
February 2026 Game Pass Games – Wave 2
Available Today
Final Fantasy II (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Coming Soon
February 5
Madden NFL 26 (Cloud, Console, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
February 10
Relooted (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
February 12
BlazBlue Entropy Effect X (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Roadside Research (Game Preview) (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Starsand Island (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – February 12 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
February 13
High On Life 2 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Kingdom Come Deliverance (Cloud, Console, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
February 17
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Avowed (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Games Leaving Game Pass on February 15
Onlyone game is scheduled to be removed from Xbox Game Pass on
Madden NFL 24 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Is this a strong list to start February?
Missed the second half of January 2026 for Xbox Game Pass? Here’s what was added in wave 2.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Resident Evil Village wears its RE4 inspirations on its sleeves, from the general vibe of the setting to the way the inventory works. Buying and selling items is also present in this series entry, and if players want to stock up on supplies or upgrade their gear, they'll need plenty of Lei. Selling treasures is the best way to get money in Resident Evil Village, and thankfully, they're all marked on the player's map. However, in the case of the Treasure Under the Stronghold, map markers alone won't get you any closer to its location.
Developed by Wishes Ultd., Greg Lobanov, Alexis Dean-Jones, Lena Raine, Madeline Berger, and A Shell in the Pit, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top-down adventure game in a coloring book world full of vibrant, animal-like characters. In the world of Picnic Province, Chicory, superstar artist and wielder of the Brush, is missing, and all the color in the land vanished with her. As Chicory's biggest fan, players are tasked with picking up the Brush and filling in for her, using their newfound painting powers to explore, solve puzzles, make friends, and draw on anything. It's the perfect blend of The Legend of Zelda's iconic puzzle-solving progression and Animal Crossing's cozy charm, and yet it is still somehow one of the gaming industry's best-kept secrets.
HIGH Memorable characters and a clever combat mechanic.
LOW Enemies are frequently weak against words the player hasn’t found.
WTF But… what about the tournament?
Ringo is a typical 14-year-old kid. She tries to be fiercely independent, but is capable of great love and loyalty. She’s headstrong, lazy, snarky, and apparently doesn’t bathe enough. She’s also tremendously good at kicking people in the face.
Ringo dreams of two things — finding her missing brother, and someday winning the Kiai Tournament, which is the ultimate martial arts spectacle/competition/game show in the known universe.
When a mysterious ship bearing the ne’er do well Wolfe crash-lands on her planet, Ringo discovers that she carries part of the fabled Wanderstar map, which may give her both the answers she seeks and the training she needs to meet both her goals… provided evil pirates don’t get her first.
Wander Stars could be coarsely summed up as a menu-driven RPG featuring anime-inspired visuals that are a love letter to Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball), but it’s so much more than that.
For starters, when I say “menu-driven RPG,” I’m sure many will immediately picture something where players are given options to Fight, Run, Use, or Magic on opponents ad nauseum for dozens, if not hundreds of hours. Wander Stars does indeed use menus, but… not like that.
During combat, Ringo is provided with a certain number of slots where the player can place words to use for attack, defense, and modifiers, with some words taking up more of those slots than others.
For example, “Kick” does a limited amount of damage, but only takes up one word slot, while “Dropkick” does more damage, but takes up more slots.
During her journey, Ringo also learns modifiers that can increase damage or hasten a word’s cooldown time, allowing it to be used again sooner. She also learns environmental effects which can do more damage, provide buffs, or cause status effects like “blind”.
When it all comes together, Ringo may choose to perform something multipart and fancy like a “Super Fire Dropkick” on her foe, causing massive damage. It sounds complicated, but it becomes second nature almost immediately.
What’s trickier (and takes more time to master) is the other amazing trick Wander Stars’ combat has up its sleeve — the goal in every fight is not to knock opponents’ health to zero, but instead, to get them to surrender.
Each enemy has a hit point range (near death) in which they’ll immediately give up. Beating them down but then allowing foes to leave the field with their dignity intact awards Honor points, which are then used to teach Ringo more words, improve health, and give more word slots for combat.
Accomplishing this is easier said than done, though. Every opponent’s range is different, and while Wander Stars tells the player exactly how much damage a move is capable of, it doesn’t mention weaknesses and resistances until a word is used — think “Not Very Effective” or “Super Effective” from the combat in Pokemon.
Discovering how to determine a baddie’s weaknesses and then making sure not to knock them out completely is a challenge, and it turns combat from simply clicking on words into choosing the right phrase at the right time. As a result, these fights are tense in a way I’ve never experienced in an RPG of this type.
So the combat lands, but what about the script? The story delves into heady topics such as love, loss, trauma, regret and sacrifice, while maintaining a sense of wonder and a healthy dose of humor along with the introspection.
In an homage to many famous JRPGs, the cast of Wander Stars is a motley crew of lost souls who come together using the power of friendship to thwart a great evil. While that sounds cliché, clever writing and witty banter gives the narrative immense charm. I found myself moved by Ringo’s drive to rebuild her lost family, and Wolfe’s checkered past hides a heart that has been broken beyond measure by his choices.
It’s a credit to the writing team that the story never falls into melodrama, and they know exactly when and how to change the mood with a quick joke or a poignant peek into a character’s psyche. I can’t describe it in any more detail without risking spoilers, but it’s fantastic — my only complaints about the script are that the story ends too soon, and the ending feels like setup for a sequel. Otherwise, the narrative is superb.
My biggest complaint, and frankly the only thing preventing me from giving Wander Stars a higher rating, is the fact that in addition to being a turn-based RPG, it also has roguelike elements which mean the adventure is designed to be played in multiple runs. It’s fully expected that players complete each of the “episodes” more than once, so Ringo can unlock more words to use in later runs. The problem is that many enemies are only weak against words Ringo may not learn until much later in the campaign, often making the combat more difficult than it needs to be, especially against bosses that have ridiculous amounts of health and must be completely defeated — bosses never surrender.
That aside, Wander Stars is one of — if not the best — games I’ve played this year. It is equal parts hilarious, touching, exciting, and clever. The interactions between characters and even the enemies is consistently moving or delightful, the combat is sharp and challenging, and the art style is top-notch. It’s a must-play, but just be prepared for a bit of a grind and know that it might be tough to find exactly the right words to do the job.
Disclosures: This game is developed by Paper Castle Games and published by Fellow Traveller. It is currently available on XBX/S, PS5, PC, and Switch. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the XBX. Approximately 22 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. There are no multiplayer modes.
Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated T and contains Fantasy Violence, Language, Use of Tobacco. The game implies violence against humanoid and non-humanoid creatures. All violence is stylized, and all damage received by characters is cartoonish in nature such as large bumps on the head, or comically swollen eyes. S— is used early and often in dialogue. The storyline features a self-sacrifice of a character which may be triggering for some. Parents may wish to use caution in allowing children to experience the game based on these two factors.
Colorblind Modes: There are nocolorblind modes available.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: This game offers subtitles. The subtitles cannot be altered and/or resized. However, the UI titles can be re-colored for accessibility purposes, and the delay around subtitles can be changed as well. All dialogue is handled via subtitles. All audio cues are accompanied by a visual component. This game is fully accessible.
Remappable Controls: Yes, the controls can be remapped.
ZeniMax Online Studios has officially revealed what to expect from The Elder Scrolls Online in 2026, and there are some major changes coming to the MMORPG this year.
Elder Scrolls Online – The Beginning of Seasons
ZeniMax is making the full transition to seasonal content this year. Each season will feature a distinct theme and run for three months. The new structure begins with Season Zero: Dawn and Dusk, launching on April 2, 2026, across all platforms.
Each season can include a mix of new content, such as a new zone, dungeon, storyline, and even new classes, skill lines, or additional systems.
What sets seasons apart is that all seasonal content will be added to the base game for free. There will be no additional cost tied directly to seasonal content.
Instead, ZeniMax is introducing its take on a battle pass system called Tamriel Tomes, which will run alongside each season. As expected, Tamriel Tomes will include both a free rewards track and a premium track.
Weekly in-game challenges will allow players to progress through Tamriel Tomes more quickly.
Premium Track and ESO Plus Subscribers
Unfortunately, ESO Plus subscribers will not automatically receive access to the premium track of a season’s Tamriel Tome. Instead, subscribers earn one token for every 12 months of active subscription, which can be used to unlock a premium track of their choosing.
Season Zero: Dawn and Dusk
The first season of 2026 will launch simultaneously on PC and consoles this April and will conclude on July 8, 2026.
Dawn and Dusk introduces a new limited-time event zone called The Night Market, located in Fargrave within the Oblivion realm. This marks ESO’s first-ever event zone and will be available for seven weeks, featuring challenging PvE encounters and exclusive rewards.
Players will choose one of three unique factions and experience new stories, characters, quests, and even new in-game home rewards tied to the event.
Because The Night Market is limited-time content, ZeniMax confirmed that similar event zones will return in future seasons. This gives players another chance if they missed the event or want to experience it again with a different faction.
Update 49 Launches on March 9
Ahead of the first season, Update 49 launches on March 9 and focuses heavily on quality-of-life improvements. ZeniMax is addressing long-standing player requests, including free skill and attribute respecs directly from the UI, faster riding skill progression, increased furnishing limits, and more.
Combat and Class Changes
Update 49 and Season Zero will also bring notable combat adjustments and class refreshes. During the first season, the Dragonknight class will be the primary focus, receiving visual updates across several abilities along with reworks to its core skill lines.
The Two-Handed weapon skill line is also getting a visual refresh, and Werewolves will see visual improvements later in the season, including the addition of a female werewolf model.
PvP is receiving attention as well, with the introduction of the Vengeance PvP Progression system. This new system allows players to rank up, earn rewards, and unlock unique passive abilities through PvP play.
Season Zero and Beyond
ZeniMax also shared a broader look at ESO’s 2026 roadmap, confirming plans for both Season One and Season Two.
Season One Includes:
New system: Sage’s Vault
Multi-stage cooperative events (dynamic world events)
New in-game event: High Seas of Tamriel
New Trial: Crimson Veldt
Warden class refresh (visual and balance improvements)
Season Two Includes:
Return of The Night Market event zone
Solo Dungeons: Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices
Large-scale world events in Skyrim (dynamic storms)
Sorcerer class refresh (visual and balance improvements)
Greymoor DLC added to the base game
In 2024, ZeniMax moved away from traditional annual expansions and shifted toward seasonal content in 2025, featuring two major drops through a paid content pass. They also finally added subclassing last year. Now, in 2026, the studio is committing fully to a seasonal structure.
From what I’m seeing, this looks like ZeniMax’s attempt to make The Elder Scrolls Online more accessible to newcomers and returning players. Picking up the 2025 premium content pass now grants access to previous expansions, making it easier to catch up without feeling buried by years of content.
Seasons, meanwhile, seem designed to strengthen the base game as they roll out, rather than endlessly expanding the backlog for new players. Whether this approach actually works is another question. The 2025 content plan didn’t land particularly well for its community, and it remains to be seen if this seasonal model will fare any better.
For a full rundown of everything planned, you can see the official 2026 reveal below.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
