PC gamers have almost too many options when it comes to titles to play, which is a great problem to have. With decades of games to choose from (and the first port of call for most indie titles, too), the options are endless. You also get the perks of (nearly always flawless) backward compatibility and console-beating graphical performance — if you've got the coin for it when you’re building your perfect kit or picking up a high-powered gaming laptop. The whole idea of what a gaming PC is and where you can play it is shifting, too, with the rise of handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck. We've tried to be broad with our recommendations here on purpose; here are the best PC games you can play right now.

Best PC games to play right now

The whimsical VR flight adventure, Kid Pilot, has officially landed on the Meta Quest store, offering virtual reality enthusiasts an opportunity to take to the skies in a game that merges childhood imagination with immersive technology. Originally launched for PCVR users on Steam, Kid Pilot is now set to captivate a broader audience with its unique blend of accessible gameplay and challenging flight mechanics.

A Nostalgic Take on Virtual Flight

Kid Pilot draws inspiration from the simple joy of childhood play, placing players in the cockpit of a virtual aircraft that mimics the experience of flying a toy plane. Don’t be deceived by its playful aesthetic, though—this game is designed to challenge both casual players and experienced pilots. With intuitive controls that respond to the flick of a wrist, Kid Pilot offers an engaging physics-based flight adventure where manoeuvring through obstacles and performing aerial tricks is all part of the fun.

Explore Vibrant Worlds

The game’s journey takes players through a series of colourful environments, each filled with unique challenges. From navigating lush rainforests to dodging volcanic eruptions, Kid Pilot offers a variety of landscapes that test the player’s flying skills. Each stage is designed to gradually increase in difficulty, pushing players to master the game’s mechanics as they progress. Along the way, players can unlock new planes, maps, and rewards that enhance the overall experience.

Features That Lift Off

• Intuitive Controls: Pilot your aircraft using simple hand gestures, allowing for multi-directional flight that feels both natural and immersive.
• Expansive Exploration: Earn badges and unlock new content as you conquer different stages, discovering new planes and maps that expand your horizons.
• Challenging Gameplay: From obstacle courses to boss battles, Kid Pilot offers a range of challenges that require skillful flying and quick reflexes.
• Immersive Environments: Enjoy 360° VR environments that transport you to vibrant, imaginative worlds where adventure awaits at every turn.

The post Kid Pilot Soars onto Meta Quest appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Riot Games has officially launched Valorant on Xbox Series X|S, marking the tactical shooter’s debut on console platforms in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Brazil. As of August 2, 2024, Xbox players can now experience the same intense, team-based gameplay that has captivated millions on PC.

Valorant on Xbox Series X|S brings the full competitive experience to the console, offering precise gunplay, a diverse roster of agents with unique abilities, and maps designed for strategic, round-based combat. However, to ensure that the game maintains its high standard for competitive integrity, cross-play between PC and console players is not available.

Despite this, Riot Games has ensured that both PC and console players will receive simultaneous updates, including patch balances, new agents, maps, and premium content, keeping the experience consistent across platforms.

Arnar Gylfason, Production Director of Valorant, expressed confidence in the console release: “We’ve received so much valuable feedback from players during Limited Beta, and feel confident to deliver on our gameplay promise for console players.”

For more information on VALORANT and how to get started on Xbox Series X|S, visit the official VALORANT website.

The post Valorant Now on Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Warner Bros. Games has unveiled the official “Welcome Students” pre-order trailer for Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, giving fans their first look at the highly anticipated gameplay. The trailer highlights the game’s single-player Career Mode and Online Competitive Mode, showcasing the character creator and featuring iconic characters such as Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy. Additionally, fans get a glimpse of the Quidditch World Cup Stadium and other magical arenas set in well-known wizarding world locations.

Bloody Pre-Orders…

For those stupid enough to re-order the digital editions of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). The game is priced at £24.99 for the Digital Standard Edition and £34.99 for the Digital and Physical Deluxe Editions. Pre-ordering the game will reward players with the Firebolt Supreme Broom Skin.

Spend More Money on the Deluxe Edition

The Deluxe Edition includes the base game and several exclusive items:

Slytherin House Pack:

• Slytherin Stormrider Hurricane Broom Skin
• Slytherin Hogwarts Travel School Uniform
• Slytherin House Crest Emblem

Hufflepuff House Pack:

• Hufflepuff Stormrider Sandstorm Broom Skin
• Hufflepuff Hogwarts Travel School Uniform
• Hufflepuff House Crest Emblem

Ravenclaw House Pack:

• Ravenclaw Stormrider Cyclone Broom Skin
• Ravenclaw Hogwarts Travel School Uniform
• Ravenclaw House Crest Emblem

Gryffindor House Pack:

• Gryffindor Stormrider Firestorm Broom Skin
• Gryffindor Hogwarts Travel School Uniform
• Gryffindor House Crest Emblem

The Deluxe Edition also includes 2,000 gold to spend in-game, which can only be earned through gameplay progression.

When does it arrive?

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions will be available on September 3, 2024, for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) in both Digital Standard and Deluxe Editions. The Physical Deluxe Edition will be available on November 8, 2024, for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One. The Nintendo Switch system edition is slated for a 2024 Holiday release. Players can check with their preferred retailers for pre-order availability for the Physical Deluxe Editions.

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SEO Description: Warner Bros. Games reveals the first gameplay trailer for Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. Pre-order now for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. Available on Sept. 3, 2024.

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Sweet Bandits Studios and Tripwire Presents have announced the launch of the Summer Splash update and a limited-time event for their multiplayer FPS game, DECEIVE INC. The update brings a variety of enhancements and features, while the accompanying event runs from July 25th to August 29th, offering players unique rewards and challenges.

Summer Splash Event & Rewards

The Summer Splash event introduces a unique storyline where players must thwart the Evenson twins’ scheme of smuggling prototype weapons disguised as water guns within their summer fashion collection. Players can collect new posters, prototype weapons, and weapon crates to earn points and unlock 15 levels of summer-themed cosmetics. A new catwalk feature on all maps allows players to strut their stuff as VIPs, earning massive point payoffs to accelerate their progress.

New Echelon Ranks

High-echelon levels now come with prestigious rewards. Players reaching rank 10 unlock a “Golden Echelon” agent skin, rank 30 offers a unique ink for weapons and gadgets, rank 50 provides a “Platinum Echelon” agent skin, and rank 100 rewards the dazzling “Diamond Echelon” skins. These exclusive skins and inks are available for all agents and signify dedication and hard work.

Enhanced Melee Combat

Responding to community feedback, the melee combat system has undergone significant improvements. The updates include under-the-hood reworks and visual enhancements to ensure melee combat is more consistent. Melee attacks are now stealthier, triggering responses only from NPCs or guards in the immediate vicinity, and rumble support has been added for melee attacks when using a controller.

New Celebration Features

Defeating opponents more than 10 levels higher will now reward players with bonus experience and a special celebratory message. Future updates will include additional celebration options to ensure every victory is recognised.

Retinal Scanners

A new feature, Retinal Scanners, offers an alternative method for accessing vaults. Players must gather intel to unlock the scanners, which become active after seven minutes. Any agent can deposit intel to contribute towards unlocking the scanner, with the price decreasing as the phase progresses. Once fully unlocked, only a VIP’s eyes can open the vault door, adding new strategic layers to the gameplay.

Bots 2.0

The capabilities of in-game bots have been significantly expanded, making them more active in accomplishing objectives. Bots can now trigger progress through each phase of a mission and even extract with the package.

Additional Improvements

The update includes server improvements, weapon visual alignment, bug fixes, and balancing changes. Full patch notes detailing all balance changes and bug fixes are available.

The post Dive Into DECEIVE INC.’s Summer Splash Update appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

27 years ago, I returned home to Australia after two long years living in the USA. I was twelve years old, and my family was re-establishing roots in our old home. One of the first things we did was buy a new computer, with the help of my cousin. My dad only needed something simple for work, but my cousin had priced up a rig with me in mind too. It was a Pentium II 233 MHz, with 128 MB of RAM, a huge 20 GB hard drive, S3 VGA card and a 3dfx Voodoo 3d accelerator.

This was the era of demo discs - gaming magazines almost always came with one taped to the front, packed with the latest demos of new and upcoming games. Many retailers, keen to capture a slice of the growing games market of the Dotcom Boom, also released their own software compilations, usually available at the cash register in store. One of the largest home and appliance retailers in Australia then (and still to this day) was Harvey Norman, and for a brief period in 1997, Harvey Norman stores carried "Harvey Norman: The CD-ROM".

I don't recall exactly how I came into possession of this CD - it's possible that it came with our new computer, or that my childhood friend down the road had brought it by. I recall that my cousin had installed Civilization II on the computer, but other than that, my only access to games, for a while, was the demos on this disc - and what a selection of demos it was.

The thing about demo discs that often gets forgotten is how brilliant they were at exposing gamers to a broad variety of games. In the days before digital distribution, social media, YouTube and Twitch, exposure to games and gaming news was mostly limited to a handful of early gaming websites and monthly gaming magazines. There were no Let's Play videos to watch - the only way you knew if you were going to like a game was if you had read a review, played it on a friend's computer, or tried the demo.

The Harvey Norman CD-ROM was a crash course in gaming tastes. Raptor, Death Rally, Need for Speed II, Wipeout 2097, Quake, Blood, MDK, KKND, X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, Diablo, Fallout - this demo disc perfectly captured the zeitgeist of late 90s PC gaming, and was foundational in broadening my gaming palette and exposing me to genres and games that I would not have otherwise played.

Like many others, I voraciously consumed demo discs like this every month, trying out every game I could to see which ones I could ask for at Christmas or my birthday. Shortly after settling back into our old home, I was buying monthly issues of PC PowerPlay magazine and methodically working my way through their demos every month.

While those PC PowerPlay demo discs provided many fond memories and exposed me to a vast cross-section of late 90s and early 2000s gaming, I had always placed the Harvey Norman CD-ROM on a pedestal in my memories. This was my first exposure to Fallout, and my first real foray into RPGs outside of Ultima. This was my first experience of Need for Speed, Quake, Diablo and Blood. Hornet 3.0 and F-22 Lightning II were my first combat flight simulators. Two of my favourite games in my youth had been LucasArts' X-Wing and the incredible sequel, TIE Fighter, and X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter was a big leap forward in fidelity and into the world of multiplayer.

So cherished were my memories of this CD, that I had even falsely attributed it as the source of other beloved demos ("Remembering Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II" and "Remembering Rocket Jockey") - where I found those demos, I'm not sure, but my hazy memories of the era told me that of course it was this Harvey Norman CD.

The CD was more than just memories of demos, however. As I have discussed previously, my father was not computer literate, and he didn't really "get" games. But I never stopped trying to share my beloved hobby with him. My dad was an avid golfer, and it was an activity I often joined him on. So, when I saw the demo for Jack Nicklaus 4 on the demo disc, I of course introduced him to the game. Dad had this demo installed on his computer for many years, and he probably played the three-hole demo hundreds of times. Years later, he was still playing it, and the image of him sitting at the computer playing the Jack Nicklaus 4 demo is burned into my brain.

At some point in the early 2000s, the Harvey Norman CD-ROM ended up in a box somewhere, or perhaps went in the bin. I'd long since upgraded my computer and moved on to more modern games. The rise of digital distribution via Steam and rapid growth of the Internet had begun to chip away at the dominance of print media like gaming magazines. I was growing up. I had stopped spending my money on games magazines and started spending it on beer, rent and petrol. I could rely on YouTube to gauge whether I wanted to purchase a game. Before long, the era of demo discs was a distant but cherished memory.

It was about ten years ago, during the rise of indie games and the nostalgia boom of remasters, that I started to pay more heed to these memories. I wanted to find those old demo discs, load them up and relive happy, carefree days. But the Harvey Norman CD-ROM was long gone. In 2013, I got in touch with Harvey Norman customer service to ask whether they had an archive of demo CDs, but to no avail. They had thought I was searching for the actual games themselves, but after clarifying that I was looking for the demo disc, they told me they had no archived copies.

I tried again a few years later, this time through various Facebook groups, with no success. Then, again, I tried, about five years ago on the r/Australia subreddit, and two years ago in the r/Melbourne subreddit (Melbourne being my home town). That was the closest I came - one of the responses to my post on the r/Melbourne subreddit directed me to a 1995 Harvey Norman demo CD on the Internet Archive, but this was unfortunately the wrong one. I had all but given up hope. Unless the disc showed up in an old storage container somewhere, I simply had to accept the fact that this would remain nothing more than a memory.

A few weeks ago, I was tinkering with 86box, emulating a Windows 98 PC in order to get some old software running for a SUPERJUMP story. As I tend to do when tinkering with old software and hardware, I soon found myself distracted by nostalgic segues, such as installing After Dark screensavers or playing old games like Hover!. In this nostalgic mindset, I thought once again of the Harvey Norman CD-ROM, and decided to have another try at tracking it down. This time, I'd post on the Whirlpool Forums, a well-known Australian computing forum. If I was going to get my answer anywhere, it would be there.

I began writing my post, explaining what I could remember of the demo disc, when and where I had obtained it. I linked a video of the Harvey Norman jingle that would play in the intro video. For clarity, I wanted to provide a link to that other 1995 Harvey Norman demo CD that the r/Melbourne subreddit had sent me to, and specify that this was not the CD I was looking for. So, to find the link, I went to the Internet Archive and searched "Harvey Norman".

But wait. My search had yielded two results.

Staring back at me from the Internet Archive search results was that familiar rose-gold disc - Harvey Norman: The CD-ROM. Surely this couldn't be real? Is this the right disc? Where did it come from? When was it uploaded?

Hands shaking, I clicked the link, and saw that the disc image had been uploaded on 25 July 2023. I immediately downloaded the file and fired up my 86box Windows 98 virtual machine. I loaded the disc image. I waited. And then it began. That horrendous Harvey Norman jingle imprinted in my mind. The spinning image of the demo disc. The splash screen with the Fallout power armour and the F/A-18 Hornet firing a missile. I smiled in astonishment at the screen, overcome with joy. Tears welled up in my eyes, and the memories came flooding back. Sitting with my best friend, racing around the Pacifica track in Need for Speed II. Laying sticks of dynamite around the town in Outlaws. Watching a gang member get torn to shreds by the minigun in Fallout. Playing Quake Episode 1 over and over again.

Nostalgia is a strange thing. In my mind, I had attributed so much importance to this simple little disc. Hours of my life had been dedicated to it, replaying each demo dozens of times. It had fostered my interest in more than a few game series. There was never any possibility that revisiting it in 2024 could live up to the memories I had attributed to it. But, for a brief few moments, 27 years later, I was 12 years old again....

Ground Up International has announced a brand-new collaboration with the globally beloved game, Minecraft. Just in time for the back-to-school season, this exclusive collection of Minecraft-themed shoes is now available exclusively at Journey Kidz nationwide. These shoes bring the adventurous spirit and creativity of Minecraft to life, featuring iconic characters and vibrant game-inspired designs. Perfect…

The post Ground Up Unveils Exclusive Minecraft Shoe Collection appeared first on Invision Game Community.

During Gamescom Opening Night Live, it was revealed the Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass will include a DLC boss fight with Joker from Persona 5.

Take a look at a teaser for the battle below:

The pass will include the DLC Episode Aigis: The Answer, which was part of Persona 3 FES back in 2007. The Answer takes place after the best ending of Persona 3 Reload. The SEES team sees itself stuck at the dorm in a time loop. A new character Metis shows up to join forces, who is a robot like Aegis. It sounds just like the plot of Happy Death Day.

In addition, a Challenge Battle with Joker will be available. It looks like he wields Arsène and other Personas to make your fight against him a living nightmare. If you played Persona 5 Royal, you would know these Challenge Battles are nothing new. In that title, you could face off against the protagonists of Persona 3 and Persona 4. Maybe we will see a scuffle between the future hero of Persona 6 against the cast of Persona 4 whenever that game gets remade.

The Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass will launch on September 10.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Firaxis Games studio in Sparks, Maryland, where I got to learn more about the studio behind the monumental turn-based strategy franchise as well as get a few hours of hands-on time with the upcoming Sid Meier's Civilization VII. It was great to see such a passionate team of developers pridefully showcase the next installment in the beloved franchise. As a Maryland native myself, I've always felt like Maryland game studios simply do things differently, and in a good way. And my roughly three hours of hands-on playtime with Civilization 7 only furthered that sentiment.

History Comes in Layers

Creative Director of the Civilization franchise, Ed Beach, has been at Firaxis Games for over a decade. He kicked off our hands-on preview by telling us about the vision for Civilization 7. Instead of just making "another Civilization" game, the team instead chose a new element of focus: History Comes in Layers. Beach described this vision as akin to what we see in historical locations throughout the world. As new empires laid claim to various settlements and cities throughout the world, they would often simply build over what used to be there, still leaving behind remnants and glimpses of the past while replacing it with new ideas and technologies.

To create that same element of building on the past—history in layers—Civilization 7 features an all-new three-stage Age system: The Age of Antiquity, the Age of Exploration, and The Modern Age. A full campaign in Civilization 7 will expand across these three ages, allowing the player to change their Civilization at the start of each new wave. Oh, and for the first time ever, players will be able to choose their Leader separately from their Civilization at the start of the game. That's right, you can lead an Egyptian empire as Benjamin Franklin.

The four classic Legacy paths will remain throughout each Age. That is Science, Economics, Culture, and Military, which are the victory conditions traditionally available in Civilization. The choices and actions you make in each Age will decide which civilization you can change to as you transition into each Age. So while you may start off as a culture or science-focused civilization, if you find yourself engaging in a lot of wars due to pesky neighbors you may end up unlocking a more war-driven civilization when you reach the next Age.

It almost feels as if each Age will be sort of its own contained game inside a bigger overarching one. That being said, in my limited hands-on time I only got to experience the Antiquity Age, so I never got to see what civilizations I unlocked based on my actions.

Sprawling cities

The History in Layers mantra of Civilization 7 really shines through the progression of your cities as you advance through the game and build up your city. Builders are no longer a unit in Civilization, nor are the pre-defined districts you could build in Civilization 6. Instead, you will have Rural areas that feature the improvements you make to the nearby city, while Urban districts allow you to build up to two buildings per hex.

Of course, the visuals of the city will change as you plop down these new entities, molding your city into its ultimate vision as you continue to add and build upon it as it spreads outwards. Because my hands-on time only explored the Antiquity age, I didn't get to see what sort of changes would happen when moving towards a completely different civilization, but I can only imagine it will further enforce History in Layers.

Another big change that I actually found really promising is that you can choose to keep a Town as a Town, rather than progressing it into an actual City. Doing so allows you to give the town a specific specialization, granting it buffs while focusing on a specific task. For example, a Mining Town will get production bonuses while a Farming Town will get bonuses for food production and growth.

You can then use these towns, and the Luxury Resources surrounding them, to funnel back into your city and boost it even further. It's a unique gameplay loop on expanding which is a big part of Civilization, and I'm excited to see what players who are much better than me end up doing once they've gotten a hold of the new system.

Combat is all about Commanders

Another big change is how Military Leaders, and more importantly experience from combat, work in Civilization 7. In previous entries in the franchise, each unit gained experience after combat. You could then train or purchase various generals that would provide buffs when near certain units, but they would not gain experience.

In Civilization 7, basic combat units no longer get experience. Instead, Commanders gain experience based on the combat performed by units around them. Through experience, they will level up and gain access to buffs that are also then applied to the units around them.

Furthermore, you can link or stack units into a Commander, move them across the battlefield as one single entity, and then deploy the units as necessary on the frontline. It's actually a massive change to how combat will work in Civilization, and as someone who is a more casual enjoyer of the series, I found the change to be a good one both from a quality-of-life perspective and also in terms of gameplay.

I typically often go more into Culture, Science, or Economics when I play Civilization, simply because I've never been a huge fan of the combat. But in the campaign I played, despite choosing an economic culture-favored civilization, I found myself really getting into the combat and for sure would have transitioned towards a military-favored civilization had I reached the next age.

A Promising Step Forward

With a game like Civilization, three hours is certainly not enough time to get a full grasp of the game. In fact, for a casual Civ player like myself, I might have only been halfway or so into the first of the three Ages. But the systems and elements I did get to experience—the new combat experience and Commanders, mixing Civilizations with Leaders, specializing Towns, or turning them into cities—all felt like solid meaningful changes to the Civilization franchise.

In the end, this is still Civilization. The same historical immersion and strategic depth we've come to expect from the turn-based strategy game across its many many hexagons are still very much front and center. But instead of just pushing out a prettier Civ game, Firaxis Games seems to be walking the perfect balance of adding new, impactful features and systems while being careful not to disrupt the Civilization formula that many have come to love over the decades. This was certainly a hands-on experience that left me pining for more, and I can't wait to try some crazy Civilization and Leader combinations to rewrite history in some fun ways.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII is set to release on February 11, 2025 on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.

Note: I also had the opportunity to interview a couple of developers from the Civilization 7 team at Firaxis which will be going live tomorrow. I asked some development questions, as well as some fun ones like their favorite leader/civ combos, so keep an eye out for that!

The post Hands-on Preview: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII appeared first on Destructoid.

My love for Don't Nod games began just like most other's probably did: when the glorious phenomenon known as Life Is Strange came in to tug at all our heartstrings.

Since then, there's always been some chatter about the franchise's spiritual successor, carrying on Don't Nod's monumental storytelling while also blending in something entirely new. And, after spending a few hours with its upcoming title, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, it looks like we're finally getting that successor, if not even more.

Instead of controlling time like Max Caulfield, Lost Records has you direct moments with a video recorder as Swann, a young film enthusiast who completely embodies teenage awkwardness. She's a clumsy girl who's quick to trip over everything and often throws a few words of classic teenage self-deprivation any time she messes up. And, of course, she always wants to keep it hip with the cool kids, even when she mentions movies no one's ever heard of.

But regardless of my wanting to curl up in a ball of embarrassment for her, the game truly encapsulates the naivety of teenage-hood with its rollercoaster of feelings. It touches upon a very emotional part of all our lives, making it all the more relatable.

Getting lost in Velvet Cove

As a mystery narrative adventure set in 1995, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage follows Swann's journey with her eccentric group of friends. In cozy Velvet Cove, you'll meet the rebellious rockstar Nora and her fellow bandmate, Autumn, who's got a kind-hearted spirit. Last but not least is Kat, the most logical teen out of the ensemble.

Their amusing camaraderie makes it seem like we're getting a classic summer female-led narrative about friendship. Then, the story shifts into a more I Know What You Did Last Summer vibe when something goes bump in the night. Flash forward to 27 years later, we learn that the quirky ensemble hasn't spoken to each other since, and now their past is finally catching up to them — all to expose what happened that fateful night.

The scenes play out in a back-and-forth manner, switching between Swann's teenage years and adulthood. I mostly got to experience the past timeline, but their future selves sometimes put in their two cents by narrating various moments. It's subtle for the most part, where Swann will chime in to say, "Wait, why did I say that? That's so embarrassing!"

Despite the present timeline being brief, it did remind me a lot of the show Yellowjackets' past-and-present style, especially with the whole "don't tell anyone what happened" thing it's got going on. However, rather than watching how it plays out, you'll be in control through the game's impactful choice-based mechanics.

Choices truly shape your journey throughout Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, no matter how small or monumental they may appear. It can be as basic as not moving a piece of wire out of the way, leading to Swann tripping and falling flat in front of her friends. I know it's just a video game, but seeing those judging eyes makes me feel like I'm a clumsy teenager all over again.

There are also some bits where you have to attempt to impress Nora, Kat, and Autumn, which brought on a challenge for me. I guess I never really mastered the art of being cool since I seemed to pick the choices that regard Swann's parents, specifically mentioning her father's rock music taste. I forgot that liking your parents at that age isn't that "cool."

On the bright side, the group is pretty lenient on these choices and is nice enough to look past any of the "wrong" options. But since it's a preview version, I only got a taste of the decision gameplay. The current build primarily focuses on a day in Swann's life leading up to the night that changes everything. I won't give away too much, but it seems to be linked to their discovery of a dark place that alters their lives forever. I highly suspect the full version will bring out the more significant choices that could be a matter of life and death.

Be the director of a classic '90s teen movie

While choices are the main focus of almost every Don't Nod entry, the camera feature is what makes the game exceptionally unique. The preview begins with you playing around with a recorder at her house, and then ends with the grand finale of making a music video for Autumn and Nora's band. You can pull out Swann's camera almost everywhere you go and create short films to capture your summer memories. I thought my recording skills sucked when I first tried it out, but fortunately, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage makes you feel like you were born to be a director.

The recordings are completely edited in a retro style, featuring a classic glitch-filled VHS filter. It's almost as if you uncovered a video from the '90s in a time capsule. Plus, Swann narrates each piece, giving it much more meaning with her curiously innocent nature. It's more fun to do when you have the gang with you, getting to know them a little more with each scene. Key moments can be captured here to bring more pizazz to the piece, from Autumn's dynamic cartwheeling to Nora's cigarette smoke rings, to Kat's stoic look. That, to me, just sounds like the perfect encapsulation of teenage angst, and it's nice to see it all come together in its final production.

Even when I recently recorded a piece, I always wanted to see what it looked like immediately afterward. There's just something more personal about watching your creations come to life, which will undoubtedly make everyone's playthrough unique. There are also a few opportunities to capture the wildlife around you, offering more points for you to shoot as a collection challenge.

Apart from the gameplay, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage's visuals are just plain stunning. Every scene looks like it could be hung as a painting, with its vibrant scenery and finely crafted environment. But even with its painting-esque artwork, it still somehow looks realistic with its lifelike characters.

The '90s are making a comeback

As a '90s baby, I enjoyed all the little details of this era throughout the scenes. Although I was goo-goo-gaga'ing around that time, I recognized the small tidbits, from a Blockbuster-inspired video tape to the fashionable fanny packs. The chic outfits add to the '90s era more, and you have the power to choose what Swann wears.

Having that control of outfits and choices makes the entire experience utterly meaningful. By the end of it, I was engrossed in the character's lives and the mystery behind their secrets. It also left off with a cliffhanger, giving me the same impatient feeling I get whenever a TV show ends with "Find out what happens next in the upcoming episode!" Only the wait is a little more agonizing since the game won't be coming out until next year.

If you're looking for something like Life Is Strange, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage will be right up your alley. It has that same strong female-led element, with mystery and teenage angst. The title also offers incredibly fresh concepts through its group ensemble and camera recording feature, making it stand out from the LiS series. I already know I'm picking it up the minute the game launches, based on my demo's cliffhanger alone. And you can, too, when it releases Tape 1 on Feb. 18, 2025, and Tape 2 on March 18, 2025, on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

The post Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a ’90s mystery movie meets Life Is Strange appeared first on Destructoid.

Don’t Nod Studios is taking us back to the 90s for a narrative adventure with Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. From the same creative minds behind the award-winning Life Is Strange comes this new story guaranteed to capture your heart.

We play as Swann Holloway as she reconnects with old friends after receiving a mysterious package. Although the girls had vowed to never speak about the strange things that happened when they were teens, it seems that they now have no choice.

Since its reveal, I’ve been both sceptical and excited to play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Machine Games has a phenomenal track record, but I couldn’t help but think Indy’s movements looked clunky in recent trailers.

Having seen an extended section of the game, and heard from Game Director Jerk Gustafsson and Creative Director Axel Torvenius, some of those concerns remain, but The Great Circle surprised me in its scope and how impressive it is in its variety and presentation.

Madden 25 on PS5

We’re seeing an injection of fresh life into this year’s Madden thanks to the return of college football with EA Sports College Football 25’s release. The college football franchise comes off an 11-year hiatus, tying nicely into Madden 25’s pro football package. But the return of college football can only do so much for Madden 25, as this year’s experience feels more like a mechanical iteration from past entries rather than a comprehensive overhaul.

Surprisingly, the biggest innovations in this year’s Madden are found in nitty-gritty gameplay details rather than in modes or presentation. EA has been proudly campaigning its new BOOM Tech physics suite; a physics package that incorporates realistic tackles and individualized player movements. By extension, the iconic Madden Hit Stick has been re-engineered so that you can control your tackles through risk/reward hit timings. I’m a terrible tackler in these games and even I found the Hit Stick timings to be intuitive and fun to pull off, even if it sometimes resulted in the carrier breaking through a poorly timed hit.

There’s a common sentiment I hear from people that despite not being the most innovative, Chinese companies always manage to improve whatever they decide to take inspiration from. During the marketing phase and the several years of hype behind Black Myth Wukong, I’m sure many people viewed it as another Soulslike with pretty graphics and a new setting. However, Black Myth Wukong manages to be much more than that and stands out on its own two legs during a time period where the market feels oversaturated with mediocre soulslike imitations. Game Science has really achieved something impressive with their first AAA release.

To preface this review, we’ve managed to complete the main story in around 36 hours of gameplay while exploring every nook and cranny available. So, let’s get the primary expectations from this game straight. Black Myth Wukong is more akin to Sekiro Shadows Die Twice rather than any Souls game or Elden Ring. The game is also quite difficult but it is by no means as difficult as FromSoftware’s titles and we believe this is a good thing. We’ll get into all the details of how the game manages to be different while remaining true to the genre and remaining accessible.

Dustborn on PlayStation 5

The power of language is at the core of everything Dustborn is about, making it an incredibly unique game. Exploring a time where the weaponization of information and how it is expressed can bring people together or sew even greater division between them, Red Thread Games’ single-player action-adventure aims to tell a relatable tale with a story-driven narrative in an alternate near future about hope, love, friendship, and robots.

With noble intentions and some fun ingredients on paper, most of what Dustborn sets out to do on paper is pulled off, making for a unique, heartfelt time overall. 

Originally released in 2006, Dead Rising quickly solidified itself as a zombie fan favorite, spawning multiple sequels and a following ready to rival The Walking Dead. Now, 18 years later, Capcom has rewarded us all with a remastered update of the game that started it all.

It is safe to say that the biggest update in the game is the graphics. With 18 years comes incredible advancements in animation, and Capcom did not skip out on making sure we could see every reaction and emotion on not only Frank’s face, but on every NPC’s too. While the original game still holds up well, the graphics overhaul was well worth the time and makes the gore that bit more visceral, which you definitely want in a modern zombie game. Especially when taking them down with a skateboard or golf putter is still very much an option.

My Hero Academia is, without a doubt, one of the most influential anime and manga to release in the past few decades. Initially compared to other Shonen works ad nauseam, it managed to set itself apart thanks to its creative characters, dazzling art, and engaging story arcs.

And yet, when one looks back at all of its different arcs, some are clearly a cut above the rest. To that end, we’re here to rank every My Hero Academia arc from worst to best.

It’s an almost daily occurrence that gamers talk about the crushing weight of their backlog. Especially considering seasonal price cuts like the Steam Summer Sale, these ballooning libraries of games are not getting any smaller, and have caused games to miss out on some genuinely phenomenal titles.

However, the holiday season is hyped up with upcoming releases from the big three console manufacturers. As such, there are already so many titles – from indie passion projects to AAA blockbusters – that have slipped through the cracks. Through combing through the last half-year of titles, we have crafted a list of the top 15 games that you’ve already slept on in 2024.

Cat Quest 3 has just about everything I want out of an indie RPG. Gorgeously vibrant visuals and a whimsical atmosphere to lose myself in? Check. A unique premise and satisfying progression? Check. Meaningful exploration that encourages me to complete as much as I possibly can? Check, check, and double-check.

The icing on this bright and colorful pirate-themed cake is its relentless and unwavering commitment to the feline species. With seven years of catspertise under their belt, The Gentlebros have created a brilliant pirate-themed setting that serves as a brilliant set dressing for a world inhabited by cat heroes and rat foes. The tone is as bright and whimsical as its gorgeous visuals. If you’re as enthralled by cats as I am, you’ll be easily won over by Cat Quest 3. If not, there’s still an incredibly rewarding action RPG to get stuck into.

Zenless Zone Zero is receiving its first major update, titled “Undercover R&B.” The game, which launched last month, already has a lot in store with the 1.1 update, including story continuations, new characters, and more.

Ahead of the update, a Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.1 Special …

After watching Persona 5 Royal and its amazing conclusion, I became intrigued with what else could come of its spin-off sequel Phantom Thieves - specifically what could it add that hadn't already been covered in Persona 5 Strikers. Let's dive in, starting off with gameplay - which I believe stands as its centerpiece. However, it can be challenging to imagine how they might adapt an established turn-based JRPG genre without losing its essence when shifting genres. Persona 5 Strikers surprised me by seamlessly merging its mechanics into a musou format. It seamlessly incorporates Personas with various abilities (and how each works) as well as Persona Fusion into its mix; all while offering up an innovative fighting style while remaining true to RPG tradition.

Elemental Forces in Tactical Combat

Persona 5 Tactica is an absolute tactical RPG masterpiece with exemplary turn-based combat! From its combat experience to its strategic layering, Atlus delivered us something very exciting: an RPG with all-out flair - this masterpiece hit every note beautifully. Experienced players of this game should think of these encounters like attending a masquerade ball where you must not only dance skillfully but also meet certain conditions to impress Phantom Thieves personas. Imagine pulling off multiple heists at once - each layer adding layers of complexity that make you the brains behind the operation! Conditions such as finishing an encounter without anyone dying and wrapping it within a specific turn count create extra difficulty and add another element to the game that requires finesse, like that of Phantom Thieves.

Time, Space, and Challenges in Persona 5 Tactica

Now let's discuss Erina and Toshiro--Erina is Toshiro is Atlus' unique blend of emotional depth and strategic prowess that are the cornerstones of this storyline. Erina hailing from another realm versus Toshiro being imprisoned with our Phantom Thieves is like experiencing an emotional rollercoaster ride from Shakespearean drama. These characters add their own special flair to the metaverse mix and their stories intertwine with that of Phantom Thieves like subplots in an epic tale. Emotionally appealing stories in Persona 5 Tactica will draw you deeper into its metaverse, not only for tactical thrills but for heartwarming narratives that unfold amid strategic chaos. So buckle up fellow gamers, for Persona 5 Tactica isn't simply another RPG/JRPG game; it's like orchestrating an opera!

Persona 5 Tactica Gameplay

Persona 5 Tactica places undeniably emphasize teamwork. A strategic ballet-esque orchestration occurs where squad members form triangular formations which then trigger "Triple Threat" attacks against unsuspecting enemies, raining havoc upon unsuspecting foes who were previously unaware. Your placement as team members creates an onslaught that rains havoc onto unaware adversaries - an onslaught you must strategically orchestrate before moving your squad members together into a triangle formation to unleash this onslaught. Each move and attack radius must be carefully considered; stretching too thin reduces potential attacks while too close together puts risk in the play of simultaneous wipeout becoming imminent!

Atlus' Nostalgic Touch

Like Persona 5 Strikers or Persona 5 Royal, each unknowingly becoming a golden nugget, Tactica has a lot of potential to become iconic in its own way. As Atlus has done with such remarkable ease that every spin-off turned into an example of gaming brilliance, I see no reason for Persona 5 Tactica not to grow on players. Persona 5 Royal is probably the best, and before the new Persona 6 is out, Tactica has also the role of keeping the fans connected. The same captivating characters and beautiful visuals intertwine in this journey where tactical turn-based combat plays a more central role.

Ravenage Games and Frozen Line are excited to announce the release of Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow, a deeply emotional puzzle platformer now available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Players can experience this captivating adventure starting July 25, 2024.

In Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow, players step into the shoes of Griffin, a young boy navigating the distorted landscapes of his memories. Accompanied by his loyal teddy bear, Birly, Griffin embarks on a poignant journey through his subconscious, confronting life’s challenges head-on. This unique experience intertwines gameplay with a touching narrative, exploring themes of resilience, redemption, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go.

Key Features

• Emotional Narrative: Follow Griffin’s journey as he encounters key figures from his past, such as his father, now a giant knight with an unextinguishable sword, and his mother, a loving yet fragile spring of blossoming flowers. These characters are integral to both the story and the gameplay, where players must confront and overcome these manifestations to progress.
• Stunning Visuals: Immerse yourself in beautifully crafted environments, including craggy caves, floating castles, fairy tale forests, and rolling plains. The visual design, combined with enchanting music, creates a unified and immersive experience.
• Deep Gameplay: Solve puzzles and explore Griffin’s subconscious, collecting moths of memory that add layers to the narrative and provide insights into Griffin’s life, aiding his journey toward closure.
• Compelling Companionship: Birly, the resolute teddy bear, offers guidance and solace, making Griffin’s journey through his subconscious both challenging and comforting.

Experience the Power of Human Endurance

Since its announcement, anticipation for Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow has been building, promising a heartwarming story, stunning visuals, and engaging gameplay. It stands out as a title that not only challenges players but also deeply resonates with them on an emotional level.

Join Griffin on his unforgettable journey, uncover the secrets of his past, and experience the incredible power of human endurance and ultimate redemption in this beautiful puzzle platformer powered by Unreal Engine 4.

Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch for $19.99.

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Tate Multimedia and Trialforge Studio are thrilled to announce the release of a playable demo for Deathbound, the innovative single-player, party-based soulslike game. Available now on Steam and PlayStation 5, players can dive into the dynamic world of Deathbound ahead of its full launch on August 8, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Welcome to the World of Ziêminal

Deathbound transports players to Ziêminal, a harsh and decaying world where Faith and Science are at odds. In this unforgiving landscape, players will utilize an innovative 4-hero party system to fight against appalling creatures and formidable enemies. By absorbing the Essence of fallen warriors, players can harness unique skills, combat styles, and backstories, offering a diverse range of abilities.

Key Features of Deathbound

• The Essence: Absorb the skills, memories, and identities of fallen warriors. Seamlessly switch between these warriors to utilize their unique combat styles and abilities.
• Party System: Form alliances with fallen warriors, creating a robust party system that allows for dynamic combat and diverse playstyles. Aligning warriors with shared beliefs unlocks powerful buffs, while pairing opposing factions creates discord and unique combat effects.
• Dynamic Morphing: Unleash devastating Morphstrikes by combining the powers of absorbed warriors. Use different attack styles to execute powerful combinations and finishing blows.
• Brutal World: Explore the city of Akratya, a place rich in lore and danger, blending a technological past with a medieval present. The imposing architecture and the ongoing grand crusade add to the city’s atmosphere of impending doom.
• Unforgiving Monsters and Bosses: Face enemies designed to push players to their limits, each embodying the five stages of grief. These challenging encounters demand the full attention of any brave soul.

Explore Ziêminal Now

With the demo now available, players can get a taste of the intense and immersive gameplay that Deathbound offers. Prepare to dominate the battlefield by dynamically switching between fallen warriors and adapting your tactics on the fly. Experience the unique blend of narrative depth and challenging combat that sets Deathbound apart in the soulslike genre.

SEO Title and Description

Title: Deathbound – The First Team Soulslike Coming Soon

Description: Play the Deathbound demo now on Steam and PlayStation 5. Experience the first party-based soulslike game, launching on August 8 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

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Battle from the dojo to the streets in this retro co-op beat ’em up coming to consoles and PC on 20th September

Get ready to get your ‘Wax On!’ Experience the original The Karate Kid trilogy in pixel-art, retro glory in The Karate Kid: Street Rumble, coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam on 20th September 2024. Battle the enemies of Miyagi-Do Karate in this action-packed beat ’em up featuring solo play and local co-op for up to four players.

Set in the iconic locations of the first three classic The Karate Kid movies, The Karate Kid: Street Rumble lets you step out of the dojo and into the streets of the 1980s San Fernando Valley and Okinawa. Battle waves of challenging enemies in this fast-paced, side-scrolling beat ’em up adventure, brought to life with colourful pixel-art visuals and chiptune music.

Play as Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, Ali Mills, and Kumiko as you take on Johnny Lawrence, John Kreese, Terry Silver, and others intent on establishing dominance over Miyagi-Do Karate forever. Master intense martial arts combat in frenetic brawls inspired by iconic arcade beat ’em ups.

Key Game Features

Relive the Classic Movies: Experience the adventures of the original The Karate Kid trilogy while facing the challenges put forth by Cobra Kai and other foes. Brawl through 12 levels inspired by the films, including Topanga Beach, West Valley High, Cobra Kai Dojo, the All Valley Tournament, and more!

Retro-Inspired Action: Crane kick your way into a stunning pixel-art world that pays homage to the golden age of 16-bit gaming. Immerse yourself in the ’80s with a chiptune soundtrack that captures the spirit of the era.

Become a Martial Arts Master: Execute powerful combos, perform signature moves, and defend against your enemies’ relentless attacks. Each level presents new challenges and foes inspired by the films’ most memorable characters.

Battle Challenging Foes: Face off against legendary villains like Johnny Lawrence, John Kreese, Terry Silver, and other formidable opponents across 12 intense levels.

Karate Co-op: Fight alongside your friends in local co-op action for up to four players as Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, Kumiko, or Ali Mills.

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In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, one genre that never fails to capture the hearts of players young and old alike is the beloved kart racer. With its perfect blend of chaos, competition, and unbridled fun, these high-octane titles have become a staple in the gaming world. We have plenty of choices already with the likes of Sonic Team Racing, Crash Team Racing, and Nickelodeon Kart Racer 3. As we race into 2024, a slew of new contenders have hit the track as well as enhancements to last years crop, each vying for the coveted title of the ultimate kiddie kart experience. From beloved franchises to fresh newcomers, this year’s lineup promises an exhilarating ride for players of all ages. So, buckle up and get ready to drift, boost, and battle your way to the finish line as we explore the best kart racers of 2024. Oh, and we’ve omitted Mario Kart as we all know that is the king!

Disney Speedstorm

Developed by Gameloft and published by Disney, Speedstorm is a love letter to the house of the mouse’s iconic characters. While it may not be the reinvention of the genre that some had hoped for, this free-to-play title boasts a solid foundation and addictive gameplay. Choose from a diverse roster of characters hailing from various Disney-Pixar universes, each with their unique karts and abilities.

The game’s mechanics are undoubtedly polished, with slick drifting mechanics and a satisfying sense of speed. However, the ever-present paywalls and microtransactions can dampen the experience for some players, as progression often feels hindered without opening one’s wallet. Nevertheless, for those willing to embrace the free-to-play model, Disney Speedstorm offers a visually stunning and entertaining kart racing experience, particularly for fans of the beloved Disney characters.

KARTRIDER drift

KARTRIDER: Drift is a free kart racer that has garnered affectionate words from critics, but it also comes with the baggage of a live service model. While the game boasts impressive accessibility options and a high skill ceiling for dedicated players, it can be challenging to navigate through the menus and find the core racing experience amidst the cacophony of notifications and challenges.

The game’s unique take on drifting mechanics sets it apart, allowing players to drift even on straightaways, but it can be divisive – some will revel in mastering the intricate technique, while others may find it frustrating. KARTRIDER: Drift excels in its online multiplayer, but the lack of couch co-op may disappoint those seeking a local multiplayer experience. Overall, while it may not be the most immediately accessible kart racer, KARTRIDER: Drift offers a challenging and rewarding experience for dedicated players willing to navigate its complexities.

Lego 2K Drive

In a collaboration between 2K and Visual Concepts, Lego 2K Drive delivers one of gaming’s most convincing open-world racers. With seamless transitions between various terrains and vehicles, the game offers an unrestricted and breathless exploration experience, perfectly capturing the essence of the beloved LEGO franchise.

One of the standout features of Lego 2K Drive is its adherence to the core principles of LEGO – building. Players can construct their dream cars brick by brick, with instructions that can be replicated in real life. The game’s visuals are stunning, running at a solid 60fps on capable hardware, and the variety of tracks and challenges ensures longevity.

While the campaign may be relatively short, Lego 2K Drive shines in its free-play mode, offering a plethora of customization options and the ability to carry progress across platforms. With local split-screen multiplayer and crossplay support, this title is a must-have for LEGO enthusiasts and kart racing aficionados alike.

Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart

Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart is a delightful little racer that caters primarily to younger audiences. With its simple controls and optional steering assist, even the youngest players can enjoy the thrill of racing without the frustration of complex mechanics. The game’s vibrant visuals and charming character designs bring the world of Gigantosaurus to life, complete with familiar voices and upbeat music.

While experienced gamers may find the slow pace and lack of challenge underwhelming, Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart shines in its ability to captivate and entertain its intended audience. With a diverse selection of tracks, ranging from desert landscapes to fiery volcanoes, and the inclusion of hazards and shortcuts, the game offers a surprising depth of exploration and replayability. For parents seeking a family-friendly racing experience, Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart is an exceptional choice.

Smurfs Kart

Smurfs Kart is a game that doesn’t shy away from its inspirations, unabashedly borrowing elements from the Mario Kart franchise. However, this decision to play it safe has resulted in a surprisingly competent kart racer that captures the essence of the genre while adding its own unique flair.

With a roster of 12 iconic Smurf characters, each with their own distinct personality and kart, Smurfs Kart offers a familiar yet fresh take on the beloved formula. The handling and power-sliding mechanics are reminiscent of Mario Kart, providing a comfortable experience for veteran players, while the visuals impress with their attention to detail and solid performance.

While the game may lack in content, with only 12 tracks and no online multiplayer, Smurfs Kart makes up for it with its charming aesthetics and addictive gameplay. For fans of the Smurfs or those seeking a family-friendly kart racer with a touch of nostalgia, this title is a solid choice that delivers an entertaining experience, even if it doesn’t reinvent the wheel.

Nightmare Kart

Nightmare Kart is a unique and ambitious fangame that reimagines the eldritch horror of FromSoftware’s Bloodborne as a kart racing experience. With its 32-bit polygonal graphics and retro aesthetic, the game captures the essence of classic PlayStation 1 kart racers while injecting it with a twisted, Lovecraftian twist.

The game’s weapons-focused gameplay and emphasis on attacking fellow racers and the environment create a chaotic and intense racing experience. Players must balance their use of weapons, powerslides, and the collection of Blood Droplets to gain speed boosts, all while managing their health and stamina meters.

While the track design may not always support the game’s innovative mechanics, Nightmare Kart shines in its boss fights and unique interpretation of Bloodborne’s lore. For fans of the source material or those seeking a fresh take on the kart racing genre, this fangame offers an unforgettable and challenging experience that sets it apart from the competition.

The Karters 2: Turbo Charged

Poised to be a standout entry in the genre, The Karters 2: Turbo Charged promises to deliver an unforgettable racing experience by combining the best elements of Mario Kart and Crash Team Racing, while introducing a multitude of unique and new features.

With intense local and global multiplayer races, players can choose from a variety of killer weapons to take down their opponents and claim victory. The game boasts a selection of thrilling maps, each designed to challenge players’ strategic skills and outsmart their rivals.

One of the standout features of The Karters 2: Turbo Charged is its split-screen and online split-screen support, allowing up to six players to compete simultaneously. Whether gathering friends for a local showdown or challenging players from around the world, this title promises to be the ultimate karting champion in 2024.

As we approach the finish line of our battle of the kiddie karts, one thing is clear: the kart racing genre is thriving, offering a diverse range of experiences for players of all ages and skill levels. From beloved franchises like Disney and LEGO to fresh newcomers like Nightmare Kart and The Karters 2: Turbo Charged, 2024 promises to be a year of high-octane excitement and unforgettable racing adventures. So, rev up your engines, grab your power-ups, and get ready to drift, boost, and battle your way to the top of the podium in the ultimate battle of the kiddie karts.

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Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase 2024 has concluded, delivering a thrilling array of game reveals, release dates, and hardware announcements. The hour-long event featured several major announcements, including new game reveals, upcoming expansions, and updates on long-anticipated titles. Here’s a comprehensive look at the highlights from the showcase.

Major Game Announcements

Doom: The Dark Ages and Gears of War: E-Day were the standout surprises of the event. Doom: The Dark Ages is set in a dark fantasy realm, transporting players to a medieval-like era filled with gruesome battles and cyberpunk dragons. This entry in the iconic franchise is scheduled for a 2025 release on Xbox, PC, and PS5. Gears of War: E-Day, developed by The Coalition, takes players back to the first Locust emergence on Sera, serving as a prequel to the original game. Though no release date was provided, the trailer has already generated significant excitement.

Release Dates and New Gameplay Footage

Fans of Fable were treated to new gameplay footage and a 2025 release window. The new instalment centres on a hero named Humphry, who must come out of retirement to save Albion from a mysterious threat. The showcase also revealed a November 19th release date for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, which will include new features such as hot air balloon trips and aerial firefighting.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle also made an appearance, with new gameplay footage and a target release of December 2024. Meanwhile, Perfect Dark finally revealed its gameplay set in a near-future Cairo, marking a significant step forward for the reboot being developed by The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics.

New Hardware Announcements

Microsoft unveiled three new Xbox models during the showcase. A white, disc-less Xbox Series X will be released later this year, priced at $449.99. Additionally, a 2TB “Galaxy Black” Xbox Series X and a 1TB Xbox Series S in white were also announced, with the latter priced at $349.99. These new models are set to enhance the gaming experience for the holiday season.

Additional Game Updates

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is set to launch on October 25th, featuring a new campaign and multiplayer modes, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. Avowed, Obsidian’s upcoming RPG, is targeting a November 12th release, though this date was accidentally revealed and later retracted.

Other notable updates include:

• Starfield: Shattered Space expansion, coming in 2024.
• Fallout 76: Skyline Valley map expansion, launching on June 12th, with the ability to play as a ghoul arriving in early 2025.
• Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred expansion, releasing on October 8th.
• State of Decay 3 teaser, with more details to come.
• Age of Mythology: Retold, releasing on September 4th.
• World of Warcraft: The War Within expansion, launching on August 26th.

An Exciting year Ahead!!

The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 has set the stage for an exciting year ahead, with a mix of surprising new game announcements, significant updates on highly anticipated titles, and innovative new hardware. Gamers can look forward to an array of new experiences across a variety of platforms, ensuring that Xbox remains at the forefront of the gaming industry. Stay tuned for more updates as these releases approach.

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Hypercharge: Unboxed, the indie toy soldiers shooter developed by Digital Cybercherries, has reached an impressive milestone, selling 50,000 copies on Xbox within five days of its release on May 31st. The game achieved 25,000 sales in the first 24 hours alone, showcasing its rapid success without the backing of a major publisher or inclusion in Game Pass.

Indie Success Story

Despite being a small indie team of six developers, Digital Cybercherries has managed to capture the interest of Xbox gamers. The game currently boasts a 4.6/5 rating on Xbox, based on over 600 reviews. Joe Henson, Creative Gameplay and Marketing Director at Digital Cybercherries, expressed his gratitude: “I’m really overwhelmed by the success of our game on Xbox and can’t thank everyone enough for buying the game. 50,000 sales might not mean much in the realm of AAA, but for our small team of six, in a tough time for the industry, with no support from a big-publisher, selling 50,000 on Xbox in only a few days is really a big deal! Thank you again to everyone who has supported us!”

The Game Experience

Hypercharge: Unboxed is inspired by films like Toy Story and Small Soldiers. It is a first and third-person shooter featuring sentient action figures. Players can enjoy a full story campaign mode, which is playable solo offline or with up to four players online in co-op. The game also supports split-screen play, both locally and online, making it a versatile choice for various play styles.

For those who prefer competitive play, Hypercharge: Unboxed offers several PvP modes, allowing players to engage in action figure mayhem. Players can defend the Hypercore with friends, survive waves of weaponised toys, or dive into a free-for-all rumble.

Community Appreciation

The enthusiastic response from the gaming community highlights the game’s appeal and the dedication of its developers. Digital Cybercherries’ success with Hypercharge: Unboxed underscores the potential for indie games to thrive even without the support of big publishers.

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In spite of the legacy of the Baldur’s Gate IP and the track record of Larian Studios as a developer, few could have accurately predicted the level of success that Baldur’s Gate 3 went on to enjoy upon its launch last year. Widely regarded by one and all as one of the greatest games of its kind, the fantasy RPG has been showered with endless praise from all corners since the day it exited early access last year- and Larian has still just kept going.

As a single-player RPG, no one really would have expected Baldur’s Gate 3 to be as well supported following launch as it has been, but Larian Studios has maintained an impressive cadence of updates for the game. Over the course of the last year, since its full release on PC, Baldur’s Gate 3 has seen a bevy of hotfixes and six major patches, with a seventh yet to come, all of it arriving for free and adding a host of new features and improvements to what was already an unabashed masterpiece.

Here, then, we’re going to take a look at some of the biggest ways Baldur’s Gate 3 has grown, improved, and evolved in its post-launch period, and we’re going to do that by going over each of its major patches one by one. Without further ado, let’s get started.

PATCH 1

Coming within less than a month of Baldur’s Gate 3’s 1.0 release, its first patch was one that wasn’t focused on adding anything as much as it was on polishing. No major new features or bits and bobs were added to the game with Patch 1, but Larian Studios did introduce a whole host of fixes to the experience nonetheless. In total, the first full patch that was released for the megaton RPG has more than a thousand fixes, with several bugs, glitches, inconsistencies, and what have you being addressed. In areas ranging from the UI, character-specific scenes, and balancing, to the visuals, loot, and more, Baldur’s Gate 3’s first patch smoothed over wrinkles of varying sizes all throughout the experience.

PATCH 2

Less than a week after Patch 1, Larian Studios put out Patch 2 for Baldur’s Gate 3, and though the developer still hadn’t quite got into the swing of adding major new features to the game by this point, Patch 2 did lean more in that direction than the first one did. For starters, significant performance improvements were made across the board, which was much needed. Even with all the universal praise that it enjoyed right out the gate, Baldur’s Gate 3 was still a game with more than a few technical issues in those early days (especially once you got to Act 3), and Patch 2’s performance optimizations brought tangible improvements on that front.

Patch 2 also brought with it what Larian dubbed Withers’ Wardrobe of Wayward Friends, which added the ability to remove co-op party members from your campaign, something that couldn’t be done until that point. Beyond that, the patch added several scenes tied specifically to Karlach (including a new epilogue scene), in addition to continuing to make bug fixes, polishing optimizations, and the like.

PATCH 3

Roughly a month later, in the latter half of September, Patch 3 arrived, which went hand in hand with Baldur’s Gate 3 releasing for Mac. Granted, that’s not exactly a platform with a huge gaming audience, but it did open up the game to yet more people, which is always a good thing, especially when the game in question is as good as this is.

Far more noteworthy, of course, was the fact that Patch 3 brought with it the addition of what Baldur’s Gate 3 dubbed the Magic Mirror, an item that players could interact with in their camp in order to change their cosmetic appearance and other aspects of your character to their heart’s content. That entailed changing your hair, facial features, pronouns, voice, and the like, which players had been requesting to see in the game ever since its launch. That in and of itself made Patch 3 quite a well received step forward for the game- and yes, it, too, brought plenty of additional polish and bug fixes.

PATCH 4

After adding new and heavily requested features to Baldur’s Gate 3 with its second and third post-launch updates, with Patch 4, Larian Studios decided to focus once again on optimizing and polish rather than adding anything. Coming more than a month after the third patch, Patch 4 arrived with over a thousand fixes, similar to the very first post-launch update that the game received. From combat to story scenes, from character and class specific balancing to visual bugs, from crashes to UI issues, there was plenty that Patch 4 addressed. On top of all of those fixes, it also added new accessibility options, such as a colour blind mode with multiple settings, as well as support for AMD FSR 2.2.

PATCH 5

Arriving at the end of November, Patch 5 was by far the most packed patch to be released for Baldur’s Gate 3 up to that point. In addition to continued layers of polish, with its fifth major post-launch patch, the RPG added a host of new features, some of which were quite significant. Chief among the additions was an entirely new playable epilogue. Set several months after the main story, the epilogue brought with it well over 3,000 new lines of dialogue, new cinematics, and more, all of it meant to serve as a final goodbye to all of the characters.

Then there was the new Honor Mode, a higher difficulty setting that brought with it more difficult boss fights, the introduction of Legendary Actions, save scumming and several known exploits being removed (only from the new mode), permadeath, new rewards, and more. On the flipside, there was also the new Custom Mode, which as its name implied, allowed players to customize a variety of different aspects of the gameplay experience to suit your particular tastes.

Add to that some noticeable UI improvements, support for dynamic resolution scaling on PS5, more performance improvements in Act 3, and much more, and Patch 5 was easily the biggest update to be released for Baldur’s Gate 3 at the time that it came out- and still is, in fact. Speaking of which…

PATCH 6

Arriving in February earlier this year, more than two months after Patch 5, Patch 6 was clearly coming at a point where Larian Studios was gearing up to move on from Baldur’s Gate 3. Though the studio was, of course, continuing to further polish the experience with hotfixes as and when they were needed, with the majority of major features that Larian wanted to add in the game already being in the game, the pace with which patches were being released slowed down significantly. Not that anyone was complaining- Baldur’s Gate 3 is a ridiculously massive full featured game as is.

Even so, Patch 6 wasn’t completely without highlights of its own. It added new cinematics and scenes to the game to further strengthen the bonds and relationships between the core characters, as well as new idle animations for party members when they were in camp. By this point, with Baldur’s Gate 3 available on all the platforms that could possibly run it, the game’s post-launch support was clearly close to wrapping up by this point.

PATCH 7

Patch 7 is Baldur’s Gate 3’s next big patch, and is currently in beta, which means it won’t be too long before Larian Studios releases it in full- and once again, it’s going to be a big one, with plenty of major features set to be added. One in particular that many have been waiting for is official mod support, following which following which players will be able to create, share, and download community mods, all through an internally integrated Mod Manager.

Also on the way are new, evil endings, which are described as appropriately darker conclusions to the story for players who have made choices to reflect the same throughout their playthrough. That will, of course, involve new cinematics, new story content, new music, and more. Then there’s dynamic split-screen support (which will merge screens when players are close to each other), improved multiplayer banter, new Honor Mode mechanics, the addition of existing Honor Mode mechanics in Custom Mode as options, and much more.

Patch 7 is set to launch for all players at some point in September.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Larian Studios has done a phenomenal job with Baldur’s Gate 3. From its lengthy early access period to its full release to the excellent way it has been support post-launch, right from the off, it has been a labour of love for Larian, and the studio has left no stone unturned in ensuring that the acclaimed fantasy RPG can be the best possible version of itself. And incredibly enough, in spite of the fact that Larian has already gone above and beyond in consistently adding to and supporting a game that was already humongous with more than a year’s worth of free post-launch support- in spite of that, there’s still more to come.

Hotfixes will, of course, continue to arrive, which means more optimization tweaks, performance improvements, bug fixes, quality of life upgrades and what have you are certainly on the way. Beyond that, however, Larian says a couple more significant features are still set to be added to the game as well, including a photo mode and cross-platform multiplayer.

Presumably, Larian Studios is approaching the end of the road with Baldur’s Gate 3, and once it is done, the studio will be deserving of all the plaudits in the world not only for the game itself, but also how well it has been supported following its release. Hell, even many mainly multiplayer, so-called live service games can learn a thing or two from Larian.

Call of Duty is the third best-selling video game franchise of all time, yet it’s not infallible. For every momentous campaign moment in the Call of Duty series campaigns, there are just as many dumb moments we can’t help but remember.

These can range from tone-deaf lines of dialogue which go viral, to comically peculiar decisions from the developers. However, there is one thing that all of these instances of Call of Duty campaign moments have in common. That is that gamers just can’t wrap their heads around how stupid they appear.

A life simulator, understandably, should let you leave your home to experience the wide-open world. And that’s exactly what you can do in The Sims 4: travel to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, in the fourth installment of the classic Sims series, there’s not that much to see. 

The Sims 4 has a bit of a world problem. If you were around for the original release of the game, you remember the disappointment when you first decided to leave your home. There was no open world to explore, and there were so few lots to do anything that it was almost better to just keep your Sim on one lot like you were limited to in the original Sims 1. 

As the years have gone on, EA has expanded on the amount of worlds that you can visit with the introduction of numerous expansion and game packs. While no one is psyched about having to pay for even more DLC, it at least gives players new worlds to explore. But these worlds are getting smaller and smaller as they continue to release. 

Beautiful, but no substance

Visually, many of the new worlds are incredibly appealing. Worlds like Tomarang, Sulani, and the latest addition with the Lovestruck pack Ciudad Enamorada, provide breathtaking views for your Sims to enjoy on beaches, in the woods, and on top of towering skyscrapers. Sadly, that’s all these are though. A vast majority of some of the most beautiful locations are simply set dressing. 

Take for example, in the world of Tomarang included in For Rent, there’s a beautiful Southeast Asian-inspired temple that serves as the Tiger Sanctuary. What a perfect place to go exploring for secrets of the town, right? But The Tiger Sanctuary is nothing more than a rabbit hole for your Sim to disappear into, with a few pop-ups describing your adventures. 

So, not only are many of the stunning spots just there to look pretty, but the lots you are able to go and check out are limited. The original two worlds included, Willow Creek and Oasis Springs, both have a respectable 21 lots. This isn’t huge, and a majority of those lots are taken up by residential homes, but at least it was a starting point. The problem is that the worlds that have been released have been shaving off lots for a while now.

The world keeps getting smaller

When packs were first released, it seemed like the dev team was trying to make the worlds bigger than before. Windenburg, the world included with Get Together, gave players 14 residential lots and 13 community lots to play with. San Myshuno, packaged with City Living, has 30 lots in total if you count each apartment as its own lot.

However, as more packs have been released, those numbers have been dwindling. Get Famous, released in 2018, has only 11 lots in total. The latest world for players to explore, Ciudad Enamorada, only has 13. Compare this to the largest world included in The Sims 3, Sunset Valley, which had a whopping 92 lots. That’s 79 fewer lots to play with.

It doesn’t help that, unlike previous installments in the series, the map is not editable. You cannot add new lots to the land. While you are able to edit each lot itself, you can’t place a new one next to an existing one, even if that land is blank. The map is instead 2D, with no way to change it. 

There are no world adventures here

This has a huge impact on gameplay. Instead of plenty of places to visit, to explore and meet new Sims, players are stuck with the same few places and faces. Playing Sims 4 feels almost like a routine because there’s not much to see and do. Even when new packs are released, you’re able to check out the entire world in just a short few hours of gameplay. 

It’s not just the lack of lots, but the lack of variety within them. Each world features the same types of venues, as put by user ContinuumKing on a Reddit post discussing the new features of the Lovestruck pack:

With plenty of upvotes, the sentiment is quite popular. There’s nothing new or exciting to check out in the other worlds because the same activities exist in the world you’re already in. User Big_Stop8917 shared the sentiment:

For fans who love to take their Sims on adventures and journeys that span their entire lifetime, you simply can’t do that with The Sims 4. The coolest places to go are just scenery, the lots that are there are repetitive, and you’ll be able to see it all within just a few days of your Sim’s life. It honestly makes me want to just keep my Sims at home.

We’d love to see a change in this as more DLC releases for Sims 4. Bigger worlds expand the possibilities in gameplay significantly. However, the expansions continue to sell well, so it seems there’s little incentive for EA to fix the problem. The packs will keep rolling out, but hopefully the worlds won't keep this trend going.

The post The Sims 4 has a world problem, and it’s only getting worse appeared first on Destructoid.

Classic titles may get a lot of flack, but their designs were second to none, so we’ve decided to rank them! These posters highlight some of the best classic titles out there – along with some beautifully recreated and original illustrations.

For the sake of transparency, ‘retro’ has been defined here as anything that was released before the eighth console generation. So, before the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch’s release.

SteamWorld Heist II on Xbox Series X

A perfect sequel not only retains the strength of its predecessor but builds on its very foundation. In this respect, SteamWorld Heist II is an example of what can be done when the source has such potential.

It’s been nearly ten years since the original SteamWorld Heist was released, and its team has been through a lot. They’ve taken the series into the genres of deck-building, management sim, and Metroidvanias. Image and Form – the original creators of the series – have also since joined forces with neighboring studio Zoink! Games to form Thunderful.

Announced three and a half years ago alongside a couple of trailers, and met with criticisms over special editions, my hype for Star Wars Outlaws was simmering until just over a month ago – but time seems to have worked in its favor ahead of its latest preview. 

With it being the first open-world game with Star Wars as its unique selling point, it’s also the Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry publisher’s first ambitious undertaking into the criminal elements of the Galaxy Far Far Away. As far as first impressions go, some of the typical Ubisoft tropes are at the forefront, for better or worse, but what’s unique about it stands strong enough that it should get fans excited for what’s to come. 

Thrasher on Meta Quest 3

Most of the time, single-player games on VR platforms can feel quite structurally restrictive. If you’re going down the narrative-based route, you’re pretty much limited to a first-person viewpoint, pigeonholed into either action or exploration. Finding a way to actually stand out in an inherently niche part of gaming is no easy feat.

Thrasher, the latest game from Thumper developer Puddle, manages to wildly subvert standard VR game expectations. Its gameplay is fluid and challenging, with a visual design quite unlike anything else I’ve played before. If your VR library is lacking something a bit whimsical and singular, look no further than Thrasher.

F1 Manager 24 Review on PC

For a long time, the best game motorsport management fans could get their hands on was, well, Motorsport Manager. Now, that isn’t the case anymore, as F1 Manager 24 has managed to overtake it both in the number of features and how well all of them are implemented.

First, let’s talk about Create-a-Team. This is one of the few things that MM had, and last year’s edition, F1 Manager 23, didn’t. That might be because people at Frontier were at that point most concerned with delivering the most accurate, raw, undiluted F1 managerial experience out there, and they did.

The Operator on PC

The Operator is an interactive puzzle-solving game that juggles visual novel-esque storytelling with immersive gameplay to make a memorable experience.

I completed The Operator in a single sitting, which speaks to how gripping the narrative and mystery of this game can get. At just four hours, the length isn’t a bad thing, as the game will get you hooked and you won’t even notice by the time it’s over. There was no time or moment when I wanted to put it down.

EA Sports College Football 25 on Xbox Series X

It’s been over a decade since Electronic Arts last entered the college football arena, and EA Sports College Football 25 is their widely-promoted return to campus. The pageantry and speed of gameplay make for a stellar experience. Unfortunately, hangovers from EA’s other sports titles keep the title from achieving greatness.

EA’s former college football franchise, NCAA Football, quickly became a sporting staple. They were then unceremoniously forced to cease production of the series in 2013. Due to an inability to compensate college athletes for their likeness, the series was shelved – that is, until now.

Dungeons of Hinterberg is part dungeon-crawler and part life-simulator, sprinkled with the indie spirit of the Life is Strange games. More importantly, it feels like an offspring of Zelda and the Persona games, but one that is more relaxed and less outgoing. 

I was pleasantly surprised by how unabashedly Dungeons of Hinterberg wears its many notable inspirations and how well it interweaves them into its varying gameplay systems.

I always find it hard to preview EA FC games, just as I did the FIFA games of old. This week, I had hands-on time with FC 25, getting the chance to check out the basic offline gameplay of this year’s game.

Every year, it takes weeks to get a complete sense of how an EA Sports football game plays on the pitch. As players learn the balance of mechanics, what tactics are powerful, and which players are the best, we are able to form full opinions.

If you're an IGN Plus member, a new game is available to claim now with IGN Rewards. You can claim a free Mecha Break Steam key with your membership while supplies last. If you're a fan of Mecha anime or titles like Armored Core, Mecha BREAK is perfect for you. …

Chaos Theory Games’ Strategy Roguelike Crab God puts you in control of a colony of adorable crablings. In each run you’ll have to migrate into the ocean depths, fighting off threats on your pilgrimage. Along the way, players will attract a variety of sea creatures to their habitats, fight off a variety of threats, and contribute to real-world environmental causes. We spoke to Chaos Theory Games Executive Creative Director Nico King to find out more.

Inside the World of Crab God

Twinfinite’s Lewis Rees (LR): Why did you decide on crabs as the stars of your game?

Even with the June Nintendo Direct chock-full of first-party announcements, we are still waiting on news about these Nintendo franchises. 2024 is already bursting at the seams with Nintendo titles. As such, it seems unlikely we’ll see any games in these franchises this year. However, going into the hardware reveal for the Switch successor, these franchises could do with a look-in.

10. A ‘Warriors’ Tie-in

Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors is a franchise with a long history of colorful and engaging titles like any other. However, Dynasty Warriors seemingly suffers similarly to the Soul Calibur franchise.

Destiny 2 supers are one of the best parts of the game. We all love that particular power-fantasy sense that comes from blasting foes apart, but which super is the best? Today, we’re ranking every current super in Destiny 2.

Every Destiny 2 Super Ranked by Class

When it comes down to it, you will want to know which super is best for your particular class or even subclass. These rankings will take into account both PvE and PvP, as well as how effective a super is at crowd control.

There’s no better way to show off your support for your favorite brand than with a flashy t-shirt – here are our best picks for PlayStation-themed shirts in 2024! Whether you’re looking for a shirt that showcases some of the characters and themes from your favorite PlayStation games or simply a colorful take on the PlayStation brand logo, we reckon we’ve covered all bases. Without further ado, here are our top 13 best PlayStation shirts you can buy in 2024.

13. PlayStation Graphic Tee

Starting nice and simple, this officially licensed PlayStation Short Sleeve Graphic Tee would be a nice addition to any PlayStation fan’s wardrobe. It displays the famous PlayStation face buttons on the front of a sleek black T-shirt. Simple, but effective.

New MMORPGs are rare these days. To a lot of people, Tarisland may be a pleasant surprise for those looking for a modern, competent MMORPG. Luckily, we’re here to help you get started with 10 tips for Tarisland.

Best Beginner Tips for Tarisland

Despite just launching, and being an MMO designed for both mobile and PC, Tarisland is surprisingly fully featured. In fact, the game has enough going on that it can be a bit overwhelming. We’re hoping the tips below will help with that!

After nearly 20 years, the Xbox 360 Marketplace is closing on July 29, 2024. Before that day comes, we’ve put together a list of the best of those games that are leaving, so that you can pick them up before they’re gone.

While it can be frustrating, some titles can still be purchased on the PlayStation 3 Store for a time. Beyond that, not all titles are lost – many have remasters and ports on other consoles!

Roguelike fans have a lot to look forward to as there are a bunch of new exciting games on the horizon. Here are our top 10 picks for roguelike games in 2024 and beyond! With its compelling die-and-repeat model, there’s something about a good roguelike game that keeps us coming back for more. It seems that gamers and the gaming industry at large are inclined to agree, with a staggering abundance of roguelike experiences released in the first half of 2024 alone.

From AAA blockbusters such as God of War Ragnarok’s well-received Valhalla mode, to the early access release of indie hit Hades 2, there’s a roguelike game out there that will suit every flavor. However, there are still a huge number of roguelike experiences that players can look forward to. Read on to discover the roguelike and roguelite games we are most looking forward to.

Given how long Metroid Prime 4 has been in development, it’s little surprise that its reveal at the June 2024 Nintendo Direct has many people excited beyond belief.

Sporting some excellent modern-day graphics and an ominously designed new villain, the game’s latest trailer left it looking primed to deliver an action-packed experience most any fan would want to experience. It likewise stands as one of the only exclusives Nintendo has lined up for 2025, which means it’s in an optimal position to be the sole title Switch owners dig into upon its release.