Hitman developer IO Interactive has detailed the PC requirements for its upcoming James Bond origin story, 007 First Light.
For those playing Kirby Air Riders, we’re going over the best characters in the game’s City Trial. In many ways, Kirby Air Riders is a racing game. But in just as many ways, it kind of isn’t – City Trial is arguably its premier game mode, and it’s more about combat and collecting than it is racing. If you’ve never...
The post The best characters in Kirby Air Riders’ City Trial appeared first on Nintendo Everything.
A new month started up last week. Now that we’re in January (and 2026), we want to know what you’ve been playing. Given the holiday period and very start of the year, things have been slow for new releases. Still, it’s the perfect time to catch up on games you may have missed. No matter what you’re playing currently, let...
The post [Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – January 2026 appeared first on Nintendo Everything.
System: Switch 2 (reviewed) / Switch Release date: January 15, 2026 Developer: Nihon Falcom Publisher: NIS America For more than two decades, The Legend of Heroes has been quietly building one of the most intricate and patient narratives in video game history. What began in 2004 with Trails in the Sky evolved into a sprawling, interconnected saga spanning multiple arcs,...
The post The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon review for Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on Nintendo Everything.
EpicTellers Entertainment has announced that those who have backed Starfinder: Afterlight with the closed beta access option will be able to play some of the early parts of the game in February. If you are interested in getting in on the closed beta, you can still back Starfinder: Afterlight on Kickstarter which will grant access. Additionally, EpicTellers Entertainment has stated it is aiming to launch Starfinder: Afterlight’s early access in Q2 or Q3 this year.
Those who get to play the Starfinder: Afterlight closed beta will have the opportunity to experience the opening 45-60 minutes of Act 1’s gameplay, three pre-made character builds to try including Human Soldier, Vesk Envoy, and Shirren Operative, and to explore the Entertainment District of Hivemarket on Akiton. This opening section will also give players their first interactions with Preach, Sterling, and the Larva, which will contain full voice acting. Additional details about the closed beta are going to be announced closer to the time of release.
At full release, Starfinder Afterlight will have between 40 to 60 hours of gameplay, with multiple difficulty settings available for those who want everything from experiencing the story to challenging combat. There will be a full voice cast and Eduardo de la Iglesia is composing the soundtrack, and Starfinder Afterlight will also support mods. The game itself is a CRPG based on the Paizo’s sci-fi and fantasy tabletop RPG.
Source: Steam
Dead by Daylight is officially reopening the gateway to Hawkins with the official reveal of Stranger Things Chapter 2, bringing iconic heroes and villains from Stranger Things back into The Fog. Available now via the Steam Public Test Build and launching January 27, the new chapter expands the crossover with new Survivors, a powerful Killer, and Legendary cosmetic content.
Starfinder: Afterlight is a new turn-based cRPG from Epictellers Entertainment, a Barcelona-based studio that saw how Baldur's Gate 3 proved there was a commercial appetite for strong cRPG games (as they told us in the linked exclusive interview), and wanted to offer a sci-fi flavour to those fans of the genre and anyone introduced to cRPGs through Baldur's Gate 3. Today, at the New Game Plus Showcase, Epictellers debuted a first look at some gameplay, including some combat and a bit of exploration. It's not a huge look at what's to come, but it does feature some stunning voices, and […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/starfinder-afterlight-gameplay-debut-epictellers-entertainment-new-game-plus/
I still remember the sentiment surrounding my joining the world of Destiny 2 and the impressions I had framed in my mind. I remember the storyline of the game and the characters that came with it. I remember the planned group activities with friends where I would come for the game and laughter, and enjoy the melting pot of cultures that I would experience. Dystopia would contribute to the cultural side of the game. I would remember the game for the positive memories of the friends I would meet.
I would experience the game for the people's memories, for the friends I would meet. Madness in the romance, I would only be in for the people. There is madness in the romance; I would only be in for the people. There is madness in the game; I would only be in for the people. suger
Spectacle is Destiny 2’s calling card, and there is no better place to see that than in the stark and beautiful war-torn zones of the game. The blend of the celestial and the terrestrial is well balanced. The game’s environments ooze atmosphere, whether you are in the crumbling and scarred landscapes of the EDZ or in the illusory woods of Nessus. The game does well to instill in you the perspective of the vast and indifferent universe that surrounds you, the little spark-wielding guardian, the universe that surrounds and watches you.
It’s frustrating to see the wide gaps in the lore after seasonals and plot drips. It’s like trying to complete only one half of a jigsaw puzzle, and the rest is in a completely different house. My background in the genre as a traditional JRPG player made the gaps hard to appreciate. Destiny 2 does not have storylines that are traditional, and that’s one of the things that has to be appreciated most: the ambition. Unfortunately, the game does not seem to provide the lore or the rich storytelling to back that ambition up to the extent that a player deserves.
Ah, the loot. It’s the carrot on the stick that keeps Guardians grinding through strikes, raids, and gambit matches. But here’s the thing: not all loot is created equal. The doubtless lucrative rewards complain. When Early Destiny 2 started, it lacked truly enticing pieces. Yes, there were a few outstanding weapons and some sets of pieces of armor, but more often than not, after a long, exhausting activity, I’d receive a piece of gear that was.
Bungie, to some extent, has resolved this issue. These weapons, more than tools of killing, are statements. Yet there’s room for more. Destiny 2, for all its outstanding gear, still lacks top-tier enough high-end gear to truly reward its most loyal followers who buy cheap PS4 games. There are far more hours than I’d like to admit spent chasing God Rolls than there are high-end pieces of loot to reward that effort. Available loot should match the depth and complexity of the gameplay.
Destiny 2 without its social aspects? No thanks. It wouldn't even be enjoyable. This game is, no doubt, about its community. Be it a raid, nightfall, or just crucible, gameplay is enjoyed even more with a friend or group. Numbers do change the fun, but it is still the moments in gameplay, or the Leviathan in my case, that stick with you. Six hours, dying and laughing, with a group, only to win in the end, the value is in the collective enjoyment, even in defeat. Little moments create and force repetitive gameplay. They make you do it. They bring you back.
Adversely, social aspects can be a burden. Group content boundaries mean the best parts of the game for solo players are lost. Solo gameplay has its own content and parts to engage with, if you buy PS5 shooter games that are action role-playing first. It wouldn't be unreasonable to give more ends and means to the lone Guardians in the endgame. They should be able to engage and appreciate the boss or grind. It isn't just the friends that count.
Destiny 2, like any live-service game, is still a work in progress. Its first year was rough, marked by questionable design choices and a community that felt increasingly alienated. But there is one thing that Bungie has proven. They will listen. The Year 2 expansion, Forsaken, reworked systems and breathed new life into the game. Even with the stumbles, there is a commitment from the developers to evolve the game.
At this time, the primary story campaigns have been made free, but the high-level, permanent activities like Raids and Dungeons are bundled in "Packs," so you will still have to get one of those. Destiny 2: Beyond Light, released in 2020, the fifth extension, introduces the Stasis subclass, the first ability set tied to the Darkness. The endgame content is packaged in the Beyond Light Pack (a paid purchase), which includes the Deep Stone Crypt Raid, certain Nightfall Strikes (The Glassway and Proving Grounds), and access to over 15 Exotic weapons and armor pieces associated with the expansion.
In 2019, we had Destiny 2: Shadowkeep extension, the fourth major expansion for Destiny 2, marking the game's Year 3 content. The endgame content is packaged in the Shadowkeep Pack (a paid purchase), which includes the Garden of Salvation Raid, the Pit of Heresy Dungeon, the Scarlet Keep Nightfall strike, and access to over 15 Exotic weapons and armor pieces associated with the expansion. The endgame content is packaged in the Shadowkeep Pack (a paid purchase), which includes the Garden of Salvation Raid, the Pit of Heresy Dungeon, the Scarlet Keep Nightfall strike, and access to over 15 Exotic weapons and armor pieces associated with the expansion.
The Witch Queen (2022, Year 5) proposes the confrontation with Savathûn, the Hive God of Cunning, and the introduction of the Light-wielding Hive and the new weapon crafting system.
Lightfall (2023, Year 6) is a chase after The Witness to Neptune, uncovering the hidden city of Neomuna, and the introduction of the new Strand Darkness Subclass.
The Final Shape (2024, Year 7) is the epic conclusion to the "Light and Darkness Saga," as Guardians enter the Traveler to face The Witness. It introduced the Prismatic Subclass.
The Edge of Fate (2025, Year 8) is the most recent "medium-sized" expansion, which began a new saga for the game. It is part of Bungie's new content release model of two expansions per year.
There is so much potential with so many ideas that feel just shy of fully realized. As someone who has fallen in love with this game, Bungie is a developer that I hope will balance ambition and execution. Until then, I’ll be there chasing the next raid clear, the next legendary drop, and the next moment that makes it all worthwhile.
With Baldur's Gate 3 proving more than ever that the CRPG is very much alive and well, bringing a whole new audience into the world of digital D&D, I'm excited to see more games able to capitalize on that with all manner of new settings. Starfinder: Afterlight is already high on my 2026 wishlist, combining plenty of agonizing decision-making with a tactical battle system. It also boasts an impressive cast, and its first gameplay reveal during the New Game Plus showcase gives us a taste of the combat along with a glimpse of narrator Roger Clark at work.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: New tactical RPG Starfinder Afterlight is the sci-fi D&D adventure I wanted, and RDR 2's Arthur Morgan as its drawling narrator is the cherry on top
The 007 First Light system requirements have arrived, and honestly, I'm slightly shocked. For what looks to be a cinematic experience that could rival the likes of L.A. Noire and Mafia: The Old Country, IO Interactive's latest won't take a colossal toll on your rig. Running the game at a setting that meets the minimum requirements isn't going to look amazing, but it'll be something the vast majority of gaming PCs can manage, and if your machine can manage the recommended specs, you'll get to enjoy the snow-covered Slovakian mountains and gilded halls of Kensington at a smooth 60fps, at 1080p.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: The 007 First Light system requirements aren't as terrifying as I expected
You can't swing a metaphorical, potentially otherworldly cat these days without hitting something related to Stranger Things. It's all over my Netflix; it's dominating my social media timelines: it's everywhere. As the Duffer Brothers' long-running saga finally draws to a close, Dead by Daylight has just dropped its second Stranger Things-inspired chapter on the PTB, adding both Jane 'Eleven' Hopper and Dustin Henderson as survivors, and a new take on classic D&D villain Vecna, who enters the fray for a second time.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: Dead By Daylight's Stranger Things Chapter 2 just hit the PTB, and its new Vecna is even scarier than the last one
For those playing Kirby Air Riders, we’re going over the best characters in the game’s City Trial. In many ways, Kirby Air Riders is a racing game. But in just as many ways, it kind of isn’t – City Trial is arguably its premier game mode, and it’s more about combat and collecting than it is racing. If you’ve never...
The post The best characters in Kirby Air Riders’ City Trial appeared first on Nintendo Everything.
A new month started up last week. Now that we’re in January (and 2026), we want to know what you’ve been playing. Given the holiday period and very start of the year, things have been slow for new releases. Still, it’s the perfect time to catch up on games you may have missed. No matter what you’re playing currently, let...
The post [Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – January 2026 appeared first on Nintendo Everything.
System: Switch 2 (reviewed) / Switch Release date: January 15, 2026 Developer: Nihon Falcom Publisher: NIS America For more than two decades, The Legend of Heroes has been quietly building one of the most intricate and patient narratives in video game history. What began in 2004 with Trails in the Sky evolved into a sprawling, interconnected saga spanning multiple arcs,...
The post The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon review for Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on Nintendo Everything.
The second chapter in the Stranger Things and Dead by Daylight crossover has arrived, bringing with it loads of new content straight from Hawkins for all to explore. One of the bigger new features in this update is the arrival of Dustin Henderson as a new Survivor.
Getting to know Survivors you haven’t played before can be a bit tricky, but it’s a lot easier to dive right in if you familiarize yourself with their skillset beforehand. If you’re interested in playing him, here are all Dustin Henderson Perks in Dead by Daylight.
We’re entering the hallowed ground of the Top 10, the territory of listicles across countless topics, as we search for our very most desired games of 2026. This batch of games has some galactic and not so galactic racing, a bit of revolution in the air, a much wanted sequel, and an experience that might leave you shaken but not stirred.
PS5, XSX|S, PC – 2026
In a galaxy far, far away an Empire has fallen and a New Republic is forming. However, this is a time of great upheaval and uncertainty, which means there is space for some sci-fi motor racing. A spiritual successor to Star Wars: Episode I: Racer, Star Wars: Galactic Racer introduces us to the undergroung Galactic League, where racers from different backgrounds and disciplines come together to prove who the best pilot is in the galaxy. Podracer Sebulba is just one of those characters.
There is also a new character called Shade, and that is who players embody. Shade is a racer starting at the bottom who has two goals; glory and revenge. Glory in becoming the best racer in the league, and revenge against rival Kestar who wants to run the league in his own way. Racing just makes up one part of Star Wars Galactic Racer, as players will have to navigate alliances and rivalries with other racers to come out on top. There will be race tracks across familiar planets as well as new ones being added to the Star Wars universe.
XSX|S, PC – TBA
inXile Entertainment has steadily built itself up as a studio that can deliver fun and interesting RPGs, from The Bard’s Tale series, through Torment: Tides of Numenera and most recently Wasteland 3 each showing depth in ideas and execution. But since their acquisition by Microsoft they’ve been able to push on towards full AAA territory. Clockwork Revolution is the time-bending RPG coming out of this ambition, and it’s high on our list following a great looking gameplay reveal that showcased fun gameplay, comedy, and a world that can be changed by player actions.
Clockwork Revolution is set in the year 1895 in the steam powered city of Avalon where humans and clockwork people live and work together side by side. It is also a world filled with criminals and a powerful ruling class that can time travel to craft Avalon in their image. Unfortunately for them, your character has also found a way to time travel and shape the city to their own ends. We know the main character is a scoundrel who appears they will do anything to get ahead. The character creation alone is integrated into the game as someone giving the police a description of you after you have robbed them.
XSX|S, PC (and possibly PS5) – 2026
The announcement for Forza Horizon 6 had some of its impact taken away after the Forza Horizon social media accounts posted the teaser ahead of the official reveal at Tokyo Game Show. The teaser pans across items from different parts of the world before settling on a Japanese license plate and a white Neko figure. It then pans up to show Mount Fuji, confirming Forza Horizon 6 will be taking place in Japan.
Not much is known about Forza Horizon 6 right now, beyond the fact that it will carry on in the traditions of the open world series. Seasons will be returning, and the map will have be landmark-filled approximation of Japan, including Mount Fuji, Tokyo, and rural areas. This map is being developed with Japanese consultants so more is shown of the country than just the touristy bits. Expect to see an awful lot more of this game, and likely a release date announcement during the Developer_Direct stream on 22nd January.
PS5, XSX|S, NSW2, PC – 27th May 2026
While we still wait on the news on who will be the next James Bond for the films, we don’t have to wait much longer for IO Interactive’s take on the most famous of spies, even if the game has been delayed to May. 007: First Light is IO Interactive’s most ambitious games, taking on the mantle of crafting a new Bond story while using lessons learned from its highly acclaimed Hitman games.
Bond is not yet the globe trotting super spy we all know, but a young agent still earning his reputation and having to work as part of a team. The mission is to take down 009 who has gone rogue, using MI6’s own tactics against them. Bond is a loose cannon who will do things his own way to get the job done, even if it doesn’t please others in the organisation. The game will feature spycraft, shootouts, and driving ( a first for IO Interactive) with each taking inspiration from the 007 books and movies.
You can read more about the game in our very own preview.
PS5, XSX|S, PC – 2026
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun was heralded as a great return to form for the boomer shooter form, getting critical acclaim and commercial success. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 has already got high expectations placed upon its shoulders, and what we know of it so far seems to promise a lot more action without sacrificing much of what made Boltgun great.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 gives us two protagonists to play as, Sternguard Veteran Malum Caedo and Sister of Battle, Nyra Veyrath. Each has their own playstyle so you can try new ways of taking on enemies as you travel through a hive city and mangrove swamps. The story will also have a branching narrative with each choice taking you to different levels, meaning you may have to play through a few times to see everything. On top of that there are new enemy units to engage in combat with including Bloodletters ,Juggernauts and other new enemies from different factions. Boltgun 2 is going to be a bigger and louder experience than its predecessor, but we will have to wait and see if it is better.
That’s it for today, and we’re going to take a day off tomorrow to catch our breath and then blitz through out top five with daily posts. What’s going to come out on top?
EpicTellers Entertainment has announced that those who have backed Starfinder: Afterlight with the closed beta access option will be able to play some of the early parts of the game in February. If you are interested in getting in on the closed beta, you can still back Starfinder: Afterlight on Kickstarter which will grant access. Additionally, EpicTellers Entertainment has stated it is aiming to launch Starfinder: Afterlight’s early access in Q2 or Q3 this year.
Those who get to play the Starfinder: Afterlight closed beta will have the opportunity to experience the opening 45-60 minutes of Act 1’s gameplay, three pre-made character builds to try including Human Soldier, Vesk Envoy, and Shirren Operative, and to explore the Entertainment District of Hivemarket on Akiton. This opening section will also give players their first interactions with Preach, Sterling, and the Larva, which will contain full voice acting. Additional details about the closed beta are going to be announced closer to the time of release.
At full release, Starfinder Afterlight will have between 40 to 60 hours of gameplay, with multiple difficulty settings available for those who want everything from experiencing the story to challenging combat. There will be a full voice cast and Eduardo de la Iglesia is composing the soundtrack, and Starfinder Afterlight will also support mods. The game itself is a CRPG based on the Paizo’s sci-fi and fantasy tabletop RPG.
Source: Steam
