Embark Studios has revealed that more than one million ARC Raiders players completed their first Expedition Project.
The post One Million ARC Raiders Players Wiped Their Accounts, Embark Reveals appeared first on Insider Gaming.
The former developers of Little Nightmares are now working on a game that merges twin stick Shooters with Metroidvanias.
The post Former Little Nightmares Devs Talk Upcoming Twin-Stick Metroidvania Game appeared first on Insider Gaming.
Developed by Wishes Ultd., Greg Lobanov, Alexis Dean-Jones, Lena Raine, Madeline Berger, and A Shell in the Pit, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top-down adventure game in a coloring book world full of vibrant, animal-like characters. In the world of Picnic Province, Chicory, superstar artist and wielder of the Brush, is missing, and all the color in the land vanished with her. As Chicory's biggest fan, players are tasked with picking up the Brush and filling in for her, using their newfound painting powers to explore, solve puzzles, make friends, and draw on anything. It's the perfect blend of The Legend of Zelda's iconic puzzle-solving progression and Animal Crossing's cozy charm, and yet it is still somehow one of the gaming industry's best-kept secrets.
HIGH Memorable characters and a clever combat mechanic.
LOW Enemies are frequently weak against words the player hasn’t found.
WTF But… what about the tournament?
Ringo is a typical 14-year-old kid. She tries to be fiercely independent, but is capable of great love and loyalty. She’s headstrong, lazy, snarky, and apparently doesn’t bathe enough. She’s also tremendously good at kicking people in the face.
Ringo dreams of two things — finding her missing brother, and someday winning the Kiai Tournament, which is the ultimate martial arts spectacle/competition/game show in the known universe.
When a mysterious ship bearing the ne’er do well Wolfe crash-lands on her planet, Ringo discovers that she carries part of the fabled Wanderstar map, which may give her both the answers she seeks and the training she needs to meet both her goals… provided evil pirates don’t get her first.
Wander Stars could be coarsely summed up as a menu-driven RPG featuring anime-inspired visuals that are a love letter to Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball), but it’s so much more than that.
For starters, when I say “menu-driven RPG,” I’m sure many will immediately picture something where players are given options to Fight, Run, Use, or Magic on opponents ad nauseum for dozens, if not hundreds of hours. Wander Stars does indeed use menus, but… not like that.
During combat, Ringo is provided with a certain number of slots where the player can place words to use for attack, defense, and modifiers, with some words taking up more of those slots than others.
For example, “Kick” does a limited amount of damage, but only takes up one word slot, while “Dropkick” does more damage, but takes up more slots.
During her journey, Ringo also learns modifiers that can increase damage or hasten a word’s cooldown time, allowing it to be used again sooner. She also learns environmental effects which can do more damage, provide buffs, or cause status effects like “blind”.
When it all comes together, Ringo may choose to perform something multipart and fancy like a “Super Fire Dropkick” on her foe, causing massive damage. It sounds complicated, but it becomes second nature almost immediately.
What’s trickier (and takes more time to master) is the other amazing trick Wander Stars’ combat has up its sleeve — the goal in every fight is not to knock opponents’ health to zero, but instead, to get them to surrender.
Each enemy has a hit point range (near death) in which they’ll immediately give up. Beating them down but then allowing foes to leave the field with their dignity intact awards Honor points, which are then used to teach Ringo more words, improve health, and give more word slots for combat.
Accomplishing this is easier said than done, though. Every opponent’s range is different, and while Wander Stars tells the player exactly how much damage a move is capable of, it doesn’t mention weaknesses and resistances until a word is used — think “Not Very Effective” or “Super Effective” from the combat in Pokemon.
Discovering how to determine a baddie’s weaknesses and then making sure not to knock them out completely is a challenge, and it turns combat from simply clicking on words into choosing the right phrase at the right time. As a result, these fights are tense in a way I’ve never experienced in an RPG of this type.
So the combat lands, but what about the script? The story delves into heady topics such as love, loss, trauma, regret and sacrifice, while maintaining a sense of wonder and a healthy dose of humor along with the introspection.
In an homage to many famous JRPGs, the cast of Wander Stars is a motley crew of lost souls who come together using the power of friendship to thwart a great evil. While that sounds cliché, clever writing and witty banter gives the narrative immense charm. I found myself moved by Ringo’s drive to rebuild her lost family, and Wolfe’s checkered past hides a heart that has been broken beyond measure by his choices.
It’s a credit to the writing team that the story never falls into melodrama, and they know exactly when and how to change the mood with a quick joke or a poignant peek into a character’s psyche. I can’t describe it in any more detail without risking spoilers, but it’s fantastic — my only complaints about the script are that the story ends too soon, and the ending feels like setup for a sequel. Otherwise, the narrative is superb.
My biggest complaint, and frankly the only thing preventing me from giving Wander Stars a higher rating, is the fact that in addition to being a turn-based RPG, it also has roguelike elements which mean the adventure is designed to be played in multiple runs. It’s fully expected that players complete each of the “episodes” more than once, so Ringo can unlock more words to use in later runs. The problem is that many enemies are only weak against words Ringo may not learn until much later in the campaign, often making the combat more difficult than it needs to be, especially against bosses that have ridiculous amounts of health and must be completely defeated — bosses never surrender.
That aside, Wander Stars is one of — if not the best — games I’ve played this year. It is equal parts hilarious, touching, exciting, and clever. The interactions between characters and even the enemies is consistently moving or delightful, the combat is sharp and challenging, and the art style is top-notch. It’s a must-play, but just be prepared for a bit of a grind and know that it might be tough to find exactly the right words to do the job.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Buy Wander Stars – PC – PS – XB – SW
Disclosures: This game is developed by Paper Castle Games and published by Fellow Traveller. It is currently available on XBX/S, PS5, PC, and Switch. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the XBX. Approximately 22 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. There are no multiplayer modes.
Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated T and contains Fantasy Violence, Language, Use of Tobacco. The game implies violence against humanoid and non-humanoid creatures. All violence is stylized, and all damage received by characters is cartoonish in nature such as large bumps on the head, or comically swollen eyes. S— is used early and often in dialogue. The storyline features a self-sacrifice of a character which may be triggering for some. Parents may wish to use caution in allowing children to experience the game based on these two factors.
Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: This game offers subtitles. The subtitles cannot be altered and/or resized. However, the UI titles can be re-colored for accessibility purposes, and the delay around subtitles can be changed as well. All dialogue is handled via subtitles. All audio cues are accompanied by a visual component. This game is fully accessible.
Remappable Controls: Yes, the controls can be remapped.
The post Wander Stars Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.
ZeniMax Online Studios has officially revealed what to expect from The Elder Scrolls Online in 2026, and there are some major changes coming to the MMORPG this year.
ZeniMax is making the full transition to seasonal content this year. Each season will feature a distinct theme and run for three months. The new structure begins with Season Zero: Dawn and Dusk, launching on April 2, 2026, across all platforms.
Each season can include a mix of new content, such as a new zone, dungeon, storyline, and even new classes, skill lines, or additional systems.
What sets seasons apart is that all seasonal content will be added to the base game for free. There will be no additional cost tied directly to seasonal content.
Instead, ZeniMax is introducing its take on a battle pass system called Tamriel Tomes, which will run alongside each season. As expected, Tamriel Tomes will include both a free rewards track and a premium track.
Weekly in-game challenges will allow players to progress through Tamriel Tomes more quickly.
Premium Track and ESO Plus Subscribers
Unfortunately, ESO Plus subscribers will not automatically receive access to the premium track of a season’s Tamriel Tome. Instead, subscribers earn one token for every 12 months of active subscription, which can be used to unlock a premium track of their choosing.
The first season of 2026 will launch simultaneously on PC and consoles this April and will conclude on July 8, 2026.
Dawn and Dusk introduces a new limited-time event zone called The Night Market, located in Fargrave within the Oblivion realm. This marks ESO’s first-ever event zone and will be available for seven weeks, featuring challenging PvE encounters and exclusive rewards.
Players will choose one of three unique factions and experience new stories, characters, quests, and even new in-game home rewards tied to the event.
Because The Night Market is limited-time content, ZeniMax confirmed that similar event zones will return in future seasons. This gives players another chance if they missed the event or want to experience it again with a different faction.
Ahead of the first season, Update 49 launches on March 9 and focuses heavily on quality-of-life improvements. ZeniMax is addressing long-standing player requests, including free skill and attribute respecs directly from the UI, faster riding skill progression, increased furnishing limits, and more.
Update 49 and Season Zero will also bring notable combat adjustments and class refreshes. During the first season, the Dragonknight class will be the primary focus, receiving visual updates across several abilities along with reworks to its core skill lines.
The Two-Handed weapon skill line is also getting a visual refresh, and Werewolves will see visual improvements later in the season, including the addition of a female werewolf model.
PvP is receiving attention as well, with the introduction of the Vengeance PvP Progression system. This new system allows players to rank up, earn rewards, and unlock unique passive abilities through PvP play.
ZeniMax also shared a broader look at ESO’s 2026 roadmap, confirming plans for both Season One and Season Two.
Season One Includes:
New system: Sage’s Vault
Multi-stage cooperative events (dynamic world events)
New in-game event: High Seas of Tamriel
New Trial: Crimson Veldt
Warden class refresh (visual and balance improvements)
Season Two Includes:
Return of The Night Market event zone
Solo Dungeons: Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices
Large-scale world events in Skyrim (dynamic storms)
Sorcerer class refresh (visual and balance improvements)
Greymoor DLC added to the base game
In 2024, ZeniMax moved away from traditional annual expansions and shifted toward seasonal content in 2025, featuring two major drops through a paid content pass. They also finally added subclassing last year. Now, in 2026, the studio is committing fully to a seasonal structure.
From what I’m seeing, this looks like ZeniMax’s attempt to make The Elder Scrolls Online more accessible to newcomers and returning players. Picking up the 2025 premium content pass now grants access to previous expansions, making it easier to catch up without feeling buried by years of content.
Seasons, meanwhile, seem designed to strengthen the base game as they roll out, rather than endlessly expanding the backlog for new players. Whether this approach actually works is another question. The 2025 content plan didn’t land particularly well for its community, and it remains to be seen if this seasonal model will fare any better.
For a full rundown of everything planned, you can see the official 2026 reveal below.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Xbox has revealed wave 1 of PC and Xbox Game Pass titles for January 2026. This batch features 11 titles.
The first wave has some interesting additions, with Resident Evil Village standing out the most. It’s the perfect game, considering the next mainline entry in the Resident Evil series, Resident Evil Requiem, is releasing this February.
There’s also Star Wars Outlaws, but I’m not all that enthusiastic about it, as I gave it a 2/5 when I played it at launch. It received a series of patch updates and improvements, so it could be a better experience for Star Wars fans.
The day one title for this wave is Mio: Memories in Orbit, a metroidvania action platformer that looks visually stunning thanks to its unique hand-drawn world.
Here’s the full list.
Games with * are not new titles added, as they are just now available on a different game pass tier.
Brews & Bastards (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Atomfall (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – Now with Game Pass Premium
*Lost in Random: The Eternal Die (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – Now with Game Pass Premium
*Rematch (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) - Now with Game Pass Premium
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) - Now with Game Pass Premium
Final Final Fantasy – (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Star Wars Outlaws (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Resident Evil Village (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
MIO: Memories in Orbit (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) - Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, day one title
Flintlock The Siege of Dawn (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Neon White (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
Road 96 (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Ascent (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Grinch Christmas Adventures (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Highguard, the upcoming free-to-play PvP “raid” shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, made its debut as the final reveal at The Game Awards 2025.
It was the “we have one last thing to show” moment in the show that is meant to land hard before the Game of the Year presentation. Instead, it left people scratching their heads.
Fast forward three weeks after the reveal, and there’s been nothing but silence from the developers. No follow-up. No sense of urgency. No visible marketing push to support the game.
That’s especially strange when you consider that Highguard is reportedly set to release this month, on January 27.
Landing the final slot in The Game Awards felt like there was a clear plan to follow up on such a commitment, yet we barely see anything. No Developer updates, deeper breakdowns, or at least something to remind people the game exists. Not even early content creator access for them to show the game to their communities.
All we have is a single announcement trailer on the game's official YouTube channel, and social media barely has anything during the game's release month.
That’s very unusual, considering this game is free-to-play and is a newly formed studio. On top of that, the reception of the reveal wasn’t all that kind online, as it’s echoing a similar response to when Concord’s gameplay reveal was shown. We all know how that turned out.
Was the negative reaction online enough for Wildlight to quietly rethink their rollout? Or are they gambling everything on a surprise-heavy launch day reveal?
It could start next week, dumping one piece of information after another until release, but time is running out as people are slowly forgetting. In today’s market, a pre-launch communication plan is essential, especially now, considering everyone’s knee-jerk reaction to Highguard was mainly “Oh, another hero shooter?” They are against people not excited, but disappointed at what they saw.
It’s puzzling, really, as this is from the developers who worked on Apex Legends and Titanfall. That puts even more weight, and quite frankly, it would have been a solid hit if they just decided to shadow drop the game after the show, like how Respawn Entertainment shocked the world with Apex Legends, slowly cementing their spot in the battle royale genre.
Either way, the silence is a red flag, and if Highguard struggles out of the gate, this early lack of communication will be one of the first things people point to. It was given a rare opportunity, and it’s looking that they failed to capitalize on it, or at the very least maintain a solid momentum.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Square Enix announced that a playable demo for Dragon Quest VII Reimagined will be released on January 7, giving players a chance to try the game ahead of its worldwide launch on February 5 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and February 6 for PC.
While Square Enix has not stated how long the demo will be, they did mention it to be “several hours” long, but progress is expected to carry over to the full game. This suggests that players will be able to experience the opening portion of the remake.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a remake of Dragon Quest VII, originally released in 2000. The new version features a diorama-style visual presentation, modernized gameplay mechanics, and a more streamlined story. Developed by Hexadrive alongside Square Enix, the remake aims to preserve the core essence of the original while appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
In a recent interview with Gamesbeat, Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund confirmed that Arc Raiders uses an aggression-based matchmaking system alongside player skill. In short, players who regularly engage in PVP are more likely to be matched with others who do the same, while those who avoid PVP tend to be grouped together.
This detail surfaced during a casual interview featuring Söderlund and Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney as they played several matches with GamesBeat’s Dean Takahashi.
Söderlund noted that the system is “not an exact science.” Player skill remains a core matchmaking factor, but aggression is layered on top to help shape lobby behavior. While it’s not perfect, the explanation provides some clarity for a community that has long speculated about how matchmaking works.
Before this confirmation, players believed matchmaking might be based on gear value, raw skill, or hidden MMR systems. Aggression as a tracked factor, however, was a theory that many had only recently begun testing and discussing.
That said, Söderlund didn’t go into specifics. It’s still unclear what actions actually count as “aggressive.” Does firing first matter more than defending yourself? Does retaliating against an attacker push you into more PvP-heavy lobbies? With skill seemingly taking priority, aggression appears to function as a secondary modifier rather than a defining rule. How they define “skill” is also something we don’t clearly understand.
If this system works as intended, it could meaningfully shape how the community approaches each match. A matchmaking system that naturally forms PvP-leaning and PvE-leaning lobbies without splitting the player base into separate modes could significantly contribute to long-term retention for the online game.
It’s also worth noting that Arc Raiders hasn’t slowed down as we enter 2026. While other shooters like Battlefield 6 have seen player numbers decline despite strong post-launch support, Arc Raiders has reportedly retained over 300,000 concurrent players on Steam months after release. That kind of staying power puts it closer to Helldivers 2’s early success than most modern shooters.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Capcom revealed that their upcoming sci-fi game Pragmata will launch on April 24, 2026. It was revealed during The Game Awards 2025 show, and they also announced a playable demo of the game is available on Steam right now.
Capcom also confirmed that Pragmata is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, in addition to previously announced platforms.
The Steam demo, titled the Sketchbook Demo, offers a small portion of the game designed to highlight its combat systems, with a few surprises for players who complete multiple playthroughs. Capcom also confirmed that demos for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 will be released at a later date.
With the release date announced, Capcom also shared pre-order details. Players can now pre-order Pragmata in either a Standard Edition or a Deluxe Edition, which includes additional digital content.
Pre-ordering Pragmata on any platform grants the Neo Bushido & Neo Kunoichi Outfit Set.
The Pragmata Deluxe Edition includes the Shelter Variety Pack, which adds alternate cosmetic outfits for Hugh and Diana. It also comes with a weapon skin, additional emotes for Diana, extra background music for the Shelter, and a 75-page in-game digital artwork library.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Developer Team Cherry announced that Hollow Knight: Silksong has surpassed seven million sales since its release in September 2025. Alongside the milestone, the studio confirmed it is working on the game’s first expansion, titled Sea of Sorrow, which is scheduled to release sometime in 2026.
Details on the expansion are still limited, but Team Cherry says Sea of Sorrow will introduce new areas, tools, bosses, and more. The real surprise is that the expansion will be free for all owners of the game, which feels especially generous given how much content Silksong already offers and its current price point across platforms.
Hollow Knight Silksong impressions
Team Cherry also closed out the announcement by confirming a Nintendo Switch 2 version of the original Hollow Knight is in development.
This updated release will feature higher frame rates, increased resolutions, and additional graphical enhancements similar to what’s seen in Silksong.
As a bonus, players who already own Hollow Knight on the Nintendo Switch will receive the Switch 2 edition for free when it launches sometime in 2026.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
During The Game Awards 2025, Blizzard revealed the next expansion for Diablo IV. Lord of Hatred will close out the game’s main storyline, bringing players face-to-face with Mephisto once again.
The expansion wraps up the current Diablo IV arc, adds a new region called Skovos, introduces sweeping gameplay changes, and brings in two new classes: the Paladin and a second class Blizzard hasn’t revealed yet.
Below is a breakdown of everything coming in the expansion.
AGE OF HATRED’S CULMINATION
FACE THE LORD OF HATRED
In the aftermath of Vessel of Hatred, this next chapter drives players toward their final stand against Mephisto, whose deception and spreading influence threaten to twist Sanctuary into a world consumed by malice. As Hell’s legions surge and the ancient Pools of Creation draw Mephisto ever closer, the fate of humanity hangs by a thread. To stop him, the Wanderer must embrace an old foe long believed to be dead. Lilith returns, her prophetic last words echoing true, forcing a perilous alliance bound by necessity rather than trust. With time and allies running out, the Wanderer is in a desperate race to stop Mephisto before hatred reshapes the world forever.
POWERFUL NEW CLASSES
The Lord of Hatred expansion answers years of community demand with two distinct new classes, dramatically broadening how players shape their playstyle, identity, and mastery in Sanctuary.
The Paladin rises as the realm darkens, wielding hammer, shield, and Holy Light to smite Mephisto’s demon army with righteous fury. Through melee combat and divine abilities, the Paladin empowers players to strike with both unwavering faith and overwhelming force.
A second, yet-unrevealed class looms on the dark horizon—its power undeniable, its arrival poised to reshape the battlefield when Lord of Hatred launches in April.
DANGEROUS LANDS
Skovos, the ancestral birthplace of the first civilization and the former home of Lilith and Inarius, stands as Sanctuary’s oldest and most storied region. Now ruled by The Oracle and the Amazon Queen, this never-before-seen in-game land blends volcanic coasts, storm-lashed forests, and waterlogged ruins steeped in forgotten lore.
As the Wanderer embarks on their journey through Skovos, each expedition will reveal new towns, dungeons, and monsters. Players will test their mettle against sinister cultists, oceanic horrors, and lingering shadows of Hell.
SKILLS & ITEMIZATION
The Lord of Hatred expansion delivers one of the most comprehensive gameplay evolutions since launch.
Deeply reworked Skill Trees introduce new class-specific variants and expanded level caps, offering fresh buildcraft and strategic depth across all eight classes.
A new Loot Filter empowers players to target desired gear more efficiently.
Enhanced crafting systems, including the return of the iconic Horadric Cube, reinforce experimentation and progression, while the new Talisman unlocks powerful set bonuses, expanding late-game customization in meaningful, class-defining ways.
OVERHAULED ENDGAME
After the campaign's dramatic finale, players can tap into a revitalized endgame, built around player choice, mastery, escalating challenge, and ever-more rewarding loot.
War Plans let players craft their own endgame progression path, selecting favoured activities and layering strategic modifiers as they push toward high-value rewards.
The Echoing Hatred stands as the Age of Hatred’s ultimate test: a relentless gauntlet of demonic hordes designed to challenge even the strongest builds.
Players seeking respite from demon-slaying can experience
It’s simple: pre-order the Lord of Hatred expansion to instantly unlock the Paladin class in the game’s latest season as those with the new expansion can get early access to the new class.
Pre-ordering, or even just owning the Standard Edition ($39.99) after launch, will also give you access to the first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, which is a solid bonus for those who skipped it last year.
Deluxe Edition (59.99)
Includes: Mini Chimera Pet Skorch, the Skartaran Basilisk Mount Bundle, the High Heavens Guard Cosmetic Bundle, a Premium Battle Pass Bundle, and more when the expansion launches.
Ultimate Edition ($89.99)
Includes everything from the Standard and Deluxe Editions, plus: the Umbral Knights Armor Bundle (six class sets), 3,000 Platinum, the Steed of the Shining Realm Bundle, Tymn, Echo of the Spire Back Trophy, the Ascent of the Just Town Portal Skin, and more when the expansion launches.
Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions also include access to Vessel of Hatred.
Diablo IV’s Lord of Hatred expansion will launch on April 28 on consoles and PC.
Wondering who the winners of The Game Awards 2025 are? Here’s the full list.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
In a surprising crossover, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has been updated with a Stranger Things expansion that lets players explore Hawkins using the Bell UH-1H Huey.
It’s a neat addition for Flight Simulator fans, offering a tour of Hawkins and several iconic locations from the show across five missions. The timing is perfect as the show is currently on its fifth and final season with half of the season already available on Netflix, with the rest releasing in a few weeks’ time.
The expansion is free for all owners of the game. You’ll get a look at the town and take on rescue-focused missions tied to the damage seen in the series.
To access the Stranger Things pack in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, head to the in-game marketplace after updating your game. Search for the expansion, download it, and you’re set.
For those looking to jump into Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 through the PS5, you can check out my review here. I did have issues with the game as a new player. At its core, it’s still a solid flight simulator for those passionate about aviation, and it actually knows a thing or two about actual flying.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Seeing Battlefield 6 go from over 700,000 peak concurrent players on Steam to barely scraping past 100,000 is certainly something, especially as ARC Raiders’ popularity increases. But it’s still far better than Call of Duty, which hit nearly 53,000 concurrent players in the past 24 hours on the platform.
Why is that a problem? The Call of Duty App doesn’t just include Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which launched last year to underwhelming reviews due to its campaign. It also tracks Black Ops 6, Warzone, the Modern Warfare series, and much more. Keep in mind that these player counts follow Holiday discounts and even a free week. The sad part is that this isn’t even the lowest in the past week, as it reached 39,015 peak concurrent players on January 8th.
Of course, none of this changes the fact that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 topped last November’s US sales charts (even if Battlefield 6 emerged as the top-selling premium game of 2026). Engagement with the app on consoles in the region was also as strong as ever, only lagging behind Fortnite and eking out ahead of Grand Theft Auto 5.
Nevertheless, Activision has pivoted significantly by announcing that it would no longer release back-to-back Modern Warfare and Black Ops titles. “We will drive innovation that is meaningful, not incremental. While we aren’t sharing those plans today, we look forward to doing so when the time is right.” Its developers have apparently been building the “next era of Call of Duty,” and judging by the current release cycle, it may be Modern Warfare 4.
In the meantime, check out our review for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 here. We gave it a five out of ten for the multiplayer (despite netcode and hit registration issues), and Zombies (despite the overtly safe gameplay loop). The campaign is an utter disaster, but at least Treyarch released an update to let you skip it and go straight to Endgame.
If you forget about the New Game+ Showcase, then the Xbox Developer_Direct looks to be the first major “Direct” style presentation for the year, as is tradition. Microsoft has already confirmed the presence of Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and Beast of Reincarnation, but there are rumors of a “secret” fourth title. Which is par for the course, honestly – remember when Hi-Fi Rush exploded into the world?
Insider Shinobi602 initially reported this, noting that he was “not very excited” based on his personal tastes, without mentioning any further details. VGC’s Andy Robinson followed up by alleging that it would be a third-party title. However, the site has since posted a correction. “This is a smaller original game from a first-party studio, and not a third-party game.”
Let the speculation run wild, especially considering rumors of Obsidian Entertainment working on four new games. Perhaps a sequel to Pentiment is on the cards? Of course, there’s also Double Fine Productions, which released Keeper last year but could have another project, this one directed by Tim Schafer, to showcase.
Could we perhaps see something from Ninja Theory? Hellblade 3 doesn’t seem all that likely, especially given how long ago the studio’s next project was allegedly greenlit. However, there is Project: Mara, which the studio has been quietly working on in the background since 2020.
With the Developer_Direct set for January 22nd, the wait is excruciating. Interestingly, we may get some other bombshell announcements, including Fable allegedly launching day and date on PS5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC.
CORRECTION: VGC has since been told this is a smaller original game from a first-party studio, and not a third-party game, as first reported. Apologies for the mix-up. https://t.co/VO3Zt03ipE
— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) January 9, 2026
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Gears of War: Reloaded – last year saw several once-exclusive Xbox titles making the jump to PS5. However, the undisputed most popular port is Playground Games’ Forza Horizon 5. Initially launched in 2021, the open-world racer reportedly passed five million sales on Sony’s console last week, according to Alinea Analytics’ Rhys Elliott.
“That’s over $300 million in revenue from a port of a four-year-old game,” he said. “Xbox’s move to third-party is no mystery, especially given Microsoft’s lofty profitability mandates.”
Forza Horizon 6 is the first title in the franchise to be available on a rival console. There’s also the fact that Forza Horizon 5 has been consistently popular since its release (which had more than ten million players in the first week). Combined with the fact that Playground Games continues to offer new content and features, the PS5 version’s success makes sense.
It’s thus more than a little odd that Microsoft wouldn’t prioritize launching Forza Horizon 6 on the PS5 alongside other platforms. Instead, it’s arriving sometime after the Xbox Series X/S and PC versions, which allegedly launch in the first half of this year. Lest you think this is a tactic to push more players to pick up the Xbox version or even purchase Game Pass, the staggered release is apparently due to the PS5 version not being ready.
A source revealed this to VGC’s Andy Robinson, which he found to be a little far-fetched. Nevertheless, you can expect Forza Horizon 6 to be an even bigger success than its predecessor, especially since it finally sees the series venturing to Japan. You can learn more on January 22nd during the Xbox Developer_Direct ’26, which will also feature Fable, Beast of Reincarnation and an alleged fourth game that’s currently a “secret.”
Forza Horizon 5 crossed 5 million copies sold on PS5 this week (@alineaanalytics estimates)
— Rhys Elliott (@superhys) January 9, 2026
That's over $300M in revenue from a port of a four-year old game.
Xbox's move to third-party is no mystery, especially given Microsoft's lofty profitability mandates.
Between Automatons, Terminids, and the returning Illuminate – not to mention volcanic worlds and bug-infested catacombs – Helldivers 2 players have surmounted all kinds of challenges since launch. That could change very soon, as players on Reddit briefly spotted a new Illuminate structure in the latest Major Order’s news reel.
Why is this significant? Well, as Arrowhead Games Studio CEO Shams Jorjani noted in an impromptu Discord Q&A, the next major update will apparently see a “lot of Helldivers” dying. Death isn’t anything new for Super Earth’s elite forces, but this structure is all the more foreboding given how powerful the Illuminate have historically proven.
Of course, as has traditionally been the case, you can probably expect some new weapons to help even the odds. The last Premium Warbond added an assault rifle/grenade launcher combo and the Maxigun, fulfilling many a player’s long-standing Rambo fantasies. There’s also the Killzone Legendary Warbond, which has permanently returned and offers some fantastic weapons based on Guerrilla Games’ first-person shooter franchise.
You can likely expect an announcement in the coming weeks for the next update, so stay tuned. Maybe it will include the rogue-lite mode that Arrowhead had been prototyping, which “fundamentally” alters the game.
Helldivers 2 is available for PS5, PC, and most recently, Xbox Series X/S. Check out our review for the latter here.
MAJOR ORDER: The Star of Peace continues its march toward readiness, with its primary optical array now under construction.
— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) January 8, 2026
This historic upgrade will convert the Democracy Space Station (DSS) into a macro-scale laser, capable of generating a high-yield beam optimized for mass… pic.twitter.com/uwgxmebhnl
This year’s Xbox Developer_Direct is on January 22nd, and Playground Games is bringing both of its big titles – Forza Horizon 6 and Fable. The former will receive its first-ever gameplay reveal while the latter gets a deep dive into its lovely fantasy world. Interestingly, while Forza Horizon 6 is PS5-bound at a later date, it seems that Fable could be a day-and-date multiplatform release.
This is according to VGC’s Andy Robinson, who shared on the site’s latest podcast, “Fable’s day and date. That’s what I’ve been told. Those are the sort of details where insiders misstep, right? Those are the sorts of details that can be changed a week before or a day before. The other stuff is kind of like a bit more set in stone. Yes, it’s coming to PlayStation 5.” Perhaps more intriguing is that the studio has reportedly been “targeting PS5 for a while.”
Why isn’t Forza Horizon 6 getting the same treatment, especially with how successful Forza Horizon 5 was on PS5? It’s also arguably the bigger brand, appealing to a larger spectrum of consumers. Robinson doesn’t know the “full story,” but heard that, allegedly, “It just wasn’t ready. I don’t know how true that is, because I mean, it’s going to be absolutely massive, but that game would be absolutely massive if it’s launching on everything day one, right? You’d kind of think that’s a bit of a hindrance for them.
“I mean, even Xbox stalwarts are starting to drift away from playing on the console now. It’ll have a humongous PC launch, but PS5, I mean, look at Indiana Jones: The Great Circle. It did so well when it came out on PS5 afterwards.” And yet here we are with Forza Horizon 6 arriving who-knows-when. That said, Robinson imagines that the team (which includes Turn 10 Studios) will “do their best to get that out as soon as they can.”
Fable is confirmed for Xbox Series X/S and PC, and hasn’t really had an extensive showing since its announcement in July 2020. Plenty of stories have circulated about development troubles, and though its delay from 2025 to 2026 didn’t inspire much confidence, Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan promised it would be “worth the wait.”
As for Forza Horizon 6, it’s finally taking the series to Japan while delivering Playground Games’ biggest map to date. You can expect seasons to play a major part in the gameplay, and there will be a “broad range” of cars, but the team is also looking at capturing the nation’s atmosphere in every possible way. The open-world racer is rumored to launch in the first half of 2026, which means a potential release date announcement during the Developer_Direct.
While the specter of GenAI in Divinity has been mitigated thanks to Larian’s recent Reddit AMA, there’s bad news for Nintendo Switch 2 players. Despite rumors in the past about a potential release, Baldur’s Gate 3 will not be coming to the platform.
According to Larian CEO Swen Vincke, “We would have loved to, but it wasn’t our decision to make.” No further explanation as to why, sadly.
However, insider NateTheHate shed further light on this on Twitter. “This is the unfortunate truth. While Larian would love to bring Baldur’s Gate 3 to the Switch 2… their relationship with Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast is not healthy.” While he heard that a port wasn’t happening “late last year,” he needed more sources to verify the same (and you can’t get a much more reliable source than the studio’s CEO).
Exactly why the relationship between the two companies isn’t healthy remains unknown, especially since Baldur’s Gate 3 ended up a huge success for Hasbro. It earned $90 million for the latter just a few months after leaving early access and eventually selling over 20 million units. Perhaps it has to do with Larian initially working on another Dungeons and Dragons project, but ultimately abandoning it because the team’s heart wasn’t in it.
As for Divinity, it doesn’t have a release date, but it could opt for the early access route like the studio’s previous titles. At this point, the role-playing game is confirmed to be Larian’s biggest game ever, with turn-based combat and co-op support. For those who never played the previous games, Vincke previously confirmed that you can still enjoy the story, though long-time fans will obviously gain more from it.
This is the unfortunate truth.
— NateTheHate2 (@NateTheHate2) January 9, 2026
While Larian would love to bring Baldur's Gate 3 to the Switch 2… their relationship with Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast is not healthy.
Late last year, I heard BG3 for SW2 was not happening; but needed more sources to verify. pic.twitter.com/MM5iDqjfrG
Amid all the waiting for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 – which has two final names and internal announcement date – it is funny to stop and think how the development team handled a project of this magnitude. After all, it doesn’t just factor in the original Final Fantasy 7 story, but also those of its spin-offs, thus creating a “fresh feel,” according to director Naoki Hamaguchi.
Speaking to GamerBraves in a new interview, he said. “Even from members such as creative director (Tetsuya) Nomura and producer (Yoshinori) Kitase, they didn’t just want to make a remake. They wanted to make a story that could include the compilation of the spin-offs and the soul that they have birthed across the years into this new project, and bring a fresh feel to Final Fantasy 7.”
Obviously, it’s not a simple matter of simply shoving in their stories – context matters, especially when it comes to characters who didn’t exist in the original. After all, where would that leave fans who never played the spin-offs (and given the quality of offerings like Dirge of Cerberus, you can’t really blame them)?
Hamaguchi said, “As a compilation of all these new stories that came post the original Final Fantasy 7, one of the things we sort of grappled with is how much do we show, how much do we include [for] players who wouldn’t know these new characters from the spin-offs.
“When discussing the limits of what we could express within a single game, we had to take timelines into account. At the same time, with many Final Fantasy spin-offs and additions including popular characters not in the original, we considered how much we could include to give players of the remake a fresh sense of life and excitement.”
Of course, other elements bring a degree of freshness to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which have garnered mixed reactions (if you know, you know). But one thing is for sure: It’s been one hell of a ride, and fans are eager to see where it goes next.
So, when does Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, or whatever it ends up called, actually release? Your guess is as good as ours, but last October, Hamaguchi said the project was in a “really good state,” and that’s turning into something “really satisfying.” Last month, he commented that the “core game experience” is complete, and how it’s “finally starting to match the vision.” That includes “a new experience and a new scale,” with the Highwind airship forming a “key” part of the same.
