Title: EA Offices Tagged With ‘Save Mass Effect’ Graffiti Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 19:48:02 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/ea-offices-tagged-with-save-mass-effect-graffiti-2000751962 As stumbled upon overnight by a Reddit user, one incensed fan is taking the fight right to the publisher’s gates

Title: Cult PC-98 Zombie Gore Fest Re-Animated On Steam With First Official English Port Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 18:09:03 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/cult-pc-98-zombie-gore-fest-re-animated-on-steam-with-first-official-english-port-2000751956 Dead of the Brain was developer FairyTale’s first foray out of erotica into horror and funnily enough that seems to be the case with its new publisher too

Title: Going Back To Kingdom Hearts’ Tarzan Level Is About To Make Me Crash Out Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 16:30:21 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/kingdom-hearts-tarzan-alice-wonderland-hercules-cloud-2000751714 It’s time for the end of the first month of Guiding Key, Kotaku’s Kingdom Hearts replay series

Title: 15 Excellent Horror Games You Can Get On Steam For Less Than $10 Each Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 15:48:12 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/15-excellent-horror-games-you-can-get-on-steam-for-less-than-10-each-2000751713 Terrors of all genres await

Title: Shigeru Miyamoto Declares November 1st Pikmin Day In Surprise Nintendo Direct Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 15:21:38 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/shigeru-miyamoto-declares-november-1st-pikmin-day-in-surprise-nintendo-direct-2000751948 While there were no new games announced, the Direct provided updates for the upcoming edition of Pikmin 4, Pikmin Bloom and crocheted hats

Title: Monopoly Go x The Simpsons crossover is almost here Date: Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:41:21 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/monopoly-go-the-simpsons-crossover-details Monopoly Go players have been looking forward to a major crossover event for what felt like months, and though most of the details ended up leaking, nothing actually beats official information. Read more

Title: Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 will take us deeper into the World in Canvas and make Mortenax Blade playable Date: Fri, 22 May 2026 13:43:44 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/honkai-star-rail-version-4-3-all-details HoYoverse has today delivered full details on the next major update for Honkai: Star Rail. Version 4.3, dubbed The Lethe Below the Living, will be available for all players on June 1. The upcoming update adds a new chapter to the Planarcadia arc, and introduce a new playable character. Read more

Title: Forza Horizon 6 explodes on Steam even before it's officially out Date: Fri, 15 May 2026 11:00:02 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/forza-horizon-6-steam-numbers-big-launch Steam is abuzz this week with a couple of long-anticipated launches, but in Forza Horizon 6’s case, at least, the game isn’t even out for what will be most of its players. The anticipated sequel in the open-world driving game series doesn’t officially launch until May 19, but owners of its most expensive version - the Premium Edition - can play it right now. Read more

Title: Mystic Messenger's most loyal players are getting banned in droves for seemingly playing the game too much Date: Fri, 15 May 2026 10:02:10 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/mystic-messenger-ban-wave-thousands-of-hourglasses-anniversary Mystic Messenger, arguably one of the best dating sims around, has been dormant for about seven years. Despite not receiving new content or any meaningful updates in all that time, the game remains popular with its core fans, many of whom just woke up to some shocking news about their accounts. Read more

Title: Forza Horizon 6 review - The driving game for everyone still can’t seem to escape its car-collecting legacy Date: Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:03 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/forza-horizon-6-review There is this idea that, for a long-running series to remain as consistently popular as Forza Horizon has been, it needs to diminish itself somewhat with each new entry, gradually losing more and more of its edge in a bid to appeal to the widest possible audience. Read more

Title: The Biggest New Game Releases Of November 2026 Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-biggest-new-game-releases-of-november-2026/ Who would possibly think it's a good idea to launch a new game in the same month as Grand Theft Auto 6? That's probably what you're asking yourself, but a ton of new releases are coming before Rockstar's November 19 open-world crime caper, ranging from karaoke simulators to a return to Hyrule. For a closer look at what next year has in store, you can also read up on all the games announced for 2027 and beyond. Brotato: Primal Dread https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIyZ4j9JbAU&pp=ygUVQnJvdGF0bzogUHJpbWFsIERyZWFk Release date: November 2 Platforms: PC With a chip on his shoulder and a gun in his hand, Brotato is back with a new expansion that doubles down on everything that makes the game so popular--as well as cyborg dinosaurs. More guns, a big map to fire them in, new characters, and new gameplay mechanics headline this DLC for the popular roguelite-shooter. Gravhounds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXHqAupnvS8&pp=ygUKR3JhdmhvdW5kcw%3D%3D Release date: November 2 (Early access) Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S A co-op action game starring some very good boys, Gravhounds follows a team of problem-solving pooches as they protect planets from a deadly swarm of enemies. Using each Gravhound's unique strengths, base-building features, and gravity-manipulating powers, you can play as a lone wolf or join a pack in this third-person shooter. Zero Parades: Director's Cut https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS8TfhN6j_Y&t=151s Release date: November 3 Platforms: PC, PS5 One of our 2026 highlights, Zero Parades is getting an enhanced edition this month. If you missed this story-rich RPG with espionage flavoring, this edition packs nearly 40,000 words of additional dialogue, new scenes, alternative ways to solve challenges, new outfits, and more. English voice-acting has improved, new quality-of-life features have been added, and Backstage Mode lets you see how the spy-thriller sausage was made by walking you through early level iterations, technical breakdowns, and cut content. See on Fanatical Let's Sing 2027 and Let's Sing ABBA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnyYk-PF_nU&pp=ygUPTGV0J3MgU2luZyBBQkJB Release date: November 3 Platforms: PS5, Switch 2, Switch In the mood to belt out some tunes, earn some points, and realize that you're somewhat out of touch with the musical zeitgeist? Then check out Let's Sing 2027 to prove the judges on American Idol were wrong about you. Alternatively, you can make your grandparents very happy with Let's Sing ABBA on Switch 2. Mamma Mia, here we go again because this is a re-release of the original ABBA-pilled game--and just in time for the Swedish pop band's 50th anniversary--and this version includes several updates to bring it up to speed with modern-day Let's Sing.   Kick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enxSH2kuJqE&pp=ygUMS2ljayBwYyBnYW1l0gcJCSsMAYcqIYzv Release date: November 3 Platforms: PC Tired of EA's FIFA games and looking for a different slice of footie fun? Then check out Kick, a stylish platformer that combines the thrill of forward momentum, challenging levels, and keeping a soccer ball in front of you. Can you kick it? Yes you can. Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLrhhFYptWI Release date: November 3 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch The King of the Monsters is back, as the classic 2002 kaiju arena brawler is getting a big upgrade just in time for Godzilla's birthday. Developed by Pipeworks Software and Digital Eclipse, the original game has been rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, and beyond a shinier coat of paint for the skyscraper-sized titans, it also includes dynamic weather conditions for stages, new online multiplayer functionality, a non-linear unlock system to get monsters and stages in any order you want, and a roster of 12 monsters to choose from. Alongside several Godzilla from various eras, you can also play as popular kaiju like Anguirus, Gigan, King Ghidorah, and Destoroyah. Theos: Cities of Myth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK96Es5yxEU&pp=ygUVVGhlb3M6IENpdGllcyBvZiBNeXRo Release date: November 4 Platforms: PC Are modern-day city-building games just not your cup of tea? Then you can return to a simpler time of carpe-ing that diem with Theos: Cities of Myth. Combining the charm of classic games in the series with curated contemporary features, it's up to you to turn a polis into a metropolis, meet your citizens' needs, and please the Greek gods. Hull Rupture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJmDE_HmeYA&pp=ygUMSHVsbCBSdXB0dXJl Release date: November 4 Platforms: PC Fans of Fallout Shelter will want to take note of Hull Rupture, as Konfa Games puts a grim spin on human resources. Set aboard a massive spaceship traveling to a new alien planet after humanity has rendered Earth uninhabitable, you take command of an AI programmed with a single goal: Keep the cosmic ark moving, no matter the cost. Featuring gorgeous pixel-art, you'll quickly learn that you can solve any problem in your way by throwing people at it--or from the airlock--as you manage the ship's systems, inventory, and deal with the occasional alien invasion. World of Warcraft: Forever https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEMrosrAVH0 Release date: November 4 Platforms: PC Vice City may be calling this month, but Azeroth is also making a strong case for a tempting break from reality. Billed as a permanent new mode for Blizzard's popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft: Forever aims to be the best version of vanilla WoW, with several clever enhancements. From a Legacy System that offers perks to horizontal progression that keeps your gear relevant with every update, World of Warcraft: Forever also wants to keep you around for, well, forever, by offering a staggering amount of content to dive into. New race-class combos, over 1,000 new quests, and more raids are just the tip of the iceberg in this return to WoW's golden era. Cat Secretary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG0Bd7jbpdE&pp=ygUNQ2F0IFNlY3JldGFyedIHCQkrDAGHKiGM7w%3D%3D Release date: November 4 Platforms: PC Is the real GTA 6-killer an adorable cat tasked with managing corporate bureaucracy? Cat Secretary looks cute, offers you plenty of opportunity to disrupt an AI workforce automation and knock things off of desks. Cozy Game Restoration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTEZ8G7zFMI&pp=ygUdY296eSBnYW1lIHJlc3RvcmF0aW9uIHRyYWlsZXI%3D Release date: November 5 Platforms: PC If ReStory has proven anything, it's that people cannot get enough of cleaning up old gaming gear so long as they don't have to get their IRL hands dirty. Cozy Game Restoration is also laser-focused on video game preservation, and this wholesome game lets you bring forgotten cartridges back to life. From cleaning grime off plastic shells to gently removing price labels, the goal is to remove a lifetime of dirt and restore these carts to pristine glory. Where the Seeds Fall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wJ1HTwImF4&pp=ygUUV2hlcmUgdGhlIFNlZWRzIEZhbGw%3D Release date: November 5 Platforms: PC, PS5, Switch 2 Between Jusant, Peak, and Cairn, we've had plenty of great games focused purely on climbing up a mountain--but what about climbing down one instead? Where the Seeds Fall is that oddly specific game, as you navigate crumbling platforms, brace against strong winds, and take the occasional leap of faith to reach the bottom. Set in an era when humanity found refuge in the branches of a colossal tree, the game begins after the protagonist discovers a cursed "fell child," and the two descend together to uncover how a mysterious blight infected the land below. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7XdWWaDaJY Release date: November 5 Platforms: Switch 2 A remake of one of Nintendo's greatest games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is making a strong case for taking a detour on the way to Vice City. With a stylized art direction, overhauled gameplay, and fully voiced cutscenes, Ocarina of Time also borrows a few ideas from later Zelda entries to update its classic gameplay. Item scrolling inspired by Breath of the Wild is a nice touch, while mobile app integration with the Zelda Notes service and Ocarina melodies you can perform with the Switch 2 microphone, or a real-world instrument Nintendo is selling, add up to more than a surface-level remaster. Airframe Ultra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFi0yvv0oEA&pp=ygUOQWlyZnJhbWUgVWx0cmE%3D Release date: November 5 Platforms: PC We've seen plenty of PS1-inspired games over the years, and you can add Airframe Ultra to that list of games aiming to channel a certain ‘90s level of energy. From its janky character models to its low-resolution textures, Airframe Ultra genuinely looks like a relic from a bygone age. See on Fanatical Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Encore Edition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ousTJ-Jj92Q&pp=ygUwTWFydmVsJ3MgR3VhcmRpYW5zIG9mIHRoZSBHYWxheHk6IEVuY29yZSBFZGl0aW9u Release date: November 5 Platforms: Switch 2 Another Switch 2 exclusive, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Encore Edition brings the ragtag group of misfits to Nintendo hardware, replacing the previously available cloud version. New upgrades for Switch 2 include full mouse navigation/aiming and gyroscope motion controls for the Milano spaceship and Peter Quill, the option to choose between a 1440p/30fps Quality Mode or 1080p/40fps Performance Mode when the Switch 2 is docked, and five exclusive '80s glam rock-inspired outfits to dress your crew up in. Stellar Blade: Complete Edition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7FaHEZZaAo&pp=ygUfU3RlbGxhciBCbGFkZTogQ29tcGxldGUgRWRpdGlvbg%3D%3D Release date: November 6 Platforms: Switch 2 Stellar Blade is headed to Switch 2 this month as part of a complete edition release. This version includes the full game on the cartridge, crossovers with Nier: Automata and Nike: Goddess of Victory, new cosmetics, and several in-game boosts to help you gain an edge against the NayTiba monsters that have overrun Earth. It's a great action game--if you can overlook the protagonist having the personality of a boiled egg--full of challenging boss fights and a slick sci-fi art direction. Neo Junk City https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS9NvIQxnjA&pp=ygUNTmVvIEp1bmsgQ2l0eQ%3D%3D Release date: November 9 Platforms: PC Next up, you can grab a cyberpunk point-and-click action-RPG where you play as the law-enforcing android Buster 09. Things quickly go Minority Report after Buster heads to a crime scene and discovers that they're the killer, and they can't remember committing a crime that goes against their programming. Working to clear their name and uncover a deeper conspiracy, Neo Junk City looks like a love letter to '90s games, with 2D action, fast-paced shootouts, and old-school art direction. Warhammer Survivors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=023HbKYyJJg Release date: November 10 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Android, iOS An official Warhammer bullet-heaven roguelite action game? That's on the menu this month, as this co-production between Auroch Digital and Vampire Survivors developer Poncle will feature characters and weapons from both Warhammer 40K and Warhammer: Age of Sigmar. As you'd expect, you're taking on hordes of enemies, collecting gear, and slowly evolving between runs until you're strong to make even the dreaded Warp fear your power. Warhammer Survivors will launch on a bunch of platforms, and it'll also be a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass. See on Fanatical The Devil's Due https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B4UGaj12lI&pp=ygUXVGhlIERldmlsJ3MgRHVlIHRyYWlsZXI%3D Release date: November 10 Platforms: PC Sure, you've played several roguelite poker games before, but I bet you've never played one in this growing genre that looks this grotesque. The Devil's Due offers one-on-one poker duels where cheating is a core design pillar: You can swap hidden cards, boost your hand's value, and sabotage your opponents, all to save your soul from eternal damnation. The game is also an instant attention-grabber with its distinct graphics, as the monstrous incarnations of the Seven Deadly Sins, their minions, and the devil himself are all rendered in handcrafted details that pop from the screen. Shrek 2 Remastered https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtxiiD3IyAo&pp=ygUSU2hyZWsgMiBSZW1hc3RlcmVk0gcJCSsMAYcqIYzv Release date: November 10 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch Insert your Smash Mouth memes here, because Shrek is back with the most unexpected remaster of the year. Shrek 2 Remastered gives the cult-classic a glow-up, so if you're feeling nostalgic for a movie tie-in game that's surprisingly good, then grab a bus to the fairytale kingdom of Far Far Away. All the original gameplay has been retained, the graphics have been updated, new multiplayer modes have been added, you can take some snaps in photo mode, and activate some cheats to breeze through the adventure in case you're not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to video games. Hey now, we had to make at least one Smash Mouth reference of our own. Football Manager 27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFx05-AMBcU&pp=ygUbRm9vdGJhbGwgTWFuYWdlciAyNyB0cmFpbGVy Release date: November 10 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S Things haven't been easy for Football Manager fans, as after the lengthy wait for last year's Football Manager 26, it turned out that the soccer juice was not worth a squeeze. Can Football Manager 27 help repair the franchise's reputation as the go-to game for soccer management? Developer Sports Interactive says that this year's edition will address numerous complaints from last year's game, while also adding in new features to make the managerial side of soccer more immersive and exciting. See on Fanatical John Gleep https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXUAiGXiq7U&pp=ygUKSm9obiBHbGVlcA%3D%3D Release date: November 11 Platforms: PC Imagine being a little alien with a failing casino, a marriage on the rocks, and a large debt to repay back to the intergalactic mob. How do you make some fast cash in John Gleep? By engaging in multi-tasking chaos, abducting people on faraway planets, and pachinko-style casino management, all in the name of maximizing profits and your odds of survival. Hope in the City https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeSj0-tQqxY&pp=ygUQSG9wZSBpbiB0aGUgQ2l0eQ%3D%3D Release date: November 11 Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S A narrative mystery and adventure game, Hope in the City follows Hope Song on her quest to find her missing parents, taking matters into her own hands after the authorities prove to be less than helpful. Set in Shenyang, a neon-lit industrial city in northeast China, Hope has to gather clues and discover the dark secrets that lie beneath the calm surface of the metropolis. Sonic Pico Park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFg-S2seDqU&pp=ygUPc29uaWMgcGljbyBwYXJr Release date: November 12 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch 2, Switch A 2D action-puzzle game developed by Tecopark and Pico Park Inc. in collaboration with Sega, Sonic Pico Park looks like a cute way to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Blue Blur. Featuring teamwork-focused gameplay and adorable pixel-art, players will need to work together to succeed in this quirky platformer. Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Fei-sLLQc&pp=ygU4UGlrbWluIDQg4oCTIE5pbnRlbmRvIFN3aXRjaCAyIEVkaXRpb24gKyBEYW5kb3JpIEFjYWRlbXk%3D Release date: November 12 Platforms: Switch 2 It's time for another Nintendo game to get a Switch 2 upgrade, and this time, Pikmin 4 is in the spotlight. The Switch 2 Edition adds the upgraded visuals that you'd expect, new difficulty modes, more rewards, weekly exams, and an option to use the console's built-in microphone to give direct commands to your pup companion, Oatchi. Dandori Academy is the main event, as this is a new time-attack game mode where you collect as much treasure as possible before time runs out. Pool of Madness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUEEFxFSgPk&pp=ygUPUG9vbCBvZiBNYWRuZXNz Release date: November 13 Platforms: PC Proving that there's no limit to transplanting HP Lovecraft-style occult themes onto the most random of game genres, Pool of Madness is essentially cursed rounds of pool with cosmic dread lurking in the shadows. Chained to a table inside a ship's captain's quarters, it's up to you to pocket specific balls so that you can banish unknowable horrors back to the void and preserve your sanity. Your mental fortitude is your currency, and you can expect the table to be littered with obstacles designed to reduce your grip on reality to zero. Don't worry: If pool strategy doesn't work out, you can always whip out a gun to trigger some chain reactions during a round. Grand Theft Auto 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd5-cvN7QX8 Release date: November 19 Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S After years of waiting, teases, and leaks, GTA 6 is finally launching this month. Easily the most hyped game in recent memory, developer Rockstar is aiming to make this chapter in its open-world series more immersive than ever before, as players will have to juggle relationships, health, and fuel in a world where actions have long-lasting consequences. Can the studio strike a delicate balance between enthrallment and fun, without generating a considerable amount of friction in the process? Fortunately, you won't need to be patient for much longer to find out for yourself. Reverie in the Moonlight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIxwEK7qZPQ&pp=ygUYUmV2ZXJpZSBpbiB0aGUgTW9vbmxpZ2h0 Release date: November 19 Platforms: PC, Switch 2, Switch Another roguelite-shooter out this month, Reverie in the Moonlight puts a cozy spin on the genre by mixing the childhood terror of overactive imaginations with an army of heavily armed plushies. With various nighttime horrors marching toward your bed, it's up to your squishy dolls to power up and protect you from nocturnal threats. For something that sounds so terrifying, Reverie in the Moonlight sure does have some wholesome visuals to create an odd juxtaposition. Chronocracy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F1nOjwdNA4&pp=ygULQ2hyb25vY3JhY3k%3D Release date: November 26 Platforms: PC There's no shortage of strategy games where you take an infant civilization and evolve it into a global superpower over time, but Chronocracy is putting a real-time 2D spin on that theme. The game has you exploring both the surface and the underground, building mines and gathering rare resources to lead one of three distinct tribes who coexist on the small, disk-shaped world. Diplomacy or warfare? The choice is yours, as each run will see you unlock permanent upgrades and improve your tiny civilization. Am I Nima https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGZqUJ7mQyg&pp=ygUJQW0gSSBOaW1h Release date: November 27 Platforms: PC The spooky season might be over, but if you're still looking for some chills, you might want to check out Am I Nima. A psychological-horror game where you play as Nima, a girl who has lost all her memories, the amnesiac toddler finds herself locked in the basement by her mother. Her mom is convinced that Nima isn't her daughter, and it's up to you to uncover words tied to the objects around you, as each one represents Nima's thoughts and feelings. By combining words in Nima's mind, you can experiment with different pairings to unlock buried memories and change how Nima communicates with her fearful mom. Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.

Title: Gears Of War Should Have Killed Off Marcus Fenix Years Ago Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-should-have-killed-off-marcus-fenix-years-ago/ Gears of War is arguably the most masculine property in video games. A franchise founded on the idea of muscular, refrigerator-sized dudes tearing apart stinky underground monsters with badass chainsaws until they’re covered in bloody viscera was always destined to attract such a reputation, but this only makes the moments when it subverts our expectations all the more impactful. Instances of quiet within its post-apocalyptic world, or conversations shared between its main cast when everything seems lost, always hit the hardest.  Once you strip away the chainsaw bayonets, you’re left with a profound narrative of grief as Marcus Fenix tries to save a humanity that is already flirting with extinction. While all of his muscles and bravado might make the man seem infallible, Fenix is frequently tasked with the impossible--to save a human race that is constantly under the threat of annihilation. He’s doomed to fail, to eventually fall alongside his comrades until a new generation emerges to continue the fight. This makes perfect narrative sense, and would also give the iconic hero some much needed rest. So, what would happen if The Coalition actually went through with it and killed him? Ever since I first laid eyes on Marcus Fenix as he explored the darkened streets of a fallen city to the melancholic beauty of "Mad World," I have viewed him as a tragic character. He’s fighting an impossible war after being freed from unjustified imprisonment, and spends the entire original trilogy watching close friends succumb to their personal demons or fall to an enemy that shows no signs of slowing. Making the player feel doomed from the outset can be an incredibly powerful storytelling tool, so it’s no surprise that E-Day focuses so heavily on the world falling apart as a younger roster of heroes is forced to take action.  When you turn up to save the day amidst the rubble of Kalona, it’s often about picking up the pieces while walking over fresh corpses of thousands, where finding even two survivors is a reason to celebrate given the circumstances. Not once does Fenix entertain leaving innocent people behind, and you truly feel for him when retreat becomes the only option. Unfortunately, once the excellent opening act concludes, the campaign settles into a predictable routine that can’t help feeling middle-of-the-road. This question has been on my mind for over a decade now, since the character arc of Fenix came to a natural conclusion in Gears of War 3 after the Locust are defeated and humanity is guaranteed a future. Our flawed hero might be stricken with grief by the sacrifices of Dom and his other comrades, but he remains surrounded by people who love and care about him in ways that can now be treasured in a world where survival is guaranteed. But thanks to this need to keep popular franchises alive and avoid disappointing legions of fans, Marcus Fenix has remained integral to Gears ever since.  While the details are cloudy all these years later, there was a time when Gears of War was potentially going to leave the planet of Sera behind in pursuit of pastures new. Speaking to Game Informer as part of a cover story back in 2016, creative director Chuck Osieja claimed that The Coalition was originally thinking about taking Gears to a fresh planet with an all-new cast of characters who were only loosely connected to what came before. So long as Gears focuses on the machinations of conflict with satisfying combat and a worthwhile story, I can see it taking place anywhere, but without the stewardship of Epic Games it settled for the most predictable destination imaginable. Marcus Fenix has a son, the Locust comes back, and humanity once again finds itself on the backfoot. Turns out the original trilogy was for naught.  Gears of War 4 centered on a new trio of likeable characters--JD Fenix, Kait Diaz, and Del Walker--who were all raised in a world without the Locust threat, but still living beneath the thumb of an outdated militaristic society that refuses to leave old habits behind. It’s a more saturated and freeing world, but the very same darkness awaits beneath the surface. As for Marcus Fenix, he has secluded himself in the wilderness after the death of his wife and the trauma of perpetual conflict, resentful of a son who decided to join a military he has actively come to despise. The war may be over, but Marcus has little interest in returning to a world that refuses to learn from its mistakes.  This new trilogy would eventually shift focus away from the Fenix family and instead mostly  on Kait and her strange connection to the new Locust threat, with Gears 5 offering a harsh and sudden player choice in the final act as you’re asked to save the life of either JD or Del. Whoever you don’t choose is murdered before your eyes, but since the trilogy was ditched, at least for now, for a prequel in E-Day, we never get to witness the repercussions. Even Marcus seems pretty unfazed by the death of his only son, when this could have been a killer moment for decades of anger, grief, and resentment to culminate in something meaningful. Instead it’s brushed aside and never mentioned again, joining Halo’s Reclaimer trilogy as stories ripe with potential that Xbox left behind because market relevance was more important. Rather than outliving his son and watching a world he helped save once again fall to ruin, Marcus Fenix should have perished in Gears of War 4 as he passes the torch onto a new generation. Not mauled by a horde of Locust in gruesome fashion as a twisted joke, but giving his life to people he cares about while cementing an enduring hope that things are worth fighting for. Beginning his new character arc as a jaded old man deciding to shield himself from the realities of a world he helped save before reaching a position where he possesses renewed hope in the coming generation would fit the narrative themes while being brave enough to leave our own nostalgia behind. Even in the same universe, we shouldn’t be afraid to fall in love with new characters and new stories, and realise titans like Marcus Fenix are fallible creatures in their own right. Gears of War 4 excelled in making such an iconic symbol of video game masculinity seem vulnerable, but failed to pull the trigger where it mattered most.

Title: Nintendo Declares November 1 Is Pikmin Day With A Direct Featuring Game News And Animated Shorts Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 15:33:17 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-declares-november-1-is-pikmin-day-with-a-direct-featuring-game-news-and-animated-shorts/ Nintendo, and especially developer emeritus Shigeru Miyamoto, have been keen to make Pikmin a franchise on par with its other top-tier names like Mario and Zelda. To that end, it has declared November 1 will serve as Pikmin Day, a branding holiday of sorts to serve as a launching point for yearly announcements.  The debut Pikmin Day Direct surprise-aired today, with Miyamoto walking through a handful of announcements. First, he explained the reasoning behind the date, as the original three Pikmin standing side by side looks sort of like 111. Uh, okay. So we guess it was either November 1 or January 11. That dubious rationale aside, it's a day to celebrate Pikmin, a pet favorite creation of Miyamoto, so we can't really complain.  Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition The Switch 2 upgrade for Pikmin 4 was already known to be coming on November 12. This part of the presentation was mostly an overview of the new additions, like the microphone voice commands for Oatchi, and a walkthrough of how the Dandori Academy mode works. You'll get to plan out your best route, and then every weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) you'll get a chance to take an exam to test your strategy. You only get one attempt, however, so it's a bit like a cuter version of Hitman's Elusive Targets.  A demo of the Switch 2 version is coming on November 2, which will include the opening area and two Dandori Academy stages.  Pikmin Bloom A cinematic trailer for Pikmin Bloom announced a new feature, Secret Caves. To find a Secret Cave, you'll need to discover a cave map, which the presentation hinted can usually be found attached to postcards. Plus you can earn special maps by completing exams in the Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition.  Once you've discovered a cave, you can dispatch your Pikmin to explore it themselves. If they encounter a creature a battle will begin, but you can use your whistle to call them back if they're in danger. If they do get defeated, they'll automatically recover after a waiting period.  If you win the battle in the secret cave, you'll get a new treasure that will be added to a new area of your collection. The update is coming this winter.  Pikmin Animated Shorts Finally, Miyamoto introduced Japanese actress Fuka Koshiba, who went viral for her knitted Pikmin hats. After a bit of chitchat about hats and claw machines, Miyamoto and Koshiba introduced a new Hello Pikmin short about a Pikmin hiding from a suspiciously sneaky toad. This was the first of many Pikmin shorts to come, as Miyamoto announced that there will be another coming later in November, followed by monthly Hello Pikmin shorts starting in December.

Title: The Games We Couldn’t Stop Playing In October 2026 Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-games-we-couldnt-stop-playing-in-october-2026/ All eyes may be on Grand Theft Auto 6's release in November, but this fall has kicked off with plenty else to play. Be it a new friendslop horror game, a relaxing driving experience, or a Mission: Impossible-style deception simulator, we've been enjoying a wide range of games in October. As usual, you can check out our staff picks for October below. We're primarily focused on recent releases that we loved and you might not be familiar with, though we've had some better-known games dominating our free time, too.  Escape from Playtime The "friendslop" genre is dominated by horror games, and the latest of them is a new favorite for me and my daughter. Escape from Playtime is an eight-player co-op game set in the Poppy Playtime universe, combining the climbing mechanics of Peak with the quota-chasing loop of REPO, all set in a liminal world inspired by the Playrooms. The Poppy Playtime story is strangely complex, but you don't need to understand any of it to enjoy this offshoot. My little girl loves horror, so creepy mascot vibes like those in Escape from Playtime are right up our alley--for now, at least. After we played it for a bit, she saw in the trailer that we may eventually run into Miss Delight (pictured above) and is now having second thoughts. We'll see how much deeper into the weird world of Poppy we can get before she 180s for the exit. -- Mark Delaney See at Steam Lego Batman's Mayhem Mode Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight was one of my favorites earlier this year, a fun mash-up romp through various Batman continuity with combat inspired by the Arkham series. The new Mayhem Mode is a treat--a quick retelling of Joker and Harley's toxic romance followed by a new roguelike mode which has the clown couple wreak havoc across Gotham on a strict time limit.  You only have three minutes to complete objectives like setting up Joker's iconic balloons from the 1989 film, all while extending your timer by collecting studs and completing optional objectives. After the three minutes are up, you either escape with all the loot or get captured by the Bat and give up a huge chunk of it. Task Force X is also on your tail, which means you'll sometimes get random encounters against antiheroes like Deadshot, King Shark, and Captain Boomerang.  With your ill-gotten gains, you can collect a wide variety of Joker and Harley outfits from across their many incarnations, scratching that same collector nostalgia itch as the main game. It's a bit slight, but it's fun to have a reason to revisit Lego Gotham City. -- Steve Watts See at Fanatical Gears of War: E-Day It saddens me that a game from a series this huge would be under the radar for anyone, but early player figures for Gears of War: E-Day have not been particularly impressive. That's a real shame, because it's up there with my favorite games of the year. The prequel chronicles the opening days of the Locust invasion, with Marcus and Dom's ragtag squad forced to improvise as the homicidal creatures begin decimating Sera. Alongside all the classic third-person shooting and giant bosses you'd expect from a Gears game, there are also plenty of quiet world-building moments that ended up being some of my favorite parts. I'm curious to see where The Coalition will take the story next, because we were left on a major cliffhanger at the end of Gears 5, but I also really want to know what happened to the (still-alive) characters introduced in E-Day. For that to happen, however, people need to play this game, so go do that. -- Gabe Gurwin See at Steam Also playing:  Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2: The sequel to an already-wonderful boomer shooter is somehow even better, with a new playable character, branching paths, and more varied enemies.  Legion Was Here In an age of fragmented attention spans, Legion Was Here might just be the perfect way to train your brain muscles. As someone who religiously watches Columbo reruns, a game that's all about observing the small details is one that appeals heavily to me, especially when you're challenged to come up with the perfect disguise, memorize every minute fact about your target, and infiltrate a clandestine meeting where one slip-up could get you killed.  The work of a solo developer, Legion Was Here merges the thrill of creating a custom character, espionage, and talking to random people, creating one of the best high-stakes experiences of the year. Quirky art, nuanced interrogations, and the thrill of successfully coming up with the perfect disguise makes for one short and sweet game. -- Darryn Bonthuys See at Steam Over the Hill I often find "relaxing" games to just be pretty boring. There are exceptions, and Over the Hill is the latest: a game where you drive around in various classic-style 4x4s, exploring beautiful landscapes and snapping pictures, and not doing much else. The vibes are very chill, but Over the Hill has maintained my attention with the style of its driving. Traversing its off-road areas, you'll need to rely on your winch and gear, make intelligent use of low/high-gear, and generally be mindful of the paths you take. There is a deliberateness with which you move through the world--you won't get 200mph streaks across the map like in Forza Horizon--that simultaneously makes for engaging gameplay and contributes to the relaxing nature of the game. Automatic/manual transmission lets you tweak just how locked in you need to be, but for me, using automatic allows Over the Hill to find that sweet spot of letting me relax without ever feeling boring. -- Chris Pereira See at Fanatical Also playing: Forbidden Solitaire's The Discarded DLC -- A great excuse to revisit one of the year's best games. My Arms Are Longer Now demo -- An absurd comedy game that also, oddly, got me to just chill out. Dog in the Machine -- Into the Breach is an all-time favorite of mine, and I'm having fun in the early going with this take on it that centers around robotic dogs. The Doll Shop Though The Doll Shop is short and sounds sweet, the reality is that this game is quite bitter and extremely dark. In this lushly illustrated visual novel, you play as an isolated young man who has taken over his father's doll shop. After repairing a doll that seen better days, our protagonist realizes he never received the address of his client, Mrs. Fujimoto, and sets out onto the snow-covered streets of his Japanese hometown to find someone who might know where she lives. However, each person he encounters seems corrupted--shrouded in black static save for their eerily smiles and pale, vacant eyes. We also come to discover there has been a disappearance in town, as fliers related to the disappearance of a young girl hang in every window. Over four days, our protagonist is forced to dig deep to discover what is going on in this small town. As a lover of psychological horror, painterly art direction, multiple endings, and games I can play through in one sitting, The Doll Shop checked a lot of boxes for me. Though not as robust, frightening, or emotional as Paranormasight or Slay the Princess, I'd recommend the experience to fans of either--especially if they're looking for a tame-yet-disturbing game to play this spooky season. -- Jessica Cogswell See at Steam Also playing: Queen's Domain -- After finishing its fantastic demo, I am thrilled to play more of this stylish, dark fantasy RPG inspired by From Software's King's Field. Disclaimer: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.

Title: How To Unlock The Secret Ending In Phantom Blade Zero – True Ending Guide Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/phantom-blade-zero-secret-ending-true-ending-guide/ Are you ready to unlock the secret ending in Phantom Blade Zero? Every story has its conclusion, including your journey across the Wulin as Soul. That said, there are several requirements that you need to be mindful of, including important quests and points of no return. Our guide discusses every single detail but, because of the topic at hand, you can bet that there will be major spoilers below. In This Article Phantom Blade Zero secret ending - The point of no return and important questsEarly-game quests and overarching plotsSecrets at the Heart of the Lake: The Village of LuExploration and collectibles: The Illusory Pipa, the Acolyte Masks, and the Herald’s IllusionSecrets at the Heart of the Lake: The Meigu Lake Discordance and Inanis' RealmWhat happens when you enter the Mirage Estate and Soulrend Cliff Phantom Blade Zero secret ending - The point of no return and important quests The Phantom Blade Zero secret ending, also known as the true ending, requires you to complete optional story quests throughout the campaign. It’s pretty much an overarching narrative where you discover the Secrets at the Heart of the Lake, the Herald’s Illusion, and Inanis’s role. These tasks must be completed before you reach the game’s point of no return: Mirage Estate. Here’s a quick summary: After completing the main mission in Pangzhen, you learn that you have to go to the Mirage Estate. However, there’s no way to enter via the steps/thoroughfare. The quest then changes to The Four Serpent Houses. This is when you discern that there’s a hidden passage behind the snake door in the Green Serpent House. After collecting the items needed to open the doorway, you can continue onward to the Mirage Estate. However, if there are still important quests that you need to tackle, you’ll be warned that you have “unfinished business.” You can still fast travel to other regions even if you prematurely enter the Mirage Estate. It’s just that the requirements for the true ending might fail, and you don’t want that to happen. You don't want to enter the Mirage Estate if you still have unfinished story quests in your journal. Early-game quests and overarching plots There are early-game quests that you should tackle to unlock the true ending. These include Deep in the Valley, Crimson Manor, Bloodline Awakening/Long Pillars, and Quick Hand Zhang Treasures. (You can check out these guides we’ve linked for more detailed tips.) Deep in the Valley grants you entry to the lower section of the first region, where you’ll find the Crimson Manor and Long Pillar. Quick Hand Zhang, meanwhile, has you collecting relics in various zones where he has a hideout. From left to right: Deep in the Valley, Bloodline Awakening, and the Crimson Manor. Secrets at the Heart of the Lake: The Village of Lu The Phantom Blade Zero Secrets at the Heart of the Lake is an overarching quest that’s initially started in the Village of Lu. First, you’ll want to collect the six Firefly’s Memory Flowers scattered all over the village. These allow you to enter an optional area near the Temple of the Blue Fireflies, the settlement with a bunch of friendly puppets. Jump down the pit and defeat a boss named Dusk, the Puppeteer to receive rewards and trigger a cutscene. If you defeat an acolyte/scarecrow in the farm fields to the north, you’ll also learn that the objective is part of the quest. These Memory Flowers give you hints regarding a major quest... that's totally optional. Exploration and collectibles: The Illusory Pipa, the Acolyte Masks, and the Herald’s Illusion Certain quests, such as Illusion of Inanis and Sha-Chi-Powered Boat are completed as you continue to explore other regions. For instance, Sha-Chi-Powered Boat leads you to Meigu Lake. As for Whence the Weeping and Pillars of Kunlun, you receive these quests a few hours into the campaign, and you complete them upon clearing the Mountain of Imprisonment. Other quests also play a major factor: A good example is the Illusory Pipa, which lets you dispel impenetrable barriers that open up new areas for exploration. There’s also The Herald’s Illusion, where you seek out the Three-Eyed Puppet’s domains. Lastly, you should acquire all Acolyte Masks, as these items grant entry to a secret area. Note: Completing these tasks nets you two Crystal Puppet Eye items (Yin and Yang). From left to right: The Illusory Pipa, Herald's Illusion, and Acolyte Masks. Secrets at the Heart of the Lake: The Meigu Lake Discordance and Inanis' Realm The aforementioned Acolyte Masks are used to shatter the Four Guardians’ Mirror, a mystical location in the frozen lands in northwestern Meigu Lake. Explore the Discordance realm at your leisure and collect more loot. At the very end, you have to defeat the Blizzard Blademaster. After the Blademaster’s fall, an ominous-looking statue will appear right in front of you. Interact with it and place the two Crystal Puppet Eyes to get transported to the Heart of the Lake. Kill all the cultists to stop their ritual, which then leads you to another encounter with Inanis. This completes the Secrets of the Heart of the Lake. The two Crystal Puppet Eyes teleport you to the ritual site in the Heart of the Lake. What happens when you enter the Mirage Estate and Soulrend Cliff To summarize: If you want to get the secret ending in Phantom Blade Zero, you have to complete all story quests that aren’t tied to the main mission--i.e. those with a purple icon. Once you’ve done all of those, it’s time to enter the Mirage Estate. Doing so causes changes to certain locations, such as the Crimson Forest’s eastern part getting blanketed in snow. Proceed deeper into the Mirage Estate, fighting enemies, taking out bosses, and picking up all sorts of loot. Along the way, don’t forget to complete the following: Bloodline Awakening - The fifth and final Long Pillar is in the estate grounds. Quick Hand’s Request - Quick Hand Zhang has another hideout in the sprawling complex. Eventually, you’ll acquire the Tiger Cannon, a Phantom Edge that can blow up destructible walls. Use it to reach Soulrend Cliff, the last region in the game. There are still lots of enemies, bosses, and rewards in this area, so just keep forging ahead. After defeating what’s supposed to be the final boss, it will be followed by yet another encounter. We don’t want to spoil what happens next, but it should be pretty clear that this is your last foe. Once you’ve vanquished your opponent, sit back, relax, and watch the cutscenes. Discern Inanis' true intentions and proceed further in to the Mirage Estate and Soulrend Cliff. That does it for our guide on how to get the true ending in Phantom Blade Zero. Keep in mind that you can still fast travel to other locations while you’re in the Mirage Estate and also while in Soulrend Cliff (just prior to the last bell). You should be able to find other goodies in the game world, such as the Soul Temper materials for your weapons. Also, don’t forget to battle the Three-Faced Puppet as part of the Triple Threat quest. And, if you’re up for even more challenges, you can try 66 Days Mode after beating the game. Join Soul as he faces numerous threats in the Wulin and be sure to check out more tips in our Phantom Blade Zero guides hub.

Title: 9 Years Later, Jon Bernthal’s Action Series Is a Masterpiece From Start to Finish Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2026 05:30:17 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/jon-bernthal-punisher-action-masterpiece-marvel-disney-plus/ Ever since superhero movies and television became popular, fans have debated which actors are the perfect fit for their characters. The debate has escalated over the years, especially when multiple actors have played iconic characters like Superman and Spider-Man. Nine years ago, one of the best actor-to-character pairings came when Jon Bernthal took on Frank Castle in The Punisher. In the process, Bernthal delivered one of the grittiest and most action-packed comic book adaptations in history.

Title: Ridley Scott's Near-Perfect Sci-Fi Masterpiece is Waiting to Be Rediscovered on Streaming Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2026 04:26:17 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/ridley-scott-blade-runner-final-cut-streaming-november-2026/ The ‘70s and ‘80s was a major turning point for science fiction. Star Wars revitalized the genre in 1977 and turned it into one of Hollywood’s main box office draws, inspiring a wave of films that reshaped the entire industry. Two years later, Ridley Scott threw down the gauntlet with Alien, taking a big step away from the optimism that had once permeated sci-fi pulp storytelling and instead infusing it with corporate anxiety and untrustworthy artificial intelligence. It was a signal for things to come.

Title: All 8 Dungeon Crawler Carl Books Ranked (by Their Goodreads Score) Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2026 04:00:17 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/every-dungeon-crawler-carl-book-ranked-by-their-goodreads-score/ Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl takes one of fantasy's oldest setups and throws it into a blender with reality television, apocalyptic horror, and video game logic, creating a series that has evolved into one of the biggest breakout hits in modern speculative fiction. The premise is fairly simple, starting with a fight for survival inside an alien-dominated game show that escalates into a sprawling saga of bizarre monsters, convoluted mechanics, and a talking cat with an ego to match.

Title: Patrick Stewart's Perfect 'Simpsons' Episode Reveals the Beloved Actor's Secret Weapon Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2026 03:00:17 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/patrick-stewart-the-simpsons-guest-star/ Yesterday, news broke that Sir Patrick Stewart died at age 86. With his background performing Shakespeare and his incredible sense of dignity and gravitas, Stewart is being celebrated primarily for his work as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as being the perfect man to portray Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films. But while he was beloved for the dramatic weight he brought to his roles, it's worth acknowledging that the man pulled off some incredibly memorable comedic performances, one of the first was on The Simpsons, where he guest-starred in the season 6 episode, “Homer the Great.”

Title: 10 Video Games With the Best Twist Endings Nobody Saw Coming Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2026 01:00:17 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/best-video-game-twist-endings/ The best twist endings in video games change what you thought you were playing. A great one makes you want to start over to spot the clues, and a perfect one hides those clues in plain sight: in dialogue, in chapter titles, perhaps even the controller you’re holding. These ten games span three decades and nearly every genre, from horror to puzzle-platformers to a Game Boy adventure about a dream. But they all have one thing in common: Every one of them had us totally fooled the first time.

Title: Slice Into GFN Thursday: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Launches on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:00:16 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-phantom-blade-zero/ This Halloween week, GFN Thursday is delivering a fresh batch of gaming treats. Something wicked this blade comes. S-GAME’s Phantom Blade Zero launches on GeForce NOW today, bringing a scarily good blend of martial arts and punk fantasy to the cloud. There’s also something on the horizon for adventurers: World of Warcraft: Forever arrives Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. PST, with a launch-week access reward coming for GeForce NOW members. This week’s lineup also includes nine games streaming from the GeForce NOW library, alongside new mod support for Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered. That means more options to play, with no downloads or installs to haunt gamers’ devices. There’s another sweet update for gamers in India: The option to sign up for four-month Performance and Ultimate memberships is launching tomorrow. Visit the GeForce NOW website for more information. Cold Steel Meets Cloud Power Framed for his master’s murder and gravely wounded, a warrior named Soul has 66 days to uncover a conspiracy threatening the martial world in S-GAME’s Phantom Blade Zero. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game combines wuxia storytelling with cinematic action. Master more than 30 primary weapons and over 20 Phantom Edges, chaining evasions, deflections and counterattacks into fluid combat. Traditional Chinese martial arts meet mechanical prosthetics, industrial ruins and rock music in a distinctive kungfupunk world. Ultimate members can wield GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, browsers, compatible TVs and more. GeForce NOW handles the game’s downloads and storage, leaving more time for the next clash. Soul’s clock is ticking, but the download bar doesn’t have to. Cut to the chase and hop into the game today. Azeroth Awaits Get ready for Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft: Forever, arriving Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m. PT, on GeForce NOW. Explore an iconic world reimagined with new and expanded zones, new gameplay enhancements, upgraded graphics and more. A new reward will give eligible GeForce NOW members access to join beginning at launch and ending Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT. The reward is available across all GeForce NOW membership tiers for new WoW users who don’t already have a subscription, while supplies last, on a first-come, first-served basis. Once available, members can sign in to their GeForce NOW account and head to the Account Portal to redeem. Mark the calendar and gather the party — launch week is approaching. New Tricks and Treats It’s a mod world. Familiar favorites have a few new tricks, too: Mod.io support is now available directly in game for Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered, bringing more ways to make Night City and the Continent feel different. And the treats keep coming with the following games joining the GeForce NOW library this week: Phantom Blade Zero (New release on Steam, Oct. 28) ATMOSFAR (New release on Steam, Oct. 29) Hunting Simulator 3 (New release on Steam, Oct. 29) Queen’s Domain (New release on Steam, Oct. 30) Dimraeth (Steam) Dressmaker (Steam) Halloween (Epic Games Store) Hell Let Loose: Vietnam (Epic Games Store) The Seance of Blake Manor (Steam) Dates listed above reflect when games are released on their respective stores. GeForce NOW availability may vary, as games are onboarded after they’re released and added throughout the week. Keep an eye on GeForce NOW channels and GFN Thursdays for availability updates to announced titles. Settle in for a scary-good gaming session: Grab a day pass to experience Performance or Ultimate cloud gaming. Gamers can then apply the cost applicable toward a first monthly membership upgrade. What’s haunting the gaming playlist this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Cloud Deployment Incoming: ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’ Arrives on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:00:20 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-4/ Lock in and load out this GFN Thursday. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 arrives on GeForce NOW at launch, bringing a new campaign, multiplayer action and DMZ, high-stakes extraction mode to supported devices. The campaign also gets an enhanced look: GeForce RTX 5080-class performance arrives for Ultimate members, bringing support for ray-tracing features in the cloud. There’s a new way to join the cloud, too: Existing supported Fire TV Stick users can now purchase one-month Performance or Ultimate memberships directly through Amazon, making it easier to sign up and start streaming on the big screen. Plus, Square Enix’s FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE brings cinematic pixel art and strategic battles to the cloud, and The Elder Scrolls Online’s Echoes of Skyrim Season adds the entire Greymoor Chapter free for all ESO Standard Edition owners. It’s all part of six games joining the GeForce NOW library this week. Deployment Without the Downloads Squad up and answer the call on the cloud. Activision and Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches today on GeForce NOW. Members can drop into the trenches in Korea, close-quarter combat in New York, high-octane chases through Paris, night raids in Mumbai and city-wide engagements to reclaim occupied territory. Fight as Private Park, a young South Korean soldier facing live combat for the first time alongside his squad as a routine patrol turns into a desperate fight for survival. Beyond the front lines, operator-turned-outlaw Captain Price is operating outside the system he once served, pursuing revenge through covert missions as the conflict spreads. Multiplayer pairs precise combat with fluid movement, a dozen core 6v6 maps from around the world and battlegrounds that are shaped by the campaign’s global conflict. The DMZ extraction mode sends players into contested territory to recover valuable technology, weigh objectives and decide when to get out. Loot, fight, negotiate, betray and extract — it’s all fair in the cloud and battleground. Ultimate members can now experience the campaign with ray tracing, powered by newly added GeForce RTX 5080-class performance across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, browsers, supported TVs and more. With game downloads and installs handled by GeForce NOW, members can spend less time preparing a local rig and more time preparing the next loadout. A New Way to Play A new way to join GeForce NOW on Fire TV. GeForce NOW in-app purchase is rolling out to existing supported Fire TV Stick users, making it possible to purchase a membership directly through Amazon using an existing account. Transactions are processed through Amazon’s billing system, creating a more seamless path from setup to gameplay. GeForce NOW transforms Fire TV into a powerful PC gaming rig in the cloud. Members can stream supported PC games they already own or purchase new titles from digital stores including Steam, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, Xbox PC Game Pass, GOG and EA. The library includes thousands of ready-to-play games, including many of the world’s most-played titles and more than 100 free-to-play games. No downloads, installs, patches or updates stand between a new game and playtime. An Amazon Fire TV Stick, the GeForce NOW app and an Ultimate membership are all it takes to level up the living room with GeForce RTX 5080-powered gaming. A Pixel-Perfect Fantasy Classic roots. A new adventure. Square Enix’s FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE launches today on GeForce NOW, bringing the series’ classic roots into a cinematic pixel-art world. Travel with companions bound by fate and uncover the truth behind a force threatening to bring everything to ruin. Strengthen the party with Visions of beloved FINAL FANTASY characters, each bringing unique skills and abilities to battle. Dynamic camera angles and pixelized 3D models give familiar fantasy a fresh perspective. Exploit enemy weaknesses to stagger foes, break their defenses and seize extra turns before finishing the bonus phase with powerful Resonance attacks. Airships, crystals, espers and moogles bring familiar series favorites to a world filled with secrets to discover. GeForce NOW handles the game’s downloads and storage in the cloud, leaving more space on supported devices for everyday essentials. Save the inventory management for potions and Phoenix Downs. Step Into a New Season in Tamriel Familiar lands. Fresh reasons to return. The Elder Scrolls Online’s second season, Echoes of Skyrim, launched Wednesday, Oct. 21, free for all ESO players and ready to stream through GeForce NOW. Season Two gives everyone who owns ESO Standard Edition access to its Skyrim content and the Antiquities treasure-hunting system. The Markarth downloadable content follows Monday, Nov. 9, rounding out the additions with two classic zones to explore.  The Season also introduces Solo Dungeons, reimagining challenges previously designed for groups. Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices have been redesigned and rebalanced for players ready to tackle their dangers alone. Earn new rewards and take on new challenges at your own pace without needing to find a group. A new Tamriel Tome also launched Oct. 21, offering both free and premium battle pass reward tracks.  In addition, members can look for the following titles joining the GeForce NOW library this week: We Were Here Tomorrow (New release on Steam, Oct. 20) FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE (New release on Steam, Oct. 22) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (New release on Oct 23, available in the Call of Duty app) CONTROL Resonant (Epic Game Store) Crimson Desert (Epic Games Store) Planet Zoo 2 (Xbox app, supports XBOX Play Anywhere) Dates listed above reflect when games are released on their respective stores. GeForce NOW availability may vary, as games are onboarded after release and added throughout the week. Keep an eye on GeForce NOW channels and GFN Thursdays for availability updates on announced titles. Gamers who want to test out high-performance GeForce NOW cloud gaming can start with a day pass to try premium cloud gaming before committing to a membership. Better yet, the cost of the day pass can be applied toward a first monthly membership — making it easy to try GeForce RTX-powered cloud gaming with the latest releases, then level up for more. What’s on the mission board this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Dial Up the Cloud: NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 Controls Arrive on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:00:59 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-enshrouded-update/ Dial in the next gaming session this GFN Thursday. New NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 controls give GeForce NOW members more choice over how supported games look and perform in the cloud, even without the latest hardware. Then, step into the Shroud as Keen Games’ Enshrouded leaves early access with its 1.0 release, or let the bolts fly in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2. Both are streaming on GeForce NOW at launch. With 10 new games joining the cloud this week, members can put the new controls to work in supported titles and keep playing across supported devices without downloads, installs or expensive hardware upgrades. Fine-Tune the Cloud With DLSS 4.5 Controls More control, more cloud power. NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 controls are now available on GeForce NOW, giving members more choice over how supported games look and perform in the cloud, even without the latest hardware. DLSS Super Resolution sharpens image quality, while Dynamic Multi Frame Generation delivers lower latency and reduces stutter for smoother streaming, and Ray Reconstruction enhances ray-traced visuals. In addition, Ultimate members streaming on GeForce RTX 5080-powered cloud rigs benefit from the maximum available options, including Dynamic Multi Frame Generation up to 4X.   From James Bond’s globe-trotting missions in 007 First Light — now with path tracing support — to CONTROL Resonant’s reality-bending Manhattan and the shadowy scares of Resident Evil Requiem, the controls help fine-tune supported games for image quality, responsiveness or a preferred balance between the two. These new settings are available in the GeForce NOW app under settings, for Windows, macOS, Chrome OS and Steam OS platforms. Members can read here for more details on using the feature with their membership tier, and more information on how to get the smoothest cloud game streaming for some games on GeForce NOW. Rise, Flameborn Enshrouded 1.0 brings the co-op survival action role-playing game out of early access and into its full release. Rise as a Flameborn, the last ember of hope of a dying race, and venture into a vast world of survival, action and role-playing, where a corrupting fog has consumed a once-beautiful kingdom. The title brings improvements to existing systems, alongside expansions in combat with nine new spells, new mage and archer skills, reworked wands and upgradeable Eternal spells and arrows. New enemy variants keep encounters fresh, while a new biome raises the player level cap to 50 and equipment cap to 55.  GeForce NOW offers Enshrouded 1.0 ready to play in the cloud at launch across supported devices. Skip the 60GB local install to save precious storage space, then step into the Shroud without waiting for downloads or needing to make room for the update. Let the Bolts Fly Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 is now streaming on GeForce NOW. The brutal, fast-paced sequel to the retro first-person shooter brings more enemies, more weapons and new ways to purge. Picking up directly after the original game, a branching single-player campaign sends the fight to grimdark new worlds. Choose between the formidable Sternguard Veteran Malum Caedo and the swift Sister of Battle Nyra Veyrath, each with distinct abilities, weapons and play styles. From towering hive cities to jungle mangrove swamps, new enemy types await in every biome. GeForce NOW keeps the campaign ready in the cloud. No local rig upgrades or game installs stand between members and the fight — the Emperor’s work waits for no loading bar. In addition, members can look for the following joining the GeForce NOW library: Deep Dish Dungeon (New release on Steam, Oct. 13) Planet Zoo 2 (New release on Steam, Oct. 13) Total War: SHOGUN 2 – Complete Edition (New release on Steam, Oct. 13) Valor Mortis (New release on Steam, Oct. 13) Among the Trolls (New release on Steam, Oct. 14) over the hill (New release on Steam, Oct. 14) Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 (New release on Steam, Oct. 14) Beyond These Stars (New release on Steam and Xbox, Oct. 15), available on Game Pass Tenebris Somnia (New release on Steam, Oct. 16) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered (Xbox), available on Microsoft Store Also this week, the performance of DLSS 5’s 3D-Guided Neural Rendering model is improving by 2X, enabling even more gamers to enjoy DLSS 5’s transformative uplift in lighting and materials at high frame rates and settings. The new, more performant DLSS 5 model will debut in NBA 2K27 on Oct. 16 on GeForce NOW, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and RTX Spark laptops. Dates listed above reflect when games are released on their respective stores. GeForce NOW availability may vary, as games are onboarded after they’re released and added throughout the week. Keep an eye on GeForce NOW channels and GFN Thursdays for availability updates to announced titles. Gamers who want to test out the new 4.5 controls and high-performance GeForce NOW cloud gaming can start with a day pass to try premium cloud gaming before committing to a membership. Better yet, the cost of the day pass can be applied toward a first monthly membership — making it easy to try GeForce RTX-powered cloud gaming with the latest releases, then level up for more. What’s on the playlist this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Rally Up: ‘Gears of War: E-Day’ Launches on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:46 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-gears-of-war-e-day/ Gears of War: E-Day leads the charge on GeForce NOW this week, bringing Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago’s first fight against the Locust Horde to the cloud with GeForce RTX-powered performance. A new way to join the action is also coming: Fire TV users will soon be able to purchase GeForce NOW memberships directly through Amazon, creating a more seamless path from device setup to gameplay. Keep an eye out for availability in the coming weeks. There’s more in store this GFN Thursday, with the cloud serving up 10 games, including seven new releases. Emergence Day Is Here Gears of War: E-Day is now streaming on GeForce NOW following its global release on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Set 14 years before the original Gears of War, the prequel follows Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as they confront the terrifying arrival of the Locust Horde on Emergence Day. The series’ brutal combat, desperate survival and larger-than-life action return with a new origin story for the legendary partnership. Ultimate members can take on the Horde with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud, plus technologies including NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex. From campaign missions to cooperative and competitive modes, GeForce NOW keeps the fight ready across low-power laptops, Macs, mobile devices, handhelds, Firefox and other browsers, and more — no massive downloads or expensive gaming rig required. New on the Cloud Menu Members can look forward to the following games joining the GeForce NOW library this week: Gears of War: E-Day (New release on Steam and Xbox, Oct. 6), available on Game Pass STAR WARS: Galactic Racer (New release on Steam, Oct. 6) Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival (New release on Steam, Oct. 8) Forever Ago (New release on Steam, Oct. 8) Order of the Sinking Star (New release on Steam, Oct. 8) Silver Pines (New release on Steam, Oct. 8) Permafrost (New release on Steam, Oct. 9) Graveyard Keeper 2 (Steam) Solasta II (Steam) Tyr (Steam) The Xbox version of Dune: Awakening didn’t join GeForce NOW in September as previously shared. Stay tuned to GFN Thursday for updates on game availability. Dates listed above reflect when games are released on their respective stores. GeForce NOW availability may vary, as games are onboarded after they are released and added throughout the week. Keep an eye on GeForce NOW channels and GFN Thursdays for availability updates on announced titles. Gamers who want to test out high-performance GeForce NOW cloud gaming can start with a day pass to try premium cloud gaming before committing to a membership. Better yet, the cost of the day pass can be applied toward a first monthly membership — making it easy to try GeForce RTX-powered cloud gaming with the latest releases, then level up for more. What’s on the play list this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Fall Into 25 New Games on GeForce NOW This October Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:00:54 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-october-2026-games-list/ Spooky season is streaming in. Alongside falling leaves, pumpkin spice and everything nice, 25 new games are joining GeForce NOW throughout October, including six ready to play this week. From a new CONTROL Resonant reward for Performance and Ultimate members to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered joining the cloud, this GFN Thursday is packed with fresh reasons to play. Claim Rewards A new reward from a world gone sideways. CONTROL Resonant is streaming from the cloud for GeForce NOW Performance and Ultimate members. Explore a warped Manhattan on the brink of paranatural annihilation as Dylan Faden harnesses extraordinary powers to battle the Hiss, the Mold and other reality-bending threats while searching for his sister, Federal Bureau of CONTROL Director Jesse Faden. Performance and Ultimate members can claim the Third Ice Baseball Cap reward for CONTROL Resonant. After claiming the reward code, launch the Steam or Epic Games Store version of CONTROL Resonant, select “Options” from the main menu, navigate to “Gameplay” and choose “Enter Redeem Code.” The reward can be equipped after completing Act 1. Cap it off: Claim the reward from Thursday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Nov. 1, at 11:59 p.m. PT, before it slips into another dimension. The White Wolf Rides Again The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered launched Tuesday, Sept. 29, and is now streaming for Performance and Ultimate members. Follow the iconic tale of Geralt of Rivia, a monster slayer for hire, as he tracks down the Child of Prophecy in a war-torn, monster-infested open world. The remastered adventure brings Geralt’s beloved world back at refreshed specs across nearly any device. GeForce NOW handles the rendering, downloads and storage in the cloud, so there’s no expensive hardware upgrade or lengthy install standing between the trail and the next contract. Ultimate members can take the Continent further with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud — high-end horsepower worthy of the White Wolf, with no local hardware upgrade required. In addition, members can look for the following titles streaming this week: Minecraft Dungeons II (New release on Xbox, Sept. 29), available on Game Pass Nivalis Nights (New release on Steam, Sept. 29) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered (New release on Battle.net and Xbox Play Anywhere, Sept. 29), available on Microsoft Store Bookshop Simulator (Steam) Megastore: Tidy Up Together (Steam) Planet Coaster 2 (Xbox), available on Game Pass And look forward to the games coming throughout October: Gears of War: E-Day (New release on Steam, Oct. 6) STAR WARS: Galactic Racer (New release on Steam, Oct. 6) Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival (New release on Steam, Oct. 8) Order of the Sinking Star (New release on Steam, Oct. 8) Silver Pines (New release on Steam, Oct. 8) Permafrost (New release on Steam, Oct. 9) Deep Dish Dungeon (New release on Steam, Oct. 13) Planet Zoo 2 (New release on Steam, Oct. 13) Total War: SHOGUN 2 – Complete Edition (New release on Steam, Oct. 13) Valor Mortis (New release on Steam, Oct. 13) Among the Trolls (New release on Steam, Oct. 14) over the hill (New release on Steam, Oct. 14) Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 (New release on Steam, Oct. 14) Beyond These Stars (New release on Steam, Oct. 16) Tenebris Somnia (New release on Steam, Oct. 16) Dimraeth (Steam) Graveyard Keeper 2 (Steam) Solasta II (Steam) Tyr (Steam) More from September In addition to the games announced last month, 11 more joined the GeForce NOW library. The Blood of Dawnwalker (GOG.com) Death Stranding Director’s Cut (Epic Games Store) DragonSword: Awakening (Steam) Dune: Awakening (Xbox) Everything Is Crab (Steam) LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (Steam) Over the Top: WWI (Steam) Roadside Research (Steam) RuneScape: Dragonwilds (Xbox) Stick It to the Stickman (Steam) Wild West Pioneers (Steam) Dates listed above reflect when games are released on their respective stores. GeForce NOW availability may vary, as games are onboarded after they are released and added throughout the week. Keep an eye on GeForce NOW channels and GFN Thursdays for availability updates on announced titles. Gamers who want to test out high-performance GeForce NOW cloud gaming can start with a day pass to try premium cloud gaming before committing to a membership. Better yet, the cost of the day pass can be applied toward a first monthly membership — making it easy to try GeForce RTX-powered cloud gaming with the latest releases, then level up for more. What’s on the playlist this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 552: Pumpkins and Pines Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2026 16:55:53 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/10/30/official-playstation-podcast-episode-552-shivering-silver/ Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, y’all! Sid, O’Dell, and Kristen are back this week to talk about the big games of October, some you might have missed, a blast from the past, and what remains this year. Stuff We Talked About Next week’s release highlights: Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered | PS5 (November 3) Let’s Sing 2027 | PS5 (November 3) Void/Breaker | PS5 (November 4) Escape Academy 2: Back to School | PS5 (November 5) Where The Seeds Fall | PS5 (November 5) Helldivers 2 Liberty Day —  Liberty Day was on October 26 in the Helldivers universe, and you can now celebrate with Super Merch (real-world items) to commemorate the occasion. Also, enjoy a host of in-game events and items, such as the AR-23L Liberator Legacy. Where Winds Meet new arc —  The new Hutuo narrative arc arrives on November 13, bringing the historic battlefield into the story. Prepare to charge into a war-ravaged land, where new enemies,weapons, fighting techniques, and mini-games await. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 — The first season of the latest installment kicks off on November 6. Gear up for all-new multiplayer stages, Backstab and Canyon, an undiscovered weapons facility in the DMZ, and a host of other updates across the entire game. The Prism Collection — Three new transparent designs for DualSense controllers and PS5 console covers are coming on February 4. Enjoy the new see-through look in Flare Orange, Emerald Green, and Graphite Gray, with pre-orders starting on November 10. PlayStation Plus Monthly Games November Dead Island 2 | PS5, PS4 Tomb Raider IV – VI Remastered | PS5, PS4 Monster Train 2 | PS5 The Cast View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Kristen Zitani – Content Communications Manager, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image O’Dell Harmon Jr. – Content Communications Specialist, SIE Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music. [Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Title: Share of the Week: Costumes Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2026 16:00:50 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/10/30/share-of-the-week-costumes-3/ Last week, we asked you dress up and share in-game costumes using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. Here are this week’s highlights: call_me_xavii shared Grace wearing the Lady Dimitrescu outfit in Resident Evil Requiem WildJogurt shared Bond wearing a gold blazer in 007 First Light. themarkplumb shared the Proxima outfit from Mortal Shell II gh_holy_mash shared a panda costume from Onimusha: Way of the Sword jobolts_ shares Lara in a mask for Dia De Los Muertos in Shadow of the Tomb Raider kali_girlgamer shares Verso in a French beret and sunglasses in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33  Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: ShadowsSUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on November 4, 2026 Next week, share characters lurking in the shadows from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Title: (For Southeast Asia) First look inside the Prism Collection, with three new transparent designs for PS5 accessories Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026 02:03:29 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/10/28/20261029-ps5/ Get ready to see your PS5 console and DualSense controller in a whole new way. Today, we are pleased to introduce the Prism Collection, featuring three striking transparent designs for DualSense wireless controllers and PS5 console covers: Flare Orange, Emerald Green, and Graphite Gray. The new collection was inspired by our design teams’ interest to bring a transparent appearance to PS5, and give players a closer look into the design and craftsmanship behind our DualSense controllers and PlayStation 5 consoles. From bold Flare Orange to elegant Emerald Green and stylish Graphite Gray, each color is finished with a premium glossy sheen for a sleek and elevated design. Play Video The luminous Flare Orange brings a bold and vibrant aesthetic to a PS5 setup. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The elegant Emerald Green features a silky green exterior. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The classy Graphite Gray presents a refined gray design. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The Prism Collection brings a fresh new look to the PS5 console and DualSense controllers. To share more about our creative process behind the new design, here are insights from Leo Cardoso and Satoshi Aoyagi from our Color, Material, and Finish design team. “We know how much our fans have been looking forward to the return of transparent controllers. We wanted to bring back the iconic see-through trend of the late ’90s in a fresh, modern way that complements the PS5’s industrial design.” – Leo Cardoso “The high-gloss clear finish extends across the back of the controller, offering a look at the technology that powers the DualSense controller while maintaining a sleek, monochromatic look. The metallic finish on the middle cover brings the contrasting surfaces together for a premium appearance that feels consistent with the PS5 generation. To complement the futuristic aesthetic, we carefully selected three distinct colors: a vibrant orange that subtly takes on a rosy hue where the transparent material overlaps, a deep hunter green that gains depth through its transparency, and a cool-toned storm gray.” – Satoshi Aoyagi View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The Prism Collection DualSense wireless controllers will be available globally for a recommended retail price (RRP) of SGD 115 / MYR 419 / THB 2,890 / IDR 1,549,000 / PHP 5,699 / VND 2,399,000. * The matching PS5 console covers will be available in limited quantities through select retailers for a RRP of SGD 101 / MYR 369 / THB 2,590 / IDR 1,359,000 / PHP 5,099 / VND 2,099,000. * The Prism Collection launches starting on February 4, 2027. The exact launch date and availability for the accessories may vary by country/region. *Actual retailer prices and availability may vary

Title: Phantom Blade Zero: How boss weapons transform combat and exploration Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/10/28/phantom-blade-zero-how-boss-weapons-transform-combat-and-exploration/ Phantom Blade Zero blends influences from a variety of sources to create intense, fast-paced combat and a supernaturally infused Kungfupunk world. It draws on the tough, powerful bosses of Soulslikes, the quick, combo-focused combat of hack-and-slash games, the fascinating stories and characters of RPGs, and the unlockable exploration of search action games.All those ideas come together to create something familiar and unexpected, reworking common action-RPG elements into beautiful, fast-paced battles across a strange, devastated world. Mixing aggression and defense Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. While Phantom Blade Zero’s combat evokes games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Bloodborne, it takes a more hybrid approach, channeling Wuxia stories and kung-fu movies. You’re not just using R1 to dodge, holding L1 to block blows, or tapping L1 to parry them; you also need to press attack, using Square for basic attacks and Triangle for more powerful blows to create simple but effective combos and force your opponent to block and parry as well. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. It’s all about managing a meter measuring your Sha-Chi. Blocking attacks depletes your Sha-Chi, and if it runs out, you can be staggered and left open to attack — but perfectly parrying, and dodging and landing blows knocks down your opponent’s Sha-Chi instead, letting you cut through their defenses.  You can quickly refill your Sha-Chi by pressing Left on the D-Pad to swap between your two equipped main weapons. The system pushes you to string attacks together from both weapons, or to swap as you end your strikes so you’re ready to start parrying. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. As you land attacks, you also earn Sha-Chi Essence. When it’s fully charged, you can unleash a Power Surge attack with L2 that overpowers your opponent, interrupts their attacks, and deals massive damage. All those elements, combined with powerful Phantom Edge weapons that have specific but limited uses, work together to turn battles into a fluid dance that constantly moves between attack and defense. And thanks to haptic feedback in the DualSense controller, you feel those clashing blades, adding intensity that shows how powerful and lethal their blows can be. Using the weapons of the enemy One of the best parts of Phantom Blade Zero is the way it dishes out new weapons. Instead of finding swords in treasure chests or buying them from merchants, you claim most of your weapons from bosses you defeat. You get to see exactly how a weapon works as you defend against its unique capabilities, then try those capabilities yourself. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. For instance, after you defeat the boss Hua, Deadly Betrothed, you can claim her Scarlet Wraithblade, which summons spider lilies on the ground as you complete combos that slow down enemies and let you control the battlefield. The White Serpent and Crimson Viper are dual-wielded swords, and you can use each one’s separate combo, or mix them together for different effects that let you use one sword up close and send the other spinning in circles around you. Each weapon offers its own fighting style, special combos, and status effects, like causing enemies to bleed for extra damage or allowing you to siphon their life. With so many varied combat options, you’ll constantly want to try different weapons and see how they exploit the weaknesses of the tough bosses you’ll face. Uncovering the mysteries of the Wulin Exploration is also a big part of the experience. The game is full of side quests and stories to chase down that flesh out the Wulin, the game’s world, and the characters you meet along the way. Each area you visit is expansive, with lots of side paths and secrets to find. Often, you’ll come across areas you can’t reach yet, encouraging you to backtrack later after finding an essential item. Some paths are blocked by specific Phantom Edge weapons that you’ll earn from defeating bosses, making it possible to smash through a barrier or grapple up to a distant location. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. Phantom Blade Zero ties its storytelling, exploration, and combat together by rewarding you for your curiosity. Exploring new areas will often advance old side quests and uncover new ones. Discovering Blue Memory Flowers scattered throughout the world gives you glimpses into the past that unlock the stories of the places you visit. Finding all the flowers for a given story also increases Soul’s health, making him more powerful for the next battle. A dark and tragic world The Kungfupunk aesthetic informs not only how Phantom Blade Zero looks, but also the stories you find within it — it’s a dark place, constantly steeped in tragedy. Those stories lead to epic, varied boss fights against powerful martial artists and corrupted, monstrous characters. Hua, Deadly Betrothed, is an early optional boss who forces you to stay aware of your surroundings as she summons deadly spider lilies that sap your strength and stagger you, leaving you open to massive blows from her huge sword. Once you defeat her, you learn about how she was used by the man she was to marry, and her rage resulted in the massacre of the entire wedding party. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. Other characters represent the powers hunting Soul throughout the game, whose motivations are slowly uncovered through flashbacks as you push forward. Jing Ye, The Outlaw, comes at you on horseback and employs dirty tricks, throwing dirt in your face to obscure your vision as he tries to run you down. When you finally knock him off his mount, he comes at you with a spiked shield that damages you when you attack, and a huge sword he’ll try to bury in your flesh to absorb your blood and heal himself. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. And then there are characters with their own agendas, like the Gold-Masked One, a man you encounter in the strange illusory realm of the Discordance, played by actor and martial arts legend Donnie Yen. As you learn more about his shadowed story, he challenges you to vicious duels, using sword slashes, kicks, punches, and powerful, unblockable throws to rip through your life meter. Developer S-Game’s attention to detail in each boss gives you a glimpse into their backstories, even as you fight them. Those tidbits help flesh out its world as much as the side quests and characters you’ll help along the way. Through these tragic stories, you quickly discover that the world of Phantom Blade Zero is harsh; not everyone you face in battle is evil, and you won’t be able to help everyone who needs you. But at least you can take down the frightening monsters tormenting the innocent, one furious, beautiful battle at a time. Test your skills against the foes of the Wulin when Phantom Blade Zero hits PlayStation 5 on October 29.

Title: Modern Warfare 4 Season 1: Everything you need to know for November 6 launch Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:15:17 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/10/28/modern-warfare-4-season-1-everything-you-need-to-know-for-november-6-launch/ Get ready for Season 1, with new maps, modes, events and rewards across Multiplayer and DMZ. Explore the unforgiving corridors of X01, wield new weapons and attachments, acquire new Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, DMZ Survival Kits, and more. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 goes live on November 6 Play Video New Multiplayer maps and modes Take the fight in Multiplayer across three new maps at Season 1 launch. Brave inclement weather across the all-new war torn Backstab, where abandoned tanks litter the landscape and drone ordinance line the shelves of a deserted dwelling.  Battle amidst towering rock walls in the all-new Canyon and try your luck along the River near the Convoy Ambush or take the Cliff Path for its winding pathways. Drop into a reimagined Shoot House against the rugged terrain of North Korea during a snowfall. Also, at Season 1 launch, play the fan-favorite Grind mode where you eliminate players, recover their dog tags, and take them to the Bank to score for your team.  Plus, Drop Zone mode returns where teams fight to hold a single rotating objective with periodic Killstreak packages airdrop over the Drop Zone. In the Mid-Season, we drop additional new maps and modes. Battle erupts at the all-new Ministry, causing damage to an embassy as you fight in and around the building on this diplomatic summit. Overflow is the new map centered around a factory and its surrounding farmland.  Counter Attack is a new mode where your focus is detonating bombs at the enemy Comm Station while protecting your own from attack. DMZ’s new X01 weapon facility A formerly undiscovered weapons facility —codenamed X01 — has recently been seized by enemy forces. X01’s maze of tunnels and shifting hazards calls for careful planning, specialized equipment, and squad coordination. Expect new and powerful equipment and as the facility starts to close off extraction points, complete the required steps to escape, or else! In addition, expect multiple pages of new DMZ Orders inside X01 with plenty to uncover on deployment along, Threat Briefing to take down DMZ’s biggest Boss threats from Commanders and more, and Resupply Runs. New Warzone maps Play across two new maps in Call of Duty: Warzone as the Season 1 update brings both Hajin and Zodiac with additional game modes, gameplay features, and more. More intel to arrive soon, including full roadmap covering everything coming to Call of Duty: Warzone in Season 1. General content updates Expand your arsenal of weapons with the arrival of the Cronen Osprey Assault Rifle and the CSG-35 SMG in the Season 1 Battle Pass.  The Cronen Osprey combines speed with moderate power for an Assault Rifle that’s quick and reliable on the frontlines. The CSG-35 SMG excels at putting down enemies fast at close ranges as it features the highest fire rate in its class  The Season 1 Battle Pass is packed with 100+ pieces of unlockable content with an all-new catch-up system that guarantees 50+ rewards for those who purchase it. In addition to the normal unlocking of Battle Pass content, players who fall behind in the premium Battle Pass will be automatically caught up to the Reward matching the current day of the season, up to day 50. In addition, the Battle Pass itself is simpler to navigate, too: Log in to collect your rewards and keep playing to unlock a linear 100-tier track filled with additional Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, Finishing Moves, and more.

Title: Horror-steeped card game Forbidden Solitaire shows how a strong theme can elevate even decade-old mechanics Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/horror-steeped-card-game-forbidden-solitaire-shows-how-a-strong-theme-can-elevate-even-decade-old-mechanics Like a tag team of oiled snakes that have entered a wrestling contest, theme is a difficult quality to pin down. A game can be well designed, but if it lacks a coherence between those mechanics and its appearance, narrative, and its framing, there is a dissonance that can be hard to ignore. I realise I've just stepped into an old argument by using the word 'dissonance', but Hocking was right, games that don't cohere can be jarring. A developer may desire that sensation of discomfort, but often it is accidental and unwanted. (Much like opening an article with a simile about wrestling snakes when there is nothing connecting that image to a game about solitaire. It might be a good line, but it doesn't smoothly connect with the rest of the article to elevate its argument.) Anyway, what does this all have to do with Forbidden Solitaire, a game in which you're delving deeper into a dungeon filled with horrors, progressing by clearing screens of cards? Well, it's an excellent example of how well-handled theming can raise a game into something more than its parts. Read more

Title: What are we all playing this weekend? Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 09:45:21 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/what-are-we-all-playing-this-weekend-406 My scares should have been reserved for today, what with it being All Hallows' Eve and all, but my fright came on Thursday. Read more

Title: Warframe's fantasy-pilled sister Soulframe finally goes open to all this November, though Digital Extremes are "nervous" about certain changes Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2026 20:30:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/warframes-fantasy-pilled-sister-soulframe-finally-goes-open-to-all-this-november-though-digital-extremes-are-nervous-about-certain-changes Warframe creators Digital Extremes have announced that their free-to-play fantasy RPG Soulframe will be available for everyone to download on 6th November, after two years in closed alpha. Finally, you serfs without "prelude" keys will be able to fire up Soulframe.com and make sense of my ranting about the sleeping animals on the lobby screen. The new "open prelude" will land shortly before the game's 17th major update, Verse of the Veilands, which lets you grow your Omen wolfpup allies into rideable adult wolves by finding the ingredients for a special biscuit. More importantly, prelude 17 violently rearranges the game's wistful world, adding an Ubisoft-esque region purging system that is designed to guide new players a bit more emphatically towards the game's "votives". Aka, missions. Yes, Digital Extremes sort of have a bespoke term for every game feature in Soulframe. I find this can be either charming or maddening, depending on how much sleep I've had. Read more

Title: Wooshy wuxia actioner Phantom Blade Zero is sharp enough on the Steam Machine, if blunted on the Steam Deck Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:45:52 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/phantom-blade-zero-steam-machine-steam-deck It would appear that Phantom Blade Zero (Phantom Blade 0? Zero? Let’s go with Zero) demanding more gigs than a mismanaged stadium is doing little to stop people playing the thing. It therefore stands to reason at least some folks will want to run S-Game Studio’s lightly Soulsy sword-em-up on the Steam Machine, so let us now examine how said GabeCube stands up to its effects-heavy martial artistry. With some settings proposals, natch. Read more

Title: EA execs choosing Star Wars Battlefront 3 over Mass Effect 5 was the main factor in BioWare's demise, according to report Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ea-execs-choosing-star-wars-battlefront-3-over-mass-effect-5-was-the-main-factor-in-biowares-demise-according-to-report The postmortem on BioWare, following their shuttering by EA this month, points to the publisher's preference to back Star Wars Battlefront 3 over Mass Effect 5 as the main factor in the demise of the beloved RPG developer. That's according to Bloomberg, who also report that a couple of other factors likely also had some influence. Read more