Title: Seed Will Let You Run Your Own Government, If You Grow Enough Tomatoes First Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:30:00 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/seed-social-survival-game-metaverse-2000718434 Just don't get jaundice

Title: Final Fantasy 10 Still Has The Best Game Opening In The Series Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:04:13 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-10-still-has-the-best-game-opening-in-the-series-2000718389 The PS2 entry narrowly edges out Final Fantasy VII for best opening in the series

Title: Gaming’s Contract Workers Are Being Devastated, Too: ‘Industry’s Cooked’ Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:30:06 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/amidst-mass-layoffs-contract-workers-devastated-video-games-2000718416 Major companies are eliminating more than just their full-time workforce, and developers are paying the price

Title: Oh, Man, The Clayface Movie Is Even Grosser Than I Thought It’d Be In New Trailer Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:04:47 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/clayface-dc-universe-trailer-tom-rhys-harries-scissors-2000718438 DC is going from Superman to the other, scarier end of the universe

Title: New Report Suggests Valve’s Steam Deck Sales Have Plummeted 82 Percent Since Price Hikes Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:19:31 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/valve-steam-deck-sales-plummet-price-rises-handheld-gaming-2000718391 The 40 percent rise for both remaining Steam Deck models seems to have priced people out of the market

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: If You Aren’t Going To BlizzCon 2026, You Can Still Spend Money Like You Are Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:08:32 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/if-you-arent-going-to-blizzcon-2026-you-can-still-spend-money-like-you-are/ BlizzCon 2026 is shaping up to be a major moment for the house World of Warcraft built, but even if you won't be in attendance, Blizzard will still let you buy all kinds of cosmetics to celebrate the occasion. Though BlizzCon this year isn't until September 12, players can buy digital BlizzCon bundles for all of Blizzard's major live-service games right now. Those lucky enough to have a BlizzCon ticket will get every bundle for free. Each bundle individually costs $25 or $30, but snagging the BlizzCon Ultimate Collection bundle, which includes every individual bundle plus a few extras for each game, is $50. If you sink a significant amount of time into more than one Blizzard game and are keen on buying at least two bundles, the Ultimate Collection definitely seems like the way to go. BlizzCon itself will be free to watch from home, and Blizzard is offering a 15-day co-op boost for StarCraft 2 and a new Heroes of the Storm Thrall skin as freebies to all players. The bundles will be available until September 28. Below is a full breakdown of what is included in each available bundle: World of Warcraft BlizzCon Bundle ($30 USD): Rabbit’ath Flying Mount, Garb of the Dawnfire Phoenix Transmog Ensemble, and the Perch of the Dawnfire Phoenix Decor. Overwatch BlizzCon Bundle ($30 USD): Lich Queen Mei Legendary Skin, Frostmourne Ana Weapon Skin, Lichimari King Weapon Charm, and Lich Queen Mei Spray. Diablo IV BlizzCon Bundle ($30 USD): Streamsnout Pet, Indigo Cat Mount, and Escapeproof Armor Mount Armor. Diablo Immortal BlizzCon Bundle ($25 USD). Rimedarter Familiar Transmog, Seekers of Riddergrove (Violet) Portal, 20 Legendary Crests, 10 Telluric Pearls, and a Mother’s Lament 2-Star Legendary Gem. Hearthstone BlizzCon Bundle ($25 USD). Bloodmage Thalnos Signature Legendary Card, Blade of the Black Empire Card Back, and 5 Standard Card Packs. BlizzCon Ultimate Collection Bundle ($50 USD). Everything from the five individual digital bundles, plus a World of Warcraft Murk’atath Pet, an Overwatch Lich Queen Mei Player Icon and Name Card, Diablo IV Indigo’s Light Trophy and Indigo’s Master Trophy, a Diablo Immortal Astral Celebration Portrait Frame, and five additional Hearthstone Standard Packs. Blizzard president Johanna Faries has said 2026 will be Blizzard's "biggest year yet," with BlizzCon having a major role to play. "I have total confidence that the teams are going to come very, very big, both with the heart and soul of what I think our core-most fans long for in a BlizzCon, but also bringing some very new things to the table," Faries said. What announcements are in store remains to be seen, but players can expect major news about the future of World of Warcraft, Diablo 4, and Overwatch. Persistent rumors have also pointed towards the reveal of a StarCraft shooter. If an alleged leak is to be believed, Blizzard could also surprise fans with new games and shows set in the Warcraft universe. 

Title: Here’s How To Play Halo: Campaign Evolved With Your Friends Across Xbox, PlayStation, And PC Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:07:14 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/heres-how-to-play-halo-campaign-evolved-with-your-friends-across-xbox-playstation-and-pc/ With Halo: Campaign Evolved's early access period set to kick off on July 23, you may be wondering just how to enable cross-platform play so you and your fellow Spartans can kick grunt butt across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Well, the process is actually super simple, so let us break it down for you right here. As outlined in a July 22 blog on the Halo Waypoint site, playing this Halo remake with your friends is easy. All you have to do is know their Gamertag or Username, search for and add it to your Xbox friends list--either on the Xbox site, from the Xbox Game Bar, or in the Xbox mobile app--then add them to your party from the "Cross-Platform Friends" list of the "Play Co-op" menu when they're online. And just like that, you're playing Halo: Campaign Evolved with your friends on a platform other than an Xbox. Weird times we're living in, but it really is that simple. It's worth noting that you don't get immediate access to Halo: Campaign Evolved's early access just by buying the game. As is customary with these sorts of things, you’ll need to preorder the $70 Premium Edition to get into the early access pool. If you have preordered the $50 Standard Edition, you can upgrade to the Premium Edition to gain early access, but that will run your wallet $20, bringing the total to the Premium Edition price. And if you got it via Xbox Game Pass, you can upgrade to the Premium Edition for $20. Preordering either version nets you the Foundry Armory Pack, which comes with legendary looks for Master Chief's iconic Mark V Mjolnir armor. Opting for the Premium Edition comes with some extra goodies, though, such as a digital artbook and short story, as well as the game manual and five additional Master Chief armor skins and six weapon skins. Halo: Campaign Evolved will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on July 28--and it's a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass. Be sure to check out the release times so you can be ready for when the game officially comes out.

Title: Analyst Says Sony Killing Physical PS5 Games “Dooms” Brick-And-Mortar Stores Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:20:46 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/analyst-says-sony-killing-physical-ps5-games-dooms-brick-and-mortar-stores/ Sony's decision to kill physical PlayStation games in January 2028 has, understandably, gotten under the skin of just about everyone. And while Disgea's creator says the company should just stop making consoles altogether if there won't be any more physical games, an analyst is sounding the alarm on how Sony's decision could be the death knell for brick-and-mortar gaming stores in the future. Michael Pachter, managing director of strategic planning at the LA-based financial services firm Wedbush Securities, spoke to CNBC on July 21 about the possible ramifications of Sony's choice. He said that the company's decision could save Sony some money, but it ultimately feels anti-consumer. Pachter then emphasized just how important the used-gaming market is for all consumers. "Realistically, at least 1/3 of games have been sold historically as used, and the games that were sold used also provided currency to the gamer who traded them in as cash to pay for new games," he said. "Brick and mortar game retail is doomed." This is in stark contrast to what GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen said on July 17. As the top man of one of the largest gaming retailers in the world, Cohen expressed how "totally irrelevant" physical games are to the company's overall business. It is true that software sales only make up 12% of GameStop's revenue, with collectibles (like Pokemon cards) accounting for 41.8% and hardware and accessories totaling nearly 40%. Gaming sales, new or used, are an ever-shrinking portion of GameStop's business, and there is data backing up just how little physical PlayStation 5 game sales contribute to Sony's business. But the numbers haven't stopped hundreds of thousands of people from signing a petition urging Sony to change its mind and continue producing discs. The internet also had thoughts on Sony putting physical games in a coffin, with many lampooning how play apparently does have limits. (This is a riff on Sony's common slogan: "Play has no limits.")

Title: PlayStation Plus Subscribers Have 9 Games To Finish Before August Ends Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:08:08 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-plus-subscribers-have-9-games-to-finish-before-august-ends/ PlayStation Plus has gotten several new games throughout the month, but as expected, several of them are also set to leave the subscription service's Game Catalog for Extra- and Premium-tier subscribers. In total, there'll be nine games exiting PS Plus on August 18, so you've only got a few weeks left to check out a fun zombie apocalypse adventure, a JRPG with an elegant hand-drawn art style, and one anime-inspired game that knows exactly who its target market is. Here's the full list: PlayStation Plus Game Catalog games leaving on August 18 Bomber Crew (PS4) Clash: Artifacts of Chaos (PS5, PS4) Dead Island 2 (PS5, PS4) Earth Defense Force 6 (PS5, PS4) Harold Halibut (PS5) Onee Chanbara Origin (PS4) Roki (PS5) Space Crew (PS4) Unicorn Overlord (PS5, PS4) Dead Island 2 is the highest-profile exit for next month, and if you haven't checked it out yet, then you've missed out on a fun sequel. Stuck in development hell for several years, it eventually released on PC and consoles in 2023. Surprisingly goofy, extremely violent, and full of a surprising amount of character buildcrafting, it's a fun experience that has a great balance of action and survival. The other game you'll want to check out is Harold Halibut, especially if you've been craving an old-school point-and-click adventure. Harold Halibut wears that influence on its sleeve, and it also looks incredible thanks to the years of work that went into crafting its unique characters and world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GESXM0lVDp0 While those games won't be around for much longer, you can grab three games right now if you're subscribed to any tier of PlayStation Plus--Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, For the King 2, and CrossCode. For members of PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, the Game Catalog has already expanded with five games this month, including Rise of the Ronin, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Dying Light. Two more games are arriving on July 28--Sony now does weekly Game Catalog drops for US, UK, and Japanese subscribers--and Premium-tier subscribers can also download two PlayStation Classics next week in the form of Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy and Indigo Prophecy. Next week will also see Sony reveal the next batch of free games for all PlayStation Plus subscribers in August, so don't forget to check in to see what they are ahead of their arrival on August 4. Best Open-World Games On PlayStation Plus Extra And Premium View Images

Title: Here’s Your Chance To Score A 2TB Steam Machine And Controller For Just $1 Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/heres-your-chance-to-score-a-2tb-steam-machine-and-controller-for-just-1/ If there’s one thing I find a bit rough about the Steam Machine, it’s the price. While it’s a far more accessible way to get a PC gaming experience without the hassle of building a computer yourself, the current price of gaming hardware makes it a hard purchase to recommend. However, if you told me you got the 2TB model for just $1, I’d probably cry with excitement for you, with just a dash of disappointment that it wasn’t me. Fortunately, the idea of me crying isn’t so ridiculous. With Fanatical’s new Mystery Vault Bundle, anyone - you or I included - could win the coveted Steam Machine, along with the new Steam Controller. That package is worth $1,400, and winning it for just $1 would earn you bragging rights for years to come. You’re not paying solely for a chance to win the Steam Machine, though. Every purchase of the Mystery Vault Bundle also includes Steam keys, ranging from overlooked games to AAA classics, all selected at random to help fill out your Steam library. Even if you don’t win the grand prize, you’re still getting a selection of games at a hefty discount. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPNW3GCIeOM The bundle also includes Golden Vaults, $1,000 instant-win prizes filled with recent games and, as a new addition, physical merchandise. You could win copies of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight and Invincible VS, alongside a Doom: The Dark Ages hat. If that doesn’t sound like a worthwhile prize, I’m not sure what does. Personally, I’ve picked up Fanatical’s mystery bundles several times, and while I’ve never landed one of the biggest prizes, I’ve always come away with something worth playing. I’ve discovered games I probably would have skipped otherwise and found plenty of recommendations for friends looking to expand their libraries without spending much. For me, the game discovery is the real appeal - the prizes are just a bonus. Keys start at just $1 / £1, but the more you buy, the more you save. If you opt for 25 keys, you’ll pay just $16.99 / £16.99, and larger bundles guarantee no duplicate keys. That works out to just 68 cents per game. It’s hard to think of many better-value PC gaming deals, so if you fancy taking a chance, the Fanatical Mystery Vault Bundle could even land you a Steam Machine once the prize draw appears at checkout. Oh, and there’s also a chance to win a Steam Deck OLED or a PlayStation 5. If luck is on your side, you could end up with a seriously upgraded gaming setup. I’m only a little jealous of whoever wins. Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom. This story was created in collaboration with Fanatical's deals team.

Title: 7 Disney miniseries where every episode is a masterpiece Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:00:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/7-disney-miniseries-where-every-episode-is-a-masterpiece/ When you’re looking for a great miniseries to binge over a weekend, your first stop is most likely HBO Max for shows like Watchmen and True Detective, or Netflix, for the likes of The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. But while Disney Plus has not been one to brand itself as the home of great limited series, there are still some truly perfect miniseries on the streamer.

Title: Best Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced mods Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:21:49 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-mods-best-how-to/ The best mods in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced either fix some of the game's limitations, make the world more beautiful, or enhance your pirating shenanigans. Install the best Black Flag mods as listed below, and you'll be rid of unwanted orange tints, tiresome resource grinds, and even, if you so desire, Edward Kenway.

Title: Baldur's Gate 3 Honour Mode player loses 60-hour run with sex Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:18:50 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/baldurs-gate-3-honor-mode-run-lost-harleep-sex-scene/ Shortly after the game's official launch, Baldur's Gate 3 received Honour Mode, a difficult version of the game meant for experienced players. It restricts your playthrough to one save file, which is great for when you don't want to be tempted into save-scumming your way through dice rolls and dialogue choices. It's not so great for when one of those dialogue choices cuts your run short.

Title: Avengers: Secret Wars isn't a full MCU reboot, Kevin Feige says Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:58:33 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/avengers-doomsday-secret-wars-mcu-reboot-kevin-feige/ The arrival of Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday is only months away, but fans are already asking questions about Avengers: Secret Wars. The next Avengers film after Doomsday is set to pave the way for massive changes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but don't call it a reboot. Following comments about the comic inspirations for Secret Wars, Marvel boss Kevin Feige is giving a little more insight into just exactly what the MCU will look like after the sixth Avengers film is released in 2027.

Title: BlizzCon 2026 exclusives for WoW, Overwatch, and Diablo announced Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:48:53 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/blizzcon-2026-game-bundles-world-of-warcraft-overwatch-diablo-4/ BlizzCon, the once-annual gathering of Blizzard Entertainment fans, returns in September with fresh game reveals and updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and community events. While BlizzCon is focused on bringing people together, it's also marked by special in-game cosmetics and other perks that will give both attendees and viewers at home something to remember 2026's event by.

Title: Sharpen the Sword, Skip the Downloads — ‘Onimusha: Way of the Sword’ Is Coming to GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:34 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-onimusha-coming/ Onimusha: Way of the Sword is coming to GeForce NOW at launch, with the playable demo available this week. It’s joined by Denshattack! rolling in with five new games arriving in the cloud. Plus, GeForce NOW officially launches in India, moving from beta to public availability — meaning gamers can sign up without a waitlist. Pick Up the Oni Gauntlet Cloud-powered. Samurai-approved. Capcom’s next legendary action adventure is coming to GeForce NOW. Onimusha: Way of the Sword will arrive on the cloud at launch on Thursday, Sept. 3.  Members can jump into the action even sooner with the demo now available to stream. Set in a dark fantasy vision of Edo Japan, follow a lone samurai wielding the legendary Oni Gauntlet against relentless demonic Genma. Master precise swordplay, unleash powerful abilities and absorb the souls of fallen enemies as supernatural battles unfold across a haunting world filled with mystery and danger. Ultimate members can experience every clash with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices and TVs. From the first swing in the demo through launch day, GeForce NOW lets members step into battle the moment it’s available — no downloads, storage space or expensive hardware required. Gamers can find the demo in the GeForce NOW app demo row and add the title to their wishlists today to be ready when the blade is drawn.  India Levels Up The wait is over. GeForce NOW has officially exited beta in India, bringing the world’s highest-performance cloud gaming service to more gamers across the country.  This week, gamers can choose from monthly Performance and Ultimate memberships, flexible day passes or the basic, free offering — making it easier than ever to experience GeForce RTX-powered cloud gaming. GeForce NOW now supports UPI payments, giving gamers across India a fast, secure and convenient way to purchase memberships and day passes.  Premium memberships unlock GeForce RTX-powered features like ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex, along with higher resolutions, faster frame rates and priority access to streaming. With thousands of supported games — from blockbuster releases and free-to-play favorites to indie hits — members can enjoy PC games they already own without the cost of upgrading to high-end gaming hardware. Join the conversation with the GeForce NOW community on Reddit.  Go Off the Rails This Weekend “Denshattack!” is pulling into the cloud. Denshattack! — the off-the-rails, train‑wrecking action game — is now available to stream on GeForce NOW, letting members embrace pure chaos from almost any device.  Take control of runaway trains and send them barreling through crowded tracks, explosive obstacles and delightfully destructive layouts, chaining spectacular crashes with just the right mix of precision and pandemonium. Its colorful, tongue‑in‑cheek presentation and physics‑driven mayhem turn every run into a highlight reel of derailments — perfect for quick sessions, score‑chasing and laughing at just how wrong a single turn can go when the throttle never lets up. In addition, members can look for the following to play this week: Denshattack! (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass on July 15) The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu (New release on Steam, available July 15) Heave Ho 2 (New release on Steam, available July 16) Fogpiercer (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass on July 17) Onimusha: Way of the Sword DEMO (Steam) The GeForce NOW community keeps discovering new games to play, with members discussing the most beautiful games on the service. What game has impressed you most on GeForce NOW? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: GeForce NOW Turns Up the Heat With New GeForce RTX 5080-Powered Toronto Server Date: Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:00:55 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-toronto-expansion/ This GFN Thursday brings more games, more power and more ways to play on GeForce NOW.  The cloud gaming service is expanding with a new GeForce RTX 5080-powered server in Toronto, bringing dedicated high performance in the cloud closer to members across the region. NTE: Neverness to Everness also gets an update in the cloud, making it even easier to jump into the latest content from the supernatural adventure without a single download or more storage space needed. It leads the way for GeForce NOW bringing native touch control to the game, coming soon. There’s even more to explore with three new games joining the GeForce NOW library this week.  Take It to the Next Level in Toronto The forecast is looking cloudy in Canada. A new GeForce RTX 5080-powered GeForce NOW server is coming to Toronto, expanding service in the region and bringing dedicated cloud gaming performance closer to local members. The new server will roll out within days, giving more players access to top-tier cloud gaming across Canada. Ultimate members can stream across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more with GeForce RTX 5080-class power in the cloud. Enjoy up to 4K resolution and beyond on supported ultrawide displays, up to 120 frames per second, plus NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex technologies.  Bring on the ‘999 Nights’ Reality bends — on any device. Step into the surreal world of NTE: Neverness to Everness with the NTE Version 1.2 “999 Nights” update.  This version introduces a massive gameplay evolution, plunging players into an immersive, tabletop-inspired fantasy role-playing game on the Warren Continent — a new permanent game mode featuring its own dedicated progression system. This narrative and mechanical expansion is elevated by the debut of two powerful characters, Shinku and Iroi, alongside an unprecedented fashion upgrade featuring a sweeping collection of 19 new character outfits. To top it off, exploration gets a high-octane upgrade with Draco, a revolutionary new motorcycle vehicle, making this version an absolute playground for combat strategy, stylish customization and high-speed urban traversal.  Plus, GeForce NOW will soon be rolling out native touch controls to NTE: Neverness to Everness, which will make it even easier to explore the city’s mysteries from supported mobile devices. Look for the game in the GeForce NOW app to seamlessly jump between devices and continue the adventure — no downloads, storage space or expensive additional hardware required. Embark on Expanded Adventures The journey continues in Granblue Fantasy: Relink with the Endless Ragnarok expansion. Known for its dynamic combat, diverse roster of Skyfarers and thrilling online co-op, Relink returns with fresh story content as mysterious beings known as the Ragnalia threaten the Zegagrande Skydom. Strange gateways, powerful new foes — including the mighty Beelzebub — and fresh challenges await across the skies. The expansion also introduces additional ways to play, including summon abilities that add another layer of combat strategy, co-op quest tiers and a solo mode filled with unpredictable encounters. Master traits offer more opportunities to customize favorite characters, giving both longtime Skyfarers and newcomers plenty of reasons to take flight. Jump into the latest action with the following games to play this week: Esports Manager 2026 (New release on Steam, available July 6) Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced (New release on Steam and Ubisoft Connect, available July 9) Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Demo (Steam) As GeForce NOW continues to expand, so does the community discovering cloud gaming. One new Ultimate member summed up their first impressions: “Finally caved and got GFN Ultimate… and wow.” Another longtime PC gamer shared how GeForce NOW completely changed their perspective after years of skepticism, calling it “a good alternative” for casual players and encouraging others to “try the one month and upgrade to the yearly before the sale ends.” What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Joyride Through July With 12 Games Coming to GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:00:23 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-july-2026-games-list/ Summer is heating up — and GeForce NOW is taking players along for the ride. Start the month with Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, bringing a galaxy far, far away to the iconic board-game franchise, alongside 12 new games joining the cloud this month.  Plus, don’t let the sun set on the biggest GeForce NOW savings of the year. Level up for less before the deals disappear. Light Side, Dark Side, Cloud Side  The Force is strong with this one. Rule the board, you must. Choose a side in Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, the classic property-trading board game reimagined with legendary characters, locations and rivalries from across the Star Wars universe. Play as iconic heroes or infamous villains — each with unique abilities — to assemble a team and experience cinematic moments while competing with family and friends across locations from every era of the saga. Every roll of the dice brings new opportunities to build an empire and claim victory. GeForce NOW makes it easy to take the battle between the light and dark sides across nearly any device. Jump into a match on a low-powered PC, Mac, phone, TV, tablet or handheld device and keep the fun going across the galaxy. Check out what’s available this week: Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains (New release on Steam and Ubisoft, available June 30) Meccha Chameleon (Steam) And look forward to the games coming throughout the month: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced (New release on Steam and Ubisoft Connect, available July 9) Denshattack! (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 15) The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu (New release on Steam, available July 15) Heave Ho 2 (New release on Steam, available July 16) Fogpiercer (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 17) ZeroSpace (New release on Steam, available July 20) The Planet Crafter (New release on Xbox, Available on Game Pass July 21) Carnival Hunt (New release on Steam, available July 23) The Ranchers (New release on Steam, available July 30) Corsair Cove (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 31) Juicy Extras From June In addition to the 18 games announced last month, 10 more came to the cloud.  Deer & Boy (Steam) DOOM Eternal (Epic Games Store) Embers of the Uncrowned Demo (Steam) EMPULSE (Steam) The Elder Scrolls Online (Xbox, available on Game Pass) NBA THE RUN (Steam) SAND: Raiders of Sophie (Steam) Voidling Bound (Steam) Witchspire (Steam) World of Tanks: HEAT (Wargaming) Last Call for Cloud Summer Savings The clock is ticking. Get gaming at the best price of the year. The final days of the GeForce NOW Summer Sale are here. Before the savings disappear, gamers can save $35 on a 12-month Performance membership or $70 on a 12-month Ultimate membership — unlocking GeForce RTX-powered gaming in the cloud across devices they already own. The Performance membership delivers smooth, high-quality gaming with RTX-powered servers, making it easy to jump into favorite titles across PCs, Macs, phones, handhelds and TVs. The Ultimate membership takes cloud gaming to the max with RTX 4080‑ or 5080‑class performance. Experience cinematic visuals, ultralow latency and responsive gameplay powered by technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex — all without the cost of a new gaming rig. Hear directly from the GeForce NOW Community. One GeForce NOW member recently called the Summer Sale “quite significant” after realizing the savings were even larger than expected in their local currency. By locking in a year of Ultimate, they calculated their monthly cost dropped from roughly 29 CAD to 17 CAD – showcasing how GeForce NOW continues to help gamers around the world enjoy the games they love, wherever they choose to play. Plus, check out this spreadsheet, made by a community member, featuring discounted games streaming on GeForce NOW  and build out a bigger library at the best bargains during the Steam Summer Sale. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: The Ultimate Summer Sale Pairing: Steam Sale Meets GeForce NOW Discounts Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:00:34 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-steam-summer-sale-2026/ Summer savings are heating up. From the Steam Summer Sale to GeForce NOW membership discounts, this week’s GFN Thursday delivers double the deals and more ways to get the most value from cloud gaming. Plus, Dark Scrolls joins the growing Devolver lineup, alongside Square Enix’s The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. They lead the charge for six new games joining the GeForce NOW library this week. Steam Dreams Are Made of These Add to cart, not to storage. The Steam Summer Sale is here, bringing discounts across thousands of PC games as one of the year’s biggest opportunities to grow a gaming library. Supported Steam games can be streamed across devices with GeForce NOW, making it easy to buy a game once, keep progress synced and pick up where the gameplay left off on PCs, Macs, handheld devices, phones, TVs and more. In other words, the Steam Summer Sale brings the deals; GeForce NOW adds the flexibility.  As new titles expand collections, storage demands and hardware requirements expand with them. GeForce NOW helps remove those barriers by streaming supported games from powerful GeForce RTX servers in the cloud, allowing members to enjoy today’s biggest games on devices they already own. Since downloads and installs are handled in the cloud, games can be added to the cart without being added to storage. Check out the “Sales & Special Offers” row in the GeForce NOW app to discover the discounts today. The Ultimate Upgrade to Level Up for Less The upgrade every game deserves. The deals don’t stop there. Pair GeForce NOW’s summer sale with the Steam Summer Sale to spend less time waiting on downloads, managing storage or needing pricey hardware upgrades — and more time gaming. Get $70 off a 12-month Ultimate membership or $35 off a 12-month Performance membership and experience GeForce RTX-powered gaming in the cloud across devices. The Ultimate membership unlocks GeForce RTX 4080- and 5080-class performance in the cloud with up to 4K resolution, up to 120 frames per second (fps) and advanced technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex. Dig Into Devolver Written in chaos. Dark Scrolls, the kinetic action roguelite from Devolver Digital, arrives on GeForce NOW with its blend of fast combat, evolving builds and unapologetic chaos. Set in a warped fantasy world that doesn’t take itself too seriously, players battle through shifting arenas packed with enemies, hazards and power-ups that can turn a run from fragile to unstoppable in seconds. Stack abilities, experiment with wild combinations and adapt on the fly as the game constantly raises the stakes — rewarding bold play as much as careful movement. On GeForce NOW, Dark Scrolls is ready the moment players are, streaming across devices with no downloads or setup required. It joins a growing lineup of Devolver Digital titles on the service — Cult of the Lamb, Hotline Miami, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Inscryption, Enter the Gungeon and Ball x Pit — each delivering that distinct mix of style, surprise and controlled chaos, and just a click away with GeForce NOW. A Storybook Across Centuries The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales arrives on GeForce NOW, delivering a charming, narrative-driven adventure filled with mystery and discovery. With a hand-crafted world and a focus on exploration, it blends classic adventure gameplay with modern, character-driven storytelling. Follow Elliot — a curious traveler bound to a mysterious Millennium Core — as he’s pulled across eras in a journey that spans neon skylines, forgotten ruins and quiet villages on the edge of legend. Each era has its own rules and rhythms, with Elliot’s reactions and scribbled journal notes giving the story a warm, personal touch. Stream the cinematic-quality visuals and responsive gameplay with GeForce RTX power in the cloud for Ultimate members. Experience Elliot’s time-twisting journey in sharp detail across supported devices — no high-end rig, patches or paradox prep required. Just jump in and pick up from wherever the last chapter left off. In addition, members can look for the following: Dark Scrolls (New release on Steam, available June 22) SAND: Raiders of Sophie (New release on Steam, available June 22) Deer & Boy (New release on Steam, available June 23) EMPULSE (New release on Steam, available June 24) The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (Steam) FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (Steam) Leaving the last word to the Community Corner, one GeForce NOW member recently shared being “so impressed” by GeForce NOW. They gave the service a spin because of affordable pricing and took a lower-end PC from 20-30 fps on low settings to 60+ fps with settings maxed out — really putting the WoW in their World of Warcraft.  What are you planning to play this weekend? Maybe even more importantly, what device are you planning to play on? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Sync and Stream: GeForce NOW Connects to Members’ Game Libraries Across Devices Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:00:32 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-game-stores/ Play favorite titles from popular game libraries, keep progress synced and jump back into gaming sessions on virtually any device. That’s the power of GeForce NOW cloud gaming. From providing access to members’ favorite game libraries to offering some of the season’s best membership pricing, GeForce NOW is making it easier than ever to get more from the cloud this summer. Plus, check out the seven new games arriving in the GeForce NOW library this week. Hit Play Across Top Game Stores That’s a whole lotta ways to play. Whether it’s blockbuster franchises, competitive shooters, sprawling role-playing games (RPGs) or indie gems, GeForce NOW supports thousands of games from leading PC game stores, making it easy to bring existing game libraries to the cloud. Connect supported game store accounts and stream titles with GeForce RTX power. Games that include cloud-save functionality help keep progress intact across devices. Start a game on one screen, pick up where playtime left off on another and spend less time managing installs and storage space. Jump into fan favorites like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt streaming through GOG. These sci-fi and fantasy favorites support cloud saves, making it easy to continue where play left off. GOG single sign-on and game library syncing — coming this summer — will make that process even smoother. Explore ancient mysteries in the Assassin’s Creed franchise or team up for tactical action in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege through Ubisoft+, delivering iconic worlds and competitive experiences to the cloud.  Whether joining massive, all-in combat in Battlefield 6 or shaping the fate of Thedas with compelling companions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the EA app offers action-packed experiences and beloved RPGs. Find them in the GeForce NOW app by simply searching and filtering by store. Choose the Screen, Keep the Adventure Gaming doesn’t always happen at a desk — community members are sharing how GeForce NOW lets them play across their favorite devices. GeForce NOW Ambassador and cloud gaming creator Anytime Anywhere Gaming recently showcased Dead as Disco — a PC title without a native mobile version — running on an iPhone through the cloud. As he put it: “One of the coolest benefits of GeForce NOW is I can take the same copy of the game I own on Steam and carry it to my iPhone … it’s super awesome being able to play a game on a multitude of devices without having to buy it again.” That flexibility extends beyond mobile. One GeForce NOW member on Reddit shared being “blown away” by the experience of playing on Mac through the cloud, highlighting how GeForce RTX-powered gaming can be enjoyed across devices, no upgrades required. Whether via phone on the go, on a MacBook between work meetings or on a TV in the living room, GeForce NOW helps make PC gaming accessible across nearly every screen. Upgrade and Unlock More This Summer Summer lovin’, havin’ a sale. For a limited time, annual memberships are available at the best prices of the year: $35 off a 12-month Performance membership $70 off a 12-month Ultimate membership Performance memberships deliver high-quality cloud gaming across devices, while Ultimate unlocks GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud with up to 5K resolution, up to 120 frames per second and advanced technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex. Pair these special prices with thousands of supported games across top PC game stores. Plus, with GeForce NOW, spend less time downloading, upgrading hardware and managing storage — and more time gaming. New on the Cloud  In addition, members can look for the following: Embers of the Uncrowned Demo (New release on Steam, available June 13) Pro Cycling Manager 26 (New release on Steam, available June 15) Aphelion (Steam) Citizen Sleeper (Epic Game Store, free from June 18-25) Megastore Simulator (Steam) OPERATOR (Steam) Super Meat Boy 3D (Xbox, available on Game Pass) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Fresh look at Lou’s Lagoon, coming to PS5 on August 27 Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:30:44 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/22/fresh-look-at-lous-lagoon-coming-to-ps5-on-august-27/ Hi everyone, it’s Ines from Tiny Roar here with some exciting news about Lou’s Lagoon, our upcoming high-flying adventure that’s coming to PS5 on August 27. We’re excited to share a brand-new gameplay walkthrough video. In this expanded look at the game you’ll see more of the character and seaplane customization, building and crafting, and of the charming characters you’ll meet on your journey through the game. Take a look at the video and read on for more details about how you can bring your personality to life in Lou’s Lagoon on PS5. We’re also delighted to reveal our Deluxe Edition, launching on PS5 alongside the Standard Edition. The Deluxe Edition includes an exclusive ‘Lifeguard’ outfit for your character, a bubble-engine upgrade for your trusty seaplane, and a set of cozy beachside items, each with a bubbly surprise. Play Video Make Limbo feel like home In our last PlayStation Blog post, we introduced you to the Limbo archipelago and the islands you’ll travel to on your adventure. This post is all about how you can make the whole experience your own by customizing your character, trusty seaplane, and your home, and bring your personality to life in the game. In Lou’s Lagoon you play as a young pilot searching for their beloved Uncle Lou who is missing after a severe storm has swept through the archipelago. This is your journey and we want to give you the possibility to create a character that truly represents you. Our character creator allows you to customize lots of details of your character, including hairstyles, eyebrow shape, skin tone, facial hair, eye color, and even cute face markings, so you can really be who you want to as you enter the archipelago. As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock new outfits and can visit shops to change up your look and keep it as fresh as the island breeze. That same spirit of personalization carries through to your seaplane. As you take on aerial challenges and trials across the archipelago, you’ll earn new parts and spray paints to customize your plane from nose to tail, whether you want something sleek and understated or something bright and bold. And then there’s your home. Pretty early on in your adventure, you’ll receive a piece of tropical paradise to call your own and can build on it and shape it at your own pace. Design and build your future home from the ground up and add furniture and decorative touches to put a little bit more of yourself into the world. You can continue to transform your space to suit your style as you progress through the game, whether you want a small beach shack or sprawling seafront house. Arriving back at a space that has your imprint on it makes the archipelago truly feel like home. Meet the Charneys and Gorplins Last time, we showed you Gleam Reef and its local residents, the Vooi, and shared some insights into how they were created. Today, we’d like to introduce you to the Charneys of Tanglebloom and the Gorplins of Boulderia. Tanglebloom is the flower-shaped island at the heart of Limbo and is the archipelago’s liveliest town with shops and stores galore – at least, until the storm hit. When you arrive on Tanglebloom, you’ll need to help the Charneys back on their feet and rebuild their businesses so they can open for trading again; there may even be a mystery or two awaiting you. Surrounding Tanglebloom Town are smaller islands of lush jungle with new resources to collect and friends to discover. Boulderia is a rugged island built on the back of a giant crab and inhabited by the small, grumpy, and hard-working Gorplins. The Gorplins spend their time mining (and eating) sugar crystals, a valuable resource. As with Tanglebloom, there may be more to Boulderia than meets the eye… Powered by PS5 We’ve harnessed the power of PS5 from the second you launch Lou’s Lagoon, using the PS5’s ultra-fast SSD to get you into Limbo quicker than a Gorplin can devour a sugar crystal. The DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback elevates every moment of exploration, crafting, and building while adaptive triggers add an extra element of fun to gathering resources across the islands. Finally, PS5’s 4K HDR output brings Limbo to life in stunning detail. We’re so excited to be launching Lou’s Lagoon on PS5 next month and hope you’ll be making Limbo your new home on August 27. While you prepare for take-off, be sure to follow us on social media for more Lou’s Lagoon news!

Title: Order of the Sinking Star is coming to PS5, hands-on report Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:00:47 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/21/order-of-the-sinking-star-is-coming-to-ps5-hands-on-report/ The glittering sky of mystery, magic, and head scratching enigmas is becoming much larger – Order of the Sinking Star is arriving on PlayStation 5 later this year. Developed by Jonathan Blow’s independent studio Thekla, it should come as no surprise that this stablemate of Braid and The Witness is a puzzler… but with a fair few differences to differentiate it from its priors. Play Video In fact, it’s fair to say that those two titles created the foundation that Order of the Sinking Star sits on, not just because of its many, many puzzles, but also with its intriguing blend of characters, an unfolding story, and its stylish aesthetic. Introducing this new star While Order of the Sinking Star’s story is more explicit than that found in Braid or The Witness due to its immediate presence of talkative, controllable characters, there’s still a strong ethos of discovery. Even in the demo I played, exposition is delivered in small, sporadic chunks, all secondary to introducing the gameplay mechanics. This is entirely by design. The subtle environmental storytelling introduces a world of obstacles and divergences, where people are displaced in their surroundings. The first character, the Queen, is lost in what appears to be a strange palace at first, before it opens out into the game’s overworld. It serves as a quick intro to pushing blocking objects around the grid-like locations to progress, as well as understanding the invaluable rewind/undo mechanic in case you get stuck during a puzzle and need to revert to an earlier point in time. Hearty heroes and more It’s an essential mechanic, too, given the introduction of the game’s other characters, who come with their own puzzle-driven abilities. Given the choice of three different areas to tackle after the tutorial section, I sent the Queen northwards to begin The Hearty Heroes of Hauling section, which initially stars the warrior Valens, Tif the thief, and Isidore the wizard. Initially separated, each character can manipulate obstructive blocks and crystals in one specific way – Valens can push them, Tif can only pull them, and Isidore magically swaps places with them on line-of-sight. Guiding the Queen Westwards instead opens up The Promise, where I controlled an explorer who has to work his way through a maze-like mine using the power of gems to emit different coloured beams to perform abilities. While the grassy Mirror Isles to the East dropped me into the sandals of a wealthy trader using mirrors to swap places with his projected reflection in order to navigate a waterlogged archipelago.  A nesting doll of puzzles Just as the story reveals its intriguing wrinkles through voice over dialogue and narration, the Sokoban-like puzzles start off simple but escalate very quickly. In The Hearty Heroes of Hauling, the trio eventually meet up, meaning I had to use a combination of all their abilities to progress. Later, a druid who could transmute blocks joined their ranks, and so the game’s complexity evolved further. Did I mention there are monsters, too? Puzzle purists don’t need to worry – there’s no fighting in the game. But dealing with goblins who will kill your character if they’re on an adjacent square, or beasts who shoot fire on line-of-sight meant the puzzles switched up once more, especially as some gates could only be deactivated once the enemies were vanquished. Thankfully, monsters can be manipulated to attack each other, while another new character, the bard, could charm them with an area of effect ability. And later in the game, a priestess is entirely immune to their attacks, enabling her to protect any adjacent peers. Order of the Sinking Star prides itself on the gradual layering of new characters, elements, and environments the further you travel. Early on in the demo, the Queen was forced to use the other characters’ abilities to access more of the overworld, smartly leaning on my familiarity with their powers to overcome increasingly difficult challenges.  And then, several hours in, things changed in a way that turned the entire game on its head… When worlds collide As if the three different worlds’ worth of puzzles and an overworld with its own batch of enigmas and brainteasers wasn’t enough, Order of the Sinking Star’s big turning point is when the characters from the different worlds begin to interact in order to solve puzzles they couldn’t alone. At one late point I was having to switch between the merchant and wizard across realms, thinking about their abilities in different ways.  It speaks to the ethos of Order of the Sinking Star that this switch is still early in a game which has hundreds of hours of gameplay, built on the back of over a thousand puzzles. And while there’s a clear narrative progression, the freedom to choose the order of how you tackle some of them meant I could still move on when I hit a wall. And on top of all of this, a whole fourth Southern area, Skipping Stones to Lonely Homes, was unavailable in my demo, but promises to ramp things up further with a marooned sailor in a world of giant stones, lily pads, and rivers she can redirect. Following the star’s light It’s been ten years in development via a modest team of around 20 people, but with its 900+ levels, multiple endings, and constantly evolving gameplay, even after several hours in the demo it’s clear there’s literally worlds worth of discovery left in Thekla’s enchanting puzzler. We’ll even find out what’s truly behind the mysterious title itself… Expect more to surface from Order of the Sinking Star when it releases on PS5 later this year.

Title: Beginner’s Guide to MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:00:02 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/20/beginners-guide-to-marvel-tokon-fighting-souls/ MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Open Beta kicks off July 24–26 on PlayStation 5 consoles and PC. Whether you’re new to fighting games or stepping into the arena with your favorite Marvel heroes for the first time, we’ve put together this beginner’s guide to help you get started. From choosing your first character to learning basic controls, combos, and team mechanics, here are a few tips to help you make the most of the Open Beta. Find your favorite Hero or Villain When selecting a character, take a look at the EASE OF USE rating on the character select screen.The more stars a character has, the easier they are to use, making them a great choice for newcomers.Some of the most beginner-friendly characters include Captain America, Ms. Marvel, and Wolverine. Iron Man and Spider-Man are also relatively easy to learn. On the other hand, characters such as Storm and Danger offer more advanced playstyles that may take additional time to master. One of the strengths of MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is that once you’ve learned a character, you can rely on them throughout the entire match. That’s why we recommend starting with the hero you like most and gradually expanding your roster from there. If you’re unsure how to build a team, try combining close-range and long-range specialists. For example, Wolverine’s aggressive melee style pairs nicely with Iron Man’s powerful ranged attacks. That said, the best team is ultimately the one made up of your favorite heroes. Experiment and create a team that feels uniquely yours. Learn the basics with Startup Battle Not sure where to begin? Start with Startup Battle. This mode teaches the game’s core mechanics step-by-step while you play as Captain America.  You’ll learn everything from basic attacks—including Light (□), Medium (△), and Heavy (○) attacks—to combos, skills, and unique character-specific actions through hands-on tutorials. Startup Battle is divided into two sections: ●       Basics, which focuses on actions performed by an individual character.●       Assemble, which introduces team-based mechanics and cooperative actions. Players already familiar with fighting games can skip the Basics section and jump directly into Assemble. While you don’t need to master everything right away, Startup Battle is the perfect place to learn the fundamentals before heading into battle Master basic combos and defense One of the first mechanics new players should learn is the Link Attack system. By repeatedly pressing the same attack button, you can easily perform beginner-friendly combo sequences. In the examples below, L, M, and H refer to Light, Medium, and Heavy attacks. ●       L → L → L → L○       Chains into a Skill and can trigger a Break (stage transition)●       M → M → M○       Leads into a powerful Super Skill●       H → H → H○       Leads into an even stronger Ultimate Skill Start by learning these simple sequences to build a foundation for dealing damage.Once you’re comfortable, try more advanced routes such as: L → M → H → Skill → Assemble Rush → Follow-up Attack Successfully coordinating with your teammates opens up additional combo opportunities and lets you experience the excitement of the game’s team-based combat. Of course, offense is only half the battle. Learning how to defend yourself is just as important. The first defensive technique you’ll want to learn is Guard. ●       Hold ← to perform a standing guard.●       Hold ↙ to perform a crouching guard. Once you’re comfortable blocking attacks, try incorporating two advanced defensive options into your gameplay. Assemble Counter is performed by pressing □ + × while not guarding. Your character performs a defensive backstep, and if an opponent attacks during the maneuver, you’ll automatically launch a counterattack. Crossover is performed by pressing □ + × while guarding. This calls in a teammate to interrupt the opponent’s attack and create an opening for a counteroffensive. Mastering these mechanics can turn a defensive situation into an immediate comeback opportunity. Both techniques can be practiced in Startup Battle, so be sure to give them a try. Assists and character switching Pressing × will call in a teammate to perform an Assemble Assist attack. You can also switch characters by pressing a directional input along with L2. The teammate you call depends on the direction you input: ●   Neutral or → : 2nd teammate●   ↓ : 3rd teammate●   ← : 4th teammate For example: ●   ↓ + × calls your third teammate as an assist.●   ← + L2 switches to your fourth teammate. New players may find assists easier to use than direct character switching, so we recommend becoming familiar with assists first. Once you’ve gained some experience, try using assist-to-switch techniques. After calling an assist, you’ll briefly see a “Switch?” prompt on-screen. Pressing L2 during this window allows you to seamlessly switch to that character. It may take some practice, but mastering this mechanic lets you rotate through heroes fluidly and unleash the fast-paced team action that defines MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Find the Skill Input Style That Works for You MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls offers two ways to perform Skills. The first is traditional Command Inputs (also known as motion inputs), familiar to fighting game veterans. The second is a Quick Skill option that allows you to execute skills with a single button press. While both methods provide similar functionality, Command Inputs offer slightly higher damage and generate more Skill Gauge. If you’re new to fighting games, we recommend starting with Quick Skills while you learn the fundamentals. As you grow more comfortable, try incorporating Command Inputs into your combos for even greater rewards. You can also customize the Quick Skill button through the control settings to suit your preferred playstyle. Experience the story in Episode Mode The Open Beta also includes access to part of the Amazing Guardians Episode. Players will get a glimpse of key story moments, including encounters with Promoter and Champion, and learn more about why Spider-Man ultimately forms his team. The story is presented through immersive motion comics featuring artwork from a renowned comic artist, bringing the Marvel Universe to life in a unique and engaging format. After experiencing the story, you’ll head straight into battle. Once you’ve completed Startup Battle and learned the basics, be sure to check out Episode Mode as well.   See you in the Open Beta ​​ We’ve covered some of the key fundamentals you’ll need to get started in MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, from picking your first character to learning combos, defense, and team mechanics. Don’t worry about mastering everything right away. Startup Battle and Training Mode are designed to help you learn at your own pace, and part of the fun is discovering new strategies and team combinations as you play. MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Open Beta runs from July 24–26 on PlayStation 5 consoles and PC. We can’t wait to see the teams you create and the battles you’ll bring to life.   See you in the Open Beta!

Title: Share of the Week: Sun Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:00:06 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/17/share-of-the-week-sun/ Last week, we asked you to share shots of the sun from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: raphxander_ shares Arjun facing the eclipsed sun in Saros jobolts_ shares Atsu watching the sun set from a cliffside in Ghost of Yōtei honeysinghzzz shares Aloy raising a hand up towards the sun in Horizon Forbidden West Mur4dQ shares the sun hiding behind a mountain in Sea of Stars pavesoint shares the sun’s rays shining in the background in Infinity Nikki CaptainGG_R shares an orange-drenched sky during sunset in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 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: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag ResyncedSUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on July 22, 2026  Next week, raise the sails and share moments from Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. Use #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Title: Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse hands-on report Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2026 07:00:36 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/17/castlevania-belmonts-curse-hands-on-report/ It’s the February 12 State of Play. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse has just been announced, and Evil Empire, the team developing this action adventure for the past four years, is having a nervous watch party. “We were waiting because you never know when your trailer is about to appear,” says Marketing Director Bérenger Dupré. “Then we saw it and started freaking out. And the video’s chat moves so fast that you can’t read the reactions. Then we received a message from a fan showing a version of the ‘absolute cinema’ meme, and I was like, okay… we’re doing fine.” Since that nerve-wracking reveal, Konami and Evil Empire have been hard at work to ensure Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse meets its October 15 launch on PS5. Which has also included offering some hands-on time to peer into the gothic depths that await. 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 In this coffin of treasures I discovered lots for Castlevania traditionalists to enjoy, combined with modern quality of life design choices, smooth combat, and an expansive magic and abilities system giving this entry in the series a fresh feel. In fact, this approach is symbolised by the entirely new character who fronts the game… Meet Rose Belmont Set after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, 1499 Paris is in ruin and on the brink of Dracula’s resurrection. The city’s only hope? Trevor Belmont and his daughter Rose, who are infiltrating the city after a suspicious letter from the Bishop. While Trevor seeks out the clergy, our protagonist Rose is left to explore the city itself, burning, ravaged, and rampant with the undead. After a fun animated scene setter, Rose’s introduction blends both thoughtful aesthetic design and hints towards a character arc befitting of the Belmont family tree. She’s determined, but burdened with guilt over her mother’s death, a scar visually represented by her tarot deck and the fiery red curse creeping from her elbow to hand, both things which have greater significance as the game progresses. Modern-yet-classic Castlevania Belmont’s Curse feels exactly how a modern Castlevania game should feel, steering away from roguelite elements of permadeath or procedurally generated levels. “We really wanted to capture the essence of the series,” says Konami producer Tsutomu Taniguchi. “When we started discussing the game with Evil Empire, we said we’d like to go back to its core.” From its massive map with destructible secret walls, to clearly visible areas which are inaccessible until you gain a certain skill (and the suitably gothic soundtrack of organs and synths) all the expected elements are here. There’s a familiar weight to how Rose controls, but it’s graced with an agile responsiveness that makes both combat and platforming feel intuitive. During my playthrough, I was able to swiftly guide Rose with wall jumps, swing across instant death spikes, and mix it up with crafty skeletons, lumbering zombies, and cowardly bats, all of which can be damaged by the environmental hazards. And while there was no double jump available, not only were there noticeable level design clues that it would be introduced later, but my questions to the dev team about the ability were met with a wry grin. Fast and fluid combat Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse also places strong emphasis on snappy combat, with versatile evades and combos. Rose’s dodge and slide on the Circle button gives you the ability to flip backwards with a double tap, while the Arcana Whip grapple on R2 can be chained into an instant attack or traversal swing. Mana – something you can recover by defeating enemies – is used for spells with the Triangle button, or healing via L1. The weapons system is also substantial, with seven different types each with their own style and special moves. For example, the balanced longsword comes with a perk of extra damage when attacking immediately after a backdash. While the cestus gauntlets are shorter range but have faster combos, and increase in damage the more I hit enemies with them. “We are very focused on combat, which was a great opportunity to add something new in this specific genre,” explains Evil Empire’s creative director Emmanuel Nouaille. “We want to get the right balance between the spirit of Castlevania and what we want to have to modernize.” Unleash the power of Relics Also making their return are Relics, which offer bonuses for combat and exploration. Rose can equip up to three, so you can tailor them to your individual playstyle. The main one I found was the Crypt Key which fully restored Rose’s health and mana whenever she opened a chest. Which was especially useful because: This game packs a challenge True to its roots, Belmont’s Curse doesn’t spare your feelings. Hasty mistakes are punished fast and hard, but I never felt like the game was unfair. The reliance on learning patterns, using your dodge’s invincibility frames, and mastering Rose’s attacks were essential to surviving, especially when it comes to the visually impressive boss fights. Whether it was leaping over The Fallen’s Holy Cross or screen-reaching whip attack in the sewers, or dodging Joan of Arc’s flaming sword swipes, backstabs, and fireballs during an explosive rooftop battle, my first encounter with the game’s bosses were vicious and reflex testing, respecting repeated and patient play. The cards are the key The satisfaction of defeating the tricky bosses is also rewarded via the loot you earn from them. As well as occasional weapons – Joan’s Burnt Sword of Fierbois and its charge attack was a particular favourite – each boss gets merged into Rose’s tarot deck, turning them into Arcana which unlocks spells, skills, and special actions. So that Holy Cross The Fallen repeatedly bludgeoned me with? Well, as a Castlevania mainstay it should be no surprise that it’s yours once you’ve ‘tamed’ him. While Joan’s Holy Light allowed me to traverse through previously solid Chaos Shards by holding down L2, an ability which also deflected enemy attacks if I timed my press perfectly. Additionally, each Arcana has up to three Works of Mercy, a specific task to be completed like hitting an enemy five times with its spell, which then unlocks a Blessing to improve it. This comes with an unlockable bonus ‘Gift’ once you assign it – for example, the Cursed Flame’s fireball can be enhanced to become bigger and pack a heavier pushback. Whip smart design decisions While the nerves are still there for the development team, my playthrough so far captured what made the Castlevania series fun in the first place, without alienating modern day expectations. And it’s an excitement echoed by the people behind the eagerly anticipated action adventure. “We’re happy and overwhelmed with the great response,” says Tsutomu. “I feel a lot of pressure, because everyone is expecting a lot, but it’s a good feeling.” You’ll be able to finally revisit Dracula in all his gothic glory when Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse arrives on PS5 on October 15 – just in time for Halloween.

Title: Laid off Bethesda Montreal staff allegedly told they'd get "smallest severance legally possible" the same day as those Fallout announcements Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:54:52 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/laid-off-bethesda-montreal-staff-allegedly-told-theyd-get-smallest-severance-legally-possible-the-same-day-as-those-fallout-announcements Last week, in the wake of yet another round of mass layoffs across the company, Xbox announced that Fallout 5 is in preproduction, Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters are coming, and that Obsidian are working on a new Fallout project. If you were to ignore the 1600 staffers laid off and the ongoing call for a boycott due to Microsoft providing AI tech to the Israeli military as it continues to bombard Gaza and kill Palestinians, this would possibly be welcome news. But to make matters worse, OneBGS, the Bethesda Game Studios Union, have claimed that on the same day this was announced, laid off workers at Bethesda Montreal were informed that they would "receive the smallest severance legally possible without bargaining with the union." Read more

Title: The Video Game History Foundation's latest collection is a deep dive into E3 "like you've never seen it before" Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:08:51 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-video-game-history-foundations-latest-collection-is-a-deep-dive-into-e3-like-youve-never-seen-it-before Ah, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known by many as Summer Game Fes-, wait, sorry, guess I've already moved on! Better known as E3, of course, the first of its kind showcase dedicated entirely to video games that died because it simply couldn't figure out how to live in the modern world (they probably should have asked Geoff). The whole thing ended with much more of a whimper than a bang, but once upon a time it was the place to have your game. And now, the Video Game History Foundation have revealed a new collection all about the event "like you've never seen it before," covering many years worth of a range of materials. Read more

Title: Forgo visiting the real thing this summer and build the waterpark of your dreams in Aquapark Tycoon, now out in early access Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:01:08 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/forgo-visiting-the-real-thing-this-summer-and-build-the-waterpark-of-your-dreams-in-aquapark-tycoon-now-out-in-early-access Waterparks have always felt like quite a strange concept to me in that the UK is small enough that you can just take a quick train ride and be at a beach within an hour or so, give or take. We do have them here, I've just had no reason to go one, and also the idea of having to be rescued from the inside of a slide due to getting stuck for one reason or another is a (I think rational) fear I've had since discovering them. Therefore, I'll take a pass on actually visiting one, but I won't say no to building my own in Aquapark Tycoon, a waterpark sim game that's out in early access today. Read more

Title: "The goal is to provide what we can": Elder Scrolls Online Crown Store undergoing changes due to "team bandwidth" in wake of Xbox layoffs Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:39:15 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-goal-is-to-provide-what-we-can-elder-scrolls-online-crown-store-undergoing-changes-due-to-team-bandwidth-in-wake-of-xbox-layoffs Following Microsoft's mass layoffs, The Elder Scrolls Online has ended up in a transitional period while remaining staff work to forge a path forwards. If you want evidence of effects the cuts are already starting to have on the MMO, look no further than its Crown Store. Read more

Title: Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced modders make Blackbeard playable, but here's a syringe-shaped reason to avoid historically accurate pirate roleplay Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:30:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-modders-make-blackbeard-playable-but-heres-a-syringe-shaped-reason-to-avoid-historically-accurate-pirate-roleplay Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced's an idyllic pirate adventure, especially given it trains its eye firmly on Edward Kenway's quest for booty. Naturally, Kenway hangs out with a bunch of real pirates from history throughout his time on the high seas, including the most famous one, Blackbeard. There's now a mod that'll let you play as the bearded buccaneer in Black Flag Resynced. So, here I am to point out a grisly reason you might not fancy getting too into roleplaying as Mr Edward Teach (or Mr Edward Thatch, depending on which accounts you believe). Read more