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: The Outlast Trials Is An Exercise In Bad Taste And Good Politics Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 14:05:59 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/the-outlast-trials-is-an-exercise-in-bad-taste-and-good-politics-2000750631 This multiplayer prequel is as gruesome as it is relevant

Title: Doom Director Says ‘We’re Doing Great’ After Half Of id Software Was Laid Off Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 13:47:14 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/doom-director-says-were-doing-great-after-half-of-id-software-was-laid-off-2000751940 The studio is collaborating more closely than ever with MachineGames

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: 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: High Stakes, Higher Boots: Here Are Horror Games’ Best-Dressed Women Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2026 20:16:52 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/high-stakes-higher-boots-here-are-horror-games-best-dressed-women/ While the female horror-game protagonist fends off demons and other predators, she is also serving looks. This is the rose-covered cross women are made to bear: We must inspire others with our appearance even while covered in gore. Within the broader scope of patriarchal society, this expectation, which then bleeds into fashionable horror games like Silent Hill 3 and the Fatal Frame series, is unfair. Women actively experiencing horror-game scenarios (a hateful god in Silent Hill 3, homicidal spirits in Fatal Frame, etc.) are already dealing with the stress of needing to do things like craft bullets and practice healthy inventory management. It seems cruel for developers to make them think about how their knee-high socks are rolling down mid-duel, too. But for women like me, who love horror games as much as they appreciate clean drinking water, horror-game protagonist fashion is also a uniform we can use to show we're united--both in our pain and in our resilience. Anyway, it takes a bold personality to make sure your hair is brushed and blouse is buttoned before steel-piping an enemy into dust. So I've collected eight of the best female horror-game protagonist outfits across major games like Resident Evil 4 and cult-favorites like Koudelka, ranked based on distinctiveness and influence. This is not a place for practicality.  8. Koudelka Iasant, Koudelka (2000) The psychic Koudelka had incredible fashion foresight: Her horror RPG takes place in a monastery in 1898, but she's wearing the perfect amount of polyester lace for a goth club in the '90s. This asynchronicity is just one of the many awkward details that stopped Koudelka from becoming a big deal at launch (GameSpot's Koudelka review from 2000 complains of "lackluster gameplay"), but it's also what makes her outfit special. Koudelka wears a jean skirt so short that her Victoria's Secret panties peek out like a ghost, plus a see-through black corset and brassy bangles that drunkenly gesture at her 19th-century setting. She's a witch, and confidently so. 7. Jessica Riley, Until Dawn (2015) Until Dawn is one of the best horror games of the PS4 generation, though its middling 2024 remake and unpopular 2025 movie adaptation has since rusted its reputation. But the appeal of fan-favorite Jess has always been as clean as coal. She wears her winter coat with its faux-fur collar popped out like a lion's mane, as bitchy as possible, and has her low-rise skinny jeans just high enough on her sharp hips to be practical. Like Jess herself, the outfit is smug in how overly trendy it is. But a woman with a little ego is nonetheless something to admire.  6. Fiona Belli, Haunting Ground (2005) Fiona was misunderstood for a long time, both by Haunting Ground's initial audience and the demented men in the game, who chase her around her own family's castle trying to get her pregnant. But, among new fans who have discovered Haunting Ground 20 years later, Fiona's outfit has finally earned her empathy--and respect.  Her captor forces her to wear what is now seen as the prototypical horror-game protagonist armor in tall leather boots, a short skirt, and a medieval-inspired blouse that reveals her delicate waist and the more vulnerable organs. Her top includes corset lacing on the back using a powder blue ribbon, nearly the same color as the gleaming stone set in the bodice of the blouse and Fiona's light eyes. But they are brighter than the stone, which she hasn't chosen for herself.  5. Alice Liddell, Alice: Madness Returns (2011) Developer American McGee's Alice: Madness Returns seems to have become more popular each year since publisher EA rejected plans for a sequel, and part of that frenzy is motivated by Alice's singed-effigy look. There are parts of her appearance that are unreplicable, like the glare in her olive eyes and the permanent, unhappy curve of her mouth.  But her blood-speckled tea dress, the petticoat under her gown, and dirty apron on top of it remind me of the invigorating Japanese Lolita fashion subculture. This fashion style uses frilly, dolly dresses and ribbons to accentuate the truth of the woman that wears them: Her mouth is unhappy like Alice's. She's using her dress-code-appropriate skirt length to question why she's ever been told to wear something more revealing, like Fiona. Instead, the unbelievable height of Alice's buckled platform boots suggest you will die before you see what's under that skirt.  4. Maria, Silent Hill 2 (2001) Opposite to Alice, the mysterious dream girl Maria uses her body as a lure. Her outfit has been replicated by fans for decades (though it originated in a Christina Aguilera red carpet look, which Konami devs decided to borrow), but it requires unique nakedness of both the soul and body: Unlike other horror game protagonists, Maria ditches socks completely. Her knees are bare, a mulberry cardigan squeezes around her chest, and her midriff is also exposed, save for the soaring butterfly tattoo on her hip. As most outfits featuring a pink cheetah-print skirt tend to be, it's memorable and good motivation for being daring within your closet--though Maria, the ghost, hides behind the feeling. 3. Ashley Graham, Resident Evil 4 (2005) Big, brown leather boots. Skirt that ends at the thigh, a tight sweater vest that's perfect for the apple-crisp middle of October. Ashley looks like the standard horror-game protagonist, but that's because the plucky president's daughter helped define it. Developer Capcom established modern survival-horror gameplay with its mega-influential shooter Resident Evil 4--and the successful 2023 remake reminded everyone of that fact--but Ashley handled the style.  Her outfit is that of a mature schoolgirl, reflecting both the college-campus chic seen in contemporary horror films like Urban Legend (1998) and Scream 3 (2000), as well her cloistered upbringing. Ashley is ultimately an unwilling victim, but not when it comes to fashion. She probably smells like Marc Jacobs and a drop of nervous sweat. 2. Heather Mason, Silent Hill 3 (2003) I have an unfounded theory that Heather Mason's outfit--forest green cargo skirt, Scooby Doo orange sweater vest, and those classic horror girl brown boots--might have inspired Ashley's matching color palette, which is why I've ranked her outfit slightly higher for originality. Heather also means something different when she wears her elevated schoolgirl look; Ashley's wealth makes her seem glamorous, but also naive. Heather, instead, is a one-bedroom realist. She has high endurance, though she'd prefer the cult that raised her to stop trying to use her womb to grow evil God. Within the chaos, her simple autumn outfit and practical puffer vest--with pockets!--remind her and fans who relate, she's a regular girl who can handle what she must. 1. Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse remake (2023) Ultimately, when a girl these days talks about a "horror-game protagonist outfit," she's likely referring to Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse from 2023, specifically. Koei Tecmo's remake finally freed its formerly Japan-exclusive Wii horror game after 15 years, and a new generation of stylish women have now met the spiritually tortured protagonists Misaki, Ruka, Madoka. The girls are saturated in death--poltergeists eat the cursed island they've been foolish to return to--but they are also caught up on Japanese mall fashion. Their outfits include the knee-high socks and microskirts, as required by the women of horror before them, but also more embroidery, chiffon bows, and milk froth-like dresses than ever before, fitting in perfectly with the Y2K nostalgia of other 2026 fashion trends.  Fatal Frame just adds a bloody border to the decade's classic silhouette: its fitted tops, bottoms, and airy cardigans. Fans of the fashion online and vintage resale sites recommend 2000's J-fashion brands like Axes Femme to get the delicate look, which is the best example of how your soul and your clothes touch with soft cotton hands.

Title: The Best Indie Games To Play In 2026 Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:17:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-indie-games/2900-5964/ Indie games are a widely celebrated part of the video game industry, and they've only been getting better and better as time goes on. What defines an indie game is somewhat up for debate, and in some cases, it can be difficult to tell indies from bigger titles. For the purposes of this list, an indie game is developed by one person or a small team without a large publisher's budget behind it. Sometimes, the developer behind an indie game will grow into a larger studio and develop future games that are considered outside the realm of the indie label. Indies don't have to be a certain type of game or feature any kind of particular style of graphics or gameplay. The driving force behind what makes an indie game is the person or people behind the scenes developing it, as well as the funding behind them. That can make it a challenge to decide what is or isn't an indie, but we've done our best to account for these considerations. With that out of the way, it's time to get into our list of the best indie games to play in 2026. This isn't intended to be a "best indie games of all time" list, but rather a showcase of great indie games from a variety of genres that you can easily play and enjoy today. The list of indie games below isn't in any particular order. If you're looking for something more specific, check out our picks for the best racing games, best horror games, or best strategy games to play right now. Stardew Valley Developer: Eric Barone Release Date: February 26, 2016 Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android Genre: RPG/Simulation Let's kick off the list with a game that defined the indie game genre for a generation. Stardew Valley was initially released in 2016 and had one single developer behind it: Eric Barone. What started as a farming simulator with RPG elements has turned into one of the best games of the 2010s with tens of millions of downloads to date. Substantial updates for the game continues to release (which have temporarily put a hold on development of Barone's next game, Haunted Chocolatier), but as is, Stardew Valley is a masterpiece in its own right. You begin as a simple player taking over your grandfather's farm but over time, you discover a massive map full of NPCs, new locations, and different items to expand your farm. You'll also grow your character by acquiring new skills and can even get romantically involved with some of the neighboring NPCs in different towns. If you want even more from the experience, be sure to check out our list of the best Stardew Valley mods. See on Humble Featured in this image Stardew Valley View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Undertale Developer: Toby Fox Release Date: September 15, 2015 Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: RPG/Adventure Undertale is one of, if not the most well-known indie titles of all time. Once again, it was published by a single developer, Toby Fox, and released in 2015 to mass critical and fan acclaim. The game features some of the most distinct graphics and gameplay you'll find in the industry, indie or otherwise. While the 2D graphics specifically might throw some players off, once you step foot into the world of Undertale, you'll throw any preconceived notion you had out the window. The story of Undertale follows a child who has fallen into an underground world. This underground world is full of frightening monsters, difficult puzzles, and plenty of characters, both friendly and hostile. On top of all of that, there's also a surprisingly deep dialogue system in Undertale that can get you out of any combat encounter you choose. See on Humble Featured in this image Undertale View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Hollow Knight: Silksong Developer: Team Cherry Release Date: September 4, 2025 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 1+2, PC Genre: Metroidvania Hollow Knight: Silksong is the sequel to one of the greatest indie games of all time, Hollow Knight. Silksong improves upon the original in just about every way, as it keeps the same side-scrolling Metroidvania gameplay but adds new character abilities, better graphics, and hours of additional content, among a wide array of other features. In Silksong, you play as Hornet, a hunter who travels to an unknown world where you must battle enemies and over 40 bosses, craft new gear by uncovering items, and solve confusing quests and puzzles as you try to uncover mysteries en route to the top of the world. See on Amazon Featured in this image Hollow Knight: Silksong View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Tactical Breach Wizards Developer: Suspicious Developments Release Date: August 22, 2024 Platforms: PC Genre: Turn-Based Strategy This is the most recent game on the list, but it certainly deserves a spot. Tactical Breach Wziards is a turn-based tactics game with a surprisingly strong story and hilarious dialogue for its cast of colorful characters. The roughly 14-hour story keeps you involved throughout the game, but you'll stay thanks to the amazingly strong turn-based gameplay. Tactical Breach Wizards sees you control a set of wizards that all have unique abilities, many of which can manipulate the positioning of other units, which is reminiscent of Into the Breach. If you don't like how something turns out during a combat encounter, you can make use of the game's rewind feature. This allows you to correct any mistakes you might have made or simply try out different solutions to a given challenge. It's a deeply satisfying gameplay loop that makes it a worthwhile spiritual successor to Into the Breach. See on Steam Featured in this image Tactical Breach Wizards View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Cuphead Developer: Studio MDHR Release Date: September 29, 2017 Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: Platformer When it was released in 2017, Cuphead exploded in the gaming community. What seems like a simple platformer shooter from the outside is actually one of the more challenging games of the last decade. Cuphead combines old Atari games with gorgeous 1930s-era cartoon graphics in a side-scrolling cocktail. To top it all off, Cuphead features boss fights that will absolutely blow your socks off. There's a story playing out in the background of Cuphead's gameplay, as you, playing as the main character, and your friend need to collect souls for the Devil to pay off gambling debts. However, you might hardly notice the story after you get hooked by Cuphead's challenging levels and boss fights. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Cuphead View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Celeste Developer: Maddy Makes Games Release Date: January 5, 2018 Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: Platformer Celeste might have retro-style graphics and some gameplay elements reminiscent of other games on this list, but there's something about it that makes it truly stand out from anything else. It's a beautifully crafted game that sees you take control of the main character Madeline. Madeline makes a journey to the top of a mountain where she encounters charming characters, difficult puzzles, hundreds of secrets, and challenges that bring her face to face with her inner self. The mountain Celeste journeys up is one of the most spectacular settings for a game. You'll find yourself anticipating what the next level is going to look like and end up amazed at what's on your screen. In addition to the environment, the audio in Celeste has won multiple awards and has you entranced for the entire duration of the game. Celeste is a true all-around package of a game that tells a terrific story while handling difficult subject matter very well. See on Humble Featured in this image Celeste View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Subnautica Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment Release Date: December 16, 2014 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: Survival There are few larger success stories in the indie genre than Subnautica. While developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment is now working on a third installment in the series that might not count as an indie, the original certainly did. Starting in early access in 2014, Subnautica grew over time, and eventually, a large community formed around it. Subnautica is the definition of a survival game. You're dropped in the middle of an alien planet mostly made up of water. Your job is to go deeper into the vast ocean to find out what happened to your crashed ship and the previous inhabitants of the planet while also finding a cure for a new disease you picked up. There are vast crafting systems, combat (though it isn't the main focus), and dozens of species to encounter at every turn. Subnautica is not for the faint of heart, though, as some of the sealife is quite dangerous and comes out of nowhere to disrupt your journey. Descriptions hardly do Subnautica justice, as it's something you need to experience for yourself to truly understand what type of game it is. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Subnautica View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Dead Cells Developer: Motion Twin and Evil Empire Release Date: May 10, 2017 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android Genre: Metroidvania Roguelike Up next is Dead Cells, a game that doesn't get mentioned enough when speaking about some of the all-time great indie titles. It's another metroidvania-style platformer where players take control of a reanimated corpse who's attempting to find a way off an island. The island is mainly made up of a prison that features a majority of the environments you fight your way through. Dead Cells is a roguelike; if you die at any point, you're sent back to the start and you'll need to make your way through another randomized world. Dead Cells can be unforgiving, but the gameplay is highly compelling, and even if you don't successfully complete a run, you're often making progress toward some kind of unlockable to help you on a future run. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Dead Cells View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Hades Developer: Supergiant Games Release Date: December 6, 2018 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS Genre: Roguelike Hades is another success story in the indie genre. Originally released in 2018 in early access, Hades is a roguelike that sees you fight through waves of enemies as you try to escape the Underworld. There is also character progression, a well thought-out story that unfolds even as you fail to complete runs, and RPG elements, giving you a wide mix of genres in one package. As you might have guessed from the name of the game, Hades is based on Greek mythology. As such, you'll meet other Greek gods, including Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, and more, who will lend you their unique abilities on your adventure. The gameplay in Hades is crisp, fast-paced, and strategic, making combat encounters feel different from one another. A well-regarded sequel is currently out in early access, too. See on Steam Featured in this image Hades View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Outer Wilds Developer: Mobius Digital Release Date: May 28, 2019 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: Puzzle/Adventure Outer Wilds is one of the most interesting games you can play in any genre. Right from the start of the game, you're plopped into a space mystery where your job is to figure out what's going on. As you play through the first 20 or so minutes of Outer Wilds, you'll discover its unique mechanic: an endless time loop. Outer Wilds restarts every 22 minutes, meaning you only have that long to explore the vast expanse of space before you. During this time, you can travel to new locations, solve puzzles, and try to uncover the mystery of the time loop. After the 22 minutes is up, your character will start back at their original spot and you'll do it all over again. As you go through more and more loops, you'll have to mentally keep track of everything you've previously seen, as your character has their memory wiped. It's a one-of-a-kind experience that takes some getting used to, but it's a journey worth seeing in the end. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Outer Wilds View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Tunic Developer: Isometricorp Games Release Date: March 16, 2022 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: RPG/Adventure Tunic is like a combination of different indies we've already talked about on this list. It has beautiful isometric graphics with well-tuned combat, but there's also a large map to follow that uncovers a mysterious story; what initially appears to be a Zelda-like is in fact more of a Souls-like. Tunic thrusts you into the shoes of a fox who's looking to go on an adventure. At the start of the game, your fox won't be able to do much in terms of combat, but as you find more items, you'll be able to defeat tougher enemies and bosses. The game uncovers itself to you in the form of an in-game instruction manual as you progress, offering new combat techniques, secrets, and more. See on Amazon Featured in this image Tunic View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Vampire Survivors Developer: Luca Galante Release Date: December 17, 2021 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android Genre: Roguelike/Survivors-like If you simply look at the cover of Vampire Survivors, you'd think it was a horror game about a savage vampire. However, the game inside is nothing like you'd expect. It's a 2D, pixelated roguelike shoot-'em-up that essentially created a genre of its own: the Survivors-like or bullet-hell roguelike. Your character's job in Vampire Survivors is to defeat waves of enemies until the sun comes up, but instead of attacking enemies directly, you'll just control your character's movement as their weapons auto-attack based on their specific behavior. As time goes on, your screen becomes jam-packed with hundreds of enemies at a single time. It takes the utmost strategy and some luck to survive just one encounter, let alone an entire night's worth. As you progress, you'll unlock more abilities and attacks to take the monsters down, and while you might be at a disadvantage at times, well-crafted builds can turn you into an overpowered nightmare that cuts through waves of enemies like they aren't even there. Vampire Survivors was originally a solo game, but following updates, it's become one of the best co-op titles on the market right now, too. See on Steam Featured in this image Vampire Survivors View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Cult of the Lamb Developer: Massive Monster Release Date: June 10, 2022 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: Roguelike/Action Cult of the Lamb is another spin on the roguelike, where you still face waves of enemies as you progress through the game. However, where Cult of the Lamb differentiates itself is in the metagame, as it essentially has two halves: the more standard action-based roguelike section and the base-building side where you manage and grow a cult. You start off as a possessed lamb with a mission of gaining followers in a land that has others vying for control. As you gain more followers through traveling across different regions, you'll unlock new abilities as well as resources, which can be used to build defenses and attacks. Cult of the Lamb features a randomly generated world with plenty of enemies and bosses to fight that will keep you busy for hours on end. You may end up spending more time managing your cult and its home as you do in the action game-style levels. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Cult of the Lamb View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Rime Developer: Tequila Works Release Date: May 26, 2017 Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: Puzzle/Adventure Rime is a puzzle game at heart that features beautiful graphics and a wonderfully crafted world. Your end goal in Rime is to reach the top of a tower that's visible in the background from the start of the game. The puzzles in Rime get more difficult as the game goes on, but none are so challenging that they'll stump you for too long. In addition to the puzzles, you can discover secrets spread throughout the different levels, and there's even a magic fox that comes to help you from time to time. See on Fanatical Featured in this image RiME View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Disco Elysium Developer: ZA/UM Release Date: October 15, 2019 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: RPG Disco Elysium is widely considered one of the best RPGs ever created. The RPG takes everything to the next level when it comes to role-playing. You take full control of a detective who can either be the hero a city needs or a bumbling fool who wastes their supreme talent. All of the choices in the game are up to you and you can choose from several dialogue options when engaging with other characters. You have dozens of quests and investigations to complete, characters to romance, and a dense map to uncover. Nothing is off-limits when it comes to Disco Elysium. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Disco Elysium View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Balatro Developer: LocalThunk Release Date: February 20, 2024 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android Genre: Roguelike/Card Game There's sometimes an indie game that comes out of nowhere to take the gaming community by storm. It happens more often than you might think, and in 2024, that game was Balatro. The roguelike deck-building game was among our picks for the 10 best games of 2024, and it was also featured during The Game Awards. Balatro is yet another take on the roguelike genre, but instead of fighting enemies, you battle against a target score using a decks of cards. At its core, Balatro can be compared to traditional poker, but there are twists and turns that make every hand of cards unique from the last. You'll modify your deck and utilize special Joker cards to mess with the rules of poker, which can be extremely satisfying. Balatro features an endless array of challenges to overcome with numerous difficulties and decks to try winning with, so you'll be hard-pressed to run out of content anytime soon. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Balatro View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Katana Zero Developer: Justin Stander Release Date: April 18, 2019 Platforms: Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android Genre: Platformer/Adventure Katana Zero is a side-scrolling platformer that features some of the most brutally difficult combat of any game on this list. You'll deal with those challenge thanks to the main character, Subject Zero, possessing some incredible abilities. You're able to slow down time as well as see into the future, giving you a slight advantage if you know how to properly wield your powers. While the gameplay is at the forefront of Katana Zero, the graphics and soundtrack are what make it one of the best indie titles on the market. Every level is hand-crafted and looks gorgeous, featuring a neo-noir art style while the music keeps you engaged throughout the entire campaign. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Katana ZERO View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Pacific Drive Developer: Ironwood Studios Release Date: February 22, 2024 Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC Genre: Survival/Driving Survival games have a long history in the indie genre, and it's not often when a survival game comes along that completely changes up the formula. Pacific Drive did just that in early 2024, featuring slick driving mechanics and gameplay in a survival setting. It made our list of the 25 best survival games to play, and for good reason. You spend a majority of Pacific Drive in your car through a first-person perspective. Your main goal is to survive the elements by scavenging for resources across the Pacific Northwest region, which has been ravaged by supernatural forces. There are some thrilling moments to be had in Pacific Drive, as hopping out of your car to find supplies is quite dangerous with what lurks in the shadows. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Pacific Drive View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Valheim Developer: Iron Gate Studios Release Date: February 2, 2021 Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC Genre: Survival/RPG Valheim is another one of those indie titles that came out of nowhere to top the Steam charts. What drew players in initially was the art style of Valheim, which is beautiful and clunky at the same time. The game is set in a land where Viking culture is present all around and your character is banished there by Odin. To escape the land, you need to defeat a series of bosses, all of whom are located in different regions spread around the map. Each subsequent boss is more difficult than the last but, fortunately, the regions where the bosses are located offer new resources that help defeat them. You have to travel all around the randomly generated map to gather the resources you need to become stronger. Along the way, you can construct a structurally sound base that's only limited by your imagination and supplies. Valheim is certainly a more challenging survival game, featuring harsh elements and tough enemies, but it's one of the very best you can play right now. See on Humble Featured in this image Valheim View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Spiritfarer Developer: Thunder Lotus Games Release Date: August 18, 2020 Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android Genre: Simulation/Management Spiritfarer is the first management simulator game on this list and arguably flew under the radar in the heat of the 2020 pandemic. Players who managed to catch wind of it got to experience a remarkable game that you can easily spend over 100 hours playing. The premise of the game is your character, the ferrymaster, needs to construct a boat to travel the world and pick up deceased souls along the way. As you pick them up, you need to care for them until they can step into the afterlife and leave their spiritual form behind. The boat you construct can be expanded upon with new buildings, rooms, and other structures to house your spirits. You'll gather resources through fishing, harvesting, and other means to keep your boat and the souls on board afloat. Spiritfarer can be played solo, but if you want to add a co-op partner, they'll enter the game as a cat companion. It can also be quite the emotional experience given the subject matter. See on Green Man Gaming Featured in this image Spiritfarer View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Dave the Diver Developer: Mintrocket Release Date: October 27, 2022 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: RPG/Simulator If you enjoyed Subnautica but are looking for something with fewer horror elements, Dave the Diver might be the perfect game for you. While it doesn't feature the vast ocean exploration of Subnautica, you still get to dive underwater to gather fish and other resources for your night job. At night, you run a sushi restaurant, taking and fulfilling orders from customers and ensuring their satisfaction while at the restaurant. Underneath this simulator is a secret at the bottom of the ocean that you'll also work to uncover while you gain new skills as Dave the Diver. See on Fanatical Featured in this image DAVE THE DIVER View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Minishoot Adventures Developer: SoulGame Studio Release Date: February 21, 2022 Platforms: PC Genre: RPG/Adventure Minishoot Adventures is a less well-known game than others on this list, but it's a seriously underrated indie that becomes difficult to put down once you sink your teeth into it. It's an action-adventure style game in the mold of a classic Zelda, but one that you play from the perspective of a top-down shooter. In your ship, you can fight enemies, explore open-ended locations, and upgrade your ship through the Primordial Powers. These powers improve your ship's capabilities and also open up new areas to explore. If the twin-stick controls are too much for you to handle, there are aim-assist options as well as three different difficulty modes. See on Steam Featured in this image Minishoot’ Adventures View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Inscryption Developer: Daniel Mullins Games Release Date: October 19, 2021 Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: Roguelike/Card Game Inscryption is another roguelike deck-building game, but it's decidedly different from something like Balatro. Instead of playing poker, you do battle using cards in a horror setting that gets creepier as the game goes on. As you progress, you'll enter new and mysterious regions with fresh characters to face. These characters aren't to be trifled with and present you with twisted dialogue and new secrets to uncover. Inscryption doesn't feature any heart-pounding jumpscares, but the journey you go on with your deck of cards is nothing short of disturbing. It's also full of surprises, and you're best off not knowing much before playing. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Inscryption View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Into the Breach Developer: Subset Games Release Date: February 27, 2018 Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android Genre: Turn-Based Strategy/Tactics Into the Breach is a turn-based strategy/tactics game and features RPG elements as well as endless gameplay. You control mechs from the future in an attempt to save the world from aliens. You'll need to preserve both structures on the grid-based map and the mechs themselves. Enemy actions are clearly telegraphed, so you know exactly what they'll do on the next turn; by manipulating their positioning, blocking enemies from spawning (at the cost of damage to the unit blocking them), and so on, you can avert disaster. Win or lose, you'll face another randomly generated set of levels, and you can unlock different types of mechs and weapons to mix up the action from run to run. This puts an almost limitless amount of gameplay at your disposal, as every fight feels extremely different from the last. Figuring out problems on each level takes immense strategy and this complements the turn-based combat perfectly. It's the rare game to have received a 10 from GameSpot. See on Humble Featured in this image Into the Breach View Game Hub Follow Advertisement UFO 50 Developer: Mossmouth Release Date: September 18, 2024 Platforms: PC Genre: Strategy/Puzzle/RPG/Shooter/etc. UFO 50 is a collection of 50 different standalone games, including both single-player and multiplayer ones spanning numerous genres: platformers, puzzle games, strategy games, adventure games, shooters, and more. The graphics look straight out of the '90s and every game is different from the last. The design in all 50 games is top-notch, and there's plenty of replayability offered by many of the games. You have access to all 50 games in UFO 50 right from the start, allowing you to pick what you, and potentially a friend, play. See on Steam Featured in this image UFO 50 View Game Hub Follow Advertisement REPO Developer: Semiwork Studios Release Date: February 26, 2025 (Early Access) Platforms: PC Genre: Co-op Survival REPO might seem like a harmless game at first if you go in judging it solely based on graphics, but you'll quickly learn it can be pretty scary. It's a co-op survival physics-based game that sees you and up to five friends enter different locations to try and extract valuable objects. In your way of that goal are monsters that can pop out at any time to scare or even kill you. Your main weapon to defend against these monsters is a physics-grabbing tool that allows you to pick up and hurl just about any object around you. Sometimes you'll even need to transport massive objects as a part of your mission, and teamwork is required to ensure the object gets from point A to point B without alerting any nearby monsters. REPO also features proximity chat so you and your teammates can communicate with one another, which comes in handy when someone is being chased by a monster. REPO is a thrilling game with enjoyable mechanics that will have you laughing and fearing for your life at the same time. It's also still in early access and receiving new content fairly frequently. See on Steam Advertisement Schedule I Developer: TVGS Release Date: March 24, 2025 (Early Access) Platforms: PC Genre: Simulation Have you ever dreamed of a life where you're a drug dealer slinging product night in and night out to make a living? Well, Schedule I gives you the chance to live out this… fantasy. You begin the game as a small-time dealer and need to build your entire drug empire from the ground up. This means making your own product, distributing it for profit, and then using that profit to expand your operations. Along the way, you'll run into law enforcement, whom you can evade or fight head-on with various guns and weapons. Schedule I features 2000s graphics and mechanics, but it's an in-depth simulator with a ton of content right from the start. You can even go into business with a friend in the co-op multiplayer mode, which makes for an even more fun experience. See on Steam Advertisement Blue Prince Developer: Dogubomb Release Date: April 10, 2025 Platforms: PC Genre: Puzzle Blue Prince is an inventive and massively in-depth puzzle adventure game that will have you taking actual real-life notes to remember everything you come across. The game's plot sees you inherit a large estate from a relative, but to claim it, you need to find a secret room in the house. To do this, you enter different rooms in the house and look for clues to guide you on where to go. Every door you find can lead to different rooms, and you have a few options to pick from that determine the room behind each door. The catch is that Blue Prince resets all of the house's rooms at the end of each day, which occurs after you've searched a certain number of areas. You need to carve a path through the house and solve various interlocking puzzles to find your way to the mysterious Room 46. Blue Prince offers different items to aid you in your quest, which helps determine what rooms are available every time you reach a new door, but it's ultimately up to you to figure out where to go. You'll pocket permanent upgrades as you go, but the greatest tool you'll acquire is knowledge of how the shapeshifting house works. See on Fanatical Advertisement Echo Point Nova Developer: Greylock Studio Release Date: September 24, 2024 Platforms: PC Genre: First-Person Shooter Echo Point Nova is a first-person shooter that offers you unparalleled freedom and gadgets to explore a massive open world full of secrets and locations to uncover. The game starts with you landing on a strange planet that's being overrun by a mercenary force. This plotline makes up the main quest, but it's not nearly everything the game has to offer. Echo Point Nova features a huge open world made up of different islands that you can visit using a variety of tools. You can use a grappling hook to a hoverboard to other unlockable powers to both explore and move quickly around the areas you're exploring. The gadgets and base movement system in the game make simply getting from point A to point B a fun adventure in and of itself. The world in Echo Point Nova also houses plenty of enemy variety, with massive colossi being the main foes you'll face off against. You can take down these enemies using a custom-crafted loadout made up of various guns, gear, and other powers. And co-op support lets you do it all with friends. See on Steam Advertisement Promise Mascot Agency Developer: Kaizen Game Works Release Date: April 10, 2025 Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: RPG Promise Mascot Agency is an open-world narrative RPG where you manage a talent agency that specializes in, you guessed it, mascots. Your initial job is to recruit mascots, send them out for work, and then keep them happy, a far easier said than done task. You can upgrade your mascots with Hero Cards, which you can unlock by meeting more characters throughout the map. Speaking of which, Promise Mascot Agency isn't just a management simulator. It's an open-world game that you can explore in your Kei Truck, which can be upgraded itself with a variety of gadgets and tools. During your exploration, you can uncover hidden collectibles, meet new characters, and even stumble upon a mystery that takes the game in an entirely new direction. Whether you're recruiting a new mascot, finding a new job for them, trying to clean up a mess they made, or exploring the open world, there's always something to do in Promise Mascot Agency. See on Humble Advertisement PEAK Developer: Landfall Games Release Date: June 16, 2025 Platforms: PC Genre: Co-op PEAK is one of those indie games that seemingly came out of nowhere to take the world by storm. You and up to three other friends can join a party together and start at the base of a large mountain range. You then need to climb up various surfaces and objects to reach the top of the mountain, or the peak. While this sounds simple, the gameplay is surprisingly engaging and difficult, especially when you have a full party in the mix. The climbing mechanics in PEAK can take some time to understand, and you also need to eat food to survive and manage any injuries that you sustain. Your friends can either aid you or sabotage you as you attempt to climb up the mountain and all of its different areas. In the end, though, every player will need some kind of help from a teammate if they wish to reach the peak. If you make even a small mistake in PEAK, you could be sent straight down the perilous mountain range and have to start all over. It's an incredibly enjoyable experience that's easily one of the best co-op games of 2025. See on Fanatical Advertisement Look Outside Developer: Francis Coulombe Release Date: March 21, 2025 Platforms: PC Genre: Horror/Survival Look Outside is a survival horror game that's inspired by the likes of Five Nights at Freddy's, but features RPG elements and new twists to create a masterful experience. In Look Outside, your character is trapped in an apartment complex, and most of the game shows your character from the top-down as you explore the various rooms and hallways of the building. The main twist in Look Outside is that every NPC in the game who looks through an outside window is transformed into a horrific monster. You need to fend off and avoid these monsters as you traverse through your apartment complex and attempt to find food, tools, and weapons in order to survive. Every so often, you can return to your apartment to recuperate from the expedition, and during this process, you can meet some of your neighbors and utilize all of the resources you found. Look Outside isn't a long game by any means, but it features fantastic replayability and some truly emotional gameplay that will have you tensed up in your chair until the end credits roll. See on Fanatical Advertisement The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth Developer: Edmund McMillen Release Date: November 4, 2014 Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch Genre: RPG/Rougelike The Binding of Isaac is a classic indie game series developed by Edmund McMillen. While the first game in the series is certainly worth a playthrough, it's the remake, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, that makes our list. Rebirth is an improvement on the original in just about every way, featuring over 500 hours of gameplay, more intuitive mechanics, and a slew of content to find and engage with. The core of the game is a roguelike shooter where you play as Isaac, who goes on a journey through randomly generated levels. In these levels, you'll find new items to use and power-ups that transform Isaac into a superhuman with wild abilities. You'll need everything at your disposal to continually fend off enemies and progress through new levels. The gameplay in The Binding of Isaac is easy enough to understand at first, but you'll need to master its mechanics if you want any hope of surviving through your runs. It's a blast to play and offers a ton of replayability through the randomly-generated levels and the 400+ items and abilities that are spread across these levels. See on GOG.com Advertisement Keep Driving Developer: YCJY Games Release Date: February 6, 2025 Platforms: PC Genre: Adventure/RPG Keep Driving is one of 2025's most underrated indie games. On the surface, it doesn't look like much, as the graphics resemble a 1990s PC game that you'd play on the family computer. However, there's more depth than meets the eye in Keep Driving. The game centers around you as you drive in your car throughout the countryside. Along your journey, you'll encounter a variety of people, some of whom want a ride to their destination, while others request some odd jobs from you. By completing these objectives, you can upgrade your car, add items to the trunk by purchasing them in shops, and pick up new skills that help you become a master of the road. Keep Driving offers around four hours of gameplay, but there are four unique endings that all take you on wildly different paths, so it's worth it to play through the game more than once. See on Fanatical Featured in this image Keep Driving View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Megabonk Developer: Vedinad Release Date: September 18, 2025 Platforms: PC, Android Genre: Roguelike There is no shortage of Indie roguelikes on the market, but Megabonk stands out as arguably the best of the subgenre. While its graphics take some getting used to, Megabonk's gameplay hooks you instantly. As a roguelike, the overall gameplay loop involves you fending off waves of enemies, battling bosses, and trying to survive for as long as possible. As you're attempting to survive, you can unlock new weapons and gear, upgrade your characters, and come up with whacky and inventive builds that make your next run totally different from the last. With all of this content at your disposal, you can alter the 40+ boss fights that Megabonk offers and challenge yourself in new ways with every run you attempt. See on Steam Featured in this image Megabonk View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Dressmaker Developer: Cozy Lives Release Date: September 21, 2026 Platforms: PC Genre: Simulation Dressmaker is the kind of game many of us grew up on, but given a modern upgrade and a sense of community. Right from launch, people were sharing their creations--be they beautiful or bizarre--and the positive reviews came pouring in. It's a great sewing simulator, if that's your thing, as it talks you through every element of designing a dress, from measurements to stitching, but it's also a brilliant creative outlet for those who can't afford the real life hobby. Choosing from so many fabrics (which can then be used in millions of different combinations), designs, and embellishments means you can craft the dress of your dreams without needing to buy a thing. We'd even recommend ditching your Witcher 3 run to play it… See at Fanatical Advertisement Who's Lila Developer: Garage Heathen Release Date: February 23, 2022 Platforms: PC Genre: Horror If you enjoy weird control schemes and character-based mysteries that make your skin crawl, Who's Lila is a creepy psychological horror game that asks you to play around with faces. Each part of your expression needs to be manipulated quickly enough that no one suspects you're a social maladjust, but in a convincing enough way so as not to scare your peers. Eyebrows, lips, eyelids, cheeks, all need to match a genuine expression to successfully convey feelings in dialogue, otherwise you'll do a pretty good job of alienating people and exposing yourself. There's a chilling mystery at the heart of the game, and you start with very little detail about what's going on. Only that someone is missing and everyone seems to want to ask you about it. If you like the sound of Who's Lila and want more, check out our list of the best indie horror games. See at Steam Advertisement Scriptorium: Master Of Manuscripts Developer: Yaza Games Release Date: June 26, 2025 Platforms: PC Genre: Puzzle/Simulation I'm pretty sure there's a little medieval scribe hidden in all of us, and Scriptorium: Master Of Manuscripts gives it cause to come out. A very different pace from Yaza Games' previous title, turn-based strategy game Inkulinati, but Scriptorium retains the iconic medieval-made-modern style filled with tiny details, snails, and bum-trumpets. Each day brings a new commission and you are the sole scribe in the scriptorium, looking to make a name for yourself by creating illustrations for famous and wealthy clients. Each manuscript is built from tiny sticker-like accents, allowing you to collage people, places, monsters, and beautiful floral patterns. There's also a freestyle mode where you can create anything your heart desires, and then save copies to be printed or admired. See at Fanatical Advertisement The Darkside Detective Developer: Spooky Doorway Release Date: July 27, 2017 Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Genre: Point-and-click mystery The Darkside Detective is a throwback to a more classic adventure, and is one of the best point-and-click games to play in 2026. Playing as a police investigator in charge of scoping out the paranormal, it unfolds as though the X-Files is a wacky buddy-cop drama. Each case presents tricky but solvable puzzles, with a bit of logic and creative thinking you'll soon put the various spooky goings-on back in their boxes. There's a sequel already available to play, and a third game was announced this year for release in 2027. See at Fanatical Advertisement OFF Developer: Mortis Ghost Release Date: May 18, 2008 Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: Psychological horror RPG OFF is a strange little RPG that may appeal to fans of games like Omori or Undertale. Initially a straightforward turn-based RPG, the game pretty quickly starts to feel… off. The atmosphere is unsettling, people are saying things that seem to imply your actions aren't helping, and even the soundtrack turns against you to play discordant industrial-sounding tunes at times. It's a horror with no jumpscares, more of a creeping psychological dread. The only way to truly know what OFF is about is to play it and see. See at Steam Advertisement West Of Loathing Developer: Asymmetric Release Date: August 10, 2017 Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch Genre: RPG Back in the Flash game days, many of us will have played Kingdom Of Loathing, a black-and-white stickman adventure filled with puns, quips, and silliness. West Of Loathing is the beefed up sibling of that free-to-play browser game, packing in a bunch more content and a fully fleshed-out story that takes place in the Wild West. The turn-based combat offers genuine challenges, whether you're fighting cowboy skeletons, intelligent snakes, or demon cows. You can make a seemingly endless array of choices and wear many, many hats. See at Steam Advertisement The Case Of The Golden Idol Developer: Color Gray Games Release Date: October 13, 2022 Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One Genre: Puzzle If you're a fan of games like Blue Prince where you've got to take notes and puzzle it out, you'll need to give The Case Of The Golden Idol a go. The premise sets you up with a scenario full of blanks, and you have to fill them in by using your powers of deductive reasoning. You'll find items and faces, words and names, then compile them all into various formats so you can see what you're working with. At last, you'll be able to solve the crime, murder, or bizarre occurrence that has taken place. The puzzles get harder the further you delve, but you're always left with everything you need to solve it. It just takes perseverance. See at Fanatical Advertisement Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island Developer: Polygon Treehouse Release Date: December 5, 2024 Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X Genre: Puzzle adventure Cozy games and Greek mythology both have had a bit of a moment the last couple of years, and this is a game that expertly combines the two. It's a mystery adventure set on a far-away island, where our hero has to collect mystical items and slowly return the memories of the local gods and goddesses. There are plenty of lovely little collectables, a relaxing soundtrack, and a gorgeous setting of beach-front ruins to explore. Mythwrecked might be as close as we come to a perfect 'cozy night in' game. See at Fanatical Advertisement Mouthwashing Developer: Wrong Organ Release Date: September 26, 2024 Platforms: PC Genre: Horror Mouthwashing was on a lot of peoples' best games of 2024 list, and for good reason. It's horrifying, tragic, genuinely frightening, and very fun to play. Stranded in space and almost certainly waiting to starve to death, the crew of a Pony Express freighter are the only characters in this strange game. It would be wrong to give too much away, but the sights and sounds of Mouthwashing make it one of the most extraordinary indie games to be released this decade. Wrong Organ has recently announced another game, which sounds like a bit of a departure from its predecessor. See at Steam Advertisement Fields Of Mistria Developer: NPC Studio Release Date: June 5, 2024 Platforms: PC Genre: Farming/Life sim Don't hate me for this but I prefer 2024's Fields Of Mistria to Stardew Valley. It's a similar concept--you farm, make friends, do quests, have kids--but Mistria is so steeped in lore and magic that it feels a world away. Each character is beautifully drawn in classic 90s anime style, making picking just one to be your partner a little tricky. Thankfully, you can befriend them all on your quest to bring Mistria back into high repute. Over time, you'll unlock new areas, NPCs, and story beats by engaging in (gentle) combat in the mines and leveling up your farm. We've got a huge range of guides to get you started in Fields Of Mistria, from secrets and easter eggs to romance and having children. See at Steam Advertisement Still Wakes The Deep Developer: The Chinese Room Release Date: June 18, 2024 Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X Genre: Lovecraftian horror The isolation of a North Sea oil rig is turned into an unimaginably claustrophobic horror experience in Still Wakes The Deep. It's largely a walking sim with a few surprise bits and pieces, but every second is absolutely drenched in atmosphere. From the way lighting is used, to the authentic Scottish accented voices throughout, you can't help but buy into the reality that the game lays out for you. Which makes it all the more horrifying when things start to be dredged up that probably should have stayed far beneath the waves. Still Wakes The Deep is a must-play for gamers who value a thrilling, well-paced story and deep characterization. See at Fanatical Advertisement Hypnospace Outlaw Developer: Tendershoot Release Date: March 12, 2019 Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Genre: Fake OS detective game This one had to be tagged as "Fake OS" as the genre itself only got introduced in 2026. Fake OS games are games where you play inside a simulated desktop, and some recent indie games have created some incredible experiences within these parameters. Hypnospace Outlaw is maybe the game most synonymous with the new genre, and an incredible showcase of technical skill and off-beat creativity. As an Enforcer, it's your job to fight e-crime by placing bans or warning labels on content that violates the strict standards of Hypnospace. It's a very funny game, with plenty of easter eggs in there for those of us old enough to remember the early internet, but it also has some moments of genuine challenge as you try and piece together a darker secret lurking under these quaint personal pages. See at Fanatical Advertisement Thimbleweed Park Developer: Terrible Toybox Release Date: March 30, 2017 Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Genre: Point-and-click adventure There's already been one game in this list compared to the X-Files, but Thimbleweed Park wears its paranormal inspirations on its sleeve. The creators of iconic point-and-click adventure games like Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion have basically recreated a winning formula with Thimbleweed Park, which gets a sequel next year. The game's detective duo can be switched between to solve mysteries centering around a slowly pixellating dead body and a strange town inhabited by even stranger locals. The game raises a bunch of questions right from the start, and you'll soon find yourself exploring for the hell of it and trying to make sense of why five specific people seem to be connected to all the weird things happening nearby. It's an excellent example of the detective game done with flair. See at Steam Advertisement The Procession To Calvary Developer: Joe Richardson Release Date: April 9, 2020 Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Android Genre: Adventure Monty Python fans and people who like a good adventure game can unite over The Procession To Calvary (and its sort-of-prequel and sequel, Four Last Things and Death Of The Reprobate respectively). A beautiful and only sometimes grotesque collage of Renaissance paintings form the artwork for the game, in which you walk around looking at and speaking with things. Sometimes you'll be tempted to poke something, or optionally cut off a head with a sword. It's just that sort of game. The puzzles are perfectly-crafted, and the butts are perfectly-formed. See at Fanatical Advertisement I Was A Teenage Exocolonist Developer: Northway Games Release Date: August 25, 2022 Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 Genre: Narrative card-based RPG I Was A Teenage Exocolonist is a game that takes you through the tumult of teenage years with the background of outer space and a newfound planet home to deal with. Collecting cards based on choices you make, you'll come up against "battles" which are situations in which you'll need to use your cards to win or lose a skill point check. The outcomes of these decide your fate, from your first shot at romance to your very survival. It's an incredibly rich (and sometimes heartbreaking) game, and if you want your choices to matter, you can't get much more consequential than fiddling with a space colonist's formative years. See at Steam Advertisement

Title: Phantom Blade Zero Just Killed Crimson Desert's Chances At a GOTY Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 16:00:19 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/phantom-blade-zero-crimson-desert-goty-chances/ Phantom Blade Zerois off to a roaring start. The Wuxia action game by S-Game started the week with strong reviews and ended it with stratospheric player numbers on Steam, where the Chinese audience can be relied upon to turn out for a big release from their native country.

Title: Skyblivion's Biggest Legal Challenge Yet Is Not Coming From Bethesda Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 15:57:49 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/skyblivion-legal-threats-former-volunteer/ Skyblivion, an ambitious mod aiming to recreate all of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion within Skyrim's game engine, has run into a new legal challenge after over a decade of volunteer-driven development. Surprisingly, these legal troubles don't stem from Bethesda Game Studios or Microsoft, but a former volunteer.

Title: 'No Man's Sky' Players Pay Homage To Star Trek's Patrick Stewart Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 15:18:18 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/no-mans-sky-players-patrick-stewart-memorial-star-systems/ Patrick Stewart was a celebrated actor whose career spanned decades of film, television, and theater. He became a household name playing Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, but his work also included decades of live performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and memorable roles as Gurney Halleck in Dune (1984) and King Richard in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). But, of course, for millions of fans, he'll always be Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Title: Austin Abrams Was Grabbed by Tentacles in a 35-Foot Whale Head for the Thriller ‘Whalefall’ Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 15:01:18 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/whalefall-bts-interview/ “It was super important that Austin felt like he was in these environments and his body had to respond to them,” Avery told Polygon in a virtual interview. “All that motion on camera is motion that we’re making. It’s not animated. That means Austin’s body is responding to real action in real time.”

Title: Warframe officially adds a whole new star system in December Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2026 14:58:43 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/warframe-tau-release-window/ Before the end of the year, Warframe will get a whole lot bigger. The Warframe: Tau expansion will be released for free in December and adds its namesake star system to the live service shooter alongside a lot of other new content.

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