Title: Highguard Breaks Silence With Surprise Update And Teases A New Mode That Focuses On What The Game Does Best Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:42:18 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/highguard-content-update-mode-servers-2000671282 The new mode will be focused on raiding

Title: The 12 Best Games On The Nintendo Switch 2 Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:30:01 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/nintendo-switch-2-best-games-mario-kart-donkey-kong-1851786840 These are all the must-play games on Nintendo's newest console

Title: Counter-Strike Pros Keep Switching To This New Mouse That Lets Them Shoot Even Faster Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:36:51 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/x2-superstrike-mouse-logitech-valorant-counter-strike-2000670747 The added speed it brings to mouse clicks is less than the blink of an eye

Title: Starfield‘s Next Big Update Isn’t A 2.0 Reboot, It’s For People Who Already Love The Game Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:10:50 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/starfields-next-big-update-isnt-a-2-0-reboot-its-for-people-who-already-love-the-game-2000670749 The creative director at Bethesda did confirm the studio has plans to keep working on Starfield 'for a while'

Title: Elder Scrolls 6 Is Powered By New Version Of Creation Engine Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:49:59 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/elder-scrolls-6-is-powered-by-new-version-of-creation-engine-starfield-classic-rpg-2000670744 Todd Howard also says the upcoming RPG is a return to Bethesda's 'classic' RPG formula

Title: Genshin Impact Luna 5 takes the squad back to Mondstadt, finally makes Varka playable Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:23:10 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/genshin-impact-luna-5-varka-return-to-mondstadt The latest big content update has been revealed for HoYoverse's breakout game, Genshin Impact. Version Luna 5, which has the unusually long and needlessly layered title — Song of the Welkin Moon: Variation - Homeward, He Who Caught the Wind — is set to arrive February 25. Read more

Title: You're not crazy, trying to heal in Nioh 3 sometimes doesn't work - and Team Ninja is fixing it Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:56:12 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/nioh-3-patch-1-03-01-elixir-healing-bug-crash-fixes Nioh 3 has received a hot new update that brings plenty of bug fixes to very specific issues, but it also implements fixes for a few of the most common - and incredibly annoying - bugs. Patch 1.03.01 arrived earlier on all platforms, and it comes with a chunky set of notes. Read more

Title: Watch the Battlefield 6 Season 2 gameplay reveal here Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:34:14 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/battlefield-6-season-2-reveal-watch-times After a one-month delay, we’re finally days away now from the start of Battlefield 6’s Season 2 of live service. The second season is being revealed today, following weeks of teasers, and some Battlefield Labs testing of the first new map arriving with the new season. Read more

Title: Diablo 4’s next class is the Warlock, but you can sort of play it today in Diablo 2: Resurrected’s new DLC Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:10:04 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/diablo-4-warlock-reveal-diablo-2-anniversary-spotlight Diablo 4’s segment in the big Diablo 30th Anniversary Spotlight was among the biggest, even if the reason most of us tuned in was somewhat spoiled earlier in the same livestream. Blizzard unveiled the Warlock, the second of two classes coming to the game with the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion. Read more

Title: Battlefield 6's next season will speed up battle pass progression, and make it so Redsec players who don't own the game can actually make progress Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:04:13 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/battlefield-6-season-2-major-goals-gameplay-changes Ahead of the start of Battlefield 6’s Season 2 next week, Battlefield Studios has shared some insight into a few of the major goals the developer has with the Season 2 patch. The game’s second season was delayed in mid-January, and the developer even brought back Battlefield Labs to test out some of the new content and features coming with the new season. Read more

Title: Yakuza And Like A Dragon: A Series Primer - Which Games To Play First Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:32:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/yakuza-like-a-dragon-series/2900-7484/ With a series as sprawling as Yakuza/Like a Dragon, it can be hard to figure out where to start--much less know what sets each game in the series apart. (That's not even taking into account the many spinoffs, either.) The games are well-known for offering big, open urban areas ripe for exploration, complex and emotional storylines with lots of action and inter-character drama, and an offbeat sense of humor in sidequests and NPC interactions. If you're thinking of dipping your toes into the murky waters of the Japanese underworld, we've prepared a guide for you explaining each game, what makes it stand out, and even a few recommendations on where to begin. Yakuza 0Available on: PS4, PS5 (Director's Cut), Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series (Director's Cut), Switch 2 (Director's Cut)As Japan's economic bubble is about to burst towards the end of the 1980s, a war breaks out over a tiny empty lot on a side street in Tokyo--a plot of land worth a ridiculous amount of money. The fates of young Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima play out on the streets of the Kamurocho and Sotendori districts as criminal machinations clash, dragging the pair--and many others--into the struggle. Yakuza 0 is the first game chronologically in the series, and is generally considered a good entry point. With 2 main characters, a variety of fun combat scenarios and styles, and plenty of side quests and mini-games to enjoy, it makes for a solid introduction to the series. Yakuza KiwamiAvailable on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch 2The original Yakuza released on the PlayStation 2 back in 2006. The series has evolved tremendously since then, and Yakuza Kiwami--released almost exactly a decade later--was made to update the visuals and gameplay to be more akin with then-current games. The story focuses on Kiryu, who finds himself taking the fall for a murder done by his sworn-brother-in-crime Nishikiyama--only to get out of prison and discover that his former friend is now a cold, heartless bastard running his own crime family. As the "first" game in the main Yakuza series, it introduces a lot of characters, like older Daigo Dojima and Haruka, that make appearances later on, making it a solid entry point. Though the game is comparatively short and more linear compared to others in the series, it offers up a lot of fun activities and satisfying fighting that make it worth your time. Yakuza Kiwami 2The chairman of the Tojo Clan has been murdered, and the group behind the killing appears to be the Osaka-based Omi Alliance. In the chaos of the conflict between the two major yakuza syndicates, one incredibly powerful individual, Ryuji Goda, develops a keen interest in Kiryu--specifically, in annihilating Kiryu with his own hands to prove he's the stronger "dragon." Much like Yakuza 0, Kiwami 2 spreads its narrative between Kamurocho and Sotenbori, with each locale offering unique sights and stories. Alongside Kiryu's conflict with Goda--who becomes one of the series' most memorable antagonists--Majima also gets some time to shine with his own "Majima Saga" mini-story that takes place at the same time as Kiryu's escapades. More polished combat, a memorable villain, and plenty of extras makes this a solid--if somewhat short--follow-up. Yakuza 3 / Yakuza Kiwami 3Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch 2Kiryu's gone full Dad Mode, running on orphanage far away from Kamurocho in the islands of scenic Okinawa--until he's presented with papers booting him and his kiddos off the land. What follows is a tangled web of economic disputes, politics, assassination attempts, and interpersonal relationships. There are some substantial differences between the original/remastered release of Yakuza 3 (currently only available in the Yakuza Remastered Collection) and the recent Kiwami re-release, so check out our review if you want more details. Yakuza 4Yakuza 4 was the first game in the series (by release date) to introduce multiple playable characters, which expanded the variety of combat, adventuring, and story scenes tremendously. Kiryu returns once again, but three new faces join him as playable protagonists: the shockingly lovable (and moral) loan-shark Akiyama, the young-cop-on-the-edge Tanimura, and Saejima--a hulking yakuza of profound notoriety. They're all wound up in a plot involving a mysterious woman named Lily. While Yakuza 4 doesn't have any additional locations besides Kamurocho, the district has expanded a fair bit, with rooftop areas and a sprawling sewer complex available to explore. The characters really make this game, though: each of the four main leads has a great narrative arc, a distinct personality, a unique way of brawling, and their own bespoke sidestories and events. Yakuza 5 Available on: PS3, PS4 (Remastered), Xbox One (Remastered), PC (Remastered)The fifth game in the series decides to go big, featuring five playable protagonists across five different areas in Japan, each with markedly different gameplay and goals. Kiryu's trying to make a fresh start of things (again) as an unassuming taxi driver in Fukuoka when the old crew comes calling for aid--and he hears of Majima's death. Meanwhile, Saejima does another prison break and winds up in snowy Hokkaido, Akiyama and Haruka are trying to get their respective careers going in Osaka's Sotendori, and newcomer Shinada, a disgraced former baseball pro, digs into the truth behind his past expulsion. Everything winds up connected in good old Kamurocho, as it always does. Yakuza 5 is among the biggest games in the series, both in terms of scope and content, so be prepared to sink a lot of time into this multi-layered story. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Available on: PS4, PC, Xbox OneOnomichi is a relatively small city close to Hiroshima that serves as a port city and a bit of a tourist hotspot. It's also where Kiryu winds up after another brief stint in prison. He's learned that Haruka's in a coma after a mysterious car accident in Onomichi… and she's got a new baby, too. It all ties into a power struggle among international crime syndicates that flared up in Kiryu's absence--and the mysterioussecret of Onomichi.Yakuza 6's story is shorter and lower-key than 4 and 5, with Kiryu being the only playable character, but it still packs a lot of plot twists and fun diversions in its runtime. It brings the Kiryu-centric era of mainline games to a close in a nice way… and who doesn't want to see Kiryu be an awkward sitcom dad and a deadly serious scene where a baby gets thrown like a football? Yakuza: Like A DragonAvailable on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PCHere's where the series transitions to a new name, a new protagonist, and a new style of gameplay--but maintains the same mix of melodramatic storytelling, detailed locales, and oddball humor that's become beloved across the series. Ichiban Kasuga is a cheerful, street-smart young yakuza who's dedicated to his patriarch Arakawa and his sickly son. Ichiban's persuaded by Arakawa to take the fall for another clan member's dirty deeds. But when he gets out of prison almost two decades later, he tries to meet with Arakawa and eats a bullet for his efforts. As Ichiban rebuilds himself from nothing in Yokohama and builds a ragtag team of followers, he learns uncomfortable truths about Arakawa, a charismatic young politician named Aoki, and his own background.The biggest change in YLAD is the combat, which takes the form of a turn-based, menu-driven RPG, complete with RPG-inspired supporting mechanics like a job system for learning skills. The large, explorable city locales return: both the well-trod streets of Kamurocho and the new Isezaki Ichinjo district of Yokohama are here to comb through. There's a bevy of new and classic mini-games, too, including Dragon Karts, hostess bar management, and turning around the fortunes of an ailing confectionery business. As this marks the start of the "current" era of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, it makes for a good entry point for newcomers. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PCIchiban always thought his mother was dead--until he gets some surprising news that she may have made a life for herself in the Hawaiian islands. With his previous job in tatters and seeking answers, he decides to take the vacation of a lifetime… in more ways than one. Turns out plenty of people are interested in mom's whereabouts, and for expectedly nefarious reasons. Both Ichiban and Kiryu feature strongly in the narrative and gameplay, which builds upon the turn-based combat of the previous title. The new locations in Hawaii offer a notable change of scenery from the Japanese cities of other LAD titles while still offering the variety of hotspots, characters, and diversions the series is famous for. This is one of the biggest titles in the series from a completionist standpoint, but even if you're not going to do everything, there's still a lot to dig into, including a roguelike dungeon and a DIY island resort. Spin-offsThe Like a Dragon series has plenty of spinoffs, from serious detective dramas to historical period pieces to stuff that's downright bonkers. All of these games can be played and enjoyed by themselves, though knowledge of other titles might help you appreciate some of the callbacks and references scattered throughout. Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Available on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox One/Xbox SeriesLegends never die, which might explain why Kiryu can never seem to actually retire. As Kiryu makes an attempt to wipe all traces of his previous life away by becoming a secret agent with a new identity. But, when your brawling prowess is as legendary as Kiryu's, can you ever truly escape your legacy, even with a new identity? The story is short but sweet, and it's a bit light on content compared with other titles in the series, but it offers up satisfying combat, with Kiryu's new gizmo-focused Agent fighting style being a highlight. The over-the-top glitz and glamor of the Castle area makes for a delightful, indulgent playground for sidestories and distractions, as well--and you'll get to see plenty of familiar faces from across the series. Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Available on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox SeriesPirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the series at peak ridiculousness--and, depending on your point of view, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. But when you start with amnesiac Majima getting stranded on a random island and then quickly progress to him getting his own crew of swashbucklers, you know you're in for one hell of a seafaring escapade. Classic 3D brawling combat returns alongside all-new oceaneering experiences: sailing your very own pirate ship and taking down the vessels of rival crews. Will Majima find the hidden treasure he's looking for, or will the real treasure be the friends and experiences he (and you) encountered along the way? Like A Dragon: Ishin! Available on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox SeriesLet's go back in time--way back, to the mid-1800's, smack in the middle of Japan's chaotic Bakumatsu period. The shogunate's government's gone, the resulting power vacuum's made a mess, and the country's been opened up by force to foreigners. Enter one Ryoma Sakamoto--while he's based on a very real historical figure, this version just happens to look and sound exactly like Kazuma Kiryu...and he might not be the only familiar face you'll see. Even though it's now a historical fiction piece, Like a Dragon Ishin has all the exploration, character drama, and interpersonal politicking you'd expect from the series--with some extra sword-slinging and gunplay to spice up the combat. Judgment Available on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox SeriesTakayuki Yagami is a disgraced lawyer who now works as a private eye on the streets of Kamurocho. With street smarts, conviction, and knowledge of the law, he and his partner Kaito run Yagami Detective Agency--though there's been slim pickings for work until recently. A serial killer dubbed "The Mole" is on the loose, and Yagami's determined to find out his identity, even if it draws the attention of powerful forces in the underworld and beyond. Combat in Judgment has a different feel from the main Yakuza titles, with two different styles tailored to fighting either groups or individuals. Unique to this game and its followup are investigative sequences involving activities like sneaking into places, using drones for recon, tailing persons of interest, and chasing down suspicious individuals. While the thematic elements and dramatic presentation that makes the Like A Dragon titles recognizable are all here, Judgment manages to feel both fresh and different. Lost JudgmentAvailable on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox SeriesIt's been three years since Judgment, and Yagami's still on the beat as a detective. Some of his pals in Yokohama have opened up their own detective agency, and Yagami heads over to pay them a visit--where he discovers that there's been some very sketchy business going on at nearby Seiryo High School. He digs in to discover a long history of intense bullying at this prestigious school, but how does it tie into a student teacher's mysterious death and a sexual harassment case? Lost Judgment expands upon what made the previous game feel distinct, with more fighting styles, more tools for investigations (including a very good pupper named Ranpo), and the addition of the Isezaki Ichincho location to explore. There's even a DLC side story from the point of view of Yagami's assistant, Kaito. Yakuza: Dead Souls Available on: PS3The weirdest and most obscure of the series spinoffs, Dead Souls takes place in an alternate universe where Kamurocho is the site of a zombie outbreak. With the area quarantined by the Japanese government, four of the series' most beloved characters--Kiryu, Majima, Akiyama, and Goda--are forced into fight for their survival and to stop the sickness once and for all. The gameplay takes the form of a third-person shooter, with the gang taking up various firearms to quell the zombie hordes. While it's got its fair share of exciting setpieces and bizarre humor, Dead Souls is generally not regarded as well as other games in the series--which is probably why it's still stuck in PS3 purgatory. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise ...Wait, what's Kenshiro doing here? While Lost Paradise stars the one and only master of Hokuto Shinken, the game's DNA is firmly rooted in the classic Yakuza/RGG style of dramatic story presentation, open exploration with lots of amusing diversions, and plenty of bloody martial-arts action. Kenshiro finds himself in the post-apocalyptic city of Eden, where he seeks to rescue his betrothed Yuria from his rival Shin in a wild variation on the classic anime/manga's first major story arc. Whether or not you're familiar with the source material, you can still get a lot of fun out of this mashup--and if the lack of Kiryu is bothering you, you can always get DLC that actually reskins Kenshiro as the Dragon of Dojima.

Title: Silent Hill: Townfall Will Skip Xbox Consoles At Launch Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 04:24:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/silent-hill-townfall-will-skip-xbox-consoles-at-launch/1100-6538273/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f Silent Hill f had a simultaneous debut last year on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. However, the next game in the franchise, Silent Hill: Townfall, appears to be skipping Xbox at launch.Konami's official Silent Hill: Townfall site only confirms the game's upcoming release on PS5 and PC. Although Konami didn't elaborate any further on the issue, it seems likely that Townfall will be a timed exclusive game like the Silent Hill 2 Remake. That game debuted in 2024 on PC and PlayStation 5 and took an additional 13 months before arriving on Xbox Series X|S.Like Silent Hill f before it, Townfall is taking place outside of the US. The new location is in a Scottish town called St. Amelia, which is where the game's new hero, Simon Ordell, finds himself after washing ashore at the beginning of the story. The game is set in 1996, and Simon's best tool to detect the monsters waiting for him is a portable TV that helps him decide whether he should run or if he should hide from the deadly creatures.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Title: Starfield 2.0 Won't Fundamentally Change The Game, Says Todd Howard Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 04:22:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/starfield-2-0-wont-fundamentally-change-the-game-says-todd-howard/1100-6538272/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f Last year, Bethesda promised Starfield players that the game will get a second DLC story and a major update. Some of Starfield's new features have already been shown during a closed-door preview. That fueled speculation about big changes coming to the game, but Bethesda boss Todd Howard has now shut down those Starfield 2.0 rumors."It is not Starfield 2.0," said Howard during a recent appearance on Kinda Funny (via Insider Gaming). "I've seen some of that, and for expectation setting--I think it's the kinda thing where if you like Starfield, we think you're going to love this. It's updates and things that change the game, not in an isolated way, but you know 'meta,' using outer space and things in ways that we haven't. But if Starfield is something that didn't connect with you right away, or you bounced off it, or found it boring in places, I don't think it's going to change that fundamentally. But if you're someone who loves Starfield and we think [you'll love it]. We're really happy with it."Several rumors have suggested that Starfield is coming to PlayStation 5, which Bethesda has yet to confirm. However, a recent leak suggests that Starfield's Switch 2 port has been either canceled or postponed. Continue Reading at GameSpot

Title: Destiny 2's Major Shadow And Order Update Is Being Delayed And Renamed Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:23:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2s-major-shadow-and-order-update-is-being-delayed-and-renamed/1100-6538271/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f Bungie has officially confirmed that its next major Destiny 2 update, Shadow and Order, will be delayed over three months to allow for major revisions. The update was initially planned for March 3, just two days before Bungie's new shooter Marathon is set to launch.The Shadow and Order update, intended as a major addition to December's Renegades expansion, was announced all the way back in May last year as part of Destiny 2's Year of Prophecy roadmap. With the release date sitting so close to Marathon's and a lack of information from Bungie on the fast approaching update, the news of a delay comes as no surprise to most Destiny fans.Bungie's official announcement of the delay, which was posted to social media and Discord, doesn't make any mention of Marathon, and instead says that the update is being delayed due to "undergoing large revisions." The scope of the update will be expanded, will now include "sizable quality-of-life updates," and will be renamed before it is released on June 9, 2026.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Title: Elder Scrolls 6 Will Return To Classic Bethesda Style After Starfield Took A Detour, Todd Howard Says Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:40:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/elder-scrolls-6-will-return-to-classic-bethesda-style-after-starfield-took-a-detour-todd-howard-says/1100-6538267/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f Bethesda boss Todd Howard has provided an update on The Elder Scrolls 6, promising it will return to the "classic style" of Bethesda RPGs after Fallout 76 and Starfield each took a "creative detour."Appearing on the Kinda Funny Gamescast, Howard said Fallout 76 and Starfield were "a little bit of a creative detour from kind of that classic Elder Scrolls, Fallout, where you are exploring a world in a certain way."As reported by Kotaku, Howard added that players can expect Bethesda to get back to those roots with The Elder Scrolls 6. "We are coming back to that classic style that we’ve missed, that we know really, really well," he said.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Title: Fishbowl is a radically optimistic Covid fever dream Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:00:17 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/fishbowl-interview-rhea-gupte-prateek-saxena/ As Alo feels isolated from her loved ones and grieves her recently-deceased grandmother, players will help her find solace over the course of a month through self-care, unpacking her past, and a bit of magical realism in the form of a wind-up fish toy. Polygon spoke with Rhea Gupte and Prateek Saxena, the two-person development team at imissmyfriends.studio, after playing through a new demo that encompasses Alo’s first three in-game days. The updated demo is available now, with the final game slated for release this April for PlayStation consoles and Steam.

Title: The Elder Scrolls 6's new update will make fans happy Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:30:34 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/the-elder-scrolls-6-news-return-classic-style-todd-howard/ In an interview with Kinda Funny Games, Todd Howard gave a long-awaited update on The Elder Scrolls 6's development progress. No, he didn't mention a release date (besides "not this week"), but Bethesda's studio head and creative director promised a return to the classic style that shaped The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.

Title: Game of Thrones Broadway play reemerges at the UK's Royal Shakespeare Company Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:15:05 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/game-of-thrones-mad-king-play-royal-shakespeare-company/ The Royal Shakespeare Company announced Wednesday that it will produce a play based on George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire novels: Game of Thrones: The Mad King, "a sweeping new stage epic" set shortly before the events in Game of Thrones, the book and HBO TV adaptation. The play, scripted by Every Brilliant Thing writer Duncan Macmillan, will premiere later this year in the UK's Stratford-on-Avon, with priority tickets on sale as of April 14. Here's the theater's description of the show:

Title: This Is Not a Test review: a big step backward for 2020s zombie horror Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:40:45 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/this-is-not-test-review-zombies/ Over the course of the last seven months, audiences have gotten to see two zombie horror movies that are arguably among the best ever made. But even as 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple are attempting to put some prestige on the subgenre, we're already crashing back down to earth. This Is Not a Test, from writer-director Adam MacDonald, based on Courtney Summers' young adult novel, didn't get the memo.

Title: Pokémon hotel allows guests to stay there without clothes, but not like that Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:07:22 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/japan-pokemon-hotels-mimaru-clothing-optional/ Earlier this year, the Japanese hotel chain Mimaru announced the renovation and expansion of its Pokémon Rooms. They're apartment-like hotel rooms decorated with an abundance of Pokémon on walls, ceilings, furniture, and more. Comforters, plates, and mugs are Poké Ball-themed, while a giant plushie Snorlax greets guests on the bed.

Title: GeForce NOW Turns Screens Into a Gaming Machine Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:00:58 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-amazon-fire-tv-app/ The GeForce NOW sixth-anniversary festivities roll on this February, continuing a monthlong celebration of NVIDIA’s cloud gaming service. This week brings even more reasons to join the party, as GeForce NOW launches on a new platform with support for Amazon Fire TV devices, and eight new games to keep the streaming going strong. The new app brings GeForce NOW directly to select Amazon Fire TV devices, so members can jump into their PC game libraries on the biggest screen in the house using a compatible controller. The Cloud Turns Up the Heat GeForce NOW continues to expand access across devices, supporting multiple platforms with the latest additions of Linux. From PCs and Macs to smartphones, browsers and smart TVs, the cloud delivers high-performance gaming to nearly any screen, on more devices than ever. Members tap into GeForce RTX power on the screens they already own, extending the value of their membership without extra hardware or complexity. That reach expands again with the launch of the GeForce NOW app on Amazon Fire TV. GeForce NOW is powering up the living room with the launch of the GeForce NOW app on Amazon Fire TV streaming sticks, leveling up big-screen gaming with PC-quality performance. GeForce RTX performance on Amazon Fire TV. The GeForce NOW app on Fire TV is available now with initial support for the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2nd Gen) with Fire OS 8.1.6.0 and later and Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)with Fire OS 8.1.6.0 and later, and Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st Gen) with Fire OS 7.7.1.1 and later, streaming at up to 1080p60 with standard-dynamic-range graphics using H.264 video encoding and stereo audio. Fire TV owners now have an even more powerful way to play on the big screen. Connect a controller, open the app and stream favorite titles instantly with RTX power behind every pixel — no console required. Cloud gaming has never felt more at home. Stories From the Ninth World Words hit harder than weapons. Torment: Tides of Numenera, inXile Entertainment’s story-focused role-playing game, puts emphasis on choices, characters and dialogue, mixing science fiction and fantasy into a strange, colorful world where every conversation and decision matters. The adventure takes place in the “Ninth World,” a far-future version of Earth built on the ruins of incredibly advanced civilizations. Step into the role of the Last Castoff, a person connected to a powerful, mysterious figure, and get pulled into a mystery that asks one big question: What does a single life truly mean? Expect memorable companions, tough moral choices and plenty of odd, fascinating situations rather than a typical hero-saves-the-world story. On GeForce NOW, this story-heavy experience is easy to jump into, no high-end rig required. Gaming sessions can pick up right where they left off across supported devices, making it simple for gamers to sink back into the Ninth World whenever the story calls. Pixel-Powered Punch Arcade icons and blue‑bomber brawls light up GeForce NOW this week with a retro‑powered surge from Capcom, featuring Mega Man 11, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, Capcom Fighting Collection, and the Capcom Beat ’Em Up Bundle. Members can catch them in the cloud, reliving the glory arcade days and timeless showdowns — now streaming anywhere to members’ devices. Gear up, power up, save the future. Mega Man is back — Mega Man 11 is the latest entry in the iconic series that blends classic, challenging 2D platforming action with a fresh visual style. Hadoukens never age. Celebrate Street Fighter’s historic legacy with the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. In this collection of a dozen Street Fighter titles, four groundbreaking titles let gamers play with friends and relive the arcade experience through the online Arcade Mode. Where legends throw down. Capcom Fighting Collection includes 10 of Capcom’s most popular arcade games in one bumper collection, from series such as Street Fighter and Darkstalkers to Cyberbots and the first home console port of Red Earth. It’s the perfect collection for arcade veterans and newcomers alike. Grab a friend and clear the streets. Relive the glory days of cooperative arcade games with the Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle. This comprehensive collection includes seven classic titles, each with various multiplayer options and online capabilities. Time to Play Twisted. Reanimal is a twisted little nightmare that leans into creepy-cute horror with a co-op twist. Guide a scrappy brother-sister duo through a haunting, off-kilter world where every shadow hides something worse, every puzzle feels like a dare and “sticking together” isn’t just smart — it’s survival. In addition, members can look for the following: Disciples: Domination (New release on Steam, Feb. 12, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) REANIMAL (New release on Steam, Feb. 13, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Xbox, available on Game Pass, Feb. 13) Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle (Steam) Capcom Fighting Collection (Steam) Mega Man 11 (Steam) Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (Steam) Torment: Tides of Numenera (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Our Reddit community is hosting a giveaway! Here's your chance to win: HOTAS Thrustmaster OneAmazon Fire TV SticksG515 KeyboardG522 HeadsetG502X MouseRacing Wheels (G920/G29) How to enter https://t.co/fZ9mKx9p61#6YearsofGFN — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) February 11, 2026

Title: GeForce NOW Celebrates Six Years of Streaming With 24 Games in February Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:00:53 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-feb-2026-games-list/ Break out the cake and green sprinkles — GeForce NOW is turning six. Since launch, members have streamed over 1 billion hours, and the party’s just getting started. Throughout February, members can look forward to new games, fresh ways to play across more devices and even more ways to bring RTX power to every screen in the house. There’s plenty to celebrate: the February games list kicks off with 24 new games. Start with the 10 new games in the cloud this week, including the launch of Team Jade’s Delta Force and the newest title launching in the PUBG universe, PUBG: BLINDSPOT. Reporting for Duty The ultimate extraction. Delta Force, now boots on the ground and fully deployed on GeForce NOW, brings the tactical first‑person shooter from Team Jade (TiMi Studio Group) to the cloud. The game features high-stakes extraction with an all-out warfare mode, giving players a playground of open environments, vehicles and gadgets to pull off coordinated assaults. Players join elite units tasked with tackling high‑risk missions across sprawling maps, from tight urban incursions to rugged open‑terrain operations. Expect strategic objectives, combined‑arms combat with land, air and sea vehicles, and tense firefights where teamwork and planning are just as important as quick reflexes. On GeForce NOW, Delta Force leans into its high‑octane personality: fast drops, big maps and cinematic engagements that look sharp and feel responsive across devices. Members can squad up from almost anywhere, enjoy high‑resolution streaming and smooth performance, and stay ready for every op without waiting on downloads or big updates before jumping into the next mission. New Mission Squad up. PUBG: BLINDSPOT, a new spin-off set in the PUBG universe from Krafton, expands the franchise with a standalone 5v5 top-down tactical shooter. Set across tightly designed maps, matches focus on information, positioning and coordinated team play, with squads clearing angles, locking down objectives and outmaneuvering opponents in fast, round-based firefights. Every callout and ability use matters, turning each round into a layered tactical puzzle rather than a simple test of reflexes. On GeForce NOW, responsive streaming and sharp RTX-powered visuals keep every angle, rotation and clutch play feeling precise, even on lower-powered devices. With support across a wide range of screens, the cloud makes it easy for the gaming squad to jump right into the action, without lengthy downloads or updates getting in the way. Feelin’ February Kick off GeForce NOW’s anniversary month in style. Here’s what’s in store to start the celebration, with this week’s 10 new additions: Indika (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass, Feb. 3) Menace (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, Feb. 5, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition (New release on Battle.net, Feb. 5) PUBG: BLINDSPOT (New release on Steam, Feb. 5, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Carmageddon: Rogue Shift (New release on Steam, Feb. 6, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Delta Force (Steam) Fallout Shelter (Steam) Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Roadcraft (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Wildgate (Epic Games Store) In addition to this week’s additions of Menace, PUBG: BLINDSPOT and Carmageddon: Rogue Shift, this game will also be GeForce RTX 5080-ready this week: HumanitZ (Steam) And look forward to the games coming throughout the rest of the month: Disciples: Domination (New release on Steam, Feb. 12) REANIMAL (New release on Steam, Feb. 13) Kingdom Come Deliverance (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass Feb. 13) Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass Feb. 17) Norse: Oath of Blood (New release on Steam, Feb. 17) Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown (New release on Steam, Feb. 18) Styx: Blades of Greed (New release on Steam, Feb. 19) Ys X: Proud Nordics (New release on Steam, Feb. 20) Resident Evil: Requiem (New release on Steam, Feb. 26) Arc Raiders (Xbox) DEVOUR (Steam) Torque Drift 2 (Steam) Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power (Epic Games Store) Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince (Epic Games Store) January in the Books In addition to the 14 games announced last month, 21 more joined the GeForce NOW library: Ancient Farm (Steam) The Bard’s Tale Trilogy (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Blood West (Epic Games Store) Bladesong (Steam) Cairn (Steam) The Gold River Project (Steam) Half Sword (Steam, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (Steam) The Midnight Walkers (Steam) Paradise Killer (Epic Games Store) Prototype (Ubisoft Connect) Prototype 2 (Ubisoft Connect) Rustler (Epic Games Store) Star Wars Outlaws (Ubisoft Connect, now available on Xbox Game Pass) Styx: Shards of Darkness (Epic Games Store) Styx: Master of Shadows (Epic Games Store) Total War: Three Kingdoms (Epic Games Store) Vampires: Bloodlord Rising (Steam, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Warhammer 40,000: SPACE MARINE 2 (Xbox, available on Game Pass, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Waterpark Simulator (Steam) Nova Roma is now set to launch in March and will arrive in the cloud when it debuts. Stay tuned to GFN Thursday for more details. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Hopping into this convo. 2016 vs. 2026 For @CandraHastings, it looks like growth – share yours. pic.twitter.com/o9p3oBBQYD — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) February 3, 2026

Title: GeForce NOW Brings GeForce RTX Gaming to Linux PCs Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:00:49 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-linux/ Get ready to game — the native GeForce NOW app for Linux PCs is now available in beta, letting Linux desktops tap directly into GeForce RTX performance from the cloud. Alongside the expansion comes ten new games, including The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut and The Bard’s Tale Trilogy for a leveled-up gaming weekend. And operators can squad up in Team Jade’s Delta Force when it deploys in the cloud on February 3, bringing high-stakes tactical action to nearly any device with no downloads required. Linux Just Got RTX Gaming on Linux just got a major RTX upgrade. Starting with support for Ubuntu 24.04 and later, the new app delivers a seamless native experience that fits right into Linux desktop workflows. It transforms compatible Linux systems into high-performance GeForce RTX-powered rigs, streaming supported PC titles directly from the cloud at up to 5K resolution  and 120 frames per second, or 1080p at 360 fps. This new desktop-focused app goes beyond the earlier Linux experience that was tuned specifically for Steam Decks, which targeted handheld-friendly resolutions and up to 1200p at 90 fps. The beta Linux app is built for PCs and notebooks, offering an experience similar to the existing GeForce NOW app on Windows and macOS. With GeForce NOW, rendering happens in the cloud, so demanding titles run on a wider range of devices. Experience how RTX technologies — including ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS 4 and more — bring games to life with RTX 5080 performance from the cloud. Linux PCs and devices join the GeForce NOW native app family that also supports Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, mobile devices, smart TVs and more — unlocking flexible, on-demand gaming anywhere. Download the app today. For more details, check out all knowledge base articles on the GeForce NOW Linux beta app here. A Tale of the Cloud Adventure calls twice with two legendary journeys from inXile entertainment packed with wit, wonder and a few well-placed lute solos. Sing loud, fight hard and out-charm enemies. Get ready to sing, slash and swindle through the wild world of Caith in The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut. This dungeon-crawling role-playing game serves up clever puzzles, tactical turn-based battles and a hearty helping of bardic humor. Whether belting out battle tunes or charming foes into submission, gamers can enjoy an adventure that’s never sounded this good. Relive the songs and chaos that started it all. Plus, step back to where the saga began with The Bard’s Tale Trilogy. This remastered collection revives the classic, old-school dungeon crawling and tongue-in-cheek charm that started it all — now with smoother gameplay and polished visuals. It’s nostalgia wrapped in pure fantasy fun. Hot off the Cloud One mountain, countless close calls. Cairn is a survival-climbing adventure from The Game Bakers that pushes pro climber Aava up the unforgiving face of Mount Kami, a sheer giant that no one has ever managed to summit. Realistic climbing systems, resource management and route-planning turn each wall into a tense, puzzle-like challenge — blending simulation detail with atmospheric storytelling. In addition, members can look for the following: The Midnight Walkers (New release on Steam, Jan. 28, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Cairn (New release on Steam, Jan. 29, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Prototype (New release on Ubisoft Connect, Jan. 29) Prototype 2 (New release on Ubisoft Connect, Jan. 29) Warhammer 40,000: SPACE MARINE 2 (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass, Jan. 29, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Half Sword (New release on Steam, Jan.30, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Vampires: Bloodlord Rising (New release on Steam, Jan. 30, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) The Bard’s Tale Trilogy (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Total War: Three Kingdoms (Epic Games Store) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Name a food item that gives you… +20 health-2 Dexterity — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) January 28, 2026

Title: Flight Controls Are Cleared for Takeoff on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:00:53 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-flight-controls/ The wait is over, pilots. Flight control support — one of the most community-requested features for GeForce NOW — is live starting today, following its announcement at CES earlier this month. Virtual captains can now bring dedicated flight gear into the cloud and feel every roll, yaw and throttle change with even more precision, starting with the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One. Time is running out on our T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition + 1 month of @NVIDIAGFN Ultimate giveaway! How to enter 1. Follow both @TMThrustmaster and @NVIDIAGFN accounts on social2. Repost this and share on your feed 5 winners will be chosen – ends 1/24. pic.twitter.com/B89mGwJoNQ — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) January 19, 2026 Remember to enter the giveaway for a chance to score a T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition and one month of a GeForce NOW Ultimate membership — follow Thrustmaster and GeForce NOW, and repost the giveaway post to enter before Saturday, Jan. 24. Also on the horizon, Delta Force from Team Jade (TiMi Studio Group) is coming soon to GeForce NOW, adding another big-name title to the cloud lineup. Get ready for all the action by streaming the four new games in this cloud this week. Pilots Wanted Members can now jump into their favorite flight and space simulation games with a full stick-and-throttle setup streamed right from the cloud. It’s all about dialing in that authentic, hands-on flying experience while keeping latency low and gameplay responsive on GeForce NOW. Full throttle in the cloud. To get right to flying, members can look for a dedicated row in the GeForce NOW app highlighting games that support flight controls, making it simple to spot great titles for putting their new setup through its paces. This initial flight control support rollout is just the beginning, with plans to keep tuning the experience and expand compatibility to more peripherals. Fire up the rig, plug in the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One and get ready to take off — the cloud cockpit is open and ready for flight. Your Next Mission: ‘Delta Force’ Team Jade’s Delta Force is coming soon to the cloud, ready to drop players into high-stakes extraction with an all-out warfare mode where coordination and precision matter just as much as raw firepower. When it launches on GeForce NOW, members will be able to jump into the action instantly from almost any device, taking advantage of high‑performance streaming to stay locked at smooth frame rates even in the most chaotic firefights. Get ready to squad up, Delta Force is inbound soon. On GeForce NOW, every long‑range shot, helicopter insertion and tense objective push can feel crisp and responsive, whether playing on low‑powered laptops, Macs or mobile devices. The cloud makes it easy to squad up, drop in and get straight to the mission without worrying about downloads, patches or local hardware. New in the Cloud A graceful little robot having the worst day in the universe. MIO: Memories in Orbit is a neon-tinged metroidvania about a nimble little robot waking up on a massive, overgrown ark called the Vessel with nothing but fractured memories and a whole lot of trouble coming its way. Dart through low-gravity corridors, chain together elegant wall-runs, glides and grapples, and tangle with rogue machines as the Vessel itself quietly steals the spotlight — moody, decaying and just alive enough to keep a few secrets. In addition, members can look for the following: MIO: Memories in Orbit (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, Jan. 20) Bladesong (New release on Steam, Jan. 22) Rustler (New release on Epic Games Store, free starting Jan. 22) The Gold River Project (New release on Steam, Jan. 23, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. If you could fly to any video game destination, where would it be? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) January 21, 2026

Title: Survive the Quarantine Zone and More With Devolver Digital Games on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:00:35 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-quarantine-zone/ NVIDIA kicked off the year at CES, where the crowd buzzed about the latest gaming announcements — including the native GeForce NOW app for Linux and Amazon Fire TV sticks, community-requested flight-control support and a stacked AAA lineup for the year. Check out what the creators of the YouTube channels Cloud Gaming Battle and Anytime Anywhere Gaming had to say in their latest videos exploring GeForce NOW at CES: Plus, read what the community said about the upcoming native GeForce NOW app on Linux. The energy continues this GFN Thursday with the launch of Quarantine Zone: The Last Check, Devolver Digital’s most haunting and atmospheric release yet. Check it out along with other top Devolver Digital games on GeForce NOW and nine new games in the cloud this week. Here’s your chance to win a T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition + 1 month of @NVIDIAGFN Ultimate. How to enter 1. Follow both @TMThrustmaster and @NVIDIAGFN accounts on social2. Repost this and share on your feed 5 lucky winners will be chosen – good luck! pic.twitter.com/DDxzcGwt8I — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) January 14, 2026 And flight sim fans can soar even higher with a Thrustmaster giveaway, featuring the T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition and one month of a GeForce NOW Ultimate membership for free — follow Thrustmaster and GeForce NOW, and repost the giveaway post for a chance to win before Jan. 24. Welcome to the Zone Trust no one, file everything. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check drops into the cloud this week, bringing the eerie isolation and grim decision-making of its Steam debut to any device powered by GeForce NOW. Armed with advanced screening tools and instincts, players are put in charge of a critical checkpoint during a zombie outbreak — where one wrong choice could let the infection slip past the post. Screen survivors, manage scarce resources and hold back the undead. Holding the line is only the beginning — reinforce defenses and keep the camp alive as chaos intensifies with each passing day. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check streams at full GeForce RTX 5080 power for GeForce NOW Ultimate members, bringing razor-sharp visuals and ultrasmooth performance to every tense border crossing. Every document check, difficult decision and late-night shift in the guard booth hits harder with maxed-out settings and buttery frame rates, all without long installs or hardware worries getting in the way of the paranoia. No trip through the Devolver catalog would be complete without revisiting its eclectic, chaotic hits already streaming on GeForce NOW. Check out Cult of the Lamb, Ball x Pit, Hotline Miami, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Inscryption and Enter the Gungeon — where every dodge roll matters and every chest hides mayhem. Each of these titles showcases Devolver’s knack for daring design and unforgettable worlds — now all one click away through GeForce NOW. Time to Play Sink into the shadows and steal everything that isn’t nailed down. Styx: Shards of Darkness sneaks back in with a signature goblin grin and a dagger never too far from trouble. Published by Focus Home Interactive, this stealth adventure leans into vertical level design, tight shadows and sarcastic commentary from gaming’s most lovable little assassin. Expect big, open environments to pick apart, a toolkit full of invisibility tricks, traps and clones, and plenty of chances to turn a quiet infiltration into chaotic improv when plans go sideways. In addition, members can look for the following: Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (New release on Steam, Jan. 12, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Star Wars Outlaws (Ubisoft Connect, now available on Xbox Game Pass) The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (New release on Steam, Jan. 15) Styx: Shards of Darkness (New release on Epic Games Store, free on Jan. 15) Styx: Master of Shadows (New release on Epic Games Store, free on Jan. 15) Guild Wars: Reforged (Steam) Mon Bazou (Steam) Tavern Keeper (Steam) Waterpark Simulator (Steam) For Game Pass titles on Ubisoft Connect, reference this article on how to log in. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Rager brings the beat to PlayStation VR2 on March 5 Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:00:29 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/19/rager-brings-the-beat-to-playstation-vr2-on-march-5/ Hello again, PlayStation VR2 players! We’re bringing Rager to PS VR2 on March 5, and we can’t wait for you to feel what rhythm-driven combat really means. Rager is a music-driven VR brawler where the rhythm is never background noise. Every strike, block, and dodge is tied directly to the soundtrack. Enemies attack in sync with pounding basslines and war drums, and your survival depends on whether you can match that timing with precision. This is combat built on control and awareness. You step into a shifting digital arena as robotic adversaries close in from every direction. The world forms around you as the music builds, then collapses back into the void when the fight is over. The next track begins, and the pressure starts again. No room for hesitation At launch on PS VR2, Rager includes a full campaign of 12 hand-built levels and three boss fights that escalate the pressure with every track. Each level locks you into a specific weapon and forces you to commit. There is no switching mid-fight. You adapt or you fail. The weapon in your hands changes the fight completely. Sword and Mace demand precision, striking independently with clean, deliberate timing. Axe and Hammer require both hands and full-body movement, rewarding committed swings with crushing impact. Claws and Fists pull you into close range, where attacks come faster and hesitation disappears. Every weapon shifts your stance, your reach, and your rhythm. You are reading the beat while reading the enemy, adjusting your timing in real time as attacks come from every direction. Freestyle mode opens another 12 levels from the start, giving you the freedom to choose your weapon and push your limits. Online leaderboards track every run. When a fight ends, you know exactly where you lost time. If your timing slips, you feel it. If you land clean, you feel that too. Rager rewards discipline. The tighter your movement, the harder it hits.  The PS VR2 experience Rager is built around clarity, feedback, and physical commitment. On PS VR2, those elements come through at full strength. The game runs at a native 90Hz, keeping movement smooth and responsive during the fastest exchanges. When attacks come from multiple directions and the beat accelerates, you need stability. Native 90Hz ensures that what you see and what you feel stay locked together, frame by frame. HDR support deepens the contrast of the arena, sharpening silhouettes and impact flashes against the darkness. Dynamic foveated rendering powered by eye tracking keeps your focus crisp exactly where you’re looking, so telegraphed strikes stay readable even in chaotic moments. Then there’s the feedback. Advanced haptics in the PS VR2 Sense controllers reinforce timing in your hands. A clean strike lands with weight. A blocked attack sends resistance through your grip. Headset rumble adds force to heavy blows and boss slams, grounding you in the center of the arena. The result is combat that feels anchored. When you commit to a swing, you feel the consequence. For players who chase mastery, Rager includes a full trophy list, culminating in a Platinum trophy that rewards precision, discipline, and complete control of the rhythm. On PS VR2, every strike carries weight, every block carries resistance, and every mistake carries consequence.  The arena opens March 5 Rager rewards players who stay sharp under pressure. When the tempo rises and attacks close in from every direction, hesitation costs you. Clean timing wins fights. Control keeps you standing. We’re proud to bring Rager to PlayStation VR2, and we’re excited to see how this community rises to the challenge. If you’re ready to test your timing, your stamina, and your control, we’ll see you in the arena on March 5.

Title: 11 indie gems to look forward to in 2026 Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:01:27 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/18/11-indie-gems-to-look-forward-to-in-2026/ This year is promising some great PlayStation 5 games – our Most Wanted Games of Early 2026 is easy proof of that. But we’re only just getting started. There’s so much more on the way, and with PS5 not only home to the biggest releases but also an exciting hotbed of super cool indie titles, it’s only fair to give you an enticing glimpse at why we’re so hyped for the coming months. Coffee Talk Tokyo | May 21 | PS5 If you’ve ever wanted to safely talk to yokai about their lives (or afterlives) over a cup of joe, then pull up a seat at the Tokyo cafe Chorus Worldwide has set up. If you’re not familiar with the lovely Coffee Talk series, this iteration continues its calming narrative, where you prepare and serve drinks to supernatural customers seeking chilled conversation and warm contemplation. Fishbowl | April TBD | PS5 Play Video As odd as its title might sound, Fishbowl carries a depth that’s already caught the eyes and tugged at the hearts of those who’ve played it. Exploring a journey of grief and self-discovery, the two-person studio of imissmyfriends promises a thoughtful and emotional visual novel. A coming-of-age tale set over a month, Fishbowl features sorting-and-matching puzzle gameplay elements, but, most importantly, it aims to teach players that taking things one day at a time is sometimes the only way to move forward. Hela | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video It’s entirely possible that when you first heard the title of this 3D co-op adventure, images of Nordic fire and brimstone came to mind. But never fear, Hela is pretty much the opposite. In fact, the only Scandinavian landscapes that have inspired this wholesome journey are those that have you reaching for the Create button for a revisit. Windup’s beautiful-looking escapade of puzzles and teamwork – via either local split-screen or online if you want to bring a buddy – lets you become a sickly witch’s mousey familiar, brewing healing potions and helping the local village with acts of kindness. Inkonbini: One Store. Many Stories | April TBD | PS5 Play Video Need space for a cosy gaming experience? Nagai Industries has you covered with this nostalgic slice-of-life narrative, where human connections created by everyday events are entirely the point. Inspired by early 1990s Japan, Inkobini sets you in a small-town convenience store where you not only go through the meditative routine of preparing the shop for customers, but also hear their tales and forge relationships. The branching narrative shapes your conversations as you help the neighbourhood grow and thrive. Mina the Hollower | Spring 2026 | PS5, PS4 Play Video One of the most anticipated titles of 2026, Yacht Club Games’ action-adventure blends an 8-bit aesthetic with modern design sensibilities, a combination that helped Shovel Knight become such a beloved indie darling. Genius inventor Mina isn’t just a dab hand with weapons like her Nightstar whip and daggers, but can also use her hollowing ability to burrow underground – perfect for mixing up combat and traversal in the many dungeons of the cursed Tenebrous Isle. Fan favourite musicians Jake Kaufman (the Shantae series) and Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage/Shinobi series) are also along for the adventure’s infectiously slick soundtrack. Mortal Shell II | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video Let’s step away from the cosy side for a spell, and get our hands a little dirty with the sequel to Cold Symmetry’s original action-RPG. While standalone from its predecessor, Mortal Shell II continues to deliver the unflinching fights, nightmarish enemies, and haunting open world that fans previously enjoyed. The corpses of departed warriors are yours to awaken and possess to utilize their many abilities. Finishers have been upgraded, and the stamina gauge has been removed to speed up combat. Oh, and there are firearms, too, so your bloody quest to reclaim the Undermether’s stolen eggs gives you a chance to introduce the likes of shotguns and rapid-fire crossbows to your foes. Mouse P.I. For Hire | March 19 | PS5 Play Video Evoking the hand-drawn aesthetic of classic 1930s cartoons, Fumi Games’s first-person shooter blends detective noir storytelling with all-action blasting. If you like jazz, machine guns, grizzled narration, and oversized white gloves, then Mouseburg will be your home away from home. But be warned – just like the animation it apes, this is a game where almost anything can happen. Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse | March 5 | PS5, PS4 Play Video There’s something special about a game that knows how endearing it is, and this vibrant 2D search action roguelike truly owns its charm – or should that be ‘curse’? Simply put, you control a magical hat with the power to possess your foes and use their abilities to venture through ruins, botanical gardens, and more, to help rebuild your ruined village. And what’s better than one cursed hat? Well, bring three friends along for the multiplayer mode and find out. Ontos | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video When Frictional Games announced it would be unleashing the spiritual successor to 2015 sci-fi horror Soma, any eager anticipation was rewarded with the first glimpses of Ontos. Swapping underwater chills for a desolate moon base, this disturbing narrative-driven adventure challenges you to scavenge materials, operate machinery, and make moral choices that could result in grave consequences as you delve deeper into the mystery of a failed mining colony. Out of Words | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video Easily one of the most unique-looking games in this list due to its eye-catching stop-motion and handcrafted visuals, Out of Words lives up to its title with two protagonists without mouths. In a quest to restore their voices, you and a friend take control of Kurt and Karla in a co-op platform adventure packed with puzzles and environmental challenges, testing your communication and coordination. And beneath the giant fish, tense set pieces, and physics-defying traversals, beats a tender story of connection and love, too. Over the Hill | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video It couldn’t have been easy to follow the stylish racing game art of rally, but developers Funselektor Labs and Strelka Games have made something decidedly different, albeit still on four wheels. Over the Hill focuses on exploration and discovery, with a deliberately paced drive through a wilderness of dynamic weather, day/night cycles, and terrain deformation. It’s not a race – it’s all about the journey, upgrading and customizing your vehicle, taking in the scenery, and even joining up to three friends to see what awaits past the sunset.    We might be buzzing to get our hands on these games (and many more, coming), but what about you? Which indie titles are you looking forward to playing in 2026?

Title: How open world Soulslike deckbuilder Death Howl was built Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/16/how-open-world-soulslike-deckbuilder-death-howl-was-built/ When we first started working on Death Howl, if you had told me we were building an “open world, soulslike deckbuilder,” I would have looked at you with a fair bit of confusion. It sounds like a recipe made out of components that don’t naturally fit together. Yet, as we prepare to bring the journey of Ro to a new audience on PlayStation 5 from February 19, I’ve been reflecting on how this genre blend came to be. The truth is, the “soulslike” tag wasn’t part of the original design document. A foundation of cards and tactics At its core, Death Howl began as a prototype that I made as a school project back in 2015 after playing the unique and brilliant game called Dream Quest. I’ve always been inspired by Magic: The Gathering and the idea of traversing a world to collect materials for crafting power. Our initial goal was to create an alternative to the traditional roguelite deckbuilder – something that traded linear, “always-start-from-beginning” runs for a free-roaming open world. We also looked at the character skill building where cards replaced traditional weapons and spells, with all combat taking place on a grid. Play Video The accidental Soulslike In general, we never intended to blend so many genres. At its core, Death Howl is an open world deckbuilder. But to achieve that vision, many different designs had to merge. We combined tactical, grid-based combat with deck building. We merged open world exploration with turn-based battles. And as the design evolved, other genre elements emerged organically – including soulslike mechanics. Honestly, I wasn’t even especially familiar with soulslike games when we started. It was something that came about from testers telling us it felt like one. Some elements were already in place. “Sacred Groves” – checkpoint locations much like the bonfires you might know from other games-allow you to heal, but they also respawn all enemies. We had designed these early on. But testers pointed to other traces of the genre in our game. They felt Death Howl earned the soulslike label because of how it rewards pattern recognition. You need to observe enemy behaviors – learning to avoid the frontal charge of a boar, for instance – and embrace the punishing but fair loop of death and adaptation. We made one key adjustment to fit our card-based structure. Instead of sending players back to the last checkpoint, dying in Death Howl returns you to the moment just before the encounter you lost. When Ro dies, she drops “Death Howls” – the currency earned from defeating enemies, used to craft new cards and upgrade abilities. These can be retrieved after respawning, much like souls in other games. This mechanic was perhaps the biggest direct inspiration we took from the genre once we became more familiar with it. The rest emerged more indirectly. But embracing the soulslike direction as an overall concept helped us add even more layers to the experience. For me, it’s still an open world deckbuilder. For others, it’s a soulslike card battler. Both are true. Balancing the dark and the ethereal Genre-blending is one part of Death Howl’s identity. The other is its mood. The world of Death Howl is a spirit realm born from grief, distant memories, and the unknown. To capture that otherworldly feeling, we leaned into a “linocut” or woodcut art style-inspired by heavy metal t-shirts and old-school Scandinavian illustrations – all rendered in minimalistic pixel art. This visual approach mirrors the gameplay in a way. Just as shapes emerge from deep shadows in our art, players must piece together the narrative of Ro’s quest to reunite with her son. The pixel art forces the viewer to imagine the details left in the darkness, creating space for their own interpretation. A journey to PlayStation Building Death Howl taught us that creating something unique often means combining elements that don’t obviously fit together. The result is a game that balances the calm of exploration with the intensity of turn-based combat, all wrapped in a story of resilience and loss. As we bring this experience to PlayStation 5 on February 19, we’re incredibly excited for a new community to step into our Spirit World and discover its secrets. Whether you’re a deckbuilding veteran or a soulslike fan looking for a tactical twist, we hope you’ll find something here that resonates. Death Howl is more than the sum of its genres-it’s a reflection of the creative journey that shaped it.

Title: God of War Sons of Sparta – Mega Cat Studios discuss origins of Kratos and company’s name Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:04:11 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/16/god-of-war-sons-of-sparta-mega-cat-studios-discuss-origins-of-kratos-and-companys-name/ When Mega Cat Studios sat down to dream big, one name sat at the very top of their wishlist: God of War. Years later, that long-shot ambition has become God of War Sons of Sparta, a newly released prequel developed in collaboration with Santa Monica Studio (SMS). Set at the earliest point in the series timeline, the game casts players as a young, devout Kratos before he knows his true nature as a demi-god, weaving a story about brotherhood and the meaning of being Spartan. Sons of Sparta pairs retro action-adventure design with an emotional God of War story. Mega Cat Studios Founder and CEO James Deighan and Game Director Zack Manko also discuss the origins of the game’s title and the name of the studio. For the full conversation listen to the latest Official PlayStation Podcast episode. Play Video PlayStation Blog: What can you share about the origins of this collaboration with Santa Monica Studio? James Deighan: So one of the things we’ve always done at Mega Cat are these leadership retreats where we talk about what we want to do… what we want to be known for… what inspired us to join the games industry. And one of the things that we’ve maintained, kind of ceremonially, is this “wishlist” of franchises we wish we could collaborate on. And we’ve had God of War listed as number one since the very beginning. And part of that wishlist is also the probability of us being able to do that, which we’ve always had listed very low. And as we continued to grow and make bigger, better games, and got a lot more confidence we started taking bigger swings, and eventually we just made a pitch and reached out and got really lucky that somebody read it, and they were open to having a conversation about what our idea was for a prequel and some kind of pixel art treatment extension of the franchise that we all adore. …so it really is just on multiple layers, a dream come true, working with such a talented team [at Santa Monica Studio], with a franchise we adore. How is Kratos’ relationship with the Greek gods at this point in his life? Zack Manko: This is Kratos as a boy. So it’s pre-god powers. He doesn’t even know he’s a god. But that also means he has a very different relationship with the gods. He’s very devout. He has this faith that he leans on and turns to when things look darkest. And in Sons of Sparta, you see how that pays off. You get Gifts of Olympus, these artifacts blessed by the gods, that allow you to do all these crazy puzzles, exploration, and combat. Ultimately, seeing Kratos as this devout, faith-filled figure, and knowing what comes later with his relationship with the gods…adds a new dimension as well. What went into the decision to set the game at the earliest point in the series’ timeline? Manko: I think there are two reasons, really. First, like you said, it’s a prequel. Our initial pitch was, you know, imagine what God of War would have looked like on [the original PlayStation], you know, what a God of War zero, if you will, would look like. So I think with that in mind the narrative team at SMS thought this time period you know, Kratos as a boy, his formative years, would be interesting to explore, because the events here and what he goes through and what he experiences, it really adds a texture to his character that kind of you can see throughout the rest of the saga. It certainly adds a new lens onto him [when looking back at the Greek games]. Early on, we did think about maybe [making the story] a little bit closer to the events of the Greek saga games that fans are familiar with. But again, I think the writers at SMS thought this is what we need to go to, because seeing Kratos as a boy here resonates throughout the rest of the series, not only with the Greek games, but also, you know, the Norse saga, where you see Kratos as a father with Atreus, and how the events in Sons of Sparta may influence that. And the same sort of, same sort of context, the influences on Kratos as a boy, how that lines up with Kratos’ parenting style in the Norse saga. These formative years of Kratos, this character, seeing all these things that happen and these influences on him. It just adds so much to this character that fans are familiar with throughout the rest of the games. 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 Meet Mega Cat, the feline the God of War: Sons of Sparta studio is named after. What can you tell us about the origins of the game’s title and name of the studio itself? Manko: James wanted to name it something Greek yogurt themed, you know, high protein, fitting for Kratos [laughs]. But, um, no, in all seriousness, God of War Sons of Sparta was chosen because it just encapsulates the main themes in the game so well. You know, Kratos and Deimos are the sons of Sparta, and they’re discovering what that means. What it means to be a Spartan, what are the demands there, what’s the cost? Deighan: [Regarding the studio name Mega Cat Studios] we had a beloved cat that I had as a pet that passed. One of our [team members’ now-wife] volunteers at a local animal shelter here, and she was serving a few bottle babies. [Bottle babies] are whenever the shelters are completely overburdened with animals, the trained [certified] volunteers can take [cats] home and help raise them. I was dealing with some pet-loss heartbreak, as you do, and [the shelter had] this one, really aggressive runt in the litter that we ended up taking home and bottle feeding and spending some time with. That was Mega Cat.  So when we first came up with a list of many ideas and names for the company, we included [“Mega Cat”] on the list and started voting and sharing it around with our friends, family, and colleagues. And there was this really overwhelmingly positive response [to the name]… which kind of rolls off the tongue. Early years, it really worked to our advantage, because people confused us with Mad Catz [laughs]. We had all these names that we really went deep on, and we added a Mega Cat at the end of the list. Even our UPS driver was like, “that one’s awesome, man.” God of War Sons of Sparta is available now on PS5.

Title: God of War Sons of Sparta: What you need to know Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:51:53 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/13/god-of-war-sons-of-sparta-what-you-need-to-know/ God of War Sons of Sparta is a brand-new entry to the series available now for the PlayStation 5!  Developed by our partners at Mega Cat Studios, Sons of Sparta takes God of War staples and translates them like never before into a retro-inspired 2D action platformer. Looking to learn more before embarking on a journey back to ancient Greece this weekend? Here’s what you need to know about God of War Sons of Sparta!  Duty, honor & brotherhood Sons of Sparta is a canon story that takes place in Kratos’ youth from the writing team that brought you God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök, and God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla.  Set during the brutal training period Spartan cadets undergo at the Agoge – Kratos, alongside his brother Deimos, must traverse far beyond the home they know into the beautiful yet dangerous region of Laconia that surrounds the familiar walls of Sparta.  Kratos and Deimos must overcome threats that will put all their training to the test while challenging them to confront the true meaning of duty, honor, and brotherhood.   Play Video Heartfelt performances  Sons of Sparta features a fantastic vocal cast whose performances bring the depth and emotion fans expect from God of War games.  We’re thrilled to have two actors who have both portrayed Kratos in the Greek saga reprise their roles for this game. TC Carson returns as the adult version of Kratos who serves as our story’s narrator, while Antony Del Rio portrays the younger version of Kratos, which he also did in God of War: Ghost of Sparta back in 2010!  We’re also excited to have newcomers join the series, including Scott Menville, as the voice of our young Deimos.  Play Video God of War combat in 2D  Sons of Sparta brings God of War’s kinetic combat to a brand-new genre. Customize your weapons, learn new skills, and harness powerful divine artifacts using the Gifts of Olympus to end your foes with brutal finishers.  Play Video A Spartan’s first weapons Kratos’ spear and shield can each be enhanced and adapted using different attachments. Each attachment comes with its own upgrade path, so you can tailor your build to empower whichever playstyle you enjoy.   Kratos also has access to three primary skill trees where he can learn new abilities to improve his offensive, defensive, and movement kits.  Gifts of Olympus  Throughout his adventures in Laconia, Kratos will acquire Gifts of Olympus, divine artifacts that can turn the tide in combat through their special and super attacks. Some of the Gifts excel in ranged combat – striking with precision from afar or launching an exploding projectile to hit multiple creatures. Others come with their own devastating melee combo to supplement Kratos’ spear attacks.  Myths and legends Sons of Sparta features the return of many iconic creatures from the Greek saga, including hulking minotaurs, nimble satyrs, and undead legionnaires. We worked closely with the team at Mega Cat Studios to faithfully translate the original animations to their 2D representations in-game.  On top of the classics, MCS has also brought in many new creatures from Greek mythology didn’t have the chance to explore in the originals. Explore Laconia  Stunning high-definition pixel art environments will take you on a journey through a variety of locations that bring Kratos’ homeland to life with incredible detail.  As you progress through the main story, you’ll find that Laconia is also full of content that rewards exploration – optional quests, hidden encounters, and loot await! Play Video The sound of Sparta  Bear McCreary returns to score Sons of Sparta with an incredible soundtrack that melds retro aesthetics with God of War’s signature sweeping orchestral and choral style. Get it today The Standard and Digital Deluxe Editions are both available for purchase digitally at PlayStation Store: Standard Edition of God of War Sons of Sparta is $29.99 USD / €29.99 / £24.99 / ¥3480 Digital Deluxe Edition of God of War Sons of Sparta is $39.99 USD / €39.99 / £32.99 / ¥4480 Thank you to all the God of War fans for your continued support, we hope you’ll enjoy Sons of Sparta! 

Title: Train! Stunt! Game! Denshattack! Has! A! Demo! On! Steam! Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:00:42 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/train-stunt-game-denshattack-has-a-demo-on-steam For months, I’ve been keeping an eye out for Denshattack!, an enticingly loud stunt-action game that’s somewhere between an autorunner and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, if Tony Hawk was an electric locomotive and not a man of mortal flesh. I played it last year and was instantly smitten with its speedy, tricksy rail riding, and now that there’s a newly released Steam demo, perhaps you will be too. Read more

Title: ZA/UM's Zero Parades is Schrodinger's Disco Elysium follow-up, and it keeps yelling at me about communism Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/zaums-zero-parades-is-schrodingers-disco-elysium-follow-up-and-it-keeps-yelling-at-me-about-communism "Since the last round of EMTERR ‘stabilisation’, they’ve been trying to force us lifers out," the phantom line engineer tells Zero Parades protagonist Hershel Wilk. "We can’t be fired, not easily, but they can take away the work that made us stay in the first place,” he continues. “I have two options. I could falsify my reports and declare line 9 safe for construction anyway, or I could quit. Either way, the company can’t lose." Approximately 15 minutes later, I’m talking to a monkey sat atop a pile of goods in a random abandoned house. "YOUR PRESENCE IS WEAK. FATE DELIVERS ME AN UNWORTHY ADVERSARY," it says, before declaring its name to be the KING OF TRADE. Immediately, one of voices in Herschel’s inner chorus, dubbed Statehood, starts shouting back about needing to defeat the forces of capitalism. Both of these are scenarios I ran into while playing the Next Fest demo of the spy CRPG finally emerging from ZA/UM, following years of reported bad times and discord at and around the Disco Elysium studio. Both of them feel simultaneously like encounters you could plausibly have run into in the original Disco, and like they could just as easily be pale imitations dressed up to resemble that first game’s much quoted trenchcoat of surrealist detecting. Read more

Title: Destiny 2's next big update has been delayed so it can undergo "large revisions" so large and revisiony it'll need a new name Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:32:28 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/destiny-2s-next-big-update-has-been-delayed-so-it-can-undergo-large-revisions-so-large-and-revisiony-itll-need-a-new-name The next big update to Destiny 2, Shadow and Order, has been delayed as it undergoes a substantial round of tweakage and expansion. Such a substantial round of tweakage and expansion, in fact, that it'll no longer be called Shadow and Order when it returns. Read more

Title: Former developers of one of 2024's best Soulslikes are stuck in a purgatory of unpaid salaries Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:28:45 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/former-developers-of-one-of-2024s-best-soulslikes-are-stuck-in-a-purgatory-of-unpaid-salaries Former staff of Enotria: The Last Song developers Jyamma Games have revealed to RPS that they’re owed months of unpaid salary, following layoffs at the company last year. They've shared an inside look at a troubled independent studio dealing with payment delays, multiple changes of direction, and general confusion that stretches back to spring 2025. Read more

Title: No Azure for Apartheid call on Microsoft to cut ties with ICE, amid reports of agency deepening reliance on company's cloud and AI Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:57:40 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/no-azure-for-apartheid-call-on-microsoft-to-cut-ties-with-ice-amid-reports-of-agency-deepening-reliance-on-companys-cloud-and-ai In the aftermath of reports claiming that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) deepened their reliance on Microsoft’s cloud technology last year, No Azure for Apartheid have issued a statement demanding the company cut ties with the agency. No Azure for Apartheid are the same worker-led group who've carried out protests against Microsoft's dealings with the Israeli military, amid what Amnesty International and a UN enquiry have called a genocide in Gaza. Read more