Title: The Sekiro: No Defeat Anime Gets Crunchyroll Streaming Date, But It Won’t Be A Movie Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:43 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/the-sekiro-no-defeat-anime-gets-crunchyroll-streaming-date-but-it-wont-be-a-movie-2000737142 Following an early Japan-only theatrical release, a re-edit for TV with new scenes is on the way

Title: PS5 Pro Shortage Hits Japan As Sony Limits Console Purchases To Active Playstation Users Ahead Of GTA 6 Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 02:32:22 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/ps5-pro-shortage-hits-japan-as-sony-limits-console-purchases-to-active-playstation-users-ahead-of-gta-6-2000737444 A lottery system has been introduced in an effort to counter shortages while alleviating scalper concerns ahead of GTA 6

Title: You Can Get A Free Digital Copy Of The Witcher 3 Remastered On Switch 2 If You Just Borrow An Old Physical Switch Copy Of The RPG Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:07:06 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/you-can-get-a-free-digital-copy-of-the-witcher-3-remastered-on-switch-2-if-you-just-borrow-an-old-physical-switch-copy-of-the-rpg-2000738492 And you don't even need to keep the old version of the cart to play the remastered RPG

Title: It Sure Doesn’t Sound Like GTA 6 Will Include A Disney World Parody Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:13:20 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/it-sure-doesnt-sound-like-gta-6-will-include-a-disney-world-parody-2000738468 But other parts of central Florida seem to be represented

Title: Xbox’s Disc-To-Digital Is Rolling Out Now To All Users Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:01:23 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/xboxs-disc-to-digital-is-rolling-out-now-to-all-users-2000738475 Dust off your boxes, folks, it's time to claim those licenses

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

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

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

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

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

Title: The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2026 Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:49:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-xbox-game-pass-games/2900-4001/ What games should you play on Xbox Game Pass? With so many options to choose from, narrowing down the best Xbox Game Pass games currently available can be a challenge. The subscription service has grown in size, offering a massive library of big AAA games, new day-one releases, and even overlooked gems--like one of 2025's best games, Blue Prince. The library is so expansive that you're almost guaranteed to find at least a few games you'll love and classics from yesteryear, thanks to the recent addition of Retro Classics. To help you navigate the ever-shifting landscape, we've rounded up the very best Game Pass games available now. There are plenty more excellent games on Xbox Game Pass than the ones we’ve listed below--the service is loaded with worthy games. These are just the games we think every Xbox owner should play, and we regularly review this list to make sure we stand by our choices and rotate in newer releases. We'll continue to update this list as the Game Pass library adds new selections. Every month brings new games as well, and in case you missed it, here's what you can download and play in December. More Xbox best lists Best Xbox Series X games Biggest upcoming Xbox games Best Xbox controllers Best Xbox headsets Keep in mind that Xbox Game Pass has undergone some changes since November 2025. After the price of Game Pass Ultimate rose to $30 a month in late 2025, the monthly price dropped down to $23--but with a catch. New Call of Duty games will no longer be included at launch, and they'll only be added to the library around a year after they're first released. Game Pass Essential will continue to offer a catalog of 50+ games and online multiplayer, while Premium bumps the number of playable games to 200. Game Pass Ultimate is the top-tier service that provides access to all games on day one, cloud streaming, and several more perks. Game Pass Essential -- $10 per month Game Pass Premium -- $15 per month PC Game Pass -- $14 per month Game Pass Ultimate -- $23 per month For the purposes of this list, we looked at the whole Xbox Game Pass library available in the Ultimate tier, so if you're subscribed to one of the other tiers--especially Essential--not every recommendation may be available. And while this list is a good place to get started, the library of games is even more expansive, and more games will be added throughout the year. Be sure to check back for updated recommendations. Absolum One of GameSpot's favorite games of 2025, Absolum is a roguelite beat-'em-up brimming with personality. It looks like a Saturday morning cartoon and it hits like a freight train, while its incredible soundtrack makes you feel the energy of every cracklin' spell cast and fist thrown. It's no surprise that the core retro-inspired gameplay of Absolum feels great--developers Dotemu and Guard Crush Games did resurrect Streets of Rage for a new generation--and the roguelike twist adds tons of inventive build combinations to try out. Advertisement Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Ubisoft's dive into an alien landscape dreamt up by James Cameron doesn't stray too far from its established open-world formula, but Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a remarkably faithful recreation of those billion-dollar blockbusters. As a native of Pandora who was abducted, trained, and molded by the human militaristic corporation RDA to serve its interests, it's up to you to reconnect with your heritage and discover what it truly means to be Na'vi in this first-person adventure. Read our Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora review. Advertisement Avowed Following a dip into sci-fi with The Outer Worlds, Obsidian's return to an RPG fantasy setting is one of this year's biggest surprises. Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, you play as a godlike--one who has been touched by a god leaving you marked in a way that's visually distinct to everyone around you. Your journey through the Living Lands makes a point to streamline some classic RPG systems, while giving you an incredible amount of flexibility in others. Combat is a particular standout, as you can mix and match just about any variety of weapons and abilities, and easily respec to experiment with new combinations. Advertisement Balatro Balatro was a breakout release last year--in fact, it was one of our favorite games of 2024--and the one-more-round roguelike poker game has only gotten better with subsequent updates. It's now available on Xbox Game Pass, and came alongside a new Friends of Jimbo pack that lets you change the face cards to crossovers with games like Civilization VII, Assassin's Creed, Fallout, Bugsnax, and more. If you've never caught up with the incredibly compelling and clever game, now is the time. Read our Balatro review. Advertisement Batman: Arkham Knight More than 10 years have passed since Rocksteady ended its Arkham trilogy, and Batman: Arkham Knight still represents the studio at its best. It somehow still looks like a billion bucks, and its gameplay doesn't just fine-tune the established gameplay; it pushes it to the extreme to create the ultimate Caped Crusader simulator. Throw in the perfect merger between man and machine with the introduction of the Batmobile, the hard-hitting story revolving around the titular Arkham Knight, and one of the best plot twists in gaming, and you've got a superhero adventure that has stood the test of time. Read our Batman Arkham Knight review. Advertisement Blue Prince You've never played a game quite like Blue Prince. The first-person puzzle game has you exploring an empty mansion, but this particular manor house has a special quality: It's never the same from day to day, as the rooms appear as you "draft" them from a selection whenever you come to a door. The ultimate goal is to explore the mansion and reach the hidden Room 46, but the game's many puzzles and mysteries unfold and interlock in ways that feel constantly enthralling. And since it's on Game Pass, it's easy to recommend with your existing subscription. Read our Blue Prince review. Advertisement Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 The Call of Duty series has been among the top sellers for years, but some CoD games are clearly better than others. This year's iteration, Black Ops 6, is the best the series has been in some time, and the first time that a new Call of Duty game has been available on Game Pass at launch. The campaign is a smart and varied action spectacle that keeps you on your toes as it explores paranoid thriller tropes set against global events in the 1990s. Meanwhile, the multiplayer's new omni-movement makes matches feel fast and fluid, especially with the addition of inventive new maps that let you explore the space in a variety of ways. A revision to the perks system helps you specialize in interesting ways. Call of Duty has earned its reputation for a reason, and this latest release shows why. Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign review and multiplayer review. Advertisement Celeste An impeccably crafted indie platformer, Celeste is known for its tough-but-fair difficulty and surprisingly emotionally engaging story. As you climb the mountain you'll come face to face with devilish platforming challenges that will test your skill, all while discovering a subtle story of self-discovery and overcoming depression. It has a stellar 94 score on Metacritic, so don't sleep on this one. And don't worry if you aren't a platforming pro, as Celeste has a full suite of difficulty modifiers that let you experience the climb on your own terms. Read our Celeste review. Advertisement Cyberpunk 2077 Several years after its disastrous launch, Cyberpunk 2077 is now a legendary story of redemption in the video game industry. Years of improvements and free updates have transformed Cyberpunk 2077 into an all-time classic, allowing this masterpiece of design and action to truly flex its muscles as you explore the dangerous streets of Night City. Advertisement Death Stranding: Director's Cut Hideo Kojima's first game following his exit from Konami in the mid-2010s can be polarizing. Still, once it sinks its hooks into you, this tale of post-apocalyptic deliveries never lets go. The Director's Cut improves on Kojima's vision, introducing major quality-of-life changes, new storylines, and more gadgets to help you out during deliveries, deal with bandits, and keep a close eye on ghostly entities as you explore a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction. Read our Death Stranding: Director's Cut review. Advertisement Diablo IV When Microsoft finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, it seemed like only a matter of time before the studio's massive library started to come to Game Pass. We're still waiting on a lot of the catalog, but it started with a big one. The latest in the beloved dungeon-crawling RPG series Diablo, Diablo IV, lets you delve into the deep and macabre world of Sanctuary to protect it from Lillith, the demon mother. With deep and immersive character building and a regular cadence of seasonal content to let you further expand your characters with new abilities, Diablo IV is not to be missed. Read our Diablo IV review. Advertisement Doom: The Dark Ages Doom: The Dark Ages feels like a return to form for id Software's iconic series. While Doom Eternal would regularly leave you breathless with its hyper-kinetic gameplay and resource-juggling, The Dark Ages keeps the action grounded by transforming the Doom Slayer into an overpowered engine of destruction. The stand-and-fight mantra guiding this prequel works wonders, while the bullet-hell challenge and shield-bashing gameplay makes ripping and tearing through demonic hordes feel more satisfying than ever. Read our Doom: The Dark Ages review. Advertisement Dune: Awakening Dune: Awakening's early access journey is over, and what has emerged from the sands of Arrakis is a vastly improved game. The September 2026 update introduced highly requested features and a meaty single-player mode, broadening its appeal beyond the strict survival sandbox it was originally introduced as. While there's still room for improvement--like making enemy AI a little more challenging and polishing up combat--this is still an authentic dive into Frank Herbert's sci-fi world and an easy recommendation for anyone looking to dig into a fun survival loop. Advertisement Final Fantasy 6 Look at any list of the best Final Fantasy games of all time, and there's a good chance that Final Fantasy 6 will be at the top. A timeless masterpiece and the final 2D game of the original NES and SNES era, Final Fantasy 6 isn't just a thrill to play, it's incredible to experience as well. With a massive ensemble cast uniting to face off against one of the greatest villains in the franchise, Final Fantasy 6 is an infamously dark game full of mature themes and devastating moments, all set in a world full of steampunk technology and magic. You can also find several of its predecessors on Game Pass, but Final Fantasy 6 is an essential game for any JRPG fan. Advertisement Forza Horizon 6 The Forza Horizon playbook is well-established by now, and for its sixth entry, Playground Games has fine-tuned the experience into a well-oiled machine. Everything about Forza Horizon 6 is a celebration of cars and speed, a gorgeous tour of Japan that purrs like a kitten and roars like a kaiju when you put your foot down. A joy to play and also a terrific third place to visit when you dive into its car meets, this is digital car culture at its very best. Read our Forza Horizon 6 review. Advertisement Gears of War: Reloaded The original Gears of War landed on Xbox 360 almost 20 years ago, and in a testament to its enduring popularity, this updated version of the classic still feels as fun to play today as it was in 2006. The game is still a tightly constructed shooter with plenty of blockbuster moments and one of the best weapons in gaming history, the Lancer chainsaw-rifle. This version polishes it up for modern-day hardware, but the gameplay remains as polished as ever while you work your way through encounters with the Locust army. Or as protagonist Marcus Fenix would say, nice. Advertisement Gears Tactics Gears Tactics cleverly applies the aesthetic and atmosphere of the franchise to a tactics game. Despite being a totally different genre, Gears Tactics still feels like a natural addition to the iconic franchise thanks to sound mechanics and great level design. Many of the notable Gears of War gameplay systems and quirks are adapted into the top-down tactical spin on the genre. With a meaningful progression system, deep but approachable tactical encounters, and a number of great boss battles, Gears Tactics is a can’t-miss experience for Gears aficionados and strategy game fans alike. Read our Gears Tactics review. Featured in this image Gears Tactics View Game Hub Follow Advertisement Grounded 2 Obsidian's survival-crafting sequel builds on the strong foundation established by the first game to deliver a vibrant alternative to all of the gloomy survival games on the market today. It's still in an early access phase, but if history repeats itself, we're expecting Grounded 2 to be a bigger and better sequel that remains fun to play while Obsidian continues to fine-tune it. Read our Grounded 2 review. Advertisement Halo: Campaign Evolved Fully modernized for the current generation of gaming, Halo: Campaign Evolved is a strong reminder that they don't make 'em like they used to. The new Unreal Engine 5 makeover makes a classic game look even better, but beneath the glow-up, the core gameplay feels as comfortable as an old pair of pants. Throw in some quality-of-life updates--you can sprint now!--new co-op missions, and you've got the perfect time travel machine to take you back to 2001. Read our Halo: Campaign Evolved review. Advertisement Halo: The Master Chief Collection If you’ve never played the Halo franchise before, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is the perfect place to start. The Master Chief Collection comes with six Halo games, including remastered versions of the first two original Xbox entries. Halo features some of the very best single-player campaigns in the genre as well as extremely solid online multiplayer, at least after years of fixes and improvements. Back when the collection was originally released, the online multiplayer was spotty to say the least, but it has come a long way. Halo: The Master Chief Collection offers the best way to play some of the most heralded first-person shooters ever created. Read our Halo: The Master Chief Collection review. Advertisement Hell Is Us A hidden gem of a game, Hell Is Us harkens back to an era where you couldn't rely on YouTube walkthroughs to quickly complete a game. Full of mystery and an intentional omission of gameplay features like interactive maps and quest markers, Hell Is Us wants you to make careful choices about where to go, take some actual notes, and use your deduction skills to progress. Set in the fictional war-torn country of Hadia, it tells a harsh tale and pulls no punches with its souls-like combat. Read our Hell Is Us review. Advertisement Hi-Fi Rush Hi-Fi Rush is a bright, popcorn animated adventure from the studio that brought you… The Evil Within? As surprising as that is, what may be even more impressive is that this is an absolute gem of a rhythm-action game. The original IP follows Chai, a good-hearted doofus who signs up for free cybernetic surgery and ends up with a Zune grafted into his chest. He comes out of the other side with the power to defeat corporate ne'er-do-wells to the gyrating beat of the world. It's like Elite Beat Agents mashed together with Devil May Cry. Read our Hi-Fi Rush review. Advertisement Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition Enchanting and utterly engrossing, Hollow Knight is one of the best metroidvanias ever made. Team Cherry’s adventure stars a nameless knight armed with a nail who explores a labyrinthine world known as Hallownest. With a gorgeous art style and an incredible amount of variation in the environments, Hollow Knight’s expansive world is a constant joy to explore. Challenging combat rewards those with patience and perseverance. Hollow Knight truly stands out in a fairly crowded genre. If you haven’t waded through Hallownest yet, now’s a great time to slay some insect ahead of the sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong. Read our Hollow Knight review. Advertisement Hollow Knight: Silksong After years of waiting--and several summoning circles--Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally arrived and it's turning out to be an overwhelming follow-up to its predecessor. Team Cherry's Hollow Knight follow-up builds on a successful formula, evolving it to a near-perfect state where you get to explore labyrinthine worlds, challenge powerful foes, and master a nuanced combat system as the protagonist, Hornet. Advertisement Indiana Jones and the Great Circle MachineGames' take on Indiana Jones is a masterful take on the famous relic hunter. The action is a tightly designed clockwork of action, stealth, and immersive-sim elements that capture Indy's famous improvisational style. The story is rich and engaging and belongs right on the shelf next to some of Indy's other great adventures. And the character and worldbuilding are all top-notch, which helps to sell Troy Baker's take on the famous character popularized by actor Harrison Ford. It's the complete package, and a great reason to subscribe to Game Pass. Read our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review. Advertisement Keeper Keeper is exactly the kind of game that Game Pass needs. A weird and experimental title from Double Fine, Keeper is an artistic triumph with a heartfelt tale at its core. Constantly interesting on a visual level and frequently reinventing itself with new gameplay hooks, Keeper is a strong example of why video games can be considered art. Read our Keeper review. Advertisement Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Set in Bohemia during 1403, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is an incredibly immersive adventure. Full of complex quests and improvements that leave its predecessor in the dust, the open-world RPG offers varied quests, streamlined combat with plenty of depth, and plenty of consequences for your actions. Advertisement Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth doesn't just offer a greatly improved turn-based RPG system; it also serves as a swansong for longtime protagonist Kiryu Kazuma. A tale of redemption and family, Infinite Wealth plays like a greatest hits compilation between the past and the future of the franchise. Dropping players right in the middle of another gangland soap opera, it's an absurd and action-packed game that wears its heart on its sleeve. Advertisement Manor Lords Though it's still in early access, Manor Lords has quickly gained a following as a deep and engrossing strategy game that encompasses several different types of strategy at once. You'll build a city with complex social and economic systems at play, as well as take part in huge tactical battles against rival lords. Building your civilization from almost nothing and helping it manage trials like an unforgiving winter is so satisfying, and the depth of the game is made even more impressive by it being the work of just one developer. Advertisement Minishoot Adventures The next best thing to a classic top-down Legend of Zelda adventure, Minishoot Adventures is an adorable adventure that adds some twin-stick shooter gameplay to that classic Hylian formula. Packing a delightful sense of exploration with an approachable level of challenge, it's an indie gem that doesn't outstay its welcome. Advertisement Mio: Memories in Orbit A masterpiece of handcrafted design, MIO: Memories In Orbit isn't for the faint-hearted either. A challenging metroidvania that pits players against powerful bosses, it's a game that requires precision and quick-thinking from its players. Overcoming those odds makes for a rewarding experience, as the game's rich atmosphere and mysteries make it satisfying to get lost inside of its vibrant world. Advertisement Monster Train 2 Save the Spire saw a new wave of roguelike deckbuilders follow in its wake, and Monster Train was easily one of the best. The bar was set high for the sequel, but Monster Train 2 is a confident follow-up to the first game that builds on its solid foundation and adds a few new twists and a tremendous amount of replayability. Advertisement Nine Sols Hollow Knight: Silksong is dominating the metroidvania charts right now, but don't sleep on Nine Sols. Beautifully crafted and featuring a rich hand-drawn art style, the game combines its metroidvania influences with Sekiro-inspired combat to create tense and exciting moments in every level you explore. The smooth animation combined with the responsive controls makes for a winning formula, while the "Taopunk" setting gives the game a unique look and feel. Advertisement Ninja Gaiden 4 When all the pieces fall together, Ninja Gaiden 4 offers an intoxicating blend of action and challenge. The first mainline entry in many years, Ninja Gaiden 4 is focused purely on gameplay and over-the-top boss fights that'll push you to the very edge of your seat. It's the purest lean-forward game out there, a fast-paced meat-grinder that requires your utmost concentration, but being in the zone with this game is an absolute treat once you start dishing out gruesome combos. The story and its lead protagonist are instantly forgettable, but the experience of scraping through battles against ultra-aggressive enemies and tanky bosses will stay with you long after the credits roll. Read our Ninja Gaiden 4 review. Advertisement Ori series Both games in Moon Studios’ incredible Ori series are worth playing. Ori and the Blind Forest and its 2020 sequel Ori and the Will of the Wisps are two of the best platformers available on Xbox. Both have stunning visuals and tell emotionally gripping stories that feed off of the atmosphere and well-drawn characters. While they are similar in terms of aesthetic and feel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is more action-oriented, whereas the Blind Forest largely focuses on platforming and exploration. The Will of the Wisps gives Ori new abilities that help them square off against daunting bosses. Both games are brilliant in their own right, and are must-play platformers on Xbox. You should play them in order to get the full emotional weight of the story. Read our Ori and Will of the Wisps review. Featured in this image Ori and the Will of the Wisps View Game Hub Follow Advertisement The Outer Worlds 2 Obsidian Entertainment's The Outer Worlds was introduced as a spiritual sci-fi successor to Fallout, but the studio has successfully crafted an identity for its spacefaring action-RPG. Combat has been polished up, and choices feel more meaningful than ever, but the real hook is in how you approach the game and build your own legend. Whether you're a bumbling adventurer who fails upwards or an operative who wields sharp blades and even sharper wit, it's all up to you to figure out who you want to be in a solar system ripped apart by factional wars and corporate takeovers. Read our The Outer Worlds 2 review. Advertisement Pentiment One of the most unusual games on Game Pass, or anywhere, Pentiment is an adventure game set in 16th century Bavaria. As a manuscript illustrator sent to an Abbey, you're caught up in a series of murders. The decades-spanning story explores the idea of historical narrative and how truth is recorded and remembered across generations. It's really unlike anything else. Read our Pentiment review. Advertisement Persona 5 Royal It's going to be a while before Persona 6 or the Persona 4 Remake land, but until then, Persona 5 Royal is the best version of one of the best games in the series. While the original game was a stylish blend of dungeon-crawling action and relationship-building downtime, the Royal version improves on it with extra content, quality-of-life upgrades, and gameplay adjustments. Advertisement Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire The first Pillars of Eternity was a thrilling study in old school RPG gameplay with a modern makeover, but its sequel outdoes the original in almost every way possible. A more confident follow-up that doubles down on its strengths while further refining its formula, Obsidian Entertainment's sophomore effort is an entertaining game filled with rich writing and easily-accessible gameplay for newcomers to the genre. Read our Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire review. Advertisement Psychonauts 2 It's safe to say that there's no game like Psychonauts 2 on the market, as Double Fine's return to the cult-classic world of Razputin Aquato and the titular psychic peacekeeping agency is an absolute mind-blast of imaginative design. Fun to play and packing an emotional wallop with its exploration of several characters and a deep dive into their respective psyches, Psychonauts 2 is both a hilarious and heartfelt effort. Read our Psychonauts 2 review. Advertisement Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Arguably the most important game in the history of the franchise, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard helped turn the franchise around and is regarded as one of the triggers for Capcom's Renaissance as a powerhouse game developer and publisher. How did it do that? By doubling down on the fear and tension that made Resident Evil so memorable in the first place, stripping the suspense down to the bone, and containing all of that terror within a spooky location. Advertisement Rematch Football fans don't have much to choose from in the genre, thanks to EA dominating the scene with its annual EA Sports FC series. But in 2025, Sifu developer Sloclap hit the field with a game that felt and played like the polar opposite of EA's franchise. A refreshing skill-based approach to football, Rematch keeps things simple, engaging, and exciting with every footie match. Fun to learn and satisfying to master, recent improvements have addressed the rougher parts of the game, transforming it into a thrilling spectacle of five-a-side football. Read our Rematch review. Advertisement Resident Evil Village Using the momentum from Resident Evil 7 to push the franchise to gory new heights, 2021's Resident Evil Village continues the terrifying journey of protagonist Ethan Winters. Venturing into a mysterious European village teeming with all manner of new bioweapon horrors, Resident Evil Village plays like a highlight reel of the series with its grotesque monster designs, action-packed horror gameplay, and suspense-fueled design that keeps you on the edge of your seat at all times. Read our Resident Evil Village review. Advertisement The Rogue Prince of Persia It's a great time to be a Prince of Persia fan, as not only have we gotten the superb metroidvania The Lost Crown, but also Evil Empire's fun roguelike The Rogue Prince of Persia. After spending several months in Steam Early Access, the full game is a terrific love-letter to classic Prince of Persia action, mixing the influences of the older platforming games with plenty of Dead Cells DNA. Where The Rogue Prince of Persia sets itself apart is in its movement and storytelling, as the game is at its best when you're using parkour to smoothly dodge traps and acrobatic combat to weave between enemies as you build up strength for a glorious run. Advertisement Sea of Thieves A live-service game that's not all about the shooting, Sea of Thieves is Rare's quirky take on a pirate simulator. It's gone through a lot of iterations since it was first released in 2018, so nowadays it's a full-fledged pirate simulator. You can crew your ship and sail the high seas, plunder other ships, find hidden treasure, and even deal with otherworldly pirate ghosts. Read our Sea of Thieves review. Advertisement Slay the Spire Slay the Spire marries deck-building with roguelike systems to create one of the best indies in recent years. Throughout your journey up the Spire, you square off against monsters, uncover treasures, and expand your deck of cards. Slay the Spire's card-based combat is easy to get the hang of but requires trial and error to find success. While you have to start back at the beginning each time you die, you gradually earn new cards, which help you advance further the next time. It’s an intoxicating loop that makes it easy to want to try “one more time” before putting down the controller. Each of Slay the Spire’s four playable characters have unique decks, adding a ton of incentive to brave the Spire for subsequent runs after the credits roll. Read our Slay the Spire review. Advertisement South of Midnight Compulsion Games has repeatedly designed incredible worlds that are rich in atmosphere and intrigue, and South of Midnight is no exception. Set in the American Deep South and inspired by the myths told by the people who live there, South of Midnight encapsulates the sights, sounds, and culture of a place rarely explored in video games and doesn't shy away from delving into the community's hardships and traumas to weave together a fantastical and oftentimes chilling gothic horror tale. The whole experience is brought to life with superb voice acting and a poignant soundtrack, transforming otherwise ordinary moments of combat and platforming into a cinematic experience that's well-worth experiencing. Read our South of Midnight review. Advertisement Star Wars Outlaws Star Wars Outlaws might be a one-and-done game, but Ubisoft's dive into the seedier underbelly of that famous sci-fi franchise is a thrill ride. Ditching lightsabers for blasters and a shoot-first attitude, Outlaws succeeds in making you feel like a scoundrel as you explore planets, double-cross crime cartels regularly, and do your best to stay off the radar of the Galactic Empire and its seemingly limitless supply of Stormtroopers. Come for the interstellar adventure and stay for the high-stakes Sabacc table in this open-world gem. Read our Star Wars Outlaws review. Advertisement Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 What's old is new again, as the best Tony Hawk games are kick-flipping their way back into relevance. While we're still not sold on the changes made to THPS4 in this two-for-one special, there's no denying that the subtle changes under the hood and the new coat have paint have helped to successfully bring the series into the modern age of gaming. There's also a healthy amount of new content here that doesn't detract from the nostalgic appeal of these games, making it a must-play for veterans and newcomers alike. Read our Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 review. Advertisement Vampire Crawlers Do you normally avoid deckbuilding roguelikes? Then you might want to check out Vampire Crawlers, as this Vampire Survivors spin-off captures the best part of that genre and boils it down into an approachable and highly engaging experience. Where Vampire Crawlers shines is in its deceptive simplicity, as the idea of comboing cards and steadily gaining power makes for an approachable game. A few runs in, and the depth behind each set of cards you're dealt, the Crawlers you take along with you for a fresh go at a demon-infested dairy plant, and the satisfying thrill of playing a winning hand all combine to create one of the best "just one more turn" games of the year. Read our Vampire Crawlers review. Advertisement Wheel World When it comes to gaming, there's nothing in the rulebook that says a cycling game can't cover topics like the apocalypse and ghosts. Wheel World is a prime example of this, as developer Messhof's delightful tour across a colorful world features multiple elements that mesh together well, like gears on an obscenely priced bicycle. Not only does the cycling feel great, but you're given a chance to pedal your way through gorgeous realms with it, ignite your competitive spirit, and trick it out before you save the world from total ruin. Advertisement The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition A decade later, CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is still considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time. You can find out for yourself why it remains critically acclaimed to this day, as the dark fantasy adventure sees Geralt of Rivia embark on a sweeping quest to find his daughter. The Complete Edition also includes the two expansions and plenty of DLC, more than enough content to keep you occupied in the Continent for several weeks. Read our The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt review. Advertisement

Title: Alleged WoW: Forever Survey Teases 11 New Classes, Including Some Deep Cuts Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:43:28 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/alleged-wow-forever-survey-teases-11-new-classes-including-some-deep-cuts/ World of Warcraft: Forever's new take on classic Azeroth is opening the door to all kinds of new ideas in the old-school version of Blizzard's MMORPG, and new classes look to be one of them. Blizzard, of course, has added a total of four new classes over the last two decades to the modern version of WoW: Death Knight, Monk, Demon Hunter, and Evoker. But an alleged leaked survey pushed to select WoW players via Blizzard's Battle.net launcher is now asking about potential new classes for WoW: Forever, the recently revealed third version of the MMO that will introduce new quests, zones, and content to the "vanilla" version of WoW.  It's not the first time Blizzard has conducted a survey this way, and while Blizzard asks participants not to disclose the survey's details, their contents almost always find their way online. That's the case here, as players were quick to share information about 11 potential new classes listed in the survey, and content creators like Bellular have gone as far as to provide a full breakdown. Information contained about each of these potential classes includes basic lore, what types of weapons they would be able to use, the armor class they would wear, the resources they would use, what roles they would fill, and even signature abilities. The classes listed in the survery are: Bard Death Knight Demon Hunter Illusionist Monk Necromancer Metalborn/Runemaster/Runeknight San'layn Tinker Warden Witch Three of the new classes would essentially be "new," old-school versions of existing WoW classes like Demon Hunter, Monk, and Death Knight. Considering how fast-paced classes like Monk and Demon Hunter are in the modern version of the game, their Forever counterparts would likely feel significantly different. It's the eight "new" classes that are the most exciting, however. Some of these are ideas that have existed in WoW lore for ages or ones that Blizzard even originally toyed with during the game's early development. The Tinker, for example, is a class many expect to come to the modern version of WoW at some point but is listed in the survey. They would be the ultimate engineer, capable of using mech suits and gadgets to tank, deal damage, and support other players.  Another potential class, the Necromancer, was an idea Blizzard originally had planned for vanilla WoW, only for it to eventually be scrapped. In Forever, Blizzard is proposing a version of the class that seems like it's taking some inspiration from Diablo 2's class of the same name, with abilities like Bone Spear and Corpse Explosion. The survey additionally lists the San'layn, a group of vampires who broke free of the Lich King's domination. This class seems like it would lean fully into the vampire fantasy, with a number of blood-based abilities that could make them similar to retail WoW's Blood Death Knight specialization. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zerqLHQPN9Y Two other classes steeped in WoW lore proposed in the survey are the Warden and Runemaster. Wardens are the iconic Night Elf faction famous for hunting down and imprisoning Azeroth's greatest threats. How exactly that would work when it comes to Horde players is unclear, but the survey notes that the Wardens would open their ranks "out of necessity" in order to deal with greater threats. Runemasters, on the other hand, are beings infused with power by the Titans who use a rune system that sounds similar to that of modern WoW's Death Knights to heal and fight. That rune system itself was originally for an early version of the Runemaster class that was later scrapped and its core mechanic repurposed. This class appears to have been listed by multiple different names in various versions of the survey, also appearing by the name Metalborn and Runeknight. Other classes seem almost entirely new. The survey lists classes like Bard, Witch, and Illusionist among potential additions. The Bard sounds about like what you would expect, a healer and support class capable of buffing allies, while the Witch and Illusionists are two new flavors of spellcasters. Illusionists would summon and conjure creatures and objects to aid them in battle, while the Witch uses dark powers like blood rituals and even the power of the old gods to buff allies and destroy their foes.  Whether or not any or all of these potential new classes will eventually make their way into Forever remains to be seen, but Blizzard does have, well, forever to make them a reality. In the meantime there's plenty new for WoW: Forever players to discover, including over 1,000 new quests, four new zones, an account-wide Legacy perk system, and more. WoW: Forever's beta is currently live until October 21, with Forever's full launch set for November 4.

Title: GTA 6 Won’t Spoof Disney World, And That’s Too Bad Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:24:02 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-wont-spoof-disney-world-and-thats-too-bad/ GTA 6 will not include its own spoof on one of Florida's most iconic venues: Walt Disney World. I adore all things Disney, including the parks. But I also appreciate and enjoy Rockstar's penchant for sarcasm and making fun of things. And Disney World? There is a lot to poke fun at. So I am a bit bummed that Walt Disney World--or whatever Rockstar would name its simulacrum--won't appear in GTA 6.  Game Informer asked Rockstar if Florida's central region, including Orlando and its tourist destinations like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, would be represented in GTA 6 in some form, and Jack McPherson said they wouldn't. However, McPherson stressed that GTA 6 will offer the "full Florida experience" in numerous other ways.  “We have to constantly evaluate the diversity of landscapes, towns, structures, landmarks, vistas, plant species, rock formations and everything else before we work with design and narrative to distill a list down that best works with and serves the game’s needs. So, while we may not have those exact locations, everything we have is geared to getting that full Florida experience!” Lucia and Jason in GTA 6. GTA 6 also won't feature SeaWorld or Florida's iconic "Space Coast," featuring Cape Canaveral's historic launch pad.  I am not too surprised by any of this, though, considering GTA 6 takes place in Vice City, a stand-in for Miami, which is a four-hour, 230-mile drive from Orlando. I know GTA 6 is going to be a big game--featuring the biggest game map Rockstar ever made--but I never expected the map to run all the way up to Orlando.  Jay Klaitz, who famously portrayed Lester in Grand Theft Auto 5, previously said in an interview that he wondered if Rockstar would create its own, legally distinct version of Disney World that could be called “Psycho Park.” “That would be interesting too if they sort of delve into that environment,” he said. While GTA 6 might not feature its own take on Disney World, it's possible the park could be referenced in GTA 6's radio chatter, and some spoofs could come there. The well runs deep for things Rockstar can make fun of Disney World for, including its ever-increasing ticket prices, the price to buy literally anything in the parks, and the so-called Disney Adult phenomenon, just to name a few options. I love Disney, but even the most diehard fans have their issues. As it happens, the last game in the series, GTA 5, was set where Disneyland--the OG Disney park--is located in the Los Angeles area, and that game also did not feature its own theme park spoof that players could visit. However, GTA 5 featured a film production company known as Fred's Pictures, which was an obvious reference to Disney. GTA 6 launches on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. 

Title: CoD: Modern Warfare 4 Brings Back The Franchise’s Most Chaotic And Divisive Multiplayer Map Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:08:41 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cod-modern-warfare-4-brings-back-the-franchises-most-chaotic-and-divisive-multiplayer-map/ Activision has confirmed that one of the Call of Duty franchise's most notorious maps, Shipment, is coming back for this year's Modern Warfare 4. After fans spotted it in the newly released trailer for MW4's PC version, the Call of Duty account directly confirmed its return with a dedicated post. Shipment, which debuted in 2007's Modern Warfare 4, is a tiny map filled with shipping containers that players can dash through. Due to its small size, players can get wiped out in their spawns easily, and the action generally is extremely chaotic. Some people love the map. Others hate it. https://twitter.com/CallofDuty/status/2104969093409648927 Shipment's return in 2026's MW4 is no big surprise, as it's been featured in numerous Modern Warfare games over the years. It also showed up in Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Mobile. While Activision has confirmed that Shipment will return in MW4, the company did not say if it will be among the 12 6v6 maps available at launch, or if it will be released sometime later. For those who enjoy Shipment, its inclusion in MW4 is just the latest piece of good news. Before this, Activision confirmed that MW4 will finally fix how double XP tokens work and the dreaded "update requires restart" notice is going away. Additionally, MW4 will usher in a feature in Warzone that lets you avoid seeing all those wacky skins. The game also has a brand-new, Counter-Strike style mode. Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC. The game marks the first Call of Duty release on a Nintendo platform since 2013’s Call of Duty: Ghosts. It’s also the first game since Ghosts to skip PS4 and Xbox One.

Title: God of War Laufey – Pre-Orders Open Now Trailer Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 18:52:48 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/videos/god-of-war-laufey-pre-orders-open-now-trailer/ Death was supposed to be the end, but for Laufey (Faye), warrior and wife to Kratos, a new adventure is just beginning. Coming February 16, 2027 to PlayStation 5.

Title: Xbox's Disc-to-Digital Feature Is Officially Out to the Public Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:43:47 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/xbox-disc-to-digital-full-release/ In the past month, Xbox has received feedback from Insiders who got early access to the disc-to-digital program. That feedback has helped the company improve the feature before its public release. A system update rolled out in the early hours of Sept. 30, finally implementing the highly anticipated disc-to-digital feature for all Xbox Series X and Xbox One owners.

Title: 6 PS5 Games Releasing in October You Officially Cannot Miss Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:15 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/new-ps5-games-october-2026/ September was packed with new releases like Marvel's Wolverine and Control Resonant, and the wave of must-play new video games isn't slowing down anytime soon. Next month promises even more exciting new games ahead of the Zelda/GTA one-two punch in November.

Title: Ready Player One's New Adaptation is Truer to the Book than Spielberg's Movie Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:30:16 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/ready-player-one-graphic-novel-preview/ Ernest Cline’s 2011 novel Ready Player One was an enormous hit, engrossing readers with a dystopian adventure filled with nerdy ‘80s references. A prominent early example of the LitRPG boom, it’s set in a near future where humans spend most of their time in a virtual world called the OASIS. The simulation began as an MMORPG, and its brilliant creator, James Donovan Halliday, bequeathed control of the OASIS to whoever can find a set of keys to pass through various gates. The quest that requires an encyclopedic knowledge of Gen X music, movies, and games.

Title: Pokémon Pokopia Celebrates Its First Halloween with Themed Event Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:21:37 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-pokopia-halloween-event-announced/ With spooky season just around the corner, many video games have already announced their annual Halloween events, giving players a sneak peek at what's to come. Pokémon Pokopia is following this trend for its first Halloween. Players will be able to celebrate the spookiest festivity of the year in Pokopia with a themed event, which will run from Oct. 17 until Nov. 1.

Title: 2024's Funniest Movie Is Now Streaming on Dropout Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:17:28 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/dropout-hundreds-of-beavers-streaming-free/ Dropout has become a go-to streaming service for fans of weird, inventive comedy, with everything from Game Changer to Make Some Noise giving comedians room to get increasingly ridiculous. Now, the service has added a movie that fits right in with that sensibility — and you can watch it for free with a Dropout subscription.

Title: Cute Critters Come to the Cloud: ‘Aniimo’ Launches on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:00:55 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-aniimo/ A new creature-catching adventure is ready to stream from the cloud this week. Pawprint Studio’s Aniimo arrives on GeForce NOW at launch, inviting gamers to explore the vibrant continent of Idyll across supported devices. Also this week, 007 First Light receives a path-tracing update on GeForce NOW, alongside a smashing limited-time Deluxe Edition sale on Steam and Epic Games Store. Gaijin Network’s fractured-multiverse action game Active Matter and Annapurna Interactive’s acclaimed space mystery Outer Wilds are also among 11 new titles joining the cloud this week. Explore Idyll With the Cutest Companions The path to Idyll begins now. Aniimo is a free-to-play, open-world creature-catching role-playing game where every creature encountered can become a companion. Catch Aniimo with Aniipods, then Twine with them to take on their form and use unique skills to solve puzzles, win battles and overcome challenges. Glide, dive and burrow across Idyll, then return to a personal RV to build a warm, interactive Homeland alongside Aniimo companions. Stream Aniimo on a Steam Deck, in the newly supported Firefox browser and across any other supported devices — without waiting through its 45GB download or making room in local storage. There’s always room in the Homeland for one more Aniimo. Choose Your Path Licensed to render. In the critically acclaimed, multimillion-selling 007 First Light, follow James Bond as a young, resourceful and sometimes reckless recruit in MI6’s training program, and discover a reimagined origin story of the world’s most famous spy. Incorporating IO Interactive’s signature stealth gameplay with world-class Bond action, players can embark on missions in breathtaking locations around the globe, drive iconic vehicles and dive into a cinematic adventure in pursuit of a rogue agent who’s always one step ahead. Path tracing has now been added to 007 First Light, introducing extra-detailed lighting, shadows and reflections, making its levels and set pieces even more cinematic, immersive and realistic. And NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction ensures the fidelity, clarity and accuracy of these additions are at their absolute best. Ultimate members can stream with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance, with up to 5K high dynamic range and cinematic-quality streaming. DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution and Dynamic Frame Generation accelerate frame rates and enhance image quality. A limited-time opportunity awaits: the 007 First Light Deluxe Edition is on sale on Steam from Sept. 15-29 and on Epic Games Store from Sept. 3-18. The mission is on sale. The getaway car is in the cloud. Matter of Time Gaijin’s Active Matter, a realistic military shooter set in a fractured multiverse, has launched on GeForce NOW. As an operative stuck in a time loop, join dangerous raids for loot or intense player vs. player battles. Fight against rivals from other timelines, survive physics-breaking anomalies and try to stay alive. Harvest active matter, gather loot and extract to a safe place before the whole zone ceases to exist. Ultimate members can take on each raid with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud, delivering high frame rates, advanced graphics features and low latency across supported devices. The zone won’t wait — and neither does the next loop. Let’s Get Loopy Every loop holds another secret. Outer Wilds joins the GeForce NOW library this week. As the newest recruit of Outer Wilds Ventures, search for answers across a strange, ever-changing solar system trapped in an endless time loop. Gamers can trace mysterious signals, decipher alien writing and discover hidden locations before an underground city is swallowed by sand or a planet crumbles beneath their feet. There’s even more to stream this week: Active Matter (New release on Steam and Gaijin, Sept. 15) Aniimo (New release on Steam, Sept. 15) RuneScape: Dragonwilds (New release on Xbox, Sept. 15, available on Game Pass) Train Sim World 7 (New release on Steam, Sept. 15) The Guild 1 Remake: Europa 1410 (New release on Steam, Sept. 17) The Blood of Dawnwalker (GOG.com) Mixtape (Steam) Neon White (Steam) Outer Wilds (Steam) Stray (Steam) What Remains of Edith Finch (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. Ready to take this week’s new games for a spin? Start with a day pass to try premium cloud gaming before committing to a membership. Even better, the cost of the day pass can be applied toward a first monthly membership — making it easy to level up with GeForce RTX-powered cloud gaming. What’s on the playlist this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Boots on the Ground: ‘WARDOGS’ Goes All Out on GeForce NOW at Early-Access Launch Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:00:18 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-wardogs/ Gear up: The latest PC games and major updates are ready to play on GeForce NOW this week. WARDOGS drops onto the cloud at early-access launch, alongside the Valheim 1.0 Deep North update and Bus Simulator 27 — part of nine new titles joining the cloud. The newest PC releases can demand serious hardware, storage space and upgrade budgets. GeForce NOW puts GeForce RTX-powered performance in the cloud, so members can jump into the newest titles across supported devices without needing expensive PC upgrades to keep up. From a 100-player tactical firefight to a frozen Viking frontier and a growing bus empire, every adventure is ready when members are — no downloads or storage management required. Who Let the ‘WARDOGS’ Out?   Take on the Control Zone: WARDOGS launches on GeForce NOW today, bringing BULKHEAD’s large-scale tactical first-person shooter to the cloud at early-access launch. Up to 100 players across three teams battle to control randomized zones in a large-scale military sandbox, where tactical gunplay, combined-arms combat, building and destruction can change the course of a match. There’s no single route to victory. Outfit a loadout, coordinate a squad, fortify a strategic position or take the fight to the enemy in vehicles. Every team play action earns cash, giving players more ways to invest in gear and vehicles that can turn the tide. Ultimate members can stream the fight with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud for a tactical advantage. Pick up the battle across supported devices without waiting on a huge game install or clearing local storage first. Ice, Ice in the Deep North, Baby Sharpen the axes and raise the shields – Valheim has left early access with its 1.0 update, letting members stream the final biome in Iron Gate’s Viking survival saga through Steam and Xbox Store.  Set sail for the Deep North, a frozen frontier filled with new enemies to face, weapons to craft and strongholds to build before the cold closes in. The 1.0 launch also arrives alongside new platform versions with full crossplay support, making it easier to rally the clan. Whether returning to a long-running world on a PC or Mac or beginning a fresh voyage on a Steam Deck or Amazon Fire TV Stick, members can head to the Deep North across supported devices without waiting for downloads. The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round in the Cloud The route to the top starts here. Hop into the driver’s seat. Bus Simulator 27 is now streaming from GeForce NOW.  Drive a fleet of more than 45 officially licensed buses from 13 manufacturers through Felicia Bay, a sunny region with two cities, 20 districts and a full day-and-night cycle. Build routes, manage timetables and grow a successful bus company in Story, Career or Sandbox mode. And there’s even more to stream from the GeForce NOW library this week: Bus Simulator 27 (New release on Steam, Sept. 8) Halloween: The Game (New release on Steam, Sept. 8) Honeycomb: The World Beyond (New release on Steam, Sept. 8) Wanderburg (New release on Steam, Sept. 8) Shroom and Gloom (New release on Steam, Sept. 10) Train Sim World 7 – Advanced Access (New release on Steam, Sept. 10) WARDOGS (New release on Steam, Sept. 10) Welcome to Elderfield (New release on Steam, Sept. 10) Death Stranding Director’s Cut (Epic Games Store) 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. One GFN community member recently returned after six years, saying NVIDIA DLSS 5 technology renewed their interest in GeForce NOW cloud gaming. Ready to try it out, too? Start with a day pass to test premium cloud gaming before committing to a membership. For those who decide to keep playing, the cost can be applied toward their first monthly membership. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: ‘NBA 2K27’ With NVIDIA DLSS 5 Leads 28 New Games Coming to GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:00:35 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-september-2026-games-list/ September is here with 28 more games streaming on GeForce NOW this month, led by a slam dunk: NBA 2K27 with the NVIDIA DLSS 5 3D-Guided Neural Rendering feature. Through NVIDIA’s close collaboration with Visual Concepts and 2K, DLSS 5 brings a new level of lifelike lighting and material detail to the court — tuned by developers to support the game’s authentic broadcast-style presentation. Members can also walk the line between human and vampire in Rebel Wolves’ The Blood of Dawnwalker and step into genma-haunted Kyoto in Capcom’s Onimusha: Way of the Sword — part of the 10 games joining the GeForce NOW library this week. Take the Court With DLSS 5 Showcase your moves. NVIDIA, Visual Concepts and 2K have brought DLSS 5 3D-Guided Neural Rendering to NBA 2K27, delivering a new level of sports realism for players streaming from the cloud at launch.  DLSS 5 enhances and tunes lighting and materials to make the action feel even more lifelike — from how light catches hair and skin to the detail preserved in the facial geometry of real-world athletes — achieving new levels of authenticity.  GeForce NOW Ultimate members in NVIDIA-operated regions can stream NBA 2K27 across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more. DLSS 5 is available when streaming from a GeForce RTX 5080-powered rig in the cloud. Tip off without waiting for downloads or managing storage, and experience NBA 2K27 from the cloud with the visual fidelity of DLSS 5. Walk the Line Between Day and Night Human by day. Vampire by night. Rebel Wolves’ newly launched The Blood of Dawnwalker is streaming from GeForce NOW. The open-world, dark-fantasy action role-playing game transports players to 14th-century Europe, where war, plague and rising vampire powers have reshaped history. Play as Coen, a young Dawnwalker fighting to save his family while caught between his humanity and cursed vampiric strength. His abilities — and the choices available to him — change between day and night, shaping how players explore, fight and uncover the secrets of the world around them. Sink teeth into the fresh adventure from nearly any supported device, with Ultimate members tapping into GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud. Skip the installs and let GeForce NOW handle the heavy lifting, leaving more time to take a bite out of everything Coen’s new world has to offer. Skip the Downloads and Sharpen the Sword Pick up the Oni Gauntlet. Capcom’s Onimusha: Way of the Sword arrives on GeForce NOW at launch, giving members a way to jump straight into the series’ return instantly from the cloud. Fight across a twisted vision of Edo-period Kyoto as a lone samurai wielding the mystical Oni Gauntlet. Master precise swordplay, unleash powerful abilities and absorb the souls of fallen enemies while battling relentless Genma beneath mysterious clouds of Malice. Ultimate members can stream every clash with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs, the newly supported Firefox browser and more. Cut to the chase by skipping any downloads and storage management and step into battle. In addition, members can look for the following titles streaming this week: Breathedge 2 (New release on Steam, Aug. 31) Serious Sam: Shatterverse (New release on Steam, Aug. 31) Crimson Moon (New release on Steam, Sept. 1) The Blood of Dawnwalker (New release on Steam, Sept. 2) NBA 2K27 (New release on Steam, Sept. 3) SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, Sept. 3) Onimusha: Way of the Sword (New release on Steam, Sept. 4) How to Fish (Steam) Shelves and Sorcery: Tidy Up the Enchanted Shop (Steam) VHOLUME (Steam) And look forward to the games coming throughout the month: Bus Simulator 27 (New release on Steam, Sept. 8) Halloween: The Game (New release on Steam, Sept. 8) Honeycomb: The World Beyond (New release on Steam, Sept. 8) Wanderburg (New release on Steam, Sept. 8) Shroom and Gloom (New release on Steam, Sept. 10) WARDOGS (New release on Steam, Sept. 10) Welcome to Elderfield (New release on Steam, Sept. 10) Active Matter (New release on Steam, Sept. 15) Aniimo (New release on Steam, Sept. 15) Train Sim World 7 (New release on Steam, Sept. 15) The Guild 1 Remake: Europa 1410 (New release on Steam, Sept. 17) CONTROL Resonant (New release on Steam, Sept. 24) Nivalis Nights (New release on Steam, Sept. 29) Mixtape (Steam)  Neon White (Steam)  Outer Wilds (Steam)  Stray (Steam) What Remains of Edith Finch (Steam) All the Extras From August In addition to the 26 games announced last month, 18 more joined the GeForce NOW library.  Cat Mail Co. (Steam) Monster Hunter Wilds Prologue Demo (Steam) Stars Reach (Steam) DIVE or DIE – Children of Rain (Steam) Escape the Backroom (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Hell Is Us (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Parcel Simulator (Steam) The Thaumaturge (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered (Epic Games Store) STAR WARS Zero Company (EA app and Steam) Baldur’s Gate 3 (GOG) Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (GOG) Cold Fear (GOG) IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator (Steam) Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (GOG) Mount & Blade: Bannerlord II (GOG) No Man’s Sky (GOG) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (GOG) 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. New to GeForce NOW? 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 are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: GeForce NOW Gives Gamers More Ways to Play at Gamescom 2026 Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:00:33 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-gamescom-2026/ NVIDIA’s Gamescom announcements are revealing what’s next for GeForce NOW, with new ways to play, more supported devices and platforms, and even more big PC games headed to the cloud. New NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 technology controls give members more ways to fine-tune gameplay, while expanded support for new Steam devices, GOG single sign-on, Firefox browser support and more Amazon Fire TV devices continue broadening where and how GeForce RTX-powered PC gaming can be enjoyed. Gamescom is also bringing a blockbuster lineup of PC games to GeForce NOW. CONTROL Resonant, Gears of War: E-Day, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, The Blood of Dawnwalker and STAR WARS Zero Company are all coming to the cloud at launch.  For a limited time, members can also get CONTROL Resonant with the purchase of a 12-month GeForce NOW Ultimate membership. The Gamescom extras don’t stop there. To celebrate, GeForce NOW is giving away more than 40 prizes in our Community Giveaway — including gaming hardware and GeForce NOW Ultimate memberships. There’s even more fun to come. Check out the list of 13 games joining the GeForce NOW library this week. Next-Level Cloud Gaming More ways to choose how to play. This fall, GeForce NOW is introducing new NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 controls in the cloud, giving Ultimate members more choice over how supported games look and perform, even without the latest hardware. Powered by NVIDIA RTX graphics, each control offers something different: DLSS Super Resolution sharpens image quality, while Dynamic Frame Generation delivers lower latency and stutter for smoother streaming, and Ray Reconstruction enhances ray-traced visuals. Together, these technologies make it easier to tune supported games for image quality, responsiveness or a preferred balance between the two.  Stay tuned to GFN Thursdays for details about best practices for enabling DLSS 4.5 overrides and how Dynamic Frame Generation can help Ultimate members enable more graphic settings while still getting smooth streaming. Stream full steam ahead with the Steam ecosystem. GeForce NOW is also adding community-requested support for Steam Machine with Steam Controller later this fall, and later for Windows and macOS, delivering more ways to play and making it even easier for longtime Steam players to jump into the cloud using familiar hardware. The additions build on existing Steam Deck support and expand compatibility across the Steam ecosystem. Get your GOG on with one click into the library. Launching GOG games just got even easier. With GOG single sign-on now available on GeForce NOW, members can securely link their account once, automatically sync supported games and launch them without having to sign in to GOG again — all with a single click. With fewer steps between opening the app, skipping any downloads and jumping into gameplay, it’s another way GeForce NOW continues streamlining access to PC gaming libraries, making it easier to play the GOG library of games on TV platforms since gamers are automatically logged into their GOG accounts. Find popular titles, like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, in the app in the dedicated GOG row. Or search and filter for GOG games, then jump into supported titles from almost anywhere — all streamed from the cloud. Check back on GFN Thursdays for the latest games joining the GeForce NOW library, including newly supported games streaming from GOG. Outfox nearly any device with GeForce RTX gaming. Plus, GeForce NOW is now officially supported on Firefox, expanding browser access across all major Windows browsers. Members can jump into supported PC games directly from Firefox without downloading a dedicated app. Ultimate members can enjoy GeForce RTX-powered gaming at up to 1440p and 120 frames per second. Simply download the latest version of Firefox and visit play.geforcenow.com to get started. The cloud handles downloads, installs and updates, keeping local storage free while games stay ready to play in the cloud.  Bring the fire to living rooms with GeForce NOW. GeForce NOW is expanding support to additional Amazon Fire TV devices. GeForce NOW first launched on Fire TV devices earlier this year, and will soon expand to the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, a 4K streaming stick that’s ready to game right out of the box. Streaming from the cloud means supported PC games are ready to play using a compatible controller, making it easy to enjoy GeForce NOW on the biggest screen in the house with even more options to play from the comfort of the couch.  And that’s not all the awesomeness from Amazon. Later this year, Fire TV users will be able to purchase GeForce NOW memberships directly through Amazon, creating a more seamless path from device setup to gameplay. These new features will arrive alongside some of the biggest games coming to the cloud throughout the year. Get Ready for Launch Five newly announced and highly anticipated games are coming to GeForce NOW at launch: CONTROL Resonant, Gears of War: E-Day, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, The Blood of Dawnwalker and STAR WARS Zero Company.  Better yet, members can lock in one of them early: For a limited time, purchase a 12-month GeForce NOW Ultimate membership and receive CONTROL Resonant at launch at no additional cost, and be first to experience Faden’s next chapter. The offer is available Tuesday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27. Ultimate members can stream the full lineup with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud, including NVIDIA DLSS 4, ray tracing, NVIDIA Reflex and Cinematic Quality Streaming technologies, with up to 5K high dynamic range on supported devices.  Whether diving into new worlds or returning to iconic franchises, GeForce NOW lets members skip expensive hardware upgrades, massive installs and storage management so they can jump straight into the action the moment each game launches. Here’s a closer look at what’s coming: Contain the chaos. Explore a warped Manhattan on the brink of paranatural annihilation in Remedy’s CONTROL Resonant. Harness Dylan Faden’s 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. Emergence begins. Experience the horror and brutality of Emergence Day in the Coalition’s Gears of War: E-Day. Fourteen years before the original Gears of War, join Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in a gripping origin-story campaign as the Locust Horde first erupt from below, igniting a desperate fight for survival. Rally squads and fight on in multiplayer with a reimagination of Gears’ iconic PvE mode, Horde Siege, or go head to head with a refined versus PvP. Pick up the Oni Gauntlet. Fight across a twisted vision of Edo-period Kyoto in Capcom’s Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Wield the mystical Oni Gauntlet, master intense swordplay and battle relentless demonic Genma beneath mysterious clouds of Malice. Walk the line between day and night. Step into 14th-century Europe in Bandai Namco’s The Blood of Dawnwalker, where war, plague and rising vampire powers have reshaped history. Play as Coen, a young Dawnwalker torn between humanity and cursed strength, and shape his path while fighting to save his family. Command the galaxy’s finest. Lead an elite squad behind enemy lines in STAR WARS Zero Company, a single-player turn-based game set during the twilight of the Clone Wars. Command former Republic officer Hawks and Zero Company through tactical battles and high-stakes missions where strategy, squad composition and player choices shape the fate of the galaxy. More Ways to Win Gaming gear and Ultimate memberships are up for grabs. GeForce NOW is marking Gamescom with a community giveaway featuring more than 40 prizes. Gamers will have a chance to score a MacBook Neo, Steam Deck or Chromebook — each paired with a one-year GeForce NOW Ultimate membership — along with Amazon Fire TV Sticks and GeForce NOW Ultimate memberships ranging from one month to one year. Head over to the GeForce NOW community on Reddit for all the giveaway details and how to enter. The Hunt Is On Squad up and fight for survival in Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, streaming on GeForce NOW this week at launch. Assemble a four-player fireteam of Colonial Marines and battle through swarms of Xenomorphs, deadly new threats and increasingly desperate encounters. With deeper squad mechanics, new and improved classes, smarter enemies and expanded customization, every mission puts teamwork — and nerves — to the test. Members can also look for the following games joining the cloud this week: Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 (New release on Steam, Aug. 25) Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy (New release on Steam and Xbox, Aug. 27, available on Game Pass) STAR WARS Zero Company (New release on EA app and Steam, Aug. 27) Baldur’s Gate 3 (GOG) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 – Open Beta Weekend (Battle.net, Steam and Xbox available from Aug. 28 10am PDT  to Sep. 1 at 10am PDT. For more information please visit the Call of Duty website). Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (GOG) Cold Fear (GOG) IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator (Steam) Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (GOG) Mount & Blade: Bannerlord II (GOG) No Man’s Sky (GOG) Paradise Killer (Steam) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (GOG) 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. To experience GeForce NOW, gamers can start with a GeForce NOW day pass and try premium cloud gaming before committing to a membership. Better yet, the cost of a day pass can be applied toward a first membership purchase, making it even easier to level up when ready. Check back every GFN Thursday for new games, new features and even more ways to play on GeForce NOW. Which Gamescom announcement has you most excited? Let us know on X or in the comments below.  The future of PC gaming is on display with GeForce NOW. DLSS 4.5 controlsExpanded device support Upcoming AAA games More ways to play Community giveaway Firefox browser support… and more! #gamescom Details https://t.co/Rz6RnX0Pt4 pic.twitter.com/sShKRhzrD3 — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) August 25, 2026

Title: Leading Publishers Bring Blockbuster PC Games and Technology to NVIDIA RTX Spark Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:30:48 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/gamescom-rtx-spark-pc-games-technology/ NVIDIA is bringing the next wave of RTX gaming to the Gamescom conference running this week in Cologne, Germany, with support for new games, anti-cheat technologies and increased visual quality.  Electronic Arts, Embark and Ubisoft are among the latest game publishers and developers bringing their blockbuster titles to NVIDIA RTX Spark ahead of its launch this fall. They join the publishers that announced RTX Spark support at COMPUTEX in May, including KRAFTON, NetEase, Riot Games and XBOX.  NVIDIA is working closely with game developers and ecosystem partners to ensure today’s top PC games — including EA’s EA SPORTS F1 25 and Apex Legends, Ubisoft’s Anno 117: Pax Romana and Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders and THE FINALS — run seamlessly on RTX Spark devices. “We’re excited to bring Anno 117: Pax Romana to a new generation of RTX-powered PCs,” said Stéphane Jankowski, Ubisoft executive producer of Anno 117 : Pax Romana. “Our teams build the game to be seen wide: full districts, long sightlines, thousands of details at once. Seeing RTX Spark hold that level of fidelity from a single chip is genuinely impressive.” RTX Spark reinvents personal computing, bringing personal AI agents, advanced content creation and high-performance gaming together in a platform engineered from the ground up for the next wave of Windows PCs. For gamers, RTX Spark combines Windows devices with NVIDIA RTX technologies, including DLSS and Reflex.  Bringing Anti-Cheat to RTX Spark Supporting modern PC gaming goes beyond running the game itself. Many of today’s biggest online games rely on sophisticated anti-cheat technologies, to enable fair play across the multiple platforms these games run on.   NVIDIA has been working with EA to bring native EA Javelin Anticheat support to RTX Spark, including for EA’s biggest multiplayer games, such as EA SPORTS F1 25. RTX Spark launches this fall.  RTX Delivers Next-Generation Gaming RTX Spark is just one part of NVIDIA’s lineup of gaming announcements at Gamescom, including: DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction is available now, featuring NVIDIA’s latest second-generation transformer model to deliver even higher image quality in ray- and path-traced content. It replaces traditional denoisers with an NVIDIA supercomputer-trained AI network to reconstruct higher-quality pixels in the parts of a ray-traced frame where rays were not sampled. Path tracing comes to CONTROL Resonant and 007 First Light to deliver new levels of visual fidelity.  NVIDIA ACE technologies are coming to Aniimo in early 2027, letting players naturally interact with their creatures. Gears of War: E-Day includes RTX Mega Geometry integration, advancing image quality on GeForce RTX GPUs, alongside ray tracing and DLSS 4.5. RTX Remix keeps remastering PC classics, with a major Painkiller RTX mod update available now and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind RTX coming soon. GeForce NOW gives members more ways to play with new DLSS 4.5 controls, expanded support for Steam Machine and other devices and platforms, plus blockbuster PC games including CONTROL Resonant, Gears of War: E-Day and more coming to the cloud at launch. Find more on NVIDIA’s announcements at Gamescom in this GeForce article. 

Title: How Control Resonant’s art design and tech shaped its bosses, paranaturally-twisted Manhattan and more Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/09/29/how-control-resonants-art-design-and-tech-shaped-its-bosses-paranaturally-twisted-manhattan-and-more/ With its gravity-defying set pieces, memorable boss fights, and decidedly different take on Manhattan, Control Resonant, released last week, is staking its claim to be one of 2026’s big hitters on PlayStation 5. I had the chance to talk to Lead Level Designer Anne-Marie Grönroos, Art Director Elmeri Raitanen, and Lead Gameplay Designer Sergey Mohov to dig into the inspiration behind the striking art direction and design of the sequel’s characters and environments. Designing Dylan Games featuring super-heroic protagonists are all about fulfilling the ‘power fantasy’ of transporting us away from our day-to-day lives. But this is the world of Control. And sure, Dylan lets us rise – quite literally – above the norm, but there’s a reason why Remedy often illustrates his very human clumsiness. “There is a deliberate groundedness in how Dylan moves and fights,” explains Elmeri. “We wanted to show that everything has a cost.” “When he uses Reach, he’s just kind of swept off his feet” – Sergey Sergey expanded: “Dylan’s animations demonstrate that everything he does is difficult. It takes effort to use the Elevate ability, and shifting gravity is disorienting to him.” So while we don’t know what it’s like to run at super speed or levitate, we do know what it’s like to stumble or fall over, and when Dylan does this, we empathise and connect with him. “That’s a big part of one of the themes of the game,” says Sergey. “Somebody can be really powerful, but at the same time yearning for human connection and trying to learn how to interact with others.” Mapping out ‘Strange York’ Similar to how Dylan’s animations and design affects how the player feels controlling him, Dylan’s actions topple, break, and buckle the expansive world around him for a reason. “In Control, dynamic destruction and reactive environments played a huge part of the second-to-second gameplay loop, making combat feel visceral and rewarding,” explains Elmeri. “In Resonant we wanted to retain that even on a larger stage, so when you slam the ground or create a shockwave, leaves kick up from the street, fire hydrants start spraying water, and trashcans spew litter.” With the larger environment to play in, Remedy had the challenge of matching the expectations set by Control’s confined, Brutalist inspired design with the openness of a brutalised Manhattan, offering a contrast between familiarity and freedom. “A new paranatural threat in the Patterning gave us the opportunity for unexpected and crazy visuals,” says Elmeri. “The Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), at face value, looks like a believable office space. Then when something otherworldly happens, it feels impactful because we had first established a baseline for the story.” “The more mundane areas can also act as a palate cleanser,” says Anne-Marie. “They keep the more paranatural areas surprising. It’s also why we placed the most normal zone, The Central, in the middle of the game world where it creates a baseline of the normal New York. Familiarity with the real-world environments creates contrast, and makes the paranatural stand out even more.” “It was also a challenge to use a real world location,” explains Sergey. “For example, in the real New York the last phone booth was removed around 2022. But we have them in the Remedy universe New York. It’s not meant to be a one to one representation of real life. It is what we call ‘Strange York’, an iconic movie-like retro version.” When it came to other items placed in ‘Strange York’, Remedy followed a particular design ethos. “Most concepts for objects around the environment started with an intended gameplay purpose and an idea of what that object is used for diegetically,” says Anne-Marie. “Or it could also be used to draw the player’s attention, like the FBC satellite dishes around many of the Fast Travel doors, or the deflated FBC balloons near the map towers – in which case it can be up to the concept artist to come up with a reasonable in-world function and backstory. The gameplay function can also evolve based on the concept, and sometimes things need to be added to the concept to address player feedback.” Designing the Gap One of the greatest contrasts comes from The Gap, a stark, grey and otherworldly representation of Dylan’s psyche. “There was a lot of exploration about how to convey the Gap,” says Sergey. “We took inspiration from film and iconic locations, even something like The Truman Show where Truman reaches the end of the world and there’s just a door in the sky. Dylan has spent all this time in a concrete building, locked up and experimented on, and that’s what is most familiar to him. Which is why the Gap visually represents that.” The Gap is the raw, honest concrete Dylan has felt under his bare feet during captivity.” – Elmeri Diving into the Sinkhole Another striking visual part of Control Resonant comes from its Sinkhole mission, where Dylan fights enemies across floors, walls, and ceilings in a gravity warped apartment building. “It started as a prototype to test how it would feel underneath the city through increasingly strange, twisted environments,” says Anne-Marie. “Deep sea exploration and cave diving were some of the inspirations, along with different underground themes, like subway tunnels. Some of those ideas ended up being used in The Subway Fault instead. “We hadn’t yet nailed down the rules of the gravity shifting back then, and didn’t know how big of a part that would play later, but when we set the rule that everything that looks like a walkable surface should be a walkable surface, gravity shifting completely changed how certain areas were played.” “It was quite disorienting to work on,” reveals Sergey. “But it allowed us to focus the player on what was in front of them and create some really cool combat encounters and traversal challenges.” The origin of the Resonants When it came to boss fights, Remedy intended them to be ‘skill checks’ for the player – but their overall creation was a complex alchemy of development talent. “We asked the full team to send their ideas for bosses to us,” reveals Sergey. “We then picked what would best fit the specific kind of player experience that we wanted from a specific boss, and developed it further. “The Deserter boss is in a transformed factory environment specifically built to house it.” – Sergey “We then built the prototype for each, and assessed the size and shape of the space that this creature needed to be in. Then we would describe its behavior in a technical specification document. The iterated version would go to the concept artists who would work with the writers to figure out the visuals and space; how they fit the environment, the theme of the zone, and their identity.” “Each Resonant boss was built on a theme, like controlling people inspired by mycelium or a hive mind,” says Elmeri. “We wanted to evoke awe in the player and create a sense of the majestic or divine. So we referenced a lot of medieval iconography and church architecture.” Harnessing the power of PS5 “From the very beginning of development we wanted to evolve the game to be more player-driven in terms of exploration, progression, and narrative,” explains Sergey. “It definitely helps to have a powerful system because even though people loved the relatively confined spaces of Control, we wanted to open it up. “We wanted bigger draw distances, more physics objects, and more enemies on screen. It’s definitely Remedy’s biggest game – I think one zone in Resonance is larger than any of the other zones in our previous games.” The opportunities afforded by PS5 also extended to Control Resonant’s extensive use of the DualSense Controller’s features, such as listening to radio calls via its built-in speaker, and getting feedback from specific abilities on the Adaptive Triggers. “Getting that feeling of resistance and an extra click contributes a great deal to making the abilities feel more powerful,” explains Sergey. “And that’s important in things like combat, so you don’t have to look at Dylan’s interface; you can just feel your way through instead.” Want to see all of this hard work in its final form, and experience it for yourself? Control Resonant is available now on PS5.

Title: (For SEA) God of War Laufey pre-orders available starting September 29, editions detailed Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:05:06 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/09/28/20260929-gow/ God of War Laufey is coming to PlayStation 5 consoles on February 16, 2027. We’re excited to announce that pre-orders are now live on PlayStation Store and at all participating retailers. To get you ready, we’re breaking down what comes with the God of War Laufey pre-order bonus and Digital Deluxe Edition. After that, we’ve got some brand-new screenshots and footage of Faye’s combat to round us out! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image God of War Laufey – Pre-order bonus**  When you purchase your copy of God of War Laufey before launch you will receive: Last Wish Armor Set* Phranque Golden Leaves Appearance* (cosmetic)  In-game resource pack View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image God of War Laufey – Digital Deluxe Edition  The God of War Laufey Digital Deluxe Edition contains:  Dark Alchemy Armor Set*  Dark Alchemy Blade*  Dark Alchemy Bow Scales* Dark Alchemy Catalyst* In-Game Resource Pack Digital Mini Artbook  Official God of War Laufey Digital Soundtrack View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Introducing Faye’s Serpent Bow An enchanted bow with the shifting form of a serpent, Faye’s new weapon in the Everywhen can go from dormant to notched at lightning speed, allowing her to weave deadly arrow strikes alongside her other attacks. Much like the deadly bite of its namesake, the Serpent Bow will tear through Faye’s enemies in both close-quarters and ranged combat.  Precision mode: Full-aim  By fully pressing down the aim trigger, Faye will have more precise aim and increased draw distance. By striking at certain points on an enemy’s body, Faye can impair their movement or ability to strike, giving her the perfect opening to follow-up with a melee hit.  While in this aim mode, Faye can charge up the bow and stack up to five arrows for a powerful volley – perfect for taking advantage of Phranque’s ability to launch enemies up into the sky. Hip-fire mode: Half-aim  With a half press of the aim trigger, Faye will enter a more mobile hip-fire stance. In this aim mode, she can unleash a cluster of arrows for devastating damage to enemies at close range. The Serpent Bow’s quick-fire style allows Faye to juggle airborne enemies and extend combos as she seamlessly swaps between weapons and abilities.  Select your shots  Alongside the two fire modes, Faye can utilize a variety of arrow types that deepen your preferred playstyle. Rapid fire, explosive detonations, multi-target – Faye’s bow is a versatile weapon that can create and capitalize on openings.  Serpent Scales  Shed one form and embrace another – the Serpent Bow can be equipped with different types of Scales that will change both the look of the weapon, as well as the type of playstyle it specializes in via a unique perk (such as the Dark Alchemy Bow Scales from the Digital Deluxe Edition).  In addition to the equipped Scales, the Serpent Bow also has unlockable skills which allow Faye to expand its capabilities even further.  Expressive power Faye is an expert warrior with the ability to harness a range of skills to command the flow of the battle. Her armor options will allow you to choose between a range of gameplay perks, stats, and unique looks. You can also customize her other gear to further enhance different playstyles: Blade: Customizable element of Faye’s sword   Scales: Customizable element of Faye’s Serpent Bow      Catalyst: Powerful artifacts capable of channeling the potent magic of the Everywhen, Faye will be able to choose from a variety of Catalysts with different effects  A glimpse of the Everywhen On behalf of everyone at Santa Monica Studio, thank you so much for all the interest and support shown for the game since our reveal in June.  We’ll be back before you know it with more news for God of War Laufey, but to tide you over in the meantime we’ll leave you with a few more peeks at what the afterlife of the gods has in store for you at launch on February 16, 2027.  View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image *Unlock in-game items via story progression. **Available via download code for physical Standard Edition. Internet connection and account for PlayStation required.

Title: Suri: The Seventh Note launches Oct 30 on PS5 Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:06:18 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/09/28/suri-the-seventh-note-launches-oct-30-on-ps5/ After four years of development, we’re ecstatic to reveal that our debut game, Suri: The Seventh Note will finally be available from October 30, 2026 on PS5. Every environment, character, and animation has been meticulously illustrated to create a distinctive visual identity. The island itself draws inspiration from the rich artistic and architectural traditions of India, blending influences from Rajput forts, Theyyam Culture, Himalayan monasteries, and diverse regional cultures into a vibrant fantasy world that feels both familiar and original. Play Video Whether you’re chasing perfect runs, uncovering hidden paths, mastering every movement ability, or simply taking in the world around you, Suri brings together gameplay, music, and culture in a world built to be explored. While this would be obvious to some from the onset, there’s just as much thought (if not more) that’s gone into Suri’s music. Stay awhile and listen (to master) Instrumental in our journey was to make music not just something you heard, but something you mastered.  Eighty percent of the music you hear in the game has been recorded with original analogue instruments rather than something synthesised electronically. This is because we wanted to preserve the texture of the music. Through our trailers you’ll notice a layered medley of instruments in-line with what you’d expect from various regions of India. Indian music inspirations So when the player arrives in the southern part of the island of Suri, we’d use a veena instead of a sitar, for instance. And then when we go to the desert portions of the game, we look to Rajasthan and its musical traditions. Along with an intense focus on audio variety came an interesting constraint to solve. How do we adapt musical variety to the speed at which human thumbs can move on a controller?  This ended up being the craziest and most important concern that we had. And it was quite challenging too because we have to work around certain restrictions. For example, there needs to be a minimum time window for the player actions to happen. 480 milliseconds to slay the beat After a lot of trial and error, we found the sweet spot: for us, it’s around 480 milliseconds, so we need to maintain a gap of 480 milliseconds between the main beats of the game. When making a game like this, a major restriction is that we can’t follow any one pure genre in particular because it won’t always work with the gameplay. So we have to create a hybrid of genres and styles.  Why the world of Suri revolves around 480 milliseconds We chose 480 milliseconds between the main consecutive beats to create enough space for the player’s input response while still maintaining the game’s momentum. This timing allows us to accommodate the fail window around the player’s response without making the interaction feel slow or disconnected. A longer window could disrupt the spacing, rhythm, and overall mood of the experience, making the game feel less responsive. On the other hand, a shorter window may make the fail state too subtle or quick for the player to consciously or subconsciously recognize that they have fallen off rhythm. The 480 ms interval therefore provides a balance between responsiveness, rhythmic clarity, and gameplay momentum. Inventing our own music genre Take for example the Indian aesthetics; we can’t have very authentic Indian music in the game because of the sort of rhythms and timing required, but we can utilise it with the cutscenes and narration drawings. The music is very bouncy and not aggressive in nature. And also, we’ve decluttered a lot of the sounds and brought the essential and functional beats up top. Essentially we’ve taken a hip-hop-like structure and laid Indian textures (Indian percussion instruments) over it.  Pre-order now Suri: The Seventh Note launches on October 30, 2026, and you can pre-order the game now on PlayStation 5. Whether you want to experience Ajira’s journey with the base game or go all-in with exclusive content and early access, there are two editions to choose from. Standard Edition The Standard Edition includes: Suri: The Seventh Note — Base Game 20% pre-order discount (with PlayStation Plus membership) Digital Deluxe Edition The Digital Deluxe Edition includes: Suri: The Seventh Note — Base Game Exclusive Chandini Skin DLC 20% pre-order discount (with PlayStation Plus membership) 3 day early access to the full game Exclusive to the Digital Deluxe Edition The Chandini Skin and DLC will not be available for separate purchase. They can only be obtained as part of the Digital Deluxe Edition. If you decide to purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition after launch, you’ll still receive both the Exclusive Chandini Skin and DLC. Choose your edition, get ready to feel every beat, and be there when Ajira’s journey begins. Built with the PlayStation India Hero Project Suri: The Seventh Note is proud to be part of the PlayStation India Hero Project. Growing up, PlayStation games inspired us to dream bigger as developers. To now bring our own game to the platform is something we’re incredibly proud of. Working closely with the PlayStation team has helped us bring our vision to life, particularly while developing our Rhythm Haptics Engine and ensuring that Suri feels right at home on PS5. Their support throughout development has been invaluable, and we’re incredibly excited to finally share what we’ve been building with players around the world. The rhythm Is coming For years, we’ve been building the island of Suri. We’ve created its world, its music, its movement, and its rhythm. We’ve watched Ajira’s journey take shape from an idea into a game we can finally share with you. Now, we’re counting down to the moment you can experience it for yourself. Suri: The Seventh Note launches on PlayStation 5 on October 30, 2026. Choose your edition, get ready to feel every beat, and be there when Ajira’s journey begins. Pre-orders are live today.

Title: God of War Laufey pre-orders available starting September 29, editions detailed Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:14 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/09/28/god-of-war-laufey-pre-orders-available-starting-september-29-editions-detailed/ God of War Laufey is coming to PlayStation 5 consoles on February 16, 2027. We’re excited to announce that tomorrow, September 29 at 10:00am local time pre-orders officially go live. To get you ready, we’re breaking down what comes with the God of War Laufey pre-order bonus and Digital Deluxe Edition. After that, we’ve got some brand-new screenshots and footage of Faye’s combat to round us out! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image God of War Laufey – Pre-order bonus**  When you purchase your copy of God of War Laufey before launch you will receive: Last Wish Armor Set* Phranque Golden Leaves Appearance* (cosmetic)  In-game resource pack View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image God of War Laufey – Digital Deluxe Edition  The God of War Laufey Digital Deluxe Edition contains:  Dark Alchemy Armor Set*  Dark Alchemy Blade*  Dark Alchemy Bow Scales* Dark Alchemy Catalyst* In-Game Resource Pack Digital Mini Artbook  Official God of War Laufey Digital Soundtrack View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Introducing Faye’s Serpent Bow An enchanted bow with the shifting form of a serpent, Faye’s new weapon in the Everywhen can go from dormant to notched at lightning speed, allowing her to weave deadly arrow strikes alongside her other attacks. Much like the deadly bite of its namesake, the Serpent Bow will tear through Faye’s enemies in both close-quarters and ranged combat.  Precision mode: Full-aim  By fully pressing down the aim trigger, Faye will have more precise aim and increased draw distance. By striking at certain points on an enemy’s body, Faye can impair their movement or ability to strike, giving her the perfect opening to follow-up with a melee hit.  While in this aim mode, Faye can charge up the bow and stack up to five arrows for a powerful volley – perfect for taking advantage of Phranque’s ability to launch enemies up into the sky. Hip-fire mode: Half-aim  With a half press of the aim trigger, Faye will enter a more mobile hip-fire stance. In this aim mode, she can unleash a cluster of arrows for devastating damage to enemies at close range. The Serpent Bow’s quick-fire style allows Faye to juggle airborne enemies and extend combos as she seamlessly swaps between weapons and abilities.  Select your shots  Alongside the two fire modes, Faye can utilize a variety of arrow types that deepen your preferred playstyle. Rapid fire, explosive detonations, multi-target – Faye’s bow is a versatile weapon that can create and capitalize on openings.  Serpent Scales  Shed one form and embrace another – the Serpent Bow can be equipped with different types of Scales that will change both the look of the weapon, as well as the type of playstyle it specializes in via a unique perk (such as the Dark Alchemy Bow Scales from the Digital Deluxe Edition).  In addition to the equipped Scales, the Serpent Bow also has unlockable skills which allow Faye to expand its capabilities even further.  Expressive power Faye is an expert warrior with the ability to harness a range of skills to command the flow of the battle. Her armor options will allow you to choose between a range of gameplay perks, stats, and unique looks. You can also customize her other gear to further enhance different playstyles: Blade: Customizable element of Faye’s sword   Scales: Customizable element of Faye’s Serpent Bow      Catalyst: Powerful artifacts capable of channeling the potent magic of the Everywhen, Faye will be able to choose from a variety of Catalysts with different effects  A glimpse of the Everywhen On behalf of everyone at Santa Monica Studio, thank you so much for all the interest and support shown for the game since our reveal in June.  We’ll be back before you know it with more news for God of War Laufey, but to tide you over in the meantime we’ll leave you with a few more peeks at what the afterlife of the gods has in store for you at launch on February 16, 2027.  View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image *Unlock in-game items via story progression. **Available via download code for physical Standard Edition. Internet connection and account for PlayStation required.

Title: Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 548: September Selects Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:20:35 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/09/25/official-playstation-podcast-episode-548-september-selects/ Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, everybody! We’re back this week to talk through September’s big releases and other recent titles we’re still playing. Stuff We Talked About Next week’s release highlights: Minecraft Dungeons II | PS5  Toem 2 | PS5  Way of the Hunter 2  | PS5  End of Abyss  | PS5  Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remastered | PS5 Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition | PS5  Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve | PS5 Silent Hill: Townfall hands-on  — Discover how the new claustrophobic perspective makes even mundane actions like checking emails and opening doors a terrifying experience, along with more inventive ways the latest entry in the franchise elevates gameplay. Experience it now for yourself.  Lisa DualSense collab — Lisa fans can pre-order the new Lisa Limited Edition DualSense on October 2. Designed with the help of the lady herself, this new controller will be a fun way to glam up your collection. Head to PlayStation Blog for the full details. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Hands-on  — Ahead of its October 2 launch, learn how the game uses first-person to tell a more intimate story full of compelling characters, giving players a reason to come out on top in every dogfight. 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 – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Brett Elston – Manager, Content Communications, 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: "Getting sidetracked doesn’t feel too unnatural": Baldur's Gate 3 Act Two Expansion modder on how they seamlessly fit a "detour" to fight an army into the RPG's plot Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:09:42 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/getting-sidetracked-doesnt-feel-too-unnatural-baldurs-gate-3-act-two-expansion-modder-on-how-they-seamlessly-fit-a-detour-to-fight-an-army-into-the-rpgs-plot Midway through September, modder SquallyDaBeanz released a solo-developed custom campaign for Baldur's Gate 3 in beta, adding an extra chapter to the RPG's main story. Neatly nestled between the RPG's second and third acts, the mod sends you and your party on a trip through The Chionthar Wilds while the Absolute's Army marches on towards the city the series is named after. SquallyDaBeanz has now offered a bit more explanation as to why they reckon the second section of BG3's established story benefits from having a few more forks in the road before the serious business of the final act begins. Read more

Title: GTA 6 will simulate hurricanes, rainbows and persistent, dynamic clouds, among other efforts to make you stop doing crime and become a weather nerd Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:30:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/gta-6-will-simulate-hurricanes-rainbows-and-persistent-dynamic-clouds-among-other-efforts-to-make-you-stop-doing-crime-and-become-a-weather-nerd Grand Theft Auto 6 features a re-engineered, "more localized and persistent" weather system that ranges in intensity from physically credible rainbows to full-bore hurricanes, according to Rockstar vice president of art for lighting and rendering Owen Shepherd. As ever with GTA, the question is to what extent this will materially affect your doings in the new open world game, but at the very least, it seems like there's scope to pack in the core Bonnie & Clyde routine and become an amateur weather watcher for hours at a time. Read more

Title: With Deadlock's latest updating promising six new heroes, over 10,000 new voice lines and too much more to mention, it's clear Valve are still pretty committed to it Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:52:15 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/with-deadlocks-latest-updating-promising-six-new-heroes-over-10000-new-voice-lines-and-too-much-more-to-mention-its-clear-valve-are-still-pretty-committed-to-it It feels weird that Deadlock is technically a game that isn't out yet, doesn't it? You can't even just play it as someone that's never done so, you have to have someone that's already got access to send you an invite. Valve didn't even really acknowledge its existence publicly, and they still sort of treat it as this little secret that everyone's in on. Two years on, though, it's still getting updates, and the latest one arrived today changing… well, a lot. Read more

Title: Sometimes the thing you need is a wonderfully ethereal physics platformer jam game where you are a little round guy with very stretchy arms called Big Stretch Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 20:31:51 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sometimes-the-thing-you-need-is-a-wonderfully-ethereal-physics-platformer-jam-game-where-you-are-a-little-round-guy-with-very-stretchy-arms-called-big-stretch I have a working theory that above all other aspects, the Vibe (with a capital V) of a game is the most important thing to enrapture a hypothetical audience. A strong Vibe is not a guarantee of such a thing, this algorithmic world we live in denies us such luxuries, it's just the most important starting point. The Vibe does not look like any one thing, the only rule is that it must elicit a response along the lines of, "now what's this, then?" Big Stretch, a game jam physics-based platformer that features hardly a semblance of assets, feels like it proves that theory to me. Read more

Title: Valve is changing Steam's homepage discounts and events section to go the way of the algorithm to get you to look at, and buy, obviously, more games Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:09:06 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-is-changing-steams-homepage-discounts-and-events-section-to-go-the-way-of-the-algorithm-to-get-you-to-look-at-and-buy-obviously-more-games Go ahead and boot up Steam for me. Underneath the ad banner for whoever paid to be there for that day and the featured and recommended sections, you'll find a section titled discounts and events. As it currently stands, this section is hand curated by Valve to highlight some site-wide relevant sales. But Valve have been changing Steam up a lot in recent years, namely a widening of every aspect of it, and now this discount and events section will move away from being curated to being "more dynamic and personalized for each customer." Read more