Splatoon 2 Version 5.5.2 Now Live For Switch And Switch 2, Here Are The Full Patch Notes

Download it today.

It’s been years since Splatoon 2 received an update, but today that’s all changed with Nintendo releasing a small patch.

This bumps the game up to Version 5.5.2, and according to the patch notes, it fixes an issue with League Battles tied to Switch 2 and Switch users. Here’s the full rundown, courtesy of Nintendo’s official support page:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

2K Reaffirms Support for Project Ethos, Names Apex Legends Executive Producer as Head of 31st Union

2K has reaffirmed its support for 3rd-person action roguelike shooter Project Ethos, and has appointed the former executive producer for Apex Legends as the new studio head of developer 31st Union.

This news was shared with employees today in a town hall followed by an internal memo, the latter of which was shared with IGN by 2K. The memo, written by 2K president David Ismailer, states that Ben Brinkman will take over as studio head of 31st Union beginning Monday, October 20. Brinkman will oversee Project Ethos development as the game is “reimagined” “with a renewed vision” after the game’s 2024 playtests revealed a need for “a more distinct identity.”

Here’s an excerpt from the memo:

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a more distinct identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed vision – one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our players

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of conversations, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

Brinkman joins 31st Union directly from EA, where he had previously been working as executive producer on Apex Legends since 2020, following six years at Treyarch on Call of Duty. IGN has reached out to EA for comment on what this means for Apex Legends, and who will be taking over Brinkman’s former role.

Project Ethos was first announced in October of last year as a free-to-play, third-person, hero extraction shooter with some roguelike elements. It’s being developed by 31st Union, a studio founded in 2019 by ex-Sledgehammer Games co-founder Michael Condrey and originally referred to as 2K Silicon Valley. We previewed Project Ethos at the time, and liked it fine, but said it “fails at being a new experience that players will crave over and over again.” Other outlets shared similar feedback, that the game was fun enough but didn’t do anything significant to stand out in a crowded genre.

31st Union has been quiet on the Project Ethos front since then, but in February this year, Kotaku reported that Condrey was fired by 2K Games due to the lukewarm reception of the game. At the time, 2K reassured employees it would continue to support the project.

This news indicates that 2K is indeed making good on its promise to continue to support Project Ethos, even amidst ongoing concerns that the audience for online, multiplayer shooters – especially extraction shooters – is worn out. But it may be a while before we get another update given the wording of the email.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

This Unofficial Paper Mario-Inspired Cookbook Looks Scrumptious

Serving up on Kickstarter.

We’ve seen a fair few game-inspired cookbooks in our time, though few have looked quite as delicious as Paper Plates, a newly-revealed recipe book that’s absolutely rammed with Paper Mario sweetness.

This one comes from JobJobLLC, the team behind the Zelda-inspired culinary venture ‘The Legend’s Cookbook‘, and ‘Brawl in the Family‘ artist Matthew Taranto. It promises 35 recipes, all with a Paper Mario twist, and enough of the series’ iconic art stylings that you’d assume it’s been plucked from the backdrop of an unassuming Thousand-Year Door locale.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Metro Rivals: New York – Dovetail’s New Train Simcade Game Announced | IGN Fall Fan Fest 2025

Dovetail Games, perhaps best known as the developer and publisher of the Train Sim World series of video games, announced a brand-new title at IGN Fan Fest 2025: Fall Edition– and it’s unlike anything they’ve released before.

Metro Rivals: New York is “an innovative and genre-defying subway simcade game” set to release in early 2026.

In the game, “players step into a near-future New York City where the subway system has been carved into 10 fiercely contested districts.” In addition to its single-player campaign, Metro Rivals: New York includes a PvP mode where up to four players can compete online or with friends. Drivers can “race to stop at designated platforms,” and are “scored on their ability to handle their train with precision and control under pressure.”

Metro Rivals: New York’s first trailer was revealed as part of IGN Fan Fest and, as you can see in the player at the top of the page, gives a brief glimpse into train racing mechanics.

According to Dovetail, the game’s narrative sees “players begin their journey with nothing but a hand-me-down train and a determination to rise. To succeed, they must take on a variety of missions, earn cash fares, upgrade their train’s performance, build a loyal following, and earn respect.”

While there will be in-game purchases, Dovetail says those are “entirely cosmetic” and that the game is not “pay-to-win.” Instead, players “can express themselves with extensive options to upgrade their train’s performance, apply unique skins and liveries in signature colours, and personalise their character’s appearance to stand out on the tracks.”

And if neither the single player campaign nor the PvP mode is your cup of tea, you also have the option to partake in a “more relaxed experience” where “players can set their own paths, hop into their train, and enjoy the sights of the city.”

Metro Rivals: New York marks Dovetail’s first use of Unreal Engine 5 in the development process. They also collaborated with the team at Reactional Music to utilize a procedural music engine, meaning that “music is fully native and cinematically integrated in the game, even when swapping tracks.’

Metro Rivals: New York is being developed for Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S and is available for wishlisting now.

Terminator 2D: No Fate Trailer Teases Remixed Events for T2 Fans to Discover | IGN Fall Fan Fest 2025

Publisher Reef Entertainment and developer Bitmap Bureau have published a new Terminator 2D: No Fate trailer, showing off how next month’s arcade-inspired action game reimagines the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

It’s a two-and-a-half-minute look at a modern take on retro gaming that debuted as part of IGN Fall Fan Fest 2025. Director James Cameron’s original ‘90s sequel has been picked apart by movie fans for decades, and Terminator 2D: No Fate aims to let players experience fan-favorite moments – and new scenarios, too.

As Bitmap Bureau lead programmer and designer Mike Tucker explains in today’s trailer, a Terminator 2D: No Fate playthrough begins simply enough, with players tasked with revisiting the events of the Terminator 2 movie through the lens of a 2D, retro side-scroller. That No Fate title then takes over on repeat playthroughs, as fans are given the option to make choices that alter the story they’ve known for years.

Secret levels and remixed weapon loadouts are just the tip of the iceberg for Terminator 2D: No Fate. The example we see in today’s IGN Fall Fan Fest 2025 trailer revisits Sarah Connor’s trek through Cyberdyne HQ. Players will first fight through waves of SWAT officers by using little more than Sarah’s pistol and a few well-timed punches. A follow-up playthrough, coupled with different choices, however, could see her use an assault rifle to go in guns blazing while Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 tears through enemies with his minigun.

“Adding in this pivotal decision the player must make gave us a way of staying accurate to the movie,” Tucker explained, “while also opening up the possibility of new scenarios and gameplay ideas that could make repeat playthroughs both rewarding and entertaining, allowing fans of the franchise to experience battles they have only ever dreamed of before.”

Following a recent delay, Terminator 2D: No Fate has a release date of November 26, 2025, for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X | S. For more while we wait to see the multiple new endings it can give longtime Terminator 2 enjoyers, you can read up on why Bitmap tracked down one of the film’s original actors. You can also check out why we think the game needed to be made in 2025.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Minecraft Probably Wouldn’t Add Creepers Today as They’d Be Too ‘Controversial’ — But Don’t Worry, They’re Not Going Anywhere Now They’re So Iconic

Love them or, more likely, hate them, Minecraft’s Creepers are now an iconic part of Mojang’s beloved sandbox game. But the explosive creatures probably wouldn’t be included today, the developer has said, if it were to design them from scratch now.

Speaking in a new developer video discussing game balance and fairness, chief creative officer Jens Bergensten said that Mojang now followed a strong principle when adding any new item, biome or enemy to Minecraft that could cause players grief. In a nutshell, if anything causes the player to suffer, it should be because players brought it on themselves.

“We want to avoid treating players in a way that feels unfair,” Bergensten said. “So we have this guiding principle that bad things [can] happen, but they’re technically the players’ fault. What we mean by that is either the player caused it, or the player had a chance to prevent it.”

That means enemies have to feel fair — so players can choose to take them on if they want or have a decent chance of mitigating the danger if not. Situations that negatively impact a player should also never feel too random.

Bergensten listed various examples of things that have been added in the past that haven’t felt as fair as intended — such as Iron Golems protecting villages by attacking Creepers (and getting said villages blown up), or Endermen randomly stealing blocks that could have some pivotal signifiance (such as a painstakingly-built Redstone circuits).

This doesn’t mean that Mojang won’t add in tougher challenges, though the developer said it was now careful to make difficult content feel like something players were opting into — such as when actively making the choice to enter The End and take on the game’s climactic Ender Dragon.

But how about the Creeper? It can be encountered from the very beginning of the game, it can instantly kill players and destroy builds, and it sometimes feels like it appears at random. So why does it still exist like it does?

“Even to this day, it’s one of the monsters in gaming that I’m still a little bit afraid of,” Bergensten admitted. “If you would follow the rules that we have today, we would probably not add the Creeper because it would actually be so controversial to have a monster just show up and destroy what you’ve built.”

And yet?

“The Creeper is very iconic though,” Bergensten concluded — which is true enough.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Cry Havoc for this open world cyberpunk dog-fighter inspired by G-Police

That psychic shockwave you just felt was my brain registering the words “Yes, G-Police was definitely an inspiration” in the Steam forums for G-Rebels, an upcoming cyberpunk flight combat simulator. You’ve never heard of G-Police? Oh my god. Get in here, you prancing summer child, you daughter of chaos, you strawman son of a gun. Sit the fuck down. Everything is going to be OK now. I am about to tell you of G-Police, the only good videogame ever made.

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Style Meets Strategy in Songs of Silence on Sale at 50% off This Week

Style Meets Strategy in Songs of Silence on Sale at 50% off This Week

Immerse yourself in the fractured and magical world of Songs of Silence this October during the DGP Xbox Sale, where you will be able to get the game at a 50% discount!

Songs of Silence is a story-rich 4x strategy game with fast-paced campaigns, dynamic battles and stunning Art Nouveau visuals where the players manage kingdoms and command armies as they explore a world torn by conflict and sundered into realms of light and darkness. Follow the main story of the campaign through the eyes of Lorelei as she fights to save her people and from the dangers that lurk around the world. You can manage armies and cities and conquer your rival kingdoms in both single and multiplayer skirmishes. The game uses beautifully crafted Cards of Fate as the actions a player can take in a battle where powerful abilities and magical powers can turn the tide of battle at any moment. The game’s aesthetic is a beautiful, hand drawn, Art Nouveau style that emphasizes the beauty and awe of a fantasy universe full of magic and otherworldly creatures, inspired by great artists like Alphonse Mucha, Belle Époque and Gustav Klimt.

The game’s simple yet engaging battle system makes transition between narrative and gameplay effortless. The musical prowess of Hitoshi Sakimoto accompanies every step of the way, through cinematics, campaigns and battles with an incredible soundtrack. The music merges with the sound effects in a harmonious mixing of both intense battle sounds and dialogue.

Our dev team is constantly working on the game, resulting in regular updates and new content. We are always open to new ideas and love hearing from our community. We believe that focusing on our core players will yield the best results in fixing any issues that may arise and making our fans proud. The team truly prides itself on the amazing visuals the game has to offer as well as the strategic yet uncomplicated battle system and the strong narrative the game has to offer. We want to take this opportunity to push the potential of the game’s outreach. We believe that through constant work on the development of new content and the regular engagement with our community we will be able to cater to a bigger audience and expand the magical universe of Songs of Silence even more. Meta: Details on the soundtrack and visual inspirations for the player-inspired game on sale today.

Songs of Silence

Chimera Entertainment


22

$29.99

Songs of Silence is a fantasy strategy title which marries deep, tactical gameplay with fast-paced autobattles and an engaging, compelling narrative. Presented in a unique graphical style derived from the Art Nouveau movement, Songs of Silence is a beautiful example of the evolution of a classic genre. The game features an extensive singleplayer, narrative-driven campaign, plus multiple competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes for endless replay value.

The post Style Meets Strategy in Songs of Silence on Sale at 50% off This Week appeared first on Xbox Wire.

PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for October: Silent Hill 2, Until Dawn, V Rising, Yakuza: Like a Dragon and more

This month, October’s Game Catalog lineup brings plenty of thrills for spooky season. Step into a fog-shrouded nightmare in the chilling remake of Silent Hill 2, survive a night of terror in the definitive PS5 edition of the slasher horror Until Dawn, embrace your inner vampire and stalk the night in V Rising, or, in an entirely different register, join Ichiban Kasuga and his unlikely crew of outcasts in a quest for the truth in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Meanwhile, Tekken 3 brings arcade fighting action to PlayStation Plus Premium. All these titles and more will be available Tuesday, October 21 in this month’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup*.

PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog

Silent Hill 2 | PS5

Take on the role of James Sunderland and venture into the mostly deserted town of Silent Hill in this highly anticipated remake of the 2001 classic. What awaits him is a rust-stained nightmare, cloaked in fog, and populated by monsters. Experience a master class in psychological horror on the latest hardware with chilling visuals and visceral sounds. Enter a dream-like world and encounter twisted monsters, the menacing Pyramid Head, and a seemingly ordinary cast of characters wrestling with their past. As James comes to terms with his own turmoil, he’ll be left with one question – why did he really come to Silent Hill?

Until Dawn | PS5

Rebuilt from the ground up for PS5, Until Dawn invites you to immerse yourself in a gripping slasher horror where every decision can make the difference between life and death. When eight friends return to the isolated mountain lodge where two of their group vanished a year prior, things quickly take a sinister turn. As fear tightens its icy grip on the group, their remote retreat becomes an inescapable nightmare. Your actions and choices will determine who survives in this definitive version of the seminal horror classic.

V Rising | PS5

V Rising is a vampire survival action-RPG adventure like no other. Awaken as a weakened vampire after centuries of slumber and hunt for blood to regain your strength while hiding from the scorching sun to survive. Rebuild your castle and convert humans into your loyal servants in a quest to raise your vampire empire. Explore a vast world teeming with mythical horrors and danger. Travel through lush forests, open countryside, and dark caverns to discover valuable resources, meeting friends and foes alike along the way. Roam the night alone or gather a clan – V Rising can be played solo, co-op or in persistent online multiplayer. Travel alone or explore the world with friends. Raid other players’ castles or play the diplomat in the game of blood, power and betrayal. Compete or cooperate – the choice is yours.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon | PS5, PS4

Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking grunt of a low-ranking yakuza family in Tokyo, faces an 18-year prison sentence after taking the fall for a crime he didn’t commit. Never losing faith, he loyally serves his time and returns to society to discover that no one was waiting for him on the outside, and his clan has been destroyed by the man he respected most. Ichiban sets out to discover the truth behind his family’s betrayal and take his life back, drawing a ragtag group of society’s outcasts to his side: Adachi, a rogue cop, Nanba, a homeless ex-nurse, and Saeko, a hostess on a mission. Together, they are drawn into a conflict brewing beneath the surface in Yokohama and must rise to become the heroes they never expected to be. Experience dynamic RPG combat like none other. Switch between 19 unique Jobs ranging from Bodyguard to Musician, and use the battlefield as your weapon. Take up bats, umbrellas, bikes, street signs, and everything else at your disposal to crack some skulls!

Poppy Playtime: Chapter 1 | PS5, PS4

Playtime Co. was once the king of the toy manufacturing industry… until everybody inside of the factory one day disappeared into thin air. Now, years later, you must explore the factory and uncover the truth. Try to survive the vengeful toys waiting for you in this horror/puzzle adventure. Use your GrabPack to hack electrical circuits or nab items from afar. Explore the mysterious facility… and don’t get caught.

As Dusk Falls | PS5, PS4

As Dusk Falls is a gripping crime drama that explores the entangled lives of two families across decades, starting in 1998 with a robbery-gone-wrong in small town Arizona. Created by the lead designer of Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls, this thrilling, branching multiplayer interactive drama follows these two families in their struggle to survive, protect, and endure challenges rooted in the previous generations’ mistakes. Every decision will shape the characters’ fates. Multiple paths through each chapter will reveal insights about who you and your friends are and make every playthrough unique. Replay the story again and again to uncover vastly different outcomes for multiple characters and hidden nuances behind every decision and relationship. Will your characters survive unscathed? What kind of people will they ultimately become?

Wizard with a Gun | PS5

Wizard with a Gun is an online sandbox survival game for 1 to 4 players set in a magical wilderness wrought with dangerous creatures and arcane mysteries. Embark on a journey alone or with friends to collect, craft, and outfit your wizard however you see fit as you explore the unknown. Collect resources from the world and craft unique enchanted ammunition for your arsenal of guns. Combine elements for intended or surprising effects that alter the shot, blast radius, bullet trail, and even the status of the creature in your crosshairs. Carefully design weapons, bullets, and furnishings for your tower home but try not to burn it all down as the magic you wield escalates beyond your control… Survive alone or with a few wizard friends in online cooperative play to combine resources, magic, and creativity in your tower building. Or just watch it all burn down together – the choice is yours.

PlayStation Plus Premium

Tekken 3 | PS5, PS4

Experience Tekken 3, originally released on the original PlayStation, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. Nineteen years following the previous King of Iron Fist tournament, fighters from all over the world have mysteriously begun to disappear at the hands of the enigmatic being known only as Toshin. Heihachi, hoping the promise of strong opponents will lure out this so-called “God of Fighting,” begins his preparations for The King of Iron Fist Tournament 3. Experience Tekken 3’s world at its very best, with an all-new CGI opening and unique endings for each character, exclusive to the home console release. Every mode from previous entries is here, including Arcade Mode, Versus Mode, Team Battle Mode for competitive play, and Practice Mode for all your training needs.

*PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day.