It’s itty-bitty.
While the Switch 2 will be occupying a lot of our time and space over the coming weeks and months, there are still plenty of adorable, relaxing-looking games for us to experience.
Misc. A Tiny Tale is one such game, with cute, tiny robots whose goal it is to spread joy wherever they go. We’ve been following this one for a while, and we’ve finally got a release date for the platformer — 22nd July 2025.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Cryptmaster, a narrative adventure where your words are your power, had a popular in-universe card minigame, “Whatever,” that you could play against certain characters to win more cards to add to your deck. First, let’s take a look at Whatever and understand how this deckbuilding minigame became so popular.
In Whatever, your goal is to eliminate your opponent’s life before they destroy yours. This is accomplished by playing letter tabs (think the letters in Scrabble!) that match the letters in the names of the cards in your hand. If you complete a card’s name, then its ability goes into effect, which ranges from healing yourself, dealing damage to the opponent, increasing your hand size, and way more.
If you defeat your opponent, you can win a card to integrate into your deck and win souls that can be used in the main game for powerful attacks. This is why it’s a minigame– Whatever card battles break up the flow of your progression through the dungeon crawler and provide resources for you to continue progressing. What we never expected was how much players would get into it.
In the Anniversary Update, there are a few improvements to Whatever which shake up the minigame, add more opportunities to strategize and strengthen your deck, and face new opponents bringing their own strengths and weaknesses to challenge you. We thought of this as “maximizing the minigame.” What if a player wanted to play Cryptmaster entirely for Whatever? How could we serve that player best?
First off, we added so many new cards to the minigame. I’m talking triple digits amounts! Over 100 new cards with new effects and combinations for players to play with. Part of it is giving new tools for players to play with but we also wanted to maximize card synergies to making deck construction more compelling. Do you go risky and have many cards share the same letters? You’d deal more damage and get more effects off but you could spend entire turns missing your needed letters. Or you could play more conservatively where you’re more likely to hit your letters but less likely to hit multiple cards at a time. I’ll be curious how players will play with the new cards.
With so many new cards, we also brought a new place to play Whatever and meet new characters to play with. The tavern was built in the Downwood area and many familiar faces come there to play. If players defeat all five opponents, they move onto the next floor to face off against the more competitive players of the dastardly card game. Meet the Innkeeper who runs the building and the mysterious Highwayman who hides in the shadows but is willing to keep their side of the deal. More opponents means more decks to play against, more challenges and puzzles to solve so players can continue to collect the cards and refine their strategies.
When we saw people connecting with Whatever and how much they enjoyed playing the minigame, we were ecstatic to think of new ideas and new content to support the growing love for Whatever. With new characters each with their own stories, over 100 new cards with unique abilities, new locations to play in, and more, there are hours of new content to dive into for the in-universe card minigame, Whatever. Simply type “whatever” and deal the cards.
Whatever…direction you choose, you’re sure to find new challenges in the Cryptmaster Anniversary Update, out now on Xbox.
Akupara Games
In the ancient past, four brave heroes banded together to destroy a terrible evil, giving their lives to save countless others. But now their eternal rest has been disturbed by the Cryptmaster, a capricious necromancer in whose thrall they must ascend through the buried strata of the city above them – the gloomy Bonehouses, mysterious Sunken Sea and freakish Downwood.
With the enigmatic Soulstone in hand, the four adventurers must recover their memories, solve whimsical puzzles and defeat outlandish enemies. From fishing and card games to bardic rap battles, finding the right word is the key to success. Who knows, maybe you’ll even remember a little more than you bargained for…
The post A Little Roguelike Fun: Cryptmaster’s Deckbuilder in the Anniversary Update appeared first on Xbox Wire.
The final stop for our IGN First trip to FromSoftware was the sound room where Lead Composer Shoi Miyazawa crafts the wonderful soundtracks that fill The Lands Between and Limveld with notes of hope, melancholy, and strife. Here’s our interview touching upon what goes into creating a FromSoft soundtrack, what specifically were the notes from the director given with regards to Nightreign’s music, and Miyazawa’s own personal influences.
IGN: So I just wanted start off by asking you about how you fell into the world of composing music for video games. Are you a big fan?
Shoi Miyazawa – Lead Sound Designer on Elden Ring Nightreign:
I was a fan of the Armored Core games. So when Hoshino-san approached me about recruitment at FromSoftware, I was very interested. I’m a big fan of the Armored Core music. Also, I like some other titles from my childhood such as Ganbare Goemon and Secret of Mana. So I’m always putting research and trying to find inspiration from these titles as well. The Castlevania series, as well, was a big musical inspiration.
Along those same lines, do you have any favorite composers that have also maybe inspired your work? Not just video games, just in general.
I’ve always been a fan of King Crimson and Marilyn Manson. I like these kinds of different sorts of vibes within music.
Switching gears to Elden Ring and Nightreign, what’s the process for composing for something like Elden Ring? Are you given concept art for a boss or a location and then use that inspiration for the sound? Or are you given specific notes of the feel or mood that the director is looking for?
There are several approaches we can take such as that you mentioned. Sometimes the director will give a quick description of the mood or the location he wants. Sometimes it’s from the existing concept art of the game. And sometimes it’s a simple text-based order such as a description of a boss’s backstory or the arena that they fight in or something like this.
Has working on the soundtrack for Nightreign been any different from the experience of working on the soundtrack for the main base game?
Of course it is an Elden Ring spin-off, so we wanted it to transfer or carry over certain elements from Elden Ring and the sort vibes it gives off. I had many direct talks with the director himself discussing the aspects of Elden Ring and how we should approach Nightreign. And I think while he wanted this to be quite distinct from the Souls titles, he also wanted it to be catchy in its own way as well. So this sort of catchiness and offering something that was distinct from Elden Ring was quite important in our work.
Can you describe maybe some of the notes that you might have been given from the director with regards to the sound and tone of this soundtrack? Were there any recurring themes that you wanted to hit?
Yeah. So seeing as night was an important theme of Nightreign, we wanted this feeling of being out of place, this feeling of loneliness, this sense that comes with the darkness or the sort of loneliness of nighttime. These were elements that we wanted to incorporate into the music.
Among the many projects that you’ve worked on so far at FromSoftware, which has been your favorite, and which has been the most challenging as well?
Of course I have lots of fond memories of working on titles at From and it’s really hard to lock in on a particular title. But there are a couple that have stuck with me, a couple of pieces in particular. One of them being when we composed Consort Radahn for Elden Ring. What I like to do is I actually like to compose in a sort of dark room, in a dimly lit room. So I had this feeling while I was composing that track of there always being somebody there in the shadows and looking over my shoulder. So this kind of came through in the piece for Consort Radahn.
Another one would be the track Takes Me Anywhere from disc three of the bonus soundtrack from Armored Core VI. I know this is a bit different from the fantasy music that we’ve made with our games, but for me, as I said, Armored Core was a series I was particularly fond of. And as I entered the company, From just happened to kind of put that series on hiatus for a little bit. So I had something, had some ideas going there, but AC IV was a long-awaited game. It was a long time coming. And Takes Me Anywhere was one of the original tracks we produced for that bonus all-encompassing disc set. So it was something that brought back memory of those days and it was a track, it was a piece that I actually had in my mind since coming to From and since I started working a little bit on those titles but didn’t quite get to fully develop into those games. So it reminds me a lot of those days and everything we went through with Armored Core. And so hopefully people will give that a listen as well.
There are several composers that are credited with working on Elden Ring. Can you talk a little bit about how collaborative of an effort it is to compose music on games like Elden Ring and Nightreign? Do you each work completely separately or do you work closely together despite being responsible for different pieces?
Generally when we compose music at From, it’s one composer to one track. That’s the general approach we take. But of course we can get advice and sort of exchange ideas with the other members of the sound team. But ultimately on the credits, you’ll see the person credited to that track is the one who took it through to completion. But Nightreign was a little bit of an exception here. So we have multiple composers working on a single track in some instances.
One of the bosses that we got to check out today as part of our visit was Libra: Creature of Night. And I was wondering if you had any kind of insights or stories as to what went into the creation of that track.
Actually with Libra, it was one of the rare cases where a particular musical direction or ideas was given within the character brief. So that was one that stood out to me. We had these themes of trying to bring something as the appearance and as the boss fight itself suggests, some themes of an exotic nature or these impressions of madness or like a demonic nature to the boss. And again, introducing this duality that you find both before and during the boss fight, considering elements of victory and defeat, that trade-off, that risk and reward. We try to create a harsh contrast with a lot of our bosses, but in particular we wanted to take it to extremes for Libra.
The contrast between day and night during boss fights is very striking, and it’s apparent in the music as well. Could you tell us a little bit about how you approached composing these pieces?
So of course we have this day and night cycle and this three day structure to Nightreign. So as we mentioned earlier, we wanted the player to feel like there’s this imposing sense of danger. Enemies and bosses are getting stronger as the night approaches. We wanted this feeling of being more and more out of place, more and more out of your depth. These are things that we try to, feelings we try to convey through the music of Nightreign.
Is there any particular song or anything that you’re really excited players to experience for the first time when they play that you worked on?
So one thing that compares to the music we did for Elden Ring and the DLC was really focusing on the individuality of each of these boss fights that players are going to be encountering numerous times. So we wanted to really push the limits of the music as well for each of these fights. And sometimes it was a case of can we really push it this far? And I think in the end we did end up really expanding those limits and really pushing the boundaries of the music at From in our fantasy titles. So that’s one area that I hope players look forward to.
Going back to your own personal tastes, do you have a favorite musical instrument or something that you like to incorporate into your compositions?
It’s not an instrument, but actually when I first started dabbling in music, it was with a personal computer and it was with DTM software. So that was my first real contact with making music and especially professionally. So as a creator, software like this allows me to really concentrate on the finer elements and really fine tune these pieces down to every last note and pitch. So I think this is something that I’d like the player to understand or hopefully notice when they listen to these pieces. Because I really do get way too into it, probably too much that is healthy for work.
One of the things that I’ve been asking everyone that I’ve been talking to at FromSoftware has been what your favorite game is. We know we talked a little bit about video games from the music side, but do you have any games that really stand out as just your favorite game of all time?
One of the games I remember fondly is Myst. Adventure games like this, they usually have this quite, maybe only some readers or viewers will remember, but these kind of pre-rendered scenes that kind of transition one from the other. But you’re going through the world and you’re solving the puzzles on this adventure. This really stuck with me as a player. So yes, I think Myst would be a good example.
Mitchell Saltzman is an editorial producer at IGN. You can find him on twitter @JurassicRabbit
“BEING A TEENAGER SUCKS. So we made a videogame about it.” These are the opening words on the Steam page for Jenny Jiao Hsia’s Consume Me, a “life-simulation RPG” about feeling “stupid, fat, lazy, and ugly in high school.” Now, I’m going to go out on a limb and say many of you that are of a post-high-school age probably don’t want to re-experience it anytime soon, but Consume Me looks like such a good time I’m going to suggest you do so anyway, especially because it just got a demo.
Today’s deals roundup is stacked with Pokémon TCG bundles, MTG Final Fantasy preorders, Marvel’s Spider-Man singles, and some great gaming hardware offers. Journey Together Elite Trainer Box just dropped at a record high rip-off price on Amazon, but TCG Player has it for less. Need to snag Destined Rivals singles for your collection or fancy a great deal on the Slashing Legends Tin at Walmart? There’s a little bit of everything for collectors and players. Plus, there’s a fresh DOOM The Dark Ages limited-edition art print and medallion from the IGN Store for hardcore fans of the franchise.
For gamers, the Badass Brawlers Bundle on Humble packs a punch with seven brawler games for just $16, while Amazon’s offering the Apple iPad 11-inch with A16 chip at a solid discount. Meanwhile, SteelSeries has some killer deals on gaming headsets, keyboards, and micei ncluding the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the New Apex 9 TKL.
Big box retailers such as Amazon are nickel and diming TCG fans at the minute, and the secondary market is showing them up. Let’s be clear, even market values are usually above MSRP, but it’s the price people are willing to pay for a product you can’t otherwise find in stores. Case in point, Amazon just restocked the Journey Together Elite Trainer Box at a massive $22 over market value at $93.67. Never assume prices are correct; do your homework (or let me do it for you).
Featuring a new promo, Journey Together and Surging Sparks boosters alongside Obsidian Flames and Paradox Rift, this is arguably one of the best Pokémon TCG tins people can buy for retail value right now. Snap it up before the bots do!
If you’d like to pay for sealed product in this climate to rip open boosters and find your chase card, go mad and have a blast. But if you’d like to save some money long term and guarantee that chase card, TCG Player has Destined Rivals single cards available in their presale before they set officially releases on Friday. Looking for the best market values on Destined Rivals sealed products? Here you go:
Long story short; things are looking bleak at retail for Pokémon TCG right now. Almost everything is way above MSRP and seems to becoming the new normal for big box retailers. I could write a whole article and why this is and what should be done to stop this practice, but here we are. If you have your heart set on opening booster packs, have at it, but you might want to check out the sections below to save money.
TCG Player and the Pokémon TCG secondary collectors market is significantly cheaper than big box retailers at the time of writing. This will likely be the case unless you can secure preorders on new sets such as Destined Rivals, Black Bolt and White Flare. Make no mistake products are still over MSRP, but If small businesses can undercut large retailers on TCG Player, there’s something fundamentally broken in the supplier-distributor-retail chain.
The Single Pokémon TCG market on the other hand is going through a grand reset right now, which is down to a few factors. The crypto bro mentally to reselling products is dying down a little and more product is becoming available thanks to reprints. We’re not out of the woods yet by any means, but this weeks Crashers and Climbers show recent cards going down in price and cards from the X and Y era shooting up in value. We’re 100% moving in the right direction.
Whilst there’s only the Play Booster Box and Scene Bundle for MTG: Marvel’s Spider-Man live on Amazon right now, TCG Player has every sealed product that will hit the market on launch day. I’ve even found some pricing on cases of sealed product for those looking to rip open a tonne of boosters, so get on it before the market value on these products shoot up.
Unfortunatley there’s no listings for Spider-Man single cards right now considering we’re a few months out from release, but I’ve managed to round up the listings for cards currently sitting on TCG Player waiting for presale allocations, so keep your eyes peeled.
This is the only preorder I can find from a big box retailer this morning, and it’s actually cheaper than the market value over on TCG Player right now. Imagine that? If you’re planning on picking up Final Fantasy at launch, this is a no-brainer.
MTG: Final Fantasy is set to be the biggest Magic: The Gathering set ever, which is a shock to absolutley no-one. Preorders are drying up at retail, but there’s plenty of choice available on TCG Player right now. I’ve found all the preorders listed so far (including prerelease boxes) alongside massive cases on booster displays. Don’t sleep on these preorders, MTG FF is going to fly off the shelves on release.
The single card market for MTG Final Fantasy is flying right now, so I’ve included over 40 of (in my opinion) the most popular Final Fantasy cards collectors and players will be chasing once packs start getting ripped. Don’t want to spend money on boosters and hope? Secure your chase cards for release day instead.
Amazon has a solid sale going on right now for a bunch of SteelSeries gear, and if you’ve been waiting for a good excuse to upgrade your gaming setup, this is it. You can grab essentials like the SteelSeries New Apex 9 TKL, which is down to $109.99, or go all-in with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset, which is $269.99 right now (23% off). For Xbox and PC gamers, the Arctis Nova 5X is also a solid pick at $122.99. And if you’re looking to upgrade your audio setup, the SteelSeries Alias USB Mic for PC is a steal at $107.27. Whether you’re after a sleek new keyboard, a high-end headset, or a pro-level mic, these deals are worth a look before they’re gone.
If you’re into co-op chaos, side-scrolling brawlers, or just want an excuse to hit that punch button a few more times, the Badass Brawlers Bundle on Humble is for you. For just $16, you’ll get seven beat-’em-up games including the brand-new River City Girls 2, the monster-sized Dawn of the Monsters, the retro-inspired Double Dragon Neon, and the classic Final Vendetta. That’s a ton of punchy fun for less than a pizza night. Plus, you’ll be supporting SpecialEffect, a charity that helps gamers with disabilities.
If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your tablet, the Apple iPad 11-inch with the A16 chip and a massive 512GB of storage is worth a serious look. This model boasts a stunning Liquid Retina display, Wi-Fi 6 for speedy connections, all-day battery life, and 12MP cameras on the front and back for everything from work to FaceTime chats. At $595.99 (down from $649), it’s a solid deal for a powerhouse device that’s ready for productivity, creativity, and everything in between.
For DOOM fans who want to show their Slayer pride in style, the DOOM The Dark Ages – Saw Shield – Medallion and Art Card is a must-have collectible. This official piece pays tribute to one of DOOM’s most fearsome weapons with a brutal, domed design that really pops. Each medallion is individually numbered, comes with a stand for display, and includes an exclusive art card, making it a standout addition to any collection. Limited to just 5000 pieces worldwide, this is the kind of rare DOOM merch you don’t want to miss.
For fans of the DOOM franchise, the DOOM The Dark Ages – Limited Edition A3 Art Print from the IGN Store is an absolute must-have. This officially licensed piece features Slayer in the thick of the action and is limited to just 995 hand-numbered prints worldwide. Printed at one of the oldest commercial printers in the UK on high-quality art paper, this A3-sized print (11.69 x 16.53 inches) includes a certificate of authenticity to make it extra special.
If you’re looking to dive into some fresh indie titles, the Humble Team 17 Game Bundle is a solid pickup. For $20 or more, you’ll unlock eight games, including the intense 50v50 FPS Hell Let Loose, the gritty WW2 tactics of Classified: France ’44, the brutal, plague-fueled combat of Thymesia, and the cult-building chaos of Honey, I Joined a Cult. Other highlights include the haunting CONSCRIPT, pixel-perfect Narita Boy, chaotic WARCANA, and the party-perfect King of the Castle. Best part? Your purchase supports indie developers and The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), so you’re gaming for a cause.
Lossless Scaling is a game changer for PC players who want to upscale games or generate extra frames without sacrificing quality. Available via Humble for just $6.99, this tool lets you scale windowed games to full screen using a range of algorithms like AMD FSR, NVIDIA Image Scaling (NIS), and Anime4K. The latest update even adds frame generation support for games that don’t natively offer it, including emulators. Whether you’re running older pixel-art titles or modern games with GPU limitations, Lossless Scaling offers a smarter, sharper way to game at higher resolutions.
If you’re tired of juggling different cables for your devices, the UGREEN USB C to USB Adapter 4 Pack is an affordable and practical solution. This pack includes four sturdy USB-C male to USB 3.2 female adapters, each capable of 10Gbps data transfer speeds—perfect for moving files quickly between your USB-A devices like flash drives, keyboards, or mice and your latest USB-C devices, including the MacBook Pro, iPhone 16, and Samsung Galaxy S24. The ultra-compact, thumb-sized design makes them easy to stash in your laptop bag or pocket, and the aluminum housing is built to withstand over 10,000 plug/unplug cycles.
Fallout Pip-Boy Die-Cast Replica is a stunning, 1:1 recreation of the iconic Pip-Boy 3000 Mk V as seen in the Fallout TV series. Available exclusively from the IGN Store for $199.99, this collector’s item is crafted with a die-cast metal front, injection-molded ABS body, and a memory foam cuff for comfort. It features a functioning TFT LCD screen that displays over 45 in-universe animations, an alarm clock function, and an FM radio for tuning into your favorite stations or Wasteland broadcasts. Whether you’re wearing it as the ultimate cosplay accessory or displaying it on its elegant, laser-etched aluminum stand, the Pip-Boy Die-Cast Replica is an essential piece for any Fallout fan.
For an all-in-one cable management solution, the HAVE ME TD Cable Zip Ties, 400 Pack offers unbeatable value. This set includes 400 self-locking black nylon zip ties in a variety of sizes: 4, 6, 8, and 12 inches. With a strong tensile strength of up to 40 lbs, these versatile ties are perfect for organizing cords in the home, office, garden, workshop, or garage. Whether you’re bundling wires, securing plants, or tidying up tools, the HAVE ME TD Cable Zip Ties are built for durability, flexibility, and easy handling even in high temperatures. At just $3.99, this assortment is a no-brainer addition to any DIYer’s toolkit.
If you’re looking for a reliable, high-capacity charger that won’t weigh you down, the INIU 45W Power Bank is a stellar choice. This compact 10,000mAh portable charger is 25% smaller and 15% lighter than comparable models, yet it delivers a full 45W of charging power—perfect for topping up your iPhone 16, Samsung S24 Ultra, and more. The built-in USB-C cable doubles as a lanyard, eliminating the need for extra wires in your bag, while the charger’s trickle-charging mode ensures safe, optimized power for smaller devices like earbuds.
Humble is serving up a piping hot bundle for web devs and JavaScript enthusiasts, offering 19 coding resources in the JavaScript Tech Book Bundle for as little as $1. For just $18, you can unlock the full collection, including highlights like Clojure Brain Teasers, Test-Driven React, Second Edition, and Serverless Apps on Cloudflare. Diving into Ruby, Rails, Tailwind, or WebAssembly? There’s something here to level up your skills across the board. Every purchase supports Save the Children, so you can sharpen your coding chops and make a difference at the same time.
Peacock TV is running a stellar promotion for new and returning subscribers: grab a full year of Peacock Premium (Ad-Supported) for just $24.99 when you redeem code SPRINGSAVINGS at checkout. That’s a hefty discount from the usual $79.99/year. Peacock Premium offers a massive library of hit shows, movies, originals, live sports, and NBC/Bravo content, alongside 50+ always-on channels.
If you’ve been captivated by the hauntingly beautiful world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the IGN Store has an exclusive collection of officially licensed merch. The lineup includes a range of clothing like the Expedition Hoodie and Petals T-Shirt ($64.99 and $27.50, respectively), plus art prints of characters like Gustave, Maelle, and Sciel, starting at $30. For everyday essentials, there are mugs, tote bags, tumblers, and mouse pads, all featuring designs straight from the game.. Whether you’re looking to wear your fandom or add some atmosphere to your space, the full Expedition 33 merch collection has you covered. Browse the entire lineup now at the IGN Store.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
What do you think Islands & Trains is about? I’m not going to give you long, because it really is just right there in the name. As you’ve presumably already guessed, it is a quaint-looking sandbox builder where you make tiny diorama-like islands, adorning them with tracks for trains to choo-choo along. I told you, it’s a name that does what it says on the tin, and if it appeals to you at all, well, there’s some good news, as it just came out today.
This is the life.
Famitsu has published the latest boxed charts for Japan, and it’s a huge win for Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. Okay, we say “huge”, these figures don’t exactly look great compared to what we might have seen a few years back, but hey, it’s a solid start.
The Switch version is the king here, of course, but PS5 has also debuted with some decent figures. Elsewhere, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED came in at number two with an impressive 26,130 sales, while Ys Memoire: Memories of Celceta entered the charts with a rather more modest 5,911.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Games are an excellent, though sometimes unexpected, medium for feeling connected. Obviously, there are online multiplayer games that by definition connect us, but that word, connection, has completely differing, nuanced meanings to us all. Whether you think of the connections we have to our culture, to nature, to warm memories, or even just enjoying quality time with friends and family, we seek connectivity to enrich our lives. Even though they were as different as you could possibly imagine, looking at the six indie games our ID@Xbox team handpicked for this month, it was clear that if there was a theme that tied them together, it was connection.
And as with every month, our team is connecting you with some of our favorite new indie titles. Whether you’re in the mood for nostalgic game design and characters, narratives about growing up during a pivotal moment in history, an immersive journey joined together by two contrasting perspectives, or the literal sense of connecting your phone to your Xbox to fire up a game with your friends, each title we’re presenting to you this month offers a unique way for you to experience a connection in one way or another. Here’s what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):
Set in Quito in 2001, as Ecuador nears qualification for its first men’s World Cup while still reeling from an economic crisis, this first-person narrative tells a deeply personal, pseudo-autobiographical story about soccer, community, and growing up through the eyes of the two developers, Julián Cordero and Sebastian Valbuena. It powerfully illustrates how soccer (or football, however you want to call it) often serves as a release valve—a thread of hope woven through challenging times.
The ball-kicking mechanics are the game’s beating heart, and it’s very well connected to the intuitive and light controls. The game is played from a first-person perspective, unfolding over a handful of days, each connected to Ecuador’s World Cup qualifying matches. You’ll see echoes of those key moments scattered throughout the world—on radios, in street chatter and televisions. The gameplay gently blends small narrative quests with the ever-present distraction of a ball, or anything else that you’re able to kick, bounce off walls or tap between people’s legs, which can lead to consequences and some very fine writing.
Maybe I’m so drawn to Despelote because soccer was a big part of my life growing up in Brazil. I still remember rushing out of school to play on the street with friends until my mom called me in for dinner. I’ve also seen firsthand how sport becomes a lifeline during political instability, economic hardship, and social inequality. To me, Despelote beautifully highlights those two things. And even if you’ve never felt that kind of bond with the sport, don’t worry, this can still be a game for you – and it might help you understand what it means to those of us who have. – Jairo Lopes
Panic
In-person game nights with friends are a ton of fun, but can be a bit intimidating for some if the games begin to lean into more layered, strategic gameplay. Enter Sunderfolk, a couch co-op, turn-based tactical RPG with a surprising twist through the inclusion of some innovative phone controls. On the surface, the gameplay is reminiscent of popular tabletop games like ‘Gloomhaven’, with incredibly dense mechanics, goals, events, modifiers, and so on. These are great games, but that level of intense, knowledge-based gameplay can seem nearly unapproachable for novice players like me. This is where Sunderfolk stands apart by streamlining a lot of those elements.
You load up the game, everyone downloads the mobile app via the onscreen QR code, and you each pick from six familiar, pre-built classes represented by an awesomely designed anthropomorphic animal. I mean, who doesn’t want to play a giant bearserker? No character sheets to customize, everyone’s just ready to go from the off, and thrown right into the campaign. Each class fills a specific role that can either aid your group while maneuvering on the hex-grid board, damaging and pushing enemies around, or giving buffs/debuffs.
There are weapons, items, and skills that can be equipped to affect stats, and some deckbuilding elements, but you won’t have a wall of text to memorize. But just because the set-up is simple doesn’t mean Sunderfolk comes without complexity. As you level up, you gain new abilities but have to choose which ones to bring to each mission. Missions themselves can have a number of objectives that go beyond “go kill this thing” – sometimes you will need to escort NPCs to safety or solve a puzzle. There are also some competitive aspects in the game, as gold and treasure are not shared. So, while you are prioritizing getting an enemy down, someone else might be spending their turn heading to the shiny treasure chest you wanted.
There are so many elements that I was pleasantly surprised to have seen done so well. The main and most apparent highlight is the fact that jumping into a campaign with a phone was just as easy as setting up a Jackbox Party game. However, my two favorite things were not what I expected. The first is naming things in game. Occasionally, you will have the opportunity to name things like the Town’s Market, Shrines, enemy classes, food at the tavern, and more. Safe to say, things got unhinged rather quickly. On top of that, I have to mention the VO actor, Anjali Bhimani, playing the role of the GM (Game Master – The one who builds and runs the campaigns). This was a welcome, charming addition that elevates a by-the-book, typical adventure story into something so memorable. I am sure playing the game solo would be a fun experience, but it’s been such a thrill playing with a group, that I have to recommend this as an experience to share with friends. – Raymond Estrada
Dreamhaven
Rediscover Game Night with the magic of Sunderfolk, a shared turn-based tactical RPG adventure where your mobile device becomes the controller*. Built with a couch co-op experience in mind, up to four players adventure through the magical and dangerous Sunderlands.
*The free mobile app is required to play the game.
Each player picks one of six classes (Arcanist, Bard, Berserker, Pyromancer, Ranger, or Rogue). Together, players venture out into the Sunderlands and engage in turn-based tactical combat. During combat, there is no set player turn order, so your strategy can adapt at a moment’s notice to react to evolving battlefield conditions. With new enemies appearing at every turn, it’s up to your party to co-operatively find the best path to success.
Between missions, players return to Arden and help improve their home village. Unlock and upgrade different local vendors, build relationships with other Sunderfolk to earn rewards, and outfit characters with new Skills, Weapons, Trinkets, and more.
As heroes of Arden, protect the town and its Brightshard from the corruption of shadowstone and defeat threats from the surrounding Sunderlands.
Couch Co-Op First
The best adventures are meant to be shared. Up to four players can play together in this new tactical RPG adventure where your mobile device becomes the controller.
Step into a New World
Scan a QR code on the display, download the free Sunderfolk phone app* (on both iOS and Android), and transform your phone or tablet into a controller, hand of cards, rule book, inventory, and more. All friends and family can learn to play quickly, since all they need will be in-hand.
Six Unique Heroes
Traditional RPG classes have been reimagined in Sunderfolk. Take up the mantle of an Arcanist, Bard, Berserker, Pyromancer, Ranger or Rogue – each with their own playstyle. Tailor your character’s strengths with Skill Cards. Power up with Trinkets and Weapons to craft your character’s build quest-to-quest.
Tactical Combat Inspired by the Tabletop
Each player takes their turn one at a time by choosing one of their Skill Cards to determine their character’s actions. Enemies lurk around every corner, each with their own abilities and strategies, and they will challenge your party to change its approach from one encounter to the next.
Rebuild the Village of Arden
The village of Arden grew around the remnant of a magical substance known as brightstone, but unknown forces from lands outside have started to threaten this community’s very existence. Between quests, return to Arden village to upgrade vendors, acquire new items and equipment, and befriend townsfolk for additional rewards.
Four Players, One Game
Share the experience of Sunderfolk with friends at no extra cost. Our rather unique mobile device as a controller mechanic lets one gamer share the adventure with three friends at no additional cost. A host can even stream a session and have friends join remotely.
Developed by Red Soul Games, Post Trauma is a survival horror game that takes a deep dive into the human psyche. You play as Roman, a retired train conductor who wakes up in a strange, unsettling world that feels like a nightmare brought to life. As you explore, solve puzzles, and piece together Roman’s past, the game slowly but surely pulls you into a chilling and poignant story that really sticks with you.
Right from the beginning, the atmosphere had me hooked. The visuals are hauntingly beautiful, with each environment feeling deliberately crafted to make you feel uneasy in the best way. The sound design was also an exceptional touch. From eerie ambient noises to those sudden musical stings that send a chill down your spine, everything works together to keep you on edge. By the end of my playthrough, I was surprised by how attached I’d become to the story. Though it’s easy to focus on jump scares or creepy creatures (and there are plenty of each to go around), it’s really about Roman’s journey—his trauma, his memories, and the weight he carries. The puzzles add to that sense of immersion too. They’re challenging but not overly frustrating and solving them feels genuinely satisfying.
For Silent Hill or early Resident Evil veterans, Post Trauma will feel familiar in all the right ways in terms of gameplay and atmosphere, while still bringing its own fresh voice and style with its narrative. Post Trauma was a surprisingly emotional, gripping experience that stood with me long after the credits rolled. Grab your controller, kill the lights, and see where Roman’s story takes you. Just… maybe don’t play it alone. – Steven Allen
Raw Fury
Players will explore a terrifying, twisted reality that constantly unsettles as its story shifts and unravels.
Fight or Flight?
In Post Trauma, players control Roman (Togo Igawa), a tormented train conductor who awakes to find himself in a surreal dimension following a terrible panic attack. Faced with horrifying architecture and nightmarish abominations, Roman can choose to defend himself with an array of weapons or try to find the path of least resistance.
A new world of horror that pays homage to the greats
Inspired by key staples of the Survival Horror genre, Post Trauma blends fixed camera angles with stunning visuals through Unreal Engine 5 to create a truly unsettling, yet familiar horror experience. But just when you think you have the answers, this hellscape changes the questions as you enter the unknown to face your greatest fears.
Can you find a way home?
To survive this cruel world, you must piece together an ongoing mystery across several, seemingly unrelated settings. Deducing your environments to find unlikely hints and discovering precious tools in unexpected places will help you make continued progress.
As you find clues and solve puzzles, you’ll gradually learn more about where you are and how you can escape, using a delicate mix of patience and cunning to stay alive. And maybe a pad and paper too.
Built and enriched by world-class talent
Featuring a fully voice acted cast (Togo Igawa, Autumn Ivy, Hyoie O’Grady) and a captivating, ambient audioscape, elevated by a hypnotic score from Nicolas Gasparini (Myuu), Post Trauma has been crafted to be a homage to beloved franchises and a new merging of playstyles. The intent is to create a truly special, unforgettable horror experience fuelled by pure passion and incredible talent.
Lushfoil Photography Sim is a serene first-person exploration and photography game by Matt Newell. Using Unreal Engine 5, it features real-world environments where you can explore and capture stunning photos with an in-game DSLR camera. In a world that seldom slows down, this offers a rare sanctuary: peace.
Playing this game felt like a virtual retreat. No missions, no pressure. Just me, a camera, and some of the most breathtaking virtual landscapes I’ve ever seen. From the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps to the tranquil serenity of a Japanese temple, each environment felt alive and profoundly meditative. It wasn’t merely about snapping photos; it was about learning to see. Adjusting aperture, experimenting with focus, and chasing the perfect light—the camera mechanics were so realistic, I often forgot I was in a game.
What truly resonated with me was the stillness. I would pause to listen to the wind or watch the clouds drift by. I discovered hidden paths, found delightful surprises, and curated a gallery that felt like a personal travelogue. Despite its name, Lushfoil Photography Sim isn’t just a simulator—it’s a gentle reminder to slow down, look closer, and appreciate the beauty in the quiet moments. – Jessica Ronnell
Annapurna Interactive
The rich atmosphere of Lushfoil Photography Sim is enhanced by an ambient, ethereal soundtrack featuring licensed music from artists around the world.
Capture the Perfect Shot
The in-game camera includes an abundance of settings that you’d expect from a real-world professional DSLR camera. The camera simulates settings such as Auto/Manual Focus, Flash, Exposure, Contrast, White Balance, Aperture, Burst Shot and other effects for full creative control over your photography. The game further provides tools that allow for manipulation of the environmental conditions for your photos, such as manual adjustment of light angles, fog, snow, wind, and rain.
Off the Beaten Path
Dive deeper into the game’s many locations to find unlockable cameras and experience the world from unique perspectives. Find a first-person drone that allows you to soar above the landscape and capture the world from above, or find a hidden rowboat that allows you to traverse still waters in pursuit of the perfect shot.
Very Efficiently Optimised
Each environment has been created in Unreal Engine 5 and is built from the ground up to be both efficiently optimized and showcase the game’s locations in stunning visual fidelity. There are extensive custom settings that will help the game run on a wide range of PCs, while taking full advantage of high-end graphics cards.
About Me
My name is Matt, I’m from Perth in West Australia and I’ve been working on this project solo for about 4 years (as of April 2023). As an avid hiker and photographer I hope you’re able to appreciate the atmosphere and details I have tried to encapsulate in these environments. I sincerely hope you have a great experience :’)
Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) is a narrative-driven walking sim set in the 17th century, deep into the wilderness of what is now Canada. This first-person episodic game is an emotional, atmospheric journey told through two distinct perspectives.
You begin the story as Jeanne, a young French woman, along with her loyal dog Capitaine, the only survivors of a shipwreck. The choices you make shape her story – not just the events, but how she perceives the world around her. Lean into faith, and she grows more devout and dogmatic. Focus on survival and pragmatism, and her worldview shifts. The game makes you feel the weight of every decision.
But soon you’ll play as Maikan, a hunter from the Innu people with a different view of the land. His story revolves around the survival of his people, their traditions, and the looming threat of cultural erasure brought by colonizers.
One of my favorite things from Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) is the subtle ways it presents different perspectives. For example, Jeanne sees the environment in a more monochromatic, fearful way, while Maikan sees the environment as more colorful and welcoming. This dual perspective is powerful and creates a deep bond with the characters. What I loved most is how the game doesn’t beat you over the head with its themes but trusts you to notice the nuances.
The world is rich with exploration and environmental storytelling. You unravel a mystical mystery through enveloping visuals, and haunting sound design that draws you deeper into the setting. The art style is gorgeous and complements the pace of the gameplay. It reminded me of Firewatch in how it slowly builds atmosphere and connection, not just through dialogue but with the environment and supportive characters being as important to the story as the main protagonists.
If you’re looking for an immersive experience that challenges your perspectives in a beautifully and authentic crafted story and with a mystical mystery to unravel, Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) is worth the journey. – Oscar Polanco
Unreliable Narrators
Explore 17th century Canadian wilderness in this 3D linear game and experience the intertwining journeys of Jeanne, a French King’s Daughter stranded far from the French colonies and Maikan, a young Innu hunter trying to uncover what is disturbing his native forest, land of his ancestors.
As you play through Two Falls, you’ll uncover the distinct realities and cultures of Jeanne and Maikan, each with their unique perspective on life. With two distinct artistic and musical directions, you’ll interpret the events from their points of view and discover that a single event can have vastly different meanings for each character.
While the story of Two Falls follows a linear path, your choices and actions within the game will have an impact on how Jeanne and Maikan evolve throughout their journey. As they come to terms with the upheaval of their familiar world, you’ll feel their struggles and triumphs in a deeply immersive experience.
Ever wondered what it’d be like if your favorite childhood cartoons took a dark turn? Bendy and the Ink Machine does exactly that – and trust me, it’s as creepy as it is captivating. Initially released back in 2018, Joey Drew Studios has recently released an enhanced version for Xbox Series X|S boosting both graphics and performance. It’s a perfect opportunity for those that missed it the first time around.
This first-person puzzle horror game drops you into an old, abandoned animation studio where something has clearly gone very, very wrong. You play as Henry, a former animator returning to uncover the secrets behind a mysterious ink machine – and the nightmarish cartoon characters it’s brought to life. From the start, Bendy pulls you in with its sepia-toned visuals, vintage cartoon style, and eerie soundtrack. It feels like stepping into a twisted version of a 1930s cartoon reel. As I explored the dimly lit hallways and solved puzzles, I felt a mix of nostalgia and unease – like reliving a memory that had somehow gone rotten.
The gameplay blends horror, puzzles, and exploration in a way that keeps you constantly on your toes. While you are mostly limited to running and hiding from ink monsters, at some point you’ll be able to fend them off with a pipe or axe, though honestly it sometimes felt like you were better off dodging attacks and running like hell. It reminded me a lot of Five Nights at Freddy’s or Little Nightmares, with that same heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat, fight-or-flight feeling that I got playing those games. But what I loved most was how the story slowly unravels, keeping you guessing until the end. Whether you enjoy horror games or are simply looking for something unique and memorable, Bendy will be there… possibly even right behind you. – Steven Allen
Joey Drew Studios
Play as Henry as he revisits the demons of his past by exploring the abandoned animator’s workshop of Joey Drew Studios. With twists and turns around every corner, Bendy and the Ink Machine® is sure to thrill you… and decimate your childhood.
You’ll never look at cartoons the same way again.
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From the first moment you step into the brutal lands of Shu, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers makes one thing clear: survival isn’t gifted, it’s earned. Throughout your journey, you’ll need to master an arsenal of weapons, spells, and abilities to overcome the harrowing challenges of this Soulslike action-RPG set in the waning years of the Ming dynasty. With the July 24 launch fast approaching, we’re giving PlayStation players a closer look at some of the game’s most defining tools of survival, power, and identity.
We’ll highlight just a few of the devastating weapons, arcane spells, and unique abilities you’ll wield as you carve your legacy through ruin and revelation. These tools don’t just shape your playstyle, they shape the legend of Wuchang herself.
Each weapon in Wuchang is tied to a piece of the game’s worldbuilding, from sacred relics to myth-imbued prototypes. Every blade tells a story, and every strike leaves a mark.
The Dragoncoil Lance, a Deluxe Edition spear, is a striking silver-white weapon featuring a traditional design. A coiled dragon motif wraps around the junction of the shaft and spearhead, symbolizing the wielder’s courage and valor. Weapons in Wuchang each have their own unique skills, and with the Vortex Thrust skill for the Dragoncoil Lance, you can unleash shockwaves with devastating force, making it ideal for punishing multiple enemies at once.
Combat in Wuchang is fluid, fast, and fiercely deliberate, with a broad range of abilities that define how you approach each fight. One standout is Blade Dance, a whirling assault that slices through enemies while showcasing your mastery of dual blades. The Crescent Arc, a forward-lunging slash imbued with ethereal energy, closing distance and shifting momentum with measured precision.
Prefer power over speed? Colossal Smash delivers a thunderous overhead strike that leaves a trail of destruction in its wake, ideal for breaking enemy posture or interrupting spellcasters mid-cast. Every ability in Wuchang evolves through skill trees and Red Mercury enhancements, adding layers of strategy beyond raw force.
Wuchang’s spell system is one of the most visually striking elements of its design, drawing from Taoist ritual, ancient folklore, and operatic symbolism. These aren’t just tools of destruction. They’re storytelling vessels that bind your journey to the world’s unraveling lore.
Infernal Flames casts a searing mask that torments enemies with divine rage, based on an ancient opera ritual meant to summon wrathful spirits. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Lotus Soulflame, a ritual spell used in spirit exorcisms that unleashes devastating elemental damage.
Another standout is Echo of Liu Cheng’en, a chilling surge of ice named after a loyal Ming general. The spell can knock targets back with enough force to disrupt aggressive momentum and create space in critical encounters.
At the heart of Wuchang’s identity lies the Feathering system, a supernatural affliction that grants immense power at great personal cost. As Wuchang absorbs Red Mercury and defeats corrupted monstrosities, she unlocks devastating abilities and spells rooted in transformation.
Feathering allows players to unleash deadly skills and spells mid-combat, turning the tide of battle in an instant. But each use chips away at stability, demanding tactical restraint. Do you risk transforming in the middle of a fight to deliver explosive damage, knowing it may leave you vulnerable? Or hold your strength in reserve until the moment you’re truly cornered?
Players who pre-order Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will receive two exclusive outfits, White Spectre and Night Spectre, offering ceremonial elegance steeped in decay. You’ll also unlock the Vermillion War Club, a brutal axe weapon with powerful combo potential, along with a Glistening Red Mercury Skill Upgrade to enhance your build from the very beginning.
For those seeking even deeper customization, the Deluxe Edition adds four rare outfits: Soul Ritual Robe, Tiger of Fortune, Overlord’s Regalia, and Draconic Resurgence. It also includes powerful weapons such as the Moonlight Dragon, Watcher’s Gaze swords, Eternal Sovereignty, and Dragoncoil Lance. You’ll also receive the Blood of Changhong, a special Skill Upgrade Item designed to support diverse builds and encourage early experimentation.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is more than a battle for survival. It’s a meditation on power, sacrifice, and transformation. Every spell you cast, weapon you wield, and enemy you overcome deepens your understanding of Wuchang’s intricate lore. Mastery isn’t just rewarded, it’s essential to unlocking the truths buried in the land of Shu.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers launches July 24 on PlayStation 5. Pre-order now to unlock exclusive content and prepare for the journey that awaits.
Day one patches are the curse that comes with the modern age of video games because development doesn’t end at the point of printing the discs we play them on any more. It sucks, it’s bad for preservation, but we’re stuck with them. However, it’s also a bit funny that Elden Ring Nightreign, due out tomorrow, May 30th, sort of has a day minus one patch that’s already available. Of course, unless you’re a journalist, YouTuber, or very friendly with your local video game store clerk who hooked you up with an early copy of the Soulslike, this won’t concern you for a good few hours yet.
