Earlier this month Blizzard outlined their plans for Diablo 4 across 2025 that, notably, teased the action game would be getting a few collabs. They didn’t mention what said collabs would be, just that they exist, to which I said “ugh”, because, well, ugh, why does everything have to have collabs these days? The annoying thing is that Blizzard kind of nailed it with the first one, which just so happens to be with the iconic dark fantasy series Berserk.
Hello, I’m Eser Kaya, I’m part of the Ubik Studios team developing Leila. I’d like to tell you a little bit about the world of Leila that you’ll be diving into.
Leila puts you inside the mind of a middle-aged woman and lets you wander there. You are allowed to enter her mind and you travel through her past experiences on her way to becoming the person she is today.
So what is in the past? The same things that everybody has: Regrets, mistakes, traumas, what ifs… The bad things leave more traces and when we look back at them, we see that they have shaped us, brought us to the present. As we experience Leila’s life story, we try to unravel the mystery of all this baggage, to get to the bottom of it. And we do this with the help of creative puzzles built into the game. We used traditional animation techniques to produce all the end-of-episode cinematics, and through the production of these we had the chance to see how intensive this work is. Every one of them is like a short film, giving the player clues about Leila’s past and functioning as a complement to the story.
Leila wanders through her memories with the help of a technological device that her daughter gave her as a gift. While doing so, she tries to get to know herself better, to establish a cause and effect relationship of her actions, and ultimately to see what exactly makes her who she is. The player becomes Leila as she listens to her inner voice and identifies themself with Leila, often looking at the world from her point of view. As you move back and forth between the decades, you also get a glimpse of the aesthetics or trends of the time. Thus the game strikes a balance between the nostalgia of the past and the promise of the future.
Leila was designed to be a powerful example of the female gaze, which we feel is sorely lacking in games. By looking at life from a woman’s perspective, it adds a new layer to the experience. By taking a close look at the untold, often ignored stories of women, she shows a practice of healing, shaking up and standing up that applies to everyone.
We put a lot of effort in for our first game Leila for about two years. Now it’s time to take it out to the world and present it to people and make it a part of them. We hope that Leila can show a path of healing for everyone who experiences it.
NAISU
Play as Leila and traverse through all phases of her life, uncovering her pivotal life moments. By unraveling puzzles imbued with the fragments of her narrative, you’ll comprehend the motives behind Leila’s life decisions. As you delve deeper into her psyche and her emotional landscape, you’ll discover facets of your own self mirrored in the life journey of this seemingly ordinary woman.
Step into journey through the layers of Leila, a captivating, story-driven adventure that comes alive with charming narration and stunning artwork. Every frame is a masterpiece, handcrafted with detailed traditional animation, and each moment is accentuated with an evocative original soundtrack.
Embark on Leila’s journey as she grapples with the complexities of love, trust, and the shadows of her past. Navigate thought-provoking puzzles that challenge and engage, deepening the immersion in her tale.
The post Are You Ready to Enter Leila’s Mind and Journey into Her Past? appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Armored Core is a FromSoftware series that absolutely rips, and has done since its debut way back on the PS1. Technically us PC players only recently were graced with the ability to play something from the series with the release of Armored Core 6, but soon we’ll have a couple more to mess around with. The only caveat is that it would be helpful if you could speak Japanese, as they’re not getting an English language release.
During today’s Mario Kart World Direct, we got a closer look at a number of new tracks, features, and racers, including Penguin. We’ve known Penguin was in the game since its reveal last week, but today’s Direct decided to feature this blue cutie in a very meme-specific way…by repeatedly throwing him off cliffs.
This happened not once, but twice during the Direct, as fans have pointed out on social media. On one occasion, Penguin simply misjudges a curve and sails neatly off over an icy landscape:
Even Nintendo is deliberately dropping blue penguins off of icy ledges.#MarioKartWorld #MarioKartWorldDirect #Nintendo #Switch2 pic.twitter.com/0eMsUE24Jz
— Jonathan Leung (@VGMaps) April 17, 2025
But in a second, even more on the nose move, a Penguin in Free Roam drives straight off a cliff into the sea below while music from Super Mario 64 toodles away in the background:
29 years later and we still chucking penguins off of cliffs like in Mario 64#MarioKartWorld pic.twitter.com/7klPg5rZkM
— 🔥FireShadow64🔥(DROP THE PRICE) (@FireShadow64) April 17, 2025
If you’re confused as to why this is noteworthy, allow me to draw your attention to a long-standing community meme of Penguin from Super Mario 64. In Super Mario 64, players discovered years ago that it was possible to collect a Power Star from Mother Penguin by returning Baby Penguin to her, then to take Baby Penguin after the star appears and take them away again…or even drop them off a cliff:
This bit has been memed into fame for over a decade by the Mario community, so it’s extremely funny to see Nintendo acknowledge it even if it’s in a somewhat subtle, plausible-deniability kind of way. Is this a horrendous thing to do? Society still hasn’t come down cleanly on one side or another of the Penguin-cliff debate. At least Mario Kart World gives Penguin a nice little water vehicle so they can just keep going once they’ve landed.
Today’s Mario Kart Nintendo Direct wasn’t exactly the font of new information many were hoping it would be, but we still got word on some interesting new stuff: more new characters, courses, items, and features, as well as a close look (courtesy of Penguin and others) of the new open world Free Roam mode, which will let players drive around anywhere in the world without restraint.
You can catch up on everything announced right here.
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.
Lenovo’s Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 is officially up for pre-order, but stock is already shipping. If you’re looking for a high-end gaming laptop that doesn’t play it safe, this is the one to watch. It’s priced at $3,599.99 and available directly from Lenovo. Delivery is expected as early as late April.
The Heroes and Villains-themed Disney Destiny is set to make its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 20, 2025, and Disney just revealed a ton of new info on the latest cruise ship about to join its fleet.
There is a lot to look forward to on the Disney Destiny, including a Lion King dining experience, a Hercules Broadway-style show, and so much more, and we’re here to break down everything you need to know.
Heroes and Villains are the name of the game for the Disney Destiny, and Disney wants its guests to be “inspired, encouraged, and empowered” by these characters during their journey. This sense of wonder will begin the moment you step on the Disney Destiny and are greeted by the Grand Hall and a one-of-a-kind statue of Black Panther. The Grand Hall will also feature 360-degree lighting effects that will, at times, take on the colors of some of our favorite characters to build the mood and immersion even more.
As for who we may see, Disney has revealed Loki will be up to his mischievous ways and will attempt to declare himself ruler of the ship and will cause chaos with “grand proclamations, questionable storytelling, surprise competitions, and more.”
Creuella de Vil will also take center stage as she will let guests “put their personal style to the test on [her] very own wretched runway or take part in a bit of treble-making as they create a lyrical tribute to her marvelousness.”
Furthermore, Cruella is the inspiration for De Vil’s piano lounge that will have exclusive drinks like the Fashionista and Fearless Sir Galahad alongside and a “Hollywood Regency-inspired aesthetic.” Oh, and a piano that looks just like a dalmatian.
The Villains don’t get the only spotlight, however, as The Sanctum will take inspiration from Doctor Strange and some of his artifacts like the Cloak of Levitation and spell books from the library of Kamar-Taj. This lounge will have drinks and food, and you can check them out below.
Lastly, the Disney Destiny will be the first Disney cruise ship to feature a Marvel character on its stern as Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots will grace the filigree on the back of the ship.
These are just a few examples of the heroes and villains that will be the stars of Disney Destiny, and they will join such others as Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, Hades, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Captain Jack Sparrow, Bruno, and more.
Disney Hercules, the Destiny’s Broadway-style show, has us very excited as The Tale of Moana on the Disney Treasure was one of the best shows we’ve seen on land or at sea. This adaptation of the beloved Disney classic will feature all the music and characters you know and love alongside new additions like the song, ‘Shooting Star,’ which was actually cut from the original film.
Hercules himself will be played by Corey J. Bradford, who recently wowed guests at a Disney Destiny media preview with his rendition of ‘Go the Distance,’ and he will be confronted once again by the terrifying Hyrdra, who is being brought to life by award-winning puppet designer Michael Curry.
Disney Hercules will be just one of the shows featured in the Destiny’s Walt Disney Theater alongside Frozen, A Musical Spectacular and Disney Seas the Adventure.
Guests will also be able to enjoy shows and games inside of Saga, the central hub for “daytime family activities and adult exclusive evening entertainment.” Saga’s architecture is inspired by Wakanda, and will feature encounters with Maleficent, Match Your Mate, Family Time Game Show, a new Aquamouse story with villains, and more.
While the Disney Treasure had the incredible Plaza de Coco dining experience, the Disney Destiny is getting its own version inspired by The Lion King. The legendary songs and moments from this Disney classic will be just one part of a night to remember at Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King.
Storytells Mwongozo and Shaha will be taking us through the story of the great Simba, and other performers will help bring these moments to life with costumes, props, authentic African instrruments, and more.
As for the meal itself, Disney aims to “balance the wide-ranging flavors of African cuisines with familiar fare that will satisfy the whole family.” Such highlights include Nala’s Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Pan-seared Berbere-spiced Roasted Chicken, Cape Malay Shrimp Curry, Heirloom Tomato Kachumbari, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Warm Chocolate Malva Pudding, and even drinks like the Can You Feel the Rum Tonight? and the Slimy Yet Satisfying.
Other dining experiences on the Disney Destiny include Worlds of Marvel with Rocket and Groot, 1923, Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, The Rose, the Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired Cask & Cannon, Cafe Megara, Cafe Merida, and more.
The Incredibles will also be getting there own themed sweets shop with Edna A La Mode Sweets, which will be the place to get handmade gelato, ice cream, cookies, candies, and specialty treats.
There is still so much more to learn about the Disney Destiny, and we’ll be updating this article and more as new details are revealed!
While you wait, be sure to read our Disney Treasure Ultimate Guide as the Destiny is its sister ship, check out more official details on the Disney Destiny and see much we loved the Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Treasure as it will also be on the Destiny.
Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.
Overwatch 2’s Stadium was announced earlier this year, a new round-based mode that lets you buy upgrade items through its rounds to get different buffs, gear, etc. as you try to win the best of seven rounds. Honestly one of the most notable things about it is that it’ll have a third-person perspective, a series first for the shooter, one that I’ve never understood not being in the game given how much of an emphasis on skins there is. But, interestingly enough, it’s not launching with every character in the roster, and weirdly that includes box character Tracer.
We feel a new main coming along…
The Mario Kart World Direct has been and gone, and we learnt… not all that much actually. What we did get out of it, mind you, is a fresh batch of screenshots from Nintendo, showcasing the majority of our new racers with some stunning close-ups.
World appears to have the series’ biggest roster yet, with an almighty line-up of characters at your disposal and even more options if you include all the unlockable costumes. We’re already breaking down every confirmed character in our guide, but if you want to feast your eyes on some of the newbies, we’ve got the following gallery for you to see ’em at a glance.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is an epic dark fantasy action-RPG coming to Xbox Series X|S today. It features brutal Soulslike combat, a sprawling, interconnected world, and a sinister story campaign coming in at over 40 hours.
To survive in this world, your approach to combat is everything – and thankfully you have a lot of options at your disposal. Your combat strategy in Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree can be shaped by everything from the Class you choose, to the type of damage you inflict, the Status Effects that ensue, and your approach to Talent Tree progression and crafting.
Battles can be brutal, Inquisitor. It would serve you well to brush up on the various systems at play before you descend into the darkness of Faelduum. Are you ready?
There are six classes to master in Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree. Starting your journey, you’ll choose from the Vanguard, Flameweaver, Spellbinder, Nightshade, Wyldwarden, and Vindicator. Each comes with its own pros and cons, while your choice of weapon, special abilities, and active skills can also influence your playstyle. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:
Your Weapons, Active Skills, and Talents can deal different types of damage that may also inflict corresponding Status Effects.
Physical damage is the meat and potatoes of a melee build like the Vanguard. A surgical strike can inflict the Bleed Status on foes, making them more susceptible to damage. If you’ve laced your blade, Poison Status will ruthlessly drain an enemy’s health over time.
This world is also brimming with elemental forces, and there are six types of Magic at play. Astral saps the power of light to attack enemies, and you can inflict the Lightbrand Status to take enemies’ strength to fuel your fury. Chaos can cause enemies to sustain the Weakness Status, slowing them down and leaving them open to more pain. Predictably, Fire can inflict the Burn Status to damage foes over time.
And it’s not all about damage. Tap into the raw power of nature to deal Wyld damage and lock enemies in place with the Root Status. If you want to send shivers down monsters’ spines, use Frost to inflict the Chill Status, freezing them solid for a short while. Certain enemies might even attack with Void magic, a power drawn from the parallel realm of Entropy.
The Talent Tree is your roadmap to power. While gear like swords and armor offer an immediate boon to strength, the Talent Tree gives you long-term, customizable power through carefully chosen abilities. Earn Talent Points by leveling up or visiting Offering Shrines. Each Class in Mandragora has its own unique Tree—will you master them all?
Starting Nodes unlock a core ability for each class, like the Vanguard’s ability to wield Tower Shields. Focus on aggressive builds to get powerful Bleed effects, develop new defensive strategies with your shield, or find ways to restore your Health and Adrenaline with every enemy you dispatch.
If you want to push your build even further, you can combine Talents from different Classes. For example, blend the Vanguard’s raw strength with the Flameweaver’s speed to yield a hybrid build that shreds enemies with Bleed and lightning-fast strikes.
Your journey is dangerous, but you don’t have to face it alone. Skilled Artisans who travel with your Caravan can craft powerful gear, consumables, and enchantments to aid you in battle. There are seven Artisan Vendors throughout Faelduum, each a master of their craft. Whether it’s weapons, armor, potions, or runes, everything you need to survive can be forged, brewed, or prepared at your Caravan.
Some Artisans may cultivate their own resources, such as rare herbs that you can use to make potions and weapon oils. You might even be lucky enough to enjoy a stat-boosting meal with the Cook. And for all the lore fans out there, be sure to visit the brave Explorer to piece together map fragments and read detailed Bestiary entries on the creatures you’ve slain.
Crafting with Artisans will level them up and help you unlock stronger gear. Always check out your Artisans’ wares before setting out on a quest!
Your Inquisitor is yours to develop and customize as you see fit. Power them up with Talents, Active Skills, and Gear. And speaking of Gear, there are over 350 items to find, earn, and craft in Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree.
Equip Weapons, Armor, Rings, and Consumables, and switch between two Weapon sets to find your ideal loadout. Whether you wield a Greatsword or Dual Daggers, your approach can shape your playstyle and journey through Faelduum.
Your Armor is a crucial piece of the puzzle, too. It not only reduces incoming physical damage, but can grant additional attribute bonuses to health, defense, resistance, and more. Every piece also has a unique Weight and Poise, with more Poise making it harder to stagger you in combat, and Weight contributing to your overall carry capacity.
Whether you craft it, loot it from enemies, or find it lying around on your travels, keep an eye out for new Gear to fuel your quest. You can also enchant and enhance your weapons and armor with one of your Artisans—Rhys the Occultist.
This just scratches the surface of how deep combat can be tailored to your whims – start your journey with Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree or play the demo and prepare to face the horrors of Entropy!
Knights Peak
DEFY YOUR FATE
You are an Inquisitor. As evil seeps into Faelduum through tears in reality, defy your purpose and embark on a path that leads to this world’s unraveling fate. From the towering majesty of Crimson City, through festering darkness, and into the horrors of Entropy… what will you become at journey’s end?
MASTER SOULSLIKE COMBAT
Choose from six unique Classes and wield blades and magic to master your craft in brutal battles. Dodge, parry, and strike with perfect timing to hunt vicious creatures and nightmarish bosses.
SUCCUMB TO A DARK FANTASY WORLD
Fall into a sinister, branching tale written by Brian Mitsoda and hauntingly soundtracked by Christos Antoniou (Septicflesh) and the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague. 75 unique locations await your discovery across this vast, interconnected world.
SLAY YOUR WAY
Create your Inquisitor and develop them through six Talent Trees. Hundreds of skill and combat upgrades are available, and you can also craft powerful weapons and gear to define your playstyle, die less, and deal death faster.
New to action RPG or Soulslike games? Tune the difficulty to your skill level in the settings. For Soulslike experts, more challenges await in New Game Plus!
The post Master the Art of Combat in Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree appeared first on Xbox Wire.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to get special enhanced versions of several Switch 1 games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. A newly spotted disclaimer has fans worrying some games, or at least one game, won’t support Nintendo’s cloud save functionality as they’d hope.
Over the last day or so, users have been noticing that Nintendo’s pages for Tears of the Kingdom‘s Switch 2 edition carries the following disclaimer: “Please note: this software does not support the Nintendo Switch Online paid membership’s Save Data Cloud backup feature.”
Per ResetEra, the page for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition also apparently carried this disclaimer at one point, as did Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV.
Though it’s since disappeared from those pages, the Tears of the Kingdom still has the disclaimer as of this writing. The Japanese page though, per Eurogamer via machine translation, does not carry the same disclaimer; only the US and EU pages seem to be showing it.
IGN has reached out to Nintendo for clarification on the matter.
If this holds true, this could create some confusing scenarios for players. Nintendo’s cloud save option for NSO members is handy, for one. It makes carrying games across systems, or juggling storage space for games without losing your saved progress, a little less stres-inducing.
Actually importing a save file from the original Switch to the Switch 2 Edition of Tears of the Kingdom does seem to still work. The Nintendo page noted an additional save slot for the Switch 2 Edition, where one can start a brand-new journey or “continue a previous one with your existing save data.” Nintendo does note that save data created in the second save data slot cannot be trasnferred to the Nintendo Switch 1 version of Tears of the Kingdom.
It’s a confusing situation that can possibly lead to some stress, as players would likely not want to lose a save file they’ve dumped many, many hours into when upgrading versions. Hopefully, this gets cleared up soon.
The Switch 2 Edition does have a few reasons for prospective Switch 2 owners to upgrade, including the Zelda Notes app, which comes packed with helpful guiding content, lore, and even some potential equipment repair options.
Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.
