NVIDIA’s 50-series GPUs had a strange old rollout. From missing cores to marked-up prices, there’s also some disappointment about the push to use AI to push things further, rather than good, old-fashioned power.
Today, we got our first real, new, meaty trailer for Hollow Knight: Silksong in several years, complete with a September 4 release date. Fans are already unpacking details from the trailer, including pointing out that it looks like the base game of Silksong might be bigger than the base game of Hollow Knight – quite a feat for something that started out as DLC.
Evidence for this comes from the trailer above, which has text stating the game contains over 200 enemies and over 40 bosses. Compare that to Hollow Knight’s launch trailer, which said over 140 enemies and over 30 bosses:
So it sounds like Silksong is launching with more enemies and bosses than Hollow Knight did. And though we don’t know the size of the explorable area in Silksong, it stands to reason that it probably needs to be big enough to fit all those little guys, and thus its map is likely to be at least as big as the original Hollow Knight if not more. And while that may sound like a given for a sequel, it’s helpful to remember that Silksong didn’t start out as a sequel – it began as DLC, and then somehow morphed into something seemingly even bigger than its predecessor.
Now, that comparison doesn’t include Hollow Knight’s DLC, which added tons of new enemies, areas, bosses, story, and other content. With all that included, the existing game of Hollow Knight is almost certainly larger than Silksong was at launch. That said, we learned today that developer Team Cherry is still working on more Silksong for the months and years after the game’s launch, making it possible it will eventually surpass Hollow Knight’s DLC as well.
If you absolutely can’t wait until launch to find out what some of these enemies and bosses entail, we did get to preview Hollow Knight: Silksong earlier this week at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. Funnily enough, it looks like the exact same demo we played back in E3 2019, only with six more years of polish, illustrating how far the game has come in its lengthy development.
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.
Pokémon card prices are moving fast this week, and TCGPlayer is coming out ahead of Amazon on some of the most in-demand elite trainer boxes. Black Bolt is going for $84 (25% cheaper than Amazon), White Flare sits at $80.95 (17% cheaper), Destined Rivals is $94.48 (also 17% off), and Twilight Masquerade is $86.87 (about 6% below). On top of that, the market is showing a clear divide: flashy Illustration Rares like Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Terapagos ex are slipping, while useful cards like Hyper Rare Darkness Energy, Dusclops, and Okidogi ex are climbing steadily.
Outside the TCG world, today’s tech deals are worth a look too. The standout is a buy-one-get-one offer on Baseus’s 10-in-1 charging station, giving you a full desktop power hub for as little as $15 each. iPhone users can also pick up the ultra-slim LISEN MagSafe battery pack for under $20, perfect for quick top-ups on the go. Rounding things out are a mix of other discounts across everyday essentials, so there’s a little something for everyone in today’s roundup.
TCGPlayer is killing Amazon for the most in demand elite trainer boxes right now. Black Bolt is 25% cheaper at $84, White Flare is 17% below Amazon at $80.95 followed by Destined Rivals 17% cheaper at $94.48 and Twilight Masquerade at $86.87, which is a modest 6% cheaper. We’re still a ways off from MSRP, but if you want to get one of these ETBs this is the cheapest option right now.
Japan’s Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia Pokémon TCG sets have quickly gained popularity with collectors and competitive players alike, thanks to their focus on iconic Mega Evolutions, powerful Supporter cards, and premium artwork. High-value chase cards like Mega Gardevoir ex 092/063 and Mega Lucario ex 092/063 are priced at $664 and $444 respectively, while many others remain above the $100 mark.
These sets combine strong gameplay mechanics such as Psychic energy acceleration and hard-hitting Fighting-type attacks with visually stunning Special and Ultra Rare treatments that elevate their appeal. Booster boxes and Premium Trainer Boxes are available on TCGPlayer and include guaranteed rare pulls due to Japanese packaging rules. While the most expensive cards draw attention, more affordable options like Lillie’s Determination 086/063, Mega Kangaskhan ex SAR, and Mega Absol ex SAR offer great value with solid gameplay and collector-friendly art, making these sets a standout release for fans looking for both playability and display-worthy cards.
Stellar Crown’s Illustration Rares like Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Terapagos ex are dropping fast, with nostalgia-driven hype fading as supply grows and competitive players move on. Squirtle is down about 32% since February and Bulbasaur is down 31%, both sliding because their gameplay value is minimal. Earthen Vessel and the Special Illustration Rare Fezandipiti ex are also slipping, while Terapagos ex has been hit hardest, losing over half its value.
On the other hand, Shrouded Fable cards with practical utility are steadily climbing. Hyper Rare Basic Darkness Energy has gained around 17% as Dark-focused decks get more popular, and Dusclops is creeping up thanks to its creative ability. Even the Double Rare Fezandipiti ex is bucking the trend, nearly doubling in value as competitive players embrace it. Smaller gains from Powerglass and Okidogi ex reinforce the idea that functional, playable cards are holding their ground while flashy artwork is losing steam.
Brand new, genuine, imported, region unlocked units
If you still haven’t yet picked up a Nintendo Switch 2, here’s a rare opportunity to get one at a discounted price. In fact, this may be the only Switch 2 deal we’ll this year. AliExpress is offering a Nintendo Switch 2 console for just $404.28 (normally $450) after you apply a $100 off coupon code “AEUS100” or “USAFF100” during checkout. Alternatively you can get the Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle for just $436.49 (normally $500) after the same coupon. Both consoles ship free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks. These are import models from Hong Kong. Like all Switch consoles, they are region unlocked, meaning you can play them in the US without any problems. You’ll also be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here. They’ll come with a Hong Kong style plug, but a US adapter is included. Imported consoles do not get a US-based Nintendo warranty. AliExpress does include a 90-day free returns window.
LISEN MagSafe Portable Charger is a slim magnetic power bank that attaches directly to MagSafe-compatible iPhones. At just 0.3 inches thick, it’s easy to slip into a pocket or bag, and the 5000mAh capacity is enough for a solid top-up when you’re out and about. It supports 7.5W wireless charging or faster 18W wired charging with the included USB-C cable. Strong magnets keep it in place, and built-in safety features help prevent overheating or overcharging. It’s available in a few different colors and comes with a two-year warranty, which is nice peace of mind for a budget-friendly $17 charger.
Baseus 67W Charging Station is already a solid value at $29.99 (57% off its usual $69.99), but right now Amazon is running a buy-one-get-one offer. Add two to your cart, and the second one is free. Each unit gives you six AC outlets, three USB-C ports, and a USB-A port, with up to 67W fast charging that’s strong enough for laptops. The vertical design helps keep your desk tidy, and built-in surge protection plus GaN cooling tech make it a safer, more efficient alternative to juggling multiple chargers.
INIU Portable Charger is a slim and lightweight 10,000mAh power bank that delivers fast charging speeds up to 22.5W with PD 3.0 and QC4+ technology, capable of charging an iPhone from 0 to 65% in just 30 minutes. Designed for portability, it’s thinner, smaller, and lighter than most chargers in its class while still offering multiple charges for devices like iPhones, Samsung phones, iPads, and AirPods. It features a USB-C input and output for full compatibility with modern devices, a digital display, and even a built-in flashlight.
With Fallout Season 2 officially set to drop this December, Amazon has perfectly timed a deal on Fallout: Season 1 in 4K UHD Blu-ray, now just $29.99 (25% off its usual $39.99 price). That’s the same MSRP as the DVD and standard Blu-ray versions, but with far superior image quality if you’ve got a 4K player built into your Xbox Series X or PS5. Fallout Season 1 debuted on Prime Video in April 2024 and quickly became a breakout hit, leading Amazon to lock in Seasons 2 and 3. While the limited-edition Steelbook is long sold out, this discounted 4K release is a must for fans who want a physical copy, especially given how rare it is for streaming exclusives to make their way onto disc.
The 1997 cult-classic comic book adaptation Spawn is getting a deluxe upgrade with a limited-edition 4K Blu-ray from Arrow Video, releasing on October 7. Normally priced at $49.95, it’s currently down to $38.02 at Amazon (24% off), and preordering now locks in the lowest price if it drops again before release. This collector’s edition comes packed with extras alongside the film itself, making it a must-have for fans of Todd McFarlane’s iconic anti-hero. Spawn tells the story of Al Simmons, a government assassin who dies, makes a deal with the devil, and returns as a scarred “hellspawn”.
Fancy knocking $5.50 off a preorder for a Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt Booster Bundle? Well TCGPlayer has once again knocked Amazon off their pedisstal as they charge more than neccessary for Pokémon TCG product. Inside you’ll find six booster packs of Black Bolt.
Bookoo 12V 2,000A Cordless Car Jump Starter is down to just $19.26 on Amazon as part of a Lightning Deal when you use code TYLQ6GNL (normally $44.99). Compact yet powerful, it can jump start up to 8L gas or 6.5L diesel engines and packs a hefty 20,000mAh lithium battery that holds charge for up to two years. It also doubles as a portable power bank with 18W USB-C PD and two USB-A ports (including QuickCharge 3.0), plus a built-in flashlight with strobe and SOS modes.
Apple 20W USB-C Compact Power Adapter is on sale for $14.99 at Amazon (regularly $19), offering fast and efficient charging in a lightweight, travel-friendly design. Compatible with a wide range of iPhones from the iPhone 8 through the latest iPhone 16 lineup (Including iPads and other USB-C devices). It can deliver up to 50% charge in about 30 minutes when paired with the right device and cable
Tomtoc Slim Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 (2025) is currently on sale for $29.59 at Amazon (down from $47.99). Designed specifically for the new Switch 2, it offers a precision fit that aligns perfectly with every port and button while maintaining a slim, lightweight profile that’s easy to slip into a bag. Built with durable felt materials that provide military-grade drop protection, it also features a soft plush interior to guard against scratches.
EUKI Compressed Air Duster (X3-US) is available for $39.99 on Amazon, with an additional $15 coupon that drops the price even lower. Spinning at up to 150,000 RPM with three adjustable speed settings, it delivers powerful airflow for clearing dust, debris, and even drying surfaces quickly. Weighing just 315 grams, it’s portable enough for both home and outdoor use. It’s perfect for cleaning keyboards, PCs, and cars, or inflating air beds and more.
Amazon has dropped the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Commander Deck bundle to $189.99 (29% off MSRP), the lowest price yet and a significant saving over buying the decks individually. The set includes all four precons: Revival Trance, Scions and Spellcraft, Limit Break, and Counter Blitz. Limit Break offers strong reprints such as Darksteel Plate and Sword of the Animist, while Counter Blitz delivers powerful synergies built around counters and proliferate. Individually, three of these decks have been selling above $50, with Limit Break still listed at $72.50 on Amazon, making the bundle the best way to grab the full set at a discount.
Amazon has dropped one of the best Magic: The Gathering deals of the year, slashing the price of the Aetherdrift Finish Line Bundle from $79.99 to its lowest-ever $52.70. Packed with value, the bundle includes 2 premium Collector Boosters (worth nearly $20 each on their own), 6 Play Boosters, 20 foil lands, 3 exclusive Extended-Art cards, 2 foil Box Topper cards, a foil storage box, spindown life counter, stickers, and reference cards. Considering the Collector Boosters alone nearly cover the price, the rest of the contents are essentially a bonus, offering huge value for those chasing Aetherdrift’s rarest cards like the Radiant Lotus Fracture Foil or The Aetherspark First-Place Foil. With stock already more than halfway claimed, this deal won’t last long.
Best Buy and Amazon have posted its listings for Magic: The Gathering – Avatar: The Last Airbender,
The crossover Universes Beyond set officially launches November 21, 2025 (digital release November 18) and introduces bending-themed mechanics such as airbending, waterbending, earthbending, and firebending, along with fan-favorite characters including Aang, Katara, Zuko, Toph, and even the Cabbage Merchant.
Best Buy will offer multiple products at launch, including the $41.99 Scene Box, $189.99 Play Booster Box, $69.99 Play Booster Bundle, and $109.99 Commander’s Bundle. With full art treatments, collectible foils, and Standard-legal cards, this release is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated MTG tie-ins of the year.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy Limited Edition Blu-ray set brings together all three classic films in a newly restored collection. Starting with the gritty 1990 original, followed by the fun-filled 1991 sequel The Secret of the Ooze, and wrapping up with 1993’s time-travel adventure Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, the trilogy captures the mix of martial arts action, humor, and groundbreaking (for the time) effects that made the turtles global icons. Restored in 4K and loaded with extras like new director commentaries, cast and crew interviews, original and remixed audio tracks, and a collector’s booklet, this set celebrates the legacy of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael with style.
Amazon has dropped the price of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Technodrome Playset to $32.84, nearly 60% off its original $79.99 list price and the lowest it has ever been. Originally released in 1990 and now reimagined as an Amazon exclusive, the Technodrome is authentically sculpted and decorated to match the original toy, complete with retro 1980s box art. The discount follows strong preorder demand for the TMNT Classic Sewer Set, which ships in September, making this a tempting pickup for collectors who want both classic sets at a fraction of their original cost.
Nintendo recently raised the price of the new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller from $85 to $90, but here’s an opportunity to get one for even less that either price. AliExpress currently has a genuine, imported Switch 2 Pro controller for $82.13 after you apply $20 off coupon code “AEUS20” during checkout. It ships free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks. Check out our Switch 2 Pro Controller review.
This is a genuine official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller. It’s an import model, most likely from Hong Kong, China, or Japan. However, it doesn’t really matter because Switch hardware is region unlocked, meaning you can use the controller in the US with any locally purchased Switch 2 without any problems. Keep in mind that imported hardware does not get a US-based Nintendo warranty, however AliExpress does include a 15-day free returns window.
ACEMAGIC Vista Mini V1 is a compact and powerful mini PC powered by Intel’s latest Twin Lake N150 processor, offering up to 3.6GHz speeds and outperforming the N100 and N95 chips by more than 39 percent in performance tests. Pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, it comes with 16GB DDR4 RAM and a 512GB SSD, with easy expansion up to 2TB for extra storage. Despite its small 3.9×3.9×1.3-inch metal body, it features efficient cooling, quiet fans, and versatile connectivity including HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.2, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Designed for business, education, entertainment, or everyday use, it supports 4K dual display output with Intel UHD Graphics, making it a sleek, portable, and reliable option for a second PC at home or in the office.
James Gunn’s Superman, the first theatrical release in his new DCU, soared into theaters last month and is already available to watch at home on digital platforms like Prime Video. The film, starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan with Nicholas Hoult, blends epic action, humor, and heart to reintroduce a Superman driven by compassion and belief in humanity. Despite the quick turnaround to streaming, it’s not a sign of weak box office.Superman has grossed over $580 million so far, earning the biggest opening weekend of any Superman movie and standing as 2025’s top-grossing superhero film to date. Gunn has emphasized that the early digital release was a creative choice tied to the future of the DCU, including the upcoming Peacemaker projects.
This DVD collects all 13 episodes of the “so bad its good” Legend of Zelda cartoon, which has about three hours and 41 minutes of Link and Princess Zelda defending Hyrule from Ganondorf. While it’s a barebones release with no extras and everything on a single disc, the nostalgic box art featuring classic character designs, combined with the new low price, makes it a fun piece of Zelda and cartoon history to own, even if it’s only on DVD.
The Fantom Drives VENOM8 2TB NVMe Gen 4 M.2 Internal SSD with heatsink is now available for $149.45 at Amazon, 24% off its typical $197.65 price. This PS5-ready upgrade delivers read speeds up to 7400MB/s and write speeds up to 6500MB/s, providing faster load times and smoother gameplay. It features 3D NAND TLC technology with DDR4 DRAM Cache along with TRIM support, SMART monitoring, and LDPC ECC for reliability. The aluminum magnesium alloy heatsink helps keep temperatures in check for consistent performance, and installation is quick and simple. With 2TB of storage capacity, enough for around 50 games, it is an excellent option for expanding your PS5 library.
I’m expecting this MTG Universes Beyond expansion to web zip off shelves when it drops at the end of Feburary, so if you see a preorder like I have, just secure it.
The money won’t be taken from your bank until it ships either, so it’s a no brainer. I’ve also included the listings for the rest of the set from TCGPlayer incase you needed a massive ripping session.
Plenty of awesome figures to choose from here for more than 50% off in most cases. I absolutley love the comic front cover diorama ones, fantastic display pieces and belong on everyone’s show-off shelf for these kinds of prices.
We’re not just talk about bricks here, we’ve even got a cracking deal for a physical copy of LEGO Horizon Adventures on PS5 for $21.99, a massive 63% off. Sick of buying your better half flowers and them dying quick? Just make some out of LEGO Botanicals instead thanks to some big savings on Amazon. Even Harry Potter has rocked up with some deals
The Yu-Gi-Oh Early Days Collection for Nintendo Switch is currently available for $19.99 at Amazon, which is 60% off the original $49.99 list price and matches the lowest price seen during Prime Day. This bundle includes 14 classic Yu-Gi-Oh games, many released in the West for the first time, along with a collectible Harpie’s Feather Duster card in a special Quarter Century Secret Rare printing. Titles range from early Game Boy releases like Duel Monsters and Dark Duel Stories to Game Boy Advance favorites such as The Sacred Cards and Reshef of Destruction. The included card, offered in one of two variants, is part of the franchise’s 25th anniversary celebration and could hold significant value for collectors.
INIU Portable Charger 10000mAh is now available for $19.79 at Amazon, 10% off its typical $21.99 price. This slim and lightweight power bank delivers 22.5W fast charging with PD 3.0 and QC4+ technology, capable of charging an iPhone from 0 to 65% in just 30 minutes. It features a USB-C input and output for compatibility with the latest iPhones, iPads, Samsung devices, and other USB-C gadgets, along with a digital display, flashlight, and trickle-charging mode for smaller devices like AirPods. The 10000mAh capacity can provide up to 3.3 charges for an iPhone 8 or 2 full charges for a Samsung S8, making it a reliable and portable charging solution for travel or everyday use.
The A Nightmare on Elm Street: 7-Film Collection is now available for $99.95 at Amazon, 5% off the list price of $104.98. This set marks the first time all seven films in the iconic horror series have been released in 4K Ultra HD, and it also includes digital copies for each movie. Directed by Wes Craven and starring Robert Englund as the infamous Freddy Krueger, the collection delivers the complete nightmare experience in the highest quality yet for longtime fans and new viewers alike.
HOTO 25 in 1 Precision Electric Screwdriver Set bundled with the 28 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Set is available for $59.98 at Amazon, a 36% discount off the $93.98 list price and $15.99 less than buying separately. This high-end kit features a sleek aluminum alloy design with an anodized, anti-sweat, and anti-corrosion finish, along with durable PC+ABS components. The electric screwdriver includes 25 precision S2 steel bits across 10 types for repairing electronics such as laptops, tablets, cameras, and game consoles, while the manual set adds 28 bits for even broader coverage. Both sets come with a built-in magnetizer for quick bit magnetization and precision torque control, making them suitable for both professionals and hobbyists.
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.
While the Switch 1 version goes MIA.
Amazon Games and Glowmade have announced that their hack-and-slash co-op party platformer, King of Meat, will be heading to Switch 2 in “early 2026“.
This one was initially announced in Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, and it even popped up in this year’s March Nintendo Direct with a 2025 Switch 1 release window. That date wasn’t meant to be, clearly, and it looks like the console might not have been either. While the likes of the PS5 and Xbox Series have landed 7th October release dates, and the Switch 2 has been given a rough window, we’ve been told that there’s no more information on a Switch 1 release for the moment. So, keep holding out hope for that one… we guess.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Some games simply ‘wow’ you from the moment you’re permitted to enter their worlds, and in that regard, Project Bloomwalker is a blessing indeed. Revealed for the first time in the Xbox @ gamescom 2025 Broadcast, Project Bloomwalker is a beautiful survival crafting affair set in a gorgeous, anime-infused land that has been corrupted – its plant life shrivelled, and its ground turned an ashy white. As a ‘Bloom Walker’, you have the ability to cure the world of this blight, using your travelling caravan, a deceptively spacious house escorted by giant robotic legs, housing an equally giant talking cat. It’s quirky, inviting, and frequently magical.
During a hands-on demo at gamescom, we were invited to explore Bloomwalker’s world, and how you’ll seek to purify it. This really is the crux of the game. You’re not crafting to dominate the natural world – you’re there to heal it, and it feels truly different as a result.
The demo begins with your character carefully escorting their house through some tainted areas, using its power to slowly restore the world around it. It’s immediately inviting; the ground around it is restored as it works – the terrain explodes into vibrant green, foliage and massive mushrooms transform from nasty, sludgy mounds to bright, rainbow hues – everything here feels intentionally placed and ripe for exploration, which is exactly what you’ll need to do.
While the majority of the world we saw in the demo was relatively safe (sans one attack from a giant pelican), the tainted areas require some thought to explore, adding layers of puzzle to the mix. You’ll need to be prepared to encounter enemies like the aforementioned pelican, and venture into dangerous, blighted parts (taking damage as you do) until you can clear it. Luckily, there are resources like the Breathblossom that allow you to temporarily breathe in those spots, but you’ll need to work fast. For all of its beauty, Project Bloomwalker’s world can be treacherous, and it seems you’ll need to brace yourself for it in order to survive and keep your house moving.
The house’s purification power (or ‘purrification’, according to our cat, Kuroru), won’t last forever; after a short amble to the designated spot, we’re invited to settle the house down and start crafting more purification crystals. This is the resource that allows you to keep purifying, and it can be made from a number of items scattered around the map – berries, apples, honey, and a few other special materials like luminite.
This is where Kettlekid comes in, a creature I can only describe as the sentient, very hungry contents of a cauldron. Throwing your gathered resources into Kettlekid will create purification crystals, used to fill purification gauge so the house can keep on moving. These crystals are ferried over to your house by the absolute highlight of the demo – Oddlings. These tiny, squeaky balls of pure joy are here to help you, but they’ll need a bit of care to function effectively.
Fortunately, you have a wooden crafting table (also equipped with legs, naturally) at your disposal, which allows you to craft little leafy beds and tents for your Oddlings to rest in. In a pinch, you can also approach Oddlings that are exhausted and give them a hug, which will not only restore 50% of their energy, but also cure a tiny part of your own soul, too. It’s truly adorable.
Rogue Oddlings can also be found out in the wild, either stressing out in the open or concealed by a small puzzle. Once you found them, they can be adopted and recruited into your own Oddling army. While they’re a joy to have around anyway, building a larger group also expedites some automated crafting activities (like getting crystals from Kettlekid over to the house). There’s a hint of factory sim underneath all the loveliness.
Your own ambling house is truly impressive; the quaint little cottage, while small on the outside, houses a pocket dimension of sorts – a whimsical, celestial-themed bedroom full of sparkling trinkets and cute decorations. It’s truly amazing the first time you realize that it’s bigger on the inside than the outside, with no loading screen or transition. The attention to design is really felt here – I spent a good few minutes peering into round terrariums and zooming into the walls to absorb every magical detail. It’s also where you’ll come to chat to Kuroru about what’s going on, orienting you on your next goal.
Even with just a short time in Project Bloomwalker, I’m absolutely entranced by its whimsical landscape and characters, and its poignant premise.
The post Project Bloomwalker is A Beautiful Crafting Adventure About Purifying The World, and We Love It appeared first on Xbox Wire.
The decision to lock two of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2’s six clans behind a DLC add-on pack is a “business” informed choice, publisher Paradox has said.
Bloodlines 2’s clans have been boiling the blood of fans for a little while now. It all started with the reveal that the game would feature four clans: Brujah; Tremere; Banu Haqim; and Ventrue. While this selection provides four different starting options for how you build your protagonist, it’s a more limited offering compared to the cult classic original Bloodlines, which featured seven clans.
Reacting to fan feedback, developer The Chinese Room has added a further two clans to Bloodlines 2 (Lasombra and Toreador), but these are only available as part of the Shadows and Silk add-on pack, which costs $21.99 as DLC, or is included as part of the $89.99 Premium Edition. The standard edition costs $59.99.
This DLC is available from day one, which has created the impression that the “full” roster has been carved up, with only those paying extra getting the complete launch experience. Some fans are now feeling like a vampire caught in the sunlight, especially because Toreador was a clan available in the original Bloodlines and is considered fairly significant to Vampire: The Masquerade mythology.
At Gamescom 2025, IGN was able to ask publisher Paradox why Lasombra and Toreador are only available as part of the add-on pack. We were told that additional content is “pretty typical” for games, but that adding fan-requested content comes at a cost.
“What the team has done here is make these two clans accessible on day one, while still understanding that the original experience is going to be with the first four,” said a Paradox representative. “You hear fan feedback and you’re like, ‘Okay, you know that they want these two clans. It’s highly sought after.’
“At the end of the day, business-wise, game development takes time,” they continued. “And [the two clans] is additional content that does get created. So instead of making it ‘day 30’ content, making it day one [content] allows it to be available for those players who have been asking for those two clans the entire time. And like I said, it’s business. That just happens the way that it does, but it provides that access on day one rather than them having to wait.”
As the representative mentioned, these additional clans were “highly sought after.” But their inclusion required an “an awful lot of time testing, listening, going through comments,” explained Ian Thomas, narrative director at The Chinese Room.
“We have spent so much time over the last couple of years extending the release date by going, ‘Yeah, we should really add some stuff about this’ and fattening out the game and deepening the story because of this sort of thing,” Thomas said.
“Because of people going, ‘Oh yeah, we really like that. Are we going to get that?’ In some cases we’ve gone, ‘No, artistically it doesn’t make sense to do that.’ And in some cases we have gone, ‘You know what, that would be really nice. Paradox, can we have a little bit more time and we’ll put that thing in?’ And Paradox have said, ‘We think it’d be nice too, have another few weeks.’”
Those weeks, plus many others, have contributed to Bloodlines 2’s later-than-originally-anticipated October 21, 2025 release date. And while we have waited a very long time for this sequel to a cult classic, it does now come with those six clans… at a price. As we mentioned earlier, not every fan is satisfied with the way these character-defining clans are being locked behind DLC.
While there’s some controversy around this decision, we have been able to play several quests and have come away from Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 feeling optimistic. It’s dripping with atmosphere and has some smart approaches to vampire abilities and the way an undead blood-drinker navigates a modern city.
Matt Purslow is IGN’s Executive Editor of Features.
There’s a beautiful, wordless moment about ten minutes in to The Dark Queen Of Mortholme. As the titular queen, you’ve just casually mace-flattened the same plucky interloper for the Nth time, then snapped their corpse out of existence in a wreath of electric purple fire with all the ceremony of clearing toast crumbs from a bench.
Magic: The Gathering’s Universes Beyond sets may upset some purists, but there’s no denying the power of a crossover with another franchise.
Final Fantasy’s set was the biggest in history, while other crossovers have included Lord of the Rings, Warhammer 40K, and more. Next up, it’s a veritable pop culture goldmine with Marvel’s Spider-Man, launching next month.
Here’s everything on offer, and where you can still preorder before September 26.
Play Boosters are the bread and butter of collecting the Spider-Man set, and can be purchased individually or as part of a booster box of 30 packs.
Each pack has 14 cards inside, with a foil in every pack and at least a rare guaranteed, too. Booster boxes are currently going for around $200, but if the price changes between now and launch, Amazon will adjust your payment accordingly.
Expect individual packs to be readily available at your local stores after launch, while there will be prerelease bundles available at participating stores which will include a specified foil Rare or Mythic and six Play Boosters.
Collectors can also grab a bundle that includes nine Play Boosters, 15 Traditional Foil basic lands, and a deck box.
Finally, there’s a new Gift Bundle that has a box that evokes Spidey’s earliest comic appearance and includes a Collector Booster and 9 Play Boosters, as well as a foil alternate-art promo card and other goodies like full-art lands.
We’re waiting to see how much stock there will be of this Scene Box, because at the time of writing, we don’t know if it’ll sell out instantly or be available for a while.
It includes six cards that can be displayed together as a collector’s piece or used in decks, with Spidey, Venom, Green Goblin, and Doctor Octopus represented.
The box also comes with three Play Boosters to help build your collection, and is currently around $100 at TCGPlayer for preorder.
Spider-Man Collector Boosters are, at the time of writing, sold out unless you want to go to the secondary market.
Doing so will cost you a whopping $88 for a single pack, or (at the time of writing) up to $1000 for a booster box.
Is it really worth it? Only you can make that call, but here’s hoping prices settle down as we get closer to launch.
Wizards of the Coast is holding a series of new player events in the coming weeks, and is offering Spider-Man-themed ‘Welcome Decks’ that feel a little like Jumpstart packs.
There are five to collect, with decklists available here. Each is themed after a character and has a mono color identity. Mash two decks together to make a 60-card deck.
You can check the store locator to see if your game store will have stock, but TCGPlayer has listings, too.
Something unique to the Spider-Man set is the arrival of Marvel Legends bundles that include a foil, borderless MTG card alongside the relevant action figure, with four to collect: Spider-Man, Mary Jane, Man-Wolf, and Anti-Venom.
They sold out pretty quickly, but we’re keeping an eyeout to see if more become available.
While Final Fantasy got its own Commander Decks (as did Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, Fallout, and Warhammer 40k), there’s no such luck with the Spider-Man set.
That’s a shame, as we’d have loved a Red/Black Symbiote Deck helmed by Carnage and Venom, or a deck that packed as many versions of Spidey together as possible.
Once the set is out, we’ll do our best to find the best cards to use in your Commander decks, though.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.
Look, given the choice between buying storage and a shiny new game, we’re always more likely to go for the latter, but buying SSDs is getting much easier with prices dropping.
Team Cherry has finally reemerged with a release date for the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong. It’s coming out on September 4, 2025.
First announced in 2019, the release date for the long awaited sequel was finally shared more than six years after Silksong was announced.
Originally confirmed for just Nintendo Switch and PC, but eventually Xbox (and Game Pass) and later PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Team Cherry has been slowly ramping up the conversation around Silksong after going quiet for a long time.
A trailer officially re-revealed the game at the Xbox Bethesda Showcase in June 2022, at which point Xbox also confirmed the game would be available sometime within the next 12 months. Team Cherry didn’t say anything itself, however, leaving some speculation around its release date.
That is until now, of course, and fans don’t have too long to wait before the next tough as nails, side-scrolling action adventure game. Players will have a whole new kingdom to explore, 150 new beasties to defeat, and a new gameplay mode of crushing difficulty.
Developing…
