Switch 2 Exclusive The Duskbloods’ Hub Keeper Is ‘Something Cute For a Change,’ Because of Its Partnership With Nintendo

FromSoftware has shared some more info about its recently announced Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods. The partnership with Nintendo seemed to affect not just the style of game FromSoft is making, but even the design of the keeper of The Duskbloods’ hub area into something different — something… cute.

The trailer shown during the Switch 2 Direct this week closed on a shot of a winged rat character, with glowing glyphs drawn all over it, looking at the camera. Curious fans might have wondered what this rat’s deal was. As it turns out, this is our new hub companion.

“That character shares a similar role with the fire keepers from the Dark Souls series. They remain in the hub area, providing the player with advice and guidance,” director Hidetaka Miyazaki said in an interview with Nintendo.

“I suppose you could say we tried doing something a little Nintendo-esque in the spirit of the partnership.”

When asked what Miyazaki means by that, he added: “We tried something cute for a change. Although I will say this character is actually an elderly gentleman (laughter).”

FromSoftware’s shrine keepers have been central figures for player’s journeys through their worlds. Familiar faces like Melina, the Maiden in Black, the Doll, and others are characters you return to over and over on your trip, often offering power to help you move forward.

With a PvPvE game like The Duskbloods, though, it remains to be seen what kind of advice and guidance the winged rat will offer. Miyazaki said the team at FromSoft has tried its hands at introducing “a lot of new and interesting ideas,” so expect the unexpected when it hits Nintendo Switch 2 sometime in 2026.

We’ve got plenty more on The Duskbloods, including Bloodborne fan reaction, and Miyazaki’s comments on whether FromSoft plans to leave single-player behind.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for more Switch 2 news, check out our first hands-on with Nintendo’s newest console, its big launch title Mario Kart World, and the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

Psycho Patrol R early access review

I cannot review Psycho Patrol R in any way that matters. I could approach this mech-piloting, bullet-hungry immersive policing sim like any other first-person shooter with RPG elements, and tell you about its levels, storytelling, and gamey features. Or I could evaluate it on its own terms, as a piece of hallucinogenic hypercapitalist critique wrapped in a kevlar jacket of impenetrable irony whose own €39 price tag appears to be part of the joke. Neither approach is going to work. Psycho Patrol R requires a buy-in of brain rot and an almost memetic openness to mania. You’ll need to play it to better misunderstand it.

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Duskbloods’ Winged Rat Is FromSoftware’s Attempt At Doing Something “Nintendo-esque” And “Cute”

“We tried something cute for a change”.

FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki has been speaking to Nintendo about The Duskbloods, a surprise Switch 2 exclusive which was revealed during the recent Nintendo Direct.

While the title shares many similarities with previous FromSoftware games such as Bloodborne and Dark Souls, one of the most notable elements in the trailer was a rat-like character seen at the end of the footage.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 7 to 11

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 7 to 11

Next Week on Xbox Hero Image

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose

Xbox Game Studios


$14.99

$12.74

Age of Empires IV: Knights of the Cross and Rose – April 8
Console & PC

Embark on an epic journey with Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose, the newest DLC that puts you in command of two well-known armies inspired by history. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or new to the series, this DLC delivers rich, historically inspired content that can be enjoyed across a variety of modes.


Faircroft’s Antiques: The Mountaneer’s Legacy Collector’s Edition

Ocean Media

Faircroft’s Antiques: The Mountaneer’s Legacy Collector’s Edition – April 8

It’s summer in the French highlands for Mia Faircroft! Discover a picturesque mountainside town in this Hidden Object game. Explore breathtaking locations, restore priceless treasures, and help the various residents of Mont Cache!


IXION

Kasedo Games

IXION – April 8
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

With Earth on the brink of ecosystemic collapse, DOLOS A.E.C. leads to efforts to find a new home for the human race. Whether by chance or fate, its prototype space station, the Tiqqun, finds itself cast adrift, a disintegrating ark upon which the remnants of humanity must find sanctuary – and you, Administrator, are at its helm.


Xbox Play Anywhere

South of Midnight

Xbox Game Studios

$39.99

South of Midnight – April 8
Console & PC / Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere /

A spellbinding third-person, action-adventure game set in the American Deep South. As Hazel, you’ll encounter creatures of Southern folklore and explore a macabre, fantastical world. You can play early starting today, April 3, by picking up either the South of Midnight Premium Edtion or the Premium Upgrade Edition for Game Pass members.


Anima Flux

JollyCo

Anima Flux – April 9

A co-op metroidvania with two genetically enhanced soldiers, special agents of a theocratic dictatorial regime. Fight your way through swarms of mutants through a desolate, dystopian space city and save humanity’s last stronghold, if, of course, anyone is still alive… You can also check out the free Anima Flux demo.


Commandos: Origins

Kalypso Media


$59.99

$53.99

Commandos: Origins – April 9
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Witness the very beginning of the legendary elite WWII force in Commandos: Origins. The long-awaited sequel to the Commandos series brings you right back to the foundation of the real-time tactics genre. And to the days where Jack O’Hara, the Green Beret, and his five companions met to form the infamous unit sent to complete missions which no others would dare to accept.


Detective From The Crypt (Xbox Series X|S)

Sometimes You


$9.99

$7.99

Detective From The Crypt – April 9
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A mystical Victorian detective story in which you play as a ghost girl helped by a ghost cat. Jane wakes up in a crypt as a ghost and begins investigating the death of her family. Seeking and researching evidence, you’ll build a case by utilizing a laboratory to research evidence.


Ellphaser

Afil Games

Ellphaser – April 9
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Ellphaser throws you into a frozen world where every jump reshapes reality. In this 2D platformer with puzzle mechanics, platforms disappear and reappear with each jump, creating dynamic challenges at every move. Control a fearless elephant and plan each jump carefully to escape traps — sharp spikes, electric orbs, and unstable platforms are waiting for a misstep.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Little Droid

Stamina Zero LLC

$5.99

Little Droid – April 9
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

An adventure platformer that takes you to a world of mysteries, tough enemies, and hidden dangers. The journey is packed with challenges, requiring careful battery management to keep the droid energized at crucial moments.


Secrets In Green

Eastasiasoft Limited

Secrets In Green – April 9
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Following an unfortunate episode of mental illness, Alma is sent to a cottage in the countryside where she finds peace tending to the overgrown garden. However, while admiring the large ivy growing across its fence, she discovers a leaf bearing a single written word – hello. Her father and caregiver brush it off as nothing but a hallucination, a symptom of her hysteria. Can you help Alma find her power and solve this dangerous mystery before it’s too late?


Suika And Dragons (Xbox Series X/S)

Synnergy Circle Games

Suika and Dragons – April 9 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The moment of destiny has arrived — the dragon eggs are ready to hatch! As the revered Elder Dragon, it is your sacred duty to guide these young hatchlings, ensuring they grow, evolve, and rise to become majestic, unstoppable forces of nature. Will you lead them to greatness, forging a new era of dragonkind in this puzzle game inspired by Suika?


Xbox Play Anywhere

Blue Prince

Raw Fury

Blue Prince – April 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Welcome to Mt. Holly, the mysterious manor with shifting rooms. In Blue Prince, you embark on a genre-defying experience, filled with a unique mix of mystery, strategy, and puzzles that weave together to create an unpredictable journey. Will your explorative steps lead you to the rumored Room 46?


Hook: Complete Edition

Ultimate Games S.A.

Hook: Complete Edition – April 10

Experience the ultimate relaxing puzzle game collection with Hook: Complete Edition, featuring both Hook 1 and Hook 2 in one package. A minimalist puzzle game where your goal is to remove all hooks from the board using intuitive mechanics. No timers, no scores, just pure, stress-free gameplay complemented by a calming ambient soundtrack.


HordeCore Console Edition

E-Home Entertianment Development Co., Ltd


$11.99

$9.59

HordeCore – April 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Become the leader of an ever-expanding group of survivors. Manage supplies, upgrade your team, and craft deadly contraptions to defend yourself! Remember, exploration is vital in this harsh new world. Prepare to forge bizarre alliances and, together, face the many dangers of the wastelands.


Monaco 2

Humble Games

Monaco 2 – April 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Monaco is a city overflowing with luxury and greed, which makes it a perfect target for you and your international gang of criminal masterminds. The best of the best has been assembled, and they’ll need to work together using their unique abilities to rob the city blind. Do you and your friends have what it takes to bring the city of Monaco to its knees?


Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game

Milestone S.r.l.

$59.99

Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game – April 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Get ready for the official 2025 Supercross season with Monster Energy Supercross 25! Experience the thrill of racing on newly designed tracks that replicate real-world events and compete against the latest roster of professional riders: forge your path in a revamped career featuring intense competitions, rivalries, and strategic choices.


Pilo and the Holobook

©RedDeer.Games

Pilo and the Holobook – April 10

An exploration-based adventure game set in a colorful galaxy where you guide Pilo, an apprentice explorer, on a journey to document the universe’s wonders and solve mysteries. Using the Holobook, a powerful encyclopedia-like tool, Pilo collects stickers to record his discoveries and uncover the story behind a mysterious dark force known as the Tar.


Pocket Bravery Demo

PQube Ltd


43

Pocket Bravery – April 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Inspired by classic fighting games from the ‘90s such as Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, and The King of Fighters, Pocket Bravery channels the Neo Geo Pocket aesthetic for a modern fighting game with a retro twist! With original characters, vibrant colors and an impressive combat system, Pocket Bravery is designed with high-level players in mind, while making it easily accessible for beginners to pick-up-and-play!


Promise Mascot Agency

Kaizen Game Works Limited

Promise Mascot Agency – April 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

From the creators of Paradise Killer comes a mind-bending open-world narrative adventure mascot management simulator where mascots are more than just symbols – they’re unpredictable forces of nature! Step into the chaos, unravel the conspiracies, drive a tiny truck and try to keep it all together in Promise Mascot Agency!


Steel Seed

ESDigital Games

Steel Seed – April 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Steel Seed is a single-player, stealth action-adventure game set in a dark sci-fi world. In her epic journey inside a hostile underground facility run by AIs, Zoe is alone with Koby, a flying drone, as her only companion.


The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass

Viridian Software

The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass – April 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

In the rural town of Yushibana, the Ashiya family holds much of the wealth. After they discover a rare gemstone, a showing is scheduled in Ashiya Tower, drawing the attention of many of the townspeople. However, during the exhibit, the tower is flooded with smoke, activating emergency shutters that trap eight people inside. With twelve hours until their release, they must grapple with an increasingly complex series of unnatural events.


The Talos Principle: Reawakened

Devolver Digital

The Talos Principle: Reawakened – April 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Step back into a world of thought-provoking puzzles, philosophical intrigue, and breathtaking visuals with The Talos Principle: Reawakened. This definitive edition revisits the groundbreaking narrative of The Talos Principle, immersing players in an expanded and remastered journey through the world of the Simulation.


BEAR ESCAPE MISSION

YUME GAME STUDIO

Bear Escape Mission – April 11

A casual platformer designed to be simple and relaxing. With 40 short and challenging levels, you’ll guide a cute bear through obstacles at a light and pressure-free pace, thanks to infinite lives. Easy to play, fun to master – perfect for any player, anytime!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Big Buck Hunter: Ultimate Trophy

GameMill Entertainment


$39.99

$35.99

Big Buck Hunter: Ultimate Trophy – April 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Get ready to lock, load, and dominate the wild like never before with Big Buck Hunter: Ultimate Trophy! This groundbreaking experience takes the #1 arcade hunting game to thrilling new heights, delivering over 3X the content of its hit predecessor.


The Black Within

Dolores Entertainment

The Black Within – April 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A single-player, first-person psychological horror game that takes players on a chilling journey into the depths of the human psyche. When selling her soul for fame and fortune, Laila Rose faces the consequences of her actions. A tale where greed, fear, and change intertwine.


Capy’s Quest

ChiliDog Interactive

$4.99

Capy’s Quest – April 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Become the best chef on the summer islands! Play as a Capybara named Capy, a young chef who is out to prove that your culinary talent can outshine even the most renowned chefs in the world! Embark on a journey full of obstacles and puzzles and cook the most delicious dishes in exciting mini-games to delight as many residents of the summer islands as possible!


Mayhem Mail

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Mayhem Mail – April 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The mail has been scattered! Take on the mail route from hell, recover and deliver mail to its rightful place! Mayhem Mail is a classic single screen arcade platformer with some added puzzle elements.


Mob Control

QubicGames S.A.


$4.99

$3.99

Mob Control – April 11

Experience the strangely satisfying thrill of watching your mob multiply as you aim and shoot at the gates. Witness your army grow to massive proportions! Strategically deploy your mighty champions to break through enemy mobs and reach their bases. Choose the best combo to win!


Mortisomem

Sometimes You


$9.99

$7.99
Free Trial

Mortisomem – April 11

Mortisomem is an adventure, mystery, and horror game with retro visual aesthetics. The game takes place in the year 1917, in the vast forest of inland Brazil. Explore the forests of inland Brazil, meet people, uncover the region’s history, and escape from Mortisomem alive.


West Escape

QubicGames S.A.


$5.99

$4.79

West Escape – April 11

West Escape throws you into a chaotic frontier where the law is on your tail and alien invaders are wreaking havoc. As a fugitive desperate to reunite with your lost love, you’ll need to collect scrap, upgrade your gear, and face off against relentless extraterrestrial threats.


Windborn – Concrete Jungle

EpiXR Games

$6.99
Xbox One X Enhanced

Windborn – Concrete Jungle – April 11
Xbox One X Enhanced

Embark on an exhilarating journey as a bird navigating the skies alongside your flock. In this beautifully crafted adventure, you will soar through 11 vibrant and diverse levels, each offering unique challenges and breathtaking landscapes. Your mission isn’t just about speed—it’s about staying connected with your flock as you all journey together, guided by instinct and unity.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 7 to 11 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Donkey Kong Bananza for Switch 2 is Up for Preorder in the UK, and Discounted If You Buy a Physical Copy

The expensive price tag on its new games is one of the drawbacks of the Nintendo Switch 2, of which preorders have already been going live early (Amazon included(. Luckily, ShopTo is taking the sting off for UK customers by allowing you to get Donkey Kong Bananza for only £63.50.

While this is still more than the £58.99 RRP for digital copies, it’s the best price possible right now for those who want to actually own their games, and hold them in their hands like a newborn bab. This handy bargain comes as the result of using ShopTo’s “SPRING” coupon code, which allows you and other future Nintendo Switch 2 players to knock 5% off various games, consoles, gift cards, and more across your order on the website.

Once you use the code at checkout, £3.35 will be taken off so you’ll only have to pay £63.50 instead of £66.85. There is a catch, however.

While you can preorder Donkey Kong Bananza to pay at dispatch normally, you’ll only be allowed to use the discount code if you pay right away. So, if you currently don’t have the funds and weren’t planning to pay until DK Bananza’s 17th of July 2025 release date, this preorder deal sadly won’t be ideal for you.

That said, if you manage to free up some cash, you can use the “SPRING” discount code also works for Mario Kart World, which is also for sale at ShopTo. Currently at £74.85, you can get £3.34 knocked off so you’ll only have to pay £71.10.

We know that the Nintendo Switch 2 bundled with a code for Mario Kart World is a great deal, essentially getting you a digital version of the game for around half the price, but any discounts on the game from retailers is also great for you physical collectors out there.

The discount also works for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller over at ShopTo, but is currently sold out at the time of writing.

Nevertheless, we’ll be keeping an eye on it incase the retailer happens to add any more stock, so you can take advantage while the coupon’s still active.

Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.

The Sims Competitor inZOI Sells 1 Million in a Week, Krafton Declares It a ‘Long-Term Franchise IP’

inZOI has sold 1 million copies in a week, developer and publisher Krafton has announced. That’s the fastest sales milestone ever for a game published by the South Korean megacorp.

Krafton’s The Sims competitor launched on PC via Steam in Early Access form on March 28 and quickly hit the headlines after players discovered they could run over and kill children. Krafton responded to say it had patched out what it called an “unintended bug.”

Despite this hiccup, inZOI has a ‘very positive’ user review rating on Steam, and saw a peak of 175,000 concurrent viewers on Twitch, ranking third in the Games category. It rose to number one on Steam’s Global Top Sellers List (by sales revenue) just 40 minutes after release.

Meanwhile, Canvas, inZOI’s in-game user-generated content (UGC) sharing platform, saw over 1.2 million “participants” on launch day, and over 470,000 pieces of content uploaded.

IGN’s inZOI Early Access review returned a 6/10. We said: “inZOI is a visually striking life simulator with plenty of ambition, but not enough depth as of its Early Access launch.”

Clearly, inZOI is doing the business for Krafton, which highlighted its work promoting the game ahead of launch and its communication with the community as helping to build trust and momentum for release. The inZOI global showcase and demo build “particularly attracted high interest,” Krafton added.

CEO CH Kim commented: “We are grateful and excited to present inZOI to players around the world through Early Access. We will continue to actively communicate with players and foster inZOI as Krafton’s long-term franchise IP.”

As for what’s next, Krafton said future updates will introduce new content, including mod support and new cities, with all updates and DLC provided for free until full release.

In a recent note to players, Krafton said it will “quickly” apply fixes for reported issues through hotfixes during April amid complaints from some players about the state of the game. The scale of inZOI’s global community is “a next-level experience for us,” Krafton said, before admitting it’s “going through some trial and error in finding the optimal means of communication.”

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Guide: Nintendo Treehouse 3rd April 2025 – All Switch 2 Gameplay Reveals

Feast your eyes!

Nintendo followed up its jam-packed Switch 2 Direct with an equally jam-packed Treehouse presentation focused solely on gameplay reveals.

The first of two livestreams took us through a whole bunch of titles and features heading to Switch 2 at some point this year but, at a little over four hours long, there’s every chance that you didn’t catch every reveal on first watch. Below, we have provided a breakdown of every gameplay section, so you can pick and choose what you’d like to watch.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Bungie’s Marathon Finally Emerges From the Shadows to Tease… Something

Remember Marathon? It’s Destiny developer Bungie’s next game, and it looks like we’re about to finally see more of it.

Marathon is a PvP-focused extraction shooter set on the mysterious planet of Tau Ceti IV. Players inhabit the bodies of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries who have been designed to survive the planet’s harsh environments, exploring the lost colony that once inhabited Tau Ceti’s surface.

It has been some time since we saw or heard of Marathon. In October, Bungie released a lengthy development update video that shed light on Marathon’s mechanics, but stressed how early in development the game was. Player character models were, at that point, still “coming together,” while enemy models were still in an “early state.”

Now, though, half a year later, it looks like Bungie is finally ready to reveal what it’s been working on. A tweet from the official Marathon account, below, revealed a typically cryptic image and accompanying garbled signal noise. As fans have noticed, there’s ASCII art of footage from the debut Marathon trailer. Given this is Bungie we’re talking about, a developer known for its mysterious teasers, hidden clues, and Easter eggs, there’s probably much more here to discover, and fans are already working to find out what it all means.

Either way, it very much looks like it’s finally happening for Marathon after what has been a troubled development.

Marathon was revealed in May 2023 as a reboot of the classic Bungie franchise, but with all its themes of “mysteries, eeriness, and psychological creepiness.” But Bungie itself has suffered several controversies in recent years, headlined by the laying off of 220 staff members, meaning 17% of its workforce, in July 2024: a move even industry peers criticized.

This came less than a year after 100 other layoffs at Bungie, at which point staff told IGN the atmosphere was “soul crushing” at the studio.

Further controversy came when a report released weeks after the 220 job losses alleging former Marathon director Chris Barrett was fired after an internal misconduct investigation at Bungie. Barrett subsequently sued Sony Interactive Entertainment and Bungie for more than $200 million.

This all comes as Sony rethinks its focus on live-service games. Sony president Hiroki Totoki said in November 2023 the company was committed to launching just six of the 12 live service games it was working on by March 2026, in a shift in strategy that saw The Last of Us multiplayer game cancelled.

While Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2 was a breakout hit, becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game of all time with 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks, Sony’s other live service games were either canceled or suffered disastrous launches.

Indeed, Sony’s Concord is one of the biggest video game disasters in PlayStation history, lasting just a couple of weeks before it was brought offline amid eye-wateringly low player numbers. Sony later decided to kill the game entirely and shut its developer.

And earlier this year, Sony reportedly canceled two unannounced live service games, one a God of War title in development at Bluepoint, the other in the works at Days Gone developer Bend.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Bungie are gearing up to reveal something about Marathon

Bungie have broken a silence surrounding their upcoming extraction shooter Marathon to tweet a short video full of cryptic symbols. It’s proven hard for fans to decrypt so far, but the developers have since followed up with a few more teasey posts, including one that certainly reads like a notice to fans that more information on the game will be revealed soon. “The signal is coming. The truth is coming,” says a line of plain text in the marketing spritz. “Are you ready?”

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Monster Hunter Wilds title update 1 is live, adding the Mizutsune, Grand Hub and PC VRAM improvements

The first big title update for Monster Hunter Wilds is upon us like a large, iridescent squirrel dragon covered in bubbles, and when I say a large, iridescent squirrel dragon covered in bubbles I am, of course, referring to the Mizutsune – a new Wilds monster last seen in Monster Hunter Rise.

It and a new, high rank version of the Zoh Shia are the title update’s headline additions. But it’s not all monster hunting. There’s also a new social area, the Grand Hub, wherein you can hang with your mates, bowl exploding barrels and do some arm-wrestling. With your mates, I assume. The changelog just says “Arm Wrestling Barrel”. I assume you won’t be arm-wrestling a barrel.

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