Author: Game Infliction

Deals For Today: Pokémon TCG – Surging Sparks Still In Stock and Cheap Power Banks

Amazon quietly restocked a bunch of Pokémon TCG bundles just days ago and stock is already running low. These Scarlet & Violet sets have been MIA for weeks, and now they’re back at retail prices. I already added a couple to my cart, Surging Sparks Booster Bundle, Shrouded Fable ETB and Paldean Fates Booster Bundle. Trainers need to snap these up quick. If they’re gone by the time you get there, that’s on you.

PlayStation Slim Disc Edition (Import) for $367.94

Looking for the least expensive PlayStation 5 console you can your hands on? As part of its US Anniversary Sale, AliExpress is offering an imported Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Disc Edition gaming console for $367.94 shipped after $80 off coupon code “MAYUE008“. This is a brand new and retail boxed product that is stocked in a US warehouse and qualifies for local delivery, which means it ships free and arrives within about 1-2 weeks.

Deals For Today: Pokémon TCG – Surging Sparks Still In Stock and Cheap Power Banks+

I also spotted a couple of power banks on sale from INIU and Anker. If you’ve ever watched your phone die mid-flight or mid-text, you know why I’m excited. These things are cheap, fast, and less annoying than asking strangers for a charger at an airport. Do with that information what you will. Oh, and while we’re on the topic of things I absolutely don’t need but definitely want: the Gamera: Attack of Legion action figure is up for preorder at the IGN Store for a cool $560, and Humble Bundle just dropped a massive Dragonlance book bundle that practically dares you to add 25+ fantasy novels to your backlog for the price of lunch.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Surging Sparks Booster Bundle

I want this bundle purely for the thrill of cracking six packs in a row and pretending I’m building a deck for Worlds. The Surging Sparks expansion is still new enough to feel fresh, and at $45.02, it’s a decent value compared to scalper prices that make you question your financial decisions. If you just want to dip into the latest set without going full collector mode, this is it.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Paldean Fates Booster Bundle

Shiny Pokémon are back, and apparently so is my addiction to them. The Paldean Fates bundle gives you six chances to pull something sparkly, and while $69.94 isn’t exactly pocket change, I think the potential dopamine hit is worth the gamble. It’s in stock, it ships fast, and I’ve made worse choices at 2 a.m. on eBay.

The World of Dragonlance Bundle

I’m not saying this is the nerdiest thing you can buy today, but it’s definitely on the leaderboard. Humble Bundle just dropped a massive Dragonlance collection; 25+ books for about the cost of lunch. If you’ve ever wanted to get lost in magical twin drama, cursed artifacts, or the politics of dwarves (because who hasn’t), this is your sign. Plus, part of your purchase supports Room to Read, so now your TBR pile can come with good karma.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box

In my opinion, this is the one to grab if you’re all-in on the set. Nine booster packs, a Pecharunt promo, themed sleeves, dice, and an actually-useful storage box? For $54.96? I’ve spent more on less at Taco Bell. Plus, it’s still Prime eligible, which means you don’t have to sell your soul for free shipping. Win-win.

Gamera – Attack of Legion – Action Figure

This is what happens when you give kaiju collectors exactly what they want: a 9.5-inch figure of LEGION from Gamera 2, complete with flying parts, glowing bits, and articulation that would make Spider-Man jealous. Sure, it’s $560, but I’ve seen statues half as cool go for double that. If you’re the kind of person who rearranges shelf space for something before buying it, I totally get it.

INIU Portable Charger, 22.5W 20000mAh

This thing charges your phone like it’s got something to prove. At $26.98, it gives you a full week’s worth of backup power and a built-in flashlight just in case you drop your phone and your dignity under your car seat. I want it purely because it has an LED readout that makes me feel like I’m operating a mission control panel instead of just charging my AirPods.

Anker Power Bank (PowerCore 10K)

I think this is the best deal of the day, and not just because it’s $17.99. It’s slim, light, and can survive a drop better than my will to stay off social media. Anker knows what it’s doing, and this charger just works. No random overheating, no mystery ports, just plug it in and keep scrolling through whatever app is currently ruining your sleep schedule.

Hulu + Live TV Free Trial

Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial that allows you to take the live TV streaming service for a spin. This is one of the overall best streaming free trials because it gets you a bundle of services. It is quite a bit shorter than the standard Hulu free trial of 30 days, but it’s a great way to test it out over the weekend.

Samsung 49″ Odyssey QD-OLED (G93SC) Series Curved Gaming Monitor

With a 240Hz refresh rate, Dual QHD resolution, and 0.03ms response time, this 49-inch ultrawide OLED is built for high-performance PC gaming. The 1800R curve and HDR True Black 400 make it incredibly immersive, while FreeSync Premium Pro helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4′ 64GB WiFi Android Tablet

This Android tablet comes with an S Pen included, a 10.4-inch display, and Samsung DeX for multitasking. At under $200, it’s a solid pick for casual gamers, students, or anyone who wants a lightweight, entertainment-ready tablet with productivity perks.

Humble Heroines Bundle 2025

Celebrate Women’s History Month with a killer bundle featuring female-led games. Titles include Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, Control: Ultimate Edition, Darksiders III, Beyond: Two Souls, and more. It’s a $160+ value for just $12, or pay extra to give more to publishers, Humble, and charity.

roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Robot Vacuum & Sonic Mop

With a whopping 10,000Pa of suction, self-refilling, self-emptying, sonic mopping, and even hot-air mop drying, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra takes hands-off cleaning to the next level. It’s packed with AI features and even supports pet tracking and video calls.

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32 GB)

Amazon’s newest Kindle adds color to the mix with a 7″ Colorsoft display. It still lasts up to 8 weeks on a single charge and now supports wireless charging and full-color highlights. It’s ideal for reading graphic novels, cookbooks, or anything where visuals matter.

Beats Studio Pro – Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones

Enjoy spatial audio, active noise canceling, and up to 40 hours of battery life. These over-ear headphones are compatible with both iOS and Android, and support lossless audio over USB-C. A strong option for commuters, creators, and music lovers.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16″ RTX 4080 Gaming Laptop for $2513

This Lenovo Legion Pro 7i gaming laptop drops to $2,513 at AliExpress after $100 off coupon code “IFPRZAZ” is applied. The Legion Pro 7 is Lenovo’s top-of-the-line gaming laptop and we rarely see discounts for this model. This particular configuration features a powerful Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and RTX 4080 GPU for comfortable high-fps gaming on the 16″ display’s native 2560×1600 resolution.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – Exclusive Amazon Edition

$32.99 for this masterpiece? I genuinely laughed. I paid full price, and I don’t even get the exclusive Cloud and Sephiroth controller skin. If you’ve ever wanted to explore Midgar’s post-industrial wastelands with emotionally repressed sword boys with a price lower than Black Friday’s, here you go.

Sony WH-1000XM5

I think these might actually cancel the noise in my soul. The sound is incredible, the fit is dreamy, and the battery life is better than my phone’s. Honestly, $249.99 for peace and quiet? Cheaper than therapy.

Smart LED Display Case Smarter Kit (4 Pack)

If you’ve ever looked at your shelf of figures, sneakers, or LEGO builds and thought, “This could be more dramatic,” I highly recommend these cases. I want my collectibles to feel as important as they think they are.

Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones Bluetooth On-Ear Headset with Microphone

At $38, these are the definition of “just throw them in the cart.” I use them for work, walks, and pretending I’m on a call to avoid conversations. Plus, 50 hours of battery life? That’s just showing off.

Kingdom hearts Integrum Masterpiece

$59.99 to cry over Disney characters and complicated lore? Yes, please. I think this collection should come with a warning and a box of tissues. It’s that much of a journey.

B100 Bluetooth Speaker

This speaker is tiny, but it’s loud enough to offend your upstairs neighbors and cute enough that they won’t stay mad. It survived my shower playlist and a weekend camping trip without flinching.

INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headphones With Mic, PS5 Headphones

Crisp comms, no lag, and a mic that doesn’t make me sound like a robot underwater. I want to pretend I’m a competitive esports player, and this headset lets me live the fantasy.

Sony ULT Field 1 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

This speaker is basically the action hero of the portable audio world. It’s waterproof, rustproof, and probably judge-proof. I tossed it in my bag, it bounced around all day, and still blasted bass like nothing happened.

Sony ULT WEAR Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones with Alexa Built-in

Bass so strong it could cause an existential crisis. These are like strapping a subwoofer to your ears, but in a comfy, eco-friendly kind of way. I think I saw my dog flinch the first time I hit the ULT button.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones

XM4s are the previous-gen MVPs. They’ve still got top-tier ANC and that dreamy comfort that makes you forget you’re wearing them. At $179.99, I’m thinking of buying a backup pair for future me.

Sony BRAVIA Theater U Wireless Wearable TV Speaker with Bluetooth

A wearable speaker sounds ridiculous… until you try it. I felt like a sci-fi character watching a movie with surround sound on my shoulders. Honestly, I want to wear this to Zoom calls just for the audio flex.

Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8

My living room sounds like a private screening room now. I think this soundbar made my couch comfier just by association. Movies, games and music are all better with this beast.

Sony SRS-XP700 X-Series Wireless Karaoke Party-Speaker

I didn’t need a party speaker, but I bought this anyway. Complete with lights, bass and karaoke ports, it’s basically a party in a box. I want to say I got it for the sound, but really, it’s the lights.

Sony 65-Inch Mini LED QLED 4K Ultra HD TV BRAVIA 7

This TV made me realize I’ve been watching in peasant resolution my whole life. Mini LED, PlayStation 5 optimization, and colors so vivid I nearly apologized to my last TV for talking trash about it.

Sony 85-Inch Class 4K Ultra HD BRAVIA 3 LED Smart TV

I want to live in this TV. It’s 85 inches of 4K glory, and somehow still cheaper than a vacation. Probably because you won’t need one after this, seeing as your living room becomes the destination.

Sony 65 Inch Mini LED QLED 4K Ultra HD TV BRAVIA 9 Smart Google TV

This one’s for the people who want it all: QLED, anti-reflection, studio-calibrated modes, and picture quality so good I paused a show just to stare at a lamp. I think my eyes are spoiled now.

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.

Lies of P’s Future Begins with a Journey into the Past

Lies of P’s Future Begins with a Journey into the Past

Lies of P Overture Asset

Every generation or so, a new game genre ascends in popularity, carving out a spot in player’s hearts, with its breakout hit spawning countless imitators: think the Platformer, the FPS, the Open World, the Soulslike.

While dozens of games have followed the path blazed by FromSoftware’s seminal Souls games, very few have approached the bar set by Hidetaka Miyazaki and co. Lies of P, with its blend of tight, challenging action and a haunting take on Carlo Collodi’s “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” is one such genre standout.

Now 18 months since its initial release, Neowiz is finally sharing what’s next for Lies of P, the expansion Lies of P: Overture. At last week’s Game Developers Conference (GDC), I was able to sit down with Game Director Ji-won Choi to talk about what we can expect.

Xbox Wire: Before we get into the new stuff,I want to ask about the team and what the last 18 months have been like. I think it’s a year-and-a-half since Lies of P first came out, and so I would love to just sort of start there.

Ji-won Choi: If I had to choose one distinctive change from the beginning and then now, 18 months later, it’s that for the fans, there was a sentiment of worries and concern and that changed to trust, support, and expectation.

In our case, that sort of switch also happened to us. First, the worries and concern to modesty, because the lovely reaction and the feedback the fans actually share with us became a constant source of motivation for us to do better.

Xbox Wire: Lies of P was a fantastic addition to the Game Pass library in its first year. What was the Xbox/Game Pass partnership experience like in helping to bring Lies of P to the global stage?

Ji-won Choi: So, thank you so much for all the love and support that you have shared with us on Xbox, we really appreciate it, and we also want to share our love and appreciation for the fans of Xbox and Lies of P on Xbox. Our goal was always to bring our content to as wide a set of audience around the world as possible and Xbox allowed us to make that happen, and we are very grateful for it. And because of that, we have now heightened expectations to really continue to satisfy and improve our content to an even broader fanbase around the world- so we now have a lot of work to do.

Xbox Wire: Let’s talk about Overture, the recently revealed DLC expansion. So – and I’ll try to avoid super spoilery things here – at the end of Lies of P, which by the way I wear it as a badge of honor that I did beat the game, there’s a scene that seems to imply where Lies of P could go next. I found it a bit surprising that Overture will take us back in time. How was the decision made to see the city of Krat before it fell?

Ji-won Choi: Congratulations on beating the game! And yes, the character that we teased about, I can definitively say that that the character is not going to be in the expansion this time. For the expansion, we were putting all our effort into delivering Lies of P’s base game at first when we launched. Even before that, we had an even bigger vision and narratives that we wanted to put in. But because we had to focus on really completing the base game experience as a solid experience without issues, we had to cut out a lot of branches at that point.

Now, thanks to all the fans’ support and love and reception that you shared with us around the world, we now have a chance to really complete the experience that we couldn’t deliver at first when we launched the base game. So please consider this extension not as a separate entity, but it is actually the experience Lies of P was supposed to be delivered at first. Now you have the complete experience.

Xbox Wire: I’m curious how Overture integrates within the main game of Lies of P. Do you need to have completed the main game and then something happens that sends P back in time? Or is this something where a new player can enter as part of their original playthrough, and even bring the new Legion Arms and new moves in the expansion and bring them back to the main game?

Ji-won Choi: I cannot quite share with you exactly how the mechanism of how you jump into the expansion, but if you go and play to just about Chapter 9, with all the knowledge base and capability up to that point, it will let you very seamlessly jump into the world of the expansion. That is for the same for anyone who even completes the game at the end; even if you join in after completing the game, or if you join in by just simply playing up to the chapter 9ish, you have a satisfying experience together. So, the content itself is going to be both for the fans who are familiar with the franchise, and for brand new players.

Xbox Wire: I watched the recent Overture trailer and then I went and watched some very detailed fan videos that broke down every bit of the trailer frame by frame, to try to guess what’s happening. What do you want people to take away from the trailer? Anything they should be paying extra special attention to?

Ji-won Choi: I also saw those frame-by-frame analyses from the fans. First of all, that made me realize how much love that we have been receiving from our fan base around the world. I was deeply touched by that. What we wanted to really convey to the fans was quite simple: we wanted to let the fans know that we have gotten a lot of feedback, very meaningful feedback and reception of all kinds for a very long time. And we wanted to deliver content for the fans that they will intuitively know that we listen to them. And that’s what we wanted to deliver in our trailer.

Xbox Wire: I’m very curious about that. Lies that P was made, I would expect, with not a lot of expectations, externally. I mean it looked good, but nobody knew really what to expect. Now people know how good Lies of P is, and are anticipating Overture, so when you hear the fan feedback, I’m curious which things you are taking into account, or do you have to shut some of that out to complete your vision?

Ji-won Choi: Really meaningful question. We see this whole process as a collaboration and we take it seriously – a collaboration between developers and the customers. We carefully study all these elements all together and the key is to understand what we are doing well is resonating, and to understand what we’re doing wrong and how we identify it and improve upon it. So, when we get this type of feedback to ourselves, there are elements that are easily acceptable, and there are other elements that are sort of debatable, but we don’t just discard them. What we usually do is we bring those elements internally to our development team and we get to write it down and we start testing very quickly. Based on that, we can validate if those claims work out well for us or it doesn’t. We take it seriously: we test it, and we validate.

Xbox Wire: Going back to the trailer, my personal take away is that in the base game, it’s a very lonely experience most of the time. Yes, you can come back to the Hotel Krat and you get to see other people, which is great. But when you’re out in the world, you’re alone. And in this trailer, P is not alone very often – P blows the horn, and and I think it’s Aladoro comes smashing through the window, we see this masked stalker fighting alongside P. Is Overture going to be a less lonely affair?

Ji-won Choi: The whole feeling of loneliness and any other emotion, that’s something that’s hard for me to sort of predict… What we really focused on was to really elaborate on the attractive characters we started developing. When you play the base game, you see many different characters… or actually you only heard of through some hints throughout the game. When you experience the expansion, you will get to learn far more about these characters that we have hinted quite a bit. We want you to make sure that you have a much more thorough and complete experience of the attractive characters that we begin to introduce here again.

Xbox Wire: Any final thoughts?

Ji-won Choi: To emphasize, Overture combined with the base game is going to be the holistic experience of Lies of P – how it was meant to be experienced. Because of that, it’s highly intertwined together, so what I recommend or suggest to the fans would be to take time, experience the base game in time for our Overture launch, and enjoy.

Xbox Wire: This summer, right?

Ji-won Choi [enthusiastically!]: “This summer!”


Lies of P: Overture

Lies of P: Overture

NEOWIZ

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Cross the Bounds of Time

Lies of P: Overture is a dramatic prequel to the acclaimed soulslike action RPG, Lies of P. It transports you to the city of Krat in its final days of haunting, late-19th-century Belle Époque beauty. On the brink of the Puppet Frenzy massacre, you follow a legendary Stalker—a mysterious guide—through untold stories and chilling secrets. As Geppetto’s deadly puppet, you’ll journey through Krat and its surroundings, uncover hidden backstories, and face epic battles that shape the past and future of Lies of P.

As Geppetto’s Puppet, you encounter a mysterious artifact that transports you back to Krat in its final days of grandeur. In the shadow of an impending tragedy, your mission is to explore the past and uncover its dark secrets—haunted by surprises, loss, and vengeance. The choices you make ripple through the past and present in the world of Lies of P, revealing hidden truths and leaving lasting consequences.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure where the symphony of steel clashes with the haunting melody of the unknown. Dare to unravel the mysteries of the past, for in the heart of darkness lies the key to unlocking the secrets of a timeless tale reborn.
“Geppetto’s puppet… We need your help.”


Lies of P
Xbox Play Anywhere

Lies of P

NEOWIZ

☆☆☆☆☆
663
★★★★★

$59.99
Get it now

Lies of P is a thrilling soulslike that takes the story of Pinocchio, turns it on its head, and sets it against the darkly elegant backdrop of the Belle Epoque era.

You are a puppet created by Geppetto who’s caught in a web of lies with unimaginable monsters and untrustworthy figures standing between you and the events that have befallen the world of Lies of P.

You are awakened by a mysterious voice that guides you through the plagued city of Krat – a once lively place that has been poisoned by madness and bloodlust. In our soulslike, you must adapt yourself and your weapons to face untold horrors, untangle the unfathomable secrets of the city’s elites and choose whether to confront predicaments with the truth or weave lies to overcome them on the journey to find yourself.

・ A DARKLY ELEGANT AND CRUEL WORLD
Unearth the secrets of the city of Krat – a place soaked in the style of the Belle Epoque era which once thrived due to its puppet industry and now sees its streets covered in blood.

・BATTLE WITH TWISTED INSTRUMENTS
Develop a unique combat style to counter vicious enemies and terrain by weaving together dynamic weapon combinations, utilizing the Legion Arms, and activating new abilities.

・WHAT’S IN A LIE?
There will be times when you will be confronted with choices where you can give comfort to others in sorrow or despair by lying…or you can choose to tell the truth.

Carve your own path.

・A CLASSIC REIMAGINED
Experience the beloved fairy tale of Pinocchio reinterpreted as a dark, grim narrative that allows players to discover the secrets and symbols hidden within the world of Lies of P.

The post Lies of P’s Future Begins with a Journey into the Past appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Verdansk returns in Season 3 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone on April 2

The Battle Royale map that started it all is back! Prepare to drop into Verdansk in a huge launch event celebrating the return of the map. Featuring authentic, back-to-basics gameplay with the latest in fan-favorite mechanics, there’s a wide variety of features coming to the game.

Season 3 begins on PS4 and PS5 with Multiplayer and Zombies content coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on April 2 at 9AM PT, followed by the launch of Verdansk in Call of Duty: Warzone  24 hours later on April 3 at 9AM PT.


Verdansk returns in Season 3 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone on April 2

Verdansk, rebuilt from the ground up

Like we never left: 150 players. The original announcer. Shooting during freefall. Original Infil cinematics. All before you hit the ground running. 

Original game mechanics: Original Supply Boxes, Floating Loot, Armor Satchels and Buy Station menus, coupled with current Loadouts and Perks, with High Value Loot Zones across the map where some premium loot resides.

QOL updates: A variety of quality-of-life updates also hits Call of Duty: Warzone, including Squad Redeploys at Buy Stations, Attachment descriptions during Weapon Inspects, detailed death recaps in game, a HUD flag so you know exactly when your Loadout is available to buy, and more.

Game modes, events, rewards

Game modes

Play a variety of modes including returning favorites and new ones:

  • Battle Royale
  • Plunder Quads
  • Bootcamp

Plus, get in on the brand-new Battle Royale Casual playlist at launch, featuring 28 players and up to 120 bots, the perfect arena to warm up before the main event.

Return to Verdansk launch event

Reassemble the Squad and drop back into your former stomping grounds for an exciting homecoming. The Return to Verdansk Event takes the form of a series of challenges scattered across 12 distinct zones within Verdansk. Crack all 12 safes to earn the infamous Kali Sticks melee weapon.

Login, Get the Kilo 141

The Kilo 141 Assault Rifle is back and ready to tear it up across Verdansk for old times’ sake. Players will automatically unlock the Kilo 141 for use in Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone after logging in to Call of Duty: Warzone following the launch of Season 3 on April 2.

More Verdansk-era Weapons: In addition to the Kali Sticks and Kilo 141, players can earn two more classic Verdansk-era weapons. Get the CR-56 AMAX Assault Rifle and HDR Sniper Rifle, both earnable in the Season 3 Battle Pass.

New multiplayer, Zombies content

Don’t miss out on the Season 3 content coming to Black Ops 6 on April 2. Play multiplayer maps including a remaster of Firing Range and modes like Demolition and Sharpshooter. Plus, explore a diabolical mansion in the woods in the new Zombies map, Shattered Veil.

Season 3 launch intel, Black Ops 6 free trial

Black Ops 6 Multiplayer, Zombies, and General game content drops a day early on Wednesday April 2, 9AM PT. Call of Duty: Warzone content launches across all platforms 24 hours later, on Thursday April 3, 9AM PT.

Free trial: Play all of Black Ops 6 during 24-Hour countdown

Pre-load the game, then access Black Ops 6 as a premium player or via a Free Trial with the entire Season 3 premium game accessible for 24 hours, allowing you to grind out some of the new weapons, including the Kilo 141, CR-56 AMAX, and HDR. Season 3 launches April 2.

Killzone Composer Wonders if People Have Moved on From the Series: ‘I Get the Sense That People Want Something a Bit More Casual, a Bit More Quick’

Sony’s Killzone franchise has been dormant for quite some time. Now, in a new interview, Killzone composer Joris de Man has joined the chorus of people who’d like to see it come back.

Speaking to VideoGamer for the PlayStation: The Concert Tour, de Man expressed a desire for Killzone’s past entries to return.

“I know that there have been petitions for it,” de Man said. “I think it’s [tricky] because, I can’t speak for Guerrilla or anything… I don’t know if it will ever happen. I hope it will because I think it is quite an iconic franchise, but I also think it kind of has to take into account kind of the sensitivites and the shift in, I guess, what people want because it is quite bleak in some ways.”

In what shape or form Killzone could return, though, is a bit flexible. De Man noted that a remastered collection could be more successful than a brand new entry, to start.

“I think [a] remastered one would be successful, I don’t know if a new game would be as much,” de Man said. “I don’t know if people have moved on from it and want something. I don’t know sometimes I get the sense that people want something a bit more casual, a bit more quick.”

The Killzone games are slower-paced, weightier shooters compared to the likes of Call of Duty. Killzone 2 in particular was infamous for its apparent input lag, which made it feel like it lacked responsiveness on PlayStation 3. In terms of visuals, tone, and atmosphere, the Killzone games are dark, depressing, muddy, and gritty.

In a recent interview with the Washington Post, it sounded like Sony-owned developer Guerrilla had collectively moved on from the Killzone franchise and was keeping its eyes on the Horizon.

Still, it’s been a little over a decade since the last entry in Killzone Shadow Fall, and the idea of a return for Killzone — or even one of Sony’s other PlayStation shooter franchises — is still tantalizing for some fans. Whether it ever happens or not, the hold-outs can know they’ve got at least one more person in their corner.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

PlayStation Plus Games for April 2025 Revealed

Sony has revealed RoboCop: Rogue City (PS5), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (PS4, PS5), and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory (PS4) as its trio of PlayStation Plus Essential titles for April 2025.

The gaming giant unveiled next month’s service additions in a PlayStation.Blog post today. Each joins a catalog of titles available to subscribers of the cheapest PlayStation Plus tier at no additional cost and will remain available until the next batch of games rolls out come May 5. Every game in today’s list is available starting April 1.

PlayStation Plus users will note the April 2025 lineup has a little something for everyone. Teyon and Nacon’s brutally accurate ‘80s love letter, RoboCop: Rogue City, is likely the biggest headline for players this month. This first-person shooter puts players into the hulking metal shoes of Alex Murphy himself as he works to save a crime-riddled Detroit from another murderous threat.

One of its more recent and substantial updates arrived in January of last year, granting players access to a much-asked-for New Game Plus mode. With or without a reason to revisit its story mode, we felt RoboCop: Rogue City was worth checking out at launch and gave it a 7/10 in our review.

PlayStation Plus subscribers looking to scratch that bloody action itch with friends can check out Sumo Digital and Gun Media’s asymmetrical multiplayer adaptation, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Players work to survive – or kill – others in a set-up that pits survivors against the bloodthirsty Slaughter Family.

It’s an experience not for the faint of heart that aims to simulate what it might be like to hear Leatherface rev up his iconic chainsaw just feet behind you. In our 6/10 review at launch, we said it offered “a few entertaining, technically challenged hours of fun.”

RoboCop and Leatherface will no doubt get your blood flowing, so it’s nice that Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory is here to bring down the tempo just a bit. Bandai Namco expanded on the already massive digital world of digital monsters with this turn-based monster collector offshoot back in 2018. It’s got more than 320 Digimon to meet and collect as players look at the events of the original Cyber Sleuth story from a new perspective.

As RoboCop, Leatherface, and Agumon make their way onto PlayStation consoles next week, players should make sure to download the March 2025 titles while they still have the chance. It was a particularly strong lineup that included Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Sonic Colors: Ultimate, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection. So, if you’re a subscriber or a non-subscriber who has been looking for a good opportunity to sign up, make sure to add all three games to your library before the offer goes away March 31.

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

Call of Duty: Warzone Drops Back Into Verdansk With Limited Time Mode, Exclusive Rewards, and Black Ops 6 Free Trial

Activision, Treyarch, and Raven Software have detailed a special Return to Verdansk event and free trial period that will coincide with the launch of the original Call of Duty: Warzone map next week.

The team behind the current iteration of the massively popular military shooter battle royale experience shared everything players could ever want to know about Verdansk’s revival today. Included with a breakdown of all new and returning features, locations, modes, and more was a schedule for the Return to Verdansk event, which includes an ammo crate filled with rewards to earn from launch on April 3 to April 15.

Activision is calling its limited-time event a “celebration” of the return to the open-world map that started it all. It includes 12 unique zones to explore in Battle Royale and Plunder modes, each with safes to crack and exclusive rewards to obtain. Most goodies come in the form of loading screens, sprays, emotes, finishing moves, etc., but there is a rare chance that your hidden safe will grant access to an Operator skin completely unique to the Return to Verdansk event. Acquiring all 12 rewards also gifts players the freedom to use one of Modern Warfare 2019’s most infamous melee tools: the Kali Sticks.

Thankfully, if you’re the kind of player who can’t sink in the time to loot all 12 safes and try for that rare skin, you’ll be happy to know all players earn six free rewards simply for logging in. They are as follows: Kilo 141 (primary weapon), Domino (Warzone Operator), Mil-Sim USEF (Warzone Operator), Blue Legacy (Contrail for Verdansk Veterans), Coming Home (Parachute for Verdansk veterans), Like We Never Left (Gunscreen for Verdansk veterans).

Weapons Free

Call of Duty: Warzone’s return to Verdansk is more than just a simple retread. The OG map’s reintroduction marks a significant moment for longtime fans and Activision, so it makes sense that the publisher wants to see as many players get in on the fun as possible.

As Warzone launches into its most significant seasonal update in years, players will be allowed to access all Premium Black Ops 6 content for 24 hours starting on April 2 at 9:00 a.m. PT. That means unlimited access to Zombies and Multiplayer modes and a whole day to unlock a treasure trove of rewards that can be carried over to Warzone. It’s an access period that launches alongside Season 3 that same day, meaning all trial players can enjoy the full experience of the update at no extra cost.

The trade here is that Warzone will be down from April 2 – 3 as the team welcomes Verdansk in and sees Urzikstan out. Once the downtime ends, though, it’s back to Atlas Superstore, Stadium, Gora Dam, and more on console and PC for the first time since 2021. For more on all things Call of Duty, you can read up on how Activision is battling cheaters to help prepare for Verdansk’s return to Warzone.

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

Kung fu roguelike Forestrike feels like a Sifu demake in the best possible way

Quick reflexes and brute strength will only get you so far in the brawls of Forestrike. This Devolver-published rougelike of pixel art punishment was announced last summer and has been quietly meditating in a bush somewhere ever since. But this week the developers released a demo in which you can practice the flowing dodges and sneaky turnarounds of the “Leaf” school (a style of fighting from one of five masters planned to appear in the full game). As the fighty boy of RPS, I’ve had a go. It’s quite the satisfying little bruiser. Imagine if someone demade Sifu with retro graphics and wisdomously advised you that the brain hits harder than the hand.

Read more

Talking Point: Nintendo Direct Predictions – What Do You Want To See?

No, not THAT Direct, THIS Direct!

After some vague rumblings earlier in the week, Nintendo has only gone and announced another Direct presentation for this Thursday, 27th March 2025.

While we await the big Switch 2 blowout next week, this one will focus on games for the original Switch, clocking in at roughly 30 minutes in length. Nintendo, as expected, hasn’t given any indication as to what we can expect from the presentation beyond saying that Switch 2 won’t feature. Given that it’s neither a Partner Showcase nor an Indie World, though, it’s safe to assume that some first-party games will be there.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Introducing More In-Game Benefits for Free-to-Play Games with Game Pass

Introducing More In-Game Benefits for Free-to-Play Games with Game Pass

  • Steve MaslineProduct Marketing Manager, Xbox

F2P Game Pass Hero Image

Starting this week, we’re rolling out even more value to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members with in-game benefits for free-to-play games.

Members will get items like cosmetics, characters, in-game currency, and more for additional games, including Heroes of the Storm, Naraka: Bladepoint, and The Finals. Plus, we’re adding even more benefits starting in April 2025, like Call of Duty: Warzone and Enlisted. With seasonal content drops, members always have new benefits to look forward to.

These new additions expand upon existing in-game benefits, including unlocking the full roster of champions in League of Legends, six skins in Overwatch 2, all Agents in Valorant, and more. Whether it’s customization, personalization, or progression, players get even more from Game Pass.

To access all these in-game benefits, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members just need to log in with their Xbox profile or link their Xbox profile with each game’s account. Then, simply launch the game with Xbox on PC or console and your extra benefits will be available in-game. For Game Pass Ultimate members, these benefits will be available when playing with Xbox across cloud, console and PC.

New In-Game Benefits Coming to Game Pass

Starting this week, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members will have access to in-game benefits for the following games:

Heroes of the Storm (PC) – Link your Battle.net account
In this realm between realms, anything is possible – play and unlock 30 Heroes from across Blizzard Entertainment’s universes as we welcome you to the Nexus!

Naraka: Bladepoint (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Use your Xbox profile to log in
Unlock all heroes, exclusive Xbox headgear, and the Phoenix Princess Pack (Justina Gu).

Smite 2 (Console and PC) – Link your account
Unlock the exclusive High Velocity Hecate Skin, 5 gods (Ares, Anhur, Hecate, Hercules and Nemesis), the OP Title, and GG Emote with the Smite 2 Welcome Pack.

The Finals (Xbox Series X|S and PC) – Link your Embark ID
Unlock the Stryker Grid Set, sponsored by Ivada, featuring a full outfit, three weapon skins, a charm, and a 25% boost to Match XP. Players also unlock 500 Multibucks when they claim their prize!

We’ll be bringing even more in-game benefits for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members regularly. Starting in April 2025, players will get access to in-game benefits for the following titles:

  • Asphalt Legends Unite
  • Call of Duty: Warzone
  • Enlisted
  • War Thunder

Plus, Don’t Miss These Existing In-Game Benefits

Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can also take advantage of existing benefits for Overwatch 2, League of Legends, Valorant, and more when they link their Xbox account.

Genshin Impact (Console) – Link your HoYoverse account
Travelers who reach Adventure Rank 2 will unlock the “Wings of Fate’s Course Intertwined” as a gift in their in-game mailbox upon logging into Genshin Impact on Xbox. Plus, unlock Intertwined Fate ×2, Northlander Billet Trove ×1, Hero’s Wit ×10, Mora ×100,000, and Mystic Enhancement Ore ×15.

League of Legends (PC) – Link your Riot account
Unlock all 160+ champions, get day one access to new champions, and enjoy a 20% XP Boost to account leveling.

Legends of Runeterra (PC) – Link your Riot account
Unlock all cards in the Foundations Set.

Overwatch 2 (Console and PC) – Link your Battle.net account
Unlock six skins, including Cardboard Reinhardt and Turtleship D.Va! Plus, you’ll get a one-time grant of 30 Mythic Prisms, and a 10% XP boost with access to Shop cosmetics from the past three seasons (excludes Battle Pass, Collab, Mythic, and other Promotional content).

Teamfight Tactics (PC) – Link your Riot account
Unlock 1-Star Rare Little Legend Tacticians and 1 skin on a monthly rotation.

Valorant (Console and PC) – Link your Riot account
Unlock all Agents, get day-one access to new Agents, and enjoy a 20% Match XP Boost to Battle Pass, Event Pass, and active Agent Contract progress.

In-game Benefits Are Getting Easier to Find

Starting this week, we’re making it even easier for players to discover the in-game benefits available with their Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass memberships.

Launch Xbox on PC, navigate to the Game Pass tab and click “More Benefits”, or navigate to a participating game’s page to see available in-game benefits.

Getting Started

Step 1: Become a Game Pass member
Join Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass to get in-game benefits for some of the biggest free-to-play games.

Step 2: Link your Xbox profile
Launch a participating game and sign in with your Xbox profile, or navigate to a participating game’s website and link your Xbox profile with your game account.

Step 3: Claim your benefits with Xbox on PC or console
Launch the participating game with Xbox on PC or console and your benefits will be available in-game.

We can’t wait to see how you customize, personalize, and progress with Game Pass. Be the first to learn about future updates by looking for the “Coming Soon to Game Pass” announcements on Xbox Wire.

To learn more about eligibility for these benefits, players can reference the table below:

GameAccountHelp Article
Heroes of the StormBattle.net accounthttps://us.battle.net/support/en/article/357105
Overwatch 2Battle.net accounthttps://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24107758/
The FinalsEmbark IDhttps://id.embark.games/the-finals/support/faq/70-account-faq
EnlistedGaijin accountLog in with your Xbox profile
War ThunderGaijin accountLog in with your Xbox profile
Asphalt Legends UniteGameloft Club accounthttps://gameloft.helpshift.com/hc/en/15-asphalt-legends-unite/faq/640-how-do-i-link-my-account-to-save-or-transfer-my-progress/
Genshin ImpactHoyoverse accounthttps://genshin.hoyoverse.com/en/news/detail/126848
Naraka: BladepointNaraka: Bladepoint accountLog in with your Xbox profile
League of LegendsRiot accounthttps://www.riotgames.com/en/riot-game-pass-benefits
Legends of RuneterraRiot accounthttps://www.riotgames.com/en/riot-game-pass-benefits
Teamfight TacticsRiot accounthttps://www.riotgames.com/en/riot-game-pass-benefits
ValorantRiot accounthttps://www.riotgames.com/en/riot-game-pass-benefits
Smite 2Smite 2 accounthttps://support.hirezstudios.com/en/articles/10366500-smite-2-account-linking-instructions-faq

The post Introducing More In-Game Benefits for Free-to-Play Games with Game Pass appeared first on Xbox Wire.