Good news, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 fans! Clair Obscur is not just the shortened name for developer Sandfall Interactive’s blockbuster RPG — it’s also the name for an entire franchise.
“Clair Obscur is the franchise name. Expedition 33 is one of the stories that we want to tell in this franchise,” director Guillaume Broche told MrMattyPlays (thanks TheGamer).
“Exactly what it will look like and what the concept will be is still too soon to announce, but what is sure is that this is not the end of the Clair Obscur franchise.”
And if that wasn’t quite obvious enough for you, he also specifically talked about his process for when he “writes sequels,” too, leaving us with little doubt that a follow-up game is on the way. Watch this space.
In IGN’s 9/10 review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, we described it as a “modern RPG classic,” adding: “In so many ways, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 reminded me of numerous classic and contemporary RPGs I love, but developer Sandfall truly understood why those games are special and made the pieces it borrowed its own.”
Sandfall recently published Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 update 1.4.0, adding key features like a Battle Retry option alongside a host of quality-of-life changes, visual improvements, and bug fixes. However, the studio stopped short of detailing exactly what will be in the next Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 update, simply telling fans that “there is more to come in the future.”
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
The furore began with the confirmation that Bloodlines 2 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.
Developer The Chinese Room has added a further two clans to Bloodlines 2 (Lasombra and Toreador), but these are currently only available as part of the Shadows and Silk add-on pack, which costs $21.99 as DLC, or 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. As you’d expect, fans were quick to express their dissatisfaction.
Then, at gamescom 2025, a representative for publisher Paradox told IGN the decision was a “business” informed choice, prompting further outcry. But a post on Discord suggests a significant change may be coming ahead of launch.
As spotted on ResetEra, Paradox community developer DebbieElla addressed the game’s community with the following message:
“We are listening to your feedback about the Lasombra and Toreador clan access, and we’re making adjustments ahead of launch to reflect this.
“We will share more information about what this means as soon as possible.”
What this means is unknown for now, but the hope of course is that Paradox throws in the two clans for launch at no extra cost. Certainly, that would go some way to calming down the fanbase ahead of the game’s release on October 21. But what would that then mean for those who have already paid for the more expensive Premium Edition?
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has suffered a difficult development and a number of high-profile delays, but it is a crucial release for Paradox. The publisher will be keen to give it the best chance possible to succeed, and backtracking on its DLC plans may be the only viable option at this stage. While you wait to find out, check out IGN’s Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 hands-on preview.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
It sounds like all change for Call of Duty with the release of Black Ops 7, amid pressure from Battlefield 6 and its commitment to “gritty realism.”
Call of Duty’s foray into goofy skins territory is not a new phenomena, although recent releases have certainly amped up the conversation around them. With the likes of Beavis and Butt-Head and American Dad hitting the game this year shortly after weed-obsessed bundles starring Seth Rogen, some fans have said they’ve had enough of what they call the ‘Fortnite-ification’ of their beloved Call of Duty, and have pleaded with publisher Activision to return to its mil-sim roots.
In a recent interview with DBLTAP, Battlefield 6 design director Shashank Uchil doubled down on EA’s commitment to grounded realism, and even pointed to Call of Duty’s infamous Nicki Minaj skin as something Battlefield 6 doesn’t need.
“It has to be grounded,” he said. “That is what BF3 and BF4 was — it was all soldiers, on the ground. It’s going to be like this,” Uchil said, pointing at the key art featuring soldiers in soldier gear looking out over a wartorn New York City.
He added: “I don’t think it needs Nicki Minaj. Let’s keep it real, keep it grounded.”
With Battlefield 6 set to go up against Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 later this year, Activision has now issued a community update that indicates it’s ready to make significant changes to the types of bundles it releases for the game.
But there’s perhaps even more significant news here: Activision confirmed that Operators, Operator Skins, and Weapons from Black Ops 6 will no longer carry forward into Black Ops 7.
This comes as a big surprise to players who had expected content they’d bought for Black Ops 6 to carry forward, as it has done with previous entries, and given Black Ops 7 directly follows last year’s Black Ops 6. Explaining the decision, Activision said Black Ops 7 “needs to feel authentic to Call of Duty and its setting.”
“That is why Black Ops 6 Operator and Weapon content will not carry forward to Black Ops 7. Double XP tokens and GobbleGums will still carry forward, because we recognize your time and progression are important.”
(This change applies only to Black Ops 7. Call of Duty: Warzone is not affected, and all your Black Ops 6 content stays usable there.)
What impact will this have on Black Ops 7? It means that at launch, at least, you won’t see all those goofy skins running around Multiplayer. It sounds like Multiplayer will look like Black Ops 7, at least at the start of things.
Where will Activision go from here? Its community post suggests it’s ready to tone down the goofiness for Black Ops 7’s entire lifecycle, although it’s worth pointing out we don’t have specifics here.
“We know there’s been a lot of conversation recently about the identity of Call of Duty,” Activision said. “Some of you have said we’ve drifted from what made Call of Duty unique in the first place: immersive, intense, visceral and in many ways grounded. That feedback hits home, and we take it seriously. We hear you.
“Throughout development, Treyarch and Raven’s north star has been to deliver a spiritual successor to Black Ops 2 while taking some big swings. You’ll see it across Black Ops 7’s Multiplayer, Zombies, Co-Op Campaign (including Endgame), and even Dead Ops Arcade 4.
“Over the years, we’ve had a variety of games and experiences that fans have enjoyed from the Modern Warfare series to the Black Ops series and beyond. Today, we wanted to share with you some of the ways we’re approaching things with Black Ops 7.”
Activision went on to say that Black Ops 7 bundles and items “will be crafted to fit the Black Ops identity.” “We hear the feedback,” the mega publisher added. “We need to deliver a better balance toward the immersive, core Call of Duty experience.”
If Activision truly leaves goofy skins behind, then it’s leaving a lot of money on the table. The company wouldn’t release Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Nicki Minaj skins if they didn’t make loads of money. Perhaps, with the release of Battlefield 6, Activision felt it had reached a tipping point, and it needed to take drastic action to respond.
Whatever the case, reaction is a mix of shock, excitement, and frustration. There’s shock that Activision actually canceled carry forward for Black Ops 7, excitement about getting back to Call of Duty’s roots, but for some a frustration that the time and in many cases money spent earning cosmetic items in recent months die with Black Ops 6.
There’s also a spot of scepticism from some within the Call of Duty community, who suspect Activision may hold the line for Black Ops 7’s first few months of life, but eventually retreat into goofy skin territory once again.
Activision ended its community update by promising more information on all aspects of Black Ops 7 soon. Battlefield 6 comes out October 10, with Black Ops 7 following in November. It’s going to be really interesting to see how this all shakes out.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Dell is offering a competitive price on an Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC equipped with the excellent Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card during the Intel Gamer Days Sale. Right now you can configure one starting at just $1,699.99 with free delivery. The RTX 5070 Ti graphics card can run any game at 60fps even in 4K, including the upcoming Battlefield 6.
Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5070 Ti Gaming PC for $1,699.99
Th base configuration is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB graphics card, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 1TB M.2 SSD. The system is powered by a 1000W 80Plus Platinum power supply.
The Core Ultra 7 265F is part of Intel’s newest Arrow Lake-S lineup released earlier this year and boasts a max turbo frequency of 5.3GHz with 20 cores and a 36MB L2 cache. This is a great all-around CPU for gaming, multi-tasking, and general workstation performance. It doesn’t have as many cores as a Core Ultra 9 processor, but that doesn’t matter for gaming since the vast majority of games will not be able to utilize more than 20 cores. The processor is air cooled by a tower heatsink and fan combo, but you can upgrade to 240mm all-in-one liquid cooling for an extra $50.
The RTX 5070 Ti GPU Has Excellent 4K Gaming Performance
Of all the Blackwell cards released thus far, the RTX 5070 Ti offers the best bang for your buck, especially when pitted against the previous generation GPUs. It performs neck-and-neck with the RTX 4080 Super and marginalizes the RTX 5080, which is only about 10%-15% faster but costs 33% more. Like all Blackwell cards, the RTX 5070 Ti supports DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation. This GPU is capable of high framerates in nearly all games, even at 4K resolution. If you plan on using this card for AI, the RTX 5070 Ti may be a better value since it has the same amount of VRAM as the RTX 5080.
This deal is part of the Alienware Intel Gamer Days Sale
Dell is participating in the annual Intel Gamer Days Sale with great discounts on Alienware gaming PCs and laptops featuring Intel Core Ultra processors and Nvidia GeForce Blackwell graphics cards. Check out more great deals here.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Walmart just dropped the price on a gaming PC equipped with the new Nvidia Blackwell GPU for under $1,000. As part of the Intel Gamer Days Sale, you can pick up the iBuypower Element SE GeForce RTX 5060 gaming PC for just $899 after a $300 off instant discount. Free delivery is included. This PC is sold and shipped by Walmart directly with a delivery date as early as tomorrow, depending on your location. The RTX 5060 graphics card is a good value option for playing the newest (and upcoming) games at 1080p.
iBuypower Element SE RTX 5060 Gaming PC for $899
The iBuypower Element SE gaming PC is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 225F processor, GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card, 16GB of DDR5-5200MHz RAM, and a 1TB M.2 SSD. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F CPU has a max turbo frequency of 4.9GHz and 10 cores. It’s cooled by a 120mm tower heatsink and fan combo along with three additional 120mm RGB fans for system airflow. The Intel Core Ultra 5 is an energy efficient chip that works well for gaming. It doesn’t have as many cores as a Core Ultra 7 or 9 CPU, but most games won’t be able to utilize the extra cores anyway.
The GeForce RTX 5060 GPU is a great choice for 1080p
Compared to the previous generation GPUs, the RTX 5060 performs about 15% better than the RTX 4060. It will run pretty much any game in 1080p at framerates of up to 60fps, although some games might require some settings adjustments. 1440p is a viable option too, although you will see an improvement bumping up to a 5060 Ti at that point. Like all Blackwell GPUs, the RTX 5060 supports DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation, and the performance improvement over the 4060 will be bigger with games that support it, including Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the upcoming Borderlands 4 and Battlefield 6 games.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
From Marvel crossovers to nostalgic planes like Dominaria and Ravnica, there are deals here for every type of player. Spider-Man Play Booster preorders are already coming in below launch price, Final Fantasy Commander Decks are bundled at a discount, and several Modern Horizons 3 products have dipped under their recent highs. This week offers some of the best opportunities in a while to save on sealed Magic products.
Magic: The Gathering Price Watch
MTG Players and Collectors stand to save up to 39% by shopping around today. It’s usually TCGPlayer undercutting Amazons pricing, but Amazon is starting to fight back. Booster Boxes, Bundles and Commander Decks are looking cheaper than ever, and this also includes preorders for Spider-Man Play Booster Box and Avatar Play Booster Box. There’s also a brilliant deal on the Final Fantasy Commander Deck Bundle over on TCGPlayer.
This Weeks MTG Crashers and Climbers
Magic: The Gathering prices are shifting again this week, with some surprising winners and losers. On the rise, older cards like Need for Speed and Scrapheap have spiked thanks to new synergies with upcoming characters like Toph from the Avatar set and Ragost, Deft Gastronaut, with both cards now sitting closer to $7–$8 after being near bulk prices.
Other climbers include Ugin’s Nexus (though its rumored combo doesn’t quite work), Terra Eternal, and Repurposing Bay. On the flip side, several once-hot Edge of Eternities cards are cooling off: Breeding Pool (Borderless) has plummeted from over $100 to around $35, while Ouroboroid, Tannuk, Steadfast Second, The Endstone, and Terrasymbiosis are all trending downward as hype dies down. With Spider-Man’s debut set still a few weeks away, players are clearly reshuffling their priorities—and their wallets.
Anycubic Kobra 3 3D Printer Combo for $224.71
Includes the Ace Pro Multi-Color Printing Module
Here’s a great opportunity to pick up a fully featured 3D printer for a supremely low price. AliExpress is currently offering the Anycubic Kobra 3 3D Printer Combo – which also includes the Anycubic Ace Pro Multi-Color Printer Module – for just $224.71 after you apply $45 off coupon code: “USBS45” that you apply during checkout. You’re buying it from Anycubic’s official store on AliExpress. It ships free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks. The exact same combo sells for $360 on Amazon. This is a phenomenal deal for a 3D printer, let alone one that also includes the multi-printing module that normally sells for $200+ by itself. The price makes this an ideal introduction to the world of 3D printing for the fledgling first-timer testing out a new hobby, but there are enough features here to satisfy the seasoned professonal looking for a second 3D printer.
Pokémon Card ETB Deals
TCGPlayer is showing up Amazon’s predatory pricing practices with Pokémon TCG, with up to 10% on some of the latest sets, including Black Bolt, White Flare, Destined Rivals and more. Still above MSRP, but its by far the best deal players and collectors are going to get on sealed ETB’s right now.
Pokémon TCG Booster Bundle Deals
Booster Bundles are even cheaper, and again from the most popular Scarlet and Violet sets. Prismatic Evolutions is 21% cheaper, Black Bolt is 22% down, White Flare is 18% and Destined Rivals is a moddest 8% down. Don’t pay more when you don’t have too.
Pokémon TCG Big Box Collection Deals
Binder boxes, special collections and more are the big box Pokémon TCG products that make great gifts that usually come with a few exclusive pormo cards and other cool swag that can only be found in these boxes. Infact, if you’re just after the bits and bats inside, you can usually find seperate listings on TCGPlayer for just that to save a few dollars.
Pokémon TCG Tins and Booster Packs
With up to 44% off booster tins, blisters and single packs, it’s an absolute no-brainer hopping over to TCGPlayer over Amazon. It’s actually amazing that some of these products are nearly double the price of the secondary market, but I’m here to save you some money after all!
Most Expensive Pokémon Cards from Japan’s Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia
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.
This Weeks Crashers and Climbers
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.
Amyet V9-G60 Electric Bike for $476.55
AliExpress is offering an outstanding deal on a popular entry level electric bike. Right now the Amyet V9-G60 Electric Bike with 1,000W (1,500W peak) motor and 48V 20AH battery is on sale for just $476.55 after you apply $100 off coupon code “AEUS100” during checkout. You’re buying it from Amyet’s official store on AliExpress. It ships free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks. The same bike is priced at $525 on Amazon, so you’d pay $50 more.
METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER
Fanatical is offering Steam pre-purchases of METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER, the stunning Unreal Engine 5 remake of the legendary 2004 stealth-action game. The Standard Edition is available for $52.38, while the Digital Deluxe Edition is marked down to $59.87 (normally $79.99 — 25% off). The Deluxe upgrade comes with exclusive pre-order bonuses, 48-hour early access, and the Sneaking DLC Pack, which includes multiple alternate uniforms, masks, and cosmetic extras. With rebuilt visuals, immersive 3D audio, and modernized controls, this Cold War-era tale of betrayal, survival, and espionage is more gripping than ever.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Mirror Edition – PlayStation 5
Amazon has the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Mirror Edition (PlayStation 5, Amazon Exclusive) up for pre-order at $59.99. This edition includes the full game on disc, a collectible tuckbox, an exclusive steelbook featuring Verso and Alicia, plus three of ten limited-edition character cards you won’t find elsewhere. We gave it a 9/10, so it’s worth a playthrough if you haven’t already!
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Mirror Edition – Xbox Series X
Elden Ring Nightreign Amazon Exclusive Deluxe Edition
Elden Ring: Nightreign Deluxe Edition (Amazon Exclusive) is down to $39.99 (regularly $54.99 — 27% off) on Woot. This standalone adventure in the Elden Ring universe reimagines the series’ core design with a fresh cooperative twist. The Deluxe Edition packs in extra value with additional playable characters and bosses, a digital artbook, a mini soundtrack, and an exclusive 11×17 key art poster. Designed around three-player co-op, Nightreign has you and your allies pushing back against a world consumed by the creeping night, where shifting environments, formidable threats, and massive bosses make every session feel unique. We gave it 7/10, so it’s worth a go for $39.99
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds
Amazon has Apple AirPods 4 (USB-C Charging Case, no Active Noise Cancellation) on sale for $89.99 (regularly $129 — 30% off). Redesigned for improved comfort and stability, AirPods 4 feature Apple’s H2 chip for upgraded sound quality, clearer calls with voice isolation, and seamless pairing with iPhone. They also support Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive listening experience.
LEGO The Legend of Zelda Great Deku Tree 2in1
This 2,500-piece collector’s kit lets fans choose between building the Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild version of the iconic Great Deku Tree, complete with detailed features like posable facial expressions and side panels. The set also includes four minifigures, Princess Zelda and three variations of Link, along with iconic items such as the Master Sword, Hylian Shield, and Ocarina of Time. Plus it’s over one foot tall once built!
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.
EA’s long-awaited Skate reboot finally has an early access release date, and the good news is you’ll be able to play it for free in less than a month.
Skate’s early access launch begins on September 16 via PC (EA App, Epic Games Store, Steam), PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
As previously announced, you will need an internet connection to play the game, as well as an EA account to log in. Skate developer Full Circle previously explained the need for an online connection as something required for its vision of a “living, breathing, massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving.”
“You’ll see bigger things evolve, like changes to the city over time,” the developer continued, “as well as smaller things, like live events and other in-game activities.”
Indeed, today’s release date trailer focuses firmly on multiplayer gameplay, with squads of skaters seen traversing the streets of San Vansterdam. The game’s open-world features traffic, and what look like custom-made objects hung in the sky for you to try and skate upon.
Skate was originally announced by publisher EA way back in 2020, and development has continued slowly but surely ever since. The game has previously been playable by fans within closed community playtests that have even seen the introduction of microtransactions for cosmetic items, if you were wondering how EA plans to monetise the game. All purchases will be reset at the game’s impending early access launch — though if you’ve paid anything before then, your money will be refunded.
“I can clearly see the direction developer Full Circle is taking the series, but I can also say that Skate is shaping up to be a game worthy of being the long-awaited sequel to 2010’s Skate 3,” IGN wrote in our Skate hands-on preview earlier this year. “The gameplay seems refined and lives up to its predecessors, the world is big and fun to explore, and the overall sandbox’s ‘do what you want’ vibe is really making me look forward to diving back in.”
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
The original 2006 Gears of War is the classic case of “don’t judge a book by its cover;” this seemingly meatheaded, bro-forward game has cemented itself as not only one of the best third-person cover shooter series with its iconic gameplay and weapons, but also one that shrugs at its stereotypes to both embrace them (when was the last time you heard someone called a dickwad?) and defy them with great storytelling and fantastic voice acting. Ten years after its first makeover, it’s gotten another with Gears of War: Reloaded. Unlike some games that get a premature remaster treatment a few years after their release, this one looks and feels like a noticeable improvement.
As we’ve come to expect from Xbox Game Studios developer The Coalition, the PS5 and Steam crowds are welcomed to the first game in this iconic series with gorgeous modern graphics and framerates, and no more waiting around on long load screens. Before we get into the details of Reloaded, here’s what IGN said about Gears of War’s first remaster from 2015:
From playing about seven hours, I can say that the glowing review of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and its few faults still stand true with Reloaded. The story begins by throwing you into the thick of a losing war. Things go from shit to shittier for Marcus Fenix and crew as they try to accomplish one task that spirals out of control, and while that may not be fun for them, it sure is exciting to play, especially with the technical updates. Here are the highlights:
Reloaded plays in 4K with up to 120Hz output (if you’ve got the screen for it).
The 60fps is a nice upgrade on consoles for the campaign, which previously only went up to 30fps at its launch and 60fps with the Series X performance boost, and 120fps in multiplayer is equally welcome.
There are more options to change up controls, audio, and more Reloaded than were in Ultimate Edition.
A Touch of Color
The 2015 Gears of War: Ultimate Edition did a great job upgrading the notoriously drab look of the Xbox 360 original with color adjustments, lifting the muddy grey and brown fog from the planet Sera. Reloaded takes that a step further, with an even more lively color palette and better lighting that resembles what we saw in Gears 5. The uplifted style gives extra vibrancy to splurting blood during a chainsaw kill, and the blue skies clouded by smoke and dust look nice, too. The Coalition added extra detail to the environment as well, like additional paintings in legal buildings, dense bookshelves, fridges with rotting food, more corpses, and other fitting decor like that.
Welcome to Delta Squad, PS5
It’s still mighty odd seeing Xbox Game Studios on the screen while I hold a DualSense, but I can only say that the shredding of exclusivity lines hasn’t hurt Gears of War one bit. If anything, it’s made a strong case for me to do a co-op run on PlayStation 5. The core of Reloaded is the same between all three platforms, but the DualSense adds a twist with the adaptive triggers and any comms done through radio output through the controller’s speaker. It was a neat surprise having dialogue and sound effects – like hitting the perfect active reload – presented this way.
That being said, the adaptive triggers can be off-putting in some situations, like when hopping on a Troika where the triggers feel like they’re on max resistance for firing the turret or when driving a vehicle, so I could see them being unwelcome to some. I got tired of it in the second act during a long driving section, so I ended up turning adaptive triggers off for a bit.
Another aspect of Gears that’s evolved over time is the heavy screen shake with the roadie run. It’s less pronounced in other Gears games that’ve come along since, but The Coalition kept the exaggerated effect for Reloaded by default. I appreciate its unique touch and that the shakiness encourages tactical use. Running around an encounter isn’t the way to play Reloaded, and if you do, you’ll likely be punished for it. Instead, you’ll want to run and bounce between cover, keeping yourself protected from the onslaught of enemy fire. If you don’t like screen shake, though, it can be turned off. It’s good to have options!
Some Minor Bugs
The cool additions are also joined by some minor bugs I’ve seen in the roughly six hours I’ve played on PlayStation 5. There was weirdness in checkpoints jumping me forward and facing a different way, characters’ voices would drop for a line randomly, and I saw some enemies get stuck in between cover. Those bugs have appeared infrequently and weren’t too bothersome, though, and are probably nothing a patch or two won’t fix. I didn’t see these happen much during my time with the Xbox version, but just because I didn’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Bugs are tricky like that!
Bad Squad AI
The one actively annoying gameplay issues I came across was how incompetent and overall wonky my AI companions were on the Hardcore difficulty level, which is a noticeable downgrade from how they performed in Ultimate Edition. In Reloaded, they go down constantly, whereas in Ultimate Edition they still went down occasionally, but seemed to be helping more. Hardcore is only a step above normal and below Insane, so I expected they should be able to hold their own at least a bit. I noticed Dom waltzing into the dark and dying to the lurking Kryll that shredded him in seconds in one mission, and every now and then, Dom or the other two companions, Cole and Baird, would get stuck far behind, unwilling to leave a doorway. I love Delta squad, but I’m not reviving them every encounter only to put myself in danger.
Cherry on Top: Extras for Gears Fans
Gears of War: Reloaded includes a nice Extras section, which is something you’d want to see in a remaster like this to reward returning fans who’re buying it for the second or third time. What’ll interest most folks in the Extras section are the five different issues of the Gears of War comic. Grabbing the collectible COG Tags throughout the campaign unlocks pages in five different issues of the Gears of War comic, which is a nice reward for those who haven’t read them. This was available in the Ultimate Edition, and it’s a welcome return. Completing acts of the campaign also unlocks neat concept art.
And, while multiple sets of credits may not be what someone who’s new to this game cares about, for folks like me, seeing the credits available for Reloaded, Ultimate Edition, and the original are in line with Gears’ respect for teamwork.
Multiplayer Only Has Minor Tweaks
Multiplayer hasn’t changed (in terms of what content is included) between Ultimate Edition and Reloaded, though The Coalition upgraded to 60Hz dedicated servers, as opposed to the 30Hz we’ve had in previous versions. The maps got the remaster treatment too, with better lighting, visual effects, and best of all, an upgrade to 120fps on consoles (PC players also get a 240fps option). I expect weapon tuning to be in flux after launch; The Coalition already noted it’s making some improvements to the Gnasher, making perfect active reload damage fixed, and more tweaks based on feedback from the beta.
Get Your COG Tags
If this is your first time playing Gears of War, I recommend finding a friend to join you – the Gears of War teams have always designed these games with a partner in mind (and as I mentioned, the AI doesn’t really pull its weight on the higher difficulty levels). The Coalition thankfully maintained the option to play Reloaded couch co-op, which we don’t see enough these days, and of course, you’ve also got the option of online crossplay if your co-op buddy is on another system. I’m still undecided on whether or not I want to spend my next co-op replay on Xbox or PS5 or bounce between them (thanks, cross-progression!), but I’m excited to dive back in again either way.
A fresh report has detailed the difficulties faced by some developers keen to launch games for Switch 2 — but who remain unable to do so due to a lack of Nintendo support.
According to Digital Foundry, Nintendo is still restricting its supply of Switch 2 development hardware and instead telling some studios to launch their titles as Switch 1 games that can then be played via backwards compatibility.
This has sparked frustration among a number of developers, including at least one major AAA studio unable to launch a Switch 2-native version of their game, while hardware is given to some indie creators — including the team behind a campfire simulator.
“There’s been a lot of talk about this lately, that Nintendo seems to be almost discouraging Switch 2 development to some degree,” Digital Foundry’s John Linneman said during the team’s most recent podcast. “I’ve spoken with plenty of developers where they were told that their game, they should just ship it on Switch 1 and rely on backwards compatibility.
“There’s a lot of developers that are unable to get Switch 2 dev kits,” Linneman continued. “We talked to a lot of devs at Gamescom this year, and so many of them said the same things. They want to ship on Switch 2. They would love to do Switch 2 versions. They can’t get the hardware. It’s really difficult right now.”
One particular frustration has been the lack of transparency from Nintendo on why some studios have been given Switch 2 development kits, while others have not. IGN has contacted Nintendo for comment.
“I don’t really know what Nintendo’s mindset was with these sets of decisions,” Digital Foundry’s Oliver Mackenzie said. “I don’t really understand the strategy because, like you said, even now developers are struggling to get systems, and I know that some months ago when we were hearing things through the grapevine and talking to people, there were some weird exclusions with some big developers struggling to get kits for games.
“From what we’ve heard, there were some weird inclusions as well,” he continued. “Some indies were included, which is nice to see. But there’s that campfire game, you know, the camera campfire game, and they’re getting kits. And some big developers, on the other hand, who developed AAA stuff, aren’t necessarily in the pipeline there for kits.”
The camera campfire game here in question is Chillin’ by the Fire, an indie hangout game set around a campfire which makes use of the Switch 2 camera. On the one hand, the simple fact this makes use of GameChat and the Switch 2’s camera capabilities makes this impossible to launch on Switch 1, meaning that development hardware for Nintendo’s newer console would be required. On the other, it’s understandable why some AAA developers might be surprised to see this launch, after being told they wouldn’t yet receive a Switch 2 development kit for themselves.
“There’s weird stuff about discouraging Switch 2 development explicitly for some games, a limited subset of games like if you’re doing a pixel art game at 240p, you probably don’t need a Switch 2 kit,” Mackenzie added. “But there are very few games on the Switch 1 that wouldn’t benefit from being ported explicitly to Switch 2.
“The thing that’s really stark to me too is, at this point, we’ve seen very few proper Switch 2 Editions post-launch. I don’t think we’ve seen any, hardly at all really, from third-party developers in particular. Obviously we saw No Man’s Sky, I think one or two other games in the mix there. But really, it’s been a very slow trickle of titles earning that Switch 2 Edition badge.
“I really want to see more movement on that front. I hope it’s a temporary thing,” Mackenzie concluded. “I hope that in a year or two, we’re looking back and we’re like, that was a really weird decision, but it was fixed in time. I hope that’s what we’re looking at.”
Free-to-play hybrid action RPG Duet Night Abyss recently revealed in a special program that it will launch globally on PC and mobile on October 28 and that it’s making significant changes to its core monetization system.
For the uninitiated, Duet Night Abyss is developed by Pan Studio, a studio under Hero Games. It was first announced in 2023, and the story is told through a dual narrative from the perspectives of two protagonists. Pre-registration is open now, and you can sign up here. You can also get more info about the game’s world, characters, and weapons on the official website.
With the latest update, the dev team announced some major changes designed to make the game more player friendly. All weapons and characters are now free to acquire, there are no banners to pull for and hope for luck. Weapons no longer have star ratings, and all can be forged or acquired for free through grinding. And all stamina for commissions has been removed, so there’s no time limitation on grinding.
To get some deeper insight into these changes, as well as info about the game and its development process, we got together with two key figures in its development — Hero Games CEO Daniel Wu and game producer Deca Bear — to chat about it.
How would you describe Duet Night Abyss? Where do things stand with the game as of now?
Deca Bear: Duet Night Abyss is a thrilling hybrid action RPG, featuring a dual narrative. Our goal is to provide players with pure, enjoyable gameplay in a relaxing, stress-free environment.
Globally, we have conducted one Technical Test and two Closed Beta Tests. Based on player feedback and data performance, we have continuously refined the game. Today, we are excited to announce that the global launch is scheduled for October 28, 2025.
For this release, we have made significant adjustments to the stamina system and monetization model. In the release version, all characters and weapons will be fully accessible for free. Meanwhile, we are actively working on future updates and will continue to deliver high-quality content to players in the coming versions.
The anime-style game market has been expanding in recent years. What inspired you to support this project, and what do you see for the future of these types of games?
Daniel Wu: The team behind Duet Night Abyss is a perfect fit for Hero Games — they carry that bold, slightly rebellious creative spirit, with a remarkable artistic vision. This reflects a deep passion for, and understanding of, the ACGN (animation, comics, and games) culture, enabling them to craft content that truly resonates with fans of this genre.
For content-driven ACGN titles, the core lies in the “content” itself. I believe that truly exceptional content — whether in ACGN or any other form — will always find its moment to shine in this era.
Before Duet Night Abyss was greenlit, we had already built extensive experience through investments in leading studios. Kuro Games, for example, had released the globally acclaimed Punishing: Gray Raven and was, at the same time, preparing the development of Wuthering Waves. Meanwhile, Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong — another project we backed — was already generating tremendous anticipation among players worldwide.
The strong, positive feedback from these investments inspired a new ambition: to create a project that could truly be called Hero Games’ own. That ambition became the starting point for Duet Night Abyss.
When was the concept of this game first brought to you? Has it changed or evolved since then?
Deca Bear: Duet Night Abyss is inspired by the deep understanding of anime-inspired culture and high-quality action games. As both a producer and a passionate gamer, I have observed the growing demand for anime-inspired game titles that combine engaging narratives with thrilling combat experiences. I believe this niche market will continue to expand, and that outstanding content, innovative gameplay, and player-friendly systems will become key factors in a game’s success. It was with these ideas in mind that we created Duet Night Abyss.
The core concept and vision of the game have remained consistent throughout development. Through continuous refinement and effort, we aim to convey our creative philosophy and passion to players worldwide.
The story is told from the perspectives of two protagonists. How did the idea of this dual narrative originate, and what benefits does this approach provide?
Deca Bear: The story in Duet Night Abyss is complex, and experiencing it from a single perspective only offers a limited view. By introducing an additional viewpoint, we add another dimension, allowing players to perceive the world in a more nuanced and multidimensional way. This was the very reason we chose the dual narrative in Duet Night Abyss.
With a dual narrative, players can experience the story through the eyes of different protagonists. Each character has their own storylines, roles, and connections, allowing players to experience two perspectives within a single game. At a certain point, when these storylines intersect, players will encounter unexpected and exciting surprises.
In the upcoming version, we have also made the protagonists playable characters, aiming to give players a stronger sense of immersion as they experience the story.
Could you give us an overview of the game’s hybrid action RPG combat system? What makes Duet Night Abyss unique in the genre?
Deca Bear: In addition to basic movements like jumping, we have added Helix Leap, allowing characters to traverse long distances at high speed. Each character can equip both melee and ranged weapons, seamlessly switching between close- and long-ranged attacks in battles.
Regarding skills, we opted for a short cooldown system — and in some cases, even no cooldown at all — so that most characters can continuously unleash skills as long as they have sufficient Sanity.
Additionally, both characters and weapons can be equipped with Demon Wedges, which not only provide stat boosts but also introduce changes to mechanics and attack patterns, offering a wide range of options for flexible and customizable builds.
During commissions, players can select two characters as AI companions to assist in battles, significantly reducing gameplay pressure.
Some of the most common issues players have with gacha games are pay-to-win mechanics and excessive grinding. What does Duet Night Abyss do to address these problems?
Deca Bear: Drawing on years of experience in art and design for anime-style games, I’ve long dreamed of creating an action RPG with a distinctive anime aesthetic. At the same time, I’m aware that the current anime-style game market often has a reputation for grind-heavy and pay-to-win mechanics. That’s why we set out to develop a truly player-friendly free-to-play (F2P) RPG, where players can enjoy the game freely at their own pace.
With this goal in mind, balancing monetization and player experience has been a core focus for our development team. In the latest updates to Duet Night Abyss, we’ve made major changes on the monetization system: character banners and star ratings for both characters and weapons have been removed, and all characters and weapons are now completely free to obtain.
From the perspective of reducing player burden, the Demon Wedge system provides fixed stat boosts and can be applied universally within its category once obtained. In commissions, the Sigil System allows players to summon AI companions to assist in combat, improving efficiency and reducing grind. Additionally, the stamina system for commissions has been completely removed. Our goal is to ease player’s burdens while maintaining a player-friendly experience for F2P users.
Those changes are pretty significant. What went into that decision? As producer, did you have any concerns about that choice?
Deca Bear: As mentioned, our core vision for Duet Night Abyss is to build a high-quality, long-term, and truly player-friendly game ecosystem for users around the world. Monetization has to serve the gameplay experience, not compromise the fun.
The choice to remove character banners and weapon star ratings was driven by extensive player feedback and our team’s commitment to creating a fairer, more sustainable progression system.
While this may mean letting go of certain short-term monetization opportunities, I believe that, over time, it will deepen player engagement and trust, paving the way for a healthier and more enduring business model.
These changes mean giving up some common monetization methods. As the CEO, what were your feelings on that decision?
Daniel Wu: On this matter, I share the same vision as our producer. As a gamer myself, I truly value player-friendly design, which is why we place such importance on player feedback. The direction of our adjustments is focused on meeting player expectations and delivering an experience that genuinely resonates with them.
From a company perspective, while this may mean forgoing certain quick monetization opportunities in the short term, I believe that in the long run, it will help strengthen player engagement and reputation — ultimately building a healthier, more sustainable business model.
Throughout the process of development, how important has player feedback been? What areas of the game have been most popular, and what areas do you still need to improve based on the feedback you’ve gotten?
Deca Bear: We’ve always placed the highest importance on player feedback. Some players have previously expressed concerns about our monetization system. For a live service game, we believe a business model built on player trust is essential. That’s why, in this update, we made those adjustments — aiming to improve player experience while ensuring the game’s long-term sustainability.
Naturally, there were discussions and concerns along the way — whether these changes might impact our revenue model or affect core player engagement. But we’ve remained committed to the belief that a healthy ecosystem and strong player goodwill are worth far more than short-term returns.
We’re fortunate to have the full support of our leadership — especially our CEO, Daniel — as well as our publishing team. We all share the goal of creating a game that players genuinely want to stay with and can form lasting connections around — this is where our efforts invested most. We’ll monitor the new designs and refine them to ensure they deliver.
You’ve now announced the upcoming global launch, so what’s next on the roadmap? Do you have a set cadence for the release of new information going forward?
Deca Bear: The next step, of course, is preparing for the global launch, which is a critical moment for our entire team. We need to ensure that the upcoming version is stable and delivers a smooth, enjoyable experience, and we’ll continue to make optimizations and adjustments leading up to the launch.
All the content for this version is currently in development. The special program already showcased some of the new visuals, but this is just a small part of what’s coming. There’s still a lot more new content, including trailers and characters, which we’ll be sharing on Duet Night Abyss’ social channels — stay tuned!
What are you most looking forward to hearing from players about once they get their hands on the game after launch?
Deca Bear: For us, every piece of feedback from players is extremely valuable — whether it’s about the story, combat, characters, or visuals. We welcome all feedback and will continuously refine and improve the game based on it.
We know about the PC and mobile versions of the game. Are there plans to bring it to other platforms?
Deca Bear: We are working to make the game fully compatible with controllers, and the previous CBT included an initial trial. Apart from this, we also aim to expand the game to more platforms, giving players more ways to play.
What does success for Duet Night Abyss look like to you? What is your goal for the game, and how do you expect it to grow in the future?
Daniel Wu: From a business perspective, return on investment may be the most straightforward measure of a game’s success. However, for me, chasing short-term gains is neither the core goal nor the main focus. I have always believed that a product’s true success should go beyond purely commercial metrics. What we value more is the team’s continuous growth and capability accumulation throughout the process, technological iteration and innovation breakthroughs, the long-term health of the product’s ecosystem, and building deep, meaningful interactions with players.
As long as we stay aligned with the right overarching direction and keep improving along these dimensions, the likelihood of achieving success naturally increases.
Is there anything else you’d like to say to players who are interested in Duet Night Abyss?
Deca Bear: We sincerely thank all players for their continued attention and support. With the global launch of Duet Night Abyss just around the corner, we hope players give it a try. If any gameplay issues are encountered, please let us know — we’ll keep refining the game and developing more fun and engaging content to deliver the best possible experience for everyone.
