Kerbal Space Program 2 Is Getting Review-Bombed After Take-Two Shut Down Its Developer

After news broke yesterday that Take-Two Interactive is shutting down Intercept Games, players began review-bombing the studio’s final project, expressing frustration and disappointment at the closure.

Heading over to the official Steam listing for Kerbal Space Program 2, its most recent reviews on Valve’s digital storefront reveal they are “Mostly Negative.” Further examining the recent reviews, you’ll see dozens of players leaving notices for Kerbal Space Program 2, many expressing disappointment that Take-Two shut down the game’s developer. Some commenters are warning others not to buy the game, as the project was released last year in Early Access and it seems unlikely that it’ll ever see a final release.

“WARNING, the entire development team has been laid off. This project appears to be dead, it was barely making progress to begin with, it’s over,” one user wrote in their review of Kerbal Space Program 2. “Do not buy, modders will end up having to carry this if the community wants it.”

A Take-Two spokesperson reiterated in an email to IGN that “Private Division continues to make updates to Kerbal Space Program 2” and that the company has “no further comment” regarding the matter.

The review-bombing comes less than a day after it was made public that Take-Two filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice in Washington State, revealing that it was closing a Seattle office and laying off 70 employees. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier later confirmed that Take-Two was shutting down Intercept Games and Roll7, the studio behind Rollerdome and OlliOlli World, would also be closed.

The studio closures are part of Take-Two Interactive’s plan to reduce staff across all its studios. Last month, Take-Two revealed that it was laying off around 5% of its workforce, or about 579 of its employees, and was canceling multiple projects. This all happens despite the fact that, just months ago, CEO Strauss Zelnick claimed the publishing giant had “no plans” to lay off anyone, though did reveal it was undertaking a cost reduction plan.

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Boss of Professor Layton and Ni No Kuni Studio Wants to Make an Erotic and Violent Game One Day

The boss of Level-5, the developer behind family friendly titles such as Professor Layton, Ni No Kuni, and Yokai Watch, wants to create a violent and erotic video game one day.

Speaking to Denfaminico Gamer, translated by Automaton, Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino said it’s his responsibility to keep making friendlier games for the studio, but he also has a “dark abnormal world” inside of him.

“If I were to put it in extreme terms, I would go as far as to say that I want to make things like erotic games and 18+ games with violence,” Hino laughed. “There’s an abnormal world inside of me, but I’m trying not to go there, only making things from the righteous part of my mind instead. However, deep down, I really want to visit that abnormal world.”

“There’s an abnormal world inside of me, but I’m trying not to go there, only making things from the righteous part.

That’s not to say Level-5 games lack darker elements, as the yokai in Yokai Watch are ghosts and demons from Japanese mythology, and Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch reaches some fairly dark story beats.

But Hino seemingly wants to bring these elements to the surface, and despite Level-5’s current approach to game development, he thinks he’ll do so one day. “I want to go to that dark, abnormal world, and I think I will definitely end up doing so,” Hino said. “Once I feel that Level-5 is stable, and I have the room to make what I want, I will do it.”

Level-5 is also responsible for the Inazuma Eleven and Fantasy Life franchises and has a game in each due out in 2024. It’s also working on two new IPs, DecaPolice and Ushiro, alongside Professor Layton and The New World of Steam, the series’ first on Nintendo Switch.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Best Xbox Deals: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Gets a Big Discount For a Limited Time

There’s a whole score of incredible Xbox deals to check out right now, including 3-months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $36.99, a WD Black C50 1TB Expansion Card for $134.36, excellent controller discounts, and so much more. When it comes to picking up new games, hardware, or accessories for your Xbox, it feels good when you can find those items at a discounted price. Here, we’ll keep you updated on all of the latest discounts for Xbox, from games to controllers and so much more. Let’s dig into the best Xbox deals that are happening right now.

TL;DR – Our Favorite Xbox Deals

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3-Months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $36.99 (was $49.99)

There’s a hot chance this sells out fast, so get those codes in ASAP. Woot is offering an excellent deal on three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. You can save $13 on a digital 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, bringing its price down from $49.99 to $36.99. It’s also still stackable for up to 36 months for new or existing members – huzzah! Microsoft has also recently announced the second wave of games coming to Game Pass in April 2024. Highlights include Orcs Must Die! 3, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and the hotly anticipated Manor Lords.

WD Black C50 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox for $134.36

Amazon is offering the officially licensed WD Black C50 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series consoles at a nice little discount. Right now it’s only $134.36, a 10% off price drop from its original $150 MSRP. It’s currently cheaper than the Seagate 1TB Expansion Card. The C50 is one of the best SSDs for the Xbox, which isn’t surprising since your options are pretty limited.

More Xbox Expandable Storage Deals

Score 2 Free Months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (New Members Only)

Walmart is now offering two months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for free for any current or new Walmart+ members. If you’re not currently a member of Walmart+, the retailer offers a 30-day free trial (which will make you eligible for the Game Pass offer), alongside plans for $12.95 paid monthly, or $98 paid annually.

For those interested in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offer, it is worth qualifying that this code will only apply to those who currently don’t have an active Game Pass Ultimate membership, and Walmart stresses that this is for new members only. If you’re on Game Pass Core, it should be fine to apply to your account. Otherwise, if you’re a current Game Pass Ultimate member, the code won’t be applicable. If you do qualify, it’s a pretty simple process if you’re looking to bag the two-month free trial, here’s how:

Steps:

  1. Visit the Walmart+ Offer Page and select ‘Get Offer’ next to the 2 free months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate listing
  2. On the ‘Offer Page’ you will see a unique promo code, copy this code and keep a record of it
  3. Hit the ‘Redeem Offer’ button on the page to go to the Xbox Site
  4. Sign in to Your Account
  5. Your promo code will autofill — if it does not then paste/type
  6. Redeem your offer and receive your 2 Free Months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
  7. Disable auto-renewal afterward to avoid being charged at the end of the trial — this can be located in ‘Services & Subscriptions’ in your Microsoft account. You should also do this for Walmart+ if you used a free trial to access the Game Pass offer

The Best Xbox Controller Deals: Select Controllers Down to $49

Ready to add another controller to your gaming setup? You’re in luck! There are fantastic deals available on a range of colors, like the Astral Purple, Robot White, and the Special Edition Remix controllers. Check out some of our top picks for deals above and below!

More Controller Deals:

The Best Xbox Game Deals: Over 50% Off Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order & More Game Deals

While Xbox’s Spring Sale has ended, the deals for Xbox fans continue! Check out some of the best physical game discounts available, including markdowns on titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1, and the newly released Alone in the Dark. For more fantastic game deals, click on the links below.

More Xbox Video Game Deals:

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Get Over 50% Off the Xbox Series S Toaster at Walmart

It looks like a fridge, and it kinda is a fridge (mini), and it’s also down to $58.99 at Walmart. Plus, c’mon, who doesn’t want the Xbox Series S toaster for their kitchen as well? Not only is it a fun addition to have in your home, but this is a discount you definitely don’t want to miss out on, either! It’s currently marked down over 50% at Walmart to just $40, which is an excellent deal. What better time to pick it up?

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Xbox Console & Bundle Deals

The Diablo IV Xbox Series X bundle is still holding on at Walmart, down $70.99 from its MSRP of $559.99 to $489.00. This has stood the test of time since last Black Friday as one of our favorite console bundles, and is well worth investing in before it’s all gone for good.

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Get 10% Off the Official Xbox Wireless Headset & More Headset Deals

Does your family complain when you stay up playing loud shooters late into the night? They’ll stop complaining if you pick up an Xbox headset that lets no one but you hear the delightful explosions you cause on the screen. Right now, you can get 10% off the Official Xbox Wireless Headset and you can also save 20% on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset at Amazon. To see even more gaming headsets on sale, visit our roundup of the best gaming headset deals.

More Xbox Headset Deals:

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Save On An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription

Since Xbox hiked the monthly price of Game Pass last year, we want to help to avoid this. To do so, we’d recommend stacking these 3-month subscriptions as much as possible (36 months is the max you can load onto your account).

Admittedly buying up 12 of these codes can put a strain on your wallet, totaling $539.88 with the Amazon link above. However, when you compare it to the new cost of Game Pass Ultimate for 36 months at $16.99 per month, amounting to $611.64, you’ll realize you’re saving $71.76 on your subscription for the next three years. Otherwise, secure your membership for at least a year to lock in at least some savings overall.

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When Should I Buy an Xbox?

In general, it is advisable to keep an eye out for sales and restocks throughout the year, as availability has improved since the initial launch of the console. Unlike the Nintendo Switch, there is no specific recommendation to wait for a sale regardless of the time of year. Instead, it’s a good idea to monitor various retailers and online platforms for restock announcements and promotional offers.

However, certain events like Black Friday or other holiday seasons may bring about unique bundles, discounts, or promotional deals specifically for the Xbox Series X. These bundles may include additional games, accessories, or exclusive limited editions. While quantities for such promotions might be limited, they can provide an opportunity to get more value for your purchase. See our guide to Xbox Series X prices for more info.

Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S?

Choosing between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ultimately depends on your gaming preferences, budget, and specific requirements. Let’s compare the two consoles to help you make an informed decision:

1. Performance: The Xbox Series X is the more powerful option, offering native 4K gaming, higher graphical fidelity, and faster loading times. It has more advanced hardware, including a larger storage capacity. On the other hand, the Xbox Series S targets a lower price point and offers a less powerful performance, targeting 1440p resolution gaming and upscaling to 4K.

2. Price: The Xbox Series S is more affordable compared to the Xbox Series X. If budget is a significant factor for you, the Xbox Series S provides a cost-effective option while still delivering a next-generation gaming experience. For example, the Series S can play Starfield at 1440p 30fps (vs 4K 30fps on Series X).

3. Storage: The Xbox Series X comes with a larger internal storage capacity, allowing you to store more games directly on the console. The Xbox Series S, however, has a smaller storage capacity, which means you may need to manage your game library more actively or rely on external storage solutions.

4. Disc Drive: The Xbox Series X includes a disc drive, enabling you to play physical game discs and enjoy a wider range of media options, including Blu-ray and DVD playback. The Xbox Series S, in contrast, is a digital-only console, meaning you can only play games downloaded from the digital store.

5. Graphics and Performance: While both consoles support ray tracing, the Xbox Series X provides a more immersive and visually impressive experience due to its superior hardware capabilities. If you prioritize cutting-edge graphics and want the best performance available, the Xbox Series X is the preferable choice.

Consider your gaming preferences, budget, and whether you prioritize top-of-the-line performance or cost-effectiveness. If you have a 4K TV, want the most powerful console, and are willing to invest more, the Xbox Series X is the recommended option. If you have a lower budget, a 1080p or 1440p TV, and don’t mind sacrificing some performance, the Xbox Series S offers excellent value for money.

With how expensive gaming is getting in 2024, we’re trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We’ve got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as Switch and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand new offers. If you’re trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Starfield’s May Update Lets Players Turn Off Bethesda’s Trademark NPC Zoom

Now Starfield’s May update is out in the wild in beta form on Steam, players are getting to grips with all the new features, including the detailed maps, ship interior customization, and more. But there’s one change that flew under the radar when it was announced but is now picking up plaudits: the ability to toggle the default dialogue camera off.

Bethesda games are known for the way the camera crash zoom’s onto an NPC’s face when the player triggers dialog. Anyone who’s played the likes of Skyrim or Fallout will know how this often results in hilarious and sometimes quite unnerving sequences in which NPCs will stare at you unendingly. While Fallout 4 did away with this by keeping the camera pulled back for chats with NPCs, Starfield returned to the Bethesda NPC zoom of old.

Following Starfield’s release, modders took it upon themselves to disable the dialogue camera, forcing a third-person camera alongside player movement. Now, Starfield officially lets players toggle the dialogue camera off, meaning you now can watch scenes play out from your chosen perspective.

Reaction to this toggle has been positive, as it has been to the new detailed maps. While the Starfield update isn’t out for everyone until May 15, quality-of-life updates such as these are enticing players back into the space game.

Elsewhere, the May update finally adds a 60fps option for Starfield on Xbox Series X, although not on Xbox Series S. The Shattered Space expansion is due out in the fall, reportedly in September. Land vehicles are on their way, too.

In a recent interview, Bethesda development chief Todd Howard commented on the mixed reception to Starfield, suggesting some of the criticism stemmed from the game being different from the likes of Fallout and Skyrim.

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

Forget Nintendo Switch 2, Tetris and 7-Eleven Are Making a Handheld Games Console

Looking to take the strangest collaboration of 2024 crown from McDonald’s, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Hello Kitty’s team up, Tetris and the 7-Eleven convenience store chain have teamed up to create a handheld video game console.

As reported by VGC, 7-Eleven is releasing a line of officially branded Tetris merchandise which, alongside shirts, jumpers, caps, and more, includes the Slurpee + Tetris Handheld Game Device, available “soon” on 7-Eleven’s website for $30.

As the name suggests, the handheld is based on 7-Eleven’s slushy drink and is even designed to look the same with a cup-shaped body and glowing rainbow dollop on top. Able to play Tetris only, the device boasts a 1.8 inch screen “that brings the iconic shapes and colors to life” and a built-in speaker that “delivers clear, immersive sound.” Once you’ve installed three AAA batteries, of course.

“Featuring an officially licensed Tetris title, this portable Slurpee + Tetris Handheld Game Device lets you play the classic game on the go, with a full color 1.8 inch screen that brings the iconic shapes and colors to life,” reads the description.

“But that’s not all. This portable Slurpee + Tetris Handheld Game Device also comes equipped with an on/off switch to illuminate the Slurpee dollop in a rainbow of colors. And thanks to the intuitive user interface, you’ll be able to jump right in and start playing like a pro.

“Plus, the built-in speaker with volume control delivers clear, immersive sound. Powered by 3 AAA batteries or USB-C cable (not included), this portable Slurpee + Tetris Handheld Game Device is the ideal travel companion for gamers of all ages.”

Also in the running for the most unusual team up of the year is the aforementioned McDonald’s promotion, which saw Happy Meal buyers in Belgium receive Hello Kitty toys dressed up in Yu-Gi-Oh outfits.

Image Credit: 7-Eleven

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Shadow of the Erdtree ‘The First and Last’ Elden Ring DLC, FromSoftware Boss Hidetaka Miyazaki Confirms

FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki has confirmed that Shadow of the Erdtree will be the only expansion released for beloved role-playing game Elden Ring.

As reported by GamesRadar, Miyazaki told Chinese publication Zhihu that, unlike previous FromSoftware titles such as Dark Souls 3, the developer plans to release just one chunk of downloadable content for Elden Ring due to the nature of its open world.

“[Shadow of the Erdtree] is the first and last DLC, and we have no plans to add more content to Elden Ring,” Miyazaki said, via machine translation.

“[Shadow of the Erdtree] is the first and last DLC, and we have no plans to add more content to Elden Ring.

“Elden Ring emphasizes exploration and adventure in a big world. In order to provide such an experience, a vast and huge setting is inevitably needed. Therefore, instead of splitting it into several parts, it was better to simply make one big [expansion]. If they were sold separately, the freedom of exploration and sense of adventure would be reduced.”

Shadow of the Erdtree, which launches June 21, 2024, may not be fans’ final taste of The Lands Between, however, as Miyazaki didn’t shut down the possibility of a full sequel. When asked about the future of the franchise, he commented that FromSoftware deliberately leaves the end of its games open to potential sequels, and it seems Elden Ring will be no exception.

Miyazaki suggested in March 2024 that FromSoftware hadn’t made a decision on a sequel yet, but similarly spoke to the desire to keep its options open. “We don’t want to say this is the end of the Elden Ring saga for now,” he told IGN.

“We said a similar thing at the end of Dark Souls 3. We didn’t want to flatten those possibilities or put a pin in them just at that time. And it’s a similar story with Elden Ring. We don’t want to discourage the possibilities for that. There might be more ideas in the future.”

The success of Elden Ring may encourage FromSoftware to make a sequel, as the game had swelled to a colossal 23 million units sold as of February 2024.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Bethesda’s Todd Howard Addresses Mixed Reception to Starfield

Bethesda development chief Todd Howard has commented on the mixed reception to its expansive space game Starfield, suggesting some of the criticism stemmed from the game being different from the likes of Fallout and Skyrim.

Starfield came out in September 2023 and, boosted by its inclusion in Microsoft’s subscription service Game Pass, enjoyed more players at launch than any previous Bethesda game. It also held up better than most other Bethesda games in terms of performance.

But Starfield had a mixed reception from critics and players. IGN’s Starfield review returned a 7/10, with what we called “disjointed space travel, nonexistent maps, aggravating inventory management, and a slow rollout of essential abilities” holding it back from getting a higher score. Starfield currently has a ‘mixed’ user review rating on Steam, with negative reviews pointing out the extensive loading involved with space travel, empty spaces on planets, and a lack of people or enemies to encounter.

In an interview with Kinda Funny Games, Howard addressed the mixed reception to Starfield, or as interviewer Greg Miller put it, the “polarizing” Starfield. Howard began by pointing to Starfield’s stability at launch, which he said the studio was delighted with, as well as the reviews on the higher end of the scale. But throughout his response is the suggestion that Starfield suffered in part because it was unlike Bethesda’s previous games, Fallout and Skyrim, and he insisted: “Each of the franchises should be its own thing.”

“What’s new is it’s a new IP, so you know that we’re going to be doing some things differently than we’ve done before, and obviously we had people who love the game both on the review side and people who liked it less,” Howard said.

“I think the majority of our reviews were in the 90s, which, look, that’s great. I don’t want to ever be in a world where that is not a great place to be in terms of critical reception, particularly in a year where there were so many amazing games out.

“But obviously, look, we see the feedback, we see a lot of players saying, this is what I want out of a Bethesda game, which is to explore a world in a certain way and Starfield didn’t give me that, I prefer the way it’s done in Fallout or Elder Scrolls. And perfectly understandable right, in terms of, hey this is a different experience.”

Howard continued by discussing the “trade-offs” Bethesda was willing to make in order to realize the fantasy of landing on a huge number of planets and exploring each one in-game. Ahead of release, Bethesda touted Starfield’s 1,000 explorable planets, although many players found them to be lacking in content.

“I do think, for us, particularly me going into a science fiction game, I want to be able to land on all the planets, I want the game to say yes to us knowing that that content is going to be different than you’ve seen from us in the past when you’re exploring a landscape,” Howard said. “And that’s some of the trade-offs we’ll make to do what we think makes a science fiction game like this, that’s based in this kind of fiction and reality, to make it what it should be. Each of the franchises should be its own thing.

“Obviously, look, there are areas that… the maps or some other things, gameplay options, that we’re adding, other display modes on console that people have asked for, and we want to do all that stuff, it takes some time but we’re excited to get stuff out there.”

Howard’s comments, already much-discussed online, come as Bethesda is in the process of releasing a significant update for Starfield that makes the Xbox Series X version playable in 60fps, among many other things. It will be interesting to see if the update sparks renewed interest in the game, with the Shattered Space expansion due out in the fall.

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

Helldivers 2 Patch 1.000.301 Improves Performance After This Week’s Big Balance Update

The Helldivers 2 patches are coming in thick and fast, this time with a fix for performance problems triggered by the previous update.

After this week’s release of patch 01.000.300, which tweaked a long list of weapons, stratagems, and enemies, some Helldivers 2 players experienced performance issues. Arrowhead later confirmed there was indeed a problem, and has now issued a fresh patch to deal with it.

Patch 1.000.301, out today, May 2, is much smaller than the update released earlier this week, but, crucially, makes the promised performance improvements, as well as sorts out a number of crashes.

Arrowhead has also updated its helpful ‘known issues’ list to give players an idea of what the studio is working to fix. One line of note: “Helldiver may be unable to stand up from crouching when surrounded by enemies.” And here I was thinking that was a feature, not a bug!

Yesterday, IGN reported on Arrowhead’s plan to tweak the Eruptor after a community investigation revealed a ricochet and shrapnel issue caused by this week’s patch. It doesn’t look like that fix is in place yet.

If you’re looking for more on Helldivers 2, check out IGN’s feature on the Let Me Solo Her of Helldivers 2, a player who has answered over 100 SOS Beacons as part of a mission to help others.

Helldivers 2 update 01.000.301 patch notes in full:

Overview

For this patch, we have addressed some crashes as well as performance improvements following the decline from the last patch:

  • Performance improvements
  • Crash fixes

Fixes

  • Fix for a crash that could occur during the post mission end screen
  • Fix for crash which could occur when destroying automaton tanks.

Known Issues [Unchanged since patch 1.000.300]

These are issues that were either introduced by this patch and are being worked on, or are from a previous version and have not yet been fixed.

  • Damage-over-time effects may only apply when dealt by the host. We expect to have this fixed in the next patch.
  • Reinforcement may not be available for some players who join a game in progress.
  • Helldiver may be unable to stand up from crouching when surrounded by enemies.
  • Game may crash if the host leaves while dead and rejoins the same play session.
  • Game may crash if the player changes the text language while on a mission.
  • Various issues involving friend invites and cross-play:
    • Friend Request cannot be accepted when the requesting player changed their username before the request was accepted.
    • Cross-platform friend invites might not show up in the Friend Requests tab.
    • Players cannot unfriend players befriended via friend code.
    • Players cannot unblock players that were not in their Friends list beforehand.
  • Players may experience delays in Medals and Super Credits payouts.
  • Enemies that bleed out do not progress Personal Orders and Eradicate missions.
  • Scopes on some weapons such as the Anti-Materiel Rifle are slightly misaligned.
  • Arc weapons sometimes behave inconsistently and sometimes misfire.
  • Spear’s targeting is inconsistent, making it hard to lock-on to larger enemies.
  • Stratagem beam might attach itself to an enemy but it will deploy to its original location.
  • Explosions do not break your limbs (except for when you fly into a rock).
  • Area around Automaton Detector Tower makes blue stratagems such as the Hellbomb bounce and be repelled when trying to call them down close to the tower.
  • Planet liberation reaches 100% at the end of every Defend mission.

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

Sony Is Pulling Horizon: Zero Dawn From PS Plus Amid PS5 Remaster Rumors

Sony has signaled its intention to pull Horizon: Zero Dawn from PlayStation Plus later in May, fueling rumors the company is set to announce a PlayStation 5 remaster of the game.

Redditor Melodic_Cake_3344 spotted a new message on the PlayStation dash warning Horizon: Zero Dawn’s inclusion in the PS Plus Extra Game Catalog ends on May 21. As verified by Eurogamer, this specifically relates to Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition, which includes the Frozen Wilds expansion.

Sony’s decision to pull one of its biggest first-party games from PS Plus has only fueled rumors it is set to announce a PS5 remaster of Guerrilla’s much-loved action adventure, first released as a PlayStation 4 exclusive in 2017 before coming to PC in August 2020.

Reports of a Horizon: Zero Dawn remaster emerged in October 2022, when VGC said an updated version of Aloy’s first adventure on PS4 was set for PS5. We haven’t heard anything since, but the removal of Horizon: Zero Dawn from PS Plus may indicate the impending arrival of its remaster, possibly even shadow dropped as part of a May State of Play showcase.

According to VGC’s report, the Horizon Zero Dawn remaster features improved visuals to bring it up to par with its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, with new character models, lighting and animations. It will also have added accessibility features, graphics modes, and quality of life improvements to gameplay. Sony has yet to comment on the reports.

Following the news, some questioned the need for a Horizon Zero Dawn remaster, given the PS4 game is currently playable on PS5 with a 4K, 60 frames per second update. But it’s worth noting that Sony has form when it comes to remasters of its games, most recently releasing a remaster of Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man, a remake of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part I, and a remaster of The Last of Us Part II.

Sony has said it will not release any major existing PlayStation franchise games before April 2025, leaving ‘second-party’ exclusives such as Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2, Team Ninja’s Rise of the Ronin, and Shift Up’s Stellar Blade to plug the gaps this year. Remasters and remakes are also in-line to keep PlayStation going until a raft of significant exclusive PS5 games hit in 2025.

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

This Anker PowerCore 737 25,6000mAh Power Bank Deal Includes a PD Wall Charger

Amazon is offering Amazon Prime members an older generation Anker PowerCore 737 25,600mAh USB Power Bank, which also includes a 65W USB PD wall charger for only $79.99 shipped. That’s a nearly 40% price drop from its original $130 MSRP. This is close to the highest capacity power bank you’re allowed to bring on airplane carry-on, and it also boasts 60W of USB power delivery to charge your Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or ASUS ROG Ally gaming handheld.

Anker PowerCore 737 25,600mAh Power Bank for $79.99

Includes a 65W USB PD wall charger

The Anker PowerCore 737 can be used like any other power bank; it does a fine job of charging any of your standard mobile electronics. It has two USB Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port. This is one of the largest capacity power banks that can be brought onto an airplane as carry-on. It can charge a Nintendo Switch OLED over 5 times, iPhone 15 Pro Max over 5 times, Steam Deck over 4 times, and an ASUS ROG Ally over 9 times. The power bank is physically larger than smaller capacity ones and weighs in at 1.3 pounds.

The USB Type-C port supports up to 60W Power Delivery. That’s enough to charge the Steam Deck (35W) and Nintendo Switch (18W) at their maximum charging speed. It’s also very close to the maximum charging speed of the ASUS ROG Ally, which caps at 65W. The two USB Type-A ports support up to 18W of total charging, which is enough to fast charge a Nintendo Switch.

What’s unique about this deal compared to some other similar deals we’ve posted is that this one also comes with a USB Type-C wall charger that supports 65W of Power Delivery. There’s no need to buy another wall charger or scavenge one from another power bank you might have sitting around.

The Anker 737 is our pick for best Steam Deck / ASUS ROG Ally charger

We picked the newer Anker 737 as our favorite portable charger for the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally portable gaming handhelds. Both the ROG Ally and Steam Deck suffer from a short battery life when gaming on the go. For instance, when playing most games at 60 FPS, you’re likely looking at four hours of battery life, at most. We even found games like God of War or Spider-Man would tap out in under 2 hours on the Steam Deck. At the end of the day, you’ll never get the full potential out of your Steam Deck or ROG Ally if you’re not equipped with a decent portable charger.