If you’re already all clued up and in the know about Moral Anxiety Studio’s Roadwarden, you’ll already be in the know about how it was one of the most critically acclaimed games of 2022. And now it could be repeating success on Switch as it comes to the console on 25th August 2025.
Preorders for this one are now available on the Nintendo eShop, and it’d be remiss of us not to point out that there’s a 20% launch discount at the moment, which brings the price down to a very nice £7.91 / $8.79 until 15th September. Yessir.
We Pokémon fans are no strangers to a mispronunciation or two, and at the recent World Championships, The Pokémon Company was on a mission to put one legendary debate to bed (thanks for the heads up, IGN).
If the above image wasn’t enough of a giveaway, we’re talking about Rayquaza, the Gen III legendary dragon. As it turns out, there are a few different ways that folks have been pronouncing this one, with the big split being between ‘Ray-KWAY-zuh’ and ‘Ray-KWAH-zuh’. At least, that was the big divide, because TPC laid out the official pronunciation at this week’s competition — it’s Ray-KWAY-zuh.
This week Xbox players can take up their staffs and assume the role of the Destined One as Black Myth: Wukong launches for Xbox Series X|S on August 20! Inspired by the classic Chinese literary novel, “Journey to the West,” Wukong tells the story of the Destined One as they travel across various mythical lands, seeking to understand an ancient mystery while dispatching many challenging foes along the way.
Wukong unravels this tale by pulling from multiple genres, namely Soulslikes, but also RPGs and boss rush types to deliver an engaging, high-quality, and challenging experience. And like all good Soulslikes, Wukong follows many of the genre’s staples like resurrection at Shrines, respawning enemies, and… oh yeah… it can make you want to throw your controller through the screen at times.
So far I’ve had a chance to play about five hours of Wukong, recently wrapping up the first Chapter of the game. To help get your monkey paws ready for this wonderous and engaging world, I’ve put together five tips to help get you situated in this mythical land.
Focus on a Balanced Character Build at First
Just one look at the ability tree can be quite daunting. For Chapter 1, it’s best to focus on leveling up your base stats before you really start to experiment with a variety of advanced skills. The Foundation section is full of some of the key areas you want to invest in early on, like Stamina (Simian Agility to improve dodge), Martial Arts (grab Mobile Spin to help deflect projectiles), and Survival (putting at least three points each into Health and Stamina). After that, put Sparks into upgrading Smash Stance, your heavy attack. You can learn a few other stances, like Thrust and Pillar, but Smash was so dang effective I never went back to the others.
Stay on the Move
One of the first things I had to get my head around was that The Destined One has no block or parry abilities – pretty wild for a Soulslike to throw us out there like that. That means you need to lean into his agility abilities like dodging and sprinting. And while there are no well-timed parries you need to try and perfect, you can be rewarded with a well-timed Perfect Dodge which refills a portion of your Focus Points (used to charge up heavy attacks). As I mentioned above, as long as you’re investing Sparks into your Foundational stats, like putting points into your Stamina tree (Simian Agility, Endurance, Deft Evasion, and Everlasting Vigor), you’ll greatly increase your chances of survival here in the early phase of the game.
Search Out the Yaoguai Chiefs
Despite what your linear in-game map might imply, there are many hidden side paths for you to uncover — some of which may lead you to a Yaogui Chief, mini-bosses who you can absorb their power from once defeated. This can become super useful when you start to square off against the Yaogui Kings — being able to temporarily summon a Chief’s spirit to help unleash powerful attacks could help you turn the tide of battle. Two of my favorites were Guangzhi with his flaming dash attack, and Baw-Li-Guhh-Lang’s giant frog tongue that slaps groups enemies around a bit.
Take Some Time and Meditate
Like the Chiefs, it’s worth seeking out Meditation Spots that are just slightly off the beaten path. Not only do they play a nice cinematic that lets you appreciate how good this game looks, but it will reward you with a Spark which you can feed into your character build. There are three to find in Chapter 1: the Forest of Wolves, the Bamboo Grove, and the Black Wind Cave.
Ring the Three Bells
As you venture across the opening zone of Black Wild Mountain, you may have stumbled across a giant bell and taken the opportunity to ring one or two of them. Well, we recommend venturing out and finding all three as it unlocks a special, hidden area that once completed will award you with a Legendary Vessel, the Fireproof Mantle, which grants burn immunity (this will come in handy for the Chapter 1 boss encounter). You can find the three bells in the northeastern part of the map, the southeastern corner, and the southern area (follow the river to find this one hiding in the mist).
I hope these tips help set you up for success in the early going as you embark on your epic journey through Black Myth: Wukong, available August 20 for Xbox Series X|S.
Black Myth: Wukong Digital Deluxe Edition Pre-Order
Pre-order to receive the Trailblazer’s Scarlet Gourd.
※ This item can also be obtained through progressing in the game.
※ Pre-order either the Standard Edition or the Digital Deluxe Edition of Black Myth: Wukong to directly claim it at the Keeper’s Shrine (Respawn Point) during the early stages of the game.
The Black Myth: Wukong Digital Deluxe Edition includes:
– Black Myth: Wukong Full Game
– Weapon: Bronzecloud Staff
– Equipment: Folk Opera Mask, Folk Opera Almsgiving Armor, Folk Opera Leather Bracers, and Folk Opera Buskins
– Curio: Wind Chimes
– Selected Digital Soundtrack
※ The included weapon, equipment, and curio can be claimed from the Trailblazer’s Gift menu at the Keeper’s Shrine (Respawn Point) during the early stages of the game.
※ By activating “Music Library” on the game’s Title Screen, or downloading “Black Myth: Wukong Soundtrack Selection” through the platform, you can enjoy a curated list of tracks from the game. We highly recommend that you first experience these pieces as you journey through the game as the Destined One, then return here to relive them to your heart’s content.
Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. The story is based on Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past.
• Explore a Land of Vast Wonders
“A world unseen, where wonders gleam,
And with each stride, a new scene streams.”
Enter a fascinating realm filled with the wonders and discoveries of ancient Chinese mythology!
As the Destined One, you shall traverse an array of breathtaking and distinctive landscapes from the classic tale, composing an epic of adventure that is seen anew.
• Confront Mighty Foes, Old and New
“Heroic Monkey, might and fame,
Adversaries rise, to test his name.”
One of the major highlights of Journey to the West is its diverse cast of adversaries, each with their unique strengths.
As the Destined One, you will encounter powerful foes and worthy rivals throughout your journey. Fearlessly engage them in epic battles where surrender is not an option.
• Temper Your Mastery of Varied Spells
“Spells unbound, talents in play,
Unleashed abilities seize the day.”
Spells, transformations, and magic vessels of all manifestations, in which some counteract while others amplify, have long been iconic combat elements of Chinese mythology.
As the Destined One, aside from mastering various staff techniques, you can also freely combine different spells, abilities, weapons, and equipment to find a winning strategy that best suits your combat style.
• Discover Heartfelt Tales Behind Every Facade
“Within all souls, both wild and tame,
There thrives a tale of life’s fierce flame.”
Beneath the ferocity and craftiness of your foes lies an engaging tapestry of their origins, personalities, and motivations waiting to be revealed.
As the Destined One, you will uncover the stories behind a variety of characters, delving beyond your battles with them to taste the love, hate, greed, and fury they once held and still carry within.
Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. The story is based on Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past.
• Explore a Land of Vast Wonders
“A world unseen, where wonders gleam,
And with each stride, a new scene streams.”
Enter a fascinating realm filled with the wonders and discoveries of ancient Chinese mythology!
As the Destined One, you shall traverse an array of breathtaking and distinctive landscapes from the classic tale, composing an epic of adventure that is seen anew.
• Confront Mighty Foes, Old and New
“Heroic Monkey, might and fame,
Adversaries rise, to test his name.”
One of the major highlights of Journey to the West is its diverse cast of adversaries, each with their unique strengths.
As the Destined One, you will encounter powerful foes and worthy rivals throughout your journey. Fearlessly engage them in epic battles where surrender is not an option.
• Temper Your Mastery of Varied Spells
“Spells unbound, talents in play,
Unleashed abilities seize the day.”
Spells, transformations, and magic vessels of all manifestations, in which some counteract while others amplify, have long been iconic combat elements of Chinese mythology.
As the Destined One, aside from mastering various staff techniques, you can also freely combine different spells, abilities, weapons, and equipment to find a winning strategy that best suits your combat style.
• Discover Heartfelt Tales Behind Every Facade
“Within all souls, both wild and tame,
There thrives a tale of life’s fierce flame.”
Beneath the ferocity and craftiness of your foes lies an engaging tapestry of their origins, personalities, and motivations waiting to be revealed.
As the Destined One, you will uncover the stories behind a variety of characters, delving beyond your battles with them to taste the love, hate, greed, and fury they once held and still carry within.
If you’re still on the hunt for a Switch 2 console, here’s a rare opportunity to get one at a discounted price. In fact, this may very well be the only Switch 2 deal we’ll see for 2025. AliExpress is offering a genuine Nintendo Switch 2 console for just $428.99 after you apply a $100 off coupon code “AEUS100” or “USAFF100” during checkout. Alternatively you can bundle it with the Mario Kart World game for just $452.11 after the same coupon. Both consoles ship free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks, however you will still have to pay local sales tax.
The catch? Although these are genuine Switch consoles, they are Hong Kong imports. Like all Switch consoles, they are region unlocked, meaning you can play them in the US without any problems. You’ll also be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here. They’ll come with a Hong Kong style plug, but a US adapter is included. Imported consoles do not get a US-based Nintendo warranty. AliExpress does include a 90-day free returns window for the Switch 2 console and a 15-day free returns window for the Mario Kart bundle.
Nintendo Switch 2 Is on Sale at AliExpress
Brand new, genuine, imported, region unlocked units
The Switch 2 console was released on June 5. It is backwards compatible with nearly all Switch 2 games as well as the original Joy-Cons and Switch Pro controller, although the new Switch 2 controllers offer more functionality. In his Nintendo Switch 2 review, Tom Marks sums up the Switch 2 as “a vital but unexciting upgrade to a console I already love.”
Two major Switch 2 video games have been released: Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. Logan Plant reviewed Mario Kart World and wrote that “Mario Kart World may not make the most convincing case that going open-world was the boost the series needed, but excellent multiplayer racing, incredible polish, and the thrilling new Knockout Tour mode still more than live up to its legacy.” Mario Kart World currently sells for $79 if purchased separately, so it makes a lot of sense to buy it as a combo with the console for only about $23 more ($57 in savings), even if it means going through the workaround process mentioned above.
Donkey Kong Bananza is the Only 10/10 Masterpiece of 2025
Not only did we rate Donkey Kong a 10/10, it’s the only game we’ve given a Masterpiece rating so far this year. In his Donkey Kong Bananza review, Logan Plant writes that “The leader of the bunch is finally back to kick some tail in Donkey Kong Bananza, a brilliant successor to Super Mario Odyssey and a smashing return for a classic Nintendo character. Granted there isn’t too much competition in the way of Switch exclusive games for 2025, this has been a fantastic year so far for console gaming in general. We’ve seen some of the best games released in recent history, including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Death Stranding 2, and Doom: The Dark Ages, all of which got close to a Masterpiece rating but didn’t quite hit the mark. That’s not to say that Donkey Kong Bananza is necessarily better than those other games since, after all, different people have reviewed each of these games, but it’s a testament to just how outstanding Donkey Kong Bananza is on its own merits to have achieved that score.
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.
Update: After previously leaking it ahead of time.
After months of teasing for Tales fans, Bandai Namco may have slipped up and revealed its hand a little too early and shown us what the next Tales series remaster is.
As reported on Push Square, it looks like Tales of Xillia will be the next title getting the remaster treatment. Originally released on the PS3 in 2011 and 2013, the game has been stuck on the older console since, so fans should be pretty happy about this
Skibidi. Dop, dop, dop. Yes, yes. Skibidi. Double u. Neem, neem. This is the clarion call of the modern age, the infernal message brought unto our virgin ears by the Skibidi Toilets. No, wait, keep reading! It’ll be worth it. Probably. After all, the word skibidi has now been added to the Cambridge Dictionary, and this is a reality we’ve all got to reckon with.
Skibidi Toilet, in case you’ve been living somewhere free from the influence of vertically-framed surrealism, is a long-running series of 3D animations by YouTuber Alexey ‘DaFuq!?Boom!’ Gerasimov. It generally conveys the tale of a great war between a legion of heads protruding from loos and an army of folks with cameras for heads, with help from Half-Life 2 assets and inspiration from the annals of Garry’s Mod machinima. Any 12 year olds you know probably can’t get enough of it. Or think it’s lame because they’ve already moved on to the next thing.
How do you pronounce Rayquaza, the legendary dragon Pokémon? No, you’re wrong.
Between competitor clashes at this weekend’s Pokémon World Championships 2025, spectators were treated to a handy big screen pronounciation guide for the Sky High Pokémon. Brace yourselves, Trainers.
According to The Pokémon Company itself, Rayquaza is apparently pronounced Ray-KWAY-zuh, and not the far more common pronounciation of Ray-KWAH-zuh. The fan response to this revelation, however, has been decidedly mixed, with responses on social media such as “False,” “Noooo,” and “That’s Kway Kway.”
“This is surely AI,” wrote one fan, unable to accept what they were seeing. “It’s Ray Kwah Zuh.”
“I don’t care,” added another fan. “Ray-KWAH-zuh supremacy.”
“It doesn’t matter how many times The Pokémon Company tries to correct us, this is the real way to pronounce it and I ain’t taking no for an answer!”
Despite these complaints, the pronounciation does make sense. Like many Pokémon names, Rayquaza is a mix of other words — in this case being ray, referring to its celestial nature, and quasar.
“It’s named after quasar so it’s correct,” wrote Arcashine, attempting to inform others, “but man I don’t think I’ll ever be able to not call it Raykwahzuh lol.” Yeah.
Why is The Pokémon Company informing fans now? It seems likely that Rayquaza and its Mega Evolved version will pop up in the Mega Evolution-focused Pokémon Legends: Z-A, set to launch on October 16. Now, to try and remember Rayquaza’s correct pronounciation when the time comes.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Nexon has acknowledged “irregularities” in a series of TikTok advertisements for The First Descendant after fans accused the company of producing the “low effort” marketing materials via AI.
It follows breaking news over the weekend in which Reddit user iHardlyTriHard collated four unusual advertisements after scrolling their For You Page for just 15 minutes. With all four exhibiting mismatched lip syncing, strange head movements, unnatural dialogue, and at least one that appears to use the likeness of content creator DanieltheDemon — although whether this was with or without permission, we don’t yet know — fans immediately began speculating that they’d been produced via AI.
It’s truly crazy to see the game the First Descendent not only steal content from a known content creator and used AI to promote their game. But they did ANOTHER ad using AI again to promote their game.
Nexon was quick to respond, although the developer’s statement spawns as many questions as it answers.
It said the ads came from a TikTok Creative Challenge for creators, “which allows creators to voluntarily submit their content to be used as advertising materials.” And while “all submitted videos are verified through TikTok’s system to check copyright violations before they are approved as advertising content,” it has since identified “cases where the circumstances surrounding the production of certain submitted videos appear inappropriate” and launched an investigation.
Interestingly, the statement doesn’t apologize — the only time an apology appears, it’s due to the “delay in providing this notice” about the investigation, as it’s “taking longer than expected.” Nexon said that once “verification is complete,” it will share an update “through an official notice.”
Here’s the statement in full:
We would like to inform you of certain irregularities identified in the operation of our TikTok Creative Challenge for creators.
As a part of our marketing campaign for Season 3: Breakthrough, we recently ran a Creative Challenge program for TikTok creators, which allows creators to voluntarily submit their content to be used as advertising materials.
All submitted videos are verified through TikTok’s system to check copyright violations before they are approved as advertising content.
However, we have become aware of cases where the circumstances surrounding the production of certain submitted videos appear inappropriate. Thus, we are conducting a thorough joint investigation with TikTok to determine the facts.
We sincerely apologize for the delay in providing this notice as the review is taking longer than expected. Once the verification is complete, we will promptly share an update through an official notice.Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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.
Mega Evolution is the talk of the town for Pokémon in 2025, and it looks like it won’t be long before Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket gets in on the fun too.
As showcased in the weekend’s Pokémon World Championships Closing Ceremony, the next TCG Pocket expansion will introduce a batch of Mega Evolution cards to the mobile app. While the full lineup is yet to be revealed, we got a peek at the Mega Gyarados ex, Mega Blaziken ex, and Mega Altaria ex cards, which we’re sure we’ll all be chasing when the next expansion arrives at some point “this Fall”.
I have good news for Battlefield 6 players concerned about the modest sizes of the open beta maps — a new leak suggests at least two more of the as-yet unreleased maps will be bigger than any we’ve played so far.
Based on recent datamines, Battlefield Wire shared an image, below, showing the purported size of two maps — Eastwood and Mirak Valley — in relation to the beta map Siege of Cairo. And you don’t have to get out a measuring tape and ruler to see that they’re considerably bigger (albeit still a little on the snug side for some).
Here are the borders of two of the larger maps coming to Battlefield 6 👀
MP1st has also shared renderings that an anonymous poster has uploaded to Imgur. They give us a closer look at Mirak Valley — a map located in Tajikistan with mountains and a river slicing through the middle — and Californian map Eastwood, which is supposedly coming post-launch, but likely sometime in Season 1. Expect to see a golf course, villas, and bonus vehicles like a boat and a golf cart. You can check out all the renderings for Eastwood here, and Mirak here.
This should be excellent news for players unimpressed by Battlefield 6’s beta map offerings thus far, and whilst we can only take datamined rumors as precisely that — rumors — it bolsters DICE’s claim that “large maps exist, and the tempo scales accordingly, you’ll be able to see soon enough!”
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.
