Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (2nd August)

Another weekend with the King of Swing.

Welcome to August, folks! Let’s kick things off right with a fresh edition of What Are You Playing.

It was Direct week over in Nintendo Land, with a Partner Showcase delivering us 25 minutes of… meh. There were some big hitters that we’re pleased to see (Persona 3 Reload, Octopath Traveler 0, The Adventures of Elliot), but we were hoping to be a little more excited by the whole affair.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

‘Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact’ Brings 3v3 Anime Fighting To Switch

Update: Official Season Pass trailer released.

Arc System Works Europe has just announced that the ever-so-slightly-delayed 2D fighter, Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact, releases today on Nintendo Switch.

Developed by Bushiroad Games and Eighting, this one has got some pedigree in that Eighting has given us some well-known fighters in the past, including Naruto: Clash of the Ninja. With Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact, you get down and dirty in 3v3 tag-team-styled action, which is detailed in the official press release thusly:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans Of The Tide Brings A Ghostly Adventure To Switch 2 This November

Are you ready, kids?

Following a recent rumour, THQ Nordic and Purple Lamp have now officially lifted the lid on the latest SpongeBob SquarePants game.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide will make its debut across multiple platforms including the Switch 2 later this year on 18th November 2025, with pre-orders now live for €39.99 / $39.99.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

The Best Movie Poster Puzzles From Fan Favorite Franchises

When it comes to buying a puzzle, there are a few things to think about: How big do you want said puzzle to be? Do you want to tackle a 2D puzzle, or attempt a 3D model? And, most importantly, what kind of design are you looking to piece together? There’s an overwhelming amount of options to choose from in regard, from beautiful works of art to shots plucked from the world of TV and movies, that it can feel tricky to find the best pick for your interests. But if you’re a cinephile looking for puzzles that capture movie posters from some of your favorite films, we’re here to help.

Whether it’s a collage of multiple movie posters brought together as a single big puzzle or something focused around a classic one sheet, we’ve gathered up some of the coolest movie poster puzzles we believe are worth your time and money. Have a look through our picks for the best movie poster puzzles to buy in 2025 below.

The Best Movie Poster Puzzles To Buy in 2025

Aquarius Lord of the Rings Triptych Puzzle (1,000 Pieces)

Why piece just one poster together when you can have three iconic posters in one puzzle? Starting off strong, this Lord of the Rings triptych puzzle from Aquarius comes to 1,000 pieces and features posters for all of the Lord of the Rings movies. The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King are placed against a map of Middle-earth and split into 1,000 pieces. If you’re a fan of Tolkien’s books or Peter Jackson’s films, it’s a jigsaw puzzle you’ll want to frame after finishing it.

Clementoni Ghostbusters Puzzle (500 Pieces)

Who ya gonna call? This Ghostbusters movie poster puzzle from Clementoni features the trio of Venkman, Stantz, and Spengler in front of their classic logo, coming in at 500 pieces. What really makes this puzzle stand out, though, is the awesome case that it comes in. To add to the ’80s nostalgia, everything comes packaged in a VHS-style case, which is sure to look incredibly cool when placed on your shelf.

Spin Master Games Jaws Puzzle (500 Pieces)

This year marks 50 years since the release of Steven Spielberg’s unforgettable blockbuster, Jaws. And if you’re looking to celebrate the occasion, why not do it with this Jaws movie poster puzzle from Spin Master Games? It features the iconic image of “Bruce” the shark sneaking up on a swimmer with the film’s title across the top. Similar to the Ghostbusters puzzle, it’s 500 pieces and even comes packaged in a VHS-style case, only this time straight from the shelves of Blockbuster. A truly excellent package for movie fans.

Aquarius Harry Potter Movie Posters Collage Puzzle (1,000 Pieces)

Much like with the Lord of the Rings triptych, it’s sometimes too hard to pick just one poster from a series of films. So why settle for just one when you can have everything all together? This Harry Potter puzzle from Aquarius, which comes to 1,000 pieces, is perfect for fans who want to make sure every movie poster from the franchise is accounted for. It features all eight Harry Potter movies as posters across the top and bottom, with Ron, Harry, and Hermione in the middle.

Aquarius The Goonies Puzzle (500 Pieces)

This is another movie poster puzzle from Aquarius, but this time only covering one movie poster rather than multiple from a franchise. For fans of the ’80s classic The Goonies, this puzzle comes to 500 pieces and captures the film’s one sheet in a truly frame-worthy final product. By the time you’re finished, you’ll be itching to watch it and experience the adventure all over again.

Ceaco Disney/Pixar Movie Posters Puzzle (2,000 Pieces)

Much like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, there are simply too many good Pixar movie posters to focus on just one. Thankfully, this 2,000 piece puzzle from Ceaco features a big collage of several different posters from the company, from Finding Nemo to The Incredibles to Toy Story to Coco. If you’re a Pixar fan, this massive puzzle is an excellent project to take on. By the time you finally finish this puzzle, you’ll likely want to watch all of the Pixar movies in order.

Should You Buy a Puzzle or a Poster for Your Wall?

This depends on what you’re looking for. Paper movie posters can really capture that traditional feeling of walking into a movie theater when they’re in a frame, but puzzle movie posters like the ones above add a fun pop of personality to a room. Since they come in different sizes and styles – especially if you choose to go with one of the collage-style puzzles listed above – and you pieced them together yourself, they can add a nice personal touch to your wall. But again, it all depends on your personal preference of what sort of poster design you’d rather have up.

If you’re leaning towards framing the movie poster puzzles listed above, we can help with that, too. You can check out some of our favorite frames for puzzles in our puzzle gift guide and this RoseArt Jigsaw Puzzle Glue will help you keep your favorite pieces together.

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.

Anime Shadow 2 Codes (August 2025)

Need codes for Anime Shadow 2? We’ve got all the latest active codes so you can earn rewards like boxes, Trait Shards, and more. You’ll especially want to redeem the codes with Gold Boxes so you can get gems for gamepasses!

Working Anime Shadow 2 Codes (August 2025)

Here are all the current active codes you can redeem in Anime Shadow 2, as well as the rewards you’ll get from them:

  • SORRYGUYS – 2 Luck Potions, 2 Damage Potions, 2 Coins Potions, 10 Small Boxes, 3 Mystery Boxes, Gold Boxes (NEW)
  • AVATARS – 2 Luck Potions, 2 Damage Potions, 2 Coins Potions, 10 Small Boxes, 3 Mystery Boxes, Gold Boxes (NEW)
  • UPDATE2 – 2 Luck Potions, 2 Damage Potions, 2 Coins Potions, 10 Small Boxes, 2 Mystery Boxes, Gold Boxes
  • Release – 1 Luck Potion, 1 Damage Potion, 1 Coins Potion, 7 Small Boxes, 1 Like Box
  • 200KLIKES – 7 Small Boxes, 1 Mystery Box, 1 Gold Box
  • 20MVISITS – 7 Small Boxes, 1 Mystery Box, 1 Like Box
  • ContentCreator – Code exclusive to content creators given the role by the developer.
  • 100HOURS – Requires having 100 hours in Anime Shadow 1.

Expired Anime Shadow 2 Codes (August 2025)

The below codes have unfortunately expired and will no longer work. We’ve included them here so you know not to bother trying to redeem them:

  • GRIMOIREUPDATE
  • VIPCRATEFIX
  • DIVINES
  • SRRY4HUGEDELAY
  • SUB-TRAITS
  • UPDATE1
  • AUTOROLLFIXED
  • SRRYFORBUGS
  • Tomorrow/Amanhã
  • Beta1.5
  • 15MVISITS
  • 5MVISITS
  • 100KLIKES
  • NINJA
  • SUMMER
  • FIX
  • SUMMERQOL
  • TOWER
  • TOONRISE
  • ICHIGU
  • GEAR7
  • OFFLINEFARMING
  • UPDATE0.7
  • FORGIVENESS
  • UPDATE0.5
  • UPDATE0.4
  • LimitedCode
  • UPDATE0.3
  • UPDATE0.2
  • UPDATE0

How to Redeem Anime Shadow 2 Codes (August 2025)

Knowing how to redeem codes in Anime Shadow 2 isn’t too hard but just in case you’re not sure where to look, we’ve put together this section. Follow these simple steps to start getting those rewards:

  1. Launch Anime Shadow 2 on Roblox
  2. Press the red Shop button on the left side of your screen.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the shop.
  4. Then, enter your code into the “Enter Code” box and click Redeem when you’re ready.

Why Isn’t My Anime Shadow 2 Code Working?

If you’re having trouble redeeming a code, there are two common reasons why it may not be working:

  • The code is expired
  • The code has been entered incorrectly

If a code has been entered incorrectly or has expired, you’ll see a message that says, “[CODES] Invalid/Expired Code”. In order to avoid this, we recommend copying and pasting the code directly from this article. As long as you don’t accidentally get an extra space in there when copying it, it should work if it’s active. We make sure to check and test every Anime Shadow 2 code before we add them to this article.

Where to Find More Anime Shadow 2 Codes

One of the best ways to get new codes is coming back to this page as we frequently update it with new and active codes. Otherwise, you can search for codes on your own by checking out the dedicated Discord server for Anime Shadow 2.

What is Anime Shadow 2 in Roblox?

Anime Shadow 2 is a sequel to the original where you collect characters heavily inspired by different anime to fight for you. As you defeat enemies, you’ll gain gold that you can then use to summon even more characters to build out your team. Eventually you’ll move onto different worlds inspired by Demon Slayer, Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and more.

Jeffrey Lerman is a freelance game journalist for IGN who has been covering games for over a decade. You can follow him on Bluesky.

THQ Nordic’s annual showcase event recap

THQ Nordic’s 2025 Showcase just wrapped, debuting new details on Tides of Tomorrow, Spongebob Squarepants: Titans of the Tide, Gothic 1 Remake, and more.

Here is a breakdown of the upcoming titles. 

​​

The team at Tarsier, creators of Little Nightmares I & II, are creating an all-new horror adventure -Reanimal. The showcase gameplay trailer features a first look at new gameplay environments and characters, including new monsters and friends of the orphaned siblings. Their relentless journey to survive a hellish gamescape features a rich narrative and online and couch co-op multiplayer so players can share the scare.

​​

In more light-hearted gaming updates, the pre-order program for SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is now live. Confirmed for release on PS5 on November 18 of this year, this all-new adventure through Bikini Bottom allows players to play as both Patrick and SpongeBob to the song-stylings of the one and only David Hasselhoff. 

The ability to switch from SpongeBob to Patrick and back again has been a long-time request from SpongeBob gamers. Preorder any edition and receive the Natural Costume DLC free. The Ghostly Digital Edition includes the Tidal Season pass, also available separately.

For the SpongeBob Collector, get all SpongeBob games and DLC in the digital Bikini Bottom Bundle or head to your favorite retailer for the Ghostly Edition featuring an exclusive Steelbook, collectible patch, keychain & lenticular prints.

One genre we simply cannot get enough of at THQ Nordic is role-playing. Remaking the classic RPG Gothic is a true passion project for our Alkimia Interactive. Gothic 1 Remake is built for today’s most discerning RPG enthusiasts, including thoughtful expansions architected with Gothic veterans in mind. 

Starting today, gamers everywhere can return to the Valley of the Mines in the Gothic 1 Remake demo. Dive into the Nyras Prologue to experience the thrill of entering the Colony for the very first time — without encountering any spoilers. This demo will not be included in the final game. THQ Nordic will also release the Gothic Classics, 1, 2, and 3 for PS5 in 2026. 

Our all-new gameplay trailer for Eternal Life of Goldman reveals at least one life shattered by our protagonist Goldman. The vibrant yet dark platformer demands precision while encouraging exploration and a sense of discovery throughout the game world. Complex scenes and rich characters create The Eternal Life of Goldman’s layered story that is perfectly balanced to platform-style play.

Tides of Tomorrow developer Digixart, the team behind Route 96, revealed new insights on the all-new asynchronous gameplay feature as part of today’s Showcase event. Tides of Tomorrow combines rich story-telling and collaborative gameplay for a first-of-its-kind experience. The colorful, post-apocalyptic universe is in the player’s hands as decision-making will determine the fate of the game world and all its inhabitants.  

The Wreckfest franchise is one of my favorite stress relievers. BugBear Entertainment is working on a long-awaited sequel to the high-octane, no-rules demolition derby and racing game. Made famous for its realistic damage model and unique blend of arcade and simulation style, the Wreckfest franchise requires that every driver drive hard to die last. Wreckfest 2 is racing to PS5 in 2026.

We’re working on a sequel to another celebrated role-playing game – Titan Quest II. The ARPG best known for combining hack-n-slash combat, loot-based progression, and deep character customization in a rich, mythological setting is coming to PS5 in 2026. With a class-less character system, players can choose two masteries from a variety of options and freely combine them to create their own hero inspired by ancient mythology. Explore the realms of ancient Greece, visit places where no mortal has ever ventured, and face legendary creatures — and even gods themselves. Titan Quest II promises an adventure worthy of its own myth. 

The Burnout series was a favorite for PlayStation gamers for more than a decade. The team behind that racer have combined arcade racing with a toolbox full of customization options in a giant open world with Wreckreation. Players can choose from 60 different vehicles and use the Game DJ to change in-game parameters like music, vehicles, weather, time of day, traffic, and game world. 

And the best part? Players can instantly switch to the live mix building mode in real-time, constructing their own highways — complete with crazy jumps, loops, and hundreds of objects placed anywhere in the game world. Ever wanted to race your car over a dinosaur’s head? Wreckreation has got you covered. The new gameplay trailer shows off in-game racing and stunt challenges that can be created and shared with friends. Wreckreation is coming to PS5 later this year.

We like to think we have something fun for just about every PlayStation gamer and can’t wait to give players a chance to play many of the games we previewed today at Gamescom in a few weeks.

Darksiders 4 Announced With Teaser Trailer, Continues Where the Original Darksiders Game Left Off

Darksiders 4 is coming from developer Gunfire Games. We have a teaser trailer, below, revealed as part of publisher THQ Nordic’s 2025 showcase event, as well as some high level gameplay details.

Darksiders 4, like the previous entries in the series, is a third-person action adventure game featuring combat, traversal, and puzzle solving in a “lore rich” post-apocalyptic world.

You play as one of the legendary Horsemen, each with their own unique weapons and combat styles. The “cinematic” combat is described as “fast-paced, visceral action blending melee, fluid traversal, and supernatural abilities.”

The only story detail we have is that Darksiders 4 continues the saga of the Four Horsemen and picks up where the original Darksiders game left off. According to store listings, there’s online co-op for 2-4 players as well as single-player and split screen.

Darksiders began life in 2010 with the Vigil Games-developed original. It revolves around the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who attempt to bring balance to the universe while fighting on a post-apocalyptic Earth.

A sequel, Darksiders 2, followed in 2012, but it wasn’t until 2018 that Darksiders 3, from Gunfire Games, came out, with Airship Syndicate’s top-down action game Darksiders Genesis following in 2019. The series had remained dormant since then, with Gunfire releasing the successful Remnant: From the Ashes and Remnant 2 games either side of Chronos: Before the Ashes.

There’s no release window for Darksiders 4 yet, but THQ Nordic did open wishlists today.

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.

BioShock 4 Reportedly Getting a Narrative Overhaul Amid Development Struggles

BioShock 4 is currently undergoing a bit of a development overhaul after it recently failed a review by 2K Games executives, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

Per the report, the new BioShock game, which has been in development for the last decade, was criticized by executives especially for issues with its narrative. The studio will allegedly work to overhaul the story in the coming months.

BioShock 4’s struggles have also apparently resulted in the removal of Cloud Chamber Games studio head Kelley Gilmore, and the shifting of creative director Hogarth de la Plante into a publishing role. Employees were told in a recent all-hands that the company needs to become, per Bloomberg, “more agile and efficient,” which has some workers afraid layoffs may be on the horizon.

2K Games confirmed Gilmore and de la Plante’s role changes to Bloomberg, and shared the following statement:

We are working hard to set BioShock up for the best possible future. Right now, we have a good game, but we are committed to delivering a great one. We are working closely with leadership at the studio to define this path.

We first heard reports that BioShock 4 was in development way back in 2018, when it was still apparently pretty early in the process. The following year it was officially confirmed to be in development at new studio Cloud Chamber, but IGN was told at the time that the team was at “the earlier end of our process.” It was also confirmed that original BioShock creative director Ken Levine was not working on the game, but was instead focusing on his own project, Judas, at Ghost Story Games (it’s due. However, a number of other BioShock veterans were said to be working on it, including de la Plante, art director Scott Sinclair, and design director Jonathan Pelling.

In the years since, we’ve gleaned very little in the way of details on BioShock 4. From job listings, we’ve put together that it won’t take place in any of the settings from previous games, and that it may be open-world. In 2022, it picked up former Ghost of Tsushima writer Liz Albl as a narrative lead. And last year, an image that may have come from the in-progress new BioShock leaked online, though it was allegedly from an early 2021 demo of the game.

Given that we have yet to see gameplay or hear even a whisper of a release window, it may still be a while yet before BioShock 4 fully emerges. In the meantime, while Levine’s Judas was at one point expected to be out by March 2025, that deadline has come and gone. But we got a preview of the game last March, so it may have to serve to tide over fans until BioShock 4 is ready to emerge once more.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

THQ Nordic Gets You in the Game at 2025 Digital Showcase

THQ Nordic Gets You in the Game at 2025 Digital Showcase

Today at the annual THQ Nordic Digital Showcase Event, we gave gamers fresh looks at gameplay for several upcoming titles, including Reanimal, Tides of Tomorrow, The Eternal Life of Goldman, and much more. We also unveiled a new demo for Gothic 1 Remake, which Xbox players can jump into from today!

Let’s take a look at a recap of the event, including all of the major news and reveals making their way to Xbox.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide Pre-Order Live Today

Spongebob Squarepants Titans of the Tide screenshot

The pre-order program is now live for SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide! Confirmed for release on Xbox Series X|S on November 18 of this year, this all-new adventure through Bikini Bottom allows players to play as both Patrick and SpongeBob to the song-stylings of the one and only David Hasselhoff. The ability to switch from SpongeBob to Patrick and back again has been a long-time request from SpongeBob fans.

Pre-order today to receive the Natural Costume Pack DLC as a bonus. Check out the Ghostly Digital Edition and the Ultimate Edition for access to even more rewards, including the Tidal Season Pass, which includes two DLCs with new challenge levels and two themed costume packs (also available as a separate purchase).

Gothic Remake Demo Available Today

Gothic Remake screenshot

Starting today, gamers everywhere can return to the Valley of the Mines in the Gothic Remake demo. Dive into the Nyras Prologue to experience the thrill of entering the Colony for the very first time—without encountering any spoilers. Please note, this demo will not be included in the final game. Considered *the* pioneer RPG, this highly-anticipated remake is built for today’s most discerning RPG enthusiasts, including thoughtful expansions architected with Gothic veterans in mind. THQ Nordic will also release the Gothic Classics, 1, 2 and 3, for Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

New Eternal Life of Goldman Trailer Reveal

This all-new gameplay trailer reveals at least one life shattered by our protagonist Goldman. The vibrant yet dark platformer demands precision while encouraging exploration and a sense of discovery throughout the game world. Complex scenes and rich characters create The Eternal Life of Goldman’s layered story that is perfectly balanced with platform-style play.

First Look at Reanimal Gameplay

We showed an all-new reveal from Reanimal – the highly anticipated horror adventure from the creators of Little Nightmares I & II. The showcase gameplay trailer features a first look at new gameplay environments and characters, including new monsters and friends of the orphaned siblings. Their relentless journey to survive a hellish gamescape features a rich narrative, as well as online and couch co-op multiplayer.

New Tides of Tomorrow Gameplay Trailer

Hear directly from Tides of Tomorrow developer Digixart, the team behind Route 96, in a trailer that highlights the all-new asynchronous gameplay feature. Tides of Tomorrow combines rich story-telling and collaborative gameplay for a first-of-its-kind experience. The colorful, post-apocalyptic universe is in the player’s hands as decision-making will determine the fate of the game world and all its inhabitants. 

Wreckfest 2 Arriving in 2026

The high-octane, no-rules demolition derby and racing franchise is receiving a long-awaited sequel! Made famous for its realistic damage model and unique blend of arcade and simulation style, the Wreckfest franchise requires that every driver to drive hard or dive fast. Wreckfest 2 is racing to Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

Titan Quest II Coming in 2026

Titan Quest II expands upon the ARPG best known for combining hack-n-slash combat, loot-based progression, and deep character customization in a rich, mythological setting.  With a class-less character system, players can choose two masteries from a variety of options and freely combine them to create their own hero inspired by ancient mythology. Explore the realms of ancient Greece, visit places where no mortal has ever ventured, and face legendary creatures—and even gods themselves. Titan Quest II promises an adventure worthy of its own myth, and it’s heading to Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

New Wreckreation Gameplay Trailer

The creators of Burnout have combined arcade racing with a toolbox full of customization options in a giant open world! Wreckreation players can choose from 60 different vehicles and use the Game DJ to change in-game parameters like music, vehicles, weather, time of day, traffic, and game world. And the best part? Players can instantly switch to the live mix building mode in real-time, constructing their own highways—complete with crazy jumps, loops, and hundreds of objects placed anywhere in the game world. Ever wanted to race your car over a dinosaur’s head? Wreckreation has got you covered! The new gameplay trailer shows off in-game racing and stunt challenges that can be created and shared with friends. Wreckreation is coming to Xbox Series X|S later this year.

We look very forward to seeing Xbox players at Gamescom at the end of the month. We’ll be offering hands-on with many of our upcoming releases including Reanimal and, of course, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide. Representatives from our development studios will be available for to share their personal insights on the games.

The post THQ Nordic Gets You in the Game at 2025 Digital Showcase appeared first on Xbox Wire.