Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 1 to 5

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Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 1 to 5

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


Cronos: The New Dawn – Pre-Order Edition

Bloober Team S.A


3

$59.99

Cronos: The New Dawn – September 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Cronos: The New Dawn is a brutal third-person survival horror where you fight for the future by salvaging the past. Burn monsters before they merge. Extract souls from the living. Adapt or die. Set in a grim world where Eastern European brutalism meets retro-futurist technology, Cronos: The New Dawn lets you experience a gripping story that straddles the line between past and future. Pick up the Cronos: The New Dawn Preorder Deluxe Edition to start playing on September 3.


Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion

XSEED Games / Marvelous USA, Inc.


4

$69.99

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion – September 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Become the ultimate high-tech warrior in an action-packed new entry in the Daemon X Machina series. Fly into battle in your customized Arsenal, unleashing a variety of attacks tailored to your playstyle. Feel the exhilaration of fast-paced combat as you freely explore a deadly and dangerous open world on land or in the air. Suit up for a dark sci-fi story where you can face the titanic boss battles alone or with up to two other players online.


NBA 2K26 Standard Edition

2K


200

$69.99

NBA 2K26 – September 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Bragging rights are on the line in NBA 2K26. Build your legend in MyCareer, collect and compete with stars in MyTeam, and make executive decisions in MyNBA on Xbox Series X|S or MyLeague on Xbox One. Dominate every possession with immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into realistic gameplay on Xbox Series X|S. Feel more connected to every dribble and crossover, and move with freedom as you unleash dynamic playmaking using all-new features.


Bad Cheese

Feardemic

Bad Cheese – September 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Bad Cheese is a psychological horror game inspired by the eerie charm of 1920s animation. Step into the tiny paws of a mouse spending the weekend at home with a dysfunctional Dad while Mom’s away. Be on your best behavior and keep daddy happy! Complete tasks, eat snacks, find toys, and navigate the “complicated family dynamic.” Experience the gruesome reality of a child-mouse trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in a not-so-normal household.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Scar-Lead Salvation

Idea Factory International, Inc.

Scar-Lead Salvation – September 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

When Willow Martin awakens with no memories in an unfamiliar room, she can’t figure out how she got there. Without any semblance of who she is or where she came from, can she trust the AI who aids her? You’ll never know what comes next as you make your way through the military facility. Each floor will present a procedurally generated layout complete with new enemies to face and equipment to grab.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Nachtmahr

Mangy Goblin Games, LLC

Nachtmahr – September 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

A third-person adventure where you play as a magical unicorn, exploring five realms filled with puzzles, collectibles, and secrets. Uncover a poetic story as you journey through a world of wonder and magic.


Attic Archive

Pixel Games

Attic Archive – September 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The Attic Archive presents a curious collection of forgotten games from the 1980s. Originally published for the Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and Sinclair ZX Spectrum home computer systems, these games are authentically reproduced in all their 8-bit glory. Featuring classics from Ocean Software, Artic Computing, Imagine Software, and Atlantis.


Deadzone: Rogue

Prophecy Games

Deadzone: Rogue – September 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Deadzone: Rogue is a fast-paced roguelite FPS set aboard the ISS- X, a space station overrun by rogue machines. Venture into The Deadzone solo or team up with up to 3 friends in online co-op. Wield over 30 upgradable elemental weapons to carve through enemies and powerful bosses. Improve your build each mission with augments, rare gear, and upgrades that amplify your strength and versatility. Snipe from afar, sneak in close, or go all-in with melee. Grow stronger in death. Fight. Die. Revive. Repeat.


Demonschool

Ysbryd Games

Demonschool – September 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A new-style tactics RPG where motion equals action. Defeat big weirdos in between the human and demon worlds as Faye and her misfit companions, while navigating university life on a mysterious island.


Dragon Snack (Xbox One)

Afil Games

Dragon Snack – September 3

Get ready for a puzzle filled adventure with fire, coins, and clever decisions. In Dragon Snack, you don’t control the dragon… you prepare the path! Rotate and place hexagonal tiles to build a perfect trail that leads the creature to its golden nest.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Overpowered 1 – Mars Infestation

Eastasiasoft Limited

Overpowered 1 – Mars Infestation – September 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

The year is 2050. Humans have been forced to flee Earth and colonize Mars! Now it’s up to you to exterminate hordes of aggressive local creatures so your kind can settle on the planet. Exterminate hordes of menacing creatures in twin-stick shoot ’em up style so your fellow humans can settle on a new planet!


The Nameless City

Sometimes You


$9.99

$7.99

The Nameless City – September 3

Narrative-driven first-person horror adventure inspired by Lovecraft’s short novel “The Nameless City” (1921). Explore the ruins of a city that some say is older than humanity itself. While you delve deeper into the ancient buildings, reality and visions blend into an indistinct haze.


Above Snakes

©RedDeer.Games

Above Snakes – September 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Craft your world. Survive the Wilds. Discover the secrets of the land. Step into a handcrafted Wild West-inspired world in this relaxing isometric adventure RPG with light survival elements. Build, explore, farm, and fight as you piece together your own unique journey across shifting biomes and mysterious threats.


Adventure of Samsara

Atari


$19.99

$17.99

Adventure of Samsara – September 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Adventure of Samsara, a mysterious, Metroidvania action-adventure, reimagines the spirit of the original Atari 2600 title, Adventure. With stunning, 2D pixel art, Adventure of Samsara combines classic gameplay, a deeply connected world, and a heady, twisting narrative of death, rebirth and memory.


Candylands Journey

Sometimes You


$9.99

$7.99

Candylands Journey – September 4

Explore 15 colorful locations, look for lost puzzle pieces to open the way to the last boss. Pass through the green meadows, dark caves, deep rivers and oceans, mystic castles, ruins, islands and other colorful locations. Collect jewelry fragments to buy unique types of magic. Collect all the elements and summons. Find all the secrets, destroy all the cake towers and solve all the riddles. All this will help you to win and save Magic University!


Chocolate Factory Simulator

Playway S.A.

Chocolate Factory Simulator – September 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Welcome to Chocolate Factory Simulator, where cogwheels and steam work overtime to create the most delicious chocolate! Use your clockwork workshop full of gourmet machinery to create every kind of chocolate your customers could dream up! The world’s steampunk technology is perfect for sweet-making, and all available to you in your manufacturing.


DETECTIVE – Scene Crime

JanduSoft


$10.49

$9.44

Detective – Scene Crime – September 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Step into the role of a detective in Detective – Scene Crime, a challenging mystery game where you’ll investigate five gripping crime scenes. Each level presents clues, testimonies, and puzzles to analyze carefully in your quest for the truth. Do you have what it takes to solve them all?


Xbox Play Anywhere

Double Dangerous

Entity3 Limited

$2.99

Double Dangerous – September 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Get ready to lock, load, and double the chaos! Double Dangerous is a high-octane third-person shooter that flips the script on traditional gameplay. Wield dual guns and unleash a storm of bullets in any direction—regardless of where your character is facing. Run forward while blasting behind you, pull off wild one-arm shots, or take down enemies mid-dive in slow motion. The choice is yours, and the fun is limitless.


Fling to the Finish

Daedalic Entertainment


$19.99

$15.99

Fling to the Finish – September 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

In Fling to the Finish, teams of two players race through colorful, chaotic obstacle courses while tethered by a stretchy elastic rope. When you and your friends first pick up the game your rope will get tangled in practically everything you pass. But as you quickly improve your communication skills you’ll learn that the rope is your biggest asset.


Gunsmith Simulator

PlayWay S.A.

Gunsmith Simulator – September 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Push the boundaries of what’s possible and deliver what clients ask for! Change weapon configurations and customize equipment with modern accessories. Check optical sights, pistol grips or lasers. Add flashlights or collimators to create weapons with maximum unique features, perfectly suited to the individual needs and style of each enthusiast. Let your work become a symbol of perfection and a dream come true for the fussiest clients!


Hell is Us

Nacon

$59.99

Hell is Us – September 4

A 3rd-person action-adventure game that combines intense melee combat with the thrill of exploration. Explore a semi-open world to find answers to your questions and face mysterious creatures all along your journey.


The Order of the Snake Scale

Ultimate Games S.A.

The Order of the Snake Scale – September 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Inspired by Lovecraft, a psychological survival horror game set in a dystopian, alternative universe. Discover the mystery of the woman’s death and learn the dark secrets of the Happy Rock. Are you ready?


Tiny Lands – Deluxe Edition

Hidden Trap

Tiny Lands – Deluxe Edition – September 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A relaxing 3D game about finding the differences between two handcrafted dioramas. If you are looking for a game that allows you to just sit back and play Tiny Lands is for you! This also includes the “Final Challenge” special world for those who are ready for the ultimate Tiny Lands experience.


Soulbind: Tales Of The Underworld

Axyos Games

$9.99

Soulbind: Tales Of The Underworld – September 5

Embark on an epic journey into a procedurally generated world where you will explore a variety of locations full of monsters and traps. You must collect body parts of the various monsters, and the rarity system will affect the generation of stats and passive effects. Each collected body part provides new abilities and capabilities, changing battle tactics.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Sokocat: Islands – Remastered

Rising Moon Games

Sokocat: Islands – Remastered – September 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Sokocat – Islands is a charming puzzle adventure where you guide an adorable cat across peaceful islands filled with clever challenges! Slide blocks with precision and solve smart, minimalist puzzles. Every move counts — think carefully, explore each space, and find the best path forward.


Psycho Dream

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Psycho Dream – September 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A dangerous trend has emerged among young people: they are evading reality by taking permanent refuge in a new entertainment medium known as DMovies, which allows people to immerse themselves in a world of virtual reality and become part of a movie. Join Diamond Dogs Ryo and Maria in their mission to rescue young Sayaka from the DMovie she’s trapped in before it’s too late.


Ragdoll Fighter

Gametry LLC

Ragdoll Fighter – September 5

Ragdoll Fighter throws you into chaotic, physics-based battles where only the most unpredictable brawler survives. Control a wobbly warrior and face off against wild ragdoll enemies in hilarious, high-stakes duels!


Carnival Heroes

LAN – GAMES LTD

Carnival Heroes – September 5

Carnival Heroes is online multiplayer super party board game for 1 to 4 players. Inside the game you will enjoy 24 fun minigames which you play along the main game. You’ll play arcade games, runner games & other offline games. The game offers online play, local play or solo play (vs AI).


Xbox Play Anywhere

DeTechtive 2112

5Deniz

$9.99

DeTechtive 2112 – September 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

The year is 2112, and the world is no longer the same. In the crumbling remains of a country once known as England, Detective Matthew Wallace—a man with a mysterious past—works as a private investigator. After returning from the Third World War, Matthew takes on an off-the-record case with only one ally: Abigail, a resourceful young secretary. Together, they uncover the dark secrets of the city’s elite while confronting shadows from Matthew’s past in a series of interconnected cases.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Dragon Ruins

KEMCO

$8.99

Dragon Ruins – September 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Brave the depths of an ancient ruin discovered in the capital of Isigwere, where no soul has ever returned—and where a legendary dragon awaits. In this retro-style dungeon crawler RPG, become the hero who conquers the maze and slays the beast lurking in the shadows.


Folly of the Wizards

Numskull Games

Folly of the Wizards – September 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Folly Of The Wizards is a comedic 2D roguelike action game that puts you in the shoes of a clumsy wizard apprentice. Join a wacky wizard cult and use unique spells to defeat enemies, explore procedurally generated dungeons, and save the world from chaos.


Red Cape Knight

Magnific Studios

Red Cape Knight – September 5

Step into the dark halls of the royal castle with the fearless Red Cape Knight, summoned by the King after dangerous creatures seize his home. Armed with his sword and the magic of his enchanted red cape, the knight must face deadly traps and fierce enemies to reclaim the castle.


Sky of Destruction

Sometimes You


$12.99

$10.39
Free Trial

Sky of Destruction – September 5

Before starting a mission, select a combination of three types of aircraft in your fleet, which will help you during the mission. Your goal is to destroy the enemy aircraft carrier or buildings, breaking through the enemy air armada. If your plane was hit, it’s not the end of the game, the extermination of the enemy will not stop. Just keep your aircraft carrier safe.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Skyline Bowling

QubicGames S.A.

Skyline Bowling – September 5
Xbox Play Anywhere

Get ready for an action-packed challenge where every strike brings you closer to victory! Join friends or family in up to four-player matches, compete in thrilling tournaments against top bowlers from across the lanes, and bowl in amazing alleys with cool views. Only the best players make it to the final rounds – will you be the one holding the trophy?


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 1 to 5 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Lost Soul Aside launches today with free playable demo

I’m thrilled to share that Lost Soul Aside is officially out today on PlayStation 5 console and PC via Steam and the Epic Game Store, and you can also jump in with a free playable demo starting today!

Lost Soul Aside launches today with free playable demo

From the very beginning, this project was born out of a dream to create fast, fluid, and visually striking action gameplay, and I’m incredibly excited that you can now experience the full adventure – or get a taste of it with the demo.

Blades flash like lightning. Movements blur like wind. This is the heart of Lost Soul Aside and today marks just the start of your journey.

Lost Soul Aside launches today with free playable demo

Demo beginner’s guide: The art of high-speed combat

In this demo trailer, Kaser and Arena join forces to overwhelm enemies with their lightning-fast, high-octane combat style. The trailer showcases radically distinct weapon techniques, split-second combat performances, and breathtaking dance of clashing blades, embodying the game’s combat philosophy – “Strikes roar like thunder, evade fade as phantoms.”

This playable demo features an early-game boss challenge and a mid-game adventure stage, allowing players to experience Lost Soul Aside’s signature combat system: 

Core combat: fast-paced, seamlessly smooth, and endless-combos.

  • Seamless weapon switching: Sword (split-second strikes) and Greatsword (earth-shattering power) enable endless combo variations, making battles flow like poetry in motion.
  • Aerial combat: Launch enemies mid-air and strike with unstoppable combo storm.
  • Boss encounters: Face off against enemies like Rose Queen, Holy Knight Commander Victor, and the titanic Ancient Mecha. Master movement, timing, and counterattacks to survive.

Combat tips: Precise Dodges, Precise Blocks, Energy Burst Pursuits

  • Perfect Dodge: Evade at the last moment to trigger a special counterattack.
  • Precise Block: When blocking an enemy’s powerful attack right as the blue circle warning appears, you’ll stagger them and create an opening.
  • Burst Pursuit: When a blue glow appears on Kaser, press the Burst Pursuit button to unleash a spectacular strike.

The journey starts now

Whether you’re a hardcore action gamer or someone who loves exploring breathtaking fantasy worlds, now’s your chance to dive in. The full game is available now, and you can also try it free with the playable demo on both PlayStation 5 console and PC via Steam.

If you haven’t already, check out our behind-the-scenes video in our previous article to see how the world, combat, and characters came to life.

Thank you for all your support over the years. Now go push your limits, master every combo, and show us what you’ve got.

‘That Really Sucks’ — Battlefield 6 Developer DICE Knows Anti-Cheat Measures Like Secure Boot Mean Some PC Gamers Just Won’t Be Able to Play the Game

With Battlefield 6’s open beta done and dusted and its October 10 release date in sight, developer DICE is prepping the shooter for launch across PC and console. But it is on PC specifically that EA’s anti-cheat efforts have raised eyebrows, and even caused some fans to miss out.

PC gamers who played the Battlefield 6 open beta might have run into the following on-screen warning: ‘Secure Boot is not enabled.’ Indeed, if you want to play Battlefield 6 on PC you have no choice but to enable Secure Boot. And based on the open beta, some had trouble with it.

Enabling Secure Boot involves tinkering with a part of a computer not all PC gamers will be instantly familiar with: the BIOS (check out IGN’s guide for more). There are things like TPM 2.0 (which must be turned on) to deal with, and you need to make sure your Windows disk is GPT and not MBR (not everyone will know what these are). All this before you can even enable Secure Boot — and then you may not be able to enable it anyway, which then means you need to refer to your manufacturer for guidance.

While this won’t be a problem for more experienced PC gamers, it will be an intimidating process for some. And according to DICE, it knows these anti-cheat measures will prevent some people from playing Battlefield 6 at all.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Battlefield 6 technical director Christian Buhl lamented the situation. “The fact is I wish we didn’t have to do things like Secure Boot,” Buhl said.

“It does prevent some players from playing the game. Some people’s PCs can’t handle it and they can’t play; that really sucks. I wish everyone could play the game with low friction and not have to do these sorts of things.”

Still, Buhl sounds pleased with the effectiveness of the likes of Secure Boot, which are “some of the strongest tools in our toolbox to stop cheating.”

“We were pretty happy with how the anti-cheat performed. Obviously I’ll say we can never be perfect, anti-cheat is always a cat-and-mouse game where we’re constantly going back and forth and keeping on top of what the cheaters are doing. But from the beginning this was something we put a high priority on, so when we launch this game we have a really strong anti-cheat program in place.”

Buhl continued: “Again, nothing makes cheating impossible, but enabling Secure Boot and having kernel-level access makes it so much harder to cheat and so much easier for us to find and stop cheating.”

It’s no secret that cheating in competitive multiplayer games is a huge problem for publishers. Activision, for example, has spent millions trying to reverse the narrative for Call of Duty, and TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are in place for Black Ops 7 on PC.

While Secure Boot caused some people problems, the Battlefield 6 open beta enjoyed huge player numbers on Steam, so it will be interesting to see how this goes at launch.

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.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater’s First Hotfix Is Out Now — Check Out the Patch Notes

Konami has deployed a patch to address multiple reports of issues occurring in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.

Ver. 1.1.2. — which is now live across all platforms — deploys a number of fixes and improvements, addressing various scenarios where players could inadvertently cause their systems to crash.

“We’re grateful to have so many players enjoying the game and sharing valuable feedback and issue reports,” the publisher wrote.

Here’s the full Steam patch notes, which are similar to the updates rolled out across console:

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Ver. 1.1.2. Patch Notes

This update includes the following improvements and fixes:

  • Resolved an issue where performing consecutive survival knife attacks to secure food could cause the game to crash under certain conditions.
  • Fixed an issue where removing the Crocodile Cap from the Survival Viewer while equipped could cause the game to crash under certain conditions.
  • Addressed crashes that could occur when collecting food near a hungry crocodile under certain conditions.
  • Corrected an issue where transitioning from a roll into a crawl could cause the character model to float in mid-air.
  • Fixed an issue where player movement could become restricted under certain conditions in areas where Intrusion View is used.
  • Resolved an issue where the game could crash under certain conditions while in Radio Window.

Konami also assuring players it was actively investigating and addressing all reported concerns.

Hideo Kojima may be the creator of the seminal stealth series, Metal Gear, but that doesn’t mean he’ll play Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. And while it seems unlikely (especially given Kojima’s comment), Konami’s Metal Gear series producer Noriaki Okamura has said he’d love to work with Kojima again on the stealth series.

We awarded IGN’s Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater review returned an 8/10. We said: “Between its old-school stealth-action gameplay and engaging spy-thriller story, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater largely succeeds as a faithful, visually impressive remake of the 2004 classic.”

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.

CD Projekt’s mysterious Project Hadar is now their research focus, as Cyberpunk 2 and Witcher 4 gather steam

The headcounts of both The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2‘s dev teams continue to steadily climb, as the two RPGs inch closer to our fingertips. Meanwhile, CD Projekt have confirmed that their research division are still busy deciding what the mysterious original game codenamed Project Hadar will look like.

All of these details, plus some Nintendo Switch stuff we’ve avoided hearing by sticking our mouse and keyboard-focused fingers in our ears, were revealed in the Polish publishers’ financial report covering the first half of 2025.

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Lost Soul Aside Dev Acknowledges Performance Issues, Assures Players It is ‘Actively Working on Optimizations’

The PC and PS5 console-exclusive Lost Soul Aside only released today, August 29, but it’s already sitting on a ‘Mixed’ Steam review score from 300+ players, many of whom have reported issues with performance and optimization.

Developer Ultizero Games was quick to respond, assuring players in a statement that it had “received your feedback regarding the performance of certain cutscenes in the prologue of Lost Soul Aside,” and was “actively working on optimizations.”

“Currently, some of these cutscenes are pre-rendered 4K/30fps videos, which may cause occasional stuttering during playback,” the team explained. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your understanding.

“The Lost Soul Aside team is actively working on optimizations, and future updates will address this to deliver a smoother gameplay experience. Thank you for your continued support and patience!”

Notably, no time frame was provided, so it’s unclear when, exactly, players can expect a fix. In the meantime, Steam continues to fill up with reviews from unhappy players.

“I’ve completed the prologue of Lost Soul Aside, and in its current state I can’t recommend this game,” said one player, while another added: “I thought movement looked jerky because of frame drops but the walking actually just looks like that lmao. Walking and the camera are so bad it’s honestly impressive.”

“I’m only three hours in but I’m really torn on this game,” commented another Steam reviewer. “On one hand, the visuals are top-notch and the combat is decent (a tier below Stellar Blade, imo). These were the two things that had been consistently teased and promised, and Yang Bing and his studio finally delivered on those aspects. Everything else is kind of a mess.”

Lost Soul Aside is a stylish single-player action-adventure RPG in which you battle dimensional invaders while trying to save your sister. It was initially expected to release in May but after roughly a decade in development, Lost Soul Aside was delayed three months from May 30 to August 29.

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.

System Shock 2 Has Been Updated On Switch, Here Are The Patch Notes

Fix this, insect.

Following the rollout of a new patch on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC last week, the same has now been applied to System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster on the Nintendo Switch.

Patch 1.2 offers up a healthy batch of fixes and improvements, including gameplay tweaks, visual updates, and quality-of-life additions such as a separate save slot for quick saves. It’s all very welcome, and should go toward making an already-excellent game even better.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Rally Point: Crop to Selection

Sometimes, readers, it’s tempting to do the popularity thing, and ask what you’re playing, or thinking of buying. There are countless popular games I never mention, surely I should be doing those? What if I am terrible actually and should write about the things that are making a big splash instead?

But that way lies Views Brain. You can already get that everywhere. Moreover, I suffer a curse where if you chose a game I hated or found dull, it would ruin my life. Especially given the time investment that even lightweight strategy games so readily demand (I don’t get paid for the 6-hours-in “Oh, this is really limited/bugged/regurgitated” games, you know).

My compromise was a shortlist you could pick from, and I’d do a piece on the winner. Naturally I’d have to play them a bit first to be sure, and you already know what happened, don’t you. We’re doing a roundup, and it won’t be the last. There are no rules in the Rally Point.

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Genshin Impact Studio Has An All New Honkai Adventure On the Way — Honkai: Nexus Anima

HoYoverse — the team behind Genshin Impact — has unveiled a brand-new Honkai game: Honkai: Nexus Anima.

From now until September 12, early adopters can sign up on iOS or PC to participate in the first closed beta, entitled the Nexus Bond Test and try out Honkai: Nexus Anima’s own blend of “creature collection with strategic adventure.” There’s no release date yet.

“In a world where unseen bonds between concepts like Light and Dark or Life and Death have ruptured, players will forge connections with companions known as Anima,” the description teases. “Each carries unique powers that can be combined in battle, setting the stage for fresh strategies and new stories in the Honkai universe.”

There’s also a 90-second long announcement video, which shows off the sun-dappled shores and leafy meadows, as well as some of the wonderfully cute characters you can expect to meet. You can check it out below:

Earlier this month, HoYoverse confirmed it was discontinuing support for Genshin Impact on PS4 “due to limitations related to hardware performance and platform application size.” We thought it was ‘amazing’ when it released back in 2020, awarding it 9/10 in the IGN Genshin Impact review.

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.

Over 450 Diablo developers vote to unionise, because “passion can’t protect us from job instability”

A group of more than 450 Diablo developers have voted to form a union at Blizzard, under the banner of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

According to a CWA press release, the new union is made up of game developers, artists, designers, engineers, and support staff across the Diablo series, and has already been formally recognised by Blizzard parent company Microsoft. These workers join the over 500 World of Warcraft and almost 200 Overwatch devs who each formed their own unions earlier this year.

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