What’s the best video game guide you’ve ever used? There’s an art to it, knowing what information is imperative to include, how to include it, is it a written guide, or a video? Well, how about a 21 track long rap album? I only ask because, I am so delighted to say, someone has done just that for indie classic Metroidvania Cave Story.
Resident Evil fans who have yet to get their hands on Requiem, we have some exciting news: Amazon has restocked physical copies for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2. Hooray! All copies are available to pick up for $69.99, though you’ll want to be quick to make a move on them. Who knows how much longer they’ll be in stock at the retailer, so now is as good a time as any to grab them.
If you’re able to get your hands on a physical copy, it’s worth mentioning that we’re very big fans of Resident Evil Requiem. Our review from IGN’s Tristan Ogilvie said it, “successfully splices two separate strains of survival horror together into the one highly infectious new mutation. It signals the return of a series legend and the arrival of a likeable new lead, amps up the gore to a new stomach-turning standard, and unleashes a scarier breed of zombie alongside some truly beastly boss fights.”
Plus, it looks like there’s some extra content in development for the game right now as well, including a story expansion and additional ‘mini game’, which is exciting to look forward to. No better time to scoop up the game while it’s still in stock and available so you can jump into all of this once it’s out, alongside its great main story.
If you grab a copy of Resident Evil Requiem and are still in the shopping mood, there are quite a few gaming deals worth exploring right now, too. Mainly, this week kicked off Mario Day celebrations, and there have been plenty of Mario games popping up on sale. Or, if you prefer to play on PC, it’s worth having a look at March’s Humble Choice lineup to see if this month’s selection is worth adding to your online library.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.
I think that genres, particularly in the realm of games, are often more used as marketing tools than signifiers of the contents therewithin. Still! Genre labels are a useful thing to quickly ascertain the thing you’re doing in a game. Take, for example, Arc Raiders and its specific genre of extraction shooter. You know you’ll be shooting, and extracting something, even if it technically isn’t that simple in practice, but you get the gist. However, at one point in time, the genre of the game completely depended on who you asked.
It’s Shard out here.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A‘s next Ranked Battle event begins today (12th March), and this one is a little different to those which have come before. You see, Season 8 is a “Special Season”.
What does that mean, exactly? Well, this Special Season has its own unique ruleset and rewards, the latter of which will see you loading up on boatloads of Mega Shards to use on anything in-game from Mega Stones to EXP. Candy.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Today, Square Enix released one of the most beloved RPGs of the century, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, digitally on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC, with support for Xbox Play Anywhere. The game has also been optimized for play on the ROG Xbox Ally. Players can now experience the epic adventure with upgraded visuals, quality-of-life updates and exciting minigames, now across additional platforms.
Bravely Default, originally released in 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS, is the first RPG in the beloved Bravely franchise, which has sold over 4 million units worldwide.
The game tells a classic fantasy story of crystals and warriors of light, brought to life through memorable characters designed by Akihiko Yoshida and a stunning music by Revo. It’s also famous for its deceptively simple narrative and the iconic Brave & Default battle system. The title marked the beginning of Team Asano, the creators behind the critically acclaimed Octopath Traveler series.
Now, this beloved RPG returns as Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, redesigned for modern consoles and available now on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC.
Curious to see what makes this adventure so special? Let’s dive in.
If you’re looking for a classic RPG adventure, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is one you won’t want to miss.
The first game in the Bravely series returns with a beautiful HD upgrade, blending the charm of classic JRPGs with modern polish. It features a gripping story, a flexible job system, and the signature Brave & Default battle system that gives turn-based combat a unique strategic twist.
The adventure follows Tiz, Agnès, Edea, and Ringabel, four heroes on a quest to close a catastrophic chasm and free the crystals—only to discover that their mission may not be what it first seems.
You may also notice the full title. While Western players knew the original as Bravely Default, it was released in Japan as Bravely Default Flying Fairy – a name this remaster proudly restores.
Combat in Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is built around a deep and engaging battle system – one so central, it’s in the game’s name.
The Brave & Default system revolves around managing Brave Points (BP), which determine how many actions you can take in a turn. Use Brave to spend BP and unleash multiple actions at once, or choose Default to defend and build BP for a bigger move later.
Mastering when to attack aggressively or hold back adds a thrilling layer of strategy to every battle.
Brave lets you act up to four times in a single turn, opening the door to powerful strategies.
Unleash a flurry of attacks to overwhelm enemies, or chain together abilities like resurrection and healing to turn the tide of battle. You can even spend BP in advance, pushing your total into the negative to act immediately.
But there’s a risk: while your BP is below zero, you won’t be able to act again until it recovers. Timing your bravery wisely is key to victory.
Default allows you to store BP while reducing incoming damage, giving you a defensive option that also prepares you for a stronger turn later.
Taking a moment to Default can also help you observe enemy behavior – especially useful when facing a new enemy or a powerful boss.
Just remember: enemies can Brave and Default, too. If you see them stacking BP with repeated Defaults, be ready – a devastating counterattack may be coming.
Exploiting enemy weaknesses is the fastest way to bring them down. For example, the Eternian Guards you encounter early in the adventure are vulnerable to lightning – so casting a thunder spell can deal massive damage.
But how do you uncover an enemy’s weaknesses in the first place?
From the very start of the game, Freelancers have access to the Examine ability. This skill reveals key information about an enemy, including their type, weaknesses, and HP.
It’s incredibly useful when you’re learning the game’s systems, so it’s a good idea to keep at least one character equipped with the Freelancer’s Miscellany Job Command to analyze enemies during battle.
When you first start playing, it’s tempting to spend as many Brave charges as possible to unleash a huge burst of attacks. More damage is always satisfying, after all.
But overusing BP can leave your party exposed. While your BP is negative, you can’t issue commands—giving enemies the perfect opportunity to strike back.
Often, it’s smarter to use Brave more carefully. Spending just a couple of charges while you learn an enemy’s tactics can keep your party safe and ready to respond.
In Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, some jobs focus on dealing damage, while others keep your party alive. Roles like the White Mage can make the difference between victory and defeat in tough battles.
That’s why saving BP can be so important. Building a reserve gives you the flexibility to heal, buff, or react when things suddenly turn against you.
For example, using Default during the opening turns of a boss fight can set you up with enough BP to support your party when it matters most.
Need a breather from adventuring? Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster introduces two all-new minigames to enjoy between battles:
Luxencheer Rhythm Catch…
…and Ringabel’s Panic Cruise!
Playing these minigames rewards you with various bonuses, including new entries in D’s Journal that reveal previously unseen details about the story.
These minigames have been fully reimagined for Xbox platforms, featuring brand-new content that wasn’t included in the original 3DS version. Dive in and enjoy these exciting additions with support for mouse, controller and Xbox Ally!
To celebrate the launch, the game is available digitally at a 20% discount on Xbox through March 26, 2026. Players who purchase the game will also receive a digital art book as a permanent bonus.
To all Xbox users—thank you for waiting! I’m truly excited that we’re able to bring to Xbox the game that could be considered the very starting point of the Asano Team.
Please immerse yourself in its warm, storybook-like world and the beautifully crafted music that brings it to life. Become one of the Four Warriors of Light and set off on your journey to Luxendarc. I promise you’ll experience the timeless fun of a classic JRPG, along with well-tuned difficulty options that offer just the right challenge, letting you lose track of time as you play. As for me, I’m looking forward to playing it myself at home on my Series X on release day – and I sincerely hope all of you will begin your adventure with that same excitement!
The post Combat Tips for Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, Available Now appeared first on Xbox Wire.
You decide the difficulty on your replay with the free Challenge Mode patch, out today! This patch includes 40+ hours of replayability with all new outfits and upgraded abilities, a level modifier to challenge your skills, and 15 new Trophies.
Playing Tomb Raider I-III Remastered gives us that classic 90s vibe but leaves us craving more, so we created this strategy guide for Lara’s new wardrobe to scratch that nostalgic itch. Her new outfits are earned through a series of challenges in each game using the new Challenge Mode to modify level difficulty. They’re more than new skins, outfits add unique enhancements to Lara’s abilities. Refer back to this guide whenever you’re ready to unlock another new fit.
She may look deadly but Lara’s look is less gladiator and more Pax Romana.
No mountain tall enough, no valley low enough for a Croft to overcome.
Pain is gain. Forget the first aid, only fighting makes her stronger.
From one mobster to another, the shotgun is the only gun you’ll need.
Smell blood in the water? Forget the crocodiles, there’s something deadlier swimming in the deep.
More fire power, less fire damage. Exactly what you’d expect from a dragon… warrior.
Too fast to care if that was a mobster or a mutant. Even if they catch up, they won’t last long.
Flying High
A super soldier like this only comes out of one highly-classified government facility.
The harder the run the better. Lara went through a dark and undead phase, just like the rest of us.
Ever been so cold you can’t be burned? Yeah, same for Lara.
Fend off a hoard of apes and velociraptors, sprinkle in some mummies, a couple bats, and you’ve only got a pair of pistols and -5 hp/s regen rate to hold them off. Time to lock and load. Dial in the difficulty on any level you’ve already completed with modifiers in the new Challenge Mode. Don’t want to play hard? Set Lara to 500% health and take a nature walk instead.
When most people start the first Tomb Raider game they think wow, this is really hard. Not you though. You want the game to be even harder. You want to beat it with higher risks and loftier rewards. Increase your CR (challenge rating) with mods like downgraded weapons, less health, and even more enemies to earn up to 15 new trophies.
Challenge Mode is a free patch for Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. Thanks to the community for supporting us at Aspyr, on our journey with Crystal Dynamics, to bring these classics to modern consoles and to celebrate the 30 year legacy that is Lara Croft.
After some fans expressed concern about the performance of ambitious new open world game Crimson Desert on consoles, we finally have a look at the game on a PlayStation 5 Pro.
The reveal comes courtesy of the tech wizards at Digital Foundry, whose John Linneman sounded enamoured with what he called “a stunning game.” The game’s ray tracing features are fully present on the Pro, and the water looks lovely indeed.
Digital Foundry said its counts confirm the PS5 Pro targets outlined by Crimson Desert developer and publisher Pearl Abyss below, but it’s reserving judgment for the final release. Performance Mode “puts up a good fight,” Linneman said, and “by and large” the 60fps target is maintained. “I was surprised by how good it was overall,” he added.
Crimson Desert on console! An extended look at the near-final game running on PlayStation 5 Pro, covering all graphics modes. And one of my favourite video intros I’ve seen from the channel! https://t.co/jCcap1oa7s pic.twitter.com/xLrxVi8WEm
— Digital Foundry (@digitalfoundry) March 12, 2026
DF found the frame rate drops amid larger crowds, anything involving tonnes of NPCs or enemies, with occasional dips also in quieter spots. The frame rate dropped “significantly” during a big early battle, slipping all the way into the 30s. You can trigger similar results in some of the game’s large cities, too. But, Linneman stressed, this is “not the norm at all.” The 30fps and 40fps modes are more stable overall. Linneman recommends the 40fps or 60fps modes because the 30fps mode feels less responsive than he would have liked, but he thinks this “heavy” gameplay feel is a design choice.
Now, it’s worth noting that we still haven’t seen Crimson Desert running on base consoles, including the less powerful Xbox Series S. Digital Foundry notes this in its video. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to see how Crimson Desert runs on base consoles soon.
Digital Foundry chief Richard Leadbetter told IGN: “We’ve not seen much of Crimson Desert on consoles, but when Pearl Abyss offered us the chance to take a look at the PS5 Pro version with no limitations on what we could cover, we jumped at the chance. My main concern was not so much about graphics but on demands on the CPU. Yes, it can be demanding, but overall performance across the three modes is impressive. But more impressive is really what this game is about — the scale and the scope and the systems-driven open world. The high-end PC experience scales well to PS5 Pro and we’re looking forward to seeing the other console versions.”
Earlier this week, Pearl Abyss detailed how the Crimson Desert will run on consoles just over a week before its launch date. As you’d expect, there’s a wide range of performance benchmarks across the console spectrum, from the lesser-powered Xbox Series S right up to the beefy PlayStation 5 Pro.
For each machine, including the base PS5 and Xbox Series X, the developer has also included details for up to three modes (Performance, Balanced and Quality), and there are details of both resolution and “target performance” in terms of frame rate, as well as the quality of raytracing enabled.
The console versions of Crimson Desert have recently come under scrutiny, with Pearl Abyss accused by some fans online of hiding the game’s PlayStation and Xbox versions prior to launch — something that has sparked fears of Cyberpunk 2077-style debacle, where the game’s lesser-powered and buggy console versions were not shown at all before release.
Last week, however, a spokesperson for the highly-anticipated open-world action game begged fans to “let us cook” and show the console version when it was ready — even though we are now just days from the game’s arrival.
“We’re not hiding anything, and I’m sick of having to repeat myself,” Pearl Abyss spokesperson Will Powers said at the time. “I’ve repeated 100s of times that we’ll reveal things ahead of launch to give people adequate time to still preorder the game for themselves. We’re saying this openly… Let us cook? Please and thank you. /rant”
Last month, Powers said the developers at Pearl Abyss were doubling down on the “optimization phase” in a bid to get performance as smooth as possible across all platforms ahead of Crimson Desert’s release date. Crimson Desert is due out March 19 priced $69.99. Pearl Abyss recently confirmed it does not contain a cosmetic cash shop nor microtransactions of any kind.
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.
Well, a week out from the gargantuan merging of MMO and RPG bits’ release, we finally know what Crimson Desert is. It’s a game that’s just slurped down some Denuvo DRM (. Yep, the shonky enormity of exploding slippage whose devs reckon they announced it too early has been fed some anti-tamper software at the last minute.
Sony has reportedly pulled back from PC gaming to such an extent that its big single-player PlayStation games will remain exclusive to the PS5, marking a significant strategy shift. And while it was speculated that one of the reasons Sony made the decision was to avoid PlayStation games showing up on the next-gen Xbox, which plays PC games as well as Xbox games, one developer at a studio Sony just shut down has another idea.
Peter Dalton, Head of Technology at Bluepoint Games, took to social media to say a “more interesting possibility” is that Sony is responding to the rise of a Steam-based console ecosystem, aka the recently announced and subsequently delayed Steam Machine.
“Consoles largely exist because they provide a cheaper, simpler alternative to gaming PCs,” Dalton said. “For most households, a dedicated gaming console is easier to justify than building or maintaining a high-end PC.
“However, if Valve releases a new Steam console that provides a console-like experience while still giving players access to the entire PC game library, that could become a very compelling option. In that scenario, if Sony were releasing all of its games day-and-date on PC, the Steam console could effectively offer the best of all worlds: console simplicity with the full breadth of PC gaming.
“It would be quite ironic if, after decades of traditional console competition, Valve ultimately ended up winning the console war.”
The question is, when will Valve actually release Steam Machine, and at what price? Valve recently suggested Steam Machine may not launch until 2027, but walked that back by saying it still intends to release the hardware this year. As for the price, Valve has yet to say, but the company faces an uphill battle keeping Steam Machine relatively cheap due to the AI obsession causing PC hardware to spike in price.
Earlier this month, Bloomberg suggested poor recent sales of PlayStation games on PC and the risk to the PlayStation brand, as well as a potential impact on PS5 and maybe even PS6 sales, were to blame for Sony’s policy shift. But it also suggested the prospect of PlayStation games running on the next Xbox may have encouraged Sony’s return to console exclusives.
Sony has in recent years expanded PlayStation to PC, but refrained from going as far as Microsoft, which releases all its games on PC at the same time as console. Sony, however, has employed a staggered approach, releasing its single-player PlayStation games on PC after a period of console exclusivity. When it comes to live service games like Helldivers 2 it’s a different story, with Sony publishing on PC day-one — and in the case of Arrowhead’s third-person action game, to record-breaking success. Indeed, Sony-owned Bungie launched live service extraction shooter Marathon across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S at the same time. The upshot of this is Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yotei and Insomniac’s Marvel’s Wolverine will not release on PC, but remain PS5 exclusives.
But because some big single-player PlayStation games are already on Steam, then the next Xbox will potentially play the likes of Marvel’s Spider-Man and Ghost of Tsushima. All these games will of course be playable on Steam Machine when it eventually comes out.
As for Bluepoint, the studio behind the remakes of both Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls, roughly 70 employees are going to be impacted by the closure when it officially occurs this month.
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.
The folks behind PEGI – the age rating system used for games in Europe outside of Germany – have announced plans to update their criteria so that games which feature likes of loot boxes, harbour NFTs or blockchain-related bollocks, or pressurise players into returning via daily quests will automatically be given specific age reccomendations to match.
