You’ve played through countless immersive sims as a cyborg, a thief, and a cyborg thief. Now, try doing it as a scuttling demon dominatrix. Brush Burial: Gutter World is the sneaky and frenetic new dollop of squalor from Knife Demon Software. It casts you once again as Fennel, a swamp devil with a pronged tail you can use as a whip and a grapple, knocking props around and swiping crossbow bolts out of midair.
Fennel seems as agile here as in the previous, excellent Brush Burial, pouncing from head to head like a tic, but they’ve bolstered their moveset with an injection of overclocked koppōjutsu. You can snare foes to perform sinuous, bone-crunching takedowns, the catch being that you’re vulnerable during the execution. It’s deeply, moreishly unpleasant. Those little fatal jerks at the end of the animation are more visceral than anything in Doom Eternal. I’m not sure I can bear to watch the trailer again. Here it is.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A on Switch is ‘fine’. For a lot of people, that’ll be enough. And certainly, even I’m surprised it’s as stable as it is after Legends: Arceus and Scarlet & Violet had more than their fair share of performance woes — the latter of which is almost a completely different game with the free Switch 2 patch.
But, this should go without saying, If you have the newer console and you want Legends: Z-A, get it on there. You can read my general thoughts on the entire game in my review, but performance-wise, 60fps, sharper image quality, and better stability means it’s a stronger experience overall by a wide margin on the Switch 2.
JDM: Japanese Drift Master races to Xbox this November
Rafal Basaj, Marketing Manager at Gaming Factory
Summary
Homage to street racing and Japanese culture.
Extensive car tuning options both visual and mechanical.
Launching on Xbox Series X|S November 21.
Can’t wait for Forza Horizon 6? Maybe this indie racing game focused on drifting in open world Japan, will sweeten up your patience!
What is JDM and Why Should I Care?
JDM: Japanese Drift Masteris an homage to Japan, Japanese street racing culture and drift. Set in a fictional prefecture of Guntama, the open world of JDM is a perfect blend of Tōge (mountainous) serpentines, narrow rural roads and vast highways leading to a modern cityscape. A drifting paradise come true! In game you will be able to tune your cars visually and mechanically to create your dream ride. Master hundreds of kilometres of roads in an open world free roam or challenge your skills in a story-driven campaign. You will experience drift battles, race track grip challenges and even drag racing – all in a single indie game.
That’s the marketing paragraph, but let’s talk for a second about what that truly means for me as a player. When I came to the company I was instantaneously enamoured by the approach to detail – the realistic, tight roads of Japan, which stood in contrast to the extremely wide roads you see in other racing games; the rural Japanese scenery and not only a recreation of a mega city like Tokyo; finally, a full story campaign and not another car festival. This was equally fresh and sentimental at the same time – the good old arcade racing games I remembered from my gaming youth were brought to a modern audience. I was immediately hooked.
Car Tuning is a Lifestyle
I did not really know what it meant until I went deep into the project, but the drifting scene is so much more than fast cars. It’s about belonging, it’s about the chill vibes and going sideways on roads sparkled with the rays of the sun setting behind the horizon, it’s about love and passion for every piece of added fiberglass to your car; it’s about style. With JDM we wanted to emulate this feeling so we’ve put hundreds of hours into our tuning system, which allows for very extensive modifications of your cars. From mechanical performance parts to a wide selection of cosmetics, ranging from different hoods and rims, through lights and side mirrors to full body kit swaps. You can even go deeper, setting your suspension height, wheel camber alignment, wheel and rim sizes, up to manually tuning your gear ratios. If that immediately scares you away, don’t worry, the game has automatic fine tune setting options for grip and drift races for anyone who is not (yet!) versed in car technicalities. We want you to experiment with your rides, learn as you test them out to finally achieve perfection – your very own JDM car – an ultimate goal in the street racing scene.
See, I’m already writing too many words for a blog post and I haven’t even touched on the cars themselves, that’s how enticing this whole culture is! In Japanese Drift Master you will find legendary licensed cars from Nissan, Honda, Subaru and Mazda that will become the canvas for your next tuned beauty!
OK, we’ve got our ride, it’s time to take it for a spin.
How Does a Drift Focused Game Compare to Other Racing Titles?
Drift is technical, it requires a fair amount of driving skill to tame the power of tuned cars and remain in control of them at all times. We were aware that racing fans might not necessarily be drifting champions as well, so we’ve prepared two different physics models to adapt for both seasoned drifters and the people for whom it may be the first step into this thrilling motorsport.
First and foremost there is the Arcade model, complete with various assists to ease going into and maintaining drift. It’s perfect for players who are primarily accustomed to grip racing on tracks. The other model – Simcade, is designed for drift enthusiasts who already know a thing or two about taking corners sideways. In Simcade you will have full control over your car but managing it will be that more challenging.
I would strongly advise to start your JDM adventure in the Arcade model and build your racing confidence before switching to Simcade. It’s a great way to understand how drifting works and what is really important to do it skilfully. At least, that’s how my story with the game went. I started playing JDM with mostly arcade background in racing games with no real idea how you should drift. Some hours into the game I was already switching my transmission to manual, the model to Simcade and doing another tōge run, to further my skills. Once you get a hang of it, the passion for drifting never goes away.
A Story to Follow
Modern, open-world racing games feel a little bit detached for me, with no real story to follow or characters to like. We didn’t want that in JDM, which is why we’ve written a whole story campaign that puts you in the shoes of Touma, a foreigner trying to make his name in Japan. It’s a light story about second chances with colourful characters and fierce rivalry, full of drama happening inside the cars and outside of them. The story was also another layer of homage that we wanted to pay to Japanese culture, which is why we’ve put it into a comic book, manga, format. Before and after each campaign race the player will see a page or two that pushes the story forward. Everything was hand drawn by a dedicated team.
The Passion
It’s time to wrap things up. JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a game made out of passion for cars, motorsport, Japan’s modern cultural heritage. It’s a love letter to drifting and the community that builds it in real life. It’s a dream come true for us as developers of this game and for me, who got a chance to work on it, soaking in the culture I was not previously fully aware of. Very soon, you will be able to become a part of the game as well, as players, so join us on November 21 as we celebrate the launch of the game on Xbox Series X|S!
Explore the birthplace of drift and dive into Japan’s iconic car culture!
JDM: Japanese Drift Master combines realistic, carefully-tuned physics in a simcade experience that’s as smooth on a controller as it is with sim racing hardware. Tackle hundreds of kilometers of open-world roads and uncover story-driven events and quests along the way. Hone your drifting skills, perfect grip races, take on challenges, and feel the thrill of authentic Japanese street racing.
Experience the automotive culture of Japan and discover the roads where drifting was born.
Open world with hundreds of kilometers of content
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Japan with the fictional prefecture of Guntama, inspired by the region of Honshu. With over 250 km of visually stunning main roads, you’ll explore diverse landscapes featuring traffic, dynamic weather, and day-night cycle systems. Challenge your skills on winding mountain passes or drift through the city’s bustling streets.
Customize licensed cars
The world of JDM would not be complete without a paint shop, where you can personalize your car in a truly Japanese style. Head to the tuner shop to unlock the full potential of the cars you’ve acquired from the dealership. Choose from licensed vehicles, including iconic brands like Mazda, Nissan, and Subaru.
Drift in the most satisfying way
No matter what your favorite steering device is – gamepad, steering wheel, or keyboard – the simcade driving physics ensures an enjoyable experience. Hone your skills and dominate over a variety of events and subquests, including drift, grip and drag races, as well as drift battles and more.
Get to know the story
Step into the shoes of a foreigner determined to make his mark on the Japanese drifting scene. Compete in 40+ narrative-driven events and additional sidequests against the top drifters in the area. Experience this journey through hand-drawn manga pages, which add a unique and artistic touch to the game.
Listen to the whirr of the engine
Experience authentic car sounds, captured through original recordings and brought to life with attention to detail, making you feel like you’re truly behind the wheel. Cruise along picturesque roads while tuning in to genre-themed radio stations, and choose the perfect soundtrack for your drive.
Last week, we asked you to focus in on the Onryō herself, and share epic portraits of Atsu in Ghost of Yōtei using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
NoviKaiba23shares Atsu peeking through the holes of her straw hat.
domgaticashares Atsu wielding her kusarigama as lightning strikes in the distance.
TakaSanGamesshares holding her hand out for a bird, surrounded by flowers and butterflies
AzureKnight75shares Atsu stalking forward after unleashing an Onryō howl in black and white.
domo_vpshares Atsu wielding her odachi wearing a white demon mask
secondcaptureshares young Atsu surrounded by yellow ginkgo leaves
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on X or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: Ghost of Yōtei – Landscapes SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on October 22, 2025
Next week, we’re taking in the breathtaking beauty of Ezo. Sharing landscapes from your journey across Ghost of Yōtei using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
Japanese fans playing Pokémon Legends Z-A have spotted a rare mention of Pikachu pooping. However, the game’s English-language translation adjusts the dialogue — and instead simply references Pikachu experiencing “tummy troubles.”
According to Automaton, “Pikachu’s Poop” briefly trended on X for some Japanese users after the discovery of a Lumiose City NPC who mentions that their Pokémon is unwell. “Pikachu’s pooping more than usual, I’m worried,” the character reportedly says.
There’s no follow-up dialogue, leaving players without any further detail on Pikachu’s bowel habits. Nevertheless, the mention is notable, based on how infrequently Pokémon actually references the creatures’ need to poop at all.
The Pokémon series has occaisonally mentioned Pokémon droppings, suggesting that some species’ poop makes for good fertilizer (Diglett), while other species’ poop can be dangerously explosive (Turtonator). A particular favorite Pokédex of mine mentions the Fire-type creature Darumaka, whose “droppings are hot so people used to put them in their clothes to keep themselves warm.” Lovely.
Back to Pikachu, though, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s English translation of the above scene. As seen by IGN, the explicit mention of poop has been replaced with the following dialogue: “My Pikachu’s been having tummy troubles recently. I’m worried…”
The English dialogue feels something of a santized take on the game’s original script, though in keeping with a franchise about wild creatures that tries to skirt around some of the less family-friendly aspects of their lives whenever possible. Breeding, death and Pokémon eating other Pokémon as food are all canon within the franchise — though it’s increasingly rare to hear these elements referenced in the series’ games or anime.
As I wrote in our King of Meat preview, I’ve long since fallen out of love with looting games. After thousands of hours rinsing RPG dungeons, I gaze upon even the shiniest and most temptingly crenelated of treasure chests with frigid contempt. But I’m not unenticed by the clanky and colourful, Deathloop meets The Division stylings of Arc Raiders, Embark and Nexon’s third-person extraction shooter, which is getting a three day open playtest this weekend.
Just when you thought Hallmark’s 2025 Christmas ornament lineup couldn’t get any better, it pulls this out of its festive stockings.
Halo 3’s 2025 ornament is certainly fantastic, and another immensely popular decoration from Hallmark.
But, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom “Decayed Master Sword” ornament just might take its place as a frontrunner on many of our trees this year.
Releasing on the same day as many of the other new ornaments, October 20, the Zelda ornament is up for preorder now and costs $31.99.
That’s a tiny bit more expensive than some of the other new ornaments available, such as the Halo 3 Master Chief, or that Xbox 360 which plays the Halo theme, but still well worth considering for gamers who love to get festive.
The increased cost may be down to the material used and its larger size, as it’s a metal ornament with a hanger attachment that makes it stable when hanging on the tree. Size-wise, it comes in at approximately 5.5in height, 2.25in width, and 0.75in depth.
That included a handful of great new additions like Link, Elephant Mario from Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Venusaur, and an adorable Winter-themed Rowlet.
These don’t light up or make sound like the Star Wars holo-chess diorama, so the prices are much more tolerable.
Robert Anderson is Senior Commerce Editor and IGN’s resident deals expert on games, collectibles, trading card games, and more. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.
One of last year’s most highly anticipated action titles, Stellar Blade, has seen a price cut at Amazon.
The game has landed within 2 cents of its previous lowest price at the retailer, bringing the character action title from Shift Up down to $49.99 from its $69.99 MSRP – a drop of 28%.
Save On Stellar Blade at Amazon Right Now
Stellar Blade puts players in the shoes of EVE, tasked with saving humanity from the Naytiba through fast, flashy combat that constantly evolves as she levels up and faces ever more challenging foes.
It looks incredible, too, whether you’re on a base PlayStation 5 or the PlayStation 5 Pro, with lightning-fast loading times.
The game previously dropped to around $50 around Black Friday 2024, but it’s worth noting that with another Holiday season on the horizon, there’s every chance it could drop further.
Our reviewer Mitchell Saltzman gave the game 7 out of 10 in his review, saying “Stellar Blade is great in all of the most important ways for an action game, but dull characters, a lackluster story, and several frustrating elements of its RPG mechanics prevent it from soaring along with the best of the genre.”
A sequel, unsurprisingly titled Stellar Blade 2, is in development and slated to arrive before 2027.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.
Marvel Rivals is finally getting a PVE mode, pitting five of the game’s 42 stylish and bizarre, caped or capeless crusaders against… zombies. Ah, zombies, the real heroes of any videogame looking to phone in a quick co-op wave attack mode (while dabbling in a little cross-promotion). The AI and character design are supposed to look basic, stoopid. The experience is supposed to feel like punching a bucket of porridge, you ass. These are brainless shamblers, not the Sinister Six.
Nintendo has apparently requested its global suppliers to pump out as many as 25 million Switch 2 console units by the end of March 2026, Bloomberg reports (paywalled).
If the Big N can manage this, it would set the company up for meeting the demands of what’s set to be a record-breaking first year of sales for the new console.
