Category: Video Games

Anime Vangaurds Update 3.5 Adds Starting Questline and Boss Rush Multiplayer Support

Anime Vanguards update 3.5 is here with four new units, multiplayer functionality for boss rush, a starting questline, and a collection of bug and quality-of-life adjustments for Roblox players.

Developer Kitawari unveiled everything in its Fate Boss Event patch notes, pulling back the curtain with even more changes following the arrival of update 3.0 late last month. Topping the list of new content are four units – Sokora, Saber, Lilia, and Isdead – which can be found across different in-game challenges. There’s also a Saber boss event, which comes with its own rewards, including two Secret units, trait rerolls, gold and gems, and more that you’ll have to log in to see for yourself.

The Boss Rush overhaul includes multiplayer functionality for Roblox players looking to take on challenging tasks with friends, as well as normal and elite difficulty modes, tournament support, and boss event cycle changes. The Anime Vanguards Sand Village map has also gotten a full-on facelift that gives it a new design and enhanced visuals, and Worldlines have been reset, with additional resets coming every .5 update. Another new feature is one Kitawari says it added to address fan feedback: a starting player questline.

“We’ve acknowledged how overwhelming the early game may be for our new players,” Kitawari said. “To help with this, all new players will be greeted with a uniquely created questline which will guide them through the various elements of the game, and reward them with a Mythic Vogita Super upon quest end to start their journey in Anime Vanguards! We intend to create a great experience for all, and will continue looking into the various ways we can improve the gameplay for new as well as returning players alike in future updates.”

Anime Vanguards update 3.5 brings plenty to keep players fighting off waves of enemies, but it’s only Kitawari’s latest content delivery. Last month, the team rolled out update 3.0, which focused on more winter-themed goodies to enjoy but also introduced a brand-new lobby and the Portals game mode. These changes and more are here to bolster the Roblox experience around the one-year anniversary of its original launch in January 2024.

There’s currently no word regarding when Anime Vanguards update 4.0 will arrive, but at this rate, players may only have to wait a few weeks to learn more. For everything else on Kitawari’s anime tower defense game, you can see all active codes here. Finally, you can see the full update 3.5 patch notes, below.

Anime Vanguards Update 3.5 Patch Notes

Fate Boss Event

Features

– NEW! 4 NEW UNITS!

This update is coming out with 4 new units! These units will be found in:

  • New Boss Rush

· Sokora, Sokora (Angra Mainyu)

  • New Secret Evolution

· Saber (Alternate), Saber (Black Tyrant)

  • New Mythic Banner Unit

· Lilia, Lilia And Berserker

  • New Worldlines Floor 50 Reward

· Isdead, Isdead (Romantic)

– NEW! Saber (Alternate) Boss Event

Dark Sokora and the formidable Tyrant Saber (Alternate) have appeared! Dark Sokora plans to fuse with the malevolent Angra Mainyu; do you have what it takes to stop them?

Boss Rush Rewards Include:

  • 2 New Secret Units
  • Trait Rerolls
  • Gold & Gems
  • … and more!

How to Obtain Saber (Alternate)

You can obtain Saber (Alternate) by placing a Saber (King Of Knights) unit next to the A.W.E Boss that remains stationary at enemy spawn. The A.W.E Boss will spawn at Wave 15, and Wave 25, staying for 5 waves each time.

Upon Unit Placement or Boss Spawn, all Saber (King Of Knights) units within range will become “corrupted” and transform into Saber (A.W.E.), with the interaction having a small chance of dropping the Saber (Alternate) unit, up to a maximum of 3 tries per match (up to 6 while using the Saber Servant Mechanic).

Servants Mechanic

Bring forth a fabled figure of choice to assist you in battle – each Servant offers unique mechanics, so be sure to read their ability descriptions with care, some may be better suited for your team than others.

– Unlocking Servants

The powerful Berserker Servant is available for free, while the others must be purchased using the servant’s corresponding unit’s evolution item. Once acquired, they are permanently available for use in battle. Choose carefully, or acquire them all and unleash their power!

– Command Seal Activation

You can Activate or Empower your chosen Servant’s mechanic up to 3 times by pressing the red Command Seal button near the inventory. Use them wisely to turn the tide of battle!

– NEW! Boss Rush Overhaul

We’ve made several changes to make playing boss rushes much more fun and meaningful! These include:

  • Multiplayer Functionality

You’re now able to play Boss Rush with your friends, or alternatively use Public Matchmaking to join other players from across the world!

  • Normal & Elite Difficulty

We have split Boss Rushes into two separate difficulties, “Normal” which is a CO-OP gamemode that does not have access to tournaments, as well as an “Elite” Solo gamemode for those of you looking for a challenge, and to gain access to the Elite Tournament.

  • Elite Tournament

You’re now able to participate in the Boss Rush Tournaments which will reset alongside the boss rush cycle. Aim to clear the Event in the least time possible, and compete against other players in your local bracket!

Be careful when the bosses spawn–the waves automatically and immediately skip whenever the boss is alive!

  • Boss Event Cycle Changes

Along with boss events cycling, your boss event currency of that cycle and boss event stock will now also reset! We will most likely include evolution items and other important items to the legacy shop, making your legacy tokens more valuable and immune to cycle resets.

– NEW! Public Matchmaking

You’re now able to find matches with players to play your favorite game modes regardless of what server they are on through our brand new Public Lobbies system!

To join others, simply press the “Public Lobbies” button within the “fractures” UI and select any of the player hosted matches there.

To host your own match, press the “Create Match” button instead, and then press the “Find Match” button within the stage you have selected.

– NEW! Worldlines Reset

All players have been reset to Floor 1, and Soburo is no longer obtainable.
However, all the corresponding floor rewards have now returned, with Isdead replacing Soburo as the new Floor 50 reward.

As previously announced in the Discord server, Worldlines will reset every X.5 update, with the next reset planned for Update 4.5.

– NEW! Sand Village Remake

The sand village remake has finally arrived, featuring entirely brand new designs and enhanced visuals! As one of the last remaining original maps from release, this overhaul finally brings it up to the standard of our latest maps. We hope you enjoy exploring the new and improved Sand Village map as much as we do!

– NEW! Starting Player Questline

We’ve acknowledged how overwhelming the early game may be for our new players. To help with this, all new players will be greeted with a uniquely created questline which will guide them through the various elements of the game, and reward them with a Mythic Vogita Super upon quest end to start their journey in Anime Vanguards!

We intend to create a great experience for all, and will continue looking into the various ways we can improve the gameplay for new as well as returning players alike in future updates.

Changes & QoL

  • Added a visual timer when a unit gets stunned
  • Added Visual Indicators for Enemy Spawn & Friendly Base/End Of Path during the voting phase
  • Worldlines Leaderboard incorrectly had the same rewards as tournaments, this has now been fixed to match the other global leaderboards
  • An In-Game Elemental Reactions table has been added, making figuring out what each reaction does easier than ever! Furthermore, it comes with a “Show Only Elements In-Match” setting, which when on, will only show the reactions that can happen between your units and the enemies
  • You can now delete multiple portals at once
  • We’ve heard your requests! Sukuno now applies bleed up until upgrade 9, which is then replaced by burn (this is unrelated to the plans stated in Sub Announcements on our server)
  • Added Amount Sliders for purchasing items or summoning units
  • Increased game start time from 30 to 60 seconds. This helps players who take a longer time to load in, need more time to strategize and change their lineup, or just want to look around the map!
  • Added a “NEW” flair to recently obtained units, which goes away after interacting with them, in order to make newly-obtained units easier to spot
  • Added “NEW!” text next to world markers in areas where new major content has been added
  • Slightly revamped the Unit Traits Index UI, to easier tell what each trait does at a glance.
  • Unit circle indicators now change to purple when a unit is maxed.
  • The opening animation for windows is now smoother.
  • Added Sasori viewmodel to the Pass icon
  • Added background frames to all stat previews when hovering over units

… and more!

Bug Fixes

· Fixed Valentine (AU) clones costing Yen to place

· Fixed Rogita 4 (Super) also taking money for his clone, effectively doubling his placement cost

  • Emmie & Emmie (Ice Witch) no longer freeze friendly summons
  • Fixed Sosora missing a cosmetic on both the Shiny and Non-Shiny variants.
  • Fixed Padoru familiar buffs stacking
  • Fixed being able to buy a mount more than once in shop
  • Fixed being able to apply the same potion effect despite already having one active. It wouldn’t stack the effect further, but would still remove all effects after the first one ends
  • Fixed having ability auto-use enabled after a match ended spamming you with notifications
  • Fixed Soburo’s cosmetic idle animation not looping
  • Fixed +0% buffs being displayed, e.g. when Haruka Rin buffs a unit after her already being maxed
  • Fixed Panda mount being very small in viewport
  • Fixed an issue where mobile players were unable to change inputs in sandbox mode!

… and many more!

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Here’s What Comes in Each Edition

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on April 24. It’s a turn-based RPG, but it also incorporates real-time mechanics sort of like the Mario RPG series. But the tone is way more serious, weird, and artsy. It looks great. It’s coming out in standard and deluxe editions, and they’re all available for preorder now (see it at Amazon). Let’s dive in to see what comes in each.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Standard Edition

PS5

Xbox Series X|S

PC

If all you want is the base game, grab the standard edition. It doesn’t come with any extras, but it has the game and that’s all you really need.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Digital Deluxe Edition

The deluxe edition comes with the base game, plus the following extras:

  • The “Flowers” Collection – Six outfits and hairstyles inspired by the Flowers of Lumière, along with six additional “Gommage” outfit variations. One for each playable character.
  • “Clair” – A custom outfit for Maelle
  • “Obscur” – A custom outfit for Gustave

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Will Be on Xbox Game Pass

The standard edition of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be available on day one for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. Above, you’ll find the best current deal on a three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

How Does the Deluxe Edition Upgrade Work?

If you have Xbox Game Pass, but you want the extras that come in the digital deluxe edition, you can buy the deluxe edition upgrade on the Xbox Store with the link above. It does exactly what it sounds like: turns your standard edition into a deluxe edition.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Preorder Bonus

Unfortunately, there are no preorder bonuses available at this time. If that changes, we’ll drop them here.

What Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

Clair Obscur is a turn-based RPG developed by the French studio Sandfall Interactive that uses real-time elements during battles. It’s set in a dark fantasy world in which, once a year, a powerful being called the Paintress wakes and paints a number on her monolith. When she does, everyone of that age vanishes from the earth. As the game kicks off, the Paintress is going to wake soon and paint the number 33. You plays as Expedition 33, a group of 33-year-olds who plan to kill the Paintress.

The combat sounds like a real selling point for the game. It’s turn-based, but you do a lot of other things besides choosing attacks for your expeditioners. You can dodge, parry, and counter incoming attacks. You can chain combos together by pressing buttons in a rhythm, and you can use a free-aim system to target enemy weak points. It looks pretty cool. Check out our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 preview for more info.

Other Preorder Guides

Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Bluesky @chrislreed.com.

PGA TOUR 2K25: First Look – Find Out More About the New Demo

PGA TOUR 2K25: First Look – Find Out More About the New Demo

  • Brian Petzke, Digital Content Manager, 2K

PGA Tour 2K25 Demo Hero Image

2K Games and HB Studios invite you to get your hands on PGA TOUR 2K25: First Look, the free demo for the newest in the PGA TOUR 2K series. This is your first chance to experience some of the major improvements ahead of the February 21 launch date for the Deluxe and Legendary Editions (offering 7 days of early access ahead of the Standard version release date, February 28).

You can go download and play now – and rest assured that any progression made in the PGA TOUR 2K25: First Look demo will carry over into the full game (requires 2K Account and full game purchase on same platform).

The new demo will give you a taste of how PGA TOUR 2K25 captures the course experience like never before with stunning upgraded visuals, a new swing mechanic called EvoSwing, improved MyPlayer Progression Systems, and an all-new equipment progression system.

What to Expect in PGA TOUR 2K25: First Look

PGA Tour 2K25 Demo Screenshot

PGA TOUR 2K25: First Look is just a slice—no pun intended—of what you can expect in the full game. It features:

  • MyPlayer: Progression has been overhauled with a new Attributes System, improved Skill Trees, and all-new Equipment Progression. Experiment with different builds and create up to 3 MyPlayers in the demo.
  • The Back 9 at TPC Scottsdale: Enjoy one of the most recognizable courses on the PGA TOUR, home to the WM Phoenix Open. This popular course is a great first impression of PGA TOUR 2K25’s new visual fidelity.
  • Perfect Swing: Any player will tell you that there’s no better feeling than consistently hitting the fairways and greens like a champion. PGA TOUR 2K25 adds this new difficulty setting to give you the feeling of hitting that Perfect Swing with every swing. Switch your difficulty to Perfect Swing in the settings to reduce how much external factors, like wind direction and lie affect your ball trajectory.
  • EvoSwing: Swing mechanics have evolved! EvoSwing nails the feel of swinging a golf club in a way that no other title has. Whether your go-to is Swing Stick or 3-Click: a new era of golf has arrived!
PGA Tour 2K25 Demo Screenshot

In this demo, you’ll  be able to try out PGA TOUR 2K25’s MyPlayer creator, and check out improved graphics and gameplay systems. You’ll have to wait for the full game to get your hands on the MyCareer, multiplayer, and Course Designer modes. That said, being able to create your perfect golfer and then take them for a swing is the perfect entry point into PGA TOUR 2K25.

To help you create your ideal digital golfer in MyPlayer, base head models have been increased, a larger variety of skin tones has been added, the number and style of different hair options—including facial hair—has increased, and you can now customize height and body type.

PGA TOUR 2K25 has also added other improvements to MyPlayer that are more than just skin-deep. For each MyPlayer, you will choose an archetype. Each archetype has its own set of starting attributes that are reflective of a specific playstyle. As you play and progress, you will gain experience and Virtual Currency (VC) to upgrade your base attributes and associated skills.

Can’t decide on a particular archetype? You don’t have to! In PGA TOUR 2K25, you can have multiple MyPlayers all suited to a different style of play. You can create up to 3 MyPlayer builds in the First Look demo – experiment with different archetypes and progression paths and never feel locked into your first pick!

PGA Tour 2K25 Demo Screenshot

PGA TOUR 2K25 also introduces Equipment Progression, which you’ll get a glimpse of in First Look. Along with your MyPlayer, the equipment you choose to bring with you into each round also gains experience. This XP gives you the ability to upgrade equipment in-tune with your specific archetype, playstyle, and MyPlayer attributes. Any MyPlayers you create—and any experience you earn—will carry over into the full game!

To aid you in leveling your MyPlayer and equipment, PGA TOUR 2K25 includes an all-new Quest system. Head to “Quests & Profile” from the main menu to view available quests, or cycle over to the “Quests” tab from the pause menu. In the demo, you’ll get an introduction to Quests during training. In the full game, you will have quests and challenges that can be completed to earn different rewards on a daily, weekly, or seasonal basis.

PGA Tour 2K25 Demo Screenshot

Once you’ve played the PGA TOUR 2K25: First Look demo and decide to upgrade to the full game, the transition is quite seamless—as long as you log in with the same 2K Account and purchase on the same platform on which you played the demo. Upon booting the full game for the first time, PGA TOUR 2K25 will import any MyPlayers created in the First Look, along with any experience gained and rewards earned. You can then edit them further, or simply continue your journey into MyCareer or multiplayer—which includes cross-platform play and really fun, competitive Ranked Tours.

The PGA TOUR 2K25: First Look demo is available to play right now on Xbox Series X|S.

The post PGA TOUR 2K25: First Look – Find Out More About the New Demo appeared first on Xbox Wire.

New MLB The Show 25 gameplay and modes revealed

We at San Diego Studio are thrilled to give you your first look at MLB The Show 25, launching March 18. As we celebrate 20 years of The Show, we’re deepening fan-favorite modes like Road To The Show and introducing an all-new mode in Diamond Dynasty called Diamond Quest. And, of course, gameplay remains our top priority, just like every year.


New MLB The Show 25 gameplay and modes revealed

Road To The Show

  • Begin your Road To The Show journey by playing two to three games in High School, and play three to four College games in The Amateur Years.
  • Build the Road To The Show ballplayer you want, the way you want to. Utilize a revamped attribute progression system for more control over your player’s development, including crafting Perks to your liking.
  • Hear authentic High School and College audio – hear the clank of metal bats and the rattle of chain link fences.
  • RTTS/Player Lock will feature a variety of all-new Impact Plays and Quick Time Events for all positions and baserunners. 

Franchise

  • This year, in the Franchise mode, choices matter, consequences are real, and time is precious as a revitalized Free Agency system adds risk/reward elements, strategy, and excitement to the pursuit of the top free agents each offseason. 

Expanded Diamond Dynasty and more

  • Sets and Seasons will not be returning in MLB The Show 25. 
  • Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 25 offers two new places to play: Diamond Quest, a risk-and-reward board game-like mode, and a highly competitive multiplayer mode in Weekend Classic featuring some of the best rewards. 
  • Speaking of rewards, fans can earn top rewards in their favorite modes at various points in the year, and new Team Affinity Programs will be the go-to place for fans to unlock items and players unique to their favorite MLB team.

Gameplay Improvements and Expansion with ShowTech

  • Hundreds of new animations for extreme realism across the whole game, including all-new Rob HR’s, Hot Shot catches, on-the-run catches and tags, and much much more.
  • G.O.A.T. difficulty new this year will give you the ultimate challenge.
  • All-New ambush hitting for a more realistic “plan of attack” at the plate.
  • New Reaction Time System on defense.  

Storylines presents The Negro Leagues Season 3

  • Celebrate baseball’s rich history with Storylines – play as famous and forgotten legends of the Negro Leagues while learning all about their incredible journeys. 
  • Storylines Season 3 will once again be narrated by Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick with a whole new roster of “some of the greatest players you’ve likely never heard of.” 

The Gameplay Trailer is packed with exciting new features, updates to fan-favorite modes, and the debut of three new Legends. If you missed anything, don’t worry—we’ve got plenty more to share. 

Get ready for an all-new Feature Deep Dive video series, hosted by Robert Flores from MLB Network, where we’ll break down everything coming to MLB The Show 25. It all starts next Tuesday, February 11th, with our first episode, diving into gameplay changes—including a closer look at Ambush Hitting. But that’s just the beginning. 

Feature Premieres are back each Thursday, giving you even more insights straight from the San Diego Studio development team. Tune in on Twitch and YouTube for deeper breakdowns of new modes, updates, and everything else coming to MLB The Show 25.

Pre-orders for all editions (Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition) are open now on theshow.com/purchase, platform stores, and participating retailers. For those pre-ordering Digital Deluxe Editions, Early Access begins March 14, 2025.

For all the physical card collectors out there, we’re excited to offer something special. Keep an eye out for this year’s limited-edition Topps Now 1 of 3 Cover Athlete cards. Each physical MLB The Show 25 Standard Edition purchase (physical editions only) that displays the Topps sticker (see above) on the front of the cover will include 1 of 3 exclusive physical MLB The Show 25 Topps trading cards, while supplies last*. Trading cards also include special /299, /99, /49, /25, /10, /5, /1 parallels and chase cards variants. Which card do you think you’ll get?

*These physical Topps trading cards are only available at participating retailers, and only included in physical versions with Topps trading card stickers on the outside packaging.

Sign Up for The Scouting Report

For all the fans, make sure to sign up for the MLB The Show Scouting Report to stay updated on all the latest features, updates, and legends coming to MLB The Show 25, while unlocking amazing rewards along the way. Starting in April 2025, subscribers will receive a unique exclusive pack every month through December 2025*, packed with incredible in-game rewards. Plus, the Golden Ticket Sweepstakes will return, with winners selected every month for amazing prizes like Packs, Stubs, clothing, autographed items from Elly De La Cruz, Gunnar Henderson, and Paul Skenes, along with even more surprises we can’t wait to reveal. Don’t miss out—sign up today on theshow.com

While you’re there, don’t forget to also set up your MLB The Show account and prepare for Opening Day. MLB The Show 25 allows you to easily move from platform to platform and keep access to your entire inventory of cards**. Head over to https://account.theshow.com/ and create your MLB The Show Account. After creating your MLB The Show account, login with your platform account and link it to your MLB The Show account, and you are all set.

For all the latest information on MLB The Show, be sure to head over to TheShow.com, sign up for The Scouting Report, and follow our X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. 

MLB The Show 25 launches on March 18.

*Internet connection required.

** Cross-platform progression requires an internet connection, and for each platform, you play on: 1) a copy of the MLB The Show 25 game compatible with your console (other platform versions sold separately); and 2) platform network account linked to your MLB The Show account.

The Last of Us Season 2 Will Feature ‘Pretty Brutal’ Content Cut From the Game

The Last of Us Season 2 on HBO will feature content that was cut from the original The Last of Us Part 2 video game, showrunner and Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann has said.

Druckmann told Entertainment Weekly that “pretty brutal” content will be revived through the show, including some of the Lost Levels that were somewhat restored in the PlayStation 5 remaster of The Last of Us Part 2.

These included three different early versions of scrapped levels, including Jackson Party, The Hunt, and Seattle Sewers. The first two of these are much more calm, with Ellie attending a party in the first and tracking a bleeding boar in the second, but the final one presents plenty of the intense horror fans of the game and show are familiar with as she’s stalked by monsters in the tunnels underneath Seattle.

Whatever cut content has made its way into the show will seemingly put fans on edge, however. “[It’s] pretty brutal, but I’m very excited for people to see it,” Druckmann said. He also teased that a “pretty prominent” character only talked about in the game will make an appearance, “similar to what we did with Frank in Season 1.”

Season 2 is set to add many new characters, of course, including Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Danny Ramirez as Manny, Tati Gabrielle as Mel, and many more, but one question mark remains as Catherine O’Hara has also joined in a mystery role.

Fans likely don’t have too long to wait before each mystery is answered, as Episode 1 of Season 2 is set to premiere in April, but there’s a chance some things will remain unclear for much longer. This is because HBO plans to extend The Last of Us Part 2 beyond a single season, unlike the critically acclaimed Season 1 which covered the entirety of the original game.

Fellow showrunner Craig Mazin has said previously that Part 2 features a lot more story to cover, so while Season 3 isn’t greenlit as of yet, they’ve built Season 2 with a “natural breakpoint” after just seven episodes.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Ware ye this Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 crash bug that cost me hours of progress

Warhorse’s medieval muck-o-rama Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 launches today. It’s an engrossing RPG, despite developer co-founder Dan Vávra’s tendency to throw his weight behind alt-right harassment campaigns. Also, a relatively bug-free one.

In the course of my 51 hours as reviewer, I’ve encountered only a smattering of more significant technical issues. Firstly, some heavy slowdown while roaming Trosky Castle, the centerpiece of the opening Bohemian Paradise region, which I resolved by quitting and reloading. Secondly, a mildly terrifying moment in a dugout when a wounded soldier I was supposed to be treating struck a T-pose, as though afflicted by lightning early onset arthritis. And thirdly a repeated crash bug which I feel warrants its own article given that, together with Deliverance 2’s eccentric saving system, it cost me several hours of progress.

Read more

Destiny 2: Heresy Has Missing Voice Lines Due to Ongoing SAG-AFTRA Strike, Bungie Warns

Destiny 2’s next Episode, Heresy, is just around the corner. The “final epilogue entry” for the Light and Darkness Saga will have some unvoiced lines of dialogue though, due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

In the recent This Week In Destiny update, Bungie said its teams have taken care to deliver the narrative and story content, but warned that certain voice lines will be silent due to the ongoing Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike.

Subtitles will be enabled by default so players don’t miss any story, and Bungie outlined a number of accessibility and visibility options for said subtitles. Heresy activities that have missing voice acting will display a warning before launch.

The SAG-AFTRA strike started last July after the union confirmed it had failed to reach an agreement with video companies following a series of negotiations. SAG-AFTRA cited a lack of agreement over regulating generative artificial intelligence (or GenAI) in projects.

Even games not subject to the strike have been affected. Activision, for example, recast several Zombies characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 after the voice actors reportedly chose not to sign new contracts in solidarity with striking union members. Some projects and teams have since struck an interim agreement, permitting members to work on those games.

The extent of Destiny 2: Heresy’s lack of voice-acting is unclear, though some fans have noted that it appears Sloane will be one of the silent characters. There’s no note on whether these voice lines could be added in a future update, if the studio and publisher reach a deal with the striking actors.

For more on how the strike has, and will continue to, affect the games you play, check out our feature from last year, What the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike Means for Gamers. Destiny 2: Heresy goes live on February 4, 2025.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s technical touch-ups include DLSS, “Experimental” visuals and far fewer bugs

Several hours in, it’s become apparent that I lack the patience for much of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s much-publicised historical accuracies, like needing to bathe yourself every six minutes or how 15th century Bohemians can take several consecutive sword swings to the neck without dying. Ah well! If you’re going to play it, know that it’s also a decent performer on PC – despite the almost threatening tone of its recommended system requirements – and, as far as I can see, isn’t anywhere near as bug-prone as the infamously unstable original.

Read more

Review: Under Defeat (Switch) – A Boldly Hardcore, Cult-Classic Shoot ‘Em Up

About 15 pounds per square inch at sea level.

Developer G.Rev may not be all that familiar to those who weren’t fully immersed in the shoot-’em-up scene of the early noughties. A boutique independent, it was assembled by former Taito employees who previously contributed to the likes of RayStorm and G-Darius. G.Rev’s most famous work, and the one that put it on the map, is Border Down: a wonderfully original 2003 shooting game for Sega’s Naomi arcade hardware and Dreamcast console. It was followed in 2006 by Under Defeat, switching from the horizontal to the vertical and trading sci-fi for a grounded militaristic theme.

Not to be confused with that other Dreamcast helicopter shoot ’em up, Psikyo’s Zero Gunner 2, Under Defeat pits pink-haired German soldier girls against the enemy forces of “The Union”. While any real-world similarities are dispelled by impossibly giant gunships torn from the pages of anime fiction, one of Under Defeat’s more interesting aspects is how hard-boiled it feels.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Coming Soon to Game Pass: Avowed, Madden NFL 25, and More

Coming Soon to Game Pass: Avowed, Madden NFL 25, and More

  • Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass

Welcome back, friends! Happy to be here with more news, games, and updates. Speaking of news, we had lots of it in the 2025 Developer_Direct – with a little “everything you see is coming to Game Pass” spice. Here’s what you missed!

So many games to look forward to, plus a few surprise “you can play them right now” messages. Now let’s get to even more games for Game Pass!

Available Today

Far Cry New Dawn (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 4
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard

Dive into a transformed, vibrant, post-apocalyptic Hope County, Montana, 17 years after a global nuclear catastrophe. Lead the fight against the Highwaymen as they seek to take over the last remaining resources.

Coming Soon

Another Crab’s Treasure (Console) – February 5
Now with Game Pass Standard

A soulslike adventure set in a crumbling underwater world. As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll need to wear the trash around you as shells to withstand attacks from enemies many times your size. Embark on an epic treasure hunt to buy back your repossessed shell and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Console) – February 5
Now with Game Pass Standard

Gather your allies for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, the grand JRPG adventure. Assemble your 6-party team from a cast of over a hundred heroes and shape your destiny in this lush, hand-crafted 2.5D world brimming with war, intrigue, and magic. Manage your town of vibrant characters, play delightful mini-games, and prepare for an unforgettable narrative of boundless charm.

Starfield (Xbox Series X|S) – February 5
Now with Game Pass Standard

Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.

Madden NFL 25 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play – February 6
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Read the defense and drive downfield with precision and get unlimited access to Madden NFL 25, coming soon to The Play List. Members can dominate the gridiron with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play. Plus, score a Supercharge Pack from February 6 to March 6.

Kingdom Two Crowns (Cloud and Console) – February 13
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Standard

Making a return to the Game Pass library! In Kingdom Two Crowns, players must work in the brand-new solo or co-op campaign mode to build their kingdom and secure it from the threat of the Greed. Experience new technology, units, enemies, mounts, and secrets in the next evolution of the award-winning micro strategy franchise!

Avowed (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – February 18
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Available on day one! Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can purchase the Avowed Premium Upgrade Addon to receive up to 5 days early access, two sets of premium skins, and access to the Avowed digital artbook & original soundtrack.

In Case You Missed It

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

The highly acclaimed and legendary game from 2008 returns graphically remastered! Ninja Gaiden 2 Black features the high-speed, ninja action of iconic hero Ryu Hayabusa and his deadly Dragon Sword. Embark on a global battle against formidable foes, engage in relentless combat, and play as additional characters Momiji, Ayana and Rachel. Learn more here on Xbox Wire.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Available on Xbox One and Cloud Gaming (Beta) via EA Play
Game Pass Ultimate

Stand against the darkness in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, winner of IGN’s Best Action Game of 2023 — now on The Play List! Continue Cal Kestis’ journey on Xbox One and with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) with Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play.

DLC / Game Updates

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 02 – Available now
You are in the fight now, so watch your back in four new 6v6 Multiplayer maps, fan-favorite modes like Gun Game, as well as a new Multiplayer mode where players can earn unique buffs. In Zombies, players will experience a brand-new map, The Tomb, and search for the Sentinel Artifact. The hunt has never been more thrilling. Check out the Call of Duty blog to learn more.

No Man’s Sky Worlds Part II Update – Available now
The latest free update to No Man’s Sky, Worlds Part II introduces billions of new stars and planets (including epic and volatile gas giants, deep water oceans and new biomes), massive technology upgrades to lighting, terrain and water, and much much more. Learn more here on Xbox Wire.

Game Pass Ultimate Perks

There are more Perks to love coming your way in February. Keep checking the Game Pass section on your console, Xbox mobile app, or Xbox app on PC to find new in-game content, consumables, and offers included with your Game Pass Ultimate membership. Number and content of Perks vary by region, platform, and over time.

Stumble Guys: RIP Streamer Pack – Available now
Grab the RIP Streamer skin, wield the Ban Hammer emote, plus 250 gems and 50 tokens in this fun multiplayer knockout battle royale!

Leaving February 15

The following games are leaving the library soon, so be sure to show them some love before they go! Save up to 20% off your purchase with your membership to keep these games in your library.

  • A Little to the Left (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Bloodstained Ritual of the Night (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • EA Sports UFC 3 (Console) EA Play
  • Indivisible (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Merge and Blade (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Return to Grace (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Tales of Arise (Cloud, Console, and PC)

We’re adding more games over time to the ‘Stream your own game’ collection for Game Pass Ultimate members. Go here to see the list of available cloud playable games to stream on supported devices if you own them.  

We’ll be back soon to check on your downloads for Avowed and more, so stay tuned to Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox on social in the meantime. Cheers!

The post Coming Soon to Game Pass: Avowed, Madden NFL 25, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.