The announcement of a new Tokyo Xtreme Racer for the first time in 18 years was a welcome surprise at the end of 2024. It now has a release date: January 23rd. It’s an Early Access launch, but I am excited to drive a gaudy monstrosity on a Japanese highway.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is set to release for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on February 4 (see it at Amazon). It’s an action-RPG that’s set in medieval Europe – one without magic or any kind of supernatural elements. You play as a knight who gets involved in all sorts of medieval problems and has to solve them. The game is coming out in multiple editions, so read on to see what comes in each one and where to place your preorder.
PS5
Xbox Series X
PC
If you don’t need any extras to go along with it, grab the standard edition, which gets you the game and that’s it.
PS5
Xbox Series X
PC
The gold edition includes the game itself, plus the following extras:
The GameStop-exclusive collector’s edition comes with the game itself, plus the following extras:
Preorder any version of the game, and you’ll receive the following:
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a direct sequel to the 2018 original. You step back into the boots of Henry of Skalitz, whose parents are murdered, and it’s time to seek revenge. This sends you on a quest across an open-world medieval Europe, engaging in activities such as blacksmithing and alchemy.
And while it’s nice to have played the original, it’s not entirely necessary to enjoy the sequel, as the story is self-contained. Check out our in-depth Kingdom Come: Deliverance II hands-on preview for more info.
Other Preorder Guides
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.
Blade Chimera is a cyberpunk metroidvania from Team Ladybug, the team behind the really very good Touhou Luna Nights and Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth. As with Deedlit – one of our favourite ‘vanias – I’m drawn to it partly for the opulent real-time RPG combat, and partly because, to be very superficial, the protagonist is taller than I’m used to in games like this. Sometimes he feels too tall for the levels.
Amazon is currently offering a SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset for only $258.99 after a 26% off discount. Only the Xbox model is marked down, however this is the best model because it’s actually compatible with the Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5 console via USB Type-C. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is rated the best gaming headset, and as someone who owns and uses this headset on a daily basis, I wholeheartedly agree.
The Arctis Nova Pro is the highest-end gaming headset in SteelSeries’ repertoire. It combines excellent sound quality with comfortable ergonomics, a high-performance mic, and unique yet extremely practical features. One of the biggest standout features of the SteelSeries Nova Pro wireless headset is the ingenious hot-swappable battery system. SteelSeries was generous enough to includes two batteries: one that’s in use in your headset and the other that’s charging in the separate DAC controller. This way, you get wireless freedom with no waiting to recharge. Each battery lasts for up to 22 hours of continued use, so you won’t be constantly swapping them out either.
Other great features include an OLED base station with volume control knob, active noise cancellation (rare in a gaming headset), retractable boom microphone, all-day comfort thanks to the suspension headband and leatherette ear cushions, simultaneous 2.4GHz WiFi and Bluetooth pairing, onboard audio presets, and the versatile Sonar software for creating your own custom sound profiles (for PC gamers).
In our “Masterpiece” 10/10 rated SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro review, Kevin Lee writes, “SteelSeries’ Pro Wireless headsets have always been a bit of a unicorn in the gaming headset world thanks to their outstanding sound quality, uniquely removable batteries, simultaneous connection support, and other rare features. The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless truly elevates this line of gaming headsets to another level: spatial sound and audio quality are fantastic, batteries can be hot-swapped for uninterrupted use, and you can make your gaming audio experience even more nuanced thanks to very noticeable changes in the equalizer and Sonar settings. The revised design accommodates all heads – large and small – comfortably, even for extended sessions. And to top things off, the more premium design and hybrid active noise canceling make the headset even more usable as a daily pair of wireless headphones.”
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Following the Republican victory in the US 2024 elections, several US companies have experimented with “pivoting away” from Diversity, Ethics and Inclusion, a collection of employment practices aimed at challenging bias and prejudice in the workplace. Facebook owners Meta, Amazon, Walmart, McDonalds and others are reportedly scaling back their DEI initiatives to stave off backlash or litigation from conservative pundits and politicians, who regard DEI guidance about discrimination as a form of discrimination in itself. Following the election, I’ve also noticed a couple of video game company executives express misgivings about DEI – misgivings that, amongst other things, illustrate that “DEI” has come to mean a lot more than just annual training about micro-aggressions.
The stop-gap generation.
And so it begins. Nintendo has pulled back the curtain on its next generation of hardware to reveal… exactly the thing everyone expected.
Officially revealed earlier today following months — no, years — of rumours, speculation, and leaks, the Nintendo Switch 2 is, on the face of it, what most people wanted. It’s the same basic concept, just a bit bigger, with more power and some improvements, plus hints at a couple of gimmicks not explicitly detailed in the trailer. We also glimpsed a few seconds of a new Mario Kart.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Gear up for a weekend of non-stop thrills and epic showdowns! Whether you’re scoring goals, hitting the gridiron, racing to the finish line, or landing knockout punches, this weekend has it all with Free Play Days! FC 25, College Football 25, Madden NFL 25, F1 24, NHL 25, UFC 5, WRC 24 and PGA Tour are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday January 16 at 12:01am Pacific until Sunday, January 19 at 11:59 Pacific.
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
25 Standard Edition Xbox One & Xbox Series X|SElectronic Arts
EA Sports FC 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
EA Sports FC 25 gives you more ways to win for the club. Team up with friends in your favorite modes with the new 5v5 Rush, and manage your club to victory as FC IQ delivers more tactical control than ever before.
College Football 25Electronic Arts
EA Sports College Football 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
In EA Sports College Football 25, experience explosive gameplay variety across 134 FBS schools and immerse yourself in the iconic atmospheres of college football as you chase college greatness.
Madden NFL 25Electronic Arts
EA Sports Madden NFL 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Hit like you mean it with FieldSense powered by Boom Tech on Xbox Series X|S. Experience how the new physics-informed dynamic tackling system unlocks realistic collisions & new gameplay animations on both sides of the ball.
Electronic Arts
F1 24
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Be One of the 20 and drive like the greatest in EA Sports F1 24, the official videogame of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Electronic Arts
NHL 25 (Xbox Series X|S)
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
EA Sports NHL 25 is powered by ICE-Q, a new gameplay intelligence system that gives you the time and space to control every inch of the ice. Experience true hockey intelligence.
Electronic Arts
UFC 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Powered by Frostbite, EA Sports UFC 5 is the next evolution of the fight game. From unrivalled graphics upgrades to all-new damage systems and doctor stoppages that affect gameplay in truly authentic fashion — this is as real as it gets.
WRC 24Electronic Arts
EA Sports WRC 24
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Experience the thrill of the 2024 rally season with new locations, moments, stages, high-performance vehicles, and licensed crews. Drive the latest models in new liveries. Brace yourself to embark on your rally journey.
PGA TOURElectronic Arts
EA Sports PGA Tour
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
The exclusive home of the Majors, EA Sports
PGA Tour features Pure Strike for superior golf gameplay powered by ShotLink,
and unrivaled access to the world’s most exclusive golf courses.
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.
The post Free Play Days – January EA Sports Takeover appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Astro Bot took top honors at the 2024 Game Awards, and we couldn’t be prouder of the little guy and his many friends. But Astro Bot doesn’t exist in a vacuum – Team Asobi’s award-winning hero comes from an illustrious legacy of PlayStation platformers spanning way back to the original PlayStation, from first-party studios and third-party developers and publishers alike.
If you’re looking to dig into the legacy of PlayStation platformers from the beginning to the current day, there’s no better way to do it than with the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog. Here’s a sampling of some noteworthy platformers you can play now.*
The “collectathon” subgenre of 3D platformer, emphasizing the hunt for hundreds of assorted doodads in sprawling levels, was quite popular around the turn of the millennium. A Hat in Time is a loving callback to those days spent scouring every nook and cranny, as players control Hat Kid in her quest to retrieve Time Pieces in a large and exceptionally silly cartoon world. Find Yarn Balls to make new hats and earn new powers, battle foes to gather Pons for upgrades, search for hidden Relics and Rift Tokens, and figure out what Mustache Girl’s whole deal is.
Publisher: Humble Games | Developer: Gears for Breakfast
Ready for some monkey business? Science gone wrong has created a gang of hyper-intelligent monkeys causing chaos through time, and it’s your job to bring these too-smart simians back home. As one of the first game series to use the DualShock controller’s dual-analog sticks to their full potential, Ape Escape lets you use careful movement and funky gadgets to sneak up on and nab these naughty simians. Be careful–you’ll want to pay close attention to the apes’ helmets to gauge their mood before you approach.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Ah, the humble dash: a truly beloved platformer maneuver. Indie-game pixel masterpiece Celeste elevates the act of using the simple dash to new levels to traverse huge screens packed with challenging hazards. Ground dashes, multidirectional mid-air dashes, dashes from a wall climb, items to grant multiple dashes–you’ll have loads of fun mastering the game’s fast movement to get around and snag all of its secrets. This is one mountain you’ll love to climb.
Publisher: Maddy Makes Games | Developer: Maddy Makes Games
Gravity Rush is your game if you like your platforming with a dose of open-world adventuring and memorable world-building. Amnesiac Kat wakes up in the city of Hekseville in the middle of a disastrous storm, quickly discovering that her cat companion allows her to shift gravity. She’ll use these skills to navigate Hekseville’s stunning architecture, fight off mysterious monsters, and aid the populace–all while delving deep into the mysteries around her.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment
This classic from Naughty Dog stars one of the most memorable platforming duos of the PS2 era. Jak’s buddy Daxter has a problem: he fell into a mysterious pool when the duo snuck onto Misty Island, and now he’s become small and very fuzzy. Now, the two are seeking out the Dark Sage Gol Asheron to fix things up and save the world in the process. Vibrant animations, colorful environments, and a then-revolutionary environment design that minimized load times keep Jak and Daxter feeling classic to this day.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Naughty Dog
Day-one PlayStation fans will talk your ear off about just how cool Jumping Flash was and how it wowed them as a showcase of original PlayStation power… but why not try to see what all the fuss was about? This unique first-person platformer starts Robbit, a mechanical rabbit who can jump really, really high. Explore surreal environments filled with bizarre foes, awesome weaponry, and plenty of floating platforms that give you space to hop up to absurd heights. There was nothing like it then, and it’s still a unique and fun game.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Exact, Ultra
Who says you need limbs to perform astounding feats of platforming? Rayman, Globox, Barbara, and the Goth Teensy have to deal with the aftermath of a century-long nap, rescuing the Teensies and once again saving the Glade of Dreams from evil forces. Besides gorgeous hand-drawn HD visuals, Rayman Legends offers up to four-player local co-op, so gather friends for a fantastic sidescrolling adventure.
Publisher: Ubisoft | Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
Here’s the other well-known duo of PlayStation platforming, whose adventures have continued into the current generation. Rift Apart uses the PS5’s capabilities to give players the biggest and most graphically stunning Ratchet and Clank outing yet, with the new Rift Tether gadget allowing for very fast travel. Prepare for shooting, gadget-driven navigation, and interdimensional hijinks, and the introduction of Ratchet’s alternate-dimension lady Lombax counterpart, Rivet.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Insomniac
He might be made of fabric, but Sackboy’s as tough as nails when it comes to adventure. Our stuffing-filled hero comes to rescue his fellow Sackpeople and Craftworld from the wicked Vex, and he’s got a whole wealth of new skills to show off. You’ll be rolling, diving, fluttering, and smacking foes around as you search for precious Dreamer Orbs. It won’t be easy, and you’ll need some help along the way. Fortunately, you can play with up to three other adventurers in online and local co-op to surmount the toughest obstacles.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sumo Digital
Who’s the stealthy, suave thief with a family history of heisting and a bushy, ringed tail? Sly Cooper, that’s who, and he’s on a mission to get back the missing pages of the Thievius Raccoonus–his family’s book of secrets–from the shady paws of the Fiendish Five. Platforming and stealth combine as you slink through the Fiendish Five’s lairs, using Sly’s distinct sneaking and thieving abilities to avoid guards, security systems, and other traps to take back the precious pages.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sucker Punch
Looking for even more platforming fun? Check out this in-depth feature on some of the best 3D platformers on PlayStation.
*The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup may differ in certain regions.
The Yakuza series has no shortage of weird and wonderful games. From the serious but goofy at times mainline entries to its plethora of historical spinoffs, prequels, and side stories. There’s something for everyone here, really. Whether you’re looking for the next installment in the long running Like a Dragon series, or just want to play something a little different, our last hands-on with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii ahead of release suggests that it’s shaping up to be another solid spin-off that will plunder dozens of hours from you.
Ever since Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag dropped way back in 2013, I’ve been itching for another worthy pirate adventure. While there have been a few decent attempts released since then, none of them managed to capture my attention and made me excited to get to pirating until I got the chance to play Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. At first glance, Pirates and Yakuza may seem like a combination that’s about as compatible as oil and water. But upon closer inspection, Like a Dragon’s world, eccentric main character, and not too overly serious presentation makes for a surprisingly competent and fun pirate adventure.
In Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii you assume the role of longtime series favorite Goro Majima after he loses his memory and winds up on an Hawaiian island. From everything I saw during my few hours of hands-on time, the series’ weirdness is cranked up to 11 here. Outside of beating up roving gangs of pirates and the occasional bounty with my small tiger companion, I found myself recruiting a wide assortment of weirdos to my pirate crew, playing a plethora of fun and surprisingly addicting minigames – such as a home run derby, karaoke, and sailing the pacific ocean in my pirate ship, complete with ship-to-ship combat and aggressive weather. To put it bluntly, there’s a lot to do here.
During my preview I spent a lot of time in the pirate city of Madlantis, an area overrun by pirates, criminals, and some genuinely strange people even by Yakuza’s standards. I was able to participate in numerous minigames and side activities such as claw games, ports of classic SEGA arcade games like Virtua Fighter, and the Pirates’ Coliseum, an area where I was able to engage in ship-to-ship combat to battle it out with an assortment of unique pirate crews, as well as other combat-based minigames.
Speaking of combat, in main gameplay, it strays away from the JRPG turn based style of the two previous Like a Dragon games in favor of a more traditional beat-’em-up combat style. Majima has two fighting styles: Mad Dog and Sea Dog. While both fighting styles are rooted in the standard “heavy and light attack mixed in with dodges” formula, both styles play differently enough that I found myself swapping between them in order to keep the momentum on my side and deal out as much damage as possible. In Mad Dog mode, Majima will don his familiar getup and use a plethora of fast combos to quickly dispatch an enemy. Sea Dog, on the other hand, has Majima wearing a pirate getup and relies on pirate-themed weaponry such as two cutlass swords, a pistol, and a grappling hook. While Mad Dog was fun to play, the majority of my combat time was spent in Sea Dog due to its diverse assortment of weapons and abilities. Regardless of what fighting style I had selected, though I found myself having a ton of fun beating up dozens of rival pirates.
That’s not to say combat didn’t have its shortcomings, though. Blocking and dodging took a bit of practice to get used to, and the enemies can range from a total pushover to a challenge that had me seeing the game over screen more times than I had expected to in a Yakuza game. Still, once I figured out how to effectively switch between fighting styles and take advantage of every tool and ability I had available, the combat became a challenging but rewarding experience.
Naval combat is a welcome addition to the Like a Dragon universe. While some games tend to over complicate ship combat, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii goes with a “less is more” approach to its maritime warfare sections. My ship had a few methods of destroying enemy vessels the port side of my pirate ship was donned with short-range flamethrowers that could deal immense damage as long as I was close to my target, while the starboard side of my ship was equipped with long-range cannons. Firing off these two options in addition to the front-facing machine guns is how I spent most of my time in ship-to-ship combat. The third option was to leave the helm of my ship and use Majima’s rocket launcher. While this didn’t do as much damage as the other options, it was pretty fun to jump around my boat and take pot shots at enemy ships. Regardless of which method I chose to engage in, I found myself having fun drifting my boat around and sinking enemy vessels.
Based on everything I’ve played so far, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is definitely shaping up to not only live up to the high standards of the Like a Dragon series, but it also has the potential to become one of the better pirate games released since Black Flag. With its fun and creative combat, intuitive ship warfare, and genuinely interesting and wacky world, you’re going to want to pack your Hawaiian shirt.
I have an on-and-off-again relationship with boardgaming based mostly on the fact that I have nobody to play boardgames with. I used to be part of a boardgaming circle, but then I missed a fateful opening round of Twilight Imperium, and then the pandemic started, and then everybody lost patience with Tabletop Game Simulator.
