Every game we scored 9/10 or higher.
The eShop Holiday sale ends this Sunday in Europe, so here’s your last reminder to get spending! Until the next sale, anyway…
Nintendo has officially kicked off its Switch eShop Holiday Sale in Europe, bringing beefy discounts to thousands of games until 12th January 2024.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Hyper Light Breaker, the upcoming roguelike prequel to Hyper Light Drifter, tasks you with trekking into the Overgrowth alone or with a friend in order to restore peace by defeating the Abyss King. Today we have two exclusive new gameplay videos to share with you. Both are boss fights.
The first, which you can watch above, pits you against Dro, described by the developers at Heart Machine as “a furious wolven warrior.” And the second, which you can watch below, showcases Exus, whom Heart Machine calls a “fierce gladiator.”
Hyper Light Breaker launches into Steam Early Access on Tuesday, January 14. Check out our first hands-on preview from 2023, and if you still want more, we previewed it again last year. Oh, and check back on Monday for one more exclusive gameplay video!
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
Slavic Magic and Hooded Horse have released a new Manor Lords update, adding a couple of maps, the ability to construct bridges, and a bevy of smaller features to an already quite robust medieval city builder.
Dale, Mat, and Jesse storm into 2025 with their opinions on Squid Game season 2 and discuss Jesse’s mad playstyle for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 at length. “What do these have in common?” I hear you yell. Mass murder… lots of mass murder.
We also have an increased amount of feedback this week, with some juicy questions about cardigans and goodie hunting. Remember to send us your thoughts about all the new games, TV shows, and films you’re enjoying or looking forward to: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.
IGN UK Podcast 782: Squid Game and Jesse’s Shocking KCD2 Playstyle
Factions. Here are the factions: the aggressive conquest Klingon guys. The evil insectoid hive mind who build stuff and/or have loads of cheap soldiers. The researchers who are probably robots and you usually pick because they can be competitive at anything. The diplomacy/espionage ones (humans, or The Greys).
You know what I’m talking about. You may well have thought of a recent exception too, since we’ve had a fair few 4Xeses experimenting with some of the standard formulae these last few years. It’s been a while though since I read through every word of every faction’s description and wanted to play all of them. Zephon captured my interest immediately.
There’s no better way to kick off the new year than with some nice video game deals. Thankfully Amazon and Walmart are already offering up some great discounts, including a first-time price drop on the physical edition of Black Myth: Wukong for PlayStation 5 (see here at Amazon, see here at Walmart).
Normally this game runs for $64.99 but you can grab it today for $56.99 at both retailers. This physical edition is well worth picking up as well considering it comes with a digital deluxe upgrade with some extra items. Check out the deal and more information on the digital deluxe items included below.
Alongside a physical disc with the base game, this copy also comes with a digital deluxe edition voucher code that’ll get you some cool items featured in the digital deluxe edition of the game. Those are:
We had plenty of praise for Black Myth: Wukong in our review. IGN’s Mitchell Saltzman said that, “Combat is fantastic thanks to a great balance of careful resource management and lightning-fast, twitch-reaction gameplay that tested my skills as much as Elden Ring ever has, despite being a more traditional action game than FromSoftware’s style. Not only that, but there are a ton of exciting boss battles, a great variety of enemies, and the world they inhabit is an absolute treat for the eyes and ears.”
If you’re looking for even more physical game deals to take advantage of right now, look no further than Best Buy. Right now the retailer has a sale on Ubisoft games, so you can score discounts on the likes of Star Wars Outlaws, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and more.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.
Starry-eyed surprise.
2025 brought three new Animal Crossing sets to LEGO’s line of cute critters from Nintendo’s slow-life-sim series, including the cheapest set in the main range so far.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Next Week on Xbox highlights all the games arriving soon on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass. Below are more details on these upcoming games, with links to their profiles for further information (release dates may change).
Cropware
Beautiful Sakura: Surfing Club (Windows) – January 15
Going in with low expectations, Kaito couldn’t believe it when he hit it off with the new girl at school, Michiko. But just as the two were getting to know each other, Kaito discovered that his new crush has a twin sister, Yuuki, and he begins to question everything he’s feeling. When Kaito finally comes to his senses, he realized that it may be too late. Who does Kaito end up choosing?
SilenGames
Perfect Ninja Painter 3 – January 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Perfect Ninja Painter 3 is a colorful puzzle platformer where players embark on a vibrant adventure with three ninja characters who must bring life and color to a world shrouded in gray. Armed with paintbrushes, the ninjas are tasked with coloring entire levels, solving puzzles, and overcoming obstacles that require a clever mix of creativity and strategy.
Eastasiasoft Limited
Runny Bunny – Console Edition – January 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Get ready for a fast and furry twist on puzzle action in side-scrolling pixel art platforming style! Play as a frantic little bunny as you dash between floors, walls and ceilings collecting power dots and yummy carrots.
Afil Games
Sokorobot – January 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A captivating puzzle game where you control an ingenious robot clearing and creating paths to reach the button that unlocks the next level. Combining classic puzzle mechanics with a futuristic setting, Sokorobot challenges players to think ahead and execute plans to conquer the levels.
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
Synduality Echo of Ada (Deluxe and Ultimate Edition Early Access) – January 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Taking place in the year 2222, years after a mysterious poisonous rain called The Tears of the New Moon wiped out most of humanity and birthed deformed creatures that now hunt the population. Amidst the calamity, humans are forced to build an underground haven to survive. Take on the role of a Drifter whose goal is to collect the rare resource known as AO Crystals. In your quest, you must collaborate with your artificial intelligence partner to face xenomorphic creatures known as Enders and survive the hazards on the surface.
Selecta Play
Morkul Ragast’s Rage – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A 2D video game that combines platforming and action with a touch of exploration, control Morkull, God of Death and Darkness and Lord of the Ragast. His main mechanic – breaking the fourth wall, which allows him to communicate with you in a multitude of ways.
Roflcopter Ink GmbH
Professor Doctor Jetpack – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Professor Doctor Jetpack is a physics based, pixel art, precision platformer, in which you embark on a dangerous journey to… control your jetpack. Join Albert Einstein’s digital remains on his whacky quest to save the world from hidden threats, like The Internet.
NiuGamer
Vanity Fair: The Pursuit – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
A fictional real-life interactive narrative with the theme of life “choices” and “survival in the entertainment industry”. The background of the story takes place between 2004 and 2024 in an imaginary world view. The gambling agreement you signed to realize your movie dream will be gradually involved in the whirlpool of “Vanity Fair”. When you are in a dilemma, what should you do?
Webnetic s. r. o.
Cherry Tower – January 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A charming 2D pixel platformer that will take you on a sweet adventure unlike any other! Join Cherry on her small adventure, climbing a tower to return home and maybe even more. Overcome obstacles and traps to achieve your goals.
KOEI TECMO AMERICA
Dynasty Warriors: Origins (Digital Deluxe Edition Early Access) – January 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Become immersed in exhilarating battles as a nameless hero in the Three Kingdoms. Play upon tension-filled battlefields where you clash against massive armies stretching as far as the eye can see. Standard edition launches on January 17.
Omegga Interactive
Hexa River – January 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Immerse yourself in the tranquil world of Hexa River, where your task is to bring life to the islands by guiding water through intricate puzzles. With a relaxing soundtrack and stunning low-poly visuals, each level offers a satisfying challenge that will keep you engaged as you ensure the crops grow lush and healthy.
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
Tales of Graces f Remastered – January 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Tales of Graces f is back with a beautiful and easier-to-play version in this action RPG about adventure in fantasy worlds and overcoming obstacles through friendship and determination. The game also includes Lineage and Legacies, an after-story to the main scenario.
The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 13 to 17 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
December wrapped up another fun year of gaming. What did you enjoy most about last month’s title lineup?
How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog.
What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll.
Registrations for Elden Ring Nightreign’s hotly anticipated network test go live today, January 10. Here’s everything you need to know to put your name down.
The network test will be held on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S only, whereas the full game will also launch on PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
To register, head to the Bandai Namco website and enter your details. It’s worth noting that registration closes January 20, and only offers a chance to join the Elden Ring Nightreign network test. The test is open to those who do not subscribe to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core.
The test itself begins February 14 and ends February 17, with various session times planned. This means you won’t be able to play the network test throughout the entire four days, rather during five three-hour periods only.
The network test is a “preliminary verification test in which the selected testers play a portion of the game prior to the full game launch,” Bandai Namco said.
“This large-scale Network Stress Test is designed to evaluate various aspects of the online system’s functionality and performance.
“We are looking forward to your cooperation to make Elden Ring Nightreign even better.”
Bandai Namco has yet to say exactly what the Elden Ring Nightreign network test will offer, but did warn some text and game features may be different than in the final version.
Elden Ring Nightreign is FromSoftware’s standalone co-operative spin-off set in a world parallel to that of 2022’s Elden Ring. It was announced at The Game Awards 2024 with a debut trailer, below, and a 2025 release window.
Last year IGN had the opportunity to visit FromSoftware and go hands-on with an early build of Elden Ring Nightreign. We came away impressed, stating that Elden Ring Nightreign “takes the cautious dungeon crawls of Elden Ring and turbocharges them into propulsive, slash ‘n’ dash speedruns.”
Check out IGN’s interview with game director Junya Ishizaki for even more on Elden Ring Nightreign.
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.
