Well, this is nice. Remedy’s exceptionally good horror game Alan Wake 2 is finally making royalties for the studio for the first time since its release in late 2023, after shifting over 2 million copies. The jubilant news comes from Remedy latest financial report, as spotted by VG247.
As of September last year, the musical-with-guns had “recouped most of its development and marketing expenses”, but still wasn’t quite in the green. Since then, they’ve released both The Lake House expansion and physical console editions, which appear to have done the trick. “October saw particularly high activity around Alan Wake 2,” says the report.
Over 70 years have passed since the events of Killing Floor 2, and the Horzine Corporation continues finding new ways to make our lives miserable. Few things are worse than the relentless pursuit of Zeds, especially now they’ve been augmented into something worse, yet Killing Floor 3 refines the existing formula to deliver a significant leap over its predecessor. What’s here so far feels flashier, stylish, and it’s shaping up to be a bloody good time.
Going hands-on before next week’s closed beta test, I was joined by fellow critics and Tripwire’s staff for some intense co-op matches. The Stronghold leaves a good first impression as your new base, letting you access facilities while exploring. It’s a more immersive approach that doesn’t place everything behind menus, though that remains an option for quick convenience. Once you’re ready, choose your location and prepare to head out.
Survival remains your main goal, and the six specialists provide an appealing range of play styles to suit different tastes. Blasting through Zeds with a shotgun as the Engineer feels great, as does slicing them into finer pieces as the Ninja. I personally prefer giving Zeds a quick cremation with Firebug, each character has compelling perks and versatile loadouts at the start.
Blasting through Zeds with a shotgun as the Engineer feels great, as does slicing them into finer pieces as the Ninja.
Killing Floor 3 offers great evolutionary changes over Killing Floor 2, though it doesn’t change the fact that defeating zombie waves is an idea done to the absolute death. You’re still clearing through waves as they appear across a series of well-designed expansive maps, while stocking up on goods between missions from trading stations feels cleaner and more streamlined. The core idea remains intact while boasting significantly improved visuals, boosted further by welcome user interface changes.
Tripwire’s brought back the Massive Evisceration and Trauma system, or M.E.A.T., for added visual flair to these enjoyably brutal kills. Special abilities are useful in a pinch when Zeds suddenly surround you, though a lengthy cooldown means you can’t rely on this too heavily. Dismembering heads and limbs alike soon becomes utter carnage with the suitably excessive blood splatter as you tear down these well varied enemies. Grotesque acid spewing Bloats still haunt these maps, Sirens are terrifying screamers, and who on earth thinks to give these cursed creatures a chainsaw?
I’m also enjoying how Killing Floor 3 implements its light narrative through assignment challenges, something Tripwire aims to use for an evolving story. You can safely ignore these if all you want is plow through more hordes, yet giving you optional criteria to hit during a mission provides that little extra for those who’d like it. Granted, the endless hordes can become relatively irritating as you try searching for particular parts, though it’s a welcome inclusion regardless.
I’m also pleased by the horde balancing depending on your team size; playing with a group of four or playing solo all feels adequately scaled. My big concern is that the action will become stale during longer sessions, so I’m pleased Tripwire’s introduced gameplay modifiers that kick in across rounds.Changing criteria like ensuring only crawlers try to attack you ensures these threats remain sufficiently varied.
There’s a lot I’ve yet to see, so I’m hesitant to make any definitive calls yet on Killing Floor 3. The launch game features seven maps, three difficulty modes, six specialists and different levels for customizing your character, and Tripwire plans post-launch similar to Killing Floor 2. So far, I’ve only tried three maps and half the specialists, while the store didn’t include finalized item pricing.
Still, it’s a promising start. Plowing through Zed hordes is nothing particularly new, yet Killing Floor 3 feels like it’s doing enough to compellingly refresh this familiar format. Whether it can maintain that momentum long-term is another matter, but I’m ready for more when Killing Floor 3 launches on March 25 for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5. The closed beta kicks off next week from February 20 to February 24.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 lets players act how they like in the medieval open world but not without consequences, and it turns out being an absolute arse all the time unlocks a secret, utterly dire ending.
Warning! Spoilers for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 follow:
GamesRadar spotted an X/Twitter post from @NikTekOfficial that shows what happens when you “commit multiple crimes” in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. “This is impressive,” they said of the scene that sees protagonist Henry executed.
Guards will accost Henry if he commits too many crimes, presenting him with an option to pay off his sins or continue the chaos by fighting his way free. The amount set is seemingly always too high, however, as Henry can only say he can’t afford the price and is instead thrown in prison.
If you commit multiple crimes in Kingdom Come Deliverance II, you will get a full execution cutscene. This is impressive! pic.twitter.com/m5IX7hUQ1J
A near two minute cutscene then shows Henry — who can exist as a hero of the realm beloved by all in other playthroughs — sitting in a cell awaiting a march to the gallows. He’s then taken away and jeered at by a crowd as he’s escorted to the hangman’s noose. Looking sad all the while, Henry’s life ends as the wood is kicked from under him and the game over screen appears . “You have been executed for your crimes,” it says.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 arrived February 4 as a story driven RPG that looks to emulate the atmosphere of 15th century Europe. It’s proved incredibly popular so far, having almost immediately sold one million copies, and it also earned high praise from critics.
In our 9/10 review, IGN said: “Armed with excellent melee combat and an exceptional story, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is one part sequel and one part coronation, bringing a lot of the original’s ideas to fruition.”
Trains are great. We love a good train ride. It’s even better these days given the advancements in technology, space, and comfort (though granted, there’s still also a load of work to be done; especially in the UK), making particularly lengthy journeys a joy if you happen to have some suitable entertainment with you.
Amtrak, the national passenger railroad company in North America, is seemingly going one step further in promoting its onboard capabilities, specifying its suitability for gamers in particular. As spotted by user Smyles on social media, Amtrak is specifically encouraging passengers to bring along CRT displays to help facilitate onboard Super Smash Bros. Melee tournaments.
The developers of upcoming survival game Subnautica 2 have warned fans that some dastardly do-badders are sending “fraudulent invites” to a playtest for the game via Steam messages. The playtest isn’t real, say Unknown Worlds, who point out that any such invite will only come in an email from their own domain.
In its latest financial report to investors, Remedy said the milestone — coupled with the release of The Lake House expansion and Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition — now means the game has “started to accrue royalties” after recouping its development and marketing costs.
Looking ahead, the studio also teased that Control 2, which is being developed in partnership with Annapurna, “has been finalizing the production readiness stage” and will enter full production at the end of February 2025, along with Max Payne 1&2 Remake, which is also “making steady progress in full production.”
Similarly, FBC: Firebreak, Remedy’s multiplayer Control spin-off, continues in full production following a “successful” closed technical test in December, which saw external players test matchmaking and back-end services. While no firm release date was confirmed, FBC: Firebreak will be self-published by Remedy later in 2025.
“We are in a great place to begin our strategy period and have set targets we are confident in reaching,” CEO Tero Virtala said.
In IGN’s Alan Wake 2 review, we awarded the sequel an impressive 9/10, calling it a “superb survival horror sequel that makes the cult classic original seem like little more than a rough first draft by comparison.”
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.
Nintendo’s first release of the year was Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, so it’s only fitting to make the first Tetris 99 Maximus Cup of 2025 the same theme.
IGN’s Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 maps are here! Our interactive maps track essential locations across Trosky and Kuttenberg, including Main Quests and Side Quests for those wanting to complete every quest. They also show collectibles like treasure chests and recipes, so you know exactly where to go to find every piece of loot.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Interactive Maps
The available map filters for our Trosky and Kuttenberg Kingdom Come: Deliverance II interactive maps include:
Locations, such as Fast Travel points, Camps, and Interesting Sites.
Services, like Alchemy Tables, Dice Tables, Drying Racks, and Skill Teachers.
Meg Koepp is a Guides Editor on the IGN Guides team, with a focus on trends. When she’s not working, you can find her playing an RPG or making miniatures.
Are you ready to step into history? To celebrate the upcoming launch of Civilization VII, we’re giving one lucky winner the ultimate adventure! While Civilization VII immerses players in the complexities of global domination and cultural greatness, IGN is taking it one step further by sending a fan to a featured Civilization from CIV VII with a rich history to explore!
One lucky winner and their guest can win an all inclusive trip to Rome, Italy for a chance to dive into its rich culture. The winner will also receive a private tour of the Colosseum, 7-day accommodations, and airfare / transportation covered! Ten runner ups will receive a game prize pack so they can jump into Civilization VII at launch.
Whether you’re a lifelong Civ fan or just love history, this is your chance to experience one of the world’s greatest civilizations firsthand!
Hurry – the contest ends March 4th @ 10:00 AM AEST, and a winner will be announced shortly after. Don’t miss your chance to turn your Civilization VII dreams into reality. Rome awaits!
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Entry is open to users who: (i) are legally residents of Australia, (ii) are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry and (iii) have a valid email address. Entrants who are eligible to enter the Competition pursuant to these Terms and Conditions are referred to as “Eligible Entrants.” To enter, participants must: (i) Visit ign.com/civilisation-7-ancient-wonders-giveaway); (ii) Complete the entry form, which will provide Promoter with an entrant’s full name, phone or mobile number, email and mailing address); (iii) Tell us in [25] words or less what is your favourite moment in the history of the Civilization franchise); and (iv) have an existing 2K account. Only one (1) entry per person will be accepted. Subsequent attempts made by the same individual to submit multiple entries by using multiple accounts or otherwise may result in disqualification of the entrant.
