How does one come up with, and subsequently make, Peak? Well, it sounds like you just kind of have to do it in weird ways. If you’ve missed it, Peak isn’t just slang you’ve heard your teen use to denote something being really good, it’s a co-op video game about climbing mountains with your friends and having a very good/ bad time while doing so. The bulk of work was also done in a single month as part of a collaborative game jam between Another Crab’s Treasure developer Aggro Crab and Content Warning developer Landfall. And in an interview with PC Gamer, a couple of the devs that worked on Peak have shared a little insight into how it got made.
The N64 controller has its fair share of fans, but I am not one of them.
I should clarify that I don’t dislike it, as such, but as someone who owned a PS1 back in the ‘90s and only had limited access to the N64 through my friends, the three-pronged design definitely felt, well… weird by comparison. I’ve come to appreciate it much more since owning a wireless N64 pad for the Switch, but I still wouldn’t rank it as one of my favourites.
Cowabunga! Essential Tips for TMNT: Splintered Fate
Daniel Stansens, Lead Game Designer
The Heroes in a Half Shell have arrived on Xbox—and they’re ready to kick shell! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fatebrings fast-paced, roguelike action to your console, featuring chaotic co-op gameplay, powerful power-ups, and a cast of iconic characters. Whether you’re jumping in solo or teaming up with friends, we’ve put together some tips to help you get the most out of your first runs and beyond.
From character selection to upgrade strategies, here’s everything you need to know to start strong in the streets (and sewers) of New York City.
One of the best parts of Splintered Fate is its cast of playable characters. Each Turtle—and Casey Jones—brings their own combat style and strategic advantages to the fight. Not sure who to pick first? Here’s a quick breakdown:
Leonardo: The oldest brother and Leader of the Turtles. Leo is a balanced fighter with fast, reliable attacks and a focus on getting into and out of combat swiftly. Great for beginners.
Raphael: A hot head with a fiery temper. Raph is a heavy hitter who shines in one-on-one combat. His abilities pair well with critical damage upgrades.
Michelangelo: The soul of the gang that keeps them going through the toughest of times. Mikey is a crowd-control specialist. His fast nunchuck attacks and AoE damage work great with status effects like Ooze.
Donatello: The brains of the team. Donny is the toughest Turtle in the team and excels at manipulating the battlefield through the use of tools.
Casey Jones: The newest addition, Casey’s puck attack is the first true ranged attack in the game. He’s a brute of a fighter with a powerful melee combo and the ability to pick off groups of enemies at a distance with his hockey puck.
Each character has powerful synergies depending on your chosen upgrades—don’t be afraid to experiment!
Story Mode: Kick Back and Enjoy the Ride
Not every player is here for high-stakes roguelike chaos. If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, Story Mode is a great way to enjoy Splintered Fate‘s narrative at your own pace. With reduced difficulty, it’s perfect for soaking in the atmosphere—or playing alongside younger fans.
Dash Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Does)
One of the earliest game-changers you’ll unlock is the Dragon Coin Station, where you can invest the Dragon Coins you’ve collected to gain permanent upgrades. We strongly recommend prioritizing getting that first extra dash.
Dash is your best friend in Splintered Fate—it lets you avoid damage, reposition quickly, and escape danger. Upgrading your dash ability early will help you survive longer, especially in tougher rooms or boss encounters.
Upgrade Smart: Damage, Health, and… Pizza?
When it comes to Dragon upgrades, damage and health boosts are always solid picks. But don’t sleep on other options! Abilities like “Slice of Life” can be a game-saver, especially when you’re deep into a run and low on health having an enemy drop a slice of health boosting pizza is delicious!
Look out for upgrades that complement your chosen Turtle’s strengths. As you progress through the game upgrades can be unlocked that boost each Turtles area of focus. If you’re new to the game, consider picking passives that boost survivability early on and add complexity as you gain confidence.
Master the Power Combos
Each run offers you new Turtle powers—some of which can evolve into legendary powers if combined correctly. Pay close attention to the synergy between the turtle powers, Fire, Water, Ooze, Utrom, Ninja and Astral.
Here’s a hint: stacking turtle powers of the same element will unlock more powerful abilities but the most powerful abilities require combining two elements, like Fire and Water. You never know when your next reward could turn a good run into a legendary one.
Boost Your Build: Tools, Inspirations and Masteries
Beyond the Turtle powers, you’ll find tools (active abilities), inspirations (passive character buffs), and character-specific masteries. Here’s how to get the most out of them:
Tools are great for controlling the flow of battle but take a while to charge back up—use them strategically.
Inspirations are unique to each Turtle, each starting every run with their two inspirations defining their unique play style. Sometimes though you can be rewarded with the inspiration of another turtle, leading to game changing builds.
Masteries can be found during runs and boost the playstyle of your chosen Turtle. Many masteries are unique to each turtle and can change up how they are played.
Don’t Ignore Artifacts
Artifacts are powerful items that can give you major advantages during your run but you need to earn them. Some grant passive bonuses, while others trigger effects in battle. Unlocking and equipping them can make a huge difference, especially in later levels or co-op play.
You’ll earn artifacts as you progress through the game. Keep them in your sight—they’re worth the effort.
Shell Up and Dive In
Whether you’re a TMNT superfan or a newcomer to the franchise, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate offers something for everyone: deep progression, tight combat, couch co-op, and nostalgic charm. With these tips in your arsenal, you’ll be ready to face whatever Shredder throws your way.
So, grab your favorite Turtle (or Casey), power up, and jump into the action. New York City isn’t going to save itself! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is available today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
We’re excited to announce a special offer: the Casey Jones DLC is free for all Xbox players for a limited time! There’s never been a better time to jump in, simply buy the Launch bundle for the price of the base game, and Casey Jones plus the Junkyard level are yours to keep forever. But don’t wait too long -the offer ends on July 8th, so don’t miss out!
UNLEASH TURTLE POWER!
Grab your friends, pick your favorite Turtle and jump into a roguelike adventure to save Master Splinter from the foot clan! Master ninja skills, unite in bodacious online and local co-op gameplay, and conquer iconic NYC locales.
BODACIOUS CO-OP GAMEPLAY
In Splintered Fate, brace yourself for fast-paced, roguelike action where no two runs are the same. With randomized power-ups, room layouts, and boss modifiers, the excitement never ends. Take control of all four Turtles, each wielding unique powers, and team up with friends for bodacious co-op gameplay. Explore iconic NYC locations, upgrade your Turtle powers, and prepare to face off against formidable enemies.
BUILD YOUR POWER
Master the powers of water and fire, utrom and ooze, light and darkness, and -most importantly- Ninja to create unique and bodacious builds for your Turtles. Every run brings new challenges and opportunities – explore and perfect your favorite builds, and combine them with allies to conquer your enemies.
A THRILLING STORY
When Splinter is kidnapped by Shredder, mysterious portals simultaneously appear across NYC. With April and Metalhead analyzing recovered artifacts for clues, the Turtles battle to recover their father from the clutches of the Foot Clan. However, as the gang gets ever closer to Splinter’s otherworldly location, an even greater threat lingers in the shadows…
With additional settings, balance and tuning enhancements for PC, Splintered Fate promises to keep you engaged in the FIGHT, ADAPT, REPEAT portal loop. Be ready to restore peace to the city!
We’re all about innovation at PlayStation and finding new experiences everyone can enjoy, and today, we showcased four PS VR2 titles that players will be able to enjoy later this year.
Dreams of Another | Coming to PS VR2 later this year
The latest title in the PixelJunk series gives its first look at PS VR2 gameplay and showcases how the hardware takes Q-Games’ latest creation even deeper into its dreamlike state. As you switch between first and third person, take control as The Man in Pajamas, who uses an arsenal of weapons to create rather than destroy.
Grit and Valor – 1949 | Coming to PS VR2 August 21
Get hands-on with your units in this real-time tactics rogue-lite from Milky Tea Studios, where you are the general in an alternate timeline during World War II. Turn the battlefield into your personal plaything as you strategically place convoys across the map and navigate menus and abilities with your fingertips.
Studio Chyr’s follow-up to Manifold Garden checks you into a grand hotel where getting anywhere requires you to think out of the box, and sometimes in it, in this unorthodox puzzle adventure. Experience a room-scale game designed for everyone to enjoy as every mundane task is a riddle, or possibly an answer, in this near-infinite hotel.
Become a meteor in an out-of-this-world take on combat racing by Big Boot Games. Race and battle other meteors across the colorful cosmos, where speed and strategy are required for survival as you battle for leaderboard supremacy. Takedown your opponents to gain useful abilities and become the biggest star … rock in the galaxy.
Dying Light: The Beast lead producer Szymon Strauss shares five tips for helping you survive the zombie apocalypse in Dying Light: The Beast, the upcoming new standalone entry in the first-person, melee-plus-parkour action-adventure series.
Dying Light: The Beast will be released on August 22 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Wishlist it on Steam if you’re interested.
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.
Upcoming park management/unethical science sim Jurassic World Evolution 3 will no longer feature generative AI. Publisher-developers Frontier Developments had previously disclosed that the oft-rubbish technology would be used to create scientist portraits for your uneaten staff. That disclosure has now vanished from the game’s Steam page, with the removal of the genAI material confirmed outright in a statement to Game Watcher.
“We have removed the use of generative AI for scientists’ portraits in Jurassic World Evolution 3 following some initial feedback,” reads the statement. “The team are continuing their diligent work on the game and are very much looking forward to launching on 21 October.”
Ubisoft’s next big patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows arrives tomorrow, June 25, 2025, and the publisher has now detailed everything included.
As we knew already, Title Update 1.0.6 includes the game’s next story pack, which introduces a new Ally character for Naoe and Yasuke played by Critical Role’s Robbie Daymond. Players will meet Rufino, Daymond’s character, and get to hang out with him at their hideout — though whether you can also romance him is unconfirmed.
Another big addition that was previously announced is a new Nightmare Difficulty option. Today brings further detail on what this will comprise, with perfect parries required to deflect hits without taking any damage, fewer combat resources, plus smarter enemies able to see and hear Naoe’s movement even while crouched or in the shadows.
For a slightly more difficult challenge generally, Ubisoft has added an Open World Alarm system that extends the stomping grounds of Shadows’ fearsome Guardian warriors outside of castles and enemy camps. Now, Naoe and Yasuke can earn Wanted status in the open world, should you repeatedly be naughty and attack civilians or military units.
Ubisoft is set to continue adding small dollops of extra story missions, alongside other fixes and feature additions, through the rest of 2025, as fans await Shadow’s first major expansion Claws of Awaji, due at some point before the end of this year.
The full list of additions, and a long rundown of the update’s bug fixes, lie below in full.
PATCH HIGHLIGHTS
New Free Story Pack: “A Critical Encounter”
Reward: New Ally based on Critical Role’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows One-Shot campaign character, Rufino, played by Robbie Daymond. You will also get a banner in the hideout with the Critical Role logo.
New Trophy/Achievement: “A Critical Encounter”, received upon completion of the questline.
New Nightmare Difficulty Setting
Player defensive options are less effective, and enemies deal greater damage at all levels.
E.g., Parries now require perfect timing to deflect the hit – imperfect parries will only partially block incoming damage.
Enemy AI is smarter, faster, and more aggressive in a variety of circumstances, including detection.
E.g., Even while crouching, Naoe now generates some sound! And even while in the shadows, she can be seen while moving!
E.g., Enemies will no longer become vulnerable from dodges or parries – only abilities can put them into a vulnerable state.
Combat resources (like adrenaline, rations, and shinobi items) are harder to come by, making their use even more vital.
Toggle Headgear in Cutscenes
Note that headgear will not be displayed in cinematics or in some specific instances where a rule overrides this setting (romance-specific cutscenes).
VFX Toggles
Players can now disable/enable specific VFX to further customize their experience. These include the ability to hide or show the loot on dead bodies, the last known position of the player, the special attacks indicators of the enemies, and more. All will be accessible in the Interface option menu.
Open World Alarm
We have expanded the Regional Alert System available in Castles to the whole Province. Now by repetitively attacking Civilians or Military units outside Castles, the alarm can be triggered, and a group of Guardians will hunt you in the world.
Horse Camera Presets
You can now toggle between 3 different camera presets while riding on your mount (hold the down button on controller/’X’ key on keyboard while riding) allowing for a more cinematic experience to take in the full beauty of Japan.
Ultra Low Specs for PC
We are adding a new visual quality level, the Ultra Low mode. This will allow PC players with a limited GPU configuration to experience the game in better framerate conditions.
LIST OF BUG FIXES
General
Fixed an issue where the Onryo Mask remained visible despite selecting the option to hide gear.
Fixed an issue where players were unable to earn Mastery Points.
Fixed an issue where Mastery Points were not returned after resetting the Mastery Tree.
Fixed an issue where players could not switch characters anymore even without gameplay context restrictions.
Fixed an issue where allies could be trained to veteran rank without upgrading the dojo to level 3.
Fixed an issue where Gennojo did not immediately appear in the hideout after recruitment. He was busy washing his hair!
Fixed an issue where sometimes a player remains stuck in a Red Zone, without being able to fast travel anywhere, by allowing them to fast travel to the hideout.
Fixed an issue where the Oni Drawing remains stuck on screen after completing the “Vision of the Realms” quest.
Fixed various localization issues.
Quests
Fixed an issue where players could not progress in the “A Chance Encounter” quest when following Fuyu.
Fixed an issue where players could not complete the quest after defeating all Kabukimono.
Fixed an issue where Lady Oichi’s letter became unavailable after the Fuji-maru cutscene.
Fixed an issue where players were unable to talk to Katsuhime in the crop field when she was sitting on the ground. She just wanted some peace and quiet!
Fixed an issue where tracking the “Temple Stories” quest only showed a progress bar with no text.
Fixed an issue where Genzaburo’s Teppo Master was missing from the Kaya Shrine.
Fixed an issue where Yagyu Munetoshi revealed a later plot point too early in the “Nobutsuna’s Students” quest.
Fixed an issue where players could not assassinate the Godai of Void because the NPC was missing. He took his name too seriously.
Fixed an issue where players could not complete the “Diary of Lady Rokkaku” quest after dodge rolling and dropping Katsuhime.
Fixed an issue where players could not complete the “Diary of Lady Rokkaku” quest when there was no immediate option to carry Katsuhime.
Fixed an issue where players glitched through an anomaly in the “Heads Will Roll” quest, making Animus activities unavailable.
Fixed an issue where players could not progress in the “Lost Honor” quest because the game failed to switch to Naoe.
Fixed an issue where players could not progress through the Tournament after dying.
Visuals & Graphics
Fixed some minor visual issues.
Fixed misplaced visual elements with the Dark Woods Kusarigama.
Fixed an issue where all NPC horses appeared as identical.
Fixed a clipping issue with Naoe’s Sekiryu outfit.
Fixed an issue with the “Bloodshade Katana” being visible out of the sheath when transmogged.
Fixed a movement physics issue with the Dead by Daylight Oni’s armor.
Audio
Fixed an issue where footstep audio occasionally ceased when opening the map while moving.
If ever there was a game I didn’t expect to spawn a horde of spiritual successors from startup companies of varying dubiety, that game was celebrated commie hangover simulator Disco Elysium. And yet here we are with yet another claimant to the dance floor, Pera Coda. In fairness, it takes inspiration from a lot more than just ZA/UM’s RPG, but Disco Elysium is mentioned rather prominently in the marketing.
Created by Falan, a Turkish team founded by three architecture students, Pera Coda is a timeloop story set in a “surreal”, “neon-noir” Istanbul, in which you play an attorney, Deniz, who is navigating a purgatory inspired by Bardo in Buddhism. The city is described as “both a stage and a mirror, where East meets West, chaos meets calm, and each district reflects a piece of your fragmented self.” Certainly sounds quite Revacholian. Here’s a teaser trailer.
Elden Ring Nightreign is adding its next enhanced Everdark Sovereign boss into the game. Fulghor, Champion of the Nightglow will be the next Nightlord to get an enhanced version, arriving on June 26.
The update goes live at 7am PDT / 4pm CEST / 11pm JST on June 26, as a new target for a Nightfarer expedition. If the big guy is anything like the previous Everdark Sovereign, you’ll have to successfully take down the base version of the Nightlord at least once to challenge its more difficult variant.
Developer FromSoftware started rolling these Everdark Sovereigns out in a surprise drop last week, with the addition of a souped-up Gaping Jaw challenge. These enhanced bosses can throw a lot at the player. Adel, Baron of the Night’s upgraded form was terrifying, zipping around the arena and, at one point, making a giant storm inside the arena.
Fulghor, who reigns under the Darkdrift Knight banner, has already been a bit of a challenge for players in Elden Ring Nightreign in his base form. The centaur can cause some serious damage fast and leaves little room to get in and hit him. The area-of-effect attacks especially cause some problems, if you’re not ready.
So, naturally, the enhanced version of Fulghor could pose some real challenge. Replies to the announcement tweet are gearing up for the prospect of tackling this warrior’s even-more powerful version.
More Everdark Sovereigns are planned to roll out, as FromSoftware has confirmed each week will host a new upgraded boss. As Darkdrift Knight rotates in, it looks like the Gaping Jaw challenge will rotate out. Sentient Pest is the next on the docket, and should pose a fairly interesting challenge, especially with the phase shifts.
It’s Tuesday, so Helldivers 2 has gotten a fresh patch. This one makes the Illuminate’s flying death slugs easier to battle and looks like it might have laid the groundwork for the game’s long-awaited review bomb cape.
Those Leviathan balancing tweaks have come after players continued to struggle to beat the airborne enemy, despite Arrowhead having previously added a spotlight effect to the attack it can use to one-shot your bottom into oblivion.
