Starting today on Xbox Series X|S, you can begin scavenging the planet of Tau Ceti IV as a cybernetic mercenary in the new survival extraction shooter, Marathon.

From Bungie, the makers of Halo and Destiny, Marathon places you the shoes of a Runner where you can crew up, run solo, or make uneasy alliances as you battle enemy players, collect powerful loot, and experience Bungie’s signature gunplay.

Your goal is to exfil to advance your seasonal power, advance your contracts for rival faction groups, and assemble stronger builds with your stolen loot. Then put your gear back on the line to seek even greater fortunes in your next run. The ultimate challenge? The derelict Marathon ship hanging in orbit above, promising the best loot and answers to world’s mysteries… if you can survive.

Ready to touchdown on Tau Ceti? Use these tips to get ahead:

• They Can Hear You
  Everything makes noise. Moving, looting, activating exfils, opening doors, using items, healing, swapping weapons, and of course shooting things. If you think you got killed out of nowhere, someone probably found you through the noise you were making.

• …But You Can Hear Them
  Keep your ears open. You can often hear threats—or targets—before you see them.

• Come Prepared
  Bring plenty of ammo and healing items; you aren’t going to find a lot of it mid-run. And remember: A better weapon is only an upgrade if you have bullets to shoot.

• Plan Your Exit
  All the gear you’ve collected is lost if you don’t make it out alive. Check your map for active exfils — they’re your ticket off Tau Ceti with your hard-earned loot.

• Fight or Flee?
  The best Runners know when to take the shot and when to walk away. You don’t need to shoot everything you see. Whether it’s a UESC combatant, wild fauna, or a rival Runner crew, use the information you’ve got before you pull the trigger.

• Down on Your Luck? Play as Rook
  If you’re low on supplies, head on a scavenger run as Rook. You’ll drop into a match in-progress as a solo player. Sneak by enemy UESC units with your camouflage ability, then make it alive with your scavenged goods to replenish your gear and credits.

• Progress Your Contracts and Unlock Bonus Stats
  You can hover over contracts on the map for information on how to find their objectives. But if you’re still learning, don’t rush them right away — playing slow can help you get your bearings and avoid conflicts with rival crews until you’re ready.

• Built for Success
  Experiment with different Runner shells, body implants, and weapons — you can freely swap weapons, implants, and weapon mods both in and out of game. And something is always better than nothing, so if you’ve got an empty slot, slam whatever you find.

• Uneasy Allies
  Build alliances with the Runner crews, solo players, and Rooks you meet on your runs. Just don’t let your guard down — you never know when your new friends might turn their sights on you.

• Loot is a Means to an End
  Gear comes and goes. Don’t be too precious about it. Learn to use what you’ve got, and it will help you reach greater heights.

Runners are deploying now. Take your new knowledge and use it to get ahead of your opponents on your first runs in Marathon, available today on Xbox Series X|S. Tau Ceti awaits.

Marathon Deluxe Edition

Bungie

☆☆☆☆☆
188

★★★★★

$59.99

Get it now

Infil into the dark sci-fi world of Tau Ceti IV: A derelict colony rife with rival Runners, hostile UESC security forces, and hazardous environments. As you scavenge its zones for valuables with a crew or alone, tense moments of exploration break into fast-paced PvP combat where gunplay is responsive, time to kill is low, and preparation is rewarded.

Exfil to advance your seasonal power, earn cosmetics for your achievements, and assemble stronger builds with your stolen loot. Then put your gear back on the line to seek even greater fortunes in your next run.

Purchase to receive additional bonuses:
1x Premium Rewards Pass Voucher
200 SILK Rewards Pass Tokens
Weapon Cosmetic – MIDNIGHT DECAY [Misriah 2442 Pump Shotgun Style]
Weapon Cosmetic – MIDNIGHT DECAY [Overrun AR Style]
Runner Cosmetic – MIDNIGHT DECAY [Vandal Shell Style]
Runner Cosmetic – MIDNIGHT DECAY [Destroyer Shell Style]
Runner Cosmetic – MIDNIGHT DECAY [Assassin Shell Style]
Runner Cosmetic – MIDNIGHT DECAY [Thief Shell Style]

Pre-order Marathon and receive the following:
ZERO STEP 004 [CE Tactical Sidearm Style]
ZERO STEP RC [Weapon Charm]
ZERO STEP SHIFT [Weapon Sticker]
APOGEE INTERCEPT [Background]
APOGEE INTERCEPT [Emblem]

Plus the following Destiny 2 rewards linked to your Bungie.net account:
UESC Echo-type Shell Exotic Ghost
UESC Rover Exotic Ship
UESC Sprinter Exotic Sparrow

Hard drive storage requirements are subject to change. Requires broadband internet.

Access requires an Xbox Game Pass subscription (sold separately).

Marathon may contain flashing patterns and images that may produce adverse effects for a small percentage of people sensitive to them.

Bungie, Inc. makes no guarantee regarding the availability of online play or features and may modify or discontinue online services with reasonable notice at any time.

Using the software constitutes acceptance of the Software License Agreement available at www.bungie.net/sla.

© 2026 Bungie, Inc. All rights reserved. Marathon, the Marathon Logo, Bungie and the Bungie Logo are trademarks of Bungie, Inc. Published and distributed by Bungie, Inc.

Marathon Standard Edition

Bungie

☆☆☆☆☆
215

★★★★★

$39.99

Get it now

Infil into the dark sci-fi world of Tau Ceti IV: A derelict colony rife with rival Runners, hostile UESC security forces, and hazardous environments. As you scavenge its zones for valuables with a crew or alone, tense moments of exploration break into fast-paced PvP combat where gunplay is responsive, time to kill is low, and preparation is rewarded.

Exfil to advance your seasonal power, earn cosmetics for your achievements, and assemble stronger builds with your stolen loot. Then put your gear back on the line to seek even greater fortunes in your next run.

A GRAVEYARD OF POSSIBILITIES
Trespass across deserted research facilities, rugged landscapes, and security outposts holding the remnants of a vanished expedition, yours to salvage. Tau Ceti threatens death at every turn with unique enemies, dynamic events, and environmental hazards. Each zone escalates in difficulty, preparing you for the UESC Marathon locked in the heavens.

POWERFUL. CONFIGURABLE. EXPENDABLE.
Six equippable Runner shells offer diverse playstyle foundations to build upon, like Destroyer, Recon, and Thief. Scavenge an arsenal of moddable weapons, body implants, and core system upgrades to craft countless builds. Strategize as a crew each run to form comps that maximize your combined strengths, shaping the way you approach fights and objectives.

ENEMIES EVERYWHERE
Face the unknown as a crew of two or three, or alone in solo lobbies. Or sneak into in-progress crew lobbies as Rook, a lone scavenger with no starting gear and nothing to lose. Forge uneasy alliances with rival Runners in prox chat to defeat mutual foes, but remember your new allies might revert to enemies just as quickly. Be merciless in combat: A lone survivor can reboot their crew, even from death.

Later in Season 1, compete in Rated mode to measure your skill and build a name for yourself.
INFLUENCE IS POWER

Liaise with six competing factions, each offering lucrative incentives to advance their foothold on Tau Ceti. Completing faction contracts grows your baseline power via season-long unlocks like Runner shell upgrades, stronger starting loadouts, expanded vault space, and specialized wares on offer for spare loot.
DEFRAGMENT THE TRUTH

No one knows what happened a century ago when the Marathon expedition went dark. As a trespasser into UESC territory, you are uniquely positioned to piece the story together. Unearth the skeletons of Tau Ceti’s past as you run deeper into the colony.
DEATH HANGS ABOVE

Once the way into orbit unlocks, bring your endgame build to Cryo Archive, the first floor of the UESC Marathon. Solve raid-like security measures to unseal frozen vaults and pillage the artifacts within. Every cramped corridor forces you into conflict with fully-geared enemy crews racing for the same prize. Breach the seventh vault to challenge an entity even the UESC fears.

Pre-order Marathon and receive the following:
ZERO STEP 004 [CE Tactical Sidearm Style]
ZERO STEP RC [Weapon Charm]
ZERO STEP SHIFT [Weapon Sticker]
APOGEE INTERCEPT [Background]
APOGEE INTERCEPT [Emblem]

Plus the following Destiny 2 rewards linked to your Bungie.net account:
UESC Echo-type Shell Exotic Ghost
UESC Rover Exotic Ship
UESC Sprinter Exotic Sparrow

Hard drive storage requirements are subject to change. Requires broadband internet.

Access requires an Xbox Game Pass subscription (sold separately).

Marathon may contain flashing patterns and images that may produce adverse effects for a small percentage of people sensitive to them.

Bungie, Inc. makes no guarantee regarding the availability of online play or features and may modify or discontinue online services with reasonable notice at any time.

Using the software constitutes acceptance of the Software License Agreement available at www.bungie.net/sla.

© 2026 Bungie, Inc. All rights reserved. Marathon, the Marathon Logo, Bungie and the Bungie Logo are trademarks of Bungie, Inc. Published and distributed by Bungie, Inc.

Hey pet pals and mischief-makers! (Θ３Θ)

We’re Liquid Meow Games— a small team of students who turned our love for playful chaos into a game. We’re so excited to finally bring Messy Up to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows Store, complete with Xbox Play Anywhere support!

The Story Behind the Mess

Every game has a beginning, and ours started in a rather chaotic way—just like the game itself.

It all began with 72 hours and a Game Jam.

Back in 2021, I gathered a small crew of four or five teammates for a Game Jam. 72 hours of caffeine, crunch, and pure creative madness. The result? A rough but lovable prototype we called Messy Up. To our surprise, it won Best Technology Award.

The inspiration? Pretty simple actually. Most of us grew up with pets—a hyper Husky who saw couches as chew toys, a cat who believed gravity was the enemy of anything left on tables. We thought: What if we turned that daily chaos into a game? And here we are.

From 2D Pixels to 3D Furballs

After the Game Jam, I couldn’t let go of this little idea. So, we spent the next six months—nights, weekends, every spare minute—rebuilding everything from 2D into full 3D. New characters, richer environments, more ways to wreck the house.

Then something unexpected happened. We shared a short gameplay video online, just to see if anyone else thought this was as fun as we did. Overnight, it hit over a million views across platforms. People actually wanted to play as naughty pets.

That support kept us going. Along the way, the 3D version went on to receive multiple awards from major game competitions—a huge encouragement for a tiny team just starting out.

And Now, the Moment we’ve Been Waiting for

Today, we’re beyond excited to bring Messy Up to Xbox players everywhere. After years of dreaming, prototyping, and playtesting on couches just like yours, our little pet chaos simulator is finally landing on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows Store—with full Xbox Play Anywhere support, so you can take your mess wherever you go.

Whether you’re teaming up with friends on the couch or playing solo with AI companions, we can’t wait for you to meet this furry crew and start your own happy chaos.

Tips from Me (Read These, Seriously)

• Don’t just rush in. Learn to dodge. And your teammates aren’t just there for emotional support—they’re great at taking the heat for you.
• Tired of wrecking? Try the parkour challenges. Stuck in the story? Hop into Arcade Mode and just vibe.
• Playing solo? AI teammates have your back. And wait until you unlock the beach, the castle, the office—each level has its own tricks.
• Use props. Use the debris. Use anything to block the Owner.
• Different pets, different playstyles. Unlock them all.
• Those little rewards—photos, flags, trophies, certificates—they’re not just clutter. You can actually use them to decorate.
• And yes, you can build your own home.

I made this game with a lot of laughs and even more love for fluffy troublemakers. Whether you’re here for the couch co-op chaos, the creative building, or just to live out your inner mischief-maker—I hope Messy Up brings you and your friends some good silly memories.

Thanks for reading. Now go make a happy mess.

With paws and playfulness,

He Qian & the Liquid Meow Games team

Messy Up

E-Home Entertainment Development Company Ltd

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$7.99

$6.39

Get it now

“Messy UP” is a cute pet collaboration game featuring cats and dogs~

Due to the owner’s busy life after graduation and starting work, there is less time to spend with the pets. The pets plan to create a big mess at home to grab the owner’s attention and encourage them to spend more time together. After all, what mischief could a little dog possibly have in mind?

[Crazy home destruction!
Cooperative multiplayer!]

Take on the role of cats and dogs and go wild, wreaking havoc at home! Each pet possesses unique abilities and skills, with various types of pets waiting for you to explore~
When other pet companions are caught, you can go to rescue them~
Either cause mayhem alone or collaborate with friends to create trouble for the owner. Up to three players can cooperate in dismantling the house.
Play as either the owner or a pet, deciding whether to demolish or defend the furniture and lock up the mischievous pets.

[Rich game mechanics!
Numerous maps!]

Utilize various mechanisms to dismantle and destroy homes. Fans, soccer balls, doors, takeout food—everything around you can become your tool of destruction!
Whether it’s at home, on the beach, at the office, or in a castle, any place can become the target of the pets’ demolition！

[Abundant pets!
Extensive collection!]

Gather a group of adorable pet companions, each with their own distinct personalities that can be freely customized~
Collect photos, qualifications, prizes, keychains, and various unique and cute rewards await you~

Members get unlimited access to the base game, plus dozens more titles in The Play List, and a monthly 5,000 XP Boost.

Take on the world of racing in EA Sports F1 25, now available for EA Play members to access whenever they want.

• EA Sports F1 25 is now on The Play List. Play with EA Play, available on Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox PC Game Pass, or Ultimate.
• Members can also grab this month’s 5,000 XP Boost, available until March 31.
• Strap into the driver’s seat today before the 2026 season starts.

Write your own legendary racing story, lead your team, and explore new modes in the official video game of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Take on the third chapter of Braking Point, where the legacy of Konnersport hangs in the balance as you and your team race for a spot in the World Championship.

Design your own liveries with customizable driver numbers and logos. Then show them off in newly updated, laser-scanned Grand Prix circuits.

March Member Rewards

• Apex Legends
  • Pick up the Gold Copilot Weapon Charm, available until March 30
• EA Sports F1 25
  • Get a 5,000 XP Boost, good for unlocking tiers of the Podium Pass, available until March 31
• EA Sports FC 26
  • Play Clubs mode by March 12 to grab a special membership reward that’ll help you compete in style
  • Compete for rewards with a Football Ultimate Team Draft Token, available in Ultimate Team from March 12 – April 23
• EA Sports Madden NFL 26
  • Keep building your dream team with a Madden Ultimate Team EA Play March Pack available until March 31
• EA Sports NHL 26
  • Score 2 Season Pass Multiplier Tokens & 3,000 CHEL Coins by March 12
  • Show out on the ice with Season 4 WOC Battle Pass XP Modifier & CHEL Coins available from March 12 – May 7
• Battlefield 6
  • Equip yourself with the Season 2 EA Play Pack, available until May 11
  • Deck out your soldiers before the fight when you claim your EA Play Deployment Pack

To learn more about EA Play, check out X and Instagram, or visit here. For more details on all the EA Play member benefits this month, visit the EA Play Member Benefits site. Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details. Members can experience the world of EA with unlimited access to a collection of top titles, trials of select new games, in-game member rewards, 10% on EA digital purchases and more.

Every Wednesday, dive into the Indie Select Hub — your gateway to a fresh, curated indie collection plus four themed spotlights that rotate weekly! You can always find this collection hub in the Xbox Store and on Xbox.com/IndieSelects.

As we step into spring, this lineup is all about fresh contrasts—bright blooms and deep shadows, cozy comfort and adrenaline spikes. Dive into an ultra-violent sci‑fi third-person action adventure, then slow the pace with an action RPG that’s equally at home in a warm, cozy sim loop. Take a detour into darkly funny criminal commerce with a money-laundering sim where you literally wash cash, then brace for an FMV psychological-horror interactive movie steeped in centuries-old Black Forest tales of vengeful spirits. From there, plunge into a gripping first-person horror/action journey through a nightmarish reimagining of Spain, and finally reset your senses with a first-person puzzle experience built around painting, color-mixing, and seeing the world in a whole new light. Here’s what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):

Romeo Is a Dead Man

The Oldest House leaking into New York is all I needed to hear to be excited about Control Resonant, Remedy Entertainment’s long-anticipated follow-up to their excellent 2019 paranormal action-adventure, Control. As they recently showed us with Alan Wake 2, the folks at Remedy are not afraid to take big swings with sequels, and Control Resonant looks no less surprising and delightful than its studio and series pedigree would suggest.

Last week, we got to see virtual presentation from Creative Director Mikael Kasurinin (also the Creative Director of the franchise and Co-Creative Director of Remedy Entertainment) and Lead Gameplay Designer Sergey Mohov, giving live commentary over pre-recorded gameplay video segments. They focused on combat and customization, which is clearly a big point of evolution from Control to Control Resonant.

Only in New York

In Control Resonant you play as Dylan Faden, brother of the original Control’s protagonist, Jesse, and a powerful parautilitarian (think “somewhat spooky superhero”) like his sister. In order to curb speculation, Kasurinin and Mohov were clear that Jesse will not be playable in Resonant, though she will be present as a major character.

Seven years after the events of the first game, cosmic horror the Hiss has escaped the Oldest House, base of operations for the Federal Bureau of Control (think “The X-Files” if Mulder had funding), and taken over Manhattan, flooding it with monsters and psychedelically warping space and gravity to create a broken, dreamlike world reminiscent of “Inception.” While not a full, seamless open world, the city is divided into major zones that spoke off from a central area where the FBC’s field office is set up, which will serve as your evolving hub throughout the game.

The cosmic forces terrorizing the city have affected each zone very differently, allowing them to have distinct vibes and challenges. Control’s Oldest House was an impeccably surreal brutalist nightmare, but ultimately it was a lot of gray concrete over the run of the whole game. Kasurinin was clear that one of their goals for Resonant was to have much greater visual variety, of which the discrete zones are an obvious manifestation (although we didn’t really get a look at any yet beyond the particularly Incepted area from the reveal and gameplay trailers).

Devil May Control

The biggest difference between Resonant and the first Control is the move from 3^rd-person shooter to melee action-RPG. Where Jesse had the Service Weapon, which could morph between various gun forms, Dylan has attuned to the Aberrant, a shape-shifting close-quarters weapon. It’s unclear how many forms there will be in total, but examples we’ve seen include an enormous hammer, short blades, a scythe, and a whip.

The action is fast and furious, reminiscent of the Devil May Cry franchise, or the work of PlatinumGames, air-juggling, combo meter, and all. Like the first game, it’s a system designed to encourage aggression – but it feels even more geared towards getting you into the thick of combat. Melee attacks give Dylan the resource he needs to use his special abilities, which will frequently stun enemies and allow for executions, in turn giving a temporary percentage buff to melee damage, letting you push to higher and higher levels of destruction with skillful play. Also like the first Control, a lot of your attention has to go towards not just attacking and dodging individual enemies, but managing crowds of different threats. Jesse’s ability to do this all at range with guns and telekinesis made it easier to keep the action squarely in front of you, but Dylan is fighting up close and personal, which means threats come in from all angles.

We also got a more extended look at Dylan’s fight against one of the eponymous Resonants, who serve as major story bosses for the game and reward Dylan with powerful abilities. The deft, masked, dual-mallet-wielding figure shown at the end of recently revealed gameplay footage is tentatively named the Dancer (though the developers noted that name is subject to change). Regardless, it’s in good company with memorable bosses like the Cogwork Dancers (Hollow Knight: Silksong) and Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Dark Souls III), where learning to match their graceful rhythms can be an exhilarating duet to master.

As with any action game, how good it will be is all about moment-to-moment game feel in a way that no video can communicate, but Control Resonant’s combat looks far more intense and mechanically crunchy than anything Remedy has done before, and I’m excited to get hands on it.

Theorycrafter’s Delight

Besides the intensity of the combat, another huge and exciting differentiator between Control Resonant and its predecessor is the build variety available. Remedy showed us the same fight against mobs of enemies both with a standard, up-close melee-focused build, and then with a build that focused on using skills to summon various minions and turrets to do crowd control while Dylan swooped around to make targeted executions. It became immediately clear how malleable this system will be, and how much your choices will make a meaningful difference to how you play.

The skill trees in Control allowed you to buff up various parts of Jesse’s kit to your taste, but it didn’t really feel like you were making creative build choices. I loved my time with it, but I was thorough and haven’t felt compelled to go back, in part because by the end it felt like I had seen pretty much everything the combat had to offer.

Control Resonant aims to encourage replays with far more in-depth combat systems that allow for radical build variety. When defeating Resonants, they can offer up to three choices for what power to take, which is permanent and exclusive, meaning you won’t be able to see everything in a single playthrough. One example we saw offered a choice between a shield that can also be used offensively to ram into enemies, a turret that can also be thrown as a bomb, or a third option we didn’t get a look at. In action, we also saw Dylan do things like force-push and cause remote explosions—standard cool telepath stuff.

In addition to selecting from a variety of offensive, defensive, and tactical supernatural abilities, Dylan can also customize his weapon, the Aberrant. Rather than committing to a single weapon form’s moves, you set one primary form for basic attacks, a secondary form for special and charged attacks, and a combo ender for special finisher moves after attack chains. Within that, each weapon form offers upgrade trees that unlock alternate, specialized forms and modifier effects for the weapons, allowing further customization.

Then on top of that, there are talent trees for Dylan that unlock a variety of passive modifiers, which also involve exclusive choices that again limit what you can see in a single playthrough. These are built around synergies like various status effects that can be applied to enemies.

All of these systems run through The Gap, a diegetic mind palace menu space that Dylan can enter at any time out of combat. Here you find not reasonably priced bootcut jeans and sweatshirts, but ominous plinths on which Dylan can manage his various talent and specialization trees and systems.

It’s all a little overwhelming when breathlessly laid out, but it’s no doubt exciting. It seems like Control Resonant’s customization might really scratch that action-RPG itch for richly expressive and open combat systems in which you can really get your hands dirty exploring all sorts of different builds and playstyles – but decoupled from the Skinner box loot grind associated with the kinds of games we’d usually expect this from.

What’s perhaps most impressive is how much it feels like Remedy is getting right on their first try – the team has never made an all-out melee action game before, but it bears all the hallmarks of the greats in the genre. Given that Control spin-off FBC: Firebreak was also Remedy’s first ever multiplayer game, we asked Kasurinen if there’s something about the Control franchise that lets Remedy stretch their development wings. He agreed, saying that “Control is, first and foremost, a world, where a lot of different protagonists can exist within it, and they each have their own way of dealing with things.”

It’s something to be thankful for – Remedy have been one of the most reliable studios in the action space for a very long time, but seeing them apply all that experience to something new for them is a particular treat. I can’t wait to go back and spend more time in Control’s world with Resonant after this tantalizing little taste. While I wholly expected a Control sequel to paint Remedy’s eerie and imaginative vision across a grander scale, which did not disappoint, I did not expect the action-RPG buildcrafting sicko part of my brain to be activated as well.

Control Resonant releases later in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S.

CONTROL Resonant

Remedy Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

After years in confinement at the hands of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), Dylan Faden’s former captors are deploying him at the peak of a supernatural crisis.

Charged with combating a mysterious cosmic entity as it alters fundamental aspects of our reality, Dylan must harness his new-found powers to take the fight to the myriad threats overwhelming Manhattan.

Join Dylan in this sequel to the multi-award-winning CONTROL to explore the expansive zones of a city overrun by the corrupting influences of the chaotic Hiss and invasive micro-organism, the Mold, and other twisted paranatural threats.

On the path to unlocking the full potential of his supernatural abilities Dylan will also seek out his sister, FBC Director Jesse Faden, as he bids to comprehend and contain the dangers that have spilled beyond the confines of the Oldest House to tear our world apart.

After a fierce climactic battle with the Dark Dragon, Yakumo gazes upon the scenery he has reclaimed. Yet even now, the shadow of a new—and terrifying—archfiend creeps ever closer. Though the skies have cleared, the presence of deeper evil never fades. The battle of the Master Ninja is far from over.

Following the events of the main Ninja Gaiden 4 storyline, the long-awaited The Two Masters DLC sheds more light on the stories of both Ryu Hayabusa and Yakumo, who now stand together as Master Ninjas.

This DLC expands beyond the main game’s ending with new narrative content, and also introduces new weapons for both characters, adds an 100-battle gauntlet mode aptly named “Abyssal Road,” and incorporates wide-ranging quality-of-life improvements.

To access the new chapters that continue the story, as well as the new Abyssal Road challenge mode, players must complete the original campaign on any difficulty level (including the new-player friendly “Hero” mode). However, the new weapons added to Yakumo and Ryu’s arsenal will be available at any point after the tutorial for players who have not yet defeated the Dark Dragon.

I recently had the opportunity to play the DLC in advance, and spoke to PlatinumGames’ Yuji Nakao, the game’s producer and director. Here’s what you need to know before taking on the latest challenges Ninja Gaiden 4 has to offer.

The Story Continues

In the newly added DLC storyline, set after the events of the main game, Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa spring into action to bring an end to the schemes of a new enemy, the Archfiend Seele. It also depicts Yakumo, who became a Master Ninja during the main story, reconsidering his own purpose in existence as he strives to catch up to Ryu Hayabusa.

“This time, we were finally able to set things under clear skies! So, we prepared locations where that brightness really shines,” says Nakao, with a grin on his face. “Yakumo’s stages were created with an urban, modern setting befitting the new Ninja Gaiden, while Ryu Hayabusa’s reflect the classic Ninja Gaiden image. We aimed for visuals that differ from [the main game], and stage design that fully embraces the essence of the Ninja Gaiden series.”

True to Nakao’s remark about clear skies, many battlefields in the DLC storyline are sunlit, marking a major shift from the atmosphere of base game’s main storyline. The Dark Dragon that once loomed over Tokyo’s sky is already gone, and likewise the Raven clan has been freed from its fate. Having fulfilled his clan’s long-held wish, Yakumo now must confront a new threat while grappling with inner conflict, all the while keeping up with Ryu Hayabusa.

An Addition to the Arsenal

As part of the DLC, Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa each receive one new weapon. Yakumo gains Solitaire, a double-bladed war scythe named for the French word, symbolizing his spiritual solitude and solitary nature. Ryu, meanwhile, receives Jakotsumon, a freely extending chain weapon that fires from serpent-themed gauntlets.

Solitaire

“When you think of a scythe, you think of the Grim Reaper, right? Yakumo, the solitary ninja who mercilessly cuts down enemies one after another, is nothing less of a grim reaper himself, and that was the image behind bringing Solitaire into the game. I’m not sure where he found it, though,” laughs Nakao. “Because it’s a scythe, we aimed for light, playful handling in each of Solitaire’s forms. The great scythe looks heavy, but you can wield it quickly and smoothly, offering more responsive action than Yakumo’s previous Bloodraven moves.”

Solitaire allows even more agile movement and is characterized by having relatively low risk when holding down the attack button for charged attacks. Its sustained attack can repel enemy projectiles, demonstrating excellent breakthrough power, even in chaotic battles against large enemy waves.

Jakotsumon

“Until now, Ryu’s weapons haven’t really had a long reach, so this time we challenged that,” says Nakao regarding Jakotsumon’s development. “Jakotsumon not only extends for attacks but can pull enemies in or pull Ryu toward them; it’s a weapon highly specialized for mobility and positioning. It also has techniques that strike many foes at once, so in terms of usability you could say it’s quite versatile.”

In Ninja Gaiden 4, Ryu Hayabusa wielding the Dragon Sword already makes him one of the most capable versions of the character in the series. With Jakotsumon’s addition, the game adds an all-round weapon that enables even more aggressive close-quarters combat while ensuring enemies don’t slip away.

As players grow accustomed to it, they’ll be able to enjoy a technical playstyle, where they will opt to use Jakotsumon’s versatility to compensate for actions difficult with just the Dragon Sword.

A Gaze into the Abyss

The Abyssal Road, a fresh addition in The Two Masters DLC, is a mode for Master Ninjas seeking simple yet endless combat. Difficulty is set by tiers; starting from Normal and increasing as players descend deeper, until around the 100th floor where you must continuously fight at Master Ninja difficulty.

“As you advance deeper, enemy placement is strengthened. It truly becomes an abyss,” warns Nakao. “Players must overcome the 100-floor ordeal with limited items. Key features of the Abyssal Road include specially colored blood orbs and enemies in a Frenzied state. Differently colored blood orbs behave differently, from raising score multipliers or filling the Berserk Gauge.

“Frenzied enemies, when defeated, spread their state to nearby foes. Defeating the Frenzied enemies guarantee the spawn of a special blood orb, so you must carefully judge when to finish them off. But the Frenzied state also enhances enemy aggressiveness and strength, so whether you spare them or kill them, neither path is easy.”

While it may seem overwhelmingly difficult at first glance, the Abyssal Road imposes no special restrictions like the ones in the Challenge Missions. For those who simply want to enjoy pure, relentless combat, it is an ideal new mode, where you may spend countless hours in blissful focus.

Offering the Best Possible Experience

Several months have passed since the release of Ninja Gaiden 4, and the game continues to evolve based on player feedback. The quality-of-life improvements introduced alongside The Two Masters include enhanced combat responsiveness, added options for weapon set customization, and fixes across multiple chapters.

One improvement I noticed immediately, and particularly appreciated, was the significant reduction in retry time. Previously, when Yakumo or Ryu fell, a few-second curtain-call sequence would play. Now, it can be skipped with a button inputs. Players no longer need to watch the screen in frustration thinking “I was so close!” while waiting for the retry prompt.

The Two Masters DLC arrives today, and with it Nakao wants to present a heartfelt message of gratitude to the series’ fans:

“Thank you for your patience since we announced the DLC. During the time you’ve been waiting, we packed in as much replayable content as possible, including new weapons, stages, and challenges.

“We also prepared a completely new weapon for Ryu, the Jakotsumon, and I hope you’ll enjoy trying out his first new weapon in quite some time.

“Even players who have already cleared the game will find more scenarios to enjoy and new enemies awaiting them. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to play Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Two Masters DLC!”

The Two Masters is included as a free update for those who purchased the Ninja Gaiden 4: Deluxe Edition ($89.99 USD) or the Deluxe Upgrade ($20 USD). It is also available as a standalone offer for $14.99 USD.

NINJA GAIDEN 4 Deluxe Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
636

★★★★★

$89.99

$58.49

Get it now

The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.

Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.

An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.

Experience a return to the intense, high-octane action of NINJA GAIDEN with the Deluxe Edition.

Includes:
• Base Game
• Future Gameplay Content*
• Traditional Dark Blue and Legendary Black Falcon Ryu Skins
• Blade of the Archfiend Ryu Weapon Skin
• Divine Chimera and Raven Master Yakumo Skins
• Divine Chimera Yakumo Weapon Set
• 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin
• Additional In-Game Items

NINJA GAIDEN 4 Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
965

★★★★★

$69.99

$45.49

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.

Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.

An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for one puzzle from the game!

When we began the game design process for this sequel, we had a clear goal in mind: Create deeper and more elaborate mechanics and puzzles, while at the same time maintaining the flow and accessibility of the first game.

To achieve this goal, we knew we wanted to give the player more control, and expand on Mui’s special hypnotize ability from the first game.

Using the environment as part of the challenge

In the first game, animals were controlled indirectly, by essentially constraining their position to Mui’s. In this sequel, we wanted the player to instead become the animal, controlling it freely in the world independent of Mui, and let the player experiment with its different movements and abilities.

This unleashed a whole new level of creativity and variation in the gameplay, where we could build puzzles around these new and fun animals that were lurking around in the world of Novo. One example is the tiny ink fish. Its fast and snappy movement lets it quickly navigate through the water, go through narrow tunnels, and it can even jump out of the water to reach new areas! Its special ability is that it can create an ink cloud, in which both the ink fish itself as well as Lana can hide from lurking dangers underwater.

Speaking of being under water, this is another aspect that we are introducing in this sequel. Lana can now dive down under the surface, which unlocks a whole new dimension of verticality to the puzzle design, as well as tension, because of the need to breathe.

Mui still has her fear of water, as in the first game, but now there’s a special kind of bubble plant that grows underwater in some places on Novo that Lana can fetch and tie to herself. Mui can then get inside of the bubble and together they can dive down and solve underwater puzzles!

When creating a puzzle, we always start with one or more overview sketches that we present to the rest of the team. We walk through it in stages, imagining how it would be to play and asking questions. Is the goal for the player clear enough? If failing, will the player get the feedback they need in order to not get stuck? Do we present the elements of the puzzle in the right order?

Balancing between challenge and flow

Here you can see a sketch of a puzzle where Lana has found one of the bubble plants mentioned earlier, and needs to find a way to open the underwater hypno door with Mui, without being seen by the shark monsters. 

At this stage, we collect valuable feedback based on the sketches, make adjustments and present it again. We repeat this process until we are certain that we are on the right track.

Then the Level Designers make a first pass building it in the engine, making sure everything can be built with the art assets we have available. Also, adjustments are made here to ensure that distances and scale feel good while moving through it in-engine.

As soon as possible, we then try to playtest it on players who have not seen the puzzle sketches. It’s important that this happens in context with the rest of the game, since sometimes a puzzle builds on elements introduced earlier, so testing it in isolation could lead to it being much more difficult than intended if too many totally new puzzle elements are introduced at the same time.

When analyzing the playtests, we look extra carefully for player confusion and frustration, to make sure we don’t break the flow of the game. Having the player not immediately progressing is not always a problem, as long as the player is having fun and is coming up with new ideas of how to solve a puzzle. It can sometimes be a fine line between a fun challenge and a frustrating experience!

As can be seen from this overview from the final game, this particular puzzle mainly kept its shape from the sketch, apart from some tweaks in proportions and distances.

Another small difference is the extra tunnels added around the second shark monster, which were added because it made it feel more natural for players where they were supposed to place an ink cloud (at the tunnel intersection).

Once we see that a puzzle tests well, the Level Artists continue filling out the world with more visual details and lighting, making it more and more beautiful with each pass of polish, as can be seen in this screenshot from the same area of the game.

Thank you for the opportunity to give you a glimpse of what goes into making a puzzle. We really look forward to seeing players explore these new and exciting parts of Novo!

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf will be released on March 5 and will be available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from day one! Wishlist now and go play Lana and Mui’s first adventure in the wait up to their epic continued journey, and follow @PlanetOfLana on social media to stay up to date.

Planet of Lana II

Thunderful Publishing AB

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

A World After the Machines Came
On Lana and Mui’s home planet, new technology brings progress but also stirs greed and imbalance. As different tribes adopt it in their own ways, tensions grow and the world’s harmony begins to shift. When those seeking power push too far, Lana and her little companion are pulled into a journey that reveals long-buried truths about their planet and about themselves.

A World That Tells Its Story
Journey across frozen peaks, deep oceans, and forgotten ruins in a hand-painted world where nature meets technology. With no spoken dialogue, characters express themselves through an alien language, letting the world, music, and your choices carry the story and inviting you to find its meaning for yourself.

A Bond at the Center of the Journey
Planet of Lana II is a cinematic puzzle-adventure built around companionship and trust. Guide an older, more agile Lana and her loyal companion Mui as their bond becomes the key to moving forward in a world where beauty and danger live side by side.

Thoughtful Puzzles & Fluid Movement
Puzzles are woven naturally into the world, rewarding awareness, timing, and cooperation instead of complex logic. Turn Lana’s expanded agility, from wall jumps to smooth movement and momentum, into your path through danger.

An Emotional, Carefully Paced Adventure
As Lana and Mui travel, new discoveries unravel the history of their planet and the truth behind Mui’s origins. Their journey grows into an intimate tale of coexistence, responsibility, and the cost of progress, carried forward by a moving orchestral score that gives weight to quiet moments, bold discoveries, and every emotional turn across its 6 to 8 hour adventure.

A Standalone Experience
Planet of Lana II welcomes new players while offering a deeper journey for those returning, an intimate story about connection, resilience, and protecting what still matters in a changing world.

Key Features

A Cinematic Puzzle-Platformer Adventure
A story-driven experience blending exploration, environmental puzzles and cinematic atmosphere.

A Companion-Driven Journey
A heartfelt adventure built around the bond between Lana and her loyal companion, Mui.

A Hand-Painted World in Transition
Explore a beautifully crafted planet where nature and technology collide, and different tribes respond to progress in their own ways.

Fluid Exploration & Movement
Guide an older, more agile Lana with wall jumps, smooth traversal, and dynamic movement across diverse environments.

Thoughtful & Varied Puzzles
Puzzles are woven naturally into the world, focusing on observation, timing, and cooperation rather than complex logic.

Storytelling Without Words
No spoken dialogue. Meaning emerges through visuals, music, and your interactions with the world.

An Emotional, Carefully Paced Sci-Fi Tale
Uncover new truths about the planet and Mui’s past in a 6-8 hour cinematic journey, accompanied by a moving orchestral score.

Wake up samurai, we have games to play. Whether you want to check out haunted kingdoms, Night City, or the track, we have something for you. Let’s get to the games!

Available Today

Final Fantasy III (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

With the power of light nearly eclipsed by the power of darkness, only the crystals’ four chosen adventurers can save the world.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a thrilling Action RPG, set amid the chaos of a civil war in 15th Century Bohemia. You are Henry of Skalitz – an ordinary man doing extraordinary things – caught in a gripping tale of revenge, betrayal and discovery as he embarks on an epic journey.

Coming Soon

to a T (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – March 4
Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass

A charming, colorful adventure game from the creator of Katamari Damacy and the uvula team about a teen navigating life in a small town with their cute dog companion. While their body is stuck in a T-pose, they do their best to make the most of it.

EA Sports F1 25 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – March 4
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Write your own legendary racing story, lead your team, and explore new modes in the official video game of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play now with EA Play and grab this month’s 5,000 XP Boost, available until March 31.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – March 5
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Available day one with Xbox Game Pass! Can a friendship change the world? Embark on an unforgettable sci-fi adventure with Lana and her loyal companion Mui. Solve clever puzzles, uncover hidden secrets, and confront the dangers reshaping their home. This breathtaking cinematic platformer is sure to challenge your mind, stir your heart, and dazzle your eyes and ears.

Construction Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 10
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Construction Simulator has returned – larger and more impressive than ever! Fulfil your ambition to become a successful construction entrepreneur by establishing your business from scratch, assisted by your mentor, Hape.

Cyberpunk 2077 (Cloud and Console) – March 10
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium

Become V, a cyberpunk-for-hire, and do what it takes to make a name for yourself in the dark future of Night City. But when a once-in-a-lifetime heist to steal an experimental prototype goes wrong, the trajectory of your life changes forever.

Hollow Knight: Silksong (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – March 12
Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass

Ascend to the peak of a vast, haunted kingdom in Hollow Knight: Silksong! The sequel to the award-winning action-adventure, Hollow Knight. Explore, fight and survive as Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest, as she discovers a land ruled by silk and song.

DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – March 17
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party invites players into a colorful, music-filled adventure with Gabby and her friends. Explore iconic rooms, enjoy playful mini-games, and celebrate creativity and teamwork in a family-friendly party experience.

In Case You Missed It

Diablo II: Resurrected (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 11
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Now available with cloud gaming. See the latest updates with Diablo II: Resurrected here! Play the definitive Diablo II experience now with Xbox Game Pass, featuring remastered versions of Diablo II, the Lord of Destruction expansion, and more.

Game Updates

Call of Duty: Warzone Black Ops Royale (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 13

Drop into Black Ops Royale, a new free mode inspired by Blackout and reimagined for today’s Call of Duty: Warzone. Set on the Avalon map, every match begins on an equal playing field — no loadouts, no buy stations, just pistols and instinct. Scavenge for upgrades, armor, and perks to power up. Take smart risks, outplay your opponents, and be the last squad standing.

In-Game Benefits

Call of Duty: Warzone (Console, PC)

Game Pass Pack 5: Game Pass members get a FREE in-game bundle for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Call of Duty: Warzone.

This pack includes:

• Operator Skin
• 4x Weapon Blueprints
• 2x Weapon Charms
• Finishing Move
• Emblem
• 2x Weapon Sticker
• Spray
• 2XP Token (1 hour)

Leaving March 15

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Jump back in to tie up any loose ends or save up to 20% off your purchase to keep the fun going!

• Bratz Rhythm & Style (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Enter the Gungeon (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• F1 23 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• He is Coming (PC)
• Lightyear Frontier (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island (Cloud, Console, and PC)

We’re just getting started this month. As always keep your eye here or on Xbox Game Pass and Xbox for the latest news updates for what’s coming to your “to be played” list, and we’ll talk soon!

_{Note: Games with a ‘Handheld’ designation represent those that are optimized for handheld play.}