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.}

Five years ago, The Shore introduced PC players to a nightmare realm of cosmic horror and existential dread. Now, as the game celebrates its anniversary, that same haunting experience is coming to Xbox Series X|S in 2026 with The Shore: Enhanced Edition.

I still remember the first time I encountered one of The Shore‘s massive eldritch entities towering over the island’s abandoned ruins. That oppressive atmosphere, those twisted landscapes shaped by ancient gods – now console players will experience that same terror firsthand, reimagined and optimized for modern platforms.

Originally released on PC in February 2021, The Shore quickly gained recognition for its atmospheric Lovecraftian horror and deeply personal narrative. Dragonis Games’ debut title resonated with horror fans worldwide, establishing the studio’s reputation for creating immersive, story-driven experiences rooted in cosmic dread.

Now, through a publishing partnership with Iphigames, The Shore: Enhanced Edition brings this celebrated indie horror experience to a new generation of players on Xbox Series X|S. The Enhanced Edition has been fully adapted for modern console platforms, delivering refined visuals and an immersive experience that takes full advantage of the hardware.

You take on the role of Andrew, a father searching for his missing daughter on a remote island abandoned by humanity. As you explore decaying ruins and twisted landscapes, reality begins to fracture around you. The island hides secrets older than time itself, and every step forward pulls you deeper into a nightmare shaped by fear, loss and obsession.

Ancient gods lie hidden beneath the island, slowly changing the world above. Armed with strange artifacts and fragments of forbidden power, you must survive encounters with eldritch beings while uncovering the truth behind both the island and your daughter’s fate. Knowledge comes at a terrible cost.

The Shore blends exploration and environmental puzzles in a world shaped by forbidden knowledge. Dark visuals, huge creatures, and unsettling locations create a constant feeling of dread as you navigate villages, ruins and strange landscapes inspired by Lovecraftian horror.

You’ll solve environmental puzzles using logic, observation and strange objects found throughout your journey. The game’s immersive sound design uses whispers and silence to build tension and pull you deeper into this nightmarish world.

The five-year journey from PC launch to console debut represents an important milestone for Dragonis Games. Founded by Ares Dragonis, the independent studio has continued to focus on creating atmospheric, story-driven experiences inspired by cosmic and psychological horror, with previous titles including Eresys and Necrophosis.

The console version comes through a publishing partnership with Iphigames, a game development studio based in Athens, Greece, that supports distinctive and ambitious projects and helps developers bring their creative visions to console and global audiences.

The Shore: Enhanced Edition is scheduled to launch on Xbox Series X|S in 2026. As the game enters its sixth year, this console release marks a new chapter for the beloved horror adventure.

Over the years, World of Warcraft has started to feel like a big plate of comfort food to me, with big servings of quests piled up high, a generous scoop of lore on the side, with a nice, refreshing new expansion every so often to wash it down. It’s familiar. It’s cozy. It’s home.

Having been a casual WoW player for about 20 years now, which is a bonkers thing to type out, I’ve always enjoyed going at my own pace while exploring Azeroth. That’s to say I still don’t consider myself good at the game — sometimes all I want to do is collect a couple of boar pelts and call it a night, y’know? Now with the release of World of Warcraft: Midnight, the stakes continue to mount for the future of our heroes, and Azeroth itself, as we’re all being asked to take up arms… to move furniture.

Housing is one of the biggest features included in the newest expansion — maybe even one of the biggest new features in years — making World of Warcraft truly feel like a home. After a hard day of adventure, what’s better than taking a nice stroll through the neighborhood, hitting up a fishing spot, repairing a neighbor’s fence, and becoming envious of some of those larger houses down the street, to help round out your day in Azeroth?

For the last few weeks, I’ve been dabbling with the new Housing feature as part of the early access period of Midnight. While I may not be the most creative designer, I’ve found that the more time I’ve spent with the tools, the more adventurous I’ve felt in coming up with new layout ideas to stake my little corner of this fantastical world that I can call my own.

Selecting My Plot

Things started off briskly when I first arrived in Razorwind Shores, the Housing island zone for Horde players (my main is a forsaken warrior) – Alliance players have Founder’s Point. The initial tutorial of finding a spot to live was a lot of fun, as Toncho Cloudhide — think of him as a Tauren realter — guided me through the various biomes that I could choose to live in.

From the lush forests of the Cragthorn Highlands, the impressive rocks along The Bluffs, and the seaside retreat along Saltfang Shoals, there’s sure to be a spot for anyone to call home. Selecting an available plot is as easy as clicking on the signpost and paying a small fee. But if there’s a particular patch you really have your heart set on, you can cycle through various servers to see if that spot has been claimed.

I didn’t have trouble finding an area that suited what I was looking for. In fact, I’ve already moved my house once! I initially set up shop in the more densely wooded area near the Highlands (one of the more popular biomes based on availability). Now I’m more central in Runetotem’s Bounty, which is a tropical mix of elegant flora and palm trees, complimented by fishing streams, beautiful waterfalls, and friendly creatures. It’s also a much closer walk to The Common, which works as a central hub full of vendors and neighborhood quest givers.

Going Shopping

Having amassed quite a treasury over the years during my adventures, my gold stockpile is pretty healthy. As such, buying up a variety of furnishings in town from Decor Vendors isn’t hurting my bank account at all – and I don’t imagine it will hurt yours either. Most items like frames, chairs, desks, and light fixtures are priced at just a few gold coins, with the larger structures like tents and water fountains costing a bit more.

You can find most of the vendors located in The Common, with some others hiding just outside of town, down by the shore. What I would suggest, however, is finding a particular style that suits you before you start buying up everything on offer from these vendors. It is all about finding one who appeals to your design sense, like the wooden Bel’ameth style or the lavish Silvermoon interior to name a couple sold by Jehzar Stafall. For me, my go-to vendors are Shon’ja and Gronthul – I love that rugged Orgrimmar style for my home.

The large number of customizable home goods is another area I am incredibly impressed by – the sheer number of unique items you can purchase is a little mind-boggling. It’s clearly understood by the crafters of this world that not all sizes fit all, especially in a massive game like World of Warcraft, as these designs are intended to serve every type of player in Azeroth.

A Token of Adventure

As I’ve mentioned, I’ve never considered myself a very creative person when it comes to designing a virtual living space in video games. Even in time with life sims like The Sims and Animal Crossing, I’ve usually erred on the basic placements of living room furniture: a bed, a table, a desk, and some chairs. Maybe a fun wallpaper. But something about the Housing feature for World of Warcraft has hit different.

I think a big part of it is that it finally feels like I can give my hero, whom I’ve spent years with, a place to live. I’ve gone on hundreds of quests over the years but, really, all I’ve been able to show for it has been a nice set of armor, a fancy mount, and a cool-looking sword. Which are all great — who doesn’t love a new piece of loot? But now these contributions in the world can be more noticeable and memorable. Housing gives me something more tangible to connect to within this world I’ve enjoyed participating in. There’s now a mark on the ground that I was here. And that really resonates with me.

Another nice feature is how my legacy has found a way to be included amongst the variety of decor I can add to my home. Alongside the variety of chairs and rugs, my collection includes mementos from adventures long ago (and some pre-order tie-in bonuses). It’s modest, but it’s my collection.

As such, I have the Head of the Broodmother sitting above my fireplace, the Nesingwary Elk Head adorned on a wall in my living room, and the Prime Evil chest from Diablo sitting in the corner. I also found a great place to put a miniature replica of The Dark Portal that I’ll share in a minute, which is a limited-time log-in bonus that players can grab right now.

Making a Home

When I started out, placement of my furniture was basic. A chair by the fireplace. A writing desk in the corner. A rug in the middle of the room. Then I started to play with the scaling and height of these objects. I put a few pictures up, windows, and then some candle lighting. Soon I found myself becoming more critical of where I’m positioning tables and bookshelves, leaning coffin lids up against walls, and creating a staircase to the second floor. Where a few weeks ago I wasn’t sure how to properly place a chair, now I’m meticulously placing cobwebs in my hallways… and building secret bookcases that lead to Dark Portals…

That’s to say the more time I’ve put into the creative tools, the more ideas have started to flow on how else to decorate my home. It’s a very cool and different approach to playing within World of Warcraft – I’m not trying to min/max anything. Instead, I’m fretting over what to do about that dark corner underneath my staircase. I’m no longer worried that I’m not carrying weight during a raid; now I need to find things to put on my bookshelf. I like it. It gives Azeroth a more “lived in” feel than anything that has been here before.

The Next Adventure

Over the years, the grand adventure of World of Warcraft has felt centered around fighting alongside iconic heroes, saving the world from numerous cataclysmic events, and charging into battle alongside names like Sylvannas and Thrall. But that was always in knowing that everyone gets to experience these same adventures too. Sometimes together, other times alone. Warcraft has always wanted you to feel like you’re contributing to this massive world. Now with the addition of Housing, that feeling is coming through stronger than anything Blizzard has done before.

A lot of care and attention has been spent to make sure every player has what they need to make their own home within Azeroth, be it in Razorwind Shores or Founder’s Point. It has really started to feel like I am here in Azeroth. This is my little slice of comfort. Now as I continue the next grand adventure with the launch of World of Warcraft: Midnight, I can’t wait to bring home some new tokens of adventure to adorn my little corner of this magnificent world.

Dear Bus Drivers, it’s time to get back behind the wheel of officially licensed buses from globally renowned manufacturers, soak up the sun along your route and rebuild trust in public transportation. With Bus Simulator 27, we are delivering the most ambitious entry in the series to date. Together with developer Simteract, we are raising the bar in scope, authenticity and immersion. Bus Simulator 27 is coming later this year to Xbox Series X|S with Play Anywhere support.

For years, the Bus Simulator franchise has been all about putting you in the driver’s seat of the world’s most iconic and cutting-edge buses. Now, we are taking that promise even further. We are excited to confirm one of the most requested additions from our long-standing community: Solaris is joining the fleet. It arrives in style with the Solaris Urbino 18 hydrogen – winner of the prestigious Bus of the Year 2025 award. In total, you will be able to operate more than 45 officially licensed buses from 13 globally recognized brands, including Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Iveco Bus, Blue Bird, Scania, Volvo, and many more.

In addition to classic rigid, articulated, double-decker, and electric buses, you will be able to drive coach buses for the first time in the series’ history. Enjoy long-distance journeys, for instance, with the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo

Discover the beautiful fictional Southern European region of Felicia Bay, inspired by Spain and Portugal. Its lively twin cities Mequina and Alcaztelar welcome you to establish public transportation and serve both the residents and tourists. Around 20 distinct districts – ranging from residential to industrial and business – along with a host of exciting landmarks, make your shifts both pleasant and adventurous. You can collect iconic landmarks by passing them on your route or exploring the city on foot.

Bus Simulator 27 features dynamic weather and a full day and night cycle. The streets of Mequina and Alcaztelar are crowded, challenging you to keep to a tight schedule. Be prepared as accidents or roadworks can occur which force you to look for alternative ways to reach your next bus stop. A host of traffic and in-bus events will constantly keep you engaged and entertained.

You can play Bus Simulator 27 in three different ways: Story, Career and Sandbox. In Story Mode, you’ll meet several characters who guide you through building your bus company, offering new contracts and challenges.  The Career Mode on the other hand is powered by the economic and managerial systems of the game, allowing you to build your bus empire to your liking and create your very own routes to serve. Last but not least, the Sandbox Mode is the perfect playground to try things out without paying attention to money or rules: just driving around with your favorite bus or exploring Felicia Bay on foot in search of hidden collectibles.

However, driving isn’t all Bus Simulator 27 has to offer. Besides walking around the vibrant streets, you can also enjoy a ride as a passenger or an inspector and check tickets. But the biggest responsibility surely comes with the management part of your enterprise. Create routes considering peak times and passenger volume, purchase buses to expand your fleet and match different urban and interurban requirements, customize your buses by designing unique liveries or applying advertisements for additional income, and manage your staff by hiring bus drivers and assigning routes.

And you can do all this in multiplayer with up to three friends as well. Coordinate routes and collaborate to transport passengers safely and on time to their destinations, and grow your company together. In addition, Bus Simulator 27 features crossplay between Xbox Series X|S and the Xbox App on Windows, including Xbox Play Anywhere – buy the game on Xbox Series X|S and get the PC version at no additional cost.

Of course, Bus Simulator 27 supports popular steering wheels on Xbox Series X|S ensuring a smooth journey every time you start your shift in Felicia Bay.

We can’t wait to reveal more brands, features and surprises, as we move closer to the game’s launch. Stay tuned as Bus Simulator 27 is well on its way to becoming the most comprehensive and immersive entry in the series’ history.

Jump aboard and Ride the Sunshine!

Bus Simulator 27

astragon Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Look forward to the most comprehensive and advanced bus fleet in the history of the series so far. More than 45 officially licensed buses from 13 world-famous manufacturers, such as Solaris, Mercedes-Benz, MAN, IVECO BUS, Scania, and Volvo, are waiting for you to drive. Whether you are interested in classic rigid, articulated, and double-decker buses or in new electric buses – Bus Simulator 27 has got you covered. And for the first time ever in the series, you can get behind the wheel of impressive coach buses and enjoy long-distance journeys!

Felicia Bay is the perfect place to work where others go on vacation – a sunny fictive region in Southern Europe inspired by Spain and Portugal. Explore the vibrant twin cities of Alcaztelar and Mequina, featuring 20 unique districts packed with exciting landmarks – all brought to life by dynamic weather, a full day and night cycle, and bustling, crowded streets powered by Unreal® Engine 5. Create and serve routes, manage timetables, hire bus drivers, assign lines, customize buses with wraps and advertisements, and restore faith in public transportation in the local residents and visiting tourists.

Discover three different game modes and play the way you prefer: Story, Career, and Sandbox. Enjoy your time on the bus interacting with passengers. Watch out for in-bus and traffic events that may occur during your journey. And if you need a bit of variety, play as an inspector or take a ride as a passenger. You can also just exit the bus and explore Felicia Bay on foot to search for stunning points of interest and hidden collectibles.

Play solo or with your friends across all platforms in 4-player cooperative multiplayer crossplay mode. Coordinate routes and manage your bus fleet together and grow your company. Bus Simulator 27 supports a host of popular steering wheels and gamepads to make your ride as enjoyable as possible.

Jump aboard and let’s Ride the Sunshine!