"So, it's not just me, there's kind of a weird vibe this year, right?"

So said a friend of mine as we were chatting during Play Days, the in-person, media and creator-focused part of Summer Game Fest 2025 held in Los Angeles. I'm keeping them anonymous, but truthfully, it really wouldn't matter, because everyone I spoke with said some variant of the same thing.

As for why the vibes were a bit off, there are a couple of different layers to cut through. Part of it comes from the showcase that preceded media going hands-on with various games.

Opinions and tastes can range, and there were definitely some interesting games shown during the two-hour presentation hosted by Geoff Keighley, but for my money, it was easily the weakest show since Summer Game Fest has been a thing.

"You could really see the weight of all the studio closures and game cancellations," another friend in games publishing tells me, noting that with rampant layoffs over the last few years, there was eventually going to be a point where the well of new "blockbuster" titles to announce was simply going to run dry.

"It really felt like studios did the cost analysis and determined that it’s not worth paying top dollar right now," says another friend on the press side.

Capcom showing up to reveal its ninth mainline Resident Evil game was the clear exception, and Capcom's presence extended into Play Days. The Japanese publisher was frequently cited as a highlight in my conversations with other attendees, bringing presentations and demos for Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Pragmata, and Resident Evil Requiem.

Outside of Capcom, there were plenty of other developers with interesting games, and I crammed my schedule full trying to see as many as possible.

Annapurna Interactive, in particular, had a fun booth, styling game cases to make it appear that titles like Mixtape and Snap & Grab were being produced for NES and Dreamcast. Both games seem extremely promising, at least from my time hands-on.

Other developers and publishers showed up some neat titles I enjoyed checking out, such as Soft Rains' Ambrosia Sky, Supermassive Games' Directive 8020, Remedy Entertainment with FBC: Firebreak, Fictions with LEGO Party!, Dotemu's Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and more.

Xbox held its yearly highlight with the Xbox Games Showcase. It was a solid showing that I'd grade a "B-", but even here things felt like a step back from 2024's blockbuster cadence, a showing that unveiled a new DOOM game, a look at gameplay for Perfect Dark, and more that had earned an "A+" from me last year.

While mostly removed from Play Days itself, Xbox held a number of appointments nearby for great games shown off during the Showcase, including Obsidian's The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2, Team Ninja and PlatinumGames' Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Coalition's Gears of War: Reloaded, which was playable on the upcoming Xbox Ally X.

All of these games were great to play, and I'm looking forward to playing all four later this year.

Returning to that aforementioned weird vibe, it's impossible to ignore how the mood was also compounded by nearby events, with Los Angeles inhabitants protesting against immigration raids by ICE, and all of it taking place just a few streets over.

I'm not here to navel-gaze about my role, but it bears mentioning that I'm going to just feel off when watching things unfold like that, wondering if people are going to be okay, especially when I started getting messages and calls from friends (who I appreciate!) making sure I'm alright.

Many of my colleagues were visiting the U.S. from other countries in order to attend Play Days. Throughout the event, I was fraught with worry about them, trying to keep in touch and give advice to as many as I could while still managing my workload.

In the evenings, as groups gathered in hotel lobbies to drink and chat, I constantly checked in to make sure various friends were getting to their rooms and staying off the street.

Yet with all of that said, I still had a fantastic time. Working remotely for most of what I do is great, but I seriously appreciate being able to actually talk to people in person, whether it's putting names to faces for the first time or catching up with longtime pals. It's a grounding recharge that I need at least once a year.

I'm not even going to try listing everyone because I'll inevitably forget some names and feel bad about it, but if we took time to chat, I appreciate you, and I dearly hope to see you again next year or sooner.

I also want to be clear that I appreciate Play Days for what it is and what the organizing team has accomplished every year. They listened to feedback and took security for the event itself quite seriously. It's not E3 reborn, but for what it is, it doesn't need to be.

Summer Game Fest was really weird this year. I'm already looking forward to hopefully going again in 2026.

With all that said, let me hear from you

I've said my piece, but now, I'd like to hear from our readers. What did you think of Summer Game Fest and the assorted associated showcases?

Did you think the various streams were better or worse than last year? No matter what your opinion is, I'd also like to know why you felt that way and what stuck out to you.

Japanese developer and publisher Capcom is delivering constant hits, with critical and commercial successes from established franchises, while also reviving older series. That seems set to continue with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, an action-adventure game set to launch next year.

During Summer Game Fest 2025, I got to attend a theater presentation that showed over 20 minutes of gameplay from Onimusha: Way of the Sword. After, I also had the chance to speak with director Satoru Nihei and producer Akihito Kadowaki through the assistance of a translator.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is the first new Onimusha game in 20 years, something Nihei says is a result of multiple factors.

"It's all about finding the right people," he says, noting that it can sometimes be difficult with how many projects Capcom has going at once. He adds that development on this game started when the Onimusha team came together in 2020.

In Way of the Sword, players step into the shoes of a warrior named Miyamoto Musashi, and he isn’t just any random samurai. He’s equipped with an Oni Gauntlet, a mystical device that can absorb the souls of his fallen foes, empowering him and granting him supernatural techniques.

Even so, Musashi isn’t exactly happy about this arrangement, as he wishes to prove his strength through normal means. He’s reluctant about using the power of the Gauntlet, but he’s forced to tap into his strengths to face the Genma, nightmarish creatures clawing their way into the world.

These demonic foes slaughter helpless villagers with wanton abandon, inflicting brutality on the inhabitants of Kyoto, especially around the historic Kiyomizu-dera temple.

As I watch Musashi fight back against the invaders, his movements are swift and precise, with careful attention to detail on the animations as he swings his sword to cut through enemy ranks.

His blows are brutal, lopping off limbs or bisecting foes entirely, something Kadowaki says the team really focused on using with the company's proprietary RE Engine.

"Specificially for Onimusha, [the developers] were looking into creating a system for dismemberment for the enemies," he says, adding that the team believes having an active dismemberment system will make combat feel more satisfying for players.

Once enemies are killed, their souls linger on the battlefield and can be absorbed by Musashi using the Oni Gauntlet. This has to be done manually, as the souls don't stay forever, though, and will disappear or even be absorbed by enemies if players wait too long, something that Nihei believes helps to separate Onimusha from other action games.

Musashi has more tricks up his sleeve and can redirect attacking foes into his surroundings, knocking enemies into the environment. A nearby fire or even a table can be turned to his advantage in an instant.

As the presentation continues, a floating Genma absorbs the souls of an enemy that died nearby, becoming empowered and gaining dangerous new attacks. Musashi is capable of deflecting enemy ranged attacks, which is key to staggering certain foes.

Continuing on, Musashi makes his way to the temple. There, the Oni Gauntlet speaks to him, arguing with an almost-sassy tone about what he should do next.

"It's actually something that's very important for the dev team to implement because it's going to serve as a way to provide information, but the interaction between Musashi and the gauntlet is going to provide more context to the world around Musashi and why he's on this journey in the first place," explains Nihei. "It allows us to flesh out the narrative a lot more."

As the conversation between Musashi and the gauntlet continues, visions of the past are conjured up around him, showing spirits of those who were slaughtered here. According to Nihei, the team wanted to explore the juxtaposition of a beautiful temple with the murky stories that persist in legends.

"Kyoto's an extremely old city in Japan, and it has a lot of legends, a lot of folklore. There's a lot of dark and occult-like stories that are found everywhere you travel around the city," Nihei says.

"As game developers and creators, we felt that has a very entertaining element to it. There's a very interesting contrast between the current beautiful image of Kiyomizu-dera and these dark fantasies."

Within the temple, Musashi confronts Ganryu, a rival who also has an Oni Gauntlet. Ganryu has no qualms about unleashing the gauntlet's power, using devastating attacks that put Musashi on the defensive.

Ganryu's attacks render heavy destruction all around as he laughs madly, but eventually, Musashi is victorious. I'm not at all confident that his rival is gone for good.

While Onimusha: Way of the Sword is not coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Kadowaki indicates there's no one element that's possible because of being designed around the latest gaming hardware, and instead, the game is just scaled around what the latest consoles can do.

He gives an example, saying that while the PlayStation 5 could handle 10 enemies surrounding Musashi, if the game had to be developed for the PlayStation 4, then that number might be cut down.

To close out the presentation, I see another boss fight, with Musashi taking on a massive creature called Byakue that tears into the world through a bleeding wound in reality.

During this duel, I noticed that the quick and elegant movements remain, but whenever the attacks clash in a parry, Musashi visibly struggles, exerting pressure and force before pushing the monster back. When I asked the developers about this, Nihei confirmed it was a conscious choice.

"That's one of the things [the team] really focused on for the game, because we felt that for a lot of these bigger enemies, if Musashi reacted the same way he did with regular-sized enemies, it didn't really make a lot of sense and it also didn't seem realistic," he explains.

"Everything should have a weight to it, you can feel the danger. It gives it a more unique feeling compared to other titles in the genre."

From the brutal combat to the dark tone, I'm impressed with everything I've seen, and I can't wait to play this game next year. As my final question, I asked Nihei what he wants players (whether longtime fans or newcomers) to know about Onimusha: Way of the Sword.

"We're creating a game that's steeped in dark fantasy elements," he says. "We're going to have a lot of charming characters brimming with personality. We believe that people are really going to like the cast of characters as well as the story."

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is slated to launch at some point in 2026 across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam), and PlayStation 5.

I'm a huge fan of cinematic horror games, a specific sub-genre that's essentially been cornered in the market by U.K. developer Supermassive Games, famous for titles like Until Dawn, The Quarry, and The Dark Pictures Anthology.

While I was in L.A. for Summer Game Fest 2025, I made sure to check out Supermassive's latest upcoming game, Directive 8020 while speaking to game director Will Doyle.

This science-fiction title is the fifth in the studio's Dark Pictures Anthology, and the first that it's self-published. It's also easily the most ambitious game the team has made, mixing in a couple of big new features that will change how players engage with the overall experience.

Directive 8020 is set far into the future, well beyond the mostly-happening-right-now backdrop of Supermassive's prior titles. With Earth dying, a group of astronauts set off in search of a new world that can house a colony.

Crash-landing on the planet Tau Ceti f, the astronauts discover that they aren't alone, with a horrifying alien tracking them down. This creature is capable of warping into various shapes, turning into a towering monster, or even assuming the form of one of the crew.

"They're put in a situation where they start off with technology on their side, using their brains to try and think their way through the situation," Doyle says. "Like a lot of classic sci-fi horror, they end up kind of losing that over the course of the story, getting stripped down to the bone where they're surviving in a more primal way by the end of it."

"For me, Aliens is probably my favorite film, and obviously I love The Thing," he adds, pointing to how the premise is unashamedly inspired by a fusion of both, while noting that the latter in particular is something that Supermassive's fans have been asking for.

Naturally, the team has pulled heavily from Ridley Scott's films to find the right visual language, aesthetic, and even color grading, looking to Alien, Prometheus, and Alien: Covenant for inspiration.

Another font was found in the cult classic Event Horizon, with Doyle pointing to the way the visuals get more and more frantically disturbing toward the end.

During the brief demo I played (at around 8 minutes, it was one of the shorter hands-on experiences I had) Supermassive immediately introduces a couple of huge new features.

These games are known for their cinematic presentation, where characters mostly just explore and solve basic puzzles when walking around, with the heavy action reserved for Quick Time Events (QTEs). Directive 8020 throws that idea out the airlock.

Pursued by a hulking alien monster, I had to guide one of the astronauts out to safety in a stealth sequence. It's extremely tense, with a couple of points where I was sure I'd be spotted, but I managed to get through safely.

When I asked Doyle how the team has gone about balancing these encounters with the more traditional elements, he admits it's been a challenge.

"Creating a cinematic experience is number one for us, and that comes with a load of considerations around pacing. Making it feel like it's part of a cinematic drama is tricky," he says.

"We've had to be very careful where we put these moments, we don't want to overload you with them," he continues, adding that "The threat escalates, the threats that you're facing change throughout the game. There are other forms."

From there, I had to make a call on whether or not to trust if someone really was human. I won't spoil the outcome, but it's clear that a huge amount of the drama in Directive 8020 is set to come from who (if anyone) is an imposter in disguise.

This also leads Doyle to discuss the second big new feature in this game, the Turning Point system.

Instead of requiring players to stick with their decisions until the end, the team is now tracking every decision you make in the game with a branching tree. At any point, players can rewind to a particular point on that tree and replay to make a different decision.

Doyle notes that the idea was partially born out of a discussion he had with his best friend, who stopped playing House of Ashes (the third Dark Pictures game) when he lost his favorite character.

Doyle adds that he knows some fans prefer to see things through to the end, and so the team is also including a "Survival" mode that disables the ability to rewind. Building on that concept, Directive 8020 is also introducing some other wild shake-ups to the formula.

The ethos of Supermassive's horror titles include the core tenet that anyone can live or die based on player decisions. While true, traditionally, at least some characters are unkillable until the final act. That's not the case here.

"This game has got something which is kind of a hidden thing to find, but we call it the 'Death Spiral,'" Doyle explains. "Early on, much earlier than any of our [other] games, everyone can wipe out. Later on, when you get towards the end of the game, in this game you can have any combination of characters alive or dead."

In total size, Doyle says Directive 8020 is comparable to 2022's The Devil in Me. The game is divided into eight episodes, each taking around 40 minutes to an hour, depending on someone's exact playstyle.

Supermassive has explored different settings before, from mountain peaks and mines to ghost ships and forgotten tombs, but the sheer difference in time makes this the most different of any of the team's games so far.

That necessitated building "everything from scratch," without reusing assets like in prior titles. The result is the longest break the series has taken, with Directive 8020 coming three years after The Devil In Me. It's also resulted in a game that looks gorgeous, with elevated visual quality in basically every aspect.

"Initially we had a very, very aggressive cadence for our games," he says, adding that the team has "loads of stories to tell" but that the focus is now more on taking the right amount of time in building for the future.

"Let's amp up everything, let's get a whole load of systems that we can then build a base for the next set of games we're doing."

"The horror genre is popping off at the moment," he adds. "A lot of our games have been inspired by really classic genres like teen horror. Horror is always an extrapolation of present-day fears."

When I asked Doyle if Supermassive Games will go back to putting out a new game a year with this second season of The Dark Pictures Anthology, he's doubtful.

"I don't think we will. These games get more and more complex to make. We want to deliver high-end experiences."

Directive 8020 is slated to launch on Oct. 2, 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam), and PlayStation 5.

One of the simplest games I played at Summer Game Fest 2025 is also one of the most "pure fun" experiences I had while I was in L.A. earlier in June.

I had to chance to check out Marvel Cosmic Invasion, a beat 'em up being developed by Tribute Games and published by Dotemu.

This duo is the same partnership responsible for the excellent 2022 title, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, and I'm happy to say the teams seem to once again be hitting a high-quality bar.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion loosely follows the Annihilation comic storyline, which dealt heavily with cosmic characters like Nova and the Silver Surfer.

I say "loosely," because instead of solely dealing with outer space, plenty of mainstay icons are thrown into the mix, with the roster of 15 playable characters including Captain America, Venom, and others.

While you can take a character another player has active, you can also have completely unique selections.

While I played couch co-op with one other person, the game supports up to four players, meaning you could, in theory, have four Spider-Men running around at once, or have everyone take different picks and get eight different characters onto the field.

As you'd expect, the game looks amazing, with detailed pixel art that perfectly captures the vibes and aesthetic of late-90s Marvel. All the animations look incredible, with special mention going to Venom and Storm, whose ultimate attacks fill the screen with chaotic tentacles and lightning, respectively.

Combat feels good, with snappy inputs and movement that never feels too messy despite how hectic things can get on screen. Because each player selects two characters, one key aspect of movement is learning how to balance swapping in and out.

A second character can be called in for a brief special attack or swapped in during a combo, meaning that once I got the timing down, I was racking up dozens of uninterrupted hits with a continuous stream of blows as I went back and forth between Venom, Nova, and others.

While the slice I played was about 20 minutes long, it was enough to see some familiar foes, including Taskmaster, who closed out one level as a boss fight with some unique mechanics.

Truthfully, my only complaint is that I wasn't able to play around with She-Hulk or Rocket Raccoon, who are both confirmed for the roster but weren't available for the hands-on session at Summer Game Fest.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other characters join the list. The confirmations have been pretty varied up to this point, even if they've leaned a bit on the side of more prominent characters, so there's no telling who could be next.

Hopefully, the team can also share a release date soon, but whenever it's available, Marvel Cosmic Invasion seems like pure co-op fun that shouldn't be missed.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is slated to launch sometime later in 2025 across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

If you're going to steal, you should at least have an excellent strut, a keen camera eye, and be fashionable while you do it. That's the gist behind Snap & Grab, a game being developed by No Goblin and published by Annapurna Interactive.

I had the chance to play for about 30 minutes and ask the developers some questions while I was in L.A. for Summer Game Fest 2025.

While there are definitely some rough spots and areas that need attention, the core loop is enjoyable, and the writing is hilarious, so I definitely recommend keeping an eye on Snap & Grab as the team continues working on it.

In Snap & Grab, players step into the heels of Nifty Nevada, a famous photographer with a keen eye for fashion. Unbeknownst to the general public, she's also the architect behind several unsolved capers, with a keen eye for valuables and an equally keen brain for planning out heists.

In each level, Nifty is let loose on a high-class building and is given the goal of stealing something. Because she doesn't actually steal it herself — the actual physical pilfering is left to her mooks, like the incredibly muscular Brick — Nifty instead plans out the heists by taking pictures, then arranging them in a flowchart blueprint.

As such, the camera is important, and fortunately, it works well. Nifty can whip out her camera and start snapping shots of anything that could be useful, from platters of hot dogs to curiously top-heavy statues.

At any point, you can then trigger the heist and watch things play out. If you're like me, you won't get it right the first time, and there'll be some humorous sequences as it fails in some way due to an aspect you didn't consider.

It's one thing to throw a switch and drop a chandelier on an ice sculpture, but how do you take care of the nearby guards?

Cessia Castillo, senior level designer at No Goblin, cites the Hitman games as an influence on the moment-to-moment gameplay, and it feels apt. There's no one particular solution to a problem, and if you can pick something up, it's possible to steal it and take it back to Nifty's place...if you can figure out how.

While the demo I played only had a penthouse available, I'm told the full game will have multiple levels, each with several distinct goals. That's in addition to replayability through photo challenges.

Everything is wrapped up in a fun aesthetic, with the art direction leaning into campy overtones. It's all extremely gay, and I mean that as a serious compliment.

With all that said, the game does need some more polish. Cutscenes are extremely barebones right now, and a number of animations in the game are oddly timed or seem to be outright missing.

While these rough edges could do with sanding, I'm keeping a close eye on Snap & Grab from here on. The team at No Goblin is on to something with this, and I'd like to see where it goes.

Snap & Grab is currently slated to launch at some point in 2026. When it does, it'll be available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), and PlayStation 5. It'll also be included at launch in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

One minute, you're skateboarding down a highway, blissfully ignoring the irritated drivers coming your way. The next, you're having your first kiss with about 500% too much tongue. That's just being a teenager.

That's also the experience I had in Mixtape, a game being developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur and published by Annapurna Interactive. I had the chance to play about 25 minutes of Mixtape when I was in L.A. for Summer Game Fest 2025.

Despite seeing the reveal trailer last year during the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, I really didn't know what to expect, but I'm happy to say that after playing the demo slice, Mixtape is one of the most creative games I've played in a while, with perfect pacing and constantly-shifting gameplay.

The premise for Mixtape is simple. A small group of friends have finished high school, and with one of them flying states away in pursuit of her dream job, they all decide to attend one last party, having one last amazing night to remember before they split up, possibly forever.

All three are obsessed with great music, and so amid this teenage twilight, the group is making sure they put together one last incredible mixtape.

Music is at the core of the experience, and there's always some beat in the background, no matter what's happening, with the soundtrack boasting songs from DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, the Cure, "and many more."

Speaking with creative director Johnny Galvatron, I asked how he figured out which songs to include. He's open about how most of them are from his personal favorites, with a smaller handful of additional tracks added where the team needed to "work backwards" and fill the space with the appropriate beat.

In crafting Mixtape, Beethoven and Dinosaur took an unusual approach, building a "horizontal slice" that had the game playable from beginning to end in a very rough state. From there, the studio expanded or trimmed sections as necessary in order to ensure the soundtrack fit snugly.

Mixtape's gameplay changes rapidly, and it's sometimes jarring, but never difficult to understand. A particularly noteworthy segment sees the juvenile trio escaping from a house party as the police close in.

With one of them nearly passed out, they commandeer a shopping cart, rapidly turning and twisting down highways as multiple police cars and even a helicopter descend in pursuit. It's fun, exhilarating, and borderline ludicrous, something Johnny affirms is intentional.

"When you're at that age, everything feels like a bigger deal than it is," he says, explaining that he wanted to represent that sense of anxiety and turmoil that teenagers go through.

It's not all narrow escapes and trauma bonding, though. One fun chunk has the group headbanging along with a song as they roll out to order cheeseburgers, with their rhythm determined by how quickly I could mash the buttons on the controller. It's fun, and like all the other bits I played, it doesn't overstay its welcome.

When I asked Johnny if he's got a release date in mind, he's evasive, but does note that he feels good about the next calendar year (or the next 12 months, to be clear). Whenever it eventually launches, I'll be eager to return and finish this album.

To close out our discussion, I asked Johnny if there was anything else he wanted potential players to understand about Mixtape. His response is appreciably blunt and honest.

"Just play it."

Mixtape is slated to launch on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), and PlayStation 5. It's also coming day one to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

As I watch explosions rip enemy soldiers apart before ordering my companion to finish off a hulking mech, it becomes clear just how much of a step up The Outer Worlds 2 seems to be compared to its predecessor.

During my trip to cover Summer Game Fest 2025, I stopped by Xbox for a few appointments. After I watched this year's Xbox Games Showcase, I had the chance to play several games and chat with the developers making them. After playing The Outer Worlds 2 for 30 minutes and chatting with game director Brandon Adler, it's clear there's a lot to like as the team is working to address feedback players had for the first game.

Adler started as a producer at Obsidian before working his way up to game director on The Outer Worlds 2. He's excited about the game, openly saying that there was a lot that the team wanted to improve or fix.

"The Outer Worlds 1 is a great base to work from, I love the IP, I love all that stuff, but I was also like 'Hey, I think there's things that we could be improving that are going to be easy wins for us,'" he says.

Before the first game shipped, Adler made a list of things he thought the press and fans would both criticize. This list included things like the limited nature of the open zones, the frequent loading screens, and the combat.

"Lo and behold, when we did user research, every single one of those things came up," he says.

I echo some of these complaints. While I enjoyed The Outer Worlds as a concise, tightly-paced role-playing game (RPG), it had some flaws. The gunplay felt extremely rote, with combat never really evolving once you'd played for a few hours. That's not the case here at all, as the team has vastly improved how it feels to aim and pull the triggers on an enemy.

Playing on an Xbox Series X dev kit — the team declined to share details on graphics modes for consoles at this time — Obsidian had an interesting setup, with Combat, Speech, and Stealth builds available for the demo. I first chose the combat-oriented build, and I was immediately impressed by the difference.

Indeed, the guns here are almost reminiscent of Insomniac's Ratchet and Clank, with a quad-barrel ice-crusted shotgun becoming a fast favorite of mine alongside a slow, clunky machine gun that resembled a World War 2 anti-air gun.

Adler says that in response to criticism around the first-person shooting, Obsidian hired dedicated combat designers. The team also focused on studying why games like Bungie's Destiny feel good to play, and then went to Halo Studios for further advice, with that team giving Obsidian a list of things they could do to help make shooting feel better.

Exploring the environment in between shootouts, it's also apparent that there are benefits to different types of skills, and there's often more than one solution for solving a problem. My character didn't have the engineering know-how to open a damaged door, but he did have enough sheer muscle to force it open.

If you prefer to sneak around, there are also numerous vent passageways and areas to clamber up. You can also double-jump, which makes platforming far easier.

After stealing an experimental rift device and exploiting it to escape the facility, I immediately restarted the demo with the Speech build.

My limited-time hands-on meant I couldn't capture all the differences, but I did notice some new conversation options pop up, as well as some options that weren't available because I hadn't met the requirements by finding out exactly what was going on.

While the demo ended just as I made it outside, and so I didn't get to play the open world portions, Adler is confident that these open zones are far more satisfying to explore.

Another major point of improvement? Reducing the loading screens. While you'll still get a "hard load" when booting up a save file, you won't have a load screen just because you're entering a building. That means general exploration or going in and out of various places will be a much smoother experience.

It's hard to judge many aspects of an RPG based on 30 minutes of playing, but the clear leap up in gunplay here has my attention. It was easily my biggest concern and question going in. With that solved, I'm fully looking forward to Obsidian's next big game.

The Outer Worlds 2 is slated to launch on Oct. 29, 2025, across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud, Windows PC (Battle.net, Steam, Xbox PC), and PlayStation 5. Like all Xbox first-party games, the standard edition is also coming day one to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

When I was in L.A. for Summer Game Fest 2025, multiple people at Xbox told me that 2025 is the "year of Obsidian," as the studio is launching three distinct games this year.

Perhaps nothing exemplifies that as well as the announcement and imminent arrival of Grounded 2, a sequel to Obsidian Entertainment's popular co-op survival game.

After watching the game's reveal and Direct presentation during the Xbox Games Showcase, I had the chance to play about 30 minutes while speaking to Chris Parker, one of the founders of Obsidian Entertainment and the game director on Grounded 2.

My demo opened at the beginning of the game, with some story setup as the kids realize they've been shrunk once again.

It's two years after the events of the first Grounded, and moving the story forward this far was a careful, conscious choice, as the team wanted the kids to age up a bit because so many younger players had a formative experience playing Grounded through the pandemic.

Moving onto newer Xbox hardware helped the team realize their vision

After crafting some spears and completing the early tutorial, I moved ahead to a save file several hours later, where I had a full base, good weapons, and most important of all: a Buggy.

Buggys are new to Grounded 2, letting players hop on the back of various tamed bugs and ride them around, making exploration far faster and making combat against larger creatures a bit easier.

While Obsidian supported the original Grounded past its 1.0 launch with a number of updates, the team eventually made the choice to work on a new game. The main reason? Platforms.

Because Grounded had to run on the Xbox One, the team found itself faced with technical problems that were easier to solve with a higher baseline, which would necessitate a sequel.

"Our ability to sort of grow on that platform was really restricted," Parker explains, adding that while they probably could have eventually figured some things out, moving onto a new game made it far easier, especially for designing Buggys.

This was extra-important as Buggys were by far the most requested feature from fans, and the team wanted to deliver.

Buggys add another level of strategy, if you can get one

While I was given a Buggy to enjoy riding around in my demo, it'll be a bit of a challenge for players at launch.

To get a Buggy, you have to find an egg, which means sneaking into a Fire Ant or Orb Weaver nest and stealing the egg back to your base, something far easier said than done, as the creatures won't be too happy to see you.

Parker explains that different Buggys are meant to have very distinct roles. While the Fire Ant Soldier can recruit Workers to aid it. Meanwhile, the Orb Weaver has a roar attack that can stun enemy bugs, making it more specialized for combat.

Riding around on a Fire Ant is a blast, making it easier to cut through grass quickly and gallop across the map.

At launch, Grounded 2's map is set to be the size of Grounded 1.0, and as the game continues evolving through updates while it's in Game Preview, Parker eventually expects Grounded 2 to be three times the size of the first game.

A major reason that's possible is because the team at Obsidian Entertainment partnered with Eidos Montreal for support. With Eidos Montreal providing external development supports, it's easier for Obsidian to add new creatures, Buggys, and areas over time.

Obsidian is looking forward to player feedback

To close out my session, I asked Parker what kind of feedback (good or bad) he's hoping to hear from players.

"Obviously I hope they're having fun with it, right?" he says, adding that he really hopes players "appreciate the method and process of getting and maintaining and interacting with Buggys."

Parker also notes that the entire team is looking forward to player feedback on what isn't working, and that the dialogue between players and developers is a key part of why the team is once again choosing to launch in Game Preview.

I'm not the biggest fan of survival games, but I had fun playing the original Grounded. I'm expecting that to continue now with Grounded 2, and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of new Buggys will be added over time. Personally, I'm hoping for a tarantula.

Grounded 2 is slated to launch in Game Preview and Steam Early Access on July 29, 2025 across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud, and Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC). Like all Xbox first-party games, it's also available at launch in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

As I watch Ninja Gaiden 4 lead Yakumo instantly respond to my button mashes, hacking and slashing at heavily armored soldiers before brutally dismembering them with stylish finishers, only one coherent thought forms in my head, and it's one I immediately share when my 25 minutes is up.

"Hell yeah."

When translated, this elicits a laugh from PlatinumGames producer and director Yuji Nakao, as well as Team Ninja producer and director Masakazu Hirayama.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is one of a downright deluge of games I checked out while I was in L.A. for Summer Game Fest 2025. Shortly after watching the Xbox Games Showcase, I had the chance to play this long-hoped-for game, and so far, it's looking good.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is set in a dark, futuristic version of Tokyo, where armies of cybernetically-empowered soldiers patrol the streets. It's constantly raining, so everyone and everything is quite literally drenched in misery.

Yakumo feels fast and responsive, with no delay to any of his actions. As a trained ninja, he's capable of wall-running and grappling to vantage points with his Caddis Wire. All those tools are important, because enemies hit hard and fast.

The moment I encountered my first group of enemies, I was promptly stomped, and it became immediately apparent that Ninja Gaiden 4 isn't holding back on the difficulty front. Utilizing different techniques is crucial, and fortunately, there's plenty of different tricks to try.

"The essence of Ninja Gaiden is really having that dynamic counterplay between offense and defence and coming up against almost impossible odds with so many enemies coming at you, but being able to dig into a really diverse toolset," Hirayama says.

The core gameplay and level design in Ninja Gaiden 4 is primarily developed by PlatinumGames, with Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja providing editorial oversight. Meanwhile, the game is being published by Xbox Game Studios Publishing division, which partners on externally-developed first-party titles.

"It's been really great to work with Microsoft and be able to announce the game and have these events, as well as bringing it to Game Pass and reaching a wider playerbase" Hirayama says.

This partnership has allowed a best of both worlds approach. As I played, I could clearly see the DNA of other PlatinumGames action titles, in particular with how Yakumo dodges almost like Bayonetta as he evades attacks.

When I asked about how the team was working to make the game feel right for both longtime veterans and curious newcomers, Hirayama noted that there are difficulty options that can be changed at any time, and that the full game will have an additional stage before the demo I played that more slowly introduces various moves and combat techniques.

Players will also frequently be able to practice their moves by consulting with Tyran, Yakumo's mentor, who shows up throughout levels to teach new techniques in exchange for Ninja Coin.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is extremely bloody, tying in gore to the intrinsic gameplay loop. Yamuko is encouraged to use Obliteration Technique to finish off wounded soldiers, dispatching them in a whirlwind of blades and limbs.

"The conversation around action games has changed quite a lot since the last Ninja Gaiden game, as Soulslikes have taken center stage," Nakao says. "We are going against the trend and also injecting our own distinct game design sensibilities from PlatinumGames, which is the style and the dynamic expressions, but when you pick up the controller and you play, it has that responsiveness and really satisfying gameplay."

While Yakumo has plenty of classic moves, he also has some completely new tricks. The showpiece is his Bloodraven form, which instantly transforms him into a demonic-esque half-raven form, greatly enhancing his damage and raw power.

As the demo continued, Yakumo also gained access to the Berserk Gauge, which fills up the more damage he deals. Entering Berserk state grants access to one-hit Bloodbath kills, which bisect enemies while turning the entire screen red and black. It's brutal and awesome to use and watch.

Overall, I've come away extremely excited for Ninja Gaiden 4. There's a fusion here, with classic action gameplay that's still moved forward mechanically, something that seems to clearly be a result of the team-up that's brought this game together.

In particular, longtime fans will be happy with how the game throws plenty of enemies at you and doesn't hold back on spilling buckets of blood.

I'm already itching to get back to hacking and slashing in the dark future of Tokyo. I'm also curious at what point longtime series protagonist Ryu Hayabusa is slated to enter the story...

Ninja Gaiden 4 is slated to launch on Oct. 21, 2025 across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), and PlayStation 5. Like all Xbox first-party games, it'll be included day one in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Capcom's Pragmata was first announced all the way back in 2020, but after going dormant for years, it finally reemerged in the lead up to Summer Game Fest 2025, with a new trailer shown during PlayStation's June State of Play.

When I visited Capcom at Summer Game Fest to check out Resident Evil Requiem and some other stuff, I also got to play about 20 minutes of Pragmata. Going in, I was told I was my group was one of the first to play it outside of the company, and I really didn't know what to expect.

I'm happy to say that what I played is fairly different than anything I was imagining, and while it's only a smaller slice, I'm curious to see more in the future.

My time with Pragmata opened on an abandoned research station where a man named Hugh is gravely injured. An android named Diana (who has the form of a young girl) helps heal Hugh's injuries.

While he's confused as to what's going on, there's not much time to ponder, as the duo are almost immediately attacked by other (seemingly less-advanced) androids.

It's here the core loop of Pragmata becomes apparent, and it's pretty unique. Androids have thick armor and take extremely low amounts of damage from your weapons, making them almost impossible to kill...until they're hacked. Hopping onto Hugh's back, Diana helps by hacking androids via a real-time minigame that plays out with a controller's face buttons.

You have to juggle dodging and firing with pulling up the hack, with sounds frenetic (and it is) but after just a couple of minutes, it became surprisingly intuitive. I'm genuinely shocked at how good it feels, and I was invested in trying to hack enemy androids as quickly as possible.

Exploring the station reveals a bit more on the gameplay front. In addition to his pistol, which has infinite ammo but recharges slowly, Hugh can pick up heavier guns to use against the machines.

These guns are powerful, with a weapon that causes a paralyzing field that traps anything within standing out in particular.

These guns are immediately discarded upon running out of ammo, however, meaning I was always on my toes looking for more. There's also some mild platforming elements, as you'll have to jump and dodge lasers or mantle up to a new level.

Running on a PlayStation 5 Pro, everything looked good as you'd expect from a game running on RE Engine, though the framerate did feel a bit inconsistent when various particle effects went off.

By the end of the session, I was really feeling the flow of combat,

While I really enjoyed this slice that I've played, I do still have a number of questions. Games require escalation, and I'm excitedly fearful as to how complicated the hacking might look like toward the end.

I also still don't have a great grasp on where the story is headed, so it would be beneficial for Capcom to share more on that front in the future.

All that said, I'm now looking forward to a game that, a few months ago, I wasn't sure would ever see the light of day.

Pragmata is slated to launch at some point in 2026 across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam), and PlayStation 5.

If you're a survival-horror fan like me, Resident Evil Requiem from Capcom was one of the biggest announcements during all of Summer Game Fest 2025. For this ninth mainline entry, Capcom is promising to once again return to its foundation of horror, while also providing high-adrenaline action.

I got a taste of the first half of that promise when I attended a theater presentation from Capcom, taking a look at 20 minutes of hands-off gameplay that shows FBI agent Grace Ashcroft thrown into an utter nightmare.

The hands-off demo began with little additional context outside of the reveal trailer. Grace wakes up inside a heavily dilapidated building with no idea of where she is, hanging upside down and hooked up to something slowly draining her blood.

Straight away, it's clear this game is aiming for astounding visual quality. Capcom's impressive RE Engine has powered fantastic-looking visuals ever since it was introduced, especially in the Resident Evil games, but things are taken to a new level here. Sweat drips down Grace's neck, and dim lights pierce the room with amazing believability, while Capcom notes the demo was played on a PlayStation 5 Pro.

After getting free, the first-person gameplay begins. Everything is dark and moody, with only a handful of flickering lights, while dark halls are briefly illuminated by cracks of lightning as a storm rages outside.

Grace explores carefully, slowly opening doors and trying to find anything that can help her escape. Notably, there are no weapons to be seen at this stage, with Grace limited to just a lighter. In a new twist for the Resident Evil series, Grace can also gather bottles, throwing them as a distraction for enemies.

She seriously needs them, because it becomes clear after a while that the building isn't entirely abandoned, and something is coming after Grace. It's a nightmarish creature, with gigantic, clawing hands. It's covered in blood and bandages while towering over everything else, practically filling a room as it shambles around.

With no weapons, Grace can only evade or distract this thing temporarily, made all the more difficult by how it climbs up into the ceiling, burrowing through the building and making it hard to tell exactly where it is at a particular point.

While Capcom cuts from point to point to avoid spoiling the exact solutions, it's also clear that Grace's gameplay is going to revolve heavily around puzzles. Different doors need different keys; she'll need to find some way of reaching a tall shelf, and so on.

It's a very classic structure for a Resident Evil game, just with the stress level amplified as she is at least initially bereft of weaponry.

As the demo drew to a close, Capcom pulled a "one last thing" moment in perhaps the most creative way I've ever seen. As the shambling monstrosity closed in on Grace, the gameplay suddenly paused. The team opened the options menu and flipped a toggle from "First-person" to "Third-person."

The cheers in the room were deafening.

Resident Evil Requiem isn't the first game in the series to let players swap between first and third-person gameplay — 2021's Gothic-infused entry Resident Evil Village added the option through the Winters Expansion DLC — but Requiem is the first game to be built around this idea from the start. I'm excited to see which option players end up preferring, even if I'll probably stick with first-person myself.

The presentation wowed me, and I'm already sold on the survival-horror vision that Capcom is constructing as it returns to Raccoon City. There's a mutated elephant in the room, however, and that is that the storied Japanese publisher is promising fierce action for this game as well.

That action was nowhere to be seen in the demo, and while I'm sure she'll prove capable, I'd argue it'd be tonally inconsistent if Grace suddenly goes full guns blazing.

Maybe there's another, more familiar co-lead currently being hidden?

We won't be waiting years to find out, as Resident Evil Requiem is slated to launch on Feb. 27, 2026, across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam), and PlayStation 5.

Death is finality. Passing into the beyond, leaving things behind, with others left to find closure. But what if it didn't quite have to be?

That's the central question behind Ambrosia Sky, the debut game from studio Soft Rains. While based out of Toronto, Canada, Soft Rains supports remote work, allowing team members to collaborate from home if that fits them best.

The team is also working with Blackbird Interactive, another remote-supporting Canadian studio that's providing assistance.

I had the chance to play Ambrosia Sky at Summer Game Fest 2025 while speaking with the game's art director, Adam Volker. From what I've played, it's a truly unique experience, mixing fun first-person gameplay with some beautiful visual design.

In Ambrosia Sky, players step into the shoes of Dalia, a clean-up specialist and closer of sorts who's assigned to mop up disasters, removing an extremely aggressive fungus and recording the final words of the dead.

Dalia is also a space witch of sorts, a member of the Ambrosia project that is trying to unlock the secrets of death, working to understand how, maybe, humans might overcome that final frontier.

Ambrosia Sky is (technically) a first-person shooter, with players using Dalia's Sprayer to cut through twisted walls of fungus and fight off "Spitters," little alien creatures that love to do just that in your direction.

The corrupted fungus grows erratically, with explosive or electric bulbs that can cause catastrophic chain reactions if they rupture. Soft Rains uses a voxel-based technology for rendering the fungus, which means you can (and should) cut with precision as you make your way through.

The Sprayer can be upgraded to cut in different ways, with a wide horizontal setting that might be useful for clearing huge amounts of fungus at a time, as well as an electric setting that can be used to conduct a current and power locked doors.

In order to gain these upgrades, you'll need to harvest fungal samples without causing them to blow up, adding another reason to be careful when cutting your way through.

While it starts out simple, things get more complicated as you discover different puzzles requiring you to manipulate the environment in different ways. Toxic miasma might cover the floor of a room, necessitating seeking out the gravity controls that can allow you to float and maneuver more safely. It's reminiscent of similar gameplay sections in Prey, something I say as a high compliment.

Everything you explore is rendered and styled with truly beautiful art direction. Backed by a haunting soundtrack composed by Greg Harrison, it brings to mind other different and stirring sci-fi stories, particularly the criminally underrated Scavengers Reign.

The game is still a ways off from launch, and Adam explained to me that the full release will have voice acting for several segments that are currently just subtitled.

Ambrosia Sky doesn't currently have a release date or a release window, but in the meantime, I highly encourage players who are interested to check out the demo that's live now on Steam. It includes two missions, one of which is the demo that I played.

While I played the demo on a PC, Adam tells me that it runs great on Steam Deck(and indeed, had a Steam Deck in the booth with him), so if you're looking to play something new on the go, it's the perfect fit.

What is currently playable of Ambrosia Sky is beautiful, and the narrative is pondering some tough questions. Talking with my friends and colleagues at Summer Game Fest on the final day, I frequently found myself saying "there's this cool science-fiction shooter you need to check out" and while it's a bit weird to explain it that way at first, it's true, even if it's only the tip of the iceberg for what Soft Rains is crafting.

This is one I'll be keeping a close eye on.

Ambrosia Sky is currently in development for Windows PC (as well as Steam Deck).

While I was in L.A. for Summer Game Fest 2025, I stopped by Xbox to check out a number of games shown off during the Xbox Games Showcase, including The Coalition's upcoming remaster, Gears of War: Reloaded.

In something of a two-for-one experience, I also got to try out some new hardware at the same time. The Coalition presented gaming history with demo stations for Gears of War: Reloaded on a variety of machines including the Xbox Series X, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5 Pro.

The one that ended up drawing my eye the most, however, was a setup with Gears running on the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X.

Picking up the device, I'm immediately struck by how weighty it is. It feels solid and sturdy to the touch. It might not be quite as comfortable to lug around as a Nintendo Switch 2, but it's not so heavy as to impede playing.

Opening up the first chapter of Gears of War: Reloaded, the game looks gorgeous. Higher resolution, better textures and particle effects make it stand out far more than I expected with my memories of the nearly decade old Gears of War: Ultimate Edition.

As I made my way through the iconic prison level that opens the game, I kept a close eye on the frame rate counter. Even in the midst of massive explosions and various effects going off on the screen, it stayed well above 75 FPS, and calmer sections saw it reaching 90 FPS for extended periods of time.

Kate Rayner, studio technical director at The Coalition, tells me the team has done a huge amount of work optimizing Gears of War: Reloaded for these upcoming partner devices. Notably, the ROG Xbox Ally X runs Gears of War: Reloaded with comfortable headroom at High settings, while the ROG Xbox Ally has mostly Medium settings enabled.

I was also extremely impressed with the device's Impulse Triggers and bumpers, and playing a game like Gears of War felt natural, with excellent feedback as I landed Hammerburst shots and hit active reload after reload.

Of course, there's a bit of an elephant in the room, and that's the potential price of this device. While Microsoft hasn't shared what the ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally cost just yet, the normal ROG Ally X currently runs for about $800 in the U.S. With the custom work done on this new model, I'm not exactly expecting to see that price go down.

The Coalition aims to push tech hard, and even if you prefer to play on a more traditional PC rig or a gaming console, Gears of War: Reloaded is shaping up to be an excellent experience everywhere.

Rayner noted that it was important to make sure multiplayer was 120 FPS on the Xbox Series S as well as the Series X, meaning even players that have the lower-end console can get a huge improvement when playing online with friends.

On PlayStation 5 Pro, The Coalition is using PSSR to get the resolution higher than on PlayStation 5, enhancing image quality.

Even so, I'm left with the impression that Gears of War: Reloaded is being pushed as something of a flagship title for the Xbox Ally devices, and it's certainly made a stellar impression so far.

My limited time hands-on (getting through that level on Hardcore only takes a few minutes) means I still don't quite have a great grasp on the software side of things. Removing friction will be key, and if this device can become a showpiece for a more seamless era of Xbox Play Anywhere, I'll certainly be interested.

I'm also interested in jumping into a few rounds of multiplayer with Gears of War: Reloaded, including checking out the weekend beta that's kicking off on June 13.

With Gears of War: E-Day slated to launch in 2026, it's a busy time for The Coalition, and I'm going to be keeping a close eye on how the studio's work continues next year with that title, including how well it runs on the Xbox Ally lineup.

Gears of War: Reloaded is slated to launch on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), Xbox Cloud, and PlayStation 5 on Aug. 26, 2025.

One of the many games I've had the chance to check out at Summer Game Fest 2025 is LEGO Party!, a multiplayer experience from developer SMG Studio and publisher Fictions.

LEGO Party! is, as the name implies, heavily inspired by Nintendo's Mario Party games, but in a world entirely built out of the titular bricks. Four players (human or CPU-controlled) compete in a variety of minigames, racing to gather as many Golden Bricks as possible before the game ends.

That means being prepared for anything. One minute, you might be asked to carefully stack bricks on top of each other without losing any. The next, you'll be recklessly bouncing on a pogo stick across rapidly-cracking ice, trying to be the last one to take a freezing dip.

After choosing your character — you can select one of numerous pre-built minifigures, or carefully customize your own — you'll start competing in zany minigames like mentioned above. In-between minigames, players move across a game board set in a LEGO world.

Selecting a rapidly-scrolling number determines how far you move, but there's still an element of control, as you can time it carefully or earn power-ups that help you select how far you want to go with a bit more precision.

Games can be shorter or longer based on the number of rounds you select. The game I played ran for about 30 minutes, and I never saw a minigame repeat, and I'm told there's over 60 games to compete in.

Occasionally, players are split into two teams, and that's where LEGO Party! really shows an extra level of creativity. These games require more careful coordination in order to beat the opposing team, so you might have to work with your teammate that you were just competing against to control a tank, with each player in charge of one tread.

It's as hilarious as it sounds, and my demo group were all laughing throughout the experience.

Even though I had a comfortable lead for much of the game, fortunes can change shockingly quickly, as my Golden Bricks were stolen by other players who came from behind to turn out an astounding victory. I was left immediately wishing I could play again, which is the best thing I can say for any kind of family-focused party game.

While I asked the developers if there's any chance of future DLC expanding LEGO Party! with additional game boards, they noted that for now they're just focused on launch.

It's also worth noting that LEGO Party! features full cross-play, so a friend group can compete together online no matter what platform someone prefers.

Players who are thinking of grabbing LEGO Party! to liven up game nights with family and friends won't be waiting too much longer, as LEGO Party! is coming at some point this year.

LEGO Party! is slated to launch later in 2025 across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

Microsoft's annually held summer game bash, the Xbox Games Showcase, has come and gone once again. A huge range of different and diverse developers showed off projects they're bringing to Xbox, PC, and Xbox Ally handheld players soon, but one studio in particular stood out: Obsidian Entertainment.

Following up on the release of Avowed earlier this year, the storied RPG developer also showed off two more games coming later in 2025 with The Outer Worlds 2 Direct — a follow-up presentation to the main show in which we got a deep look at both The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2.

The former is headed our way on October 29, 2025 (you'll get Early Access if you preorder the Premium Edition) and the latter is coming in Early Access at the end of June, with both set to launch on Xbox Game Pass. Notably, The Outer Worlds 2 is Microsoft's first $80 game, though after seeing everything shown today, I'd say there's a good chance it's worth that asking price.

Indeed, there was a ton of information in Obsidian's presentation; so much, in fact, that a standard news article wouldn't have been nearly enough to cover everything the studio had to share. Below, though, I've broken down everything revealed about both The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2 in detail. Without further ado, here are seven big The Outer Worlds 2 highlights from the show, along with a look at Obsidian's survival game sequel.

Everything will be bigger and deeper than the original

Obsidian went into plenty of detail about both The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2 during its Direct presentation, and rest assured, I'll get into all the juicy stuff below. In its opening few minutes, though, the developer gave a broad overview of what to expect from the former sequel that I'll summarize here.

With The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian has focused on making the follow-up RPG a larger and deeper experience than its predecessor, with the studio taking advantage of more development time and a larger budget. Players can look forward to expanded and/or more impactful options for character building, combat, roleplaying, along with a meatier story and more reactivity to their actions on Arcadia and beyond.

Treating the first The Outer Worlds as a baseline, Obsidian has expanded all of these gameplay pillars in the sequel to better support player freedom and expression — with a particularly large focus on skills, traits, and how they come into play throughout the experience.

Fallout: New Vegas-style traits and skills are here

One of The Outer Worlds 2's biggest advancements comes in the form of deeper character creation options, with Obsidian looking to its widely beloved, critically acclaimed 2010 RPG Fallout: New Vegas for strong inspiration. The first step of the process is selecting one of many backgrounds; this gives you a basic idea of where your character comes from and how they fit into the game's setting, and will give you unique options in conversations and gameplay scenarios.

Then, you'll pick traits, which have replaced The Outer World's attributes and are very similar to the traits from classic Fallout titles. These come in both positive and negative varieties, and provide you with sizable buffs and debuffs while also making some unique interactions available like your choice of background does. Lucky, for example, raises your base critical hit chance by 5% and will lead to options you wouldn't have otherwise too.

Skills are next, and these govern how effective you are at using different types of gear or solving problems in a given way, and in The Outer Worlds 2, they've been condensed to address bloat in the first game while simultaneously making each point you put into skills as you level up more impactful. Your skills also dictate what kinds of perks you can take; these open up new gameplay options and abilities, with The Outer Worlds 2 said to feature more perks than Fallout: New Vegas.

Last but certainly not least are Flaws, which return from the first game with a rework that transforms them from purely negative attributes to quirks that have both positive and negative gameplay effects. One, called Bad Knees, permanently buffs your movement speed but causes your character's knees to make a loud popping sound when you stand up after crouching — ruining any chance of stealth. Another, Kleptomaniac, lets you sell stolen items for more money, but can cause you to automatically steal an item owned by someone else if you get close to it.

There's a huge emphasis on player freedom

Supporting player agency and choice is a massive part of what makes any open RPG like The Outer Worlds 2 fun to play, and Obsidian has assured players that they won't feel restricted in the sequel. During the presentation, it showed how there are a multitude of different ways to lower and cross a bridge in one of the game's early quests.

Talking your way past its security checkpoint with a silver tongue is one way, as is going in guns blazing to storm the bridge itself. You can also sneak in, lower the bridge, and then sneak under it to cross, and certain items you find like a gas shield or double-jump boots can allow you to circumvent the bridge entirely by safely crossing the hazards it was built to deal with.

There's even one particularly dark solution in which you can sell out one of your companions wanted by the faction guarding the bridge, earning yourself a pass to cross it in the process. The developer said it best during the Direct: "When you build your character your way, we're there for you. We really want you to have the experience you want out of this."

Arcadia, factions, and the story it's telling

Whereas the first The Outer Worlds took place in the Halcyon system, the sequel primarily features a new colony world called Arcadia where a three-way war is being fought over the planet. It's controlled by a heavily militarized and authoritarian group called the Protectorate that sacrifices personal freedoms for security, and was founded by the inventor of the skip drives that enable faster-than-light travel in the setting.

These skip drives have begun to cause mysterious and dangerous rifts in space time, however, leading the Earth Directorate governmental body to send you — an agent of the organization — to Arcadia to try and find answers. As you investigate, you'll also interact with the other big players in the war: The Order of the Ascendant, an offshoot of the Order of Scientific Inquiry with a scientific religion about finding a way to predict the future for mankind's benefit, and the Auntie's Choice megacorporation — a merger of Auntie Cleo and Space's Choice from the first game.

The Protectorate wants to find a solution for the rifts to protect its legacy and wealth, while the Order seeks to fix them so they don't threaten innocent life and stop complicating their efforts to "solve the universal equation." Auntie's Choice, meanwhile, just wants to find a way to control the rifts so it can exploit them to manipulate intergalactic trade.

Obsidian says the three factions are integrated into the story far more deeply than they were in The Outer Worlds, complete with distinct types of satirical humor and high reactivity to the player's choices. Notably, the studio is bringing a Fallout-style radio to the experience with faction-specific stations you can tune into; depending on the decisions you've made and actions you've taken, you'll be able to hear them react positively or negatively to your influence.

Meet the game's companions

The Outer Worlds had six companions in total, and its follow-up sequel has six as well. Each one has their own questline to progress through during your adventure, as well as interesting ties to the game's three factions and character arcs you can influence.

Five of them were introduced during the Direct, so here's a quick overview of each one:

• Niles: Another Earth Directorate agent at a crossroads trying to decide if he wants to keep the job or turn his back on the Directorate. Has an automech drone named Val, too.
• Marisol: An aging, but ruthless assassin working for the Order of the Ascendant that has "unfinished business" to attend to. The player can help her with it.
• Aza: A cultist that worships the skip drive rifts and is obsessed with violence; you can either try to turn her away from her fanaticism or encourage her to further embrace it.
• Inez: A combat medic that survived a failed Auntie's Choice experiment to graft animal parts onto soldiers. You'll be able to help her fix her graft.
• Tristan: A loyal Protectorate adjudicator that wears heavy armor from head to toe. You can help him dole out his sentences or "show him what true justice looks like."

Obsidian says that similar to the factions, the companions will each react to your choices based on how they align with their own values as well as how you've influenced them over time. It's also suggested something drastic will happen at the end of the game "if you haven't been treating them well."

The "World War 1-like setting in space" aesthetic

Obsidian's first The Outer Worlds title was notable for its bright, vibrant colors and sci-fi space frontier style, but the sequel is going for something a bit different. With Auntie's Choice's invasion of Arcadia and the conflict between both groups and the Order of the Ascendant at the heart of the RPG, the developer has chosen an aesthetic that's noticeably darker and grittier — describing it as "World War 1-like setting in space" during the show.

In line with this direction, the game's three factions and its various settlements are characterized by heavy militarization and the frequent use of propaganda, with one example being Fairfield — a Protectorate town taken over by Auntie's Choice in which the latter has repainted structures, spread propaganda holograms, and posted guards on every street corner.

The studio has also prioritized making sure each group and faction has distinct and recognizable styles for their clothing, armor, and structures, ensuring that players aren't confused about who they're talking to or fighting throughout the game.

New weapons and gameplay enhancements

In the final segment of The Outer Worlds 2 portion of the Direct, Obsidian showed off many of the new gameplay additions, weapons, and more that players can expect from the sequel. Mobility and movement options, for example, have been greatly expanded with sprinting, sliding, double jumping, and mantling. Also, you can go into the third-person perspective if you'd like to, allowing you to appreciate the look of your character and gear.

The developer also focused heavily on elevating gunplay with improved animations, recoil impact, and sound effects, and has introduced new weapon types as well as throwables and bespoke unique weapons and armors, too. Of these, the following were shown:

• Boarst Blaster: A firearm that shoots exploding tumors you can also eat yourself to regain health
• Rookie's Reward: A rifle that levels up with you as you use it throughout the game
• Pop-Up: This weapon fires out drones that play corporate ads and distract enemies; the drones can be made to explode to hurt them
• Armageddon: A launcher that fires little arm tendrils that stick to surfaces and repeatedly damage any target that comes close to them
• Spectrum Dance Saber: This sword gets damage bonuses if you swing it to the beat of a song, essentially creating a rhythm game minigame
• Big Bang: A huge gun that shoots rift energy, vaporizing anything in its path; ammo is very, very scarce
• Gary: An armor that's essentially a wearable monster that lashes out at enemies that get close to you

Oh, and the Shrink Ray is returning from The Outer Worlds, now with longer-lasting shrinkage and the ability to squish any enemy you hit with it under your boot like an ant for an instant kill. And, speaking of bugs...

Everything we know about Grounded 2

The Outer Worlds 2 was definitely the primary focus of Obsidian's Direct, but Grounded 2 also got its own segment as well. In it, the developer revealed that the sequel to its 2020 survival game — widely praised for the unique concept of shrinking humans down to bug-size and forcing them to contend with backyard creepy crawlies — is on the way, with an Early Access release scheduled for July 29, 2025 next month.

Being developed in partnership with Eidos-Montréal (Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy) and with community feedback from Early Access, Grounded 2 takes place two years after the first game did in 1992 and will feature the same four characters in Brookhollow Community Park — a map three times the size of Grounded's Backyard setting.

Brookhollow will have multiple different biomes to explore as a result of man's influence, such as a toppled over ice cream cart that serves as a wintry region on the map. Fans can also look forward to an expanded combat system with dashes, light and heavy attacks, and blocking; these maneuvers are used by enemies, too, and interact with one another in a rock-paper-scissors manner.

There are also many new types of passive and active mutations to support creative buildcrafting, and notably, Obsidian is even adding mounts — a highly requested feature that never made it into the first Grounded. These "buggies" will help you fight as well as transport materials and travel faster; at launch, there will be red ant soldiers and orb weaver spiders, but further "buggies" will come in future updates.

The developer says that with Grounded 2, fans can expect updates to be larger and more substantial than they were with the original, though they might take a bit longer as a result. The sequel is also launching with a public roadmap that will be updated as Obsidian grows the scope of the title.

During the madness of Summer Game Fest, Fatshark dropped by to show off the first gameplay trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide's new Arbites Class, which is set to be added to the game on June 23, 2025.

We've previously only gotten a blog post on how the Arbites' Cyber-Mastiff companion will operate during gameplay. With this new trailer, we finally get to see how the Arbites and the Cyber-Mastiff will function in motion, and I couldn't be more excited to try them out.

The Arbites in Warhammer 40,000 are heavily-armed police officers who track down and slaughter criminal gangs and heretical cults in the name of the Imperium of Man.

This is displayed during the gameplay trailer, where the Arbites deploy Riot Police Shields to block hordes of enemies while beating them to death with batons.

These aren't ordinary police shields and batons however, as these are augmented with electricity so they can crowd-control enemies by shocking them to death.

Arbites also carry massive shotguns and pistols to blast the heads of enemies outside the range of their melee weapons.

On top of that, Arbites can command their Cyber-Mastiff companion to attack enemies and pin them down for allies to attack them while their foes are unable to move.

Since the Arbites Class will be paid DLC (with an MSRP of $11.99), Fatshark has also revealed that there will be a Deluxe Edition of the DLC to purchase.

The Arbites Class DLC's Deluxe Edition will cost $18.99 (or $7.99 if you upgrade from the Standard Edition of the Arbites Class DLC) and will contain the following content:

• Arbites Class
• 1 Unique Class Outfit
• 1 Unique Companion Outfit
• 1 Portrait Frame
• 4 Weapon Skins

Heretics will be punished in the name of the Lex!

From the devastating weapons to the viscous Cyber-Mastiff pet, this Judge Dredd/Robocop-inspired class looks like a ton of fun to play as.

Not to mention, the Arbites would be an invaluable Class to bring to your party, as the defensive capabilities of its Riot Shield could hold tides of enemies to protect teammates from being overwhelmed.

I can't wait to take this class for a spin when it launches on June 23, 2025, for the Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC (via Windows and Steam) versions of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.

Also, don't forget there will be a free update launching alongside the Arbites DLC that will adjust story content, difficulty progression, mission board selection, and various other fixes that will continue to address issues we found in our 2022 review of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.

During the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, we learned that Gears of War: E-Day is slated to launch in 2026.

First revealed back during last year's showcase, Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel to the original Gears of War trilogy, telling the story of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago during the titular event that devastated humanity as the Locust Horde emerged from underground.

While we didn't actually see new gameplay, or a CGI trailer, or anyone from The Coalition, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer made a comment toward the end of the showcase that spells out when players can expect to play E-Day.

"I'm excited to share that players will get to celebrate 25 years of Xbox with a new Fable, the Next Forza, Gears of War E-Day, and the return of a classic that's been with us since the beginning," Spencer says.

As the original Xbox first launched back in 2001, a 25-year celebration being marked by those new games clearly points to a 2026 launch window.

Intriguingly, Spencer's statement also implies Forza Horizon 6 will finally be out the next year. While Playground Games used to launch a new Forza Horizon game every other year, the release cadence has dramatically slowed down since 2021's Forza Horizon 5.

Even though Emergence Day is coming next year, players eager for more Gears of War won't be waiting quite that long. Gears of War: Reloaded is launching on Aug. 26, 2025, bringing a remastered version of the original game to players on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and for the first time ever, PlayStation 5.

Gears of War: E-Day is presumably coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), and Xbox Cloud Gaming. As an Xbox first-party title, it'll also be available day one in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

During the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, Activision shared another look at Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, a remake of the two iconic games that's being developed by Iron Galaxy.

In addition to a bunch of cool tricks, the trailer also revealed a couple of major details. First, there's a demo available TODAY for anyone that preorders the game. This demo includes the Foundry level, with players able shred using Tony Hawk himself, Rayssa Leal, and (for those that preorder the Deluxe Edition) the Doom Slayer.

This demo is also open to anyone that is subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Second, there's another skater coming to the full game. It's none other than Michelangelo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who is animated in loving detail and even has his own unique tricks. For added comedy, you can use these tricks with other skaters.

While I was in town for Summer Game Fest 2025, I recently had the chance to play over a half-hour of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4. While my skills are definitely rusty, it's a lot of fun, and I'm particularly impressed with the new maps crafted by Iron Galaxy.

The team has crafted three all-new maps: Movie Studio, Pinball, and Water Park. Pinball in particular is a ton of fun, as you have to watch out for the giant pinball that'll wreck you if you time some of your tricks wrong.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 is scheduled to shred on July 11, 2025 across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC (Battle.net, Steam, Xbox PC), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

Like all Xbox first-party games, it's also available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

It's also in development for Nintendo Switch 2, though the release date for this version is not currently known.

“You’ll feel like a cross between Mary Poppins and Marcus Fenix.”

That's the central idea behind There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, a cozy musical adventure where you can live out your fantasies of renovating a charming hotel, talking with a creepy cat, and trying to survive the night as tentacled horrors crawl out of the ocean and seek you out.

Announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is the first game from developer Friday Sundae. Players step into the shows of a young American man named Chris David, who has received an invitation from the estranged British side of his family to come and renovate their hotel, the Grand.

In a whimsical twist on first-person shooting, Chris uses a variety of tools to clean up and improve the Grand, moving furniture around, painting the walls, and more. Along the way, he'll also be treated to some musical numbers as he aids the inhabitants of this charming-yet-strange seaside town.

That cozy vibe is only part of the story however, as the game changes at night. There are monstrous things coming after Chris, and he'll have to repurpose the tools in order to make it through unscathed. Nighttime is also when he can converse with Mr. Bones the Bastard, a cat who can speak and may have guidance for how to get through this eldritch assault.

As the renovations continue, the developers tell me that players will be encouraged to complete side quests and find secrets throughout the town, as skeletons in the closet may shed light on what's really going on.

While the developers are careful to avoid spoilers, they do indicate that the town isn't the only thing hiding secrets. Chris may have something up his sleeve, with some ulterior motives for coming to the Grand.

Chris won't have forever though. Players have 30 days and 30 nights to complete their investigations, at which point the story ends and you may get very different endings depending on what you've uncovered.

Don't feel too stressed, as there's no in-game timer constantly counting down. Players have to manually trigger the switch between night and day. Whenever you're exploring, players can dilly-dally for hours on end before deciding to finally switch over.

There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is slated to launch at some point in 2026 across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), and Xbox Cloud Gaming. It'll also be available day one in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Prolific Xbox Games Studios developer Obsidian Entertainment showed up in force for the Xbox Games Showcase 2025.

Ahead of the team's Direct presentation focused on science-fiction role-playing game The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian Entertainment also revealed Grounded 2, a sequel to the studio's hit survival game that places players at eye-level with backyard bugs.

Best of all? Players won't be waiting long. Grounded 2 is launching THIS YEAR on July 29, 2025! Grounded 2 is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC). Like all Xbox first-party games, it's also coming day one to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Like the first game, Grounded 2 is launching as a part of the Xbox Game Preview program, which is meant to allow "early access" games as the developers take player feedback.

The same is true on Steam, with Grounded 2 launching at the same time into early access there. According to Steam, the price for those buying rather than using Game Pass will be $29.99.

Obsidian Entertainment is on something of a legendary roll, with the studio launching fantasy role-playing game Avowed back in February 2025. Looking ahead, the studio is also set to release The Outer Worlds 2

In Grounded, a group of kids is shrunk down to the size of an ant, meaning a humble Wolf Spider is suddenly a towering monstrosity. The kids are forced to survive using anything they can scavenge, like sticks and pebbles or spilled sugary drinks.

The original Grounded was developed by a small team of around a dozen staff at Obsidian Entertainment. The game was an extraordinary success, reaching over 15 million players as of December 2022.

While the first Grounded initially launched on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC, it was brought to PlayStation consoles and Nintendo Switch in 2024 as part of Microsoft's broadening multiplatform initiative.

Additional details on Grounded 2 at The Outer Worlds 2 Direct

After the showcase, Obsidian Entertainment also shared a bit on Grounded 2 during The Outer Worlds 2 Direct.

We learned that the team is working with Eidos Montreal, with the latter studio providing support in order to help make Grounded 2 a bigger game than its predecessor.

inXile Entertainment showed up at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 with a fairly lengthy new look at Clockwork Revolution, a role-playing game (RPG) set in a steampunk city.

During the presentation, we got an idea of how players can craft the character they want, with vastly differing appearances, stats, and abilities that have a direct impact on how they play.

Clockwork Revolution is a first-person RPG, meaning players wield a variety of explosives and firearms in their adventure across time. By rewinding time, players can see what happens when a murdered individual comes back to life, or manipulate a building's construction to better navigate.

Clockwork Revolution was first announced the 2023 Xbox showcase, where inXile shared how players would harness time to immediately see the consequences of their decisions.

Clockwork Revolution is the first game from inXile Entertainment under Xbox Game Studios, with the team working on the project ever since being acquired by Microsoft back in 2018.

Shapeshifter Games is also working with inXile Entertainment to provide development support on the title. Shapeshifter Games is a team founded by ex-Volition staff that formed the studio after Volition was shut down by Embracer Group.

There's no release date or even a release window right now, as Clockwork Revolution is coming "in due time."

Naturally, whenever it launches, Clockwork Revolution will be available across Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC). As an Xbox first-party game, it'll also be included day one in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game pass.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy was just unveiled during the Xbox Games Showcase, and it’s not a sequel — it’s a prequel.

Launching in 2026, Resonance rewinds the clock 15 years before the events of A Plague Tale: Innocence, centering on a young Sophia as she carves her path as a plunderer on the run.

Her journey leads to Minotaur's Island, a place steeped in myth and danger, where timelines blur between the Middle Ages and ancient Minoa. Expect to navigate shifting eras, unravel the legend of the island, and survive a deadly labyrinth filled with traps and puzzles — all while being hunted.

This is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, part of the ongoing collaboration between Focus Entertainment and Asobo Studio. It’s coming to Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Steam.

Stay tuned for more from the June 2025 Xbox Showcase, we're tracking every reveal as it happens.

Developing...

After a stellar showing during their beta test, which saw over 3 million players and 300,000 concurrent players, Mecha BREAK finally has a release date. It's coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC on July 1, 2025.

As it stands, Mecha BREAK is the sixth most wish-listed game on Steam. Players have been clamoring to get their hands on this free-to-play mecha shooter, I being one of them.

We had a preview just before the beta that left a lasting impression on our writer. Who said even non-mecha fans should check it out, "Mecha BREAK is definitely a game you should check out if you're into mech games or simply like competitive multiplayer titles."

What I loved about Mecha Break is its approach to pay-to-win mechanics. Rather than dosing the game in level-ups or premium experience packs, all of Mecha Break's microtransactions are purely cosmetic — a rare win in the free-to-play space.

Coming exclusively to Xbox consoles and Windows PC, the developers said, "Because they are more aggressive than Sony." After a laugh, he clarified that he believed it was a mutually beneficial arrangement with Microsoft since mech games are already saturated in the Japanese market. As such, bringing a mech game exclusively to the Western market via Xbox was less risky.

We only have to wait a little over three weeks before we finally get our hands on it, and it couldn't come at a better time. The game will be released amongst other large juggernauts in the multiplayer space. Releasing after Dune: Awakening and well before the highly anticipated ARC Raiders.

If you have yet to experience the greatness that is Mecha Break, make sure to check out the latest trailer and maybe look over one of the many gameplay videos available on YouTube. It's one of the best-looking mech games I've seen in recent years, a genre that's been almost dying outside of Armored Core!

Will you be diving into the free-to-play Xbox exclusive, Mecha Break, on July 1? Let us know below,

Ryu Ga Gotoku, creators of the Yakuza series, has finally revealed the title of their upcoming game. Originally named Project Century, the game will forever be known as Stranger than Heaven going forward.

They also gifted us an amazing-looking trailer that teases us with the incredible world Ryu has been cooking up.

Starting with a setting straight out of the 40s, we're gifted with a dazzling spectacle of lights dancing across the stage of a timeless singer. Who we can assume is the protagonist, who walks out for a cigarette, showcasing the change in tons from traditional Ryu Ga Gotoku games.

After getting my hands on the likes of the last three Like a Dragon games, I have become a hardened fan of anything this studio makes. Whatever they touch has been absolute gold in terms of quality.

Their previous games have all been game mechanic-heavy, showcasing a variety of mini-games and other gameplay mechanics that are almost impossible to keep track of. Stranger than Heaven might finally be the game that takes a break from all that, focusing on other aspects instead.

Who am I kidding? It's freaking Ryu Ga Gotoku. Ryu gonna Ryu, and there's absolutely no way we don't get some sort of musky poker environment, burlesque house showcase, and other timely activities that rocked the 1940s era.

I'm more upset that we didn't learn anything about the mechanics of Stranger than Heaven. I want something to nibble on, anything! Please, Gotoku, give me something to rant about in an editorial! Wait, that was a huge self-reflection moment.

Anyways, what do you think will be in Ryu Ga Gotoku's latest game, Stranger than Heaven? Are you excited to get your hands on something darker from the makers of Yakuza? Let us know below or on social media. I'm curious to read what fan theories people can cook up.

Capcom has been on an absolute tear over the last several years with the Resident Evil series, and the company is aiming to continue that streak with Resident Evil 9.

During Summer Game Fest 2025, Capcom revealed that this next game in the series is called Resident Evil Requiem and it's releasing on February 27, 2026.

The trailer opens by showing a man walking through a busy office until he gets to the cubicle of FBI Agent Grace Ashcroft.

He explains to Ashcroft that "another body has been found" and says he specifically needs Ashcroft's eyes on the crime scene.

Grace seems to see traumatic flashbacks of the Remwood Hotel where her mother was murdered eight years ago.

The next thing we see is Grace struggling to get out of some kind of contraption that has her hanging upside down.

A creepy voice comes on to say, "I know now that you're the one that I've been searching for. The special one. The chosen one, Miss Ashcroft."

Following that, the music surges as unsettling scenes showing the dilapidated and largely abandoned Raccoon City flash on the screen, complete with grotesque abominations in the shadows.

It looks really good, and we can't wait to return to Raccoon City once more.

Capcom has been on a roll recently, and I hope that continues with Requiem

Over the last decade, Capcom has launched an impressive array of Resident Evil games with consistent critical acclaim and commercial success across new entries and several remakes alike.

In 2017, Capcom launched Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, which brought back a tight focus on survival-horror after criticisms were widely levied against the action-heavy Resident Evil 6.

Biohazard was followed by a remake of Resident Evil 2 in 2019, and a Resident Evil 3 remake in 2020. After Resident Evil Village in 2021, the company also launched a remake of Resident Evil 4 in 2023.

I'm really hoping that this next entry in the series can keep the momentum going.

Resident Evil Requiem is slated to launch on February 27, 2026 across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.

Summer Game Fest is well underway, and among all the new game premieres, Techland has shown a new trailer complete with a release date reveal for the third entry in the Dying Light franchise. Dying Light: The Beast will drop on August 22, 2005.

The new trailer didn't stop at just a reveal date, it also gave us a fresh new look at what we can expect in Dying Light: The Beast. The game is a highly anticipated return to the Dying Light franchise, which originally began as an expansion before expanding in scope to become a full standalone title. It brings back popular Dying Light protagonist, Kyle Crane, for another parkouring romp through a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Crane will have a few new tricks up his sleeve, though, as he won't just be parkouring his way through the world—he can park, too! Kind of, at least. We did see some vehicle driving among copious amounts of gun play. Dying Light: The Beast's predecessor, Dying Light 2, was surprisingly light on firearms, much to the chagrin of the game's fan base. While this was eventually improved in later updates, Techland put firearms front and center during the latest trailer to prove to its fans that the Dying Light team would not repeat past mistakes.

There is still a lot up in the air about what fans can expect when Dying Light: The Beast launches in August. Techland has yet to confirm a price for the game. However, it has been confirmed that those who purchased Dying Light 2's Ultimate Edition will receive access to Dying Light: The Beast at no extra cost, likely due to the game's early days as an expansion.

Techland has shared some behind-the-scenes looks at preparations for an upcoming hands-on preview of Dying Light: The Beast, so more information should begin trickling out in preparation for the August release date.

Embark Studios just dropped an ARC Raiders trailer and release date during the 2025 Summer Game Fest, and damnit, we're going to have to wait longer!

In a move that nobody saw coming (just kidding, tons of people thought something would happen), ARC Raiders will be released later this year on October 30, 2025. The game will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC.

I loved my time with ARC Raiders earlier this year, and while it's heartbreaking, it won't be coming sooner; I'm in the camp that says, "Let 'em cook!" The more Embark Studios polishes this thing, the better it will be.

To tide us over, we were gifted another trailer that takes a deeper dive into the world of ARC Raiders. Check it out!

Gamers may or may not be taking a sigh of relief with the news, but that's alright. It's not like there isn't anything else to play lately.

I barely have any time myself, given the number of games coming out lately. With Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon, Dune: Awakening, and The Alters all out or coming soon, I have my work cut out for me.

ARC Raiders, while incredible during its second technical test, is one of those games that will only get better with time. It's clear the game is in a very polished state as it stands, and if the developers are waiting another four months to release, I can only get more excited about the potential benefits that will bring.

Playing over the course of two technical tests, almost a year apart, I've seen the game come from slightly playable to absolutely outstanding. Let Embark Studios work; they're incredible at what they do.

If you want to play something else by them that's just as polished, jump into The Finals. I promise you won't be disappointed.

What do you think about the news related to ARC Raiders coming out on October 30, 2025? Are you disappointed it's not coming sooner, or are you relieved, like me? Let us know below or on social media. I'm curious what people will think.

One of the more interesting releases in the last few years was Atomic Heart, which attracted an absurd amount of attention leading up to its release, thanks to the stunning visuals and world design displayed in its trailers.

While the finished game didn't quite match those levels of hype, it was still a fascinating action-adventure game with a fair amount of promise. We can't forget the infamously sexy robots, either, which led to plenty of memes and jokes surrounding the game's release.

Now, we finally have confirmation studio Mundfish is taking another shot with a larger, more ambitious sequel. Atomic Heart 2 is official, and it was just announced during Summer Game Fest 2025. What do we know already?

Just like the first game, Atomic Heart 2 will be an action-adventure first-person shooter, but this time further expanding on the RPG and open-world elements. It'll also be built on Unreal Engine 5, so we can be confident it'll be visually stunning once again.

We'll be returning to the same alternate-history, retro-futuristic, dystopian world on the brink of collapse following the tragic events of Atomic Heart, but the story this time will unfold on a global scale.

The collapse of the idyllic system of advanced robots and artificial intelligence that promised a peaceful society has brought civilization to the edge of annihilation, and like before there are deeper mysteries and hidden truths to uncover.

At the helm of a cast of new and returning characters, players will be able to explore this world, which leans further into the dark tones of the first game (but with more to do, hopefully).

Gameplay is also being enhanced, with new systems that allow for more dynamic and diverse combat utilizing the broadened armory of weaponry.

In my Atomic Heart review, I concluded: "Atomic Heart nails the art design and core gameplay loops but loses focus due to its vast array of game mechanics and untailored open-world segments. Inconsistent writing quality and inaccessible game design will likely frustrate many players, but Atomic Heart can still manage to be an incredibly fun adventure."

I enjoyed my time with Atomic Heart, but I'm also one of the only members of the Windows Central team that really bothered to finish it. I hope the sequel fixes all the issues I had with the first game, because this universe really has a ton of potential to scratch the same itch as games like Bioshock and Metro Exodus.

Atomic Heart 2 doesn't have a release date yet, so I assume we still have a good wait in front of us before we can play it. It's pretty safe to say that Atomic Heart 2 will launch on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5 when it does arrive, though, and it may launch day and date into Xbox Game Pass like the first game did.

As an aside, we also got an announcement for The Cube, an interesting MMORPG shooter set in the Atomic Heart universe. That game is equally mysterious, but you can watch the reveal trailer above.

During Summer Game Fest 2025, PlaySide Studios revealed that award-winning voice actor Troy Baker (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, The Last of Us, BioShock, and much more) voices Jack Pepper, the private investigator protagonist of the upcoming game, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire.

In case you didn't catch that, Baker's character has a rather cheesy name (Pepper Jack) that's well-suited for a rodent.

At the time of writing, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is one of the top 30 most wishlisted games on Steam.

The most striking thing about MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is that it's a cartoony, FPS, Boomer Shooter with protagonists who look like they'd fit right into 1930s black and white rubber hose animations like Mickey Mouse's Steamboat Willie.

The old-school characters, enemies and elements in the environment are all hand-drawn, with over-exaggerated movements and facial expressions that add life to the noir-inspired city of Mouseburg.

According to the latest trailer, Pepper is a detective whose latest case requires him to run up against dangerous gang members while uncovering a gritty mystery that involves corruption, murder, and more.

Players also get to use a range of whimsical weapons and items to wallop any wrongdoers. These include TNT in a flower bouquet, cheese, a freeze gun, and more.

Baker has expressed his interest in the game and his excitement to share more about it:

“I have been following the development of MOUSE: P.I. For Hire since it was first teased.” said Baker. “Its art style, gameplay and 1930s film-noir aesthetic continue to win me over. I cannot wait to keep working with the team to bring Jack Pepper to life and hope to have some exciting things to share as we get closer to launch!”

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is being developed by Fumi Games and published by PlaySide Studios. It will release sometime in 2025 on Xbox, PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

This sure feels like a more mature Mickey Mouse game

While not identical, the look of the characters in MOUSE: P.I. For Hire are reminiscent of the original Mickey Mouse character designs that first appeared in 1928's Steamboat Willie short.

But that isn't too surprising, given that Mickey Mouse entered the public domain on January 2024. So, we'll likely see more instances of the world's most recognizable cartoon character showing up in games, movies, and more.

In all fairness, many of the cartoon characters from the 1920s and 1930s looked an awful lot a like. For instance, it would be easy to mistake a mouse from a Felix the Cat short as Disney's iconic mascot.

One thing is for sure, this vintage art style is perfectly suited to a Boomer Shooter like MOUSE: P.I. For Hire.

I say this because the retro rubber hose animations of the early 20th century, were very playful, often highlighting mischievous characters who found themselves in unpredictable situations that subverted viewer expectations for a laugh.

Additionally, this art style breathes plenty of movement and overexaggerated stances that will be entertaining to watch while running through this story. As such, the rubber hose animation is perfectly fitting for an action-packed FPS game like this one.

I can't wait to check out MOUSE: P.I. For Hire when it launches and have already wish listed it on Steam. You can also wish list it at Xbox if you'd prefer.

June used to be the domain of E3 every year, but now this momentous period is occupied by other events and shows to give us our gaming fix.

It started with Summer Game Fest 2025, which kicked off on Jun. 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET. We expectantly saw a lot of games for every platform under the sun at this event, including for Xbox consoles and Windows PC.

• RELATED: Our LIVE coverage of Xbox Games Showcase 2025

Next, we had the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, which aired on Jun. 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. This show was entirely focused on Xbox and PC, with plenty of games slated for Game Pass, too.

I'm kept track of every game announced or shown off that's heading to Xbox and/or PC, and you'll find them all right here.

If you missed it, you can also see every Xbox and PC game revealed during the recent PlayStation State of Play event.

Every Xbox and PC game at Xbox Games Showcase 2025

I'll be updating this section throughout the Xbox Games Showcase with every game announcement, reveal, and trailer. Keep tuning in, because we're expecting to see a lot of games!

The games shown here are heading to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC (also known as Xbox PC, now), Xbox and PC Game Pass, and/or Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The Outer Worlds 2

Obsidian Entertainment is finally set to release the long-awaited sequel to The Outer Worlds. The Outer Worlds 2 is a zany, sci-fi fantasy RPG, and it's heading to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC and Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Game Pass on Oct. 29, 2025.

High on Life 2

Another sequel, this time to the comedic first-person shooter High on Life. This time around, it looks like we're getting a skateboard alongside a new roster of talking weaponry. It's coming Winter 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

A Plague Tale is one of the most underrated action-adventure franchises, and we're about to get an all-new story set in this morbid, rat-infested universe. Resonace: A Plague Tale Legacy looks to be a wild spin-off title, and it's coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass sometime in 2026.

The Blood of Dawnwalker

A new adventure from Capcom, Blood of Dawnwalker is a grisly action-adventure game that pretty prominently features vampires. It'll be interesting to see how this tale unfolds when Blood of Dawnwalker arrives on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC in 2026.

Super Meat Boy 3D

The legendary Super Meat Boy is returning for another bloody platforming adventure, this time with an extra dimension. Super Meat Boy 3D is heading to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC in early 2026.

NINJA GAIDEN 4

The next, long-awaited entry in the NINJA GAIDEN franchise is also a day one addition to Xbox Game Pass. NINJA GAIDEN 4 is an action-packed ninja adventure coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC and Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Game Pass on Oct. 21, 2025.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was easily one of the best games of 2024, and now we're getting a proper DLC expansion to give players an excuse to return. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants arrives on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC and Steam, and PlayStation 5 on Sept. 4, 2025.

Beast of Reincarnation

Beast of Reincarnation is a brand-new game from the creators at Game Freak, and it's a gorgeous action-adventure title with some wild art design. Beast of Reincarnation is heading to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass sometime in 2026.

Clockwork Revolution

The wizards at inXile Entertainment are unleashing a brand-new franchise inspired by legendary universes like Bioshock, and we got our first proper, in-depth look at Clockwork Revolution. This insane first-person shooter is heading to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass... at some point.

Grounded 2

One of the biggest surprises of the Xbox Games Showcase so far is yet another new game from Obsidian Entertainment. Yes, we're already getting a follow-up to the epic survival game, Grounded, and it's coming way sooner than you'd think. Grounded 2 arrives on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC and Steam, and Xbox Game Pass in Game Preview on Jul. 29, 2025.

Cronos: The New Dawn

The latest horror adventure from Bloober Team is Cronos: The New Dawn, and we got another look at its bloody gameplay today. Cronos: The New Dawn is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC in Fall 2025.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Seasons of the Worm Cult

The next major update for popular MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online is officially called Seasons of the Worm Cult, and it's heading to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Xbox PC, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, and PlayStation 5 and 4 on Jun. 18, 2025. Later this year, TESO will also debut its first server-wide, world-changing event.

Aphelion

A new title from DON'T NOD, the creators behind games like Jusant (which I reviewed), is taking on the sci-fi genre. Aphelion looks incredible, and it's coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass in 2026.

There are No Ghosts at the Grand

One of the weirdest games we've seen at the show so far, There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is full of personality, and it's an adventure heading to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass in 2026.

Age of Mythology Retold: Heavenly Spear

Age of Mythology Retold is a beautifully reimagined real-time strategy game, and its next major DLC expansion has been revealed. Age of Mythology Retold: Heavenly Spear comes to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC and Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Game Pass in Fall 2025.

MUDANG: Two Hearts

An ambitious-looking third-person action-adventure game filled with spy thriller and military gameplay, MUDANG: Two Hearts is heading to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC sometime in 2026.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf

The beautiful, atmospheric Planet of Lana (which I played and loved) is already getting a sequel to continue the story, but we'll have to wait a while to actually play it. Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is launching on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass in 2026.

Fallout 76: Gone Fission

Fallout 76 continues to grow, letting players embark on post-apocalyptic adventures together with an absurd number of activities and quests. Now, Fallout 76 also has fishing. Fallout 76: Gone Fission is available to play now across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC and Steam, and PlayStation 5 and 4.

Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE

One of the biggest animes in the world is getting an action-filled co-op video game, and it was revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase. Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE is coming to Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

Aniimo

Aniimo is another Pokemon-inspired game, but this may take the cake for being the most adorable we've seen in the genre. Aniimo is heading to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC in 2026.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4

The long-awaited remake to some of the best skateboarding games of all time is just around the corner, and we're even getting some awesome collaborations with franchises like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and DOOM. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 is coming Jul. 11, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Xbox PC, Steam, and Battle.net, PlayStation 5 and 4, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and Xbox Game Pass. Oh, and there's a demo available now for those who preorder.

At Fate's End

The creators behind Spiritfarer are coming back with a brand-new game, and it looks incredible. It's also filled with a lot more action than Spiritfarer was, and appears to be a full-blown action-adventure game. At Fate's End is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass in 2026.

Gears of War Reloaded

Another highly-anticipated remake, the original Gears of War is getting overhauled for modern platforms. Gears of War Reloaded is heading to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC and Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Game Pass on Aug. 26, 2025.

Persona 4 Revival

ATLUS is making another big splash at an Xbox event with a teaser trailer for the Persona 4 remake. Persona 4 Revival doesn't have a release window, yet, but we do know it's comign to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Sea of Thieves: Season 17 Smuggler's Tide

Sea of Thieves is one of the best live-service games in the business, getting regular updates filled with absurd amounts of content. Season 17 is Sea of Thieves: Smuggler's Tide, and it's coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Steam, and Battle.net, and PlayStation 5 in Aug. 2025.

Invincible VS

A new fighting game set in one of the most popular comic universes is heading to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC in 2026. This is Invincible VS, and we fully expect it to be bloody.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE

Final Fantasy has steadily gained more of a presence on Xbox, and a huge gap in this legendary RPG franchise is finally being filled. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC in Winter 2025.

FINAL FANTASY XVI

Speaking of Final Fantasy, the latest entry in the long-running franchise is coming to Xbox even sooner. FINAL FANTASY XVI is available starting today (as in, Jun. 8, 2025) on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC!

Keeper

I've been waiting for this one. We finally know what Double Fine Productions has been cooking up since the epic Psychonauts 2, and it's exactly as insane as I wanted it to be. Keeper lets you travel the world as a sentient lighthouse, and it's coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Game Pass on Oct. 17, 2025.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

Finally, we got a teaser for the next entry in the Call of Duty franchise, and it's a direct sequel to last year's release. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is coming, but this initial reveal didn't include any platform or release date information. All we know is that it's coming to Xbox, Xbox PC, Steam, and Battle.net, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Game Pass.

How to watch the Xbox Games Showcase 2025

The Xbox Games Showcase 2025, featuring Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and third-party partners, aired on Sunday, Jun. 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET.

You can rewatch via the YouTube link above, but you have a multitude of viewing options, such as the Xbox Twitch channel, Bethesda Twitch channel, Bethesda YouTube channel, Obsidian Entertainment YouTube channel, Xbox YouTube channel (for ASL), and Xbox YouTube channel (for audio description).

The Xbox Games Showcase was immediately followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, and you can use the exact same links to watch it.

Every Xbox and PC game at Summer Game Fest 2025

Here's the complete list of every Xbox and Windows PC game shown off during Summer Game Fest 2025, including trailers and release information.

Mortal Shell II

One of the most interesting Soulslike action-RPG games we've seen in years is getting a sequel that looks darker and more terrifyingly gorgeous than ever. Mortal Shell II is heading to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam, and PlayStation 5 at some point in 2026, and it'll also get a beta in the future.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

The long-awaited sequel to Hideo Kojima's critically-acclaimed Death Stranding is only weeks away, and during Summer Game Fest Kojima himself took the stage to introduce a sinister, narrative-heavy cutscene that's mostly exciting to those who played the first Death Stranding.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach officially arrives for PlayStation 5 on Jun. 26, 2025. No, there's no Xbox or PC release announcement yet, but it's sure to come eventually (the first Death Stranding game recently released on Xbox, too).

Chronicles: Medieval

Another beautiful action-adventure game set in the distant past, Chronicles: Medieval looks to be a brutal title that puts you on the frontlines of vast armies. It's coming to Windows PC via Steam in early access in 2026, and you can wishlist it now.

Sonic Racing CrossWorlds

Our favorite blue hedgehog is returning in a new kart racing game, which has players race across dimensions with crossovers like Persona and even Minecraft, with full cross-platform multiplayer. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is heading to Xbox, Windows PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation, and Switch on Sept. 25, 2025.

CODE VEIN II

CODE VEIN is finally getting a sequel, expanding the morbid world with a new action-adventure title. CODE VEIN II is heading to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam, and PlayStation 5 in 2026.

End of Abyss

End of Abyss is a new, morbid action-adventure game heading to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via the Epic Games Store, and PlayStation 5 in 2026.

MOUSE: P.I. for Hire

MOUSE: P.I. for Hire is a unique first-person shooter with an aesthetic inspired by old-school cartoons, and it was revealed during Summer Game Fest that Troy Baker is a part of the cast. MOUSE: P.I. for Hire arrives on Xbox, Windows PC via Steam, PlayStation, and Switch later in 2025.

Game of Thrones: War for Westeros

Set in the legendary Game of Thrones fantasy universe, War for Westeros is a real-time strategy game coming to Windows PC via Steam in 2026.

Atomic Heart II

One of the most interesting retro-futuristic first-person shooters in years, Atomic Heart, is getting a sequel. Atomic Heart II expands the world, the gameplay, and the RPG elements, and it's coming to Windows PC and consoles... at some point.

The Cube

Set in the Atomic Heart universe, The Cube is a unique MMORPG shooter that will pit players against each other when it arrives on Windows PC and consoles... again, at some point in the future.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion

The retro beat 'em up, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, revealed two more of its playable characters during Summer Game Fest with Raccoon and She-Hulk. Marvel Cosmic Invasion launches on Xbox, Windows PC, PlayStation, and Switch later in 2025.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

The hit Capcom franchise based on Japanese history and legends already announced its next entry, but during Summer Game Fest we got our second look with new gameplay and cinematic elements. Onimusha: Way of the Sword arrives on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam, and PlayStation 5 in 2026.

Felt That Boxing

One of the more unique announcements of Summer Game Fest so far, this seems to be a first-person boxing action game, but with... Muppets, basically. Felt That Boxing doesn't have a release date yet, but we do know it's coming to Windows PC via Steam.

Killer Inn

An intense online murder mystery game, Killer Inn is heading to Windows PC via Steam, with a closed beta for interested players coming soon.

ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders is a highly anticipated online extraction shooter, and fans get to enjoy a new cinematic trailer courtesy of Summer Game Fest. ARC Raiders is officially launching for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and PlayStation 5 on Oct. 30, 2025.

Dune: Awakening

Being only days away from launch, Dune: Awakening shared its official launch trailer during Summer Game Fest. This unique, expansive MMORPG set in the iconic fantasy universe officially releases for Windows PC via Steam on Jun. 10, 2025.

Chrono Odyssey

This ominous action-adventure game is arriving for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and PlayStation 5... Eventually. The big news here? A Steam playtest for Chrono Odyssey, running from Jun. 20-22, 2025 for excited players.

Mio: Memories in Orbit

Mio: Memories in Orbit is a beautiful new Metroidvania action-platformer coming to Xbox, Windows PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, PlayStation, and Switch. There's no release date, yet, but you can play the demo now on Steam and Xbox PC.

Out of Words

Out of Words is a positively gorgeous, handmade co-op adventure for two players, and it's coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via the Epic Games Store, and PlayStation 5 in 2026.

Mafia: The Old Country

We already knew about Mafia: The Old Country, and we already knew it's heading to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam, and PlayStation 5 on Aug. 8, 2025. What's new today is a fresh story trailer to immerse players in this world before embarking on a new crime-ridden adventure.

LEGO Voyagers

LEGO Voyagers is a 2-player co-op game with split-screen and online play that has you and a friend stack bricks together, and buying the game gets you a friend's pass to make it happen. There's no release date yet, but we do know LEGO Voyagers is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PlayStation, and Switch.

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny brings together iconic Nickelodeon characters and sets them off on fantasy adventures across a vibrant world, and it's coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation, and Switch in Fall 2025.

Lies of P: Overture

The long-awaited DLC expansion to the critically acclaimed action-adventure Soulslike, Lies of P, didn't just get a new trailer at Summer Game Fest. It was also shadow dropped, and is available now (as in, Jun. 6, 2025), across Xbox, Windows PC via Steam, and PlayStation.

Fractured Blooms

Fractured Blooms is an incredibly interesting first-person horror game that blends aesthetics and elements from several iconic franchises, and it has certainly piqued my interested. This psychological life sim is heading to Windows PC via Steam, at least, but we don't have a release date, yet.

Blade & Soul: Heroes

Blade & Soul Heroes is a mobile-friendly collecting MMO action-RPG with real-time and turn-based combat. It also serves as a prequel to existing Blade & Soul games, and it's coming to Windows PC via Steam in Sept. 2025, before also heading to Android and iOS devices.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origins

The Seven Deadly Sins is getting a new action-adventure game filled with those iconic characters. 7DS: Origins will arrive on Windows PC via Steam and PlayStation 5, but there's no release window, yet.

Jurassic World Evolution 3

The surprisingly excellent park management sim franchise, Jurassic World Evolution, is getting another entry with a host of improvements for designing and building your own dinosaur-filled resort. Jurassic World Evolution 3 is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via the Microsoft Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, and PlayStation 5 on Oct. 21, 2025, and it's available to preorder now.

Mina the Hollower

A fast-paced, top-down action-adventure game from the creators of Shovel Knight, Mina the Hollower finally got an official release date during Summer Game Fest. It's coming on Oct. 31, 2025 for Windows PC via Steam, and there's a demo available to play now.

Dying Light: The Beast

The next entry in the zombie-filled action-adventure franchise, Dying Light, has been earning plenty of attention from fans already. During Summer Game Fest, Dying Light: The Beast got an high-octane gameplay trailer to set the stage for its Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and PlayStation 5 launch on Aug. 22, 2025. It's also available to preorder now.

MIXTAPE

MIXTAPE is another classic coming-of-age story about three friends, set to an epic soundtrack that carries them through their memories. This moving story is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5 when it eventually launches, and it's also a day one Xbox Game Pass addition.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree takes obvious inspiration from anime-style artwork and character design, and is an epic roguelike action-RPG coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Switch on Sept. 19, 2025, with preorders available now.

Acts of Blood

Acts of Blood is a passion project from a solo developer and a handful of helpful friends, and is a brutal third-person fighting game that may remind you of Sifu. Acts of Blood is coming to Windows PC via Steam, and is slated to arrive in Summer 2026.

Scott Pilgrim EX

Scott Pilgrim is getting another video game, and it's another classic-style beat 'em up, and it's also set in Toronto. A lot has changed, though, as this is an all-new adventure for the familiar cast that takes place across time and space. Scott Pilgrim EX comes to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Switch in 2026.

The First Descendant: Breakthrough

The First Descendant, a popular third-person MMO looter shooter, is getting one of its biggest updates yet in Breakthrough, which will introduce a new playable character, new traversal mechanics, new gameplay modes, and much more. The First Descendant: Breakthrough arrives for this free-to-play game on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam, and PlayStation 5 on Aug. 7, 2025.

SCUM

After years of development, online multiplayer survival game SCUM is finally launching in full on Windows PC via Steam. This bizarre and wild game gets its 1.0 release on Jun. 17, 2025, so there's not long to wait.

MindsEye

MindsEye is a single-player, narrative-driven action-adventure game with high stakes, and it's only days away. MindsEye comes to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam, and PlayStation 5 on Jun. 10, 2025, and you can preorder it now.

LEGO Party

This four-player party game has you playing as a LEGO figure while competing in Mario Party-like minigames. While a specific release date wasn't revealed, we do know that it is coming to Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch sometime in 2025.

Wildgate

Wildgate is a sci-fi focused PvP multiplayer FPS looter shooter from developer Moonshot Games and publisher Dreamhaven. It's currently in open beta, but will fully launch on Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 on Jul. 22, 2025.

Blighted

Metroidvania fans and souls-like fans have a new title to get excited about in the form of Blighted. This isometric co-op action game comes from DrinkBox Studios, who are the creatives behind Nobody Saves the World, Guacamelee!, and more. It releases sometime in 2026.

ILL

Resident Evil fans and horror enthusiasts will want to keep an eye on ILL from Team Clout Inc. It's an FPS survival game that has you exploring a dark fort where grotesque creatures lurk in the shadows.

There is no specific release date or release year yet, but we do know that ILL is coming to Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

Mecha BREAK

Mecha Break has been a highly-anticipated game for a while now, and is the sixth most wish listed game on Steam at the time of writing. This multiplayer third-person shooter allows players to fight in giant mechs on massive maps. We've been awaiting a release date for a while now, and now we have it. You can enjoy Mecha Break on Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S when it launches on Jul. 1, 2025.

Infinitesimals

In Infinitesimals, you take on the role of an "elite alien squadron stranded on a mysterious planet after a catastrophic crash." The thing is, you're about the size of an insect, so you'll have to be careful if you want to survive on this strange world. Infinitesimals is launching sometime in 2026 on Windows PC via Epic Game Store, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

Street Fighter 6: Season 3

Street Fighter 6 Season 3 is getting four new fighters that will release throughout the course of the year and a half. First there's Sagat in Summer 2025, C. Viper in Fall 2025, Ingrid early next Spring 2026, and finally Alex in late Spring 2026.

Last Flag

Last Flag is another PvP arena hero shooter with a cartoony art style. Players compete in 5v5 rounds of intense Capture the Flag in a comedic world. The game is definitely coming to Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store in 2026, but we don't know for sure which consoles it's releasing on.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Anyone who loves challenging Soulslikes should keep an eye on WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers. This action-packed title takes place during the late Ming Dynasty. A powerful plague is spreading across the land, creating hideous abominations and it's up to you to stop them. Wuchang is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5 when it releases on Jul. 23, 2025.

Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver

With it's anime-style designs and afro-surrealist aesthetic, Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver is shaping up to be one exciting online co-op ARPG. No release date has been given so far, but we do know it's coming to Windows PC via Steam and Epic Game Store.

Into the Unwell

Into the Unwell is a cartoony third-person action roguelike that allows you and up to two other players to explore a gloomy world together. A release date has not been given yet, but this game will be launching into early access "soon."

Splitgate 2

Splitgate 2 is basically what you get when you mix Portal with an arena shooter. It released on May 22, 2025 and is free-to-play on Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, and PS4.

Stranger Than Heaven

Near the end of the show, we learned that Publisher SEGA and developer Ryu Ga Gotaku Studio's Project Century, is officially called Stranger Than Heaven. It appears to be a gritty and action-packed story set in 1943. No release date or specific platforms have been revealed for this upcoming title, but it has us intrigued to learn more.

Resident Evil Requiem

To top everything off, Summer Game Fest 2025 ended after Capcom revealed Resident Evil Requiem. This next entry in the Resident Evil survival-horror series has players taking on the role of Grace Ashcroft, an FBI Agent, who must return to the Remwood Hotel where her mother was murdered eight years previous. It looks like the game will take us back to Raccoon City. Resident Evil Requiem releases on Feb. 27, 2026 for Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

How to watch Summer Game Fest 2025

We have an in-depth guide on how to tune into every games event happening right now, but I'll give you the quick rundown here, too.

The proper Summer Game Fest 2025 show, which was hosted by Geoff Keighley and The Game Awards, aired on Friday, Jun. 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET.

You can rewatch it via the YouTube link above, but you can also catch the replay via The Game Awards Twitch channel.

Summer Game Fest 2025 took place today on Friday, June 6 at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET. The show ran for two and a half hours, and revealed a ton of interesting titles from developers big and small. We're excited for this event and will report on all Xbox and PC gaming news that we learn right here on this page.

RELATED: 🔴 Xbox Games Showcase 2025 (LIVE BLOG)

Of course, the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 / Outer Worlds 2 Direct is set for Sunday, June 8 at 10:00am PT / 1:00 pm ET. So, we'll also cover that event right here as well.

As time ticks closer to these events, make sure to check back and refresh this page frequently to see the recent news, rumors, and announcements. — Rebecca Spear, Gaming Editor

Summer Game Fest 2025

Summer Game Fest 2025 is over, but the fun hasn't ended. On Sunday is the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, which will give us a glimpse at another variety of interesting upcoming titles for Xbox and PC. And perhaps even some hardware ...

How to watch Xbox Games Showcase 2025

• YouTube.com/Xbox
• Twitch.tv/Xbox
• X.com/Xbox
• Facebook.com/Xbox
• TikTok.com/@Xbox

The long awaited 007 game is apparently getting revealed this week

As this week continues, we're bound to see some exciting teasers and potentially even some leaks before the official showcases begin. To start that all off, it seems 007 First Light is getting revealed "this week," most likely at Summer Game Fest 2025. I'm super excited to learn more about it. — Rebecca Spear, Gaming Editor

What we expect from the Xbox Games Showcase 2025

The Xbox Games Showcase takes place on Sunday, June 8 at 10:00am PT / 1:00 pm ET and will likely be the place that we get the most exciting Xbox news this weekend.

Our own Jez Corden has previously written an article on what he expects to see at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025. He conjectures on everything from Everwild to State of Decay 3 and even discusses the potential for new Xbox hardware. So, if you'd like to read more on all of that, check out his article. — Rebecca Spear, Gaming Editor

Could we see The Elder Scrolls VI at the Xbox Showcase?

Could we see Elder Scrolls 6 at the Xbox Showcase this year? During last week's XB2 Podcast with YouTuber Rand_Al_Thor_19 and myself, we both came to the conclusion that, perhaps next week would be a good time to give another taste at The Elder Scrolls 6.

With Oblivion Remastered driving a resurgence of interest in the franchise, what better way to cap off the hype with a glimpse at what's coming next? It has been 7 years since the original Elder Scrolls 6 teaser, between which Bethesda's core team launched Starfield.

Perhaps it's too early, but ... what if it isn't? I'm daring to dream.

— Jez Corden

What about some Hollow Knight: Silksong?

One big game people are hoping to see at SGF or the Xbox Showcase is Hollow Knight: Silksong.

The follow up to the dark and seminal metroidvania-meets-soulslike has long been in development, with updates on the game being relatively few and far between. Fans of the franchise (myself included) clamor for even the vaguest hints that the game could be nearing completion, and we just got some of that this morning.

Silkson'g app packages on Steam recently got a flurry of updates, with one grabbing its first update in over a year. Could the game be gearing up for prime time? We can only hope.

— Jez Corden

PlayStation joins in with a June State of Play

Not to be left out, Sony's PlayStation is joining in the summer gaming fun with a State of Play presentation on Wednesday, June 4 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET. It'll be streamed on Twitch and YouTube. This show will run for around 40 minutes and is packed with "must-play" games.

Personally, I'm hoping to see the next Resident Evil game announced here. It's been long enough — the Resident Evil 4 remake and its Separate Ways story DLC both launched in 2023 — and I'm extremely curious how Capcom plans to continue the long-running survival-horror franchise. — Samuel Tolbert, Gaming Contributor

A glimpse of The Witcher 4 at State of Unreal 2025

During State of Unreal 2025, CD Projekt RED showed up with an impressive technical demonstration for The Witcher 4. This Unreal Engine 5 demo showed how the team is using motion-matching, Nanite Foliage, and more.

As a result, the team claims this tech demo is running at 60 FPS with ray tracing on a standard PlayStation 5. This demo also confirmed a couple of other interesting details. First, Ciri has a horse named Kelpie, and this steed serves her much the same as Roach served Geralt. Secondly, at least part of the game takes place in Kovir, one of the Northern Kingdoms that wasn't seen in the prior games.

The Witcher 4 may be a ways off, but it's interesting to see how it's all coming together. — Samuel Tolbert, Gaming Contributor

People are sharing their crazy hopes and dreams for the Xbox showcase

Since we can't (yet) have comments enabled on live blogs, I took to Twitter / X to ask users what they want to see from the big Xbox Showcase, scheduled for this Sunday.

In my wildest hopes and dreams, I'd love to see some Blizzard presence at the show, perhaps with StarCraft 3 or a Warcraft single player spin off. I doubt that will happen given Blizzcon is next year ... but I don't fancy waiting by. I'd also kill to get a Wasteland 4 or Gears Tactics 2. I'm on a bit of a turn-based kick at the moment (thanks Clair Obscur and WH40K: Rogue Trader for that).

Here are some of the other wild hopes from the Twitter faithful.

Will we see the formal reveal of "Xbox PC" this week?

Microsoft seems to be gearing up to fully reveal "Xbox PC" as the rebrand for its Xbox app on PC, making it easier to differentiate between Microsoft's separate platform efforts.

I noticed today that the branding appeared on a third-party game trailer next to the Steam logo, in what, as far as I can tell, is a first. The previous time "Xbox PC" was used was in Microsoft's Gears of War: Reloaded announcement post.

Increasingly, it looks as though Microsoft is shifting its PC gaming branding around that moniker. We've asked Microsoft to comment, but don't be surprised if you see a lot of this new branding in the coming days across SGF and the Xbox Showcase.

— Jez Corden

What is Undead Labs teasing here?

Color me intrigued, but Xbox studio Undead Labs posted this on their Facebook page recently. Undead Labs is, of course, working on State of Decay 3.

The runic pattern is unlike anything I've seen in State of Decay or State of Decay 2. It doesn't appear to be an existing typescript that I'm aware of, although it looks at least vaguely similar to Nordic runes, albeit aesthetically only.

The back drop looks to be in a field, inscribed with some sort of burial mound or crop circle, it's hard to say.

Is this a tease for State of Decay 3, or something completely new? We should find out for sure on Sunday.

— Jez Corden

Black Myth Wukong arrives exactly a year to the day on Xbox

In case you missed it, Black Myth Wukong has been officially dated for Xbox, set to launch this August. Interestingly, it's a year to the day that the game launched on PlayStation.

Microsoft and our sources suggested to us that the Black Myth Wukong delay was the result of some form of exclusivity deal with PlayStation and Sony. Game Science has never confirmed or denied that they took some kind of deal with Sony, but has leveraged blame on being unable to optimize the game for the Xbox Series S.

Either way, it's great that one of last year's most celebrated RPGs is finally coming across to team green. Maybe there will also finally be some other long-delayed PlayStation exclusives announced for Xbox at this week's showcase.

— Jez Corden

Don't forget the PC Gaming Show too, also set for this Sunday

Drop a notification bell on the PC Gaming Show, set to go live this Sunday after the Xbox Showcase.

• Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 12 noon PDT, 3pm EDT, 8pm BST, 9pm CEST and 3am CST.
• Streaming on: Twitch, YouTube, X, Facebook, PC Gamer, GamesRadar+, GOG.com, Ginx.tv, Steam, Bilibili and more.
• The show will also broadcast dedicated streams with localised subtitles: in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, French, Korean, German, ASL and BSL.

The PC Gaming Show will showcase over 70 titles with support from publishers like 11 Bit Studios, Aspyr, Ubisoft, KRAFTON, Devolver Digital, and many more. Many of these games will likely show up on Xbox Series X|S too, and possibly even Xbox and PC Game Pass.

— Jez Corden

Could Persona 4 Remake be at the Xbox Showcase?

Persona 4 Remake is one of the industry's worst kept secrets, with voice actors of the previous version recently having coming to decry not being invited to participate. After the success of Persona 3 Remake, remaking one of the most popular entries in the franchise was essentially a foregone conclusion. It was a matter of when, rather than if.

It seems that Persona 4 Remake will be revealed at the Xbox Showcase, according to a report from MP1ST. Our own sources have corroborated this rumor tentatively as well. We won't have to wait long to find out.

— Jez Corden

The Future Games Show is also getting ready to kick off this weekend

The Future Games Show returns at 1pm PT, 4pm ET, 9pm BST, 10pm CEST on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Smash the notification bell above to be keyed in.

New trailers for upcoming games like Mafia: The Old Country and Hell is Us are expected, with many more reveals for Xbox, PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch in tow.

Will we see Xbox's "Project Kennan" this weekend?

I exclusively revealed Project Kennan a few weeks ago here on Windows Central, but it has yet to be formally revealed.

Expected to be based on the Z2 Extreme, Kennan is Microsoft's first partner device under the Xbox brand. Microsoft typically saves Xbox Showcase events for games specifically, but there's not really a better time to put eyeballs on a brand new piece of kit.

If it truly is based on the Z2 platform, it probably won't be cheap. ASUS just increased the price of its ROG Ally and ROG Ally X by $100 in the U.S. to account for Trump's tariff blitz. There's already a swath of competitors on the market too, including the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go. Not to mention the Nintendo Switch. Does Microsoft and the Windows 11 team have some sneaky tricks up its sleeve here? Time will tell.

— Jez Corden

Phil Spencer is feeling cheeky over on Twitter and getting fans in a spin 

"We've got even more surprises," posted Phil Spencer, Head of Microsoft Gaming, over on X/Twitter about an hour ago. Looks like he's starting the hype train ahead of the Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday!

I am slightly worried about the number of Banjo Kazooie believers in the comments, but of course the Xbox fans are rabidly deciphering Spencer's perfectly innocent post already. What are you hiding Phil?,

— Jennifer Young

What in the Chicken Jockey is this? 

In other news from the “this could mean nothing or absolutely everything” department: Geoff Keighley just posted… a rooster. No context. Could it be a cryptic tease for a Chicken Jockey origin story in Minecraft? Has he been playing the Coop level in Vampire Survivors?

— Jennifer Young

Some thoughts before Summer Games Fest truly kicks off

My excitement for this year’s festivities is a bit more tempered, not because I don't appreciate all the amazing game announcements, but because, honestly, I’ve never felt so well-fed when it comes to gaming content. It’s been a wild few months, and arguably the best quarter ever for Xbox Game Pass.

Back-to-back drops like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Blue Prince, and the Oblivion remaster have been incredible, but also, a lot. I haven’t even cracked open DOOM: The Dark Ages yet!

Personally, I’m hoping for updates on a few titles that caught my eye last year but have gone radio silent, like Project C, the horror game from the creators of Immortality. Remember that one? Otherwise, I’m more than happy with what I’ve got on my plate right now. Anything else is a bonus.

— Jennifer Young

Mass Effect TV show? 

Not game news, but game news-adjacent... Amazon's long-rumored Mass Effect series just announced its showrunner. None other than Doug Jung, whom worked on one of my favorite shows of all time, Mindhunter. Many will recognize the name from Star Trek Beyond and Banshee too. News just dropped by Discussing Film.

With Amazon MGM Studios, BioWare, and EA all involved, plus Mass Effect producer Michael Gamble on board, this could either be amazing or a disaster. I must say I'm not keen on absolutely every popular video game being picked up for a TV adaptation right now (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is also being adapted for one), but given the names involved here I've got high hopes.

— Jennifer Young

Aaron Greenberg on what to expect from the Xbox Games Showcase

Aside from today's big Summer Game Fest show itself, one of the weekend's largest presentations will be Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase — a conference where the publisher plans to show off many of the games and experiences coming to Xbox and PC players in the future.

It's scheduled to kick off Sunday, June 8 at 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET, and will be followed by a dedicated showcase for Obsidian Entertainment's The Outer Worlds 2. We're not entirely sure what Microsoft has in store for fans on the big day, but notably, its games marketing vice president Aaron Greenberg has made an effort to temper expectations on social media.

"Looking forward to the show, just don’t overhype it too much," Greenberg wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "We sort of burned the house down last year!"

The message is clear: don't expect huge bombshell after bombshell or anything like that, because this year's show will evidently be more on the tame side. Still, I'm sure there'll be plenty for Xbox and PC players to look forward to in the showcase.

— Brendan Lowry, Gaming Contributor

Could Lies of P Overture get shadow dropped today?

Seen a lot of speculation today that the highly anticipated Lies of P: Overture could be shadow-dropped in today's opening show. We were lucky enough to preview the DLC which prequels the game story earlier in May, but no release date was given outside of 'Summer 2025'. Today could be the day we get a release date, but a trailer leak earlier today clearly shows 'Available Now' on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One at the end.

The hype for the DLC has been somewhat overshadowed by some controversy around the announcement it will add difficulty options to the game, a no-no for a game in the Soulslike category.

Personally, I think if it's going to drop, it will during the Xbox Showcase, not the opening show due to the branding on the leaked trailer, but let's see if I'm wrong. — Jennifer Young

One hour to go!

Not long now, get firmly on the hype train (and get some drinks and snacks) because the show will be a whole two hours long.

Reminders of where to catch the show:

• YouTube.com/thegameawards
• Twitch.tv/thegameawards
• X.com/thegameawards
• Bsky.app/thegameawards
• Facebook.com/thegameawards
• TikTok.com/thegameawards

— Jennifer Young

Summer Game Fest is kicking off in 5 minutes!

We're getting started here shortly. Summer Game Fest is kicking off in earnest, showcasing the latest and greatest the industry has to offer.

Microsoft's Xbox Showcase kicks off later this weekend on Sunday, but SGF should also have a ton of interesting AAA games for both Xbox and PC to look forward to as well.

We'll be live blogging as much as we can here, including trailers and the like when they drop in.

Raw Power Games presents a cinematic trailer narrated by Tom Hardy: Chronicles Medieval

New studio Raw Power Games have shown an impressive cinematic trailer for a medieval sandbox, where you take part in gigantic scale battles with hundreds of combatants.

Its listed as coming to Steam in 2026, but the website says it's also coming to consoles as well. Only a brief flash of gameplay was shown, but it looks like fans of Chivalry and the like may have a new place to call home next year.

Hideo Kojima is on stage to talk about Death Stranding 2

Death Stranding 2 is now being demonstrated. The PlayStation exclusive looks absolutely incredible, but hopefully, like the first game, it will eventually makes its way to Xbox and PC.

Hideo Kojima notes that the original was made during the pandemic, and he wants players to think about that when they play Death Stranding 2 when it launches later this summer.

The trailer shows a scene between a porter and, what seems to be a therapist, at a Bridges facility. The digital acting and cinematography is typically top notch in regular Kojima Productions fashion. Neil and Lucy are new characters demonstrated, but Kojima is keeping quiet about deeper details, to preserve potential spoilers.

First game revealed: Mortal Shell 2

Mortal Shell was an indie soulslike from yesteryear, and before Lies of P, it was touted as a credible alternative to the likes of Dark Souls, despite some jankiness.

Now, we have Mortal Shell 2, which looks like a HUGE step up from its predecessor, with AAA visuals, insane animations, absolutely brutal looking combat, and a 2026 launch window on PC and Xbox.

Geoff Keighley is on stage, talking about 'boundless' creativity

Geoff Keighley is shouting out various games on stage right now, describing the diversity of titles hitting Steam lately, from small ten person teams to massive blockbusters with big budgets like Monster Hunter: Wilds.

"With digital distribution and engines like Unreal, today's biggest projects emerge from outside the traditional publisher system," Geoff says.

Geoff is talking about the difficulty developers are having with discovery, touting shows like SGF at helping developers find their audience, and helping gamers find their next favorite game.

Action adventure horror game 'End of Abyss' enchants, from the devs of Little Nightmares

Section 9 which formed from the developers of Little Nightmares has debuted their new game, dubbed End of Abyss, which looks fantastic.

Top down visuals and survival horror elements make this look like one to watch.

Code Vein 2 has been revealed!

Unexpectedly, we're getting a sequel to Code Vein. Code Vein 2 looks like a big improvement over the first game. The tough hack n' slash with anime stylings was quite impressive in its own way, but the sequel looks like its trying to take things to the next level in a big way.

Its dropping 2026 on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation.

The new Sonic Racing Crossroads game features characters from other Sega franchises, including Joker from Persona, Ichiban from Yakuza, and even Hatsune Miku.

The game is launching on September 2025.

Old school FPS "Mouse PI" shows up big with a new trailer

Mouse PI is an upcoming shooter with old school cartoon visuals similar to Cuphead, with a noir black and white motif. Coming to Xbox and PC later this year, it looks like a fun ride for fans of boomer shooters.

Sexy robots return in Atomic Heart II

Following the success of the first game, Mundfish is back with Atomic Heart II, with a greater emphasis on RPG mechanics according to Geoff Keighley.

The sci-fi Soviet-inspired open world RPG had plenty of jankiness, but presented something reminiscent of great titles like Bioshock of yesteryear. They're also putting together another FPS called "The Cube," the developers are describing as an MMORPG set in the Atomic universe.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is an old school beat 'em up

Marvel Cosmic Invasion continues Disney's licensing blitz of the Marvel franchise. Built by beat 'em up aficionados DOTEMU, it looks pretty tight.

A new trailer for Onimusha is looking tight

The legends at Capcom have shown a new trailer for the Onimusha reboot, dubbed Way of the Sword. It looks absolutely fantastic, with tight hack n' slash combat, and a 2026 launch window for Xbox and PC. It will also be playable at Gamescom this summer.

Out of Words is a hand-crafted co-op journey for two, coming to Xbox and PC

For fans of It Takes Two, you have a new game to look forward to. This gorgeous stop-motion style co-op puzzle game "Out of Words" is launching next year on Xbox and PC, and it looks rather good.

Mafia: The Old Country still looks amazing

Mafia: The Old Country is launching this August, and it looks every bit as evocative and cinematic as you might expect. If you're looking to scratch the GTA gangster itch while you wait for GTA6, you might need to put this on your radar. Its hitting Xbox, PC, and PlayStation on August 8, 2025.

Lies of P "Overture" is available now

Lies of P's first DLC "Overture" is available now, per a shadow drop of sorts. The absolutely grimdark reimagining of Pinocchio offers arguably the best alternative to the Dark Souls canon, outside of From Software itself. For long suffering Bloodborne fans, Lies of P should scratch the itch in the interim.

Fractured Blooms is "Doki Doki Literature Club meets Silent Hill"

Described by Geoff Keighley as "Silent Hill meets Doki Doki Literature Club," this new PC game "Fractured Blooms" looks a bit like what might happen if Eternal Darkness and Stardew Valley had an unholy love child. Consider my interest piqued.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 has been revealed

Jurassic World is a management sim that lets you design your very own Jurassic Park. Just like Jurassic Park, things can go wrong if you aren't tending to your park's needs. Very wrong.

The new game has terrain modifications, hatchery systems, and even allows you to drive around your own park close to the ground.

The game is coming next year to Xbox, PC, and PlayStation.

The developers of Shovel Knight return with a new retro-styled action RPG

"Mina: The Hollower" is a new action RPG from the developers of Shovel Knight. Play as a cute mouse and battle NES-style enemies in a game that should make fans of classic Zelda happy. It's coming to Steam on October 31, 2025.

Dying Light: The Beast gets a new trailer, complete with release date

Dying Light: The Beast is an "expandalone" semi-sequel to Dying Light 2, and it looks surprisingly good. Set in a European town with classic architecture, it expands the game with a deeper emphasis on action and even vehicular combat.

Crane returns from the original game, taking on a mysterious figure known only as The Baron. It's also launching in August, by the way.

Towa: And The Guardians of the Sacred Tree gets revealed

Towa: And The Guardians of the Sacred Tree is an anime-styled Hades-inspired roguelike coming from Bandai Namco. It's coming in September for Xbox, PC, and PlayStation, and looks quite cute.

What if Old Boy was a video game?

"Acts of Blood" looks like Sifu, but ten times more violent. The marshal arts-heavy brawler looks like it was inspired by the amazing Korean movie "Old Boy."

The revenge flick is being developed by a single developer, and is coming to Steam next year.

To celebrate 007, Hitman is getting Casino Royale's big bad

Casino Royale is one of the 007 franchise's most celebrated entries, and Mads Mikkelson's award-winning portrayal of LeSchiffre from Casino Royale is being celebrated in Hitman: World of Assassination in a new map.

IOI talked up their James Bond game, slated for next year, which was revealed in full earlier this week. The update for Hitman goes live later today, but only for 30 days. If you play it, it comes with rewards for 007: First Light.

The Guacamelee developers return with a new brawler

Coming to Steam, "Blighted" looks a bit like a top-down soulslike or action RPG, with difficult combat, and a vibrant, if dark, art style.

"Ill" steals the show for me, with some of the most insane video game body horror ever

Hyperviolent survival horror with HEAVY body horror vibes, "Ill" absolutely just stole the show for me.

Coming to PS5, Steam, and Xbox in the future, this game has absolutely absurd physics and skin textures, and should be immediately at the top of any horror fan's list.

Infinitesimals is a third-person action adventure where you play as sci-fi bugs

What if in Grounded, you played as bugs from outerspace with sci-fi tech? That's what Infinitesimals imagines. And it's coming next year for Xbox and PC.

Capcom appears to tease Resident Evil 9 ...

Next year is the 25th anniversary of the legendary survival horror game, which kicked off an entire genre. Capcom says it'll only be "the blink of an eye" before we hear more about what's next for Resident Evil ... could it be at the Xbox Showcase? Or perhaps Gamescom later this summer?! Time will tell.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers looks fantastic in its latest gameplay trailer

A new trailer for Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has appeared, giving us a better look at the upcoming action RPG launching later this year on Xbox and PC.

"Stranger than Heaven" is the 1943 Yakuza title from RGG Studios

"Stranger than Heaven" is the new title from the team behind Yakuza, set in 1943. It looks fantastic and brutal, while maintaining the traditions the studio is known for. It looks like a step up for the team. But there's still no launch window.

RESIDENT EVIL 9 HAS BEEN REVEALED

FEBRUARY 27, 2026.

Resident Evil: Requiem is a "high stakes" cinematic action survival horror, which takes players to the ruins of Raccoon City.

Grace seems like she might be a survivor of Resident Evil 2, although it's unclear as of now. She's asked to return to the scene of her mother's murder, which triggers flashbacks of Raccoon City.

Raccoon City is where the first three titles took place, and was subsequently destroyed by a nuclear detonation by the U.S. government to contain the zombie outbreak. The exact nature of Resident Evil: Requiem remains to be seen, but it looks absolutely fantastic already, and looks like another bold shift for the evolving franchise.

Capcom is kind of killing it, right?

Annnnnnnd that's a wrap, for now.

Summer Game Fest has ended, and Geoff Keighley and the team there definitely stepped it up a notch. Every game looked compelling, padding was an absolute minimum, and to finish so strongly with Resident Evil: Requiem deserves a ton of kudos.

We'll be back on Sunday to live blog the Xbox Showcase, but until then, have a great weekend.

As part of the smorgasboard of entertainment that is the Summer Games Fest, the PC Gaming Show show returns on Sunday June 8, 2025 and promises over 70 game reveals, world premieres, exclusive trailers and a PC giveaway to boot.

How to watch the PC Gaming Show

You can head over to Youtube and set a reminder for when the show goes live on Sunday at 3pm Eastern and 12 noon Pacific time.

The show will also be streaming on Twitch, X/Twitter, Facebook, Steam, Bilibili and GOG.com.

What time is the PC Gaming Show in my timezone?

• 3:00 PM EDT
• 12:00 PM PDT
• 8:00 PM BST
• 9:00 PM CEST
• 3:00 AM CST (June 9 in China)

Who will be at the PC Gaming show?

You can expect to see over 70 games from a wide range of developers and publishers. Participants announced include Ubisoft, Devolver Digital, Blumhouse Games, Failbetter Games, Aspyr, and KRAFTON, Inc., alongside studios such as 11 Bit Studios, Astra Logical, Big Blue Sky Games, CCP Games, Channel37, Chasing Rats Games, Cyber Temple Games LLC, Dear Villagers, Level Infinite, Fair Games, Game Source Entertainment, Ghost Ship Publishing & Gameswing, JofSoft, Megabit, People Can Fly, Peculiar Pixels, PlayFusion, Playstack, Red Rover Interactive, RocketWerkz, Saber Interactive, Shiro Games, The Arcade Crew, Treehouse Games, and X.D. Network Inc.

With such a diverse lineup, we are sure to see a massive range of games and plenty to get excited about.

The PC Gaming Show will be giving away a state of the art PC build to one lucky viewer, but you'll have to watch the show to find out how to enter.

As previously promised, IO Interactive and Amazon MGM Studios shared a first look at 007 First Light during the June 2025 State of Play presentation, giving a glimpse into a new take on the world's most famous spy, now adapted into gaming.

You can take a look at the reveal trailer for this third-person action-adventure title below:

As seen in the trailer, this is a younger James Bond (a mere 26 years of age) described in the press release as "promising yet rebellious" in his service to the Royal Navy.

Bond is thrown into the world of MI6 spycraft, where he's put into dangerous missions while taking on threats around the world. Naturally, he's got some tools to even the odds, including various firearms and what appears to be a laser-equipped watch.

IO Interactive has previously worked on the Hitman games, and that stealthy approach to game design isn't being completely abandoned. While there's definitely a greater emphasis on ranged combat in this reveal trailer, the developers indicate that Bond can also go for a more silent approach, evading detection in his missions.

007 First Light is slated to launch at some point in 2026, at which point it will be available across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.

As Summer Game Fest 2025 unfolds, PlayStation is taking part with a June State of Play presentation.

Even though the State of Play showcases are naturally geared towards showing off new PlayStation 5 titles, there's plenty for multiplatform gamers to check out, as many games are coming to Xbox and PC, and the list of PlayStation Studios games coming to Windows PC continues growing.

Where to watch the PlayStation State of Play

The PlayStation State of Play aired on June 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET. You can watch it through the YouTube link embedded above, or through the official PlayStation Twitch channel.

The showcase is slated to run for just over 40 minutes, with updates and reveals for a variety of "must-play" games.

All PC and Xbox games shown during PlayStation State of Play June 2025

Below, you'll find the games from this presentation that are also coming to Xbox and/or Windows PC.

Lumines Arise is on the way

Tetris Effect developer Enhance opened the show with a look at Lumines Arise, a game that's coming to PlayStation 5 and Windows PC at some point in Fall 2025.

Pragmata lives, and it's coming in 2026

Long-missing Capcom title Pragmata re-emerged during the State of Play, with a brief look at gameplay and a 2026 release window.

Pragmata is slated to launch across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.

Suda51 is at it again in the best way with Romeo is a Dead Man

Grasshopper Manufacture revealed its latest project during the State of Play. Titled Romeo is a Dead Man, the game mixes up a fusion of action and style with the same zany artistic approach players would expect from the iconic developer.

Romeo is a Dead Man is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5 in 2026.

There's a new Bloodstained game on the way

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is a follow-up to ArtPlay and 505 Games' prior side-scrolling action titles. It's coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.

Digimon Story Time Strangers launches this year

Digimon Story Time Strangers is on the way to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5, and players will be able to jump in on Oct. 3, 2025.

Silent Hill f is out later this year

Silent Hill f also showed up, with Konami's new survival-horror game out on Sept. 25, 2025 across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound launches this summer

Dotemu and The Game Kitchen's Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is launching on July 31, 2025, at which point it'll be available across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

Final Fantasy Tactics is being remastered

The long-held rumor panned out as Square Enix revealed the Final Fantasy Tactics remaster during the show. Titled Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles, there are various tweaks and gameplay improvements that make it perfect for longtime fans and newcomers on modern platforms.

Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles is slated to launch on Sept. 30, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch.

Baby Steps stumbles into September

Baby Steps is a game about a man who has trouble doing just that, and a new trailer confirms that the game will be launching for PlayStation 5 and Windows PC on Sept. 8, 2025.

Cairn takes a climb to PC this fall

Survival-climber title Cairn (as it's described by developer The Game Bakers) is coming to PlayStation 5 and Windows PC. Players will be able to hike up on Nov. 5, 2025.

There's a demo available right now on Steam if you're curious about checking it out early.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection restores klassic games

Digital Eclipse and Warner Bros. Games revealed Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, a bundle that includes several classic titles from the famous series of fighting games. Here are all the games announced so far:

• Mortal Kombat – 1992 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear)
• Mortal Kombat II – 1993 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, 32X)
• Mortal Kombat 3 – 1995 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis)
• Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 – 1995 (Arcade, SNES)
• Mortal Kombat 4 – 1997 (Arcade)
• Mortal Kombat Advance – 2001 (Game Boy Advance)
• Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance – 2002 (Game Boy Advance)
• Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition – 2003 (Game Boy Advance)

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch at some point later in 2025.

Nioh 3 hacks and slashes into early 2026

Team Ninja showed up with the third entry in its action-RPG series, revealing Nioh 3 is on the way. While prior Nioh games launched on PlayStation consoles before hitting PC, Nioh 3 is coming to PlayStation 5 and Windows PC at the same time when it arrives at some point in early 2026.

Sea of Remnants is free-to-play, and it's coming next year

NetEase Games and Joker Studio introduced Sea of Remnants during the show. This free-to-play "ocean adventure" is coming to PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Android, and iOS in 2026.

Sword of the Sea hovers over the summer

Sword of the Sea, a new title from ABZÛ and The Pathless developer Giant Squid, is coming to PlayStation 5 and Windows PC on Aug. 19, 2025.

Players explore forgotten ruins and a deep sea using a Hoversword, which allows for sylish maneuvering and tricks.

007 First Light is slated for action, launching next year

007 First Light is IO Interactive's new James Bond game, and we got a look at this new take on the iconic super-spy during the State of Play.

007 First Light is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 at some point in 2026.

Marvel, PlayStation, and Arc System Works team up for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls

Here's one we didn't see coming: PlayStation, Marvel, and Arc System Works all teamed up for a new 4v4 tag fighting game.

Titled Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, it's coming to PlayStation 5 and Windows PC in 2026.

The summer is upon on us, and with it comes Summer Game Fest 2025, a collection of of various Not-E3 events as companies hold showcases to grant a look at new and upcoming video games.

With so many different shows such as the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, it can be a bit overwhelming to keep track of all the information and what day or time something is happening. Don't worry, I've got all the dates and details you need right here. I'm also keeping track of what we know will be shown.

The Windows Central team is also running a Summer Game Fest and Xbox Games Showcase live blog, so we'll be keeping you up to date on any announcements.

Summer Game Fest live stream calendar 2025

How to watch PlayStation State of Play June 2025

PlayStation is holding a State of Play presentation on June 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET. In order to check in on everything announced, you can watch the stream via the official YouTube channel (which I've embedded above) as well as through PlayStation's Twitch account.

How to watch Summer Game Fest 2025

The official Summer Game Fest showcase hosted by Geoff Keighley is being held on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET. You'll be able to watch the stream through YouTube (as linked above) as well as through the Game Awards Twitch channel.

How to watch Xbox Games Showcase 2025

The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct are being held back-to-back on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET.

Players have a number of options for how to watch, such as through the official Xbox YouTube channel embedded above, as well as the Bethesda Softworks and Obsidian Entertainment YouTube channels.

There are also Xbox YouTube streams with ASL and audio descriptions for anyone with accessibility concerns.

Alternatively, you can watch through the Xbox or Bethesda Twitch channels. It's worth noting that the YouTube streams will all be held in 4K 60 FPS, while the Twitch streams will be 1080p 60 FPS.

With that said, in our experience, the Twitch stream is usually ahead of the YouTube versions, so it'll be up to you.

How to watch PC Gaming Show 2025

The PC Gaming Show is returning, presented by our sister site PC Gamer on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at noon PT / 3:00 p.m. ET. The show is available through YouTube, as well as through the PC Gamer Twitch channel.

We're deep into Summer Game Fest season as this coming weekend shapes up to be gamer Christmas in June. As we approach, an old name is getting its fans stirred up once again.

After GTA 6, which we finally have a release date for, you could argue Hollow Knight: Silksong is the most anticipated game on the planet. But unlike GTA 6, we're still firmly in the dark on exactly when it's supposed to show up.

Now, though, speculation is growing again, as its Steam packages received an update, as spotted by Wario64 on X.

• LIVE: Summer Game Fest and Xbox Showcase news as it happens

One of said packages apparently got its first update in over a year. It's not totally surprising, as we are at least expecting Silksong to launch at some point in 2025. Both Xbox and Nintendo have teased it already this year, and we know it'll be a day one release on Xbox Game Pass.

First announced over six years ago, Hollow Knight: Silksong is the follow-up to the original Hollow Knight, a game with a now cult-like following. Every day in that six plus years, its fans have been clamoring to know when they'll be able to play.

While the fact it's getting updates in the Steam backend may not be a surprise, the timing is what's getting everyone worked up. Both Summer Game Fest and the Xbox Showcase are this weekend.

It's not a sign that Hollow Knight: Silksong will be appearing, but given its apparent 2025 window, and the fact we're now halfway through the year, it certainly wouldn't be too shocking to see. Will we finally get a release date? We'll soon find out.

Developer and publisher IO Interactive is finally unveiling its James Bond game this week, and the game is titled 007 First Light.

IO Interactive, best known for its work on the Hitman games, first announced that it was working on a James Bond game all the way back in November 2020. Then dubbed Project 007, the studio announced at the time that it was an "original" story, as opposed to adapting an iconic existing James Bond adventure like GoldenEye.

It's not clear at this time exactly what to expect from this reveal, though it is worth noting that earlier in the year, IO Interactive confirmed that its James Bond game would be available on the imminently-launching Nintendo Switch 2.

While "this week" is a somewhat vague descriptor, it seems overwhelmingly likely to expect this reveal at Summer Game Fest 2025. The showcase is being held on June 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET.

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing how the team has chosen to adapt one of the world's most famous spies into gaming. Will there be a huge focus on stealth, acting undercover and gathering evidence? Is Bond's trademark seduction involved? How will the over-the-top setpieces go? Will I be able to order a vodka martini?

These are all important questions I'd like to have answered at the reveal.

The Xbox Games Showcase is back, with a June 8, 2025 time slot.

Every year, Microsoft puts together a big showcase to detail its upcoming Xbox games roadmap, often alongside various other surprises.

As detailed on Xbox Wire, Microsoft is getting ready to give us a glimpse at the near future of Xbox, across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and beyond.

"Make some space on your calendar — the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 will be livestreamed on Sunday, June 8, starting at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK time. Following in the footsteps of the 2023 Starfield Direct and 2024 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct, this year we will again have a double feature, with the Xbox Games Showcase immediately followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct."

Since the death of E3, Microsoft has more closely aligned its summer showcases with Summer Game Fest in LA. This year, the Xbox Games Showcase event is taking place a lot nearer to Geoff Keighley's event, giving press and content creators a much easier time to make their meetings and previews.

Unfortunately, it seems this year's event is digital-only, and thus won't feature a live LA Xbox FanFest viewing event as was the case in previous years. We'll have to wait and see if Microsoft has alternative live events planned for fans later on.

"It all begins with our annual Xbox Games Showcase, bringing you a look at upcoming titles from across our first-party studios, in addition to incredible new titles from our third-party partners across the globe. This year, the show will be digital-only – our livestream will bring you everything you’ll need to know about what’s next for Xbox, no matter where in the world you’re watching."

Xbox's June Showcase will also feature a "Direct" style deep-dive presentation for The Outer Worlds 2. This is Obsidian's sci-fi epic RPG that is often compared to Fallout and the like.

Set in a distant star system colonized by corporations, the failing colonies survive on the edge using advanced tech, beset by horrific aliens and nefarious factions of all stripes. The Direct will offer a deeper reveal for the game, as was the case with Call of Duty Black Ops and Starfield in previous years.

The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 will be available in over 40 languages, as well as American and British Sign Language with English audio descriptions.

Where to watch the Xbox Games Showcase 2025

• YouTube.com/Xbox
• Twitch.tv/Xbox
• Twitch.tv/XboxASL
• Facebook.com/Xbox

When the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 goes live

• PDT (USA): June 8, 10am
• EDT (USA): June 8, 1pm
• BST (UK): June 8, 6pm
• CET (EU): June 8, 7pm
• JST (JAPAN): June 9, 2am
• AEST (AUSTRALIA): June 9, 3am

It'll be intriguing to see how the Xbox Showcase is received by fans this year, now that we're thoroughly into Xbox's post-exclusives era.

Many of the games Microsoft shows off at this year's event may eventually find their way onto PlayStation and the Nintendo Switch 2 down the line. A contingent of Xbox fans seem to feel like the lack of exclusive games has taken the shine off the brand, and anecdotally, it's rare to see people speaking positively about Xbox these days.

However, with things like international tariffs and the trade war potentially pushing up game prices, Xbox's "affordability" plays like Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Series S may become more attractive in the near term. It's a strange, chaotic time, that's for sure.