Title: Beast Of Reincarnation Isn’t A Pokémon Game, But It Kind Of Is Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:00:03 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/beast-of-reincarnation-creatures-animals-pokemon-rpg-2000722004 The themes of the Pokémon universe are still very much present in Game Freak’s latest

Title: Roblox Tanked $9 Billion In A Single Day After The Company Admitted It Was Directing Fewer Kids Toward Viral Games That ‘Emphasize Short-Term Monetization’ Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:08:51 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/roblox-tanked-9-billion-in-a-single-day-after-the-company-admitted-it-was-directing-fewer-kids-toward-viral-games-that-emphasize-short-term-monetization-2000722002 Wall Street seems unhappy about improvements to the Roblox recommendation algorithm

Title: The Critically Acclaimed Co-Op Adventure From The Maker Of Untitled Goose Game Is Forcing Players To Make Friends Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:00:10 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/the-critically-acclaimed-co-op-adventure-from-the-maker-of-untitled-goose-game-is-forcing-players-to-make-friends-2000721641 Maybe the real Big Walk was the friends we made along the way...

Title: Fallout 3 Dev Excited For The Remaster Because The Original Game’s Visuals Were ‘100 Percent Not What We Intended’ Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:30:25 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/fallout-3-dev-excited-for-the-remaster-because-the-original-games-visuals-were-100-percent-not-what-we-intended-2000721988 According to longtime game developer Nathan Purkeypile, Bethesda's open-world RPG was 'super tech constrained'

Title: GOG’s Big Shooter Sale Includes A Ton Of Great Games That Cost $10 Or Less Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:00:11 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/gogs-big-shooter-sale-includes-a-ton-of-great-games-that-cost-10-or-less-2000721970 Over 400 good shooters, like FEAR and Medal of Honor, are currently on sale on the classic game store

Title: Monopoly Go x The Simpsons crossover is almost here Date: Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:41:21 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/monopoly-go-the-simpsons-crossover-details Monopoly Go players have been looking forward to a major crossover event for what felt like months, and though most of the details ended up leaking, nothing actually beats official information. Read more

Title: Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 will take us deeper into the World in Canvas and make Mortenax Blade playable Date: Fri, 22 May 2026 13:43:44 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/honkai-star-rail-version-4-3-all-details HoYoverse has today delivered full details on the next major update for Honkai: Star Rail. Version 4.3, dubbed The Lethe Below the Living, will be available for all players on June 1. The upcoming update adds a new chapter to the Planarcadia arc, and introduce a new playable character. Read more

Title: Forza Horizon 6 explodes on Steam even before it's officially out Date: Fri, 15 May 2026 11:00:02 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/forza-horizon-6-steam-numbers-big-launch Steam is abuzz this week with a couple of long-anticipated launches, but in Forza Horizon 6’s case, at least, the game isn’t even out for what will be most of its players. The anticipated sequel in the open-world driving game series doesn’t officially launch until May 19, but owners of its most expensive version - the Premium Edition - can play it right now. Read more

Title: Mystic Messenger's most loyal players are getting banned in droves for seemingly playing the game too much Date: Fri, 15 May 2026 10:02:10 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/mystic-messenger-ban-wave-thousands-of-hourglasses-anniversary Mystic Messenger, arguably one of the best dating sims around, has been dormant for about seven years. Despite not receiving new content or any meaningful updates in all that time, the game remains popular with its core fans, many of whom just woke up to some shocking news about their accounts. Read more

Title: Forza Horizon 6 review - The driving game for everyone still can’t seem to escape its car-collecting legacy Date: Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:03 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/forza-horizon-6-review There is this idea that, for a long-running series to remain as consistently popular as Forza Horizon has been, it needs to diminish itself somewhat with each new entry, gradually losing more and more of its edge in a bid to appeal to the widest possible audience. Read more

Title: Another Way To Play Big Walk Is Already In The Works Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:04:35 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/another-way-to-play-big-walk-is-already-in-the-works/ House House's critically acclaimed co-op puzzle-solving game Big Walk has only been out for two days, but one modder is taking it upon themselves to add a new dimension to the gameplay. Independent solo developer CircuitLord has announced that they are developing a VR mod for Big Walk. A brief demonstration of the mod was posted on social media as proof of concept. https://twitter.com/CircuitLord/status/2084802172525367443 CircuitLord subsequently posted a follow-up video that showed off the progress of the VR mod. In this iteration, the player's character can pick up objects and interact with them. But CircuitLord notes that it needs some refinement to make "throwing a tad bit less powerful." https://twitter.com/CircuitLord/status/2084895283117224028 Subsequently, CircuitLord confirmed that the mod will support crossplay with players using the normal version of the game. "You'll be able to see VR player hand movements and how they're holding objects and stuff as long as everyone has the mod," added CircuitLord. For now, there's no timetable for CircuitLord to finish and release the mod. In the meantime, House House has announced that it's working on a mircophone fix to address the issue of some players sounding quieter than the developers intended. Big Walk hit a critical milestone as the highest-rated title to debut on day one on PlayStation Plus Essential. GameSpot's sister site Metacritic notes that Big Walk has a 94 score among reviewers. GameSpot's Big Walk review echoes those high marks calls it one of the best co-op games ever created. Players who want to dive into the game should check out GameSpot's eight tips you need to know ahead of playing Big Walk. We've also put together guides on how to get shiny and how how to solve the 4166, 1899 puzzle. Big Walk is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2, and Mac.

Title: Fields Of Mistria Exits Beta With A Big Rideable Chicken Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:53:55 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fields-of-mistria-exits-beta-with-a-big-rideable-chicken/ Two years ago, NPC Studio launched its farm life fantasy RPG Fields of Mistria into early access. Today, that preview period has officially ended with the 1.0 release of Fields of Mistria. A number of improvements have been added to the game with that update, including the ability to ride around the town of Mistria on a big chicken mount. https://twitter.com/FieldsofMistria/status/2085045585485185118 As part of the transition, previously incomplete quests like The Town Repair and The Museum can now be completed. Two new quests, Saturday Market Plaza and Repair the Bell Tower, have been added to the game, and players' Town Renown Cap has now been raised to 100, while the NPC Heart Level Cap has been raised to 10. Since Fields of Mistria is primarily a game about romantic relationships, the 1.0 update has added 10 Heart Proposal events, wedding events, marriage, and children. For veteran players, the newly arrived Steam Achievements will be awarded retroactively. However, players do have the option of starting fresh without retroactive achievements if they choose to start a new save file. For international players, beta localization has been added for the following seven languages: Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) French Japanese Korean Russian Spanish According to NPC Studios, players will be able access all of the features and content of the 1.0 update regardless of which language they select. However, certain text features may currently be missing or incomplete. The studio notes that further improvements to the beta localizations will be regularly added to the game. In the meantime, some missing text will "temporarily appear in English." Fields of Mistria is one of GameSpot's picks for the best cozy games to cuddle up to in 2026 and the best Steam Deck games to play. You can find the complete patch notes below. Fields of Mistria 1.0 Patch Notes New Features Gameplay Unlocking Stillwell will allow you to access Mission Quests from his Mission Board at the Saturday Market. Unlocking Zorel will allow you to purchase Crystal Resonators and Song Crystals at the Saturday Market. This feature allows customization of the music that plays on your farm and in the rooms of your home. The exterior of your house can now be customized from a selection of styles after it’s been fully upgraded. Note: You will receive a letter from Landen after fully upgrading your house, which will unlock this feature in the Carpenter’s Shop. 7 new perks have been added to the game, including: Cooking: Espresso Yourself Ranching: Playtime Eggstra Close Bond II True Trust Woodcrafting: Hammer Timing IV Deliberate Debris II The “Engagement Ring” item will now become craftable at a Forge after reaching 10 Hearts with an NPC you’re dating. Note: Elsie will deliver the recipe to you the morning after reaching Heart Level 10. Use the recipe scroll to unlock it. “NPC Special Items” received from NPCs 10-Heart (Proposal) Events have been added. Note: It is possible to view all events and collect all the special items before deciding to proceed with a proposal (if desired), as 10-Heart events can be retriggered with the Engagement Ring until you choose to propose and become engaged. Elements of your wedding (such as flower color, cake flavor, and meal served at the reception) can be customized via wedding planning dialogue with your fiance in the days leading up to your wedding. The “Mystical Feather” item will now become available via a cutscene in the weeks following your marriage, allowing you to trigger an optional family planning discussion for players who wish to have a child. Via the Combat Perk “Friend-Shaped,” all monsters now drop Pet Skins that make your pet take on the appearance of that monster. The Big Chicken mount has been added to the game. An additional “Friday Night at the Inn” storyline has been added after finishing the Mines Storyline. New Requests have been added to the Request Board. 2 new Museum Sets and associated rewards have been added. Honey Set Terrarium Treasures Set Quality of Life The player character can now be rotated in the customization menu. Players can optionally disable the break-up letters and associated follow-up lines that acknowledge the change in status from “Dating” to “Best Friends” that occurs by default after getting engaged (when dating multiple NPCs). Note: this setting will not disable the break-up themselves, and will become available in the gameplay settings menu via the engagement tutorial cutscene. Players can optionally disable the status change from “Dating” to “Best Friends” that occurs by default post-engagement (when dating multiple NPCs). Note: this setting will disable the break-ups entirely, and will become available in the gameplay settings menu via the engagement tutorial cutscene, but must be toggled prior to confirming an engagement in order to take effect. Art Cloud shadows now appear outside on sunny days. NPCs NPC Heart Level Cap has been raised to 10. 10 Heart (Proposal) Events have been added. Engagement dialogue has been added. Wedding Events have been added. Events related to having a child have been added. Post-Marriage dialogue and NPC routines have been added. New dialogue has been added to the game. Sound A new winter song has been added. 4 existing seasonal songs will now swap to special extended versions after progressing through the game. 10 new songs have been added via Song Crystals Updates Gameplay You can now interact with NPCs you are dating, engaged to, or married to, to kiss them. Taking an NPC on a date will now increase their heart level more. Town Rank Quests have been added to better guide existing progression. Museum Wing rooms can now be entered to view your collection. The order of popups when donating items to the museum has been updated such that Museum Set Complete popups now appear directly after seeing their respective donated items popup. Previously inaccessible cooking recipes are now available in-game. Quality of Life Drop rates on items received from Mines treasure chests have been improved. Ritual Chamber and Treasure room spawn rates have been adjusted to be more common. Your animals will be fed and your crops watered automatically during March’s 8-Heart Event. The speak interaction now takes priority when multiple interactions overlap near NPCs. New Graphics settings have been added to the settings menu, including brightness & saturation sliders and options to better customize the game’s performance on your machine. The Birthday selection screen now has a header that says "Select Your Birthday." Art Ryis’ Hawthorn tree now has an intermediate growth stage. The Bathhouse water wheel now animates. Additional UI indicators have been added, including a directional arrow when placing furniture, an arrow icon over Mines ladders, and a talk icon over Caldarus’ Statue. New furniture items have been added to the game, including: Monster Set Ornate Set Bonsai Set Dragon Set And more! New cosmetics have been added to the game, including: Barrel Hat Wedding Outfits Beetle Mandible Horns Dragonfly Wings And more! Bug Fixes Substantial improvements to performance since the last update. Fixed early errors on startup which prevented the game from launching on certain old PCs. Reduced the game's VRAM usage by over 50%, which should help with performance on older machines. Players can no longer walk on water by moving diagonally into corners. The game no longer crashes due to the Pet being in the wrong location while their job is active. Players can no longer earn second place in the Harvest Festival despite turning in a winning amount of Queen berries. Hayden’s weathervane now correctly reappears on his barn after you return it during the Find the Weathervane quest. Stepping stones on the beach now play stone footstep SFX. Certain popups (e.g. unlocking new hairstyles) have been widened to better fit on the screen. Repeatedly ringing the Bell no longer raises the Ranching Skill level. Placeable forge animations have been restored. Rock Stacks can no longer get stuck in an idle animation. Flame Spirits no longer get stuck idle after attacking. The game no longer encounters a rare crash when scrolling through the museum menu rapidly. Shooting Star Festival-related dialogue can no longer fire past midnight on Summer 27. Players can no longer obtain cosmetics from the Chicken Statue for animals they haven’t unlocked yet. It is no longer possible to equip armor and miss unlocking its associated cosmetic. NPCs eat specific meals where intended during certain cutscenes instead of randomized meals. The camera no longer zooms rapidly when tabbing back into the game window during the End of Day pan. NPC sub-icons on Date Photos have been restored. You can no longer get stuck in certain doorways. The Flying Tome now appears at the appropriate depth relative to its wind attack VFX. Hotfix A crash on startup related to the introduction of localized languages has been fixed!

Title: The Friendslop Genre Needs A New Name Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:46:25 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-friendslop-genre-needs-a-new-name/ I recently got my hands on Big Walk--an adorable "friendslop" puzzler from the minds behind Untitled Goose Game--and I can't seem to put it down. But when I do finally pry my fingers from the keyboard and log out of Steam for the night, I can't stop thinking about it, either.  Something about Big Walk has been bothering me since I first laid eyes on it, but there's nothing wrong with the game itself. In fact, I'm with my colleague Mark Delaney on this one--Big Walk is one of the best co-op games ever, and it's also a game that's sort of difficult to define. Maybe that's why it's taken me so long to realize that what's been bothering me isn't the game itself, but the fact that it has been categorized as "friendslop."  On paper, Big Walk falls firmly in the "friendslop" genre--its characters are goofy-looking, its physics are purposefully unpolished, and many of its best moments are born out of its use of proximity chat. But it's not slop. It's a thoughtfully designed, calming experience that is often very funny, but also quite relaxing. It's not the kind of game that makes you think, "Ah, yes, the scream-at-top-of-lungs YouTubers will love this one." It's a charming, chill title with surprisingly beautiful graphics, and while it may not get your heart pounding, its uncomplicated, enjoyable gameplay loop will keep you (and your friends) coming back for more.  Big Walk has all the hallmarks of a friendslop game, except for the "slop" part. The term "friendslop," as I see it, generally refers to an indie/low-budget/no-budget game that was quickly thrown together to capitalize on whatever is currently trending on TikTok or Twitch, is meant to be played with friends, and utilizes proximity chat. Big Walk checks some of those boxes, but it certainly wasn't thrown together quickly--developer House House first conceptualized the game during the COVID-19 pandemic, when genre-definer Among Us was at the top of the Steam charts. But instead of releasing Big Walk immediately, the House House team spent the post-pandemic years refining the game, and it shows. Big Walk is a delightfully weird little experience with genuinely breathtaking scenery and cute, funny-looking little player-characters that remind me of Pikmin. The soundtrack is soothing, and while the game is bound to get some funny gameplay clips trending on social media, it lacks the frenetic, in-your-face pacing of other friendslop games. Calling Big Walk "friendslop" feels reductive, mean, and frankly, inaccurate. It's like calling Baldur's Gate 3 a "dating sim"--it's not wrong, technically, but that description certainly doesn't represent the full picture the way "turn-based fantasy RPG" does. Should we really be calling it "friendslop" if we genuinely do not believe the game's quality is slop? And if not, what should we be calling this specific genus of indie co-op games? One thing that really stands out to me about the best friendslop games is the fact that they mimic the games we played on the playground at recess. From structured activities like hide-and-seek to more abstract games with more abstract rules, the genre we call "friendslop" is pretty similar to the games we invented as kids: low-cost, low-stakes, meant to be played with friends, and over by the time the bell rings. From Among Us to Big Walk to Meccha Chameleon, "friendslop" games always remind me of the fondest years of my childhood, and I think it's high time we stop calling them "slop." Simplicity in game design doesn't necessarily imply a lack of effort on the part of the developers, nor does it mean a game is sloppy. I humbly propose an alternative. Stop calling them friendslop, and start calling them bro-ops: co-op games you play with your bros (of all genders).  Big Walk features simple character designs, but its environments--modeled after the Australian outback--are breathtaking and realistic. Okay, fine, "bro-op" is mostly a joke, but I still think it works better than "friendslop," because the unfortunate truth is that "friendslop" has become shorthand for "whichever low-effort co-op game the most annoying streamers on the planet are screaming about at any given moment."  Alternatively, maybe we should just rename all game genres to be as honest and self-deprecating as "Friendslop" is. In that case, we should probably start with free-to-play shooters, which shall henceforth be known as "Overpriced Cosmetic Skinslop." All jokes aside, calling it "friendslop" doesn't just insult the games it's used to describe--it also pigeonholes them into the "Among Us clone" category, which doesn't do anyone any favors. Players who go in expecting an Among Us-style experience will probably be disappointed, while players who might otherwise enjoy the game may be reluctant to even try it if they aren't fans of Among Us and other popular "friendslop" titles. And that can lead to brilliant little games like Big Walk sometimes slipping under the radar, lost in a sea of other "friendslop" games with which it has very little in common in terms of both quality and general vibes. When I think of friendslop, I think of co-op games that are fast-paced, in-your-face, and often half-assed. Big Walk is none of those things, and "friendslop" doesn't do much to convey what kind of game it actually is.

Title: Halo On PS5 Is Off To A Slow Start, Expert Says Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:20:23 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-on-ps5-is-off-to-a-slow-start-expert-says/ For the first time ever, a Halo game is available on PlayStation with Halo: Campaign Evolved. The game is having a "notably slow start" on Sony's console in terms of sales, however, according to gaming analyst Rhys Elliott. He estimated that Campaign Evolved sold 351,000 copies on PS5 during July and 452,000 to date, generating nearly $28 million. By comparison, Elliott said Campaign Evolved has shifted 212,000 units on Steam and about 900,000 on Xbox across console and PC thus far. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LimYD3Ycwo The analyst said the game's price point--$50--was partly to blame. "Fifty dollars for what’s essentially a graphical touch-up of a 2001 game was always going to be a hard sell, and players clearly weren’t having it," he said. Beyond graphical improvements, Campaign Evolved also features three new prequel missions via the Operation Meteorite story arc. Multiplayer is what Halo is perhaps best known for, but Campaign Evolved--as its name suggests--does not feature multiplayer support. Also in his comments, Elliott said the slow start for Halo on PS5 "stings even more" when compared to the success of the Black Ops 1 and 2 ports on PlayStation. Those games reportedly combined to sell more than 11 million units, generating hundreds of millions of dollars. Elliott went on to lament the slowing sales and diminishing profile of Halo as a franchise in general after the series peaked with Halo 3 and Halo: Reach years ago. "One can’t help wondering what could have been if Halo had kept the trajectory it had around Halo 3 and Reach. A remake of the game that started it all landing this softly on a new platform makes me pretty sad, as a Halo fan," he wrote. There are more Halo games in development, including one that's been described as "like Fortnite" with regards to its live-service approach. Developer Halo Studios has said future Halo games will also be on PlayStation, but those comments came before Asha Sharma became Xbox CEO and pledged to release more exclusive games for Xbox.

Title: Minecraft Is Coming To Switch 2 In October, With An Upgrade Path For Switch Owners Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 18:50:25 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-is-coming-to-switch-2-in-october-with-an-upgrade-path-for-switch-owners/ Minecraft is officially launching October 27 for Nintendo Switch 2, bringing with it what developer Mojang calls "Vibrant Visuals" as well as an upgrade path for original Switch owners. While Minecraft has been playable on the Switch 2 thanks to backwards compatibility, the Switch 2 version will bring some improvements that take advantage of Nintendo's latest hardware. In a blog post, Mojang labeled the Switch 2 version's graphical improvements as a new "Vibrant Visuals" experience that will offer enhanced lighting, shadows, and more. Not everything will support "Vibrant Visuals," according to Mojang. Playing in split-screen or using certain worlds or content from the marketplace will not feature the visual upgrades. One piece of content that will, however, is the Super Mario Mash-Up pack that is exclusive to the Nintendo versions of Minecraft, which is being updated to support the improvements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBL7nJLH8ro Mojang confirmed there will be a digital upgrade path available for those who purchased Minecraft on the original Switch. Whether that upgrade will be free or cost a fee remains to be seen, with Mojang simply stating there will be "more details to follow."  For those worried about losing their worlds and progress, Mojang has previously confirmed save data from the original Switch version of Minecraft will carry over to the Switch 2.  In other Minecraft news, Mojang recently added the ability to sit. A sequel to Minecraft Dungeons is releasing in September, with the A Minecraft Movie sequel slated for 2027. Minecraft itself looks like it's becoming an even bigger focus for parent company Microsoft amidst recent organizational changes (and mass layoffs). Mojang, as well as Candy Crush developer King, now report directly to new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, something that has been a cause for concern among fans who worry Microsoft meddling may ruin Minecraft.

Title: Halo 4 Still Holds Up As The Best Halo Game Ever, 14 Years Later Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:00:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/halo-4-best-halo-game/ There’s a new Halo game out in the wild. Well, okay, fine, there’s an old Halo game out — again. Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of 2001’s Halo: Combat Evolved, is a modern-day reminder that the original Halo game was…pretty dang good! Bungie’s Xbox launch title was a stunning display of moody tone, a massive step forward for level design, and the overall experience still holds up today. But as Halo fans wade into the nostalgia pool, I can’t help but think that Halo is far from the best Halo game. That honor goes to Halo 4.

Title: Christopher Nolan Reveals Genius Reason He Cast Tom Holland in New 'Odyssey' Interview [Exclusive] Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:00:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/the-odyssey-christopher-nolan-book-casting-interviews/ The Odyssey has an absolutely stacked cast full of both long-time Christopher Nolan collaborators and new additions to the troupe. To play Odysseus and Penelope, Nolan and his go-to casting director, John Papsidera, turned to a pair of familiar faces: Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, who perfectly embodied the filmmaker's unique take on the famous epic poem.

Title: How to get a portal pod in Pokémon Pokopia Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:34:57 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-pokopia-how-to-get-universal-storage-crafting-recipe/ Pokémon Pokopia's portal pod is the game's version of universal storage, though getting one takes a bit of work. You can unlock the portal pod recipe without owning Pokopia's Bubbly Basin DLC, though it requires substantial work done in Palette Town. However, owning the DLC gives you access to two portal pods you can just pick up in a house at the edge of town and then replicate using the 3D printer.

Title: Minecraft announced for Switch 2 with enhanced graphics Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:17:01 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/minecraft-nintendo-switch-2-release-date/ Minecraftis finally launching on the Nintendo Switch 2 this fall, giving Mojang's blockbuster sandbox game a native version built to take advantage of Nintendo's new hardware and bringing a massive graphics overhaul to the console.

Title: All weapon locations in Beast of Reincarnation Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:01:23 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/beast-of-reincarnation-weapon-location-where-to-find/ Emma uses two types of weapons in Beast of Reincarnation. She can fight from afar with the bow and the crossbow, or jump into action wielding a sword. While the list of ranged options isn't long, there are many different blades Emma can use, each with different stats and abilities.

Title: Best in Class: Stream PC Games and Study on the Same Laptop With GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:00:20 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-back-to-school-2026/ Back to school means balancing assignments, deadlines and downtime. GeForce NOW makes it easy to have it all. With cloud gaming, everyday laptops used for class can also become GeForce RTX-powered gaming setups.  When it’s time to switch from studying to gaming, members can jump into Halo: Campaign Evolved, as GeForce NOW is bringing one of the gaming world’s most celebrated titles to nearly any device through the cloud, alongside eight total games joining the GeForce NOW library this week. From A+ to AAA Gaming  This back-to-school season, the easiest upgrade isn’t replacing laptops in backpacks. It’s unlocking even more from these same laptops, from creating to gaming. With a GeForce NOW membership, Chromebooks, Macs and Surface devices can become GeForce RTX-powered gaming PCs in the cloud. The GeForce NOW library features thousands of supported PC games, letting members stream titles they already own from digital stores like Steam, Xbox PC Game Pass and Epic Games Store in just a few clicks. The cloud keeps games up to date and ready to play, making it easy to jump into a match between classes, after homework or whenever there’s free time. Time spent waiting on downloads, patches and installs becomes time spent in game instead. The Ultimate membership enables best-in-class experiences by delivering 5080-class performance in the cloud with NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex technologies for responsive, visually rich gameplay — all on the hardware gamers already own. A creator known as “Menguiny” recently put this to the test after picking up a MacBook Neo. GeForce NOW turned the laptop — usually the creator’s go-to for editing videos and everyday work — into a top-notch gaming machine, too. Another creator, “TechWithSeong” highlighted that same versatility GeForce NOW offers. Rather than juggling separate devices for work and gaming, he used GeForce NOW Ultimate to stream supported PC games across the devices he already owns — from a MacBook used for editing to gaming on the go with handheld devices. Gamers can start with a day pass and experience all the premium benefits without a monthly commitment. Plus, the cost of a day pass can be applied toward a first membership purchase — it’s like earning a little extra credit along the way. Everyone, at Their Stations Needlers never looked so sharp. Experience the Master Chief’s iconic journey on GeForce NOW in Halo: Campaign Evolved — a modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign — rebuilt with high-definition visuals, updated cinematics and refined gameplay. Whether discovering Halo for the first time or returning after 25 years to finish the fight, it’s as the Master Chief says: “We’re just getting started.” Crash-land on the mysterious ringworld alongside Cortana and uncover great secrets while battling overwhelming Covenant forces. Fight through the rebuilt campaign, then continue the adventure with three brand-new missions featuring the Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson. Expanded weapons, iconic vehicles, hijackable Wraith tanks and optional Skull modifiers offer even more ways to play. Suit up across PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more with GeForce NOW Ultimate, powered by GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud. Experience Halo with NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex technologies delivering higher frame rates and ultralow latency that keep every firefight feeling responsive and worthy of a Spartan. From solo gaming to online co-op modes, GeForce NOW cloud saves let members log in and pick up exactly where they left off across supported devices — no lengthy downloads, extra storage space or expensive hardware upgrades required. The only thing left to carry is the mission. Let’s Play Today In addition, members can stream the following games this week: Halo: Campaign Evolved (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 28) Mistfall Hunter (New release on Steam July 29) Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (New release on Ubisoft Connect July 30) Sudden Attack Zero Point (New release on Steam, July 30) The Ranchers (New release on Steam, available July 30) Corsair Cove (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 31) Funnel Runners (Steam) Pathogenic (Steam) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Which game lore are you so familiar with that you can give a school presentation on it? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) July 29, 2026

Title: GeForce NOW Sets Sail With ‘Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame’ Joining the Cloud Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:00:16 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-path-of-exile-allflame/ Lock in and load up the cloud. GFN Thursday brings fresh updates and new adventures, all ready to play without waiting for downloads. Set sail in Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame and charge in Battlefield 6 Season 4 both launching major content for members this week. Then revisit Capcom legends like Breath of Fire IV, Dino Crisis and Dino Crisis 2, jump into Halo: Campaign Evolved Advanced Access and discover nine titles arriving on GeForce NOW. The Curse Calls Prepare to brave the unforgiving waters of Wraeclast. Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame launches Friday, July 24, sending Exiles into the perilous Frozen Seas. Guided by formidable corsair captain Valerie and her cursed navigator Vesper, gamers must piece together scattered treasure charts, board the legendary vessel — the Sovereign — and chart a course into the abyss. Descend into the depths using Allflame Lanterns to uncover valuable relics while surviving the dangers lurking beneath the waves. The update introduces sweeping changes, including a complete rework of sockets and links. The Scion also gains the all-new Luminary Ascendancy, the Mercenaries of Trarthus return alongside mysterious Atlas Anomalies, and the preexisting Abyss, Legion and Talisman mechanics receive revitalized gameplay and exclusive rewards. GeForce NOW members can dive in the moment it launches across their devices, no downloads needed. Learn more about the latest additions on the Path of Exile website. Rise Through the Ranks The next operation begins. Battlefield 6 takes the fight further with Season 4, bringing new battlegrounds, expanded progression and new ways to play.  Take to the land, air and sea with the massive Tsuru Reef and the return of the fan-favorite Wake Island, coming in phase two. Both feature aircraft carriers with operational flight decks, new naval vehicles and a dynamic wave system that helps move every match. The update also introduces Custom Lobbies and Spectator Mode, delivering more ways to play. From large-scale multiplayer battles to intense vehicle combat, GeForce NOW lets members deploy across nearly any device. Ultimate members can stream with GeForce RTX 5080-powered performance across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more. Whether returning to the frontlines or enlisting for the first time, members can leap into the latest Battlefield update the moment it arrives on GeForce NOW — without waiting for patches. Dragons and Dinosaurs — on Any Device Classic adventures, now in the cloud. Three iconic Capcom adventures arrive on GeForce NOW this week, ready for longtime fans to revisit and new players to discover. Journey through the rich fantasy world of Breath of Fire IV, a role-playing game following the intertwining stories of Ryu and Fou-Lu. Master an array of skills and magic to unlock strategic victories in battle and go head to head with unique enemies using powerful Dragon Transformations.  Raw instinct takes over in Dino Crisis and Dino Crisis 2, the survival-horror series that combines pulse-pounding action, resource management and thrilling dinosaur encounters. Pursued by a relentless prehistoric terror, players fight to survive from the facility to the world of the Cretaceous Period. Whether reliving unforgettable moments or discovering these legendary titles for the first time, gamers on GeForce NOW can experience gaming history on supported devices like Chromebooks, Fire TV and Steam Deck — no legacy hardware required. Spartans — Start Early Spartans don’t have to wait. Players who prepurchase the Premium Edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved can suit up for Advanced Access before the game’s global launch on Tuesday, July 28.  Start the weekend with all the new games arriving on GeForce NOW: ZeroSpace (New release on Steam, available July 20) The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian (New release on Steam, available July 20) The Planet Crafter (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass July 21) Carnival Hunt (New release on Steam, available July 23) Dinoblade (New release on Steam, available on July 23) Breath of Fire IV (Steam) CloverPit (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Dino Crisis (Steam) Dino Crisis 2 (Steam) The last word goes to the Community Corner. One GeForce NOW member recently shared they found themselves back on GeForce NOW Ultimate because they missed the flexibility of gaming across devices like Steam Deck. Their post sparked a discussion about why members tap into cloud gaming, whether as a backup, a travel companion or their primary way to play. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Sharpen the Sword, Skip the Downloads — ‘Onimusha: Way of the Sword’ Is Coming to GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:34 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-onimusha-coming/ Onimusha: Way of the Sword is coming to GeForce NOW at launch, with the playable demo available this week. It’s joined by Denshattack! rolling in with five new games arriving in the cloud. Plus, GeForce NOW officially launches in India, moving from beta to public availability — meaning gamers can sign up without a waitlist. Pick Up the Oni Gauntlet Cloud-powered. Samurai-approved. Capcom’s next legendary action adventure is coming to GeForce NOW. Onimusha: Way of the Sword will arrive on the cloud at launch on Thursday, Sept. 3.  Members can jump into the action even sooner with the demo now available to stream. Set in a dark fantasy vision of Edo Japan, follow a lone samurai wielding the legendary Oni Gauntlet against relentless demonic Genma. Master precise swordplay, unleash powerful abilities and absorb the souls of fallen enemies as supernatural battles unfold across a haunting world filled with mystery and danger. Ultimate members can experience every clash with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices and TVs. From the first swing in the demo through launch day, GeForce NOW lets members step into battle the moment it’s available — no downloads, storage space or expensive hardware required. Gamers can find the demo in the GeForce NOW app demo row and add the title to their wishlists today to be ready when the blade is drawn.  India Levels Up The wait is over. GeForce NOW has officially exited beta in India, bringing the world’s highest-performance cloud gaming service to more gamers across the country.  This week, gamers can choose from monthly Performance and Ultimate memberships, flexible day passes or the basic, free offering — making it easier than ever to experience GeForce RTX-powered cloud gaming. GeForce NOW now supports UPI payments, giving gamers across India a fast, secure and convenient way to purchase memberships and day passes.  Premium memberships unlock GeForce RTX-powered features like ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex, along with higher resolutions, faster frame rates and priority access to streaming. With thousands of supported games — from blockbuster releases and free-to-play favorites to indie hits — members can enjoy PC games they already own without the cost of upgrading to high-end gaming hardware. Join the conversation with the GeForce NOW community on Reddit.  Go Off the Rails This Weekend “Denshattack!” is pulling into the cloud. Denshattack! — the off-the-rails, train‑wrecking action game — is now available to stream on GeForce NOW, letting members embrace pure chaos from almost any device.  Take control of runaway trains and send them barreling through crowded tracks, explosive obstacles and delightfully destructive layouts, chaining spectacular crashes with just the right mix of precision and pandemonium. Its colorful, tongue‑in‑cheek presentation and physics‑driven mayhem turn every run into a highlight reel of derailments — perfect for quick sessions, score‑chasing and laughing at just how wrong a single turn can go when the throttle never lets up. In addition, members can look for the following to play this week: Denshattack! (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass on July 15) The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu (New release on Steam, available July 15) Heave Ho 2 (New release on Steam, available July 16) Fogpiercer (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass on July 17) Onimusha: Way of the Sword DEMO (Steam) The GeForce NOW community keeps discovering new games to play, with members discussing the most beautiful games on the service. What game has impressed you most on GeForce NOW? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: GeForce NOW Turns Up the Heat With New GeForce RTX 5080-Powered Toronto Server Date: Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:00:55 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-toronto-expansion/ This GFN Thursday brings more games, more power and more ways to play on GeForce NOW.  The cloud gaming service is expanding with a new GeForce RTX 5080-powered server in Toronto, bringing dedicated high performance in the cloud closer to members across the region. NTE: Neverness to Everness also gets an update in the cloud, making it even easier to jump into the latest content from the supernatural adventure without a single download or more storage space needed. It leads the way for GeForce NOW bringing native touch control to the game, coming soon. There’s even more to explore with three new games joining the GeForce NOW library this week.  Take It to the Next Level in Toronto The forecast is looking cloudy in Canada. A new GeForce RTX 5080-powered GeForce NOW server is coming to Toronto, expanding service in the region and bringing dedicated cloud gaming performance closer to local members. The new server will roll out within days, giving more players access to top-tier cloud gaming across Canada. Ultimate members can stream across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more with GeForce RTX 5080-class power in the cloud. Enjoy up to 4K resolution and beyond on supported ultrawide displays, up to 120 frames per second, plus NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex technologies.  Bring on the ‘999 Nights’ Reality bends — on any device. Step into the surreal world of NTE: Neverness to Everness with the NTE Version 1.2 “999 Nights” update.  This version introduces a massive gameplay evolution, plunging players into an immersive, tabletop-inspired fantasy role-playing game on the Warren Continent — a new permanent game mode featuring its own dedicated progression system. This narrative and mechanical expansion is elevated by the debut of two powerful characters, Shinku and Iroi, alongside an unprecedented fashion upgrade featuring a sweeping collection of 19 new character outfits. To top it off, exploration gets a high-octane upgrade with Draco, a revolutionary new motorcycle vehicle, making this version an absolute playground for combat strategy, stylish customization and high-speed urban traversal.  Plus, GeForce NOW will soon be rolling out native touch controls to NTE: Neverness to Everness, which will make it even easier to explore the city’s mysteries from supported mobile devices. Look for the game in the GeForce NOW app to seamlessly jump between devices and continue the adventure — no downloads, storage space or expensive additional hardware required. Embark on Expanded Adventures The journey continues in Granblue Fantasy: Relink with the Endless Ragnarok expansion. Known for its dynamic combat, diverse roster of Skyfarers and thrilling online co-op, Relink returns with fresh story content as mysterious beings known as the Ragnalia threaten the Zegagrande Skydom. Strange gateways, powerful new foes — including the mighty Beelzebub — and fresh challenges await across the skies. The expansion also introduces additional ways to play, including summon abilities that add another layer of combat strategy, co-op quest tiers and a solo mode filled with unpredictable encounters. Master traits offer more opportunities to customize favorite characters, giving both longtime Skyfarers and newcomers plenty of reasons to take flight. Jump into the latest action with the following games to play this week: Esports Manager 2026 (New release on Steam, available July 6) Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced (New release on Steam and Ubisoft Connect, available July 9) Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Demo (Steam) As GeForce NOW continues to expand, so does the community discovering cloud gaming. One new Ultimate member summed up their first impressions: “Finally caved and got GFN Ultimate… and wow.” Another longtime PC gamer shared how GeForce NOW completely changed their perspective after years of skepticism, calling it “a good alternative” for casual players and encouraging others to “try the one month and upgrade to the yearly before the sale ends.” What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Joyride Through July With 12 Games Coming to GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:00:23 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-july-2026-games-list/ Summer is heating up — and GeForce NOW is taking players along for the ride. Start the month with Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, bringing a galaxy far, far away to the iconic board-game franchise, alongside 12 new games joining the cloud this month.  Plus, don’t let the sun set on the biggest GeForce NOW savings of the year. Level up for less before the deals disappear. Light Side, Dark Side, Cloud Side  The Force is strong with this one. Rule the board, you must. Choose a side in Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, the classic property-trading board game reimagined with legendary characters, locations and rivalries from across the Star Wars universe. Play as iconic heroes or infamous villains — each with unique abilities — to assemble a team and experience cinematic moments while competing with family and friends across locations from every era of the saga. Every roll of the dice brings new opportunities to build an empire and claim victory. GeForce NOW makes it easy to take the battle between the light and dark sides across nearly any device. Jump into a match on a low-powered PC, Mac, phone, TV, tablet or handheld device and keep the fun going across the galaxy. Check out what’s available this week: Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains (New release on Steam and Ubisoft, available June 30) Meccha Chameleon (Steam) And look forward to the games coming throughout the month: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced (New release on Steam and Ubisoft Connect, available July 9) Denshattack! (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 15) The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu (New release on Steam, available July 15) Heave Ho 2 (New release on Steam, available July 16) Fogpiercer (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 17) ZeroSpace (New release on Steam, available July 20) The Planet Crafter (New release on Xbox, Available on Game Pass July 21) Carnival Hunt (New release on Steam, available July 23) The Ranchers (New release on Steam, available July 30) Corsair Cove (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 31) Juicy Extras From June In addition to the 18 games announced last month, 10 more came to the cloud.  Deer & Boy (Steam) DOOM Eternal (Epic Games Store) Embers of the Uncrowned Demo (Steam) EMPULSE (Steam) The Elder Scrolls Online (Xbox, available on Game Pass) NBA THE RUN (Steam) SAND: Raiders of Sophie (Steam) Voidling Bound (Steam) Witchspire (Steam) World of Tanks: HEAT (Wargaming) Last Call for Cloud Summer Savings The clock is ticking. Get gaming at the best price of the year. The final days of the GeForce NOW Summer Sale are here. Before the savings disappear, gamers can save $35 on a 12-month Performance membership or $70 on a 12-month Ultimate membership — unlocking GeForce RTX-powered gaming in the cloud across devices they already own. The Performance membership delivers smooth, high-quality gaming with RTX-powered servers, making it easy to jump into favorite titles across PCs, Macs, phones, handhelds and TVs. The Ultimate membership takes cloud gaming to the max with RTX 4080‑ or 5080‑class performance. Experience cinematic visuals, ultralow latency and responsive gameplay powered by technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex — all without the cost of a new gaming rig. Hear directly from the GeForce NOW Community. One GeForce NOW member recently called the Summer Sale “quite significant” after realizing the savings were even larger than expected in their local currency. By locking in a year of Ultimate, they calculated their monthly cost dropped from roughly 29 CAD to 17 CAD – showcasing how GeForce NOW continues to help gamers around the world enjoy the games they love, wherever they choose to play. Plus, check out this spreadsheet, made by a community member, featuring discounted games streaming on GeForce NOW  and build out a bigger library at the best bargains during the Steam Summer Sale. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: The Power of Motherhood Amid Chaos – 1998: The Toll Keeper Story Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:53:23 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/04/20260805-toll/ In Indonesia, there is a saying that perfectly captures the core concept of our game, 1998: The Toll Keeper Story—”A mother’s love knows no bounds, spanning across all time.” This beautiful sentiment slowly but surely transforms into a harsh reality when that very maternal instinct is tested against a backdrop of escalating, threatening chaos. This is Dewi’s story. While deeply inspired by our own homeland’s history, the events of 1998 in Indonesia, where a severe monetary crisis triggered widespread social unrest that victimized innocent groups, remain tragic yet universally relevant today. It often feels as though the world refuses to learn from the mistakes of the past. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Dewi, alongside other characters like Heru and Sinta, does not stand there to fight a massive tide that is far beyond her control. Day after day, from inside the toll booth she operates, she witnesses the raw human struggle for survival, all while fighting tooth and nail to keep her own baby safe and healthy. This entire conflict unfolds through a document and currency-checking mechanic that will feel instantly familiar to fans of Papers, Please. Amidst the routine, Dewi’s toll booth becomes a sanctuary where affected citizens air their grievances, regardless of whether they support or oppose the government of that era. The choices Dewi makes will ultimately shape the conclusion of her story. Without ever intending to romanticize the tragedy that inspired it, this narrative will be brought to life through hand-drawn cutscenes, rendered in the GameChanger Studio’s signature art style. A diary at the end of each day will also serve as a space to reflect on the deep anxieties Dewi faces, both as a woman and as a mother. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image With the features offered by the PlayStation 5, we are confident we can make Dewi’s journey even more immersive. The answer to this ambition lies in the Haptic Feedback technology, which will adapt uniquely to the various types of vehicles passing through Dewi’s booth. These vibrations will serve not only as vital gameplay clues but also as a physical representation of the earth-shattering challenges Dewi must endure while navigating her pregnancy. We hope that the emotions and message we wish to convey through Dewi’s journey in 1998: The Toll Keeper Story will leave a lasting, profound impression on you when you experience it on the PlayStation 5. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Trailer link: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4YT-R7l6wM Store link: https://store.playstation.com/en-id/concept/10018178/

Title: Crimson Moon battles demonic corruption on September 1 Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:00:48 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/04/crimson-moon-battles-demonic-corruption-on-september-1/ Earlier this year, we introduced Crimson Moon, our gothic high renaissance action RPG. You play as a Nephilim, a powerful half-human, half-angel warrior sworn to reclaim the fallen city of Gildenarch from the demonic corruption consuming it.  Today, we’re excited to announce that Crimson Moon is only weeks away, launching on PlayStation 5 on September 1. Play Video Over the past few months, we’ve shared more of Crimson Moon’s brutal melee combat, replayable hunts and challenging boss encounters. Today, we’d like to focus on one of our favorite ways to experience the game: two-player online co-op. Every hunt is better together  While Crimson Moon is fully playable solo, every hunt can also be tackled in two-player online co-op.  Co-op isn’t simply about having another player dealing damage. Every hunt dynamically scales between solo play and two-player co-op, ensuring encounters remain challenging however you choose to play.  You’ll also share a communal life pool throughout each hunt. If your partner falls in battle, you’ll have the opportunity to revive them and keep the hunt alive – but each death brings your team one step closer to failure.  Those are the moments we love most. A perfectly timed rescue as a boss enters its final phase, a desperate last-second victory… or watching an overconfident partner meet their demise when everything was going so well.  Whether you’re coordinating Weapon Arts, experimenting with different builds, or standing shoulder-to-shoulder against towering bosses, co-op adds a whole new layer of teamwork to every hunt. Built for PlayStation 5  We’re committed to making Crimson Moon feel right at home on PlayStation 5.  Players on PlayStation 5 Pro can take advantage of native support for upgraded PSSR, helping deliver a sharper image as you explore the blood-soaked streets of Gildenarch and battle the horrors lurking within. One adventure, two editions  From the beginning, our goal has been to create an action RPG packed with replayability, satisfying progression, and memorable co-op, while offering exceptional value to players.  Crimson Moon launches for $19.99, while Crimson Moon: Deluxe Edition will be available for $29.99.  The Deluxe Edition includes the Ceremonial Armor Set, the Axe of the Gods – a guitar-shaped axe worthy of any legendary Nephilim – and access to our upcoming Post-Launch Content Expansion.  If you decide you’d like to upgrade later, the Crimson Moon: Deluxe Edition Upgrade will also be available for $10, giving Standard Edition players access to all Deluxe content whenever they’re ready.  As a thank you to the PlayStation community, every PlayStation player – whether they choose the Standard or Deluxe Edition – will receive the exclusive Sonai Magistrate Armor Set at launch. We’ll see you in Gildenarch From your first steps inside Sanctus Clypeus to your final stand against the legendary Dead Gods, every hunt is an opportunity to discover powerful new gear, experiment with different builds, and push deeper into Gildenarch’s increasingly dangerous Wards. Gather your allies, for the hunt begins on September 1.

Title: Gameplay first look – Mafia: The Old Country’s Man of Honor expansion Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:00:49 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/04/gameplay-first-look-mafia-the-old-countrys-man-of-honor-expansion/ Hi everyone, I’m Josh Zammit, design director at Hangar 13 working on the Man of Honor expansion* for Mafia: The Old Country. We’re super excited to share the first look gameplay above, and I’d like to reveal a bit more about the Free Ride content included in the DLC. Man of Honor features two new story chapters set in the earlier days of Enzo Favara’s service to the Torrisi crime family, letting you team up with respected mafioso Ennio Salieri to settle old scores. In addition to the two new story chapters, owning the Man of Honor expansion grants you access to a new set of exclusive jobs and extreme challenges we’re adding to Free Ride mode, along with new collectibles and locations added to the Valle Dorata map. Play Video If you haven’t played Mafia: The Old Country yet, Free Ride mode lets you explore the Sicilian countryside at your own pace, or take on a collection of repeatable Challenges separate from the critical path that include combat encounters, stealth missions, and different kinds of races. In the new Man of Honor Free Ride content, you’ll take on new assignments from Salieri himself, who has set up shop in a Porto Almaro warehouse where he spends his days devising new schemes and smuggling stolen goods. Longtime Mafia fans know Salieri well, given his central role as the Don of his own crime family in the city of Lost Heaven, where the original Mafia and Mafia: Definitive Edition take place. Making Salieri the focal point of Man of Honor lets us showcase who he was before his emigration to America and subsequent rise to power, deepening his backstory in a really engaging way. Though still feared and respected in Sicily, this younger Salieri is much scrappier and has to hustle to get his cut of the Family’s various rackets. With Salieri as your new point of contact for Man of Honor’s Free Ride content, you’ll drop by his hideout to pick up two types of contracts: Challenges and Jobs. Salieri’s Challenges follow a similar format to the ones you can currently take on in Free Ride mode, but with amped-up difficulty that will test the mettle of even the most seasoned soldato. Salieri’s Jobs introduce brand-new mission types, tasking you with tracking down your objective and dealing with anyone who tries to get in your way. Seeking hidden caches of valuable loot, towing high-value vehicles back to Salieri, delivering stolen trucks full of precious-but-fragile goods—whichever job you take, success will line your pockets with extra Dinari. You can spend those ill-gotten gains to add new outfits, Charms, weapons, vehicles, and horses to your collection, all exclusive to this expansion. As you can see in the gameplay footage, the unique weapons and Charms you can earn in Man of Honor gave us space to play around with perks that push just beyond the bounds of period-accurate realism. For example, take the Rimbalzu throwing knife, which bounces to a second target so you can quickly and silently take down multiple enemies from the shadows. It would take near-impossible skill to throw a ricochet between targets every time, but the effect is incredibly fun and empowering, especially for players who prefer the stealthy approach. We wanted to design fresh and exciting weapons for a range of playstyles, and the added stopping power of these additions to Enzo’s arsenal can help give you an edge during Salieri’s most difficult assignments. Along with all the new items and missions on offer, there are plenty of optional activities you can seek out as you explore the Valle Dorata. Keep your eyes peeled for collectible Wanted Posters which, in keeping with a fun series tradition, use members of our development team (myself included) in period-accurate attire for their mugshots. You can also soar through the air in your turn-of-the-century automobiles via added Stunt Jumps, or destroy delivery trucks loaded with sulfur to hit back at the people who betrayed Salieri. The Man of Honor expansion for Mafia: The Old Country arrives next week on August 14. We can’t wait to see how you tackle the new content in Free Ride mode, and what the fans think of a younger Ennio Salieri in the added narrative content. Until then, mafiosi. *Base game required. Some content requires unlocking via gameplay.

Title: Players’ Choice: Vote for July 2026’s best new game Date: Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:00:25 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/03/players-choice-vote-for-july-2026s-best-new-game/ Last month was filled with adventures big and small, sports action, and spiritual battles! Some big new releases included Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Denshattack, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, and more. Which game was your favorite? How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog. What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake. How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll. View Poll

Title: Beast of Reincarnation hands-on: parry-rich combat and the cutest mutant pup Date: Mon, 03 Aug 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/03/beast-of-reincarnation-hands-on-parry-rich-combat-and-the-cutest-mutant-pup/ Even from its first full reveal in 2025, Beast of Reincarnation was making all the right noises. Roaring through the crowd of impressive action role-playing games, Game Freak’s trek into a post-apocalyptic Japan blends the mythological with the mechanized into something fresh – helped by a “one woman and her dog saving the world”’ narrative. But that’s not everything Beast of Reincarnation brings to the PlayStation 5 wilds. After spending a lot of time with the full game ahead of its August 4 release, I experienced a touching story, in-depth game mechanics, intense Souls-like combat, and quite possibly the most adorably blighted giant dog companion anyone could wish for.  A world of mutated mystery 4026 Japan is not a place we would recognize. Plants, birds, beasts, and even humans have been overwhelmingly corrupted by a strange cataclysm called the Blight. Entire Blight forests have spread their poison far and wide, pushing the remnants of humanity into scattered settlements. And chief of all the mutates are the Nushi, powerful and often colossal beings who spread fear and destruction wherever they roam. The cause of all this is said to be the fabled Beast of Reincarnation, which resurrects every 100 years. And so one person is tasked to end this cycle of doom… Humanity’s last hope Blighted from birth, Emma is an outcast with no memory of her origins. She’s initially stoic and near emotionless, punished by her colony for her affliction. But her condition also makes her valuable, able to absorb the powers of each defeated Nushi to herself, with the aim of using that power to kill the Beast. Of course, as the game progresses you discover it’s not that simple, but for us as players it makes Emma the perfect character to explore beautiful but sinister forests, the crumbling ruins of civilization, water logged underground bases, and mysterious habitats. Parry or die Emma is an incredibly versatile protagonist, feeling light and agile on the DualSense controller. She’s equipped with swift sword swipes via R1 that can be chained into a combo, projectile weapons including bolts and arrows that can offer a tinge of resistance when pulled on an adaptive trigger, a nimble dodge with a tap of the Circle button, and a block and parry using L1. And this is where Souls fans will rejoice – because that parry is the key to survival. Fighting against early beasts and basic corrupted golems – humans who escaped the Blight by trapping their souls inside a machine – was fun and easy enough but hacking away on R1 won’t get you very far against the smarter, tougher, or larger foes. My first encounter with Chapter One’s tricky boss, a colossal deer-like Nishi, was just a hint of what was to come, its vicious and repeated antler attacks requiring parries to open up a counterattack. Later in the game, mini-bosses and enemies with more complex unblockable assaults required pin-point parries and counters to win. Timing is everything. Wielding the power of corrupted nature  Thankfully, that’s not everything to Beast of Reincarnation’s layered combat system. Antagonists can be staggered by reducing their relevant meter with multiple attacks and leaving them open to a finisher using R1. I was also able to perform instant kills on grunts by sneaking up on them or taking satisfying headshots with a projectile. While the Square button unleashes Emma’s devastatingly effective Nushi Skills and Blade Arts combos. But mastering Emma’s Blight abilities is the real game changer. Tapping R2 when a jump point is highlighted in the environment fires out root-like tendrils of her hair to yank Emma to higher areas. Similarly, holding down R2 creates a temporary hair platform that Emma can walk across, and the Cross button raises Emma high into the air with her locks. Using her verticality as a distancing technique was not only valuable in combat, but it meant I could utilize a ‘death from above’ assassination with R1. This levelled the field against multiple enemies who have a cone of vision I could exploit and led to a rewarding victory in a particular fight against a tough pike-wielding golem and his small army. And then there’s Emma’s best boy by her side… Genuinely, Koo is the bestest of boys The large wolf-like Koo is the perfect battle companion, able to be directed to attack enemies, or utilising his powerful Bloom Arts, a turn-based menu style special attack which you select using Triangle. If I was able to time my following button press correctly during the short corresponding mini-game, Koo’s Bloom Arts skills were invaluable, especially as the Fluorescence Points used to unleash them are earned via successful parries. When combined with Emma’s time slowing Entanglement Overdrive after pressing L3 and R3 together, the duo quickly became a formidable force in my hands. Koo also guides you to objectives with a visual pheromone indicator, barks when he finds something of interest, and even brings back items to Emma. While Koo has his own life bar, he’s hardy and capable, and you can expand his skill slots by increasing Emma’s rapport with him via petting him (creating a pleasing tremble of the DualSense controller haptics), giving him treats, and keeping him clean via a shower available in the Cleanse Walker, Emma’s mobile base. Food, systems, and skill trees There’s a lot of hidden depth in Beast of Reincarnation, too. Multiple weapons can be found and enhanced, skill trees for both Emma and Koo meant I was unlocking more abilities as I progressed, different enemy types fought each other on sight making combat even more entertaining, and the presence of the mysterious Violet – who only Emma can see and hear – offered intriguing questions to the narrative. And that’s not even mentioning the importance of food. Emma and Koo will only naturally heal from their wounds if their hunger gauge isn’t empty. But food also offers bonuses to stats like HP, Attack, and Defense, so they’re not just another resource check. And better yet, Emma’s surrogate little sister Kagura can cook meals from ingredients you find on the field, her culinary skills increasing the more you engage with her, and her meals becoming more expansive and beneficial based on the recipes you bring back. I was even able to raise a chicken for eggs and grow crops on the Cleanse Walker to give Kagura more food options, with different seedlings having various harvest times. A beastly battle Emma and Koo’s adventure is a lengthy one, full of intrigue and tender narrative beats to accompany its rousing and challenging combat. So if you’re game for the hunt, you better sharpen your sword skills ahead of Beast of Reincarnation’s PS5 release on August 4.

Title: "Believable and consistent up close": What the dinosaurs of The Lost Wild share with Microsoft’s cancelled Everwild, according to the designer who worked on both Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 16:18:24 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/believable-and-consistent-up-close-what-the-dinosaurs-of-the-lost-wild-share-with-microsofts-cancelled-everwild-according-to-the-designer-who-worked-on-both Former Rare design director Gary Napper has shared a little about what his forthcoming dinosaur survival project The Lost Wild shares with Rare's mysterious nature fable Everwild, which was cancelled by Microsoft during a round of Xbox cuts last summer. He's also said more about how The Lost Wild compares to the game Napper is best known for, Creative Assembly and Sega's Alien: Isolation. According to Napper, Isolation was in some ways an "easier design challenge" than both Everwild and The Lost Wild, because there was less need to make the Alien feel like it had an agenda besides trying to murder the player. Read more

Title: Even after 200 hours, Marathon's greatest secret is still deciphering the rhythms of rival players Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:39:07 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/even-after-200-hours-marathons-greatest-secret-is-still-deciphering-the-rhythms-of-rival-players There’s a whole phase to the game of Marathon that occurs right when you might assume it’s over. It begins with the jolting sound effect that indicates a teammate has been downed - knocked on their back by volt fire or a claymore in a dark corner. Then, as you rush to help, a second jolt: another teammate pummeled into helplessness by an unseen assailant. Footsteps all around: a full enemy team, and you alone, as the revive timers of your friends melt away, like clocks in a Dali painting. Very often, at this point, the best thing you can do for your teammates is turn and flee, as quietly as you can. It might feel counterintuitive - and in fact, your abandoned friends may vehemently disagree with your chosen course of action, until reasoned with or muted on mic, according to taste. If you’ve matchmade with strangers, they might simply quit. But in moments like these, when the battle is lost and vultures pick through the backpacks of your comrades, the match may yet be won. Read more

Title: Tell a whole town what to believe in Static Hour, a rolodex-flipping newsroom thriller about investigating a strange epidemic of violence Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:54:53 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/tell-a-whole-town-what-to-believe-in-static-hour-a-rolodex-flipping-newsroom-thriller-about-investigating-a-strange-epidemic-of-violence Static Hour is a spooky narrative simulation designed to give journalists a god complex, or at least, aggravate the ones we already have. Set in the 1980s, it casts you as a night shift news editor in a small town that has succumbed to a Happening of some kind. There are garbled transmissions about people attacking their families, outbreaks of amnesia, and overflowing ER rooms. Is it aliens? Too much sodium in the water supply? Kids playing tricks with fireworks? Trapped in the newsroom by a government lockdown, you must try to make sense of the situation by combing your rolodex, ordering reporters around, scanning radio frequencies, and sorting hard evidence from scuttlebutt. Then, you must decide what to broadcast to a population who react and take action accordingly. Are you keeping your listeners informed, or fomenting a panic? Worse, are you fomenting a panic deliberately? Read more

Title: Beast of Reincarnation is getting some "story pacing improvements" in its first patch, as part of "ongoing adjustments" from Game Freak Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:45:17 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/beast-of-reincarnation-is-getting-some-story-pacing-improvements-in-its-first-patch-as-part-of-ongoing-adjustments-from-game-freak Beast of Reincarnation, the soulslike about a girl and her dog battling an array of beasties in post-apocalyptic Japan, came out yesterday, August 4th. Developers Game Freak are already hard at work on patches for it, with the first set to include some "story pacing improvements" that should hopefully help address some of the gripes our Callum highlighted in his freshly published Beast of Reincarnation review. Read more

Title: I like being king of some weird and sexy knights in fantasy RPG Sovereign Tower, but I'm not convinced the time travel element is my cup of spiderwine Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-like-being-king-of-some-weird-and-sexy-knights-in-fantasy-rpg-sovereign-tower-but-im-not-convinced-the-time-travel-element-is-my-cup-of-spiderwine Between the accidental incest, the dragons, and the farcical aquatic ceremonies, King Arthur's reign was a real rollercoaster and a half, but at least he never had an Ursula. In Sovereign Tower, the turn-based "Round Table management RPG" from Wild Wits Games, Ursula is one of the knights you can recruit to send on quests around a downfallen fantasy kingdom. Ursula has a shrewd mind and a nose for the arcane, making her a fine choice in theory for missions that involve stolen grimoires and talking wheels of cheese. But she is also a creepy little git with no sense of responsibility. She hates when I ask her to do anything "diplomatic", like attending village fetes. She hates retrieving eldritch relics, despite her character stats being perfect for this. She hates when I say anything too grown-up in the throneroom. She hates answering questions. Like many a housecat, she both craves attention and resents it. Also like many a housecat, she eats spiders. In one early optional chinwag, you find Ursula grinding up stray orb-weavers to make a beverage apparently beloved of whatever dubious county she hails from. Read more