Aside from finishing Resident Evil 5 co-op in one sitting with a friend one night, and getting terrified playing Biohazard (RE VII). I haven't ventured enough into the series to really get a grasp on it.

Being so Resident Evil curious, hot on the heels of the release of Resident Evil Requiem. It seemed like a good time to get caught-up on the narrative thread leading up to the latest release.

The Resident Evil timeline is a beautiful mess of biological nightmares, secret conspiracies, and high-camp action.

Here’s the breakdown of the mainline entries from the Arklay Mountains to the snowy peaks of Eastern Europe.

This is pretty spoiler-heavy. Glossing over big twists and plot points. So only read if you already know or are unlikely to play any time soon.

The Survival Horror Foundations

Resident Evil (1996/2002 Remake)

The game that started it all.

Members of the elite S.T.A.R.S. team (including Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine) investigate gruesome murders in the Arklay Mountains.

They get trapped in the Spencer Mansion, discovering it's a front for Umbrella Corporation’s illegal bio-weapon research.

They encounter the T-Virus, the Tyrant, and the ultimate betrayal by their captain, Albert Wesker.

Resident Evil 2 (1998/2019 Remake)

Two months later, the T-Virus hits Raccoon City.

Rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield (searching for Chris) meet in a city overrun by the undead.

They navigate the R.P.D. station, encounter the mutating scientist William Birkin, and meet the mysterious Ada Wong. Eventually escaping before the city is nuked.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999/2020 Remake)

Occurring shortly before and after RE2, Jill Valentine tries to escape Raccoon City while being hunted by the Nemesis, a relentless biological assassin designed to wipe out S.T.A.R.S. members. I

It ends with Jill fleeing just as a missile levels the city.

The Global Conspiracy Era

Resident Evil - Code: Veronica (2000)

Claire Redfield is captured by Umbrella and taken to Rockfort Island.

She eventually reunites with Chris, and together they face the eccentric Ashford family and a resurrected Albert Wesker, who now possesses superhuman abilities thanks to a prototype virus.

Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023 Remake)

Six years after Raccoon City, Leon is a government agent sent to rural Spain to rescue the President’s daughter.

He finds a cult using Las Plagas, a mind-controlling parasite, rather than a virus.

It’s a shift toward action, ending with the total collapse of the Los Illuminados cult.

Resident Evil 5 (2009)

Chris Redfield, now with the BSAA, heads to Africa to stop a black-market bio-weapon sale.

He teams up with Sheva Alomar and discovers Wesker is planning to infect the world with the Uroboros virus.

The game ends with a definitive showdown in a volcano, marking the end of Wesker.

Resident Evil 6 (2012)

Often derided as the “worst” in the series, Capcom tried something different. The "Avengers" of Resident Evil.

This massive, four-campaign epic spans the globe as Leon, Chris, Sherry Birkin, and Jake Muller (Wesker’s son) fight a global C-Virus outbreak orchestrated by the Neo-Umbrella group.

It’s high-octane chaos that pushes the world to the brink of collapse.

The Winters Saga

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)

A soft reboot that returns to claustrophobic horror.

Everyman Ethan Winters travels to a derelict plantation in Louisiana to find his missing wife, Mia.

He’s hunted by the infected Baker family, eventually discovering they are being controlled by Eveline, a bio-weapon known as the "E-Series."

Chris Redfield makes a surprise cameo at the end to "rescue" them.

Resident Evil Village (2021)

Ethan’s peaceful life is shattered when Chris Redfield appears, kills Mia (seemingly), and kidnaps his infant daughter, Rose.

Ethan finds himself in a remote European village ruled by Mother Miranda and her four Lords (including the internet-famous Lady Dimitrescu).

Ethan discovers that Miranda’s "Megamycete" fungus was the precursor to Umbrella’s viruses.

In a massive twist, Ethan learns he actually died in RE7 and has been a "mold man" ever since.

He sacrifices himself to save Rose, leaving his daughter to be raised under the watchful eye of the BSAA.

Resident Evil

Is now finally the time to try and get through all of these classics? It feels to me like the remasters of 1-4 are calling at the very least.

Resident Evil 4 feels like the most intriguing. The most popular, and with the most recent remake. But it should be earned.

The first game is downloaded to the Steam Deck and I'll see if I can manage to hack it long enough to finish it and move through the series.

There’s a very specific style and delivery to his games that doesn’t appeal to me on the outset. Despite the massive praise.

Mewgenics has shattered my own personal hesitations and skepticism, and it took all of maybe 10 minutes to do so. It turns out that judging a book by its cover is pretty stupid. Who knew?

Mewgenics

Originally announced back in the early 2010s before being shelved, resurrected, and meticulously rebuilt, Mewgenics has finally clawed its way onto our screens. Created by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel (the duo that brought us the punishing platformer The End Is Nigh). This is a project that feels like the culmination of over a decade of design evolution.

While McMillen is best known for the legendary The Binding of Isaac, Mewgenics shifts the focus from twin-stick chaos to something far more cerebral: a tactical, turn-based roguelite centered on the bizarre world of cat breeding and genetic manipulation. Yep. That’s a premise and a half, isn’t it? That’s what piqued my interest. There’s nothing that hits like a tactical turn-based game, then with roguelite elements sprinkled all-over it. How could I not be intrigued?

At its core, Mewgenics is a game of two halves that feed into one another.

One half is a deep, grid-based tactical RPG where you lead a squad of four cats through procedurally generated adventures in Boon County. These felines aren't just pets; they are specialized warriors belonging to classes like the tanky Fighter, the glass-cannon Mage, or the elusive Hunter.

The combat is remarkably dense, featuring over 1,000 unique abilities and a heavy emphasis on environmental interactions. You aren't just trading blows; you’re managing positioning, exploiting weather effects, and trying to keep your cats alive—because in this world, death is permanent and injuries carry over.

Aesthetics

If there is one thing that might give a first-time player pause, it is the visual presentation. McMillen has a signature style. Thick lines, hand-drawn vector art, and a penchant for the grotesque—that he has honed since the Newgrounds era.

At a glance, Mewgenics can look a little.…..gross. It is a world filled with mutated felines, stray bodily fluids, and characters that look like they crawled out of a fever dream.

If you’re coming from the polished, photorealistic worlds of modern triple-A gaming, the monochromatic, sketchy aesthetic of Boon County might feel abrasive or even off-putting.

If you look past the surface and find the substance, Mewgenics rewards that effort almost immediately. Once you start your first run, the art style stops being a hurdle and starts being a language.

Those strange visual quirks—an extra head, a peculiar glow, or a lopsided gait—actually serve as vital visual shorthand for the complex genetic traits and mutations affecting your units.

Within an hour, you aren't seeing "ugly" cats. You're seeing a highly optimized Mage with a rare "primordial dwarfism" trait that gives them astronomical luck stats. The aesthetic isn't just a choice; it’s the perfect wrapper for a game that embraces the chaotic, the imperfect, and the weird.

The Mastery of the Bloodline

The real magic happens when you return from an adventure.

Survival isn't just about the loot you’ve found; it’s about the legacy you bring back to the house. The breeding mechanic is where Mewgenics truly separates itself from the roguelite pack.

By pairing cats with desirable traits, you can influence the next generation of adventurers, attempting to weed out negative birth defects while doubling down on powerful synergies. It turns the "one more run" gameplay loop into a multi-generational saga. You aren't just playing for the current squad, you’re playing for the kittens that will eventually take their place.

This creates a sense of attachment that is rare in the genre. When a cat you’ve spent three generations "perfecting" finally bites the dust in a swamp battle, it hurts.

But because the game is so generous with its systems and item combinations, that failure usually leads to a new discovery. Maybe that failed run unlocked a new NPC like the Organ Grinder to help retrieve lost items, or perhaps it gave you the currency needed to upgrade your house.

There is a constant sense of progression that makes even your biggest tactical blunders feel like necessary steps in a much larger experiment.

As someone who has a natural aversion to cats, as well. Mewgenics has somehow made me care about these gross-looking felines. I don’t get it. I started, thinking the game look gross and I don’t like cats. Now I want them to survive and breed and succeed.

The generational element certainly reminds me of Rogue Legacy 2, and I always loved that. There’s a lineage, one that matters and it really does help pull you in a little deeper to the world.

Overall

Look, it’s been like 5 hours, so there’s plenty to go at. Mewgenics is a massive undertaking. With a campaign that can easily stretch over 200 hours and a level of depth that rivals the best tactical sims on the market, it is a game that demands your attention but respects your time.

It takes the synergy-driven "break the game" philosophy of The Binding of Isaac or Balatro and applies it to a format that rewards careful thought and long-term planning. It is complex, occasionally gross, and undeniably brilliant.

The combat reminds me massively of Marvel’s Midnight Suns (one of the best in class, for sure!). The breeding and lineage stuff reminds me of Rogue Legacy 2, a game I love. There’s just so much good stuff here, it’s undeniable.

For those who have been waiting since 2012, the wait was more than worth it. For everyone else, don't let the initial weirdness of the art style deter you. Behind the strange faces and mutated whiskers lies one of the most robust and addictive strategy games of the year.

It is a triumphant reminder that indie gaming is at its best when it's being unapologetically unique. Where we focus a little too much on thos big releases here, Mewgenics is knocking us on the head to remember that quality can come from anywhere, and let’s be honest, AAA games rarely come out complete anyway.

Man, I didn’t have money on the most surprising game of 2026 being a cat-based tactical roguelite that looks gross. It’ll likely be in the discussion for game of the year if it sticks with me as long as I think it might.

Developer, Mintrocket, has finally pulled back the curtain on the next major chapter for Dave the Diver. The "In the Jungle" DLC is officially set to drop on June 18, 2026, and it looks like a massive departure from the Blue Hole we’ve grown to love.

Here at The Ninja Refinery, we’ve always had a soft spot for Dave’s "just one more dive" gameplay loop. This isn't just a small collaboration like the Godzilla or Dredge crossovers we’ve seen previously, either. This is a full-blown expansion that Mintrocket is calling their most ambitious yet.

What’s New in the Jungle?

Instead of the usual saltwater depths, Dave is heading to a lush jungle biome surrounding a freshwater lake.

Here’s the breakdown of what to expect in Dave the Diver’s:

A New Village: You’ll be exploring the lakeside village of Utara. It’s populated with a fresh cast of NPCs (and some familiar faces) and features a real-time system where you'll build relationships and complete tasks for the locals.

Freshwater Diving: Trade the sharks for freshwater wildlife. Dave will have a whole new ecosystem to explore, requiring new weapons and tools specifically designed for the jungle's unique hazards.

Bancho’s Grill: Don’t worry, Bancho is coming along. But since we’re away from the ocean, the sushi is being swapped for "Jungle Cuisine." The restaurant gameplay is also getting a tweak, with Dave moving freely through the Grill to serve customers across multiple areas.

10 Hours of Content: This is a meaty expansion. Expect roughly 10 hours of new story content, minigames, and systems that branch away from the core loop.

Physical Editions for the Collectors

If you’re the type who likes to keep your games on a shelf, there’s even more good news. Alongside the DLC release, a Complete Edition and a Collector’s Edition are coming to PS5 and the Nintendo Switch 2.

The Collector's Edition of Dave the Diver is particularly tempting for fans, packed with:

• An acrylic standee of Bancho Sushi
• Metal pin badges and an acrylic keyring
• A dolphin pendant necklace
• Marinca cards, a poster, and postcards

Normally I'm not one for collector's editions these days. But I would love that Bancho Sushi standee!

Let’s go!

Dave the Diver has always been about that satisfying blend of cozy management and tense exploration. While some players felt the late-game of the original got a bit "busy," the prospect of a brand-new biome with fresh mechanics is hard to ignore.

One of our contenders for Game of the Year in 2023, Dave the Diver is special, and any more of that good stuff, is a good reason to be excited. With plenty to go at in the main game, still. The wait won't feel too long, and we'll all be singing praises for The Jungle, soon enough.

The question we have now, is can a DLC be considered for Game of the Year? Moreso, in a year where Grand Theft Auto is going to be released as well. We'll consider it, if it's worthy, for sure. AAA games are great, but those AA Indies and those smaller, artisan creations are sometimes better. The soft, cozy, compelling game loop can out-weigh gloss and chaos.

2026 is a big year for gaming, but let's never count the little guy out. Dave the Diver will probably scratch an itch that a lot of other games can't.

The "In the Jungle" DLC will be available on all platforms—PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch—on June 18th. It’s priced at $19.99, which seems like a fair ask for 10 hours of new Dave adventures.

Personally, I’ve held off for over a year out of fear of losing elements of my hard work. But, it hasn’t actually been that bad at all.

In the world of Elden Ring, New Game Plus (NG+) isn't just a victory lap; it’s a high-stakes recalibration of everything you thought you knew about the Lands Between.

Whether you're chasing a different ending or just want to bully Margit with an endgame build, here is how the transition to your next cycle actually works.

Stepping into Journey 2

The transition doesn't happen by accident.

Once the credits roll, the game gives you a choice: dive straight back in or stay in your current world to finish some business. If you choose to linger, you can trigger the restart whenever you're ready by visiting the Table of Lost Grace at the Roundtable

Hold. It’s worth noting that once you commit, there is no going back; your world state is wiped clean, and you’re back in the Chapel of Anticipation, ready to face the Grafted Scion once more.

Quick note of pride: I slapped the Grafted Scion about like there’s no tomorrow. Bearing in mind I’d forgotten all of the controls, and barely remembered what my build was supposed to do. Starting the game at Level 143 feels great!

What Stays in Your Pockets

The beauty of Elden Ring's NG+ is that you retain the vast majority of your power. Your character level, stats, and every piece of armour or weaponry you've upgraded stay exactly where they are.

This includes your Sorceries, Incantations, and those precious Flask upgrades. Even your DLC progress from Shadow of the Erdtree is respected, as your Scadutree Blessings and Revered Spirit Ash levels carry over to ensure you aren't starting from scratch in the Land of Shadow.

You even get to keep Torrent from the jump, saving you a trip to Melina’s first rendezvous.

Seeing everything there from the get go just calmed me down a little. Knowing how much effort I’d put in to the initial run of the game. Seeing it disappear would have been awful. But everything is there, and now it means I can re-discover Elden Ring with a different lense.

The Great Reset

While your strength remains, your world progress does not. To keep the gameplay loop meaningful, FromSoftware strips away your "Keys to the Kingdom."

This means all Great Runes earned from Shardbearers vanish, requiring you to hunt down Godrick and Radahn all over again to reclaim their power. Most quest-specific items and keys—like the Dectus Medallion or Stonesword Keys—are also removed from your inventory.

While the map remains filled in, your Sites of Grace are deactivated, meaning you’ll have to physically travel to locations again to unlock fast travel.

Fortunately, core Bell Bearings for Smithing Stones now persist across journeys, so you won't have to farm mining tunnels just to experiment with a new sword.

Truth be told, I’m looking forward to re-discovering the sites of grace and feeling as over-powered as I can for a while.

The Power Creep

Scaling is where things get interesting. In Journey 2, enemies receive a significant bump in both health and damage output.

However, this scaling isn't uniform. Early-game enemies in Limgrave receive a massive percentage boost to stay relevant against your high-level character, whereas late-game bosses in the Mountaintops of the Giants see a much smaller increase.

I was initially mortified that the Tree Sentinel and even random soldiers were taking a bit more effort than I’d expected. But nothing has been “hard” per se. Just not as much of a cake walk as I’d anticipated.

To compensate for the tougher fights, the Rune rewards are astronomical; basic mobs in the starting area can drop five times as many Runes as they did in your first run. This difficulty continues to climb with every subsequent journey until it hits a ceiling at Journey 8 (NG+7).

The Next Build

Playing through the game again, with gear, stats and knowledge. It’s time to re-spec and play differently. I’m torn between some of the harder-earned gear and just doing more of the same again with my Rivers of Blood build.

I need to re-spec, regardless, as my initial character build was made up on the go, trying to use certain weapons. So I have a lot more potential to get out of things anyway.

Dark Moon Great Sword calls to me, but so does Malekith’s Black Blade, or maybe even just a magic-focused character. It’s amazing to have the choice, though, right? Time to enjoy the fruits of that first run.

One faux pas that I’ve made is that to re-spec you have to do it after defeating Rennala. Which was fine in my original run. But now I need to work back to defeating her, so I can re-spec again. You don’t get the chance to respec at the start of a new run. This is crucial! Next time, I’ll re-spec before the next journey. I can make do with the build I initially finished the game with, though. Plus it gives me more time to think about how I want to play next.

Elden Ring

It’s exciting to be able to have a fresh start. With a handful of achievements to still accomplish (including additional endings), there’s a lot to go at in Elden Ring. Plus, I want to get Shadow of the Erdtree finished, as well.

I love a lot of games and aspire to re-play many of them. But very few stick like Elden Ring has, and I’m already looking-up builds, gear locations and bosses I need to go and beat.

Elden Ring is one of the best games of all time, and re-starting it isn’t daunting, it’s exciting. That’s the mark of a good game. I don’t feel dread when thinking about re-doing areas and bosses. I want to see how it all feels now.

New Game Plus isn’t something I’d normally do, but it feels perfect right now. So let’s see how it goes.

Whether you've been a fan since the 90s or you're just here for the neon-soaked extraction action, Bungie’s latest effort has finally made its way out of the hangar. After years of speculation, a high-profile delay, and a rocky alpha, Marathon is officially here.

The early verdict? It’s a polarizing sprint through Tau Ceti IV.

Style Over Substance?

The reviews hitting the web since the March 5 release paint a picture of a game with an identity crisis—though a very beautiful one.

IGN praised the "unparalleled shooting" and the "spooky cyberpunk aesthetic," but noted that the hero-style Runner shells feel a bit generic compared to the competition. They also pointed out some early-game friction: "It takes quite a few hours of playing to get the hang of it... some of this friction seems like it’s just part of the extraction shooter DNA."

Kotaku was more cautious, describing the game as a mix of "amazing escapes" and "clunky controls." They highlighted the short time-to-kill (TTK) as a potential barrier for new players, questioning if the game’s incredible style is enough to keep people coming back once the novelty wears off.

Pure Xbox shared impressions from the recent Server Slam, noting that while the gunplay is "top tier," the UI is—to put it bluntly—a bit of a headache.

Steam Says: "Bungie Cooked"

Despite some critical hesitation, the "boots on the ground" (or cybernetic feet on the planet) feedback is surprisingly strong. Marathon launched on Steam with a 91% "Very Positive" rating.

Players seem to love the meaningful story progression tied to contracts, which many say softens the blow of losing gear during a failed extraction. The consensus among the community is that once the mechanics "click," the game becomes incredibly addictive.

This is how it worked with ARC Raiders, albeit much quicker than we’re seeing reports of in Marathon.

The "Fix Later" Fatigue

It hasn't been all sunshine and neon. The launch has reignited the debate over the "release now, fix later" trend.

Gamingbible was particularly vocal, suggesting that launching with a major map (Cryo Archive) still weeks away and a UI that needs immediate patching is a frustrating standard for a studio of Bungie’s stature.

Bungie is already moving to address these pain points.

A patch is expected by the end of this week to:

• Double the detection radius for objective markers.
• Increase starting supplies in MIDA and CyberAcme kits.
• Tweak the microtransaction economy after complaints about the "Lux" premium currency pricing.

So Far...

It's clear that Marathon is undeniably Bungie. It’s stylish, the guns feel fantastic, and the world-building is top-notch. However, it’s also undeniably an extraction shooter, meaning it carries all the sweatiness and inventory management hurdles the genre is known for.

If you can get past the messy UI and the steep learning curve, there’s a deep, rewarding loop waiting for you. Just watch out for those fall damage heights—they’re a killer.

Assuming Bungie are actively listening to the community. They now have that initial good will, and can work with that to potentially shape a positive future. Whether or not they will is up to them, but Marathon looks to have gotten out of that rocky initial reception from a couple of years ago.

Let's hope the game does well and keeps a legendary studio like Bungie, running. Of course, it won't be a sprint, it'll be a......Marathon. So we're keeping eyes peeled on this one. Hopefully it lasts longer than Highguard, at least.

Now, I've put a few hours into it, and had a great time. So, here's a "Quick Look" to give you an idea of what you're in for if you fancy Viewfinder or if it's piqued your interest at some point.

If you're looking for a quick answer. It's pretty simple, go give Viewfinder a go. Fun, clever and stylish. Nothing bad to be said, quite honestly.

The concept

In Viewfinder, you aren't just a silent observer in a static world.

You are handed a camera (and various found images) and told to redefine reality. The core mechanic is deceptively simple: you take a 2D photograph, hold it up against the environment, and "stamp" it into existence.

That flat image of a hallway or a bridge instantly becomes a physical, 3D space you can walk into. It feels like a magic trick that shouldn't work, yet it performs flawlessly every single time.

And every time, I sit there and smile, because it's so mind-bending, yet simple and clever. It reminds me of playing Portal for the first time. Viewfinder has a very different vibe, but the clever mechanic and the levels to use them are perfect little puzzles.

The Flow of Play

The game excels at making the impossible feel intuitive.

If you need to reach a high ledge, you don't look for a ladder; you take a picture of the floor, rotate the photo forty-five degrees, and suddenly you’ve created a ramp.

The technical wizardry behind this is staggering, yet the player experience remains lean and accessible. It’s a game of regular "Aha!" moments rather than frustrations.

If you happen to clip a vital objective out of existence by accident, the generous rewind mechanic lets you scrub back through time instantly, keeping the momentum high and the stress low.

With the rewind, you essentially have all the time in the world to test and make mistakes. You'll make plenty, too, as you learn the rules of the game. Viewfinder isn't timing you, there's no need to sweat it. Just relax and enjoy some mind-bending puzzles.

The Aesthetic and Atmosphere

Visually, the game is a masterclass in clean, vibrant design. It utilizes a relaxed, academic sci-fi vibe that feels both lonely and comforting.

As you progress, the game plays with art styles—one moment you’re stepping into a colourful oil painting, the next into a stark architectural sketch or a retro pixel-art world.

This variety keeps the "wow" factor fresh even when you think you’ve seen all the tricks the camera has to offer. Plus, there is a digital cat named CAIT who provides occasional company, and yes, you can pet the cat.

Like I said before, it feels like Portal, the quiet, sparse levels to explore and puzzle through. That's a genuinely positive thing, and Viewfinder has a calmer, more colourful environment to play in.

Overall

Viewfinder is a one-sitting or two-evening masterpiece. Whilst the narrative (told through audio logs and environmental cues) might feel a bit secondary to the mechanics, the sheer joy of tearing the world apart and rebuilding it with a shutter click is unmatched.

It is the spiritual successor to games like Portal and Superliminal, offering a short, sweet, and visually stunning journey that makes you feel like a genius for simply changing your point of view.

It’s an essential experience for anyone who values creativity over grind.

From long-awaited technical patches to updates on the mysterious Codename Hexe, the roadmap for the Brotherhood is looking packed as we head into 2026.

We love the Assassin’s Creed Franchise. With Shadows to take on next, already installed and ready to go once we complete Death Stranding 2. The series has had wobbles, for sure, but it has such a strong legacy. It’s great to see some future details.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the latest update.

Assassin’s Creed Unity Gets the 60FPS Treatment

The headline news for many will be the surprise technical update for a cult favourite. Tomorrow, Assassin’s Creed Unity will receive a free 60 FPS patch for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.

Despite its rocky launch years ago, Unity is often cited by fans as having the best parkour and city density in the series. Seeing Arno’s journey through the French Revolution with modern smoothness is a huge win for preservation and player experience. If you’re on Xbox and haven't played it, the game will also be part of the Xbox Free Play Days from April 2nd to 6th.

Unity is actually one of our favourites here at ninjarefinery.com. Of the classic-style Assassin’s Creed Games, it felt very much a pinnacle of the series (after initial launch issues).

Codename Hexe

Ubisoft confirmed that Jean Guesdon has returned to the franchise as Head of Content and is also taking the reins as Creative Director for Codename Hexe.

While they are keeping the gameplay under wraps for now, they described Hexe as a "unique, darker, narrative-driven" experience. The team at Ubisoft Montreal is currently focused on delivering a "pivotal moment in history," and while they admitted they will be "quiet for a little longer," the hype for this supernatural-leaning entry is officially building.

Multiplayer and Co-Op: What’s Next?

For those missing the social aspect of the Creed, there were two major reveals:

Codename Invictus: This dedicated PvP multiplayer project is being built by veterans of the For Honor team. Ubisoft clarified that while it’s a new approach for the franchise, it might not be exactly what the current rumors suggest. They are looking to bring players in for "test and learn" phases early in development.

The Return of Co-Op: Tucked away in the update was the confirmation that Ubisoft is actively looking into bringing co-op back to Assassin's Creed. Whether this is part of a future mainline title or a standalone project remains to be seen, but the feedback has clearly been heard.

Multiplayer has always been a weird one in Assassin’s Creed. But seeing a fresh take, and a focus on it could be really interesting. We want the best out of the series, so hopefully the potential for multiplayer can be squeezed-out in the future.

Shadows Winds Down as the Netflix Series Heats Up

As Assassin’s Creed Shadows approaches its first anniversary on March 20, Ubisoft announced the game is entering its final phase of support. There will be a celebratory livestream on Twitch (10AM PT / 6PM CET) featuring giveaways and a look at the latest updates.

It’ll be basically on that 1 year anniversary that we’ll start playing the game. So hopefully we’ll be getting it at it’s very best!

On the multimedia front, Ubisoft teased that the Netflix live-action series is making significant progress. With the cast recently finalized, they promised we "won't have to wait very long" for a first look.

Assassin’s Creed

It’s a transitional time for Assassin’s Creed. While Shadows is moving into the sunset, the pivot back to technical updates for older titles like Unity shows Ubisoft understands the value of their legacy.

The mention of co-op returning is the real dark horse here—if they can capture the magic of Unity’s co-op missions with modern stability, they could have a massive hit on their hands.

We’re always interested in what comes next, and with all the chaos that is Ubisoft, there’s always a fear that some of these things might just collapse and fade away. Sure, the series is a banner series for the studio, but with all the internal strife, you just never know.

We’ll keep our fingers crossed that it carries on for a long time and goes from strength to strength. But only time will tell.

Wildlight Entertainment has officially confirmed that their 3v3 multiplayer shooter is pulling the plug on March 12th—just 45 days after it launched.

If you feel like you’ve got whiplash, you’re not alone, and whilst this isn’t a massive shock. It certainly feels incredibly fast, like what was the decision making process here? The game hasn’t had enough time to find it’s feet and potentially a core audience. It’s a little crazy to just give up so quickly. But live service relies on repeat visits and money made in in-game stores. I guess the minute that looks non-viable, you have to pull the plug before losing any more money.

The Rise and Immediate Fall

Revealed at The Game Awards 2025 with a "shadow drop" vibe that was clearly swinging for the fences, Highguard was supposed to be the next big thing in the extraction/raid shooter space. It even had a decent start, peaking at nearly 100k players on Steam. But the honeymoon period didn't just end—it evaporated.

Between the "secret" Tencent funding drama and a generic art style that failed to grab anyone’s imagination, the player base plummeted faster than a laggy frame rate. We’ve seen this story before (looking at you, Concord), but Highguard seems to have set a new land-speed record for the "Live Service Graveyard."

It’s another example of perhaps publicity doing more harm than good. Going fromt hat announcment trailer, stirring-up speculation, and then going dark until days before release. Well, that was a choice. All it did was get a potential fanbase irked and off on the wrong foot. Highguard is lacking in plenty of ways, but it didn’t really get a fighting chance from the get-go.

A Final Patch for the Road?

In a move that’s leaving most of us scratching our heads, Wildlight is releasing one final update before the servers go dark. They’re adding a new Warden, a new weapon, and even a progression system with skill trees.

It’s a nice gesture for the handful of people still grinding matches, but it feels a bit like remodeling the kitchen while the house is being demolished. If you actually enjoyed the 3v3 loop, you’ve got until March 12th to see what could have been.

Our Take

We love a good indie success story, and we genuinely want to see new studios succeed. But Highguard feels like a classic case of "design-by-committee" meeting a "go big or go home" business model. It had the funding and the prime-time marketing, but it lacked the "it" factor—that intangible soul that keeps you coming back for "just one more round."

I personally played it and shared some thoughts, which clearly align with the bulk of the potential playerbase. There were some solid ideas and it fetl great to play. But ultimately the moment-to-moment gameplay felt too open. The length of a match when you’re being dominated felt brutal, and the tug of war style of gameplay that it was trying to create, just didn’t quite work.

It’s a tough break for the devs, especially with layoffs already hitting the studio, but it’s a loud reminder to the industry: you can’t just buy a community with a Game Awards slot. You actually have to give them something they haven't seen a dozen times before.

Hopefully this is a chance for Wildlight Entertainment to learn, come back stronger and with a more refined idea. There was a lot of good there in Highguard, so let’s hope it doesn’t just go to waste.

The game, for me, has gone from “does everything well, but I don’t really care”. To something engaging that left a lasting impression.

I’ve already done two parts of this review, where we’ve talked about how exceptional all the components are. But there was one thing missing. It finally came.

The Story

When a game looks great, sounds great and feels great. You’ve got a wonderful combination. However, in a game like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a JRPG, essentially. The expectation is that there’s an underlying narrative that grasps you.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 takes it time making any kind of emotional connection. Sure, there’s a key event at the end of Act 1 which felt a little forced. But I wasn’t moved. Act 2 was a significant chunk of time, but didn’t really move the emotional elements.

You have a great cast, an original concept and world. But the stakes never felt quite significant enough and the people of the world didn’t all make sense. It felt like something was missing, left unexplained.

And I was right. Act 3 is were it all becomes clear. The story turns from a generic “save the world” angle to something more substantial. Grief and reconciling with it, as individuals and as a family. It’s powerful, meaningful stuff and worthy of your attention.

It’s a shame it took 30+ hours to get to the point, but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ultimately paid off from a story perspective. Even leaving you, the player with a world-shattering decision at the very end.

Change of Heart?

I’ve lamented in 2 full parts of this review about how I didn’t think Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could be a Game of the Year contender. I was wrong.

Not because I think it would have won our very prestigious GOTY here. But because it could absolutely have been a part of the conversation. The takeaway would have been the same as above though.

The game took too long to get me invested. Despite having best-in-class acting, combat and all the other great things it had going for it. I just could not engage with it on a level where I didn’t feel like it was dragging, for three quarters of the game.

Yes, it changed, and I ultimately loved it. But if I hadn’t committed to seeing it through for this review, I’m not convinced that I wouldn’t have just stopped playing.

I’m pleased I did, and I miss it now. But do the ends justify the means?

Overall

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is easily attaining out highest rating of “Exceptional”. Because it was exactly that. I left it in that melancholy state that only the best games leave you in. Sad it was over and that I would be moving on.

The combat is some of the finest RPG combat in modern gaming, without a doubt. Parries, dodges and jumps feel amazing when you’ve timed them perfectly. Building-up abilities, levelling-up weapons and working out team synergies. It’s brilliant.

An entire, original world with brilliant concepts and execution. Stunning character models and animations, tied with a stirring soundtrack and stellar voice acting.

Everyone was right about how good Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is. But it comes with the caveat that it may take a long time for you to connect with it on a deeper, more emotional level. Which can leave you wondering why you’re playing it, for quite some time.

Thankfully, for a JRPG-style of game, it took about 40 hours to finish and felt perfectly satisfying at that point.

Most people will likely engage more quickly with it than I did, and no doubt everyone agrees how good all of the component parts are individually.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is truly exceptional, and I’d recommend it to anyone.

There might be change afoot in the game with the new target. But there’s a lot more change going on than just a new target.

We’ve got all the details for you.

Hitman patch 3.260.1

We’ve long praised Hitman here at Ninja Refinery for its depth and the way IOI continues to support the game years after release.

Wednesday’s patch was a mix of much-needed technical fixes and some "quality of life" tweaks that’ll make your next Freelancer run just a little bit smoother.

Finally, Nintendo Cross-Progression is Here

The big news for the portable crowd is that Nintendo Cross-Progression is finally live. If you’ve been splitting your time between PC/Console and the Switch, you can now sync your Player Level, Mastery, and gear.

There is a small caveat, though: a few achievements (like Silent Sniper and Stylish Assassin) might not sync automatically and will need to be re-earned.

Honestly? Any excuse to go back into Mendoza or Hokkaido for a fresh Silent Assassin run is a win in my book. Hitman is always a great time.

Freelancer Gear Management

For those of us obsessed with the Freelancer Safehouse (I spend far too much time organizing that weapon wall). IOI has streamlined the thematic gear walls.

Instead of separate walls, you now have one wall with a "scroll" feature to flip through pages of gear.

They’ve also added a third page specifically for the Patient Zero Requiem DLC items.

It’s a small change, but it makes the hitman’s den feel much less cluttered.

The Highlights (and the Weird Stuff)

As with any Hitman patch, the bug fixes range from "thank god they fixed that" to "I didn't even know that was a thing."

• The Pink Sticker is Back: The MK II ducks were missing their iconic pink "2" sticker. This has been corrected. The universe is in balance once again.
• Celebrity Suits: There’s a new "Celebrity" category in the suits menu for all those Elusive Target unlocks (looking at you, Slim Shady).
• Fatal Grapes: In a bizarre fix, NPCs in Mendoza will no longer randomly die just by bending over near stacked containers of grapes. Death by fruit—even for this game—was a bit much.
• Subtitles for "The Reflection": If you’re playing the newer content, you’ll now see speaker indicators so you know exactly when Diana or Eminem is buzzing in your ear.

Mac Support & Patch Sizes

Interestingly, the patch notes mention Mac support is now officially in the mix.

Patch sizes vary wildly depending on your platform, ranging from a light 2GB up to a massive 13GB.

If you’re on iOS, they’ve also improved the patching process so you only download changed data—perfect if you’re trying to squeeze in a contract on your lunch break.

The season will in full swing now, so grab a fresh brew, check your gear, and good luck out there, 47.

Departing from the traditional mainland regions, these new titles are taking us to a sprawling, open-world archipelago defined by "windswept islands and glittering waves."

But the biggest news? These aren't just new games—they are the first mainline entries confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2, with a simultaneous worldwide release scheduled for 2027.

A New World to Explore

The announcement trailer showcases a region that feels more dynamic than anything we've seen in Scarlet or Violet.

The environment plays a central role, with weather patterns and "forces of nature" acting as both a backdrop and a gameplay mechanic.

Players will need to team up with their Pokémon to navigate difficult terrain and overcome environmental obstacles that block their path.

As is tradition, your choice of version will dictate your starting look. While the core story remains shared, the protagonist's outfit will vary between the breezy aesthetic of Winds and the nautical style of Waves.

Meet Your New Partners

It wouldn't be a new generation without a fresh trio of starters. The "First Partner Pokémon" for this region have been revealed:

• Browt (Grass): The "Bean Chick Pokémon." An energetic little bird that photosynthesizes using the leaves on its brow. It’s described as lively but "a bit clumsy."
• Pombon (Fire): The "Puppy Pokémon." This friendly Fire-type has a heat-generating organ in its lungs that causes its throat to glow.
• Gecqua (Water): The "Water Gecko Pokémon." The intellectual of the group, Gecqua launches springy balls of water from its tail and is known for its shrewd maneuvers.

We all know water starters are the only choice, and it looks clear here that Gecqua is the clear option when you get started.

The Return of the Icon

In a surprising twist, the trailer also teased two "Special Pikachu" that seem to be central to the plot: Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu.

While details are currently thin on whether these are new forms, regional variants, or unique NPCs, they certainly suggest that the "Winds and Waves" theme extends deep into the Pokémon ecosystem.

Love it or hate it, there's no denying Pikachu is synonymous with the series and an iconic mascot. Globally renowned and loved. There are always going to be new variants, so hopefully it's more than just a cosmetic thing.

Pokemon Winds and Waves

While a 2027 release date feels a long way off, the jump to the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware is exactly what the series needs.

After the technical hurdles of the last generation, the promise of a truly seamless open world with "ebb and flow" mechanics is tantalizing.

As a fan of the series since getting my hands on Pokemon Blue for my Game Boy. New mainline series entries are always special to me. Scarlet and Violet didn't really deliver, but the concept was there. Now it looks like Waves and Winds will get us almost to the point that we've all, always dreamed of.

No doubt we'll see leaks/rumours of new monsters, returning classics, and probably new regional variants, too. It's seems ages away, but no doubt there will be plenty to keep us going.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on the horizon for more news on the new region. Which version are you leaning toward?

Enter Overwatch Rush. a top-down hero shooter built from the ground up for mobile devices.

Overwatch is on a bit of a resurgence at the moment, and whilst Blizzard likely hadn’t accounted for the rapid improvement in players and player sentiment. I suspect they were hopeful that something would pique player interest, and Overwatch Rush was primed to take advantage of it in some way.

Or, it was being built regardless, and potentially a different vehicle to get players re-interested in Overwatch.

Either way the timing feels great, and Overwatch Rush looks promising.

Overwatch Rush

While the main game has recently rebranded back to simply "Overwatch" to recapture that original magic, Overwatch Rush is a completely separate beast designed for quick, "bite-sized" 4v4 skirmishes.

Unlike the tactical first-person chaos we’re used to, Overwatch Rush shifts the perspective to a top-down view that feels more like a team-based MOBA. It’s being developed by a dedicated internal team at Blizzard with deep mobile experience, so rest assured, the core Team 4 is still fully focused on the main game’s story-driven era.

Is this a continuation of some of the Overwatch heroes being in Heroes of the Storm? Certainly Tracer was in there, so perhaps the model and animations were already there in many way?

Hero Roster & Customisation

The initial reveal showcased several fan-favourites adapted for the new perspective.

Confirmed Heroes: Tracer, Reinhardt, Mercy, Reaper, Lucio, Soldier: 76, Pharah, and Kiriko.

Tracer basically has to be in there, right? She’s one of the poster children from launch. I’m not sure who the core characters are from a marketing perspective these days, but Tracer is timeless. Overwatch Rush has to have those core heroes in it.

It’s great to see other classics in there, and Kiriko seems like an outlier. Albeit a welcome addition, for sure.

The Talent System

Blizzard is introducing a new way to tweak your loadout. You can expect abilities to behave differently—think Tracer’s Blink dealing damage or Reinhardt’s Fire Strike creating literal tornados.

It seems like the new perk system recently added to the core game, has been embellished-upon in Overwatch Rush. It works nicely in the core game, so let’s see how much impacts moment-to-moment gameplay here.

Certainly, it feels compatible with the gameplay and style of game.

Fast-Paced Modes

Matches are designed for mobile efficiency, generally wrapping up in under five minutes.

Alongside classic Control Point, a new mode called Nano Grab tasks teams with collecting "Nanos" and banking them before the clock runs out.

This seems ideal, dropping five minutes here and there means you’re not killing your phone battery, or having your hand form into a claw of some kind. Mobile gaming isn’t really my bag, but I think 5 minutes from time to time would feel accessible and acceptable.

Maybe Overwatch Rush could turn me around on mobile games?

Availability & Testing

Overwatch Rush will be free-to-play on iOS and Android. While there isn't a global launch date yet, Blizzard is already preparing for regional testing in select areas.

If you want to get in on the ground floor, your best bet is to head over to the Official Overwatch Rush Discord for testing invites and development updates.

It’s going to be one to watch, for sure. Where games like PUBG and Call of Duty have found their mobile audience over the years, this is a different approach. Changing the core elements of the franchise to create soemthing new. There’s potential, for sure.

Do you think a top-down spin-off is the right move for the franchise, or would you have preferred a full mobile port of the main game?

Embark Studios has dropped the Shrouded Sky content update, and it’s bringing a literal storm to the surface.

Here at Ninja Refinery, we love a good mechanical shake-up, and adding "The Hurricane" as a map condition sounds like exactly the kind of chaos we need.

We got frozen before, and that was a great little twist to regular excursions. So we’re expecting similar here.

Weathering the Storm

The headline act is the Hurricane. This isn't just a bit of light rain; we’re talking high-velocity winds that batter your Raider. Debris that messes with your shield integrity, and visibility so low you'll be checking your compass every five seconds.

The trade-off? High risk, high reward. The storm has unearthed "First Wave Raider Caches" along the surface. If you’re brave enough to head out when Shani tells you it’s unsafe, there’s some serious loot to be found.

Fireflies and Comets

In what can only be described as good, bad news. Two new ARC machines have joined the party:

The Firefly: An armoured flying unit that breathes fire. Because why not? You’ll need to stay mobile or find cover fast if you don't want to be toasted. It’s nasty! I’ve already had a close call trying to escape with flames coming into the lift.

The Comet: A rolling sphere that looks calm until it locks onto you. Once it does, it charges for a "seismic boom" explosion. These are horrible mofos of the highest order.

As someone that’s barely gotten used to the ARC machines that have been wrecking me since launch, I’m nervous. But also really keen to see what new additions bring to the game.

That moment-to-moment gameplay is going to change up with some new behaviours to contend with.

Scrubbing Up with the Surgeon Deck

A new free Raider Deck, too! “The Surgeon” is now available. By earning Cred through feats topside, you can unlock the Surgeon cosmetic set.

Whether you want to look like a life-saving medic or a back-alley "mad doctor" is entirely up to you.

ARC Raiders is full of free decks at this stage, so you have plenty to unlock and work at. It’s really nice to see all these earnable cosmetics that don’t come at significant cost. There’s plenty to buy, of course. But it feels like there’s a really good balance on the cosmetic front.

Tactical Beards and New Zones

In a move that we can only describe as "essential gaming features," facial hair has arrived. Stubble is free for everyone, while the "Full Beard" is a reward in the Surgeon Deck. If you’ve ever felt your Raider’s chin was a bit too chilly in the Rust Belt winds, Embark has you covered.

Something that’s never truly bothered me. Being facially folically challenged in real life, I tend to eschew the beard in customisation, so I’m not seen as digitally cosplaying a grown up…..

Map-wise, the Dam Battlegrounds has been expanded with a new high-security "Controlled Access Zone." It’s a high-value loot area marked by a distinctive Rocketeer chandelier.

Final Thoughts

ARC Raiders continues to lean into its strengths: atmosphere, tension, and stylish sci-fi design. The Shrouded Sky update feels like a solid step in making the world feel more reactive and dangerous.

Embark Studios are relentless is giving us more and more to do and to enjoy, at no extra cost. Which is how you keep your live-service games running, right? But they could do less and still keep people happy.

The update is live now (February 24th).

Are you heading into the storm, or staying safe in the Tubes? Let us know in the comments or over on the socials!

Whilst the full review is being put together for our friends over at Fullsync.co.uk. We thought we should share notes on the Steam Deck experience, because WWE 2K25 has been a really pleasant surprise.

For those with only a bit of time, it’s a great entry onto the handheld. It runs great out of the box, and playing the campaign mode on the go is great fun.

Handheld Performance

Out of the box, WWE 2K25 is a massive improvement over its predecessors. By all accounts, last year's game required significant tinkering just to hit a stable frame rate. But 2K25 is better optimised for the Deck hardware.

The most critical thing for Steam Deck users to remember is that the game engine physics are tied directly to the frame rate. If you try to save battery by capping the system to 30 FPS or 40 FPS, the entire game runs in slow motion. To get the proper speed, you must keep the refresh rate and frame limit set to 60.

Still cap it, but you have to take the rough with the smooth. 60 FPS is your upper limit, but also your lower limit. WW2K25 legitimately benefits from it, though.

Finding the Sweet Spot

Visually, the game is a (Stone Cold) stunner on the small screen. The wrestler models carry over a high level of detail, and the improved sweat and lighting systems make the entrances pop.

However, to maintain that buttery 60 FPS in more chaotic scenarios like an 8-man Battle Royal, some compromises are necessary.

Turning off AMD FSR in-game and switching the anti-aliasing to FXAA provides a cleaner look than the native TAA, which can look a bit blurry at 800p.

Texture quality can safely stay on standard or high, but we recommend keeping shadows on medium and turning off motion blur entirely. This ensures that even when the ring gets crowded, the action stays responsive.

Storage and Stability

The biggest opponent for Steam Deck users isn't Roman Reigns, it is the storage requirement.

WWE 2K25 is a heavyweight, demanding nearly 150 GB of space. If you are running an LCD model with a smaller internal drive, you will almost certainly need a high-speed microSD card. Just be prepared for slightly longer load times compared to the internal SSD. But you can just upgrade the drive if you want!

Stability is generally good, but the game is not without its quirks. A common issue reported in the community involves the Create a Video mode, which has a tendency to crash the system.

Additionally, online matchmaking remains a gamble on Linux-based systems; while MyFaction and local modes work flawlessly, getting into a stable online lobby without a disconnect is still a rare occurrence.

The Best Way to Play on the Go

WWE 2K25 a well-refined wrestling experience available on the Steam Deck. It delivers a console-quality experience in the palm of your hand without the compromised graphics of a Switch port.

As long as you have the storage space and keep your framerate at 60 to avoid the slow-motion bug, this is a must-have for wrestling fans on the move.

It’s been fascinating to see it all work so well with minimal effort. We picked it up cheap, and now we’re getting our money’s worth on the go, in bed and anywhere else.

The Steam Deck never ceases to amaze. And the optimisation work by studios needs to be recognised, too. Exceptional.

The symbolic dropping of the "2" from the branding—reverting the game back to simply Overwatch—is more than a marketing tweak; it’s an admission. It’s a confession that the sequel’s identity was muddled by the weight of promises that didn't land. By stripping away that baggage and resetting the clock to "Season 1" for 2026, the team has cleared a path for a game that finally feels "new" again.

For a game that I was initially not sold on (paying full price for an online-only PvP shooter?!), I’ve certainly invested time and more money than I’d like to admit. Overwatch was a revelation to me, and a game that I’ve always held a soft spot for. Seeing it slide into a decline over the past few years has been rough. But now it’s exciting again.

The Road Back to Form: Overwatch 2's Legacy

Before we talk about the recent reset, we have to acknowledge the heroes that kept the lights on during the Overwatch 2 era. I dropped off pretty quickly after that first season, and actually missed a fair few heroes. Apart from Kiriko and Junker Queen, I’ve had a lot to catch-up on.

Since that 2022 launch, the roster expanded with some genuinely experimental kits:

• Tanks: We saw the arrival of Sojourn (the face of the sequel), the brawling Junker Queen, the tempo-shifting Ramattra, the unstoppable Mauga, and the area-denial specialist Hazard.
• Support: This role saw a renaissance with the mobility of Kiriko, the utility of Lifeweaver, the solar-powered lethality of Illari, and of course, the Martian-born Juno.
• Damage: Venture brought a much-needed drill-dashing unpredictability to the DPS line-up, alongside Freja.

While these additions were great, the game often felt like it was struggling to balance its new 5v5 identity with its legacy. That changed this February.

The Power of Five

With the return to the original Overwatch title, Blizzard didn't just tweak the UI. They dropped five new heroes at once to kick off the "Reign of Talon" story arc. This is the excitement I'm talking about. The sheer volume of new options has completely shattered the latest established meta:

1. Domina (Tank): The Vishkar heiress brings long-range "poke" tanking back into fashion with her hard-light barriers and beam weaponry.
2. Anran (Damage): Wuyang's sister, who uses fire-based fans to ignite the battlefield—and has a terrifying ability to resurrect herself in a fiery explosion.
3. Emre (Damage): A long-awaited name from the lore finally joins as a cybernetic specialist with a high-speed, aggressive playstyle.
4. Mizuki (Support): A frontline-style healer who uses a bouncing "Kasa" hat to mend allies and chains to hinder enemies.
5. Jetpack Cat (Support): Yes, the legend is real. Brigitte’s cat is officially a high-mobility "tactician" who can carry excess ultimate charge and tow allies through the air.

I’ll be honest, the pure concept of Jetpack Cat stirs up a rage inside me. I really don’t like it, but damn, that is one useful support. I’ve heard of people trying to master using it to even cary ultimates to specific areas. Whilst cats, cat meme culture etc are not for me. Credit, where credit is due. Overwatch has a Jetpack Cat, and it’s actually a very strong contender for most useful 2026 addtion to the game.

Domina has been foing a great job at literally dominating recent matches, too. It’s been really interesteing learning how she works, and more, how best to counter her.

There’s a lot more to try and to master, but with all the previous additions that I’ve missed as well. I have plenty to dig into. None will be as good as Juno, though…..

New Mechanics

The excitement isn't just about the faces; it’s about how they play. The game has been mechanically rebuilt with two major additions:

The Perk System: Adding in-match ability upgrades has introduced tactical depth that reminds me of why I love the genre. It’s no longer just about who has the better aim; it’s about adapting your "build" to the specific threats in the lobby. It took a few rounds to get to grips with it, and honestly, remember that you can adopt these perks as you go.

Sub-Roles & Passives: The roles have been further specialized into categories like Stalwart (knockback resistant tanks), Flanker (high-sustain DPS), and Survivor (mobility-based healing). It makes every hero choice feel deliberate, and helps you pick from a massive roster when you’re new or newly returned. I like how it’s giving a broader set of options in what is essentially a narrow selections of categories.

Just some tweaks and better information on who you’re picking, and you’re suddenly better-equipped to deal with whatever you face. I’m a big fan of what Overwatch is trying to do here, and look forward to seeing how it played-out longer term.

Finding the Flow

Amidst all this, Juno is currently my new favourite. While the game as a whole is in a better place, she is the hero that bridged the gap for me. Her kit represents the best of the "new" Overwatch: high-mobility, snappy response times, and a "flow state" that makes every match feel like a dance. She’s a little bit DPS, a little bit support and just fun to play. I can’t wait to master her, to be honest.

We often talk about the "feeling" of a game - that intangible sense of polish and purpose. For years, Overwatch felt like it was losing its grip. Today? It’s the stronger than it has been in years. The "2" is gone, the heroes are free for everyone, and for the first time in a decade, I’m actually excited to see what happens in the next match.

It’s a weird one after mentally/emotionally resigning Overwatch to one of those games that used to be good, but is no longer worth the time. Seeing it start to make a comeback, particularly with more competition than it’s ever had before (Marvel Rivals is still really good….). Overwatch might be on the cusp of reclaiming the genre, and all of my time.

Launching with Operation Silent Hunt on March 3rd, this isn’t just a cosmetic skin. Snake is arriving as a permanent, fully-realized Attacker, bringing iconic Metal Gear mechanics into the tactical world of Siege. Much like Sam Fisher before.

This is so cool, it’s literally going to get me to play Siege again and likely spend money. I loved the Sam Fisher crossover, and Solid Snake feels like a great addition.

Here is everything you need to know about the man from Shadow Moses entering the fray.

The Gadget: Soliton Radar MKIII

Snake’s primary gadget is the Soliton Radar MKIII. For those who spent hours staring at the top-right corner of their screens in 1998, this will feel very familiar. It’s a handheld device that maps out the floorplan of Snake’s immediate surroundings.

• Intel Gathering: It detects enemies in the area, displaying their positions and vision cones when used in "Precision Mode."
• Destruction Awareness: The radar highlights soft walls and floors, helping you plan those vertical plays or unexpected breaches.
• Counters: It’s not invincible. Mute jammers, Vigil’s cloak, and Alibi’s holograms can all deceive the radar, so you can't just follow the dots blindly.

The Ability: On-Site Procurement (OSP)

Staying true to the "OSP" philosophy of the Metal Gear series, Snake starts the match with very little. While other Operators bring a full belt of utility, Snake begins with only one gadget.

However, he can scavenge Utility Pouches from eliminated players (friend or foe). He has five slots (Frag, Stun, Smoke, EMP, and Breach), allowing him to adapt his loadout mid-round based on what he finds on the battlefield.

It’s a high-risk, high-reward mechanic that rewards players who survive into the late game.

Iconic Loadout & Gear

Snake comes swinging with some heavy-hitting options:

Primaries: The PMR90A2 (DMR) or the F2 (Assault Rifle). Notably, the F2 is getting a buff this season with new grip attachments.

Secondary: The TACIT .45. This brand-new pistol features an integrated suppressor and reflex sight, perfect for taking out gadgets (and defenders) without making a sound.

The "Silent Hunt" Battle Pass & Event

The collaboration goes deeper than just one operator. The Season Pass will feature a Psycho Mantis outfit for Smoke (which is frankly terrifying) and other Metal Gear-themed cosmetics.

Later in the season, a limited-time event will see a legendary team-up: Solid Snake and Zero (Sam Fisher).

Seeing the icons of Metal Gear and Splinter Cell standing side-by-side in a 4v4 infiltration mode is something we never thought we’d see. This just works for me at a very core level.

Solid Snake!

Operation Silent Hunt looks like one of the most ambitious seasons in years. Between the OSP mechanic and the Soliton Radar, Snake feels like a high-skill ceiling operator that could shift the meta for intel-heavy teams.

I nearly got excited when Rainbow Six Siege became Siege X, but it wasn’t enough to draw me in. Solid Snake, however, is a different story entirely. This is sucha great move by Ubisoft and Konami.

It’s been a while, so it’s time shake-off the Siege rust and get practicing again. I wonder how much the game has changed since the last time? Between this and the re-invigoration of Overwatch. It feels like my classic favourite onlie FPS games are kicking and screaming again. I could do with more time to commit to them all, so lets see what delivers and what doesn’t.

Operation Silent Hunt drops March 3rd. Get your cardboard boxes ready, we’ll report back as soon as possible.

Kojima Productions, in tandem with the porting wizards at Nixxes Software, has officially confirmed that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is making the leap to PC on March 19th, 2026.

Following its recent launch as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, PC players won't have to wait long to experience Sam Porter Bridges’ next odyssey across the chiral-connected wilds of Australia.

This is problematic for us, as at some point the pang to play it on PC will strike. So it’s almost guaranteed we’ll buy it again. But not until we’ve finished our first playthrough.

Ultrawide support and PC features

If there is one thing a Kojima game begs for, it’s a wider field of view to soak in those desolate, beautiful vistas. Nixxes is delivering the goods here:

• Support for 21:9 and a massive 32:9 Super Ultrawidescreen.
• 4K fidelity: Fully optimized for high-resolution delivery.
• Input choice: Full mouse and keyboard customization for the precision-minded, or full DualSense integration (haptic feedback and adaptive triggers) for those who want to feel every stumble in the terrain.
• Audio immersion: Support for Dolby Access, DTS Sound Unbound, and Windows Sonic.

Australia and the social strand

In this sequel, Sam isn't just delivering packages; he’s working with Drawbridge to connect Australia to the network.

Expect new tools, vehicles, and weapons to help fight off enemies, survive timefall and natural disasters like sandstorms and forest fires.

The Social Strand System also makes a return. Allowing players to indirectly assist one another by building structures and paths that appear in other players' worlds.

Pre-purchase bonuses and Digital Deluxe

Pre-purchases are live today on Steam and the Epic Games Store. If you put your money down early, you’ll snag some silver tier gear and a quokka hologram.

The Digital Deluxe Edition adds:

• Gold skeletons: Battle, Boost, and Bokka variants.
• Early unlocks: Level 1 Machine Gun .
• Cosmetic patches: Including the chiral cat and "why me?" patches for your gear.

The PlayStation connection

In a nice touch for those who play across ecosystems, signing into your PlayStation account on PC will grant access to a PlayStation overlay, trophy support, and an exclusive suit inspired by the PlayStation logo.

The ninjarefinery.com review

We took a bit of time out after going at it non-stop towards the end of the year. So after we wrap-up Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, we’ll get the final thought’s part of the review up.

Death Stranding 2 is more of the good stuff, for sure. But it’s not quite hitting like the first one did. Of course, we have plenty to go at still, and we’re hoping it becomes a timeless classic like the original.

Keep heading back here to see how we eventually score it.

I could be all wrong and have loads to go. But it seems like now is the time to take stock, to grind some levels, and get ready for the end.

Has the journey been satisfying? Will the end tie it all up in a way that blows me away? It seems unlikely that I’ll be walking off this one thinking it’s one of the best games of 2025.

It’s not bad

This whole review and playthrough has been overshadowed by the mass praise the game received last year. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is solid on all fronts. But I’m always waiting for that massive moment, that realisation that this game is something special.

It’s unfair to the game that I’m waiting for it to be more, when it is absolutely complete and capable. Exceptional combat, solid story, great voice acting and a rich new world to dive into.

All that said, the praise is what got me to want to play it. The hype has to come from somewhere and I wanted to feel it. I’ve been more open and hopeful to get hooked-in than any other game I can think of in recent history.

The stakes

The story and characters move along at a lovely pace. Stellar voice acting and motion capture present the narrative naturally and beautifully.

With the concept of the Paintress, the dwindling number of years people will have to live, and the fight to save Lumiere. You have all the ingredients for a great, original story. It works and you feel like you have purpose.

All the characters you talk to and bond with at camp become even more likeable and your attachment grows, too.

Yet, it isn’t sinking in beyond a skin-deep level. I hate that I don’t care more, but that’s where I’m at.

Everything is primed to deliver, but nothing seems to. The impact feels shallow.

The end

All being well, the ending and my final hours grinding some levels, getting ready for what might come, will end up helping me fully attach to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

I don’t think it will, but stranger things have happened.

In the meantime, I’m desperately trying to love something that on many levels is excellent. I just can’t, and it’s so frustrating.

Something is missing, and whilst I can’t quite put my finger on it, I hope that it’ll come to me in the twilight of my playthrough.

Otherwise this whole review feels quite hollow, with nothing really to say.

How can a game so criticially lauded feel so shallow? It must be me, right?

While this marks the final major content update for the base game, it is far from the end. Ryozo officially confirmed that a massive expansion is currently in development, with more details coming this summer.

Arch-Tempered Arkveld

Arch-Tempered Arkveld is soaring in to provide an extreme 10★ challenge for Hunters who have reached HR100 or higher. The Monster Hunter Wilds flagship is rightfully getting his place back at the top of the chain.

This encounter represents the peak of difficulty for the current endgame, requiring mastery of the new mechanics introduced over the last year.

Completing the Arch-Tempered Arkveld quest grants materials for a powerful Gamma armour set, but the rewards do not stop at gear.

Defeating this flagship threat also unlocks a suite of 10★ quests featuring every Apex predator in the game. A brutal new Hunt-a-thon, and the chance to appraise Timeworn Charms into rare talismans.

Furthermore, players can collect Battle-tempered Emblems to reinforce their Gogma Artian weapons, ensuring their arsenal is ready for the challenges ahead.

A Year in the Forbidden Lands

From February 18 to March 19, the Forbidden Lands will play host to a massive anniversary event.

The Festival of Accord returns on a weekly rotation, accompanied by special log-in bonuses and the Special Supplies: Hunter Appreciation Pack.

To ensure everyone looks their best for the festivities, Capcom is providing a free Character and Palico Edit Voucher to all players.

Fashion hunting is also at the forefront of this update. New Event Quests will unlock the dazzling Gala Suit α armour set for both hunters and Palicos.

Players can also tackle the Every Hunter’s Dream quest to craft the contest-winning Shatterseal Great Sword. Designed by Nolan Lu. And the Meatmergency! pendant by ikei.

For those who enjoy the game's narrative, a new side mission with the Support Hunter Nadia will allow players to unlock and wear a set of her signature armour.

Collaborations

Capcom is also leveraging the upcoming launch of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, which is set for release on March 13.

Starting February 18, hunters can participate in an optional transport quest involving Rudy, the Royal Palico.

This mission requires working with Rudy to deliver precious eggs to Pop-up Camps in exchange for special Palico equipment and Monstie-themed pendants.

A year?!

It is bittersweet to see the final update for the base game arrive, but Arch-Tempered fights have a history of keeping the community busy for months.

With the promise of a massive expansion on the horizon, the hunt is clearly just getting started.

Monster Hunter Wilds was our most played game of 2025, and runner-up in our Game of the Year. With recent performance improvements and plenty to still go at. Could it be our most-played in 2026 as well?

For years, the racing genre was locked in a cold war of simulation. It was Forza Motorsport vs. Gran Turismo. A battle of who had the most realistic tire deformation, the most accurate laser-scanned tracks, and the most clinical menus.

Then came Forza Horizon, and suddenly, the "serious" racers had a problem. Why is Horizon consistently lapping its more "mature" siblings?

Freedom Over Formality

In Gran Turismo 7 or the latest Forza Motorsport, you are a professional athlete.

You have a schedule, a qualifying lap, and a very specific set of rules. If you go off-track, you’re penalized. If you hit a wall, your race is likely over.

Horizon looks at a wall and says, "Hey, you get 1,000 'Wreckage' points for that!". The core of Horizon’s popularity is its sandbox philosophy.

You aren't restricted to the grey ribbon of an asphalt track. Want to take a Ferrari F40 over a sand dune at 180mph? Go for it. The game celebrates your creativity rather than punishing your lack of discipline.

The "Festival" Aesthetic

Let’s be honest: Gran Turismo can feel like visiting a very expensive, very quiet car museum.

It’s beautiful, but you feel like you should be whispering.

Forza Horizon is a summer music festival that just happens to have 700 supercars. It’s loud, it’s vibrant, and it’s inclusive.

By framing the game around the Horizon Festival, Playground Games turned a "driving simulator" into a "lifestyle RPG."

You aren't just a driver; you’re the star of the show, earning "Accolades" and "Fans" just for being yourself.

Accessibility vs. Accuracy

There is a massive difference between physics and feel.

Forza Motorsport/Gran Turismo aim for 1:1 realism. This often requires a racing wheel setup (£££) to truly appreciate.

Horizon uses the "sim-cade" sweet spot. The cars have weight and distinct personalities, but they are tuned to feel amazing on a standard controller.

Horizon makes you feel like a driving god from the first corner. You don't need to spend ten hours in "License Centre" tutorials just to learn how to apex a turn. You just pull the trigger and go.

The "Game Pass" Factor

We can’t talk about Horizon’s dominance without mentioning Xbox Game Pass.

By making titles like Forza Horizon 5 (and the upcoming Horizon 6) available on day one, Microsoft lowered the barrier to entry to zero. People who "don't like racing games" tried it because it was there. They stayed because it was fun.

Gran Turismo remains a prestige product for the PlayStation faithful, and Motorsport is the haunt of the hardcore sim-racer.

But Horizon? Horizon is for everyone. It’s the digital equivalent of a Sunday drive with the windows down and the volume up.

Forza Horizon

With Japan beckoning, it’s a great time to be a fan of the Forza Horizon Series. But then, it always has been. Fun comes first, and that’s such a significant appeal in a genre that can take itself way too seriously.

You still get all the cars and customisation, but it’s looser, more rewarding, and honestly just a better experience.

What do you think? Is there another factor that we’ve missed? Do you prefer the more classic simulation racers?

If you’ve ever looked at a Thunderjaw and thought, "I wish I had two friends and a specialized build to take that thing down," this is the game you’ve been waiting for.

Robot Monster Hunter, anyone?

No Horizon 3?

Before anyone panics, Guerrilla was quick to confirm that they are still very much in the business of making massive single-player epics.

However, Horizon Hunters Gathering is their "longstanding dream" to bring tactical, team-based combat to the world of the Faro Plague.

The game features a distinct, vibrant art style that leans a bit more "hero-shooter" than "photorealism". Don’t let the look fool you, the developers are promising a "punishingly skill-based" experience.

It definitely looks a little more on the Fortnite side of things in how it’s presented. Presumably a push to get more people playing online and engaged with the world?

Gameplay

The core loop centres around three-player tactical hunts in Horizon Hunters Gathering.

You’ll choose from a roster of unique Hunters. Not generic avatars, but characters with their own backstories and roles (think snipers, tanks, and stealth experts).

Here’s what we know about the modes so far:

Machine Incursion: A high-intensity mode where you defend against waves of machines pouring out of underground gateways, culminating in a massive boss fight.

Cauldron Descent: A multi-stage, "ever-changing" dungeon crawl. This mode features a roguelite perk system. Build out your character with randomized power-ups as you dive deeper into the mechanical vaults.

It’s Canon

For the lore hounds out there, this isn’t just a "non-canon" spin-off like LEGO Horizon Adventures.

Horizon Hunters Gathering is fully canon. Featuring a narrative campaign that introduces new mysteries and threats to the Horizon timeline.

Whilst Aloy makes a cameo in the trailer, the story shifts the spotlight to these new Hunter heroes and their personal struggles.

Playtests are Coming Fast

You won't have to wait long to get your hands on it. Guerrilla is launching a closed playtest at the end of February 2026.

If you want a chance to test the "Machine Incursion" or "Cauldron Descent" modes on PS5 or PC, you can sign up now through the PlayStation Beta Program.

Horizon Hunters Gathering

It’s a bold swing for Sony.

Following the mixed reception of recent live-service efforts, Horizon Hunters Gathering feels like a more focused "Monster Hunter-lite" approach. Leveraging one of PlayStation’s strongest IPs.

Whether the stylized art and co-op focus will win over the hardcore single-player fanbase remains to be seen. But the promise of tactical machine hunting with friends is hard to ignore.

I think pricing is going to be a significant factor in this one. Being on PlayStation means at least needing a PlayStation Plus membership to play online. And I don’t think Sony have the stones to go free-to-play.

Unless the game has the depth and scale to justify a premium price, it’s going to be a tricky one to land.

But following the latest Overwatch Spotlight, it looks like Blizzard is finally ready to wipe the slate clean. They’re dropping the "2," returning to just Overwatch, and honestly? It feels like the right move.

A Fresh Start (Again)

The headline news is that from next week, Overwatch 2 is officially becoming just Overwatch.

It’s a symbolic gesture, but an important one. According to the devs, this is about regaining player trust. They aren’t just changing the logo; they’re launching what looks like the game's most significant update to date.

Blizzard is pivoting to a "new, story-driven era." We’ve heard similar promises before, but the scale this time feels different. We’re looking at a year-long narrative arc called "The Reign of Talon". Told through in-game events, cinematic shorts, and map updates.

Let's not forget how good Blizzard are at cinematics. Those early Overwatch cinematics were pure magic!

The Vendetta Factor

If you haven't seen the new Vendetta cinematic, stop what you’re doing and go watch it (above!). It’s a return to form for Blizzard’s animation team—moody, lore-heavy, and it perfectly sets the stage for the Talon takeover.

Vendetta herself (Hero 45) is a melee DPS powerhouse with a sword the size of a surfboard.

I like a tank, generally. D.Va or Reinhardt have been mainstays for a long time. But it's been a while since I've played, I suspect a lot has changed for all the core heroes, let alone new ones.

Vendetta is a "villain" in the truest sense, and her ties to Blackwatch and Talon add some much-needed grit to the roster.

Ten New Heroes?!

The sheer volume of content announced is staggering. Blizzard is promising 10 new heroes over the next year. Five of them are dropping next week as Season 1 kicks off:

• Domina (Tank)
• Emre (Damage)
• Mizuki (Support)
• Anran (Damage)
• Jetpack Cat (Support)

Adding five heroes at once is a massive gamble for game balance. But it’s exactly the kind of "all-in" energy the game has been missing.

It'll be interesting to see what Overwatch has become, and furthermore, what it's going to become. Hopefully all the new heroes fit into the roster and everyone gets to sing!

How much are we betting there's some cost attached to the new change? Overwatch needs a boost in players, so I suspect it needs a boost in revenue, too.....Fingers crossed I'm just a pessimist.

We'll see

Is dropping the "2" enough to fix the reputational damage? Probably not on its own. But by refocusing on the lore and the characters that made us fall in love with the original game in 2016, Blizzard is at least speaking the right language.

The "Reign of Talon" storyline gives the game a sense of direction it hasn't had in years. Instead of just grinding a Battle Pass for the sake of it, it feels like we're actually playing through a world that’s evolving.

Still, no look to going back to 6v6 means it's always going to feel like a shade of it's former self. Maybe this new approach will sway me on that, but it seems unlikely.

The Verdict

I’m cautiously optimistic. Between the "Stadium" mode, the new China map, and the return to a single, unified Overwatch identity, the game feels like it’s finally finding its feet again.

Blizzard says they want to earn our confidence back. Giving us a giant sword-wielding gladiator and a jetpack-wearing cat in the same week is certainly one way to do it.

Onwards and upwards. I’ll see you on the payload next week.

Whilst my exposure to Deadlock and it's world is limited to just a few rounds at the moment. The game's style and overall aesthetic is well put together. This just left me questioning what are we doing? Why? And what world is this set in?

So, I’ve been doing some digging, to help myself (and hopefully you!) understand the world of Deadlock.

The Cursed Apple

We’re in a version of New York, The Cursed Apple. The city feels like it’s been dipped into a vat of supernatural ink. It’s Art Deco meets Eldritch Horror.

With tram lines running past buildings where blood rituals are probably being performed over coffee. It’s got that heavy, noir atmosphere where you can practically smell the rain on the pavement and the sulfur in the air.

You immediately just “feel” the vibe of Deadlock. It works perfectly.

The Patrons

In your typical MOBA, you’re hitting a "Core" or an "Ancient." In Deadlock, you’re working for the Patrons.

These aren't just buildings; they’re massive, sentient entities—the Amber Knight and the Sapphire Oracle.

Think of them as the ultimate cosmic mob bosses. You aren’t a "hero" in the traditional sense; you’re an operative under contract.

When you’re battling it out in the lanes, you’re performing a ritual to feed these things spiritual energy. It’s a high-stakes job, and the "souls" you’re collecting? That’s the currency of the universe.

The Roster

The character design here is where the "Valve magic" really hits. It’s not just "Soldier with Gun #4."

• The character, Abrams is a literal demon who looks like he’s walked off a 1920s boxing poster.
• There’s Ivy, a gargoyle who is way more charming than a stone creature has any right to be.
• Paradox is messing with time and space using what looks like clockwork tech.

It feels grounded in its own weird reality. These people (and things) have histories. They have debts.

They’re in the city because they have to be, not because they want to save the world.

The Grind and the Ritual

What I love about the lore here (even in its beta state) is that it explains the gameplay loop.

The "Troopers" aren't just cannon fodder. They are spectral constructs created for the ritual.

The in-game shop isn't just a menu; it’s a Curiosity Shop run by someone who probably knows more than they’re letting on.

Deadlock doesn't care if you don't "get" the lore immediately, it's tucked away in item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and the sheer vibe of the map. It’s weird, it’s dark, and it’s unapologetically Valve.

Clear as mud

It’s not a clean and clear story. But it’s also not a narrative-focused game in the first place.

Deadlock is drenched in style and that 20’s noir vibe is easily apparent at every turn. Does it suit the game play? That’s up to you. It’s well themed and provides a context to the world you’re in.

Does the broader story matter? Probably not, but it’s interesting to take a peek and try to make it make sense. Especially when playing the game itself feels like a baptism by fire.

All being well it’ll ”click” for me longer-term. Because that first round was just chaos and struggling to work out what on earth was going on. Hopefully the context helps a little.

Let me know if you need an invite!

The lawsuit, spearheaded by digital rights campaigner Vicki Shotbolt, represents roughly 14 million UK gamers. The core of the argument? That Valve is using its "dominant position" to rig the market, forcing prices up and competition out.

What is Valve accused of?

This isn't just a general grievance. The lawsuit targets three very specific business practices that Shotbolt and her legal team at Milberg London LLP claim are illegal under UK competition law:

1. The "Price Parity" Trap: The claim alleges that Valve forces publishers to sign "Platform Parity Obligations". If a developer sells a game on Steam, they are allegedly barred from selling it cheaper on rival stores like the Epic Games Store or GOG. This effectively prevents other stores from using lower prices to compete with Steam.
2. Add-on Lock-in: Ever tried to buy DLC on one platform for a game you own on another? Usually, it doesn't work. The lawsuit argues that by requiring all add-on content to be purchased through the Steam interface if the base game was bought there, Valve is "locking in" users and preventing them from shopping around for better deals on expansions or in-game currency.
3. The 30% "Tax": Because of the above two points, the lawsuit argues that Valve is able to maintain an "excessive" commission of 30%. This fee is then passed directly onto us, the consumers, in the form of higher game prices.

Why Care?

For most of us, Steam is the "good guy". It gave us the Steam Deck, Proton for Linux, and a library system that actually works.

However, the "30% cut" has been a point of contention for years. While Epic Games famously dropped their cut to 12% to lure developers. They haven't been able to make a dent in Steam’s market share at all. And this lawsuit suggests that’s because the deck is stacked.

If the court finds that Valve has been artificially keeping prices high across the board. Every UK gamer who has made a purchase on Steam since 2018 could be entitled to compensation. We’re talking anywhere from £22 to £44 per person depending on the final ruling.

A Global Trend

Valve isn't the only giant facing this music. This case follows similar "gatekeeper" lawsuits against Apple (the Epic v. Apple saga) and Google.

Regulators and activists are increasingly looking at "walled gardens" and asking if the convenience of a single ecosystem is worth the potential lack of price competition.

Valve tried to get this case thrown out, arguing that the methodology for calculating the "overcharge" was flawed. But the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London didn't buy it, ruling that the case has enough merit to face a full trial.

What’s Next?

Don't expect a check in the mail tomorrow. This is going to be a long, technical legal battle.

Valve will defend its "Steam Key" system, likely arguing that it actually helps competition by allowing third-party sites like Humble Bundle to sell Steam games (often at a discount) without Valve taking a penny of that specific sale.

For now, the status quo remains. But for the first time in a long time, the "Valve Tax" is being put under a legal microscope in the UK.

By the Numbers

• £656 Million: The total estimated damages sought.
• 14 Million: The number of UK gamers automatically included in the "opt-out" claim.
• June 2018: The date from which purchases are being considered for compensation.
• 30%: The standard commission Valve takes from most sales (dropping to 20% only after a game makes over $50m).

Whether you love Steam or loathe the monopoly, this trial will force Valve to pull back the curtain on its secretive developer agreements. It’s a landmark moment for consumer rights in the digital age.

No doubt Epic is sat in the wings waiting to strike in some way. Steam is a massive target, and Valve are likely to end up in a prolonged battle, now.

The market should be fair, but Steam is the superior storefront, and it’s going to take some significant shift to make a massive change to modern gaming.

Positioned as a free-to-play "PvP Raid Shooter," it’s a bizarre cocktail of hero abilities, mount-based traversal, and base-sieging mechanics. But does this fantasy-meets-firearms experiment stick the landing? We’ve scoured the early reviews to see what the critics (and the vocal Steam community) are saying.

I’ve not had chance to get stuck-in yet, but I’m intrigued for sure. It does seem that Highguard might need to explain what it’s trying to be, a little better. But critically, people are at least positive.

The Critical Consensus: "Fresh, but Frustrating"

While mainstream critics generally appreciate the "buttery smooth" gunplay you’d expect from former Respawn devs, there is a clear divide on whether the game's unique "Raid Mode" actually works.

IGN (Travis Northup)

"Highguard channels the battle of Helm’s Deep as the meat and potatoes of its one and only game mode. Fighting your way through the enemy’s ranks to plant and defend a bomb deep within their territory is exactly as thrilling and tense as it sounds."

The Verdict: A promising start with "snappy" gunplay.

Game Informer (Matt Miller)

"Taken piece by piece, there’s nothing profoundly complicated. But I’ll admit I felt completely lost for the first several matches—unsure where to put my attention, when to engage, or how to contribute. It’s a complex match structure that rewards strategy, but it lacks the breadth of options I’d expect from a major live-service launch."

The Verdict: Review-in-progress; intrigued but confused.

GameSpot (Jordan Ramée)

"The weapon selection is small, but each feels incredibly well-tuned... I have a few qualms about balance, but there is something exciting and fresh about the overall experience."

The Verdict: Positive; a hybrid shooter that could inspire future titles.

The Steam Community: A Rough Landing

Despite peaking at nearly 100,000 concurrent players on launch day, the reception on Steam has been "Mostly Negative."

• The Map Size Dilemma: Many players feel the 3v3 format is far too small for the expansive maps, leading to long stretches of "looting and walking" with very little action.
• Performance Woes: Reports of stuttering on PC and issues with Easy Anti-Cheat (making it unplayable on Linux/Steam Deck) have fueled the fire.
• Directionless Design: Several user reviews characterize the game as "confused," claiming it tries to mash too many genres (MOBA, Hero Shooter, Survival) into one blender.

Overall

It’s clear that Highguard has the "feel" right—sliding and shooting feel as good here as they did in Apex. However, the "Raid Shooter" loop is a massive gamble. By removing the traditional Team Deathmatch and focusing solely on a complex, phased objective mode, Wildlight has created a high barrier to entry that casual players are currently struggling to climb.

If you’re a fan of Titanfall’s movement or Rust's base-raiding tension, there is something here for you. Just be prepared for a bit of a learning curve—and maybe bring two friends so you aren't left at the mercy of the 3v3 matchmaking.

A French-made JRPG that swept-up at the game awards. To say I’m intrigued is an understatement. Plus, after finishing Final Fantasy VII Remake, and getting into Final Fantasy X last year. I’m on a JRPG kick.

The real question is, can a game live up to this much hype from the outside? I’m approaching Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with an open mind, but it’s hard to keep that skeptical part of my brain quiet.

At just over 12 hours in, it feels like a good time to make a initial assessment!

The good stuff

There’s no denying that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is doing a lot of great stuff. It’s a really fresh, modern take on the standard JRPG format. Keeping core elements like turn-based combat and levelling up characters and abilities.

There’s even a world map to travel across to get to your next destination.

Camping reminds me very much of Baldur’s Gate 3, using the camp as an opportunity to talk with your expedition party and others that have joined along the way. With moment for character building and chance to upgrade stuff. It’s a lovely reprieve in-between main areas you visit for the main story.

All of the characters are wonderfully realised. With excellent voice acting, dialogue and even motion capture. All tied-in with a striking and strong aesthetic that just adds French flair at every opportunity.

The Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 music is joyous, and having a score like this really pulls you into the world.

Combat, whilst traditional at it’s core. Is modern and fun. I love a turn-based system anyway, but combined with what you could consider an “active” defence phase. You’re always on your toes. In stead of just waiting for the enemy to take their turn to attack, and hope for the best. You can dodge, parry or jump as the attacks come in. Wonderfully animated to telegraph what’s coming, and you have to react with precise timing. It’s fun, it’s cleve, and getting that parry and counter attack is one of the best feeling mechanics in modern gaming.

This is all tied together with a story that’s starting to really shape-up. I’d initially struggled to engage with it, largel because the pace feels quite fast at the beginning. but after hitting the end of Act 1. I’m more invested than I expected. The characters feel real, the stakes feel significant, and the world feels truly realised.

The not so good stuff

All the above said. I’m still not sure I’ve found what makes it “click” for everyone. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 does pretty much everything well, or amazingly. But I feel like my expectations have been set for something ground breaking and it’s not there yet.

It’s early doors, and my only gripe is “I don’t love it like everyone else”. So I suspect that it’ll come, and when everything else is so solid, it feels weird to have any complaint sor issues.

I will say that I’m struggling to get it to look amazing. Running it all on ultra on PC, the character hair is distracting. I’m positive this is my own issue, but so far have found no good way to resolve it. Keeping it nice and tight at 1080p and 60fps, the performance is solid. Movement and reactions feel natural, but the hair looks crap, and all of these people have long hair.

Not the end of the world, by any stretch, but there must be something I can do.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actually runs reasonably well on the Steam Deck, too. I can’t quite believe it, but here we are. Locked at 40 frames per second, and quality derived from AMD FSR. It mostly looks great, and plays really well. The hair is even worse here, but I can accept it on a small screen.

So far

There's plenty to go at and plenty of time. So it will hopefully click. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 does pretty much everything right, so I’m not even sure how to do a full 3-piece review process.

Something is going to have to go drastically wrong for me to not finish it. But I cannot, for the life of me, see what all the fuss is about.

If we’re talking game of the year, it doesn’t really hold a candle to our winner Ghost of Yotei. Still, until I see it through to the end, who knows?

For anyone keeping track, yes, I’m still playing through Death Stranding 2 as well. But that’s taken a back seat whilst I focus on this.

All in good time.

Dubbed the "Escalation" phase, the next few months are looking packed. New toys, tougher challenges, and a very interesting change to how we matchmake.

Here’s the breakdown of what we’re looking at through until April.

Exclusive Matchmaking for the Pros

Starting in January (which is basically now), Embark is introducing a new matchmaking option specifically for Level 40+ players. Rewarding those that have put in the effort in Arc Raiders, seems like a great move.

If you’ve put in the hours and reached the cap, you’ll soon have the option to drop into lobbies exclusively with other high-level Raiders.

While this is a great way to ensure you’re running with (and against) people who actually know their way around a Fusion Cell, it’s also a clever move to help keep the "cheater" element at bay and focus the high-stakes extraction gameplay among the veterans.

We’ve already talked about the new Arc Raiders matchmaking, this feels like another solid step from Embark to really make the game enjoyable.

The Roadmap: January to April 2026

January ("Headwinds")

Along with the Level 40+ matchmaking, we’re getting new "Minor Map Conditions" (keep an eye out for that toxic swamp data-mine coming to life) and a new Player Project to grind out.

2026 in Arc Raiders is going to start with some good stuff to get stuck into.

February ("Shrouded Sky")

Things get atmospheric. Expect a new map condition (wind/fog focused), a fresh ARC threat to deal with, and a new Raider Deck.

What on earth will a new ARC threat look like?

March ("Flashpoint")

A lightning-themed map condition is coming, along with a "Scrappy Update." Hopefully, this means our favourite chicken pal is getting some utility upgrades or expanded resource scavenging.

ideally he won’t be filling out our limited space quite so much, or perhaps finding better scrap? Who knows?!

April ("Riven Tides")

This is the crown jewel of the roadmap. We’re getting a brand-new map, which looks to be a coastal/beach setting. It also promises a "Large" ARC threat—think Queen or Matriarch levels of "run for your life."

More Maps on the Horizon

In a recent chat with GamesRadar, Design Lead Virgil Watkins confirmed that April’s beach map isn’t a one-off. Embark is aiming for a "spectrum of size" with their 2026 maps.

Some might be tighter, more vertical urban zones like Stella Montis, while others are planned to be even "grander" than what we have now.

The philosophy here seems to be pairing every new location with a specific experience—new weather, different loot tiers, or unique enemy compositions—rather than just giving us a new floor to mop.

Verdict

It’s been a hell of a run since launch, and with over 12 million players having stepped into the Rustbelt, it’s great to see Embark doubling down.

The monthly cadence of updates (new quests, feats, and "Raider Decks") should keep the Speranza social hub buzzing while we wait for that beach trip in April.

Stay safe topside, Raiders.

We’ve seen the return of legends. Some fresh creativity from Double Fine. And the absolute shocker that Game Freak is stepping out of its Nintendo-shaped box.

Plus, the "everything is multi-platform" era is looking like it might actually be here now.

If you missed the showcase while grinding out levels in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, don’t worry. We’ve got the full breakdown of everything announced right here at ninjarefinery.com.

Forza Horizon 6

Release Date: 19th May 2026 (Xbox/PC) | Late 2026 (PS5)

It’s finally happening. After years of speculation and fan-made trailers, Playground Games is taking the festival to Japan.

Forza Horizon 6 looks absolutely stunning. We’re talking Tokyo highways, Hokkaido countryside, and drifting around Mount Fuji. The trailer showed off dynamic weather that changes with the seasons (classic Horizon), but the scale of Tokyo is what really caught our eye—they’re calling it the biggest map they’ve ever made.

You start as a tourist and work your way up to unlocking "Legend Island." With over 550 cars at launch, we are going to lose so many hours to this.

The Kicker: It’s hitting Game Pass Day One (obviously), but it’s also coming to PlayStation 5 later this year. Everyone gets to race. Exceptional stuff.

Beast of Reincarnation

Release Date: Summer 2026

When you see "Game Freak," you think Pokémon. You generally don't think "post-apocalyptic Japan on Xbox," but here we are.

Beast of Reincarnation is a brand-new IP that looks like a serious departure for the studio. You play as Emma, accompanied by her dog, Koo (instant Game of the Year contender just for the dog, let’s be honest). The world is overrun by "The Blight" and parasitic plants.

The gameplay showed off Emma using vine-like powers to traverse the world, and Koo has his own set of abilities to help fight "Malefacts"—enemies that are a twisted mix of plant and animal. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s coming to Xbox, PC, and PS5 Day One.

Kiln

Release Date: Spring 2026

Double Fine is doing what Double Fine does best: making something that looks like an absolute fever dream in the best possible way.

Kiln is a team-based multiplayer brawler where you create your own characters... out of clay. Literally. You use a magical pottery wheel to mold your fighter—make a tanky pot or a speedy little vase—and then send them out to smash the enemy team.

The trailer highlighted the creation mechanics, and it looks like you can get properly creative (or make absolute monstrosities). It’s got that signature Double Fine charm and humour. We can’t wait to jump into the beta.

Fable

Release Date: Autumn 2026

Fourteen years. It’s been fourteen years since Fable III. But we are finally going back to Albion.

The new Fable looks to capture that quintessentially British humour we’ve missed so much. You start as a kid in a village (tradition is key), things go wrong (people turning to stone), and you’re off on a hero’s journey.

What sounds most interesting is the new reputation system. It’s not just "Good vs Evil" anymore; it’s a greyer morality system where the 1,000+ NPCs will judge you based on your specific actions. You can buy houses, get married, and generally cause chaos.

It’s landing in Autumn, and yes, it’s Day One on Game Pass.

Final Thoughts

2026 is shaping up to be a beast. Between a Japan-set Forza and the return of Fable, our Game of the Year lists are already looking crowded.

Xbox needs to land some of these, and whilst we expect Forza Horizon 6 to smash it. Will Fable be able to bring the much-beloved series into modern times whilst keeping all the charm and fun?

The real one to watch, is the Game Freak title, Beast of Reincarnation. Have we ever seen Game Freak do something non-Nintendo? Very interesting, indeed!

It feels like a bit of a magic trick, doesn’t it? CD Projekt Red’s magnum opus had a... let's call it a colorful launch. But fast forward to now, and it’s become the gold standard for what a redemption arc looks like in this industry.

It’s also become one of my favorite ways to test what the Steam Deck is actually capable of.

The Reality Check

Before we dive into the numbers, let’s manage expectations. If you’re coming from a high-end PC or a PS5, you need to leave those 4K ray-traced dreams at the door.

The Steam Deck is a beast, but it isn't a miracle worker. You aren't going to hit a locked 60 FPS here. Not even if you turn the settings down until the game looks like a PS1 demake.

What you can get, however, is a surprisingly stable, beautiful, and (most importantly) portable version of Night City. We’re targeting that "sweet spot" of high 30s to low 40s FPS. It’s smooth enough for the gunfights and responsive enough for weaving through traffic. Cyberpunk 2077 shouldn't look and play this well, but it's amazing that it does.

Tuning the Engine: The "Sweet Spot" Settings

To get this running right, I’ve found that prioritizing textures and facial details over things like shadows makes the biggest difference. You want the characters to look like people, even if their shadows are a bit "low-res."

The TDP Trade-off: Here’s a tip for those who, like me, prefer a quiet room. If you run the Deck at full tilt (15 TDP), the fan sounds like a miniature jet engine trying to take off from your lap. I personally drop the TDP to 10. You lose about 3-4 frames, but your ears (and anyone sitting next to you) will thank you.

The "Refinery" Recommended Settings:

• Upscaling: AMD FSR 2.1 set to Performance. This is the heavy lifter.
• Textures: Keep these at Medium where possible; we want the world to look "lived in," not blurry.
• Shadows/Clouds: Turn them down. Low or Off. Volumetric clouds are a resource hog that you won't even notice on a 7-inch screen.
• Crowd Density: Set to Low. Night City feels a bit lonelier, but the framerate stays much more consistent when you aren't rendering fifty NPCs at a crosswalk.
• Field of View: I stick to 80. It keeps the performance stable without feeling like you're looking through a straw.

If you're like us and remember how poorly-optimised Cyberpunk 2077 was at launch. These settings, whilst seeming low, still look so much better than it did on the PC with much higher settings. It's nothing short of a miracle, frankly.

Is it Worth it?

Absolutely. Despite being technically the "worst" version of the game compared to a 5090-powered rig, there is a certain charm to playing Cyberpunk 2077 on the Deck. There’s a bit of text blur here and there, and the draw distance isn't going to win any awards, but the atmosphere remains untouched.

It’s a masterpiece that you can play while the coffee brews. Just keep your charger handy. Night City is hungry, and it’ll eat your battery for breakfast in about 90 to 120 minutes.

Quick Reference: In-Game Settings

From dual-protagonist mechanics to Porsche-designed SUVs and 30th-anniversary celebrations, here is the breakdown of everything announced for the next chapter in survival horror.

Largely terrified by the genre ourselves, it's a tough one to be excited about. But Resident Evil is big news and the past few releases have been a huge success, so we have to share the details!

Dual Protagonists, Dual Horrors

The showcase confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem follows two distinct leads, each offering a different flavour of the RE experience. Players can swap between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time.

Leon S. Kennedy, the veteran DSO agent, is back with a more action-oriented approach. He can now use a hatchet for close-quarters combat, parry attacks, and even turn enemy weapons like chainsaws against them.

Grace Ashcroft is an FBI analyst trapped in a zombie-infested sanatorium. Grace represents the survival half of survival horror, with limited inventory and a focus on resource management. She has a unique crafting system using infected blood and carries the powerful Requiem assault revolver, which is a high-stakes weapon with scarce ammo.

The Elpis Mystery and Working Zombies

The story centres on Elpis, a keyword linking Grace’s past to Leon’s current investigation. Interestingly, the zombies in Requiem aren't just mindless shamblers. Many are fixated on shadows of their former lives. You might encounter a chef obsessed with cooking or a janitor polishing mirrors, which Capcom hints players can exploit to navigate safely.

Cutting-Edge Tech and Platforms

Requiem is launching across several platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Nintendo Switch 2.

PC players are getting the royal treatment with NVIDIA DLSS 4 support and full path-tracing, ensuring the sanatorium looks as terrifyingly realistic as possible.

The game will also be available on the GeForce NOW cloud service on day one, allowing for high-end play on casual laptops, mobile devices, and TVs.

High-Fashion and High-Performance Collaborations

Capcom is leaning hard into luxury partnerships for this release.

First, there is an extraordinary collaboration with the historic watch company Hamilton. They have designed two dazzling watch models that replicate those worn by Leon and Grace in-game. The Khaki Field Auto Chrono and the Pan Europ Automatic will be available in extremely limited quantities of 2,000 units each.

Racing to the finish line is a partnership with Porsche. A one-of-a-kind Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT has been created with complex 3D printing technology to fit into the game’s dark world.

This custom SUV appears in the game as Leon’s personal vehicle.

Anniversary Celebrations and Nintendo Exclusives

As Resident Evil hits its 30th year, Capcom is going big with a Symphony of Legacy orchestral tour hitting Japan, North America, and Europe later in 2026.

For Nintendo fans, a special Generation Pack for the Switch 2 will include Resident Evil 7 Gold Edition, Resident Evil Village Gold Edition, and Requiem all in one bundle.

Furthermore, Grace Ashcroft is officially becoming the first-ever Resident Evil amiibo, scheduled for release in Summer 2026.

Editions and Pre-orders

Players can choose between Standard and Deluxe editions.

The Deluxe version includes the base game plus an exclusive pack of five costumes, four weapon skins, screen filters, and charms.

All pre-orders will receive Grace’s gritty Apocalypse costume as a bonus.

For physical collectors, a Premium Steelbook Edition will be available while supplies last, featuring a limited-edition lenticular card.

Resident Evil Requiem arrives February 27, 2026.

Asking for 32GB of RAM and 12GB of VRAM just to hit 1080p/60fps felt... well, a bit unoptimized, to put it politely.

Thankfully, IOI has been listening to the collective "excuse me?" from the community.

Citing an "internal miscommunication," the studio has officially revised and reduced the specs. It turns out you don’t need a NASA supercomputer to step into James Bond’s shoes after all.

The Big Changes

The most significant "niggle" in the previous specs was the demand for 32GB of RAM for recommended settings. We’re all for a smooth experience, but 32GB for 1080p felt like a massive reach. IOI has now halved that to a much more reasonable 16GB.

They’ve also tidied up some weirdness in the GPU department. Previously, they suggested an RTX 3060 Ti (an 8GB card) while simultaneously claiming you needed 12GB of VRAM.

That didn't add up. The new specs now correctly list an 8GB VRAM requirement for recommended settings.

They even fixed the minimum CPU listing, which originally suggested a non-existent Intel chip.

Based on these changes, you have to wonder where that original spec came from! This make a lot more sense and will be much more accessible to those wanting to get on day-one with 007 First Light.

The New Specs at a Glance

Minimum (Targeting 1080p / 30fps):

• CPU: Intel Core i5-9500 / AMD Ryzen 5 3500
• RAM: 16GB
• GPU: Nvidia GTX 1660 / AMD RX 5700 (6GB VRAM)
• Storage: 80GB

Recommended (Targeting 1080p / 60fps):

• CPU: Intel Core i5-13500 / AMD Ryzen 5 7600
• RAM: 16GB
• GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti / AMD RX 6700 XT (8GB VRAM)

We’ll see….

It’s always a bit of a red flag when launch specs are this inconsistent, but at least IOI moved quickly to clear the air. 007 First Light is built on the Glacier engine—the same tech that made the recent Hitman trilogy look and run like a dream—so we’re hopeful that the final product will be well-optimized.

That engine runs like a dream and looks amazing, so those initial specs were definitely a surprise. This all feels much more in-line with expectations, for sure.

We’re still waiting on the "Ultra" or 4K specs, but for now, it looks like our mid-range rig is safe. We’ll see if Bond can actually keep a steady framerate when the game drops on May 27.

We didn’t know what Embark Studios were cooking initially. But after those first reviews and that initial week of release, had something special brewing with ARC Raiders. Especially coming off the chaotic fun of The Finals, but I don’t think anyone (including the devs) saw this coming.

ARC Raiders has just gone from strength to strenght. And rightfully so, being a well-made, well-crafted extraction game. Something I never really thought I’d care about.

If you watch the NoClip documentary series on the game, with the studio. You can see the effort gone into making Arc Raiders what it is today. And precisely why ARC Raiders has sold 12 million copies.

That is a staggering number for a paid extraction shooter in a market that is notoriously difficult to crack.

To put that in perspective, the team at Embark openly admitted that "the way it took off, I think, took all of us by surprise."

Free stuff!

To celebrate the milestone (and perhaps because they are just in a good mood), Embark is giving away a Free Gold Hammer (the Golden Raider Tool) to everyone.

There is a catch, though: you need to move fast.

• The Reward: A shiny Golden Raider Tool.
• The Condition: You must have logged into the game at least once before midnight CET on January 13, 2026.

If you are reading this and you haven't logged in recently, stop what you are doing and boot it up. If you played at launch or anytime since, the hammer should be waiting for you in your in-game mail.

It’s always great to see a studio celebrate a win by giving back to the community, even if it is just a bit of shiny cosmetic bling. 12 million raiders is a massive community, and honestly, it makes me excited to see what the future holds for Calabretta.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check my inbox.

A world defined not by a demon king or an alien invasion, but by a single, terrifying number. It is a setting where art, death, and French surrealism collide.

If you are preparing to step into the boots of Gustave and his crew, here is everything you need to know about the circumstances of this beautiful, broken world.

The Central Conflict: The Gommage

The driving force of this universe is a yearly ritual of erasure known as The Gommage.

The antagonist is not a warrior, but a god-like entity known as The Paintress. She resides in a monolithic structure far across the continent, and once a year, she wakes to paint a single number upon her monolith.

The horror lies in the specificity of her art. The moment she paints a number, every human being of that age instantly turns to smoke and vanishes from existence.

This is a slow-motion apocalypse. In years past, the Paintress painted 100, then 99, ticking downward annually.

Humanity is facing a mathematical extinction. There are no elders left to guide society; memory is dying along with the population. As the story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 begins, the Paintress has just painted 33.

Tomorrow, everyone of that age will fade away.

The Last City: Lumière

Humanity has retreated to a single, isolated stronghold called Lumière. Visually, the city is a stunning reimagining of Belle Époque France—a place of cobblestone streets, gaslamps, intricate ironwork, and high fashion. However, this beauty is overlaid with a thick, suffocating dread.

Because life expectancy is strictly capped by the Paintress’s countdown, the culture of Lumière is one of desperate intensity. The citizens live fast and love hard. Art, science, and romance are pursued with feverish urgency because no one expects to live past their thirties.

To survive, the city has evolved into a fortress. It is built vertically, a tower of gears and steam designed to keep the population safe from the surreal horrors that roam the lands below. It is a gilded cage where the residents party as if there is no tomorrow—because for many of them, there isn't.

The Outside World: The Canvas

Beyond the safety of Lumière’s walls lies a continent often called The Canvas or the Fractured World.

Sixty-seven years prior to the game's events, a cataclysm known as "The Fracture" broke the world, isolating the city from the rest of the planet. Since then, the lands outside have ceased to obey the laws of physics.

Explorers who venture out find environments that are dreamlike and impossible.

You might stumble upon floating islands, underwater forests that breathe oxygen, or ancient ruins where gravity pulls sideways. The world looks less like a planet and more like a painting in constant flux—a surrealist nightmare that is as beautiful as it is deadly.

This environment is saturated with Chroma, a volatile artistic energy that powers the technology of the Expedition and the magic of their enemies.

The Expeditions

Lumière does not go quietly into the night. Every year, the city organizes an elite military unit—an Expedition—to march across the Canvas, hunt down the Paintress, and kill her before she can paint the next number.

Hence Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

It is a legacy of tragedy. There have been 32 previous expeditions. None have succeeded. Most never returned at all.

Joining an Expedition is widely considered a suicide mission, yet it remains the highest honour a citizen can achieve. Volunteers are often those who are about to be erased by the next number, fighting for one final chance to save the younger generation.

The player takes control of Expedition 33. Led by the determined Gustave, this group is unique because they are personally on the clock.

They have exactly one year left to live. If they fail to reach the Monolith, they won't just die in battle; they will be erased by the next Gommage.

<aside> 💡

As a side note “Clair Obscur” is a French term meaning "light-dark". Directly translating the Italian art term “chiaroscuro”. This describes the use of strong contrasts between light and shadow to create drama, depth, and volume in art.

</aside>

Creatures & Factions

The enemies in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are not typical fantasy orcs or dragons. The wildlife of the Canvas mimics art and folklore, twisted into dangerous new forms.

The primary threat comes from the Nevrons. These are surreal constructs that serve as the "antibodies" of the Paintress. They often resemble porcelain masks, discarded dolls, or unfinished sketches brought to violent life.

However, not everything outside the walls is mindless. The Gestrals are a mysterious, intelligent race indigenous to the wild. Unlike the Nevrons, the Gestrals have their own culture and code of honor.

They are generally not hostile to humans but are obsessed with battle, viewing combat as a form of high art or meditation.

The Language of the World

To understand the lore, one must understand the vocabulary of art that defines reality here.

Paint is the ultimate power source. In this setting, it is not merely pigment; it is a tool of creation and destruction. It can rewrite reality, erase matter (via the Gommage), or create life.

The Monolith is the destination. It is the distant tower where the Paintress performs her ritual, looming over the game's horizon like a dark star.

Finally, there is Gloss. While mostly a combat mechanic representing defensive barriers, in the lore, it represents the interplay of light and shadow—the "Clair Obscur" (Chiaroscuro)—that defines the fragile existence of those fighting against the dark.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Ok, so between some Googling, wiki reading and game playing. We feel like we have a grip on the world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, to a degree.

Now, after all this game of the year hype. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and it feels like we’re going to be eating well.

The review notes are already being taken and we’re mashing that R1 trigger to master parries.

We’ll be back with more soon!

Enter Iconic Weapons. These aren't just guns with slightly better stats; they possess unique intrinsic perks that fundamentally change how you play the game. They are the centrepieces of the best builds in Cyberpunk 2077.

With the massive changes brought by Update 2.0 and Phantom Liberty, the meta shifted.

Some old favourites fell off, and new contenders rose up. While "best" often depends on your specific build (Netrunner, Solo, Ninja, etc.), some weapons are just undeniably top-tier across the board.

Here are our picks for the 5 best Iconic weapons currently in Cyberpunk 2077, why they rule, and exactly where to find them.

1. Malorian Arms 3516 (Johnny’s Pistol)

Type: Power Pistol (with Tech characteristics)

You can’t make a "best of" list without Johnny Silverhand’s hand cannon. It is easily the most stylish weapon in the game, featuring unique reload animations and a sound design that makes every shot feel impactful.

Why It’s Top 5:

The Malorian received a significant rework in Update 2.0. It is technically a Power weapon (bullets can ricochet), but when aiming down sights, it gains Tech properties, allowing it to punch through cover.

But the real star is the quick-melee attack. Instead of a standard pistol whip, V performs a short-range, explosive burst of fire from the barrel.

This deals massive damage and has a high chance to knock down enemies, making it incredible for close-quarters crowd control when you get swarmed.

It’s a versatile hybrid weapon that looks incredibly cool in action.

How to Get It:

You can’t miss this if you follow the main story, but you won't get it until late in the game.

1. Progress the main story until you unlock the side quest "Chippin’ In." This usually happens after the "Tapeworm" quests are completed.
2. Follow the questline involving Rogue and Jeremiah Grayson.
3. At the end of the confrontation with Grayson on the cargo ship, you will take the gun directly from him. (Make sure to get the key from him too so you can unlock Johnny's Porsche nearby!)

2. Overwatch

Type: Power Sniper Rifle

If you plan on playing any type of stealth build, the Overwatch is mandatory equipment.

Why It’s Top 5:

The Overwatch has one simple, defining feature that no other sniper rifle in the base game possesses: it comes with a custom, built-in silencer.

In Cyberpunk 2077, putting a generic silencer on a standard sniper rifle drastically reduces its damage output, often making one-hit kills impossible on higher difficulties. The Overwatch suffers no such penalty.

It hits like a freight train, maintains complete silence, and has an incredible reload speed for its class. It is the ultimate tool for clearing an entire enemy outpost before they even know you’re there.

How to Get It:

This is tied to Panam Palmer’s major side-quest chain.

1. Complete Panam’s main story quests ("Ghost Town," "Lightning Breaks," "Life During Wartime").
2. Wait for her to call you for her side-quest, "Riders on the Storm."
3. Help Panam rescue Saul. At the very end of the quest, during a conversation sitting on motorcycles overlooking the camp, Panam will gift you her cherished rifle.

3. Byakko

Type: Katana

Before Update 2.0, the Satori was the undisputed king of blades. But with the reworking of melee combat and stamina, the Byakko has taken the throne as the most fun and effective sword for a Sandevistan "ninja" build.

Why It’s Top 5:

The Byakko’s unique perk is unparalleled mobility. It allows you to leap toward enemies from a significant distance when performing a Strong Attack.

In practice, this turns V into a teleporting blur of death. You lock onto an enemy, leap instantly to them, slice them apart, and immediately leap to the next target. It closes gaps instantly, preventing enemies from shooting you while you run toward them.

It also features a faster attack speed than standard katanas.

How to Get It:

This requires some legwork in Japantown.

1. You must complete all 8 Gigs offered by the fixer Wakako Okada.
2. Once the final gig is turned in, check your apartment stash. The Byakko will be waiting for you as a reward for your dedicated service.

4. Fenrir

Type: Power Submachine Gun

Some Iconics are great because they are late-game powerhouses. The Fenrir is incredible because you can get it almost immediately in Act 2, and it remains viable for almost the entire game.

Why It’s Top 5:

The Fenrir looks like a standard SMG with some cool decals, but its unique perk is devastating: it deals Thermal damage and has an extremely high chance to apply Burn.

Even if your initial bullets don't kill an enemy, the damage-over-time burn effect usually will. Better yet, enemies on fire usually panic, stopping them from shooting back at you.

It has a high rate of fire, manageable recoil, and absolutely melts through early-to-mid-game bosses like butter.

It’s the ultimate Cyberpsycho starter kit.

How to Get It:

Available very early in Act 2 in the Watson district (Northside).

1. Look for a side quest marker near the docks in Northside for a quest called "Losing My Religion" (or sometimes it just appears as an unmarked event where you see a monk being held hostage by Maelstrom gangers).
2. Defeat the gangers. You will find the Fenrir sitting on a small table right next to where the monk is being held.

5. Guts (Rebecca's Shotgun)

Type: Power Shotgun

Added as part of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime tie-in content, this shotgun belonged to the fan-favourite character Rebecca. It is chaos incarnate.

Why It’s Top 5:

Guts is a carnage shotgun, meaning it shoots a massive spread of pellets. Its unique trait is simple: raw, unfiltered violence. It deals significantly more damage than its standard counterparts, has a faster rate of fire, and a larger magazine.

The trade-off is that the recoil is absolutely immense—it will literally kick your camera toward the sky if you spam it. But if you are playing a tanky "Solo" build using a shotgun build (especially with the Body attribute tree maxed out to manage recoil), Guts is a close-range eraser.

It feels incredible to use and pays homage to a great character.

How to Get It:

You don’t need a quest for this one; you just need to know where to look. It is available from the very start of Act 2.

1. Go to Corpo Plaza in the City Centre district.
2. Head to the centre ring where the giant holographic fish fly around (Memorial Park).
3. Look for three meditating monks on the south side of the park. Behind them are some bushes.
4. Lying in the bushes, hidden from casual view, is Guts, waiting for a new owner.

We we given a review code a while ago, but only recently (thanks to Game of the Year…) got around to giving it a spin.

What a great palette cleanser it's been!

Stunt Bike Extreme isn't earth-shattering, but it's a return to a simpler time in gaming. Whilst feeling fresh enough to be fun in more modern times.

Stunt Bike Extreme

Do you remember Trials/Trials HD/Trials Extreme? That's what Stunt Bike Extreme is.

A spiritual successor, if you like.

You race your stunt bike through courses as quickly as you can. Navigating obstacles and getting to grips with exaggerated physics to keep on your wheels.

Part puzzle game, part time trial game. You can clear a stage in 30 seconds. Or, you can get stuck for a minute trying to navigate a particular bit.

Hit the rest or restart buttons and instantly give the course another go.

Stunt Bike Extreme has a lot going for it. Very accessible accessible and easy to learn.

You quickly learn how to manage gravity and movement of your bike. Then, the rest is speed, luck and that mastery of the physical world.

The good stuff

Stunt Bike Extreme has been a really pleasant surprise. Nobody can deny that a 30-40 second run is more than acceptable when it comes to respecting your game time.

You can quickly restart a course, you get checkpoints if you want to re-run a section quickly.

The courses are simple and clever. Challenging you and making sure you can't just hold down the accelerator to get to the end.

One thing that has really impressed me is the camera work. Whilst you're always essentially on rails and a linear track, the bends and turns in the semi-3D space are really well managed. You never feel lost, unsure where you're going or unable to see what you're being challenged with.

On top of all that, you have some pretty solid customisation options, to use your hard-won currency.

Stunt Bike Extreme lets you change helmets, tops, trousers and of course, bikes. Then you level-up your bikes to improve their stats, too.

For such a small game, you get a lot of game.

The not-so-good

I think for a game that costs a few quid, it's hard to complain about anything. But, let's help set expectations.

Stunt Bike Extreme looks like a game from the Xbox Live Arcade/360 era. It doesn't matter particularly and it suits the game style. But this isn't a high-resolution texture showcase.

Blocky, stretched textures, you name it. For a game in 2026, it feels aesthetically retro.

The only other complaint I have is that it doesn't boot on the Steam Deck, presently. A real shame, because Stunt Bike Extreme is exactly the kind of “just one more try” game, you want to have with you for those short gaming stints.

Overall

It's really easy to recommend Stunt Bike Extreme. Easy to access, engaging in sorry bursts and clearly built to pay homage to older titles.

If the game continues to be updated and improved, the sky is the limit. It feels great, and that's the hard part.

With 400+ courses to go at, and all the course collectibles to go for. You get a lot of game for not a lot of money.

If you loved those Stunt Bike arcade games of the Xbox 360 era, Stunt Bike Extreme is giving you more of that good stuff.

Highly Recommend.

It turns out the game has been watching you. And if you’re a bit of a menace, it’s going to make sure you play with other menaces.

Following a wave of community theories during the recent playtests. Embark’s Art Director, Robert Sammelin, has essentially confirmed that the game uses what players are calling Aggression-Based Matchmaking (ABMM).

How it Works

The theory started on Reddit and Discord. Players noticed a distinct shift in lobby vibes. If you spend your matches being a PvP aggressor, hunting down solos, camping extracts, and generally choosing violence, the game takes notes.

Before long, you’ll find yourself in lobbies where everyone else is just as bloodthirsty as you are.

On the flip side, players who lean into the "co-op" part of the PvEvP experience (using emotes, reviving strangers, and focusing on the ARC machines) report being dropped into much calmer sessions.

Sammelin clarified the studio's stance, stating: "Without going into excruciating detail, it is quite complex. We do analyze behavior and match accordingly"

A new direction

This is a fascinating move for the genre. Usually, matchmaking is a binary choice: you’re either matched by skill (SBMM) or by the gear you’re carrying.

By factoring in intent, Embark is attempting to solve the age-old extraction shooter problem: how do you let pacifists enjoy the atmosphere without them being farmed by sweat-lords?

It’s a "rats deserve rats" philosophy. If you want to play ARC Raiders like it’s Call of Duty, go for it. Just don’t be surprised when your next extraction is a literal warzone.

For those of us who just want to soak in that stunning sci-fi aesthetic. All while taking down some giant robots without getting backstabbed every five minutes. This might just be the secret sauce that makes ARC Raiders stand out in a very crowded market.

What do you think?

For us, ARC Raiders is way more satisfying when you team-up and go your separate ways again in short bursts. We’re all out there to survive and to get the gear we need.

We’re all hunted by the ARC, and we all want to progress. S, whilst the PvP element keeps us on our toes and certainly adds a dimension of danger to the experience. This new approach to matchmaking feels special.

Are you a friendly looter or a shoot-on-sight specialist? Let us know if you’ve noticed the lobby shift in the comments.

After the "Point of No Return" at Embers, you find yourself on a quiet rooftop with Johnny Silverhand. It is here that the choices you’ve made throughout the game coalesce into a final path.

If you are looking to wrap up V’s story, here's a guide to the different fates awaiting you and exactly how to reach them.

The Foundation of Your Fate

The ending you receive is largely dictated by which side characters you’ve befriended. While the "Arasaka" path is always available, the more hopeful outcomes require completing specific questlines before you meet Hanako at Embers. If you rush the main story, your options will be severely limited.

Leaving with the Nomads: The Star

Widely considered the most "hopeful" ending, this path sees V leaving the chaos of Night City behind. To unlock this, you must complete Panam Palmer’s entire side questline, ending with the mission Queen of the Highway. On the balcony, choose to call Panam for help. You’ll storm Arasaka with the Aldecaldos, and in the final moments within Mikoshi, you must choose to return to your body. V survives with a few months to live, surrounded by family and a new horizon.

This was the ending we got last time, and it’s going to be so hard not to follow the same path again! Cyberpunk 2077 knows how to write characters.

Becoming a Legend: The Sun

In this ending, V achieves their dream of becoming a legend of the Afterlife.

You unlock this by finishing Rogue Amendiares' story, specifically the mission Blistering Love. When the time comes to choose on the rooftop, tell Johnny that he and Rogue should go.

Johnny takes control of your body for the final raid. If V chooses to return to their body afterward, they become the new boss of the Afterlife, though the cost of fame is high.

The Corporate Handover: The Devil

This is the "default" Cyberpunk 2077 ending and requires no side quests. You choose to trust Hanako Arasaka’s plan. This path is often bleak, as V becomes a pawn in corporate succession. A key detail here involves Goro Takemura: if you want him to appear in this ending, you must ignore the game's HUD during the mission Search and Destroy and manually go back upstairs to save him after the building is raided.

Giving Up the Ghost: Temperance

Temperance isn't a specific path you choose on the balcony, but rather a final decision made inside the digital realm of Mikoshi.

During either the Nomad or Rogue endings, V can choose to let Johnny Silverhand keep their body forever while V's consciousness vanishes into the Net with Alt Cunningham.

Johnny, humbled by the sacrifice, eventually leaves Night City to start a new, quiet life.

The Ultimate Challenge: Don't Fear the Reaper

There is a hidden, "secret" ending for those who treated Johnny Silverhand as a true partner.

This path allows V to storm Arasaka Tower completely alone, ensuring that none of your friends—like Rogue or Saul—have to die for you.

To unlock this, you must be very careful with your dialogue during the quest Chippin' In. While standing at Johnny’s grave, you need to be critical but fair. You must tell him he "fucked that up" regarding your relationship and eventually agree to give him a "last second chance."

If you did this correctly, sit on the balcony during the final mission and wait. Don't click any dialogue options for about five minutes. Eventually, Johnny will realize you’re hesitant to put your friends in danger and suggest a "suicide run."

Be warned: there are no checkpoints during this mission. If you die, the credits roll.

The New Reality: The Tower (Phantom Liberty)

For those with the Phantom Liberty expansion, a completely different conclusion is possible that avoids the Arasaka raid entirely. This ending is earned by your loyalty (or lack thereof) to the NUSA.

To see this through, you must ensure that Solomon Reed survives and that Songbird is delivered to the NUSA.

This might mean betraying her at the stadium or handing her over at the spaceport. If you do this, the NUSA will eventually call you for a surgery that successfully removes the Relic.

You survive, but the cost is your ability to use combat cyberware, leaving V as a "regular" person in a world that has moved on without them.

What to choose…

Cyberpunk 2077 is filled with choice. It’s what makes every moment compelling. The problem with playing through a game again is that you’re not necessarily making “real” choices.

It’s odd playing a game, essentially role-playing a different version of the the character you chose to be before. But that’s the beauty of games, isn’t it? We get to be different, we get to re-live moments and make new choices in those moments.

Let’s see where we end up this time….

Release date means nothing. A good game is a good game and we recognise that above everything else.

Having said that, the titles that ended up as the ninjarefinery.com top three games, are actually all 2025 releases.

All very different, all absolutely contenders for the title of Game of the Year 2025.

Game of the Year - The top 3

We’ve already talked at length about all of the contenders. So you can read all about that here.

With reviews written for each, and time spent playing, re-visiting and checking. To make sure we're comfortable with our decisions.

Some of our testing even included casual games like a dartboard challenge to see how the games held up in a fun, social setting. 

After great deliberation, it's been whittled-down to a top 3, and then, of course, the Game of the Year 2025.

The three games taking the podium (in no particular order) are as follows.

Ghost of Yotei

The only sequel this year that felt like something new, something better and something that re-defined the series, and the genre.

We did the full 3-part review treatment and you can see why we think it's such a massive contender, there.

Two Point Museum

Our ultimate cosy game. Management Sim and time hoover. The countless hours spent tweaking prices to get out of debt. The expeditions and lost experts.

As per our review. This is Two Point Studios at their finest.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Likely presumed as a shoe-in this year. Monster Hunter Wilds is everything we wanted it to be. It's our most-played game this year and one we’ll be back at over an over.

Not without issues, particularly on PC. But another excellent entry into a series we've really fallen for over the past 10 years.

The Ninja Refinery Game of the Year 2025

Drumroll……

All three of the aforementioned games were “final decision” GotY at least once during this process.

But the one that came back to the top the most was none other than the incredible Ghost of Yotei.

What an amazing game. Taking the foundations of the excellent Ghost of Tsushima and just blowing it out of the water.

This is a game that we’re actively planning to go back and get the Platinum trophy for. Something that has only ever happened once.

We need to be back in this world. Beautiful visually, audibly and filled with charm and a cast of characters that are well written and wonderfully acted.

The story had us engaged throughout and the way Sucker Punch crafted this cinematic ode to Japanese culture deserves all the praise we can muster.

No game elicited as much emotional attachment and awesome as Ghost of Yotei.

Without a doubt the best game we played this year.

Silver and Bronze?

If we're doing a podium finish for Game of the Year 2025. Let's get second and third allocated as well.

Two Point Museum clinches 2nd place. With regular content updates and a well-polished release. Combined with. The fun and engaging gameplay. It feels flawless which is why it topped the game that has come in 3rd.

Monster Hunter Wilds is exceptional. But the performance issues persist. Loads of content and new stuff added post-release. A great game to play, but Capcom have slipped a little here and kept it out of the top two.

Next year

We have no idea what 2026 will look like. As we’ve already talked about, there's some big changes afoot which may impact the time we have to play and write about games.

It won't be for lack of trying, that's a promise.

What do you think of doing 1st, 2nd & 3rd as a Game of the year concept? Do we leave it here in 2025, or is it something we should consider for future considerations?

Game of the year 2025 is done! We’re happy and Ghost of Yotei well and truly deserves the award.

If you haven't, find a way to play it. You will not regret it.

Back to Basics?

Michał Kiciński isn't exactly a stranger to the GOG DNA. As one of the original founders of the CD Projekt Group, he was there when the company was just a scrappy Polish distributor. Initially fighting against piracy by offering better, more consumer-friendly alternatives.

According to the official press release, Kiciński’s move is aimed at giving GOG the "independence and agility" it needs to thrive in a market dominated by Steam and the Epic Games Store.

While GOG has always been the "little engine that could”. Being tied to a massive developer/publisher like CD Projekt (the folks behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077) occasionally meant the storefront’s specific needs were balanced against the Group’s broader corporate goals.

What Does This Mean for Us?

For the average gamer, not much should change in the immediate future. Your library is safe, your DRM-free installers aren't going anywhere, and the GOG Galaxy client will likely continue to bumble along as usual.

However, from our perspective, where we value sincerity and the preservation of great experiences, this feels like a win.

An independent GOG led by a founder with a passion for the platform's original mission could mean a renewed focus on what made the site great in the first place:

• Classics back to modern PCs
• Consumer rights: Doubling down on the DRM-free philosophy that defines them.
• Niche Appeal: Moving away from trying to be "Steam 2.0" and focusing on being the best possible version of GOG.

Moving Onwards

CD Projekt itself says this allows them to focus 100% on their core business: making massive, sprawling RPGs.

With The Witcher 4 (Polaris) and the Cyberpunk sequel in the works, they clearly have their hands full.

It’s an interesting time for digital storefronts.

As we see more consolidation in the industry, seeing a major player like GOG "de-consolidate" and go independent is a refreshing change of pace.

What do you think? Is GOG better off as an independent entity? Or will it struggle without the financial safety net of the CD Projekt Group? Let us know in the comments or over on the socials.

However, what I've seen this year is that an increase in news posts means better traffic, anyway.

So…. that's sustainable and more realistic to keeping the site on a gradual growth track.

Re-play time?

Aside from one commitment, which I’ll get to shortly. I’m having more and more nostalgia for great games that I’ve loved and want to play differently, or actually finish.

Red Dead Redemption, Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Witcher 3 expansions. Maybe Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Valhalla. There's so many online games that update with content all the time, too, that keep me coming back.

It feels like a more relaxed approach to the year as I settle into the new world.

Of course, there will be big, new titles that can't be ignored. But these seem few and far between. All trying to avoid the massive splash of GTA VI.

2026 will have one massive whale of a game and everything else will live in it's shadow.

Having said that, we're excited for Wolverine and 007 First Light which has just been pushed back by a few months.

Committing…

As with 2025, I want 1 clear goal for 2026.

This year was to finish Final Fantasy VII Remake. Which I did.

2026 will be to finish Final Fantasy X. A game I've already started. So no excuses!

There are a few others I’d consider adding onto this commitment. With Yakuza Like a Dragon basically done, I should see that through, too.

I fancy a re-play of a Pokémon game, maybe as a stream?

The one other game that I have to complete in 2026 will be Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. All those awards, all that praise. I have to see what all the fuss is about.

So that's 2 RPGs being committed to, right now. With a view to maybe another one or two as well.

Monster Hunter Stories 2 has been a nice background slow-burn at the moment, it would be nice to see that through.

In 2025 I got my first ever platinum trophy, too. With Spider-Man 2 being the game that got the honours. Now I feel like that's a real achievable goal with Ghost of Yotei, as well.

2026

There are no grand plans, no over-commitments. No promises to do more of this or that. It's pointless.

The site is a hobby and trying to treat it like a job only spoils the whole thing. So 2026 will be more of the same and then some changes based on whims, and spur of the moment thoughts.

I'll be shutting down a couple of the other sites. Experiments that I love at the time, but are ultimately costly and not worth the effort. All of these things are great ways to learn and improve, and so long as it's fun, I’m sure there will be more additional nonsense.

Let's see how it goes. But the last 3 months have seen increased visits, with records being hit each month. I’ll take that as a win.

It's never going to be a big site, but SEO and natural age of the site means it's slowly becoming established. Maybe when I'm 50 people will actually know what it is? Maybe I will by then?

Onwards

2026 will see the completion of Final Fantasy X, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2 (can't see it being done in time for the new year, now).

The pursuit of a platinum trophy in Ghost of Yotei, is on the cards as well.

Then, a new play through of Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2 and continuing the new run of The Witcher 3. These aren't commitments, rather potential stretch goals and aspirations.

We all know how this plays out. But let's commit to those first two and see how new games come into the mix later in 2026.

Expect to see a bit more news and content about game updates etc.

2025 is done. See here's to 2026 and navigating through whatever comes out way!

The highly anticipated James Bond origin story, 007 First Light, has been officially pushed back from its original March release date.

We’ll now have to wait until May 27, 2026, to step into the tuxedo of a young, "wet behind the ears" James Bond.

In a statement shared shortly before Christmas, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak explained that while the game is already "fully playable from beginning to end," the team needs an additional two months for polish and refinement.

As an independent developer and publisher, IOI is clearly keen to ensure their most ambitious project to date hits the mark on day one. Particularly after publishing Minds Eye this year, to what can only be described as a mess. Not their fault from a development perspective. But publishing comes with reputational risk, and I'd wager IOI isn't keen on any more bad press.

What we know so far

The Story: We’re getting a fresh take on Bond’s beginnings. Featuring Patrick Gibson as a rebellious Royal Navy air crewman recruited into MI6.

The Cast: It’s a star-studded affair, with Lenny Kravitz confirmed as the villain, Bawma, alongside Gemma Chan and Lennie James.

The Gameplay: Expect a blend of the "World of Assassination" stealth IOI is famous for. Combined with high-octane car chases and gadget-heavy spycraft.

The Platforms: The game is slated for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and—notably—the Nintendo Switch 2.

A tactical move?

Interestingly, the delay moves 007 First Light into the May window. This was recently vacated by Grand Theft Auto VI (which was bumped to late 2026).

Whether it’s a strategic play for a clearer release window or a genuine need for more Hitman-level polish. We’re happy to wait a few more weeks if it means a smoother experience at launch.

IO Interactive has promised more updates in early 2026. Until then, we’ll just have to keep our Walther PPKs holstered a little longer.

It's one of only a few big AAA games we're excited for in 2026, and IOI know how to polish a game. So waiting for First Light will absolutely be worth it. Let's hope it comes out to great acclaim, so they can continue their string of successes!

In many ways, Hades II is a victory lap for a studio that has mastered the art of the loop.

It is a game built on the sturdy bones of its predecessor. Sharing the same swift-pen art style, stunning soundtrack, and that signature sock-clad glide over polished parquet floors.

But as Melinoë takes the lead from Zagreus, the experience shifts from a story of rebellious self-discovery to one of dark sorcery and duty.

A Technical Masterclass in Iteration

From a mechanical standpoint, Hades II is undeniably superior to the original in every measurable way.

Melinoë is a devastating protagonist. With her witch’s staff and Sister Blades giving a versatility that allows for more complex build-crafting.

The resource gathering is more involved. The environments are broader. The loop of returning to the Crossroads, to stir the cauldron or consult the Arcana cards provides a much richer progression.

It’s just a more polished, expansive, and technically accomplished experience.

The Witch and the Titan of Time

The narrative of Hades II centres on a far more somber premise than the original.

Melinoë, was whisked away as an infant when Chronos, the Titan of Time, overthrew the House of Hades and imprisoned her family.

Unlike her brother Zagreus, who sought escape from a stifling home. Melinoë is fueled by a cold and disciplined desire for vengeance.

Raised and trained at the Crossroads by Hecate, the formidable Headmistress and Goddess of Witchcraft. This mentor/student dynamic provides a stern, maternal backbone to the story. Which contrasts sharply with the chaotic parental bickering of the first game.

The cast of characters at the Crossroads adds weight to Melinoë’s mission.

You have Nemesis, the brooding personification of Retribution, who resents Melinoë for being the chosen one to face Chronos. Odysseus, the veteran tactician of the Trojan War, who provides a grounded, weary perspective on the brewing conflict.

Even the Olympian gods feel more desperate this time. They are locked in a direct war with the Titan’s forces.

As is to be expected, these interactions are beautifully written. Still reflecting a world that is much darker and more pressurised than the one we previously inhabited.

Magick and the Omega System

The most transformative addition to the gameplay is the Magick system.

Unlike the straightforward cooldowns or ammunition of the past, Melinoë possesses a mana bar that fuels her Omega moves.

By holding down the attack, special, or cast buttons, players can channel Magick to unleash empowered versions of their abilities.

This turns every weapon into a multi-functional tool, allowing for a tactical approach, where you must balance positioning with the time needed to charge a powerful blast.

The Cast has also been completely reimagined, too! No longer a simple projectile, it is now a binding circle that traps enemies in place. It offers a level of battlefield control that Zagreus never possessed. It ties-in with the witchiness of it all.

When combined with the new Arcana Card system, which replaces the Mirror of Night, the customization becomes incredibly deep.

You manage a Grasp limit to equip cards that provide passive buffs. This allows you to tailor your stats and abilities to a specific playstyle before you even step into a run.

Expanded Progression and Gathering

Progression in the Crossroads feels more tangible thanks to the introduction of the Cauldron and various gathering tools.

Players can now bring a Crescent Pick to mine silver or a Silver Spade to dig for seeds, which are then used in the hub to perform Incantations.

These are world-altering spells that do everything from unlocking new NPCs to creating survival wards that allow Melinoë to explore the surface.

This loop of harvesting and brewing makes every failed run feel productive. I’d go so far as to say, this is the single best improvement for me. You’re constantly bringing back the ingredients needed to fundamentally change the game world.

The Burden of the Pioneer

However, there is a specific kind of magic that is harder to conjure a second time.

While Hades II is the better-built machine, it does not feel as groundbreaking or genre-shattering as the first game did upon its arrival.

The original Hades was a revelation that redefined how narrative could be woven into the roguelike structure.

This sequel, while executing those same ideas with more grace and scale, feels like it is operating within a framework that has already been perfected.

It is a brilliant expansion of a known quantity rather than the seismic shift that changed the landscape of the genre back in 2020.

Still exceptional by every measure, but it just doesn’t have that magic that you got playing the first one.

Starting today, December 19, 2025, the Grand Hub has undergone a massive seasonal transformation. Offering hunters a cosy refuge from the wilds.

This limited-time celebration is scheduled to run until Wednesday, January 14, 2026 in Monster Hunter Wilds. Giving players just under a month to soak in the atmosphere and claim exclusive rewards.

A Festive Transformation at the Grand Hub

The heart of the gathering festivities lies within the Grand Hub, which has been decked out with intricate seasonal decorations.

Beyond the visual flair, hunters can sit down for a special seasonal meal at the canteen. You’ll need to spend special vouchers earned through daily login bonuses to taste it.

In a rare move, the Guild is also providing elite backup for your hunts. For the duration of the event, legendary members Fabius and Nadia can be recruited as Support Hunters. Allowing you to witness the combat prowess of the Guild’s strongest first-hand.

Exclusive Lumenhymn Gear and Customization

Participation in the festival is the only way to secure a new suite of Lumenhymn themed items.

By collecting event-only crafting materials, hunters can forge unique equipment and weapons.

The rewards extend beyond the forge, as players can unlock new Seikret decorations, Pendants, and Gestures to show off their style.

For those who enjoy personalizing their experience, the event introduces new BGM tracks for the hub, as well as pop-up camp gear options and customizations.

You can also update your Hunter Profile with themed backgrounds, poses, and nameplates to commemorate the 2025 season!

Seasonal Quests and the Arch-tempered Threat

The quest board is busier than ever, featuring the return of most previously available event quests. As well as new, winter-themed challenges like “The Snow Has Teeth” and “It is Darker than You Think”.

However, the true highlight for veteran players is the arrival of Arch-tempered Jin Dahaad.

This ultimate challenge represents the pinnacle of combat in Monster Hunter Wilds.

While new permanent quests for this beast arrive on December 24, a series of free challenge quests will follow on January 7, 2026. Able to test the limits of even the most seasoned hunting parties.

Daily Bonuses and Market Sales

To ensure every hunter is well-supplied for the winter, Capcom has significantly increased the daily login rewards.

Throughout the event period, players will receive two Lucky Vouchers per day instead of the usual one, and limited bounties will now refresh on a daily basis.

For those running low on essentials, the Provisions Stockpile is hosting a massive sale for the entire duration of the festival.

Finally, for hunters who want to add an extra layer of flair to their journey, a paid Lumenhymn DLC Pack has been released alongside the free content.

Simultaneously engaging, stunning and borderline relaxing. Intertwined with some pretty regular “clear the outpost” moments that absolutely kill the flow of the game. It’s never too hard, but it throws seemingly pointless moments of stealth action sections in to pad-out the gameplay.

This isn’t unlike the first game, sure. But the more action-focused approach, and what feels like over-reliance on these sections, puts me in an odd space.

The Good

Let’s focus on the positives first. Death Stranding 2 takes everything from the first game and iterates upon it several times over.

The cast of characters is wonderful. Now having met Rainy, Tarman, Tomorrow and one of the best gaming characters ever, Dollman. Adding depth to the world and pulling together a rag-tag group to save the world. I love it.

Better vehicles and modifications. Improved gear and upgrades. Death Stranding 2 has it all. Even new weapons and hologram grenades that I love.

Death Stranding 2 looks stunning, and between the lighting, the environments, the character models. There’s no denying that Kojima Productions know how to get the best out of the Decima Engine and the PS5.

Story-wise, it’s coming along and the exposition delivered by the team as you meet them and they join you, works fine. Telling the story isn’t unique in any way, but the story they’re telling is, naturally. So the cutscenes are must-watches, for sure.

Traversing across Australia with the music player in full flow. Kojima is a taste-maker, for sure. Woodkid, Chvrches, Low Roar and countless others. Just vibing-out, driving or walking. It’s a great experience!

The Bad

“Bad” is always a strong term, and yes, all of this is subjective anyway. It’s important that we differentiate the elements that don’t live-up to the rest of the experience.

Death Stranding 2 feels (currently) to have a pacing issue, where it’s padding-out the playtime. Throwing-in base clearance of a variety of armed bad guys feels odd. Sure, we had Mules in the first game, but these are all more than that.

I don’t think mechanically the game lends itself well-enough to stealth, which it really tries to push. With packages piled-high, you can’t hide to well, and there are no cover mechanics. Death Stranding 2 just isn’t equipped to be a stealth game. So you end up in a gun fight with a whole base or camp, regularly.

The BTs are worse than before, too. Different types, more evolved, if you will. All requiring more effort to dispatch. I always enjoyed the crouching, holding your breath and surviving these tense situations. But it all just feels more complicated, and frankly, less fun.

The one other gripe we have at the moment is that the traversal just doesn’t seem that hard. An odd one to call-out, sure. But there’s no trepidation or anxiety about leaving a treasured vehicle as the need to put up a ladder or throw-down a rope occurs. Seemingly, you can just drive everywhere.

The driving and vehicles are great. And yes, you could just flat-out choose to not use them. But Death Stranding was about that journey, and about working out the logistics, carrying what you have and working-out how to navigate the terrain. That doesn’t seem to be there.

A lot of these issues are likely easily explained by “this is what happens when you connect an entire continent to the chiral network”. You reap the benefits, and so do the inhabitants.

The Rest

Death Stranding 2 is doing so much good stuff, the moments where the pace is changed and you’re stuck in another base, really stand out.

But we now have monorails and mines. There are animals to rescue and so many more options for weapons and gear.

Everything you want from a sequel of one of the best games ever made. But somehow soured by pacing that feels superfluous to the overall experience. Yes, these quests tie-in narratively. But not in significant moments or story beats.

Give me more cool cutscenes and moments with the rest of the Drawbridge crew. Let me learn more about Lou and about the new plate gates.

I’m not sure I care for the return of Higgs, either. I didn’t like him originally, and now he’s more obnoxious with big robot nonsense. Not a good villain, not engaging.

Onwards

Hitting the 20 hour mark doesn’t feel like it’s actually a real dent in the game. With more to see and do, and to unlock. There’s no doubt that my experience and feelings will change, one way or another.

It feels like Death Stranding fans will still love Death Stranding 2, but there’s a pacing issue. This could absolutely be ironed-out as the game progresses, but it doesn’t feel like that’s going to be the case.

Next time we’ll cap the review off with full thoughts on gameplay and the story. There’s a lot to do and no end in sight, so it might be a while before it gets finished.

In the meantime, we’re making clips and taking screenshots like crazy! Get ready for a slideshow…..

Embark Studios has just released details for the massive December update, and it looks like survival is about to get a lot colder and more lucrative.

Starting December 16, the Winter hits the Rust Belt update introduces brutal new weather conditions, a festive limited-time event, and a brand-new Raider Deck to shake up your gameplay.

New Cold Snap Map Condition

The most immediate danger arriving in Arc Raiders is the new Cold Snap map condition.

The valleys of The Blue Gate are freezing over, meaning the environment itself has become a formidable enemy.

This is not just cosmetic snow, as the freezing weather acts as a ticking clock. If you stay out in the open for too long, the cold will cut your Raider down in minutes. Forcing you to seek shelter indoors or heal rapidly to stay alive.

The Red Lakes have also frozen, creating slippery and unsteady terrain.

Combine that with compromised vision from heavy blizzards. Then getting pinned down by enemy fire in the open becomes a dangerous tactical error.

Flickering Flames Limited-Time Event

From December 16 to January 13, the Flickering Flames event brings some much-needed warmth to the underground colony of Speranza.

This limited-time event centres around the Candleberry Bush, a hardy winter plant used for fuel, food, and medicine.

Your mission is to head Topside and collect Candleberries along with other essential winter items to keep the colony running. Turning in these items will net you Raider Tokens, weapons, rare utility items, cosmetics, and Merits.

It is the perfect opportunity for Arc Raiders players to grind for gear while helping their fellow Speranzans survive the harsh winter months.

The Goalie Raider Deck

Just in time for post-Christmas gaming, a new permanent Raider Deck called The Goalie drops on December 26.

This new deck is completely free to access for all Arc Raiders players.

As you earn Cred Topside, you will unlock a series of rewards including Raider Tokens and cosmetics.

The flagship skin for this deck is described as an old world gladiator outfit, which turns out to be a hockey player ensemble complete with a unique hockey stick Raider Tool.

Update Schedule

With the Cold Snap condition and Flickering Flames event starting on December 16. The Goalie Raider Deck arriving on December 26, there is plenty of content to explore.

The event wraps up on January 13, so put on your warmest gear and get ready to face the blizzard.

It’s crazy to think that the Paladin class, one of the most anticipated by Diablo fans is here, and it’s not even neccesarily the main class of the new expansion. There’s another class set to release when the expansion comes out next year, too!

Whether you’re a veteran of the Zakarum faith or a new recruit to the Light, here is the breakdown of what to expect from Sanctuary’s newest class.

The Wardens of Light: Lore and Origins

Unlike the Paladins of old who fell to corruption, this new generation hails from the Wardens of Light.

Founded by an ex-Zakarum Paladin, this order is built on the belief that the Light is not owned by a deity, but is a force that resides within the self - fueled by sheer will and the desire to protect the downtrodden.

They live by five virtues: Valor, Justice, Hope, Fate, and Wisdom. In game, this translates to a stoic, heavily armored tank that excels at commanding the battlefield with a sword, shield, and the all-new Flail weapon type.

Gameplay: Hammers, Auras, and Oaths

The Paladin brings a "tank-support" hybrid playstyle that can pivot into a devastating holy avenger. Here are the core pillars of their kit:

1. Auras

A staple of the class returns. Auras provide passive benefits to you and your party, but can now be activated for a short-term, high-impact burst.

• Fanaticism: Passively boosts Attack Speed and Crit Chance. Active casts weaken all nearby enemies.
• Defiance: Passively boosts Armor and Resistances. Active makes you Unstoppable.
• Holy Light: Passively pulses holy damage to enemies. Active unleashes bolts of light that damage foes and heal you on return.

2. The Oath System (Class Mechanic)

Paladins can swear an Oath, a specialization that changes how their skills function:

• Zealot: Focuses on attack speed and critical strikes (Fervor).
• Juggernaut: Consumes Resolve to increase size and damage.
• Judicator: Applies "Judgement" to enemies, ramping up damage taken until they die.
• Disciple: Reduces cooldowns and buffs the "Arbiter" form (more on that below).

3. Ultimate Power: Arbiter of Justice

One of the flashiest new skills is Arbiter of Justice. This Ultimate allows you to ascend to the Heavens and crash back down, granting you wings, replacing your evade with an Angelic Leap, and dealing massive AoE damage with wing strikes.

Classic Skills Reimagined

Long-time fans will be happy to see the return of iconic skills:

• Blessed Hammer: Yes, the spinning hammers are back.
• Shield Bash: A high-impact charge attack.
• Fist of the Heavens (Reimagined as Spear of the Heavens): Rains down heavenly spears that burst after a delay.
• Zeal: A rapid-strike core skill.

New Unique Items

Blizzard has also dropped a trove of new Uniques to support the class. Highlights include:

• Herald’s Morningstar (Mace): Gives a chance to spawn free Blessed Hammers on hit.
• Griswold’s Opus (Sword): A callback to the Tristram blacksmith, focusing on Critical Strike damage and Lucky Hits.
• Bastion of Sir Matthias (Shield): Allows blocking to trigger a free Shield Bash retaliation.

How to Play the Paladin

The Paladin is live now for players who pre-purchase the Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred expansion (set for full release on April 28, 2026).

Even if you don't buy the expansion yet, all players can access the "Path of the Paladin" class quest in-game, which tasks you with helping a Paladin prevent a demonic ritual involving Andariel.

We have been obsessively playing Monster Hunter Wilds here, and it is safe to say it has been dominating our gaming time in 2025. Title Update 4 feels like it’s only going to help us maintain that level of playing, well into the new year.

Here is everything you need to know about what is coming to the Forbidden Lands from 16th December 2025.

The Return of Gogmazios

The headline act is undoubtedly the return of the titanic Elder Dragon, Gogmazios. Slumbering beneath the great forge of Azuz, this beast is waking up, and it threatens widespread destruction.

Capcom is not pulling any punches here. To take down a monster of this scale, we are not just going in as a standard squad. We are tasked with forming parties of eight—that is groups of up to four Hunters and four Support Hunters.

It is a permanent Event Quest, so thankfully there is no fear of missing out.

The rewards look tasty, particularly the new Gogma Artian Weapons. You can upgrade your rarity 8 Artian Weapons using new materials, and bonuses from the original weapon will carry over.

Additionally, you get one random Set Bonus Skill and one random Group Skill. A new feature called Gogma Reinforce allows you to keep or reset bonuses to re-roll for that perfect build using special materials.

For the veterans among us with Hunter Rank 100 or higher, the update also unlocks the Transcendence ability at the forge. This lets you increase the max level of high-rank armour and even enhance decoration slots for rarity 5 and 6 pieces.

It is time to min-max those builds again!

New Challenges & Support

Gogmazios is not the only thing to worry about. On December 24, we are getting Arch-tempered Jin Dahaad as a permanent Event Quest.

If you want that powerful Gamma armor set, you know where to be on Christmas Eve.

There are also new Optional Quests where you can test your skills against multiple 9-star monsters for special Nameplate rewards.

If you need to warm up first, the new Hunting Exercises provide a great way to practice against tempered 9-star monsters without the pressure.

The skilled Nadia joins the Gogmazios quest, alongside Great Sword wielder Griffin and Light Bowgun specialist Nightmist.

It is great to see the roster of AI support growing for those of us who sometimes prefer a solo experience alongside capable NPCs.

The Festival of Accord: Lumenhymn

Starting December 19, the Grand Hub is getting a festive makeover for the Festival of Accord: Lumenhymn.

Expect festive décor, special meals, and the chance to earn special equipment, gestures, and decorations.

We do love a bit of a party in the Hub.

The Road Beyond Update 4

Capcom also gave us a peek at the roadmap for early 2026, and it is packed:

• January 2026: A Steam-specific stability patch is coming with additional optimization options.
• February 2026: Arch-tempered Arkveld arrives as the final Arch-tempered monster of Ver. 1.041.
• March 13, 2026: A Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection collaboration! We are getting Palico armor modeled after Rudy and a special pendant.

On top of all this, there are free Character and Palico Edit Vouchers, new fan-favorite poses, and Cosmetic DLC Pack 4 dropping with the update.

We’re buzzing to get back into the hunt. The coffee pot is on, the weapons are sharpened, and we are ready to face Gogmazios.

See you in the Forbidden Lands!

The problem with looking back over a full year is that emotional attachments dwindles. A double-edged sword, for sure. Any Game of the Year should be objectively great, right? But it’s subjective to me and how a game makes me feel during my time with it. That’s incredibly powerful, and there’s likely always a recency bias that comes into play.

That’s all important in Game of the Year, for sure. But, that’s my problem, not anyone else’s. So let’s look at all the contenders with some context as to why they’re in contention. Then at the end of the year, there will be a winner with a piece explaining exactly why it’s been chosen.

In no particular order, here are our Game of the Year 2025 contenders.

Monster Hunter Wilds

This was easily the most anticipated game of 2025 for me. A series that I’ve grown to love in a significant way. More in the vein of Monster Hunter World, but with the quality of life and learnings from Rise.

What more could I want? Well, nothing really. It’s become my favourite Monster Hunter and a genuinely exceptional game in 2025.

Having said that, there is a lot of fair and just criticism of the PC launch, performance and fixes. It’s hit and miss. I’ve been unable to stream it with any success and Capcom still haven’t really optimised it in almost 12 months.

Title update 4 due shortly, promises to have some fixes, but only time will tell.

The game itself does the best job of telling a story in the series, the end game content has been fleshed out continually to great effect. It’s a game I come back to regularly, and in terms of hours played, the highest in this overall list. That has to count for something, for sure.

So many updates and events have come to the game that have kept it engaging, and the core hunting loop is as fun as it’s every been.

Hades II

I’m struggling with Hades II as a Game of the Year contender. Not because it’s bad, but because it suffers from the first game being brilliant.

Hades II is arguably better in every way, and I’d fight that fight, for sure. However, it doesn’t matter how much better it is, it’s still Hades. It will (and should) always just feel like more of the same.

A victim of it’s predecessor’s success? It feels insane to say that I don’t think it has what it takes to fully contend. But that’s where I’m at.

I haven’t been able to finish it yet, or get the review done, because I’m not engaged enough.

If you said pick Hades or Hades II. I would pick Hades II every time. But in 2025 it isn’t doing anything that feels new or unique. Hades II is one of the best games of the year, for sure. Mechanically incredible, stunning to look at and listen to and satisfyingly different to the first.

But it always feels like more of the same, and I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not enough to take it to the next level. Which a game in a similar situation, like Monster Hunter Wilds manages to do by shaking things up in more significant ways.

Arc Raiders

Biggest surprise of 2025? An extraction shooter being considered as Game of the Year? Insane.

Yet here we are.

Arc Raiders is barely a couple of months old and it’s the game I think about playing the most, recently. A finely-balanced third-person PvP/PvE looter that just takes a whole genre and makes it accessible, keeps it intense and has created so many memorable moments.

The continual potential threat of the Arc AI robots, that feel like a legitimate threat to your second to second survival. Combined with the continual potential threat of other players taking you out when you’re filled with precious gear. It’s exhilarating.

Pair that feeling with the elation of making it out alive. Getting the loot you wanted or needed and living to tell the tale. And you have an amazing mixture that just makes one of the most satisfying and frustrating games in a long time.

It feels like PUBG combined with Destiny and The Division. Filled with excellent audio and visual design. Using Unreal 5 better than most studios manage to muster.

Arc Raiders feels like a very serious contender.

Ghost of Yotei

One of the best games of 2025 without a shadow of a doubt. Ghost of Yotei is stellar from top to bottom.

Taking everything that made Ghost of Tsushima great, and turning it up a notch. Adding significant changes and improvements.

The best looking game of the year? Absolutely. What a stunning game. Combined with the music, audio and cinematic direction. Ghost of Yotei feels hand-crafted to perfection.

The combat is fluid and varied. Traversal and exploration are excellent and the world feels borderline real. It feels lived and and the people in it feel like they genuinely live and belong there.

There’s so much work done here to apply polish and deliver an exceptional experience from launch, that needs to be factored-in. It’s borderline miraculous for a game to be released in such a finished state.

With an interesting character development and a story with legitimate beats that are interesting and sometimes emotional. Ghost of Yotei delivers the perfect open-world experience, in a genre that may have been wrung-out in a significant way over the last 10+ years.

Incredibly impressive work and absolutely a contender for Game of the Year 2025.

Two Point Museum

One of my most played games this year. Not quite on the level of say, Monster Hunter Wilds. But again with continual updates and content releases (largely for free!), I’m always coming back to Two Point Museum.

Taking all the learnings from Two Point Hospital and Campus. Two Point Studios have delivered their best game yet.

Super-satisfying management sim, mixed with their trademark humour and visual style. Then they’s added layers to keep thing interesting, with expeditions, exhibits and customer engagement.

I’ve finally able to control the cost of a drink or snack, or each item in my gift shop. It feels the closest to Theme Park in many ways, and that can only be a good thing.

Never not fun, always something fun to do and work towards. Two Point Museum is light hearted but deep and engaging.

As lovingly crafted as Ghost of Yotei, and as well updated post-release as Monster Hunter Wilds. This is a significant contender, for sure.

Death Stranding 2

Another tricky one for me this year. I haven’t finished it yet, and I’m working to get it done and reviewed by the time it comes to deciding on an actual game of the year.

It’s stunning to look at and maintains the hallmark Death Stranding/Hideo Kojima uniqueness.

Having re-played the first game not too long ago, I have this slight tinge of burnout. It kind of suffers in the same way as Hades II. An exceptional game but it feels like more of the same.

Filled with changes, improvements and new quirks. There’s so much to like, and the play through is currently very fun and engaging.

If you asked me a year ago, I would have almost certainly said this would be the 2025 Game of the Year. It still could be, but there’s a lot to play and see still, so this one is going to go down to the wire before any final decision in made.

Spider-Man 2

The first game I’ve ever been interested in getting a platinum trophy for. That’s not an insignificant note, right there. As someone that goes from game to game to game throughout a year, taking the time to unlock every achievement/trophy is alien to me.

Spider-Man 2 is so solid in everything that it does, it just meant that looking for more stuff to do, after the story concluded, felt like a no-brainer.

I’ve loved the previous games in this series and Spider-Man 2 take all of that and improves it significantly. Harnessing the power of the Playstation 5, it’s another game that has left me in awe just as I swing about.

The story was good, but the massive amount of boss fights really forced things to stop, and sometimes become frustrating. It didn’t serve to add weight to encounters, more delayed story beats and that was a pain when trying to complete it.

A stunning, fun and engaging game. But hampered by the narrative and the over-use of boss fights to tell the story.

Jedi Survivor

Like a souls like-lite, but sluggish and not quite clicking for me. Jedi Fallen Order was a game that never really felt good to me.

So waiting for Jedi Survivor to be cheap enough to take the risk of being burned twice, we sensible.

But Jedi Survivor trumped the original game immediately. Better combat and movement (highly important in a game so reliant on combat and platforming). Better character development and world building, and a chance to see more of the story of a cast of characters you got to know initially.

Where games like Hades II and Death Stranding 2 are suffering from being more of the same (to a degree). Jedi Survivor made the series actually good.

This completely changed my view of the series and got me excited for another installment if we’re going to see one, one day.

A solid story with some twists and turns that deserve your attention. Jedi Survivor is a great game and was a really great experience this year.

NBA 2K25

This has become a yearly tradition for me. Get the latest NBA 2K game about 6 months after release, when the price has dropped. Then go nuts on a career for about 30 hours.

The core gameplay is amazing. With tweaks to shot taking and playmaking. it felt like this is the first time playing one of these games, it really clicked for me mechanically.

The sheer amount of gameplay options outside of the core career mode, shouldn’t be sniffed at here. You can play as a manager and manage a franchise instead of working to be the next star player.

Trade cards, play 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 online. Re-live iconic NBA moments from history, and get stuck into the WBNBA, too.

Yes, it’s an annually-released sports game. In that regard it isn’t any different to say, Fifa or EA FC. So it’s hard to consider it a significant contender. But those games just aren’t as gripping.

With 40+ hours just in a career mode and not even getting through my rookie year. You know there’s a lot to go at, and being so mechanically excellent, means it needs to be added to the conversation at the very least.

Battlefield 6

Who saw this coming? Battlefield returns to form, gets released in a perfectly playable and accessible state, and just dominates the genre again for a while.

The moment to moment action is as good as it’s ever been in the series. Absolutely killer, with additions to the series there to make it more accessible and faster paced.

I understand the community upset around the pace feeling more akin to modern Call of Duty games. But it doesn’t feel like it’s really to the detriment of the overall enjoyment.

Smaller maps, but much bigger than the competition. Allowing for vehicles in the air and on the ground. Lines of sight for snipers, and corridors for support to lay-down suppressive minigun fire. Tight streets, enclosed spaces, and wide-open fields. No match is the same, and playing Conquest feels as good as ever.

This is my Sunday night, TV on, wind-down before the week starts, game. I get as much joy from this as I did Battlefield 3 and 4.

As a Battlefield 2042 apologist (it was great!), I feel like we’ve had plenty of Battlefield to go at. But Battlefield 6 feels like a return to real form, filled with those “Battlefield moments” we all remember from days gone by.

It looks great and runs really well on a wide-range of hardware, which absolutely can’t be discounted, either.

Stacked!

This year has been a great year for the site and for gaming in general. We've got a great list of contenders for our 2025 Game of the Year and it's genuinely very tough to pick a winner.

We've got time to re-visit games, finish games and come to final conclusions. So let's see at the back-end of the month, who comes out on top.

It wasn’t just the big prize that Expedition 33 took home; the game absolutely swept the ceremony, securing a staggering nine awards in total.

A Night for the History Books

Sandfall Interactive’s debut title beat out heavy hitters like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hades II, and the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong for the top honour. The game’s victory is a massive win for turn-based RPG fans, proving the genre is more vibrant than ever.

In addition to Game of the Year, Clair Obscur also won:

• Best Game Direction
• Best Narrative
• Best RPG
• Best Independent Game
• Best Score and Music
• Best Art Direction
• Best Debut Indie Game
• Best Performance (Jennifer English)

To celebrate the massive win, Director Guillaume Broche announced a free content update available right now, featuring a new location, new bosses, and weapons.

Other Major Winners at The Game Awards

While Expedition 33 stole the show, other fan favourites had their moment in the spotlight at The Game Awards this year.

• Hollow Knight: Silksong finally had its day, taking home Best Action/Adventure Game.
• Hades II secured Best Action Game.
• The Last of Us Season 2 won Best Adaptation.
• Grand Theft Auto VI was named Most Anticipated Game (unsurprisingly!).
• Wuthering Waves took home the Players’ Voice award.

The Game Awards 2025: Complete Winners List

Here is the full rundown of every winner from gaming’s biggest night:

Game of the Year

• Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best Game Direction

• Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best Narrative

• Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best RPG

• Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best Action Game

• Winner: Hades II

Best Action/Adventure Game

• Winner: Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best Independent Game

• Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best Debut Indie Game

• Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best Performance

• Winner: Jennifer English (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)

Best Art Direction

• Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best Score & Music

• Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Lorien Testard)

Best Audio Design

• Winner: Battlefield 6

Best Ongoing Game

• Winner: No Man’s Sky

Best Mobile Game

• Winner: Umamusume: Pretty Derby

Best VR/AR Game

• Winner: The Midnight Walk

Best Fighting Game

• Winner: Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Best Family Game

• Winner: Donkey Kong Bananza

Best Sim/Strategy Game

• Winner: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

Best Sports/Racing Game

• Winner: Mario Kart World

Best Multiplayer

• Winner: Arc Raiders

Best Adaptation

• Winner: The Last of Us Season 2

Innovation in Accessibility

• Winner: DOOM: The Dark Ages

Games for Impact

• Winner: South of Midnight

Content Creator of the Year

• Winner: MoistCr1TiKaL

Best Esports Game

• Winner: Counter-Strike 2

Best Esports Team

• Winner: Team Vitality (CS2)

Most Anticipated Game

• Winner: Grand Theft Auto VI

Players’ Voice

• Winner: Wuthering Waves

What do you think?

It seems to us that Ghost of Yotei has been robbed of some recognition from the industry at this years' Game Awards. But we've not had chance to play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, yet. So maybe we're due to have our minds blown at some point next year?

It's nice to see that Battlefield 6 got a nod, which is well deserved. What's more interesting, though is that Monster Hunter Wilds is nowhere to be seen. One of our top contenders for the ninjarefinery.com Game of the Year, and it's not even a blip at The Game Awards.

Game Freak often relies on an old formula. Capcom took a different approach. They injected the genre with the living ecosystem of Monster Hunter Stories. The result is exceptional. It is charming, deep, and one of the best modern RPGs available.

The game isn’t perfect, though. Some legacy JRPG issues remain. The save system is particularly frustrating. But there is so much here to love. Grab your Kinship Stone. Let’s dive in.

The Creature Collector We Needed

Are you tired of the stagnant "catch 'em all" loop? Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a breath of fresh air. You aren't just a trainer on the sidelines, you're are a Rider. Fighting alongside your Monstie.

The immersion is massive. You craft armour from defeated monsters, wield Greatswords and Hammers. You ride your Zinogre through open biomes that feel alive. This is the Monster Hunter Stories experience fans deserve.

The depth comes from how you build your team. It goes far beyond simple levelling.

Genetics: Building the Ultimate Beast

Forget the daycare centre. Monster Hunter Stories 2 uses the Rite of Channelling, it's addictively deep.

The loop starts with Egg Hunting. You explore Monster Dens to find a nest. You rummage through eggs for the best smells or weight. These indicate better stats or rare genes. It is a great risk/reward mechanic. Do you take the egg? Or do you risk waking the mother?

Hatching is just the start. You splice DNA using the Bingo Board system. Every monster has a gene grid. You transfer genes between monsters to build power.

Match three genes of the same colour or type for a Bingo bonus. This boosts damage significantly. You can make a Lagiacrus that shoots fire or customize a Nargacuga for brute strength. Engineering a better predator.

A Story with Heart

This game separates itself from peers with its narrative. It isn't just a trip from Gym A to Gym B. It is a high-stakes JRPG story.

You play as the grandchild of the legendary Rider Red. You are entrusted with a dangerous Rathalos egg. The plot explores the Rider vs. Hunter dynamic. This is fascinating for Monster Hunter Stories players and main series fans.

You see the world differently here. You question the philosophy of hunting everything. The lore is treated with reverence. Monsters are characters, not just loot.

It hits classic JRPG beats too. You will find friendship, betrayal, and prophecy. The cutscenes are high quality. Characters like Kyle and Ena actually grow. It is very Anime, but in the best way.

Looks good

The art direction is a massive departure for the series. Monster Hunter Stories 2 ditches the gritty realism of World or Rise. Instead, it embraces a gorgeous cel-shaded style.

It looks like a playable Saturday morning cartoon. The colours are vibrant and saturated. The character models are expressive. It fits the lighter, adventure-focused tone perfectly.

The monsters are the highlight. They are stylized but instantly recognizable. A Rathian still looks dangerous, but it has a unique charm here. The animations are fluid. The Kinship Skills are visual spectacles that rival top-tier anime fights. It is simply a beautiful game to look at.

Sounds good

Capcom did not cut corners on the sound design. The audio experience is premium.

The soundtrack is fully orchestral. It is sweeping, epic, and emotional. It captures the sense of grand adventure perfectly. The battle themes get your blood pumping. The quiet village tracks are relaxing.

Sound effects remain faithful to the franchise. You hear the classic item collection ping. The meat cooking music is there. The monster roars are authentic and terrifying.

Voice acting is also a strong point. You can choose between English and Japanese. Both casts deliver solid performances. It helps sell the emotional beats of the story.

Combat

The combat system is the star. It starts with a simple Rock-Paper-Scissors triangle. Power beats Technical. Technical beats Speed. Speed beats Power.

It quickly evolves into a tactical dance. Monster Hunter Stories 2 lets you equip three weapons at once. You typically carry Slash, Blunt, and Pierce types. You swap these freely mid-battle.

Monsters have breakable parts weak to specific weapons. You might switch to a Hammer to smash a head. Then you swap to a Bow for the wings. It keeps you engaged constantly.

The best feeling is the Double Attack. You and your Monstie attack with the correct counter-type. This synchronizes your strike. It cancels the enemy's turn completely. You take zero damage.

Fill your gauge to use the Ride On command. You hop onto your monster's back. This heals you and removes status effects. You can then unleash a Kinship Skill. These are massive, beautiful attacks. Every battle feels like a puzzle.

The not-so-good

Monster Hunter Stories 2 does commit one sin. The save system is outdated.

Modern games usually let you save anywhere. This game clings to old habits. You cannot simply save via the menu before a fight. You must trek to your bedroom. Or you must find Catavan Stands on the map.

It is a real pain.

Imagine failing a tough battle, but you couldn't find a save point on the way there, so your progress is from ages ago. It breaks the flow of exploration and feels like a restriction from the PlayStation 2 era. It adds inconvenience, not difficulty.

Steam Deck Performance

Do you own a Steam Deck? This is an essential install. It actually solves the save system problem, in a fashion, too.

The Deck has a Suspend/Resume feature. The lack of "save anywhere" becomes less painful. Put the Deck to sleep mid-dungeon. Just grab it later. No need to sprint for a Catavan Stand.

The game runs beautifully on Valve’s handheld. You can lock Monster Hunter Stories 2 to 60fps. The art looks crisp and vibrant. It is incredibly fluid on the small screen.

Battery life is decent. Expect around 2 to 2.5 hours on standard settings. Cap it at 40fps for more time. It feels great for a turn-based RPG. This game feels destined for portable play.

Overall

Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a fantastic RPG. It outclasses the competition in visuals and combat. The narrative stakes are high. It treats the player with respect.

It isn't perfect. The save mechanics are archaic. Some dungeons get repetitive. Generally speaking, the good outweighs the bad, significantly.

Highly recommended!