The air crackles with anticipation. A new challenger has emerged from the shadows, promising to drag us into a world of unholy alliances, desperate battles, and untold power. Get ready, adventurers, because Dark Atlas: Infernum is poised to redefine the dark fantasy RPG genre.
From the moment the first whispers of Infernum reached our ears, we knew this wasn’t just another dungeon crawler. The developers have teased a narrative steeped in grim lore, where the lines between hero and monster blur, and every decision carries the weight of damnation. Forget your pristine, high-fantasy landscapes; Infernum promises a world scarred by ancient evils, a desolate realm where survival is a daily struggle and hope is a forgotten luxury.
What truly sets Infernum apart, even in its early stages, is its commitment to atmosphere. The art direction is a masterclass in gothic horror, with environments that drip with despair and character designs that are both terrifying and mesmerizing. Imagine traversing a forgotten cathedral, its stained glass shattered, revealing glimpses of a perpetually burning sky. Or perhaps navigating a labyrinthine crypt, where the very stones seem to whisper forgotten horrors. This isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in itself, actively working to immerse you in its chilling embrace.
Dark Atlas: Infernum – https://nightcouncilstudio.com/
Ever felt that urge to defy gravity, to leap across a dizzying gap, or to seamlessly string together a jaw-dropping trick combo? If so, then allow me to introduce you to Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game. This isn’t just another game about moving from point A to point B; it’s a pure, unadulterated shot of parkour adrenaline that’s capturing the hearts (and attention) of gamers everywhere.
Developed by the one-man studio MLMEDIA, this passion project has quickly become a standout in the extreme sports genre, thanks to its laser focus on one thing: making you feel like a parkour god… or, hilariously, a crash-test dummy.
What is Rooftops & Alleys All About?
At its core, Rooftops & Alleys is a third-person parkour simulation. It blends the technical depth of a simulation with the combo-building mastery of classic arcade extreme sports titles, drawing comparisons to beloved franchises like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Mirror’s Edge.
Key Features that Keep You Coming Back:
Fluid Movement, Deep Mechanics: The controls might feel daunting at first, demanding precision in timing and execution. But once it clicks, chaining together wall runs, vaults, flips, and rolls feels incredibly rewarding and smooth. The physics-based ragdoll system ensures that every mistimed jump is met with a funny, yet brutal, faceplant, which is half the fun!
Massive Playground Maps: Forget restrictive levels. The game offers huge, vertical, and open-ended maps, from vibrant Mediterranean villages to sprawling construction sites. These environments are your canvases for free-running creativity.
The Combo Chaser’s Dream: The game features a tricking and scoring system that encourages flow. The longer you maintain a combo of moves, the higher your score multiplier goes, pushing you to find the most creative and risky routes across the map.
Solo & Multiplayer Action:Beyond simply free-roaming, you can challenge yourself with solo Time Trials and high-score Trick Challenges. But the real party is in multiplayer, where you can dive into competitive modes like TAG and Capture the Flag, or simply cruise with friends in Freeroam.
Call Your Pigeon! Yes, you can unlock a pigeon on each map that lets you literally fly around. This isn’t just a quirky feature—it’s a vital tool for scoping out new routes, hidden spots, and planning your next impossible run.
The “Easy to Pick Up, Hard to Master” Thrill
This is the game’s secret sauce. You can jump in and do a basic vault and jump right away, but true mastery requires dedication. Reviewers and players alike praise the satisfying climb of the learning curve. Each new trick you master, each seemingly impossible gap you finally clear, is a small victory that fuels your next run.
For the solo player, the joy is in exploring every corner, finding every collectable, and perfecting your route for a gold medal on the Time Trials. For the social player, the game truly shines in multiplayer, where competing with others adds a layer of competitive intensity to the elegant dance of parkour.
Final Verdict: Lace Up Your Shoes!
Rooftops & Alleys is a triumph of focused, passionate indie development. It delivers an incredibly fun and satisfying parkour experience that truly captures the spirit of the sport. While some wish for more single-player objective variety, the core mechanics and robust multiplayer keep the replayability sky-high.
Whether you’re looking to unwind with a chill, lo-fi beat-backed free-run or to test your skills against the most punishing time trials, this game is a must-play.
Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Gameis available on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Prepare to sink your teeth into one of the most anticipated dark fantasy RPGs on the horizon: The Blood of Dawnwalker. From Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by former The Witcher 3 developers, this game is poised to deliver a gritty, choice-driven narrative experience that puts a truly unique spin on the vampire mythos.
Set in a fictional, plague-ravaged 14th-century valley in the Carpathian Mountains—Vale Sangora—the world is already steeped in darkness. But the ultimate terror has arrived: ancient, powerful vampires have seized control, imposing a brutal “blood tax” on the human populace.
The Dual Nature of the Dawnwalker
You play as Coen, a young man who is tragically turned, but the transformation is incomplete. He becomes a Dawnwalker: human by day, vampire by night. This central premise isn’t just a gimmick—it’s the core of the entire gameplay experience.
The Human by Day
When the sun is out, Coen relies on his human side. This means:
Grounded Combat: Wielding his sword in a style inspired by real medieval fighting techniques, with a focus on directional blocking and tactical duels.
Human Magic: Employing ‘Hex’ magic for devastating attacks or executing foes.
Investigation and Dialogue: Daytime offers the best opportunity to interact with NPCs, gather clues, and pursue less violent or more political solutions to quests.
The Vampire by Night
Once the sun sets, Coen’s vampiric powers awaken:
Brutal, Supernatural Combat: Trading his sword for vicious claws, enhanced strength, and dark, blood-based powers.
Unique Traversal: Using abilities like Shadowstep (a short teleport) and Plane Shift (walking vertically on walls and ceilings) for stealthy infiltration and exploring otherwise unreachable areas.
The Price of Power: To maintain his abilities, Coen must feed. This forces difficult moral choices about who he targets—animal or human—and how deeply he drinks, with consequences for his humanity.
A True Narrative Sandbox with Real Stakes
Perhaps the most compelling element of The Blood of Dawnwalker is its “Narrative Sandbox” design, which actively makes your choices matter in a way few RPGs dare to.
The main quest is simple but urgent: save Coen’s family from the ancient vampire lord Brencis within 30 days and nights.
“Your family’s days are numbered, and every time you take on a quest, time moves forward, compelling you closer to the end. Choose carefully whom to help and whom to leave behind. You will not have time for everyone.”
Crucially, the clock only moves forward when you complete a major quest or task, not when you’re simply exploring. This design choice prevents a constant sense of stress but ensures that every story decision you make has weight.
Non-Linear Progression: You can tackle quests in any order, skip them entirely, or never even discover certain storylines.
Consequences of Inaction: Not choosing to pursue a quest is, in itself, a choice that the world will recognise and react to.
Dual Paths: The same objective can often be approached in vastly different ways depending on whether you complete it as a human during the day or a vampire at night, leading to unique outcomes, combat scenarios, and character encounters.
Vibes and Visuals
Visually, the game is leveraging Unreal Engine 5 to create a grim, atmospheric world with stunning lighting, from the full moon illuminating stained-glass windows to the filtered sunlight in a dark room. The overall aesthetic is a gritty dark fantasy that has drawn inevitable, but welcome, comparisons to the mood and moral ambiguity of The Witcher 3 and the immersive stealth of games like Dishonoured.
If you’re looking for an RPG that marries moral complexity with action-packed, variable gameplay, where your choice of what to do—and even when to do it—truly shapes your journey, keep your eyes on the horizon for The Blood of Dawnwalker in 2026.
What side of Coen will you lean into first: the human’s resolve or the vampire’s power? Let us know in the comments below!
The Blood of Dawnwalker – https://dawnwalkergame.com
Get ready to neutralise some aliens and protect the Earth, because the Men In Black are back in a brand new virtual reality game: Men In Black: Most Wanted!
Dropping onto the Meta Quest platform, this title promises to let fans finally step into the stylish shoes of an MIB agent in an action-adventure that blends investigation, puzzle-solving, and, of course, plenty of high-tech firepower.
The Premise: New Agent, Classic Threat
Set in the early 1990s, Men In Black: Most Wanted puts you in the role of Agent I, a new recruit to the secretive organisation. You’ll be partnered with the enigmatic Agent L to confront a dangerous new alien menace: the Cylathians, a hostile, shapeshifting race that has already managed to wipe your memory and attempt an assassination!
The mission? Repel this invasion and hunt down MIB’s list of the most dangerous aliens on the planet—the “Most Wanted.” The game is an original story, featuring new characters alongside classic cameos, adding a fresh chapter to the MIB universe’s lore.
Gear Up: Iconic Weapons and New Gadgets
No MIB game is complete without the hardware, and Most Wanted doesn’t disappoint. You’ll be wielding an arsenal of classic, film-favourite weapons right in your hands, including the instantly recognisable:
The Neuralyzer: Yes, you get to wipe civilian memories and maintain the planet’s secrecy!
The Noisy Cricket: That famously small but ridiculously powerful blaster.
But the new threat requires new tools. Agent, I will also utilise innovative gadgets designed for VR, such as:
Magnet Gloves: Manipulate and move objects from a distance.
Omni Scanner: Essential for scanning valuable data and intel.
Scout Bug: An invaluable tool for accessing otherwise unreachable areas during investigations.
Gameplay: Infiltration, Investigation, and Combat
The developers, Coatsink (known for titles like Jurassic World Aftermath), are aiming for an experience that blends multiple genres:
Investigation & Puzzle-Solving: You’ll be conducting paranormal investigations, uncovering clues, and solving environmental puzzles in locations like roadside motels, black markets, and airbases—all while keeping your gadgets hidden from the public eye!
Stealth and Action: The game is structured around a mix of stealth-based infiltration sections and high-octane combat sequences where you confront hostile aliens.
Co-op & Solo Play: For those who prefer to save the world with a partner, the game features both a robust solo experience and a co-op play option!
The experience is set to be fully immersive, supporting sitting, standing, and room-scale play with both hand tracking and Touch controllers.
Final Verdict (Pre-Release)
Men In Black: Most Wanted is a dream come true for fans of the franchise looking for an authentic, hands-on experience as a secret agent. The blend of classic MIB humour, slick investigation, and VR-powered action looks set to capture the spirit of the films.
Get ready to suit up and protect the planet—the new recruit is finally ready for the field!
Men In Black: Most Wanted is currently scheduled to launch on the Meta Quest platform in December.
Men in Black: Most Wanted – https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/men-in-black-most-wanted/31400148706295734/
For too long, the niche of equestrian management and racing games has yearned for a title that truly captures the depth, beauty, and adrenaline of the sport. Enter Champions Stable: Equestrian Dynasty—an ambitious new title from Leonardo Productions and Leonardo Interactive that promises to blend deep strategy, immersive simulation, and stunning, Unreal Engine-powered visuals. Slated for release in 2026 on PC and consoles, it looks set to be the ultimate horse racing experience.
Here’s why you should start clearing space on your virtual stable roster and add this to your wishlist today!
More Than a Manager: Strategy Meets Action
What sets Champions Stable apart is its commitment to both the boardroom and the racetrack. You’re not just a passive manager clicking through spreadsheets; you’re the architect of an entire equine empire.
Deep Management Simulation: Every facet of your stable is under your control. This isn’t just about training schedules; it involves intricate breeding programs (with a deep system of genetics and statistics), managing your finances, securing sponsors, and upgrading your facilities. Every decision you make—from which mare to breed with which stud, to where you invest your winnings—can define your dynasty’s success or failure.
Race or Ride: The game gives you a powerful choice when race day arrives. You can choose a strategic, top-down approach, issuing commands and managing your horse’s performance from the sidelines. Or, you can take the reins directly, jumping into a thrilling, first-person racing experience to feel every turn and every burst of speed. This blend of tactical depth and immersive action promises something for every fan of the genre.
A World Beyond the Track
The life of a stable owner isn’t just about the three minutes of a race—it’s about the bond and the environment. Champions Stable embraces this with an innovative open-world design:
Open World Exploration: Step outside the competitive circuit and freely ride and explore a vast, third-person open world. This is where the “calming art of horse care” comes in, allowing you to build personal connections with your champions through activities like grooming and riding, which will, in turn, boost their performance.
Iconic Venues in Stunning 3D: When it is time to compete, you’ll be doing so on beautifully recreated, real-world legendary tracks. Imagine the thrill of seeing your horse compete at Ascot, Churchill Downs, Meydan, Tokyo Racecourse, and more—all rendered with incredible detail thanks to the Unreal Engine.
Visual Supremacy in Simulation
One of the most exciting aspects is the promise of a visual fidelity rarely seen in horse racing management games. The developers are billing this as the first horse racing management game to feature realistic and scalable 3D graphics built in Unreal Engine.
Expect to see stunning details in the environments, realistic animations for the horses, and a true sense of scale, aiming to deliver a level of immersion that will make you feel like you’re truly part of the high-stakes world of equestrian competition.
Get Ready to Saddle Up in 2026
Champions Stable: Equestrian Dynasty is shaping up to be a monumental step forward for horse racing games. By expertly combining the nitty-gritty of deep management simulation with the raw excitement of real-time, first-person racing, it aims to deliver an unforgettable journey from hopeful stable owner to world-class champion.
Whether you’re a veteran of tycoon games or simply an enthusiast of the equestrian world, this is a title you’ll want to keep a very close eye on!
Are you excited to build your own stable and race for the triple crown?
Champions Stable – https://leonardointeractive.com/
Get ready to put your resource management skills and detective hat to the test. Asbury Pines, the innovative new title from Chaystar Unlimited LLC, is set to launch into Early Access on November 19, 2025, and it’s promising a genre-bending experience unlike any other.
If you thought idle/incremental games were just about clicking and growing numbers, prepare for a narrative twist that spans centuries.
What is Asbury Pines?
At its heart, Asbury Pines is a fusion of incremental/idler, resource management, and rich narrative adventure. The core premise is a grisly murder mystery unfolding in the small Appalachian town of Asbury Pines. But this isn’t a quick case—the secret is embedded across the town’s entire history, from the late Stone Age to the deep future.
You, the player, must orchestrate the lives and work of the town’s residents, affectionately known as the “Pinies.”
The Gameplay Loop: Build a Story Factory
The true genius of the game lies in how it ties progression to the narrative:
Orchestrate and Automate: You manage the Pinies across 12 distinct eras. By setting up production loops, you help them grow resources and upgrade skills. Think of it as building a “factory” where the output isn’t just wood or metal—it’s stories.
Time-Spanning Economy: The production loops you create stretch and connect across different centuries. From Hrokk the caveman to Moharan the temporal physicist, the work of characters in one era contributes to unlocking content, places, and resources in the next.
Unveiling the Mystery: The resources you generate are spent to unlock an image-rich narrative, revealing snippets of the murder mystery through over 350 individual stories from more than 50 unique characters (including people, plants, and animals!). Scaling your production is the only way to scale the mystery.
A Novel-Length Saga
What truly elevates Asbury Pines is its commitment to storytelling.
While many incremental games use narrative as a thin layer over the mechanics, this title treats its story as a central pillar. The expansive worldbuilding is supported by an image-rich, novel-length tale that pieces together across timelines. Each of the 12 eras brings new intrigue, characters, and crucial answers to the grand secret embedded in the flow of time itself.
If you enjoy balancing strategy, automation, and idle progression, but crave a genuinely compelling, expansive mystery to solve, Asbury Pines seems tailor-made for you.
Ready for Early Access
Asbury Pines is launching into Early Access on PC via Steam on November 19, 2025.
The developers, Chaystar Unlimited, have promised many hours of balanced gameplay with accessible and evolving progression systems. They are also committed to a clean player experience with offline progression and no microtransactions.
Mark your calendars. A sprawling, centuries-spanning mystery awaits the moment you step foot into the strange and busy history of Asbury Pines.
What do you think of this genre blend? Are you ready to solve a murder that spans the Stone Age to the Deep Future?
For years, the name “Assetto Corsa” has been synonymous with the pinnacle of road and track racing simulation. But now, Kunos Simulazioni and Supernova Games Studios have unleashed a new beast: Assetto Corsa Rally. This isn’t just a side project; it’s a full-blooded, hyper-realistic rally simulator that has arrived in Steam Early Access to shake up the dirt and gravel scene.
If you thought rallying couldn’t get more demanding, think again. This is the new standard for the hardcore sim enthusiast.
What Makes ACR the Next Big Thing?
The ambition behind Assetto Corsa Rally is clear: to deliver the most authentic, uncompromising rally experience possible. It’s built on a refined version of the acclaimed Assetto Corsa physics engine but fine-tuned specifically for the complex dynamics of loose-surface racing.
Scanned to Reality: The Stages
The biggest technical leap is the use of 3D laser-scanned rally stages. While laser-scanning has been common in circuit racing for years, its application to long, complex rally roads is unprecedented in the genre.
Unmatched Accuracy: Every rut, bump, and camber of the road is recreated with millimetre precision, fundamentally changing how you approach corners.
Launch Stages: The Early Access launch features stages from two distinct locations: the tarmac stages of Alsace, France, and the notoriously challenging gravel and dirt of Wales, UK.
The Physics of Perfection
Supernova Games has taken the core AC physics and expanded it to fully account for the unique demands of rally.
Authentic Drivetrains: Expect realistic behaviour for FWD, RWD, and AWD vehicles, where even the slightest input error is punished.
Advanced Simulation: The game models dynamic surface grip, weather effects, modular drivetrains, and a physics-based damage system that means a bad landing or heavy impact has real, lasting consequences.
Immersion is Key
From the sound design to the pace notes, ACR is designed to put you fully in the driver’s seat.
Professional Co-Driver: Detailed pacenotes, developed in collaboration with real professional co-drivers, are essential for survival.
Stunning Visuals: Powered by a customised Unreal Engine 5, the visuals are a feast for the eyes, with dynamic weather, lighting, and environments that truly immerse you in the rally world.
Early Access Content & The Road Ahead
Assetto Corsa Rally is currently in Early Access, meaning it’s a foundation that will be built upon with community feedback.
Category
Early Access Content (Launch)
Planned Full Release (1.0)
Cars
10 Officially Licensed Vehicles
30+ Vehicles (Group B, WRC, Rally2, etc.)
Stages
4 Stages across 2 Locations (~33km unique road)
10 Stages across 5 Locations (~120km unique road)
Key Features
Time Attack, Rally Events, Free Practice, Rally Weekend
Full Career Mode, Rally School, Full VR Support
The current car list is a rally fan’s dream, featuring icons like the Lancia Delta HF Integrale EVO Gr.A, the brutal Lancia Rally 037 EVO 2 Gr.B, and modern machines like the Hyundai i20N Rally2.
Is It For You? The Verdict
If you’re coming from more forgiving rally games, be warned: Assetto Corsa Rally is a demanding experience. It’s positioned as a pure simulation built for precision, and reviews have noted that it may take significant time (and possibly FFB tweaks) to master. You’ll need to learn the art of trail braking, the Scandinavian flick, and subtle throttle control to keep your car on the road.
AC Rally is not just a game, but a precision simulation for those who live rally. This is where skill meets speed, and every moment behind the wheel is a high-stakes challenge.
If you’re a veteran of the original Assetto Corsa, Dirt Rally 2.0, or even the legendary Richard Burns Rally, and you crave an ultra-authentic rally simulator that rewards dedication, your new obsession has arrived.
Are you ready to take on the laser-scanned challenge of Assetto Corsa Rally? What is the first legendary car you’ll take out on the gravel? Let us know in the comments!
Fans of classic JRPGs, the wait is officially over! The retro-inspired gem, Starlight Legacy, has made the jump from PC to all major consoles, bringing its charming 16-bit aesthetic and non-linear adventure to a whole new audience.
If you’ve been craving a throwback experience that feels straight out of the Super Nintendo (SNES) era, this is one legacy you’ll want to dive into.
Bringing Back the Golden Age of RPGs
Developed by Decafesoft and published by Eastasiasoft/Funbox Media, Starlight Legacy doesn’t just borrow from the classics; it masterfully channels the spirit of 16-bit role-playing games.
The game is now available digitally on:
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Nintendo Switch
For the dedicated collectors, physical editions for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 have also been released!
What Makes Starlight Legacy Shine?
This title stands out by blending beloved old-school mechanics with a few modern design sensibilities, resulting in a concise and engaging adventure.
A Seamless, Non-Linear World
Instead of a traditional world map, Starlight Legacy adopts an overworld structure reminiscent of the early Pokémon games. Towns and routes are seamlessly connected, encouraging true exploration.
Non-Linear Progression: Once the main quest begins, you are free to tackle the four main provinces in any order. This freedom of choice is a huge draw for players who enjoy setting their own pace.
Dynamic Difficulty: To keep the challenge balanced, completing one area dynamically increases the difficulty of the remaining provinces, preventing you from becoming too over-levelled and keeping every part of the adventure relevant.
Classic Yet Customizable Combat
At its core, the game features traditional turn-based combat with random encounters, perfect for those who miss the old-school feel.
Elemental Strategy: Success hinges on exploiting elemental weaknesses, adding a layer of tactical depth to even standard battles.
Personalised Experience: For modern players who might not love grinding, the game offers fantastic customisation options: you can toggle random encounters on or off, and even set a modifier for double experience points!
Mode 7 Magic!
One of the most notable visual throwbacks is the inclusion of Mode 7-style effects, especially when using the in-game telescope to view and rotate the world map. It’s a brilliant piece of nostalgia that instantly transports you back to the SNES’s prime.
Is It Worth the Console Purchase?
Reviews praise Starlight Legacy for being a short (around 8-10 hours), sweet, and satisfying adventure. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, making it an ideal “palette cleanser” between longer, more sprawling RPGs.
If you are a fan of:
Pixel art aesthetics and 16-bit audio.
Turn-based systems with strategic elemental focus.
Non-linear exploration similar to classic handheld RPGs.
Then this console release is a must-buy. It offers a genuine slice of retro-gaming comfort without demanding dozens of hours of your time.
Have you picked up Starlight Legacy on your console yet? What is your favourite 16-bit JRPG that reminds you of?
We’ve got some huge news for everyone braving the post-post-apocalyptic world of Existential Treads. The land is harsh, the enemies are relentless, but your defence is about to get a massive upgrade! We are thrilled to announce the release of the Towerful Demo Update!
This isn’t just a patch; it’s a complete retooling of how you protect your budding settlement, adding a crucial layer of strategy to your mini action city-builder experience.
The Towerful Difference: Defence Re-Imagined
The core of this new update is an entirely fresh Tower Upgrade System. Previously, holding the line against the encroaching waves of enemies was a simpler affair. Now, we’re asking you to make tough, tactical choices that will define your playstyle and the ultimate fate of your colony.
Choose Your Path:
The new system allows you to specialise your settlement’s defences. When you place a tower, you’ll be faced with a choice of which path to take:
The Sentry Path: Focus on rapid-fire, high-volume damage. Perfect for players who want to thin out large groups of small, fast enemies. Think area-of-effect suppression.
The Siege Path: Trade fire-rate for raw power. This path is essential for punching through heavily armoured enemies and taking down tougher boss-type threats. Think single-target devastation.
The Support Path: Not every tower needs to be a gun! This path unlocks utility structures that can slow enemies, buff nearby friendly towers, or apply corrosive debuffs. Think battlefield control and synergy.
Each path offers unique upgrades, transforming your basic outpost defence into a complex, interlocking system. The choices you make are permanent—so choose wisely!
New Challenges and Deeper Strategy
The Towerful Update isn’t just about new defensive toys; it’s about introducing strategic depth to the existing gameplay loop:
Resource Scarcity is Real: With more powerful towers, you’ll find the cost of high-tier upgrades to be significant. Your scavenging runs into the sprawl are now more crucial than ever! You’ll need to balance building new homes for settlers with hoarding materials for your defences.
Enemy Adaptation: The enemies have noticed your new fortifications. Expect new enemy types and tweaked wave compositions that will test the limits of your specialised tower placements. A purely Sentry-focused defence might crumble against a new wave of heavily armoured foes.
Synergy is Key: Experiment with combining different tower types! A Support tower slowing down a massive enemy, allowing your Siege tower to land its heavy blow, is a satisfying victory you’ll have to earn.
Restoring the World, One Isle at a Time
Remember, the goal of Existential Treads is two-fold: survive and restore. This update reinforces the connection between your thriving settlement and the restoration of nature.
Successfully defending your settlement and expanding into new isles still grants those all-important permanent buffs, but now you can factor your specialised defences into your reclamation strategy.
Jump into the updated demo today and experience a whole new way to play! The wasteland is calling, and your new towers await!
Play the Existential Treads: The Towerful Demo now on Steam!
Agent 47 has donned his gloves, checked his fibre wire, and is ready for his next mission—on the go! Following the successful port of Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal, Feral Interactive has brought the dramatic, narrative-driven stealth of Hitman: Absolution to the Nintendo Switch. For fans of the iconic bald assassin, the question isn’t if it should be played, but how this older, story-heavy entry holds up on Nintendo’s hybrid console.
The good news? The hit is successful.
The Betrayal and the Run: Absolution’s Story
Unlike the sprawling sandboxes of the later World of Assassination trilogy, Absolution is a more focused, character-driven story. Agent 47 is betrayed by the Agency he served, becoming a hunted man as he works to protect a mysterious teenage girl. This narrative intensity provides a different, more linear flavour of stealth, with some missions feeling more like a desperate escape than a calculated assassination.
This shift was controversial upon its original 2012 release, but it offers a unique, cinematic experience. On the Switch, this tighter structure translates well, making it perfect for dedicated, mission-by-mission play, whether you’re docked at home or in handheld mode on a commute.
Gameplay: Stealth, Style, and Switch-Specifics
Absolution retains the core mechanics of disguise, distraction, and decisive elimination, but it introduced key elements that set the stage for future titles, like the Instinct Mode—which allows 47 to see enemy patrol paths and points of interest—and Point Shooting, a slow-motion targeting system.
Key Port Features:
Visual Enhancements: The port is noticeably cleaner and visually improved over the original console versions, with better character models and enhanced lighting effects that make the dark, gritty atmosphere feel suitably moody on the Switch screen.
Gyro Aiming: This is the killer feature for a handheld stealth shooter. Optional gyro controls add a new layer of precision, allowing for fine-tuning your aim when going for that crucial headshot or discreetly placing a non-lethal object. This quality-of-life upgrade makes the combat feel perfectly tailored to the system.
Replay Value: The game features over 20 missions, and while some are more linear, the best levels are still intricate assassination playgrounds. High scores, mission ratings, and numerous challenges push players to perfect their approach.
The Verdict on the Port
Feral Interactive has delivered a robust and well-optimised version of Absolution. It continues the trend of bringing a steady stream of the Hitman legacy to the Switch. The ability to play such a polished stealth-action title anywhere is genuinely compelling.
While the famous Contracts Mode is slated to arrive as a free update in early 2026, the main campaign offers plenty to sink your teeth into right now.
If you’re a newcomer to Agent 47, this is a fantastic (and different) entry point. If you’re a seasoned player, it’s a brilliant way to revisit the game that bridged the gap between the classic sandboxes and the modern World of Assassination trilogy, complete with smart, modern control updates.
Hitman: Absolution on Nintendo Switch proves that a cold-blooded assassin can still operate with deadly efficiency, even in the palm of your hand.
For fans of the Atelier series and newcomers alike, the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack is more than just a simple re-release—it’s the definitive way to experience the beloved journey of Reisalin “Ryza” Stout, the bright-eyed alchemist who captured the hearts of millions.
This collection bundles all three celebrated “Secret” series titles:
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout DX
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy DX
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key DX
Whether you’re re-visiting the beautiful, sun-drenched world or picking up a synthesis pot for the first time, here’s why this Deluxe Pack is the ultimate alchemy recipe.
Visual & Quality-of-Life Alchemy: The DX Upgrades
While the core games are already fantastic JRPGs, the “DX” versions bring significant polish and convenience, making the adventure flow smoother than ever:
Improved Visuals: Across all three games, you can expect sharper character models, enhanced environmental details, and more expressive lighting effects that bring out the series’ signature rustic charm.
Smoother Gameplay: Quality-of-life updates include improvements to the user interface (UI), smoother transitions, and—crucially for a game centred on collecting—increased basket and container capacity. Spend more time adventuring and less time backtracking!
Enhanced Exploration: In Ryza 2 and Ryza 3, the convenience of gathering materials while riding Spirit Beasts has been improved, and Ryza 2 even features Fi as a field companion to help you find clues.
Custom Combat: A new “Custom Combat” mode is added, allowing players to set up battles for practice, strategising, and fine-tuning their active-time battle system prowess.
All the Secrets Unlocked: New Content Included
The “Deluxe” label isn’t just about polish; it’s about completeness. This pack includes all previously released free and paid DLC, such as swimsuit costumes, photo mode enhancements, additional maps, and recipes.
But the biggest draw for returning fans is the brand-new story content and playable charactersadded to each game:
Game Title
New Playable Characters
Notable New Story/Content
Ryza 1 DX
Agatha, Kilo, and Romy
New post-game story detailing events between Ryza 1 and Ryza 2.
Ryza 2 DX
Empel and Lila
A new side story following the traveling duo and a new map to explore (Zelepsto Cave).
Ryza 3 DX
Clifford, Serri, and Kilo
A new side story where Clifford and Serri team up, plus a new island map (Craes Island).
These new episodes slot neatly into the existing narrative, offering more screen time for the beloved supporting cast and deepening the emotional resonance of Ryza’s journey.
A Journey of Heart, Growth, and Discovery
The Atelier Ryza trilogy is universally praised for its intimate, character-driven narrative. It’s a compelling coming-of-age story that follows Ryza from a curious, restless island girl to a masterful alchemist.
Approachability: The trilogy moved away from the time limits of earlier Atelier games, making the core loop of gathering, crafting, and exploring incredibly relaxing and addictive.
Engaging Combat: The combat system evolves across the trilogy, starting with an Active Time Battle (ATB) style in Ryza 1 and becoming more fluid and strategic in the sequels, relying heavily on item usage and character co-op commands.
Deep Alchemy: The synthesis system is welcoming to newcomers yet offers immense depth for veteran RPG players who love to optimise and experiment with traits and ingredients.
If you’ve been looking for an accessible, heartwarming JRPG series that beautifully blends the magic of discovery with the joy of friendship, the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack is an unmissable collection. It’s truly the definitive edition of one of the franchise’s most popular story arcs.
Are you a newcomer to the series or a returning fan? Would you like a deeper dive into the alchemy or combat systems of the Ryza games?
Get ready to channel your inner space explorer and physics professor, because there’s a new first-person puzzler on the horizon that’s promising to bend your mind and reward your curiosity! Introducing Puzzle Parasite, the debut title from rising indie studio Wrenfall, a team composed of industry veterans aiming to pay tribute to the classics that defined the genre.
Mark your calendars: Puzzle Parasite is set to launch on Steam on December 3, 2025!
What is Puzzle Parasite?
Set on a mysterious alien planet, this sci-fi adventure challenges you to navigate intricate ruins using logic, observation, and, oddly enough, a cricket bat! The core mechanic revolves around manipulating energy cores using your telekinetic powers and the trusty bat. You’ll need to send these cores flying, connect them to power alien technology, activate light bridges, and avoid lethal lasers to delve deeper into the planet’s secrets.
The developers cite legendary titles like Portal, The Talos Principle, and Antichamber as key inspirations, suggesting a deeply satisfying experience built around cause-and-effect problem-solving. This isn’t a game about combat or timed inputs—it’s about pure, clean, physics-driven logic.
Key Features That Have Us Intrigued:
Physics-Driven Puzzles: The game promises a series of handcrafted levels where every puzzle is intentionally designed to push the limits of your logical and creative thinking. Expect satisfying chain reactions as you figure out the precise movements needed for those pesky energy cores.
Solo or Co-Op Campaigns: Whether you’re a lone genius or a collaborative problem-solver, Puzzle Parasite has you covered. It features a complete single-player path and a unique, dedicated two-player co-op campaign. The co-op mode is built from the ground up for collaborative play, making communication and timing essential to success.
A Handcrafted Homage: Developed by veterans from studios like Playdead, Ubisoft, and IO Interactive, the game is a “love letter” to the great puzzle games of the past. The focus is on a curated experience where you’ll be continually surprised and delighted by new mechanics.
Minimalist Sci-Fi Aesthetic: The visuals are clean and minimalist, ensuring the focus remains squarely on the environmental puzzles and first-person interactions.
Get Ready for the Launch
With a scheduled release date of December 3rd, the anticipation is building. If you’re looking for a fresh challenge that scratches that old-school logic puzzle itch—but with a distinctly quirky sci-fi twist (and a cricket bat!)—then Puzzle Parasite is definitely one to watch. The team has been actively updating their demo based on community feedback, which shows a dedication to polish and accessibility, even adding features like “Skip Tokens” for those extra knotty puzzles.
Ready to see how deep the rabbit hole goes?
Are you excited for Puzzle Parasite? Let us know which classic puzzle game is your favourite inspiration in the comments below!
