The wait is almost over. The Bearer & The Last Flame, the epic dark fantasy action-adventure developed by Dark Reaper Studio, is now available for pre-order on PlayStation 5!
Set in a world ravaged by death, you are the chosen one tasked with carrying the last glimmer of hope across five cursed kingdoms. This “Soulslike” experience—stunningly crafted by a single developer—challenges you to master tactical combat and explore the hauntingly beautiful lands of Hyperborea.
Release Date: March 6, 2026
Choose Your Edition
Meridiem Games is bringing this dark odyssey to life with two distinct physical versions for PS5:
Standard Edition: Includes the full game for PS5.
The Knight’s Edition: A must-have for collectors, featuring:
The PlayStation 5 game.
An exclusive Game Guide to help you navigate the shadows.
A Special Sleeve with unique artwork.
Game Highlights
Vast Arsenal: Over 200 unique weapons to find and master, from heavy melee to arcane magic.
Epic Bosses: Face off against colossal guardians and nightmarish creatures.
Strategic Combat: Every strike matters. Precision and strategy are your only allies in this unforgiving world.
Immersive Atmosphere: A haunting original soundtrack by Francisco Arroyo sets the tone for your journey into the abyss.
Pre-order now on the PlayStation Store or via your favourite retailer to secure your copy for launch day!
Find out more here – https://www.meridiem-games.com/en/
If you’re looking for a dose of pixel-art nostalgia wrapped in a chaotic brawler, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition (often referred to as the EX or remastered version) is essentially the definitive way to experience the cult classic.
Originally delisted for years due to licensing issues, its return was a massive win for fans of the “beat ’em up” genre. Here’s the breakdown of why it still hits hard:
The Vibe Check
Visuals: It uses stunning 8-bit style animations by Paul Robertson. Every frame is packed with personality, from Scott’s awkward idle animations to the over-the-top KO effects.
The Soundtrack: You can’t talk about this game without mentioning Anamanaguchi. The chiptune soundtrack is legendary and arguably one of the best in gaming history.
The Gameplay: It’s a love letter to River City Ransom. You fight through levels, collect coins, and—crucially—spend that money at shops to “level up” your stats.
What Makes it “Complete”?
The modern “Complete Edition” (the EX version we have now) bundles everything that was previously separate:
The Full Roster: You get Scott, Ramona, Kim, and Stephen Stills, plus the DLC characters Knives Chau and Wallace Wells.
Extra Modes: Includes Boss Rush, Survival Horror (zombies!), and Battle Royale.
Online Play: Unlike the 2010 original, you can finally jump into drop-in/drop-out online co-op with friends.
Pro-Tip for New Players
The game is notoriously “Nintendo Hard” at the start. If you’re struggling:
Farm for snacks: Go to the shops in the first level (Shopping District).
Buy the “Bionic Swede”: It’s an expensive item that massively boosts your stats early on.
Level 16 is the goal: That’s when most characters unlock their best moves.
Bottom Line: It’s a chaotic, stylish, and incredibly fun couch co-op experience that captures the heart of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels perfectly.
Just in time for the spooky cravings of 2026, Ghost Keeper has officially materialised into Steam Early Access as of January 28. If you’ve ever felt that the “scare-ees” get all the spotlight in horror games, this is your chance to play the “scar-er.”
Developed by Quest Craft, this reverse-horror strategy title is being hailed as the spiritual successor to the 2003 cult classic Ghost Master. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect from this Victorian-era haunting sim.
Become the Master of Scares
In Ghost Keeper, you aren’t running from the monsters; you’re commanding them. Set against a gritty, 19th-century English backdrop, your goal is to reclaim territories from pesky humans by scaring them senseless—or, if they’re particularly stubborn, taking more “permanent” measures.
Key Features in Early Access:
A Ghastly Roster: Take control of 7 unique minions, ranging from classic ghosts to demonic beasts, each with specialised abilities.
Victorian Sandboxes: Launching with 6 hand-crafted locations (like Phineas’ Manor and the Cemetery) that serve as complex tactical puzzles.
The Brotherhood of Light: It’s not all easy haunting. You’ll have to outsmart “legally distinct Victorian Ghostbusters” who will try to vacuum up your crew.
Sandbox Mode: Once you finish the initial story missions, you can dive back into any location with total freedom to experiment with your scares.
Why It’s Worth Your “Essence”
The game strikes a delicate balance between grotesque humour and tactical depth. You aren’t just clicking on people; you’re setting up chain reactions—like flickering lights to lure a human to a fuse box, only to have a water pipe burst and deliver a shocking surprise.
Early Access Note: The developers plan to stay in Early Access for about a year to refine mechanics and add more maps and monsters based on player feedback. It’s currently priced at $12.99, with plans for the price to increase as more content is added toward the 1.0 release.
Hey, changemakers and gamers! Have you ever wanted to make a real impact on the world while also having a blast? What if you could virtually step into the shoes of someone working to solve global challenges, right from your phone or computer?
Well, get ready, because the UN:Me game is here to make that a reality!
This innovative game isn’t just about entertainment; it’s a powerful and engaging way to learn about the United Nations and the critical work they do every single day. Forget dry textbooks and lectures – UN:Me throws you right into the heart of the action, allowing you to experience the complexities and triumphs of international cooperation firsthand.
So, what exactly is UN:Me all about? Let’s take a closer look!
What is UN:Me?
At its core, UN:Me is an interactive educational game designed to immerse players in the world of the United Nations. It aims to demystify the UN’s various agencies, initiatives, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by transforming them into exciting missions and challenges. It’s a fantastic blend of strategy, problem-solving, and real-world impact.
Imagine leading a humanitarian mission, negotiating peace treaties, or implementing sustainable solutions in a virtual representation of a community facing real-world issues. That’s the kind of experience UN:Me offers.
Why You Should Play UN:Me
Learn by Doing: The most effective way to learn is often by doing. UN:Me puts you in charge, allowing you to make decisions, see their consequences, and understand the intricate balance required to achieve global objectives. You’ll grasp complex concepts like diplomacy, logistics, and resource management in a fun, interactive environment.
Discover the SDGs: The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint for a better and more sustainable future for all. UN:Me integrates these goals seamlessly into its gameplay. You’ll find yourself working towards ending poverty, promoting good health and well-being, ensuring quality education, fighting climate change, and much more, all within the game’s narrative.
Real-World Scenarios: The game is built around realistic scenarios that reflect the types of challenges the UN addresses daily. From disaster relief to promoting gender equality or ensuring clean water, you’ll tackle issues that matter, gaining a deeper appreciation for the efforts of UN personnel around the globe.
Develop Empathy and Global Citizenship: By stepping into diverse roles and tackling problems that affect different communities, UN:Me fosters empathy and a stronger sense of global citizenship. It helps players understand the interconnectedness of our world and the importance of collective action.
It’s Engaging and Fun! Let’s not forget, it’s a game! UN:Me is designed to be captivating, with compelling narratives, strategic choices, and satisfying outcomes. You won’t even realize how much you’re learning because you’ll be too busy saving the virtual world!
What Can You Expect in UN:Me?
While specific gameplay elements might vary, here are some general ideas of what you could encounter:
Mission-Based Gameplay: Undertake various missions tied to specific SDGs or UN initiatives.
Resource Management: Carefully manage resources like funding, personnel, and supplies to achieve your objectives.
Decision-Making: Face ethical dilemmas and strategic choices that impact your progress and the virtual world around you.
Interactive Storylines: Engage with compelling characters and evolving narratives that highlight different global issues.
Progress Tracking: See your impact unfold and track your contributions to the virtual world’s well-being.
Join the Movement!
Whether you’re a seasoned gamer, an aspiring diplomat, a student curious about global affairs, or just someone looking for a meaningful way to spend your time, UN:Me offers something truly special. It’s more than just a game; it’s a gateway to understanding, engagement, and ultimately, making a difference.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the UN:Me game and start your journey towards becoming a global changemaker today! You might just find that leveling up in the virtual world helps you better understand how to level up the real one.
The cries of the ravaged land echo through the 14th century, but this isn’t just a tale of warring human lords. Band of Crusaders, the dark medieval strategy RPG from Virtual Alchemy and Ironward (published by NCSOFT), plunges you into a desperate war against a tide of demonic corruption.
If you’re a fan of deep strategic combat, unforgiving permanent death mechanics, and managing a growing band of heroes, it’s time to pay attention.
What is Band of Crusaders?
At its core, Band of Crusaders casts you as the Grandmaster of a Knightly Order in a simulated, sandbox version of medieval Europe, currently being consumed by monstrous “Abominations” and eldritch “Cultists.”
It’s a demanding blend of genres:
Dark Medieval Strategy RPG: Think gritty, historical-inspired settings colliding with biblical and European folklore horrors.
Real-Time with Tactical Pause (RTwP): The combat is fast-paced, but a unique Tactical Slow-Motion system gives you the crucial time you need to issue orders, set up abilities, and manage your party.
Deep Camp Management: Your base is more than a menu. You’ll manage resources, upgrade infrastructure for recruitment and healing, and watch your crusaders interact in a living, breathing community.
Unforgiving Combat and Unfixed Classes
The developers, Virtual Alchemy, clearly have a deep appreciation for challenging, rewarding gameplay, and two aspects of Band of Crusaders really drive this home:
Permanent Death (Perma-Death): Every battle carries weight. A strategic blunder can lead to the permanent loss of a crusader. This high-stakes approach demands meticulous planning and positioning in every skirmish.
Weapon-Driven Builds: Forget rigid classes. Progression is incredibly versatile. Abilities are tied directly to the weapons your crusader wields, allowing you to create multi-role builds. Want a knight who can heal or a spearmen who can deploy tactical cover? The system encourages experimentation and deep synergy across your squad of up to 20 knights.
A World That Reacts to the Chaos
The game’s setting isn’t a static backdrop. The world is a simulated sandbox, constantly evolving based on your actions and the ongoing demonic invasion.
You’ll explore a war-torn continental Europe.
The “saturation” of demonic forces changes region conditions.
A day-night cycle and changing seasons directly impact your survival and tactical choices.
This means you’re not just playing missions; you’re reacting to an overwhelming, dynamic catastrophe, forcing you to make tough strategic choices on the fly—where to strike, where to defend, and when to retreat.
The Crusade Begins: Play the Demo Now!
The best news? Virtual Alchemy has released a free demo for Band of Crusaders on platforms like Steam. This is your chance to step into the Grandmaster’s boots and experience the demanding combat and deep management systems firsthand.
The game is still listed as “To be announced,” but the massive interest and the quality of the demo suggest a full release isn’t far off.
If you’re ready to lead a holy war against horrors drawn from the darkest pages of history and mythology, wishlist Band of Crusaders today. Deus Vult!
What’s your favorite part of strategy RPGs? The combat, the management, or the deep lore? Let us know in the comments!
Band of Crusaders on Steam – https://shorturl.at/GYjj0
Get ready for an adventure that sparkles with strategic depth! Vivid World, the dazzling follow-up to the popular roguelike auto-battler Vivid Knight, has just been released, and it’s taking the party-building genre to a vibrant new level.
Set in the mysterious Underworld, this game puts you in the shoes of protagonist Lemuria, who must master her new Jewel Magic to conquer treacherous dungeons. The catch? Your party members are no longer knights, but beautiful, powerful Jewels!
More Depth, More Strategy: What’s New in Vivid World?
If you enjoyed the core loop of its predecessor, prepare for an experience that’s significantly enhanced. The developers at Asobism have listened to feedback and loaded Vivid World with new mechanics that give players more control and endless ways to strategise:
Deep Party Building with Symbols: Characters belong to various ‘Symbols’ (categories), and stacking multiples of the same Jewel enhances your party with powerful, explosive buffs. It’s all about creating the ultimate synergy!
Introducing Orbs: Character customisation is taken a step further with the addition of Orbs. These new pieces of equipment can be attached to your Jewel heroes, offering a whole new layer of tactical choice and depth to your build.
Strategic Gem-Based Combat: While the battles are an auto-battler at heart, you actively utilise Gems to support your party during fights. You can combine several Gems or unleash their individual powers, turning a seemingly passive combat system into an engaging tactical challenge.
Resource Management that Matters: Your heroes are Jewels, which means you can literally buy and sell them! Merge duplicates to strengthen a single unit or sell for resources. Every choice about your economy directly impacts your dungeon run.
A Story Unraveling in the Dark: Beyond the deep gameplay, Vivid World promises a more involved story. Unravel the secrets of the Underworld and strengthen your bonds with your Jeweled companions to unlock their full, hidden potential.
Dungeon Crawling with a Friend
One of the most exciting additions is the inclusion of 2-player online co-op! Now, you can team up with a friend to combine your strategies, share the load of resource management, and conquer the deepest dungeons together. It’s a fantastic way to experience the vibrant visuals and challenging gameplay.
Final Thoughts
Vivid World takes the successful formula of a party-building roguelike and elevates it with a wealth of new features and quality-of-life improvements. The charming art style, the massive scope for team compositions, and the satisfying resource loop make this a must-try for fans of the genre.
Ready to dive into the Underworld and see how bright your strategy can shine? Vivid World is available now on Steam!
Are you ready for an adrenaline shot of nostalgia, challenge, and pure, unfiltered style? Then you need to descend into the vibrant, pixel-art depths of Hell Is Other Demons—the critically acclaimed, fast-paced action-platform shooter from Cuddle Monster Games.
This isn’t just another indie game; it’s a love letter to the golden age of arcade bullet-hell shooters, meticulously crafted with modern polish and an audiovisual experience that demands your attention.
A Symphony of Bullets and Synthwave
What immediately sets Hell Is Other Demons apart is its unforgettable aesthetic. Imagine classic pixel art meeting a heavy dose of neon and a driving synthwave soundtrack.
Visually Stunning: The cinematic pixel art is bold, vibrant, and perfectly captures the feeling of a hardcore retro shooter.
Auditory Bliss: The heavy, driving synthwave soundtrack, composed by Rémi Gallego (The Algorithm), provides a relentless beat that perfectly matches the on-screen chaos. Add to that retro sound effects from Magnus Pålsson (VVVVVV OST), and you have a game that sounds as good as it looks.
Core Gameplay: Skill, Speed, and Stomping
At its heart, Hell Is Other Demons is all aboutprecise, high-skill action. The controls are super responsive, making every jump, shot, and dodge feel fair yet incredibly demanding.
The gameplay is built on a simple premise: Shoot and Stomp!
Shoot: Blast through hordes of creatively designed demons with a variety of customizable weapons and upgrades.
Stomp: The unique stomping mechanic allows you to crash down on enemies to deal damage, often leading to gem drops that fuel your upgrade system. It adds a crucial layer of verticality and resource management to the bullet-hell chaos.
This is a game that rewards practice and creativity. Mastering enemy patterns and finding the most efficient way to chain kills is the key to survival and high-score glory.
Two Ways to Face Hell
Whether you crave a structured journey or infinite replayability, Hell Is Other Demons has you covered:
Game Mode
Description
Focus
Campaign Mode
A sprawling, handcrafted adventure through multiple layers of Hell, culminating in insanely over-the-top, escalating boss fights.
Pattern Mastery and Progression
Arcade Mode
Unlimited, procedurally generated action where you fight to top the global leaderboards.
Infinite Replayability and High-Score Chasing
The Campaign offers a roguelite-like element with weapon and upgrade choices, allowing you to tailor your build, while the Arcade mode is a pure test of your fundamental shooting and stomping skills.
Why You Should Pick This Up
With an impressive 85 Metacritic score on PC and a fantastic reputation among action-platformer fans, Hell Is Other Demons is a proven gem. It’s a game that respects your time but challenges your skill, offering a devilishly satisfying experience.
If you’re a fan of retro shooters, synthwave music, or simply games that are “easy to learn, impossible to master,” look no further.
Hell is Other Demons is available on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Grab your favourite platform and prepare to face the beautifully brutal chaos!
Hell Is Other Demons – http://www.hellisotherdemons.com
Are you a fan of breakneck speed, intricate movement, and a whole lot of blood-fueled carnage? Then you’ve probably heard of Bloodthief, the new indie game that’s been making waves in the speedrunning community. Developed by the solo creator Blargis, this first-person melee dungeon-runner is a masterclass in momentum-based gameplay and a love letter to classic “boomer shooters” like Quake and modern fast-paced titles like Ghostrunner.
The Core Loop: Run, Slash, and Drink
Bloodthief is not a game about deep lore or complex characters. Its premise is simple: you are a vampire, and your mission is to slice your way through hordes of undead foes in order to save the world. The real heart of the game, however, lies in its gameplay loop. It’s a furious, high-octane dance of movement and combat.
Your vampiric abilities are fueled by the blood of your enemies. By vanquishing your foes, you collect this vital ichor, which in turn boosts your speed and power. This creates a compelling feedback loop where killing enemies not only progresses you through the level but also makes you more capable of navigating the game’s challenging environments. Wall-running, sliding, and air-dashing become second nature as you chain together kills and parkour moves to maintain your momentum.
Designed for Speed and Mastery
What sets Bloodthief apart is its singular focus on speed and player skill. The levels are designed with multiple paths, shortcuts, and hidden secrets that reward players who take the time to learn the layouts and master the movement mechanics. The game’s difficulty is intentional, pushing you to your limits and making you feel like an unstoppable killing machine once you get the hang of it.
This design philosophy is evident in the game’s “no-reset” checkpoint system. While you can restart from a checkpoint, the timer continues to run, meaning that to achieve the best times and highest ranks, you must complete a level flawlessly. This might seem frustrating, but for a game centred on speedrunning, it’s a brilliant design choice that encourages repeated play and genuine mastery.
A Retro Aesthetic with Modern Flair
Bloodthief embraces a retro visual style reminiscent of classic run-and-gun games from the ’90s. The environments and character models have a low-poly aesthetic, but the level design itself is anything but simplistic. Levels are well-designed and easy to navigate without relying on “yellow paint” to guide the way, using distinct textures and colour palettes instead. The retro vibe is enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that perfectly complements the fast-paced action.
A Testament to Solo Development
The game’s development journey is also a story in itself. Creator Blargis has been actively sharing the process through a series of popular YouTube devlogs. These videos offer a fascinating look behind the scenes, from level design to the implementation of mechanics. It’s an inspiring example of what a passionate solo developer can achieve.
Bloodthief is a must-play for anyone who loves first-person action games that prioritise skill, speed, and relentless momentum. It’s a game that knows what it wants to be—a fast-paced, bloody, and challenging dungeon-runner—and executes it with incredible precision. While it may not be for those seeking a deep narrative, it’s a perfect title for turning your brain off and embracing the exhilarating feeling of becoming a powerful, acrobatic, and very, very fast vampire.
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that Doom has been around since 1993, which, for a game, is a very long time. So now it is time to stand and fight with DOOM: The Dark Ages, the demons are back and stronger than ever the battle continues on PC, Xbox and PlayStation.
To find out more about the DOOM: The Dark Ages game, go to the official game website here https://doom.bethesda.net/
This is one of those great turn-based games where players take a turn and swap heroes. This is the Guards II Chaos in Hell game, a brilliant pixel art style arcade game with lots of moves, tactics and skills to use, but at the end of the day, this is a game and players who love this type of game will take some beating. Anyone up for that? Guards II: Chaos in Hell is out now on PC.
To find out more about the Guards II Chaos in Hell game, go to the games page on Steam here https://shorturl.at/vobiB
If there is one thing that tends to bug gamers, it has to be when a game does not last that long. Well, that is not going to happen with the Loot of Baal, which promises thousands of hours of cool and exciting gameplay. There is chaos in the world, so players will need to build a team of experts with different skills to take on the demons that are threatening to take over.
To find out more about the Loot of Baal, go to the official game website here https://publisher.gamersky.com/ or go to the games page on Steam here https://shorturl.at/KAOlL
Coming soon is the deck-building game Crownbreakers, where players attempt to control the battlefield by moving across the board in order to take out the competition with puzzles to solve and attacks to be planned. Players can wishlist the Crownbreakers game on Steam now!
To find out more about the Crownbreakers game, go to the official game website here http://www.crownbreakersgame.com or go to the games page on Steam here https://shorturl.at/7C8Tp
