TECHMASH

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  • Nostalgia Alert: Retro Beat ’Em Up ‘Kings Do Not Fall’ Smashes Onto the Epic Games Store

    Nostalgia Alert: Retro Beat ’Em Up ‘Kings Do Not Fall’ Smashes Onto the Epic Games Store

    If you spent your childhood pocket money feeding arcade cabinets and mastering the art of the side-scrolling side-kick, listen up. Tokyo-based developer HyperDevbox has officially launched its heavily nostalgic, 90s-inspired brawler, Kings Do Not Fall, on the Epic Games Store.

    Following its successful debut on Steam earlier this spring, PC players who prefer the Epic ecosystem can now jump into the fray. To celebrate the launch, the game is available for a modest $7.99, but early adopters can grab a limited-time 20% release discount to sweeten the deal.

    A Tribute to the Golden Age of Arcade Gaming

    Kings Do Not Fall isn’t just trying to look retro; it has actual 90s arcade DNA baked right into its code.

    The game is spearheaded by industry veteran Carlo Perconti (CEO of HyperDevbox), who worked as a programmer on legendary retro titles like Legend and Iron Commando for the Super Nintendo, Burning Road on the original PlayStation, and Soulfighter on the Dreamcast. More than three decades after his first beat ’em up, Perconti has returned to his roots to deliver a love letter to the genre.

    Take a look at what the game has to offer in the trailer below:

    “When the kingdom needs a legend, you don’t fall… you rise.”

    Fight, Smash, and Break Through the Horde

    In Kings Do Not Fall, you step into the heavy armour of King Alden (voiced by Ameen Taher), the last ruler of Solara. Your kingdom has been absolutely decimated, and you stand as the solitary line of defence against the encroaching, monstrous armies of Umbra.

    As you fight your way through six handcrafted levels, the stakes get progressively higher. It’s a classic fantasy setup that serves as the perfect excuse to do what we do best: beat down hordes of goblins, orcs, and the restless dead.

    Key Features:

    • Supercharged Old-School Action: Classic side-scrolling combat polished for the modern era. Expect fluid combo moves, smash attacks, varying weapon pick-ups, and screen-clearing Super-Attacks.
    • Authentic Retro Aesthetic: Beautifully crafted arcade-inspired graphics, complete with an optional CRT filter mode so you can crank up that authentic 90s cathode-ray tube fury.
    • The In-Between Shop: Spend the gold coins you collect during your journey between stages to buy and sell items, allowing you to tweak your survival strategy before the next wave.
    • Epic Store Features: Full integration with Epic Games Store achievements and a competitive Top 30 Leaderboard to see who the ultimate brawler truly is.

    Grab It While It’s Hot

    If you love the pixelated grit of classic brawlers but want the modern polish of tight, responsive controls, Kings Do Not Fall is well worth a look—especially at a budget-friendly price point under eight bucks.

    Head over to the Epic Games Store today to claim your 20% launch discount, or check it out over on Steam if you missed it the first time around.

    Are you ready to defend Solara? Let us know in the comments below if you’ll be picking this one up!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/4231970

    #HyperDevbox #KingsDoNotFall #retrostyle #beatemup #arcadegaming #Steam #techmash #n5dave #videogames #games #gaming #gamingnews #gamers

  • Shout Your Way to the Hole: Q-Games Reveals ‘Yodelee Golf’, A Cosy Co-Op Game Where Your Voice Alters Reality

    Shout Your Way to the Hole: Q-Games Reveals ‘Yodelee Golf’, A Cosy Co-Op Game Where Your Voice Alters Reality

    Kyoto-based indie veterans Q-Games—the creative minds behind The Tomorrow Children and the legendary PixelJunk franchise—have officially pulled back the curtain on their next project. And in true Q-Games fashion, it is delightfully unconventional.

    Get ready for Yodelee Golf, an open-world, cosy co-op adventure that promises the wildest round of golf you’ve ever played. The twist? It actually features very little actual golfing.

    Instead, it’s a beautifully surreal, physics-driven multiplayer playground where you and your friends chase a single, unpredictable golf ball across a massive, vibrant world.

    A Cosy Game with Very Little Golf

    Forget neat fairways, strict country club dress codes, and polite golf claps. Yodelee Golf takes the sport and throws it right out of a clubhouse window.

    Up to four players can team up in either online or local split-screen co-op to navigate a massive, low-poly open world. To transport your lone golf ball across this sprawling terrain, you’ll be ditching the traditional golf cart for a much more chaotic fleet of vehicles and hazards:

    • Extreme Transports: Zip up mountains on motorbikes, drift across lakes in speedboats, and cruise through the skies in gondolas.
    • Surreal Environments: Explore secret mountain caves, dodge mysterious monsters, and manoeuvre around giant rubber duckies.
    • Pure Chaos: With a physics-driven engine, every swing, bounce, and collision can trigger hilarious, unexpected chain reactions.

    Your Voice Literally Changes the World

    The standout feature of Yodelee Golf is its incredibly innovative voice-to-3D-text gameplay system.

    The game features ray-traced proximity chat, meaning your voice naturally echoes through valleys and caves. But Q-Games takes it a step further: everything you say into your microphone is transcribed in real time into giant, physical 3D letters that drop directly into the game world.

    These floating words aren’t just cosmetic—they disrupt play and physically affect the environment. If you scream at the ball to “GET IN THE HOLE!”, those physical letters might just block a friend’s shot, create a ramp, or shove the ball closer to its target. It gives a whole new meaning to “talking a big game.”

    Key Features At A Glance

    Cosy Open-World Adventure / Casual SportsDetails
    Player Count1–4 players (Online and Local/Split-Screen Co-op)
    GenreCozy Open-World Adventure / Casual Sports
    PlatformsPC via Steam (Other platforms TBA)
    Key MechanicsReal-time voice-to-3D-text transcription, dynamic eco system, vehicle driving

    When Can We Play It?

    While Q-Games hasn’t locked down an official worldwide release date just yet, the game is officially available to wishlist on Steam right now.

    If you happen to be in Japan this month, you can actually be among the first in the world to try it. Q-Games will be debuting the first-ever playable public demo at BitSummit PUNCH in Kyoto from May 22–24, 2026. Visitors to the booth can take part in a mini putt-putt challenge to win exclusive prizes, and top influencers will be streaming live gameplay from the BitSummit stage on Saturday, May 23rd.

    Yodelee Golf looks like the perfect blend of cosy exploration and laugh-out-loud multiplayer madness. Dust off your vocal cords, grab your friends, and get ready to climb a mountain just to shout “Yo-delee-oh!”

    What do you think of Yodelee Golf’s crazy voice mechanic? Is this going to be your next co-op obsession? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/4562880

    #QGames #PixelJunk #YodeleeGolf #Steam #openworld #golf #golfball #techmash #n5dave #videogames #gamingnews #games #gaming #gamers

  • Outward 2 Locks In Summer Early Access Launch Date (And Yes, There’s A ‘Potato Mode’)

    Outward 2 Locks In Summer Early Access Launch Date (And Yes, There’s A ‘Potato Mode’)

    Pack your bags, check your water skins, and prepare to lose your backpack all over again. Nine Dots Studio has officially announced that Outward 2, the highly anticipated sequel to their cult-classic survival RPG, will launch into Steam Early Access, Epic Games Store, and GOG on July 7th.

    For fans of the original 2019 sleeper hit, this is the news we’ve been waiting for. Nine Dots is doubling down on its signature “anti-power-fantasy” philosophy, meaning you can expect another brutal, unyielding, and deeply rewarding adventure through the world of Aurai. You aren’t a chosen saviour or a legendary hero; you’re just an average Joe trying not to freeze to death or get eaten by a hyena.

    Check out the official release date announcement trailer below, which features a very specific type of hardware showcase:

    The “Spud-tastic” Specs Trailer

    In a brilliant nod to PC gamers everywhere, Nine Dots revealed the launch date via a hilarious “Potato PC” gameplay trailer. While the video showcases Aurai looking absolutely gorgeous on Ultra settings, it shifts gears to show the game running on lower-end hardware.

    The developer has explicitly included a “Potato Mode” in the graphics settings, ensuring that whether you have a top-of-the-line battle station or a trusty, ageing rig, you’ll be able to jump into the adventure.

    What’s New in Outward 2?

    Nine Dots Studio hasn’t just given the game a fresh coat of paint. CEO and Creative Director Guillaume Boucher-Vidal noted that the team focused heavily on four core pillars of improvement for the sequel:

    • Better Character Creation & Progression: Moving far past the minimal options of the first game, players can now choose from 11 backgrounds and 3 distinct starting scenarios that shape their meagre beginnings. A new “Exercise System” also allows passive skills to spark and grow naturally based on your playstyle.
    • A More Alive World: Set roughly 50 years after the events of the original game, the world spans four distinct regions of Aurai. At the Early Access launch, three of these regions will be fully explorable.
    • Smoother, Dynamic Combat: Combat feels more responsive, introducing brand-new features like Ritual Spellcasting (e.g., throwing a fire stone into the air to create a localised ring of death).
    • Better Storytelling: More engaging, well-delivered narratives with distinct faction questlines. Early Access will launch with roughly the first third of these questlines available, with more chapters dropping via updates.

    Note on Co-op: Just like the first game, Outward 2 will fully feature both online and split-screen co-op, allowing you and a friend to share the burden of survival, split the loot, and cover each other’s weaknesses.

    Want to Play Early? Closed Beta Starts Next Week!

    If July 7th feels too far away, you might not have to wait that long. Nine Dots is hosting a Closed Beta starting Tuesday, May 26th (running until June 8th).

    The beta will give players a first look at a brand-new, ghost-infested region of Aurai called La Rescapée. If you participated in the January playtest, you’re automatically in. If not, you can head over to the Official Nine Dots Studio Website or Steam to sign up for a chance to grab a key.

    The Road to 1.0

    Nine Dots estimates that Outward 2 will spend about 12 to 18 months in Early Access to fine-tune balance, polish mechanics, and finish the remaining story content and regions alongside community feedback.

    Outward 2 hits PC via Steam, Epic, and GOG on July 7th. Get your wishlists ready!

    Find out more here – https://ninedotsstudio.com/playtest-registration/

    #NineDotsStudio #adventure #RPG,#Outward2 #EarlyAccess #MisterPotato #Techguy #techmash #n5dave #games #gaming #gamers #gamingnews #videogames

  • Cut the Exploration, Crave the Combat: Soulslike Indie ‘Die Deep’ Drops a Hardcore PC Demo

    Cut the Exploration, Crave the Combat: Soulslike Indie ‘Die Deep’ Drops a Hardcore PC Demo

    If your favourite part of a Soulslike is the sweat-inducing, palm-twitching tension of a brutal boss fight, Taiwanese indie developer PINIX has a treat for you. The studio has officially launched a free Steam demo for its upcoming hardcore action title, Die Deep, offering a pure, unadulterated dose of high-stakes combat.

    Billed by the devs as a “Boss Rush with a stage-like experience,” the game strips away the typical fluff. There is no sprawling map to get lost in, no obscure puzzles to solve, and absolutely no filler. The focus here is entirely on your ability to read an enemy, time your parries, and survive.

    What’s in the Demo?

    The free Steam demo gives players a solid 20 to 40 minutes of playtime (heavily dependent on how many times you face the “You Died” screen) and features:

    • Standard Chapter Level: A complete basic tutorial and a starter stage designed to get you up to speed with the game’s mechanics.
    • Boss Challenge Stage: The real meat of the experience. A high-difficulty, punishing encounter designed for combat purists who want to master a boss’s moveset and perfect their run.
    • Two Playable Characters: Test out two distinct fighters—a one-eyed warrior built for heavy shield parries, and an agile rogue built for high-speed dual-blade offence.

    Inspired by Hollow Knight and Silksong

    PINIX hasn’t hidden its inspirations. The team notes that the game’s rapid, demanding combat rhythm is heavily influenced by Hollow Knight—specifically the high-intensity, back-to-back challenges found in the legendary Colosseum of Fools and Godhome gauntlets.

    If you get greedy with your attacks or mistime a single dodge, the Abyss will reclaim you instantly. You play as a wandering soul who has forgotten its purpose, lured down into the deep by a primal desire to fight, purely to prove your heart is still beating.

    Heading to BitSummit PUNCH 2026

    Alongside the demo launch, PINIX has confirmed they will be returning to Kyoto, Japan, for the second consecutive year to showcase Die Deep at BitSummit PUNCH, Japan’s premier international indie game festival. If you happen to be attending the event, you’ll be able to test your skills at their booth and see how the game has evolved ahead of its planned Q4 2026 full release.

    For the rest of us looking to scratch that hardcore combat itch from the comfort of our desks, the free demo is available to download right now on PC and Mac via Steam.

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3211560

    #PINIX #action #DieDeep #Soulslike #combat #pcgames #steam #bitsummitpunch #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #videogames #games #gaming #gamers

  • Kusan: City of Wolves coming to PC and Consoles July 30th

    Kusan: City of Wolves coming to PC and Consoles July 30th

    If you’ve been itching for a high-octane top-down shooter caked in neon, synth, and absolute brutality, lock your calendar for July 30, 2026.

    Publisher PQube and Korean indie developer CIRCLEfromDOT have officially announced that Kusan: City of Wolves is launching digitally for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Nintendo Switch. For collectors who prefer their carnage tangible, physical boxed editions will also be hitting store shelves for the PS5 and Nintendo Switch.

    The Plot: A City-Grade Atomic Threat

    Set in the rain-soaked, neon-noir underworld of Kusan, players step into the combat boots of Jin, a former soldier turned veteran gun-for-hire. Jin’s latest job has just elevated from high-risk to catastrophic: he must protect Haru, a young girl who has been fitted with a city-grade atomic weapon.

    To save her and stop a conspiracy that threatens to reduce the entire metropolis to ash, Jin will have to cut a bloody swath through the city’s most ruthless, corrupt factions and criminal enterprises.

    [The Premise] -> Jin (Ex-Soldier) must protect Haru (Girl with an atomic weapon) 
              -> Fight through the corrupt neon-noir underworld of Kusan
              -> Launching July 30, 2026

    Gameplay: Hotline Miami Meets Cyberpunk Martial Arts

    At first glance, Kusan: City of Wolves wears its Hotline Miami inspirations proudly on its sleeve—complete with an anthropomorphic flair (featuring a panther-man protagonist with a robotic fist) and a blistering top-down perspective. However, Kusan differentiates itself by stepping up the mechanical depth.

    Rather than relying purely on scavenged weapons and one-hit-kill luck, Kusan gives players an incredibly versatile toolkit designed for aggressive, stylish performance.

    Key Combat Features:

    • The Quantum Blade & Prosthetic Fist: Dash through tightly designed arenas and slice through foes with lightning-fast sword strikes, or turn them into paste with your heavy-hitting mechanical arm.
    • Precision Gunplay: Chain gunfire seamlessly into your melee combos. Every bullet counts in this universe, and precision is rewarded over blind spraying.
    • Parries and Split-Second Dodges: Deflection and high-speed movement are core to survival. Time your parries perfectly to turn an enemy’s aggression against them.
    • 54 Hand-Crafted Stages: The game features 54 intense stages across multiple story chapters, each filled with skill-based challenges and environmental puzzles.

    A Sizzling Graphic Novel Presentation

    What truly makes Kusan: City of Wolves stand out is its aesthetic. The story is told through beautifully illustrated comic book cutscenes that boast heavy hip-hop energy and raw graphic novel grit.

    Better yet, these cutscenes don’t break the pacing. They transition seamlessly back into the top-down gameplay, keeping your adrenaline pumping as the electronic soundtrack pushes you from one arena to the next.

    Are you ready for the challenge? Perfectionists and high-score chasers can look forward to mastering the game’s ranking system, aiming for those elusive, flawless S-Ranks on every single stage.

    Play the Demo Today

    Can’t wait until July 30? You don’t have to go into the underworld completely blind. A free playable demo is currently available right now on PC via Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox, allowing you to test your reflexes and sharpen your blade ahead of the mid-summer launch.

    Kusan: City of Wolves drops on July 30, 2026. Keep your eyes on TechMash for our full review closer to launch!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/1714510

    #CIRCLEfromDOT #PQube #KusanCityofWolves #PC #PlayStation #Xbox #NintendoSwitch #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #games #videogames #gamers

  • Face the Ultimate Survival Dilemma: Targem Games Announces ‘Underchoice’ Launching June 1st

    Face the Ultimate Survival Dilemma: Targem Games Announces ‘Underchoice’ Launching June 1st

    If you love the tense, claustrophobic anxiety of managing a post-apocalyptic shelter, you are going to want to clear your schedule for the start of next month. Publisher Targem Games and developer TG Indie have officially confirmed that their upcoming tactical survival simulator, Underchoice, is launching on Steam on June 1.

    Set inside a completely sealed underground bunker, Underchoice shifts the focus of the survival genre. While you will still be counting your rations, it’s the heavy ethical dilemmas that will truly determine whether your community survives the chaos outside.

    Check out what to expect when you take on the role of the Overseer.

    Life in the Bunker: The Core Gameplay

    In Underchoice, the outside world is entirely uninhabitable. The bunker is the last line of defence for humanity, and as its caretaker, you hold the ultimate power over who lives and who dies.

    The game blends strategy, resource management, and choice-based RPG mechanics to create a high-stakes psychological thriller. Here is a breakdown of what you will be dealing with on a daily basis:

    • Knocking at the Door: The heart of the game revolves around the wandering souls who find your bunker. Every time someone knocks, you face a choice. Do you let a stranger in and risk your limited security, or do you turn them away and live with the guilt? A new arrival could be a vital asset—or a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
    • Resource Management: You’ll be managing strictly limited supplies of food, medications, and tools. Every time you open the door or attempt to solve an internal crisis, you risk draining the very things keeping your current inhabitants alive.
    • Crisis Resolution: It’s not just about the outside world. You will have to navigate technical failures within the bunker, internal power struggles, and unexpected threats that require immediate, definitive choices.

    “There’s nothing but chaos outside, and each knock on the door may mean salvation or destruction.”

    Every Choice Shapes Your Ending

    What sets Underchoice apart is its commitment to consequence. This isn’t a simulator where you can simply optimise your way to a perfect win. Every decision you make branches the narrative, leading to completely unique storylines and multiple alternate endings.

    Will you build a ruthless, utilitarian society that survives at all costs? Or will you risk everything to keep a shred of humanity alive in the dark?

    When Can You Play?

    Underchoice officially drops on June 1 for PC via Steam. If you want to make sure you don’t miss the launch, you can head over to the Steam store right now to add it to your wishlist.

    Are you ready to step into the shoes of the Overseer, or will the pressure of the bunker break you? Let us know your survival strategy in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3740010

    #TargemGames #Underchoice #survivalsimulator #undergroundshelter #Steam #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #games #gaming #gamers #videogames

  • Man the Stations: MicroProse Announces WWII Naval Sim Battleship Command Hits Steam Early Access This June!

    Man the Stations: MicroProse Announces WWII Naval Sim Battleship Command Hits Steam Early Access This June!

    Naval warfare enthusiasts and strategy buffs, it’s time to plot your intercept course. MicroProse has officially announced that its highly anticipated World War II naval simulation, Battleship Command, is launching into Steam Early Access on June 2, 2026.

    If you’ve ever wanted to feel the true, crushing weight of commanding a legendary German battleship during the height of the war in the Atlantic, this is the title you’ve been waiting for.

    The Ultimate Naval Command Simulation

    MicroProse is renowned for delivering deep, uncompromising simulation experiences, and Battleship Command looks to be no exception. This isn’t a fast-paced, arcade-style shooter; it’s an immersive, high-stakes tactical simulation that places you directly in the captain’s chair.

    Players will be tasked with managing every facet of a massive capital ship. You aren’t just aiming the big guns—you are overseeing the entire ecosystem of a floating fortress.

    Key Features to Expect:

    • Immersive Command: Take total control of a legendary German battleship, managing everything from bridge navigation to the depths of the engine room.
    • Realistic Crew Management: Direct your crew through high-stress combat situations, damage control protocols, and resource allocation.
    • Authentic Ballistics & Damage: Experience a sophisticated simulation model where every shell trajectory, armour thickness, and flooding hazard matters.
    • Historical Atmosphere: MicroProse is leaning heavily into historical accuracy, delivering stunningly detailed ship models, realistic weather conditions, and the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere of WWII naval engagements.

    Why Early Access?

    By launching on Steam Early Access, MicroProse aims to work hand-in-hand with the community to fine-tune the game’s complex mechanics. Naval sims are notoriously intricate, and feedback from hardcore genre fans will help shape everything from the UI layout to the realism of the sonar and radar systems before the full 1.0 release.

    The Countdown is On: Mark your calendars for June 2, 2026.

    Whether you want to test your tactical mettle against enemy convoys or simply marvel at the engineering of mid-century warships, Battleship Command is shaping up to be a must-play anchor title for 2026.

    Head over to Steam now to add Battleship Command to your wishlist, and stay tuned to TechMash.co.uk for our hands-on impressions when the game drops next month!

    Are you ready to take the helm, or will you be steering clear of these treacherous waters? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3367430

    #BattleshipCommand #MicroProse #NavalSimulation #WWIIGames #Scharnhorst #PCGaming #Steam #EarlyAccess #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #videogames

  • Floating Islands and Flying Dragons: Driftland: The Magic Revival is Coming to Xbox and PS5

    Floating Islands and Flying Dragons: Driftland: The Magic Revival is Coming to Xbox and PS5

    Strategy fans, it’s time to look to the skies. If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on a deep, unique fantasy strategy game without being chained to a PC desk, your patience is about to pay off.

    The acclaimed title Driftland: The Magic Revival is finally making its grand leap to current-gen consoles. Developed by the talented Polish indie studio Star Drifters (and brought to consoles via Ultimate Games S.A.), this innovative strategy gem is set to land very soon.

    Mark your calendars: Xbox Series X|S players can dive in on May 22, followed shortly by a PlayStation 5 release on June 12.

    What is Driftland: The Magic Revival?

    Already a favourite on PC with a highly respectable Steam rating, Driftland is not your run-of-the-mill strategy game. It elegantly mashes together three distinct genres: Real-Time Strategy (RTS), 4X empire-building, and god game mechanics.

    The game is set in a fractured fantasy world that has been utterly devastated by a catastrophic war between ancient mages. What’s left of the planet isn’t a solid continent, but a vast collection of floating islands drifting aimlessly through the sky.

    You step into the shoes of a powerful Mage Overlord. Starting with just a single castle on a tiny realm, your ultimate goal is to rebuild a thriving empire, restore balance to the shattered world, and wipe out anyone standing in your way.

    +-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                     DRIFTLAND AT A GLANCE                   |
+------------------------------+------------------------------+
| Developer: Star Drifters     | Genre: RTS / 4X / God Game   |
+------------------------------+------------------------------+
| Xbox Launch: May 22          | PS5 Launch: June 12          |
+------------------------------+------------------------------+

    Key Features to Get Excited About

    • Reshaping the World: Thanks to your immense magical powers, you aren’t just adapting to the terrain—you are actively moving it. Players can physically pull floating islands closer, connect them to expand their territory, and terraform the landmasses to suit their economy.
    • No More Tedious Micromanagement: If you hate babysitting individual units, Driftland has a refreshing solution. Instead of direct control, you set general goals and priorities for your units (like warriors, archers, and mages), and they will dynamically act on their own to achieve them.
    • Dragon Riders: Forget standard cavalry. In Driftland, your troops can tame and ride a variety of flying beasts, including massive dragons, leading to spectacular aerial warfare.
    • Deep Magic-Based Economy: Managing resources is tightly bound to a robust magic system, ensuring that your spellcasting and empire management go hand-in-hand.

    Optimized for Console Comfort

    Historically, adapting complex 4X and RTS games to a controller can be a clunky nightmare, but Driftland is uniquely suited for the transition. Because the core gameplay relies on setting high-level goals rather than frantic click-heavy micro-management, navigating the floating islands with a gamepad promises to be smooth and intuitive. Furthermore, the Xbox version is fully optimised for 4K Ultra HD and even includes keyboard and mouse support for those who prefer the classic layout.

    Whether you are looking to conquer the story-driven campaign or lose hours in custom skirmish modes, Driftland: The Magic Revival brings a genuinely fresh flavour of strategy to consoles.

    Keep your eyes on the digital storefronts—Xbox Series X|S players can start reshaping the world this week on May 22, while PS5 players can join the magical fray on June 12!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/718650

    #DriftlandTheMagicRevival #StarDrifters #RTS #4Xstrategy #godgame #Xbox #PlayStation #PC #techmash #n5dave #games #gaming #gamers #videogames #gamingnews

  • Watch Your Six: Raiders of Blackveil Drops Massive “The Ghoulag” Update on Steam

    Watch Your Six: Raiders of Blackveil Drops Massive “The Ghoulag” Update on Steam

    Rebels, grab your gear. Wombo Games has just dropped the first massive content expansion for Raiders of Blackveil since it smashed its way onto Steam Early Access.

    The headline act? “The Ghoulag” update is officially live as of May 19, bringing a dark, high-surveillance new biome, deep meta-progression updates, and a feature that solo players have been begging for since day one.

    Here is everything you need to know about the latest update to this dystopian industrial-fantasy roguelite.

    Welcome to The Ghoulag: You Are Being Watched

    If you thought Blackveil’s standard factories were tough, the new biome is a completely different beast. The Ghoulag is a Blackveil interrogation site built directly on top of ancient, haunted ruins. It introduces 12 brand-new levels steeped in a tense, eerie atmosphere.

    But it’s not just a visual overhaul; this biome completely shifts how you play due to a relentless new mechanic: constant surveillance.

    The Core Threat: The biome’s final boss is Wanda, a terrifying, owl-like warden who actively watches your run from afar. Move poorly or draw too much attention to yourself, and you’ll trigger her wrath long before you even make it to the boss room.

    Alongside Wanda, you will have to deal with a brand-new mini-boss—the Houndmaster—and a host of creepy new enemy types, including Ratheads, Ratghosts, Occultist Doctors, and Cursed Books.

    Game-Changing Build Variety: Perks & Champion Upgrades

    Wombo Games isn’t just expanding the map; they’re heavily overhauling the core gameplay loop. If your favourite MOBA-inspired champions were starting to feel familiar, this update injects a massive dose of variety into your drafts.

    1. The Perk+ System

    Ready to create a truly broken build? The new Perk+ system allows you to dive significantly deeper into specific perk classes. By specialising and stacking these effects, you can craft some seriously absurd synergies to melt through high-tier rooms.

    2. Champion Perks

    The update introduces dedicated Champion Perks that allow you to alter and greatly enhance the baseline abilities of your chosen rebel. This opens up entirely new combat strategies and lets you experiment with completely fresh build combinations.

    New Loot and… OFFLINE MODE!

    What good is a new biome if there isn’t shiny new loot to smuggle out? The Ghoulag introduces new biome-specific equipment packed with unique perk effects to help you turn the tide against the megacorporation.

    But perhaps the most welcome surprise in this patch is the addition of a full Offline Mode. Raiders of Blackveil has traditionally required an internet connection, but solo rebels can now run raids completely offline—making it the perfect update for Steam Deck players who want to grind for loot on the go.

    The Road to 1.0

    Led by Janos Flösser (co-founder of IO Interactive), the Copenhagen-based team at Wombo Games is pulling out all the stops for their debut title. The Ghoulag is just the first of four major content drops scheduled for this year, with more champions, biomes, and system overhauls lined up for Summer, Autumn, and Winter ahead of the game’s full 1.0 launch planned for late 2026.

    The Ghoulag update is available right now as a free update for all Raiders of Blackveil owners on Steam.

    Are you ready to face the Warden? Let us know what builds you’re taking into The Ghoulag in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3352240

    #RaidersOfBlackveil #Roguelite #ARPG #IndieGame #Steam #WomboGames #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #videogames #gamers #gaming #games

  • Set Sail For Shattered Seas: Ubisoft Drops Skull and Bones Y3S1 Smuggler Pass Trailer

    Set Sail For Shattered Seas: Ubisoft Drops Skull and Bones Y3S1 Smuggler Pass Trailer

    Skull and Bones is officially charting a course into its third year, and Ubisoft has just dropped a brand-new Smuggler Pass trailer for Year 3 Season 1: Shattered Seas.

    If you’ve been waiting for a reason to dust off your captain’s hat and dive back into the treacherous waters of the Indian Ocean, this latest season—and the massive loot haul accompanying it—might just do the trick. Ubisoft is making an aggressive push to reshape the endgame, and the cosmetics this season are dripping with a darker, battle-hardened vibe.

    Check out the breakdown of what the new Smuggler Pass brings to the table and why Shattered Seas is shaping up to be one of the game’s biggest shakeups yet.

    New Cosmetics, New Rewards, New Ways to Rule the Sea

    The new trailer gives players a slick look at the battle pass progression system for the season. As always, the Smuggler Pass allows captains to climb through tiers by earning Merits from completing challenges and smuggling high-value cargo.

    This time around, the rewards are heavily themed around the dark, intense atmosphere of a sea torn apart by war and mythical threats. Players can look forward to:

    • Exclusive Captain Outfits: Show off your Infamy with some incredibly detailed, weathered gear sets.
    • Ship Customisation Sets: From intimidating hull colours and torn sail patterns to unique figureheads, your fleet will look terrifying on the horizon.
    • Premium Pass Exclusives: Upgrading to the Premium Smuggler Pass unlocks two full premium cosmetic sets spanning both your Captain and your favourite ships, along with extra premium currency.

    Why Year 3 Season 1 is a Total Game Changer

    The Smuggler Pass isn’t the only thing dropping. Year 3 represents a fundamental shift in how power and progression work in Skull and Bones. Ubisoft has listened to community feedback, leaning heavily into high-level naval combat and deeper RPG mechanics.

    Here is what you’re actually playing for when you level up your pass and build power this season:

    1. The Galleon Finally Arrives

    Nicknamed “The Oppressor,” the iconic Galleon is finally here as a usable large ship. Boasting more broadside gun ports than any other ship currently in the game, this massive vessel is built for high-DPS, close-range destruction.

    2. A Massive New Seasonal Mastery Tree

    Progression has been overhauled with a massive new Seasonal Mastery Tree. This new system allows players to push their build power well past the previous limits, scaling ship ranks from Rank 13 all the way up to 30. It introduces build-defining perks like Reactive Bulwark (which triggers a massive explosion after bracing) and Deadly Medicine (which converts your healing output into extra damage for your next attack).

    3. Escalating World Tiers (Bring on the Kraken!)

    Your upgraded power will be put to the test across two brand-new, unforgiving World Tiers once you reach Kingpin status:

    • World Tier 3 (Rogue Storms): Enemies gain up to three random combat affixes, introducing unpredictable mechanics and strengthened foes.
    • World Tier 4 (Brutal Tempest): The ultimate endgame challenge. Enemies roll up to five strengthened affixes, and this tier is home to the legendary Kraken and exclusive Mythic World Events.

    4. Mythic Ascension and Reforging

    To survive the upper World Tiers, players can utilise the new Mythic Ascension and Mythic Reforge systems. These allow you to apply Mythic Mods to your gear, like Wildfire, which spreads burning damage to all targets within a 300-meter radius when an enemy is set ablaze.

    Final Thoughts: Is It Time to Set Sail Again?

    With a heavy emphasis on deeper RPG mechanics, higher difficulty scaling, and the introduction of fan-requested large ships like the Galleon, Skull and Bones is kicking off Year 3 with a lot of momentum.

    The Y3S1 Smuggler Pass is live right now across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Store).

    Are you planning to jump back behind the helm for Shattered Seas? What do you think of the new Galleon? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/skull-and-bones

    #SkullandBones #Ubisoft #piracy #navalwarfare #GoldenAgeofPiracy #techmash #n5dave #videogames #gaming #gamers #games #gamingnews

  • Get Ready for Pure Nintendo Chaos: Pictonico! Is Bringing WarioWare Energy to Your Camera Roll

    Get Ready for Pure Nintendo Chaos: Pictonico! Is Bringing WarioWare Energy to Your Camera Roll

    Nintendo has just dropped a massive surprise for mobile gamers, and it is beautifully, delightfully bonkers.

    Co-developed with Intelligent Systems—the brilliant minds behind the iconic WarioWare series—Nintendo has officially announced Pictonico!, a brand-new party game coming straight to your iOS and Android devices.

    If you miss the nostalgic, quirky fun of the Nintendo 3DS era (looking at you, Face Raiders), this one is going to be right up your alley. The game officially launches on May 28, and trust us, you’ll want to pre-register for this one.

    Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming mobile madness.

    Your Photos, But Make It a Video Game

    The core premise of Pictonico! is beautifully simple: it takes your photos and turns them into fast-paced, surreal micro-games.

    You can use existing pictures from your device’s photo library or snap new ones directly through the app. From there, Pictonico! manipulates the images to put you, your friends, your family, or even your pets right into the centre of the action.

    Official Description: “Lick lollipops, summon genies, defend against zombies, and more, all featuring the faces of your family and friends.”

    Want to see your boss strut down a Hollywood red carpet? Done. Want to go skydiving with your grandma? You can do that too. The game features around 80 comically chaotic minigames that require lightning-fast reflexes on your touchscreen, with gameplay lasting only a few frantic seconds per round.

    Features & Game Modes

    • Stage Progression Mode: Work your way through increasingly bizarre levels.
    • Score Attack: Challenge yourself to see how many micro-games you can survive in a row.
    • Sudden Death / Danger Zone: Extreme speed and zero room for error.
    • Content Sharing: You can save the hilarious outcomes of your games as photos or videos to share straight to your social feeds.

    Price and Privacy: How It Works

    Nintendo is launching Pictonico! as a free-to-start title. You can download the app and play a handful of sample minigames entirely for free to get a taste of the chaos.

    If you want to unlock the full suite of 80+ games, you can purchase two separate content packs via one-time in-app purchases (listed at £7.99 / $7.99 for Volume 1 and £5.99 / $5.99 for Volume 2).

    For those worried about privacy, Nintendo has confirmed that all photo processing is done entirely on-device. Your photos are not sent to Nintendo’s servers, meaning your embarrassing high-school throwbacks and goofy selfies stay safely on your phone. Furthermore, the game doesn’t require a constant internet connection to play—you’ll only need to be online for the initial setup and purchasing new volumes.

    Launching May 28: Pre-Register Today!

    Pictonico! is shaping up to be the ultimate pass-and-play party game for the summer. It officially lands on the App Store and Google Play on Thursday, May 28.

    Don’t want to miss out on the second it drops? Head over to your device’s app store or the official Nintendo website to pre-register today so it automatically downloads to your phone or tablet on launch day.

    Are you ready to turn your camera roll into pure Nintendo chaos? Let us know who the first victim of your minigames will be in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://pictonico.nintendo.com/en-gb/index.html

    #Nintendo #Pictonico #MobileGames #photos #camera #techmash #n5dave #videogames #gamingnews #gaming #gamers #games

  • Set Sail! Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean Launches Today on PC

    Set Sail! Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean Launches Today on PC

    Dust off your tricorn hat and ready the cannons—it’s time to return to the golden age of buccaneering.

    Belgian indie studio Fishing Cactus (alongside publisher Microids) has officially launched Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean on PC. If that name triggers a wave of nostalgia, it’s for good reason: this is a modernised, ground-up reimagining of the classic 1999 strategy hit Corsairs: Conquest at Sea.

    The game is available right now across all major PC storefronts: Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store.

    Check out what to expect before you command your fleet.

    A Modern Spin on Classic Maritime Strategy

    Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean isn’t an action-heavy, third-person hack-and-slash. Instead, it drops you right into the tactical and management-heavy macro layer of high-seas warfare. You’ll navigate treacherous waters, manage trade routes, build up ports, and scale your fleet from a single vessel to a terrifying maritime empire.

    You can align yourself with one of five distinct European powers vying for dominance in the New World:

    • England
    • France
    • Spain
    • The Netherlands
    • Denmark

    Each faction brings its own campaign storyline, political ambitions, and unique faction ships into the mix.

    Key Gameplay Features

    • Deep Tactical Naval Combat: Command up to 12 distinct ship types. Success depends entirely on wind positioning, ship stats, and selecting the right ammunition (with three distinct ammo types to shred sails or tear through hulls).
    • Revamped Boarding Mode: Instead of simply sending enemy ships to Davey Jones’ locker, you can engage in close-quarters crew battles to capture vessels. This high-risk mode introduces three specific soldier classes—Tanks, Gunners, and Agile fighters—and for the first time, your Captain joins the fray directly.
    • Progression & Trading: Domination isn’t just won with gunpowder. You’ll need to establish profitable trade routes, hunt for resources, complete quests, and reinvest your gold into upgrading your ships, ports, and buildings.
    • Brand New Skirmish & Multiplayer Modes: Want a break from the campaign? Jump into the new Skirmish mode against the AI, or test your tactical mettle online in 4-player multiplayer, complete with an Elo-based competitive ranking system.

    Where to Buy

    If you’re ready to trade your landlubber status for a life of piracy, Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean is out now. You can grab your copy via the links below:

    • Steam * GOG
    • Epic Games Store

    TechMash Verdict: For fans who have been missing old-school, tactical naval strategy games like Sid Meier’s Pirates! or the original Corsairs, Fishing Cactus looks to have built a deep, modernized tribute that’s well worth a look this week.

    Are you planning to sail under the pirate flag or fight for the crown? Let us know your faction of choice in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/2397510

    #FishingCactus #Corsairs #BattleoftheCaribbean #PC #Steam #pirates #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #videogames #games #gaming #gamers