Eurogamer.net Matt Wales Feed

Little Nightmares 3 review

Matt Wales — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

There's a moment around Little Nightmares 3's midpoint when, following a tepid first half so safe it often feels like a tribute act, new series developer Supermassive finally seems to hit its stride. Slowly the hum of a mysterious subterranean void gives way to rain-lashed walkways as our diminutive protagonists brave the exterior of some vast, heaving machine. Then the reveal of the grand Carnevale, its sprawl of big top tents and twinkling lights, its parade of grotesque fairground thrill seekers, all perfectly framed. Little Nightmares 3's often slavish adherence to the past means it's burdened with far too much frustrating legacy faff, but even so, it's hard not to get lost in the spectacle of it all.

The Sims 4's Adventure Awaits expansion is exactly the kind of getaway I've been looking for

Matt Wales — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0000

In this, the year of unmitigated bullshit, a bit of a jolly holiday away from it all's probably what most of us could do with. So consider it fortuitous timing, then, that The Sims 4's latest expansion, Adventure Awaits, provides exactly that. Unfortunately, like holidays often do, it also comes with a bunch of screaming children. Boo.

Consume Me review

Matt Wales — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 09:07:17 +0000

"Just think of it like a video game!", Consume Me's increasingly put-upon protagonist Jenny tells herself early on as she prepares to take the dieting plunge. The final year of school is approaching, adult life is looming, and if that wasn't enough, the words of her overbearing mother - how will she ever get a boyfriend if she doesn't lose some weight? - are lodged in her brain. It'd be enough to overwhelm anyone, let alone a teenager still trying to find her place in the world.

Call of Duty: Blacks Ops 7 shares new multiplayer gameplay and details in lengthy new showcase

Matt Wales — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 21:05:13 +0000

With Call of Duty: Blacks Ops 7's 14th November release date looming and its early access beta just days away, Activision has aired a big old Call of Duty Next showcase, featuring - amid the enthusiastic shouting and endless "official partner" promotion - a heap of multiplayer news and gameplay, including a look at Warzone's new Resurgence map, and more.

Swery's oddball roguelike Hotel Barcelona isn't exactly good, but its janky jaunt through horror movie history is endearing all the same

Matt Wales — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Ten seconds into Hotel Barcelona, you're watching an aerial shot tracking a car through the mountains, The Shining-style; a couple of minutes later, a gas station attendant is giving you an ominous warning about the campsite up ahead where a young baseball player drowned. Even the bar you eventually visit has nicked its décor wholesale from the Overlook Hotel. If nothing else, Deadly Premonition developer Hidetaka "Swery" Suehiro's latest oddball endeavour - an action-roguelike created in collaboration with No More Heroes' Goichi "Suda51" Suda - is an endearing love letter to horror movies, even amid the jank.

Here's everything announced in PlayStation's latest State of Play showcase

Matt Wales — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 21:11:37 +0000

Well here we are again! Sony's returned with another PlayStation State of Play showcase, this one of an autumnal hue, meaning a fresh parade of announcements for things you'll be playing on your PS5 soon, soonish, and decidedly less soon.

Dying Light: The Beast manages to be a very entertaining video game despite repeatedly insisting on being a boring one

Matt Wales — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0000

I didn't much like the original Dying Light, which came as a bit of a surprise given how entertaining the whole thing sounded on paper. Extreme violence and undead slaughter? Check! Ludicrous gravity defying parkour action? Here! Spooky night-time bits against powerful foes designed to properly ramp up the tension? You got it! A winning formula by any measure; it's just a shame it was all buried in a package that felt so joyless.

Cosy builder Town to City feels like a lovely autumnal treat, but honestly I'm just having fun planting flowers

Matt Wales — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

I knew Town to City had ensnared me in its nefarious trap the moment it told me I could customise individual window boxes. Yes, this early access city builder is one of those games, seemingly aimed specifically at weirdos like me whose idea of bliss is hours spent in a serene reverie of fastidious path-laying and flower-planting, all in the name of aesthetic perfection. And if you count yourself in that number, Town to City might just be the ideal retreat as the cold autumnal nights draw in.

Devolver's Steam sale is now on, so I'm using it as an excuse to tell you about its brilliant oddball horror adventure Look Outside

Matt Wales — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:07:04 +0000

Look Outside starts as it means to go on, hinting at a choice and then standing back smirking. The room's dark; strange light leaks through closed curtains, and a beady eye poking through a crack in the wall urges you to peek out the window. You don't have to do it; it's not a formal decision point as such, just a gently presented possibility - and you can practically hear developer Francis Coulombe cackling as your curiosity wins out and all your innards explode through your eye holes.

Despite a change in developer, Little Nightmares 3's new demo suggests more of the same, for better or worse

Matt Wales — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 08:30:00 +0000

Little Nightmares 3 has a demo! And if you were worried a new developer might mean big changes for the well-received horror series, this generous playable jaunt through ancient corners suggests - for better or worse - there's nothing to fear.

Brilliant retro horror throwback Crow Country has landed on PlayStation Plus, and it's well worth your time

Matt Wales — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 08:30:00 +0000

Even without the cloying darkness and lumbering monsters, you get the impression Crow Country would be a pretty awful day out, what with its cramped thoroughfares and tatty décor, its frazzled animatronics and the kind of browning water features you can practically smell through the screen. It's certainly no Disneyland that's for sure, but there's no arguing this delightfully grim Atlanta theme park is a perfect horror setting.

Quirky horror with a timely story hidden beneath? Indie gem No, I'm not a Human might be one of my favourite games this year

Matt Wales — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 12:04:54 +0000

Going into No, I'm not a Human, I think I was expecting a quirky horror curio about identifying monsters in people-suits, which it sort of is - for a while. But slowly, it slips on a new face, and by the time things wrapped up several hours later in a smog of suffocating hopelessness and a smear of blood and bone, I was genuinely a little shellshocked by it all.

As Stop Destroying Videogames petition verification continues in EU, organisers are preparing to 'counter misinformation and industry lobbying'

Matt Wales — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 11:50:39 +0000

Stop Destroying Videogames - the European campaign inspired by the Stop Killing Games movement - has shared a progress update as EU countries continue verifying petition signatures, saying it's preparing for the next stage, which will include "countering misinformation and industry lobbying".

As Silksong drags them into the spotlight again, have boss runbacks had their day?

Matt Wales — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 10:58:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to the first in an almost certainly occasional series of features we're tentatively calling The Big Question, in which, having failed to reach a decisive position on something we've enjoyed chattering about in the office this week, we present it to you, the EG community, for further interrogation.

Here's everything announced in Nintendo's latest Direct

Matt Wales — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 14:36:08 +0000

It's Mario birthday! The moustachioed maestro is 40 this weekend, and Nintendo is in a celebratory mood. Its latest Direct showcase was chock full of Mario stuff - from re-releases to a brand-new tennis game - but things didn't stop there. We also get a release date for Metroid Prime 4, a glimpse of a new Fire Emblem, and more. For the full rundown of everything revealed, read on.

Here's your first look at the Mario movie sequel

Matt Wales — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:13:18 +0000

As part of it latest Direct showcase, Nintendo has had a bit of a Mario moment to celebrate the iconic plumber's 40th anniversary. Alongside other bits of moustache-adjacent news we got a very first look at the second Mario movie, officially titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Don't expect that Netflix BioShock movie any time soon - three years on it still doesn't have a finished script

Matt Wales — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:49:46 +0000

Three years after Netflix announced it was turning Irrational Games' acclaimed underwater shooter BioShock into a live-action film, its producer has suggested its still some way off, confirming that work continues on its script.

Queer developers speak out as adult games remain in limbo following payment processor showdown at Steam and itch.io

Matt Wales — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:03:48 +0000

When developer and Itch Queer Games Bundle co-founder Taylor McCue awoke one morning in late July it was to panic online. Overnight and without warning, indie-focused storefront itch.io had indiscriminately de-indexed all titles tagged as NSFW from its browse and search pages, regardless of content or nature. Suddenly, thousands of games were far harder to discover on the platform, and less easily accessible to paying customers.

The Sims 4 shows off its getaway themed Adventure Awaits expansion in first gameplay trailer

Matt Wales — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:07:51 +0000

Summer might be coming to an end, but The Sims 4 isn't quite done holidaying yet. Its new getaway themed Adventure Awaits expansion arrives for all platforms on 2nd October, and ahead of its release EA has shared a first gameplay trailer, providing a better idea of what's in store.

Until Dawn at 10: how Supermassive overcame Sony scepticism and used the science of fear to make a modern horror classic

Matt Wales — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0000

"There was a big thing where Sony didn't like the game when we released it," Until Dawn creative director Will Byles recalls. "They really hated it in fact, and pulled all the marketing. It was really frustrating."

007: First Light gets a March 2026 release date and a $300 collector's edition

Matt Wales — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 18:53:03 +0000

As part of Sony's big Bond-themed PlayStation State of Play, developer IO Interactive has revealed 007: First Light will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC on 27th March next year. Additionally, the studio has unveiled a collector's edition with a price tag likely to leave you at least slightly shaken if not completely stirred.

No Man's Sky boss "so happy" as sim celebrates highest Steam player count since launch and fans go wild with new ship customisation

Matt Wales — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:27:17 +0000

We've all heard the No Man's Sky story by now: controversial launch followed by, as commenters often put it, the greatest redemption arc in the history of gaming. Somewhat remarkably, developer Hello Games' exploratory space sim has now received almost forty major updates since its launch in 2016, all helping No Man's Sky turn its initial "Overwhelmingly Negative" rating into "Very Positive" on Steam. But earlier this week, shortly after the arrival of its Voyagers update, No Man's Sky hit another incredible milestone, reaching its highest Steam player count since its launch nine years ago.

No Man's Sky adds fully customisable multi-crew spaceships you can build and fly with your friends

Matt Wales — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Space can be a lonely place, what with it being - as a wise man once famously put it - so vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big and all. Which is where No Man's Sky new Voyagers update comes in. Now, those long treks across the infinite expanse needn't be quite so lonely thanks to the introduction of multi-crew space ships you can build, pilot, and stroll around with friends.

A few hours into The Rogue Prince of Persia's 1.0 release, it's Dead Cells with beautifully balletic carnage - but hopefully there's a bit more to it

Matt Wales — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Our pal the Prince of Persia has been through a lot since his seminal debut in 1989, his form ever-shifting like, well, the sands of time. But throughout it all, from his eye-popping rotoscoped origins to his leap into the third dimension, and then, over the last few years, back into the side-on world again, there's one thing that's consistently defined the series' core: movement. Sure, old Prince was positively plodding compared to his later incarnations, but a sense of unparalleled fluidity has stayed true. I say all this, because The Rogue Prince of Persia, which has just had its 1.0 release on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, PlayStation Plus, and Game Pass after a year in Steam early access, still manages to feel like part of the series' nearly four-decade legacy, despite yet another reimagining of its form.

Don't let an apathy towards trucks drive you away from American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 now they're heading to PS5 and Xbox

Matt Wales — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:00:37 +0000

If I had to make a list of the things in life I have absolutely no interest in, trucks would be pretty near the top. And yet, I am obsessed with developer SCS Software's Truck Simulator series of games. And so, following the news both American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 are at long last making their way to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, I'm here to convince you their soothing expanses of endless virtual highway might also be for you, even if you don't know your backhaul from your bill of lading.

Rusty Lake is back with another deliciously macabre adventure, and if you've slept on the overlooked series you're missing out

Matt Wales — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 14:11:59 +0000

If you've been reading Eurogamer for any length of time there's a good chance you've already seen me harp on about the shamefully overlooked Rusty Lake series. It's a wonderfully macabre thing; strange, haunting, often unexpectedly disturbing, but also brilliantly accessible, and cheap as chips too. I love it, and will never stop telling people about it in a bid to share that love, so here I am again now that new game Servant of the Lake has been revealed.

Horror movie classic Halloween is getting the 1v4 multiplayer treatment, and it's out next year

Matt Wales — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:45:26 +0000

John Carpenter's Halloween is the latest horror movie classic to get the multiplayer treatment, and it's coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC sometime in 2026.

Tropico 7 announced for PC and consoles, and it's coming to Game Pass on day one

Matt Wales — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:54:32 +0000

El Presidentes assemble! Tropico 7 - the latest entry in Kalypso Media's Caribbean-set city building sim - is official and heading to Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Game Pass next year.

Drowning in the sea of Opening Night Live game announcements? Here are the under-the-radar gems we're most excited about

Matt Wales — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:18:01 +0000

At this point, it's almost tradition that Gamescom Opening Night Live draws to a close with a collective sigh. Again I send my prayers to the stars that the OmniGeoff may one day concede - and this goes for the equally interminable likes of Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards - that shorter, more focused is always better. Imagine the sustained enthusiasm you could generate without all that flaccid, glassy eyed filler! And so in that spirit of relative brevity, here's a quick list of some of the slighty under-the-radar announcements from this year's show (and pre-show) that managed to get us quite excited.

Ghost of Yōtei is getting its own co-op Legends mode as free post-launch DLC

Matt Wales — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:24:12 +0000

Ghost of Yōtei is almost upon us, and ahead of its 2nd October arrival, developer Sucker Punch has confirmed its highly anticipated sequel is getting its own co-op-focused Legends mode as free post-launch DLC next year.

Fallout season two gets a release date and a brand-new trailer featuring a New Vegas favourite

Matt Wales — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:15:14 +0000

After a whole lot of waiting, the second season of Amazon Prime's acclaimed live-action Fallout adaptation finally has an air date. It hits the streaming service on 17th December, and the news is accompanied by a brand-new trailer offering some glimpses of what's in store, including a very familiar moustache.

Lego Batman is back in Legacy of the Dark Knight and it's out next year

Matt Wales — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:36:40 +0000

Just when the world needs him most, the caped crusader returns - albeit in tiny plastic form. Yes, the Lego Batman series is back in Legacy of the Dark Knight and it's coming to Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2, and PC next year.

BioShock 4 studio reportedly facing layoffs as former Diablo boss takes over amid "development turmoil"

Matt Wales — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:31:38 +0000

UPDATE 20/8/2025: 2K Games has confirmed recent reports of layoffs at BioShock 4 developer Cloud Chamber, sharing an internal memo with Eurogamer in which 2K president David Ismailer told staff the publisher would be "reducing the size of the development team" as it looks to "rework certain aspects" of the purportedly troubled project.

Helldivers 2 hits Xbox next week with a Halo-themed Warbond coming to PS5 and PC too

Matt Wales — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:40:37 +0000

Ahead of Helldivers 2's arrival on Xbox Series X/S next week, Arrowhead Game Studios has revealed a Halo-themed Legendary Warbond - featuring a range of familiar equipment - that's heading to PS5 and PC too.

Watch today's Kirby Air Riders Direct here

Matt Wales — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:27:56 +0000

It's been a busy couple of week in Nintendo presentation land. First we had that third-party-focused partner showcase, then it was the turn of the indies, leaving everyone to speculate that a proper Direct showcase much surely be on the way. And, well, here we are, sort of. Today's 45-minute Direct is apparently focused exclusively on Switch 2's upcoming Kirby Air Riders - and if that appeals, here's where you'll be able to watch it unfold.

Sublime puzzler Dorfromantik brings its bucolic charms to PlayStation and Xbox, and it's as irresistible as ever

Matt Wales — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 15:24:05 +0000

I don't mind admitting it; this little write-up would have been published much sooner if I hadn't made the silly mistake of firing up Dorfromantik first to give my brain a bit of a refresher. And, honestly, I should have known better. This gem from Toukana Interactive is easily one of my favourite – and I might even go as far as to suggest best – strategic puzzlers from the last five years. It's also one of the most soothingly, hypnotically compelling, so as I prepare to alert you to its new arrival on Xbox and PlayStation, consider yourself warned.

Tiny Bookshop is making me want to run away to the seaside, and judging by its popularity, everybody else is coming too

Matt Wales — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:45:40 +0000

If the recent unstoppable wave of cosy sims has taught me anything, it's that my life would be infinitely more tolerable if only I dropped everything to start a life of aggressive vegetable upkeep deep in bucolic isolation. Yet despite all this pro-turnip (and weirdly low-key horny) propaganda, the idea's never particularly appealed. Tiny Bookshop, though, might finally have convinced me that the time is right: so farewell all; I'm packing up for a new adventure among musty, attic-abandoned boxes and salt-scented air.

Take-Two boss reckons Civilization 7 will still hit its lifetime target despite "slow start" following troubled launch

Matt Wales — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:13:12 +0000

Civilization 7 didn't get off to a great start when it launched earlier this year, quickly becoming mired in complaints around its controversial gameplay choices, lack of features, and clumsy UI. But while developer Firaxis is still struggling to win over series fans - particularly on Steam, where its user reviews remain "mixed" - Take-Two Interactive boss Strauss Zelnick believes Civilization 7 is still on track to hit its lifetime "value" projections.

Hideo Kojima's Metal-Gear-like Physint is still so early in development, he's currently working on it "all by myself"

Matt Wales — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 11:41:07 +0000

We already knew Hideo Kojima's new Metal Gear-style Physint was still some considerable way off, but the acclaimed designer has now shed some further light on its progress, confirming it's still early enough in development that he's currently working on its "all by myself".

Nintendo's new toddler range includes cute wooden Mario blocks that double as amiibo, but the best set'll cost you £100

Matt Wales — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 19:26:34 +0000

Nintendo's wading into the baby and toddler market with a new toy, clothing, and "general goods" range it's pulling together under the My Mario banner. And there's even a toddler-friendly stop motion Mario series releasing to accompany the whole thing.

Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone studio Bithell Games is laying off 'the majority of full-time staff'

Matt Wales — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 17:50:10 +0000

Bithell Games, the studio behind the acclaimed likes of Thomas Was Alone, John Wick Hex, and Tron: Catalyst, has announced job cuts impacting the "majority" of its full-time employees.

Fantasy FPS classics Heretic and Hexen have been revived and remastered for PC and consoles

Matt Wales — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 12:08:06 +0000

Retro fans rejoice! Raven Software's legendary (or at the very least, fondly remembered) fantasy FPS twosome Heretic and Hexen have risen from the grave and received the remaster treatment on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC, courtesy of retro specialists Nightdive.

Here are the games Prime Gaming members can claim in August

Matt Wales — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 10:13:00 +0000

As the thrills of July make way for the spills of August, Amazon has refreshed its Prime Gaming offerings once more, this time bringing 13 titles to subscribers, including Civilization 3.

Official Xbox handheld console ROG Ally gets a release date, courtesy of reliable leaker

Matt Wales — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:01:36 +0000

ASUS' Xbox-branded ROG Ally - perhaps the closest we'll get to an official Xbox gaming handheld anytime soon, if recent reports are true - launches this October, says a reliable leaker.

Nintendo's Indie World Showcase - here's everything announced

Matt Wales — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 15:00:17 +0000

A mere seven days after its third-party-focused partner showcase, Nintendo has given indies a turn, detailing exactly what Switch and Switch 2 players can look forward to in between those bigger-budget releases. And while its latest Indie World Showcase was certainly a brisk affair, it still managed to pack a lot in, so if you missed it live - or simply want a refresher - here's everything featured this time around. And to avoid an overwhelming sense of crushing disappointment, I'm just going to tell you now: there wasn't even a whiff of Silksong.

After Concord and a string of delays and cancellations, Sony admits PlayStation's live-service strategy is "not entirely going smoothly"

Matt Wales — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:28:00 +0000

Sony's chief financial officer Lin Tao has admitted PlayStation's live-service strategy - which has seen a string of high-profile flops, delays, and cancellations after a bullish start back in 2022 - is "not entirely going smoothly". Tao has also confirmed Destiny developer Bungie's independence is to be reduced as it's folded into PlayStation Studios.

Video Game History Foundation expands its preservation efforts by making "one of the first American" games magazines available for free

Matt Wales — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 17:47:50 +0000

After celebrating the launch of its digital library earlier this year, the preservation-focused Video Game History Foundation has expanded its publicly available collection with the full run of Computer Entertainer, described as "one of the first American video game magazines".

Here's how you can still get a Battlefield 6 multiplayer early access code

Matt Wales — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:32:07 +0000

You probably already know EA's about to hold a Battlefield 6 open beta so you can check out its multiplayer component ahead of release, and you probably also know EA's holding an open beta early access event so you can get stuck in even earlier. But you might not be aware there's another way to get an early access key if you missed out previously.

Japan's biggest charity speedrunning event won't have Nintendo games because Nintendo couldn't help but Nintendo

Matt Wales — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:37:35 +0000

RTA, Japan's biggest charity speedrunning event, has confirmed there'll be no Nintendo games present at this year's show due to Nintendo's strict rules around the use of its products.

Sound the Silksong klaxon! There's another Nintendo indie showcase coming this week

Matt Wales — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:33:51 +0000

Silksong fans, prepare to ride the rollercoaster of delirious anticipation and potential crushing disappointment once more: Nintendo has announced another indie-focused showcase is happening this week, so could this finally be the day for that release date news?

Mastercard insists it has not "required restrictions of any" game on Steam or itch.io, but Valve claims otherwise

Matt Wales — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 18:24:13 +0000

As Steam and Itch.io continued to grapple with recent pressure by payment processors to withdraw NSFW games from their platforms, Mastercard has moved to distance itself from the ensuing censorship controversy, insisting it has not "required restrictions of any" game. But Valve says otherwise, pointing to a Mastercard rule saying the company can refuse to process anything it believes 'reflects negatively' on its brand.

Here's everything else Microsoft is doing to celebrate Rare's 40th birthday

Matt Wales — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:53:09 +0000

It turns out there's more to Microsoft's 40th birthday celebrations for beloved UK studio Rare than just an ugly controller. Xbox has now outlined its full anniversary plans, which include an Evercade cartridge collection, a four-disc vinyl soundtrack, Sea of Thieves bits, and more.

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls' PS5 closed beta is happening soon and you can sign up right now

Matt Wales — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:14:31 +0000

There's great news if you've been looking forward to smacking Captain America in the face. Guilty Gear developer Arc System Works has announced PlayStation 5 closed beta dates for its upcoming superhero tag team fighter Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls.

Metroid Prime 4 still launching this year says Nintendo as delay speculation intensifies

Matt Wales — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:11:23 +0000

Amid rumours of a potential delay for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Nintendo has reiterated the extremely long-awaited new entry in its beloved sci-fi series is still due to launch this year.

Grounded 2 is celebrating its release with a chance to win a 10-foot ant plushie you can use to frighten a child

Matt Wales — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:44:12 +0000

Forget eight inches of Shadow the Hedgehog; forget 22 inches of Solid Snake (until you're alone at least), and behold the terrifying majesty of Grounded 2's 10-foot ant plushie/gaming chair hybrid, which Microsoft is currently giving away to promote its upcoming sequel.

After increasing shares in FromSoftware owner Kadokawa, Sony now owns 2.5% of Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco

Matt Wales — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:19:27 +0000

Sony has whipped out its wallet and snapped up precisely 2.5 percent of publisher Bandai Namco as part of a "strategic partnership" that primarily appears to be focused on expanding audiences within the realm of anime and manga.

Itch.io 'deindexes' all NSFW games, blames same anti-porn group that campaigned against Steam

Matt Wales — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:40:04 +0000

Itch.io, the digital distribution platform known for its focus on independent game developers and other artists, has "deindexed" all NSFW content following discussions with payment processors contacted by the same Australian pressure group that recently targeted Steam.

Battlefield 6 details including October release date leak ahead of this week's official reveal

Matt Wales — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:15:24 +0000

Fresh Battlefield 6 details have emerged from a reliable leaker ahead of its big trailer reveal tomorrow, including word the latest instalment of EA's beleaguered shooter series is eyeing up an October release date and an €80 price tag on consoles.

After bullishly hiking Xbox games to $80, Microsoft confirms U-turn starting with The Outer Worlds 2

Matt Wales — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:00:15 +0000

Microsoft has walked back on its previous decision to hike the price of its new first-party Xbox games up to $80 USD this 'holiday season', saying it's sticking to a lower price point "in line with current market conditions".

Bethesda veteran and 'father of the Elder Scrolls' Julian LeFay dies, aged 59

Matt Wales — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:41:40 +0000

Bethesda veteran Julian LeFay, sometimes referred to as the 'father of Elder Scrolls' thanks to his pioneering work on the legendary fantasy RPG series, has died aged 59.

Borderlands 4 for Switch 2 won't release alongside other platforms, Gearbox confirms, but there's just a few weeks' wait

Matt Wales — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:57:00 +0000

Borderlands 4's elusive Switch 2 release date has finally been revealed, but there might be a few jealous glances from series fans planning to get stuck in on Nintendo's platform: developer Gearbox has announced the Switch 2 version won't release alongside other versions in September. Don't be too sad, though; Borderlands 4 for Switch will trail other platforms by just a few weeks, launching on 3rd October.

Metroid Dread studio's recent console and Epic-exclusive action-adventure "underperformed" due to "increasingly selective consumers", says publisher

Matt Wales — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 11:30:49 +0000

Blades of Fire, the dark fantasy action-adventure from Metroid Dread studio MercurySteam, has "underperformed" following its console and Epic Games Store-exclusive PC release in May, contributing to a €10m loss for publishing group Digital Bros. The company has blamed the game's failure on "an oversupply of new releases and increasingly selective consumers".

ZeniMax employees discuss chaos of Microsoft's "inhumane" mass layoffs in new report

Matt Wales — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:21:02 +0000

ZeniMax employees have spoken out following Microsoft's mass layoffs impacting over 9000 employees at the company, calling the process - which reportedly saw "hundreds" of colleagues at the studio lose their jobs - "inhumane".

Here's everything announced in today's Pokémon Presents showcase

Matt Wales — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 14:24:52 +0000

DJ Pikachu has been and gone, taking the latest Pokémon Direct (or Pokémon Presents if you must) with him. And this time around, we got Pokénews aplenty, with small furry fistfuls of new Z-A details, some Pokémon Go updates, a new Pokémon puzzler, and more. But if you missed it - or simply need a refresher - you'll find everything announced below.

Surprise! Delayed extreme sports sort-of-sequel Descenders Next's revised release date is... right now

Matt Wales — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:10:43 +0000

Three months after quietly delaying extreme sports sort-of-sequel Descenders Next, developer RageSquid has returned with news of its revised early access release date - and you won't need to get your calendars out, because it's available on Steam, Xbox, and Game Pass right now.

That incredible-looking mod reimagining Fallout 1 in Doom is still alive, and there's a glorious new trailer

Matt Wales — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 21:29:18 +0000

It's been five years since artist Alexander "Red888guns" Berezin's efforts to reimagine the grim world of Fallout as a 3D Doom-style shooter had us wondering what a more substantial version of their vision might look like. And finally we have an answer thanks to a newly shared, and stunningly atmospheric, Fallout: Bakersfield trailer.

Stop Killing Games says 'industry has filed false claims' against EU campaign as it surpasses 1.4m signatures

Matt Wales — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 20:24:46 +0000

Stop Killing Games figurehead Ross Scott says "serious accusations" and "false claims" have been filed against the game preservation movement's European initiative, accusing the campaign of violating EU rules. All this comes as support continues to gain momentum, with the official EU petition having now surpassed 1.4m signatures.

Atari's classic 2600 console re-release is getting an aggressively yellow Pac-Man edition

Matt Wales — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:40:06 +0000

Today is clearly the day Atari and Namco have sealed their reunion with pursed lips and probing tongues. Following the announcement of a new Namco-themed expansion for the excellent Atari 50 interactive museum thing, the pair (along with third wheel Plaion) have cuddled up to unveil an extremely yellow Pac-Man edition of the Atari 2600+.

Pac-Man, Dig Dug, and other retro favourites get the interactive museum treatment in Atari 50's new Namco DLC

Matt Wales — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:24:00 +0000

After reliving some old-school rivalries with last year's Intellivision-themed DLC, Atari 50 is welcoming another classic contemporary through its interactive museum doors. Namco's legendary line-up of retro titles (or a few of them at least) are arriving in new DLC soon.

Ubisoft reckons microtransactions help make games "more fun", but still wants to ensure they "respect the player experience"

Matt Wales — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:41:10 +0000

Everybody loves a microtransaction! Or at least, that appears to be the line publishers like rolling out whenever justification of their existence is required. Following EA's now legendary reimagining of loot boxes as "surprise mechanics" ("We do think [these are] quite ethical and quite fun", it said at the time), Ubisoft now reckons microtransactions are helping to make its games "more fun" - but it is at least self-aware enough that it's adopting policies to ensure they "respect the player experience".

Warframe studio would love to do a proper Switch 2 version but it's still waiting on a dev kit: "So if you know anyone..."

Matt Wales — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 21:59:15 +0000

It's officially Warframe weekend, what with developer Digital Extreme's tenth TennoCon live event now here, and it's brought plenty of news about exciting things to come. Including, it turns out, a native Switch 2 version of the free-to-play sci-fi shooter - just as soon as Digital Extremes can get a developer kit from Nintendo, at least.

Warframe maps out its next year of updates with demon weirdness, nicer-looking faces, and even a cinematic tutorial about using Mods

Matt Wales — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 21:56:42 +0000

Warframe fans won't need to be reminded it's a big weekend for developer Digital Extremes and its long-running sci-fi shooter. Thanks to this year's TennoCon live event, which is traditionally the time for the studio to dazzle its community with all sorts of things to come, we've now got a pretty good idea of what Warframe's next twelve months look like.

Tomb Raider composer jailed for 16 months after being found guilty of fraud

Matt Wales — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 13:32:32 +0000

British video game composer and sound designer Peter Connelly, known for his work on the Tomb Raider series alongside the likes of Watch Dogs and Dead Island 2, has been jailed for 16 months after being found guilty of fraudulently claiming a second Covid loan.

Bethesda veteran Julian LeFay, 'father of The Elder Scrolls', departs game development due to cancer

Matt Wales — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 12:40:39 +0000

Julian LeFay - who oversaw multiple Elder Scrolls games as chief engineer at Bethesda, and is often referred to as the 'father' of the series - is stepping back from game development to spend his "remaining time with his family and loved ones" following his cancer diagnosis.

Mortal Kombat 2 movie's chain-flinging, torso-splitting full reveal trailer is here

Matt Wales — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:37:56 +0000

Following yesterday's cheeky teaser trailer, the Mortal Kombat 2 movie's ready for its full reveal, with two-and-a-half minutes of silliness, a little bit of splatter, and plenty of Johnny Cage.

Civ 6 goes free on the Epic Games Store as Summer Sale discounts some massive games

Matt Wales — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:16:20 +0000

The grey, uncomfortably moist British summer is finally here and Epic is celebrating the occasion - well, the season - with the launch of its Epic Store Summer Sale. But there's more, seeing as Thursday also marks a fresh batch of new freebies, which this week includes Civilisation 6.

GTA 6 will earn $7.6bn in two months and be the "largest gaming release of all time", investment firm predicts

Matt Wales — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:37:11 +0000

It's not magic brain science to suggest GTA 6 is going to be big, but one investment firm has suggested it's going to be big to the tune of $7.6bn in just two months, while also securing the accolade of "largest gaming release of all time."

Silent Hill and Slitterhead creator teases new project, despite concerns about his advancing age

Matt Wales — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:18:20 +0000

Silent Hill and Siren creator Keiichi Toyama has confirmed he and his team at Bokeh Game Studios is working it's next project, and it won't be a sequel to horror oddity Slitterhead.

Subnautica 2 lawsuit alleges ousted leader was working on a Subnautica movie, despite Krafton's claims he "chose to focus on a personal film project"

Matt Wales — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:11:55 +0000

Ousted Subnautica 2 studio founder Charlie Cleveland has hit back at claims made by former employer Krafton in a newly unsealed court document, accusing the publisher of deliberately hindering the Subnautica 2 project in order to avoid paying out a $250m bonus.

Steam introduces vague new rules banning 'certain kinds of adult content' to appease credit card companies

Matt Wales — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:42:21 +0000

UPDATE 18/7/25: In response to questions from Eurogamer regarding Steam's new guidelines preventing "certain types of adult content" from being distributed on the platform, Valve has provided some general background on the events leading to the decision.

Cyberpunk 2077's 2.3 update wants you to relax and take in the Night City sights with new self-driving cars

Matt Wales — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 18:08:44 +0000

After a series of vehicular teases earlier this week, CD Projekt has finally unveiled Cyberpunk 2077's much-anticipated and mildly delayed 2.3 update, which - among other things - introduces self-driving (but sadly not flying) cars to Night City.

EA really wants you to know it listened to fan feedback in creating EA Sports FC 26 as gameplay reveal addresses critics

Matt Wales — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:47:32 +0000

EA Sports FC 26's hype machine has officially been switched to its 'on' position, with a first trailer - featuring a smattering of gameplay from this year's iteration - and plenty of promises around "innovations powered by community feedback". That's alongside confirmation of a 26th September launch on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.

With Avowed's 1.5 update, it finally gets Steam Deck verified, as well as some fancy new Ranger and Fighter moves

Matt Wales — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:01:57 +0000

Obsidian Entertainment has been quietly beavering away on its well-received fantasy action-RPG Avowed, and the latest of the studio's toils are now available in its newly released 1.5 update, introducing Steam Deck verification, new class abilities, and more.

Nintendo's Switch 2 wheelchair basketball game will soon be playable in a limited-time demo

Matt Wales — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:41:24 +0000

Drag x Drive, the Nintendo-developed wheelchair basketball game unveiled alongside Switch 2 back in April, is getting a limited-time demo.

Acclaimed indie studio accuses Apple of yanking its game from the App Store without "clear justification"

Matt Wales — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:51:42 +0000

UPDATE 17/6/25: Following developer Santa Ragione's claims earlier this week that Apple is removing the studio's 2016 visual novel Wheels of Aurelia from the App Store without "clear justification", the iPhone maker has responded to Eurogamer's request for comment by drawing attention to the App Store Improvements section of its developer support website.

Cyberpunk 2077's 2.3 update is being revealed this week, and it's probably got something to do with cars

Matt Wales — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:06:02 +0000

Cyberpunk 2077 - the Schrödinger's cat of video games in as much as its development appears to be simultaneously alive and dead - is set to reveal its delayed 2.3 update tomorrow, 16th July, with CD Projekt seemingly hinting at a vehicular focus.

Dead Island 2's canned original version "would have killed the franchise", insists exec

Matt Wales — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:11:19 +0000

Cast your mind back, and you might recall Dead Island 2's eventual, near-decade-long journey to release. Well, a former exec overseeing the project has now spoken a little more on its troubled development, claiming its scrapped first iteration would have "killed the franchise".

Latest Switch 2 update improves backward compatibility, even though Nintendo's not shouting about it

Matt Wales — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:53:11 +0000

Nintendo has pushed out another Switch 2 system update with typically minimal patch notes. But as delightful as the company's endless quest for "stability improvements" undoubtedly are, users have also starting spotting some undocumented backward compatibility improvements affecting the previously broken likes of Portal 2.

EA Sports FC 26's full reveal coming this week as latest Ultimate Edition cover star unveiled

Matt Wales — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:09:07 +0000

If you're eager to know what's new in EA Sports FC 26, your day is almost here; EA is giving its latest football iteration the full reveal treatment later this week. And it's also unveiled this year's Ultimate Edition cover star, so you got something to look at while you wait.

Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War spruce-up gets release date and discount for Anniversary owners

Matt Wales — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:11:42 +0000

If you were previously excited about the impending arrival of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War's Definitive Edition release, there are now two additional reasons to be excited. Firstly, it's out very soon on the newly announced date of 14th August, and secondly, there's a nice chunky discount if you own the Anniversary edition of the game.

FBI says it's now seized "multiple" ROM piracy sites, claims downloads resulted in $170m losses in just three months

Matt Wales — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:34:04 +0000

Following the Federal Bureau of Investigation's widely reported seizure of pirate ROM site Nsw2u.com last week, the US government agency has confirmed the move was part of an operation that impacted "multiple" targets.

As Stop Killing Games' momentum continues, top EU politician offers support: "A game, once sold, belongs to the customer"

Matt Wales — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:08:36 +0000

Nicolae Ștefănuță, Romanian politician and vice president of the European Parliament, has spoken out in support of Stop Killing Games, saying, he "stands with the people" behind the initiative, and that "a game, once sold, belongs to the customer, not the company."

After impressing on Quest, The Room studio's spooky, 80s-set VR adventure Ghost Town hits PC very soon

Matt Wales — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 17:46:08 +0000

Ghost Town - the spooky, 80s-set VR puzzle-adventure from the studio behind the acclaimed The Room series - is a genuine treat, and one that's poised to shake off its former Meta Quest exclusivity very soon. Developer Fireproof Games has announced Ghost Town's paranormal delights will be available on PC via Steam VR from next Tuesday, 15th July.

Acclaimed colony sim RimWorld lifts off for a life in orbit as new Odyssey expansion arrives

Matt Wales — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:49:41 +0000

RimWorld is boldly going where no acclaimed sci-fi colony sim with a weird cannibalism obsession has gone before: up a bit. RimWorld is leaving the ground behind and heading into space for the first time in its new paid Odyssey expansion, which launches today on PC.

Subnautica 2 drama escalates: ousted developers launch legal action as Krafton accuses them of abandoning project

Matt Wales — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:35:08 +0000

Subnautica 2's increasingly messy saga has taken another dramatic turn. Developer Unknown Worlds' ousted leaders have announced legal action against Krafton after the publisher shared a statement accusing the former employees of 'abandoning' the underwater survival sequel.

Ghost of Yōtei's gorgeous gameplay deep dive reveals refined combat, lo-fi beats mode, and more

Matt Wales — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:39:29 +0000

Ghost of Tsushima's gorgeous PlayStation 5 sequel Ghost of Yōtei is inching ever-closer to release, and ahead of its October arrival, developer Sucker Punch has shared its best look yet at what the revenge-soaked open-world action-adventure will bring - including, it turns out, a lo-fi beats mode for a more soothing saunter through Ezo.

Sea of Thieves is getting multi-ship private servers and paid custom servers "early" next year

Matt Wales — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:07:18 +0000

Following Sea of Thieves' seventh birthday celebrations back in March, developer Rare has cast its spyglass toward new horizons, outlining its vision for the multiplayer pirate adventure's future in its first-ever Community Direct livestream. And those plans include the introduction of multi-ship private servers and paid custom servers "early" next year.

Here are your PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium games for July

Matt Wales — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:29:41 +0000

July is here in a waft of warmth (your meteorological mileage may vary), meaning a fresh batch of games has arrived for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers. And it's a pretty exciting month, with CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077 making its service debut, alongside the likes of Planet Zoo and Life is Strange studio Don't Nod's well-received Banishers.

Dune: Awakening studio reimbursing players after latest patch inadvertently nukes their stuff

Matt Wales — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:48:50 +0000

Developer Funcom has apologised to Dune: Awakening players and pledged to restore missing vehicles and items after a recent patch inadvertently deleted bases and other equipment.

Dead by Daylight details its Walking Dead collaboration as public test build goes live

Matt Wales — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:29:37 +0000

Dead by Daylight is ready to stick a rusty knife into its distended fleshsack of horror IP collaborations yet again, this time resulting in The Walking Dead splattering wetly onto its gore-soaked floor. We already knew the collaboration was coming, of course, but with its public test build now live, developer Behaviour Interactive has finally detailed exactly what's involved.