Lords of the Fallen II First Gameplay Revealed in New Brutal, Bloodsoaked Trailer at The Game Awards

CI Games Thrills Audiences with a First Look at the Bone-Breaking Soulslike Combat of the Highly Anticipated Action-RPG; Also Releases Final Major Update for Lords of the Fallen (2023)

LOS ANGELES – Dec. 11, 2025 – Independent developer and publisher CI Games has revealed the very first look at gameplay of the highly anticipated action-RPG Lords of the Fallen II as part of The Game Awards (TGA). The hard-hitting new trailer, featuring a cover of “It’s a Sin” by chart-topping rock band Ghost, illustrates the game's brutal soulslike combat against an array of fearsome, towering creatures amid an expansive world characterized by its trademark dual realms. Built on Unreal Engine 5, Lords of the Fallen II launches in 2026 on the PlayStation®5 system, the Xbox Series X|S console systems, PC via the Epic Games Store, and is available to wishlist now.
 

Watch the First Lords of the Fallen II Gameplay Trailer on YouTube
 

Lords of the Fallen II, currently in active development, is a new soulslike action-RPG set in a human realm besieged by eons of malevolent gods, visceral magic, and unflinching defenders. 1,000 years after the fall of the dark god Adyr, a lone kingdom stands against the forces of the dead realm known as Umbral and its eldritch master.
 

This eagerly awaited sequel is bolder, braver, and bloodier. As the Lampbearer, players can rend enemies limb from limb with a brand new dismemberment feature and silence them forever with all-new executions in a fast and fluid combat system. An even greater wealth of enemy types and truly jaw-dropping boss battles will test even the strongest in solo play or best-in-class shared progression co-op and optional PvP multiplayer. Witness a first look at three fearsome bosses in this first gameplay reveal, including the metal-encased Heartroot Warden and his chain-wrapped greatsword, the bewinged Koydreth striking from his rune-etched mirror, and the colossal dragon Lingao the Souring Storm harnessing the power of wind and lightning.
 

“We are excited to share this first gameplay look for Lords of the Fallen II at the TGAs,” said Game Director, James Lowe. “Designed and developed in accordance with our players-first philosophy, we look forward to seeing the community’s reaction to the faster and more brutal combat, the significantly greater enemy variety, and the more spectacular boss battle showdowns. And this is just the beginning…”

Watch the Lords of the Fallen (2023) Version 2.5 Update Video on YouTube
 

Lords of the Fallen (2023) Version 2.5 Update
 

To satiate fans as they wait for the release of Lords of the Fallen II, CI Games has released the final major update for Lords of the Fallen (2023). Version 2.5 introduces extensive reworks to enemy and boss behavior across both Legacy and the all-new Veteran Mode, and more:
 

• Bosses Reborn: With combat now faster, tighter, and more aggressive, bosses, mini-bosses, and enemies throughout the game have received extensive behavior updates across both Legacy and Veteran mode, to increase the soulslike challenge. Bosses like Pieta feature refined combos and increased moveset variation while the Congregator of Flesh has received less staggering and tighter pacing. Mini-bosses will pressure players further with faster attacks, smarter positioning, and cooldown logic, while normal enemies go a step further with a new global cooldown system adding to their aggression, alongside faster spell recovery, and reduced attack distance.
• Veteran Mode: Beyond these refinements lies Veteran Mode — the ultimate test of skill and endurance. Here, many of Mournstead’s bosses have been further empowered with faster transitions, new attack patterns, and even more aggressive behavior. Those that conquer veteran mode will earn a final reward - the Veteran of the Veil breastplate with a unique item drop buff.
• Boss Weapons Reforged: Several boss weapons now feature new signature attack animations.

Version 2.5 is the culmination of over 70 updates forged through the feedback of more than 6 million players. For full patch notes, visit the official news feed.

CEO Marek Tyminski added, “We’ve been actively listening and engaging with our community since launch. This is exactly what they’ve been asking for and we’re delighted to provide it free for all owners - the final major update and the ultimate representation of our vision for Lords of the Fallen.”
 

CI Games will share more details in 2026 for Lords of the Fallen II ahead of its global launch. As fans wait for the sequel, new Lords of the Fallen (2023) players can enjoy a limited time discount of 50% off ($14.99, €14.99, £12.49) on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, the PlayStation®5 system, and the Xbox Series X|S console systems.
 

For more game information visit the official Lords of the Fallen website. Fans can also follow on YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook, Reddit, or join the official Discord.

To learn more about CI Games, visit the official company website.
 

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About CI Games

Founded in 2002, CI Games is an independent, global video games developer and publisher. The company has created internationally recognised and celebrated titles for nearly 25 years, including the acclaimed Lords of the Fallen and Sniper Ghost Warrior franchises. CI Games is currently developing the next major installment of the Lords of the Fallen franchise, as Lords of the Fallen II is due in 2026. For more information about CI Games, please visit www.cigames.com.
 

Article by: Susan N.

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Highly Anticipated Action RPG Lords of the Fallen II in 2026!

LOS ANGELES – Dec. 11, 2025 | Independent developer and publisher CI Games has revealed the very first look at gameplay of the highly anticipated action-RPG Lords of the Fallen II as part of The Game Awards (TGA). The hard-hitting new trailer, featuring a cover of “It’s a Sin” by chart-topping rock band Ghost, illustrates the game's brutal soulslike combat against an array of fearsome, towering creatures amid an expansive world characterized by its trademark dual realms. Built on Unreal Engine 5, Lords of the Fallen II launches in 2026 on the PlayStation®5 system, the Xbox Series X|S console systems, PC via the Epic Games Store, and is available to wishlist now.

Lords of the Fallen II, currently in active development, is a new soulslike action-RPG set in a human realm besieged by eons of malevolent gods, visceral magic, and unflinching defenders. 1,000 years after the fall of the dark god Adyr, a lone kingdom stands against the forces of the dead realm known as Umbral and its eldritch master.

This eagerly awaited sequel is bolder, braver, and bloodier. As the Lampbearer, players can rend enemies limb from limb with a brand new dismemberment feature and silence them forever with all-new executions in a fast and fluid combat system. An even greater wealth of enemy types and truly jaw-dropping boss battles will test even the strongest in solo play or best-in-class shared progression co-op and optional PvP multiplayer. Witness a first look at three fearsome bosses in this first gameplay reveal, including the metal-encased Heartroot Warden and his chain-wrapped greatsword, the bewinged Koydreth striking from his rune-etched mirror, and the colossal dragon Lingao the Souring Storm harnessing the power of wind and lightning.

“We are excited to share this first gameplay look for Lords of the Fallen II at the TGAs,” said Game Director, James Lowe. “Designed and developed in accordance with our players-first philosophy, we look forward to seeing the community’s reaction to the faster and more brutal combat, the significantly greater enemy variety, and the more spectacular boss battle showdowns. And this is just the beginning…”

Lords of the Fallen (2023) Version 2.5 Update

To satiate fans as they wait for the release of Lords of the Fallen II, CI Games has released the final major update for Lords of the Fallen (2023). Version 2.5 introduces extensive reworks to enemy and boss behavior across both Legacy and the all-new Veteran Mode, and more:

• Bosses Reborn: With combat now faster, tighter, and more aggressive, bosses, mini-bosses, and enemies throughout the game have received extensive behavior updates across both Legacy and Veteran mode, to increase the soulslike challenge. Bosses like Pieta feature refined combos and increased moveset variation while the Congregator of Flesh has received less staggering and tighter pacing. Mini-bosses will pressure players further with faster attacks, smarter positioning, and cooldown logic, while normal enemies go a step further with a new global cooldown system adding to their aggression, alongside faster spell recovery, and reduced attack distance.
• Veteran Mode: Beyond these refinements lies Veteran Mode — the ultimate test of skill and endurance. Here, many of Mournstead’s bosses have been further empowered with faster transitions, new attack patterns, and even more aggressive behavior. Those that conquer veteran mode will earn a final reward - the Veteran of the Veil breastplate with a unique item drop buff.
• Boss Weapons Reforged: Several boss weapons now feature new signature attack animations.

Version 2.5 is the culmination of over 70 updates forged through the feedback of more than 6 million players. For full patch notes, visit the official news feed.

CEO Marek Tyminski added, “We’ve been actively listening and engaging with our community since launch. This is exactly what they’ve been asking for and we’re delighted to provide it free for all owners - the final major update and the ultimate representation of our vision for Lords of the Fallen.”

CI Games will share more details in 2026 for Lords of the Fallen II ahead of its global launch. As fans wait for the sequel, new Lords of the Fallen (2023) players can enjoy a limited time discount of 50% off ($14.99, €14.99, £12.49) on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, the PlayStation®5 system, and the Xbox Series X|S console systems.

For more game information visit the official Lords of the Fallen website. Fans can also follow on YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook, Reddit, or join the official Discord.

To learn more about CI Games, visit the official company website.

About CI Games

Founded in 2002, CI Games is an independent, global video games developer and publisher. The company has created internationally recognised and celebrated titles for nearly 25 years, including the acclaimed Lords of the Fallen and Sniper Ghost Warrior franchises. CI Games is currently developing the next major installment of the Lords of the Fallen franchise, as Lords of the Fallen II is due in 2026. For more information about CI Games, please visit www.cigames.com.

Article by: Susan N.

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Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 - XB1 Review

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 by developer and publisher CI Games—Microsoft Xbox One Review written by Nick with a copy provided by the publisher.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is a very solid entry that takes the strengths of the original game and improves upon them. There’s still a few issues here and there that take the shine off just a bit, but for anyone who likes the strategy and stealth of playing a sniper, there is a lot to enjoy here.

For those familiar with the Sniper Ghost Warrior games, the earliest iterations were pretty fun breaks from the normal run-and-gun style shooters that were popular at the time. However, by the time Ghost Warrior 3 came out, it was clear that the formula had gotten a bit stale. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts did a commendable job of narrowing in on a new formula and this sequel does a nice job of doubling down on things that were so good about that title.

There is so much that goes into that perfect kill shot. There’s inevitably going to be comparisons to Rebellion’s Sniper Elite series. The gory kill-camera shots are as gratuitous and yet rewarding as ever. The majority of the game’s focus comes down to not just finding your target, but trying to set up for that perfect kill shot from a ridiculous distance. Trying to find that sweet spot where you don’t get noticed, while watching your target for the perfect window – ideally where they stand still for a moment so they aren’t literally moving targets, but before that window closes – is really tense. Adjusting for the wind, trying not to get distracted by other things happening at the time… all of these elements are perfectly baked into the experience to create these really exciting moments that are incredibly satisfying when you nail that shot.

Of course, there is more to it than simply finding a secluded spot where things just turn out due to lucky happenstance. The earlier stages take it relatively easy on you, but the later stages try to get you to dig a bit deeper into your bag of tricks. One of the primary gameplay loops of Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 are the contracts themselves. Just killing your target is often fairly easy, but you can get some unique challenges sprinkled in there such as staying completely stealthy the entire time or to knock off your target with some tactic other than just a bullet through the head. These extra funds then get used to purchase equipment that can make your tasks easier going forward, like a drone that helps you to scout beyond just your line-of-sight. I never felt like these or the purchasable skill upgrades were going to make or break my missions, but some of them certainly made life easier for me than not having them would have. These gadgets play in nicely to the setting, which is somewhat futuristic, if not overly so.

The story itself is nothing special. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it. But the whole premise of operating along the border of a foreign country to stealthily take out bad guys is pretty common stuff for games of this nature. The voice acting gets the job done and the characters’ motivations all make sense, I was just never all that heavily invested in that part of the game for whatever reason. It was not bad, it was just kind of forgettable – which is fine as the actual sniping gameplay is the real star and focus here.

The pacing of Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 suits me really well. As most people who read my reviews on the shooter genre know, I tend to gravitate towards sniping. There is just something about it that resonates with me. I am seldom in the top half of the board when it comes to kills in run-and-gun games like Call of Duty or Battlefield, but I tend not to die much and focus heavily on objectives, which is much more satisfying to me. That patience of mine tends to translate pretty well to this title, which wants you to spend time doing reconnaissance before jumping into things. Skirt the perimeter, use your binoculars to tag enemies and learn their movement patterns. Learn who the immediate threats are – like other AI snipers looking around for troublemakers such as yourself, and make sure to take them out first.

If you are looking forward to a run-and-gun experience? I recommend you look elsewhere. While Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 handles the ranged game quite well, your character just does not hold up as well when things get a bit more personal. You have some different weapons and traps you can apply, but they tend to feel more clumsily executed. There are a few rough edges in the presentation as well that can show up here. The AI is not overly smart, but when things get really hectic, the enemy soldiers can be annoyingly hive-mind as one person sees you and suddenly the rest in the vicinity just immediately know exactly where you are at. There should be a little more pause for confusion one would think.

If you do sneak away, they finally just call down airstrikes on what they think was your general location and then go back to business as though nothing happened. The environments generally look pretty nice, but there are some odd issues where things sometimes just don’t work like you’d expect as you fail to climb a rock or flail about weirdly in a somewhat shallow bit of water. When you’re in stealth mode, working the perimeter, these annoyances are pretty forgivable, but they are a bit more irritating when you are trying to get away and the environment is working against you nearly as much as the soldiers.

In terms of the amount of content, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 should keep you busy for about a dozen hours. There’s not all that many stages, but the replay value comes from the various contract conditions. You will not execute on all of them in one go. You are meant to make some money, learn some things about the stage, and then come back and try things with a slightly retooled gameplan and perhaps one of those previously discussed upgrades. Even if you somehow happen to come up with what seems like the perfect plan, the contract conditions themselves might conflict with one another if one wants you to kill your target two completely different ways.

Summary

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is not a AAA title, and it lacks a bit of the polish that comes with that, especially where the environmental interactions and some of the visuals are concerned. That being said, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 gets it right where it matters most – the sniping gameplay. Scouting out for that perfect shot when you connect with it is incredibly satisfying. That gameplay loop of making money, improving your gear and skills and trying things from a different angle was a lot of fun, even with some of its rough edges.

Score: 7.25 / 10

 

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Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 - Xbox One Review

While the Sniper: Ghost Warrior games are in no need of an introduction, I myself am new to the Ghost Warrior line of Sniper titles and was a bit unsure of what to expect when going into CI Games' Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3. From the developers of the criminally under-appreciated Lords of the Fallen, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 takes the previously-linear tactical snipe-fest and opens the franchise up. Though enjoyable, the open-world aspects of Ghost Warrior 3 do tend to pull away a bit from what it is that it does best, and that is sniper rifle-filled tomfoolery. Half-hearted open world shenanigans aside, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 an excellent tactical sniping title set in a beautiful world that tends to get in the way of itself.

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Lords of the Fallen: Complete Edition - PS4 Review

Lords of the Fallen: Complete Edition brings the underrated action-RPG title from last year back to the PlayStation 4 with access to all of the prior DLC. So with a year of patching the game under its belt and some additional items and a new zone, how does the game hold up now? Quite well, actually.

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Lords of the Fallen - PC Review

When I first saw Lords of the Fallen at E3 I was hooked; I had to have more. Here is this crazy, heavily armored and rough-looking man named Harkyn that has a giant hammer and a big shiny shield trudging his way through a frozen landscape with snow and wind whipping around him. As he continues to push on the ground rumbles and this massive thing emerges and all this armored gentleman does is hunker down, raise his shield, and begin a battle. As more content about Lords of the Fallen was released, the more interested I became; utilizing a loose "class" system, you can choose between three different primary styles of play.

You can choose the stout warrior, a fighter of great constitution that stands fast and takes punishment with his giant shield and his longsword. There is the rogue-like character, nimble, lightly armored and armed to the teeth with fast blades. Finally there is the cleric, a holy warrior whose faith, shield and massive mace are his weapons against the demonic hoard that is ravaging the planet. Which of these classes will you assume as you work to save the world? Does Lords of the Fallen stand toe-to-toe with perhaps the best Action RPG of all time, Dark Souls II? Read on to learn more.

Lords of the Fallen is a gorgeous game with stunning volumetric lighting, a healthy dose of particles such as dust and weather patterns, and goodness the models are top notch. Take Harkyn's starting Cleric gear, the flowing cloak shows some wear but not so much to be ratty and torn; his pauldrons have these tassels that swing and sway when you move or when the wind blows (which it is blowing a lot in some areas) and the steel of his armor looks like it has seen better days. The battered steel and fading cloak are held together by well-used leather straps and the cloth that shows under the breastplate and pauldrons looks suitably used; and that is just the armor.

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Lords of the Fallen Dev Diary

With Lords of the Fallen right around the corner (releasing on October 28th), we are happy to share some press information, assets and a brand new dev diary that was released today. Take a look!

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