Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE by developer Team Ninja and publisher Koei Tecmo America—Microsoft Xbox Series X review written by Nick with a copy provided by the publisher.
#FatalFrame2 #FatalFrame2Remake
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Showing posts with label xbox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label xbox. Show all posts
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE – Xbox Series X Review
Team17 and Sonka Partner Up for Holstin Release
December 8th, 2025 | Wakefield, UK and Warsaw, Poland | Team17 and Sonka are excited to announce they have signed a worldwide publishing agreement for Holstin, the innovative and highly anticipated indie psychological survival horror.
Announced by Sonka back in early 2023, Holstin has steadily grown in recognition and attention thanks to its innovative visual style and technology, its unique 90’s Poland setting, and the team’s constant release of concept-proving demos. Team17 and Sonka will now be partnering up to amplify and expand on this momentum together to reach new heights.
We have been big fans of Holstin for some time, and are delighted to be able to partner with Sonka to help realise their vision and bring the game to market.We are proud to partner with such a talented team that have created a game that embodies unique atmospheric storytelling, with innovative gameplay mechanics in a spine-chilling survival horror. We can’t wait to reveal more of the game to new and existing fans in the coming months. - Harley Homewood, General Manager, Team17
We’re beyond excited and proud to partner with Team17, a publisher with a prestigious track record and the foresight to bring some truly innovative horror games to the world - with DREDGE being one of my favourite games ever!We’ve always had ambitious goals for Holstin, and now we’re confident that together we can meet and maybe even exceed them. Whether it’s expanding and refining gameplay mechanics, securing higher-quality voice acting or just having that extra space to add even more bizarre but poignant Polish Easter eggs into our 90s-drenched horror world, things are lining up nicely for us to release something truly special together. - Rafał Sankowski, CEO at Sonka, Holstin Game Director
Holstin is a psychological survival horror game set in an eerie, isolated 90’s Polish town consumed by an ominous presence. You’ve come looking for answers, but everyone seems possessed by something foul. Explore the festering town, interrogate locals and fight ungodly manifestations to get to the truth.
The game is inspired by the classic Resident Evil and Silent Hill series, while the narrative team is aiming for a darker Twin Peaks feel. Holstin will be coming to PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
GAME FEATURES
Explore a Possessed Town
Something is very wrong in the town of Jeziorne-Kolonia. The streets are overrun by some kind of filthy slime. The people, the buildings, and the wildlife all seem to be slowly deteriorating from the inside.
Fight and Survive Against Unfathomable Monstrosities
Scavenge for scarce supplies and weapons to fight off the twisted monstrosities now roaming the darkest corners of the town.
Speak to Locals Slowly Losing Their Minds
Sanity among the locals seems to be slowly slipping away, but they are the only ones who can get you the answers you need. You will have to play along with their unnerving delusions and try to understand their festering world to get anywhere.
Playing All Sorts of Tricks on Your Eyes
Holstin uses Sonka’s custom 2XD Rendering technology to deliver real-time lighting in detailed hand-drawn pixel art to uniquely combine multiple camera perspectives, including isometric 3D, third-person shooting, first-person driving, top-down exploration, and side-scrolling platforming.
Full Voice Acting in Polish and English
Chillingly manic performances in both English and Polish bring every character in Holstin to life.
The game is inspired by the classic Resident Evil and Silent Hill series, while the narrative team is aiming for a darker Twin Peaks feel. Holstin will be coming to PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
About Sonka
Sonka is a game developer and publisher based in Warsaw, Poland, previously focused on the console market as a publisher and work-for-hire porting company. Worked on over 20 games for Nintendo Switch, best known for Astro Bears development, The Way Remastered release, and Duke Nukem 3D port, now focused solely on Holstin development.
About Team17 Digital
Founded in 1990, Team17 is a leading developer, video games label, and creative partner for developers around the world. Part of the everplay Group plc with an extensive portfolio of over 140 titles, and fully encapsulates the spirit of independent games. Team17’s portfolio of multi-award-winning and award-nominated in-house brands include Hell Let Loose, Golf With Your Friends, The Escapists, and the iconic Worms franchise, alongside its games label partner titles, including the award-winning games Date Everything, Dredge, and Overcooked! franchise. Visit www.team17.com for more information.
Celebrate the Golden Era of Classic Marvel Storylines on December 1st
PARIS - Nov. 20, 2025 | MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, the arcade-style tag-team beat ‘em up celebrating the golden eras of classic MARVEL storylines and entertainment, will receive a physical release offering Standard and Deluxe Editions of the game for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox. Publisher Dotemu (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge) and Tribute Games (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Scott Pilgrim EX) announced the game’s physical editions will launch on March 13, 2026, following MARVEL Cosmic Invasion’s debut on Dec. 1, 2025 through digital storefronts on PC and consoles. (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2753970/MARVEL_Cosmic_Invasion/)
Team up with your preferred retailer to pre-order MARVEL Cosmic Invasion now (available for distribution worldwide outside of Asia).
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion’s Deluxe Edition includes:
- A physical copy of MARVEL Cosmic Invasion and special Deluxe Edition box
- A premium SteelBook case featuring a striking, hand-drawn illustration of the game’s playable roster and the menacing villain central to MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, Annihilus
- A 21.38 x 13.31" poster celebrating MARVEL Cosmic Invasion’s main cast
- 15 5.32 x 6.69" exclusive art cards, each spotlighting a starring fighter from MARVEL Cosmic Invasion and a snapshot of their incredible powers with holographic effects
- Sticker sheets spanning the game’s 15-fighter playable roster, allowing MARVEL Cosmic Invasion’s heroes to keep watch for Annihilus from any lookout points they’re adhered to
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion Physical Edition Pricing
Standard Edition
- $39.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch
- $49.99 for Nintendo Switch 2 (Full Cartridge format)
Deluxe Edition
- $59.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch
- $69.99 for Nintendo Switch 2 (Full Cartridge format)
About MARVEL Cosmic Invasion
In MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, the immortal Super Villain Annihilus has launched an unprecedented attack across the galaxy, threatening all life as we know it. Fighters, both Earth-born and cosmic, must now join forces in a star-spanning adventure against the deadly Annihilation Wave. Choosing from a unique roster of characters, brawl through the streets of New York City all the way to the depths of the Negative Zone to foil Annihilus’ vow to spread death across the cosmos with the help of Thanos, M.O.D.O.K, Taskmaster and more devious allies.
Defend the cosmos with a 15-hero playable roster, fighting as Captain America, She-Hulk, Rocket Racoon, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Storm, Phyla-Vell, Venom, Nova, Black Panther, Beta Ray Bill, Cosmic Ghost Rider, Silver Surfer, Phoenix or Invincible Iron Man. MARVEL Cosmic Invasion gives players an incredible variety of skills and styles to mix and match as they traverse across the cosmos in a star-spanning adventure.
Choose and control your own team of two characters while tagging between them mid-fight with the innovative Cosmic Swap system, capitalizing on distinct superpowers and special attacks to create unique team-ups and dish out devastating damage.
Unlock stellar powerups and rewards while experimenting with different duos and bash through a fantastic collection of locales and nemeses from the MARVEL universe. MARVEL Cosmic Invasion’s action includes a range of accessibility features, empowering the whole family to be Super Heroes (or Villains) and supports four player drop-in/drop-out local and online co-op with crossplay.
After setting the bar for arcade-inspired beat ‘em ups with the acclaimed, multimillion-selling smash hit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Dotemu and Tribute Games modernize the timeless fun of brawlers with exciting tag-team fighting and a multi-era celebration of the most iconic comic book universe. MARVEL Cosmic Invasion embodies the spirit of classic MARVEL character designs and delivers thrilling action that’d look right at home in an arcade cabinet.
For the latest on MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, visit https://marvelcosmicinvasiongame.com/, wishlist the game on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2753970/Marvel_Cosmic_Invasion/ and follow @Dotemu and @TributeGames on X.
About Dotemu
Dotemu is a French publisher and developer specializing in revitalizing legendary pop culture franchises across video games, TV and cinema by releasing original PC and console games that feel like a dream come true to play. Dotemu crafts entertainment with heart in collaboration with passionate creative partners for fans around the world, both through games that revitalize a beloved IP and titles set in original universes that modernize the classic fun of all-time favorites.
Dotemu has published and developed a number of global top-sellers including the award-winning games Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Streets of Rage 4, and NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound, as well as the new, innovative breakout hit IP Absolum. Dotemu's development and publishing work also supported the release of the acclaimed Metal Slug Tactics, Windjammers 1 and 2, Pharaoh: A New Era, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and more.
Dotemu is currently working on MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes and unannounced projects planned for 2026 and beyond. dotemu.com
About Tribute Games
Tribute Games is a studio developing and publishing video games with a focus on pixel art and classic game design. The Montreal-based studio has been steadily creating entertaining, challenging and retro-inspired games since 2011 using modern game development processes and technology. Their catalogue includes: Wizorb, Mercenary Kings, Curses 'N Chaos, Ninja Senki DX, Flinthook, and Panzer Paladin. They are also the developers of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, published by Dotemu, in partnership with Nickelodeon.
About Marvel
MARVEL is one of the world’s most prominent entertainment brands, built on an unparalleled library of iconic characters and stories that have shaped pop culture for 85 years. The MARVEL brand spans entertainment, including film, television, publishing, licensing, games, live events, digital media, and more.
For more information visit http://marvel.com/. © 2025 MARVEL
Prepare to Strike Enemies in Arena Shooter on November 6th!
October, 29, 2025 | Independently developed by Sky9 Games and published by IndieArk, the exhilarating arena shooter Strike Force Heroes (trailer, press kit) is set to make its official debut on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 on November 6, 2025, with a price tag of $24.99 USD / €24.99 EUR. Fully optimized hardware, this edition promises a fluid and immersive online competitive experience that keeps players engaged from start to finish.
(*): The PS5 price will be a higher than the stated in this release.
Strike Force Heroes is a timeless 2D arena shooter that captures the essence of classic action. Players select from diverse character classes and align with AlphaSquad to confront foes across more than a dozen vibrant maps—from dense jungles, speeding trains and even plummeting aircraft. Arm yourself with an arsenal of weapons, collect valuable loot, and master skills to upgrade and personalize your hero, culminating in epic showdowns against formidable bosses. Every mode supports both PvP and co-op, enabling seamless teamwork with friends or fierce rivalries in adrenaline-fueled battles.
Key Features
- Customize Your Hero: Level up four classes with hundreds of weapons, outfits, and abilities, each with its own completely unique strengths, weaknesses, and playstyle.
- Choose Your Loadout: With hundreds of weapons, abilities, and equipment to choose from, there’s something for every play style. Go with a safe loadout, or create a clever setup that synergizes perfectly with all your equipment for risky yet deadly results.
- Epic Storyline: Experience an engaging storyline through fully animated cutscenes with wisecracking characters, explosive action sequences, and challenging boss fights.
- Endless Replayability: Beating the campaign unlocks harder difficulties to earn better rewards, further build out your heroes, and challenge even the most seasoned of players.
- Online Co-op and PvP: For the first time ever, invite your friends to join you throughout the entire campaign, or blast them away in fully customizable PvP custom matches, with no max player limits!
About IndieArk
Founded in 2019, IndieArk is an indie game publisher renowned for its professional marketing and localization team. The company is committed to offering a full suite of customized publishing services delivering unique and interesting games to the world.
IndieArk’s mission is to assist ambitious indie game developers with remarkable creativity while fostering a collaborative spirit in all of its partnerships.
About Sky9 Games
Founded in 2012, Sky9 Games is an independent game developer comprised of two team members, Justin Goncalves (the programmer) and Mike Sleva (the artist). Sky9 Games made the original Strike Force Heroes series, along with the Raze series, Siegius series, and more.
Check Out The Order of the Snake Scale and Hellstuck: Rage With Your Friends This Month!
Sept 4th, 2025 | The Order Of The Snake Scale, a Lovecraftian survival horror game with a partially open world, is debuting on Xbox consoles. This surreal title, set in an alternate universe, combines combat, puzzles, and resource gathering with the visual style of classic horror games. The release date for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S is set for September 4, 2025. The game was previously released on PC and will launch on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on September 25.
Created by the independent Polish team at FM Simple Games Studio, the game was first released on PC, where it received positive feedback from players. The console versions of The Order Of The Snake Scale are being handled and published by Ultimate Games S.A.
A Surreal Lovecraftian Horror Experience
The Order Of The Snake Scale is a surreal survival horror set in an alternate universe. Inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, the game is filled with dark themes and a sense of primal fear.
Players take on the role of a detective investigating the mysterious death of a woman in the town of Happy Rock. The story unfolds in a dystopian setting shaped by a new world order.
Gameplay includes solving logic puzzles, platforming, combat, resource collection, and various interactions with the environment. The controls and mechanics pay tribute to classic horror games of the past.
The developers at FM Simple Games Studio also offer original 3D models and a distinctive visual and musical style that reflects retro horror aesthetics.
Key Features:
- Lovecraftian survival horror
- Combat, puzzles, and resource gathering
- Dystopian atmosphere
- Partially open-world exploration
- Unique retro-style presentation
The Order Of The Snake Scale will be released on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on September 4, 2025. The game will also be coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on September 25, 2025.
Bee Simulator: The Hive Now Available on the PC!
24 July, 2025 - Warsaw, Poland | Untold Tales and VARSAV Game Studios relesaed a new gameplay trailer for Bee Simulator: The Hive Bee Simulator: The Hive combines the original Bee Simulator game released in November 2019, with a hefty expansion named The Hive.
The Hive adds new content and mechanics into the base game and endgame to create a fresh new experience for those who never tried the original game. The main highlight of The Hive lets players now build and customize their very own sprawling bee hive colony. You’ll be zipping around the map gathering resources, setting up outposts, and unlocking various buildings to start creating and customizing your very own home for you and your colony.
The game is set to release on PC on Monday August 4th, 2025 with the PlayStation, Switch and Xbox release is planned for later in the year.
The team also recently visited a local bee farm in the heart of Poland and put together a video with a real bee keeper who shared many secrets of his craft and introduced us to the bees he's looking after. There was some myth-busting, as well as in-depth insights into the life of bees and how honey is made.
BEE SIMULATOR: THE HIVE GAME FEATURES
EMBARK ON BIG ADVENTURES AS A LITTLE BEE
Take flight in a heartwarming single-player story where you must protect your hive from looming danger. As one of the swarm’s most diligent workers, your tiny wings will carry the fate of your entire colony.
EXPLORE A VIBRANT, WORLD-FAMOUS PARK
Fly around and explore every nook and cranny of a vast, semi-open world map inspired by New York’s famous Central Park. From ponds to picnic grounds, funfairs to the zoo, you’ll uncover secrets, mini-games, and resources throughout. Find people, animals, plants, and other insects to interact with along the way.
BUILD YOUR OWN SPRAWLING HIVE
The Hive expansion lets you build and customize your very own beehive from the ground up. Optimize your resource-gathering to collect what you need to create a buzzing home. Use a variety of practical and decorative buildings to bring your hive to life.
MINI-GAMES GALORE
Being a bee means non-stop activity! Race through jet streams, collect pollen, perform bee dances, defend your colony from wasps, and tackle various challenges in an exciting mix of exploration and action-packed gameplay.
SPLIT SCREEN COOP
Team up with up to four friends or family in split-screen co-op. Play through custom-designed multiplayer maps with both cooperative and competitive game modes—fun for everyone, young and old!
A VIBRANT AND PEACEFUL SOUNDTRACK
Soar through the world with a peaceful and immersive soundtrack composed by Mikołaj Stroiński, renowned for his work on The Witcher 3 and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.
Yaldi Games Unleashes Cozy Experience 'Out and About' on August 7th
July 24th, 2025 | Scottish-German indie studio Yaldi Games have just announced the early access release date for their super cute and cozy foraging adventure, Out and About! It will be adventuring to PC via Steam on the 7th of August.
‘Only One Cozy PC Game Will Help You Identify Plants In Real Life’ - Robin Bea, Inverse
The game by Scottish-German studio Yaldi Games is all about the magic of real-life plants!
Learn to identify and gather 100+ real wild plants and fungi (50+ in early access!), cook tasty recipes, master herbal remedies, and rebuild your community after a devastating storm.
Features:
- Identify and forage real-life plants and fungi in the wild, learning their uses and how to tell them apart!
- Learn about sustainability and how to take only what you need!
- Cook 150+ delicious recipes and useful herbal remedies (90+ in early access), with step-by-step instructions to make them in real life!
- Explore an open natural world around the town, from dense forests and wide grasslands to beautiful coastal beaches and wetlands!
- Make friends with the charming characters around the town and become part of the community!
- Customize your character and discover different hairstyles and outfits!
About the Game
Harness the power of nature to rebuild your home in Out and About, a cozy foraging adventure that raised 380% of its goal on Kickstarter! A storm has blown through your childhood home, the sleepy town of Portobello. To help this little community get back on its feet, you’ll need to learn all about the wild surrounding landscape.
Learn to identify 100+ plants and fungi (50+ in early access!) – knowledge that carries over into real life! Explore a gorgeously wild open world. Forage for ingredients, cook recipes, and form deep friendships with the town's residents, who are slowly coming together as a community striving for sustainability.
Enrich your life with an ever-growing knowledge of plants, mushrooms, recipes, herbalism and more!
About the Developers:
Yaldi Games is a Scottish and German-based indie studio with a mission to craft hobby games infused with real, actionable knowledge that enriches players' lives. They are currently working on their debut title, foraging adventure Out and About, after a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over 380% of its goal.
Prepare for a Brutal Experience where Squeamish Persons Dare Not Enter
Granada, Spain – July 24, 2025 | WildSphere is pleased (or perhaps we should say, revels) to announce the launch of its next horror masterpiece: OXIDE Room 208. This frantic body-horror that promises to turn your worst fears into reality, will arrive digitally tomorrow on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Xbox Series, Steam and GOG.
Get ready to spend $29.95€ on PC and $34.95€ on consoles and a few screams of horror for a visceral, raw, and unique experience that will leave you breathless...
But that's not all, collectors of the macabre are also in luck! Tesura Games joins the carnage to bring an OXIDE Room 208 Collector's and Standard Editions for PlayStation 5 this Halloween. Stay very, very tuned, because the exact details will be sent to you very soon.
Warning: OXIDE Room 208 is a demented, intense, visceral, and unforgiving experience. If you are a sensitive person, play in public spaces, or plan to stream your game live, be sure to activate "Safe Mode for Streaming" before you start playing. Dare to cross Door 208... if you dare. Stay in touch, horror fans!
Visit WildSphere's social media for more information about Oxide Room 208, gameplay videos, development anecdotes, and much more.
Introduction/Brief Summary
Eight people trapped in an old laboratory find themselves caught up in sinister circumstances as they try to survive their final moments in this action-packed, terrifying body horror game full of gore and madness. Immerse yourself in a nightmare where the boundary between flesh and insanity blurs. Oxide Room 208 challenges you to face your fears in a dark and twisted environment.
Chronology of a massacre. THE STORY
Oxide Room 208 tells the story of eight people who are trapped by the ruthless Doc and forced to be connected to his experiment, Oxide. This dark and twisted place is controlled by Eva, an innocent victim used by Doc in his cruel research to turn her into the host of the experiment. However, Eva's sanity has reached its limit, causing the experiment to spiral out of control and create an organic, hellish environment that transcends reality. Now everyone is trapped in this nightmare filled with grotesque creatures and dangers, inspired by an old motel and the underground laboratory facilities where many atrocities were committed in the name of science. If you want to survive the night, find door 208 and go through it at all costs.
Dissecting the victims (the usual suspects)
Two shady characters trying to shoot a dirty movie with an undercover cop, a cannibal hiker and his fiancée, a rock legend searching for answers, a half-naked madman who seems to feel right at home down there, and two famous streamers from a well-known horror channel will be the perfect victims for the twisted creatures that roam the corridors of Doc's facility, and he has no qualms with mutilate their flesh and twist their memories until they are consumed and nothing remains, keeping hidden his terrible secret and his questionable and unethical experiment.
We all have some secret we can't tell anyone. So don't trust anyone! Some of those present have a much more sinister motive than just escaping from there alive.
When a character dies, there’s a good chance you will see them again, but they will have changed for the worse. Avoid the revenants at all costs!
** All characters in Oxide Room 208 are real actors and actresses digitized using motion capture techniques.
Explore different, eerie environments: Survive your journey through the forest, avoid the creatures lurking in the old mine, enter the underground laboratory where the experiment went haywire, or try to escape with your life through the greenhouse or the old motel while the rest of the survivors rot in the containment cells. Try different paths to avoid deadly encounters or find the armory and let the massacre begin. Visit seven different horror-filled locations that will make your hair stand on end.
Creatures Born of Nightmares
You are not the only one living in hell. The facilities are teeming with grotesque abominations, creatures born of chaos that defy reason. Their murderous intelligence and stealthy movements will relentlessly pursue you. Every encounter with these beings is a blow to the senses, a reminder that terror lurks around every corner, waiting to devour your last glimmer of hope.
When certain creatures see you, they will relentlessly pursue you throughout the facility. But don't just run blindly, because you might end up running into something even worse.
With art focused on the bodyhorror genre and over a dozen different types of foes, Oxide Room 208 will test your sanity.
The Fight for Survival
More than just a game, Oxide Room 208 is an immersive survival experience. Interaction with the environment is visceral: you manage your weapons and resources realistically, feeling every shudder in your hands as you take hold of your destiny. The camera, constantly shifting between the up-close first-person view and the expansiveness of third-person view, gives you a brutally intense experience of every moment.
KEY FEATURES:
Nine Real Characters: Each character is based on actors who were digitally captured using motion capture and facial scanning. Forget simple skins; their stories, scars, and secrets blaze the trail into the unknown.
Organic and chilling environments: From the grim motel hallways to sinister experimental facilities, every location is filled with details that will immerse you in horror.
Immersive dual perspective: Switch between first and third person to experience the horror from every angle and get the most out of your adventures in Oxide Room 208 with photo mode.
Cutting-edge technology: Unreal Engine 5 revolutionizes every scene with ray tracing, stunning dynamic lighting, and realism that will blur the line between fiction and reality.
Top-notch soundtrack and effects: With an exclusive vocal track by legendary rock band Sôber and a playlist curated by the talented ANBR music, we'll prove that rock and horror go hand in hand. Plus, both will be playable characters (ANBR music as Samael Tselios and Carlos Escobedo as Carlos Miller). You’ll experience all this in a terrifying atmosphere filled with sounds and effects that will remind you that you're not alone down there and that something could always jump out of the shadows.
Any last words before entering...?
If you think you have what it takes to face humanity's worst, stare into the abyss and not blink, and dig into a brutally honest storyline, you've come to the right place. Oxide Room 208 is a meat grinder, a space for anyone without fear of being consumed by darkness. The experience is intense, visceral, and unforgiving. Step through Door 208... if you dare to cross over.
Links:
- Oxide Room 208 Stores – PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, GoG
- Oxide Room 208 Website – https://wildsphere.es/oxide-room-208/
- WildSphere on X – https://twitter.com/WildSphere
About WildSphere
WildSphere is a small, indie videogame studio with more than 12 years of experience in the industry. Among their most important titles are “Oxide Room 104”, "Gigantosaurus: The Game", "Timothy vs The Aliens, and “Naught”, publishing on many platforms, including the two latest generations of PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition - Xbox Review
Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is developed and published by Aspyr—Microsoft Xbox Series X review written by Nick with a copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes.
Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is a valiant attempt at resurrecting what was a fantastic game from nearly two decades ago, but the actual enhancements feel somewhat spartan at times. There’s a handful of welcome updates, but this title seems to miss the mark, as I think it will at times frustrate original fans of the title while doing little to pull in new fans as well.
The original Neverwinter Nights was one of the most memorable games I have experienced in my four-plus decades of video gaming. I was in love with the story, the soundtrack continues to be one of my favorites even today and I spent oodles of time scratching my creative itch playing in its module community back in the day. Oddly enough, the sequel and I never quite developed that same relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed it but never quite completed the story. I am a bit foggy on the details (as it’s been nineteen years), but I believe that I picked it up right about the time I took a new job and moved to a different part of the state. So my guess is ‘real life happened’ and something else caught my attention once things settled down again.
So, I was eager to dive back into it once again with this new release of Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition. The interesting thing is that I am probably the perfect audience for this release. I have reason to go back to it since I never completed it. Computer RPGs are among my favorite genres (I still fire up older titles and enjoy them), and there are a handful of notable updates here that are worth calling out.
So what makes this an ‘Enhanced Edition’? Probably the most notable are the improvements to the textures. There will inevitably be people who say it doesn’t look any better than the original, but I would disagree with that. Does it look good? Not really, but it looks better on a sixty-inch television than it would using the old game, where it was played in much closer proximity on smaller computer monitors. I will call out that textures don’t seem to always load quite right. In general optimization could be better. The camera controls were pretty finicky, but I appreciate the ability to adjust them and get things more to my liking. I had a handful of crashes during longer play sessions (admittedly hours long without a break), and it sure feels like it loads pretty slowly for a game this old.
However, the transition to controller support on the console has been rather solid. There’s a quick toggleable ability to simply walk around with your character and interact with the environment, but also a more strategic semi-overhead view that works well for combat. Interfaces for RPGs (especially inventory management) could be pretty gnarly back then, but by and large once I got used to the button layout, it worked pretty smoothly with a controller. In fact, I think those who are console-first will find the most value in this release. There is a ton of content here as well, as the base game was quite a massive experience in and of itself, but this version of the title also comes with some extra expansions: Mask of the Betrayer, Storm of Zehir and Mysteries of Westgate.
The music still holds up beautifully, even if the visuals are clearly dated despite their touch-up for this release. Where Neverwinter Nights 2 stands out is its story. True to form for the Dungeons & Dragons games of yesteryear, there’s a deep, interesting narrative here that sells the feeling of an epic adventure. Sure, there’s plenty of familiar genre tropes to be found. For example, you’re an orphaned child being raised by a man in a village that experiences a major event that causes you to set out on your path.
Still, I wonder who this title is going to appeal to the most. Fans of the original game may still own it via Good Old Games, and the like may be disappointed by the lack of 'new' features and content. Sure, there is value in having a ready-to-play version of the game that doesn't require any configuration to try and make it work on current hardware. But those who have played the game through and experienced most of what is here might feel that the term 'Enhanced Edition' is a bit of an exaggeration. Newer players who have never experienced this title in the past might be curious due to the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, but will likely find Neverwinter Nights 2’s pacing, visuals and camera frustrating by comparison. That leaves something of a narrow target audience.
That being said, there’s certainly an audience for this game and I’m part of it. I enjoyed my time with Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition. It’s an earnest re-release of an already very good game with a ton of content. It is dated, and its age shows time and again with minor bugs and gameplay mechanics that can be somewhat unflattering when compared to the quality of life options found in modern RPGs. However, the story is rich, and the gameplay itself can be quite varied depending on your characters and how you tune your party. The amount of agency you have with the detailed character customization and progression is a hallmark of Dungeons & Dragons games and Neverwinter Nights 2 does not disappoint. With well over one hundred hours of content, Neverwinter Nights 2 is an excellent value, assuming you enjoy the gameplay itself and don’t mind the minor issues that persist. I feel as though console players will get more out of this than PC ones.
Score: 6.5 / 10
40th Anniversary Boulder Dash is Racing to PC and GAMM Museum Will Hold a Master Challenge Tournament
Munich/Rome, 21 July 2025 | The release of the eagerly awaited BOULDER DASH 40th Anniversary is fast approaching. Anyone who wants to play the final version for the first time will have the opportunity to do so next Thursday. Italy's best BOULDER DASH players will meet at the GAMM Museum at 11 a.m. to compete in the ‘Master Challenge’ qualifying tournament. All museum visitors on that day are eligible to participate. The winner will be determined in three rounds and will then be seeded in the main field at the World Championship in Cologne on 23rd of August. The German champion, who will also be determined this Thursday at the competition taking place at the same time at the Computerspielemuseum in Berlin, will also compete there. At the final during gamescom on 21st of August, the world's best BOULDER DASH players will compete in front of the developers and sound legend Chris Hülsbeck to determine the world champion.
The cult game from the 80s is getting a spectacular re-release with BOULDER DASH 40th Anniversary, featuring brand new levels, cool new graphics and exciting challenges, and will be released on 21 August for Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and MAC.
Marco Accordi Rickards, Director of the GAMM Museums in Rome, adds:
"The fact that the World Cup qualifiers are taking place simultaneously in Berlin and Rome shows the international appeal this game still has after 40 years. We are delighted to be part of this anniversary with GAMM."
Further information can be found at https://boulder-dash.com.
Links:
- Official website: https://boulder-dash.com/boulder-dash-40th-anniversary/
- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3124310/BOULDER_DASH_40th_Anniversary
- Master Challenge Rome: https://www.facebook.com/events/648431364872955
- Master Challenge Berlin: https://www.facebook.com/events/1165483348670893
Peter Liepa developed the classic game ‘BOULDER DASH’ together with Chris Gray, which was first released in 1984. He recorded a personal message for the participants in a bouldering hall.
The tournament will take place at the impressive GAMM Museum, which opened in November 2024.
On 21 August 2025, BOULDER DASH 40th Anniversary will be released for PC, Switch, Xbox and PlayStation (RRP: £19.99).
About BBG Entertainment GmbH
BBG Entertainment, based in Munich, Germany, has had two main focuses since it was founded in 2008: In the “Casual Games” area, the publication of new editions of real video game classics, which, thanks to a unique game principle, guarantee gaming fun for the whole family even decades after their initial publication. In the “Education” area, titles that not only have a demonstrably positive effect in the training and learning segments, but are also fun thanks to an entertaining production. In 2016, BBG Entertainment purchased all rights to the legendary Boulder Dash® brand from the US company First Star Software Inc. In 2023, BBG Entertainment acquired two more IP classics from Intellivision Entertainment LLC: Shark! Shark! ® and Astrosmash®. The current portfolio includes classics such as Boulder Dash®, Dynablaster®, Shark! Shark! ®, Astrosmash® and Einstein™ Brain Trainer for various platforms such as PC (Steam, Windows, Mac), consoles (Switch, Xbox) and mobile (iOS and Android).
Boulder Dash®, Rockford®, Astrosmash®, Shark! Shark!®, Dynablaster® and Quiz with Fritz® are registered trademarks of BBG Entertainment GmbH in the European Union and other countries. All rights reserved.
Intellivision is a registered trademark of Intellivision Entertainment LLC.
ALBERT EINSTEIN and/or EINSTEIN are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, represented exclusively by CMG Worldwide and are used with permission. Official licensed merchandise.
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Information about all BBG Entertainment products can be found here:
Social Media Channels:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550842448965
- X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/bbgenter
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bbgentertainmentgmbh
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbg_enter/
- Official Site: https://boulder-dash.com/
God of Weapons lands on Xbox
On June 12, God of Weapons arrives on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. This arena survival game mixes roguelike mechanics with action RPG elements and bullet hell chaos. It delivers fast-paced gameplay that rewards smart tactical choices. After earning glowing reviews on PC, God of Weapons is now coming to consoles – with a PlayStation 5 release planned in the coming months.
The game is developed by Archmage Labs, an independent studio based in Vietnam. Originally launched in 2023 on PC, it was warmly received and currently holds an 85% positive rating on Steam from nearly 4,100 player reviews.
Intense and addictive mayhem
God of Weapons is an isometric arena survival game combining roguelike
structure, action RPG depth, and bullet hell intensity. Gameplay centers
around surviving relentless monster hordes as you ascend the Tower of
Zhor. The story revolves around the battle against chaos and
destruction, all wrapped in a dark visual style.
Combat is automatic, leaving the player free to focus on dodging,
positioning, and optimizing their loadout. With limited inventory space,
smart gear choices are key to staying alive.
Players can equip a wide arsenal of melee and ranged weapons, plus a variety of accessories and special combat skills.
Levels in God of Weapons are procedurally generated, and each run is
further varied by random gear, abilities, and enemies. Progressing
unlocks even stronger weapons and gear for future attempts.
God of Weapons – main features:
- arena survival gameplay;
- intense and dynamic combat;
- roguelike, action RPG, and bullet hell elements;
- swarms of unique monsters;
- strategic inventory and gear management.
God of Weapons launches on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on June 12,
2025. A PlayStation 5 version is also on the way later this year.
God of Weapons | Xbox Launch Trailer:
https://youtu.be/H8xPdV0-TGM
God of Weapons (Microsoft Store):
https://www.xbox.com/games/store/god-of-weapons/9nv91sflw0mr
God of Weapons (Steam):
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2342950/God_Of_Weapons/
Basic information:
Title: God of Weapons
Genre: arena survival, roguelike, action RPG, bullet hell, indie
Developer: Archmage Labs, Ultimate Games S.A.
Publisher: Ultimate Games S.A.
Language: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Brazilian
Portuguese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Russian, Simplified Chinese,
Traditional Chinese
number of players: 1
File size: 2.2 GB
Release date: June 12, 2025 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S), 2025 (PlayStation 5), September 13, 2023 (PC Steam)
Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary is Releasing Soon on All Platforms!
Monday June 10th, 2025 | Today German publisher BBG Entertainment GmbH is proud to announce the forthcoming release on all major platforms on July 24, 2025 priced at €19.99 / $19.99, which include PC, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Xbox, Mac and Sony PlayStation 4 and 5, of one video game industry's iconic and much loved franchise Boulder Dash with a superb and exciting 40th Anniversary release. Starring the loveable central character, Rockford, this brand new 180 level dash and bash blast comes with a completely redesigned engine but staying close to the ideals, look and essence that resembles the original from the 80s.
The Definitive Purchase
The original million seller from way back in 1984 is a true pioneering genre marker, with its simplistic ideas, that has gamers hooked from the moment they load up the game. Immerse yourself in 40 years of video game history and experience the classic BOULDER DASH® in an epic anniversary edition! Now, the iconic title returns with a completely new, faithful game engine and 180 new levels. A treat for long-time fans and newcomers alike. Your task: Collect enough diamonds in a cave filled with treacherous enemies and falling rocks to open the door to the exit. Here, you not only have to be skillful and quick to react, but also develop a suitable strategy more than once in order to survive. And once you've completed all 180 levels, you can use an editor to not only design new levels, but also download and play content from the worldwide Boulder Dash community for free. Never before has Boulder Dash looked better or sounded more spectacular!
FACTS ATTACK!!
- 6 new, never-before-seen worlds
- 3 new worlds created by hardcore the fans
- 180 completely new, balanced, and refined levels
- Variety of new and unique items, including growing walls, slime, enemy generator, eggs, plus more
- Construction kit to create, share, or download other players’ levels
- Distinctive visual style that aims to blend original color schemes with contemporary themes
- Option to select and play for one of the three main heroes, each crafted in line with the game’s original vision
- Music and sounds composed by Germany’s most famous video game musician Chris Huelsbeck (Giana Sisters, Turrican, Star Wars Rogue Squadron, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate and many more).
BOULDER DASH 40th Anniversary is distinguished and is equally vibrant and challenging as it ever was and will appeal to all gamers that love a challenge and puzzling out how to avoid the boulders so that ROCKFORD can pave a way to the exit without being crushed. Such a simple idea but one that has been copied and cloned 100s of times but Boulder Dash stands heads and shoulders above all comers and imitations!! The fact that BOULDER DASH 40th Anniversary won at the prestigious Pixel Awards Europe 2025 in Warsaw on 7 June in the ‘Retro Roots’ category confirms the exceptional quality of the title. On the same day, the Boulder Dash Master Challenge took place for the first time. The winner was Adam Strzelczyk, who will now represent Poland at the Boulder Dash World Championship on 23 August at gamescom in Cologne.
Facts speak louder than words!
“We pursued two goals: Firstly, we wanted to bring the first three parts Boulder Dash I, II and III to life as faithfully as possible on current machines. Secondly, we wanted to spice up the classic gameplay with contemporary visuals and suitable new ideas such as growing walls, slime, an enemy generator, eggs and other things. All in all BOULDER DASH 40th Anniversary is certainly the most comprehensive game in the series of all time: The first three games in the original Commodore and Atari look, more than hundred of brand new levels in a new look, and all tested and approved by the best Boulder Dash players worldwide. On top we have integrated a level editor which allows the users to create, play and share all these levels to Boulder Dash players worldwide plus stunning music and sounds from Chris Huelsbeck.”
For those that love the Boulder Dash experience or have yet to experience what this acclaimed brand offers and own a Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC or Mac!
YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!
A MUST PLAY GAME!
About BBG Entertainment GmbH:
BBG Entertainment, based in Munich, Germany, has had two main focuses since it was founded in 2008: In the “Casual Games” area, the publication of new editions of real video game classics, which, thanks to a unique game principle, guarantee gaming fun for the whole family even decades after their initial publication. In the “Education” area, titles that not only have a demonstrably positive effect in the training and learning segments, but are also fun thanks to an entertaining production. In 2016, BBG Entertainment purchased all rights to the legendary Boulder Dash® brand from the US company First Star Software Inc. In 2023, BBG Entertainment acquired two more IP classics from Intellivision Entertainment LLC: Shark! Shark! ® and Astrosmash®. The current portfolio includes classics such as Boulder Dash®, Dynablaster®, Shark! Shark! ®, Astrosmash®, Quiz with Fritz®, Einstein™ Brain Trainer for various platforms such as PC (Steam, Windows, Mac), consoles (Switch, Xbox) and mobile (iOS and Android).
Boulder Dash® and Rockford® are trademarks of BBG Entertainment GmbH, registered in the US, the European Union and other countries. Boulder Dash® 30th Anniversary™, Boulder Dash® Deluxe™, Boulder Dash® 40th Anniversary™, Crystal™ and Goldford™ are trademarks of BBG Entertainment GmbH. Copyright © 1984-2025 BBG Entertainment GmbH. All rights reserved. The original Boulder Dash® was created by Peter Liepa with Chris Gray.
Intellivision is a registered trademark of Intellivision Entertainment LLC. ALBERT EINSTEIN and/or EINSTEIN are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, represented exclusively by CMG Worldwide and are used with permission. Official licensed merchandise. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Information about all BBG Entertainment products can be found here: https://www.bbg-entertainment.com.
Social Media Channels:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/bbgenter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbg_enter/
Official Site: https://boulder-dash.com/
Knock on the Coffin Lid: Complete Edition – Xbox Review
Knock on the Coffin Lid: Complete Edition by developer and publisher Redboon—Microsoft Xbox Series X review written by Nick with a copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes.
Knock on the Coffin Lid: Complete Edition is the console release of the game that originally came out on Steam in summer of 2024, complete with the optional DLCs. As for the game itself? It’s a gritty, turn-based roguelike that expects you to fail, but also anticipates that you’ll enjoy it enough to keep coming back for more. By and large, I’d say that the formula worked well for me, creating a generally enjoyable experience despite a couple of rough edges here and there.
The title of this game is a nod to the start of the story, which sees your protagonist waking up far from home without any memories. Oh, and he died and is getting out of a coffin. It’s a rather interesting premise and a well-told story that hangs its hat primarily on this solid narrative and pleasant art style that makes it rather unique despite so many familiar mechanics in the gameplay. The story’s not going to rival those told by JRPGs, but compared to many of the deckbuilding roguelikes out there, I actually found myself more interested in Knock on the Coffin Lid’s story more than most of its peers in the genre.
For those who are familiar with the genre and enjoy what titles like Slay the Spire or Nowhere Prophet, Knock on the Coffin Lid provides a similar structure. Combat is turn-based, and you draw cards that dictate your available attacks, skills and defensive tactics. I appreciated the variety that came from the options to have differing companions and play styles each run, but it does take some time for them to really start to differentiate themselves. That is because like many similar titles in the genre like Roguebook, you unlock new abilities with your repeated playthroughs. It can take a decent number of attempts to unlock these other cards that make different builds and playstyles feel truly unique from one another.
I will say that one card mechanic that I enjoyed was the equipment cards. Those are starting to become a bit more common in the genre (the recently released Monster Train 2 has equipment as well), but it does add a nice layer of strategy to the game’s tactics. All these elements are woven into the primary story, which sees your character going back in time when he fails a run. The premise is that you can make different decisions by taking different paths that might make your run unique from the last one.
By and large this works, because the variety of cards and how the core systems weave into the narrative is engaging. That being said, after a dozen or so runs, repetition starts to settle in. This is due to a couple of factors, one of which is the uneven (almost unfair near the end) spikes in difficulty. There are difficulty adjustments in the options, but I wouldn't call any of them easy. Secondly the lack procedurally generated maps (there's three of them) lacks some of the randomness normally associated with the roguelike genre. You can take different paths across the maps to try and make runs somewhat unique from prior ones, but a sense of 'been there, done that' started to set in sooner than I liked. I was still invested enough to want to see it through until the very end - though I found the final boss to be annoyingly frustrating.
The package around the game is quite good. The art style was unique and combined with the music, I thought the presentation was quite enjoyable. They helped to elevate the story, which I was already enjoying – they just made it better. The game itself is pretty easy to learn and for the most part the UI was intuitive enough to get around without much difficulty. There were a handful of instances where I thought some improvements could smooth out item selections, and there were some technical hiccups when playing as well – especially crashes. I suspect these will get resolved – they weren’t super common, but they did occur. At least the game frequently autosaves, so I seldom felt like I was missing a lot of effort when things did get a bit unstable.
All in all, Knock on the Coffin Lid: Complete Edition is a really solid entry into the genre of deckbuilding roguelikes. It’s mechanically sound with a stronger narrative and presentation than many similar titles. However, it is worth calling out that the ‘just one more run’ addictiveness that the genre is known for did seem to wear out for me a little earlier than some of my favorites of the genre, like Monster Train. The unlock progression is still engaging and the presentation is well executed, making this a title fans of roguelike deckbuilding would enjoy.
Score: 6.5 out of 10
Peglin – Xbox Review
Peglin by developer Red Nexus Games Inc. and publisher BlitWorks—Microsoft Xbox Series X review written by Nick with a copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Lunar Remastered Collection – Xbox Review
Lunar Remastered Collection by developer and publisher GungHo—Microsoft Xbox Series X review written by Nick with a copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Sonka Unveils a Terrifying Extensive Gameplay Video for Holstin!
3 April 2025, Warsaw, Poland | Polish developer Sonka has unveiled an extensive gameplay trailer for their highly anticipated psychological survival horror game, Holstin.
The trailer offers a whimsical glimpse into the wide range of weapons available as you fight for survival in an eerie 90s-era Polish lakeside town, now consumed by unsettling horrors. Your options for disturbing the peace are plenty! Pistols, semi-automatic rifles, grenades, flashbangs, molotov cocktails, sniper rifles, uzis, and even a bit of recreational bow-and-arrow shooting.
In addition, the trailer showcases new gameplay footage of the expansive, rotting town you'll explore in your quest for answers - what happened here, and where on earth is your best friend who left you some rather incoherent and troubling messages before all contact was lost?
Kickstarter Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sonkagames/holstin
KICKSTARTER SIGN-UP NOW LIVE
The team has also been preparing for a major Kickstarter campaign, set to launch in the summer of 2025. The campaign aims to raise funds to complete the final stages of the game and to crowdfund additional features and ideas the team is eager to implement. Players can learn more about what the game will offer and sign up to be notified once the full campaign goes live.
PLAYING ALL SORTS OF TRICKS ON YOUR EYES
Holstin uses Sonka's custom 2XD Rendering technology, enabling the team to create real-time lighting in detailed pixel art environments, as well as multiple camera modes in a way that has never been seen before. The game features various perspectives, including isometric 3D, over-the-shoulder third-person shooting, first-person driving, top-down exploration, and side-scrolling platforming.
Heavily inspired by the Resident Evil and Silent Hill series with the narrative team aiming for a darker Twin Peaks feel, Holstin will be coming to PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
Announcing Cozy Farming Simulator Everdream Valley for PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox!
13 March, 2025 - Warsaw, Poland | Mooneaters, Untold Tales and VARSAV Game Studio are thrilled to announce Everdream Village!
A cozy farming adventure where you will build your ideal living, breathing village. Create and nurture personal bonds with your fellow villagers so they in turn lend a hand, helping to grow crops, caring for your animals, and help look after your corner of paradise.
But life isn’t just about staying home. Explore a large open-world map and sail around enchanted islands, each with their own ecosystems, treasures, resources and adventures.
Everdream Village is the next evolution of Everdream Valley, allowing Mooneaters to take the best parts of the original game and expand on it with new mechanics, a bigger world and deeper systems that help you connect with your cozy home, its residents and most importantly, the cute cuddly animals under your care.
Everdream Village will first debut on Steam Early Access in 2025, followed later by a full release on PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox.
EVERDREAM VILLAGE GAME FEATURES
Sail Around and Explore Magical Islands
Set sail and explore a collection of enchanted islands, each with their own ecosystems, treasures, and resources to help you grow and expand your village.
Build a Living, Breathing Village
Your village is a thriving community that reacts to your choices. Befriend NPCs, manage their moods, and even possibly find romance. The village you build and maintain affects how everyone feels and behaves from a variety of factors.
Dive into an Animal Paradise
Interact with a massive variety of wild and domestic animals that each bring something different to the ecosystem. Breed and cross-breed animals to create unique variations of inherited traits. And when the islands' magic takes hold, transform into different animals to see the world through their eyes and maybe even cause a little mischief along the way.
Make Your Farm Flourish
Turn your little village into a thriving farm! Grow crops, care for animals, and build relationships with your fellow villagers. Each has their own routines, personality, and needs. The more they like you, the more they’ll help around the place - harvesting crops, chopping wood, and even feeding your animals.
Terraform the Land
Shape the world to match your vision! Raise hills, carve out rivers, or dig deep underground to uncover hidden secrets, lost treasures, and rare resources.
A Sandbox of Adventures
Beyond farming and building, Everdream Village is packed with activities! Cook delicious meals, fish in scenic waters, collect rare creatures, or help villagers with unique quests. Every day offers something to make your time here feel like a never-ending adventure.
