Author: Zach Barbieri

When it comes to Roguelike titles, there are always those that get unfairly glossed over, either for not being flashy enough or possibly not seeming as accessible. Last year, while everybody was fawning over Balatro (which is a great game, don’t get me wrong), I was addicted to Shogun Showdown, which I have around 30 or 40 hours in, which for me is a lot, but it was rarely game I could discuss, considering all the conversations about it lead to what it was and then whoever I was talking to about it switch to that… Other game… That everybody…

During the Tekken 8 finals at EVO 2025 on Sunday, fans of the franchise received their first look at the final two DLC characters set to complete the year two pass. The first of these, the popular returning Character Armor King, received a trailer showcasing his moves. Armor King, despite having the same moniker as the character King that launched in the base game, is a completely different character who has been both a friend and a rival to King. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBjhCpvBtyk Armor King will unleash his moves in Tekken 8 on October 16, with 72-hour early access being granted to…

*A code was provided for this preview of Concubine Concubine is an experience I was hoping would have something good in there to draw me. Visually, and I guess substance-wise, the game treats itself like many of the games on Steam, catering to, we will call them, certain sexual proclivities. The kind you lock your door for and turn off your Discord account so people don’t know you are playing them. Well, you do maybe. I stopped caring years ago when it became more work to hide in than explain it. Concubine is not one of those games, though, at…

Initiation is the sincerest form of flattery, or so they say. In the video game industry, it is also a prevalent practice for a game developer to hit the nail on the head, have a winning combination, and for others to take notice and try their hand at the same. It’s a double-edged sword to attempt this, though, with something so readily apparent to compare your game to. Thus is the case with Wild Hearts S, the Nintendo Switch 2 port of the console game from Koei Tecmo studio Omega Force (yes, the Dynasty Warriors team), which drew heavy inspiration…

Nintendo has announced several price rises for the original Switch family, including consoles and more. Accompanying this are warnings of additional price hikes down the line, including the Nintendo Switch 2, which was released back in June, as well as video games, and the Nintendo Switch Online membership. These price rises are being stated to be “based on market conditions,” according to Nintendo, and will take effect on August 3rd. This announcement follows a month after the company suggested price rises were coming to Canada, a decision that was also “based on market conditions.” Nothing further has been outlined yet by…

During the Nintendo Direct held today, Bandai Namco announced Once Upon A Katamari, the first new console game in the long-running series in over a decade. The last game released in the series was Touch My Katamari, which was released for the PlayStation Vita in 2011. Remakes of the original Katamari Damacy and its sequel, We Love Katamari, have both received remasters on modern platforms in 2018 and 2023, respectively. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wo0qRu5EPM Beyond simply seeing the Prince roll his way around a quirky and goofy take on Japan, this time we will see the Katamari travel between multiple time periods of…

Rounding out the Nintendo Partners Direct was two games announced by Square Enix, a new IP, and a prequel to the popular Octopath Traveler franchise, entitled Octopath Traveler 0. The game is set to launch on December 4, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, as well as the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. This will mark the first time the franchise has released a game on all platforms at launch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENHXHzvMx-g Another first for the series will be the ability to customize your main character as the player sets out on a “journey of…

Rounding out the Nintendo Partners Direct held today, Square Enix showcased new RPG titles to feature the HD-2D aesthetic that was popularized for the company with Octopath Traveler. While one of these titles was in fact a new Octopath Traveler Game, the other was a new IP entitled The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, which looks like a combination of a few different games under Square Enix’s Belt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-zycj_tJgo Set in the Kingdom of Hurter, where the titular character Elliot sets off to investigate a mysterious set of ruins that has been found. Once there, he discovers a door…

One of the things that has come from the gaming market, where indie games can flourish, is that genres often dominated by one or two titles have exponentially grown. Take, for instance, the Management and city builder genre that had only a few games in it, a few experiences to have, and now you could wander Steam for days and never reach the end. Not all of these games are good, of course, but thankfully, The Wandering Village both manages to craft something unique in its approach and engaging in its execution. The first noticeable thing about the game is…

Light spoilers for Lies of P Below While not advertising them or having a functioning tracking system for all the side opportunities Pinocchio can come across, there are a few optional tasks that can be taken along the way. One such moment comes during the second chapter of Lies of P when a silhouette asks you for help, reaffirming that these are dark times you are living through. Chapter 2 begins when you exit Hotel Krat, heading towards Elysion Boulevard, where you will encounter a Stargazer on the street right at the entrance. You will need to make your way…