TANUKI: Pon's Summer – A Cozy Adventure With Anime Charm and BMX Action!

Back in June, we took TANUKI: Pon's Summer for a spin in its demo, and the quirky characters, anime-style presentation, and BMX riding certainly caught my attention. If you missed that first ride, you can check out our earlier demo coverage here.

But this time around, I'm looking at something a little different. Once the novelty of seeing a tanuki on a BMX bike wears off, is there enough here to make me want to keep playing? Based on my time with Pon so far, the answer comes down to one simple thing... having fun doesn't always require checking another objective off the list.

 Deliveries Are the Job. Riding Is the Reward. 

Pon's got packages to deliver, and that's all well and good. But imagine having to make those rounds on foot. Running around as a little tanuki would've been okay, but even with the ability to run, the pace would've been much slower. The bike gets you where you need to go faster... and makes the trip a lot more enjoyable.

Here's the thing... getting from point A to point B is cool, but flipping, jumping, and grinding on rails along the way? Even better! Once you realize you can turn an ordinary delivery route into your own little BMX session, you're not necessarily looking for the quickest way there anymore. You might spot a rail and decide to grind it just because you can.

That's the difference for me. The bike doesn't feel like something you only use when it's time to work. It's an invitation to mess around, try a few tricks, and enjoy the ride... even when you don't have a delivery planned.

Join me for this first day of summer... in TANUKI: Pon's Summer! (Let's play!)

 The Mini-Games Give You Another Reason to Return 

Here's where the adventure earns even more points with me: the various mini-games. They're the kind of side activities that can make a game memorable long after you've stopped focusing on what you're supposed to do next. And frankly, I don't think we get enough of that particular flavor of fun in modern games.

One session can be about making deliveries, another can be about checking out the mini-games, and another might consist of nothing more than riding around and pulling tricks. I like having those options because they make returning to Pon's world feel less like clocking in for another shift and more like deciding what kind of fun I'm in the mood for.

That's where I see the replay value. I'm not talking about replaying everything just to finish a checklist. I'm talking about enjoying the game's activities enough to come back without needing some big reward dangling in front of you. Sometimes you just feel like grinding a rail... and that's reason enough.

 Anime Charm With a Little Old-School Spirit 

Of course, Pon's adventure still has that oddball Japanese-style charm that made the demo stand out. Anime fans should appreciate the quirky characters and anime cutscenes, especially if they enjoy stories where the strange and the everyday can exist side by side without anyone making a big deal out of it.

I mentioned the Dreamcast feeling in our earlier coverage, and the mini-games only strengthen that comparison for me. SEGA has continued to keep that playful spirit alive, but I miss the days when you could jump into something a little unusual and discover that the side activities were half the reason to stick around. TANUKI: Pon's Summer gives me a bit of that feeling again, without needing to be a throwback.

 A Summer Worth Revisiting 

My first look at Pon was about the game's personality. Spending more time with it has made me appreciate the... freedom to enjoy the moments between objectives (and the demo only offered so much). The deliveries give you a reason to travel, the mini-games give you something else to enjoy via the community, and the BMX tricks turn getting around into entertainment all by itself. By the way... for all the achievement hunters out there, you have 43 of them waiting for ya!

Is this a game where you have to be productive every time you pick up the controller? Not at all... and that's part of the appeal. Whether I'm making deliveries or just riding around because I'm in the mood to pull off a few stunts, there's something satisfying about being able to enjoy the adventure at my own pace. Pedal on!

Soak it all up in TANUKI: Pon's Summer... available now for $19.99 on Switch | Switch 2 | PS4 / PS5 | Xbox | Steam!

 + Sophi 

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FTS: Hozy, tinyBuild’s Cozy Renovation Sim, Is Coming to PS5 & Xbox Series X|S Nov. 9

Hozy, tinyBuild and Come On Studio’s cozy home renovation game, is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 9. Console players will be able to clean, restore and decorate a forgotten neighborhood at their own pace, with no timers, scores or penalties getting in the way.

The console release includes nine levels, from a penthouse to a tree house, plus the Game+ and Sandbox modes. tinyBuild says the game has sold more than 500,000 units since its earlier release on PC.

Restore Littleville one room at a time

Each level in Hozy introduces a space with its own atmosphere and story. Players tidy up and renovate before furnishing it with a curated selection of décor. A mop, squeegee and crowbar help with the work, while interactive objects add small environmental touches, like opening windows, lighting lamps and playing a piano.

There are no scores or wrong choices, so players can focus on arranging furniture, choosing colors and bringing each room back to life. The soundtrack also shifts as players progress, and objects and surfaces have their own sounds.

Game+ and Sandbox modes expand the makeover

After completing the nine-level story, Game+ lets players revisit spaces with different furniture sets and switch between day and night. Sandbox mode opens up every available item, giving players room to mix, match, duplicate and customize their designs freely.

DualSense features add a tactile touch on PS5

On PS5, DualSense haptic feedback responds to actions such as mopping and arranging furniture. Adaptive triggers add resistance while prying up floorboards with the crowbar, and the controller’s built-in speaker plays subtle sounds from the tools in use. The game also includes visual and control settings, tool movement-speed adjustments, camera options and support for 11 languages.

Hozy is already available on PC and Mac. tinyBuild says seasonal events and additional free and paid DLC are planned for the future.

Source: tinyBuild and the PlayStation Blog

Game on!

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STAR WARS: Galactic Racer Is a Cutthroat Ride... Join the Race for Free!

STAR WARS: Galactic Racer does not waste much time letting you know that the Galactic League... plays dirty. This is cutthroat racing where rivals aren't afraid to slam into you, the tracks can get downright dangerous, and a mistake can quickly turn a good run into a bad day... with your racer smashed to piece laying in a sand dune somewhere. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to handle it at first, but I wasn't going to back down. There were even moments when I wasn't completely sure where I was supposed to be going as everything came flying at me. I'm getting adjusted, learning the courses and getting a better feel for how these machines handle... and once that starts happening, this gritty galactic racer gets a lot more interesting.

Before I get too deep into what makes Galactic Racer tick, jump behind the controls with me... in this first 30 minutes of gameplay. This will give you an early look at its story, atmosphere, racing and the kind of trouble waiting inside the Galactic League.

 Welcome to a Different Kind of Star Wars Racing 

Set during the early days of the New Republic, after the Empire's grip on the galaxy has been broken, STAR WARS: Galactic Racer moves away from Jedi, lightsabers and... galaxy-saving prophecies and heads into the underground racing scene.

The Galactic League is an unsanctioned circuit fueled by money, syndicates, reputation and... racers willing to put themselves and their rides on the line. You step into the role of Shade, a mysterious racer chasing both glory and revenge while working toward a confrontation with reigning champion (ole) Kestar Bool.

That gives the game an actual story to push you forward, but racing remains the centerpiece. You're piloting repulsorcraft through dangerous locations, dealing with aggressive opponents and trying to survive long enough to keep moving through the League.

And surviving is an important word here. I actually felt bad about my attempt to make some of the racers crash, they seem nice... but keep your eye on the prize.

 They Aren't Just Trying to Pass You 

This isn't the type of racer where everybody politely holds their line and hopes to shave three-tenths of a second off a lap. Racers can shunt, slam and knock each other around, while the courses themselves can be just as much of a threat.

That was part of my early adjustment period. You've got speed, opponents, environmental hazards and unfamiliar courses all demanding your attention at once. Sometimes I was concentrating so hard on staying alive that finding the best route became its own challenge.

The good news is that experience matters. The more I race, the more I'm recognizing where the game wants me to go, when I can push harder and when easing up for half a second might keep the whole run alive.

There are adjustable difficulty options as well, so gamers don't necessarily have to tackle the Galactic League at its nastiest right out of the gate. There is also an additional Champion difficulty for racers looking for an even tougher challenge after progressing through the campaign.

 The Roguelite Twist Gives Galactic Racer Its Replay Value 

One of the most interesting things about Galactic Racer is that its campaign isn't structured like a normal racing championship. It's runs-based, borrowing ideas from roguelites and applying them to a racing game.

You work your way through a Galactic Tour by choosing routes and events while developing your ride along the way. Different paths can lead to different challenges, rewards and opportunities, meaning you're making decisions between races instead of simply clicking “Next Race” until the championship is over.

Your build matters too. During a run you can improve attributes such as cornering, resilience and your different boost capabilities while installing parts that can dramatically change how your vehicle performs. Parts can work together in different combinations, encouraging you to experiment instead of chasing one universal setup every time.

Then comes the catch: some of that power belongs to the current run.

If things go badly enough, you can lose your progress through that attempt and have to attack that section of the League again. But Galactic Racer isn't simply deleting everything you've accomplished. Permanent progression, including tuning improvements and other unlocks, can make future runs stronger.

That's why I think “roguelite racer” fits this one particularly well. Losing doesn't necessarily mean you wasted your time. You learned a track, learned an opponent (to a certain degree... or how to drive when they're nearby), figured out which upgrades helped you and may have strengthened your options for the next trip through the League.

For a racing game, that's a pretty slick way of giving players a reason to keep coming back.

 Different Rides, Different Ways to Race 

The game also gives you different types of repulsorcraft rather than making every machine feel like the same vehicle with a different shell. Landspeeders, speeder bikes and skim speeders bring their own handling characteristics and play styles, while... podracing also enters the picture during select parts of the experience.

Combine those vehicle differences with the branching campaign routes, temporary upgrades, permanent progression and different part combinations, and two trips through the Galactic League don't necessarily have to play out the same way... so get familiar as best you can.

Outside the main campaign, Galactic Racer also offers Scenarios and Arcade content, while the purchased console and PC versions include online multiplayer. That's important because the roguelite campaign may be the star of the show, but it isn't the only reason to keep your racing gear handy.

 So, How Much Does STAR WARS: Galactic Racer Cost? 

If you're buying STAR WARS: Galactic Racer, the Standard Edition is currently $59.99.

• PC – Epic Games Store: $59.99
• PC – Steam: $59.99
• PlayStation 5: $59.99
• Xbox Series X|S: $59.99

There is also a Deluxe Edition priced at $79.99 for players interested in its additional vehicles and other bonus content.

 But... Prime Members Can Jump Behind the Wheel Through Amazon Luna! 

Now here is the part that could make trying STAR WARS: Galactic Racer a whole lot easier on the wallet.

If you already have an Amazon Prime membership, you can currently play STAR WARS: Galactic Racer through Amazon Luna at... no additional charge!

And because Luna is cloud gaming, there isn't a giant game download standing between you and the starting line. You're streaming the game instead of installing the full PC or console version locally.

Play STAR WARS: Galactic Racer with Amazon Luna

One thing I want to make clear: this isn't a free copy of Galactic Racer that Prime members get to download and permanently own. It's access through Amazon Luna as part of the Prime benefit.

At the moment, Luna includes the full single-player experience with the Campaign, Scenarios and Arcade modes. Cross-platform multiplayer is listed as coming later for the Luna version.

 A Pretty Good Way to Find Out If You Can Survive the League 

I'm still getting my bearings in STAR WARS: Galactic Racer, but that's also part of what is keeping me interested. The game didn't immediately make me feel like some unstoppable racing champion. I had to start learning it.

I had to learn the vehicles. I had to start reading the tracks better. I had to accept that the racers around me weren't necessarily going to play nice. And I had to get comfortable with the idea that losing a run doesn't mean the game is over—it means I'm probably coming back a little smarter the next time.

That's where the roguelite structure makes sense. There's always another run, another build and another opportunity to handle a situation better than you did before.

At $59.99, STAR WARS: Galactic Racer is asking the normal price of a new major release. But if you're already an Amazon Prime member, being able to jump into Luna and see whether this gritty, high-speed trip through the Star Wars underground is your kind of race without paying another $60 is one heck of a test drive.

I'll see you at the starting line... just don't try to run me into a wall. Game on!

 + Sophi 

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Onimusha: Way of the Sword... Is Back In Beautiful Fashion

Twenty years is a long time to leave a katana sitting around.

Capcom has finally returned to Onimusha with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the first new entry in the series in more than two decades. Instead of trying to quietly ease the franchise back out of the Pagoda, Capcom handed the Oni Gauntlet to Miyamoto Musashi and sent him into an Edo-era Kyoto crawling with Genma. 

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is powered by Capcom's RE ENGINE. Capcom producer Akihito Kadowaki specifically discussed the engine during an August 2026 interview, explaining that one reason development could move forward around 2020 was that Capcom’s proprietary RE ENGINE had matured considerably by that point.

That’s the same underlying engine family Capcom has used across many of its modern games. So if you were noticing the lighting, detailed environments, character rendering, facial detail, and overall image quality while playing Onimusha, RE ENGINE is doing the heavy lifting in beautiful fashion.

 Kyoto Has a Problem 

This version of Kyoto has been distorted by mysterious clouds of Malice, bringing supernatural creatures known as the Genma into the streets.

Musashi isn't exactly helpless, observe:

Equipped with the Oni Gauntlet, he can absorb souls while cutting through enemies using sword attacks, defensive maneuvers, parries and special techniques. Capcom has put a noticeable emphasis on the actual sword fighting rather than simply giving Musashi a blade and calling it a day.

The result is combat where defense appears to matter almost as much as offense. Reading an attack, timing a parry and responding properly can be more useful than repeatedly smashing the attack button to your thumb. Your controller appreciates this.

 Musashi Isn't Alone 

The Genma aren't the only problem. Sasaki Ganryu enters the picture as a rival swordsman who also carries an Oni Gauntlet, creating a considerably more personal threat than the assorted monsters roaming Kyoto. Capcom has already used clashes between Musashi and Ganryu to demonstrate how much of the game revolves around deliberate sword-to-sword combat.

That mixture of human rivals, supernatural enemies and dark Japanese fantasy gives Way of the Sword a clear identity without making the return feel completely detached from what Onimusha was built around.

There are still swords. There are still demons. The demons still seem unwilling to discuss things peacefully. That's fine, time to get active.

 A Strong Return for Onimusha 

Onimusha: Way of the Sword launched on September 4, 2026, for EPIC Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam. Capcom says the game surpassed one million units sold on its first day, pushing lifetime sales for the Onimusha franchise beyond 10 million units.

That's a considerable response for a series that went more than 20 years without a new entry.

It also gives Capcom a pretty clear indication that people still know what Onimusha is.

More importantly, Way of the Sword isn't returning by pretending the last two decades didn't happen. The presentation is modern, the combat is built around more involved swordplay, and the setting gives Capcom plenty of room to turn historical Japan into something considerably less historically safe.

If you've been waiting for Onimusha to return, the wait is over.

Just watch the parry timing and Game on.

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FTS: NBA THE RUN's "Wave One - 2000s Legends" Update ft. Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett & More Out Sept. 29 (PS5, XSX, PC)

NBA THE RUN DROPS NEW TRAILER FOR MASSIVE “WAVE ONE – 2000s LEGENDS” UPDATE, LAUNCHING SEPTEMBER 29

The 3v3 streetball game’s biggest update yet adds Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki, plus a new court, camera angle, custom matches and more!

Let’s run it back! Play by Play Studios, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have released a new trailer for NBA THE RUN’s “Wave One – 2000s Legends” update, which lands on PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S, and Steam on Sept. 29, 2026. The fast-paced 3v3 streetball game’s biggest update yet will introduce the title’s first iconic Hall of Famers – Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki – each available for 5,000 CRED (currency earned through in-game progression), or unlocked all together instantly as a bundle for $9.99, along with a host of other new content available for free for all players.

"Wave One – 2000s Legends" Update  Trailer:

The “Wave One – 2000s Legends” update will add:

• Five Iconic 2000s Legends With Stylized Looks & Signature Moves: Cross up your opponents with Allen Iverson, throw down vicious dunks with Vince Carter, score from anywhere with Tracy McGrady, lockdown any player as Kevin Garnett and rain threes with Dirk Nowitzki. Grab these legends for 5,000 in-game CRED each, or unlock them all together instantly for $9.99!

Plus a ton of new content free for all players:

• New Content Additions: Experience a new perspective with the overhead Drive Cam and Drive Flip Cam, the new Dyckman NYC court (playable in both daytime and tournament variants), new dunks, new taunts, new original music and the game’s first licensed tracks, and a championship belt to celebrate tournament wins.
• Custom Matches: Create a private party and choose the court and ruleset of your liking in a single game with or against a Friend online.
• Practice Mode: Pick your court and ruleset and play against AI opponents to hone your skills.
• Gameplay Improvements: Discover new standing dunks, driving layups, additional advanced moves, continued player tuning, goaltending nerfs, and more.

In NBA THE RUN, players take to the courts as one of over 36 NBA stars, fictional streetball legends, and the new unlockable legends, each uniquely handcrafted and stylized with different playstyles. Gameplay is fast, fluid and responsive, powered by true rollback netcode, ensuring every crossover, dive for loose ball and alley-oop syncs simultaneously for every player in a seamless online experience.

And it keeps getting better! Post-launch content updates have introduced additional players (including upcoming NBA rookies), courts, rulesets, game modes, unlockable items and more. This month's "Wave One – 2000s Legends" update kicks off the game’s first official Season, with more content updates on the way.

NBA THE RUN is out now on PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC via Steam for $29.99, with the Deluxe Edition available for $39.99. To celebrate the start of the upcoming NBA season, the game's Standard Edition will be on sale for up to 34% off and the Deluxe Edition can be found for 25% off on all platforms in the coming weeks, including PS5 starting today. 

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NASCAR 26 Gold Edition: Is It Worth It? For Fans, Yes.

iRacing Studios NASCAR 26 is here, bringing another step forward for NASCAR fans who want something closer to the real sport without needing a full sim-racing setup.

The base game already has plenty going for it. You can race across the Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series, while Dynamic Track Technology changes grip and track conditions as a race weekend progresses. Career Mode has also been expanded with facility upgrades, while The Chase, Peak Performance training, cross-platform multiplayer, updated AI, improved tire and braking models, and new tracks add more to do once the green flag drops.

So the question becomes: 

Do you need the Gold Edition? No. 

Want? NASCAR fans may have a different answer.

 Gold Is Mostly for the Fans 

The Standard Edition costs $59.99, while the Gold Edition is $79.99. That extra $20 includes the Season Pass with four monthly DLC drops running through the end of 2026. Those packs include more than 200 paint schemes, additional fire suits, VIP employees for Career Mode, 1,000 Rep Points, and $10,000 in Career Bonus Dollars. Gold owners also received three days of early access before the standard launch, although that particular benefit has obviously crossed the finish line already.

For someone who just wants to race, the Standard Edition gives you the important part, NASCAR 26.

For the NASCAR fan who pays attention to liveries, wants more authentic paint schemes, plans to spend serious time in Career Mode, and will probably recognize a driver's car before I finish reading the sponsor decals, the Gold Edition makes considerably more sense.

The Career bonuses are useful, but I wouldn't buy Gold specifically for the extra money or Rep Points. The real value is the Season Pass and the steady stream of NASCAR content. If you're going to keep racing through the end of the year anyway, paying $20 more upfront is easier to justify. And with four series included in the actual game, you'll have somewhere to use it.

So, is NASCAR 26 Gold Edition worth it? For casual racing fans, Standard should be enough.

For dedicated NASCAR fans? Yes. So get those race wheels ready and game on!

Nascar is available on the PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC [Steam].

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Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy – Tragedy, Triumph... and Treasure?

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy takes us back into the A Plague Tale universe, but don't expect Sophia to handle trouble the way Amicia did. Things get much more physical in this adventure. Sophia is younger, fierce, and fully capable of meeting trouble blade-to-blade as her search for answers takes her to the mysterious Minotaur's Island. The game is set 15 years before A Plague Tale: Requiem, putting us on a journey involving her past, an army on her heels, a mysterious treasure, and a curse that probably should've remained buried. But hey... if everybody made sensible decisions, we'd have a lot fewer video games.

Before I get too far into the tragedy, triumph... and treasure, check out this first 30 minutes of gameplay so you can see Sophia handle business for yourself.

 This Isn't Amicia's Fight 

One of the biggest changes in Resonance is combat, and they know how to get you on-board... quick.

Sophia isn't simply trying to stay out of sight until the coast is clear. She can fight, and the game expects you to learn how through a nice pace-keeping tutorial. Sword and dagger attacks, parries, dodges, combos, environmental attacks, and a grappling hook give encounters a noticeably different rhythm from the previous A Plague Tale games. You can yank enemies around with the hook (that really comes in handy for those freaking archers) and even send them into environmental hazards when the opportunity presents itself, just... find your rhythm and be spatially aware. "Be water, my friend." - Bruce Lee

That doesn't mean you should run into every group swinging like the enemies just insulted Soph's dad.

Learn the parry. Seriously. Button-mashing can get you into trouble once multiple enemies start coming your way (even if its hard not). Pay attention to attacks, get comfortable with the timing, parry when you can, and use those openings... to retaliate. Dodging still matters because sometimes getting out of the way is considerably smarter than trying to prove something.

Tip: Before you get off into the deep end of your adventure, practice blocking and parrying a number of times before you strike down the enemies early on. They will block and counter when you strike, so that will also give you... practice that will help boost these moves into more of a second nature as well.

Use that grappling hook during combat. Don't mentally file it away as a traversal gadget. Sophia can use it to disrupt positioning, pull enemies toward her (so you can get your... Scorpion on), and throw enemies into hazards. If somebody is standing somewhere that you can send them to their doom with a pull... then you know what to do.

And when a group starts surrounding you, stop fighting like it's a one-on-one duel. Create space. Reposition. Look at the environment. Deal with threats that can pressure you from range and don't be afraid to break away for a second. The game throws groups at Sophia, so learning to control the fight is more useful than trying to win an award for... Most Badass Blade Wielder (who lost more than you had to).

 Tragedy, Triumph... and Treasure 

The treasure is actually part of what draws so many people to the island. Sophia isn't the only one looking for something, and that gives the adventure this underlying feeling that everybody is racing toward something they probably don't understand. Meanwhile, Sophia's story goes deeper than a treasure hunt.

As she pushes farther into Minotaur's Island, the game further connects her medieval journey with events from ancient Minoan times. The other side of that story involves Theseus, whose experiences occurred more than 2,000 years earlier. Those two timelines gradually connect through the Macula and whatever has been buried underneath all that history. That's where more of the tragedy starts looming over everything. This is still A Plague Tale... after all.

There are victories along the way too, whether it's surviving a fight that initially had you getting tossed up, figuring out one of the light-based puzzles using the Minoan sphere, finding another piece of Sophia's history, or simply realizing that your parry timing finally stopped being a... face palm.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy feels familiar enough to belong in this universe while giving Sophia enough of her own identity to keep this from feeling like A Plague Tale 3 with a different protagonist. Asobo Studio leaned much harder into direct combat while still keeping... exploration, puzzles, stealth, mythology, and the emotional weight this series is known for.

So it doesn't matter if you came looking for treasure, or triumph through tragedy, you're in for a treat if you enjoy a good story. Add surround sound or a pair of quality headphones and... game on!

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is available on Epic Games Store, Steam, Xbox, and PS5.

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