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Showing posts with label Xbox Series X|S. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Xbox Series X|S. Show all posts
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.
Stormind Games has launched Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy, the third and final chapter in its survival-horror trilogy. The game is available now on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version scheduled for December 3.
The story follows Susan Harper as she searches for her missing daughter. A new clue connected to six girls who disappeared in Sicily reopens the case and leads Susan to Villa Ashmann, where the Red Nun and a network of buried secrets await.
Players will investigate rooms, collect clues, solve puzzles and try to survive relentless human Stalkers. The game combines hiding and evasion with moments when players can fight back, while its perception-based abilities—including retrocognition, mirror powers, hypnosis and moth manipulation—help reveal memories and hidden paths.
The game features performances by Cissy Jones and Maggie Robertson, with a soundtrack composed by Akira Yamaoka and Aram Shahbazians. Stormind describes the release as the conclusion to the saga, with an Italian neo-giallo atmosphere and a modern take on classic third-person survival horror.
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.
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.
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!
I was only going to start out playing End of Abyss for about... 30 or 40 minutes.
That was the plan, but... things change. I had seen part of the trailer... in passing (I was on the go), so I couldn't give it my full attention at the time. Still, something about it hung around in the back of my mind. I knew I had to eventually give this thing a whirl... for you, but it also piqued my interest.
I jumped in trying to keep my eye on the clock, but... it's easy to get locked in on this game! It feels like Reanimal meets Resident Evil. Before long... I was chillin' on full lean in my chair with the headset on and the controller in my hand in full mission mode.
Next thing I know... I was about an hour and 15 minutes in (after wonder what time it was), looking at the clock and realizing I really didn't want to put the controller down I had to find a save point. End of Abyss is quite the interesting game... as seen in this first 30 minutes of gameplay!
A Bad Day at Work for Cel
You play as Cel, a young combat technician sent into a mysterious underground compound as part of an investigation into some... very strange disturbances. Needless to say, things aren't exactly operating according to the employee handbook down there. Could you imagine this being your assignment (IRL)?
The facility is broken, abandoned in places and filled with evidence that something went horribly wrong. As Cel moves deeper into it, she has to piece together what happened while dealing with creatures that make it pretty clear that whatever occurred down there did not leave everybody... normal.
The Environment Does a Lot of the Talking
One of the first things that pulled me into End of Abyss was its atmosphere.
The environment sets the tone before the game even has to throw something at you. Dim industrial areas, abandoned equipment, strange organic "corruption" and bodies plastered into different areas all help create this constant feeling that you're somewhere you probably shouldn't be. The Reanimal vibes crept in before my first encounter.
The semi-top-down presentation also gives the game its own flavor. I think fans of action-adventure games, survival horror and twin-stick shooters could all find something to latch onto here. There are obvious reasons someone who enjoys Resident Evil or Silent Hill might be interested, but mechanically this isn't simply trying to imitate either one.
There's much more of a move, aim, create space and react style to the combat.
You Better Get Your Dodge Game Together
The controls felt smooth during my time with the game, and I'm going to give you some advice early:
Get your running and dodging skills up. You are going to need them.
Cel isn't built around standing still and trading shots with everything that comes wandering around a corner. When enemies start closing the distance or trying to cut off escape points, positioning becomes extremely important. Being able to dodge out of danger, reposition and then fire back made the combat feel good to me almost immediately.
The twin-stick-style aiming is also why I think traditional twin-stick shooter fans should give End of Abyss a serious look even if horror normally isn't their first choice. The combination is beautiful in battle... so get ready, stay ready, so you don't have to... get ready, when all hell breaks loose.
There is a starting Pulse Gun with unlimited ammunition (I'm grateful for this), while the larger arsenal expands as you explore. Other weapons use limited ammunition, so there's a survival-horror resource-management element involved rather than the game simply giving you an arsenal and telling you to go nuts (sorry Bullet Heaven fans).
Weapons can also be upgraded at workbenches using resources collected during the game. Those upgrades aren't limited to simply making a number bigger, either. Weapons can gain increased damage and additional firing functionality as they're improved, giving you another reason to explore instead of simply sprinting toward the next objective.
Personally?
I'd love a co-op mode. (One can have a blue light on their helmet, and the other one can have a green light on theirs.)
The movement and twin-stick combat already made me imagine running through some of these areas with another player watching the opposite side of the room. So that's officially on my personal wish list.
By the way, Reanimal continue to come to mind... but there's a reason behind it. While Reanimal was developed directly by Tarsier Studios, End of Abyss was made by a brand-new studio (Section 9 Interactive) that actually consists of three prominent members from that studio. Three prominent members, Mattias and Marcus Ottvall, and Gustaf Heinerwall. They represent the former lead programmer, art, and game directors for the Little Nightmares franchise too. So never count yourself out, if a door is closed... develop one.
Your Suit Matters Too
The weapon progression isn't operating by itself. Cel's suit has its own upgrade system through Suit Power and equipable Suit Mods.
Exploration can uncover items that increase the amount of Suit Power available, which in turn determines how many mods you can equip. Those mods can provide useful bonuses such as increased health, additional carrying capacity and protection against environmental hazards.
That makes the suit less of a cosmetic piece of sci-fi equipment and more of something you actually need to think about as you move through different sections of the facility.
I like systems like this because it gives exploration a purpose. Finding another pathway isn't just about saying, "Hey, I filled in another piece of the map." There could be something sitting back there that makes Cel better equipped for whatever nightmare is waiting around the next corner.
The Scanner also plays into that exploration loop by helping identify objects, pathways and other useful information throughout the facility. With branching routes and areas that can become accessible after gaining new equipment and abilities, there's a bit of that "remember that place I couldn't reach earlier?" factor working in the background. So don't forget to get your scan on.
Audio: I Could Hear Trouble Before I Could See It
Audio deserves a special mention because of the way I played.
There were moments when I could prepare for something happening in the environment because I heard it before I actually saw it coming from a certain direction. At times it was on a higher level... but I heard it coming from a certain direction.
In a game built around dark environments, limited visibility and... the possibility of something unpleasant being nearby, that kind of positional awareness adds another layer to the experience. Rather than the audio simply accompanying what I could already see on the screen, I was actively listening to the environment.
That's exactly the kind of game where a good audio setup earns its keep, so don't sleep on it.
The Price Lands In... That Sweet Spot
Now we get to something that's very important around here, the price.End of Abyss is $29.99!
That lands perfectly in the sweet spot as a practical addition to the long suggested SDGT Gaming Budget strategy. Have enough room for one AAA game, one AA game and one... indie game rather than blowing the entire household budget on three expensive AAA releases. It gives you three or more titles and gives you variety.
Based on what I've played so far, End of Abyss is looking mighty comfortable sitting in that AA slot.
And you don't necessarily have to take my word for it before spending anything. There's a free demo available on the Epic Games Store, so give that a whirl first and see how you feel.
End of Abyss is also rated T for Teen for Blood and Violence, so parents who have teenagers interested in horror games may want to give this one a look as well.
If something like Resident Evil is a little too much for you, I think End of Abyss may be a more digestible doorway into this kind of creepy experience (without doing too much). Don't misunderstand me — it can still get tense, and those creatures aren't exactly coming over to borrow some sugar — but the perspective, action-oriented controls and presentation may make it easier for some players to handle.
Overall
The eerie atmosphere grabbed me, the combat felt smooth, dodging and positioning kept me engaged, exploration gave me reasons to keep poking around, and the audio presentation worked especially well with my headphone and spatial-audio setup.
I've thoroughly enjoyed myself with End of Abyss so far.
This is a hands-on more so than a review but my thumbs remain... upright.
So... yeah, give this one a whirl and watch yourself.
End of Abyss is developed by Section 9 Interactive and published by Epic Games Publishing. It launched October 1, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival Launches on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Oct. 8, 2026 – Saber Interactive has released Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. The survival-horror action game introduces a new original story and canonical addition to the Hellraiser universe, with Doug Bradley returning as the voice of Pinhead.
Open the Box
Unlock the cursed powers of the Genesis Configuration on a quest to save your girlfriend from the depths of the underworld. Dark forces seek to unleash Hell on Earth, placing you against the Cenobites and the fanatical cultists who worship them.
Clive Barker worked closely with Saber Interactive on the game, describing the collaboration as an opportunity to take the mythology further and build a new journey around its imagery, suffering and temptation.
Key Game Features
A new nightmare: Discover a story in which you unwittingly set Pinhead’s ritual in motion and must confront its consequences.
Wield the Genesis Configuration: Harness pyrokinesis, telekinesis and the iconic Hell Chains against enemies. The puzzle box also helps solve puzzles and transform parts of the winding Labyrinth.
Fight to survive: Battle cultists, Hell’s creatures and its infernal priests while working to thwart the Cenobites’ plans.
Standard and Deluxe Editions
The Standard Edition is $39.99, available digitally and at major retailers. The digital Deluxe Edition is $49.99 and includes the Nailer melee weapon, Cenobite shotgun skin, Punisher baseball bat weapon skin, Leviathan weapon charm and an ’80s horror movie filter.
The Deluxe Edition also includes a digital art book, the Bleeding Hearts digital novella and the game’s digital soundtrack.
Militsioner Drops a Free Steam Demo Ahead of Its 2027 Launch
NICOSIA, Cyprus – Oct. 8, 2026 – CRITICAL REFLEX and TALLBOYS surprised fans at the Triple-i Initiative showcase with a free Steam demo for Militsioner, their first-person surreal immersive sim. Players can experience the entire first act ahead of the game’s planned 2027 release.
He’s Watching You
Navigate a strange city, speak with its mistrustful residents and do whatever you can to escape the watchful eye of the Colossal Policeman. Explore the town’s alleys for a way out while doing what you must to survive: lie, sneak, cheat, steal and try again until a plan comes together.
Every person you encounter reacts differently to your actions, especially the Policeman and his volatile moods. Your choices and interactions shape the attempt to escape, making observation and experimentation central to the experience.
What the Demo Offers
The first act: Explore a district of the nameless town, from sewers to rooftops.
A watchful giant: Work around the Colossal Policeman and his changing emotions.
An escape objective: Look for a way to reach and board the funicular out of town.
Freedom to experiment: Approach the town’s residents, spaces and obstacles in different ways as you develop an escape plan.
Release Plans and Demo Access
Militsioner is planned for 2027 on PC through Steam and the Microsoft Store, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass for PC and console. An exact release date has not been announced.
Thanos is back on the schedule, and this time Marvel Rivals players are getting more than a costume and a nod. Marvel Games and NetEase Games have detailed Marvel Rivals Season 10.5, launching today with the next phase of Path to Doomsday and a new Avengers: Infinity War-inspired 2v2 mode.
The mid-season update won't stop there. A massive 50-player Avengers: Endgame PvE battle arrives October 22, the 18v18 Annihilation mode expands to Alchemax Headquarters, and two Halloween events are scheduled throughout October.
Infinity War Turns Into a 2v2 Battle for the Stones
Path to Doomsday - Avengers: Infinity War launches alongside Season 10.5 on October 9 as a fast-paced PvP mode built around short rounds, random drafting and 2v2 fights.
Twelve players are divided into six teams of two and select from a pool of 13 heroes featured in the original Avengers: Infinity War film. Each round sends two duos into a deathmatch on the fields of Wakanda.
Between rounds, players select randomized cards that upgrade their hero's abilities and stats, allowing builds to change as the match progresses.
There's also the small matter of the Infinity Stones.
Each team begins with a randomly assigned Stone that grants a unique ability. Eliminate another team and its Infinity Stone can be claimed, potentially giving the surviving teams increasingly ridiculous amounts of power as the field gets smaller.
So yes, somebody is eventually going to be running around Wakanda carrying more Infinity Stones than anybody should reasonably trust them with.
Endgame Brings a 50-Player PvE Fight Against Thanos
The next Path to Doomsday phase arrives October 22 with Path to Doomsday - Avengers: Endgame.
This one changes the scale considerably.
The PvE mode assembles 50 players in the ruins of the Avengers Compound for a large-scale battle against Thanos and his army.
NetEase hasn't revealed every detail surrounding the encounter yet, but putting 50 superheroes into one battlefield against Thanos should answer one question pretty quickly: how much chaos can the screen handle at once?
18v18 Annihilation Expands to Alchemax Headquarters
Season 10.5 also expands the game's 18v18 Annihilation mode.
Alchemax Headquarters joins the available battlefield lineup, giving the large-team mode another location for its 36-player fights.
The update continues NetEase's focus on larger alternative modes alongside Marvel Rivals' standard team-based PvP battles, with the upcoming Endgame event pushing the player count considerably higher.
Halloween Hits Marvel Rivals October 15
The superheroes aren't getting through October without costumes.
All Hallows' Glow begins on October 15, bringing a new collection of Halloween-themed costumes and cosmetic rewards to Marvel Rivals.
Then, on October 29, the Night of Illusions event begins with what NetEase describes as a suspenseful interactive puzzle experience.
That gives Season 10.5 a steady October rollout rather than dropping everything at once:
October 9: Season 10.5 and Path to Doomsday - Avengers: Infinity War
October 15: All Hallows' Glow
October 22: Path to Doomsday - Avengers: Endgame
October 29: Night of Illusions
The Path to Doomsday Continues October 9
Marvel Rivals Season 10.5 launches October 9, 2026. The free-to-play superhero team-based PvP shooter is available on PC and consoles.
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