Into the Restless Ruins, developed by Ant Workshop and published by Wales Interactive, is a roguelike deckbuilder that immediately sets itself apart by blending dungeon building, deck construction, and auto battler mechanics, all steeped in the eerie atmosphere of Scottish folklore. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, the game invites players to not just traverse dungeons, but to design them, card by card, shaping both their path and their fate with every decision. The game opens in Eorisdale, a misty, foreboding region that serves as your introduction to the mechanics and lore. Here, you meet memorable NPCs like the Hen Wife and the Wulver, who offer critical upgrades and card enhancements. The folklore influence is palpable, from the boss battles against figures like The Grey Man (Am Fear Liath Mòr) to the presence of the Harvest Maiden, who promises to grant your deepest desires in exchange for toil and risk.
When I first launched Undivine, developed by Brainium Games, I was immediately struck by its haunting atmosphere and minimalist pixel art style. Available now on Steam and Nintendo Switch, with imminent releases for Xbox and PlayStation consoles, Undivine positions itself as a dark metroidvania infused with RPG elements. The game promises freedom of exploration, rewarding progression, and a world brimming with secrets a promise that both intrigued and challenged me as I delved deeper into its abyssal narrative.
Prelude Dark Pain immediately caught my attention with its ambitious blend of tactical depth, rich storytelling, and a hauntingly beautiful presentation. As someone who values both narrative immersion and strategic gameplay, my experience with the alpha demo left a strong impression-one that makes me eager for the full release. In this article, I’ll explore the game’s world, mechanics, technical details, and my personal takeaways, aiming to give fellow gamers an in-depth look at what makes Prelude Dark Pain stand out.
Stepping into Petit Island feels like opening a storybook where every page is painted in vibrant colors and every moment is soaked in nostalgia. The game, an open-world photo exploration adventure, invites you to relive the youthful escapades of your grandpaw a once-adventurous cat whose memories are beginning to fade. You play as Lily, his devoted granddaughter, who embarks on a journey across the island to help preserve his stories before they vanish forever.
From the outset, the game’s narrative is its beating heart. The premise helping a beloved grandparent remember their past-strikes a deeply emotional chord. As someone who values storytelling in games, I found myself instantly invested in Lily’s quest. The journals scattered across the island serve as breadcrumbs, guiding you through grandpaw’s past while also encouraging you to forge your own path. The sense of legacy and intergenerational connection is palpable, making every discovery feel meaningful.
Preserve, developed by Bitmap Galaxy and published by Grindstone, is a unique entry in the puzzle genre, blending nature-building mechanics with strategic card play and a serene atmosphere. Now available on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms, Preserve invites players to foster thriving biomes and explore a world where harmony and balance are at the heart of every decision.
This past weekend, I had the chance to attend the Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on event in Amsterdam—and wow, what a ride! From the hardware to the games and even the swag bag, it was a full-on Nintendo experience. Here’s everything you need to know from someone who actually held the future of Nintendo Switch gaming in their hands.
Too Kyo Games, the studio behind narrative-heavy cult hits like Danganronpa, is back with a brand-new vision—The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy. Exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, this game marks a bold and emotional departure that still carries the team’s unmistakable DNA: psychological drama, high stakes, and characters that stay with you long after the credits roll.
Pic: Too Kyo Games
Plot: 100 Days to the End
The premise is simple, but potent: You are Yuki, an ordinary high school student suddenly drafted into the mysterious Last Defense Academy. Your mission? Survive 100 days and defend the school from waves of monstrous invaders while uncovering the truth about your strange new reality. The “hundred line” isn’t just a countdown—it’s a ticking time bomb of emotional and strategic pressure.
Pic: Too Kyo Games
The narrative blends sci-fi dystopia, school-life simulation, and mystery in equal measure. While comparisons to Danganronpa are inevitable, The Hundred Line shifts away from murder mysteries and toward existential reflection and camaraderie under pressure. It’s more Neon Genesis Evangelion than Battle Royale—and it works.
Gameplay: Strategy Meets Storytelling
Gameplay is divided between visual novel segments and strategic tower-defense-like battle phases. During the school day, you’ll form bonds with fellow students, uncover hidden lore, and make critical choices that affect the unfolding story. At night, it’s war: real-time defense missions that demand smart resource use, positioning, and sometimes sacrifices.
Pic: Too Kyo Games
This hybrid approach keeps things fresh and intense. The choices you make during the day directly influence your effectiveness in battle—friendships can unlock powerful support skills or dramatically shift the odds. Each day is a step forward, a piece of the puzzle, and a risk.
Art & Sound: Stylish as Ever
Koichi Yotsui’s art direction (known for Moonlight Syndrome and other titles) gives the game a distinct and eerie atmosphere. Characters are expressive, the monsters are unsettling, and the environment—though largely limited to the academy—manages to feel claustrophobically vast in emotional scope. The haunting soundtrack adds weight to every interaction, and voice acting (in both Japanese and English) hits the emotional beats convincingly.
Pic: Too Kyo Games
Themes: Hope in Isolation
What truly sets The Hundred Line apart is its emotional core. The game asks big questions: What would you sacrifice to save others? Who are you without the world you once knew? How do you stay human in inhuman circumstances? These themes aren’t just window dressing—they’re interwoven into the gameplay and character arcs, making each in-game day feel like a chapter in a psychological novel.
My thoughts: A Unique Vision, Worth the Time
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is not for everyone—it’s heavy, complex, and sometimes overwhelming. But for players who love narrative-rich experiences with experimental gameplay and high emotional stakes, it’s one of the most ambitious and rewarding titles on the Switch this year.
Star Overdrive immediately hooks you with its undeniably fun and exhilarating core mechanic: high-speed hoverboarding across a vast alien landscape. For those who’ve dreamt of the freedom and thrill of a personal hoverboard in an open-world setting, Caracal Games delivers a compelling experience that truly captures that feeling.
The reveal started off strong with Mario Kart World, which looks absolutely stunning! It features 24-player online play and a massive open world where you can drive anywhere you want. And yes, there’s even a cow riding a bike! The only downside? The price. The digital version costs €80, while the physical version is a record-breaking €90.
The All-New Joy-Con 2
Nintendo has redesigned the Joy-Con controllers, now called Joy-Con 2:
Larger size for better ergonomics
Magnetic attachment to the console
New “C Button” added
Bigger SL and SR buttons for improved usability
Integrated mouse sensor, allowing the Joy-Con to function as a mouse
The C Button and Game Chat
The C Button introduces an exciting new feature: Game Chat. This is Nintendo’s answer to Discord, enabling:
Voice chat
Screen sharing
Camera support (sold separately for €60)
Automatic face tracking and cutout
Built-in Microphone & Headset Support
The Switch 2 includes a built-in microphone, so you can chat without a headset. However, for better audio quality, the Pro Controller now has a headset port. Game Chat requires an online membership, but it will be free for all users until March 31, 2026.
Download Play is Back!
Game Share allows players to play a game together with only one copy of the game. The game will be wirelessly downloaded to nearby consoles for local play. The first game to support this is 51 Worldwide Classics, with more to follow. Even better, this feature will also be available on the original Switch!
The Console: Bigger and Better
New Display and Hardware Upgrades
7.9-inch screen (previously 6.2 inches)
1080p HDR 120Hz display
Louder, clearer speakers with 3D audio (headphones supported at launch, speakers in a future update)
Built-in noise-canceling microphone
More versatile kickstand (similar to the OLED model but thinner and more adjustable)
Two USB-C ports (both support charging!)
Charge while in tabletop mode!
The second USB-C port is perfect for the optional camera accessory
256GB of faster storage (only supports SD Express cards, not standard microSD cards)
New Dock with 4K Support
The new Switch 2 dock features:
4K HDR output (up to 60fps)
1080p 120fps support
Built-in cooling fan
Integrated Ethernet port
Backward Compatibility
The Switch 2 supports physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, though not all games are compatible. A compatibility list will be available.
“Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour”
Nintendo introduced “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour”, a game designed to showcase the console’s new features. However, in true Nintendo fashion, this is a paid game.
New Game Cards
Switch 2 game cards are physically identical to the original Switch cartridges but are now red and feature faster storage.
System Transfer
You can transfer save data, digital games, and more from the original Switch to the Switch 2.
New Pro Controller
The updated Pro Controller features:
C Button for Game Chat
New back buttons (GR and GL) that can be remapped
Smoother control sticks
Headphone jack for Game Chat
The original Pro Controllers and Joy-Cons are also compatible with the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Upgrades
Some existing Switch games will receive paid or free Switch 2 upgrades. Examples:
Zelda: Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom (performance upgrades + mobile app support)
Super Mario Party Jamboree+ Jamboree TV (new graphics, gameplay, camera & microphone support)
Kirby and the Forgotten Land+ Star-Crossed World (enhanced visuals)
Metroid Prime 4 (4K 60fps or 1080p 120fps, mouse support)
Pokémon Legends Z-A (improved graphics and performance)
New & Third-Party Titles
Several new and third-party games were announced:
DragXDrive – A unique game using Joy-Cons as mice
Elden Ring
Hades 2
Street Fighter 6
Cyberpunk 2077
Borderlands 4
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025 release!)
Nintendo Switch Online: GameCube Games!
First games: Zelda: Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, Soul Calibur 2
New Wireless GameCube Controller announced
The Grand Finale
Nintendo closed the Direct with two massive reveals:
Duskbloods – A Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive from FromSoftware (totally not Bloodborne?)
Donkey Kong Bonanza – A physics-driven adventure launching July 17
Additionally, Kirby Air Riders (essentially Kirby Air Ride 2) was announced, directed by Masahiro Sakurai.
Pricing & Release Date
The Switch 2 will launch in two bundles on June 5:
Base Console: €469
Mario Kart World Bundle: €510
Lesser-Known Facts
A “Secret” Japan-Only Budget Model – This version only supports Japanese and requires a Japanese Nintendo account.
Physical vs. Digital Pricing – Physical copies cost €10 more than digital.
Anti-Scalper Measures – To pre-order, you must have an active Nintendo account with substantial playtime.
Supports 1440p – As seen in the trailer.
Virtual Game Cards – A new way to own digital titles physically.
Game Key Cards – A new system for digital-only games that lets you sell and trade them like physical games.
That wraps up everything revealed about the Nintendo Switch 2. With a huge lineup of games, exciting new hardware features, and some controversial pricing decisions, this next-gen Nintendo console is shaping up to be something special. Are you excited for the Switch 2? Let me know in the comments!
Forestrike, the latest creation from Japanese developer Skeleton Crew in collaboration with Devolver Digital, promises to deliver a unique and captivating experience for fans of martial arts and strategic gameplay. Set to release in 2025 on PC and Nintendo Switch, this game introduces a revolutionary approach to kung fu combat that blends meticulous planning with flawless execution.
