DOOM: The Dark Ages emerges as a bold and ambitious prequel to the modern DOOM saga, poised to unearth the ferocious origin story of the iconic DOOM Slayer. As the third installment in the critically acclaimed rebooted franchise, this title thrusts players into a brutal, medieval-inspired war against the legions of Hell, masterfully blending dark fantasy with signature sci-fi brutality.
The game is scheduled for full release on May 15, 2025, with Premium Edition owners gaining early access from May 13, 2025. It will be available on PC (via Steam, Battle.net, and the Microsoft Store), PlayStation 5 (with enhancements for PlayStation 5 Pro), and Xbox Series X|S. Furthermore, DOOM: The Dark Ages will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one of its full launch.
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.
Bastide is a city-building strategy game that transports players to the harsh realities of the 13th century. In this immersive simulation, you are tasked with guiding a small group of peasants through the relentless challenges of medieval life, including rival villages, bandit raids, hunger, disease, and the unforgiving cold. The ultimate goal is to nurture your humble settlement into a thriving, fortified town, all while balancing the intricate demands of resource management, population happiness, and external threats.
Spirit of the North 2, developed by Infuse Studio and published by Silver Lining Interactive, marks a triumphant return to the mystical landscapes inspired by Nordic folklore. Available now on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X-with a special Signature Edition for collectors-the sequel expands on the original’s vision, offering a more ambitious, open-world experience. Players once again step into the paws of a lone fox, now joined by a raven companion, on a quest to restore balance to a land haunted by ancient curses and forgotten gods. The narrative is elegantly woven through environmental storytelling, visual cues, and the discovery of runes and relics, rather than traditional dialogue. This approach creates a deeply immersive atmosphere, encouraging players to interpret the world’s mysteries and piece together the tragic history that has befallen the Northern Isles.
Moroi, developed by Violet Saint and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment, is a dark fantasy hack-and-slash adventure that draws deeply from Romanian folklore, Lynchian surrealism, and heavy metal aesthetics. Released on Steam for PC at £12.99, Moroi stands out for its grimdark atmosphere, twisted humor, and a narrative that pulls players into a personalized hellscape known as the Cosmic Engine.
Zero Medal: The Galaxy Champions is an upcoming beat ’em up game that channels the golden age of arcade action, blending nostalgia with fresh creative energy. Developed single-handedly by Rogerio Ferraz da Silva, known as Roger Ferraz, this project is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the enduring power of childhood dreams. In this exclusive interview, Roger shares the journey behind Zero Medal, the challenges faced along the way, and what makes this game a unique addition to the genre.
Albatroz, developed by Among Giants and published by SOEDESCO, is a backpacking RPG that invites players to step into the shoes of Isla, a young woman searching for her lost brother, Kai, across the mystical “Forbidden Lands.” Available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, the game offers a compelling blend of narrative depth, survival mechanics, and exploration, all wrapped in a visually striking world where two realms converge. As Isla, you abandon city life and set out on a personal quest that quickly evolves into a journey of self-discovery, loss, and resilience. The game’s world is rich with mysticism, featuring the legendary Albatroz Mountain-known as “the walking mountain”-which serves as both a literal and metaphorical goal. Along the way, you encounter a diverse cast of characters, each with their own stories and cultures, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.
LAVALAMP is a unique 3D first-person walking simulator that immediately stands out for its vivid, psychedelic visuals and eccentric storytelling. The game invites players into a surreal world where exploration and ambiance take center stage, weaving a narrative around the quirky mission of helping space lemmings. Developed primarily by Gabriel Ledoux, a music composer turned game developer, LAVALAMP offers a fresh take on the walking simulator genre, blending minimalist mechanics with an explosion of color and sound. The experience is intentionally offbeat and whimsical, with each room in the game serving as a portal to a new, vibrant dimension. The story is deceptively simple-helping lemmings from space-but the journey is filled with unexpected perspectives, playful interactions, and a soundtrack that elevates the entire adventure. LAVALAMP is a testament to the creative freedom found in indie game development, where limitations can become the foundation for originality and charm.
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.
KIBORG, developed by Sobaka Studio, storms onto PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X|S and One, and PC via Steam on April 30, 2025. This relentless rogue-lite beat ’em up thrusts players into the shoes of Morgan Lee, a wrongly accused convict sentenced to 1,300 years on the galaxy’s most notorious prison planet. The only hope for freedom? Survive and win “The Last Ticket,” a blood-soaked game show broadcast for the entertainment of a dystopian universe.
