Averno City, 1983. Sirens wail, neon lights flicker across rain-slicked streets, and chaos reigns. Into this storm steps Nick Cordell Jr, rookie cop and the player’s avatar in The Precinct.
The Precinct: Realistic Police Action or Just Hype?
DOOM: The Dark Ages – A New Era of Carnage and Legend
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.
Spirit of the North 2: A Majestic Nordic Journey Reimagined- A New Chapter in a Beloved Saga
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.
Albatroz: Journey into the Unknown
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.
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate – The Definitive Beat ‘Em Up Revival
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate (PBBGU) marks a triumphant return for the cult-classic side-scrolling beat ’em up, now reimagined for modern platforms with a host of technical and gameplay enhancements. Developed and published by Rocket Panda Games, this ambitious remaster leverages the power of Unreal Engine 5 to deliver a visually stunning, mechanically refined, and content-rich experience across all platforms.
A Franchise Reborn
The Phantom Breaker franchise began as a 2D fighting game in 2011, with its beat ’em up spin-off, Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds, debuting in 2013. Over a decade later, Rocket Panda Games has revitalized the series, acquiring the IP and committing to expanding its global reach. PBBGU stands as the most expansive entry yet, combining the nostalgic charm of the original with modern sensibilities and a wealth of new features.
Steel Seed Review: Stealth, Story, and the Soul of a Machine
Steel Seed, developed by Storm in a Teacup and published by ESDigital Games, emerges as a bold new entry in the stealth-action genre, blending atmospheric world-building with emotional storytelling. Available now on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, this title invites players into a post-apocalyptic future where the last remnants of humanity are trapped beneath the earth, caught between extinction and a machine-dominated fate.
Breakout Beyond Review: A Fresh Spin on a Timeless Classic
Atari and Choice Provisions, the studio behind the BIT.TRIP series, have teamed up to reimagine one of gaming’s most iconic titles with Breakout Beyond. This modern take on the 1976 brick-breaking classic introduces innovative mechanics, dazzling visuals, and a cooperative twist, making it a standout entry in the series. Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, and Atari VCS, this game is a must-try for both nostalgic fans and newcomers alike.
Review: Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist, the sequel to the critically acclaimed ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, has finally arrived, and it’s a treat for fans of the Metroidvania genre. Developed by Adglobe and Live Wire, and published by Binary Haze Interactive, this game offers a captivating narrative, stunning visuals, and engaging gameplay.
Unveil Castlevania: Symphony of the Night’s Timeless Mastery—27 Years Strong
On October 3, 1997, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was released, forever changing the landscape of action-adventure games. Now, 27 years later, it’s widely regarded as one of the most influential games in gaming history, and a key title that cemented the term “Metroidvania” — a hybrid genre that borrows exploration, backtracking and platforming elements from Metroid, combined with the dark, Gothic stylings and RPG mechanics of Symphony of the Night.
Square-Enix Delivers Final Fantasy & Mana to Xbox, Unlocking More Exciting JRPGs!
For a long time, rumors swirled around a possible exclusivity deal between Sony and Square Enix that left Xbox fans feeling left out, especially with big titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy XVI skipping Microsoft’s console. The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series, for example, was released on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo but was absent from Xbox. These moves fueled speculation that Square Enix had some form of contract limiting their games on the platform.
