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Latest by T. Franzese

A player character in Arc Raiders.

3 years after its reveal, Arc Raiders reemerges as a completely different game

Extraction shooter Arc Raiders looks promising, but the version of it we'll get in 2025 is very different than what was originally announced.
Pablo Sanchez in Backyard Baseball.

The Backyard Sports series is finally making a comeback

The Backyard Sports series is about to make a comeback, starting with a re-release of these classic sports games.
The Atari 7800+

The Atari 7800 is getting the mini-console treatment this winter

The Atari 7800+ is a miniature version of Atari's underrated game console that you can use with real Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges.
Goku in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024: How to watch and what to expect

We've rounded up everything you need to know before tuning into Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024.
Crash Bandicoot runs forward in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy.

3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (August 16-18)

Xbox Game Pass has added some great games this month, from Crash Bandicoot to new editions of a PC classic.
Image of Travis Touchdown scowling in No More Heroes 3

3 new PS Plus games you should play this weekend (August 16-18)

PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra subscribers have plenty of recent games to check out this weekend, including No More Heroes 3.
Freddy Funko in Funko Fusion.

Funko Fusion is clearly for the Fortnite generation of gamers

Funko Fusion is not for me, but it could certainly appeal to younger gamers who enjoy titles like Fortnite and Five Nights at Freddy's.
Promotional image for Save State featuring key art for Doom video game.

Doom will never die — and modders are to thank

It took a team of former modders to make Doom + Doom II the fantastic remaster that it is, demonstrating how love for Doom will never die.
Key art for Sumerian Six.

Sumerian Six is Commandos by way of Guardians of the Galaxy

If you've never played a stealth tactics game before, Sumerian Six is shaping up to be a wonderful entry point to the genre.
two point museum preview

Two Point Museum is a worthy follow-up to Two Point Hospital and Campus

Two Point Museum takes the charming management gameplay of Two Point Hospital and Two Point Campus and applies it to running a museum.
Frank talks to Jessica in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is more like Dead Space’s remake than Resident Evil 4’s

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster doesn't give the classic as much of an overhaul as Resident Evil 4's remake did for that game, and that's a good thing.
Key art for Band of Crusaders.

Band of Crusaders looks like The Witcher if it was a strategy game

If you've ever wondered what The Witcher would look like as a strategy RPG, then you'll want to pay attention to upcoming PC indie game Band of Crusaders.
Key art for Hi-Fi Rush.

Deal keeps Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks from being shut down

Xbox was poised to shut down Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, but PUBG's Krafton saved the day by acquiring the studio and Hi-Fi Rush IP.
An Operator in Delta Force: Hawk Ops.

Delta Force: Hawk Ops will tide you over until the next Battlefield

I played Delta Force: Hawk Ops' PC alpha, and its modes offered up enjoyable alternatives to shooters like Battlefield and Escape from Tarkov.
Soh, Yoshiro, and Villagers prepare for battle in Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess.

Kunitsu-Gami devs break down the secret to Capcom’s new success

The director and producer of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess revealed why Capcom is thriving with both new IP and well-known franchises.
Key art for Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

One of the PS5’s best exclusives is coming to Xbox, and it’s still great

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is making the jump from PS5 to Xbox Series X/S next week and is still worth trying if you haven't played the standout adventure yet.
Key art for Marvel Snap Alliances.

Marvel Snap’s latest feature stopped me from quitting the game

I almost quit Marvel Snap, a game I play daily, but a new Alliances feature reignited my love for the game.
The player hugs a horse-like creature in Creatures of Ava.

Xbox Game Pass’ new creature-collecting game is a cozy Palworld alternative

If you're subscribed to Xbox Game Pass, don't sleep on the charming Creatures of Ava.
Cal Kestis wielding his blue lightsaber and carrying BD-1 in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor finally coming to PS4 and Xbox One in September

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which was previously only on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, is getting ports for PS4 and Xbox One next month.
A player in Descenders Next moutainboards.

A beloved Xbox Game Pass indie is getting an ambitious sequel

Descenders Next is a extreme sports game sequel to one of the best indie sleeper hits on Xbox Game Pass.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Another great Activision game comes to Xbox Game Pass this month

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is finally coming to Xbox Game Pass alongside Creatures of Ava and Mafia: Definitive Edition.
The main character in their ship in Cygni: All Guns Blazing.

Konami just released its best new game in years

Cygni: All Guns Blazing is a new shoot-'em-up from Konami, and it's the best game that the controversial Japanese game publisher has made in years.
Key art for Volgarr the Viking 2.

Volgarr the Viking 2 modernizes old-school platformers in all the right ways

Volgarr the Viking 2 is unabashedly old school in its difficulty, yet it's also one of the most approachable, yet intentionally tough games I've ever played.
Key art for Volgarr the Viking 2.

Making a retro-inspired game ‘easier’ is a tricky tightrope act

When the developers of Volgarr the Viking 2 set out to make a more approachable sequel, they found themselves walking a tricky tightrope act.
Tomba wakes up without his grandpa's bracelet in Tomba! Special Edition.

You need to play this underrated PS1 classic on Nintendo Switch

Tomba! Special Edition finally gives a cult classic from the original PlayStation the adoration it deserves.
Key art for Spectre Divide.

This new competitive PC shooter is Valorant with a body-swapping twist

Spectre Divide is a new multiplayer shooter that plays a lot like Valorant, but it lets players swap between two different bodies in the middle of a match.
Star Wars Outlaws key art that features Kay Vess.

What’s new in August 2024: 7 upcoming games to play this month

The number of high-profile game launches heats up this August with games like Star Wars Outlaws, Visions of Mana, and Black Myth: Wukong.
Lego Finn holding a lightsaber.

PS Plus adds Star Wars and Five Nights at Freddy’s games in August

PS Plus is adding three games this month, including a Star Wars highlight and a recent Five Nights at Freddy's installment.
Save State promotional image featuring the Game Boy.

35 years later, the Game Boy still shapes how we play games

Nintendo's Game Boy launched in North America 35 years ago, but its impact on gaming hardware and the games we play can still be felt today.
Emilia Clarke as Qi'ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story promo material.

Star Wars Outlaws has a surprising connection to Solo

Star Wars Outlaws brings back characters like Qi'ra from Solo: A Star Wars Story in significant roles, and its lead writer said that's a huge responsibility.
Kay tries to enter Crimson Dawn territory.

Star Wars Outlaws feels like Ubisoft’s own Red Dead Redemption

Star Wars Outlaws is at its best when you're exploring its open world and engaging with systems reminiscent of Red Dead Redemption.
They key art for SNK vs. Capcom SVC Chaos' re-release.

Get ready for Marvel vs. Capcom’s return with this retro hidden gem

SNK vs. Capcom SVC Chaos is an important piece of fighting game history, and its return demonstrates how healthy the genre is right now.
A screenshot from The Story So Far in Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

Video game actors are going on strike over AI protections

SAG-AFTRA members are going on strike against video game companies, seeking stronger AI protections in its next Interactive Media Agreement.
Key art for Thrasher.

Meta Quest 3’s newest game feels like a psychedelic Fruit Ninja

Thrasher just launches on Meta Quest 3 today, and it's already one of my favorite VR games.