But what makes it so special? Amid all the critical praise – Forza Horizon 6 is currently the highest rated game of the year on Metacritic and Opencritic – it’s worth remembering that its predecessor was equally beloved. What elevates the sequel beyond just “open-world racing sim but Japan”? Let’s delve into the ten ways that it does better than Forza Horizon 5, and there’s no better place to begin with than…

Progression Actually Feels Earned

If the Horizon Festival felt more like a carnival in Forza Horizon 5 – presenting a buffet of cars, events and paths to choose from with little restriction or consequence – Forza Horizon 6 brings much-needed structure back into the equation. Instead of a renowned competitor, you stat as a tourist – a relative newcomer to Japan, who must not only qualify for the Horizon Festival but also earn the right to access faster cars. This is possible through the Wristband system, which introduces tangible goals to work toward. Yes, you’ll still be presented with an array of cars to choose from – more on that shortly – but at least there isn’t that feeling of receiving every single supercar within hours of minimal effort.

Better Structure With Wristbands

Speaking of the Wristband system, it’s more than just a means to gate your progression. It defines your place in the world – your journey in becoming a legend and accessing the appropriately named Legend Island. Beyond providing a much more tangible endgame to indulge in (including The Goliath, spanning a whopping 53.1 miles), it offers something to work toward—a persistent goal, even as you take in the sights and uncover everything magical about Japan while being rewarded for it.

Exploration and Goals

All too often, open-world games devolve into simply checking off items from a list. Go here, complete this event, clear this Speed Trap, destroy this sign, and so on. And while many of the same activities make their way to Japan, there is a more definitive purpose to discovering them, thanks to the new Collection Journal and Stamps. You’re not just happening upon a new location and raking in the XP, but also admiring landmarks, photographing the environment and adding all those little achievements into your journal. The rewards are nice and all, but that feeling of discovery feels more prominent than it did in Forza Horizon 5.

Improved Fast Travel

Of course, there’s the other side of exploration – fast travel. Whereas Forza Horizon 5 requires buying properties and then smashing all the fast travel boards to eventually make it free, Forza Horizon 6 takes a different approach. There’s no cost at all, right from the start, but fast travel is only available on previously discovered roads. So even if you’re just picking a direction and driving to nowhere, it feels like you’re doing more than just defogging the map. And if you discover any interesting content, it’s much easier to return to it later.

A Land of Contrasts

Variety is the spice of life, especially in an open-world racer where you want to offer a bit of everything. Mexico achieved that purpose pretty well, but Forza Horizon 6 raises it even further. Beyond Tokyo City, which the rest of the world revolves around, Japan offers a stunning contrast at every corner. Snow-capped mountains and rural roads quickly give way to quiet suburban neighborhoods and winding paths perfect for high-stakes Touge battles. The fact that Japan itself is a stunning contrast of the old and new, the traditional and the new-age, only feeds this further, presenting a stunning degree of variety.

The Best Urban Driving Yet

Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention Tokyo City because there’s simply been nothing like it in previous Horizon games. Even though Forza Horizon 5’s Guanajuato is fairly large, Tokyo is five times larger, presenting a diverse range of sights across its four districts and unparalleled urban exploration. One moment, you could be barreling down narrow roads to deliver food; the next, you’re participating in street races to the backdrop of neon signs. And that’s before accounting for the sheer amount of layers, lending a unique sense of verticality.

Car Meets and Cultural Exchange

Despite the many ups and downs of Forza Horizon 5’s multiplayer, you have to give it credit for trying to encourage more social play, especially with convoys and the introduction of EventLab. Forza Horizon 6 leans into the community aspect much more, courtesy of Car Meets – in-game locations like Okuibuki and Daikoku, where you can actually meet other players and show off your vehicles. It’s more than just bragging rights, though – the entire experience exposes you to new designs (which can be downloaded) and yet-to-be-discovered vehicles. Even if you’re not actually making any new friends, the indulgence in car culture is unmistakable.

The Sounds of Japan

Seeing Japan is only the first step – you also need to hear it in all its glory for the full experience. So, beyond the revamped engine audio and acoustic modelling, Forza Horizon 6 also uses field recordings from across the country, complete with different seasons. Then there’s the music, which offers a heaping helping of Japanese artists – ZUTOMAYO, Yoasobi, KANA-BOON, Ado, and the legendary Hikaru Utada, among others. All of this contributes to the ambience in different ways, and it truly feels like something special.

Customization And Player Ownership

Circling back to the whole “Discover Japan” aspect of the exploration, Forza Horizon 6 also allows you to go further beyond, letting you effectively make it your home. While Forza Horizon 5 had garages to purchase, the customisation in 6, especially with the ability to craft your own base through the Estate, is on another level, especially when inviting other players over. Customisation has also gone improved by leaps and bounds, thanks to the long-awaited addition of window liveries, on top of the hundreds of new options to personalise your vehicles.

“What’s Next” UI Page

What’s the point of all this content, especially the vast array of multiplayer modes, when the user interface doesn’t make it easy to discover? Forza Horizon 6 circumvents this with the “What’s Next” page. It’s a handy guide for those confused about the next steps to take on their journey, especially en route to becoming a Horizon Legend.

Make no mistake: Forza Horizon 5 is still one of the best racing games on the market and a remarkable open-world title in its own right. Mexico is a fantastic setting, lovingly brought to life and rendered in gorgeous detail. But with fans craving a new destination that both looks and feels like nothing else, it’s great to see Forza Horizon 6 deliver on that promise and elevate the franchise as a whole to new heights.

It’s a perfect blend of familiar elements from an experience that continues to stand tall amongst its peers, and innovative flourishes that make the game even better than we remember it from around a decade ago. And while returning to the Caribbean was a great dose of nostalgia, it was getting to pilot the Jackdaw that really caught our fancy.

Granted, Edward’s brig was an important part of the original experience, and a memorable one at that. This time around, it’s a vehicle for the game to show off its revamped combat, both on the seas and on the decks of enemy ships. Our best moments from our time with Resynced came from the Jackdaw. Here’s how it all went down.

The Gentle Waves

We’re not going to spend too long gushing over the new visuals, however tempting that may be. Black Flag already brought gorgeous visuals to the table, bringing the seas and islands to life in a way that showed off what the PS4 and Xbox One could do at the time of its release. Resynced builds on that, using every current-gen trick in the book to make the seas stand out even among the genre’s heavy hitters like Valhalla on the visual front.

The water simulations are top-notch, and the open seas reflect light from the sun with near-perfect accuracy courtesy of ray tracing. Pick a fight with an enemy ship or building, and you’re going to see the warm glow of fires you create engulf the area, shadows flickering even as a raging battle unfolds around them. At night, the soft glow of the Jackdaw’s lanterns bounces gently off railings and pillars.

Of course, improved draw distances and a hitherto impossible level of detail make it all more immersive than it was in the past, while stylish touches like a visual representation of an island’s topography on your map, a new wagon wheel for you to get to your shanties even faster, and the Anvil Engine’s weather system taking over the seas at its whim are all great additions.

Your ship is now at the mercy of the weather, and its handling varies based on the kind of waters you’re sailing. That’s a change we immediately felt, and it is one that adds a tactical layer to combat encounters. Is it a good idea to take on that ship in the distance when storm clouds loom large over it? In Black Flag, we’d have probably chosen violence. In Resynced, we still chose violence, but we stopped to think about it first.

Of course, there’s a reason we chose violence, and that’s because picking fights with the Jackdaw continues to be a great way to have a blast with your crew and be an absolute menace on the high seas.

The Sound of Battle Horns

One of the more interesting changes we noticed right off the bat was that enemies on the sea were quite intelligent this time around, with fleets taking a more organized approach against the Jackdaw. Black Flag’s naval combat could get pretty easy once you got a few Jackdaw upgrades in, tearing through enemy hulls with reckless abandon. That’s not the case in Resynced, and you’re going to have to pay attention to where your enemies are in relation to your own vessel if you want to keep your own hull long enough to ensure you sail out of the battle in one piece.

While your weapons are going to be very familiar to those of you who dabbled in battles with the Jackdaw back in the day, their new secondary applications are sure to bring a new layer of strategy to the table, depending on how their use is implemented. We’d have loved to try out the new Shrapnel Barrels that decimate enemy sails and the 8-Pounder cannons that can open up more weak spots for you to exploit, but they were also not available to us in our curated glance at the game.

Equally exciting is the new twist of enemy ships coming with alliances and conflicts with other factions on the seas, which is sure to make naval battles unpredictable in ways that you can’t really predict. We would have liked the Spaniards to step in against a particularly nasty British fleet hell-bent on stopping our daring rescue of newly-added shipwright Lucy Baldwin, but alas, that’s one more thing we’re going to have to wait to check out.

We were able to take down any enemy ships or fortresses with ease, our muscle memory working very well with the new and improved framerates to make every fight smooth sailing from a technical standpoint, while our skills came from hours already spent in the Caribbean, the Jackdaw at our command. Naval combat isn’t fully reworked in Resynced, and that’s a good thing.

In an embodiment of the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, Resynced enhances an already solid system for fighting enemy ships with creative flourishes that add depth to each fight while retaining everything an Assassin needs to synchronise quite quickly with the Jackdaw even after nearly thirteen years on the shore. Of course, you still get to whittle down enemy ships to impede their mobility and then board them to take over.

And that’s where the naval combat in Resynced finds the last missing piece to make it an almost perfect part of the remake.

The Clashes of Blades

While the new combat system is great on land, it’s when you’re on an enemy ship that it truly begins to showcase how much has changed in Resynced. We’re going to be brutally honest here, but the combat in Black Flag was honestly too easy. All you had to do was attack one enemy with your combo while waiting for another one to come at you. Parry that attack with a very generous timing window, and all you had to do was point Edward to his next victim to take down large groups in mere seconds.

The sheer spectacle of it all, and the fact that it was a continuation of the genre’s combat formula over the years, may have let Black Flag get away with that simplistic approach; things have changed now. We’ve got every Assassin’s Creed title since Origins, coming with a more refined approach to fights, and it makes you earn those openings to get in some serious damage.

Resynced takes the middle ground, with Edward continuing to be a deadly threat on his way to becoming a legit scourge of the seas while the Assassins do their utmost to guide him towards his nobler disposition. Those parries we talked about? They’re now locked behind tighter timing windows, requiring you to carefully watch enemy animations and counter their attacks at the last possible moment.

That change alone makes fighting enemy crews a deadly dance of blades, one where missing a single beat could turn the tide of battle against you. However, get a perfect parry right, and Edward is still going to be able to chain takedowns between four enemies. However, with smoother framerates and revamped kill animations, fighting off enemy crews to bring down their morale requires a measured, careful approach that makes you use every tool in your arsenal to gain an advantage in the heat of battle.

You’re encouraged to use the environment to your advantage, thinning enemy numbers to make pulling off parry takedowns more manageable. We’re expecting to see the new gear system come into play in these battles, with buffs that can perhaps increase the number of takedowns you can chain, or bestow other advantages that can add further wrinkles to the system on offer.

Once again, Resynced isn’t reinventing the wheel, but adds a few new spokes that give it a layer of current-gen appeal that had us wishing we got more time with the game than we did.

Part of the Crew, Part of the Ship

With all of the changes we’ve seen, and the way they’re balanced against familiar elements from Black Flag, Resynced’s naval combat looks like it could make the Jackdaw even more integral to Edward’s adventure than it already was in the original game. Every sunny day in the Caribbean was a temptation to just hop onto its deck and ignore anything that wasn’t floating on the waves.

We can’t wait to get on to the seas with the entire map open when the game comes out, but until then, we’re going to be humming shanties under our breath while we tick the days away as we wait for a reunion with our second-favorite Assassin of them all. They don’t make them like old Edward anymore, but there’s always Hexe to remain hopeful about.

With the new Mario movie now out of the way, you might be looking for a way to fill the void it’s left behind. Fortunately, Yoshi has quite an adorable and charming adventure lined up for you. He’s all set to meet a certain Mysterious Book, but you’re going to do more than just some light reading. You’re going to be a part of the book’s world in a way that’s designed around discovery.

Wondering what we meant by that? Read on and find out a few things you should know about this one before you buy it.

1. Meet Mr. E.

The Mysterious Book is none other than Mr. E, an old encyclopedia whose stately demeanour and gravitas hide the fact that he’s lost a lot of the knowledge he’s supposed to contain. It’s up to you to dive into each chapter and rediscover his knowledge of the world’s creatures, which might prove harder than it sounds. Mr. E. is your quest giver, progress tracker all-in-one, while also being a crucial part of your adventure.

2. Learning On The Job

How do you learn more about new creatures? By eating them, of course. Or you could pick them up and carry them around levels to see how their presence affects the environment. Or throw them at other animals to see what happens. The possibilities are endless. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is designed around experimentation, and you should remember that there are no bad ideas in this game.

We’re serious, and you’ll learn why as we keep going.

3. Use Interactions to Solve Puzzles

You’re going to have to use all the knowledge you gather to solve puzzles, which are a good source of stars, which you need to complete a level and progress in the game. Discovering new interactions also rewards stars, so indulge your curiosity. We’re guessing that finding a seemingly impassable obstacle is only an indicator that there’s something you haven’t figured out yet somewhere in the vicinity, although that theory may not always be right.

This one’s exploration hides some serious depth, which we’re getting to in a moment.

4. Yoshi’s Usual Tricks

There’s a fair bit of platforming involved, along with a few hostiles to deal with. Thankfully, Yoshi can eat up enemies and then generate eggs that act as throwables, just as he’s always been able to do. It wouldn’t be a Yoshi game if they weren’t included now, would it? Those 2D sandboxes are going to keep you busy, though, as you’re going to have to explore each one quite thoroughly to ensure that you’ve uncovered everything they’ve got to offer you.

Thankfully, the ability to devour enemies isn’t the only ability in Yoshi’s arsenal.

5. Yoshi Gets A New Ability

Aside from his voracious appetite and the projectiles that stem from it, Yoshi gets another ability as he forays into the book’s whimsical worlds. He can now use his tail in various ways. The Tail Flick lets you reach distant items or creatures, bringing them to you when you can’t get to them. Of course, they could be the key to progression, or unlocking new areas and secrets.

It’s good to know we have options on this one.

6. Physical Editions Are Not Game Key Cards

If you’re still into having physical copies of games for your library, you’ll be pleased to know that the entirety of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is on the cartridge. The pricing is in line with other Switch 2 exclusives, which means that physical editions are dearer than digital ones. You could look for a good deal at your local retailers, though.

7. A Gorgeous Art Style

This visual design on this one is captivatingly adorable, with stop motion animations and a vibrant color palette that are going to make your Switch 2 come to life in your hands, or on your display when it’s docked. Either way, this one’s a visual treat and its design choices align well with its tone (which is absolutely charming, by the way).

It’s an experience that looks like it’s come together quite well, and we’re quite eager to see more of it once it’s in our hands.

8. Biome Variety

Speaking of visuals, they’re definitely going to work well with the biome variety on offer, which includes regions like the Wildwoods, Mountain Top, and Seaside (change order), and more. We expect varying creatures and a whole bunch of ways to make them interact with the world around them.

As far as biome variety goes, Mr. E. has us sorted.

9. Another Ability for Yoshi

Early previews indicate that hostile creatures can be eaten to gain their powers, giving Yoshi even more options as he attempts to help Mr E. For instance, like one that eats watermelons to use the seeds as projectiles, which Yoshi can then eat to gain that ability. Looks like we’re not entirely defenceless and can use our foes’ own strengths against them.

It’s probably a good time to cover the rest of his new abilities. He’s also got his flutter jump to cover large gaps during exploration, and a ground pound move for some AoE damage that should help him deal with hostiles or perhaps get annoying obstacles out of his way.

10. You Get To Name Creatures You Learn Of

Discovering new creatures in unfamiliar worlds is hard work, no matter how fun it can be. Mr. E. acknowledges that, and one of the benefits is that you get to name any creature you find. We’re expecting many of you to get quite creative, and we look forward to the hilarity that could come from this level of player agency.

Just know that your names aren’t going to be part of the larger canon, though.

11. Yoshi Can’t Die

Remember when we said there are no bad ideas in this game? One good reason why is that taking damage only displays an animation where Yoshi’s a tad annoyed, but you can’t die or take damage. We’re not sure if we’re on board with that, as we do like a challenge, but we’re willing to give the game a chance when it drops on May 21, 2026, before making any judgments.

It might make this one a relaxing title to take the edge off a long day or a harder game, which is welcome.

12. The Game Rewards Diligent Explorers

The plus side of controlling a virtually immortal protagonist is that you get to explore levels without worrying about meeting a challenge that’s beyond your capabilities. And while you could just explore enough to get the required amount of stars and progress to the next one, the main draw of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is in exploring as much as you can to uncover as much of the titular book as you can.

There are Smiley Flowers, secret creatures, and even entire new areas to find for those of you who don’t like leaving any loose ends. However, you might find that you’re going to have to backtrack a bit if that’s the case.

13. Back To Where You’ve Been

Discovering new creatures isn’t just tied to gaining new abilities and some knowledge for Mr. E. Each creature interacts with the world around you in different ways, and you’re going to have to use those interactions to gain access to more of the world. It’s an interesting mechanic, to be sure, but it’s even better when you know that any new creature you discover could migrate to levels you’ve previously explored, giving you access to potentially new areas

Yoshi is going to have to be quite a dedicated archivist if he wants to help Mr. E. remember every bit of lost information from his reservoir.

14. Boss Fights

Exploring new, visually stunning worlds to find unique creatures is cool and all, but things do need to get interesting from time to time. Early previews of the game have reported boss fights that bring some familiar faces to the table. We’re not going to spoil them for you here, but know that you’re going to find challenges as you navigate different levels, and you might have to get quite creative to get past them.

15. A Splash of Customization

You get to play as different colored Yoshis in this one, and while there isn’t any information on whether those color palettes are purely cosmetic, we’re kind of hoping that each one comes with unique abilities that add interesting wrinkles to the gameplay loop on offer.

We’re going to have to wait and see if that’s the case, but we’d sure be delighted if it’s true.

And that’s about it for this one. We’re pretty excited to dive into what looks like a title whose charm and clever design could have us spending quite a bit of time with it once it drops. Yoshi looks like he’s in for quite an adventure, and if you’re somebody who’s naturally curious, you’re probably already considering this one. Well, you can be sure that we’re coming along for the adventure.

Standalone Second Entry in a Remake Trilogy

First released in 2024, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second title in a planned remake trilogy of the revered 1997 action RPG. Following Cloud Strife and his band of eco-warriors, Rebirth picks up where Remake left off, taking you into the wider world en route to The Forgotten Capital following the collapse of Midgar. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, that’s really all you need to know. The developer has expanded the original game’s story sufficiently enough that dropping in midway shouldn’t hamper the overall experience – Rebirth is a standalone entry.

Mix of Real-Time and Turn-Based Combat

Unlike the 1997 predecessor, which featured exclusively turn-based combat, the Remake Trilogy uses a hybrid system, weaving real-time action into its original three-party-member design. Rebirth, however, introduces some refinement over Remake, making combat much more fluid and fast-paced: aerial manoeuvres, for one, are more common amongst characters, while many utility moves are now a part of a character’s standard moveset. Blocks and Parries negate damage whilst building Active Time Battle (ATB) Points, which can be spent in turn on special abilities, magic, or utility items. Whilst there’s a lot for novices to understand, FF7 Rebirth’s combat caters to a variety of skill levels. It can be as simple or as complex as you like.

Synergy Abilities Unlock Your Potential

That said, if you want to become a true master of Rebirth’s hybrid combat system you’ll need to execute Synergy Abilities, where two characters combine techniques to unleash more powerful attacks; made all-the-more devastating if you’ve worked your enemy into a “Stagger” state. Synergy systems, overall, have been expanded for Rebirth, supported further by a Party Levelling System which upgrades your chosen group simultaneously, reinforcing their bond and strengthening their combinable abilities.

Xbox Version Launches with Streamlined Progression

Whether you’re unconvinced by Rebirth’s combat, you’re desperate to engage with the story, or you simply don’t want to grind, then Streamlined Progression – launching with the Xbox version – will make progressing through fights a trivial breeze. When active, all hits deal colossal damage, while resources such as Materia Points – the magical weapon and armour augments – health, and ATB gauges will remain at their maximum. Limit Breaks – special moves ordinarily charged by taking damage, using specific Synergy abilities, or staggering enemies – will be freely available in Streamlined Progression mode too.

Enhanced Visual Modes on Xbox Series X

On Xbox Series X, FF7 Rebirth offers multiple visual modes, with the standout being a 4K-targeting Graphics Mode which will prioritise image fidelity, environmental detail, more defined character models, plus overall clarity. This mode, however, won’t operate at a consistent 60fps, so a Performance Mode is also available if smoothness is your preference.

VRR Support and SSD Optimisation

The game also supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) which should help to smooth any performance friction during visually demanding sections. Combined with optimisation for the Xbox Series X|S SSD, load times are kept short, allowing for quick transitions across the ginormous open world, whether by fast travel or riding a Chocobo across the plains.

Spatial Audio and HDR10 Support

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Xbox Series X|S enhancements go beyond visual with full support for Xbox Spatial Sound. Bringing immersive 3D audio positioning, from enemies approaching from off-screen or environmental ambience breathing life into the world. Three formats are supported: the free Windows Sonic, and paid for Dolby Atmos and DTS Sound Unbound. Elsewhere, HDR10 support rounds out the overall presentation on Xbox Series X|S, improving contrast, brightness, and colour depth. Collectively, these Xbox-specific features bring richness and dynamism to players on Microsoft’s console platform.

Supports Xbox Play Anywhere and Cross-Save

Xbox Playwhere Anywhere support means a single digital purchase of FF7 Rebirth can be played across both Xbox consoles and PC at no extra cost. Sweetening the deal further, cross-save functionality ensures that your progress carries over seamlessly between platforms, ensuring that if you were to switch from console to handheld PC, for instance, your game will continue without losing momentum.

Returning Remake Players Can Access Exclusive Bonuses

If you have an existing save file from Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on your Xbox or PC you can unlock exclusive Leviathan Summon Materia bonuses in Rebirth. Now, this bonus isn’t found in the world, but accessed via the system’s DLC menu, and it’s worth doing as Leviathan is a powerful summoning option. Furthermore, if you’ve played through Yuffie’s Episode INTERmission DLC, and have a save file to back it up, then you’ll also be able to acquire a Summon Materia.

Xbox Velocity Architecture Support

Both Xbox Series X and Series S versions will take advantage of Xbox Velocity Architecture, which hastens storage and data streaming, significantly reducing loading bottlenecks by freeing up processing power otherwise reserved for CPU-related overheads. Together with other speed-related systems, like the game’s SSD optimisation, it allows for smoother world traversal by rendering detail quickly – a point especially crucial given the importance of expansive exploration throughout Rebirth.

Series X vs Series S Differences

While both consoles deliver the full FF7 Rebirth experience, there are, as expected, a handful of technical differences. Xbox Series X, of course, targets higher resolutions and more stable performance through the aforementioned Graphics and Performance modes, while Series S opts for a lower maximum pixel count in the region of 1440p at 30fps with Graphics enabled and 1080p at 60fps during Performance. Series S, however, also includes a “Balanced” mode, striking a middle ground between fidelity and performance, with a purported 800p at an unstable 60fps offering you more flexibility in how you experience the game.

Digital Deluxe Edition Overview

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game alongside a selection of bonus DLC content including Magic Pot Summoning Materia, a Reclaimant Choker accessory, and Orchid Bracelet Armour. Also includes access to Digital Artbooks; for the relatively light jump in price over the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition could prove a worthwhile upgrade.

Release Date, Price, and Pre-Order Bonuses

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is set to release on Xbox Series X|S on June 3rd. Pricewise, you’re looking at $49.99 for the Standard Edition, and $64.99 for the Deluxe. There are a handful of bonuses if you pre-order, not least the 20% discount across the Xbox store running until release, but a pre-purchase DLC pack too. This contains: Moogle Trio and Posh Chocobo Summoning Materia, Shinra Bangle and Midgar Bangle Mk II armour.

No Game Pass Plans

For now, at least, presently there are no announced plans to bring FF7 Rebirth to Xbox Game Pass. However, the already-mentioned early purchase discount does make the game slightly more accessible if you’re planning to jump in at launch. Whether the game eventually lands on Game Pass remains to be seen.

Free Demo With Transferable Progress

If, after all this, you still need tipping over the edge there is a free demo available via Xbox’s online store, allowing you to play through an early portion of the game without committing to a purchase. What’s more, progress made during the demo can be transferred to the full release, while completing the demo entirely unlocks a bonus Kupo Charm and a set of consumables, including potions and ethers.

Well, that’s exactly what we set out to do, and it’s been a lot of back and forth before we could come to an agreement on this particular pecking order. Without further ado, let’s kick things into gear and take a nostalgic drive through Forza’s history, beginning with:

15. Forza Street

We always look back at this one with a tinge of regret, as it could have been so much more. But all it managed to be was a confused amalgamation of Motorsport and Horizon that never quite managed to replicate the flair of either. Street was certainly an easy pick for the last spot on this list.

But it did manage to entertain during its time as a free-to-play spinoff, so credit where it’s due.

14. Forza Motorsport 5

Although this one had some interesting additions like Drivatar and some truly gorgeous graphics for its time, it falls to a lower rank thanks to a rather short selection of cars and tracks in the initial release and an over-reliance on DLC over the course of its shelf life.

It’s still a solid racing title, although its modern successors in the franchise might have you leaving it for better tracks if you were to try it out today.

13. Forza Motorsport (2023)

Here’s where things begin to get tricky. This soft reboot of the Motorsport side of things after 2017’s Forza Motorsport 7 is definitely among the finer entries in the franchise. It takes it racing seriously, while still giving you enough control over the experience to remain an accessible sim.

But its progress-breaking bugs on release, and a lack of track variety held it back from true greatness, with Forza Horizon 5 being a better alternative despite its more arcade-focused experience.

12. Forza Horizon

This one’s not held back by much, but a rather repetitive single-player mode despite the Horizon Festival’s debut, and the lack of weather effects does come to mind. It took a lot of inspiration from Forza 4, even letting you import your custom cars alongside that one’s excellent physics.

But it’s ultimately outdone by the remaining titles on this list, and we must say that this one was definitely a game-changer at the time of its release.

11. Forza Horizon 2

This one has stayed with us over the years thanks to that opening sequence that put us behind the wheel of a very powerful Lamborghini. And it’s definitely a great arcade racer with the Festival now beginning to come into its own. The European setting gave us an open world that was astounding, until it began to interfere with our enjoyment of it.

A few baffling design choices and a lackluster perk system for the player character might not seem like major complaints on paper, but have definitely been enough of a problem in this one to place it in the lower end of Forza’s greatest hits.

10. Forza Motorsport 7

There wasn’t too much wrong with this one when it was released, with the only real complaint being how aggressive Drivatars could get on greater difficulties. We always have a laugh about how many collisions came about from their eagerness to see us place below them in a race.

But the rest of this one was in line with the franchise’s well-earned reputation for creating racing sims that were confident in their identity, and subsequently quite clear in their vision.

9. Forza Motorsport 6

Forza 6 definitely hit the sweet spot as far as its racing sim trappings are concerned, with its successor being an evolutionary, rather than a revolutionary title. That wasn’t the case with this one, and the way it improved upon its predecessor made it a very special addition to the franchise’s line-up.

It was enough to make the Xbox One the console to beat as far as racing sims were concerned, back when the console wars were still a thing.

8. Forza Motorsport 2

This one manages to rank higher than Forza 6 despite its age, thanks to what it achieved for the franchise. Like how the sixth title in the franchise built on everything great about the previous one, Forza 2 was such a massive upgrade over its predecessor, and a title that could be seen as a stepping stone to where we’re at with the franchise today.

With excellent driving mechanics, great graphics and performance (minor graphical issues aside), and a respectable lineup of cars and tracks, this one is a milestone in the franchise’s history that simply cannot be ignored.

7. Forza Motorsport 4

This one’s excellent multiplayer, and the superb use of everything the Xbox 360 had to offer makes it a valuable presence in the franchise’s illustrious history. But its Career Mode was far too lackluster, which is saying something considering that even Jeremy Clarkson couldn’t infuse it with life as the narrator.

However, it’s still adherent to the franchise’s high quality, and was a solid racing sim for its time.

6. Forza Horizon 3

We’re finally getting to the best of the franchise, and Horizon 3 is a great place to start. It exemplifies everything that has made the Horizon Festival’s open-world approach so viable for an arcade racer, and the gorgeous take on Australia it brought to the table has us smiling to ourselves as we remember playing it for the first time.

This one’s the source of many fond memories, and we’d say it was an important step towards the astounding quality of what’s on offer in the Horizon line even today.

5. Forza Motorsport

We’re still partial to the OG version of this one despite the 2023 title sharing its name with it. This was the game that began to challenge Gran Turismo, and be the new kid on the block in the racing sim circuit. It helps that it did everything right at the time, making this one a legacy title that put the franchise on the map.

One could even say that this one was the opening chapter of a book that’s seen a lot of success over the years.

4. Forza Horizon 4

The British leg of the Horizon Festival continues to be a fine presence among the other Horizon entries in the franchise. We were particularly fond of how it took away our role as the boss of the Festival, instead making us a rookie working our way up the ranks to access more races and cars.

That made things much more believable, and the stakes a lot more personal in comparison to the previous titles. Aside from that, the racing and the open world were as enthralling as we had gotten used to, and this one definitely remains among our favorite racers of all time.

3. Forza Motorsport 3

This one definitely deserves the top spot on the racing sim side of things, being a title that struck a sublime balance between difficulty and accessibility, perhaps even setting up a template for its successors in the franchise to work with.

It definitely deserves a place of respect on this list, and is a title that we’d argue was a good influence on each one that followed it.

2. Forza Horizon 6

It’s probably no surprise that this one is at the top of this list. The Horizon Festival finally going to Japan, and the beauty and splendor you find there, make this one fresh yet familiar, bringing everything that’s been good in the Horizon series into one slick, polished package.

It’s the culmination of a formula that has made sweeping changes rather unnecessary, and as such, plays things too safe for it to be considered a revolutionary title. That’s been a recurring challenge in an effort to rank all the Forza games, and this one probably bears the brunt of that the most.

1. Forza Horizon 5

It’s no surprise that this one continues to be among the best of Forza. Mexico was an incredible location for the Festival, while the game continues to be a very presentable masterpiece on current-gen hardware. We’d say it goes toe to toe with its successor, and might even come out on top depending on where you like to do your racing.

Forza Horizon 5 has more than earned its place close to the top of the franchise’s most polished and iconic titles, and remains a very strong contender for the throne against the game that followed it.

And that’s about it from us with this one. We’re almost certain that you’ve raised an eyebrow at least once as you’ve heard us out, and that’s the beauty of the Forza franchise. With a list of offerings this iconic, we’re sure that each of you might switch things around.

But we’re sure we all agree that Forza’s among the finest in modern racing games, and looks poised to hold that position for many years to come. We certainly hope it manages to do that, but for now, we’ve got a car meet to do in Tokyo, and the winter races await us.

With its release on May 22nd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC (“TBA” for the Switch 2 version), let’s dive into 15 more things that you need to know about the Batman, starting with…

Detective Mode

For all his combat prowess, relentless drive, sterling preparation and brooding attitude, it’s easy to forget that Batman is also a detective. In Legacy of the Dark Knight, you’ll bring those skills to bear, investigating clues and solving puzzles in the environment while analyzing crimes, as noted by PlayStation.com. Whether it will go as in-depth as the Arkham series remains to be seen, but it’s nice that TT Games hasn’t ignored that core aspect of the Bat’s skillset.

LEGO Building and Character Assistance in Puzzles

“It’s not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you,” quote Nolan-verse Batman, nevermore. And it rings especially true here because everything circles back to LEGO, from the make-up of environments to the characters’ appearances. Previous LEGO titles creatively leveraged this, as you often need to break objects and reconstitute them into devices to progress. Per various previews, Batman will be doing plenty of the same in Legacy of the Dark Knight. It’s also worth noting that characters will assist him in solving puzzles. For example, Game Informer noted a mission where Commissioner Gordon used a glue gun to stabilize some poles, helping Batman progress.

Iconic Locations

You already know you’ll be exploring Gotham City and some bits of Arkham Asylum. However, aside from ACE Chemicals, which plays a pivotal role in the story, there are plenty of other iconic locations. These include Wayne Tower, the Botanical Gardens (where Ivy likely appears), Gotham Museum (where an iconic scene potentially awaits), Haly’s Circus, and the Iceberg Lounge (where Batman and Gordon bust out some sick dance moves to blend in). Also, keep in mind that there are four islands to explore, and each is absolutely massive compared to where LEGO Batman begins.

Riddler Trophies and Cluemaster Puzzles

Of course, size matters little when there isn’t any meaningful content, and in that sense, Legacy of the Dark Knight has you covered on almost every front. Case in point, Riddler Trophies, where you solve different tasks to obtain the shiny. There’s even a new variant called Cluemaster Puzzles, one involving finding items based on clues provided in images, per IGN. Considering how much time it could take to solve all the Riddler’s challenges in the Arkham series, it could prove an extensive time sink here as well.

Missing Zoo Animals, SubWayne Restoration, and More

Of course, besides previously mentioned secrets, side stories (including extensive mission chains with Catwoman and other allies) and stopping random crimes, you can engage in other activities, some bordering on the bizarre. Who else would you call to recover animals that have escaped from the zoo? Probably Superman, but Batman will do, regardless. You’ll also fix the SubWayne System, which is the source of new fast-travel points and totally not a vain reference to a certain billionaire.

Catch the Train

Another note on the train system – it’s actually running through Gotham City as you play, according to the PlayStation Blog. You can hitch a ride on top and use it as transport if you’re too lazy to summon the Batmobile (or just want a break from gliding around and stalking the rooftops). Otherwise, sit back and take in the sights and sounds of the city before answering the next call for help.

Rise of the Villains

We’ve seen the likes of the Joker and Harley Quinn – with their dedicated story mission and Mayhem Mode slated for release in September – but there are plenty of other villains to account for. Besides Bane, who appears to be in full Dark Knight Rises mode, there’s Poison Ivy, who has a giant two-headed plant dragon to battle with. Meanwhile, Mr Freeze has a giant mech to fight in because, of course, he does. Even Two-Face appears, though how his encounter pans out remains to be seen. This likely only scratches the surface of the total number of boss fights in the game, and we can’t wait to see who else appears.

Henchmen Types

What would the villains be without their henchmen? Similar to the Arkham games, there are different types, from the standard fodder to weapon-fielding foes and shield-bearers. Even the Brutes come out to play, slamming the ground with area-of-effect attacks. It all feeds into the Arkham-lite combat and selection gadgets, and helps ensure plenty of variety while pummeling bad guys to the ground.

Time Trial Races

What would an open-world Batman game be without some racing, especially with so many different Batmobiles? Following its initial reveal, hands-on pre-alpha gameplay emerged, showcasing Time Trials. Simply hit the gates and depending on your final time, you can receive different rewards, like 5,000 Studs at Gold, 3,000 Studs at Silver and 1,000 Studs at Bronze.

Three Difficulty Options

Previously, we mentioned a higher difficulty, Dark Knight, which increased the number of enemies, toughened up bosses, and even limited the number of lives. But if that sounds too demanding, then rest assured – recent previews have confirmed two other difficulty settings. One option will likely be Story difficulty, while the other will be Normal for those who want the right amount of challenge.

PC Requirements

When first revealed, aside from the 32 GB recommended RAM, Legacy of the Dark Knight’s system requirements seemed fairly reasonable. TT Games has since provided the final requirements, including their quality presets, resolutions and frame rates. For instance, at Low settings, a Core i5-10600K or Ryzen 5 1600, 16 GB of RAM and a GTX 960 (4 GB), an RX 6400 (4 GB) or an Arc A580 (8 GB) are required for 1080p/30 FPS. To play at Medium settings and 1440p/60 FPS, a Core i7-12700 or Ryzen 7 5800X and an RTX 2070 SUPER (8 GB), an RX 6650 XT (8 GB) or an Arc B580 (12 GB) are required with the same RAM.

It’s the 4K requirements that are a little dicey. If you want to play at 2160p and 60 FPS with presumably the highest preset, you’ll need a Core i7-14700K or Ryzen 7 9700X, 24 GB RAM and an RTX 4070 (12 GB) or Radeon RX 9070 XT (16 GB). Yes, 24 GB of RAM, but hey, at least it isn’t 32. Regardless of your configuration, though, a solid-state drive with 50 GB of installation space is mandatory.

Upscalers and Frame Gen

It’s also interesting to note that Nvidia DLSS, AMD FSR and Intel XeSS are supported at launch alongside Frame Generation. However, the bad news is that all the previously mentioned requirements and frame rates are with upscalers and Frame Gen enabled. How will it perform without them? Probably best not to think about it, which brings us to…

Denuvo DRM

Should you be surprised at this point, especially if it’s a WB Games title? Probably not, but Denuvo is included with the PC version, and there are already concerns that performance could be further impacted. Benefit of the doubt and whatnot, but at this point, maybe wait and see how PC performance pans out before taking the plunge.

No Online Co-op

While couch co-op is available and welcome as always, especially given how much more developed the cast is compared to the average LEGO game, there is a caveat – no online multiplayer. It’s a shame, but if you’ve followed TT Games’ work on the LEGO franchise, this isn’t anything new.

Deluxe Edition Content

Mayhem Mode is a ways off, but there’s plenty of content available at launch for Deluxe Edition owners, starting with three days of early access. You also unlock immediate access to 28 outfits, ranging from Arkham Trilogy and Batman Beyond homages to some more party-focused attire, for the entire cast. There are also 20 items to decorate the Batcave with, including the beloved Bat Armor from Beyond. Four different Batmobiles also await, including a Bat Monster Truck. If that wasn’t enough, the Sinister Pack launches alongside Mayhem Mode and includes seven more outfits, another Batmobile, and five additional Batcave decorations.

Make it a checklist, and the city quickly loses its morbid allure to the tired trope of a video game map being filled with listless activities just to pad out its playtime. But when it’s done right, Gotham can make the Batman title move past its action and nostalgia to become a playground for the Bat that’s quite fun to inhabit. Can LEGO Batman achieve this? How would it go about doing so? That’s what we’re here to talk about. Let’s go!

The City Where Crime Never Sleeps

We’ve always wondered how Bruce Wayne manages to be as fresh-looking as he is with such a messed-up sleep cycle. But Gotham has never cared for its hero’s well-being, and that’s just the way it should be. Its streets and alleyways are the corridors of power for the city’s criminals, while its landmarks and industrial zones serve as stages for the eventual confrontation between Batman and his home’s more nefarious residents.

It’s a part of Batman’s identity, an urban jungle that he has learned to navigate with aplomb. That’s a facet of the experience we already know is part of the upcoming LEGO Batman, and that Gotham’s going to keep him quite busy this time around. But the real question isn’t about how big Gotham is, but how much of it actually matters to the experience. A smaller version of the city that reacts better to your presence in it should be the way to go. It would certainly be better than a massive take that’s largely empty, after all.

That’s where LEGO comes in. The very blocks that bring so many iconic things to life could do the same for LEGO Batman’s Gotham. LEGO titles work very well when their environments are a part of the fun, and Gotham City is no exception. It’s an opportunity for the game to truly make the city feel alive with secrets locked behind puzzles, different routes depending on which of the game’s cast you’re controlling, challenges, exploratory rewards that are available to only the most diligent of players, dynamically unfolding crimes, and so much more.

Batman’s gadgets could work differently on different surfaces or materials, while the same surfaces could be further utilized in some way, thanks to the unique tools of other playable characters. Playing as different heroes could, and perhaps should, make revisiting parts of the city you’ve already been to as another character an important part of the gameplay loop, encouraging deeper exploration and rewarding it accordingly.

Making Gotham a giant toybox full of fun things to do could make LEGO Batman find a great balance between its narrative’s more serious tone and an entertaining gameplay loop that weaves in the levity of controlling LEGO characters in a world built on the stuff. It’s always been a city full of possibilities for both heroes and villains, and we don’t see why that should be different this time around. Indeed, we’d even go so far as to say that Legacy of the Dark Knight should go above and beyond in making Gotham a stage for the story it’s trying to tell. But how could it achieve that?

No Place Like Home

Well, it could begin by ensuring that the city has a personality, a unique vibe that guides the tone of the game’s narrative and gameplay. LEGO Batman is at a unique crossroads of light and dark elements, and Gotham is the perfect cauldron in which they can be stirred to make the perfect entertainment recipe. A good place to start would be the city’s landmarks, some of which we already know are in the game.

Places like Ace Chemicals, Wayne Tower, and Arkham Asylum, among others, come with a lot of history and the potential for some thematic storytelling that make them more than just buildings on a map. Each of them lends Gotham its history, while serving as perfect places to stage a confrontation between Batman and his prey. They’re opportunities for set-pieces that are grounded in their past, while serving Batman’s efforts to create a brighter future. But in the present, as places players are bound to visit, they’re one way to give Gotham City its own identity.

Arkham Asylum is more than just a place for Gotham’s worst denizens, for instance. It’s rooted in a lot of Batman’s lore, and the site of several examinations into his own motivations and his psyche. Wayne Tower isn’t just a fancy HQ for Bruce’s day job, but the source of his extensive resources and the technology that enables his battle against crime. Capturing the essence of what makes each of these locations iconic is something that the new LEGO Batman would do well to achieve, immediately making Gotham the most valuable tool in its utility belt.

But buildings rooted in the city’s history are only a part of what could make it special. It’s what’s in them, and in the case of a superhero, how you get to them, that make the world you’re exploring feel alive in a way that calls you back to it when you step away from the game. With all of the traversal methods that TT Games has already confirmed, the latter half of the equation looks like it’s been covered pretty well.

But what about the former? Gotham’s rooftops can’t just be landing pads for you to use after a long glide, or a place from which you spot your next grapple point. The streets need to be unsafe because it’s Gotham, and Batman isn’t going to be too much of a superhero without his rogues gallery operating on those very streets. Each of Gotham’s districts should have its own feel and identity, and perhaps even come with stories of its own, all of which is up to us to uncover as we prowl around on the lookout for the next criminal we’re going to put away.

Batman’s vehicles should serve a specific exploratory function, making them all fit within the gameplay loop in a way that makes sense while making Bruce feel like a versatile protagonist who’s always a step ahead of those who would oppose him. Gotham’s the one-stop solution to achieving all of that, and more. But of course, a city’s only as lively as its people.

The Best and Worst of Gotham

Thankfully, the city’s always been home to a lively bunch of bad guys and innocent victims, and the fact that Batman isn’t alone in Legacy of the Dark Knight is a recipe for some entertaining outings as one of the playable heroes. It’s confirmed that the crimes you’ll need to stop are going to be a part of the adventure, while there are additional challenges, puzzles, rewards, and secrets. They’re all elements of an open world that make it click, but it’s the way that they all come together that can make or break a title of this ambition.

Gotham’s criminal underbelly has a part to play in LEGO Batman that’s probably as important as the one that our hero himself fulfills. How busy are its bad guys going to be? Will those puzzles require the deft use of multiple gadgets from our utility belts? Are those collectibles going to carry meaning to our hero, or are they just going to be objectives to dust off your map? Is Co-op going to make exploring the world more fun, and perhaps even include a bit of cooperative puzzle solving?

There’s also the question of the Batcave and the ways in which you can customize it. Will all of the things you do out in the city tie back to your home base, allowing you to collect items that can then be used to put your own signature on Batman’s hideout? There are a lot of questions that can only be answered once the game is out, but all of them are details that matter if it aims to be a Batman experience worth its salt.

The mere presence of the elements of what makes open worlds great isn’t enough anymore. Gotham’s role in the game shouldn’t be relegated to being a staging ground for the story and gameplay, but should be a place that actively rewards those among us who take Batman’s role as the World’s Greatest Detective seriously, allowing us to bring our victories home with us in ways that feel meaningful and satisfying.

It’s high time that Batman stepped out of the Arkham franchise’s shadows and began making his brooding presence felt in other franchises. Legacy of the Dark Knight doesn’t have to beat Arkham, but it sure as hell needs to make Gotham feel like a lively hunting ground for the Dark Knight. It could set itself apart from the games that put Batman on the map and find its own unique identity in the process.

Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long to find out if it manages to achieve that. It’s almost time to suit up and hit the streets of Gotham, and we’re definitely hoping that the excursion’s going to be worth it!

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

More Boss Rematches

If you noticed a few opponents missing when boss rematches were added two weeks ago, then rejoice. Five additional rematches are now available, bringing the total to 74. Like the rest, you can choose to fight them in their original state with Reminisce or scale their difficulty to your level with Resonate. We won’t spoil all of them, but personally, being able to take on a tougher version of Goyen, one of my favorite fights from the story, and throw hands with Muskan again is pretty nice.

New Unarmed Skills for Damiane

Much like Oongka, Damiane’s unarmed combat prowess was underwhelming, and it was especially a shame considering how different her playstyle could be. With this update, she now has dedicated unarmed moves – from a five-punch combo to Drifting Kick for dodging backwards while kicking an enemy and Turning Kick for a rapid three-kick combo. If that wasn’t enough, there’s Ascension, which can launch enemies into the air with a kick, and Cyclone, for essentially performing a Poisonrana on an enemy after Piercing Light. There’s plenty more to discover, especially when imbuing elements come into play, and all of this opens up many more new ways to wreak havoc as Damiane.

Oongka Damiane Get Aerial Stab

Between Focused Force Palm and Force Current, Damiane and Oongka have both benefited from essential skills only available to Kliff. Add Aerial Stab to that growing repertoire. Finally, you can slash through the air as either character, chaining these strikes to attack airborne enemies or, more frequently, to traverse the world. It’s an essential part of Kliff’s movement for quickly climbing mountains and other surfaces, and it’s great that Oongka and Damiane can finally do the same.

Kliff’s Unarmed Blinding Flash Finisher

Now we come to one of the stranger additions to Kliff’s moveset, even if it makes logical sense. Before, he could only perform Blinding Flash with weapons, but eventually, the development team made it available while fighting unarmed. Which is hilarious because there’s really no weapon to reflect light and blind the enemy, but regardless, Blinding Flash Finisher is also usable when unarmed. Again, it seems a given that this would be the case – having one without the other felt odd – but it’s still funny.

More Wolf and Bear Types as Mounts

As of the previous patch, players can now register additional animals as special mounts once they’ve been tamed, including bears and wolves. Patch 1.07 offers more types for both, meaning different colored versions. More of a cosmetic addition than anything, but considering how important the fashion game can be, it’s nice to have this regardless.

Increased Animals in the World as Mounts

While reins have been added for special mounts, providing that extra dash of realism, another notable change is the increased number of animals to use as mounts. Based on player impressions, this means that you can now return to locations, like where you fought the Legendary White Tiger, and find normal tigers to tame. Furthermore, head to Hernand and Pailune, and you’ll discover that the larger wolves can now be tamed.

Combat Improvements for Oongka

Damiane’s animations while fighting unarmed have also been improved, but that doesn’t mean the development team forgot about Oongka. His Explosive Strike skill can now be charged with three different stages, dealing increased damage at each step. Those who favor dual-wielding should also find that it feels better to chain Stabs together, skewering your opponent like it’s nothing.

Hit ‘Em While They’re Down

All of the unarmed additions and improvements are great, but the style felt much less preferable to weapons simply because of the inability to hit enemies on the ground. Well, there’s good news – most attacks and skills that rely on your fists (and feet) will now hit enemies who are lying on the ground. No longer must you wait for them to get up and receive the rest of their beatings like gentlemen or carefully manage those juggles to maximize damage (though it still wouldn’t hurt). Again, the keyword is “most” attacks and skills, so experiment and find the best combos.

Deferred Advance Fix

This may not mean much to those who haven’t gotten far into the story (how’s the weather in Hernand?), but I popped on seeing it finally addressed. Without delving into spoilers, Chapter 12’s mission, “Deferred Advance,” has Kliff summoning Blackstar to attack three special musket sites. This section would receive a very mixed reaction because of how tedious it could be, but it was made even worse by the fact that giving up or retrying would leave Blackstar without full health. If you thus made another attempt, it would be even tougher. Patch 1.07 finally addresses this and makes this mission much more palatable.

The Many Fixes

Of course, there are plenty of other fixes and improvements, ranging from the minor (floppy-eared bulldogs not being able to equip the Sigil of Valor for attacking enemies) to the somewhat annoying (eating not being canceled on Easy and Normal difficulty when unarmed, even if you try to do something else). The Eastern Witch’s Fan – that nifty weapon that could generate a massive gust to blow enemies away – will no longer disappear if you perform material extraction. Saltroad Trading Post’s NPCs should look more normal, for lack of a better word, and those with AMD driver 26.5.1 should no longer see GPU crashes. And of course, this patch marks the continued efforts to improve localization across its many languages.

All in all, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more patches like this emerge – not because of the faster cadence or because they’re “easier.” Instead, they can accommodate fixes that weren’t ready for the last major patch and which the developer wants to push out ASAP. Again, it all depends on various other factors – how far is the next patch? How extensively have these fixes been tested?

But it feels like the team, as well as upper management, is in a race to capture player interest as soon as possible. And while other upcoming big releases are part of it, the company said in its own recent financial statement that sales for packaged games are “front-loaded,” and that over time, it will offer “stable performance” but lower revenue.

It’s too early to say whether these patches will slow down, but the fact that it’s looking to “broaden the game to the next level” and even explore DLC indicates that there’s plenty of mileage to be had from Crimson Desert. I mean.

Where it could go is anyone’s guess – that fluid approach to post-launch support is as mysterious as it is worth celebrating. For now, however, it’s best to enjoy the ride, appreciate the development team’s efforts, and ponder what they could add next.

Going “bigger” doesn’t just mean Unknown Worlds needs to sell a lot of copies to net those promised bonuses; it also means more of everything, starting with the stakes. Working for Alterra and setting off on the Cicada alongside other colonists to the promised land of Zezura, you instead end up crashing on Proteus (so yes, all that teasing was indeed a bait). As you escape and gather resources while trying to piece together what happened, you see the massive, mysterious tree, seemingly serving as a tower, a beacon, a threat.

"The writing isn’t always spotless, as evidenced by one of the first audio logs that you’ll find, but I have to hand it to Subnautica 2 for creating an atmosphere and set of characters who are very clearly losing their minds."

Now your Noetic Advisor has an alert. You scour the ocean floor, discovering the remains of other colonists, their bases and their struggles. Audio logs reinforce the poisonous nature of Proteus’s water, which induces something called Masefield Syndrome, where you’ll hear the voices and echoes of the dead. Then there’s the Proteavirus, and being able to modify your genes to adapt to the planet – almost like you’re becoming part of its ecosystem. The Noetic Advisor has another two or three alerts in the meantime, while your other AI makes observations about ecological disasters and other underwater marvels.

Narratively, it’s a lot to take in within a short span, and that’s before we even get to the whole ethical dilemma underpinning the biobeds. This is the in-game explanation for why your character can respawn in the survival crafting sense. A sinister sensation underpins it throughout, especially since the technology can effectively “reset” a person’s mind, removing any unwanted memories. Oh, and if it wasn’t obvious enough already, the Noetic Advisor is seemingly up to no good. The other AI that accompanies you everywhere? Just fine and dandy, I’m sure. And yes, there is even more plot waiting, the development team’s disclaimer of early access only offering “some” narrative be damned.

On the one hand, I really like venturing out to discover the final moments of these doomed crew members, especially with how they intertwine with other objectives, from scanning Tadpole fragments to uncovering Biomods (which can provide active abilities like dashing and passive benefits like faster swimming speed near surfaces). I’m less of a fan of the Advisor’s extensive soliloquies on each member. Since you need to track down these markers and black boxes to advance the plot, it feels like Unknown Worlds wanted to dress up the actual quest-giving as much as possible. As well-written and voice-acted as it can be, I wouldn’t mind if it were more succinct, or doled out fewer alerts in general. Let me discover some of those memories for myself. It’s not like the game doesn’t already accommodate this by leaving various copies of tools around to scan, anticipating that I may have swum north instead of immediately to the east of my life pod.

The writing isn’t always spotless, as evidenced by one of the first audio logs that you’ll find, but I have to hand it to Subnautica 2 for creating an atmosphere and set of characters who are very clearly losing their minds. The overarching lore and world-building of Proteus are also incredibly enticing, which means it stings all the more that the complete story won’t be out for years to come. However, if you’re someone who prefers the quieter touch of the original, the general verboseness will take some getting used to.

"The sheer level of detail in the environment ensures that I’m frequently discovering new alcoves, hidden spots or workstations in plain sight that could offer more insight into the surroundings."

But the actual gameplay loop is as good as it gets. That feeling of stepping out into the planet – that first dive into the clear blue sea, encountering the sheer range of flora and fauna, is incredible. Aquatic life roams about, some mindful of your presence and others less so, to the point of becoming deeply offended; coral rock can hide the ever-valuable Quartz within its hollow formations; high-velocity currents can facilitate back and forth between familiar sights; and it’s all gorgeously animated, realistically reacting to light and shadow. The same goes for the sound – some noises are so distinct that you instinctively know when a predator has your scent. In the same vein, panic sets in when an unknown noise suddenly breaks out.

The DNA-alteration is more of a variable-style means of progression – interacting with the glowing purple clams grants you the ability to withstand the planet’s pressure at the start, and you’ll eventually discover the means to ingest alien matter for sustenance. Which then gives way to an upgrade for surviving hotter temperatures, and so on. There’s joy in crafting and uncovering new recipes, especially for base-building, as you scan every single piece of furniture, but the pace and depth of exploration quickly outpace your singular oxygen upgrade. Granted, there are ways to circumvent this – moving your base as required – but actually raising the amount is far preferable.

Optimisation is still a work in progress – I don’t know why there isn’t a field-of-view slider (there’s a way to pull the camera back slightly, but it requires delving into the Config folder on PC), or why it compiled shaders twice in two days. And I swear that DLSS and Frame Generation could be separately adjusted at one point before being locked together, thus forcing me onto TSR. Changing the resolution to 1440p at the start was similarly a Herculean task, especially when my screen remained zoomed in (and wouldn’t fix until after restarting the game). However, performance is fairly stable throughout with the very occasional frame stumble. Not bad, especially considering the sheer amount of detail on-screen at a given moment.

All of this – and other issues – can’t diminish that feeling of just picking a spot, as a certain character puts it, and exploring as far as possible. The sheer level of detail in the environment ensures that I’m frequently discovering new alcoves, hidden spots or workstations in plain sight that could offer more insight into the surroundings.

"Like a siren of the deep, Subnautica 2 calls out to underwater enthusiasts, even if it needs more time to unleash its grand performance."

Maybe I’ll encounter a brand-new species – a giant crab with a coral formation stuck to its back that usually remains camouflaged. Perhaps I’ll discover some infection that must be destroyed with the newly acquired Sonic Resonator when I’m not dealing with swarms of annoying parasites. I could spend time gathering resources for meaningful upgrades to my base, which feels downright sublime to modify, be it incrementally extending width, length and height or taking full advantage of the ability to craft from storage.

As good as Subnautica 2 currently is in early access, there’s that part of me that knows it can only get better down the line, and whether it wouldn’t be better to dive in when there’s an actual, tangible end awaiting. Nevertheless, like the ghost-like voices echoing through the ocean, or that unexplored expanse that I swim towards like a moth to a flame, I’m still keen on plumbing Proteus’s depths and learning everything there is to know. If any of the above sounds like a fun exploration loop, survival crafting or not, I recommend giving early access a try. Like a siren of the deep, Subnautica 2 calls out to underwater enthusiasts, even if it needs more time to unleash its grand performance.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Zezura

As with previous games, you’re on a brand new planet, which seems to be called Zezura. Unknown Worlds described it as a “cold world dominated by high-altitude salt flats with alkali soils.” Which may sound surprising because where the heck is all the water? It apparently manifests in “deep crevasse lakes” between the plateaus, which extend “several kilometers into the crust” and connect via “subterranean aqueducts.” If this is indeed the case, it would make for some wild exploration, especially since we’ve mostly been exposed to the underwater sections.

The Tree

I say mostly because there’s also the tree. You’ve probably seen it in the cinematic trailer, towering above the water, its massive roots extending out. Noah, the AI that guides you (and is really insistent on completing the mission), says not to swim toward it if you get the urge. What could it be? Why is it seemingly calling out? It’s unlikely that we’ll unravel all of these mysteries during early access, especially since only “some narrative” will be available, but it’s intriguing in a Southern Reach kind of way.

Multiple Different Biomes

Beyond simply confirming biomes, the description of Zezura is what’s really intriguing. Subnautica 2 is focused on underwater exploration, and while there’s more than a chance of the salt flats and plateaus playing some role, I’m more intrigued by the deep lakes connected by the aqueducts. Where could they lead? Are those teases about the Void, which apparently constitutes most of the biosphere, true? And what about this “wet desert” that extends five thousand meters deep? We’ll have to find out first-hand.

Character Choices

Four pre-designed characters will be available to choose from at the start, with even more to be added as early access progresses. You can also expect more customization options, allowing you to tweak appearances to your liking. This is a pretty notable step-up from previous games, which offered a single fixed protagonist with no options for modifying their appearance.

The Tadpole

It may resemble the Seamoth, but the Tadpole is an altogether different breed of submersible. Smaller and highly customizable, it allows for connecting several chassis types, including the wings seen in the cinematic trailer. Best of all, your friends can hang off it, making it much easier for them to swim around since they’re clearly too lazy to get their own vehicles.

4-Player Co-op

Which is probably a good time to mention that Subnautica 2 supports co-op for up to four players. Described as an “optional way” to play, this doesn’t necessarily mean a shift to a more multiplayer-centric experience. If you want to play purely in single-player, as with previous titles, then go right ahead.

Revamped Base-Building

Base-building is one of the core tenets of many survival crafting experiences, and Subnautica is no different. For the sequel, the development rebuilt its systems from the ground up, moving away from fixed shapes (including for objects like windows) and emphasizing a more “sculptural” system. There’s more to come, obviously, from base painting and colored lights to an option for turning the lights on and off, but when early access goes live, expect extensive freedom in shaping your base your way.

New Leviathans

Of all the underwater life in previous titles, the Leviathans were easily the highlight, towering over the player and showing no mercy. Subnautica 2 will feature multiple new Leviathans at launch, the most prominent being the Collector Leviathan, content to grab players and crush them with its tentacles. There’s also one seen in the cinematic and gameplay trailers that appears to be a massive clam, slowly closing its mouth to trap the player. Others await, and overall, you can expect a wider range of “shapes and silhouettes” compared to the previous games (though the chances of returning threats like the Reaper, outside of base decorations, are very unlikely).

Developed on Unreal Engine 5

Compared to its previous games developed with Unity, Subnautica 2 runs on Unreal Engine 5 and utilizes technologies like Nanite. The results are plain to see, whether it’s in the attention to detail of the environments, the incredible use of lighting and shadows or the stunning sea creatures. Performance remains the primary concern, as always, which brings us to…

PC Requirements

At 50 GB, the sequel is already more than twice the installation size of Subnautica. Minimum requirements include an Intel Core i5-8400 or an AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 12 GB of RAM and either a GeForce GTX 1660 6GB or a Radeon RX 5500 XT 6GB for 1080p/30 FPS at Low settings. As for the recommended specs, you’ll need a Core i7-13700 or a Ryzen 7 7700X, 16 GB of RAM and an RTX 3070 8GB or an RX 6700 XT 8GB for 1440p/60 FPS at Medium. So far, so reasonable

Ultra 4K Requirements

To achieve the highest visual fidelity, however, you’ll need some beefy hardware. For the High preset at 1440p/60 FPS, the CPU requirements remain the same, but you’ll need an RTX 4070 or an RX 6900XT alongside 32 GB of RAM. Finally, for 4K/60 FPS at High settings, a Core i9-14900K or a Ryzen 9 7900X3D, 32 GB of RAM and an RTX 5070 Ti or an RX 7900XTX will be required.

More Content Than Past Early Access Launches

Aside from that bit about its size, Subnautica 2 is actually bigger than its predecessors, at least when they launched into early access. In fact, design lead Anthony Gallegos promises more biomes, creatures, Leviathans, craftables and vehicles than Subnautica 1 and Below Zero when they entered early access.

Over 20 Hours of Playtime

But what does that mean in terms of playtime? In a Discord Q&A, Unknown Worlds said it originally aimed for around 12 hours for early access but has since gone beyond this by a “significant margin.” Most playthroughs at the studio have clocked over 20 hours, but some have even managed to spend 70 hours, so if you’re the type to take their time, there’s a lot to look forward to.

No Battle Passes or Paid Subscriptions

Despite the addition of co-op, the developer clarified very early on that any mentions of “games as a service” refer to plans to update Subnautica 2 “for many years to come.” However, just like those games, there won’t be any season passes, battle passes or paid subscriptions. You buy the game once in early access, and you’re entitled to every single update after that for the foreseeable future.

Early Access Duration

The current plan, per Gallegos, is to remain in early access for at least two years, during which Unknown Worlds will add more content through updates. The “at least” part is doing some heavy lifting because it could take longer, especially as the team focuses on implementing player feedback and dedicating the time to ensure it’s “the best game possible.”