World of Demons puts players in the shoes of samurai taking on various yokai inspired by Japanese mythology. Along with hack-and-slash gameplay, the title also allows players to summon their own yokai minions in battle. Throughout their battles against yokai in the game, players will eventually come face-to-face with the primary antagonist, Shuten Doji.

Originally announced as a live service title that would get a host of updates bringing balance changes and new content to the game, World of Demons is another example of PlatinumGames’ lack of success in the live service market. Made by the developers behind Nier: Automata, World of Demons was originally conceptualised as featuring in-app purchases. Its release on Apple Arcade likely dashed those plans, however.

Unlike previous titles where Eggman relied on technology, he has The Reverie, which can turn dreams into reality. As a result, players have to venture into his dreams and ultimately stop him. The gameplay resembles more of a 3D action platformer, compared to the recent Sonic Superstars, with different movement types depending on the character.

Sonic Dream Team launches on December 5th and will be playable on iOS, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Sega hasn’t announced plans to release it on other platforms, though it could happen eventually. Stay tuned for more updates in the meantime.

Sonic Dream Team is a 3D platformer that has Dr. Eggman discovering an ancient device dubbed The Reverie. This device has the power to manifest dreams in the real world. Sonic will have to take on Dr. Eggman as he rescues his friends and tries to stop his evil schemes.

The game features six playable characters—Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, Cream and Rouge. Each character will fit in one of three different movement types, with each type offering unique abilities that open up exploration in different ways. The game also features four boss fights, all of which will play out differently depending on your movement type of choice.

Sonic Dream Team also features new Dream worlds. Rather than starting out in Green Hill Zone, Sonic Dream Team will instead put players in 12 different levels, each set in one out of four unique dream worlds.

The subscription service is also seeing a remake of ten-year-old mobile game Ridiculous Fishing. Dubbed Ridiculous Fishing EX, the remake will feature brand new 3D graphics, along with a new competitive mode that will feature daily, weekly, and monthly challenges, as well as leaderboards. Those who finish the game can also look forward to the New Game Plus mode.

Over time, Apple Arcade has grown to feature quite an impressive collection of games on iOS. Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi has also released a game on the platform—Fantasian—which he has previously talked about bringing to more platforms.

Back in January, Apple Arcade saw the release of a remake for 3DS cult classic Pocket Card Jockey, complete with brand new graphics and extra content.

Speaking at a Q&A session at the Magic 2023 festival in Monaco, according to IGN Japan, Sakaguchi responds to a question about whether Fantasian is still exclusive to Apple Arcade, and whether it would be possible to bring the game on to PC.

“We have received many requests to release the game on PC too, and there have also been requests for a sequel,” Sakaguchi said, “so we would like to continue working as hard as possible to meet their expectations.”

Fantasian was released on Apple Arcade back in 2021, and focuses on a return to the traditional turn-based battles of the early Final Fantasy games. It even features music by Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu. Fantasian was released in two parts over the span of four months in 2021.

Leading up to Fantasian‘s release, Sakaguchi also hinted that it might be one of his final major projects.

Developed by Giant Squid, The Pathless is about the Hunter who travels to a mysterious island. With the world suffering from darkness, she searches for the source on the island. After certain events, she receives an eagle companion to help her explore the island and free its cursed beasts. To traverse this massive world, the Hunter relies on her archery, hitting Talismans to gain spirit energy and a burst of speed.

While it doesn’t take long to finish the story, the island is full of collectibles and challenges. The Pathless is also available on PS4, PS5, Apple Arcade and PC (via the Epic Games Store and, more recently, Steam). Check out our review here to learn more about what makes it so good.

The Pathless sees the world shrouded in darkness, and as the Hunter, players travel to a mysterious island to end it. Once there, they gain an eagle companion and set about freeing the cursed beasts to end the darkness. Exploration is open, and in addition to dashing around, the Hunter can land shots to increase her speed and pull off sick tricks.

The Pathless is currently available for PS4, PS5, PC and Apple Arcade. Though exclusive to the Epic Games Store at launch, it released in November 2021 for Steam. For more details, check out our review here. Stay tuned for details on the physical edition in the coming weeks.

Unlike TT Games’ various LEGO titles, like LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, LEGO Builder’s Journey offers more free-form gameplay. You’ll face different puzzles and must figure out the solutions using LEGO bricks. The visuals bring the whole thing to life and support ray tracing for a striking yet calming experience.

Of course, those who want complete freedom to build models can use Creative Mode. Choose a themed build plate and create almost anything, from vehicles and ships to a brand-new scene. Once you’re done, use Photo Mode to adjust the angle and lighting, capture some images, and share the results.

LEGO Builder’s Journey is available for iOS, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PS5.

https://twitter.com/EpicGames/status/1605594287558852608

"The game itself is a mix of Kentucky Route Zero meets Guitar Hero. It’s a narrative driven adventure with a lot of emphasis on story, characters, choices and atmosphere. Even some slight RPG elements. But then the combat is a fully fleshed out rhythm-based game."

For those who haven’t played the game on Apple Arcade and will be jumping into it for the first time with its upcoming release, how would you describe ATONE’s world and setting?

ATONE’s norse inspired world, Midgard, was once a prosperous land teeming with mythical beasts and beings, it now rots from the inside, tainted by unknown forces. Odin’s chosen guardians of the realm are gone. In their absence, the sacred Elder Tree they swore to protect is exposed to abuse and manipulation. Now, the only remnants of hope reside in Estra, the daughter of humankind’s last great leader.

The game itself is a mix of Kentucky Route Zero meets Guitar Hero. It’s a narrative driven adventure with a lot of emphasis on story, characters, choices and atmosphere. Even some slight RPG elements. But then the combat is a fully fleshed out rhythm-based game.

ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree’s branching narrative is one of the game’s biggest focuses, but how significantly can the story change based on what players are doing?

Yes, choices are very important in ATONE. There are multiple endings which are decided based on your choices all throughout the game. As you meet many new characters (friends and foes) the story will weave around the choices you make. And they aren’t all black and white. For example, making the noble choice may lead you down a path where your friends get hurt.

ATONE’s hand-drawn visual aesthetic is something that instantly catches the eye. How did you settle on that look for the game, and what was the process of properly implementing it like?

The game’s art direction is influenced by a wide variety of material, ranging from the visual stylings of animation master, Genndy Tartakovsky, (Samurai Jack, Clone Wars) to the angular, colourful environments of Monument Valley. Colour was a massive focal point for us as we wanted to make the player feel immersed in the Norse setting.

Implementation wise, it was an incredibly long process because everything in ATONE is individually crafted. Every moss-covered statue, every rune-laden tomb, every billowing patch of grass – but in the end we feel like it’s completely worth it as it helps create a world that doesn’t repeat and stays consistently wild.

"Implementation wise, it was an incredibly long process because everything in ATONE is individually crafted. Every moss-covered statue, every rune-laden tomb, every billowing patch of grass."

What can you tell us about the game’s rhythm-based combat, and how it changes and grows throughout the experience?

Fight sequences in ATONE are grounded in the rhythm game genre, so the likes of Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. It’s a slow-motion hack-n-slash battle, where the player’s ability to sync button combinations with the beat of battle-specific songs dictates who lives and who dies. Music is a crucial component, with each fight receiving it’s very own song, composed by Luminist (a.k.a. James Shuar).

It starts fairly slow with just 1 column of keys to hit, but then it quickly ramps up in difficulty with 2,3 and lastly 4 simultaneous rows. The battles are optional, so players can opt to play ATONE in story mode. Some of the most difficult enemies are optional and unlock more hidden secrets.

Does ATONE’s upcoming launch make any changes or additions to the game, in terms of technical tweaks or new content?

We are planning to add an extra difficulty mode for the combat. Other than that, we are just doing little improvements here and there.

Roughly how long is an average playthrough of ATONE? 

Around 5 – 8 hours. This is just for the main story, there are a few hidden secrets throughout the game which players can explore and encounter. Alongside the main story there is arcade mode where players can challenge themselves to get high scores in our rhythm-based combat system.

"Fight sequences in ATONE are grounded in the rhythm game genre, so the likes of Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution."

Do you have any plans to eventually bring the game to PlayStation and Xbox as well?

There are no plans as of yet. We will have to see how the game does with our audience and go from there. We are very excited to be launching ATONE on Steam and Switch.

Four Versions

When Football Manager 2023 launches worldwide, it will have three different versions, as per tradition. Football Manager 2023 will be available for PC via the Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, Steam and Game Pass for PC. Football Manager 2023 Console is playable on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Game Pass, but also for PC via the Microsoft Store. Then there’s Football Manager 2023 Mobile for iOS and Android, followed by Football Manager 2023 Touch for Nintendo Switch and Apple Arcade.

Return to PlayStation

Perhaps the biggest surprise from Football Manager 2023’s announcement is that it marks the series’ return since Football Manager 2014 on the PlayStation Vita. As such, this marks its debut on current-gen consoles due to only releasing on the PlayStation 5. It includes support for DualSense, though in what way remains to be seen. Unfortunately, the PS5 version has been delayed due to “unforeseen complications which have arisen during the submissions and approvals process.” A new release date will be announced when possible.

UEFA Club Competitions License

This year features the UEFA Club Competitions, including UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, all fully licensed. Along with two different anthems, the pre-match lineups and scoreboards will mirror their TV counterparts. UEFA Club Competition branding can also be seen on the lower thirds for goals, substitutions and cards, while unique walkout scenes and music are also included. Format changes for the 2024/25 season will also be reflected.

Cup Draws

With the UEFA Club Competition Licence comes a revamp of Cup Draws. Players will receive different fan mail about ideal opponents, and upon hitting “Start Draw,” a Live Reaction feed with info on the teams and fan reactions will play. You can then view all the teams, allowing you to decide which is more favorable. The Draws are divided into two screens – Live Draw, which features the match in real-time (with a host providing details), and the Overview for the overall state of play. If you want to speed things up, you can skip to the next team or your team’s draw.

Manager Creation Improvements

Since this is a game about managing football, it only makes sense that you should have more creative freedom around designing your manager. Football Manager 2023 offers six new male and six new female hairstyles, new suits and coats, and even more casual outfits like jeans and a polo. Accessories like watches, earrings, and scarves have also been added for more customization.

Squad Planner

The Squad Planner is a new interface for assessing your current formation tactic. Your assistant manager will also list up to three players for each role, allowing you to see the options available. From here, you can decide who should be higher or lower and add players from transfer shortlists and youth teams. Changing tactics allows you to know just how prepared you are with the current roster available, and the best part is, no one’s morale will plummet because all this information is for your eyes only.

AI Manager Improvements

Though you’ll have more tools for getting the job done, AI managers won’t be sitting on their laurels. Various improvements ensure they’re handling an in-form team seriously, changing tactics accordingly, and pursuing leads. Depending on their attributes, different managers will have unique styles of play to match.

Supporter Confidence

Social media was probably a mistake, but in Football Manager 2023, it’s a key asset in the new Supporter Confidence system. You’ll learn more about your fanbase, which consists of six different types – Hardcore, Core, Family, Fair Weather, Corporation, and Casual. Each has different loyalties, expectations, and priorities, like Fair Weather fans being impatient for success and less likely to stick around for teams trying to stave off relegation.

You can also monitor fan feedback on transfer activities, tactics, match performance, and so on, along with what they think of you. Managing those expectations, especially before each match, while balancing what the board wants is important.

Data Hub Improvements

Added in last year’s iteration, the Data Hub has even more information on player performance this time around, along with various improvements. Expected Assists or xA is new, and you can view its impact in several ways, from scatter graphs to open play xA vs actual assists and open play xA vs Pass Success percentage. New statistics like open-play crosses and Progressive Passes, per 90 minutes metrics, Passing Dynamic graphs, and more have also been added. You can also choose to show all visual data at once or customize what’s showcased at any given time.

Dynamic Manager Timeline

If you’ve ever wanted to look back on your career’s achievements, the Dynamic Manager Timeline looks promising. It keeps track of different milestones, whether it’s a player nominated for an award or big wins. There are over 50 Event types available, providing a better view of the various highs and lows of a team.

Versus Mode Improvements

Versus Mode has a dedicated leaderboard now, allowing one to filter by friends and all-time performance. You can also auto-export teams from Career Mode when a season ends and bring them straight into Versus. The number of substitutes can also be customized, along with what you want to do in extra time.

Pre-Match Briefing Changes

Pre-match briefings have also seen some changes, with your Assistant Manager offering feedback on players in a more holistic manner. Their reactions will be presented in a three-column grid, letting you see their frustrations, emotions, and more. If multiple players are acting the same, the most influential player stands out.

MLS Changes

Major League Soccer, or MLS, is also receiving some changes to better reflect the North American experience, like the Under-22 initiative for signing three players under 22 years for a reduced salary cap charge. Canadian clubs now also get three additional “tenured” slots for players who have been in the league for three years (but are non-tradeable). Canadian youth players trained in Canada or the USA are also now considered domestic instead of international for teams in the US.

Early Access Beta

If you’re keen on playing the game early, then good news – pre-purchasing it on Steam and the Epic Games Store lets you play the early access beta before release. This is a “nearly complete” version with pretty much all the features available. It currently has an 86 percent “Very Positive” rating on Steam from 1,379 user reviews.

PC Requirements

Only the minimum requirements are available, but that was the case last year as well. If you’ve played Football Manager 2022 on PC, then the requirements for this year’s edition are more or less the same. You’ll need an Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64 X2 CPU, 4 GB RAM, and either an Intel GMA X4500, an Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT or an AMD/ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650. Only 7 GB of installation space is required.