Of course, that’s not all. Hours after dropping the trailer for The Imperial Palace’s Confinement Tower, the developer has announced its next expansion: Hidden Mountain. Out in July, it introduces another new region with a new story focused on the Mohist Sect.

Alongside their own secrets, you can pursue new martial arts techniques and unlock the Hand Guard Discipline. While you could hit hard and fast, counter-attacking an opponent’s moves as necessary, its biggest appeal is a One Punch Man-like attack for absolute devastation.

Everstone should reveal everything about the new content in the coming weeks leading to Hidden Mountain’s launch, so stay tuned for updates (and to give up all your free time for the sake of Wuxia). As for The Imperial Palace, you can head here for all the details, or check out our review of the base game and why it may be worth jumping into.

Well, you’re going to see more friendly faces on its chaotic streets as the game is prepping to launch on Steam in the near future, with wishlists already open for those who are enthusiastic enough to join in. It’s been quite entertaining taking on waves of enemies with the game’s cover-based shooting and a customization system that offers scope for some truly unique looks and a lot of player freedom.

Granted, you could technically play it on your PC via the Ubisoft Store. However, Resurgence’s Steam launch is definitely good news for a title that needs more Agents joining the fray. If nothing else, it ensures more assistance during matchmade and endgame activities (though it also means the Dark Zone will be a lot more dangerous).

The announcement has come via a pretty intense trailer that we’ve showcased below if you and your buddies are looking for a new shooter to team up in. As for The Division 3, it’s slowly making progress, if a new mass hiring spree by Ubisoft is any indication.

The company didn’t really reveal any reason behind its decision to push the title’s release back to the first half of 2027, aside from noting that it will be joining other planned releases for the year that include Defect, Astrae Oratio, and Bonfire, among others. The fact that the company has fairly crowded plans for 2026 might have played a role in this, with titles like Cinder City and Time Takers slated for release in the second half of this year.

Horizon Steel Frontiers was officially unveiled back in November 2025, nearly two years after NCSoft and Sony had announced their strategic partnership. The MMORPG is being developed for PC, iOS, and Android. A PS5 release is conspicuous by its absence, especially since Horizon is one of Sony’s tentpole first-party franchises. In a statement, executive producer Lee Song clarified that NCSoft has “no reason” not to target the console. The decision, however, lies with Sony.

The MMORPG is slated to feature “unique, original gameplay elements” that revolve around taking down giant machines. An example provided of such gameplay elements involves making use of a Pullcaster to climb onto the machines after having destroyed a specific part. Players will also be able to set traps on damaged parts, and even inflict status afflictions.

“In Horizon Steel Frontiers, every player is a hero,” said executive producer Sung-Gu Lee. “We’ve put great care into customization, allowing you to fully express your individuality—even down to the smallest details. During character creation, we’ve incorporated the tribes from the original Horizon world.”

Interestingly, Horizon Steel Frontiers is being developed using Unreal Engine 5 rather than the franchise’s traditional Decima Engine. In an interview, Lee spoke about working closely with Guerrilla Games to develop the title, since the studio has quite a bit of technical expertise.

“We worked closely with Guerrilla to make sure we preserved the visual fidelity of the original, while creating gameplay that feels unique to Steel Frontiers,” he said. “Leveraging Unreal Engine 5’s powerful graphics capabilities, we’re able to deliver breathtaking visuals and smooth multiplayer experiences across both mobile and PC.”

Horizon Steel Frontiers isn’t the only multiplayer game based on the franchise currently in the works; February saw the unveiling of the Guerrilla Games-developed Horizon Hunters Gathering – a co-op game taking place in the Horizon universe that is being developed for PC and PS5. The title features a more stylistic look, and will revolve around two game modes – Machine Incursion and Cauldron Descent.

Horizon Hunters Gathering has been made available through a number of closed playtests, with the most recent one being held from May 22nd to May 25th across both PC and PS5. It doesn’t yet have a solid release date.

Of course, you’re expected to be a part of the entire affair, and you’re going to meet some interesting people on your way to claim the Yanyun, a scroll that’s in the mouth of a fearsome dragon statue. There are epic battles and some very colorful places to offset the seemingly never-ending drama of the palace’s political intrigue. It looks like you won’t be alone in your efforts to bring a semblance of order to the land, although you might have to earn the trust of some allies before they join your side.

The new chapter drops on June 8 for those of you eager to get started. You can also check out our pre-launch impressions for it (and Chapter 1) here.

You might remember that we were pretty excited about this one when its gameplay was showcased, and that hasn’t changed. There are visually stunning vistas to behold, and interesting enemies to confront, although their motivations may be more nuanced than the trailer leads us to believe.

We would have liked to see more of the Cat Emperor and Gilded Lament, two of the new World Bosses that you’ll encounter while rummaging through the new location. Of course, given that this expansion is touted to be as large as Kaifeng, that could take a while.

Nevertheless, there are several other attractions, and a whole lot of content to chase along the way – from the slap fights and eavesdropping to the nighttime chases and investigation. You can bet that we’re going to be hanging around the Palace for however long it takes for us to uncover all of its secrets.

You can check out the release trailer for yourself and dive right into the action afterwards. Where Winds Meet is available for PS5, PC, iOS, and Android. Check out our review of the base game here.

After the update is live, however, players will be able to explore one of its major new locations – the eponymous Imperial Palace. To visit this new location, players will have to reach character level 32 and complete the Kaifeng Main Chapter I “New Arrival in Kaifeng – The Welcoming Crowd” quest to unlock Kaifeng Lost Chapter “Throne and Tempest”, which will then grant them access to the location.

The Imperial Palace offers plenty of rewards for exploration, like a Justicar’s Barrel (Accessory), a Demon Queller (Face Ornament), and Jadestep Spring (Earring), among other things. Players will also be able to hunt down new Oddity “Golden Echoes” that have been hidden throughout four secret locations: Jade Steps, Incense Candles, Imperial Warden, and Auspicious Rain.

As for the quest Kaifeng Lost Chapter “Throne and Tempest I”, its story revolves around rumors about a new secret treasure that has been built in the palace. These rumors spread rapidly despite the palace guard’s best efforts, however, leading to master thieves ending up in Jianghu to steal the gold and jade.

Unlocking the Imperial Palace area will also give players access to a new Jianghu Legacy: Grand Nuo Ritual, which revolves around the Ritual Masks worn by soldiers and commoners alike.

Players looking for more challenging encounters can look forward to the new Gilded Lament world boss, which rewards players with Gilded Bond (Accessory), 3 Medicinal Tales, 5 Inner Way Note: Custom Chest, and 20 Echo Jade on their first victory. The Cat Emperor is also available as a boss with more rewards, like the Meow Magistrate (Hair Ornament).

The 10-player campaign is getting new additions for players level 91 and over, with the Resounding Majesty mode, where players can compete to get their hands on leaderboard rewards. The first five floors of Skyward Bond will also open up for players of character level 95 and over, pitting the players against Lion Dancer and Ghost Master, which have to be beaten within the time limit.

The update is also bringing with it a host of time-limited events, like a new one about exploration that kicks off on June 1st and can be completed until June 7th. Players can partake in the A Returning Friend and A Familiar Shade exploration event as long as they have reached level 10 and have completed the Qinghe Main Chapter quest “Another New Wing”.

Players who have unlocked the new Imperial Palace zone can also take part in the Palace Chronicle event between May 28th and June 25th, during which wanderers can partake in a variety of challenges that involve randomly-triggered travel events.

Where Winds Meet is a free-to-play game available on PC, PS5, iOS, and Android.

The Palace’s Size

While wandering around the Imperial Palace, one thing was constantly apparent: It’s absolutely massive. As far as palace-themed areas go in Where Winds Meet, it’s currently the largest (and second-largest in the game as a whole, just behind Kaifeng City), measuring over one million square meters. There are over 3,000 non-playable characters, and about 300 provide real-time conversations. The sheer number of individuals contained within the space isn’t immediately apparent. Whether it was sneaking about on rooftops while scoping out guards or infiltrating the Sealed Treasure in pursuit of an assassin, each location feels appropriately packed.

Summer and Winter Settings

As beautiful as the Imperial Palace looks during the Summer-time, with its dancing petals and radiant air, it gains an altogether different aura during the Winter. Snow blankets the buildings and streets while a chilly mist occupies the air. But more importantly, new activities become available, including skating around an ice rink and building giant snowmen.

Cricket Fights, Slap Fights, and More

Of course, that’s only a teaser for what The Imperial Palace has to offer in terms of side activities and mini-games. You can try to sit on the Dragon Throne (which carries a pretty hefty punishment – more on that in a bit), mount up on a horse and engage in some archery challenges. Experiencing everything was a tall task, but we managed to take on some of the more bizarre activities, including Cricket Fighting, with the first step being the most obvious: Finding and catching a cricket.

You can then send them into a fight, as they unleash auto-attacks until one is exhausted. It’s much more in-depth than you’d think, with eight stats for each cricket, unique abilities and types, and even active skills that the player can trigger. Then there’s slap fighting, where you square off against an individual and attempt to unleash a flurry of blows while dodging their own attacks. One such scenario involved Huizhen, who was seemingly possessed by a ghost and needed to clear her mind with a few good smacks (with us as the unwitting target).

Crimes and Punishments

At some points, you’ll end up eavesdropping on officials to net some juicy gossip or even transform into a dog and wander about the Emperor’s quarters, using that nose to sniff for clues. But while it seems all fun and games in the Imperial Palace, there are rules and regulations, along with consequences for not following them. For example, stealing anything results in a sticker on your face, while too much eavesdropping gives you fan ears. How, and why not permanently? Good question, but perhaps the most severe punishments are reserved for sitting on the throne or loitering around sensitive locations like the kitchen. However, while you’ll be sent to prison and can attempt to escape, getting caught earns a spanking, further highlighting the sheer ridiculousness that wuxia can sometimes entail.

Throne and Tempest

Then there’s the side story, Throne and Tempest, which can last for about three hours across both of its parts. A massive location like the Imperial Palace has its share of conspiracies and backstabbing, which you get up in while conducting your own investigation. And what better way to do that than as Imperial Guard in disguise? As you mingle and hit up the other guards for information, you’ll have an unlikely reunion with Zhao Guangyi and even investigate the mysterious Phantom while learning more about Big Zhao. It’s an intriguing side story, packed with enough action-packed platforming – including one sequence where we had to scale the rooftops of the Governance Hall to catch someone.

The Blackclad

The boss fights are always a highlight, and Where Winds Meet has been steadily raising the bar since launch. This is most apparent when fighting against The Blackclad, a friend of Big Zhao who fell out of contact with him, and has infiltrated the Imperial Palace to see if he’s changed for better or worse. But first, you’ll have to catch her, which involves using a horse-drawn wagon as an impromptu transport while fending off attacks from enemies, leaping onto rooftops, and dodging gunfire before finally catching up.

Not that this was the end by a long shot, as there was still plenty of wall-running and rooftop acrobatics before finally fighting in a courtyard, surrounded by numerous guards. The first phase is as you’d expect – a tight melee, where the Blackclad performs such superhuman feats as bouncing off her blade and unleashing slices in mid-air. It’s not until the second phase that her true techniques are revealed – a flying sword, which weaves into her combos, and a rain of swords blanketing an area. It’s cinematic, visually stunning, and above all else, an outright blast to play.

Dufu

However, the Blackclad pales in comparison to the second campaign boss, who arrives in Phase 2 of The Imperial Palace. Players face Big Zhao, but not the one you’re familiar with. Instead, it’s a so-called “dark manifestation” of his younger self, known as Dufu – a far cry from the jovial man that many know. His physical presence creates immense pressure, and it’s a fantastic fight. You’ll need to first deal with attacks from his dragon-pattern staff, finding ways to get around its extensive range, and just when it seems like you’ve survived that onslaught, Dufu does the next logical thing: Throws down bare hands in a knockdown, drag-out brawl. Compared to the Blackclad’s more elegant fighting style and cinematic backdrop, this fight is more smash-mouth and brutal.

World Boss: Cat Emperor

But that’s not all, because an even bigger threat looms in the Imperial Palace – one that’s only accessible after completing fishing quests. We’re of course talking about one of the two new World Bosses in Phase 1 – the Cat Emperor. It may be incredibly fluffy and seemingly harmless, but don’t let that fool you, as it wields a giant fish and some heavy-handed strikes, not to mention its rotund belly. To say this is an unorthodox fight would be an understatement, and it only further underscores the palace’s theme of playfulness intertwined with order.

World Boss: Gilded Lament

Then you have the Gilded Lament, the second World Boss who seemingly exists in a different realm within the Palace’s walls. She’s seemingly had a rough time, as evidenced by the sheer amount of poetry across reams of paper, including two scrolls used as weapons. Perhaps most enticing is her fighting style – between unleashing energy projectiles, she’ll disappear and materialize in an almost dancing-like manner to unleash some heavy blows. At one point, Gilded Lament turns into an energy ball, and you need to dodge the area-of-effect damage. It’s intriguingly surreal, and we can’t wait to delve more into the lore behind her presence.

Impressions

It’d be easy to dismiss The Imperial Palace as more Where Winds Meet content, especially for those who are already hooked. And coming off the Hexi Expansion with its sheer variety of gorgeous vistas, the palace grounds may sometimes feel a little too samey at times. Nevertheless, it sticks to the base game’s fundamentals admirably, presenting an interesting storyline, some truly insane activities that look like a blast, and a sense of style that’s as wuxia as can be. That’s on top of the stellar boss fights, each bringing something unique to the table, both in fun and challenge. Time will tell where Big Zhao’s storyline ultimately ends up, but as always, we’re keen to go with the flow and look damn stylish in the process.

While EA doesn’t hold the rights to the FIFA World Cup branding anymore, the update will still end up including 53 fully-licensed playable national teams, out of which 41 are participating in the real-life World Cup. Teams part of the update include Brazil, Cabo Verde, Uzbekistan, Belgium, Austria, France, and England, among many others. You can find the full list of licensed national teams below.

Interestingly, the update also includes two teams that haven’t been licensed—Egypt and Japan—with authentic players, as well as five generic squads—Algeria, Curaçao, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan. In a statement, the company noted that the inclusion of national teams came down to the licensing rights that EA was able to acquire. However, this also meant that laws and regulations come into play, like the sanctions that have been imposed on some countries by the US.

“National team inclusion depends on our ability to secure licensing rights directly and comply with applicable laws and regulations, including U.S. sanctions, which may limit our ability to partner with certain federations,” explained the company.

The new 48-team tournament mode will involve three group stage matches, with the top two teams of each group, as well as third-place teams in all groups, being able to progress further into the tournament. This kicks off a knockout stage with 32 rounds, which will then lead into the finals for the tournament.

The update is also bringing in some new things for Ultimate Team players, including a dedicated Event Hub and new campaigns themed around the Festival of Football. There is also a new login bonus for players that hop into the game between June 5th and July 24th—a 93 OVR Festival of Football ICON Pelé, along with three “Choose Your Journey” Evolutions.

The Festival of Football will bring in 100 new international players to Ultimate Team, headlined by two new ICONS: Rivellino and Mario Kempes.

EA Sports FC 26 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. For more details, take a look at our review of the PS5 version, which we gave a score of 8 out of 10. EA Sports FC Mobile is available on iOS and Android.

List of national teams coming to EA Sports FC 26 and EA Sports FC Mobile with The World’s Game update:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bosnia & Herzegovina*
• Brazil
• Cabo Verde
• Canada
• Colombia
• Congo DR*
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• England
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Ghana
• Haiti
• Holland
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Ivory Coast
• Korea Republic
• Mexico
• Morocco
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Norway
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Republic of Ireland
• Romania
• Saudi Arabia
• Scotland
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Tunisia
• Turkiye
• Ukraine
• United States
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Wales

*Will feature generic kits as of June 4, updated to include authentic kits in a future update.

One such individual is the Gilded Lament, a new World Boss. Revealed in a trailer that mixes live-action with some brief gameplay, it showcases a ghostly individual who composes seemingly endless poetry. The line “One last verse for no one” is as cryptic as such teases go, but in combat, those prose-filled scrolls serve as her means to attack.

She can also turn into pure energy and crash to the ground, dealing area-of-effect damage before materialising. There isn’t much of her tactics showcased, but that could be Everstone Studio saving the best parts for players to experience firsthand.

Where Winds Meet’s The Imperial Palace expansion launches on May 28th for PS5, PC, iOS, and Android. Check out some more gameplay here. Of course, the development team has plenty more in store this Summer, including a new weapon type in the Gauntlets, the ability to customize your own homestead, animal companions, and even a new co-op mode for five players.

There’s the cat who seems like a master of his martial arts, whom we suspect might be the one to bestow the new Gauntlet weapon upon us after his defeat. We’re hoping it’s a friendly fight – it would be a shame to harm a creature so regal, after all.

We also get glimpses of a slap contest in action, as well as our protagonist getting in a bit of relaxing me time, fishing at a pond. Of course, that moment of respite is short-lived, and there are some formidable foes out to bring your journey through the palace to an abrupt end. They wield their weapons and arts with exceptional skill, but to those of you who have mastered the game’s combat, the challenge is likely to be the main draw (aside from the potential rewards).

We loved this short but exciting glimpse of what The Imperial Palace is set to offer when it launches on May 28th.