Now, however, a new release date for the title has been unveiled- and it’s closer than you’d expect. Developer The Chinese Room and publisher Secret Mode have announced that Little Orpheus will finally be launching for PC and consoles in less than a month, on September 13. You can check out the announcement trailer for the same below.

When it launches, Little Orpheus will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Currently, it’s available on Apple Arcade.

https://youtu.be/T3lUKFFHkcg

ELEX 2

Jax is back. “From where” you may ask but that’s not important because there’s a new threat in Magalan. As a result, Jax must unite the different factions, from the Outlaws and the Morkons to the Berserkers and Albs. That means a huge expansive world to explore (made easy thanks to a jetpack), numerous foes including wild creatures, and a wide range of combat abilities to master. If Gothic and Risen are your thing, then Piranhabytes’ ELEX 2 will be worth checking out when it launches on March 1st for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Gran Turismo 7

For all the acclaim that Gran Turismo Sport rightfully garnered, there’s just something special about a new mainline Gran Turismo game. Gran Turismo 7 looks to be the series’ best yet with over 400 cars and more than 90 tracks to race on. Extensive customization with thousands of parts, new features like GT Cafe and Museum that emphasize the history and allure of different brands, new modes like Music Replay, and much, much more await in gorgeous 4K/60 FPS. Gran Turismo 7 is out on March 4th for PS4 and PS5.

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin

Team Ninja’s action RPG spin-off of Final Fantasy 1, which sees Jack and his friends striving to save the world, releases on March 18th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC. Combining Nioh-like combat with Final Fantasy’s Job system, it looks to present a darker, edgier take on the franchise. The combat has drawn praise for its executions, abilities, and combo potential even if the writing leaves a lot to be desired. But you never know – the power of memes could propel it to greatness.

Triangle Strategy

As Serenoa Wolffort, you must decide how to proceed in a world driven to conflict, acting in the interest of your allies while also opposing the villainous Aesfrost. When major decisions come up, everyone in your council will vote with the Scales of Conviction, potentially leading to betrayals and other twists. With solid gameplay, a strong variety of abilities and classes, and great characterization, Triangle Strategy looks to leave its mark on the genre when it releases on March 4th for Nintendo Switch.

WWE 2K22

After the embarrassing release of WWE 2K20, Visual Concepts’ WWE 2K22 offers a much more refined gameplay experience. In terms of features, there’s a new 2K Showcase focusing on Rey Mysterio’s illustrious career; the return of MyGM and Universe Mode for booking your own shows; and the new MyFaction where you construct a stable and dominate. Of course, the visuals have also been polished extensively so you won’t mistake Superstars like Becky Lynch or Edge for someone else. Could it redeem the franchise? We’ll find out when it releases on March 11th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Xbox One

Grand Theft Auto 5 (Xbox Series X/S, PS5)

For all the exasperation over Grand Theft Auto 5 being re-released yet again, there are more than a few reasons to be hyped. Along with ray tracing, 4K, 60 FPS support, improved textures and draw distances, and so on, GTA Online is getting some new features to coincide with its standalone release. These include a Career Builder for selecting a business from the start, five new vehicles (and five existing ones) that can be upgraded, and even an option for existing players to start afresh. It’s out on March 15th for Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

Though it contains some traces of the horror titles that Tango Gameworks is so well known for, Ghostwire: Tokyo is more of a supernatural thriller/action adventure. It follows Akito who becomes possessed by KK, a spirit detective, and uses powers to fight off evil spirits called The Visitors. The duo investigate Tokyo where almost the entire population has vanished under mysterious circumstances. Along with using Ethereal Weaving to fight, you’ll venture to dimension-warping environments, help untethered Spirits and much more while investigating a strange group with Hannya masks. Releasing on March 25^th for PS5 and PC, Ghostwire: Tokyo is a timed PS5 exclusive for one year.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Kirby and the Forgotten Land will be the first 3D mainline title in the series’ history, which is crazy considering how long the character has been around. Nevertheless, it looks to have everything that fans of the pink puffball will enjoy. There’s a wide range of old and new Copy abilities to unlock, many which can now be upgraded. The environments are richly detailed and teeming with interesting puzzles, obstacles and enemies. Then there’s the borderline terrifying Mouthful Mode where Kirby can “possess” larger objects like cars, vending machines and so on, further expanding on the range of possibilities. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is out on March 25th for the Switch and already looks like an instant classic.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Instead of the chaotic interplanetary Vault hunting of Borderlands, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands opts for, well, chaotic fantasy loot hunting. As the Fatemaker in the tabletop game Bunkers and Badasses, players attempt to save the kingdom from the Dragon Lord. Battle skeletons, Shrooms and other horrors while choosing from one of six classes; multi-class with different skills and abilities; equip melee weapons and spells; and much more along with the classic FPS gameplay. If Borderlands 3 didn’t scratch that looter shooter itch, then perhaps Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will fare better when it launches on March 25th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Weird West

An immersive sim set in the supernatural Wild West with five different characters and where actions have gruesome consequences? Throw in the Dishonored and Prey pedigree, and WolfEye Studios’ Weird West has our attention. Take control of a bounty hunter and werewolf among other unlikely individuals, either relying on stealth or brute force to progress through fights. Be honorable or kill indiscriminately and see what happens – it’s up to you. Weird West launches on March 31^st for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Dawn of Ragnarok

Ragnarok is here but unfortunately, it’s not the God of War kind. Instead, it’s Eivor – and by extension, Odin – who must fight against the forces of Surtr, the fire giant, to save his son Baldr. You’ll venture to Svartalfheim and wield new powers like shape-shifting to transform into a raven; necromancy to raise fallen enemies to fight for you; and even teleportation. This is in addition to new upgrades, a new rune slot, new gear and weapons, and new activities like the Valkyrie Trials. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Dawn of Ragnarok releases on March 10th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One and Google Stadia.

Tunic

After years in development and numerous delays, Andrew Shouldice’s Tunic finally has a release date. Inspired by old-school Zelda titles, it sees players controlling a fox who explores a mysterious land. Along with discovering weapons to defend themselves, they’ll also venture into ruins and catacombs while taking on bosses. Relics, puzzles, and much more await along with secrets for those brave enough to explore. Tunic is out on March 16^th for Xbox One, PC and Xbox Series X/S with the console version being a timed exclusive for Xbox.

Beholder 3

As the latest title in the acclaimed Beholder series, Beholder 3 sees you controlling Frank Schwarz who masquerades as a landlord and spies on his tenants for the authoritarian government. When not using surveillance cameras, the player must maintain their disguise but choose a faction to ally with behind the scenes to return to glory. Beholder 3 arrives on March 3^rd for PC.

Little Orpheus

Though The Chinese Room is better known for titles like Dear Esther, Little Orpheus is a significantly different endeavor. It sees Soviet cosmonaut Ivan Ivanovich venturing to the centre of the Earth and discovering prehistoric civilizations and other wonders. Sporting bright technicolor visuals, this 2.5D side-scrolling platformer originally released for Apple Arcade in June 2020. It’s coming to PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on March 1^st with improved visuals, high-resolution textures and new moves (along with a bonus episode).

Babylon’s Fall

The trajectory of Babylon’s Fall from announcement to re-reveal as a live-service title has been…interesting, to say the least. Nevertheless, PlatinumGames’ action RPG offers co-op for up to four players. The key appeal is wielding four weapons at once, each with their own skills, and battling foes across a fantasy landscape. If that sounds cool, then Babylon’s Fall may be worth looking out for when it releases on March 3rd for PS4, PS5 and PC.

Horizon Forbidden West

Guerilla Games’ upcoming Horizon Forbidden West will continue the tale of series protagonist Aloy as she ventures forth to the Forbidden West with the goal of clearing the corruption spread by H.A.D.E.S. Much like Zero Dawn, players will be fighting a bevy of dangerous machines, with some clearly being modeled after dinosaurs such as the likes of Thunderjaw, Stormbirds, Watchers, and many more. While it isn’t confirmed how many of those will be returning from the original, it’s likely that at least a few will make the cut, and a whole bunch of new creatures would be roaming the landscapes.

Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, Dear Esther and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture helped assure The Chinese Room’s place in the industry but its future is currently up in the air. Founder Dan Pinchbeck has announced in a blog post that there have been lay-offs and the studio plans to have a “pause” of sorts.

After development ended on So Let Us Melt, the studio’s next game, and the usual game pitches and so on were happening, Pinchbeck said a health issue in June motivated him to have a “serious think about things.”

“To cut a long story short, the situation – between financial pressures, trying to keep the lights on for the employed team, the stress of end-of-development, health issues – just wasn’t a tenable thing anymore. It was time to take a break, recharge, recover, and have a good think about the future.”

The result is that the development team has been laid off. “Layoffs are never pleasant, particularly when you’re all trying to wrap a game. We did our best to try and help the team secure new positions, and then we all – the whole team – threw everything we had at wrapping the game. It didn’t feel fair to anyone, least of all people who had spent a year working on a project, to have its completion and release overshadowed by news about the studio closing, so we’ve held off on the announcement until we felt we were clear of all of that.”

That being said, the studio isn’t shutting down. Its game will still be available to purchase and the developer will still be active on social media. Work is still on-going for 13th Interior with a larger team perhaps coming on if needed and the developer has also received funding for Little Orpheus. The former will be in the prototyping phase by 2017 end. Pinchbeck noted that, “We’ll still be about, just not a fully active development team for the time being.”

What are your thoughts on The Chinese Room scaling down? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

The Chinese Room, known for developing Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, is apparently working on a new game called Little Orpheus. This was revealed by Creative Europe which has a list of applicants who have successfully received grants. Little Orpheus was provided €72,339 and it’s apparently the name for the isometric RPG title that The Chinese Room calls Total Dark on its website.

If that weren’t enough, the list also revealed that 11 bit Studios (This War of Mine) and Plastic (Bound) have received grants for €150,000. 11 bit Studios is apparently working on a game called Dreamtime, which is interesting because it’s also developing the upcoming Frostpunk.

As for Plastic, it’s next game is called Diama though creative director Michal Staniszewski later told Eurogamer that this would “most probably” change. He also noted that it could change just Bound, which was “A completely different project when we started. A lot of things didn’t work, even if they were brilliant ‘on paper’. We will have to wait and see what the future will bring.”

It also seems like ELEX will be receiving a sequel, having been granted €150,000 despite the first game having yet to release.