Aside from the new Hand Guard Discipline, which adds a more fist-heavy combat style to the game, very little is known about the expansion’s content. And while Everstone Studio is holding off until it gets closer to launch, it did offer a few teases in an interview with WCCF Tech.

As Eric Zheng, Head of Publishing, explains, “Unlike previous regions, this is our first attempt to explore and showcase the beauty of cliffs and summits. To bring this vision to life, we’ve significantly enhanced the region’s atmosphere and environmental detail through three core elements: wind, light, and stone.

“Dappled sunlight dances across rugged mountainsides, the wind echoes through the forests, and ancient stone paths bear the marks of time. Together, these elements help create a world that feels tangible, immersive, and alive.”

Also, unlike the flatter environments that players have usually traversed, Everstone is aiming to “expand exploration vertically, crafting a multi-layered experience.” It should feel new and exciting, and a significant shift from the chases through the Imperial Palace.

However, the underlying theme for Hidden Mountain is “humanity’s pursuit of wisdom and knowledge.” “If Hexi was a tribute to timeless poetry and painting, then with Bujian Mountain, we want to honor the ancient sages’ pursuit of reason and ultimate ‘truth,'” says Zheng.

“This expansion explores a deeper theme: humanity’s pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. Throughout history, countless people have devoted their lives to seeking answers. Whether their conclusions proved right or wrong, their pursuit of knowledge has continued to push humanity forward, inspiring generations across time and expanding the boundaries of what we believe is possible.”

There will be a new campaign to venture through, and given the game’s combat-heavy approach, you can expect some challenging new foes, so stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Where Winds Meet recently launched for Xbox Series X/S, joining the likes of PS5, PC, iOS and Android. The free-to-play open-world action RPG has also crossed 80 million players in its lifetime.

You’re going to be called back to Qinghe for this one to restore the ruins of Blissful Retreat back to its former glory. That’s a welcome task given that this was the place where it all began. Of course, you’re not expected to do it alone, and you get to build a community around your efforts by recruiting locals to assist with the restoration, while you get to design and show off your own residence. Talk about making the best use of real estate. Your Homestead could keep you quite busy once it’s up and running with a host of dedicated activities for you to indulge in.

That’s the “home” part of things taken care of, but it’s the “companions” bit that has us quite eager for this one to drop. Maverick, Scar, and Pudding are three feline friends you can make in The Jianghu, and they’re coming with dynamic behaviours that are probably going to be a factor when you try to befriend them. We’re wondering if it is going to be us adopting them or the other way around. Goldie the goose is swinging by a week later, if birds are more your thing. There’s even going to be a pet battle system, although we can’t see ourselves putting those adorable little ones in any kind of danger.

There are also themed events that bring in popular franchises like Tomb Raider, with some activities that look like they’re going to be as enjoyable as they are challenging to look forward to. There’s a trailer, of course, that we’ve showcased below if you want a closer look at all that’s coming.

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The exact scenarios available for the beta test are the Novice Scenario, Manibus, Endless Dream, The Way of Winter, and RaidZone. Players in any scenario aside from RaidZone can also experience the content from Visional Wheel S3: Aberrant Progeny. It is also worth noting, however, that your progression won’t be carried over into the full release of Once Human on consoles. Rather, players will only get to bring over up to 6 of the Deviants they collected, all Starchrom they earned, and all cosmetics and outfits they obtained.

Along with this, the studio has also once more opened its Console Closed Beta Feedback Event, through which players can share any feedback or suggestions they might have. While players can submit feedback whenever they want, the event, which rewards players for doing so, will only be active until July 8th.

To further encourage player feedback, Starry Studio is offering participation rewards. The top 10 rated players for feedback will get their hands on Battle Pass: Luxurious Edition vouchers. Providing any valid feedback also offers benefits, giving players a 15-day Meta Pass.

To make the process of hopping between platforms easier, Starry Studio has also opened up its console account linking page, through which players with existing Once Human accounts can link their Xbox or PlayStation accounts. Through this, players will be able to manage any rewards they get in simpler ways.

Just participating in the beta, even without providing feedback, also comes with its own rewards. As long as players hit level 20 with even one character, they will get to choose from three outfits – Abyssal Dragon Set, Noise Manifesto Set, and Wasteland Sheriff Set – and from three weapon skins – Dragon Dance – KAM, Reconstructed Matrix – AWS.33, and Gem Symphony – MG4. RaidZone players will need to accumulate more than 3 hours of play time to be eligible for these rewards.

Starry Studio announced that Once Human is making its way to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S last year. While the company still hasn’t confirmed a release date for this console launch, it said that it is aiming for a 2026 window. The studio has also confirmed that the console versions will feature full support for cross-platform multiplayer, along with support for 4K visuals and even the use of keyboards and mice.

While the full console release of Once Human is slated to feature cross-platform multiplayer, the beta test currently does not allow it between console and PC/mobile players. However, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players can still enjoy the beta together.

In the meantime, the PC and mobile versions of Once Human are currently on Visional Wheel S4: Gravity Abyss, and Starry Studio has continued to fine-tune its latest set of content with regular updates.

Developed by 24 Entertainment Lin’an and published by the innumerably wealthy NetEase, Blood Message appears to be reaching for something more specific: a grounded, cinematic take on action-adventure that favours weight, desperation, and immersion over mechanical complexity. If this early look is anything to go by, the game appears less about what you can do, and more about how convincingly it’ll make you feel throughout every perilous step.

Set in the late Tang Dynasty in 848 AD, Blood Message frames its story around a nameless messenger tasked with delivering a fateful communication across a treacherous, thousand mile-long landscape. Watching the Official Story Intro preview which premiered at Summer Games Fest, Blood Message immediately grounds you in its specific history, showcasing cultural and environmental texture of the era, from war-torn settlements to harsh deserts and vast wildernesses stretching across East and Central Asia.

There are personal stakes to our messenger’s mission too – reuniting with and protecting his son – giving his journey an emotional weight beyond securing the future of his homeland.

Crucially, though, Blood Message isn’t a stylised, Wuxia-infused take on this period. Instead, the overriding experience draws from history rather than embellishing it with fantasy. And in doing so, its narrative themes match the action’s grounded tone.

Yet, despite this groundedness, Blood Message’s cinematics sell an illusion. See, at a glance, exploration treads familiar paths – squeeze-through gaps, leg-ups, contextual traversal – feeling instantly recognisable to anyone who’s spent time with Uncharted or The Last of Us. But Blood Message distinguishes itself from Naughty Dog’s output in how its cameras frame exploration. It’s rarely static, instead responding to and shifting with movement and character proximity in a way that evokes a handheld intimacy rather than a traditional cinematic perspective.

And this approach to camerawork pays off in smaller, easily missable details. In one early moment of the gameplay reveal, our protagonist drops to a knee following a surprise encounter. The camera pushes in close, hovering for a brief pause as danger emerges ahead. It only lasts a few seconds, and it may appear like simple direction, but this vanguard style underlines something remarkable – whilst these moments are undoubtedly choreographed, the camerawork makes them feel improvised. Capturing the rawness and minutiae as it happens, Blood Message’s presentation is paradoxical; every frame is meaningfully composed, yet seeming without a thought to composition at all.

And this paradox feeds into the game’s combat too, which appears systemically dense on first read but plays out stragglingly, forcing an element of improvisation which mirrors the unsteady cameras. You’ve access to the usual core manoeuvres: light and heavy attacks, dodges, blocks, parries, and counters, and while not mechanically novel, intrigue comes in laboured movement and animation variety.

In the gameplay reveal’s first multi-man skirmish, our protagonist is knocked off balance after parrying; the consequence, it seems, of having his feet unset following a brutal takedown. Executions are visceral, diverse, and dynamic, our protagonist plunging his blade into chests, slicing limbs, and breaking necks without hesitation. In one specifically grisly execution, our protagonist is interrupted mid-strike, with an extra on-screen input prompting you to continue his killing action. See, even the most conclusive actions can present strong reactions, and this is one of Blood Message’s standout combat features, demanding constant situational awareness.

Enemies won’t necessarily wait for you to finish off their ally either, swinging into the fray to create two-on-one pressure. Another one of the gameplay reveal’s emergent moments comes in a second, more chaotic fight. As our protagonist grapples an assailant, his comrade impatiently steps in, accidentally sinking a blade into his ally’s bicep.

The environment plays a role in how battles play out, too. Clay pots can smash an opponent’s face, enemies can be hoofed into storage shelves which then shatter and collapse around them, and troughs can be used as pools for disorientating opponents, dunking their head underwater before landing the killing blow.

And when the bout is over, our protagonist shows fatigue. He’s not a superhero, nor mage or acrobat, but a regular soldier thrust into a vulnerable situation, and the toll shows in his laboured movement. Fights aren’t necessarily about maintaining momentum, but grit and determination.

Between battle arenas, however, are stealth sections, and these follow the standard tropes too: tall grass, dark shadows, silent takedowns, including an Assassin’s Creed-like aerial assault. You’re likely familiar with Blood Message’s subterfuge stylings already, but there is a distinction found once-again in presentation. See, the gameplay reveal’s stealth sections showcase numerous takedown animations, and it’s here, away from multi-enemy chaos, that a question arises: how are these animations assigned? Are they contextual, systems-driven, chosen by proximity and direction of approach, or completely random?

"He’s not a superhero, nor mage or acrobat, but a regular soldier thrust into a vulnerable situation, and the toll shows in his laboured movement."

It’s an interesting thought, sure, but the bottom line is this level of variety prevents the stealth sections from feeling too formulaic, at least during the footage’s 19-minute runtime. Another differentiator, perhaps, are environmental triggers, and we see two in the gameplay reveal: a flock of birds who alert a guard when disturbed, and a caged dog which draws an enemy’s attention as our protagonist passes its line of sight. The takeaway here, then, is that Blood Message’s stealth isn’t just about remaining invisible but maintaining situational awareness.

If you’ve any doubt Blood Message is a cinema-first experience, the reveal’s closing set-piece chase should convince you. Mechanically, the sequence can be broken down into a series of jumps, vaults, and QTEs, with lots of running in-between. The transition between gameplay and scripted events is seamless, lending the feeling of playing a movie over interacting with a defined system. The low input complexity ensures the chase’s dynamic design – the collapsing structures, clinging on by fingertips, leaping from rooftops – is meant to be experienced in one go, first time, rather than a sequence to be memorised and mastered. Combat and exploration aren’t quite as basic, but they share the same philosophy.

Visually, Blood Message impresses through texture and detail as much as spectacle. Weathered brickwork, worn fabrics, and dirt-streaked skin all carry a tangible sense of place, reinforced by enveloping illumination. Sound design follows suit, with subtle notes, like the countless creaks of aging wood, adding to the tactile immersion. And voice acting, despite the language barrier for English speakers, reinforces the game’s grounded tone, where feelings of confidence and desperation transcend borders.

While reaction is indeed positive, there is some criticism levied against Blood Message’s simplicity, with its over-familiarity luring it closely to Naughty Dog’s established formula. But there is a key question you can ask at this juncture: does simplicity matter when the story and execution are on point?

Look – while broader narrative details are currently unknown, Blood Message’s ‘cinematic-first, systems-second’ approach could deliver something genuinely special. Combat is visceral yet it isn’t deep, stealth is familiar but reactive, and set-pieces are guided and thrilling. The game is set to bring a cohesive cinematic vision where player expression takes a backseat for grounded action. Again, it’s less about what you can do, but more about how you feel when doing 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.

The leader of the X-Men certainly knows how to put his optic laser beams to good use, and he’s looking quite potent as a fighter who keeps his distance while firing off shots at distant enemies. Of course, those beams aren’t just for single-shot attacks, as he can chain them between enemies at mid to close range for some incredible DPS potential. Meanwhile, his special attacks could decimate opponents if you’re good with your timing and placement.

All in all, he’s a pretty versatile combatant and could round out any team of heroes (or villains) that he’s in. Oh, you can also use his beams to launch yourself in the air if you need to create some space. He’s got his own trailer, and we’re pretty curious to see how he’s going to spring from his prison at Alchemax before he enters the fray (and takes revenge on those foolish enough to detain him).

Marvel Rivals is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. And while it didn’t appear during the latest Direct, it is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 at a later point.

The gameplay walkthrough for Blood Message showcases a mix of story moments and gameplay. Starting off with the protagonist – Pei Changguan – seemingly investigating what appears to be an abandoned store alongside another character named Arrtai. As the two walk around the building to figure out what happened, the visual fidelity of Blood Message becomes quite evident, especially when the protagonist picks up an embroidered cloth, with its 3D detailing being easily visible.

Things pick up quickly when the two characters have to run through other buildings to chase down a potential suspect. Eventually, Pei is ambushed by a Tubo soldier, and we finally get to see some action. While essentially kicking things off with a quick-time event, we then get to see the hack-and-slash combat, with Pei scrambling to make sure that his attackers are dealt with while also trying to keep Arrtai alive.

While not too much has been revealed about the combat system, it looks like Pei will be quite a versatile fighter, being able to use a sword as well as his fists as part of the same long combo. Along with this, he is also able to use his environment to his advantage, and in one instance, drowns one of the attacking soldiers in a tub full of water.

The two characters than resort to sneaking around to avoid more conflict, while still continuing their investigation. Through this, we get to see that Blood Message will also feature a stealth system of sorts, and players will even be able to sneak up on enemy soldiers and quickly take them out without raising any alarms.

Eventually, however, as many games tend to do, Blood Message gets back into its fast-paced action, with Arrtai being a more active participant this time around and not needing any saving. The hack-and-slash combat of Blood Message looks like it will largely be based around countering enemy attacks with parries while still keeping up with your own flurry of attacks.

NetEase has confirmed that players will have access to light and heavy attacks, along with defensive options like dodging, blocking, parrying, and countering. Downed enemies can be swiftly taken out with an execution to get them out of the battle as quickly as possible.

The video walkthrough culminates with Pei having learned that the person he was tracking has set off to another place, and he ultimately decides to grab his weapons and gear to set off on his own journey.

Blood Message was originally unveiled back in June 2025. More recently, the title got a trailer over the weekend, giving us our first glimpse at its main story that will revolve around a massive journey towards the east.

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.

Along with the narrative setup, the reveal trailer for Blood Message also gives us a look at some of its fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay, which seems to have a heavy emphasis on making sure weapons feel weighty. The title will also seemingly focus on large-scale battles, with players being thrown in the thick of it, having to take on hordes of enemy soldiers during battles.

Along with standard swordfights, Blood Message will seemingly also allow you to, at least temporarily, play as other characters that have their own unique weapons and movesets. The action as a whole is also quite violent, with plenty of blood and dismemberment showcased throughout the action-packed trailer.

NetEase has confirmed neither the release window nor the platforms for Blood Message. However, the company has confirmed that a playable demo of the title is available during Summer Game Fest’s Play Days, starting from tomorrow onwards. Considering the visual fidelity, however, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see it arrive on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Blood Message was first unveiled all the way back in June 2025. At the time, NetEase Games had noted that it would be its first foray into single-player games, since the company is typically more focused on multiplayer releases like Marvel Rivals.

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.

If you’ve missed this one, it’s set after the fall of the Tang Dynasty in a visually gritty world in which you’re a nameless messenger who must travel the lands on your mission, fending off enemies and environmental obstacles alike in your quest to fulfill your goals. It brings a healthy mix of fast-paced combat, sneaky stealth, parkour-based traversal, and a cinematic story that might just have you glued to your screens thanks to how well it’s all presented in its trailer.

It’s shaping up to bring a healthy balance between style and substance to PCs and consoles, and is definitely a title that we’re going to try out as soon as we can get our hands on it. We’re already gearing up for the event, and you can be sure that we’re going to be telling you more about Blood Message as soon as we see more of it in action, so stay tuned!

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