The Sega Villains Stage DLC is bringing Yakuza’s Goro Majima, Sonic’s Dr. Eggman, and Death Adder from Golden Axe to the game’s world via mysterious rifts that Joe Musashi is trying to close by the most obvious method: Defeating the source of their power. That’s going to lead to some memorable showdowns with the aforementioned characters, who are in a decidedly different element than what we’ve come to expect.

There are five new stages aside from the three bosses, alongside new music tracks inspired by them. Aside from two Boss Rush modes featuring the new threats, there’s a trio of ninpos and skins each to round things off. We were very happy with the base game last year, and there’s no reason to believe that the DLC is going to be any different. It’s time to let your katana sing as you side-scroll through some chaotic fighting against familiar yet formidable opponents,

If you’re still on the fence, perhaps watching Joe take on an assortment of its new additions in the launch trailer below can help you decide if you’re diving in right away.

Stranger Than Heaven will take players through time, with the story taking place in the years 1915, 1929, 1943, 1951, and 1965. Since these years represent massive jumps in time, it is likely that the protagonist will also change over the course of the game. The fact that we also get to explore different cities makes this even likelier.

The scenery isn’t the only thing that will be changing depending on the era and city you’re in, however. The trailer gives us a good idea of how even the simple act of walking down a street can be quite different depending on the decade. Along with this, combat, while brutal regardless of the year, will allow players to use different tools depending on the time and place. All the century-spanning mayhem in the trailer is paired with loose jazz beats, adding an extra level of chaos to the video.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has also confirmed that more details about the game will be revealed during an “Xbox Presents: A Special Look at Stranger Than Heaven” showcase on May 6th.

Stranger Than Heaven is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. While no release date has been confirmed so far, the latest trailer did indicate that it was coming out “soon”.

Of course, neither Sega nor Sonic Team has officially confirmed this, nor have they hinted that a Definitive Edition was in the works. After launching in November 2022 for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, the 3D platformer received three major free updates in 2023, including The Final Horizon, which added nine new Cyber Space levels and a new challenging final boss.

Aside from potentially offering new content, this could mark the title’s debut on Nintendo Switch 2. Time will tell, but an announcement tomorrow wouldn’t be surprising.

Sonic Frontiers is far from the only major success that the franchise has seen in recent years, with Sonic X Shadow Generations launching in 2024 and going on to sell over two million units. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was released last year and sold over one million units relatively quickly, but Sega Sammy CFO Koichi Fukuzawa says it fell short of internal projections.

It continues to receive updates, though, with Mega Man out today for paying players. Goro Majima from Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii and Red from Angry Birds will be added for free in April, followed by Puyo Puyo’s Arle in May.

It will receive an “in-depth look,” which could finally provide more details on its gameplay and story. Other titles like The Expanse: Osiris Reborn will receive “new looks”, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is getting an “update.” Perhaps we’ll finally learn when the release windows for its story expansions and multiplayer, nearly 1.5 years after its original launch.

Microsoft also promises new reveals, “world premieres”, and even Game Pass announcements, so there’s plenty to look forward to. Deep dives and behind-the-scenes details will also be revealed for “select titles” on Xbox Wire, in case you want to dig even deeper into their development.

Stranger Than Heaven doesn’t have a release date, but Sega previously said it would launch during or after fiscal year 2027. Persona 4 Revival is slated for the same window, and given how it was announced during last year’s Xbox Games Showcase, what are the odds that it appears during the Partner Preview?

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is also intriguing because Owlcat Games previously confirmed closed beta access for those who pre-purchased the Miller’s Pack for $79.99. Perhaps it will finally reveal plans for the same. As always, stay tuned for more details and live coverage this Thursday.

Nick Offerman is the first new name to watch for. You might know him as Ron Swanson from Parks & Rec, a role he made famous with his stoic demeanor. Ben Kingsley needs no introduction and is sure to bring his signature blend of gravitas and charisma to his currently undisclosed role in the film. Returning members from the previous films include Keanu Reeves as Shadow and Jim Carrey as Dr Robotnik, alongside other popular names who have been a part of the story so far.

The title reveal doesn’t disclose any further information on the film’s plot, although it’s in capable hands with Jeff Fowler returning to the helm. However, we do know that Metal Sonic is going to be a part of it, and that it’s probably going to focus on the Sonic CD storyline, although nothing is set in stone at this point.

For now, the title reveal should tide you over until we hear more news. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 hits theaters in the United States on March 19, 2027.

Mega Man is all set to blaze a path to the finish line, complete with his signature outfit and a very cool yet familiar ride that’s sure to give him the speed needed to slip past some very fast opponents. It seems that he was late to a tournament at some point, but he’s sure not going to miss out on this one, and we’re certainly glad that he’s on his way to the tracks.

He’ll be available as part of a DLC pack on March 25. Mega Man’s announcement comes hot on the heels of Goro Majima, Angry Birds’ Red, and Arle from Puyo Pyuo, who are going to be joining the game’s ever-growing roster over the next couple of months for free. It’s looking like a great time to be a fan of Crossworlds’ excellent and often chaotic take on arcade racing, and Sega seems as determined as ever to get those sales numbers in line with its projections.

The announcement trailer is below for those who want to take a look. For more details on Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, check out our review.

Goro Majima from the Yakuza franchise had us grinning at the news, his popularity after his last adventure in Hawaii making him a fine choice. There’s also Red from Angry Birds, and Arle from Puyo Puyo, for those of you who can’t get enough of them. Each of them brings their own unique vehicles to the table, which are bound to create the scope for some crazy new combinations with existing characters. We’re curious to see how each character’s stats manage to make them competitive additions to the game’s expanding roster.

The new vehicles are quite impressive, each one themed to the character driving it. Majima’s is part of the reason we’re stoked to have him join CrossWorlds, and his ride looks like it could ‘sail’ through the game’s timeline-spanning shenanigans.

There are also some new tunes coming your way, and you can access them from the in-game jukebox. You can see when your personal pick of the three new characters is coming in the trailer below. If you can’t, Red and Majima are out in April, with Arle arriving in May.

Bell will voice Amy Rose, the high-spirited hedgehog whose obsession with Sonic can rise to absurd levels, leading to comical situations between the two. We last saw her in Sonic 3’s mid-credits scene, where she rescues him from a bunch of clones that look a lot like Metal Sonic, continuing the film’s tradition of introducing new characters while the credits roll.

Rose often declares herself as Sonic’s girlfriend, although he’s generally opposed to her feelings for him. Bell joins a cast of talented actors who have been bringing the Sonic universe to life, with Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, and Jim Carrey set to reprise their roles in the upcoming movie. Speculation is that it could feature a modified storyline from Sonic CD, the 1993 game where Amy made her first appearance alongside Metal Sonic.

The film premieres on March 19, 2027, so it’s still a long time away from its theatrical release. However, SEGA might just have a new Sonic game in the works to tide you over until then.

One review, as written by Steam user JigenDaisuke, has called the release “creatively bankrupt” due to the retcons that were made to the story of Yakuza 3. “The retcons made to the story of RGG3 with Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties are absolute abominations and an insult to the original game, the entire Kiryu saga, and any fan with even an ounce of critical sense,” they wrote. “Not to mention all the content removed in favour of reused minigames from other more recent entries (a Kiwami classic) and the recasting (another Kiwami classic).”

Another user, jack, has called out the studio for having cast Teruyuki Kagawa in the role of Goh Hamazaki, since the actor has been accused of sexual misconduct, while also criticizing the studio for having made too many changes to the story. “Sexual assault allegations from one of the cast members,” they wrote. “Changing too much stuff from the original and leaving too much out. Rushed and unpolished, frequent crashes on my system. IDK how to feel about this, but it’s not great.”

On the other hand, there are also quite a few positive reviews. As noted by Steam user Slifer Slacker, Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties is “a mixed bag of good and bad, not gonna lie. [sic]”

“Story-wise is divisive, I have no qualms with it,” they wrote. “It definitely took a hit with the way it’s promoted; it won’t get much flak if it were advertised as the start of a new timeline. If not, the tweaks cause a lot of problems for the next games, especially 4.90% definitely was an improvement except the epilogue, which causes lots of problems since it’s different from the OG.”

Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties was released across PC, PS5 , Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, just last week. As its name might imply, it is a remake of 2009’s Yakuza 3, bringing up to modern standards through the Dragon Engine, which was first used for Yakuza 6: Song of Life. Along with a retelling of the base story, it also features Dark Ties, which gives us a deeper look into the motivations of Yoshitaka Mine.

Interestingly, executive producer at RGG Studio Masayoshi Yokoyama has said that we won’t see any more Yakuza games with the Kiwami titles moving forward. While it doesn’t mean that we won’t see remakes of older games like Yakuza 4 or 5 down the line, he has said that they will no longer fall under the Kiwami label. This is because the studio is taking a new approach with the overarching lore of Yakuza.

“Some of the games we’re working on have already been announced, but including the ones we’ll be making going forward, I think Yakuza Kiwami 3 will be the last one, and the Kiwami line will come to an end,” said Yokoyama last week. “I don’t think it’ll continue as the Kiwami series anymore. I think a different series will begin.”

For more on Yakuza 3 and Dark Ties, check out our review.

This guide for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is all about grinding for Training Points quickly and efficiently.

Miyazato Training Place

Hundreds of Training Points are waiting to be earned from a huge selection of challenges in the Training List. This is accessed at the Miyazato training place.

This training place has multiple tiers to rank up through, and unlocks hundreds of challenges with their associated Training Point rewards clearly mentioned right alongside.

Eventually, successive Promotion Exams become accessible, as well as more opportunities to Practice, earn, and spend Training Points on new Abilities for Kiryu to use in combat.

That is everything there is to know about earning Training Points in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties.