Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

Developer KT Racing’s most ambitious title to date has landed Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown a place on this rundown despite an onslaught of issues resulting predominantly from it’s always-online requirement. First, the good: Solar Crown’s Hong Kong open world is consistently complex and interesting, and the car feel – whilst not perfect – is a step up from Test Drive Unlimited 2. The bad however outweighs the good: time wasting bugs, server issues even when racing solely against AI, and inconsistent, non-adjustable difficulty settings makes Solar Crown a racer steeped in promise but with much to fix.

With the release of TopSpin 2K25, however, Take-Two Interactive seems to be dead set on expanding its offerings in the world of sport games. The title, developed by Hangar 13, is a revival of sorts of the classic Top Spin franchise, and as such, focuses more on the simulation side of things.

The gameplay in TopSpin 2K25 isn’t particularly complicated; you take part in either singles or doubles tennis matches, pick your athlete, and duke it out on the court of your choice. Things get more complex once you start diving deeper into the mechanics. Since there’s an emphasis on offering some level of simulation, the surface of your chosen tennis court will have an effect on the different shots you can play. And even the shots themselves have plenty of tactical options, depending on whether you want to hit hard or with precision.

"TopSpin 2K25 gives you five different shot types to use, depending on what button you press, and these range from simple fast shots, spin shots, slices, and a lob."

TopSpin 2K25 does a fantastic job of being an excellent casual game. You don’t really have to do much more than hitting the right shot button at the right time while you’re standing at the right place to start having fun. From a newcomer’s perspective, a typical tennis match in the game actually tends to bear a striking resemblance to the constant tug-and-pull format of a fighting game. Like in Street Fighter, both you and your opponent are often looking for openings to use fancier shot types like the eponymous top spin or the lob, and will often try and use positioning to try and bait the other player into the wrong position.

TopSpin 2K25 gives you five different shot types to use, depending on what button you press, and these range from simple fast shots, spin shots, slices, and a lob. Coupled with these shot types are two more modifiers that trigger depending on exactly when you hit the button; aimed shot and power shot. Press the button with more precise timings and you get a precision shot headed to exactly where you want, while holding the button down for longer before the ball gets to you gets you a faster power shot.

Playing TopSpin 2K25 in general exhibitions tends to be an incredibly fun time, and even just playing with the AI on progressively harder difficulties can be plenty of fun. However, as you start climbing up the ranks and facing harder opponents, some of the control scheme’s more frustrating aspects tend to show up. Since both precision shots and power shots are bound by how long you pressed the button, it gets really difficult to actually use the kind of shot you might have wanted. The game also has a strange tendency to sometimes ignore what you’re trying to do, and your chosen tennis star will sometimes just give up on a shot that they could have easily made.

"As you start climbing up the ranks and facing harder opponents, some of the control scheme’s more frustrating aspects tend to show up."

These issues tend to put a damper on trying to play TopSpin 2K25 with any amount of seriousness. For more casual play, however, TopSpin 2K25 easily takes the cake over its contemporaries. The only true tennis game that can really hold a candle to the amount of fun offered up by TopSpin 2K25 might be Mario Tennis Aces, and even that’s largely because the latter tends to have crazier gameplay. Pure tennis aficionados will have trouble finding anything better out there.

When it comes to game modes, TopSpin 2K25 comes with the usual modes you might expect: singles, doubles, a tutorial mode, the MyPlayer career mode, and an online mode. Of these, MyPlayer is the mode with the most meat to it when it comes to sheer amount of content. The mode has you create your very own tennis player who is kicking off their career, first by taking part in more local events before eventually hopping into major events like the Australian Open to go toe to toe with legends in the sport. The mode offers up a fair bit of variety by mixing in different training sessions and special events—each with unique victory conditions and modifiers—before letting you hop into proper matches. Along the way, your created tennis player will get experience to level up, allowing you to raise your various stats in an RPG-inspired system.

The MyCareer mode doesn’t really have much of a narrative to string you along from event to event. Unlike the MyRise mode in the WWE 2K games, MyCareer in TopSpin 2K25 is strictly there for players who love the sport. You won’t really be finding absurd storylines, or even something akin to a sports movie like you would in the F1 games.

"The MyCareer mode doesn’t really have much of a narrative to string you along from event to event."

The tutorial mode, dubbed the TopSpin Academy, is also a fantastic addition to TopSpin 2K25. The mode basically teaches you just about every gameplay mechanic there is in the game, all with the narration and guidance of tennis legend John McEnroe. The tutorial is split up into basic, intermediate, and advanced techniques, and even shows you gameplay videos of the techniques you’re meant to be learning throughout the mode.

Of course, all of the fun in playing TopSpin 2K25 comes across thanks in large part to the split-second accuracy afforded by the game running at a stable frame rate of 60FPS. While playing the title on the PS5, I never experienced any hitches to the frame rates, and inputs were never dropped. The flip side of the smooth frame rate is that TopSpin 2K25 isn’t exactly the prettiest sports game out there. That isn’t to say that it’s ugly by any stretch; it just doesn’t have the visual fidelity that is often associated with sports titles like Take-Two’s own NBA 2K and WWE 2K series. The models of the athletes feel rather flat, and while animations are phenomenal throughout, some of the finer details of the tennis stars you’re playing as, like free-flowing hair, aren’t really there.

All in all, TopSpin 2K25 feels like a rather return to the world of Tennis for Take-Two. While higher-level play tends to offer plenty of frustration, especially in how some of the controls are laid out, more casual players and tennis fans will find plenty to love. The game features a fantastic roster with a decent mix of legends and current players, as well as the ability to create your very own tennis superstar. Who doesn’t want to go toe-to-toe with legends in the sport like Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, or Serena Williams, after all? All of this is paired with a career mode that, while a bit dull since it doesn’t really have a story to follow, is at least filled with quite a bit of content.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Speaking in a recent interview with Wccftech, game director Remi Ercolani confirmed that at launch, those who want to play in doubles matches with other players online won’t have the option to do so. However, as per Ercolani, developer Hangar 13 will be looking to offer more options to players with post-launch additions and updates, so hopefully online doubles will be added at some point down the line.

“TopSpin 2K25 won’t support online doubles at launch, but we’re hoping to offer more options in the future,” Ercolani said. “Each mode will have its own specificities and unique features to keep players motivated to return and play daily, and all ranked modes will have leaderboards for fans to keep an eye on the competition.”

It’s also been confirmed that TopSpin 2K25 will run at 60 FPS during gameplay in both offline and online modes on all platforms. Read more on that through here.

TopSpin 2K25 launches on April 26 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

According to game director Remi Ercolani, TopSpin 2K25 will run at 60 FPS on all platforms during gameplay in both single player and multiplayer modes. Ercolani didn’t explain what the “during gameplay” qualifier will mean specifically for the rest of the experience, but explained that the 60 FPS target was a “critical” one for the team, which considered it “an important part of the TopSpin feel and experience.”

“TopSpin 2K25 runs at 60 FPS in single and multiplayer on all platforms during gameplay,” Ercolani said. “This is an important part of the TopSpin feel and experience, so it was critical for us to hit this target on all platforms.”

TopSpin 2K25 launches on April 26 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Among the many franchises that Konami has ignored through the years is Suikoden, and though it’s remastering the first two games, the potential next chapter is coming from a completely different studio. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a spiritual successor, produced and directed by Yoshitaka Murayama, the driving force behind the first three games (who recently passed away).

It features three core protagonists – Marisa, Seign and Nowa – in the fantasy world of Allraan, where rune-lenses have become a popular commodity. With the Galdean Empire using them to command and conquer, it’s up to the trio to assemble allies from across the land to fight back. Cue over 100 different allies with unique stories and abilities, from the magical girl Mellore and her crew to CJ, Isha and Garoo from Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising.

Combat is turn-based, but battles play out differently based on the environment. If there are cliffs or other elevated positions, they can prove advantageous for long-range party members. This also affects the presentation of battles, giving them a cinematic flair. Players can also unleash Hero Combos to team up and deal devastating damage. On top of this is War Mode, which offers real-time combat over a larger scale, and the Alliance Headquarters, with mini-games and different activities available.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes launches on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Phantom Fury

You’re forgiven for not remembering Bombshell, an isometric character action game with a whopping 43 Metascore. Phantom Fury is the follow-up, releasing on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch, but offers first-person shooter gameplay instead. It sees Shelly Harrison on a bombastic journey through the US, battling mutants, cyborgs and enemy soldiers to secure an artifact. While the standard handguns and shotguns are available, Phantom Fury has some unique options – like Bowling Balls and electric foam.

Weapons can be upgraded and modified, while Shelly can eventually unlock new abilities like a shield or punching enemy groups into a fine red mist. It may have some boomer shooter vibes, but with extensive interactivity (including playable arcade machines) and fast-paced combat, it may be a worthy FPS diversion.

Underspace

For many, Freelancer is the pinnacle of sandbox space combat titles, which very few have managed to compete with, much less surpass. While it’s too early to call Underspace a competitor, the prospect of a hand-crafted universe with cosmic horrors and Eldritch creatures to navigate (appropriately named Croft) is too enticing to ignore. Like Freelancer, you can pursue the main quest or be whatever you want, exploring the universe and solving puzzles, battling massive space serpents, interacting with more than 40 factions and venturing into the deepest reaches of space. And yes, you can engage in trade, shipping and piracy with co-op support.

There is a catch, though – Underspace launches on April 10th for PC in early access. The developer has clarified that extensive ship customization, several interiors and questlines, and even cockpit textures won’t be available. Multiplayer is also launching in a “very early state” without many key features. Early access will still offer plenty of campaign content, bosses, enemies, points of interest and more to explore, but further polish is still required. Even with all that in mind, we’re keen to try Underspace and embrace the void.

Sea of Thieves

Rare’s highly successful live service pirate title comes to PS5 as part of Microsoft’s new multi-platform approach. Since launching in March 2018 to a mixed reception, Sea of Thieves has undergone an exceptional transformation over the years, with new content, mechanics, cosmetics and even narrative-focused questlines with Tall Tales (which crossover with the likes of Monkey Island and Pirates of the Caribbean).

Don’t let its cartoony visuals fool you, as Sea of Thieves offers some realistic sailing to go with its combat and exploration. While it still doesn’t have a proper character creator, the new Safer Seas option allows players who don’t want to engage in PvP and explore the seas with their crew at their leisure, with some limitations. It’s out on April 30th for PS5, with Digital Deluxe owners receiving five days early access.

Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide

Final Fantasy 16 had a strong start when it launched last year and though its first DLC, Echoes of the Fallen, was pretty short, The Rising Tide looks to redeem it. Players explore a new region, Mysidia, with new locations, side quests and fresh enemies, including Tonberries. The focus of this DLC is on Leviathan, the forgotten Eikon, and along with a boss battle against it, Clive also gains new abilities, including one that has an Active Reload mechanic. An increased level cap is inbound, which should be helpful in the new end-game activity, Kairos’ Gate.

It’s a wave-based survival mode with increasingly tougher enemies and bosses, with new items and weapons as rewards. Beat all of the stages and a new secret boss becomes available. As a send-off to Final Fantasy 16, The Rising Tide is worth looking forward to when it launches on April 18th for PS5. Even for those who aren’t picking it up, a free update will go live, allowing you to create sets of Eikonic Skills, among other quality-of-life improvements.

Stellar Blade

Shift Up calls modern action games an inspiration for Stellar Blade which is pretty clear based on gameplay and the recent demo. Though sci-fi, the Earth is in ruins, and players explore linear levels and semi-open world segments alike, taking on requests while accompanied by a helpful drone.

For all its similarities, however, Stellar Blade offers high-fidelity visuals and detail with a crisp frame rate, and unique combat mechanics that mix Sekiro-like parrying with special attacks, perfect dodges and combos. The main campaign promises to last about 25 hours, with plenty of collectibles and unlockables to discover. Time will tell if Stellar Blade can rise further beyond its inspiration when it launches on April 26th for PS5, but so far, it’s looking good.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

From smaller titles from relatively lesser-known developers to triple-A level games like Immortals of Aveum and Wild Hearts, the EA Originals label has seemingly come full circle with Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. The story involves a boy reading a tale by his late father about Zau, who explores the land of Kenzera.

As a 2.5D Metroid-style game, there are some stunning visuals with beautifully realized environments to go with fast-paced combat. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU promises to be a perfect encapsulation of what grief is when it launches on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Dead Island 2: SoLA Expansion

2023’s excellent Dead Island 2 received an expansion back in November of last year. Now it’s all set to released another one in the form of SoLA. Releasing on April 17, this expansion will takes players to a music festival in the heart of LA. Apparently, this festival is turning everyone into zombies. The SoLA expansion promises an interesting setup, so we are intrigued to see how it pans when we go hands on with it later this month.

TopSpin 2K25

It’s been over 13 years since the last entry in the acclaimed Top Spin franchise, but the wait is nearly over as TopSpin 2K25 nears release. Legends like Roger Federer and Serena Williams headline the 24-player roster with true-to-life venues like La Caja Mágica, Pala Alpitour and Foro Italico, and online multiplayer with cross-platform support. Solo players can venture into MyCareer and fight to become Grand Slam Champion, with MyPlayer offering an extensive range of options to customize your appearance, gear and more. TopSpin 2K25 launches on April 26th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Gigantic: Rampage Edition

Launched in 2017, Motiga’s Gigantic is making an unexpected comeback with Gigantic: Rampage Edition. Developed by abstraction and published by Gearbox for $19.99, it features the same MOBA-style gameplay loop, with teams of five players working together to take out the opposing Guardian. However, all microtransactions are now removed, with cosmetics acquired through gameplay.

It also adds two new heroes and maps, a new game mode called Rush and cross-platform play. Ranked Mode and additional hero skins are coming in post-launch updates. Gigantic: Rampage Edition launches on April 9th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, and regardless of its long-term success, it’s good to see it return.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants

Playing like the Konami classics of old, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants features Turtle Power that builds upon defeating enemies and can unleash powerful screen-clearing attacks. Local co-op is supported for four players, on top of the original stages and boss fights, though Wrath of the Mutants adds three more stages and six new bosses. Launching on April 23rd, it could offer some fun for those who want more TMNT brawling action.

Freedom Planet 2

Following extensive acclaim with its PC version, Freedom Planet 2 is out now on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on April 4th. The action platformer offers a new threat with Merga, the water dragon, and four characters – Lilac, Carol and Milla from the first game, and the now-playable Neera. Adventure Mode offers a mix of story cutscenes and a world map to explore, while Classic Mode focuses on the stages alone.

Boss fights are even more over-the-top than the first game – with the new Battlesphere Arena offering an extensive range of optional challenges. Thankfully, new Potions, Amulets and Charms can provide some buffs for one’s character, while a revival system offers a risky second chance. If you enjoy 2D Sonic the Hedgehog titles or want a fun action platformer, Freedom Planet 2 is well worth the time.

Inkbound

Roguelike turn-based combat in a universe where books act as worlds to be explored by the creators of Monster Train? That’s Inkbound in a nutshell, but there’s more. The combat allows free movement from players, but during online play, you can coordinate and act simultaneously with up to three other players. There are also several character classes, abilities and upgrades, hundreds of items and more to make each run feel fresh. Inkbound is currently in early access, but version 1.0 is out on April 10th for PC, adding new cutscenes, cosmetics and other content.

Sand Land

As set in a desert world, players control Beelzebub in SAND LAND, who ventures with Thief and Sheriff Rao to discover the Legendary Spring.

Though it’s an action RPG, the focus is on vehicle design, as players cobble together tanks, bikes and jump-bots from various parts depending on the need. The sense of adventure and aesthetic, alongside the combat, set it apart from the crowd, and we’re curious to witness the Sand Land’s world when the game launches on April 26th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Braid Anniversary Edition

The classic side-scrolling indie platformer from Thekla Inc. returns with updated visuals and gorgeous new backgrounds (with the old art style available to switch to at any time). However, there’s more to Braid Anniversary Edition than revamped sound effects, revised tracks, or the +15-hour developer commentary and interviews which discuss the design. It also features 35 new levels with new puzzles, though other additions remain to be revealed.

Hilariously, only four or five new levels were to be added before things got out of hand. Either way, Braid Anniversary Edition should satisfy long-time fans and draw in new ones when it launches on April 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC.

However, for those who want to play as established Tennis stars and legends, there’s quite the roster. Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Andre Agassi are part of the Legends line-up and are joined by Maria Sharapova, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Steffi Graf.

The Women’s roster includes the previously announced Iga Swiatek alongside Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, Karolina Pliskova, Belinda Bencic and many more. Men’s Roster members include Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe, with Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and more recently revealed.

TopSpin 2K25 launches on April 26th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC. Head here for details on all the different editions.

It’s Roster Day! Celebrating our #TopSpin2K25 athletes all day long. pic.twitter.com/vbXHOzm6jW

— #TopSpin2K25 (@topspin2k) March 20, 2024

https://twitter.com/topspin2k/status/1770502812884951174

https://twitter.com/topspin2k/status/1770526016454250848

TopSpin 2K25 will feature a number of modes that will take cues from other 2K sports franchises. MyCareer will let you play as an up-and-coming pro who’ll travel the world, go up against a number of different opponents, and rise through the ranks to compete at Wimbledon, Roland-Garros, the US Open, and the Australian Open.

Meanwhile, the World Tour and 2K Tour modes will serve as the game’s multiplayer offerings (with full cross-play support confirmed), while you’ll also be able to master your skills in the TopSpin Academy mode, training center voiced by tennis legend John McEnroe. You’ll also be creating your own MyPlayer for multiplayer modes, with customization options entailing attributes, gear, cosmetics, and more.

TopSpin 2K25’s roster, meanwhile, will let you play as over 25 tennis pros, including the likes of Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Frances Tiafoe, and Andre Agassi, among others. Additionally, a number of international arenas will also be featured, including the likes of Indian Wells, La Caja Magica, Pala Alpitour, Foro Italico, and more.

The game will be available in three editions at launch. The Standard Edition will cost $59.99 on last-gen consoles, and $69.99 on their current-gen counterparts. Then there’s the Deluxe Edition, priced at $99.99, which, on top of the base game, will also include a number of in-game bonuses (including cosmetics, MyPlayer boosts, and virtual currency), on top of letting you access the game three days ahead of its global release.

Finally, the Grand Slam Edition will include all of the above, in addition to the Grand Slam Champions Pack (which will include the Championship Racket and Champion Serve), eight bonus cosmetic items, and the All Access Pass, which will entail six post-launch seasons of the Centre Court Pass. It will retail for $119.99.

Serena Williams and Roger Federer will serve as the over stars for the game’s Standard and Grand Slam Editions, while you’ll find Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, and Francis Tiafoe on the Deluxe Edition’s cover.

TopSpin 2K25 will be available on April 26 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

The publisher made the announcement with a short teaser trailer coinciding with the ongoing Australian Open, 2024’s first Grand Slam. The teaser is less than half a minute long, but shows a few glimpses of gameplay footage. You can view it below.

A release date hasn’t been announced for the game, but we know that it will be releasing for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, as confirmed in August 2022, Hangar 13 is currently also working on the next Mafia game, which, as per leaks, will be set in Sicily and serve as a prequel to the series’ first instalment. Job ads have suggested it’s being developed on Unreal Engine 5.

Reportedly, Hangar 13 is also looking to get Mafia 5 greenlit while the fourth instalment is still in development.