It’s quite the list, and we’re sure that you share our excitement for a majority of them. Without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced

Getting to return to the Caribbean to join Edward Kenway on his epic journey from a callous pirate to a noble Assassin is definitely something we’re very excited about. A revamped combat system, some extra story cutscenes, and those delightful visuals are just icing on the cake. This one comes out on July 9, 2026, for the PS5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC.

2. EA Sports College Football 27

The College Football franchise has been doing quite well for itself in recent years, and we don’t see why this year should be any different. We already know it’s bringing quite the roster for us to enjoy, with some very attractive goodies for those who pre-order any of its editions. Once again, it releases on July 9, 026, for the PS5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC.

3. Palworld 1.0 Release

We were blown away by the cinematic trailer that this one dropped recently, and it showcases stunning new locations with fascinating creatures for us to collect over the course of our adventure. It’s touted to be the game’s biggest update yet, and is sure to bring a lot of exciting new additions to the table as it brings us to the story’s finale when it drops on July 10, 2026, for all available platforms.

4. Splatoon Raiders

Getting to join a pirate musician group that’s raiding the Spirhalite Islands for treasure? Sign us up! Yesterday’s Direct showcase gave us quite a good look at this one, and it only made us all the more excited to try out its paint-based weapons, great progression systems, and of course, the Exploration Bot. Talk about the efficient use of tech. It’s slated for a June 30 release on the Switch 2.

5. Halo: Campaign Evolved

We’re still not over that awesome trailer that showed off the new Covenant faction, some very interesting footage from the new prequel missions, and of course, the return of Master Chief. The new weapons are equally intriguing, and we can’t wait to dive in and get blasting when this one releases for the XBOX Series X|S, PC, and PS5 on July 28 this year.

6. Beast of Reincarnation

Any journey that gives you a furry friend for company is definitely worth undertaking, in our book. When you combine that with some parry-focused Soulslike action and a very cool set of powers for Emma, the game’s protagonist, you get the recipe for a game that’s sure to have us grinding our teeth in frustration but determined to end whatever the Hush throws at us. It’s slated to release on August 4 for the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S.

7. Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls

With a starting roster that brings some of Marvel’s best to the table for an action-packed gameplay loop, this one is definitely going to keep us occupied for quite a while. We’re particularly interested in the Episode Mode, where you participate against the enigmatic Champion in a Tournament where you’re surely going to have to bring your best skills to the table. Look our for this one on August 6 on your PC or PS5.

8. Mafia: The Old Country – Man of Honour

An expansion that doubles up on the nostalgia factor that put this one on the map in the first place is certainly welcome. It’s even better when it gives us a look at Don Salieri’s early days before his time in America that set the entire franchise in motion. The trailer was pretty interesting despite being a little to stingy with details, but it did tell us that this one’s releasing on August 14, 2026, on all available platforms.

9. The Sinking City 2

Lovecraftian adventures are always a great combination of thrills and chills, and the Slither is looking like a foe you don’t want to tangle with unless you’re Calvin Rafferty. Of course, the Deep Ones and Shadows are equally credible threats, and we’re quite curious to see how this one has us dealing with them when it comes out on August 18 for the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S. There’s even a playable demo on Steam if you want to try it before buying it.

10. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam

We were pretty bummed about this one getting delayed to August 13 but do appreciate Team 17 taking player feedback and the results from its own playtests seriously enough to ask for more time to further polish this one before releasing it for all of us. We’re hoping it builds on everything that was good about its predecessor while adding interesting new twists to the table.

11. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2

If you’ve been with us for a while, you probably already guessed that this one is definitely something we’re eager to dive into. The chance to revisit two titles that cemented our love for the franchise is very welcome, and Solid Snake’s final chapter is the one that has us as excited as we are. Of course, Peace Walker is also something we’re eager to play again, and it’s going to be a difficult choice between them then this one drops on August 27 this year for the PS5, PC, XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and the Switch 2.

12. Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

Sophie was among the more interesting characters in Requiem, and her role in Amicia and Hugo’s adventure in that one presented her as a complex and nuanced character. It’s only logical, then, that a look into her early days as a headstrong young smuggler exploring Minotaur Island has us itching to get started with it already. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait too long until this one drops on August 27, 2026, for the PC, PS5, and XBOX Series.

13. Star Wars Zero Company

A ragtag group of mercenaries that include a Jedi, a noble, a droid, and a former Separatist embarking on an adventure set during the Clone Wars is music to the ears of any Star Wars fan, and we’re no exception. The addition of Anakin Skywalker before his turn to the Dark Side is another interesting twist that makes this one a very compelling addition to this list. It’s out on August 27 this year for the PC, PS5, and XBOX Series X|S.

14. Elden Ring Tarnished Edition

The wait for this one has been a long one, but it’s finally coming out on August 28 this year on all available platforms and the Nintendo Switch 2. There’s new weapons, armor, and a very welcome option to customize Torrent being added to the base game and its DLC, and it’s as good a reason as any for us to begin a new playthrough in the run-up to its release. We’re pretty excited, even if that means taking on the Blade of Miquella yet again.

15. EA Sports Madden NFL 27

We were already looking forward to this one before EA highlighted how the Persona Engine is gearing up to make each athlete feel quite unique when they step onto the pitch, aside from the Superstar GOAT progression path giving us a reason to keep coming back to it for more. And that’s only the beginning of all the cool stuff this one’s bringing to the franchise when it releases on August 13, 2026, for the PC, PS5, and XBOX Series X|S.

16. The Blood of Dawnwalker

We’ve been very eager to play this one ever since it was first announced, and the wait for its September 3 release has been tantalizing at best, and agonizing every time we’ve got a new glimpse of its gameplay. Of course, the latest trailer has only exacerbated those feelings as we got to see Coen and Brencis’s fight transcend the passage of time, just as vampires should, making this one a game we’re going to be diving head-first into as soon as we get the chance.

17. Valheim 1.0 Release

The Deep North update and the end of this one’s Early Access period as it makes its PS5 and Switch 2 debut has us very interested in learning what new additions it’s bringing to the table in a survival crafting gameplay loop that’s also a great take on norse mythology. The snowy weather isn’t the only thing to look forward to, as there are going to be new enemies, places, and faces to engage with when it drops on September 9, 2026.

18. Marvel’s Wolverine

Boy, oh boy, was that look that we got into this one at the recent State of Play a good one. Insomniac made a lot of good choices in its take on Logan, and the inclusion of Jean Grey and some very high stakes for the cast make this one a very engaging title indeed. Wolverine looks like a fresh take on a very familiar character, and the mechanics look like they weave his unique powers into the gameplay loop quite well. It’s out on September 15, 2026, and is exclusive to the PS5.

19.Trials In The Sky Second Chapter

We’ve known that this one is coming for a while, and although a concrete release date is yet to be announced, it’s probably going to be out in late September. Its predecessor ended on quite the cliffhanger and it’s quite a tempting title to consider even in the midst of a very crowded release calendar thanks to one of the big names on our list. We’re definitely keeping an eye out for this one.

20. Trine 6: Together in Time

This puzzle platformer brings a vibrant color palette to a world that’s full of mysteries waiting to be explored, and a charming cast aimed at being memorable by virtue of their unique abilities and the synergies they build based off of them.You get to play it with upto three of your buddies, with a bunch of common abilities and a combat system that lets you make the most of them all thrown in. It’s releasing for the PC, PS5, Switch, Switch 2 and XBOX Series X|S on 17 September, 2026.

21. Control Resonant

How did Remedy choose to build on what made the predecessor to this one great? Well, it’s opened up the doors of the FBC and let its protagonist loose in a version of Manhattan that’s been warped beyond recognition. There are enemy designs that range from bizarre to surreal, while the combat takes a more hands-on approach this time around. This one’s out on September 24 for the PC, PS5, and XBOX Series X|S,

22. Hot Wheels Infinite Rush

Based on Mattel’s popular line of collectibles, this one is an open-world arcade racer that ditches photorealism in favor of a more amusing take on Hot Wheels, allowing it to bring its own version of the track sets we’ve always wanted to build to life. It also brings full cross-play compatibility to the table, allowing you to set up evenings of racing that could have you very entertained indeed. It’s coming to the PS5, PC, XBOX Series, and the Switch 2 on September 24, 2026.

23. Silent Hill: Townfall

Simon Ordell’s time in St. Amelia is vastly different from Hinako’s adventure in Silent Hill f, but that doesn’t make it any less unsettling in the limited glimpses we’ve got of this one. It has all the staples of the franchise, such as nasty monsters and an intense, moody setting, coupled with new additions that make this one a game to look forward to if you’ve got nerves of steel. It’s coming out for the PS5 and PC on September 24.

24. Valor Mortis

The chance to play as an undead soldier in a story set during the Napoleonic Wars is definitely something that made us sit up and pay attention, and everything we’ve seen of this one so far points to an experience that’s sure to test our skills and our patience in this first-person Soulslike. Once again, this one’s hitting the shelves on September 24 for the PC and PS5.

25. Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Miyamoto Musashi is back, and he’s bringing the Oni Gauntlet back in all its glory in a title that’s as brutal as they come on the gameplay front. The fight against Shuten-dōji in the recently released trailer was reason enough for us to be interested in this one, but the playable demo now has us itching to get into it in earnest. We’re going to have to wait until September 25 for that chance, though, and it’s coming to the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S.

26. Minecraft Dungeons II

A new evil, two new worlds, and the chance of a closer look at The Nether are all factors that contribute to our enthusiasm for this one. There’s also the new combat that was shown off in a recent trailer to look forward to, alongside the potential for some very cool DLC being added to it after its September 29 release for both iterations of the Switch, PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S.

27. Phantom Blade Zero

We’ve got high hopes for this one, and a lot of confidence that it isn’t going to disappoint when it comes out on October 29 after a delay that’s using the extra time for some polishing. It’s combat and traversal mechanics all point to a title that’s slick, fast, and challenging, all of which are very attractive features for any game to have. The premise is equally engaging, and we can’t wait to dive into this one when it comes out for the PS5 and PC.

28. Rayman Legends Retold

It’s always great to see Rayman again, and this time around, the classic character is coming back to the spotlight in style. There’s a fully-3D art style that brings a colorful world to life with aplomb, while the story might be familiar to those of you who’ve played through Rayman Legends. This platformer is definitely worth looking out for, and is coming out October 1, 2026, for the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

29. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

Taking to the skies in fighter jets is always going to be an exhilarating experience, and the addition of superweapons and the ability to send enemy fighters crashing into one another are all facets that add to the allure of this game. It’s out on October 2 for the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S and there’s an attractive bunch of content for those of you who pre-order it.

30. Gears of War: E-Day

This one’s been a long time coming and we can’t wait to rejoin Marcus Fenix on an adventure that’s going to take us back to the beginning of the war between mankind and The Locusts. Despite the lack of a PS5 version on its October 6 launch date, you’re still going to get to play it on XBOX and PC. It’s also going to be on Game Pass from day one, so there’s that. It’s as action-packed as you’d expect, going by the trailer from the XBOX Games Showcase.

31. Star Wars: Galactic Racer

Pod racing in a galaxy far, far, away sounds like the perfect way to unwind after a long day, doesn’t it? We doubt we’re going to be doing a lot of relaxing after seeing this one in action at the 2026 edition of Summer Game Fest, though. It comes with a lot of tension both on and off the tracks as you race to become the new champion of the Galactic Racing League. This one’s ready to go on October 6 for the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S.

32. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse

This 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania puts the Belmont family whip in the hands of a nimble new protagonist who must use it to take on Dracula’s forces in Paris, hitting them where it hurts while getting more powerful in the process. Trailers indicate that exploration is a crucial part of it, along with the potential integration of RPG mechanics into its progression loop. It’s coming to the PS5, PC, XBOX Series X|S, and Switch 2 on October 15, 2026.

33. Grand Theft Auto 6

This one’s certainly one that we’ve all been waiting for with patience (and a fair bit of impatience after last year’s delay), and is sure to take over the discourse around gaming when it arrives. It’s been imposing enough that other developers have done their best to give it a wide berth with some interesting effects on the year’s release calendar that you might have already noticed, even on this list. It’s out on November 19 for the PS5 and XBOX Series X|S, with no news of a PC release at the time of writing.

34. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake

One of the Zelda franchise’s heavy hitters getting a remake is obviously good news. However, Nintendo has been quite cryptic when it comes to details about its gameplay and potential improvements to the Ocarina of Time remake, and there’s no official release date at this time other than a rumored November-December release window. It’s exclusive to the Switch and Switch 2.

35. The Duskbloods

FromSoft has been rather quiet since Nightreign came out, and that’s because it has been hard at work on this PvEvP Switch 2 exclusive that lets you take control of the Bloodsworn, fierce warriors who are competing against each other for possession of the First Blood, although they might find themselves working together when the situation demands it. There are over 12 unique characters to engage with, although we’re yet to get an official release date on it.

And that’s about it for this one. It’s quite a crowded calendar for the second half of the year, but we’re sure a lot of you share our excitement for all the great titles that it’s set to bring. More games, more memories, and more fun is how we’re choosing to look at it.

Iron Gate creative director Robin Eyre said in a press release, “When we set out on this journey back in 2021, we could hardly imagine the amount of players that would dive in, and the size of the community that would form around the game. Approaching 1.0 feels equal parts exciting and anxious as we’ve worked hard to make Deep North a worthy conclusion to the Valheim journey!”

Of course, that isn’t just the name of the update – Deep North is also the last biome that players will traverse. It’s fittingly beset by blizzards and snow-covered terrain, but surprisingly, they’re not the first to try and brave its environment.

Aside from the weather, you’ll need to deal with Gammeltrolls, older, stronger versions of the usual Trolls. There are also the underground passageways where the Elakingar lie in wait for anyone unfortunate enough to venture in.

More details will likely be provided closer to launch – Iron Gate does like its secrets after all – but Valheim 1.0 is confirmed to feature cross-play with PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2. It’s currently available on PC, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. Check out our review here for our impressions.

Set within a mysterious purgatory-like Norse world, Valheim sees fallen Vikings surviving and becoming strong enough to vanquish its many evils. Newbon’s voiceover teases that these entities existed long before the Vikings arrived, and we could learn more about their origins in subsequent updates.

The big question is whether Valheim will exit early access to coincide with the PS5 version. It’s seen extensive support and four big content updates over the years, from Hearth and Home expanding on the base-building and food mechanics to Mistlands and Ashlands, which added new biomes, enemies, and more.

The latest update, Call to Arms, overhauled combat while adding even more content. Stay tuned for more details on other features in the coming months.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Developer GSC Game World brought the S.T.A.L.K.E.R series back into the limelight with the recently released Heart of Chornobyl, which undoubtedly represents the peak of the series. It takes what worked in prior entries, and creates something that’s bigger and better in almost every way. It blends a modern gameplay framework with the brutal survival mechanics of past entries, and that culminates in an experience that’s sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.

Valheim‘s latest update brings with it a host of new content, including the eponymous Ashlands biome. There are also now more than 30 new weapons for players to craft and find, new bombs and ammunitions, new armour sets, more than 10 new creatures to fight, and over 70 new buildable items. For more details, check out the complete patch notes below.

Alongside all of the new content, Ashlands also brings with it a variety of fixes and improvements to Valheim, including fixes for Major Healing Mead material, Minor Eitr Mead material, and bringing standardised texts throughout the game.

The Xbox One version of Valheim also got an improvement in the form of ESRAM usage being disabled to prevent an engine-related bug from taking place. This means that Xbox One players won’t suffer from corrupted particle systems.

Patch notes for Valheim: Ashlands update:

New content:

Mechanics:

• Beware the skies! Cinders rain down from above in the Ashlands, causing damage to those who are unprotected
• Wooden build pieces can now catch fire in the Ashlands – and the fire spreads!
• A new world modifier that allows fire to spread outside of the Ashlands as well (part of the immersive preset)
• Deadly lava takes up large parts of the landscape; traverse it with your very own platforms
• Lay claim to Charred Fortresses with two new Siege Machines
• New plantable Ashvines will grow on the walls of your base
• Combine your Flametal weapons with gems (Bloodstone, Iolite & Jade) in order to upgrade them to magical weapons (giving them blood, storm and nature based effects respectively)
• The waters in and around the Ashlands are boiling hot, and only the sturdiest of ships can sail them

Creatures:

• Enemy: Fallen Valkyrie
• Enemy: Charred Warrior
• Enemy: Charred Archer
• Enemy: Charred Warlock
• Enemy: Charred Twitcher
• Enemy Turret: Skugg
• Enemy: Morgen
• Enemy: Bonemaw Serpent
• Enemy/creature: Asksvin (tameable & rideable)
• Creature: Asksvin Calf
• Enemy: Volture
• Enemy: Lava Blob
• NPC/Enemy: Redbeard Dvergr
• Boss: Fader
• Miniboss: Lord Reto
• Spawner: Monument of Torment
• Spawner: Effigy of Malice

Crafting:

• Material: Majestic Carapace (previously Queen Drop)
• Material: Fader Relic (placeholder item)
• Material: Asksvin Hide
• Material: Asksvin Bladder
• Material: Asksvin Tail
• Material: Morgen Heart
• Material: Morgen Sinew
• Material: Celestial Feather
• Material: Bonemaw Meat
• Material: Bonemaw Tooth
• Material: Volture Meat
• Material: Volture Egg
• Material: Charred Skull
• Material: Charred Bone
• Material: Pot Shard
• Material: Bell Shard
• Material: Dyrnwyn Fragments x3
• Material: Bloodstone
• Material: Jade
• Material: Iolite
• Material: Flametal Ore (previous Flametal is now obsolete)
• Material/craftable: Flametal (previous Flametal is now obsolete)
• Material: Sulfur
• Material: Ashwood
• Material: Grausten
• Material: Charcoal Resin
• Material: Proustite Powder
• Material: Asksvin Neck
• Material: Asksvin Skull
• Material: Asksvin Ribcage
• Material: Asksvin Pelvis
• Material: Charred Cogwheel
• Material: Molten Core
• Material/craftable: Ceramic Plate
• Materia/craftable: Shield Core
• Plantable: Ashvine Seeds
• Artisan Table extension: Artisan Press
• Galdr Table extension: Feathery Wreath
• Cauldron extension: Rolling Pins and Cutting Boards
• Black Forge extension: Metal Cutter
• Black Forge extension: Gem Cutter
• Craftable: Bell
• Resource location: Lavaiathans
• Misc: Asksvin Egg

Craftable Items:

• Weapon: Dyrnwyn (sword)
• Weapon: Slayer (greatsword)
• Weapon: Brutal Slayer (greatsword)
• Weapon: Scourging Slayer (greatsword)
• Weapon: Primal Slayer (greatsword)
• Weapon: Nidhögg (sword)
• Weapon: Nidhögg the Bleeding (sword)
• Weapon: Nidhögg the Thundering (sword)
• Weapon: Nidhögg the Primal (sword)
• Weapon: Flametal Mace
• Weapon: Bloodgeon (mace)
• Weapon: Storm Star (mace)
• Weapon: Klossen (mace)
• Weapon: Berserkir Axes
• Weapon: Bleeding Berserkir Axes
• Weapon: Thundering Berserkir Axes
• Weapon: Primal Berserkir Axes
• Weapon: Ash Fang (bow)
• Weapon: Blood Fang (bow)
• Weapon: Storm Fang (bow)
• Weapon: Root Fang (bow)
• Weapon: Ripper (crossbow)
• Weapon: Wound Ripper (crossbow)
• Weapon: Storm Ripper (crossbow)
• Weapon: Root Ripper (crossbow)
• Weapon: Splitnir (spear)
• Weapon: Splitnir the Bleeding (spear)
• Weapon: Splitnir the Storming (spear)
• Weapon: Splitnir the Primal (spear)
• Shield: Flametal Shield (with multiple styles!)
• Shield: Flametal Tower Shield (with multiple styles!)
• Weapon: Trollstav (blood magic)
• Weapon: Staff of the Wild (elemental magic)
• Weapon: Dundr (elemental magic)
• Weapon: Staff of Fracturing (elemental magic)
• Armour Set: Flametal Breastplate, Flametal Greaves, Flametal Helmet
• Armour Set: Robes of Embla, Trousers of Embla, Hood of Embla
• Armour Set: Breastplate of Ask, Trousers of Ask, Hood of Ask
• Cape: Asksvin Cloak
• Cape: Ashen Cape
• Misc: Asksvin Saddle
• Bomb: Basalt Bomb
• Bomb: Smoke Bomb
• Ammunition: Grausten Payload
• Ammunition: Explosive Payload
• Ammunition: Charred Arrow
• Ammunition: Charred Bolt
• Ammunition: Flametal Missile

Build pieces & furniture:

• Building Pieces: 25 Ashwood Pieces (Ashwood Wall, Ashwood Half Wall, Ashwood Quarter Wall, Ashwood Arched Wall, Ashwood Decorative Wall, Ashwood Decorative Window, Ashwood Divider, Ashwood Floor 2×2, Ashwood Floor 1×1, Ashwood Decorative Floor, Ashwood Arch, Ashwood Beam 1m, Ashwood Beam 2m, Ashwood Pole 1m, Ashwood Pole 2m, Ashwood Beam 26°, Ashwood Roof Cross 26°, Ashwood Beam 45°, Ashwood Roof Cross 45°, Ashwood Wall 26°, Ashwood Wall 26° Inverted, Ashwood Wall 45°, Ashwood Wall 45° Inverted, Ashwood Stair, Ashwood Door)
• Building Pieces: 26 Grausten Pieces (Grausten Steep Stairs, Grausten Stairs, Grausten Floor 1×1, Grausten Floor 2×2, Grausten Floor 4×4, Grausten Small Pillar, Grausten Medium Pillar, Grausten Tapered Pillar, Grausten Tapered Pillar Inverted, Grausten Small Beam, Grausten Medium Beam, Grausten Small Arch, Grausten Medium Arch, Grausten Wall Arch, Grausten Wall Arch Inverted, Grausten Wall 1×2, Grausten Wall 2×2, Grausten Wall 4×2, Grausten Window 2×2, Grausten Window 4×2, Grausten Roof, Grausten Roof Corner, Grausten Arched Roof (2), Grausten Arched Roof, Grausten Arched Roof Corner (2))
• Building Piece: Flametal Gate
• Building Piece: Flametal Pillar
• Building Piece: Flametal Beam
• Defence: Ashwood Stakewall
• Stack: Ashwood Stack
• Stack: Grausten Pile
• Stack: Pile of Skulls
• Stack: Bone Stack
• Furniture: Ashwood Bed
• Furniture: Bone Throne
• Furniture: Lava Lantern
• Furniture: Asksvin Rug
• Furniture: Straw
• Furniture: Small Green Pot
• Furniture: Medium Green Pot
• Furniture: Large Green Pot
• Furniture: Ashwood Bench
• Furniture: Asksvin Skeleton
• Siege Machine: Catapult
• Siege Machine: Battering Ram
• Ship: Drakkar
• Misc: Shield Generator
• Misc: Portal – Stone

Food & Potions:

• Food: Cooked Volture Meat
• Food: Cooked Bonemaw Meat
• Food: Cooked Asksvin Tail
• Food: Fiddlehead
• Food: Fiery Svinstew
• Food: Marinated Greens
• Food: Mashed Meat
• Food: Piquant Pie (cooked/uncooked)
• Food: Roasted Crust Pie (cooked/uncooked)
• Food: Scorching Medley
• Food: Sizzling Berry Broth
• Food: Smoke Puff
• Food: Sparkling Shroomshake
• Food: Spicy Marmalade
• Food: Vineberry Cluster
• Mead: Lingering Healing Mead
• Mead: Lingering Eitr Mead

Misc:

• Location: Ruins (multiple)
• Location: Redbeard Dvergr Outposts
• Location: Putrid Hole
• Location: Charred Fortress
• Event: “The undead army marches”
• Event: “The dead have been summoned”
• Lore: New stones
• Lore: New dreams
• Lore: New Munin dialogue
• New music
• New forsaken power
• Terrain changes for Ashlands (Ashlands is now cut off from other biomes, only accessible by sea)

Fixes & Improvements:

• Fixed Major Healing Mead material
• Fixed Minor Eitr Mead Material
• Standardised texts throughout the game
• Updated names for old Flametal items
• The popup for unlocking new things is displayed longer
• Disabled ESRAM usage on Xbox One to work around a Unity bug that caused some particle systems to have corrupt shadowmaps
• Added console command ‘findtp’ to go to nearest found item
• Added console command ‘setfuel’ to fill all nearby lights to specified fuel
• Map is now closed after using debugmode teleport
• There is now a toggle in Gamplay Settings for “Attack towards look direction”, if this is toggled off, attacks will instead be made in the direction the camera is facing
• Modding: IMonoUpdater no longer requires to be inherited from and error messages removed

Since this is a public test, players must back up their worlds and characters. All players must be on the same testing branch to play together. Previous testers should start a new world to allow it to generate new content.

In-game, the Ashlands can only be reached by ship. You also have to be mindful of the building location – not only is a shield necessary to guard against eruptions but your base is ruined if the terrain shifts continuously. Also, since this is the last stop before the Deep North, Ashlands will be a challenging experience, so prepare accordingly (or tinker with the World Modifiers first).

As for the new content, players can expect over 30 new weapons, three new armor sets, more than 70 buildable items, five new crafting station upgrades and over 10 new creatures. There are also new events, mechanics, music, food items and potions. Head here for more details.

Valheim is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Check out our early access review.

Helldivers 2

Arrowhead Studios delivered an absolute smash hit with Helldivers 2, a co-op game where players team up to fight waves upon waves of enemies across the backdrop of alien planets. Many of its ideas can be traced back to live service games like The Division’s PvP mode, but the game’s ability to induce a constant sense of chaos as you try to complete the objectives without veering into frustrating territory is what makes it so addictive in the first place. The gameplay has a knack for crafting some amazing stories, and that power of shared experiences and personal stories is what made it such a big thing.

Hi-Fi Rush

We wouldn’t really imagine a developer of games like The Evil Within creating a brightly colored rhythm game, but Tango Gameworks actually did that with Hi-Fi Rush and shadow dropped it out of nowhere. And the best part is that it all works beautifully despite the game being something that’s well out of the developer’s comfort zone. Everything from the fleshed-out world that operates on a tempo to a diverse range of rocking tracks and a combat loop that’s more rewarding than it is punishing, Hi-Fi Rush makes for a great first rhythm game for fans to get into this niche genre.

Palworld

Palworld felt like an interesting contrast of genres with initial trailers showcasing cute Pokemon-like creatures holding realistic guns against the backdrop of lush green plainscapes. And when it was released in early access recently, fans absolutely lapped it up thanks to a solid set of mechanics that work well in conjunction with one another. Sure, there are a few rough edges here and there – but the sheer creativity of it all is what makes it so endearing in the first place.

A Plague Tale: Innocence

A Plague Tale: Innocence might feel like a cheap knockoff of The Last of Us at first glance, and while that notion is true on some level – it isn’t entirely indicative of the entire story. Set against the backdrop of one of the darkest times of history, the story of Amicia and Hugo is an emotionally charged tale that features an equal share of heartfelt moments and adrenaline-pumping set pieces – which combined with the wonderfully well-realized characters makes for an incredibly exciting experience through and through.

Stray

Stray might not be a sprawling epic or a thrilling ride, but its unique concept of putting you in the paws of a stray cat was apparently more than enough reason for hundreds of thousands of fans to want to pick this one up. The puzzles are pretty simple, but interesting world-building and a snappy runtime that never lets the player get bored of the mechanics is what made it such a big deal when it was released back in 2022.

Demon’s Souls

The game that started it all. Demon’s Souls, first released for the PlayStation 3 back in 2009, surprised everyone with its brutal difficulty and intimidating boss battles. Featuring excellent art style and an eerie atmosphere (who can forget the crazy Valley of Defilement), Demon’s Souls went on to become an unexpected hit among players. Although later Souls games will take the genre further in different ways, Demon’s Souls still remains a memorable experience. If you have a PlayStation 5, you can try the excellent remake which was released back in 2020.

Lies of P

Lies of P is developer Neowiz’ take on the Souls formula, and while the initial showings were definitely promising – it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the final result would rank amongst the dozens of similar FromSoftware that keep releasing left, right, and center. But that skepticism was proven wrong, and Lies of P managed to actually deliver a worthy Soulslike with excellent level designs, memorable boss battles, and a couple of unique mechanics of its own.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian’s latest Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game that has huge ambitions, and it would be safe to say that it has set a new benchmark for RPGs in this generation. Baldur’s Gate 3 features a complex web of mechanics that work well in cohesion with one another, and there’s a bunch of distinct possibilities right from story endings to different playstyles and much more – and the attention to detail in each aspect is the major drawing factor which makes Baldur’s Gate 3 such a fun time.

Valheim

Valheim launched into early access in 2020, and it instantly became a smash hit with hundreds of thousands of fans flocking to make a living in procedurally generated worlds. Valheim features interesting boss battles, a high level of replayability, and memorable boss battles – but what makes it stand out amongst the crowd is a very tangible sense of progression as you get stronger and stronger with each biome you clear.

Lords of the Fallen

Talking about Souls games that managed to win the hearts of hundreds of fans, we have Lords of the Fallen. Released last year, Lords of The Fallen thrusts players into an appropriately murky dark fantasy setting and dates them to take on brutal bosses and trudge through overwhelming odds. Add to that an excellent world-shifting system and gorgeous visuals, and Lords of the Fallen becomes an unmissable game for fans of Soulsborne releases.

Dave The Diver

Dave The Diver is the kind of game that never fails to surprise the player. It’s a weird mishmash of genres ranging from farming simulation to adventure and much more, and the fact that it all works beautifully in a cohesive fashion makes it such a great time. It’s a game that’s bursting at the seams with its creativity, and there are more than a few fans who took note of this one.

Phasmophobia

Blending together a horror experience in a multiplayer format is definitely a tough task, but Phasmophobia aces that with its excellent atmosphere and clever design. Phasmophobia was released at a time when friends were isolated from one another, and the sense of camaraderie that arises from trudging through decrepit locations and taking up tasks together is something that brought us closer to one another during such challenging times – which is one of the biggest reasons behind Phasmophobia’s runaway success.

The Forest

Survival games are dime a dozen these days, but Endlight Games’ smash hit The Forest managed to stand out amongst the barrage of similar contemporaries thanks to its excellent understanding of what makes a game of this ilk tick. The Forest features brutal survival mechanics, and the scenarios it puts you through force you to be dynamic in your approach and come up with interesting solutions to the problem at hand – and that is what makes it a game that’s worth spending dozens and dozens of hours in.

Last Epoch

The recently released Hack and Slash action RPG Last Epoch took the video gaming industry by storm, boldly making a name for itself in a genre. Last Epoch’s primary reason for success is its flexibility in build crafting, and its ability to appease both the casuals who don’t want to dive deep and veterans alike. In addition to this, Last Epoch also offers plenty of valuable loot as you progress through the game’s bevy of dungeons, and that engaging hook of player progression is another major drawing factor for the game.

Rocket League

Driving an abnormally large ball into a goalpost while seated in a car might just sound like someone’s wildest dream, and the developer made that dream come true with Rocket League. And despite a few inherent frustrations that come with this interesting yet unwieldy concept, Rocket League manages to be a greatly fun game that becomes even better if you have a few friends to play alongside as you make memorable stories of last-minute victories and defeats alike.

Headlining the list is last year’s critically acclaimed title Baldur’s Gate 3. Following the epic RPG is a good mix of major releases as well as smaller indie games. The second most-played game, for instance, was Vampire Survivors, which was followed by Dave the Diver. Palworld, meanwhile, comes in at 6. The top 10 spots on the list also feature AAA releases like Hogwarts Legacy at 4, Elden Ring at 5, Cyberpunk 2077 at 7, Grand Theft Auto 5 at 8, and Red Dead Redemption 2 at 10.

The overall list is quite interesting, since it doesn’t just include the Steam Deck Verified games that have Valve’s approval for being playable on the Steam Deck with full optimisations. For example, Fallout 4 and Forza Horizon 5 are both present on the list, despite only being marked as Playable on the Steam Deck.

The list also features a healthy mix of genres, ranging from survival crafting titles like Terraria and Valheim, to co-op shooters like the recently-released Helldivers 2, to large-scale story-based action games like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

You can check out the top 20 below, or the full top 100 through the link above.

Unlike with Mistlands, Iron Gate is taking a more open approach to revealing details about the Ashlands. These include new dishes like Mashed Meat, Piquant Pie and Spicy Marmalade, made with plants growing in the region. You’ll also be able to craft some crazy new armor (seen above).

Other incoming content includes new siege engines for breaching the Ashlands fortresses, the Fallen Valkyrie boss and the Charred, skeletons with fiery hearts. There’s also the massive Bonemaw Serpent, which resides in the region’s water, though it’s unknown if it’s hostile. Stay tuned for more details on the Ashlands in the coming months.

At its simplest level, players can essentially raise the health and damage of enemies by raising the difficulty, and similarly, lower enemy health and damage by lowering the difficulty. There are also options that allow players to focus entirely on the base-building aspects of Valheim rather than having to take part in the game’s combat.

Lead developer of Valheim, Jonathan Smårs, had spoken about the new difficulty options coming to the game back in April. Smårs also spoke about how the difficulty options would work, and how the game would also be getting a new Hardcore mode with combat difficulty set at its hardest.

Back in May, the studio had released a statement talking about mod support for Valheim, and how it does not condone locking mods behind pay walls as it would go “against the creative and open spirit of modding itself”.