Author: Phil Savage

Amazon Game Studios presented the first substantial gameplay footage of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis during PlayStation’s State of Play on June 2, 2026. The trailer includes Peru’s rebuilt Lost Valley and the ruins of Greece, showing Lara solving puzzles, using dual pistols, and facing dinosaurs across cinematic environments built on Unreal Engine 5. Alongside the trailer, Amazon Game Studios confirmed February 12, 2027 as the release date and Nintendo Switch 2 as a launch platform.

What the Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Trailer Shows

The State of Play trailer is the first look at new gameplay for Legacy of Atlantis. PlayStation Blog describes the gameplay as moving from Peru’s Lost Valley to the ruins of Greece, with expanded environments, modernized combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving visible throughout.

GamesRadar reports the trailer shows Lara solving puzzles, using dual pistols, facing dinosaurs, and moving through cinematic environments. The footage reflects how significantly the original 1996 game’s structure has been rebuilt.

Legacy of Atlantis is a complete reimagining of Lara Croft’s 1996 debut, not a new sequel. The separate next chapter in the series is Tomb Raider: Catalyst, announced for 2027.

Peru’s Lost Valley: What Has Been Rebuilt

PlayStation Blog specifically highlights the rebuilt Lost Valley section. The 1996 original moved players from one self-contained room to the next. Legacy of Atlantis expands those spaces into semi-connected environments with new exploration paths, secrets, collectibles, and resources.

The classic cog puzzle returns in a fully reimagined form, grounded in the world around it rather than existing as an isolated set piece.

Additional gameplay details confirmed via Steam: Lara uses a grappling hook for traversal — a new addition not in the 1996 original — and puzzles include water flow, light beams, pressure plates, and symbol-based challenges. Enemies include wildlife, mercenaries, and mythological creatures. The confirmed locations across the full game are Peru, Greece, Egypt, and a mysterious Mediterranean island, though the trailer focuses on Peru and Greece.

Release Date, Platforms, and Switch 2

February 12, 2027 is a delay from the original 2026 window announced at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025. Nintendo Switch 2 is confirmed as a launch platform. Switch 2 preorders are not yet live and will be available at a later date.

Preorders and Editions

Preorders are live now on PlayStation Store, Xbox, and Steam in Standard and Deluxe Editions, with a Collector’s Edition available through select physical retailers. All preorders include the Survivor Outfit bonus. Deluxe Edition buyers receive 48-hour early access, meaning they can play from February 10, 2027. For full edition details and pricing, see our complete release date and preorder breakdown.

What Has Not Been Confirmed Yet

• Switch 2 preorder opening date
• Collector’s Edition pricing and full retailer list
• Full gameplay reveal for Egypt and the Mediterranean island locations
• Post-Launch DLC Story Pack content details

Some users reportedly claim they are already able to run a leaked build of Forza Horizon 6. Nine days before the game’s official May 19 launch, reports claim that unencrypted files were made accessible through Steam, though Microsoft and Playground Games have not confirmed the incident, its cause, or the scope of the leaked build.

What Happened

On May 10, 2026, reports began circulating that unencrypted files for Forza Horizon 6 had been made accessible through Steam. Steam tracking activity reportedly drew attention to the upload, and the situation quickly spread across online communities.

Insider Gaming reported that the leaked upload involved around 155GB of content — reportedly a large build containing thousands of files, though whether it matches the final retail build has not been confirmed.

Reports claim the files were not properly encrypted in the way a preload would normally be protected ahead of launch. Microsoft and Playground Games have not commented on or confirmed the reports at the time of writing.

How a Preload Leak Actually Works

When a game is coming out, developers usually let players download the files a few days early so they are ready to go the moment the launch window opens. Those files are encrypted — locked — so that nothing runs until the developer flips the switch on release day.

In this case, reports claim the Forza Horizon 6 files were accessible without that protection in place. The game reportedly only had Steam’s standard DRM applied, and online users claimed the build could be run shortly after the files became accessible.

Reports describe the incident as a possible Steam publishing or preload error, but Microsoft and Playground Games have not confirmed the cause.

What the Leaked Build Can and Cannot Do

Playing the leaked build is not the same as playing the full game. Online features are unlikely to be available to players of the leaked build until the official early access launch on May 15. Much of what defines the Horizon series relies on online systems — multiplayer races, live seasonal events, and community sharing tools for liveries and tuning setups. With servers and authentication tied to the official rollout, leaked versions typically cannot access these features.

DSO Gaming reports that the leaked build can be played in Offline Mode. That means driving around Japan, exploring the map, running races, and accessing the car roster — but without the seasonal content, online multiplayer, and shared community features that are central to how modern Horizon games are played.

Reported early gameplay footage began circulating online within hours, with users claiming to show the car selection screen, driving through Japan’s roads, and exploring the open world ahead of any planned reveal.

Directive 8020 Also Reportedly Leaked at the Same Time

Forza Horizon 6 was not the only game caught up in this. DSO Gaming also reported that Directive 8020 leaked around the same time and was allegedly playable. Directive 8020 is developed by Supermassive Games and was scheduled to launch on May 12, 2026.

This Already Happened With Death Stranding 2 in March

This is reportedly the second major game of 2026 to suffer a preload mishap of this kind. Death Stranding 2 reportedly had an almost identical Steam leak in March 2026.

In the Death Stranding 2 case, around 113GB of files were reportedly uploaded without encryption before the game’s launch. The comparison raises questions about how Steam preload builds are prepared and checked before release.

Two reported preload incidents in the space of two months raise a real question about whether the current process for managing Steam preloads is reliable enough for high-profile releases.

The DRM Question This Reopens

The situation raises a question about protection layers. TheGamer reports that Forza Horizon 6 does not use Denuvo, while the Steam listing does not show a Denuvo notice either. Without an additional layer of protection beyond Steam’s standard DRM, the reported build was accessible to online users quickly once the files were out.

The counterargument is well established. Denuvo has a reputation for impacting PC performance, and its presence has caused backlash from players in the past. Many publishers have moved away from it under community pressure, only to find that standard Steam DRM offers limited protection once the underlying files are accessible.

The more interesting long-term takeaway may be about server-side gating. Online-dependent games can still hold back key features through server authentication even when local file encryption fails. That approach — limiting functionality through server checks rather than relying solely on local encryption — may become even more common for major releases going forward.

What It Means for Sales

According to estimates from Alinea Analytics reported by PC Gamer, Forza Horizon 6 had reportedly surpassed 500,000 Steam preorders as of mid-April, before the leak occurred. That suggests strong demand from legitimate buyers, but it does not prove whether the reported leak will meaningfully affect final sales.

What is easier to see is the marketing risk. If early footage and assets circulate before launch, planned reveals around the Japan setting, car roster, and online features can lose some of their impact.

The Marketing Damage

Forza Horizon 6 has been heavily promoted around its Japan setting, its car roster, and its scenic open-world routes. A premature playable build threatens planned surprises that would normally land during early access and launch week, when attention is at its highest and first impressions spread fastest.

The Japan setting was one of the most requested locations in Forza Horizon history. Playground Games built significant anticipation around its recreation of Tokyo and the surrounding countryside. Now, days before anyone was supposed to see it, reported footage has already begun circulating online. The carefully managed reveal of specific areas, cars, and events — timed to maximise impact during early access week — has been partially undermined by what reports describe as a Steam upload or preload mistake.

Microsoft and Playground Games Have Not Responded

Microsoft and Playground Games have not publicly commented on the reported situation at the time of writing.

Whether Microsoft will roll out an update to address the situation is an open question. Once files have been distributed, a follow-up update would not necessarily undo files that were already downloaded.

What Comes Next

The official release schedule has not changed. Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19, 2026 for PC and Xbox Series X/S. Premium Edition owners get early access from May 15. A PlayStation 5 version is planned for later in 2026. If you are planning ahead for launch, we have the full list of all 57 achievements and how to unlock 1000 Gamerscore ready for you.

Online features — the seasonal events, multiplayer, community liveries, and tuning setups that are the backbone of the Horizon experience — remain server-gated and will not be available to anyone until Microsoft opens them officially. For most players, that is the game. Driving around Japan alone in offline mode is a fraction of what Forza Horizon 6 is built to be.

The bigger conversation this leak forces is about process. Two AAA games in two months have had their preload builds exposed through the same type of mistake. At some point, the question stops being about individual human error and starts being about whether the current workflow for preparing Steam preloads is structurally safe for releases of this scale.

Neither Microsoft nor Valve has addressed that question yet.

Game Empress will update this article as Microsoft and Playground Games respond.

Sources: Insider Gaming; Notebookcheck; Neowin; MP1st; Twisted Voxel; DSO Gaming (Directive 8020 confirmation); TheGamer via OpenCritic (Denuvo confirmation); PC Gamer via Alinea Analytics (preorder estimate); GameGPU; EGW News; PartOfStyle; Steam tracking community reports (all May 10–11, 2026).

The virtual Octagon may be close to opening its doors again. Nearly three years after the release of EA Sports UFC 5 in October 2023, Dealabs’ billbil-kun and Insider Gaming are now reporting a leaked launch date for the next installment in EA’s MMA franchise — and the wait may be shorter than most fans expected.

Update: EA has now officially confirmed the June 19, 2026 release date, pre-order details, early access window, and launch platforms for UFC 6. Read our full follow-up here: EA Sports UFC 6 Release Date Confirmed as Pre-Orders Open.

According to Insider Gaming, which cited Dealabs’ billbil-kun and said it corroborated the date through its own sources, EA Sports UFC 6 is reportedly targeting a June 19, 2026 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with an official announcement reportedly expected by the end of April. EA has not confirmed any of these details.

How the Leak Unfolded

The UFC 6 release-date leak did not arrive all at once. It built up over months, then crystallized almost overnight.

The groundwork was laid as far back as October 2024, when Insider Gaming journalist Mike Straw first reported that EA Sports UFC 6 was in full production. That earlier report did not lead to an official reveal in 2025. EA made no public announcement on the project well into early 2026 — but public signals began to build.

In January 2026, EA Sports confirmed Patch 1.31 as the final update to introduce new playable content for UFC 5, effectively ending the game’s new playable content cycle. The announcement was paired with a forward-looking message telling fans to expect more news in Spring 2026. EA did not name UFC 6 or confirm a new game, and EA’s official UFC 5 news page still has not posted a formal UFC 6 reveal at the time of writing. Still, the Spring 2026 tease gave fans a reason to expect news on the franchise’s next step.

Then came the unscripted moment that cut through the noise. During an appearance on streamer Adin Ross’s Kick livestream, UFC CEO Dana White appeared to confirm the game’s existence and timeline. “Did we announce the covers yet?” White said, before clarifying that cover work had only just wrapped up days earlier. He then added: “Yeah, [we’ll see UFC 6 this year], and there will be two covers.” It was the kind of organic disclosure no PR team would have planned — and it sent the community into overdrive. EA has not followed it with a formal announcement.

The clearest release-date claim arrived on April 26, 2026. Dealabs insider billbil-kun reportedly claimed that EA Sports UFC 6 is set to release on June 19, 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Insider Gaming later said it had corroborated the date through its own sources, giving the report a second layer of claimed corroboration.

What the Leaks Currently Claim

Platforms and Pricing

The leaked June 19 date is currently reported for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Pricing has also appeared in the same reporting, with the Standard Edition reportedly listed at $69.99 in the US and €79.99 in Europe — but EA has not confirmed those details. The same reporting also claims physical copies are expected at launch. No details on special editions or early access periods have surfaced yet.

Perhaps the most significant detail in the leak concerns PC. Insider Gaming reports that a PC port is in development, but says it was not planned to launch alongside the console versions. If that report holds, UFC 6 would become the first EA Sports UFC game to come to PC, though no PC release window is certain. The series has been console-exclusive since its inception in 2014, making this a genuine franchise first if it materializes.

Reported Gameplay Changes Remain Unconfirmed

Early reporting points to targeted gameplay changes, but the details remain thin and unconfirmed.

Early reporting has pointed to changes around stand-up fighting, striking, kicking, and clinch handling, but EA has not detailed any UFC 6 gameplay systems yet. Exactly how that manifests in play hasn’t been detailed by any primary source yet.

The grappling system, according to Straw’s reporting, is expected to stay largely consistent with UFC 5 — refined rather than redesigned. That may frustrate a vocal segment of the community that has long called for a fundamental rethink of the ground game.

Pereira and Holloway Have Been Linked, But Not Confirmed

Two names have been consistently linked to the cover slots in recent reporting: Alex Pereira and Max Holloway — though neither has been confirmed by EA.

Pereira — a former UFC middleweight champion and two-time light heavyweight champion — has been linked to EA Sports promotional material in recent reporting. That has fueled speculation that he could be one of the cover athletes, but EA has not confirmed him for the game.

Holloway, meanwhile, has been linked to the second cover slot by Mike Straw — though Straw prefaced his entire April 15 information drop by noting none of it was “100% confirmed,” and that caveat applies to Holloway’s slot as much as anything else in that batch.

Crossplay: Still Up in the Air

Crossplay between PS5, Xbox, and PC was reportedly planned for UFC 6, which would be another franchise first. However, Straw has said he isn’t certain the feature “made the cut.” Given how much goodwill a clean crossplay implementation could generate — particularly as the game expands to PC for the first time — its inclusion or exclusion will be one of the more closely watched details at the official reveal.

The Reported Timing: A Summer Window

One of the more interesting parts of the UFC 6 leak is the reported timing. A Sports UFC 5 launched in October 2023, but the wider series has not been tied to one fixed release window: UFC 4 arrived in August 2020, while UFC 3 launched in February 2018. If the June 19 date is accurate, UFC 6 would land in a quieter summer window before the usual autumn sports-game rush.

June 19 would also fall neatly in the period surrounding International Fight Week, the annual UFC event week typically held in early July in Las Vegas — a natural marketing crossover between the game and live MMA.

The compressed window between now and a potential launch — barely eight weeks if the date holds — would explain EA’s relatively muted pre-release drumbeat. The official reveal is expected by the end of April, according to current reporting.

The Community’s Reaction

Response from the MMA gaming community has been a mix of genuine excitement and cautious skepticism. The excitement is easy to understand: this is the first new UFC game in nearly three years, it potentially marks the series’ PC debut, and the reported gameplay changes sound meaningful if accurate.

The skepticism, however, is equally understandable. A development cycle of under two years is short by any measure, and the community has been disappointed before — UFC 4’s physical boxed sales in the UK reportedly dropped 47% from UFC 3 at launch, a figure that reflects how sharply the fanbase can respond when a release disappoints. Career mode in particular has been a recurring frustration, with many calling for a complete overhaul of what they describe as a monotonous and underdeveloped experience. If UFC 6 doesn’t address that mode meaningfully, expect the criticism to be loud.

There are also those speculating about what a UFC 6 announcement means for EA’s long-rumored Fight Night revival — with some worried that UFC 6 coming first may push the boxing game even further down the road.

What’s Next

The official reveal is expected by the end of April, according to current reporting. An announcement could clarify the release date, unveil cover athletes, and provide the first official look at gameplay — but until EA speaks, everything above remains reported and unconfirmed.

Following that, further details are expected to emerge ahead of any launch, including information on editions, pre-order bonuses, and whether crossplay made it into the final build. A clearer PC release window should also emerge in the weeks after the reveal.

Until EA confirms it, June 19 remains a reported date rather than an official one.

EA Sports UFC 6 is reportedly expected to launch on June 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A PC version is reportedly in development, but no PC release window has been confirmed. EA has not officially announced the game or confirmed the reported date, pricing, cover athletes, gameplay features, or additional modes at the time of publication.

Fuse Games and Secret Mode have not said when Star Wars: Galactic Racer is coming out. But Steam may have done it for them.

A pre-order graphic briefly appeared on the game’s Steam page showing an October 6, 2026 release date. It didn’t stay up long. Gaming account Wario64 caught it on X before it was pulled, and gaming forums and Reddit users were quick to spread the screenshot before it vanished. The same Steam update also appeared to include pre-order and Deluxe Edition materials before those details were removed — which is why most outlets covering this are treating October 6 as more than just a glitch.

Neither Fuse Games nor Secret Mode has said anything. The live Steam page still only lists 2026 as the release window. Until the developers speak officially, October 6 should be treated as a strong indicator, not a done deal.

Star Wars Galactic Racer Release Date: What the Steam Page Showed

The Star Wars Galactic Racer release date wasn’t the only thing that slipped out. Before the listing came down, it laid out the full pre-order and edition structure in detail — none of which had been announced anywhere officially.

Star Wars Galactic Racer Pre-order buyers are reportedly in line for a custom livery usable across all in-game vehicles and a matching player banner. Step up to the Deluxe Edition and you get three exclusive vehicles, a Deluxe livery, three extra arcade events, an additional player banner, and a digital art book. The Steelbook appears tied to physical Deluxe purchases on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, while the PC version is currently being presented through digital storefronts.

The fact that a full edition breakdown was sitting in that listing suggests this wasn’t a half-built placeholder. It went up looking ready.

Denuvo Appears to Have Been Removed

There is a second story running alongside the release date leak that PC players will want to know about.

Secret Mode appears to have removed Denuvo anti-tamper software from the game’s Steam listing on April 25, before the game has even come out. Denuvo had previously been listed on the Steam page and was gone within hours. Publishers dropping Denuvo before a game releases — rather than quietly removing it months after launch once the sales window closes — is not something that happens often. For players who avoid buying games that ship with Denuvo, this removes that barrier before it ever became one.

Star Wars Galactic Racer PC Requirements

Secret Mode published the PC specs through a Steam FAQ page earlier this year, and they are lower than you might expect for a game that looks as good as the trailers suggest.

To meet the minimum bar you need an AMD Ryzen 5 2600, Intel Core i5-8400, or 10th-gen Intel i3 on the CPU side, paired with an Nvidia RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, or an Intel Arc GPU — the live Steam page currently lists the Arc A580 at minimum, though the Steam FAQ has also referenced the Arc A380, and Secret Mode has noted the specs may still change before launch. Either way, 12GB of RAM and a 50GB SSD round out the lower end.

Recommended specs move up to an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or Intel Core i7-10700, an Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, or Intel Arc B580, with 16GB of RAM. Storage stays at 50GB. For context on how Star Wars games have handled PC requirements in the past, Star Wars Squadrons set a similarly accessible bar when it launched — Fuse Games appears to be following the same approach.

At the high end, the game ships with DLSS 4.5 — covering Nvidia’s second-generation transformer model for Super Resolution upscaling and Dynamic Multi Frame Generation — alongside hardware ray-traced Lumen lighting that can be pushed further with DLSS Ray Reconstruction. For Steam Deck players, Secret Mode confirmed a 30fps experience described as high-fidelity for handheld play.

What the Star Wars Galactic Racer Game Actually Is

Star Wars: Galactic Racer is being made by Fuse Games, a UK studio set up in 2023 by people who spent years making Need for Speed and Burnout at Criterion Games. The studio’s CEO, Matt Webster, worked on Star Wars: Battlefront while still at Criterion. About 150 people in total are working on the game, with Lucasfilm Games involved in the creative side from day one — part of a wider push to bring the Star Wars licence to more studios, a shift that also brought us Star Wars Outlaws in recent years.

The story is set after the fall of the Empire, in the New Republic era. You play as Shade — a racer with a grudge against a family called the Bool clan — who gets pulled into the Galactic League, an underground racing circuit operating out of the lawless Outer Rim. The man who runs the league, Darius Pax, brings Shade in to help bring down Kestar Bool, the ruthless rival who has taken over and is pushing Pax out entirely.

The game supports up to 12 players online in PvP racing, with a ranking system planned for competitive play. The PlayStation Store also lists optional in-game purchases alongside the confirmed 12-player online support. There are four types of vehicles: landspeeders, speeder bikes, podracers, and the skimspeeder — a new class that has not existed in Star Wars before this game. Sebulba and Ben Quadinaros from Episode I are both returning. Fuse Games has confirmed that podracing is part of the vehicle lineup — which matters, given how much of the game’s early buzz was built on nostalgia for the 1999 Star Wars Episode I Racer. The game is being positioned as a current-gen release for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Fuse Games has also said there are currently no plans for a season pass — notable given the backlash Star Wars Outlaws faced over its post-launch content strategy.

It is the first dedicated Star Wars racing game since Racer Revenge in 2002.

October 6 and What It Means for the Rest of 2026

If October 6 holds up, it drops the game into a stretch of the fall calendar that is relatively open right now. Kotaku pointed out that publishers have been steering clear of the pre-holiday window this year, with most of them trying to avoid landing too close to Grand Theft Auto 6 in November. That has left October with breathing room — which could work in Galactic Racer’s favour, or it could just mean there is less competition around a quieter window.

PC Gamer raised the question of what this means for Star Wars Zero Company, the other major Star Wars game targeting 2026 but with no date at all yet — and further down the pipeline, Star Wars Eclipse reportedly remains years away, making Galactic Racer one of the few Star Wars titles actually on track for a near-term release.

What the leak suggests is that the pre-order structure is already prepared and the promotional materials were ready to go. An official announcement from Fuse Games and Secret Mode could come at any point. Whether that confirms October 6 or adjusts it is the one thing left to find out.

All release date information on Star Wars Galactic Racer in this article is based on a Steam listing and promotional materials that appeared briefly on April 24–25, 2026, as reported by Wario64 and covered by PC Gamer, Kotaku, and Twisted Voxel among others. Fuse Games and Secret Mode have not officially confirmed any release date for Star Wars: Galactic Racer.

Square Enix has officially announced Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold, the sixth expansion for the long-running MMORPG, with a January 2027 release date. Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida revealed the expansion during his keynote address at the FFXIV Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim on April 24, kicking off what the team is calling a new era for the game. Note that while Square Enix confirmed a wide range of features and content at the keynote, systems and content are still in active development and some details may change or be added across the broader 8.x patch cycle rather than arriving on day one. Here is everything confirmed so far.

Final Fantasy XIV Evercold — A New Story Arc Begins

Evercold launches the Godless Realms Saga, the next overarching story arc for Final Fantasy XIV following the conclusion of the Hydaelyn-Zodiark saga that ran from A Realm Reborn through Endwalker. Warriors of Light will be traveling to the Fourth — a reflection of Hydaelyn that has fallen into ruin and is slowly succumbing to ever-spreading ice. Despite the icy name, Yoshida was clear that Evercold is not a winter-themed expansion from top to bottom. Concept art shown at the keynote includes unique Aetheryte designs, sweeping city settings, dragon-adorned castles, and what has already been nicknamed “kitty town” by fans watching the livestream. The expansion’s teaser trailer is available now on YouTube, and the official teaser site is live at Final Fantasy XIV 8.0 Evercold.

Square Enix confirmed that Patch 7.5, arriving April 28, will begin advancing the main scenario toward the events of Evercold, with the full 7.5x series serving as the bridge leading into 8.0.

The Biggest Change in FFXIV History — Reborn and Evolved Combat Modes

The headline announcement beyond the expansion itself is a full battle system overhaul. Evercold introduces two distinct combat modes: Reborn Mode and Evolved Mode. Reborn Mode preserves the current combat system and job mechanics — named as such because it has been the foundation since A Realm Reborn — while Evolved Mode offers entirely new action rotations built around greater job identity and fewer inputs per rotation. Yoshida was careful to stress that Evolved Mode is not a simplified version of the game. Both modes will have their own strengths, but new jobs introduced in Evercold will only be playable using Evolved Mode. Existing jobs will be available in both modes, with the exception of limited jobs.

Further details on how the two modes work in practice, along with live gameplay, are being shown during the development panel at Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim.

Two New Jobs Confirmed — Tank and Physical Ranged DPS

Two new jobs are coming in Final Fantasy XIV Evercold: one tank and one physical ranged DPS. Yoshida gave fans a teaser by walking on stage wearing a shirt featuring art of Praefectus Rhitahtyn sas Arvina — the two gun-shield-wielding boss from A Realm Reborn — before quickly shutting down speculation about which specific jobs are coming. Exact job names and abilities have not been revealed and are expected at the Berlin Fan Festival later this year. Both new jobs will only be playable using Evolved Mode.

Content Confirmed for Final Fantasy XIV Evercold

Square Enix confirmed a wide slate of content planned for the expansion and its subsequent patch cycle. Launching with 8.0: a level cap increase from 100 to 110, new cities, new distinctive areas, new dungeons, new Trials, and PvP updates. New allies, new gigantic constructs, and new enemy types will also be introduced. A new normal raid series and a new Ultimate raid are confirmed for the expansion era, though exact timing across the 8.x patch cycle has not been specified. Treasure hunts, FATEs, and the Hunt are all returning, though Yoshida noted they are due for evolution alongside other field content. The team is also working on a duty support option that will allow players to enter dungeons in pairs rather than solo — though a specific patch date for that feature has not yet been confirmed.

A new raid series will be revealed at the Berlin Fan Festival. Yoshida also confirmed the team is actively working to reduce the patch gap between updates going into the Evercold era, addressing one of the most consistent criticisms from the Dawntrail period.

Three Major System Overhauls Arriving With Evercold

Alongside the expansion content, three sweeping system changes are confirmed for the Evercold era. The first is Seasons, a complete overhaul to how players earn rewards and progress characters, replacing the existing Tomestone system. The second is an Armoury Update designed to make playing multiple jobs more flexible — item level will be reflectable across jobs, giving players more freedom in how they switch between roles without removing the incentive to optimise their primary job. Materia will not be included in the reflection system.

The third is Expanded Character Customization, which is the most extensive visual overhaul the game has received. Players will get a broad color picker for eyes, hair, and skin tone, improved eye shadow and lip options, face paint layering, and the ability to toggle off specific gear features such as visors on helmets. Action skins to visually customize specific job abilities are also coming, with more details promised at the Berlin Fan Festival. Character customization updates will continue rolling out across the 8.x patch series rather than arriving all at once.

Regional matchmaking for players within the same region is also confirmed and is arriving sooner than Evercold — Square Enix confirmed it is coming with the Patch 7.5 update on April 28.

Evangelion Crossover Alliance Raid — Ghosts of Desire

One of the most unexpected announcements from the keynote is a three-part Alliance Raid crossover with Neon Genesis Evangelion. Titled EVANGELION — Ghosts of Desire, the raid series is being developed by Square Enix in collaboration with khara, Inc. — the studio behind the Rebuild of Evangelion film series. No story details or gameplay specifics were shown beyond teaser images, and the full reveal is expected at a later Fan Festival or developer update. This marks one of the most high-profile crossover collaborations in Final Fantasy XIV’s history.

Nintendo Switch 2 Version Confirmed for August 2026

Square Enix President and CEO Takashi Kiryu took the stage at the end of the keynote to announce that Final Fantasy XIV is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in August 2026. The launch will include a free early access period of approximately one month to test server stability before the official release begins. The Switch 2 version will carry its own separate monthly subscription fee from the existing PC, PlayStation, and Xbox versions. Existing subscribers on other platforms will receive a 50% discount on the Switch 2 subscription fee. The Switch 2 version does not require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play.

Free Trial Expands to Include Shadowbringers

Starting April 28 alongside Patch 7.5, the Final Fantasy XIV free trial is being expanded to include the third expansion, Shadowbringers. New players will now have access to all content up to Patch 5.58 — covering A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers — at no cost and with no playtime limit. Square Enix describes this as the equivalent of four full Final Fantasy titles worth of content available for free.

Patch Roadmap to Final Fantasy XIV Evercold

Square Enix confirmed all patch dates at the keynote. Patch 7.5 arrives April 28 with new main scenario quests, a new Trial, and Echoes of Vana’diel Part 3. Patch 7.51 follows on June 2 with the new Cosmic Exploration Star Auxesia, Custom Deliveries: Tiisol Ja, and the Dancing Mad Ultimate raid. Patch 7.55 lands July 28 with Hildibrand Adventures updates, the debut of Occult Crescent: North Horn, and new Phantom Weapon quests. Patch 7.56 arrives September 8 with new main scenario quests and the introduction of the Beastmaster job. Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold then launches in January 2027.

Final Fantasy XIV 8.0 Evercold Highlights

Mario’s creator speaks out after the animated sequel lands a 43% on Rotten Tomatoes — even as audiences hand it an 89% approval rating and box offices shatter records worldwide.

Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto has broken his silence on the critical reception to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, calling the wave of negative reviews from professional critics “truly baffling” — and expressing genuine surprise that the sequel has been received even more harshly than its 2023 predecessor. The comments came during a group interview with Japanese media timed to mark the film’s local Japanese release, and they have since ignited a debate about the gap between critical taste and audience appetite when it comes to Nintendo’s big-screen ambitions.

Shigeru Miyamoto on Super Mario Galaxy Movie Reviews: “Even Harsher Than Last Time”

In comments reported by GameSpot and Nintendo Life from an NDW interview, translated by Nintendo Patents Watch, Miyamoto was asked directly about the film’s critical reception in the West, where reviews have been largely negative. He replied that while he understood some of the criticisms aimed at the original Super Mario Bros. Movie, he had expected the sequel to land differently. “Actually, regarding the previous film, I felt that the critics’ opinions did hold some validity. However, I thought things would be different this time around — only to find that the criticism is even harsher than it was before.”

He described the response as more than puzzling. “We stepped in from another medium and did our best to help energize the film industry. And yet the very people who are supposed to champion the film industry are the ones being so negative; it’s truly baffling.”

It is a surprisingly candid and pointed statement from a figure who rarely speaks this frankly about reception to Nintendo’s projects. And it immediately raises a fair counter-question: the job of a professional critic is not to champion any industry, but to evaluate the work in front of them honestly. That distinction appears to be at the heart of the disconnect Miyamoto is feeling.

The Numbers: Critics vs. Audiences on the Super Mario Galaxy Movie Reviews

The split between critical and audience reception to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is one of the starkest of any major release in recent memory.

The film currently holds a 43% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 200 reviews — significantly lower than the first film’s already-modest 59% critics score. Audience reception, however, tells a very different story: the film holds an 89% Verified Popcornmeter score from the public on the same platform. On Metacritic, the film sits at a 37 Metascore, placing it firmly in “generally unfavorable reviews” territory.

The most common complaint across critical reviews mirrors what was said about the first film: that the movie prioritizes a relentless stream of franchise references and fan-service moments over cohesive storytelling and character development. Critics who appreciated the visual craft of the animation still largely found the narrative thin. Audiences — particularly families with younger children and longtime Nintendo fans — have been far more forgiving, and their enthusiasm has translated directly into box office results.

What Critics Said: The Core Complaint Behind the Shigeru Miyamoto Super Mario Galaxy Movie Reviews Controversy

The criticism directed at The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is not simply that it is a children’s film. Reviewers have repeatedly acknowledged that animated films for families can be excellent — pointing to Pixar’s output, the Spider-Verse films, and even Nintendo-adjacent properties as evidence that the format is not inherently limiting. The specific charge is that the film treats the act of recognizing a Mario character or location as a substitute for earning an emotional reaction, and that its plot exists primarily to move between set pieces rather than to build toward anything meaningful.

As GameSpot noted in its coverage of Miyamoto’s comments, it is not normally the job of any professional critic to “champion” an industry. Criticism, functioning at its best, can help elevate creative work and offer audiences alternative perspectives on what they have seen.

Miyamoto’s framing — that critics should be grateful that a company from “another medium” is working to energize the film industry — has been the most contested part of his comments, with many observers pointing out that critical rigour applies regardless of who made the film or how much money it has grossed.

Box Office Context: Why Shigeru Miyamoto’s Super Mario Galaxy Movie Reviews Response Matters Less Financially

Whatever critics have written, the commercial numbers make it very clear that the film is a historic success by any conventional measure.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie topped the domestic box office for three consecutive weekends and is already the highest-grossing film of 2026, having earned $355.2 million domestically and $747.5 million globally heading into its fourth weekend — and that figure was recorded before the film had even opened in Japan. The film cost $110 million to produce and is on track to become the first release of 2026 to cross $1 billion worldwide.

Combined with the original Super Mario Bros. Movie’s $1.3 billion worldwide gross, Deadline reports the Nintendo-Illumination-Universal franchise has now crossed $2 billion at the global box office across just two films.

That financial reality is almost certainly the reason Miyamoto can afford to be candid about his frustration with critics. When a film generates nearly $750 million globally before opening in one of its most important markets, the studio is not in a position of weakness. The reviews have hurt reputationally, but they have not hurt commercially.

Japan Release and the Unique Japanese Script

Miyamoto also addressed what makes the Japanese release of the film distinct from its international versions. “The Japanese version is a bit unique,” he said. “Normally, we create an English version and then localize it for each country, but for the first film, we developed the English and Japanese scripts simultaneously.” He expressed hope that the film would perform strongly in Japan and noted that the localization was handled with particular care, rather than being a straightforward translation of the English-language version.

Given that the original Super Mario Bros. Movie earned approximately $102 million in Japan alone during its run — an exceptional result for an animated Western production in that market — expectations for the Galaxy film’s Japanese opening are substantial.

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: The Following Section Discusses a Plot Point from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Peach’s Story and What It Could Mean for Future Nintendo Games

Separately from the reviews discussion, Miyamoto addressed one of the film’s notable story threads in the same interview round. According to VGC’s reporting, Miyamoto said he would like to adhere to the backstory established for Princess Peach in the film as much as possible in future games. That is a notable signal from the person who has historically kept game and non-game Mario fiction strictly separate, and it suggests the film series may begin feeding back into the broader Nintendo universe in a more meaningful capacity. VGC notes this as something that “may remain canon” rather than a fully confirmed permanent change, and it is worth treating it accordingly until Nintendo makes a more definitive statement through official game releases.

What Comes Next for Nintendo on Screen

Nintendo’s next major film project is the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, scheduled for May 7, 2027. Recent reporting says filming has wrapped, and early behind-the-scenes images have already generated considerable audience interest. The commercial success of the Mario films — Shigeru Miyamoto Super Mario Galaxy Movie reviews controversy notwithstanding — has clearly given Nintendo and its partners the confidence to continue expanding their cinematic output. Whether the Zelda film takes a meaningfully different approach to storytelling than the Mario sequels have remains to be seen.

For the full context on where Nintendo’s retro gaming push sits alongside its film ambitions in 2026, see our breakdown of every confirmed GameCube game on Nintendo Switch Online and our full analysis of whether the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is worth it this year.

Shigeru Miyamoto’s reaction to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie reviews is genuine, understandable from his vantage point, and still somewhat missing the point critics are making. He is correct that audiences love the film. He is correct that the box office numbers are extraordinary. But the gap between what critics expect from a $110 million animated feature and what Nintendo and Illumination have delivered twice in a row is not a mystery — it is a consistent set of clearly articulated objections about narrative substance that the production has, twice now, chosen not to address.

Whether that changes for a third film, or whether the financial returns make change unnecessary, is the real question Nintendo’s movie franchise has to answer next.

Square Enix has detailed what players can expect from Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.5: Trail to the Heavens, which launches on April 28, 2026. The official Patch 7.5 site confirms the date and outlines a broad feature set that includes new main scenario quests, a new dungeon and trial, the final chapter of the Echoes of Vana’diel alliance raid series, PvP additions, housing changes, and more across the wider 7.5x rollout.

The company has also made clear that the story is being split into two parts, with Part 1 arriving in Patch 7.5 and Part 2following later in Patch 7.56. Square Enix’s official description says the Warrior of Light returns from the Ninth to continue investigating the key before an ally’s unsettling message pulls events in another direction.

What is confirmed right now is the April 28 launch date, the headline 7.5 features, and the fact that not everything arrives on day one. The official site explicitly notes that some content will be made available later via patch updates, which is the important caveat for features like Beastmaster, the new Ultimate raid, and other 7.5x additions.

For players still sorting out platform support before the new patch lands, Is FFXIV Cross Platform is a relevant companion read here, especially since Square Enix’s official Patch 7.5 page continues to show the game across PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac, and Steam.

Trail to the Heavens Begins the Next Stage of the Story

Patch 7.5 opens with Trail to the Heavens – Part 1 of the main scenario. On the official site, Square Enix frames this as a direct continuation of the key mystery, while also suggesting the Warrior of Light’s personal fate will move closer to the center of the story again.

The broader 7.5 cycle also includes the Dawntrail Allied Society capstone, Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures, and new Custom Deliveries for Aunt Tii’s Tacos. Those are listed on the official Patch 7.5 site as part of the update series rather than as separate later reveals.

The Patch Adds a New Dungeon, Trial, Alliance Raid, and Unreal

On the PvE side, Patch 7.5 adds the new dungeon The Clyteum, which Square Enix describes as a long-abandoned Garlean manufactory that has become the front line of a new incursion. It also introduces the new trial The Unmaking, with the official site naming Enuo as the dread sovereign tied to the fight. The next Unreal encounter is Shinryu’s Domain (Unreal).

The Final Fantasy XI crossover alliance raid series also reaches its conclusion in Echoes of Vana’diel – Windurst: The Third Walk. Square Enix positions it as the climax of Sareel Ja’s ambitions, making it one of the clear centerpiece additions in Patch 7.5’s PvE lineup.

A new Ultimate raid is also part of the broader 7.5x cycle. Square Enix’s official site confirms its existence, but the public 7.5 special site does not name the encounter or lock it to a specific sub-patch on the page itself, so overstating the exact patch number would be reckless unless Square Enix confirms it more directly elsewhere.

Beastmaster Is Confirmed, but It Is Not Day-One Patch 7.5 Content

One of the biggest announced additions in the 7.5 cycle is Beastmaster, which Square Enix has confirmed as a new limited job. The official site lists it as part of the Patch 7.5 feature slate, but the same site also warns that some content in the 7.5 package arrives later via patch updates, which is why Beastmaster should be framed as a 7.5x addition, not guaranteed day-one content on April 28.

Square Enix’s March press materials and Live Letter coverage described Beastmaster as a limited job built around weakening and capturing beasts, then calling them into battle, with captured creatures logged in the Master’s Bestiary. The same reveal also said the initial release would include 50 beast types and a dedicated solo progression mode called Crucible of the Unbroken.

One other major change tied to Patch 7.5 affects limited jobs more broadly. In a Lodestone notice, Square Enix said that after Patch 7.5 goes live, limited jobs will only be able to accept limited-job quests and quests available to all classes/jobs. The company also said limited jobs will be unable to proceed with certain allied society quests that are quest-synced and require the same class or job through completion.

Occult Crescent Continues and Phantom Weapons Move Forward

The 7.5x cycle also expands Occult Crescent with North Horn, adding new enemies, FATEs, critical encounters, a higher knowledge level cap, and more phantom-job content. Square Enix added those details in its updated special-site materials, reinforcing that 7.5 is being treated as a staggered rollout rather than a single-day content dump.

At the same time, Phantom Weapons are continuing toward their final form. That makes FFXIV Patch 6.55 a useful internal reference point here, because it gives readers historical context for how Final Fantasy XIV handles late-cycle weapon progression and patch-to-patch upgrade paths. Patch 7.5’s official site confirms new Weapon Enhancement Quests – Phantom Weapons as part of the update cycle.

PvP Gets a New Crystalline Conflict Stage

Patch 7.5 also adds Archeia Harmonias, a new Crystalline Conflict map. Square Enix says the stage includes aetherometers, aetherial bridges, and healing glyphs, giving it a more mechanics-driven identity than a basic visual reskin.

That means the update is not just building out story and raid content. It is also giving PvP players a fresh map with distinct movement and control elements, which helps make the patch feel broader than a purely MSQ-focused update.

Gatherers, Crafters, and Side Systems Are Getting More Too

Outside of combat, Square Enix has confirmed a new ocean fishing route, the next Cosmic Exploration destination in Auxesia, and a Manderville Gold Saucer update as part of the 7.5x cycle. The official patch site also ties Auxesia to ongoing Cosmic Tools progression.

These additions matter because they keep Patch 7.5 from reading like a raid-only update. Dawntrail’s late-cycle patches are also continuing to push side systems for gatherers, crafters, explorers, and long-term progression players.

Housing, Storage, and Dye Changes Could Matter as Much as the Combat Additions

Patch 7.5 is also bringing a notable batch of housing and quality-of-life changes. Square Enix’s official reveal and subsequent coverage say indoor and outdoor furnishing limits are increasing, new interior fixture designs are coming, and the larger interior-expansion feature is being saved for a later housing update rather than Patch 7.5 itself.

The dye overhaul is another major system change. Square Enix said dye items will be consolidated into three categoriesto reduce inventory clutter while keeping the total number of available colors unchanged, and that players will be able to exchange affected dyes through a bulk-conversion process.

Storage is getting a meaningful boost too. Recent Live Letter coverage says the armoire will support all job-specific gearand dungeon gear from 3.0 onward, which is broader than only 7.x dungeon sets. That is a more precise way to frame the change.

Patch 7.5 Is Big, but the 7.5x Rollout Is the Real Story

The most important thing to understand about Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.5 is that Square Enix is treating it as the opening chapter of a broader rollout, not a one-day dump of everything already announced. The April 28 patch starts Trail to the Heavens, adds a major first wave of battle and system content, and sets up later 7.5x updates to carry some of the cycle’s biggest features forward.

So while Patch 7.5 already looks loaded with new story content, PvE additions, PvP updates, housing changes, and system overhauls, April 28 is really the beginning of the update arc rather than its endpoint.

Edward Kenway’s return to the Caribbean may now have a launch window. Insider Gaming reports that Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced is set to release on July 9, 2026, following a private media showcase held on April 16. According to the report, Ubisoft had planned to publicly unveil the game that same day before pushing the announcement back by a week at the last minute. Ubisoft has not officially confirmed the date through its own channels.

Insider Gaming says the July 9 date was shared during a roughly 30-minute closed-door presentation for select journalists and content creators. That report lines up with wider coverage pointing to a delayed public reveal rather than an official launch-date announcement from Ubisoft itself. For now, the July release window should be treated as strongly reported, not formally confirmed.

Adding weight to the report, a listing for Black Flag Resynced briefly appeared on the Ubisoft Connect launcher before being pulled. Insider Gaming reported that the image showed Edward Kenway in a new black-and-gold outfit against a battered ship, stormy skies, and a burning pirate flag, alongside wording that mentioned day-one availability through Ubisoft+ Premium.

One of the more notable details from the presentation is Ubisoft’s reported approach to the remake. According to Insider Gaming, the company positioned Black Flag Resynced as a solo, character-driven adventure rather than a loot-heavy RPG. That would place it closer in spirit to the 2013 original, even as it introduces modern visual and gameplay upgrades.

The project has been building toward this moment for months. Ubisoft’s March 4 Assassin’s Creed: Into 2026 update stopped short of naming the game outright, but it included a clear nautical tease from franchise Head of Content Jean Guesdon, telling fans to “keep your spyglass on the horizon.” That followed earlier comments from Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, who said the publisher was working on remakes of older Assassin’s Creed titles.

Recent leaks have also suggested this is more than a simple visual remaster. Insider Gaming previously reported that an Indonesian ratings-board listing described Black Flag Resynced as featuring new characters and stories while remaining faithful to the original experience. Ubisoft, however, has not officially detailed those changes yet.

For now, Ubisoft’s full reveal is still expected next week. Until then, the reported July 9 release date, launcher listing, and fresh wave of leaks all point to the long-rumored remake finally nearing port — even if the publisher has not raised the flag just yet.

The acclaimed psychological survival horror game Total Chaos is officially making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2. Publisher Apogee Entertainment, developer Sam Prebble of Trigger Happy Interactive, and Atari’s publishing label Infogrames have confirmed that the game will launch on Nintendo’s new console on April 29, 2026.

The announcement was revealed alongside a brand-new trailer showcasing how the horror title looks and performs on the Switch 2 hardware. The game will be available as a digital download on the Nintendo eShop at a price of $24.99, with pre-orders already live in North America at a limited-time discounted rate of $22.49. Other regions are set to follow in the days after the North American launch.

From a Doom 2 Mod to a Standalone Horror Experience

The story behind Total Chaos is as compelling as the game itself. The project began life as a total conversion mod for the classic 1994 shooter Doom II, created single-handedly by New Zealand-based developer Sam Prebble, who was then known in the modding community as “Wadaholic.” The mod, first released in its complete form on October 30, 2018, drew significant attention for trading Doom’s colorful sprites and hellish demons for 3D models, genuine atmospheric dread, and a serious attempt at psychological horror.

The mod was so well received that it won a 2018 Cacoward, one of the most respected honors in the Doom modding community. Following the success of Prebble’s first commercial release, Turbo Overkill, he returned to Total Chaos with the goal of reimagining it as a full standalone game using Unreal Engine 5. That version originally launched on November 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and the Microsoft Store).

Nintendo Switch 2 Version: Technical Details

The Nintendo Switch 2 release of Total Chaos is designed to take advantage of the new hardware. Confirmed specifications include:

• Resolution: 1080p in docked mode and 720p in handheld mode
• Frame rate: Selectable performance and unlocked-framerate modes targeting 60 frames per second
• Controls: Full support for the new Joy-Con 2 mouse functionality and gyro aiming
• Content: The Switch 2 version launches with the latest announced content updates, including the New Game+ update

The inclusion of Joy-Con 2 mouse and gyro controls could make this version particularly appealing to horror fans who want a more precise aiming experience without being tied to a traditional setup.

New Game+ Update Included at Launch

One of the biggest additions for Switch 2 players is that the game will launch with the recently released New Game+ update already included. This ensures Switch 2 owners will receive the most up-to-date version of the game at launch. The New Game+ mode adds:

• An alternate ending
• New death animations
• Previously unexplored locations
• Expanded story content
• A new persistent stalker enemy type called “The Hunter” who tracks the player throughout subsequent playthroughs

These additions are designed to increase both tension and replayability for returning players and newcomers alike.

Original Soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka

One of Total Chaos’s most notable features is its haunting original soundtrack. The game’s theme and end-credits track were composed by Akira Yamaoka, the legendary composer best known for his work on the Silent Hill series. Yamaoka is joined by the original Total Chaos mod composers Jason Dagenet and William Braddell, along with Apogee’s in-house music team of Chipper Hammond, Tim Stoney, and Mathieu Hallouin. Together, they have crafted an ambient, unsettling soundscape that complements the game’s oppressive atmosphere.

Core Gameplay Features

Total Chaos blends hallmarks of classic and modern survival horror with the level design sensibilities of early 1990s shooters. Key gameplay elements include:

Immersive atmosphere across the nine chapters of Fort Oasis
Environmental storytelling through cryptic notes, haunting visuals, and unsettling encounters
Crafting and weapon upgrades using scavenged materials
Deep inventory and resource management, where limited space forces careful decisions
Distinct enemy types that require different strategies to overcome

A New Addition to the Switch 2 Horror Lineup

The arrival of Total Chaos on Switch 2 adds to the console’s growing lineup of mature and horror-focused titles. For fans of psychological horror, resource management, and atmospheric dread, this release offers an opportunity to experience a well-received indie horror game released in 2025 on a portable platform, complete with the latest content updates from day one.

With its combination of old-school survival tension, modern visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, flexible performance options, and the use of Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, Total Chaos is a horror title that makes notable use of the new hardware features.

Release Summary

Title: Total Chaos
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (also available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC)
Release Date: April 29, 2026
Price: $24.99 (pre-order discount: $22.49)
Developer: Trigger Happy Interactive (Sam Prebble)
Publishers: Apogee Entertainment and Infogrames (Atari)

Pre-orders are available now on the Nintendo eShop in North America, with other regions to follow shortly. Fans of psychological horror looking for their next game on the go will not have to wait much longer to descend into the dread of Fort Oasis.

Hades II officially launched today on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, ending a six-month wait after the game reached its full v1.0 launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on September 25, 2025 — itself following an Early Access period on PC that began on May 6, 2024. The game is also available day one on Xbox Game Pass across Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass tiers — and via Xbox Cloud Gaming — meaning millions of subscribers can jump in right now at no extra cost.

For anyone who has been watching from the sidelines while PC and Nintendo players raved about it, today is the day to find out what all the noise has been about.

What Is Hades II and Why Does It Matter

Hades II is the first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games, the studio behind the original Hades — a game that swept Game of the Year awards in 2020 and became one of the most influential roguelikes ever made. The original set a new standard for the genre by combining precise combat, a deep upgrade system, and a fully voiced cast of mythological characters whose relationships evolved with every run.

The sequel had an almost impossible task: build on something that already felt complete. By most accounts it has succeeded. When Hades II reached its full v1.0 launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on September 25, 2025, it became the best-reviewed game of 2025 according to both Metacritic and OpenCritic. That is the version PlayStation and Xbox players are getting today — not a launch-day build, but the fully patched, most complete version of the game that exists.

Price and Platform Availability

Before jumping in, here is a full breakdown of where you can play and what it costs:

PlayStation 5 — Available as a full purchase on the PS5 store. No PS Plus day-one inclusion. Check the PlayStation Store directly for current pricing before purchasing.

Xbox Series X|S — Available as a full purchase or through Xbox Game Pass. The game is included across Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass at no extra cost. It is also playable via Xbox Cloud Gaming, meaning you can stream it on mobile, tablet, or browser without downloading it to a console. Check the Microsoft Store directly for current standalone purchase pricing.

PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) — Available as a standalone purchase at $29.99 on Steam.

Cross-save note: Cross-save is supported across PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) and Nintendo platforms (Switch and Switch 2). According to Supergiant’s FAQ, players can transfer save data between PC/Mac and Nintendo consoles through an in-game menu. The limitation is that PlayStation 5 and Xbox do not join this cross-save pool. If you have been playing on PC or Switch and plan to continue on PS5 or Xbox, your progress will not carry over to those platforms.

What Has Changed From the Original

The biggest shift is in who you play as. Where the original Hades put you in control of Zagreus, the son of Hades escaping the Underworld, the sequel follows Melinoë — Zagreus’ long-lost sister and the Princess of the Underworld. The objective has changed too. Instead of escaping, Melinoë is fighting upward through a larger mythic world to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time.

Combat feels familiar but plays differently. Melinoë uses longer dashes and a sprint where Zagreus relied on shorter bursts. Her ranged attack is an AOE ability that traps nearby enemies rather than a simple long-range cast. These changes are small on paper but shift how every run flows, particularly in how you position yourself during tougher encounters.

The world is significantly larger. Hades II features more biomes than the original, each with distinct visual styles, enemy types, and environmental hazards. The mythic world now stretches in multiple directions rather than a single upward path, giving runs more structural variety than before.

The upgrade system has expanded. There are now Boons available from more than a dozen Olympian gods including Apollo, Hephaestus, and others who didn’t appear in the original. The combination possibilities are wider than anything in the first game, and the meta-progression system — built around the Altar of Ashes — adds a layer of permanent unlocks that compounds over time.

Animal Familiars replace the Companions system. In the original, you could unlock Companions — special attacks tied to specific characters. Hades II replaces this with Animal Familiars, small creatures that follow Melinoë throughout each run. Each Familiar has its own passive ability, buffing Melinoë in different ways depending on which one accompanies her. Some provide combat boosts, others offer utility like reducing cooldowns or highlighting hidden items. They also react to events during a run, making them feel like actual companions rather than just stat bonuses.

Gathering adds a new layer between runs. Using Tools of the Unseen, Melinoë can gather reagents from the environment during runs. These materials feed into crafting and upgrade systems back at camp, giving players something to optimize beyond just combat builds.

What the Xbox and PS5 Versions Include

Supergiant confirmed that PS5 and Xbox Series X support up to 120 frames per second. Performance on Xbox Series S has not been separately confirmed by Supergiant at time of publication. Both versions include all post-launch patches that shipped on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 since September 2025, along with bonus content and quality-of-life improvements developed in the months since.

For Xbox players, Hades II is an Xbox Play Anywhere title — a single purchase covers both Xbox console and PC. It is also streamable via Xbox Cloud Gaming with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, requiring no download at all.

Is It Worth Playing If You Have Not Played the Original

Yes, but playing the original first will make the sequel richer. The story of Hades II directly follows events from the first game, and many characters Melinoë encounters are ones players will recognize from Zagreus’ journey. The emotional weight of certain story moments lands harder with that context.

That said, the sequel is designed to be accessible without prior knowledge. If you are a Game Pass subscriber who has never touched Hades, the original is also available on Game Pass — playing both in order is the ideal entry point into the franchise.

Development Timeline

• May 6, 2024 — Early Access launch on PC
• September 25, 2025 — Full v1.0 launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2
• March 26, 2026 — Xbox and PS5 release confirmed for April 14
• April 14, 2026 — Full launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming

Hades II is not a reinvention. If you bounced off the original’s roguelike structure — the repetition, the incremental progress, the runs that end just when they’re getting good — the sequel will not convert you. It is more of what made Hades great, expanded and refined rather than reimagined.

But if that description sounds appealing, there has never been a better time to jump in. The game is available right now on Game Pass, it runs at up to 120fps on PS5 and Xbox Series X, and it arrives with every update and improvement Supergiant has released since the v1.0 launch. Xbox and PS5 players are not getting a lesser version — they are getting the best one. Just go in knowing that if you are starting fresh on PS5 or Xbox, your progress will not carry over from any saves built on PC or Nintendo platforms.