With this week being the 4th of July in the US, it appears that we don't have too many game releases to look forward to, but we managed to dig out a few new releases regardless. This week's AA title comes from Japan, with all that that entails. The rest of this week's releases include some strategy, some shooting, some tagging, some climbing, some darkness and some fear, so make of that what you want. To our US readers, enjoy your holiday this coming week.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie / This week's AA title / Friday 7 July
What destinies await these three fateful figures? Use the Crossroads system to switch between Rean Schwarzer, Lloyd Bannings, and the masked figure "C", and determine the fates of key characters and locations within Zemuria. Dive into refined tactical combat with new features such as United Front, and discover new allies and challenges within the halls of the True Reverie Corridor!

Jackery, a global leader in innovative portable power and green outdoor energy solutions, managed to captivate audiences at Intersolar Europe 2023 in Munich and Outdoor Retailer 2023 in Salt Lake City with its latest breakthrough in next-generation solar generators. In the past weeks, people had the opportunity to experience the cutting-edge technology packed into the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus—a true game-changer in the field of high-performance energy storage solutions for outdoor adventures and off-grid living.

As an industry frontrunner, Jackery continues to redefine the boundaries of portable power with a relentless commitment to reliability, performance, and functionality. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus epitomizes the brand's unwavering dedication to technological innovation and design philosophy centered around functionality, versatility, and performance. It represents the latest addition to Jackery's signature solar generator lineup, which has already garnered a loyal following among van lifers, off-grid households, and emergency responders worldwide.

As we enter the last week of June. we're looking at AA title as this week's big release and it involves scantily clad men and women in a ring. The rest of this coming week's releases involve farming on alien planets, feuds with friends, oldtimers, tricky ghosts and a pair of turn-based games.

AEW Fight Forever / This week's AA title / Thursday 29 June
Developed by YUKE's, AEW: Fight Forever combines nostalgic arcade-wrestling with All Elite Wrestling finishers and moves. Featuring a big roster of AEW talent, multiple match types, robust career mode, tons of customization options, more than 40 weapons, and so much more!

Every STAR OCEAN fan has their favorite game in the series, but if you asked them all at once, we'd wager that one game in particular grabbed hearts and minds: STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY. Widely considered one of the crown jewels of the series, this beloved RPG is being completely remade for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 and PC (Steam) as STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R.

Set to release November 2, 2023, It features a stunning new 2.5D visual style, a revamped battle system and quality of life improvements galore, while retaining everything that made that original adventure so beloved. If you've never played the original game, or even the STAR OCEAN series before, you are in for a true treat… and if you're a longtime fan, get ready to experience this classic adventure in a bold new way. Read on and we'll go into much more detail about what you can expect from the game.

Hello readers! We've proudly launched Harmony: The Fall of Reverie on PC and Nintendo Switch—versions for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 will arrive on June 22nd. It's a narrative adventure with two vibrant worlds, a cast of loveable characters, and a compelling story we hope all kinds of players will enjoy. One of the main features of our game is the Augural, and that's what we'd like to talk about in this blog. The Augural is the game board and visual representation of our main character, Polly's, gift of clairvoyance. It is the place in which you will foresee and make all your choices in Harmony: The Fall of Reverie.

We wanted to the Augural to be a peaceful and beautiful place where you can prepare your next move without any stress. That's why the Augural is set against a placid lake reflecting a starlit sky, and this starlight conveys the idea of an astronomical map where fates can be deciphered. When we first set out to build the Augural, the intention was to offer significant choices that were well-informed, so you need never be surprised or caught off guard by the decisions you make. From there, it evolved naturally into a way to expose the "core" of the story and show how events are connected to one another. We wanted to do something new in the Choices Matter sub-genre.

This coming week we have a AAA racing title coming for those that are into games which involve driving vehicles at dangerously high speeds. For those of you that prefer something else, we have space battles, RPGs, Will Smith, horror and theme park related games, although several of those titles seem to incorporate danger and high speeds as well.

F1 23 / This week's AAA title / Friday 16 June
Be the last to brake in EA SPORTS F1 23, the official videogame of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, featuring all the updated 2023 cars with the official F1 lineup of your favorite 20 drivers and 10 teams.

Publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive are thrilled to reveal John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, coming in 2024 to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Epic Games Store. Tag team with up to four players in this intense first-person shooter and battle massive hordes of mutated monstrosities to eradicate a supernatural outbreak before it's too late.

Watch the exhilarating reveal trailer, which premiered at the Summer Game Fest live showcase, for a first taste of the title's over-the-top gameplay and John Carpenter-inspired '80s vibes, packed with tons of action, humor and horror. "We're happy to team up once again with our historical partner Saber," said John Bert, Managing Director at Focus Entertainment. "After World War Z, Space Marine 2, Insurgency, SnowRunner, and many others, Toxic Commando is a new entry into the successful long-term relationship between Focus and Saber. We cannot wait to unveil more about this new amazing IP created by the talented teams at Saber and leverage Focus' expertise in turning new franchises into worldwide hits."

As we enter summer, a blizzard from hell is this week's AAA title, a game some of you might already be playing, due to the limited editions coming with early access. Luckily, that's not all we have for you this week, as we also have thunderous gods, side scrollers, lots of horror and some harmony for you. Don't forget to go out in the sunshine and do something in the real world too, summer won't last forever.

Diablo IV / This week's AAA title / Tuesday 6 June
The endless battle between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells rages on as chaos threatens to consume Sanctuary. With ceaseless demons to slaughter, countless Abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and Legendary loot, this vast, open world brings the promise of adventure and devastation. Survive and conquer darkness—or succumb to the shadows.

Microids is thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated sequel of Hercule Poirot: The First Cases, the video game Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The London Case will be available on August 29th, 2023. Get a glimpse of this exciting prospect with a brand-new teaser! Developed by the award-winning Blazing Griffin studio, the team behind the first game, for which they won the BAFTA Scotland's Best Game Award in 2022, the detective adventure game is set to release on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on August 29th, 2023.

In this new chapter for Hercule Poirot, players will experience an exciting, original story, true to the style and tone of Agatha Christie, in which they will be introduced to Arthur Hastings, Poirot's beloved sidekick. Together, they have been charged with the safe transport of a priceless work of art on its way to be displayed in London. However, the opening night will not go to plan… the detectives will be called upon to solve a brand-new mystery in the heart of London.

Miasma Chronicles, the tactical turn-based RPG from The Bearded Ladies, is AVAILABLE NOW. Set in the near future, following the fallout of a devastating environmental apocalypse, we join Elvis and Diggs, two unlikely brothers on a journey of discovery - across a New-America - ripped apart by a savage force known as the Miasma.

From the creators of Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden comes a beautifully crafted tactical adventure you won't forget. Meet Elvis, a young man brought to the mining town of Sedentary as a baby. Left by his mother in the care of a robotic older "brother" and given a mysterious glove with which he can control the Miasma. Join the brothers on a quest across a post-apocalyptic wasteland to find the answers they crave. Answers which may change the course of human history forever.

Hello once again, friends of Lana and Mui! As we're here on launch day we finally get to share our off-earth odyssey with all you patient fans (Today! Tuesday, 23rd of May), we thought we'd drop a little summary post of what you can expect from the game we've worked so hard on for 6 years.

While we're feeling extremely proud of the final result, and confident that you'll have a great time exploring Novo with Lana and Mui, we think it's always a good idea to lay out the features of the game in black and white, so you know what to expect before spending your hard-earned money!

To call this a busy week of game releases would be an understatement and there should be something for everyone except those that want a new sports or racing game of some kind. This week's AAA title is all about precious things, but we also have games covering the post-human world on earth, rescue missions, hammers of war, the colour yellow and snakes, for those that are into those kinds of things. Oddly enough, most of the games this week are released on Tuesday, so we included a whole bunch of new releases on the same day of week this time around due to this, not because we hate the other days of the week.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum / This week's AAA title / Thursday 25 May
Play as Gollum on his quest to retrieve his Precious. You will need to climb the mountains of Mordor, sneak around Mirkwood and make difficult choices. Who will gain the upper hand: the cunning Gollum or the innocent Smeagol?

The day has arrived... The time is now! Firmament has arrived - the new puzzle-adventure game by the legendary game studio behind the best-selling games Myst and Riven - Cyan Worlds. Featuring deep storytelling and world-building, discover the story of this seemingly abandoned world as you explore and unlock the mysteries of 3 unique Realms…and beyond!

To celebrate our launch, Firmament is available with a special discount for the first week only, in one of two editions:

• Firmament - The Keepers' Bundle (Includes: the game, The Official Soundtrack, The Strategy Guide, and The Art of Firmament)
• Firmament - Just The Game

Thanks for your support, friends! We can't want for you to play Firmament... And now you can!

Amazon Games and Embracer Group, through its wholly owned subsidiary Middle-earth Enterprises, part of the operative group Freemode, today announced they have reached an agreement for Amazon Games to develop and publish a new massively multiplayer online (MMO) game based on The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The upcoming game will be an open-world MMO adventure in a persistent world set in Middle-earth, featuring the beloved stories of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings literary trilogy. The game is in early stages of production, with the Amazon Games Orange County studio—makers of the popular open-world MMO game New World—leading development. Amazon Games will publish the game globally for PC and consoles. Additional details, including launch timing, will be shared at a later date.

Telltale, the leading narrative game development studio and publisher, announced today that its upcoming episodic narrative adventure game, The Expanse: A Telltale Series, has been named an Official Selection for the 22nd Annual Tribeca Festival. Developed in conjunction with award-winning studio Deck Nine Games, The Expanse: A Telltale Series marks the first new Telltale title released since the company's resurrection.

Telltale and Deck Nine will premiere all-new gameplay during the New York City-based festival, which runs June 7-18, and during the adjacent Digital Tribeca Festival Game showcase on June 9th. The Tribeca Festival is also hosting an in-person panel with the game's development team on Saturday, June 10 at 4:30 PM ET. The Expanse: A Telltale Series will be available for hands-on play for ticket holders throughout the event and, as an Official Selection, the game is eligible for the 2023 Tribeca Festival Game Award.

The Answers Lie Inside…Firmament is a new puzzle-adventure game by the legendary game studio, Cyan Worlds, behind the best-selling games Myst and Obduction. Featuring deep storytelling and world-building, discover the story of this seemingly abandoned world as you explore and unlock the mysteries of 3 unique Realms… and beyond! Firmament will be available on May 18th.

We are overjoyed by the positivity and excitement around Firmament's latest cinematic trailer. Thank you everyone! Can you believe it's only 10 days until launch? Haven't watched or wishlisted yet? Check out the video and links below!!

As we leave the month of April behind us and move into May, we kick off the new month with a AAA horror first person shooter from Bethesda. The first week of May also brings a AAA 4X title, giant turtles, a Halo like game that adds an RTS element, multiple adventure titles and a game that's all about running away from conscription in the Russian army. Not a bad start to the month of May, if we may say so.

Redfall / This month's AAA title / Tuesday 2 May
The town of Redfall is under siege by a legion of vampires who have cut the island off from the outside world. Trapped with a handful of survivors, slay alone or squad up in open-world FPS action.

Bramble The Mountain King is a grim adventure set in a world inspired by dark, Nordic fables. Explore the beautiful yet dangerous and twisted land of Bramble in your endeavor to rescue your sister. Traverse a wondrous landscape and survive deadly encounters with Bramble's many hideous creatures. Not everything in Bramble is exactly how it seems - in this strange land with creatures big and small, you must be careful when to approach and when to hide. Many hungry and spiteful beasts lurk in these forests and caves. Watch your step....

Dimfrost Studio and Merge Games: "Throughout the game, you will meet and defeat monsters in the form of bosses. These scenes will be violent and bloody. Some of the monsters may have human traits, but all are monsters/creatures in Nordic folklore. In addition, you will be able to see dead creatures or animals in magical forests, these create storytelling around the trolls' everyday life. Some fantasy creatures have bodies that resemble the human shape, sometimes they appear semi-nude or wearing revealing clothing."

Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is a unique mix of puzzle, strategy and RPG: Plan your every move and combine your attacks to defeat your enemies in matching puzzle inspired battle scenarios, upgrade your heroes and creatures to unleash increasingly devastating attacks onto your opponents, and let the strategic thinker in you lead your troops to victory. Originally developed by Capybara Games, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is getting a Definitive Edition including its DLC, refreshed character portraits, many quality-of-life improvements and an expanded, fully reworked and re-balanced online mode!

Greetings Mighty Warriors! We are more than thrilled to announce the return of Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes, the legendary puzzle RPG game, in a Definitive Edition. Five mighty heroes, scattered across five different regions of Ashan, battle their way through their respective homelands to unravel a demonic plot and save the world from Chaos. Put your tactical skills to the test, piece together crazy combos to break the enemies' lines, and lead your troops to victory.

Asobo Studio and Focus Entertainment have announced via Twitter that their smash hit survival adventure game - A Plague Tale: Requiem - is now officially verified on Steam Deck. Valve has bestowed a verified badge upon the critically acclaimed sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence (2019), and the official Twitter for the series posted about that confirmation yesterday, along with a witty tagline: "They say "keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer", so make sure to bring the rats with you wherever you go!"

A Plague Tale: Requiem has been granted "Great on Deck" status, but early user feedback indicates that the survival horror game is still not fully optimized for Steam Deck's hardware - stuttering in-game performance and crashes are being reported by early adopters. Asobo's flagship title has been quite demanding on home console systems and PCs alike - so it is not surprising that Valve's handheld is struggling through the technical showcase. Many hope that the development team will get onto optimization work, pronto.

At the turn of the 1980s, most PC adventure games were played using only the keyboard. In those days, adventure games didn't use action menus like more modern games, but simply presented the player with a command line where they could freely input text to decide the actions that characters would take and proceed through the story. Free text input systems like these allowed players to feel a great deal of freedom. However, they did come with one common source of frustration: players knowing what action they wanted to perform but being unable to do so because they could not find the right wording. This problem was caused by the limitations of PC performance and NLP technology of the time.

40 years have passed since then, and PC performance has drastically improved, as have the capabilities of NLP technology. Using "The Portopia Serial Murder Case" as a test case, we'd like to show you the capabilities of modern NLP and the impact it can have on adventure games, as well as deepen your understanding of NLP technologies.

As we're heading into the last week of April, we have a much anticipated AAA title launching, which involves light sabres and thus shouldn't be too hard to guess. Other games this week include forest rangers, lights and shadows, dead things that are evil and much more. Something for almost everyone in other words, we hope.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor / This week's AAA title / Friday 28 April
The story of Cal Kestis continues in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, a third person galaxy-spanning action-adventure game from Respawn Entertainment, developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games. This narratively-driven, single player title picks up five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and follows Cal's increasingly desperate fight as the galaxy descends further into darkness.

Team Reptile brings you Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, a future world from the mind of Dion Koster where self-styled graffiti crews equipped with personal boostpacks are battling each other for control of the streets. Start your own cypher and dance, paint graffiti, collect beats, combo your tricks and face off with the cops to stake your claim to the sprawling metropolis of New Amsterdam.

Red is a graffiti writer who lost his head and instead has an AI robohead. In search of his roots he joins the Bomb Rush Crew, Tryce and Bel, who are aiming to go All City. Together they slowly discover who it was that cut off his head and how deep Red's human side is linked to the graffiti world. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is 1 second per second of advanced funkstyle. Battle rival crews and dispatch military police to conquer the five boroughs of New Amsterdam. Become All City.

Greetings brave Teslamancers. After years of work, sweat, caffeine and plenty of fond memories, we're finally able to say that Teslagrad 2 is available for play! Come, discover Wyrmheim. Uncover its secrets, meet the locals and embark on your brand-new adventure! Challenges and secrets abound, but we're sure you'll face them with the boldness and gusto of a true Teslamancer! Now, there are so many we would like to give thanks to. Family and friends that have kept us safe and sane through the bad times, as well as the good. And, of course, a HUGE thank you to YOU. The Fans.

For your patience, passion and support. Your continued excitement has kept us going and striving towards ever-great heights. Looking back at what we've been able to build, we're thrilled to finally have you experience it as well, and join us at the top of the Tower! We've kept you for long enough. Strap on your boots, and face the world of Teslagrad once again. Let us know what you discover. Regards, Your Rain Games and Modus Games teams.

It's time to tune into the next chapter. OXENFREE II: Lost Signals will launch July 12, 2023! Make sure it's on your wishlist so you can be among the first to play. This game has been a labor of love and we've been fueled by the passion of our community. We're counting down the days until you have the game in your hands. We cannot wait for you to finally meet Riley and make life altering choices while overcoming supernatural challenges that threaten to destroy her future.

Five years after the events of OXENFREE, Riley returns to her hometown of Camena to investigate mysterious radio signals. What she finds is more than she bargained for. In the small coastal town, unnaturally occurring electromagnetic waves are suddenly causing interference with electrical and radio equipment. Reluctantly, Riley Poverly, an environmental researcher, returns to her hometown to investigate the mystery. As you go on this journey with Riley, you'll shape every step of the story through your choices. How you choose to deal with the supernatural events at hand will forever alter the future.