Hello, Hackers! We have some exciting news to share with you…the release of System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is fast approaching! In March during GDC 2025, we will announce the game's release date during The MIX's Spring Game Showcase livestream.

As a reminder, Kickstarter backers at the Humanoid Mutant tier and above will receive a free key for System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster when the game releases. Important note: similar to how you received your digital copy of System Shock Remake, your key will be sent to the email that you have listed on Backerkit. If you have any questions or issues receiving backer rewards including System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, please reach out to our support team (via e-mail). Thank you!

• Team Nightdive

The task of authentically recreating 15th century Bohemia for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is one that's part careful forensic work, and part respectful artistic interpretation. To learn more, we sat down with senior game designer Ondřej Bittner to find out how the team at Warhorse Studios went about crafting an authentically immersive world in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, available today. Bittner explains that the team starts with the geographical data, because not a lot has changed when it comes to the formation of hills, valleys and rivers. "Then, there are the military maps created in the mid-19th century. They usually have the layout of fairly static villages," Bittner says. "This was quite a common thing to do in European military history. When you build an army that has hundreds of thousands of soldiers, you need really good maps with individual buildings, logistical points, roads and so on."

Once the top-level geography, settlements and architecture of 15th century Bohemia have all been established, the team then turns to the living curators of those buildings that survived to the modern day. "You can talk to the people taking care of these castles or churches, and see if they have any material on a particular building," says Bittner. "Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't! If they don't, then you have to reconstruct it from more general knowledge about the time."

A new adventure is here, adventurers! Today—on February 10—start your journey in the Biped 2 Demo, team up with friends, explore brand new levels and mechanics! Today, Owlcat Games, alongside META Publishing and NEXT Studios, is proud to announce that the first-ever demo playtest for their puzzle action-adventure title, Biped 2, is now live until February 17. Fans of the original Biped and curious newcomers can access the playtest on the game's Steam page. The adorable bipedalled robots you know and love are back! Biped 2 is the sequel to the exciting original game about two charming bipedal robots, Aku and Sila, who rely on each other and embark on incredible adventures side by side. Dive into the groovy co-op action-adventure game full of puzzles, friendship, support, and fun!

Biped 2 raises the stakes with expanded multiplayer, including four-player co-op for the first time, new robots, missions, and stunning new biomes. Players will encounter even more challenging puzzles as they navigate diverse landscapes, either solo or with friends in two-or four-player co-op. After brave bipeds had reactivated all the beacons on Earth, they received a strange signal from a faraway planet. This can mean only one thing—someone is calling out for help! Now, our mechanical friends are determined to prove themselves and help those in need across the Galaxy. Become a hero and save the planet in distress. After all, even the tiniest robots are capable of great deeds!

Hey hunters, how's it going? February is here, which means we are officially in the launch month of Monster Hunter Wilds! On February 28, your journey into the Forbidden Lands begins. Now, to help ensure you have a satisfying, fun experience come launch, we're pleased to share that the Monster Hunter Wilds Benchmark we'd previously mentioned we were looking into, is real, it's ready, and it's live from right now for you to try!

With the Monster Hunter Wilds Benchmark, we want to help our PC players feel more confident about how their PC will run Monster Hunter Wilds. In the next section, we're going to explain what the Monster Hunter Wilds Benchmark is, how it works, as well as some important information and differences you'll see between this and the Open Beta Test 1 and 2 experiences, so please take a moment to check it out.

Welcome to February, also known as the shortest month of the year. This week's AAA release brings you some open-world medieval knight action. The rest of the week is pretty low-key, kicking off with a rather odd action-puzzle game which is followed by a new take on the vampire genre. Up next is some musical combat, some more knights, although this time we're back in Camelot and the week is finished off with a paranormal point-and-click adventure.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II / This week's AAA release / Tuesday 4 February
Diving back into the heart-pounding world of 15th Century Bohemia (Central Europe), Kingdom Come: Deliverance II picks up where its predecessor left off, thrusting players into the shoes of Henry, the steadfast son of a blacksmith, embroiled in a tumultuous tale of vengeance, betrayal, and self-discovery. In this gripping sequel, players will traverse a meticulously crafted medieval landscape, from the humble confines of a blacksmith's forge to the grandeur of royal courts, all while navigating the treacherous currents of a kingdom torn apart by civil war. Steam Link

Experience the highs and lows of Henry's journey in the Official CGI Trailer for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, where life in 15th-century Bohemia is as unpredictable as it is unforgiving. From the chaos of a brawl to the fleeting joy of celebration, every moment pulls Henry deeper into the challenges of medieval life. Get ready for a story of resilience, danger, and the choices that will shape the next chapter. The journey begins February 4. Released in 2018, the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance thrust players into the life of Henry of Skalitz, a medieval blacksmith's apprentice turned vengeful adventurer. With the long-anticipated sequel almost upon us, what do newcomers need to know about the groundbreaking gameplay of this unique RPG series?

Meet Henry of Skalitz
Henry's original tale is a deeply personal one, set against the struggles of a medieval Bohemia's grander nobility. His tranquil life - as a humble blacksmith's apprentice - is dramatically upended when his parents are murdered during an assault waged by one of the warring lords of the land. Having narrowly fled the massacre himself, Henry's journey towards retribution sees him crossing paths with villagers, bandits and the nobility alike, as he battles to retrieve the sword crafted by his father for presentation on that fateful day - now a symbolic tool of retribution.

Typically, if I'm holding my breath while playing a game, it's because I'm focused on the rhythm of say, an intense combat sequence or platforming section. The tension stems from the precise, real-time input needed to triumph in those situations, a perfectly-aligned leap or parry. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, an RPG in which the main mechanic is placing dice into a slot at your leisure, does not require the lightning fast touch of a button, and that in itself is a testament to how exhilarating the game can be.

Citizen Sleeper 2 is the sequel to 2022's Citizen Sleeper, and a compelling evolution to the first instalment that introduces new characters, stories and mechanics. You don't necessarily need to have played the first game, but it does help in understanding the nuance and complexities of the unforgiving, dystopian world that Citizen Sleeper is set in. While the first game often felt like an isolated journey where helping yourself was often a zero-sum game, Citizen Sleeper 2 introduces a crew system, alongside some other clever new features, allowing your Sleeper to become the quirky, unappointed protagonist of your very own episodic sci-fi adventure.

When you ask fans, "What's the quintessential action game?" the NINJA GAIDEN series is one of the legendary names that is guaranteed a mention. With roots as far back as the original 1988 arcade game NINJA GAIDEN (Ninja Ryukenden in Japan), the series has captivated fans in various forms over the years, from 2D to 3D, with its focus on swift traversal, eye-catching swordplay, and ninjutsu techniques, all jam-packed into exhilarating action gameplay.

In particular, the Xbox version of NINJA GAIDEN, released on Xbox consoles in 2004, stood out for its smooth controls and elegant action, earning its place as a revolutionary action game. The series' biggest allure lies in deeply satisfying and challenging battles featuring its iconic lead character, master ninja Ryu Hayabusa. The NINJA GAIDEN series has gained a reputation for being notoriously difficult, but with a near-unmatched sense of accomplishment upon clearing levels and defeating bosses that drives players to persevere. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Team NINJA, the studio behind the majority of these iconic titles, has declared 2025 to be "The Year of the Ninja."

Endless Legend is back! We are thrilled to return to turn-based strategy in our beloved Endless Universe, where rich lore intertwines with strategic depth and unique factions. For those who have eagerly anticipated this long-awaited sequel to our acclaimed science-fantasy strategy game, we promise you, we have great things (and a few surprises) in store.

A New World to Explore
Welcome to Saiadha, a world of wondrous beauty and harsh seasons, of great riches and greater risks. Once a part of the galaxy-spanning empire of the Endless, remnants of their power are scattered across the world, and with them the secrets of Dust, the magical substance they used to defy nature itself. Venture into the untamed wilds of Saiadha and face its dangers, and you just might uncover its mysteries.

Polish your armor and sharpen your sword: Warhorse Studios and PLAION have released details of the post-launch roadmap for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The game's upcoming February 4 launch signifies the start of an epic journey through medieval Bohemia, with a range of additional free and paid content set to arrive throughout 2025. From Horse Racing and Hardcore Mode to mastering blacksmithing and exploring compelling new quests, there is plenty for players to look forward to as they continue their adventure with Henry.

Alongside these expansions will be a number of free quality of life updates to further enhance the game experience. Unlock the full experience with the Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Gold Edition, which includes the base game, the Gallant Huntsman Kit and the Expansion Pass, which includes Shields of Season Passing and all three paid story expansions. The Gold Edition is truly the ultimate way to enjoy everything the game has to offer.

In 2018, Kingdom Come: Deliverance's celebrated score played a crucial role in supporting Warhorse's unique vision for immersive RPG gaming. Composer Jan Valta returns for the sequel with an expanded, handcrafted score that delicately blends authenticity with the tastes of a modern world. This gentle approach matters. The medieval music of Henry's world was dominated by the spoken word, with the instruments assuming more of a background role. Time signatures ebbed and flowed with far more fluidity than modern mainstream ears are accustomed to - a story-focused form of jazz, if you like. "It didn't always go in four beats or four bars, and then another four bars," Jan explains. "In medieval times the music was led by the lyrics. It was led by the text which was usually sacred. It came from God, or from the Apostles, or from Jesus. The music was tamed by the lyrics."

Music to Your Ears
Jan instead prefers to view his final touches of authenticity as "seasoning", designed to elevate a more traditionally structured soundtrack. The score exists first and foremost to serve the narrative beats that drive Henry's adventure forwards, in other words, rather than authenticity for authenticity's sake. "Daniel Vávra (creative director) and I quickly came to a common ground, which was a symphonic soundtrack: film-like music, which is then spiced or seasoned with medieval times," he says.

The wait is over! Heroes of Hammerwatch II is now officially available for purchase! A massive thank you to everyone who played the demo, shared feedback, and reported issues—your incredible support and enthusiasm have been invaluable. Don't forget to drop a review and join us on Discord to keep up to date with the latest information. Now it's time to jump into the adventure!

Embark on a new adventure in Heroes of Hammerwatch II
A rogue-lite action RPG brimming with randomly generated levels, deep customization, and rich persistent progression. Battle your way through the perilous Dark Citadel, collecting powerful equipment and trinkets that unlock game-changing upgrades and abilities. This unique mix of permanent equipment in the style of action RPGs along with run-defining rewards from its rogue-lite roots results in a compelling experience where you are sure to get something new out of every run, always progressing in some way, with no two runs the same.

Happy holidays and welcome to the last full week of the year. This week will be rather lacklustre of new releases due to the time of the year, but it doesn't mean no games will be released. That said, this week there won't be a major release, as there is none. For what it's worth, this year's Christmas week releases are a lot better than last year's. We kick off the week with a turn-based strategy game with mechs, which is followed to a sequel to Into the Dark. On Christmas day, there's golf and on boxing day, there are dinosaurs and we end this holiday week with a retro horror game with a Sci-Fi element.

Fusionist / Monday 23 December / Early Access
Fusionist is a turn-based strategy game that offers depth and tactical gameplay. Players assemble a team of five mechs, each with unique skills and roles. By choosing different "Cores" and mech abilities, players can create their own unique "builds" to suit their playstyle, play in-game missions, or compete in intense PvP battles against other players. Steam link

Despite having a rather successful launch, Hi-Fi Rush was slated to be cancelled when Tango Gameworks, the studio behind the unorthodox rhythm game, was to be shut down by Microsoft in mid 2024. Shortly after that unfortunate turn of events, Tango was acquired by Krafton, the publisher behind PUBG, and Hi-Fi Rush was given a second wind. That acquisition also got fans hopeful for a sequel, and there were even rumors floating around that a sequel was in the works. Now, in a recent interview with IGN, a few Tango Gameworks and Hi-Fi Rush higher-ups—Hi-Fi Rush director, John Johanas, studio head and creative director, Colin Mack, and Hi-Fi Rush project manager, Kazuaki Egashira—confirmed that this is not necessarily the case.

While a sequel had been in development when Krafton acquired the studio, Mack says that they "are not yet at the stage where we can say specifically." That said, the studio is apparently strongly leaning towards a sequel. The justification for not yet committing to Hi-Fi Rush 2 is that the team has a fondness for the game, its characters, and its world, so they want to make a sequel that is respectful and cherishes the IP. The team also acknowledges that "it is important to try new things," and Johanas admits that Tango is considering multiple opportunities. Throughout the interview, there's an emphasis on keeping things fresh, with the team seemingly under the impression that revisiting Hi-Fi Rush in a sequel without changing it, it would become outdated. Whatever comes out of the Hi-Fi Rush universe, it's apparent that the developers working on it don't see a sequel as a cash cow. For fans of the game, there is at least hope, since Mack says that the studio hopes to hire around 50 new employees in January 2025, doubling its workforce and supposedly allowing for more freedom for creativity and experimentation.

Hyper Light Breaker, the sequel to the massively popular indie hit, Hyper Light Drifter, is set to release on Steam on January 15, 2025. The only catch is that the game will release into early access, meaning it will likely change significantly during its first year on the market. At launch, Hyper Light Breaker will cost $29.99.

While Hyper Light Breaker shares a name with and hits a lot of the same aesthetic notes as Hyper Light Drifter, it isn't exactly a sequel in the classical sense. Hyper Light Breaker is set "decades before" the events of Hyper Light Drifter, and the aesthetic looks like an upgraded version of the hyper stylized 3D graphics we saw from Heart Machine in Solar Ash, as opposed to the top-down 2D pixel art of Hyper Light Drifter. Unlike Solar Ash, though, the core gameplay loop will rely on rogue-lite mechanics and hack and slash combat, making it a unique entry in the Hyper Light universe. Additionally, Hyper Light Breaker will be a co-op game, with support for up to three players in a squad.

Welcome to the first full week of the month of November, which means colder and darker weather for the northern hemisphere, also known as a perfect time to play some games. This week things are a tad slower and this week's major release is a VR version of a famous franchise that takes place inside a metro system. This is followed by some touch typing, slugs made out of metal, roller coasters, loads of ants and finally some post-apocalyptic strategy. As always, this is just a small selection of what launches this coming week.

Metro Awakening / This week's major release / VR game / Thursday 7 November
Metro Awakening is a story-driven first person adventure built for VR that blends atmospheric exploration, stealth and combat in the most immersive Metro experience yet. Don your gas mask, brave the crippling radiation and venture into the depths of the Metro where threats haunt your every step. Steam link

As we enter the last week of October and the first few days of November, we have a crammed week of new games, as well as a bunch of old releases that have either been refreshed or released on PC for the first time. This week's AAA title is a single player RPG that appears to have something to do with an age of dragons. This is followed by a mystery on the moon, a strange life, cowboys, some martial arts, a trip through hell, mechanical animals and finally a sequel to Elona.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard / This week's first AAA release / Thursday 31 October
When a pair of corrupt ancient gods break free from centuries of darkness, the vibrant land of Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age's newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight back and lead your team of seven companions, each with their own rich story. Together you will become The Veilguard. Steam link

The latest game to come out of the Prince of Persia series was Prince of Persia The Lost Crown, which launched in January 2024. Now, after just 10 months on the market, Ubisoft has reportedly disbanded the development team behind the project, effectively ending all future development for the game and scrapping any planned sequels and DLC that was meant to be added to the game. The news has officially been acknowledged by Ubisoft, who published and developed the Prince of Persia game, and in its response, the game studio said that most of the developers involved with The Lost Crown have already moved to "other projects that will benefit from their expertise."

Since its launch in January this year, Prince of Persia The Lost Crown has been a bit of a commercial flop, garnering a mere 1,446-player peak player count on Steam, according to SteamDB. Insider Gaming reports that The Lost Crown sold as many as 1 million units across its PS5, Xbox, and PC releases, leading Ubisoft to classify it as a commercial failure. Despite basically acknowledging that The Lost Crown wasn't profitable enough, Ubisoft seemingly wants to leave the door open for future installments in the Prince of Persia franchise, saying "We know players have a love for this brand and Ubisoft is excited to bring more Prince of Persia experiences in the future."

Unknown Worlds has finally announced the next sequel to its popular indie survival game franchise, Subnautica, and released a teaser trailer alongside the reveal. While details are still scant, the first trailer divulges some key information about the upcoming game. For starters, and likely the biggest divergence from Subnautica and the Subnautica: Below Zero expansion, is the addition of multiplayer gameplay, supporting teams of up to four players. For now, it looks like gameplay will either be single-player or online co-op, although it's unclear whether teams will be able to mix the two, popping into four-player sessions alone or with one or two players sitting it out.

Just judging from the trailer and Steam Store page, it looks like Subnautica 2 will take many of the same game mechanics—crafting, resource management, and an open-world sandbox—as the other games in the franchise, and build on them, instead of trying to rewrite the story. Likewise, it looks to be leaning into the Lovecraftian horror themes earlier on in the game. There also seems to be a new upgrade mechanic that will allow players to augment the biology of their characters, which should add an extra layer of depth to the game. Unknown Worlds has not yet published the full retail price for Subnautica 2 or pinned an exact release date, but it will release as an Early Access game sometime in 2025. Fans of the genre and franchise can wishlist and follow the game on Steam, Epic Games, or Xbox or join the Discord community.

With the fifth anniversary of Disco Elysium on the horizon, Longdue is proud to announce its formation as a new independent studio that has raised seed investment to create an RPG that will continue Disco Elysium's award-winning legacy and represent a bold new artistic endeavor that aims to trailblaze in the narrative-first cRPG space.

Longdue is already a dozen strong, including team members that worked on the original Disco Elysium and its unreleased sequel. The team is also drawing talent from across the industry, including veterans from Bungie, Rockstar, and Brave At Night.

After months of working in secret with the GSC GAME WORLD team, MSI is proud to announce the upcoming release of an exclusive and limited product line inspired by the game. Check out our announcement video—there may be some info hidden inside…

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a next-gen sequel to the award-winning PC game franchise developed by GSC Game World, set to deliver a unique action experience of survival in the post-apocalyptic Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.

• Experience one-of-a-kind gameplay, featuring the elements of a first-person shooter, immersive sim, and horror.
• Play a major part in a non-linear story that unfolds in the setting of local post-apocalyptic dark science fiction. Your Duty is to decide the fate of the Zone.
• Benchmark-setting graphics powered by the Unreal Engine 5.
• Official mod support, granting the crafty stalkers Freedom to expand and enrich the game universe.
• Multiplayer mode is coming soon after the release date as a free update for the game.

Welcome to the second half of September and what is nothing but a jam packed week of new game releases. The week kicks off with an almost two-year old PlayStation game that has something to do with Norse mythology gets launched on PC, although it does come with the DLC included and it's not capped at 60 FPS. As for the rest of this week's new games, we have a packed week starting with a lot of spell casting, another PlayStation game, but this time we're taking a JRPG of the highest rank, which is followed by a souls-like RPG game. Next up we have Dr Dr, which oddly enough isn't German at all, followed by another highly anticipated game that involves frozen punks. If there's nothing you like this week, you're most likely not a gamer.

God of War Ragnarök / This week's AAA release / Thursday 19 September
The sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök picks up with Fimbulwinter well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Odin's forces in Asgard prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way, they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. As the threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer, Kratos and Atreus must choose between the safety of their family and the safety of the realms. Steam link

This week's major release is a female Viking warrior sequel, for those in the mood for some sword and axe battles. If that's not your cup of tea, then maybe a cosy space explorer or a futuristic graffiti artist is more your thing? Or what about a city manager on a foreign planet? Maybe you prefer knights over vikings? If so, we got you covered as well. Or maybe you just want to be a vagabond in space?

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II / This week's major release / Tuesday 21 May
The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without. Steam link

Week 12 is really delivering a baker's dozen when it comes to big game releases, as we have both new and old big releases this week, with this week's AAA release being an open world action RPG game. However, if that's not your cup of tea, then we still have a week packed to the brim with big releases, although it starts off with a bug-sized indie game, but its theme carries over to the next release and this game somehow involves robots. This is followed by a game where you might want to have someone's hand to hold, as it can get a bit scary, even if it's a remake. Towards the end of this week we have another major release, which also involves robots and was a big hit on the PlayStation consoles. We end the week on a somewhat similar theme as the first two game releases of the week, even though it's on a much grander scale.

Dragon's Dogma 2 / This week's AAA release / Friday 22 March
Dragon's Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG series that challenges the players to choose their own experience - from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. Now, in this long-awaited sequel, the deep, explorable fantasy world of Dragon's Dogma 2 awaits. On your journey, you'll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your own adventure. All of these elements are elevated further through physics technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the latest in graphics, to create a truly immersive fantasy world in Dragon's Dogma 2. Steam Link

Helldivers 2 has exploded onto the gaming scene in a massive way. This co-operative third-person shooter packed with danger, action, humor, and surprises has already become one of this year's most talked-about games. What some people may be less familiar with though is its progenitor. The original Helldivers, which debuted in 2015 (and is still active) is a co-op, multiplayer overhead twin-stick shooter packed with action, intensity, and plenty of challenging situations that a player might find themselves in.

We asked Johan Pilestedt, CEO & Creative Director at Arrowhead Studios about the process of adapting the original overhead-view gameplay of Helldivers into the third-person format-after first congratulating him for the rip-roaring success of the game. We asked how the team felt about the positive reception. "Overwhelmed and ecstatic! Over the last 15 years, we've seen a keen interest in the types of games we make and it was great to see our work recognized at this scale."