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It's a big week on Game Informer, as we've got several major releases on the docket, plus an excellent guest! Samantha Béart, the prolific voice actor for roles including Karlach (Baldur's Gate 3) and Cider (Absolum) joins the show to chat about their work. That's at the end of the show, but before all that, we've got a few games to discuss. The Outer Worlds 2 brings Obsidian back to its sci-fi consumer-driven setting, Ninja Gaiden 4 sees Platinum put a spin on Team Ninja's classic series, and Dispatch might be one for fans of Invincible, Telltale, or both to check out. All that and more await in this new episode of The Game Informer Show. The Game Informer Show is a weekly podcast covering the video game industry. Join us every Friday for chats about your favorite titles – past and present – alongside Game Informer staff and special guests from around the industry. Watch the video version here: Listen to "The Outer Worlds 2, Dispatch, and Samantha Béart Interview" on Spreaker.Follow our guest and hosts on social media:Alex Van Aken (@itsVanAken)Charles Harte (@chuckduck365)Marcus Stewart (@marcusstewart7)Wesley LeBlanc (@wesleyleblanc)Jump to a specific discussion using these timestamps:00:00 - Intro 07:18 - The Outer Worlds 2 36:04 - Dispatch 52:15 - Ninja Gaiden 4 1:12:13 - Battlefield 6 1:17:37 - Interview w/ Samantha Béart View the full article

Sometimes, to look forward, you need to examine your roots. Following 2021’s Halo Infinite, Halo Studios (previously 343 Industries) is doing just that with Halo: Campaign Evolved, a full modern remake of one of the most beloved and influential games of the 21st century. Halo: Campaign Evolved takes the original Master Chief adventure and fully remakes it in Unreal Engine 5. Cinematics have been completely redone, voice acting re-recorded with the original principal cast, and the combat is snappier than ever before. For the first time ever, Halo is also coming to PlayStation, complete with crossplay and cross-progression. Additionally, two-player splitscreen co-op remains intact, while four players can attack the story missions together – another first for this trailblazing title. On top of the remade original story, players can expect three new missions, which center on Master Chief and fan-favorite Sgt. Johnson prior to the events of the original Halo story. “It was really key for us to maintain the original story as it is, to not insert sort of a new story in there,” creative director Max Szlagor says. “[These new missions] actually take place in a fairly short timeline in a way that the lore works. So, finding a good place in the lore to tell this story with Chief and Johnson, it’s going to have new story, new gameplay, weapons, enemies, environments. Also, a lot of cool, new stuff there.” I didn’t get to see the new missions, but I played through the iconic Silent Cartographer mission, where Master Chief must find an ancient Forerunner installation that holds the key to unlocking the map of the Halo. It’s perhaps the greatest Halo campaign level of all time, and a sight to behold in Unreal Engine 5. The stage begins with a silent shot over water. Just as three Pelican dropships come into the shot, the Halo theme kicks in, giving me goosebumps; that well-executed needle drop continues as the scene progresses into the ensuing gunfight. It’s an effective tease of what to expect from the rest of my gameplay session. And for those difficulty-loving players, Halo: Campaign Evolved will have the most game-modifying Skulls of any game in franchise history. In 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved showcased that you can have excellent shooter experiences on consoles and helped establish the then-nascent Xbox brand as a major player in the industry. But things have changed. Xbox is no longer the new kid on the block, and Halo: Combat Evolved is no longer the revolutionary game that set the industry ablaze in 2001. The team recognized that and did to the campaign what the name invokes: evolve. The studio, which got its start through the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remaster in 2011, is intimately familiar with the first entry in the series and was cautious about changing too much. “As we're rebuilding the campaign, we're making sure that we stay true to the tone, the atmosphere, and the emotional impact of the original that made the game so iconic and so special,” executive producer Damon Conn says. “There’s an opportunity to modernize where it makes sense, but we’re not modernizing for modernization’s sake. Everything we do, we think about the impact on Halo and make sure that it fits.” This is most evident in the visuals, as the water glistens and flows in a realistic manner, but everything from the textures and lighting to the character models and enemy AI is improved. The gameplay also features the right modernizations, as the left trigger allows you to aim down the sights of any weapon, plus you can sprint with a click of the stick. Finally, Halo Studios brought other improvements from subsequent games, like eight weapons not present in the original Halo, and the ability to pick up dropped Energy Swords, hijack vehicles, and drive Wraith tanks. To account for the new four-player co-op play, a fourth seat was added on the Warthog, so a full crew can cruise together. Though I didn’t get to see it in action, Halo Studios also teases that once you get to the part of the story where The Flood arrives, the horror atmosphere is hammered home in ways never experienced in the franchise, leveraging the upgraded tech. I saw some environmental teases to that effect in a video shown by the developers, and I can’t wait to learn more. From my limited time playing on Xbox Series X, the campaign is accomplishing the task of bringing forward a modern version of the title responsible for putting Xbox on the map. However, it is worth noting that this is exactly what the title says: the campaign. The competitive multiplayer suite, for which the Halo franchise is arguably most known, is not a part of this package. Last week, rumors circulated about the franchise's use of AI in development after insider Rebs Gaming posted on YouTube, citing sources who told him the studio was using the tools in a variety of ways. Though Rebs Gaming did not have specifics about the use of the AI in development, rumors intensified when the series' art director, Glenn Israel, left Halo Studios after 17 years, saying that he would share more on his decision when it was safe to do so, alluding to wanting to preserve his health, dignity, ethics, and values. "I want to be very clear: I know that article hit," Conn starts. "Humans, people are creative. People make games. AI can improve workflows, it can do things for the game, but I want to be very specific and clear that the people are the ones who are creating the game, and if there's an opportunity to improve a workflow or something along those lines, we'll look at it. Again, it should be additive to the creation of a game. I think that's the best way to look at that." Halo: Combat Evolved was a formative game for me when I first played it in high school, and it, along with Rare’s GoldenEye 007, molded my love for first-person shooters. I don’t know how impactful Halo’s original campaign from 25 years ago can realistically be in the modern gaming landscape, but for those, like me, who have replayed it several times, or those on PlayStation who have never played it, Halo: Campaign Evolved is an enticing proposition. Halo: Campaign Evolved comes to Xbox and PC View the full article

One of the best things about Halloween, aside from wearing fun costumes, getting free candy from strangers, and watching non-stop reruns of Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown, is seeing our favorite games get into the spirit. Numerous Halloween events are happening in games right now, offering a chance to get tricks or treats from the comfort of your homes. While we couldn't possibly list every game celebrating the holiday, here are some of the more noteworthy and interesting Halloween events, along with how long they're sticking around. Call of Duty - The Haunting Duration: Now Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has new Halloween-themed map variants (such as "Boo-Town") and limited-time modes. These include Slasher Deathmatch, a hide-and-seek mode with players controlling iconic horror villains like Jason Voorhees and Chucky to stalk other players during the match. Zombies gets the Halloween Havoc mode, pitting players against new, holiday-themed threats like evil Jack-o-Lanterns. Warzone players can survive the Zombie Royale, where slain players return as the undead, and Night versions of Verdansk and Rebirth Island. Splatoon 3 - Splatoween Duration: Now - October 26 It’s Splatoween in Splatoon 3, and in addition to sounding a lot like Tatooine, it brings a new seasonal Splatfest with teams divided by their answer of who would make the best friend: Zombie, Skeleton, or Ghost. If your opinion on the matter is strong enough to spray stages and opponents in multicolored ink, you’ve got only two days to do it this week. Phasmophobia - Crimson Eye Duration: Now - October 31 The Blood Moon rises again in the popular co-op ghost hunting game. During this event, a selection of rotating maps has Blood Moon weather, which makes investigations in those levels significantly more difficult. Ghosts are faster, sanity drains quicker, but players will earn higher rewards if they’re able to complete a level. Fortnite - Fortnitemares Duration: Now - November 1 Fortnite’s annual Fortnitemares is in full swing, with rapper Doja Cat taking on the spooky persona of the Mother of Thorns and transforming Fortnite’s island into the Nitemare Island reload map. This twisted reinvention is home to a who’s who of horror characters. Expect cameos from Jason Voorhees and Wednesday Addams to Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang – or you can just pick the KPop Demon Hunters, because they’re awesome. Rocket League - Haunted Hallows Duration: Now - November 1 Halloween is all about mischief, and Rocket League’s Up to No Good game mode channels that fun. In this mode, the ball is lighter than air with both teams competing to keep it airborne, as the last team to touch it before it hits the ground scores a point. Scooby-Doo’s Mystery Machine and other related items are also available to unlock by completing challenges. Overwatch 2 - Halloween Masquerade Duration: Now - November 3 Overwatch 2’s Halloween Masquerade lets teams wear masks modeled after other characters. Despite the silly visual of Tracer wearing a Big Head cutout of Winston’s face, masks grant their wearers special abilities when paired with specific lore-linked allies, encouraging experimentation with team compositions. Halloween Masquerade also adds the Junkenstein’s Revenge co-op horde mode as players defend a haunted castle from waves of zombified Omnics. A third mode, Wrath of the Bride, is a cinematic co-op chapter starring Sojourn, Junker Queen, Kiriko, and Ashe as they battle terrifying foes in the twisting castle of Adlersbrunn, including bosses such as Banshee Moira and Gargoyle Winston. The Outlast Trials - Invasion Duration: Now - November 4 The cooperative multiplayer game is pitting its test subjects against each other this Halloween with its recently launched PvP Invasion Mode. This Season 4 update lets players invade each other's Trials while disguised as either Reagents or Imposters to sabotage their escape. Imposter gameplay emphasizes close-quarters stealth, as invaders wield knives to, literally, stab their fellow players in the back. Your victims likely won’t appreciate this trick, but it will be your treat. Gorn 2 - Fight of the Living Dead Duration: Now Cult favorite VR arena fighter Gorn 2’s free Halloween-themed Fight of the Living Dead update pits players against hordes of undead gladiators and other supernatural foes/bosses. New themed weapons include dual scythes, a crossbow, and the centerpiece Resurrection Staff, which lets you revive fallen Rokibes as your own skeletal army. Apex Legends - Raise Hell Event Duration: Now - November 4 Apex Legends' Raise Hell Event includes a new Halloween Wildcard where players can choose either Reaper or Demon-themed Wild Cards to gain supernatural abilities, such as faster movement, infinite ammo, vampiric health recovery, and more, depending on the faction. Throughout the event, players can earn pumpkins used to buy new event items and cosmetics, including the coveted Mad Maggie prestige skin. Dead By Daylight - Haunted by Daylight Duration: Now - November 4 Dead by Daylight keeps the Halloween spirit going all year round, but its Haunted by Daylight October event adds more horrific twists to the experience. The event tasks players with accessing the bleak and nightmarish Void Realm, and completing specific tasks during matches rewards Void Energy used to create powerful items and abilities. Of course, you can also unlock themed outfits for Survivors and weapons for Killers. Destiny 2 - Festival of the Lost Duration: Now - November 11 Destiny’s annual take on Halloween offers the Haunted Alters and Sorrow and Red Rum(ble) PvE and PvP modes among the main attractions. Completing event activities now earns a greater number of bonus Engrams to buy holiday-themed loot. Bungie recently extended Festival of the Lost by one week, stretching it well into November, so you have plenty of time to indulge. Marvel Rivals - Marvel Zombies Duration: Now - November 13 If you enjoy the Marvel Zombies Disney+ series, the zombie plague is sweeping Marvel Rivals for Halloween. The event introduces the game's first PvE mode, inspired by the show, that lets players control Thor, Blade, Magik, Punisher, and Jeff to battle hordes of undead. Survive long enough, and you'll have the "privilege" of taking on Zombie Namor and The Queen of the Dead bosses. PUBG Battlegrounds x Skibidi Toilet Duration: October 22 - November 5 (PC), October 30 - November 13 (Console) In an unexpected collaboration, PUBG: Battlegrounds’ update 38.1 is partnering with YouTube animation show Skibidi Toilet for a surreal new arcade mode. Four players suit up to stop an invasion of the creepy singing toilets in the Miramar map. The event runs from October 22 to November 5 on PC and from October 30 to November 13 on consoles. While not explicitly Halloween-y in the traditional sense, it’s certainly strange and unsettling, just like the whole Skibidi Toilet thing. View the full article

The Lost Prince is free this week on Stove store! The Lost Prince is a unique visual novel with mini-games ... View the full article

Pokémon Legends: Z-A launched last week on October 16 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and in just one week, nearly 6 million copies of the game have been sold. According to a press release from The Pokémon Company, Legends: Z-A sold 5.8 million copies in one week, and around half of those were sold on Switch 2. This makes Legends: Z-A the fifth-best first-week performer for the Pokémon series. Above it are Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet at 10 million copies sold in three days, Pokémon Legends: Arceus at 6.5 million in three days, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield at 6 million in three days, and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl also at 6 million in three days, as noted by VideoGamesChronicle. Game Informer hasn't yet published its Pokémon Legends: Z-A review, but in the meantime, you can read Game Informer's reviews for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Violet/Scarlet, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Sword/Shield. Have you been playing Legends: Z-A? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below! View the full article

Apple has lost a landmark UK antitrust lawsuit, which ruled it charged "excessive and unfair prices" for app distribution and in-app purchases. Read more View the full article

The inaugural Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show saw 206,159 visitors from 95 countries across its four day schedule. Read more View the full article

Pokémon Legends: Z-A sells 5.8m units during launch week | News-in-briefView the full article

Mouse: P.I. For Hire has piqued our curiosity for years, thanks to its fusion of black-and-white 30s-style animation and shooter mechanics reminiscent of classic Doom games. While it was slated for 2025, developer Fumi Games and publisher PlaySide Studios announced the game was sliding into 2026 earlier this week. However, this news also came with the caveat that the release date would be revealed at today's Galaxies Gaming Showcase, and sure enough, we just got a release date trailer. Mouse: P.I. For Hire will launch next year, on March 19. You can watch for yourself below. "Join P.I. Pepper in a world where danger lurks even in the tiniest mouse hole," reads a post announcing the date in the news tab of the game's Steam Community page. "Investigate a complex web of intrigue, corruption and murder with a thrilling noir-fueled detective story, lively environments to explore, an original big band jazz soundtrack and a fully-loaded arsenal of cartoon weapons and devastating power-ups." While a delay is never ideal, it's nice to know an exact time to expect the game, especially since it's only five months away. Mouse's initial reveal came back in 2023, with its release window of 2025 announced not much later, so we've been anticipating its launch for a while. Most recently, we learned the protagonist would be portrayed by none other than Troy Baker, one of the most prolific game actors working today. For more on shooters, check out our Battlefield 6 review. For more quirky indie titles, check out our Ball x Pit review. View the full article

Today’s Fallout Day livestream revealed that 2010’s Fallout: New Vegas is getting some love as it turns 15 years old this year. Fans can pre-order a new bundle of the game that includes other physical goodies, but it will only be available for a limited time. The 15th Anniversary Bundle launches in 2026 and includes a PC download code for Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition, which includes the base game and its expansions: Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, Lonesome Road, Courier’s Stash Weapon Pack, and Gun Runner’s Arsenal Weapon Pack. Perhaps the coolest item in the bundle is an 8-inch statue of Victor the Securitron. The package also includes the following items: Doc Mitchell’s Evaluation CardsVault Boy Enamel PinMojave Express PatchNCR Recon PatchCollector’s Big Box The Fallout: New Vegas 15th Anniversary Bundle will set you back $154.99. You can pre-order the bundle now in the US here, while international pre-orders can be purchased here. For more on Fallout Day, Bethesda also announced Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition. View the full article

Art the Clown from the Terrifier series of horror movies has sliced through three movies so far and is even a marquee haunted house at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights season of events this year. He'll soon be tearing into games, though, as Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is launching on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam next month on November 21. Publisher SelectaPlay and developer Relevo revealed this news with a new gameplay trailer highlighting the special occasion. This trailer also features Terrifier: The ARTcade Game's theme song, which is composed by Cody Carpenter, the son of horror legend and Halloween creator John Carpenter. Not surprisingly, Carpenter follows in his father's footsteps with a nightmare-inducing synth-fueled theme for Art the Clown in video game form. Check it out for yourself in the latest Terrifier: The ARTcade Game trailer below: As you can see, Terrifier: The ARTcade Game features vibrant pixel art, but it's still full of the blood and guts you expect if you've seen Art the Clown on the silver screen. While you can go it solo, the game also features local co-op for up to four players, and you can work together (or against each other) in various game modes while using a variety of weapons like chainsaws, cleavers, and more. SelectaPlay says players can expect multiple stages with different paths to explore, plenty of enemies to defeat, boss battles at the end of each stage, a chiptune soundtrack, finisher attacks, and six game modes when Terrifier: The ARTcade Game launches on PlayStation 5 and PC on November 21. Are you going to check out Terrifier: The ARTcade Game next month? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Bethesda is celebrating Fallout Day by announcing the definitive edition of 2015’s Fallout 4, which turns 10 years old next month. Dubbed Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, it includes every piece of official post-launch content, alongside community-made content. Although the original Fallout 4 was already bolstered with a current-gen update last year, Anniversary Edition bundles the base game with its six expansions: Automatron, Far Harbor, and Nuka-World, along with the Wasteland, Contraptions, and Vault-Tec Workshop add-ons. Additionally, Anniversary Edition includes over 150 pieces of Creation Club content. This includes fan favorites as well as previously unreleased weapons, items, and more. On that note, the game features a new Creations menu tab that allows players to search and download community-made content, a first for the game. Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition will launch as a digital-only title on November 11. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The game is also coming to Switch 2 in 2026. View the full article

Nintendo published an hour-long Kirby Air Riders direct today, its second this year, and it was jam-packed with new details about the upcoming racer straight from the game's director, Masahiro Sakurai. He unveiled new modes for the games, additional racers and vehicles, new Copy Abilities, word of an online demo event next month, additional Kirby Air Riders Amiibo, and more. There's a lot to parse through, though, so let's get right to it. Everything Announced In Today's Kirby Air Riders Direct Below, we'll break down everything we learned from this Kirby Air Riders direct, in the order Sakurai discussed each thing during the presentation. Top Ride Top Ride is unique isometric racing mode that was in Kirby Air Ride. It's less of a full game mode and more of a minigame, but Sakurai explained it's been heavily expanded on for the sequel, including the addition of all the regular Air Ride abilities and items making their way onto the track now. Each race is short and sweet, giving players a quick option for playing Kirby Air Riders. Road Trip Road Trip is a brand new mode in Kirby Air Riders. Choose your rider and set off on a cross-country/world journey as you play through a series of stages and complete challenges along the way. On the trip, you'll select your objectives by moving from the left, middle, or right lane, and then you'll need to complete things like timed races and more. Modes like Top Ride and Air Ride will appear on your Road Trip journey, too, and you can purchase new items at on-the-road shops and heal up at roadside cafes along the way. The story stars Kirby, of course, but King Dedede, Starman, Waddle Dee, and many others, too. In the world of Kirby Air Riders, everyone has the ability to ride these special vehicles that fell from the sky, but when the vehicles start acting strangely, a road trip is in order. The direct teases images of someone who appears to be the main villain of the Road Trip story (see above), but we'll have to wait for the full game to learn more. Sakurai did reveal that we'll meet characters like Magman, Elline, Tortuilding, Twister, King Golem, and Computer Virus on the Road Trip, though, and each character changes how the journey goes in unique ways. Licenses and Online Interactivity At the start of your Kirby Air Riders adventure, you will make a license. This allows other players to identify you and see your Class and associated Global Win Power, which determines your class placement. The higher your Global Win Power, the higher your Class, and Class determines your skill level and the other players you'll race against in online modes. Air Ride, Top Ride, and City Trial will each have different classes. You can also customize your license with unique cosmetics throughout your time playing Kirby Air Riders. Kirby Air Riders will also feature an online area where you can interact with other players using emotes, hang out in a lobby, watch other matches on a large screen, listen to music via an in-game jukebox music player, and more. Copy Abilities During the presentation, Sakurai revealed the following Copy Abilities: Needle: Extend your needles by boost charging to hit nearby rivals with a spiky attack.Freeze: Cloak yourself in a freezing aura while boost charging; frozen foes will slide.Sleep: Get some well-earned rest, then wiggle the control stick to wake up.Fighter: Automatically kick nearby opponents; your Quick Spin will also get stronger.Drill: Boost charge to dig underground and dodge attacks; release for a jump attack.Flash: Perform a sparking rush with a boost dash and stun any enemies you hit.Missile: Automatically rocket forward on the road; tap the special button repeatedly for an explosion. Air Ride Courses These are the courses Sakurai revealed during today's direct: Airtopia Ruins (New): A civilization from past ages, now derelict.Crystalline Fissure (New): Crystalline structures as far as the eye can see; magma and other hazards lurk underground.Steamgust Forge (New): An industrial area with a steampunk aesthetic; a generator hosts a fleet of all sorts of aircraft.Mystery ??? (New): Though Sakurai didn't reveal the name or any details, video footage showcases a very futuristic, mechanical stage.The following 9 courses are returning from Kiry Air Ride:Fantasy MeadowsCelestial ValleySky SandsFrozen HillsideMagma FlowsBeanstalk ParkMachine PassageChecker KnightsNebula BeltSakurai says that, with all nine original Kirby Air Ride courses returning and the new Kirby Air Riders maps, there will be 18 courses for players to race on. He also revealed that the returning courses will first need to be unlocked by racing on the new courses, and that previous cruising speeds have been increased on them (compared to those in Kirby Air Ride). Air Ride Relay is a new Air Ride mode variant that lets you select machines to race by the number of laps, and after each lap, you automatically switch to the next machine. City Trial During this section of the direct, Sakurai discussed City Trial, associated power-ups, and more. Speed Up: temporary speed boost.Dizzy Beam: messes with players' controls when directed at them.Special Up: charges your special gauge.Item Catcher: vacuums up items within a ring surrounding you.Multi-Missile: lock onto enemies with multiple missiles.Size Up: become giant and gain a strength boost.Mega Cannon: destroys everything in front of you, including terrain.Two legendary vehicles will be available to build during City Trial – the Dragoon and the Hydra – but to do so, you'll need to collect all parts for each vehicle on the map. The Dragoon is a legendary machine that can fly freely all over the map, while the Hydra is a legendary machine that destroys everything in its path on the ground. In City Trial Team Battles, you will split into two teams of six, and legendary parts collected for the Dragoon and the Hydra are shared within the team. Whoever collects the final legendary part will use the legendary machine. City Trial will also feature a Free Run mode. In this mode, you can freely drive around Skyah with no time limit. Plus, there's an underground parking lot that has every machine lined up for your use, and you can even use the pause menu to have any vehicle delivered to you. The Flight Warp Star is a new machine exclusive to Free Run mode in City Trial. Its flight capabilities have been pushed to the max, and you can fly around Skyah freely. You can even leave contrails with this machine and check out your in-sky drawings with the Photo Mode. The Photo Mode is available in all of the other Kirby Air Riders modes, too. New Riders Here are the new Riders Sakurai revealed during today's direct: Taranza: a clever arachnid with tight controls and unique web-slinging abilities.Lololo & Lalala: a duo of troublemakers who ride together as one; swap positions with a simple Quick Spin.Daroach: A sneaky, squeaky thief; scratch to snatch up rival Copy Abilities and then vanish in a flash.Rocky: small in size but super sturdy and won't slip or shake easily.Rick: a fast hamster who can sprint on foot.Scarfy: a polite Rider until he loses his cool.Marx: a friendly face hiding dark and twisted schemes; a glass cannon Rider.Waddle Dee: a friendly, lightweight Rider with a tiny frame that makes for easy acceleration and smooth controls. Transform Star And Other Machines The Transform Star is a brand-new machine that combines a flying star with a bike star form, and with it, you can Quick Spin to shift between the two. Other machines include the following: Formula Star: If you can maintain momentum and avoid slowing down, it can reach the highest top speeds.Hop Star: Each time you use a Quick Spin, it jumps.Jet Star: Accelerates quickly when lifting off the ground.Wheelie's Scooter: A stylish minibike with high maneuverability.Bull Tank: A bulky tank with thick plates of armor; it charges forward without worrying about taking damage. Like Kirby Air Ride, Riders will not talk in Kirby Air Riders, but when your machine is destroyed, it does let out a wail. Sakurai says the game's voice work comes from announcers in various selectable languages, both male and female. Stadium Collection Button Rush: Ride over buttons and battle for control of the area.High Jump: Tilt the left stick down and jump as high as you can.Big Battle: Grow huge and do your best to dominate the battle.Oval Circuit: Race around the closed circuit.Rail Panic: Navigate the grind rails to take the lead.Beam Gauntlet: Slip past the harmful lasers and reach the end.VS. Boss: Similar to Kirby Air Ride's VS. King Dedede mode, Sakurai and the team at Nintendo have created the new Robo Dedede boss to fight in this exclusive mode. In King Dedede form, he looks like the infamous Kirby villain and walks around the map, attempting to stop you with his large, mechanical hammer. In Car form, he races around attempting to destroy your machine. Sakurai says there are several other bosses in the VS. Boss mode from the Kirby series of games. Checklist and Main Menu Sakurai says Kirby Air Riders features an expansive Checklist filled with objectives to complete in the game's variety of modes. Each time you complete an objective on the Checklist, you'll receive rewards and flip over squares in a large puzzle that will one day reveal an image. After completing an objective, adjacent squares will reveal the objectives you need to complete to flip them over, making it easy to target tasks and complete the image. The Checklist can be found in the game's Main Menu, which Sakurai detailed while discussing other new things like the Miles Shop. In the Miles Shop, you can spend the Miles you collect from playing Kirby Air Riders' various modes. In the shop, you can buy new vehicles, accessories, and more, but there's nothing you can buy to improve a machine's performance. As you progress through the game's solo and online modes, you'll earn Gummies for rivals you defeat. Each rival you place higher than yields a Gummy of the machine they used in that race, and these Gummies are added to your collection, where you can view them all and interact with them in a separate menu using a special Kirby cursor. To round out the Main Menu discussion, Sakurai showcased the game's Music Player. Kirby Air Ride composer Shogo Sakai has returned to compose Kirby Air Riders, this time alongside Noriyuki Iwadare, who has worked on the Super Smash Bros. series and Kid Icarus: Uprising. You can change the likelihood of songs appearing in City Trial, and even listen to unique alternate versions of every track in the game. Sakurai says the Kirby Air Riders music will be coming to the Nintendo Music app one day, too. Headwear and Specials Below, we'll list the Headwear and Specials Sakurai revealed during today's direct. Headwear:Red CapCrownSilk HatRibbonOnigiriSunglassesBull HornsFloral PinTopknotSakurai says these headwear pieces can be worn by any rider, but notes that Copy Ability Headwear picked up during gameplay will override your customizable Headwear. Specials:Golden Waddle DeeMock Dark MatterMeteor RockyKnuckle RushRip-Roaring RickTrue-Form MarxNew Amiibo Sakurai revealed three new Amiibo joining the already announced Kirby Air Riders Amiibo. The Kirby & Warp Star and Bandana Waddle Dee & Winged Star Amiibo will be available on November 20, the same day Kirby Air Riders launches. On March 5, 2026, the Meta Knight & Shadow Star Amiibo will be available, and later in 2026, the King Dedede & Tank Star and Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star Amiibo will be available for purchase. For more details about these Amiibo, check out our story here. Online Demo Event – Global Test Ride To close out today's Kirby Air Riders direct, Nintendo revealed details about an upcoming online demo event that will allow players to test out the game before it launches on November 20. The image above has the details you need. For more details about this online demo event, check out our story here. And that's everything we learned about Kirby Air Riders in today's Nintendo Direct. What are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Ubisoft has rolled out its Fall roadmap for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and perhaps the biggest new is confirmation of its rumored Switch 2 port. Naoe and Yasuke’s adventure hits the Nintendo console on December 2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Switch 2 will include all recent updates and free content drops. The paid story expansion, Claws of Awaji, will become available sometime next year. The game also features touchscreen features in all the menus including the world map, store, and hideout. The Switch 2 version will also function with cross-progression to Ubisoft Connect, allowing purchasers to continue their progress from other platforms. As for the rest of the roadmap, Title Update 10, arriving on October 28, adds a second parkour update and a new Animus-themed activity called Corrupted Castles, which adds a higher difficulty, new enemies, and greater rewards to completed castles. On November 25, a third story drop arrives called A Puzzlement, which Ubisoft describes as having a much sillier tone a la Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. It introduces a new environmental puzzle, and both protagonists will learn new skills from each other. Naoe can use Yasuke’s war kick move, while Yasuke can perform non-lethal stealth takedowns. You can learn more details about the Fall roadmap in the developer update video below. View the full article

Valnet has cut several members of TheGamer's editorial team, including the "entire TheGamer features team alongside several other staff members." Read more View the full article

Switch 2 owners itching to visit The Lands Between on the go will have to wait until next year, as Bandai Namco has delayed Elden Ring Tarnished Edition. This Switch 2-exclusive port is a meaty package that combines the original Elden Ring with its massive 2024 expansion, Shadows of the Erdtree. It also includes new armor and customization features for Torrent. Tarnished Edition was first revealed earlier this year with a vague 2025 release window. Today, however, From Software posted on social media that it needs more time to make “game performance adjustments” to ensure the game runs as smoothly as possible on the hybrid device. Here's the studio's full delay announcement: Regarding the Nintendo Switch 2 "ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition," which was scheduled for release in 2025, we have determined that additional time is required for game performance adjustments, and we will therefore be changing the release to 2026. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to all users who have been looking forward to the release of this title. We will continue to make adjustments to deliver it in the best possible form, so we kindly ask for your understanding. Thank you very much for your patience. Elden Ring Tarnished Edition arrives on Switch 2 in 2026. For more on Elden Ring, check out our review of its multiplayer roguelike spin-off, Elden Ring Nightreign. You can also read this news about the upcoming live-action Elden Ring movie. You can also read about From Software's next Soulslike, which is also a Switch 2 exclusive: The Duskbloods. View the full article

Marcus Lehto, co-creator of Halo and former leader of Ridgeline Games, has said he's "disappointed" that Ridgeline Games staff have not been credited in the recent release of Battlefield 6. Read more View the full article

The Game Developer’s Conference has revealed the details behind its rebrand as “GDC Festival of Gaming”, following a month of almost entirely negative speculation following the brand announcement in September. The show returns to San Francisco from 9th-13th March next year. Read more View the full article

Nintendo has announced three more Amiibo for Kirby Air Riders. Meta Knight & Shadow Star, King Dedede & Tank Star, and Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star Amiibo will join the game's figurine lineup that includes the previously announced Kirby & Warp Star and Bandana Waddle Dee & Winged Star Amiibo. The Kirby & Warp Star and Bandana Waddle Dee & Winged Star Amiibo will be available starting November 20, the same day Kirby Air Riders launches for Switch 2, and each will cost $49.99. The Meta Knight & Shadow Star Amiibo will be available on March 5, 2026, while the other two newly announced Amiibo will be released sometime later in 2026. There's no price announced for the three new Amiibo revealed today, but they're likely to cost $49.99 each. All The Kirby Air Riders AmiiboFor a look at the different Amiibo for Kiry Air Riders, page through the gallery below: Notably, all of the character pieces of each Amiibo can be swapped with other vehicles in this Amiibo line, and vice versa. Plus, Kirby Air Riders director Masahiro Sakurai revealed in today's hour-long Kirby Air Riders direct that, at least, the Tank Star can be transformed from a ground mode to a gliding mode by reconfiguring the vehicle part of the figure. It's unclear if the other Amiibo can do this, though. Here's a look at the rearranged Amiibo: For more about the game, read about the Kirby Air Riders online demo event happening next month, and then read Game Informer's Kirby Air Riders preview for our thoughts after going hands-on with the game. After that, catch up on everything we learned during the August Kirby Air Riders direct. Are you going to purchase any of these Kirby Air Riders Amiibo? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Nintendo has announced an online demo event for its upcoming racing game, Kirby Air Riders. It will take place early next month, a couple of weeks before its launch on Switch 2 on November 20. Kirby Air Riders director Masahiro Sakurai, who hosted the hour-long direct today, ended his presentation with details about the online demo event, which Nintendo is calling a Global Test Ride. Players will have multiple chances to jump into Kirby Air Riders, though you'll need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to participate. Here's When The Kirby Air Riders Online Demo Event Takes Place November 8: 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. PT, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. PTNovember 9: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. PTNovember 15: 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. PT, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. PTNovember 16: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. PTAs for what to expect during the Global Test Ride, Sakurai didn't mention anything specific. Kirby Air Riders has multiple modes, though, including City Trial, Air Ride, and more. We'll have to see what we can all get our hands on when the demo event begins next month. In the meantime, read Game Informer's Kirby Air Riders preview from our recent hands-on time with the game last month, and then catch up on everything we learned in the August Kirby Air Riders direct. Are you hopping into the online demo event next month? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Heads up, horror fans! The Epic Games Store has just launched its next freebie. From October 23 to October 30, 2025, you can ... View the full article

Publisher Wemade Max Co. and developer Madngine have released the first official trailer for Project Tal, a single-player, open-world action RPG inspired by Korean mythology. Though this trailer looks great, don't get too excited yet because the game is targeting a console and PC release sometime in 2027. Madngine says Project Tal "reimagined Korea's traditional Tal masks," as well as the mythology and Korean folklore that surrounds these special masks. It infuses this mythology into a fantasy open world for players to explore, and today's trailer showcases some of that world alongside the fast-paced action combat against huge monsters and more. Check it out for yourself in the Project Tal announcement trailer below: As you can see in the trailer, Project Tal features a companion system that ensures players aren't fighting alone in this dangerous world. Madngine says the companion system "dynamically responds to the player's combat style and environment" in a press release. Each NPC companion has unique abilities, combat roles, including up-close and ranged magic and melee prowess, and distinctive personalities. "Project Tal combines an emotionally resonant story about healing a wounded world with the exhilarating combat of a classic action RPG," Wemade Max Co. CEO Sohn Myun-seok writes in a press release. "With Madngine's technical expertise and artistic vision, we're creating a AAA open-world title built to compete on a global stage." We'll have to wait until 2027 when Project Tal hits unspecified consoles and PC to see if that's the case. Here are some additional Project Tal screenshots: In the meantime, read about Woochi the Wayfarer, another single-player Korean fantasy action game in development, and then read Game Informer's Ninja Gaiden 4 review to find out why it's an action game we recommend you check out. What do you think of our first official look at Project Tal? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Ubisoft has announced plans to offer voluntary redundancies to staff at its Swedish subsidiary Massive Entertainment. Read more View the full article

Reviewed on: PlayStation 5 Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC Publisher: Xbox Game Studios Developer: Obsidian Entertainment Release: October 29, 2025 Rating: Mature The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t drastically change the already great formula developer Obsidian Entertainment created with The Outer Worlds more than half a decade ago. Instead, this expansive sequel follows in the footsteps of many other great RPG follow-ups, with more places to explore, more loot to find, and crucially, plenty of new ways to directly influence and shape your own adventure in space. Though its main narrative is anti-climactic, I’m left amazed by how much Obsidian was able to cram into this 30-hour odyssey, with side content that weaves seamlessly in and out of the golden path and a level of reflexivity other RPGs often try and fail to achieve. The Outer Worlds 2 - Video Review: Every player begins their journey as a member of the Earth Directorate, essentially a space cop, though the background you select for your player-created hero determines why they end up in the organization’s ranks. After some cosmetic customization and the selection of some traits to mildly shape your hero’s start, you’re thrown into a prologue with tutorials, hidden agendas, and space-altering rifts. The Outer Worlds 2 begins with a bang of mystery and intrigue setting up a conundrum worthy of the planet-and-space-station hopping you’ll be doing soon after; though this storyline wraps up neatly with a bow on top, I wanted more. It wasn’t rushed or paced poorly – it just lacked the structural density I found everywhere else. As I watched the credits scroll by, though, arguably the most overused cliche continued to swirl around my head and I’ll begrudgingly use it here: The Outer Worlds 2 isn’t about the destination; it’s about the journey. From the moment I landed on Paradise Island, a lush, tropical, coastal locale on the Earth-like planet of Eden, The Outer Worlds 2’s gears started turning and they rarely stopped (except for that time a body was humorously crushed within the literal gears of a moving platform during a side quest that yielded me double-jump jet boots). Though Obsidian’s dialogue uses a veneer of comedy to keep most everything light – even, murder; especially, murder – beneath the surface is another stirring examination of capitalism and religion. And though you might arrive at different conclusions based on what you bring to The Outer Worlds 2 and the decisions you make throughout it, I’m happy this sequel challenged both with sharp writing and fun twists and turns. Capitalism is bad, and the executives at the top are too, but what about the manager standing between them and the working class? How intrinsically tied up are the bourgeois and religion’s place in their ideal society? Are free markets ever really free? Obsidian isn’t breaking new ground here, but I like that it has something to say and gives me the room in dialogue and mechanical gameplay to respond in kind. It does so with excellent first-person gunplay (and a so-so third-person camera for those who want it) that makes the feel of the original game laughable. There are a set number of weapons, but mods and small changes, like plasma and shock variants, do a good job of replicating a wider swath of guns and melee weapons to use. The legendary weapons and even rarer science weapons are fresh and unique, guaranteeing I at least give each one a go within my growing arsenal. I especially like the Moon Man machine gun that levels up as I use it, increasing in damage and shooting speed as it does, and the repeater rifle that puts a doom marker on enemies struck in weak spots. Melee wasn’t my speed in The Outer Worlds 2, but one rainbow sword that turned combat into a rhythm game (complete with a gospel-like praise break after enough successive hits) showcases just how wild these types of weapons can get. Enemy AI is smart and tactical, and I died more in The Outer Worlds 2 than any recent RPG of memory. I was constantly adjusting my approach, grenade loadout, and when and how I’d use my companions’ special abilities, like Niles’ that draws aggro or Aza’s that unleashes an explosive life-ending blast of flames at the targeted enemy, in order to come out alive. Enemy types, whether human, automechanical, or an alien creature, play a role in combat that teases out strategy as you advance forward. You can absolutely play The Outer Worlds 2 as a straight shooter, using bullets and explosions to breach enemy lines, and there are simple skills and perks, like one that increases ranged damage and a perk that increases damage resistance, to accommodate that playstyle. But The Outer Worlds 2 is a vastly better game when you interact with its other systems to accomplish what you want. Save for stealth, which felt decent in exploration but imbalanced in combat, each approach to a situation I experienced felt unique, as if I was the only player who could have completed it like that. I loved using dialogue to completely skip boss fights, and Obsidian injects tension into conversations I feared I might miss by avoiding a shootout, making talking it out just as satisfactory as companion Aza’s preferred method of murder. I especially enjoyed the ways side content, like companion quests which help increase the effectiveness of each member on your team while revealing more about who they are, and standard side quests, ranging from wacky to earnest, blended with my hero’s main objective. Some missions simply offer more to do, like quests that tasked me with collecting comics or art pieces, but the majority of these side quests provide insight into the leaders and organizations I was negotiating with throughout the main story. What I learned helping out those in need throughout the colony often colored the bigger decisions I made to save Arcadia. Companion quests are more hit or miss, with some arriving too late in the journey for me to care as much as I’d like, and others securing someone’s place as a permanent member of my on-foot trio. Regardless, they’re all worth doing for the mod kit reward that changes how each companion works in combat. It’s through these companion quests and subsequent kits that I was able to slot them into the archetypes I knew I was missing based on how I shaped my hero. As a more nimble, smooth-talking run-and-gunner with an eye for cash, having someone like Tristan fulfill the role of tank with Aza on sneaky assassin duty helped round out my party. Though I’m not the player to so quickly replay something after beating it, The Outer Worlds 2 makes a compelling case for additional playthroughs, particularly in how it provides teases to the other ways I might have solved something. While dialogue options, strategic choices, and other RPG things made my playthrough feel flexible, it’s the returning Flaws feature that makes this sequel feel more reactive than most role-playing adventures. Though optional, Flaws playfully call out specific playstyles – like one that rewarded my habitual desire to reload even a single bullet with a larger magazine on all weapons but a damage nerf if I ever completely unload a clip – to make me feel seen, watched by some meta-hand housed within Obsidian. I adore this system and love that new Flaws became apparent up until the final minutes of The Outer Worlds 2, showcasing that even in the finale, how you play makes a difference. Though its gaudy art might make some miss the more toned-down apocalyptic visuals of Obsidian’s past, The Outer Worlds 2 is the studio’s prettiest game yet, with contrasting colors painting a vibrant colony system to explore, and though I felt its score was far too sparse, the new radio deftly picks up the slack. It features Auntie’s Choice commercials that feel like humorous QVC segments my mom used to watch, songs that propagandistically tell the stories of the mighty Sovereign and Protectorate, and 20th-century jazz tunes that will scratch a certain Fallout itch. I like that a few side missions come directly from this radio, too, as a proximity chat for those in need. There were a few persistent bugs, like the inability to use up on the d-pad when first entering the inventory or a couple of spots where I needed to reload a save to advance, but even on PlayStation 5, which is outside of Obsidian and Xbox’s typical ecosystem, The Outer Worlds 2 ran well; my PS5 Pro in particular allowed the game to sing, with its smooth 60 FPS performance and 1620p resolution (and the 40 FPS/4K Balanced Mode does just as well if you prefer). The Outer Worlds 2 expectantly addresses the shortcomings of its rather short predecessor, adding to the formula to give players even more opportunities to shape the adventure. Though your throughline narrative will likely look similar to mine when you roll credits, the choices at your disposal, whether in or out of combat, and what you do with them in the game’s various predicaments, will provide a unique flavor that will likely remain your own. The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t break the mold of RPGs of this ilk, but it does use that well-established framework to craft the reflexive adventure Obsidian has been clearly working toward for years. The result is my favorite Obsidian game yet. Score: 8.75 About Game Informer's review system View the full article

My.Games has announced a new collaboration with the iconic Swedish metal band Sabaton for its long-running mobile mech PvP shooter, War Robots. The band's inclusion arrives alongside the upcoming Fire Storm event, which starts on October 28. The collaboration features art and music from the band's 11th studio album, Legends, which just came out on October 17. The collaboration happened as a result of a survey that My.Games and developer Pixonic sent to its players about their interests outside of the game. According to producer Boris Burangulov, an overwhelming number of players said rock and metal were their favorite genres of music, and that Sabaton topped the list of most-loved bands within the community. "When Pixonic approached us with the results of that survey, the band was thrilled," Sabaton bassist, manager, and co-founder Pär Sundström said in a press release. "It was humbling to learn that so many players chose us. We thought about the best way to say thank you. And here we are: with this little collaboration, we’re bringing one of our new songs straight to the hangars! We hope the players enjoy it." The new hangar, which draws inspiration from Sabaton's new album, Legends War Robots players and Sabaton fans can expect one of the tracks off Legends, "A Tiger Among Dragons," to play as part of the in-game hangar soundtrack, as well as a new Legends-inspired hangar. This new hangar pulls inspiration from the new album's art, which publisher My.Games says "perfectly syncs with the atmosphere of War Robots – a world of steel, fire, and conflict." We had the exclusive opportunity to interview Sabaton's Pär Sundström about the collaboration. You can read his thoughts on the collaboration below. Game Informer: When you were approached for this collaboration, was "A Tiger Among Dragons" the first song that came to mind to put into a game like this? Sabaton's Pär Sundström: I’ve felt strongly for “A Tiger Among Dragons” since the day we wrote it. It has a unique sound and it really stands out. I always believed the song would have a life outside of the ordinary heavy metal stories we create as a band. A few months ago, we invited some people from War Robots to our office to listen to the whole Legends album, and I am happy that they liked "A Tiger Among Dragons" and thought it would be suitable for the game. Can you talk a bit about the themes of the song and how you think it will fit into a game like War Robots? All the songs on Legends are quite old stories. Some are more famous than others, but all fit the idea of what a legend is. This was the basis for the album; if someone has done something in life that’s still valid a very long time after the deed is done, it turns into a legend. Our song "A Tiger Among Dragons" tells the story of Lü Bu, the Chinese warlord, which is perfectly suitable for a video game, for sure. The song has a kind of machine-like sound to it, thanks to the rhythm section, fitting for ancient warriors as well as futuristic mechs. Lü Bu was known as the Flying General and was one of the fiercest warriors in all of ancient China. His duel at Hulao Pass, where he took on the best fighters of his age, turned him from man to legend. He’s basically the kind of figure that is worthy of a song. "A Tiger Among Dragons" dives into that mix of glory and madness; the rush of battle, the betrayal, the hunger for power, and the loneliness that comes with being unstoppable. In a game like War Robots, that energy fits perfectly. Rock and its various subgenres have experienced many ebbs and flows in terms of popularity and mainstream appeal. What does it say to you that the community of War Robots chose a metal band as their favorite? What was your first reaction when you heard Sabaton topped the list? It says everything about the War Robots community. Firstly, they’ve got great taste! Secondly, they’ve got a taste for battle soundtracks, not just background noise. The metal genre was at a low point when we started the band; the end of the '90s was not the greatest time for our genre. But metal is not supposed to be trendy. It’s music for the people who live and breathe it, who love it. And bands like Sabaton never tried to fit in, be mainstream, be trendy… We just did our own thing, and today, there are more fans around who grew up with the classic heavy metal that is around to enjoy concerts. Seeing many of the classic old bands sell out huge stadiums proves that rock and metal is a music genre that the fans stay with for life. Have you had a chance to see the Legends-themed hangar? How do you feel it represents the band? I was actually involved in the design. We wanted to make the players recognize themselves, but still add a few elements that were Sabaton. Since the collaboration is about paying respect to players, we wanted to ensure that the Sabaton presence in the game did not take up too much space. War Robots launched in 2014 on iOS as Walking War Robots. It eventually came to Android in 2015. As of this writing, it has a 4.7 out of 5 user score on iOS, based on over 588,000 reviews, and a 4.3 on Android from 4.35 million user reviews from its 300 million registered users across its 11-year lifecycle. It also has a console and PC counterpart, War Robots: Frontiers, which arrived in March 2025. That game currently has a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with nearly 2,000 English-language user reviews. The Fire Storm event begins in War Robots on October 28 and runs through December 9. The Sabaton collaboration is available via the new 11.5 update. View the full article