Team Ninja’s return to the franchise is a confident evolution. The dual Samurai and Ninja style system adds real depth to an already unbelievably satisfying combat engine, and the ‘open field’ structure works far better IMO. It is, by a wide margin, the easiest Nioh - which is a little disappointing - but the trade-off is a different kind of fun: less punishing, more expressive, and very hard to put down.
An incremental game about growing berries and feeding them to a hole… and it’s far more compelling than that sounds. The loop is absurdly addictive, the presentation has just enough creep to keep you curious, and the whole thing is over in about 10 hours before it outstays its welcome. Great little game.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer got its first proper gameplay showing, revealing a runs-based racing format set across the Outer Rim. Multiple planets, vehicles and characters were on display, all framed around an unsanctioned racing circuit. As I’ve said before, I loved the original podracing game, and this looks fun as hell.
Neva: Prologue is a prequel DLC telling the story of how Alba and the wolf cub first met, launching February 19. New enemies, mechanics and locations are promised. Neva was ‘fine’, so a tighter, more focused prologue could work.
Kena returns with Scars of Kosmora, a follow-up set on the island of Kosmora with an older, more experienced protagonist. Spirit companions now grow and unlock powers over time, and new elemental systems expand combat depth. The first game punched well above its weight visually, and this looks even better - keen.
Saber Interactive revealed a John Wick game that lets you play as the Baba Yaga himself in an original story chapter. The footage leaned hard into the franchise’s gun-fu combat and cinematic camerawork, and it’s giving Sifu but John Wick. And of course Keanu is there. No release date yet, but one to watch.
Sucker Punch confirmed Ghost of Yōtei Legends launches March 10 as a free update for all Yōtei players. It’s a cooperative multiplayer mode with distinct character classes, three mission types, earnable cosmetics and a Raid coming later. If it’s anything like what Tsushima’s Legends mode became, I’m sure there’s fun to be had.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is coming to PC on March 19 via Steam and Epic, with new features and modes arriving on PS5 the same day as a free update. Obviously loved DS2, so glad PC players get to experience it.
Remedy shared a much deeper look at CONTROL Resonant, showing off its shapeshifting weapons, gravity anomalies and a warped Manhattan. Looks to a layman like a real technical achievement. Love CONTROL, so cannot wait for this one.