Month: June 2025

ARC Raiders is set to launch on October 30 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, generating significant excitement in the gaming community. This sci-fi shooter focuses on intense PvPvE gameplay, thrusting players into a high-stakes environment that is becoming increasingly popular in the extraction shooter genre. The genre itself gained prominence with titles like Escape from Tarkov, which has influenced many other games.

Unlike others, ARC Raiders has the potential to carve out its own identity and break into the mainstream. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, players take on the role of raiders who must scavenge for resources on the surface while navigating the dangers of both human competitors and environmental threats. The design promises an exhilarating experience where every decision can lead to significant consequences.

As the release date approaches, the buzz surrounding ARC Raiders continues to grow. Announced during Summer Game Fest 2025, players can look forward to squad-based gameplay, allowing teams of up to three players, as well as solo opportunities. Initially planned as a free-to-play title, the game has now transitioned to a premium model, expected to retail at $39.99.

In contrast to ARC Raiders, the reception for another extraction shooter, Marathon, has varied greatly. While both games are set for a similar timeframe, Marathon faces challenges, including an art plagiarism controversy and a lukewarm response to its early tests. This raises questions about which title will gain more traction among players.

With the release of both games on the horizon, this year is shaping up to be pivotal for fans of the extraction shooter genre. Players are eagerly awaiting October 30, hoping that ARC Raiders meets or exceeds expectations.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 is set to launch on October 21, 2025, and fans can start pre-ordering the game now across multiple platforms. The recently released gameplay trailer highlights exciting new features, including the introduction of juvenile dinosaurs. Additionally, a brand-new campaign will allow players to manage global parks while navigating a storyline that balances human interests with the care of dinosaurs. Frontier Developments, known for a variety of management simulation games, announced the release date during the Summer Game Fest in 2025.

This installment promises to elevate the gameplay experience that fans enjoyed in Jurassic World Evolution 2, as players will be able to create their own dinosaur enclosures. Pre-orders are currently available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via platforms such as Steam and the Epic Games Store. Those who pre-order will receive the Badlands Set, featuring items inspired by the iconic dig site from the original 1993 Jurassic Park film. Jurassic World Evolution 3 will come in two editions: a Standard Edition priced at $59.99 and a Deluxe Edition for $74.99.

The Deluxe Edition will include significant extras such as additional family units, unique skins, and extra scenery items alongside the Badlands Set. The gameplay trailer narrated by Jeff Goldblum, who reprises his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm, showcases notable features like a comprehensive breeding system that allows players to manage and nurture families of dinosaurs across generations. With 75 of the 80 prehistoric species available for management, players will have new tools to construct their ideal dinosaur parks. The game will also include a fresh campaign, tasking players with building parks in various locations around the world, from Hawaii to Japan.

Dr. Malcolm will be joined by both new and returning characters, guiding players through a storyline focused on the delicate balance between human interests and dinosaur integration into the modern world. As the release date approaches, more information on Jurassic World Evolution 3 is expected, and it will be intriguing to see how it differentiates itself among other titles set to launch in 2025.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds distinctively offers cross-platform play, setting it apart from Mario Kart World. While Mario Kart World features a roster primarily focused on Mario and his franchise, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds boasts an array of characters from Sega, as well as other gaming companies, thereby enriching the gameplay experience. One of the standout features of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is its free roam mode, which allows players to explore the game world freely.

This addition, along with the diverse character lineup, positions Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds as a strong contender to rival Mario Kart World’s popularity. Notably, Takashi Iizuka, a key figure behind many Sonic the Hedgehog titles, had critical remarks about Mario Kart World during the Summer Game Fest, hinting at a competitive spirit between the two franchises. Mario Kart World has made headlines with its latest entry by introducing a free roam mode, enabling players to leisurely cruise with friends.

It also leverages the enhanced capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2, allowing up to 24 players in a single match. However, its limitation to the Nintendo Switch 2 system has sparked some discontent among fans. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, recently unveiled in full, presents itself as a multi-platform game, supporting online cross-platform matchmaking.

This ensures that friends can race together regardless of their gaming system. Even Nintendo Switch players will have access to this exciting new title. While Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was celebrated for its diverse character selections, including other gaming franchises, Mario Kart World appears to revert to a more Mario-centered roster.

In contrast, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds embraces a wider selection, featuring characters like Persona 5’s Joker and Minecraft’s Steve. With its release on September 25, the anticipation for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds may reignite interest in kart racing games, potentially attracting players seeking a fresh experience.

Hitman: World of Assassination has introduced a new target, Le Chiffre, a character voiced by Mads Mikkelsen. Players can hunt down this iconic villain for free until July 6, 2025, or they can opt to purchase the downloadable content (DLC) for permanent access. The arrival of Le Chiffre signifies the launch of a new gaming season, complete with challenges, contracts, and returning targets.

In this installment, players have a unique opportunity to take on Le Chiffre, who is known as a classic antagonist from the James Bond series. Mikkelsen’s portrayal of the character in the 2006 film Casino Royale marked his debut as Le Chiffre, alongside Daniel Craig as James Bond. The addition enhances the experience for gamers and highlights the ongoing success of the Hitman franchise, which has recently surpassed 75 million players.

Through a live service model, developer IO Interactive has effectively revitalized the series, introducing new activities and characters to keep players engaged long after the release of the original games. Le Chiffre, often referred to as “The Banker,” commands a high-stakes poker game set in the in-game Casino Monarchique in Paris. This scenario draws inspiration from his role in Casino Royale, where his poker game becomes a significant plot point.

Players will also experience Mikkelsen’s voice acting as he addresses Agent 47 with the moniker “Reaper.” Like other Elusive Targets, players have limited time to eliminate Le Chiffre, offering both challenge and urgency. Though the Elusive Target event can be accessed for free, there is also the option to purchase The Banker Pack DLC for roughly $5 USD.

This package unlocks permanent access to the contract, along with additional features like a new suit for Agent 47, weapons, and various cosmetics for the Freelancer Safehouse. The addition of Le Chiffre aligns with IO Interactive’s recent announcement about their work on a James Bond-related game titled 007 First Light, suggesting a potential for continued collaborations between the two franchises. As the Season of the High-Stakes unfolds, it promises to deliver even more content, including three new challenges, four Featured Contracts, and eight returning Elusive Targets, ensuring that the excitement of Hitman: World of Assassination persists well into the future.

Capcom has announced the Season 3 DLC characters for Street Fighter 6, introducing Sagat, C. Viper, Alex, and Ingrid with staggered release dates. The reveal came through a trailer featuring AEW star Kenny Omega, who is known for his passion for gaming. While the trailer excited fans, it did not showcase any gameplay footage related to the new characters.

Street Fighter 6 has received high praise, earning a rating of 9 out of 10. The game has seen a series of updates, with Season 2 recently wrapping up with the addition of Elena. Earlier in the season, M. Bison made a comeback, alongside guest characters Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui, who joined in September 2024 and February 2025.

The first season introduced beloved fighters Rashid and A.K.I., followed by Ed and Akuma. As Capcom prepares for the next season, players can look forward to the return of some iconic characters. The trailer featuring Kenny Omega presents Sagat, C. Viper, Alex, and Ingrid in a unique way.

Set in a wrestling locker room, Omega looks into the mirror and sees Alex’s reflection before donning the character’s attire. Although the character announcements are confirmed, Capcom has not specified the exact release dates for the new fighters. Sagat is expected to arrive in the summer of 2025, with C. Viper and Alex set for the fall and winter seasons, and Ingrid following in the spring of 2026.

Sagat, initially introduced as the final boss in the original Street Fighter, has become a staple of the franchise. Alex, who debuted in Street Fighter 3: New Generation, is known for his grappling techniques. C. Viper, a CIA agent introduced in Street Fighter 4, and Ingrid, a mysterious character from Capcom Fighting Evolution, round out this nostalgic lineup.

While the trailer features a brief clip of Sagat facing off against Ryu, it emphasizes classic moves like the Tiger Shot, Tiger Uppercut, and Tiger Knee, alongside a glimpse of his Super Arts.

At the Summer Game Fest 2025, Section 9 Interactive, in collaboration with Epic Games, unveiled their new sci-fi survival horror game, End of Abyss. The game promises a unique blend of body horror, unsettling exploration, and a top-down first-person shooter format.

Early observations from players have drawn comparisons to popular titles like Inside and Little Nightmares, generating hopes for a similarly spine-chilling experience. Section 9 Interactive, a small studio founded by seasoned developers known for their work on Little Nightmares, Little Nightmares 2, and LittleBigPlanetPS VITA, crafted End of Abyss with inspiration drawn from dark science fiction narratives.

The game was showcased during the main event of Summer Game Fest, captivating horror enthusiasts with its harrowing twist on familiar themes. Alongside various thrilling announcements, including the next installment of Resident Evil, the reveal of End of Abyss stands out for its distinctive perspective on body horror.

The official trailer introduces players to Cel, a young combat technician who seeks the truth behind a decaying facility within a mysterious underground compound. Players will navigate an atmospheric world filled with monstrous beings while exploring a landscape that is anything but human.

Players will face intense combat, requiring them to adapt and survive against twisted adversaries. End of Abyss also features an innovative system for upgrading Cel’s gear, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Set to release in 2026 on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, End of Abyss has already garnered interest from players eager to experience its unique take on horror gaming. Alongside titles like Reanimal and the anticipated Little Nightmares 3, horror fans can expect a thought-provoking challenge when End of Abyss becomes available.

Marvel’s Deadpool VR is set to immerse players in the chaotic world of the Merc with a Mouth through virtual reality. Developed by Twisted Pixel, a company experienced in VR, the game is aimed for release in 2025 on Meta Quest platforms. This new title follows a number of successful superhero VR games, building on the groundwork laid by previous titles like Iron Man VR and Marvel Powers United VR on devices like the Meta Quest 3.

The announcement for Marvel’s Deadpool VR came during the Summer Game Fest, where a trailer was premiered to give gamers a taste of what to expect. In this VR rendition, players can engage in a variety of combat styles, including shooting, stabbing, and parkour, all while interacting dynamically with both enemies and the environment. The game’s protagonist, Deadpool, voiced by Neil Patrick Harris, showcases his characteristic humor and brutality, as illustrated by scenes of gory combat, such as hurling a decapitated head and dispatching foes with theatrical flair.

Twisted Pixel, the studio behind the game, brings a wealth of experience to this project. Acquired by Meta in 2021, the team has a solid track record with several previous VR titles, including Wilson’s Heart and Path of the Warrior. The developers emphasize their commitment to capturing Deadpool’s unique combination of parkour and combat, which they’ve honed over the years.

While an exact release date remains unconfirmed, the developers are optimistic about a launch in late 2025. Given the legacy of other popular VR superhero games, Marvel’s Deadpool VR has a high bar to reach in order to satisfy fans of the genre on the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S.

In June 2025, Treyarch released a significant update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, focusing on several game components, including Gunsmith, the user interface, and the gameplay experience in Zombies. Despite Black Ops 6’s popularity in the first-person shooter genre, ongoing technical issues have necessitated regular updates to address these problems. The Season 4 update, which debuted on May 29, introduced new content and brought back the Grief mode from Black Ops 2, transforming it into a competitive PvPvE experience where two teams of four battle against the undead and each other.

Unfortunately, this update also led to technical difficulties that left many players frustrated. The latest patch seeks to correct numerous issues. Within the Gunsmith feature, tweaks have been made to the “Rapid Fire” Fire Mod attachment, adjusting its damage to align with that of the AK-74.

Additionally, FFAR 1 blueprints now accurately reflect the correct number of attachments, and underbarrel launchers are now usable with the Combo Bash FFAR 1 blueprint. Improvements to the user interface included better previews for operators such as Hudson, Mace, and R0-Z3 in the selection screen. Players can no longer equip weapon camos they haven’t unlocked, and Mastercraft icons for the LC10 “Storm Rage” blueprint are now displayed correctly.

In multiplayer, players will see their actual levels instead of placeholder icons during matchmaking. In the Zombies mode, specifically in Grief, key gameplay adjustments were made based on community feedback. The flinch effect from enemy melee attacks was significantly reduced, and repeated strikes from the same weapon no longer stack additional stun effects.

Furthermore, Field Upgrades like Aether Shroud and Healing Aura now require more kills to charge, with corresponding kills set at 240 and 180. Treyarch has indicated that further updates are in the pipeline, focusing on balancing Grief mechanics and enhancing the overall experience in Black Ops 6.

Felt That: Boxing presents a unique take on the boxing genre, blending puppet art with nostalgic references to classics like Punch-Out!!. This upcoming indie game is designed to fill the void left by the hiatus of Nintendo’s classic boxing series since its last release in 2009. The game features uniquely crafted characters and fast-paced gameplay that captures the spirit of its iconic predecessor. Described by one of its lead developers as where “some weird furry puppets had an emotional baby with Punch-Out!

!,” its announcement during the Summer Game Fest 2025 has generated excitement among fans. The game introduces players to the main character, Ezra “Fuzz-E” Wright, a “flimsy puppet” who must win boxing matches to save his orphanage from demolition. In a recently revealed trailer, audiences got a glimpse of Fuzz-E as he navigates a colorful roster of opponents within the boxing ring. The gameplay utilizes a third-person camera angle, reminiscent of Punch-Out!

!, which emphasizes the characters’ size differences and enhances player visibility. Beyond traditional matches, Felt That also incorporates various minigames designed to help Fuzz-E improve his boxing skills through entertaining activities like plunging toilets and dodging flying slices of toast. Felt That: Boxing stands out not only for its whimsical aesthetics and humor but also for its technical achievements. The in-engine footage showcased during the reveal was captured using Unreal Engine 5, showcasing a photorealistic art style developed by the experienced teams at Sans Strings Studio and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.

The talent behind the project includes Sébastien Deguy, an Oscar and Emmy-winning innovator in computer graphics. The Summer Game Fest featured numerous other exciting reveals including the next installment of the Resident Evil series, titled Requiem, alongside a range of quirky indie games such as the cooperative stop-motion platformer Out of Words and the retro-inspired action game Mina the Hollower.

EA Sports FC 26 is reportedly set to launch on September 26, 2025, with anticipated Ultimate Edition perks similar to its predecessor. This timing aligns with EA’s historical release schedule for soccer titles, making it a strong possibility for fans eager for the next installment in the series. The leaked date gives gamers a hint of when they might dive into the latest version of EA’s flagship soccer simulation. Following the conclusion of EA’s partnership with FIFA in 2023, the franchise took on the EA Sports FC branding, beginning with EA Sports FC 24.

Despite the name change, EA has maintained its reputation for delivering high-quality soccer games that attract both dedicated fans and casual players alike. Recent trends suggest that the series has encountered limited competition, especially with the decline of Konami’s eFootball, formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer. Interestingly, an emerging indie title, Rematch, has recently gained traction on the Steam charts, indicating potential shifts in the soccer simulation landscape. Reliable sources, such as futlatestinfo on X, have indicated the September 2025 release for EA Sports FC 26, further asserting that Ultimate Edition bonuses will mirror those of EA Sports FC 25, which would provide players with early access and exclusive benefits in the well-loved Ultimate Team mode.

Touting a release date of September 26, 2025 seems reasonable, especially given EA Sports FC 25 launched on September 27, 2024. This timing is particularly strategic as it coincides with the start of major soccer leagues worldwide. While there are indications that EA Sports FC 25 didn’t meet initial expectations, EA remains firmly established as a leader in the soccer gaming market, and despite rising competitors like Rematch, the landscape continues to be dominated by EA’s offerings.