Category: Games

A listing discovered on the PlayStation Store suggests that the Until Dawn remake may join PlayStation Plus Essential in May 2025. This has generated considerable speculation among subscribers, with many wondering if the game’s inclusion is connected to a potential sequel or perhaps a promotion for a recently released film adaptation. The anticipated lineup for May 2025 will be available as early as May 1, and Until Dawn could be part of three or more free titles offered that month.

As is customary, PlayStation refreshes its offerings for PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium subscribers each month. The Premium tier provides access to classic titles from the PS1, PS2, and PSP eras, along with cloud streaming options for PS3 and PS5 games. Gamers can keep the titles in their libraries as long as they maintain their subscriptions.

As April comes to a close, subscribers are eager to learn what May will bring. Recent rumors point to the Until Dawn remake being included in the upcoming offerings. Fans on Reddit, including user Budget-Neat4750, noted the listing despite May’s lineup not yet being officially announced.

This has led many to believe that the remake’s addition may be a marketing strategy coinciding with the new Until Dawn movie, with some hoping it signals a push for players to familiarize themselves with the game ahead of a potential sequel. If accurate, the Until Dawn remake will headline the free games for PlayStation Plus Essential for May 2025. Typically, three titles for PS4 and PS5 are added each month.

Meanwhile, subscribers can still claim their free games for April 2025, including RoboCop: Rogue City and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, until May 5. Notably, PlayStation Plus will discontinue free PS4 games as a key benefit starting January 2026, making it important for subscribers to claim these titles while they can.

Swen Vincke, CEO of Larian Studios, has expressed his support for the Baldur’s Gate 3 mod for Stardew Valley, known as Baldur’s Village, and praised the significance of modding communities in the gaming industry. The rising popularity of Stardew Valley, combined with its developer’s support for mods, stands in stark contrast to the legal challenges facing the Baldur’s Village mod.

This divide highlights the complex landscape of modding in contemporary gaming. Since its launch in 2016, Stardew Valley has earned a respected place in the life-simulation genre, often hailed as one of the best indie games ever made.

Its developer, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, has consistently rolled out updates and expansions, fostering a vibrant modding scene. Mods have not only enhanced the game’s appeal but the introduction of a Baldur’s Gate 3 mod has expanded its reach beyond the usual fanbase, inviting both acclaim and scrutiny.

In a recent discussion, Vincke addressed the controversy surrounding the Baldur’s Village mod, which faced a DMCA takedown notice from Wizards of the Coast on March 31, 2025. Although the legal obstacle has since been lifted and the mod restored, the incident sparked significant discussion in gaming circles about the legality and role of modding.

Vincke emphasized that mod creators should be recognized and even licensed by companies to promote community engagement and prevent conflicts. Vincke’s remarks resonate widely among fans, many of whom advocate for modding as an essential element of the gaming experience.

Major titles like Minecraft, Skyrim, and Fallout have thrived due to dedicated modding communities, as have newer games like Hogwarts Legacy and Cyberpunk 2077. While the commercialization of mods raises legal concerns, the continuous influx of free mods demonstrates the passion fans have for enhancing their favorite titles.

As gaming consoles increasingly incorporate mod support, the hope remains that the relationship between developers and modders will flourish, allowing innovations like Baldur’s Village to thrive.

In celebration of Golden Week, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will hold a special Tera Raid and Mass Outbreak event. From April 29 to May 7, trainers will experience enhanced odds of encountering Shiny versions of various Pokémon, including Gimmighoul, Wiglett, Growlithe, and Swablu. During this event, players will have more than a week to engage with waves of Pokémon that offer increased chances of being Shiny.

Gimmighoul, known as the Coin Chest Pokémon, can be found in unique locations throughout the game, frequently hidden within chests adorned with coins. This Ghost-type Pokémon is not only rare but also crucial for evolving into Gholdengo when trainers collect 999 Gimmighoul Coins. The Golden Week event will coincide with Japan’s public holidays, providing an exciting opportunity for players to hunt for Shiny variants.

Starting on April 29 at 8:00 PM Eastern, trainers can look forward to Mass Outbreaks featuring Wiglett, Growlithe, and Swablu in different regions, each with shiny golden counterparts. In addition to enhanced Shiny rates, Chest Form Gimmighoul will appear in Tera Raid dens throughout Paldea, ranging from one-star to five-star difficulty. Players can expect varied Tera types within these raids, and the chance of encountering Shiny Gimmighoul will be notably high.

With five-star Gimmighoul raids capped at level 75, teams made up of level 100 Pokémon can easily tackle these challenges. To improve their chances even further, players can prepare a Shiny Sandwich with the Sparkling Power buff during the event. This Golden Week event serves as an excellent opportunity for trainers to hunt for Shiny Pokémon before the upcoming release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A in the months ahead.

Zenless Zone Zero is gearing up for its highly anticipated Version 2.0 update, which is expected to launch in June 2025. Recent leaks suggest exciting rewards tied to the game’s first anniversary celebration, including 1,600 Polychrome, a free S-Rank Agent, and an S-Rank W-Engine. Players may also benefit from two login events that offer a total of 20 Encrypted Master Tapes. Notably, one of these events is the Boopon login event, which is traditionally less rewarding in terms of gacha currency.

This anniversary patch will introduce not only a new area and additional playable characters but also significant gameplay changes. Version 1.7 was released recently, serving as the final update before the game transitions into Season 2. Since its launch in July 2024, Zenless Zone Zero has enjoyed immense success, achieving 50 million downloads within just two days. The developers at HoYoverse are now excitedly preparing for this next phase.

A noteworthy aspect of the leak involves the character Yi Xuan, suggesting that she may receive a new outfit variant in the upcoming update. If the information holds true, players could receive up to 30 free pulls, which will be particularly advantageous as three new characters are introduced during Version 2.0. While the leak does not confirm which S-Rank Agent will be provided for free, speculation arises that players might choose from S-Rank units available in the permanent banner. This follows a similar model to the anniversary character selectors seen in other titles, which could provide an exciting opportunity for players.

As fans await the anniversary patch, they can still delve into the content from Version 1.7, including a new main story chapter featuring intriguing characters like Lycaon, Hugo Vlad, and Vivian, with Hugo’s playable debut set to arrive soon.

InZOI had a robust start, selling over 1 million copies shortly after its release. However, the player count has seen a significant decline since then. Recent statistics indicate that the number of active players dropped from 87,377 at launch to just 3,751 on April 24. While these figures may seem alarming, they are not necessarily indicative of the game’s fate.

Updates could potentially revitalize interest and re-engage players. Krafton’s new life simulator was well-received at its Early Access launch, even though many players noted it was still a work in progress. Some gamers criticized the gameplay as being somewhat shallow, leading to doubts about its capability to rival established life simulation games. The Early Access label provided Krafton with flexibility to enhance the game further, but this hasn’t yet led to player retention.

According to reports, InZOI’s player numbers have been declining steadily. The average concurrent players decreased from 9,174 on April 11 to 3,751 by April 24. These figures starkly contrast with the game’s peak player count during launch, raising concerns among players hoping to see InZOI succeed in the long run. Despite the downward trend, there are reasons to believe the situation may not be dire.

The initial surge of interest is common for new releases, especially in Early Access. There is significant potential for enhancement as Krafton continues to add new features and gameplay elements. Upcoming updates will be crucial in re-engaging current players and attracting new ones. Ultimately, Krafton’s challenge has shifted toward maintaining player interest through consistent, quality updates.

With features like pools and pets on the horizon, the roadmap looks promising, suggesting that InZOI could still establish itself as a lasting title in the gaming landscape.

Sonic X Shadow Generations will not provide an upgrade path for Nintendo Switch 1 owners to transition to the Switch 2 version. This decision is particularly disappointing given that many other cross-generational games have taken steps to offer upgrade options. While the new iteration on Switch 2 boasts improved graphics compared to its predecessor, players will have to repurchase the game if they wish to experience it on the newer console.

This remastered version of the 2011 classic Sonic Generations features a fresh storyline involving Shadow the Hedgehog. Given the positive reception from both fans and critics, it seems like a missed opportunity not to facilitate a transition for existing players to the updated platform. Initially, it was uncertain whether Sonic X Shadow Generations would be a launch title for the Switch 2, but Sega has since confirmed that it will indeed be available on June 5, coinciding with the console’s release.

The gameplay experience on the Switch 2 is set to be enhanced thanks to its more powerful hardware, offering better performance and graphics. However, players looking to take advantage of these improvements will need to buy the game again, as there will be no option for an upgrade from the original version. Although save data can be transferred from Switch 1 to Switch 2, this data cannot revert back to the older system.

This lack of an upgrade path is disappointing, especially when many other developers and even Nintendo itself are offering paid upgrades for select titles. Prices for these upgrades range from $10 to $20, making Sonic X Shadow Generations stand out for not providing an avenue for its existing fans. Nonetheless, Switch 2 users can still enjoy the original version on their new system, ensuring that the game is accessible to those who already own it.

Kafka, a character in Honkai: Star Rail, is set to receive significant buffs that may enhance her follow-up attack, allowing it to activate with any teammate’s attack. This makes Kafka’s kit more versatile, addressing her waning relevance as new characters have emerged in the game.

Previously, during the initial phases of Honkai: Star Rail, Kafka was highly anticipated and recognized as one of the strongest 5-star units upon her introduction in Version 1.2. However, her status has diminished with newer characters like Penacony and Amphoreus overshadowing her skills, particularly with Acheron commanding attention in the Nihility category.

Recognizing this imbalance, developers have announced plans to improve certain characters, including Kafka. Recent leaks from well-known community sources, Luna and Seele Leaks, indicate that Kafka’s follow-up attack could potentially interact with Damage over Time (DoT) debuffs, triggered by any of her allies’ attacks.

Currently, her follow-up attack is limited to an ally’s Basic Attack, but these upgrades could allow for more frequent activation and improved damage output. The specifics regarding the timing of these changes remain uncertain, though there are hints that they may coincide with Version 3.3.

As the game evolves, adjustments are planned not just for Kafka but also for other characters like Silver Wolf, Blade, and Jingliu. These changes seek to enhance the playability and relevance of early units.

Meanwhile, players can look forward to the introduction of a new Quantum Nihility character, Cipher, who is rumored to also focus on follow-up attacks in the upcoming update. This evolving landscape in Honkai: Star Rail promises exciting developments for both new and returning players.

There are exciting rumors of a potential collaboration between Fortnite and Ferrari, which may bring a new sports car and a variety of cosmetics to the game. While no official announcements have been made, a reliable Fortnite leaker has hinted at this collaboration. Fortnite is currently wrapping up Chapter 6 Season 2, a season that humorously showcased a rap feud between the character Big Dill and musician T-Pain.

Meanwhile, Fortnite is preparing for a significant resurgence of Star Wars content in Chapter 6 Season 3. Players were recently teased about the new battle pass, titled Galactic Battle, which will feature popular characters such as Wookie Team Leader, Emperor Palpatine, General Grievous, and Poe Dameron. Additionally, a Jedi variant of the fan-favorite character Evie will be introduced.

At the recent Star Wars Celebration Japan event, Epic Games announced that players will have the opportunity to pilot X-Wings and Tie Fighters, offering fresh gameplay dynamics in battles. In the context of collaborations, Epic Games has been expanding its vehicle lineup. Recently, they introduced a car inspired by the beloved show Adventure Time, although some fans were disappointed that it wasn’t part of a larger bundle.

Furthermore, the iconic van from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been added to both Fortnite and Rocket League, allowing players to express their passion for the franchise in a unique way. As Fortnite gears up for the impending new season, the excitement among the gaming community continues to grow. With the prospect of a Ferrari collaboration and the anticipated Star Wars integration, players are optimistic about the rich content on the horizon.

Bungie has recently unveiled the Event Home feature for Destiny 2, aiming to simplify access to event information and rewards. This feature coincides with the introduction of a new Crucible game mode called Heavy Metal. While the Episode Heresy narrative has concluded, Bungie is committed to keeping players engaged until the highly anticipated Codename Frontiers arrives this summer.

As the episodic content draws to a close, Bungie acknowledges that they need to sustain player interest with fresh experiences. One such initiative is the Rite of the Nine activity, which transforms existing dungeon content, providing players with a novel experience and additional rewards. This mode initially launched prematurely, featuring unfinished elements and work-in-progress weapons.

In a recent blog post, Bungie detailed a series of sandbox changes expected to emerge over the coming months. A teaser for The Edge of Fate was shared during a live stream event on May 6. The upcoming sandbox update aims to streamline Destiny 2’s events, consolidating various aspects into a single page for easier navigation.

The new Event Home feature will replace the older Event Cards, which previously appeared alongside major in-game festivals such as Festival of the Lost, Solstice, and Guardian Games. Event Home will serve as a centralized hub for players. For the Heavy Metal Crucible mode, it presents essential details like a brief event description, Event Rank information, and a 15-rank reward track.

Additionally, players can track Daily and Weekly challenges, with Daily tasks designed for shorter gaming sessions and Weekly obligations requiring extended play. Players will also earn Event Tokens, which they can use in an in-game shop to acquire weapons, materials, and a Reroll Chip for modifying their daily challenges. As Bungie prepares for The Edge of Fate, this new feature represents just one of numerous changes aimed at evolving Destiny 2 in the years to come.

Fans can look forward to hearing more as a dedicated livestream on May 6 will reveal additional information. In Destiny 2, players become Guardians, protectors of the Last City facing various threats across the solar system. They can choose from three distinct classes: the heavily armored Titan, the mystical Warlock, or the agile Hunter, each bringing unique abilities to gameplay.

Dive into this immersive universe, experience gripping combat, and unlock powerful abilities as you forge your legend in the stars.

Raidou Remastered boasts an impressive English voice cast, featuring Stephen Fu, known for his role in Squid Game, as the titular character, Raidou Kuzunoha XIV. The game, a remaster of the 2006 RPG Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army, is set to launch on major consoles and PC on June 19.

This remaster introduces significant improvements, including modernized graphics, enhanced environments, and valuable quality-of-life tools designed to enhance gameplay. These additions feature a quicksave option and an advanced tasks menu, making navigation through the game’s investigative aspects smoother and more enjoyable.

In addition to Fu, the voice cast includes notable actors like Ray Chase, who will portray Gouto, Raidou’s catlike mentor. Chase has an extensive background in voice acting, with over 300 credits, and is particularly recognized for his roles in the Final Fantasy series.

Other cast members include Dawn M. Bennett as journalist Tae Asakura, Kayli Mills as the enigmatic Kaya Daidoji, Chris Okawa as the historical figure Rasputin, and Joe Zieja as the mastermind Munakata. Each voice actor brings a unique flair to their character, enhancing the immersive experience for players.

Fu’s portrayal of Raidou is particularly anticipated, as he is renowned for his work in both gaming and anime, including roles in Marvel Rivals and Dynasty Warriors: Origins. As fans eagerly await the release of Persona 6, they can look forward to engaging with Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army and its well-crafted cast when it launches this June.