Digital Extremes is thrilled to announce that its upcoming MMORPG, Soulframe, is available for limited play during the TennoCon 2025 event. This new title showcases a dark and compelling universe resembling the intensity of games like Dark Souls. The developers have introduced various character interactions and gameplay styles, allowing players to immerse themselves in the game’s rich combat mechanics.

Now, fans have an exciting opportunity to experience Soulframe ahead of its official launch. TennoCon 2025 has proven to be a significant event for followers of Digital Extremes, featuring major updates not only for Soulframe but also for their flagship game, Warframe. During this event, Soulframe emphasized notable improvements to its combat system, including a revamped stagger system and enhancements designed specifically for bow mechanics.

The developers also unveiled new Pacts and introduced a captivating fable quest focused on the Waste Bear. Fans can participate in a limited-time free trial, giving them a unique glimpse into the game’s evolving landscape. According to reports from PCGamesN, players can sign up for Soulframe through its official website for access to the content from the “Preludes” closed alpha test.

However, it’s important to note that this trial version will not feature the latest content showcased at TennoCon, such as the Waste Bear quest or the new Mote system. Interested players must register by July 20 to take part in this exciting opportunity. With the limited availability of Soulframe, many fans will have their first chance to explore this intriguing MMORPG.

Digital Extremes has hinted at more forthcoming content, including new game areas and a companion character known as a “floppet.” As TennoCon continues, anticipation builds for further announcements regarding both Soulframe and Warframe, suggesting a promising future for fans of these games.

Borderlands 4 has introduced players to Vex, the playable Dark Siren, marking her as the first Vault Hunter developed for this upcoming installment. The art team has elaborated on Vex’s design, highlighting how her unique Siren action skills influence the color of her tattoos and enhance her capabilities, which include corrosive weapon effects and the summoning of Phase Pets. This new character joins a tradition in the Borderlands franchise, where each game includes a Siren as a playable option. Vex will be one of four Vault Hunters available at launch in September, with additional characters planned as downloadable content.

Unlike previous characters such as Amon the Forge Knight or Harlowe the Gravitar, Vex distinguishes herself with her dark attire and the ability to summon pets and clones that aid in combat. This provides players with numerous long-range strategies whether playing alone or in cooperative mode. In an unprecedented move, Randy Pitchford revealed the entirety of Borderlands 4’s world map, including all 200 collectible locations. During a presentation in the fourth episode of Beyond The Borderlands, members of the Gearbox Software art team, Max Davenport and Ashley Lyons, explained how Vex’s design integrates with her weapons and skills.

While Vex portrays a dark and edgy look, she utilizes vibrant colors, such as deep purples and bright pinks, for her action skills, creating a striking contrast. Lyons illustrated how Vex’s action skills could alter weapon colors, such as transforming a Tediore weapon with a corrosive element into a green version, thereby modifying its elemental damage. Davenport noted that Vex’s tattoos, vital features for Borderlands’ powerful Sirens, will also shift in hue following her action skills. Additionally, Vex’s Incarnate wings were introduced later in development, enhancing her overall design with intricate details.

Battlefield 6, the anticipated title in EA’s renowned first-person shooter series, is set for an official unveiling on July 31, 2025. This game was first confirmed in February and is being developed by a collaborative team from DICE, Motive Studios, Ripple Effect Studios, and Criterion Games, collectively known as Battlefield Studios.

Given that Battlefield is one of EA’s flagship franchises, its success holds significant importance for the gaming giant, especially following the disappointing reception of Battlefield 2042. In response to this feedback, EA has been proactive in attempting to regain player trust.

Earlier this year, they launched Battlefield Labs to conduct closed tests with select fans, allowing them to explore an early version of the new installment. As speculation about a reveal grew, a specific date has now been outlined for its announcement.

Initially, Battlefield 6 was expected to return to the essence of the series. However, concerns have been raised that it might replicate elements from Battlefield 2042, potentially jeopardizing its unique identity.

On July 31, EA plans to showcase gameplay, conduct developer interviews, and provide insights during a reveal event, inspired by Call of Duty: Next, which highlights updates in the Call of Duty franchise. Interestingly, this unveiling aligns with EA’s prior commitment to a “Summer 2025” full reveal.

Additional excitement surrounding Battlefield 6 has surfaced through leaks, including a gameplay clip that suggests the inclusion of a battle royale mode. Moreover, speculation about a possible public beta announcement has captured fans’ attention, hinting at more significant developments that could be shared during the upcoming reveal event.

With mounting interest, the gaming community is eager for more news about this new chapter in the Battlefield saga.

The original lead programmer of Crash Bandicoot, Andrew Gavin, has recently revisited the topic of the game’s remastered compilation, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, offering some critiques over eight years after its release. While he commended Vicarious Visions for their work, he expressed disappointment with the jumping mechanics, stating they “completely botched” this crucial aspect of gameplay.

Released exclusively for PlayStation 4 in the summer of 2017, the N. Sane Trilogy was subsequently ported to Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC a year later. This remaster features the first three games of the franchise that Naughty Dog originally developed between 1996 and 1998.

The trilogy received a positive reaction from both the public and critics, largely thanks to its updated visuals, which many praised as revitalizing the beloved series. Gavin shared his thoughts on LinkedIn, where he acknowledged the game’s graphics, emphasizing they “looked great” and remained faithful to the originals.

However, he was particularly critical of the jumping mechanics. Unlike the original games, where jump heights varied based on how long players held the button, the remastered version set all of Crash’s jumps to maximum height.

Gavin described this change as resulting in jumps that appeared excessively “huge and floaty.” He attributed some of these gameplay issues to technological differences between the original PlayStation and the PlayStation 4.

On the original system, the controller’s binary analog input allowed Gavin to develop a system that measured button press durations, making the gameplay more precise. He suspects that Vicarious Visions may have overlooked this crucial innovation when creating the remaster.

Although Gavin’s comments come years after the trilogy’s release, they arrive during a renewed interest in 1990s platformers. The recent success of titles like Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has reignited nostalgia among fans who are also hoping for new entries in classic franchises.

Meanwhile, plans for a new Crash Bandicoot game appear to have been halted, adding to the industry’s current climate of change and uncertainty.

A dedicated Pokémon fan artist known as shunixe has created an impressive mecha version of Lucario, a well-loved Fighting/Steel-type Pokémon. While many Pokémon enthusiasts typically redesign creatures based on established game concepts like Mega evolutions or regional variants, shunixe has opted for a unique, anime-inspired mecha aesthetic.

This fresh take brings a different perspective to the iconic character. Lucario made its debut in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl as the evolved form of Riolu.

Initially, players could only obtain Lucario through evolution, but subsequent games have allowed trainers to encounter this popular Pokémon in the wild. Known for its strong offensive stats and powerful moves like Meteor Mash and Close Combat, Lucario can also Mega Evolve into Mega Lucario when equipped with a Lucarionite.

Shunixe’s rendition, dubbed Mechario, retains the essence of the original Lucario while incorporating metallic plates instead of fur. The design features a helmet-like canine head and maintains the iconic blue and black color scheme, accented with yellow and red highlights on the mecha armor.

Shunixe is a prominent figure in the Pokémon art community and has previously shown a deep appreciation for Lucario. The artist has previously created a Monster Hunter-themed version of the Pokémon that transformed its figure into a dragon-like creature while keeping the characteristic shape of Lucario’s head.

Additional creative fan artworks have emerged, including a fusion of Lucario and Mudkip, resulting in a Water/Fighting-type resembling a human-like Mudkip draped in Lucario’s colors. Another fan introduced a Fire-type variant named Lucanine, reimagining Lucario as a quadruped and embedding it with guardian-like flames.

With Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the horizon, the expectation is high for fans to continue innovating and sharing their unique takes on beloved Pokémon.

Final Fantasy 14 will cease its support for Windows 10 starting October 14, coinciding with Microsoft’s termination of mainstream updates for the operating system. While users can still play on Windows 10 after this date, Square Enix has indicated that they will not provide complete support for any potential issues. However, informal technical assistance will be available on a case-by-case basis. To receive full technical support while continuing to play Final Fantasy 14, players will need to upgrade to Windows 11.

The decision to discontinue support for Windows 10 impacts a substantial number of players, as it remains the second-most-used operating system in Microsoft’s lineup, holding a market share of 45.57%. In contrast, Windows 11 currently dominates the market with 51.36%. Although mainstream feature updates for Windows 10 will end this fall, users can participate in a free extended security update program by signing in with a Microsoft account and syncing their settings. In addition to the operating system changes, Final Fantasy 14 is also adjusting its minimum CPU specifications.

The requirements will shift from needing an Intel Core i7-7700 or higher to requiring at least an Intel Core i5-8400 or newer. This means that players must have a six-core CPU from 2017 or later to continue playing the game on Windows 11. Other specifications for running Final Fantasy 14 will remain unchanged. Lastly, Square Enix has hinted that the adjustments in housing space on certain servers may soon become a reality, further enhancing the gaming experience.

For players reluctant to shift to Windows 11, the game remains available on macOS, as well as on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, complete with cross-play and cross-progression features.

The recently unveiled trailer for Mortal Kombat 2 suggests that Warner Bros. intends to position Johnny Cage as the main protagonist in the sequel. The character, a confident movie star and Earthrealm defender, was notably absent from the 2021 Mortal Kombat film, which introduced original character Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, as the new face in the conflict against the villainous Shang Tsung and his forces.

Although Cage was referenced in a post-credits scene to set the stage for the sequel, excitement builds as fans anticipate its release on October 24. In this upcoming installment, Mortal Kombat 2 is set to introduce a host of classic fighters into its live-action universe.

Notably, the formidable Shao Kahn will serve as the primary antagonist, with familiar characters like Kitana, Jade, and Quan Chi also making an appearance. Karl Urban, known for roles in Star Trek and The Boys, will portray Johnny Cage, marking an interesting transition as he steps into the shoes of a character who transforms from a self-absorbed actor into a genuine hero.

The focus of the recent trailer is squarely on Johnny Cage. It opens with him in a bar where a fan enthusiastically discusses his favorite films featuring the character.

Cage’s initial reluctance to engage in the battles—given his lack of special powers—sets the stage for his character development. However, he soon finds himself facing off against Baraka, demonstrating impressive martial arts skills.

Viewers of the trailer may feel that Johnny Cage has taken center stage over Cole Young, who appears only briefly and without any dialogue. Although trailers can sometimes misrepresent the final product, it hints that Cage will face off against Shao Kahn.

The trailer closes with a dramatic shot of the Outworld tyrant advancing on Cage, who is ready for battle. Additionally, it delights longtime fans with thrilling moments, including Scorpion executing a Fatality on Noob Saibot.

Meanwhile, many fans may be relieved to see Cage become the primary focus, especially given the polarized reception of Cole Young in the previous film.

Sony has made a final gesture for PlayStation Stars members as the loyalty program approaches its end. This last digital collectible acts as a parting gift for users still participating in PlayStation Stars, which is entering its wind-down phase.

Launched in 2022, PlayStation Stars aimed to reward loyal gamers with digital collectibles and redeemable points for completing various tasks. Despite its intentions, the program encountered numerous challenges during its existence.

It was restricted to select regions and operated exclusively through the PlayStation mobile app, never making its way to the PS4 or PS5 consoles. Furthermore, PlayStation Stars suffered significant technical issues, including a major outage last June.

While the program existed for nearly three years, many members could only fully engage with it for about a year. As PlayStation prepares for its major Summer Sale in 2025, discounts on popular AAA titles and indie games are now available.

In October 2024, Sony removed store credit rewards from PlayStation Stars, and by May 2025, it announced the program’s impending termination. Now, ahead of the final campaigns closing on July 23, 2025, Sony has released a blue-and-purple star collectible symbolizing the essence of PlayStation Stars, accompanied by a heartfelt message: “Thank you for three years of silly jokes, fun collectibles, and a shared love of incredible games.”

To earn this final Mythic collectible, PlayStation Stars members must log into the PlayStation mobile app and play any PS4 or PS5 game before July 23, 2025. After this date, all PlayStation Stars campaigns will conclude, and no new rewards or points will be distributed.

While current users can still redeem unused points until the program fully closes on November 2, 2026, many have expressed disappointment over its limited functionality and diminishing rewards. There is no information yet on a direct replacement for the program, but Sony has hinted at a potential new loyalty initiative in the future.

Donkey Kong Bananza has emerged as a remarkable critical success, garnering high ratings and widespread acclaim from players. This achievement is particularly notable as Nintendo has deviated somewhat from its traditional development methods that have historically positioned the company at the forefront of the gaming industry.

While Donkey Kong is a beloved figure among gamers, he does not belong to the elite group of characters—like Mario and Link—that have been pivotal in building Nintendo’s legacy. The success of this new title might signal the beginning of a refreshing new era for the franchise.

Launched exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, Donkey Kong Bananza has quickly become one of the top-rated games of 2025. With an impressive average score of 91 on OpenCritic and a remarkable 100 percent recommendation rate, it surpasses even the acclaimed Mario Kart World.

Although it was not released concurrently with the Switch 2’s June 5 launch, Donkey Kong Bananza is poised to be remembered as the console’s first major success. One interesting aspect of this game’s release is its divergence from the established Mario and Legend of Zelda franchises, which have characterized previous console launches.

Since the NES era, Mario games have typically dominated the spotlight. With Donkey Kong securing his place as a major player in an open-world game on the Switch 2, players can expect more diversity among Nintendo’s flagship characters.

The popularity of Donkey Kong Bananza transcends its well-known protagonist and his companion, Pauline. Nintendo’s rich history of delivering high-quality action-adventure games shines through, with DK’s legacy dating back to Donkey Kong Country on the SNES.

However, the innovative mechanics introduced in Bananza offer players a fresh experience, demonstrating Nintendo’s willingness to innovate and take risks. Surprisingly, the development of Donkey Kong Bananza took nearly eight years to complete, as revealed by producer Kenta Motokura.

The long period of secrecy surrounding the project suggests that Nintendo was confident in its potential, and the game’s success might inspire a resurgence of other beloved characters within the gaming landscape.

Atlus has announced that Persona 4 Revival will feature the controversial Denuvo digital rights management (DRM) system, much to the disappointment of PC gamers. Denuvo is often criticized for being intrusive and is thought to negatively impact game performance. This news was particularly disheartening for fans eager to experience the game on their PCs.

Originally released in 2008, Persona 4 quickly became a significant success for Atlus. The game’s popularity led to the development of Persona 4 Golden, which enhanced the original and was launched on the PS Vita in 2012. The franchise later expanded with spin-offs like Persona 4 Arena and Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

Earlier this year, Persona 4 Revival was officially unveiled during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025. Atlus has now opened pre-orders for Persona 4 Revival on both PS5 and PC. The Steam listing confirmed the use of Denuvo, which, while not unexpected given its implementation in other Sega titles like Persona 3 Reload, remains unwelcome news for many gamers.

On a brighter note, the game will support 15 languages, including English, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian, among others. The story of Persona 4 Revival will reflect that of the original, following a protagonist who investigates a series of murders in the fictional Japanese town of Inaba. Together with friends, the protagonist uncovers a mysterious realm within televisions that reveals deep secrets about individuals’ souls.

Persona 4 Golden is well-regarded, boasting an average critic score of 88 on OpenCritic. Currently, Persona 4 Revival does not have a confirmed release date. However, Sega’s financial documents suggest that it will launch no earlier than April 2026, likely within the fiscal year stretching to March 2027.

Given the recent success of Persona 3 Reload, which sold over a million units in its first week, expectations are high for Persona 4 Revival to achieve similar acclaim.