New Game Preview

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Get a sneak peek at the most anticipated games of the year. From action-packed adventures to mind-bending puzzles, we've got something for everyone. Stay ahead of the game with our exclusive previews!

Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven review: Fiendishly fantasticThe post Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven review: Fiendishly fantastic appeared first on The Escapist .

Reviews - The EscapistJan 22

Pokémon Developer's Beast Of Reincarnation, A Post-Apocalyptic Action RPG, Launches This Summer While Game Freak is best known for its work on the Pokémon games (the series is so large that it's hard to see how it wouldn't be), it does develop other games from time to time. That said, Beast of Reincarnation, the studio's upcoming post-apocalyptic action role-playing game , is a big swing even by the studio's standards. After seeing the game in action during today's Xbox Developer Direct, we got a much clearer vision of what to expect when it launches this summer. Set in Japan in the year 4026, Game Freak describes the game as a "one-person one-dog action RPG." The person and dog in question are named Emma and Koo, respectively, and they live in a time where the human population has been decimated by a parasitic plant called "blight." Somehow, Emma is able to seal that blight within her body, so she's known as a Sealer. Unfortunately, this is an ability people fear, causing her to live in isolation from the remains of society. After forming a bond with Koo, a magical white dog with a tail made of vines and branches, Emma is told (by the a hologram of perhaps the most cyberpunk-looking guy of all time) to defeat the titular beast of reincarnation to save the Capital. To do so, she'll have to defeat "malefacts," corrupt fusions of animals and blight. I assume "malefact" is pronounced less like "male fact" more like "artifact," but given that the word was only provided in the Japanese speakers' subtitles, this is just a guess. Extremely powerful malefacts, known as Nushi, are the bosses of this world. They can create blighted forests full of enemies and obstacles players will have to overcome before facing off against the deadly beasts. Emma is particularly suited to this task thanks to her ability to absorb and dispel blight, but also because of her trusty sword, magic abilities, and vinelike hair. Her sword is her main weapon in combat, and can be upgraded with spirit stones to get special effects when she parries. She and Koo can also use Blooming Arts, powerful magic moves that slow time and allow them to harm or hinder foes. Each character also has a skill tree, and the abilities from one character impacts the other's; the developers also hint that the two will unlock more powers as their bond deepens. Finally, Emma's hair can be used in various ways for platforming, like as a bridge that extends forward over gaps or as a long stilt-like extension of Emma's leg. The duo will also have to face golems – robots with corrupted human souls – and meet other human characters, like Brad, Kagura, and the mysterious swordswoman Kunai. The dystopian elements are a bit on the nose, but game looks beautiful, especially for a studio that's been criticized for the poor technical performance of recent Pokémon games. It helps that this game, at the time of writing, is not coming to Switch or Switch 2, and is instead launching on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. We're excited to check it out when it hits shelves this summer.

Game Informer PreviewsJan 22

Forza Horizon 6 Gets First Gameplay Details And May Launch Date Today’s Xbox Developer Direct kicked off with the first look at gameplay for Forza Horizon 6. We got a look at the game’s cover cars, a breakdown of new customization features, and, of course, a glimpse into how much fun driving across the game’s rendition of Japan could be. The campaign sees players begin as a tourist who joins the Horizon festival and climb the ranks, a departure from previous entries where the player is already a relative superstar. You’ll still progress via the established wristband system, but Horizon 6 introduces a new method of progression called the Collection Journal. The Collection Journal is inspired by Japanese stamp collecting and lets players build a digital collection of mementos discovered while exploring. Players can take photos of murals, landmarks, and other scenic sights to save to the journal as well.   Japan is the series’ biggest map yet. Tokyo alone is the largest city in the series, featuring multiple districts for players to cruise through and recognizable sights, such as Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, and Ginko Avenue. Playground Games is also striving to accurately represent topographical details, from various countryside to mountains and city streets, to add as much authenticity to the experience as possible. Seasons also return, shifting the environment from winter to spring and beyond. Of course, Japanese car culture will be represented in a major way. Cars have more customization options and a fully overhauled roster for improved balancing. More cars will be available at launch than ever before, and new aftermarket cars include rare or unique vehicles to unlock at a bargain. Playground also revealed Forza Horizon 6’s cover cars: the 2025 GR GT Prototype and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser. Players can now build custom structures from any location, and building is now fully multiplayer, allowing friends to concoct creations together. In addition to unlocking player houses for vehicle storage and fast travel, you’ll also unlock a new destination called The Estate. This giant plot of land gives players a blank canvas to build what they want. What begins as a rural section of land can be transformed into mountain hideaways, your own personal race track, a factory complex, and more, based on items purchased using in-game currency. Another new feature is Car Meets, inspired by the real-world Daikoku car meet. This social space is always available to join, and it lets players meet up, share custom paint jobs and designs, and purchase their own versions of cars they like. New driving features include Auto-drive and proximity radar. In terms of accessibility options, Forza Horizon 6 features a customizable high-contrast mode to help make the game easier to play for the visually impaired. The trailer ends with a tantalizing tease of a pair of giant robotic feet stepping behind a vehicle that looked suspiciously like a Gundam. Given Forza Horizon’s penchant for crossover content, odds are we’ll be piloting a mobile suit, which is the perfect fit given the setting. Forza Horizon 6 launches on May 19 for Xbox Series X/S and PC, and it will come to PlayStation 5 later this year.

Game Informer PreviewsJan 22

Sub-Species first impressions: Scrap metal and sea monstersThe post Sub-Species first impressions: Scrap metal and sea monsters appeared first on The Escapist .

Reviews - The EscapistJan 21

Blightstone first impressions: Barrel-chucking brillianceThe post Blightstone first impressions: Barrel-chucking brilliance appeared first on The Escapist .

Reviews - The EscapistJan 20

Chloe Price Returns In Life Is Strange: Reunion This March After teasing the next Life is Strange game last week, a special livestream that aired this afternoon revealed the next entry is called Life is Strange: Reunion. Max Caulfield returns yet again, alongside her original BFF and fan favorite character, Chloe Price. Developed by Deck Nine, Reunion is a direct follow-up to 2024’s Life is Strange: Double Exposure. Set once again in Caledon University, the school has been mysteriously set ablaze. Although Max manages to escape the fire thanks to her time rewind power (which makes its full return), all of her friends, the students, and the faculty are killed. Max avoids this fate by jumping back in time through a selfie and has three days to uncover how the fire started to prevent the school's destruction. However, due to Max’s reality-shifting actions during the events of Double Exposure (which we won’t spoil), Chloe appears at Caledon University. She’s understandably confused and haunted by memories of a past she never lived, and needs Max’s help.   Players switch between controlling Max and Chloe in Reunion, offering two perspectives on the story. Max can use her rewind power to redo decisions and manipulate the environment to solve four-dimensional puzzles. Chloe (voiced once again by Rhianna DeVries) has her Backtalk dialogue mechanic from Life is Strange: Before the Storm , channeling her quick wits and attitude to steer conversations in ways Max can’t, which will let Chloe access information and areas her bestie couldn’t. Regardless of how the story shakes out, Deck Nine bills Reunion as the big conclusion to Max and Chloe's story. Life is Strange: Reunion is launching on March 26 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. In addition to a $39.99 Standard Edition, the game will be available in three special editions, one of which is a bundle that contains Double Exposure. We’ve detailed each one below: Deluxe Edition – $49.99 Full Game Digital Mini Soundtrack Digital Art Book Digital Comic Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Documentary with actors Hannah Telle (Max) and Rhianna DeVries (Chloe) Twin Pack – $59.99 MSRP* Life is Strange: Reunion – Standard Edition Life is Strange: Double Exposure – Standard Edition * By pre-ordering the Twin Pack, players will get immediate access to Life is Strange: Double Exposure Collector’s Edition – $99.99 MSRP (Available only on the Square Enix Store) Full Game Collector's Goods box and sleeve with exclusive artwork by Ilya Kuvshinov 12” Vinyl Soundtrack featuring 12 amazing songs from the game on an orange 12” EcoRecord vinyl Double-Sided drugstore makeup 24” x 12” Poster Rewind Symbol Felt Slipmat 3x Custom Double-Sided Guitar Plectrums with six unique designs 3x Polaroid Art Cards celebrating Max and Chloe Note: In North America, players will also have the option to purchase a Collector’s Edition without the game included.

Game Informer PreviewsJan 20

MIO: Memories in Orbit Review: Pretty PedestrianThe post MIO: Memories in Orbit Review: Pretty Pedestrian appeared first on The Escapist .

Reviews - The EscapistJan 19

Code Vein 2 is a blood-curdling Souls-like that's looking like a 2026 sleeper hit Would you believe me if I told you Code Vein 2 is one of the most enjoyable Souls-like games I've played in years? That it not only improves upon systems and quirks present in the original game, but also offers something truly fresh in a genre packed with fierce competition? It's all true! After playing Bandai Namco's upcoming sequel for a few hours I can confidently say it's a bloody good time, and with enough depth that even the most hardened action game fans can sink their teeth into. Read more

Eurogamer.net Previews FeedJan 13

Secretlab TITAN Evo Gaming Chair review: Hello comfort, my old friendThe post Secretlab TITAN Evo Gaming Chair review: Hello comfort, my old friend appeared first on The Escapist .

Reviews - The EscapistJan 13

Going Hands-On With Tides of Tomorrow—Ripple EffectCGM went hands-on gun Digixart's Tides of Tomorrow. Players navigate a flooded world where other player's choices change how they progress.

Previews – CGMagazineJan 13