Full Steam Ahead With the Ticket To Ride: World Tour Collection

The world is at your fingertips – and it’s all connected by rail.

Whether you’re racing through the snowy peaks of the Nordics or navigating the vibrant landscapes of India, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single track. Our latest offering, the Ticket to Ride: World Tour Collection, invites you to embark on a global expedition across the ultimate digital version of the multi-award-winning board game.

This isn’t just a game; it’s your first-class pass to the definitive Ticket to Ride experience, optimised for Steam and ready for your strategic brilliance.

A Passport to Endless Strategy

This massive collection features the Ticket to Ride base game along with 10 expansions, offering limitless strategy and replayability. Highlights of your journey include:

  • Europe Expansion: Tunnel through the Alps and claim ferry routes across the Mediterranean in this fan-favourite map.
  • India Expansion: Navigate the vibrant cities of India and chase the elusive Mandala Bonus.
  • Nordic Expansion: Set off to the northern reaches of the world, building routes between colourful, snow-covered cities.
  • Japan & San Francisco: Experience high-speed Bullet Trains in Japan or cruise through the iconic hills of 60’s San Francisco.
  • Legendary Asia, Switzerland, Germany, and more: From the Silk Road to the heart of Africa, every expansion brings new mechanics and unique challenges.

Making Tracks for Mental Health

Every journey should have a meaningful destination, and that’s why we are proud to partner with Safe In Our World for this collection.

Every purchase directly supports this vital charity, helping to foster mental health awareness and provide resources for gamers and developers alike. As you build your railway empire and connect cities across the globe, you’re also helping to build a more supportive and inclusive gaming community. By playing, you are helping to ensure that no one has to navigate their mental health journey alone.

Travel Further for Less

As with all Green Man Gaming Bundles, your keys are delivered instantly, allowing you to set off right away. Plus, your purchase includes an extra 3% off voucher for your next PC game at Green Man Gaming, so your library keeps growing even after you’ve mastered the rails.

The Ticket to Ride: World Tour Collection is only available for a limited time. Don’t miss your chance to own this modern classic!

Indie Video Games Round-Up – February 2026

We’ve officially made it through January, which means it’s time to look ahead to February — the shortest month of the year, the month of love, and one that’s still packed with exciting indie releases. Rather than getting caught up in what that might mean philosophically, we’re focusing on what matters most: the games.

To help you plan your month, we’ve rounded up some of the most interesting indie titles launching in February that are well worth keeping on your radar.

MENACE - Indie Games Round-Up February 2026

MENACE – 5th February

MENACE delivers deep, turn-based tactical RPG action in a gritty sci-fi setting from the developers behind Battle Brothers. You command a strike force of marines, mercenaries, and specialists as you respond to distress calls across a chaotic frontier system. Along the way, you’ll tackle a mysterious alien threat. Expect detailed squad management, diverse battlefields, and strategic decisions that will keep you thinking.

Mewgenics - Indie Games Round-Up February 2026

Mewgenics – 10th February

Mewgenics comes from the indie minds behind The Binding of Isaac. Here, you’re tasked with breeding the ultimate army of cats. Things will get weird, grim, and a little grotesque, but the gameplay promises to be a lot of fun. Its roguelike, turn-based tactics structure offers plenty of memorable moments and space to experiment with powerful builds.

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN - Indie Games Round-Up February 2026

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN – 11th February

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is all about fast, flashy, and unapologetically violent action. You play as Romeo Stargazer, fighting for survival across space and time. With a variety of devastating weapons and abilities at your disposal, you’ll need to stay on your toes. This one’s intense and made for players who love action turned all the way up.

High On Life 2 - Indie Games Round-Up February 2026

High On Life 2 – 13th February

High On Life 2 returns with the chaotic, comedic action that made the first game a cult hit. A mysterious threat puts you in danger, sending you across the stars to uncover a sinister conspiracy. You’ll blast your way through vibrant worlds while using a skateboard for fast, fluid traversal. Its hyperactive combat and offbeat style make it a must‑play for fans of irreverent shooters.

ASTROBOTANICA - Indie Games Round-Up February 2026

Astrobotanica – 16th February

Astrobotanica takes a more relaxed approach. You play as an alien exploring Earth as it existed three hundred thousand years ago. You’ll scan and explore, build a base, grow crops, and brew tonics to survive. With its charming visuals and slower pace, it’s perfect for players who enjoy a calm survival experience.

Dead in Antares - Indie Games Round-Up February 2026

Dead in Antares – 19th February

Dead in Antares puts you in charge of a group of survivors stranded on an alien planet. With Earth facing collapse, your goal is to determine if humanity can survive elsewhere. You’ll manage resources, mental health, and relationships. Tough decisions and emotional moments await at every turn.

Demon Tides - Indie Games Round-Up February 2026

Demon Tides – 19th February

Demon Tides is a vibrant open-world platformer where you explore vast oceans and transform between forms to uncover hidden secrets. Its smooth movement, striking visuals, and open-ended exploration give it the feel of a high-quality indie take on a classic platforming formula.

Crafting for a Cause: Shape New Frontiers in the Crafted Worlds Bundle

Whether you’re cultivating life in a desolate wasteland or surviving the vacuum of deep space, the joy of creation is at the heart of the gaming experience. Our latest collection, the Crafted Worlds Bundle, celebrates the architects, the survivors, and the explorers. For just one low price, you can secure five incredible games that challenge you to build, survive, and thrive in beautifully realised environments.

Even better, every purchase helps support Safe In Our World, a charity dedicated to fostering mental health awareness within the games industry and beyond. Your journey through these crafted realms helps eliminate stigma and ensures that no one in the gaming community has to face their struggles alone.

Five Crafted Worlds. One Incredible Cause.

The Crafted Worlds Bundle offers a diverse range of survival and crafting experiences, each with its own unique atmosphere and challenges:

  • Wildmender: Restore life to a dying world. In this desert survival adventure, you’ll manage your water, plant a vast garden, and explore the sands to bring a withered landscape back to its lush, vibrant peak.
  • Havendock: Take to the seas in this cosy colony sim. Build a thriving community on the ocean, manage your resources, and keep your settlers happy as you expand your floating haven from a single plank to a bustling town.
  • Primal Planet: A strike between prehistoric danger and sci-fi mystery. Survive a world of primeval predators, craft essential tools, and uncover the secrets of a planet where the past and the future collide.
  • My Little Universe: Experience the ultimate world-building journey. Part explorer, part builder, you’ll mine, craft, and expand your own personal planet across diverse biomes in this charmingly addictive adventure.
  • Breathedge: Survival is an art form – especially in space. Armed with a space-chicken and a healthy dose of dark humour, you’ll need to craft equipment, pilot vehicles, and discover the truth behind your sudden shipwreck in the great cosmic void.

Build a Better World, On and Off Screen

Every bundle purchase directly benefits Safe In Our World, helping them provide vital mental health resources and support for players and developers alike. By grabbing this collection, you aren’t just expanding your Steam library – you’re contributing to a safer, more supportive global gaming community.

Instant Access. Limitless Creativity.

As with all Green Man Gaming Bundles, your keys are delivered instantly, allowing you to start your crafting journey right away. Plus, your purchase includes an extra 3% off voucher for your next PC game at Green Man Gaming, so you can keep the adventure going.

The Crafted Worlds Bundle is only available for a limited time. Don’t miss your chance to own these “Very Positive” rated hits while making a real-world impact.

The Best LEGO Games to Play Right Now

The best Lego games allow you to relive your favourite cinematic moments, inhabit iconic characters, and enjoy accessible gameplay that is perfect for playing alongside younger gamers. Since the very first Lego title launched, we’ve been treated to a constant stream of releases, which naturally leads to the question: which ones truly stand out? To help you decide, we’ve rounded up the definitive LEGO experiences available today.

LEGO Party on PC

1. Lego Party

Lego Party is our pick for the best Lego game because it translates the brick-building magic into a social powerhouse. It captures all the whimsical energy you’d expect and channels it into a classic party game format. Whether you’re navigating vibrant boards or competing in absurd mini-games, the trademark Lego humour is front and centre. It’s a fantastic way to bond with friends and family, whether they’re on the couch next to you or halfway across the world.

  • Perfect For: Groups and families looking for a competitive but lighthearted game night that everyone can jump into, regardless of skill level.

LEGO Fortnite on PC

2. Lego Fortnite

Lego Fortnite is arguably one of the coolest entries in the franchise, despite being a free-to-play experience housed within the Fortnite ecosystem. Shifting the focus toward survival and crafting, the Lego aesthetic feels like a natural fit for this sandbox world. Because it’s attached to one of the biggest gaming platforms on the planet, it’s incredibly easy to jump into with friends.

  • Perfect For: Players who love survival-crafting games like Minecraft but want a polished, brick-built aesthetic and an easy way to play with friends online.

LEGO Builder's Journey on PC

3. Lego Builder’s Journey

If you’re looking for something more meditative, Lego Builder’s Journey is a beautifully atmospheric puzzle game. Echoing the “path-finding” style of Monument Valley, it’s easily the most unique title on this list. It’s the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day, offering the tactile satisfaction of clicking bricks together without the physical mess.

  • Perfect For: Solo players who appreciate artistic design and want a calm, zen-like experience to de-stress.

LEGO DC Super-Villains on PC

4. Lego DC Super-Villains

Sometimes, it’s good to be bad. Lego DC Super-Villains flips the script by dropping you into a world where the heroes have vanished. The standout feature here is the deep customisation; you get to design your own villain from scratch, choosing both their look and their powers. It feels more modern than many of its predecessors and is a must-play for DC fans who enjoy a bit of chaos.

  • Perfect For: Aspiring creators and DC fans who are tired of playing the hero and want to customise their own unique character.

LEGO Voyagers on PC

5. Lego Voyagers

Lego Voyagers offers a departure from the standard Lego formula. Designed as a dedicated two-player co-op adventure, it focuses on “pure Lego vibes.” While the primary goal is to rescue a spaceship, the heart of the game lies in the two protagonists learning about themselves and their world. It’s a sweet, touching experience for those seeking a more narrative-driven journey.

  • Perfect For: Duos – whether partners, best friends, or a parent and child – who want a cooperative, emotional story focused on teamwork.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga on PC

6. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

A true titan of the genre, The Skywalker Saga spans all nine mainline films with a staggering amount of content. With hundreds of characters, vehicles, and planets to explore, the scale is immense. Considering Star Wars was the first IP to ever receive the Lego treatment, it’s poetic that this remains one of the best ways to introduce a new generation to the galaxy far, far away.

  • Perfect For: Completionists and Star Wars superfans who want the ultimate “museum” of the franchise in a fun, playable format.

LEGO City Undercover on PC

7. Lego City Undercover

Lego City Undercover is essentially “Grand Theft Auto” for all ages. It features an original story, a massive open world, and an entertaining array of disguises and vehicles to unlock. This is the premier choice for players who want a massive sandbox experience without being tied to a specific movie or comic book franchise.

  • Perfect For: Open-world lovers who enjoy exploration, vehicle variety, and a heavy dose of slapstick comedy without the need for a superhero license.

LEGO Harry Potter Collection on PC

8. Lego Harry Potter Collection

For those who want to experience the entire Wizarding World in one go, the Lego Harry Potter Collection is an absolute essential. It bundles all seven years of Harry’s journey into a single package. From the cosy corridors of Hogwarts to the high-stakes duels of the later films, it’s a nostalgic and charming retelling that perfectly captures the “silent” humour of the earlier Lego era.

  • Perfect For: Wizarding World fans who want a long, atmospheric journey that focuses more on charm and exploration than intense combat.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes on PC

9. Lego Marvel Super Heroes

While its sequel is also a great time, the original Lego Marvel Super Heroes still holds a special kind of magic. The game features an incredible roster of Marvel favourites and a vibrant version of Manhattan to explore. For fans of the Marvel Universe, there is no better starting point than this classic open-world brawler.

  • Perfect For: Marvel fans who want to see the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four all in the same world, flying around a massive New York City.

Lego Jurassic World on PC

10. Lego Jurassic World

Lego Jurassic World is a prehistoric delight that covers the original trilogy plus the first Jurassic World film. The real draw here is that you can actually play as the dinosaurs, using their unique abilities to solve puzzles or just stomp through the park. It’s a great example of how Lego can take a high-stakes action series and turn it into something lighthearted and endlessly replayable.

  • Perfect For: Fans of the Horizon series or anyone looking for a visually breathtaking adventure that feels like a playable Lego movie.

Everything You Need To Know About REANIMAL

From the team that rattled our nerves with Little Nightmares I & II, REANIMAL is shaping up to be Tarsier Studios’ most devastating horror effort yet. The game chronicles a brother and sister’s harrowing journey to rescue their missing friends and escape an island teeming with unspeakable terrors.

Be sure to bookmark this guide, as we cover all the essentials, including the release date, preorder bonuses, deluxe edition details, gameplay mechanics, the latest trailer, and PC specifications.

REANIMAL Release Date

REANIMAL is officially confirmed for a full release on February 13, 2026. It will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store). As of this writing, there are no plans for a release on other platforms.

REANIMAL on PC

REANIMAL Pre-order Bonus

Players who choose to preorder REANIMAL can access a selection of bonus items, including the following:

  • Muttonhead Mask: A cosmetic item for the main protagonists that provides a stylish, yet unsettling, sheep-inspired look.
  • Foxhead Mask: A cosmetic item for the main protagonists featuring a distorted fox aesthetic, perfect for blending into the island’s nightmarish atmosphere.

REANIMAL Special Edition

In addition to the regular version of the game, developer Tarsier Studios and publisher THQ Nordic have confirmed that REANIMAL will be available in a Deluxe Edition. This version includes a range of digital bonuses and additional content for players looking to expand their experience beyond the base game.

Deluxe Edition

  • REANIMAL base game
  • Preorder Bonus: Muttonhead & Foxhead Masks
  • Season Pass: Grants access to three paid, story-based DLC expansions (release dates to be announced)

REANIMAL Friend’s Pass

REANIMAL on PC

Tarsier Studios has confirmed that horror is best shared. Much like the system in games like It Takes Two, REANIMAL features a Friend’s Pass that lets you experience the entire nightmarish journey with a partner using only one purchased copy of the game.

Friend’s Pass Features

  • One Copy, Two Players: Only one person needs to own the full game to invite a friend to play the entire campaign online for free.
  • Full Access: Your co-op partner simply downloads the dedicated “Friend’s Pass” client to join your session, eliminating the “buy-in” barrier for your teammate.
  • Solo Flexibility: While the game is built for co-op, you can still play 100% solo with an AI companion if your partner isn’t available.

Note: While the developers are working hard to have this feature ready for day one, they have stated that the Friend’s Pass may arrive shortly after the initial launch on February 13.

REANIMAL Story

The narrative follows two orphaned siblings trapped within a twisted, demonic version of their former island home. Tasked with rescuing three missing friends, the duo must navigate a nightmarish archipelago while avoiding grotesque animal-human hybrids  – horrors birthed from the darkest recesses of their own minds. Heavy stuff, indeed.

REANIMAL Gameplay

If you’ve dipped your toes into the Little Nightmares series, Reanimal’s core mechanics will feel instantly familiar. Built from the ground up for cooperative play, it utilises a single cinematic camera that keeps both players in the frame. This system reinforces a palpable sense of tension and claustrophobia that would be lost in a traditional split-screen view.

REANIMAL on PC

While engineered with a “co-op first” philosophy, solo players aren’t left behind; the second sibling is controlled by AI in the absence of a partner. These characters are more than just aesthetically different; they possess bespoke traits and skills that must be used in tandem to overcome deadly traps and “brain-tickling” environmental puzzles.

Much like Tarsier’s previous hits, the gameplay relies on a three-part loop. Since traditional combat is non-existent – your tormentors are far larger and more dangerous than the children – stealth is the primary focus. You will spend significant time lurking in shadows, crawling under objects, and waiting for the precise moment to move.

When you aren’t playing “hide and seek,” you’ll be navigating physics-based puzzles. These require constant cooperation; for example, one player might need to distract a lurking horror while the other dashes for a lever to unlock a door.

The final pillar of the loop consists of cinematic chase sequences. These require players to outrun pursuing aggressors while reacting quickly to obstacles in their path. Again, anyone with cursory experience in Little Nightmares will have a clear idea of what to expect here.

REANIMAL on PC

However, Reanimal does introduce a major shift: boat travel. This allows the duo to explore the archipelago in full 3D, navigating between islands. It is a stark contrast to the linear, 2.5D side-scrolling perspective that defined Tarsier’s earlier work.

PC Specifications

Leveraging the power of Unreal Engine 5, Reanimal utilises cutting-edge environments, advanced shadow effects, and dynamic lighting to craft the visceral horror and creeping dread that are hallmarks of Tarsier Studios. Despite these high-end visuals, the PC requirements are surprisingly accessible.

MINIMUM:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows® 10/11
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 5 2400G / Intel® Core™ i5-9400F
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon™ RX 480 / NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 18 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: Broadband Internet connection required

RECOMMENDED:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows® 10/11
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 5 3600X / Intel® Core™ i7-7700K
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon™ RX 6600XT / NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 18 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: Broadband Internet connection required

Where Can I Watch The Latest Trailer?

Brief yet impactful, the latest trailer offers a glimpse into one of February’s most anticipated releases. It showcases the exploration, puzzle-solving, and stealth pillars of the game’s design. The footage also highlights the thick, “cut-it-with-a-knife” atmosphere, anchored by a sinister, WWII-style radio briefing. You can watch the full trailer above.

Duke Nukem 3D at 30: The Loudmouth Shooter That Helped Shape the FPS Genre

If id Software’s DOOM is generally regarded as the ‘godfather’ of the first-person shooter genre, then Duke Nukem 3D must surely be its wayward, beer-drinking, loudmouth, blond-headed stepchild. With countless P.I.G. cops wasted, innumerable wisecracks delivered, and enough gooey gibs to fill a small continent since its original release in 1996, it is now, on its 30th anniversary, that we take a step back in time to examine how Duke Nukem 3D revolutionised the first-person shooter genre.

Build It, And They Shall Come Get Some

Although the Build engine made its debut just a few months earlier with the much-underrated and oft-forgotten first-person melee fantasy effort Witchaven, it was arguably with 3D Realms’ Duke Nukem 3D that this remarkable piece of game-engineering arcana achieved sustained global fame. Simply put, the Build engine represented an outsized technical leap over the DOOM engine that preceded it. Brought into being by the talented Ken Silverman, the Build engine not only enabled far more dynamic maps and environments – where rooms could seemingly be stacked atop one another – but also allowed players to swim through deep expanses of water, soar through the air, and enjoy a thrilling sense of verticality that DOOM could only dream of.

Duke Nukem 3D on MS-DOS

This, in turn, gave Duke Nukem 3D’s level designers fertile ground upon which to dream up tremendously intricate and expansive levels for players to explore and blast their way through. Further afield, the Build engine was also notably user-friendly, allowing aspiring level designers to construct their own maps quickly and easily, share them within the community, and extend the lifespan of Duke Nukem 3D’s adventures even further.

Interactivity On An Unprecedented Level That Made Every Map Feel Authentic

Beyond its technical innovations, the Build engine also endowed Duke Nukem 3D with a level of interactivity the genre simply had not witnessed up to that point. Long before EA’s Battlefield franchise ever demolished its first wall or reduced its first building to rubble, Duke Nukem 3D was already doing so years earlier. Players could blow holes in the sides of buildings, shatter interior walls, smash furniture into splinters, and occasionally trigger explosions that would raze entire structures to the ground.

The defining properties of the Build engine were not limited solely to destruction, either. In Duke Nukem 3D, every map was functional in ways that were entirely new to genre fans at the time. There were fully usable pool tables, CCTV terminals that could be snooped on, working light switches, and toilets that could be flushed – or promptly destroyed and drunkenly imbibed from to regain health. In another technical first, the game also featured properly functional mirrors that accurately reflected the player. And yes, dancers could be tipped with dollar bills as well.

Duke Nukem 3D on MS-DOS

In addition to these elements, Duke Nukem 3D’s many levels were grounded by a distinct sense of place. Supermarkets, strip clubs, burger joints, and city streets all served as battlegrounds against the encroaching alien menace intent on enslaving humanity. These locations were a refreshing change from the oppressive warehouse greys and endless browns and reds that typified much of id Software’s own output at the time.

An Outlandish Hero With An Outlandish Arsenal To Match

While shooter fans had hardly grown tired of the traditional lineup of pistols, shotguns, chainsaws, rocket launchers, and miniguns offered by earlier genre entries, Duke Nukem 3D nonetheless went all-in on a bespoke arsenal of weaponry. It straddled the familiar (pistols, shotguns, pipe bombs, and machine guns) with the exotic, including shrink rays, freeze rays, expander rays, and laser trip bombs. The result was an arsenal that made each new acquisition feel like a genuine thrill from one level to the next.

Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour on PC

These weapons also enabled Duke Nukem 3D to introduce a level of tactical play in its multiplayer mode that the genre had scarcely seen before. Rather than everyone simply rushing for the rocket launcher or shotgun, as was common in multiplayer shooters of the era, cunning players could fortify areas with laser trip bombs and make use of the new inventory system. This allowed them to boost themselves with speed-enhancing steroids, strap on a jetpack, or deploy a ‘Holoduke’ to create a decoy version of Duke to distract enemies.

The Last Action Hero – How Duke Nukem 3D Gave The FPS Genre A Personality

Perhaps more than anything else, Duke Nukem 3D will be remembered for giving the first-person shooter genre something it desperately needed in its formative years: personality. Breaking away completely from the mute protagonists that had dominated shooters until then, Duke Nukem 3D featured a main character who simply never stopped talking. Brought to life by the gravelly yet gloriously over-the-top delivery of Jon St. John, our blond-haired, impossibly buff, all-American action hero took aim at everything – and everyone.

Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour on PC

The game’s endlessly quotable protagonist also took playful potshots at id Software itself. These included nods to the developer’s past – “Another DOOMed space marine” upon discovering a mangled corpse – and its future, with the immortal “I ain’t afraid of no Quake!” uttered as an earthquake levelled an entire building. Though pointedly, while id Software’s Quake would indeed usher in a fully 3D era for the genre, it would be more than a decade before Duke Nukem followed suit.

The Aftermath And The Surprisingly Great Copycats That Would Follow

Between the release of Duke Nukem 3D and the sadly risible Duke Nukem Forever, many years later, 3D Realms’ marquee shooter would go on to directly inspire a host of other games. These titles not only leveraged the Build engine but also introduced their own wisecracking protagonists who thrived in distinctive settings. From Blood, the macabre yet darkly humorous cultist revenge shooter, to the outrageous antics of Shadow Warrior and its eye-rollingly named corporate ninja anti-hero Lo-Wang, Duke Nukem 3D didn’t merely inspire a wave of copycats. It reminded players and developers alike that the first-person shooter genre could not meaningfully evolve without the personality and charisma needed to push it to the next level.

Discovering Dragon Quest VII Reimagined: A Timeless Adventure Starts Anew

There’s so much more to discover beyond the kingdom of Estard, and Dragon Quest VII Reimagined shows us that. Whether you’re a long-time fan or exploring for the first time, this beautifully updated classic welcomes you on a wonderful journey through time filled with warmth, exciting challenges, and awe-inspiring moments.

From Island Life to Grand Discovery

You start off modestly, as the son of a fisherman, living peacefully by the serene sea on Estard, a quiet and familiar island. It’s a safe haven where everything feels comfortable and at ease. But one simple question arises: could there be more to the world beyond this small island? This sparks an exciting adventure that takes you across the sands of time. Journeying through the Shrine of Mysteries, you travel to ancient eras when entire lands were hidden away. It’s a heartfelt mission for you and your childhood friends to bring back what was once lost to time.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined on PC

What’s New and What’s Improved

If you loved the original game, you’ll find this version breathes new life into every corner, making each experience feel fresh and exciting. If you’re new to the game, you’ll discover a warm, inviting world that’s perfect for starting your RPG adventure. Here’s what makes it special:

  • Diorama Marvels – Dragon Quest VII Reimagined beautifully combines rich, detailed diorama-style visuals with the late Akira Toriyama’s beloved character designs. Every town, ruin, and forest feels like stepping into a vivid, living painting.
  • Travel Through Time – Scattered across the world are mysterious stone fragments that open portals to sealed-away eras. The puzzles, challenges, and mysteries you solve there will echo forward in time to enrich your journey in the present.
  • Streamlined Storytelling – The story has been carefully refined to be more accessible, highlighting key moments and characters with engaging vignettes, while maintaining the epic scope of the overall tale.
  • Combat You’ll Love – Experience classic turn-based battles, now enhanced! The new vocation system, “Moonlighting” mechanic (which lets you use two vocations at once), speed options, auto-battle, and smarter battlefield tactics ensure every fight feels both clever and rewarding.
  • Accessibility & Power-Ups – It’s noticeably easier to skip weaker monsters, enjoy pre‑emptive strikes, and reduce battle interruptions through strategic choices. Plus, various quality-of-life improvements keep your adventure flowing smoother than ever before.

Why Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Resonates

  • Joy & Heartbreak – Few RPGs balance emotional depth with light‑hearted moments the way this one does. You’ll laugh with your companions. You’ll feel moved by the stories of lost eras. And sometimes, you’ll feel the weight of what you’re fighting to restore.
  • Exploration & Wonder – Every island, every era, hides secrets. As you piece together the world’s past, you gain a deeper appreciation for its present.
  • Flexibility for Players – Love grind? You can do that. Want to breeze through storybeats? There are settings to help. Prefer mastering every battle? The vocation system gives you tools. It’s an adventure that adapts.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined on PC

Should You Dive In?

Absolutely, yes! Especially if:

  • You want a JRPG with charm and scope, where the world evolves as you travel through time.
  • You enjoy classic turn‑based combat but appreciate modern tweaks that smooth out pacing and control.
  • You crave a story that’s heartfelt, sometimes nostalgic, and often surprising.
  • You are either a returning fan (for nostalgia and new features) or a newcomer (as this is a perfect place to start with the Dragon Quest series).

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just a reissue… It’s a reimagining. One that takes a beloved RPG and polishes it, streamlines it, and dresses it in new colours without sacrificing what made it remarkable. If you dream of restoring lost eras, forging friendships, and exploring vibrant worlds, this is the adventure you’ve been waiting for. Want to discover more about the Dragon Quest series? Check out our series ranking blog, here.

War, Weapons & Wanzers: The History Of Front Mission

Since its origins at SquareSoft (long before the company would become Square Enix), the Front Mission series has occupied a unique corner of the strategy RPG landscape. Few franchises have blended methodical tactical combat, intricate mecha customisation, and politically charged science fiction quite so deftly. Across decades and platforms, Front Mission has been unafraid to evolve, experiment, and occasionally stumble, all while building a dense, interconnected world shaped by war, ideology, and human cost.

What follows is a look back at the full history of the Front Mission franchise, from its tactical roots to its more divisive later years.

Front Mission (1995)

The original Front Mission arrived on the Super Nintendo and immediately set itself apart. Set in a near-future Earth fractured by geopolitical tension, the game depicts proxy wars between global powers fought not with infantry, but with towering mechanised units known as Wanzers.

Players take on the role of Royd Clive, a disgraced soldier leading a rogue Wanzer unit while uncovering a conspiracy tied closely to his personal life. From the outset, Front Mission established the pillars that would define the series: deliberate turn-based combat, deep Wanzer customisation, and story-driven cutscenes that treated war as something messy, personal, and deeply political.

Front Mission: Gun Hazard (1996)

Rather than playing it safe, Front Mission: Gun Hazard swerved sharply away from turn-based tactics. In its place came side-scrolling action, faster pacing, and a heavier emphasis on moment-to-moment combat—while still preserving the franchise’s love of mechanical tinkering and mature storytelling.

Set in an alternate universe separate from the mainline continuity, Gun Hazard stands as one of the series’ most unusual entries. Though it never saw release outside Japan, it has earned lasting admiration, not least for its standout soundtrack, composed by Yasunori Mitsuda alongside Nobuo Uematsu.

Front Mission 2 (1997)

Front Mission 2 pushed the series forward both technically and narratively. Set years after the original, it introduced polygonal environments and Wanzers, along with a new Action Point system that added greater tactical flexibility by allowing players to bank actions across turns.

The story focuses on the fictional nation of Alordesh, caught in the grip of a violent revolution. With expanded cutscenes and more elaborate battle animations, Front Mission 2 leaned further into cinematic storytelling, reinforcing the sense that large-scale political movements and individual lives are inextricably linked.

Front Mission Alternative (1997)

Released as a spin-off, Front Mission Alternative once again reinvented the formula. This time, the series ventured into real-time strategy, placing players in the role of battlefield commanders rather than individual pilots.

Set in 2034, Alternative serves as a prequel, exploring the early development of walking tank technology that would eventually become the Wanzers central to the series. Though experimental, it broadened the franchise’s timeline and underscored its fascination with the evolution of military technology.

Front Mission 3 (1999)

For many fans, Front Mission 3 represents the franchise at its most confident. The game refined the series’ tactical systems while introducing a bold narrative structure built around a branching campaign. An early player choice splits the story in two, encouraging multiple playthroughs and alternative perspectives.

The narrative follows test pilot Kazuki Takemura, who is drawn into a global conspiracy surrounding the MIDAS weapons system. Spanning locations across Asia, the story balances personal stakes with international intrigue, cementing Front Mission 3 as one of the series’ most ambitious entries.

Front Mission 4 (2003)

With Front Mission 4, the series expanded its scope once again. Set in 2096, the game presents two parallel campaigns, each following a different protagonist on opposite sides of the globe.

Players can experience the conflict through Elsa Eliane, a former French Army master sergeant operating in Europe, or Darryl Traubel, a disgraced soldier navigating the political underbelly of South America. Their stories eventually converge, revealing a broader narrative of corruption, power struggles, and hidden alliances. Mechanically, the introduction of the Link System encouraged coordinated attacks and reinforced the importance of unit synergy.

Front Mission: Online (2005)

Front Mission: Online marked one of the franchise’s boldest departures. Reimagined as an online-focused action experience, it placed players into massive faction-based conflicts on Huffman Island, emphasizing scale and persistence over tightly scripted storytelling.

While it differed sharply from the series’ traditional structure, Online expanded the Front Mission universe by showing warfare as an ongoing, systemic struggle rather than a single contained campaign.

Front Mission 2089 (2005)

A return to form in many respects, Front Mission 2089 brought the series back to its isometric, turn-based roots. Centered on a mercenary Wanzer unit operating on Huffman Island, the game delivered a focused narrative steeped in the franchise’s familiar themes of loyalty, survival, and shifting allegiances.

As a canonical entry, it also enriched the broader timeline, adding further texture to one of the series’ most important settings.

Front Mission 5: Scars of the War (2005)

Often regarded as the narrative culmination of the series, Front Mission 5: Scars of the War weaves together story threads that stretch back to the franchise’s earliest entries. Rather than focusing on a single hero, the game follows multiple characters across different eras, examining how war leaves marks that persist long after the fighting ends.

True to its title, Scars of the War is as much about aftermath as action, offering a sweeping meditation on conflict and consequence.

Front Mission Evolved (2010)

With Front Mission Evolved, the series once again reinvented itself—this time as a third-person action game. The shift away from turn-based tactics toward direct Wanzer control marked a dramatic change in tone and pacing.

The result stands as one of the franchise’s most divisive entries, emblematic of a period where Front Mission was actively searching for a new identity.

Left Alive (2019)

Though it dropped the Front Mission name entirely, Left Alive occupies a canonical place within the same universe. Set in a war-torn city, the game blends third-person shooting and stealth while focusing on ordinary people struggling to survive extraordinary circumstances.

While mechanically far removed from the series’ origins, Left Alive maintains Front Mission’s long-standing interest in portraying war from a human, ground-level perspective.

Across its many incarnations, Front Mission has remained united by a fascination with warfare as more than spectacle. Whether through careful tactical planning or genre experimentation, the series consistently explores how politics, technology, and human ambition collide—and who is left to carry the scars when the dust settles.

That thematic consistency, even amid mechanical change, is what continues to define Front Mission’s enduring legacy.

Monsters Are Coming! Rock & Road Mini-Review: An Excellent Twist on the Survivors Genre

Vampire Survivors, and many of the games inspired by it, can feel a little bit—well—familiar. So it’s always refreshing when something comes along that wants to put a genuine spin on the formula. Megabonk was one of the best examples of this last year, not only introducing a third dimension but also adding leaderboards to really get you hooked. One game you may have missed, though, is Monsters Are Coming! Rock & Road.

Monsters are Coming! Rock & Road on PC

Monsters Are Coming! has you protecting moving bastions as they make their way toward a massive city known as the Ark. This gives you a specific area to defend, rather than simply roaming around getting stronger, and means you have a city to upgrade along the way. As you gain experience, you don’t level up – your city does. With each upgrade, you get to choose a new tower or resource block and place it somewhere on your ever-growing, rolling home. Location is everything, and pairing specific blocks together can result in some massive power boosts.

While all of this is happening, you’ll be running around not only fighting off monsters yourself, but also hacking through obstacles, mining for gold and stone, and chopping down trees for wood. Gold lets you buy upgrades, stone allows you to heal your city, and wood increases your towers’ attack speed. It’s a smart twist on resource gathering that keeps you constantly on the move, always trying to stay productive instead of standing still.

The end result is that Monsters Are Coming! feels a lot more hands-on than many others in the genre, with no AFK endgame in sight. You unlock new features after each run, and there are some genuinely tough encounters along the way. It’s a great addition to the genre, and a refreshingly active one at that.

Shape Of Dreams Mini-Review: A Dreamy Action Roguelike

Shape of Dreams is an action roguelike, but it goes well beyond the usual genre expectations. Roguelikes are everywhere these days, and while they come in many different flavours, it can sometimes feel like you’re playing the same game dressed up in a new skin. Shape of Dreams avoids that trap, thanks to a range of clever mechanics and hidden depth that help it stand out from the crowd.

Shape of Dreams on PC

The game features multiple characters, each with their own active and passive abilities, stats, and distinct playstyles. On top of that, every run introduces a selection of skills known as memories. There’s a substantial pool to draw from, and over time you’ll naturally gravitate toward certain combinations depending on your character and goals. In multiplayer, for instance, pairing a dedicated healer with a tanky frontline character can make even the toughest encounters manageable.

Adding another layer of customisation are essences – small gems that can be socketed into your memories. Each memory can hold up to three essences, allowing you to dramatically alter how a skill behaves. One essence might periodically fire off scaling fireballs as it’s upgraded, while others add powerful effects such as flashbang-style bursts or even the ability to summon a black hole when casting a skill.

The freedom to mix and match characters, memories, and essences results in a frankly absurd number of viable builds. Mastering these systems becomes essential when tackling higher difficulty settings or the game’s punishing Limbo mode. All of this is wrapped in excellent visual and sound design, with each area feeling distinct and energetic, making every run both exhilarating and visually striking.

Why John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando Could Be the Next Must-Play Co-Op Shooter

Much more than just a funky-sounding title that feels like it was pulled, kicking and screaming, from the early 1980s, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is, in fact, promising players a jolly old time filled with loud, splattery mutant zombie slaying across a devastated post-apocalyptic wasteland. Perhaps best of all, this whole spectacle has been tailored to be enjoyed with friends who share a taste for such gloopy violence. With that in mind, here’s why John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is shaping up to be the next must-have co-op game for PC and console gamers alike.

Toxic Commando Is In Good, Practised Hands

Before delving too deeply into the many aspects of Toxic Commando that lend themselves to such a heady calibre of co-op goodness, it’s worth acknowledging the talented group in charge of its creation. Developed by the endlessly versatile Saber Interactive—the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and, perhaps most fittingly, World War Z—fans of cooperative shooters should have any lingering doubts quickly assuaged. Few developers boast quite as much recent experience in crafting compelling, violence-filled co-op shooters as the folks over at Saber Interactive.

The Story Is Pure B-Movie Trash, And We’re Here For It

True to its gloriously trashy title, the setting of Toxic Commando aligns perfectly with the gore-soaked, video nasty horror splatter flicks of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Set in a grim near future, the world has been blighted by an ancient Eldritch terror known as the Sludge God – a festering, gargantuan monster hellbent on transforming Earth into a rotting bowl of decay filled to the brim with shambling undead.

John Carpenter's Toxic Commando on PC

Naturally, this makes the Sludge God public enemy number one for the titular Toxic Commandos: a ragtag band of dysfunctional mercenaries who have made it their life’s mission to wipe this filthy entity from the face of the planet. Left 4 Dead by way of a shamelessly gratuitous ’80s B-movie horror premise, complete with buddy-movie vibes and buckets of gore? Yeah, we’re absolutely here for that.

A Quartet Of Very Different Loudmouth Heroes Ready To Throw Down

It also helps that the Toxic Commandos themselves are a charismatic bunch, diligently ticking all the B-movie 1980s hero and anti-hero boxes you’d expect. There’s Walter, the laid-back yet grizzled veteran with a wisecrack for every situation; Ruby, a firebrand with an appetite for destruction; Cato, the team’s more sensitive soul; and Astrid, the long-suffering leader desperately trying to keep these misfits shooting in the same direction. Taken together, the ragtag cast makes for a compelling line-up.

The Sludge God Giveth (Sort Of)

While each Toxic Commando is a distinct character, players can also define the functional role they’ll play in pushing back the Sludge God-fuelled apocalypse. Alongside familiar archetypes (damage dealer, tank, support, and engineer), each with their own traits, abilities, and signature skills, Toxic Commando has an extra trick up its sleeve.

John Carpenter's Toxic Commando on PC

The Commandos wield special devices that not only shield them from the Sludge God’s poisonous miasma but also actively weaponise the infection. These trigger unique mutations that can turn the tide of battle, from creating massive healing zones to unleashing clouds that boost allies’ damage output.

More Enemies Than You Can Shake An Undead Stick At

Drawing heavily on its experience with World War Z, Saber Interactive has once again deployed the Swarm Engine—the same technology that allowed hundreds upon hundreds of enemies to flood the screen at once. Enhanced for Toxic Commando, players can expect not just a near-constant tsunami of undead to deal with, but a far wider variety of enemy types to put six feet under.

A Bigger, Semi-Open World For You And Your Mates To Blast About In

While Toxic Commando shares some technological DNA with World War Z, it also boasts a significantly larger game world. Gone are the narrow, highly linear maps of its predecessor. In their place are semi-open environments that give players the freedom to roam, wreak havoc, and uncover hidden ammo and resource caches tucked away in every nook and cranny. And speaking of open spaces…

John Carpenter's Toxic Commando on PC

Vehicles Make Everything Better

The expanded environments allow Toxic Commando to lean into vehicles in a big way. Players can tear across the wasteland in everything from abandoned ambulances to fully equipped technical jeeps. These aren’t just a faster way to get from A to B, either—vehicles feature functional slots that let teammates ride shotgun or man mounted machine guns, gleefully mowing down undead hordes while the driver handles the chaos like they’re starring in a Fast & Furious spin-off.

Even better, vehicles have their own upgrade paths and progression systems, lending them a surprising—and satisfying—degree of mastery that helps Toxic Commando stand apart from its peers.

No Mates? No Problem

If your real-world squad isn’t available to help you take on the Sludge God, Toxic Commando has you covered. AI-controlled teammates can step in, allowing you to tackle the game solo if needed. Likewise, if a co-op session isn’t fully staffed with human players, AI companions can fill the gaps and keep the carnage flowing.

Terra Invicta Mini-Review: A Deep, Demanding Grand Strategy Game Worth Mastering

If you’re craving a serious strategy game, the past few years have been generous. The genre is packed with excellent titles, each catering to different types of players. But if you’re looking for a grand strategy game that demands total focus, patience, and brainpower, Terra Invicta may be the most ambitious – and rewarding – option available right now.

Terra Invicta on PC

Terra Invicta is set on a near-future version of Earth, shattered by an alien invasion. Instead of uniting against the threat, humanity fractures into seven competing factions, each with its own ideology and goals. Some factions want to resist the aliens at all costs, others seek cooperation or escape, and a few are simply out to profit from the chaos. This ideological conflict adds remarkable depth and replayability, making every campaign feel distinct.

The sheer complexity of Terra Invicta is difficult to overstate. Players must juggle global politics, diplomacy, military conflict, scientific research, and internal faction management – all while responding to threats from both Earth and space. Survival alone is a challenge; thriving requires careful long-term planning and constant adaptation. On a global (and eventually interstellar) scale, nothing is ever simple.

One of the game’s most compelling design choices is that you don’t play as a nation, but as an idea. This abstraction allows for a more fluid and dynamic strategy experience, where influence matters as much as territory. While Terra Invicta is not beginner-friendly, veteran strategy fans looking for a deep, demanding game to fully immerse themselves in will find a lot to love.

Once the game expands beyond Earth, its systems stack on top of one another into what can only be described as a rich, layered feast of strategy. Terra Invicta is dense, complex, and mentally exhausting—but for the right audience, it’s absolutely worth the effort.

Indie Video Games Round-Up – January 2026

Welcome to 2026. We’ve officially defeated 2025 and moved on to the next level, and if life really is the ultimate co-op game, we’re sure there are plenty of boss battles waiting for us. As always, a new month means a fresh batch of indie games to get excited about, and January is bringing a seriously varied line-up.

Here are some of the coolest indie PC games launching this month.

StarRupture - Indie Games Round-Up January 2026

StarRupture – 6th January

This month’s survival game comes with some serious visual flair. StarRupture drops you onto a constantly changing alien planet where you’ll gather resources, build up a base, and fend off enemies in FPS combat. It feels like a mash-up of Satisfactory and Sanctum 2, which is a pretty exciting combination. It’s also from the team behind Green Hell, and that alone makes it worth keeping an eye on.

BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW - Indie Games Round-Up January 2026

BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW – 16th January

BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW is a psychological horror game exploring isolation and the darker side of online culture. Expect eerie environments, unsettling imagery, and a heavy focus on atmosphere. It looks like the kind of horror experience that sticks with you long after you stop playing.

Tailside: Cozy Cafe Sim - Indie Games Round-Up January 2026

Tailside: Cozy Café Sim – 21st January

Tailside: Cozy Café Sim puts you in the fluffy paws of a fox running a café for the locals. Brew coffee, make latte art, decorate your space, and keep customers happy as you go about your day. It’s charming, laid-back, and exactly the kind of cosy game you might want to kick the year off with.

Nova Roma - Indie Games Round-Up January 2026

Nova Roma – 22nd January

Hooded Horse are once again coming for your free time with Nova Roma. This city builder has you managing your people, supplies, and even the gods themselves as you shape your empire. There’s a surprising amount of depth here, too, including systems like running water, letting you get as detailed as you want with your city planning.

The Spirit Lift - Indie Games Round-Up January 2026

The Spirit Lift – 27th January

The Spirit Lift is a horror-tinged roguelike deckbuilder set in a haunted hotel. It’s packed with creepy enemy designs, strong ’90s vibes, and plenty of mysteries to uncover. You’ll choose from classic character archetypes to build your team and see how long you can survive the horrors waiting inside.

Steel Century Groove - Indie Games Round-Up January 2026

Steel Century Groove – 28th January

Steel Century Groove is a rhythm-RPG where giant mech battles play out to the beat. Timing your moves is key as you unleash stylish attacks and try to outplay your opponents. Between battles, you’ll get to know your team, tackle mini-games, and work your way toward the big leagues.

Cairn - Indie Games Round-Up January 2026

Cairn – 29th January

Cairn is all about the climb. This survival-focused game has you carefully scaling a massive mountain, managing stamina and planning every move along the way. There’s no combat here – just you, the rock face, and the constant risk of falling if you make a mistake.

I Hate This Place - Indie Games Round-Up January 2026

I Hate This Place – 29th January

Closing out the month is I Hate This Place, an isometric survival horror game dripping with ’80s vibes. Based on a comic book series, it fully leans into that style with on-screen sound effects and bold visuals. Spend your days scavenging and crafting, then fight for your life each night as the real horrors come out to play.

The Road to Requiem: Resident Evil Story and Timeline Recap

As the highly anticipated release of Resident Evil Requiem creeps ever closer, there has never been a better time to unearth the history of this pioneering series. Interconnected and deeply tangled like a tentacular T-Virus mutation, the events chronicling this nearly three-decade-long trailblazer are essential to understanding what will transpire in next year’s entry. So, grab your first-aid spray and check your ammo—let’s get started.

Resident Evil Zero: The Spark

Long before a steroid-obsessed Chris Redfield was punching boulders, the nightmare began with three architects of ruin: Edward Ashford, James Marcus, and the chillingly calculated Ozwell E. Spencer. After discovering the “Progenitor” virus in Africa – an ancient strain capable of radical biological restructuring – the trio founded the Umbrella Corporation. Their goal was nothing less than weaponised evolution, refined into what would become the T-Virus.

Resident Evil Zero

While the world saw a benevolent pharmaceutical giant, Umbrella’s real business lay in black-site laboratories and military contracts. This hubris inevitably backfired, culminating in a localised outbreak in the Arklay Mountains. Rookie S.T.A.R.S. medic Rebecca Chambers and escaped death-row inmate Billy Coen became the first unwilling witnesses aboard a derailed train crawling with infected horrors. Their investigation led them to a grotesquely mutated James Marcus, resurrected and driven by a desire for revenge. Though Marcus was finally destroyed, the damage was done – Rebecca fled toward the Spencer Mansion, while Billy disappeared into the forest, his fate deliberately left unresolved.

Resident Evil: The Mansion Incident

Dispatched to locate the missing Bravo Team, the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team – including Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Barry Burton, and their commander Albert Wesker – sought shelter in the ominous Spencer Mansion. What appeared abandoned was anything but: the estate was a sealed ecosystem of zombies, experimental predators, and the Tyrant, Umbrella’s crown-jewel bioweapon.

Resident Evil

The greatest betrayal, however, came from within. Wesker revealed himself as an Umbrella operative, orchestrating the incident to collect live combat data by sacrificing his own team. The plan unravelled when the Tyrant turned on its handler, allowing the surviving S.T.A.R.S. members to escape and destroy the mansion. Chris, Jill, and Barry emerged alive – but marked. Umbrella would never allow witnesses to walk away unpunished.

Resident Evil 2 & 3: The Fall of Raccoon City

Only months later, the nightmare went public. A T-Virus leak spread through Raccoon City’s water supply, transforming a thriving Midwestern metropolis into a necropolis almost overnight. Rookie police officer Leon S. Kennedy crossed paths with Claire Redfield, who had come searching for her missing brother, Chris. Together, they fought through police stations, sewers, and laboratories, uncovering Umbrella’s sins piece by piece.

Resident Evil 2

Central to the disaster was William Birkin, a scientist who had perfected the G-Virus, an unstable pathogen that drove relentless mutation and regeneration. His daughter Sherry became both a target and a symbol of Umbrella’s moral collapse. While Leon and Claire escaped with their lives, Jill Valentine was enduring her own hell nearby. In Resident Evil 3, she was hunted relentlessly by Nemesis, a bioweapon engineered specifically to eliminate surviving S.T.A.R.S. members.

With containment impossible, the U.S. government made the unthinkable decision to sterilise the city with a nuclear strike. Raccoon City was wiped from the map, and Umbrella’s public image collapsed alongside it.

Resident Evil Code: Veronica: The Legacy Continues

Umbrella’s downfall did not mean its extinction. Claire Redfield’s continued search for Chris led her to Rockfort Island, a remote prison facility controlled by the unhinged Ashford lineage. There, the siblings reunited amid yet another outbreak – this time fueled by lingering Umbrella experiments and old family grudges.

Resident Evil Code: Veronica

More importantly, Albert Wesker returned. Having survived the mansion incident through viral self-experimentation, he emerged superhuman, ruthless, and fully independent. Though the Redfields escaped the Ashford Antarctic base, Wesker vanished with invaluable virus samples, ensuring that Umbrella’s research would survive, no longer centralised, but scattered across the global black market.

Resident Evil 4 & 5: Global Bioterror

The series pivoted dramatically with Resident Evil 4. Leon S. Kennedy, now a hardened government agent, was dispatched to rural Spain to rescue the President’s kidnapped daughter, Ashley Graham. There, he encountered Las Plagas – an ancient parasitic organism capable of controlling hosts while preserving intelligence, signalling a shift from mindless zombies to deliberate, organised threats.

Resident Evil 4

This evolution of bioweapons is carried directly into Resident Evil 5. Chris Redfield, now a founding member of the BSAA, deployed to Africa with partner Sheva Alomar. They uncovered TRICELL, a corporate successor exploiting Umbrella’s abandoned research. At its centre stood Wesker, intent on unleashing the Uroboros virus to “perfect” humanity through forced selection.

The conflict ended in spectacular excess (yes, including a volcanic showdown and the infamous boulder punch), but Wesker’s death marked a turning point. Bioterrorism was no longer an isolated conspiracy; it had become a permanent, global arms race.

Resident Evil 6: The Global Crisis

That arms race exploded in Resident Evil 6. Spanning multiple continents and intersecting storylines, the game followed Leon, Chris, and Jake Muller – Wesker’s estranged son and a living genetic anomaly – as they confronted Neo-Umbrella and its C-Virus. This new pathogen blurred the line between infection and weaponisation, capable of tailored mutations on a massive scale.

Resident Evil 6

While the heroes prevented total annihilation, the cost was staggering. Entire cities were lost, alliances fractured, and the illusion of control finally collapsed. The age of clean victories was over.

Resident Evil 7 & Village: The Winters Saga

The series then narrowed its focus with Ethan Winters, an ordinary man searching for his missing wife in the swamps of Louisiana. What he found was Eveline and “The Mold” – a sentient fungal organism capable of imitation, control, and psychological manipulation. Gone were global conspiracies; the horror was intimate, claustrophobic, and deeply personal.

Resident Evil 7

That intimacy carried into Resident Evil Village, where Ethan’s pursuit of his kidnapped daughter led him to an isolated European village ruled by Mother Miranda. The truth was brutal: Ethan himself had died in Louisiana, unknowingly sustained as a mold construct. Yet even that revelation couldn’t stop him from making the ultimate sacrifice to save Rose.

In the aftermath, a weary Chris Redfield took responsibility for Rose’s protection, having uncovered a final, unsettling truth – the BSAA, the organisation he helped create, had begun deploying bioweapons of its own. History, it seemed, was already starting to repeat itself.

Resident Evil Requiem: The Final Reckoning

This brings us to the present. Thirty years after the destruction of Raccoon City, Resident Evil Requiem seems set to bridge the gap between the franchise’s origins and its future. The story introduces Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Outbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft, who returns to a decaying Midwest hotel to investigate a series of recent murders and, hopefully, solve her mother’s murder at the same time.

Resident Evil Requiem

In a potentially legendary crossover, she looks set to join forces with fan-favourite Leon S. Kennedy as they both must face their pasts and uncover the truth behind the Raccoon City Incident. With rumours swirling about Leon’s own infection and a return to the restricted “Dead Zone” of Raccoon City, Requiem is set to be the ultimate survival horror experience – a culmination of three decades of fear, shadow, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

The Most Anticipated Upcoming Video Games of 2026

With 2025 rapidly drawing to a close, it’s fair to say this has hardly been a year in which we’ve been starved of exceptional gaming experiences. From the lightning-in-a-bottle success of the magnificent Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, to the long-awaited resurgence of the Battlefield franchise courtesy of October’s excellent Battlefield 6, the superb Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and the unexpected domination of the extraction shooter genre by Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders, we’ve been well and truly spoiled for choice. Happily, we’re delighted to report that 2026 is shaping up to be even better. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most anticipated games of 2026.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - 007 First Light

007 First Light

With it being nearly 14 years since the last James Bond tie-in hit our gaming machines (2012’s utterly risible 007 Legends), it’s safe to say that ol’ 007 has some serious work to do to restore his reputation among players. Thankfully, Hitman developer IO Interactive has stepped up to the plate – and judging by what we’ve seen so far, they look poised to do the franchise some long-overdue justice.

A third-person action-adventure that puts players in control of a younger, less experienced James Bond, 007 First Light sees 007 tracking down the treacherous agent 009. Drawing heavily from IO Interactive’s Hitman design DNA, the game leans into stealth, player freedom, and sandbox-style environments, while significantly expanding the formula with punchy cover-based gunplay and a stronger, mission-to-mission narrative throughline—something the Hitman series has traditionally lacked. Simply put, James Bond has never looked quite so essential, and March can’t arrive soon enough.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - CONTROL Resonant

CONTROL Resonant

The sequel to one of 2019’s standout releases, Control Resonant is a direct continuation of the events of Control. This time, players step into the shoes of Dylan Faden, who awakens in the aftermath of the chaos set in motion by his sister Jesse and must stop the Hiss from completely annihilating downtown Manhattan.

While Control Resonant retains the third-person exploration and eerie atmosphere that defined the original, it meaningfully expands the formula with a stronger emphasis on visceral melee combat and the introduction of a host of new Hiss-possessed enemies. If you loved Control, then Control Resonant is about as close to a no-brainer purchase as you’ll find in 2026.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert

From the studio behind Black Desert comes Crimson Desert, a markedly different proposition from its sprawling MMORPG sibling. This time, the action moves offline without sacrificing any of the spectacle or ambition.

An open-world action RPG of frankly breath-taking scope, Crimson Desert allows players to explore a gorgeously realised dark fantasy world where they can fly dragons, pilot mechs, unleash Devil May Cry-style melee combos, and ultimately shape the fate of a nation. Powered by the studio’s bespoke BlackSpace Engine, the game also boasts some of the most impressive visuals seen in years. Are we excited for Crimson Desert? You bet your bottom gold coin we are.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - Gears of War: E-Day

Gears of War: E-Day

Although little has been shown of the Unreal Engine 5-powered Gears of War: E-Day beyond its initial cinematic reveal, that hasn’t stopped excitement from reaching fever pitch. This marks the franchise’s second foray into prequel territory, following the underrated Gears of War: Judgment.

Likely launching toward the tail end of 2026, Gears of War: E-Day places players back into the well-worn size 16 boots of Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as they face the Locust menace on the very first day of the invasion. While gameplay specifics remain under wraps, it would be genuinely shocking if the game didn’t feature generous helpings of cover shooting, roadie runs, and chainsaw executions. Regardless, Gears of War: E-Day already looks like manna from heaven for fans of the series and horror shooters alike.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - Grand Theft Auto 6

Grand Theft Auto 6

Like a vast cosmic black hole, the gravitational pull of Grand Theft Auto 6 on the games industry cannot be overstated. No publisher is brave – or foolish – enough to launch a game in the same week, let alone the same month, as Rockstar’s genre-defining juggernaut. Each delay sparks a curious mix of frustration and celebration, as developers scramble to fill the vacuum left in its wake. That’s before factoring in the impact on booked annual leave and mysteriously timed sick days.

As for the game itself, Grand Theft Auto 6 looks set to fundamentally reshape the open-world genre yet again, much as GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 did before it. Players can expect a meticulously handcrafted version of the fictional state of Leonida, packed with extraordinary micro and macro detail, vastly improved NPC AI, cutting-edge next-gen visuals, and Rockstar’s trademark sharp, satirical storytelling. Add in a dual-protagonist system starring ex-con Lucia and her partner Jason (embarking on a Bonnie and Clyde-style crime spree across a sunshine state that definitely isn’t Florida) and you have something truly special.

Grand Theft Auto has always been a trailblazer in open-world design and cinematic storytelling, and all signs suggest GTA 6 won’t just be the most anticipated game of 2026 – it has a very real shot at being the game of the decade. Hyperbole? Not in this dojo, my friend.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - Marvel's Wolverine

Marvel’s Wolverine

Marking a clear tonal departure from Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man series, Marvel’s Wolverine looks ready to fully embrace the ultraviolence of its comic book roots. And yes, that means an unapologetically brutal video game to match.

Voiced by Liam McIntyre of Spartacus fame, this gruffer, more feral Logan carves his way through mutant hunters, Sentinels, and even the notoriously vicious Omega Red. Visceral, furious, and visually striking, Marvel’s Wolverine is already shaping up to be the next essential superhero game.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - Phantom Blade Zero

Phantom Blade Zero

A wuxia fever dream brought to life, Phantom Blade Zero has impressed at every turn since its announcement in May 2023. This lavish, third-person, combat-focused experience infuses each frame with rapid, acrobatic swordplay reminiscent of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers.

The result is a balletic showcase of Chinese martial arts, brutal violence, and haunting mythology that stands apart from almost everything else on the horizon. Phantom Blade Zero is simply unmissable.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - Resident Evil Requiem

Resident Evil Requiem

Essentially Resident Evil 9 in all but name, Resident Evil Requiem takes players to the very end of the series timeline as we know it, delivering an experience that truly feels like a game of two halves.

As FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, players are thrust into classic survival horror territory, where jump scares are frequent, and evasion is key due to Grace’s limited combat abilities. The other half of the game places players in the blood-soaked boots of returning fan-favourite Leon S. Kennedy, who dispatches enemies with explosive kicks, bone-crunching suplexes, and chainsaw carnage that would make Leatherface proud.

Beyond its dual-protagonist structure, Resident Evil Requiem also allows players to switch between first- and third-person perspectives, adding a level of customisation not seen before in the series. With a February 2026 release date, this looks set to be an essential experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to survival horror.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - Slay the Spire 2

Slay the Spire 2

The sequel to one of the finest indie games of the 2010s – and one of the best deck-building roguelikes ever made – Slay the Spire 2 wisely avoids reinventing the wheel. Instead, it builds upon its already rock-solid foundations with meaningful new twists.

Alongside returning characters like Ironclad and Silent, two new playable heroes join the roster: The Regent and The Necrobinder, each with distinct mechanics and playstyles. There are more cards, relics, items, and consumables than ever before, as well as new quests and a stronger narrative focus that expands the game’s lore in ways the original only hinted at. Deck-building fans are going to eat very well when Slay the Spire 2 enters PC early access in March 2026.

Most Anticipated Games of 2026 - Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

A full-fat, full-sugar remake of the original Tomb Raider, arriving thirty years after its debut – and nearly two decades after 2007’s Tomb Raider: Anniversary – Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is already one of 2026’s most anticipated releases.

Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game completely reimagines Lara Croft’s first adventure, modernising its puzzles, refining its platforming, and overhauling combat to meet contemporary expectations. Crucially, it aims to strike that elusive balance between honouring the spirit of the original while presenting it in a bold, refreshed form. If successful, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis could be something truly special.

Everything You Need To Know About Code Vein II

Nearly seven years after the release of the original Code Vein, Bandai Namco Studios has returned to the series with Code Vein 2. Designed as an evolution of the anime-styled, Souls-like-inspired combat and exploration that defined its predecessor, Code Vein 2 builds upon the foundations of the original while pushing the formula forward in meaningful ways. From expanded combat systems to reworked world design, the sequel aims to stand as both a worthy continuation of a cult favourite and a substantial action-RPG experience in its own right.

Be sure to keep this Code Vein 2 guide bookmarked to stay up to date with everything from the release date, story so far, and gameplay details, through to trailers, pre-order bonuses, special editions, and more.

Code Vein II Release Date

Code Vein 2 is officially scheduled for release on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on January 29, 2026. At present, the game has not been confirmed for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. Similarly, while there has been no official announcement regarding a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 release, future platform expansions remain a possibility.

Code Vein II on PC

Code Vein II Pre-Order Bonuses

Players who choose to pre-order Code Vein 2 can access a selection of bonus items, including the following:

  • Stylized Forma Set
    • Forma Face Paint: A cosmetic item that applies a forma design to the corner of your eyes.
    • Twin Fangs of the Lone Wolf (Weapon): Twin blades engraved with a special forma, delivering a powerful lunging slice attack inspired by a wolf’s ferocity.

Additionally, those who pre-order the Deluxe or Ultimate Editions receive early access to the game up to 72 hours ahead of the standard launch.

Code Vein II Special Editions

In addition to the Standard Edition, Code Vein 2 is available in Deluxe and Ultimate Editions. Each version includes a range of digital bonuses aimed at players looking for additional content beyond the base game.

Deluxe Edition

  • Code Vein II base game
  • Custom Outfit Pack: Contains three costume sets and one weapon
  • Expansion DLC: Mask of Idris (available by January 2027)

Ultimate Edition

  • Code Vein II base game
  • Custom Outfit Pack: Contains three costume sets and one weapon
  • Expansion DLC: Mask of Idris (available by January 2027)
  • Code Vein Character Costume Set: Six costumes inspired by characters from the original Code Vein
  • Code Vein II Digital Mini Artbook & Soundtrack

Code Vein II – The Story So Far

The original Code Vein is set within the quarantined ruins of Vein, a post-apocalyptic zone sealed off by a supernatural barrier known as the Red Mist. Far more than simple fog, the Red Mist protects the inhabitants within from the dangers beyond. These inhabitants, known as Revenants, are resurrected remnants of humanity—immortal soldiers who must consume blood, or Blood Beads, to retain their sanity. Without it, they risk devolving into feral creatures known as the Lost.

Code Vein II on PC

Players take on the role of a uniquely gifted Revenant capable of cleansing corruption and exploring memories. As Blood Beads begin to disappear, the survival of the Revenants is thrown into jeopardy. The situation worsens with the revelation of Cruz Silva, a Revenant Queen whose failed attempt to save humanity resulted in catastrophic consequences.

To prevent her resurrection, Cruz Silva’s immortal form is split into powerful relics that must be recovered and contained. In the canon ‘True Ending’, companion Io sacrifices herself by transforming into an immense Amber Blood Bead tree, ensuring a stable supply of Blood Beads for the future. With the Queen’s relics stabilised within them, the protagonist ultimately ventures beyond the Red Mist into the unknown.

Code Vein II Gameplay – What’s New?

Code Vein 2 retains the core Souls-like combat and exploration of the original while introducing several notable changes. New weapon types, such as Dual Swords and Rune Blades, expand combat variety, while the new Assimilation system allows players to directly command partner abilities, offering greater tactical control during battles.

Code Vein II on PC

World design has also seen a significant overhaul. Rather than relying heavily on linear, corridor-based environments, Code Vein 2 features larger open areas and a broader selection of distinct dungeons. A time-shifting mechanic allows players to travel 100 years into the past, altering environments and unlocking new routes in the present, adding a puzzle-oriented layer to exploration.

Further enhancements include an expanded character creator and a reworked progression system that supports more detailed build customisation. One of the sequel’s most significant changes is the removal of multiplayer co-op, placing a stronger emphasis on a refined single-player experience with improved balance, pacing, and AI partner behaviour.

Where Can I Watch The Latest Trailer?

The most recent Code Vein 2 trailer can be viewed above. With a strong focus on character presentation, it highlights Lyle McLeish, also known as ‘the solitary swordsman’. A stoic yet principled Revenant, Lyle showcases precise sabre techniques alongside a powerful array of spells. The trailer also features extended combat footage, offering a clear look at how Code Vein 2’s systems and visual style come together in action.

The 10 Best Indie Games of 2025 You Need to Play Right Now

It’s been a truly incredible year for indie games, with an almost absurd number of releases and more than a few genuine all-timers among them. Nearly every month in 2025 has delivered a new indie game that completely captured players’ attention, and the indie scene has felt more creative, ambitious, and exciting than ever before.

We’ve somehow narrowed things down to ten of our favourite indie games of 2025, which unfortunately means plenty of phenomenal titles didn’t make the cut. We’re also refusing to rank them, because choosing between favourites feels cruel and unnecessary. You wouldn’t ask us to do that. Legally, you can’t ask us to do that. Anyway, let’s get into the list.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - Blue Prince

Blue Prince

Blue Prince had players everywhere slipping into detective mode and learning how to think in entirely new ways. Honestly, notebook and Post-it note sales must have skyrocketed as people tried to connect the dots in this brilliant puzzle game. The constantly shifting manor at the heart of Blue Prince is an absolute joy to explore, and it regularly has you bouncing between feeling incredibly clever and painfully foolish. That balance is the hallmark of a truly inventive puzzle experience.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - Skin Deep

Skin Deep

Skin Deep let us loose in one of the coolest immersive sims we’ve played in years. You creep around a beautifully designed spaceship, using your wits, the mysterious power of cats, and whatever else you can get your hands on to outsmart a crew of space pirates. You can also dispose of the pirates’ floating heads in a bin, which is reason enough to recommend it on its own.

Read our Skin Deep Mini-Review here.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - Ball x Pit

BALL x PIT

BALL x PIT is sublime, blending brick-breaking, base-building, and roguelike mechanics into a game that’s dangerously hard to put down. You combine balls to create stronger ones, evolve them into devils, suns, and other wild forms, and mix different characters to create entirely unique playstyles. It’s endlessly satisfying, and the soundtrack absolutely rules.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - Megabonk

Megabonk

Megabonk was everywhere at launch, thanks to its ridiculous memes, overpowered builds, and pure chaotic fun. This Vampire Survivors-style indie game stands out by being fully 3D, which might sound like a small change but dramatically alters how it feels. The ability to jump transforms the chaos, making the action feel fresh and dynamic, and it’s no surprise that plenty of players are still coming back to it daily.

Read our Megabonk Mini-Review here.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - Abiotic Factor

Abiotic Factor

It’s been a standout year for indie co-op games, and Abiotic Factor is right near the top. This survival game has you and your friends trying to stay alive inside a research facility that has gone very, very wrong. You’ll explore multiple strange realms to gather resources and fend off escalating threats. The modernised N64-inspired visual style gives it a distinctive and nostalgic charm.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - Monster Train 2

Monster Train 2

The original Monster Train was already exceptional, and Monster Train 2 somehow improves on nearly every aspect. Alongside a brand-new set of clans, you’ll face new enemies, experiment with additional card types, and unlock even more strategic depth. Eventually, the original clans return as well, opening the door to an absurd number of builds and combinations that deckbuilding fans will love.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - Haste

Haste

Haste is essentially a Sonic the Hedgehog roguelike, built entirely around mastering momentum and movement. You need to flow through levels at high speed, avoiding hazards while chaining abilities to maintain your pace. Even landing jumps correctly matters, and the whole experience feels like a classic arcade game in the best possible way. The music is outstanding, too.

Read our Haste Mini-Review here.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - PEAK

PEAK

PEAK is, fittingly, peak chaos. While it’s another co-op experience, this one is mostly about surviving your friends rather than the environment. The goal is simple: climb and explore breathtaking locations. In practice, it’s a disaster, and you’re all going to fall constantly. It’s silly, stressful, and hilarious, evoking the same energy as Overcooked as it turns cooperation into chaos and laughter.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - StarVaders

StarVaders

StarVaders takes the roguelike formula and applies it to a new genre: turn-based Space Invaders. That pitch might sound strange on paper, but the execution is phenomenal. It’s one of the most inventive roguelikes in recent memory, packed with deep build variety, clever enemy design, and boss fights that constantly force you to rethink your strategy.

Read our StarVaders Mini-Review here.

Best Indie Games of 2025 - Goodnight Universe

Goodnight Universe

Finally, Goodnight Universe comes from the team behind Before Your Eyes, a genuinely stunning indie game you should absolutely play if you haven’t already. Like its predecessor, Goodnight Universe is deeply inventive, using your webcam to let you control a psychic baby facing the unique challenges that come with psychic powers. It’s beautiful, heartfelt, and emotionally powerful. Don’t miss this one.

Arcane Trigger Mini-Review: Big Spells, One Button

Some roguelikes let you fight with preset weapons, but a small sub-genre lets you invent your own, turning every run into a playground of spells and chaos. Noita is a great example, letting you play with the world’s physics by freely mixing and matching effects. Magicraft does something similar, but with a more traditional roguelike viewpoint, and becomes pure chaos once a run really gets going. Both demand sharp reactions, but Arcane Trigger approaches things a little differently.

Arcane Trigger on PC

Arcane Trigger has you playing as an arcane gunslinger, combining different bullet types and spells to unleash massive chains of firepower against a strange realm encroaching on your own. It begins simply, as most roguelikes do, but escalates very quickly, eventually letting you fire dragon eggs and even meteors. The key difference is that everything here is turn-based.

In fact, all you really need to do is click the fire button. You don’t need to move at all, just pull the trigger. That doesn’t mean there’s no depth, though. The order of your bullets matters, as do your upgrade choices. You’ll be aiming to collect three of a kind to fuse bullets together, lean into specific elemental synergies, or ban certain bullets entirely so you can focus on a single strength. When it comes to combat execution, however, it’s still just one button.

As a result, this is a roguelike where your reactions don’t need to be constantly tested. Instead, you’re free to take your time crafting and refining your attacks. As you progress, you’ll develop a stronger understanding of how different builds work, and you’ll also unlock other gunslingers to experiment with. It’s an incredibly easy game to play, but a difficult one to master, and it’s refreshing to experience a roguelike that embraces a slower pace for once.

RPG Icons: Legendary Stories with Life-Saving Impact

Great heroes aren’t born – they’re forged through choice, sacrifice, and consequence. The RPG Icons Bundle brings together some of the most influential role-playing games ever created, uniting timeless classics and modern epic storytelling in one definitive collection.

Even better, every purchase supports Direct Relief, helping deliver critical medical aid, emergency supplies, and life-saving care to communities in need around the world. Your journey through legendary realms can help make a real-world impact.

A Hall of Fame Collection of Role-Playing Legends

Each title in the RPG Icons Bundle represents a milestone in RPG history, offering deep systems, unforgettable characters, and stories shaped entirely by your decisions.

  • Mythforce: A vibrant, Saturday-morning-cartoon-inspired action RPG blending roguelite structure with cooperative first-person fantasy combat.
  • Neverwinter Nights: Complete Adventures: A Dungeons & Dragons classic featuring expansive campaigns, iconic modules, and a thriving community of custom content.
  • Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous – Enhanced Edition: Lead a crusade against demonic forces in one of the deepest modern CRPGs ever made, featuring mythic paths and far-reaching moral choices.
  • Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition: Begin your journey along the Sword Coast in the remastered classic that defined an entire generation of computer role-playing games.
  • Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition: Continue the saga in one of the most beloved RPGs of all time, celebrated for its characters, storytelling, and epic scale.
  • Planescape: Torment – Enhanced Edition: A narrative masterpiece exploring identity, philosophy, and fate – widely regarded as one of the greatest stories ever told in gaming.
  • Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition: A tactical, combat-focused D&D adventure set in the frozen North, where strategy and party composition are key to survival.

Play Legendary Stories. Support Life-Saving Work.

Every purchase of the RPG Icons Bundle helps support Direct Relief, one of the world’s leading humanitarian organisations focused on improving health and saving lives during emergencies and ongoing crises. Your support helps deliver medical supplies, protective equipment, and critical aid to communities facing their toughest moments, ensuring your adventure extends beyond the screen.

Instant Access. Lasting Impact.

All keys are delivered instantly, so you can step into these legendary worlds without delay. Build your party, choose your path, and shape destinies – knowing your purchase is helping to change lives in the real world. So gather your party. Steel your resolve. Forge your legend – and help save lives while you do it.

Best Games Like Crimson Desert to Play While You Wait

Looking for the best games like Crimson Desert to keep you busy until the highly anticipated action RPG launches? You’re not alone. With its stunning visuals, fast-paced combat, and expansive open world, Crimson Desert has quickly become one of the most anticipated fantasy games in development.

Although we haven’t played Crimson Desert yet, its flashy combat, cinematic presentation, and crafting-heavy gameplay strongly resemble several popular games already available. If you’re searching for open-world fantasy RPGs like Crimson Desert, the titles below are your best options right now.

Best Games Like Crimson Desert - Black Desert

Black Desert

Black Desert is the MMORPG that started it all for Pearl Abyss. Featuring fast, combo-driven combat, gorgeous visuals, and a massive open world, it’s the closest experience to Crimson Desert currently available. While Black Desert is multiplayer-focused, many of its mechanics—combat, world design, and visual flair—clearly inspired Crimson Desert’s direction.

Best Games Like Crimson Desert - Elden Ring

Elden Ring

If you’re looking for a dark fantasy world filled with danger, Elden Ring is one of the best games like Crimson Desert in terms of exploration and challenge. Its open world is packed with deadly enemies, hidden secrets, and breathtaking environments. The combat builds on the Dark Souls formula, offering more flexibility and playstyle variety than any previous FromSoftware game.

Best Games Like Crimson Desert - Sonic Frontier

Sonic Frontiers

At first glance, Sonic Frontiers may seem like an odd comparison, but it shares several key similarities with Crimson Desert. It places high-speed combat and boss battles into a large open-world setting, encouraging exploration and skill chaining. Add in its memorable soundtrack and cinematic moments, and it offers a surprisingly fitting alternative.

Best Games Like Crimson Desert - Atlas Fallen

Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand

Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand is an open-world action RPG centred around magical weapons, massive monsters, and fast-paced traversal. Sand surfing lets you move across the world at high speed, while combat emphasises flashy abilities and fluid movement. With optional co-op play, it’s a strong choice for fans of cinematic fantasy combat.

Best Games Like Crimson Desert - Enshrouded

Enshrouded

While Enshrouded leans into survival crafting, it offers deep fantasy RPG elements that fans of the genre will appreciate. Playing as a Flameborn, you’ll explore a dangerous world consumed by a mysterious fog, battling bosses and uncovering secrets. It supports solo and cooperative play, making it one of the best fantasy survival games available.

Best Games Like Crimson Desert - Dragon's Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a high-fantasy open-world RPG filled with dynamic combat, memorable monsters, and meaningful player choice. The world reacts to your decisions, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique. Its flexible combat system and emergent gameplay make it an excellent alternative.

While the wait for Crimson Desert may feel long, there’s no shortage of incredible open-world and fantasy RPGs to keep you busy in the meantime. Whether you’re drawn to fast-paced combat, vast worlds to explore, or deep progression systems, the games above each capture a different aspect of what makes Crimson Desert so exciting. Until its release, these titles offer plenty of epic adventures to dive into – and may even become favourites in their own right.