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Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember launches March 4, 2027, alpha demo now available
Three Kingdoms action RPG sequel Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store on March 4, 2027, publisher Koei Tecmo and deve…
Walmart Just Discounted Over a Dozen Nintendo Switch Games, Plus Get an Extra $10 With This Secret Coupon
It's a good time to be a Switch gamer.
Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile resolve lawsuits over ad campaigns
Verizon wireless and T-Mobile have resolved lawsuits accusing each other of misleading consumers with advertising claims about savings from switching carriers.
James Bond Game 007 First Light Delayed Until 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2
James Bond game 007 First Light has been delayed yet again on Nintendo Switch 2, and will now arrive in March 2027.
007 First Light On Switch 2 Delayed Until March 2027
The move will help tighten up performance, IO Interactive says
007 First Light for Switch 2 delayed to March 2027
IO Interactive has delayed the Switch 2 version of 007 First Light from its previously planned summer 2026 release window to March 2027.
Diablo IV Switch 2 Performance And Resolution Officially Revealed
Blizzard also details Switch 2 features, net requirements & more
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong REMASTER announced for PS5, Switch, and PC
City Connection has announced mahjong adventure game remaster Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong REMASTER for PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC (Steam). It will launch in 2027 in Japan. It will support Jap…
Nintendo Opens the Zelda: Ocarina of Time Pre-orders Fans Were Waiting For
The Switch 2 accessory was conspicuously missing from Nintendo's official Zelda gameplay reveal, but now it's back with a date, price, and more
WuXi AppTec Hires Sander Lurie on Health Issues
WuXi AppTec switches lobbying representation to Sander Lurie Consulting after federal biosecurity concerns threaten contracts. Read the latest updates.
Samsung pokes fun at iPhone to Android switching drama in reality star-packed ad [Video]
Switching from iPhone to Android is a process that’s getting continually better and, in a new ad, Samsung pokes fun...
iOS 27's iPhone Handoff Feature Expanding to More Carriers This Year
Apple last week announced that Verizon and EE will support iOS 27's new iPhone Handoff feature later this year. The feature allows you to switch between any two iPhones running iOS 27 while using the same phone number on each device. iPhone Handoff is initially supported by T-Mobile (which is charging $5/month for it) and Deutsche Telekom. iPhone Handoff is initially supported by T-Mobile (which is charging $5/month for it) and Deutsche Telekom.
Sega Confirms Persona 6 Physical Release for Switch 2
Persona 6 won't be a PS5-exclusive physical release after all
Drugs for autoimmune diseases are pricey. This bill could switch patients to a cheaper one
Nearly 25,000 Californians could get switched to a cheaper drug next year — unless their doctor objects.
The huge Nintendo Switch 'tariff refund sale' has begun, and there's 30% off iconic games
The Customer Appreciation Sale is Nintendo's way of giving back to US gamers.
Diablo 4's new season brings back Deckard Cain and all three Prime Evils as the game arrives on Switch 2
Diablo 4's new season brings back Deckard Cain and all three Prime Evils, and the game has now arrived on Switch 2.
Your brain makes choices very differently than scientists thought
Brain recordings reveal that people blend competing goals rather than simply switching from one choice to another.
Leeds v Newcastle: Key stats and talking points
Leeds United host Newcastle United with both teams yet to suffer defeat in this season's Premier League. Leeds' unbeaten start continues the streak of resilience that was evident in the second half of 2025-26, notably after head coach Daniel Farke's much-heralded switch to a back three last winter. The new signings have also bedded in well, in particular Tarik Muharemovic, who has had to fill the sizeable shoes of Pascal Struijk – the Bosnian has made 16 headed clearances so far, joint-top of the Premier League standings alongside Sunderland's Dan Ballard.
Scientists find a new layer of Alzheimer’s hidden in the genome
Scientists found that the 3D organization of DNA is disrupted in several types of brain cells affected by Alzheimer’s disease, altering how important genes are switched on and off. The discovery reveals a previously underexplored layer of the disease that could open new paths for understanding and eventually treating Alzheimer’s.
Digital Foundry: Zelda Ocarina of Time remake is 1080p and 60fps, but no DLSS
The big title this holiday season for Nintendo Switch 2 owners is the gorgeous The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. Naturally the tech sleuths at Digital Foundry have taken a look at the game…
Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection coming to Switch 2 on September 15
Blizzard Entertainment will release Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection for Switch 2 on September 15 for $69.99 / £62.99 / €69.99, the company announced.
It's Official, Diablo 4: Age Of Hatred Collection Brings Hell To Switch 2 Next Week
"Blessed Mother"
Diablo 4 coming to Nintendo Switch 2
As announced by Activision Blizzard today, Diablo 4 is receiving a new Nintendo Switch 2 version with the Age of Hatred Collection. It will be available on September 15, 2026. Diablo 4: Age of Hatred Collection includes the base game and expansions. According to the Nintendo eShop listing, HDR and touchscreen support are included. The action RPG first came out...
Scalpers are already reselling the sold-out Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 for £700+
Nintendo's new Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2 sold out in hours, and scalpers are already reselling it on eBay for hundreds of pounds over the retail price.
BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony live report - all the news and announcements as Blizzard's convention returns
BlizzCon returns with rumours of a new StarCraft game, Diablo 4 on Switch 2, WoW Classic Plus, a major new Overwatch update, and more.
Melty Blood: Twi-Lumina launches April 22, 2027
Fighting game Melty Blood: Twi-Lumina will launch for PlayStation 5, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam on April 22, 2027, publisher Aniplex and developer French-Bread anno…
iPhone 18 Pro vs Pixel 11 Pro: How Apple and Google's flagships stack up
Google and Apple's latest flagships feature more AI, better cameras and few reasons to switch ecosystems.
26 Details You Might Have Missed From The Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Switch 2 Reveal
Under the lens of truth
Nintendo's Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Gets More Pre-order Bonuses
There's a version of the Switch 2 game that looks like the original Nintendo 64 Zelda box cover, and it's a region exclusive pre-order
Here's why I left T-Mobile for an MVNO
I left T-Mobile for an MVNO to save money. Here’s how US Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Visible compare and what you should know before switching.
Muramasa: Revenant Blades resolution and frame rate targets revealed for PS5, Switch 2, and Switch 1 docked
Marvelous reveals the resolution and frame rate targets for the console versions of Muramasa: Revenant Blades.
Scientists Think Flipping a Single Switch in Your Body Could Slow Down Aging
Aging is a complicated puzzle, but one of its biggest pieces might be a receptor that fails to clear away damaged, senescent cells.
Nintendo Secures Legal Victory Against Sale of Switch Game Piracy Devices
Nintendo has won a major legal victory aimed at blocking the sale of devices that enable Switch game piracy.
Nintendo Wins Court Case Ruling The Sale Of Switch "Circumvention Devices" Unlawful
"avoid purchasing or using circumvention devices"
The Retroid Pocket Duo Looks Perfect for DS and 3DS Emulation
It’s no secret that handheld gaming is in a bit of a renaissance right now. Ushered in by the Nintendo Switch and carried forward by the Steam Deck. Alongside these mainstream offerings are another class of handhelds aimed more at the past than the future. In particular, Android-powered dual-screen handhelds like the new Retroid Pocket Duo look to offer hardware designed for emulating the Nintendo DS and 3DS.
Missouri is poised to revert to former districts after Supreme Court rejects Trump-backed map
The decision means Missouri could run the November general election with different U.S. House districts than were used in the August primary — an extremely rare situation that could switch the candidate choices for more than a million potential voters.
The Not-So-Secret Winner in Netflix and YouTube’s Streaming Wars Battle
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) Here’s a good piece of advice: when someone tells you a company has “won” the streaming wars, just assume they haven’t. Remember the narratives about the streaming media over the last few years: 2024 - Netflix has won the streaming wars! 2025 - YouTube has won the streaming wars! Yet…in 2026, I’d categorize it as… 2026 - Netflix and YouTube are battling for talent! Netflix and YouTube are aggressively fighting for top creators, marking a fierce new battle in the streaming wars. For two companies that “won”, that certainly doesn’t seem like winning behavior. If you win, you don’t have to fight for talent, because talent has to come to you. This is a good reminder that, if the streaming wars are a war—and I think they are—we should know what type of war they are. So it’s worth revisiting one of my big theories of the streaming wars, that the war these battles most represent is… The Thirty Years’ War1 I prefer this war to other, simpler wars, because, while it featured two “sides”—based on religion—and the current war has two main sides—tech versus entertainment—it also featured a lot of smaller players battling it out, sometimes switching sides. And that’s still the case for entertainment and media, despite the above headlines. I’d recommend this truism: if someone has to tell you they won the streaming wars, they probably haven’t. To wit, if someone told you they were fighting in the Thirty Years’ War—and no, they didn’t call it that at the time—and in year five, they told you they won, well, obviously they had 25 more years to go. That’s a lot of preamble to say, the story of the week is the latest battles between YouTube and Netflix. Their battle for talent says a lot about how hard this war will be to win. All that, plus The Curse of the Mogul in action, Netflix providing more (theatrical) data, whether Apple TV is in trouble, AMC getting in on distribution, and a whole lot more. Subscribe Today’s article is sponsored by… Substack is hosting a live Emmys watch party, starting at 5PM on the East Coast (2PM on the West Coast) on Monday, 14-Sep. Check it out! Tune In Most Important Story of the Week - Who’s the Big Winner in the Netflix vs YouTube Showdown? Netflix spent a lot in 2025, and then even more in 2026 adding a host of “creators”—both podcasters and YouTube stars—to their TV lineup. Frankly, for years, I’ve thought that more major studios/streamers/channels should look to YouTube as the launching pad for future stars and IP. Either by poaching proven talent—albeit at good prices—or by treating YouTube as an arena for your “A&R” reps to scout new talent and emerging voices. Netflix started executing the former strategy—which I thought was smart—while Focus Features did the latter with Obsession. So what changed? YouTube finally responded! Yikes. That’s a strong response, and stronger than I’d argue most narratives about YouTube suggest. People often describe YouTube as a self-reinforcing flywheel of success. Get on YouTube or perish. So why did YouTube have to respond? Because other folks poaching their top talent could really damage their business, implying their flywheel is a pinch more rickety than most analysis suggests. Clearly, creators can envision a life off YouTube and potentially a much more lucrative one. The Curse of the Media Mogul is Playing Out In Real Time We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… Who is the big winner in the Netflix versus YouTube battle… The biggest question about YouTube… Plus why YouTube’s saber rattling should worry talent… Why I’m skeptical that a U.S. federal tax credit for film will happen… What key change could pull Apple from the streaming business. AMC getting in on distribution… Some great reads on the Warner Bros.-Paramount merger... And a whole lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes DLC character Zohar launches September 15 for PS5, PS4, and PC, September 23 for Switch
Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes downloadable content character Zohar will launch on September 15 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC, and September 23 for Switch, publisher Arc System Works …
Titans roster moves: Tennessee makes a switch at cornerback
The Tennessee Titans signed former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones to their active roster ahead of the season opener against the Jets.
Metroid Dread studio MercurySteam appears to confirm it's making Metroid Ravenous, addressing a lingering question from yesterday's Nintendo Direct
For a moment there, we weren't sure which studio was making the new Switch 2 Metroid game, but MercurySteam appears to be back at the helm.
Google is making it easier to switch between password managers on Android
Google's new feature will transfer your passkeys as well
A Three-Year Memory Helped Casado Choose Deportivo Loan
Marc Casado has explained his reasoning behind leaving Barcelona on a season-long loan for Deportivo, according to Barca Blaugranes. The midfielder completed the switch right at the end of the summer ...
Nintendo of America thanks fans for dealing with tariff-related price hikes by encouraging them to spend more money in a new sale
Nintendo America has faced a lot of pushback for not passing tariff refunds onto consumers, so its new tariff-related sale is causing some backlash.
Nintendo Switch 2 Docked VRR Leapfrogs PS5, but the Catch Falls Squarely on Game Developers
Nintendo Switch 2 gets docked VRR support, matching Xbox Series X|S and beating PS5 per Digital Foundry analysis
Professor Layton and the Curious Village Remake revealed for Nintendo Switch 2, Switch
Level-5 is working on Professor Layton and the Curious Village Remake for Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch, the company just announced. The title arrives for both platforms in 2027. Professor Layton and the Curious Village Remake marks the return of the Nintendo DS classic. According to Level-5, exploration has been enhanced. Additionally, characters are now in 3D plus there’ll be...
Professor Layton and the Curious Village Remake announced for PS5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC
LEVEL-5 has announced Professor Layton and the Curious Village Remake, a remake of the first game in the Professor Layton series, originally released for DS in February 2007. It will launch for Pla…
iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 18 Pro: 35+ Upgrades Compared
Apple yesterday announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, succeeding the iPhone 17 Pro that launched last September. The new models are built around the A20 Pro chip, a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, a redesigned vapor chamber, and a smaller Dynamic Island. Last year's iPhone 17 Pro brought one of the biggest design changes to the lineup in years, switching from a titanium frame and glass back to an aluminum unibody with Ceramic Shield 2.
Democratic Sen. Fetterman speaks at a GOP midterm convention
It is fueling party-switch fears
Preview: Playing Final Fantasy VII: Revelation On PS5 Has Me Worried For The Switch 2 Port
Took something perfect and painted it Red XIII
Obsidian Netron FS16 For Data-Intensive Entertainment Applications
Obsidian Control Systems is pleased to introduce the Netron FS16, a purpose-built network switch designed for lighting p | A purpose-built network switch designed for lighting professionals who demand rock-solid connectivity under the pressure of live production.
Muramasa: Revenant Blades launches February 4, 2027
Side-scrolling action RPG Muramasa: Revenant Blades will launch for PlayStation 5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam on February 4, 2027, publisher Marvelous and developer Vanillaware announced.
Nintendo’s latest Switch 2 update adds VRR support in TV mode
The new firmware update also includes nostalgic Mii themes
Switch 2 Update Adds TV VRR Support - but It Only Works in One Game Right Now
Variable Refresh Rate tech is great - and was already supported on Xbox and PlayStation.
New York Giants' Colton Hood, Jake Heiner change jersey numbers
New York Giants CB Colton Hood has switched back to No. 12, which help him carve out a unique place in NFL history.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba picks up where he left off
Despite the early switch from Sam Darnold (hip) to Drew Lock, Jaxon Smith-Njigba still topped 100 yards and scored Seattle's lone touchdown.
Kirby and the World Beyond, which seemingly includes a Legend of Zelda crossover, coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in Spring 2027
A new reveal trailer Kirby and the World Beyond ended today's Nintendo Direct, showing off a large open world and lots of Zelda tie-ins.
Persona 6 adds Switch 2 version
Persona 6 will launch for Switch 2 in addition to its previously announced PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam, Microsoft Store) versions, ATLUS announced. A release date was not announced.
Persona 4 Revival coming to Switch 2 on May 20, 2027
ATLUS will release a Switch 2 version of Persona 4 Revival on May 20, 2027, the company announced.
The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother announced for Nintendo Switch 2, Switch
Koei Tecmo included a brief announcement in today’s Nintendo Direct that The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother is planned for Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch. This one is slated for early 2027.
Metroid: Ravenous announced, launches January 2027 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2
Metroid Ravenous is a sequel to Metroid Dread, coming in 2027.
Koei Tecmo and Gust announce The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother for PS5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC
Publisher Koei Tecmo and developer Gust, in cooperation with TOHO Games, have announced mystery solving adventure game The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother for PlayStation 5, Switch 2…
Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United announced for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, and PC
Square Enix has announced Romancing SaGa 3 remake Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, and PC (Steam, Microsoft Store). It will launch on February 16…
Metal Slug Ultimate Collection announced for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, and PC
SNK has announced Metal Slug Ultimate Collection, a collection of 10 games in celebration of Metal Slug’s 35th anniversary. It will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, an…
Danganronpa 2×2 launches January 14, 2027
Danganronpa 2×2 will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on January 14, 2027, publisher Spike Chunsoft and developer Gemdrops announc…
Yo-kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain announced for Switch 2
LEVEL-5 has announced Yo-kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain for Switch 2. A release date was not announced.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam launches December 10
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam will launch for PlayStation 5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam on December 10, LEVL-5 announced.
Scientists find a bone-building switch that could fight osteoporosis
An experimental compound called AP503 significantly strengthened bones in mice by activating GPR133, a receptor that boosts bone formation while slowing bone loss. Because the same treatment has also been linked to stronger muscles, researchers see intriguing potential for combating age-related decline and osteoporosis.
Eberl reveals Bayern explored move for Barcola before Liverpool switch
Bayern Munich were linked with a move for Bradley Barcola in the past, when he was still playing for Paris Saint-Germain, but ultimately chose not to pursue their interest.In an interview with Sport B...
SteelSeries Brings Its Outstanding Infinite Battery System to Controllers With the Aeon Pro for Xbox and PC, But Is It Worth the Sky-High Price Tag?
The SteelSeries Aeon Pro packs in just about every "pro" feature you could ask for in a controller, with Hall-effect thumbsticks, tactile switch buttons, adjustable triggers, and the company's outstanding hot-swappable battery system.
Nintendo Store Leak Reveals The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 Remake Pricing
It looks like Nintendo has inadvertently revealed how much its remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will cost on Switch 2.
Nintendo reveals Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake price on Switch 2
Nintendo has now confirmed how much The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's Nintendo Switch 2 remake will be with the official price.
New Super Smash Bros and Nintendogs games are on the way, according to prominent Nintendo leaker
A prominent Nintendo leaker has spilled more information about the Switch 2's upcoming games, which include a Nintendogs comeback and a new Super Smash Bros.
Video: Here's What Nintendo's Revised Switch 2 Console Looks Like
Spoiler: It's really similar
Freiburg prodigy opts to switch allegiance from Tunisia to Germany
Louey Ben Farhat has decided to switch allegiance from Tunisia to Germany, according to Transfermarkt.The 20-year-old, who was born in the German city of Waiblingen, reportedly turned down a place in ...
O'Hare 'can't wait' for home Wrexham debut
Callum O'Hare "can't wait" to make his home debut after a hectic welcome to Wrexham since completing his deadline-day move from Sheffield United. The 28-year-old got up in the early hours on Tuesday morning to seal his switch to the Racecourse Ground before Wrexham's trip to Millwall. O'Hare then raced to London on the train, arriving hours before kick-off to make the squad, but remained an unused sub as Wrexham won 3-0 at the Den.
Andy Borregales returning to football roots with jersey number change
Andy Borregales has recently made the switch to No. 8.
Jonas Hofmann is staying at Bayer Leverkusen!
The veteran playmaker rejected a lucrative Saudi Pro League switch to fight for his place under Carles Martínez, navigating a shifting squad hierarchy and personal family milestones.
Competitive Pokémon is on phones now, but you still need a Switch to become a champion
The mobile version of Pokémon Champions isn’t allowed at high-level tournaments. Maybe it should be.
Scientists find a way to slash computer memory energy use by orders of magnitude
Scientists have devised a new way to switch magnetic computer memory while using far less energy than today's leading technologies. By mathematically optimizing the pulses used to flip digital bits, the method could reduce energy consumption by several orders of magnitude. Simulations suggest it may bring future memory devices surprisingly close to the fundamental physical limit for processing information. The same idea could eventually work with electrical currents or ultrafast lasers.
Scientists find a way to slash computer memory energy use by orders of magnitude
Scientists have devised a new way to switch magnetic computer memory while using far less energy than today's leading technologies. By mathematically optimizing the pulses used to flip digital bits, the method could reduce energy consumption by several orders of magnitude. Simulations suggest it may bring future memory devices surprisingly close to the fundamental physical limit for processing information. The same idea could eventually work with electrical currents or ultrafast lasers.
A's Switch Up Pitching Staff After Yet Another Injury
As expected, Jack Perkins is back with the A's a day after being optioned. Seth Johnson joins him, after a solid stint in Triple-A.
New Super Smash Bros. Switch 2 game leaks before September Nintendo Direct
After revealing the Ocarina of Time remake and upcoming Nintendo Directs, the same leaker has offered another revelation. Rather than a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch 2 upgrade, a game with unique characters may be in development. Even so, the platform fighter’s release date could be years away.
Maneater Sequel Now In Development For Switch 2, Surfacing 2027
"The ultimate apex predator is back"
Liverpool may make January move for Sarr
Liverpool may make another move for Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr in January and Tottenham's Richarlison may look for a Saudi switch.
Mario Kart 8 Refuses to Let the Switch 2 Rule Nintendo
So what happens to Mario Kart World?
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online now seems to have an advantage for Nintendo Switch 1 players vs. Switch 2
It's been found that the new Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update has given Nintendo Switch 1 players an advantage online when playing Switch 2 users.
15 discouraging hours with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and 10 brilliant ones with He Who Watches
In the last few weeks, while playing some video games that I might review, I emailed two cries for help. I sent the first to a rep for Capcom, confessing that the company’s samurai game Onimusha Way of the Sword (out today for PC and console) was crushing me. “Feels like I’m playing ‘hard’ mode, not ‘normal,’” I wrote. “And I don’t want to have to knock it down to “story”. I’m exploring, trying to level my gear, but these two-phase boss fights with no mid-fight checkpoints are brutal.” I wagered I was only about halfway through the game, if that. I wasn’t sure I could keep up with the steepening difficulty curve. Was I missing something? Then, on Monday, I took some photos of some puzzles that were baffling me in the mind-bending He Who Watches (out now on PC), wrote out lengthy descriptions of how I’d been trying to solve them and asked Bobby Vanden, the game’s solo developer, for a nudge in the right direction. I told Vanden I’d spent hours on these puzzles. “I’m stuck in triplicate,” I told him. Could he tell me if the solutions I was attempting were even on the right track? I didn’t mention that the puzzles—coupled with major time pressures from other work—were stressing me out so much that playing the game was giving me headaches. This double dose of panic was unusual. I’m used to managing a workload full of reporting and reviewing, used to a crowded schedule and the need to stay calm amid the bustle. But I was stressed about these games. No one was forcing me to review them, nor even play them. I’d simply found them interesting enough to start, hoped they’d be interesting enough to write about and I’d sunk hours into them assuming I’d made the right call. Suddenly, however, I felt trapped. I was emailing for a way out. Above: This guy took me about an hour to beat. The feedback I got from Capcom confirmed my fears. They didn’t say it, but I will: Onimusha Way of the Sword is not for me. It’s a brutally hard game in need of a normal difficulty level. It’s a game that spikes so severely during its abundant boss fights—yet offers such flawed ways to improve when outside of them—that it feels like a bait-and-switch. In the new Onimusha, you play as famed samurai Musashi Miyamoto, aided by a magical soul-absorbing gauntlet that is possessed by a lady who offers advice. (Way of the Sword is a continuation of Capcom’s long-dormant Onimusha series, but that set-up had me wondering if the company was cribbing from their ill-fated Bionic Commando reboot; read about “wife-arm” when you get a chance). Way of the Sword is partially set in 17th century Kyoto, an explorable city where Miyamoto can fight demons, help civilians and eventually rescue ghostly dogs. The city evolves over time, with new mini adventures and obtainable loot on offer, all feeding into systems that promise to upgrade your gear and sword-fighting skills. Upgrades, however, are so incremental as to be imperceptible, causing the exploration of Kyoto to feel like inconsequential busywork. From that hub, players can go on linear missions into forests and old temples, where they will encounter many of the game’s tough bosses. Combat in Way of the Sword is akin to many modern melee games. Players are asked to mix attacks with dodges and parries. They’re encouraged to deplete an enemy’s stamina bar in order to do greater damage to its health bar. The old Onimusha games’ signature move was the issen, a counter-attack so sudden it’s all but pre-emptive. You strike just as they begin to strike toward you, beating them to the cut. By definition, the issen is a high risk move, leaving you wide open to pain. It feels risky in the game, especially against bosses, who can maul you in just a few blows. A game might train you to perform an issen well by offering a variety of lesser enemies who are not as tough as the boss but get close. Or it might offer a toehold against bosses by saving or checkpointing the player’s progress when a boss’ first health bar has been destroyed and before the second health bar appears. It might offer the less skilled player a chance to over-level their character, should the player simply commit to playing through its optional sidequests. Way of the Sword does none of this. Fighting its trivially easy grunt enemies and then its ferociously adept bosses is like playing a game of chess where I’ve got a rook, while the opposing side is all pawns and five queens. Bosses simply don’t checkpoint. You may be able to clear a boss’ first phase without taking much damage. Good for you. Do it again, every time you fail the second phase. As for the the central Kyoto hub, I kept pace with all of its added side activities and never felt like I was overpowered. Bosses could still easily buckle me. The new Onimusha, I concluded, is just too discouraging to keep playing. The advice I got from Capcom had been well-intentioned. They reminded me of the game’s various systems. They alerted me to an optional assist that flashes recommended button inputs (basically: counter this move; dodge that move). It was a little helpful. So was dropping down to “story mode,” which I tried last night. Story mode turns on those button prompts by default. It makes countering and dodging way too easy, nearly automatic. I don’t consider myself a master of action games like these, but I’ve cleared the likes of God of War, Stellar Blade, Star Wars Jedi and others of sub-Sekiro difficulty and had a fun time doing so. Not here. Not yet. Unless they patch Onimusha: Way of the Sword and add a middle difficulty or just checkpoint the damn bosses when they’re between health bars, my streak of loving Capcom games released in 2026 will likely end at two. It’s a shame, because I was having a good time finding those ghostly dogs. And then there’s He Who Watches, a phenomenal first person puzzle game with Portal vibes, except instead of a portal gun you’ve got a magical bow that shoots one arrow that can activate switches or be used to drag blocks. The twist is an actual twist: you can also walk on walls and the ceiling, reorienting gravity as you do, thereby placing blocks onto those other surfaces. Walking on walls and ceilings to solve problems is really the best thing. Would that I could in reality. He Who Watches consists of locked-room challenges, each brief enough to only require about a minute to actually solving, though it will take five, 10, eventually 30 minutes to figure out said solutions. They are not obvious! It’s a game of layered mechanics and shocking solutions. For example, see if you can follow this: You can drag a block to a wall. Then you can walk on the wall, which now feels like the floor, and drag that block across the wall. Later, back on the floor, you might realize you can look up. The block is still on the wall, stuck to it. You can shoot your magic arrow to its underside. Doing so creates a tether, so that you can yank the block off the wall and carry it, as if it were a balloon, into the spot where you need it to be to solve the puzzle. Here, watch Vanden explain some of the game’s basics in this launch trailer: As with any great puzzle game, the solutions to He Who Watches’ puzzles elicit relief and amazement. Oh my god, that worked! I didn’t even think that could be possible! Learning to solve the game’s puzzles feels like learning magic. But, oh, does the game get hard. Its Steam reviews, mostly glowing, are full of players remarking how quickly He Who Watches made them sweat. Wrote one: “loving this one already although my brain is hurting!” Wrote another: “As you get further in the game it feels like you need an IQ level of at least 120+.” Vanden has shown some mercy. Each locked room puzzle includes an optional junior version of the puzzle, meant to teach you. Difficulty nevertheless ramps severely. By the time I was emailing Vanden for help, I was struggling to even clear one of the hint puzzles. When I messaged him, my stress was exacerbated by strange things I’d found in the game’s various hubs: suspicious passageways, odd blocks and some intriguing locked doors. These were hints of secrets, I realized, yet I sensed I needed to play further into the game to understand them. I was stuck, but I wanted to see the rest. Vanden offered to give me the exact solutions, to solve those three puzzles for me, but first he gave four nudges. Three were for the specific puzzles, but his best hint was for all and ultimately proved to be a terrific life lesson: go back a bit, he suggested. Do the puzzles right before those. They were teaching you something. Focus on what their lesson was. Don’t rush, in other words. Recognize what you’ve accomplished. Build off of that. I did so. I absorbed the lessons. I saw those three tough puzzles in a new light. I solved one the night after he wrote back, another the morning after. I left a third for another time. I didn’t need it and I wanted to plunge deeper into the game, closer to the moment when I was sure I could start unlocking those secret doors. My head stopped hurting, too. He Who Watches feels special. It’s got more challenges, and I’m undeterred. It’s also nice that its puzzles don’t have a surprise second health bar. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: In brief… 🎮 Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder of Helsinki-based Housemarque (Super Stardust HD, Resogun, Returnal) has stepped down from his studio, after a 31-year run, saying he’s “ taking a rare and well-deserved breather.” Sony purchased Housemarque in 2021, and the studio released its newest game, Saros, earlier this year. Trend-watch: Sony-owned Insomniac saw its founder Ted Price retire in early 2025, after a 30-year run. Sony-owned Sucker Punch saw its co-founder Brian Fleming step down in late 2025, after a 28-year run. 👀 Savvy Games Group chief Brian Ward is stepping down from the Saudi-government-backed games conglomerate, Bloomberg reports. No word on a long-term successor yet, nor if this augurs any closer integration between Savvy and Electronic Arts. EA was purchased by a consortium led by Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund, in early August. 💿 Square Enix has denied a Japanese media report that the company was planning to go private. In very different Square Enix news, the company revealed that the physical version of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, the April 2027 finale of its radical remakes of FFVII, will include just one disc in its case, requiring a download for the rest. The first two FFVII remakes in the trilogy shipped on two discs apiece. While Square hasn’t commented on the reason why, a feature here in Game File last month broke down the processes and costs for physical games. The expense of a second disc comes out of the game publisher’s cut of each copy. Square could be saving in excess of a dollar a copy with this move. 🟥 Grand Theft Auto IV’s 26-minute ’‘extended look” gameplay showcase that premiered on Netflix last week—and was exclusive to the platform for six hours—drew 31.1 million views in its first four days, the streamer announced. (Netflix calculates views as total viewed hours divided by runtime; excludes replays). Compared to YouTube: The version that later premiered on Rockstar Games’ YouTube channel is sitting at 22.6 million views after seven days (YouTube’s more liberal counting system tallies anyone who viewed even just the first few second.) Compared to other Netflix mega-events: Last year, Stranger Things season 5’s first four episodes, which debuted together, drew a record 59.6 million views in their first few days on Netflix. For more of a live event type of comparison, in 2024, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match drew 65 million concurrent streams as it happened; Netflix didn’t release live numbers for the GTA premiere. ☁️ Microsoft is changing the way it charges for cloud gaming, from an all-you-can-play offer for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, to caps for the subscription’s tiers (15 hours per month at the Ultimate tier), with the option to buy more hours in bulk beyond that. The company also said it will sell batches of cloud gaming time to non-Game Pass subscribers, details TBA. Microsoft does not release figures for cloud game usage, but said its changes would impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers. That implies a small portion of its subscribers exceed the 15-hour monthly mark. Cloud gaming offers the promise of playing games without the need for console or PC hardware, as the graphics, sound and controls are all transmitted via a streaming connection. Microsoft notes that its cloud gaming service can be used for a range of things, including Xbox One players using it to play newer-gen Xbox Series games via streaming; and people playing games via streaming, sans any console, “in markets where consoles are less available or affordable.” (That latter use case could even be relevant in Xbox’s home market soon, as console prices keep rising.) Take Two Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick recently told investors he expects game-streaming tech, which has been only lightly adopted by gamers for over a decade, to be widely used within three years. 🇺🇸 The Trump administration has published multiple agenda-driven web video games to the White House’s website. One called Build The Wall partially clones Tetris as it asks players to build a wall to stop a “zombie border siege.” While actual Tetris involves clearing lines and basically not building a wall, the Trump-backed game omits the line-clearing aspect (and omits the fun as well). On Instagram, Tetris’ official license holders reacted by stating: “At Tetris we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them. To our fans everywhere: we love you, we see you, and we’re grateful to have you in our community. P.S. The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall.’ P.P.S.: We take copyright infringement very seriously.” Item 3: The week ahead: Tuesday, September 8 Game releases: Mewgenics (consoles; already out on PC) is an engrossing tactical combat game (with cats). It is getting its console port right after the release of a Star Wars tactics game and ahead of the late September launch of a Fire Emblem–a bumper crop for the genre. Wanderburg (PC) is an auto-shooting game like Vampire Survivors, but you’re a castle on wheels Event: Nintendo airs a 30-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on The Legend of Zelda’s 40th Anniversary. A full unveiling of the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is expected. Will they also show footage from next year’s live action movie? Tease the next big 3D Zelda? Add Link to Mario Kart World? Shadow-drop a new Tingle game? Wednesday, September 9 Event: Nintendo again! On this day, they’re planning to air a 45-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on games heading to Switch 2 this winter. Followed by about an hour of gameplay demoed by the company’s Treehouse team. The September Nintendo Directs are always some of the year’s biggest. The 2025 edition included announcements of several major 2026 Switch/Switch 2 games: Pokémon Pokopia, Mario Tennis Fever, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave. Plus the return of the Virtual Boy. Friday, September 11 Game release: EA Sports NHL 27 (PlayStation, Xbox) is a hockey game. There are so few that an indie studio that had been making wacky sci-fi first-person shooters just announced that, hey, we’re going to fill a void and make a hockey game for PC.
Final Fantasy Resonance is shaping up to be a solid experience on Switch 2, PS5, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally
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Aqara Debuts Five Matter Smart Lights With Apple Home Support
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Astonishia Story coming west on February 11, 2027 for PS5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC
NIS America will release RPG remake Astonishia Story for PlayStation 5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam on February 11, 2027 in the west, the publisher announced. It will support English text on…
The Grimm Reapress and the Drearytale Monster coming west in 2027 for PS5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC
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Switchboard Health Acquires Livara Health to Integrate Value-Based Musculoskeletal Care
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Juventus switch 'could play to Woltemade's strengths'
Football journalist Julien Laurens believes playing in Serie A "could work and play to Nick Woltemade strengths", with the Newcastle forward having joined Juventus on a season-long loan deal. Germany international Woltemade joined the Magpies last summer but has struggled to bed into the Premier League. Juventus will pay Newcastle a £3.5m loan fee for Woltemade, but do not have the option to buy the 24-year-old.