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Little Nightmares – Broken Promises the stop-motion short film developed with Taller del Chucho, has been selected at Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Little Nightmares – Broken Promises, the stop-motion animated short film teased at the Little Nightmares Showcase Event last June, has been officially selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in the Commissioned Films category and will be showcased during the festival.

Created in collaboration with the International Animation Center Taller del Chucho at the University of Guadalajara – a renowned Mexican stop‑motion studio founded by Guillermo del Toro – the short film reconnects with the original inspirations behind the award-winning Little Nightmares franchise. It embraces a handcrafted stop-motion aesthetic that deepens the series’ charmingly eerie atmosphere.

The short film is directed by Sofía Carillo and Juan Medina. Sofía Carillo is known for Cerulia (2017), the animated short film she directed, animated and wrote, which has received more than 20 international awards.  Juan Medina, winner of five Arieles from the Mexican Academy of Arts and Film Sciences between 2013 to 2015, is recognized for the short film Tío (2021) and the feature film Salma’s Big Wish (2012).

Broken Promises follows a neglected girl, locked in an attic, who escapes into a dollhouse world full of promises. As she ventures deeper, she begins to uncover the sinister truth lurking beneath its charming facade, a world where every shadow may hide a monster.

For more information about Little Nightmares and other titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu.

Wartales DLC ‘Contract: Fires in the Capital,’ Wages Urban Combat on April 30

BORDEAUX, France – March 23, 2026 – Wartales, the medieval open-world tactical RPG with more than 1MM units sold from developer Shiro Games, conducts chaotic urban combat in its next DLC. Contract: Fires in the Capital comes to PC via Steam on Thursday, April 30, 2026. 

Rally the warband and set out for Isandrin, the imperial capital of Edoran, where tensions between the Legion and the Empire have reached a boiling point. Large-scale unrest threatens to consume the city and the beating heart of the Empire’s power. Every decision could either help pull the metropolis back from the brink or be the tipping point in its descent into anarchy. 

Isandrin is a completely different environment from the frontiers Wartales mercenaries typically explore, and combat is only one approach. Tracking down brigands, destroying propaganda, building support for civic institutions, and even performing as a bard all have far-reaching effects, influencing everything from the prices of provisions to the public mood.

Take on new urban battle scenarios reflecting the state of the capital. Stop fleeing criminals before they escape and further destabilize the city, escort vulnerable supply convoys through waves of enemy reinforcements, and fight in the burning streets while rescuing trapped civilians – all in a constantly evolving medieval metropolis.

Wartales players have always been interested in learning more about the Legion and the inner workings of the Empire, and Contract: Fires in the Capital is sending them straight into the heart of it,” said Quentin Lapeyre, Game Director at Shiro Games. “This is a new perspective for Wartales, where we’ve always been on the fringes of the known world. Isandrin is a more systemic and reactive environment, and the new Chaos system means every choice players make could potentially impact the city’s entire population.”

Wartales – Contract: Fires in the Capital launches on Thursday, April 30, 2026, on PC via Steam for $12.99 | €10.99 | £12.99. The DLC includes English, French, German, Spanish (Spain), Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Korean language support. 

For more information about Wartales, please visit the official website and follow the game on X/Twitter, Facebook, or Discord

About Shiro Games 

Shiro Games is an independent Bordeaux-based studio founded by video game veterans Sebastien Vidal and Nicolas Cannasse to bring new innovative games to life. Based in Bordeaux, France, the studio released its first project Evoland in 2013 and its acclaimed sequel Evoland 2 in 2015. Shiro Games then launched its popular Viking strategy game Northgard on Steam in 2018, which has gone on to sell more than 5MM units across various platforms as well as Dune: Spice Wars, the spice-infused blend of 4X and RTS gameplay. Wartales is their latest title, with several major DLC additions since its release in April 2023. 

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS: ORIGINMARKS GLOBAL GRAND LAUNCH WITH MOBILE EXPANSION AND SUPPORT ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS

New Anime Open World RPG Has Climbed Steam’s Top Sellers Charts Following PS5® and Steam Versions Early Launch on March 16

LOS ANGELES MARCH 23, 2026 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, today announced the grand launch of its new anime open world RPG The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, now available on mobile via Google Play and the App Store. 

Following its Early Play release on PlayStation®5 and Steam on March 16, the title has now expanded across all supported platforms that enables players to seamlessly experience the adventure across console, PC, and mobile. The mobile version offers a dedicated interface and UI sizing optimized for mobile devices, and players can freely switch across console, PC, and mobile devices with a single account to enjoy playing.

Players can step into the role of Tristan and explore Britannia, setting out to restore order to a world thrown into chaos by the collision of time and space. The journey can be enjoyed solo or cooperatively with up to five players, including the host player.

To celebrate the launch, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is providing generous in-game rewards. Players will receive up to 59,000 Star Fragments and 90 Regular Hero Draw Tickets. In addition, special launch events will grant further rewards including SSR hero Guila, the SSR weapon Black Flame Wings Lance, an SSR Crafted Weapon Selection Chest, 60 Regular Hero Draw, 10 Hero Pick Up Draw Tickets, and 4,300 Star Fragments. 

Additional grand launch celebration events include a special mission event that provides materials to craft two SR Engraved Equipment and one SSR Engraved Equipment, as well as dedicated growth support content designed to help players progress faster. A special Pick-Up event featuring Meliodas is also underway, alongside a limited-time event running until April 8, where players can obtain his exclusive costume “Sacred Treasure: Demon Sword Lostvayne.” 

The game has demonstrated strong early performance following its console and PC debut. The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin ranked No. 6 on the global Steam Top Sellers chart shortly after release, reaching No. 1 in France and No. 2 in Belgium, Italy, and Spain. It also secured No. 4 positions in Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands, while ranking No. 5 in South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Thailand. On PlayStation®5, the title has earned a user rating of 4.35 out of 5.

Based on the hit Japanese manga and anime IP The Seven Deadly Sins, which has sold over 55 million copies globally, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin lets players explore Britannia in a vast open world. It features tag-based combat, combination skills, and customizable teams using diverse characters and weapons. Multiplayer elements include forming parties for exploration or teaming up to defeat bosses.

About Netmarble Corporation

Founded in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading global game developer and publisher. Through acclaimed franchises and strategic partnerships with top-tier IP holders, the company delivers innovative and engaging gaming experiences to audiences worldwide. As a parent company of Kabam, SpinX Games, Jam City, and a major shareholder of HYBE and NCSOFT, Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling:ARISE, Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, RAVEN2, MARVEL Future Fight, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

Darts VR2: Bullseye Confirms Quest, PSVR 2 & SteamVR Release Date

There’s not long to wait!

London, UK, 23rd March 2026 – Darts fans look out, there’s a new game in town next month! Developer Gamitronics and Evolution Publishing are excited to reveal the launch date for their explosive sequel, Darts VR2: Bullseye, hitting Meta Quest, SteamVR and PSVR 2 on 9th April 2026.

Have you ever picked up a dart and known the joy of scoring a 180 or the sorrow of missing that last double? All of that can be relived and more in Darts VR2: Bullseye, the ultimate blend of realistic physics and arcade gameplay. 

In front of a roaring crowd in a packed-out arena, take on the challenge of the 501 Mode and try and knock those numbers down as quickly as possible; everyone’s watching! Continuing the high-pressure environments, see how long you can survive in the Zombie Mode, with careful use of some rather explosive darts! Killstreak, on the other hand, adds a thrilling arcade mode where you can never be sure quite how the dartboard will behave next. Or for a more tranquil darts experience, go on a journey in Around the World, it’s just you and the dartboard. 

“We’re super excited to finally reveal the launch date for Darts VR2: Bullseye on Meta Quest, PSVR 2 and PC VR,” said Kevin Joyce, CEO Evolution Publishing. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have such a high quality experience as our first title from Evolution, and are looking forward to VR gamers and Darts fans alike picking up their virtual arrows for the very first time. But watch out for the zombies – they bite!”

Darts VR2: Bullseye is filled with non-stop action, from single-player modes to multiplayer tournaments, there’s never a dull moment.

Darts VR2: Bullseye Key Features:

  • Physics-Based Darts – Finely tuned physics mean the darts behave like darts
  • Gameplay Modes – Play 501, Around the World, Killstreak, Zombies and more
  • Online Leaderboards – Compete with players around the world
  • Tournaments – Create your own or join worldwide tournaments
  • Customise – Step out in style with new dart liveries, hats, sunglasses and more
  • Become the ultimate Darts master!

Darts VR2: Bullseye is preparing a simultaneous launch on 9th April 2026, for Meta Quest 3/3S & Quest 2, PlayStation VR 2 and PCVR on Steam. Add to your wishlist today!

About Darts VR2: Bullseye:

Darts VR2: Bullseye is the next evolution of immersive darts gameplay, bringing precision, competition, and casual fun to virtual reality. Whether you’re aiming for the championship trophy, battling zombie hordes, mastering 501 Mode, or just throwing darts for fun, this game has something for everyone.

About Gamitronics:

A pioneer in the world of VR gaming, specialising in simulators and sports, Gamitronics released its acclaimed Darts VR back in 2017 for PCVR gamers. Now, almost 10 years on, the studio has returned to the sport that has captured fans the world over, Darts VR2: Bullseye.

About Evolution Publishing: A specialist within the field of XR, Evolution Publishing has quickly built an enviable reputation for its focus on defining market-leading games and apps that highlight the true power and potential of immersive gaming. Its latest project is the highly anticipated Darts VR2: Bullseye

Survivor Mercs Returns with Major “Final Drill” Update, Introducing New Weapons, Improved Upgrades, and Extensive Balancing

The long-awaited Early Access update delivers sweeping gameplay improvements and sets the stage for full release on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation

Los Angeles, CA – March 23, 2026 – Wolpertinger Games, in partnership with Wandering Wizard, today announced that Survivor Mercs is back with its most significant Early Access update yet. Following months of behind-the-scenes challenges, the team is ready to unveil Update 0.15 “Final Drill”, a major overhaul introducing new weapons, reworked progression systems, sweeping balance changes, and a host of gameplay, UI, and performance improvements.

The update marks a major milestone as Survivor Mercs enters its final phase of Early Access, with Version 1.0 set to launch soon on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

The release marks a pivotal moment for both the game and its development team, following a difficult period that temporarily brought development to a halt.

“In September 2025, I was hospitalized for over three months due to a sudden decline in my health, bringing development to an unexpected standstill,” said Sebastian, Studio Lead at Wolpertinger. “We went through an incredibly uncertain time, but thanks to the resilience of the team and the continued support from our community, we’re here again. Update 0.15 is a major step forward – and I’m incredibly proud to say that 1.0 is now within reach.”

Update 0.15 “Final Drill” introduces new weapons, including a starting Pistol, early-game Shotgun, and unlockable SMG, alongside a comprehensive progression rework that improves onboarding, clarifies mission objectives, and deepens base-building systems. A full balancing pass across operations, loot, and difficulty further enhances run flow, while new Vault objectives and a reworked Complications system introduce greater strategic depth.

Players can also expect expanded upgrade systems, including new Mercenary synergies, an increased level cap of 300, and deeper weapon and gear customization. These improvements are complemented by upgrades to AI behavior, combat readability, and overall UI clarity, resulting in a more responsive and polished gameplay experience.

Update 0.15 “Final Drill” is available now for both the full game and demo.

Update 0.15 “Final Drill” Key Features

  • Expanded Arsenal: New weapons including Pistol (starting), Shotgun (early), SMG (mid-game), and most weapons have been buffed, dealing more damage, having longer-lasting effects, or enabling multiple attacks similar to your dash charges.
  • Progression Overhaul: Improved onboarding, clearer objectives, earlier access to Genome Lab, and new Radar Room for strategic upgrades
  • Full Balancing Pass: Reworked operations, loot distribution, and difficulty for more consistent and rewarding runs
  • New Strategic Systems: Vault objectives for rare loot and a redesigned Complications system introducing meaningful trade-offs
  • Deeper Build Customization: New Mercenary synergy upgrades, expanded weapon (Lv.10) and gear (Lv.5) upgrades, +1 Gear slot, and level cap increased to 300
  • AI & Combat Improvements: Smarter enemy behaviors, improved Merc positioning, and clearer combat signaling
  • UI & Visual Enhancements: Refined HUD, improved readability, and expanded VFX and animation polish

About Wandering Wizard
Wandering Wizard is passionately committed to championing indie game developers. We provide a platform for fresh voices, revolutionary ideas, and daring experiments within the indie gaming realm. Embracing the inherent risks of indie game development, we partner with creators worldwide to enrich the global gaming community with inclusive, inspiring, and innovative gaming experiences. wanderingwizard.com

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Review

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (Reviewed), Switch 2, PC
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $69.99 USD – Available Here $129.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Whenever someone thinks of Monster Hunter they generally think of one mission, hunting down a monster to gather its parts and make better equipment to take on the next biggest monster all while the story plays in the background. In recent years the Monster Hunter games have been developing more involved story modes but one that has always embraced storytelling the most is a spin-off that takes the standard gameplay loop and puts a significant twist on it. These are the Monster Hunter Stories games and while they may have been entertaining, they never quite felt like they were given the same level of seriousness or care as the main franchise. 

The first entry, originally a DS game, was rather childish in general, while the second that saw a wider release expanded on things a bit but still struggled with finding the correct tone and pacing. Now though, with Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, Capcom has not only found their footing but also delivered one of the best stories to date set in the Monster Hunter world and one that fans of the franchise will definitely want to experience even if it is far different than the normal hunting fair.

Story

It’s worth noting that hundreds of years have passed since the events of the previous Monster Hunter Stories games, meaning that players will not have needed to play either of the original entries to understand the storyline here, though returning players will instantly recognize references and a certain returning character that appears later in the game. One of the first things that players do in Twisted Reflection is create their very own rider, be it a male or female, and it turns out that rather than being any random child or an inexperienced rider such as previous entries, they end up being the prince or princess of the entire kingdom of Azuria and the sole rider of the long-thought extinct Rathalos bearing striking markings similar to legends.

The Princess (in our case) is the leader of Azuria’s vaunted Rangers division, a group of riders assigned to her with their task being to investigate the Crystal Encroachment that is plaguing the environment. This strange crystal-like spread has eaten up swathes of land and even encased monsters entirely within, leaving numerous monsters endangered or extinct while others have been forced into becoming invasive species, forced out of their homes due to the strange environment. To make matters worse, even monsters themselves have appeared with crystal blights attached to them that drive them feral while unlocking untapped potential, making them dangerous forces that even the toughest Rangers must deal with in pairs.

While Azuria is still thriving mostly due to the Rangers and strong land-placement, the neighboring country of Vermail is on the brink of collapse and ready to go to war to take Azuria’s abundance for themselves. In an attempt to find a compromise Vermail’s princess Eleanor agrees to become a hostage of sorts for Azuria and soon joins the player as an ally, learning the ropes of Ranger school and the unique bond that they have with their “monsties.” 

This small peace is shattered when war literally breaks out at the border with Vermail attacking in droves and revealing numerous twists back to back that leave the Princess struggling to figure out what to do next, but the only answer is to venture out beyond the the wall that is not meant to be passed and into a forbidden zone that the kingdom has respected for hundreds of years due to a vow with the Wyverians. Venturing forth into the unknown with only her monsties and fellow Rangers at her side, it is up to the Princess to find a way to save not only both kingdoms by putting a stop to the war but finding the origin of the Crystal Encroachment itself.

In a rather strange way, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the most mature and adult storyline in the entire series to date. It’s almost as if the storylines grew up and developed with every iteration, the first being for children, the second being for teens and young adults, and now this one placing players right into the dire world where serious events take place, betrayals, dangerous developments occur, and unique plot twists are not only refreshingly surprising but entirely fitting as well. Sure, the game’s side-quests are generally fairly basic, but the core plotline is exceptionally engaging, making players want to progress the story even while they are trying to develop their monsties the best way possible.

It is also worth noting that while the standard side-quests from NPCs are a bit generic, every single one of the player’s Ranger companions will have their own unique story quest as players progress through the game, revealing more about their history, their own unique traits, and even a bit of what they like to do. This adds some extra characterization to the party while also strengthening the team at the same time as completing these side-quests boosts their abilities in combat. Combine this strong companion writing with engaging writing for the main storyline that sets the stakes high right from the get go and players will find themselves hooked right away. It is worth noting that not all of the game is serious, there are still plenty of moments of levity with the Rangers and the team, but joke mascot Palico Navirou is gone now and replaced by a far more responsible but equally likable Rudy. Rudy is treated more like an actual character than a walking joke which is a nice touch for the talking Palico and helps add even more nuance to the team at times.

Gameplay

In many ways Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection feels as familiar as the original two games and incredibly different at the same time. The biggest difference is exploration and the fact that it opens up almost immediately. Unlike previous entries that generally saw players starting with low-grade monsties and have only a minimal amount of exploration abilities, this time around players are thrown right into the fray with the most exploration options available right out of the gate. Between the players’ Rathalos already having the ability to glide, fly, shoot fireballs, roar to stun enemies, and even melee attack to smash walls or trees, players are already off to a great start. Combine this with the Tobi-Kodachi that can also climb walls that are in their party at the start and nearly every exploration ability is unlocked at the start.

Sure, being able to swim, travel through dug tunnels, and more, require specific monster types but this is a great start. Especially since throughout the game players will find that there is plenty of hidden content to find, be it Poogies scattered throughout the world, treasure chests containing decoration gems and recipes, or even monster droppings that reveal more info about their ecology. The various maps in the game all have different ways to navigate around them, be it climbing walls, using wind gusts to fly further, and more to explore and even the maps themselves are broken into subsections where only certain monsters will spawn and eggs can be gathered from dens, though this time around players can have some influence on that.

As with every Monster Hunter Stories game, raising a monstie and having it join your party to defeat other monsters is the key part of the game and fighting alongside a battle buddy, which can be changed at any time now except for personal missions. Players can carry up to twelve eggs with them at a time but doing so will involve entering dens. Dens are scattered throughout the map and range from standard, to rare, to super rare with higher rarity giving eggs unique traits sometimes. Inside of a den players will search a nest and randomly pick up an egg and be given the option to continue searching if they don’t like their pick. Until the player has hatched a specific egg they won’t be told the exact monster that will hatch from it, though if players happen to make a monster retreat into a den then obviously all eggs will be of that monster.

Perhaps one of the biggest quality of life improvements to egg gathering is the fact that egg dens are no longer mini-dungeons scattered with other monsters. Instead they are small rooms filled with materials and with the nest right there and easy to access, making egg hunting a far easier and enjoyable experience. There are rare events that can happen in dens such as having two nests to pull from, extra materials to gather, barrel felynes running around, or even a slumbering monster inside raising the threat level. In fact, players can even have Eleanor cook food to increase the rate of rare events happening, though she can also cook other meals that have half an hour long effects that boost health, experience gain, gathered items, and more, though only one can be active at a time unless it’s a special meal.

One of the new elements introduced in Twisted Reflection is the Ranger’s core mission, habitat restoration. As mentioned before each part of a map is broken into a subzone with specific monsters and there are feral monsters that lay claim to each zone. When players defeat a feral monster the team will not only establish a base there but also be able to release hatched monsties in that zone. Players can release monsties already available in that zone to boost their stats and trigger unique stat increases for further eggs for that species there but the real fun comes from creating “mutant” versions of monsties or element variations such as having a lightning-based Anjanath. The real test though comes from defeating the invasive monsters that come out at night. These battles are more puzzle-like in nature as players are simply meant to drive them away rather than slay them and, when successful, it will reveal a den containing a once extinct monster egg within a crystal shell.

Hatching these extinct monsties and then releasing them back into the wild gives players a chance to then find not only more of that monster out in the field to farm materials but also eggs of it as well, such as a Rathian being the first available. The unique element to these extinct monsters, and a few others are that players can help unlock even more powerful monsters if certain conditions are met. For example, raising the Rathian ecosystem rank to S not only unlocks a difficult Pink Rathian that will roam the land now, but even the deadly Dreadqueen Rathian. These eggs will spawn in similar fashion in dens and can be added to the player’s party of monsties though fighting them out in the wild is another story entirely, especially since some unique monsties players can unlock early game by meeting certain ecosystem conditions can be near end-game level of difficulty. It is also rather neat to release a monster completely random in an ecosystem and see it joining far different types of creatures roaming around, or changing elements entirely thanks to their ecosystem change.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Monster Hunter if there wasn’t plenty of combat but rather than the action based combat of the core-game Stories retains the same turn-based RPG style combat it always has as well as the rock-paper-scissors style combat chart with power beating technique, technique beating speed, and speed beating power. Players cannot directly control their ally or ally’s monstie in combat but they can dictate orders to their own monstie and select their own combat moves. Both pairs of fighters have three “hearts” that are shared between the human and monstie and when they fall in combat one of these hearts is depleted. If the player’s ally is defeated entirely, they will eventually pop back up if players can survive long enough on their own but falling in combat yourself will end the fight.

As is standard, players can make use of a decent number of weapons in the game, with there being six types total tying to the three damage types of slashing, piercing, and crushing. This is handled through charge blades, long swords, bows, gunlances, hammers, and hunting horns. The player can equip three weapons at a time and swap between them to use skills on the fly, especially when targeting enemy weaknesses such as certain elemental weaknesses or body parts. Weapons and armor are crafted from materials obtained from slaying monsters or through blueprints that players can rarely find in treasure chests scattered throughout the land. Similarly, players can bring with them their entire party of six monsties and can swap between them at any time during battle, dictating them to use skills as needed to target the same weaknesses. 

That being said, swapping out monsties will reset the “kinship gauge” that will prevent players from riding on their monstie and combining their strength and unleashing a “kinship attack” that is basically an ultimate move, or even a combined kinship attack should their partner also be riding their monstie. A new system called Wyvern Soul also works as a stagger gauge that can make enemies weak for a moment or even topple them to the ground and give players the opportunity to trigger a “Syncro Rush” that will also deal massive damage and boost their Kinship gauge but the monster will stand right back up as a result. 

It is worth noting that compared to the first two games in the series, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection does not pull any punches when it comes to combat, almost to the point it can feel a bit cheap at times. The other two entries were mostly about guessing enemy attack types and countering them properly while this time around enemies not only actively use skills that bypass the head-to-head counter system, but also transform or activate extra defenses or offensive skills regularly. Fighting against enemies the player’s own level can be a danger if they aren’t taking advantage of elemental weaknesses and defenses, especially since many monsters can unleash party-wide high damage dealing attacks if they aren’t stopped. This means that players shouldn’t expect an easy win even when things seem to be in their favor. It is nice to note that the game does indicate when enemies are going to be a challenge or are outright above the player’s abilities by displaying a yellow or red icon above their head as they roam the field. Similarly, enemies that are below the player’s level by a decent margin can be slain by attacking them directly while roaming the field or through “instant kills” if they happen to miss an attack or want to try triggering a den retreat.

For those who really want to get in-depth and see everything that Twisted Reflections has to offer when it comes to training their monsties, the options to perform gene modification and even training missions can help boost their abilities or unlock stats and skills. Gene modifications take genes from another monstie and assign it to the chosen place on the player’s monstie, giving it a skill or attack while also potentially offering “bingo bonuses” if it matches the elemental or type of trait, further increasing their strength. Training will give a monstie the ability to venture into an area to boost its stats to match the ecosystem, meaning if a monstie was originally only a C rank with a slight HP boost, having it train in an improved S rank ecosystem can give it a full star HP boost. While not necessarily required, all of these options and ways to train the player’s party make this the most in-depth the spin-off series has ever been and with more monsters than ever before, that is an incredibly impressive feat.

Audio & Visuals

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is an incredibly impressive looking game that takes an anime-esque art style and applies it perfectly to the monsters that everyone knows and loves from the mainstream franchise. The environments themselves are nice and lush, though they can be a bit annoying to explore in some locations, and the character models are handled incredibly well. The designs of weaponry and equipment that players forge is unique and fitting to the series’ overall theme and those that want a little extra style can find DLC to deck out the other Ranger’s with special costumes too. It also really must be said that the kinship skills are truly exceptional as every single monstie in the game has a unique kinship skill that is a blast to behold, with even some of the simplest looking monsties having some rather fancy looking cinematic animations.

The English voice track throughout the game is handled quite well with the voice cast fitting their characters well enough. The emotional weight of the storytelling is believable through their acting and all of the signature monster cries are as memorable as ever. It is also nice to note that Rudy’s voice actress is an incredible improvement over Navirou from the first two games and that the main character is also voiced fully, giving them actual agency in the storyline. The title’s soundtrack features a great collection of background music that varies from location to location as well, helping to keep things feeling fresh.

Overall

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection may not reinvent the core concept that the spin-off has followed since the first two games but it has built upon it exponentially. Not only is the story darker and more engaging thanks to some twists and turns as well as giving the main character a voice. The other Rangers having solid storylines as well help keep the whole group feel engaged as players explore each new location, tracking down and fighting new monsters and rebuilding the ecosystems along the way with combat that is both entertaining and challenging in equal measure. Between these improvements and a gorgeous presentation, anyone that is a fan of the Monster Hunter would be remiss not to check spin-off out.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Ante up in C4SH’s new Character Short “High Roller” for Borderlands 4!

Over the weekend, 2K and Gearbox Software shared the Official Character Short for C4SH, the Rogue, a cinematic introduction to the all-new Vault Hunter coming to Borderlands 4 via paid DLC in Story Pack 1: Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned!* C4SH is the first of two new Vault Hunters coming to the game post-launch via Story Packs.

C4SH the Rogue is a CasinoBot with a new lease on life after winning a magical deck that imbues him with eldritch boons in a high-stakes card game. This would be a cursed trophy for most people, but for a robot who has been able to game the solar system’s casinos and battlefields with statistical knowledge, he finally knows what unpredictability feels like. For the first time, he feels human. This drives him to play nothing safe, always bet on himself, and take as many risks as possible.

In C4SH’s new Character Short “High Roller”, take a seat and buy-in for his retelling of the high-stakes card game that set him down an unforeseen path. C4SH is playable across the entire game, allowing players to experience everything on Kairos using his unique set of skills or dive right into the new Story Pack 1 content via a new menu option, which fast-forwards any fresh Vault Hunter to the new Whispering Glacier map zone at level 13!

Read all about C4SH the Rogue’s unique Traits and Action Skills in the written Character Spotlight, and learn more about Story Pack 1’s wide variety of added content, including new story missions, a new map zone called The Whispering Glacier, new loot, and more.

Borderlands 4 is available worldwide and Story Pack 1: Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned will launch on Thursday, March 26 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.

For the latest information on Borderlands 4, visit www.borderlands.2k.com.

*Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned is the first of two post-launch DLC Story Packs coming to Borderlands 4. This content is included with Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition and the Borderlands 4 Vault Hunter Pack, and is also available for separate purchase. Base game required.

Don’t Lose Aggro Taunts Players Towards PC Early Access on April 15, 2026

The action roguelite answers what it really means to be an MMO tank

LOS ANGELES – March 16, 2026 – Don’t Lose Aggro, the single-player action roguelite inspired by MMO raids but without the hassle of time and guild commitments, enters into Early Access on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 for PC via Steam.

Heavy is the hand that bears the Tank’s shield. Why are Tank queues nearly instant? Join the decorated ranks of selfless armor-clad Tanks and charge through hordes of enraged enemies, taunt aggravated foes, and interrupt spellcasters with stunning strikes with but one goal in mind: keep the party alive.

Master cooldown rotation, aggro management, and other tanking concepts without the hassle of schedule management or needless loot drop drama that comes with a multiplayer world. Defend NPC party members designed to emulate real-world players in three game modes: Wave Defense (crowd control and positioning), Dungeon Crawl (routing and speed running), and Boss Rush (cooldowns and execution).

Whirlwind through mobs to AoE them down, throw out a shield to distract patrolling mobs from a distance, or unleash a loud battleshout to draw enemy threat from afar (and likely provide a defensive buff or offensive debuff in the process).

Wield different types of shields to specialize into various Tank archetypes, like the righteous Crusader inspired by classic paladins. Build into branching talent trees with points earned from successful runs, upgrade core skills, and mitigate damage in personalized ways with techniques like Vice Grip that engineers aggro into threatening damage numbers. Created by solo developer and 15-year tanking veteran Oren KorenDon’t Lose Aggro rebuilds the entire tanking experience as a single-player action roguelite to remove the entry barriers of tanking and bring about a renaissance in a world where Tanks are needed now more than ever.

Don’t Lose Aggro is both my love letter to tanking, as well as my take in creating a safe practicing environment for people to explore tanking without the usual fear and anxiety,” said solo-developer Oren Koren. “My goal is to help solve key issues that exist within MMO tanking by providing a low-risk setting where everyone can gain the confidence to give the role a try, while offering those who have grown out of the genre a chance to relive the thrill of tanking without the time commitments or rigorous raid schedules.”

Don’t Lose Aggro launches into Early Access on April 15, 2026 with full controller support and Steam Deck verification. Language support includes English, Italian, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, German, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French, Brazilian Portuguese, and Turkish.

To learn more, follow Oren on X and Instagram, and join the community on Discord.

About Oren Koren (Game Creator & Publisher)

Don’t Lose Aggro marks the first commercial release from solo developer Oren Koren, a passionate MMO veteran dedicated to delivering authentic MMORPG gameplay experiences in a polished single-player format. Inspired by genre-defining games like World of Warcraft, Oren aims to blend tactical depth, engaging progression, and nostalgic mechanics, providing players a uniquely satisfying and accessible experience.

GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE AND RAZER ANNOUNCE STYLISH “HEARTBEAT TEMPTATION” COLLABORATION

In-Game Limited Edition Viper Costume, Collectible NIKKE-Themed Razer Peripherals, and Global Razer Pop-Up Events Launch March 26 

PALO ALTO, CA – March 20, 2026 – Level Infinite today announced a partnership with Razer™, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers. Starting March 26, the action RPG shooter Goddess of Victory: NIKKE will fuse its high-octane world with Razer’s iconic aesthetic and gaming peripherals. The collaboration features a limited-edition in-game skin, “Viper – Punky Street,” alongside a collectible physical NIKKE X Razer box available for a limited time in select regions.

To celebrate the launch of this unique collaboration, select RazerStores in North America will showcase a week-long, special promotional video of the NIKKE x Razer collab at major hubs including Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and Miami. To top off this cool collab, a NIKKE pop-up event experience will take place at RazerStores in Los Angeles and London that includes immersive in-game decor, professional cosplay interactions, and exclusive in-store merch! Please follow Goddess of Victory: NIKKE on social media as more dates and details will be revealed on March 24!

Commanders across the globe can acquire the limited Edition Viper – Punky Street skin, a stylish new outfit based on the classic Razer aesthetic complete with a signature Razer headset, and voice lines exclusive to this collaboration. Gamers can secure the skin by unlocking the Punky Street Pass or using the redemption key included in the Limited NIKKE x Razer Collab Gift Box. Players can snag a free collaboration Avatar Frame & Title by participating in game events and completing specific tasks.

Exclusive “Heartbeat Temptation” collab gift boxes are also available during the event. This slick NIKKE x Razer collab package is available exclusively in China, Japan and South Korea via official flagship stores on Tmall, Amazon Japan, and Naver Korea. Gift boxes contain:

  • Custom Peripherals
    • Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT (White): Includes DIY stickers to match the in-game skin.
    • Razer Orochi V2 Wireless Mouse: Custom Viper collaboration edition featuring a Q-version Viper graffiti design on the shell.
       
  • Exclusive Merchandise:
    • Viper Acrylic Standee ×1
    • Reflective/Glow-in-the-dark Badges (Buttons) ×2
    • Headset DIY Sticker Sheet ×1
    • In-game Item (Skin) Redemption Card ×1

For more details on the NIKKE x Razer collaboration, stay tuned to the official NIKKE social media channels and the Razer community pages.

Downloaded over 45 million times since launch, GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE is available globally for PC, iOS, and Android mobile devices. GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE continues to deliver regular updates and content expansions that keep players immersed in the game’s evolving narrative. Download the game on the iOS App StoreGoogle Play, and Windows PC.

To learn more about GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE, go to: http://nikke-en.com

About Razer
Razer™ is the world’s leading lifestyle brand made For Gamers. By Gamers™.

The triple-headed snake trademark of Razer is one of the most recognized logos in the global gaming and esports communities. With a fan base that spans every continent, Razer has designed and built the world’s largest gamer-focused ecosystem of hardware, software and services.
Razer’s award-winning hardware includes high-performance gaming peripherals and Blade gaming laptops. Razer’s software suite, which consists of Razer Chroma RGB, Razer Synapse and more, boasts over 250 million users, offering customization, lighting effects and optimization. Razer also offers payment services for gamers, youth, millennials and Gen Z, through Razer Gold, one of the world’s largest game payment services to over 68,000 games and Razer Silver, the accompanying rewards program.

Razer is committed towards a sustainable future and is taking responsibility through its #GoGreenWithRazer movement – a 10-year roadmap that aims to minimize environmental impact through various initiatives.

Founded in 2005, Razer is dual headquartered in Irvine, California and Singapore, with regional headquarters in Hamburg and Shanghai, and 19 offices worldwide.

About Level Infinite
Level Infinite is Tencent’s global games brand, dedicated to delivering engaging and original gaming experiences across diverse genres to a worldwide audience, whenever and wherever they choose to play. The brand also provides a wide range of services and resources to a network of developers and partner studios around the world to help them unlock the potential of their games. Level Infinite is both publisher of breakout hit games like PUBG MOBILE, Honor of Kings and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE and a collaborative partner in games such as Dune: Awakening from Funcom, Warhammer 40K: Darktide and many more. To learn more about Level Infinite, visit www.levelinfinite.com, and follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.For more information about Level Infinite, please visit the official website at www.levelinfinite.com/ja or the official X account at x.com/LevelInfiniteJP.

THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK WELCOMES THE LEADER OF THE LILLIEN KNIGHTS, B. JENET

LOS ANGELES MARCH 20, 2026 – Netmarble, a renowned developer and publisher of high-quality games, has announced a new in-game update for its AFK RPG THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK, featuring a new fighter and multiple events. 

B. Jenet, the leader of a band of pirates known as the Lillien Knights, has joined the world of THE KING OF FIGHTERS. She uses the LK Arts fighting-style, and players can check out her signature skills such as “Aurora EX” and “Ennui Mademoiselle” in the game. The B. Jenet Pick-Up Event will be running until April 1 that offers a higher chance to obtain her. In addition, the [Spike] Synergy Fighter Summon Event is running during the same period to grant an increased opportunity to obtain fighters with [Spike] synergy. 

Players can also participate in various events to receive valuable rewards. The Blossom Town Event will be available from March 26 to April 8, and the Lucky Elpy Event will be running from March 30 to April 3. Players will have a chance to meet Aura, a Legendary pet inspired by B. Jenet, and Sakumo through the Blossom Town Event and the Legendary supporter Lao through the Lucky Elpy Event. 

THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK is based on SNK’s “THE KING OF FIGHTERS” IP. The game features iconic fighters from “THE KING OF FIGHTERS” series reimagined in pixel art graphics that gamers are familiar with from THE KING OF FIGHTERS R-2 on NEOGEO POCKET COLOR, allowing players to build their own team of favorite Fighters and enjoy dynamic combats. Players can strategically create their decks by combining at least 5 and up to 25 different Fighters and formations.

For the latest news and information on THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK, visit the official website.

“THE KING OF FIGHTERS” is an iconic fighting game series that led the fighting game craze in the 1990s, with over 15 titles released to date. THE KING OF FIGHTERS and its Fighters have been receiving strong support among fans around the globe for decades as the series’ systems and stories have evolved over time. 

About Netmarble Corporation

Founded in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading global game developer and publisher. Through acclaimed franchises and strategic partnerships with top-tier IP holders, the company delivers innovative and engaging gaming experiences to audiences worldwide. As a parent company of Kabam, SpinX Games, Jam City, and a major shareholder of HYBE and NCSOFT, Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling:ARISE, Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, RAVEN2, MARVEL Future Fight, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

ⓒ SNK CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ⓒ Netmarble Corp. & Netmarble Neo Inc. 2024 All Rights Reserved.