The seductive vampire spy RPG is coming to Xbox, with Day One Game Pass availability, as revealed during IGN x ID@XBOX
October 20, 2026 – As revealed during IGN x ID@XBOX, indie developer Wispfire and narrative game publisher Fellow Traveller have announced that Red Kiss, their Cold War vampire spy RPG, is coming to XBOX and Game Pass on Day One, alongside its previously announced PC release via Steam.
Set in the underworld of 1989 Cold War Berlin, Red Kiss puts players in charge of a house full of dangerously attractive, emotionally complicated vampire spies. There’s espionage, political intrigue, blood bonds, questionable interpersonal decisions, and one very important rule: you must obey Daddy.
Players take on the role of a newly turned vampire recruited by the mysterious and domineering Daddy, stepping into the role of an Augur. Gifted with the ability to communicate telepathically, an Augur directs a collection of eccentric vampire operatives through an occult device known as the Tabernacle, dispatching them across a city divided by politics, paranoia and an increasingly complicated web of supernatural interests.
Managing a house of vampires isn’t all sharp suits, sharp teeth, and sharp tongues.
Each operative brings their own skills, secrets, relationships and personal agendas to the table. Players must decide who to send on dangerous assignments, how to navigate skill checks, manage blood and energy, and balance their relationships with their increasingly messy spymates.
Blending dispatch-style strategic gameplay, visual novel storytelling, and light RPG management, Red Kiss offers a dark fantasy where desire and danger are rarely far apart. Players will get to know their operatives, develop blood bonds, uncover their personal stories and decide just how far they’re willing to go.
With Red Kiss coming to XBOX and Game Pass on Day One, alongside its announced release on PC via Steam, even more players will have the opportunity to discover what it means to be one of Daddy’s pets spies. Players can wishlist the game now on Steam.
About Wispfire
Wispfire is a queer-led game studio based in Utrecht, Netherlands, founded in 2013. The studio creates choice-driven narrative experiences that explore real-world social and political themes through genre fiction. Their previous title, Herald: An Interactive Period Drama, was praised for its writing and complex exploration of colonialism.
About Fellow Traveller Games
Fellow Traveller is an indie games publishing label exploring the possibility space of what narrative games can be. Since our founding in 2012, we have sought out and partnered with pioneering game developers working on unusual games with narrative at their core.
You may know us from the tabletop-inspired RPG set in the ruins of interplanetary capitalism (Citizen Sleeper), the polar exploration survival story riddled with life or death decisions (The Pale Beyond), the noir adventure set before, during, and after the Big Bang (Genesis Noir), or the murder mystery with a cast of otherworldly suspects (Paradise Killer).
LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 22, 2026 – Netmarble, a renowned developer and publisher of high-quality games, has announced a new Halloween-themed update for its AFK RPG THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK, featuring Halloween Angel and KOF 2001 Heidern, various seasonal events, and more.
From October 22 to November 11, players can take part in a special Pick-Up Event where they can obtain a Halloween Angel. Transformed for the Halloween season, Angel joins the roster featuring the [Solid] Synergy. A fighter using calm and calculated assassination techniques, KOF 2001 Heidern has also been added to the Ranking Event Exchange Shop. Players can obtain this new fighter with [Special] Synergy by using Token of Growth at the Ranking Event Exchange Shop.
In celebration of the Halloween season, Halloween Mature and Iori Yagami’s Arrival Events are running until November 11 that brings back two Halloween Fighters at the same time. The update also added Mature’s Keepsake “Fox Orb.”
The main event, Pumpkin Festival, will be held through November 4. Players can participate in event dungeons including Pumpkin Tower and Halloween Parade to earn various rewards, including Halloween Fighter Pick-Up Tokens that can be used to summon returning Halloween Fighters such as Halloween Mature and Iori Yagami. The event will also add Legendary pet Pieris and returning Legendary pet Demonio. From November 2 to November 6, the Lucky Elpy event adds Legendary Supporter Yamada Jubei.
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 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.
New Contracts and Badges, Vanguard and Glitch cosmetics, seasonal events, and upcoming online improvements headline Season 6.
Paris, France – October 23, 2026 – Today, Sloclap launches Season 6 of Rematch, introducing a brand-new progression system that gives every match more meaning.
Nature or nurture? Talent or determination? Two visions of the game clash in Season 6 as players build their careers through Contracts, earn recognition for their achievements with Badges, and express their identity through new Vanguard and Glitch cosmetics.
Build your career through contracts
Every match now takes your career forward. Contracts replace Player Level with a new profile progression system built around milestones. Play matches to earn Experience, level up your current Contract and fulfil its requirements to move on to the next, collecting rewards and unlocking new features along the way.
And if you’ve already put in the hours, they still count. Legacy Rewards recognise progression achieved before Season 6, giving returning players rewards that reflect their journey so far.
Let your game speak for itself
Every player brings something different to the pitch, and goals are only part of the story. Whether you’re creating chances for your teammates, shutting down attacks, beating opponents on the ball, protecting the goal, or delivering when everything is on the line, the new Badges system recognises the actions that define your game.
Choose which Badges to display on your Player Card and show off your achievements to other players during celebrations and post-match Victory Moods. From the playmaker to the last line of defence, every contribution matters. Now, you can make sure everyone knows it.
Nature or nurture? choose your side
Is greatness something you’re born with, or something you earn? Season 6 introduces two contrasting visions of the game through its new cosmetic collections: the talented Vanguards and the resolute Glitches. Embrace the polished, elite aesthetic of the Vanguards or the bold, disruptive style of the Glitches.
Discover new cosmetics through the Season 6 Captain Pass, and take your game to new heights in Clouds Sunset, a new VR set high above the clouds against a glowing sunset.
More to come throughout season 6
We’ll progressively roll out Netcode 2.0, a major overhaul of Rematch’s networking systems designed to reduce desyncs and rollbacks and make interactions on the pitch more consistent and fair for everyone.
Halloween and holiday events are also coming later this season, alongside special offers with discounts of up to 60% throughout Season 6.
About Rematch
Rematch brings the beautiful game of football to life through fast-paced, third-person multiplayer action. Taking the field in 3v3, 4v4, or 5v5 matches, each player controls a single athlete across stylized digital arenas.
There are no fouls and no offsides. Every match is an intense showdown where individual skill, split-second decisions and tactical teamplay can make the difference.
Rematch is available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as through Xbox Game Pass.
About Sloclap
Paris-based Sloclap is an independent game development studio known for blending distinctive gameplay mechanics with visually captivating, action-driven experiences. With acclaimed releases including Absolver and Sifu, the studio has demonstrated its passion for dynamic third-person action experiences.
With Rematch, Sloclap brings that expertise to online football, delivering a competitive multiplayer experience built around direct control, individual skill and teamplay.
Defend your Clan, bond with allies, forge your destiny, and live the life of a true Warrior Cat in this original tale for PC & consoles!
23rd October, 2026 – TRAILMARK Games and Four Trees Media are excited to announce that Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest, an all-new action-adventure RPG inspired by the beloved Warrior Cats novel series, is available now on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Create your own Warrior Cat, defend your Clan against a wide range of threats, and experience a brand-new story with iconic cats and locations from the Warrior Cats franchise.
Experience the classic book series like never before by stepping into the paws of your own purr-fectly customized Warrior Cat. Choose your Clan, forge bonds with allies, forage and craft, rise through the ranks, and defend your home in strategic turn-based combat. Every choice plays a role in shaping your journey to uncover the secrets of the mysterious StarClan!
KEY FEATURES
4 Clans, 4 Full Stories: Experience four unique story campaigns shaped by the culture, conflicts, and traditions of each Clan. Uncover distinct prophecies, rivalries, characters, and challenges as you see the forest through different eyes with each journey.
Create Your Own Warrior Cat: Make a warrior that feels like your own with deep customization options inspired by the Warrior Cats universe. Choose unique fur patterns, colors, tails, whiskers, ears, eyes, markings, and more to create a cat ready to leave their mark on the forest.
Customize Your Den & Combat Style: Personalize your den with unlockable decorations, bedding and scratching posts. Train powerful moves, experiment with combat stances, and show off your customized warrior to friends through asynchronous online den visits.
Explore Iconic Clan Territories & Sacred Locations: Journey through sprawling forests, marshes, moorlands, and sacred landmarks drawn from the world of Warrior Cats. Discover hidden paths, secret areas, environmental puzzles, and meaningful encounters from the Clan territories to the Moonpool and the Island.
Turn-Based Combat & Powerful Clan Abilities: Use timing, tactics, and specialized Clan moves to overcome dangerous rivals, predators and bosses. Build your move set, exploit enemy weaknesses, and unleash powerful ancestor attacks granted by the StarClan.
Build Your Clan Legacy: Rise through the ranks as your actions shape relationships, rivalries, and your reputation within the Clans. Contribute to your Clan’s growth, strengthen bonds with allies, and forge a legacy for generations to remember.
Experience Branching Storylines & Unique Prophecies: Every choice influences your personal journey through a world guided by mysterious prophecies and spiritual omens. Discover unique story paths, dynamic quests, and epic adventures that make each playthrough feel different.
Encounter Iconic Cats From theWarrior CatsUniverse: Meet legendary cats from the books alongside an original cast created for the game’s unfolding story. Form alliances, learn from powerful mentors, and face unforgettable encounters tied to the future of the Clans.
Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest is available now digitally for £24.99 / €29,99 on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Players who purchase the game’s Feral Edition for £34.99 / €39,99 will receive eight additional elements to use in the Cat Creator, 12 wearable accessories, cel-shaded character skin, four cat poses for photo mode, and four photo mode effects.
Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest is available physically on Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 today. The Xbox Series X physical version will be available on 6th November.
About Four Trees Media, formerly known as Coolabi Group
We grow stories.
Four Trees Media is a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, creating and developing much-loved worlds across digital, books, television and consumer products. Its portfolio includes globally recognised franchises such as Warrior Cats, Beast Quest and The Lady Grace Mysteries.
Warrior Cats also spearheads the company’s rapidly growing digital and social gaming portfolio, with more than 780 million Roblox game plays, over 500 million YouTube views of user-generated content and almost 3 billion TikTok views.
Four Trees Media’s books have sold more than 200 million copies globally in more than 40 territories, spanning a catalogue of more than 2,000 titles. The company also co-develops and co-produces live-action and animated programming with leading networks and producers around the world.
About TRAILMARK Games
TRAILMARK Games is an independent video game publisher focused on bringing beloved brands and original entertainment experiences to players around the world. Founded by passionate industry veterans with decades of experience in video game publishing, licensing, product development, and global distribution, we partner with leading entertainment companies, developers, and creators to deliver high-quality games across Console, PC, Mobile, and digital platforms. At TRAILMARK Games, we believe great brands deserve great games, and great games start with great partnerships. Our mission is simple: build lasting relationships, support talented development teams, and deliver exceptional entertainment experiences to fans worldwide.
Tear through water, crush vegetation under your wheels and hunt enemies through the fog as the post-apocalyptic battlefield gets a major visual overhaul
Gaijin Entertainment announces that Crossout: Remastered is available now, bringing a major artistic and technical overhaul to the post-apocalyptic online vehicular action game Crossout. The update transforms the familiar Wasteland into a much more vivid and responsive battlefield, with completely reworked lighting, higher-resolution terrain, dynamic water and vegetation, upgraded explosions and a wide range of new visual effects. A new side-by-side comparison video shows just how dramatically the game has changed, though the best way to experience the difference is always to try it yourself.
The difference is visible as soon as you roll into battle. Enemy machines emerge from the fog as their silhouettes catch the light. Headlights, fires and explosions illuminate vehicles and nearby ruins. Shadows shift across the battlefield, while dust, haze and atmospheric effects give familiar locations a completely new mood. Reworked global illumination, improved shadows, local reflections and a new atmospheric scattering model make the world react much more naturally to every source of light.
And the battlefield now reacts to you as well. Grass bends and gets crushed beneath wheels and tracks, bushes sway in the wind and recoil when several tons of improvised armor tear through them. Rivers, swamps and puddles ripple as armored cars charge across the shallows, projectiles strike the surface and towering combat walkers stomp through the water. Improved waves, reflections, refraction, wakes and splashes make water a living part of the battlefield.
The ground beneath the vehicles has also been rebuilt. Higher-resolution textures, adaptive tessellation and Height Blend technology give roads, rocks, mud and other surfaces real depth. Cliffs and terrain materials have been redesigned with additional detail, making the Wasteland rougher and more convincing while preserving the routes and driving possibilities that players know and love.
Crossout: Remastered also adds support for DLSS 4.5 and FSR 3.1, giving players additional options to balance the upgraded visuals with performance.
More details about the update are available on the official Crossoutwebsite.
About Gaijin Entertainment Gaijin Entertainment is the developer and publisher of the online games War Thunder, Crossout, Enlisted, CRSED: F.O.A.D. and Star Conflict as well as other PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, iOS and Android titles across several genres. The company’s diverse portfolio has received a range of mass media and game industry awards including such as Gamescom Award and many more. Official website: http://gaijinent.com/
About Crossout Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Crossout is an MMO vehicle combat game available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S offering players complete customisation in building and upgrading deadly armored vehicles to destroy enemies in open PvP and PvE battles. Crossout gives players thousands of possibilities to design their vehicle, including shape, armor, weapons, support systems and, of course, cosmetic enhancements. Official website: http://crossout.net/
Return to Pantheon and face an adaptive AI threat in the latest demo for the 1–4 player sci-fi co-op survival horror game
[October 23, 2026] – Minerva is watching, learning, and waiting. Developer Phase 8 Studio and publisher LINE Games are excited to announce that Demo 2.0 for CODE EXIT, the 1–4 player sci-fi co-op survival horror game, is available now on Steam ahead of its participation in Steam Scream Fest V, running October 26 through November 2. Players can return to the fallen city of Pantheon and attempt to survive against Minerva, a rogue AI that observes player behavior and adapts its hunting patterns accordingly.
Following a successful three-week global playtest, Demo 2.0 introduces new gameplay systems and improvements shaped by community feedback. A new tutorial stage helps operatives prepare for the horrors ahead, while refined UI, customizable keyboard controls, and ongoing multiplayer optimizations aim to deliver a smoother co-op experience. Even death isn’t the end with the new MiRO robot mechanic, which lets fallen teammates continue supporting their allies, while the Offline S.O.M.A system introduces another layer of tension by activating in response to nearby noise and player actions.
In CODE EXIT, players take on the role of Hermes operatives sent into Pantheon to restore critical systems, secure hidden data, and make it back alive. Play solo or join up to three other players to explore isolated facilities, activate terminals, bypass sealed doors, and complete objectives while Minerva watches your every move. Repeat the same strategies too often, and she may learn to use them against you.
Key Features of CODE EXIT:
Solo to Four Player Tactical Co op – Choose to face the nightmare alone or team up with up to three friends. The game scales its intensity based on your group size. Success depends on real-time communication and strategic coordination to stay one step ahead of the chaser.
Adaptive Chaser Minerva – Experience a chaser that does not follow a script. Minerva observes your habits and remembers your favorite hiding spots. If you continuously repeat the same behavior, the chaser will adapt and change its hunting pattern to catch you.
Tactical Planning and Extraction – Strictly divide roles among your team and plan your routes based on the specific conditions and objectives of each site. Fulfilling the team’s objectives and returning safely to base is the only guarantee of survival for the operatives.
Persistent Pressure and Dread – Forget simple jump scares. CODE EXIT focuses on a suffocating atmosphere where the chaser is always learning and getting smarter. The tension builds every minute, making each successful escape a true achievement.
CODE EXIT Demo 2.0 is available to play now on Steam and will be featured in Steam Scream Fest V, running from October 26 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET through November 2 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.. Wishlist the game and join the official Discord to stay up-to-date on the latest news from Pantheon.
About LINE Games
LINE Games, a subsidiary of LINE Yahoo, is a Seoul-based publisher and developer dedicated to creating and publishing games across PC, console, and mobile platforms. With a portfolio spanning action RPGs, narrative adventures, and multiplayer experiences, LINE Games brings distinctive titles from Korea to players worldwide.
About Phase 8 Studio
Phase 8 Studio is a South Korean indie development team fueled by a shared obsession with atmospheric storytelling and the adrenaline of cooperative gameplay. Comprised of five visionary young developers, the studio is currently making waves with their upcoming title, CODE EXIT.
Players can view the full survey results alongside the planned improvements on the official website.
Hertfordshire,23rdOctober 2026 – Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Team NINJA have shared the survey results for their recent Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember Alpha Demo. Additionally, improvement plans for the full game, releasing 4th March 2027 on XBOX Series X|S, PlayStation®5, Nintendo Switch™2, XBOX on PC, Steam®, and with XBOX Game Pass, have also been revealed.
In the Alpha Demo, which was available between 16th September 2026 and 30th September 2026, fans were able to get a first glimpse at the open field of Changban, joining forces with Liu Bei’s army in fierce battles against the pursuing armies of Cao Cao. Following the completion of the Alpha Demo, fans were invited to complete a survey to provide feedback. A report has now been compiled following the survey, detailing improvement plans for the title’s full release.
Firstly, as a result of survey responses, the complexity of the Insight Skill system will be addressed, with a focus on improving its success detection. Additionally, the Spirit system’s gain and loss balance will also be reworked, while Martial Arts and Wizardry Spells will be made stronger. These modifications will enable greater freedom in Wo Long 2:Wings of Ember’s combat system, encouraging players to take a more aggressive approach during battles. Furthermore, optimisation will be improved, including upgrades to graphics and faster loading times. The full report can be read on the official Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember Alpha Demo Feedback Report website page.
Players can now pre-order the standard edition of Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember, as well as the Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes the base game, Season Pass, and Season Pass Bonus: Creator God Armor Set. The Digital Deluxe Edition also comes with three exclusive bonuses: Digital Artbook, Digital Mini Soundtrack, and Shitieshou Hat.
Everyone who purchases the game on any physical or digital format will receive the Harvest God Armor Set as an early purchase bonus*. Those purchasing any digital format by 4th March 2027 will receive the Creator Goddess Garb set as a digital pre-order bonus**.
Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember is currently in development and is scheduled to release 4th March 2027 on XBOX Series X|S, PlayStation®5, Nintendo Switch™2, XBOX on PC, and Steam®, and will be available from day one with XBOX Game Pass. The game will include Japanese and English voices with texts in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
* The early purchase bonus will be available to those who purchase the digital version for PlayStation®5, Nintendo Switch™ 2, or XBOX Series X|S by 0:00 on 18th March 2027, and to those who purchase the digital version for Steam® by 3:00 (UTC) on 19th March 2027. This content is not included in the XBOX Game Pass version. For those buying the physical version, the content must be downloaded by customers from the digital storefronts by 17th March 2027. ** This content is not included in the XBOX Game Pass version
ABOUTWO LONG 2: WINGS OF EMBER Developed by Team NINJA, Wo Long 2: Wings of Emberis the latest title followingWo Long: Fallen Dynasty, which has surpassed 8 million players worldwide*. TheWo Long series is a dark Three Kingdoms action RPG featuring Chinese martial arts combat built around the seamless interplay of offense and defence through deflect, which allows players to counter enemy attacks; battlefields from the Three Kingdoms era overrun by monstrous demons; and encounters with legendary heroes who left their mark on history. * Includes digital downloads, physical units sold, and plays via subscription services.
ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds, and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO is best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ WARRIORS series, the fan-favourite NINJA GAIDEN and fighting entertainment series DEAD OR ALIVE. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), KOEI TECMO has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of Gust, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com
It has been some time now since Natsume started working with their own version of Harvest Moon, taking their long history of localizing the previous franchise and looking to put their own spin on things. That road has been quite a rocky one and admittedly many of them have been extremely rough, but as the years have passed so has Natsume’s skills with the game, seeming to improve with almost every iteration especially while the original franchise is focused on remakes at the moment. Now with Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea arriving on numerous platforms including the Xbox Series X, is this perhaps their best entry yet?
Story
In the middle of the player’s dream they have a strange vision of shadowy figures of various shapes and sizes looking upon them as if expecting something, with the largest of the figures approaching just as they are woken up by their childhood friend. In the village of Bloomfield the player has just come of age and has been given their own farm on the outskirts of town and, with the help of their childhood friend who happens to be the non-picked gender of the player’s character, they learn their way around the farm as well as the fact that the people of Bloomfield have long been trapped away from the other towns across the land by a mysterious fog that is spreading throughout the Forest of Echoes.
To make matters worse, the local wolves have grown incredibly aggressive, preventing anyone from foraging far into the wild. Despite this, the player and their friend wish to bake a cake for the only child in town for her birthday and her favorite ingredient just so happens to grow on the Wolf Cliffs, the deepest part of wolf territory. After being scared off and scolded, the player makes their own trip and along the way manage to awaken the slumbering Harvest Goddess of the land. The Harvest Goddess has slept for so long she has lost almost all of her memories and has shrunk considerably leaving her at a fraction of her power. It isn’t long before she figures out that the reason for her memory and power loss happens to be due to the death of all four spirit trees throughout the land and only through the player’s ability to return happiness and life to the different towns can she be restored in full.
Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea does a solid job worldbuilding both the Harvest Goddess’ plight and the four towns by tying their fates together. After learning that the power of “happiness” takes the form of Happilia sand and using it will revive a spirit tree, players not only have a reason to engage with the villagers of each town they reach but also take on requests, move their home around if they wish, and more, simply to try and expedite the revival process for each village. It helps that many of the locations are suffering from rather severe situations and have lives “hanging” in the balance.
While Bloomfield is beset by packs of wolves, the port village of Tidewind is buffeted by non-stop rain and water-spouts making it impossible to traverse the seas. To not go into extra detail and spoil the other two towns, it must be said that at least one faces a similarly dire natural disaster fate while the other faces an entirely different threat, all of which can be traced back to the dead spirit trees and the weakened guardians meant to protect the land. It is also nice to note that while players can simply complete the first “chapter” for each village and even for the Goddess herself, the game features quite a bit extra beyond the base storyline for those wanting to see more of their favorite characters.
Each village has multiple chapters that players can complete with each one requiring a filled up Happilia bottle to activate, the only downside is that completing some of these second chapters requires items or crops that cannot be grown until far later in the game, even requests from some villagers can ask for items that players won’t see for hours or longer which is rather unfortunate. Thankfully though the villagers themselves are rather entertaining and have some decent personalities even if some are kept pretty surface level. One thing that is nice to note is that the game directly shows players what an NPC’s favorite and disliked items are, increasing the amount the closer they get with them, meaning there is no need to guess or use a guide.
The game features five female and five male romance options, all of which have their own unique flavor and even feature more adult focused characters this time around, and even the player’s childhood friend, who happens to be the other gender of the selectable player character, is an option, which is a nice touch as not only does she fit a solid archetype right there, but is something rarely seen in a game like this. One thing that is a bit unfortunate though is that some of the most intriguing romance options appear in the last two towns, though that is just a personal preference. Each romance option has different “note” events signified by a letter in the mail that is sent whenever the player fills one of four notes that indicate how friendly a player is with a villager, with romantic options having four and normal villagers having three, and these events help give the characters some extra depth and personality, especially since selecting the “correct” dialogue choice not only rewards bonus affection but also a unique line of dialogue too.
Gameplay
Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea opens players up to an “open world” almost immediately after the tutorial finishes, giving players plenty of ways to begin their journey, whether it is choosing to focus on their farm first, gathering money and befriending animals or livestock for better products to ship, craft, or cook with, or decide to venture out and challenge the various missions and favors the player can accept. The core goal in every town is filling up the Happilia bottle through any means, be it simply talking to people, completing requests, shipping items, fishing, farming, and more. In fact, one partial negative to the game is the fact that the way to “progress” to the next town is often rather obtuse, especially due to a certain element that we’ll mention later regarding quality of life, and overfilling a bottle simply results in sand spilling out rather than filling the next one ahead of time, preparing it for when the player finally can complete the next chapter for that village.
Farming in Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea is both simplified and a bit more complicated at the same time, since while most crops and flowers can grow out of season as long as they are planted in the right town, the only time they will properly grow in other locations is if it is the proper season, resulting in various hybrids. This means growing eggplants, a Tidewinds crop, in Bloomfield, successfully can result in getting special striped eggplants and other unique combinations. That being said, most of the farming is as simple as can be, especially since the game will automatically swap between tools as needed, even giving players the option to move in a grid-like pattern to properly till, sew, and water. As players upgrade their farming tools they’ll gain charge versions of watering and tilling, though the seed sowing must be obtained through a different method. Players can plant seedlings of trees in specific locations as well with trees able to grow and produce fruit without micromanagement.
When it does come to micromanagement players can take part in various other improvements to their farm, such as monitoring soil quality through the four initial plots players have access too, with the soil quality degrading the more it is used but recovering when left to rest or, later in the game, covered in fertilizer with an enhanced machine. Better soil quality can also be improved by allowing the player’s barn animals out to graze but this can risk the animals eating a crop or too as well unless players have a fence up, but this also prevents them from properly helping the field. Fertilizer can be manually added to specific crops to enhance their quality once a day and this is useful as a number of tasks can require higher level crops or cooked items than the base value or 1 star most standard crops will offer at the beginning.
This is one issue that Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea does have and that is the fact that players will feel very limited by how far they’ve managed to actually progress the main storyline. This is because while the player starts with a number of farmable plots and a small barn that can hold up to four large animals, any upgrades to the farm buildings or even to the machines that the player can regularly make use of are locked behind certain progression markers or only available in later towns, meaning it is entirely possible to gather up tame a horse, have a sheep, cow, and then tame another larger animal and be maxed out in the barn quite quickly and while it is possible to “board” pets at the Bloomfield Animal facility, it cannot hold farm animals, meaning players may need to house their favorite horse if they need to tame something else that is suitable for navigating the shifting sands of a desert or the frozen wastes of a chilly land.
Similarly, while the player can have two smaller pets in their home and have one accompany them everywhere with various skills that can help out such as restoring stamina, driving off hostile animals, or even finding seeds, obtaining more pets requires either upgrades that are held off for far too long or boarding an animal. This is something that is rather unfortunate considering the wide-range of animals that players can tame throughout the game, most of which have unique skills as mentioned before. In fact, a black panther found atop a mountain top managed to have the “destroy” skill that granted my character access to destroying hard boulders and farming ore that was far too tough for my own tools’ at the time. This means players can be well-rewarded for taming as many animals as they can since players never know what unique skill a species might have.
Traveling around the world of Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea is something of a mixed bag. Thankfully players will quickly unlock fast travel between goddess statues once they’ve gotten past the first chapter of the game, making quick movement between towns or objectives a breeze, especially with the help of the player’s trusted horse or whatever mount they prefer. That being said, the game does not feature any form of manual jump and climbing is only done through vines here and there with jumpable cliffs indicated by red streamers on a log. This makes navigating through hilly locations quite annoying as players will be riding along only to find themselves going sideways because a barely noticeable lip in the environment is preventing them from advancing. One plus however is that while players can save the game generally whenever they sleep, they can also save the game at any point while out adventuring, meaning there is no need to worry about taking a risk here and there. It also must be said that the game’s Midnight timer that instantly puts the player to sleep is rather rough, especially since the workaround to the mechanic, a tent that allows for camping at any location at the cost of only minor stamina recovery until it is upgraded, arriving well over ten hours into the game.
Another issue that can arise in the game is the mission tracking system. While it is possible to track a primary goal as well as two secondary missions at the same time the game often fails to properly show players where they need to go or even indicate what they might have to do to complete a specific task. This is especially true in regards to navigating to the new towns. As mentioned before, one of the first major quality of life elements that the game needs is the ability to interact with anything while riding on a mount because right now it is inconsistent. Players can pick up items they ride over and jump down ledges while on the back of a mount but cannot talk to NPCs nor interact with objects in the environment, such as inspecting a broken bridge to trigger the quest to fix it.
Other elements that have been added to the game come in the form of hostile animals and while players cannot fight them, they can turn them into pets with some food and petting. Anytime a hostile animal comes near the player they will start draining the player’s stamina meter or horse’s stamina meter until it is distracted by some type of food left on the ground where it can then be pet and calmed down. Another aspect are the aforementioned goddess statues which serve as both challenges of sorts and a secondary way to upgrade the player’s skills. While large goddess statues are used as warp points, smaller statues contain power wisps that are either hiding inside and need to be snuck up on, given tribute, taken a photo of in a specific pose, find the fragments of power scattered throughout a location, or even solve another puzzle to obtain a power wisp fruit. The goddess can then use these fruits to upgrade the player with more stamina hearts, faster animal affection gain, increased seed sowing ability, regenerating fishing line health, and more, encouraging players to explore all types of locations to uncover the fruits required for upgrades, especially since the player’s starting stamina is quite low.
Audio & Visuals
Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea feels like something of a mixed bag graphically as it tries to straddle the line between the series’ signature cuteness and style while also trying to go a bit beyond it at the same time, leading to something of a mismatch at times. The character designs are handled rather admirably with decent details and unique outfits for each town, including those the player can craft, though it is a bit unfortunate that the character’s emote too much during dialogue. If anything, it feels like a character portrait would have been the better route at least during conversations.
Fish look great when fished up but are portrayed as the simple black blobs beneath the water like usual and there is an extensive level of detail when it comes to crops and their growth stages as well as barn animals and wild animals that players can tame to become pets or even mounts. There also happen to be certain goddess statues that seem specifically placed to make sure players can, literally, take a photo of how great the backdrop looks when high up in a mountain area and it is rather impressive looking, especially at night, but sometimes the draw distance struggles in these higher elevations, fading in and out depending on the angle. That being said, we never experienced any form of slowdown or glitches while playing through the game, even during hard thunderstorms.
There is unfortunately no voice work of any kind, not even noises outside of animal sounds, during the game and even this is somewhat limited as there is no variation on whether the player is petting a black panther or a tiger, the roar sounds the same. Similar with the different types of cows and horses, though at least other mounts have some sound variation. The background music varies not only by season but also by location and is fitting for the game genre but doesn’t really stand out in any notable way.
Overall
Natsume has struggled in the past with capturing what made the classic games they worked with reach an audience that finds them beloved to this day but Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea is honestly their closest and best attempt at reaching those heights once again. By offering a world full of interesting places to explore, intuitive farming with plenty of crops, variations, and hybrids to grow, and numerous challenges along the way to bringing peace back to a land where nature is in turmoil, Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea really nails what players want in many regards. There are still a number of quality of life issues and pacing problems in regards to unlocking upgrades and navigating around the world, but those who have been overlooking Natsume’s efforts will find themselves remiss if they bypass Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Cult of the Lamb, Massive Monster and Devolver Digital’s smash hit cult simulator, has arrived on Nintendo Switch 2. Enjoy improved frame rates, enhanced resolution, and GameShare support as you grow your cult and vanquish the non-believers.
Already own the original Switch version of Cult of the Lamb? Whether you have the physical or digital version, you can upgrade to the Switch 2 version for free. All existing DLC will be compatible with the Switch 2 version too.
In Cult of the Lamb you’ll start your own cult in a land of false prophets, venturing out into diverse and mysterious regions to build a loyal community of woodland worshippers and spread your Word to become the one true cult.
BUILD YOUR FLOCK Collect and use resources to build new structures, perform dark rituals to appease the gods, and give sermons to reinforce the faith of your flock.
DESTROY THE NON-BELIEVERS Explore a sprawling, randomly generated world, fight off hordes of enemies and defeat rival cult leaders in order to absorb their power and assert your cult’s dominance.
SPREAD YOUR WORD Train your flock and embark on a quest to explore and discover the secrets of a variety of mysterious regions. Cleanse the non-believers, spread enlightenment and perform mystical rituals on the journey to become the mighty lamb god.
Cult of the Lamb is available now on Switch 2, as well as Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Apple devices. Apple players can now also enjoy the Woolhaven expansion.
Anniversary Celebration Introduces Dominion’s Coin, Halloween Events, New Guild Dungeon Stage, and More
LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 22, 2026 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, has released a major update for its brutal dark fantasy MMORPG RAVEN2. In celebration of its first anniversary of global service, players will have the opportunity to experience generous anniversary rewards, the new Dominion’s Coin system, Halloween events, additional progression and quality-of-life improvements.
Running through December 16, the first anniversary celebration offers players at least 365 Summon Scrolls through various events. The [1st Anniversary] Summon 28-Day Check-In provides 11 Summon Scrolls each day, while additional rewards are available through the anniversary Event Pass and other limited-time activities.
The newly-introduced Dominion’s Daily Mission invites players to complete simple daily missions, collect Dominion’s Coins and exchange them for valuable rewards including Legendary Holy Garment, Legendary Familiar, and Heroic Crafting Blueprint.
Players on regular servers can also participate in Event Draw 28-Day Check-In. Logging in each day during the 28-day event grants one Event Draw Ticket, which can be used through a special crafting system for a chance to obtain rewards up to Heroic Holy Garment/Familiar/Weapon Resonance Selection Summon Scroll.
Halloween festivities are also underway through November 11, featuring the event dungeon Pumpkinus’s Candy Village. Players can obtain the event currency Pumpkinus’s Pumpkin Fragments, rare-grade event equipment Pumpkinus’s Earrings, its enhancement material Pumpkinus’s Enhancement Stone, and Sweet Festival Candy that provides stat bonuses. Collected Pumpkinus’s Pumpkin Fragments can be exchanged at the Pumpkinus’s Gift Shop for rewards, including Heroic Heavenstone Abrasive, [Phaegar] Familiar (1) Summon Scroll, and Spec. C Heroic Stella Summon Selection Chest.
The update also adds Stage 6 to Guild Dungeon, which is accompanied by class balance adjustments and additional progression and quality-of-life improvements. Abyss 4F has also been added to regular worlds, offering players a new high-level challenge. Meanwhile, the first-ever Clash will take place in the Fresh Start Server ZERO that will reveal the strongest guild in the server.
An official sequel to Raven (EvilBane: The Iron King), RAVEN2 is a blockbuster MMORPG set in a dark fantasy realm reimagined with unrivaled graphics. As a member of the Special Corps, players will onboard on a journey to investigate dangerous and bizarre incidents under royal order, and engage in a large-scale, cruel war.
For more information about RAVEN2, stay tuned to the game’s official forum, YouTube channel and Facebook . Players can also visit the official website to find out more about the game.
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.
