Wishfully Studios and Thunderful have today released a new dev diary for Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf that delves into the creation of the game’s beautiful orchestral soundtrack. In the video, we join BAFTA-nominated composer Takeshi Furukawa in Budapest, Hungary, to hear his thoughts on marshaling the talents of a full orchestra and choir. We find out how the music has had to expand to match a more expansive sequel and how the man behind the music in Planet of Lana, The Last Guardian and Avatar: The Last Airbender is combining a full orchestra, choir and traditional Swedish musical inspirations to create an aural soundscape that enhances and mirrors the game’s stunning visuals.
This dev diary is the first in a series of videos delving into various aspects of Planet of Lana II, so keep your eyes peeled for more. For more Planet of Lana II ahead of its release on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 5PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch early this year, check out the recently released 10-min gameplay walkthrough.
As greed and power divide the tribes of their home planet, Lana and her little companion, Mui, must stand together against the forces reshaping their world – struggling not just for survival, but for the soul of their home. Perfect for new players and returning fans, I features unique companion gameplay, clever puzzling, challenging action sequences and stealth, all set in a stunning and captivating world.
Key gameplay features that await players in Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf include:
A Cinematic Puzzle-Platformer Adventure: A story-driven experience blending exploration, gentle puzzles and cinematic atmosphere.
A Companion-Driven Journey: A heartfelt adventure built around the bond between Lana and her loyal companion, Mui.
A Hand-Painted World in Transition: Explore a beautifully crafted planet where nature and technology collide, and different tribes respond to progress in their own ways.
Fluid Exploration & Movement: Guide an older, more agile Lana with wall jumps, smooth traversal, and dynamic movement across diverse environments.
Thoughtful & Varied Puzzles: Puzzles are woven naturally into the world, focusing on observation, timing, and cooperation rather than complex logic.
Storytelling Without Words: No spoken dialogue, meaning emerges through visuals, music, and your interactions with the world.
An Emotional, Carefully Paced Sci-Fi Tale: Uncover new truths about the planet and Mui’s past in a 6-8 hour cinematic journey, accompanied by a moving orchestral score.
Pangyo, South Korea – January 29, 2026 | Oneway Ticket Studios is thrilled to announce that its hardcore zombie shooter, The Midnight Walkers, is out now on PC in Steam Early Access.
The Midnight Walkers proved to be a hit during October’s Steam Next Fest, becoming one of the top ten most downloaded demos, and just last week, it surpassed 300,000 wishlists on Steam.
Watch the Official Early Access Cinematic Trailer here:
Locked in an enormous multifloor megacomplex during a zombie outbreak, The Midnight Walkers sees players forced into a deadly game of survival by the megalomaniac Mr Nobody. Players not only have to fight off the restless undead, but also their fellow contestants.
In this PvEvE game, players will hunt down valuable loot, and gear across several floors of the Liberty Grand Center, fending off zombies with weapons such as Sledgehammers, Bows, Katanas, and Pistols.
As each game progresses, poison gas spreads throughout the complex, forcing players to flee to new floors via stairwells or elevators, and pushing opposing players into an ever-shrinking safe space. The more enemies nearby, the harder it is to safely extract, ratcheting up the tension as players attempt to leave with their gear and their life — or leave with nothing at all.
Oneway Ticket Studios plans to update The Midnight Walkers throughout its early access period, with new weapons and floors to be added in the future, along with an entirely unique PvE mode planned for release later in 2026.
“We’re thrilled to finally be launching The Midnight Walkers,” said Ray Song, Game Director at Oneway Ticket Studios. “We’re committed to not use Early Access as a shield for incomplete quality, but to build and improve The Midnight Walkers alongside our players. We’re so excited to see players step into the harsh, zombie-filled world of the Liberty Grand Center megacomplex for the first time.”
About Oneway Ticket Studio Oneway Ticket Studio is an indie game developer founded in 2023. Backed by a veteran team with more than 15 years of collective experience, the studio is creating its debut title, The Midnight Walkers—a tense extraction-FPS built to be equally rewarding in solo or squad play. Guided by the motto “create an unforgettable gameplay experience,” the team focuses on delivering polished, player-first design and lasting fun.
Kansas City, US, 30th January 2025 – As if it were some sort of underground ‘fight club’, Haymaker has been growing a fanbase of hardcore fighters on Meta Quest. So much so that this Early Access title has attained a coveted ‘Top Seller’ badge on the Horizon Store!
Currently sitting at an impressive 4.8 rating from over 240 reviews, the plucky physical brawler has proved you can’t keep a good fighting game down. The brutal sandbox brawler has received significant acclaim from both critics and consumers alike.
Here’s some of the amazing feedback Haymaker has received:
KaleahVR – “I tried the game and LOVED it”
Ubiklips – “The best VR fighting game”
Mr.Marinara – “Cathartic and tons of fun!!!”
BioGamer Girl – “Haymaker earns an 8.5 out of 10 for delivering a visceral, physics‑first VR brawler with satisfying body‑driven combat and emergent, sandboxy encounters.”
GeneracionXR – “a project that redefines VR combat”
“Getting the Top Seller status was awesome and somewhat unexpected- I’m just getting started on upgrading the gameplay and expanding the content, but it looks like people are into it as it is!” says James Console, Console Studios founder.
KEY FEATURES
Realistic Physical Fighting – Punch, kick and counter opponents just like a street brawl
Everything is a Hazard – Use a hammer, grab a bottle, or use the corner of a table to knock out opponents
Limitless Playthroughs – No two runs are ever the same, with endless combinations on offer
AI Teammates – Double team enemies or let your AI buddy take some of the flak
Gameplay Modes – Learn new moves in the Training Gym, take on custom Sandbox fights, and progress characters in the Roguelite mode
Haymaker is available now in Early Access for Meta Quest headsets, priced at $14.99 USD, €13.99 EUR, £11.99 GBP.
Haymaker is a no-holds-barred fighting simulation where you let your fists do the talking. Learn how to break arms, perform judo throws, drop kicks, and even throat strikes in this physical brawler. Train at the gym to learn your craft and then step into the Sandbox mode to make fights as easy or as hard as you like. Then, try to survive the Roguelike mode, picking specialist classes built for taking damage and dealing it out. One thing’s for sure, Haymaker doesn’t pull its punches.
About Console Studios:
Console Studios is an independent studio based in Kansas City, founded in 2025 after 5 years of development on its debut title Haymaker. Console Studios’ mission is to push the boundaries of player interactivity in virtual reality through physics-driven gameplay and unorthodox game design.
London, UK – January 30, 2026 – Build the ultimate battle vehicle and prepare to crush, bash, and smash your way through swarms of cybernetic machines as Heavy Rig operator Jean Pierre “JP” Grandier, the latest playable character to be revealed for Survivors-like bullet heaven builder TerraTech Legion.
Bringing an arsenal of industrial-grade construction (and destruction) tools to the fight, jump into JP’s armour-clad Heavy Rig to unleash close-quarters chaos. Bulldoze through the Legion using JP’s Boost Armour and activate cutting-edge shield tech with Defence Shells, a unique defensive ability that absorbs hit after hit, and that can be upgraded to reflect incoming projectiles straight back to their sender.
Unleash JP’s destructive Impact Crater ability to pull off a devastating frontal strike, and send a powerful shockwave that crushes anything in your way when you hit max boost. And for the ultimate destruction, construct your vehicle with Massive blocks to convert weight into damage – and turn your rig into an unstoppable powerhouse.
Launching on Steam and the Epic Games Store later this year, TerraTech Legion is an all-new Survivors-like entry in the hit TerraTech franchise that tasks players with building the ultimate battle vehicle and raging against the machines.
As a maverick Tech jockey, master a deep, block-based vehicle-building system to survive an army of robotic foes and eliminate the Legion. Smash swarms into scrap and build up your Tech with individual parts – from wheels, boosters, chainsaws and orbital lasers – to determine how it moves and fights, upgrading core components between missions to up your game and bring the fury on each new run.
For an early look at TerraTech Legion, download the demo on Steam or the Epic Games Store today and add the game to your Wishlist.
ABOUT PAYLOAD STUDIOS Payload Studios is an award-winning indie game developer. Founded in 2013, they are a team of 16, known for the vehicle builder sandbox games TerraTech and TerraTech Worlds. Payload Studios is currently developing TerraTech Legion, a brand-new game set in the TerraTech universe combining its modular vehicle building technology with chaotic bullet heaven gameplay.
ABOUT MYTHWRIGHT Mythwright is an independent publisher founded by industry veterans. Established in 2024, Mythwright has already signed a range of exciting titles including Thronefall, Kaiju Cleanup, TerraTech Legion, TerraTech Worlds, TerraTech, Going Medieval, Cozy Marbles, Galacticare, War for the Overworld, Bladesong, Innkeep, Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts, Deadstick – Bush Flight Simulator and Touch Type Tale – Strategic Typing.
From Genigods Lab, the team behind Sony-published hit My Hero Academia, comes an action role-playing game starring Nezha—a legendary Chinese rebel deity— launching 2028
Suzhou, China – 29th January, 2026: Genigods Lab has today revealed their brand new single-player action role-playing game ‘Genigods: Nezha’, built in Unreal Engine 5, optimised for PlayStation 5 in collaboration with Sony, and heading to PC and PlayStation 5 platforms in 2028.
Get your first look atGenigods: Nezha in the new gameplay reveal video below:
Genigods: Nezha is a premium, pay upfront, hardcore action role-playing game set against the chaotic backdrop of ancient Chinese genesis mythology. You are the Spirit Pearl—the very first spark of life forged by Nüwa, the Goddess of Life, from the essence of earth, water, and fire.
In this epic journey, you will evolve from a celestial artifact into the first human, a woman crafted from water and clay, before eventually being reborn as the legendary Nezha. Your journey is shared by legendary heroes: Yi, the sun-feller, and Yu, the flood-tamer. Beside you also dwells the Heart of Sacred Water—Nüwa’s sentient gift that grows with you, serving as your vital companion to solve ancient puzzles, conquer the toughest trials and learn the dark truth behind this new world.
Genigods Lab’s 100-person team previously made the critically and commercially acclaimedMy Hero Academia mobile game published by Sony Crunchyroll. The team also developed the popular Condor Heroes series for mobile platforms, which recently surpassed over 10 million downloads worldwide.
“Our mission is to ignite the epic celestial battles of Chinese mythology. In Genigods: Nezha, every skill you cast, every choice you make, writes a new line in an ancient epic—forged in your image,” explained Erdi Yao, co-founder and Head of Creative & Design at Genigods Lab. “Players will wield the heart of creation, soar between realms, awaken the three-headed and eight-armed form, and step onto the primordial battlefield to mend the shattered heavens. This is not about hearing a story; it is about etching your name into its very fabric,” he added.
For a full feature breakdown of this exciting new story-driven adventure, please see below:
Celestial Combat Experience the dynamic scale of Chinese mythic warfare, where battle flows seamlessly between Heaven and Earth. Switch seamlessly between ground and aerial combat utilising dual stances, awaken temporary mythic abilities to perform devastating combos and mid-air strikes, and combine treasures discovered in the game world to create unique skills.
Colossal Gods and the Sun Tree Built with Unreal Engine 5 and optimized for Playstation, Genigods: Nezha delivers a one-of-a-kind Chinese-style colossal adventure: climb ancient gods towering like mountains and fight by traversing the contours of their bodies. With the help of the giant Kuafu, scale the Sun Tree that bridges mortal and celestial realms, then draw your bow to extinguish The Nine Suns and end the scorching catastrophe.
Water Philosophy & Jeet Kune Do Mechanics Genigods: Nezha’s combat is inspired by Bruce Lee’s iconic ‘Be Water’ philosophy through the Divine Water within Nezha. Her techniques adapt the essence of Jeet Kune Do. Condense water into a piercing One-Inch Flash for armor-breaking blows, or unleash water all at once, as a sweeping Dragon’s Kick to tackle crowds of enemies at once. This system encourages players to master a defensive, reactive style of combat— and requires perfect timing to parry and counter with the adaptable precision of water itself.
To learn more about Genigods: Nezha, please visit the official Steam and Epic Games Store product pages. GeniGods Lab also invites everyone to Genigods: Nezha’s official Discord channel, where you can get insights and updates on the game’s ongoing development and features.
ABOUT GENIGODS LAB
Genigods Lab is an innovative game technology studio located in Hong Kong, consisting of 70 gaming veterans with 20+ years of industry experience across all platforms, genres and disciplines. Recently this team developed the multi-million selling licensed release, My Hero Academia, in partnership with Sony Crunchyroll and self-developed and published the mobile hit series, Condor Heroes Trilogy. The team’s next project is the ambitious hardcore action role-playing game, Genigods: Nezha, for PC and console platforms due for launch in 2028.
Episode one, “The Source of HEAT,” explores the universe, Agents, and combat of HEAT
January 30, 2026 —World of Tanks: HEAT comes further into focus with “Foundations”, a new video series exploring the game’s universe, Agents, and vehicles. The first episode, “The Source of HEAT,” is available now, delivering the most detailed look yet at the game’s setting and high-intensity armored warfare.
Set in an alternative post–World War II timeline, World of Tanks: HEAT thrusts players into a world where experimental tech and armored combat keep global conflict in check. Warfare rages across varied landscapes, with elite operators and experimental armored vehicles serving as the last barrier between peace and total war.
Leading the fight are the High Efficiency Armored Teams (HEAT);elite Agents sent to stop conflicts before they ignite. Each Agent commands up to two dedicated tanks that are more than weapons, they are extensions of the Agents themselves. Fully upgradeable and deeply customizable, these machines evolve with your playstyle, defining how your tank looks, fights, and dominates the battlefield.
This trailer also offers a first look at World of Tanks: HEAT’s core game modes, each built around objective-driven combat:
Conquest (10v10): Capture and hold multiple zones across the battlefield
Kill Confirmed (5v5): Collect tokens from eliminated enemies and allies
Hardpoint (5v5): Fight for control of a single rotating base
Control (5v5): Secure uninterrupted control of a contested capture zone to win the round
“Foundations: The Source of HEAT” launches an ongoing series of videos exploring the Agents, vehicles, maps, and systems that define World of Tanks: HEAT.
Players can watch the first Foundations episode now and Wishlist World of Tanks: HEAT to stay up to date on future reveals and announcements.
For more information, please visit the World of Tanks: HEAT page https://wotheat.com.
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About World of Tanks: HEAT
World of Tanks: HEAT is a cross-platform, free-to-play tactical vehicle shooter where players command hero-enhanced tanks in fast-paced battles. The game takes place within an alternative timeline after WWII, with players battling using specialized tech. Built on Wargaming’s proprietary engine, the game delivers stunning graphics and dynamic gameplay.
Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 15 offices around the world, including studios in Guildford, Prague, Chicago, Austin, Shanghai, Tokyo, Vilnius, Kyiv, and Belgrade. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Our flagship products include hit free-to-play franchises – World of Tanks and World of Warships.
Sei Shoujo is back again with the sequel to SLEEPLESS – A Midsummer Night’s Dream!
TOKYO – January 29th, 2025 – MangaGamer has released the fully uncensored English language edition of Empress’s SLEEPLESS – A Nocturne on the MangaGamer store and Steam.
Artist and writer Sei Shoujo’s erotic talents are on display once again in the sequel to SLEEPLESS – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, SLEEPLESS – Nocturne!
A pair of naive college students, Kawai Tomoki and Komori Yukino, are out on a date which is interrupted by a sudden car trouble. When the young couple abandons their vehicle to find help, they find themselves at the door to the Black Rose Manor. The dazzling Mamiya Marie, mistress of the estate, graciously invites them into the lavish splendor of the mansion where they are greeted by Aria, the estate’s stoic, yet alluring maid, Maria, Marie’s gorgeous daughter, and most mysteriously a pink-haired, cat-eared girl in a collar who introduces herself as Takamizawa Rui.
As the couple decides to spend the next few days at the isolated estate, are they prepared for the debauchery that awaits them…?
Key Features:
Written and Illustrated by Sei Shoujo, the erotic mastermind behind Bible Black and STARLESS (just to name a few!). Reprising his role as both artist and writer for the sequel, Sei Shoujo once again demonstrates why he has earned his legendary reputation as an erotic artist.
Twice As Nice? Both protagonist Tomoki and his girlfriend Yukino entering the mansion together opens up a novel array of indecent opportunities to enjoy.
Familiar Faces: The cast of the previous game, SLEEPLESS – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, returns for more!
For more information on SLEEPLESS – Nocturne, and other titles from MangaGamer, be sure to join the discussion on Discord or follow MangaGamer on Bluesky, Twitter and Facebook. You can also check out their blog for comments from the staff and other featured articles!
ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM MangaGamer.com is the world’s biggest publisher of English translated Visual Novels. Since its launch in July 2008, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular Visual Novels such as 07th Expansion’s Higurashi When They Cry series,Alicesoft’s infamous Rance series, and Novectacle’s critically acclaimed The House in Fata Morganaright from their homes. Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter and Discord!
Wield the powerful Money Machine Gun in the LOUD AND LOADED DLC on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S on Feb. 11
HILVERSUM, NETHERLANDS – 30, Jan. 2026 –Cash Cleaner Simulator, the satisfying money processing sim from developer Mind Control Games and publisher Forklift Interactive, launches a day early on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, for completely normal and non-suspicious reasons that nobody needs to know more about.
To further divert your attention, Cash Cleaner Simulator’s LOUD AND LOADED DLC also launches for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on Feb. 11. Make it rain with new toys like the Money Machine Gun.
Scrounge up piles of dirty money that require cleaning from clients that have absolutely nothing shady going on at all. Clean each asset with a rolodex of tools, including washing machines and money counters, among other shady methods. Turn rusty coins, crinkly bills, and rare valuables into “generous payments” at the end of a job well done.
Trudge through the depths of the dark web on a jailbroken smartphone to seek new jobs of all shapes and sizes. Surf through mattresses, bags, and boxes, all while scanning each surrounding for helpful tips to complete each job as efficiently as possible. Uncover hidden spots with a UV lamp, or wait till nighttime for other places to store cash. Can you really trust the banks?
Unwind from a long day of making green by shooting hoops in a game of Moneyball, watch dollar bills fly with a money gun, or throw some spares in the furnace, because who doesn’t like watching things burn? Purchase furniture and paint schemes to decorate a hideout. Invest hard-earned cash to upgrade equipment and purchase new tools to become the greatest (and most notorious) money cleaner around. Just don’t ask where the exit is.
“Look, we had good reasons to bump up the console launch by a day, I can’t get into them, but it’s fine, it’s normal, I swear, look at this new DLC,” said Leonid Gorbachev, CEO of Mindcontrol Games.
Cash Cleaner Simulator launches on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, joining last year’s release on PC via Steam. The base game costs $19.99, with the LOUD AND LOADED DLC costing $9.99.
Mind Control Games is a Dutch and Serbian indie developer focused on games with unconventional mechanics and amazing graphics, while unafraid to tackle difficult topics. Their development process keeps both artistic and commercial value in mind.
About Forklift Interactive
Forklift Interactive is a Barcelona and Atlanta-based indie publisher founded by experienced industry veterans, including former tinyBuild Publishing Director Andrei Podoprigora and Adult Swim Games Product Lead Tuсker Dean. They specialize in the production of deep, endless, system-driven games with player-created narratives. For more information, please visit the official website and follow the team on Twitter.
Sydney, Australia – January 30th, 2026: The time has come to lift the curtain on Way of the Hunter 2, formerly known as Next Hunting Adventure. The next evolution of hunting simulations is built on a brand-new technical foundation and is designed to deliver the ultimate hunting game experience for years to come.
Developed by Nine Rocks Games, Way of the Hunter 2 introduces a loyal hunting companion to aid you on your hunts. Your dog is the perfect tracker, helping you locate animal signs or follow the trails of fleeing animals. Through constant training and exercise, your companion will improve over time, learning to reliably respond to your commands — becoming not only an invaluable tool in the field, but also your trusted adventure buddy.
The first hunting ground in Way of the Hunter 2 is set in the vast Canadian wilderness, home to big game such as moose, elk, bears, and bison, as well as smaller animals like rabbits, turkeys, and a variety of other bird species. As the new hunter in town, the game’s story takes you across two breathtaking environments, where you’ll assist a local warden in investigating unusual behaviour within the moose population.
A vastly improved bullet camera allows you to analyse each shot in detail, helping you refine your technique and achieve the perfect shot. The new Hunting Lodge serves as a central hub where you can showcase your trophies, unlock important upgrades, and plan your next adventures. Each territory features its own unique lodge, allowing you to visualise your achievements across every hunting ground.
Authenticity is essential for any simulation. Way of the Hunter 2 features gear from more than 10 real-world brand partners, ranging from hunting rifles and high-tech equipment to apparel, delivering a deeply immersive and realistic hunting experience. If you’re looking for the ultimate hunting simulation, wishlist Way of the Hunter 2 today to make sure you don’t miss any upcoming updates. While we’re not ready to talk about the “when” just yet, Way of the Hunter 2 might be closer than you think – stay tuned.
About Nine Rocks Games Nine Rocks Games is a game development studio headquartered in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. “The team consists of veteran game developers with great experience in making successful games, including global hits like Way of the Hunter, DayZ, Soldier of Fortune: Payback, Chaser, or many of the multimillion-selling Cabela’s line of hunting games, including Big Game Hunter and Dangerous Hunts.
About THQ Nordic
Founded in 2011, THQ Nordic is a global video game publisher and developer. Based in Vienna (Austria), and with subsidiaries all around the globe, THQ Nordic brands include Darksiders, MX vs. ATV, Destroy All Humans, Wreckfest, Titan Quest, Biomutant, Gothic, ELEX, Kingdoms of Amalur and many more.
THQ Nordic is meant to represent a core approach of doing much more than “owning” a highly competitive portfolio of IPs. It revolves around cherishing them and aligning them with the very best development resources to expand upon them with the level of experience that communities and established fan bases expect and deserve.
About Way of the Hunter 2
Explore the vast outdoors of North America in this next-level open-world hunting game.
Feel the thrill of the hunt and keep an eye out for the wild and wondrous species that are roaming the Canadian wilderness. Hunt and display big game like Moose, Elk, Bears or Bison as well as smaller animals like Rabbits, Turkeys and various other birds.
As the ultimate hunting simulator, Way of the Hunter 2’s goal is to become the most authentic and advanced virtual hunting experience. Building upon our previous experience, invaluable player feedback, and countless iterations, this game will start as the foundation for many updates, expansions, and true long-term support.
With over 10 different real-world brand partners, from hunting rifle manufacturers to high-tech equipment and precision optics, our commitment to realistically simulating your favourite hunting gear guarantees ultimate in-game immersion.
As the new hunter in town, you are recruited to take on a series of unique challenges that span two breathtaking environments and introduce you to a cast of memorable NPCs. In New Laurentia, you’ll team up with a skilled dog trainer and assist the warden as you uncover the mystery behind the unusual behaviour of the local moose population.
Features:
Hunting Dog: Bring your loyal hunting companion to support you while you hunt and track game. It can search for animal signs, locate blood trails, and track down wounded animals. Your dog will learn and improve with constant exercise and training.
Shot review: Our improved bullet camera lets you break down every shot with precision. Analyse trajectory, speed, angle, placement, and more — learn how to make the perfect shot, every time.
Hunting Lodge: Welcome to the Hunting Lodge — your ultimate hub for adventure. Plan your next hunt, showcase hard-earned trophies, and unlock powerful upgrades to build the hunting paradise of your dreams. Each map features its own Lodge, unique to that territory.
High-Tech Equipment: High-end gear will amplify your instincts — delivering the most immersive and realistic hunting experience with improved night vision and next-level hunting reserve monitoring for managing your habitats.
Faaast penguin removes Epic Games account requirement, adds voice chat
TOKYO – Jan. 29, 2026 – Faaast Penguin, the free chaotic survival action game developed by historia Inc., launches a major new update on February 5, 2026. The update removes the Epic Games account requirement and introduces in-game voice chat, making it easier than ever for new players to jump in and play together.
Starting with the Feb. 5 update, Faaast Penguin no longer requires an Epic Games account to play, lowering the barrier for new players to jump straight into the action. Previously, Epic Games account registration and linking were mandatory, but players can now race online without creating or connecting an account. Those who choose to link an Epic Games account can still share progression across platforms and use their Epic Games friends list for party invites.
Party play has also been expanded with the addition of in-game voice chat, allowing players to talk with party members in real time during races. Players can now create and join parties even without being friends, making it faster to jump into matches together, and enjoy shared moments of chaotic fun.
The update also kicks off Season 9 with a new Amazon-themed world, “Jungle Jamboree.” Set across dense forests, winding rivers, and towering treetops, the four new courses introduce mischievous monkeys and new environmental gimmicks that shake up every run. Full details, including course overviews and new mechanics, are available on the official site.
A new gameplay gimmick, the Monkey, makes its debut in “Jungle Jamboree.” Attacking a monkey causes it to grab and carry players forward, with the option to launch at a well-timed moment for strategic positioning or bursts of speed. Chaining monkeys together opens new routes and high-risk, high-reward shortcuts across each course.
In addition, a limited-time event titled “Hamster Paradise” is currently underway through Feb. 11, at 8:00 PM (PST). Players can race as fluffy, round-cheeked hamsters and earn exclusive cosmetic items through the in-game shop and challenges, offering a playful contrast to the wild setting of “Jungle Jamboree.”
Players jumping in before the launch of “Jungle Jamboree” can also take advantage of a limited-time 5x Season Pass point bonus, running until Feb. 4, at 8:00 PM (PST). The boost makes it easier for latecomers and returning players to unlock Season 8 rewards and earn exclusive items before the season wraps up.
Faaast Penguin is a chaotic survival action racing game where penguins clash in fast-paced races. Set in various global resort locations, players race through water slides, desert pyramids, jungle waterfalls, and even above the clouds. Use attacks, Ultimate Rides, and shortcuts to outpace competitors in thrilling winner-takes-all races.
About historia Inc.
historia Inc. is a Tokyo-based game development company specializing in Unreal Engine known for titles such as The Caligula Effect 2 and LIVE A LIVE. Learn more about the studio on their official site, follow them on X (formerly Twitter), and check out their work on their YouTube channel.
