System Era are delighted to announce that Megatech, Astroneer’s second major DLC, launches today – and changes the game in a BIG way!
With the ability to construct massive Megastructure projects you’ll be putting your base-building skills to the test as you find new ways to make it all connect with the game’s already existing technology. This is Astroneer on a whole new level.
Astroneer’s Megatech DLC is available now for $9.99 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and is coming soon to Switch.
November 20 also marks Astroneer’s debut on PlayStation 5. But don’t worry if you already own the game on PS4: you can upgrade to the PS5 version for free!
MEGATECH DLC FEATURES
Unlock a huge Orbital Platform, the ultimate Megastructure. Choose what kind of asteroid you want to create at its center and which planet you want it to be in orbit of. But you only get one, so choose wisely: it’s not an easy thing to move around
Build the Biodome Megastructure to cultivate and harvest a wide variety of alien flora. With the option to expand into additional Biodome extensions, and with a variety of Mega-Modules to choose from, the Biodome can become an all-in-one place to farm for produce and seeds
Some Astroneers love to show off just how productive their bases have become, and the Museum is a great way to show that off. Set new goals to work toward by donating your spare bytes, power, resources, and seeds for rewards, new perks, and an impressive holographic display that grows taller the more you donate
A free update for all Astroneer owners will also launch alongside the DLC, which includes some new structures, new resources, and a number of quality of life improvements.
Xbox Players Can Begin Exploring the Blue Hole Right Now, and Fans See More of the Finned Frenzy Awaiting them in the DLC Expansion coming in 2026
SEOUL – November 20th, 2025: The Blue Hole opens for the season today on Xbox as Mintrocket announces the official platform release of DAVE THE DIVER on Xbox One and Series X|S consoles. Included in the announcement is a first look at the upcoming ‘In the Jungle’ DLC gameplay, featuring a sneak peek of the new biomes, characters, and aquatic encounters.
Watch the Xbox launch + DLC teaser trailer:
“For Dave, Xbox is the final frontier, and we’re thrilled to welcome Xbox Series players into the adventure today,” said Jaeho Hwang, director of DAVE THE DIVER. “Fans around the world have embraced Dave and his wonderfully chaotic crew, and we can’t wait for a whole new community to dive not only into the base game, but the DLCs that have helped shape the game world into one that keeps fans coming back.”
Xbox players have immediate access to all available DLC expansions, including the DREDGE content pack, which adds an ominous red fog that, when active, enables Dave to catch underwater aberrations that can then be served to mysterious hooded visitors at Bancho Sushi; the Godzilla content pack, which brings Godzilla’s disastrous presence to the Blue Hole forcing Dave to pursue the legendary kaiju while battling Ebirah in a submarine, and collecting rare ingredients for new Godzilla-inspired dishes; and the “Ichiban’s Holiday” DLC, which introduces Ichiban Kasuga and other characters from the Yakuza series with new missions, minigames, and karaoke.
DAVE THE DIVER, which enjoyed global critical acclaim upon its Steam Early Access launch in 2022 and subsequent 1.0 release in 2023, is a charming single-player adventure RPG hybrid that has since released on additional platforms including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 1, Nintendo Switch 2, and now for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. The game follows Dave through his adventures in the mysterious abyss that is the Blue Hole, an ever changing underwater oasis teeming with life…and peril.
Masterfully blending exploration, business management sim, and fishing precision, DAVE THE DIVER sees players explore the deep sea by day, completing various missions and side quests, and run an exotic sushi restaurant by night. Supported by an eclectic cast of friends and partners, Dave tackles the intricacies of life, business, sea conservationism, and no shortage of underwater giants and the secrets of an ancient civilization.
DAVE THE DIVER Key Features:
Award-Winning Adventure, RPG, & Management Hybrid – Explore the Blue Hole by day, serve sushi by night. A unique gameplay loop that’s easy to get hooked on.
Deep-Sea Exploration & Rogue-like Elements – Use harpoons, weapons, and upgrades to face the ever-shifting dangers of the depths. Beware: run out of oxygen, and your hard-earned catch is lost to the sea.
Quirky Cast & Humorous Narrative – Meet eccentric characters, enjoy playful storytelling, and uncover a treasure trove of in-jokes and spoofs.
A Stunning Underwater World – Pixel-meets-3D art brings the ocean to life, with breathtaking scenery and over 200 species of sea creatures to discover.
Hours of Extra Content – From side quests and mini-games to branching storylines, there’s always more beneath the surface.
In the Jungle DLC
Included in today’s announcement is a sneak peek at the upcoming ‘In the Jungle’ DLC, the largest expansion to date that adds a brand new story. ‘In the Jungle’ brings Dave out of the Blue Hole and onto dry land with a new jungle biome and freshwater environments teeming with new fish, ingredients, friends (and foes), and a host of new adventures with the familiar crew of Bancho, Cobra, Dr. Bacon, and more.
Dave will team up with jungle locals to explore the mysterious lake surrounding the island on which the new village resides. New storylines, mini-games, and recipes await players when the DLC launches Early 2026.
Retail Edition
Already beloved by critics and players alike, DAVE THE DIVER will soon be surfacing in physical form, a true collector’s catch for both PlayStation and Nintendo fans. In partnership with Silver Lining Interactive, the game will receive a full physical edition launch in retail in 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. The retail edition will include the full ‘In the Jungle’ DLC expansion. Pre-order date and retailer details will be announced soon. Preorders will also be available via Silver Lining Direct.
DAVE THE DIVER is currently available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S (with support for Xbox Play Anywhere), PlayStation 4&5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, macOS, and Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
About MINTROCKET:
MINTROCKET is a South Korea–based game studio dedicated to delivering fun, memorable interactive experiences. Guided by a passion for creativity across genres, the studio strives to contribute to a world where new, imaginative games can coexist. MINTROCKET believes that great games are defined by the players themselves, a philosophy reflected in the global success of the hybrid marine adventure with a sushi twist, Dave the Diver. With a focus on engaging gameplay and immersive worlds, MINTROCKET continues to develop unique, inspiring titles that resonate with gamers everywhere.
CHENGDU, CHINA – November 20, 2025 – Eclipse Glow Games, the developer behind the highly anticipated action-adventure title Tides of Annihilation, today premiered its next official trailer during the Xbox Partner Preview. This new four-minute gameplay trailer offers the deepest look yet at the game’s frenetic, spectral combat system featuring three playable Knights, and the monumental scale of its unique world. The studio also confirmed that Tides of Annihilation will support Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) in the future.
Shifting the action from the ruins of London to the mysterious Otherworld realm of Avalon in an Inception-esque sequence, the cinematic-styled gameplay video captured with in-game footage offers the first detailed look at the Dual Frontline Battle system and the Mirror Realm, a fractured world split into mirror realities. The visceral, stunning action comes to an epic climax as both Gwendolyn and Lamorak – a special ally in this particular fight – shift in-and-out of the mirror realm to deliver powerful attacks against the shape-shifting boss Tyronoe, showcasing the ability to control two characters in this major boss battle.
Gwendolyn and Sir Lamorak team-up against the shape-shifting witch-boss Tyronoe in Tides of Annihilation.
“We’ve created a world that reimagines Arthurian Legend where themes of courage, loyalty, and heroism intertwine with an epic story set in a strange-yet-familiar setting that will test the mettle of true gamers and push the genre forward,” said Kun Fu, Lead Game Producer at Eclipse Glow Games. “We are thrilled to share the next chapter of Gwendolyn’s journey, and this is only the beginning.”
ABOUT TIDES OF ANNIHILATION London lies in ruin, torn apart by a cataclysmic “Outworld invasion.” Fueled by fierce personal vengeance and a desperate mission to save her sister, Gwendolyn embarks on a high-stakes journey across two worlds: the devastated, fog-shrouded modern metropolis and the mythical realm of Avalon. Her quest through iconic landmarks, now twisted, is to unravel the mystery behind her newfound powers and ultimately determine the fate of reality itself.
About Eclipse Glow Games Eclipse Glow Games, a developer of PC and next generation console titles for a global audience, is located in Chengdu, Sichuan. The studio is currently developing Tides of Annihilation, an action-adventure title for PC and console based on Arthurian mythology. The Eclipse Glow team is composed of over 100 developers with previous experience creating games for storied franchises, including Yakuza, For Honor, Assassin’s Creed, Persona, and Prince of Persia.
LOS ANGELES – NOVEMBER 20, 2025 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, has launched a new update for its collectible RPG Seven Knights Re:BIRTH. Players can experience a brand-new costume for Yeonhee and enjoy the ongoing 0.5th Anniversary 7K Festival events to obtain generous rewards.
The newly added Legendary costume for Yeonhee, “Pop Idol” Yeonhee, depicts her as a super-dimensional pop idol that transcends dimensions. Players who obtain Yeonhee’s new costume can experience its unique skill effects, sound, spine portrait, and exclusive Profile.
The theme OST for Pop Idol Yeonhee, titled “Beyond the Seventh Season,” has been added to the Jukebox for players to listen to in the game’s Lobby. The track is also now available on music streaming platforms for players to enjoy. Alongside this update, the Yeonhee Rate Up Summon Event is now live that increases the chances to acquire Yeonhee.
“The 0.5th Anniversary 7K Festival” events celebrating the half-year anniversary of the game’s service launch in Korea are still underway. Players can participate in multiple events to receive valuable rewards including 0.5th Anniversary Celebration Summon Vouchers and Pet Summon Vouchers. Notably, the 0.5th Anniversary 7K Festival – Expedition of the Ring event offers 4★ Legendary Ring Selection Boxes as rewards for clearing given missions, while the 0.5th Anniversary 7K Festival Check-In event rewards players with a Seven Knights Selector for logging in.
Seven Knights Re:BIRTH inherits the key elements of the original Seven Knights, Netmarble’s flagship IP that has surpassed 100 million cumulative downloads,including its story, characters, combat systems, and core mechanics while enhancing the gameplay experience with modern gameplay features and the latest trends.
More details on Seven Knights Re:BIRTH are available on the official website and forum. Fans can also stay up-to-date with the latest information on the game by following official social channels on Facebook and YouTube.
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 athttp://company.netmarble.com.
Infernal cultists, sex dungeon deviants, inhuman abominations and Pinhead himself unite to create this nightmarish survival horror action experience
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nov. 20, 2025 – Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games are proud to unveil the first official gameplay trailer for Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival. This visceral, story-driven, single-player, survival horror action game throws you into a battle of wills against the legendary Pinhead and the malevolent Cenobites for the fate of your immortal soul. Set to release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival marks Doug Bradley’s return to the iconic role as the voice of Pinhead. Check out today’s new gut-wrenching trailer now, but be careful not to linger too long in the abyss…
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival introduces a totally new Hellraiser story starring Aidan, who must unlock the dark powers of the mysterious Genesis Configuration puzzle box to save his girlfriend from the terrifying horrors of Hell. Discover a realm of terrors as you take on dark cultist worshippers, sex-crazed deviants, and infernal monstrosities, harnessing unique abilities and an arsenal of jaw-dropping weapons that can be instruments of both misery and delight. You’ll have many ways to defend yourself – but can you save yourself from an eternity of torment?
Welcome to Hell.
KEY GAME FEATURES
A Terrifying New Story in the Hellraiser Universe: Discover a chilling new story in the iconic horror franchise as you unwittingly kickstart Pinhead’s (voiced by Doug Bradley) ritual to unleash the ultimate torment on the world.
Unleash the Power of the Box: Harness the unique abilities of the Genesis Configuration in combination with an arsenal of earthly weapons to inflict bone-breaking, flesh-searing pain (or pleasure?) upon your enemies.
Battle for Survival Against Hell’s Armies: Take on Hell’s wretches, deviants, cultists, and its most infernal priests in an unholy war for your immortal soul.
We have such sights to show you… Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is available to wishlist today on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
True Hellraiser believers can pre-order one of two special Collector’s Editions of the title from Boss Team Games, including an exclusive version of the Hellraiser Puzzle Box with a unique illumination effect inspired by the game, a special Hellraiser statue to display it on, as well as other officially licensed collectibles that have been created especially for these limited editions. More information on the Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival Collector’s Editions can be found at hellraiser.bossteamgames.com.
Saber Interactive is a worldwide publisher and developer consisting of 15 studios in the Americas and Europe. Creating games for all major platforms based on original and licensed IPs, Saber’s titles include Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, Jurassic Park: Survival, Turok: Origins, World War Z, SnowRunner, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead and RoadCraft. Founded in 2001, Saber is known for two decades of development partnerships with leading developers and publishers, including producing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for Nintendo Switch, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Crysis Remastered, and many others. Learn more at https://saber.games.
About Boss Team Games
Boss Team Games, LLC is focused on crafting unforgettable experiences across console, PC, mobile, and VR platforms. The company has worked with top entertainment companies to bring iconic characters and franchises to life such as Evil Dead: The Game, Cobra Kai: Card Fighter, and the RetroRealms series featuring Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead. Stay connected with Boss Team Games on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @bossteamgames for the latest updates or visit the company website at bossteamgames.com.
Hellraiser™ and The Hellbound Heart titles, characters, settings, protected marks, plot lines, and themes are exclusively licensed for video games to Lament GameCo, LLC by Clive Barker and Park Avenue Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
A family friendly adventure about a dog samurai in a world of cats
Walnut Creek, California — November 20, 2025 | Maximum Entertainment, in partnership with ZEROlife Games and Fishing Cactus, today announced the release of Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury, a brand-new adventure featuring hero beagle, Hank, and the complete cast of feisty samurai cats in the town of Kakamucho.
Just when they thought they were out of danger, Hank and his mentor, Jimbo, are thrown back into combat to defeat the mighty Shogun himself. Play today on Xbox X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
Physical versions are available today in EMEA territories, with the North American physical edition of Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury launching soon.
Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury follows Hank, Jimbo, and friends on an all-new adventure in single-player (all platforms) or two-player co-op (available on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 only). Kakamucho’s Shogun aims to crush and control his villages with the help of his cat armies. With your trusty samurai friends, defend the settlements, safeguard the villagers, and reclaim the island—one battle at a time.
Featuring fast-paced, arcade-style combat, accessible open-world exploration, unique puzzles, and colorful, Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury is the perfect entry-level action adventure for all ages.
Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury is available now on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
To stay in touch with Maximum Entertainment, follow @MaximumEntmt.
For more information about Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury, and to pre-order North American physical editions, visit the official game website.
About Maximum Entertainment
Maximum Entertainment is a global entertainment company dedicated to crafting indie to AA video game experiences through original content and licensed partnerships. A fully integrated group with a broad portfolio of content, the company emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity in its partnerships to produce the highest level of interactive entertainment. With more than 300 titles in its catalog, Maximum Entertainment has joined forces with talented creators and renowned franchises around the globe to deliver magic to the gamer in everyone. Maximum Entertainment employs experienced professionals across the entire value chain of video games including development, publishing, transmedia, sales, and operations. Visit Maximum Entertainment at www.maximument.com.
About ZEROLife Games
ZEROLife Games is a small independent studio with a team spread access the UK, Poland and Croatia, making action-adventure games and working on cool projects based on existing IPs. We’re all about fun gameplay, strong ideas, and bringing something fresh to the table.
About Fishing Cactus
We are from rainy Belgium, Mons, Wallonia. Belgians are known for awesome beers and chocolate. At Fishing Cactus, it also happens that 30 of us craft games with their heart. Games which are, we hope, more than forgettable escapism, games leaving you with a feeling of change. Games we like, games you like, even if you are no beer fan.
Overcome two autumnal maps with new vehicles, specialists and more on PC and consoles
PARIS – Nov. 20, 2025 – Complete your off-road journey in the Tatra Mountains as Expeditions: A MudRunner Game’s Season 4: “Amber Dusk” arrives today on PC and consoles. This newest season of premium content delivers two autumnal maps, new trucks and specialists for Year Pass Owners, as well as additional free content for all players.
Autumn awaits in Season 4: “Amber Dusk”
The new Tatra Mountainsregion adds two maps to the game: Cat’s Spine Ridge and Owl Lake Ridge. Traverse flooded valleys, venture deep underground, and discover remnants of ages past – from majestic basalt columns to ancient ziggurat ruins.
To explore this new region, Season 4: “Amber Dusk” introduces three new trucks:
The Shiba Dart SR-V, a scout pick-up with legendary durability
The G&S Caravan A1, a true jack of all (off-road) trades
The ANK XM75, a heavily modified all-terrain champion
Two new specialists can also join your crew: a Manager, who can change airdrop content, and an Operator, who makes the installation of terrain-mounted objects possible with flying drones.
A new truck, gadgets and improvements for all players
In addition to the premium content, Season 4: “Amber Dusk” comes with free bonuses for all players, including a high-mobility amphibious truck: the TUZ 93 Kelpie. With this vehicle, water will no longer be a problem when trying to reach the most remote areas of the Carpathians.
Two new gadgets are also available for your loadout:
The Portable Bridge, to cross over impassable obstacles with ease
The Tow Rope, to quickly link multiple trucks and objects together
Additional updates include a favorite section for vehicles, a semi-automatic gearbox overhaul, UI tweaks and bug fixes. Check out the patch notes for more details.
What’s next for Expeditions: A MudRunner Game?
As Year 1 of Expeditions: A MudRunner Game comes to an end, Season 4: “Amber Dusk” will be the final content update. Future hotfixes will focus on stability and critical bugs, but no new content will be added outside of mod.io player creations. For more information, please refer to the dedicated FAQ on Focus Together.
We want to thank all players who have joined us on this journey, from the Arizona desert to the frozen Carpathians, and we hope you enjoy what this new season has in store for you!
[November 20th, 2025] —Games For Love, the nonprofit dedicated to supporting children in hospitals through the power of play, provides an update on its upcoming Game Gala event—now hosted at Lightspace Studios in Los Angeles on December 10–11 during The Game Awards Week.
Presented in partnership with Xsolla, The Game Gala brings together creators, executives, studios, and fans for two days of high-impact networking, brand activations, and charitable celebrations—all in support of children and families in hospitals.
As thousands of industry leaders gather in Los Angeles for The Game Awards, The Game Gala fills a crucial gap—providing a vibrant, centralized space for collaboration, B2B meetings powered by MeetToMatch, and community engagement during the biggest week in gaming.
The event will feature:
A 48-hour charity stream marathon benefiting Games For Love’s mission
Creator and brand activations powered by leading industry partners
An exclusive creator masquerade ball after-party celebrating the week’s achievements and raising funds for hospitalized children
“The Game Gala was built to unite the gaming community—creators, developers, studios, and brands—for something bigger than ourselves,” said CEO Nathan Blair at Games For Love. “We’re thrilled to partner with Xsolla to bring this experience to life and make a lasting impact for kids who need it most.”
Whether you’re a studio looking to connect, a creator seeking community, or a brand ready to activate, The Game Gala is the place to be during The Game Awards Week—where the industry comes together for a cause that matters.
To learn more or get involved as a sponsor, visit www.thegamegala.com. Support the cause in person—attend The Game Gala by securing your tickets today.
About Games For Love
Games For Love is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Seattle, Washington, dedicated to easing the suffering of children in hospitals through the power of play. Each year, the organization impacts over 3 million children, delivering more than 10 million hours of play therapy that reduce anxiety, provide comfort, and create moments of joy. Guided by the belief that play can heal, Games For Love partners with hospitals, healthcare providers, and the gaming community to bring hope and healing to kids worldwide.
When it comes to fighting demons in a school setting there are a few certain franchises that come to mind. Developer Necrosoft Games hasn’t been shy about making nods to these games when it came to advertising Demonschool over the course of its time in development and for good reason, it takes plenty of inspiration from many parts of these familiar games but goes its own route in terms of combat, exploration, and even time management in what makes for an interesting indie RPG, albeit one that tries a bit too hard to be unique and falters a bit as a result.
Story
Set in the year 1999 the demon-obsessed Faye is on a mission, a mission to go to college. And stop the apocalypse. Conveniently timed right with when Y2K would have happened, Faye, a descendant of a long line of demon hunters has been trained by her now deceased grandfather in the ways of demonic exorcisms and combat. It is from her same grandfather that she received a prophecy signaling that the demonic invasion would begin in the year 2000 on Hemsk Island, the same island university (of the same name) that she is traveling to. After managing to worm her way into being pseudo friends with the only other person on the boat willing to talk with her, a girl named Namako, the pair find themselves battling possessed students on the ship before arriving on the island where things only grow stranger.
Not only is the island seemingly being controlled by a gang of local mobsters that can dictate who even gets to attend the school, but nearly everyone on the island itself seems to have barely any idea what is happening around them, having only vague memories of the past days as they go by. To make things even stranger, the teacher for Faye and Namako’s homeroom singles them out from the rest of the students and assigns them a special mission, to hunt down a haunted video tape by the end of the week or risk being thrown in prison forever. As things begin to spiral out-of-control between strange events being forgotten by the townsfolk, odd threats and even odder situations, it is up to Faye and her misfit group of ever-growing friends and allies to avoid falling prey to the demonic invasion and put a stop to the apocalypse all while still trying to stick to a school schedule and take weekly tests on things that happened that past week.
The general plot of Demonschool isn’t too groundbreaking, but it is filled with tons of colorful and unique references to horror and demonic elements and the quirky type of writing that keeps players guessing whether the next moment will involve some Scooby-Doo level antics or a dire threat as well as an absolutely wonderful cast of characters that end up becoming the best part of the game by far. This combination of referential horror, goofiness, and the eclectic cast of characters and the way they interact with one another not only through the storyline but even during “bond” scenes, do wonders to help carry the day-by-day storytelling of Demonschool’s weekly school set-up. Since, without it, the set-up is used a bit too often to drag things out longer than they should be, often tossing in random obstacles that make no sense to draw out the plot a bit before players can take on the next “big bad” properly since, unlike other games with a school calendar system, players cannot simply beat the story at any pace and take time as they go, it is kept to a fairly rigid structure.
As mentioned before, the characters are what make Demonschool‘s story worthwhile and considering there are fifteen different party members to eventually join the player’s group, it is quite the unique blend of personalities that range from eccentric to a bit more down-to-earth to so quirky that Faye seems normal by comparison. Each of these characters has their own little side-stories that take place in the form of affinity events that not only build up through minigames, more on those later, but through dialogue choices in the game as well. These reveal a character’s backstory a bit more and expose a bit more of their personality. It is also interesting to note that the game does not care if players push their relationships to the max with every character, meaning players are free to go wild should they wish.
It also must be said that the island setting is a bit of a unique being in and of itself when it comes to worldbuilding and background developments. Players can travel to nearly any location they wish to during free-roam and interact with random NPCs in locations or take part in little activities or pop-up quests. These quests can range from simply talking to an NPC and “cleaning” a grave or literally just petting a dog as often as possible to quests that must be resolved by fighting against demons. Ironically, some of these side-quest demon battles can pit players against higher tier demons before the story even does, spoiling the surprise a bit.
Most NPCs get new dialogue every week, with the dialogue shifting to reflect the events happening over the prior one and they tend to be just as eerie as ever, especially seeing a man with a happy family of seven children one week to have a happy family of four children a couple of weeks later, none the wiser to what has happened since those without some form of demonic fighting capability are susceptible to memory loss, building a strange world that only grows stranger as players progress.
Gameplay
Demonschool is something of a tactical RPG but with a twist as it also tends to play a bit more like a puzzle game at times than an actual RPG, especially since the RPG mechanics are extremely bare-bones. Whenever players enter a battle they will be able to bring four party members with them (with Faye always required) and given a set number of demons that must be slain before they can clear a battle by reaching the end of the battlefield with at least one character. Doing so within a certain turn limit and without losing any party members will reward a higher grade ranking from A, to B, to C depending on performance, but generally the only actual punishment appears to be fewer opals (the game’s currency) which players will end up drowning in eventually regardless of performance.
At the start of each turn players will begin their “planning phase” where they will have eight action points (AP) to utilize per turn. The unique element here is the fact that the more a specific character moves and attacks, the more AP it takes. For example, using Faye to move and attack an enemy uses 1 AP her first move, sliding to the side and moving to attack a second enemy costs 2 AP, and running back to avoid counterattacks would cost 3 AP, burning 6 AP in total just for moving Faye around instead of having Namako use 1 AP to shift through an enemy and move them while stunning them or having Knute move to heal or buff a character with only 1 AP.
This makes battles something like puzzles as mentioned earlier since there are clearly optimal ways to go about fighting foes, especially since every character has unique attack options and special abilities of their own that can be unleashed when their “special” meter fills up to max. When finished setting up their planning, the player can let the action flow in an impressive showing of combat as all the characters will move at once along their planned attack, healing, and buffing routes. If a player has a character die in combat, which is a real possibility since characters start with only 3 health and there is an elemental strength and weakness factor involved as well, making some enemies deal either no damage or two damage per hit, there is no real punishment besides a lower grade but it is worth noting that having all offensive capable characters die does mean players are stuck, having to redo the battle entirely and this is something of an issue in the early hours of Demonschool as players are limited to only a small cast of characters for a fairly long period of time, limiting what eventually opens up to being a far more customizable experience for far too long.
It is also worth noting that unlike most RPGs, players do not obtain any experience or level ups from winning battles, only Opals. These opals can be used to purchase skills that can then be researched by the characters and equipped to them to provide additional buffs and stats like increasing their special ability’s damage, making them immune to status effects, etc. or even add bonuses to their class-specific attack, but that is unfortunately it. There are some more fun and unique abilities that come into play, but they generally only show up late in the game, far past the point of feeling relevant and when nearly every side-quest and every story scene involves one or two of these battles, things start to grow repetitive due to near non-existant RPG mechanics. There is no equipment to unlock, no items to purchase and use in combat, nothing to grow a character beyond abilities and even then these can only be equipped to one character at a time.
Encountering random enemies players can beat down easily in a standard RPG can be tedious, but feeling boredom in a tactical RPG is a real bad sign and unfortunately that happened to become the case with many standard battles in Demonschool. Thankfully boss battles, while we won’t divulge their exact details here, really change things up. Most bosses introduce new mechanics into a battle that players will need to contend with, be it extra hazards in the field, unique ways they can only be damaged, and more. Combine this with their prominent visual flair and these boss fights are truly spectacles that serve to cap off every week with a memorable encounter, it is just the journey getting there that is filled with tedious generic foes that is the problem.
Outside of fighting players will be doing various bonding activities with their party members and taking on side-quests. These little side-activities, as mentioned earlier, tend to either result in text or more fights against monsters and give players an extra look at the island’s history with opals or a skill being the reward. Bonding activities with party members often involve taking part in mini-games such as rock-paper-scissors, fishing up demonic fish in a fun little mini-game, or even singing on a cursed karaoke machine where every proper lyric must contain the chosen theme. These little moments are fun and make us wish there were more to them mixed in throughout the city’s many other activities such as wishing at the well, dropping coins in a prayer box, or reading up on the weekly newspaper to see what the gang’s been up to the past week, including a review of a niche movie should players let one of their party members rent one, once again showing how fun the world of Demonschool can be when the demons themselves aren’t on the battlefield.
Audio & Visuals
Demonschool features some excellent pixel work when it comes to creating its world and character sprites. The sprites in motion look absolutely wonderful with the team’s own style coming through perfectly, especially involving the designs of the demons and creepy battlefields players will fight in. The designs of the demons are decent enough and the bosses are extremely memorable, even if a few feel like references as well. It is nice to note that the character portraits feature the same type of aesthetic feeling of the sprites, a retro styling but more detailed, and these portraits feature a wide range of expressions and even cut-in slices when players chain together a combo attack in combat.
Unfortunately, there’s no voice work throughout Demonschool so this leaves the game’s background music to do the heavy lifting and for the most part it is successful as the soundtrack is filled with creepy tracks that can flip as easily as the mood does in the plot. One minute Faye might be making some dumb remark with a light-hearted track or a party member can be talking about snakes only for the next to involve demons swarming through a portal trying to open it wider with the music growing dark and sinister to match.
Overall
There is a certain level of love that can be felt when playing Demonschool. One that rarely gets touched on especially in a genre filled with trying to take itself too seriously at times and that is humor. There’s always a risk of inserting quirky goofy characters when the world is on the line but Demonschool manages to pull it off thanks to a strongly written cast of characters that makes the whole thing worthwhile, even if the combat grows tedious as time goes on and starts to drag down the whole thing. It feels like somewhere along the line parts of what made this tactical RPG more of an RPG were cut in favor of creating a more puzzle-focused combat system, but that may not have been for the best in the long run as it holds players back from the best parts of what makes this indie RPG enjoyable, the cast of characters and seeing what ridiculous thing might happen next as the plot unfolds day by day.
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Contra meets Wild Guns in the latest offering from Retroware and Zenovia Interactive, now available digitally on all platforms
Philadelphia, PA — Nov. 20, 2025 — Sharpen your sword and stock up on ammo, because Indie publisher Retroware and Zenovia Interactive’s scorching-hot cyberpunk run-and-gun, Neon Inferno, is now available to download on all major platforms.
“Time is never so slow as the hours and the days before a launch. For almost four years we’ve been building a beautiful ship by hand, piece after piece. Now the ship finally leaves its harbor, and we see how far she can sail,” said Zenovia Interactive co-founder Sri Kankanahalli.
To celebrate Neon Inferno’s release, Retroware has turned up the heat with an explosive launch trailer. Watch as the game’s dual protagonists Angelo and Mariana blast their way through the bullet-riddled streets of NYC, slash enemy gunfire back at their attackers, and race along the neon-saturated streets as they take on corrupt cops and rival crime syndicates in the trailer below:
“I’m incredibly proud of what our team accomplished with Neon Inferno, and I’m excited to see all of you discover it for yourselves,” Kankanahalli continued. “I hope you enjoy playing this game as much as we enjoyed creating it.”
Neon Inferno is a stylish cyberpunk run-and-gun shooter from the creator of 2021’s Steel Assault. Going lone wolf or guns blazing with a partner in the game’s co-op mode, players assume the role of either Angelo or Mariana as they fight for a fledgling crime family striving for power against a corrupt NYPD and other crime syndicates in the war-torn city.
The deadly pair of syndicate assassins will need to fight their way through an army of heavily-armed cops, trained killers, and mechanized monstrosities. Thankfully, they have a few tricks up their sleeves, including bullet time, which allows them to deflect certain projectiles back at enemies they choose—regardless of whether they’re in the foreground or background!
With multiple upgrades available to unlock and equip between missions, various difficulties to master, an Arcade Mode, and two-player co-op, Neon Inferno offers a full clip of content to blast their way through.
Key Features:
Shoot close, aim far: a dynamic blend of side-scroller and gallery-shooter, where the action takes place in both foreground and background (like playing Contra and Wild Guns at the same time).
Glorious 32-bit Style: A sci-fi cityscape rendered in beautiful pixel art and backed by an evocative soundtrack
Two-Player Co-op: With danger lurking around every street corner, wouldn’t you be better off with a friend?
Satisfying Arcade Challenge: Enjoy a playthrough on an easier mode…or put your skills and resilience to the test with 1-credit-clear arcade mode.
Neon Inferno is now available digitally for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Pre-orders for the physical edition will open on Tuesday, November 25 at Limited Run Games and run through Sunday, December 28.
About Zenovia Interactive: Neon Inferno is the second title from Zenovia Interactive, a fully remote and international game studio based in New York City and founded by Sri Kankanahalli in 2019. The company’s previous title was Steel Assault, released in late 2021.
