Mustaches are twitching, Romans are wobbling: the Gauls are on the move!
Sydney, Australia, October 31st, 2025 – Microids is proud to announce the release of Asterix & Obelix: Mission Babylon, a brand-new, colourful adventure developed by Balio Studio, now available on Nintendo Switch! Our two mustachioed heroes are leaving Armorica to make their legendary punches echo far beyond their homeland. A brand-new destination, Romans to put back in line, and an irrepressible Gaulish spirit as strong as ever!
This time, they’re heading East! Our heroes leave their peaceful Armorica for a crucial mission at the edge of the Parthian Empire, a legendary kingdom under threat from Caesar’s ambitions. Their goal? Save King Monipehni, who has fallen victim to a vile poison brewed by the nefarious sorcerer Bahmbuhzeli.To succeed, Asterix and Obelix must journey through mysterious lands, gather the ingredients for an antidote… and of course, give a good thrashing to some overconfident Roman cohorts.
A platforming game full of action, laughs, and exotic flair!
Asterix & Obelix: Mission Babylon emphasises the fun of playing together, with a local co-op mode designed to take full advantage of the duo’s complementary strengths. But whether playing solo or with a friend, the experience remains generous and accessible: every player can delight in bashing legionaries, avoiding traps, and progressing through a rich and varied world.
The game features four all-new worlds, each created specifically for this title, with their own unique visual atmosphere, gameplay mechanics, and challenges. From sun-drenched Eastern landscapes to the mysterious corners of Babylon, the environments are filled with exotic details and nods to the beloved comic book series.
With dynamic combat, epic boss fights, replayable levels, and hidden secrets, the adventure promises to be as entertaining as it is explosive… all delivered with a signature dose of irreverent humour true to the spirit of Asterix.
About Asterix & Obelix: Mission Babylon
Play as Asterix and Obelix in a colourful adventure, playable solo or in local co-op.
Embark on an original journey packed with action and humour, faithful to the iconic Gauls’ universe.
Explore four brand-new regions with lush environments, from scorching deserts to Babylon’s hidden wonders.
Progress through over twenty replayable levels filled with tough enemies, secrets to uncover, and challenges to beat.
Face off against massive bosses and send Romans flying in spectacular, fast-paced battles.
Asterix & Obelix: Mission Babylon is available now on Nintendo Switch.
About Microids
Microids is a French video game publisher founded in 1985, and has become a key player in the international gaming industry. Its publishing strategy is built around two main pillars: adventure games and titles aimed at core gamers. By collaborating with renowned studios and creators, Microids delivers immersive experiences based on popular licenses, allowing players to embark on new adventures alongside iconic characters.
About Les Éditions Albert René
Les Éditions Albert René owns and manages all rights to the Astérix adventures.
Les Éditions Albert René publishes the Astérix the Gaul comic books.
Les Éditions Albert René initiates new Astérix projects, including animated series and films.
Les Éditions Albert René grants licenses for merchandise and promotional campaigns, including those related to Parc Astérix near Paris.
For more information about Les Éditions Albert René and Astérix, please visit http://www.asterix.com
About Balio Studio
Based in Belgium, BALIO STUDIO is an independent video game development studio dedicated to creating engaging gaming experiences. With a team of over 25 highly skilled professionals, the studio represents the perfect blend of passion and expertise.
Founded in 2009 by the Baglio brothers, BALIO STUDIO has become a major player in the Belgian video game industry. The team has proven expertise across multiple platforms, including PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox One/Series.
Our partnership with Microids is a testament to the quality and reliability that define BALIO STUDIO. Our portfolio features games that have not only captivated players but also earned praise for their creativity and innovation.
LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 30, 2025 – Netmarble, a renowned developer and publisher of high-quality games, has launched a new update for its AFK RPG THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK. Players can experience a new Legendary fighter, pet, and supporter, as well as a variety of in-game events.
The new Legendary fighter Kula Diamond, who first appeared as a hidden fighter in THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2000, possesses the unique ability to instantly freeze moisture in the air to unleash powerful attacks. In THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK, Kula Diamond is faithfully reimagined with the same style and charm that made her memorable debut in the KOF 2000.
Players will have an increased chance to acquire Kula Diamond through the Kula Diamond Pick-Up Event that is currently available until November 12. During the same period, the [Corrosion] Synergy Pick-Up Summon Event will also give players a higher chance to obtain fighters with the [Corrosion] Synergy.
Additionally, two special events will be coming soon: the Lucky Elpy Event (November 3 – 7), and the Cheer Up Event (November 6 -19). These events offer players the chance to meet the Legendary pets Candy Sorbet and Pom-pomtese and the Legendary supporter Diana, respectively.
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. The excitement intensifies with 5v5 team battles, and players can strategically create their decks by combining up to 15 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 Idle Adventure, Tower of God: New World, Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds 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.
NICOSIA, Cyprus – Oct. 30, 2025 – PublisherDigital Vortex Entertainment and game developerDream Dock today announce their publishing partnership forDREADMOOR, a horror-fishing adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world. Both teams are committed to delivering this high-quality, distinctive IP to a global audience.
DREADMOOR quickly made a splash among fans of dark, atmospheric adventures: just 10 days after its announcement in April 2025, the game amassed over 40,000 wishlists, and already ranks in the top 600 most-wishlisted games on Steam with minimal marketing thus far. This strong interest has set a positive trajectory for the title, with a clear roadmap aiming for its full release in Q4 2026.
DREADMOOR is a dark first-person horror fishing adventure game. Anglers explore both land and sea, fishing for a wide variety of aquatic creatures lurking in the depths, and fighting their way through a flooded wasteland filled with danger and mystery. The game draws inspiration from titles like DREDGE, Metro Exodus, and Resident Evil. It features cinematic storytelling, psychological tension, crafting, and addictive fishing mechanics.
“We’re building an IP that goes far beyond fishing in the apocalypse,” said Rostislav Fedorov, CEO at Dream Dock Studio. “Partnering with Digital Vortex Entertainment allows us to scale production, refine the vision, and bring DREADMOOR’s madness to a global audience.”
“At Digital Vortex Entertainment, we were captivated by Dream Dock’s clear vision for the game and their approach to creating a haunting fusion inspired by Lovecraftian horror and post-nuclear survival. It’s a unique and powerful project, and we’re excited to help bring their dark and beautiful world to a wide audience”, said Alex Izotov, CEO of Digital Vortex Entertainment.
Follow updates and share your feedback by joining the official Discord server, following the game on X/Twitter, and adding it to your Steam Wishlist.
About Digital Vortex Entertainment
Digital Vortex Entertainment is a new publisher made up of game industry veterans who have worked on titles such as Atomic Heart, Lost Ark, PUBG Battlegrounds, and more, not limiting themselves to specific genres or game formats, and always striving to create games they themselves would like to play.
About Dream Dock
Dream Dock is an independent game studio based in Kyrgyzstan and founded by three former colleagues who left their high-paying roles at top game companies to pursue a shared creative vision. Collectively, their experience includes six years at industry leaders such as Playrix, MY.GAMES, Saber Interactive, and Owlcat Games. With a portfolio that spans AA and AAA projects, the studio is dedicated to crafting original, emotionally resonant worlds. DREADMOOR, a fishing survival adventure, is their debut IP.
Embark on Two Timeless Adventures, Brought to Life with Stunning HD-2DVisuals, Fresh Story Content and Refined Gameplay
SYDNEY (Oct. 31, 2025)– SQUARE ENIX has announced the launch of DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake for Nintendo Switch 2™, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam® and Microsoft Store on Windows, marking the epic conclusion of the legendary Erdrick trilogy that began with last year’s critically acclaimed DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake.
Watch the DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake launch trailer below.
DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake combines full remakes of DRAGON QUEST I and DRAGON QUEST II, which chronologically take place after DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake which launched in November 2024. Players can experience the dramatic and satisfying conclusion to the Erdrick Trilogy in these two standalone epic adventures, brought to new life in the beloved HD-2D graphical style with never-before-seen story content and gameplay updates, including a new, fully explorable underwater world and playable character in DRAGON QUEST II, among many other additions.
In DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake, players take control of the descendants of Erdrick, the legendary hero whose legacy is passed down through generations following the events of DRAGON QUEST IIIHD-2D Remake. Players can continue the sprawling story in these games, while newcomers can experience the entire compilation with the new digital-only DRAGON QUEST HD-2D Erdrick Trilogy Collection, which packages together DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake and DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake in one definitive set.
DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam. For more information about the game, visit https://www.dragonquesthd2d.com.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including FINAL FANTASY™, which has sold over 204 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 95 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
DRAGON QUEST is a legendary series of role-playing games created by Yuji Horii and beloved by millions both in Japan and around the world. The first DRAGON QUEST was released in 1986, and the game made its US debut in 1989 as DRAGON WARRIOR. The critically acclaimed series has shipped more than 95 million units worldwide, spanning 11 main series titles, many spin-off games, as well as films, anime, novels, manga, merchandise and more. Celebrating its 38th anniversary this year, the wildly popular DRAGON QUEST franchise holds various Guinness World Records including “Longest-Running Japanese RPG Series.”
The visionaries behind the series, Creator and Game Designer Yuji Horii, Character Designer Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball) and composer Koichi Sugiyama, have long enchanted newcomers and long-time fans alike, with each new entry in the franchise comprising charming visuals, enthralling storylines, and captivating music. The latest instalment, DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of An Elusive Age, was released to much critical acclaim, winning the Metacritic Must-Play game award and becoming Metacritic’s “#2 Best Switch Game of 2019” and “#3 Best PS4 Game of 2020.” It has shipped nearly 8.5 million units globally to date.
LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 30, 2025 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, has announced a new update for its collectible RPG Seven Knights Re:BIRTH. Players can look forward to experiencing a new Legendary hero and multiple events.
This latest game update introduces [Revolutionary] Kyrielle, a new Legendary Magic Hero. Known as a member of the Luminous Revolutionaries, Kyrielle is the daughter of the Deathbringer, the leader of the Shadow Clan, and Ballista’s older sister. She is characterized by her excellency with arrows, and her skill “Regulus” allows her to remove all debuffs inflicted on her and grants stacks of damage boost for each debuff removed.
The Kyrielle Rate Up Summon Event grants players an increased opportunity to obtain Kyrielle and acquire rewards such as Rate Up Hero Summon Vouchers and Quality Water Particles through the Kyrielle Power-Up Event. In addition, a new story event “Children Chasing Stars” is available until November 13, where players can learn more about Kyrielle’s story and receive generous rewards including a Legendary Hero Ticket I, a Brilliant Skill Enhancement Stone, and more.
Two Halloween-themed events are also running until November 13:
Witch Velika’s Check-in: Obtain Brilliant Pumpkin Basket and Spooky Pumpkin Basket simply by logging into the game during the event period.
Witch Velika’s Pumpkin Festival: Clear given missions to earn points and rewards, including Brilliant Pumpkin Basket, Spooky Pumpkin Basket, Uncommon Hero Tickets, and a Brilliant Skill Enhancement Stone.
Brilliant Pumpkin Basket contains Hero Summon Vouchers and Pet Summon Voucher, whereas Spooky Pumpkin Basket contains Golds, Keys, Hero Summon Vouchers and Pet Summon Voucher. Additional content updates include the introduction of new costumes for Ruri, Chloe, Rosie, Juri, and Fai.
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 Idle Adventure, Tower of God: New World, Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found athttp://company.netmarble.com.
Experience the thrilling physics-based brawler next month!
Kansas City, US, 30th October 2025 – They say violence isn’t the answer, but Haymaker is almost here to dispute that. Unleash your inner fighting skills with swift jabs and fierce blows, as Console Studios is excited to announce the Early Access launch date for Haymaker on Meta Quest 2/3/3S, arriving November 6th 2025.
Haymaker delivers a realistic street fighting simulation like no other. Where mere jabs and crosses are not enough to stop the opponents in your way, you’ll need to master an array of moves to survive. Head to the gym and learn how to perform a judo throw, a neck breaker or a good old-fashioned throat strike. The hand-to-hand system has been developed to be instinctual and fluid, allowing players to deliver precision-damaging punches. Attack indicators enable the swift blocking of incoming blows, creating fight scenes straight out of the movies.
“I’ve been working on this game for almost 5 years, I’d bet about a year of that was spent solely on dialling in the punches and the way enemies react,” says James Console, Console Studios founder. There’s something deeply satisfying about laying someone out with a haymaker.”
The combat system also extends to the entire body. Players can aim kicks and foot-stomp enemies with a simple gesture, extending their attack range beyond their fists. Used in conjunction with Haymaker’s custom ragdoll physics, watch opponents react to the environment as they’re thrown over tables and into walls. Making each playthrough distinctive and thrilling.
Key Features:
Physics-driven combat – Fight like your life depends on it; this is raw hand-to-hand combat
Foot Fight – Deploy ranged kicks to deal devastating attacks
Intuitive RagdollInteractions – Opponents react to the environment, colliding with walls & bouncing off tables
Feature Rich – Multiple fighting modes: Sandbox, Roguelite, Training Gym
Haymaker is scheduled for an Early Access release on the Horizon Store for Meta Quest on 6th November 2025.
About Haymaker:
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.
Halloween hits different when you’re dripped out in a killer seasonal skin. Bloober Team’s latest survival horror, Cronos: The New Dawn, has officially activated Protocol: Trick or Treat. The brand-new Pumpkin Head Skin is available across all platforms starting Oct. 30 — just update your game to unlock it. Enter the world of Cronos on the spookiest night of the year with the latest free demo, or enjoy the full version of the game, now available with a 15% discount.
Pumpkin on. Monster off. It’s survival season! You’ve been granted access to The New Dawn, protocol Pumpkin activated, extraction in progress -suit up and take a leap through the rift to the unknown.
Bloober Team celebrates their 17th anniversary this spooky season in an exceptional manner – with a new spooky in-game Traveler skin. The new Pumpkin-Head addition lights up in different colors tailored to the platform you’re playing on, and to grab it, all you have to do is update the game.
Yet to enter Cronos? The free demo awaits…
If you haven’t dared to jump into Cronos yet, now’s the perfect time! This month, a free demo is waiting for you on Steam and Epic, letting you dive right into the world of Cronos from the very beginning. The demo will allow you to explore the first 30 minutes of the game. The goal? To locate the predecessor. This section of the game introduces weapons, enemies, combat, the terrifying merge mechanic, and the overall atmosphere of Cronos: The New Dawn. You can replay the demo as many times as you like, and your process will be transferred into the full game.
Halloween season is in full swing. Play the demo or enjoy the full version of the game at a15% discountas part of its first-ever Halloween sale across all platforms: Steam, Epic, PlayStation Store, Nintendo Store, and GOG. In the full version of the game a new Pumpkin-Head skin will be available on Oct. 30 across all platforms, in matching colors. Will you go trick-or-treating in The New Dawn?
Additionally, Bloober Team has created exclusive anniversary graphics available as desktop wallpapers. You can download them here.
Such is Our Calling.
For more information about the game, visit: Cronos: The New Dawn and our social media to receive updates on this one-of-a-kind survival horror experience.
About Bloober Team:
Founded in 2008 and based in Kraków, Bloober Team specializes in creating deep and immersive horror games. With a team of over 270 creative professionals, the studio consistently pushes the boundaries of storytelling, delivering rich and complex narratives to players around the world.
Bloober Team’s award-winning portfolio includes acclaimed titles such as the Layers of Fear series, Blair Witch, Observer: System Redux, and The Medium. Their most celebrated project, developed in collaboration with the Japanese publisher KONAMI, was the highly anticipated remake of the iconic horror game SILENT HILL 2. This title received widespread acclaim, earning positive reviews as well as numerous nominations and awards—including Game of the Year at the Horror Game Awards and Best Game of 2024 by IGN Japan.
The latest release from Bloober Team, Cronos: The New Dawn—the studio’s first original survival horror IP—premiered on September 5th across multiple platforms and garnered praise from both players and the media, marking a significant step forward for the studio. Learn more about our projects by visiting our official website:www.blooberteam.com
We dive into a new version of Painkiller and battle through the first of three campaigns in Purgatory, slaying our way through demonic hordes while wielding infernal weaponry in this online co-op shooter from 3D Realms.
Painkiller – Gameplay
Painkiller returns as a modern reimagining of the classic demon‑slaying FPS, developed by Anshar Studios and co‑published by Saber Interactive and 3D Realms. Trapped in Purgatory for your transgressions, the Voice of the Creator offers you a chance for redemption—if you can survive the onslaught of hellish hordes. Online co‑op (up to three players) and solo play both allow you to venture through gothic, atmospheric environments teeming with demonic horrors.
Armed with an arsenal of brutal weapons and bolstered by Tarot card buffs, you push forward against waves of enemies, uncover secrets, and face off against titanic Nephilim bosses. The game embraces the fast, high-energy action of the original while adding roguelike elements via the new Rogue Angel mode—procedurally generated arenas, evolving loot, and unpredictably dangerous runs.
Painkiller Developer: Anshar Studios Publisher: Saber Interactive & 3D Realms Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam) Release Date: October 21, 2025 Price: $39.99 USD
Hearing that a new Painkiller game would be coming out in 2025 was a surprise, primarily thanks to the fact that the franchise has been dormant for well over a decade despite receiving a number of sequels. It didn’t help that, for the most part, many of these sequels were poorly received at the time, but that didn’t stop 3D Realms and Anshar Studios from bringing this hellish shooter back to life. Or did they? Because it appears that something else got mixed into this revival ritual and has resurrected Painkiller as a shadow of its former self and transformed it into a raid based co-op shooter instead.
Story
Completely reset from the story that once saw Daniel Garner fighting through Purgatory in an attempt to reach his wife Catherine in Heaven, Painkiller now follows the battle of four souls with awful names that have found themselves sent to Purgatory for various heinous or blasphemous acts they committed in life and now find themselves endowed with a less than holy mission from the Voice of the Creator, Metatron. It turns out that the fallen angel Azazel has begun plans to invade Earth using his demonic hordes and weaponry created from Purgatory. In an attempt to try and “redeem” themselves, by slaying their way through three separate campaigns broken down into shorter raids that all pit three of these souls against Azazel’s forces to try and dismantle his machinations and slay the Nephilim that he is trying to raise.
Painkiller’s new story has some trappings to be interesting but it just never happens to actually deliver anything close to its premise. The moment to moment battles are as standard as they come and the final “boss” confrontations against the Nephilim in each of the three campaigns are the only noteworthy and unique feeling encounters that feel like they have any real role in the storyline. It also doesn’t help that the only way to actually learn about the four playable characters in the game is by hoping they will randomly chime up during a raid and talk to one another about their past to reveal more info about the actual characters themselves. Unfortunately these glitch out quite often to the point that characters will one-sidedly talk with a character that isn’t even in the group or stop talking mid-sentence should demons appear. Thankfully some of these conversations are then later viewable in the “Codex” where most of the game’s lore is kept, but anyone looking for more of a cohesive storyline, even as far as the original Painkiller gamesare concerned, will be disappointed here.
It is worth noting that while most of the gothic and darker elements of the original Painkiller have not made the transition to this new iteration, there are some decent interactions at least when it comes to listening to Metatron talk about the player’s progress or Azazel’s taunting when advancing through each stage. These moments stand as some of the better elements of the game’s minimal dialogue since, as mentioned before, the four main playable characters are severely lacking.
Gameplay
At its core Painkiller is now a “must co-op” arena shooter where up to three players, or the player and two bots since there must always be three active characters no matter what, fight their way through each “raid” stage. These raids tend to last anywhere from twenty to thirty minutes a pop with each campaign featuring three stages and the final one featuring a boss battle that has a slightly unique mechanic to it, but often not unique enough to actually change up the way players are actually playing, which is shooting anything that moves. Players have access to a very standard movement set of slides, jumping and scrambling up a wall, using a “grapple” to zip to very specific points in arenas giving players plenty of fast-paced movement options that feel mostly good to use, especially the sliding kick, and of course the weaponry they carry, though this has been given a significant downgrade for longtime fans of the franchise. Each character has slightly different “bonuses” attached to playing them though these are so minor they are mostly negligible outside of perhaps the hardest difficulties.
This is primarily thanks to the fact that, due to the “raid” nature of the game, players must instead choose to create a loadout before entering a raid that limits them to two primary weapons as well as the classic “painkiller” shredder that chops up generic enemies and turns them into ammo for the player’s primary weapons. Being limited to only two primary weapons means that players are meant to try and co-ordinate with their team, but given the fact that bots often play just as good, if not better, than most other players, it’s generally better to go that route. The weapons themselves are a mix of good and bad, with the Painkiller classic “Stake Gun” returning but feeling less impactful when it actually impales an enemy to a wall as well as other weapons such as a shurikan machine-gun that ricochets between enemies, a shotgun capable of elemental blasts, and some more extreme gravity altering options as well. Every weapon comes with a secondary “elemental” type of firing mode that drains the player’s elemental meter when used but it is not only incredibly effective at eliminating drone style enemies but also against both Demons and Nephilim as well. If nothing else, it must be said that actually shooting and slaying your way through hordes of demons feels incredibly smooth and fun, especially when combining elemental attacks to shatter through well over thirty drone-style foes in a group, though some weapons do feel a bit more fleshed out than others.
As players fight through each stage of a raid they’ll always come across one of three objectives. Either kill all waves of enemies, fill “blood barrels” by killing enemies within range of said barrels, or survive long enough after hitting a switch. Here is where players will usually need to worry about Demons spawning in alongside hordes of weaker enemies. Demons have larger health pools but can also be staggered through sustained elemental damage and commanding your allies to focus on one is a great way to chip away at one before it becomes too much of a problem. A stunned Demon can be instantly finished off with the painkiller for a large elemental bonus. It is interesting to note that some elemental types can be combined together to create extremely powerful stunned states, though organizing this with allies is troublesome even if it works best against some of the Nephilim bosses. That being said, the boss enemies do not have the same instant-kill elements, instead they’ll expose weaknesses when stunned.
At the start of every raid players have a difficulty option they can select for themselves that will not only change how much damage players receive and dish out but also how many enemies spawn and their reactions. Higher levels reward players with extra coin and “ancient souls” (upgrade points) per arena cleared but it is also worth noting that there is an extremely limited amount of actual things players can meaningfully upgrade or purchase in the game. Initially, players are locked to only being able to use the Stake Gun and shurikan thrower, with other weapons requiring “gold” earned from raids and ancient souls to unlock. Players can then unlock additional components to strengthen their favorite weapons or simply buy skins or costumes for their favorite character, though once again the actual variety here is incredibly limited. The other “upgrade” comes in the form of Tarot cards that are expendable cards that players must use coins to draw at random and can be used one time for any raid they wish. After this, the tarot card is burned but can be easily restored using ancient souls, meaning players don’t have to rely on random chance to reacquire a favorite card that may boost their damage, double their money, or more.
Unfortunately that happens to be one of the biggest issues with Painkiller. Longevity. Despite being designed as a co-op shooter that rewards players for taking on challenges, the actual rewards themselves are paper thin after a while. Once players complete the primary raids, they’ll have likely unlocked nearly everything worthwhile that they may have had their eye on. Combine that with the repetitive nature of the “tasks” given to players in every arena and runs quickly feel like they are simply going through the motions. This is especially true when playing with bots as they will not properly react to many of the optional side-exploration, not that there even is much in the way of that as each level only contains extra “chests” with money to be found as well as some slightly off-the-beaten path gatherings of gold or healing items. It is also a shame that despite the game having a “revive” mechanic for picking up allies, playing with bots just results in a lost life without any chance of being revived. Either way, this leaves players with very little reason to even think of coming back to the game once they’ve taken on the major campaigns, let alone dive into any of the side content such as a poorly thought out roguelike mode that adds very little to the overall experience other than a way to test the player’s skills and longevity against enemies they’ve long grown familiar with..
Audio & Visuals
When it comes to Anshar Studios’ depictions of Purgatory it almost feels like they played it a bit on the safe side overall. Which is rather shocking given the gothic nature of the original game. Enemy designs are decent enough, though players will be surprised to find out that they’ve seen every single enemy type simply by completing one campaign, meaning there is very little actual enemy variety even amongst Demons. There are some levels that have some very inspiring looking set-pieces but, ironically, these are mostly placed in areas players are meant to simply walk through, hoping the character’s might chime up during a moment’s respite rather than actually feel like part of the environment during combat. The actual combat environments are decently varied with a lot of different vertical options and grappling points to keep players moving amongst the demonic hordes and it all plays incredibly smoothly with not even a single hitch even as countless enemies were exploding into shattered ice on the screen.
The voice work throughout Painkiller is something someone might actually need a painkiller to deal with most of the time. Once again, the core cast of characters are incredibly grating to the point that players will be hard pressed to like any of them, let alone how they sound. The saving grace happens to be the way that Azazel and Metatron chime in from time to time as at least their voice work is handled exceptionally well. As far as the background music is concerned the title is filled with all kinds of heavy metal and rock which is fitting for the nature of the title, but really lacks that type of punch that fans of that music appreciate, almost feeling muted at times where it should have been feeling triumphant as players slay hundreds of demons waiting for the next door to open up.
Overall
Despite Painkiller‘s fractured history, it feels like trying to reboot it into something that it never was was already a step in the wrong direction. While a fairly okay co-op shooter that has some slick movement options and great gunplay with most of its weaponry, Painkiller simply feels uninspiring and less than the sum of its parts. Between a non-existant storyline, characters that are so forgetfully generic, and an unrewarding “grind” for rewards, Painkiller‘s 2025 reboot feels less like a revival and more like a cash-grab using a dormant IP that longtime FPS fans would jump at, only to find a watered down version barely resembling the Painkiller name.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Relive the Klassics in this Ultimate Compilation for Mortal Kombat Games, Enhanced with New Features and a Groundbreaking Interactive Documentary
EMERYVILLE, CA (October 30, 2025) | Digital Eclipse, a renowned retro gaming studio focused on the digital restoration of classic video games, Atari and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, have digitally launched Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, the ultimate historical compilation of Mortal Kombat titles. Featuring multiple klassic games from the 90s and early 2000s, including arcade, console and handheld versions, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is not available digitally on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
Developed and published by Digital Eclipse, and officially licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection brings together a comprehensive library of the franchise’s early titles. From original arcade klassics to beloved home versions on Super NES and Sega Genesis, and handheld releases on Game Boy, Game Gear Sega 32X and Game Boy Advance, each game has been faithfully restored and enhanced with modern, player-friendly features. Many arcade and console editions also include online multiplayer support with rollback netcode for a smooth, competitive experience.
Featuring an interactive documentary that chronicles the series’ groundbreaking history, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection includes rare concept art, archival video footage and exclusive new and vintage interviews with original creators Ed Boon, John Tobias, Dan Forden, John Vogel and many others — retelling the the compelling origin stories of the franchise.
“Mortal Kombat has always pushed boundaries and redefined what video games can be, and with the launch of Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection today, we’re thrilled to bring all the iconic titles together in one place, enhanced for today’s players,” said Mike Mika, Studio Head at Digital Eclipse. “This collection isn’t just about revisiting classic games – it’s a celebration of the bold creativity and lasting impact that made Mortal Kombat a cultural phenomenon. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection offers an immersive look at the origins and evolution of a franchise that continues to shape gaming history.”
Beyond exploring the creation of games, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection chronicles the epic battles between the Elder Gods, Outworld, Edenia and Earthrealm during the arcade era, complete with detailed guides to character backstories. Each title in the collection is enhanced with a variety of optional, quality-of-life features, such as a Rewind function for more forgiving gameplay, on-screen move lists, a Trainer mode to help players perfect their kombos and Fatality Trainer that gives every kombat a chance to master the franchise’s legendary finishing moves.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection features the return of a version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 that hasn’t been playable anywhere since 1997. The WaveNet edition, originally developed to support Midway’s WaveNet online matchmaking service for arcade machines, was the only arcade release to feature Noob Saibot as a selectable character. Now emulated and preserved for the first time in history by Digital Eclipse, the WaveNet version debuts in Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
The full Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection lineup includes:
Mortal Kombat – 1992 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear)
Mortal Kombat II – 1993 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, 32X)
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance – 2002 (Game Boy Advance)
Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition – 2003 (Game Boy Advance)
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is now available digitally on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The physical versions of the game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch and will ship on December 12, 2025. The shipment timing for the Kollector’s Edition will be announced at a later date.
About Atari
Atari is an interactive entertainment company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment, and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 400 unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. The Atari family of brands includes game developers Digital Eclipse and Nightdive Studios, the publishing label Infogrames, and the community-based sites AtariAge and MobyGames. Atari has offices in New York and Paris.
Atari shares are listed in France on Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN Code FR0010478248, Ticker ALATA) and OTC Pink Current (Ticker PONGF).
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor, and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile, and PC-based gaming for both internal and third-party game titles.
