FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Oct. 8, 2025 – Saber Interactive’s 3D Realms label and developer Anshar Studios have unleashed a brutal new gameplay trailer for Painkiller, the reimagined high-octane action shooter launching Oct. 21, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. This latest gameplay trailer takes you to the depths of Purgatory, where demons, titans, and unimaginable horrors await. Get a taste of the terror as you team up with friends in intense co-op gameplay set to a pulsing metal soundtrack.
About Painkiller
Blast through hordes of demons in brutal, fast-paced combat with an array of infernal weapons in Painkiller! Battle across gruesome gothic environments to stop the fallen angel Azazel’s invasion of Earth and earn your salvation – solo with bots or in online co-op for up to three players.
Key Features
Purgatory Is Your Playground: Jump, hook and dash across vast, spine-chilling biomes while fighting nightmarish enemies in bloody, fast-paced combat with a host of new and classic Painkiller weapons.
Three-Player Online Co-op: Play online with up to two friends, exploring diverse locations, uncovering secrets and facing off against terrifying enemies.
Grotesque Terrors Await: Challenge a variety of horrifying foes, from hordes of demons to titanic terrors like the monstrous children of Azazel – the Nephilim.
Unleash The Pain: Use tarot cards to upgrade your abilities, rank up to expand your arsenal, and team up with other players to obliterate all foes.
Choose Your Character Wisely: Play as one of four distinctive characters – Ink, Void, Sol and Roch – with unique perks to boost your energy, health, power and damage.
Rogue Angel Mode: Survive a brutal roguelike mode, completely separate from the main campaign, where you and your friends advance through procedurally generated arenas, collect tarot cards, weapons, and items along the way, and take on epic bosses.
Launching October 21, the Standard and Deluxe Editions of Painkiller are available to pre-order now on PlayStation 5 (Deluxe), Xbox Series X|S (Deluxe), and PC via Steam. The physical version of the Standard Edition is also available to pre-order on PlayStation and Xbox at major retailers.
The Deluxe Edition of Painkiller includes the Season Pass, featuring the “Night Watch DLC” with four character and six weapon skins at launch, plus an assortment of weapon and character skins post-release.
All pre-orders come with the “Iron Crusade” pre-order bonus skin pack. Physical pre-orders also include the “Burnished Pride” weapons pack, which includes additional gold weapon skins.
Saber Interactive is a worldwide publisher and developer consisting of 13 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, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, SnowRunner, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game 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 3D Realms
Redefining AAA – Action, Attitude, Adrenaline, 3D Realms has rocked the world for almost 30 years by publishing unforgettable, iconic games like Duke Nukem, Terminal Velocity, Shadow Warrior, Death Rally, Max Payne, and more recently Ghostrunner, Ion Fury, CULTIC, Tempest Rising, and RIPOUT.
Led by industry veterans, 3D Realms is a proud member of Saber Interactive, with a mission of publishing games for grownups. Unapologetic and uncompromising, we’re not afraid of being who we are and being damn good at it – for everyone’s benefit. For more information, visit 3drealms.com.
About Anshar Studios
Anshar Studios, based in Katowice, Poland, is a dynamic game development studio known for producing AA-quality games across multiple platforms. Since 2012, the team of nearly 200 skilled professionals have been dedicated to crafting meaningful gaming experiences with a focus on narrative depth and immersive gameplay. Notable releases include the self-published Gamedec, Bloober Team’s Layers of Fear and Observer: System Redux, along with undisclosed projects for major industry developers and publishers. Skilled team, well-crafted portfolio, and ambition to grow. Learn more at: ansharstudios.com
Farming Simulator: Signature Edition releases on Nintendo Switch 2 on December 9th. Publisher and developer GIANTS Software announced the launch date, alongside the inclusion of the brand-new Mercedes-Benz Trucks Pack in the family-friendly simulation, as well as the release of the first gameplay trailer. Pre-orders are now available.
Holiday Season: Farming Season on Nintendo Switch 2!
Whether farmers tackle agriculture on fields, professional forestry in the woods, or tend to an adorable ensemble of farm animals, they operate over 400 authentic machines by real brands to achieve their goals. Whether planting, cultivating, or harvesting in the fields, or engaging in any other activity related to more profitable production chains, players will find a suitable solution among the 150 manufacturers, including Case IH, CLAAS, Fendt, John Deere, Kubota, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Valtra, and others.
A Signature Experience with Signature Machines
Recently, GIANTS Software formed a long-awaited partnership with Daimler Truck AG to extend the fleet with iconic stars. With the arrival of Mercedes-Benz Trucks in the series, 17 additional machines have been added to the fleet. Spotlights are on the Unimog, a celebrated all-rounder, and the MB-trac, a powerhouse of traction and durability.
As usual, GIANTS Software will release new content after launch to enhance the user experience. Visit the official Farming Simulator website.
About GIANTS Software GIANTS Software is an international game developer and publisher from Switzerland, established in 2004 and known worldwide for creating the popular Farming Simulator franchise. Self-sufficient with offices in Switzerland (Zurich), Germany (Erlangen), USA (Chicago) and the Czech Republic (Brno), the team is committed to position itself as a leading publisher in the simulation genre, with Project Motor Racing to be introduced to the racing scene soon.
About Farming Simulator With more than 40 million copies of the main series sold worldwide since 2008, the Farming Simulator franchise is leading in its genre. Available on all major platforms, the games feature hundreds of authentic machines from renowned brands and offer compelling agricultural simulation with relaxing, family-friendly gameplay. It’s based on the powerful GIANTS Engine – built in-house to provide realistic physics, high-fidelity graphics, dynamic systems and extensive modding support. Visit farming-simulator.com for more information.
8 October 2025 – Melbourne-based studio Powerhoof has won Game of the Year for its narrative-driven adventure game The Drifter at the 2025 Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs). Presented by the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, the AGDAs celebrated the best of Australia’s video game development industry. The Drifter was also recognised with awards for Excellence in Narrative, Visual Art, and Sound Design.
“It’s such an honour to see our game recognised as Game of the Year at the AGDAs,” said Powerhoof co-founder Dave Lloyd. “It’s been a long journey, but we’re thrilled that a game we started making in 2019 has resonated with so many players.”
The Drifter is an innovative take on the classic 2D point-and-click adventure, focused on fast-paced storytelling, gorgeous pixel art, and captivating voice acting. When asked why The Drifter was the Game of the Year, one judge commented that it’s “a title that oozes polish from every pore, it expands the possibilities of the genre while delivering an experience that captures the essence of Australian-made excellence.”
Other winners at the AGDAs include Mars rover builder Mars First Logistics (Shape Shop), musical puzzle game Tempopo (Witch Beam), a haunting debut called PROXIMATE by solo-developer Cain Maddox, and more.
“This year’s winners and finalists demonstrate the creativity and diversity radiating from Australia’s games industry. With unique submissions across every category, our panel of judges had the difficult task of narrowing the field down to three finalists and ultimately selecting winners. On behalf of IGEA, I extend my congratulations to all the 2025 AGDAs winners and thank the judges for their invaluable input,” said Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA.
The awards also recognise studios and individuals who contribute to the growth of the industry. Studio of the Year was awarded to Massive Monster, the Melbourne-based team behind the 2022 hit Cult of the Lamb. They have been celebrated for their ongoing global success and strong contribution supporting the Australian game developer community, especially marginalised creators.
Aiden Gyory, Adelaide based game developer was awarded the 2025 Rising Star Award for his dedication to supporting growth in the local game development community, but also running game development training courses with schools and universities.
This year’s Adam Lancman Award was awarded to Antony Reed, director of ANZ & SEA at Epic Games. Tony has been an incredibly strong advocate for the Australian game development sector with numerous studios and individuals still working in the sector today thanks to the foundations and support provided by Tony.
“Australian studios continue to develop games that exceed expectations. The AGDAs celebrate this creativity and determination, whilst highlighting the unique stories that our community brings to gaming. Support from federal and state governments is providing opportunities for Australian developers to produce innovative experiences enjoyed by gamers worldwide,” said Curry.
Please see the full list of the AGDAs 2025 winners below:
Interviews with award winners may be available on request
About the AGDAs
The Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs) are a national event celebrating outstanding games and individual achievements by the Australian game development community. Since 2020, the AGDAs have been run by the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) – the peak industry association representing the voice of Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video games industry.
About IGEA
IGEA (Interactive Games & Entertainment Association) is the peak industry association representing the voice of Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video games industry. IGEA supports the games industry’s business and public policy interests through advocacy, research and education programs.
Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment to Release the Theatrical Feature in Australia on December 4, 2025
Crunchyroll announced today it has acquired select international theatrical distribution rights for EMEA, Latin American and APAC to JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution. Released outside of Japan as JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution, Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment brings the theatrical feature to cinemas nationwide in original Japanese on December 4 in Australia.
For the first time on the big screen, the Shibuya Incident—the greatest battle in JUJUTSU KAISEN to date—will be presented in a special compilation format. Additionally, JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution presents the debut of the first two episodes of Season 3’s upcoming arc, “Culling Game Part 1” ahead of its January 2026 streaming debut. By connecting the directly linked episodes of the “Shibuya Incident” and “Culling Game,” arcs, the story transforms into a new experience crafted specially for the big screen.
In “Culling Game,” Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu—the protagonist of JUJUTSU KAISEN 0—finally enters the fray. Appointed by the higher ups of the jujutsu world as Yuji Itadori’s executioner, Yuta must turn his blade on Yuji. The highly anticipated battle between Satoru Gojo’s two beloved students unfolds on the big screen.
JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution will be released domestically in Japan under the title “JUJUTSU KAISEN: The Movie – Shibuya Incident Special Edition x Culling Game Advance Screening” on November 7, 2025. The upcoming theatrical feature was just announced as a part of the “Jujutsu Kaisen Anime 5th Anniversary Special Live Stream.” The announcement was made alongside the reveal of the beloved series’ upcoming third season airdate, and accompanying new theatrical Key Visual and Season 3 trailer.
The JUJUTSU KAISEN anime series, produced by TOHO animation, animated by the legendary MAPPA studio, and based on the best-selling manga of the same name by Gege Akutami, published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, first aired in October 2020. It has since become a true global and pop culture phenomenon. The wildly popular series wrapped up its second season in December, 2023 and was awarded “Anime of the Year” at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, among many other prizes. Earlier this year, Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment released JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – The Movie in select international territories.JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – The Movie was the first new release from the JUJUTSU KAISEN property since the end of the series’ second season, and the first theatrical feature from the franchise since JUJUTSU KAISEN 0which grossed over $188 million globally.JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution is the latest theatrical release from the JUJUTSU KAISEN property, featuring the debut of all new content from the upcoming Season 3.
Synopsis:
A veil abruptly descends over the busy Shibuya area amid the bustling Halloween crowds, trapping countless civilians inside. Satoru Gojo, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, steps into the chaos. But lying in wait are curse users and spirits scheming to seal him away.
Yuji Itadori, accompanied by his classmates and other top-tier jujutsu sorcerers, enters the fray in an unprecedented clash of curses — the Shibuya Incident.
In the aftermath, ten colonies across Japan are transformed into dens of curses in a plan orchestrated by Noritoshi Kamo, the most wicked sorcerer in history. As the deadly Culling Game starts, Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji’s execution for his perceived crimes.
The desperate confrontation between Satoru Gojo’s two beloved students comes to the big screen with an early preview. Be the first to experience Yuji and Yuta’s fateful battle with the hotly anticipated kickoff to Season 3 in cinemas nationwide.
Remastered Map Features New ASA Creatures Megaraptor and Deinonychus; Download Elderclaw Now With Lost Colony Expansion Pass Content Drop
SEATTLE, WA – October 7, 2025 – Studio Wildcard today announced that Valguero Ascended, the fully remastered version of the fan-favorite ARK: Survival Evolved expansion map, is now available for free in ARK: Survival Ascended.
In Valguero Ascended, the ultimate survival experience is sharper, wilder, and deadlier than ever across a vast, diverse world waiting to be explored. Here is where medieval legend and ancient memory intertwine – rolling highlands and towering White Cliffs lie in the shadow of crumbling relics long reclaimed by time. Joining this haunting landscape is the vicious new Megaraptor, a ruthless predator that now stalks prey alongside Valguero’s classic Deinonychus.
The Fantastic Tames: Elderclaw also debuts today, a free new creature for Survivors who own the Lost Colony: Expansion Pass and available separately after January. Lost Colony is the first all-original adventure for ARK: Survival Ascended, a journey into a frozen world where Survivors follow Mei Yin (voiced by Michelle Yeoh in ARK: The Animated Series) on a soul-searching quest deep into the chilling heart of darkness to find answers to long-buried secrets of ARK’s past.
VALGUERO ASCENDED FEATURES
Over 63 kilometers of new land and sea to explore!
Ten distinct biomes: From the glowing reimagined Tundra where beauty veils lethal cold, to towering Redwoods, sweeping White Cliffs, dense jungles, frozen snowfields, pine and oak forests, and luminous deepsea ocean where the shadowed abyss of the Aberration Trench lies.
Megaraptor – Winner of ARK’s community creature vote, the Megaraptor is a free new creature for Valguero Ascended. Watch your backs, Survivors! Outwit the stealthiest hunter on the ARKS, and turn the hunter into the hunted in the epic new boss fight!
Deinonychus – A cliff-leaping predator whose sickle-shaped claws find prey with terrifying speed, tearing into the living as its victims struggle. Whether it’s clinging to cliffs or clawing through your defenses, it’s a creature you won’t want to underestimate!
LOST COLONY EXPANSION PASS CONTENT DROP
Fantastic Tames: Elderclaw – A mystical forest guardian raised from seedlings, this towering forest guardian is both protector and predator, a primal force bound to the heart of the forest.
Additionally, ARK: Survival Ascended has been further optimized for enhanced performance across a wider array of hardware, including NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 1080 series cards and handheld devices such as Steam Deck and ROG Ally X.
ARK: Survival Ascended includes access to all of ARK’s worlds, including Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, ARK Genesis Part 1 and Part 2, and now Valguero! Available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC and Steam, players will create a Survivor, form a tribe, and then tame, train, breed & ride dinosaurs within a living ecosystem.
For the latest updates, join the ARK Survivor’s conversation on Discord, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, visit our website at playark.com and watch us tame ‘n train leviathan dinosaurs on Twitch.TV.
ABOUT STUDIO WILDCARD Since revealing its flagship game ARK: Survival Evolved in 2015, Studio Wildcard has tirelessly strived to bring its dinosaur-filled vision to the masses. With millions of players worldwide, the team has delivered an amazing amount of new content and leveraged cutting-edge technology to keep fans engaged. With a transmedia universe, the ARK story can be discovered on all gaming platforms, within spin-off titles, and now as a new epic narrative featuring a star-studded cast in ARK: The Animated Series on Paramount+. www.studiowildcard.com
Rankings by Revenue Places Kingston No. 1 with 66% Market Share
Recognized World Leader for 22 Consecutive Years
Australia – October 8, 2025 – Kingston Technology, a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announced it has been ranked top third-party DRAM module supplier in the world, according to the latest rankings by revenue from analyst firm TrendForce. Kingston retains its number 1 position with an estimated 66% market share. TrendForce states DRAM module sales rose 7% YoY in 2024, reversing the previous year’s decline. Kingston maintained a strong market share, though its revenue growth slowed due to weaker consumer demand in the second half of 2024.
According to the report, the world’s top five memory module houses accounted for 81% of total sales in 2024, with the top eight accounting for 83%. The results reinforced Kingston’s dominance as the clear leader in DRAM module production, as the second-place supplier accounted for only 5 percent of the total market share. At the end of Q4 2023, DRAM suppliers began prioritizing high bandwidth memory and server-grade DDR5 products. This strategic shift resulted in tighter availability of other DRAM types, driving up demand and pushing overall prices higher. In response, module manufacturers increased procurement and replenished inventory, contributing to a total market revenue of $13.3 billion in 2024. However, in the latter half of the year, rising module prices began to suppress demand, ultimately limiting sales growth.
In 2024, Kingston released a limited edition racecar inspired version for the Kingston FURY Renegade line. The Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5 RGB Limited Edition featured a striking new curved design reminiscent of modern racecars and leveraged the latest technology to achieve an aggressive speed of 8000MT/s, that fueled extreme overclocking potential while minimizing performance bottlenecks. In addition, Kingston released the Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5 CUDIMMs, compatible with Intel’s new 800-series chipset (formerly codenamed Arrow Lake). The introduction of overclockable DDR5 CUDIMM modules allows broader reach of professionals who demand top-tier performance and want to push the limits of their systems without compromising signal integrity.
“The 2024 findings from TrendForce reflect the company’s ongoing strength and adaptability in the face of yet another demanding business year.” said Kingston. “This milestone not only reaffirms Kingston’s dominant presence in the market but also underscores the company’s resilience and significance within the industry, as we now proudly maintain our top position for the 22nd consecutive year.”
From big data to IoT devices, including laptops, PCs, and wearable technology, Kingston Technology is dedicated to delivering top-tier product solutions, service, and support. Trusted by leading PC manufacturers and global cloud providers, we value our long-term partnerships that help us evolve and innovate. We ensure every solution meets the highest standards by prioritizing quality and customer care. At every step, we listen, learn, and engage with our customers and partners to deliver solutions that make a lasting impact. To learn more about Kingston Technology and our “Built on Commitment” vision, visit Kingston.com.
Silent Hill is a franchise that has long struggled with trying to find its new identity, or at least one that would resonate with fans. When Konami struck gold with Silent Hill 2 it drew the survival horror franchise into the spotlight and, at least for a bit, the developers managed to find a groove with Silent Hill 3, The Room, and even Origins being successes to lesser degrees. Unfortunately that rhythm went completely off-beat after the odd decisions made that saw Downpour and Book of Memories nearly kill the franchise entirely, putting it on ice for over twelve years that even a highly anticipated continuation couldn’t thaw out. Then just last year Konami came back with a vengeance, taking a big risk with not only putting out a full blown remake of their golden game, Silent Hill 2, but also establishing a brand new game that would put a whole new spin on the franchise’s formula. Carrying with it the writing of the talented Ryukishi07 and setting it an entirely new location to make its mark, Silent Hill f feels like the start of what could easily be a resurgence in the making for this beloved survival horror franchise.
Story
In the small fictional town of Ebisugaoka in rural Japan a teenage girl named Shimizu Hinako is struggling to find her way forward in life in the 1960s. At home her father is an angry drunk that berates her mother relentlessly and threatens Hinako for the slightest challenge in the pinnacle example of patriarchal fatherhood and her only dearest family member, her older sister, left the home once she was married. Hinako has never been one to let life choose her path or follow what is “expected” of a girl, often wanting to play with the other boys and fantasize about fighting space aliens as a child rather than playing with dolls and this has left her with only a close friend Shu and two girls Rinko and Sakuko amongst the small town’s residents. Upon leaving her home after a particularly nasty fight with her father, Hinako heads into town only to find no one until she gathers up with the rest of her friends.
Despite finally being among some friendly faces, things quickly take a turn for the worse when a strange fog rolls into town and starts sprouting red spider lilies from everything, including the flesh of Sakuko who is caught in the initial wave. Separated by the fog and fleeing the monsters within, Hinako soon finds herself battling nightmarish creatures of twisted limbs and smiling faces wielding knives, spewing acid, and worse as the town becomes increasingly involved in the ever-growing fleshy growths and deadly flowers, all while trying to reconnect with her surviving friends and find a way to escape this strange fog, even if it means taking and trekking through numerous back-routes, solving numerous puzzles, and dealing with an incredibly mysterious other realm to do so.
Silent Hill f handles its storyline shockingly well given the way that it is designed. Almost everything is left very vague and confusing as Hinako continues her journey, with players finding various documents and hints throughout the game that show some extra tidbits of lore about the region, local folk remedies, divine beasts, and more. Even Hinako’s own journal is updated as players progress with the character making her own notes and thoughts on characters changing as the story advances. Players will slowly watch Hinako encounter and deal with mysterious horrors all while falling deeper into some of the most gruesome scenes that have come out of the Silent Hill franchise. This veil of mystery is one that is slowly thinned around some aspects throughout the player’s time with the game but is thickened even further when it comes to others, and there is a good reason for that.
You see, everything about Hinako is how she wants to be her own person, have her own thoughts and dreams, but ironically that cannot happen at least not at first in an unique but very fitting design choice that always locks players into one ending their first time through Silent Hill f. This ending is a bit on the abrupt side and leaves so many questions left unanswered, but again there is good reason as the title quite literally provides a list of other endings right there on the main menu and some clues on how to obtain them. As such when players begin their New Game+ they will also instantly notice that things have changed and while we won’t spoil them here, it is explicitly clear how much effort was put to make sure that any second or even third, since one ending does require three playthroughs to access, as not only cutscenes have been altered, new clues and bits of context are dropped into the world, but even new puzzles and other elements have been modified to better expand upon Hinako’s reality, especially depending on the variety of endings that players can attempt to go for with some stark contrasts between them.
Gameplay
Considering the setting is 1960s Japan and Hinako herself is meant to be a teenager, it is worth noting that Silent Hill f has taken a rather drastic step away from most of the usual combat expectations that fans have known in the past. There are no firearms of any kind, ironically not even a bow and arrow which would at least fit the theme, instead Hinako will be exploring her fog filled town with only melee weapons as her means of self-defense. The title uses a standard over-the-shoulder camera angle for exploration with players able to pick up items, notes, and interact with the environment with one simple action button. While the title may appear open, players are generally funneled in one path towards their goal but there are some side-paths and ways to backtrack here and there that can have rewards tucked away at the end. Initially Hinako only has so many inventory spaces, though more can be acquired by picking up collectables tucked away off the beaten path, so players will need to be careful of what they are actually carrying around as any “discarded” items are lost forever and while some inventory items such as snacks, drinks, and bandages stack, health kits and more powerful drinks don’t.
Nearly every item, as long as it is something edible, can be exchanged at save points called “Hokora” that are little shrines. These items, as well as those directly meant as offerings, are sacrificed in exchange for “Faith” points that have a number of key uses. Fath can be used to restore Hinako’s health and sanity if players are playing on a harder combat difficulty, used to obtain omamori charms that can be equipped to provide various bonuses such as increased health, stamina, etc., or with the use of an Ema plaque as well, used to increase Hinako’s Health, Sanity, or Stamina meter. This means players who want to try and make the most out of their points will want to save items available for offerings where they can and use bandages and first aid kits instead to manage their health.
Now back to combat. As mentioned before, all fights in Silent Hill f are done through melee weapons and while it is possible to simply run away from a lot of encounters, many enemies are quite quick and are either blocking something useful or players will be blocked in until all foes are defeated. Hinako will come across a variety of melee weapons in the town including hand scythes, lead pipes, axes, crowbars, and more and each of these has a unique but unshown damage and durability value. Almost every weapon has a durability limit and, unless repaired with a toolkit, will shatter when depleted in a fight and since Hinako can only carry so many at a time, they are a valuable resource.
Hinako has three different bars that players will need to keep an eye on while dealing with enemies. The health bar of course, a stamina meter that quickly recharges unless depleted completely, and a sanity meter depicted by flowers. The sanity gauge is expended whenever players use the “focus” mechanic that allows for players to either charge up a powerful attack or trigger a counter attack against an enemy that is about to hit them with a wide-swing. Unfortunately, going for a focus attack or being hit while in focus mode will deplete Hinako’s maximum sanity meter until she either uses an item or returns to a Hokora and if she has no sanity at all, she will directly take health damage instead. It is also worth noting that some enemy attacks and environmental objects can dish out sanity damage as well, so players will always need to keep an eye out for what the opponent is doing and either dodge accordingly or back-up and gain room for a counter-blow.
Dodging is handled simply enough, with Hinako able to perform two dodges in succession before halting and every enemy attack can be dodged, including “perfect dodges” that automatically refill Hinako’s stamina meter to give her either more opportunities to go back on the attack or straight up run away from a fight. Now it is interesting to note that while Hinako does fight like this most of the time, when she is in the mysterious other realm best called the “Dark Shrine” the game forgoes weapon durability entirely. Here Hinako will gain weaponry that has no durability limit and also, later in the game, a slew of new abilities as well that turn her into something of a powerhouse. In fact, the combat in these late game sections nearly turned the game’s combat system around entirely, making it easy to slay anything in her way.
Something that is a bit of an issue is unfortunately the enemy variation. While we will go over the bosses in a moment, the standard enemies that players will encounter are shockingly limited, both in the standard world as well as the other realm. There are some slight cosmetic differences but many even feature the same style of attack, so players will generally quickly get into the rhythm of fighting these enemies or, most likely, know how to duck around them easily in situations that allow it due to their repetitive nature. Thankfully the boss fights are a far cry different and while there aren’t a whole ton of boss fights throughout Silent Hill f, they all have their own unique mechanics and elements players will need to adapt for and, depending on the ending players are targeting, will find even different final bosses that help make things even more unique.
On the flip side of combat we have the classic puzzles and Silent Hill f has more than enough to please any fan of the franchise. There are three difficulty levels for puzzles as well as the aforementioned combat, though the third “Lost in the Fog” is locked until the players beat the game once. While combat differences are straightforward, puzzle difficulty is a bit more interesting as each setting adds another layer of complexity to the puzzles. “Story” will highlight clues blatantly in Hinako’s notebook and often only require one or two items to solve a puzzle, “Hard” is the standard difficulty and keep players guessing and needing to figure out clues properly, while “Lost in the Fog” gets even more complex. These puzzles range everywhere from having to track down very specific plaques, deciphering “girltalk”, maneuvering through a maze, matching pictures to clues, and more. And that’s nothing compared to the one puzzle we won’t spoil that is available in New Game+. This level of complexity is extremely welcome and rarely does it feel unfair, making it feel like a perfect fit for the franchise.
Audio & Visuals
Silent Hill f looks outstanding and takes the aesthetics of a rural Japanese village in the 1960s to their limits. Players may do a bit of backtracking here and there but exploring the world and seeing various elements of the life that used to thrive there and has since vanished is outstanding. The designs of the Dark Shrine half of the gameplay are also similarly well-designed with a creepy atmosphere that fits the otherworldly nataure perfectly. There are some particularly gruesome and violent looking cutscenes scattered throughout the game as well as plenty of gore, even for a Silent Hill game, so those that may be squeamish should beware. It is worth noting that the enemy designs are handled fairly well with some decent variation, but as mentioned earlier the amount of actual enemy types and fighting styles quickly grows tedious, with boss lights and some creepy puzzles being the best standouts in these moments. It is a bit unfortunate that some elements of classic Silent Hill don’t make much of a return here visually or audibly. There is no radio to warn of nearby threats or even a flashlight and the fog itself often feels more like something the developer team needed to include to call the game a Silent Hill game. Nor is there really that sense of being closed off from the rest of the world through bottomless chasms beyond the sequences in the Dark Shrine.
As for the voice work, Konami has brought something of a mixed bag here. The English voice actors do a decent job handling their characters here but when compared to the Japanese dub it is quite clear that most of the effort went into recruiting a proper fitting Japanese voice cast as the characters sound far better with the Japanese dub. Thankfully the voice track can be altered at any time so players can test it out a bit if they want to see what works for them. The soundtrack is decidedly designed around the setting and theme of the game, utilizing classic period-appropriate Japanese background music that does an excellent job throughout the entire game.
Overall
Silent Hill f takes the franchise and forgoes its Western influences and instead steeps itself back in the Japanese folklore and mythology that has gone long untapped. Thanks to the level of unique mythology and horrors that are on display here as well as the unique take on Hinako’s storyline, including the fact that things change noticeably past an initial playthrough make this an exciting and chilling new entry in a franchise begging for reinvention and now that it has been given some revised if slightly awkward and repetitive combat and plenty of fitting puzzles, those looking for a great survival horror game, especially one that has all the makings of being a great fresh step for the Silent Hill franchise, albeit one that feels a little shoehorned at places, will find Silent Hill f a great leap in the right direction.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Deep Dungeon, Allied Society Quests and Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures Also Feature in Latest Update
8th October, 2025 – Today, SQUARE ENIX launched Patch 7.35 for FINAL FANTASY™ XIV Online, marking the launch of the highly anticipated crossover with Capcom Co., Ltd’s Monster Hunter Wilds followingits announcement during Opening Night Live at Gamescom 2025.
The crossover, which was first showcased by FFXIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida alongside Monster Hunter WildsProducer Ryozo Tsujimoto during the show, challenges players to take on the fearsome Guardian Arkveld in both Normal and Extreme difficulties in return for a number of exciting in-game rewards, including a Mount, Minions, Housing Items and more!
The trailer for the crossover can be viewed below:
For the latest information on the FINAL FANTASY XIV x Monster Hunter Wilds crossover, please visit the website: https://sqex.to/3YOy9
Pilgrim’s Traverse, a new Deep Dungeon, is also set to launch with Patch 7.35 and includes a variety of new ways to play, either solo or as part of a fixed party. A challenge log, changes to restart restrictions and variable difficulty boss encounters are just some of the ways a wide variety players will be able to enjoy this latest offering!
Patch 7.35 also contains other updates and additions, including:
With more than 30 million total registered accounts, there has never been a better time for newcomers to begin their adventures in the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga. The Free Trial includes all content from A Realm Reborn, the Heavensward and Stormblood expansions (and updates through Patch 4.58). Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to three full FINAL FANTASY titles, without limit on playtime. More information can be found at: https://sqex.to/FFXIVFreeTrial
About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX and TAITO branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories 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 203 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 94 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
Nicktoons: The Dice of Destiny brings back old favourites in a competent and delightful way. Join us as we give Timmy Turner, Spongebob, and more a spin in this new collaborative effort as our heroes seek to recover some infamous dice.
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a vibrant action‑RPG where your favorite Nickelodeon heroes are reborn as fantasy adventurers. Developed by Petit Fabrik and Fair Play Labs and published by GameMill Entertainment, this crossover lets you roll the dice and explore fantasy‑twisted versions of Nickelodeon worlds. Play as characters like SpongeBob, Katara, Leonardo, Timmy Turner, and more—each reimagined into RPG classes with distinct powers and playstyles.
Combat is fast‑paced and fluid, with real‑time actions, spellcasting, melee combos, and cooperative synergy playing a central role. Venture through whimsical lands inspired by Bikini Bottomshire or Fire Nation, uncover secrets, solve puzzles, upgrade gear, and build a party of up to four players in local co‑op or solo mode. With dynamic environments and epic boss battles—like facing Azula or Plankton—this is a fantasy adventure made for fans and newcomers alike.
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny Developer: Petit Fabrik / Fair Play Labs Publisher: GameMill Entertainment Platform: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam) Release Date: September 30, 2025 Price: $49.99 Standard, $59.99 Digital Deluxe
Recommended – “Despite being a bit lacking of proper challenge, Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny stands out for being an excellent homage to television greats, blending a fun tale with accessible and competent gameplay.”
New “Flash 3-Holes” matches, IEGF rankings coming to Meta Quest, Steam, and Pico
Madrid, SPAIN — Oct. 7, 2025 — Golf 5, the gorgeous, physics-driven VR golf game developed by AAA Game Studios, tees up a bevy of new content in the Playoff Edition update, including new gameplay modes and visual enhancements, swinging to Meta Quest, SteamVR, and Pico 4 on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025.
Step up to the first tee (literally) as VR’s most realistic golf game updates both casual and competitive play. Jump into quick 3-hole matches with Flash 3 Holes Mode, continuously play the best shots of online foursomes in Scramble Mode, or try 2 vs. 2 Fourball Mode, where duos only count their lowest scores each hole. The greens have never looked greener, thanks to the visual overhaul of the Forest Parkland, Tropical Paradise and Golden Dunes courses.
Set the course record on four original golf tracks with both 9 and 18 hole matches. Play on authentic recreations of seven real-world courses that host professional tournaments, including St. Andrews Old Course, Valderrama, Sunningdale Old, Royal County Down and the rest of the rota courses for The Open, all unlockable through play or purchasable through the in-game store.
It’s all in the wrists! Angle the golf club downward through impact to keep the ball low and underneath the wind, or swing inwards and outwards to apply sidespin. Warm up on the driving range, practice short game on the putting green, and earn various Callaway clubsets while climbing the ranks. Try out WIPP (Wood, Iron, Pitch, Putt) Mode for closest-to-the-pin challenges, or putt around obstacles in Minigolf Mode for fun-filled casual competitions.
Enjoy dozens of quality-of-life updates, including a refreshed pre-match main menu reminiscent of elegant, private country clubs. Swing from either side of the ball with added left and right-hand swing support for either controller, added golf controller attachment settings, and various bug fixes for enhanced game stability.
“The Playoff Edition update is like Golf 5 2.0, and we’ve added a ton of great content that both casual players and competitive golfers will enjoy,“ said Antonio Marín, CEO and co-founder of AAA Game Studios. “Newcomers can immerse themselves in the high-fidelity visuals, sights, and sounds, and competitive golfers will find that their real-world golf tendencies will carry over to VR, which is a testament to the realism and quality of the physics engine.”
Golf5 eClub’sMatch Play Edition update will hit the course on SteamVR, Meta Quest, and Pico 4 on Tuesday, Nov. 11. It will include English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese language support.
AAA Game Studios is a team of twenty-five members who are equal parts game developers and golf aficionados, specializing in the creation of golf gaming experiences. Their most recent title, Golf5 eClub, is the second-most downloaded golf game on Meta Quest and also available on both Steam VR and Pico.
