These fluffy sheep need herding, are you up for the task?
[Lyon, France – October 1, 2025] — Grab your friends and family for some cute, cozy chaos in Sheepherds! Following their prominent feature in the Six One Indie Showcase, Ultimo Disco is excited to reveal that players can get their paws on a brand new demo in time for October Next Fest! With eight levels to enjoy, a new 3D lobby for players preparing to manage their flock, a first look into the story woven within Sheepherds!, more new language options, and so much more to discover, the new demo is a pawesome good time.
Sheepherds! is a cozy co-op game where you play as an energetic sheepdog, whose job is herding colorful sheep and collecting their wool. Sheepherds! is all party, zero stress, and will have you and your fellow sheepdogs (and the potential pig) woofing with joy! Customize your dog to be the goodest pup, with 5 starting breeds and over10 unlockable breeds, as well as various fur patterns and goofy outfits, as you prepare to go on a collaborative sheepherding adventure!
New with the Steam Next Fest Demo:
New 3D Lobby – While you’re waiting for your herding companions to join you, unleash your sheepdog’s playful side and have some fun in the new lobby! Whether you’re playing soccer, taking cute selfies, or just relaxing, the lobby is a new addition all players can enjoy!
Enter the Glowing Fields!– Included in the eight available maps, silly sheepdogs can now enter the Glowing Fields map for the first time! The Mossy Highlands map also has some improvements from the August Playtest — give it another run and explore what’s new.
New Languages – The team at Ultimo Disco is working tirelessly to make Sheepherds! accessible to more users globally, and have successfully implemented nine new languages being added in this demo build (French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Portuguese (Brazil), Korean, Japanese, German, Russian, and Spanish).
Story Elements – Sheepherders will be able to get a first look into the overlying narrative within Sheepherds! We won’t spoil anything here… but check your mailbox for a certain letter in the hub!
Quality of Life Fixes – With new difficulty settings, additional support settings and hints for keyboard, Xbox and PlayStation controllers, and improved timed challenges reinvented, everyone can play Sheepherds! free of stress as intended.
Begin herding your fluffy flock in the Sheepherds! Steam Next Fest demo, available September 29th on Steam! Eager sheepherders can wishlist the game now.
Key Features:
Master the flock – The sheep follow and influence each other, just like in real life. Learn to manage them like a good sheepdog, by positioning yourself strategically and barking at just the right moment! Or, just do whatever: after all, you’re a dog.
Spice it up with bonus challenges – Add an extra layer of depth with optional challenges designed to test your skills and teamwork. These features provide a rewarding experience for those seeking more engaging gameplay, while remaining entirely optional for a relaxed session.
Not just any dog – your dog – Turn your well-earned treats into exciting rewards! Unlock a variety of stylish accessories, colorful outfits, and unique skins to personalize your sheepdog. From corgis to pugs, choose from 15 different lovable breeds. Mix and match your favorite combinations to create a look that perfectly reflects your style and makes your dog stand out in the flock.
Small scope, big heart – Sheepherds! doesn’t try to do everything—it focuses on what matters most: cooperation and playfulness. Every detail, from the sheep’s behaviors to the lovingly crafted landscapes, is designed to deliver a polished experience that will leave you smiling.
Herd with friends near and far – Although it can be enjoyed solo, Sheepherds! is designed to be played together, whether you’re side by side on the couch or connecting from across the globe. The game supports both local co-op and a fully integrated online multiplayer mode, making it easy to team up with friends wherever they are.
About Ultimo Disco
Ultimo Disco is an indie team based in Lyon, France, formed by five passionate developers who collectively bring 29 years of experience and 11 released games. Most team members previously worked at Mi-Clos Studio.
About Yahaha Games
Yahaha Games is the publishing partner behind Sheepherds!. Backed by Yahaha Studios, a 3D UGC platform and Diamond Sponsor at GDC 2023, the label launched in 2024 and is dedicated to bringing standout indie titles to global players.
A haunting journey begins this November! Demo now available on Steam
[October 1st, 2025] – The nightmare draws closer. Dark Atlas: Infernum, the psychological survival horror title from Night Council Studio and publisher SelectaPlay, has officially revealed its release date during the Horror Game Awards Showcase. The game will launch on November 14th, introducing players to a twisted world of terror and fractured reality. Alongside the announcement, a free playable demo is now available on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest as well as on PS5, giving players an early taste of the horrors that await.
In Dark Atlas, you step into the role of Natalia Asensio, Grand Master of a secret esoteric order. As the world crumbles and interdimensional horrors seep into reality, Natalia awakens in a dark, dust-filled basement drugged, disoriented, and plagued by disembodied voices whispering cryptic orders. She must confront a terrifying blend of physical and psychological threats, where every step could lead to salvation… or madness.
Every corner of Dark Atlas: Infernum is designed to unsettle. From spine-chilling soundscapes to meticulously detailed environments, the game immerses players in a bleak, oppressive atmosphere where the only escape may be through the dark corners of the mind.
Key Features:
Psychological Survival Horror: Navigate collapsing dimensions and unravel Natalia’s fractured identity in a narrative-driven horror experience.
Immersive First-Person Gameplay: Engage with disturbing environments and uncover secrets using caution, not confrontation.
Stealth and Strategy: Avoid enemies through the clever use of darkness and environmental awareness. Stay hidden, stay alive.
Atmospheric Worldbuilding: Explore interconnected indoor and outdoor areas crafted to fuel tension and discovery.
Art and Audio Excellence: A visual and sonic experience crafted to blur the line between reality and nightmare.
Dark Atlas: Infernum launches November 14th on Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Players can wishlist the game now and experience the horror firsthand with the demo, live now on Steam and PS5. Those looking to manifest their fears further can pre-order the physical edition for PlayStation 5 starting today.
About SelectaPlay
SelectaPlay is SelectaVisión’s video game publishing branch. The company partners with talented studios to publish unique titles in both physical and digital formats across Europe and worldwide.
About Night Council Studio
Night Council Studio is an independent video game developer based in Spain. Dark Atlas: Infernum — successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter and nominated in the categories of Best Narrative, Best Soundtrack, and Game of the Year at the VII edition of the PlayStation Awards — is the studio’s debut title.
New video showcases five dangers the players will face in the subzero world of this story based sandbox
Oberhaching, Germany, October 1, 2025 – Humanity is on the brink of extinction. Rivaling factions battle for supremacy. Communication lines as we know them ceased to exist. Explore a frozen wasteland and try to survive in the aftermath of a cataclysmic event.
But in the open world of Permafrost, a hardcore survival experience from SpaceRocket Games and Toplitz Productions, the cold is not the only danger you’ll encounter. Death can lurk behind every corner and can even hide behind the unexpected. Join us for a video journey into the unknown dangers of a world thrown into chaos as you navigate the white hell of Permafrost and prepare yourself for an intense survival experience.
Grab your gear, don’t forget the dog treats and get ready to face a story-fueled sandbox survival adventure in sub-zero temperatures. Call on your friends, as you explore, build and craft in an unforgiving environment with up to four participants in co-operative multiplayer. Or try to brave the cold alone, only with your canine companion at your side.
Main Features:
Survival in a Harsh Environment Adapt to the perpetual winter by scavenging for resources, hunting rare animals, and crafting essential tools for survival amidst the unforgiving elements. Adapt to the conditions and learn to adapt to ensure survival.
Base Building and Crafting Construct shelters, cultivate areas to grow food, and develop technology with upcycled materials to thrive in the icy expanse, utilizing blueprints and engineering skills to create essential structures and equipment to make destroyed buildings accessible and useful.
Cold Zones Explore cold zones that will test your resolve and skill for additional resources and other valuable loot, scout and restore buildings and even create new living space for you and others.
Dog Companion A rescued dog serves as a canine early warning and faithful companion, utilizing its keen sense of smell and awareness when roaming the wilderness. Your canine companion also helps carry items.
Multiplayer Co-op: Go alone or join forces with friends in online co-op to scavenge, craft, build and survive a brutal world utilizing resources to forge an existence in a sub zero climate.
Permafrost will be available on PC in Early Access. More information on the game can be found on the official Steam product page, where the game can already be wishlisted. Or join the active Discord community to stay up-to-date with all news and discussions about the game.
About SpaceRocket Games SpaceRocket games was founded in 2023. However, the seeds of what would become the flagship project, Permafrost, were sown a bit earlier. Initially, in December 2022, a dedicated trio began to mold the prototype in a somewhat informal setting. Fast forward to the present, and our team has expanded to 15 members. This diverse group consists of talented game designers, programmers, and graphic artists. Our ranks include both individuals just making their debut in the game development world and seasoned veterans who’ve contributed to numerous projects.
About Toplitz Productions The German-Austrian publisher, whose name originates from the mysterious Toplitz Lake in the heart of Austria, develops and publishes games with “heart & soul” for all platforms. The company consists of a healthy mix of experienced industry veterans and young talents, all of whom are passionate gamers. They enjoy working with creative developers on many exciting titles, such as those from the “Dynasty” and “Giant” series.
EXTENDED LOOK REVEALS NEW TRAILER, GAMEPLAY DEEP DIVE, AND FIRST HANDS-ON REACTIONS
Sydney, Australia – October 1st, 2025 – Vertigo Games, in collaboration with Maze Theory and Eidos-Montréal, today presents an extended look at the upcoming Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow, a fully immersive stealth experience set to launch later this year on PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S, and PC VR.
In the Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow Gameplay Premiere video, host Dan Maher takes viewers to a special preview event in London, England. The video features a brand-new gameplay trailer, an extended look at gameplay with Vertigo Games’ Principal Game Designer Nick Witsel, and first reactions from media and creators who played the game for the first time at the event.
Gameplay Trailer
Extended Gameplay
London Event First Reactions
ABOUT THIEF VR: LEGACY OF SHADOW
The City is a place of shadows, ruled by the tyrant Baron Ulysses Northcrest. You are Magpie, a cunning thief shaped by the streets, who steals as the only means to survive until uncovering something greater: a legendary artifact holding a legacy from the past.
Experience the world of Thief for the first time in VR, blending classic stealth gameplay with next-gen immersion. Use your body to sneak past guards and your hands to pickpocket, pry open hidden compartments, and bypass locks through tactile interactions. Wield an array of arrows and tools to distract, disable, or eliminate threats with immersive VR archery as you climb rooftops, sneak through back alleys, and uncover secrets in a dark, steampunk-inspired world. Every heist offers multiple paths and playstyles, whether you sneak past guards unseen or take them down from the shadows.
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow is scheduled for release later this year and is now available to wishlist on PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest, and Steam VR. To stay up to date about Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow and other titles from Vertigo Games, sign up for the newsletter at ThiefVR.com.
About Vertigo Games
Vertigo Games is an award-winning, multi-platform VR publisher and developer with offices in Rotterdam & Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Los Angeles, California. The company offers a portfolio of quality VR games that provide novel, powerful and full-featured gaming experiences. Recent games include Metro Awakening, Arizona Sunshine® Remake, Arizona Sunshine® 2, The 7th Guest VR, and After the Fall®. Vertigo Games is a PLAION Group company. https://vertigo-games.com/.
About Maze Theory
Maze Theory is a pioneering immersive entertainment studio that blends storytelling, technology, and gameplay to redefine the future of interactive experiences. With an award-winning portfolio that includes Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, Doctor Who: The Edge of Reality, and The Infinite Inside, the studio continues to push the boundaries of narrative and immersion.
About Eidos-Montréal
Established in 2007, Eidos-Montréal® is a premiere developer of interactive entertainment based on new intellectual properties and beloved franchises. Renowned as master storytellers, the studio builds immersive worlds and adventures that create lasting memories for players across the globe. Eidos-Montréal crafts its multiple interactive projects with close-knit teams in a hybrid work environment, keeping their focus on creativity and technological innovation. Eidos-Montréal is part of Crystal Dynamics – Eidos, an operative group within Embracer Group AB, which is publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker EMBRAC B. Learn more at eidosmontreal.com.
Slam-dunk your family game nights with hilarious mini-games, customisable players, official NBA mascots, and action-packed multiplayer fun.
Sydney, Australia – 1st October 2025: Get ready to shoot, dribble, dunk, and have a blast as NBA Bounce is out now! Players can hit the court solo or with friends in this fast-paced, family-friendly basketball experience, now available on PlayStation 5® and Nintendo Switch™. And, with the 2025-26 NBA season tipping off in less than a month, and anticipation for another year of incredible highlights running high, NBA Bounce arrives at the perfect time to give fans of all ages their own way to join the excitement!
Published by Outright Games, the leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, and developed by Unfinished Pixel, NBA Bounce brings a colourful and light-hearted spin to the sport, packed with fun game modes, customisation options, and the excitement of playing as your favourite NBA mascots. Whether it’s a quick pick-up game, a full season run, or over 30 unique challenges, NBA Bounce has something for everyone – from lifelong fans to first-time players – inviting all to hit the court, share the fun, and feel the magic of basketball together.
Experience fast-paced, family-friendly basketball action on the court.
Customise your player in your likeness and create unique cartoon avatars
Play as official NBA mascots from your favourite teams
Play locally with up to 4 players for fun-filled family game nights.
Simple controls and multiple difficulty levels make it easy for everyone to join in
Players can create their own basketball star with a huge range of avatar customisation options – from head size and skin tone to clothing, accessories, and over-the-top wacky cartoon designs. All official NBA team mascots are also available to unlock and play, including fan favourites from the Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Accessible and fun for players of all ages, NBA Bounce features simple controls, three difficulty settings, and helpful tutorials to ensure even the youngest rookies can get in on the action. Players can enjoy a variety of modes, from fast-paced 3v3 Quick Matches and full NBA Seasons to custom tournaments for up to four local players. The standout Party Mode adds wild twists each quarter – like shocking Electroball or confetti-filled Ball Pop! – making it the perfect choice for family game nights and friendly rivalries with up to four players sharing the court.
“Launching NBA Bounce today represents a major milestone for Outright Games,” said Stephanie Malham, Managing Director of Outright Games. “Working alongside the NBA, a world-renowned brand with a rich history, has given us the opportunity to develop a game that blends competitive basketball action with accessibility and charm. Basketball is more than just a sport – it’s a global phenomenon whose influence stretches far beyond the court, shaping music, fashion, and culture worldwide. With NBA Bounce, we’ve designed an experience where players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy that same spirit of fast-paced fun, whether playing solo or with family and friends. We’re excited to see families everywhere hit the court and make unforgettable memories together.”
“NBA Bounce represents a meaningful extension of the league’s commitment to engaging fans through innovative and family-friendly experiences,” said Adrienne O’Keeffe, Senior Vice President, Head of Consumer Product Partnerships, NBA. “By combining accessible gameplay with authentic NBA elements, the game offers a unique opportunity for families and younger audiences to connect with the sport in a dynamic and entertaining format.”
Outright Games is a global video games publisher who specialise in bringing quality family entertainment to a worldwide audience. Founded in 2016, Outright Games has established its place in the market delivering engaging interactive games based on beloved entertainment licenses globally. Outright Games brings stories and characters to life with titles including favourites such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game and PAW Patrol World with Paramount Game Studios, Bluey: The Videogame with BBC Studios and Ludo Studio, Barbie Project Friendship with Mattel, Inc. and Peppa Pig: World Adventures with Hasbro. With an Outright Games title there will be fun for all the family to enjoy. For more information please visit: www.outrightgames.com
Perfect Tides: Station to Station, the coming-of-age point n’ click narrative adventure sequel to developer Three Bees’ award-winning Perfect Tides, is set to debut a brand new demo on PC for Steam Next Fest on Oct. 13 – 20, 2025.
Guide 18-year-old Mara through the big city as she starts college to fulfill her dreams of becoming a writer. The charming point-and-click adventure features the signature artwork and incisive, earnest writing of Meredith Gran, creator of the hit webcomic Octopus Pie.
The new demo features a first look at new in-game mechanics. This includes Mara’s expanding and tradable library of books, which further influences her knowledge, writing, and relationships – as well as a new playable “Wyrmies” game on her phone. Choose how Mara spends her time, balancing classes, friendships, and potential romantic relationships, all facilitated through the city’s mass transit system.
Perfect Tides: Station to Station launches on Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac via Steam on January 22, 2026. For more information, please visit the official website, follow the team on Bluesky and Twitter/X, join the community on Discord, and search #PerfectTides on all social media platforms.
About Three Bees
Three Bees is an independent game development studio founded by cartoonist and animator Meredith Gran. From 2007-2017, Meredith wrote and illustrated the webcomic popular Octopus Pie, amassing more than 100,000 readers over its 10-year run.
In 2022 Three Bees released its first title, Perfect Tides, a conduit for explorations of time, love and sexuality, creative drive, and the buried past. Its next title, Perfect Tides: Station to Station, is currently in development. It further meditates on the early years of adulthood, of moments both scarring and sublime. For more information, visit the official website.
AUSTRALIA — September 30, 2025 —Gooey, the sticky precision platformer with a stretchy hero, swings into action with a new demo for October’s Steam Next Fest available now on Steam via PC and Mac, ahead of its launch next year on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
Swing through the night in a neon light as Gooey, a little green goo born in a cutting-edge lab experiment! Test Gooey’s elastic excellence across 50 physics-driven platforming levels. Reach for the stars using Gooey’s sticky extendable arm to grab onto platforms, launch through pipe networks, across conveyor belts, and more, all while avoiding scientific oopsies. Soon you’ll see why the little guy is cool enough to have his own theme song.
Time Gooey’s swings carefully to execute flawless movement-driven combos and put the “go” in “gooey.” Get a swinging start, zoom through pipes, and then harness built-up momentum to close wide gaps in satisfyingly stylish traversal combos. Collect the L-A-B letters scattered across the stage and arrive safely at the Beacon to clear each level.
Create, share, and discover fully-custom cross-platform levels with a robust built-in Level Editor available on both PC and Nintendo Switch! Access an ever-expanding library of community-created levels from the Workshop to never run out of sticky situations.
“We feel like proud parents finally bringing our little green goo of a passion project to life,” said Ben Darling, Co-founder at OG Pixel. “While we’re heavily inspired by retro pixel platforming classics, we couldn’t be more excited to hit the scene with a high-quality 2.5D indie platformer and can’t wait to see what kind of twisted contraptions players cook up in the level editor!”
Gooey’s fresh Steam Next Fest demo is available now on PC and Mac via Steam. Gooey will launch on Steam and Nintendo Switch at a later date. For more information, visit the official Gooey website.
About OG Pixel
OG Pixel is a two-man independent game development studio founded and operated by veteran game developers Phil Brown and Ben Darling. After more than 20 years of game development experience on licensed IPs like Scooby-Doo and Shrek and on titles like Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (PS2/Wii), Phil and Ben formed OG Pixel as their passion project. Their first OG Pixel title Gooey serves as a celebration of the freedom they feel when now working on their first-ever fully original IP.
Experience One of FINAL FANTASY’s Greatest Standalone Tales withEnriched Script, Full Voice Acting, and Enhanced Graphics
SYDNEY (Oct. 1, 2025)– SQUARE ENIX has ushered FINAL FANTASY TACTICS into the modern era with the release of FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles. Widely regarded as the gold standard for tactical RPGs for its strategic combat, deep job system, and one of most unforgettable stories in gaming—the critically acclaimed title, now earning perfect and near-perfect scores worldwide, is now available on Nintendo Switch™ 2, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam® and Steam Deck.
Today’s release comes alongside a brand-new launch trailer, showcasing more footage of the revamped gameplay, voice acting, characters and more.
Check out the two-part Square Enix blog featuring an in-depth interview with Director Kazutoyo Maehiro and Co-Director Ayako Yokoyama, where they share their inspiration behind the new features in FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles, including newly added conversations, voice acting, the State of the Realm system, and more. Read it here: https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_US/news/.
Key features include:
Tactical Battles that Define the Genre – Engage in strategic, turn-based combat across diverse and dynamic terrains where every decision matters. Terrain advantages, unit positioning, and character customization come together to deliver thrilling battles full of unexpected twists. This acclaimed battle system is what makes FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles a quintessential tactical RPG experience.
Robust Job System – Utilize over 20 jobs and 300 abilities, from black mage to dragoon to time mage—each job features a distinct skill kit, which can be further customized by assigning abilities learned from other jobs, providing nearly endless builds and strategies unique to each player’s playstyle.
Enhanced & Classic Versions – The enhanced version of the game includes a breadth of new features such as updated visuals, an overhauled UI, added dialogue and full voice acting alongside quality-of-life enhancements like fast-forward and autosave. The classic version lets players relive the faithful 1997 classic with the renowned War of the Lions translation—discover what made the original a timeless masterpiece.
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles transports players to the war-torn Kingdom of Ivalice, a medieval realm fractured by political infighting, class struggle and the ambitions of rival noble houses in the wake of the Fifty Years’ War. Against this backdrop appear Ramza, third son of House Beoulve, one of Ivalice’s leading military families, and his childhood companion Delita, a commoner raised amongst nobles, who find themselves on opposing sides of a war brewing within the kingdom.
The game is brought to modern platforms by a team that bridges generations, combining original creators with a new roster of talent. Returning to the project are Kazutoyo Maehiro (Director), Hiroshi Minagawa (Art Director), and Yasumi Matsuno (Original Script, Scenario Writer, and Editor), whose visionary work defined the original. They are joined by a new generation of developers, including Shoichi Matsuzawa (Producer) and Ayako Yokoyama (Co-Director), who bring fresh energy and perspective to this ambitious revival.
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles’s voice cast featuring an all-star lineup of new and returning FINAL FANTASY cast members, including Joe Pitts (Ramza), Gregg Lowe (Delita), Hannah Melbourn (Agrias), Timothy Watson (Cidolfus), Harry McEntire (Mustadio), Ben Starr (Dycedarg), and cameos by Cody Christian (Cloud Strife from FINAL FANTASY VII remake series) and Briana White (Aerith Gainsborough from FINAL FANTASY VII remake series) as Cloud and Flower Peddler.
To watch the archived program of Square Enix’s livestream of the game hosted by comedian and YouTube personality Jesse Cox and featuring the English voice actors Joe Pitts (Ramza Beoulve) and Gregg Lowe (Delita Heiral), visit: twitch.tv/SquareEnix.
To watch the voice actor roundtable video, featuring Joe, Gregg, Ben Starr (Dycedarg Beoulve), Eleanor Bennett (Princess Ovelia), Hannah Melbourn (Agrias Oakes), and Timothy Watson (Cidolfus Orlandeau),
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and Steam Deck. For more information, visit:https://finalfantasytactics.com/.
About Square Enix, Inc.
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.
When it comes to the Trails series, the franchise has always had a heck of a daunting shadow hanging over it for possible newcomers. Sure, players could jump into any of the games and try to dive in immediately into this long running JRPG series or even at the start of one of their new arcs, hoping to simply pick up on context clues to the past and guess why these characters are friendly or countries are hostile. But the problem has always been the fact that, for the most part, the Trails series tells a storyline that can be connected all the way from the most recently released in English title The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak IIall the way back to 2004 with The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. Sure, the game has been ported a couple of times, in fact one of those ports was the first time the game was actually released in English back in 2011, but other than a few QoL adjustments, little was done to this title that helped start it all.
So now Nihon Falcom has returned to the beginning of this long fourteen mainline game franchise to remake Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter from the ground up, giving everyone a chance to see just who Estelle is and why this prominent Bracer has appeared in almost, if not every single title since then. Ironically, considering my personal jumping point into the franchise started just after the Trails in the Sky trilogy concluded with Trails from Zero, this served not only as a proper introduction to the very beginning, but a way to see how far the franchise has come.
Story
Set in the country of Liberl our journey begins by following the duel protagonists of Estelle Bright and her adopted brother Joshua who wish to follow in their father, the legendary adventurer Cassius Bright’s footsteps by joining the Bracer Guild and rising up its ranks. The Bravcer Guild is an international organization designed to help protect the civilians of the land and take on odd-jobs that serve to help the people. Despite Estelle’s skill as a warrior, she is a bit of a scatterbrain but thankfully Joshua manages to keep her reigned in with his own skills and the two quickly find themselves finishing their training and becoming Junior Bracers and assigned a number of tasks left behind when their father is called off to take on an unknown mission.
As Estelle sets out on her journey to complete these quests and numerous other requests that are placed on the Bracer Guild’s quest board, it eventually becomes apparent that something strange is going on within the land as the pair find themselves going from running around finding lost items or doing delivery jobs to uncovering plots that could throw the entire country into turmoil and try to put a stop to them alongside their allies. Unfortunately, it does take a bit of time to get that ball actually rolling though as many of the initial missions are low-stakes and don’t play much into the overarching plot beyond serving as a set-up for the world and introducing players to the various locations in Liberl that they will be traveling to and how some towns and locations interact with one another.
This slow burn in fact actually pays off quite well though thanks to just how well-developed the world itself is. Sure, the main characters Estelle and Joshua shine the brightest here and the continuous stream of rotating party members that come and go throughout the plot also work excellently with the party’s chemistry, but the world itself is so well-established through player interaction and simply talking to NPCs, who will change their dialogue as major events take place throughout the story, and taking on optional missions actually feels rewarding beyond simply completing a quest for an item or some gold, it provides context or additional interactions as well. This helps make these side-quests feel like far more than simple busy work and help show more of the world and some consequences to events that take place, especially since some side-quests are time-limited and can be cut off after certain story beats take place.
Obviously we won’t spoil the storyline here, but it is worth noting that, outside of a bit of altered dialogue here and there given that a new translation has been created for the game, this is still the same story as the one that was told back in 2004, though perhaps with a few extra scenes here and there. That is far from a bad thing by any means as the narrative is still incredibly strong thanks to how interconnected the various plotlines are even if they do take a bit to get going. That being said this means that those who have already played the original game through its few ports over the last decade won’t find many narrative surprises other than a certain tease that the story will likely be continuing in an expected sequel and, for anyone who has played the sequel as well, already know a bit about how that teaser will work.
Gameplay
Outside of the obvious graphical upgrade that we will go over later and shift to a 3D world it is worth noting that Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter has undergone some massive modernizations to bring it more up to terms with current games in the franchise. The game’s map will feature various objective markers about where players need to go for main missions, side missions, and even mini-events and out in the field both treasure chests and gather points are highlighted when players are close. This means that players won’t have to worry about missing a side mission or optional objective. It is also interesting to note that a “High Speed” mode has been implemented that allows for players to double the game’s speed, useful for backtracking or navigating through various locations at a faster rate, especially if the player happens to be overleveled.
Since the game allows for full exploration out in the game’s fields as well as within dungeons it is worth noting that the title not only has free-roaming enemies but also has implemented more recent combat mechanics from recent entries that allow players to beat down enemies using a string of light combo attacks and heavy attacks, aiming to stun an enemy to give the player an advantage when they start turn-based mode through a tap of the button, or simply slaying the enemy outright by beating it down in action style combat. Obviously the latter is a bit messier and players can be forced into turn-based mode if struck by a charged enemy attack and placed on the back foot as a result, but this option of slaying foes outside of turn-based is a welcome additional feature to return though the turn-based combat remains as strong as ever.
In the turn-based mode players will act in accordance to their speed skill and be able to move around the field within their movement range, attacking foes with either basic attacks, using CP to trigger combat arts that can be targeted to hit multiple enemies at once or even special immediate attacks at the cost of 100 CP at once, or using SP to cast arts that range from buffs or healing to attack spells with various elements that can be used to target a foe’s weaknesses. Things really start to flow together well when players start to stun enemies and can spend combat points to either trigger simple Follow-Up attacks or stronger Combo blows that can put a troublesome foe down for good. In fact as characters level up they will even gain various passives such as the ability to automatically protect a nearby ally or deliver a finishing blow automatically to an enemy with only a little HP left.
As always, players must make use of the Orbment system and sepith elemental crystals that drop from pretty much everything in order to craft said crystals and unlock Orbment slots for each character. Depending on the type and element of the crystal being slotted into the Orbment will not only improve the chosen character’s stats but will increase their affinity rating with certain elements, gifting them even stronger Arts along certain elemental trees and considering these crystals can be swapped around and changed as needed, it allows for the same type of in-depth customization longtime fans of the series have come to expect, even all the way back with the game that helped start it all.
Audio & Visuals
Besides the advancements in gameplay to modern times, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter has also been given a massive visual upgrade. While the original release looked great at the time with its pixel character portraits and animations, seeing the entire cast of characters and the style now used in battle brought up to modern day standards that even surpass the latest Trails game in a few areas is truly a sight to behold. Estelle and Joshua have never looked better and the surrounding cast that weaves in and out of the party is just as impressive. The same can be said for the flashy S-Crafts and Arts players can unleash in combat, truly bringing this title into modern day.
Similarly, for the first time ever an English dub has been created for Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter and the voice actors handle their roles incredibly well here given the script provided for them. In a bit of an odd situation, rather than XSEED that has handled the original English translation for the game or even NIS America that has been currently working on most of the Trails games since, GungHo has handled the publication and translation for the game this time around and it is a bit more rough around the edges. Not only do some of the lines feel like they lack the type of punch that some of the more recent games have had, the writing feels stilted in places as well and the voice actors do their best to work around it but that doesn’t make it much better in more than a few interactions. As for the soundtrack it is great to note that the background music features a great collection of songs that offer quite a bit of variety between exploring different locations and dungeons as well as fighting bosses, stronger foes, and even bosses.
Overall
Nihon Falcom has gone above and beyond with remaking Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter for new and old audiences. Estelle and Joshua remain as endearing as fans could hope for and the signature world-building the franchise eventually became to be known for is exemplified at its best here, even if it does take a bit too long to get going. Thanks to a revamped combat system and plenty of ways to customize characters for battles, this remake feels like the most polished JRPG fans could have hoped for, especially being the game that served as the launching point for such a massive inter-connected series.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Feel the horror together with friends when 3D Realms’ new action shooter launches on October 21 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S & PC
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Sept. 30, 2025 – Who goes there?! At the Horror Game Awards Halloween Showcase, Saber Interactive’s 3D Realms label and developer Anshar Studios released a new gameplay trailer for Painkiller, the reimagined action shooter launching Oct. 21, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Immerse yourself in fast-paced co-op action with this new trailer narrated by one of the demons waiting for you in Purgatory. And remember – friends who slay together, stay together!
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 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.
About Saber Interactive
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 has 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
