Watford, United Kingdom – 8th of September 2025 – Publisher Wired Productions and developer Pollard Studio are thrilled to bring KARMA: The Dark World to Xbox Series X|S. This feature-complete version invites players to confront their fears and uncover hidden truths in a first-person psychological thriller that blends gripping narrative, haunting exploration, and mind-bending twists. The game will be available starting September 10th at Xbox Series X|S, following its earlier release on PC and PlayStation 5 earlier this year.
Step into the shoes of Daniel, uncover a web of secrets, and immerse yourself in the game’s twisted world with all the latest updates and enhancements included. The Xbox edition also adds an exclusive green camera filter in Photo and Canera Mode, giving players a chilling new lens through which to capture and experience KARMA’s unsettling atmosphere.
Inspired by the works of legendary creators such as David Lynch (Twin Peaks), Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid, Death Stranding), and Christopher Nolan (Inception, Interstellar), KARMA: The Dark World blends psychological horror with immersive storytelling, challenging players to uncover the deepest secrets hidden in the minds of their targets. Developed in Unreal Engine 5, the game delivers an intensely atmospheric experience with stunning visuals and a haunting narrative.
In KARMA: The Dark World, players take on the role of Daniel McGovern, an elite Roam Agent tasked with mind-diving into the memories of suspects. What begins as another routine investigation soon unravels into a dark conspiracy that challenges everything he believes. As McGovern navigates the minds of those he pursues, he must confront disturbing truths and question his own reality.
KARMA: The Dark World is available now on Steam, PlayStation Store,GOGand from 10th of September onXbox Storefor only $19.99 | €19.99 | £15.99 with 20% off launch discount, Deluxe Digital edition available for $22.39 | €22.39 | £18.39 with launch discount as well.
About Wired Productions
Wired Productions is a true Indie Publisher proudly presenting a diverse range of specially curated games from some of the greatest storytellers and independent developers. Named as “Indie Publisher of the Year” at the MCV/Develop Awards, Wired is home to an award-winning collection of titles including: Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks, Hotel Architect, KARMA: The Dark World, DIG VR, Gori: Cuddly Carnage, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles, Arcade Paradise VR, Martha Is Dead, The Falconeer, and Deliver Us the Moon. Announced upcoming titles are Beneath and Aaero2: Black Razor Edition
About Pollard Studio
Pollard Studio, based in Shanghai, China, is an independent game development studio composed of industry veterans with experience at EA, Virtuos, and other major game studios. Founded in 2018, the studio specializes in narrative-driven experiences that blend psychological depth with stunning visuals. With a core team of 20 developers, including one based in Los Angeles, Pollard Studio is dedicated to crafting unforgettable gaming experiences.
When it comes to remakes, there happen to have been quite a few in recent years and many of these have touched upon some of the most famous and well-regarded titles in gaming history. These remakes have walked a line trying to bring something akin to a PlayStation or PlayStation 2 classic to modern day without changing too much of what made the original so iconic. Throughout these remakes some have deviated heavily or only added additional content to the original, while others have kept a tighter hold on things to try and deliver the most authentic experience possible only updated for modern platforms.
So when it comes to Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a game so steeped in Kojima’s signature writing style and twists and turns, how close does one stick to the script? Well, it seems Konami has found that the best way is to keep it as authentic as possible all while delivering the best possible way to experience Kojima’s vision, even if he had no part in this particular release.
Story
It is worth noting that nothing in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater‘s storyline has been altered from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, for better or worse. This means that it is still as absurd as ever and beloved as a result, creating an over the top spy mission with ridiculous themed bosses, a femme fatale helper, and of course a giant action sequence against a signature weapon of mass destruction. All of the classic elements from the original game remain intact here, players taking on the role of “Naked Snake” as he takes on first the Virtuous Mission that ends in utter failure before beginning Operation Snake Eater proper. This means everything from talking with Major Zero, Para-Medic, and of course EVA through the Codec and their various conversations and quirks are just as fans remember as well.
For newcomers, this will be an enlightening experience of sorts as Metal Gear Solid Delta emulates all of the key pieces of a spy movie from the height of the genre and puts its own unique twist on them just as often as it plays them straight and we won’t spoil these types of plot details here. You’ll never know if one location might simply involve sneaking around a bunch of guards or holding one up for information might reveal a secret route or even drop a “secret reel” of joke footage that can be viewed later, and the next could drop players right into a ten minute long cutscene explaining everything that just happened and is going to happen all while giving them a history lesson or delving into the secrets of the world and how ridiculous some elements might sound, especially when it comes to Metal Gear’s fictional take on our modern world.
All of this culminates in a story that is just as memorable now as it was back in 2004, with some of the most intriguing or ridiculous boss fights and emotional moments one could hope for. Now, that being said, that also means that for those familiar with Metal Gear Solid 3’s storyline, there are no actual surprises throughout the game’s story. Everything remains the same as before though if players never touched the “Subsistence” release of the game a couple years later then they will find that the Secret Reels mentioned earlier are at least new, though these are simply the simply the same classic videos as before minus one that is specially unlocked when players complete the game and unlock the Secret Theater. In the end, this is far from a bad thing as it leaves Kojima’s original vision with the game completely intact and unmodified, though those looking for perhaps some extra scenarios or side-content will be a bit disappointed here.
Gameplay
Although the story is entirely intact to the point that some of the same classic cutscenes using old-school footage real-life footage or artwork from the original game remain the same, there are some actual new elements when it comes to playing the game and a lot of it boils down to the style players opt for. The “Legacy Style” will make the game play exactly the same it did over twenty years ago with a top-down camera and more limited controls when it comes to aiming and movement and a “New Style” setting that gives players full access to all of the modern quality of life elements that fans would expect from a game in 2025.
In the game’s New Style players will have access to various improvements in movement and firearm capabilities. This includes the ability to adjust the camera as needed, aiming over Snake’s shoulder in one mode or even aiming down sights for an even better shot, though bullet drop is a thing to worry about, and even the ability to aim and move at the same time. Similarly, players can enter a slow moving “stalking” phase to silence their footsteps to really sneak up on targets. Crouching is also quite effective and crawling remains the same as ever, though it is worth noting that trying to maneuver around while crawling can be finicky at times and a bit annoying in tight spaces. Similarly, players can quickly change camouflage sets by holding up on the D-Pad or call someone on the Codec, even if it is to save or play some “healing music” by holding down on the D-Pad.
Regardless of what version players choose to use, Metal Gear Solid Delta is still a stealth action game where players are tasked with sneaking through enemy locations, on surprisingly small maps in many areas now in retrospect, trying not to be caught by either sneaking around using the game’s camouflage system, stealthily taking down guards with silenced tranquilizer guns or silenced deadly weaponry, or even sneaking up on them and taking them out with some signature CQC. The camouflage mechanic remains as important as ever with players needing to adjust their camo combinations to best match the environment they are sneaking through to try and remain undetected. As mentioned earlier, this can be done through quick selections but players can still go to the menu screen to specifically select camo and face-paint sets as they wish, especially since some camouflage patterns, like those acquired from defeating bosses non-lethally, have special bonuses even if they might not be the stealthiest option most of the time.
Speaking of the bosses, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater still retains all of the familiar elements and bosses as before and, in at least a few sequences, can almost feel a bit like a boss rush in a few areas depending on how quickly players are sneaking through areas. For example, the first three boss battles players take part in can end up happening within forty minutes of one another for experienced players or those skilled at sneaking around guards. Or potentially four bosses if players take the cheap way out with a specific target of course. That being said, every single one of these boss encounters feels unique and engaging not only because of their presentation but also because of the gimmicks that they use and the environment players will fight them in. The Fear is in an area filled with traps, poisonous animals, and of course the boss himself capable of turning invisible and firing poison bolts into Snake. Taking on The End requires patience, attention to detail, and of course some stealth of the player’s own unless they want to take advantage of the cheap easter egg that remains within the game too. In fact, literally every boss has a unique mechanic in one way or another and while these mechanics are still the same as before, experiencing them in the New Style makes for an all the more interesting dynamic and this will be doubly so for new players.
Health and stamina management work the same as ever, though one unique element has been included that we will touch on in a moment. Players will still have a set cap to Snake’s LIFE meter that will slowly regenerate over time as long as he has enough stamina to do so. Stamina also dictates how long Snake can spend underwater holding his breath or dangling off of a cliff, tree, bridge, etc. and it is always slowly depleting, though some things can make it deplete faster. Players will need to either kill or capture animals while traversing the jungle and even waterways of the game and eat them to maintain a high stamina level. Various fruits, mushrooms, and even calorie mates and rations can also work just as well, but most of what players are eating will be wildlife.
Similarly, when Snake is injured there is a chance that he will need some form of medical treatment to restore his LIFE meter to full. Once again this is handled the same as before, with players needing to select specific items to help match the treatment necessary to cure an injury. Burns are simply treated with ointment and bandages, poison with a serum, and in more dire instances cuts with syptic to stop the bleeding, bandages, a suture kit, and disinfectant. There is ironically no punishment or even reward for treating wounds in proper order as players can toss a bandage on a bullet wound, then disinfect it, stop the bleeding, and finally yank out the bullet with a knife. That being said, there are times that treatment will instantly finish after a few steps, helping save players some materials. Now one element that was added to the game’s Survival Viewer is the fact that Snake’s major injuries leave actual scars on his body for a length of time. This means that it is entirely possible to have an absolutely brutalized looking Snake by the time the game ends should players be reckless and get into a lot of firefights.
Other things such as the collectable Secret Reels remain within the game as well as the Kerotans scattered throughout literally every area in the game but it is also worth noting that a brand new collectable called GA-KOs have also been implemented into the title, providing their own unique reward and implemented into every stage of the game as well. Optional bonus modes such as the trippy Guy Savage mode are unlocked upon completing the game as well as various other unlocks that can be carried over into a New Game+ run. There are a large number of unlocks available and challenges that players can only complete by taking part in certain runs of the game, making it highly replayable. It is also worth noting that the Xbox Series X version of the game comes with a Snake vs. Bomber Man mode that is fun to mess around with for a bit and while it may not feel quite as organic as the PlayStation exclusive Snake vs. Monkey, it is still interesting enough.
Audio & Visuals
Obviously the biggest changes are the fact that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater has been completely re-built from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5. This has made the character models look absolutely exceptional and the cutscenes are as stunning as can be. There are some truly exceptional looking moments that take full advantage of a boss character’s unique features that were once too blurry or minimal to notice on older consoles that are now fully presented here in full effect. Whether this is Snake’s reflection in The Fury’s climactic finale, the heartbreaking final confrontation that stands as one of the most signature scenes in gaming against Big Boss, and more, the character models here have seen the most notable and in-depth improvement in detail.
The environments themselves have also all seen notable improvements and the jungle environments remain as absolutely lush as ever with players needing to truly navigate through thick brush or sometimes even underwater to sneak around. Some of the standard facilities, which are thankfully few in the game, are fairly standard looking without notable improvements beyond what one would expect for a modern game. The various camouflage and face paint options that Snake has are as varied as ever and it is interesting to note that if Snake is shot or bleeding, that blood will appear in his equipment, the same can be said for crawling through muck that will eventually shed off or drying out water, all giving players a little extra attention to detail. Similarly Snake’s body will bear the scars of some of the more grievous injuries that players receive depending on how they play and heal these injuries through the Survival Viewer, though it does appear that some of them fade away with time.
It is interesting to note that while Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater may have seen a full graphical overhaul, nearly all of the voice work remains the same as before only now presented in its completely uncompressed glory. That being said, there are some re-recorded lines that see the same famous actors return to reprise their roles for these lines, and they tend to involve spoken dialogue relating to pressing new buttons that are no longer the same as they were back in 2004. As far as the soundtrack goes, most of the background music sounds as stellar as ever and the atmospheric noises within the jungle are absolutely stellar, especially when sneaking through dense foliage or muck. It is worth noting that the signature theme song that everyone knows from the game has been entirely re-recorded and this may be a bit of a hit or miss for some. Cynthia Harrel was brought back in to perform the song exactly the same as before, meaning there has been no changes to the lyrics but instead some of the composition and instruments have been adjusted as well as the timing. The song is indeed still incredibly memorable and a hallmark of the franchise, especially with its unique implementation, but longtime fans may be a bit caught off by the fresh version.
Overall
Many wondered just how you remake a game that some already considered a classic, especially when the one who was responsible for creating the original was no longer part of the company. Well, Konami found the best way possible and that is to pretty much maintain everything that made the story so great by leaving it completely the same all while rebuilding everything around it, giving every element of the game a graphical overhaul, quality of life improvements with a new control scheme, and even another set of collectables to look for similar to the originals. By maintaining Kojima’s original vision and presenting it in modern quality, it is clear that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is the way that fans should experience the game now, even if longtime fans won’t find many surprises along the way.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
The end has come — but the story is just beginning. Cronos: The New Dawn is now available for all players on PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. After a critically acclaimed early access phase and a positive reception from players around the world, the full release marks the beginning of a bold new era in survival horror genre.
A Bold New Chapter in Survival Horror
Following the Sept. 3 global pre-release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store), Bloober Team is thrilled to announce that Cronos: The New Dawn is now also digitally available on Nintendo Switch 2.
From the acclaimed developers of the SILENT HILL 2 remake,Bloober Team presents Cronos: The New Dawn — a third-person survival horror experience like no other. Set in the haunting ruins of New Dawn, a world inspired by Nowa Huta, a real historical district in Kraków, Poland, the game unfolds across two timelines: a post-apocalyptic future decaying in despair, and the gritty, industrial 1980s reality. This powerful duality blends retro realism, dystopian sci-fi, and a retro-futuristic atmosphere to create a deeply immersive world filled with tension, mystery, and terror.
A New Survival Horror Game Acclaimed Worldwide
Since its Early Access launch, Cronos: The New Dawn has received widespread praise from international media outlets, with reviews going live as the embargo lifted. Critics have highlighted the game’s distinctive storytelling and gameplay, noting its unique spin on the survival horror genre. It has been awarded high scores and strong endorsements across the board. As Windows Central writes: “Cronos: The New Dawnis the best horror franchise debut in over a decade.”
Physical Editions Coming Soon to Nintendo Switch 2
Starting Sept. 5, the physical Standard Edition of the game for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC — created in collaboration with EMEA distributor Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe—will be available at major retailers across the EMEA region and Australia.
In the Americas, pre-orders are now live for the Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition, priced at $59.99 and produced in partnership with Skybound Games, the physical distributor for the region.
Each physical copy includes the standard base game, a unique Traveler skin, access to a cache of valuable digital supplies, and a set of collectible physical stickers inspired by the haunting world of Cronos.
For more information, trailers, and the latest updates on Cronos: The New Dawn, visit:www.cronosnewdawn.com.
About Bloober Team:
Founded in 2008, the Kraków-based studio Bloober Team specialises in creating deep and immersive horror games. With a team of over 250 creative specialists, the studio continuously pushes the boundaries of storytelling, delivering rich and complex narratives to players worldwide.
The studio’s award-winning portfolio includes titles such as the Layers of Fear series, Blair Witch, Observer: System Redux, and The Medium. Bloober Team’s most recent project, developed in collaboration with Japanese publisher KONAMI, was the highly anticipated remake of the iconic horror game SILENT HILL 2. The game has received widespread acclaim, earning positive reviews and numerous nominations and awards, including Game of the Year at the Horror Game Awards and Best Game of 2024 by IGN Japan.
In October 2024, the studio announced its newest title – Cronos: The New Dawn – a sci-fi survival horror game set to launch on September 5, 2025.
Learn more about our projects by visiting our official website: www.blooberteam.com and following us on social media:
New update features the first Ukrainian-made tank in the game
Gaijin Entertainment announces that “Tusk Force”, the next major content update for the online military action game War Thunder, will be released in mid-September. Alongside dozens of other ground, air and naval vehicles, Tusk Force adds a brand-new subtree of Thai ground vehicles (within the Japanese tech tree), the American battleship USS Maryland, the British Sky Sabre SAM system, the Russian Buk-M3 SAM system, and the Canadian CF-188A fighter jet.
The Oplot-T tank is War Thunder’s first Ukrainian-made tank. A modification of the T-80UD main battle tank built for the Royal Thai army, these vehicles saw combat during the brief 2025 border clash with Cambodia. The Oplot-T sports reactive armor, a Laser Warning Receiver (LWR), and an optronic countermeasures system. Thanks to its upgraded transmission, it can reverse at up to 30 km/h, allowing it to quickly fall back to cover. In addition to ammunition typical for the USSR tech tree, the Oplot is armed with Chinese-made ammo like the GP125 ATGMs and the new top-end BTA4 APFSDS round – capable of penetrating over half a meter of armor.
The USS Maryland is the third of the Colorado-class battleships. In World War II she delivered naval gunfire support for the landings on Tarawa, Kwajalein and Saipan, where she was damaged by a torpedo, and later endured kamikaze attacks during the battles for Leyte Gulf and Okinawa. In combat, she relies on eight powerful 406 -mm main guns, rapid-fire secondary batteries, and a battery of automatic anti-aircraft artillery.
Britain’s Sky Sabre system entered service in December 2021 and now protects the skies over the British mainland and the Falkland Islands. In War Thunder, players deploy a radar vehicle to detect targets and two launchers – each armed with 8 new-to-the-game CAMM or extended-range CAMM-ER missiles with ranges of 25 and 45 km, respectively – to keep enemy aircraft at bay.
The Buk-M3 is a modern Russian anti-aircraft missile system, adopted in 2016. Its 9M317MA missiles feature thrust- vector control and can endure an overload of 30G, allowing them to engage agile targets even at close range. Even if the primary radar vehicle is lost, the player can continue the battle using the launchers alone, which are equipped with their own sights, a thermal imager, and a built-in radar capable of detecting and tracking targets in a narrow sector.
For full details on the “Tusk Force update, visit the official War Thunder website.
About Gaijin Entertainment
Gaijin Entertainment is the developer and publisher of the online games War Thunder, Crossout, Enlisted, CRSED: F.O.A.D. and Star Conflict as well as other PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, iOS and Android titles across several genres. The company’s diverse portfolio has received a range of mass media and game industry awards including such as Gamescom Award and many more. Official website: http://gaijinent.com/
About War Thunder
War Thunder is a free-to-play, cross-platform, massively multiplayer military masterpiece with millions of fans worldwide, that allows players on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Mac and Linux to fight their way across air, land, and sea in the same battlefield. War Thunder offers 2000+ playable aircraft, armored vehicles and ships from the 1900s to the 2010s. The US, Russian, British, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Swedish, Israeli, South African and French military vehicles represented in game are carefully researched, historically accurate recreations of their real world counterparts. Fans can expect hundreds more added as Gaijin Entertainment commits to ongoing development via regular updates. Official website: http://warthunder.com
PARIS – Sept. 5, 2025 – Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive are thrilled to announce the release today of SnowRunner’s fourth expansion –“Season 16: High Voltage” – taking players to Washington, USA!Available now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac and PC, this 16th season of content also marks the end of the Year 4 Pass, and the release of the Year 5 Pass! Check out the Season 16 Overview trailer for a breakdown of what’s in store!
Build a Hydropower Plant in a Brand-New Region!
Welcome to the Great Northwestern state of Washington! Nicknamed the “Evergreen State” for its lush forests and unforgivingly rainy weather, Washington is currently dealing with the aftermath of extreme weather events. Whole valleys are cut off from each other, and key infrastructure is now inoperative. Worse, the construction of the state’s newest hydroelectric dam has come to a halt, and it’s up to you to get it back on track!
To help you in your endeavors, Season 16: High Voltage comes with three new trucks: the H.I.B Billert 1980, an off-road truck which shines however sticky the mud thanks to its excellent suspensions, the PLAD 440 “Buddy,” a nimble off-road truck perfect for a support role, and the Sleiter ST833 “Chimera,” a sturdy six-wheeler with great torque and ample ground clearance.
Season 16 also adds 10 new Washington-themed stickers, free today for all players!
Get Four New Seasons with the Year 5 Pass – Available Today
The journey continues for SnowRunner! After 16 seasons, the game is still far from the end of the road, as the brand-new Year 5 Pass is now available for purchase. Granting four seasons of content, the Year 5 Pass will take players to new countries, introduce new biomes, and bring new challenges in addition to the trucks and add-ons that have made SnowRunner the ultimate off-road experience since 2020. Players will also receive the Pathfinders Vinyl Wrap Pack upon purchase, so grab it today!
Season 16: High Voltage is available now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac and PC—and automatically granted to all owners of the Year 4 Pass or 4-Year Anniversary Edition. Join the SnowRunner community, share feedback and get exclusive rewards on our new Focus Together platform.
Swing Into Easy-to-Learn Challenging-to-Master Golf Gameplay in the Newest Entry in the Legendary Golf Series with Single and Multiplayer Golf Action
The links are ready for players to master their golf game in EVERYBODY’S GOLF HOT SHOTS, now available worldwide on consoles and PC. Published by Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe and developed by HYDE, EVERYBODY’S GOLF HOT SHOTS is a brand-new entry in the legendary Everybody’s Golf series, also known as Hot Shots Golf. Available on PlayStation®5, Nintendo Switch™ and PC via Steam®, this new version of the easy-to-learn but challenging-to-master golf game features the largest roster of characters, including the return of PAC-MAN to the series as an unlockable character. Additional highlights include new gameplay modes and a wide variety of customisation options. Grab those clubs and start swinging, as the game is now available for digital golfers worldwide.
Grab those golf shoes and get ready to spend some quali-tee time with the new launch trailer below.
The game features:
Tons of Customisation – Customise stats, clubs and balls to match every character’s play style
The Largest Roster – Go pro with more than 25 available playable characters – a series record. Build up character loyalty to unlock new shots, including spin shots, homing shots and character-specific special shots
CaddieSupport – Team up with caddies to get detailed play tips, support skills, and more
Challenge Mode Join tournaments in solo play to fight to the top! Unlock more characters, scenarios and even bigger tournaments to become the ultimate golfer
World Tour – Spanning 10 regions across the globe, discover charming character interactions unique to each player
Wacky Golf – This brand-new mode brings chaos to the course with obstacles, challenges, and more in either solo or multiplayer mode, including Colorful, Scramble, Survival Golf and Boom Golf modes.
EVERYBODY’S GOLF HOT SHOTS features the series’ classic three-button shot mechanic. Aim shots down the fairway, time three button presses and swing to success. It’s an easy to learn mechanic to begin swinging for the greens, but becoming a true ace at the game will present a challenge. Players can take to the green solo or with friends in both local couch co-op and online multiplayer. A variety of game modes, including Challenge Mode, Solo Play and more across action-packed courses inspired by 10 different countries and regions will keep players teed up for all the game has to offer. Dynamic weather and time-of-day changes add depth and strategy to each round. And for players looking for a twist on the traditional game, the all-new Wacky Golf mode features unique obstacles and challenges to keep players on their toes.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is a leading global publisher, developer, and distributor of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.
Producing intellectual property for a global audience, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, and production capabilities of two studios, Reflector Entertainment and Limbic Entertainment.
Based in Lyon, France, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is known for bringing many of the entertainment industry’s top franchises such as PAC-MAN™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, ACE COMBAT™, DARK SOULS™, and ELDEN RING™ to EMEA and ANZ markets.
What happened here? The end has come — but the story is just beginning. Cronos: The New Dawn is now available on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. A new era of survival horror awaits. The vocation must go on.
A Bold New Chapter in Survival Horror
From the acclaimed developers of the SILENT HILL 2 remake, Bloober Team presents Cronos: The New Dawn — a third-person survival horror experience like no other. Set in the haunting ruins of New Dawn, a world inspired by Nowa Huta, a real historical district in Kraków, Poland, the game unfolds across two timelines: a post-apocalyptic future decaying in despair, and the gritty, industrial 1980s reality. This powerful duality blends retro realism, dystopian sci-fi, and a retro-futuristic atmosphere to create a deeply immersive world filled with tension, mystery, and terror.
Step into the Ruins
Bloober Team invites players to descend into the unforgiving world of New Dawn from today on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. Step into the hunting suit of the Traveler — an enigmatic agent of the Collective, sent into zones scarred by the Change, a cataclysmic event that shattered time, memory, and flesh. What remains is a world suspended between past and future — haunted, hostile, and unravelling. Survival is anything but certain.
From today, a physical version of the Standard Edition for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC — produced in partnership with EMEA’s physical distributor, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe — is also available at most major retailers across EMEA and Australia.
The newly revealed launch trailer offers a chilling, final glimpse into never-before-seen locations, grotesque new enemies, and the escalating horrors awaiting players in the shadows. Players can also watch special developer streams of the game, available on Steam.
For more information, trailers, and the latest updates on Cronos: The New Dawn, visit: www.cronosnewdawn.com or follow us on social media: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Discord.
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About Bloober Team
Founded in 2008, the Kraków-based studio Bloober Team specialises in creating deep and immersive horror games. With a team of over 250 creative specialists, the studio continuously pushes the boundaries of storytelling, delivering rich and complex narratives to players worldwide.
The studio’s award-winning portfolio includes titles such as the Layers of Fear series, Blair Witch, Observer: System Redux, and The Medium. Bloober Team’s most recent project, developed in collaboration with Japanese publisher KONAMI, was the highly anticipated remake of the iconic horror game SILENT HILL 2. The game has received widespread acclaim, earning positive reviews and numerous nominations and awards, including Game of the Year at the Horror Game Awards and Best Game of 2024 by IGN Japan.
In October 2024, the studio announced its newest title – Cronos: The New Dawn – a sci-fi survival horror game set to launch on September 5, 2025.
Learn more about our projects by visiting our official website:www.blooberteam.com and following us on social media:
About Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is a leading global publisher, developer, and distributor of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.
Producing intellectual property for a global audience, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, and production capabilities of two studios, Reflector Entertainment and Limbic Entertainment.
Based in Lyon, France, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is known for bringing many of the entertainment industry’s top franchises such as PAC-MAN™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, ACE COMBAT™, DARK SOULS™, and ELDEN RING™ to EMEA and ANZ markets.
Scuffed walls, flapping fabrics, lights over doorways, or even big splotches of paint. These are the types of smaller, somewhat subtle, attempts developers have used throughout the years to try and help point players in the right direction when moving through the world of their game without being as blatant as placing directional markers or pinpoints on a map. Most others drop the pretense entirely, dropping exact pins on maps where players need to go to complete a quest or side-mission, some even pinpointing sub-objectives as well.
Hell is Us is the complete antithesis of this design philosophy. Rather than placing players into a world filled with a guide-map or blatant paint, this action adventure game is all about finding the way yourself, even if it means getting confused along the way. Featuring a darkly twisted storyline, is Hell is Us’ unique design philosophy worth getting lost in?
Story
When he was still just a young child, Rémi was smuggled out of the country of Hadea and into the larger open world. Now that he has grown, Rémi joined the ON Peacekeepers with the sole purpose of being able to re-enter the now war torn Hadea in an effort to track down the rest of his family. Unfortunately for him, not only does he have only the vaguest idea of where to start searching, his father’s hometown of Jova, and even more unfortunate for him there are mysterious supernatural monsters roaming about that the locals have started calling demons as most conventional weapons are ineffective, seeing them as punishment for the atrocities the civil war has seen both sides commit.
Hadea is torn in a battle between two religious factions, the Palomists and the Sabinians, who hate each other for reasons that most cannot even explain. The hatred has always been there, so it will continue, and even as Rémi travels freely thanks to obtaining the equipment of a uniquely free moving faction, he will speak with and learn more about the country and work to uncover it’s bloody history and the mysteries that just might be behind the appearance of these strange monsters, all while the real hell is everything that he sees humanity does in front of him. Interestingly enough, most of the time players will arrive in locations and talk to NPCs either in towns or scattered around ruins or outposts and generally find out that they have arrived after the worst of things have happened. Sure, the pale monsters still roam around, but they pale in comparison to the bodies of children hanging from a tree or mass graves of the other faction being buried with heavy machinery.
It would have been very easy for the developers of Hell is Us to simply go with the obvious presentation that humanity is the real evil here and players are already in Hell just from the amount of violence and wilful dehumanization committed by the factions in the civil war within Hadea, but they have actually woven this horrific violence into an incredibly in-depth and well built world that features both a heavy-hand when it comes to sensitive subjects but also one carefully guiding it to telling its storyline. Not only will players uncover long lost histories about the region as they traverse through ruins, using their drone to translate long forgotten texts and uncovering a history of betrayals, kings and queens, sacrifices, and far more, but they will also discover what little good there might still be in humanity along the way, especially through their own actions and the actions of Rémi’s own family, though we won’t go into further detail here as this is best experienced firsthand.
As mentioned at the start, Hell is Us does not provide any indication of where players actually need to go when it comes to completing its quests. Players will instead need to rely solely on descriptions provided from NPCs, be it directions using landmarks, navigating with a compass, or even following specific sounds, to find the way to what they are looking for. In fact, every main quest Rémi must complete is simply referenced through his quest-log and given minor updates and bits of info as players learn a bit more about it. Character details and location details will also be updated as players find and travel through landmarks or talk to a character/change their situation, but for the most part players will be on their own to navigate the lands of Hadea and this is especially true for anything that isn’t part of the main quest.
Alongside these main quests are various side and optional objectives that players can almost certainly miss and most likely will even if they are trying to go over locations with a fine-tooth comb. These include Mysteries, Good Deeds, vaults of knowledge, and more. Many of these, like the latter two, involve finding clues throughout the area and either inputting a code or inputting puzzle pieces in a manner that players must figure out on their own to properly complete. The same can be said for the former two as well, though perhaps not quite as simple. Mysteries can begin from finding a strange object, locked door, or even a note, while a Good Deed is often triggered by finding someone in need of some type of assistance. Once again though, there is no guide as to how to help some of these people or how to solve these mysterious puzzles other than doing the leg work or putting the ol’ noggin to work.
Hell is Us is the type of game that players will likely want to take some type of notes for if they can, as some of the more complex mysteries and other side objectives can be rather challenging puzzles if players haven’t been paying attention or are missing a clue they wouldn’t have noted down otherwise. It is interesting to note that while some of these provide clear player benefits, others actually do not or only in a minimal way. While I won’t go into detail here about some of the quests, a large portion of Good Deeds are as simple as that, Good Deeds that show that there is something good still in humanity and the player is willing to either help a grieving father bury their child properly or track down milk for a starving baby. These people have nothing to truly reward the player with, other than bringing a little light into their lives at the worst of times, but perhaps someone is paying attention elsewhere.
Gameplay
As mentioned before, Hell is Us is all about exploration. Players will have no markers to work with beyond the information that their datapad updates with from conversations and visiting locations and of course, anything the player physically notes down themselves. There are some little clues players can turn on if they wish, such as directional symbols for certain audio cues in case players want a bit of help but it only happens for navigation purposes. Instead, clues about where to go next must be gathered from talking to NPCs within the world, reading notes and glyphs, and even tracking down sometimes the most random of objects to discover something incredibly obtuse.
This can lead to some puzzles, as mentioned before, being quite challenging and almost a bit too frustrating at times but thankfully players will be able to figure it out on their own eventually, nothing is ever really blocked off when it comes to solving these puzzles, though I’m sure there will be plenty of guides out there eventually for those that want an easier route. That being said, it is worth noting that there are some time limits for specific “Good Deeds.” These are generally hinted at through talking to a related character though so it rarely comes out of left field.
Exploration within the world of Hell is Us is a bit on the hit and miss side which is unfortunate. Despite being an action adventure game, it is one that stylizes itself similar to a Soulslike more than anything else and one of those issues happens to revolve around some stiff movement and the complete inability to jump. While it is understandable in some regards as the developers want players to progress through certain locations in a specific manner, the fact that something that should clearly be climbable often blocks the way or progress without the circuitous route is annoying. That and the fact that falling into water any deeper than waist high is instantly deadly to Rémi. Thankfully though unlike a standard Soulslike, there is no actual punishment for dying in Hell is Us. Not only are there various holographic save points throughout each map that also serve as a way to instantly fast travel back to the player’s vehicle, which happens to also be the way they travel between zones, but any item collected, slayed enemy, or puzzle solved will stay that way even in death. Enemies will not respawn outside of Timeloops or players leaving an area entirely through their vehicle and coming back.
Now as for these enemies, it is safe to say that the combat in the game is solid at best but perhaps a bit lacking overall. Part of this is due to enemy types and another is due to the weaponry and combos that players can use. First and foremost, the amount of enemy types in the game is woefully small for an action adventure title and the combat mechanics themselves are simple enough. Players can attack, side-step or dodge at the cost of stamina, or parry an incoming blow to decrease an enemy’s stagger gauge where, when depleted, leaves them open for an instant kill. Players can have two types of weapons equipped at a time and can swap between them even in battle, be it the standard long-sword, twin-axes, polearm, or great sword and each of these weapons have their own unique combo and special charge attacks. Alongside their melee weapons players also have a drone at their side that can be used for a variety of skills such as being used to distract an enemy to prevent players from getting easily ganged up on, being used as a booster to slash through a line of foes, and more. These drone skills work on a cooldown timer and any time the players slash or dodge, they also need to worry about their stamina as well as a depleted stamina meter will mean any attack or dodge will be incredibly slow, leaving them open for a counter-attack.
Alongside standard enemy types players will also come across various enemies of the same type that have specific “Haze” elements within them. Hazes come from within a foe and will make the enemy invincible until the haze itself is defeated and forced to retreat inside the enemy, often leaving them stunned or wide open for defeat as a result. Fighting the Hazes is about as challenging as battles can become but it is interesting to note that even on Normal those familiar with action adventure games will likely find it a bit too simple overall and on the easier side, though the difficulty can be bumped up at any time. Part of this is thanks to an “active reload” style healing mechanic. As players dish out damage to an enemy, the lymbic particles that drop from them will swirl around the player and when the coalesce into a solid ring, a tap of RB can absorb the particles and provide significant healing. In fact, players it is entirely possible to be on death’s door from one enemy only to wail away at another and heal right back up, making health kits and meals often something unnecessary.
As players fight they will also slowly improve the levels of their various lymbic weaponry as mentioned before and at certain points they can also be forged into stronger versions and given special properties as well. Players can equip various bits of defensive gear located within puzzles and hidden away while also applying glyphs that can strengthen their weaponry through the blacksmith, though again as mentioned before the real draw for most will be the actual puzzles and the atmospheric world, so filled with mystery, rather than the fairly simple combat.
Audio & Visuals
Hell is Us has some amazingly handled environments that are both a wonder to behold and gut wrenching at the same time. Witnessing some of the horrors that have occurred throughout the horror of the civil war as players travel through towns is truly gruesome and a stark contrast to the more crisp designs of various ruins and wonderful looking pastures that players can travel through in other locations. The character models of the NPCs players talk with are impressively detailed and are a perfect fit for the dire circumstances in which they live though it is worth noting that the main character is as bland as they come. The same can unfortunately be said about the enemy types. While there are various enemies that have Hazes within them as mentioned earlier, these are simply stronger versions of enemies players are already fighting, often within the same battle, and the complete lack of variety really hurts here. Especially since, while not terribly scary in their own right, there is something eerie about the way many types are designed.
As for the voice work, it is great to say that the title is fully voiced, with even characters that don’t have major dialogue trees having things to say out loud. The main NPCs that characters can interact with have a lot of dialogue at times and all of it comes off as fitting sounding and quite thematic in nature, though again, the main character’s own voice actor is sadly lacking as well, making him a bad match against the stellar performances of the rest of the English dub. The background music throughout the game is limited but when it is there it is used to impressive effect.
Overall
Hell is Us is a rare breed of game in this day and age. One where it refuses to hold the player’s hand in any way other than simply telling them that there is an objective to complete and the slightest hint that players may have started a mystery or good deed along the line, with nowhere to actually point things out to solve these puzzles other than paying attention to the clues given. This may frustrate some but delight many that have come to grow tired of the handholding many games implement these days. Combine this with an impressive story that weaves horrific scenes of war with in-depth lore and Hell is Us makes for a highly entertaining, albeit slow moving, action adventure that could have used a bit more spice when it came to enemy types and actual combat.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Sydney, Australia – 5 SEPTEMBER 2025 – Today, Ubisoft announced that Star Wars Outlaws is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Star Wars Outlaws is also available on Ubisoft+, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store, Epic Games Store and Steam.
In Star Wars Outlaws, fans play as cunning scoundrel, Kay Vess (Humberly González), and her loyal companion Nix (Dee Bradley Baker, Star Wars: The Bad Batch™), as they attempt one of the greatest heists the Outer Rim has ever seen. Seeking the means to start a new life, players will join Kay and Nix as they fight, steal, and outwit their way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates and join the galaxy’s most wanted.
Whether at home or on the go with the Nintendo Switch 2, players can experience exciting new ways to play Star Wars Outlaws, including intuitive touch controls for menu navigation and select minigames, gyroscope-assisted aiming, an optimized handheld mode, and immersive motion controls for key gameplay features.
The Gold Edition is available on Nintendo Switch 2* and includes the base game and content from the Season Pass. This includes:
Jabba’s Gambit mission
The Kessel Runner cosmetic pack
The Hunter’s Legacy bundle
The Cartel Ronin bundle
Two story packs:
Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card, Kay is hired to infiltrate a high-stakes Sabacc tournament. As she crosses paths with the notorious high roller Lando Calrissian, she soon learns that another game is being played. Players must complete The Gunsmith and The High Roller quests from the base game before this story pack can be played.
Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate’s Fortune takes players on an adventure with pirates and lost treasures. Kay Vess and Nix will team up with Hondo Ohnaka as they face off against Stinger Tash and her Rokana Raiders, infiltrating the Khepi Tomb to uncover the secrets and hidden treasures it holds. Along the way, they’ll discover the Miyuki Trade League who offer new rewards for the Trailblazer in exchange for smuggling dangerous goods across the galaxy. Players must complete the main storyline from the base game before this story pack can be played.
Players who are looking to spiff up their scoundrel can purchase the Ultimate Pack, which grants access to the Sabacc Shark Cosmetic Bundle, Rogue Infiltrator Cosmetic Bundle, Naboo Nobility Cosmetic Bundle, Desert Nomad Cosmetic Bundle, and Forest Commando Character Pack.
For more information about Star Wars Outlaws, please visit starwarsoutlaws.com. For the latest news about Star Wars Outlaws and other Ubisoft games, please visit news.ubisoft.com.
*Physical edition includes a Nintendo Game-Key Card
About Star Wars Outlaws
In Star Wars Outlaws, fans play as cunning scoundrel, Kay Vess (Humberly González), and her loyal companion Nix (Dee Bradley Baker, Star Wars: The Bad Batch™), as they attempt one of the greatest heists the Outer Rim has ever seen. Seeking the means to start a new life, players will join Kay and Nix as they fight, steal, and outwit their way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates and join the most wanted. Star Wars Outlaws is available on Ubisoft+, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store, Epic Games Store, and Steam.
About Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew® and Tom Clancy’s The Division®. With a Ubisoft+ subscription, players can access new releases, premium editions and extra content on Day One on PC, console and cloud. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €1.85 billion. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.
The Order Of The Snake Scale, a Lovecraftian survival horror game with a partially open world, is debuting on Xbox consoles. This surreal title, set in an alternate universe, combines combat, puzzles, and resource gathering with the visual style of classic horror games. The release date for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S is set for September 4, 2025. The game was previously released on PC and will launch on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on September 25.
Created by the independent Polish team at FM Simple Games Studio, the game was first released on PC, where it received positive feedback from players. The console versions of The Order Of The Snake Scale are being handled and published by Ultimate Games S.A.
A Surreal Lovecraftian Horror Experience
The Order Of The Snake Scale is a surreal survival horror set in an alternate universe. Inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, the game is filled with dark themes and a sense of primal fear.
Players take on the role of a detective investigating the mysterious death of a woman in the town of Happy Rock. The story unfolds in a dystopian setting shaped by a new world order.
Gameplay includes solving logic puzzles, platforming, combat, resource collection, and various interactions with the environment. The controls and mechanics pay tribute to classic horror games of the past.
The developers at FM Simple Games Studio also offer original 3D models and a distinctive visual and musical style that reflects retro horror aesthetics.
The Order Of The Snake Scale – Key Features:
Lovecraftian survival horror
Combat, puzzles, and resource gathering
Dystopian atmosphere
Partially open-world exploration
Unique retro-style presentation
The Order Of The Snake Scale will be released on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on September 4, 2025. The game will also be coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on September 25, 2025.
