Players can celebrate the decade milestone with plenty of daily rewards, a new Blast from the Past game mode, and experience the evolution of World of Warships through a special decade dock port
September 3rd, 2025 – Wargaming, the developer and publisher of the leading historically accurate naval multiplayer game World of Warships, is celebrating ten years on the high seas. To celebrate the last decade of naval warfare, September’s update is packed with content, offering plenty of free rewards including Supercontainers and ships, the arrival of a new Easter Egg filled port, and the addition of German Cruisers into Early Access. Rounding out the festivities, the update also brings a classic Blast from the Past game mode that immerses players throughout different eras of the game, and new seasons of Clan and Ranked battles.
Celebrating 10 years with a wave of anniversary content
Over the last decade, World of Warships has continued to grow its global playerbase, delivering over 800 historically accurate ships to take into battle, and amassing over 1.2 billion hours of playtime. Beyond the game, World of Warships has worked to support a variety of charities, including Save the Children and Help for Heroes, working with the community to raise over $240,000, and to push initiatives such as Longest Night of Museums – World of Warships’s annual livestream dedicated to educating viewers about naval museums around the globe.
To celebrate the milestone anniversary, World of Warships is ushering in a month packed with free ships, bonuses and more. By logging in each day, players can earn rewards on the Daily Login Calendar, which include Supercontainers, Coal, Credits, free experience, days of Premium Account access, and Festive Tokens. Also available through Battle Performance Bonuses, these Tokens can be redeemed in the Armory for up to 130 Supercontainers; including “Finest Hour”, “Resolute and Rapid”, “The Age of Sa Zhenbing” or “Battle of Paso De Patria” Containers; plus an array of ships, including Tier X Japanese Premium heavy cruiser Kushiro.
The festivities continue with a huge array of free Containers, each bringing a variety of rare ships. Amongst these are a special 10th Anniversary Gift Container, which guarantees a Tier VI ship, and a Premium Ship VII Container, which can be earned through the 10th anniversary Event Pass. Long time players can also look forward to additional Containers, including a Premium Ship VIII Elite Container for players with over five years and 25 battles under their belt, and a Premium Ship X Elite Container for those who have been with the game for the last decade.
Experience a Blast from the Past in a new limited-time game mode and Port
For the 10th anniversary, World of Warships is also bringing in a new limited-time game mode for players to test their mettle. Blast from the Past takes players down memory lane, as it removes aircraft carriers and submarines to offer players the original World of Warships experience, as it was at launch a decade ago. Structured across six chapters, each phase offers an insight into the history of World of Warships, restricting gameplay, ships, and maps to those only seen during that era. The final chapter brings it all together, with a new set of restrictions for players to overcome.
A brand-new nostalgic Decade Dock Port also arrives, bringing ten years’ worth of Easter Eggs to find, and a journal detailing the game’s history over the past decade. A new version of the Update Navigator in the Port will also share the latest news and features, whilst offering players the opportunity to view a personalised Career Report, breaking down their stats across battles and time played.
A new line of German Cruisers dock into Early Access
World of Warships’ 10th anniversary update also sees the arrival of new German Cruisers in Early Access, including Tier VI heavy cruiser Deutschland, Tier VII heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer, Tier VIII heavy cruiser Knesebeck, Tier IX heavy cruiser Manteuffel, and Tier X heavy cruiser Prinz Adalbert. In addition to these vessels, Knesebeck, Manteuffel, and Prinz Adalbert will also receive three permanent camouflages to celebrate their arrival.
Each of these German vessels specialises in close-quarters combat, using their large main battery guns to inflict heavy damage. While their accuracy is optimised for close-range combat, they come equipped with improved Secondary Batteries that you can take active control of to make up for their short range. As is typical with German ships, they are also bundled with Improved Hydroacoustic Search and high defense, making these powerful adversaries on the high seas.
Closing out the update, World of Warships will see the continuation of the “In the Name of Tomorrow” campaign, the return of Asymmetric Battles, a Module Damage Rework, Submarines arriving in Operations, and new seasons of Clan and Ranked Battles.
World of Warships is a free, historical, online combat PC game from Wargaming. With its massive fleet of most iconic war vessels, including five different ship classes and strategically designed environment, World of Warships provides the ultimate naval warfare gaming experience, suitable for everyone. Thanks to its largest collection of historically accurate ships available to play, World of Warships prides itself as a digital ship museum and a focal point for naval history enthusiasts. New thematic content and innovative game modes are being added on a regular basis, providing a diverse and exciting gameplay to its broad player base.
About Wargaming
Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 15 offices around the world, including studios in Guildford, Prague, Chicago, Austin, Shanghai, Tokyo, Vilnius, Kyiv, and Belgrade. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Our flagship products include hit free-to-play franchises – World of Tanks and World of Warships.
NIS America, Inc. is excited to announce that Ys X: Proud Nordics, the definitive edition of the critically acclaimed entry in the Ys series, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in early 2026.
Experience Adol and Karja’s unforgettable journey across Obelia Gulf with new quality of life improvements, then discover the new story centering around Öland Island, and the mysterious newcomers Canute and Astrid. And once you’re ready, challenge yourself in the devious, time-trial dungeon of Muspelheim, where every second counts. Your new adventure awaits!
As the definitive edition of this critically acclaimed entry in the Ys series, Ys X: Proud Nordics offers all of the fast-paced combat and enthralling narrative of the original release, with new mechanics, a high-difficulty dungeon, and a brand-new storyline seamlessly integrated throughout the game.
After a tense encounter at sea, the young red-haired adventurer Adol and the proud Norman Karja find themselves bound together by shackles of Mana, and by the looming threat of an undying horde known as the Griegr, who seek to pillage the vibrant Obelia Gulf. Aboard their ship, the Sandras, Adol and Karja gather a trusty crew of friends and allies as they go head-to-head with the Griegr in one unforgettable journey!
Key Details:
Adventure Anew: The spectacular adventure of Ys X: Nordics is back and better than ever, with improved graphical performance and quality of life updates that make this the definitive way to experience Ys X.
Isle of Mystery: Arrive at Öland Island and take part in a brand-new adventure! With Shield Siblings Canute and Astrid by your side, dig deep into the mystery surrounding this island in a story that’s been seamlessly integrated into the original.
An Ocean of Experiences Awaits: New mechanics and content abound in Ys X: Proud Nordics! Use the new Mana Hold ability to manipulate the world around you, try your hand at new challenges on Öland Island, and prepare yourself for Muspelheim, a timed dungeon of
About Nihon Falcom Corporation:
Nihon Falcom is a game developer founded in 1981 that has created many titles for consumer game platforms and boasts an extremely enthusiastic fanbase worldwide. Notable titles include the Ys series and the Trails series.
About NIS America, Inc.
In 2003, NIS America, Inc. was established in Southern California as a subsidiary of Nippon Ichi Software, Inc., to bring exciting, one-of-a-kind Japanese culture to North America.
NIS America, Inc.’s team members devote themselves to the fans. Their respect for their fans is at the heart of everything they do. As an established entertainment publisher in the U.S., NIS America, Inc. is committed to continuous growth and improvement.
In keeping with its mission, NIS America, Inc. also publishes other popular Japanese games, like the critically acclaimed The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak.
Step into the Rift on 29 September 2025 (PT) as the co-op stealth extraction horror enters Early Access
Sydney – 4 September 2025 – Australian independent developer Weforge Studio today announced the official Steam Early Access release date for its co-op stealth extraction horror game Macabre. The game will launch globally on 29 September 2025 on Steam, accompanied by a new trailer that reveals the date and showcases its tense, procedural survival gameplay.
Set inside a collapsing time rift, Macabre pits players against an adaptive interdimensional terror that learns from their actions. Guided by the enigmatic NPC Banjo, players scavenge, sneak, and fight to survive in an unstable dimension where every session unfolds differently. Procedural maps, shifting objectives, and high-stakes co-operative extraction ensure replayability, tension, and betrayal at every turn. Macabre has already amassed 250,000 wishlists on Steam. During the recent Steam Next Fest, the demo ranked in the Top 50 most played titles, reinforcing the game’s momentum ahead of its Early Access release.
Early Access features include:
Explore volatile procedural maps where environments and threats change every run
Squad up with up to four players, or face the Rift alone in solo play
Loot, scavenge, and extract rare resources before the Rift collapses
Outsmart the Crawler, a relentless predator that adapts to your tactics
Brave dynamic weather and monster behaviours that keep every encounter fresh
Progress through Rift timelines by completing Banjo’s objectives
New maps and monsters unlocked throughout Early Access
“With Early Access, we want to refine Macabre alongside players. The adaptive AI, procedural systems, and high-stakes co-op are built to surprise, but this launch is just the beginning. We will expand with new maps, monsters, and mechanics guided by community feedback,” said Jake Davey, Game Director at Weforge Studio.
“This is the moment we have been working toward for more than four years. From late-night prototypes to a Kickstarter campaign that changed our lives, Macabre is finally stepping into the hands of players worldwide. Early Access gives us the runway to keep building, testing, and evolving the game with our community,” said Jay Topping, Creative Director at Weforge Studio. The new Launch Trailer is available now and confirms Macabre’s Early Access release on 29 September 2025. Wishlist on Steam to be notified the moment it goes live.
Discover the award-winning PC Game and its PC specs and features.
Sydney, Australia–September 3, 2025 – Today, Ubisoft launched a free downloadable demo for Anno 117: Pax Romana. The limited-time demo is available for all players on the Ubisoft store, Steam and Epic Games store until September 16.
Anno 117: Pax Romana made its public debut at Gamescom, where it was first playable by thousands of players and honoured with the Best PC Game and Best Booth awards. Now, players around the world can experience the most ambitious premiere builder game of the franchise! As Anno 1800 celebrates a milestone of 6 million players, this free demo offers the perfect chance to join a thriving global community and begin a new journey of aspiring governors.
Anno 117: Pax Romana will launch on November 13, 2025, simultaneously on Ubisoft+, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna as well as PC through the Ubisoft Store, Epic Games Store, and Steam.
UNVEILING PC SPECS AND FEATURES
Anno 117: Pax Romana is set to redefine the strategy genre by offering a premiere gameplay experience. This vision will be realized through the creation of the most expansive simulation ever built, powered by Ubisoft Mainz Empire Engine, and enhanced by a wide range of cutting-edge technological advancements:
GPU-driven dynamic grass movement and terrain displacement mapping – For governors who take pride in seeing their lands come alive, with vegetation swaying naturally in the wind and terrain responding realistically to the expansion of their province.
Ray tracing, global illumination, and atmospheric scattering – For governors who appreciate the beauty of the outdoors, where light reflects authentically across surfaces, fog drifts through the marshes of Albion, and weather evolves dynamically throughout the day
Crowd simulation and day-night cycle – For governors eager to explore the vibrant streets of their provinces at any hour of the day or witness the energy of a coliseum crowd rising with the rhythm of the day.
For the latest news on Anno 117: Pax Romana and other Ubisoft games, please visit news.ubisoft.com.
Development of Anno 117: Pax Romana is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space within the framework of computer games funding.
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®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2023-24 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2.32 billion. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.
The teams at Ubisoft Mainz engineer some of Ubisoft’s biggest blockbusters. Operating from a historic city in the center of Germany, the studio develops games pushing the limits of the genre like the acclaimed Anno series with the upcoming Anno 117: Pax Romana and lends decades of expertise to AAA co-development projects like the Esports phenomenon Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege and the upcoming Beyond Good and Evil 2. Ubisoft Mainz is part of the Ubisoft Blue Byte studio network. More information at https://mainz.ubisoft.com.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2025:METAL EDEN, the latest FPS from Reikon Games, the creators of RUINER, is out now on all platforms. Published by Deep Silver, the full game is available for Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for $59.95*. With the release, a 10% launch discount is being offered for a limited time of 7 days.
To celebrate launch, watch a brand-new CGI trailer here:
The concept revolves around the controversial relationship between ASKA and Nexus, highlighting the clash between emotion and empiricism, control and freedom. It portrays a defining moment: the first time ASKA encounters her own dead body, a visual metaphor for rebirth, one of the game’s central themes.
A story of rebirth
In METAL EDEN, players take on the role of ASKA, an advanced Hyper Unit android built around a digitized human psyche. Set in a hauntingly beautiful machine world, you’ll explore the neon-soaked architecture of the techno-planet Moebius and descend into the mysterious world below, uncovering the dark truth behind a lost human colony whose souls are trapped in cybernetic COREs.
Accompanied by your sentient ship Nexus, you’ll upgrade your undying body, expand your futuristic arsenal, and engage in a relentless conflict where reality, memory, and control are constantly in question. Face a diverse roster of enemies, extract energy cores to gain tactical advantages, and evolve into an unstoppable Hyper Unit.
*This is a suggested retail price. Actual prices may vary by retailer
About METAL EDEN
METAL EDEN presents an adrenaline-fueled sci-fi FPS that explores a world where humanity’s consciousness has transcended the flesh, now residing within robots.
With 8 unique missions and a handcrafted universe setting that embraces the cybernetic dimension of life, the game thrills players into an artificial world, where they’ll dive into in cybernetic warfare, control a powerful hyper unit, and uncover the mysteries of a lost paradise.
Reikon Games is an independent developer of PC and console games, delivering high-energy experiences to a global audience. Based in Warsaw, Reikon was founded in 2014 by industry veterans from CD Projekt Red and Techland. The studio is known for its sharp, fast-paced gameplay, from the cult hit RUINER to the upcoming METAL EDEN. Reikon focuses on original IPs, pushing creative boundaries, and collaborating with industry partners. For more information, please visit reikongames.com.
About PLAION
PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Boasting a vast network of eight game development studios, fifteen regional publishing offices, three game publishing labels including Deep Silver, and PLAION PICTURES as an independent film publisher and distributor, the company extends its influence with merchandise production and expansive distribution capabilities across the globe. Founded three decades ago, PLAION has firmly established itself within the entertainment arena. With a diverse range of services and solutions, PLAION stands as the premier publishing partner for console and PC games across both physical and digital channels. Moreover, its strong foothold in the Virtual Reality (VR) domain highlights the company’s commitment to varied gaming experiences. PLAION is an Embracer Group company.
About Deep Silver
Deep Silver is PLAION’s flagship publishing label, and the home of captivating gaming worlds from the gripping post-apocalypse of Metro, to the twisted paradises of Dead Island to the authentic Medieval landscapes of Kingdom Come Deliverance. For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com
Get a complete overview of PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC‘s action and systems in its latest trailer. The video provides details about the game’s unique features, including new and enhanced Pac-Man actions as well as expanded functionalities in Pac-Village. PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC is coming on 26 September 2025 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.
The trailer features several stage-specific actions such as ‘Ice Skating,’ Snorkeling,’ and ‘Pac-Marine,’ as well as expanded features of Pac-Village including an arcade to play arcade games, Gashapon machines and maze games, and a clothing store where you can change Pac-Man’s clothing.
As its names implies, PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC is a remake of PAC-MAN WORLD 2 that was released in 2002, and has been modernised, enhanced and upgraded. The premise of the game is that the evil ghosts snuck into Pac-Village and stole the Golden Fruit, unwittingly freeing the all-powerful ghost king, Spooky! Pac-Man must venture across Pac-Land to reclaim the Golden Fruit and put a stop to the dastardly Spooky! The charming world of Pac-Land is filled with challenges and features set in dynamic environments, such as ice skating in Snowy Mountains, flutter jumping over lava in the Volcano or deep diving in the Ocean!
Old and new PAC players, enjoy the Re-PAC to its fullest with expanded levels, quality of life improvements, voice acting, but also new actions for Pac-Man, new and updated boss battles, characters, customisations and more! Additionally, the game features for the first time an offline-only 2-Player mode. Explore Pac-Land and go on a journey with your friend while incarnating Pac-Man and Pac-Drone!
Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, in collaboration with Capsule Corporation Tokyo, Shueisha Inc., Toei Animation Co. Ltd. And Bandai Spirits Co. Ltd., are pleased to announce that DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour 2026, an event packed for DRAGON BALL fans around the world will be held in Los Angeles, California, USA, on 18 and 19 April 2026.
Created with the ambition of sharing the latest news and announcements on the DRAGON BALL universe, the DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour will have its 6th edition packed to the brim with DRAGON BALL games content. In addition to special announcements and content, the event will pit players of games such as DRAGON BALL FighterZ, DRAGON BALL SUPER CARD GAME MASTERS, DRAGON BALL SUPER CARD GAME FUSION WORLD and DRAGON BALL SUPER CARD GAME FUSION WORLD DIGITAL.
Get ready for DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour 2026 by watching this new trailer
The event will also include booth exhibits, merchandise sales as well as stage events, notably featuring DRAGON BALL GEKISHIN SQUADRAand DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO.
DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour 2026 can be attended for free, with attendance details available on the official website: https://dbgbh.bn-ent.net/
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.
A Sweeping Cinematic Opening Sets the Stage for Ramza and Delita’s Unforgettable Story
SYDNEY (Sept. 3, 2025)– This past weekend at PAX West, SQUARE ENIX showed off the opening cinematic for its upcoming standalone tactical RPG, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles. Debuting during the “Making of FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles” panel, the updated cinematic offers a glimpse into the early lives of Ramza and Delita, setting the stage for their harrowing journey through Ivalice. The sequence also showcases the emotionally rich soundtrack that will bring the epic story to life when the game launches on September 30 across all major consoles and PC.
View the opening movie here
Held before a packed audience of enthusiastic fans, the panel featured Director Kazutoyo Maehiro and Art Director Hiroshi Minagawa, with voice actor Ben Starr serving as host. Together, they explored the development of the original game, along with the enhanced features that both longtime fans and newcomers can look forward to in this upcoming tactical RPG, including refined graphics, a newly enriched script, full voice acting, and a suite of quality-of-life updates designed to deliver a modern gameplay experience.
Developed by key members of the original FINAL FANTASY TACTICS team like Maehiro and Minagawa alongside a new generation of creators, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles blends legacy and innovation. Among the fresh faces is Co-Director Ayako Yokoyama, whose unique vision is helping shape the next chapter of this beloved tactical RPG.
Today, SQUARE ENIX unveiled a new blog feature titled “Next-Gen Visionaries Part 1: The FINAL FANTASY TACTICS Co-Director Shaping The Ivalice Chronicles,” offering an in-depth interview with Yokoyama. The piece explores her journey as a game developer, her role as Co-Director, and her creative approach to reimagining Ivalice for a new era. Part 2 of the series, which delves into how Yokoyama’s fresh perspective is elevating The Ivalice Chronicles to new heights, will be published tomorrow, September 4 at 1:00 AM Australian Standard time / 3:00 AM New Zealand Standard time on the Square Enix Blog (Sept 3. 8:00 AM Pacific / 11:00 AM Eastern).
Hailed as a genre-defining title and one of the greatest FINAL FANTASY stories of all time, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles transports players into the medieval Kingdom of Ivalice as it finds itself steeped in a deepening global conflict. Tailored for both longtime and new players alike, the beloved tactical RPG makes its return with a revamped and enriched script, fully voiced dialogue, and stunning upgraded graphics that add to the game’s immersive feel. The game also provides significant quality-of-life updates to make its turn-based combat and elaborate character progression system more accessible for all players, including an updated UI and a new auto-save function.
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles will include both enhanced and classic versions of the game. The enhanced version features modern upgrades and quality-of-life changes, making FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles the perfect entry point to the tactical RPGs. The classic version takes a more nostalgic approach, recreating the game and perfectly tailoring it for players who want to relive the original FINAL FANTASY TACTICS.
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles will launch on Nintendo Switch™ 2, Nintendo Switch™, PS5®, PS4®, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and Steam Deck on September 30, 2025. 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 203 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 94 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.
Grow Crops, Raise Animals, Cook Food and Hang Out with Friends in this Much Anticipated New Farming Game
Seattle, WA – September 2, 2025 – HYTOPIA today announced the Open Beta launch of its much-anticipated game SkyGarden, a cozy, progression-based farming MMORPG., Free to play starting today, SkyGarden invites players to cultivate their dream islands, connect with friends, and blossom into legendary “SkyGardeners.”
Blending farming, crafting, and resource management with social features, SkyGarden offers players a relaxing and rewarding journey. Starting on a modest 10×10 island, players can plant crops, raise animals, cook meals, and craft decorations while expanding their land into a thriving paradise. Uniquely, crops continue growing even when players are offline, and resource production scales with land size, creating meaningful progression without constant attention.
Gameplay Features:
Build Your Dream Garden: Start small and expand your island with new plots, cosmetic enhancements, and upgrades that unlock through 30+ levels of progression.
Grow & Create: Harvest crops, craft items, and cook meals to sell or consume for XP boosts.
Extensive Customization: Choose between player models, customize your island’s skybox to match your mood, and select background music to create the perfect farming atmosphere.
Play Solo or Together: Progress alone or visit other players’ islands for pastoral inspiration.
Beautiful Hub World: Socialize in the stunning Hub world where you can collect rewards, shop, expand your island, and craft items before seamlessly transitioning back to your personal garden.
Community & Gifting: Trade crops and crafted items through the in-game gifting system and collaborate on achievements for XP and rewards.
Competitive & Social Elements: Climb leaderboards in regular competitions for rare items, complete daily tasks with eight objectives plus login streaks, and use the achievement system to earn island boosts.
SkyGarden is led by Shrimp, a seasoned full-stack developer with over 7 years of enterprise experience and extensive background in Minecraft plugin development, including notable work on Dungeon Realms. The team also includes Sebu, a talented Minecraft artist and builder responsible for SkyGarden‘s stunning Hub world and intricate model designs, who brings extensive experience in map creation and has built a following through engaging build videos.
This launch represents a milestone for HYTOPIA‘s commitment to supporting native innovation and empowering creators who choose to build their visions on the platform. SkyGarden embodies HYTOPIA‘s vision for social, accessible gaming experiences, combining the proven appeal of cozy farming games with community interaction, polished progression systems, and seamless multiplayer integration.
About HYTOPIA
HYTOPIA is a next-generation game creation platform built to empower indie studios and professional creators. Designed for cross-platform play and instant browser access, HYTOPIA removes barriers between developers and players by making it easy to create, publish, and play games without installs or complex setup. For more information please visit www.hytopia.com, follow us on X, and join the discussion on Discord.
Over the last few years the line between remaster and remake has blurred to the point that most remasters are just straight remakes. Sure, there are still plenty of collections and titles that are given a slight visual upgrade or quality of life features, but there are just as many that have been re-built from the ground up, using only the framework of the original to help establish itself. Such has been the case for the last few Story of Seasons games and nowhere is it more evident now than with Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar that has seen countless mechanics that were previously tied to DS mechanics or limited by the handhelds’ systems now grow far beyond the roots that it once had. So now that Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar has fully arrived in its remade form, is it a worthy harvest?
Story
Zephyr Town used to host one of the biggest and bustling bazaars that one could possibly attend but those times have long since passed. Now, while this quaint town might still host its bazaar every Saturday, it barely sees any visitors to the point that many of its residents have grown disheartened and even the town’s signature windmills have been left to fall into disrepair. Players take on the role of their own created farmer, male or female, and are given the opportunity to take control of the former farmer’s farm that has been left to sit idle since she departed for reasons unknown. With the town’s mayor hoping that revitalizing the farm may see the town’s bazaar also see some revitalization, it is up to the player on how to handle things from then on.
As per usual for many Story of Seasons games, the grand storyline takes more of a backseat here, though some primary story beats are unveiled and revealed as players progress through the game and clear primary goals such as meeting certain requirements imposed by the “Bazaar Committee” that’ll increase the “rank” of Zephyr Town’s bazaar and draw not only more customers but also more vendors to potentially set up their own stalls, including some of the townsfolk themselves and even some familiar faces that fans have played other games in the series will recognize, open up more facilities for use in the town, and even open up more of the town as well. Instead the primary story comes from the villagers of the town itself and who players may want to pursue.
Considering the game has been made so players can marry any of the six bachelorettes or six bachelors in the game, with a brand new man and woman being added into the game as marriage candidates, there are a wide-range of options available. Many of the characters remain the same looking, or at least relatively similar, to how they did originally though all have been given name changes, though it is worth noting that the girl helping manage the town’s inn, Maple, has been completely retooled from her previous version of Daisy. Interestingly enough, as soon as players meet a character they are given some small clues as to what they may like such as favorite color and general items, making initial romance building quite easy to figure out. June for example, loves Magic Blue Flowers because she likes the color Blue, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some challenges along the way.
In an interesting twist on offering different challenges, there are not only various fully voiced scenes that players will be able to see, indicated by little exclamation marks on the map, for characters at certain relationship levels, there are also literal locks that appear on a character’s heart from time to time as well. This means players usually need to either see a specific scene or complete a request from the character to actually help move the relationship further. Not only does this help encourage players to engage in some elements of the game they may have otherwise not bothered with, but also makes the relationships in the game, including even townsfolk that players can’t marry, more engaging.
It is interesting to note as well that, while the game does not feature the Harvest Goddess in any way similar to the original version, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar does feature the harvest sprites. These five little guys play less of a story role but do help factor in when it comes to various gameplay elements which we will go over later. Their inclusion does help maintain series consistency and it is nice to see that each has their own special theme this time around as well, even if it is kept rather minimal.
Gameplay
For many fans of Story of Seasons, Grand Bazaar will still feel mostly the same as the core farming mechanics are all the same as usual with players being given a plot of land that allows them to plant various crops/trees that only grow or produce during certain seasons. Players will need to water these crops daily and eventually harvest them, with fertilizer being optional to increase the quality level of the item. It is interesting to note that sometimes special rare types of crops can grow instead, such as extra-large turnips though these seemed more random than something players could plan for. What has changed is the fact that players no longer have an individual axe and hammer, instead the item is combined into a two-in-one used for cleaning up debris and mining, the “pasture” that players will use to feed their farm animals is actually a legitimate pasture in the back of the barn, not just grass planted in the field, being able to actually jump, and of course the fact that sets this game apart entirely, the way money is almost entirely made. The Bazaar.
Whereas most games in the franchise see players dropping their items in the shipping container without a thought about what will happen to them or perhaps turning them in for a request that might reward some money, instead every Saturday players will find themselves being able to manage their very own stand at the town bazaar through the morning and evening shifts. While it is entirely possible to sell items at the general store, doing so does not contribute to the bazaar’s growth, a persistent story mechanic as mentioned before, nor does it allow for various modifiers to increase their value. You see, while players will initially start with only a basic vending stall with a standard tent and one table, they can eventually unlock and purchase various bonuses and different decorations that do everything from boosting the quality of items, their sales price, how much a certain type of item might attract attention from passerbys and more.
Actually selling things is simple, players will need to store items within their “stock” before starting a shift and anything in the stock can then be placed on an empty spot on a table. Players can ring a bell to help draw attention to their goods and if people see what they want, they’ll head right over and an item can be sold with a tap of a button. Sometimes items that the player may have in-stock but not displayed will appear as “thought bubbles” above a customer’s head and replacing an item with the one they are looking for will instantly draw their attention and a purchase. In-between shifts players can take some temporary time to run around the bazaar and do some shopping of their own as special seeds, personal and town upgrades, livestock and pets, and many other aspects are only available for purchase on Saturday. This can be a bit limiting at times but does allow players to put their hard-earned cash to immediate use, spending their profits to expand the size of their plantable land or even the quality of their soil, the size of their storage, or even using another currency entirely in the form of “Happiness” with the aforementioned Harvest Sprites.
Happiness is earned by doing basically anything and it happens randomly, petting your dog might reward some points, viewing a scene rewards a number of points, even harvesting your own crops can reward points. Either way, Happiness can only be spent at the Harvest Sprites’ own shop and offers a variety of boons such as extra decorations, a Power Berry, and more. While selling at the player’s stall, the Harvest Sprites will also slowly fill up a gauge depending on what items players are selling and can trigger a special sales time that applies extra bonuses to items that are sold for a limited time. Not only can this be used to freeze time when close to closing in an attempt to sell out, but also a way to earn extra money as each Sprite offers unique bonuses during this special sales time.
Outside the Bazaar the Harvest Sprites have another use entirely. Each one has something they like, be it fish, forageable items, mushrooms, honey, etc, and giving them that item will slowly fill up a meter that rewards Happiness points and at certain levels permanently boosts the quality of all items of their specialty. This is a great way to help accomplish specific goals that require higher-quality dishes or items to be created but does cause something of a storage issue since different quality materials do not stack with one another. As such players might end up with a large amount of .5 star ore that then gets compounded with 1 star ore, 1.5 star ore, etc. Sure, they can be sold or discarded but it is an annoyance especially since there are very few mining spots within the game as there is no actual mineshaft. The only form of mining are little ore deposits around town that change from season to season and depending on the wind speed some may not even be accessible.
Yes, there is wind speed in Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar and unlike the original, it isn’t controlled by manual breathing but by the actual weather forecast. Wind speed plays a role in two ways, traversal and crafting. In the game players have the ability to jump as mentioned before and can even purchase the “knowledge” to double-jump, which can also be used to increase tool reach and even bulk harvest, but they will quickly be given a glider by the Harvest Sprites that allows them to glide around and reach unreachable places on the windiest days, often with rare mining spots, or simply traverse town in certain directions faster. It also determines how quickly the three unlockable windmills craft items. As players advance through the game, generally by upgrading their Bazaar level, they’ll unlock quests to help repair the windmills around town, each with increasingly more complicated recipes and fancier items that they can produce as a result. Everything is crafted in real-game time, meaning that turning a bottle of milk into yogurt will take anywhere from six to twelve in-game hours depending on the wind is blustery or still that day, though thankfully players can have five items making at the same time and can even set things to craft overnight, allowing longer recipes to still be created even during still days.
Other things such as cooking are handled simply enough, with recipes earned either through completing little quests for villagers as mentioned before, located when exploring the town, or simply by eating an item for the first time. Pets actually serve a few purposes as well and players can even have multiple pets, petting them and even training them for help on the farm. Dogs will help herd larger animals such as sheep and cows while cats will take care of chickens. The higher the training of the pet the more animals they can herd in and out of the barn, making managing and feeding the livestock easier, though players will still need to be hands on when it comes to brushing, milking, shearing, and actually showing affection to their livestock for higher quality produce.
Oddly enough, a few other changes are far less clear or simply make no sense. The fishing game has been drastically altered with players having to take part in directional inputs through lengthy fishing sections, especially against “large” type fish, that simply takes too long to feel worthwhile most of the time. Similarly, while exploring the town we often saw bugs of various kinds scattering around and wondered when they would be catchable with a net only for one of the little girls to request we catch her some ladybugs and finally trigger a tutorial saying there is no net, players need only to walk slowly up to a bug to catch it. This lack of tutorial for such a simple mechanic was incredibly surprising with how prominent they were. Other aspects such as purchasing a log to grow mushrooms on or a beehive in the mountain to gather honey are self-explanatory and simple enough to master but a few more tips here and there would have been helpful.
It is also worth noting that, while all Story of Seasons games are always about managing stamina use and getting things done at the same time, it feels like Grand Bazaar is a bit egregious with how limited players’ initial stamina is. While players can improve their stamina through obtaining Power Berries, they are slim pickings throughout most of the early to mid game and while cooking and eating food is always helpful, taking a bath can also restore stamina but this last option also costs time. Time is another issue that can eventually start to be an issue later in the game as players find increasingly larger locations to explore, tasks to complete, and more, making trying to cram everything in into one day somewhat of a challenge for those that try to spread themselves too thin.
Audio & Visuals
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is impressive looking with a wide variety of different character designs and although all major NPCs have their standard models, they also have their wonderful character portraits as well. These portraits offer more expressive and detailed looks at the characters as players interact with them. It is worth noting that generic NPCs also explore the town to help make it feel a bit more lived in. Zephyr Town is designed well-enough and makes great use of multi-level design to hide various secrets that require the aforementioned movement options to reach them. Crops look the same as players would expect and animals do as well, and it is nice to note that there is a good amount of variety of different dog and cat species to acquire and their breed is purely cosmetic. A husky can herd just as many livestock as a Shiba Inu.
There is some voice work for the game as a new English dub has been recorded but it is also worth noting that not every interaction has fully voiced dialogue. Only event scenes and story scenes are fully voiced with every character having fitting voicework, side-events or standard interactions will just have characters making small quips that players will quickly grow accustomed to. As for the soundtrack, the game features some great background music to fit with its simple farming atmosphere and mixes things up depending on season, location, and of course whether a festival is happening or not.
Overall
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar takes a title that was not only stranded on handheld but limited by its original platform as a result and has expanded on it in almost every way possible. Zephyr Town is filled with a charming cast of characters and a great balance of romance options and adding in various movement abilities along with the farming mechanics being as tried and true as usual mean this endearing farming game is as enjoyable as ever. Some elements, such as having crafting depending on wind speed, fishing being annoying, and an initial stamina hurdle might hurt the experience a bit, but the biggest change of actually having a booth to sell your produce and crafted items makes farm life as engaging as ever, rather than simply dumping everything in the shipping box as usual.
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