Begin Gamescom with a bang thanks to 9 diverse indie titles that span from horror to action co-op adventures!
[Cologne, Germany | 18th August, 2025] – Soft Source is set to make Gamescom 2025 unforgettable – not only with a lineup of nine standout indie titles, but with the creators themselves joining the fun.
Flying in from across the globe, these developers will be on hand at Hall 10-2, Stand F004g for a week of hands-on demos, meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes insights.
Meet its Makers
For the first time, Soft Source’s presence is just as much about the creators as the games. Development teams from Southeast Asia and beyond are flying to Cologne to personally demo their projects. Meet the minds behind your next favorite indie – chat with the storytellers who shaped DreadOut 3’s creepiest moments or the Filipino pixel artists building Bloodbreaker’s gothic maze.
They will be booth-ready, meaning you can completely geek out, have merch signed, and share any fun memories.
Additionally, you can expect impromptu Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and one-on-one conversations. Soft Source is turning its corner into a mini indie meetup.
Create personal core memories with nine amazing games
From spine-tingling horror to heartfelt adventure, Soft Source’s playable lineup has something for everyone. Every title revealed last month is on the show floor-some with fresh Gamescom content. Hunt ghosts in DreadOut 3, step into the surreal nightmares of Midnight Dreams, brave the cursed labyrinth of Bloodbreaker, or shred through the Underworld in Grim Trials with its head-banging metal soundtrack.
Prefer something lighter or more heartfelt? Guide a young girl through a dreamy, hand-drawn world in As I Began to Dream, or join Kejora and friends on a puzzle-platform adventure to unravel a village mystery. Dive beneath the waves in Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, a tranquil Arabian-mythology-inspired journey. Team up in the retro co-op action RPG Mighty Knight Legacy, or embrace the whimsy of Wolley’s Dungeon Adventure, where a cute creature inhales and spits out enemies for family-friendly chaos.
About Soft Source
Soft Source is a game publisher based in Singapore. With a penchant for home-grown, Southeast Asian titles, we’re just excited to work on bringing engaging games with standout, stylized visuals to life. softsourcepublishing.com.
Cozy renovations await in this stress-free cozy game Steam playtest, available for Mac and PC!
SEATTLE – Aug. 18, 2025 – tinyBuild and developer Come On Studio have released a new trailer for Hozy, the stress-free, cozy room renovation game. This impeccably relaxing trailer details fresh content being added to Hozy’s playtest on Steam today, including one new level to enjoy. Declutter with new items to discover while you paint, scrape, clean, and more! Get cozy in Hozy, transforming dusty, neglected spaces into warm, welcoming places!
Today’s Steam update adds a new level to the playtest where you can put your organization skills to the test. Dive into a tiny NYC-inspired apartment previously occupied by a brainiac who adored math and physics, but later rented out to a hoarder who turned the place into a dump! Breathe life back into this desolate den and make it a comfy corner where new memories can be made.
The development team has been keeping up with player testing feedback, introducing quality-of-life improvements since the initial playtest like placing items outside of level boundaries (and into the lost & found) for later use, new control hints for interactions, and new sound effects for different surfaces! For more from Hozy, follow the game’s development on X/Twitter, TikTok, and Discord.
AboutCome On Studio
A small, passionate team of graphic, visual and web design professionals, working on their first game ‘Hozy’.
About tinyBuild
tinyBuild started as an indie game developer and morphed into a developer-publisher you can’t miss. The company’s dedication to creating long-term partnerships and elevating recognizable franchises has resulted in many successful collaborations with talented developers from all over the world. The company has released dozens of games, including the Hello Neighbor series, Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners, DUCKSIDE, The King is Watching and more. Although headquartered in the Seattle area, USA, the company has established a strong global presence with studios across the US, Netherlands, and Eastern Europe. https://www.tinybuild.com
Wiesbaden, Germany – August 18th, 2025 – Publisher Assemble Entertainment and solo developer Moral Anxiety Studio are thrilled to announce that Roadwarden, the award-winning illustrated text-based RPG, will launch on Nintendo Switch on August 25, 2025.
Set in a gritty, low-fantasy world full of mystery, danger, and moral dilemmas, Roadwarden puts players in the boots of a solitary traveller tasked with exploring an untamed peninsula. The game combines isometric pixel art, deep narrative design, and RPG elements such as inventory puzzles, dialogue choices, character builds, and survival mechanics.
Pre-orders are now available on the Nintendo eShop for EUR 10.99/USD, with a 20% launch discount. The game will launch globally on 25 August 2025, with a release in Korea to follow shortly after.
Step into the unknown. Shape your fate. And guard the roads.
Key Features – Roadwarden
Explore a Mysterious Peninsula Uncover secrets, dangers, and hidden stories in a richly detailed, low-fantasy world.
Choose Your Class and Backstory Play as a warrior, mage, or scholar, shaping your character’s abilities, beliefs, and personality.
Meaningful Choices Engage in deep dialogue, make the right decisions and shape the world around you.
30+ Hour Campaign Immerse yourself in a narrative-driven experience full of quests, survival elements, and moral dilemmas.
Every shadow hides a threat, every stranger may be a friend or a foe, and every choice could be your last. Roadwarden on Nintendo Switch invites a new audience to lose themselves in a world where every path is uncertain and every decision has weight. The roads are calling and only you can decide where they lead.
About Assemble Entertainment
Assemble Entertainment is an independent game publisher based in Wiesbaden, Germany. Founded in 2016 by industry veteran Stefan Marcinek, Assemble is known for critically acclaimed indie hits such as Sticky Business, Roadwarden, Lacuna and Asgard’s Fall. The company also owns in-house developer Gentlymad Studios, creators of the Endzone franchise. Assemble has twice won the German Developer Award for “Best Publisher” and organizes GermanDevDays, one of Germany’s largest developer conferences. Learn more at www.assembleteam.com and www.germandevdays.com.
About Moral Anxiety Studios
Moral Anxiety Studio is the one-person indie studio of Polish developer Aureus, known for crafting richly immersive narrative games that blend RPG mechanics with interactive fiction. His critically acclaimed titles Roadwarden and Windy Meadow – A Roadwarden Tale are set in the grim fantasy world of Viaticum, and are celebrated for their thoughtful writing, branching storytelling, and unique blend of visual novel and role-playing elements.
The most refined version of Ryo Hazuki’s epic journey – on new platforms with new features, enhanced visuals and much more
Stuttgart, 18th August, 2025: Legendary game creator Yu Suzuki and publisher ININ Games proudly announce Shenmue III Enhanced, the upgraded edition of the acclaimed adventure that stays true to its roots while adding modern improvements. Featuring overhauled visuals, performance boosts, and quality-of-life updates, Shenmue III Enhanced is the ultimate way to experience Ryo’s story – coming to PC, PS5, with the game releasing for the first time onXbox Series S & X and with Nintendo (TBC).
4K Texture Uplift – Refined, more detailed environments and characters.
DLSS/FSR Support – High-quality upscaling without sacrificing performance (supported platforms only).
Increased NPC Density – The city village Niaowu feels more alive with more characters populating the streets.
Classic Camera Mode – An optional camera perspective inspired by Shenmue I & II, alongside the modern view.
Gameplay Tweaks – Optional stamina system adjustments, health restoration before fights, and reduced money barriers for smoother progression.
Improved Interactions – Cutscene and conversation skip options, expanded QTE timing window for more accessible gameplay.
Menu & UX Enhancements – Streamlined navigation and helpful purchase alerts.
Optionality First – All major changes can be toggled to preserve the original experience for purists.
Step back into Ryo Hazuki’s world, which is now more vibrant, more responsive, and more accessible than ever, guided by Yu Suzuki’s vision.
Platforms: Shenmue III Enhanced will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo and PC (Steam & Epic Games Store).
Owners of the original Shenmue III on PS4 and PC will be offered an upgrade path to the Enhanced Edition, with details coming soon.
For more information, visit ININGAMES.COM
About YsNet
YS NET Inc. is an independent development studio founded by innovative game creator Yu Suzuki in 2008 after his career at SEGA. In 2015, Ys Net announced the Shenmue III project on Kickstarter, which led to two Guinness World Records, including the fastest $1 million pledged for a crowdfunded game. Shenmue III was released in 2019 for fans all over the world.
About ININ Games
ININ Games is a leading publisher of high-quality retro and arcade video games, bringing classics from the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s to modern platforms – faithfully restored, reimagined, or continued with brand-new sequels. Dedicated to preserving digital gaming heritage, ININ enhances titles with technical improvements, new features, and quality-of-life options while retaining their original charm. Collaborations with Sega, Taito, Irem, Natsume, and Yu Suzuki have revived legendary series such as Space Invaders, Bubble Bobble, Shenmue, and Turrican. Active worldwide, ININ releases both physical and digital editions, and is rated by Metacritic as Germany’s highest-ranked publisher for exceptional quality and cultural value.
[August 18, 2025] – FIFA Rivals, the high-energy mobile football game from FIFA and Mythical Games, today proudly announced a multi-year partnership with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, bringing the iconic German club into its digital arena.
The collaboration marks FIFA Rivals’ first official club partnership and signifies a major step forward in the game’s expansion across key football markets, while also introducing next-generation fan engagement to the global football community.
As part of the partnership, gamers and fans can expect exclusive BVB content, digital collectibles, and experiences both in-game and in real life, throughout the 2025/26 season, including:
Dortmund Players In-Game: Current select players including, Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy, Nico Schlotterbeck, Gregor Kobel, Jobe Bellingham, Yan Couto, and Daniel Svensson
Official In-Game Collectible Items: Kits will be available in FIFA Rivals starting in August, allowing gamers to collect them.
Fan Rewards and Giveaways: FIFA Rivals will host giveaways and challenges offering rewards such as in-game BVB collectibles, matchday tickets, and physical BVB merchandise.
IRL Activations: Future activations with BVB, including those at BVB’s FanWelt.
“Our partnership with Borussia Dortmund is a strategic step in expanding FIFA Rivals’ global footprint and deepening our engagement within the European football ecosystem,” said Jung Suh, Chief Business Officer at Mythical Games. “BVB’s global brand, forward-thinking approach, and commitment to fan experience make them an ideal partner as we continue to bridge the worlds of interactive entertainment and sport.
“We are excited about our partnership with FIFA Rivals. It creates a unique bridge between the digital and real worlds, enabling us to connect with our fans around the world in innovative ways. Borussia Dortmund stands for passion, community, and innovation – values that align perfectly with this project,“ said BVB Managing Director Carsten Cramer.
As the world’s first mobile football game to integrate digital ownership and player-powered economies, FIFA Rivals continues to redefine the football gaming experience for a new generation of fans.
To kick off the partnership, FIFA Rivals will host a special BVB Launch Giveaway Week from August 18–24, where all new and existing players can log in daily to receive a free BVB player card pack, featuring select first-team stars (no purchase necessary). Rivals players can also claim a new official Borussia Dortmund Emblem to customize their team. Additional exclusive emblems with stat boosts will be available in the in-game store during this limited-time event.
FIFA Rivals is available now on the App Store and Google Play Store, with more BVB-focused content launching this year.
About Mythical Games
Acknowledged by Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas 2021 and recently Forbes’Best Startup Employers (2024), Mythical Games is a next-generation game company creating world-class games and empowering players to take ownership of their in-game assets through the use of blockchain technology. The team has helped develop major franchises, including Call of Duty, Call of Duty Mobile, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Magic: The Gathering, EA Madden, Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery, Marvel Strike Force, Modern Warfare 3, and Skylanders. Mythical’s current games Blankos Block Party and NFL Rivals are already played by millions of consumers worldwide and create a new economy for players allowing them to engage in a new way with games but also directly trade and transact safely with other players worldwide.
The Mythical Marketplace, the first in-game blockchain Marketplace on iOS and Android, provides gamers with ownership and control over the purchase and sale of digital assets, while the Mythical Platform protects gamers that may be new to blockchain through a custodial wallet for their digital items.
About Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund is one of the most traditional and popular German football clubs. Founded in 1909, BVB boasts more than 10 million fans within Germany and, in addition, also looks to a rapidly growing fan base worldwide. The eight-time German champions and five-time DFB-Pokal winner was in 1966 the first German club to win a European Cup competition. BVB also became the first Bundesliga club to win the UEFA Champions League in 1997, followed by the Intercontinental Cup in the same year. With a turnover of over 500 million Euro, Borussia Dortmund nowadays is also one of the economically strongest football clubs in the world.
Studio BBB invites players to explore an emotional, hand-drawn puzzle-adventure and claim exclusive physical rewards in the B2C Indie Area
Seoul, South Korea – August 18th – Nominated for devcom Award, MONOWAVE is set to make a splash at Gamescom 2025. The heartfelt puzzle-adventure platformer from award-winning Korean indie team Studio BBB will be playable in the B2C Indie Area (Hall 10.2, Booth F-002g) within the Korea Creative Content Agency pavilion. Visitors can experience the game’s emotionally rich journey and take home exclusive physical goods, including stickers, acrylic keychains, and metal pin badges, by playing the demo or adding the game to their Steam wishlist.
“We wanted to create a game that feels like a warm conversation about feelings,”says Gwonyeong Lim, Founder of Studio BBB. “MONOWAVE is our invitation for players to explore the beauty of empathy in a world hand-drawn from our hearts. We can’t wait to share this journey with everyone at Gamescom.”
In MONOWAVE, players follow the journey of Mono, a newborn Guardian tasked with protecting the four scattered emotions: Anger, Anxiety, Happiness, and Sorrow. Harness Mono’s empathetic powers to soothe rampaging emotions, restore balance to the world, and uncover the deeper mysteries behind their unrest.
Key Features:
Four Unique Emotions & Powers: Happiness (jump to new heights), Sorrow (flow underwater), Anger (wall-jump), Anxiety (evade dangers).
Heartfelt Storytelling: Explore a touching narrative about the complexity and humanity of emotions.
Colorful Characters: Interact with quirky inhabitants whose behavior is shaped by your powers.
Four Unique Worlds: Traverse realms warped by each Emotion, from foggy jungles to blazing caverns.
Whimsical Art Style & Original Soundtrack: A scratch-art-inspired aesthetic and exclusive score bring MONOWAVE’s emotional universe to life.
Join MONOWAVE’s journey: Play the demo at Gamescom (B2C Indie Area, Hall 10.2, Booth F-002g), wishlist on Steam, and connect with the development team on the official Discord community.
ABOUT STUDIO BBB
Studio BBB began developing MONOWAVE two years ago while still at university. After graduating together this February, the team officially incorporated to bring their shared creative vision to life.
An iconic arcade shoot-em-up is reborn on Atari consoles
18th August 2025: PLAION REPLAI, a leading global publisher and developer of retro video game software and hardware, and Atari, one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers, are proud to announce the release of Tiger-Heli on cartridge for the Atari 7800, 7800+, and 2600+. This new title is the flagship release in a bold new wave of officially licensed retro games out now. The other titles launching on Atari include Avalanche, Countermeasure II, Dark Chambers and Super Circus Atari.
Tiger-Heli brings the adrenaline-pumping, vertically scrolling shooter action of the arcade original to Atari hardware for the first time ever. Developed from the ground up, this homebrew-built edition unleashes fast, fluid gameplay that honours the spirit of the 1985 arcade classic while optimising for the power of Atari’s newest consoles.
“Tiger-Heli isn’t just a port, it’s a full-throttle reimagining, built specifically for Atari players,” said PLAION REPLAI’s Commercial Director, Ben Jones. “We’ve made sure it looks, sounds, and plays like a dream on original and new hardware alike. It’s both a tribute and a statement about the future of physical retro gaming.”
Key Features of the new Tiger-Heli include:
Intense single-player helicopter combat.
Power-ups that boost firepower and unlock new abilities.
Diverse stages filled with tanks, turrets, aircraft, and bosses.
Original Pokey-based soundtrack that hits all the right nostalgic notes.
Compatible with Atari 7800, 7800+, and 2600+.
Packaged in a premium retro-style box with a collector’s manual.
Tiger-Heli headlines a broader cross-genre showcase of five new cartridges, each designed to rekindle the spirit of Atari’s golden age while appealing to today’s collectors and retro gamers. These include:
Avalanche: A fast-paced puzzle-action classic of falling chaos.
Countermeasure II: Tactical tank warfare meets Cold War codebreaking.
Dark Chambers: The return of the legendary dungeon crawl.
Super Circus Atari: Balloon-popping, clown-launching arcade mayhem.
Each release has been carefully selected and crafted – some are reimagined homebrew favourites, while others are cult classics getting their first-ever official cartridge editions.
Together, they form a cohesive physical collection that showcases the best of 8-bit imagination across action, strategy, and arcade genres.
Tiger-Heli and the additional four games are now available to buy at major retailers, priced at $44.95.
PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Founded nearly 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. Additionally, the company has a retro label, PLAION REPLAI, which is dedicated to the production, publishing and distribution of retro gaming hardware and software.
PLAION is an Embracer Group company.
About Atari
Atari is an interactive entertainment company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for its multi-platform interactive entertainment and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®.
Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit us online at www.Atari.com.
Challenge WNBA stars and pursue GOAT aspirations in The W
Today, 2K announced newNBA 2K26 improvements and features in The W mode available on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch™ 2. Players can challenge key competitors on the court, capture the attention of the fanatic WNBA audience, and speak their legacy into existence as they pursue new GOAT aspirations all while earning the respect of WNBA legends and rookies alike.
New enhancements are coming to The W, including:
Pre-Draft Interview: Every player’s journey in the WNBA officially begins with the pre-draft press conference. Fielding questions from the media about the next steps in their career, each question a player answers will start to dictate where they fall in the draft order. During their introductory presser, their story will start to take shape even giving a glimpse into potential rivalries to come.
Social Media Refresh: The social media feature in NBA 2K26 has been expanded and refreshed, representing the ever-growing coverage of the league and its players. As a player’s star power rises, more and more WNBA personalities will be talking about their career including notable real-world journalists and pundits like Myles Ehrlich, Terrika Foster-Brasby and Khristina Williams.
GOAT Challenges: In the W, becoming an all-time great isn’t easy, players can prove their worth by defeating current stars and climbing the all-time ranks. Whenever players beat a rival WNBA star, they’ll unlock short-term and long-term GOAT Challenges. Completing these GOAT Challenges will earn them GOAT points that contribute to their ascension up the all-time ladder. Players can even add to their prestige and receive on-court enhancements in the process, like Skill Boosts, Goat points and Badge performance multipliers and more.
Press Conferences: A player’s on-court performance says a lot, but press conferences in NBA 2K26 are a great way for them to weigh in on the relevant stories circulating around the league. Featuring authentic voice recordings and motion capture, press conferences in The W boast brand new content to interact with, from Rookie of the Year contenders to ongoing rivalries offering players richer and deeper immersion.
The W Online Rewards: For the first time, players can now earn VC in The W Online games in addition to rewards. Also new to NBA 2K26, now that the WNBA is fully integrated into MyTEAM, players will also be able to earn WNBA Player Cards to take their MyTEAM to the next level, plus Coach Cards and Uniform Cards.
For an in-depth breakdown of The W updates check out the Courtside Report blog. Visit the NBA 2K26official website for a full breakdown of the SKU details, availability, and more information. Stay tuned for additional announcements about the latest on NBA 2K26.
Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K26 is rated M in Australia and New Zealand.
Visual Concepts is a 2K studio. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
Access to online or bonus features, content, or services, including MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, The W Online, and Play Now Online, may require internet connection, online account registration, and/or may not be accessible by accounts registered to users below the age of 13 (minimum age varies). See www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy for additional details. ProPLAY, The City, The W, and MyNBA are only available for Gen 9 NBA 2K26. Crossplay is only available for Gen 9 NBA 2K26 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Game includes optional in-game purchases and paid random items. Some in-game content may require download and/or online gameplay to unlock. Online console play may require separate paid platform subscription and account registration. Terms apply.
*Prices based on 2K’s suggested retail price. Actual retail price may vary. See local retailers for more info and availability.
While many people may be familiar with the Puyo Puyo games, it is likely that many may not remember just where these little slimes originated from or in fact perhaps believe that their very first appearance came from the game itself. That however was not the case as the Puyos actually originated from an RPG developed at the same time called Mado Monogatari and were derived from the monsters within. Since then, while the Puyo Puyo games have been extremely prominent, the Mado Monogatari franchise has done the opposite, going almost entirely quiet even in Japan with no Western release until they finally released one with a completely different name over a decade ago.
Now with Compile Heart and Idea Factory International looking to possibly revive this franchise, we now have Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy arriving in the West. The question is, is this dungeon explorer worth your time or was this franchise best left collecting dust?
Story
Fia has always dreamed of becoming a “Great Mage” and with her grandmother’s grimoire and an invitation to the Ancient Magic Academy in her pocket, it seems like she’s well on her way to at least starting that journey alongside her odd looking pet Carbuncle. At least she would be, until Fia finds out that she has actually arrived for the academy’s entrance ceremony, having completely missed the actual testing to find out if she qualified to learn there in the first place. Thankfully, the humorous and far-wiser than he seems headmaster informs the teacher’s that one student is given the test of journeying all the way to the academy as their requirement and Fia just so happens to be that girl, giving her entrance to the magical academy of her dreams. That she then proceeds to cause complete and utter chaos at.
Thanks both in part to the Carbuncle’s strange actions and the even stranger actions of her fellow new classmates, including one that starts breathing fire everywhere, Fia ends up being placed in the “trouble” classroom. But between the mysterious grimoire left behind by her grimoire and her classmates that soon turn into fast-friends despite their disastrous meeting, Fia soon finds out that there is far more to learning to become a powerful mage than just learning spells in a game that isn’t afraid to let loose with plenty of slapstick comedy and let’s the humor run wild a bit, presenting itself more like a younger-hearted RPG than the darker or even slightly serious ones that many have grown accustomed too in the genre.
Mado Monogatari is all about fun little moments and the characters interacting with one another, even if these interactions aren’t that deep. From the usually hilarious teachers that either range from being constantly ignored or frightened that they are about to lose their job to the simple plotline with a few little twists that easily are resolved, there isn’t much depth here but it is still enjoyable nonetheless, especially since the vast majority of scenes are played for laughs rather than drama. Even the main cast of characters are a collection of tropes dialed up to the max but that just so happens to work out well here.
Fia is a girl on a journey of self-discovery with far more power than she actually knows about alongside a and why that is happens to be one of the biggest mysteries alongside Will, a self-proclaimed hero that spends more time trying to name his special attacks than actually using them, the awkward but incredibly intelligent Leena, Totto who happens to care all about money regardless of whether it makes him friends or not, and finally Eska, a dragonnewt that initially sees Fia as her foe thanks to the chaotic entrance ceremony to wanting to be married to her forever once she loses to her in a duel, creating a fun dynamic that always keeps players guessing. Literally, the story can be rather wild with how slapstick it becomes at times and that is where Mado Monogatari shines even if it does make it seem a bit childish at times despite the adult jokes scattered here and there.
Gameplay
Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy is a fairly simple game at heart with a slew of additional mechanics that players can mess with if they feel like, though many of these felt rather unnecessary in the long run. For the most part players will take on “lessons” from the teachers in the academy and for the most part these “lessons” are story based ones that will place them in the dungeon eventually. There are side-missions/lessons that allow players to unlock additional skills such as knowing how to fish, fertilize and grow plants in a garden or even a tree, and of course cooking and item creation. Taking on these side-lessons is actually necessary, at least their first stage, as players need enough “credits” from completed lessons to take a test that will allow players to upgrade their mage status.
The majority of the time players will spend inside the actual dungeons themselves and while Fia does gain additional party members, she can only enter a fight with three at a time. Traveling through a dungeon and swinging Fia’s weapon to destroy items or even traveling to the next floor reduces her stamina meter, making long trips dangerous since she will start to lose health when at low stamina. Instead, players can eat curry either obtained as a drop or cooked themselves either at the start of a dungeon or during a dungeon dive if they find a cooking spot. This is designed so players don’t try to scrape every corner of a dungeon, especially since, for the most part, the actual rewards for doing so are pretty bland and generic. Don’t expect to find some rare item or powerful piece of weaponry just for going the extra mile here.
When running into an enemy players will enter a real-time combat arena where all three characters in their party can move freely and will attack according to the strategy assigned to them, though players will only control one directly. Both the enemy characters and the player’s party members all have “locations” on a meter that advances and when it is their turn they can activate a spell they have queued up. It is possible to perform a normal attack out of order but it delays their turn and does less damage then a spell. It is interesting to note that there is a “lock on” mechanic for spells but it doesn’t really work the best. In fact, considering spells all have limited areas of effect or straight lines and adjust as the player moves, trying to lock on is actually a bad thing here as it will result in more missed attacks. Players can only dodge incoming blows by running around the field and heal using either healing items or spells.
When casting spells, either done directly by the player or a party member, they will generate an orb of “Great Magic” that will depend on the element of spell used and players can hold only a certain number of these orbs at a time but they can be quite powerful. When players have gathered the needed number of “Great Magic” orbs for a character’s equipped skill, they can freely trigger an undodgeable blast of magic to every enemy on the field with a small cinematic flourish, making it devastating when used correctly. It is interesting to note that every enemy has an element they are strong and weak to, often dictated by their coloration, but since players can customize their parties skills fairly effectively, it should always be possible to target a weakness somehow and if not, then the aforementioned standard attacks work well enough especially since, outside of a few early boss fights before players gain the ability to heal, the title is quite easy.
Audio & Visuals
One thing that Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy excels at is being as vibrant as possible. The character art is bright and wonderful, with the character portraits during dialogue scenes featuring quite a few variations and a surprisingly large number of CGs available for even the most minor of scenes, giving players a far better look at all of the characters in the game. The character models themselves are fairly standard and chibi in nature, and the same can be said regarding enemy designs. Players will face down Puyos throughout the entire game as well as other types of enemies but there really isn’t a lot of variety here, though that is perhaps due to the series’ signature use of the Puyos. The dungeons themselves are also a bit lackluster, with only a slight variation between them as players move throughout the storyline.
The voice work for the game is handled entirely in Japanese as no English voice track has been created for this Western release. This works fine, for the most part, as the Japanese cast fits their standard roles well even if Carbuncle can be a bit annoying as a mascot character. The soundtrack is a nice collection of background music that works best for its more light-hearted slapstick sections as well as a nice track that plays when players find themselves in a dire situation within a dungeon.
Overall
Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy is a fun and cute dungeon crawler that might try to add a few more mechanics than needed in an attempt to add depth to a fairly lightweight game where its characters are the real standouts. There is certainly a place for lighthearted slapstick based games and that happens to be right where Fia’s journey lands. Sure, the combat and exploration are rather simplistic, but that also feels intentional, like a game designed for a younger audience in mind who will enjoy the bright character art and easy to grasp mechanics.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Version 2.6 to Feature New Main Quests, Location, Echoes, Resonators, Convenes and More!
GUANGZHOU, CHINA – AUGUST 16, 2025 – Kuro Games showcased a variety of new content from the upcoming Version 2.6 of its award-winning RPG Wuthering Waves in a Preview Special Broadcast last night, teasing two new Resonators, new main quests, locations, optimizations and events. Version 2.6 titled By Sun’s Scourge, By Moon’s Revelation is planned to release across all platforms on August 28 (UTC+8).
Watch the Wuthering Waves By Sun’s Scourge, By Moon’s Revelation livestream preview below.
Wuthering Waves Version 2.6 Special Broadcast Preview Recap:
New Main Quests:
Main Quest Chapter II Act VIII: By Sun’s Burning Hand
Main Quest Chapter II Act IX: By Moon’s Fated Light
Gifts of the Moon Roamer Event:
Log in to the game and claim Radiant Tide x10 and Forging Tide x10
3pcs Set: Upon gaining a Shield, increase the Resonator’s ATK by 6% and Crit. DMG by 4% for 4s. This effect can be triggered once every 0.5s and stacks up to 5 times.
Law of Harmony
3pcs Set: Casting Echo Skill grants 30% Heavy Attack DMG Bonus to the caster for 4s.
Additionally, all Resonators in the team gain 4% Echo Skill DMG Bonus for 30s, stacking up to 4 times. Echoes of the same name can only trigger this effect once. The record of Echo triggering this effect is cleared along with this effect. At 4 stacks, casting Echo Skill again resets the duration of this effect.
New Tactical Hologram Challenge:
Tactical Hologram: Lady of the Sea
Upcoming Featured Resonator Convene:
Phase I
Eternal Radiance on the Crown （Augusta）
When Silence Tolls (Carlotta)
Till the Sea Turns Clear (The Shorekeeper)
Phase II
Across Time’s Waxes and Wanes (Iuno)
Through Verses and Rhythms (Ciaccona)
New Weapons:
Thunderflare Dominion
Moongazer’s Sigil
Hunter’s Growl Series **Obtainable from Pioneer Podcast’s Insider Channel
Stellar Symphony (The Shorekeeper’s signature weapon)
Phase II
Moongazer’s Sigil (Iuno’s signature weapon)
Woodland Aria （Ciaccona’s signature weapon）
Special Events:
Hunt of Ash and Steel
Area Exploration Event
Sanguis Plateaus Travel Atlas
Featured Exploration Event
Prints of Plateaus
Photo Collection Event
Tidal Defense Simulator
Tacet Discord Tower Defense Event
Gifts of the Hunt
7-Day Login Event
Second Coming of Solaris (Ultra)
Leisure Event
Marks of the Wild
Limited-Time Puzzle Event
Moonlit Revelation
Lunar Phase Divination Event
Beyond the Waves: Rinascita
Featured Exploration Event
Back to Solaris
Optimizations:
Optimized Utility: Flight
Press the Flight Button in any open space to ascend and start flying, without the need to rely on elevated terrain.
The community has been asking and Kuro is delivering – Flight will become available in Jinzhou and Black Shores! Players can soon enjoy the thrill of soaring through these two regions.
Updated Permanent Events:
The main page and lineup page for the “Fantasies of the Thousand Gateways” event have been optimized. New Metaphors have been added, and the Metaphors are now categorized more clearly. Additionally, Lucid Dream state is replaced by Divined Dream state; when Dreamscape Energy is full, the Divined Dream state can be activated manually.
Floor 3 and Floor 4 have been added to the Hazard Tower in the “Tower of Adversity” event, with more rewards available. Additionally, the Overdrive Zone will become available when the Stable and Experiment Zones are cleared, without needing to clear the Hazard Zone first.
The Burning Waves feature in the “Whimpering Wastes” event has been updated; instead of triggering at fixed enemy waves, Burning Waves can now be activated by accumulating “Ember” through combat actions.
Added the Record Sync feature to Tower of Adversity and Whimpering Wastes. Each cycle refresh will now automatically clear certain Floors based on the progress made in the previous cycle. For details about the specific rules, please stay tuned for official announcements.
Optimized Exploration Experience:
Mineral collection spots will be marked on your map, and the detection range of the Lootmapper has been extended.
The tracking feature has been added for specific exploration quests in Jinzhou, including Viewpoints, Blobflies, and Frostbugs. You can now track them from the exploration progress page and enjoy a smoother exploration experience.
Optimized the Gallery:
A new category has been added to the Gallery: Weapons. You can view the details of weapons and weapon projections available in the game.
Optimized the Interface:
Added one-click collection across most of the pages that list claimable rewards, including Guidebook, Data Bank levels, and the majority of events. Click any “Claim” button on the reward page to claim all available rewards on that page.
New keyboard shortcuts have been added to the PC version. Press preset keyboard shortcuts to access certain in-game screens without the need to use the mouse.
Optimized Graphics Performance:
Following the Version 2.6 update, frame generation support on PC will be extended to more graphics cards. The FSR 3 option will be available for certain AMD graphics cards, and the XeSS2 option will be available for certain Intel graphics cards. Additionally, NVIDIA DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation will also be supported, along with the previous versions; up to 4× Frame Generation is available, depending on the graphics card equipped. Please refer to the upcoming official announcements for more details.
More official announcements on updates and optimizations coming soon!
Wuthering Waves is a free-to-play, cross-platform, open-world action RPG that emphasizes dynamic movement and freedom of exploration on a mysterious, post-cataclysmic, sci-fi planet. Engage in fast-paced PVE combat that focuses on special dodge, parry, and counter mechanics. Compose a harmonious battle concerto with characters of different abilities. Wuthering Waves hosts a deep storyline, breathtaking art and atmosphere, and addictive action-RPG combat that is suitable for novice and veteran RPG players alike. Wuthering Waves features plenty of fierce opponents and captivating quests that unfold in the game’s vast world.
Download Wuthering Waves today on the Wuthering Waves official website, on the App Store, Google Play, Mac App Store, PC via The Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Steam and compatible with Steam Deck.
ABOUT KURO GAMES
Founded in 2014, Kuro Games main focus is to create high quality, original games that push the boundaries. For over a decade Kuro Games has strived to bring more diverse, innovative, and enjoyable services to its players.
Kuro Games independently developed Punishing: Gray Raven, which was well received with warm response from players around the world. With over 30 million downloads worldwide, its recently released new open-world ARPG Wuthering Waves is receiving the same public reception.
