Journey across war-torn 19th century Japan in Team NINJA’s open-world action RPG!
Hertfordshire,11th March 2025 – Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Team NINJA announced that their open-world action RPG, Rise of the Ronin, is now available digitally on Windows PC via Steam®. Originally released for PlayStation®5, the epic Bakumatsu era tale takes players on a historic journey where a masterless warrior, a ronin, must fight to forge their own destiny through the chaos of war and political unrest. The Steam® version supports various PC features, including ultra-wide monitor combability, 8K resolution, 120 fps, 3D audio, and more.
Start your journey across 19th century Japan with the launch trailer of Rise of the Ronin on YouTube
In Rise of the Ronin, fans will play as a ronin in 1863 Japan in turmoil. With Japan’s fate now in their hands, players will encounter various historical figures and factions with differing ideologies, and make significant decisions such as whether to confront or defend them. Players will also be able to form special relationships with some characters thanks to the “Veiled Vow” system, which will allow them to freely shape their own experience of the Bakumatsu period.
Throughout this epic journey, players will explore the mixed cultural landscapes of Edo, Yokohama and Kyoto. The changing scenery is reflected with each season that passes. For example, cherry blossom trees bloom in the spring, and leaves turn red in the autumn. Furthermore, players can use a grappling rope to climb onto rooftops or a glider to soar through the skies, giving them the opportunity to immortalise their favourite views using photo mode.Rise of the Roninwill put players’ skills to the test with an accessible yet deep combat system in which they will need to adapt their strategy and weapons against their enemies. To overcome the obstacles awaiting them, fans will wield a variety of melee and ranged weapons, while being able to customise them to adapt their combat style to the possibilities offered by the game.
In addition, the PC version of Rise of the Ronin includes new exclusive features:
8K resolution support
DirectX 12 Ultimate support
Ultra-wide and super ultra-wide monitor compatibility
120fps support
Ray tracing support
3D audio support
Customisable keyboard and mouse controls
AMD Fidelity FX Super Resolution support
NVIDIA DLSS and Reflex support
UI menu with mouse click ability
Intel XeSS graphics technology support
Rise of the Ronin is now digitally available on Steam®. Everyone who purchases the game before 2nd April will receive an early purchase bonus which includes four combat styles; Hayabusa-ryu for katana, Hayabusa-ryu for naginata, Nioh-ryu for katana and Aisu Kage-ryu for katana, the Iga Ninja armour set, and the Iga Ninja’s katana. For more information, visit the official website,
ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.
KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO’s best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ Warrior’s series, the fan-favourite NINJA GAIDEN and fighting entertainment title DEAD OR ALIVE. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark-samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of Gust, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com
Throughout their last few Monster Hunter titles Capcom has been trying to evolve the games in different ways. Monster Hunter World began with telling a more involved storyline and grander scale battles while its expansion, Iceborne, saw a pseudo-open style map that allowed for more open exploration. Following this, Monster Hunter Rise introduced a riding Canyne ally to zip through locations while limiting the size of areas greatly. Now Capcom has returned with Monster Hunter Wilds, seeking to combine a little bit of both past titles and expand upon them even further in a way that not only takes this long running franchise and masters the addictive gameplay loop it is known for but creates an addictive open-world style capable of really letting the hunting and monster mechanics shine when the story isn’t getting in the way.
Story
Out as part of an expedition team into the “Forbidden Lands” that have been rumored to be uninhabited by humans for thousands of years, a group of hunters from the hunters guild led by Fabius is tasked with investigating this uncharted region of the Old World with the player’s created character and Palico along for the ride. Upon reaching the edge of the Forbidden Lands, they make the shocking discovery that a young boy has been horribly wounded by a mysterious monster called the “White Wraith.” With no way to track down his home, the hunters take in Nata and continue to investigate only to find out that numerous tribes have settled into the Forbidden Lands’ various locations, each having their own customs to coexist with the land and its unique properties.
After finally making some headway with the initial tribe of locals, the player’s hunter and the rest of the hunters are given Seikrets, raptor-like creatures that are fearless mounts in battle, to assist in their journey for finding Nata’s home only to discover along the way that a mass outbreak throughout the Forbidden Lands and incredibly extreme weather patterns seem to tie into the very thing they are searching for. This is proven as during one hunt, the target of their hunt is slain not by the player’s hunters and allies, but by the powerful chains of the White Wraith itself, showing that this dangerous creature is far more than an apex predator, it is something capable of destroying entire ecosystems if left unchecked, making it the guilds duty to not only track down Nata’s family, but put a stop to this menace once and for all.
Monster Hunter Wilds takes a fairly hardline stance towards making players follow its storyline which is unfortunately a bit too predictable and formulaic to really stand out for how long it drags on. The story itself is serviceable enough and the characters that make up the hunter’s guild are a bit more fleshed out than one would expect, including everyone’s favorite blacksmith Gemma that might be a bit familiar for longtime fans and the new handler Alma, but many of the new characters players meet along the way are a bit lacking, even if players try to interact with them in-between quests. The only real character of note is Nata, who goes from a boy tormented by the horrors of the monsters into learning the truth behind them and the strength that it takes to stand against them. Well, him and a horribly underutilized Wudwud that talks in metaphors. This wouldn’t be too much of an issue, storyline wise, if it wasn’t for the countless sections that saw players forced into slow walking sections as characters talk, walking into the predictable monster appearance or ambush that will kick off that monster’s introduction and subsequent hunt.
This level of basic, relatively simple storytelling remains true through the first set of credits and big “reveals” to even the second major finale as well. There are a few little interesting side-quests here and there but mostly players will find the story rather lacking especially since it was actually attempted to try and show growth here compared to past Monster Hunter games. Perhaps this is a sign that these characters can shine in the future, but for now, Monster Hunter Wilds storyline remains only a slightly dressed-up curtain to the main meal that is, of course, hunting monsters.
Gameplay
The greatest part of Monster Hunter Wilds, even during the hand-holding storyline, is whenever the player is out in the field tracking down and hunting their target monster or, in the case of free roaming, deciding to target one that is roaming around and beat it up enough to trigger the hunt order. The standard gameplay loop of hunting a monster down and using its parts to create new weaponry and armor to hunt the next bigger monster down is as entertaining as ever and faster than ever before. It is interesting to note that Monster Hunter Wilds has not added any new weapons to the fourteen current weapons but they have all been given some tweaks in various ways, both to make them feel more fluid in use and to work with a few extra systems implemented into the title.
The first of these systems happens to be “Perfect Guards” that can be pulled off by weaponry that allows for blocking such as the Great Sword that can then follow-up with a powerful counterattack, “Power Clash” that sees the player’s hunter enter a clash with the monster using their weapon and, if victorious in the clash, send the monster sprawling and a personal favorite of mine, the “Offset Attack.” An offset attack is triggered when a large weapon such as a hammer or hunting horn lands just at the same moment as a monster’s strike, sending the enemy monster reeling and giving the player plenty of time to capitalize on their opening. Nothing feels as satisfying as nailing a electric-shooting Rey Dau with a rising uppercut using the hammer and snapping one of its horns off as it goes sprawling into the sands only to get slammed down by a full big bang combo.
It is interesting to note that a lot of weapons also feel as if they have been tweaked to be a bit more mobile than before, giving players a little extra movement with some of the stiffer heavier hitting weapons, though this is also thanks to the “Focus” mechanic. The Focus mode allows players to not only pull up a targeting reticle that allows them to aim at specific parts of the monster, but also highlight another new mechanic in the game, wounds. As players attack a monster, it is hit by environmental traps, or even other monsters, they can begin to see damage appearing on its body that can eventually burst open into a bleeding wound. When the player targets a wound they will be able to perform a special attack that, in many weapons’ cases was a unique combo finisher in the past, and dish out not only a ton of damage as well as stagger and knockdown damage, potentially sending the monster sprawling while also obtaining a drop item from the creature as well, such as a scale, fang, claw, etc.
These wound breaks work hand in hand with breaking or slicing off monster parts as well, giving players even more opportunities to earn drops from their target monsters while making some fights easier to handle, though the title itself remains mostly the same difficulty as before especially once players reach the endgame and begin targeting tempered monsters, alpha monsters, and other harder versions of previously hunted creatures. In many ways, Monster Hunter Wilds will still play similar to past versions of the entry, with players being accompanied by their Palico on solo hunts who will help them with a variety of abilities, that can be expanded upon with side-quests, but a new ally is also at the player’s side almost all the time, their Seikret. As mentioned before, the Seikret is a raptor-like mount that players can summon to ride to any monster location automatically, sharpening their weapon and preparing items along the way, or even in the midst of battle. Proper timing of calling in the Seikret for help can see players dodge large attacks from enemies or give them distance to heal up and even use them as a launching point to try and mount the monster, making them the player’s second best friend behind their Palico. They can even have a second weapon kept in the saddle, allowing players to either swap to a different weapon type entirely mid-fight or a different element if they find themselves at a disadvantage.
It is interesting to note that while players will generally use the fast travel system to simply skip around the five major locations to hunt monsters, utilizing both the primary camp and pop up camps that players can set in predetermined locations, the title is in fact completely open world. Players, if they choose, can freely roam through to all major locations without fast traveling at all, though this is hardly the most effective way to travel. In fact, players will find that they will mostly be popping out their own portable barbecue to cook stat boosting meals between fights as there is no main hub this time around to serve as a starting location for every hunter. This means that, should players wish, they could ride out of their camp on their Seikret, hunt down a Rathalos then immediately go and target the Quematrice they saw during the fight without breaking stride other than to carve up rewards, no longer requiring any return to base between free-roam hunts.
As for hunting with others, players will find that they no longer need to create special rooms to invite players to join them, they can straight up invite up to three other hunters to fight alongside them, bringing up to four players hunting at once. Of course, an SOS flare can be fired during hunts to put out an online open request that anyone can answer and join the hunt. For those who prefer to keep things a bit more simple or reclusive, there is even an option to turn on “support” hunters only where NPC hunters from the game’s story will only appear to SOS calls, giving players mostly free control of the hunt’s flow while still having some backup.
Audio & Visuals
Monster Hunter Wilds features a wide array of locations for players to hunt monsters in and, depending on the timing and the location, these locales can have even more differences at any given moment. Fighting against a large scale monster in a desert may seem plain but battling it again, only this time in the midst of a sandstorm and dodging lightning bolts makes the fight feel all the more intense. Along these same lines there are lush forests to venture through, freezing depths that can frost the player’s character, and of course a sludge-filled fire region as well. All of these locations can have various events happening to them that can change up the way monsters act and how players might need to equip themselves, and fighting through these locations is rather impressive, though it must be said that the Scarlet Forest is perhaps the best amongst these sprawling multi-layer locales. The monster designs, ranging from small to the large scale monsters are as superb as ever, with returning monsters looking as impressive ass ever, especially in some cases where a few have been given significant improvements since their last appearance, while a few newcomers are instant winners. Alongside this players will have plenty of their own equipment to work with and the designs are as familiar as they are varied, with almost every piece of armor having two cosmetic variants though even then players can choose to aim for “style” over protection by using layered armor that simply changes the appearance of the equipped gear.
The voice work throughout Monster Hunter Wilds is handled quite well, with the English voice actors portraying their characters solidly, though Nata can be a bit annoying at times. It is interesting to note that this is the first game in the franchise that allows the Palicos to have English voice acting rather than the Felyne meows that they always have before. Players can choose to change this option at any time if they want, but it is a nice touch to actually have the Palico chime up about what they are doing without relying on subtitles in the middle of a fight. As for background music, the game features a solid soundtrack and sound effects that helps make fights feel impactful and intense, especially when it comes to utilizing some of the heavier hitting weapons in the game or pulling off a properly offset attack.
Overall
Monster Hunter Wilds proves that Capcom can still find new and interesting ways to make an already addictive game all the more enjoyable. With new hunting mechanics in the form of the wound system and various clashes that vary depending on the weapon type, never mind the tweaks many weapons have received themselves, players will find the gameplay loop of hunting monsters, upgrading their gear, and hunting even more just as enjoyable and addicting as before, especially with this new open-style exploration available. It is just a shame that it takes quite a lot of handholding to get there and a storyline that feels like it could have been so much better at the same time.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Fallen Bannersdungeon pack and free Update 45 base-game patch is now available on PC/Mac. Starting today, players can venture into two new four-player dungeons, Exiled Redoubt and Lep Seclusa. Fallen Banners and Update 45 arrive on consoles March 26.
To start things off for ESO in 2025, the Fallen Banners introduces two new PvE dungeons that feature their own personalized storylines, characters, challenges, unique boss battles, and secrets. Players will earn unique rewards, including item sets, collectibles, and Achievements as they battle their way through the new content with up to three other players (four total).
To access the Fallen Banners dungeon content, players are required to have an ESO Plus membership. However, later this year, additional ways to access this content will be made available—stay tuned for updates. All the details on both the Exiled Redoubt and Lep Seclusa can be found on the ESO official website.
Accompanying Fallen Banners is Update 45, a free base-game patch, providing all ESO players with a series of fixes, additions, and improvements to the game’s core experience. As part of this patch, several starter zones have received visual updates to better match the high level of detail seen throughout the rest of ESO.
Additionally, this base-game patch brings various quality-of-life improvements, including faster starting mount speeds, reworked Craft Champion stars that don’t need slotting, and better visibility for Mundus Stone boons, with more updates expected throughout the year. All the details on Update 45 can be found here.
Also new to ESO this month is the Cyrodiil Champions PvP test campaign, running from March 24 – March 31. During this test, players will choose between seven set classes that are locked to specific abilities, attributes, and items. Cyrodiil Champions is part of an effort to improve performance and stability in ESO’s open-world PvP experience, and player feedback during this test will be critical to shaping the future of Cyrodiil PvP. You can find out more about the test with this recent developer Q&A.
This month marks ESO’s 10-Year Anniversary Guild Celebration from March 12 – 21. This Celebration includes a Guild Summit where community leaders will discuss feedback with ESO developers as well as in-game rewards for all players. For more information, visit our blog. Then in April, look forward to learning more about our future plans in the 2025 ESO Direct on April 10; more details coming soon.
For the full patch notes for both Fallen Banners and Update 45, visit our official forums. The Fallen Banners dungeon pack and Update 45 are now live on PC/Mac and arrive March 26 for Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
With the release of the fighting action game BLEACH Rebirth of Souls nearing, it is almost time for players to grip their sword and reverse their fate!
In a new cinematic trailer, BLEACH Rebirth of Souls offers an immersive look into the game adapted from Tite Kubo’s legendary franchise, taking players deeper into the world of soul reapers where they will be able to impersonate iconic characters such as Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Sosuke Aizen and more. This cinematic brings the Bleach universe to life with its dark, foreboding atmosphere that sets the stage for epic sword fights.
BLEACH Rebirth of Souls pre-orders have already opened with three editions available: the Standard, the Deluxe and the Ultimate Editions. With both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions players will get the Season Pass including seven days of early access, Soul Crystals and Thousand-Year Blood War playable characters.
BLEACH Rebirth of Souls will launch on 21 March 2025 forPlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and PC and is available for pre-orders in three editions: Standard, Deluxe and Ultimate.
Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include the Season Pass, a 7-day early access to DLC characters, Soul Crystals and Thousand-Year Blood War playable characters. Any player pre-ordering the game will receive the Toshiro and Yoruichi Thousand-Year Blood War costume set as a bonus.
TOKYO — March 10, 2025 —FUBUKI ～zero in on Holoearth～, the pixelated action platformer starring characters from an alternate universe inspired by the 80-million follower YouTube sensation Hololive, double-jumps onto PC via Steam Sunday, April 12, 2025.
Developer Peposoftand publisher Phoenixx Inc. welcome the tens of millions of fans to the Hololive Alternative — a series of “what-if” realities set in the Hololive universe. As protagonist Shirakami Fubuki, take a break from livestreaming to investigate mysterious portals appearing across Holoearth.
With a magical sword in hand, slice, dice, dash and double-jump through Yamato’s city streets, inside Egyptian-themed casinos echoing the Las Vegas Strip, clown-filled carnivals filled with magic tricks, and haunted, towering temples.
Decimate waves of enemies possessed by evil spirits, and free bosses from their corruption in epic battles. Once defeated, gain their companionship and add their assist powers to Fubuki’s summoning repertoire.
Pick up and equip items dispersed throughout Yamato, like mini-rocket foxes that blast off in any chosen direction. Add subweapons to Fubuki’s arsenal, including a pistol that can one-shot enemies across the screen. Call upon a cast of fan-inspired assist summons such as Fubuki’s fox-like friend Sukonbu, who grants temporary power boosts. Shop at Mizore’s kitchen to purchase valuable consumables like extra lives, and mystery items granting special upgrades.
“The feedback we received during Steam Next Fest was very positive,” says Peposoft, developer of FUBUKI ～zero in on Holoearth～ . “Fans of the series will have a blast catching all of the Hololive references, and retro gaming fans will enjoy the fluid gameplay mixed with old-school charm.”
Peposoft is a game producer and composer with contributions to the teams behind renowned titles like Blade Chimera, DRAINUS, NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD, Radiant Silvergun, among many others
About Phoenixx
Established in 2019 by industry veterans, Phoenixx aims to support innovative and creative developers from Japan and around the world. Its mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one creator, one game, and one community at a time.
New trailer reveals a deeper look at the dark, futuristic world of Steel Seed
Limassol, Cyprus (March 10, 2025) | Today, ESDigital Games and Storm in a Teacup are proud to announce the official release date for Steel Seed, out on April 10 on PC via Steam and Epic Games, as well as PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A new trailer gives the most in-depth look yet at the beautiful and tragic world of Steel Seed and sets up the ironclad resolve of an unlikely heroine as she fights her way through a journey of self-discovery, seeking answers to the unspoken question: what does it truly mean to be human?
The new PC demo is available right now on Steam and will remain live until the game launches. This Steel Seed demo invites players to explore and experience a carefully curated part of the full game, including key mechanics, stealth action, and epic battles.
“Steel Seed has been an incredible journey and a massive effort for our team,” said Carlo Ivo Alimo Bianchi, CEO & Creative Director of Storm in a Teacup. “We’ve poured our passion, creativity, and dedication into every detail to bring this world to life. This game is our homage to all the stealth-action players who thrive in the shadows, strategize every move, and embrace the thrill of the challenge. It’s been years in the making, and we can’t wait for you to finally experience it.”
About Steel Seed
Steel Seed is a gripping action-adventure game from the visionary team behind the critically acclaimed Close to the Sun, set in a dark sci-fi world where humanity stands on the brink of extinction. Join protagonist Zoe and her flying drone companion, KOBY, as they investigate the depths of a hostile underground facility in search of answers and the key to the survival of mankind.
Steel Seed Key Features
A Dangerous, Post-Cataclysmic World: From towering industrial landscapes to eerie biodomes, the world of Steel Seed is as haunting as it is immersive. Explore a hand-crafted world filled with dynamic combat, formidable enemies, and an immersive narrative that challenges the very definition of humanity.
A Companion Unlike Any Other: Zoe isn’t alone — her only ally is Koby, a prototype drone designed to assist her. Initially just a tool, Koby becomes a crucial partner, offering guidance and solving puzzles through environmental interactions. Though it communicates only through chirps and visual cues, Koby becomes Zoe’s emotional anchor in an otherwise desolate world. They create a formidable duo by working together and bringing something new to every fight.
Stealth, Parkour, and Dynamic Combat: Adapt your playstyle with a unique blend of stealth-action gameplay. Utilize shadows, distractions, and the environment to evade or take down enemies; face off against various enemy types and challenging bosses, each with unique abilities; and customize Zoe’s playstyle with three distinct skill trees featuring 40 different upgrades.
A Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi Experience:Steel Seed isn’t just about survival — it’s about exploring the fine line between human and machine, trust and control, resilience and despair. Revised and edited by BAFTA-winning writer Martin Korda, it pairs an intriguing main character’s evolution with a compelling and deep narrative experience.
About ESDigital Games
ESDigital Games is a global video game publishing company specializing in premium indie and mid-core games for both PC and consoles. ESDigital Games has published and distributed original titles, including AWAKEN – Astral Blade, Unusual Findings, Cats on Duty, Deck of Ashes, and much more. The publisher’s catalog will get even richer in the coming months and years with eagerly awaited games such as Steel Seed, Sky of Tides,Island of Winds, and Memory Lost, as well as future updates of REMEDIUM, Battlejuice Alchemist, and Scholar of the Arcane Arts.
London (March 10, 2025) After nearly a week of intense competition from the greatest Street Fighter™ 6 players in the world, Kakeru emerged victorious at Capcom Cup 11, claiming the title of World Champion and etching their name among the greatest Street Fighter 6 players in the world. This year’s Capcom Cup saw players traveling back to the birthplace of Street Fighter Esports at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena for the first time in nearly 30 years to spotlight the best of the best. After battling 47 of the top Street Fighter 6 players in the world, Kakeru came out on top against Blaz in an electric final showdown to claim the ultimate bragging rights.
If that wasn’t enough for fighting game fans, the culmination of CAPCOM’s official team league tournament for Street Fighter 6, the Street Fighter League: World Championship, premiered on Sunday, March 9. The winning teams of each league in the Japan, U.S and European regions gathered to go head-to-head, and after a fierce competition, Good 8 Squad outmaneuvered the best of the best, earning the title of “World’s Strongest Street Fighter 6 Team” and the opportunity to compete in Capcom Cup 12.
While Capcom Cup 11 and Street Fighter League: World Championship may be over, the Esports excitement continues full speed ahead with REJECT FIGHT NIGHT × Sajam Slam: Street Fighter™ 6 International Championship next week. World Warriors can also look forward to watching the world’s best Street Fighter 6 players duke it out for the top prize at Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Looking to get in on the action for 2025? The upcoming Capcom Pro Tour (CPT) season is just around the corner with a host of offline tournaments, including EVO Japan starting on May 9, Combo Breaker on May 23, followed by CEO, EVO Nice, EVO Vegas, the Asia Premier, UFA and Blink Respawn to fill the rest of your year with thrilling Street Fighter brawls. This year, Capcom is proud to announce that after high demand from players – we’re bringing back a new points system for CPT. Stay tuned for more details about how that system will work soon.
About Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6, having sold more than four million units since launch, is available now and represents the next evolution of the Street Fighter series with a combo of unique fighting game innovations, brimming with content across three brand new game modes – Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub. Players around the world can get their hands on all the hard-hitting Street Fighter 6 action now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
About Capcom
Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including groundbreaking franchises Resident Evil™, Monster Hunter™, Street Fighter™, Mega Man™, Devil May Cry™ and Ace Attorney™. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Tokyo, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. More information about Capcom and its products can be found at www.capcom.com or news.capcomusa.com. Capcom, and the Capcom logo are registered trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd. in the U.S. or other countries. Ace Attorney, Devil May Cry, Mega Man, Monster Hunter, Resident Evil and Street Fighter are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries, in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
New Premium and Free Anniversary Content Arriving Throughout Month of March
STOCKHOLM – March 10, 2025 – Paradox Interactive, a developer and publisher of games that last a lifetime, today celebrates the 10th anniversary of Cities: Skylines, the award-winning city-building management game series with over 45 million players. Originally released for PC platforms on March 10, 2015, Cities: Skylines was developed by Finnish studio Colossal Order and quickly became Paradox’s fastest-selling game, had subsequent releases on several consoles, and continued to grow with over 60 different expansions and content packs and a full sequel in 2023. The series became a global phenomenon, inspiring players to seek careers in urban planning, and has even been used to help design neighborhoods and districts in real-world cities.
Celebrate the milestone with an Anniversary Trailer below:
“We founded Colossal Order with the dream of creating a city-builder that would bring more freedom and creativity to the cities players can build,” said Mariina Hallikainen, CEO of Colossal Order. “With Cities: Skylines, that dream not only came true, but thanks to the continued support of our amazing fans, we had the opportunity to keep growing and building this game and community many years after its release and take it even further than anticipated. It’s been an incredible journey that’s taught us so much — and still has more to teach — and we are forever grateful to everyone who made it possible and who joined us along the way.”
To celebrate a decade of fun and creativity, Paradox today announced several forthcoming releases and free updates coming throughout March 2025 to both Cities: Skylines and Cities: Skylines II. On March 18, 2025, Cities: Skylines II players will receive the free Anniversary patch, featuring a selection of new in-game parks and buildings themed around celebrating the series’ birthday. In addition, three Creator Packs and three Radio Stations will be released the same day, which will be available for sale individually or as a bundle, and which will also be added to the Ultimate Edition of Cities: Skylines II, becoming available for download on March 18 at no additional cost to owners of that edition. Those packs will include:
Dragon Gate, a content pack inspired by Chinese architecture and “market quarter” locations
Leisure Venues, including new entertainment options, parks, and leisure locations
Mediterranean Heritage, which adds buildings inspired by 15th-19th century architecture from Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Southern France
Atmospheric Piano, Jade Road, and Feelgood Funk Radio Stations
The following week, on March 25, 2025, a separate free Anniversary patch will be added to the original Cities: Skylines in celebration of its decade of community support. This patch will add dynamic parks to the game, which change in appearance to reflect the different expansions each player has added to their game, to give a personalized tribute to players’ unique experiences with Cities: Skylines. Two Creator Packs and one Radio Station will also be released on March 25, including:
Emerging Downtown, a pack focused on adding a variety of building sizes and construction styles to cities’ busy downtown areas
Countryside, adding a selection of rural charm from small-town libraries and food markets to quaint, humble town halls
The Harvest Harmony Radio Station, a country-inspired selection of musical tracks to fit any rural construction project
The entire Cities: Skylines series will also be featured in a number of promotions throughout the month of March, including a Free-to-Play weekend on Steam during March 20-24. A new subscription service will become available starting on March 13, 2025, allowing players to add the entire 65+ DLC catalog to their game for a single monthly subscription fee, and for existing players a special “completion offer” to fill out their DLC collection will be available.
Paradox Interactive is one of the premier developers and publishers of strategy and management games for PC and consoles. The players are located all over the world but some of the biggest markets are North America, Western Europe and Asia.
The game portfolio consists of popular franchises such as Stellaris, Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings, Cities: Skylines, Prison Architect, the Surviving games, Age of Wonders and Victoria. Paradox Interactive also owns the World of Darkness brand catalog.
Announced in today’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Special Panel at SXSW, joined by Hideo Kojima, Norman Reedus, Troy Baker, and Woodkid, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will be launching on 26 June 2025 with pre-orders going live from Monday, 17 March at 10:00 am local time.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the sequel to the acclaimed Death Stranding, is a post-apocalyptic open-world adventure directed and designed by celebrated game developer Hideo Kojima and stars Norman Reedus as Sam Porter Bridges, Elle Fanning as Tomorrow and Léa Seydoux as Fragile.
To mark the announcement – panel attendees enjoyed a first look at a special Kojima-directed pre-order trailer, which you can watch in full below
In addition to the launch date, PlayStation Australia has announced several editions for DS2 (Standard, Digital Deluxe, Collector’s Edition), with Digital Deluxe and Collector’s Editions both coming with 48-hour Early Access to the game and in-game items such as a Quokka patch and a Quokka hologram.
Kojima Productions also announced the Death Stranding 2: On the Beach “Stranding Harmony” Concert Series, a special concert tour to celebrate the music of Death Stranding, commencing Saturday, 8 November 2025 at the Sydney Opera House, followed by dates around the world. Learn more about the concert tour here.
Details of the different game versions are found below.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – Collector’s Edition* |AUD $369.95 RRP
Full Game Digital Download
48-hour Early Access to the game
Collector’s Box
15” Magellan Man Statue
3” Dollman figurine
Art cards
Letter from Hideo Kojima
In-game items
Machine Gun (MP Bullets) LV1 early unlock
Battle Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Boost Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Bokka Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Quokka Patch
Chiral Feline Patch
Why Me? Patch
If you pre-order the Collector’s Edition, you’ll also receive:
Quokka Hologram
Battle Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Boost Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Bokka Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – Digital Deluxe Edition | AUD $139.95 RRP
Full Game Digital Download
48-hour Early Access to the game
In-game items
Machine Gun (MP Bullets) LV1 early unlock
Battle Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Boost Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Bokka Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Quokka Patch
Chiral Feline Patch
Why Me? Patch
If you pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition, you’ll also receive:
Quokka Hologram
Battle Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Boost Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Bokka Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – Digital Standard Edition | AUD $124.95 RRP
Full Game Digital Download
If you pre-order the Standard Edition, you’ll also receive:
Quokka Hologram
Battle Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Boost Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Bokka Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach new screenshots
To mark the SXSW 2025 Special Panel, Kojima Productions also released all-new screenshots for the game, which you can look through here.
*Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Collector’s Edition includes a voucher code to redeem Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and digital bonuses. Account for PlayStation Network, and internet connection required for code redemption.
Starting on March 6, Treasure Hunter Simulator is available on Nintendo Switch. This relaxing game from the creators of the best-selling Gas Station Simulator lets you step into the shoes of a treasure hunter who combs through historically significant locations with the help of a metal detector. Treasure Hunter Simulator is also available on PC, as well as PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Developed by the Polish studio DRAGO entertainment, the game was originally released in 2018 on PC. It has been available on PlayStation and Xbox consoles since 2021, and now it debuts on Nintendo Switch – with Ultimate Games S.A. responsible for its development and publishing on that platform.
Treasure Hunter Simulator is an engaging game where you can become a seeker of historical artifacts, using a metal detector to uncover treasures hidden underground. The gameplay blends arcade and simulation elements, with the treasure-hunting mechanics built around simple and intuitive controls.
You’ll venture to various locations across the globe. At first, you’ll explore local forests, but once you’ve earned enough funds, you can head to more exotic and intriguing places. These include forests, fields, mountains, and ruins.
You can keep your findings for your personal collection or get them identified and sold. The revenue can be used to purchase better equipment and finance further expeditions. In total, Treasure Hunter Simulator features over 100 unique artifacts, including a dozen legendary items. You have access to 8 different types of metal detectors to aid in your search.
Treasure Hunter Simulator also features improved metal detector mechanics, which makes it appealing not only to fans of simulators but also to players looking for new challenges.
Treasure Hunter Simulator – main features:
searching for historical treasures;
relaxing and accessible gameplay;
over 100 artifacts;
various historical locations;
8 types of metal detectors.
The release date for Treasure Hunter Simulator on Nintendo Switch is set for March 6, 2025.
