With no memory of who he is or how he ended up stranded on a small island, Goro Majima must regain his memories and what better way to do that than to set sail as a brand new captain of a pirate crew? Watch as we begin this oddball adventure on the high seas and take part in fast paced combat in Sega’s Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – Gameplay
Embark on an over-the-top, modern-day pirate adventure in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii! Set after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, this action-adventure game follows the fan-favorite character Goro Majima, who, after being stranded on an island near Hawaii with amnesia, becomes the captain of a pirate crew. Explore diverse locales, including Rich Island, Madlantis, Nele Island, and Honolulu, as you engage in exhilarating combat on land and sea.
Utilize Majima’s two distinct fighting styles—Mad Dog and Sea Dog—to defeat enemies, and take command of the Goromaru ship for thrilling naval battles. Dive into a world filled with dynamic environments, engaging side activities like Karaoke and Dragon Kart, and a captivating storyline that blends the series’ signature humor and drama.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to release on February 21, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Publisher: SEGA Platform: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S Release Date: 21 Feb, 2025 Price: $59.99 USD
Recommended – “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii shows a new side of Majima while delivering quick action packed combat and satisfying ship battles that break new ground for RGG even with its simple story.”
When it comes to Obsidian Entertainment, you never quite know what they’ll have up their sleeves next, especially in recent years. One minute they’ll go from releasing a space-faring RPG to crafting a title all about surviving as a shrunken kid in your own backyard and eventually go on to make a “ye olde” murder mystery with all kinds of unique elements. As such, when Obsidian revealed that they would be working on a fantasy RPG again and would even be setting it in the same realm and universe as their beloved Pillars of Eternity titles, fans were eager to see what Avowed would become. So now that it has arrived and is set to make its own mark in the Pillars universe, is Obsidian’s latest release worthwhile?
Story
Now, before we begin, it is worth noting that Avowed might take place in the same shared world as Pillars of Eternity and in fact does take place years after the events of Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, Avowed tells a completely separate storyline, using the same setting, races, and gods of Eora. This means that newcomers can still enjoy the title as much as possible and the game offers a one-press glossary button to provide details about specific terms and events that may be referenced. That being said, longtime fans of the series will easily recognize numerous past events that nearly shattered the world as they are referenced throughout dialogue options and even the fact that some characters have even managed to survive otherwise terrible fates as previously thought. This means that while newcomers may be able to enjoy Avowed as is, perhaps a little extra research would benefit players before starting.
Players take on the role of “The Envoy,” a godlike whose backstory they will create upon character creation, that regardless of how they developed was chosen and raised to high status by the king of the Aedyr Empire, the strongest and most dominating empire in Eora, and sent to the Living Lands in an effort to track down the mysterious Dreamscourge that has started springing up in these already wildly untamed lands. Those afflicted by the Dreamscourge, be they man or beast, become radically violent and crazed with the only known cure being a quick and efficient death. With Aedyr already gaining a foothold in the Living Lands and seeing potential for further expansion, the fact that this plague is threatening to not only sweep through their potential territory but also travel back to their own empire means it is a devastating threat, though the threat of those already living in the Living Lands will be just as dangerous for the Envoy.
The reason for this is twofold, not only do the residents of the Living Lands prefer the freedom that the wild territory has provided them and see Aedyr’s ever-growing reach as a threat to their independence, but also because The Envoy being a godlike is not only incredibly rare in general, no one has ever seen one like the player before. All godlike bear some mark depending on the god that has touched them upon birth, usually granting them abilities at the same time, but the player’s godlike is completely unknown and has left them with fungal-like (completely customizable) growths on their face and head, something even those in the Living Lands will react negatively towards, especially with its potential ties to the Dreamscourge. With dangers lurking around potentially every corner, new powerful allies and dangerous foes in wait, The Envoy’s journey won’t be an easy one but it will be a highly entertaining one that will feature quite a shocking twists and turns, major reveals, and lasting impression that makes this smaller scale RPG far more impressive than it initially lets on.
While things may start a little slow it doesn’t take too long before the stakes begin to reveal themselves, both through the initial welcome the Envoy receives but also the mysterious voice that speaks only to them through the adra minerals in the land. Combine this with the mysterious Dreamscourge and the fact that the Steel Garrote, a draconian force of paladins eager to slay anyone they deem “unjust” and Avowed will keep players interested and intrigued with how the story will play out throughout its entire runtime. This is helped by the fact that player choices can play a role in how some events play out, including completely talking your way out of conflicts or choosing to even side with an obviously evil outcome if the player wishes, the excellent way that the companion characters are written, and just how lived-in and developed the Living Lands feel as players explore them.
Anyone familiar with Obsidian’s work, or many pseudo-open world style games such as this, will know that there are often locations that players can explore that have their own stories to them that aren’t obviously spelled out and must be inferred through objects in the environment, be they loot, enemy and body placement, and more and this is especially true with Avowed. Numerous optional locations can feature small notes to provide context all while laying out various traps, bodies, and items that tell their own story of how bad things went in the location or what this former fortress turned dungeon once was. It also helps that while exploring towns players can often hear NPCs mentioning various events that have happened by the player’s actions, making it really feel like players are having an impact on the world as they continue their journey. Even the side-quests are often fairly well-written and run the gambit from being serious to quite hilarious and while we won’t spoil them here, there are even some that players can follow up on after completion to complete optional extra tasks or see how things played out.
As for the companions, Avowed keeps things a bit on the smaller scale with only four actual companions throughout the game but this smaller number isn’t much of a detriment because each of these four is incredibly well-written and performed. Not only do all four of them avoid falling into the standard tropes, they all manage to be multi-dimensional and often interject into conversations with other NPCs as the player talks to them. Kai serves as perhaps one of the best first companions players could ask for by being knowledgeable and also haunted a bit by some of his past choices while Marius’ strong front hides moments of his own past as well. Following them, Yatzli and Giatta are also similarly enjoyable as companions, with one being a ‘Godless’ focused character and the other dealing with frowned upon Animancy.
While players cannot directly talk with their companions while adventuring with them, with two at a time, they can camp out at any major adra source and interact with them then, with companions often having something to say about not only major plot points that have happened but even some side-quests and how players handled them. It is a bit unfortunate that some interactions with the world are lacking almost entirely such as a crime system or even any attempt to actually attack normal NPCs and, as mentioned before, players cannot directly talk with their companions outside of camp or even most NPCs outside of quest-givers, making some elements feel less interactable than most players would hope for an RPG.
Gameplay
Avowed is a first person, though it can be played in third person, pseudo open world RPG where players will gain access to the full map of each region, of which there are four primary ones that unlock in sequence as players progress through the story. The maps are designed with a “fog of war” style of design in mind where players will need to travel through the area to map it out fully and also unlock various fast travel points along the way. Something interesting about exploration in Avowed is the fact that the level designs implement a lot of vertical thinking and platforming. This means that many dungeons, story locations, side-quest objectives, and even simple areas to explore, will feature some form of platforming and climbing up ledges to uncover a secret chest or body hidden away. In fact there are even secrets hidden underwater from time to time as well, meaning players can often be rewarded for diving down deep and risking running out of air in an effort to find a sunken treasure or cave.
Of course during this exploration players will also be taking on plenty of enemies and, as mentioned before, they will usually have at least one or two companions with them in a fight. Combat and character load-out in Avowed is a bit of a strange beast but a unique one that offers some extensive customization even if it does lack some depth. Rather than forcing players into choosing a specific class or even a specific weapon type, players can wear any type of armor and wield any type of weapon including some rather unique combos, should they want. Players can have two weapon sets equipped at a time, being able to swap between them at a press of the button and these weapons can range from being a simple sword and shield, a wand and grimoire, or even double pistols. In fact, any single-handed weapon can be wielded in either hand, allowing for a wide array of options such as being able to fire at an enemy at a distance with a bow and swap into two-handed melee when the enemy moves in close.
Skills make use of “Essence” that can be recharged by food, potions, and a little from defeated foes, and once again can be mixed and matched as long as the player has learned them already. Unfortunately, on the Xbox there are only four quick-use slots available, meaning if players want to keep healing potions and essence potions available for quick use, only two skills can be placed on shortcut with everything else requiring pulling up the radial, including giving your companions orders to use specific combat skills. Thankfully the companion AI in fights is competent and they will pull their weight in fights, which is good as rarely does it feel like players are overpowering enemies even on Normal difficulty, unless they return to an old location of course. In fact, there are often times players may find themselves shockingly on the back foot in fights as some foes can be quite hard hitting if players haven’t gotten the hang of dodging or parrying in combat or making use of their tanks if they are built around ranged attacks.
Along these same lines, players can put skill points they earn from leveling up into any of three class trees, Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard. Since there is a level cap of thirty, players will find that they can either spread themselves across these classes, obtaining passives and active skills that can be used in combat or focusing on one class if they want. Thankfully, respec’ing the player’s stats is simple and costs only a nominal amount of currency. Similarly, players will obtain an attribute point as well for every level gained and not only do these attributes that are fairly standard such as might, dexterity, intellect, etc. provide various bonuses to player stats but can also unlock special dialogue options as well. For example, a character with a certain level of resolve can boast about how they felt nothing from an attempted attack while someone without enough perception might find a dialogue option requiring a certain level of that stat completely hidden, making players wonder just how well they want to design their character and make for multiple unique interactions. In similar fashion to skill points, character attributes can also be reset for currency.
One element that is a bit too simplistic feeling is the loot and armor systems. As mentioned before, players can equip any type of armor though heavy armor will lower their total stamina and essence meters while providing better protection. Unfortunately, this is the only real armor players have to work with, as boots and gloves they acquire simply provide additional buffs and the two ring slots and necklace/trinket offer similar bonuses such as increasing a stat, boosting movement speed, or even dealing extra elemental damage with critical hits. While there is some solid variety here, it is a bit too limited feeling, especially when it comes to general looting of locations. While players can often find various treasure chests and bodies a bevy of loot on them, if it doesn’t contain a “Unique” piece of gear it will almost always follow a generic offering of currency as well as upgrade materials and a weapon or piece of armor that matches the level of the location players are traveling in. This can make some exploration feel a little unsatisfying unless it happens to contain a Unique piece of gear, especially since spare equipment is best broken down in favor of upgrade materials since players do have the option to craft higher tiered materials if needed.
Audio & Visuals
The art style for Avowed is a gorgeous looking one and it is great to see that Obsidian has embraced such a vivid color palette for the game. Players will be in for a treat while exploring and uncovering a new grove filled with colorful plants and twisted forms of nature while also battling it out against numerous types of enemies that come with some nice variety that changes depending on the location. The character models and races are similarly colorful and detailed and although gear isn’t quite as customizable as some may like, the title does offer “transmogrification” so if players find equipment they like the look of, they can always change their next better piece of gear to match. It is also nice to note that spells look wonderful in the game and being able to unleash a powerful fireball or chain lightning is as satisfying as making it rain icicles on an area and these are only lower level spells, with even more impressive ones further along the Wizard skill tree. It is worth noting that, at least at the moment, the game features some rather excessive ragdoll mechanics for some defeated enemies, especially those defeated by explosions or heavy hitting blows, and while this may be an unintended feature, it is a real blast to see in motion, making the player feel like a real powerhouse at times, especially in the thick of a fight against numerous monsters, bandits, or even plaguebearers.
The voice acting for the title is handled exceptionally well with Obsidian recruiting a large number of highly talented voice actors to handle the main cast here. Kai will sound just like a certain favorite companion from a familiar sci-fi franchise and other companions are also suitably voiced and it is worth noting that all dialogue in the game is voiced minus the main character.. The player’s character is not voiced, allowing for some of the aforementioned “oddball” dialogue choices to be an option. The background music is no slouch either as Avowed features a solid soundtrack that works well for the theme of the game and its setting.
Overall
Avowed is a surprising RPG that offers some extensive customization and happens to be quite accessible when it comes to the flow of combat once players get the hang of things and its intricate storytelling and well-written companions are wonderful to enjoy. Unfortunately it is a bit lore heavy for newcomers, meaning those jumping right in might feel a bit lost in some elements of Pillars of Eternity lore and both loot and general equipment is quite generic, but even then this does little to dampen the enjoyment of traveling through the colorful but deadly Living Lands and uncovering the mysteries that have woken within them,
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
AMD and The Game Expo have formed a partnership to support the gaming expo and community festival on March 22-23, 2025.
Returning soon for its third year at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Game Expo (TGX) in 2025 is proud to announce its partnership with AMD.
Matching the TGX passion to provide gamers a fun and engaging experience together, AMD is the perfect presenting partner as the mission for AMD is to advance the experience of computing and bring gaming to a new level. As the high performance and adaptive computing leader known for Ryzen CPU and Radeon GPU, which are found in PCs and game consoles alike, AMD is a major part of the gaming landscape.
AMD at The Game Expo will proudly be supporting the show as a whole and supercharging the ever popular PC Freeplay and Tournaments area. AMD powered PCs will be part of our 60 PC LAN in which players can enjoy incredible tournaments in Marvel Rivals, and the much loved Apex Legends Creator Showdown. AMD will also support our Indie Game Zone with a special Ryzen CPU prize to the Indie Zone People’s Choice Winner.
An AMD Experience Zone will be on the floor at TGX, an easy going freeplay space featuring AMD PCs with a range of games to enjoy. This will include Capcom’s MONSTER HUNTER WILDS, currently available with selected Ryzen CPU and Radeon GPU. Come play at the booth on a mega 100inch screen. Plus, a feature custom PC and further activities on booth to be announced, including:
Content Creator meet and greet
Prize giveaways
Playable demonstrations
“We are thrilled to have AMD as our presenting partner at The Game Expo for 2025.” Said Daniel Chlebowczyk, Brand Director, The Game Expo. “The AMD team in Australia are dedicated gamers who have been great supporters of the community over the years. Our PC zone has been powered by AMD since the beginning and we’re excited to be working with AMD to enhance The Game Expo as a whole.”
The AMD team shared their excitement to be part of The Game Expo, noting that working together to support an event built ground up for gaming fans is a natural fit.
ABOUT
The Game Expo
The Game Expo was formed by members of the gaming community who have come together in collaboration. With decades of experience in gaming events producing activations for the industry, or to support their favourite games and find more people to play together.
AMD
AMD is the high performance and adaptive computing leader, powering the products and services that help solve the world’s most important challenges. Our technologies advance the future of the data center, embedded, gaming and PC markets. AMD is the high performance and adaptive computing leader, powering the products and services that help solve the world’s most important challenges.
As Swann we begin a reunion with a group of long separated friends and begin to reminisce about the summer of 1995 where it all began for the group and a terrible secret occurs in the Bloom half of DON’T NOD’s Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Bloom Episode – Gameplay
Embark on a new narrative journey by the creators of Life is Strange. Film your summer of 1995 and create memories of a lifetime with your new friends. 27 years later, confront the dark secrets that made you all promise to never speak again after that fateful summer.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Developer: DON’T NOD Publisher: DON’T NOD Platform: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S Release Date: 18 Feb, 2025 Price: $39.99 USD
Recommended – “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage captures its dual eras perfectly while delivering an emotional story with new elements, even if bugs and poor writing decisions drag it down in the second half.”
More Details and Card Reveals for Magic Sets Tarkir: Dragonstorm and Edge of Eternities
CHICAGO, Illinois – February 21, 2025 – Magic: The Gathering is in Chicago once again for MagicCon: Chicago, running from February 21-23. Wizards of the Coast is showcasing cards, art, and details about upcoming sets for the most popular tabletop card game in the world. Thousands of fans and players are at McCormick Place in Chicago for an incredible weekend full of Magic. Featuring the Pro Tour, a variety of on-demand and ticketed play events, events and panels on the mana stage, immersive experiences, exclusive merch, fan-favorite Magic artists and cosplayers, there’s something for everyone at MagicCon Chicago.
Fans gathered today at a special preview panel revealing more information for upcoming sets including a first look at Tarkir: Dragonstorm, the world premiere announcement of Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender, and a special preview on Edge of Eternities.
All of the latest announcements and details from today’s panel are below:
WORLD PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING | AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER Bend the battlefield with Magic cards from Avatar: The Last Airbender! Master the elements and join your favorite characters for new adventures, iconic art, and an elemental showdown like never before. This Standard-legal set based entirely on Nickelodeon’s original Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series will be available on November 21.
TARKIR: DRAGONSTORM The plane of Tarkir is now bigger and bolder than ever, filled with cinematic martial arts action, dynamic clan gameplay, and powerful new dragons that add lasting firepower to players’ Magic collections. Tarkir: Dragonstorm follows from the events of Dragons of Tarkir where people were subjugated under the oppressive rule of the dragonlords. Over time unrest grew and the people rebelled against dragonlords, taking up the banners of the old clans. In a bid to end the conflict, the leaders of the rebellion uncovered a powerful ritual, one that would summon a force strong enough to defeat the dragonlords once and for all. With five distinct clans to choose from, players will confront these terrifying dragonstorms and battle for survival and power.
Tarkir: Dragonstorm will launch on April 11.
EARLY LOOK AT EDGE OF ETERNITIES Magic: The Gathering players will soon venture to the Edge of Eternities, Magic’s take on an adventure-filled science-fantasy space opera. Players will discover new space-fantasy themed cards and mechanics, spacecraft Commanders, and stunning new collectibles while they explore the Edge, where vast interstellar powers marshal great forces as they attempt to command the stars. Players will find magic among these stars as they chart a course through the Sothera system to explore distant planets, wield dazzling magic, and wage war with alien factions. Edge of Eternities will launch on August 1.
Magic: The Gathering’s compelling characters, fantastic worlds, and deep strategic gameplay have entertained and delighted fans for 30 years. Fans can experience Magic through the tabletop trading card game, the digital game Magic: The Gathering Arena, a New York Times bestselling novel, and a critically acclaimed comic book series. With more than 50 million fans to date, Magic is a worldwide phenomenon published in more than 150 countries.
About Wizards
Wizards of the Coast, a division of Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS), develops legendary games that inspire creativity, spark passions, forge friendships and foster communities around a lifetime love of games. Wizards delivers compelling experiences for gamers across tabletop and digital gaming through its best-known franchises MAGIC: THE GATHERING and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS and Hasbro’s unparalleled portfolio of approximately 1,500 brands. With headquarters in Renton, Washington and studios in Austin, Montreal and Raleigh; Wizards is dedicated to fostering world-class talent to create unforgettable play experiences on all platforms. To learn more about Wizards, please visit our Company website and social channels (@Wizards on Twitter and LinkedIn).
About Hasbro
Hasbro is a leading games, IP, and toy company whose mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play. Hasbro delivers engaging brand experiences for global audiences through toys, consumer products, gaming and entertainment, with a portfolio of iconic brands including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Hasbro Gaming, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Hasbro is guided by our Purpose to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com.
Dual-wielding developer DeadToast Entertainment and abyss-dwelling publisher Devolver Digital are hellishly excited to reveal Shotgun Cop Man, a devilishly fun ballistic platformer from the creator of My Friend Pedro.
In Shotgun Cop Man you’ll take on the role of the titular lead-slingin’ lawman, descending into the underworld to raise Hell in Hell. Your mission? Arrest Satan.
This is a precision platformer where your weapons are your wings. Shotgun Cop Man’s boomstick and pistol (and other devastating weapons procured on-site) aren’t just used for slaying demons, but traversing the depths of Hell as well. Your diabolical arsenal lets you jump, launch, and propel yourself through the game’s challenging, chaotic levels, dodging enemies, leaping gaps, and scaling walls.
Conquer a hand-crafted campaign, with bonus No Damage and Speedrun modes for the hardcore, or dive into user-generated levels for endless replayability.
Shotgun Cop Man will blast its way onto PC and Switch later this year priced $9.99, but in the meantime you can enjoy a 17-level demo on Steam RIGHT NOW.
21st February 2025, Leeds, United Kingdom: Italian indies VOXEL Studios and publishers Noovola are thrilled to unveil the first gameplay reveal trailer for The Bench, a quirky, colorful puzzle adventure launching on PC in 2025. Starting February 24, players can also dive into the chaos and charm of this old man at the park simulator with a free demo during Steam Next Fest!
In The Bench, you wear the comfy slippers of a spirited old pensioner armed with a walking stick, a notebook, an endless bread supply, and loyal pigeon mates. Tired of retirement home rules and fueled by a vivid imagination (or maybe those meds he’s prescribed), you’ll hatch a daring escape plan. Crack eggs open to summon your feathered minions, build a flying army to do your bidding and throw bread to jump from bench to bench, order your pigeons to collect objects, play minigames and explore our colourful world!
Remember to share your stamp collections and first impressions with hashtag #TheBench and tag VOXEL Studios and Noovola social media.
Special thanks to Quadriga’s Arch for voicing the explanation trailer!
About VOXEL Studios
VOXEL Studios, based in Italy, is an indie game development studio also working on AR/VR applications, native or web-based apps, and software, from concept to final project, or through outsourcing. VOXEL provides strategic consultancy, functional analysis, and full development for desktop, web, and mobile native (iOS and Android) or hybrid platforms, always ensuring appealing design and seamless usability. Their portfolio includes collaborative support in the development of indie, AA and AAA games, and most importantly, their in-house games, The Bench and TEOM: The Enemy of Mine.
About Noovola
Noovola, based in Leeds, United Kingdom, started its journey in video games as a Public Relations agency for indie studios. Through time, the agency began offering Creative Communications and Translation efforts, sharpening its skills on dozens of excellent indie games. As of 2024, Noovola’s publishing arm has been created to help bring diverse and exciting indie games to market – starting with VOXEL Studio’s The Bench – releasing in 2025.
Step into the role of Headmaster, build your academy, manage your school, craft your wizard crew, and expand your influence in this new strategic colony sim! We are thrilled to announce that Wizdom Academy will launch in Early Access on April 17, 2025!
To celebrate, we’ve released a brand-new announcement trailer showcasing the magical journey ahead. Check it out and see what’s in store for your future wizarding academy!
With over 40,000 wishlists, a growing community, and fantastic feedback from thousands of players, we can’t wait for you to experience the full magic of Wizdom Academy.
Key Features:
Experience the freedom of 3D vertical building – Reach for the sky by adding all sorts of magical buildings.
Build your academy – Design classrooms, dorms, exploration halls, mana storage, and much more.
Manage your resources & residents – Put those recruits to work and harvest rare resources to expand your academy.
Shape legendary wizards – Guide students from apprentices to elite sorcerers, shaping their abilities and destinies.
Forge alliances & explore – Uncover hidden dungeons, meet other academies, defend against hordes, interact with nearby villages, and uncover hidden dungeons, and expand your influence.
Balance the residents’ needs & the Council’s wills – Keep your academy thriving while balancing the needs of your residents and the will of the Council.
Join us for Steam Next Fest!
Be among the first to play the latest Wizdom Academy demo during Steam Next Fest (February 24 – March 3). Featuring exciting new mechanics and content, this is the best time to get a taste of what’s to come!
The wait is almost over – add Wizdom Academy to your wishlist and get ready for April 17!
About Kipwak Studio Kipwak Studio is a passionate indie team based in Valais, Switzerland. Founded in 2023, the studio is dedicated to creating deep, immersive gameplay experiences. Wizdom Academy, supported by SwissGames and PRISM, is their latest endeavor, bringing a fresh take on the builder-management genre. For more information, visit www.wizdomacademy.com.
A new trailer introducing the continent of Aladiss and a brand-new illustration by beloved artist Benitama have been revealed!
Hertfordshire,21st February 2025 – Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Gust shared new details about the world of their upcoming JRPG Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land. Before setting on a journey across the continent of Aladiss to uncover its mysteries alongside Yumia, fans can lose themselves in the marvellous world that awaits them in a brand-new trailer. Players can also learn more about the key members of the Aladiss Research team with the latest artwork by beloved artist Benitama. Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land will be available 21st March 2025 on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Windows PC via Steam® and, for the first time in franchise history, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
In Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land, players will follow alchemist Yumia Liessfeldt as she joins the Aladiss Research team in hope to unravel the mysteries behind the cataclysm that destroyed the once great continent of Aladiss. Spearheaded by the Order of Eustella and led by Erhard, the Aladiss Research team is an organisation focused on investigating the fallen land of Aladiss, and is composed by researchers, adventurers and mercenaries. Yumia and her friends will be tasked to travel across the three regions of the continent to uncover the mysteries hidden in the ruins of the fallen Aladissian Empire.
Yumia’s journey will begin in the Ligneus region, where the Research team established its first base, far from the Aladissian capital. Yumia will travel through the plains and forest that make up the landscape, and discover research facilities abandoned by the alchemists of the time. Among the points of interest in the region, players will visit the Arbor Botanical Garden and the 8th Laboratory, before continuing their journey.
Players with a passion for fungi of all kinds will be delighted to explore the Sivash region, renowned for its mushroom-like flora, where Yumia will encounter the demihuman Welleks people. While exploring the region, the team will meet the Neru people, a tribe of monsters capable of human speech and easily recognisable by their slender silhouette and mushroom-like umbrellas. Before heading to the next region, players can pause to contemplate the Preces Cathedral, a place of worship at the centre of the Welleks settlement, or explore the impressive ruins of a school, known as Hermea Academy. The third region is the industrial Auruma region, filled with the ruins of a once thriving city. Among the ruins still standing, players will discover a tree-like metal structure, as well as its commercial district, featuring a station. Yumia will also visit the Mana Transposing Furnace, which was once the nerve centre for the study of mana for the whole of Aladiss. During their stay in the region, the team will encounter the Geni tribe, unique for possessing feathers and beaks like birds.
In addition to the standard edition, players can pre-order two special physical editions; the PREMIUM BOX that includes the base game*, an artbook, a B3-size cloth poster with original illustration, a CD with extra tracks, and an exclusive early access costume for Yumia, “Alchemist of her day off”. The SPECIAL COLLECTION BOX includes all of the content from the PREMIUM BOX, as well as a handkerchief in the style of the Aladiss Research Team bandana, an A1-size tapestry with an original illustration, a set of six decorative keychains, a set of six special clear file folders, a special sticker sheet, Yumia’s precious stuffed animal, an official short story, and accompanying translation booklet. Everyone who purchases either a physical or digital edition up to two weeks after release will receive the “Athlete of Memories” early purchase costume for Yumia, the “Floating Object of Memories” costume for Flammi, and the exclusive “Training Wrist Weight” equipment.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land will be available on 21st March 2025 on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Window PC via Steam®. The game will include Japanese voices with English, French, German and Spanish texts.
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
Check-in to the demo of this vibrant management-sim from February 24th
Watford, UK – 20th of February 2025 – Award-winning publisher Wired Productions and developer Pathos Interactive are thrilled to reveal that their ultimate hotel construction and tycoon game, Hotel Architect will feature in the Steam Next Fest.
In Hotel Architect, players will design, build, and manage luxury hotels across the globe whilst juggling the increasingly elaborate demands of disorderly guests, logistical nightmares and unexpected obstacles.
For Aspiring hoteliers, a brand-new trailer reveals the two distinct locations that will be available to explore within the Steam Next Fest Demo: the gorgeous shores of Santorini and the modern metropolis of Gothenburg. Each location is complete with its own scenario and sandbox modes as well as unique objectives, items, guest types, zones and more.
Watch the Hotel Architect | Steam Next Fest Demo Trailer
Key Hotel Architect Demo Features:
Advance in a career campaign or get creative in the sandbox mode
Design your layout and watch as the construction workers lay the foundations and bring your dream hotel to life
Freely select from several unique zone and design to impress customers and critics
Expand over two locations: Gothenburg and Santorini!
Manage a wide range of staff and contractors
Welcome a variety of guests who will be sure to keep you on your toes!
The Hotel Architect Demo will be available during the Steam Next Fest from February 24th – March 3rd. Wishlist the Demo now via Steam to be alerted when it goes live.
About Wired Productions Wired Productions is a true Indie Publisher proudly presenting a diverse range of specially curated games from some of the greatest storytellers and independent developers. Named as “Indie Publisher of the Year” at the MCV / Develop Awards, Wired is home to an award-winning collection of titles including: DIG VR, Gori: Cuddly Carnage, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles, Arcade Paradise VR, Tin Hearts, Martha Is Dead, The Falconeer, The Last Worker, and Deliver Us the Moon. Upcoming titles include: Hotel Architect, Beneath and KARMA: The Dark World.
About Pathos Interactive
Pathos Interactive is a game studio founded in 2015, headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. The company is driven with a deep passion by gamers with an ambition to make the best games, striving for excellence and releasing one quality game at a time. Having released the real-time strategy game, Bannermen, on Steam, Pathos are currently working on Hotel Architect, a management and simulation game.
