Experience the Award-Winning Survival Horror Classic At Home Or On-The-Go!
London, 28th July 2026 – PQube and Dual Effect invite players to experience the award-winning survival horror classic, Tormented Souls II, at home or on-the-go when it launches on Nintendo Switch™ 2 on 15th October 2026. Physical edition pre-orders are also available now across Europe and North America, allowing players to secure their journey into the nightmare that awaits at Villa Hess. To celebrate today’s announcement, a brand-new Announcement Trailer showcasing Nintendo Switch™ 2 gameplay was released!
In Tormented Souls II, players reunite with Caroline Walker following the harrowing events at Wildberger Hospital, where her sister Anna is haunted by visions of violence and death that compel her to create disturbing drawings destined to become reality. The sisters travel to the isolated town of Villa Hess, in hopes that a mysterious clinic buried in the mountains of Southern Chile can cure Anna of her affliction. Though what appears to be a serene and calming retreat becomes the start of a new nightmare, when Mother Lucia and her sinister cult kidnap Anna as part of their twisted plans.
Desperate to save her sister and escape the clutches of the cult, Caroline once again wields the pneumatic nailer and a wide range of brutal makeshift weapons as she navigates the twisted halls of the facility, calls upon her supernatural abilities to travel to the town’s mysterious ‘Other Side’, and faces the terrors that await her.
About Tormented Souls II
Following the harrowing events at Wildberger Hospital, Caroline Walker hopes for a normal life with her sister, Anna. Yet in the months that follow, Anna is haunted by visions of violence and death, compelling her to create disturbing drawings that rapidly manifest into horrifying reality.
Desperate to free her of this affliction, Caroline travels to the remote town of Villa Hess and a mysterious clinic nestled deep within the mountains of southern Chile. But behind the warm smiles of the facility’s serene staff lies a sickening truth, and the sisters soon find themselves at the center of an entirely new nightmare…
Key Features
Welcome to Villa Hess. Explore a huge variety of unnerving locations within the town, including a shadowy convent, a derelict shopping mall, and an abandoned school.
Alter Your Fate. Harness your supernatural powers to switch between realities, change the past to reshape the present, and search for alternate paths forward in the nightmarish ‘other side’.
Fight to Survive. Collect and modify an arsenal of makeshift weapons such as the nailer and chainsaw, and utilize the new quick select feature to switch armaments in the heat of battle.
Mind-Bending Puzzles. Examine, manipulate, and combine items to reveal hidden information, and forge connections between objects and the environment to solve intricately designed puzzles.
Death Surrounds You. Face off against lethal new enemies, from skittering bladed horrors to hulking armored abominations, and use your wits to survive monstrous boss encounters.
Shrouded in Mystery. Peel back the layers of a complex story full of twists and revelations. Encounter and cooperate with other characters each with their own agenda and dark secrets.
Flexible Gameplay Options. Relive the classic fixed-camera survival horror of the 90s with limited saves and tank controls, or switch to assisted mode for a more casual experience.
To learn more about Tormented Souls II be sure to check out the official website.
About PQube PQube is a leading developer, publisher, and distributor of interactive entertainment, with a diverse international team passionate about publishing games they love. Partnering with developers globally, PQube delivers immersive, memorable gaming experiences to players across all major gaming platforms. Its rich, ever-expanding portfolio features established fan-favorites like Kitaria Fables, Potion Permit, Discounty, Adorable Adventures and Tormented Souls, alongside exciting new projects including Kusan: City of Wolves, Sniper Dan, They Are Here: Alien Abduction Horror, Aggelos 2, K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut, The Detectorist Guild and Spyder: Agent 8.
About Dual Effect
Dual Effect Games is an indie video game studio with a deep love for the survival horror genre, like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Alone in the Dark. The studio channels that passion into original, atmosphere-driven experiences that honor the tension, dread, and craftsmanship of the games that inspired it. We are the creators of the Tormented Souls saga, a tribute to the survival horror classics. The studio is led by Germán and Gabriel Araneda from the remote country of Chile.
International publisher marks its anniversary with a global campaign celebrating iconic franchises, players, and two decades of strategy and simulation games
Bracknell, UK – July 28, 2026. Founded 20 years ago in Worms, Germany, KalypsoMedia has grown into an internationally renowned publisher and developer of acclaimed strategy and simulation franchises including Tropico, Commandos, Railway Empire, and Dungeons. On August 16, Kalypso Media is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Throughout August, Kalypso Media will launch a global anniversary campaign under the banner “A Month of Celebration,” featuring special discounts, bundles, in-game events, and community initiatives. The campaign will honour the company’s legacy while highlighting its ongoing commitment to delivering engaging strategy and simulation experiences to players around the world.
“Over the past 20 years, Kalypso has grown together with our players, our teams, and our partners – from our roots in Rhineland-Palatinate to players around the world. What began with a very small team and a passion for strategy and simulation games has become a portfolio of worlds that continue to evolve alongside the communities that bring them to life,” says Dr. Anika Thun, Managing Director at Kalypso Media Group. “This anniversary is not only a moment to look back on what we have achieved, but also a celebration of the trust our players have placed in us – and a commitment to continue creating meaningful strategy experiences for years to come.”
Celebrating across Games, Stores, and Communities
The 20th anniversary celebration will come to life across multiple touchpoints throughout August, bringing together games, stores, and community channels. At the heart of the campaign, players can discover numerous anniversary special offers across the Kalypso Store with around 20 % discounts on all 2026-released games and DLCs, including Sudden Strike 5 and Disciples: Domination. From August 14 – 17, players can get the Commandos: Origins Special Deal, including the Standard Edition plus the DLCs Shadows over Crete and No Man Left Behind as a free gift*, while the Tropico 5 Complete Collection includes Tropico Reloaded for free throughout August.**
The anniversary celebration will also extend to Kalypso Media’s global community. As a surprise thank-you to its most active subscribers, 20 selected newsletter subscribers will receive a key for Tropico 5 Complete Collection as part of a special loyalty giveaway – psst… check your inbox. You might be one of the chosen ones!
Special in-game events
Starting in August, Kalypso fans can look forward to special in-game anniversary events in Commandos: Origins and Dungeons 4, bringing the celebration directly into the games and giving communities new ways to join the festivities.
In parallel, Kalypso will honour one of its most iconic franchises with an exclusive Tropico 25th Anniversary fan shirt including a digital wallpaper for free. The limited-edition t-shirt will be available in the Kalypso Media merch store in August.
The Anniversary campaign will also feature two special Tropico 7 Dev Blogs, offering fans another special look behind the scenes of El Prez’ upcoming dictator simulation and celebrating the legacy of the Tropico franchise and its community.
The celebration culminates in a look back at 20 years of Kalypso gaming history. To mark the company’s 20th anniversary, Kalypso has created a 20th Anniversary timeline featuring all its game releases over the past two decades. A physical Memory Lane at the Kalypso Media headquarters in Worms highlights all memorable game releases.
Looking Ahead
Rather than serving solely as a retrospective, the 20th anniversary marks the beginning of Kalypso Media’s next chapter. With a strong portfolio of established IPs, an active global community, and continued investment in strategy and simulation experiences, Kalypso remains committed to long-term franchise development and player-driven world-building. The highly anticipated dictator simulation Tropico 7 will be released soon, while established IPs and new franchises are in the pipeline. Stay tuned for more details at gamescom 2026.
*discount applies when all three products are added to the shopping cart ** discount applies when Tropico Reloaded is added to the shopping cart
SuperDestruction Mayhem Ensues As Beasts Unleash Pure Chaos and Mass Destruction
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – JULY 28, 2026 – Veteran developer Grove Street Games, the technical force behind ARK: Survival Ascended and Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, announced that its first new IP in over a decade, BeastLink,is coming to Steam Early Access on Tuesday, August 18. The date is revealed in a new action-packed trailer that gives a glimpse of what players can expect at Early Access launch. BeastLink will be available on Steam for $19.99.
BeastLink combines tactical human-led missions and vehicular combat with the city-destroying, raw power of colossal Kaiju, including the Horned Lizard, Mandrill, Bull Shark, and Vampire Bat. BeastLink is monster-sized mayhem on an unprecedented scale – available August 18 for Steam Early Access and coming soon to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Built in Unreal Engine 5, the core of BeastLink is Grove Street’s proprietary SuperDestruction system that pushes environmental wreckage to a new level. This fully networked, physics-based system lets every player reshape the map as both human or Kaiju. With over 250,000 destructible objects and tens of millions of individual pieces, players can strategically reshape entire city blocks, turning urban environments into tactical rubble.
BeastLink drops players into massive, urban environments under siege by a variety of Kaiju. Players will navigate collapsing cityscapes on foot or choose from a variety of vehicles. They battle both human forces and roaming monsters to gather resources, which fuel an experimental procedure to Link with sleeping Kaiju. Once the BeastLink is established, the perspective shifts from tactical survival to city-shaking power as players tear through buildings and engage in massive, real-time monster brawls.
Launching with four distinct Kaiju that all play to their unique abilities, player combat ranges from brute force to aerial attacks or speed-based combat. Each match changes how players approach combat and movement through each city.
Follow BeastLink development and updates on the website, wishlist on Steam.
ABOUT GROVE STREET GAMES Grove Street Games has been an influential developer since 2007. Delighting fans of the world’s greatest games with bold interpretations on new platforms, delivering fresh and original in games to millions of happy players. Operating out of their studio in Gainesville, Florida, Grove Street Games is an industry leader, dedicated to building incredible and accessible gaming experiences. Grove Street Games work can be found worldwide across all major gaming devices, including consoles, PC, Android, and iOS.
The next pixel art, fantasy world from Kong Studios
Amsterdam, Netherlands — July 28, 2026 | Kakao Games is excited to announce Guardian Maiden, the next game from developer Kong Studios, launching worldwide on PC and mobile.
Guardian Maiden follows the story of a Hero and a Saint on a journey to defeat an emerging evil in a fantasy world. This action RPG, inhabited by a diverse set of characters, features vibrant pixel art reminiscent of Kong Studios’ previous game.
“We’re excited to introduce Guardian Maiden to players around the world,” said Kwangwon Seok, CEO of Kong Studios. “The game reflects years of experience developing pixel art titles, action combat, and collectible RPGs. Together with Kakao Games, our long-time trusted publishing partner, we’re committed to delivering a polished, high-quality experience for players worldwide.”
Siwoo Lee, Co CEO of Kakao Games, added, “Kong Studios has consistently demonstrated exceptional game development capabilities, backed by a distinctive creative vision. Having built a strong partnership through years of collaboration, we’re excited to work together once again and bring Guardian Maiden to players around the world.”
Kakao Games and Kong Studios will reveal more details on Guardian Maiden in the coming months.
About Kakao Games
Kakao Games (Co CEOs Taehwan Kim and Siwoo Lee) is a game company specializing in both publishing and development across a wide range of genres, from casual to hardcore titles on PC and mobile. Since its KOSDAQ listing in September 2020, Kakao Games has successfully developed and launched popular titles such as Odin: Valhalla Rising, Uma Musume Pretty Derby, Eversoul, Guardian Tales, and PUBG: Battlegrounds, with multiple global releases on the horizon. Kakao Games remains committed to expanding its portfolio and exploring new opportunities in the evolving gaming landscape.
About Kong Studios Kong Studios, Inc. is a startup headquartered in Silicon Valley, U.S.A. As evidenced in games such as Dungeon Link and Guardian Tales, the studio believes a game’s essence is original gameplay and narrative. Kong Studios has and continues to strive to create the best game approved by gamers across the world.
New weapons, Martial Arts, Ninjutsu, Guardian Spirits, Soul Cores and much more await players!
Hertfordshire,28th July 2026 – Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Team NINJA announced that the first DLC for their popular dark samurai action RPG, Nioh 3, will be released on 19th August 2026 for PlayStation®5 and PC Steam™. Entitled Hell Rising, this DLC will transport players to the Keian era and feature new weapons, Martial Arts, Ninjutsu, Guardian Spirits, Soul Cores and much more. Fans can get a glimpse of the new setting that awaits them in the newly released action-packed trailer. To celebrate, the DDX edition of Nioh 3 is available to purchase at 23% off on the PlayStation™Store and Steam®, while the standard version is available at a 36% off on Steam® for a limited time*.
* PlayStation sale starts on 27th July and ends on 12th August. Only the standard edition is available at a discounted price.
Steam sale starts on 27th July and ends on 10th August. Both the standard and DDX editions are available at a discounted price.
In Hell Rising, players will travel to Edo in 1651 during the Keian era, where they will discover the castle town plunged into utter chaos following the death of the future shogun, Takechiyo. With the cooperation of the one-eyed swordsman Yagyu Jubei and the Spanish envoy Rodrigo, fans will unravel new mysteries surrounding the Spirit Stones to restore peace. The new open-field map, the Keian era, will feature a hellish wasteland ravaged by the gales of the Crucible, where yokai, human rebels and alchemists from foreign lands roam. To prepare for the deadly new encounters that await them, players can equip themselves with new weapons, the hoko and shield for both the Samurai and Ninja Styles. These weapons will offer fresh combat possibilities, with basic attacks combining the defence of the shield with the offence of the short spear, as well as more tactical moves, such as flinging the shield at enemies.
For all players seeking a greater challenge, a new equipment category will be added, the Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scroll. Enemies will sometimes drop a Picture Scroll as rare loot, but to equip this item, players must achieve victory in the automatically generated battle associated with that scroll. These battles can be replayed to allow players to randomly alter one of the scroll’s special effect, whilst also strengthening and customising it. In addition, a new difficulty setting will be available for players wishing to attempt a third playthrough, the Enlightened One’s Journey. In this extreme difficulty mode, certain enemies will randomly receive a Curse buff that will make them significantly more powerful, but will reward players with divine-rarity items if they manage to defeat them. Finally, amongst the new features introduced in the Hell Rising DLC, players will be able to further enhance their character builds with divine-rarity Grace set bonuses and powerful special effects.
In Nioh 3, released in February 2026, players take on the role ofTokugawa Takechiyo, poised to become the next shogun during Japan’s prosperous Edo era. The story unfolds on a larger scale than ever before in series history, covering various eras and regions including Edo Castle, the Totomi region during the Warring States era, the Heian era’s capital city of Kyoto, and, for the first time in the franchise’s history, the Bakumatsu era. Players can freely explore each era as a vast open field, featuring beautiful and distinct environments.
Before launching into the full game, players have the opportunity to hone their skills in the free demo, which includes both solo play and online multiplayer mode for up to three players on both PlayStation®5** and Windows PC via Steam®***. Fans can create their own custom character and dive into the turbulent Warring States era, even testing their abilities in an electrifying boss fight against Jakotsu-baba, with the ability to carry over save data to the full version of the game.
** PlayStation®5 users in Germany will need to have a PlayStation®Plus account in order to download and play the demo.
***Cross-play is not supported for online multiplayer mode.
Nioh 3 is now available worldwide on PlayStation®5 and Windows PC via Steam®. The game includes Japanese and English voices with texts in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.
In Nioh 3, released in February 2026, players take on the role ofTokugawa Takechiyo, poised to become the next shogun during Japan’s prosperous Edo era. The story unfolds on a larger scale than ever before in series history, covering various eras and regions including Edo Castle, the Totomi region during the Warring States era, the Heian era’s capital city of Kyoto, and, for the first time in the franchise’s history, the Bakumatsu era. Players can freely explore each era as a vast open field, featuring beautiful and distinct environments.
Before launching into the full game, players have the opportunity to hone their skills in the free demo, which includes both solo play and online multiplayer mode for up to three players on both PlayStation®5** and Windows PC via Steam®***. Fans can create their own custom character and dive into the turbulent Warring States era, even testing their abilities in an electrifying boss fight against Jakotsu-baba, with the ability to carry over save data to the full version of the game.
** PlayStation®5 users in Germany will need to have a PlayStation®Plus account in order to download and play the demo.
***Cross-play is not supported for online multiplayer mode.
Nioh 3 is now available worldwide on PlayStation®5 and Windows PC via Steam®. The game includes Japanese and English voices with texts in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.
The first expansion for the roguelite ARPG has arrived, bringing with it a new class, five deadly new bosses, a survival mission set among the Celestial Ruins, and more.
Tuesday, 28th July, Wakefield, UK – team17 has today released the debut expansion to roguelite action-RPG, Heroes of Hammerwatch II. Available on Steam from 5pm BST today, Heroes of Hammerwatch II: Celestial Ruins sees players valiantly take on the holy duties of the new Priest class, travel to the Celestial Ruins, and overcome the formidable Spirit bosses.
Heroes of Hammerwatch: Celestial Ruins trailer
The Priest class joins the seven other classes already available, and focuses on mana powers and regeneration, essential abilities to face the five Spirit bosses. As players progress through the devastated environment of the ruins, they’ll acquire powerful Spirit Boons that add new build opportunities, and unlock new equipment such as sceptres, lanterns, and a selection of unique trinkets. Celestial Ruins also includes two pets, Will O’ The Wisp and Animated Candle.
The Celestial Ruins expansion releases alongside a free update that adds five new pets – Toucan, Raven, Scarab, Dog, and Cat – that collect loot, along with new trinkets to further customise the player character. Typically retailing at $6.99/£5.99/€6.99, Celestial Ruins is available with a 20% discount for a limited time, while the base game is available at a 60% discount (SRP: $19.99/£16.99/€19.99). Celestial Ruins alongside a deluxe edition of Heroes of Hammerwatch II, which includes both the base game and expansion for $24.99.
The launch of Celestial Ruins comes a year after team17 acquired the Heroes of Hammerwatch IP and announced a wave of new content for the game. Since then, the company has released the Epic Weapons and Epic Missions Updates. A roadmap of further updates and an additional expansion has also been released today, underlining team17’s commitment to Heroes of Hammerwatch II over the coming months.
About team17 Founded in 1990, team17 is part of Everplay Group plc, and a passionate and creative developer and publisher dedicated to its pioneering indie developer partners and games. team17 has an extensive portfolio of over 150 titles that players around the world love for a lifetime, including DREDGE, Date Everything, and Overcooked!, together with multi-award-winning and award-nominated in-house brands such as Hell Let Loose, Golf With Your Friends, The Escapists, and the iconic Worms franchise. Visit www.team17.com for more information.
FarmCon is getting closer, and so are the alpacas, Brahman cows, and fresh details on Farming Simulator 25: Beans & Alpacas. Bringing coffee, fluffy animals, a South America-inspired environment, new constructions, machines, and more, the expansion now gets its first gameplay impressions from publisher and developer GIANTS Software. More to follow at FarmCon 26 at Volvo Construction Equipment in Konz, Germany, on the weekend of 1st & 2nd August.
Gameplay Teasers for Map, Machines & Coffee
To accompany FarmCon 26, the latest episode of GIANTS Software’s news show highlights Catuaí, a new map reminiscent of Brazil. It features coffee as one of the brand-new crops, allowing farmers to build a coffee estate, as well as a selection of specialised machines. Alpacas and Brahman cows also make an appearance in the gameplay teasers. On the FarmCon stage, developers will reveal more details about the upcoming expansion and its features.
Presentations & Competitions at FarmCon
At FarmCon, GIANTS Software’s presenters are scheduled to introduce the map and take attendees on an extended tour of Catuaí, followed by a gameplay presentation highlighting coffee and the new machines, plus a general preview of what is next for Farming Simulator.
A modding-focused presentation and Q&A sessions for fan questions are also planned. In addition, host Volvo CE and agricultural manufacturer SKY Agriculture will hold their own presentations. Between sessions, virtual Bale Race competitions add more interactivity, while the “Creator Clash” quiz show brings popular Farming Simulator influencers to the stage.
Every FarmCon ticket includes a goodie bag, allows access to a factory tour at Volvo CE as well as machines in a test drive area. Farming Simulator 25 is available for PC, Mac, PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S. Beans and Alpacas will be available on October 27th as a separate expansion or an edition including the base game. Visit the official Farming Simulator website.
About GIANTS Software
GIANTS Software is a globally operating game developer and publisher headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland. Established in 2004, the company is known for creating the popular Farming Simulator franchise. With international teams, including offices in Erlangen (Germany) and Brno (Czech Republic), GIANTS Software develops and publishes simulation experiences worldwide. Beyond Farming Simulator, it is strengthening its position in the genre with Project Motor Racing and a global network of partners and industry ties. For more information, visit the GIANTS Software website.
About Farming Simulator With more than 40 million copies of the main series sold worldwide since 2008, the Farming Simulator franchise is leading in its genre. Available on all major platforms, the series features hundreds of authentic machines from renowned brands and offers compelling agricultural simulation with relaxing, family-friendly gameplay. It’s based on the powerful GIANTS Engine – built in-house to provide realistic physics, high-fidelity graphics, dynamic systems and extensive modding support. Visit farming-simulator.com for more information.
Players Can Go Hands-On With Rayman Legends Retold, Connect With DevelopersAnd Discover Additional Ubisoft Experiences.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 28 July, 2026 – Today, Ubisoft revealed its plans for gamescom 2026 in Cologne, led by Rayman Legends Retold, the upcoming reimagining of the beloved classic. The Ubisoft booth will also feature the return of the Community Lounge, offering a variety of activities, developer interactions, and community focused programming throughout the show.
Led by Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Milan*, Rayman Legends Retold builds on the charm of the original 2013 game, now brought to life with stunning 3D visuals, a brand-new story, and fully voiced cinematics. Visitors to the booth will have the opportunity to play the game’s first level, one of the new dragon rides, and a fan-favorite musical level from the iconic platforming adventure throughout the event.
Another highlight is the Community Lounge, located at the Ubisoft booth, which is returning this year. The Lounge will host a variety of community activities, developer talks, and live sessions featuring titles including Rainbow 6 Siege®, Assassin’s Creed® Black Flag Resynced, The Division 2®, Rayman, Anno 117: Pax Romana and more. The daily schedule will be displayed on-site via screens. Selected sessions will also be streamed live from August 26 to 29 on Ubisoft’s YouTube.com/Ubisoft and Twitch.tv/Ubisoft, allowing fans around the world to join the conversation.
Ubisoft’s Gamescom booth is located in Hall 6.1 – Stand C011 – B010 and will be open to visitors from August 27 to 30.
For more information on Ubisoft games and the latest news, please visit news.ubisoft.com.
*Associate Ubisoft studios include Annecy, Berlin, Bordeaux, Paris, Da Nang, Düsseldorf, and Shanghai. Pastagames also supported the project.
About Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew® and Tom Clancy’s The Division®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalogue of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €1.53 billion. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.
There are a lot of ways that games can be challenging. Some might offer various difficulty levels so players can tailor it to their experience while others are just straight up hard, requiring skill and patience or even some grinding to conquer the challenges that await them. Kusan: City of Wolves happens to be one of the latter, offering no difficulty options but instead requiring players to master the layout of a level and do their best to survive every stage in an attempt to make it through without getting hit a single time or die the second an enemy lands a blow. Mimicking a style similar to a certain 2012 top down shooter, this title is one that demands perfection but isn’t afraid to let players struggle along the way even if it means getting a lower score and returning to master it later.
Story
Set in a futuristic neo-noir world players take on the role of a black panther named Jin, an ex-soldier turned mercenary who usually takes on gigs for cash but isn’t afraid to risk his life for a good cause. This is exemplified when he sets out to annihilate a local street gang for kidnapping the older sister of a young leopard boy begging for his help. Despite the bloody mess that Jin makes of the crew and the darker signs of the helpless people inside, the more sinister side of the world comes to light the second Jin saves the sister as she is immediately apprehended by the government for being a “psion,” someone with psychic abilities of some kind and the type of people, or anthros in this case, that are strictly imprisoned and monitored for the fear of the powers that they might be able to unleash.
Later, Jin receives a request from his contact, a doberman named Ayn, of a real job that requires his particular set of skills and he has been hand-picked for this assignment by the government to recover an “asset” that has been stolen from an experimental psionics lab. Little does Jin know that the past that he has tried to keep buried in the past is about to come back to haunt him in almost every way possible as he finds himself face to face with former allies turned enemies, countless gang members and criminals, and an innocent girl that knows nothing of the world but Jin knows all too well despite never actually meeting her before in what turns out to be a rather gripping and emotional narrative for a fast-paced one-hit-kill style game.
Kusan: City of Wolves tells its story mostly through comic-book style panels with the occasional conversations between stages and at the end of certain stages and this is a surprisingly effective way to portray how heavy and intense the narrative actually is. While placing the game in a world where every character is an anthro makes for a unique premise, especially considering it is mimicking the conflict between North and South Korea with its own take on things, it also is one that is incredibly dark and twisted. Cybernetic enhancements are the norm, especially for ex-soldiers like Jin who has a completely cybernetic arm while most other characters have various augments but these are far from the only elements of neo-noir mixed with a bit of cyberpunk.
As players progress through the story they will continue to learn more of Jin’s past as he rescues the young girl, finds out the mystery behind her origins, and the heartbreaking events that took place that led them there. Even the side characters, as small of a role as some play and some with far larger roles, are treated well enough to the point that their loss is given proper weight. This is a surprisingly heavy story, especially since the “collectables” that players can track down, the Limbus, are signs of how cruel the world is and what Jin does is a mercy they beg for. Delivering this kind of heavy storytelling with some nice emotional payoff, albeit feeling like it ends a bit abruptly and could have used a little extra time featuring the characters post final boss, is a pleasant surprise for a game like this.
Gameplay
Kusan: City of Wolves is a top-down style “shooter/brawler” that is all about skill, speed, and some bravery as a single mistake will lead to instant death. Players will always have control of Jin and occasionally be joined by an ally in a few levels that will provide back-up fire but for the most part players will be in charge of eliminating nearly every foe in a stage before advancing to the next. The problem is, while most enemies can be killed with a single blow depending on the weapon used, Jin will also die to a single strike, meaning an ill-timed punch, missing a parry, or simply not noticing an enemy with a gun can drop him in an instant and reset the stage for players to run through again.
Once players complete a stage they are gauged on how quickly they did it, their kill count, how long they kept their combo-streak going, style which is determined by the variety of methods enemies were killed, bravery, parries, and a bonus for general item gathering and given a grade ranging from C all the way to SS. At the end of a set of stages players are then given a final level grade and bonus “bolts” depending on what grade they receive. While players will generally find themselves learning levels and getting Bs or maybe even As in their first few stages, the main goal is to learn and master the levels enough that players will be able to style on the enemies and maintain a killer combo all while finishing the stage as quickly as possible. Though as mentioned, this likely won’t happen the first time through for a number of reasons.
The first of which is that players will want to explore through stages to find short-cuts, break apart furniture for bolts, and also locate hidden Limbus that serve as the game’s collectables and other upgrade material besides the aforementioned bolts. Upon finding a Limbus players will need to take part in a little mini-game that generally requires them to hit lit-up computers in a certain order, use a specific attack on lit-up computers, or even dodge targets while hitting computers all within a time limit before it resets to “free” the Limbus and receive the reward that can be used to optimize Jin’s War-Hand upgrades or unlock additional upgrade space, something bolts are also used for as the upgrade system in Kusan: City of Wolves is rather unique but more on that later.
Jin starts with a small weapon arsenal in the form of his cybernetic War-Hand to punch and kill enemies and also it can be charged to send doors flying into enemies or even weakened walls and boxes to kill foes, a “quantum” knife that can be thrown a short distance to kill enemies with an auto-lock by default and be used to juggle by picking up quickly and throwing it at the next foe without hesitation, and eventually a handgun that has a limited amount of ammo that players will need to scavenge from slain enemies or boxes to refill. Unlike punches and the knife, the handgun takes two hits to kill an enemy with the first shot stunning them and leaving them open to be finished with a punch or knife or giving the player time to focus elsewhere for a moment. All of these tools are made available within the first few levels and while the handgun may feel underpowered at the start, it also feels like pretty much the best firearm in the game by comparison with one exception.
Now the upgrade system for Kusan: City of Wolves is a unique one that sees Jin start with a limited “inventory” space for upgrades and the ability to hold a firearm, which he must hold one of at least at all times once unlocked. To unlock additional slots players will need to use bolts or Limbus pieces to open them up and, in-turn, unlock new abilities and weapons as well. You see, Jin’s ability unlocks aren’t tied to progression but tied to his inventory unlock space, such as needing to unlock 15/25 spaces to unlock a shotgun or 10/25 to unlock the ability to purchase the quantum knife’s auto-return after a few seconds ability. This means that while players may want to purchase upgrades to Jin’s War-Hand, and definitely should at least purchase the auto-returning knife and faster default movement speed, the real priority should be unlocking extra slots. This is also thanks to the fact that every War-Hand upgrade takes up a certain amount of space and while many can be “optimized” with a Limbus piece to shrink down one block, the more space available the better. This also means players can obtain the “ignore shields” upgrade long before they are even introduced as an enemy defense mechanism.
Now onto the firearms. As mentioned, players are given a handgun at default and it, as well as every gun, can be upgraded with special features that increase how useful it is and how much space it occupies in Jin’s upgrade box. The handgun eventually ends up being able to hold the most ammo and can even trigger slain enemies to drop ammo, keeping players supplied well enough despite requiring two shots to slay most enemies. The crossbow is able to be charged to instantly kill an enemy but is situational at best and feels ineffective most of the time, even with upgrades and the shotgun may offer a wider spread but consumes two rounds of ammo with every shot, limiting its viability outside of a few situations. The only truly special weapon, with its caveats, is the revolver. While the revolver may have a smaller ammo count, somehow not six shots despite literally being a revolver, it also can be upgraded to spawn “golden bullets” that will instantly kill enemies when reloaded or deal massive damage to bosses with the final upgrade, making it rather vital during the few boss encounters in the game.
These bosses are rather unique but they are also few and far between as there are only three in the entire game. Similar to the rest of the game players still die in one hit to bosses and it is also essential to change-up the ways that players attack them as simply shooting away deals less damage over time. Instead, mixing up damage types by throwing in the occasional risky punch, knife toss, or even charge-punching a box at a boss will increase the damage dealt. These bosses are all unique feeling, especially the second one that sees players desperately needing the movement speed upgrade to feel possible, but the final boss is truly a master challenge that often felt like it required more luck than anything else. While we won’t spoil anything here, it is worth noting that it also featured an unexplained mechanic that factors heavily into how well Jin can damage the enemy, which works great when combined with the narrative but could have used a bit of extra explanation.
Once players complete the game there is technically no New Game+ but players can revisit any stage they have previously completed but now with every upgrade they have obtained. This means players can track down any Limbus they may have missed, farm bolts for upgrades, aim for higher ranks on stages, and potentially mop-up achievements for killing enough of certain enemy types or replaying a stage that never properly unlocked as a few level completing achievements are glitched before launch.
Audio & Visuals
Kusan: City of Wolves is designed with a pixel aesthetic which is a nice retro touch and features quite brutal looking enemy deaths when they splatter onto the ground with a decent amount of variety between enemy appearances even when facing off against the same types. These types often change depending on the level and it is nice to note that every level also has a unique theme throughout every stage. As for the characters themselves, it is wonderful to note that the character portraits are nicely handled and the comic-book style presentation is similarly handled excellently with the anthro characters fitting in perfectly with the neo-noir setting.
There is unfortunately no voice work of any kind throughout the game but the title does feature a rather great collection of head-bopping background music with a unique song set to every level.
Overall
Kusan: City of Wolves is a stylish and punishing game that will have players sighing in frustration as often as they are with relief for getting through a difficult stage for the first time. Combine this level of challenge and ability to replay levels for mastery makes it a great fast-paced game that rarely feels cheap outside of the boss encounters but that is likely on purpose. With this, and the fact that the game’s story is actually one that genuinely feels emotional and well-written despite an abrupt ending and Kusan: City of Wolves takes a certain feeling from over a decade ago and makes it its own, offering style and challenge in equal measure with enough emotional backing to keep players driving towards the finish.
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Jin, an ex-soldier turned mercenary is drawn into a job that brings forth every terrible memory of his past traumas. Watch as we battle through the entirety of PQube’s Kusan: City of Wolves to save the girl trapped in this brutal world and even “save” every Limbus trapped along the way.
Kusan: City of Wolves – Full Playthrough
Kusan: City of Wolves is a gritty action-adventure set in a crime-ridden metropolis where rival factions, corruption, and violence dominate every street. Players step into the role of a lone operative caught in a brutal struggle for control of the city, using a combination of fast-paced melee combat, firearms, and stealth to dismantle powerful criminal organizations. As the story unfolds, you’ll uncover hidden conspiracies, forge uneasy alliances, and decide who can truly be trusted in a city where survival comes at a price.
Combat emphasizes fluid combos, precise timing, and environmental interaction, allowing players to adapt their approach to every encounter. Beyond the action, exploration, investigation, and character-driven storytelling reveal the secrets lurking beneath the city’s neon-lit skyline. With cinematic presentation, stylish visuals, and an engaging narrative, Kusan: City of Wolves delivers an intense urban adventure filled with danger, mystery, and high-stakes action.
Kusan: City of Wolves Developer: CIRCLEfromDOT Publisher: PQube Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC/Steam Release Date: 30th July, 2026 Price: TBA
Recommended – “Kusan: City of Wolves delivers stylish challenge, emotional storytelling, and punishing stages that offer plenty of replayability for those wishing to master their layouts.”
