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Final Fantasy X Was the 'Ultimate Perfection' of the Series, Says Dragon Quest Creator

Opinions will always be split on the best iteration of Final Fantasy, and so it's interesting to hear that living industry legend and Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii has shared his own thoughts on the franchise.
Once upon a time, Dragon Quest was in direct competition with Final Fantasy; the two properties vying for the RPG crown back in the 80s and 90s.
Of course, this was before Square and Enix merged to form Square Enix, causing the two titans of the genre to fall under the same publishing umbrella.
But apparently, Horii didn't actually view Final Fantasy as a threat to his creation. He explains to Game Informer: "I was definitely paying attention to it because it was something we needed to look out for."
He continues:
An interesting perspective, for sure, but it sounds like Horii was rather taken with Final Fantasy as it continued to evolve as a series.
In particular, he heaps some very strong praise on Final Fantasy X — the franchise's first PS2 foray, which, at the time, felt like a true next-gen jump.
"I do like Final Fantasy, though. When I first saw Final Fantasy X, I recall feeling this was the ultimate perfection of Final Fantasy," he says.
Some would say that Dragon Quest enjoyed a similarly impressive evolutionary step with Dragon Quest 8 — another PS2 all-timer. Now that we think back on those youthful days, it really was another golden age for Japanese RPGs...
Horii's comments have got us reminiscing, but do you recall being that impressed by Final Fantasy X? You can always give it your own rating in our Best Final Fantasy Games list, and then express your love in the comments section below.
Rockstar

TimeSplitters Rewind Has Launched For Free On PC, And It's Great On The Xbox Ally

We're big fans of TimeSplitters here at Pure Xbox, and we've enjoyed playing TimeSplitters 2 and 3 via backwards compatibility in recent years, but we've also been craving some kind of brand-new project for over a decade now.
TimeSplitters Rewind isn't actually new — it's been in development for over a decade — but it's suddenly released for free in early access on PC this week, containing a full remake of TimeSplitters 1's campaign (playable both offline and online), along with a full multiplayer suite that includes some hectic online shootouts.
It's been a long time coming, and there's a lot of excitement from the community right now:
Of course, this is only a PC game as things stand - and therefore the only way to access it on an "Xbox" branded device is by using the ROG Xbox Ally. I can confirm the game runs well and recognises the ROG Xbox Ally X's control scheme just fine, while you can turn all the settings up to maximum and still get easily over 60FPS.
TimeSplitters Rewind isn't the finished package just yet, but it's still glorious to be playing a remake of the series for free on an "Xbox" branded system. This kind of thing is what the next Xbox console could thrive at - allowing us to try games that otherwise are very unlikely to get a release on a traditional console like the Series X, S and PS5.
Anyway, we'll throw a handful of images from TimeSplitters Rewind running on the ROG Xbox Ally X down below, and don't forget about TimeSplitters 2 and 3 - those are both well worth playing on your Xbox console even to this day!


Rockstar

Xbox's Latest Free Game Has 3 Separate Versions And 3000G Worth Of Achievements

It's been a while since we last saw a new free-to-play (or just entirely "free") game release on the Xbox Store, but that's all changed today with the arrival of Card Storm Idle - a game that actually has three separate versions to try.
That makes it extremely lucrative for achievement hunters, as there's a potential 3000G worth of achievements up for grabs here across the Xbox One (1000G), Xbox Series X|S (1000G) and Windows PC (1000G) versions.
It's really simple to complete as well, described as an "incremental experience" in which you can get all the achievements in around 10-20 minutes. You can see how it looks in the video up above.
Of course, a situation like this brings up the whole idea of "stacks" and whether games should be allowed to have multiple versions on the Xbox Store unless they're significantly different from each other. Card Storm Idle is far from the first game to employ this strategy - plenty of publishers do it with paid titles as well, and even in the past few days we've come across many new releases with separate Xbox One, Series X|S and PC versions.
We'll leave the decision up to you about whether to download Card Storm Idle and get those 3000G or not, but in the meantime feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments - does this kind of thing put you off, or are you just grateful for the free game and extra achievements?
Rockstar

The Game Awards 2025 First Reveal Confirmed Ahead Of Next Month's Showcase

At this point, we know about the awards that will be present at The Game Awards 2025, but the new game reveals are what most folks tune in for, and our first inclusion has now been locked in ahead of the event next month.
Action-adventure RPG Exodus will feature during The Game Awards showcase, as confirmed by Archetype Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast. Exodus was first unveiled at TGA 2023, and will be returning this year with a brand-new trailer.
In the run up to the live event on December 11th, we expect host Geoff Keighley to announce even more games that will be present at the showcase. Typically, these teases are for already announced titles with new trailers, whilst world premieres are saved for the big day - but still, it's nice to know at least some of the titles that are expected to show up during the livestream.
If you want to know all of the games that have been nominated at The Game Awards 2025, do check out our awards roundup below - oh, and we'll drop a wee rant about the Xbox title that we feel is undeservedly missing as part of these nominations down below as well.
Rockstar

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Review

When you think of platformers, you likely think of Super Mario Bros. When you think of JRPGs, you likely think of Final Fantasy. When you think of FPS, you likely think of Call of Duty. Some games are just synonymous with their respective genres. And when it comes to tower defense games, what comes to my mind immediately is Plants vs Zombies.
Plants vs Zombies: Replanted is exactly what it says on the tin. Zombies are invading and the only hope against them is a crop of… well, crops. You’ll need to plant an entire plant army to prevent the zombie hoard from entering your home. It’s a simple, if not rather iconic, premise.
I never actually had the chance to play Plants vs Zombies growing up. My only exposure to the franchise has been the hero-shooter spin-offs. Thankfully, this Replanted edition has breathed life back into the game to offer a way for players like me to experience this cult classic properly for the first time. It’s worked well for the most part; I’ve greatly enjoyed my time with Replanted, even if it stumbles in a few areas.

Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Docked)
It’s worth noting the amount of gameplay content you get for your buck. From the main campaign, which is itself fairly meaty, to new minigames to even a puzzle mode, there’s a lot packed into this gem of brain-hungry, botanical tower defense.
The unlockable minigames are a blast. Walnut Bowling is self-explanatory, but modes like ZomBotony — where you’re attacked by plant-zombie hybrids— spin gameplay mechanics around on their heads. And if that’s not enough, there’s also a puzzle mode where you have to think strategically about card placement to clear vases.
There’s also an unlockable co-op mode (that I unfortunately wasn’t able to test as I had no one to play with), and those with a partner will be able to do head-to-head PvP matches, with one player on the side of the zombies. You’ll get hours of replayable fun and I’m surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed it all. The tower defense gameplay is as strong as ever, and I love having to carefully prep my cards (i.e. units) to best battle waves after waves of zombies.
My strategy tended to change between battles. Some plants can spray through screen doors, which makes them essential for battles with zombies sporting screen doors. But then you also have to consider which plant you want to use for resource generation and whether you want walnuts to act as a buffer, or maybe protect your crops with landmines. Those kinds of options helped keep the flow of combat feeling fresh and made me get out of my comfort zone to test new strategies.
Unfortunately, there was initially more trouble in the neighborhood than just the hordes of undead ghouls. As Felix mentioned in his video, the optional mouse controls were downright abysmal at launch, and the touchscreen controls didn’t fare much better - at least until patches adjusted things (and also restored the original dynamic audio and implemented a whole load of sound effect fixes which dogged the game on release day).
Previously, trying to use the mouse controls resulted in a headache, as it was so sensitive that it quickly switched back to standard controls the second you lifted the controller. Meanwhile, planting in touchscreen was a letdown because the sprites followed you as if they were stuck to your finger once you selected a unit.

Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Docked)
The ball definitely got dropped in this area, and those post-release patches haven’t totally solved things for me, especially in touchscreen mode. It still feels clunky and difficult to control, sometimes slowing on-screen action to a glitchy crawl and ultimately making me question the inclusion of the control scheme in the first place.
There’s also allegations of AI usage in the game, which — at the risk of sounding like I’m soapboxing — is downright messy if true.
That aside, the overall package is still a blast to play. It doesn’t take very long before the 'just one more level' addictiveness begins to take hold. This is helped by the number of units you unlock, all of which have a quirky charm and cute design. Of course the basic attacking unit is called a Pea Shooter, and of course the icy variant is a Frozen Pea Shooter. You can’t beat those kinds of puns! It’s a game that’s guaranteed to make even the most cold-hearted gamer crack a smile.

Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
Plants vs Zombies: Replanted also comes with some quality-of-life improvements. One of the best new features is the ability to fast-forward the gameplay up to 2.5x speed. By default, these are the slow shambling type of zombies and there’s normally a long, slow gap between waves. But with the press of a button, they speed up to World War Z levels of fast. It makes playing feel more fluid and smooth; it also adds another layer of challenge for those who might find the standard gameplay flow too easy.
Conclusion
Overall, I find myself really loving Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted. Its cute and quirky character designs are infectiously charming, and the gameplay is simple but effective. The graphics are easy on the eyes and help make the character designs shine. It’s a bummer that there were problems with the controls at launch, but even with those issues, it wasn't enough to prevent the game from being a botanical blast.
Rockstar

Pikmin Bloom's New Gold Seedling Delivery Has A Mysterious 'Close To You' Connection

Remember Nintendo's short film, Close to You? The adorable baby animation with which the company kept us on tenterhooks for three days straight as it drip-fed us information about its context? Well, it looks like it'll be cropping up again, this time in an upcoming Pikmin Bloom event.
As of tomorrow (27th November), anyone logging into Pikmin Bloom will receive a Gold Seedling, which promises a special Decor Pikmin inside. And this isn't any old Decor Pikmin either, oh no, this is a Seedling that "seems to have a connection to the short movie Pikmin Close to You". At least, that's how the Pikmin Bloom blog post puts it.
We don't know the exact form that this Seedling will take, but considering that Decor Pikmin usually style a cute bit of — you guessed it — decor on their heads, we'd wager it will be something along the lines of a Pikmin wearing a stylish pacifier, rattle or some sort of stuffed toy. Talk about synergy, eh?
You'll be able to collect this special Seedling from the app's home screen simply by logging in any time between 27th Nov 2025 and 26th Nov 2026, so you have a whopping great year to make sure that you pick it up.
It's unclear whether anything else will come of the Pikmin short movie for the time being, but that sure was a fun week while it lasted. Here's hoping there will be a couple more cameos from the little guys in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, or how about that Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Pikmin 4 that we're all after? Whatever it takes to keep us Pikmin fans happy...
Rockstar

Lies of P Dev 'Will Not Disappoint' with Upcoming Games, Says Director

Neowiz and Round8 Studio created one of the best-loved Souls-likes outside of FromSoftware with Lies of P, and it sounds like the team isn't resting on its laurels.
Speaking to GamesRadar following Overture's Best Game Expansion win at the Golden Joysticks, director Choi Ji-Won sounds confident about the upcoming work from the studio.
Via an interpreter, he says fans "can expect the most fun that we can achieve within the game", not specifying exactly which project he's talking about. He also asks fans to "please stay tuned for it; we are working really hard, and I will not disappoint you at all."
Neowiz recently announced several games it has in the pipeline, one of which is the direct sequel to Lies of P.
Thanks to the success of that game, the publisher is currently planning five titles, as well as publishing work from other teams, so it's seriously scaling up its whole operation.
Are you excited for the next games from Neowiz, including Lies of P 2? Tell us in the comments section below.
Rockstar

Beyond Good & Evil 2 PS5 May Not Be Dead Just Yet

There seems to be at least a couple of people at Ubisoft still working on Beyond Good & Evil 2, in amongst its Prince of Persia and Assassin's Creed remakes.
A new job listing for a Technical Sound Designer was posted online by the French publisher within the last 24 hours, and the position is tied directly to the long-in-development project.
Part of the Montpellier team, the successful applicant will "provide technical solutions for integrating and implementing audio systems to ensure that the audio assets created by the team work as intended, in line with the Audio Director’s vision". Whoever gets the job will begin work on Beyond Good & Evil 2 "as soon as possible".
The game received a proper reveal more than eight years ago at E3 2017, with a trailer confirming the project as a prequel coming to PS4. Almost a decade later, it's never been seen since. Here's how Ubisoft is describing it in 2025:
In fact, Ubisoft began work on, completed, and shipped a Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition of the first game during that lengthy development time.
That new version contains some new collectibles teasing events taking place outside of the game, which shall link into Beyond Good & Evil 2 — if it ever makes it to market. For now, it does at least seem to be alive. If you want to go back to that 20th Anniversary Edition, it's still more than worth playing, as our 8/10-rated PS5 review states:
"This edition brings smooth visuals, a beautifully recreated musical score, and well-presented supplemental materials. It certainly shows its age, but like all great art, Beyond Good & Evil weathers the test of time with grace."
Do you think Beyond Good & Evil 2 will ever come out? Let us know in the comments below.
Rockstar

Yakuza Kiwami 2 Has All-Important 60FPS Performance on PS5 Alongside Free Upgrade

Bafflingly buried within the questions and answers section of SEGA's Japanese website, the publisher finally confirms that Yakuza Kiwami 2 will run at 60 frames-per-second on PS5.
The fantastic remake is being re-released for Sony's current-gen system on the 8th December, and it'll be a free upgrade for those who already own the PS4 version digitally.
However, up until now, we've had no mention of any technical improvements, leading fans to question the point of even having a PS5 version to begin with.
But 60fps performance is exactly what Kiwami 2 needs. The game's locked at 30fps on PS4, and it never received any kind of performance-boosting patch for PS5 when played via backwards compatibility.
For some, this won't seem like a big deal, but you've got to consider that the titles leading up to Kiwami 2 — that is, Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami — both run at a silky 60fps, even on PS4.
Jumping from those games to Kiwami 2 can be jarring to say the least, especially since the latter looks so much better, thanks to the Dragon Engine.
So, to recap, Kiwami 2 on PS5 will run at 60fps, it's a free upgrade (for PS4 digital owners), and because it's a new release, it'll have a separate Trophy list to its PS4 predecessor. However, you won't be able to carry over your save data from the PS4 version.
Have you been waiting for Yakuza Kiwami 2's 60fps ascendency? Keep it smooth in the comments section below.
Rockstar

Updates and New Gameplay for PS5's Romeo Is a Dead Man Coming in Grasshopper Direct

Developer Grasshopper Manufacture has announced its third ever Grasshopper Direct, this time with a focus on its upcoming madcap action game, Romeo Is a Dead Man.
Announced during a State of Play earlier this year, Romeo Is a Dead Man is a hyper-violent action title we've not seen a huge amount of yet, but our next glimpse at the game is coming very soon.
On 5th December, the next Grasshopper Direct will go live on the studio's YouTube channel at 10am JST (that's 1am GMT, 2am CET; Thursday 4th December, 5pm PST, 8pm EST).
"Among brand-new updates to pour over, next week’s Grasshopper Direct will showcase more of the studio’s upcoming, absolutely crazy, sci-fi action game, Romeo Is a Dead Man," reads the press release. "Set to launch on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in 2026, the presentation will also share a behind-the-scenes look at the game’s development, together with never before seen gameplay."
With his life saved at the very last moment, the space-time continuum is split open, and player character Romeo becomes an interdimensional special agent who takes down wanted criminals.
He does so with a mixture of guns and swords, and the game is described as Grasshopper's "bloodiest
action game yet".
With a wild art style and bonkers premise, this is definitely one to watch out for in the new year, but in the meantime, we can check out the Grasshopper Direct in the coming days.
Rockstar

Yakuza 0, Kiwami, Kiwami 2 Get Discount PS5 Upgrade Paths, But Only for PS4 Digital Owners

SEGA has confirmed that those who own Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami, or Yakuza Kiwami 2 on PS4 can take advantage of discounted upgrade paths when buying the new versions on PS5.
All three PS5 re-releases are due to launch on the 8th December, but there is a catch in that these upgrade paths only apply to the digital versions of the PS4 games — and any games claimed through PS Plus subscriptions unfortunately don't count either.
Here's a quick summary of the upgrade pricing, which differs between games:
Yakuza 0 (PS4) upgraded to Yakuza 0 Director's Cut (PS5) - $14.99 / £11.99 / €14.99
Yakuza Kiwami (PS4) upgraded to Yakuza Kiwami (PS5) - $1.99 / £1.70 / €1.99
Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS4) upgraded to Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS5) - Free
Yakuza 0 Director's Cut is the only PS5 re-release that features new content. It has several additional cutscenes and an online co-op mode — which is why SEGA's charging more for the upgrade. It also has an English dub for the first time.
Meanwhile, Kiwami and Kiwami 2 include new text language support in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian.
SEGA has, however, confirmed that Kiwami 2 will boast 60 frames-per-second performance on PS5. The game has always been locked to 30fps on PS4, so the curse has finally been lifted.
Oh, and your PS4 save data will not carry over to the PS5 versions, so get ready to start a new playthrough or two. Or three!
Still, we're glad that SEGA's seen sense and gone down the upgrade route (partially, at least). Given the publisher's more... questionable business practices over the years, we were pretty much convinced that these PS5 versions would demand a fresh purchase across the board.
Will you be replaying any of these Yakuza titles on PS5? Feel the heat in the comments section below.
Rockstar

Embracer Group Sells Off Two Studios As Its Acquisition Spree Dies Down

A few years ago, around the same time that Xbox's Activision deal was going through, Embracer Group went on a bit of a spending spree of its own, scooping up loads of studios from Square Enix and more. Major downsizing has happened since though, as Embracer struggled to handle so many different teams - and now two more studios have been sold off.
Announced in a press release today, Arc Games (the publisher behind the Remnant series) and Cryptic Studios (the developer of Neverwinter and Star Trek Online) have been divested in the latest Embracer restructure. Embracer Group will retain the rights to Remnant, which will be published by spin-off organization THQ Nordic in future.
Another series that Embracer will cling onto as part of this sale is online dungeon crawler Fellowship, also previously of Arc Games. That one will be distributed under Embracer's Coffee Stain label in future - although Arc Games will continue to be listed as co-publisher for the time being.
The full details of the business update have been shared in the press release link up above, and you can take a look through it if you'd like any further nitty-gritty detail on this. We must admit that some of this business jargon goes above our heads, but the long and short of it is that Embracer is letting two more of its game companies go despite massive acquisition efforts in recent years.
Rockstar

Is Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered About To Get New DLC? Leaked Achievements Suggest So

An intriguing leak has cropped up on the Tomb Raider subreddit this week that hints at some major DLC coming to 2024's Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered in the near future.
A set of Steam achievements have leaked for the Apsyr collection that are all tagged with the heading 'TRX:CR'. The achievements themselves talk about levels, time limits and gameplay modifiers - and some folks in the Reddit thread are speculating that 'CR' could stand for Challenge Run here; some kind of potential bonus mode for Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered?
The development teams at Aspyr and Crystal Dynamic haven't officially announced this update/DLC yet, but these leaked achievements certainly suggest it exists in some form - and that it could be pretty close to launching as well. The developer recently shadow dropped Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition on Switch 2 this month, so there's certainly a precedent for them to do something like a surprise release.
For now, one comment mentions that the achievements have been removed for the time being, after presumably going live too early. We'll keep an eye on this to see how things develop; could it have been a simple backend error? Is this stuff about to launch for real in TR 1-3 Remastered? Hopefully we'll find out in the near future!
Rockstar

Destiny 3 Is Apparently In 'Extremely Early Development', Should Still Launch On Xbox

Destiny leaks account Colony Deaks has today shared information on Destiny 3, which is apparently in "extremely early development" right now over at developer Bungie.
The leaker profile, which typically shares datamined Destiny leaks amongst other bits and pieces about the franchise, says that it's been "sitting on the info for a few weeks now" - and has decided to share it following other reports on the game. It adds that it "plans to share more info in the coming months" once the project "takes shape" at Bungie.
Now, we must admit that we're not super well versed in the Destiny leaking scene, and we're absolutely taking this as a vague rumour right now. Bungie hasn't confirmed Destiny 3 at all just yet - in fact, its Destiny 2: Renegades expansion launches in just a few days here on December 2nd, so content for that title is very much still in the pipeline right now.
However, this isn't the first time we've heard about a third game in the franchise. Back in April 2024, another source dropped info on Destiny 3 being in development under the codename Payback. All we can do is sit tight for now, but the Destiny 3 rumours are gathering pace, folks.
Rockstar

Viewfinder Review (Switch eShop)

With a name like Viewfinder, you might be forgiven for thinking that somebody finally decided to capitalise on the picture-hunting format perfected by Pokémon Snap. Perhaps a chilling new instalment in the Fatal Frame series?
Developer Sad Owl Studios is going for a different vibe here. The viewfinder in question is a device that can shift reality, layering photographs on top of the environment and creating new pathways through an artificial world.
It is a genuinely unique experience, though it does share some DNA with Jonathan Blow’s The Witness, with the perspective-shifting madness of Portal. An accessible set of lateral conundrums that usher you through an ever-shifting approximation of utopia.
Originally launching on PS5 in July 2023, there is an intriguing narrative, drip-fed to both you and the main characters. Scientists explore a simulation that seems to comprise an amalgam of civilisation. Photographs are placed around levels, depicting another scene within the space. Taking these images and placing them in focus will set them into the world. This mechanic allows you to solve different flavours of traversal puzzle.

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)
Despite the freaky manipulation of liminal space, the spatial acrobats never feel disorienting; it all comes surprisingly naturally. As I placed bridges across chasms or removed a wall with a section of sky, I never felt the puzzle solutions were obtuse or deliberately vague.
Variations start to appear in the shape of perspective puzzles that must be combined with the photos in order to progress. Making copies of photographs, capturing the right angle with a tower viewer, and good old-fashioned switch flipping are just some of the methods to progress in this idyllic world.
These multi-stage puzzles facilitate frequent use of the rewind mechanic, which zips you back to the last time you tried something that didn't quite pan out. Being able to quickly revisit steps like this is all part of the easygoing feel of Viewfinder. Sad Owl wants you to get through these levels smoothly because stop-start pacing would ruin the artistic flourishes that pepper the journey.

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)
The aesthetic of the simulation is vibrant and intoxicating, with sharp primary colours that pop on both big and small screens. The fabricated world you're jacked into is a snapshot of society that itself feels lived in by those who have explored before your character.
The sheer range of styles on display is impressive. At several points you will transition between completely different motifs, layering hand-drawn crayon sketches on top of polygonal dungeons and back to soft watercolour edges. You will occasionally be pulled out into the real world, with its clinical office environments and harsh red cityscapes. This stark contrast makes you savour the painterly style of the simulation.
While you are a lone scientist wandering between worlds, you have constant communication with your colleague, who will chime in with gameplay-specific banter. Elsewhere, a virtual talking cat called Cait wanders the levels acting as a guide.

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)
At several points, you will find yourself in a hub area that offers a chance to revisit levels and take part in brief but stylistically distinct side challenges. These diversions are worthwhile, but don’t extend the runtime of an all too brief experience; you'll finish it in around four hours.
This being a Switch 1 native release, the trippy visuals run at a lower frame rate and it can be jarring when you constantly pan around the environment to find a puzzle solution. This is an experience built around exploring the screen and it feels hamstrung by the older hardware. Jumping to Switch 2 does not meaningfully change this. Performance is still lacking on the newer console. Undocked play on both platforms looks great and plays a bit smoother, but the difference is marginal at best.
There is a healthy selection of accessibility options. Motion smoothing in particular helps balance out that low frame rate. It doesn’t totally fix it, but it takes the edge off slightly.

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)
Yet in spite of the lower performance, Viewfinder's visually distorting odyssey pulls you in and enchants. It's a relaxing experience, driven by narrative and a constant barrage of artistic flourishes. Add to this a gorgeous musical score by Aether, which mixes slow jazz beats and ethereal synths, and you've got a simulation that's easy to get lost in.
Conclusion
It would be well worth your time to focus on this unique puzzler. Exploring a colourful simulation by manipulating the world around you through photographs, Viewfinder is a relaxed, compelling experience that stands out for its visual style and unique puzzle design. It's a journey worth taking, despite being hampered by the lower performance of the Switch 1.
Rockstar

Beyond Good & Evil 2 Job Listing Shows There's Signs Of Life In The Old Hog Yet

When we first caught wind of Beyond Good and Evil 2 back in May 2008(!), we have to say, even then, we wondered if the stellar original wasn't already getting a little old in the tooth to command a sequel. It's never too late, of course, but would the interest be there?
That was just five years after Beyond Good and Evil first launched on GameCube, and unbelievably, following that initial announcement, the sequel then disappeared until 2017, when it showed up at E3 rocking a fancy pants trailer.
Of course, we've heard nothing good about it since then, really, with a troubled development that's seen a new creative director replace OG Michael Ancel, amongst other issues. But, as reported by our pals over at Eurogamer, it seems there's actually still life in this old hog yet.
Indeed, a fresh new job listing has appeared on the Ubisoft Montpellier website announcing that they're looking for a technical sound designer for the following game, as described in the job listing itself:
Yeah, puts on detective hat that seems like it's probably Beyond Good and Evil 2 that they're hiring for, and it sounds like there's gonna be a nice variety in space-pirating locations, powered by new graphics and sound engines. How very exciting!
But are we still excited? Are you still excited? And can Jade and P'Jay, 17 years after it was first announced, return with the gaming goods intact? Only time will tell.
Still hyped for what Beyond Good and Evil 2 will bring to the table once — if — it finally arrives? Make sure to let us know!
Rockstar

Hollow Knight: Silksong's Latest Update Is Now Live On Switch 1 & 2, Here Are The Patch Notes

Update [Wed 26th Nov 2025, 5:30am]: After launching on PC earlier this month, Team Cherry has today confirmed that the fourth Hollow Knight: Silksong patch is now "live on all platforms".
Bumping things up to the catchily-titled Ver. 1.0.28891, the big addition in this one is the implementation of a new Simplified Chinese translation by Team Cart Fix, but there has been a general bug-fix pass applied too.
You'll find everything included in the full patch notes, which we listed in our original post below.
Original Story: Team Cherry has announced a new update for Hollow Knight: Silksong, and while it's already available for Steam users, it's been submitted for approval on console and will be available very soon.
Primarily, the update addresses the Chinese translation issues present in the game by implementing a fan mod from Team Cart Fix. Team Cherry praises the team's work, stating that the individuals involved "are well-versed in the (quite dense) narrative and lore of both Hollow Knight games, and understand the subtle links and connections that should be retained in the text"
Other highlights include a film grain effect, more dithering options, and a plethora of general fixes.
Here's a look at the patch notes:
Updated Simplified Chinese translation to use fan translation provided by Team Cart Fix.
Switched to Unity's Input System to improve overall controller support. This includes rumble features now working for various controllers, and additional controllers being recognised. Some issues may remain. For a full list of supported controllers and features, please visit: https://docs.unity3d.com/Packages/[email protected]/manual/SupportedDevices.html
Added additional dithering levels. Now defaults to 'low'.
Added film grain effect to advanced options. Defaults to ‘off’
Various localisation fixes implemented across all languages.
Fixed Styx not giving rosaries when delivering the Queen's Egg.
Fixed Druid's Eyes sometimes not equipping correctly when first acquired.
Fixed some down attack colliders getting stuck on in rare instances.
Fixed several instances of Hornet's plasmified state clearing when not intended (eg Bellway travel).
Fixed issues entering the plasmified state when killing a Winged Lifeseed, rather than using the Plasmium Phial.
Reduced unintentionally long bind time when using Multibinder with the Shaman crest.
Updated Multibinder's initial bind to clear maggots, per community comments.
Wreath of Purity durability increased.
Fixed void incorrectly conducting electricity.
Gurr the Outcast trap-throw attack updated from single lob to spin-style, to reduce time spent static. Other slight refinements.
Fixed Beast Crest fury slashes not piercing as intended.
Fixed Rune Rage damage scaling incorrectly.
Fixed Thread Storm damage tapering (additional hits don't taper down as sharply).
Fixed rare instances of regaining control when grabbed by a Wraith.
Fixed couriers incorrectly offering the same delivery immediately after completing it.
Fixed additional instances of Hornet being able to push some enemy types through the floor.
Fixed issues when using Harpoon to stun or kill certain bosses.
Fixed Fractured Mask not protecting against volt hazards.
Various smaller tweaks and fixes.
Rockstar

8BitMods VMU Pro Review - A Dreamcast Memory Card With Virtually Limitless Potential

Before internal storage became the norm, Sega blazed a trail with the Dreamcast Visual Memory Unit, a pocket-sized device which not only stored all of your game progress but also doubled as a tiny handheld game console.
One of the Dreamcast's more unique features, the VMU felt like a genuine innovation – but it had some serious shortcomings. Storage space wasn't great, which meant that serious collectors would either need to delete progress to free up space or invest in multiple VMUs.
Another drawback was that the internal CR2032 batteries didn't last all that long and weren't rechargeable, which led to the annoying 'beep' sound whenever you turned on your console with a 'dead' VMU inserted into the controller. Many serious Sega fans have this abrasive, discordant noise etched into their psyche.
The VMU was definitely a flawed masterpiece, then, but we've recently seen the modding community fix its shortcomings. We've already been blessed with the excellent DreamMods VM2, but 8BitMods has produced what, on paper, at least, is an even more impressive upgrade: the VMU Pro.
8BitMods VMU Pro Review: Design, Build & Battery

The VMU Pro's 1.5-inch 24-bit colour IPS TFT display is a huge upgrade on the one seen on the original VMU back in 1998 — Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension
While the VMU Pro and VM2 share the same basic functionality – they are 'next generation' Dreamcast memory cards capable of storing almost unlimited amounts of save game data thanks to the use of MicroSD media – 8BitDo's offering boasts some significant advantages over DreamMods' VM2.
The most notable feature is the 1.5-inch 24-bit colour IPS TFT display, which boasts a resolution of 240x240 pixels. Not only does this enhance the user interface's appearance, but it also enables other interesting features – one of which is emulation, which we'll cover shortly.
Unlike the VM2, which is a fairly close match to the original VMU in terms of aesthetics, 8BitMods has designed the VMU Pro with a reasonably unique case design. I'm not sure it feels as 'solid' as the official VMU or VM2, but that could be my tactile memory politely objecting to the fact that it feels slightly different in the hand.
It features all the usual hallmarks of a VMU – a D-pad, A and B buttons, 'Sleep' and 'Mode' buttons – as well as two additional buttons located at the bottom of the unit, with the USB-C port separating them. The top of the unit features the 'Maple' connector, which not only interfaces with your Dreamcast controller but also enables data transfer between the VMU Pro and other devices, such as the VM2 and a standard VMU.


The VMU Pro has a slightly different case design to the original VMU
The two extra buttons located at the bottom of the VMU Pro enable you to switch between virtual VMUs when the device is docked in your controller, rendering the other controls inaccessible. Pressing the right-hand button (which, when the VMU Pro is connected to your controller and upside down, becomes the left-hand button) brings up a VMU browser. The right-hand button allows you to confirm your selection. Exiting the browser is achieved by pressing both buttons simultaneously.
The VMU Pro is powered by an internal 720mAh Lithium-Polymer rechargeable battery, which allows the device to remain in deep-sleep mode for a whopping 750 hours, according to 8BitMods. This can either be charged when the device is docked or topped up using a USB-C cable. If you power off the device completely, the battery shouldn't drain at all.
During actual usage, the battery lasts for around six hours, but that's very much a 'best-case' scenario; you need to turn WiFi off and have the brightness and volume set very low. A more accurate runtime would be between three and four hours, in my experience, with WiFi on and both the brightness and volume at higher, more acceptable levels.

The VMU Pro is capable of connecting to both the VMU and the DreamMods VM2 to transfer save data
8BitMods VMU Pro Review: UI & Software Features

You can play original VMU mini-games on the VMU Pro, and it even simulates the monochrome liquid crystal display
It's worth delving a little deeper into what makes the VMU Pro stand out when compared to both the standard VMU and the VM2. Unlike DreamMods' option, the VMU Pro requires a MicroSD card to function (the VM2, you might recall, could act like a standard, 200-block memory unit even if an SD card was not present).
The first time you boot up the device, another obvious selling point becomes apparent – the VMU Pro prompts you for your WiFi details. This device is not only capable of downloading firmware updates from the cloud, but it also allows you to upload your save data to your Google Drive account, keeping your progress safe in the event that your VMU Pro goes missing while you're on the road. In the fullness of time, you'll also be able to transfer data between multiple VMU Pros using WiFi (that's coming in a future firmware update, according to 8BitMods).
Like the VM2, the VMU Pro comes with GameID support, which means it can recognise the game you're playing when it's being loaded via an Optical Drive Emulator, like the Terraonion MODE. The VMU Pro creates a virtual memory card for each game you play, rather than lumping together multiple games on a single card (as is the case with an official Dreamcast VMU). It might seem wasteful, but given that just 1GB equals around 8192 virtual memory cards, this approach actually makes a lot of sense.


The VMU Pro then automatically finds and loads the game's unique virtual memory card the next time you boot up the title in question. Furthermore, you can have extra 'channels' per virtual memory card, which effectively means you can have multiple VMUs for the same game.
If you're not using an ODE, the 'DisplayID' system allows the VMU Pro to recognise the game you're playing via the image displayed on the VMU's screen. I didn't get a chance to test this as my Dreamcast has a MODE installed and there's no optical drive present, but 8BitMods admits it's not 100% accurate.
The VMU Pro features its own custom UI for browsing save game data, presenting information in a far more visually appealing manner than the VM2, which is limited by its monochrome display. The VMU Pro is able to replicate the colour save data icons which you usually only see when you're exploring the VMU via the Dreamcast's frontend – a really lovely touch. You can copy or delete data from the VMU Pro UI itself, which is very handy.
Handling Dreamcast save data is just one aspect of the VMU Pro, as we've already established. The device is capable of hosting its own native games, and 8BitMods has even created an SDK to facilitate this. Additionally, an online portal for downloading games will be created. I wasn't able to test any of this as none of it is available yet.
There's a raft of other options available when you're browsing the VMU Pro's UI, including the ability to alter the volume of the built-in speaker, change the screen brightness, swap the functionality of the A and B buttons and much, much more.
8BitMods VMU Pro Review: Emulation & MP3 Playback

The device is capable of playing Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, NES, Master System and Game Gear titles, all at 60fps. You also get save state support, which is a nice touch. Because the VMU Pro is supplied without a MicroSD card, you'll need to download all of the emulators yourself, and it goes without saying that ROMs will need to be sourced from somewhere, too.
In terms of performance, things run pretty well. I noticed some graphical issues when playing Zelda on the NES emulator, and the pixel scaling for Game Boy games makes things look a little muddy, but otherwise, the VMU Pro's dual-core 240MHz CPU is more than capable of replicating these systems without any major issues.


Emulators look pretty good in general, but the VMU Pro's controls can make actually playing anything a little tricky, especially if you have large fingers. MP3 playback, on the other hand, is more successful — Images: Damien McFerran / Time Extension
A more pressing concern is the fact that the VMU Pro's D-pad and buttons aren't the ideal interface for playing intense games like Mega Man 2 or Alex Kidd in Miracle World; the D-pad feels cheap and floaty, for example. Having said that, titles like Tetris or Mole Mania are quite playable despite the shortcomings of the interface, and I could certainly see myself wasting a few minutes each day with this device – assuming I didn't have a better gaming option to hand, of course.
The same could be said of the VMU Pro's other party trick: MP3 playback. You can either play the audio via the device's 0.7-watt mono speaker or hook up some headphones.
I tried my USB-C to 3.5mm headphone lead to connect a pair of Apple headphones, and it worked well enough – but again, it all depends on what other choices you have available. I can't imagine many people choosing to listen to music via this method when they have a smartphone to hand, but it's nice to have the option, nonetheless.
8BitMods VMU Pro Review: Summary

For the most part, then, the VMU Pro performs its duties well and offers some neat bonus features which elevate it above the competition. However, like the VM2 – which has matured into a really solid piece of kit thanks to a series of regular firmware updates – the VMU Pro at launch shouldn't be considered the 'finished' product.
During my review period, the unit froze on me multiple times, forcing a complete restart by inserting a needle in the reset hole on its right-hand side. I also encountered an issue where the VMU Pro would remain stuck in 'upside down' mode (when it thinks it is still docked in the controller, even though it isn't), and this, too, required a hard reset to recover.
It's currently only possible to have a single WiFi network stored in the VMU Pro's memory, which creates an issue for me when I'm moving between my home and the Hookshot Media office. Additionally, I couldn't find a way to connect to a new wireless network without factory resetting the entire device. Hopefully, these are points that 8BitMods can address with an update.

I also encountered some quirks with the VMU Pro's charging system when connected to a controller. According to 8BitMods, the VMU Pro requires at least 15 seconds to start charging when docked. This is because the battery is continuously monitored through two on-board battery monitoring circuits, which check current and voltage measurements. Should the initial measurement attempt fail, the VMU Pro will retry three more times, with each test separated by 10 seconds.
This system worked flawlessly with my standard Dreamcast controller, the official Dreamcast arcade stick and Retro Fighters' wireless StrikerDC pad. However, with the wired variant of the StrikerDC, the VMU Pro refused to charge. I've spoken to 8BitMods about this, and they confirmed that it's a known issue, with a fix apparently in the works.
Indeed, it's worth noting that 8BitMods has made it clear that future firmware updates will address any bugs and introduce new features – such as the VMU Pro-to-VMU Pro wireless transfer – on the horizon.
So, there's room for improvement, then – but even at this stage, the VMU Pro is a solid best memory card option for your Dreamcast, and offers some amazing improvements over the standard version. If you're an early adopter, it's worth noting that some elements of its software may be a bit rough around the edges, at least in the short term, but it's still highly recommended, and another hit from 8BitMods.
Rockstar

Koei's Obscure PC-98 Space Adventure 'Progenitor' Is Now Available In English

If you've been looking for a new PC-98 title from the past to get stuck into and have an affinity for strategy games, then you're in luck.
"BNK" has just released a new translation patch for the space adventure game Progenitor, allowing players to experience Koei's Japanese-exclusive game in English for the very first time (h/t: GameVecanti!).
Released in 1994, Progenitor is the 7th in Koei's line of Rekoeition games, which was a general term used to describe games that blended tactical simulation and role-playing game elements. As a result, it features some similarities to earlier Koei titles, including Uncharted Waters (otherwise known in Japan as Age of Exploration), with players being able to make money through trading, stealing, mining, and capturing and delivering criminals.
What ultimately sets it apart, though, from many of Koei's other games of the period, is undoubtedly its sci-fi setting, with the title being one of only a few titles, if not the only title, the developer ever made, which is set predominantly in space, as opposed to a period in world history.
The story of the game follows a young space pirate named Kenny whose father goes missing after his band of Robin Hood-esque thieves, the Rokka Bats, is taken over by a malicious new leader, and sees players adventuring across space in the search for answers.

Images: BNK/romhack.ing
Progenitor is primarily played using a visual novel-style interface, but it also features some Lethal Enforcers-esque first-person shooting segments, epic space battles, and non-playable 3D cutscenes, which resemble the low-poly models from the Sega CD version of Silpheed.
You can download the patch here if you're interested in checking it out.
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Rockstar

"Ultimate Perfection" - Dragon Quest Creator Reveals His Favourite Final Fantasy Game

Final Fantasy arguably has the edge over Dragon Quest when it comes to global fame, so much so that it's easy to forget that Yuji Horii's series came out before Hironobu Sakaguchi's.
The early rivalry between the two franchises was quite heated in Japan, but, as Horii tells Game Informer, he never saw Final Fantasy as "competition," even if it was on his radar as a designer.
He adds:
Despite this difference, Horii reveals he's a fan of the series – and even lists his personal favourite in the lineage. "I do like Final Fantasy, though. When I first saw Final Fantasy X, I recall feeling this was the ultimate perfection of Final Fantasy."
Ironically, both franchises are now under the same ownership, thanks to the 2003 merger of Square and Enix.
Dragon Quest's last mainline entry was 2017's Dragon Quest XI, but Dragon Quest XII is currently in development. Square Enix has been revisiting past entries with a series of remakes, the most recent of which is Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake.
Rockstar

All EverDrive 64 Flash Carts Now Work With The Analogue 3D

When we reviewed the excellent Analogue 3D recently, one negative we picked up on was the fact that flash cart compatibility was inconsistent.
Some Analogue 3D owners have reported that older flash carts work fine, while others have said that more recent examples, like the EverDrive X5 and X7, do not. From my testing, my X7 certainly didn't work with the FPGA console.
Thankfully, EverDrive creator Krikzz has released a new firmware – OS-V3.09 – for X5 and X7, which solves this issue (thanks, ReCollect64).
The catch is that you'll need an original N64 console to deploy the update on your EverDrive, as you'll need to install a new bootloader.
This will only impact cartridges that are already in the field, as Krikzz will include the new bootloader as standard with all new EverDrive X5 and X7 carts.
Krikzz says the only other potential fix is a hardware one, and that will be down to Analogue itself. "The only solution in this case [is to] install [a] 1K pulldown resistor at cartridge pin AD7, with this fix A3D will boot ED64-X even with old bootloader," explains Krikzz. "There is still a small hope that Analogue will make some effort on their side so that people who don’t have an original N64 can run cartridges with older bootloaders on the A3D."
It has been noted that games booted via flash carts are potentially incompatible with all of the Analogue 3D's overclocking features:
Here are the full update instructions, direct from Krikzz himself:
OS-V3.09 also includes some stability fixes for the Analogue 3D. "As for ED64 V2X/V3, it seems like it already works fine with OS 2.13," reports Krikzz. "I don't have V3 at the moment, but my v2.5 works just fine with OS 2.13."
If you're looking to pick up a new EverDrive, Krikzz is holding a Black Friday sale as we speak.
Rockstar

A New Documentary On The Original 'Resident Evil' Is Airing In Japan This Month

If you happen to love the Resident Evil series, then we have some interesting news to share with you.
A new documentary on the original survival horror classic is set to air in Japan later this month, featuring new interviews with key members of its development staff, including the director Shinji Mikami, the producer Tokuro Fujiwara, and its system planner Hideki Kamiya, alongside others.
Legendary Games Chronicle: Biohazard, according to Famitsu (via Genki_JPN), is set to air on NHK BS4K on November 29th, 2025, and will also be rebroadcast on the regular NHK BS on December 6th. It will cover various topics related to the game, from the threat of cancellation to technical constraints, and changes in direction.
Early development materials will also be shown, giving a further insight into the trial-and-error process that led to the finished title.


Images: NHK
Here's the full list of people being interviewed:
Shinji Mikami (Director)
Tokuro Fujiwara (Producer)
Jun Takeuchi (Character Modeller)
Hideki Kamiya (System Planner)
Kazunori Kadoi (System Planner)
Yasuhiro Ampo (Software System Engineer)
Makoto Tomozawa (Composer)
Ken Kutaragi (Former Executive Vice President, R&D Division, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.)
This is the second game to be covered as part of the NHK's "Legendary Games Chronicle" series, with the documentary filmmakers having previously covered Final Fantasy in a programme that initially aired back in October of last year.
That documentary was viewable in English on the NHK World app, but we haven't been able to find any information yet on whether the same will be possible here.
Rockstar

Stellar Blade Dev's Ambitious New Cross-Platform Project to Be Published by Tencent Subsidiary

Korean dev Shift Up already has an existing relationship with Tencent subsidiary Level Infinite on saucy smartphone shooter NIKKE: Goddess of Victory, so it’s perhaps not a surprise to see the company step in to publish its next title, Project Spirits.
The game – developed using Unreal Engine 5 – will launch across PC, mobile, and console, with no specific platforms announced just yet. (Although, we think you can safely assume PS5 will be in the mix.)
In addition to the publishing relationship, Tencent affiliate Yongxing Interactive will assist with development. It’s a studio made up of veterans from across various entertainment industries, including anime, comics, and games.
A statement said:
There’s still no word on when Project Spirits will release, but a recent investor relations report noted that Shift Up only has around 20 employees dedicated to the title, as of the end of September 2025.
Presumably today’s announcement means it’s ready to begin ramping up development, and with Yongxing Interactive assisting on production, we should hopefully start to see some meaningful progress soon.
Rockstar

Sony Poised to Publish PS5 Hit Death Stranding 2 on PC

Sony will publish Death Stranding 2: On the Beach for PC in the relatively near future, if an ESRB rating is to be believed.
The original game was ported to other platforms by 505 Games, but this preceded the platform holder’s strategy of bringing more first-party titles to storefronts such as Steam.
It took roughly eight months for the original adventure to make its way to PC, but we’d expect around six months of console exclusivity here.
With the PS5 version launching on 26th June, we wouldn’t be surprised if the PC edition was out by Christmas, with an announcement possible at The Game Awards next month, where the title’s nominated for Game of the Year.
It’s worth remembering that this situation is slightly different to other first-party PS5 titles, as Kojima Productions owns the intellectual property and is an independent studio.
It goes without saying that we highly recommend the title, as noted in our 10/10 Death Stranding 2 PS5 review:
Are you interested in the PC port of Death Stranding 2, or have you had your fill of this particular sequel already? Are you surprised to see the follow-up seemingly reach other formats this quickly? Drop a like in the comments section below.
Rockstar

Yakuza 0, Kiwami, Kiwami 2 Get Discount PS5 Upgrade Paths for PS4 Digital Owners

SEGA has confirmed that those who own Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami, or Yakuza Kiwami 2 on PS4 can take advantage of discounted upgrade paths when buying the new versions on PS5.
All three PS5 re-releases are due to launch on the 8th December, but there is a catch in that these upgrade paths only apply to the digital versions of the PS4 games — and any games claimed through PS Plus subscriptions unfortunately don't count either.
At the time of writing, SEGA has only detailed the upgrade pricing in the US, which differs between the three games.
Here's a quick summary:
Yakuza 0 (PS4) upgraded to Yakuza 0 Director's Cut (PS5) - $14.99
Yakuza Kiwami (PS4) upgraded to Yakuza Kiwami (PS5) - $1.99
Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS4) upgraded to Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS5) - Free
As far as official information goes, Yakuza 0 Director's Cut is the only PS5 re-release that features new or improved content. It has several additional cutscenes and an online co-op mode — which is why SEGA's charging more for the upgrade. It also has an English dub for the first time.
Meanwhile, nothing's been said about Kiwami and Kiwami 2 other than them including new text language support in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian.
And for the record, there's been no mention of Kiwami 2 being boosted to 60 frames-per-second on PS5. It's looking like we'll have to wait and see if the 30fps curse has been lifted.
Oh, and your PS4 save data will not carry over to the PS5 versions, so get ready to start a new playthrough or two. Or three!
Still, we're glad that SEGA's seen sense and gone down the upgrade route. Given the publisher's more... questionable business practices over the years, we were pretty much convinced that these PS5 versions would demand a fresh purchase across the board.
Will you be replaying any of these Yakuza titles on PS5? Feel the heat in the comments section below.
Rockstar

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