Gaming News

Stellar Blade Director Receives Presidential Commendation for Development of Korean Game Industry

The CEO of Stellar Blade studio Shift Up has received the Presidential Commendation at this year's Korean Content Awards for his work in the games industry. According to Daum, and reported by Automaton, Hyung-tae Kim accepted the award, which is reportedly "the most prestigious content awards ceremony in Korea" and hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Kim was recognized for his contribution to the Korean games industry with the games Goddess of Victory: Nikke and Stellar Blade. "This Presidential Citation is thanks to the developers and fans who believed in and supported Shift Up," Kim said. "We will continue to do our best to further promote the competitiveness of Korean games on the global stage." Stellar Blade...

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Phantom Blade Zero Is a PlayStation 5 Console Exclusive for 12 Months

Phantom Blade Zero is a PlayStation 5 console exclusive for 12 months. S-GAME Studio's Wuxia action RPG launches on September 9, 2026 across PS5 and PC. Much like other initially PS5 console-exclusive games, such as Silent Hill 2 Remake, Phantom Blade Zero won't be available on "other consoles until at least 12 months after release date." This means Xbox Series X and S or Nintendo Switch 2 versions will have to wait until at least September 2027, if they are in indeed in S-GAME Studio's plans. PS5 console exclusivity comes from the teaser video added to the official PlayStation YouTube channel, which has a familiar blue notice at the end (thanks, MP1st). Phantom Blade Zero follows Soul, an assassin framed for a murder trying to...

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French President Emmanuel Macron Is Back on Instagram Celebrating Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, This Time for Winning Game of the Year

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's record-breaking performance at last week's The Game Awards has caught the eye of French president Emmanuel Macron, who celebrated the news of its Game of the Year award on Instagram over the weekend. Sandfall Interactive's role-playing game swept The Game Awards 2025 with nine wins, the most any video game has won in a single The Game Awards show. As well as Game of the Year, Clair Obscur won best narrative, best music, and best performance, fending off competition from Death Stranding 2, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades 2, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 to claim the top prize. Be sure to check out everything announced at The Game Awards 2025 for more, as well as the winners list in...

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Nintendo Switch 2 Version of Indie Horror Hit Phasmophobia Confirmed for 2026

Indie hit ghostbusting game Phasmophobia is coming to Nintendo Switch 2. Developer Kinetic Games used The Game Awards to announce a 2026 release window for Phasmophobia on Switch 2 without offering a firm release date. On Switch 2, up to four players can team up to conduct paranormal investigations across 14 terrifying maps and yes, Switch 2 players will be able to join pals on other platforms thanks to crossplay. The five-year-old game is also due to finally exit early access next year, too. "We’re over the moon to reveal that Phasmophobia is coming to Nintendo Switch 2. It’s something both our community and all of us at Kinetic Games have wanted for a long time, so we’re really happy this long-kept secret is finally out there,"...

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AU Deals: Free Hogwarts Legacy and 932 Bucks Off a Mega Games Bundle Make Today's Deals Ridiculous

I have a dangerous habit of replaying favourites instead of starting something new, so a deals list like this is usually what finally pushes me over the line. I have played the overwhelming majority of these, argued about the rest, and regretted paying full price for at least two of them in the past. Contents Retro Nintendo Xbox PlayStation PC PC Gear LEGO This Day in Gaming 🎂 In retro news, I am lighting a 38-candle cake for Punch-Out!!, an absolute knockout of a NES classic. I was there in 1987, controller clenched, staring up at those towering sprites through Little Mac's gloves, trying to read tells and rhythms like it was a real fight tape. Punch-Out did not feel like a sports sim at all. It was a puzzlefest that happened to...

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The Best Deals Today: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and More

We've rounded up the best deals for Sunday, December 14, below, so don't miss out on these limited-time offers. Save $20 Off Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake One of the most anticipated RPGs of 2025, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, is down to $39.99 this weekend. This remake transforms the original two Dragon Quest games into gorgeous experiences with numerous updates and tweaks to modernize the experience. The Nintendo Switch physical copy contains the game on the cartridge, so Switch 2 owners can rest assured about any Key-Card concerns. PS5 Pro for $648.99 PS5 Pro is on sale this weekend for $648.99, saving you just over $100 off Sony's most powerful console. Even if you already own a PS5, the PS5 Pro can still be a solid...

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'I'm Not Getting Any Younger!' Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Director Casey Hudson Insists the Game Will Launch Before 2030

In the wake of Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic’s big announcement at The Game Awards, you might have seen social media posts saying the game won't be out until 2030. Director Casey Hudson has now stepped in to address those posts, insisting the game will be out before then. Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is in development at Edmonton, Alberta-based developer Arcanaut Studios, which Hudson and his partners only founded in July. It stole the show at The Game Awards with a flashy, tantalising CG trailer that contained no gameplay. But fans are particularly excited because Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is billed as the spiritual successor to the much-loved Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which Hudson directed while...

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Starter Guide - Beginner Tips, Systems Explained, and More

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has officially been named Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025, alongside multiple other wins. If that winning sweep has you jumping in for the first time (or returning for another playthrough), IGN has you covered with guides, explainers, and wikis to help you get started for your journey across The Continent. What Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Should You Play It? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG (it's kind of like Final Fantasy VII... kind of) set in the world of The Continent. It follows a group called Expedition 33 on a mission to destroy The Paintress, a mysterious figure who wipes out anyone over a certain age in a yearly ceremony called the "Gommage." Alongside extremely unique...

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The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin Releases New Trailer at The Game Awards

The Game Awards gave us a new trailer for The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin with a look at exploration and co-op gameplay, as well as a possible hint at the return of a fan-favorite character. For those who aren’t already aware, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is an open-world action RPG that takes place in Britannia from the world of The Seven Deadly Sins manga and anime. It stars Tristan, prince of Liones, in a multiverse narrative that tells its own original story. Tristan finds a pendant called the Book of Stars that has the power to connect timelines but also awakens a new darkness that must be defeated. It being a new story involving alternate timelines means it can feature just about any character or enemy from the manga and anime...

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Doom, Quake Developers Form Wall-to-wall Union at id Software

165 workers at id Software, the studio behind the Doom and Quake franchises, have elected to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) in yet another wall-to-wall developer union within Microsoft. The new union encompasses developers, artists, programmers, and other disciplines, and has been formally recognized by Microsoft in accordance with its pledge to remain "neutral" with regard to unions within its ranks and voluntarily recognize any that emerge. Union members suggest issues of concern for the group include the instability of the games industry writ large, as well as the necessity of remote work. “I’m very proud to be a part of this effort to organize our studio, to have a voice in decisions that directly...

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Harry Potter Headed to Fortnite, as Hogwarts Legacy Offered Free on the Epic Games Store

The Wizard World of Harry Potter is headed to Fortnite, as Epic Games offers Hogwarts Legacy for free via its PC Store. As announced last night at The Game Awards 2025, Hogwarts Legacy is now free to claim from the Epic Games Store until December 18, at 11am ET. Shortly following the announcement, users reported that the store was struggling to load — with many linking the troubles to a flood of wizard wannabes rushing to claim their copy. Anyone with more than two hours of Hogwarts Legacy gameplay time on their account by December 18 will be granted a Chocolate Frog Back Bling in Fortnite, Epic Games has said. And that's not the only Harry Potter content coming to its battle royale game. While Harry Potter himself appears to be...

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'Shipping a Major Franchise Like Clockwork Every Year Is a Really Difficult Task' — Microsoft Responds to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's Disappointing La

Clearly, all is not well in the world of Call of Duty. Black Ops 7 appears to have struggled for players and sales relatively speaking amid tough competition from the likes of EA’s Battlefield 6 and Embark Studios’ Arc Raiders, and coming out just a year after Black Ops 6. Microsoft is yet to announce a player count or a sales figure for Black Ops 7, nor has it detailed any boost to Game Pass subscriber numbers as a result of its launch. Clearly, it hasn’t met its expectations. Last month, sales data suggested Black Ops 7 was struggling not just against rival shooter Battlefield 6, but also last year’s Black Ops 6. The Game Business reported that Black Ops 7’s European launch saw opening week sales down 63% versus Battlefield 6 during...

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Resident Evil: Requiem Developers Reveal How Much We'll Play as Leon — And Say The Survival Horror/Action Contrast Is Like Jumping Into a Cold Bath Af

Following official confirmation that Leon S. Kennedy will co-star in Resident Evil: Requiem, the game's developers have confirmed how much we'll be playing as the floppy-hair favorite — and it's good news for his fans. Speaking to Automaton, director Akifumi Nakanishi revealed that Requiem features nearly equal screentime between Leon and the previously-revealed Grace Ashcroft. "In terms of gameplay, Grace and Leon's playable sections are almost equally split," Nakanishi said, likening the game's structure as similar to Resident Evil: Revelations, which featured both Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine. "It's almost like having two games with completely different types of tension mixed together," Nakanishi continued. "Early on, we...

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After a Relatively Quiet The Game Awards, Microsoft Says It Has a Packed Xbox Developer Direct Coming in January 2026

Microsoft has confirmed plans for a significant Xbox Developer Direct showcase in January 2026 after a relatively quiet The Game Awards. While Microsoft-owned Blizzard announced the next Diablo 4 expansion, and we got news that South of Midnight is coming to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, fans saw nothing of the new Fable, Forza, Gears of War, or Halo games confirmed to be coming out in 2026. But in an interview with Variety, Microsoft president of game content and studios Matt Booty promised big things are coming next month. “I can’t share exactly what’s there, but we’ve got a lot of stuff that we’re shipping next year. In fact, usually Dev Direct is about highlighting what’s coming up for the year ahead. This year, we’ve got...

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Storms The Game Awards, Wins Coveted Game of the Year 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stormed The Game Awards 2025, winning all but two categories it was nominated in, including the main prize: Game of the Year. Sandfall Interactive's much-loved RPG won Game of the Year ahead of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Accepting the Game of the Year award to rapturous applause, director Guillaume Broche thanked the "incredible team" at Sandfall Interactive, most of whom were in attendance and in costume. Broche extended his thanks to the "unsung heroes" of the video game industry, "the people who make tutorials on YouTube on how to make a game, because we had no idea how to make a game before." Broche went on...

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's DLC Is Out Now | The Game Awards

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 just swept The Game Awards, winning a whopping 9 out of 11 of its nominations, including Game of the Year. In celebration, Sandfall Interactive took the stage to announce that its previously-announced DLC for the game is out...now. Right now! We learned back in October that this update - which is free, by the way - was happening, we just didn't know when. At the time, Sandfall said it would include a new dungeon, enemies, bosses, and more, new language localizations, new costumes, and "even more surprises." It also shared the following image at the time, which seems to hint at what story the DLC might cover...and we've got a few guesses from staring daggers at it, but we'll let you speculate yourselves...

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Mega Man: Dual Override Revealed by Capcom With First Gameplay Trailer and 2027 Launch Plans | The Game Awards 2025

As revealed at The Game Awards 2025, Capcom is bringing the Blue Bomber back with a new video game called Mega Man: Dual Override. The first trailer for what will be the first new Mega Man game since 2018’s Mega Man 11 reveals a return to that classic 2D style that made the iconic hero famous. It’s unclear what other elements will return for Mega Man: Dual Override, with the footage mostly promising vibrant visuals and a promise to warp onto PC, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox consoles in 2027. Little else is known about Mega Man Dual Override at the moment. While we wait for update, be sure to check out everything announced at The Game Awards 2025. You can also read the full list of all of the...

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Phantom Blade Zero Has a Release Date at Last | The Game Awards

Two and a half years after its reveal at a PlayStation showcase, Phantom Blade Zero now has a release date. It's September 9, 2026. This news came alongside a brand new trailer for the game, which showed off more of the game's story and combat. We get a look at Phantom Blade's mysterious metal masked antagonist stealing a baby and doing some real flashy sword moves, followed by plenty of shots of the protagonist, seemingly a wanted man. He's got some pretty swanky moves himself, highlighting further how cool Phantom Blade's combat promises to be. There's also a young woman who gives the hero a good luck charm, then turns into a weird hollow monster or something. Lots going on here. We've seen Phantom Blade a number of times since its...

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Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Announced for PC and Consoles in First Trailer | The Game Awards 2025

Bandai Namco and Project Aces sped into The Game Awards 2025 to finally reveal Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve as the next entry in the long-running flight simulator series. A trailer for the new high-octane installment arrives six years after the launch of Ace Combat 7, revealing a boatload of footage with near-photorealistic visuals as combat is once again taken to the skies. Project Aces refrained from announcing a release date but confirmed Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is currently planned to launch for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S in 2026. The Game Awards 2025 has been filled with announcements for some of the biggest names in video games. You can check up on everything announced while we wait for more...

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Total War: Warhammer 40,000 Announced From Creative Assembly | The Game Awards 2025

Creative Assembly has finally confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in video games: Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Confirmation comes from The Game Awards 2025, where Stranger Things star and self-confessed Warhammer fan David Harbour said said he was set to star in the strategy game. The trailer includes a flashy cinematic showing Space Marine poster boys the Ultramarines killing orks - lots of orks. We then get a brief look at gameplay, showing the sheer scale of the action. It looks like we'll be able to campaign across multiple planets, shifting from war-torn battlefields to the galactic war. Based on the trailer, Total War: Warhammer 40,000 is set for release across PC and consoles. Here's all the official information we have...

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The Next Game From the Developer of The Ascent Is Called No Law — and It Looks a Bit Like Cyberpunk 2077 | The Game Awards 2025

The developer of well-received top-down action game The Ascent has revealed its next game and a shift in perspective to first-person. Neon Giant announced No Law at The Game Awards 2025 with a trailer that showed the move to first-person and a distinct Cyberpunk style. Indeed, at first glance, No Law looks a bit like CD Projekt’s own Cyberpunk 2077, although there are key differences. No Law is an open world first-person shooter role-playing game with immersive sim elements, due out on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S published by PUBG company Krafton. A release window has yet to be announced. It’s set in a cyber-noire called Port Desire, and sees the player assume the role of Grey Harker, an ex-military veteran who left...

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The Developers of No Law Know Everyone Will Compare It to Cyberpunk 2077, but There Are Important Differences

Fresh from its reveal at The Game Awards 2025, first-person open world shooter RPG No Law is already raising eyebrows for looking a fair bit like CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077. It turns out developer Neon Giant expected those comparisons, but are keen to point out important differences. No Law is the next game from the developer of The Ascent, the well-received cyberpunk-themed twin-stick shooter that launched in 2021. No Law sees Neon Giant shift perspective not just in terms of the camera but tone, to a more grounded cyberpunk aesthetic that revolves around a single city. And based on the debut trailer, No Law is giving off big Cyberpunk 2077 vibes. In an interview with IGN ahead of the announcement, co-founders and co-creative...

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Marvel Rivals Season 6 Trailer Confirms Deadpool as Next Playable Character | The Game Awards 2025

Marvel Rivals is halfway through Season 5, but that isn’t stopping NetEase Games from revealing Deadpool as the first playable hero for Season 6 at The Game Awards 2025. The Marvel Rivals Deadpool reveal trailer doesn’t come with any gameplay, but it did come with the promise that the Merc with a Mouth will launch for the popular hero shooter alongside Season 6: Night at the Museum January 16, 2026. It’s the earliest NetEase has been ready to show off one of its new heroes, with its trailer highlighting Deadpool’s new voice and design, as well as some of the other elements players can expect next month. "After Gambit's attempt to steal a prized artifact from the Collector's Museum, he and Rogue return to the scene of the crime in an...

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'Every Limb Can Be Removed': Lords of the Fallen II Publisher Discusses Dismemberment, Lore and Learnings for the Sequel | The Game Awards 2025 - IGN

Lords of the Fallen II publisher CI Games has shown gameplay footage of its Soulslike sequel during The Game Awards 2025, featuring new character Omeuras and enemy limbs flying everywhere. Ahead of tonight's showing, IGN asked CI Games for more detail on what we'd just seen, keen for more detail ahead of the game's launch at some point in 2026. Most prominent in the trailer is Omeuras, who CI Games creative strategist Ryan Hill told IGN is one of the sequel's central characters. She's brought to life by Hannah Melbourne, who previously played Agrias Oaks in Final Fantasy Tactics, and The Sorceress in Path of Exile 2. "With the sequel, we wanted to craft a narrative that's more accessible and character-driven, while still honouring...

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Diablo 4 Expansion Lord of Hatred Revealed, Adds Not 1 but 2 New Classes, Including the Paladin | The Game Awards 2025

Blizzard has fully unveiled Diablo 4 expansion Lord of Hatred, confirming that it includes not one but two new classes, including the Paladin. At The Game Awards 2025, Blizzard announced an April 28, 2026 release date for Lord of Hatred, which will see the Age of Hatred Saga, as Blizzard calls it, reach its climax. Campaign wise, players go up against eternal evil, Mephisto, but there’s a surprise return for Diablo 4 antagonist Lilith, who is back from the dead — shock horror! — after the events of the Diablo 4 campaign. Lord of Hatred adds the new region of Skovos, and there are significant gameplay changes, too. The big news here is a pre-purchase of Lord of Hatred grants immediate access to the Paladin class, which is a...

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'She's Going to Be a Pivotal Part of the Story' — Invincible VS Has a Completely Original Fighter Just for the Game

Invincible VS has a character never before seen in Robert Kirkman’s superhero universe: Ella Mental. Revealed at The Game Awards 2025 with gameplay footage, Ella Mental — voiced by Tierra Whack — joins established characters such as Omni-Man and Invincible to flesh out the roster of playable characters in the 3v3 tag fighter. Ahead of her reveal, we got a chance to chat with not only Invincible series creator Robert Kirkman, but also several members of the development team at Quarter Up to find out some extra details about Ella Mental’s design, her playstyle, and some of the lessons that Quarter Up took away from their recent closed beta. IGN: So to start, Robert, what can you tell us about this new character? Robert Kirkman: Ella...

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Tomb Raider: Catalyst Announced for 2027 and Tomb Raider 1 'Reimagining' Announced for 2026 | The Game Awards 2025

The next-gen, Unreal Engine 5-built Tomb Raider that developer Crystal Dynamics announced three years ago now has an official name and release window. Lara Croft’s new adventure for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S is titled Tomb Raider: Catalyst, and it will be released in 2027 and published by Amazon Game Studios. The first trailer was showcased at the 2025 Game Awards. In it, we see the legendary adventurer (voiced by Alex Wilton Regan, who has appeared in Cyberpunk 2077, Mass Effect 3, and Dragon Age: Inquisition) wield her signature dual pistols as well as a new gadget: a wrist-mounted grappling hook of sorts that looks like it’ll be used in both traversal and combat. Crystal Dynamics also gave us our first description of Catalyst’s...

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LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Release Date Announced | The Game Awards 2025

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight emerged from the shadows this evening at The Game Awards with a new trailer, revealing the anticipated adventure's release date. As announced tonight, TT Games' open world Gotham game will arrive for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on May 29, 2026. The footage also showed a fresh look at the Bat Cave and some of the many, many heroes and villains you'll meet around the city. Batman will be assisted by Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl and Catwoman, as the heroes take on supervillains such as Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Firefly, Mr. Freeze, The Joker, The Penguin, Ra’s al Ghul, and Bane. Oh, and you'll also get to go behind the wheel of the Batmobile from Batman: The...

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The Last of Us and Uncharted 4 Director Unveils Next Project Coven of the Chicken Foot | The Game Awards 2025 - IGN

Bruce Straley, game director of The Last of Us and Uncharted 4, has announced a new project, Coven of the Chicken Foot. Revealed tonight at The Game Awards 2025, the creature-filled puzzle platforming adventure will be the first project to launch from Straley's indie studio Wildflower Interactive, following his departure from Naughty Dog back in 2022. You play as Gertie, an elderly witch in a world inspired by traditional fantasy adventures. Described as an emotionally-rich, charming-yet-dark adventure with puzzle-platforming elements, the game will feature dungeons, forests and bogs to explore as Gertie collaborates with an odd familiar. "The dungeons have been plundered and the monsters long slain," reads an official blurb for the...

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Control: Resonant Announced by Remedy for 2026 Release | The Game Awards 2025

Remedy Entertainment has announced Control: Resonant, the follow-up to IGN’s 2019 Game of the Year, Control at the 2025 Game Awards. It’s due out in 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S, and it aims to be anything but a straightforward sequel. For starters, you’re not playing as Jesse Faden anymore. Instead, it’s seven years later and you’ll take control of her younger brother, Dylan. He was taken by the Federal Bureau of Control at age 10, ending up in a coma after being inflicted by The Hiss. And speaking of The Hiss, it’s escaped The Oldest House where the first Control was set, spilling out onto the streets of Manhattan and turning it into a very bizarre place (as you can see in the trailer), overrun and literally twisted and...

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