Robert Francis Prevost, who just became Pope Leo XIV, is just like you and me: He plays video games.

His brother, John Prevost, told NBC Chicago that he and Robert recently played games like Wordle and Words with Friends to help take his mind off the decision about whether or not he would be elected the new pope. He didn't have to wait long, though, as Prevost was named the new pope on the second day of the conclave.

John also revealed that his brother just recently watched the 2024 movie Conclave, which tells the story of the appointment of a new pope.

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RoboCop 2: 4K Steelbook Edition (Amazon Exclusive)

$45 | Releases July 15

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While it might lack the razor-sharp satire of the original, RoboCop 2 is still a rock-solid action movie and worth having in any Blu-ray collection dedicated to the '90s. For fans of steelbook covers, a new run of RoboCop 2 in 4K is on the way, and you can preorder it exclusively through Amazon for $45 ahead of its release on July 15.

RoboCop 2: 4K Steelbook Edition (Amazon Exclusive) $45 | Releases July 15

The new steelbook cover art is inspired by the final clash between RoboCop and his menacing replacement--the hulking machine known as RoboCop 2.0. The two-disc set includes the film in 4K--scanned from the original camera negatives--and the second standard Blu-ray comes with a wide selection of bonus materials, which we've outlined below.

Preorder on Amazon RoboCop 2: 4K Steelbook Edition Special Features

The RoboCop 2: 4K Steelbook Edition offers a long list of bonus features across its two discs, including several documentaries, audio commentary tracks, and the original promotional materials for when the movie was released in 1990. Here's a breakdown of everything you'll find in this set:

Disc One (4K)

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A free DLC bundle has arrived for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone. This pack of freebies is available for both PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass subscribers to claim.

The Call of Duty: Warzone Bonus Pack 2 is a bundle of 14 free items that can be claimed for use across both Black Ops 6 and Warzone. This pack includes the Dune Wraith operator skin for Westpoint and the Machetero operator skin for Niran, as well as other additional cosmetics items and double XP tokens.

Dune Wraith operator skin for Westpoint

The full pack includes:

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The item shop in Deadlock will look significantly different the next time you log in to Valve's third-person MOBA. The developer has overhauled the shop, adding new items, icons, costs, and more. Despite the patch notes saying that the major update is "coming soon," it's already live in-game.

Item slots were previously tied to specific tree types, but they will now be universal. Item-specific slots being replaced with universal slots removes the problem of some heroes feeling weaker due to needing up to six items of a particular kind to efficiently launch a counterattack after falling behind. Formerly, you had the ability to unlock four flex slots which served the same purpose. With the total slot count being reduced from 16 to 12, we can assume these flex slots are no longer available for unlock.

The new item shop interface

There are "many" new items being added to the store according to the patch notes, and all item icons have got new artwork which makes the items and their purpose more easily identifiable.

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Fortnite's first-ever Star Wars season brought with it one of the biggest meta shifts in the game's history by tossing out almost the entire loot pool and replacing it with Star Wars weapons. The only items left over from Chapter 6 Season 2 are standard healing items and shockwave grenades--in other words, things that never go away. Otherwise, it's a whole new ballgame out there.

The biggest surprise, however, is not really the guns themselves, but the lack of quick movement items. In Season 2, we had the Kneecapper and two different types of rockets that we could use to squirrel our way out of all sorts of dire situations. Escape was always possible with that loot pool. But those days are very much over.

For the Star Wars season, shockwave grenades are now the lone common movement item. You can train with a hologram character to get a lightsaber that will allow you to sprint a little bit faster, but this is something only a handful of players will have the chance to do each round of battle royale. You can also use Slap Juice to give yourself unlimited sprint for a short period, which works well in conjunction with the lightsaber, but Slap doesn't make you move any faster on its own. So no, you're not whining without cause--this season is a lot slower paced than Season 2 was.

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The Transformers Compendium One (Hardcover)

$58.49 (was $65) | Releases June 10

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The Transformers Compendium Two (Hardcover)

$60.44 (was $65) | Releases October 21

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Transformers Deluxe Edition - Book 1 (Hardcover)

$46.49 (was $50) | Releases May 13

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The Transformers franchise has been around for decades now, and while the original 1984 animated series was the gateway into the franchise, many fans still have a strong fondness for the comic books that followed in its wake. If you've been looking to revisit the vintage pages of The Transformers or read the iconic series for the first time, you can preorder a pair of colossal comic compendiums at Amazon. The budget-friendly paperbacks are 1,208 pages each, and together they collect the entire 80-issue run.

The Transformers Compendium One releases June 10, and it will be followed by The Transformers Compendium Two on October 21.

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Fallout fans have some good news and bad news today. The good news is that Fallout actress Ella Purnell, who plays Lucy MacLean, announced on Instagram that Season 2 of Prime Video's Fallout has wrapped filming. Not to be outdone by his co-star, Walter Goggins, who plays the mysterious Ghoul on the show, de-Ghoul'd himself over at the show's official Twitter page, also sharing the news.

The bad news? Well, there's still no official release date, but it's safe to assume with a similar post-production schedule of Season 1, Lucy, the Ghoul, and Maximus could be back on our screens in a bit over a year. Possibly premiering within the spring or summer of 2026.

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A post shared by Ella Purnell (@ella_purnell)

Season 2's production was delayed due to the Los Angeles wildfires, but is expected to take viewers to new locations where they will battle Deathclaws.

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Howl's Moving Castle Deluxe Limited Edition (Hardcover)

$23.24 (was $25) | Releases September 9

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If you love Studio Ghibli's animated hit Howl's Moving Castle but haven't read the source material, a beautiful new Deluxe Limited Edition hardcover of Diana Wynne Jones' original novel is available to preorder now at Amazon. Originally published in 1986, the story is much different than the 2004 film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and serves as the first book in a trilogy. You can preorder Howl's Moving Castle Deluxe Limited Edition for $23.24 (was $25) ahead of its September 9 publication.

Howl's Moving Castle Deluxe Limited Edition (Hardcover) $23.24 (was $25) | Releases September 9

This upcoming hardcover edition of Howl's Moving Castle features new jacket art, full-color endpapers by artist Devin Elle Kurtz, and black-and-white illustrations throughout the book. It has blue stained edges printed to resemble a starry sky. If you remove the dust jacket, you'll find gold foil-stamped text and shooting star graphics on the front/back covers and spine.

As this is a limited-edition release, Howl's Moving Castle fans may want to preorder their copy soon. The $25 list price is lower than many standard hardcover fiction releases.

If you've never read the book, Howl's Moving Castle follows Sophie Hatter after she accidentally attracts the attention of the Witch of the Waste. Transformed into an old woman, Sophie's only chance at breaking her curse lies within the Wizard Howl's castle, a mobile base ruled by an infamous heartbreaker. Sophie's journey sees her meet up with the charming Howl, who is tormented by dark secrets from his past, strike a deal with a fire demon, and confront the wicked witch responsible for her condition.

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If you've never read the book, Howl's Moving Castle follows Sophie Hatter after she accidentally attracts the attention of the Witch of the Waste. Transformed into an old woman, Sophie's only chance at breaking her curse lies within the Wizard Howl's castle, a mobile base ruled by an infamous heartbreaker. Sophie's journey sees her meet up with the charming Howl, who is tormented by dark secrets from his past, strike a deal with a fire demon, and confront the wicked witch responsible for her condition.

As mentioned, the 2004 Studio Ghibli film deviated quite a bit from the book, as it featured a different aesthetic, certain characters stuck around for much longer, and even the dynamic between Sophie and Howl plays out in an unconventional way.

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Darkest Dungeon II: Anniversary Edition

$100 | Releases Q4 2025

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After a long period in early access, Darkest Dungeon II launched on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox back in 2023. The roguelike roadtrip RPG's brutally challenging gameplay has proven popular with fans, and soon you'll be able to show off your love for the punishing RPG thanks to the upcoming Darkest Dungeon II: Anniversary Edition. The new $100 physical edition will include the game, a bunch of DLC, and numerous exclusive physical collectibles. A specific release date has not been confirmed, but it's slated to launch in Q4 2025, and preorders are available now.

Darkest Dungeon II: Anniversary Edition$100 | Releases Q4 2025

The Darkest Dungeon II: Anniversary Edition includes the game on either PS5 or Nintendo Switch and three DLC packs: The Binding Blade, The Inhuman Bondage, and The Infernal Supporter Pack. There's also a bunch of cool collectibles in the box, like papercraft dioramas of the stagecoach and a battle scene from the game, a deck of playing cards, and more. Here's everything you get in the Darkest Dungeon II: Anniversary Edition:

• Darkest Dungeon II base game and the Kingdoms Expansion (digital code)
• Digital codes for The Binding Blade, The Inhuman Bondage, and The Infernal Supporter Pack DLCs
• Steelbook case
• Combat pop-up diorama
• Papercraft replica of the stagecoach
• Playing cards showcasing in-game characters (52-card deck)
• Two digital soundtracks (original base game and new Kingdoms expansion)
• Collector's box

Darkest Dungeon II: Anniversary Edition will launch on PS5 and Switch later this year. You can preorder for either platform at Amazon.

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2K's Mafia franchise returns this August with Mafia: The Old Country. The game is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and in a big shift from other AAA games, it's priced not at $70 or $80, but $50.

It's the first new Mafia game since 2016's Mafia III, and it comes from the same studio, Hangar 13.

In this post, we're running through everything we know about Mafia: The Old Country, including its status as a less-expensive, less time-consuming title, preorder details, story information, and lots more.

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From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror (Hardcover)

$40.42 (was $42.49)

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Bitmap Books' stellar celebration of the horror game genre is back in stock at Amazon. From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror quickly sold out when it was reprinted last fall, but Amazon has copies of the massive hardcover book for $40 right now. Bitmap Books often sell out fast, and prices tend to swing dramatically without warning. At the moment, the 600-plus page history of horror games is the cheapest title from Bitmap Books that Amazon has in stock.

From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror (Hardcover) $40.42 (was $42.49)

Clocking in at 664 pages, From Ants to Zombies discusses more than 130 horror games. It's divided into 13 chapters based on genre, setting, and "shades of fear," and you'll find commentary from iconic developers throughout the volume. This includes input from Keiichiro Toyama (Silent Hill) and Ken Levine (System Shock 2).

Bitmap Books makes some of the best video game art and history books around. You'll find gorgeous illustrations on each page along with an eye-catching hardcover design--ensuring it’s the centerpiece of your game room or book collection. From Ants to Zombies includes titles across more than 70 platforms released between 1970 through the 2020s.

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As mentioned Bitmap Books titles receive small print runs--though titles are sometimes reprinted later on--so they often sell out. Prices tend to fluctuate dramatically, but Amazon has a bunch of other hardcover video game books from Bitmap in stock right now. The selection ranges from books focused on particular genres, such as the horror book above and Go Straight, a book about beat-'em-ups, to gorgeous overviews of retro hardware and classic game franchises.

• From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror -- $40.42 ($42.49)
• Go Straight: The Ultimate Guide to Side-Scrolling Beat-'Em-Ups (Hardcover) -- $45
• The Art of the Box (Hardcover) -- $43.78
• N64: A Visual Compendium (Hardcover) -- $48
• PC Engine: The Box Art Collection (Hardcover) -- $37.79
• The GBA Pixel Book (Paperback) -- $48
• NES/Famicom: A Visual Compendium (Hardcover) -- $63
• Super Famicom: The Box Art Collection (Hardcover) -- $47
• The Secret History of Mac Gaming: Expanded Edition (Hardcover) -- $51
• Commodore 64: A Visual Compendium (Hardcover) -- $53
• Commodore Amiga: A Visual Compendium (Hardcover) -- $59
• Artcade: Book of Classic Arcade Game Art (Hardcover) -- $62
• Metal Slug: The Ultimate History (Hardcover) -- $68
• The King of Fighters: The Ultimate History (Hardcover) -- $45
• NEOGEO: A Visual History (Hardcover) -- $65
• Sinclair ZX Spectrum: A Visual Compendium (Hardcover) -- $53
• The Games That Weren't (Hardcover) -- $53
• The CRPG Book: A Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games - Expanded Edition (Hardcover) -- $61
• Super NES/Super Famicom: A Visual Compendium (Hardcover) -- $63 | Sold out
• Game Boy: The Box Art Collection (Hardcover) -- $60 | Sold out
• A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games (Hardcover) -- $45 | Sold out
• The SNES Pixel Book (Hardcover) -- $63 | Sold out

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Mafia: The Old Country is not following Mafia III's open-world format but will instead take the shape of a "linear, narrative-driven" experience, according to 2K Games.

The publisher confirmed this in an FAQ that was published today alongside news of the game's release date and a new gameplay trailer. Additionally, Mafia: The Old Country is bucking a AAA trend and will sell for $50 (a more expensive, digital-only Deluxe edition is also going to be available).

"We think there's a large audience for compelling stories that don't require massive time commitments," 2K President David Ismailer said in a press release. "We're excited to offer a game like Mafia: The Old Country in our portfolio, and to provide a linear highly-polished narrative experience that can easily complement the other more persistent games our players also love and engage with on a more consistent basis."

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Paradox Interactive has finally confirmed that its Tinto studio's Project Caesar, which it had been teasing through a series of dev diary posts on its forum, is Europa Universalis V. As the first new entry in this series in nearly 12 years and one releasing in a very different landscape for strategy games, questions arise about what will, or should, change. Paradox's answer is to simply rework and tweak a formula that has proven to work well, rather than changing everything to court new players.

I attended a digital preview event for Europa Universalis V and went hands-on with an early build of the real-time strategy game ahead of the announcement. I found that its biggest changes didn't address approachability--which you might think would be the primary focus to attract newcomers to the franchise--but instead added strategic depth. Europa Universalis V feels distinct from what came before, but it doesn't lose any of the series' identity and focus on complexity. This might be the most hardcore grand strategy game in Paradox's catalog.

All of the government, military, and economic strategy systems that the series is known for return in this latest entry, working in tandem to create a complex political climate that grows from the in-game starting point of 1337. Players take control of any nation they want from around the world and micromanage nearly every aspect of it. Grand strategy games are overwhelming in the amount of information and strategic options they present players, but become outstanding sandboxes for emergent storytelling once you know where to look and what to do--Europa Universalis V is no different.

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Mafia: The Old Country is heading to PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on August 8 and preorders are up at digital storefronts. The linear action game will focus on storytelling and immersion, providing fans with a nuanced new take on the series. Two different versions of the game are up for grabs, and there are preorder bonuses for reserving a copy in advance. Best of all, the standard edition is priced at just $50--a nice change of pace from all of today’s $70 and $80 releases.

Mafia: The Old Country Preorder BonusesMario: The Old Country

All Mafia: The Old Country preorders include the Soldato DLC Pack, which offers the following in-game items:

• “Soldato” Outfit
• “Scannaturi Speciale” Knife
• “Tesoro” Horse and Accessories
• “Lupara” Charm

You can also sign up for a free 2K account to unlock the “Garzia Tumulto Race Car,” plus additional benefits for other Mafia games. It’s unclear if there will be any retailer-exclusive bonuses, but if anything is announced, we’ll update this section with details.

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There are several worlds to explore in Revenge of the Savage Planet. Along the way, you have to contend with vicious plants, poisonous terrain, rampaging alien animals, and dubious requests from ornery individuals. Still, if you feel that you're up to the task, then we've got our Revenge of the Savage Planet guides hub to help you along the way. However, please take note that several of these articles also contain spoilers.

Revenge of the Savage Planet guides hub

How to repair the Javelin - Similar to its predecessor--2020's Journey to the Savage Planet--Revenge has you looking for ways to fix, clean up, and obtain upgrades for the Javelin. This ship is your one-way ticket home, though it's not the only way to conclude your adventure.

How to complete Interstellar Enigma - This mission is part of a major arc, one that requires you to find well-hidden shrines so you can gather artifacts. The challenges in each location are fairly unique as well, and some will truly test your mettle.

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This summer, the sequel to Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding--Death Stranding 2: On the Beach-- will continue the story that began in the first game. But if there's ever a Death Stranding 3, Kojima has no intention of making the game himself.

While speaking with VGC, Kojima noted that he's already put some thought into what Death Stranding 3 would be. But despite having those ideas in mind, he would prefer to pass off the next game to someone else.

"If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels," noted Kojima. "I, of course, don't have any plans to do that, but I already have a concept for another sequel. I am not going to make it myself, but if I passed it on to someone else, they could probably make it."

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Titan Quest 2 will launch in early access this summer, a delay from its original release window, developer Grimoire Games has announced.

The nearly two-decade-later ARPG sequel was originally slated to release in early access months ago in late 2024 or early 2025. Titan Quest 2 missing that timeframe came from Grimoire Games wanting to avoid a "crowded ARPG release window and a desire to give the game the spotlight it deserves," according to a press release. A specific early-access release date was not given.

For context, Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred expansion launched in October 2024 and Path of Exile 2 launched in early access just a few months later in December. That would have definitely made it difficult for Titan Quest 2 to stand out among the two biggest names in the ARPG genre.

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Jason X Limited Edition (4K Blu-ray)

$29 (was $50) | Releases May 20

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Jason Goes to Hell Limited Edition (4K Blu-ray)

$35 (was $50) | Releases May 20

Preorder at Amazon

Two of the most outrageous Friday the 13th movies will get 4K Blu-ray Limited Editions from Arrow Video on May 20, and Amazon is offering steep preorder discounts on both. Jason X is available to preorder for $29 (was $50), while Jason Goes to Hell is up for grabs for $35 (was $50). Both Limited Editions are packed with bonus content and feature pretty awesome cover art that would look good displayed next to Arrow Video's previous 4K Blu-ray release of Friday the 13th (2009).

If you already preordered at the original $50 price, Amazon's preorder price guarantee will ensure you get the lowest price offered between the time you ordered and release.

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Alexander didn’t earn much praise when it hit theaters in 2004. Directed by Oliver Stone (Platoon, Natural Born Killers) and starring big names like Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, and Anthony Hopkins, the star-studded cast wasn’t enough to save it from mediocre reviews. However, the film has been given multiple second chances, with a Director’s Cut released in 2005, a Final Cut in 2007, and an Ultimate Cut in 2014, which helped breathe new life into the film, turning it into a cult classic. The latest version, Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut 4K Collector's Edition, is getting a new 4K Blu-ray edition that will launch on July 1. This will be the first time this version of the movie is available on 4K Blu-ray, and it includes a selection of all-new bonus features. Preorders are now available at Amazon.

Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut 4K Collector's Edition $40 | Releases July 1

The Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut Collector's Edition includes a new 4K restoration of Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut that was supervised and approved by director Oliver Stone. Clocking in at 213 minutes, the Final Cut features over 30 minutes of footage not included in the original film. That’s an astronomical runtime, so don’t be surprised if you have to break it up into multiple viewings. The 4K Blu-ray also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and includes a long list of special features, which we've outlined below. A standard Blu-ray version of the movie is also included.

Preorder at Amazon Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut Collector's Edition Bonus Features

Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut 4K Blu-ray is packed with over three hours of bonus features, including a new audio commentary and multiple interviews that are exclusive to this new release. Most of these are presented in 1080p, though some are available in 4K. Here’s a look at what you’ll find (items in bold are new to this 4K Blu-ray edition):

• Audio commentary with critic Matt Zoller Seitz (4K)
• Audio commentary with Oliver Stone (4K)
• Interview with Oliver Stone
• Interview with editor Alex Marquez
• Interview with visual effects supervisor John Scheele
• Fight Against Time documentary
• Resurrecting Alexander
• Perfect Is The Enemy Of Good
• Vangelis Scores Alexaner
• Theatrical trailers
• Image gallery

Alexander tells the story of Alexander the Great. Set in 4th Century BC, it follows the conqueror's rise to power, examining his childhood, historic battles, and eventual defeat. It’s a sweeping epic, and one that grew a bit more popular with the Final Cut and its additional scenes.

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Today, 2K Games and Hangar 13 released a new trailer for Mafia: The Old Country, the upcoming prequel to 2K's long-running Mafia action franchise. Along with a new look at the characters and locales of early-1900s Sicily, 2K also announced that the game will be launching on August 8--for only $50.

The trailer begins with a conversation between Enzo, the protagonist of the adventure, and Don Torrisi, the head of the crime family Enzo is involved with. After a few words about loyalty and obedience from the don, we see Enzo stealthing through a labyrinthine underground area while dealing with enemies, as well as scenes of Enzo fighting a group of soldiers on horseback while riding down a hill.

Hangar 13 also released "Breaking Omerta," a behind-the-scenes look at the development of Mafia: The Old Country. The developer diary includes commentary from Hangar 13 president and studio head Nick Baynes, game director Alex Cox, and more as they discuss the vision behind the game, and run down elements of the game's combat and Sicilian setting.

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