It has been a wild week for video games, and between the headline-grabbing news of shadow-dropped games and turbulent console preorders, it's only natural that some stuff has flown under the radar. Starless Abyss is one such example here, as this blend of roguelike deckbuilding and Eldritch horror has just released today with very little fanfare.

See on Steam

That's a shame, because so far, the game is earning high praise for its Lovecraftian themes and retro-inspired art design. Starless Abyss sees you command a fleet of spaceships powered by science and the occult against alien invaders from a nightmarish reality. As one of five Proximae tasked with saving humanity, you'll be able to upgrade your ships along the way, and battles take place on a hex-based grid.

The catch here is that the closer you bring your fleet to the Outer Gods, the faster your sanity will deplete. You can keep your mind in check, but embracing a little bit of mental chaos will also allow you to use powerful occult abilities in battle. The art direction also looks quite enticing with its old-school spaceship designs and space-terror monsters. It's Steam Deck Verified as well, so you can download it and start playing right away without the need to fiddle about with the game settings.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Vagabond Definitive Edition Vol. 1 (Hardcover)

$29.79 (was $55)

See at Amazon

One of the most notable premium manga releases of the past year is on sale for nearly 50% off at Amazon. Vagabond Definitive Edition Vol. 1, a gorgeous 728-page hardcover published by Viz Media in January, is up for grabs for just $29.79 (was $55). This massive display-worthy book collects the first three volumes in Takehiko Inoue's legendary series that's widely regarded as one of the best manga within its genre.

Vagabond Definitive Edition Vol. 1 (Hardcover) $29.79 (was $55)

This new edition of Vagabond is presented in oversized hardcover format, which should make Inoue's beautiful and brutal visuals really shine. So far, 37 individual volumes of Vagabond--collected in 12 books--were published before Inoue took a break from the series to focus on his health and other projects. The pursuit of perfection and weekly publishing schedule took its toll on Inoue, and a year after the hiatus, he returned to his basketball roots with the series Real, an inspiring sports story focused on wheelchair basketball.

If you're new to Vagabond and don't want to drop $43 to check it out, most of the previously released paperbacks, which contain three volumes each, can be purchased from Amazon for around $20 each.

There's no indication that Inoue will return to Vagabond in the future, but the current volumes are worth reading for their intricate plotting and mesmerizing visuals.

See at Amazon

If you've never read it, Vagabond follows the tale of Shinmen Takezou through 16th-century Japan. Also known as the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, the manga is a fictionalized account of his life and is based on Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi. A decades-spanning story, Vagabond focuses not only on the battles that made Musashi a legend but also on the more intimate moments of his life as he strives for enlightenment, through stunning art.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

EA Sports College Football 26 releases for Xbox Series X and PS5 on July 10, though it'll be noticeably absent on Switch 2 and PC (once again). Preorders are starting to open for this year’s installment of the revived franchise--and you’ll unlock plenty of bonuses if you reserve a copy in advance. We’re still waiting on full details of what’s changing for College Football 26, but here’s a look at all preorder bonuses and all versions of the game up for grabs.

EA Sports College Football 26 will once again release about a month before Madden. Preorders for Madden NFL 26 opened at the same time as College Football 26, with the pro football sim slated to launch on August 14.

All College Football 26 + Madden 26 Preorders

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Madden NFL 26

$70 | Releases August 14

Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Walmart

Madden NFL 26 Deluxe Edition

$100 | Releases August 11

Preorder at PS Store Preorder at Xbox Store Preorder at Steam

EA Sports MVP Bundle

$150 | Releases August 11 (Madden) / July 11 (College Football)

Preorder at PS Store Preorder at Xbox Store

Madden is returning to a Nintendo console for the first time in over a decade when it lands on Switch 2 this August. The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Madden NFL 26 is now available to preorder at Amazon and Walmart for $70, the same price that you'll find preorders for on PS5 and Xbox Series X. In addition to the standard edition, Madden 26 will get a Digital Deluxe Edition and MVP Bundle, with the latter offering access to EA Sports College Football 26 on PS5 or Xbox Series, too.

The return of simulation football to a Nintendo console isn't the only major change to the release model of EA Sports' popular annual sim; Madden 26 won't be playable on PS4 or Xbox One for the first time since Madden NFL 13. Ironically, Madden 13 was the last game in the series to appear on a Nintendo console (Wii U).

Here's a look at all Madden NFL 26 preorders--as more retailers open inventory, we'll update this list accordingly.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

One of the cool things about Amiibo figures is that they don't just look good; they also offer some neat extras inside of a game, and for Street Fighter 6 fans, those collectibles offer quite a bit of useful functionality. While Amiibo figures have received exponential price increases ahead of the launch of the Switch 2 console in June, there is a "budget-friendly" alternative in the form of Amiibo Cards, and for Street Fighter 6, you can get 22 of these in a handy pack. The Street Fighter 6: Year One Collection Amiibo Cards will be available exclusively through GameStop, and it's currently priced at $40--the same price as a single Street Fighter 6 Amiibo.

Street Fighter 6 Amiibo Cards $40

The pack includes 22 brawlers from the first year of Street Fighter 6, including DLC characters like AKI and Akuma. These Amiibo Cards can be used to save player settings like the character outfits, colors, and button settings, so that makes them useful for quickly loading up your gameplay preferences when you hop onto a Switch 2 console for some digital fisticuffs.

Preorder at GameStop

In case you need a reminder, here's the full roster of characters from Street Fighter 6's first year, who'll all have their cards in the pack:

Street Fighter 6 Amiibo Cards

• Luke
• Jamie
• Manon
• Kimberly
• Marisa
• Lily
• JP
• Juri
• Dee Jay
• Cammy
• Ryu
• E.Honda
• Blanka
• Guile
• Ken
• Chunk-Li
• Zangief
• Dhalsim
• Rashid
• AKI
• Ed
• Akuma

If you do want to grab some Street Fighter 6 Amiibos, there are three to choose from currently. Luke, Kimberly, and Jamie have all gotten the plastic collectible treatment, and the nice thing about these figures is that they echo the visual design language of Street Fighter 6. Each one is priced at $40, and like the cards, you can use them to access character-specific settings.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Yakuza 0: Director's Cut

$50 | Releases June 5

Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Walmart

Ahead of the Switch 2's launch in June, you can preorder one of the best games in the Yakuza series for the new Nintendo hybrid console. You can grab Yakuza 0: Director's Cut for just $50 to experience a terrific story and bone-breaking action, as well as some new content for this release of the game. It'll be a timed exclusive for Switch 2, so PC and console players will have to wait a while before they can access it.

Yakuza 0: Director's Cut $50 | Releases June 5

Yakuza 0: Director's Cut contains all of the action and drama from the original game, as well as new scenes created exclusively for this edition and a brand-new English voiceover. On top of that, you'll also be able to take part in online co-op battles through the Red Light Raid mode, teaming you up with players around the world to shake down the seedy underworld of the game's infamous districts.

One thing to note about this release is that it's a Game-Key Card version. Essentially, this means that you'll still need to download Yakuza 0 onto your Switch 2 and the cartridge will act as an authentication device. Game-Key cards are not tied to your Nintendo account, so if you want to sell the game when you're done with it, it will work fine on a different Switch 2 console. An internet connection is only required when booting up a Game-Key Card for the first time, after which the game can be accessed in offline mode on the Switch 2.

Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Walmart

If you've never played Yakuza 0, then you've missed out on one of the best games that Sega has ever published. Set in 1988 Japan during its financial boom, the game is an origin story for longtime Yakuza characters Kiryu Kazuma and Goro Majima, revealing how they became the legends known as the Dragon of Dojima and the Mad Dog of Shimano, respectively. At its core, Yakuza 0 is a 3D beat-'em-up with a heavy emphasis on storytelling, with major beats in the game playing out like episodes of a gangland drama series.

The game is also packed with diversions, as there are side stories to explore between missions and numerous mini-games to take part in. Kiryu even gets to take part in a side-hustle invests in real estate in Kamurocho, while Goro runs a cabaret club in Sotenbori. Both modes are surprisingly deep, and either one could work well as a standalone game.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Ubisoft Ivory Tower revealed more details about the upcoming offline mode for The Crew 2, confirming that a "hybrid" mode will allow them to further refine the offline mode and release it later this year.

Last year, Ubisoft angered fans of the 2014 racing game The Crew when it took the game's servers offline, rendering it unplayable. Although players are suing Ubisoft over this, The Crew remains offline. That said, Ubisoft is working on offline mode updates for the other games in the series, The Crew 2 and The Crew: Motorfest, and provided more details on them in a new video released today, April 24.

It mostly focuses on The Crew 2, as that game will be receiving an offline mode first. Before then, a "Hybrid" mode for The Crew 2 will be released, allowing players to switch between online and offline play. Producer Gregory Corgie explains in the video that this hybrid approach, combined with the Insider Program's player testing, will allow Ubisoft Ivory Tower to "refine and balance the content" in preparation for a wide release at the end of 2025.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Switch 2 preorders are live in some parts of the world--or were live, briefly, before selling out--but Nintendo is warning some consumers to be wary of scammers trying to con eager consumers out of their personal data. In Japan, Nintendo is holding Switch 2 lotteries, where people submit their names for a chance to preorder the upcoming console. The idea is to cut down on scalpers hoarding systems and selling them at exorbitant prices, and to avoid the chaotic mess of online free-for-alls, but it seems unscrupulous actors are taking advantage of the situation in other ways.

Some consumers received emails telling them it was their turn to purchase a Switch 2 and directing them to click on a link that would take them somewhere that was definitely not the Nintendo Store.

"We have confirmed phishing emails disguised as the results of the My Nintendo Store 'Nintendo Switch 2' lottery sale," Nintendo said in a statement on X (translated via Google). "The lottery results sent today will not include a URL for the purchase procedure due to a change in the processing period. If there is a URL for reservations or purchases, it was not sent by our company. Please be careful."

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The 2018 city-building survival simulator Frostpunk is being remade in Unreal Engine 5 as Frostpunk 1886, developer 11 bit Studios has announced, and it will include new content as well as official mod support.

In a press release, 11 bit Studios explained that while its 2024 sequel Frostpunk 2 will continue to receive new content updates, it wanted to lay a new foundation for the original now that the studio's proprietary Liquid Engine, which was used to build the first Frostpunk, is no longer in development.

That led the team to using the Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 for its upcoming remake, but 11 bit makes clear that Frostpunk 1886, which is slated for release in 2027, won't be just a visual update. It will add new content, mechanics, laws, and a new purpose path for players to pursue as they attempt to manage a settlement amid a frozen, post-apocalyptic alternate history. As for the name, "1886" refers to an important moment in the game's universe, when the Great Storm first descended upon New London.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Remedy Entertainment confirmed during a livestream that multiplayer Control spin-off FBC: Firebreak will be released on June 17 and will receive ample free post-launch support afterward.

The livestream provided a deeper look at the three-player co-op shooter's gameplay, including a mission, or "Job," that players can complete called Hot Fix. We also got a look at the Requisitions system, which serves as FBC: Firebreak's main form of progression and is similar to Helldivers 2's Warbonds. By playing the game, players will be able to unlock new weapons, armor, equipment, and more using free in-game currency, although real money can be spent to access "Classified Requisitions" that obtain premium cosmetic items.

Though this is a battle pass-like system, Remedy says the game is designed to be anti-FOMO. In a recent preview, GameSpot's Mark Delaney said it's "more [like] Left 4 Dead than [a] live-service game," with no daily challenges and expiring passes that make players feel like they have to play it or fall behind.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Fortnite's next big update for Chapter 6 arrives on May 2, which will be a Star Wars-focused season called Galactic Battle. Epic hasn't clarified if this will be just a mini season or if this the full Season 3 update players might expect. Regardless, Epic Games has revealed images of the new map changes players can expect for the Galactic Battle update. These new points-of-interest are inspired by the Star Wars franchise, and it includes a First Order Base and a location themed around Darth Vader.

As seen in the images below, three of Season 2's main locations are being replaced and the areas are getting a Star Wars makeover.

Fortnite's Galactic Battle map changesGallery

At the northeast portion of the map, the Demon's Dojo location is replaced with a snowy First Order Base. In the southwest corner, Shogun's Solitude is transformed into Vader Samurai's Solitude, and Hopeful Heights in the southeast corner is replaced with a dusty Outpost Enclave setting.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

A new report has emerged that shines a light on just how profitable the 2024 video game movie Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was. According to Deadline, Paramount's movie starring Jim Carrey as two Robotniks and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic pulled in a profit of more than $100 million.

At the box office, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 brought in $236 million in the US and $255 million internationally for a total of $491.9 million worldwide. Deadline's sources said Paramount kept $225 million of the box office haul, while also earning $90 million from the movie's home video release and $150 million in TV and streaming revenue. In total, the movie's revenue came to an estimated $465 million.

In terms of expenses, Deadline estimated that production costs for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 came to $122 million (split between Paramount and Sega), with Paramount spending more than the entire movie's budget, or $125 million, on advertising. Other expenses include $35 million in residuals and distribution expenses, $24.4 million in interest and overhead, and $35 million paid to actors as part of "participant" payments.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Given how immensely popular Baldur's Gate 3 was when it fully launched in 2023, I think it's easy to forget that the journey there had a lot of us playing the first act of the game for the better part of three years. In that time, the idea of playing Dungeons & Dragons was seeded within me, growing more and more annoying and harder to ignore by the day as it dug its roots into my brain. By the time I actually finished a full co-op run in October 2023 (I have kids, it took a while, forgive me), I'd also fallen into watching Dimension 20. Before long, my desire to play Dungeons & Dragons had become a full creepy eldritch tree that wasn't letting me think about much else.

You can imagine my joy when I got an invite into a mate's group, and we've been playing at least twice a week since. I did try to pick up Baldur's Gate 3 again to do an evil playthrough, but it just wasn't the same; it lacked all of the stuff I love about D&D, namely the very silly voices and the fully reactive world. The change in immersion from "I choose what to say from a list," to "I say what I want at any given time" is one that video games just can't compete with. So, at this point, I just sort of assumed that Baldur's Gate 3 was done for me.

Despite that, the news about Patch 8 started to trickle out, and by gumbo, I couldn't help but want to play with the new subclasses (even though mods have added them in unofficial capacity already, and I've ended up playing with mods anyway). I was apprehensive about how much I'd enjoy it, but it turns out learning D&D back-to-front actually means I'm substantially better at Baldur's Gate 3 now, and more importantly, I completely understand the dice that are rolling in the background.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

I'll be real: Now that I think about it, the trick I'm about to talk about is incredibly obvious. So I'm begging you, please don't judge me too harshly and appreciate the fact that I am majorly humbling myself by writing about this. And, for those of you who also didn't realize you could do this, rest assured that you are in good-ish company.

Earlier this year, Fields of Mistria's second major update was released, bringing with it the lava caves biome. And did you know that, unlike me, you don't have to use your watering can and desperately hop around the cave's various rock formations to progress through it? In a post shared on the official Field of Mistria Instagram, the team behind the game revealed that players can use the game's rain spell to instantly solidify every single inch of lava on the floor. That's right. All of it. And although this feat takes a lot of mana if you want to do it on multiple levels, man oh man, it changes things--and saves my poor stamina bar.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fields of Mistria (@fieldsofmistria)

Admittedly, I haven't played nearly as much Fields of Mistria since the game's second update dropped--I blame the absolutely wild number of phenomenal games that have come out this year for that. For this reason, I think I'm a little more justified in not picking up on this sooner. But as someone who delights in games that force you to think about things in more roundabout way (ie. Metal Gear Solid, Paranormasight, etc.), I am kicking myself for not considering that I could use the rain spell down in the mines.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

EA Sports announced Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26 release dates in a new trailer highlighting the "football journey" from high-school recruit to big-league pro. Preorders are open for both games now, with a few caveats. They're only available for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S to start with, as EA has yet to open preorders for Madden NFL 26's Nintendo Switch 2 version. The studio isn't supporting PS4 and Xbox One with this year's sports games, either.

Madden NFL 26 launches on August 14, and College Football 26 releases on July 10. Madden 26 will launch on PC, but EA Sports has no plans to put College Football 26 on PC at present.

Preorders are available on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, and while EA Sports is pushing an "MVP Bundle" version that includes both games for $150.00, you can preorder Madden 26 separately for $70.00. Standalone College Football 26 preorders aren't live yet.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches in June, but preorders in the US began today, April 24. Official reviews for the system are expected later, but for now, user reviews at one retailer are available--and they're overwhelmingly negative.

Reviews for the standard Switch 2 console at Target are currently hovering at just above 2/5 stars, with more than 400 people weighing in. Of course, no one actually has a Switch 2 yet, so the reviews are instead focused on the messy preorder experience and other factors.

People are using the review page to express their frustration and disappointment about the preordering experience, which left many people unable to secure a console. Some people claim Target's website and order process was anything but smooth.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders are officially live, though the first wave has already sold out. But if you were one of the lucky customers who got confirmation of your purchase, it’s now time to start looking at accessories, including carrying cases and screen protectors. If you're not interested in spending $40 on Nintendo's official carrying case and screen protector combo pack, there are some enticing third-party options for cheap at Amazon. Check them out below:

• iVoler Tempered Glass Switch 2 Screen Protector (4-Pack) -- $9 ($16)
• TZGZT Switch 2 Carrying Case + 2 Screen Protectors -- $16.84 ($28)
• Mumba Switch 2 Carrying Case (Multiple Color Options) -- $19

iVoler Tempered Glass Switch 2 Screen Protector (4-Pack) $9 (was $16)

A screen protector is a wise investment for your Switch 2, and this iVoler is one of the most popular brands for tempered glass screen protectors for a wide variety of devices, including the original Switch. You can snag a four-pack of Nintendo Switch 2 screen protectors for only $9 (was $16) with this limited-time deal.

These tempered glass screen protectors are 0.3mm thin, and the set also comes with an alignment guide to streamline the installation process. Along with the guide, you'll get the usual wipes and bubble-removal cards to help you make sure you apply the screen protector perfectly.

See at Amazon TZGZT Carrying Case + Screen Protectors for Switch 2 $16.84 (was $27.73)

Want an accessory bundle with all the essentials? Check out this pack, which gets you a hardshell carrying case and two tempered glass screen protectors (alignment tray included). The case fits your Switch 2 console, 12 game cards, additional cables, and even the bulky AC adapter. A hard-shell, water-resistant design keeps your gear safe, while a plush interior should ensure nothing jostles around and gets scratched in transit.

This brand is a total unknown, and the case is not officially licensed by Nintendo, but the price is so low that it's worth considering.

See at Amazon Mumba Carrying Case for Switch 2 (Multiple Colors) $19

If you'd prefer a sleeker Switch 2 carrying case, this one from another unknown brand is available for $19 in black, and other color options are available for a bit more.

Featuring a thin hardshell design, this case is largely designed for storing the Switch 2 on its own, but it does have an insert with slots for 12 game cartridges.

The EVA hard shell exterior should keep it safe while in your backpack or suitcase, and its thin 1.22-inch footprint means it should be easier to toss in a backpack than some other carrying cases.

See at Amazon Nintendo Switch 2 Official Accessories

For Nintendo's official accessories, check out our full roundup of the Switch 2 controllers and other peripherals that will launch alongside the console on June 5. Here's a quick rundown of the official Switch 2 accessories, from the new Pro Controller to a cute Piranha Plant Camera.

• Carrying Case & Screen Protector -- $40
• All-In-One Carrying Case -- $84
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller -- $84
• Joy-Con 2 Controllers (2-Pack) -- $94
• Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card -- $60
• Switch 2 Camera -- $54
• Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Switch 2 -- $59
• AC Adapter -- $35
• Joy-Con 2 (Right, Red Strap) -- $54
• Joy-Con 2 (Left, Blue Strap) -- $54
• Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip -- $40
• Joy-Con 2 Straps (2-Pack) -- $14
• Joy-Con 2 Racing Wheels (2-Pack) -- $25

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

$85 | Releases June 5

See at Walmart See at Target See at GameStop GameStop Switch 2 Accessories

For more affordable accessories, check out the GameStop Switch 2 lineup. Along with a similar carrying case that’s just $25, you’ll find Joy-Con 2 charging docks, cartridge cases, screen protectors, and more.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 incorporates tons of classic aspects of the turn-based genre, along with the active combat aspects it chooses to revolutionize. One of those classic aspects are different outfits you can collect and equip, including swimsuits. These swimsuits can be primarily found in areas called Gestral Beaches, which typically contain a minigame of some type that you must beat in order to unlock the swimsuits. Each of these awards a swimsuit or two, with most party members having at least one option, if not a pair of swimsuits. Below, you can find the Gestral Beach locations, along with the relevant swimsuits you unlock, and the one other way you unlock them.

Since all four beaches share the same name, these are ordered based on when you gain access to them.

Gestral Beach 1The first beach can be found west of the Gestral Village.

The first Gestral Beach can be found to the west of the Gestral Village on the starting section of the world map. This beach has a short obstacle course you have to run across in order to unlock two swimsuits. Once you complete the obstacle course, speak with the Gestral at the end to receive your rewards. This obstacle course is relatively simple, but using Lune, who floats instead of running, makes it slightly easier.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Former Xbox-console-exclusive Forza Horizon 5 sounds like it will run great on the PlayStation 5, and will be particularly impressive for those playing on PS5 Pro, according to Digital Foundry.

Though the PS5 version of the open-world racer that first released in 2021 isn't set to release on PlayStation 5 until April 29, the performance-breakdown wizards at Digital Foundry have already put the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5 through its paces ahead of its release. The good news: They largely have nothing but positive things to say.

While its visual performance on the base PS5 seems nearly identical to its performance on Xbox Series X|S (Digital Foundry says there's virtually no visual distinction and that they struggled to differentiate the two side-by-side), that's still an achievement given the series the franchise's ForzaTech engine has never run on PlayStation devices before. The game runs at a constant 30fps in quality mode and a steady 60fps during performance mode, and Digital Foundry says developer Panic Button's PS5 port is a "near-perfect match" to the Xbox Series X|S version.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The upcoming collaboration between Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy continues to be the most anticipated expansion of the year. Today, during a call with investors, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks revealed just how popular the set is proving to be, as Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy is already the best-selling set in the game's history, with over 30 days before its June 13 launch.

Cocks revealed the accolade during the opening statements of the investor call, saying that the Final Fantasy expansion has already achieved the lofty goal through preorders alone. The previous set to hold the record was another Universes Beyond expansion, The Lord Of The Rings, which launched in 2023.

Sephiroth and Cloud, as depicted in the Final Fantasy Starter Set.

The record-breaking figures are coming at an opportune time for Hasbro, as Cocks also explained that the success of Wizards Of The Coast's tabletop division is acting as a shield against the chaotic tariff situation enacted by US President Donald Trump thanks to limited international production. "Most of our domestic supply is produced in North Carolina and Texas, with the balance from Kyoto, Japan," Cocks said in the investor call.

Continue Reading at GameSpot