For the last couple of years, PC users have been able to grab free games every week from the Epic Games Store. Epic's Free Games program offers a wide variety of titles to choose from, with the storefront mixing AAA hits with under-the-radar indies. This has helped grow the Epic Games Store over time, as well as shine a spotlight on games that people might have overlooked in an increasingly crowded market.

"In the early days of the Epic Games Store, the intent of the Free Games program was to keep giving players compelling reasons to come back every week as we built an audience and the catalog," Kyle Billings, director of strategy and business operations at the Epic Games Store, said to GameSpot. "We started monthly while we built up the programming and moved to weekly as soon as we could. In January 2025, we ran a very similar playbook with the mobile store when we launched."

"We know the Free Games program helps players discover new games or games that they never had a chance to play previously, and it continues to bring us around 8-9 million new users every year. This also helps developers continue to grow exposure for their games. In the end, we see the benefits to both players and the industry."

Last year was a great time to be a fan of ninjas, thanks to the release of brand-new Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi games. It also looks like the year of the ninja isn't over yet, as Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is getting a new expansion next month that will pit master of the ninja arts Joe Musashi against his toughest enemies yet: Sega icons Death Adder (Golden Axe), Dr. Eggman (Sonic the Hedgehog), and the Mad Dog of Shimano, Goro Majima (Yakuza/ Like a Dragon).

Out on April 3, the Sega Villains Stage DLC also adds five new stages, two new Boss Rush modes, more ninpo arts, extra outfits, and new music tracks. The DLC will be available to owners of the Digital Deluxe Edition of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance or as a standalone purchase priced at $10. Alongside the DLC release, a free update patch for the game will go live, adding a "Hardcore Mode," combat system adjustments, updates to character outlines, and tutorial display features.

"Shinobi: Art of Vengeance has few equals when it comes to 2D combat," Richard Wakeling wrote in GameSpot's review, scoring the game 9/10. "It's a thrilling triumph, emblazoned by a striking art style that confirms Lizardcube is at the top of its game. After a prolonged absence, this is the perfect way to reintroduce the world to Shinobi and Joe Musashi, instantly revitalizing one of Sega's earliest heroes with his best game to date."

The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development now at Bethesda Game Studios, and studio head and game director Todd Howard has said development should go more smoothly than Starfield for a key reason.

Speaking to GamesRadar, Howard said the team has done a "much better job" on The Elder Scrolls 6 as compared to Starfield based on the development tools specifically. Starfield was made using Bethesda's Creation Engine 2, and that was a "big change" from Creation Engine 1.

This led to challenges for the developers who were "doing things in tandem with old and new." A number of developers had concerns about this, and for The Elder Scrolls 6, the team is using an updated version of the Creation Engine--the Creation Engine 3.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is getting its final substantial patch before developer Team Cherry focuses entirely on delivering the game's first expansion, which is still scheduled to launch this year. Thankfully, it brings with some very welcome balance changes.

The patch, which is out already for PC users and is coming to console versions soon, predominantly addresses one of Silksong's biggest shortfalls since its launch. Updated Traditional and Simplified Chinese translations are now available for the metroidvania, after Team Cherry was criticized for a poor effort at launch. The patch notes mention that Team Cherry worked closely with translators to "ensure lore accuracy throughout", which will hopefully preserve the game's world and atmosphere for more players to enjoy in their preferred language.

Other balance changes are making some bosses and traversal easier, if you've found specific gear. The Magma Bell, for example, now protects you from all types of fire-based damage instead of just specific types, which will come in handy for fights like The Savage Beastfly in Far Fields. That fight has also been addressed slightly, with the boss' minions now instantly dying if you're victorious rather than hanging around to sour the moment prematurely.