Kagi News - Gaming

Microsoft launches Xbox feedback portal as fans request exclusives

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:48:05 +0000

Microsoft launched Xbox Player Voice, a community feedback hub designed to make player input and Xbox’s responses more visible. Microsoft said the portal addresses a long-running problem: players have not always known what happened after they shared feedback. The leading early request from users was for Microsoft to bring back or prioritize Xbox exclusives, according to IGN, GamesRadar, Game Rant, PCMag and Canaltech. Canaltech reported that nearly 7,000 users had backed one such request.

Highlights:

Leadership timing: Eurogamer reported that Player Voice launched about three months after Asha Sharma took over Xbox.
Branding shift: GameSpot said the same period of Xbox changes included an all-caps rebrand.
Platform debate: GamesRadar tied the exclusives debate to Halo and Forza Horizon 6 preparing to move to PS5.
Other requests: Game Rant reported that leading Player Voice requests included several items beyond the exclusives push.

We want to be clear: this doesn't mean every piece of feedback will turn into a feature or result in a change - Microsoft

Perspectives:

Microsoft Xbox team: Microsoft said Xbox operates across a large, global platform and has to weigh many inputs before changes reach users. (GameSpot)
Xbox community voters: The early vote pattern suggests some players are using Player Voice to press Microsoft for a clearer Xbox identity, not just narrow product changes. (Canaltech)
Push Square: Push Square said Xbox fans used the online suggestions box to tell Microsoft to keep games off PS5. (Push Square)

Sources:

Microsoft Launches Xbox Player Voice to Gather Feedback, Fans Immediately Demand a Return to Exclusives - ign.com
As Halo and Forza Horizon 6 prepare to jump ship to PS5, Xbox fans use new community voting tool to tell Microsoft they want their exclusives back - gamesradar.com
Microsoft Launches Xbox Player Voice to Gather Feedback, Fans Immediately Demand Exclusives - reddit.com
Microsoft launches Xbox Player Voice portal to listen closely to player feedback, fans immediately ask for "great game exclusives" - eurogamer.net
Xbox Player Voice Quickly Reveals What Players Want Most - gamerant.com
Microsoft launches XBOX Player Voice for gamers to share and track feedback - betanews.com
XBOX zet verder in op community met feedbackplatform Player Voice - tweakers.net
New Xbox Forum Asks Gamers to Share Feedback, Request Features - pcmag.com
XBOX Fans are Pleading to Bring Back Exclusives, New “Player Voice” Feedback Hub Reveals - windowsreport.com
Xbox Users Want Microsoft To Double Down On What Once Made Xbox Different - gamespot.com
XBOX pede conselho e mais de 7.000 fãs exigem retorno de exclusivos - canaltech.com.br
Xbox Fans Flock to Online Suggestions Box to Tell Microsoft to Keep Games Off PS5 - pushsquare.com

Fortnite returns to App Store in most countries

Tue, 19 May 2026 11:52:51 +0000

Epic Games has put Fortnite back on Apple’s App Store in almost every country, restoring official iPhone and iPad downloads for many players while leaving Australia as the main exception. The rollout expands Fortnite’s U.S. App Store comeback from May 2025. Epic tied the rollout to its continuing legal fight with Apple over App Store fees, saying upcoming U.S. court scrutiny of Apple’s cost and fee structure could expose charges it considers unjustified.

Highlights:

Commission benchmark: Several sources say Apple’s standard cut, which is central to the fight, can reach up to 30% on in-app purchases.

The beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide - Tim Sweeney

Perspectives:

Epic Games: Epic pointed to Apple’s statement to the U.S. Supreme Court as the reason for the wider relaunch, saying Apple had acknowledged that regulators abroad are watching the case as they assess permissible commission rates. (MacRumors)
Tim Sweeney: Sweeney framed the timing as a tactical step before what Epic calls a “final battle” over App Store fees, not just a product relaunch. (Eurogamer)
AppleInsider: AppleInsider described Epic’s move as a premature “Victory Royale,” arguing Epic is taking a public victory lap before the Apple case has concluded. (AppleInsider)

Sources:

Fortnite Is Back on the App Store Across the World - ign.com
Fortnite Has Returned To Apple App Store In Most Regions - gameranx.com
After six years, Fortnite finally returns to Apple's App Store in most countries, but the legal battle continues - pcgamesn.com
"We see this as the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide" - Fortnite returns to the App Store globally as Epic prepares for "the final battle" - eurogamer.net
Fortnite returns to iOS worldwide, excluding Australia, as Epic prepares for "final battle" over App Store fees - gamesindustry.biz
Fortnite Returns to the App Store Worldwide as Epic Signals 'Final Battle' With Apple - macrumors.com
Fortnite is back on the App Store worldwide as Epic and Apple’s battle enters its final phase - digitaltrends.com
Fortnite returns to Apple's App Store worldwide as Epic eyes Supreme Court fight - qz.com
Fortnite Returns to the App Store Amid Clashes With Apple - cnet.com
Fortnite is Back on the App Store Around the World as The Final Battle Approaches - reddit.com
Vor „letzter Schlacht“ mit Apple: Fortnite kehrt global zurück in den App Store - heise.de
Fortnite Returns To Global App Stores As Epic Fights Apple - macobserver.com
Fortnite is back on the App Store worldwide, says Epic Games - 9to5mac.com
Fortnite is returning to the App Store globally, a year after its US comeback - engadget.com
Epic Games’ ‘Fortnite’ returns to Apple App Stores worldwide - macdailynews.com
Fortnite Returns to App Store Worldwide, Including Canada - iphoneincanada.ca
Fortnite er tilbake! - itavisen.no
Fortnite regresa a la App Store, tras más de 5 años en disputa legal con Apple - expansion.mx
Fortnite kehrt weltweit in den App Store zurück – mit einer Ausnahme - apfeltalk.de
Fortnite Returns to the App Store Except in Australia - mjtsai.com
Fortnite gagne une bataille contre Apple - watson.ch
Fortnite ponovno dostupan na App Storeu u većini zemalja svijeta - bug.hr
Fortnite вернулся в App Store во всех странах, в том числе в России. Игры не было в магазине Apple шесть лет - habr.com
Epic Games daagt Apple uit door Fortnite weer in de App Store aan te bieden - tweakers.net
«Fortnite» de nouveau disponible sur le shop d’Apple - 20min.ch
Le jeu vidéo «Fortnite» de nouveau disponible sur l’App Store d’Apple - ledevoir.com
Fortnite внезапно вернулась в App Store - respawn.media
Гра Fortnite знову доступна в App Store по всьому світу, крім Австралії - babel.ua
«Fortnite» er tilbake på iOS - pressfire.no
لعبة «فورتنايت» تعود إلى متاجر التطبيقات في أنحاء العالم - aawsat.com
Epic Games declares Victory Royale months ahead of Apple case conclusion - appleinsider.com

Forza Horizon 6 launches with 273,000-plus Steam player peak

Tue, 19 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Playground Games and Microsoft released Forza Horizon 6 worldwide on May 19 for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Players can access it through the Xbox app, Steam, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming. The new open-world racer takes the Horizon Festival to Japan, with more than 550 cars, a dense map with vertical terrain, rural and urban environments, and a campaign that starts players as tourists before they qualify for the festival. The launch drew a large PC audience immediately. Steam tracking cited by PCGamesN, Destructoid and Windows Central showed a peak of 273,148 concurrent players on launch day, more than triple the series’ previous Steam peak cited by those reports. Early coverage focused on the setting’s scenery, progression changes and performance across reviews and benchmark testing.

Highlights:

Quality-of-life tweak: GameSpot said Forza Horizon 6 fixes the series’ completionist problem of searching for tiny unvisited road segments to drive every road.
Launch timing caveat: Destructoid noted that the full release came on a weekday after weekend early access, which could affect launch-day player counts.
Prelaunch leak: Tweakers reported that the game leaked accidentally a week before release and was later cracked by hackers.

Perspectives:

Forza.net: The official launch post said players use the Collection Journal to track discoveries during the Japan road trip. (Forza.net)
Canaltech: The review praised the map variety, Tokyo, sound design, lighting, particles and accessibility, while citing long Xbox loading times and easy access to legendary cars as drawbacks. (Canaltech)
The Guardian: The review framed the series around sensory drama and singled out moments where Mount Fuji appears through forests or city underpasses as part of the game’s visual appeal. (The Guardian)

Sources:

Forza Horizon 6 Performance Comparison: Xbox Series X/S vs PC - operationsports.com
Forza Horizon 6 Now Available on XBOX Series X|S and PC - forza.net
Forza Horizon 6 has already tripled the series' peak player count on Steam - pcgamesn.com
Forza Horizon 6 Now Available on Xbox Series X|S and PC - Forza.net - google.com
Forza Horizon 6 review – classic open world racing sim roars beautifully into Japan - theguardian.com
Forza Horizon 6 Finally Fixes One Of The Series' Most Annoying Aspects - gamespot.com
Game review: Forza Horizon 6 (Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox ROG Ally X) - futurefive.co.nz
Review Forza Horizon 6 | O Japão em um espetáculo visual de tirar o fôlego - canaltech.com.br
Forza Horizon 6 komt na bewogen aanloop nu officieel uit voor 70 euro - tweakers.net
Forza Horizon 6 Community-Benchmark: Wie schnell ist dein System im neuen AAA-Rennspiel? - computerbase.de
Forza Horizon 6 Hits Xbox Game Pass Today: Release Times, Platforms, and Awesome Premium Upgrade Details - msftnewsnow.com
Forza Horizon 6 es la entrega que sus jugadores llevan años esperando - libertaddigital.com
Forza Horizon 6’s full release triples predecessor’s peak after nuclear early access weekend - destructoid.com
Forza Horizon 6 установила рекорд по числу одновременных игроков в Steam среди релизов издателя Xbox Game Studios - dtf.ru
Nvidia's latest Game Ready drivers deliver worthwhile gains in Forza Horizon 6 - techspot.com
Forza Horizon 6 developer on recreating Japan: “We’re always our own worst critics” - traxion.gg
Forza Horizon 6 pulls in over 270,000 Steam players at launch, and the number is still climbing as Playground’s racer picks up momentum - windowscentral.com

Indie RPG Outward 2 sets July early access

Tue, 19 May 2026 16:05:12 +0000

Quebec-based independent developer Nine Dots Studio will launch Outward 2 in Early Access on July 7, 2026, for Windows PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG. Players can enter a closed beta starting May 26, and the game will be PC-exclusive at Early Access launch, with console versions planned after version 1.0. Nine Dots is pitching the sequel as a survival-heavy RPG and emphasizing low-spec PC support, including footage meant for older “potato” machines.

Highlights:

Publishing shift: Eurogamer notes Nine Dots Studio is self-publishing the sequel.
Co-op focus: GameSpot identifies Outward 2 as a co-op survival RPG.

Perspectives:

Wccftech: The outlet’s report is based on a remote presentation where Creative Director and Nine Dots Studio CEO Guillaume Boucher-Vidal provided a detailed overview of the sequel. (Wccftech)
Rock Paper Shotgun: The site emphasized the sequel’s contrast with RPG power fantasies, describing its appeal as playing a regular adventurer rather than a chosen savior. (Rock Paper Shotgun)
PC Gamer: PC Gamer highlighted the humorous “actual potato” testimony in the system-requirements trailer as part of Nine Dots’ low-spec messaging. (PC Gamer)

Sources:

Outward 2 lines up a July release date with the promise that even your dusty old potato of a PC can run it - rockpapershotgun.com
Survival RPG Outward 2 will run just fine on 'potato' settings, and as proof, here's testimony from an actual potato - pcgamer.com
Outward 2 launches in Early Access on July 7 - gematsu.com
Open-world action RPG Outward 2 sets summer early access release with a "potato specs" gameplay trailer starring a talking tuber - eurogamer.net
Upcoming Open-World RPG Has "Potato" Graphics Setting Below Even Minimum Specs - gamespot.com
Outward 2 Hits Steam Early Access in July 2026 as Nine Dots Doubles Down on Punishing, Anti-Power-Fantasy RPG Design - wccftech.com
Outward 2: Official Release Date Trailer (with Potato PC Footage!) - reddit.com

Microsoft adds Forza Horizon 6 to Game Pass

Tue, 19 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Microsoft announced its late-May Xbox Game Pass lineup on May 19, led by the full Game Pass launch of Forza Horizon 6 for cloud, Xbox Series X|S, handheld devices and PC. The racing game takes the Horizon festival to Japan, offers more than 550 real-world cars, and is available through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The broader wave runs from May 20 into June 2 and mixes family games, horror, co-op action, puzzles, RPGs and management sims, with named additions including Dead Static Drive, My Friend Peppa Pig, Pigeon Simulator, Remnant 2, Winter Burrow, Luna Abyss, Escape Simulator, Echo Generation 2, The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition, Crashout Crew, Kabuto Park, Final Fantasy 6 and Jurassic World Evolution 3. Luna Abyss is listed as a day-one release, while Jurassic World Evolution 3 and Final Fantasy 6 arrive on June 2.

Highlights:

Forza presentation: Canaltech highlighted Forza Horizon 6’s graphics/performance and a hand-picked music playlist in addition to the move to Japan.
May context: GameSpot said the second wave follows earlier May Game Pass releases such as Mixtape and Subnautica 2.
Catalog status: Canaltech identified Remnant II as a co-op shooter returning to Game Pass after time away, not only a first-time catalog arrival.
Early reception: GameSpot said Forza Horizon 6 does not appear to change the formula dramatically but praised the Japan-set driving experience and described a Gundam showdown as a standout spectacle.

Perspectives:

Xbox Game Pass team: Xbox Wire wrote the update in a direct subscriber voice, telling readers to grab driving gloves, controllers and mice before listing the rest of the catalog. (Xbox Wire)
GameSpot: GameSpot presented the announcement as a service-list update, with a dated catalog rundown and brief commentary on Forza Horizon 6. (GameSpot)
Engadget: Engadget’s headline paired Forza Horizon 6 with Remnant II, giving the co-op shooter prominent placement rather than making the story solely about the racing game. (Engadget)

Sources:

Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Forza Horizon 6, Escape Simulator, Jurassic World Evolution 3, and More - xbox.com
Game Pass adds Forza Horizon 6, Escape Simulator, Jurassic World Evolution 3, and more in late May to early June - gematsu.com
Jurassic World Evolution 3 and The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition Headline Xbox Game Pass May 2026 Wave 2 Lineup - ign.com
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Forza Horizon 6, Escape Simulator, Jurassic World Evolution 3, and More - XBOX Wire - reddit.com
Here's our next batch of Xbox Game Pass titles for May - eurogamer.net
Luna Abyss, Remnant 2, Jurassic World Evolution 3 and More Round Out the May 2026 XBOX Game Pass Entries - wccftech.com
Forza Horizon 6, Jurassic World Evolution 3, and more hit Xbox Game Pass - neowin.net
Xbox Game Pass primește Forza Horizon 6, Jurassic World Evolution 3 și alte jocuri noi în mai și iunie - playtech.ro
Forza Horizon 6 is now available on Xbox Game Pass, just as fourteen other games have been revealed for May 2026's second batch and beyond - windowscentral.com
New Game Pass Games For May 2026: Forza Horizon 6, Pigeon Simulator, And More This Month - gamespot.com
XBOX Game Pass recebe Forza Horizon 6, Final Fantasy e Remnant II em maio - canaltech.com.br
Xbox Game Pass: Weitere Zugänge im Mai 2026 - techkrams.de
Forza Horizon 6 Speeds Into Japan as Xbox Game Pass Wave 2 Adds Jurassic World Evolution 3, Escape Simulator, and More - msftnewsnow.com
Xbox Game Pass additions for late May include Forza Horizon 6 and Remnant II - engadget.com
What's new on Xbox Game Pass? Check out the latest. - pcgamer.com
Her er neste ladning med Game Pass-spill - gamer.no

Firaxis launches Civilization VII Test of Time overhaul

Tue, 19 May 2026 21:54:02 +0000

Firaxis Games and 2K released the Test of Time update for Sid Meier’s Civilization VII on May 19. The update adds the ability to keep one civilization through a full campaign, instead of requiring players to choose a new civilization at each age transition. The change follows criticism of Civilization VII’s original age-change structure, which required players to change civilizations twice before a game ended. Firaxis had previously promised the update, and coverage described Test of Time as a reversal of one of the launch version’s most contentious systems.

Highlights:

Victory changes: GameSpot says Test of Time also changes how victories are achieved, making the update broader than a civilization-selection change.
Legacy paths: GamesRadar’s developer interview highlights the removal of legacy paths as part of Firaxis’ overhaul work.
Update scale: ComputerBase described Test of Time as Civilization VII’s biggest update so far and nearly a re-release 15 months after launch.
New content: DTF reported that the update includes Alexander the Great.

Perspectives:

Firaxis developers: In GamesRadar’s interview, Ed Beach and Matt Schembari said they worked with players on the overhaul. The article quoted them as saying some people "couldn't believe what we had done." (GamesRadar+)
Ars Technica: Ars described Test of Time as a walkback of Civilization VII’s most controversial decision while noting that the update preserves some launch-era design ideas. (Ars Technica)
GameSpot: GameSpot described the patch as making Civilization VII a completely different game and said Time-Tested Civs is likely to become the preferred way to play for many players. (GameSpot)

Sources:

Final Fantasy creator addresses backlash over AI FF6 video

Tue, 19 May 2026 11:24:19 +0000

Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi drew criticism after amplifying an unofficial, AI-generated fan video imagining a Final Fantasy 6 remake. Gaming sites and Reddit posts tied the reaction to ongoing criticism of AI-made game imagery. Later coverage reported Sakaguchi’s explanation, reactions from other veteran Japanese game creators, and his continued AI-related posting after the original FF6 clip circulated.

Highlights:

Initial reaction: Coverage and Reddit discussion centered on Sakaguchi’s short approving response to the AI-made FF6 video, including the quoted reaction “Amazing”.
Coverage language: Headlines used neutral labels such as “AI-generated video” or “AI mock-up” and more critical wording such as “AI slop”.
Aggregated attention: Google News grouped IGN, Nintendo Life, PC Gamer, GamesRadar and games.gg coverage under the same controversy.
Follow-up posts: Kotaku and GamesRadar reported that Sakaguchi later posted AI-treated work of his own, including animation applied to Lost Odyssey concept art.

Perspectives:

Hironobu Sakaguchi: Sakaguchi said he reacted intuitively to the potential he saw in the AI-made Final Fantasy 6 remake video after his initial praise drew criticism. (IGN)
PC Gamer: PC Gamer highlighted the public creator-to-creator exchange, reporting that Sakaguchi’s praise earned a light ribbing from a battle designer on the first two Final Fantasy games. (PC Gamer)
Kotaku: Kotaku focused on Sakaguchi’s surprise at the negative response to the AI-generated Final Fantasy 6 trailer. (Kotaku)
Reddit gaming community: A Reddit post in the PS5 community highlighted criticism from the SaGa creator. (Reddit)

Sources:

Subnautica 2 players test nonlethal predator defenses

Tue, 19 May 2026 15:49:46 +0000

Subnautica 2 players are debating how much protection the game should provide from predatory sea creatures. IGN reported that players are testing defensive options while developer Unknown Worlds continues internal discussions, and GamesRadar reported that “creature mitigation” has become a priority for updates. Unknown Worlds has not signaled a move toward lethal combat. Destructoid and Gamer.no reported that the studio has no plans to make killing fish or other creatures part of the core game.

Highlights:

Base placement: A developer said many team members placed bases away from dangerous creatures, while some players built near the creatures and asked for more defenses.
Nonlethal tools: TheGamer reported that players can hit creatures to drive them away, even though the game does not provide conventional weapons for killing wildlife.
Food systems: Destructoid reported that players can cook small fish for food and harvest some creatures for water, but those interactions are framed as resource collection rather than fish-killing visuals.
Community workaround: A mod that lets players kill creatures appeared shortly after the debate, showing how quickly Subnautica 2’s community began experimenting outside the intended rules.

Perspectives:

Destructoid: The outlet described Unknown Worlds’ no-killing stance as a design feature rather than a missing combat system, calling Subnautica 2 a “no killing zone.” (Destructoid)

Sources:

Valve overhauls Steam tags with 17 additions

Tue, 19 May 2026 11:03:50 +0000

Valve has revised Steam’s store-tag system, adding 17 classifications, removing 28 and merging or renaming several others to make browsing and recommendations clearer for players. The changes replace broad or overlapping labels such as NSFW and Mature with more specific descriptors, including Sexual Content and Gore, and add categories such as Bullet Heaven, Wuxia and Capybaras. Removed labels included IP-specific categories such as Warhammer 40K, Dungeons & Dragons and LEGO, as well as subjective or redundant tags such as Masterpiece and NSFW. The update also gives a formal Steam label to Bullet Heaven, a term associated with Vampire Survivors-style games, after several gaming sites highlighted the long-running debate over what to call those games.

Highlights:

Removed broad labels: Destructoid’s examples included America and Drama, in addition to franchise names and joke-like tags.
Animal labels: Valve’s new additions include Animals, Wolves and Capybaras, creating more specific categories for games featuring those creatures.
Subjective tagging: PCGamesN cited Cult Classic, using Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines as its example, to show how some Steam labels could invite argument rather than clarify a game’s content.
Rare cleanup: Destructoid said Valve rarely removes tags; this update removed 28.

The set that we’ve removed today are done so because they no longer serve a good purpose for establishing connections between games or describing unique and useful elements of content in the game - Valve

Perspectives:

Destructoid: Destructoid described the update as a head-scratcher, saying Valve removed meme-oriented labels while adding unusual ones such as Capybaras. (Destructoid)
RPGMaker developers: PC Gamer reported that affected RPGMaker developers were unexpectedly happy about the tag’s removal because it may have described the tool more than the player experience. (PC Gamer)
GamesIndustry.biz: GamesIndustry.biz treated the tag update as a storefront-operations story, emphasizing Steam’s classification changes. (GamesIndustry.biz)

Sources:

Steam's NSFW and Mature tags ditched by Valve in favour of "more descriptive" ones like Sexual Content and Gore, as part of wider revamp - rockpapershotgun.com
Steam killed its 'RPGMaker' user tag yesterday, and impacted devs are unexpectedly happy about it - pcgamer.com
Steam rejigs tags in a potential win for game visibility. And, more importantly, capybaras - pcgamesn.com
Valve overhauls tag system on Steam to improve game discoverability - GamesIndustry.biz - google.com
At last, the Bullet Heaven genre - popularised by hits like Vampire Survivors - has been sanctioned by Steam - eurogamer.net
Goodbye RPGMaker, hello Capybaras: Steam’s updated tag list is a headscratcher - destructoid.com
Valve overhauls tag system on Steam to improve game discoverability - gamesindustry.biz
Steam Deletes A Bunch Of Game Tags Like ‘Dungeons & Dragons,’ ‘Warhammer 40K,’ And ‘Lego’ In Rare Purge - kotaku.com
Steam gets huge tags overhaul for tailored recommendations and 'helping players identify the games that best fit their interests' - techradar.com
Valve make adjustments to Steam tags, and they settled the Vampire Survivor-like argument with Bullet Heaven - gamingonlinux.com
Steam Adds, Edits, and Removes Dozens of Store Tags - ign.com
Steam canonizes the Vampire Survivors subgenre that’s spawned a million clones - gamesradar.com
Valve официально «изобрела» несколько новых жанров в Steam - respawn.media

Nintendo’s Switch 2 Yoshi game gets mixed reviews

Tue, 19 May 2026 17:59:49 +0000

Reviews for Nintendo and Good-Feel’s Yoshi and the Mysterious Book were published on May 19, two days before the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive launches on May 21, 2026. Reviewers describe the game as an action-adventure platformer with a strong puzzle focus, built around Yoshi entering the pages of a talking encyclopedia named Mr. E to study creatures across multiple biomes. Reviewers were generally positive but differed on what kind of Yoshi game players should expect. GamesRadar calls it “a charming platforming adventure driven by discovery and experimentation,” PCMag describes it as a creature-watching safari with clever puzzles, and Eurogamer calls it a surprise, while IGN and Nintendo Life say some promising ideas lose momentum or leave the game feeling too easy and restrained. A Reddit review thread lists an OpenCritic average of 80 with 82% of critics recommending the game across 33 reviews, and another Reddit post says it was sitting at 80 on Metacritic.

Highlights:

Play modes: The game supports TV Mode, Tabletop Mode and Handheld Mode on Nintendo Switch 2.
Trailer titles: The Reddit review thread lists trailers titled “An Appetite for Discovery” and “Creature Discovery!”.
Uneven pacing: Mashable says the game starts with an elementary style aimed at younger players before becoming more inventive around the halfway point, while still calling its pacing uneven and its structure a bit odd.

Perspectives:

IGN: IGN praised the creature designs and some open-ended exploration but said the game’s best ideas often go unnurtured, calling it “the most charming video game bubble wrap you’ll ever pop, and not much more.” (IGN)
Eurogamer: Eurogamer called the game “the loveliest surprise of the year so far,” saying expectations were low because it was not a Zelda or mainline Mario release. (Eurogamer)
Nintendo Life: Nintendo Life said the game remains approachable for younger players but criticized it for using too many “stabilisers,” saying it loses some qualities associated with earlier Yoshi games. (Nintendo Life)
PCMag: PCMag described the game as more of an open-ended puzzle experience than a classic Yoshi’s Island-style platformer and called that change excellent for players with an open mind. (PCMag)

Sources:

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book: Review MegaThread - reddit.com
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Review - ign.com
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book review: "A charming platforming adventure driven by discovery and experimentation" - gamesradar.com
Review: Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Encourages Experimentation and Exploration - siliconera.com
Round Up: The Reviews Are In For Yoshi And The Mysterious Book - nintendolife.com
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book review - eurogamer.net
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book review – Adorable discoveries await - destructoid.com
Yoshi And The Mysterious Book Reviews Make It Sound Perfect For People Going Into It With The Right Level Of Curiosity - kotaku.com
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a Charming But Surprisingly Short Platformer for Young Gamers (Review) - comicbook.com
Yoshi And The Mysterious Book Review - nintendo-insider.com
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book reviews roundup - nintendonews.com
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a fascinating experimental kid’s game - mobilesyrup.com
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Review: A Fun Safari With New Mechanics and Clever Puzzles - pcmag.com
Every Day I Write the Book: GeekDad Reviews ‘Yoshi and the Mysterious Book’ - geekdad.com
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a clever, gorgeous Switch 2 adventure for all ages - mashable.com
Review Yoshi and the Mysterious Book | Criatividade esbarra na repetição - canaltech.com.br
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book im Test für Nintendo Switch 2: Geheimtipp oder Reinfall? - nordbayern.de
I played Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and haven’t had this much fun playing a Yoshi game since the Super Nintendo - tomsguide.com

TT Games opens early access for new open-world Lego Batman

Tue, 19 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

TT Games’ Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight became available to Deluxe Edition pre-order players on May 19 through 72-hour early access, ahead of its May 22 launch on Xbox Series X|S. The studio describes the game as a new open-world action-adventure with an original Batman story that draws from decades of Batman films, TV shows, comics, games and DC lore, while retaining the series’ Lego humor. Coverage has focused on the game’s open-world Gotham, collectibles, Waynetech upgrades, stealth and combat systems, stud farming, and comparisons to the Arkham games.

Highlights:

Collectibles: Guide coverage lists Ace Cards, WayneTech Caches, Red Bricks, Bonsai Trees, Disco Balls and Surfboards across missions including Ace Chemicals, League of Shadows, Iceberg Lounge and the Docks.
Completion path: TheGamer says the achievement list sends players through hundreds of collectibles, multiple story missions, side missions, puzzle-solving and broader Gotham exploration.
Design shift: Wccftech says the game partly moves away from the linear structure of many older Lego games, putting players into an explorable Gotham to fight crime head-on.
VR use: A virtual reality subreddit user said the game worked well through UEVR after initial setup trouble and compared the setup experience to Lego Horizon.

The whole team at TT Games has worked tirelessly to distil down decades of Batman media into one exciting game, in a unique way that tells the definitive Batman story. - James Pugh

Perspectives:

TechRadar: TechRadar said the game tries to recreate elements of the Arkham games, citing its focus on stealth, combat and a sprawling open world while questioning how those systems fit with Lego game expectations. (TechRadar)
Der Standard: Der Standard said the game successfully balances Gotham’s darker tone with child-friendly slapstick and called it an ideal co-op experience. (Der Standard)
Metrópoles: Metrópoles cited humor, action and fan service and described the release as full of tributes to the Batman universe. (Metrópoles)

Sources:

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Available Now Early – Here Are Some of the Devs’ Favorite Easter Eggs - xbox.com
Arrived today can’t wait to try:) - reddit.com
How to find and use Towers in Lego Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight - gamesradar.com
How To Unlock All Achievements In Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight - thegamer.com
Legacy Of The Dark Knight Quick Tips For Lego Batman - YouTube - google.com
Guide: LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Guide: 100% Collectibles Walkthrough - pushsquare.com
How to Get the Infinite Stud Cache in LEGO Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight - gamerant.com
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight: Complete Walkthrough & Guides – Character Progression, Studs Farming, Combat Secrets, Trials - wccftech.com
Lego Batman: The Legacy Of The Dark Knight: The Kotaku Review - kotaku.com
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Hasbro cancels Giant Skull’s Dungeons & Dragons game

Tue, 19 May 2026 21:41:57 +0000

Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast has ended its publishing agreement with Giant Skull for an untitled Dungeons & Dragons game, canceling the project less than a year after announcing it in June 2025. Stig Asmussen founded Giant Skull. Wizards of the Coast said the project was an early concept it chose not to pursue. The game had been described as a single-player action-adventure title set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe.

Highlights:

Confirmation: Reports said Hasbro and Giant Skull both confirmed the cancellation, rather than citing only unnamed sources.
Original pitch: When the companies announced the partnership, it was described as “a definitive moment in both companies’ gaming ambitions”.
Team makeup: After forming Giant Skull, Asmussen recruited several industry veterans who had worked with him on the Star Wars games.
Future pitches: After ending the agreement, Wizards of the Coast was still discussing potential new project pitches from Giant Skull.

things are good at Giant Skull - Stig Asmussen

Perspectives:

Wizards of the Coast: The company said it respected Asmussen’s team and valued the relationship. (IGN)
Giant Skull: Asmussen said he enjoyed working with Wizards of the Coast. (IGN)
Reddit discussion: The thread amplified Jason Schreier/Bloomberg’s report and reader reaction; it was not a separate company statement. (Reddit)