GameSpew

If you're a PlayStation gamer you're in for a treat, as Sony has just announced that State of Play returns this week. Even better, that's going to be immediately followed by another State of Play. So that's two State of Play events back-to-back, in which there'll be new game announcements and more. Mark Thursday, 3rd September in your diary, as that's the day that both State of Play events will air.

Have you ever chuckled to yourself playing an action RPG in which the world is in grave danger, yet you spend hours on end carrying out menial tasks for townsfolk just so you can earn some coin? The Blood of Dawnwalker, the debut title from Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by industry veterans who have worked on the likes of The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, tackles this head on, making it so that you can't dilly-dally if you want to achieve your goal.

It's been 20 years, but the Onimusha series is finally back with a brand new release. And it couldn't have come at a better time: with most action games these days being Soulslikes, it's nice to play something that's more flashy and cinematic. You'll note that what I didn't say there is less challenging. That's because when it gets going, Onimusha: Way of the Sword can be just as tough as the likes of Dark Souls et al. Onimusha: Way of the Sword gets off to a shaky start.

Surely you've seen the wooden book nook dioramas that are all the rage lately? By popping out pre-cut pieces of MDF or thick cardboard, you slot them all together to create a beautiful diorama, designed to slot between your books on your bookshelf. Book Nook, an upcoming game from Malapata Studio, lets you go through the process in video game form. Coming to Switch, Switch 2 and Steam, Book Nook is a detail-oriented puzzle game that's designed to be relaxing and peaceful.

Agent 47 has a new target and it's rapper, singer and actor Snoop Dogg. The noted wacky baccy enthusiast has joined Hitman: World of Assassination as its latest Elusive Target and you can hunt him down in the game's Haven Island map. Well, not strictly him; as with previous celebrity guests, Hitman has him playing a villainous character who deserves to be drowned in a toilet, shoved off a cliff or whatever fate you ultimate arrange.

Ever wonder what you'd do if you had Wolverine's powers? Fight for mutant rights? Go on a vigilante rampage? Puncture Scott Summers' tyres? If it was us, we'd just sit there, popping our claws for the sheer hell of it, again and again and again. Now, Sony has confirmed that Insomniac's Marvel's Wolverine game will let you do just that. Wolverine's adamantium-coated claws will, naturally, be a massive part of combat.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer's latest Under the Hood with Hibi trailer is here, and this time it's diving into the high-speed nightmare that is Return of the Jedi's speeder bikes. And what do you know, it turns out they're far less hazardous when you're not flying them through dense forest. "Speeder bikes are like concussion missiles with handlebars," Space Liverpudlian Hibi points out. Fortunately, not only are the courses largely tree-free, speeder bike riders have a handy 'Kinetic Burst' ability.

Do you like your survival sims to have a sense of humour? Like, for example, plugging a gas leak with a chicken's head only to find the gas is escaping through the fowl's rear end? Then you need to snap up Breathedge, which is absolutely free on the Epic Games Store. This survival game takes place after your spaceship crashes, not on some deserted planet, but in the cold depths of space.

Think Metal Gear Solid's Solid Snake is sneaky? He's an elephant compared to your average cat, which is likely why Konami has chosen to create a range of MGS-themed cat boxes. These boxes, based on the cardboard boxes Snake regularly conceals himself in, also have a scratch pad to help save your furniture from your feline's assault. That's not all. As spotted by Polygon, Konami has also created a range of plush toys and cat toys, which are sure to delight MGS fans and mildly amuse their pets.

Have you ever been playing a fantasy game and, wandering in some cozy inn, wondered what it'd be like to be behind the bar? What if, instead of slicing up monsters, you were serving beer to boastful warriors? Coming to PC, Dungeons & Dragons: Long Rest Tavern is set to scratch that tavern-tending itch. Running your inn from a god's eye view, you'll be ensuring that your clientele, weary adventurers included, leave happy, drunk or both.