OpenCritic

Thanks to a better late-than-never Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet are much closer to being the games we always wanted them to be. When they first launched back in 2022 for the original Nintendo Switch, the ninth generation Pokémon games were a hot mess that only just about got away with it because it was clear there was a great game hidden under the horrendous graphics and technical performance.

In the Lands Between, Queen Marika is one of the most influential figures despite being an enigma throughout most of the game. As the mother of the demigods we battle throughout Elden Ring, Queen Marika is responsible for The Shattering, which triggers the game's events, but in this brand-new release, players can become the iconic figure for the first time.

Fortnite is notorious for having a well-informed leaking community, which, over the years, has meant that everything Epic planned to add to the game was revealed ahead of time by anonymous social media accounts. This isn't ideal for anyone, and we've seen a few publishers take steps to root out leakers. In a social media post earlier this year, Epic accused former Fortnite associate producer Hayden Cohen of being responsible for several major leaks.

A gaming consultant and analyst has shed light on what the numbers could look like for companies like PlayStation and Xbox in an all-digital future, suggesting that the shift to a disc-free industry could increase profits by as much as 54%. It is no secret that video game and gaming console production is becoming more expensive and that major companies are looking for ways to improve their profit margins.

It may have come to an end back in 2019, but the hype surrounding Game of Thrones is stronger than ever. Thanks to spin-off shows House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the world created by George R.R. Martin continues to expand, and now, following the success of the former, which is currently airing its third season, another title is capturing fan's attention.

Meccha Chameleon has been an indie hit unlike almost anything we've seen before, attracting 15 million players in its first month. Sadly, with that much success, it was only a matter of time before the game got its first cheaters, trying to ruin everyone's fun. As the team behind Meccha Chameleon confirmed the game has sold 15 million copies, clips of people attempting to cheat have been going viral.

Pokémon may have hit the 30-year mark in 2026, but we're far from finished. Pokémon Winds & Waves was officially announced as part of the series' 30th anniversary, and it looks... well, it looks fantastic. In 2027, we'll be getting a brand-new tropical open-world region, new monsters, and doubtless plenty more surprises. Naturally, the arrival of new Pokémon, like the new starters, always promises to shake things up. How will new moves or Type combinations impact competitive play, for instance?

Xbox Game Pass users can start playing Winds of Arcana: Ruination as part of their subscriptions beginning today. This is the first brand-new title to join the service in July 2026 and the 110th Xbox Game Pass release since the turn of the year. The debut title from Bangalore-based indie studio Brewed Games, Winds of Arcana: Ruination is a dark fantasy metroidvania that follows Aryn, a mercenary searching cursed lands for signs of his missing comrades.

With Rockstar currently fully dedicated to the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI later this year, its Red Dead Redemption franchise has been firmly left in the dust. However, thanks to a dedicated fanbase, Red Dead Redemption 2 still boasts a large playerbase, with many flocking back to the award-winning action-adventure title, whilst others opt to play its Red Dead Online addition.

Final Fantasy fans have a lot to look forward to in the coming months, as Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is officially gearing up for its launch in spring 2027. Part Three of the epic remake trilogy is sure to be one for the ages, and gamers have become more hyped than ever after the finale's reveal at this year's Summer Game Fest last month.