Latest stories · Page 6

An illustrated island map shows a bright route and a storm-dark route, each marked 1 through 4, with a gift box and pass emblem at right.

Explainer5 min read

Fire Emblem Shadows adds Book IV’s first four chapters; Dietrich’s pass ends October 27

Nintendo added Chapters 1 and 2 on October 9, then Chapters 3 and 4 on October 14, for both light and shadow. Book switching requires Book I story rewards; the separate Dietrich Premium Pass window ends October 27 at 10:59 p.m. PT.

Mobile games

A parchment-style map shows a snowy northern region, a dotted route, dungeon markers and two generic content cards beside the headline.

Explainer5 min read

Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen: which bundle or expansion do you need?

The October 9 release adds a paid story expansion and brings the game to Switch 2. Existing PS5 and Xbox owners can buy an add-on; PS5 and Steam also have bundles containing the base game.

Console games

Older reward cards retain their item icons on a stack; a glowing point curves toward a separate blue pass card marked with 60 levels.

Explainer5 min read

ARC Raiders Frozen Trail moves old Raider Decks into a Legacy Pass

Update 2.0 preserves rewards already earned, but changes how progression works: Cred is gone, Reward Points feed only the pass you have selected, and just one pass can be active at a time.

PC games

A pixel-art-style descent toward the Theia boss, with four distinct agent silhouettes choosing between a branching dungeon route and a faster breach arena.

Explainer6 min read

Neon Abyss 2 leaves Early Access with a new Titan and Storm Breach

Version 1.0 adds Theia, a co-op mode released from beta, per-Agent records and several build changes. Veewo lists Steam, PS5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X|S for the full launch; its earlier purchase offer gave Early Access buyers Archenemy Returns at no charge.

PC games

A matchmaking queue branches between a cross-play symbol and a Wildcard card, with a small settings toggle beside the console path.

Explainer5 min read

Apex is running two matchmaking tests, with cross-play limited to US-West

A default cross-play test affects US-West, while a separate Plat+ search test runs across regions. EA expanded the first to Wildcard; console players can opt out, but disabling cross-play may mean longer queues.

Console games

A branching hunt map shows a smoke-covered route, a red Bloodweaver marker under a Blood Moon, and a separate Hunter pack card.

Explainer6 min read

Hunt: Showdown’s Blood Testament Chapter 2 separates free changes from a paid Hunter pack

Inferno returned on October 6, while the new weavers and three event rewards were scheduled for October 13. The October chapter also brought a separately priced cosmetic DLC whose name differs between Crytek’s story post and Steam’s product listing.

PC games

The headline Haunted playlists sits above four conceptual Halloween activity zones: haunted streets, a purple monster arena, coastal ruins and a compact illuminated arena, seen by an anonymous adventurer. No closing date is shown.

Guide6 min read

Fortnitemares 2026: haunted playlists and the 26-quest Jack-A-Nape reward

Epic’s Halloween event is running across Battle Royale, Horde Rush, Reload and Blitz Royale until November 1. Freddy’s Nightmare is an in-match weapon reward, while a separate free Nitemare quest track offers Jack-A-Nape after 26 quests.

Console games

A portal from the Overworld opens into the colorful Sift dimension, with one path marked for Dungeons II and a separate unopened path toward Minecraft in 2027.

Explainer5 min read

Minecraft Dungeons II has The Sift now; the main game is slated for 2027

The sequel launched September 29 across Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series, PS5 and PC, with up to four-player online or couch co-op. The Sift is playable in Dungeons II today; Mojang says it will reach Java and Bedrock Minecraft in 2027.

Console games

A drawn generic screen has four spacecraft quadrants connected to four controller symbols, three abstract arena cards and a distant globe beneath Four players, one screen; no character pilots appear.

Explainer5 min read

Star Fox update 1.2.0 adds four-player Battle Mode on one Switch 2

The free September 29 update adds Katina, Sector X and Venom, plus split-screen for up to four Battle Mode players on one console. The same local group can join online battles as a team; online play still needs the update, internet and Nintendo Switch Online.

Console games

An alternate-fantasy city map transitions from a bright downtown block to a haunted university and shadowed exchange, with six hero silhouettes along a vote board.

Explainer5 min read

Deadlock’s City Never Sleeps adds six heroes while staying invite-only

Valve’s September 29 update rebuilt much of Deadlock’s New York map, refreshed the HUD and introduced six heroes whose release order players voted on. The final hero arrived October 20, but the game remains a friend-invite playtest rather than a public release.

PC games

The week, made clear.