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New chapter!

Good Eternity, dear friends!I am happy to present to you the fifth chapter with the cheerful title "Nanny with Heavy Weaponry." This chapter was incredibly interesting to work on. I faced a difficult task: developing a method of communication and thinking for a creature that has never been human (or even humanoid). (I borrowed a few ideas from Robert Allan Monroe) I had to figure out how to describe this accurately and authentically. And it just so happened that the Creator stepped in and shared his story.To be honest, the ending was originally meant to be completely different. But, as often happens with my work, the text "took on a life of its own," and the finale changed in the process. It was a fascinating experience!The chapter turned out to be deep and, in some places, quite funny due to the main characters' reactions, but at the same time, it significantly expands the lore and shows what kind of events sometimes shake universes.The work took almost a month, and although it didn't turn out as planned, it came out even better and more exciting.Enjoy the read! And I am moving on to the next one, chapter six.

The teaser for the second season of the fantasy series "A Middle-Aged Man from the Countryside Becomes a Swordmaster" reminds us of the month its premiere will take place.

The first season of the anime "From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman" concluded its run in the summer of 2025. The second season is set to begin broadcasting as early as this summer. Months ahead of the premiere, a teaser for the sequel has been released. The video reminds viewers that the second season will start airing in July.The anime is based on a fantasy light novel series. The first season of the adaptation aired from April to June of last year and consisted of 12 episodes.Studios Passione and Hayabusa Film are working on the series. The main character is voiced by Hiroaki Hirata (Sanji in "One Piece").Beryl is a humble, middle-aged swordsman who runs a dojo in the countryside. The days when he aspired to reach the pinnacle of mastery are long gone, and he has come to terms with his skill level. In reality, however, Beryl is an outstanding swordsman with low self-esteem.The master's fate takes a sharp turn when he is appointed as a special instructor for the knights based on a recommendation. The swordsman moves from the village to the city, where encounters with former students, new friends, and powerful enemies await him.This year will also see the continuation of the isekai "Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs" with its second season.

The head of DC Comics admitted that manga has defeated American comics.

Jim Lee is a well-known figure in the American comic book industry: throughout his career, he has managed to draw nearly every iconic character from DC Comics, Image Comics, and Marvel Comics, from the Punisher and the X-Men to Batman. Currently, he holds the position of President and Publisher/Chief Creative Officer of DC, which means he is constantly brainstorming ways to attract new audiences to comics. And for inspiration, Lee seems to have turned to Japan — a country where, in his opinion, the genre diversity of manga and anime provides food for thought.In an interview with the Japanese publication Nikkei, Lee shared his thoughts on the reasons behind manga's immense popularity:"The stories told in Japanese manga and anime are incredibly powerful. I often find myself thinking, 'What is missing from Western comics and why can't they achieve the same effect?' Manga has an advantage over American comics — the latter mostly revolve around superheroes, and that is where the core sales and readership are concentrated."The secret to manga's success, according to Lee, lies in its genre diversity:"In Japan, it’s closer to literature — anyone can read it, and it's not just superhero stories. The genre spectrum is much wider: stories about cooking, about soccer. You can draw ideas from there. So I am very happy with the success of manga — it gives me a benchmark. The manga market is larger than our industry, and the question is: 'What can we learn from them? How can we approach this?'"Lee played a key role in establishing a multi-year partnership between DC and Kodansha — the world's largest manga publisher. Under the terms of the deal, DC licenses its characters to Kodansha to produce authentic manga in Japan, which DC then publishes in English.Interestingly, early in Lee's career at DC, the company had already tried to ride the manga wave by launching the CMX imprint, following the example of the successful Tokyopop. Lee himself was not directly involved in it, but he was co-publisher when DC decided to shutter the project. At the time, he explained that licenses for major manga were "hard to get": the market is structured such that you first have to prove your reliability with lesser-known titles before Japanese rightsholders will trust you with something big. Six years later, DC deemed the experiment a failure and shifted resources back to its main line, including the then-upcoming New 52 reboot.Today, Lee believes it is not just about the art style, but about a specific "sensibility." The stories that are successful in Japan differ significantly from those that are successful in the West.

One of the five generals

Majesty and devotion in a single gaze — one of the five generals of Helidancor, whose loyalty to her master is unwavering. Rate the new Arrelania art

35 Years Ago, the X-Men Gave Marvel Fans the Best Reboot Ever

Reboots have become an integral part of superhero comics, especially at Marvel. The publisher reboots characters and teams every couple of years, sometimes every year, with new creative teams in hopes that readers will look forward to their new adventures. To some extent, this is logical; new entry points can seem like a good idea, but it doesn't always prove successful. Marvel's game with reboots has grown weaker over the years, and one of the best examples of this is the current X-Men comics. After the 2024 reboot, the team's comics did not bring the success the publisher was counting on. However, 35 years ago, the group's creators gave readers one of the greatest reboots in history.In 1991, long-time Uncanny X-Men writer Chris Claremont and X-Factor/New Mutants author Louise Simonson were let go, and leadership of the X-Men line passed to an entirely new group of creators. What followed was a modern-era bestseller, a reboot that captivated an entire generation of new readers with Marvel's fun mutants. This reboot happened at just the right moment, and its success opened the doors for the dominance of the men and women of the X-universe. While this era wasn't always perfect, the first year of the reboot forever changed comic book history in many ways.The 1991 X-Men reboot is everything one could want from a reboot.In the late 80s, mutant comics became a creative playground for the industry's most popular artists, such as Marc Silvestri, Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, and Rob Liefeld, who became incredibly famous through their work. Marvel's editorial team wanted to keep them happy and drawing, so they repeated the same deal they made with Spider-Man artist Todd McFarlane in 1990: giving them control over their own comics, which they could write and draw. X-Force #1, X-Men (Vol. 2) #1, and Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #281 were handed over to Liefeld, Lee, and Portacio (Silvestri was happily working on Wolverine at the time). Editor Bob Harras was already granting them more and more influence over the plotting process, so it made sense.Meanwhile, in the X-Factor series, writer and artist Larry Stroman, who had worked on The Incredible Hulk, took over with issue #71; in Excalibur, co-creator and artist Alan Davis released issue #42; and Larry Hama and Silvestri continued their work on the Wolverine series, with the exception of issue #48, where a story related to the Weapon X series began, which was running in Marvel Comics Presents at the time. These six series became a turning point for fans, as each developed its characters in a new direction.That was the whole secret of its success. The fact is that most of these comics, frankly, returned to their roots—with the exception of X-Factor, which featured a new government-sponsored team, and X-Force, which was a more militant team than the New Mutants. The X-Men returned to the mansion, Wolverine just did what Wolverine does, and Excalibur still told strange stories about British superheroes. In many ways, the 1991 reboot was similar to the 1975 "From the Ashes" era; there was no overarching storyline tying the comics together. However, the success lay in the fact that the creators understood what they were doing and offered readers what they wanted.X-Men (Vol. 2) featured Claremont's final Magneto story, followed by the introduction of Omega Red. In Uncanny, the team faced a new threat—the Upstarts—essentially creating a new Hellfire Club and introducing a new member. Wolverine revealed secrets we didn't know before, in X-Force the team faced its new mission and the Mutant Liberation Front, X-Factor introduced us to a new team, and Excalibur covered the return of Technet. Each book featured vibrant illustrations and high-quality superhero stories, perfect for both long-time readers and new fans. It was a reboot that did everything right, satisfying the needs of all sides of the fandom simultaneously. The return to basics didn't feel restrictive; on the contrary, it opened up new possibilities. In the context of reboots, it felt almost organic. The success was so great that the artists left to start their own comic company in 1992, founding Image Comics.The 1991 X-Men reboot can never be repeated.The 90s were the decade of the X-Men. While they entered the decade in good shape, it was the 1991 reboot of the six core X-Men comic series that allowed them to continue to dominate. Success wasn't due to any single factor; it was an example of a convergence of circumstances that together made the event truly spectacular. Remember, this was back when comics were sold in every grocery store and pharmacy; if there was a newsstand, there were comics. The power of vivid art attracted millions, and the team became the pop culture giant it is today.In this day and age, this reboot wouldn't work as well as it did then. Comics have changed significantly, and Marvel's 1991 popularity has declined considerably, as has its audience reach. However, the proof of success is in the results. These comics sold in the millions, and even if they were over-ordered, stores still turned a profit and continued to order in large quantities. Kids of the 90s thought the X-Men were cool because of the brilliantly drawn covers, and those who didn't buy comics eventually got hooked by X-Men: The Animated Series. Fans weren't yet so disillusioned and tired of constant reboots. It was a different time. However, it will always hold a special place in the hearts of those of us who were there.

Between Worlds: Chapter 5 Update

Eternal greetings, dear friends!Chapter 5 is complete and is currently with the editor.If everything goes according to plan, it will be ready for publication this week.The plot continues the storyline from Chapter 4:Olmi and Sky are in the classroom with the Creator.The artworks show visual concepts for this scene.Several things are important here:what the Creator himself might look like,and how Sky transitions into Cogitator mode, working in augmented reality directly within Olmi's perception.How he sees them through his eyes:The Creator — as he perceives him,Sky — as she exists in his field of observation at that moment.Below is a short draft fragment from the beginning of the chapter, specifically about Sky's mode.The artworks, however, are from the following scenes later in the episode.—The assistant let out a barely audible sigh. Her external projection flickered, shattered into a cascade of voxels, and vanished from the bridge. But the connection didn't break — Sky suddenly moved closer to Olmi's personal interface. Nearby, her translucent silhouette emerged in the air: a stern gaze, a composed posture, as if she had stepped closer.She could speak to him, display calculations, highlight details, or even "sit" on the armrest nearby — and Olmi saw her as clearly as everything else around. Yet this presence lived inside his consciousness: no one else on the bridge noticed any shadows or voices.In onboard mode, however, everything was different. There, Sky utilized the full power of the "Nomad": the projection became much denser, almost material — she could touch physical objects, flip through interfaces, pick up a table and move it if it was in the way.For her, it was a true pleasure — living in a shared space, being near the bridge not just through sensors, but as a place where she could stand beside the captain and leave her mark on reality.Here, in Cogitator mode, she remains a pure projection within Olmi's mind — closer to thought than to matter, but no less real to her.—Attentive readers might notice something in Sky's name and how she communicates with the hero.This is a conscious nod to a very beloved sci-fi series.And yes, it's a small "easter egg" for the "Star Blood" series by Roman Prokofiev. (The author allowed me to borrow a few things from his universe for mine).

Grounded 2 update sends players into toxic thickets

Obsidian Entertainment has released a major update, The Toxic Tangle, for the cooperative survival simulator Grounded 2. The update expanded the map boundaries by introducing a new biome called "The Garden." This territory is a vertically oriented location featuring an abandoned greenhouse, pumpkin patches, and carrot thickets. The primary backdrop for the events is an out-of-control dose of Tang — a caustic substance resulting from failed Ominent Corporation experiments that now poisons the soil, water, and local inhabitants.Another addition in the update is a rideable pet — a combat ladybug that serves as a heavy tank. It is equipped with a high-pressure water cannon capable of knocking down flying enemies and cleaning toxic contamination from objects. Furthermore, the insect possesses regenerative abilities and can deliver devastating charge attacks. The fauna has expanded to include creatures such as centipedes, potato beetles, and woolly aphids, while a new giant boss, the Snake, has appeared near the croquet court.The mutation system has undergone changes, splitting into active and passive types. Passive upgrades are now applied automatically based on the selected gear set, eliminating the need for frequent menu switching during combat. The construction inventory has been supplemented with pumpkin and scale sets, as well as long-awaited floor hatches. Additionally, the developers updated the weapon arsenal by adding specialized tools for fighting Tang and improved the crafting station interface, enabling interaction with nearby chests.In February, a beta test is planned for the "Playgrounds" mode, which will allow players to create their own arenas and mini-games using tools from the first installment of the series.

Loneliness in neon light

Sometimes all we need is for someone to notice our loneliness. Who guessed which movie this art references?

Anime "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc" has climbed higher on the list of the highest-grossing films in the Japanese box office.

The feature-length anime "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc" (Gekijōban Chainsaw Man Reze-hen) is still in theaters. At the beginning of this year, it entered the top 50 highest-grossing films in the domestic market and began climbing even higher in the rankings. To date, the anime has earned 10.43 billion yen (approximately $67.94 million), taking 47th place among the most successful films in Japanese box office history.The movie was released in September 2025 as a sequel to the "Chainsaw Man" series, based on the manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The feature-length project adapted the Reze story arc from the manga.Earlier this year, the film dropped from fourth to fifth place in the ranking of the highest-grossing films released in Japan in 2025, being overtaken by the Hollywood animated feature "Zootopia 2."Studio MAPPA is responsible for the "Chainsaw Man" anime, and the second season of the series is already in production.The feature-length anime was also released in Russian theaters. According to the latest data, the dubbed version by Flarrow Films earned 233.7 million rubles, while the subtitled version brought in 10.3 million rubles. Together, they grossed 244 million rubles.The film's total worldwide box office has now reached $160.5 million.

Marvel has confirmed the true extent of Hulk's incredible power

If you’ve ever wondered just how strong and resilient the Hulk really is, Marvel Comics is taking his powers to new heights. I’ll admit I haven’t read every Hulk comic, but even I know that he’s the strongest there is. Bruce Banner’s other half has faced monsters, gods, and even the forces of nature itself, and as long as there’s rage in his heart, there’s nothing the Hulk can’t take on. But I do love it when Marvel Comics puts the Hulk through things that really contextualize the Jade Giant’s unbelievable power.Case in point, the new series Hulk: Smash Everything by Ryan North and Vincenzo Carratù. This series was designed to put the idea of Hulk being the strongest to the test. The Hulk was manipulated by his old adversary, the Leader, who sent him after Doctor Strange so that the Leader could steal from Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum. However, Strange was able to redirect Hulk’s anger back towards the Leader. But the Leader was several steps ahead and sent the Hulk several million years into the past, right before one of the worst extinction events in history.Hulk Survives the Asteroid that Wiped Out the DinosaursHulk: Smash Everything #2 begins with the Hulk living his best life, beating up any predator that comes his way. Unfortunately, the behemoth has no clue of the hell about to be leveled on the younger Earth. Hulk has arrived right before the Cretaceous-Paleogene event, where an asteroid is going to wipe out seventy-five percent of all species on Earth. The comic spares no detail in how brutal it’s going to be, describing all the disasters that will follow the space rocks’ destructive arrival. It even likens the power of this extinction event to that of a billion nuclear weapons.And yes, the Hulk is at the dead center of the asteroid’s landing spot. Everything around the Hulk dies in an instant, and there are species that suffer for days or even months as the planet adjusts after being hit by such a powerful force. And yet, despite the inhospitable environment that multiple species couldn’t survive in, Hulk continues to live, fueled by rage, brought on by the intense pain he’s suffering. The comic keeps up the gruesome details, specifically noting that the world is not hot enough to make the Hulk’s flesh boil.But the Hulk goes on. Even as the planet quite literally destroys his body, Hulk regenerates faster than the hellscape can kill him. He’s caught in a cycle of suffering and anger, but that very anger is what keeps him alive. Hulk eventually finds some of the world’s only surviving mammals and begins to release his rage on them, doing what he does best and smash. But this starts to have a grave effect on the present, where the Leader notices Hulk’s actions are throwing the entire timeline out of whack.The Hulk’s Power-Level is Impressive (And Gruesome)It’s one thing to be told how strong the Hulk is. I mean, I know none of us doubt that Banner’s wild half is powerful. But it’s another to actually see just how powerful Hulk is when faced with something as powerful as an extinction event. Ryan North has always excelled in adding in little bits of real-world science and history to enhance the story, and he does an amazing job here. As someone who has trouble understanding just how powerful Hulk is, this was a great (and honestly horrifying) way of showing that.I know that there are years and years of history demonstrating Hulk’s strength, and maybe in the grand scheme of things, surviving something like the Cretaceous-Paleogene event isn’t as impressive as some of his other feats. Still, I always appreciate books that simultaneously show us the cool things that the Hulk can do and give us enough information to help us appreciate what the Hulk is going through. I mean, this was a pretty grizzly story, but I walked away with a much better understanding of the kinds of things Hulk can survive.Hulk: Smash Everything might just be one story among many that highlight the mighty power Hulk has at his disposal. But it’s a damn good and I think it does a great job. We all love seeing the Hulk tear things up, but sometimes, it’s also cool just to see the kind of cosmic punishment the Hulk can withstand. I don’t know what the rest of this series has in store for Hulk, but I am positive it’ll be just as interesting as Hulk surviving the same thing that killed the dinosaurs.

cheerful bunny ears

Cheerful bunny ears and a great mood – the perfect way to spend the day!

Even more details of the new Fable installment from the developers' interview

Following the recent Developer_Direct presentation, where new details regarding the upcoming reboot of the action-RPG Fable were revealed, the developers gave an interview to the international outlet IGN. The journalist spoke with Playground founder and general manager Ralph Fulton to learn more about what was showcased during the live stream.For your convenience, we have compiled a brief summary of all the vital information from the interview. It is worth noting that some points were already known, but we have included them to provide a complete picture.The development history of the new Fable began back in 2016–2017, immediately after Playground Games released the successful Forza Horizon 3. By that time, the team felt they had reached a peak in the racing genre, were working together as a cohesive unit, and wanted to set a professional challenge for themselves by trying their hand at a completely new direction to grow as developers rather than standing still.When the studio approached Xbox with the idea of creating a second team to work on a new genre, they noted that their skills in creating open worlds for Forza Horizon (technical aspects of data streaming, game flow design, and world structure) translate perfectly to other genres and are not solely dependent on the presence of cars. During the discussions, the name Fable emerged, and Xbox leadership emphasized that a British studio must be the one to handle the revival of this franchise to preserve its unique cultural code, which aligned perfectly with the ambitions of Playground Games.The issue of multi-platform availability was resolved in favor of a simultaneous release on all current platforms, which differs from the strategy during the era of the first Forza Horizon, which was an Xbox 360 exclusive. Ralph Fulton explained this by citing the desire of the modern industry and the studio itself to provide access to the game to the widest possible audience from day one, as a developer's primary goal is for as many people as possible to play their project.At the very beginning of the project, the team asked the fundamental question of what constitutes the true essence of Fable, and after studying the archival documents of Lionhead Studios, they derived a formula: "Fable is a fairy tale, not a fantasy." The developers explained that fantasy (like "Game of Thrones" or "The Witcher") is usually large-scale, geopolitical, and serious, whereas a fairy tale is a more personal, grounded story about ordinary people whose lives are invaded by magic, always carrying a moral subtext and even a different color palette.In addition to the fairy-tale quality, "Freedom" and "British Soul" were defined as the most important pillars of the game. Freedom implies the ability to be any kind of hero and the necessity of living with the consequences of one's choices, while the British soul is expressed through specific humor, character accents, and an overall narrative tone described as "Medieval England through a special filter," without which the game simply would not feel like Fable.Ralph Fulton confirmed that the new game is a complete reboot rather than a direct sequel to the old trilogy. This decision was made to give the new team the creative freedom to create their own Albion and tell their own story without being constrained by the chronology and events of past games, although the developers treat the universe's lore with immense respect and utilize its elements.Visually and stylistically, the game returns to the "classic Albion" of the Fable 1 and Fable 2 eras—a pastoral, idyllic, rural world, which is a conscious departure from the industrial and steampunk aesthetics that prevailed in Fable 3. The developers wanted to convey that specific fairy-tale feeling of a magical forest and the Middle Ages that fans of the early installments loved so much.The morality system has undergone significant changes, moving away from the outdated binary "Good – Evil" scale in favor of a more modern and realistic reputation system. In the modern world (and in the game), there is no objective good or evil that everyone would agree upon, so morality is now subjective and depends on how specific people and communities perceive your actions.The player's reputation is now formed based on a witness system and territorial branding. To gain a certain level of fame, your actions must be seen by other characters, and this reputation will stick to you in a specific settlement in the form of a "tag cloud." Meanwhile, in a new city where nobody knows you, you can start with a clean slate and build a completely different image.The classic mechanic of the hero's physical transformation (the appearance of horns, a halo, or skin changes) based on morality has been completely removed from the game. Fulton explained this with two reasons: first, the absence of objective "Evil" makes the appearance of devilish horns meaningless, and second, the possibility of starting a new life in a new settlement would be impossible if the character visually bore the mark of their past sins.One of the most ambitious mechanics in the game is the "Living Population," consisting of more than 1,000 unique, hand-crafted NPCs. The developers opted out of procedural generation to give every resident a unique name, appearance, personality, job, home, and family ties, creating the sensation of a truly living community.The player possesses immense freedom in social interaction with NPCs. You can talk to everyone (all dialogues are fully voiced), get married, have children, hire them for work, or fire them. Residents also play the role of a "Greek chorus," actively commenting on your actions and appearance, even going as far as shouting insults in the street, which serves as an indicator of your current reputation.The size of the game world in square kilometers will be smaller than in the Forza Horizon series, which is dictated by the speed of movement. In racing, the player speeds along at 250 mph, whereas in Fable, the maximum speed is limited to a horse's gallop; therefore, the world was made more compact but incomparably denser and more saturated with detail.The level of world detail is unprecedented for the studio. In the game, you can enter absolutely any building, which required interior design for every single house. This is necessary for the gameplay, as a player might want to rob any house or buy it to live there with their family, so there are no "just decorations" in the cities.The technical foundation of the game is the ForzaTech engine, chosen because the team knows its capabilities perfectly and it possesses a class-leading data streaming system for open worlds. However, to create an RPG, the engine had to be fundamentally rewritten and supplemented, implementing previously absent quest systems, complex character animations, and cinematic scenes, while maintaining the signature photorealistic lighting.There will be no dog companion in the game, which was one of the hardest decisions for Ralph Fulton. He admitted that he removed the dog for production and technical reasons, and a significant portion of the development team still "has not forgiven" him for this decision, jokingly (or not) calling the return of the dog the number-one priority for a potential sequel.Ralph Fulton named Fable 2 as his favorite installment in the series, noting that the sense of place and atmosphere of that game (for example, walking by Bower Lake) became the main source of inspiration when creating the new Albion. It was particularly painful for him to remove the dog specifically because he is a fan of the second part, where the dog played a massive role.At the time of the interview, Peter Molyneux (creator of the original Fable) had not yet seen the new game, but the current development team feels a huge weight of responsibility for the legacy of Lionhead Studios. Fulton emphasized that the new team was assembled from scratch, and people joined Playground Games not just to work at the studio, but specifically to work on Fable, being dedicated fans of the original.Fable will be released in the fall of 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Free-to-play space MMORPG AEXXOS has been released in Steam Early Access

Indie developer SPARTAN GAMES has released the free-to-play space MMORPG AEXXOS in Steam Early Access. The full release is expected in about two years, with four seasons planned to bring numerous improvements and new content to the project.In AEXXOS, players take on the role of a space pilot set out to conquer the galaxy. Users will explore multiple systems, fight various enemies, mine resources, trade, and influence the political landscape of eight factions. To achieve their goals, 25 customizable starships are available.The game world is divided into PvE and PvP locations, and players can form their own corporations to seize control of resource-rich star sectors or establish blockades against rival factions.

Studio MAPPA will create more anime exclusively for Netflix

Streaming giant Netflix will release more anime projects from the renowned studio MAPPA, the creators of shows such as "Chainsaw Man" and "Jujutsu Kaisen." Today, the video service announced a strategic partnership with the studio. Under this partnership, the two companies will collaborate on new projects with a global perspective, spanning from story development to merchandising. As part of the agreement, Netflix will, of course, exclusively stream these original MAPPA anime to its subscribers worldwide.In its announcement, the video service noted that more than half of Netflix subscribers currently watch anime on the platform, and the number of anime views has tripled over the last five years.Details regarding which joint projects Netflix and MAPPA are currently developing will be announced later.In January, the broadcast of the television series "Jujutsu Kaisen: Culling Game – Part 1" began. This is the first part of the third season of "Jujutsu Kaisen."MAPPA is also working on the second seasons of "Chainsaw Man" and "Oblivion Battery." The sequel to the latter will be released in 2027.

New Power Rangers Release Just Delivered The Most Powerful White Ranger Ever

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers delivered one of its best surprises when it revealed that Tommy Oliver was the mysterious new White Ranger, and he would go on to be the main leader of the team in future seasons and in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Movie. Over the years, we’ve seen several iterations and spins on the White Ranger, but the franchise just delivered the most powerful White Ranger ever, and we can’t wait to see more.The newest take on the White Ranger comes from BOOM! Studios’ Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4, and like the original, the identity of the Ranger is also a welcome surprise. During the issue, a new White Ranger shows up to help Leonardo and Tommy (as the Green Ranger), and they make incredibly quick work of a morphed Bebop and Rocksteady. They then reveal themselves to be none other than Splinter, who is not only the new White Ranger but also somehow back from the dead.Splinter Might Be Power Rangers’ Most Powerful White Ranger Ever (And Here’s Why)When Splinter first gets to the scene, he delivers big strikes, kicks, and throws in a blur of speed, making quick work of an entire group of Putties. The enhanced speed and power are obviously a nice upgrade for Splinter, but where the longtime mentor really comes into his own is the mix of martial arts experience, tactical knowledge, and willingness to wait for the perfect moment to strike.Bebop and Rocksteady had already proven to be major threats with their upgraded powers, but Splinter wastes no time in breaking them down with ease. As he points out during the fight, they have raw power, but don’t understand how to use it, and he takes out Bebop with one strike. Rocksteady moves in, but Splinter evades with ease and then brings Saba in for a huge strike that sends Rocksteady right into a rock face first.Splinter even delivers a taunt at the same time, telling Rocksteady, “If your master truly valued you, he would have taught you control.” There’s also the tether to the Morphin Grid, as when explaining how he’s back from the dead, Splinter says, “I cannot explain how, only that when I required it, the power did protect me, and now I have returned to protect you.” The Grid protected Splinter of its own volition, and now he has become the new White Ranger.With the patience, precision, experience, and extensive martial arts training that Splinter already possesses, gaining this major power upgrade easily makes him one of the most powerful White Rangers in the franchise’s history, and hopefully, there’s even more great spotlight moments to come for the new White Ranger as the series heads to its big finale.

The Magic of Pages

Yuni loves diving into new worlds through books, and what story has become your favorite lately?

Solo developer releases cyberpunk PvP shooter Out of Action

Doku Games LTD, a studio consisting of a single developer, has released the first-person multiplayer shooter Out of Action. The game is in early access, which will last from 12 to 18 months, and is available on Steam for 710 rubles.The early access version includes core gameplay, progression, servers, several modes, and a set of test maps. The full release is planned to expand the content with full-scale maps, new modes, additional weapons, and equipment options. Furthermore, improvements will be made to the graphics, sound, and UI, alongside the introduction of new mechanics such as team systems and environmental interactions. Balance and performance will continue to be refined.Out of Action is a multiplayer first-person shooter set in a dark cyberpunk world. The game offers players fast-paced gameplay with the ability to use various types of weapons, including pistols, assault rifles, shotguns, rifles, and grenades. Weapons can be modified with new barrels, sights, attachments, and more. Additionally, various combat maneuvers such as dashing, rolling, and sliding can be performed during matches.

"Ascendance of a Bookworm" Continues: Premiere Date for the New Anime Part by Wit Studio

New details have emerged regarding the continuation of the "Ascendance of a Bookworm" (Honzuki no Gekokujō) anime, which was first announced back in December 2023. The continuation is confirmed to be a fourth season titled "Adopted Daughter of an Archduke," produced by a new studio. Wit Studio (known for the first three seasons of "Attack on Titan" and the first season of "Vinland Saga") is handling the upcoming part of the series.The fourth season is scheduled to premiere on April 4. It will consist of two cours, totaling more than 20 episodes. The opening theme for the project is the song "Pages" performed by Little Glee Monster. This information was officially released on the series' website.The anime is based on the "Ascendance of a Bookworm" light novel series. This upcoming installment will adapt the third part of the book cycle.Previously, the adaptation was handled by studio Ajia-do, which produced three seasons of the series along with a two-part OVA. The first season consisted of 14 episodes, the second of 12, and the third of 10.

Suvi's design

Check out one of Suvi's early designs — would you follow the adventures of such a heroine?

7 Avengers Villains More Powerful Than They Seem

The Avengers are Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and have more than earned that appellation. In fact, an argument can be made that they are the universe’s mightiest heroes. The team is made up of the best heroes (and sometimes villains) on the planet, working together to defeat every threat thrown at them. The Avengers battle the greatest enemies in the universe, having saved all of existence numerous times. Their villains are some of the most well-known characters in comics, like Thanos, Loki, Doctor Doom, and Ultron, enemies that are known for being extremely powerful. Most of the Avengers’ foes are teambusters, and definitely look and feel the part.However, there are other Avengers foes who don’t look or feel like powerhouses that a hundred perfect are. They challenge the team on a regular basis and have shown just how formidable they can be. These seven Avengers villains are much more powerful than they seem, again proving that looks can be deceiving.7) EnchantressThe Avengers battle plenty of formidable female supervillains, but the one who gets overlooked the most is Enchantress. Amora is an Asgardian sorcereress, having helped found the Masters of Evil while try to work her magic over Thor and the rest of Asgard. She has the common Asgardian superhuman capabilities, and has been studying magic created for and by gods for millennia. She’s also extremely crafty, able to outsmart even the most cunning heroes. She’s not a goddess, but she’s basically powerful enough to be one and if she really put her mind to it, she can take down most superhero teams with little trouble.6) Radioactive ManRadioactive Man has been around since the Silver Age and is easily one of the most underrated villains out there. He’s a walking nuclear reactor, able to control radioactivity of all kinds. He’s strong enough to punch it out with Thor, and recently was able to thrash him even though he had the power of the Odin Force and magical weapons that made the Asgardian more powerful than before. His radioactive powers are the most interesting and what sits him apart. He can control and create radiation of all kinds, making him the perfect foe for anyone. He can basically make himself into a walking radiation leak, killing anyone without radiation protective equipment or a superpower that could trump the energy waves. He’s one of the most dangerous humans on the planet, but he rarely gets talked about.5) The HoodThe Hood is an amazing villain, with power that everyone underappreciates. Parker Robbins found a magical cloak, which allowed him to teleport and became the Hood. However, the villain would learn that the cloak was more powerful than anyone imagined, allowing him to transform into a powerful demon form. He was also extremely intelligent and charismatic, allowing him to become a leader of the B and C-list villains of New York City before joining the Cabal and the Superhero Initiative while Norman Osborn was in control of it. Just looking at it him — a regular dude in a cool cloak with two .45 caliber pistols — you wouldn’t expect him to be a demon-powered bruiser who has held the Infinity Gauntlet in the past by beating the Avengers and their allies over and over again.4) GravitonGarviton is a villain who control one of the four fundamental forces of the universe. He’s usually taken out pretty quickly in battle, but that’s because he’s not smart enough to realize how powerful he really is. Gravity is one of the weaker fundamental forces, but it can still be used for basically anything. Graviton, with the right training and focus, could destroy anyone in his way. He can crush nearly anyone, or just stop allowing gravity to hold them down, sending into the depths of space. He could also, conceivably, create a black hole, meaning if he really felt like it, he could end any planet he wants. He’s a truly frightening villain, and can be made into a perfect universe-challenging villain with a little work.3)Absorbing ManThe Absorbing Man has been a member of several powerful Marvel supervillains teams, often acting as the big dumb muscle. Crusher Creel was given his absorbing powers, as well as vast superhuman strength, durability, and his magical ball and chain, by Loki to fight Thor and has been running around robbing banks and getting punched in the face ever since. Creel’s powers are usually used for simple things because he’s a simple man, but if he was smarter, he would be much more powerful, as his powers allow him to become anything he touches. In various Marvel futures, we’ve seen a much smarter Absorbing Man kill loads of heroes with his powers alone. He’s way more formidable than he seems and can tear through all kinds of heroes.2) Count NefariaCount Nefaria was a Maggia (think superpowered mafia) boss who got tired of getting smacked around by the heroes, and gave himself ion energy powers. In the Marvel Universe, ion energy usually makes people into energy beings that are basically indestructible and amazing strong, with different people having different powers. Nefaria defeated one of the most powerful Avengers rosters (which included Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Wonder Man, Beast, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and several more of the best Avengers ever) all by himself, and was even able to take down both the Avengers and the Thunderbolts. We haven’t seen him in ages, but he’s guy who can knock out Thor and Wonder Man, which is something that few villains have been able to do.1) Kang the ConquerorKang the Conqueror is one of the Avengers’ most overpowered villains, but a lot of fans have never really seen how powerful he is. Kang the Conqueror has spent his life conquering enemies from across time, and has been able to travel across the multiverse and kill the Avengers. Basically, every hero and villain has been killed somewhere in the multiverse by Kang. This might not seem like such a big deal, but Kang is an honorable man when it comes to fighting, and has killed every single one of them in battle, on his own. That’s the true power level of Kang, making him one of the most deadly villains in comics.

Survivors in Once Human have learned to merge with monster bodies in the Season 3 update.

NetEase Games has released a major update for the multiplayer survival simulator Once Human, launching the "Visional Wheel" season. Its core mechanic is the ability to merge with defeated monsters. Players can borrow the abilities and physical traits of special Deviants, literally wearing the heads of slain enemies. This symbiosis provides unique skills from specific factions and will be a necessary requirement for exploring new anomaly zones with aggressive environments.The game has added three types of high-danger zones where conventional technology and weaponry are less effective. In Wild Zones, giant animals dominate, and the effectiveness of firearms is reduced, forcing a shift to melee combat. Mirror Territories are filled with deceptive reflections that enemies use as cover for sniper fire. In Phantom Zones, the environment constantly shifts between reality and illusion, allowing enemies to hide in plain sight. Merging with Deviants will help players adapt to the toxic atmosphere of these locations to gather valuable resources.Once Human's bestiary has been expanded with three dangerous creatures featuring unique interaction mechanics. The Devourer inhabits mines, attacking those who are too active in harvesting resources within its lair. The invincible Sonivor has appeared on battlefields, navigating solely by sound. It is impossible to defeat it with conventional weapons, so players will have to use noise distraction tactics. The third opponent is the Hoarder Beetle, which steals items from overburdened characters. Stealing items from its nest will result in a long-term pursuit, as the stolen goods are permanently marked by the monster.Additionally, the update brought technical improvements and expanded social features. As part of the "Survive, Capture, Preserve" scenario, cross-server battles have become available, and the building system now allows players to share territory blueprints with others using special codes. Extensive balance adjustments for classes and gameplay mechanics were also implemented for the RaidZone mode.

Fans have once again pushed the anime "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End" to the top spot on MyAnimeList, but this time it's for the second season.

Thought with the release of the second season on January 16, the anime "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End" has not only made a triumphant return but also solidified its leadership position. Immediately after the premiere of the first episode, the series once again topped the global MyAnimeList rankings, maintaining its title as the highest-rated anime in the platform's history.Moreover, the new season has broken its own record. With an average score of 9.33, it surpassed the rating of the first season (9.28), which had held the top spot since 2024. It took "Frieren" only 24 minutes to achieve this — exactly the runtime of the premiere episode.

7 Most Anticipated Spider-Man/Superman Crossovers

In case you hadn’t heard, Spider-Man and Superman are about to meet again for the first time in years. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel and DC Comics are putting out two new crossover specials in March and April. And, much like the Big Two’s Deadpool and Batman crossover one-shots from last year, these specials will feature one main story along with a handful of backup crossovers from some big-name talents. Only this time, the crossovers will mostly focus on Spider-Man and Superman’s supporting characters interacting.Obviously, it’s a few months away from either book’s release date. But thanks to the solicited material, we know what many of these stories will focus on. Aside from Superman and Spider-Man working together to stop the villainous team-up of Brainiac and Doctor Octopus, we’ll be getting team-ups between the Golden Age Superman and Spider-Man Noir or Miles Morales and Jon Kent. There are a lot of really interesting stories lined up for the specials, but sound ike they’ll truly grab fans? Read on to discover 7 of the most anticipated crossover stories from Spider-Man and Superman’s upcoming specials.7. Spider-Family vs. Superman FamilyGeoff Johns is teaming up with his frequent collaborator Gary Frank for a story in Marvel’s side of the crossover, which is a pretty amazing get on its own. But what’s even cooler is that the two are going to be giving fans a story described as a ‘crisis’ when Mysterio is somehow able to turn the Superman and Spider-Man families against one another. I’ve been afraid that certain characters would be left out of this crossover, but knowing Johns, he’s going to fit as many characters in here as possible to really make this story hit hard.6. Daily Planet and Daily BugleI love that DC and Marvel are acknowledging the irony of Superman and Spider-Man having a newspaper that plays an incredibly important role in their respective franchises. And I love it even more that Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott are going to be the ones to helm that story. I can already see J. Jonah Jameson getting into a yelling match while the staffs of the respective papers deliver hilarious commentary. Maybe it’s not as exciting as some of the other crossovers, but I think this creative team can get a lot out of bringing the Planet and Bugle together.5. Miles Morales and Jon KentI am incredibly relieved that Miles Morales isn’t being left out of this crossover (I was worried when he wasn’t anywhere to be seen in DC’s special). Thankfully, he’ll be in Marvel’s one-shot, where his creators, Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, are bringing him together with Jon Kent. It makes sense, both are incredibly huge legacy characters, and they both know what it’s like trying to make a huge hero’s identity their own. I think these two should have a pretty good conversation (and hopefully, a good team-up fight against one of their villains).4. Superboy-Prime and Black Suit Spider-ManI absolutely love that Superboy-Prime is back as a character in the DCU, especially since he’s just in time to be a part of this whole crossover affair. Christopher Priest and Daniel Sampere are coming together to take the biggest DC Comics fanboy and have him meet Spider-Man, just after he got the black suit. I can only imagine how bitter and hilarious this encounter is going to be. I’ve got no doubt the insults and fists are going to fly the moment these two meet, and I 100% can’t wait to see how it’s going to go down.3. Spider-Man Noir and Golden Age SupermanI figured Dan Slott would be involved in some capacity, given his incredibly long run on Spider-Man. But strangely enough, he’s not writing a story about Peter Parker, but rather, his hard-boiled variant, Spider-Man Noir. And who better to team that version of Spider-Man up with than another throwback, the Golden Age Superman? Slott is working together with Marcos Martin to bring this team-up to life, and I am all for it. No clue what the two heroes will do together, but I have confidence Slott and Martin are going to bring some amazing flair to this story.2. Superman and Spider-ManOf course, we have to talk about the main feature, right? I mean, what’s more exciting than Superman working side-by-side with the Man of Steel? Personally, I’m looking forward to DC’s special more, where the main crossover is being done by Mark Waid and Jorge Jiménez. This story will see Clark Kent and Peter Parker working together to stop Brainiac and Doctor Octopus in a team-up that could threaten the entire world. Waid knows these characters intimately, and Jiménez is one of the best artists working today, and I think this is going to be a real treat for fans.1. Jimmy Olsen and CarnageIf anything sold me on this new crossover, it’s Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber reuniting to tell another Jimmy Olsen story years after their run on the character ended. Fraction and Lieber haven’t lost their touch as they’re putting Jimmy into yet another chaotic situation by putting him in a story with Carnage. There are no additional details, but I don’t need them. This creative team and those characters are all I need to know that this is going to be one of the best Marvel and DC crossover stories ever made.

The first public demo of the Scars of Honor MMORPG will be released in early 2026

Beast Burst Entertainment has released the first issue of its developer diaries, confirming plans for the initial public demo of the Scars of Honor MMORPG. During the upcoming testing, expected in early 2026, users will be able to explore the project's core mechanics, including the talent system and "Scars" (character modifiers), evaluate the variety of playable races, and battle the first groups of enemies in the open world. This stage is set to be a major milestone for the project, which has evolved from a small indie concept into a large-scale production by a studio of over one hundred specialists across various fields.The developers also explained their decision to launch Scars of Honor specifically on Steam. Valve's storefront was chosen as the primary platform due to its community engagement tools and its capabilities for regular update releases.Scars of Honor has received a visual overhaul, including a redesigned lighting system and entirely handcrafted environment assets. The gameplay focuses on cooperative play and competitive elements. A central part of the world's structure is five-person group dungeons, notable for allowing members of opposing factions to unite for clears. The adventure's dynamic is driven by procedural challenge generation, ensuring that every visit to a location offers a unique experience. For fans of player-versus-player combat, the game features 5v5 arenas and battlefields, where the emphasis is placed on personal skill and the tactical flexibility of the chosen specialization.

Morning in the company of Uni

Yuni believes that you simply need to take a break and enjoy the moment with her and a cup of hot chocolateRate the new art!

The box office earnings for the anime "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle" in the domestic market have exceeded 39 billion yen.

The total box office for the first part of the "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle" trilogy has surpassed 39 billion yen in the Japanese market. The feature-length anime was released almost six months ago and, according to the latest data, has already earned 39.2 billion yen (approximately $247.6 million).The film premiered on July 18, 2025. With its massive earnings, it became the highest-grossing film in the Japanese box office for 2025. It also ranks as the second highest-grossing domestic film of all time. The top spot is still held by the anime "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train," which was released in 2020 and earned 40.75 billion yen.In the global box office, the project's total has reached $724.3 million. It has become the seventh highest-grossing release of 2025 and the highest-grossing Japanese film in history.In the announced "Infinity Castle" trilogy, studio ufotable will adapt the remaining part of the original "Demon Slayer" manga for the big screen. However, release dates for the second and third parts of the trilogy have not yet been announced.

3 Reasons Damian Wayne Is Actually the Best Robin

Batman has a lot of Robins. It’s actually become something of a sticking point for some fans, the number of young sidekicks that the Dark Knight has had take up that mantle over the years. While Dick Grayson was the first, he certainly wasn’t the last, with Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and several others all putting on the red and green suit over the years. With so many different people having held the mantle, it’s no surprise that fans have their favorites.But while Tim and Dick frequently are cited as the “best” Robins, the most recent person to hold that title may actually deserve to be on that list as well. Damian Wayne has been a divisive character since his introduction, but he’s also proven himself to be one of the more complex characters to serve as sidekick to Batman. Here are three reasons Damian Wayne is the best Robin.3) He’s Carving His Own PathImage Courtesy of DC ComicsDamian is unique as a Robin in many ways, but the biggest is that he was quite literally born into this life. As the son of Talia al Ghul, his early life saw him trained and indoctrinated into the League of Assassins before being left in the care of his father, Bruce Wayne and introduced to his crusade for justice. That duality is much of what we see define Damian early on with him seeing the role as Robin as his birthright but also not necessarily wanting to let go of the more brutal version of justice that he learned with the League.However, over time we’ve seen things shift with Damian. The longer he serves with Batman, the more we’re seeing him start to establish his own version of what it means to pursue justice as well as seeing him figure out who he is as a person outside of the suit as well and he’s doing it in a way that is different than what we’ve seen from other characters. For both Dick and Tim in particular, finding their place has always led to trying to become something new — Nightwing in Dick’s case, Red Robin in Tim’s — but for Damian it’s more about acceptance. the recent Batman and Robin run saw Damian fully embrace his place as a Wayne and what it means to be his own form of Robin, so much so that he found balance in serving Gotham by day by helping in hospitals and by night as being his very own, very distinct version of Robin.2) He Formed His Own Teen TitansThe Teen Titans are something of a fixture in DC and you really can’t have the Teen Titans without a Robin and during the Rebirth era, Damian takes his turn. He first brought the team — comprised of Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, and Kid Flash — together after they become targets of the Demon’s Fist as part of an initiation into the League, but after they disband and he realizes he needs help dealing with the crime lord known as The Other, he starts up his own, new team.Damian brings together Kid Flash, Red Arrow, Crush, Roundhouse, and Djinn to create this new version of the Teen Titans, but this isn’t just a situation of some heroes coming together to fight alongside each other as has typically been the case with previous teen teams. Damian has to actually teach and train his allies to work together as a team. It demonstrates a different level of skill and leadership than what we’re used to seeing from the other Robins, revealing just how different Damian actually is in terms of his strengths.1) He’s the Robin Most Like BatmanThe thing that might set Damian apart as the best Robin, however, might be just how much like Batman he actually is in the best possible way: the lengths he will go to save people and the strategies he will employ to do it. A prime example of this is in Joshua Williams’ Robin. The run sees Damian abandon his mantle as Robin after having a falling out with Batman and enter the League of Lazarus tournament to prove he’s the greatest fighter in the DC Universe. But here’s the thing: it’s a tournament where you have to kill others.What starts as a chance to prove himself turns into an opportunity to take down a real threat, leader of the League of Lazarus, Mother Soul. Not only does Damian risk his own life by entering the tournament where death could end up being permanent, but he makes friends and alliances with his opponents in order to take down Mother Soul. It’s a bold move of strategy that shows that he is very much Batman’s son in ways no other Robin can claim.

New energetic trailer for the fourth season of Re:Zero.

The fourth part of Subaru and company's adventures is getting closer, but since there is still time until April, White Fox has shared a fresh trailer for the continuation of the anime Re:Zero — Starting Life in Another World.The new episodes will also be shown officially in Russia. Judging by the video, viewers won't be bored: there will be plenty of action interspersed with suffering. For the opening, Japanese singer and franchise veteran Konomi Suzuki (No Game No Life, Summer Pockets) recorded the song "Recollect" together with American rapper Ashnikko, a fragment of which can be heard in the clip.

25 best games of the first quarter of the 21st century

A subjective top list by Artem Dichenko — a gamer who still loves games even after all these years. In his own words:Over the last 25 years, games have come a long way. From blocky models to ultra-detailed characters, from what now looks like laughable visuals to photorealistic graphics, and from meager dialogues to deeply developed relationships between a multitude of heroes. And yet, many old games remain unsurpassed to this day; they still captivate our eyes and evoke warm memories from a single screenshot.It is only fair to write a collection of this kind from the heart, ignoring the objective state of affairs. I have included only those games that influenced my taste and my development as a gamer. No "universally acclaimed masterpieces" that are supposedly required for every top list. However, criticizing or praising the article is both allowed and encouraged — after all, that is why we are here. The games are presented in alphabetical order.Alan Wake 2 A masterpiece of modern game development. Gameplay-wise, Sam Lake’s latest creation doesn't reinvent the wheel; much is borrowed from the recent Resident Evil titles, and it offers nothing revolutionary in that regard. Narratively, however, it is a grand project that interacts with the player on several levels at once. Two main protagonists who only cross paths in the final third of the playthrough. Vastly different settings, a truly terrifying atmosphere, and brilliantly written detective lines — all of this defines the sequel to the original Alan Wake, which was far from the most outstanding game.It is important to note: this horror game requires total immersion. I only played it when no one could disturb me and the lights were off. Only then does the story feel magical and real, and the Dark Presence is perceived as a creature you fear far more than the villains and monsters in 99% of the games I've played.Battlefield 3 A case where a traditionally multiplayer-focused game can boast a top-tier single-player mode. Competition with the best Call of Duty campaigns motivated DICE to write a superb script, season it with heavy-hitting action, and add a dash of madness. The result is a pinpoint blockbuster that, by some miracle, hasn't been adapted for the big screen yet!Additionally, Battlefield offered top-of-the-line online battles with signature destruction that reached a new level thanks to the updated engine. Subsequently, the series felt decent (or even great, as with BF1) in multiplayer, but the single-player modes failed completely. Perhaps we will never see such a cohesive experience again.Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) If Half-Life 2 taught developers of the 2000s how to make "road movie" games, Modern Warfare 2 showed how to work with staging and framing, how to write epic stories involving a massive confrontation between two superpowers, and, in passing, how to create addictive online modes.Fans essentially received two games for the price of one. In the single-player, we watched in shock as terrorists gunned down people in Sheremetyevo and marveled at General Shepherd's betrayal. Meanwhile, the multiplayer offered tons of fun and perfected the "killstreak" feature. Without the first two Modern Warfare titles, the series would look entirely different and likely wouldn't have become the 4th best-selling franchise of all time (surpassed only by Mario, Tetris, and Pokémon).Cyberpunk 2077 Cyberpunk is an underrated setting that the industry hasn't given much attention to. Everything changed after the release of Cyberpunk 2077 — the latest major project from CD Projekt RED. This game combines both successful and unsuccessful ideas, and it's no wonder it divided gamers into two camps. The flaws, however, will likely be fixed in future sequels.As for the positives — it is undoubtedly the stunning art style, the soundtrack, and the narrative. One wants to replay Cyberpunk just for the stylish visuals, that specific main menu theme, and the amazing characters and the stories they get entangled in.I am certain that the disastrous 2020 release taught the company's management how not to do things. At the very least, it taught competitors and other publishers — game delays have become even more frequent. No one wants to go through the same collapse and the hatred of millions of players forced to return discs or demand digital refunds.Deus Ex: Human Revolution Games don't often impress with style, but the third Deus Ex provides a masterclass. The design of the cities of the future is executed brilliantly, and the soundtrack sets the perfect mood. Even the trailers are a gut-punch: stylish visuals combined with Adam Jensen’s charismatic voice and a striking track sell this stealth game in five minutes.Human Revolution continues the work started by Warren Spector. There are countless ways to reach a target point — take your pick. I personally enjoyed hacking terminals and robots, or sometimes lurking in the vents, as the action mechanics felt archaic and underdeveloped.The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Skyrim is so successful that Bethesda has allowed itself not to release a new installment of The Elder Scrolls for 15 years now. Todd Howard can be pleased with the work done, especially since the studio truly outdid itself back then.Skyrim is more than a game; it is life itself. I haven't even finished the main questline: it’s not interesting at all, even after all these years. The point isn't the story; you just want to dissolve into the snow and never leave. Brew potions, read thick tomes, occasionally head out on dungeon raids, or try to become a master assassin. Or a mage capable of leading the Mages Guild.And with mods, Skyrim turns into whatever you want it to be! But be careful, as you might lose interest in other games.FIFA (EA Sports FC) Choosing the "best" entry in the football simulator series is pointless: the games evolve gradually and gain new mechanics within modes. Sometimes developers' decisions are unpopular, and they roll everything back in the next installment. But what FIFA has always been good at is satisfying the demands of tens of millions of people, many of whom aren't even football fans.If you want to play virtual ball with a best friend a couple of times a month to determine who's better — FC is there for you. If you've long supported Manchester United, Milan, Atletico, or any other of the top 10,000 teams in the world — play the career mode and lead them to the top and a Champions League or, say, Copa Libertadores victory. If you want to compete with players across the planet — you play Ultimate Team.I've played FIFA for over 20 years, sometimes skipping releases, but always spending rainy autumn evenings with interest.Grand Theft Auto III The GTA series is constantly evolving, offering increasingly realistic worlds, well-written heroes, and an immeasurable amount of content. But after replaying the entire main cycle, I confidently call "Three" the most important part of the iconic franchise.This is thanks to the discovery of the recipe for the perfect action game. It was in GTA 3 that Rockstar found that exact balance of swashbuckling satire, insane carnage, and a reasonably realistic world. Collecting adult magazines, rigging a target's car with explosives, or just driving through a small-scale analog of New York — it’s fire! Everything that came after in the series was just an expansion of the idea, often only in breadth.Half-Life 2 The only game more influential than this might be Doom, which came out back in the 90s. Half-Life 2 changed the shooter genre forever, showing how to make captivating blockbusters. The hero doesn't just sit still; he experiences a true journey through a dystopian world near City 17. Instead of watching ordinary cutscenes, we experience events in real-time without any gameplay pauses.The shooter has aged wonderfully: playing it in the 2020s is just as thrilling as it was at launch. We can thank the diverse gameplay mechanics, realistic physics, and the cult-classic story, the continuation of which I am still waiting for (though my faith is fading). Do you believe in a sudden announcement?Heavy Rain David Cage’s creation introduced me to the interactive cinema genre. And how good Heavy Rain is! After playing it, you forget about the movie Se7en, which the authors were clearly inspired by. It’s all due to the drama and the incredible atmosphere of this interactive thriller: the game penetrates your mind and stays there for years.The story of the "Origami Killer" isn't exactly a unique trope; it's been seen in many places. Но not in the video game format, where prior to the 2010s, games rarely featured powerful storytelling. When the protagonist cuts off his own finger, or a journalist balances at a great height, I truly became them for a moment — experiencing serious shock and emotion. It's a pity the genre has moved in a different direction now, as games like Heavy Rain are sorely missed.Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 I haven't managed to finish this massive RPG yet, which will likely take over 200 hours. Но after 30 hours, it’s already clear what the Czech studio Warhorse, led by Daniel Vávra, is aiming for — nothing less than the laurels of a new The Witcher.Beyond its scale, the project surprises with its authenticity and realism. The creators clearly want players to feel the atmosphere of medieval Bohemia, see the daily life of locals ranging from peasants to nobility, and participate in real battles for the liberation of what is now the Czech Republic from aggressive Hungary. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a gem of modern action-RPGs with its own unique vibe. After submitting this text, I’ll go back to roaming around Trosky!The Last of Us I’m already tired of this game; I’ve played it 5 or 6 times. But when the remaster of the remake comes out on PlayStation 6, I’ll still be among the first buyers. It was love at first sight: even on PS3, the game enchanted with its green post-apocalypse, where nature reclaimed the world from man. The story of Joel and Ellie has lived for 13 years and shows no sign of fading into eternity: in a year or two, the third season of the show will be released, and one day, I’m sure, we will play the threequel.People bought PlayStation consoles specifically for The Last of Us. Furthermore, there are plenty of stories of people becoming "true gamers" after experiencing Naughty Dog’s magnificent action-adventure. It's all thanks to a unique blend of several genres, excellent cinematic direction, and a powerful narrative that feels perfectly at home on premium television.Life is Strange The success of Quantic Dream and Telltale projects paved the way for young studios. The French are leading the way not just in 2025; ten years prior, Don't Nod created the highly intriguing Life is Strange. A project that initially targeted a teenage audience ended up appealing to many — and became one of the highest-rated titles of 2015.This artsy adventure doesn't just tell a cool sci-fi story about choice, love, friendship, and growing up. The creators incorporated thriller elements to add suspense and emotion. The detective line also succeeded — the girls eventually find the pervert who drugs teenagers and films them.Over time, it became clear: Life is Strange is one of the most important games of its period, influencing both interactive cinema and the then-emerging genre of teenage dramas.Limbo A moment of confession — I don't care for the indie scene. I could write about this at length; one day I’ll release a "revelation" text. But Limbo made an indelible impression on me years ago.It is a small masterpiece, and the very game I would show my mother when she finally decides to try something new. It features simple mechanics that are easy to master, a minimalist "monochrome" art style that will never go out of date, and a great narrative premise — escape the creepy forest before you get eaten.Mafia People love to compare Mafia to GTA 3, though it never made much sense. While the projects are gameplay-wise similar, stylistically and in spirit, they are vastly different games. The first Mafia is likely the best project from game director Daniel Vávra, who released his largest game, Deliverance 2, a year ago.Why? Well, it’s about the story and the cohesion of the project. Vávra and his colleagues created a video game version of The Godfather, but from the perspective of an ordinary man, a confused person who realized years later that he had turned down the wrong path. The charm of Mafia is added by the "closed" nature of its open world: it lacks side quests, random encounters, and the gimmicks typical of GTA and its clones. Nothing distracts from the narrative — a grand opus about the rise of a criminal authority and how such stories usually end.Metro Exodus ​The whole series is good, but Exodus showcased the massive ambitions of the Ukrainian developers at 4A Games. It’s one thing to create atmospheric linear shooters based on Glukhovsky’s (recognized as a foreign agent) novels — essentially bestsellers loved worldwide.It’s an entirely different thing to bring the action to the surface, show the beautiful expanses of Russia and Kazakhstan, and make an adventure game where the heroes are constantly on the move, no longer confined by the Moscow Metro. Then again, these are the same people who once made the cult classic S.T.A.L.K.E.R.And they succeeded brilliantly, once again. Metro Exodus is a much more mature and expensive project, and the world feels alive and authentic. I don't like it when small studios try to make open worlds, but in this case, the authors learned from the best (is it just me seeing Half-Life vibes?) and adapted it for themselves. I’m waiting for the new Metro; I urgently need a trailer!Need for Speed: Underground In my humble opinion, open worlds are not a panacea, and this applies to all genres. The old Underground still plays great today, and it doesn't need an open world, which only distracts from the racing, car tuning, and fun cutscenes that take me back to my teenage years.I’ve spent hundreds of hours in various Forza Horizons and I love the physics and car behavior there. But when I think of racing, the stylish Need for Speed: Underground is the first that comes to mind. Maybe it’s the neon and the night races. Or maybe it’s the infinitely great soundtrack that influenced my musical taste. The curators who picked Static-X, Story Of The Year, and T.I. are masters of their craft; I bow down to them. If you don’t know those bands, you’ll definitely remember "Get Low" (Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz), which will live forever.Red Dead Redemption 2 If GTA 3 propelled Rockstar to the status of gaming industry stars, Red Dead Redemption 2 showed that the studio is capable of creating truly adult works. Call it what you want, even the "Citizen Kane" of video games.While Niko Bellic and Michael de Santa were capable of reflection and critical self-assessment, they are nowhere near the depth and humanity of Arthur Morgan. As a bandit and a quite violent man, Arthur gradually reevaluates his surroundings and his role in what is happening — something AAA games hadn't offered us before.Resident Evil 7 One of the most important horrors in video game history. Firstly, it showed Capcom that it was time to return to the series' roots, and that gamers were much more interested in that than in strange cooperative shooters and attempts at epic scale.Secondly, Resident Evil 7 influenced the genre. Horrors became fashionable again, and their decline in the 2010s proved to be short-lived. I really liked the creepy story of the Baker family and how skillfully the authors integrated biological weapons into what seemed like a self-contained and not-at-all large-scale plot.Sid Meier’s Civilization V My introduction to the franchise, which happened in the early 2010s, played a role here. The fifth "Civ" was awe-inspiring due to the number of possibilities and the fact that you could lead a particular civilization to hegemony (or ruin, since the player holds the reins).As I learned much later, the signature battles with one unit type per hex appeared specifically with Civ 5 (as did the hexes themselves). This decision made combat many times more interesting, as the "doomstack" format from earlier games had simply become obsolete.Another selling point is the visual style of "Five." Beautiful graphics with many animations and visual effects, a wealth of detail, a highly readable map, and most importantly, it uses realistic colors and an artistic style. Subsequent parts of the series suffer from excessive cartoonishness or caricature.Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege The shooter that motivated me to learn how to shoot and be tactically flexible, as well as to feel like part of a team. Before "Siege," multiplayer games didn't really interest me, but with its release, I almost abandoned single-player games (luckily, only for a few years).Many are fans of CS, but as far as I'm concerned, that's about pure skill. "Rainbow" is built on a similar foundation, but the variety of operators, their abilities, and gadgets make the shooter an attraction of unprecedented possibilities. Over my 1,000 hours, I’ve tried more than 60 operators and thoroughly studied all the maps — and I’m sure that no other military game provides as many variations of events and tactics. It's a pity that the current focus on colorful skins ruins the atmosphere so much.Uncharted 2: Among Thieves If I were asked to name a blockbuster that epitomizes action video games, I would choose the second Uncharted. There is a lot of shooting here, which might deter some modern players, but older games always tended to be heavy on the action.Otherwise, it is an exemplary sequel. Instead of an overabundance of jungles, there are fantastic levels across different corners of the Earth. Instead of the tired greenery, you get the snow-white Himalayas with advanced snow physics. The humor improved, the heroes became more vibrant and human, and the graphics… Oh, those graphics—the developers squeezed every last drop of power out of the PS3!I know everyone adores Uncharted 4, but for me, "Two" is the undisputed authority. If only because its trailers were what pushed me to buy the first console of my life a long time ago. That literally transformed my gaming experience.The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Not many truly great role-playing games have been released over these years. In the 2010s, the crown was taken by The Witcher 3—a project of such grand scale that I settled into it for more than 300 hours. This RPG gets its special charm, of course, from the Slavic setting, culture, and music. I would give a lot for a Belarusian variation, but to be honest, the differences aren't that vast—so thanks to CD Projekt for popularizing our culture and folklore.One could nitpick Wild Hunt for dozens of reasons, but the game will likely be polished to perfection in the upcoming sequels; it won't be long now. And yet, its atmosphere, soundtrack, and… okay, dozens, maybe hundreds of other "pros" make the game completely special and unforgettable. As for Gwent—well, I'm still playing that with my friends to this day.The Wolf Among Us I like The Walking Dead in its interactive format, but that story is a bit dull and relies solely on character interaction and the drama of a few plotlines. A year later, Telltale released a prequel to the acclaimed Fables comic series—the interactive series The Wolf Among Us.And it is a very cool thing: a mature story, powerful detective lines, charismatic characters, and suspense, after all. I recently got around to reading the Fables comics—and I have to admit, Telltale captured the spirit of Bill Willingham's work, which took folk fairy tales and showed how their characters would behave if they found themselves in our world. Pure delight!Space Rangers 2: Dominators SR2 is a completely special game in which I wanted to live without breaks for real life. I adore the text quests; although they look somewhat foreign within the general gameplay framework, they still provide many magnificent stories—it's like reading interactive novellas.Otherwise, it is a solid simulator with elements of strategy, RPG, and a bunch of other genres, which never falters in any of its elements. Flying across the Galaxy, fighting the Dominators, upgrading and modifying your ship to the mesmerizing ambient music—it's a real joy. Perhaps one day my dream will come true, and the Russian game industry will give Space Rangers fans a full-fledged, long-awaited threequel.Write in the comments which 21st-century games became your favorites!

New art with Suvi!

In the Universum multiverse, there are no limits to transformation — today Suvi takes on the role of a femme fatale vampire, proving that in post-singular reality, you can live thousands of lives in any form

The most anticipated games of 2026 – a large selection

In 2026, we will face only one problem: where to find the time for all these games?! The release schedule looks so powerful that completing new titles could stretch on for months. Vast worlds await us, where it’s easy to lose oneself completely: from the sunlight of Vice City to the grim Valley of Mines.To ensure you don’t get lost in the endless announcements, we have included the year's early projects. Of course, this is far from everything, and the industry surely has a few loud surprises in store, but for now, let’s focus on this list. It is truly worth clearing your schedule and perhaps taking a few days off for these games. Let’s see what to prepare for.GTA VITo talk about this game is to state the obvious. This event exists far beyond the boundaries of the gaming industry, turning into a cultural phenomenon. Unless Rockstar decides to play with our nerves and push the dates, the world will momentarily stop on November 19, 2026. This is the studio's first release since the epochal Red Dead Redemption 2 and the first Grand Theft Auto in thirteen years.Expectations for the story of Lucia and Jason are not just exaggerated; they are somewhere in the stratosphere. People will buy consoles, take sick leave, and forget their families' existence for this game. Vice City returns, and by all accounts, the level of detail in the open world will once again set a benchmark that competitors will be chasing for another decade.Marvel’s WolverineInsomniac Games has finally cemented its status as Sony's main hit factory. But while Spider-Man was bright and swift, the story of Wolverine promises to be quite different. This is a dark linear action game that, in spirit and direction, is closer to God of War than to swinging on webs. And this is exactly what comic book fans have been longing for.For the first time in a while, we will get a superhero blockbuster with an "adult" rating, where Logan's claws will shine brilliantly while doing their dirty work. The developers promise a brutal combat system and a grim, grounded narrative. Given the trust in the studio, we are in for one of the most powerful and violent single-player adventures of the year.Gears of War: E-DayThe developers at The Coalition clearly heard the pleas of the fans and decided to radically shift the series' direction. Instead of another colorful blockbuster, we are looking at a return to the dark, almost horror-like origins of the very first part. Players will witness the Emergence Day and the collapse of civilization through the eyes of the young Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago.Even the debut trailer was enough for veterans to start dusting off their Lancers. The authors are betting on a thick atmosphere of hopelessness and top-tier visuals on Unreal Engine 5. For Xbox, this is perhaps the main exclusive of the year, intended to remind the entire industry why we once fell in love with this grim universe of "square-jawed men."007 First LightThe tandem of IO Interactive and the 007 universe is a rare case where a license fell into perfect hands. But don't expect a simple "Hitman" in new scenery. The developers are intentionally moving away from the usual formula of slow-paced sandboxes to tell a legend's origin story in the format of a high-budget, directed blockbuster.The studio will have to step out of its comfort zone and merge its signature social stealth with explosive dynamics. Bond is not Agent 47; he acts boldly, sometimes loudly, but always with style. Instead of endless hiding in closets, we expect more improvisation and adrenaline. If IOI finds the balance between tactics and gunfights, 007 First Light will become the best gaming adaptation of the spy classic.FableThe reboot of the cult series is perhaps the most controversial and difficult long-term project on Microsoft's list. The game's path to release is paved not with rose petals, but with heated debates: the first showings caused not so much nostalgia as a storm of criticism. Players accused the developers of questionable character design and attempts to appeal to a "progressive audience," fearing that the original's mischievous soul would be lost behind modern trends.Skepticism is fueled by the fact that the founding father is no longer at the helm. And no matter how we feel about Peter Molyneux with his endless "fairytales" and unfulfilled promises, one fact must be acknowledged: it was his unique, sometimes mad authorial vision that allowed these original and amazing projects to be born. Without his charisma, Fable risks becoming just "another RPG."Playground Games, which has mastered racing, faces a titanic task. They need to not just paint a beautiful picture, but prove they understand the very essence of Albion better than internet critics. We are promised that the spirit of the series is preserved and the British humor is intact, but whether they can replace Molyneux's genius with quality game design—we will find out soon.JudasKen Levine, who gave us BioShock, returns after ten years of silence. Visually, Judas is very similar to his past works: a weapon in one hand, magic in the other. But the essence of the game is entirely different. Levine decided to abandon a linear plot in favor of a bold experiment he calls "narrative LEGO."You find yourself on a crumbling starship in the company of three leaders, each pulling the blanket toward themselves. The entire gameplay is built on trying to sit on three chairs at once. The game does not assign you friends or enemies—you choose them through your actions. If you help one, the other two will remember and try to kill or frame you. The script here is not written in advance but is assembled on the fly depending on whom you support.Knowing Levine's perfectionism, guaranteeing a 2026 release is difficult. But if this relationship system truly works as intended, we will get a unique shooter that can be played dozens of times, each time yielding a new story.Resident Evil RequiemFor three decades, we have been fighting bio-terrorism, and in honor of the anniversary, Capcom is taking us back to where it all began—to the cursed Raccoon City. More precisely, to its aftermath: Requiem ignores Ethan Winters' arc, positioning itself as a direct sequel to Resident Evil 6 and the cult Outbreak dilogy.The plot brings us to an abandoned hotel in the Midwest. Grace Ashcroft—an FBI analyst and daughter of journalist Alyssa, who survived the '98 catastrophe—is tasked with unraveling the web of secrets. She relies on deduction, but Leon Kennedy's role remains a mystery: whether he will help Grace or, conversely, hinder the investigation is a big question. Time has not spared the hero, adding wrinkles and cynicism.Technically, Capcom is also taking a step forward by offering hybrid gameplay in Resident Evil Requiem: you now choose how to be afraid—from a first-person perspective or a third-person view. Trust in Capcom is currently limitless: the studio produces hit after hit, so we are surely in for a benchmark survival horror that will make your blood run cold.Clockwork RevolutionThe masters of tactical RPGs from inXile, known for the Wasteland series, are entering the big leagues with the most ambitious project in their history. Visually, the game inevitably brings associations with BioShock Infinite, but appearances are deceiving: this is not a linear shooter, but a deep role-playing game where time will be the primary weapon.Players will travel to the steampunk metropolis of Avalon and, using a chronometer, interfere in past events. The catch is that the butterfly effect works visibly here: one decision made yesterday can radically reshape the architecture, power, and destinies of people today. For the studio, this is a sharp transition from isometry to a high-budget first-person format, and if they manage to maintain their signature variability in a new perspective, we will get one of the smartest RPGs of the year.Gothic 1 RemakeWhile the industry chases trends, THQ Nordic brings us back to 2001, but on Unreal Engine 5. This is a complete reimagining of the cult classic, where the Barrier is just as impenetrable and scavengers are just as dangerous for a newcomer.The developers promise to preserve the main thing—the spirit of a ruthless world that lives its own life regardless of the player. You will once again become a nobody in a maximum-security colony, observing the choices between camps and learning to survive. This is a chance for veterans to shed a nostalgic tear and for newcomers to understand why Gothic is considered a great game that does not forgive mistakes.Warhammer 40,000: Dark HeresyOwlcat Games continues to carry the torch of old-school CRPGs, proving that the genre lives on through more than just Larian's efforts. This time, the developers immerse us in the life of the Inquisition—the most sinister organization of the Imperium. Dark Heresy moves away from the usual "kill 'em all" formula: detective work, social interaction, and paranoia take center stage here.You are to become an Acolyte whose task is to root out heresy before it takes hold. Your weapons will be not only bolters and chainswords but also questions, intrigues, and ruthless moral dilemmas. Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy is a game for those who value core mechanics and the ability to roleplay in a world where there are no good guys, only different sides of darkness.Solasta 2If you've played Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin to death, you should keep an eye on Solasta 2. This is the sequel to perhaps the most meticulous evolution of D&D, following the SRD 5e ruleset.The authors aren't trying to make a high-budget movie; they focus on pure mechanics. Everything here is decided by solid builds and tactics: you must account for lighting, height, and honest dice physics. The plot about a witch hunt is merely an excuse to gather a party. It's an ideal choice for cooperative play if the gameplay process and strategy matter more to you than long conversations.Blood of the DawnwalkerThe debut project from Rebel Wolves is exactly what Witcher fans are waiting for. The core team consists of CD Projekt RED veterans, and they have implemented a proven formula: a bright plot and dynamic action rather than digging into stats.Grim 14th-century Europe awaits us, where the Black Death coexists with the existence of vampires. You are a Dawnwalker, a cursed half-breed forced to balance on the border between light and darkness. The game's main feature is a constant dilemma: remain a weak human or use immense power to protect loved ones. If you missed thick dark fantasy where every decision has consequences and the world reacts to your transformation, add this to your wishlist.Crimson DesertThe story begins with a catastrophe: the mercenary group "Greymanes" is shattered in a clash with the "Black Bears," and the survivors are scattered across the world. The main character, Kliff, must gather his old comrades, take revenge on the offenders, and unwittingly get pulled into political games determining the continent's fate.Pearl Abyss presents a massive single-player adventure where the plot is inseparable from exploration. The continent of Pywel is a vast world with different biomes: from scorching deserts to numerous cities and final castles. You can travel through Crimson Desert in any way: on horseback, by climbing rocks, or even by mounting a dragon.The Expanse: Osiris RisingThe second game from Owlcat on the list—and it’s a direct bid for the throne left vacant since Captain Shepard's time. The developers have made their "correct" Mass Effect in the harsh universe of "The Expanse." This is a high-budget third-person action-RPG where dynamic gunfights coexist with deep politics and moral dilemmas.In the role of a mercenary, you will have to navigate between the interests of Earth, Mars, and the Asteroid Belt. Knowing the studio's meticulousness regarding plots, we are in for a story where every decision matters. The implementation timeline for such ambitious projects is unreliable, so be mentally prepared for possible delays. But you should follow the game now: if everything works out, it will be a worthy successor to Shepard's adventures.FatekeeperFatekeeper looks like the very sequel to Dark Messiah that we never got. The concept is simple and brilliant: physics works as a full-fledged weapon here. Enemies can and should be kicked onto spikes, thrown into campfires, and pushed off cliffs. This isn't mindless clicking, but a smart action game where you constantly use the environment.At the same time, the game doesn't forget it's an RPG. They've added a modern loot system, classes, and progression, which the 2006 classic lacked. If the combat model doesn't fail, we're in for a great adventure where magic and steel can be combined with a good kick to the rear.Valor MortisOne More Level, the studio that gave us the adrenaline-pumping Ghostrunner, continues its experiments with a first-person view. This time, they decided to cross their signature dynamics with the souls-like formula. Valor Mortis sends us to a grim alternative 19th-century reality where the Napoleonic Wars turned into a slaughter with mutants and the undead.You play as resurrected soldiers of the Grande Armée, surrounded by a plague-ridden Europe. This is a rare and intriguing hybrid: "souls" with a first-person view, where instead of rolls, the game is ruled by perfect parries, dashes, and brutal finishers. The developers promise to maintain the genre's difficulty but add speed and verticality. It looks stylish and very bloody, at the very least.Forza Horizon 6The king of arcade racing returns after a five-year hiatus. The setting is the very Japan that fans have been asking for since almost the second part. Playground Games needed a significant break after Mexico: the fifth part was rightfully criticized for stagnation, so the studio had time to not just change scenery but genuinely refresh the gameplay loop.A full presentation will take place on January 22. The developers have already declared the most massive map in the franchise's history, but size isn't the main thing here. Much more important is how they implement the narrow mountain serpentines (touge) and the street racing culture for which we all waited for this region.Control ResonanceRemedy continues to follow its line of high-budget auteur cinema, but this time decides on radical changes. The sequel changes its genre: now it’s a full-fledged role-playing action game. The developers shift the focus to close-quarters combat, and the setting will move from the concrete walls of the Bureau directly onto city streets.The Finns call this project the most massive in their history. Knowing Sam Lake's approach, there's no doubt: we're in for another complex, surreal story blurring the boundaries of reality. The main intrigue is how a deep character progression system lives with signature directing. The experiment is risky, but all the more interesting to see the result.MarathonThe fact that Bungie is releasing a new IP for the first time in ten years automatically makes Marathon one of the major spring releases. The studio enters the overcrowded extraction shooter genre, and while guessing the fate of service projects is a thankless task, there is something to hold onto here.Bungie has strong cards: the ability to make satisfying gunplay, caution in the industry, and a very strange, deep universe with a touch of mysticism. All this is wrapped in a bold visual style called "graphic realism," thanks to which you won't mistake this game for anything else. The March release will show if this cocktail is enough to shake up the genre.OntosThe authors of SOMA and Amnesia are doing what they've been asked for years: turning the "ladder simulator" into a full-fledged game. Frictional Games explicitly says that in Ontos, gameplay and non-linearity become priorities rather than just a backdrop for the story.The plot itself is a spiritual successor to SOMA, only now in the setting of a lunar hotel and featuring the voice of Stellan Skarsgård. The Swedes decided to move away from cheap horror tropes: the game's task isn't to make you jump in your seat, but to weigh down your soul with reflections on the nature of reality. If they manage to cross their signature schizophrenic atmosphere with solid mechanics, it will be powerful.ReplacedThis game has had a difficult fate: an announcement in 2021, then years of silence and delays. Но on March 12, it should finally be released. Replaced looks like the successor to the never-released The Last Night: the same expensive pixel art with modern lighting and a thick cyberpunk atmosphere. The plot drops us into an alternative 80s that survived a nuclear catastrophe. You play as an AI named REACH, trapped against its will in a human body and discarded in the criminal city of Phoenix.To maintain originality, the authors removed any cuts when transitioning from cutscenes to gameplay. The combat system is inspired by the Batman: Arkham series—success depends on rhythm, timely parries, and counterattacks. If Sadcat can pull the mechanics up to the level of the visuals, it will be a hit.Star Wars Zero CompanyBit Reactor studio looks at the Clone Wars era not from the balcony of the Jedi Temple, but from the dirty trenches. At the center of the plot is a squad of mercenaries and outcasts for whom the galactic conflict is just an opportunity to win or perish.There is no "plot armor" here: every operative is mortal; a mistake means losing a leveled-up soldier. The player will have to engage in deep micromanagement, select equipment, and make difficult decisions on the battlefield. Such a hardcore approach is not surprising, as the core of the development team consists of people responsible for the revival of the XCOM series.Code Vein IILet's be honest: the first Code Vein was a mediocre "souls-like" that mainly coasted on its anime style and powerful character editor—essentially the best waifu creation simulator. The sequel promises to improve the visuals and drama, making everything "high-budget."But the developers have pulled a fast one by cutting the main feature—co-op. Entirely. If previously the flaws in game design could be tolerated for the sake of fun runs with a friend, now you'll have to suffer (and admire your character) in Code Vein II in proud solitude. A very bold step for a game that never reached for the stars.And that’s all from us! We hope this quick selection was useful for you and that you found something new and interesting!

New ArenaNet Job Openings Reveal Details About New Guild Wars Franchise MMO

Several job openings have appeared on ArenaNet's official website related to a new MMORPG in the Guild Wars franchise. This is likely Guild Wars 3, as the job descriptions mention Unreal Engine, which was not used in the development of Guild Wars or Guild Wars 2.It is worth noting that only one vacancy directly specifies "Guild Wars MMORPG on Unreal Engine," while two others refer to an "unannounced project." Therefore, the information below should be taken with a grain of salt.Here is what was gathered from the job listings for a writer, lighting artist, and cloud engineer:The game will feature a large open world with a day-night cycle, weather conditions, and atmospheric effects.Real photographs are being used to create objects in the game world (possibly referring to locations and lighting).There will be scripted and cinematic scenes.The main storyline is character-driven.There is mention of multiple story paths and non-linear narrative.The plot will be delivered in a seasonal and episodic format.Characters will be divided into several distinct groups (presumably races and factions).The cloud engineer vacancy notes that the work is in the early stages of development, and some elements of the future system are yet to be defined and must be designed from scratch.As a reminder, rumors about the development of Guild Wars 3 first appeared in 2020, and in March 2024, NCSOFT CEO Park Byung-moo confirmed that the game is indeed in development.

The fantasy manhwa 'Solo Leveling: Ragnarok' will get a third season

The second season of the web manhwa "Solo Leveling: Ragnarok" has concluded. The series' artist, JIN, has left the project to complete mandatory military service, as announced by webtoon production company D&C Media.The company also shared that "Solo Leveling: Ragnarok" will receive a third season, which will be illustrated by a different artist. However, the name of the new artist and the publication date for the next season will be announced later.The manhwa is based on the web novel of the same name. "Ragnarok" is a spin-off and sequel to the "Solo Leveling" series, focusing on the son of the original story's protagonist. The events of "Ragnarok" take place years after the original story, as monsters begin to reappear in the world."Solo Leveling" has been adapted into both manhwa and anime. Studio A-1 Pictures has released two seasons of the anime series and a compilation film titled "Solo Leveling: ReAwakening."A live-action "Solo Leveling" series for the Netflix streaming service is also in development. Byeon Woo-seok will play the lead role in the new adaptation. Filming for the project is scheduled to begin in April.

17 Years Ago Today, Spider-Man Helped a Real U.S. President Get Sworn Into Office

There have been moments where Marvel Comics has brought real-life figures into its books. This was shown sometimes in shadows, such as when President Barack Obama rewarded Carol Danvers following the events of Civil War II. However, that wasn’t the only time the former U.S. President appeared in Marvel Comics, and it wasn’t even the first. In fact, in one issue of The Amazing Spider-Man, not only did President Obama appear in the book, but Spider-Man had to save the day by fighting his oldest villain. The issue had Spider-Man save the United States by ensuring a fair change of power.It has been 17 years since Marvel Comics had Spider-Man save President Barack Obama and become an American hero.Spider-Man Saves the U.S. President from The ChameleonOn January 14, 2009, Marvel Comics released The Amazing Spider-Man #583 from Mark Waid and Barry Kitson. The issue had two stories in it, with the first focusing on Peter Parker and Betty Brant, and Parker forgetting what Betty said she wanted for her birthday. Titled “Platonic,” it opened with Spider-Man battling a D-list villain called Kilgore, who was clearly a rip-off of Lex Luthor with mech armor. It then switched to Betty taking Peter on a speed dating trip to help him find a girlfriend (and failing miserably). It was a sweet story about best friends, but it wasn’t what really made this book stand out.It was the bonus back-up feature, and it featured Spider-Man saving President Barack Obama. Under the creative team of Zeb Wells and Todd Nauck, Spider-Man’s first-ever super-villain, the Chameleon, made his return. The story took place on the day he was supposed to take office, but things took a strange turn when a second Obama showed up, and the Secret Service had no idea which was the real one. Spider-Man figured it out quickly by having someone ask Obama a question only he would know the answer to, and it worked.It was humorous because Chameleon believed that if he snuck in as President-Elect Obama and was sworn in, he would have been named the President of the United States. Obama even made a joke, saying, “I’m more upset by the Chameleon’s shockingly deficient understanding of the electoral process.” When Obama fist-bumped Spidey, it made his day. Shockingly, President Barack Obama either appeared or was mentioned in Marvel Comics 46 times, appearing in everything from Secret Invasion and Siege to issues of Black Panther, The Incredible Hulk, and Avengers. His last appearance was in Captain America: Sam Wilson #19 in 2017.

Deadpool will have access to three roles in Marvel Rivals — Details for Season 6 "Night at the Museum" have emerged

NetEase Games has released a video dedicated to the sixth season of the team shooter Marvel Rivals, titled "Night at the Museum." Along with its launch, scheduled for January 16, 2026, a new hero, Deadpool, will become available. His unique feature is the ability to take on any of the three roles, which can be changed at the spawn point. Depending on the choice, he will possess a completely different set of abilities. Additionally, the character will be able to level up during the match, becoming stronger.Other changes in Season 6:Photo mode on the peaceful Times Square map with a choice of filters.​New zone in Times Square where duels can be held.New hero mastery system, featuring 70 levels with rewards.New accessoriesRewards for the top factions.New skin rotation for college students.New team-up abilities:    Peni Parker gives Spider-Man a web bomb that explodes in a small radius after a short delay. If the bomb is not thrown, it will restore some webbing and grant bonus health once the timer expires.    Deadpool gives Jeff a toy that can be thrown on the ground to heal nearby allies and create visual clutter for enemies.Team-up abilities for Spider-Man with Human Torch and Peni Parker with Rocket Raccoon have been removed.Numerous balance adjustments.The "Resource Battle" mode will be removed and sent for rework.The Marvel Zombies PvE mode will be extended.At the end of the video, the developers announced that a new PvE mode will be added to the game in the first half of 2026.

Heimdall’s new design

Heimdall’s new design — the Great Guardian of Arcanum now looks even more imposing, reminding everyone that the Creator’s safety and the order of the multiverse are under absolute control. What do you think about the new style?

Sales of the extraction shooter ARC Raiders have exceeded 12 million copies

Embark Studios reported another achievement for the popular extraction shooter ARC Raiders. It was announced that since its release on October 30, 2025, the project's total sales across all platforms have surpassed 12.4 million units. At the same time, the game's popularity dynamics maintain a high pace. The first 4 million copies were sold in less than two weeks, and in January 2026, the project set a new concurrent player record, nearly reaching the mark of 960,000 people.As a gesture of gratitude to the community for these results, the developers have prepared a gift. All players can receive a free exclusive "Golden Pickaxe" tool for use in raids."Reaching 12 million downloads is a major milestone that we owe entirely to the players," Executive Producer Aleksander Grøndal said in a press release. "The Raider community has helped shape this game from the very beginning, and their enthusiasm, feedback, and ingenuity continue to define how we create, support, and evolve this world in the long term."The developers emphasized that this success will not change plans for the steady development of the game. The team is focused on polishing core mechanics and strengthening the technical foundation of ARC Raiders to maintain high competition in matches

In summer, the anime "Skeleton Knight in Another World" will continue – an isekai about a person who ends up in a video game world.

After four years, the anime "Skeleton Knight in Another World" (Gaikotsu Kishi-sama, Tadaima Isekai e Odekakechū) will return to the small screen. According to its official website, the second season of the series is set to premiere this July.The anime is based on the light novel series of the same name. Part of the first season's creative team, along with new staff members, is working on the continuation of the adaptation. Katsumi Ono remains the director, but he is now filming the second season at Aura Studio.The opening theme song for the sequel will be performed by the singer PelleK.The first season of the adaptation aired from April to June 2022 and consisted of 12 episodes. Studio Kai and Hornets worked on the debut season.The protagonist fell asleep while playing video games... and when he woke up, he found himself in the game world. Not only that – he had become his in-game avatar, a max-level knight. But worst of all, his appearance was changed to the special "Skeleton" skin upon being transported to the new world. He decides to live without drawing much attention to himself, but how can a knight just pass by when evil deeds are happening right before his eyes?

A mobile game based on the "Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation" anime has been announced.

GREE Entertainment, in collaboration with developer Asobimo, has officially unveiled a new project titled "Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation – Echo Chronicle." The announcement took place during a special live stream celebrating the fifth anniversary of the "Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation" anime series, which serves as the basis for the game. The new title is a full-fledged 3D RPG designed for iOS and Android mobile devices. The release is scheduled for 2026.The teaser trailer showcased key moments from the first two seasons of the anime before offering a brief glimpse of the first gameplay footage. Unfortunately, further details about the project have not yet been disclosed, so fans will have to stay tuned for more updates.

Magic, action, and a new opening in the main trailer for the second season of the fantasy anime "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End"

The second season of the "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End" (Sousou no Frieren) anime kicks off as early as next week. The sequel is set to premiere on January 16, and the main trailer for the new season was released shortly before the launch. The video features action, a showcase of the protagonist's magical abilities, and a snippet of the new opening theme — the song "lulu." performed by the band Mrs. GREEN APPLE.Studio Madhouse is still handling the production, but there have been changes in the creative staff. Notably, the series has a new director: Tomoya Kitagawa, who previously directed episodes 2, 8, and 25 of the first season.The anime is based on the "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End" manga by writer Kanehito Yamada and illustrator Tsukasa Abe. The original work has been serialized with hiatuses in Weekly Shonen Sunday since April 2020 and currently spans 15 volumes. As of last October, the series' total circulation exceeded 32 million copies.In addition to the main story, five one-shots by various authors and a light novel have been released. Furthermore, a special edition of the 14th manga volume included a short 24-page novella titled "Sora ni Hana wo Sakaseru Mahō".The first season of the anime adaptation premiered in September 2023 and concluded in March 2024, consisting of 28 episodes.The story begins at the end, 80 years after the Demon King fell at the hands of the hero Himmel, the priest Heiter, the dwarf Eisen, and the elf mage Frieren. Elves live much longer than other races, and the virtually immortal Frieren watches as her old comrades pass away one by one. To better understand those around her, Frieren decides to embark on a new journey with her new apprentice, Fern.

The X-Men’s 5 Darkest Futures, Ranked

The X-Men are no strangers to time travel shenanigans. In fact, I’d say at least half of their most famous stories revolve around being in or averting some apocalyptic future. From the classic “Days of Future Past” to the “Age of Revelation” celebrating thirty years since the “Age of Apocalypse,” the X-Men have jumped through time and dealt with dark histories more so than most time-travel-focused heroes. Heck, Cable and Bishop alone are fantastic characters that wouldn’t exist without this style of story, and there’s way more where they came from. The X-Men have visited or been visited by so many dark timelines that it makes one wonder which of these end-of-times scenarios are the worst of the worst.With all that said, today, we’re going to be taking a look at five of the X-Men’s worst potential futures and rank them based on how disastrous they are. For context, we’re only counting dark alternate futures, not What If stories or different worlds, although all of these become different worlds in the multiverse at some point. Also, we’re only looking at the future presented in its original story, as including every, often conflicting, addition done after the fact would needlessly bloat everything. Rules established, let’s dive into the worst futures the X-Men could face.5) “Days of Future Past”It feels wrong to put the X-Men’s most classic and important alternate future in last place, especially considering how dark it is. The Sentinel Program, built to “protect” humans from mutants, inevitably led to the robots subjugating the entire United States, seeing mutants as their enemies and humans as potential mutants. It was averted on the eve of the rest of the world nuking the United States to prevent the Sentinels from spreading, and people were kept in concentration camps as slaves. However, as dark as this future is, it only affects the United States, whereas the rest of these realities have much larger reaches and much more death.4) “Age of Apocalypse”After the insane Legion traveled back in time to kill Magneto but wound up murdering Professor Xavier, the world was altered. In this new reality, Apocalypse took over the entire North American continent. The mad mutant subjugated humanity, not only forcibly instilling a horrific caste system where mutants lorded as superior at birth, but also regularly holding cullings that murdered millions of people. This reality showed exactly how dark things could be without the guiding light of Professor X’s dream of a better tomorrow, and how brutal a monster like Apocalypse could be. Still, it takes fourth because there was a fighting chance that, ultimately, stood a good chance at winning.3) “Here Comes Tomorrow”This averted future came as the conclusion to Grant Morrison’s legendary run on New X-Men. Set one hundred and fifty years from the present day, it saw the world in tatters. Humanity was all but extinct, and mutantkind wasn’t far behind, the few remaining dystopian countries constantly at war with one another. It was all orchestrated by Sublime, a hivemind of the first genetic, microscopic beings that evolved on Earth. They nearly succeeded in wiping out the Earth and remaking reality in their horrible image with the powers of the Phoenix, but were stopped by Jean Grey at the last second. Still, the damage was done, with most of the X-Men dead and life on planet Earth on its last legs.2) “Age of Revelation”The newest dark future earned its place on this list because it’s one of the few realities where things never improve, but only get worse. Revelation, the heir of Apocalypse, gifted with the ability to alter reality with his words, started by taking over the United States and unleashing a gene bomb that either transformed people into mutants, murdered them, or left them as unrecognizable monsters. It only got worse when his master plan was revealed. He converted the entire world into an extension of himself, fusing every living thing and the planet itself into Revelation. In this future, Revelation won, and life as we know it ceased to be in every capacity. All that was left was Revelation’s twisted mind.1) Powers of XPowers of X kickstarted the Krakoan Age of the X-Men by revealing that longtime ally Moira MacTaggert was actually a mutant with the power to restart her life whenever she died. She worked tirelessly to avoid the dark future depicted in her sixth life, where she learned what she saw as the inevitable future of mutants and humans coexisting. In an effort to stave off being replaced, humanity merged totally with machines, becoming something far more and far less than human. These techo-organic post-humans lost their emotion, only dedicated to collecting knowledge so that, one day, join the Phalanx, which is an intergalactic-sixed artificial intelligence. If Moira had never died in this reality, then what remained of life on Earth would have been absorbed by the Phalanx. Humanity and all of its branches would have become things of the past. This reality, to me, is the darkest because it functioned under the idea that the only inevitability for mutants and humans is war until humanity loses its heart. Machines take over everything, wiping out all love and joy and everything that makes us human. The end result is information without feeling, living without life, forever.

Kill 6 Billion Demons Vol. 5: Breaker of Infinities Heading to Print

Image Comics is set to release the fifth volume of the acclaimed series Kill 6 Billion Demons, titled "Breaker of Infinities." Following the tradition of previous releases, this volume will be available in paperback.About the SeriesKill 6 Billion Demons blends heavy metal aesthetics with the intricate visual language of French fantasy comics—striking a chord similar to Daniel Warren Johnson’s Do a Powerbomb and Extremity. Before conquering the printed page, the series built a massive following through a successful Patreon campaign. The universe created by the author is so rich that it has spawned its own tabletop RPG and boasts constantly expanding lore.Volume 5 SynopsisSorority girl Allison Ruth thought she had seen it all. Plucked from her cozy, boring life and cast into Throne—the multiversal metropolis at the center of all worlds—she became an unwilling player in an ancient feud between tyrannical god-kings, wielding a power she can neither understand nor control.She has infiltrated the majestic Palace of Flowers, raided the vault of the great dragon Mammon, and fought for her life in the interdimensional martial arts tournament of God-Emperor Solomon. But now:The sky is burning. The mightiest of the Demiurges—Jagganoth, Wheel-Turning King—has returned with swords drawn. The simmering hatred between the rulers of the Red City threatens to erupt into a total war that Allison might not survive.Release Dates:Comic Shops: February 4Bookstores: March 10

Which story game should I play?

Our admin shared his impressions of a series of games that  (according to the developers) feature great storytelling. In his own words:So, let's meet the contenders. First and foremost, I'm looking for a deep and interesting story.A Plague Tale 2I played the first part, and it felt like a solid mid-tier game and nothing more. How surprised I was that the sequel was recommended to me as a game with a strong and interesting plot. Is that really so, and is there a narrative diamond hidden from me?ControlI'm not a fan of Remedy games; I finished Alan Wake 1 and its DLC, and it felt a bit boring to me. I don't expect much from this game, but nevertheless, there is a certain curiosity about it - I want to indulge my "I was right and they made crap again" feeling, but I won't know until I play it. Besides, they announced a sequel to Control in the form of a soulslike, and I enjoy souls games; I'll definitely check out the sequel if the reviews aren't garbage.Danganronpa 3A story-driven VN about murder investigations and school court sessions, where participants use logic and arguments to figure out which of them is the killer. I finished the first two parts and liked them, so it's time to start the third one, I guess)Diablo 2Not exactly a story-driven game, but I had to mention it. It's embarrassing to say, but I still haven't played a single Diablo game, even though I've spent hundreds of hours on Titan Quest! Plus, the remaster of Diablo 2 has been gathering dust for a long time; maybe its finest hour has finally come?The Evil WithinA horror game with monsters and an interesting, tangled story on the level of Silent Hill - at least, that's how this game was praised to me. I'm into horror games, I consume them, and since there's an interesting plot, is it especially time to play through it?Star Wars Jedi: Fallen OrderI like the Star Wars universe, and this game has been flickering before my eyes for a long time, but I never get around to it. Besides, it's supposedly a soulslike, which is a plus for the game by default.Slay the PrincessA rather unexpected contender for a story game with a worthy plot. I know it's a VN and the princess isn't as simple as she seems at first glance, but I have no idea what exactly is going on there.Guardians of the GalaxyI have big doubts about this game because it's Marvel. It's not that I'm a Marvel hater - no, don't think that. It's just a question: what work from the Marvel universe can you name as an example of a deep and interesting story? For me, the movie Logan is the most that comes to mind, and even then, that's a weak example in my opinion, which is why I don't believe in Guardians.Expedition 33Well, this game was being broadcasted from every corner; I'll just say that I played it and dropped it quickly without even finishing Act 1. But this time I'll endure Act 1 until the very end for sure, and we'll see from there.Alone in the DarkA mediocre horror game on all fronts, but for some reason, I have a firm conviction that I'll swallow it up and enjoy it. Maybe it's because I really liked the 2008 game, even though it had so many flaws; however, in some moments, that game was simply genius, IMO.

"Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc" enters the top 50 highest-grossing films in Japanese box office history

In the new year, the anime "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc" (Gekijōban Chainsaw Man Reze-hen) continues its successful theatrical run. As of January 4, the project has earned 10.15 billion yen (approximately $64.96 million) at the domestic box office. With these earnings, the anime has entered the top 50 highest-grossing films in Japanese history, currently ranking 49th.The film also continues to generate revenue in the Russian market. To date, the version dubbed by Flarrow Films has earned 228.6 million rubles, while the subtitled version has brought in 9.96 million rubles. Together, their total box office reached 238.6 million rubles.The movie was released in September 2025 as a sequel to the "Chainsaw Man" series, based on the manga of the same name by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The film adapts the Reze story arc from the manga.At the beginning of this year, the film dropped from fourth to fifth place among the highest-grossing films released in Japan in 2025, being overtaken by "Zootopia 2."Studio MAPPA is the production house behind the "Chainsaw Man" anime and is already working on the second season of the series.

The head of development of The Division 3 believes that the game will have "the same impact as the first part"

Massive Entertainment studio started developing The Division 3 at the end of 2023, and there has been no news about the game since then.Now on New Games+ Showcase project manager Julian Gerety stated that the game "looms large."Moreover, Gerety and his team believe that the upcoming triquel will have the same impact as the first installment.Exactly what Gerety means by influence is unclear, but the launch of The Division was one of the most successful in Ubisoft's history. The game broke Watch Dogs' then-record for first-day sales and became the company's fastest-selling title, as well as the largest new IP launch in the history of the market at that time.The success of The Division 2, which was released in 2019, was less impressive, but the game is still receiving new content. Despite the fact that Ubisoft once planned to end support, a team of five people inside the company was able to convince the management.The Division 3 probably won't be released for a while, if development started only at the end of 2023.

Star Wars’ Most Divisive Character Gets His Redemption in New Comic First Look (Exclusive)

The Star Wars franchise is full of incredible and well-known characters. Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia are pop culture icons and that’s just scratching the surface. However, not all Star Wars characters are well-known for positive reasons. First appearing in the prequel movies, Jar Jar Binks might be the most notorious — divisive character in the entire franchise but the Gungan is about to get a shot at redemption in Marvel’s new Star Wars series, and ComicBook has the exclusive first look.Hitting comic shops next month, Star Wars: Jar Jar is set to explore what happened to Jar Jar after the prequel movies and explore his pivotal role in the formation of the Rebel Alliance. Making this even better and perhaps even more intriguing for fans is that the book is not only being co-written by Ahmet Best who portrayed Jar Jar in the prequels, but the character will team up with Kelleran Beq, Best’s character from Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge that also appeared in The Mandalorian. You can check out the first look at the issue, co-written by Marc Guggenheim with art Kieran McKeown below.

All new content for the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online will now be free for all players.

Ten years after its release, the developers of the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online have announced an unexpected shift in the game's development model. Starting in 2026, the project is moving to a seasonal system, which will replace the traditional format of one large annual paid expansion. Each season will last approximately three months and offer new content, including zones, dungeons, storylines, and classes. Furthermore, all players will now be able to access any version of the game's content for free.The first stage of this transformation is the launch of "Season Zero: Dawn and Dusk." Its official launch is scheduled for April 2, 2026, though some changes will take effect as early as March 9 with Update 49. One of the main additions is the introduction of an "event zone"—the Night Market in the Oblivion plane of Fargrave. This is an experimental location, available for seven weeks, where players must choose one of three factions and participate in challenging PvE trials.A brief list of the major changes:"Tamriel Tomes": A seasonal equivalent of a battle pass with both free and premium reward tracks."Golden Bank Bazaar": A shop where a new in-game currency (Trade Ingots) can be used to obtain previously missed daily login rewards and items from past events.Dragonknight Overhaul: A global update to the Dragonknight class, including a rework of mechanics and visual effects."Hardcore Challenges": A system for the open world that allows players to voluntarily increase content difficulty for better rewards."Vengeance" Progression System: A new system designed for PvP enthusiasts.The free Update 49 introduces several quality-of-life improvements. Specifically, skill and attribute reset functions will be available directly through the UI, furnishing limits for housing will be increased, and sixteen types of mounts will be moved from the paid Crown Store to regular gold vendors. Additionally, the developers confirmed that all patches for PC and consoles will be released simultaneously.The studio's plans for future seasons include the return of Sheogorath, a new Thieves Guild storyline, solo dungeons, and maritime events. To compensate ESO Plus subscribers for these changes, the developers have increased the subscription bonuses, and all game owners in March received free access to the Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood DLCs.

The fantasy film "Scarlet" has become Mamoru Hosoda's second highest-grossing anime at the Japanese box office.

Last fall, a new feature-length anime was released in Japanese theaters from Studio Chizu and its co-founder Mamoru Hosoda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, The Boy and the Beast, Mirai). The fantasy film Scarlet (Hateshi naki Scarlet), written and directed by Hosoda, premiered on November 21. As of now, the project has become the director's second highest-grossing anime at the domestic box office.At the beginning of the new year, Scarlet's earnings reached 6.2 billion yen (approximately $39.6 million). Among all of Hosoda's works, only his previous anime, Belle, earned more. Released in July 2021, it grossed 6.6 billion yen.The plot centers on Scarlet, a strong princess who traverses space and time to avenge her father's murder. After her attempt at revenge fails, she finds herself trapped by madness in the "Land of the Dead." If a person fails to avenge their enemy and ends up here, they become "nothing" and vanish. The story follows Scarlet's journey toward retribution. During this journey, she meets Hijiri, a male nurse from modern-day Japan.The anime is inspired by William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet. Many characters bear the same names as the figures in the play.

"Black Clover" Bids Farewell to Readers: Yuki Tabata’s Fantasy Manga Ends This Spring

Three new chapters of the fantasy story were released in the new winter issue of Jump GIGA magazine. The same issue published an announcement stating that Black Clover will conclude in the spring issue of Jump GIGA. The specific release date for that issue will be announced later.Publication History & StatsCreator: Yuki Tabata.Serialization: The series began in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in 2015. In 2023, the manga moved to the quarterly publication Shonen Jump GIGA (or simply Jump GIGA).Digital: The series continues to be released on the MANGA Plus service, where chapters are also published in Russian.Sales: Currently, the main series is collected in 37 volumes, with a total circulation exceeding 24 million copies.Franchise & AnimeThe franchise includes anime (OVA, TV series, and film), spin-off manga, novels, and more.TV Series (Season 1): Started in October 2017 and ended in March 2021, totaling 170 episodes.Movie: In 2023, a film with an original story, Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King, was released.Studio: Studio Pierrot worked on the anime and is currently producing the "second" season of the series, which is set to debut this year.Plot SummaryAsta is a simple boy who dreams of becoming the greatest mage in the kingdom. However, there is a small problem: he cannot use magic at all. But when have such trifles ever stopped shonen heroes? Asta gets his hands on an incredibly rare "Five-Leaf Clover Grimoire," which grants him the power of... anti-magic!

We are doing a REBOOT!

It's time for a change. We are completely restarting the comic development. New style, new story, and a whole new level of quality.Sharing the first WIPs and Versum concept art. How do you like the new vibe?

Parasite Mutant Demo Now Available on Steam — A Spiritual Successor to Parasite Eve

A demo version of the sci-fi horror RPG Parasite Mutant has been released on Steam. The game is developed by IceSitruuna and is described as a spiritual successor to the classic Parasite Eve series.The demo allows players to experience the prologue and core gameplay mechanics. According to the developers, it represents around 5 percent of the full game and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.Players are encouraged to share feedback and impressions with the development team through the official community channels, where the producer actively communicates with players. The full release date has not yet been announced.The game will support 13 languages, including Russian.

What to Play: Major Releases of January 2026

January 2026 starts without delay. While the month is traditionally considered "quiet" for the industry, the beginning of this year offers surprising variety: from the long-awaited return of a cult classic to ambitious sandboxes and the first hits for Nintendo's new console.Here is what you should look out for in the coming weeks.Return to the Steppe: Pathologic 3January 9 (PC)The main event for fans of narrative survival is the release of Pathologic 3. Ice-Pick Lodge is finally releasing the Bachelor's campaign starring Daniil Dankovsky. Unlike the grueling survival of the Haruspex, the gameplay for the capital doctor focuses on time management. You have only 12 days to stop the epidemic, but now you can "rewind" time to fix fatal mistakes. Prepare to diagnose patients, enforce quarantines, and command patrols.The Minecraft Challenger? HytaleJanuary 13 — Early Access (PC)A project years in the making. Hytale, developed by the creators of the Hypixel server, enters Early Access. This is a voxel sandbox with procedural generation that promises everything Minecraft lacks: deep RPG elements, a living world, and powerful modding tools right out of the box.DuneCrawl — January 5 (PC)A post-apocalyptic adventure where you explore sand seas on a giant mechanical crab that serves as your mobile base. Playable in co-op.StarRupture — January 6 (Early Access) (PC)A survival game inspired by Satisfactory. You play as prisoners on a planet plagued by disasters, building factories, gathering resources, and defending your base.Code Vein II — January 8 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)The sequel to the anime souls-like about vampires. The plot focuses on fighting maddened immortals. Key new features include time travel with a partner named Lu to change the past, and motorcycle traversal in a semi-open world.Code Violet — January 10 (PS5)An action-horror game and spiritual successor to Dino Crisis. Protagonist Violet Sinclair explores a bio-engineering facility overrun by dinosaurs.The Last Check — January 12 (PC)A medic simulator set in a zombie apocalypse. You must inspect survivors for bites and ration scarce medicine.Confidential Killings — January 12 (PC)A detective puzzle game about investigating serial killings in Hollywood.Casette Boy — January 14 (PC, Consoles)A puzzle RPG where you rotate the 2D world to reveal its 3D projection.Kotama and Academy Citadel — January 15 (PC)A metroidvania about an exchange student in a utopian academy.Bladesong — January 22 (Early Access) (PC)A creative blacksmith simulator offering complete freedom in sword design.Nova Roma — January 22 (Early Access) (PC)A city-building strategy game focused on constructing a new Rome.The Switch 2 EraJanuary 15–22The middle of the month marks the arrival of titles for the Nintendo Switch 2. Owners of the new console will get an enhanced native version of Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Jan 15) featuring high-resolution graphics and new controller support. On January 22, a massive expansion for Dynasty Warriors: Origins will launch, showcasing the console's ability to render thousands of units on screen.Other Notable ReleasesThe Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (Jan 15): The global release of a massive JRPG where magic meets a space program.BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW (Jan 16): A social horror game about a bullying victim, where your smartphone is both your main weapon and a source of fear.MIO: Memories in Orbit (Jan 20): A stunningly beautiful metroidvania where an android explores a derelict spaceship ark that feels like a living organism.Highguard (Jan 26): A techno-fantasy shooter from the veterans behind Apex Legends and Titanfall. Expect destructible environments and team-based tactics.Cairn (Jan 29): A realistic climbing simulator from the creators of Furi, where every foothold matters.

NVIDIA Unveils DLSS 4.5 with New AI and Dynamic Frame Generation

Second-Gen Transformer Model and Dynamic Frame GenerationAt CES 2026, NVIDIA unveiled DLSS 4.5, the latest update to its upscaling technology. The release is powered by a second-generation transformer model designed to significantly improve image quality and reduce visual artifacts like ghosting.Key Highlights:Availability: The improved upscaler is available now in beta via the NVIDIA app for all RTX GPUs, with a full release scheduled for January 13.Frame Generation: The new Dynamic Multi Frame Generation feature will arrive in Spring 2026, exclusively for the RTX 5000 series. It supports generating up to five frames for every traditionally rendered one (up from three in DLSS 4) and automatically adjusts based on scene complexity, targeting 4K gaming at 240Hz.Supported Titles: Over 400 games will support the tech at launch, including The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, and the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem.

Check out the new Neith art!

It looks like even the toughest heroes need a break! A stunning new art piece has surfaced featuring Neith soaking up the golden hour on a tropical beach. Trading her usual gear for beachwear, she proves she rules the coast just as well as the battlefield. Forget the missions for today—it's all about sun, sea, and relaxation.

Bleach Finale Set for July 2026

Studio Pierrot is preparing to bring the iconic anime back for one last time. The fourth and final part of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, subtitled "The Disaster," is scheduled to premiere in July 2026.The studio shared a teaser trailer featuring a black-and-white retrospective that ends with a glimpse of new footage from the upcoming episodes - the original team is still in charge. A new poster was also revealed, featuring Ichigo Kurosaki and other key characters ahead of the ultimate clash between the Soul Society and Yhwach's Quincies.

Xbox Series X|S UK Sales Plunge 39% in 2025, Marking Worst Year on Record

Xbox console sales in the UK have hit a historical low. According to Christopher Dring, head of The Game Business, 2025 was the worst performing year for the Xbox Series X|S lineup since its inception.Key Figures:Sales Drop: Sales volume decreased by 39% year-over-year.The Numbers: VGChartz estimates show that while 456,553 units were sold in 2024, that figure dropped to approximately 278,500 units in 2025.Hope for 2026Despite the record low, there is potential for a turnaround. 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of both Xbox and the Halo series. The company aims to revitalize sales with a strong lineup of major franchise releases, including:Halo: Campaign EvolvedGears of War: E-DayForza Horizon 6The Fable reboot​

"One Punch Man" Anime to Continue in 2027

The third season of "One Punch Man" (One Punch Man) is not over - an official second part has been confirmed, and it is currently scheduled to air in 2027.The first part of Season 3 launched in fall 2025: a Season 2 recap special aired on October 5, while the main broadcast for the first part began on October 12. October 5 also marked the anime’s 10th anniversary since its original premiere.The series is based on the manga by ONE and Yusuke Murata. Season 1 premiered in 2015 (Madhouse), Season 2 followed in 2019 (J.C.Staff), and the franchise also released OVA episodes. J.C.Staff remains on the adaptation, with Shinpei Nagai directing the continuation."One Punch Man" follows Saitama, a superhero so overwhelmingly powerful that he defeats enemies with a single punch.2027 is also set to bring Season 3 of "DAN DA DAN" and Season 3 of "MASHLE: Magic and Muscles."

The Highway of Worlds: Chapter 4 Available Now!

Happy New Year! Celebrate with us by diving into the new chapter. Come join Olmi in his latest adventure. Enjoy the read!

Happy Holidays!

Friends! We have a secret... and we’re revealing it tomorrow! Get ready to claim your gift. Don’t miss out!

The Highway of Worlds Chapter 3 is now available!

Dear readers! We’re thrilled to announce that Chapter 3 of the science fiction novel Highway of Worlds is complete and has just been released.

Small illustration update

We made a subtle update to the illustration, adding a bit more emotion and expressiveness. The overall look remains the same, but the mood feels more alive. What do you think?

Lacey Character Artwork Updated

There has always been a sense of mystery in Lacey’s eyes, and that feeling became the key idea behind her new look. We decided to remake the book illustrations, reimagining the characters and scenes while preserving their core identity and adding more atmosphere, depth, and detail. This is only the beginning of a larger visual overhaul — more to come.

Anime Action 'Silver Palace' Opens Sign-Ups for Closed Beta Test

The developers behind the ambitious cross-platform title Silver Palace have officially opened applications for the game's Closed Beta Test (CBT). Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game promises an immersive journey into a vibrant, anime-styled fantasy world.How to Join: To apply, aspiring testers must complete a survey on the official website. The deadline for applications is January 5, 2026.Key Details:Platform: This beta phase is exclusive to PC.Selection: Access will be granted to a limited number of players. Selected participants will be notified via email.Progress: All game progress will be wiped upon the conclusion of the beta.Schedule: The specific dates for the testing period have not been announced yet.About the Game:Silver Palace is an open-world action game set in the city of Silvernia. Players take on the role of a detective, engaging in dynamic combat, exploring the environment, and utilizing a character collection system.Don't worry if you miss this round—the developers have confirmed that future testing phases are planned, with separate recruitment drives to follow.

Meet Lorelei — A New Heroine in the Universum World!

A fateful encounter awaits you deep in the forest. We are thrilled to introduce Lorelei, a mysterious maiden with the gift of healing. She found you unconscious among the trees and offers her aid. But who is she really, and what role will she play in your journey? Stay tuned for more updates!

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Is Being Given Away for Free on Epic Games Store

Epic Games Store has launched a free giveaway of the isometric roguelike Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel.

What do you think about one of the cover options for the Universum: Agartha comic?

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7 Marvel Stories That Changed the Universe Forever

Marvel has revealed a list of seven comic storylines that permanently reshaped its universe. These arcs go beyond large-scale events, introducing changes that redefined characters, altered the multiverse, and transformed the cosmic landscape. Their consequences continue to influence Marvel storytelling to this day.

Your Ticket to the Highway: A New Book Series Begins!

Humanity has outgrown the limits of a single universe. We now walk the Highway of Worlds—a physical road between dimensions where souls roam freely and choosing a new reality is as simple as moving cities.Meet Olmi, a veteran explorer and master of soul retrieval. He sought retirement, but the Highway exacts a price for every door opened, and it rarely lets go of those who hear its call. A saga of freedom, choice, and a love that transcends boundaries.​

My Hero Academia has come to an end

The final episode — episode 11 of season 8 — has been released. After nearly 10 years, the story has officially concluded, delivering 8 seasons of the series and 4 feature films. A long journey that became a defining part of modern anime has now reached its finale.

Universum: Agartha is now available!

Friends! We are happy to announce that we have finally finished working on our comic and are excited to share it with you. It was a long and demanding development journey, filled with iteration, refinement, and attention to every detail. Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way — the time has come to enter Agartha.

Cover of the first chapter!

Art Shadowheart from Baldur's Gate 3 ❤️

Faithful servant and admirer of Shar from the coolest game!

[Comic Development] Example of one of the pages

And we have another page! Serious content is coming soon.

Art Suvi and Leica

I wonder what scene this reminds me of? ??

We are pleased to finally introduce you to Yuko! ?

Student of the Academy.

[Comic Development] Yuko Character Concept

Developing a concept for a new character, Yuko! ?

[Comic] Chapter: Execution

Friends! We are proud to present you the first chapter of our exciting comic "Universum" called "Execution". Enjoy reading!

[Comic] Pilot Chapter.

Friends! We are pleased to present our first attempt at writing - this short story, written many years ago, became the starting point of our creative path. Enjoy reading!

[Comic Development] Choijal Character Concept

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the concepts and variations of Choijal the First!

[Comic Development] Suvi Character Concept

Several design options for the heroine.

[Comic Development] Example of one of the pages

Work on the comic is in full swing!)

Meet the new incarnation of the charming Suvi!

In the neon glow of the Game Space, we are pleased to finally introduce you to Suvi, the queen of the "Net"!

One of the cover options

? How do you like it? Are you ready to dive into the darkest dungeon with our fearless heroes??️

[Comic Development] Example of one of the pages

?️ Work on the comic is in full swing! ???

[Comic Development] Several concepts

Friends, we are sharing with you some small sketches of our creative project!

[Comic Development] Example of one of the pages

⚔️ Under the command of the merciless Lord of Darkness, the legions of death were unstoppable. Even the army of Agartha could not resist the forces of darkness.

Art in honor of a small holiday! ;)

? YAY! We've reached 20,000 followers on our social media! ?To celebrate this important milestone, we're sharing an illustration with you. ?❤️