New cases
Gears 5 ended on a hell of a cliffhanger half a decade ago, so it’s intensely gratifying that, in 2025, the series picks up with— Wait. A prequel?! Yes, Gears of War: E-Day is about as much of a prequel as a Gears of War game can be, going back to the start of the Locust horde invasion qwstnevrythg.com. Dangling narrative threads aside, mowing down hordes of squelchy underground abominations never gets old. Plus, playing once again as series mainstays Marcus and Dom is nostalgia in a bottle. —Ari Notis
From our review: Atomfall is a gripping survival-action adventure that takes some of the best elements of Fallout and Elden Ring, and synthesises them into its own fresh mutation. It presents a picturesque chunk of English countryside littered with alluring structures to pique and reward your curiosity, eccentric locals to meet, and absorbing mysteries to unravel, and uses classic iconography from British sci-fi and horror to consistently unsettling effect. In spite of some enemy behaviours that are occasionally less stable than a reactor in meltdown, Atomfall is a compelling, post-apocalyptic survival story that satisfyingly bends to your choices and discoveries no matter which direction you take. – Tristan Ogilvie
If you, like me, are looking forward to Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi drama Mickey 17, you should definitely keep your eye out for this weird and wild survival adventure. Set on an inhospitable planet, The Alters puts players in the role of Jan Dolski, a space miner who must navigate a gigantic circular space station to stay out of the reach of the planet’s deadly sunlight. With no one else to aid him, Jan must rely on the Alters — cloned versions of himself from alternate timelines — to help him conquer the planet’s resources and devise a way to return home. —Toussaint Egan
Even after a year of extraordinary RPGs in 2024, we’re still ready for what could be another banger — or at least something stunning to look upon — in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based single-player fantasy RPG that’s also the first-ever project from developer Sandfall Interactive. The French studio’s game takes inspiration from Final Fantasy and Persona, and its slightly realistic, slightly stylized character designs (courtesy of Unreal Engine 5) pair with a distinctive Belle Époque-meets-dark-fantasy setting. —Maddy Myers
A selection of rare game items
Aztarac is something of a holy grail in the world of arcade gaming, though at the time of it’s release it wasn’t very successful. Created by the short-lived studio, Centuri, and released in 1983. It plays a game that is a mix of Asteroids and Space Duel.
These would then be distributed on demo discs and the like. The consoles weren’t region-locked either, meaning they could play any game from anywhere. The Net Yaroze was released in 1996 and specifically targeted toward computer programmers.
Beyond rare hardware and console prototypes, hugely popular competitive games have also produced some of the rarest digital-only items over the years thanks to tiny drop rates. Let‘s analyze some of their droprates:
Aztarac is something of a holy grail in the world of arcade gaming, though at the time of it’s release it wasn’t very successful. Created by the short-lived studio, Centuri, and released in 1983. It plays a game that is a mix of Asteroids and Space Duel.
These would then be distributed on demo discs and the like. The consoles weren’t region-locked either, meaning they could play any game from anywhere. The Net Yaroze was released in 1996 and specifically targeted toward computer programmers.
Trending finds in an online shooter
Developer Housemarque delivered one of the best third-person shooters in recent memory in Returnal. It’s a caustic action experience, built on a foundation of mechanically tight action and roguelike sensibilities. Returnal won’t be for everybody – it’s undoubtedly challenging for starters, with each death on a truly hostile alien world sending you back to your ship with little more than the knowledge and experience you gained throughout your last attempted run. But there’s something undeniable more-ish about its structure, with a desire to uncover Returnal’s mysteries propelling you further and further down the rabbithole. It’s one of the best looking, sounding, and feeling PS5 exclusives available right now, and an easy recommendation for any of you looking for a shooter unlike anything else on this list.
Insomniac Games doesn’t get enough credit for its fantastic weapons design. Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart is a truly phenomenal PS5 exclusive, a system showcase unlike any other – demonstrating the speed of the SSD, the need for a 4K TV in this new-generation, and how immersive the DualSense controller can really be. However, Rift Apart is also an awesome all-ages third-person shooter. It’s fun to play, genuinely funny, and features a wide-arsenal of inventive weapons that all look, feel, and handle differently from one another. If you’re looking for a break from battle royales and military shooters, we couldn’t recommend this excellent single-player experience more highly. Give it a try and we’re pretty confident that you’ll fall in love with Rift Apart.
Battle Royale games have taken the gaming world by storm, emerging as a dominant trend in the shooting games market. The format, where a large number of players compete to be the last person or team standing in a shrinking play area, has proven immensely popular. Games like Fortnite, PUBG, and Apex Legends have attracted millions of players worldwide, fostering intense competition, strategic gameplay, and a dynamic, ever-changing environment. The Battle Royale trend continues to influence game development, leading to innovative gameplay mechanics and immersive virtual worlds.
There’s a reason why Rapture is such a known location in video games. The dark remnants of this underwater utopia host dozens of hostile residents that don’t take long to give you a proper welcome once you set foot on it. Humid and gritty environments are the least of your problems, however. Massive Big Daddies joined by the enigmatic Little Sisters, as well as a cast of antagonists are waiting for you in every corner. The so-called Plasmids will grant you supernatural abilities, from throwing fire and electricity to summoning a beehive in the palm of your hand. The narrative-driven story remains emblematic to this day, and with the recently released remastered version, there’s never been a better time to finally dive into the BioShock universe.