Review: Hyper Light Breaker

Developer – Heart Machine Publisher – Arc Games Platforms –   PC (Reviewed) Review copy given by Publisher Hyper Light Breaker, the latest entry in the Hyper Light franchise, is a daring departure from its predecessor, Hyper Light Drifter. While the 2016 indie darling captivated players with its pixel-art aesthetic and 2D action, Breaker takes a bold leap into the realm of 3D open-world exploration, online co-op, and rogue-lite mechanics. This shift marks a significant evolution for developer Heart Machine, but it also raises questions about whether the game can capture the same magic that made Hyper Light Drifter a cult classic. At its core, Hyper Light Breaker is a spiritual successor rather than a direct sequel. Set in the same universe but decades before the events of Drifter, Breaker introduces players to the Overgrowth, a mysterious and ever-changing realm filled with vicious enemies, towering bosses, and fragmented memories of a forgotten past. The game’s narrative is intentionally sparse, relying on environmental storytelling and unlockable hand-drawn images to piece together the lore of the Crowns and the Abyss King. While this approach maintains the enigmatic charm of the original, it also feels less intimate and more fragmented, leaving players to fill in the gaps themselves. One of the most striking changes in Breaker is its transition from 2D pixel art to fully realized 3D environments. The game’s pastel-saturated landscapes and neon skies are undeniably beautiful, but they lack the meticulous handcrafted detail that made Drifter’s world so memorable. The procedural generation of biomes, while impressive in scale, often feels repetitive, with certain layouts and patterns becoming predictable after multiple runs. This is a double-edged sword: while it ensures high replayability, it also sacrifices the sense of discovery and wonder that defined the original game. Gameplay in Hyper Light Breaker is a mix of fast-paced combat, exploration, and resource management. Players can choose from three initial characters, each with customizable loadouts that include melee weapons, ranged firearms, and unique abilities like summoning a tree-like golem to fight alongside them. The combat system is fluid and satisfying, with a Souls-like emphasis on precision dodging and countering, but it also suffers from repetition over time. Encounters with large groups of enemies can feel overwhelming, and boss fights, while visually impressive, often rely on cheap difficulty spikes rather than creative design. The game’s rogue-lite mechanics are both its greatest strength and its most divisive feature. Each run begins in the Cursed Outpost, a hub where players can upgrade gear, unlock new abilities, and prepare for their next expedition into the Overgrowth. The procedurally generated worlds are vast and varied, with multiple biomes, hidden treasures, and elite enemies to defeat before facing the Crown bosses. However, the extraction-based gameplay loop—where players must collect resources and defeat bosses before escaping—can feel punishing, especially for solo players. Losing a run means losing progress, and the game’s steep difficulty curve can be frustrating for newcomers. Where Hyper Light Breaker truly shines is in its multiplayer experience. Teaming up with up to two friends to explore the Overgrowth adds a layer of strategy and camaraderie that makes the game’s challenges more manageable and enjoyable. The co-op mode also highlights the game’s strengths, such as its dynamic combat and traversal mechanics, which include hoverboards, gliders, and wall-dashing. These elements make navigating the open world a joy, even if the environments themselves can feel lifeless at times. Despite its ambitious design, Hyper Light Breaker struggles to balance its many systems. The game’s complexity can be overwhelming, with poorly explained mechanics like the danger meter and extraction points leaving players confused. Additionally, the reliance on ranged weapons feels at odds with the game’s melee-focused combat, and the lack of hand-healing abilities until later in the game can make early runs feel unnecessarily punishing. These issues, combined with the repetitive nature of the procedural generation, detract from the overall experience. Visually, Hyper Light Breaker is a mixed bag. While the day-night cycle and vibrant color palette are stunning, the world often feels devoid of life and personality. The procedural generation, while technically impressive, lacks the handcrafted charm and attention to detail that made Drifter’s world so captivating. The soundtrack, while serviceable, also fails to leave a lasting impression, which is a disappointment given Heart Machine’s reputation for evocative soundscapes. As an early access title, Hyper Light Breaker has room to grow. Developer Heart Machine has already shown a commitment to addressing player feedback, with patches improving performance, controls, and Steam Deck compatibility. The promise of regular updates, including new characters, biomes, and story content, offers hope that the game will evolve into a more polished and cohesive experience. However, as it stands, Breaker feels like a work in progress, with flashes of brilliance overshadowed by its rough edges. In conclusion, Hyper Light Breaker is a bold and ambitious evolution of the Hyper Light franchise, but it struggles to fully realize its potential. While the transition to 3D and the addition of online co-op are commendable, the game’s reliance on procedural generation and its punishing difficulty curve make it a less accessible and memorable experience than its predecessor. For fans of Hyper Light Drifter, Breaker offers a glimpse into the franchise’s future, but it also serves as a reminder of what made the original so special. Whether Heart Machine can refine Breaker into a worthy successor remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a shaky yet promising step forward.

Review: Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

Developer – Odd Bug Studio Publisher – United Label Platforms – PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (reviewed) Review copy given by publisher Who knew we were going to get a full on sequel to the slept on indie game Tails of Iron? Odd Bug Studio is back in full swing with Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter. Set in the snow ravaged northern realms of Ratdom, Whiskers of Winter follows a new protagonist Arlo, a young rat heir, on a quest for vengeance against the menacing Dark Wings. Sorry Redgi, you’re not in the spotlight this time. For those unfamiliar, Tails of Iron is a hand-drawn 2D action Souls-like game that was released to great acclaim back in 2021. Whiskers of Winter follows suit, with the same artstyle and charm that the original offered. That being said, you do not need to have played the first to enjoy this, but I do recommend you experience it anyways as it’s an overlooked gem. The narrative, while treading familiar ground, is elevated yet again by the gravelly narration of Doug Cockle, whose voice lends a sense of gravitas to the grim fairy tale unfolding before you. The audio design deserves special mention, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere. The music, coupled with Cockle’s narration, creates an immersive auditory experience that draws you deeper into the world of Ratdom. Unlike the first game, this sequel comes out of the box with 3 difficulty modes: Fairy Tail, Tails of Iron, and Bloody Whisker. The first game had one difficulty mode on the initial release, but added the separate ones in a post launch DLC! These changes and additions make Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter a more accessible and expanded experience compared to its predecessor. Gameplay-wise, Whiskers of Winter refines the Soulslike combat of the original, but is more or less the same. You’ll need to master dodges, blocks, and parries to fight your way to victory. The game retains its color-coded attack system, where different colored auras indicate specific defensive actions required (ie. red is unblockable, yellow needs to be parried). The newly added grappling hook mechanic introduces a new dimension to traversal, opening up previously inaccessible areas. Boss battles are nothing to be trifled with, as they are just as challenging, if not more than the ones from the first title. Combat has been expanded with the introduction of elemental effects, allowing you to imbue your weapons with fire, ice, electricity, and poison! A big complaint about the first game was the lack of i-frames during dodging, and the developers listened to feedback and added it in Tails of Iron 2! Another significant addition is the monster hunting mechanic, where you can track and defeat legendary gigantic beasts to harvest rare upgrade materials. Each area will be inhabited by large roaming monsters that appear depending on the time of day, exhibiting life-like behavior such as sleeping and fleeing. Whiskers of Winter now includes improved side quests that are more story-driven compared to the first game, along with a new settlement-building mechanic for your town: Winter’s Edge. Here you can construct and upgrade various facilities to unlock access to more powerful items, meals, and traps. The overall playtime of the game has nearly doubled, with the first game taking around 7-8 hours to finish, and the sequel taking 15-20! More bang for your buck! Character progression in Tails of Iron 2 is multifaceted as you can choose from different weapon types, including swords, axes, and spears, each with unique attributes and combat styles. A wide range of armor sets is available, each with exclusive properties, allowing you to tailor your defensive strategy. Crafting can be done using resources obtained from defeated enemies and exploration. Just like the first game, Tails of Iron 2’s visual presentation is nothing short of stunning. The hand-drawn art style, reminiscent of medieval storybooks, brings the world to life with intricate details and a charm that disguises the brutality of the setting. The expansion to six distinct biomes offers a diverse and visually striking landscape to explore, with each area teeming with its own unique atmosphere and challenges. A world map makes Ratdom feel more developed than what was introduced in Tails of Iron. Expect to meet several new animal factions, such as the Owls from the Golden Forests, the Rabbits, Fish people, and the Beavers. Tails of Iron 2 takes up a small but mighty 2.14 gigs on the PlayStation 5. It is a small indie game after all. Performance is great with stable and smooth frame rates and relatively quick load times from the main menu. There aren’t a lot of settings to tweak with here other than rebinding the control scheme and your typical language and sound toggles. Odd Bug Studio has taken the core elements that made the original a success and expanded upon them in meaningful ways. Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter offers a rich and challenging experience that will satisfy fans of the original while drawing in new players with its enhanced features and expanded world.

Hogwarts Legacy to receive PC modding support on January 30

For the first time, Warner Bros. Games announced support for PC modding in the open-world action RPG Hogwarts Legacy. The update will be released on January 30th for players on Steam and the Epic Games Store. After it’s launched, PC players will be able to download the latest patch, allowing them to easily access and download available mods directly from the main menu of the game. Players who want to create their own mods can do so with the Hogwarts Legacy Creator Kit which is available for free on the Epic Games Store. Warner Bros. Games also announced that CurseForge, one of the world’s largest repositories of mods and addons for video games, will be hosting and moderating the Hogwarts Legacy mods. The Creator Kit will support modding new quests, dungeons, and character enhancements such as cosmetics and skins. To access the Hogwarts Legacy mods, a Steam or Epic Games Store account linked to a Warner Bros. games account will be required. Since its release in 2023, Hogwarts Legacy sold over 30 million copies across PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. In our review of the game, we score it a 9.5 out of 10. Avalanche Software released a video that showcases what players can expect when the PC Modding Update arrives for the action RPG. In the video, the Dungeon of Doom mod is featured. “A dungeon packed with combat and hidden secrets, as well as all-new broom replacement mods, and more.”

Everspace 2 DLC – Wrath of the Ancients Announced

Developer Rockfish Games announced a significant new expansion for their award-winning space looter shooter RPG. Everspace 2: Wrath of the Ancients continues the Everspace 2 story, adding new star systems to explore and expanding the existing star systems with new side quests. In the new Everspace 2 DLC, players will be able to pilot a new ship to battle against alien enemies and ancient threats in an all-new story set after the events of the sequel’s story. Below is an overview of Wrath of the Ancients via Rockfish Games: Mysterious attacks have laid waste to human settlements in Cluster 34, destabilizing factions in power and stranding survivors. With this destruction, the uneasy peace between humankind and Okkar is threatened—space pilots will venture into the Okkar Homeworlds to discover the truth behind the threat before war reignites the DMZ. During the events of Wrath of the Ancients, warp gates open to four new fully explorable star systems including the Okkar homeworlds and Aethon, adding even more secrets throughout Cluster 34. These new star systems will be packed with new enemies, weapons, and gear to discover. The scars of the Okkar-Colonial War run deep in Cluster 34. The Dreadnought Minokawa was hijacked while enroute for decommissioning—a warship this mighty can turn the tides of power towards whoever holds it. Track and defeat this titanic threat, but be prepared for the biggest battles in the EVERSPACE series so far. Test your skills and ship loadout in gigantic, multi-stage boss fights designed to push pilots to their limits. When Does Everspace 2: Wrath of the Ancients Release? The Wrath of the Ancients DLC for Everspace 2 will be released in Spring 2025 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam and GOG. An official release date will be announced in the coming months as we get closer to release. In our review of Everspace 2, we scored the game an 8.5 out of 10. It’s a sequel that has truly outdone itself as stated in our full review.   

Gears of War: E-Day is co-developed by People Can Fly

Gears of War: E-Day was first announced during the Xbox Summer Showcase in June 2024. The game is a prequel to the Gears of War series featuring Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago. There hasn’t been much news on the game until today. It was announced that People Can Fly is co-developing Gears of War: E-Day. People Can Fly were the lead developers of Gears of War: Judgement and co-developed the original Gears of War trilogy. Here is the full quote from the announcement: “Returning to collaborate on the next chapter of this legendary saga is both a privilege and an exciting opportunity to build upon the intense, visceral action and rich storytelling that fans have come to love. We are deeply grateful for our partners’ trust and support on this journey,” says PCF’s CEO, Sebastian Wojciechowski. “Gears of War: E-Day is not just our next major game; it’s a return to what makes Gears of War games special and authentic. We’re pleased to be partnering with the talented folks at People Can Fly who have been a part of our franchise’s legacy for so long.” – Mike Crump, Studio Head, The Coalition. “Our team at People Can Fly, made up of dedicated Gears of War fans, is pouring everything we have into creating an experience that will exceed expectations. While we can’t share more just yet, we’re eager for the day when we can show all the exciting things we’ve been working on.” Gears of War: E-Day will be released for Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. The next Gears of War title is rumored to release in late 2025. However, The Coalition or Xbox Game Studios have made anything official as far as the release window goes.

A God of War Game set in Egyptian Mythology is reportedly in the works

One of Sony’s most successful video game franchises over the last seven years has been God of War. In 2018 we saw the release of God of War exclusively on PlayStation 4. Fast forward four years we saw God of War Ragnarok on PlayStation 5. It has been quiet on what’s next for the series, but a new report suggests there is a new game coming. Next God of War Setting According to a new report from Daniel Richtman (DanielRPK), Sony is likely working on a brand-new God of War game set in Egyptian mythology. The report comes from a reliable insider when it comes to movies and games especially surrounding Sony and PlayStation. The information came through a post on his Patreon.  The report mentions that Sony is currently casting Middle Eastern actors for an unknown AAA title. Then adding the project is likely to be the next God of War that explores Egyptian mythology.  The post says the following:  “Sony is casting Middle Eastern actors for an unknown AAA game, which is likely to be the next God of War that explores Egyptian mythology.” Thanks to Visceral and The Game Post for sharing this.  This setting has been rumored for God of War since 2016 after it was mentioned that God of War could have been set in Egyptian mythology. It was reported recently that Sony canceled two live-service PlayStation games with one of them being a God of War game.  While this setting sounds exciting, Sony has not officially announced anything for the future of the series. As always we must take reports like these with a grain of salt. 

Microsoft approached Moon Studios about Ori 3

The Ori video game series by Moon Studios started 10 years ago with Ori and the Blind Forest then followed by Ori and the Will of The Wisps. While fans have wanted an Ori 3, Moon Studios was quiet about the idea. Microsoft reached out to the studio’s Creative Director, Thomas Mahler about a new game. In the official Discord server for No Rest for the Wicked, Thomas Mahler revealed that he had a call with Microsoft a few days ago. he said in response to a fan “Let’s see what’ll happen.” If Ori 3 becomes a real project at Moon Studios soon, or if another developer takes control, it won’t be for at least a couple of years. It seems Mahler is completely focused on No Rest For The Wicked which is in Early Access. As Microsoft continues to bring more games to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch it’d be no question that Ori 3 would come to all platforms. The previous Ori titles were released on the Nintendo Switch a few years ago.  In March 2024 it was revealed that the Ori series has sold over 10 million units since it started in 2015. It’s a critically acclaimed series that most likely deserves more titles.  Would you play an Ori 3? Source: Reddit

Report: Fallout Throned Prime Video’s Biggest Release For 2024

Not even a year ago, Amazon Prime Video’s Fallout still left one of the biggest impacts for video game adaptations that can still be felt now. Within the first week of airing, the series was already determined #1 worldwide for the platform. In the first month, the show went on to generate more than 65 million viewers as per Variety. Of course, it then went on to be greenlit for the next season by Amazon. Part of the impact that many celebrate about Fallout is the continuity with the games. Todd Howard confirmed that Fallout New Vegas is officially canon with the show. This fall, it was revealed that Fallout was nominated for over a dozen Emmys that illustrates the reach from the Prime Video series. And although production did commence on the new season, it was confirmed that filming was delayed earlier this month. Now according to Luminate, Fallout was officially the largest show for Prime Video. Historically, video game adaptations as of late has left that impact on streamers: Mortal Kombat for then-HBO Max, Twisted Metal for Peacock, and even Halo for Paramount+. Similarly, Fallout performed in the same manner as well. “Fallout is Prime Video’s hit of the year, which is a bit of a surprise, as The Rings of Power would have been expected to make a year-end top 10. But viewership for the Lord of the Rings prequel didn’t live up to the expectations set by the first season,” the document reads. It is gathered that Fallout has accumulated nearly 8 billion minutes watched since releasing this past April. Although Fallout is still finding its form for the series with season 2 to start anytime now, the longevity is seen to also materialize. In a previous interview, showrunners Graham Wagner & Geneva Robertson-Dworet estimated about 5 seasons in total for Fallout. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you surprised by the success of Fallout on Amazon Prime Video? Fallout is available now for Amazon Prime Video. Source: Luminate

Rise Of The Ronin To Receive PC Steam Release This March

The current landscape for Koei Tecmo appears to widen for success. Recently, the firm disclosed its effort to further establish AAA roots for the console space. This also including the forming of a new internal studio for the Japanese publisher. Alongside that, the firm shared that Ninja Gaiden is back in the forefront with Ninja Gaiden 4 alongside Ninja Gaiden 2 Black being revealed this past week. What many consider to be the shoe-in for Koei Tecmo’s now climbing success is Rise of the Ronin which launch last year. “Despite its run of the mill open world formula and last generation graphics, Rise of the Ronin’s commendable accessibility options, fascinating historical backdrop, and addictively refined combat allow it to reach an audience far more than Team Ninja’s titles did before, for better or for worse,” our review for the game reads. This week, Koei Tecmo announced Rise of the Ronin is prepared to launch for PC and the release date is fixed on March 2025. You can watch the announcement trailer in the video below: “Rise of the Ronin takes place in 1863 Japan where, after three centuries of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s reign, the Black Ships of the West descend upon the nation’s borders and the country falls into a state of turmoil. With the fate of Japan now in the hands of a Ronin, players will encounter various historical figures, and the countless choices players make, like choosing whether to assassinate or protect key political figures like the anti-shogunate leader Ryoma Sakamoto, will evolve not only their destiny, but the multiple endings found in the game,” the description reads. “Originally released for PlayStation®5, the epic Bakumatsu era tale takes players on a historic journey where a masterless warrior, known as a Ronin, must fight to forge their own destiny through the chaos of war and political unrest. The upcoming Steam version will support various PC features, including ultra-wide monitor compatibility, 8K resolution, 120fps, 3D audio, and more!” the press release adds. How excited are you to see Rise of the Ronin coming to PC? Rise of the Ronin launches March 11, 2025 for PC; out now for PlayStation 5. Source: Koei Tecmo

Xbox partners with Fanta to give away custom Xbox Series X consoles

Microsoft has been known to collaborate with popular brands around the world to release one-of-a-kind Xbox consoles and controllers. It was announced that Xbox teamed up with Fanta across eight countries in Europe to give away six custom Xbox Series X consoles and matching controllers.  The custom Xbox Series X consoles are designed to represent “the most popular flavors in the brand’s portfolio.” The flavors are Lemon, Orange, Exotic, Fruit Twist, Grape, and Lemon-elderflower.  This contest is exclusive to the following eight countries: Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands.  How To Win Fanta Xbox Console To win the custom Fanta-themed Xbox console, players will have to scan the QR codes on the side of the Xbox-branded packs. Once you do that it will bring you to the Coca-Cola App where you’ll enter the contest. Once players enter it will just be all about luck at that point. The longevity of this contest is unknown at this time. Thanks to VGC for sharing this news.