Playstack
Playstack business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
LocalThunk "leaks" Balatro 1.1, revealing "at least" 4 new Jokers, new Tier 2 voucher, and a promise…
Balatro creator LocalThunk has shared details about the upcoming 1.1 update, including at least four new Jokers, a new Tier 2 voucher system, and a new blue stake. He admitted the update is past its original 2025 due date but emphasized his commitment to not rushing the release to ensure a high-quality experience.
Here are the first finalists for the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK
The finalists for the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK have been announced, recognizing excellence in workplace culture and specific areas like CSR, Diversity, Education, Environment, Health & Wellbeing, and Training & Development. NaturalMotion Games leads with five special award nominations, followed by Rocksteady Studios, Jagex, Playground Games, and Rare. The winners will be celebrated at a ceremony in London on October 1, 2026, following the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
Balatro developer LocalThunk turns up on Discord to talk about the 1.1 update and life after burnout: 'I truly am…
Balatro developer LocalThunk has communicated via Discord about the upcoming 1.1 update, acknowledging the long delay and his personal burnout. He is now approaching development more like a hobby, prioritizing his well-being and the game's quality over strict deadlines. The update is expected to be the last major content addition for Balatro.
About Fishing is much weirder than you think
About Fishing, developed by Kevin "The Water Museum" Brown and published by Playstack, presents itself as a fishing game but features a bizarre narrative involving a mermaid gentlemen's club and a murder mystery. Despite its unsettling marketing and Nintendo 64-era visuals, the game aims for a unique, intriguing experience rather than horror. It is scheduled for release on PC and PlayStation 5 in 2026.
Mortal Shell 2 dramatically improved in almost every way by first major update
Mortal Shell 2 received its first major update, addressing criticisms regarding its economy, weapon and Shell balance, and world distribution of save points. The patch introduces new currency items, overhauls riposte mechanics, and adds new Beacons, aiming to improve player experimentation and overall experience.
UK software sales chart for the week ending August 22, 2026 – Pokemon Pokopia, Tomodachi Life, and Mario Kart in the top 5
The UK software sales chart for the week ending August 22, 2026, shows EA Sports FC 26 reclaiming the top spot. Nintendo titles remain strong, with Pokemon Pokopia and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream at #2 and #3, and Mario Kart World at #5. Mortal Shell II entered the top 5 at #4.
Mortal Shell II Review | TheXboxHub
Mortal Shell II offers a brutal and satisfying Souls-like combat experience with a unique shell-swapping mechanic and a variety of weapons, including firearms. While the game features a decaying world aesthetic and solid sound design, it is hampered by persistent camera issues and some enemy design similarities. The story involves recovering stolen 'Ova' for the Undermether, and the game is now available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
First Mortal Shell 2 balance patch stacks the deck for players: refunds for anyone who wasted Glimpses, bosses nerfed,…
Developer Cold Symmetry has released the first major balance patch for Mortal Shell 2, focusing on player buffs, enemy nerfs, and quality-of-life improvements. The patch addresses the game's resource economy, refunding players who spent Glimpses on Shell maps and increasing Gold drops. Several enemies and bosses have been nerfed, while certain weapons and Tarstones have been buffed.
The Best Games To Play When Your PC Is Basically A Potato
This guide highlights PC games that can run on older or less powerful hardware, focusing on titles that offer engaging gameplay without requiring high-end components. The selection includes a variety of genres from roguelikes like Balatro and Hades to simulation games like Factorio and Stardew Valley, all chosen for their accessibility and low system requirements.
After plenty of time with it, I'm convinced Mortal Shell 2 is an excellent Soulslike, with various overhauls allowing it to realise the vision of the original
Mortal Shell 2 is an excellent Soulslike that builds upon its predecessor with significant overhauls and a confident design. The game features faster combat without a stamina bar, a new Resolve mechanic, and deeper customization through its Shell system. While boss fights are a weak point, the overall experience offers a dense world and engaging moment-to-moment gameplay, making it a strong contender in the genre.
The Golden Idol Saga Nintendo Switch physical release announced
Super Rare Games, in partnership with Color Gray Games and Playstack, has announced a physical release for The Golden Idol Saga on Nintendo Switch. This release will include the base game, its expansions, and all four DLCs on a single cartridge. Pre-orders for both standard and Deluxe Editions open on August 27.
Mortal Shell II Review – Emerge from your shell
Mortal Shell II is a promising sequel that expands upon its predecessor's unique soulslike mechanics, offering a bigger and more complex experience. While the main plot is weak, the game features compelling combat, a wide variety of "Shells" and weapons, and memorable boss fights, though some UI choices and early-game annoyances detract from its polish. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Mortal Shell 2 review - the perfect Soulslike for beginners
Mortal Shell 2 offers an accessible Soulslike experience, drawing inspiration from Elden Ring with its new open world. While it lacks major innovations and its open world design is questionable, the game features an impressive shell system, a stamina-free combat mechanic, and extensive customization options. It stands as a solid third choice in the genre for players intimidated by FromSoftware's titles.
Mortal Shell II Is Now Out On Xbox, PlayStation And PC
Mortal Shell II, the standalone sequel from Cold Symmetry and publisher Playstack, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. This action RPG features faster combat, deeper weapon customization, and a compact open world with secrets and dungeons. The game removes the stamina gauge for a more aggressive approach while retaining challenging encounters and the signature Shell system.
Mortal Shell 2 review: A monumental heavy metal sequel with the spirit of a '90s PC game
Mortal Shell 2 is a monumental sequel that blends modern Soulslike elements with the spirit of '90s PC games, offering a unique and humorous take on the genre. It significantly improves upon its predecessor with diverse playable 'Shells,' a more straightforward narrative, and innovative combat mechanics that forgo a stamina bar, making it highly accessible and flexible.
Mortal Shell 2 review: "The best Soulslike I've played since Elden Ring thanks to brilliant death-dealing toys and speedy combat"
Mortal Shell 2 is a superior and more accessible sequel to the original, offering faster combat and a world dense with ideas. While it doesn't dethrone Elden Ring, it stands as a strong Soulslike with its own merits, featuring unique "mortal shells" with distinct abilities and a satisfying combat system. Despite minor issues with camera control and difficulty balance, the game is a visually impressive and fun experience available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for August 17 to 21
This week's "Next Week on Xbox" feature highlights numerous game releases for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC between August 17 and 21, including titles available on Game Pass. Notable releases include S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (DLC), Backyard Baseball, The Sinking City 2, and Mortal Shell II, alongside a variety of indie titles across different genres.
Best New Xbox And Game Pass Games For August 2026
August 2026 is set to be a strong month for Xbox and Game Pass, featuring a diverse lineup of new releases. Highlights include the action RPG Beast of Reincarnation and the story-driven Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, both launching day one on Game Pass. Other notable titles span genres like survival horror, strategy, and multiplayer warfare, offering something for every player.
Narrative Notebook #5 – UNBEATABLE's music video vibes can't be beat
This analysis delves into the narrative design of the rhythm game UNBEATABLE, highlighting its unique approach to storytelling through music and its "artificial reality" aesthetic, drawing parallels to music videos and film trailers. Co-director RJ Lake discusses the challenges of conveying emotion and meaning without explicit exposition, emphasizing the game's demand for player interpretation.
Unbeatable delayed on Nintendo Switch 2, statement shared
The release of Unbeatable on Nintendo Switch 2 has been delayed due to performance issues. Developer D-Cell stated that the game is not running at a satisfactory frame rate, detracting from the experience. A new release date has not yet been announced, but the team is working to improve performance.
