Elden Ring
News, coverage and analysis tracking Elden Ring across the outlets.
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Mortal Shell 2 Has One Gameplay Loop I Can’t Stop Thinking About
Mortal Shell 2's Tarstones offer a deep customization system that creates an addictive gameplay loop, enhancing the Soulslike combat and exploration. This system, which functions similarly to Elden Ring's Talismans, allows for extensive build crafting and encourages experimentation with synergies between different effects. The article highlights how Tarstones encourage players to constantly reconsider their strategies and builds, making the game compelling even beyond the initial playthrough.
The Duskbloods Won’t Require Players to be “Great at PvP” to Succeed, Says Director
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki stated that players will not need to be highly skilled at PvP to succeed in the upcoming game, The Duskbloods. He explained that systems like the Kin companions can be emphasized and customized to assist players, allowing those who prefer a less intense PvP experience to still enjoy the game and potentially win matches. This approach aims to cater to a wider range of playstyles, similar to how Spirit Ashes function in Elden Ring.
The Duskbloods is Comparable to Elden Ring, Bloodborne “In Terms of Sheer Volume,” Says Director
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki stated that The Duskbloods will offer a comparable volume of lore and worldbuilding to Elden Ring and Bloodborne. He also mentioned that the game will feature extensive loadout customization and gameplay systems designed to appeal to players who may not be skilled at PvP, despite its PvPvE structure. The Duskbloods is in development exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 and will launch with one map, with more content planned post-release.
The Duskbloods devs were "definitely very happy" with the Switch 2's reveal after FromSoftware struggled…
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that the development of their upcoming multiplayer game, The Duskbloods, initially faced significant challenges on the original Nintendo Switch. The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 was a welcome relief, solving many of these technical hurdles and allowing the team to focus on new systems and player onboarding, areas where Nintendo provided substantial support.
Nintendo pre-order updates – August 23, 2026 – Minecraft for Switch 2, more
This article provides a comprehensive list of Nintendo products available for pre-order as of August 23, 2026, across various retailers in the United States, Canada, and the UK. It details upcoming game releases for the Nintendo Switch and the anticipated Switch 2, including titles like Minecraft, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, and Elden Ring, along with amiibo and book releases.
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.
Japanese Nintendo eShop releases for August 27, 2026
Nintendo has updated the Japanese eShop release schedule for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 for the week of August 27, 2026. Upcoming titles include Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, and Neptunia Unlimited.
Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch file sizes – Elden Ring, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, more
Nintendo eShop listings reveal the file sizes for various games on both the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. Notable titles include Elden Ring at 50.0GB and Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 at 21.9GB for the Switch 2, and 50.2GB for the Nintendo Switch version.
Coming Out in gaming this week — August 24, 2026
This week's gaming releases include a variety of titles across multiple platforms. Highlights include the pixel remake Apidya, the shooter Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, the strategy game Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia, and the prequel Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. Other notable releases are Star Wars: Zero Company, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.2, Aggelos 2, Elden Ring for Switch 2, Captain Tsubasa II: World Fighters, and Toaplan Arcade Garage titles Flying Shark and Fire Shark.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – August 23, 2026 – Elden Ring already on top before launch
The Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of August 23, 2026, show Elden Ring topping the list due to pre-loads, despite its upcoming launch. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 also ranks high with pre-orders, while new releases like DayZ and Starsand Island appear on the charts.
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.
Is The Duskbloods multiplayer and PvP only?
The Duskbloods is a multiplayer-only PvPvE game from FromSoftware that emphasizes combat against enemies and bosses over player-versus-player encounters. Matches are structured in multiple rounds, similar to a battle royale, where players earn Virtue Points by defeating enemies and collecting them, with eliminations occurring after each round. While PvP combat becomes more likely as matches progress, game director Hidetaka Miyazaki assures players that extensive PvP skill is not required to succeed.
Will The Duskbloods be on PC and consoles?
The Duskbloods is currently a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, with no immediate plans for release on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X. While FromSoftware owns the IP and collaborated with Nintendo, there's a possibility of a multiplatform release after an initial exclusivity period, similar to Monster Hunter: Rise. The article also touches on the exclusivity of Bloodborne on PlayStation 4 due to Sony's ownership of the IP.
'There was never really any big plan that these two games would both release next to each other' — FromSoftware president suggests a return to single-player games after Nightreign and The Duskbloods
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki stated that the simultaneous release of multiplayer titles Elden Ring: Nightreign and The Duskbloods was coincidental and not a planned shift in direction. He emphasized the studio's continued focus on single-player content and suggested a return to that style after The Duskbloods launches. The studio's last single-player game was Elden Ring in 2022.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet shows first signs of life in months as Naughty Dog adds an Uncharted and The Last of…
Actor Robin Atkin Downes announced he is joining the cast of Naughty Dog's upcoming single-player game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Downes has a long history with the studio, having worked on multiple Uncharted titles and The Last of Us. This marks the first significant update on the mysterious sci-fi project in nearly two years.
EA staff worries over Saudi buyout, Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks, and Peak's last major update - Patch Notes #66
This article covers several gaming industry developments, including employee concerns at Electronic Arts following a Saudi buyout, ongoing leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6, and the final update for the game Peak. It also touches on FromSoftware's new game The Duskbloods, Compulsion Games' management buyout from Xbox, PlayStation's struggles with live-service games, and the use of AI in game development.
Among Shadows is a Nightreign-style dark fantasy RPG with a touch of Among Us that makes me think wistfully of Dark Souls at its most treacherous
Among Shadows is a dark fantasy action RPG that blends Souls-like gameplay with social deduction elements inspired by Among Us. Players are tasked with hunting corruption in a blighted region, but must also contend with hidden traitors within their own ranks who will sabotage their efforts and murder other players. The game aims to capture the atmosphere of mistrust found in titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls 3, and is set to release later this year.
FromSoftware tease first details of next game before The Duskbloods network test
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki has indicated that the studio plans to return to developing single-player games after its upcoming multiplayer titles, The Duskbloods and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Miyazaki stated that the focus on multiplayer was coincidental and not a strategic shift. The Duskbloods, a PvPvE battle royale game, is slated for a 2026 release on Nintendo Switch, with Nintendo being receptive to the concept and aiding with tutorial design.
Miyazaki says FromSoftware obviously isn't done with singleplayer games despite the combo of Elden Ring: Nightreign…
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki clarified that the studio's focus remains on single-player content, despite the success of multiplayer-oriented titles like Elden Ring: Nightreign and the upcoming The Duskbloods. He stated that the simultaneous release of these games was coincidental and not indicative of a shift in direction. Miyazaki expressed enjoyment in developing multiplayer experiences but reaffirmed the company's commitment to its core single-player RPG roots.
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.
