Open World
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Xbox Game Pass Gets 12 More Games In September
Microsoft has announced 12 new games coming to Xbox and PC Game Pass in September, with some arriving day-one. Titles include Kernel Hearts, Well Dweller, Minecraft Dungeons II, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Dune: Awakening. Several games are also leaving the service on September 30.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, Dune: Awakening, and More
Xbox Game Pass is adding a variety of new titles throughout September and October, including Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, Dune: Awakening, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Several games are also leaving the service on September 30th.
Diablo 5 goes back to a pre-Diablo 4 world of "constant discovery" and procedural dungeons: "The only thing beyond the fog of war is more questions"
Blizzard has announced Diablo 5, which will return to procedurally generated dungeons and overworld areas, moving away from Diablo 4's open-world design. The game aims for "constant discovery" with no safe towns and a focus on the unknown. Diablo 5 is slated for release in 2029.
Blizzard's new StarCraft shooter is "not a seasonal game," says lead: "The story has a beginning, a…
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed that its new StarCraft game will be a narrative-driven, open-world first-person shooter, not a seasonal live-service title. Lead Dan Hay stated the game will be a 'box product' with a definitive beginning, middle, and end, drawing comparisons to Far Cry and Borderlands.
New StarCraft title to launch in 2030, will be an open-world FPS
Blizzard Entertainment announced at BlizzCon 2026 that the next StarCraft title will be an open-world first-person shooter, scheduled for release in 2030. This marks a significant departure from the franchise's real-time strategy roots. The game will feature a standalone story with a definitive ending, and Blizzard also revealed Diablo 5 for Spring 2029 and World of Warcraft: Forever.
Starcraft-shootern blir tredjeperson – och de fokuserar på singleplayer
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed that the upcoming Starcraft shooter will feature a third-person perspective, emphasizing the visibility of player armor and the impact of actions. The game will focus on a single-player experience with a named protagonist, though job postings suggest potential multiplayer elements like PvE or co-op. The title is slated for release in 2030.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Will Allow Players to “Explore the Entire Planet”, Says Director
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that players will be able to explore the entire planet in the upcoming action RPG. The game expands on Rebirth's open world by adding vertical depth and new transportation methods like the Highwind and Chocobo, allowing for seamless transitions from air to ground. The team focused on creating a vast, explorable world while also implementing guidance to prevent player fatigue.
StarCraft is a narrative-driven shooter with 'a definitive ending' and 'not a seasonal game'
Blizzard Entertainment announced a new StarCraft game, described by GM and creative director Dan Hay as a narrative-driven, open-world shooter with a definitive ending, not a seasonal live-service title. Set 70 years after StarCraft 2, the game will feature a customizable protagonist and allow players to explore a rich world, engage in serious missions with narrative consequences, and scavenge for gear. The game is slated for a 2030 release.
The Depths is the best part of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and it's the epitome of everything Zelda as a series…
The article argues that the Depths in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom represent the most compelling aspect of the game, offering a departure from the series' traditional focus on repetition and ritual. This underground area encourages survival and exploration, allowing players to forge their own path and escape the established conventions of Hyrule.
The Sunday Papers
This article presents a surreal journey through a supermarket, encountering various gaming-related articles and discussions. It touches upon "The Blood of Dawnwalker," a sports business scandal involving Steve Ballmer and the NBA, a review of "The Blood of Dawnwalker's" stealth mechanics, and a guide on hosting LAN parties. The narrative blends fictional encounters with commentary on real-world gaming and business topics.
Höjdpunkterna under Blizzcons öppningsshow
Blizzard Entertainment revealed several new titles and updates during its BlizzCon opening show. A new Starcraft shooter is in development for a 2030 release, Diablo IV's 'Season of Hell's Legacy' arrives in early 2027 with a Nintendo Switch version sooner, and a Diablo animated series is coming to Netflix. World of Warcraft will see a 'classic plus' version called 'World of Warcraft Forever' and its next expansion, 'The Last Titan', is slated for next year. Warcraft III: Reforged also receives a new DLC campaign today.
Shack Chat: What was your favorite reveal from the September 2026 Nintendo Directs?
Shacknews staff members discuss their favorite reveals from the September 2026 Nintendo Direct presentations. Top picks include Metroid Ravenous, a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and an open-world Kirby game titled Kirby and the World Beyond. Other notable announcements mentioned are Metal Slug Ultimate Collection and Persona 4.
The Games That Changed How We Play
This article celebrates National Video Games Day by highlighting games that have significantly impacted gameplay and the industry. It covers titles like Pong, PAC-MAN, Super Mario Bros, DOOM, and Minecraft, detailing their innovations in genres, mechanics, and player interaction.
Game of the Week – The Blood of Dawnwalker is the ultimate vampire RPG fantasy
The Blood of Dawnwalker offers a compelling vampire RPG experience with inventive storytelling and a unique time-based currency system. Despite some performance issues on PC and Xbox Series S, the game provides a rich open world and engaging narrative, especially for fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The developers at Rebel Wolves have delivered a worthwhile adventure that respects player choice.
Bully-Inspired PlayStation 5 Adventure Game Gets Release Date, Out Soon
Agefield High: Rock the School, a new PlayStation 5 adventure game inspired by Bully, will be released on September 25, 2026. The game features open-world exploration, a time and school system, and a story with multiple endings, following a teenager's high school experience. It was previously released on PC.
The Blood of Dawnwalker's lack of stealth makes this Witcher 3-like feel incomplete
The Blood of Dawnwalker, an action RPG from Rebel Wolves, is praised for its dark fantasy atmosphere and similarities to The Witcher 3, but is criticized for its lack of a stealth system. This omission makes the game feel incomplete, especially given the protagonist's vampiric abilities, and creates a disconnect with the narrative's focus on subtle infiltration.
One of the Best PS5 RPGs Is Half Price on PS Store, DLC Included
The Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, including all updates and the Phantom Liberty expansion, is available for half price on the PlayStation Store as part of a limited-time promotion. This PS5 exclusive deal offers the game for $35.49 until September 24.
My Most Anticipated Nintendo Switch Games After the Nintendo Direct
Following the recent Nintendo Direct, this article highlights the author's most anticipated games for the Nintendo Switch. Top picks include Persona 4 Revival, Persona 6, Professor Layton and The New World of Steam, Cairn, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, Kirby and the World Beyond, and The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother.
The Blood of Dawnwalker – Why Exploring the Same World Twice Never Gets Old
The Blood of Dawnwalker offers a unique approach to open-world exploration by presenting two distinct versions of its world: one for human Coen and another for vampire Coen. This duality transforms how players interact with the environment, allowing for vertical traversal and different social interactions depending on the time of day and Coen's form, making revisiting areas feel like discovering them for the first time.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation leads on crafting the trilogy for over a decade
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Naoki Hamaguchi and Battle Director Teruki Endo discuss the decade-long development journey of the trilogy, from Final Fantasy 7 Remake to the upcoming conclusion. They highlight the evolution of game design, from Remake's story focus to Rebirth's open world, and Revelation's planetary exploration scale, noting player curiosity about future projects as a sign of success.
