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Review: Console Archives L’Empereur (Nintendo Switch 2)
This review covers Hamster's Nintendo Switch re-release of Koei's 1991 historical simulation game, L’Empereur. While the game offers deep strategic gameplay for fans of the genre, its complex menus and lack of modern quality-of-life features make it a challenging experience for new players. The digital manual is praised for its faithfulness to the original, but the overall emulation approach is seen as outdated compared to other retro collections.
Why Building a City Should Feel Like Governing One
Mandate Order aims to elevate the city-building genre by focusing on governance rather than just construction, emphasizing the interconnectedness of buildings and their impact on city function. The game simulates how decisions about placement, logistics, and labor distribution directly influence a city's ability to prepare for and survive warfare, making construction an ongoing process of management.
Gameplay Trailer Revealed for Stones of Power, a Thinky Roguelite Deckbuilder
Pointless Games has revealed a gameplay trailer for Stones of Power, a roguelite deckbuilder entering closed beta. The game features a unique grid-based system where players trade magical stones to discover powerful combinations and synergies. The trailer showcases enhanced deck construction mechanics and strategic gameplay, with a release planned for PC and Linux.
Coming Out in gaming this week — July 13, 2026
This week's gaming releases include a variety of titles across multiple platforms, such as Ascend to ZERO, The Alters: Last Variable, D-topia, and Denshattack!. Several games are launching in Early Access, including Funnel Runners and Colonies of The Remnant, while Go-Go Town! receives its 1.0 release.
Matthew Ball was hired to help fix Xbox. Will gamers like what he prescribes?
Analyst Matthew Ball has been hired by Xbox as chief strategy officer to help revitalize the company's business. Ball, a proponent of the metaverse and user-generated content, is expected to influence Xbox's future direction, potentially drawing inspiration from platforms like Roblox and Epic Games' Unreal Engine. This comes as Xbox undergoes significant restructuring, including layoffs and studio closures.
Jokers, Deuces And Big Bids – Black Spades Lands On Xbox
Black Spades, a digital adaptation of the classic card game, has launched on Xbox Series X|S. Developed and published by Konsole Kingz, the game aims to provide an authentic Spades experience with customizable house rules, including Jokers, Deuces, and Reneg calling. Priced at £23.74, it focuses on recreating the competitive spirit of traditional card games for both new and experienced players.
Bithell Games announce Vampirium: 1997, an ‘imslim’ vampire game
Bithell Games has announced Vampirium: 1997, a new vampire-themed game described as an 'imslim' genre. Players take on the role of Dracula's descendant, the King of Britain, tasked with eliminating enemies through a unique tile-and-verb action execution system. The game is set to launch in Early Access on Steam.
Ghost Keeper to leave Early Access and launch in Full 1.0 Release on July 16th
Ghost Keeper will leave Early Access and launch its full 1.0 version on July 16th, 2026, at 17:00 UTC. The complete version will include a full story campaign with new locations, ghosts, and enemies, while maintaining the $12.99 price point with a launch discount. The game blends strategy and puzzle elements with a reverse light-horror setting and grotesque humor.
Forge A New Home In The North – Viking Frontiers Arrives On Xbox Series X|S
Viking Frontiers, a survival and town management game, has launched on Xbox Series X|S after its initial release on PC. Developed by Wildlands Interactive and BLUM Entertainment and published by PlayWay, the game challenges players to build a thriving Viking settlement from the remnants of a clan. It combines first-person survival mechanics with strategic settlement development, resource gathering, and leadership decisions.
The Best Android Turn-Based Games
This guide highlights the best turn-based strategy games available on Android, featuring a mix of empire builders, skirmishers, and puzzle elements. The list includes popular titles like XCOM 2: Collection, Battle of Polytopia, and Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions, with most games being premium purchases.
The Viral Horror Hit Has Finally Arrived – Buckshot Roulette Surprise-Drops On Xbox And Game Pass
The viral indie horror game Buckshot Roulette has surprise-launched on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and is available on Game Pass. The game, which simulates a deadly game of Russian Roulette with a shotgun, has gained significant popularity on PC for its tense atmosphere and simple premise. The Xbox version includes multiplayer and a 'Double or Nothing' mode.
Nine Crowns of Faenord Is an Open-World Action RPG, Now Out
Nine Crowns of Faenord, an open-world action RPG from indie developer Skvork, is now available on mobile platforms. Inspired by games like Valheim and Skyrim, the game features real-time combat, squad management, and a campaign focused on capturing castles and uniting nine crowns. It offers a single-player, offline experience with no microtransactions.
In Mandate Order, Seasons Don’t Just Pass — They Decide Whether a City Survives
Mandate Order, an ancient Chinese war city-builder by Digital Sky, emphasizes seasonal survival mechanics where choices in spring directly impact a city's fate in winter. The game, planned for a Q3 2026 launch on PC via Steam, integrates farming, resource management, and logistics into a continuous pressure system that precedes warfare. Success hinges on managing time, land, and resources effectively through distinct spring, summer, autumn, and winter phases.
Strategy Games Don’t Only Ask Players to Eliminate Chaos
Mandate Order is an upcoming ancient Chinese war city-builder from developer Digital Sky, set during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States era. The game, planned for a Q3 2026 launch on Steam, focuses on managing disorder within a frontier settlement by balancing resource management, logistics, labor allocation, and defense against invasions. Unlike typical city-builders, it emphasizes the constant management of a system that is always being disturbed by seasons, resources, labor, and war.
Viking Frontiers Heads to PS5 and XBOX Series X|S. Build a Settlement and Survive!
The open-world survival game Viking Frontiers, developed by BLUM Entertainment and published by Wildlands Interactive S.A., is launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 9, 2026. The game, which combines survival, simulation, RPG, and strategy elements, tasks players with building and managing a Viking settlement to ensure their clan's survival. It features a deep survival system, clan management, and various paths for players to pursue.
Mort & Phil - An Amiga game that pays tribute to the late master Francisco Ibañez Talavera
A new retro gaming project titled Mort & Phil, based on the Spanish comic duo Mortadelo and Filemón, is set to release soon for the Commodore Amiga. Developed by Amiga Factory, the game pays tribute to the late comic creator Francisco Ibáñez Talavera and features strategy, puzzle-solving, and a disguise system. The project will be open-sourced upon release and is optimized for AGA Amigas, with a potential port for older models.
The Alters: Last Variable Launches July 13th
The expansion 'The Alters: Last Variable' for the survival game 'The Alters' will launch on July 23rd, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This twenty-hour expansion, developed by 11 bit studios, introduces new story elements focusing on Jan Scientist's clones, terraforming mechanics, and escalating planetary threats.
Northgard Battlegrounds gets an Open Beta on Steam, starting July 9th
Northgard Battlegrounds, a new city-building auto-battler set in the Northgard universe, will launch an Open Beta on Steam from July 9th to July 15th. Developed by Funday Games and published by Shiro Unlimited, the game blends settlement management with automated tactical combat and features asynchronous PvP. The full Early Access release is planned for PC later in 2026.
Re:Night – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
Re:Night is a strategy game that combines turn-based tactics with roguelike deckbuilding mechanics. Players will build decks, plan tactical maneuvers, and experiment with three-character team combinations. The game features over 300 cards and 100 pieces of equipment, with a focus on elemental counters and strategic positioning. Beta sign-ups are currently open.
Pierwsza otwarta beta Northgard Battlegrounds rozpocznie się 9 lipca
An open beta for Northgard Battlegrounds, an auto-battler with settlement building elements set in the Northgard universe, will run from July 9 to July 15 as part of Steam Tacticon. Developed by Funday Games and published by Shiro Unlimited, the game will enter Early Access on PC via Steam in 2026.
