STACK #252 October 2025

YOUR

TO MOVIES, TV, MUSIC, GAMING & TECH TO MOVIES, TV,

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

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ISSUE 252 OCT ’25

STACK Issue 252 OCTOBER 2025 “The strength we need is all around us.” WIN!

INSIDE:

BOSE QUIETCOMFORT ULTRA 2 ND GEN HEADPHONES: NEXT-LEVEL QUIET MEETS IMMERSIVE SOUND THE RISE OF FITNESS TRACKER BANDS

WIN 1 OF 2 DJI MINI 5 PRO DRONE PACKS!

PERKS see page 4 for details

CONTENTS

ISSUE 252 OCT

GAMING 6 Take 5/Charts/Q5/Wham, bam, game exam! 10-11 Like a ghost: Ghost of Y ō tei interview 12-14 Once more unto the breach! Battlefield 6 Q+A 16 The Pokémon story: Pokémon Legends: Z-A hits! 18 Sword up! Ninja Gaiden 4 interview 19 Outer sight! The Outer Worlds 2 interview 20 Come out and play with Logitech G! 22 Strike with the Cobra! Razer Cobra HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse 24 New from Corsair: Vanguard 96 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard + Sabre v2 Pro Ultralight Wireless Gaming Mouse 26-27 What's out this month? TECH 38 The Polar Loop: A fitness band that fits your lifestyle 40 The Withings BeamO is a 4-in-1 health check-up 42-48 Your ultimate guide to electric scooters 50 Triple your coffee with the Ninja Luxe Café 52 Ice cream made easy with the Tefal Dolci 54 See the sizzle with the new Ninja Crispi 56 The new Philips air fryer is stacked! 58 Power up with the KitchenAid K200 blender 60 The Ecovacs X11 redefines robot vacs 62 The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is here 64 Unfolding the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold 66 LG’s portable lifestyle screen 70 Bose’s Gen 2 QC Ultra headphones are here 74 How 360 action cameras capture every angle 76 Check out the new GoPro Max 2 78 Shoot immersive videos with the DJI Osmo 360 80 The Insta360 X5 – your pocket-sized adventure pal 82 New tech at JB this month MUSIC 84 Take 5/My first album/STACK exchange 86 New albums from Baker Boy + Paul Dempsey 90 New albums from Ruel + Olivia Dean 92-93 What's out this month? 94 Vital vinyl: Oasis, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Crystal Clear Vinyl 92-93 Shake some action with Stuart Coupe MOVIES & TV FLIP MAG AND READ FROM BACK 4 Intro/Take 5/Filmmaker's Signature/Trivia/In Development/Bob J's Film Buff Bafflers 5 Merch of the month/Charts/Socials/This month 10 years ago 6-7 Superman /From Tromaville to Metropolis.../ A bold new era for DC Studios 8 28 Years Later / I Know What You Did Last Summer 9 Bring Her Back/Dangerous Animals 10 Jurassic Park: Rebirth / Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning 12 Bob J: Here's to you, The Graduate 13 New to 4K 14 Reel Classics: New from Imprint Films/The latest anime 16 What's new this month? 30 Yesteryear’s tech/Editor’s choice 32-34 The rise of fitness tracker bands 36 WHOOP Life decodes your health

2025

WELCOME

In 2020, Ghost of Tsushima arrived on PS4, taking familiar game concepts, and wrapping them in a captivating tale set in 13th century Japan that was alive with simply gorgeous graphics and some of the best action-adventure gameplay we’ve experienced in our many years of gaming. It was like playing a classic Akira Kurosawa movie – it even had a black and white Kurosawa mode for added authenticity! The game was so well received, even in Japan, that its US developers, Sucker Punch, were made official tourism ambassadors of the island of Tsushima. This month its much-anticipated sequel, Ghost of Y ō tei , hits, taking the established formula and honing everything to a finer point than those on the myriad traditional weapons featured in-game. We jump forward 300 years to Japan’s Edo period, and see our protagonist, Atsu, seeking revenge on the dreaded Y ō tei Six for the murder of her parents. Her tale is mesmerising. We’ve played it to the end and loved every second of our some 60-hour journey. Now it’s your chance – don’t miss this landmark gaming treat. Amy Flower, Games Editor

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Founder Nic Short Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones Tech Editor Scott Hocking

Music Consultant Mike Glynn Marketing Manager Fleur Parker Chief Contributors Gill Pringle, Bob Jones, James O’Connor Contributors Jeff Jenkins, Billy Pinnell, Bec Summer, Dan Nicholson, Stuart Coupe, Trista McConville, Michael Caverzan

Social Media Manager Glenn Cochrane Production Manager Craig Patterson

Games & Online Editor Amy Flower Movie & TV Editor Glenn Cochrane Creative Director Gary Siewert Movies Consultant Kerrie Taylor Games Consultant Sachi Fernando

Correspondence STACK editor@stack.com.au

RATINGS GUIDE

Parental guidance recommended

Recommended for mature audiences

Not suitable for people under 15. Under 15s must be accommpanied by a parent or adult guardian

Restricted to 18 and over

General

Disclaimer STACK is published by Scribal Custom Pty Ltd (ACN 092 362 135). © Copyright Scribal Custom Pty Ltd, 2025 All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material or advertisement. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Scribal Custom Pty Ltd. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. Whilst care has been taken in the research and preparation of this publication, the publishers, writers or anyone else associated cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or hardship arising from the content contained herein or reliance therefrom, howsoever caused, and it remains your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any such content. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or the editor. By the very nature of this publication, things change daily and we cannot take responsibility for any changes or inaccuracies that occur subsequent to going to press.

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What’s your earliest video gaming memory?

BEST SELLERS at

Watching my dad play games on the PlayStation 2… or playing Mario Kart on the Wii.

SEPTEMBER 2025

OCTOBER

1 EA SPORTS FC 26

What’s your all-time favourite game or game series?

2 BORDERLANDS 4

’ s ROVING REPORTER

Ghost of Tsushima.

3 NBA 2K26

What have you been playing most lately?

4 SONIC RACING: CROSSWORLDS

SHUAIB ALI @ JB Oxley, QLD

I absolutely loved Hollow Knight , so naturally I’m playing Silksong . I’m really excited for Ghost of Y ō tei !

5 SILENT HILL f

You can only have one games console from any era – what would it be and why?

What’s the best thing about working in games at JB?

6 DONKEY KONG BANANZA

The variation between sales, merchandising, and operational tasks keeps me refreshed.

PlayStation 5. It has accessibility to PS4 and PS5 games, and the controller design feels the best.

7 METAL GEAR SOLID DELTA: SNAKE EATER

8 MINECRAFT

Are you up to answering all eight of this month’s game related posers?

1. On which console was Ghost of Y ō tei developer Sucker Punch’s first game released? 2. What was the name of the first Battlefield game? 3. What was the name of the protagonist in 2017’s Little Nightmares ? 4. What were the names of the two 2021 games that Pokémon Legends: Arceus served as a prequel to? 5. What was 1988’s NES version of Ninja Gaiden known as in Australia and Europe? 6. Which Fallout game did The Outer Worlds 2 developers Obsidian make?

9 RUGBY LEAGUE 26

GAME EXAM

10 CRONOS: THE NEW DAWN

!

7. What’s the name of the pictured Dragon Quest series character? 8. On which SEGA console did the original Tomb Raider first release?

ANSWERS on page X

1 What’s the first game that you remember playing? Hogan’s Alley . 2 What was the last game that you finished? Lost Judgment - I give it 10/10. 3 What’s your favourite video game/series of all time? All time it would be Zelda, GTA, and the Tony Hawk series, but with Tears of the Kingdom I think Zelda might take my number one spot. We’ll see if GTA 6 can change that. 4 What do you think is the most underrated video game of all time? Battle Garegga is a masterpiece. 5 What’s the game that you most wish you’d worked on? Moving Out 64 would be a cool one, but in real life I think it would have been really fun to make levels in the Tony Hawk series.

Minigame dev team member on LEGO Party! at SMG Studio DAVE LOCKMAN

Link from The Legend of Zelda:Tears of the Kingdom

OCTOBER 2025

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Games sold separately. *PS5 console, broadband internet Wi-Fi with at least 5Mbps, and account for PlayStation ® required.

GAMING FEATURE

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LIKE A GHOST FORMAT: GENRE: Action adventure MULTIPLAYER: No

The follow-up to the action-drenched Ghost ofTsushima , Ghost ofY ō tei , is out this month. We caught up with the game’s creative director at Sucker Punch, Nate Fox, to learn more about the much-anticipated new Japanese historical adventure. Words Amy Flower A fter the massive success of Ghost of Tsushima , a sequel was inevitable. “It’s difficult to make video games no matter what,” says Nate with a grin. “With a new

But what was learned from the experience, and what did the Sucker Punch team want to dive deeper into this time? “For Ghost of Y ō tei we wanted to double-down

IP, the team must find the bright centre of a playable

fantasy, then bring it to life on every level. With a follow-up game you can lean in, working hard to craft fresh experiences on top of that playable fantasy.” We have a female protagonist in Ghost of Y ō tei , Atsu, and a classic revenge story as she sets out to avenge the death

on player exploration,” Nate reveals. “Provide tools to discover secrets and stories, while at the same time not overwhelming people with too much information about where to go or what to do.” We wondered which was more of a challenge, launching a wholly new IP, or following it up after it proved such a huge success.

of her parents at the hands of The Y ō tei Six. Nate tells us that some classic Japanese – and other – pop culture milestones helped provide inspiration. “The Ghost franchise is based off classic samurai movies, the relatable

humanity in Seven Samurai and the wandering ronin fantasy of Yojimbo are pillars of the franchise. However, for Ghost of Y ō tei revenge films like Lady Snowblood and Kill Bill also got us thinking about the emotional power and narrative momentum of a

10 OCTOBER 2025

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FEATURE GAMING

• Ghost of Y Ō tei is out Oct 2

“In Ghost of Tsushima , we did our best to honour the lethal precision featured in classic samurai films. For Y ō tei , we added in a feeling of improvisation, allowing the player to take advantage of unexpected opportunities to get the upper hand,” says Nate. “For instance, Atsu might disarm an enemy then pick up their weapon to lethally throw at another foe. Or an elite enemy

might spot Atsu while she is sneaking around, so the player decides it’s worth using a loud firearm to kill the enemy, despite the sound of the gunshot bringing all the other enemies running.” Ghost of Tsushima could be frenetically paced one minute, and you could be chilling out in a hot spring or petting a fox the next. Nate reveals that there are new peaceful diversions experience moments of peace in Ezo. From Sumi-e painting, to playing shamisen, to playing a high stakes gambling game called Zeni Haijki in inns.” Ultimately, Ghost of Y ō tei is about discovery, and Nate hopes that it leaves a lasting effect on players. “All of us at Sucker Punch built the game so that players can get lost exploring Ezo. Years after folks are done playing the game, I hope they remember a buzzy feeling of discovery while guiding their horse up a hill toward something that caught their eye.” to look forward to in Ghost of Y ō tei . “There are a lot of opportunities to

quest for vengeance. But that’s just where the game starts, as Atsu’s story progresses her motivations change and mature in unexpected ways.” Even upon launch on the PS4, Ghost of Tsushima was one of the most stunningly beautiful looking games ever seen. The Sucker Punch team went to great lengths to bring further realism to Ghost of Y ō tei . “We chose to set the game in Hokkaido [called Ezo in 1603] because of the intense beauty and variety found there,” says Nate. “Sucker Punch went over for two research trips, taking photos, videos and audio recordings. What we experienced on those trips absolutely guided our hands as we built. For example, we were blown away by Mount Y ō tei. It inspired us to make the mountain the hub which Atsu’s adventure rotates around, and the title of the game.” One of the many beauties of Ghost of Y ō tei is that players can take their time exploring the world of Ezo. “Players are under no time pressure to find the Y ō tei Six,” Nate tells us. “For Atsu, 'revenge is a dish best served cold’. To hunt down her targets she’ll need to acquire clues, while doing that there are plenty of people to meet, skills to learn and gear to acquire. The path players carve through the world while hunting is very much up to them.” Combat was free flowing in Ghost of Tsushima , and the ante has been upped in Ghost of Y ō tei .

All of us at Sucker Punch built the game so that players can get lost exploring Ezo

“I’d recommend players get good at the Perfect Parries, it’s both a move that feels great to pull off and is your best friend in duels. Also, do yourself a favour and visit the dual wielding Sensei early on, it’s a good time fighting with two swords.” REVENGE TIPS Here are Nate’s top tips for Ghost of Y ō tei players…

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Rise of the Ronin, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Red Dead Redemption II

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GAMING FEATURE

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GENRE: Shooter MULTIPLAYER: Yes

FORMAT:

THE BREACH! ONCE MORE UNTO

A legendary shooter series returns this month with the arrival of Battlefield 6 . After mixed reactions to 2021’s Battlefield 2042 , the team decided to look back at the series’ roots for inspiration. Creative director Thomas “Tompen” Andersson tells us more… Words Amy Flower, Paul Jones

Can you elaborate on how past Battlefield games have influenced Battlefield 6 ? With over two decades of learnings from previous titles, there’s a lot of experience, opinions, and cold, hard data to draw from to make the best Battlefield we can. Player expectations, habits and needs evolve over time, so it’s not always certain that something which worked over a decade ago will work today. We’re heavily inspired by Battlefield 3 and 4 , but other titles are frequently brought up in discussions. Perhaps something that we felt was successfully executed in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 or Battlefield 1 , or maybe an interesting solution in say Battlefield V that we think can fit and be made even better for Battlefield 6 . What were the most significant learnings that you took from the Battlefield 6 open betas? The open beta testing continued the influx of enormous amounts of usage data regarding weapons, movement, vehicles, modes, and maps that the team can use to

Did you have a clear set of objectives that you wanted to achieve before development on Battlefield 6 began? After more than a decade, we wanted to get back to the modern era and effectively create a spiritual successor to some of our favourite games in the franchise: Battlefield 3 and 4 . That decision included getting Battlefield’s signature all-out warfare experience right, bringing back an exciting single player campaign, and providing a mix of game modes and maps to satisfy our players’ diverse playstyles and preferences. However, we knew that no matter how many different ways we created for our players enjoyment, it would mean nothing if we

didn’t nail our core gameplay components like movement, gunplay, and marquee features with extra focus on squad play, classes, and tactical destruction.

12 OCTOBER 2025

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Available at

continued THE BREACH! ONCE MORE UNTO

GAMING FEATURE

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A TIP FROM THE TO(M)P(EN)! Thomas shared this tip with us for aspiring Battlefield 6 multiplayer stars… “The most important thing to be successful is to play the objective, remember that good teamplay and performing your class role well can overcome big differences in skill, and to use any and all advantages in your surroundings like destruction and vehicles to gain the upper hand.”

• Battle

f i

eld 6

is out Oct 10

us and say that the destruction is a bit like the “greatest hits” of our past. You’ll find returning features in an updated form like facade destruction from Battlefield 3, which allows slabs of a destroyed wall to damage players underneath. In general, it’s a satisfying mix of spectacle with a substantial gameplay impact. On the topic of changing it up, we’ve focused on making destruction even more impactful and meaningful in gameplay, which is why we call it tactical destruction. Aside from the obvious function of taking down a wall to deliberately remove cover for enemies or creating new paths for your team through walls, floors and ceilings, we've also added persistent rubble piles as an effect of taking down larger structures. These can be used as cover or to quickly climb to the floor above and surprise your enemy. What can fans expect from the welcome new single-player campaign? For those of us who enjoy storytelling and cinematic action at our own pace, we get to experience war through the eyes of the members of Dagger 13, a US Marine Raiders’ squad. It’s a great primer to the world of Battlefield 6 . You’ll get to know Dagger 13 and other key players, become armed with a greater understanding of the escalating global conflict, its factions, and even some context for the battles you get to experience in multiplayer. Expect the same great combat, complete with destruction, vehicles, and class roles - but in the form of a story-driven roller coaster ride that will take you across the globe to fight back the threat of a massive private military corporation known as Pax Armata.

improve and balance the game for launch. We’ve already been fortunate enough to gather this feedback and data in a more limited form through BF Labs for earlier builds. I feel that’s been a massive reason why we’re so confident in the version we’re about to launch. Because of the way our development schedule works, the open beta build was already older and more limited than what we were playing internally at the time. Even with that being the case, it allowed us to validate a good number of the decisions made in post beta builds based on player behaviour and feedback during beta. What do you feel are the biggest improvements that you’ve made to the multiplayer experience? The rework of the core gameplay systems and particularly what the team calls the Kinesthetic Combat System turned out amazing and it’s a very well-oiled machine in terms of performance and responsiveness. I’m equally proud of the team’s effort in many other areas where I think we make a big statement, including our tactical destruction, classes, and teamplay features. Even though it’s “just” one little addition, I do want to give a special shoutout to the drag

and revive feature that the response has been incredible for. It’s a bit of a game changer and I can’t imagine the game without it now. Can you please tell us more about the new multiplayer ‘Escalation’ mode? This mode is responsible for some of my favourite playtests during development. It’s our all-new, all-out warfare mode and something I hope our players will love as much as I do. The team wanted to create a mode borrowing from Conquest in terms of dominating territory and combined arms gameplay, but with even more close and intense matches. Escalation features two large armies clashing with infantry and combat vehicles in a battle for territory. Holding more objectives than your opponent for a time will win you territory. When that happens, the objective closest to your headquarters now belongs to you and is taken out of play while your headquarters location moves up closer to the newly established frontline. Effectively this shrinks the play space and pushes the teams closer together. It’s an… Escalation… of intensity and it’s further amplified by more vehicles coming into play with every territory won. For us it’s been a constant source of nail-biting drama and loud excitement in our playtest area.

Environmental destruction is back big time! Can you please let us know how you’ve

changed it up for Battlefield 6 ? Glad you noticed! I’ll first connect back to the question about how earlier Battlefield games influenced

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Ready or Not, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Helldivers II

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GAMING FEATURE

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THE POKÉMON STORY

Compete from Z-A! Billed as an “ambitious new adventure”, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is set in Lumiose City. Players will explore the metropolis aiming to unravel its secrets, and the game also sees the introduction of dynamic, real-time Pokémon battles.

It was February of 1996 when the RPG phenomenon that we now know as Pokémon first launched in its native Japan. With a new entry in the core series, a sequel to 2013’s Pokémon X and Y in Pokémon Legends: Z-A , launching this month, we catch up with a bit of the history of how we got from there to here. Words Amy Flower I t may be a world-beating phenomenon now, but the origins of Pokémon lie in a self

and fast ever since. The core franchise kept things handheld, graduating from Game Boy to Game Boy Color, and then Game Boy Advance, and onwards through Nintendo’s DS, 3DS, Switch, and now Switch 2. Home consoles didn’t miss out on the fun, with side series games releasing first on the Nintendo 64, then through GameCube and Wii. The Wii U had to make do with some classic games releasing on its Virtual Console.

idea that you truly believe in, Nintendo were pitched the idea but they rejected it – several times. When the Game Freak crew became closer with Nintendo’s game guru Shigeru Miyamoto, however, they finally convinced the Big N that the idea was a good one. Little did anybody involved know just how big it would become... After several years of development, and with Game Freak skating frighteningly close to bankruptcy, the first ever Pocket Monsters game was completed, and released early in 1996 in the now familiar two flavours, in this case Pocket Monsters: Red and Pocket Monsters: Green , for the Game Boy.

published magazine entitled Game Freak , by Satoshi Tajiri, back in 1983. Tajiri soon teamed with illustrator Ken Sugimori. The huge video game

fans decided to take a next step in 1989, teaming with multitalented programmer Junichi Masuda to form a game development company, which they also called Game Freak. They developed games for the Famicom/Nintendo

Entertainment System, Super Famicom/Super Nintendo, Game Boy, and SEGA’s Mega Drive, while developing a close relationship with Nintendo. They were even entrusted with making games starring that game company’s mascots Yoshi, Mario, and his nemesis Wario. During this time, Tajiri was fascinated with the portable Game Boy, and how two units could be connected via a Game Link cable. This led to memories of his childhood, and an interest in collecting insects. When combined with a love of the Ultraman series that featured big monsters squished into teensy capsules, this kernel grew into the idea for Capsule Monsters , which later became Pocket Monsters . Proving that it’s worth persevering with an squished into teensy

Spinoff games have come thick and fast, from stadium battles to pinball, action adventures to trading card simulators, and myriad different puzzle challenges to a drawing game. Then there was Detective Pikachu which, of course, spawned a movie starring Ryan Reynolds as the lead character’s voice. The Pokémon people certainly haven’t been shy about trying new things. There have been crossovers with super-popular fighting game series Tekken , introducing us to “Pokken” in two Pokken Tournament games, and even a Pokémon Tetris . Of course, we haven’t yet mentioned the myriad television episodes, movies, trading cards, figurines, plushies…

Together they included 151 creatures to catch, train and trade with friends – using that Game Boy Game Link cable – for the player to become a Pokémon master. After the game’s popularity exploded, a special Blue edition, featuring improved graphics and sound and a bunch of gameplay and glitch tweaks, was released. It wouldn’t be until 1998 that the rest of planet Earth had an opportunity to get in on the

Pokémon craze, when Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue , based on the upgraded Japanese Blue release, went global. Remaining a Nintendo exclusive for its major releases – there have been dalliances with mobiles, online, Mac, and Windows - Pokémon games have come thick

At current count there have been more than 120 different Pokémon video games released – some of them upgrades of previous releases – and a grand total of 1025 Pokémon to add to the ever-expanding Pokédex. If you’ve gotta catch ‘em all, you’ve quite some work ahead of you!

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A is out Oct 16

16 OCTOBER 2025

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GAMING FEATURE

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OUTER SIGHT! Promising a new crew armed with new weapons facing new enemies in a new colony, this month’s The Outer Worlds 2 offers a lot of new for action RPG fans. Game director at Obsidian, Brandon Adler, elaborates. Words Bec Summer FORMAT: GENRE: Action RPG MULTIPLAYER: No

THE OUTER WORLDS FOR DUMMIES The original was a wild space-faring RPG where you woke from cryo-sleep to find corporate chaos ruling the galaxy. With a snarky AI, oddball companions, and choices that actually mattered, you’d shoot, sneak, or sweet-talk your way through hilariously dystopian colonies. Capitalism gone wild – but made hilarious! With The Outer Worlds 2 , expect more space shenanigans, questionable ethics, and quite likely a moon mascot with a thousand yard stare.

“B efore The Outer Worlds shipped, we knew we wanted to do a second one,” says Adler. “We knew we wanted to plan for that. I knew I wanted to be a part of it.” The decision to go bigger was inspired by issues that players raised about that first foray into Obsidian’s new sci-world. “The worlds themselves were a little small. And some of that was the size of the map," Adler admits. There were also alluring waypoints that offered little or nothing to players. “In the very first area, there’s a volcano, and it looks really cool,” he offers as an example. “And you're like, ‘I’m going to go to that volcano, it looks cool’. And you go to the volcano, and there’s nothing there… “We can’t do that,” Adler continues. “If something looks awesome, the player needs to be rewarded for going there. And now the player feels like the world is

bigger because they're actually exploring.” Consequences are a very real thing in The Outer Worlds 2 , as Adler explains. “Typically, with most Obsidian games, there are lots of story points where things change, but we tried to go a lot further on that. Even things like how do you treat your companions? Do you treat them poorly? Well, there are points in the story where that's going

to matter, and they’ll push back at you, or they won't listen, or they’ll back you because you were there for them and you kind of helped them out when something went wrong, or something like that.” While some sequels can dilute the experience for wider appeal, Adler says that’s not the Obsidian way. “Yeah, we want to make a game that people want to continue playing for a long time, obviously, but sometimes you just have to pick a lane. I’m not going to make a game for literally everybody, because then I feel it waters down the experience.”

• The Outer Worlds 2 is out Oct 25

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Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, Cyberpunk 2077, No Man’s Sky

18 OCTOBER 2025

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FEATURE GAMING

SWORD UP! It’s taken 13 years, but this month sees the release of a direct sequel to 2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3 , appropriately titled Ninja Gaiden 4 . PlatinumGames producer and directorYuji Nakao tells us more about theTeam Ninja collaboration… Words Bec Summer FORMAT: GENRE: Action adventure MULTIPLAYER: No

DYK? The word "gaiden" means "side story" in Japanese.

represent adversity for Yakumo. To maintain the tension throughout, we’ve added high-speed elements like rail and wire-based actions to keep up the sense of challenge” Nakao-san says that nailing the character movement to suit the high-speed action of Ninja Gaiden 4 proved a challenge. “Improving responsiveness while faithfully inheriting that unique sense of grip the series is known for, and ensuring it still feels good for newcomers, meant we had to strike a very delicate balance between two differing needs. “In the end, I think we achieved a feel that is incredibly approachable, yet still familiar so that veteran fans can pick up the controller and instantly think, ‘Ah, yes – this is how it felt!’” The look of Tokyo has been changed up for Ninja Gaiden 4 , too, with more of a distinct cyberpunk aesthetic. “We wanted to blend old and new elements,” Nakao-san enthuses. “Tokyo in this game has been drastically transformed by the influence of the underworld, which is why it appears this way. Rain is a major visual theme in this game. For example, we’ve put a lot of effort

F ans will instantly notice a new lead character in Yakumo. Nakao-san explains his introduction. “One of the key reasons we chose to introduce a new protagonist is that Ninja Gaiden 4 marks the series’ return after a long hiatus. We trust that longtime fans who’ve followed the series will continue to support, but we also wanted to create a character that would allow new players – those starting fresh with

PlatinumGames’ debut title, MadWorld , was an extremely violent Wii exclusive. Like the movie Sin City , it was all black and white – save for splashes of red. It's a sin!

the franchise – to begin on equal footing and grow alongside the protagonist.” It was part of the

is adversity, which means some new gameplay additions. “Adversity is a key concept for this game,” explains Nakao-san. “From the

team’s vision to deliver the most amazing Ninja Gaiden game yet. “With Ninja Gaiden 4 , we aimed to fully realise everything we’ve ever wanted to express in an action game, and Yakumo embodies that vision.” One of the game’s core themes this time

beginning to the end of each stage and even in the transitions between,

into how characters look when drenched, how raindrops hit the ground, and various other effects.”

everything is designed to

• Ninja Gaiden 4 is out Oct 21

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The Nioh Collection, Bayonetta 3, God of War Ragnarök

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GAMING FEATURE

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Gamers, rejoice! Logitech G has revealed a whole new range of up-to-the-minute tech just for you. Whether it’s a headset, mouse, keyboard, or even a hot new racing rig, they’ve got you covered. Words Amy Flower COME OUT AND PLAY WITH LOGITECH G!

G321 Lightspeed Gaming Headset Designed for dynamic comfort and fit, while delivering the features a gamer desires most in a headset, the G321 is a winner, whether you go for black or for white.

PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2c Compact LightSpeed Gaming Mouse

a breeze, with Logitech G’s 2.4GHz LIGHTSPEED, while Bluetooth pairing allows connectivity to game chat, music, podcasts, and more. Need a break from in-game chat? Just flip the crystal clear 16kHz boom mic to mute – and then flip again to re-enter the fray.

With a rich pedigree in esports, Logitech G partnered with top players to create this compact yet power-packed mouse. Designed for those who prefer a less bulky mouse, the PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2c delivers a balance of shape, weight, and feel on the outside, features five programmable buttons, and weighs in at a mere 53 grams. On the inside it packs an advanced HERO 2 sensor that’s tuned for unmatched performance and precision, tracking at over 888 IPS, 88 G-force, and up to 44K DPI. Logitech G’s LIGHTSPEED wireless

delivers tournament grade connection, while a battery life of up to 95 hours per USB-C charge means that players will play better, longer.

Headband padding is 15mm thick, while memory foam earcups with an elastic knit fabric cushion your lugs, while pumping every beat of your game into them via high performance audio drivers. Controls are blissfully easy to access, with physical buttons for power, Bluetooth, and volume control all on the headset. Wireless connectivity is

Astro A20 X Lightspeed Gaming Headset If you have multiple gaming consoles, switching between them with your headset can be a drag. But not with the clever A20 X, which uses Logitech G’s PLAYSYNC AUDIO to instantly flip between Xbox/Switch and PS5/PC at the touch of a button.

G515 RAPID TKL Wired Gaming Keyboard The latest and greatest in gaming

Inside, biocellulose PRO-G AUDIO drivers pump out rich sound, which is expertly tuned for whichever system you are connected to at the time. Outside, a 48kHz high-res mic captures every word. As for connectivity, choose from 24-bit LIGHTSPEED Wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired – the Astro A20 X is versatile!

The ‘RAPID’ in the title? The switches can dynamically reset, allowing rapid keystroke repetition without fully lifting your trigger finger. Add fully configurable LIGHTSYNC RGB, double shot keycaps, and a tank like stainless steel top plate, and the G515 RAPID TKL is built for battle.

keyboard tech is what we’re promised with this new release from Logitech G. The spec listing certainly backs up the claim for this low profile – it’s just 22mm high - tenkeyless release, which is wired for 100% stable connection. Customisation is big, with the ability

The ultra lightweight headset – it’s less than 300 grams – is engineered to be comfy for long gaming sessions, and it’s made to look amazing with built-in LIGHTSYNC RGB, which you can program to express your own individuality, along with getting your audio settings just right – G HUB and the G Mobile app make it simple.

to fine-tune the magnetic analog key switches anywhere from 0.1 mm to 2.5 mm for personalised performance and set key priority. Plus, configure specific actions on one key by setting two actuation points for quicker transitions – like walk/run.

RS50 8NM Direct Drive Wheel Bundle and accessories A true innovator in the racing simulation field for years,

RS50 Table Clamp pack is coming in PS5/PC and Xbox/PC flavours, offering an advanced direct drive wheel in a complete package. It boasts 8Nm of peak torque, supported by TRUEFORCE, while

being compatible with existing Logitech G wheels. A handy OLED settings display allows players to quickly alter their wheel parameters on the fly. Available separately, the RS Pedals unit comes with

a load cell brake (delivering added realism) that’s adjustable

now the RS50 system brings Logitech G’s latest advances to a racing wheel and pedal setup. The R50 Base, RS Wheel Hub, RS Round Wheel, and

for force and feel, and an accelerator pedal, with a

clutch pedal for classic shifters available separately and easily bolted on.

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NEW RELEASES ANNOUNCED AT LOGITECH G PLAY PREORDER NOW

LIGHTSPEED GAMING HEADSET A20 X

G321 LIGHTSPEED

GAMING HEADSET

PLAYSYNC AUDIO SWITCH BETWEEN 2 SYSTEMS AT ONCE

KEEP PLAYING

PREORDER NOW

PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2C

COMPACT LIGHTSPEED GAMING MOUSE

G515 RAPID TKL WIRED GAMING KEYBOARD

SMALL SHAPE. BIG VICTORY. Perfect for smaller hands and various grip styles.

Low profile analog switches. Unlock rapid trigger, key priority and multipoint action.

BRING THE THRILL OF RACING TO HOME

Add on the RS Clutch module to RS Pedals to complete the set up

RS50 8NM DIRECT DRIVE WHEEL BUNDLE FOR XBOX | PC

RS50 8NM DIRECT DRIVE WHEELBUNDLE FOR PS5 | PC

RS CLUTCH

RS PEDALS 75kg loadcell brake

Includes base, wheel hub and rim

Includes base, wheel hub and rim

OFFICIAL GAMING PERIPHERALS PARTNER

GAMING FEATURE

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It's just a jump to the left! With many gaming mice, lefthanders are plumb out of luck, unless they’re skilled in

The boffins at Razer have taken their Cobra gaming mouse back to their lab and applied a selection of cool updates and enhancements. Introducing the Razer Cobra HyperSpeed! Words Amy Flower STRIKE WITH THE COBRA! Razer Cobra HyperSpeed!

physical origami. The Razer HyperSpeed is

a symmetrical shape, so lefties are just as welcome as righties. The only imbalance is two programmable buttons on the left side that will require some pinkie flexibility.

WEIGHTY ISSUES The most noticeable thing first up is its weight – or lack thereof. The Cobra HyperSpeed is one seriously svelte gaming mouse, weighing in at a mere 62 grams, perfect for those precise speedy flicks and swipes. This is a reduction of around 15 grams from the previous iteration, achieved by removing rubber side grips, reducing the Chroma RGB zones, streamlining the top buttons, and reworking things mechanically inside. That doesn’t mean that the Razer HyperSpeed lacks features though, it just offers more of what you need, some of what’s nice to

It’s also suited to smaller hand sizes, as it doesn’t have the sheer bulk that some gaming aimed mice do. The wheel and buttons are the meat and potatoes of a great gaming mouse – if they’re not up to the task, then what’s the point? With Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-4 inside you can expect crisper clicks, and with no debounce delay – meaning no pesky inadvertent double clicks. Then there’s the Razer Optical Scroll Wheel, which has been highly engineered to avoid game-killing pitfalls such as reverse scrolling, ghost inputs, and missed scrolls. That’s the buttons sorted, but what about the motion? Razer Focus X 26K Optical Sensors offer incredible responsiveness and precision tracking for pixel-perfect aim - 26K DPI delivers a smart 99.6% resolution accuracy. GETTING CONNECTED Options when it comes to connectivity are another must

have, and the Cobra HyperSpeed offers three ways to connect. HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless gives up to 100 hours, Bluetooth up to 170, or you can go old school and use the included USB-A to USB-C cable for unlimited play. NICE TO HAVE The ability to set up macros to streamline regularly used functions or key presses is always desirable, and there are five onboard profiles for storing any of nine of them that the Cobra HyperSpeed offers, all triggerable via a swipe or click. Combine this with Razer’s AI Prompt Master software, which lets you explore game strategies on the fly, and the Cobra HyperSpeed packs some serious power. Access to it is handily mapped to the extra button in front of the scroll wheel by default, too. underneath, as well as lighting up Razer’s classic logo up top. It can be customised from 16.8 million colours, and you can employ a range of effects as well. It’s also ready to rock with over 300 games featuring preset integration. All the above is handled via Razer’s handy – and free - Synapse software, which offers a world of tweaks at your fingertips. The added handy features don’t stop there though. Not one for wired charging? The Cobra HyperSpeed is compatible with Razer wireless chargers (sold separately), as well as many from other trusted brands. Then there’s RGB lighting. You may not need it, but you can’t deny that it looks the goods! The Cobra Hyperspeed features four-zone Chroma lighting that gives off a striking glowing effect from

have, and, of course, less flab. WHAT YOU NEED

In the “what you need” department, let’s start with comfort. The combination of the proven Cobra shape in a newly lighter package makes for comfortable, effortless grip – whether you prefer fingertip or claw style - for extended gaming workouts.

• The Razer Cobra HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse is available now

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GAMING FEATURE

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RGB lighting in gaming keyboards has become commonplace, but a built-in LCD screen? Corsair have introduced one in their swish new Vanguard 96 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, and if you’re thinking “gimmick” you couldn’t be further from the mark. P ositioned up top right, alongside a handy multifunction dial, the pleasingly clear 320 x 170-pixel screen keyboard itself is very impressive. Underneath each key lies one of Corsair’s pre-lubricated MLX SCREEN TIME!

is brilliant for checking what settings and modes are engaged and getting feedback in words when you change functions up, or you can even assign personal animations or custom images. But where it really shines is in its integration with Elgato’s Virtual Stream Deck. Whether it’s for gaming, streaming, or productivity, you can map actions to the six programmable G-keys down the left side of the unit and unlock clickable shortcuts onscreen or via hotkey. Less clutter, more getting things done! It isn’t all about the screen though, as the

mechanical key switches, designed to resist wobbling while offering top-tier responsiveness. Or, if you prefer, you can hot-swap in your fave compatible switches. Each key press makes a satisfying click without risk of waking the neighbours, and each of those presses is registered blindingly fast thanks to the Vanguard 96’s maximum 8000Hz hyper-polling. Another blessing for those of us who like to play is a built-in game mode. Activate it and the backlighting – which is ultra tweakable – bursts into a red scheme,

settings are optimised for gaming, and that pesky Windows key will bother you no more. Plus, if you wish to tweak settings, or update firmware, Corsair’s Web Hub lets you do it without installing any cumbersome software, and a comfy wrist rest rounds out the package nicely. Amy Flower

• The Corsair Vanguard 96 Mechanical Gaming keyboard is available now

Every gram can matter in a pro-level gaming mouse, and Corsair know it. Introducing their new five-button Sabre v2 Pro Ultralight Wireless Gaming Mouse, aimed at FPS players, and weighing in at just 36 grams. T hat isn’t a misprint. 36 grams. When we first took it out of the box, we thought it must be an SEE THE LIGHT!

button mapping, DPI, and macros are all easily set up to your liking via Corsair’s installation-free browser-based Web Hub. When in-hand, the Sabre v2 has a classic humped back shape that’s perfect for various styles of grip, and obviously at 36 grams you can easily flick it about anywhere from fluidly to frantically and trust that it will respond to your input eagerly. With up to 70 hours of battery time from one charge, the Sabre v2 is more than up to the task of the most insane gaming marathons, or ready to take on any tournament and always deliver. Amy Flower

empty mouse shell, but once plugged in and put into action, it’s very much the real deal, even if you may worry that it’ll float away if you don’t keep your hand on it! This weight saving doesn’t mean a lack of features, either. The spec sheet impresses, with Corsair’s Marksman S optical sensor combining with a super speedy 8,000Hz hyper-polling rate to deliver 33K DPI accuracy, tracking up to 750 IPS, and 50G acceleration. It’s built to last, too. Custom-tuned mechanical switches are rated for 100 million clicks – that’s a whole lot of fragging – and speaking of custom,

• The Corsair Sabre v2 Pro Ultralight Wireless Gaming Mouse is available now

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Available at

GAMING PREVIEWS

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WHAT’S OUT Words Amy Flower

No matter what style of game is your vibe, there’s sure amongst these fresh releases heading to JB this month.

LEGO PARTY! RELEASE DATE: Now GENRE: Party FORMAT:

LITTLE NIGHTMARES III RELEASE DATE: Oct 10 GENRE: Platformer FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes The unique world of Little Nightmares returns, with a whole new entry bringing

EDITOR’S PICK

MULTIPLAYER: Yes Why should Mario and his mates have all the boardgame fun? It’s time to get

the gang together and party LEGO style! One to four players can get into the action locally or online – complete with multi platform support – just pick your minifigure and be challenged by any of 60 different minigames, covering such popular LEGO themes as Space, Pirates, Ninjago, and more. Come get your golden brick on!

a whole new set of fears to face. Take on the roles of Low and Alone – solo or, for the first time in the series, with a partner – as they search for a path out of Nowhere. Armed with a bow and a wrench, our intrepid pair must work together to solve clues and fight to survive against horrifying odds. What evil lurks in the shadows?

GHOST OF YŌTEI RELEASE DATE: Oct 2 GENRE: Action adventure FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No Ghost of Tsushima remains one of our favourite games of recent years, and we’re not alone in being super-keen for this standalone sequel. Set some 300 years after events of the first game, in Edo period Hokkaido (then known as Ezo), our titular Ghost for this outing is female warrior Atsu, who is hellbent on exacting revenge for the murder of her parents – and attempted burning of herself – by the dastardly Y ō tei Six. Our heroine deftly wields tools from a vast selection of new weaponry that includes various things pointy, exploding, shooty, and more, set in a vast new area of Japan that’s centred around the majestic Mount Y ō tei. Expect regular battles to take down the Y ō tei Six and their many associates, broken up by captivating exploration, side quests, and chilled experiences ranging from board games to petting foxes, and playing music to taking a dip in hot springs.

DIGIMON STORY: TIME STRANGER RELEASE DATE: Oct 3 GENRE: RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No The ’90s Digital Monsters phenomenon

JUST DANCE 2026 EDITION RELEASE DATE: Oct 14 GENRE: Rhythm FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes It’s time to bust out your best moves once again with the annual update to

Ubisoft’s dancefloor behemoth. Get down to 40 new tracks, including recent hits from Dua Lipa, Bruno Mars, and One Republic, and classic bangers from the likes of Madonna and Smash Mouth. Boogie solo or in co-op, and up to six can dance together locally. Plus, hit the new Party Mode for a wild dance showdown!

shows no signs of slowing down with the arrival of this latest Digimon game. An RPG with monster taming elements, players will explore the deep bonds between humans and Digimon while partaking in an epic story themed around the world’s collapse. Battle through epic turn-based combat, combining strategic elements with evolved battle components.

PAINKILLER RELEASE DATE: Oct 9 GENRE: Shooter FORMAT:

POKÉMON LEGENDS: Z-A RELEASE DATE: Oct 16 GENRE: Action RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes We’re off to Paris! Well, Lumiose City, which is based on the French

MULTIPLAYER: Yes Back in 2004, shooter fans eagerly tore into Lucifer’s army for a chance to gain

redemption, ditch Purgatory, and enter Heaven. Now, the gates of Hell are reopening for this modern-day reimagining, which amps the gothic graphics as you battle hordes of demons and titanic terrors to stop fallen angel Azazel from unleashing Hell on Earth. Play solo, or team up for co-op either locally or online.

capital, in the newest Pokémon adventure – the second in the Legends series. The story is set within an urban redevelopment project undertaken by Quasartico, Inc. in the grand city for both people and Pokémon, and we’ll be seeing the return of the Mega Evolution mechanic as players aim to advance from Rank Z to Rank A.

BATTLEFIELD 6 RELEASE DATE: Oct 10 GENRE: Shooter FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Prepare for epic warfare as the first-person shooter legend returns,

NINJA GAIDEN 4 RELEASE DATE: Oct 21 GENRE: Action adventure FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No The classic franchise returns after way too long, from an inspired

bringing everything from infantry battles to wild aerial dogfights. A new combat system connects you more than ever to your soldier, while rejigged gunplay and an overhaul of tactical movement means that play is more instinctive and precise. From solo to a myriad of multiplayer options, it’s time to show ’em what you’re made of!

meeting of two of Japan’s top developers – Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. Young ninja prodigy Yakumo enters the action-oozing fray, and finds his fate intertwined with the series’ legendary Ryu Hayabusa. You’ll need to be at your best for the intense and stylish combat, and to save Tokyo from a resurrected ancient enemy.

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PREVIEWS GAMING

THIS MONTH?

to be something to get excited about

Coming in NOVEMBER

VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE – BLOODLINES 2 RELEASE DATE: Oct 21 GENRE: Action RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No Enter the World of Darkness in this

THE OUTER WORLDS 2 RELEASE DATE: Oct 25 GENRE: Action RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No Fresh from the minds of Fallout: New Vegas creators Obsidian, this sequel

ups the Outer Worlds ante with a whole new first-person sci-fi adventure that brings a whole lot of newness! As an Earth Directorate agent, you’re tasked with uncovering what’s behind devastating rifts that are threatening to wipe out humanity. Yep, the fate of the galaxy is in your hands, so please don’t blow it. No pressure!

long-anticipated sequel to the 2004 original, based on the hit tabletop RPG. Step into the shoes of the Nomad – an elderly vampire who’s awakened from a 100-year snooze to find an unfamiliar 21st century world around them. Explore a neo-noir Seattle with the aim of solving a century-old cold case that threatens all of society – both mortal and undead.

CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 7 (Nov 14) PS5 XSX PS4

DOUBLE DRAGON REVIVE RELEASE DATE: Oct 21 GENRE: Fighting FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes The classic coin gobbling ‘80s arcade beat ’em up makes a triumphant return,

DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D REMAKE RELEASE DATE: Oct 31 GENRE: RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No If you’ve been wanting more since the

with all the upgrades that you’d expect in 2025. Thrill to modern 3D graphical updates and careful control tweaks, as you again take on the roles of the Lee brothers, survivors of the nuclear war of 15 years past, who take it upon themselves to fight back against the evil gang Shadow Warriors and their plans to take over the town. JURASSIC WORLD EVOLUTION 3 RELEASE DATE: Oct 21 GENRE: Simulation FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No Have you ever watched one of the Jurassic movies and wondered, ‘How did they get it all so wrong?” Reckon you can do better? Well, you can go for it in this latest entry in the ongoing construction and management series, where you build and run your very own Jurassic World. You can do it all, from breeding prehistoric species, right through to creating homes for them to flourish in. But please, take care, yeah? TOMB RAIDER IV-VI REMASTERED RELEASE DATE: Oct 24 GENRE: Action adventure FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No One of gaming’s greatest heroines is back with a triple whammy in this continuation of the remastering of her classic games. Explore the lost tomb of the Egyptian god Set in The Last Revelation , be presumed dead in Chronicles, and become a conspiracy-busting fugitive in The Angel of Darkness . Go for the Deluxe Edition and score a 150 page map book, CD, steelbook, and more!

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake , then get ready for a double barrelled hit of legendary RPG action! Now the original two games have received the treatment, coming together in stunning reimaginings of the treasured Erdrick Trilogy adventures. Defeat the Dragonlord in Dragon Quest I then, 100 years later, rise against the forces of evil in Dragon Quest II .

TALES OF XILLIA REMASTERED RELEASE DATE: Oct 31 GENRE: Action RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Since 2011, fine action RPG Tales of

KIRBY AIR RIDERS (Nov 20) SWITCH 2

Xillia has been the exclusive domain of PS3 players. But now it’s back, and sharing the format love! This lovingly remastered edition lets us dive once again into the amazing world of Rieze Maxia and embark upon an epic journey in a kingdom where peace is under threat. Can you stop the mana drain and restore balance? Thrill to improve graphics, UI tweaks, and bonus DLC!

TERMINATOR 2D: NO FATE RELEASE DATE: Oct 31 GENRE: Platformer FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No Relive both the glorious days of 1990s-style pixel graphics and what

was arguably the greatest ever Arnie movie – Terminator 2: Judgment Day - in one neat little package! It’s an arcade frenzy, experiencing the key events of the film such as Sarah Connor and the T-800 taking on Skynet’s T-1000, and leading the Resistance as John Connor as humankind’s only hope in the War Against the Machines.

PROJECT MOTOR RACING (Nov 25) PS5 XSX

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