Grand strategy country crusher Europa Universalis 5 was announced yesterday, revealing a complex century-spanning historical sim. But one thing we still don’t know is the price or how it’ll be sold. If you want to buy the previous game in the series, Europa Universalis 4, you’ll find a slew of subscription models and a big library of DLC alongside the base game. Which might cause some fans to worry that the sequel will launch with some sort of similar subscription model. But this won’t be the case, say developers Paradox Tinto. They’re going to sell it normally. At least for now.
Deltarune will be releasing the same day as the Switch 2 and ahead of the big launch, Toby Fox has provided an update in his latest newsletter about how you’ll be able to access his game on your new Nintendo system.
If you’ve already bought the game on the original Switch, or plan to get it on this platform any time soon, you’ll be able to get it at “no additional cost” on the Switch 2. You’ll need to be using the same Nintendo account on both systems and this offer excludes Japan, where a small payment is required.
The Switch 2 is on the horizon and if you don’t plan on upgrading immediately, once again there’s no need to worry about being left behind (at least for now).
Between wrangling a full-time job and parenting two young kids (including one born smack in the middle of development), I built The Abandoned Planet from a tiny corner of a Florida bedroom that doubles as office, nursery, and general chaos zone. Picture a Moleskine notebook taking up the last bit of empty space on a small desk, each page scribbled with little hand-drawn rooms and arrows mapping every corridor, while my toddler occasionally “helped” by crawling over my laptop. What I optimistically pegged as a one-year passion project stretched into two and a half years of solo dev hustle—coding, drawing, animating, composing the soundtrack, and even conjuring a semi-functional base-7 number system and a bespoke alien alphabet to pepper through the in-game journal and subtitles.
Every pixel in The Abandoned Planet was drawn on my Wacom tablet. I poured over the detailed pixel-art, the frame-by-frame animation, and the eerie soundscape. Movement feels delightfully retro—four-way D-Pad navigation—yet polished with a certain snappiness and dynamic touch. As you progress through this alien world, you decipher cryptic glyphs and pick up bizarre objects. It’s 90s-style adventure nostalgia, reimagined for the modern gamer.
Modern Yet Retro: Immerse yourself in gorgeous pixel art enhanced by a sleek, high-definition UI.
Quick Gameplay: A responsive navigation system which gives a nimble feel to the gameplay.
Classic Point & Click Adventure: Leverage your items and the environment to awaken ancient totems, power up forgotten devices, and journey boldly into dangerous territories.
An Expansive World: Five Acts with over 300 unique areas to explore.
Haunting Animated Cutscenes: Dynamic, yet brief, cutscenes intersperse the gameplay, enriching the narrative.
Fully Voiced: Enjoy the game in 11 world languages, complemented by complete voiceovers in English…and a unique alien language!
While The Abandoned Planet is a standalone game, it fits into a greater saga following Dexter Stardust: Adventures in Outer Space and hinting at more spacey escapades to come. Every puzzle twist and every scrawled alien symbol traces back to my crowded bedroom-nursery office, which kept development delightfully unpredictable. If you’re craving an adventure that’s as much about exploring a lost civilization as it is celebrating the odd joys of solo game creation, splash down on The Abandoned Planet for your next weekend escape.
When a wormhole tears open in space, an astronaut is hurled down and crashes on a distant planet. But where is she? Where are all the inhabitants of the planet? And how is she going to get back home? Solve the puzzle and piece together the mystery in this 2D, pixel art, first person, point and click adventure.
Inspired by games like Myst and Riven with a dash of the LucasArt adventures of the 90s, The Abandoned Planet is sure to scratch that old-school, adventure game itch.
• Beautiful chunky pixel art
• Hundreds of locations to explore
• Classic point and click adventure
• Fully voiced in English
Text localized into the following languages:
• English
• Spanish
• Italian
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Korean
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Chinese Simplified
• Chinese Traditional
Did you know that Stardew Valley is the 21st best-selling game of all time? It’s sold more than Skyrim! At least by the numbers we currently have, anyway. I don’t care all that much about sales figures, but if creator Eric Barone cared more about money, I can only imagine that a sequel would be all but guaranteed. As it turns out though, the developer could actually see himself making a sequel to the beloved farming sim.
I’m not sure if the words cosy and apocalypse are generally ones that go hand in hand together, but Doloc Town is positioning itself as just that. Specifically, it’s a quite lovely looking pixel-art farming sim set in a post-apocalypse, and it just launched in early access today. Like in many farming sims before it, there’s the usual thing of tending to and growing your crops, cooking them up, fishing, that sort of thing. Where it differs is it’s all on a 2D plane, obviously meaning you’ll have to think about space quite differently.
Limited Run Games has shared the release date for the long-awaited return of everyone’s favourite gaming gecko, Gex. The Gex Trilogy launches on Switch (and other consoles) on 16th June 2025, and it’s obviously getting a rather lavish special edition.
So, uh, yeah, let’s talk about that collector’s edition. Well, there’s two of them, but we’re mostly referring to the ‘Tail Time Edition’, a $199.99 bundle that includes — among other expected things — a 36” inflatable doll of Gex. Yes, we weren’t messing around in the headline.
Among my many endeavors as a teenager, from learning to drive and how to play guitar, one stood alone on a mountain of impossibilities: landing an Ollie. It would come in time after a lot of practice and many bumps and scrapes. From there I’d move on to landing Shov Its, pulling off the occasional Manual, landing an Ollie down some stairs, and grind on a few curbs. The kick-flip, though, remains elusive to this day.
Among the many things skateboarding taught me, like perseverance and how to “walk it off,” it also taught me how to look at the world around me in a different way. Where someone would just see an empty parking lot, I would see endless possibilities of curb grinds. Stairs? I bet I could Ollie down them. That rail? Not a chance.
This is what the Tony Hawk games dialed up to 11, creating elaborate levels loosely inspired by real-world locations, encouraging you to examine its surroundings and assemble your own “run” while pulling off tricks you could only dream of. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, launching July 11 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox PC, and day one with Game Pass, brings us back to this world with some of the most elaborate levels the series has ever put out, now with a significant boost in overall quality and playability – the game has never felt more fun.
It’s seriously impressive what developer Iron Galaxy has pulled off here in bringing these games back to life. Revitalized locations like Foundry, Canada, Los Angeles and Suburbia as well as College, San Francisco, and Alcatraz look better than ever, which have been rebuilt from the ground up. It’s still a blast to grind rails over scolding pits of molten metal in Foundry, or skate around a (loose) recreation of one of the most iconic skating spots in the world along San Francisco’s waterfront, and even the wackier elements like unlocking the haunted house in Suburbia. It’s all a tremendous homage to not only the classic Tony Hawk video games, but to the world of skateboarding.
New for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 will be the Waterpark level. Set within the Mojave Desert, this location is directly inspired by Tony Hawk and his crew who used to sneak in and skate abandoned waterparks growing up. This soon-to-be legendary skating spot is a tremendously fun creation from Iron Galaxy, with a variety of pools to carve up, unique challenges to complete (try restoring power to the Arcade), and huge water tubes to skate down — grinding the Bowl Slide, weaving down the Twister Slide, or pulling off a loop inside the Funnel Slide are all worthwhile efforts you should undertake here.
Like real-life skateboarding, playing a Tony Hawk Pro Skater game takes some practice — it’s practically a fighting game on wheels, where you combine button presses while pushing your analog stick in a particular direction to pull off a variety of tricks. String a couple of these together and you start to charge your Special meter, which then unlocks more advanced tricks for you to attempt that yield many points; wipe out, the meter resets.
It can be punishing at times, especially when you’ve tied together a 9,000+ point combo only to miss the landing. Thankfully, getting back on your board is nearly instantaneous so you can start up a new combo. Personally, I’ve always had the most fun grinding rails while executing flip tricks to build up my score, but I still struggle to this day with the more vertical challenges on the half-pipes, something I’m still pushing myself to perfect. And when the game looks and plays this well, I don’t mind having to repeat these challenges time and time again.
Landing tricks are only part of the fun. Scattered throughout every level are a series of challenges that range from a collect-a-thon, like finding all the letters to spell S-K-A-T-E, to landing some insane jumps found throughout the level, or harassing some of the onlookers. There’s a ton to do here on every level to keep you busy. Also, the game has an excellent in-depth tutorial narrated by Tony Hawk himself to walk you through how to play – highly recommended for new players to check this out or those looking for a refresher on how all this works.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 will also launch with a tremendous number of professional skaters to play as, with specific attributes that seemingly tie into their own real-life counterparts. For example, playing as Tony Hawk, who is a master at vert, can gain some serious air in the game with incredible spin control. Whereas someone like Rodney Mullen, who has pulled off some incredible flip tricks in his day, can execute these much more quickly.
Finding one of these legends that compliments your specific style of play in-game is the first step in getting a handle on it. Personally, I liked rolling with Eric Koston who has some balanced stats across the board, meaning I could approach just about anything in most of the levels and have some degree of success. The roster is also full of new and upcoming skaters like Rayssa Leal, Yuto Horigome, Nora Vasconcellos, and many more — you’re sure to find someone that can fit your approach. You’ll also have the option to create your own skater, but this wasn’t available for our hands-on time.
The Tony Hawk series has not only been a gateway to the world of skateboarding, but also a showcase for a lot of artists across the punk rock, hardcore, metal, and hip-hop scenes. Music has always been integral to skating and so many musicians themselves have tied themselves to it as well (Ian MacKaye is someone who immediately comes to mind). And the soundtrack this time around is no exception, mixing a blend of artists from the previous games, like Motorhead, The Faction, and Run-D.M.C., while weaving in modern alt musicians like Idles, Thee Oh Sees, and Fontaines D.C., all blend seamlessly with the feel of something you’d put on your headphones while skating around the park.
I love that the core gameplay loop still feels fresh and challenging in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 , figuring out the ideal run while building up your Special meter, discovering wild combinations and occasionally finding yourself asking, “How the hell did I just do that?” It’s that perseverance of wanting to try and try again until I could land that trick just right – that’s what keeps me wanting to come back for more and I can’t wait to dive into the full package when it launches July 11.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is available for pre-order today on the Xbox Store for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox PC with support for Smart Delivery, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Play Anywhere. Pre-ordering Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Digital Deluxe Edition on the Xbox Store will grant you three days of Early Access and the ability to play as both the Doom Slayer or a Revenant along with themed skate decks, Create-A-Skater items, and bonus soundtracks. Pre-orders will also grant you access to the Foundry Demo that’s set to arrive in June.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – Digital Deluxe Edition
– Early Access – get the game 3 days early*
– Access to the Foundry Demo**
– Wireframe Tony Shader
Purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition to skate as the Doom Slayer and rip and tear through a ton of additional content.
The Digital Deluxe Edition includes:
– Cross-Gen Bundle of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
— Includes Xbox One, Xbox X|S and PC (Microsoft Store) versions of the game
– The Doom Slayer and The Revenant playable skaters, each includes 2 secret moves. The Doom Slayer includes 2 unique outfits and the Unmaykr Hoverboard skate deck.
– Additional songs included with the in-game soundtrack
– Exclusive Doom Slayer, Revenant, and Create-a-Skater skate decks
– Exclusive themed Create-a-Skater Items
Get hyped for the legendary franchise to return with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. Everything you loved is back, but revamped with more skaters, new parks, gnarlier tricks, eardrum shattering music, plus a whole lot more.
– Reunite the crew with cross-platform online Multiplayer*** for up to 8 skaters in new and returning game modes.
– Drop in to new parks or tear it up across the timeless parks from both Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 & Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, authentically remade in jaw dropping 4K**** resolution with streamlined goals and the epic 2-minute format.
– Hit ‘em with some drip in the expanded Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park modes, including the ability to create custom goals to share with friends for the first time ever.
– Shred harder than ever with more challenging goals and an enhanced New Game+ mode.
– Whether you’re a total casual or a grungy pro, the same smooth handling and simple-to-learn controls from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 will have you shredding like a Pro.
Alert the neighborhood watch and grab your skate buddies because the shred’s not dead. It’s back and better than ever.
*Actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.
**Foundry Demo availability and launch date(s) subject to change. Internet connection required. This pre-purchase will grant you access to that demo, when released. See www.tonyhawkthegame.com for details.
***Activision account and internet required for online Multiplayer and other features. A Game Pass subscription may be required for Multiplayer and other features (sold separately). Activision may modify or discontinue online services in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued to to factors including number of players.
****The Xbox Series X version of the game will run native 4K at 60FPS in Fidelity Mode. The Xbox Series S version will render at 1440P and upscale to 4K. 4K output requires a 4K compatible device or display.
For more information, please see www.tonyhawkthegame.com.
Get hyped for the legendary franchise to return with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. Everything you loved is back, but revamped with more skaters, new parks, gnarlier tricks, eardrum shattering music, plus a whole lot more.
– Reunite the crew with cross-platform online Multiplayer* for up to 8 skaters in new and returning game modes.
– Drop in to new parks or tear it up across the timeless parks from both Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 & Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, authentically remade in jaw dropping 4K** resolution with streamlined goals and the epic 2-minute format.
– Hit ‘em with some drip in the expanded Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park modes, including the ability to create custom goals to share with friends for the first time ever.
– Shred harder than ever with more challenging goals and an enhanced New Game+ mode.
– Whether you’re a total casual or a grungy pro, the same smooth handling and simple-to-learn controls from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 will have you shredding like a Pro.
Alert the neighborhood watch and grab your skate buddies because the shred’s not dead. It’s back and better than ever.
*Activision account and internet required for online Multiplayer and other features. A Game Pass subscription may be required for Multiplayer and other features (sold separately). Activision may modify or discontinue online services in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued to to factors including number of players.
**The Xbox Series X version of the game will run native 4K at 60FPS in Fidelity Mode. The Xbox Series S version will render at 1440P and upscale to 4K. 4K output requires a 4K compatible device or display.
For more information, please see www.tonyhawkthegame.com.
THPS Fest at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles celebrates the return of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 by providing a closer look at some of the parks coming to the game on July 11.
Read on for a breakdown of the game content, including a look at the featured skateparks being brought into the game by the developers at Iron Galaxy Studios.
Iron Galaxy has a long history of working on some of the top IPs in video games. Their meticulous attention to detail and quality creates unforgettable gameplay experienced by players around the world. And now they’re extremely excited to put their stamp on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4.
The Parks
Let’s take a look at five parks from the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 Skate Tour and four from the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 Skate Tour, including the new Waterpark level.
THPS 3 Skate Tour Parks
Los Angeles: Hit up sick tricks in the urban landscape of L.A. underneath the Hollywood sign. Watch out for traffic, check out upcoming movies advertised on a vert ramp outside the El Rey theater, and set an earthquake into motion.
Foundry: The first skatepark players will drop into as part of the THPS 3 Skate Tour, Foundry is set in an industrial steel mill with molten metal, ramps, grind rails, a secret area, and explosive environmental hazards.
Canada: Shred in the mountains of Calgary, Alberta in a snowy outdoor skatepark with ramps, rails, and cabins in an area blending urban and natural elements for diverse trick opportunities.
Rio: A vibrant competition level set in Brazil featuring a colorful stadium in downtown Rio with high-scoring lines designed for intense contest runs.
Suburbia: Drop into a neighborhood cul-de-sac during Halloween and skate in a construction zone, a haunted house, and a backward swimming pool. As tasty as it may look, try not to get run over by the ice cream truck.
THPS 4 Skate Tour Parks
College: Skip class and shred the sprawling CCHU campus, stopping in to pop off tricks over the rooftops and across the student plaza while building up huge combos over the stadium rails.
San Francisco: Skate outside the Boardwalk View Hotel with views of the San Francisco Bay. Skitch a ride on the trolley, go sightseeing at The Pier, and grind along the overhead walkway in this park blending street skating with vert elements across a large, explorable cityscape.
Alcatraz: Visit the gritty island prison and skate its rooftop and the surrounding grounds including a line up to the lighthouse and some sick vert action inside the compound in view of the jail cells.
Waterpark: A new park being added to the THPS 4 Skate Tour, Waterpark takes place in the Mojave Desert at a water theme park with rides you can combo on and a skateable lazy river. Get a deeper dive on the new skatepark with our Bird’s Eye View feature found here.
Stay Tuned for More
Stay tuned to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater blog found here for more info on THPS 3 + 4 as we approach its July 11 release date!
Digital Deluxe Edition: Early Access and more
Purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition and gain Early Access* to play Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 three days before the official July 11 launch date.
Shred the parks and spread fear as the Doom Slayer and Revenant skaters plus get extra music, skate decks, and Create-A-Skater gear:
Doom Slayer: Play as Doom Slayer, featuring a Standard and Retro outfit plus two unique special tricks and the Unmaykr Hoverboard.
Revenant: Get evil with the Revenant, including two unique special tricks.
Additional Music: Headbang to a selection of classic and modern music tracks added to the in-game soundtrack.
Skate Decks: Access additional skate decks including Doom Slayer and Revenant themed designs.
Create-A-Skater Items: Kit out your skater with additional apparel items, including a baseball cap, two sweatshirts, and two t-shirts.
* Early Access based on three days estimated access; actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.
Helldivers 2 is, very obviously, a game where you roleplay as space fascists. Like, the game explicitly treats you as fodder for a war against various supposedly evil species all in the name of colonising other planets. It’s not subtle! But it’s also silly as hell, so the shooter more or less gets away with it. Arrowhead just announced a new warbond though, and I’ll be honest: the new outfits are probably the most fascist looking yet.
Pro Skater
