You knew it was coming, I knew it was coming, and now one Mr. Hideo Kojima himself (disclaimer: technically it was Sony during tonight’s State of Play, though I’m sure he’s Fweeted about it on Fwitter) has confirmed that yes, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is making its way to PC. It’s also doing so pretty soon, and with a small suite of additional features not present in its original PS5 release.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance explores a new gameplay and stylistic direction for the franchise. Built as a fast-paced 2D action platformer, Ascendance blends tight combat, traversal, and a fully voiced, character-driven narrative that feels both familiar and unexpected within the Legacy of Kain universe.
Ascendance is designed around momentum. Combat and movement are closely intertwined, pushing you to constantly stay in motion as you fight, jump, fly, turn into a swarm of bats, and climb through Nosgoth’s dark, crumbling environments. Encounters often flow directly into platforming challenges, creating a rhythm that keeps the pace moving forward.
Moment to moment, Ascendance asks you to think about how you move just as much as how you fight. Each playable character brings their own combat style and traversal tools, including aerial movement, gliding, special abilities, and evasive dashes. These mechanics are governed by a stamina-like resource that fuels nearly every action, from attacking to flying, forcing you to manage your momentum carefully.
Stamina management is the connective tissue between combat and platforming. Overextending in a fight or misjudging a jump can quickly leave you vulnerable, whether that means falling into a pit or being caught off guard by enemies. Defensive options like dodges reward timing and awareness, encouraging you to learn enemy behaviors rather than relying on button-mashing. The result is a gameplay loop that feels fast and reactive.
Visually and structurally, Ascendance represents a significant change from previous Legacy of Kain games. Despite the shift in format, Ascendance stays rooted in the franchise’s gothic tone. The world remains bleak and oppressive; the themes are heavy with fate, power, and consequence. The game’s narrative unfolds across multiple eras, connecting familiar characters and moments from the series’ history while expanding on ideas that were previously only implied.
Crucially, Ascendance does not sacrifice storytelling for speed. Mainstays of the franchise, including Simon Templeman as Kain, Michael Bell as Raziel, Anna Gunn as Ariel, and Richard Doyle as Moebius, return to provide fully voiced dialogue. Frequent narrative beats ensure that the game feels like more than a pure action experience. Story sequences are carefully paced, providing breathing room between bursts of combat without disrupting the game’s overall momentum.
Ascendance’s 2D side-scrolling presentation and pixel art aesthetic immediately stand out, evoking the era when the series first emerged. That approach is paired with PS1-era-inspired 3D sequences and anime-influenced cinematics, bringing major story moments to life while nodding to the franchise’s first leap into 3D with Soul Reaver. The experience centers on combat and atmosphere, challenging you to master movement, read enemy patterns, and stay in control under pressure.
During the first hour of play, Ascendance quietly teaches its systems through action. You’re encouraged to experiment with movement, learn when to push forward, and pay close attention to story details. Like many Legacy of Kain entries, Ascendance does not spell everything out immediately. Clues are embedded in dialogue, environments, and character interactions for willing to listen closely.
The pacing is intentionally brisk. Most of the game is designed to be completed in relatively focused play sessions, with the story unfolding quickly and combat encounters arriving in steady succession. The story brings the gravity you expect from a Legacy of Kain game and amplifies the experience throughout.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance stands apart from the rest of the series in both form and feel, yet it remains unmistakably part of the same lineage. By combining fast 2D action, demanding traversal, and a story deeply tied to Nosgoth’s mythology, Ascendance offers you a new way to experience the franchise without losing what made it memorable in the first place.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Legacy of Kain for the first time, Ascendance delivers a focused, momentum-driven experience that reimagines the series while honoring its gothic roots.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is available on March 31, 2026, on Xbox Series X|S and will be cloud playable via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Crystal Dynamics
Crystal Dynamics
2D Action Platformer
Chain melee strikes, evasive dashes, and supernatural attacks in fluid, vicious combat.
Multiple Protagonists
Overwhelm the battlefield with Kain’s vampiric powers. Play Raziel before his fall as a human Sarafan knight, then take flight for the first time in his vampiric form. The Vampire Elaleth introduces an aggressive playstyle focused on fast, relentless offense.
Original Score
Ascendance delivers a powerful original score by Celldweller.
Returning Voice Talent
Reunites iconic Legacy of Kain voice actors – Michael Bell, Simon Templeman, and Anna Gunn.
The post How Legacy of Kain: Ascendance Brings the Acclaimed Franchise into a New Stylistic Direction appeared first on Xbox Wire.
This month, quickly swap between both Spider-Men as you explore an expanded Marvel’s New York in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, race for supremacy across a shared open world in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, embark on an intimate, emotional journey through a fading land in Neva, or capture fleeting moments on a reflective road trip in Season: A Letter to the Future. All these titles and more are available in February’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup*. Meanwhile, Disney Pixar Wall-E brings platform adventure to PlayStation Plus Premium. The full lineup will be available to play on February 17.
*Digital PS5 games available to stream from your library will vary over time, region, and country.
Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Miles Morales, return for an exciting new adventure in the critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise for PS5. Swing, jump and utilize the new Web Wings to travel across Marvel’s New York, quickly switching between Peter Parker and Miles Morales to experience different stories and epic new powers, as the iconic villain Venom threatens to destroy their lives, their city and the ones they love.
13 years after the release of Test Drive Unlimited 2, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown reinvents the open-world massively multiplayer racing game genre. Acquire iconic models from all the famous manufacturers: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Aston Martin and many more. In total, over 30 car manufacturers are represented with a variety of car types, from 1960s daily drivers and ultra-modern hypercars to off-road vehicles. Take part in the clan wars by joining one of the two families fighting for supremacy: the Streets, the flamboyant provocateurs; or the Sharps, who prefer understated sophistication. Go head-to-head with the challengers of each clan in thrilling races to climb the ranks and earn unique rewards.
Neva is an emotionally-charged action adventure from the visionary team behind the critically acclaimed Gris. Neva chronicles the story of Alba, a young woman bound to a curious wolf cub following a traumatic encounter with dark forces. Together they embark on a perilous journey through a once-beautiful world as it slowly decays around them. Over time, their relationship will evolve as they learn to work together, helping one another to brave increasingly dangerous situations. The wolf will grow from a rebellious cub to an imposing adult seeking to forge his own identity, testing Alba’s love and their commitment to one another. As the cursed world threatens to overwhelm them, Alba and her courageous companion will do whatever it takes to survive and make a new home, together.
Immerse yourself in the world of Season, a third-person atmospheric adventure bicycle road trip game. Leave home for the first time to collect memories before a mysterious cataclysm washes everything away. Explore, record, meet people and unravel the strange world around you. Each recording tool captures a different layer; sounds and music, art and architecture, the stories of characters living through pivotal moments. Your tools peel back these layers until you grasp the culture, history, and ecology underneath everything.
A new adventure awaits you in this second installment of the turn-based RPG series set in the world of Monster Hunter! Become a Rider and form bonds with friendly monsters known as Monsties to fight alongside them as you take part in an epic story. You play as the grandchild of Red, a legendary Rider. The story begins with a fateful encounter with Ena, a Wyverian girl who has been entrusted with an egg with the potential to hatch into a legendary Rathalos which could wreak havoc if awakened to its destructive power. Embark on a journey which will test the bonds of friendship in a changing world, and discover the truth behind the legends of old.
Monster Hunter Stories is a turn-based RPG that takes the world of Monster Hunter and expands upon it in new and exciting ways. No longer are you hunting monsters, but raising them. In this deep story featuring heroes known as Monster Riders, you will live alongside monsters and form lifelong bonds with them. The first installment of the Monster Hunter Stories series returns, fully voiced in Japanese and English, with additional features such as a new museum mode where you can listen to music and view concept art, allowing you to dive even deeper into the world of Monster Hunter Stories.
Venba is a narrative cooking game where you play as an Indian mom who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Venba’s recipe book gets damaged when she moves to Canada. Restore the lost recipes to cook delicious, mouth-watering dishes that serve as a connection to the home left behind. Get to know the family well, hold branching conversations, and explore as you face the challenges that arise from day to day life in a story about family, love, loss and more.
Play as Ryn, a powerful vestige born with an affinity for ancient magic. When her brother is captured by a totalitarian empire and war threatens to consume her homeland, she must rise to protect both her family, and her people. Joined by Abram, a seasoned scholar with a haunted past, Ryn embarks on a journey that will test their newly-forged bond, uncover buried secrets, and challenge what it truly means to wield power in a world on the brink of collapse. Inspired by the untamed landscapes of Iceland, Echoes of the End spans glaciers, volcanic depths, and forgotten ruins, where magic and machinery intertwine. Explore a handcrafted world filled with monsters, mysteries, and the relics of a lost civilization.
Experience the rush as Rugby 25 immerses you in the world of rugby like no game before it. From local club clashes to the grandest international championships. Every pass, every tackle, and every try flawlessly crafted to capture the true essence of rugby. With lifelike gameplay, strategic depth, and heart-stopping action, you’ll feel the energy of the field at your fingertips. Prepare for an unforgettable journey where every match is a battle, and every victory is earned on your path to immortality. Whether you lead a national squad or a top-tier club, the most comprehensive team lineup ever is at your command at the rugby world’s most iconic venues.
Originally released on the PlayStation 2 and based on the 2008 computer animated film from Pixar Animation Studios, Wall-E follows the story of a small, sentient robot whose sole purpose is to clean up Earth’s voluminous garbage. In the year 2700, mankind has left behind millions of tiny trash collectors to make the planet habitable again. Yet only Wall-E remains functional, dutifully performing his task while collecting an odd assortment of souvenirs. His uneventful life takes on new meaning when he encounters a sleek, shiny robot named Eve, sent by humans to monitor the clean-up progress. Play as the lonely robot as he navigates a trash-tainted world and begins an unlikely trek across the cosmos. In addition to solving puzzles throughout the solo adventure, up to four players can compete in mini-games ranging from timed races through space to competitive battles.
*PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day.
After a significant delay and a rocky 2025, Bungie shared another look at Marathon at the February 2026 State of Play, reaffirming its March 5 release date with a weeklong server slam.
The former Halo developer took to today’s presentation to show off more of its sci-fi extraction shooter. Those excited to see how it lives up to the studio’s legacy can hop in early as part of an upcoming server slam, which is scheduled to take place from February 26 through March 2.
In a separate video, Bungie outlined exactly what the Marathon server slam grants access to and how participants will be rewarded. In addition to pre-launch access to two playable zones and six runner shells, players will be able to take on opening contracts for five factions. Progress grants bonus loot at launch.
Marathon has been in a rocky spot, to say the least. The game was revealed in May 2023 as a reboot of the classic Bungie franchise, but its development has been fraught with multiple rounds of layoffs and its former director being fired following a misconduct investigation. More recently, Bungie had to launch a “thorough review” after it was found that Marathon contained artwork from an uncredited artist, a situation that has fans uncertain about the game and studio’s future, especially in light of the uphill battle the extraction shooter genre has to succeed right now. It was originally set for a September 23, 2025, but after alpha test feedback was pushed indefinitely before setting a new window of March 2026.
For more from today’s show, you can see everything announced at the February 2026 State of Play.
Developing…
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Konami has finally revealed Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, promising to bring remasters for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and, yes, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, to PlayStation 5 (PS5) later this year.
The publisher pulled back the curtain to announce its long-awaited follow-up bundle at the February 2026 State of Play. It’s confirmation that two classic tactical espionage action titles are getting touch-ups, but more importantly, it means MGS4 will finally leave its PS3 prison when the collection launches August 27, 2026. It’s at least coming to PS5, with additional platforms unclear for now.
Creator Hideo Kojima’s fourth mainline Metal Gear Solid game features David Hayter as an elderly Solid Snake and was originally released for the PS3 in 2008. It’s also remained on this one platform since, meaning only those who own the 20-year-old console have been able to (officially) play it. Now, after 18 years, Old Snake’s story will be available to experience elsewhere.
Also included in Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is 2010’s MGS: Peace Walker. The game originally launched for PSP and later came to the PS3 and Xbox 360. Even without confirmation regarding what changes the Master Collection Vol. 2 brings, most fans would probably agree that ports for each of these games are long overdue.
Konami released Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 in October 2023 and, despite its title suggesting at least one additional volume would be developed, has mostly remained quiet about a sequel since then. Mixed in with the troubled launch of the first bundle was a leak (as well as confirmation from IGN), suggesting more MGS remasters were on the way, but it wasn’t until August 2024 that the publisher would finally tell fans to “stay tuned.”
While we wait to see if Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 will have a more stable launch than its predecessor, you can read about what Konami is doing to reassure players. You can also check out Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, an MGS3 remake that we gave an 8/10.
You can also check out everything announced at the February 2026 State of Play.
Developing…
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
If there is anything that is concretely true about the upcoming Disco Elysium follow-up Zero Parades, it is that it is certainly a new RPG from ZA/UM. Everything else, well, that depends on who you ask, and where they lie in the messiness that has been in and around the studio these past few years, but a ZA/UM game in name it is. And now there are two opportunities for you to form a more direct opinion about Zero Parades, and its quality therewithin.
Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima and Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty, Infinity Ward, and Respawn Entertainment, apparently discussed an “FPS version of Metal Gear” sometime after Metal Gear Solid 4 came out.
This comes from Kojima himself, speaking via pre-recorded video at the DICE Summit 2026 in Las Vegas in a tribute to Zampella, who passed away in December at the age of 55. As a part of the conference’s keynotes, industry luminaries including Kojima, Phil Spencer, Geoff Keighley, Todd Howard, Laura Miele, and others spoke at length about Zampella’s contributions to the industry as well as their personal relationships with him.
Kojima appeared several times in the video to speak about Zampella. In one of his segments, he said, “I’ve kept this quiet for a long time but after Metal Gear Solid 4 came out, we actually talked about making an FPS version of Metal Gear.”
Kojima continued, saying that he and Zampella spoke about it, but the game never happened. Zampella went on to found Respawn, but even though they didn’t make a Metal Gear together, Kojima says Zampella gave him a lot of advice and support when he left Konami. Kojima even apparently incorporated some aspects of what he saw at Respawn into his own studio, Kojima Productions.
Zampella’s sudden passing rattled much of the industry, as he was beloved by many throughout his lengthy career across multiple studios and projects. In addition to co-creating Call of Duty and the studio behind it, Infinity Ward, Zampella also founded Respawn Entertainment, which created hits such as Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. His final gaming contribution was as director of the recently-released Battlefield 6.
Earlier, we covered other remarks from Zampella’s peers made at DICE, including comments from Keighley, Spencer, and more. As Kojima concluded, “I hope people will look to Vince as a model and aim high.”
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Image credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
There is certainly something to be admired in Peter Molyneux’s commitment to infinitely overpromising right through to what is meant to be his final game, Masters of Albion. I’m not saying I admire it, but someone might. And while I truly have no horse in the race regarding the quality, or potential lack thereof, in Masters of Albion, its latest gameplay trailer certainly does at least suggest it’ll be a true as it can be Molyneux game.
Devilish.
Blizzard kicked off 30th anniversary celebrations for the Diablo series yesterday with a 40-minute spotlight, focusing on updates and new content for the franchise’s current games. However, one question remains unanswered: is Diablo IV coming to Switch 2? And, additionally, what about a Switch 2 Edition for Diablo II: Resurrected?
Eurogamer’s Robert Purchase attempted to get some clarity, but instead was told that “the company had nothing to say on the matter”. A little disappointing, given how successful Diablo 3 and Diablo II have proven on Switch 1, but we’d be surprised if nothing is happening.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Color isn’t a barrier. While ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard is built on the language of color, it refuses to let color become a barrier. A unique symbol overlay system designed for color blind players earned ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard a Horizon Award for Technical Innovation at GG Bavaria 2025. It is a colorblind accessibility system that reimagines how players read and combine hues. Instead of relying solely on visual color differences, every color is paired with a distinct symbol: clean, intuitive shapes that overlay directly onto surfaces, objects, and even blended colors. When players mix hues, those symbols merge and stack in real time, creating a clear visual shorthand for every combination.
The result is a puzzle language that stays readable no matter how the player may see the world. Whether the player is navigating a monochrome chamber or juggling multiple color interactions at once, the symbol system ensures that every solution remains just as clever, challenging, and satisfying. With the goal that every player can experience the game on equal footing.
ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard features include:
The vibrant multiverse awaits. Chromagun 2: Dye Hard is available right now.
PM-Studios, Inc.
Use your refined painting and color-mixing skills to voluntarily solve intricate puzzles on the ChromaTec Testing Track for ChromaGun Research Purposes, Mark II — aka ChromaGun 2.
Please note the following are not valid reasons for non-participation:
– Not having participated in the Testing Track Mark I
(aka ChromaGun 1; no prior knowledge necessary)
– Color-blindness
(A color-blind accessibility mode is available at no extra charge)
– Fear of birds**
– Fear of magnets (They’re colors, not magnets)
– Fear of being involuntarily forced to perform tests on an experimental color-based firearm (this will never happen)
ChromaTec would like to remind you of the following important disclaimer:
Not solving tests as instructed is not advised.
Breaking the ChromaGun is not advised.
Activating a portal to a parallALTERNATEel uniREALITYverse is not ADVISEDadvised…
ChromaLABS would like to remind you of the following disclaimer:
ChromaLabs is the universe’s foremost—and only—manufacturer of the patented ChromaGun. Our world-class engineers are all [redacted] free [redacted] and [redacted] motivated [redacted] to [redacted] ensure that our testing grounds meet the following criteria:
– Unbreakable tests: No constant restarting of test chambers necessary
– Removable paint: Painting and mixing is fine, but undoing it is even better
– Advanced puzzles: Physics challengPUZZLes, clever paintPAINT mechanics, and even [redACTED] oh TWO i [REDacted] UNIVERSES have a CANNOT EXIST bad IN feeling THE SAME about REALITY this.
We hope you enjoy your brief, pleasant, VOLUNTARY participation in the ChromaLabs CHROMATEC Testing TRACK.
* WorkerDroids may be less non-murderous than implied.
** Except chickens
The post Chromagun 2: Dye Hard Splashes onto Xbox Featuring a Robust Accessibility Mode appeared first on Xbox Wire.
