I’ve been shying away from The Killing Stone because it’s a deckbuilding card battler, and we do get a lot of emails about those. The game launches into Steam early access today, so it’s time to have a proper gander. Ho now! This is a deckbuilding card battler… set in a mansion somewhere in the Arctic during the 17th century… created by Question Games, developers of ‘unfinished game’ game The Magic Circle and weird suburbia sim The Blackout Club. Yes, the same Question who were founded by people who worked on Bioshock, Thief and Dishonored.
What’s more, The Killing Stone reminds me of Inscryption, in that it appears to be divided between a hellish table-top game and hellish goings-on in the world around that table-top game. To be specific, you’re playing that table-top game against a series of demons, with the souls of the cursed Svangård family hanging in the balance.
Nintendo launched its dedicated GameCube NSO pad alongside the Switch 2 last year, undoubtedly providing the best experience for docked play. However, much like the N64 pad before it, the controller doesn’t do much to help with handheld play, where the Joy-Con 2 button layouts simply can’t capture the feel of the original hardware.
Enter abxylute’s N9C, a Switch 2 grip that launched on Kickstarter today and was almost immediately fully funded, which looks as close as we’ll ever get to a GameCube pad built for handheld play.
Available for Xbox Insiders on PC: Postgame Recaps
Alex Charters, Senior Product Manager
Starting today, Xbox Insiders in the PC Gaming Preview can try postgame recaps in the Xbox PC app on Windows. After you finish a play session, you may see a quick recap that highlights moments from that session—like captures you took, achievements you unlocked, and relevant in‑game events—plus an option to share feedback so we can keep improving the experience.
Postgame recaps are designed to show up only when they’re useful—not after every game. You’re most likely to see a recap when you take a capture through Game Bar or unlock an achievement. On your first time playing a game (and occasionally after that), you may also see a short check‑in and recommendations for other games you might enjoy.
You’re in control of what you see. You can turn individual recap types on or off in Settings > App > Postgame recaps to tailor the experience to your preferences.
To support postgame recaps, the Xbox app may run in the system tray while you play so it can show the recap after you exit your game. We’ve optimized this to minimize memory and performance impact. If you opt out of all postgame recap types, the Xbox PC app will no longer start in the system tray when you launch a game.
We’d love your feedback—tell us what you found helpful, what felt unnecessary, and what you’d like to see after future gaming sessions.
How to Get Xbox Insider Support and Share Your Feedback
We want to thank all the Xbox Insiders for the feedback you share with us. If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit, where official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We recommend adding to threads with the same topic before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! We’re grateful to our Insider community for the helpful feedback you provide, it continues to shape the future of Xbox.
For more information on the Xbox Insider Program, follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider and keep an eye on this blog for all the latest news.
For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is one of the most visually striking games we’ve seen in quite some time. We played Mouse last year – and we’ll be doing so again as part of this month’s exclusive IGN First coverage – but the thing is, it’s going to need more than just a unique art style in order to leave a lasting impression on the first-person shooter genre. And so today we’re digging into the people, the city, and the story underneath that rubber hose-animated black-and-white veneer.
By now you might know that the player character is played by the talented Troy Baker. That character is Jack Pepper, a war hero-turned-cop-turned-private investigator. You’ll be assigned three different cases over the course of the single-player campaign (Mouse has no multiplayer mode), sniffing out clues and talking to perps and pedestrians alike (not to mention doing a lot of shooting at gang members and corrupt cops) to try and solve each one as you roll around in the rotting underbelly of the city of Mouseburg.
In the image gallery above, you’ll see gifs of five characters:
Jack Pepper: our aforementioned hero. He enlisted in the war in his teenage years, serving in the same unit with Cornelius Stilton (see below). They owe each other their lives, along with a third member of their unit, Steve Bandel. Jack joined the police force after the war ended, but struck out on his own as a P.I. after getting fed up with the corruption of too many of his fellow cops. Jack has one major vice: gambling.
Tammy Tumbler: Born during the war, Tammy lost her mother at a young age and never learned the identity of her father. When her stepfather got busted by the police officer Jack Pepper when she was 13, she went into the foster care system and immediately sought to escape, angry at Jack and the world. She’s street-smart and resourceful, and has worked for Jack as needed for a long time. She trusts Jack as well as one other person: Wanda Fuller (see below).
John Brown: John can frequently be found hanging outside the bar behind Jack’s office. He’s a shrew (the literal animal kind) from Shrewthicket, a once-thriving town that was destroyed, leavivng John to haunt the surrounding swamps, becoming a cheeselegger (think: bootlegger but for cheese), a hired farming hand and blue cheese dealer. When the stove got too hot, he made his way to Mouseburg and opened a shrew-sized bar called Little & Big. He’s full of old stories and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
Wanda Fuller: Wanda is a journalist for the Mouseburg Herald who came from similar working-class means as Jack. She uses him as a source on occasion, particularly when he was with the police. They’re not exactly friends, but they share an uneasy trust. She’s a cynic, but she genuinely wants to help people.
Cornellius Stilton: Finally we have Cornellius, an upper-class resident of Mouseburg who was a commander in the war. After the war, he went into politics, and he’s got a plan he’s been slowly executing. He’s a people pleaser, but to what end? As such, Jack can’t fully trust him.
These are a handful of the key players you’ll meet in Mouse. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive on the crazy arsenal at Jack’s disposal. And if you’re eager to play, circle March 19 on your calendar, as that’s when Mouse: P.I. for Hire will be released on PC, PlayStation platforms, Xbox platforms, and Nintendo Switch platforms.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our semi-retired interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
Ironically, considering the rampant dysentery moving through my campground in brown, sputtering waves, the problem I’m facing in Transport Fever 3 is a blockage. The trucks I’ve loaded with antibiotics are stuck in a traffic jam that stretches all the way to the pharmacy in the next city over. If I’m to save the inaugural Woodstock festival, I must find a way to get traffic flowing again before the timer runs out.
A Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 commercial starring comedian Nikki Glazer has been banned in the UK, following viewer complaints that it trivialized sexual violence.
The country’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld criticism of the ad, which features a man being ordered to take off his clothes during an airport security screening. It’s then implied that Glazer wishes to perform an unnecessary search of his anal cavity.
As reported by BBC News, Activision defended the ad as an implausible situation (the joke here being that Glazer and Call of Duty actor Peter Stormare are replacement security agents, as the airport’s usual employees are too busy playing Call of Duty instead).
Activision said the ad’s humor was meant to imply discomfort rather than sexual activity, that the footage contained no explicit content, and that it had been aired on linear TV at timeslots aimed at adults.
Regardless, the ASA has ruled that the commercial’s humor was “generated by the humiliation and implied threat of painful, non-consensual penetration of the man,” and was therefore irresponsible and offensive.
“You’ve been randomly selected to be manhandled,” Stormare tells the man within the ad, getting him to bite down on a baton. “I’m going to need you to remove your clothes. Everything but the shoes.”
“Time for the puppet show,” says Glazer as she snaps a rubber glove.
“Bite down on this,” Stormare concludes. “She’s going in dry.”
Ultimately, the ASA decided that the ad can no longer be aired within the UK in its current form — although it’s unclear if Activision still had any plans to do so. Internationally, the commercial is still available online. And, at the time of writing, IGN can confirm it is still available to view from within the UK via YouTube.
Still, the advert is likely the least of Activision’s concerns around Black Ops 7, which has underperformed sales-wise amid strong competition from fellow shooters such as Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders, as reflected in European sales figures and Activision’s own admissions. Following the release of Black Ops 7, Activision announced significant changes to the Call of Duty franchise, including promising never to release back to back games in the same sub-brand (Modern Warfare, Black Ops) again.
Image credit: Activision
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Replaced, the long-in-development dystopian platformer from Sad Cat Studios, has had its release pushed back a little further. The studio have taken on feedback from the demo they recently released on Steam – that’s the one which kept surnaming me – and reckon a few more weeks of acting on it are in order to get the game ready to go.
Why is everything rolling sideways on my desk all of a sudden? What’s this mysterious force, dragging my chair towards the wall? Why are all the cars in the vicinity tumbling and rolling in the direction of *checks press release* …North Carolina, USA? It can only be gravitational disturbance caused by the impending 1.0 release of a massive strategy project. This time it’s Heart of the Machine, a “4X-style”, “dimension-busting” sci-fi game developed by Arcen Games and published by Hooded Horse.
Entropy, a scientific concept defined by randomness and disorder, is a fitting name for a roguelike.
Since BlazBlue began as a fighting game series it’s seen a multitude of spin-offs, now finding itself in the realm of 2D platform action and roguelike principles. Its whopping assembly of eighteen-playable-characters helm from various BlazBlue entries, including Calamity Trigger, Continuum Shift, Chrono Phantasma and Central Fiction. And, impressively, each has a completely independent and idiosyncratic combat style, even if the actual inputs you utilise are fairly samey across the board.
This year is promising some great PlayStation 5 games – our Most Wanted Games of Early 2026 is easy proof of that. But we’re only just getting started. There’s so much more on the way, and with PS5 not only home to the biggest releases but also an exciting hotbed of super cool indie titles, it’s only fair to give you an enticing glimpse at why we’re so hyped for the coming months.
Coffee Talk Tokyo | May 21 | PS5
If you’ve ever wanted to safely talk to yokai about their lives (or afterlives) over a cup of joe, then pull up a seat at the Tokyo cafe Chorus Worldwide has set up. If you’re not familiar with the lovely Coffee Talk series, this iteration continues its calming narrative, where you prepare and serve drinks to supernatural customers seeking chilled conversation and warm contemplation.
Fishbowl | April TBD | PS5
As odd as its title might sound, Fishbowl carries a depth that’s already caught the eyes and tugged at the hearts of those who’ve played it. Exploring a journey of grief and self-discovery, the two-person studio of imissmyfriends promises a thoughtful and emotional visual novel. A coming-of-age tale set over a month, Fishbowl features sorting-and-matching puzzle gameplay elements, but, most importantly, it aims to teach players that taking things one day at a time is sometimes the only way to move forward.
Hela | TBD 2026 | PS5
It’s entirely possible that when you first heard the title of this 3D co-op adventure, images of Nordic fire and brimstone came to mind. But never fear, Hela is pretty much the opposite. In fact, the only Scandinavian landscapes that have inspired this wholesome journey are those that have you reaching for the Create button for a revisit. Windup’s beautiful-looking escapade of puzzles and teamwork – via either local split-screen or online if you want to bring a buddy – lets you become a sickly witch’s mousey familiar, brewing healing potions and helping the local village with acts of kindness.
Inkonbini: One Store. Many Stories | April TBD | PS5
Need space for a cosy gaming experience? Nagai Industries has you covered with this nostalgic slice-of-life narrative, where human connections created by everyday events are entirely the point. Inspired by early 1990s Japan, Inkobini sets you in a small-town convenience store where you not only go through the meditative routine of preparing the shop for customers, but also hear their tales and forge relationships. The branching narrative shapes your conversations as you help the neighbourhood grow and thrive.
Mina the Hollower | Spring 2026 | PS5, PS4
One of the most anticipated titles of 2026, Yacht Club Games’ action-adventure blends an 8-bit aesthetic with modern design sensibilities, a combination that helped Shovel Knight become such a beloved indie darling. Genius inventor Mina isn’t just a dab hand with weapons like her Nightstar whip and daggers, but can also use her hollowing ability to burrow underground – perfect for mixing up combat and traversal in the many dungeons of the cursed Tenebrous Isle. Fan favourite musicians Jake Kaufman (the Shantae series) and Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage/Shinobi series) are also along for the adventure’s infectiously slick soundtrack.
Mortal Shell II | TBD 2026 | PS5
Let’s step away from the cosy side for a spell, and get our hands a little dirty with the sequel to Cold Symmetry’s original action-RPG. While standalone from its predecessor, Mortal Shell II continues to deliver the unflinching fights, nightmarish enemies, and haunting open world that fans previously enjoyed. The corpses of departed warriors are yours to awaken and possess to utilize their many abilities. Finishers have been upgraded, and the stamina gauge has been removed to speed up combat. Oh, and there are firearms, too, so your bloody quest to reclaim the Undermether’s stolen eggs gives you a chance to introduce the likes of shotguns and rapid-fire crossbows to your foes.
Mouse P.I. For Hire | March 19 | PS5
Evoking the hand-drawn aesthetic of classic 1930s cartoons, Fumi Games’s first-person shooter blends detective noir storytelling with all-action blasting. If you like jazz, machine guns, grizzled narration, and oversized white gloves, then Mouseburg will be your home away from home. But be warned – just like the animation it apes, this is a game where almost anything can happen.
Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse | March 5 | PS5, PS4
There’s something special about a game that knows how endearing it is, and this vibrant 2D search action roguelike truly owns its charm – or should that be ‘curse’? Simply put, you control a magical hat with the power to possess your foes and use their abilities to venture through ruins, botanical gardens, and more, to help rebuild your ruined village. And what’s better than one cursed hat? Well, bring three friends along for the multiplayer mode and find out.
Ontos | TBD 2026 | PS5
When Frictional Games announced it would be unleashing the spiritual successor to 2015 sci-fi horror Soma, any eager anticipation was rewarded with the first glimpses of Ontos. Swapping underwater chills for a desolate moon base, this disturbing narrative-driven adventure challenges you to scavenge materials, operate machinery, and make moral choices that could result in grave consequences as you delve deeper into the mystery of a failed mining colony.
Out of Words | TBD 2026 | PS5
Easily one of the most unique-looking games in this list due to its eye-catching stop-motion and handcrafted visuals, Out of Words lives up to its title with two protagonists without mouths. In a quest to restore their voices, you and a friend take control of Kurt and Karla in a co-op platform adventure packed with puzzles and environmental challenges, testing your communication and coordination. And beneath the giant fish, tense set pieces, and physics-defying traversals, beats a tender story of connection and love, too.
Over the Hill | TBD 2026 | PS5
It couldn’t have been easy to follow the stylish racing game art of rally, but developers Funselektor Labs and Strelka Games have made something decidedly different, albeit still on four wheels. Over the Hill focuses on exploration and discovery, with a deliberately paced drive through a wilderness of dynamic weather, day/night cycles, and terrain deformation. It’s not a race – it’s all about the journey, upgrading and customizing your vehicle, taking in the scenery, and even joining up to three friends to see what awaits past the sunset.
We might be buzzing to get our hands on these games (and many more, coming), but what about you? Which indie titles are you looking forward to playing in 2026?
