Latest news with #SummerGameFest2025
Engadget
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Video Games Weekly: Summer Game Fest ends when I say so
Welcome to Video Games Weekly on Engadget. Expect a new story every Monday or Tuesday, broken into two parts. The first is a space for short essays and ramblings about video game trends and related topics from me, Jess Conditt, a reporter who's covered the industry for more than 13 years. The second contains the video game stories from the past week that you need to know about, including some headlines from outside of Engadget. Please enjoy — and I'll see you next week. June has passed me by in a haze of air travel, mild illness, protests and Pride, and it's now officially time to close the book on Summer Game Fest 2025. We published more than 80 stories around this year's show and they're all worth a read, but before moving on for good, I wanted to highlight a final batch of games that I can't stop thinking about. This week, I present three mini previews straight out of SGF 2025 — and only two of them are horror games, which is a stupendous display of growth on my part. Crisol: Theater of Idols wasn't on my radar until I sat down and played it at the Blumhouse booth, but now it's pinging loud and clear, as if the booms were emanating directly from the blood-soaked bowels of Hell. It's a first-person survival-horror action game set in a demented version of Spain that's filled with monsters of modern folklore. Murderous marionettes and giant, ornately adorned skeletons hunt you through dark streets and towering gothic buildings, lamplight glinting off of every gross 3D detail. The whole demo felt like getting lost in a terrifying, nightmarish carnival, and I enjoyed every bit of it. In Crisol , blood is your source of ammunition, and you drain the corpses of humans and chickens to refuel your health bar as well as your guns. Crisol is tense and gorgeous, reminiscent of Dishonored or Resident Evil Village , and enemies are both robust and tricky to evade. Crisol is the debut game from independent Spanish team Vermila Studios, which received an Epic MegaGrant for the project in 2020. It's being published by Blumhouse and is due out this year on Steam , PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. There's something deeply wrong in Ashenridge, the idyllic rural village where Grave Seasons is set. At first glance, Grave Seasons is a cute, narrative-based farming sim with detailed pixel art, juicy romance options and layers of home-maintenance mechanics. You spend time planting, watering, harvesting, crafting items, picking up trash and chatting with villagers — and then you dig up a severed hand. Pilar, your flirty neighbor who runs the tailor shop down the road, says something ominous about the fate of your house's previous owner. The vibe shifts; the shadows start to look sinister. Night falls and the real horror is unleashed, sudden, violent and all the more shocking in such a peaceful setting. A supernatural serial killer is on the loose in Ashenridge and, in between planting crops, it's up to you to investigate (and maybe date) the murderer. Grave Seasons is a game that will live or die by its tone, and so far, developer Perfect Garbage has absolutely nailed the vibe of nefarious, creeping dread. Ashenridge is a beautiful little town with tons of people to meet and activities to complete, and the character avatars are sexy, sweet and super intriguing. A paranormal murder investigation is simply the cherry on top of a competent farming and dating sim, and I'm eager to take a bite out of the full game. At SGF 2025, developers said the complete Grave Seasons experience should take about 20 hours. Grave Seasons is being published by Blumhouse, and it's scheduled to hit Steam and consoles in 2026. Escape Academy is one of my favorite games of the past five years and I am inordinately stoked for the sequel, which turns the school into an open world of puzzles, riddles and cringey puns. With Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School , developer Coin Crew is going all-in on the student roleplaying vibe, and the entire campus is littered with mysteries. It's also playable as a split-screen, couch co-op experience, which is one of the series' greatest strengths. Frantically screaming solutions at your friend just feels better in person than over a Discord call, you know? I played the original Escape Academy with a local partner, so that's how I tried out the sequel at SGF 2025. I dragged Engadget EIC Aaron Souppouris to the iam8bit booth and we dove in, starting in a classroom covered in sneaky environmental clues. In Escape Academy 2 , the assignment is simple — get out — but the execution is complex, and we were soon throwing out names, dates and math problems, trying to solve a series of tricky, interconnected puzzles and leave the room. After getting just one hint from the developers, we made our way to the hallway, which was lined with locker-based riddles, and eventually reached the headmaster's office, which was a contained playground of puzzle gaming. We had to use a pen and piece of paper to keep track of a few sections, and overall, our interactions felt fresh. Coin Crew isn't just rolling out the same problems with different solutions for the sequel, and the new riddles were clever, innovative and super satisfying. (The same can't be said about all of the puns, but that's part of the charm.) Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School features both local and online co-op, so you'll be free to yell at your friends in whichever format you prefer. Coin Crew is still working on the game and there's no release date yet, but it's available now to wishlist on Steam . The only thing worse than not disclosing AI use in the creation of a video game is not disclosing it and then deploying it so sloppily that players immediately notice. Indie developer and publisher 11 Bit Studios learned this lesson firsthand with The Alters , a futuristic base-building game starring an astronaut and his alternate-reality clones. Within a week of the game's release on June 13, posts started popping up on Reddit and Bluesky showing AI-generated text in the game, across multiple languages. On June 30, 11 Bit released a statement confirming its use of AI in developing The Alters , saying it was utilized only in background text and to help with last-minute localization efforts. 'No matter what we decided, we should have simply let you know,' the studio wrote. I'd really love to stop writing headlines like this. Microsoft is preparing to lay off a large number of Xbox employees this week, as part of a planned 3 percent reduction in staff across the company. That's a loss of roughly 7,000 jobs in total, and according to Bloomberg , Xbox leaders are expecting 'substantial cuts across the entire group.' The firings follow a round of 1,900 layoffs at Xbox in January 2024, another 650 layoffs in September , and last year's closure of Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Games and Tango Gameworks (the latter of which lives on under Krafton). Meanwhile, Microsoft reported a net revenue of $25.8 billion in the first three months of 2025, with an 8 percent yearly increase in revenue from Xbox content and services. Congrats? Netflix started beefing up its video games division around 2021, with the acquisition of Oxenfree studio Night School and the rollout of an in-app gaming library offering popular mobile titles at no extra charge to subscribers. Netflix currently supports more than 100 games, including Death's Door , Hades , The Case of the Golden Idol , The Rise of the Golden Idol , Braid Anniversary Edition , Katana ZERO and the Monument Valley series — but these are disappearing in July. A total of 22 games will be deleted from Netflix at various times in July, and the culling follows similar cutbacks in the company's interactive division, including the recent closure of an in-house AAA studio . Because we know you're going to get something — what are you picking up at the Steam Summer Sale this year? Share your spoils in the comments! If you're overwhelmed, allow me to humbly suggest Blue Prince , Home Safety Hotline , Look Outside or Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 . On a related note, don't forget to check out (the nearly complete) Playdate Season 2. … but it's definitely not any more. Resident Evil: Requiem producer Masachika Kawata and director Koshi Nakanishi clarified in a video that their new game is an offline single-player experience, but they said that early in development, the team seriously considered making it online and open-world. This experimentation fueled rumors about Requiem introducing a new direction for the Resident Evil franchise, but it turns out the final product will be a familiar, self-contained horror romp with the ability to swap between first- and third-person views. Spooooky .
Engadget
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Obsidian Entertainment has big ambitions for Grounded 2's small world
Obsidian Entertainment has been an incredibly versatile game developer over the years, even venturing outside its RPG comfort zone with the original Grounded . As a survival adventure game where you're shrunken down and explore the hidden, vast world of a backyard, it became a well-loved hit, and it evolved even further throughout its early access period. But now, the developers have big plans for Grounded 2 , which has new features and a larger scope that was too big for the original to contain. Shortly after the reveal during the recent Xbox Games Showcase alongside Summer Game Fest 2025, I got to play the opening of the sequel, which sees the familiar crew of teenage scavengers, now a little older and wiser, shrunken down once again to survive a new small world hidden in the town's park. Even as a new iteration of a familiar premise, which is essentially the survival gameplay of Rust by way of the whimsical Honey, I Shrunk the Kids , Grounded 2 is already showing some promise as the bigger and better sequel. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. Grounded 2 , which will also launch in early access, already feels like a bigger game, even from the confines of the tutorial zone. For starters, there's a larger focus on building up the experience of the four teenage scavengers and how they fit into the larger story. It's not quite Yellowjackets when it comes to teen drama, but the crew exploring the small world of the park have colorful language and quips at their disposal. There's a generally stronger sense of personality in Grounded 2 , which is bolstered by some more character-driven writing and opportunities to take in the lore of the company responsible for the experiments in town. The experience of playing Grounded 2 , much like the original and other survival games, is all about gathering resources from the land and acquiring knowledge to stay alive. Along with collecting materials to build weapons, armor and structures, you'll also have to keep your characters fed and hydrated. You'll also need to defend yourself against the various critters roaming about, such as the ants and the spiders. Also returning is the arachnophobia accessibility option to make them appear less disturbing for players. Thankfully, you can now use a dodge to avoid attacks – a first for the series – and combat is generally more responsive and fair. Grounded 2 feels like a more well-rounded and refined take on the original, which is a solid game in its own right. One great addition that I got to play with was the new ant mount, or buggy, as the devs call it. You'll be able to ride on top of a friendly ant that can attack enemies, move faster throughout the world, and even collect material far more quickly than the human scavengers. Shortly after my hands-on experience, I sat in on a roundtable discussion with game director Chris Parker and producer Miles Winzeler from Obsidian Entertainment, who explained how early access feedback from players helped bring the game to its current state. In order to fully implement their vision for Grounded, though, they would need a new game. "Almost everything in Grounded 2 comes from feedback from the community that we had gathered from the first game," Parker said. "We had to look at what was important to work on with the sequel. People always want more stuff to do. They wanted to have the buggies, which was a huge one and our number one most requested feature from out the gate on Grounded 1 . We then had to work on new creatures, armor and weapons, among other things. How can we further develop our progression systems? So those were all the things that we took on from the beginning for Grounded 2 ." Grounded 2 felt like a more fully realized game, which leveraged years of work on the original. Along with a more developed story campaign focusing on helping the kids survive the portion of Brookhollow Park they have to explore – which is more than three times the size of the original's map – The game will also launch with creative mode, which was a popular feature that let players focus on exploring and building up structures at their leisure. "We're always trying to challenge scale and how we can create a sense of awe and mystery by having something that's supposed to be normal but is now this gigantic thing," Parker said. "That's always the fun when making this game." I really took to the added scope of Grounded 2 . Not just as a shrunken person trapped on the grounds of a park but also for the new features and ideas at work for the sequel. With the game coming out in July for early access, Grounded 2 has already got me invested in making a return visit to this small world with big ambitions. Grounded 2 will release in early access on July 29 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will be available for Game Pass subscribers.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Grace Ashcroft, and what is her role in Resident Evil 9 Requiem?
(Image via CAPCOM) The Resident Evil 9: Requiem trailer dropped at Summer Game Fest 2025 and shook the fandom to its core. Not because of another Umbrella experiment gone wrong (though that is happening again), but because Capcom introduced a brand-new face: Grace Ashcroft. But she's not just any side character. She's the main protagonist . Here's everything you need to know! Meet Grace Ashcroft – FBI Tech Genius with a Past Grace Ashcroft is an FBI technical analyst who's suddenly thrown into the field when mysterious deaths start cropping up. In the reveal trailer, Grace is pulled from her desk, literally mid-report, and tossed into the frontlines of a bizarre investigation to inform her about another victim of an unidentified disease. His words? "I need your eyes on the crime scene. The Wrenwood Hotel. That's where your mother was murdered." Yes, she's the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak. Resident Evil 9 LORE EXPLAINED | Who is Grace Ashcroft? When is it Set? | Resident Evil Requiem A Legacy Tied to Raccoon City So why does Grace matter? Longtime fans will recognize her last name. Her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft, was a playable character in Resident Evil Outbreak . She was an investigative journalist who escaped Raccoon City before it was nuked. Now, nearly three decades later, Grace is returning to her mother's past — to the ruins of Raccoon City itself. Alyssa was killed eight years ago while investigating the Wrenwood Hotel. Now, Grace is being pulled into the same mystery. There's a heavy implication that whatever happened to Alyssa may be connected to the new outbreak. The personal stakes? Through the roof. Grace vs. the Resident Evil Universe Grace isn't a soldier like Chris or a secret agent like Leon. She's a technical brain, meaning she's likely going to approach problems differently. Her FBI role suggests she'll rely on data, logic, and investigation — a refreshing contrast to the usual guns-blazing style of past protagonists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hamburg: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo But make no mistake, Grace isn't just there to push paper. She's in the thick of it — and the trailer shows her facing terrifying, infected creatures while trying to make sense of the patterns connecting the victims. Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil 9 Requiem Is Leon Kennedy in the Mix? Fans are buzzing. A hooded figure appears in a flashback during the trailer, and speculation is rampant that it's Leon S. Kennedy. Could he have known Alyssa? Was he at the Wrenwood Hotel the night she died? Could Grace and Leon's paths collide — or clash ? It's all mystery for now. But if Leon is involved, it sets up a powerful mentor vs. rookie dynamic — or something even darker. Grace Ashcroft isn't just a new character; she's a new chapter. With her FBI skills, tragic backstory, and ties to a forgotten survivor, Resident Evil 9: Requiem looks ready to deliver chills, chaos, and maybe a few long-awaited answers. February 27, 2026, can't come soon enough.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Resident Evil Requiem gameplay demo showcases exciting gameplay features and more new details
Image via Capcom. The recently held Summer Game Fest 2025 was almost about to end, when Capcom announced Resident Evil Requiem out of nowhere. This title will serve as the ninth mainline installment of this long franchise, which is going to be launched on February 27, 2026 on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. In this game, we will see the daughter of Resident Evil Outbreak's Alyssa Ashcroft, FBI agent Grace Ashcroft, who will plunge into the horrific journey of finding her mother at the Wrenwood Hotel, exactly where her mother was murdered. Resident Evil Requiem gameplay demo reveals exciting new gameplay features Resident Evil Requiem demo gameplay was showcased behind closed-doors. | Image via Capcom. During Summer Game Fest 2025, a handful of creators and media outlets were invited for a private viewing of a 20-minute demo gameplay of Resident Evil Requiem. The hands-off demo begins with a horrific display of Grace being strapped onto a medical gurney, absolutely frightened, and hooked to something slowly draining her blood. This scene takes us back to the original reveal trailer where the potential villain of the game was heard saying she is the 'chosen one.' That means, after getting at the Wrenwood Hotel to investigate her mother's death, Grace might have been kidnapped and would have been experimented on later on. However, that's not the case because Grace would eventually be able to free herself and escape that room. But that's where the real trouble begins. Everything in the game is based on the dark-noir theme, dimly lit corridors, flickering lights, where some areas are even pitch dark and can be enlightened by Grace herself with a torch. After getting free, the first-person gameplay begins, which is going to be one of the most exciting features of this game . Players will be able to interchange the gameplay perspectives between first-person and third-person, which is a completely new aspect in this horror series. Also, both the perspectives will have their own respective animations, to make the experience more immersive. Resident Evil Requiem is also going to feature the typical RE puzzles where Grace might have to move boxes in correct orders, or find specific keys for specific locks. At this stage, no guns were seen, meaning Requiem is believed to be based on pure evasion. Just like Outbreak, Grace will be able to distract enemies with different objects and escape from danger. The demo gameplay also showed no signs of clues or any markers, or even any crosshairs as well for steady aim. It was already seen that despite being an FBI personnel, Grace would have been the last person on Earth to be plunged in this situation, as she lacks necessary combat skills at the beginning. More gameplay clips are going to be revealed in the upcoming Gamescom 2025 in August, where fans are going to witness more horror-enthralling actions in Resident Evil Requiem. Read More: 5 things that could make Resident Evil Requiem the best horror game of all time
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sonic's Takashi Iizuka dunks on Mario Kart World as Sonic Racing: Crossworlds unveils Hatsune Miku, Persona 5, and Minecraft Steve
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Sega has revealed a new trailer for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds at Summer Game Fest 2025, which confirmed that the spirit of the all-timer Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed is alive and well. The new Sonic racer features a host of Sega guest characters like Hatsune Miku, Persona 5's Joker, and most importantly, Ichiban Kasuga from the Yakuza series... oh, and Minecraft's Steve and Alex are there, too, cause why not? The racer is set to launch on September 25 on PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and it's also been confirmed for the new Nintendo Switch 2. Note that the PC and current-gen console versions are more expensive. Sega says via a press release, though, that "there will be a paid upgrade path available for owners of the Nintendo Switch version." After the trailer debuted, Sonic's dad – Sega developer Takashi Iizuka – decided to throw hands at "another kart racing game" by announcing that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will have online cross-play. This was presumably a dig at Mario Kart World, which is odd, since that game is only on Switch 2... unless there was another recently released, major kart racing game we don't know about. Despite not mentioning it at the show, the game's Steam page confirmed that the Minecraft characters will be included as a part of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Season Pass. With every subsequent DLC getting two characters, except for one which gets four. There's also a Sonic Prime pack with variants of Knuckles, Tails, and Amy from the Netflix series coming at launch. So to get all the characters you'll need the Digital Deluxe version which is $90, so maybe don't throw shade at Mario Kart so soon. Shockingly, Sega did not mention CrossWorlds containing SpongeBob SquarePants or other Nickelodeon series (more like SoNick am I right?) like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which were leaked for the game as DLC over the past few weeks. Minecraft characters also leaked alongside these other characters, so I'd wager we might be seeing SpongeBob drifting before too long, anyway. Make sure to check out Summer Game Fest 2025 schedule so you don't miss any new game reveals.
