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We Visited the Real-Life Parr House from Incredibles 2 at Disney’s Cotino, Its First Storyliving Community

3 novembre 2025 à 21:27

In 1948, Walt Disney built a home in Palm Springs' Smoke Tree Ranch and, while he was forced to sell it to make a down payment on building Disneyland, a part of him always remained in that California desert. Now, in 2025, the company he co-founded has begun a new chapter in the nearby Rancho Mirage with Cotino, its first Storyliving by Disney Community.

We were invited to the grand opening of Cotino's Artisan Club to not only get a sense of what this new neighborhood actually is, but also to walk through the doors of an event space that was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering as a recreation of Incredibles 2's Parr House. It truly felt as though you were walking into the world of the Pixar classic, and walking through those red doors into the home was a moment I won’t soon forget.

What Is Cotino, A Storyliving by Disney Community?

Cotino, which welcomed its first residents earlier this year, is a very interesting new venture by Disney. It's a Disney community that is somewhat similar to Walt Disney World’s Golden Oak community, but it's not what you might think. Mickey isn't at the front gates welcoming guests, and there aren't fireworks every night or churro stands on every corner (which admittedly would be kind of amazing), but instead, this is a place infused with "the imagination of Walt Disney Imagineers and managed by Disney Cast members with the simple notion of bringing people together."

Homes here start from the mid $1 millions, and they welcome residents of all ages, as there is even a dedicated area known as Longtable Park for adults 55 and over. Cotino itself was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and developed in collaboration with DMB Development, and the three builders - Shea Homes, Woodbridge Pacific Group, and Davidson Communities - offer plenty of floorplans that really focus on the indoor-outdoor living that draws many to the wider Coachella Valley.

We were able to see a few model homes, and what really stood out to me was how open they were and how comfortable it felt to be both outside near the pool and inside the kitchen. And once again, there was very little Disney in these homes, save for the choice to purchase a Minnie Mouse- or Incredibles-themed golf cart and an awesome kids room with bunk beds and a ton of plushies, including Wall-E. Disney enthusiasts can of course choose to add their Disney artwork or memorabilia - and one of the builders even said they could install a custom Mickey-shaped pool if they'd like - but the Disney of it all was not front and center.

What was on prominent display, however, was that level of Disney service guests around the world have come to expect from the company's theme parks and cruises alongside a deep respect for the area. All that being said, this is a Disney community after all, and that dial of Disney Magic is turned up when you enter the voluntary Artisan Club that is located on the stunning Cotino Bay.

Incredibles 2's Parr House at Cotino's Artisan Club Is... Well... Incredible!

One of the purest joys of going to Walt Disney World or Disneyland is entering into the stories we hold closest to our hearts, and that feeling is brought to Cotino's Artisan Club by the event space that is a recreation of Incredibles 2's Parr House. This mid-century modern-inspired space was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering with the help of Pixar and built by Davidson Communities, and it's a six-bedroom retreat that members can host events at or even stay overnight.

As you can see in the video above, they absolutely nailed the feeling and look of the exterior of the home, the living room, and Mr. and Mrs. Incredible's bedroom. However, we actually didn't get to see the entire house in Incredibles 2, so the team had some fun and built five bedrooms upstairs that are based off of Violet, Dash, Jack Jack, Edna Mode, and Frozone.

And yes, there are Easter Eggs galore. You can find the Sugar Bombs and Fiber O's cereal on the kitchen shelf, the Incredible's family calendar on the wall, Dash's 'New Math' book in his room, and so much more. Furthermore, this space also honors the Coachella Valley in a really special way.

"It's a really full circle moment because, back during the making of Incredibles 2, Pixar artists actually came out to the Palm Springs region to get inspiration for the film," said Caleb Wild, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Architect. "So, when we were trying to come up with an idea for this sort of event space for the Artisan Club, we were like, 'why not bring it back?' And the very region that inspired the film? Let's put that piece of architecture back in the region and bring it to life."

That inspiration can be traced back to the Mid-Century Modern architecture of the Coachella Valley, which utilizes clean lines and large windows and an almost welcoming of the outside inside. The idea was created to "blend Disney magic and regional authenticity together" and make it a caricature of this style.

Lorenzo Salazar, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Interior Designer, expanded on this thought a bit shared that he and his team visited those same houses to make sure they got the small details right. Their mission was to ensure this event space didn't stick out like a sore thumb in the beautiful desert.

"I think we were able to achieve something that was modern and had the conveniences of 2025, but also have a little twinkle in our eyes towards the sixties, which is when the Incredibles took place."

He also shared that roughly 80% of the art, glasswork, and ceramics were sourced locally at vintage and antique shops and done by local artists.

All in all, there is a lot to love at Parr House whether you are an Incredibles fan or not. If you are, sliding a giant painting aside and revealing a secret art studio with a Mr. Incredible Sings vinyl record will delight and amaze you alongside learning that the rock formations were made by the same team at Disney Parks. If you aren't, the breathtaking views of Cotino Bay and open spaces to host an event with those that mean the most to you will be just as special.

Speaking of Cotino Bay, that's what we need to talk about next.

Cotino Bay and the Many Amenities On Its Shores

While the Parr House is the most striking Disney part of Cotino, Cotino Bay is its crown jewel that serves as a gorgeous, impossibly turquoise (thanks to Crystal Lagoons tech!) oasis in the middle of the desert.

This body of water, which has the added benefit of having views of the mountains right behind it, is meant to be used by Artisan Club members to swim, use watercraft like kayaks and paddle boards, and just to relax by on the private white sand beaches that has sand that is specifically designed not to get too hot by the desert sun.

Just a few steps away is Architects Fork, which is inspired by the motif of an architectural drawing room, and this is where guests will go to eat their main meals. The inside of this table-service restaurant has a great view of Cotino Bay, but it also has construction documents of it's a small world and Big Thunder Mountain, art from Mary Blair, Bruce Bushman, and Ken Chapman, and even a chandelier above the bar that is a topographical map of the area.

We were able to try some of the food that residents will be able to enjoy, and it really is a nice mix of Disney and California cuisine. You will find Walt's famous chili and Hollywood Brown Derby's Cobb Salad, but there is also a bacon-wrapped dates appetizer that honors the legacy of dates in the Coachella Valley.

This is all elevated by a kitchen that is run by a Disney Cast Member who grew up in the Coachella Valley and infuses his story and experiences into the dishes he helps create.

If residents are looking for something a bit more casual, they can head over to the outdoor bar called Plot Twist. This sits even closer to Cotino Bay and features a mix of craft burgers, seafood, salads, and bowls alongside island cocktails, craft beers, and frozen beverages.

This space is an homage to the written stories that inspired some of our favorite Disney films, including Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella. This can be seen with a wall filled with pages of the stories that Disney adapted to the big screen, complete with notes and highlights of the important moments, and a chandelier with glass pages that appear to be draped over beams.

Beyond the food and drink, Cotino and the Artisan Club specifically have a ton of wellness programs that, with the help of Optum, want to give residents an option to stay healthy with a touch of Disney storytelling thrown in.

We had the chance to try out the Encanto Latin Dance Cardio, which was in a studio overlooking Cotino Bay, and it was a high-energy and welcoming exercise that had us smiling and laughing with the incredible staff, who even gave us hats and flowers to add to the experience.

The Encanto class is joined by others like Moana Breathwork, the Incredibles Super Circuit, Villain Era Power Sculpt: Maleficent Edition, and Stitch & Splash. Oh, and there is also a fitness center, outdoor sports courts, a lap/leisure pool, and more.

Cotino Is Just the Start

Cotino's Artisan Club opening to the few residents on the property is a huge milestone, but it is still very much the beginning of not only this community, but Storyliving by Disney as a whole. It's a very intriguing new venture for Disney, and it already has its second project well underway with Asteria in Pittsboro, North Carolina.

At Cotino, there are already tons of plans in progress for not only residents, but also for the public. In fall 2026, a town center known as Cotino Bay Beach, Dining, and Shops will open up and will offer the public a chance to experience Cotino Bay for a fee alongside restaurants, shops, and even an open-air artisan market.

As for the residents, Cotino will offer a wide range of programs that will tap into the wider Disney umbrella and surrounding area. For example, a creative show director may come and talk about the latest parade or Nighttime Spectacular happening at Disneyland, and then Cotino will offer an excursion to the park with that Cast Member so they can experience this show in a very unique way. Or perhaps a National Geographic photographer will stop by to teach residents how to perfectly capture those magical sunsets in the Coachella Valley.

These are all great additions to the community, but I think what impressed me the most about Cotino and this new Storyliving by Disney brand is how much care and respect they are putting into developing this land. These aren't cookie cutter houses or obnoxious neighborhoods next to a theme park, but a celebration of the region with that Disney Magic we all love so much thrown in there.

"Walt was really interested in the idea of model cities and urban planning, and he knew that there were ways to make facilities and places that made living better for people," Becky Cline, director of Walt Disney Archives, told us. "That was the original plan for EPCOT, that it would be a community that could be self-sustaining and use futuristic transportation, but it would also be a place where they would prioritize conservation. With Cotino specifically, they're very interested in natural landscaping and using resources wisely and building homes that fit into this environment. I think this would have really pleased Walt, that they are choosing to live off the land instead of developing things that hurt the land."

Walt lovingly called this region his "laughing place," and it would often be a safe space he'd go to get away from the stress of the studio to find some peace, quiet, and a new spark of imagination and motivation. In a way, it's quite beautiful that Cotino is the first Storyliving by Disney Community and that it will provide the very same for its new residents all these years later.

For more on Disney Parks and Experiences, check out our look at how the Disney Destiny was built, our impressions of Walt Disney - A Magical Life, our exclusive chat with Disneyland president Thomas Mazloum for the park's 70th anniversary, and our retrospective on how Walt Disney started his company over 100 years ago.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst, Instagram, and TikTok, and listen to his show, Talking Disney Magic.

The Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 Gaming PC With Liquid Cooling Starts at $2,065 Ahead of Black Friday

3 novembre 2025 à 21:10

Ahead of Black Friday, Dell is offering an Alienware Aurora R16 gaming desktop equipped with the GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card for as low as $2,065 with free delivery. Most RTX 5080 prebuilts you'll find elsewhere, including the more affordable brands you find on Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, are priced closer to $2,400 and up. That's impressive considering Alienware usually commands a higher price premium. Such a system would have cost as much as $3,000 at the beginning of the year, but Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 prices have been trending downwards lately.

Alienware Aurora RTX 5080 Gaming PC From $2,065

This $2,045 configuration system is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F CPU, GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 1TB M.2 SSD. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265F has a max turbo frequency of 5.3GHz with 20 cores and a 36MB L2 cache. It's cooled by a 240mm AIO liquid cooling system. The system is run off a 1,000W power supply.

This system is customizable and the CPU, RAM, and storage can all be upgraded. For example, you can choose the more powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor, which boasts a higher clock speed and core count, for an extra $300. Another upgrade is a 2TB SSD (from the stock 1TB) for an extra $50.

The GeForce RTX 5080 GPU will run any game in 4K

Performance-wise, the RTX 5080 is no slouch. It's one of the fastest cards on the market, bested only by the $2,000 RTX 5090 and the discontinued $1,600 RTX 4090. This is a phenomenal card for playing the latest, most demanding games in 4K resolution at high settings and ray tracing enabled. The RTX 5080 supports DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation, which means you can push even more frames out of games that support the technology with minimal visual compromise. Recent games that support it include Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Borderlands 4, Stellar Blade, and Battlefield 6. Check out our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 FE review for our hands-on impressions.

Check out more of the best Alienware deals.

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

The $11 Iniu 10,000mAh Power Bank Nearly Triples Your Nintendo Switch 2 Play Time

3 novembre 2025 à 20:20

A compact power bank that is perfect for your Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, or Apple iPhone 17 has dropped in price for a limited time. Amazon is currently offering the Iniu 10,000mAh 45W Power Bank for just $11.21 after you clip the 49% off coupon on the product page. I expect this deal to reach its redemption limit very quickly.

Iniu 10,000mAh 45W Power Bank for $11.21

This Iniu power bank features a 10,000mAh (37Wh) battery capacity. If you factor in 80% power efficiency, here are the approximate number of times you can fully recharge some of the more popular gaming handhelds and smartphones:

  • Nintendo Switch (16Whr) about 1.9 times
  • Nintendo Switch 2 (20Whr) about 1.5 times
  • Steam Deck (40Whr) about 0.74 times
  • Apple iPhone 16 (14Whr) about 2.1 times
  • Apple iPhone 16 Plus (18Whr) about 1.6 times

*Apple iPhone 17 has slightly higher battery capacity than iPhone 16

The Iniu power bank has three output ports: one built-in 45W USB Type-C cable, one 45W USB Type-C port, and one USB Type-A port. The built-in cable is a popular feature on newer power banks because you no longer have to bring along your own USB Type-C cable. The 45W of Power Delivery is enough to charge the Nintendo Switch (18W) and Steam Deck (40W) at their fastest rate. This power bank is also a good match with the Apple iPhone 16, since ChargerLAB has shown that the maximum charging rate caps at about 30W. The iPhone 17 is expected to have a similar charging rate.

For more options, check out our favorite portable power banks for traveling.

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Over a Decade After Release, Obsidian's Pillars of Eternity Gets Surprise Patch to Add Turn-Based Mode

3 novembre 2025 à 20:00

Pillars of Eternity is the surprise recipient of a patch to add turn-based mode, developer Obsidian has announced.

Fresh from releasing Avowed, Grounded 2, and The Outer Worlds 2 this year, the Microsoft-owned studio has gone back to its isometric, party-based fantasy RPG over a decade after it came out with a fresh update.

Obsidian announced a new public beta for Pillars of Eternity opens on November 5 for players on Steam and Xbox PC, which adds the turn-based mode. The reveal comes alongside a message from game director Josh Sawyer (last seen directing Pentiment), with his thoughts on what turn-based mode means for Pillars of Eternity.

“Fans who enjoyed experimenting with turn-based mode in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire will find familiar ground here, but with key improvements shaped by your feedback,” Obsidian said in a blog post. More details are below.

How turn-based mode works in Pillars of Eternity:

  • Unbound Turns: All turns are now influenced by a character’s overall speed, improving the value of Real-Time with Pause attributes and mechanics.
  • Smarter Free Actions: Actions like swapping weapons, drinking potions, or enabling modals are now free actions. Each free action is limited to one per turn per type for balance.
  • Faster Pacing: Combat lethality has been significantly increased for both enemies and players to keep battles tense and impactful.
  • Mode Flexibility: You can choose Turn-Based Mode alongside difficulty when starting a new game — or swap freely between Real-Time with Pause and Turn-Based Mode in the game options. We’re also investigating a direct HUD toggle for even more convenience.

As this is a public beta, please expect bugs and ongoing adjustments, Obsidian warned. The beta will run for “some time” as the developer continues to roll out updates and prepares for a full release.

IGN’s Pillars of Eternity review returned a 9/10 back in 2015. We said at the time: “Obsidian (and its Kickstarter backers) have done it: Pillars of Eternity is one of the best RPGs since Baldur's Gate.”

Obsidian followed PoE up with Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire in 2018, before Microsoft bought the company later that year. Obsidian went on to release the likes of The Outer Worlds and Grounded, and has become one of the most prolific Xbox Games Studios developers Microsoft has on its books.

Will there be a Pillars of Eternity 3? Sawyer has commented on the prospect in the past. In 2023, for example, Sawyer said he would love to develop Pillars of Eternity 3 — under the condition the game receives the same budget as Baldur's Gate 3.

"I think if it truly was an unlimited budget, I think I would try Pillars 3 because I know what the budget was for Deadfire, which was not a whole lot and I have heard from multiple people what the budget was for Baldur’s Gate 3, and I’m not gonna talk about numbers, but if I got that budget, sure, I’ll make Pillars 3,” he said.

Sawyer added that if he were to make Pillars 3, he would employ a turn-based combat structure. Obsidian has yet to announce its next game.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare ETBs Below Market Value at Amazon

3 novembre 2025 à 20:00

Gone are the days of $200+ Black Bolt and White Flare Elite Trainer Boxes, and it looks like Amazon is finally paying attention to all the secondary market undercuts on TCGPlayer. I've got two banger deals for you today, with the Black Bolt ETB coming in under market value at $84.95, with White Flare coming in at market value at $82.84 once you factor in shipping.

Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box

Home to Zekrom ex and Victini ex Black White Rares, Black Bolt has always been the most expensive of the two. Other chase card highlights from this half of the set include the standard Zekrom ex SIR, Seismitoad SIR, Kyurem ex SIR, Genesect ex SIR and Meloetta ex SIR. The ETB also includes the usually 65-card sleeves, dice, tournament legal coin, status markers, dividers, storage box and the epic Thundurus Illustration Rare Promo.

White Flare Elite Trainer Box

There's also a Victini ex Black White Rare for White Flare too, alongside Reshiram ex Black White Rare. It's usually a bigger gap between the value of White Flare and Black Bolt, but it's quickly catching up thanks to its chase cards surging in popularity. Look forward to having a chance of pulling the regular Reshiram ex SIR, Hydreigon ex SIR, Keldeo ex SIR, Zoroark SIR and Oshawaott IR. You'll also snag Tornadus IR Promo with the White Flare ETB, so plenty to go at.

The Best Chase Cards From Black Bolt and White Flare

If you're looking to just rip packs and find valuable chase cards, it's probably going to save you money just buying the cards. You could be insanely lucky and pull a Black White Rare with just one Elite Trainer Box, and i'd be super jellous, but it's very unlikely. Here's where you can buy the top chase cards from Black Bolt and White Flare with up-to-date value information:

  1. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt Near Mint Holofoil: $446.99
    Market price: $483.91
    Most recent sale: $440
  2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare Near Mint Holofoil: $440
    Market price: $430.29
    Most recent sale: $405
  3. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt Near Mint Holofoil: $415
    Market price: $499.59
    Most recent sale: $430
  4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare Near Mint Holofoil: $372.60
    Market price: $369.06
    Most recent sale: $354
  5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt Near Mint Holofoil: $225
    Market price: $245.39
    Most recent sale: $194.99
  6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare Near Mint Holofoil: $191.98
    Market price: $190.31
    Most recent sale: $192.05

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

Deals for Today: Pokémon and MTG TCG Is Lower Than Ever at Amazon

3 novembre 2025 à 19:40

I'm not messing around with today's Daily Deals. We've got Pokémon TCG product under market value on Amazon alongside some great related deals on TCGPlayer. On the otherside of the TCG sphere, Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender set releases this month, and I've found the best prices online to preorder right now.

TL;DR: Deals for Today

Xbox controllers are awesome not just for the latest generation of Microsoft consoles, but for PC gaming too. I've got some great discounts on Elite V2, Special Editions and Hyperkin blasts from the past that you can't ignore. Looking for an extra special edition of Resident Evil: Requiem? I've got the preorder deets for the deluxe edition that comes with an awesome steelbook too. Let's get into it:

Amyet V9-G60 1000W Electric Bike for $426

AliExpress via Amyet's official seller account is offering the Amyet V9-G60 Electric Bike for just $426.04 after you apply $100 off coupon code "AEUS100" during checkout. The same bike is priced at $485 plus $165 shipping on Amazon. I've posted this deal before and it has so far been the best selling ebike here at IGN. Of the three bikes in this roundup, this has the most powerful motor and the biggest battery.

The Amyet V9-G60 boasts a 1,000W (1,500W peak) brushless motor that can push the bike at speeds up to 32mph. The 48V 20AH (960Whr) battery can last up to 70 miles on a single charge (the actual distance is dependent on other factors like your speed, terrain, elevation, etc). Other features include a lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano components for its 7-speed transmission, dual suspension, and 20" wheels with 4" fat tires for a more comfortable ride. The bike comes 90% preassembled and includes a 1 year warranty. It's also pretty mod friendly in case you wanted to do your own upgrades (like swapping to hydraulic brakes).

The Best Pokémon TCG Deals

The main highlights of these Pokémon TCG deals has to be the Black Bolt and White Flare Elite Trainer Boxes. White Flare is at market value for $82.94, whilst Black Bolt is dipping under market value at $84.95. It's a great time to get into the dual set that capped off the Scarlet and Violet era. Don't forget the latest set, Mega Evolution, either. TCGPlayer is destroying big box retailer Amazon in pricing right now, and that includes the Enhanced Booster Box featuring a stamped Bulbasaur Illustration Rare.

The Cheapest MTG: Avatar Preorders

The biggest saving here is with the single Avatar Collector Booster. It's half the price of market value on Amazon now at $37.99, which is 100% worth the a look. Bar the Jumpstart Booster Box and Begginer Box, Amazon is under market value for preorders right now. Don't forget that Amazon don't charge for preorders until they ship, and their preorder price guarantee ensures you're getting the best price.

Xbox Series X|S Controller Sale

Hyperkin knocked it out of the park with their OG Xbox S controllers. Yes, they're wired, but that also means they're perfect for competitive play thanks to zero input lag. There's also three special edition controllers which never stick around for long, and one of the best controllers ever made, Xbox Elite V2, is on offer for $139.99 currently too. Don't sleep on these deals.

Resident Evil: Requiem Deluxe + Steelbook

No discounts, but this is one for steelbook collectors. You'll get the base game, deluxe edition content and a cool steelbook and sleeve for this special edition of Resident Evil: Requiem. The Deluxe Edition include's the Apocalypse costume for Grace as they flick between first and third person views whenever they want, a first for the series.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

Hollow Knight: Silksong PSA: You're Missing a Bench in Bilewater

3 novembre 2025 à 19:34

Hey. Hey you. Yes, you. The one playing Hollow Knight: Silksong. I just wanted to let you know, before you go any further, that you're missing a bench in Bilewater. Just in case that helps.

If you're not to Bilewater yet, this PSA is still for you. You will get there, and you will want to know this. I am going to spoil what's in Bilewater in this piece, so if you don't want to know that information, leave and come back when you've gotten sufficiently angry at Bilewater.

Bilewater is notorious. It is a massive, disgusting zone on the other side of the already frustrating Sinner's Road that you can stumble into fairly early on in Act 1 of Silksong, and which is required if you ever want to see the game's Act 3. There are many reasons why Bilewater is loathesome: it has many obnoxious enemy types that can ambush you and ruin your day, there are lots of spikes you can fall on and hurt yourself, and notably, it is full of maggot-infested water that will stop you from healing and regenerating silk. Bilewater is awful.

But apart from the grub-water, one of the most standout horrors of Bilewater is its lack of benches. There's one bench way, way down at the bottom of Bilewater, in the Bell Beast station. At first, you might be tricked into thinking there is a second bench nearer the top lefthand side of the zone but, surprise! It's a trap. Not a bench at all. Down into the maggot water you fall.

So...uh...is that it? Is the Bell Beast bench really the only bench in Bilewater? Do you really have to do the entire zone, and the long, agonizing run back up to its boss over rivers of maggot-infested goop, past piles of spikes and exploding bug enemies and those awful things that belch poison at you, all with no break?

You don't. Be free. You're missing a bench in Bilewater. It is here:

Posts from the silksong
community on Reddit

We have a detailed guide to getting through Bilewater here on IGN, which you should use to find this bench when the time comes. The short version is that the hidden Bilewater bench is located behind a breakable wall on the far right-hand side of a cavern, past a giant pool of maggot soup at the bottom of a pit. Break the wall and drop down through another pit, then break another wall on your left to find the secret bench. This one, mercifully, is safe, and will not unceremoniously dump you into a pool of misery when you try to sit down.

This bench is much, much closer to Bilewater's boss, Groal, though it's still a bit of a trek up to him. Again, I recommend our walkthrough for help on surviving Bilewater, because it really is just a disgusting and difficult place.

We've seen a lot of people suggest that the run back to Groal, even with the help of the hidden bench, is one of the worst runbacks in the Souls genre. We're curious if you agree, so we set up the poll above. Vote to let us know which of these bosses has the worst runback from safety to their arena every time you die and have to attempt fighting them again. Or let us know in the comments if there's a worse fight we haven't mentioned here.

In addition to our Bilewater guide, we have a detailed Wiki to help you through every step of your journey in Pharloom, so check it out before, during, and after Bilewater.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

South Park Season 28, Episode 2: "The Woman in the Hat" Review

3 novembre 2025 à 19:34

Warning: This review contains full spoilers for South Park Season 28, Episode 2!

It was probably bound to happen sooner or later. South Park has generated a strong sense of momentum and narrative coherency in this Season 27/28 era, but inevitably, there were going to be bumps in the road. It’s tough to focus this much energy on being reactive and improvisational and not occasionally lose the thread. Bearing all that in mind, it’s still disappointing to see the series stumble in its eagerly anticipated Halloween episode.

“The Woman in the Hat” is one of those episodes that tries to tell two stories at once and winds up executing neither particularly well. On one hand, the Halloween angle comes into play as the ongoing renovation at the White House seemingly unleashes “a wrath” and causes the Trump Administration to become haunted by the mysterious “Woman in the Hat.” On the other hand, Stan, understandably miffed at having to live in his grandfather’s retirement home, concocts a new plan to get politics out of South Park. Even in the climax, these two threads never really tie together in a satisfying way.

There’s certainly some amusement to be had in watching the various people in Trump’s orbit stumble about as they’re haunted by a malevolent ghost. It’s one way of working the First Lady into the equation. This episode gets plenty of mileage out of mocking Attorney General Pam Bondi in particular, painting her as a literal brown-noser plagued by “rectoplasm” and all too happy to sue anyone who criticizes her beloved boss. It’s also funny to see the series continue to unload on FCC head Brendan Carr, who has indeed lost his freedom of speech and is now trapped in a permanent Nazi salute.

This is also where Trump advisor Stephen Miller enters the picture. Frankly, Miller seems to get off a little too easily compared to the rest of the group, with the episode focusing solely on portraying him as a creepy, shambling mash-up of Renfield and Riff Raff. It definitely seems like the show could have gone deeper there.

The larger issue with this half, though, is that the Halloween subplot feels more like a silly detour than a necessary new chapter of the season’s ongoing Trump storyline. We only get one brief scene of Peter Thiel and the captive Cartman. The seance never really pushes anything forward, nor does it have a particularly memorable payoff. The whole thing feels a little underbaked, despite how entertaining the Halloween trappings are.

That said, it’s not nearly as underbaked as the Stan subplot. This is where “The Woman in the Hat” really stumbles. It starts out promisingly enough, with Stan struggling with the idea of being unhoused and lamenting the sorry direction South Park is headed. Here, Trey Parker and Matt Stone are happily shattering the fourth wall and throwing a bone to every fan who feels the show has gotten too caught up in political humor (though it’s hardly like this is a new phenomenon for the series). I definitely chuckled when Stan complained that he hadn’t heard Kenny speak for four months.

Sadly, this episode completely fails to build from there. Stan’s crusade against politics almost immediately and inexplicably devolves into an attempt to hitch his wagon to the current crypto meme coin craze. Why, exactly? Not that crypto scams aren’t a fitting target for the series, but the way this episode goes about it just feels hamfisted and not particularly insightful. As nice as it is to see Cousin Kyle make a guest appearance, there just isn’t much humor or insight to be found in Stan’s story this week.

It was probably the right choice to acknowledge the ongoing criticism about the lack of focus on the classic South Park kids in these new seasons. It’s a criticism that has merit, as much as the show’s political storylines have mostly been dead-on. But making Stan the center of a half-baked, Cartman-style scam isn’t the way to address things. The problem here is that Season 27 had the right angle by focusing on Cartman’s disillusionment over this post-election climate, but the show has now pivoted in a completely different direction in Season 28. Now Stan is being called upon to shoulder the burden, and it’s not working. Hopefully, this is something the writers can hash out over the remainder of Season 28.

Pillars of Eternity will get an official turn-based mode

3 novembre 2025 à 21:08

Obsidian Entertainment has announced that the first Pillars of Eternity game will get an official Turn-Based Mode. This mode will let you experience the entire game with a turn-based combat system. To celebrate this announcement, the team has also shared a trailer that you can find below. With this new Turn-Based Mode, players will be … Continue reading Pillars of Eternity will get an official turn-based mode

The post Pillars of Eternity will get an official turn-based mode appeared first on DSOGaming.

Battlefield 6 Map Debate Reaches New Level as Players Meticulously Measure 70+ Maps from BF3, BF2042, and More

3 novembre 2025 à 19:07

FPS fans have spent months obsessing about Battlefield 6 map sizes, so some players finally took the time to measure and compare nearly every map the series has seen in the last 15 years.

The Battlefield map size breakdown is a collaborative effort organized by Reddit users ClaraTheRed and PENGUINonPC and includes multiplayer locations featured in Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, Battlefield: Hardline, Battlefield 1, Battlefield 2042, and, of course, last month’s Battlefield 6. It comes not only with a side-by-side comparison for each game’s map, organized by game mode and player count, but also color-coded horizontal bar graphs, illustrating how EA’s approach to map sizes has changed through the years.

ClaraTheRed shared details about their analysis in a follow-up post, clarifying that they have “done nothing but work on this the entire weekend.” The more than 45 hours of work resulted in a six-game, 72-map breakdown that paints a clear picture: Battlefield 6 doesn’t quite reach the gargantuan size of some of the series’ biggest maps.

ClaraTheRed points out that, while many of the relatively small Battlefield 6 maps, like Iberian Offensive or Siege of Cairo, are similar in size to maps seen in Battlefield 3 and 1, many of its larger maps rank among the medium-sized pool of maps studied. While games like Battlefield 3 and even Battlefield 2042 boast some of the most colossal maps the series has seen yet, Battlefield 6 falls short of offering even one map in the top 20. Even its largest map, Operation Firestorm, which itself is a downsized remake of the Battlefield 3 map of the same name, lands as the 32nd biggest map for total shared playable area and 22nd for total map area.

These are numbers the Battlefield community is already latching onto, but there are a few notes to consider. The evaluation stops short of including every map in the series, for example, with 2018’s Battlefield V, which ClaraTheRed says was difficult to gather data for, being one omission. Battlefield titles have also been known to alter the play area mid-match thanks to features like Levolution and environmental hazards, which some portions of the study consider. Every game that is included also has the benefit of being a completed work, DLC included – Battlefield 6 launched less than one month ago.

EA and Battlefield Studios have continued to push updates for its new Battlefield game in the weeks since its release, with Season 1 introducing a medium-sized map with Blackwell Fields last week, and another called Eastwood set to follow later this month. There’s also Battlefield REDSEC, a standalone offshoot with ties to the Battlefield 6 experience, which also launched last week. EA has proudly declared its map, Fort Lyndon, as the “biggest Battlefield map ever,” though much of the community has already placed it into a separate category thanks to its status as a battle royale map included with REDSEC, not Battlefield 6, specifically.

Battlefield 6 fans who hopped in as early as the August beta tests have spent months clamoring for larger maps as EA and BF Studios continue to work on post-launch content. It’s a topic that has set the community on fire, as some work to defend Battlefield 6’s current offerings while others take to review-bombing to express their dissatisfaction with map sizes, among other things.

“The two of us are not here to complain about map sizes in BF6 (although we do have our opinions on them),” ClaraTheRed clarifies, “but we're here to provide context and show that Battlefield maps throughout the last decade and a half have varied in size by a tremendous amount.”

Battlefield 6 players will likely continue to break down new maps as future seasons roll out. Until then, you can see our collection of every multiplayer map Battlefield 6 has to offer. You can also learn about the hidden firing range room that players are investigating for secret Easter Eggs and hints at future content. Those looking to brush up on their online skills can also read our multiplayer tips and tricks guide.

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).

AliExpress Has Brand New 1,000W Electric Bikes Starting at Under $300 Ahead of Black Friday

3 novembre 2025 à 19:00

Not long you you wouldn't be able to find an electric bike for under $1,000. Although there are still plenty of "premium" brands that still sell ebikes for well above this threshold, it's no longer an accurate blanket statement. As we enter the Black Friday and holiday season, you can pick up an entry level ebike for as low as $300. The three deals below stand out for the following reasons: (1) they're a lot less expensive than buying the exact same bike off Amazon, (2) they're all shipped from a local US warehouse so you don't need to worry about tariffs or shipping delays, and (3) they're sold by reputable vendors with plenty of reviews and sales to back them up.

Amyet V9-G60 1000W Electric Bike for $426

AliExpress via Amyet's official seller account is offering the Amyet V9-G60 Electric Bike for just $426.04 after you apply $100 off coupon code "AEUS100" during checkout. The same bike is priced at $485 plus $165 shipping on Amazon. I've posted this deal before and it has so far been the best selling ebike here at IGN. Of the three bikes in this roundup, this has the most powerful motor and the biggest battery.

The Amyet V9-G60 boasts a 1,000W (1,500W peak) brushless motor that can push the bike at speeds up to 32mph. The 48V 20AH (960Whr) battery can last up to 70 miles on a single charge (the actual distance is dependent on other factors like your speed, terrain, elevation, etc). Other features include a lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano components for its 7-speed transmission, dual suspension, and 20" wheels with 4" fat tires for a more comfortable ride. The bike comes 90% preassembled and includes a 1 year warranty. It's also pretty mod friendly in case you wanted to do your own upgrades (like swapping to hydraulic brakes).

Luckeep X1 Lite 750W Electric Bike for $435.77

The Luckeep X1 Lite is a better choice if you're looking for an e-bike that you can fold up and store away where space is limited, like in the trunk of your car or SUV. It's also a little bit lighter than the Amyet V9-G60. AliExpress has it on sale for $435.77 after $100 off coupon code "AEUS100". The same bike is priced at $620 plus $99 shipping on Amazon.

The X1 Lite's 750W (1,500W peak) brushless motor can hit a top speed of about 28mph. The 48V 15AH (720Whr) battery can last up to 50 miles on a single charge. Like the Amyet V9-G60, it also features a lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano 7-speed transmission, and 20" wheels with 4" fat tires, and is covered by a 12 month warranty. The feature that sets this bike apart from the other two in the roundup is that it can be folded in half with the wheels stacked next to each other. This design makes it much easier to fit in a smaller space. A little engineering magic is needed to make sure that the frame maintains its rigidity and so this feature isn't commonly found in entry level bikes.

UrLife E20 Lite 750W Electric Bike for $290

The UrLife E20 Lite is the least expensive ebike in this roundup, and really just about the cheapest electric bike you can get anywhere. Where else can you get a brand new, pre-assembled ebike under $300 (after you apply a $64 off coupon code "AEUS64"). The same bike sells for $420 plus $90 shipping on Amazon.

UrLife E20 Lite is also the lightest bike in this roundup. Whereas the Luckeep X1 Lite weighs 70 pounds and the Amyet V9-G60 tops the chart at 77 pounds, the E20 Lite comes in at a modest 60 pounds. It's also equipped with a tamer 750W brushless motor with a peak rating of 1,000W, so the top speed is limited to a still respectable 20mph. The 48V 13AH (624Whr) battery, while being the smallest capacity battery in the roundup, has the best range at up to 80 miles, most likely because of the lighter weight and less power hungry motor.

This is an excellent entry level electric bike for an adult, or even a responsible teen who's never ridden an ebike before. The ebikes are not toys and you don't want to play with fire by getting something that is beyond your comfort zone. At this price, there's less damage to your wallet (and your dignity) if and when you put some dings and dents into it.

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

GTA 6 Dev Rockstar Accused of Union Busting in Sudden Firing of Dozens of Staff

3 novembre 2025 à 17:58

Rockstar, the developer of Grand Theft Auto VI, reportedly fired between 30 and 40 employees in a move that the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) is claiming was "blatant" and "ruthless" union busting.

According to Bloomberg, the workers fired this past Thursday were all UK and Canadian employees who were also part of a private trade union chat group on Discord, and were either union members themselves or trying to organize Rockstar. IWGB has issued a press release in response to the firing, claiming that the employees' dismissal was explicitly due to union activities.

Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry. This flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions is an insult to their fans and the global industry.
Despite this calculated attack on workers organising for a collective voice and to improve their difficult working conditions, the Rockstar Union remains undeterred. They will keep organising for respect and better conditions whilst continuing to pour their blood, sweat and creativity into games that are loved by millions.
The IWGB will pursue every legal claim possible to ensure our members are reinstated and receive interim relief.

In response, publisher Take-Two has issued its own statement via a spokesperson, countering that the firings were for "gross misconduct, and for no other reason."

We strive to make the world’s best entertainment properties by giving our best-in-class creative teams positive work environments and ongoing career opportunities. Our culture is focused on teamwork, excellence, and kindness. Rockstar Games terminated a small number of individuals for gross misconduct, and for no other reason. As always, we fully support Rockstar’s ambitions and approach.

These dismissals occur as Rockstar is on the cusp of releasing Grand Theft Auto 6 in May of next year, with the game projected by some analysts to make $3 billion in its first year on sale and said by others to be one of the most important game releases of all time.

Amidst massive public anticipation for the game, Rockstar has been sparing with its marketing, releasing very little information about the game ahead of launch. However, after a massive leak of the in-development game in 2022 and the day-early release of the game's first trailer the following year, Rockstar has been increasingly tight with security. Last year, the studio began asking employees to come to the office five days a week, citing a desire for both increased productivity and security. This decision was criticized by workers affiliated with the IWGB, who said Rockstar broke promises with the forced return to office, and accused the studio of refusing to engage with workers on the issue.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

What to Expect from Xbox’s Black Friday 2025 Sale

3 novembre 2025 à 17:30

Xbox’s Black Friday sale this year is shaping up to be... complicated. Microsoft has spent much of 2025 raising prices across the board, with consoles, controllers, games, and even Game Pass Ultimate all getting more expensive.

We’ll definitely still see discounts for Xbox fans during the big sale season; it's just unfortunate that almost everything is starting from a considerably higher baseline than before.

That said, I'm also predicting that we'll still be able to score some worthwhile discounts come Black Friday. While Xbox's official "Black Friday" offerings (yet to be announced) rarely deliver great savings, in my experience, you just need to know where and when to look for bargains, and which "deals" to avoid altogether.

To help with this, I've put together my predictions for what will be discounted this year, alongside some expert advice on the best places to find Xbox deals once the sales properly kick off.

Xbox Game Pass

Let's kick off with the most obvious starting point: Xbox Game Pass. Unfortunately, Game Pass Ultimate recently saw another major price hike, jumping a massive 50% in the US, so I probably wouldn't expect Microsoft to discount it directly this Black Friday.

But, not all hope is lost, as I'm certain you'll still be able to find good offers from other retailers, and dodge the new $29.99 per month standard rate. Amazon, for instance, is already selling three-month codes for $54.99, down from $89.99.

That's a great deal if you want to lock in coverage through the holidays. The max you can fill out your account with is 12 lots of three months (totalling 36 months), and currently costs $659.88, or $219.96 per year.

By comparison, at the new $29.99 monthly rate, three years of Game Pass Ultimate now costs $1,079.64. So there are already big savings to be had. It’s just a question of whether we’ll potentially see anything even better in the coming weeks.

Now that's where things get interesting. For the best deal possible in the final months of the year, my advice is to keep an eye on Amazon-owned Woot. Last year, Woot dropped three months of Game Pass Ultimate to just $28.99 during Black Friday, over 50% off at the time.

It was a great deal, but considering it now costs $90 for three months of Ultimate today, this now looks like an absolute juggernaut of a discount.

It's purely speculative that this offer could reappear, and I doubt we’ll see anything quite that generous in 2025, but anything even close to it would be worth shouting about again.

Woot is one of the best retailers for limited-time, doorbuster-style discounts, and since it’s backed by Amazon, it’s a safe bet. The only downside is that these deals sell out fast, so to avoid missing out, I'd suggest following @IGNDeals on Twitter/X for the latest updates.

Xbox Controllers

Predictably, I'm very much expecting Microsoft to once again roll out its usual $10 off Black Friday offer for Xbox controllers. This wasn't a good deal last year, and won't be a good deal this year either, especially since the MSRP is now $64.99.

Last year, controllers dropped as low as $35 at multiple retailers during Black Friday, and we’ve already seen them hit that again recently at Lenovo before a promo expired. This is the sort of pricing I'd try and hold out for if you're looking for the best deal possible.

Even now, the Carbon Black controller is $39.99 at Amazon ahead of Black Friday, which is likely better than anything Microsoft itself will offer once the sale begins. If you want to pick up one of the best PC gaming controllers at that price now, I wouldn’t judge you.

That said, I still expect we’ll see every color scheme go on sale closer to Black Friday, so it could be worth waiting to see if you can grab something a little bolder, and potentially at an even better price.

When it comes to deals to skip, I’d avoid paying anything over $45 for the core controllers during the sale season.

The only other Xbox controllers I’d be excited about this Black Friday are the new special edition models, such as the “Breaker” series, as long as they get deeper discounts.

I’m also watching to see whether we’ll get another significant price drop on the Xbox Elite 2 Controllers. Ideally, the Core Elite model would fall around $90, while the full Elite 2 package would drop to somewhere between $110 and $120.

Xbox Games

When it comes to games, this should be a solid year for discounts, especially on third-party titles. Xbox hasn't pushed physical releases much lately, given how deep it's gone into its digital-first, Game Pass-heavy ecosystem, but that doesn't mean deals will be scarce.

First-party games will probably get modest 10-20% discounts, usually digital only. Expect to see The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, The Outer Worlds 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, Avowed, Indiana Jones (and its DLC), and Gears of War Reloaded included. I wouldn't hold my breath for Call of Duty Black Ops 7, but anything's possible.

Third-party games are where the best savings will be, particularly for physical copies. Expect discounts in line with PlayStation's across big releases like Borderlands 4 (already down to $55 recently), Sonic Racing: Crossworlds (Sega loves a Black Friday sale), and EA Sports FC 26, which reliably drops every year without fail.

Other top 2025 games likely to see further cuts include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Split Fiction, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Civilization 7, and Elden Ring Nightreign. Each has already been discounted in other sales this year, so expect them to dip again.

What game would you like to see in the Black Friday sales? Let us know in the comments.

Xbox Consoles

Last year, one of the better offers for Xbox was the Xbox Series X All-Digital 1TB going for just under $400 at Amazon. That was decent, but not mindblowing.

Yet, considering this exact console now costs nearly $600 after this year's price hikes, I doubt we'll see anything close to sub $400 any time again soon. I'd expect maybe a $50-100 discount across the board on Xbox consoles this year, but don't expect a miracle.

Still, if you're hunting for the best deal, keep an eye on Lenovo. It tends to offer surprise Xbox console discount codes during Black Friday that quietly end up being the best prices around.

A proper great deal, at least by 2025 standards, would be around $250 for a Series S or $400 for a Series X. It's also worth watching Amazon's "Used - Like New" listings. They've been running excellent resale discounts on almost-new hardware lately, just with open packaging.

For example, Amazon sold a PS5 Pro for $500 during Prime Day, a PS Portal for $125, and a PS VR2 Headset bundle for just under $190.

If similar offers show up for Xbox consoles during Black Friday, that could end up being the best way to save big this year. That goes the same for Xbox controllers, and even the pricey Xbox ROG Ally X as well.

How to Follow IGN Deals Recommendations

The IGN Deals team has over 30 years of combined experience finding the best discounts and preorders available online. If you want the latest updates from our trusted team, here’s how to follow our coverage:

Robert Anderson is Senior Commerce Editor and IGN's resident deals expert on games, collectibles, trading card games, and more. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.

Famke Janssen Confirms Marvel Has 'Never Ever' Asked Her to Reprise Her Role as Jean Grey Since the Fox X-Men Movies Came to an End

3 novembre 2025 à 17:26

Still holding out hope that Famke Janssen will reprise her role as Jean Grey in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday? Perhaps it's time to let go, because the actress has confirmed that Marvel hasn't asked her to play the superhero again since the end of Fox’s X-Men movies.

Famke Janssen played Jean Grey from 2000’s X-Men right up to a cameo in 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. Her character, as the Phoenix, died in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, with Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner taking over the role for subsequent X-Men movies.

But a number of actors whose characters died in the Fox X-Men movies are set to reprise their roles in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. For example, Sonic the Hedgehog star James Marsden is confirmed to play Cyclops in Doomsday, despite the character's previous on-screen demise.

Other Fox X-Men veterans set for Doomsday include Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, and Rebecca Romijn. Grammer famously played Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise before making his MCU debut via The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart played Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films before appearing briefly in the MCU via Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a member of the Illuminati. McKellen, who played Magneto, has yet to appear in the MCU. Neither has Cumming, who played Nightcrawler, Romijn, who played Mystique, nor Marsden. It begs the question: is Avengers: Doomsday secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?

Whatever the nature of Doomsday's plot, it sounds like Famke Janssen won’t join the party. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she was asked if Marvel had ever asked her to play Jean Grey again after the Fox era of movies. She replied: "Never. Never ever."

"I should be flattered, I suppose, that this character has resonated with people,” she added. “It's been so long, but it's nice that people are still talking about her. I'm sure every single time there's a new movie that they're doing, like [is it] Doomsday? ... it'll come up again.

"Every time I do an interview, it's mentioned. It's interesting. I didn't realize that was such a big part. Every interview I do, that will come up, and of everything I say, that is going to be the only thing that's gonna be printed."

Such is the interest in the MCU that Marvel superhero actors are often asked about reprising their roles for future films, and Avengers: Doomsday and 2027’s Secret Wars has only ramped interest up. Elizabeth Olsen, for example, recently said she’d “jump at” the opportunity to play Scarlet Witch again despite her character’s apparent death in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Olsen is not, however, among the confirmed cast for Doomsday. Interestingly, neither is Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman, who starred alongside Janssen in the Fox X-Men movies.

Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. will return as Doctor Doom, and Benedict Cumberbatch will apparently return as Doctor Strange in Secret Wars. The Russo brothers have said they see Avengers 5 and 6 as a “new beginning” that will lay the foundation for whatever comes next in Phase 7 of the MCU.

“The only thing I’ll say about the movie is this: we love villains who think they’re the heroes of their own stories,” Joe Russo said. “That’s when they become three-dimensional and they become more interesting. When you have an actor like Robert Downey, you have to create a three-dimensional, well shaped character for the audience. That’s where a lot of our focus is going.”

Avengers: Doomsday is currently set to arrive in theaters May 1, 2026 and Secret Wars arrives about a year later in May 2027.

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Iron Man Mark 3 Collector's Edition and More Marvel LEGO Sets Announced

3 novembre 2025 à 16:28

Lately, LEGO has been unveiling new sets we can look forward to seeing in early 2026, including a Back to the Future Time Machine and sets based on the video game LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The latest announcement is a batch of Marvel LEGO sets that appeal to all ages, with a range of price points that (thankfully) doesn’t get ridiculously high. There are some very cool sets in the works, and the two that I like best are available for preorder right now. Let’s have a look.

Featured in this article

Here are all the new Marvel LEGO sets coming in January 1. You can find more details about them in the blurbs below.

LEGO Marvel Iron Man Mark 3 Collectors’ Edition

LEGO has released a number of Iron Man sets over the years (this MK4 bust comes to mind as a stand-out), but I don’t think any has nailed the character quite like this one. It’s not a buildable action figure aimed at kids, like some previous superhero sets. It’s more like a posable statue for adults that’s meant to be displayed on a desk or bookshelf, complete with a name placard. It stands over 15 inches tall, and it includes an Iron Man minifigure you can set at the foot of the build.

LEGO Marvel Spider-Man vs. Mysterio: The Daily Bugle

The previous Daily Bugle LEGO set was towering and impressive – but at $350 it was priced out of reach for many Marvel fans. This one is scaled down (though it’s still over a foot high), and it includes a lot of what made the previous set impressive. It comes with a giant, jointed Rhino figure, as well as minifigures for Mysterio, J. Jonah Jameson, and Rhino, plus Spidey, Miles, Ghost Spider, and Venomized Captain America. It looks good enough for display, but it's sturdy enough to stand up to play if you give it to a kid.

More Marvel LEGO Sets Coming January 1

A handful of smaller Marvel LEGO sets are also coming January 1, but they're not available for preorder. These include a pretty awesome Hulkbuster vs. The Hulk set, Spider-Man vs. Sandman, and sets that pit Spidey against Ghost Rider and Venomized Wolverine.

LEGO Speed Champions APXGP Team Race Car from F1 The Movie

It’s not a Marvel set, but the announcement came out at the same time, so I’m including it anyway. LEGO also announced this great looking race car from F1 The Movie. It’s coming January 1 for a modest $27.99.

For similar sets that are available now, check out our picks for the best LEGO Marvel sets you can buy. These include some truly remarkable builds, like the X-Men’s X-Mansion and the Avengers Tower.

If you're looking for brand-new sets, you won't find many this month; here's every new LEGO set for November 2025. For a more robust collection of new releases, check out every LEGO set that released in October, which includes the massive Star Wars Death Star set.

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.

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