Nintendo fans now know who developed Switch 2 launch title Welcome Tour — the mini-game collection that also acts as an interactive instruction manual for the new console, which many have suggested should have been included for free.

While Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour doesn't state it within the game itself, Mario Party studio Nintendo Cube, formerly NDCube, has now updated its website to confirm the game is its work.

Nintendo Cube is a Tokyo-based subsidiary of Nintendo founded in 2000 that frequently handles the company's various mini-game collection projects. It developed the so-so Wii Party (not to be confused with the better Wii Play, which came with a packed-in Wii Remote), as well as the disappointing Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival on Wii U.

More recently, Nintendo Cube released the functional Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics for Switch 1, before the infamous Everybody 1-2 Switch — a party game sequel launched with little fanfare that earned Nintendo some of its worst review scores in recent memory. ("Everybody 1-2-Switch might be the first party game I’ve played where I ended up with fewer friends afterwards," IGN wrote in its 4/10 appraisal.)

But it's for Mario Party that Nintendo Cube is best known, having taken over as the hugely popular party game series' main developer beginning with 2012's Mario Party 9 onwards, and continuing with Mario Party 10, Mario Party Star Rush, Mario Party: The Top 100, Super Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars.

Nintendo Cube's next launch is (deep breath) Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, a Switch 2 update for Super Mario Party Jamboree that makes use of the new console's mouse controls and optional camera peripheral, due to arrive on July 24.

While a budget-priced release, criticism was levelled at Welcome Tour for the sheer number of its mouse-control games, and the need to have a camera peripheral, a Switch 2 Charging Grip or Pro Controller, and a 4K TV to see everything it had to offer, and complete the game with gold medals.

"Even if Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour were the pack-in game it feels like it was meant to be, the execution of its charming concept is a muddled collection of quaint tech demos and boring factoids dressed up as an uncompelling completionist checklist," IGN wrote in our Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour review.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Warning: This piece contains full spoilers for Jurassic World Rebirth.

Huge spoilers for Jurassic World Rebirth: There’s an island near the equator populated by dinosaurs. In 1993 (or 1990, if you read the original Michael Crichton novel when it came out), this was an exciting premise. But in 2025, it’s a refrain that’s been used far too often. Despite Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom ending with the dinosaurs being let loose into the world, two more sequels have since failed to capitalize on that premise. Fallen Kingdom threw the franchise a lifeline to finally do something meaningfully different, but the “new era” of Jurassic promised by Rebirth’s trailers has resulted in a standalone sequel that feels a lot like reheated leftovers. Seven movies in, there’s simply no excuse for the Jurassic franchise to still feel like it’s spinning its wheels.

Let’s take a look at why the Jurassic World series needs to evolve or risk going extinct.

For the Love of Gareth

To start off, Jurassic World Rebirth isn’t a bad movie. It can be quite enjoyable once it gets past a shaky first act. Godzilla and Rogue One director Gareth Edwards turns in high-quality work that highlights what he does best: scale, action, and smart VFX integration. The big ticket dino sequences, in particular the Mosasaurus chase and the T-Rex scene on the river, are some of the most technically proficient stuff you’ll see in a major studio movie this year. If you’re buying a ticket to see dinosaurs (and really, who isn’t?), you’ll get your dinosaurs and then some. It’s certainly stronger than Jurassic World Dominion, which was falling apart at the seams even when it was focused on dinos and not evil locusts. On a fundamental level, Rebirth does exactly what it sets out to do and achieves it relatively well, all things considered.

No, the main issue here isn’t precisely with Rebirth’s quality (although we’ll get to where it could be stronger in a bit), but with the franchise’s overall lack of ambition. Jurassic World Rebirth simply isn’t what the series should be striving for since it has done this song and dance time and time again. After two trilogies that have mostly traded on the same handful of narrative beats aside from the occasional outlier like the T-Rex being unleashed on San Diego in The Lost World or the dinosaur haunted house in Fallen Kingdom, the first film after the end of the initial World trilogy was the perfect opportunity to finally shake things up. The trailers even proclaimed this was the start of a “new era” for the franchise. But you’d never know that from watching the movie, which falls right in line with series convention.

In many ways, hiring Edwards to direct and recruiting franchise veteran David Koepp to return to writing duties feels like working backwards to justify using such an uninspired plot. Universal wanting dino blockbusters to come out on regular intervals is perfectly natural. After all, the last three movies have each crossed the billion-dollar mark. But the truncated pre-production schedule included hiring Edwards at the last minute and precluding him from too much input on the script. THR reported that the producers wanted to “wield a stronger hand” on the project, with the director mostly being a gun for hire instead of the film’s authorial voice. It begs the question of why the studio is so insistent on the Jurassic films being such made by committee affairs when it’s one of their surest bets at the box office. But that lack of voice (beyond the fantastic visuals) is Rebirth’s biggest problem.

Sinking Scripts

Rebirth features an entirely new cast of characters from the previous six films, with nary a cameo in sight, something that’s both shocking and commendable in this era of nostalgia-minded franchise filmmaking. Yet unlike the original film which had a memorable main cast, or the World movies carrying Chris Pratt’s Owen Grady and Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire Dearing through three main entries, the new group in Rebirth are all introduced here and end the film without any obvious places to go next. That’s perfectly OK if the intention is to make a standalone film, but the script’s machinery in regards to its characters is thinly sketched, resulting in a movie that stays above water on the strength of its direction, but could have gotten way further if the storytelling was more fine-tuned.

A key structural issue is that the movie loses focus due to repeatedly jumping between two groups of characters: Scarlett Johansson’s Zora Bennett and her special ops team on a quest to recover dinosaur DNA samples that will be used to develop a heart medication, and the Delgado family, who get roped into the plot because their boat is capsized by the Mosasaurus. The two groups cross over at the beginning and end of the films, but are largely separated during the middle. The video gamey “find the three biggest dinosaurs” adventure plot going on with Zora’s group doesn’t strike the same tone as the “family desperately trying to survive” story going on with the Delgados. Really, either of these threads could have been their own movie, but Rebirth tries to awkwardly smash them together, seemingly out of feeling obligated to include kids of some sort in a Jurassic film.

Not that the Delgados are a wash, mind you. Their river raft escape from the T-Rex is one of the movie’s best scenes, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo turns in a solid performance as father Reuben, and Dolores, the tiny Aquilops that youngest daughter Isabella (Audrina Miranda) adopts, is frankly adorable. But that lack of focus compromises Zora’s arc, which feels like it’s supposed to be a “mercenary learns the error of her ways and becomes more altruistic” story–the movie literally ends on her making the dramatic choice to share the DNA research with the world instead of cashing it in for her payday–but it can’t register as such because she’s immediately protective of the Delgados even if it jeopardizes the mission. A better film would risk the audience initially disliking Zora by showing her be, well, mercenary, so that her choosing not to be later is an actual change. Instead, Rebirth, like the franchise, takes the path of least resistance.

Enough Is Enough

Lack of risk has been Jurassic’s biggest sin for a long time, even before the series’ modern era. Love it or hate it, Fallen Kingdom was a rare moment where the franchise dared to challenge itself, both aesthetically and philosophically, but it seems to have been a one-time deal. Every other Jurassic sequel, as much fun as they can often be, is too indebted to Crichton and Steven Spielberg’s original work. Rebirth is much the same, often showcasing surface pleasures like thrilling dino action, the charisma of its cast, or the image of Dolores riding along in Isabella’s backpack. But said pleasures also reveal the hollowness at the film’s core, because a truly great Jurassic sequel would have those elements be supplementary virtues instead of its main ones.

Jurassic Park isn’t one of the most beloved and iconic films in history just because it has dinosaurs. It also has great characters, impeccable craft, and a genuinely philosophical science-fiction story that still connects with new audiences decades after its release. Not every film has to be that good, but would it kill the series’ custodians to even try? It feels like the mixed reception to Fallen Kingdom trying something different with its Gothic fairy tale narrative sensibility led to Jurassic World Dominion turning into a sloppy half-measure of fan service and darts-on-a-board-caliber ideas, which in turn led to Rebirth heralding a “new era” that’s yet another serving of exactly the type of movie this series has run into the ground.

Audiences will probably always love dinosaurs. The box office numbers for the previous World movies prove that. Rebirth will likely do well financially no matter what anyone writes about it. But for one of the few blockbuster properties that feels bulletproof (even Marvel is showing signs of waning interest), it’s disheartening how unambitious Jurassic continues to be. It’s not just a lack of change, but a refusal of it. Rebirth revealing that the dinosaurs that escaped into the world in the previous films have mostly died off outside of a handful of islands is creative cowardice, even if the end result is a perfectly entertaining movie.

Jurassic feeling that that’s an acceptable trade-off might not spell doom for it today, but if this series ever wants to turn its reputation around, it needs to learn that evolution isn’t a luxury, but a necessity.

Carlos Morales writes novels, articles and Mass Effect essays. You can follow his fixations on Twitter.

Forza Motorsport developer Turn 10 Studios has been heavily impacted by this week's brutal Microsoft layoffs, former employees have claimed, reportedly resulting in Xbox's sim racing series being wound down.

Former Forza Motorsport content coordinator Fred Russell has stated that the franchise's team is "no more," with remaining Turn 10 Studios employees left at the Washington-based company now focused on supporting the Forza Horizon series instead, which is primarily developed at British outfit Playground Games.

"Turn 10 Studios has shuttered the Forza Motorsport space and the team is no more," Russell wrote in a post on Facebook. "A very sad day for one of the best car racing video games. I loved my time there."

Responding to a comment regarding Turn 10's future overall, Russell noted that "the studio is open to support the Horizon side" and that Microsoft had "shuttered the Forza Motorsport side only."

Chris Harding, another former Turn 10 Studios employee, suggested that "120 people" were "gone from FM side." IGN has contacted Microsoft for comment.

Turn 10 Studios' original Forza Motorsport launched for the OG Xbox in 2005, and established the series as one of Microsoft's core gaming brands, as well as a serious rival to PlayStation's Gran Turismo. Seven Forza Motorsport sequels have launched since, spread across every Xbox console generation.

But the series' original sim racing side has increasingly been eclipsed by the success of Forza Horizon, the franchise's newer, open-world spin-off that first launched on Xbox 360 in 2012. Following a positive reception, the following decade saw four Forza Horizon sequels follow.

When Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently confirmed that the next Forza title would arrive in 2026, it was widely assumed that this meant a new entry in the Forza Horizon series, rather than a follow-up to 2023's most recent Forza Motorsport, which was set up as something of a series reboot but launched to a mixed response.

Now, Forza Motorsport is reportedly no more, with no one at Turn 10 Studios left currently working on it.

"The legacy will stay," Russell concluded, "even if there is no future for the game."

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Today’s highlights go beyond the usual tech stack. We’ve got a mix of smart accessories, serious surge protection, and some big hits for gamers and movie collectors. From a sharp new Switch 2 case to a killer VR bundle and a beautifully over-the-top Borderlands replica, these picks are for anyone looking to upgrade their space or their shelf.

TL;DR: Deals For Today

There's a shedload of variety today, including a limited-edition 4K release for horror fans, one of the best value power strips under ten bucks, and a VR bundle packed with titles that rarely go on sale. Each one is an easy buy if you’re into gaming gear, or making sure your setup looks and runs the way it should.

28 Years Later 4K Steelbook

The Witcher Boxed Set

ProCase Protective Case for Nintendo Switch 2

Power Strip Surge Protector, 5FT

Hanycony Surge Protector Power Strip

6 Months Free Amazon Prime For Young Adults

Borderlands Psycho Bandit Art Mask

The Upload VR Showcase Bundle

The 40-Year-Old Virgin - Limited Edition Steelbook

FrSara Neck Fan

Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine

Amazon Prime Day Is Coming

Assassin's Creed: Shadows Limited Edition (PS5)

3 Months for $0.99 Audible Deal

3 Months Free Kindle Unlimited

Prismatic Evolutions Super-Premium Collection

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Noise Cancelling Headphones

Roborock Q Revo Robot Vacuum and Mop

Dyson V11 Torque Drive+ Vacuum Cleaner

Coke Zero Sugar 12 Pack

George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 5-Book Boxed Set

Humble Choice

Symphonic Journeys Pokémon Red & Blue Vinyl

M3GAN 2.0 - Limited Edition Steelbook (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)

WOWBOX 32 PCS Clear Plastic Drawer Organizer Set

Tunise Rechargeable Portable Neck Fan

The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated by the Author

Pokémon TCG Price Comparison

Some of the pricing here by Amazon is insane, but there's some deals to be had when comparing these products to TCG Player. For example, Prismatic Evolutions Super-Premium Collection was a massive 56% below market value, but TCG Player is coming in cheaper now at $195. On the other end of the scale, TCG Player has Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Premium Collection at a massive 48% below Amazon's current price, which is very close to MSRP. I've compared all the prices in the carousel above, but another pro tip is clicking through to eBay to see if there's any new bargains to be had.

This Weeks Pokémon Card Crashers and Climbers

I’ve been keeping a close eye on the Pokémon TCG market this month, and we’re seeing two very different stories unfold. On one side, Surging Sparks cards are going through a steep correction.

On the other hand, Crown Zenith cards are showing early signs of what could be a long-term value surge. The bottom line? If you're a collector or investor, now is the time to buy into both.

I’m picking up what I can from both sets. The current dip in Sparks is a glimmer of hope for long-suffering 2024-2025 collectors. And Crown Zenith is a train I want to be on before it leaves the station.

Pokémon TCG Classic

The Sam's Club Pokémon TCG Classic deal is back, and it's massively undercutting other big box retailers and the secondary market. Just for comparrison, the top four cards from this set, Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur and Mewtwo, are worth the same price as this discounted offer. This deal is well worth it and should be snapped up as soon as possible.

Mega Evolution Pokémon Cards Are Climbing

I can't believe the X Y era of Pokémon cards came out 12 years ago, but it was an amazing era for the TCG introducing the Mega Evolution mechanic. Mega's will be returning later this year with the start of the Mega Evolutions era and the end of Scarlet and Violet, so snapping up these top Mega cards before prices go even higher is a wise move. We know how it'll play out, no one will be able to grab the new sets at launch, then the nostalgia will kick in and these cards will skyrocket. Just the Charizards and Rayquazzas alone are worth a look.

Magic: The Gathering Price Comparison

MTG doesn't seem to be struggling to keep up with demand despite it being one of the biggest trading card games on earth, but that doesn't stop big box retailers getting cheeky when they notice a peak in demand. Like with Pokémon TCG, i've gone through the majority of MTG stock on Amazon and compared their pricing to market values on TCG Player. The Theros Beyond Death booster made me spit out my tea. Amazon is listing a single booster for $378.08, but these can be picked up any day of the week for $5.59 on TCG Player. Go figure. Another big difference is Marvel's Spider-Man - Play Booster Box. Amazon has their preorder price guarantee on this, but it's still 17% cheaper to preorder on TCG Player.

This Weeks MTG Crashers and Climbers

As we covered in our recent synergies feature, Harmonic Prodigy gives double Wizard triggers – nice! That means it's gone up by 118.70% in the past month (246.76% in three) – not so nice!

That's good for those that own the card, not so good for those who are looking to pick it up standalone. Still, market is still just $12.75 right now, so it could be a lot worse.

Moving away from Vivi, Tifa’s getting some love from Bristly Bill, Spine Sower. This Outlaws of Thunder Junction card can help power up our martial artist heroine, but at a cost of almost $40 now.

Another nifty synergy that's climbing is Perch Protection. This Instant has climbed from a dollar to almost $6, since it handily ties into Chocobo decks.

WAOAW Sleep Mask w/ 3D Eye Cups & Adjustable Strap (Black)

There’s no doubting Hideo Kojima’s devotion to the art of video games. But one question that has followed the Metal Gear master around for much of his career is “Why doesn’t he just make a movie?”. This sentiment no doubt stems from the perception that his work at both Konami and Kojima Productions has been cutscene-heavy, opting to tell stories through often-thrillingly orchestrated cinematics rather than organic gameplay design. But is this perceived notion a reality? And, more importantly, does it even matter?

Well, I’ve done some number crunching and worked out what portion of each of the mainline Metal Gear Solid games, plus the duo of Death Strandings, is cutscenes. In some cases, it’s what you’d expect. In others, not so much…

How much of each Kojima game is cutscenes?

To work out just how much of each game is cutscene, I’ve used the average time to complete a main story playthrough, sourced from How Long to Beat’s data. I’ve then taken the total runtime of each game’s cutscenes and used it to assess what percentage that runtime is of the average playthrough. The results are:

• Metal Gear Solid: 20.29% (11hr, 30m average playthrough, 2hr 20m of cutscenes)
• Metal Gear Solid 2: 23.21% (13hr average playthrough, 3hr 1m of cutscenes)
• Metal Gear Solid 3: 26.35% (16hr average playthrough, 4hr 13m of cutscenes)
• Metal Gear Solid 4: 40.63% (18hr 30m average playthrough, 7hr 31m of cutscenes)
• Metal Gear Solid 5: 8.13% (45hr 30m average playthrough, 3hr 42m of cutscenes)
• Death Stranding: 15.75% (40hr 30m average playthrough, 6hr 22m of cutscenes)
• Death Stranding 2: 15.97% (37hr 40m average playthrough*, 6hr 1m of cutscenes)

It is important to note that this percentage relates to cinematic cutscenes only. Codec calls or other such in-game conversations are not included, as they require some player interactivity to progress.

*average playthrough based on data from multiple IGN editors.

What do those percentages reveal about Kojima’s career?

It turns out that the original three Metal Gear Solid games follow a similar trend – cutscenes make up around 20-ish percent of the overall playtime, with each subsequent entry gradually contributing to a very slight upward trajectory. It’s with Metal Gear Solid 4 that things really shift. With 40% of it being cinematics, it’s not too far from the truth to say Guns of the Patriots is half cutscenes. Understandably, the game has become the poster child for Kojima’s cinematic indulgence, something only emphasised by length – the story famously crescendoes in a 71 minute-long final cinematic. That’s just 10 minutes shorter than the 1995 animated film Toy Story.

The same can’t be said for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, however. A game with a troubled development path to say the least, it suffers from the exact opposite issue as MGS 4: a paper-thin story. With just under 4 hours of cutscenes in 45 hours of gameplay, it’s a starkly low ratio by comparison to its predecessors. MGS 5 is undoubtedly one of the greatest stealth games ever made from a mechanical perspective, but its lack of narrative throughline (and, to be honest, ending) prevents it from feeling like a full Kojima package.

And then we have the Death Stranding games, which feature runtimes akin to The Phantom Pain, but a cutscene percentage closer to that of the first Metal Gear Solid. The result is a duology of games that feel more narratively complete than MGS 5, but not as trapped by cinematic ambition as Kojima’s more indulgent projects.

A developer who worked on Microsoft's now-cancelled Perfect Dark reboot has addressed the claim that last year's gameplay demo was "fake," and said the glimpse was a vertical slice of the project running "in-engine."

Perfect Dark was one of several projects canned by Microsoft this week as part of the company's latest devastating cuts to Xbox staff and games. Developed by The Initiative, a studio Microsoft is now shutting down, alongside Tomb Raider studio Crystal Dynamics, Perfect Dark had rarely been glimpsed since its initial announcement back in 2020.

That all changed last year when a "gameplay reveal" video aired as part of the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2024. And it's this video that has since sparked questions over how much of what it shows corresponds to actual, working game systems.

Earlier this week, Kotaku writer Ethan Gach posted on social media that he had been told last year's demo had been "basically fake." The question of the gameplay demo's legitimacy was discussed in more detail by former Perfect Dark developer Adam McDonald, who now works as a senior game designer at Cuphead maker Studio MDHR.

"It is actually in-engine," McDonald said. "I was one of three level designers that worked on it. It worked best if you played it the way the person playing in the video plays it, but it still worked even if you didn't hit the marks perfectly.

"There's some fake stuff in it," he continued, "and the real gameplay systems shown off worked juuust enough to look good in this video. We were rapidly making real design decisions so as to not knowingly lie to players about what the game will be. The parkour is all real, the hacking/deception is mostly real.

"The combat is 'real' in that someone had to really do all that stuff in the video, but it's set up to be played exactly that way and didn't play well if you played it a different way."

What McDonald is saying then, is that there's nuance here. Like many vertical slices meant to showcase a project that's still in development, it was made to work just enough, and to give a sense of how the final game would have appeared, had the project survived until launch.

McDonald's suggestion here seems to be that the team behind it intended to show something that gave as accurate a sense of what Perfect Dark would be as was possible. That said, some elements clearly still sound like they were a work-in-progress, even if they were meant to be representative.

"I'm seeing big controversy over 'THIS WHOLE THING WAS FAKE' and it's annoying me, so I wanted to say something," McDonald concluded. Then, in a reply to another user, McDonald said "it was a pretty typical vertical slice" and "I don't think we were particularly deceptive with it."

He added: "It's probably more real than you think. We were figuring stuff out on the fly in time to include it in the demo, doing our best not to 'lie' to players. There's some fakery but quite a lot of it was legit."

After the cancellation of Perfect Dark, Rare's long-awaited Everwild, an MMO from Bethesda's The Older Scrolls Online team and cuts to other projects, it's believed that every game featured at the Xbox Games Showcase presentation in June this year will continue on. But what about the others? We've tracked down every major upcoming Xbox game we know about to check in on their status.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

The Stop Killing Games initiative has reached the crucial 1 million signatures milestone in its quest to preserve video games for decades to come, but its fight isn’t over yet.

The self-described consumer movement soared past the goal yesterday, July 3, cementing its status as an impressive petition in gaming history and a movement that has plenty of gas left in the tank. It’s all in the name of protecting the video games players love – and even the ones they don’t – as the industry steadily marches toward a digital future.

A lot of games we buy today are built to just stop working when the publisher pulls the plug on em. It needs to stop. If you are EU citizen please consider signing #stopkillinggames initiative. https://t.co/vlyIEXcpnh pic.twitter.com/nsTusFyGrL

— Pat_ (@Pat8_8) July 2, 2025

Social media feeds have since filled with reactions from supporters praising an operation that could help save multiplayer and single-player games for future generations. While gamers take to the internet to celebrate, spokesperson and organizer Ross Scott says reaching 1 million signatures is good news but far from a victory.

“OK, the breaking news: The European Citizens’ Initiative has crossed 1 million signatures – except it hasn’t,” Scott said in a video update uploaded yesterday. “This is going to kill morale, but there are two things going on here. The first we knew was coming. Every time somebody makes a mistake when they sign the Initiative, their signature gets invalidated. So that means we need more signatures to make up for everybody’s mistakes.”

It's an important variable in the equation on the road to 1 million legitimate Stop Killing Games endorsements, and it’s just one flaw to consider. The other involves reports Scott has received regarding fabricated signatures that could be artificially inflating the initiative’s progress.

“First off, I want to say that this is not a Change.org petition,” Scott adds. “This is a government process. Spoofing signatures on it is a crime. Please do not do this. They’ll be checked later by the EU commission, and my guess is the fake ones will get turned over to the Europol or Interpol, and they’ll follow up on this.”

To anyone who made a mistake or isn't sure if they signed the EU initiative already, you can contact the official spokesperson (Daniel Ondruska) and he can direct you on how to reach the EU to sort it out. His contact is on the page under "more info"https://t.co/EpnNTDR85U

— Accursed Farms (@accursedfarms) July 4, 2025

To account for what could be a significant number of invalid Stop Killing Games signatures, the initiative has altered its ideal goal to be 1.4 million signatures. At the time of this story’s publication, Stop Killing Games has reached 1.07 million endorsements ahead of its July 31 end date.

“So, yeah, that sucks,” Scott continued. “We’ll just keep plodding away unless we can figure out what the safe numbers are. Sorry this isn’t a big victory celebration. This is just kind of suspenseful and tense instead, and will probably hurt the morale of people signing.”

Save States

Scott, who has created gaming content via his Accursed Farms YouTube channel for more than a decade, launched Stop Killing Games in April 2024 as a direct response to Ubisoft’s decision to shut down its popular open-world racing game, The Crew. The movement aims to create a ripple effect that could shake the industry into keeping games online long after players lose interest.

It means everything from The Crew to Concord could theoretically remain online to enjoy should the initiative amass enough public complaints to see the European Commission pass a law protecting consumer rights. Ideally, players could see live-service and multiplayer titles like BioWare’s Anthem, which was given a shutdown schedule just yesterday, could continue on in some form should a publisher decide to sunset support. Success could also mean single-player games that rely on online components, such as Death Stranding or Dark Souls, could remain intact, too.

WEAK

I know Anthem got panned, but it's another example of one that seems like it had a cool looking world to run around in. I was interested in trying it out and keeping my expectations low. Yet another example of why SKG is so needed.https://t.co/fDsq0ZsP8K

— Accursed Farms (@accursedfarms) July 3, 2025

Stop Killing Games wants to save the art that developers pour their hearts into while protecting consumers who prefer to access games they’ve already paid for, and it’s a movement that hundreds of thousands of game players are already supporting. Following its promising launch last year, however, the initiative struggled to maintain the support it needed to push its way through to the eyes that needed to see it.

Stop Killing Games’ chances at a successful campaign became so dire that Scott went as far as to publish a video titled “The end of Stop Killing Games” just last week. In the hour-long explainer piece, Scott listed a lack of exposure as one primary cause behind the lack of support. It was the Hail Mary the initiative needed, though, as prominent YouTubers like Jacksepticeye, penquinz0/Cr1TiKaL, Ludwig, and more were quick to voice their support with their own videos.

All within the weeks since Scott shared his concerns, Stop Killing Games has gained hundreds of thousands of signatures, resulting in a solid chunk of the more than 1 million names attached to the movement today. Success remains uncertain even if Scott is able to reach that magic 1.4 million number, with even more uncertainty lying on the other side of that goal post. Still, as outlined by Scott on the Stop Killing Games website, he feels optimistic about the future of game preservation if the signature goal is met.

"If we can pass the signature threshold," Scott says, "there is a very strong chance that the European Commission will pass new law that will both protect consumer rights to retain video games that customers have purchased and advance preservation efforts massively."

Should the word get out to enough interested individuals, players could see somewhat of a return to the days when buying a game came with the assurance that it would remain playable regardless of post-launch interference. We’ll have all of the updates here at IGN, but in the meantime, you can read up on our coverage of Stop Killing Games' launch here. You can also check out the other goals Stop Killing Games has managed to achieve in the past year. You can also learn about how digital PC storefront GOG is doing its part when it comes to game preservation.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor 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).

With Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s Siege Mode in full swing, players are soldiering through waves of Thousand Sons and Tyranid forces as they bid to reach the highest level possible. But apart from frustrating connection issues and bugs that prevent progress, some players have a bigger problem: Chaos.

Siege Mode forces players to fight against waves of enemies from Space Marine 2’s two enemy factions: the Thousand Sons traitor legion, and the terrifying bug-like alien menace that is the Tyranids. There is no way to play against one faction only. Tyranid and Chaos waves will come separately.

That’s a problem for some Space Marine 2 players who feel like fighting the Tyranids is a lot more fun than playing against Chaos. A lot of this has to do with the different challenge each faction presents. The Tyranids are a swarm-type enemy type that packs the screen with a mix of smaller foes and much bigger, harder-hitting foes. There’s a bloody minded pleasure that comes from chewing through scores of Tyranid enemies as a Space Marine, sweeping your Power Sword through xenos flesh, parrying a strike that gives you a clean response, and — my personal favorite — punching those Tyranids in the face with my Power Fist.

In contrast, the Thousand Sons present a more measured challenge. You are, after all, going up against fellow Space Marines here and their daemonic forces; they’re supposed to be tough. When those Terminators spawn and spam their missile barrage, playing against Chaos can feel like pulling teeth. The Thousand Sons are less of a 'switch your brain off and cleave through it' proposition, and more of a, 'if Space Marine 2 wanted to be a bit like Elden Ring, it would probably go a little like this.'

The effect is more pronounced the harder the difficulty you play Space Marine 2. At the easier difficulties, Tyranids and Chaos are much of a muchness in terms of challenge. But ramp the difficulty up — which you need to do for certain levels of progression in Space Marine 2 — and Chaos become an absolute bloody nightmare, whereas the Tyranids often still feel manageable.

It’s not as simple as saying 'Tyranids easy, Chaos hard.' The Tyranids as a foe work brilliantly in terms of recreating the faction feel from the lore and the tabletop upon which Space Marine 2 is based. Similarly, the Thousand Sons work as they should, as a traitor legion fueled by warp magic. They’re different because they’re supposed to be.

Still, Space Marine 2 players — and this has been a thing in the PvE Operations mode ever since the game’s record-breaking launch in September last year — often pop online to say they much prefer to fight the Tyranids. Some are even saying they back out of Siege mode whenever they get a Chaos wave.

“Is there a way to play Siege mode with Tyranids only?” asked Think_Fan_5943 recently on the Space Marine subreddit. “I really hate fighting Chaos and being forced to fight them sucks and I usually just drop out when the enemy switches. You can choose Tyranids only missions if you don't like Chaos so why can't we choose which enemy we face in Siege mode?”

No-one expects the developers at Saber Interactive to release a Tyranid-only version of Siege Mode; if they did, perhaps the Chaos version wouldn't have enough players to form a healthy matchmaking pool, such is the preference for the Tyranids. It is what it is, I suppose. But the Tyranids vs Chaos debate in Space Marine 2 does spark fun conversations around the enemy factions we’re expecting to see in the already confirmed Space Marine 3.

What sort of challenge might the Necrons, which everyone expects will turn up, present the Ultramarines? Could a different type of traitor legion pose a more interesting challenge? What if the plague-ridden Death Guard were in the game, and players were forced to contend with skin-melting disease as well as bolter fire? And what if the Orks return after starring in Space Marine 1? Could they become the Tyranid-equivalent enemy faction everyone prefers to fight against?

For now, we’re left with the Tyranids and Chaos, and the ongoing challenge of having to contend with both in Siege mode whether we like it or not. Looking ahead, there’s a lot of exciting content coming to Space Marine 2. While Patch 9 will focus on balance changes only, Patch 10 adds a new Chaos vs Chaos PvP mode, the new Power Axe melee weapon, and the new Techmarine class. Check out all the Space Marine 2 Patch 10 details here.

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.

A real-time strategy take on Resident Evil has been announced for iPhone and Android, developed in "close collaboration with Capcom to ensure authenticity and quality."

Resident Evil Survival Unit is being co-developed by Joycity Corporation, a Korean mobile gaming company that previously made Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War, another licensed real-time strategy spin-off.

A full reveal of Survival Unit will take place next week but, until then, a single piece of artwork released today offers the smallest of clues to the game's setting.

Amid a suitably dark and ominous atmosphere, a vehicle is stopped in the woods next to an advertising billboard for... you guessed it, Umbrella Corporation. The ad shows two happily smiling people, with the tagline: "Our Business is life itself..."

Umbrella existing likely places Resident Evil Survival Unit before the events of Resident Evil 4, by which point the evil organisation has crumbled. Could we be looking at the woods around the Arklay Mountains, near Raccoon City? We can just about glimpse a mountain range in the background, so it's possible.

It's easy to imagine a real-time shooter taking advantage of the events seen in and around the Resident Evil game, where several teams of STARS commandos — characters that fans have now grown to care about — most be poked and prodded into action, while kept alive for as long as you can.

If you're even thinking about picking up a Nintendo Switch 2 later this year, this is the membership deal to jump on. Walmart+ is currently 50% off for July 4th weekend, bringing it down to just $49 for the full year. That’s already good value, but the timing makes it even better.

Walmart’s answer to Prime Day, "Walmart Deals", runs from Tuesday, July 8, at 12 a.m. ET through Sunday, July 13. Walmart+ members get early access starting on Monday, July 7 at 7 p.m. ET, giving them a head start on the biggest discounts and limited stock items.

50% Off 1-Year Walmart+ Membership

That early access really matters. During the last Switch 2 restock, Walmart+ members were given priority through a special access window before consoles were opened up to everyone else. We’re expecting a similar approach for future restocks, and this membership gives you the best chance of actually checking out with a console in your cart.

Not only that, but the incoming Walmart Deals event is set to feature major discounts across gaming, tech, home essentials, and more. If you're planning to take it seriously, this half-price Walmart+ offer is well worth locking in now to get access to the best deals ASAP.

Plus, Walmart+ covers you for the rest of the year, includes plenty of useful perks, and crucially gives you an edge during high-demand drops like Pokémon TCG restocks (such as Black Bolt and White Flare or Destined Rivals), Switch 2 consoles, and more.

With early access to Walmart’s summer sale and a real advantage when Switch 2 restocks happen again, this is the kind of membership that could pay for itself fast.

Walmart+ Basic Membership Perks

If you're a regular Walmart shopper, then the Walmart+ membership is worth $49 even outside of Black Friday. Standard perks like removing the minimum threshold for free shipping or being able to return an item from the comfort of your home are significant everyday perks that shouldn't be overlooked. Some of the best standard benefits include:

• Free shipping with no minimum (normally $35+)
• Free returns, including free pickup from your house for many items
• 10 cent discount on select gas stations
• Free tire repair and road hazard warranty at Walmart Auto Care Centers
• Mobile scan & go checkout at retail locations

Complimentary Paramount+ Subscription

The Walmart+ membership also includes an annual Paramount+ Essential (ad-supported) subscription, which normally costs $60.

Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) is one of the better populated streaming services available, especially since this plan is ad-free. Its extensive library of media has been bolstered with the addition of Showtime in 2023, making it a great service for those who enjoy movies, original shows, live sports, and news.

Popular TV shows include Landman, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Tulsa King, Halo, and Yellowjackets. Movies include Transformers One, Sonic 3, and Gladiator 2. If you're not interested in picking up Walmart+ then Paramount+ is also discounted right now, with its Premium with Showtime Annual Plan down to $0.99/mo for two months right now.

If you're a Dexter fan, then this is the perfect time to sign up. The upcoming Dexter: Resurrection TV series will air its first two episodes on July 11 and the remaining episodes will air weekly thereafter.

Looking to try out other streaming services before you decide to pay? We've got you covered. Check out these steaming services that are currently offering free trials.

Will Walmart Deals Be as Good as Amazon Prime Day?

Although Prime Day started as an Amazon exclusive, Walmart has steadily built up a solid rival event of its own. Amazon still tends to offer a wider spread of deals overall, especially across smaller tech and household items, but Walmart often matches or even undercuts on major products like AirPods, iPads, and gaming consoles, the big-ticket stuff most people are after.

Where Walmart really sets itself apart is with its exclusive brands and partnerships. Just like Amazon always discounts its own devices, Walmart usually offers the best prices on brands tied closely to its own ecosystem.

That includes Vizio TVs, which are expected to hit their lowest prices since Black Friday, and increasingly, Nintendo Switch hardware and games. Amazon still hasn’t fully restocked first-party Nintendo items this year, but Walmart has stepped up with multiple recent drops.

It’s worth comparing prices across Amazon, Walmart, and even Target during these summer sales. Target’s Circle Week will likely feature many similar offers, but if you already have a Walmart+ membership,or grab it while it’s half price, those early access windows could make all the difference when stock is limited.

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Senior Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.

Amid the video game cancelations and studio closures that have come as a result of Microsoft’s devastating round of layoffs this week is concern about the fate of pretty much every Xbox game without a firm release date.

Microsoft games canceled as part of the cuts include Rare’s Everwild, an unannounced MMO from ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, and the Perfect Dark Reboot. The latter's developer, The Initiative, was shut down. The team working on Blizzard’s mobile game Warcraft Rumble was laid off as new content ceased.

Meanwhile, external developers who were funded by Microsoft were also hit. Romero Games, the studio founded by Doom co-creator John Romero and Brenda Romero, has suffered significant layoffs and the future of its new shooter is in doubt.

That’s a lot to take in, but it begs the question: which Xbox Game Studios games remain? And which, if any, were quietly canceled?

In a memo sent to all Microsoft gaming staff and viewed by IGN this week, Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, said Microsoft still has "more than 40 projects in active development, continued momentum on titles shipping this fall, and a strong slate headed into 2026."

Additionally, a source told Variety that every game featured at the Xbox Games Showcase presentation in June is continuing on. So, what were those games, which we now assume are safe — at least for the time being?

Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was at the show, and is certain to come out later this year (despite the layoffs hitting its various developers). inXile game Clockwork Revolution starred at the show, so that’s safe. Obsidian’s Grounded 2 and The Outer Worlds 2 were at the show and we should assume are both safe. It's a similar deal for Double Fine’s Keeper, The Coalition’s Gears of War: Reloaded, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Order of the Giants DLC. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, and the ROG Xbox Ally, both at the show, will continue too. Despite the cancelation of Everwild, Rare’s Sea of Thieves continues with new updates.

At the end of the showcase, Xbox boss Phil Spencer teased Forza, Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, and a Halo: Combat Evolved remake for 2026. We assume since those games were mentioned, they’re safe, although it’s worth noting that the Forza mentioned by Spencer no doubt relates to the next Forza Horizon game from Playground, which is also making Fable. Turn 10, which makes the more sim-focused Forza games, was hit hard by the layoffs.

So, we know which games Microsoft still intends to release. But, given the events of this week, it’s now impossible to think about other Xbox games in the works without a degree of concern. Everwild and Perfect Dark were conspicuous by their absence at last month's show and both were canceled. What else failed to turn up?

Minecraft — remember Microsoft owns Minecraft! — remains huge and safe as houses, you feel. But what about Contraband from Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios? Where’s Undead Labs’ State of Decay 3? Ninja Theory’s Project Mara? Microsoft has a Hideo Kojima game, OD, on its books. Is that still happening? Toys for Bob, the Crash Bandicoot 4 developer and Call of Duty support studio that left the Xbox-owned Activision in February 2024, signed an agreement with Xbox directly to publish its next game. Is that still alive?

And what about Bethesda? ZOS’s MMO has fallen by the wayside, but surely Bethesda Game Studios' The Elder Scrolls VI and the next Fallout are fine. Starfield’s promised next expansion feels precarious, given Bethesda's radio silence on the game. And what about Blizzard? As of last year it was reportedly hard at work on a StarCraft shooter. Is that still the case?

It’s only when you run through what wasn’t at the Xbox Games Showcase last month that you realize what’s at stake here: Microsoft owns a huge number of development studios across the globe, from Bethesda to Blizzard and Activision to Halo. When Xbox suffers significant problems, a huge swathe of the video game industry and its developers do, too.

All eyes are on August's gamescom, where Microsoft is expected to show more of what is has coming down the line. Perhaps Phil Spencer will give fans a clear idea of what’s in the works from Xbox and what isn't as Microsoft's multiplatform push soldiers on. It is still planning to release a next-gen Xbox console, although we don't know when. Is the first-party Xbox handheld Spencer teased last year also still alive? Does Microsoft still plan to release its own gaming app store, despite the failure of Call of Duty Warzone Mobile, Warcraft Rumble, and this week's significant cuts to Candy Crush maker King?

In the short term, at least, the games we saw in June are still on the way. But the long term future of Xbox remains vague indeed.

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.

Nintendo has officially opened UK preorders for the upcoming Donkey Kong & Pauline amiibo, launching the same day as Donkey Kong Bananza, on July 17, 2025.

Releasing alongside a highly anticipated Switch 2 exclusive, the amiibo is now available through the My Nintendo Store UK for £16.99, with orders capped at three per customer.

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Nintendo also confirmed during its dedicated Donkey Kong Bananza Direct that the game supports every previously released amiibo. Scanning non-DK series figures will instead get you giant material balls, which you can also make DK throw to traverse certain stages.

Preorders on the My Nintendo Store UK include standard delivery for £1.99 or free shipping if your order hits £20 or more. If you were planning on ordering any other DK figures (like those above), or games, like the various bundles for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, you may as preorder one of those now and save yourself a few pounds.

I’ve checked by adding both items to my basket testing the checkout and, even though Pokemon Legends: Z-A is releasing later than the Donkey Kong & Pauline amiibo on October 16 (meaning both will arrive via separate deliveries), shipping will still be free for the entire order.

The amiibo announcement follows a jam-packed Nintendo Direct showcasing Donkey Kong Bananza’s return to 3D platforming. New features include wild Bananza transformations, skill trees, a costume shop, and the creative DK Artist Mode where players sculpt and paint items and characters.

Donkey Kong Bananza drops in just a couple of weeks, and with this amiibo, you’ll be more than ready to swing into action and have a cool figure in your display.

In The Sandman’s first season, Lord Morpheus (Tom Sturridge) escaped from 106 years of captivity and immediately got to work rebuilding his realm and reestablishing his place in the grand cosmology of powerful, god-like entities. So what does Morpheus (AKA Dream) do in season 2? He tears it all back down. In the wildly fantastical and wide-ranging six-episode volume 1 of the second and final season, Dream discovers that the only way to atone for past mistakes is to make some devastating choices. Though the story sometimes feels like it’s rushing to the conclusion that’s coming all too soon, the way this show continues to combine the imagination of old fairy tales with stories about deeply broken characters provides a lot to savor.

In season 2, The Sandman develops into a twisted kind of family melodrama as Dream tries to settle some long-standing feuds. In season 1 we met three of the other Endless: the oddly cheery and down-to-earth Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), the perpetually miserable Despair (Donna Preston) and the mischievous, manipulative Desire (Mason Alexander Park). Season 2 begins with a family meeting called by the solemn Destiny (Adrian Lester), attended by the flighty youngest sibling Delirium (Esmé Creed-Miles). Absent, as always, is Destruction (Barry Sloane), who abandoned his realm and responsibilities eons ago. These characters are all very different in personality and purpose, and one of the big sources of tension in The Sandman – to its benefit – is the way these various embodiments of human nature struggle to coexist.

Volume 1 (which is made up of six of the 12 episodes of season 2) is itself roughly divided into two halves. The first operates – quite well – in maximalist mode, as Dream plays host to a room full of angry gods and other mythological beings. After his old nemesis Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie) simultaneously blesses and curses him, the show swings between dark comedy and grotesque horror as a series of strange and often hideous-looking creatures arrive in Dream’s realm to make their offers and show off The Sandman’s impressive special effects. There’s a poignant side to all this bedlam too, given that this whole underworld adventure begins with an attempt by Dream to rescue an ex lover, Nada (Deborah Oyelade), the first of many old acquaintances he has to make apologies to in these episodes.

This theme continues in the even more emotionally resonant second half of volume 1, as Dream reckons with the ways he has been unintentionally cruel to the people he believed he loves. When Delirium asks him to help her find Destruction, Dream soon realizes that the only way to find his brother may be reconciliation with another family member. This three-episode arc begins as a mystery, but it becomes more of a deep-dive into Dream’s complicated relationships as it progresses.

Amid these larger stories the show’s primary writer, Allan Heinberg, boldly weaves in fragments of some of the better-known short stories from the comics, usually inserting them as flashbacks. (Want to see how and why Dream inspired Shakespeare to create A Midsummer Night’s Dream? That’s here in season 2.) Collectively, the six episodes of volume 1 are about Dream’s most significant unfinished business, accumulated over thousands of years of him coexisting with humans and deities. That’s what gives volume 1 its drive: The women he wronged, the creatures he irritated, the family members he disappointed… all of these mortals and immortals now expect Dream to atone.

All the while, The Sandman is one of the more visually distinctive TV series on Netflix, with what must’ve been a large chunk of its budget going to creating strange-looking beasties and opulent kingdoms. This first half of season 2 includes a lot of scenes set in Dream’s own magnificent, mercurial castle, which its master can change to suit his moods and whims. Here, the screen is filled with spectacle when a host of supernatural beings – including Norse gods, hideous demons, and angels from the literal Heaven – descend on Dream’s home to make their case for becoming Hell’s new rulers. The images are properly overwhelming, immersing us in a place far removed from the mundane.

The frequent flashback sequences include scenes from the French Revolution and ancient Greece, giving a sense of how long the Endless have been meddling in human affairs. Even more than season 1, season 2’s first half is crammed with incidents, as Heinberg and company introduce all of the relevant characters and history that factor into The Sandman’s ending (which will show up on Netflix later this month). It’s effective, though: Fans of the comics may appreciate getting to see live-action versions of all the oddballs and ogres they remember from the page, while people who only know The Sandman from its first season are getting everything they need to understand the plot.

The way this story is structured is very intentional on the part of the TV series’s creators, who skip about half of creator, executive producer, and accused sexual assailant Neil Gaiman’s comics in order to streamline all of their events into a tighter story that’s focused almost entirely on a simple arc: Dream’s return, Dream’s rebuild, Dream’s regrets, and Dream’s amends. Nevertheless, it is unusual for a show only in its second season to spend so much time setting up a farewell, given that its first only ran for 11 episodes. Given that the graphic novels have plenty of material that the show could’ve adapted into more episodes, it seems like a lot was left on the table.

Sometimes the quickened pace and the abundance of action works well, and sometimes it doesn’t. A point of failure is when The Sandman unreasonably expects us to be deeply invested in some characters – like Nada, or Dream’s chauffeur Wanda (Indya Moore) – who we barely get much of a chance to know. That said, the richness of the world Gaiman created does mean that even the most minor characters – like Destruction’s wryly humorous dog, voiced by Steve Coogan – are uniquely entertaining. Nothing about this show feels bland or generic, so it’s at least making good use of the shortened time it has.

As was the case with season 1, season 2 gets a lot of juice from showing how the Endless aren’t that different from us, lifespans aside. These powerful beings also worry that the world is sliding into chaos and mayhem and feel the need to change with the times, however glacially. Amid all the dazzling fantasy trappings, The Sandman effectively hits its emotional moments, especially when it shows how someone like Dream – a shaper of realities – can feel powerless.

In one of the more touching moments in volume 1, a man who has been alive for over 12,000 years – since the time of the saber-toothed tiger – is killed in a dumb accident. When Death comes to collect him, she’s not that impressed by his longevity. She says he only lived a lifetime, “no more, no less.” The Sandman is at its best in scenes like these, which weave together the supernatural and the everyday, giving all these scattered stories a point. In this case, it’s the fact that whether you’re one of the Endless or an ordinary human mortal, you have to make the best of the time you have.

I’ve always been skeptical of Persona spin-offs. How can you twist such rich games into new shapes while maintaining the intricate details that make the series so beloved? Well, when it comes to the most recent addition to the family, Persona5: The Phantom X, the team at Perfect World appear to have done just that – or, at least, that’s how it seems on the surface. With beautifully animated cutscenes and a goosebump-inducing soundtrack, The Phantom X makes it clear early on that it isn’t keen to shake up the Persona formula. What it does do, however, is infuse that already excellent base with the all too familiar premium currencies of a mobile-focused gacha game. I have a more to play before my final review, but no matter how close it comes to recapturing the magic, there’s already a creeping sensation that this walk down memory lane is going to make way for endless grinding eventually.

Despite being a Persona 5 spin-off, The Phantom X doesn’t centre around Joker and his crew – instead, you’ll be playing as a fresh protagonist, Nagisa Kamisiro (though you can still pick your own name), in an alternate timeline version of that story. A seemingly average student, Kamasiro’s life changes when an adorable owl called Lufel calls on them to fight back against the misery and hopelessness enveloping the world, and to turn the tables against the great despair that clouds the hearts of the public. Unable to refuse, Kamasiro learns to wield their inner Persona and travels to the shadow world to help clear out the collective unconscious, one monster at a time. If you’ve played Persona 5, you’ll quickly notice that The Phantom X is following its formula beat by beat.

To fight off the aforementioned evil, you’ll bounce between beautifully recreated Tokyo neighborhoods and the monster-filled Metaverse, seeking out misbehaving fiends and infiltrating their minds while learning to master the series’ trademark turn-based combat that centers around elemental weaknesses. And because Kamisiro is a teen, you’ll also have to balance studying, part-time work, and home life, too. With all of its obvious derivations, The Phantom X struggles to conjure fresh ideas or immediate excitement in the shadow of a nearly decade-old modus operandi, but it at least manages to successfully clone the Persona formula, and that will be enough for some.

Thankfully, where the gameplay itself feels overfamiliar, the surrounding cast of characters provides enough mystery and warmth to keep things interesting. Alongside Kamisiro, you’ll meet the baseball-loving Motoha Arai, your husband-obsessed neighbour Kayo Tomiyama, and adorable schoolmate Tomoko Noge, to name a few. With energetic voice acting to back up their emotive and often humorous dialogue, it’s clear there’s been an effort to give the NPCs a sense of self, or at least the ones I’ve met so far. It didn’t take me long to forge an emotional attachment to them. Morgana’s anthropomorphic owl counterpart, Lufel, is a particular standout, and I am thoroughly enjoying a running gag about their somewhat archaic vocabulary confusing the school-aged NPCs.

You’ll spend most of your days in Kamisiro’s shoes doing time-progressing tasks like studying for school in local cafes, working at the Konbini for cash, and buying groceries that you can use to cook back at your home. I’m still scratching the surface on how integral these side tasks feel in the scope of saving the world, though I’ve been enjoying making shopping lists and gawking at iconic Tokyo landmarks all the same. Particularly, wandering through the bustle of Shibuya Scramble and spotting its famous puppy mascot amongst the beaming electronic signs felt like a wonderful ode to a city I’ve come to love in both real life and games.

Aside from being a typical teen, much of your time in The Phantom X is spent in battle, and your combat expeditions launch from the Metaverse app located on Kamisiro’s phone. You can access these challenges anytime from the overworld, but you’ll need to use a naturally refreshing currency called Stamina to reap the rewards. Focusing on the mainline story missions will help keep you on track in terms of difficulty, though you can also explore a variety of combat challenges as you please to stockpile loot and earn experience, too. This is where the first hints of grinding come into focus but, mercifully, the combat in The Phantom X is very moreish and easy to sink time into.

The Phantom X bases its combat system on Persona 5, meaning it's turn-based with engaging reactive elements. When you roll up on a baddie, you’ll cycle through your party one member at a time, choosing between melee attacks, ranged attacks, and special Persona abilities. Similar to Pokémon, the enemies you’ll face, as well as the Personas you deploy, all have elemental strengths and weaknesses (like fire or ice) that can be exploited for extra damage. It’s a tried-and-tested system with enough diversity in its moveset to keep battles fresh, and even if you are starting to tire of it, the imagination-stoking enemy designs pull a good amount of weight throughout. What makes Persona combat truly unique, though, is the series’ bold interface design and legendary battle themes. I promise, no matter how many times you’ve already heard Persona 5’s Last Surprise, it just doesn’t get old.

Sadly, no amount of vocal flair from singer Lyn Inaizumi can make up for the sizable array of gacha systems and currencies you need to balance in The Phantom X. While there are characters and Personas you can unlock through the story, the quickest way to bolster your team is to engage in the lucky dip Contracts menu. In line with most other Gacha games on the market, you can earn the currencies you need to pull by grinding, or cut to the chase and pop in your credit card details to get an instant boost. I’m still only about 10 hours into my playthrough, and I’ve not hit any obvious roadblocks, but I can see them coming. At my current level, I have enough cash to buy health items, as well as a plethora of unique currencies to upgrade my Personas, weapons and more. Plus, when it comes to actually engaging with the gacha spins, I don’t feel like the boost they provide are hugely necessary to my success yet. Inevitably, this won’t last, though, and I can see cash-shaped hurdles on the horizon.

Outside of the inclusion of premium currencies, perhaps my biggest issue with The Phantom X so far is that it feels more like an uncanny reflection of Persona 5, rather than a unique take on its established lore. Other spin-offs like Persona 5 Tactica or Persona 5 Strikers feel like strong additions to the series that come at it from a completely different angle, whereas The Phantom X is more of a well-executed imitation. It’s not to say that I’m bored, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed both its combat and getting to know the characters so far. The first few chapters of its story are well-written, appropriately shocking, and do well to hook you into the world. But The Phantom X’s “do-over” take on the story The Phantom Thieves just isn’t providing a new enough experience to warrant the amount of time (or possibly money) I’ll need to invest to see it through when Persona 5 and its predecessors are readily available and feel far more curated and engaging.

While I’m mostly enjoying my time with Persona5: The Phantom X so far, there’s still so much to explore before delivering my final review, like investigating the depth of the upgrade systems and the long-term impact of premium currencies as you progress. As a fan of the series, it’s hard to look a gift horse in the mouth when it comes to fresh Persona 5-related content. But as of right now, I’m just unsure about how The Phantom X can deviate enough from the core material to compel me to invest in it long term – only time will tell.

Paramount is kicking off its Summer Sale by offering only $0.99 per month for your first two months of Paramount+ Essential or Premium streaming service. I'd definitely suggest going with the Premium tier, which normally costs $12.99 per month, has no ads, and includes all of Showtime. This promotion should be available to both new and previous (currently expired) subscribers, although your mileage may vary depending on how long ago you last signed up.

Paramount+ Premium with Showtime for $0.99/mo