A new animated series is on the way for the world of Pokémon, from a very famous UK animation studio. Aardman Animation Studio announced today that it's partnering with Pokémon for a stop-motion animated series, Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu, arriving in 2027.

Aardamn Animation Studio is well-known for its work on stop-motion animated features, perhaps most notably the Wallace & Gromit series. With Pokémon Tales, Aardman is centering two particular Pokémon: Sirfetch'd and Pichu.

As co-founder Peter Lord said in today's Pokémon Presents showcase, the new series will take place in a region "very close" to the studio's hearts, told from the perspective of Pokémon and with Aardman's comedy chops. Given Aardman's UK background and Sirfetch'd being featured, we can easily assume Pokémon Tales will take place in the Galar region.

The short teaser we got today shows Sirfetch'd and Pichu up to some hijinks, as a Wooloo calmly enjoys the outdoors. It does seem like the comedy and tone are already in the right place.

Alongside Pokémon Tales, the second season of Pokémon Concierge got a firm release date at today's Pokémon Presents. Netflix's stop-motion animated series about an employee at a Pokémon resort won over some hearts when it first premiered, and now we're getting a follow-up on September 4.

It looks like Haru is back at work again, this time dealing with the sudden re-appearance of her ex. Chill vibes, cute Pokémon, and relatable crises seem to all be in store for Pokémon Concierge Season 2, which is now only a little over a month away.

Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu, meanwhile, is aiming for a much further target in 2027.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

Pokémon Legends Z-A will include a new set of Mega Pokémon, it's been confirmed.

The new Switch and Switch 2 game sees a return to Pokémon X and Y's Kalos region, and a renewed focus on the franchise's popular Mega Evolution mechanic that's taken something of a backseat in recent years.

Now, we know that Pokémon Legends will feature all-new Mega Evolved Pokémon such as Mega Dragonite.

IGN can exclusively reveal Dark Horse and Absurd Ventures' American Caper, a new crime fiction comic series from the mind of Dan Houser, the co-founder of Rockstar Games and longtime head writer and creative director of the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series.

The first issue of American Caper will be released on November 12, 2025, and the first arc of the series will consist of 12 issues. You can check out the trailer for American Caper below.

The official description below sheds more light on the story, which is set in Verona, Washington:

"American Caper is a tale of two totally normal, completely damaged families in a world of corrupt business, inept politics, bungling crime, leisure wear, and self-righteous justice," the synopsis reads. "We follow the fortunes of two neighbors who are on the point of collapse: a Mormon hitman and a gambling addict lawyer, both intertwined in a real estate deal gone wrong. Added to the mix are a Mexican beauty queen on the run from her past, two escaped convicts in love, a Wall Street billionaire who has become a cowboy, and a maniac hell-bent on revenge.

"From the tax avoiders in the manicured wilderness of Wyoming, to the thought police of Brooklyn, to the confused political battlegrounds of Florida, one thing is certain: this tragedy is someone else’s fault."

Houser said in a statement: “American Caper is based on my lifelong fascination with hypocrites, sociopaths, political idiots, dysfunctional families, and violence. Dark, morally ambiguous, very vulgar and, we hope, funny, American Caper is a comic for the confusing world in which we live right now."

Houser won't be alone in bringing this "brutal crime fiction satire set against the backdrop of our current, hopelessly fractured, preposterous political nightmare" to life, as he will be joined by fellow Grand Theft Auto veteran Lazlow, who will be producing and contributing additional writing to American Caper.

The series will also be illustrated by Eisner Award-winning artist David Lapham (Stray Bullets, EC Epitaphs from the Abyss) with finishes by Chris Anderson (Creepshow, Lost Angels), colored by Lee Loughridge (Nemesis: Rogue’s Gallery, G.I. Joe), and lettered by Nate Piekos (Minor Threats, The Umbrella Academy: Plan B).

Issue #1, which is available for pre-order now at local comic shops for $4.99, will feature covers from Tyler Boss, Simon Bisley, Martin Simmonds, Joe Quinones, and Marguerite Savage. America Caper is edited by Shelly Bond and Daniel Chabon.

For more details about American Caper, Dark Horse Comics and Absurd Ventures will reveal more at San Diego Comic Con, with a Sunday panel and weekends signings featuring Lazlow, David Lapham, Shelly Bond, and More. The Dark Horse booth (#2615) will be hosting giveaways of American Caper ashcans, t-shirts, and more.

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.

There's a new version of Resident Evil 2 made specifically for arcades, and an early version of it is already playable at Namco Funscape in the UK.

Resident Evil 2: Dead Shot, as this on-rails lightgun iteration is known, is the product of a collaboration between Bandai Namco and Capcom to create a fresh arcade iteration of the latter's survival horror classic.

IGN has visited Namco Funscape in Romford, north-east London, and gone hands-on with Resident Evil 2: Dead Shot ourselves — as you can see in our first footage above.

In it, we can see that Dead Shot has split Resident Evil 2's narrative into five episodes, with the first two already unlocked. It's believed that this arcade cabinet has been installed within Namco Funscape for testing, with early bugs ironed out after public play.

Dead Shot's first episode is its prologue, with a second episode titled "Hunted". Loading up the prologue, the game then introduces Resident Evil 2's setting to players: "Leon and Claire find one another on the streets of Raccoon City. Chased by zombies, they evacuate to the police department only to discover further horrors within."

As you select your episode, a zombified hand shatters through the screen, pulling you (and your co-op partner) in.

The opening section sees Leon and Claire fighting their way into the Raccoon City Police Department, past zombie cops and zombie dogs. The game's visuals appear to be based on Capcom's 2019 Resident Evil 2 Remake.

Once inside the building, the pair introduce themselves to each other before more zombie cops interrupt the party. Still, there's time for a little bit of exposition from just-about-still-alive cop Marvin Branagh, before the action continues.

As with other arcade lightgun games, you'll need to point the gun away from the screen and pull the trigger to reload. You'll automatically reload when you run out of bullets, but manual reloading is faster.

It's unclear how long Resident Evil 2: Dead Shot will remain playable at Namco Funscape, but if you're headed down in the near future look out for the neon red-lit cabinet with images of Leon, Claire and Ada Wong.

It's intriguing to see the Resident Evil series featuring Raccoon City here once again, ahead of the franchise's 30th anniversary next year, and the launch of Resident Evil: Requiem.

Capcom has teased that Requiem will see a return to the "overarching narrative" of Resident Evil begun 30 years ago, and an early trailer has already featured the reappearance of the RCPD — albeit after its later destruction in Resident Evil 3. (Fans are also certain Leon will appear, though for now, Capcom is keeping schtum.)

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

If you're after some additional resources in Brainrot Evolution, you've come to the right place. Below, we've assembled all of the Roblox experience's currently active and redeemable codes, so you can get your hands on crates, EXP potions, tickets, and more.

Active Brainrot Evolution Codes (July 2025)

Below, you'll find all the currently active and redeemable Brainrot Evolution Codes for July.

• TungTungx15 - 2x Vault Crate (NEW!)
• PIXSUMMEREVENT1 - 2x Vault Crate
• DUNGEON - 3x EXP Potion
• TUNGTUNG13 - 2x Vault Crate
• FixBug91 - 2x EXP Potion
• TUNG247 - 2x Lolo Crate
• SummerPart2 - 3x EXP Potion
• Glorbo - EXP Potions
• Summer2025 - 3x Summer Ticket
• FIXED82 - 1x Lolo Crate
• Udin Din Dun - 3x EXP Potion
• INDEX - 3x EXP Potion
• BrainCore - 3x EXP Potion
• LOLO1 - 1x Lolo Crate
• FIXED27 - 1x Lolo Crate
• MATTEOOO - 3x EXP Potion
• Ambalabu - 2x EXP Potion
• Tralalero - 3x EXP Potion
• EASTER - 1x EXP Potion
• i2PerfectCode - 2x EXP Potion
• i2perfect1 - 2x EXP Potion
• lolgame1 - 2x EXP Potion
• release - 1x Wins Potion

Expired Brainrot Evolution Codes

• VOIDPART2
• JoinFix5
• VOIDEVENT

How to Redeem Brainrot Evolution Codes

To redeem Brainrot Revolution codes, boot up the game and, once you’re in, follow the steps below:

1. After booting up the game, look on the left-hand side of the screen and you'll see a shop icon. It's represented by a red shopping basket.
2. Click this icon to bring up the shop menu.
3. On the right-hand side of the shop menu, you'll see an icon labelled "codes."
4. Click it to be taken down to the codes bar.
5. Type in your chosen code and then hit Verify to redeem your code.

Why Isn't My Brainrot Evolution Code Working?

If your Brainrot Evolution code isn’t working, it’s likely due to one of two scenarios. The first is that the Brainrot Evolution code was input incorrectly. Check the spelling and that the case is correct, then redeem again. You can even copy and paste the codes directly from this article over to Roblox if you want to make sure you’re inputting them correctly.

The other possibility is that the code has expired or you’ve already used it. In this scenario, you should see an error message pop up below the code bar informing you that the code has already been redeemed or is invalid.

How to Get More Brainrot Evolution Codes

If you're on the hunt for more Brainrot Evolution codes, you'll want to search several spots. The most common place to find new codes is the game's Discord server. The team posts new codes alongside every update, and you'll be able to find them in the announcements channel. Unique codes also crop up on the i2Perfect YouTube channel and xFrozen Studios' X account, so it's always worth checking both social media pages in case new codes have dropped there.

What is Brainrot Evolution in Roblox?

Brainrot Evolution is incredibly similar to xFrozen Studios' other popular Roblox evolution sim, Cabybara Evolution. You start out as a lowly Brainrot minion and must fight your way to evolve, growing to inhabit more powerful forms, including Bombardiro Crocodilo, Tralalero Tralala, and Chimpanzini Bananini. All the while, you'll be able to buff your character with purchasable pets, unlock gear with loot chests and take on towering bosses to cement yourself as the ultimate life form at the top of the Brainrot hierarchy.

Callum Williams is an IGN freelancer covering features and guides. When he's away from his desk, you can usually find him obsessing over the lore of the latest obscure indie horror game or bashing his head against a boss in the newest soulslike. You can catch him over on Twitter at @CaIIumWilliams.

Despite the ongoing stock shortages throughout the Pokémon TCG community, retailers like Amazon have still been able to get stock of in-demand expansions like Destined Rivals, Black Bolt and White Flare, Paradox Rift, Temporal Forces, Surging Sparks, and Shrouded Fable.

The big caveat, however, is that while Amazon is hosting a variety of listings from different sellers, products from some sets are being sold well above their MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) due to higher marketing demand vs supply.

While this does deter standard scalpers and the coordinators of bot accounts, this has unfortunately inflated the expected prices of each set. Still, if you want to buy the latest Pokémon cards regardless of cost, here is the best of what Amazon has available for you right now.

White Flare & Black Bolt ETBs

The new Monster Hunter Wilds update is almost here. From tomorrow, July 23, the Festival of Accord: Flamefete seasonal event kicks off, ushering in new quests and cosmetic gear, as well as special equipment earned from "event-exclusive login bonuses and event quests." It runs for two weeks.

The "majestically decorated" Grand Hub is all set for summer, as is your feathery friend, courtesy of the new Firebird Caparison Seikret Decoration. There's also special forgeable equipment up for grabs — use the tickets you earn throughout the event — as well as complimentary vouchers that can be used at the canteen.

Tickets can also be used to forge the Afi α armor set and Felyne Afi α Palico equipment. Equipping it will help you unlock even more bonus event rewards, such as additional tickets and Beach Barrel Bombs. You can also expect to see a new nameplate, background, and pose for your hunter profile, plus a tent customization item and camp gear options.

"You can have Alma try on the Summer Poncho outfit, Gemma try on the Summer Coveralls outfit, and Erik try on the Summer Hat outfit during the event!" Capcom teases. Oh, and did I mention the water gun? Yes. There's a water gun.

The Flamefete DLC pack includes summer-themed outfits, a special pendant, gesture, sticker set, and seikret decoration, all of which will be available at the store once the event goes live.

Things are heating up in the Grand Hub with the Festival of Accord: Flamefete seasonal event, splashing into #MHWilds from July 23 - Aug 6. Celebrate by taking on new quests and earning themed equipment and cosmetic gear, perfect for the Summer sun! pic.twitter.com/eEyWcz8Zfn

— Monster Hunter (@monsterhunter) July 22, 2025

Earlier this month, Capcom said it had received requests to make time-limited Arch-tempered monsters permanently available to hunt, so it did, making the fights with Arch-tempered Rey Dau and Uth Duna permanent. They both arrive in Monster Hunter Wilds for a permanent stay on July 23.

Capcom has been gradually working to address feedback and issues players have with Monster Hunter Wilds, even as it's reportedly received harassment over the latest entry in the Monster Hunter series. This seems like a solid change, and a sign the team is listening, even as it continues to roll out pretty big additions like the new battle with Lagiacrus.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

Saber Interactive, the video game company behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, has announced a brand new Hellraiser game alongside a trailer that’s not for the faint of heart.

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is a story-driven, single-player survival horror action game set in the Hellraiser universe. It's developed by Boss Team Games, creator of the recently delisted Evil Dead: The Game, and is due out on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam.

Hellraiser, for the uninitiated, is a cult classic horror franchise made up of 11 films and various comic books, all based on The Hellbound Heart novella by English author Clive Barker. The star of the show is Pinhead, a ‘Cenobite’ who harvests human souls to torture in sadistic experiments. And you can see that in action in the trailer, which — content warning! — contains as much sex as it does body horror.

The trailer is certainly in keeping with the look and feel of Barker's original Hellraiser movie, which began life in the late 80s. We see one character use the franchise's infamous puzzle box, the Lament Configuration, to open a gateway to hell, and the Cenobites made famous by the movies walk through to do their thing. In a move sure to delight fans, actor Doug Bradley returns to the role of Pinhead for the first time in nearly two decades.

Barker is also involved in this new Hellraiser video game, helping out with the story. "Working on the first true Hellraiser game has been a venture deep into the recesses of my darkest imaginings,” he commented.

“The dedication that Saber and Boss Team Games have shown is nothing short of remarkable. They’ve immersed themselves in the Hellraiser universe, capturing its essence — the seductive pull of suffering, the beauty within the grotesque — and forged a narrative that invites players to step beyond the threshold. I’m eager for both the curious and the damned to experience this new chapter in the Hellraiser mythos, where every moment balances on the brink of nightmare and revelation.”

Here’s the official blurb:

Discover the tale of Aidan, who must unlock the dark powers of the Genesis Configuration, a mysterious puzzle box, to help his girlfriend from a hellish abyss. As Aidan, you’ll harness the box’s infernal abilities to survive your pact with the sinister Pinhead and battle against the twisted cult that worships him and the Cenobites. Fail, and your suffering will be legendary, even in Hell.

There’s talk of harnessing the abilities of the Genesis Configuration in combination with “earthly” weapons to “inflict bone-breaking, flesh-searing pain (or pleasure?) upon your enemies.” You fight hell's wretches, deviants, cultists, and priests.

Hellraiser was thrust back into the public consciousness in 2022 with a franchise reboot film. IGN’s Hellraiser review returned an 8/10. We said: “Hellraiser is a reinvigorated reboot that gets the blood pumping, starting with Jamie Clayton’s worthy Pinhead performance that sets a fresh tone with immense reverence paid to Clive Barker's works.”

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.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game shows no signs of slowing down in 2025. Whether you're a competitive player, a casual collector, or someone who's just dropped way too much money on framed booster art, this year's TCG lineup is going all in with new mechanics, nostalgic reprints, and plenty of chances to chase that cardboard high.

Pokémon TCG: 2025 Release Calendar - At a Glance

• Prismatic Evolutions: Jan. 17, 2025 (Out Now)
• Journey Together: Mar. 28, 2025 (Out Now)
• Destined Rivals: May 30, 2025 (Out Now)
• Black Bolt and White Flare: Jul. 18, 2025 (Out Now)
• Mega Evolution: Sep. 26, 2025

Market Watch: ETBs and More Back at Amazon

Amazon has quietly become one of the best places to pick up Pokémon TCG products this week, with a surprise restock that brings several popular Elite Trainer Boxes closer to MSRP than we’ve seen in months.

The best deal right now is the Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box at just $78.75. Throw in the Paradox Rift ETB for under $78 and a handful of affordable premium collections like Cynthia’s Garchomp ex and Charizard ex.

Mega Evolution - Sept. 26, 2025

After years of pre-production work and "three or four" different versions of the film being considered, Marvel has finally nailed down the fact its long-awaited Blade reboot will be set in the modern day.

First announced back in 2019 and once set to begin filming in 2022, the Mahershala Ali-starring movie has struggled to get off the ground within Marvel over the past few years.

Now, Marvel boss Kevin Feige has shed light on what has held up the project, the truth about all those historical costumes Marvel gave to Ryan Coogler for use on Sinners, and offered confirmation there was a path forward for its long-gestating vampire Blade project still.

Speaking to Variety, Feige explained Blade's continuing delays as a result of the film's expected quality not being good enough.

"We didn't want to simply just put a leather outfit on him and have him start killing vampires. It had to be unique," Feige said of Ali's take on the character. "It fell into the time when we started pulling back and saying, 'Only accept insanely great.' And it wasn't 'insanely great' at the time."

Here, Feige is referencing Marvel's more recent decision to cut back on its output after admitting that, post-Avengers Endgame, it had suffered from focusing too much on quantity over quality.

"We didn't feel like, as we often do, you can have a good script and make it a great script through production," Feige continued. "We didn't feel confident that we could do that on Blade, and we didn't want to do that to Mahershala and didn't want to do that to us."

Marvel continued to try and develop the project, running through "three or four" iterations of a story, two of which were period pieces. At least one of these we know was due to be set around the 1920s, as production got so close to beginning there was a warehouse of costumes made — that then were left surplus to requirements.

Earlier this month, Sinners producer Sev Ohanian made the surprising revelation that these costumes were then worn on Sinners instead — something aided by the fact that costume designer Ruth Carter worked on both projects.

"She happened to have a warehouse full of period-appropriate clothes, and it was like, 'Yo, we got to shoot this movie like tomorrow.' And Marvel was generous enough and kind enough to let us basically purchase it at price," Ohanian said.

Magic: The Gathering feels like it's everywhere at the moment, and while at the time of writing we're deep into Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy, we're just days from Edge of Eternities arriving to whisk us away to new planets and star systems.

That doesn't factor in Secret Lair, either, with Wizards of the Coast running near-constant drops of limited edition cards and sets with new artwork that range from Sonic to Spongebob. Here's everything from 2025 so far, including the items that are still in stock.

Secret Lair 2025's Drops You Can Still Buy from WOTC- At a Glance

New - Secret Lair x Sonic The Hedgehog

Sure, we're getting a smidge ahead of ourselves here, but there are three Sonic The Hedgehog x Secret Lair drops that arrived on July 14.

We've got the full lowdown, but the short (and spiky) version is that the drops will be divided into Sonic: Friends & Foes, Sonic: Chasing Adventure, and Sonic: Turbo Gear. Here's what each includes, with the original Magic card in brackets where appropriate.

Friends & Foes:

• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Knuckles the Echidna
• Miles "Tales" Prower
• Shadow the Hedgehog
• Amy Rose
• Dr. Eggman
• Super State

Chasing Adventure:

• Generous Gift
• Open the Armory
• Fabricate
• Deadly Dispute
• Unexpected Windfall
• Sol Ring
• Treasure Token

Turbo Gear

• Tornado, Sonic's Biplane (Weatherlight)
• Knuckles's Gloves (The Reaver Cleaver)
• Piko Piko Hammer (Hammer of Nazahn)
• Power Sneakers (Lightning Greaves)
• Egg Hammer (Myr Battlesphere)
• Air Shoes (Swiftfoot Boots)
• Egg Pawn (Myr Token)

Where You Can Still Buy Secret Lair Drops

With each Secret Lair drop being particularly limited in its availability, your best bet is naturally to look on the secondhand market.

While some can be found at Amazon and other generalist stores, these don’t have the same level of quality assurance as specialist retailers like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom, Magic Madhouse, and others.

So what's been popular in 2025 besides Final Fantasy? As things stand, the most notable heavy-hitters from this year so far include Deadpool, Spongebob, and our furry friends. Here's where you can still buy the sets at market price.

There’s also a good chance you may need to buy cards individually, rather than in predetermined Secret Lair sets, so consider picking them up piecemeal if the opportunity presents itself.

If you’re lucky enough to have a local game store that’s offering a large collection of Magic: The Gathering singles, it’s worth taking a look—you might end up finding a Secret Lair card lurking in a binder or loose in a box somewhere (perish the thought!).

Secret Lair Release Schedule for 2025

We’ve got the full list below for every Secret Lair drop already released in 2025, alongside the best places to buy each set, or even the individual cards. Let’s dig in.

Animar and Friends - February 3

Secret Lair x Final Fantasy (Out Now)

If you’ve been looking to pick up a Nintendo Switch 2 in recent weeks but found stock limited, or you’ve been caught up in the (very justified) Donkey Kong: Bananza hype, then there’s good news.

Not only is the console back in stock at Target, but the retailer also has the Mario Kart World bundle, with both options being offered at MSRP and with delivery available for this week.

The voice actors who have stepped up to voice Mario Kart World's Toad and Peach have broken their silence after Samantha Kelly was unexpectedly replaced after 18 years.

Voice actor Samantha Kelly discovered her 18-year tenure as Super Mario characters Princess Peach and Toad was over on Nintendo Switch 2 launch day — when Mario Kart World released without her in it. She had featured as Peach and Toad in more than 70 games for Nintendo DS, 3DS, Wii, Wii U, and Switch since Mario Strikers Charged released in 2007.

Now, as spotted by Eurogamer, Paul Castro Jr. and Courtney Lin — who lend their voices to Toad and Peach, respectively — have each posted to their X/Twitter accounts to confirm their new roles.

"I can finally share who I voice in Mario Kart World... TOAD!(s)," Castro wrote. "Male Toads you hear throughout your travels in Mario Kart World are voiced by me! Been playing on my trips and it's so much darn fun. Can't thank Nintendo enough for letting me live out this childhood dream."

Lin wrote: "I can finally say… I’m the voice of Princess Peach and Baby Peach in Mario Kart World! Eternally grateful for Nintendo, for trusting me to help carry the legacy of this icon."

"These characters are so much bigger than ourselves. I am so honored and honestly can still hardly believe it. I have so much respect for all of the Peaches that came before me, especially the one I grew up with. I will do my best with every opportunity I am given, and I hope you all have been enjoying the game. Wahooo!! Sweet."

Nintendo has become increasingly strict when it comes to sharing information found in the credits of its video games ahead of time — to the extent that it frequently refuses to acknowledge the developer of its games before their release.

In similar news, we recently learned that Takashi Nagasako, who previously voiced Donkey Kong for 21 years, was no longer credited for the character as of Mario Kart World, either. Kouji Takeda is instead credited as Donkey Kong in all of the game's various language options, including Bananza. Takeda previously voiced Donkey Kong in the Japanese dub of the Super Mario Bros. Movie and now appears to have taken over as the video game voice of Donkey Kong as well.

The changes in Nintendo's hitherto consistent voice casting come after the retirement of Charles Martinet as the voice of Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi after almost 30 years.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

Looking to bolster your DC Worlds Collide squad with a few more heroes? You've come to the right place. Below, we've assembled a list of all of the active codes available in the free-to-play superhero autobattler, so you can get your hands on some powerful new heroes and villains to help vanquish any threats that stand in your path.

Active DC Worlds Collide Codes (July 2025)

Below, you'll find all of the current and active codes for DC Worlds Collide as of July 2025.

• DCWCEPICRPG - 100K Coins (NEW!)
• BATGIRLWWL - Batgirl Unit (NEW!)
• CATWOMANWWL - Catwoman Unit (NEW!)
• DCWCSUPERMAN - DCU Superman Frame, 500 Diamonds (NEW!)
• REDROBINWWL - Red Robin Unit (NEW!)
• HARLEYWWL - Harley Quinn Unit (NEW!)

(Note that the redeem codes feature in DC Worlds Collide seems to not register copy and pasted codes. If pasting your code returns an error message, try typing it manually).

How to Redeem DC Worlds Collide Codes

If you're looking to redeem a code in DC Worlds Collide, follow the steps below:

• Once you boot up the game, look for your profile picture in the top left-hand corner of the screen. Click it to bring up the profile menu.
• Look at the tabs on the left-hand side of the tab menu. You'll see one tab labelled "Redeem Code."
• Click this tab to bring up the codes bar. Input your code in the bar and then press "Redeem."
• If your code was successfully inputted, you'll get a notification telling you that you can claim your rewards via the inbox menu. Click out of the code redemption screen and return to the main hub.
• Now, look for the inbox icon in the pop-up menu in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. It's represented by the letter icon.
• Access the inbox and you'll get a message that lists your rewards. Accept your rewards by clicking Collect on the message to add them to your inventory.

Why Isn't My DC Worlds Collide Code Working?

If your DC Worlds Collide code isn’t working, it’s likely due to one of three scenarios. The first is that the code was input incorrectly. Check the spelling and that the case is correct, then redeem again.

The second is that you copied and pasted the code. DC Worlds Collide seems to register copied and pasted codes as being invalid, so try typing out the code manually and then redeeming it.

The final possibility is that the code has expired or you’ve already used it. In this scenario, you should see an error message pop up informing you that the code has already been redeemed or is invalid.

How to Get More DC Worlds Collide Codes

As of right now, DC Worlds Collide is still relatively new, and so it's unclear where the best spot to search for codes will be going forward. But if you want the best chance, check out the game's official Discord server, X account, Facebook Profile, and website. You can also bookmark this page, as we'll be searching daily to make sure our list of active codes is up to date with the latest drops.

What is DC Worlds Collide?

DC Worlds Collide is a mobile autobattler strategy game, where you assume command of some of DC's most iconic heroes and villains. You'll move between levels, engaging in tactical battles while amassing new units to send into the fray. All the while, you'll need to upgrade your heroes and kit them out with new gear, as well as position them around the battlefield to get a tactical advantage against your foes.

Callum Williams is an IGN freelancer covering features and guides. When he's away from his desk, you can usually find him obsessing over the lore of the latest obscure indie horror game or bashing his head against a boss in the newest soulslike. You can catch him over on Twitter at @CaIIumWilliams.

The Dark Knight and LEGO are the sort of odd couple pairing that shouldn't work on paper, but are brilliant in practice. The moodiness and psychological torment of the source material, and the blocky medium through which it's translated, creates a humorous juxtapostion. The Joker, terrifying though he is, looks adorable as a LEGO Minifigure.

LEGO Batman sets tend to cycle very quickly, from the time that they're launched to the time they're retired. The designers have a near endless well of Batman media to draw from – from comic books, to TV shows, to Hollywood blockbusters.

One of their most recent designs, inspired by the 1966 classic television show starring Adam West, is an 1822-piece homage to the show's Batmobile.

LEGO retired the bulk of its Batman sets, including the Batcave Shadow Box, at the end of 2024. Here are the best LEGO Batman sets that you can buy in 2025.

LEGO Batman Best Sets in 2025

LEGO Batman: The Classic TV Series Batmobile

Batman Tumbler vs. Two-Face & The Joker

LEGO Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City

Batman Construction Figure and the Bat-Pod Bike

We knew it was on the way at some point, but now it's confirmed — a video game set on the Dungeons & Dragons show Critical Role's Exandria is in the works.

In partnership with L.A. developer AdHoc Studio, the group — which comprises Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey, Matthew Mercer, Travis Willingham, and Taliesin Jaffe — will work with AdHoc on a number of projects, including the first ever game based on the D&D group.

While we're still some ways out of getting to play it ourselves — “We’re tossing around ideas, what are we thinking about in terms of scope and budget, and some of the things we must have,” Willingham said — Critical Role is also working with AdHoc on a narrative adventure called Dispatch, and that's out later this year.

As reported by Variety, Dispatch will include "future brand development inclusive of an animated series, merchandise, and tabletop gaming." It was after auditioning for Dispatch and being impressed by the game that Critical Role CEO and cast member, Willingham, decided to team up with the studio for an original game set in Exandria.

Dispatch — described as a "superhero workplace comedy" — is due for release later this year and also stars fellow Critical Role members Laura Bailey and Matthew Mercer, along with Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul and The Last of Us' Jeffrey Wright. JacksepticEye and MoistCr1TiKaL also lend their voices to the project. In it, you manage “a dysfunctional team of misfit heroes and strategize who to send to emergencies around the city, all while balancing office politics, personal relationships, and your own quest to become a hero.”

“I absolutely flipped out. The animation was so amazing. So much so it looked like an animated show," Willingham told Variety.

The group spoke about its big plans for the future earlier this year. There was no word on what the video game will be called or how exactly it will tie into the Critical Role universe quite yet, but Willingham said at the time that the team behind it remains “hard at work.”

Last month, as they celebrated their 10th anniversary, much of the group who make up Critical Role gathered together for a celebratory panel at IGN Live moderated by Amelia Emberwing, looking back at the path so far and teasing what the future will hold.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

The familiar Baxter Building featured in The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be seen again in Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel boss Kevin Feige has said, sparking speculation over what this means for the fate of the Fantastic Four's version of Earth.

Discussing the ongoing filming for Avengers: Doomsday, Feige told Comic Book that the production was curently shooting on sets "built for Fantastic Four", including the team's living quarters seen in previous trailers.

But how will this version of Earth appear? And what brings the action back there, after the Fantastic Four leave their universe to cross over to the main MCU reality, as seen in the post-credits scene for Thunderbolts*/The New Avengers? Let's take a look at eactly what Feige has said.

"Only speaking to the one we're working on now, shooting now, for people who know the comics and know the word incursions, those are universes coming together," Feige began. Here, the Marvel boss is making clear that he's discussing Avengers: Doomsday, rather than the subsequent Avengers: Secret Wars, and referencing 'incursions' — the destructive smashing together of multiverse realities seen at the end of Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness.

"We will see this world that we've introduced (in First Steps)," Feige continued. "We're shooting on all the same sets that we built for Fantastic Four, and it is very fun. I would say the now-iconic Baxter Building living room and kitchen where we saw the Four get to know each other in this movie, let's say there are a lot more people in that kitchen in Avengers, and it's fun to literally see people coming into each other's homes, which is pretty awesome."

It certainly sounds like Feige is suggesting we'll see Avengers characters travelling over to the Fantastic Four universe — which perhaps because of an incursion is linked to the main MCU reality. Perhaps the Fantastic Four's multiversal journey to the main MCU is what causes this incursion? Or maybe the Four are aware it's coming, and are rushing over to get ahead of it?

Regardless, fans are taking Feige's comments as confirmation the Fantastic Four reality is very much still standing at the end of First Steps — which would be something of a spoiler. Threatened by the planet-chomping Galactus, the Four's retro-futuristic version of Earth was looking decidedly ropey in a recent trailer — but seemingly it survives, or at least the Baxter Building does, if the kitchen is still ready for a hangout sesh.

"He basically confirmed the Fantastic Four universe won't be destroyed," wrote redditor Significant_Silver99. But not everyone is so sure.

"Unless, the theory that the Baxter Building is the second ship as seen in Thunderbolts," replied theknyte. "The rocket next to the building has 3 pylons, but the one in Thunderbolts has 4, and some think the Baxter Building may be a 2nd rocket they use to escape Galactus."

Maybe the Fantastic Four reality is gone — but then why would Feige mention incursions? And surely at the end of the MCU's Multiverse Saga, and with the need to set up the events of Secret Wars, having a handy alternate universe to explain the concepts of different realities and incursions would be useful.

Earlier this week, Feige revealed that Secret Wars would act as a "reset" for the MCU, after which the X-Men would be recast. It's interesting to consider this in light of the fact that Doomsday also features numerous members of the original Fox universe X-Men cast. Surely with the Fantastic Four, and at least one incarnation of the X-Men not from our universe in play, Doomsday will feature some of these realities colliding.

Perhaps suggesting as much, Feige has now concluded with the following tease that points to the state of the MCU beyond Secret Wars — when those new X-Men will feature.

"Unlike Endgame, which really wasn't ended, and then we go, where do we go from here? What do we do with this level of success and this level of finality? And we used it to experiment and we used it to evolve and we used it to expand, too much," Feige noted. "Secret Wars, as in the comics, is as much about bringing certain storylines to a close as it is launching a new one. And that's what's very exciting, is already being well into development of the next saga."

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

Have you seen the new Predator: Badlands trailer? If you have — and you’re a fan of the Alien franchise — you might have noticed more than a few nods to the famous sci-fi horror franchise. But fans are now speculating that the trailer may suggest Predator: Badlands is more than a Predator movie with Alien references, and may actually be an AVP movie in disguise.

The trailer, below, shows Elle Fanning’s Thia strike up an alliance with Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi’s young Predator outcast, Dek. Thia, as previous trailers had already revealed, is a Weyland-Yutani synth from the nefarious company’s bio-weapons division. Weyland-Yutani is of course the famous mega corp from the Alien universe, and it seems it has some design — or at least presence — on this alien death world.

Here’s the interesting bit: in the trailer, Thia tells Dek that he’s the prey here, and warns him that he’s seeking out "a creature that can’t be killed" and "the definitive apex predator." The way the trailer is cut suggests this is a reference to an enormous monster who looks like nothing we’ve seen in either the Predator or the Alien movies so far. But is this the monster Thia is actually talking about?

Some fans believe “the definitive apex Predator” in question is not the giant monster the trailer shows us, but in fact a Xenomorph, potentially even a Queen. “That has to be why Weyland is involved in a Predator movie at all,” redditor MakaylaAzula said. “The posters and trailers are showing this giant monster to fool us into thinking that’s the big bad.”

With this in mind, the final shot of the trailer, which shows a mech that may well be a Weyland-Yutani Power Loader make a dramatic entrance to fight the giant monster, could be something of a bait and switch. Thia teases this mech's introduction by saying: "We might not be alone in this hunt." Who is she talking about? Is it a Xenomorph? Who is piloting the mech?

Some fans now believe that a Xenomorph will turn up right at the end of Predator: Badlands for a final fight involving the Predator (and possible other Predators who fly in to help out), Thia, and that mech, thus setting up a future AVP movie that will join the two franchises at the hip once again.

There’s also the upcoming FX TV show Alien: Earth to think about here. Some fans think the iconic Predator clicking noise can be heard in one of the Alien: Earth trailers. Could a Predator turn up at the end of the series to save the day?

Let’s end on comments from Alien: Romulus director Fede Alvarez, who revealed to Collider in February how he’d introduce an AVP movie to audiences if he were given the chance.

“The way I would do it, most likely, if it could be done this way… It’s harder to keep secrets online… The best AVP will be the one that you don’t know is AVP until the other guy shows up,” he said.

“You think you’re watching a Predator movie, and then they land in some place and there are creatures, and fucking hell, it’s a Xenomorph. That would get me. ‘F*** yeah!’ You’d go crazy.

“Or vice versa, you’re in an Alien movie, and then suddenly a mysterious creature is there, and you can hear that sound, and you see the cloak, and you go, ‘Is that a f***ing Predator?’ And then turns out it is. That would be the way to do it, don’t you think? Once you put it in the title, it’s like, ‘Spoiler alert.’”

Interesting…

Predator: Badlands hits theaters in November.

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.

Sitting is the great leveller. From the mightiest speedrunning streamer to the quick sesh casual, who doesn't enjoy a good sit? More to the point, who doesn't prefer parking their rear on a purpose-built Gaming Chair? Most desktop gamers obsess over frames per second and RGB glow, but in my decades of experience, the real game-changer has been my comfort levels during a marathon playthrough.

A cosy, well-built chair makes all the difference when the hours stack up like a bad game of Tetris. That’s where my top pick, the Secretlab Titan Evo, shines. It is but one option, however, and I’m confident that I’ve found top options to suit any discerning derrière...

TL;DR – Here Are the Best Gaming Chairs:

Across various sites and magazine pages, I've been testing gaming chairs for ages now. I think the best of the bunch should all do one thing brilliantly: let you settle in for hours without your spine cracking the sads or your tailbone telling you to get out more. I can take the rare cue from my learned IGN pals across the Pacific, but I'm also an autonomous connoisseur who looks out for his own can. Also, I come from a proud nation where our flag has a giant backside and a boot on it. If that’s not a nod to national priorities like putting behinds ahead of everything else, I don’t know what is.

What you want in a top-tier chair is customisable lumbar support, height and tilt tweaks, comfy armrests, and a headrest that actually supports your melon. The ergonomics need to work so your focus stays in-game, not on your aching bits. But with the market being chockers full of overpriced or overdesigned options, I’ve narrowed it down to an elite few I’ve actually perched upon and would happily park myself in again. Sturdy frames, good upholstery, and all the creature comforts are a given.

1. Secretlab Titan Evo XL

Best Gaming Chair

2. Razer Iskur V2 X

Best Budget Gaming Chair

3. Haworth Fern

Best Ergonomic Gaming Chair

4. Razer Enki

Best Fabric Gaming Chair

5. Respawn 900 Gaming Recliner

Best Gaming Chair with a Footrest

How to Choose the Best Gaming Chair for You

• Price This’ll be the main deal-breaker for most folks. Heading in with a clear budget helps, since chairs can go from under fifty bucks to well over a grand. Cheaper units like the Corsair TC100 Relaxed still bring solid comfort, but you’ll have to go without fancier bits like 4D armrests or adjustable lumbar support. I’d give anything under a hundred a wide berth, especially if it’s making wild promises.
• Design Comfort’s king. Nobody wants to end up with a crook back or a neck full of regrets. Find something that suits your size and shape properly. Most chairs list their dimensions, so aim for a broad, padded seat, a tall backrest, and a decent range of height tweaks. All of that should be sitting on a tough metal frame that won’t buckle under you. If you’re looking at racing-style seats like the AndaSeat Kaiser 3, watch out for the side bolsters – they can dig into your legs if you don’t fit the mould.
• Materials Most chairs come in PU leather, fabric, or mesh. PU leather’s easy to wipe down but can crack over time and gets sticky on hot days. Fabric, like what you’ll find on the E-Win Champion, is cooler to sit on but a bit trickier to clean. Mesh breathes the best, but you’ll lose that plush seat feel in favour of a springy setup. The Razer Fujin Pro gets mesh right, but not every brand pulls it off.
• Ergonomics Once the basics are sorted, extra features can sweeten the deal. Adjustable armrests, a movable headrest, and proper lumbar support go a long way to keeping your body happy. Chairs with tilt and rocking options also help you relax between sessions, or when you’re just watching a cutscene or two.

Gaming Chair FAQ

So, what even is the point of a gaming chair?

Because gaming chairs are really just jazzed-up office chairs, their biggest selling point tends to be how they look. They often cost more than a decent office chair and usually miss out on some of the all-day comfort features you’d want for long work stints.

That said, if you're chasing a certain aesthetic for your setup, the best gaming chairs can absolutely bring the wow factor. Just don’t expect miracles for your spine. If back support is your top priority, it’s worth checking out proper ergonomic office chairs instead.

How much should anybody spend on a a gaming chair?

You can grab a gaming chair for around A$120 or less, but that’s pretty much a shortcut to back pain. At that price point, you’re usually getting a flimsy plastic frame with a thin layer of fabric or fake leather slapped on top.

A good chair starts at around A$300, and that’s about as low as we’d comfortably go. Bumping your budget up to around A$450 opens the door to better materials, more reliable builds, and features worth having. Push higher and you’ll start seeing extras like built-in lumbar support, cooling gel layers, fancier ergonomic tweaks, and even RGB lighting kits if you’re chasing that full spaceship look.

In the end, it all comes down to what you value most; comfort, flashiness, or a solid mix of both.

Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third movie in James Cameron’s blockbuster franchise, is picking up the pace ahead of its December release with the reveal of its antagonist and confirmation that its debut trailer will be shown with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in theaters this weekend.

The image, below, shows Varang, leader of the Na’vi Mangkwan Clan, aka the Ash People. Played by Oona Chaplin (Talisa Maegyr in Game of Thrones), Varang and her clan have forsaken the Na'vi deity Eywa after a volcano left their homeland a desolate wreck covered in ash.

James Gunn has a clear message for anyone hoping he will retcon the big Superman origin story twist, or maybe even reveal it as a fake-out, declaring: "they're s**t out of luck!"

Warning! Spoilers for Superman follow:

DC Universe kickstarter Superman switches up the established Superman origin story to present his parents, Jor-El and Lara, as villains of a sort. As Superman learns over the course of the events of the movie, his parents sent him to earth not to protect humanity, but to rule over it — a revelation that sends Kal-El spiralling for a time.

Some Superman fans were so shocked by this twist on the characters' motivations that they have speculated that Gunn plans to either retcon this plot point, or eventually show the message upon which it is based to be fake or misleading.

However, in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn insisted there is no confusion here: Superman’s parent’s devastating message is real, understood, and there’s no going back. “They’re shit out of luck!” he said in response to the suggestion some fans are hoping for a U-turn.

Gunn then agreed with the idea that going back on Superman’s parent's message would undo the entire emotional arc of the movie.

“That’s the whole point of the movie, that Superman thinks he is doing something because it is his destiny and his Kryptonian parents have set him out to do this thing, and along the way he discovers through the love of the people who are actually his parents that he’s doing these things not because of someone else, but because of himself,” he said.

“It’s like taking accountability in the deepest way possible that his morality is not based on some figure outside of himself, but on his own choices. I think it’s really beautiful in that way, and I’m not gonna change that.”

Gunn went on to say that he doesn’t think of Jor-El and Lara as being “totally evil,” despite their nefarious intentions. “They just have this mindset that humans are less than what they are,” he continued. “We’re sea turtles to them. They’re just trying to keep the Kryptonian genes alive.”

In the same interview, Gunn responded to what some had called a plot hole in Superman that revolves around his parent’s message: why didn’t Supergirl tell Superman about his parent’s wishes?

“You’re assuming that everybody on Krypton is the same!” Gunn countered. “And how would she know? She’s younger than him, so she wouldn’t know. She wouldn’t know anything about his parents.”

Perhaps we’ll see this explored further in Supergirl, which is set for release June 26, 2026. Check out IGN’s Superman review to find out what we think, and then head over to our Superman Ending and Post-Credits Explained to find out what it all means.

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.

Johnny Depp is returning to the limelight to create a Mr. Hyde graphic novel with famed director Ridley Scott.

Depp and Scott, director of Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator, are working with production company Mechanical Cake to build a new, original entertainment property called Hyde, with all three having co-ownership. It all starts with a graphic novel, with main character Hyde created by Depp himself.

Hyde picks up Mr. Hyde’s story, from the Robert Louis Stevenson novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and “imagines a world where Mr. Hyde has defeated Jekyll.”

“Now unencumbered by interruptions from his alter ego, Hyde can finally freely explore his dark tendencies with uninhibited abandon," Mechanical Cake said.

I’ve been trawling the digital shelves again, and this week’s loot is proper tempting. Whether you're craving deep-cut indies, triple-A chaos, or a splash of nostalgia, there’s a little something for everybody. My entire professional and personal life has been video games, so you’re not just getting a list; you’re getting personal picks with "been-there, clocked-that" clout behind them.

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I’m lobbing an incendiary artillery shell across hexagonal terrain to light an 18-candle cake for Field Commander, Sony’s turn-based tactics attempt on PSP. This was a rare indulgence for 2006 me, a handheld strategy title that didn't just copy Advance Wars but tried to outflank it with a more serious military tone, fog of war mechanics, and a beefy suite of online modes that actually worked.

I remember being floored by how well it handled for a portable, with chunky unit designs, environmental destructibility, and a gritty war room vibe that made my Game Boy Advance feel like a toy in comparison. It never lit the world on fire, but for a brief moment Field Commander made Sony look like it could be a serious handheld tactics contender. Sadly, that beachhead was all but squandered.

The Edge of Fate is a title that’s perhaps a bit too on the nose for a game balanced on a blade honed by years of iteration but also worn dull by time. In the storied and rich tradition of Destiny 2, this latest expansion once again takes a few major steps back after finally feeling like maybe it’d found its footing. The 14-mission campaign is monotonous and padded to the gills with busywork (despite having a sometimes-compelling story), the RPG and buildcrafting rework is locked behind one of the worst grinds Destiny has ever seen, and the new planetoid of Kepler isn’t up to Bungie’s usual standards. But even as it stumbles in its attempt to redefine itself after the excellent ending to its original story in The Final Shape last year, I do admire the risks The Edge of Fate takes, both in the bold new direction of its story and the unexpected mechanics it tries throughout its experimental campaign – though it doesn’t exactly nail either one. I still need to play through the raid before my final review, but the 20 hours I’ve spent with it so far feel like that messy spot the MCU was in after Endgame, fumbling for what comes next following a conclusion that felt pretty, well… conclusive.

I wish I could say The Edge of Fate picks up where The Final Shape left off, or that it can easily be enjoyed on its own, but both of those are extremely not true. If you haven’t been playing every little scrap of seasonal content in the past year, you’ll certainly be off to a rocky start – there’s a new antagonist wearing the face and voice of an old character, godlike beings formerly relegated to vendors and goofy gameshow hosts who have been repositioned as omniscient puppetmasters who we’re now supposed to take seriously, and about 30 minutes of nearly nonstop info dumping, which feels like something out of a pulp sci-fi novel as voices explain how “dark matter” is totally different from “the darkness” and other such gobbledygook. It’s such a terrible opening, I feared the worst for a series that’s missed the storytelling mark more often than it’s hit by a pretty wide margin. But a weak first couple of hours makes way for a tale that was actually much better than I was expecting thanks to a very strong new supporting character in Lodi, who is shrouded in a mystery involving time travel, and a completely unexpected backstory finally given to one of Destiny’s longstanding cast members that really blew me away.

There’s still plenty of wonky dialogue, less interesting characters like Orin who mostly just fill space, and an overreliance on established lore across over a decade of content that can leave even longtime fans scratching their heads – plus, in an effort to make the new baddie intimidating, they do one of my biggest story pet peeves and retcon it so that actually all of the stuff that’s ever happened was all part of their master plan (insert massive eyeroll here). But on the whole, this is one of the better stories Destiny has pulled off, and I’m especially impressed by how many massive swings are taken to make me care about the next saga in this weird universe. This is perhaps best showcased by Lodi, who manages to effortlessly feel like an invaluable part of the cast despite literally showing up out of nowhere.

The actual campaign, and especially the planet it takes place on, fare less well though. Kepler is Destiny’s first foray beyond the celestial bodies in our immediate solar system, so one might hope to marvel at places that feel new and alien, but instead we get an overly familiar setting that reuses assets we’ve seen a hundred times and slaps them onto loads of rocky cliffs and caves filled with big yellow warts. For an excursion that’s supposed to be a bold frontier that represents the future for the shooter, this is definitely one of the most lackluster settings they’ve added – to the point where I sometimes forgot The Edge of Fate was supposed to take place on a new planetoid. Seemingly in an effort to disguise how small the new area is, you aren’t allowed to summon your sparrow, which is instead replaced with a host of gimmicky abilities you have to use to access certain parts of the map, like one where you turn yourself into a tiny ball and squeeze through narrow passageways, Samus-style. This structure has the vaguest possible resemblance to a metroidvania, but usually only succeeds in making the trek back and forth to complete humdrum quests more irritating.

Although these new abilities are generally irksome when they’re required to get around, they’re much more welcome in the context of solving puzzles during story missions. One such ability has you picking up a portal gun that lets you teleport to otherwise inaccessible areas, while another lets you shift the positioning of objects in the environment to create platforms or clear obstructions. So there are times where you find some loot just out of reach and have to use a combination of the Samus-ball and the other two to clear the way, which can be pretty neat. Unfortunately, these puzzles are so incredibly easy to solve they often feel more like busywork to artificially stretch out the adventure’s 8-hour runtime than anything of note, and since you can only use these abilities by finding specific nodes that grant you their power for a short time, I spent about 95% of my time running around searching for the tools needed to complete puzzles, and only the other 5% actually solving them.

And even though I admire that Bungie has tried to incorporate these same tools into combat, they usually only serve to interrupt the flow in an odd way. For example, it’s really weird that in order to kill certain enemies or progress a boss to its next DPS phase, you’ve gotta turn yourself into a little ball of light and roll around collecting items while enemies absolutely lather you in gunfire you’ve little hope of dodging. This awkwardness is magnified by the fact that they reuse these three tricks nonstop throughout the journey on Kepler, and it starts to feel needlessly repetitive in pretty short order. Still, I’ve been saying for some time now that Destiny’s been resting on the laurels of its awesome gunplay for far too long and needs a shot in the arm to keep my interest, and these puzzle-forward abilities are at the very least an interesting attempt at doing just that, even if the execution is not always successful. Here’s hoping this is the prototype for something more engaging and fleshed out in future expansions.

The wonky abilities and forgettable location aren’t the only reasons the 14 main missions in The Edge of Fate’s story are quite underwhelming though, as characters fill empty space with exposition as you fight bosses that are carbon copies of bad guys we’ve slain repeatedly throughout the years. To its credit, there are a few new enemies here and there, like flying aliens called corsairs and little robot bees that swarm you, but their impact on moment-to-moment gameplay is pretty minor when you spend 90% of the time shooting the exact same Fallen and Vex we’ve been murdering for over a decade. Even worse than the main missions though are the handful of side quests that have you literally retreading the same places you visited in story missions to scan objects and hear some more characters chatting over comms before learning you’ve completed the quest unceremoniously. Even for a game that has struggled to make interesting supplemental content, these are some of the most boring we’ve been subjected to, offering almost no benefit for completing them to boot.

The biggest changes to Destiny 2 since The Final Shape are the reworks to guns and armor, which have been overhauled yet again. I’m not one of those players who frets when updates and power creep invalidate my hard-earned loadout, so I don’t actually mind most of the changes here. A new tier system provides extremely clear labels to just how good your loot is, so you can spend less time sweating over stuff you just dismantle, and adding set bonuses to armor is a feature I’ve craved in Destiny for many years that finally gives me a real reason to hunt for different armor sets instead of finding one good set and never taking it off. The problem is that, at least right now, there isn’t enough loot to chase, with just a handful of armor sets and a little over 30 weapons added to the pool at this point, so I didn’t feel much of an incentive to rip and replace my current loadout just yet.

The real issue is that even if I did feel compelled to hunt down the new gear available, the insane, painful grind to do so is in no way worth the effort required. Once you’ve completed The Edge of Fate’s campaign, you’re directed towards various playlists containing old content that you’re asked to replay over and over again, slowly upping your power level until you can complete activities that grant higher tier loot. What’s more, even these high level activities are just pulling from the exact same legacy content that has already been one of the main ways you’re expected to engage with Destiny 2 for years now. I was truly shocked to find that after I’d rolled credits on the new story, I was almost immediately loaded into a story mission from 2021. The new loot system has basically turned the endgame of Destiny 2 into an almost endless hamster wheel where you’re force fed the old content made arbitrarily more difficult based on the world tier and modifiers in play, all so you can get slightly better versions of existing weapons that have little use beyond (you guessed it) grinding more difficult versions of those same activities. Destiny has suffered through some pretty egregious grinds over the years, but this might just be the most brutal and ill-conceived one yet, and it almost immediately made me accept the fact that I’ll likely never have any high tier items until they decide to respect my time.

The final activity on my checklist before slapping a final score on this review is to play the new raid, The Desert Perpetual, which at the time of this writing was only very recently beaten by the Destiny community’s brave day-one raiders. I’ll be hopping in shortly to see what pleasant surprises, if any, are to be found. For now, The Edge of Fate strikes me as incredibly just okay, with some new experiments that don’t always work, a neat story attached to a weak campaign, and some cool tweaks to the loot game that are hidden behind the most monstrous and boring grind Destiny has ever had.