At today's Sony State of Play broadcast, Rayman finally emerged from his long, long slumber with the announcement of the Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition, a fresh celebration of Ubisoft's classic platformer that you'll be able to play this week.
Ubisoft has dubbed this new release of the game as its "definitive edition," as it contains no less than five versions of the original Rayman as released across various classic consoles. You'll be able to leap through 120 additional levels, too!
For those who want to fully immerse themselves in nostalgia, the package contains an exclusive documentary detailing Rayman's original creation. And here's the best news yet: it's all available tomorrow, February 13.
We haven't seen Ubisoft's bouncy boy Rayman in quite a while. His last few games have been confined to mobile-only releases or weird spin-offs, and his last proper new console game was Rayman Legends way, way back in 2013. Which is a shame, because Rayman Legends was excellent, earning a 9.5/10 from us.
Could an all-new game also be on the cards? While we didn't hear anything on that today, this classic release could set that up nicely. Rayman creator Michel Ancel has previously teased more from the fanchise is coming (and also rather pre-empted today's announcement of a Rayman remake, too).
Tonight's State of Play broadcast has given us one last look at Capcom's tantalizing Resident Evil: Requiem — and confirmed what many fans had previously deduced: Leon S. Kennedy is once again infected.
The trailer depicted Leon with a grey and yucky looking hand, and suggested he was running out of time to cure himself. Fans have been concerned for Leon's welfare ever since they began enhancing and analyzing images of his neck from a previous trailer — a similar dark grey mark was seen there, too.
And that's not all today's trailer revealed — a very quick look at a familiar blond-haired character appeared to confirm the return of Sherry.
Developer Game Freak showed off a new trailer for Beast of Reincarnation, their upcoming sci-fi fantasy action-adventure, that included a release date: August 4.
Ember Lab kicked off the February 2026 State of Play with a reveal trailer for its surprise sequel, Kena: Scars of Kosmora.
The gameplay offers a good mix of cinematic story moments and tense gameplay in a new world for players to explore. It’s a sequel to Kena: Bridge of Spirits that’s coming to PlayStation 5 and PC at an unspecified point in the future. It’s unclear if the project is coming to more platforms.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Tonight's State of Play broadcast has confirmed the PC launch date for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
Hideo Kojima's strand game sequel will arrive for PC next month, on March 19. That's under a year after the game's original arrive on PlayStation 5, back in June last year.
"Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a triumphant sequel that emphatically delivers on the promise of its original," IGN wrote in our Death Stranding 2 review, awarding the game 9/10.
Developer Sucker Punch has announced Ghost of Yotei: Legends, an upcoming free DLC for the studio's hit 2025 open-world action-adventure.
The DLC will be released on March 10 and include support for up to four players in online co-op, along with four distinct classes for players to choose from. Together you'll team up against the Yotei Six
IGN called Ghost of Yotei "great" in our review last year. Catch up on everything announced in today's Sony State of Play.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our semi-retired interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
Logitech G (Logitech's gaming-focused storefront) is offering a fantastic deal on its most popular racing wheels. Right now the Logitech G29/G920 Racing Wheel and Pedal Set is down to $199.99 after a $130 (40%) off instant discount. Apply coupon code "F-SHIFT" to get a free Driving Force Shifter automatically added to your cart. That's another $60 value added to the deal. The products are all brand new, ship for free, and come with a 2-year warranty.
Logitech G29/G920 Racing Wheel and Pedals for $199.99
Includes free Driving Force Shifter with code "F-SHIFT"
If you're a big fan of racing games like Gran Turismo or Forza Horizon 5 and you've been using a DualSense controller or gamepad this entire time, then this price drop might be the excuse for you to step up your immersion to the next level. The G29 and G920 were already one of the best racing wheels under $300, and definitely the best racing wheels under $200.
Standout features include a gorgeous hand-stitched leather steering wheel with 900 degrees of rotation, sturdy metal base, durable steel ball bearings in the shaft, gear-driven dual-force motor feedback, stainless shifter and pressure-sensitive pedals. The force feedback does an excellent job of simulating providing force and resistance and certain adds to the immersion; if you want something better than this, you'd have to shell out a lot more money for a direct-drive or belt-driven wheel, like Logitech's own $1,000 G Pro direct-drive racing wheel we reviewed.
If you're a PC user and wondering which model to get, PlayStation's G29 model is actually a bit nicer than the Xbox's G920 variant. The G29 has LED shift lights located on the top of the wheel's spokes. These LEDs light up progressively as the car's RPMs rise in-game. The G29 also has a rotary knob on the wheel that can be customized to different functions, like traction control, brake bias, or split differential.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
No longer do you have to be tethered to your PC or laptop to play your favorite computer games. With the advent of handheld gaming PCs, the nearly limitless library of games on Steam and other PC clients is now at your fingertips anytime and anywhere. These gaming systems are more powerful than ever before, however the best models carry a hefty price tag and the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X - arguably the best Windows gaming handheld - retails for $1,000. Fortunately, there are ways to get one for a sizeable discount, although you will have to be fine with getting an import or pre-owned model.
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X from $919.99
Open box - Excellent condition
Best Buy is offering an easy way to get a solid discount on the Xbox Ally X. Ahead of Presidents Day, it has dropped the price of "excellent condition" open box units to $919.99. They're uslaly priced at $950. Mind you these are pre-owned, but they are Geek Squad verified and the best graded (excellent condition) units are in like-new condition cosmetically and often include most or all of its original warranty.
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X for $901.99
Import (brand new) model
AliExpress currently carries imported units for $901.99 after you apply $60 off coupon code "60USAFF". This is the lowest price I've seen for a new (not used) listing since its release back in October 2025. The Xbox Ally X ships locally from a warehouse in the United States, with most orders being delivered within a week. That means you don't have to worry about tariffs, import fees, or egregiously long shipping times.
The Xbox Ally X Is the New Handheld Gaming PC to Beat
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is the most powerful handheld gaming PC you can get. It's equipped with the newest AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It runs off the Windows operating system, but with Xbox integration. The nomenclature might be confusing, but the Xbox Ally X is really more of an evolution of the the Asus ROG Ally X handheld than it is an actual Xbox console. Jacqueline Thomas sums it up quite well in her Xbox Ally X review:
Jackie also goes on to say that "the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is easily the best handheld gaming PC available right now." Compared to other gaming handhelds equipped with the same Z2 Extreme CPU, the Xbox Ally X is actually reasonably priced. The Lenovo Legion Go 2 costs $1,100 and the MSI Claw A8 costs $1,150.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
It's hard to find great horror movies that are also great love stories, because for the most part, those things are polar opposites. Many of the greatest and scariest horror movies ever made are all about ripping people who care about each other apart, literally and figuratively. The Shining may be terrifying but it's hardly a comforting date movie, if you catch the drift.
But that doesn't mean that horror movies can't also be romantic; it's just that they sometimes have to be romantic in unexpected ways. Tales of ghosts and demons who fall for mortal men and women have a tragic undercurrent but they're often very sincere, and many of the most horrifying monsters ever conceived have a heart if you know where to look for it (and aren't trying to shove a wooden stake in there).
Many films are perfect for an unconventional Valentine's Day. So sit back and get ready to believe in love at first fright!
The Conjuring 2
Name a more iconic horror couple than Ed and Lorraine Warren of Conjuring-verse fame. At least in the past decade. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga portray nun-fearing spouses who wage wars against unholy evils, and their care for one another is always paramount. The Conjuring 2, in particular, ships the Warrens to London’s Enfield borough, but their blissful attraction doesn’t suffer any jet lag.
Wilson does a tremendous job conveying Ed’s panicked faith whenever Lorraine pushes her abilities to the brink of harm, much like how Lorraine is always willing to sacrifice for Ed. Theirs is a modern romance for the haunted house crowd, and no crooked men nor upside-down crucifixes can sour their connection.
Spontaneous
Can a movie about teenagers who spontaneously combust be romantic? Against all odds, Brian Duffield’s Spontaneous tugs on audience heartstrings while splattering the ones inside squishy character bodies. Katherine Langford and Charlie Plummer play doomed lovers finding romantic shelter while their classmates explode at random — no identifiable reason, just blood squirts — with advanced chemistry.
Their highs make us believe love can survive even the most dreadful circumstances, and their lows convey a bond that lives on beyond death. It’s a timeless adaptation of Aaron Starmer’s young adult novel that succeeds in confronting life’s paralyzing unpredictability, which becomes a sweetly sincere watch thanks to the core loveliness of Langford and Plummer’s duo.
Spring
The concept that love is a monster isn’t groundbreaking thematic stuff. That doesn’t stop Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson from expertly championing a bulletproof romance between Lovecraftian entity and lonesome vacationer in Spring.
Lou Taylor Pucci plays an American in Italy who’s clearing his head of current depressive funks when he catches the eye of a local played by Nadia Hilker. Pucci’s visitor immediately becomes smitten with Hilker, who we learn is playing a 2,000-year-old, shape-shifting mutant. There’s tons more backstory delicately woven through a love story about unlikely mates, ultimately boiling down to a decision: will Hilker’s man-eater forgo her immortality to spend a mortal life with Pucci’s loverboy? It’s the ultimate choice, which helps shape Spring into the perfect date night movie for horror fans.
After Midnight
There’s nothing common about the creature feature After Midnight. What starts with a Floridian recluse barricading himself from a beast bashing down his front door becomes a magnificently heartfelt relationship study.
Jeremy Gardner writes, co-directs, and stars alongside Brea Grant as partners at a crossroads. Creature effects are an essential part of midnight attack sequences, but otherwise, Gardner and Grant retrace the steps of their lustful courtship from cheap red wine smiles to the current crossroads. Gardner’s screenplay confronts fears of abandonment, and the boundlessness of romantic gestures in the form of anything from a Lisa Loeb karaoke spot to shotguns pointed at strange lifeforms. It’s the warmest embrace, but don’t ignore the fangs.
The Mummy (1932)
This horror classic stars Boris Karloff as an ancient mummy who comes back to life to find the reincarnated version of his forbidden lover, played by Zita Johann. The catch is that, in order to be together forever, he must first mummify and resurrect her as well. This tragic tale of immortal love features a rare romantic leading performance for Karloff, and like many of the original Universal monster movies, it still holds up impressively well.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Tim Burton’s kooky horror comedy may not seem particularly romantic at a glance, since the protagonists are already married and they die early on, but after that grisly demise they are given a gift: an actual eternity to live together, in wedded bliss. It sucks to be dead but unlike many ghosts, who linger because they were unhappy in life, the Maitlands (played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) get to become a romantic ideal of domesticity. They are the ultimate happily ever after… even after they die.
The Addams Family (1991)
They may not be in “horror movies,” but the Addams Family exist in a world where torture, grave robbing, cannibalism and murder are amusing everyday realities, so they are at least “horror adjacent.” Either way you would be hard-pressed to find a happier married couple than Gomez and Morticia Addams, whose passion for one another has never waned for a single, solitary moment.
The Mummy (1999)
Stephen Sommers’ blockbuster remake of The Mummy takes the romanticism of the original and adds witty banter and derring-do. Arnold Vosloo plays an alluring new version of the monster, who wants to resurrect his true love by sacrificing a librarian (Rachel Weisz), who only just starting falling for a handsome, Indiana Jones-ish rogue (Brendan Fraser). The tone is brighter, and the chemistry between Weisz and Fraser is first-rate.
Edgar Wright’s spot-on satire of the apocalyptic zombie genre is a non-stop cavalcade of gags, but it’s also a heartfelt story about growing up and becoming a better person, and a better romantic partner. Shaun (Simon Pegg) has to earn the respect of his girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield), but it’s only when flesh-eating zombies attack that he actually makes it happen in just one horrifying, hilarious day.
Cloverfield (2008)
Cloverfield gets a lot of attention for its gimmick - a found-footage kaiju movie - but not enough for being a solid horror movie about a young person who discovers what really matters to him in the wake of a terrible tragedy. A giant monster is attacking New York City, but Rob (Michael Stahl-David) is the only one running towards the danger, to save his ex-girlfriend Beth (Odette Yustman) at all costs. Harrowing, clever, and bittersweetly romantic.
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
It comes as no surprise that independent filmmaking icon Jim Jarmusch wouldn’t make your typical vampire movie. But it was a little surprising that he made one of the most romantic horror movies ever. Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton star as immortal vampires who have been together for centuries, and still find new things to talk about, from the many celebrities they’ve met over the years to the finer points of fungus. We should all be so lucky as to find someone we could so easily love hundreds of years after we met.
Warm Bodies (2013)
A zombie falls in love with a human, and it’s about to get awkward. Jonathan Levine’s spry horror comedy turns both the rom-com and zombie genres on their heads, adding gruesome consequence to the former and genuine optimism to the latter. Maybe there really is hope after the world falls apart, and maybe love - even the weirdest kind of love - really can save us. Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer are delightful together, and the film is equal parts funny and touching.
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (2016)
Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice doesn’t need zombies to make it captivating, but they do add a bit of novelty to Burr Steers’ oddball horror comedy, in which Elizabeth Bennett (Lily James) and Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) wage war with the undead when they’re not trading barbs - and punches - with each other. The zombie stuff is fun, but the cast is so good that after a while you’ll probably find yourself wishing the movie would focus on the romance even more than the kung fu undead violence.
Happy Death Day (2017)
A slasher version of Groundhog Day wouldn’t be complete without a love story too, and Happy Death Day provides. This smart horror comedy stars Jessica Rothe as a self-involved college student who gets murdered by a masked maniac and wakes up at the beginning of the day, reliving the same events over and over… including her (seemingly inevitable) death, until she gets it right. Rothe is an impressively charismatic star, and her chemistry with Israel Broussard, as the one person who might be able to help her out of her torment, makes the movie perfect for date night.
The Shape of Water (2017)
Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-nominated monster romance finally gives the Creature from the Black Lagoon the romantic subplot he always deserved when a mysterious fish monster (Doug Jones) finds true love with a mute cleaning lady (Sally Hawkins). It’s as much a fairy tale as it is a horror story, but then again they are often one and the same, and del Toro is a master at wringing both sweetness and grimness out of this kind of fantastic, and fantastical, material.
Bride Of Chucky
Don Mancini’s ode to The Bride of Frankenstein jolts alive in 1998’s Bride of Chucky, in which Chucky — as the tagline states — gets lucky. Jennifer Tilly’s fan-favorite Tiffany Valentine is introduced as Charles Lee Ray’s ex-fling, whose bloodlust and psychopathic tendencies make the two a perfect match. Although Chucky’s a killer doll and Tiff is human — the anatomy doesn’t mesh. That’s why Chucky murders Tiff during a bubble bath only to resurrect his partner as how Rob Zombie’s song describes, a “living dead girl.” Tiff and Chucky slay together Natural Born Killers style and have their spats, but also make hanky-panky by a crime scene water bed and prove that even slasher villains deserve love in their lives.
Sometimes, love is complicated. Perhaps you're plagued by an ex-lover's bittersweet memories that prevent you from moving onward. Maybe those thoughts summon your undead girlfriend from between the sheets when you're with your new sweetie. Those are the issues in Nina Forever, a lovestruck horror-comedy about three souls connected by a single relationship. Rob loses Nina, Rob starts dating Holly, Nina's corpse starts joining their sexy times, and the trio must untangle their feelings before someone gets hurt — er, more hurt. Cinematography is sensational as a bloodied Nina slathers redness all over her living counterparts, becoming even messier once Holly starts eyeing Nina on the side. It's not all eroticism and Halloween Penthouse material either, as Nina Forever wrestles with grief and expectations in the name of undying love.
Extra Ordinary
Out of Ireland comes this oddball romantic comedy that’s part Paranormal Activity, part Ghostbusters, and all parts adorable. Extra Ordinary follows ghost whisperer Rose as she partners with her crush Martin to save his satanically possessed daughter while they help local townsfolk with their supernatural issues.
Maybe someone’s dead husband inhabits a waste bin, or electrical appliances operate independently. It’s all an excuse for Rose to spend time with Martin, flirting like kindergarteners and sharing genuine smiles while Martin spews ectoplasmic goo (it’s all part of the process). Throw in Will Forte as a lounge-y one-hit wonder with his hit track “Cosmic Woman,” real baby makin’ sci-fi music, and you’ve got one of the purest rom-coms with supporting ghouls worth any horror fan’s Valentine's watchlist.
Note: This list was updated February 12, 2026 to include additional links.
Lenovo is kicking off its Presidents Day sale this week, and it looks like gamers haven't been forgotten. The deals prioritize quality over quantity, because while there are really only three major gaming desktop that are on sale, the prices are competitive with the ones I saw during Black Friday.
With the rising prices of GPUs and RAM, you don't want to miss out on this rare opportunity to score a hefty discount on an RTX 5070 Ti or RTX 5080 GPU.
Lenovo Legion Tower 5 RTX 5070 Ti Gaming PC for $1,860
First on the list is a Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 10 GeForce RTX 5070 Ti gaming PC, which drops down to just $1,859.99 after you apply two stackable coupon codes: "EXTRAFIVE" and "BUYMORELENOVO". That's a total of $1,530 in savings.
Something to note is that this PC is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU on a customized Intel HM870 mATX motherboard. The 275HX is traditionally a laptop CPU, and laptop CPUs are permanently soldered onto the motherboard. That means you won't be able to swap out the CPU for a better one in the future. If you don't intend on swapping the CPU (and let's face it, most of us who buy prebuilts probably never will), then you'll get excellent performance out of this chip.
The RTX 5070 Ti offers the best bang for your buck amongst the new Nvidia Blackwell cards in terms of 4K gaming performance. It performs neck-and-neck with the previous generation RTX 4080 Super and pulls ahead in any game that supports multi-frame generation, especially with the recent DLSS 4.5 update. Since the RTX 5070 Ti GPU is non-existent as a standalone card, the only way to get one without paying a ridiculous markup is by getting a prebuilt computer.
Lenovo Legion Tower 7 RTX 5070 Ti Gaming PC for $1,990
If you don't like the idea of a soldered-on CPU, Lenovo is offering a noteworthy deal on another 5070 Ti gaming PC. This time it's equipped with a desktop-class Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor. This is Intel's best consumer CPU at the moment, featuring a max turbo frequency of 5.6GHz and a whopping 24 cores, excelling at any task. This is a pricier configuration at $1,990, but the superior, upgradeable CPU isn't the only perk that you get. The system is housed in a roomier Legion Tower 7 chassis that includes more fans for airflow and an enthusiast-grade 360mm AIO liquid cooler.
Lenovo Legion Tower 7 RTX 5080 Gaming PC for $2,370
Lenovo notes that this "doorbuster" deal is nearly sold out. That's not surprising, since this is one of the better prices I've seen this year for an RTX 5080 gaming PC. Technically, Alienware has an even less expensive RTX 5080 config for $2,180, but the Lenovo prebuilt is much better equipped. It features a liquid-cooled Intel Core Ultra 9 258K CPU, GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GPU, 32GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 2TB SSD.
The GeForce RTX 5080 will set you up for 4K gaming for at least a few years. It's one of the fastest cards on the market, bested only by the $2,000 RTX 5090 and the discontinued $1,600 RTX 4090. This is a phenomenal card for playing the latest, most demanding games in 4K resolution at high settings and ray tracing enabled. The recent DLSS 4.5 update has further optimized multi-frame gen and upscaling so you can push really high framerates even in 4K.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
A brand new State of Play is arriving today, and PlayStation fans around the globe are eagerly awaiting this new look at the future of games on PlayStation 5. This is a big one, as it promises to run longer than 60 minutes and will feature both "eye-catching third-party and indie games" and "the latest from teams at PlayStation Studios."
No matter what is announced and revealed, we will be rounding it all up right here as it happens to ensure you don't miss a thing, so be sure to keep checking back throughout the show!
Kena: Scars of Kosmora Kicks Off the State of Play
Kena: Scars of Kosmora is the sequel to 2021's Kena: Bridge of Spirits, and it kicked off the State of Play in a big way with some gorgeous visuals and animations from developer Ember Lab. In this new story, Kena is an accomplished Spirit Guide and she travels to the mysterious island of Kosmora to seek a cure for her affliction and to "reconnect with a friend from her past." When there, she faces a corruption that fractures her staff, and she needs to accept Kosmora's forgotten and dangerous form of Spirit Guiding that manipulates the elements. And yes, she will be meeting more adorable spirit companions.
Ghost of Yotei Legends DLC Will Add 4-Player Co-Op to The Game in Early March
Ghost of Yotei Legends will be released on March 10, 2026, and it allows up to four players to team up to challenge monstrous, supernatural enemies across multiple modes. Oh, and it will be free to all players in patch 1.5.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Will Be Released on PC Early Next Month
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will officially make its way to PC on March 19, 2026, and it will come with unlocked framerates during gameplay, ultra widescreen support, DualSense Controller support, upscaling and frame generation, and much more.
Dead of Alive New Project Teases That the 'Dawn of a New Chapter Awaits'
A brand-new Dead or Alive project is currently in development and, while we didn't learn much of anything about the new title, the news arrives 30 years after the original game was released. While we wait for more info, just know that the "dawn of a new chapter awaits."
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round Is the Definitive Edition of the 2019 Title
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round will fight its way to PS5 on June 25, 2026, and is billed as the "definitive version" of Dead or Alive 6, which was first released in 2019. This time around, Dead or Alive 6 Last Round will feature both standard and free-to-play editions.
Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima and Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty, Infinity Ward, and Respawn Entertainment, apparently discussed an "FPS version of Metal Gear" sometime after Metal Gear Solid 4 came out.
This comes from Kojima himself, speaking via pre-recorded video at the DICE Summit 2026 in Las Vegas in a tribute to Zampella, who passed away in December at the age of 55. As a part of the conference's keynotes, industry luminaries including Kojima, Phil Spencer, Geoff Keighley, Todd Howard, Laura Miele, and others spoke at length about Zampella's contributions to the industry as well as their personal relationships with him.
Kojima appeared several times in the video to speak about Zampella. In one of his segments, he said, "I've kept this quiet for a long time but after Metal Gear Solid 4 came out, we actually talked about making an FPS version of Metal Gear."
Kojima continued, saying that he and Zampella spoke about it, but the game never happened. Zampella went on to found Respawn, but even though they didn't make a Metal Gear together, Kojima says Zampella gave him a lot of advice and support when he left Konami. Kojima even apparently incorporated some aspects of what he saw at Respawn into his own studio, Kojima Productions.
Zampella's sudden passing rattled much of the industry, as he was beloved by many throughout his lengthy career across multiple studios and projects. In addition to co-creating Call of Duty and the studio behind it, Infinity Ward, Zampella also founded Respawn Entertainment, which created hits such as Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. His final gaming contribution was as director of the recently-released Battlefield 6.
Earlier, we covered other remarks from Zampella's peers made at DICE, including comments from Keighley, Spencer, and more. As Kojima concluded, "I hope people will look to Vince as a model and aim high."
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Image credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Romantic movies tend to get all the hype for Valentine's Day, but us staff at IGN wanted to expand the genre into specifically LGBTQIA+ stories on screen to celebrate. So we pulled our favorite queer romantic movies and shows together to share with all of you. You'll see suggestions from people across all departments at IGN, and we love being able to include anyone and everyone who wants to contribute.
Valentine's Day doesn't have to be just about celebrating love in a romantic relationship – whether you are looking for a movie to watch or a show to binge by yourself (with loads of snacks), wanting to cuddle up with a significant other, or planning on hanging out with some friends near or far – there are plenty of options across all genres on this list. We hope you enjoy, and if we missed any, please let us know your favorites in the comments!
Best Queer Romantic Movies and Shows to Watch
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
An absolutely essential watch for all of us who swoon at the idea of wearing a billowing skirt and gazing longingly off a cliff into the distant sea while the wind whips through our hair. Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a beautiful story about an 18th century woman who's about to be married against her will, but must first sit for a portrait. A lady painter is hired to do the job, and all the other people in the house go off for a few days, and what ensues is truly lovely. It is, appropriate to the period, unfortunately a bittersweet story that will have you bawling by the end. Grab your best handkerchief for this one.
First off, this show is SO GOOD. I'm picky about superhero series, and this one is action-packed, sweet, and raw with real-life issues brought to light. One of the main characters, Anissa Pearce, is actually the first black lesbian superhero ever. As you watch the first season, you'll see Anissa's somewhat messy, committment-issue driven dating life. But if you stick around, you'll get to see Anissa's love story unfold as she meets someone truly special, breaking down walls (literally and figuratively) and honestly loving for the first time; all while having the complexities of, well, superpowers.
- Lindsey Salzer, she/her, Director of Commerce & Audience Dev
I don’t think I can honestly describe in words how much of a masterpiece Jacob Tierney's Heated Rivalry is, as well as its source material/book counterpart in the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid. Following two rival rookies in the professional hockey world as they battle with themselves (and outside influence) while falling for one another – Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie) are extremely opposite characters and bring so much to the screen as they develop emotionally throughout each episode. The slow-burn yearning in the story, matched up with the beautiful chemistry Williams and Storrie naturally have as real life best friends, have created this incredible series that has shattered records across the world.
- Jessie Wade, she/her Assoc. Director of Editorial Programming
Yuri!!! on Ice walked so Heated Rivalry could run. Okay, kind of – you won’t find any scenes quite steamy enough to melt the ice here, but this competitive figure-skating anime is softly romantic in the best, most heartwarming ways. Its first and only season tells the (mostly) contained story of two Yuri’s – one Japanese and one Russian – and their attractive skating-idol five time world championship coach, Viktor, competing in a Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Yuri!!! on Ice is exciting and fun for both fans of the sport and complete unawares, driven by its excellent storytelling that relies on character and relationship development that extends well beyond the main characters. The memorable music and choreography is just icing on the cake.
With Penny Marshall and Geena Davis' blessing, the 2022 adaptation of the iconic 1992 film expanded upon topics of race and sexuality, weaving a rich tapestry of queer stories set in the not-so-accepting period of WWII. Despite a short run of only 8 episodes, the performances and chemistry from a talented ensemble cast will have you immediately invested in their struggles and triumphs.
- Sarah Wang, she/her, Senior Account Executive, Game Sales
A comedy where the premise of hiding who you are to others made the queer community even more seen. The iconic Robin Williams and Nathan Lane play partners who would do anything for their son, and in doing so come to understand one another even more. And if that sounds too serious, you haven't seen the pure comedy of Lane, a diva actor who can bring down the club but cannot learn to play a straight man for the life of him.
I could wax poetic about the incredibly impressive amount of detail in the animation or how it's one of the most successful video game adaptations of all time, but what I really watched Arcane for was the relationship between Caitlyn and Vi. Amongst navigating impossible circumstances, intense traumas, and the constant battle between heart and duty, Cait and Vi are two magnets that resist and repel each other no matter how much you try to press the like poles together, until all it takes is the slightest shift for them to come crashing together in the undeniable natural laws of opposite attraction. You can't help but be drawn into their story as well.
- Sarah Wang, she/her, Senior Account Executive, Game Sales
I first watched Looking during its premiere and struggled with each of the main character’s choices so much so that I vowed to never watch again. After pushing play last year in 2025 my perspective shifted. Looking is a fun lens on an arch type that dominates gay cisgender culture. When you take it for what it is, a focus on characters that are such a small part of queer life, you might enjoy this binge-friendly show and movie.
- Aaron Molina, He/Him, Senior Client Service Manager
This is a really gorgeous film that's VERY loosely based on a real-life story of a British palaeontologist who falls for a geologist she's supposed to help convalesce by the seaside. The two bond over a mutual love of fossils and a feeling of separation from the rest of society, and, well, things get a little steamy! It doesn't really have a happy ending, so fair warning, but it's such a beautiful ride. Just two girls diggin' up beach dinosaurs!
Carol is one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen, from the story itself to the phenomenal acting to the gorgeous and intentional cinematography. The story follows the lives of Carol (Cate Blanchett) and Therese (Rooney Mara) as they learn about themselves on a deeper level while overcoming challenges of being attracted to one another in the 1950’s. The film has moments that squeeze your heart in the worst ways, but also make you want to burst with joy at other times. Being filmed with Super 16mm to get a grainy and Ektachrome style, really makes you feel as if you were pulled into that time period and into the love story blossoming before your eyes. I highly recommend everyone watch this to see a new perspective on what it was like to be a queer woman in 1950’s America.
- Jessie Wade, she/her Assoc. Director of Editorial Programming
Looking for an anti-Valentine’s moving centered around typical yearning that we should all heal from? Check out Andrew Haigh’s Weekend. While I admit it has been a minute since I have watched this, its vulnerability and honesty makes this one worth a watch.
- Aaron Molina, He/Him, Senior Client Service Manager
Sex Education is one of those shows that I desperately wish I had when I was a teenager. Not only are the characters amusing and relatable, but you feel like you’re part of their friend groups and going on this journey with them throughout the show (not to mention the gorgeous landscapes you get to see in the UK). The topics covered touch all the curiosity teens (and adults!) generally have. Whether it’s a sexual, romantic, or just a human emotional experience, it makes you feel less alone in your own life. Sex Education follows characters throughout multiple queer storylines and it’s beyond refreshing to see this created in such a genuine way. Also, Gillian Anderson as a sex therapist? Yes, please!
- Jessie Wade, she/her Assoc. Director of Editorial Programming
This is a visually stunning erotic film that explores the relationship between two women in the field of Lepidopterology. Initially, it seems to be an incredibly controlled, and at times, exploitative power dynamic between the two, but there's a hidden tenderness that comes to light and shows the deep commitment and sacrifices that are made in a long-term relationship. There's a voyeuristic element to it with lots of slow, zooming shots, but it's intensely intimate without being sleazy. I can't stress enough how beautiful the shots are with muted, autumnal colours, close-ups of butterflies and moths. Plus, it's got a beautiful soundtrack by Cat's Eyes.
- Lauren Harper, she/her, Associate Guides Editor
Where to Watch: Free with ads on Tubi and on Roku.
Black Mirror, Episode "Hotel Reverie"
I loved this episode so much. Issa Rae, Emma Corrin, Awkwafina – chef's kiss. A beautiful story of an unlikely pair: a closeted actress from the past and an actress from the present looking to find a role she's passionate about, leading her to take on a high-tech immersive remake of an old British film.
French erotic thriller Stranger by the Lake is another great anti-Valentine’s pick. The film’s sun-soaked, beach-day pace might be too slow for a group viewing, but is perfect for a more intimate setting. Definitely check this one out if you aren't intimidated by the subtitles.
- Aaron Molina, He/Him, Senior Client Service Manager
Another victim of early cancellation, Warrior Nun never got to fully flesh out the romance between the spunky lead character and an actual nun. What we do have is two seasons of YEARNING all set amongst a fantastical supernatural drama full of heart and humor, with a diverse cast and the beautiful backdrops of Spain. If that's not enough to convince you to watch, nuns with guns (and swords, and knives, and a CROSSBOW).
- Sarah Wang, she/her, Senior Account Executive, Game Sales
Both no stranger to queer roles, Ali Liebert in her second Hallmark feature and Kat Barrell of Wynonna Earp fame play a married couple in this new heartwarming holiday film. Amongst the relatively cookie-cutter Hallmark catalog, this one stands out not just as a queer romance, but for featuring them as the network's first established lesbian couple instead of another "meet-and-fall-in-love" narrative.
- Sarah Wang, she/her, Senior Account Executive, Game Sales
Lindsey (she/her) is IGN's Director of Audience Development and Commerce. She's been at IGN since 2021 and has a background in SEO, especially in the gaming, entertainment, and tech media spaces.
Jessie Wade is Associate Director of Editorial Programming at IGN. You can find her playing cozy games on her Switch or watching the latest fantasy and drama shows, as well as getting lost in way too many fantasy romance books.
Additional contributions by: Sarah Wang, Aaron Molina, Mollie Gaufin, Lauren Harper, Rebekah Valentine, Casey DeFreitas, and Amanda Flagg.
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