Some days, the sales gods align in curious ways. I’ve spent the entire "working" week reliving my Red Dead Redemption obsession with the heir to my throne of games, and lo and behold, more cowboy titles on my wishlist are suddenly discounted. If your own backlog is bursting but your willpower is weak, you’ve got company. Stay safe, save often (with a Basic Campfire Kit), and see you Monday.

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I’m using the flickering backlight of Columns' jewel-matching chain reactions to light a 34-candle cake for the Sega Game Gear. Back in 1991, this chonky so-and-so arrived with colour visuals that made the Game Boy look like a sad calculator, and I remember being floored by the novelty of portable Sonic in full RGB.

That said, the dream of a portable, kinda-sorta Mega Drive came with a few cruel trade-offs. Battery life was a running joke, the screen ghosted like a séance, and good games were oddly thin on the ground. Still, I can't overstate how futuristic it felt to leave my Game Boy at home and play this on a school bus. It was the ultimate brag until all six (!!!) AAs invariably died in next to no time.

Octopath Traveler 0 is set to release for PS5, PS4, Switch 2, Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on December 4. Like the previous entries in this turn-based RPG series, it’s made in the visually striking “HD-2D” art style that uses pixelated 2D characters and gorgeous HD environments, with visual effects only possible on modern platforms. The game is available for preorder now in several editions. Read on for details about what comes in each one, how much they cost, where you can preorder, and more.

Preorder Octopath Traveler 0

Octopath Traveler 0 Digital Deluxe Edition

• Get it for PS4 or PS5 - $59.99
• Get it for Xbox - $59.99

The digital deluxe edition comes with the game itself, plus the following digital items:

• Digital art book
• Deluxe Travel Provisions:
  • Action Skills
    • Triple Strike Mastery, SP Saver Mastery, Extra JP Mastery
  • Consumable Items: 8 Types of Nuts
    • Fortifying Nut, Magic Nut, Tough Nut, Resistant Nut, Light Nut, Critical Nut, Sharp Nut, Slippery Nut
  • Town Decorations: Festive Decoration Designs
    • Table with Roasted Chicken, Festive Arch, Large Festive Arch, Festive Flag, Grand Vase

Octopath Traveler 0 Collector’s Edition

• Get it at Square Enix Store - $229.99

This Square Enix Store-exclusive edition comes with the game itself, plus the following extras:

• Digital Deluxe Edition Upgrade Code
• Ring of the Flamebringer (JP ring size 21)
• Traveler's Playing Cards
• 8-Sided Dice of Wealth, Power, and Fame
• Orsterra Continent Map Gaming Mat
• Arrangements Break & Boost Vol.3 (Music CD)
• Art booklet

Octopath Traveler 0 Preorder Bonus

Preorder Octopath Traveler 0, and you’ll receive a set of in-game items called Travel Provisions, which Square Enix describes as “A set of items and skills useful for the start of your journey.”

• Healing Grape (M) x5
• Inspiriting Plum (M) x5
• Revitalizing Jam x2
• Icewind Mastery

What Is Octopath Traveler 0?

Octopath Traveler 0 starts with you creating your own character from scratch. The story kicks off with your hometown of Wishvale burning to the ground, and it’s up to you and your companions to rebuild it. This all goes along with the “start from zero” theme of the game.

Combat is turn-based once again, complete with the “Break and Boost” system from previous games. But this time you can control parties of up to eight characters, so battles could be pretty big. There’s also a whole town-building mechanic, in which you have a grid to build houses and buildings on, placing them wherever you’d like. You’ll join up with over 30 different characters along the way.

More Preorder Guides

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

This is a spoiler-free review for all 12 episodes of Twisted Metal season 2, the first three of which are now streaming on Peacock. New episodes debut every Thursday through August 2025.

Season 1 of Peacock's Twisted Metal resembled its PlayStation source material more in spirit than content: It was a madcap(pier) Mad Max, delivering a loony Zombieland-style look at a post-apocalyptic wasteland teeming with vehicular carnage. But in season 2, the show's namesake tournament takes center stage and the results are silly and satisfying – a more focused story, a deeper exploration of character, and some truly impressive demolition derby warfare. Just as in the first season, not every joke lands. I don't have an actual success rate percentage breakdown for you, but there'll be a dozen fizzles on the funny front before a gut-buster floors you. When it comes to bits and gags, Twisted Metal is for sure playing the numbers game.

Showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith takes the irreverent sass of season 1 and crafts more of a sitcom setting in season 2, with an established ensemble taking us through the story as they all compete for a spot in Twisted Metal. The characters are given room and board (at an abandoned high school) while jumping through proverbial flaming hoops until the lucky few reach the final level. In some ways, this structure makes season 2 feel a bit tamer. It's still a mix of dude-bro antics and surreal Community-type laughs, but there's so much violence and destruction in the elimination rounds leading up to Twisted Metal that it works, in a way, to deflate the big battle.

With 12 episodes now (compared to 10 in season 2), longer does not necessarily equal better here, and while infusing the story with a more focused goal – a multi-stage driving tournament where the winner gets one wish granted – there are definitely moments within this season that feel buried under nonsense and distraction. At the same time though, season 2 gives us a colorful, sprawling ensemble, assembling the principal players from season 1 and adding Raven (Patty Guggenheim, replacing first-season guest star Neve Campbell), Mr. Grimm (Richard de Klerk), Vermin (Lisa Gilroy), Axel (Michael James Shaw), and Dollface (Tiana Okoye).

Those invested deeply in the decades of lore will recognize these names, though as someone who's never played Twisted Metal – and really only knows the franchise from seeing the grinning, flaming clown head of Sweet Tooth plastered all over the games' covers and advertising – I can say the uninitiated will be just fine. It's an insane world that already set up enough genre-warping wiggle room to make way for just about every type of crazy character you can think of – including the infusion of both cyborgs and soul-stealing sorcerers.

Even the Twisted Metal contest itself has some supernatural chicanery because the grand-prize wish-fulfillment is literal. Crazed, cackling tournament maestro Calypso (Anthony Carrigan) means to do exactly what he says, and that's provide the champion with their heart's desire. It's just an extra layer of bonkers in an already ridiculous world. Also, it leads to a very funny recurring bit where we're forced to question if Mr. Grimm's powers are even real or if he just makes a lot of goofy faces and gestures.

It's really still the core Season 1 characters who shine here: John Doe (Anthony Mackie), Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz), Sweet Tooth (played onscreen by Samoa Joe and voiced by Will Arnett), and Stu (Mike Mitchell). Mackie and Beatriz remain awesomely funny and likable as John and Quiet, now working as a team and dealing with a myriad of family-adjacent concerns. In the midst of the violence, chaos, and class warfare waged by the walled cities against the outsiders, John must contend with his amnesia getting in the way of a heartfelt sibling reunion while Quiet stumbles upon a new conniving connection who gives off younger sibling (or even possible daughter) vibes: Saylor Bell Curda's Mayhem. Being a teenager born into a broken world (an "Apo Baby," as she's described), Mayhem is as stubborn and overconfident as they come. But instead of that being an aggravating trait, she pops as a fun, relatable addition to Twisted Metal.

Because the season is designed to eliminate characters – with many episodes showcasing a lethal qualifying round for the tournament – many of the new cast members are just here to be to killed off. That doesn't mean they're dispensable though. Most are cool, key components of the Twisted Metal world, and some are even given flashbacks that show us how they got here. There are a couple stragglers who stick around too long, but overall, we're given a good lot.

Also, you can still lean on the OGs, and the Samoa Joe/Will Arnett Sweet Tooth combo remains a wonderfully insane creation. Sweet Tooth's relentless homicidal tendencies mixed with his random softness and sentiment continue to make him a spotlight character. His motivations to win Twisted Metal are thin (he just wants to be the most famous killer) but that doesn't prevent him from being the most consistently funny character onscreen. John and Quiet are the heart of the show – even when their relationship hits rough waters – but Sweet Tooth and Stu are also a surrogate family in their own right, providing unexpected moments of tenderness.

Having watched all of season 2 for this review, the parts that instantly pop into my head are the funny gags. To name a few: There's a very amusing cameo, an inspired Baby-Sitters Club bit, and a hilarious exchange with Axel's creator, Dr. Zemu. I note this because the action scenes are very impressive, but they take a back seat to the absurdities. But yes, it's Twisted Metal so there's still rampant gore, flying limbs, and many unceremonious deaths. It's a testament to Smith and the writing staff that moments of warmth actually resonate through all the mayhem. The scenery isn't much to look at (a lot of empty warehouses, parking lots, drab open roads, etc.) but what's being saved on visuals is made up for by a ton of ferocious action set to hit songs from the 1990s. Season 2 has a few more lulls than season 1, but it's still a bold expansion of Twisted Metal.

A good night's sleep is essential for a healthy and productive day. Unfortunately, it's not unusual to have trouble sleeping when you're away from home and bedded in noisy, unfamiliar accomodations (like a school dorm). If so, you might when to check out this deal. Amazon is offering the Dreamegg D11 Max portable white noise machine for just $9.89 after you apply 50% off coupon code "PEJ5UDRB" during checkout. I've posted deals on Dreamegg's smaller, less feature-rich noise machine for about the same price, but this is the first time I've seen the D11 Max model go under $10.

Dreamegg D11 Max Portable White Noise Machine for $9.89

Maintaining a tidy desk area doesn't have to be labor intensive or expensive. Traditionally you would use a can of compressed air to clean out your PC, but they're essentially one-time use, they usually target a very small area (because of their tiny nozzle), and the cost can quickly add up. Nowadays there's a better solution. As part of its Back to School sale, Amazon has the EUKI Cordless Rechargeable Electric Air Duster (Air Blower) for just $20.99 after you clip a 30% off coupon. Most electric air dusters under $50 on Amazon are likely made from the same few overseas factories, so you just want to get the one that's the least expensive. There are other more powerful options out there, but they are way pricier.

EUKI Cordless Electric Air Duster for PC for $20.99

Getting a free gift with a purchase is nothing new when you buy directly from LEGO. Some of the free sets in the past include some pretty flowers, bugs and insects, and even a Jane Austen LEGO set. From now until Saturday, August 2, you can get the LEGO Star Wars Kamino Training Facility (40765) as a free gift when you buy Jango Fett's Firespray-Class Starship (75409). The criteria to qualify for a free gift changes from set to set, but this time the barrier to entry is a bit higher than average; Jango Fett's Starship will run you $299.99.

Gifts with purchase are only available to LEGO Insiders members, which is free to join.

Get the LEGO Star Wars Kamino Training Facility As a Free Gift With Purchase

Ever since the Steam Deck originally launched back in 2022, handheld gaming PCs have been blowing up in popularity. I’d even go as far as to say that Valve’s handheld has since been dethroned, with devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S and ROG Ally X greatly improving performance and display resolution. However, while there are more options than ever for Windows handheld gaming, there’s still a ton of folks that swear by the Steam Deck, and they’re not wrong.

But given that the Steam Deck is now a three-year-old tech product, the time has come to look into the future and try to figure out what the next generation should look like. And while I’m tempted to just say “toss in a more powerful chip and call it a day,” it’s a bit more complicated than that.

Keep the Price Low

Valve has a funny history with its hardware launches. While the Steam Deck was definitely a success, you don’t have to look too far in the past to remember the colossal failure that was the Steam Machine. These gaming PCs running off of a primitive version of SteamOS were prohibitively expensive and almost immediately flopped. But it seems like Valve learned its lesson, with the original Steam Deck launching for a very reasonable $399.

But other handheld gaming PCs have definitely taken a different approach with pricing. For instance, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ will set you back a thousand bucks. You do get a very powerful Intel chip along with a gorgeous display, but at that price point it starts competing against much more powerful gaming laptops.

My hope is that whatever the next Steam Deck is, it keeps the price low, despite the success of much more expensive gaming handhelds. After all, it’s going to be a device that funnels users straight into the Steam store, so Valve can afford to subsidize the cost of the hardware a bit. That’s likely a big part of why the original Steam Deck was as affordable as it was.

At the same time, a lot has changed in the last few years. Every type of computing hardware has gone up in price, and even the Nintendo Switch 2 is significantly more expensive than its predecessor. While it’s possible that Valve eats whatever additional costs are added by factors like tariffs and inflation, it’s more likely that the next Steam Deck is going to be at least a little bit more expensive than the original. By how much, I have no idea, but I hope it stays within the same general price range, even if it’s a tad more expensive.

Keep the 800p Display

When dreaming about the next generation of a beloved product like the Steam Deck, it’s super tempting to just say everything should be bigger and better. But the lower resolution display is a good thing, actually, and Valve should keep it that way for the Steam Deck 2. Hear me out.

I remember when I first picked up the Lenovo Legion Go, with its 1600p display, and being impressed by how the desktop looked. However, as soon as I booted up a game, I realized that 1600p is an unrealistic resolution to actually play at given the relatively weak performance offered by the Ryzen Z1 Extreme. After all, this is the same resolution as the most recent Razer Blade 16 – and that gaming laptop is powered by up to an RTX 5090, which is leagues more powerful than the Go’s little APU.

What this led to was me having to either lower the display resolution to 800p anyways, or otherwise heavily tweak games to run well on the hardware. That’s fine with me, I’m going to mess with game settings no matter what, but part of the magic of the Steam Deck is that you don’t really have to do that. The Deck’s 800p resolution means that even though it’s technically less powerful than the Lenovo Legion Go, some games run better at default settings because they’re running at literally half the resolution.

So no matter how much of a generational uplift Valve needs to justify making a second Steam Deck, it should keep the 800p resolution. After all, games aren’t getting any less demanding over time, so a more powerful chip on the same display will make sure new games continue to run well on Valve’s hardware.

The Silly Little Haptic Pads Stay

Ever since the Steam Controller, Valve has been working little haptic trackpads into its controller design. And while I don’t personally use them for anything beyond stimming, they’re cool and should stay in the Steam Deck 2.

The trackpads are ostensibly for games like Civilization that don’t traditionally support controllers. And while developers have increasingly figured out how to make controller input work in this type of game, sometimes a trackpad just works better. Plus, I love the way that the Steam community comes together to create custom controller configurations for games, and having more input options only benefits that.

It’s not like other handheld manufacturers are rushing in to implement this in their products, either, so it keeps the Steam Deck special.

I Need a Second USB-C Port

Whenever I need to re-benchmark the Steam Deck, I have to go through the tedious process of installing Windows on the thing and then re-installing SteamOS when I’m done. Not a big deal, just part of the job, but what makes it annoying is that every time I try to install SteamOS it will fail if I plug the thumb drive into a USB hub. I don’t know why that happens, but it does. That’s not a problem for most recent handhelds, though, because they have multiple ports – the Steam Deck has just one.

There is no reason that the Steam Deck can’t have multiple USB ports, there’s plenty of room on the chassis, especially on the bottom of the device. But instead, the sole port on the bottom of the Steam Deck is an unprotected MicroSD card reader.

The simple solution would just be to add a second USB port on the bottom of the Steam Deck 2. Not only would this make the device easier to use with accessories, but it would make Steam Deck docks less of a nightmare to actually use. Imagine a Steam Deck dock that functions like the Switch dock. I want to live in that world.

The further we get from the original Steam Deck’s release the more I realize that it was basically a perfect device. While it does have its limitations, I mostly just want a spec bump out of its followup. Although, realistically, Valve is probably going to come up with all kinds of improvements over its first-gen handheld. I just hope they don’t dilute the magic that finally made PC gaming handhelds a mainstream phenomenon.

Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra

Borderlands 4 has been available to preorder since June, but only for PS5, Xbox, and PC gamers. We knew that the new game would be coming to the Switch 2, but it wasn't until recently that we finally got a release date. The Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4 is set to arrive on October 3, almost a full month after its console and PC release. And as of today, you can now preorder your copy for $70.

Preorder Borderlands 4 for Nintendo Switch 2

What Is Amazon's Preorder Price Guarantee?

If you've never actually preordered anything from Amazon before, it's worth noting that if you purchase this art book ahead of the release date, it includes Amazon's preorder price guarantee. According to Amazon's own help page, this means that if the price decreases between now and when the item ships, you'll pay the lowest price. So in this case, if any of these editions of the game get a discount before they actually start shipping then you'll pay whatever it dropped to rather than the full price.

Although not every preorder gets discounted, physical editions of games especially seem to rarely drop in price compared to other product categories before they actually release. That is especially true for popular Nintendo Switch games, which rarely receive discounts of any kind even after release.

The Nintendo Switch is going out in a blaze of glory, with some exciting games launching to make way for the console's successor: the now officially released Switch 2. Whether they’re exclusively developed for the Switch or ported over from other platforms, these upcoming Switch games will likely wrap up the Switch era while also being compatible with the Switch 2.

In the second half of 2025, we'll hopefully be getting our hands on well-known in-development titles as well as a host of new games announced at the most recent Nintendo Direct. Here are all of the new Switch games we can look forward to this year.

All Upcoming Switch Games With Release Dates

Gradius Origins (August 7, 2025)

Gradius Origins collects some of M2's finest shoot 'em up games, including Gradius, Salamander, Life Force, Gradius II, Gradius III, Salamander 2, and introduces a new game, Salamander 3, the first new entry over a decade. Originally released as an arcade game, Gradius has been ported to several consoles over the years, including the NES.

Iwakura Aria (August 14, 2025)

A new visual novel from MAGES set in post-war Japan. The story follows a young girl who gets wrapped up in another world after becoming a maid at the mysterious Iwakura household.

Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 1 (August 24, 2025)

A collection of Toaplan’s greatest shoot em’ up hits from the 80s and 90s. It includes eight games total: Flying Shark, Fire Shark, Tiger Heli, Twin Cobra / Kyukoku Tiger, Out Zone, Fix Eight, Batsugun, and Dogyuun.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (August 27, 2025)

The latest Story of Seasons remaster was a surprising one. Grand Bazaar (originally on the DS) takes place in Zephyr Town, where you build a farm, explore for resources, and craft products you can sell in the titular weekly Bazaar. The Switch version of the game remasters the original character models and also introduces two new marriage candidates.

Considering we’re living through a period where it feels like every other game is a remake, remaster, or throwback of some sort, perhaps I should be less surprised that Battlefield 6 feels a lot like Battlefields 3 and 4. They were, of course, the glory years for EA and DICE’s large-scale multiplayer shooter – excellent maps, engaging objective-based modes, spectacular destruction, and the all-important class system. It seems like Battlefield 6 replicates all of that, at least as far as I can tell after having played two hours and change of the new, contemporary-set FPS across a number of maps and modes. That is a good thing, of course, especially since recent Battlefield history has been a bit of a rocky ride. But is this resurrection of past glories actually exciting? In the moment, absolutely. But on a grander scale? That’s a more difficult question.

Those exciting moments are often the result of the well-defined class system, which returns in a comfortingly familiar guise following Battlefield 2042’s missteps with its hero shooter-like Specialists. The Assault class can use their grenade launcher to breach through walls and then turn the startled soldiers who once huddled behind it into swiss cheese. The Engineer is the vital cog in a tank battle, using their acetylene torch to repair friendly armour and keep the cannon fire rolling, even as an entire building collapses around them. The Support is the squad’s literal lifeline, diving onto the objective with bags of spare ammo and soldier-reviving defibrillators at the ready. And finally there’s the Recon, the tactitician who marks enemies for all to see before scoring a hattrick of headshots with a sniper rifle.

There’s nothing revolutionary about these classes, but they are much clearer in their parameters than they have been in the past. You won’t find the team’s dedicated infantry killer fulfilling anti-tank or medic duties, for instance, as the Assault has been forced to do in the likes of Battlefields 4 and 5. But as clean and traditional as these roles are, there is a minor shake-up. Like Battlefield 2042, any class can use any weapon, but now each role has a “signature” specialism designed to encourage you into the specific loadouts of yesteryear. For example, the Recon is able to hold their breath while aiming sniper rifles, making them the clear choice for long-range engagements, while the Engineer benefits from improved hip-fire control when using SMGs. As someone who would score a low-end grade in a sniper exam, this means I can play Recon while swinging around an assault rifle or LMG, which fully opens up the class roster. But I can’t help but wonder why I should brute-force my way into playing Recon when I could find my specialism elsewhere. Isn’t that what class play is all about?

The odd, freeform elements of 2042’s weapon system saw their fair share of criticism, and I agree that tighter restrictions would have been of benefit both there and here in Battlefield 6, especially since there’s real strength in the design of the prescribed specialist gadgets for each class. The Support’s deployable cover is a solid example – it’s great for hiding behind while resurrecting fallen squaddies, provides a safe space for allies to restock on the ammunition bags you can drop, and acts as a surface to mount the LMG that the class specialises in. In short, the components of each kit can harmonise wonderfully, and I think the interesting choice is finding which class kit provides the best melody for your playstyle, rather than adjusting the individual notes within that.

Ultimately the weapons system is a small wrinkle in a very familiar package, and that applies to basically all the new ideas present in Battlefield 6’s demo. A new movement system (ridiculously dubbed the “Kinesthetic Combat System”) promises smoother leaning around corners, bracing against cover to reduce recoil, combat rolls as you land from high jumps, and several other improvements, but I can’t say I found these valuable additions – especially the contextual lean, which rarely seemed to activate. Like the omnidirectional movement in last year’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, I wonder how much genuine impact this will have on the experience of regular players. The one addition that I do love is the ability to grab a fallen soldier by the scruff of their neck and drag them to safety before reviving them. It’s a useful ability that everyone has access to (which admittedly does infringe on the Support’s duties, but it’s far from the instant revive of the defibrillator.) More importantly, it’s something that creates a “moment” – there’s few things more heroic than dragging a buddy to cover while machine gun fire kicks up dust around you. If all the small additions add up to something that feels as good as that, then maybe Battlefield 6 will develop a more distinct character in time.

But what about the battlefields themselves? The series has always had to find its own formula when it comes to level geography, simply because the classic three-lane design doesn’t work for 64-player chaos. Thankfully that rule still applies, which means Battlefield still feels unlike any other shooter out there. The flagship Conquest maps retain that almost open-world feel – much more expansive than Call of Duty arenas, with an eye for real-world authenticity. City streets feel like genuine (albeit thankfully evacuated) population centres, and buildings are realistically laid-out with coherent stairwells and floorplans. The designer’s hand can be felt when you realise that there are maps nested within maps, but they leave a good impression. The broad edges of Empire State replicates the wide, tank-friendly streets of New York City, but push further into the centre and there’s rabbit warren-like alleys and a large concrete multi-storey building that’s perfect for claustrophobic, close-quarters fighting.

One or two matches simply isn’t enough time to understand the nuances of a map, and so I can’t say where exactly the few on offer would rank among the all-time greats. But Liberation Peak, set along the slopes of the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan, provides the ideal amount of wide, rocky terrain for land vs air battles alongside pocketed military bases that give birth to desperate infantry fights, while Siege of Cairo has the dense street networks ideal for luring tanks into RPG ambushes. With no demolition centrepieces there’s nothing that instantly becomes a map’s signature element, but I hope that continued play will reveal carefully-placed details in each street, room, and capture point.

Talking of demolition, Battlefield’s trademark chaos remains very much in-tact. It is somewhat restrained in comparison to the map-shifting “levolution” system that powered Battlefield 6’s most obvious touchstones, but the alternative is much more useful in the minute-to-minute play. Entire building facades crumble away under cannon fire, opening up buildings like sardine cans to reveal the fleshy fiends hiding within. You can breach floors, allowing for Rainbow Six Siege-like downward assaults… or simply blow the support from beneath a pesky sniper. This late into Battlefield’s lifespan it’s hard to be truly excited about all this – this is the series’ schtick and likely always will be now – but it’s nonetheless impressive. As much as it is a technical feat to be boasted about alongside the most photo-realistic graphics in the series’ lifetime, it’s also a foundational tool that makes Battlefield its own distinct beast.

If it seems odd that we’ve reached this far into the preview without mentioning the multiplayer modes – you know, the things you actually play – then it’s only because they almost blend into the background among the explosions and squad roles. The hands-on session provided matches of Conquest, Breakthrough, and Squad Deathmatch, and they’re exactly as Battlefield tradition dictates. Personal preference naturally applies, but at least from my perspective it’s the classic story of the objective-focussed modes reigning supreme and the smaller-scale, kill-everything-in-sight games still feeling like a square peg in Battlefield’s round hole. It’s not that they’re a bad time, it’s just that the “Battlefield Moments” EA likes to shout about seem to only happen when you’re desperately holding down Point C during a close game of Conquest, or pushing tooth-and-nail through the fiercest defence in Breakthrough.

As part of what seems like a project attempting to recapture the glory days of Battlefields 3 and 4, I don’t hold any grudge against these modes feeling like business as usual. This is a series that needed to find secure footing after a couple of wobbly outings, and it certainly feels like this new iteration is standing on reinforced concrete. But I can’t help but feel that those old, faithful objectives could have been freshened up a little, perhaps with unconventional capture point designs or equipment used specifically for objectives. Perhaps new thrills lie in the new Escalation mode, which was unavailable to sample at my hands-on demo, although considering the official description provided to press claims that it “sees two teams fight to capture strategic control points,” I’m not expecting it to add too much extra fizz to the established formula.

When Battlefield 6’s open betas go live across a couple of weekends in August, I expect there will be a lot of fans who will be relieved to find a package that largely seems focussed on returning Battlefield to its peak years. And I can’t deny that the modern combat aesthetic, equipment, and classes speak to me in a way that the series’ near-future and pseudo-historical guns never could. I had a good time. More than a decade after Battlefields 3 and 4, though, it doesn’t fill me with the same sense of adrenaline it once did. But nostalgia’s still a hell of a drug, and maybe that’s just what the medic ordered.

Do you have any questions about Battlefield 6? Tell us what you want to know in the comments, and we’ll do a follow-up soon to bring you as many answers as we can.

Matt Purslow is IGN's Senior Features Editor.

Cars nowadays are equipped with USB ports for charging your phones, but if you have a decades old beater like me, then chances are good that it doesn't. Fortunately, there's an extremely inexpensive solution to that problem. Amazon is currently offering a slim Lisen 65W Car Charger with a built-in coiled USB Type-C cable for a mere $7.98 after you apply a 50% off coupon code "3OPSQ269" during checkout. This little car charger plugs into a standard 12V vehicle socket and can fast charge an iPhone 16 or Nintendo Switch at their fastest rate.

Lisen 65W Car Charger with 4ft Type-C Coiled Cable for $8

If you ask me, a proper pair of wireless earbuds are one of the more important investments when it comes to tech that impacts my daily life. I mean, I use them everyday for music and podcasts, and have to rely on them to take meetings in a pinch. A good pair of earbuds can also be expensive, so you should know whether or not the price tag is justified. And us being IGN, good earbuds can be your go-to audio gear for gaming (which I declare in my review of the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds). But as with any of our buying guides for the likes of gaming headsets or keyboards, there lots of options and I'm here to help sort them all to bring you our top picks for the best wireless earbuds.

With the end of summer vacation drawing near, some folks are heading back to school and good earbuds are a definite game-changer throughout the school year. Whether you're walking between classes or trying to lock in for study sessions, being without earbuds almost feels like forgetting your wallet at home. If you're left with ones that sound like a tin can, can't block outside noise, or barely last a few hours on a full charge, it's time to upgrade, and any of our picks here will take care of you.

TL;DR – These are the Best Wireless Earbuds:

We made several picks so you have a solid set of options depending on your budget and specific needs, but regardless, you'll end up with a proper pair of earbuds. If you want to ball out, we stand by the JBL Tour Pro 3 that came out this year, or if you solely want strong bass and gaming features, Razer's Hammerheads are still fantastic. In one way or another, we have first-hand experience with our recommendations so we can vouch for them – so, if you want to know about their sound quality, features, and battery life, read on!

This article features contributions from authors Kevin Lee, Georgie Peru, and Danielle Abraham.

1. JBL Tour Pro 3

Best Premium Wireless Earbuds

2. Jabra Elite 5

Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds

3. Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)

Best Budget Wireless Earbuds

4. Sony LinkBuds S

Best Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds

5. Razer Hammerhead True Wireless (Gen 2)

Best Wireless Earbuds for Gaming

6. Beats Fit Pro

Best Wireless Earbuds for Sports

7. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

Best Wireless Earbuds for iPhones

8. Sony WF-1000XM5

Best Wireless Earbuds for Android Phones

9. 1More Evo

Best Audiophile-Grade Wireless Earbuds

10. SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds

Best All-Around Earbuds

What to Look for In Wireless Earbuds

When shopping for a pair of wireless earbuds, there are a few things you should consider:

1. The first is in regards to Bluetooth. It has improved dramatically with every iteration, however, Bluetooth still can't carry a strong signal through objects such as walls, people, or your own pants, which in turn leads to interference and the signal being dropped. The Bluetooth signal can also be scrambled by intense areas wireless signals you might encounter in the city. If the music, podcast, or video you're listening to starts cutting in and out, simply move your source (likely a smartphone or tablet) closer to your earbuds, and that should clear things up in most cases.
2. The second thing you should look for is decent battery life, which in this case means six hours and above. Currently, eight hours or more is the high benchmark for the best battery life on wireless earbuds and 10 hours is the absolute best we've seen thus far. It might seem short, but unless you're flying on a cross-country or international flight, you probably won't be wearing your wireless earbuds for extremely long stretches of time.
3. Planning to exercise with your wireless earbuds? Be sure to find something with at least some level of water-resistance. You'll typically see an IP rating attached to the specifications of any wireless earbuds you're looking at. Breaking down IP ratings, like IPX5 or IP55, is simple. The first number denotes how dust-resistant an object is while the later digit refers to how water-resistant a product is. Most wireless earbuds aren't rated for dust-resistance, so they'll have an IPX rating where you only have to focus on the last number.

LEGO officially revealed a new line of One Piece sets back in June, and they have finally arrived. There are a total of seven new sets releasing in August and fans of the series have already been eagerly preordering these sets over the last couple of months. Unsurprisingly, it's the Going Merry Pirate Ship set that has been the most popular ahead of release.

All seven of the new sets are based on the events of the Netflix show's first season. For those who are only fans of the One Piece anime, that means that all of the sets are from the East Blue Saga. Here's a quick glance at all of the new sets and how much they cost.

All LEGO One Piece Sets

You can click on any of the products in the carousel above to see more details about stock availability or scroll down further for more details about each set.

LEGO One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship

If you're a Windows user that's looking for an affordable PC that's as small as the Apple Mac Mini, then check out this new deal from Amazon. As part of its Back to School Sale, Amazon Prime members can get the recently released AceMagic Vista Mini V1 Intel N150 Mini PC for just $123.24 after you apply coupon code "SLICKDLV1". You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member. This is an incredible price for a complete PC that includes the CPU, RAM, storage, and even the OS. AceMagic is one of the more popular mini PC brands on Amazon.

AceMagic Vista Mini V1 Intel N150 Mini PC for $123.24

A year removed from its 20th anniversary, Capcom’s monster-hunting franchise returns in 2025 with Monster Hunter Wilds. The prolific series has lived through several generations of home and portable consoles, reaching new peaks with 2018’s Monster Hunter World and 2021’s Monster Hunter Rise — the series’ best-selling games to date and Capcom’s two best-selling games of all time.

With Monster Hunter Wilds now available and a new Monster Hunter Stories on the way, we’re looking back on the franchise's history with a list of the series’ most important games, ordered chronologically by release date.

How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?

There are upwards of 25 Monster Hunter games when considering all base games, spinoffs, mobile entries, and enhanced versions. However, for this list, we've compiled the 13 most relevant Monster Hunter games. Our list excludes mobile- and arcade-exclusive games (Monster Hunter i, Monster Hunter Spirits, etc.); previously shuttered MMOs (Monster Hunter Frontier, Monster Hunter Online); and the FromSoftware-developed, Japan-exclusive, Animal Crossing-like game Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village.

Which Monster Hunter Game Should You Play First?

There is no continuous story throughout the Monster Hunter franchise, so you can take your pick of which game to start with. If you’re jumping into the world of Monster Hunter in 2025, early reviews suggest it's well worth picking up the franchise's newest release, Monster Hunter Wilds. Otherwise, we recommend Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise. World should appeal more to those who value exploration and immersion; Rise is better suited for those who put a higher value on speed and fluidity.

Every Monster Hunter Game in Release Order

Monster Hunter (2004)

Monster Hunter, alongside Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak, was developed as part of a three-game plan to explore the market potential of the PS2’s online network, Capcom’s Ryozo Tsujimoto told Eurogamer in 2014.

The first Monster Hunter laid the foundation for the franchise, introducing many of the series’ defining systems. Players, on their own or with others online, are given quests to hunt monsters, after which they use materials harvested from the world and the monster’s remains to craft and upgrade weapons and armor before embarking to fight, well, stronger monsters.

An expanded version called Monster Hunter G was released exclusively in Japan the following year.

Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

The series found its home on portable consoles in 2005 with Monster Hunter Freedom, an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G tuned for single-player play on the PSP. This first portable entry in the franchise sold over a million copies, according to Capcom, beginning a trend in which Monster Hunter’s portable versions handily outsold its home console counterparts — a trend that held until the breakout success of Monster Hunter World in 2018.

Monster Hunter 2 (2006)

Capcom returned to home console for the series’ second proper entry, Monster Hunter 2 (aka Monster Hunter Dos). It was released exclusively in Japan for PS2. Monster Hunter 2 introduced a day-night cycle and gems, further enhancing your opportunities for weapons and armor customization.

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)

The second handheld game in the series, Monster Hunter Freedom 2 again took the core of its home console counterpart (MH2) and built upon it with new content and a single-player focus. The game was expanded further in 2008’s Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, which added new monsters, missions, maps, and the ability to have a Felyne fighter join the player in battle.

Monster Hunter 3 (2009)

Monster Hunter 3 (aka Monster Hunter Tri) debuted in Japan in 2009, before being released internationally in 2010. The third mainline MH game was initially in development for the PS3, though it would eventually be released as a Wii exclusive. In addition to new monsters, weapons, and locations, Monster Hunter 3 introduced the series’ short-lived underwater combat.

It later came to Wii U and 3DS as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate with new monsters, a reworked single-player experience, updated graphics, and a new multiplayer area.

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)

Like the two mainline entries before it, Monster Hunter 3 was tweaked and ported to PSP as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. Unlike the two portable versions before it, this game also got a console release on PS3 as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver.

Despite never being released in the West, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd is the best-selling game among Capcom’s handheld-exclusive Monster Hunters with 4.9 million copies sold.

Monster Hunter 4 (2013)

Monster Hunter 4 was originally released exclusively for 3DS, exclusively in Japan. Only the enhanced edition, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (Monster Hunter 4G in Japan), was released globally as a launch game for New Nintendo 3DS. This generation of Monster Hunter games most notably improved traversal by pairing increased verticality with more fluid player movement. It also improved the single-player experience with a deeper story and more NPCs.

Monster Hunter Generations (2015)

Capcom followed up MH4 with Monster Hunter Generations (Monster Hunter X in Japan), another installment released exclusively for 3DS. Generations had, as our review stated, “the appeal of a greatest hits album,” blending old and (at the time) new mechanics from the series’ then-10-year history. Most notably, Generations featured new wrinkles to customization and combat through Hunting Styles and Arts.

Generations later received an enhanced edition, known as Monster Hunter Generations XX in Japan and Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate internationally. It was the first Monster Hunter game released on Nintendo Switch.

Monster Hunter Stories (2016)

Monster Hunter Stories is a spinoff that takes the action series into the world of RPGs. True to the genre, Stories trades in the real-time action of the mainline games for a turn-based combat system and puts more emphasis on story and exploration.

It was originally released for 3DS, though it’s since come to PS4, Switch, PC, and mobile.

Monster Hunter World (2018)

Monster Hunter World is, to date, the series’ high point from both a critical and commercial perspective. With 27 million copies sold, it’s the series’ (and Capcom’s) best-selling game, and with a Metascore of 90, it’s also the series’ best-reviewed game.

With World, Capcom moved the primary development of Monster Hunter back to home consoles, specifically PS4 and Xbox One. For the first time, it made a concerted effort to reach a wider Western audience by moving to a more seamless open-world design, reducing the learning curve of the series’ intricate systems, fully supporting online play with global servers, and releasing simultaneously across all regions.

A massive expansion, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, was released the following year. Similar to the Ultimate versions of past games, Iceborne added new monsters and mechanics to the base game, as well as an all-new story that rivals the size of the campaign in World.

Monster Hunter Rise (2021)

Monster Hunter Rise is the series’ second best-performing game, ranking only behind World in terms of sales and Metascore. As the subtitle ‘World’ denotes the previous game’s more global approach, ‘Rise’ indicates a greater focus on verticality, a design decision supported by the introduction of the Wirebug, a new mechanic that enabled wall-climbing and overall more fluid traversal.

Rise builds off of the previous Switch entry, Generations Ultimate, as much as it does World, given World and Rise were, for a time, being developed in tandem. As stated in our review, “much of the streamlining World did has been carried forward” in Rise, while “other things like separate Village and Hub questlines for single- and multiplayer and the ability to tweak a weapon’s playstyle a bit return from older Monster Hunter games.”

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak was released the following year. The expansion includes a new storyline, monsters, and locations.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (2021)

Capcom followed Rise with Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, a sequel to the 2016 RPG. Co-developed by Marvelous Inc. (Story of Seasons), Wings of Ruin leans into tried-and-true JRPG systems like turn-based combat, character customization, and an emphasis on story. Stories 2 again lets you fight alongside monsters (aka Monsties) instead of strictly hunting them, creating a party system that should be familiar to anyone who’s played a Pokemon RPG.

Monster Hunter Wilds (2025)

Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest game in the series, released on February 28 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Wilds is a mainline Monster Hunter game that builds on the design principles of World and Rise. It boasts “dynamic, ever-changing environments” and the series’ “most evolved action and improved immersion,” according to Capcom.

As noted in IGN's review, "Monster Hunter Wilds continues to smooth off the traditionally rough edges of the series in smart ways, reducing as much friction as possible that could get in the way of you grabbing any of its exceptionally fun weapons and planting them firmly in a monster’s hide."

Upcoming Monster Hunter Games

The newest addition to the franchise is the aforementioned Monster Hunter Wilds. In terms of future releases, Capcom is also working alongside TiMi Studio Group (Call of Duty Mobile, Pokemon Unite) on Monster Hunter Outlanders, a free-to-play mobile game with multiplayer hunters and “a massive open world.” No release window has been announced.

At the most recent Nintendo Direct, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection was announced as an upcoming game for the Nintendo Switch 2 as well as Xbox, PC, and PS5. The game, releasing in 2026, will follow the heir to Azuria and the princess of Vermeil as they work together to stop a "crystal encroachment" from destroying their nations.

Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.

The Hostel franchise is getting a revival in the form of a new TV series, so get ready to be scared of backpacking again.

A new Hostel TV series is officially in development at Peacock, according to Variety. There was a previous incarnation of this show that was reportedly in development last summer, but there was no studio or streamer attached at the time. Paul Giamatti is set to star, with creator Eli Roth returning to write, direct, and produce the show.

As for the exact plot details, they’re being kept hush. That said, the original Hostel film follows normal tourists who are abducted by the Elite Hunting Club, a covert group based in Eastern Europe. The group functions as a vehicle for rich benefactors to pay to torture and murder the abducted tourists.

Netflix is reportedly going all-in on the KPop Demon Hunters universe with plans for a live-action remake, stage musical, sequels, and more.

Details on how the streaming giant plans to expand its bubbly animated world come from The Wrap, which says fans can expect so much more from the hit-making Huntr/x trio in the future. Although nothing is set in stone for now, it appears Netflix is already referring to KPop Demon Hunters as its very own “Frozen” or Disney Princess-level franchise.

A live-action remake is par for the course for the streaming giant, which has already explored similar projects for animated classics like Avatar: The Last Airbender, One Piece, and Cowboy Bebop. A stage musical adaptation, however, isn’t quite as common and could see the fictional KPop group’s choreography bring hits like Golden, What It Sounds Like, and Takedown to the real-world stage.

These are just a few of the avenues Netflix is reportedly exploring, with other potential projects being two animated sequels to round out what would become a KPop Demon Hunters trilogy. The Wrap’s sources also say the streamer is interested in a series spinoff, as well as a short film that could serve as “bridge content” while viewers wait for some of the more ambitious projects. Anyway you cut it, Netflix is far from done with KPop Demon Hunters.

The animated musical fantasy KPop infusion premiered on Netflix in June and danced its way into mainstream conversation in just days. Aside from the critical praise it received (we gave it an 8/10), fans latched onto the Sony Pictures Animation movie’s musical and fantasy elements with memes, cosplay, fancams, and more online. Huntr/x’s Rumi, Mira, and Zoey have since been propelled to the top of Netflix streaming charts, securing their place as animated KPop stars in what has become the company’s most popular animated film of all time.

Zoey is both adorable and funny here
This got me laughing #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS pic.twitter.com/9R7OcdwPtP

— _AgentRose_ (@_AgentRose_) June 20, 2025

Warning! Spoilers for KPop Demon Hunters follow.

A live-action KPop Demon hunters movie will have quite the mountain to climb if it hopes to mimic the lightning-fast style fans love the original for, but all of Netflix’s other potential follow-up projects will face their own challenges, too.

The original film puts a bow on its story after the rival Saja Boys meet their demise and Huntr/x reclaims its spot in the limelight. With more time for couch and with Rumi’s demonic secret revealed, there are a few loose ends for a KPop Demon Hunters series or sequels to tie up. However, the film’s closing moments do show that the trio’s derpy tiger and the hat-wearing magpie are keeping close, and of course, there’s always the chance another demon uprising could occur.

How Netflix plans to put on an encore for Huntr/x and the KPop Demon Hunters remains to be seen. While we wait for official word from the company, you can read our breakdown for all of Netflix's prices and plans. You can also check out our list of the top 10 animated aciton movies of all time.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

You'd think it would be enough for filmmaker James Wan to have two hugely successful horror franchises under his belt with Saw and Insidious (both co-created with writing partner Leigh Whannell). But then he also went and created The Conjuring, which, since its debut in 2013, has produced nine films in total, grossing over $2 billion at the box office.

Starting as a 1970s ghost series, based on the real life investigations of married paranormal snoops Lorraine and Ed Warren, The Conjuring Universe has sprawled into a franchise that not only keeps track of the Warrens' demon-busting adventures, but also delves further into the haunted backstories of these cases with prequel installments set decades before the Warrens show up. As we gear up for the fourth and final Conjuring movie, you might want to revisit the full timeline of The Conjuring-verse.

So are you looking to watch these Conjuring films as they were released - or do you want to absorb all the spookiness via chronological binge, kicking things off in 1950s Romania with The Nun? Whatever the case, you'll find both lists below.

Jump to:

• How to watch in chronological order
• How to watch by release order

How Many The Conjuring Movies Are There?

There are 9 total movies set within The Conjuring universe — three Conjuring movies, three Annabelle movies, The Nun and The Nun 2, and The Curse of La Llorona. A fourth Conjuring movie has been confirmed, while a TV series is in development for Max.

The Conjuring Movies in Chronological Order

1. The Nun (2018)

Prequel frightfest The Nun takes place in 1952 Romania, and stars Demián Bichir and Taissa Farmiga (sister of franchise star Vera Farmiga) as a Roman Catholic priest and a nun uncovering an unholy secret involving Bonnie Aaron's evil Nun from The Conjuring 2.

Read our review of The Nun.

2. Annabelle: Creation (2017)

Taking place after The Nun, in 1955 California, Annabelle Creation was the fourth installment in the Conjuring Universe, but the second chronologically, depicting the origin of franchise breakout star -- Annabelle, the creep haunted dolll. It's the story of a story of a doll-maker who opens his home to six orphans and a nun, only to have an ancient evil released in his own house.

Read our review of Annabelle: Creation.

3. The Nun 2 (2023)

Although The Nun 2 takes place after the events of The Nun, it's actually the third movie in the timeline. The events of The Nun 2 take place in 1956, taking place four years after Sister Irene's first encounter with Valak and one year after the events of Annabelle: Creation.

Read our review of The Nun 2.

4. Annabelle (2014)

The second film made in the Conjuring Universe, even before The Conjuring 2, was prequel Annabelle, taking place in 1967 in Southern California, 12 years after the official origin of the doll. Annabelle tells the story of a young doctor and his wife who bring the doll into their home (to reside amongst other scary-looking dolls) only to have it make their life a living hell.

Read our review of Annabelle.

5. The Conjuring (2013)

The movie that started it all, The Conjuring, starred Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as real-life paranormal investigators/ghost hunters Lorraine and Ed Warren (whose exploits reportedly inspired The Amityville Horror), as they aid the besieged Perron family in 1971, on Rhode Island. Series creator James Wan directed this first outing, marking the third official blockbuster horror franchise he'd created.

Read our review of The Conjuring.

6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

Next up is Annabelle Comes Home. Taking place only one year later in the story, in 1972, the Warrens' young daughter, Judy (McKenna Grace), must contend with Annabelle and other demons who escape the Warrens’ artifact room while the couple is away. Conjuring Universe (and It: Chapter One and Two) writer Gary Dauberman makes his directorial debut here.

Read our review of Annabelle Comes Home.

7. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

Based on the Latin American folklore of La Llorona, this Conjuring Universe spinoff follows a mother in 1973 Los Angeles who must save her children from a malevolent spirit trying to steal them. Starring Linda Cardellini and Raymond Cruz, The Curse of La Llorona is the most detached and removed tale from the franchise's ongoing story, only featuring Tony Amendola's Father Perez from Annabelle as a connecting character.

Read our review of The Curse of La Llorona.

8. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Based on the events of the Enfield Poltergeist in England, The Conjuring 2 brings back Lorraine and Ed Warren, now notrious from the Amityville case, as they help a family being haunted by a malevolent spirit in 1977. Whereas the first Conjuring movie brought about the Annabelle films, this one originally introduced The Nun, who would go on to receive her own prequel. James Wan also returned to direct.

Read our review of The Conjuring 2.

9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

The actual eighth film made in the franchise is also the eighth film you should watch if you're doing a chronological binge. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It brings us into the '80s with a ghoulish tale based on the real life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed "demonic possession" after murdering his landlord. Lorraine and Ed Warren are drawn into the case after they'd apparently exorcised a demon out of a young boy's body... accidentally causing it to flee into Arne.

Read our review of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.

How to Watch The Conjuring Movies by Release Date

If you're looking to watch all the movies in theatrical release order, the correct list is below:

• The Conjuring (2013)
• Annabelle (2014)
• The Conjuring 2 (2016)
• Annabelle: Creation (2017)
• The Nun (2018)
• The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
• Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
• The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
• The Nun 2 (2023)

How to Watch The Annabelle Movies in Order

Within The Conjuring Universe exists two separate film trilogies: The Conjuring and Annabelle. The narrative chronology of the Annabelle movies differs from their theatrical release order, so we've created this quick viewing guide to help you out.

Chronologically

• Annabelle: Creation (1955)
• Annabelle (1967)
• Annabelle: Comes Home (1972)

By Release Date

• Annabelle (2014)
• Annabelle: Creation (2017)
• Annabelle: Comes Home (2019)

Future of The Conjuring Movies

For those wondering what's next for The Conjuring films, have no fear, The Conjuring: Last Rites officially has a release date: September 5, 2025. This announcement also confirms previous reports that the fourth Conjuring movie will be the last. Franchise veteran Michael Chaves returns as director for the finale, and IGN recently got the chance to speak with him about the end (and future) of The Conjuring franchise.

In 2023, a TV series set in The Conjuring universe was also greenlit for the streaming service Max, though little has been revealed about who will be involved or how the series will fit into the franchise's timeline.

Matt Fowler is a freelance entertainment writer/critic, covering TV news, reviews, interviews and features on IGN for 13+ years.

Warning: this article contains full spoilers for Rick and Morty Season 8!

When Rick and Morty Season 8 first premiered, Adult Swim made episodes 1-3 and 5 available for critics. As it happens, they probably couldn’t have picked a worse selection of episodes to represent the latest season of the animated sci-fi comedy. As reviewer Samantha Nelson wrote at the time, “Unfortunately, the four episodes of season 8 that I’ve seen lean on the classic Rick and Morty formula, which is getting a bit tired.” But season 8 definitely gets better as it goes along. Yes, some episodes suggest the series is growing stale and long in the tooth. But others prove it can be just as clever, insightful, and emotionally resonant as those classic early seasons.

Let’s take a deep dive into Rick and Morty Season 8, breaking it down episode by episode.

Episode 1 - “Summer of All Fears”

Oddly, while Rick and Morty’s premiere episodes are often among the best in any given season (“The Rickshank Rickdemption” and “Mort Dinner Rick Andre” being two notable examples), that’s not the case with season 8’s “Summer of All Fears.” Part of the problem is that it feels too conceptually similar to the season 7 finale, “Fear No Mort.” Both episodes deal with Morty (and in this case, Summer) being trapped in a false reality and struggling to return home. Here, more than anywhere else this season, the series struggles to escape the shadow cast by other, better episodes.

It doesn’t help that “Summer of All Fears” captures Rick at his worst as a character. He’s petty and needlessly cruel, all for the sake of a pilfered phone charger. Recent seasons have shown Rick at least putting in the effort to become a slightly better and more emotionally well-adjusted person, but episodes like this suggest he’s made absolutely zero progress.

Episode 2 - “Valkyrick”

The season’s sophomore episode, “Valkyrick,” at least shifts in a more novel direction by focusing on the relationship between Rick and Space Beth. Space Beth feels like an especially underutilized character, despite her recurring role on the show, so it’s always nice to get a deeper view into her intergalactic misadventures. Ultimately, though, “Valkyrick” is a pretty straightforward, action-oriented installment that doesn’t do much to actually mine the dynamic between Rick and his possibly cloned daughter. That would come later in the season.

Episode 3 - “The Rick, The Mort & The Ugly”

“The Rick, The Mort & The Ugly” arrives as a spiritual sequel to “The Ricklantis Mixup,” exploring the ongoing fallout of the destruction of the Citadel of Ricks. Homesteader Rick makes for a decent enough protagonist, and Boss Hogg Rick is certainly an entertaining villain. But, here again, the series feels as though it’s simply rehashing older, better concepts rather than actually blazing new territory. There’s minimal emotional weight to this silly little side story.

Episode 4 - “The Last Temptation of Jerry”

Everyone loves a good Jerry episode, and Season 8 picks up a bit with the advent of “The Last Temptation of Jerry.” What starts as Jerry being ostracized by the family for his love of Easter quickly devolves into an amusing Prometheus parody involving Christian space knights waging a holy war against pagan space gods. It’s all very weird and pretty entertaining, if a little overly reliant on if a little overly reliant on Rick and Morty’s tendency to delight in Jerry’s misery. Fortunately, an even better Jerry episode is just around the corner.

Episode 5 - "Cryo Mort a Rickver"

Season 8 reaches its nadir with "Cryo Mort a Rickver," where Rick and Morty attempt to rob a cryosleep ship and wind up waking up the inhabitants. While it’s mildly amusing to see Rick impersonate the spoiled child of an overly indulgent rich couple, this episode is a mostly dull affair that lacks the high-concept hook the series so often delivers. It’s fortunate that Adult Swim didn’t follow the traditional release schedule with season 8 by airing it in two discrete blocks. If this were the last taste fans were given of Rick and Morty for a few months, it would leave a very sour taste in the mouth.

Episode 6 - "The Curicksous Case of Bethjamin Button"

Fortunately, season 8 aired in one long, fell swoop, and things start to pick up in the back half. "The Curicksous Case of Bethjamin Button" shifts focus to both versions of Beth, as the two find a way to literally reclaim their childhood. It’s always fun seeing the series explore their weird sisterly relationship (outside of the weird clone-cest afoot in “Bethic Twinstinct”), and even more so here as we get a sense of just how unruly Beth was growing up without Rick in her life. This episode also makes hilarious use of Gene in his ongoing role as the hapless, well-meaning guy next door. The theme park subplot doesn’t quite measure up, unfortunately. While it has its amusing moments, that storyline is eventually reduced to the same, tired Westworld parody we’ve seen countless times before.

Episode 7 - “Ricker Than Fiction”

Next up is the very odd, but not unfunny, “Ricker Than Fiction.” This episode is probably most notable for featuring Superman director James Gunn in a major guest role, and even bringing in Gunn’s DC predecessor Zack Snyder for a cameo. Frankly, the big Gunn/Snyder scene is a huge letdown, relying on tired, predictable jabs at Snyder’s approach to Superman filmmaking rather than anything weirder and more inspired. That whole scene would be more at home in an episode of Family Guy.

But outside of that missed comedic opportunity, “Ricker Than Fiction” is an entertaining swipe at the Hollywood superhero movie industrial complex. Gunn himself is a pretty amusing foil to Rick and Morty as the two run amok through his misguided screenplay to "Maximum Velocitree 10." And Jerry once again proves to be the MVP here. Who knew an Adderall-addicted Jerry could be so entertaining, or that Summer writing velociraptor porn could lead to such dire consequences?

Episode 8 - “Nomortland”

Jerry’s dominance continues in “Nomortland,” easily the strongest installment of season 8 up to that point. Here we meet Mooch, a vagabond version of Jerry who takes advantage of Rick’s interdimensional antics to ramble through the multiverse. Naturally, it’s not long before Mooch and our Jerry (or “Eagle Man”) find themselves stranded far from home. This episode really makes the most of the Jerry-heavy format, allowing voice actor Chris Parnell to stretch his muscles in fun ways. It also hits that delicate balance of celebrating the fact that Jerry is a perpetual sad-sack loser without dumping on him needlessly.

With the series clearly saving its more character-driven Rick and Morty storylines for key episodes (as we’ll soon see), it’s good that Jerry and the Beths are more and more frequently being thrust into the spotlight. They’re still comparatively blank canvases. This does highlight how little season 8 accomplishes with Summer, though. Outside of “Summer of All Fears,” she doesn’t get many standout scenes. And even that episode stops short of achieving any real, lasting growth for the character. Summer seems to be the most stagnant of the Smith family at this point, and hopefully, that’s something the series can address in season 9.

Episode 9 - “Morty Daddy”

Season 8’s penultimate episode, “Morty Daddy,” is an underwhelming return to bad habits. Was anyone really clamoring for Morty Jr. to make a return appearance? His romp through the garbage portal with his father doesn’t result in many memorable moments or funny gags. Rick and Summer’s antics with the pre-cogs makes for a slightly better B-storyline. But even here, it comes across as a short gag that’s stretched far too thin. Once again, the series can’t seem to find its footing with Summer.

Episode 10 - “Hot Rick”

Season 8 may not start especially strong, but it definitely finishes on a high note with “Hot Rick.” Let’s just say you can probably expect the finale to make an appearance on our Top 20 Rick and Morty Episodes list when that’s updated next.

"Hot Rick" is an intriguing case study of what happens when Rick and Morty abandons its typical standalone, procedural format and really embraces the oddly labyrinthine continuity it’s established over the past decade. Here we have an adventure that builds very directly on loose ends left from episodes like "Rickternal Friendshine of the Spotless Mort" and “Unmortricken,” as Memory Rick escapes the confines of Phoenixperson Birdperson’s mind and makes a play for reuniting with the one memory fragment of Diane Smith that still exists within Rick C-137.

What follows is a truly mind-bending and emotionally haunting look at Rick’s relationship with his dead wife and his honest attempt at moving forward. The series maintains an appreciable level of nuance where Diane is concerned. It’s not so much that Rick himself is motivated by a desire to be reunited with Diane. We saw what that might look like back in “Fear No Mort,” but even then, it was only Morty’s perception of what his grandfather might do. Rick truly just wants to move forward and finally rebuild a life that was shattered by Rick Prime, but his destructive memories won’t allow it.

Some fans might be disappointed that the finale doesn’t further the Evil Morty storyline or introduce some new overarching villain for Rick to contend with. But does it really need to? What this episode does accomplish is finding new emotional layers in the complex onion that is Rick Sanchez, while also exploring how his actions and mistakes continue to poison his relationship with his family in unforeseen ways. It’s an episode as emotionally rich as anything we’ve seen from Rick and Morty to date, and it’s a great endcap to what is otherwise a fairly uneven season.

Hulu has been around for a while and, for our money, it's one of the absolute best streaming services available. From great movies like Anora and Predator: Killer of Killers to excellent television series like Shogun, The Handmaid's Tale, and The Bear (check out our glowing review of season four here), there is always something awesome to watch. We've also got the highly-anticipated Alien: Earth series on our radar, which premieres its first two episodes on August 12.

Below, we've detailed all of the best Hulu deals and bundles so you can get started on your streaming adventures with its library right away. This includes the Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max streaming bundle, which starts at just $16.99/month and is currently the best value available for the streaming services. To see even more streaming deals, make sure to check out our roundups of the best Disney Plus deals and the best HBO Max deals.

How to Get The Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max Streaming Bundle

The Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max streaming bundle can be purchased on any of the three streaming services and starts at $16.99/month for the ad-supported tier or $29.99/month for ad-free access across all three platforms. If you're looking to cut down on streaming costs and currently own all three of these, this is an excellent bundle to invest in. It'll save you quite a bit compared to what you'd pay for the three of them separately per month - 43% on the ad-supported plan and 42% on the ad-free plan.

Hulu deal for students — Get Hulu (With Ads) for just $1.99/month

If you're a student enrolled in a university (a US Title IV accredited college or university, per Hulu's website), you can sign up for Hulu (With Ads) for $1.99 a month. That's an excellent deal that saves you $8 on the usual monthly price.

Hulu subscription tiers

Hulu: Bundle to Best

If you want a more affordable option when it comes to a Hulu subscription, you can't go wrong with a bundle, and Hulu has several to choose from:

• Hulu + Live TV (With Ads) — Hulu + Live TV (With Ads) is $82.99/month and includes Disney+ and ESPN+. It also gives you access to more than 75 channels with live TV and unlimited DVR functionality. The Hulu + Live TV plan also has a three-day free trial to test out the service.
• Hulu + Live TV (Ad-Free) — The ad-free version of Hulu+Live TV is $95.99/month and comes with ad-free versions of Hulu and Disney Plus, although ESPN still shows ads.
• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic — This is the most economic bundle. It will set you back $10.99/month and comes with subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu. It lets you stream on multiple devices at once and comes with ad-supported versions of both Disney+ and Hulu.
• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic — This bundle adds ESPN+ (with ads) into the mix alongside ad-supported versions of Disney+ and Hulu, bumping up the price to $16.99/month. You can also download and watch select content on ESPN+ at this level.
• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium — This bundle is $26.99/month and comes with ESPN+ (with ads) and ad-free versions of Disney+ and Hulu. You can also download select content across all three streaming services.

What can you watch on Hulu?

There is a bonkers amount of shows and movies you can watch on Hulu. Let's start at the top and simply talk about the verticals on offer with the base subscription, because if we also talk about what is available via Disney+, ESPN+, or live TV, we'll be here forever. (You can also sync up Hulu with HBO Max to gain access to things like The Last of Us and House of the Dragon.)

Here's what you get:

• Network and Hulu Original television shows (AMC, Adult Swim, ABC, A&E, FX, etc.)
• Movies (HBO, Hulu Originals, anime films, etc.)
• Sports (NHL, Soccer, MLB, Auto Racing, NFL, College Football, PGA, Tennis, etc.)
• News (ABC News Live, Good Morning America, World News Tonight, 20/20, The View, etc.)

Hulu television

Hulu has some amazing shows, both those that are finished and many which are ongoing. For comedy, there are plenty of options to choose from, including New Girl, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, What We Do In The Shadows, Modern Family, Cougar Town, Broad City, Abbott Elementary, and so much more.

There are also some big Hulu originals to watch, including The Bear, The Old Man, The Handmaid's Tale, and Only Murders In The Building. With an FX partnership, Hulu is also home to those shows, including Shogun and the upcoming Alien: Earth series.

As far as animated fare, there are modern adult classics like Rick and Morty and Bob's Burgers, as well as Futurama, Family Guy, and King of the Hill. Anime staples like Cowboy Bebop are also available. And if you want to bring more youth-friendly fun, Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, Adventure Time, and Curious George are just a small sample of what Hulu has available.

The future of Hulu

Hulu isn't going anywhere. Beyond it being awarded the best streaming service by us, it also received a 9/10 in our updated Hulu review. Writer Rosie Knight said, "Hulu's ease of use, solid UI, and ever- expanding catalog has moved it ahead of top competitor Netflix to secure our highest score for a streaming service."

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.

Original story from Brian Barnett.

Lenovo just launched one of the best deals I've seen this year for a gaming PC under $1,400. As part of the Lenovo Back to School Sale, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 10 RTX 5070 gaming PC drops to just $1,376.99 after you apply coupon code "LENOVOLIVE10". Free delivery is included. This is the newest 2025 Lenovo Legion desktop model, which has undergone a radical facelift and, more importantly, updated with the latest and greatest components like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 series Blackwell graphics cards. The RTX 5070 graphics card is an excellent choice for gaming at up to 1440p.

Lenovo Legion RTX 5070 Gaming PC for $1,377

Amazon is turning up the heat this week with a massive sale on MacBooks, giving Apple enthusiasts plenty of reasons to upgrade if they’ve been holding out for a good bargain.

The deals cover a wide range of 2024 and 2025 MacBook models in various colours and sizes, with impressive discounts for even the most powerful new units with the latest chips.

For instance, there’s the 2025 MacBook Air line, powered by Apple’s latest M4 chip. The 13-inch model with 16GB of unified memory and 256GB SSD storage is now just $799, a solid 20% off the usual $999 price tag.

It’s rare to see this kind of Apple hardware dip below the $800 mark, making these particularly hot offers.

If you want more power under the hood, the same 13-inch Air with 24GB RAM and 512GB storage is going for $1199, saving you $200 compared to its standard retail price. The 15-inch version is also seeing price drops, with the base model available for $999 (down from $1199) and higher spec builds topping out at $1,399, trimmed from $1599.

If you want some extra processing power, however, the 2024 MacBook Pro range is also seeing meaningful reductions. The entry-level Pro is now listed from $1299, a healthy 19% saving, while premium builds with larger storage and RAM capacities hover around $2100 to $3100 with 10-15% discounts.

Many of these deals toward the bottom of the sale’s hub page include optional three-year AppleCare+ bundles at reduced rates, adding extra peace of mind for anyone worried about accidental drops or hardware mishaps. Shipping is free for Prime members, with many models arriving as early as next week.

Apple products don’t run official flash sales very often outside of dedicated sales events like Prime Day, so this Amazon sale will be the best way to grab a decent modern MacBook at a bargain price.

Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.

No matter which platform you prefer to play on, there's an excellent variety of video game deals to check out right now. Whether you're gaming on PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PC, we've rounded up the best offers available at the moment to help you get more for your money.

This includes a couple of Switch 2 games that are already discounted at Woot and a selection of PS5 accessories that are 15% off (with code EVO2025) at PlayStation Direct, but these just scratch the surface of what's available. Have a look through our favorite video game deals at the moment below.

Select Switch 2 Games Are Discounted at Woot

Save 15% on Select PS5 Controllers and Accessories

To celebrate Evo this year, PlayStation is offering shoppers 15% off a selection of its PS5 accessories at PlayStation Direct with the help of code 'EVO2025' at checkout. This offer applies to a variety of items, including the DualSense Edge controller and the PULSE Elite wireless headset. You can see just a few of our favorite accessory deals above, but to see the rest of the accessories available with this deal, check out PlayStation Direct's sale page here.

Best PC Game Deals

Last Chance: Humble Choice Games for July 2025

Best Physical Video Game Deals

Outside of the Switch 2 game deals listed above, if you're looking to save on physical games right now for PlayStation, Xbox, and the original Nintendo Switch there are plenty of deals worth checking out. We've included just a few of our favorites above, but if you'd like to see more game deals for each platform, check out our individual roundups for these consoles: the best PlayStation deals, the best Xbox deals, and the best Nintendo Switch deals.

Best Nintendo Switch 2 Accessory Deals

If you've already picked up a Nintendo Switch 2 and have been looking to grab some accessories, we're here to help. We've found some great Nintendo Switch 2 accessory deals that are worth picking up right now, from carrying cases to screen protectors and more. The selection above just scratches the surface of what's available, though. Check out our roundup of the best Nintendo Switch 2 deals to see more.

Best Xbox Accessory Deals

Outside of games, there are a few different Xbox accessory deals that are worth a look. Some of our favorite discounts right now can be found at Amazon and Woot, including on controllers, headsets, and extra storage. Have a look through our favorite deals we've come across above.

Best PS5 SSD Deals

Best Gaming PC Deals

Do you prefer to play on a dedicated PC tower? Navigating the options online can be quite the ordeal. Desk space, portability, and price point are often factors in the decision. However, there are some great PC deals that pop up every now and again that are worth jumping on. One of our favorite deals at the moment is on the Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 Gaming PC (16GB/1TB), which has dropped to $2,149.99. To see even more PC deals, check out our roundup of the best gaming PC deals.

Star Wars legend Harrison Ford has given a typically-terse response when asked whether Marvel had convinced the actor to return in a future MCU project.

"Nope," Ford told Variety.

Ford took on the role of U.S. president Thaddeus Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, which also saw the star transform into the angry Red Hulk. But despite Ford's big presence, the film drew decidedly mixed reviews, with criticism for its story, pacing, and visual effects.

Brave New World's finale left Ross' future open-ended, keeping the door ajar should Ford want to return. Judging by his latest response on the subject, however, fans probably shouldn't hold their breath for Red Hulk to pop up again in Avengers: Doomsday.

Or should they? After all, Ford has a habit of eventually returning to his past franchises further down the road. The actor returned as the iconic Han Solo for Star Wars' sequel trilogy, as Indiana Jones in the recent Dial of Destiny, and as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2049, after a gap of 35 years.

Sure, Ford may now be 83 years old. But in the same interview, the actor said he had no plans to ever retire. "No," he replied, when asked if he would ever call it a day. "That's one of the things I thought was attractive about the job of an actor, was that they need old people, too, to play old people's parts."

And then there's the question of whether Marvel even needs Ford back, should the character just be needed for a few quick shots in an upcoming Avengers battle sequence. As a CGI character, would Ford actually need to provide the performance capture, while he helps smack Dr. Doom in the chops?

For now, however, Marvel is yet to confirm any future for Red Hulk, and Ford was not one of the several dozen Marvel stars previously confirmed to return in Doomsday. Instead, Marvel's focus looks to be on its three already-established superhero teams, with the Thunderbolts/New Avengers, Sam Wilson's actual Avengers, and the Fantastic Four, as well as appearances from a selection of Fox Universe X-Men.

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