Sometimes I look at my games library and wonder if I’ve accidentally started a museum of not-gonna-replay-that masterpieces. But here I am again, staring at some irresistible price tags to expand the haul even further. The latest round of sales spans everything from haunting detective stories to chaotic co-op mayhem, and these are the highlights worth clicking "add to cart" on.
In retro news, I'm using a ninja grenade to light a 27-candle cake baked for Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, the rooftop-skulking stealthfest where patience was paramount. I was hooked on this from day one, squinting at my CRT through the darkness, convinced I was the deadliest shadow since Batman got moody.
At the turn of the millennium, Tenchu felt and played like nothing else. It asked us to not fight but rather drop from a pagoda beam, slice a throat, and vanish before angry samurai could respond. It warranted a double playthrough, too, thanks to dual protagonists (Rikimaru was super stoic, and Ayame was all sass). And the grappling hook, while ubiquitous now in our modern gaming, was an incredibly novel and useful tool in '98. Package all of that with a supremely funky soundtrack, and Tenchu was more or less a PS must-own that deserves to rise again.
On Nintendo, Hades II offers god-tier roguelike action that blends mythological drama with tight combat and impeccable music. Developer Supergiant somehow made dying feel rewarding. Meanwhile, Disco Elysium - The Final Cut remains one of the smartest RPGs ever written, its dialogue trees branching wider than your average moral compass.
Over on Xbox Series X, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden tells a love story that punches through the afterlife with emotional weight and supernatural flair. It’s from the creators of Life is Strange, so bring tissues. Then there’s Immortals of Aveum, which delivers spell-slinging combat that feels like a shooter wearing a mage’s robe.
Xbox One players get an absolute steal in Mafia: Def. Ed., which modernises a mobster classic with a noir touch that still drips atmosphere. Soulcalibur VI is also swinging hard, letting you duel with both swords and hilariously over-the-top character customisation.
On PS5, Rise of the Ronin offers a feudal Japan odyssey that borrows some of Team Ninja’s finest swordplay, while Resident Evil Village keeps me paranoid in all the best ways with its gothic horror vibes. The Tall Vampire Lady lives rent-free in my nightmares.
PS4 owners shouldn’t skip Batman: Arkham Col., which remains the gold standard for superhero brawling. Meanwhile, Spyro Reignited Trilogy still nails that retro glow-up, and hearing Tom Kenny back as Spyro hits pure nostalgia.
Finally, on PC, Hogwarts Legacy Del. is your golden ticket to spell-slinging escapism, with a meticulous open world that’s pure fan service. Control: Ult. Ed. remains a benchmark for surreal, physics-driven storytelling that somehow looks even better on high-end rigs.
LEGO-wise, Wicked Shiz University is a delightful little display piece that feels like a lost Hogwarts offshoot, while One Piece Going Merry Ship is a must for Straw Hat fans chasing a challenging and detailed build.
Adam Mathew is a passionate connoisseur, a lifelong game critic, and an Aussie deals wrangler who genuinely wants to hook you up with stuff that's worth playing (but also cheap). He plays practically everything, sometimes on YouTube.
RuneScape developer Jagex is considering removing one of the game's least popular, yet most pervasive, layers of microtransactions. But instead of just making the decision itself, it's letting its entire playerbase vote on whether or not to ditch them entirely.
Oh, and the vote is definitely rigged. But it's...rigged in the players' favor?
Currently, the modern version of RuneScape (also known as RuneScape 3) features a number of different types of microtransactions, including a major feature called Treasure Hunter. Very basically, Treasure Hunter allows players to obtain keys in various ways, which are used to open treasure chests and receive items of varying rarity. Though it is possible to obtain small numbers of keys without spending money, far more are obtainable for players who spend money on the game. Over time, this has led to players complaining that Treasure Hunter is essentially a pay-to-win mechanic, since players can obtain items that give them large amounts of experience points through Treasure Hunter, effectively encouraging players to spend more to level up characters quickly.
There have been other issues with Treasure Hunter over the years as well, as well as its predecessor microtransaction "Squeal of Fortune", but the ability to essentially pay to bypass gameplay is by far the most controversial. In fact, Jagex even experimented with removing the feature in part back in July, when it disabled microtransactions for a week. A follow-up survey run by the studio suggested that 65% of players felt positively or neutral about the change.
So today, Jagex sent out a press release stating that it was launching a community vote to "decide the future of RuneScape's microtransactions." The developer has launched a page on its website that allows players to vote to remove Treasure Hunter from the game entirely, simultaneously removing over 220 associated items, including the experience points boosting items that have caused issues in the past. Jagex says it will remove Treasure Hunter from the game if the poll receives over 100,000 votes.
“This vote is one of the most important moments in RuneScape’s history," said Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy in a statement. "Starting right now, players will cast the deciding vote on the future direction of the game. Since Squeal of Fortune was introduced in 2012, and subsequently Treasure Hunter in 2014, our approach to monetisation has, over time, eroded some of the integrity at the heart of RuneScape.
"The most concerning elements of our MTX systems have been those that allowed players to bypass core gameplay, skipping over the depth, challenge, and sense of discovery that make RuneScape truly special. While these systems have helped fund the game, they’ve done so at a cost to something far greater: the integrity of our worlds. This vote is about correcting that, and taking a step toward designing experiences that are fair, rewarding, and built to last.”
It's critical to point out though that Jagex's poll really isn't a poll at all. It's a button players can press if they want to vote in favor of removing Treasure Hunter. There's no option for players to vote "no", Jagex will simply implement the change if 100,000 people total vote in favor. And the page itself makes it pretty dang clear that Jagex wants players to vote for this. Using language such as suggesting those who vote "yes" want to "see an integrity-led RuneScape powered by your own accomplishments" and the presence of multiple green "Vote Yes Now" buttons all down the page are, uh, not exactly subtle. Nor is the fact that Jagex seems pretty ready to implement this, as if it already knows what the result would be.
But while a clearly-rigged non-poll sounds bad, it's also critical to note that players actually do seem to want this to happen. Over on the RuneScape subreddit, players are ecstatic. The top comment on the Jagex mod's official post announcing the vote simply says "Holy based", followed by "I can't believe I lived to see this", and many, many more comments along those lines. In fact, the positivity is overwhelming. While some players seem skeptical that they'll meet the 100,000 vote requirement, others are confident, even suggesting the OSRS (Old School RuneScape) players might support the poll as well, just on principle. It seems as though they needn't worry. At the time this piece was written, the poll had been up for just four hours, and had already reached 50,000 votes. For context, Jagex says on its website that there have been over 320,000,000 RuneScape accounts created over the years...though how many of those are active is a very different question (Old School RuneScape recently surpassed 240,000 players this past August).
Overall, this seems like a positive, long-needing, and welcome change for the RuneScape community. It's just a little weird that it's being framed as a poll, when the desired outcome for both players and developer is pretty obvious. There is a potential reading of this as simply a move for positive PR, specifically given that Jagex was acquired just last year, Bellamy was instated as a new CEO just this past March, and he's already had a bad round of headlines over canceling annual in-game Pride events.
Players have until November 12 to vote if they would like to remove the microtransactions, and can continue voting beyond the 100,000 needed numbers to express support for the change. Removing Treasure Hunter won't fully remove all microtransactions from the game, with cosmetics and bonus XP items with set caps to help curb exploits will remain.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
November’s snuck up again, bringing with it that magical mix of lazy evenings, snack runs, and endless streaming temptation. Between the festive flicks, fresh originals, and the shows everyone’s been nagging you to catch up on, I’ve found plenty to keep your eyes glued to the screen. So, consider this your all-in-one binge guide; a handpicked lineup of the best films and series streaming across Australia right now. Clear your weekend, claim the couch, and prepare to sink into some seriously satisfying escapism.
TV litter pick: The Death of Bunny Munro: A look at the life of a perpetually libidinous travelling salesman who uses his door-to-door beauty products to meet new partners.
Movie litter pick: Last Breath – 2 Nov : Just as wild and tense as you’d expect from a movie starring Woody Harrelson, Finn Cole, and Simu Liu as saturation divers determined to risk their lives after one of their own becomes marooned.
TV litter pick: Stranger Things 5: Vol. 1 – 27 Nov : Vol. 1 will begin in the aftermath of season four's apocalyptic events, with the rifts open in Hawkins, Vecna at large, and the town under military quarantine.
Movie litter pick: Frankenstein – 7 Nov : This del Toro take is a haunting reimagining of the classic tale about a brilliant but egotistical scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his tragic creation.
TV litter pick: Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films – 7 Nov : Get a first look at the upcoming “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, concept art, and interviews with cast and filmmakers.
Movie litter pick: Fantastic Four – 5 Nov: Set against the backdrop of a ’60s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family must defend Earth from a space god and his enigmatic herald.
What notable movies are coming to Disney+?
Joy to the World – 1 Nov
Fantastic Four – 5 Nov
Life-Size – 7 Nov
Love+War – 7 Nov
The Worst Trip Around the World – 7 Nov
Seventeen: Our Chapter – 7 Nov
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails – 14 Nov
A Very Jonas Christmas Movie – 14 Nov
Wrath: A Seven Deadly Sins Story – 21 Nov
Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember – 24 Nov
What notable series are coming to Disney+?
Ancient Aliens S21 – 5 Nov
Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation – 5 Nov
Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films – 7 Nov
Kiff S02 – 26 Nov
Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends S04 – 26 Nov
TV litter pick: Pluribus – 7 Nov : In this Vince Gilligan production we meet Carol Sturka, the most miserable person on Earth who must save the world from happiness.
Movie litter pick: The Family Plan 2 – 21 Nov : The Morgan family's Christmas vacation is interrupted by a mysterious ghost from Stan's past who wants to take over his father's business.
TV litter pick: The Mighty Nein – 19 Nov : A group of fugitives and outcasts must learn to work together after an arcane artifact capable of reshaping reality falls into the wrong hands.
Movie litter pick: Karate Kid: Legends – 3 Nov : After moving to New York City with his mother, kung fu prodigy Li Fong struggles to let go of the past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates.
What notable movies are coming to Prime Video?
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life – 1 Nov
Karate Kid: Legends – 3 Nov
Materialists – 10 Nov
Playdate – 12 Nov
Hurry Up Tomorrow – 15 Nov
Tinsel Town – 28 Nov
What notable series are coming to Prime Video?
Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy – 5 Nov
Maxton Hall: The World Between Us Season 2 – 7 Nov
TV litter pick: Robin Hood - Nov 2 : After the Norman invasion of England, Rob, a Saxon forester's son, and Marian, a Norman lord's daughter, fall in love and unite to fight for justice.
Movie litter pick: Bullet Train - Nov 9 : A hitman codenamed "Ladybug" has a simple smash-and-snatch objective become complicated when rival assassins come to ride the same rails.
After a few long sessions since yesterday’s surprise launch of Battlefield REDSEC, the free-to-play battle royale spin-off of Battlefield 6, it’s clearly coming after other grounded-ish military battle royales like PUBG and Call of Duty: Warzone. Hiding a fun mission structure within its streamlined familiarity — as well as an entire non-BR game mode — I’ve had the most fun when its map, called Fort Lyndon, is used to push the boundary beyond the requisite ever-shrinking storm. I still need some more time in the fray to nail down a final opinion, especially since most of the random squadmates I’ve matched up with in the main BR modes haven’t exactly been playing as a team. But for now, the squad-based, elimination-driven, free-for-all Gauntlet mode has impressed me more than the battle royale option itself.
With destructible environments, the ultimate buzzword (levelution), powerful vehicles that can alter the tide of battle or serve as fun chokepoints, and a baked-in squad system, Battlefield 6 seems like a perfect fit for a battle royale mode. But so far, REDSEC’s translation of Battlefield’s role-based structure feels like a shallow, if fun, take on the genre. Its hasn’t offered much yet to fully draw me away from Fortnite’s cartoonish chaos and electrifying events or separate itself from the likes of PUBG or Warzone beyond using Battlefield 6’s weapons and the Frostbite Engine. On the surface, REDSEC seems intent on reviving the rote 360-era conversation about shooters with a washed-out color palette because it seems so similar to its contemporaries.
Thankfully, REDSEC’s compelling mission structure takes a rewarding cleaver to the otherwise ho-hum military BR doldrums. They’re kind of like the missions and bounties you’d find in Fortnite, but with better rewards and more diverse challenges. Even with otherwise uncooperative squadmates, I found myself planting bombs and capturing waypoints to reap the benefits of well-communicated rewards. That seems to be REDSEC’s secret sauce: each in-game mission pops up like clockwork after a few minutes, only requiring a few button presses to get you to the next simple target.
Hinging on classic military FPS objectives like babysitting a planted bomb or picking up an important file so you can transmit its signal back to home base, these smaller sidequests add order to the otherwise chaotic pace of conquering the battlefield. Completing an objective will always come with some kind of supply drop. I really like how these drops are handled, offering a clearly communicated reward before accepting the mission, since some will alert nearby players to your presence.
In contrast, Gauntlet expands each of these extra objectives into full-fledged game modes, pitting a handful of four-player squads against each other to rack up the most points on each objective. The mode and objective will change throughout each of the four rounds, with the lowest-performing squads getting eliminated until only two remain. Rotating through different named locations within Fort Lyndon, each game mode uses a piece of the map and works more like a mish-mash between Fall Guys and a squad-based, free-for-all version of traditional Battlefield that’s easily been my favorite part of REDSEC for now.
Battlefield REDSEC’s slow-rolling storm just hasn’t done much to incentivize me toward a hard objective or new destination, but its mission structure usually got me (and any uncooperative squadmates) moving in the right direction towards otherwise flat attempts at the #1 spot so far. I’ll need more time to complete missions and snipe away at opponents across the map before delivering a final verdict, but for now, REDSEC at least has some unexpectedly interesting things going for it.
We've known from the start that Absolute Batman is a much more brutal and violent alternative to DC's more traditional takes on the Dark Knight. He pretty much has to be when he lives in a corrupted world where the deck is utterly stacked against him and his fellow heroes. But after reading Absolute Batman Annual #1, we're starting to wonder. Is there a limit to how far Absolute Batman will go? Does this Batman actually kill?
Read on for a breakdown of what happens in Absolute Batman Annual #1 and why this Batman takes things further than any other version, even the hyper-violent Batman of the Arkham games.
Warning: Beware of spoilers ahead for Absolute Batman #1!
While the main Absolute Batman series is currently exploring the feud between Batman and this universe's terrifying incarnation of Bane, the annual flashes back to an earlier period in the young hero's career. In this story by writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson (of Skybound Transformers fame), Batman wages a one-man war against a group of white supremacists who have targeted a homeless encampment.
Early on, Bruce is shown buying equipment for the coming battle. He asks the seller if the weapons are non-lethal, to which the seller refers to them as more "less lethal." That doesn't seem to faze Bruce at all, one sign that maybe he won't be too broken up if he leaves a few dead bodies in his wake.
Later, when the battle begins in earnest, Batman pulls absolutely no punches in combating the white supremacists. One ringleader finds his arm broken in a truly grotesque fashion. Another is hit with several Batarangs in his eyes, only for that to be swiftly followed up with a brutal knee to the face. As many fans have pointed out, Absolute Bats seems to borrow some moves from AEW star Kenny Omega's playbook, from the V Trigger to the One-Winged Angel (Johnson is famously very fond of professional wrestling).
Later, Batman goes even harder still, crashing his enormous Batmobile (basically a repurposed construction vehicle) into a building where the white supremacists flee and torching many with a flamethrower. At some point, it becomes hard to imagine some of these people don't die from the sheer ferocity of Batman's assault.
But is that the idea? Bruce's actions are contrasted by those of a pacifist priest who implores him to realize that violence isn't the answer. This stirs up memories of Bruce's dead father Thomas, who once praised his young son for his compassion. It's even revealed that Thomas and the priest once participated in the same protest against police brutality together. Haunted by those memories, Batman can do nothing but hang his head in shame. His mission is successful, but at what personal cost?
While this issue doesn't make it explicit, it could be inferred that Absolute Batman didn't start out with a firm no-killing rule. Perhaps that only came as a result of the lingering guilt Bruce feels over his actions in this issue. In Absolute Batman #1 (which takes place after the annual), Agent Alfred Pennyworth observes Batman using incredible discipline in his battles with the Black Mask Gang. He has no qualms about breaking bones and severing limbs, but he takes care not to leave anyone with mortal injuries. Again, it seems he wasn't always so discriminating.
Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo
What do you think? Was Absolute Batman a killer when he started out? Will he kill again in order to end the threat of Bane or Joker? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Lenovo has dropped the price on one of its best equipped gaming laptops to its lowest price ever. The Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 gaming laptop, featuring an OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, and RTX 5070 Ti GPU, is down to $1,757.49 after coupon code: "EXTRAFIVE". That's over $600 off in combined savings. The RTX 5070 Ti is a powerful mobile GPU that will easily run game you throw at it, even on the display's upgraded 1600p native resolution.
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Gen 10 RTX 5070 Ti Laptop for $1,757
This particular configuration is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Both the RAM and SSD are user-upgradeable. The Legion Pro boasts solid build quality and materials with an aluminum top lid and a sturdy plastic bottom chassis. The gorgeous 16" OLED display features a 2.5K 189ppi resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, HDR 1000 True Black certification, and 100% DCI-P3 color space. This new 2025 model has also been updated with the Wi-Fi 7 standard. Connectivity options include a Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1, a USB Type-C port with up to 100W of Power Delivery, an RJ45 ethernet port, and an HDMI 2.1 port.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is a top performing CPU
The HP Omen Max is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 24-core processor with a max turbo frequency of 5.4GHz. This is the second most powerful Intel mobile CPU currently available (the Ultra 9 285HX has a slightly higher clock speed) and goes toe to toe with AMD's flagship Ryzen 9 9955HX processor. The new AMD 9000 series X3D mobile GPUs are supposedly faster, but they are limited to the most expensive laptops ($4,000 and up).
The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti mobile GPU can handle the most demanding games
The RTX 5070 Ti mobile GPU is comparable in performance to the previous generation's RTX 4080 and pulls ahead of it in games that support DLSS 4. It should be able to handle even the newest and most demanding games like Ghost of Yotei, Battlefield 6, and Borderlands 4 on the native 2560x1600 resolution.
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.
Since HBO Max joined the streaming service wars, it has been a force to be reckoned with due to the extensive Warner Bros. media library. Home to culture-forming shows (Games of Thrones, The Last of Us, The Sopranos, etc.) and movie sagas (The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Mad Max, the DC Universe, the Dune Saga, etc.), HBO Max continues to be one of the best streaming services out there.
As streaming has evolved throughout the years, services have been changing in structure, content rights, and pricing. Despite the increase in competition, HBO Max does not currently offer a free trial. So if you're hoping to hop on really quick just to watch the new Superman movie without paying anything, you're out of luck.
Although HBO Max doesn't have an official free trial, you can still technically get it "free" through other means. Users who sign up for an annual DashPass membership through DoorDash will gain access to HBO Max (with ads) at no additional cost. This grants those users upwards of $240 in annual value for only $96/year.
HBO Max Bundles
If you already have Hulu or Disney+, you can also save on an HBO Max subscription with the newest streaming bundle. The Max/Hulu/Disney+ bundle starts at $19.99/month, saving you over $150 a year (over $300 for the ad-free plan) compared to paying for the three plans individually.
What HBO Max Alternatives Have Free Trials?
Luckily, if you are looking for a free streaming service trial, there are still multiple competitors that offer quality content and a chance to sample their streaming library for free. Check out these various alternatives below:
Connor Sheppard is an Oregon-grown culture writer for IGN with previous work on The Manual. Intrigued from a young age by pop culture and movies, he has developed into an experienced critic and consumer of all things media. From his time earning a bachelor's degree in digital communications at Oregon State University, he found a love for writing and appreciating specific actors and directors in the many films he watches.
The holiday season is almost here, meaning it's the perfect time to buy a gift for a friend, family member, or yourself. If you're a fan of video games, there is arguably no better gift than a brand-new console. The PS5 has firmly hovered around MSRP this year, but for a limited time, you can save $125 off select PlayStation 5 consoles with IGN Rewards!
Save $125 Off Select PlayStation 5 Consoles!
PlayStation 5 is home to numerous games from both PlayStation Studios and third-party developers. This year, the biggest releases for PS5 included Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Lost Soul Aside, and more. If you've yet to play this console generation's biggest games, there has never been a better time to hop in and see what the hype is about.
To claim this discount, you need to be a member of IGN Rewards. This is completely free — all you need to do is sign up for an IGN account to be eligible for this reward. Head over to the IGN Rewards page linked above, claim the reward, and you'll receive a coupon code that can be redeemed at PlayStation Direct for $125 off!
This reward is set to end on Friday, October 31, at 2:00 PM PT, so be sure to claim it before it's gone.
About IGN Rewards
IGN Rewards is a free platform that allows IGN readers to access free giveaways, discounts, and offers. You'll only need to create an IGN account to be eligible for the program. If you'd like to further your IGN Rewards experience, you can check out IGN Plus, where you can earn monthly games, ad-free browsing, and so much more.
Humble Choice is always a good deal for PC gamers who like a variety of game types. But the online storefront just launched a promo code that gets you October’s Humble Choice games for just $10, rather than the usual $14.99. All you have to do is enter promo code SPOOKY25 at checkout, and you’ll save $5. This month’s eight-game lineup is pretty great, with Atomic Hearts, V Rising, System Shock, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town, and more. Read on for the details.
Humble Choice - October 2025
Here’s the full list of PC games included in this months’ Humble Choice:
Atomic Heart
V Rising
System Shock
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town
Cryptmaster
Shogun Showdown
Hotel Renovator
Caravan SandWitch
One Month of IGN Plus
All of the games are delivered in the form of Steam codes. Most of the games are excellent as well. Our critics gave V Rising and System Shock a 9/10, while Atomic Hearts got an 8/10. From our Atomic Heart review: "This is a lengthy, tough, and terrific-looking shooter that has us bathing in the blood and gears of elaborately designed enemies both biological and robotic and dispatching them with an impressive set of combat options."
Humble Choice is a gaming subscription that gets you a new bundle of PC games each month. So if you don’t want to continue getting a new bundle each month, you’ll have to cancel your subscription, which is easy enough to do (I’ve done it myself). Anytime a bundle I want is on offer, I sign back up and then cancel after I’ve gotten my games, just to ward off future unwanted auto-payments as I have enough subscriptions in my life.
Members also get a few other benefits from a Humble Choice subscription. You save up to 20% off other games on Humble Store, depending on how long your subscription has been active (it starts at 10% off with one month). You also get access to more than 50 classic DRM-free games in the Humble app (the current lineup includes A Short Hike, Getting Over It, and more.
Finally, 5% of your membership fee is donated to a worthy cause each month. This month’s charitable organization is Whale and Dolphin Conservation.
While we’re on the subject of game deals at Humble, the PC game storefront is also running the Humble Halloween Mega Sale, with big savings on tons of games, including Alan Wake 2 for $14.99, Silent Hill 2 for $45.49, and many more.
Disclosure: Humble Bundle is owned by Ziff Davis, the parent company of IGN. Humble Bundle and IGN operate completely independently, and no special consideration is given to Humble Bundle announcements or promotions for coverage.
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.
Remedy Entertainment's CEO has resigned, leaving the new CEO of the developer of Control and Alan Wake to reassure investors after weak sales of FBC: Firebreak left the company significantly lowering its revenue expectations for the year and writing off the game's development costs.
In its quarterly earnings report issued today, Remedy revealed that it recognized a €14.9 million ($17.4 million) impairment charge representing most of the development costs as well as purchased publishing and distribution rights for FBC: Firebreak.
In total, Remedy's revenue decreased 32% year-over-year, to €12.2 million ($14.2 million). Remedy says this was largely driven by lower development fees coming in than last year at this time, during which it received revenue from Annapurna related to development work it did on Control 2. Remedy also revealed that it was revising its revenue expectations for the year: while previously Remedy expected revenue and operating profit to increase year-over-year and be positive, it now expects revenue to increase, but its operating profit to decrease and be negative. No exact numbers were shared.
Alongside this, CEO Tero Virtala has stepped down after nine years in the position. He is succeeded in the interim by board chairman Markus Mäki, who has stepped down from his chairman role and been replaced by Henri Österlund.
In comments by Mäki shared with investors, he stated that while Remedy would continue "working on features which enhance player value" and would keep true to its shared roadmap for Firebreak, the studio has moved development resources elsewhere going forward. Mäki also attempted to reassure investors that Firebreak was not a total loss:
"We have also found positive sides from FBC: Firebreak," he said. "Our first multiplayer product launch was technically successful in a cross-platform environment, and our publishing team has built capabilities which support the releases of our future self-published titles."
FBC: Firebreak was Remedy's first ever self-published game, and while the studio claims it technically succeeded, it also admitted last quarter that it "underperformed" on Steam and that the company was "unsatisfied" with its commercial reception. In today's earnings, Remedy stated that Breakpoint improved the game's sales only "marginally."
We gave FBC: Firebreak a 6/10, saying that it was a "compelling co-op shooter that, despite its good looks, doesn't have the depth to keep things interesting long-term."
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Walmart just dropped the price yet again on a powerful prebuilt gaming PC. The CyberPowerPC gaming PC, featuring a liquid cooled AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU and GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, is on sale for $1699 shipped. This prebuilt was originally priced at $2,300, but it went down to $1900 during October Prime Day and another $200 starting this week. This is the best price I've seen so far for a 9800X3D and 5070 Ti combo.
CyberPowerPC AMD 9800X3D RTX 5070 Ti PC for $1,699
The CyberPowerPC gaming PC (model number SLC7700WST) is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, 32GB of DDR5-6000MHz RAM, and a 2TB PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD. The system is cooled by a total of four 120mm airflow fans in addition to the three 120mm fans that are part of the 360mm liquid cooling system. It's all housed in a CyberPowerPC rebadged Lian-Li Prism 321V ATX midtower PC case with panoramic glass windows.
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Was Made for Gamers
According to Passmark, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the second fastest gaming CPU available right now trailing just behind the pricier 9900X3D. It features a max boost clock of 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache This is an absolute monster of a processor for gaming, especially at this price point. It's pretty much better than any Intel processor out right now in terms of gaming performance. It doesn't have as many cores as some other modern day CPUs, but keep in mind that most games can't utilize more than eight cores. Check out our AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review.
The RTX 5070 Ti GPU Has Excellent 4K Gaming Performance
The RTX 5070 Ti offers the best bang for your buck 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 DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation. It is fully capable of running any game in 4K at 60fps. It also has 16GB of VRAM like the RTX 5080, making it viable for AI work. Check out our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU review by Jacqueline Thomas for our hands-on impressions.
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.
EA just introduced its new, destructive take on battle royale with Battlefield REDSEC, and Battlefield 6 base game players are already slamming it with “Mostly Negative” Steam reviews.
PC users who head to Steam to check out the standalone Battlefield experience, which launched across PC and consoles for free yesterday, will be met with a flood of negative Steam reviews across the board. At the time of this piece’s publication, just 35% of REDSEC Steam user reviews were positive, with positive reviews in all languages fairing just slightly better at 39%. Both measurements result in a dark red, Mostly Negative label.
A wave of negativity for Battlefield’s latest crack at battle royale arrives as Battlefield 6 players continue to express their dissatisfaction with the premium experience. Calls for changes to the base game reached a boiling point with the launch of Season 1 yesterday, and now, criticism is spilling into REDSEC.
Although Battlefield 6 and REDSEC exist as separate multiplayer offerings, both EA and Battlefield Studios games share unlocks tied to many challenges, cosmetics, and battle pass unlocks. Where this has evolved into a problem is how one experience might affect another, with many Battlefield 6 players complaining of weekly challenges that require them to play battle royale.
“I wouldn't hate it so much if I wasn't forced to play it for challenges in the main game,” one negative Battlefield REDSEC Steam review says. “But I am. So I do.”
“This is not why I bought Battlefield 6,” they add.
"Oh, but you just can reroll the challenges!" another negative review says. "Yeah and 3 of them are sill for the BR because they are pushing it hard on people that would not touch it even once..."
Other PC players agree that challenges granting large amounts of Battlefield 6 battle pass XP shouldn’t be tied to another experience, but dissonance isn’t the only thing tanking REDSEC Steam reviews. Some base game players are using Valve’s digital storefront to air out grievances related to multiplayer map sizes.
Early Battlefield 6 adopters have called for larger multiplayer maps as far back as the August beta tests, with the October 10 launch only adding fuel to the fire, as launch locations failed to live up to expectations for the community. At least a few negative Steam reviews even praise REDSEC’s exclusive battle royale map, Fort Lyndon, with their frustrations mostly summed up with one question: Why does the free-to-play game get the map sizes that premium players are asking for?
“Oh wow a nice big map with lots of POIs and flanks,” another negative REDSEC review says. “If only we could get something like this for the main game.”
“It's trying to be too much all at once,” another Steam user review adds. “The map in this Battle Royale is so good it's criminal that it's not being used for Conquest right now.”
As Battlefield 6 players aim to leave their mark with REDSEC Steam reviews, there are plenty of comments actually related to the new standalone experience itself, too. Many are positive, applauding how BF Studios blends classic Battlefield mechanics with other popular battle royale experiences, like Call of Duty: Warzone. Launch also ushered in a spike in activity, with Steamdb recording a 24-hour peak of 549,766 Battlefield 6 players yesterday.
REDSEC, which encompasses Gauntlet and Portals modes in addition to its battle royale mode, is getting love in the Battlefield community, but there is still a general feeling that the experience is incomplete. Specifically, it’s the lack of a solo queue option and battle royale fatigue that many are calling out – both in negative and positive reviews.
“No solo Mode... When will they learn the overwhelming majority of players play solo?” one negative review asks. “It doesn't feel good to play with randoms against premade coordinated squads.”
“Fun update, the battle pass is not half bad,” a positive review adds. “Only problem with me is not having a solo battle royal mode.”
REDSEC is just 24 hours into its time in the public’s hands. Seasonal updates will continue to offer shared experiences between REDSEC and Battlefield 6. Season 1 launched yesterday, introducing the new Blackwell Fields map for multiplayer, with more mid-season maps and guns set to follow in November and December.
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).
Physicist Brian Cox has thanked YouTube for taking down accounts that used AI to create deepfakes of him saying “nonsense” about comet ATLAS 3i — but was left wondering what the long-term solution is.
Cox, Professor of Particle Physics at The University of Manchester and star of a number of high-profile science documentaries, took to X / Twitter earlier this week to complain about what he described as “AI shite of me popping up on YouTube.”
“The general rule is that if I appear to say something that you agree with and you are a UFO nobber, flat earth bell end or think comet ATLAS 3i is a spaceship, it’s fake,” he said in the tweet, now viewed 618,500 times.
A lot of this revolves around 3I/ATLAS, which was discovered on July 1, 2025. Since then, astronomers have been working towards understanding the comet because, unlike other comets, 3I/ATLAS doesn't orbit the Sun. It's an interstellar comet, and one of only three we've ever seen. That means it entered our Solar System from elsewhere in the Galaxy, and will eventually exit it, and when it does leave our Solar System it will be gone forever. 3I/ATLAS is thought to be at least 7 billion years old, making it likely twice as old as Earth, and the oldest comet we've ever seen.
Some people are saying 3I/ATLAS could be an alien mothership conducting a hidden maneuver around the sun, and now prominent scientists are discovering deepfakes showing them saying just that.
In response to calls for YouTube to take action, Cox tweeted: “We keep telling them and they are bloody slow.”
It now appears YouTube has taken action, although, according to Cox, limited to the more prominent accounts. In a tweet, he wondered how this will all play out.
“Thanks to @YouTube for taking down the more prominent AI accounts of me quickly - I’m not sure what the solution to this will be in the longer term. Doesn’t matter so much if it’s nonsense about a comet - but in other areas of science and certainly politics it’s clearly important. Interested to know what you think?”
In 2023, Tom Hanks warned fans that an AI version of his likeness was being used without his consent in an online advert for a dental plan. Last year, Morgan Freeman thanked fans who alerted him to AI-generated imitations of his voice online after a series of videos created by someone posing as his niece went viral.
And in May this year, Jamie Lee Curtis was forced to appeal to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in an Instagram post because she couldn’t get the company to pull an AI-generated ad that featured her likeness for “some bullshit that I didn’t authorize, agree to or endorse.”
As for ATLAS 3i, Cox insisted it is, in fact, a comet, and not a spaceship.
“Just to be clear - given recent drivel on line - Comet 3I/Atlas is a comet, made of carbon dioxide and water ices and bits of other stuff,” he tweeted. “It is entirely natural in origin, its orbit is as expected and it will whizz around the sun and then disappear off into the galaxy again. If it ever encounters another inhabited solar system in the far future I hope the living things there are more sensible than us and enjoy it for what it is - a visitor from elsewhere in the galaxy - a pristine lump of rock and ices which formed around a distant, maybe long-dead star billions of years ago and many light years away, just passing through. Isn’t that wonderful enough?”
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Sony has confirmed the PlayStation Plus monthly games for November 2025, confirming a prior leak.
Dealabs' ever-reliable billbil-kun had reported that Stray would be the main title for the PlayStation Plus Essential selection for November 2025, and would be available from November 4, 2025 on PS5 and PS4 for Essential, Extra, and Premium subscribers. And so it has proved.
In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Sony confirmed Stray, EA Sports WRC 24, and Totally Accurate Battle Simulator as the three games for November. All three are available to PlayStation Plus members from Tuesday November 4 until Monday December 1.
Stray is French studio BlueTwelve’s third-person cat adventure game set in the neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. As a stray cat, you roam surroundings high and low, defending against unforeseen threats and solving the mysteries of this unwelcoming place inhabited by nothing but unassuming droids and dangerous creatures. Lost, alone and separated from family, you must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten cybercity and find the way home.
IGN’s Stray review returned an 8/10. We said: “Stray is a delightful cat-based platforming adventure in a cyberpunk world worth exploring.”
Codemasters' EA Sports WRC launched in 2023 and managed a 6/10 in IGN's review. We said: "EA Sports WRC feels like a great racing game trying to fight its way out of an unfinished one." TABS, meanwhile, is Landfall Games' physics based medieval battle simulator that lets you pit wacky waving armies against each other.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Max is officially back to being HBO Max. Even though the name has changed (returned?), the library is still full of great films and shows to watch. HBO Max is home to some incredibly high-quality watches, including House of the Dragon, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, and Sinners. You can tune in to Season 2 of Peacemaker and even catch up on James Gunn's Superman beforehand.
If you've been hoping to start up an account to dig into that library, we're here to help. While HBO Max recently increased the price of all of its monthly plans by around $1, we're keeping track of the best price for subscriptions, along with any deals as they appear. Let's get into what's available right now.
Our Top Pick: The Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Streaming Bundle
There are no active discounts available for HBO Max, so your best bet for savings (assuming you're already on the hook for more than one subscription) is by checking out some bundles.
Our favorite streaming bundle includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max. The deal can be purchased through any of the three streaming services and starts at $19.99/month for the ad-supported tier or $32.99/month for ad-free access across all three platforms. 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.
If you're a student, you can score the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan for just $5.49/month. That's 50% off the usual price, which is a very nice deal to take advantage of. In order to get the discount, you'll need to verify your student status with UNiDAYS, then you'll get a unique code that you can use to redeem the discounted plan.
Subscribe to HBO Max
If you're just looking to sign up for a HBO Max subscription, there are a few different options to choose from:
The Basic and Standard tiers allow up to two concurrent streams and offer Full HD resolution. The Standard tier allows users to download shows and movies to watch on the go, too.
HBO Max also has an additional Premium tier, which offers 4K UHD resolution and Dolby Atmos sound alongside four concurrent streams. The details are as follows:
$22.99/month, ad-free with four concurrent streams
$229.99/year, ad-free with four concurrent streams
There is currently no HBO Max free trial available, so you'll need to be a paying subscriber to access the service.
Otherwise, the service includes shows from brands like HGTV, Food Network, TLC, and the Magnolia Network. Of course, one of the big draws of HBO Max is HBO Originals like The Last of Us, Succession, Barry, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The White Lotus, House of the Dragon, and more. It also includes DC's slate of movies and shows like Superman and Peacemaker, as well as other popular Warner Bros. films like Mickey 17 and Sinners. Plus, HBO Max continues to house popular streaming series like Friends, Full House, and the Harry Potter movie collection.
Back when it was still called 'Max', we gave the streaming service an 8/10 in our review, stating that, "For all its problems and an app that still runs a little too heavy, the extensive selection of well-curated choices make Max a worthwhile investment for cinema and TV lovers."
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.
Avatar: The Last Airbender's crossover with Magic: The Gathering is fast approaching next month, and we've got an exclusive look at a handful of cards that make up a single scene set after the end of the TV show (as well as a couple cards from the bonus sheet of the main set).
Flip through the gallery below to see all eight cards, and read on to hear where they'll be available to both open and play:
Titled "Tea Time at the Jasmine Dragon," the six cards that make up this panomaric art scene are not technically part of the main set, instead available together in a standalone Scene Box and limited to use in Magic's Eternal formats like Commander. That's a big part of the reason why four of the cards are multicolored legendary creatures with abilities that are meant to be built around – though the somewhat novel twist of this particular scene is that most of them feature couples from the end of the show, making it a peaceful epiloque of sorts.
In addition to those six cards, we've also got a first look at two "Source Material" cards, which can be found in main set booster packs but are only legal in formats where they were already available. These cards use actual shots from the show as their art, tying classic Magic cards into relevant moments from the series, with their episode number listed at the bottom of the card itself.
This isn't the first time we've shown off the Avatar Magic set, as we revealed a hands-on first look at the Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box back in August. While something like the Scene Box we are revealing today is a solid way to jump into Magic if you are just an Avatar fan more interested in the collection aspect of the game, the Beginner Box is the ideal starting point if you and a friend want to learn how to play from scratch.
Card reveals for the set are in full swing through next week, with prerelease events kicking off at local stores on November 14. It then launches digitally on MTG Arena November 18 before becoming available in paper on November 21.
Tom Marks is IGN's Executive Reviews Editor. He loves puzzles, platformers, puzzle-platformers, and lots more.
It looks like Amazon is starting to realise that sellers on the Pokémon TCG secondary market are beating them to the mega punch when it comes to sealed product pricing. I'm starting to see a trend in pricing either near, matching or below current market values, and I've gathered three highlights for today that you can buy right now.
White Flare Binder Collection
It's about time the White Flare Binder Collection dropped in price on Amazon, which has been touching $60 for a while now. It's now down to $50.23, which is around market price considering TCGplayer has it live for $48. Yeah it's a dollar a change more expensive, but it's worth it for next day prime delivery.
Incase you didn't fancy ripping sealed product to find ridiculous chase card from this set, here's where you can buy them right now for market value:
The Mega Gardevoir Elite Trainer Box from Mega Evolution is at market value right now compared to TCGPlayer. Amazon is up for $83.95 at the time of writing, which is pretty much spot on with TCGPlayers $82.27, plus you get Prime Shipping. Happy days.
Prices for Mega Evolution single chase cards has dropped recently too, which means you can save some money and just buy the cards you want instead of spending hundreds of Pokédollars on booster packs:
Black Bolt ETB is my number one deal for Pokémon TCG in general today. Amazon is undercutting TCGPlayer by over $2, making Amazons $84.95 the best price outside of preordering for MSRP online right now. May the Black White Rare gods forever be in your favor!
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
Play as a space merchant selling and trading your wares across the galaxy in Stellar Trader, a new 4X space-trading sci-fi sim in development for PC. You'll build space stations, negotiate prices, avoid pirates, work the black market, tilt the scales in wars with your economic prowess, and so much more.
Developer ParaVerseLab says you'll "shape economies, form alliances, and influence the systems that control trade, tech, and politics" in Stellar Trader, which doesn't have an announced release date as of yet. Watch the announcement trailer below for your first look at it.
You'll earn and customize new ships as you go, from clunkers all the way up to top-of-the-line megaships. You'll also get to build your own space stations, influencing supply chains and the development of worlds from your perch in orbit. Economically, in addition to negotiating with potential trade partners, ParaVerseLab says you'll "discover black market opportunities, exploit regional shortages, or stabilize entire systems through strategic logistics."
In Stellar Trader, you'll "discover black market opportunities, exploit regional shortages, or stabilize entire systems through strategic logistics."
You can ally with those whose interests best align with yours during conflicts, and also "meet unforgettable characters, explore ancient ruins, solve strange puzzles, and experience personal storylines that include romance, mystery, and moments of humor."
Wishlist Stellar Trader on Steam if you're interested.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) 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.
Key members of the original Halo development team have hit out at the Department of Homeland Security’s use of Microsoft's first-person shooter to promote ICE, with one saying: “it makes me sick.”
It followed Microsoft’s announcement of Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the campaign of 2001’s Halo: Combat Evolved, which is due out on Xbox Series X and S, PC, and PlayStation 5 at some point in 2026. It is the first Halo game ever to launch on a PlayStation console, and cements Microsoft’s position as a multiplatform video game developer.
The Trump administration then doubled down on the Halo AI images, with the Department of Homeland Security using Halo to recruit for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s website (ICE). In a post on social media, now viewed 26 million times, Homeland Security said “destroy the Flood” and “finishing this fight,” referencing Halo’s parasitic alien enemy and its long-running slogan. The use of the Flood here is a clear comparison to the immigrants ICE rounds up for deportation.
While Microsoft has so far remained silent on the issue (IGN has asked for comment), Marcus Lehto, who was the art director on Combat Evolved and thus heavily involved in the iconic look of Halo itself, slammed the ICE post in an interview with Game File. He called the ICE post “absolutely abhorrent,” adding: “It really makes me sick seeing Halo co-opted like this.”
Game File also spoke with Jaime Griesemer, another one of the key developers behind Halo and who was most involved with designing Halo’s famous ‘30 seconds of fun’ gameplay loop. He was less bothered by the Trump post, but took issue with the ICE post.
“Using Halo imagery in a call to ‘destroy’ people because of their immigration status goes way too far, and ought to offend every Halo fan, regardless of political orientation,” Griesemer said. “I personally find it despicable. The Flood are evil space zombie parasites and are not an allegory to any group of people.”
He continued: “I think Halo’s world is rich and wide and has layers that reward a deeper look, and it has had an outsized impact on culture, so it is easy to read into it and see elements of current or historical events.
“But it was NOT written as an allegory to any specific religion or political party or movement. The Prophets are not Popes, the Grunts are not Wahhabis, and the Flood are definitely not illegal immigrants. The Master Chief is not a Christ figure and Cortana is not the Virgin Mary, I guess?”
As for the Trump meme, the White House is claiming it is about Trump claiming credit for ending another war (in this case, the console war). White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai told reporter Alyssa Mercante in a statement: “Yet another war ended under President Trump's watch — only one leader is fully committed to giving power to the players, and that leader is Donald J. Trump. That’s why he’s hugely popular with the American people and American Gamers.”
Microsoft’s silence on the matter is in contrast to The Pokémon Company’s position. It formally responded to the use of Pokémon TV hero Ash Ketchum and the series' theme tune by the Department of Homeland Security as part of a video showing people being arrested and handcuffed by law enforcement agents.
"We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand," The Pokémon Company International said in a statement shared with IGN. "Our company was not involved in the creation or distribution of this content, and permission was not granted for the use of our intellectual property."
The question is, can Microsoft do anything about the Trump administration using Halo for promotion? Many fans had suggested The Pokémon Company should defend its intellectual property by launching legal action. But the corporation's former legal chief told IGN at the time that he "wouldn't touch this."
"I don't see them doing anything about this for a few reasons," McGowan, now principal at Extreme Grownup Services, told IGN. "First, think of how little you see [The Pokémon Company International]'s name in the press. They are INSANELY publicity-shy and prefer to let the brand be the brand.
"Second, many of their execs in the USA are on green cards," he continued. "Even if I was still at the company I wouldn't touch this, and I'm the most trigger-happy CLO [Chief Legal Officer] I've ever met. This will blow over in a couple of days and they'll be happy to let it."
The Trump administration has form when it comes to using AI images to promote the President. In May, Trump sparked a backlash from some Catholics after posting an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope. The picture, which was shared by official White House social media accounts, was released as Catholics mourned the death of Pope Francis and prepared to choose the next pontiff.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Chasing Victini and Zekrom Black White Rares? How about getting your hands on any Secret Illustration Rare or Illustration Rare? Chances are you'll find one in a Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box, and I'm not talsking about the included promo card. It has eight booster packs and other goodies such as 65-themed deck sleeves and dice. Plus, it's very rare Amazon does competitive pricing on Pokémon TCG.
STAR WARS The Black Series Gaming Greats Kyle Katarn
Kyle Katarn is literally a legend in the Star Wars community, one for being Luke Skywalkers right hand man during the Dark Forces and Jedi Knight games building up the New Jedi Academy on Yavin IV. And he's literally part of Legends continuity, which at this point makes for a far insteresting post-Return of the Jedi Star Wars romp. Also, this figure is cool so buy it. Rant over.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS Volume 1
Follow Rebecca and Pilar as they pursue their dreams of becoming an Edgerunner just like their Dad. This is going to be worth preorders thanks to Amazons preorder price guarantee and that it's written by the screenwriter of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunner anime, Bartosz Sztybor.
Pokemon Halloween Calendar 2025
Want some cute Halloween themed Pokémon figures for $9.99? Better hurry up, this is a fun little thing for everyone to look forward to opening on the leadup to Trick or Treating, even if you want to snag one and put it away for next year.
Meta Knight & Shadow Star amiibo
Kirby Air Riders is officially defying everyone's expectations with what's been revealed so far, and it's another lesson in why no one should underestimate Sakurai San. It's great to see new amiibo still up for preorder instead of being snatched up by scalpers.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 for Switch / Switch 2 / PC
8BitDo makes amazing controllers, end of. Riving first party options, this controller has every feature you can think of and for 10% off right now. I love the adjustable triggers and clicky buttons on this controller, and it even comes with a dock to keep it charged. How can you loose?
Creative Stage V2 2.1 Soundbar with Subwoofer
Creative have been making some of the best speakers for PC and gaming for decades at this point (and they still do Sound Blaster sound card, how awesome is that?). This setup is a bargain at a limited time deal of $69.99 and comes with all the connectivity options anyone will need, including Bluetooth 5.0 for you and your party guests to hook up too. Winner!
Shin Godzilla - Limited Edition Steelbook
Need more Godzilla and Steelbooks in your life? Good, because this is perfect for you. Featuring a boatload of extra features including cut scenes, outtakes, a making off and much more, this is the definitive edition of Shin Godzilla and great content value for money.
INIU Portable Charger
INIU power banks always do what they say on the tin, and I've never had an issue with their product lines. This one is perfect for a commute that doesn't require a big bulky power bank, with enough charging capacity and power to fast charge your Switch and mobile phone.
JVSCAM Cordless Electric Air Duster
I bought a similar model a couple of months ago and it's fantastic for cleaning out fans, PCs, keyboards and anything that requires precision cleaning. You will end up using all the tips of this and I can't recommend this desktop gadget enough.
2 Pack Hand Warmers
It's getting cold out, and those one-use hand warmers are OK if you fancy bringing a bag full for a day out. These bad boys are USB-rechargable and last for ages. This should be a winter coat pocket essential.
Paladone Nintendo NES Cartridge Retro Drink Coasters
This makes for a great gift this holiday, or just something run to buy for your dining table or coffee table. They're literal NES cdartridges modeled after fan-favorite games such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros. Series and other gems. Just buy them, they're awesome.
10Pcs Model Tools
Into your Bandai Gundam building kits? This is the perfect tool set for you, providing everything you need for clean builds. It would even be a great little set for any kind of model building such as Warhammer and DnD. Not the biggest saving, but it's a handy bit of kit for the right job.
There's some crazy hype behind Mega Evolution right now, and for good reason. Gold rare Mega Lucario and Mega Gardevoir exs are fetching around $400 at the time of writing, and the artwork on the Secret Illustration Rares and Illustration Rares is phenominal (Looking at you Mega Lucario ex SIR). All of these deals are at market value or below, and in some cases knocking big box retailers like Amazon out of the Poképark.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
During New York Comic Con, Hasbro announced a handful of new Star Wars action figures in The Black Series and Vintage Collection. All of them are now available for preorder, with release dates in March or April of next year. We have the full rundown on these figures below, so keep on reading.
Featured in this article
You can scroll the through catalog above to see all of the new Star Wars action figures up for preorder, or you can keep scrolling for write-ups on each one.
Darth Vader (Duel’s End) - Obi-Wan Kenobi (Black Series)
This battle-damaged Darth Vader 6” action figure depicts our boy as he’s getting his ass handed to him in the final confrontation with his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi in the series that bears the elder Jedi master’s name. It’s not my favorite Star Wars series, but that battle was by far the best part. And this figure looks phenomenal.
Purge Trooper & Patrol Trooper (Black Series)
From the excellent video game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor comes this pair of challenging enemies. These 6” action figures from the Black Series’ Gaming Greats line depict the white-armored Patrol trooper with an Electrobaton and shield, as well as a Purge Trooper with a blaster.
Boba Fett - The Book of Boba Fett (Black Series)
If you could use another Boba Fett action figure in your life (and who couldn’t, when it looks this good?) this one from The Book of Boba Fett is a great pickup. It’s a 6” figure of the iconic bounty hunter, and it comes with a host of accessories: a removable helmet, blaster, rifle, and jetpack with a removable rocket.
Padmé Amidala - Attack of The Clones (Vintage Collection)
This Vintage Collection action figure of Padmé Amidala is based on her appearance in Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. It’s a 3 3/4” figure that comes with long and short blaster accessories.
Shaak Ti - Attack of The Clones (Vintage Collection)
Also from Attack of the Clones comes this 3 3/4” Vintage Collection action figure of Shaak Ti, a Jedi master who fought at the Battle of Geonosis and supervised the training of clone cadets on Kamino. She comes with a blue-bladed Lightsaber accessory.
In other Star Wars: The Black Series news, a brand-new Dark Forces’ Kyle Katarn action figure is also available for preorder. It’s based on the hero of the 1995 first-person shooter video game Dark Forces and its numerous sequels, which make up the Star Wars Jedi Knight series.
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.
EA is taking steps to ease tensions in the Battlefield 6 community, as the new Season 1 update seems to have toned down the bright green highlights of one controversial infantry skin.
Along with a new map, new weapons, gameplay tweaks, and the announcement of battle royale with REDSEC, today’s Battlefield 6 Season 1 update brings darkened colors for the System Override cosmetic. The changes may go unnoticed for many of those who have played EA and Battlefield Studios’ latest since its October 10 launch, but for those campaigning against goofy skins online, it’s exactly what they wanted to see.
Although some have argued the outfit, which was made available as part of a collaboration with gaming tech company Razer, wasn’t actually updated with Battlefield 6 Season 1, global community manager Kevin Johnson (ganslinger43 on Discord) confirmed the adjustments in a response to a fan on Discord, citing “community feedback.”
“System Override skin has changed to a more realistic look and not the [Monster Energy drink] inspired garbage,” the same post adds. “We won!”
Although EA and BF Studios propped Battlefield 6 as a gritty return to form for the series in the months leading to its release, it’s skins that have controlled discussion amongst players online. Conversation began long before launch, as fans feared the possibility that a new Battlefield experience could take after popular shooters like Fortnite and Call of Duty by introducing goofy skins and other vibrant cosmetics. Outfits for Battlefield 6 vehicles and soldiers alike have, by and large, stuck to a realistic theme so far, so when System Override was revealed, many began to worry it could be the beginning of the end.
If it starts with one bright green skin or another pop-y blue skin, what’s to stop EA from rolling out progressively stranger skins? This is the question plaguing the minds of many online posters, with the end result being Battlefield 6 multiplayer matches populated with more colors than one would ever see in a real-world firefight.
Good news regarding the Season 01 update: The "Monster Energy" skin (official "System Override") got buffed to a more realistic look. It's nice to see that the developers have taken the community's criticism on board @tiggr_ 👍#Battlefield | #BF2042 | #Battlefield6 🔥 pic.twitter.com/edHP1H4fDs
It's been especially concerning for those who latched onto promises from BF Studios in the past. Fans have been particularly interested to see how comments shared by technical director Christian Buhl during an interview with IGN last month would play out in through the coming months.
"We are a gritty, grounded, realistic shooter," Buhl said at the time. "That's what we intend to be, and that's what the game is going to look like for a while."
There’s no telling what the future of holds, but today’s Season 1 update at least signals that EA and BF Studios are listening to feedback. It’s not quite enough to completely kill the complaints revolving around goofy skins in Battlefield 6, but the temperature around the community already seems to be coming down.
“I don’t mind that actually,” another added, “still looks like a goober airsoft kit a bit but at least it COULD very well just be seen as unique unit markers type of stuff rather than neon green silliness. Let’s hope they keep it up.”
"How am I supposed to enrage the kids who threatened to not revive anyone wearing it now?" another commenter jokes.
Battlefield 6 Season 1 – along with its battle royale mode – is finally here. In addition to the new multiplayer map, Blackwell Fields, the season will eventually bring more content, including the Eastwood map and additional weapons. For more while we wait for updates from EA and BF Studios, you can check out patch notes for Season 1. You can also check in on Engineer players, who have spent the last few weeks perfecting their drawing skills.
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).
With last year’s Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Square Enix managed to successfully tow the line between recreating that authentic, old-school RPG experience while still offering plenty of modern adjustments so it didn’t feel outdated. Now it’s rounding out the original Dragon Quest trilogy with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, and it’s every bit as impressive as its predecessor. Individually, both games in this package still stand on their own, and Square Enix has added exciting new content in a way that feels natural. Their combat systems and stories are a product of their time, with simple mechanics and very black and white motivations – but that’s part of the charm, as this approach oozes confidence in keeping things classic. And while I could have done without some returning difficulty spikes, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is the perfect send off to one of the best RPG trilogies of all time.
Like the Dragon Quest III Remake, I & II Remake uses Square Enix’s signature HD-2D graphical style that combines expressive 2D characters with gorgeous 3D environments, seen in other games like Live a Live, Octopath Traveler, and Triangle Strategy. It’s the perfect fit that keeps a feeling of authenticity to its retro visuals yet looks stunning in a modern setting. The various castles and dungeons have plenty of detail and lighting that makes exploration captivating, and the surrounding trees and bodies of water in the overworld invoke a sense of grand adventure.
Attack animations have also been greatly improved. My eyes opened wide the first time I saw my characters slice through enemies with a spell that conjured up a storm of beautifully crystalline icicles, or when I slammed another with Dragon Slash and the blood red aura of a drake shot upwards. It’s a visual spectacle that still feels nostalgic and never gets old.
Dragon Quest I sends you on a quest through the land of Alefgard to defeat the Dragonlord. Given it helped pioneer the genre 40 years ago, this is a straightforward story about good versus evil, so don’t go expecting plot twists left and right. I love a complex RPG story, but it was actually a nice change of pace to play one that didn’t ask me to sympathize with villains or deal with their emotional backstories. All I had to do was turn off my brain and defeat monsters.
New content is cleverly integrated to help pad out the short run time.
The original Dragon Quest I was quite short, clocking in at under 10 hours to complete, but there’s some new content here to help pad out the run time. It’s cleverly integrated, too, as it relates to the events that our heroes in Dragon Quest II will encounter. Additionally, it helps expand on important characters that didn’t have a time to shine in the original such as Rubiss, the creator goddess, which adds even more worldbuilding to Dragon Quest I’s lore. This only adds up to a few more hours of actual gameplay, but it’s refreshing to play an RPG that doesn’t take months to complete.
Your protagonist is a descendant of Edrick, the hero from Dragon Quest III – and while he is silent, there’s now a semblance of a personality to him thanks to the HD-2D art style. He’s gullible, falling for a simple “look over there!” trick in the very first dungeon. He’s also selfless, as he helps out the Faeries during a time of need – these ageless creatures serve as important storytellers as the years go by, passing down tales of this game to Dragon Quest II’s main cast, establishing another enticing connection between them. So although he doesn’t say any words, his actions speak loudly, and his character sprite helps convey his traits convincingly.
The nature of Dragon Quest I’s battle system also means you’ll be spending a lot of time with this lone hero. Combat is a simple affair where you and your enemies take turns making moves. It’s like old-school Pokemon without the Mega Evolutions, Z-Moves, or Gigantimaxing. You won’t see modern mechanics like Persona’s One-More turn system or Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s real-time parrying. It’s raw and unadulterated turn-based combat in its purest form, but that doesn’t make it any less engaging.
And unlike in Dragon Quest III where you have a whole party to command, you’re a one-man army in Dragon Quest I. This fundamentally changes how you approach each fight. Suddenly, non-damaging skills like Dodgy Dance, which increases evasion, or Wild Side, which lets you temporarily do the same move twice in a row, become some of the most important in your toolkit. More often than not, every single turn was quite literally the difference between life and death. If I avoided an attack, that gave me another chance to heal my HP instead of losing outright.
Playing solo forced me to consider all my options and be much more methodical.
With an entire party, you can get away with trying to steamroll through battles. One character can dish out all the damage while another could be put on strict healing duty. Here, however, I had to meticulously balance between offense and defense, adapting to every situation as the battle unfolds. Do I go for the extra hit by attacking, or play it safe and heal up? Playing solo forced me to consider all my options and be much more methodical. This made victory against Dragon Quest I’s difficult bosses even sweeter.
That difficulty also applies to Dragon Quest I’s normal fights. Since it has random encounters, sometimes you’re at the mercy of RNG. There were instances where I’d trigger a battle against some easier enemies, but some others I’d face off against multiple powerful dragons that could act twice per turn, potentially killing me before I even had the chance to move. Those fluctuating difficulty spikes can be frustrating.
This is mitigated a bit by its generous autosave system, which activates after every successful battle and lets you reload a file that’s not far off so you can retain most of your progress. There’s also the easy mode called Draky Quest returning from Dragon Quest III Remake, which offers an invincibility option. Despite its name, enemies can still hit quite hard in this mode, especially bosses. The invincibility can be toggled on and off this time as well, which is a nice adjustment since you can now lower the difficulty a bit without being forced to use the invincibility crutch that trivialized Dragon Quest III’s Draky Quest mode.
Setting sail once again
After revisiting the early but promising origin of the series, Dragon Quest II comes along as a much more story-driven and “traditional” RPG. It has a party-based approach to combat, similar to Dragon Quest III. The difference, however, is that the latter has blank slate party members while the former has characters with vibrant personalities. This alone makes Dragon Quest II my favorite entry in this remake trilogy.
The story follows four cousins who are all descendants of Dragon Quest I’s protagonist as they rise to save the world from darkness once again. The increased focus on storytelling results in a beefier adventure, taking about 25 hours to finish the main story. As a direct sequel to Dragon Quest I, it also reuses the same overworld map and locations, but the order you visit places is entirely different, preventing it from feeling like a retread. The ship you use to travel that world can even go underwater now, which adds a whole new layer of to exploration, new dungeons and post-game activities, and new story and side content that greatly extends the runtime.
DQ2's silent protagonist is balanced by your colorful party members.
Although the main protagonist, the Prince of Midenhall, is silent once again, that’s balanced by how colorful your other three party members are. The Prince of Cannock is your typical naive and bright young boy who sometimes can’t keep his mouth shut, leading to some humorous moments. His sister, the Princess of Cannock, is loyal and level-headed, yet sometimes a bit mischievous given that her brother initially didn't want her to join the party due to her age and lack of experience. Finally, the Princess of Moonbrooke is impulsive, but it’s warranted given Dragon Quest II’s story starts off with her kingdom being decimated by the main antagonist, Hargon. Initially guided by selfish vengeance, it’s compelling to watch her grow to learn that she should be fighting for a better world for everyone.
The Princess of Cannock’s role has been greatly expanded in this remake, becoming a full-fledged party member when she had much more limited involvement in the original. Her inclusion feels smooth and effortless, making her a natural fit for the party. I especially loved the sibling camaraderie between her and her brother as they always have each other’s backs.
As opposed to Dragon Quest III, where you could customize your party to fill whatever combat roles you wanted, Dragon Quest II’s characters have much more defined paths. The protagonist is a pure physical attacker, while the Princess of Moonbrooke specializes in magic. The Cannock siblings are both jack-of-all-trade characters, but there’s enough differentiation within their spells and abilities to make them feel distinct.
The Sigils your party has to travel around the world to collect can impact your combat strategy as well. Previously just useless items that sat in your bag in the original, they now provide passive benefits for the entire party. For example, the Moon Sigil adds a chance for offensive spells to do more damage and healing ones to recover more HP, while the Soul Sigil transforms certain attacks into more powerful versions if a character’s HP is below half. Should I heal a low character and forgo my chance at executing that more powerful attack, or should I risk death and go for broke to get that hit in, hoping to land the killing blow? The Sigils also appear in the Dragon Quest I remake, and these trade-offs are even more pronounced there since it’s a one-man show. They are an excellent way to introduce small but impactful changes to the classic turn-based combat without losing the spirit of the originals.
Like the other entries in this remake trilogy, Dragon Quest II is tough, but having four characters feels perfectly balanced to take on the challenging boss battles and enemy encounters awaiting you. One of the best quality-of-life features that both games have, along with Draky Mode, is the ability to speed-up battles, making animations play out faster. It drastically improves the pace, especially with four characters to individually command.
Helping the world, one step at a time
In Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, you can also toggle objective markers on or off. In the originals, it was quite easy to get lost since many times you wouldn’t know where to go next. Turning on objective markers makes for a more streamlined adventure where you don’t feel like you’re wasting your time as often. You can also toggle on markers for secret areas on the map, which can contain useful items like gold and weapons if you enter them, which makes them worth exploring. I really liked having these markers available, but it’s nice that you can turn them off, if you want to preserve that old NES-era approach to discovery.
In both games, you’re now also able to come across Mini Medals, which were introduced in later Dragon Quest entries. These can be found in barrels and rocks throughout the world, smartly incentivizing you to interact with the environment and explore every nook and cranny in dungeons. Turning in the medals to a specific NPC rewards you with incredibly powerful weapons and equipment to help you along your journey, and every single stat increase matters, as it can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
The Boys Season 5 is still without a release date, but showrunner Eric Kripke has teased it’s coming to Prime Video “reasonably” soon.
We know the fifth and final season will come out at some point in 2026, but based on Kripke’s comments we can perhaps speculate that it’ll arrive in the early part of next year, maybe during the first quarter.
In a post on Instagram, Kripke said he and his team were “hard at work” finishing The Boys Season 5, and posted a picture of some of the VFX team doing their thing.
“Editing is all done, we're roughly halfway finished with VFX, Music, Color,” he added. “I'm really happy with how it's going and can't wait for you to see. We go out with a bang. COMING (reasonably) SOON.”
The update comes hot on the heels of the Season 2 finale of spinoff Gen V, which leads into The Boys Season 5. Fans were left wondering how the incredibly powerful Marie from Gen V might fare in a showdown with The Boys supervillain Homelander. Kripke has said in the past, however, that fans shouldn’t expect Marie to appear in The Boys Season 5 as a Captain Marvel-style deus ex machina who kicks Homelander’s ass. That’s because Marie still hasn’t mastered her powers, or as Kripke has put it in a number of Gen V Season 2 finale spoiler interviews, she’s not Neo at the end of The Matrix.
For a much deeper dive on all this, check out IGN’s Gen V Season 2 Ending Explained: How It Sets Up the Final Season of The Boys article, but to summarize, Marie can control blood, which potentially makes her more powerful even than Homelander. Homelander, for the uninitiated, is a sort of evil Superman, a character so overpowered that few rivals dare question his word. But Marie Moreau, played by Jaz Sinclair, has the potential to kill him due to her ability to command and weaponize blood.
The big question, of course, is whether Homelander actually dies in The Boys Season 5. Kripke wouldn’t give that away, of course, but did tell THR that Billy Butcher is “front of that line.” But then there’s the likes of Stan Edgar, the aforementioned Marie, Annie, and Huey who would no doubt all like a piece.
Also in that interview, Kripke said Season 5 would see “this active and growing resistance led by Starlight that A-Train is an important part of. They’re really trying to take the fight back to Homelander and this sort of fascist government.”
“They’re trying to mount a real push, but they’re also outgunned, outmanned," he continued. "You’re in an entire country that has drunk Homelander’s Kool-Aid. They’re outmatched by the size of the hundreds of superheroes that are in every town across the country, who have been given authority over the police. So it really is a true underground resistance against a fascist government, which definitely has no comparison or parallel to anything going on anywhere in the world.”
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
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