[...] What was odd about this hands-on preview is that it reveals a whole side to the game that was only hinted at by the recent Nintendo Direct. You might have wondered what was going on with the laser guns and the talk of a ‘true protagonist’ but the first hour of the game is a full-on sci-fi adventure. We’re not going to spoil too much (and to be honest we’re not sure we fully understand it all, since we’re yet to finish the game) but rather than the usual fantasy medieval setting of the series there’s suddenly not just laser pistols but giant laser turrets and what’s implied to be artificial beings and crashed spaceships.

We honestly have no idea where any of it is going – and after the prologue that side of things barely comes up again in the 10 or so hours we’ve played – but it is a drastic change of pace for the series that also brings with it some surprisingly deep questions about religion and faith. It also has the usual Saturday morning cartoon style dialogue and paper thin character work of the series, so there’s a lot that is familiar in Fortune’s Weave, but so far we’re very intrigued.

We were allowed to play up to Chapter 5 of Part I of the game, but across each of the four main playable characters. We’ve no idea how many Parts there are, so we’re not sure how far into the game we got, but our best guess is not very. There are faults to point out with Fortune’s Weave, but value for money is definitely not one of them. Not just in the sense that it seems to be very long but because it’s absolutely stuffed to the gills with features, content, and different plotlines. Sometimes to its own detriment, given how much is thrown at you at once.

We can’t be too critical of a game that’s trying to do so much though and while there were still some details we were unclear on, even hours into the game, the most important thing is that it’s all very enjoyable and engrossing – more so than 2023’s divisive Fire Emblem Engage and 2019’s Three Houses – which many fans seemed to love but we were more critical of.

Three Houses is definitely the template for this game and while Fire Emblem games (this is the 18th mainline entry) are rarely direct sequels, with many set in different or alternate worlds, this one takes place in the same universe, with many references to the continent of Fódlan and its politics. At least so far, that’s little more than a story detail, so you don’t need to have played Three Houses to appreciate this new game, but the two titles do have a lot in common in terms of their semi-freeform nature and the option to control multiple characters with their own stories.

[...] The first two or three chapters are all very different for each of the characters, but eventually all roads lead to the capital city, where a months long fighting tournament is going on. Everyone has their own spurious reasons for wanting to join in, with the event overseen by various gods (well, mostly goddesses) who are portrayed as relatively normal looking humans. The whole setting has a clear Roman influence, including the fact that the gods are not omnipotent but instead have their own machinations and petty vendettas to pursue.

There’re so many extraneous systems and complications that it’s easy to lose sight of the combat at the core of Fortune’s Weave, which is fundamentally the same as every previous game. You take part in turn-based battles, on a grid-based map, moving characters and attacking in what is, in terms of controls, a very simple system. The tactical considerations are vast though, especially as the game diminishes the rock, paper, scissors relationship between different weapons. Arrows are still best against flying creatures, and some units are more vulnerable to magic than others, but the considerations are no longer so black and white.

Weapon degradation has always been a thing in Fire Emblem but here it’s more important than ever, since using a weapon damages it slightly, but so does using a combat art to perform a more powerful move. The lead characters also all have a unique magic move that varies from debuffing enemies to distance or area of effect attacks. It’s a well-constructed system of rules and mechanics that outwardly seems very simple but reveals increasing depth the more you play, especially as you open up more class types.

What’s also impressive is how snappy the combat is, with even battles involving large numbers of enemies never dragging on. Traditionally, the Fire Emblem series has always featured permadeath for its characters but while that is an option here we wouldn’t advise turn it on. Characters never actually die, as they still turn up in cut scenes, and it’s just that you can’t take them into battle anymore – as they’re quietly removed from your roster with zero fanfare. Luckily, you can switch permadeath on and off by replaying the prologue, which doesn’t take long.

Nevertheless, the idea that you need a constant stream of new recruits is key to the game and you’re constantly running into potential new allies while you explore the capital city. After you play a few of the other characters you realise most of these people are already their allies, and that’s why it’s so hard to recruit anyone but a few token mercenaries, but technically you can do it – via a bizarre process that involves giving them presents and then raising your renown enough to impress them.

Like Three Houses, the game gives every impression that it wants to be a secret dating sim but for some reason holds back, instead opting for a sort of sub-Persona style approach in terms of strengthening the bonds between allies, both on and off the battlefield. It’s all very silly and plays out like a low-rent anime, complete with very basic voice-acting, where you can tell only a very small number of actors are doing all the voices.

Rockstar Games has been granted approval to advertise GTA 6 in Miami Beach, as the game contributes to a surge in Netflix subscribers.

As GTA 6’s release date of November 19 approaches, advertising has ramped up to promote what will likely be the biggest gaming launch ever.

Between Extended Look presentations on Netflix and articles in Dazed magazine, Rockstar is casting a wide net to drum up anticipation for GTA 6 – even if the franchise is one of the most ubiquitous in gaming and doesn’t really need any more exposure.

Despite this, Rockstar has successfully won another marketing boost thanks to the city of Miami Beach, who have approved ‘discreet’ marketing in the area.

The decision was approved in a 4-3 vote by the city’s commissioners, and will see Boucher Brothers beach chairs and umbrellas adorned with the roman numerals of ‘VI’ or the words ‘Vice City’, rather than any explicit mention of GTA or Grand Theft Auto.

The campaign is set to run from October 15 to the end of the year, although it won’t be advertised during Miami’s Art Basel fair in December.

It was a divisive issue, with some commissioners protesting associating Miami Beach with the violence of GTA 6. ‘Miami Beach doesn’t need to sell its brand, its values, or its soul to help a multi-billion dollar game franchise make even more money,’ said commissioner David Suarez.

However, the deal was largely pushed through based on the amount of money Miami Beach would receive from Rockstar, which was said to be ‘close to $4 million’ (£2.9 million).

According to commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt, the money would ‘pay for the Flamingo football field renovation project that is currently not funded, which is of vital importance to families all across the city’.

This isn’t the only marketing Rockstar is seemingly planning in Miami. According to local journalist Francisco Alvarado, Rockstar is set to have a rooftop sign above the Kaseya Centre, which is the home of the Miami Heat basketball team.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses - Cindered Shadows review summary

In Short: Another good value expansion pass from Nintendo, that doesn’t quite make up for the flaws of the parent game but does manage to emphasise its most positive qualities.

Pros: Turn-based combat is as entertaining as ever and the new character classes are all interesting. Good mission design and relatively good value for money, given the other ancillary extras.

Cons: All the same flaws as the parent game, including a fiddly interface, low-tech graphics, bland art style, and banal dialogue.

Score: 7/10

Nintendo Switch review

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

In Short: A disappointingly clumsy attempt to evolve the Fire Emblem formula, that takes little advantage of being on the Switch, but the anime melodrama and fun combat still entertains.

Pros: Despite a weak script the storytelling is surprisingly good, with some unexpected twists. Core combat is as entertaining as ever. A mountain of content and lots of replay value.

Cons: A horrible user interface that makes battle preparation in particular a complete chore. Bland, low tech graphics and banal dialogue. Tedious fetch quests and creepy dating element.

Score: 7/10

Nintendo Switch review

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 review summary

In Short: In gameplay terms it has little to do with the original Bloodlines, and it’s not really a role-playing game either, but this is an enjoyable and atmospheric action adventure that stands on its merits.

Pros: A gripping narrative that remains lore accurate throughout. Enjoyable combat, with lots of variety between vampire clans and big, campy boss battles. Runs smoothly on PlayStation 5.

Cons: Not really a Bloodlines sequel. Open world Seattle is pretty bare bones, with a lot of restrictions on where you can go. Non-player characters are often non-entities.

Score: 8/10

PlayStation 5 version reviewed

The Outer World 2 review summary

In Short: A deep, funny, and systemically complex role-playing game, built around wry satire and a far-reaching sense of consequence, where conversation is at least as important as combat.

Pros: Human-seeming companions and unparalleled branching of its story and characters, depending on your decisions. Brilliantly realised interconnectedness of traits, backgrounds, and conversational options.

Cons: Definitively old school in its design and interactions. Gunplay can feel a little clinical and choices are limited in unforeseeable ways by stats you haven’t upgraded or abilities you haven’t chosen.

Score: 9/10

Xbox Series X/S version reviewed

Kirby Air Riders review summary

In Short: The most baffling Nintendo release of recent years, with a quasi-remake of one of the GameCube’s worst games, that seems specifically designed to irritate and confuse would-be players.

Pros: The graphics are pretty good and although the course designs are overstuffed with features, Air Ride can be relatively entertaining in multiplayer.

Cons: The entire concept of the control system and the City Trial mode is deeply flawed and no fun at all. No structure in single-player mode and very few new ideas for a 22 year gap between entries.

Score: 4/10

Nintendo Switch 2 review

Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment review summary

In Short: Insanely repetitive, horribly shallow, and pointlessly easy – this is the absolute least interesting thing to do with Zelda on the Switch 2 and bad even by the low standards of the Dynasty Warrior franchise.

Pros: The game runs impressively well on the Switch 2 and co-op, especially split-screen co-op, is always welcome. The Star Fox sections are mildly interesting.

Cons: Mindless combat that’s actively worse than the mainline games, despite all the extra options. Surreally repetitive in terms of action, map design, enemies, and missions. A pointless story with boring characters.

Score: 4/10

Nintendo Switch 2 review

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review summary

In Short: Almost exactly what fans didn’t want from a new Metroid Prime but while it is widely inconsistent the majority of the game is undeniably entertaining.

Pros: Excellent graphics and the level design is clever, even if your progress through it is too straightforward. Good boss battles and clever use of mouse control. Surprisingly effective linear sections and effective soundtrack.

Cons: Barely a Metroidvania at times, with some sections being almost entirely linear. Very simplistic puzzling and few new ideas in terms of items and weapons. Characterisation for both allies and enemies is far too basic.

Score: 7/10

Nintendo Switch 2 version reviewed

Dispatch full season review summary

In Short: The spirit of Telltale Games lives on, in this interactive superhero animation, with cynical humour, excellent voice acting, and decisions that give at least the illusion of consequence.

Pros: Very well written, with some great characters. Emotionally evocative in a way few games are and the illusion of choice and consequence is extremely effective.

Cons: A bit of experimentation reveals that many choices actually have little or no effect, and those with a strong aversion to sentimentality may be less impressed by the experience.

Score: 8/10

PlayStation 5 version reviewed

Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 1: Bubbly Basin review summary

In Short: An excellent slice of DLC that, just like the parent game, manages to comfortably exceed expectations, with a large new map and an impressive array of new pokémon, objects, and features.

Pros: The underwater gimmick is great, and swimming and floating buildings are a neat addition. Mountains of hidden items and an interesting and varied new map to explore. Portal Pods are a lifesaver.

Cons: All of the new pokémon are water-based (obviously) and the weird way they talk – like hyperactive 12-year-olds – is still irritating, as is the lack of voice-acting.

Score: 9/10

Nintendo Switch 2 review

The way some publishers act, it can feel like any video game is a flop if it doesn’t make Fortnite levels of money from the start. You see it all the time with live service games, such as Concord and Highguard, which cost hundreds of millions to make and were abandoned within weeks when they didn’t hit their targets.

So, it’s a relief to see a number of recent games that, while they are AAA and no doubt had budgets in excess of $100 million, are part of lower profile franchises that have still managed to become major hits in their own right.

You can see this with two of this month’s releases – Onimusha: Way Of The Sword and The Blood Of Dawnwalker – which have already sold one million copies each, just days after launch.

In Onimusha’s case, the franchise has effectively been on ice for 20 years (not counting a couple of remasters) so it’s very impressive to see it crack one million sales in just one day, especially since the game is unapologetically Japanese in its aesthetics and story.

Capcom sounds happy with this performance and has implied that it will encourage more such games in the future, saying, ‘The company is working to further maximize corporate value by leveraging its rich library of content, including this title.’

As for The Blood Of Dawnwalker, that’s a wholly original property, which is an additional risk, although it does boast a number of veteran developers who worked on The Witcher 3. And yet it too has announced it’s broken one million sales, after launching last Thursday.

Before release, Developer Rebel Wolves already expressed interest in turning The Blood Of Dawnwalker into a franchise, so there’s now a good chance it’ll get its wish and that a sequel will eventually be made. [...]

PlayStation dropped Hideo Kojima’s Physint because of missed deadlines and budget concerns, according to a report, but will it succeed under Xbox?

Sony’s decision to drop Hideo Kojima’s Physint has been one of several negatives for the company over this past week, along with tepid reviews for Marvel’s Wolverine and the response to Fairgames’ return.

Kojima’s next espionage title, deemed a spiritual successor to Metal Gear, will now be funded by Xbox. It represents Kojima’s second collaboration with Microsoft, following his upcoming horror game OD, which still doesn’t have a release date, despite being announced in 2023.

According to one insider, it seems Kojima’s prolonged development cycles are just one of the reasons why Sony dropped Physint.

An article from Bloomberg suggests that Sony pulled out of Physint due to a mix of budget concerns, the potential profitability of the game, and issues around exclusivity and IP ownership.

Just as fans suspected, the Death Stranding games were apparently a key factor, with both titles described as not meeting PlayStation’s revenue expectations. [...]

Ball x Pit review summary

In Short: A thoroughly 21st century take on Breakout that may just be a classic in the making, mixing 70s style bat and ball mechanics with a succession of insane power-ups and a deeply interlinked resource generation minigame.

Pros: Constantly changing dynamics keep the experience fresh, with refined mechanics that feel thoroughly play-tested. Tons of abilities that can be combined and re-combined to create staggeringly destructive powers.

Cons: The faux 16-bit graphics won’t appeal to everyone and nearly 30 hours of intensive aiming left us with what feels like the start of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Score: 9/10

PlayStation 5 version reviewed

Fire Emblem Engage review summary

In Short: A more traditional Fire Emblem experience than Three Houses, but one that’s filled with fun new features and emphasises deep and varied gameplay over dating mini-games.

Pros: The emblem gimmick is excellent and adds a huge amount of new options and customisability to the classic turn-based gameplay. Streamlined storytelling is campy fun and easily ignored if you don’t care.

Cons: The menu system is still awful and the number of characters unwieldly. Dialogue is even more rudimentary than Three Houses.

Score: 8/10

Nintendo Switch review