Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve features a blend of aerial combat and storytelling. Bandai Namco released an "Online 101" video detailing multiplayer features, including online lobbies and personalized pilot avatars. Players can engage in 4v4 deathmatches and eight-pilot free-for-alls, unlocking new aircraft and customization options as they progress. The game will include battle passes, but any aircraft DLC in the premium pass will be available for individual purchase after the season. The game is set to launch on Steam on October 1.
The author revisited the MMO Star Wars Galaxies on a private server, experiencing its chaotic environment in Mos Eisley and reflecting on the game's charm despite its outdated graphics and minimal quests. The gameplay allowed for leisurely exploration and connection with other players, contrasting sharply with the fast-paced, task-oriented nature of modern MMOs like World of Warcraft. The author appreciated the freedom to engage with the game at their own pace, discovering player-created content and enjoying incidental interactions that evoke the essence of the MMO experience. The community surrounding Star Wars Galaxies continues to preserve its spirit, highlighting a sense of life and connection that is often lacking in contemporary MMOs.
Wardogs, a military simulation first-person shooter from the creators of Battalion 1944, will enter early access on September 10. The game supports up to 100 players in player-versus-player action and features a mode where three teams compete for control over a territory on a large map. Players earn account-level currency through various actions, which can be spent on gear, creating a personal stake in survival. The game encourages collaborative play and strategic loadout management, offering generous cash rewards for gameplay. Preorders are available, and players can request refunds if they find the beta unsatisfactory. The studio has committed to avoiding monetization during early access, with cosmetic skins earned through gameplay. Wardogs is designed as a PC-first FPS and will support community servers.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has received two significant updates in its second year of post-release support. The Confrontation Update introduces a new enemy, the Sorcerer, and adds two new PvP arenas: Sanctum and Facility. It also includes weekly PvP rewards for players. Additionally, Steam Workshop support has been implemented, allowing for user-generated content, including the Astartes Overhaul mod, which rebalances gameplay and adds new classes and weapons. Saber Interactive plans to support the game for at least another year, with a roadmap for future content expected to be revealed during the second anniversary celebration.
Microsoft will release a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved on July 28, 2026, priced at £40. The game is being developed by Halo Studios and will feature cooperative multiplayer for up to four players, but will not include player-versus-player options or a theater mode. It will offer the original campaign along with three bonus missions. The visual style has changed from the original, leading to mixed reactions regarding its aesthetics and audio updates. The remake has a file size of 70GB and may have performance issues on less powerful hardware. Comparatively, The Master Chief Collection offers more content for a lower price.
DCKO is a free-to-play mobile fighting game featuring DC Comics characters, set to launch in 2027 on iOS and Android platforms. The game focuses on real-time player-versus-player combat, with popular characters like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Harley Quinn. New characters are added monthly to keep gameplay fresh, and players can customize their fighters with various Super Moves and upgrades. In addition to PvP modes, the game offers player-versus-environment challenges, emphasizing fluid combos, epic super attacks, and tactical features like throws and tag-team combos. Regular updates will introduce new content to provide a constantly evolving experience for DC fans and fighting game enthusiasts.
Drop Fake has revealed DCKO, a new mobile fighting game featuring characters from the DC Universe. Scheduled for release in 2027 on iOS and Android, the game will include 2-on-2 tag team battles, story-driven PvE content, and live real-time PvP matches.
Sand: Raiders of Sophie has entered early access. It is a first-person base-building extraction shooter set in outer space, featuring customizable walking bases called tramplers. Players can construct their own tramplers or use pre-existing models, equipping them with various weapons and ammunition. The game includes both player-versus-player and PvE elements, with NPCs guarding lootable locations. Players can join solos-only servers for a more strategic experience. After gathering loot, players must transport their trampler to an extraction point, which involves climbing a tower to initiate the extraction process. Initial experiences have included server issues and challenges during gameplay.
DMZ is a mode in Call of Duty's Warzone that offers a player-versus-environment (PvE) experience, contrasting with the typical player-versus-player (PvP) focus of extraction shooters. The map Al Mazrah features locked buildings, loot rooms, and dynamic events, promoting exploration. DMZ 2.0 is set to launch alongside Modern Warfare 4, promising enhancements based on player feedback, including a revamped stealth system, dynamic weather effects, vehicle integration, and improved matchmaking for shared objectives. Story missions will become more engaging, and a new "star system" will increase difficulty by attracting tougher enemies as players engage in combat. The developers aim to maintain the core elements of the original DMZ while expanding its features, appealing to both PvE and PvP players. DMZ 2.0 is scheduled for release in October.
