The Lenovo Legion Y9 (2025 model) combines high-end hardware, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB of RAM, with the Lenovo G9 controller to deliver a versatile Android-based handheld gaming experience.
Anticipation surrounds the game Marathon, noted for its vectorheart-inspired art style. Cicadamata, a new game, features a bold visual design with animated text and a sense of urgency. Players control Fawn-A2, navigating the Cascade and acquiring cores while using a cybershotgun. Gameplay includes mastering moves like triple jumps and air dashes, with intricate shooter maps and immersive audio-visual elements. The game is fast-paced, presenting challenges that some may find difficult but rewarding. Cicadamata's demo is available on Steam until March 5, with the full game expected to launch later this year.
Remedy Entertainment released a significant patch for Alan Wake Remastered on PC on February 26, introducing several enhancements. Key updates include the addition of HDR, improved DLSS capabilities, and unlocked frame rates ranging from 200 FPS to 240 FPS. Gameplay improvements feature a command to skip the intro, refined camera functionality, and optimized weapon swapping. Visual enhancements include a new optional camera style, upgraded SDR to 10-bit, corrected FOV scaling, and fixes for rendering errors. UI updates consist of a new setting to scale the gameplay UI and resolution of multiple mouse input issues. There are no announcements for similar updates on console versions.
Powerwash Simulator, American Truck Simulator, and A Game About Digging a Hole are popular titles in the gaming industry that offer relaxed experiences. The Epic Games Store is currently offering the free game Boxes: Lost Fragments, developed by Big Loop Studios, where players act as a legendary thief solving puzzles in a mysterious mansion. The game features an Art Deco-inspired aesthetic and has received an average score of 91% on Steam and a rating of 4.5 on the Epic Games Store. Additionally, My Night Job, an arcade-style zombie beat-'em-up, is also available for free on the Epic Games Store until March 5.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is available for PC Game Pass subscribers and is considered Ubisoft's best open-world game in years. It features impressive graphics, enhanced by Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine, and includes a mode called 'Unobtanium' that challenges current hardware capabilities. To achieve 4K at 60fps with this mode, a powerful system is necessary. The game has undergone improvements and now includes a third-person mode, along with expansions like From the Ashes, which adds new characters and gameplay refinements. Despite initial technical issues, it is regarded as a solid first-person shooter and a benchmark for PC gaming setups.
Microsoft has released update KB5077241 for Windows 11, which will automatically download on March 10 during 'Patch Tuesday.' This optional update includes a new network speed test feature accessible from the taskbar, allowing users to diagnose internet connectivity issues. It also introduces pan and tilt camera controls for compatible webcams through the Windows 11 Settings app. The update aims to improve user experience by addressing issues with peripherals waking from sleep mode, enhancing visual cohesion, optimizing projector and printer connectivity, and improving sign-in screen performance. However, concerns remain regarding the promotion of Microsoft services in the Start menu's new accounts section.
The Pixel Weather app, launched in 2024, is exclusive to Pixel users and is recognized for its visually appealing design. Google is phasing out the full-screen weather interface on other Android devices, replacing it with a standard web search result for weather inquiries. This change has been gradually implemented over several months, leading users to a Google search for "weather" instead of a dedicated weather report page. The new design consolidates current and hourly weather predictions into a single card, with a simplified display of the 10-day forecast and reduced graphical details.
Windows 11 Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918 (KB5077241) have been released for Insiders in the Release Preview Channel, covering versions 24H2 and 25H2. The update features a gradual rollout method for updates and includes various new features and enhancements:
- Emoji 16.0 introduces a selection of new emojis.
- Windows Backup for Organizations now includes a first sign-in restore experience.
- Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is activated for non-domain joined Windows Professional devices.
- A built-in network speed test is accessible from the taskbar.
- Taskbar improvements enhance the visual experience of the overflow area.
- A new entry point in the account menu directs users to the Microsoft account benefits page.
- Windows supports Microsoft Entra ID group and role SID resolution.
- Users can control pan and tilt for supported cameras in the Settings app.
- Sysmon functionality is now included natively in Windows for capturing system events.
- Widget Settings now opens as a full-page experience in the Widgets app.
- Users can set .webp image files as their desktop background.
- The search process icon in Task Manager has been updated.
- Storage Settings dialogs have been modernized, and performance for scanning temporary files has improved.
- Enhancements have been made to Windows Update Settings for better responsiveness.
- Reliability improvements have been implemented for the login screen and Nearby Sharing.
- The Windows print service has been optimized for smoother performance during high-volume tasks.
- File Explorer has received several improvements, including an extract all option for non-ZIP archive folders and enhanced reliability for displaying devices on the Network page.
- Performance enhancements have been made to reduce resume-from-sleep time on heavily loaded systems.
- Minor visual issues related to the taskbar, Windows Security pop-up credential fields, and the print dialog have been addressed.
Kojima Productions announced that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will be released on PC on March 19. The PC version will feature unlocked frame rates, ultra widescreen support (including 21:9 and 32:9 formats), 4K resolution, and DualSense controller support. Improvements include support for NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel Upscaler technologies, as well as Frame Generation. Both PC and PS5 versions will introduce new modes and features, with more details to be shared later. The game was recognized as VGC’s Game of the Year for 2025, praised for its narrative and gameplay mechanics.
Many gamers are facing rising costs for hardware upgrades and may benefit from optimizing their existing setups. Five graphics settings that can be safely disabled to enhance gaming performance without compromising visual quality include:
1. VSync: Disable VSync if using a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor to avoid increased latency and conflicts with variable refresh rate technologies. Instead, cap frames at the GPU settings for a smoother experience.
2. Motion Blur: Disabling motion blur can improve clarity and help players spot enemies and items more easily, especially in games running below 60 FPS.
3. Film Grain: Turning off film grain can enhance visual clarity by removing a fuzzy texture that detracts from the game's graphics.
4. Chromatic Aberration: Disabling this effect can lead to a cleaner visual experience, enhancing clarity without affecting performance.
5. Depth of Field: This setting can be turned off for better performance, particularly on older hardware, but some players may prefer to keep it for its realistic effect. Experimentation is advised to find the best option.