Vishal Kamal has been covering video games for 7 years, writing about everything from hardware deals and new releases to esports and the business
side of the industry. He runs TheBadGamer, focused on gaming news worth your time.
Steam's latest update brings significant changes to its store tags, adding 17 new ones like "Bullet Heaven" and "Xianxia", removing 28 including "NSFW" and "Roguevania", and merging others for improved discovery. These alterations aim to enhance game recommendations and player identification of suitable titles. The move reflects the evolving gaming landscape and player preferences.
Metaphor: ReFantazio, a Game of the Year nominee and winner of multiple awards at The Game Awards 2024, is leaving Xbox Game Pass on May 31, alongside Persona 4 Golden and several other titles. Subscribers have until the end of May to play these departing games. New arrivals include Forza Horizon 6 and The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition.
Sony has confirmed its narrative single-player games, including Marvel’s Wolverine and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, will remain PS5 exclusives. PC gamers express mixed reactions, from disappointment to indifference, citing the high cost of PS5 consoles and the availability of alternative PC games. This move reverses Sony's previous staggered PC release approach.
The "Bullet Heaven" genre, popularized by games like Vampire Survivors, now has a dedicated tag on Steam, validating its growing popularity. This addition is part of a broader update by Valve, introducing 17 new tags and removing 28 to enhance game discovery. The move aims to help players find games tailored to their interests and improve Steam's recommendation system.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book offers a low-stakes, discovery-driven experience tailored for young kids, with a vibrant 2D picture book aesthetic. While it shines in encouraging playful research, its lack of challenge and repetitive gameplay may leave older players underwhelmed. This gentle puzzle-platformer is a great introduction to Nintendo games for the youngest players.
The leaked Xbox Elite Series 3 controller appears to offer minimal design changes from its predecessor, sparking debate among gamers. While its exterior suggests more of the same, hopes are high for significant upgrades under the hood. The Elite Series 2 set a high bar for controller design; can the Series 3 innovate beyond aesthetics?
XBOX Game Pass welcomes a diverse array of games in May, headlined by Forza Horizon 6 on May 19, offering over 550 real-world cars in a Japanese open-world setting. Other notable additions include Escape Simulator on May 26 for co-op puzzle enthusiasts and Jurassic World Evolution 3 on June 2 for dinosaur park managers. These titles, along with several others, bring a broad spectrum of gaming experiences to the platform.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is an excellent, albeit different, successor to the Disco Elysium legacy, offering a deeply immersive spy thriller experience. With its unique Fatigue, Anxiety, and Delirium stats and the Exertion mechanic, the game challenges players in a fresh way. Set in the intriguing city of Portofiro, it's a must-play for fans of psychological depth and mystery.
Get ready for chaotic fun with Pictonico!, Nintendo's surprise mobile game, launching May 28th on iOS and Android. This free-to-start, Wario Ware-inspired title offers a unique camera-driven minigame experience. With a focus on local fun, it's perfect for parties and gatherings.
Microsoft launches Xbox Player Voice, a feedback platform where fans overwhelmingly demand a return to exclusive titles, citing the need for console differentiation. Despite Microsoft's multiplatform success with games like Forza Horizon 5, hardcore Xbox fans feel alienated. The move comes as new Xbox boss Asha Sharma re-evaluates the company's approach to exclusivity.
