A PC gamer's astonishing 300GB recycling bin mishap has gone viral, sparking disbelief and amusement. Meanwhile, Pragmata surpasses 2 million sales, and Halo Infinite introduces a challenging new PvE mode, Firefight: Gauntlet. Gaming news roundup includes Atari's Wizardry acquisition, Ruse's Steam return, and Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2's summer launch.
Blood Vial, a retro-inspired micro-FPS on Steam, combines fast-paced shooting with Splatoon-like movement, utilizing blood as both a health meter and a tactical resource. For its $5 price tag, it offers an enjoyable, albeit shallow, experience perfect for short bursts of gameplay. With its unique blend of speed and strategy, Blood Vial is well worth the investment for fans of quick, challenging FPS action.
Valve reintroduces Steam Controllers with a reservation system, similar to the Steam Deck's launch, to combat resale and ensure fair access. Reservations open May 8, with the US and Canada prioritized, followed by the UK, Europe, and Australia. This move aims to prevent the immediate sell-out and eBay resale seen in the first wave.
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG Studio) has finally revealed that its anticipated action-RPG, Stranger Than Heaven, will launch this winter across Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and PlayStation 5. This cinematic, action-focused game promises a unique experience with its core theme of friendship and a distinct combat system, differing from the Yakuza series. Players can expect an expansive setting spanning five different eras and cities in Japan.
After 6 years in development and multiple delays, Mina the Hollower, a pixel art top-down adventure from Yacht Club Games, is set to release on PC (Steam) on May 29 for under $20. This orthodox take on the Zelda-esque genre promises a challenging yet nostalgic experience. The game's success is crucial for the studio, with sales targets set at 500,000 for a "golden" outcome.
After a decade off Steam, Eugen Systems' WW2 RTS Ruse is back, complete with all original DLC, technical updates, and full Steam Deck support. Despite its 2010 roots and a $30 price tag that's drawn some criticism, the game's re-release has been met with overwhelmingly positive user reviews. Ruse's return is a welcome surprise for strategy fans, offering a very good, albeit unremastered, RTS experience.
Hades 2 receives a groundbreaking mod, "Zagreus' Journey", which seamlessly integrates the original Hades game's biomes, enemies, bosses, and more into the sequel. This PC mod, praised by Supergiant Games, offers a vast new experience for players. With new modes, resources, and cosmetics, it's set to extend playtime significantly for fans of the roguelike series.
Pirate survival game Windrose inadvertently put players' SSDs under extreme stress, causing high I/O workloads. A recent patch from developer Kraken Express has resolved the issue, introducing a new save system and updated item icons. Despite the setback, Windrose achieved remarkable success, selling 1 million copies in just six days.
Paranormasight director Takanari Ishiyama attributes the success of his horror visual novel series to the rise of high-quality indie games, which draw attention to smaller-scale projects. The series, published by Square Enix, has garnered critical acclaim and positive Steam user ratings. This phenomenon highlights a shift in the gaming industry where indie titles pave the way for niche projects from larger publishers.
After an 11-year absence, R.U.S.E., the World War 2 real-time strategy gem, returns to Steam with a Definitive Edition, featuring Steam Deck support and all DLC. This surprise move by developer Eugen Systems, who reacquired rights from Ubisoft, delights fans who previously faced outcry when servers were turned off in 2023. The game's unique "Ruse" cards and tactical depth are once again available, with existing owners receiving the update for free via a 2.4GB patch.
