Previews
43 article(s)Hands-on previews and first impressions of upcoming games.
RS4: Jagex Unveils New RuneScape MMO Built on Unreal Engine
Jagex has revealed RS4, a new RuneScape MMO developed under Unreal Engine, with no confirmed release date or platform. The British studio insists: this project doesn't replace RuneScape or Old School RuneScape. The real question remains whether a community already split across two games over twenty years old can sustain attention on a third, and whether a studio whose financial stability has been shaken in recent years can pull it off.
The Witcher 3 at -50%: CD Projekt's Move Before Witcher 4
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt hits half price on Steam just as a free update overhauls its visuals. Eleven years after launch, CD Projekt Red's calculation goes beyond simple promotion—it's a way to keep Geralt in players' minds before the sequel arrives. An analysis of a strategy that benefits newcomers but raises questions about market timing.
Physint Cancelled by Sony: Kojima Stunned, Eyes on Xbox
Sony Interactive Entertainment pulled funding for Physint without warning. Hideo Kojima, speaking at Tokyo Game Show, expressed shock to IGN and The Washington Post — while appearing at Xbox's booth. This sudden reversal raises a fundamental question: how can a project backed by one of gaming's most bankable creators get axed so abruptly? And what does this shift reveal about the real state of relations between star auteurs and proprietary platforms?
Diablo V Announced for 2029: Blizzard Plays the Long Game
Blizzard officially unveiled Diablo V at BlizzCon 2026, targeting a spring 2029 release. That's nearly three years of waiting with the game already on the table. This is no calendar accident—it's a deliberate strategy banking on community as both development engine and marketing force. The stakes are high for a studio that restored its credibility with Diablo IV after years of turbulence.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Deathmaster—2D Stealth Has Its Rules
Old Skull Games, the Lyon-based studio behind Iron Danger and Dungeon Inn, tackles treacherous terrain: 2D stealth in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar universe. At Gamescom 2026, Deathmaster proved concrete enough to warrant serious attention. The ambition is bold, the signals encouraging, but several questions remain open before release.
Hearthstone: Dark Empire, Ancient Gods, and Monk Arriving in 2027
Blizzcon 2026 didn't put Hearthstone in the spotlight, but the card game delivered two major announcements: an expansion called The Reign of the Dark Empire, diving back into Ancient Gods mythology, and the official confirmation of the Monk as the next playable class, expected in 2027. These revelations deserve serious consideration for what they signal about the game's direction and its community.
Heroes of Might & Magic 3 Remake: Faithfulness as Editorial Bet
Ubisoft is diving back into the Might & Magic franchise with a remake of the third installment, the gold standard of 90s turn-based strategy. At Gamescom, ninety minutes of gameplay confirm the essentials: the mechanics are untouched, the presentation overhauled, and the question remains whether this deliberate faithfulness is a strength or an admission that nobody's really surpassed this formula since.
Exodus at Gamescom: The Mass Effect Substitute Owns Its Limits
Hands-on at Gamescom, Exodus confirms what its marketing suggested: Archetype Entertainment's space RPG is clearly playing in Mass Effect's league without trying to hide it. The question isn't whether it draws inspiration, but whether this faithfulness to a twenty-year-old template is a viable strategy or an admission of limited ambition. First verdict after gameplay.
Thank You Bus Driver: Double Fine Reclaims Itself
Double Fine just announced Thank You Bus Driver, its first game since breaking away from Microsoft. A chaotic bus simulator where high-speed driving and physical crowd management seem as crucial as the surrounding mayhem. It's the first concrete signal from a studio reclaiming creative control—and the result looks nothing like what Xbox expected from them.
Exodus: The Sci-Fi RPG Aiming to End 14 Years of Drought
Archetype Entertainment brings together veterans from BioWare, Naughty Dog, 343 Industries, and Obsidian. Their project, Exodus, is shaping up as a third-person sci-fi RPG on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series. Can one hour of gameplay reveal whether these veterans deliver on their promises, or does their pedigree mask a fragile project? First verdict: cautiously optimistic impressions included.
Metro 2039: Back to Basics, But at What Cost?
4A Games is bringing Metro back to the rubble of Moscow in early 2027 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series. After a detour into virtual reality, the Ukrainian studio promises a return to fundamentals: oppressive corridors, survival under pressure, razor-sharp atmosphere. Three hours of gameplay later, the promise partially delivers—but several questions linger about the studio's ability to recapture the precise balance that made the first two entries legendary.
Gamescom ONL 2026: The Witcher, Metro 2039, and Silent Hill Townfall Confirmed
Gamescom 2026's Opening Night Live shapes up as a packed affair: additional content for The Witcher, a confirmed appearance by Metro 2039, and fresh footage of Silent Hill Townfall headline the slate. This is no ordinary lineup—three franchises with heavyweight nostalgia and demanding fanbases, all on the same stage. The pressure on publishers is real, and managing expectations without disappointing audiences will be a high-wire act.